Synthesis of unsymmetrical biaryl ureas from N-carbamoylimidazoles: kinetics and application

N-Carbamoylimidazoles dissociate in solution to yield imidazole and an isocyanate that may be reacted with another aryl amine to form an unsymmetrical biaryl urea. This paper investigates the reaction kinetics and the influence of electron withdrawing/donating substituents on the reaction of N-carbamoylimidazoles with aniline. The overall reaction mechanism involves two zwitterionic intermediates, formed during dissociation and upon reaction of the liberated isocyanate with aniline. The rate limiting step for the reaction is a base catalysed proton transfer from the second zwitterionic intermediate. Although electron withdrawing substituents on the aryl group hinder dissociation, they significantly increase reaction rates compared to compounds bearing electron donating substituents. The imidazole liberated upon dissociation catalyses the rate determining step so that reactions of dissociated N-carbamoylimidazoles proceed more rapidly than those involving only isocyanates. In addition, the imidazole eliminates the need for anhydrous reaction conditions. The N-carbamoylimidazole methodology was demonstrated by preparing sorafenib, a biaryl urea kinase inhibitor, in good yield and excellent purity.     

Concise synthesis of quinazoline alkaloids, luotonins A and B, and rutaecarpine

The total synthesis of luotonin A was achieved in excellent yield by using a Pd-assisted biaryl coupling reaction of N-(bromoquinolinyl)methylquinazolinone with Cy₃P and KOAc. The successive treatment of luotonin A with NBS and aq. AgNO₃ gave luotonin B in good yield. Although the Pd-assisted coupling reaction of N-(2-bromoindolyl)ethylquinazolinone with Cy₃P and KOAc yielded rutaecarpine in poor yield, N-acetate under the same reaction conditions yielded the desired rutaecarpine directly in excellent yield.     

Genome-Guided Discovery of the First Myxobacterial Biarylitide Myxarylin Reveals Distinct C–N Biaryl Crosslinking in RiPP Biosynthesis

Ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs) are a structurally diverse group of natural products. They feature a wide range of intriguing post-translational modifications, as exemplified by the biarylitides. These are a family of cyclic tripeptides found in Planomonospora, carrying a biaryl linkage between two aromatic amino acids. Recent genomic analyses revealed that the minimal biosynthetic prerequisite of biarylitide biosynthesis consists of only one ribosomally synthesized pentapeptide precursor as the substrate and a modifying cytochrome-P450-dependent enzyme. In silico analyses revealed that minimal biarylitide RiPP clusters are widespread among natural product producers across phylogenetic borders, including myxobacteria. We report here the genome-guided discovery of the first myxobacterial biarylitide MeYLH, termed Myxarylin, from Pyxidicoccus fallax An d48. Myxarylin was found to be an N-methylated tripeptide that surprisingly exhibits a C–N biaryl crosslink. In contrast to Myxarylin, previously isolated biarylitides are N-acetylated tripeptides that feature a C–C biaryl crosslink. Furthermore, the formation of Myxarylin was confirmed by the heterologous expression of the identified biosynthetic genes in Myxococcus xanthus DK1622. These findings expand the structural and biosynthetic scope of biarylitide-type RiPPs and emphasize the distinct biochemistry found in the myxobacterial realm.     

Enantioselective oxidative coupling of methyl 3-hydroxy-2-naphthoate using mono-N-alkylated octahydrobinaphthyl-2,2′-diamine ligand

Mono-N-alkylated octahydrobinaphthyl-2,2′-diamine (H₈-BINAM) chiral ligands were employed in the catalytic and asymmetric oxidative coupling of methyl 3-hydroxy-2-naphthoate to the corresponding binaphthol derivative. The diamine ligand with one N-(3-pentyl) group shows highest enantioselectivity in the biaryl coupling among other BINAM derivatives, and the coupling reaction proceeds faster than the reactions using alkanediamine ligands.     

Effect of oxygen substituents on the regioselectivity of the Pd-assisted biaryl coupling reaction of benzanilides

This study investigated the effect of oxygen substituents in the benzoyl part of N-(2-iodophenyl)benzamide on the coupling position in its Pd-assisted biaryl coupling reaction. Benzamide with methylenedioxy and acyloxy groups yielded the ortho-product formed predominantly by connection to a more hindered carbon. The mechanism is discussed from the perspectives of both steric and coordinated effects.     

Generating cis-aza-diaryl and triaryl ethers via organoBrønsted acid catalysed aza-Darzens chemistry

We report the efficient combination of S_NAr and organic Brønsted acid catalysis protocols for the construction of cis-aziridine-derived biaryl and triaryl ethers. Using aza-Darzens chemistry mono-cis-aziridine-biaryl and bis-(cis-aziridine)-triaryl ethers have been generated; these motifs have significant potential as easily synthesised, functionalised precursors of a glycopeptide backbone.     

Synthesis of the dibenzopyrrocoline alkaloid skeleton: indolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines and related analogues

The indolo[2,1-a]isoquinoline and pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinoline nuclei have been synthesized from N-benzylindole or ethyl 1H-indol-1-ylacetate and N-benzylpyrrole precursors, respectively. Firstly, at C-2 of either the indole or pyrrole nucleus, aromatic rings containing a carbonyl substituent ortho to the newly formed biaryl axis were introduced using the Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reaction. Thereafter, under basic conditions the nucleophile that formed at the acidic methylene protons of the N-benzylindole, ethyl 1H-indol-1-ylacetate or N-benzylpyrrole intermediate reacted with the internal aromatic carbonyl to yield (after the expulsion of water) the title compounds. For example, exposure of ethyl 2-(2-(2-formylphenyl)-1H-indol-1-yl)acetate to potassium tert-butoxide resulted in the formation of ethyl indolo[2,1-a]isoquinoline-6-carboxylate.     

Tetralones as precursors for the synthesis of 2,2′-disubstituted 1,1′-binaphthyls and related compounds

Using tetralones as starting materials, the synthesis of biaryl compounds is described in this paper. The tetralones were initially converted into 1-bromo-3,4-dihydro-2-naphthalenecarbaldehydes before effecting aromatization into the corresponding naphthalenes. These products were then subjected to Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reactions, with a variety of aromatic boronic acids containing substituents in the ortho position, to afford biaryl compounds. The biaryl compounds possess heteroatom containing substituents ortho to the newly formed biaryl axis.     

Synthesis, resolution and racemisation studies of new tridentate ligands for asymmetric catalysis

A method for the high-yielding preparation of two tridentate, isoquinoline-derived ligands, involving successive Suzuki cross-coupling reactions, is described. The first ligand could be resolved via molecular complexation with N-benzylcinchonidinium chloride, while the second was resolved by chromatographic separation of its epimeric camphorsulfonates. The barrier to rotation about the central biaryl axis was evaluated via racemisation studies, and the absolute configuration assigned by X-ray crystallography.     

Atroposelective Total Synthesis of the Fourfold ortho-Substituted Naphthyltetrahydroisoquinoline Biaryl O,N-Dimethylhamatine

A stereoselective total synthesis of O,N-dimethylhamatine, an analogue of an axially chiral naphthylisoquinoline natural biaryl product from tropical Ancistrocladus lianas, is reported. The route features a late-stage atropo-diastereoselective biaryl bond formation. Generation of this especially challenging, sterically hindered tetra-ortho-substituted array was achieved by using Nolan's (IPr*NHC)PdCinCl pre-catalyst under mild Negishi coupling conditions. Discussion is offered regarding the selectivity obtained experimentally and predicted from DFT calculations on the key biaryl coupling step that leads to the desired M-diastereomer.     

A synthesis of (aR,7S)-(−)-N-acetylcolchinol and its conjugate with a cyclic RGD peptide

An asymmetric synthesis of (−)-N-acetylcolchinol is described based on a Suzuki-Miyaura coupling to generate the biaryl pharmacophore. The sole asymmetric centre was introduced by an asymmetric reduction of a dibenzosuberone derivative 24 using lithium borohydride in the presence of stoichiometric amounts of a chiral Lewis acid (TarB-NO₂). A conjugate between an α_Vβ₃ integrin-binding cyclic peptide c[RGDfK] and colchinol (adipoyl linker) was synthesised with an aim to deliver colchinol to solid tumours selectively.     

Synthetic Strategies in the Preparation of Phenanthridinones

Phenanthridinones are important heterocyclic frameworks present in a variety of complex natural products, pharmaceuticals and displaying wide range of pharmacological actions. Its structural importance has evoked a great deal of interest in the domains of organic synthesis and medicinal chemistry to develop new synthetic methodologies, as well as novel compounds of pharmaceutical interest. This review focuses on the synthesis of phenanthridinone scaffolds by employing aryl-aryl, N-aryl, and biaryl coupling reactions, decarboxylative amidations, and photocatalyzed reactions.     

Total synthesis of plagiochin G and derivatives as potential cancer chemopreventive agents

A new and efficient total synthesis has been developed to obtain plagiochin G (22), a macrocyclic bisbibenzyl, and four derivatives. The key 16-membered ring containing biphenyl ether and biaryl units was closed via an intramolecular S_NAr reaction. All synthesized macrocyclic bisbibenzyls inhibited Epstein–Barr virus early antigen (EBV-EA) activation induced by the tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) in Raji cells and, thus, are potential cancer chemopreventive agents.     

Extending the Substrate Scope of Bicyclic P‐Oxazoline/Thiazole Ligands for Ir‐Catalyzed Hydrogenation of Unfunctionalized Olefins by Introducing a Biaryl Phosphoroamidite Group

This study identifies a series of Ir‐bicyclic phosphoroamidite–oxazoline/thiazole catalytic systems that can hydrogenate a wide range of minimally functionalized olefins (including E‐ and Z‐tri‐ and disubstituted substrates, vinylsilanes, enol phosphinates, tri‐ and disubstituted alkenylboronic esters, and α,β‐unsaturated enones) in high enantioselectivities (ee values up to 99 %) and conversions. The design of the new phosphoroamidite–oxazoline/thiazole ligands derives from a previous successful generation of bicyclic N‐phosphane–oxazoline/thiazole ligands, by replacing the N‐phosphane group with a π‐acceptor biaryl phosphoroamidite moiety. A small but structurally important family of Ir‐phosphoroamidite–oxazoline/thiazole precatalysts has thus been synthesized by changing the nature of the N‐donor group (either oxazoline or thiazole) and the configuration at the biaryl phosphoroamidite moiety. The substitution of the N‐phosphane by a phosphoroamidite group in the bicyclic N‐phosphane–oxazoline/thiazole ligands extended the range of olefins that can be successfully hydrogenated.     

Enantioselective total synthesis of parnafungin A1 and 10a-epi-hirtusneanine

The first and enantioselective total synthesis of the heterodimeric biaryl antifungal natural product parnafungin A1 as well as complex biaryl tetrahydroxanthone 10a-epi-hirtusneanine is accomplished, by employing cross-coupling through the benzoxaborole strategy to construct their sterically hindered biaryl cores. Besides the powerful Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling, the synthesis of parnafungin A1 also features a highly diastereoselective oxa-Michael addition to construct a tetrahydroxanthone skeleton, and an effective Zn-mediated reductive cyclization-Mitsunobu sequence to furnish the isoxazolidinone structure. Key innovations in total synthesis of 10a-epi-hirtusneanine include the employment of DTBS protection for functional group manipulation on the tetrahydroxanthone skeleton, stereoselective methylations, and complete reversal of the stereochemistry of the C5-hydroxy group using oxidation/Evans–Saksena reduction, as well as the strategy of preparing both complex tetrahydroxanthone monomers from the same chiral intermediate 25.

The first, enantioselective total synthesis of the heterodimeric biaryl antifungal natural product parnafungin A1 as well as 10a-epi-hirtusneanine is accomplished, using a cross-coupling strategy to construct their sterically hindered biaryl cores.     

The application of pyranoside phosphite-pyridine ligands to enantioselective Ir-catalyzed hydrogenations of highly unfunctionalized olefins

Eight (biaryl)phosphite/pyridine ligands 1–2a–d have been prepared by the modular functionalization of positions C-2 and C-3 of two d-glucopyranoside backbones. The chiral ligands were examined in the iridium-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of poorly functionalized alkenes, as a function of the relative position of the coordinating groups and the geometric properties of the biaryl phosphite moieties. Enantiomeric excesses of up to 90% were achieved in the hydrogenation of E-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-butene by using 1a and 1c, which seemingly combine the beneficial effect of the phosphite at the 2-position with the matching (R_ax)-configuration of their encumbered biaryl substituents. The results of the hydrogenation of more challenging substrates, such as Z-trisubstituted alkenes, alkenes with a neighboring polar group or demanding 1,1-di-substituted alkenes, generally confirmed this trend, and in some significant cases, the chiral hydrogenated products were isolated with ees of 65–79%.     

Bisoxazoline ligands with an axial-unfixed biaryl backbone: the effects of the biaryl backbone and the substituent at oxazoline ring on Cu-catalyzed asymmetric cyclopropanation

The synthesis of novel C₂-symmetric bisoxazoline ligands with an axial-unfixed biaryl backbone and different substituents at the oxazoline ring is reported. The diastereomer equilibrium of these ligands in solution and their complexation behavior with the copper(I) ion were studied. Their application in Cu-catalyzed cyclopropanation of styrene, with diazoacetate, was carried out and the effects of the biaryl backbone and the substituent on the oxazoline ring in the catalysis were examined. The best result was obtained with the ligand having a 1,1′-binaphthyl backbone and a t-butyl group on the oxazoline ring, which afforded 89% de and 96% de for the trans- and cis-products of the above asymmetric cyclopropanation reaction, respectively.     

One-Handed Helical Polyacetylenes Bearing Axially-Chiral 2-Arylpyridyl-N-Oxide Units for Efficient Chromatographic Enantioseparation of Chiral Aromatic and Aliphatic Alcohols

A series of poly(biarylylacetylene)s (PBAs) bearing axially-chiral (S)-and (R)-pyridyl-N-oxide residues with a methoxy, propoxy, or acetyloxy substituent at the 3-position of the biaryl units was synthesized. All the PBAs formed a preferred-handed helix, while the helical sense preference was varied depending on the substituents despite the same twist-sense of the biaryl units. Among them, the propoxy-bound helical PBA showed an exceptionally high chiral recognition ability as a chiral stationary phase (CSP) for high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and efficiently resolved not only various chiral aromatic alcohols, but also a variety of chiral aliphatic alcohols; the latter still remains difficult to resolve by commercially-available CSPs in HPLC. Such practically-useful both handed helical PBA-based CSPs can be produced from the racemic PBA composed of fully racemic monomer units through deracemization of the biaryl units with a chiral alcohol.     

Palladium-catalysed synthesis of biaryl phosphines

Monodentate, biphenyl-type phosphines have emerged as a powerful class of ligands in homogeneous catalysis. Synthetic methods for these ligands are limited, however. We report that the palladium-catalysed Suzuki coupling of OPR₂(o-C₆H₄X) (R=Ph, t-Bu; X=Br, I) with arylboronic acids affords a variety of biaryl phosphine oxides including those that contain heterocycles. The corresponding phosphines are readily obtained by treatment with HSiCl₃. The methodology provides an easy entry to monodentate biaryl and heterobiaryl P^?X (X=N, O, S) phosphines with diverse steric and electronic properties.     

Efficient synthesis of isoplagiochin D, a macrocyclic bis(bibenzyls), by utilizing an intramolecular Suzuki-Miyaura reaction

Isoplagiochin D, a highly strained macrocyclic bis(bibenzyls) with two biaryl units isolated from the liverwort Pladiochila fruticosa, was prepared in 10.6% overall yield for the 11 steps by an efficient synthetic approach involving the construction of two bibenzyl and one biaryl units using Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons and Suzuki-Miyaura protocols.