Enantioselective Michael reaction of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds to 3-nitro-2H-chromenes catalyzed by chiral nickel complexes

A chiral nickel complexes-catalyzed enantioselective Michael addition of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds to 3-nitro-2H-chromenes has been developed; the products could be obtained in high yields and good enantioselectivities.     

Enantioselective synthesis of 2-amino-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-5-oxo-4H-chromene-3-carbonitriles using squaramide as the catalyst

The organocatalyzed enantioselective synthesis of a series of chiral 2-amino-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-5-oxo-4H-chromene-3-carbonitriles was achieved using bifunctional squaramides as the catalysts. The tandem Michael addition–cyclization reaction of cyclohexane-1,3-diones and benzylidenemalononitriles gave the corresponding products in excellent yields (up to 99%) and moderate to good enantioselectivities (up to 83% ee). This investigation provides an efficient and useful process for the synthesis of chiral 2-amino-4H-chromenes.     

Nitroketene acetal chemistry: efficient synthesis of 2-amino-3-nitro-4H-chromenes

Base-catalyzed reaction of the nitroketene N,S-acetals and the ring substituted 2-hydroxybenzaldehydes afforded a combinatorial library of the 2-alkylamino-3-nitro-4-alkylsulfanyl 4H-chromenes in excellent yields. Nucleophilic displacement of the C4 alkylsulfanyl group with different thiols afforded 4H-chromenes with structural diversity.     

Different Behavior of 2-Substituted 3-Nitro-2H-chromenes in the Reaction with Stabilized Azomethine Ylides Generated from α-Iminoesters

The AgOAc-catalysed reaction of 3-nitro-2-phenyl-2H-chromenes with stabilized azomethine ylides generated from the imines based on methyl glycinate and arylaldehydes leads to a mixture of endo and endo’ isomers of the corresponding chromeno[3,4-c]pyrrolidines in a ratio of 2.0–2.3:1 in 85–93% total yields as a result of a Michael addition/Mannich reaction sequence. In a similar reaction involving 2-trifluoromethyl-3-nitro-2H-chromenes, only endo chromeno[3,4-c]pyrrolidines are formed in 85–94% yields. 3-Nitro-2-(trichloromethyl)-2H-chromenes under the same conditions react with these azomethine ylides to give the corresponding Michael adducts as individual anti-isomers with the cis,trans-configuration of the chromane ring in 40–67% yields. Some 4-CF₃-substituted chromano[3,4-c]pyrrolidines exhibited high cytotoxic activity against HeLa human cervical carcinoma cells.     

Synthesis of 4-(2-hydroxyaryl)-3-nitro-4H-chromenes

A combinatorial library of 4-(2-hydroxyaryl)-3-nitro-4H-chromenes was synthesized in high yield by C4-SMe substitution in N-alkyl/phenyl 4-(methylthio)-3-nitro-4H-chromen-2-amines with a variety of phenols. The reaction always provided C2 substitution in the phenol ring, dictated by hydrogen bond interactions between the phenolic hydroxyl group and the nitro group in 3-nitro-4H-chromenes. Reduction of the nitro group with concomitant hydrolysis of the enamine in 4-(2-hydroxyaryl)-3-nitro-4H-chromenes with Zn, Ac₂O in AcOH furnished hybrid amino-acid lactone incorporating ortho-tyrosine and phenyl alanine moieties.     

Highly diastereoselective 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of nonstabilized azomethine ylides to 3-nitro-2-trihalomethyl-2H-chromenes: synthesis of 1-benzopyrano[3,4-c]pyrrolidines

Reactions of 3-nitro-2-trifluoro(trichloro)methyl-2H-chromenes, including 2-unsubstituted derivatives, with N-alkyl-α-amino acids (sarcosine, proline) and paraformaldehyde proceed diastereoselectively to give 1-benzopyrano[3,4-c]pyrrolidines in good yields as a result of a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of the intermediate nonstabilized azomethine ylide at the Δ³-bond of the chromene system.     

A simple synthesis of the pentacyclic lamellarin skeleton from 3-nitro-2-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-chromenes and 1-methyl(benzyl)-3,4-dihydroisoquinolines

The basic structural framework of lamellarin alkaloids, 8,9-dihydro-6H-chromeno[4′,3′:4,5]pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinoline derivatives, has been obtained in good yields via Grob synthesis between 3-nitro-2-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-chromenes and 1-methyl-3,4-dihydroisoquinolines in refluxing isobutanol. In the case of 1-benzyl-3,4-dihydroisoquinolines, a dynamic NMR effect was observed in the ¹H and ¹⁹F NMR spectra of the products as a result of restricted rotation about the single bond linking the benzene ring and the heterocyclic system. When the reaction was carried out with 3-nitro-2-(trichloromethyl)-2H-chromenes in toluene at room temperature, only Michael adducts, as a mixture of two diastereomers, were isolated.     

Domino reaction of 3-nitro-2-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-chromenes with 2-(1-phenylalkylidene)malononitriles: synthesis of functionalized 6-(trifluoromethyl)-6H-dibenzo[b,d]pyrans and a rare case of [1,5] sigmatropic shift of the nitro group

A variety of functionalized 6-(trifluoromethyl)-6H-dibenzo[b,d]pyrans were easily synthesized in good yields under mild conditions by a domino reaction of 3-nitro-2-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-chromenes with 2-(1-phenylethylidene)- and 2-(1-phenylpropylidene)malononitriles. In the latter case, intermediate 7-amino-10-methyl-10-nitro-9-phenyl-6-(trifluoromethyl)-10,10a-dihydro-6H-benzo[c]chromene-8-carbonitriles were isolated as a result of a rare [1,5] sigmatropic shift of the nitro group.     

A facile route to the pentacyclic lamellarin skeleton via Grob reaction between 3-nitro-2-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-chromenes and 1,3,3-trimethyl-3,4-dihydroisoquinolines

The basic structural framework of lamellarin alkaloids, 8,9-dihydro-6H-chromeno[4′,3′:4,5]pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinoline derivatives, has been obtained in good yields via Grob reaction between 3-nitro-2-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-chromenes and 1,3,3-trimethyl-3,4-dihydroisoquinolines in refluxing isobutanol. When the reaction was carried out in toluene at room temperature, only Michael adducts, as a mixture of two diastereomers, were isolated.     

Facile synthesis of chiral 2-amino-4-(indol-3-yl)-4H-chromene derivatives using thiourea as the catalyst

The enantioselective Friedel–Crafts alkylation of indoles with iminochromenes catalyzed by a bifunctional thiourea organocatalyst was investigated. This reaction afforded chiral functionalized 2-amino-4-(indol-3-yl)-4H-chromenes in good yields (up to 87% yield) and with moderate to good enantioselectivities (up to 86% ee).     

Reactions of 3-nitro-2-trihalomethyl-2H-chromenes with C-nucleophiles. Synthesis of 3-nitro-4-(pyrazol-4-yl)-2-trihalomethylchromanes

The nucleophilic addition of acetylacetone and ethyl acetoacetate at the double bond of 3-nitro-2-trihalomethyl-2H-chromenes in the presence of NaH affords 2,3,4-trisubstituted chromanes containing the β-dicarbonyl fragment at position 4. The trans-trans configuration and the enol structure of the reaction products were confirmed by ¹H NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Treatment of these compounds with hydrazine gives the corresponding 3-nitro-4-(pyrazol-4-yl)-2-trihalomethylchromanes. The reactions of 3-nitro-2-trihalomethyl-2H-chromenes with nitromethane and nitroethane in the presence of K₂CO₃ produce 1,3-dinitro derivatives of the chromane series. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 11, pp. 1945–1955, November, 2006.     

Green and Efficient Construction of Chromeno[3,4-c]pyrrole Core via Barton–Zard Reaction from 3-Nitro-2H-chromenes and Ethyl Isocyanoacetate

A regioselective one-pot method for the synthesis of 1-ethyl 2,4-dihydrochromene[3,4-c]pyrroles in 63–94% yields from available 2-phenyl-, 2-trifluoro(trichloro)methyl- or 2-phenyl-2-(trifluoromethyl)-3-nitro-2H-chromenes and ethyl isocyanoacetate through the Barton–Zard reaction in ethanol at reflux for 0.5 h, using K₂CO₃ as a base, has been developed.     

Asymmetric synthesis and biological evaluation of 3-nitro-2H-chromenes as potential antibacterial agents

A one-pot organocatalytic domino Henry/Michael/dehydration sequence of various salicylaldehyde derivatives with nitromethane as a dual-nucleophile is disclosed. This straightforward strategy assembles the optically active (R)-2-alkyl 3-nitro-2H-chromenes with good to excellent enantioselectivities (up to 93% ee) and a broad substrate scope. Preliminary in vitro antibacterial evaluation revealed most of the chiral 3-nitro-2H-chromene derivatives exhibit antibacterial activities against four Gram-positive bacteria. Compound 3p with two bromine substituents on the core scaffold was shown to be the best antibacterial agent in the series against S. aureus, B. subtilis and Bacillus cereus with minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) values of 4?μg/mL, and against Staphylococcus epidermidis with a MBC value of 8?μg/mL.     

A Lewis acid-catalyzed tandem reaction enabling 2-arylglycerol derivative as a versatile 1,3-biselectrophile for the synthesis of 4H-chromenes and 2-pyridinones

Acid-catalyzed tandem reactions were established by employing a novel class of 2-arylglycerol derivative,5-aryl-1,3-dioxan-5-ol, as versatile 1,3-biselectrophile. In the reactions, 5-aryl-1,3-dioxan-5-ol works like atropaldehydes or 2-aryl malondialdehydes, and can react with 2-naphthols and β-keto amides, allowing the synthesis of 4H-chromenes and 5-aryl-2-pyridinones. High yields, good functional group tolerance,broad substrate scope and simple reaction operation make this protocol attractive.     

Diisopropyl azodicarboxylate mediated selective dehydrogenation of 2-amino-3-cyano 4H-chromenes

Selective dehydrogenation of 2-amino-3-cyano 4H-chromenes to the corresponding 2-iminochromenes mediated by diisopropyl azodicarboxylate under neutral conditions is reported. The dehydrogenation reaction is compatible with phenolic hydroxyl group and generates iminochromene in high yields. The methodology provides an easy access to coumarin and N-tosyl 2-amino-3-cyano-4-aryl 4H-chromenes.     

A simple method for the synthesis of functionalized 6-aryl-6H-dibenzo[b,d]pyran derivatives from 3-nitro-2H chromenes

The one-pot synthesis of multi-substituted 6-aryl-6H-dibenzo[b,d]pyran derivatives was achieved via vinylogous Michael addition as the key step and domino reactions under mild reaction conditions, employing readily available α,α-dicyanoolefins and 3-nitro-2H-chromenes as substrates.     

Rhodium-catalyzed cyclopropanations of 2-aryl-2H-chromenes with dialkyl malonate esters. A comparison of α-diazo derivatives and phenyliodonium ylides

Rhodium-catalyzed reactions of 2-aryl-substituted 2H-chromenes with α-diazo esters prepared from dimethyl and tert-butyl methyl malonates were investigated, and the results were compared with reactions carried out with phenyliodonium ylides prepared from the same esters. The phenyliodonium ylide prepared from dimethyl malonate was found to give superior yields of cyclopropane products compared to the corresponding α-diazo equivalent. However, this result was reversed with tert-butyl methyl malonate when Rh₂(S-TBSP)₄ was used to decompose the diazo compound. All reactions gave 1,1-cyclopropane diesters as single diastereomers.     

Synthesis of substituted chiral chromans via organocatalytic kinetic resolution of racemic 3-nitro-2-aryl-2H-chromenes with ketones catalyzed by pyrrolidinyl-camphor-derived organocatalysts

Efficient kinetic resolution of racemic 2-aryl-3-nitro-2H-chromenes (1a–l) has been explored with the pyrrolidinyl-camphor derivative 2b as a bifunctional organocatalyst under neat conditions in the presence of AcOH at 0 °C. In general, the organocatalytic asymmetric Michael addition of ketones proceeded smoothly to give the functionalized Michael adducts (3a–n) with good-to-high diastereo- and enantioselectivities (up to 92:8 dr, 93% ee, and 47% yield). The less reactive chromenes (S)-1a–h, k, l and (R)-1i–j were recovered in high chemical yields and moderate optical purity (up to 42% chemical yield and 72% ee).     

Synthesis of ferrocene annulated trifluoromethylated heterocycles with crispine and lamellarin skeletons

Ferrocene analogues of pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinoline alkaloids, 2-(trifluoromethyl)-5,6-dihydroferroceno[g]indolizine and 6-(trifluoromethyl)-8,9-dihydro-6H-chromeno[4,3-b]ferroceno[g]indolizines, were obtained in 44–65% yield via the Grob reaction between 1-nitro-1-(2,2,2-trifluoroethylidene)alkanes or 3-nitro-2-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-chromenes and 1-alkyl-3,4-dihydroferroceno[c]pyridines in 2-propanol at reflux.     

A simple and convenient synthesis of 4-methyl-3-nitro-2-trihalomethyl-2H-chromenes from N-unsubstituted imines of 2-hydroxyacetophenones and trichloro(trifluoro)ethylidene nitromethanes

The reaction of N-unsubstituted imines of 2-hydroxyacetophenones with trichloro(trifluoro)ethylidene nitromethanes in the presence of DABCO proceeds via tandem oxa-Michael/aza-Henry additions (in dichloromethane) or aza-Michael addition (in benzene) to give 4-methyl-3-nitro-2-trichloro(trifluoro)methyl-2H-chromenes or 1,1,1-trichloro(trifluoro)-3-nitro-N-[1-(2-hydroxyaryl)ethylidene]propan-2-amines, respectively.