Studies on the syntheses of heterocyclic compounds—DXCI : Total synthesis of (±)-cherylline and corgoine through quinonoid intermediates

Acid catalysed cyclisation of N - (4′ - benzyloxy - β - methoxyphenethyl) - 3 - benzyloxy - 4 - methoxy - N-methylbenzylamine (18) gave (±)-cherylline (1), one of the Amaryllidaceae alkaloids. Fusion of 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol (22) with 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (24) also gave corgoine (5).     

Photochemical synthesis of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolin-3-ones from N-chloroacetylbenzylamines

When N-chloroacetyl-3-hydroxybenzylamine (37) in aqueous acetonitrile was irradiated, both ortho and para photocyclizations with reference to the OH group occurred to give 7- and 5-hydroxy-3-oxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines (52,53). Similarly, 1-methylisoquinoline derivatives (54,55) were synthesized. N-Chloroacetyl-3,5-dihydroxybenzylamine (39) gave a single photoproduct, 5,7-dihydroxy-3-oxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (56). These photocyclizations were smoothly extended to the synthesis of 1-benzyl, 1-(4′-methoxybenzyl)- and 1-(3′,4′,5′-trimethoxybenzyl)-isoquinoline derivatives (58～64).     

Synthese und reaktionen neuartiger n-vinylaziridine

The ketene S,S-acetals 1 readily react with aziridine to give the corresponding 3-(1-aziridinyl)-3-methylthio-acrylnitriles 2 and 3,3-bis-(1-aziridinyl)-acrylnitriles 3. Ketene S,N-acetals 4 yield 3-anilino-3-(1-aziridinyl)-acrylnitriles 5. Reaction of 5 with potassium iodide in acetone at room temperature leads to imidazolidines 8. The isomerisation is explained in terms of a two-step mechanism. The iodide ion-catalysed rearrangement was not successful when applied to 2a. Cyclisation of 5b in the presence of sodium hydride and following hydrolysis form the tautomeric quinolone 10. On contrary to 1 and 4 mercapto ethylenes 11 and 13 with aziridine give the thiazolidine 15.     

A new approach towards the synthesis of pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines

Reaction of 5-bromo-2-methyl-8-nitro-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline with activated alkynes affords stable tetrahydropyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolin-4-ium ylides. Further reactions of ylide 2 gives access to substituted dihydropyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines in good yields.     

Reaction of N-nitroaryl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives with oxygen

Heating N-4′-methyl-2′-nitrophenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline ( 1 ) in the presence of oxygen gave both products derived from cleavage of the C8a? Cl bond and oxidation at the 1-position. Under similar conditions N-4′-nitrophenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline ( 4 ) gave only the oxidation product.     

Studies on Debenzylation and Photolysis of 1-Benzyl- and 1-(β-Phenethyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines

Debenzylation of 1-(3-benzyloxybenzyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines 1 , 6 , 7 with hydrochloric acid and ethanol gave the corresponding phenolic isoquinolines 2 , 8 , 9 and tetrahydroprotoberberines 4 , 12 , 13 . Compounds 2 , 8 , 9 on photolysis also gave, besides the expected noraporphines 3 , 10 , 11 , the tetrahydroprotoberberines 4 , 12 , 13 [1–4] (Schemes 1 and 2). 6-Benzyloxy-1-(5-benzyloxy-2-bromo-benzyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (27a) containing no methoxy or methylenedioxy groups either in ring A or C does not give protoberberine during debenzylation; but 28 , the debenzylation product of 27a , on photolysis gives both the noraporphine 29 and the tetrahydroprotoberberine 30 (Scheme 6), proving that during debenzylation of 1-(3-benzyloxybenzyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines containing additional methoxy or methylenedioxy groups, the necessary formaldehyde comes from the latter groups. During photolysis both the methoxy groups (methylenedioxy groups) and the C(3) atom of the tetrahydroisoquinoline moiety provide the formaldehyde. Veratrole under debenzylation and photolytic conditions and tetrahydroisoquinoline under the latter condition also give rise to formaldehyde (Schemes 8 and 10). The novel bromohomoprotoberberine 43 along with 42 was formed during debenzylation of the 1-phenethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline 41 . Photolysis of 42 yielded the novel nor-homoaporphine 44 , in addition to 43 ; the latter was debrominated to give the homoberbine 45 .     

Enantioselective addition of organolithium reagents to 3,4-dihydroisoquinoline in the presence of (−)-sparteine as an external ligand. Application for the synthesis of isoquinoline alkaloids

Three isoquinoline alkaloids, (−)-salsolidine 2, (+)-carnegine 6 and (−)-1-phenyl-2-methyl-6,7-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline 7, were obtained in high yield and with 17–46% e.e. by the enantioselective additions of organolithium reagents to dihydroisoquinolines 1 and 5, in the presence of (−)-sparteine as a chiral ligand.     

A convenient and highly stereoselective synthesis of 14-substituted 8,13-diazaoestrone analogues by domino ring closures

By means of convenient domino ring closure reactions of 1-(2-aminoethyl)-6,7-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline 2 and γ-oxo-acids, 14-substituted 8,13-diazaoestrone derivatives (5 and 6) were formed with ∼100% diastereoselectivity.     

Pyrimidines-19: Ring transformation of 5-nitrouracil into nitroresorcinols

The first intermolecular right transformation of a uracil derivative into the benzene system is reported. Treatment of 1,3-dimethyl-5-nitrouracil (1) with acetone in NaOMe/MeOH afforded 6-acetonyl-5,6-dihydro-1,3-dimethyl-5-nitrouracil (6) which was converted into 4-nitroresorcinol (5) upon treatment with NaOEt/EtOH at reflux. Reaction of1 with butanone gave two major products, 3-(5,6-dihydro-1,3-dimethyl-5-nitrouracil-6-yl)butanone (7) and the 1-(uracil-6-yl)butanone isomer (8). Prolonged treatment of7 with NaOEt/EtOH afforded 4-methyl-6-nitro-resorcinol (9) whereas8 was converted into 2-methyl-4-nitro-resorcinol (10). Treatment of1 with diethyl acetonedicar?ylate in NaOEt/EtOH afforded diethyl-2-(5,6-dihydro-1,3-dimethyl-5-nitrouracil-6-yl)-acetonedicar?ylate (2). Prolonged treatment of2 with NaOEt/EtOH at reflux afforded (5,6-dihydro-1,3-dimethyl-6-nitrouracil-6-yl)-acetate (3). Apparently,2 underwent a retroClaisen reaction to give3. Reaction of1 with ethyl acetoacetate in NaOEt/EtOH gave adduct isomers4 which underwent transformation reaction to give eventually 6-nitroresorcinol (5).     

The use of isoquinolinetriones in the synthesis of benzo[c]phenanthridine alkaloids

Reaction of isoquinolinetriones 1 with phosphonates 2 yields E-ethyl α-benzylidene-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-2-methyl-1,3-dioxo-4-isoquinolineacetates 3. Treatment of them with diazomethane leads to the corresponding E-ethyl α-benzylidene-1,2-dihydro-3-methoxy-2-methyl-1-oxo-4-isoquinolineacetates 4. Irradiation of the latter affords benzo[c]phenanthridones of type 5.     

Amide rotamers of N-acetyl-1,3-dimethyltetrahydroisoquinolines: synthesis, variable temperature NMR spectroscopy and molecular modelling

Mercury(II)-mediated ring closure of N-[1-(2-allyl-3-benzyloxy-4,6-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl]acetamide 9 afforded N-acetyl-5-benzyloxy-6,8-dimethoxy-1,3-trans-dimethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline 8. The product was shown to exist as a mixture of amide rotamers by NMR spectroscopy, since signals coalesced at higher temperatures. Variable temperature NMR spectroscopy and molecular modelling were used to investigate these rotamers and gave average values for the barrier of rotation in the range of 15-16 kcal mol⁻¹. 2-[2-[1-(Acetylamino)ethyl]-6-(benzyloxy)-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl]-1-methylethyl methanesulfonate 17 was also cyclized with sodium hydride to afford the same rotameric products with the same tetrahydroisoquinoline skeleton, but as a mixture of 1,3-trans- and cis-dimethyl isomers.     

Reactions of cyclo-octatetraene and its derivatives—VIII: 1,2,3,8- And 1,2,3,4-tetrachlorocyclo-octatetraene

Earlier attempts to synthesize 1,2,3,8-tetrachlorocyclo-octatetraene 4 are described. A ca. 2:1 mixture of 1,2,3,8- and 1,2,3,4-tetrachlorocyclo-octatetraene was finally obtained by hydrolysis (using 96% trifluoroacetic acid) of the ketal 15 followed by thermal decarbonylation of the product. Reaction of the mixture of cyclo-octatetraenes with bromine gave the (separable) dibromo-derivatives 17 and 18. On attempted debromination with zinc, the dibromodiene 17 formed the benzocyclobutadiene dimer 12, together with the benzobiphenylene 13; these compounds were also produced directly from the cyclo-octatetraene mixture by the action of zinc. In contrast, similar treatment of the dibromodiene 18 led to the E-bromostyrene 22. The mixture of cyclo-octatetraenes reacted with maleic anhydride to give the adduct 27, whereas with acenaphthylene the adduct 28 was obtained.     

Synthesis,anti-inflammatory,analgesic and anticonvulsant activities of some new 4,6-dimethoxy-5-(heterocycles)benzofuran starting from naturally occurring visnagin

Novel 3-(4,6-dimethoxybenzofuran-5-yl)-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxaldehyde (3) and 3-chloro-3-(4,6-dimethoxybenzofuran-5-yl)propenal (4) were prepared via Vilsmeier–Haack reaction of 1-(4,6-dimethoxybenzofuran-5-yl)ethanone (1) and its hydrazone derivative 2. Reaction of compound 4 with some hydrazine derivatives, namely hydrazine hydrate, phenylhydrazine and benzylhydrazine hydrochloride led to the formation of pyrazole derivatives 5–8, respectively. On the other hand, reaction of compound 4 with thiourea, urea or guanidine gave the pyrimidine derivatives 9–11, respectively. Reaction of amino compound 11 with acetic anhydride, benzoyl chloride and benzenesulphonyl chloride yielded N-substituted pyrimidine derivatives 12–14, respectively. Reaction of diazonium salt of compound 11 with sodium azide afforded azidopyrimidine derivative 15, which upon reaction with ethyl acetoacetate gave 1,2,3-triazole derivative 16. Acid catalyzed reaction of 11 with p-nitrobenzaldehyde gave Schiff base 17, which cyclized upon reaction with thioglycolic acid or chloroacetyl chloride to give thiazolidin-4-one 18 and azetidin-2-one 19, respectively. The newly synthesized compounds were tested for their anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anticonvulsant activities. Depending on the obtained results, the newly synthesized compounds possess significant anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anticonvulsant activities.     

Functionalized enamines—XXII : Annelation of enamines of polycyclic α,β-unsaturated ketones; a facile partial synthesis of furano- indolo- and benzsteroids. Total synthesis of 3-oxa-A-norsteroid

Reaction of dienamine 4a with substituted phenacyl bromides gave steroidal[3,4-b] furans 5a–g. The same principle reaction was utilized for the total synthesis of (±) 2 - (p - chlorophenyl) - 3 - oxa - A - nor - estra - 1,5(10), 9(11) - triene - 17 - acetate 12a. Treatment of 4a, b with benzenediazonium salts, in DMF, followed by a Fischer-indole cyclization yielded steroidal[6, 7-b] indoles 8a–k. Dienamine 4b could be annelated to benz[4, 5, 6] steroids 9a and 9b by reaction with methyl vinyl ketone and crotonaldehyde, respectively.     

Synthesis and Structure of Metal Complexes of 1-(1-R-3-Methylpyrazole-5-onilidene-4)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline Derivatives

Twenty new complexes were synthesized by reacting Co(II), Cu(II), Zn, Cr(III), Fe(III), Cd and Ag salts with 3,3-dimethyl-1-(3-methylpyrazole-5-onilidene-4)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (L¹), spiro{cyclohexane-1,3"-[1-(1-phenyl-3-methylpyrazole-5-onilidene-4)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline]} (L²), and 3,3-dimethyl-1-(1-phenyl-3-methylpyrazole-5-onilidene-4)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (L³). These compounds were studied by IR and electronic absorption spectroscopy. The type of coordination of their ligands was discussed on the basis of the results obtained and X-ray diffraction data for L³ and [CuL₂ ² Cl₂] · 2L² obtained previously.     

The novel transition metal free synthesis of 1,1′-biazulene

Reaction of 1-azulenyl methyl sulfoxide (1) under acidic conditions gave the 1,1′-biazulene derivative 3. Methylmercapt groups of 3 were readily converted to formyl groups by Vilsmeier reaction to afford 3,3′-diformyl-1,1′-biazulene (4), which reacted with pyrrole in the presence of acetic acid to give the parent 1,1′-biazulene (5). Reaction of 5 with pyridine in the presence of Tf₂O gave 3,3′-dihydropyridyl-1,1′-biazulene derivative 6. 3,3′-(4-Pyridyl)-1,1′-biazulene (7) was obtained by the reaction of 3 with KOH in EtOH at room temperature in good yield.     

1,3-Dipolar cycloadditions of MeOPEG-bounded azides

1,3-Dipolar cycloadditions of MeOPEG-supported azide 2 with a variety of dipolarophiles have been studied. 1-MeOPEG-supported 1,2,3-triazoles 4 and 5, 1,2,3,4-tetrazoles 12 and aziridine 14 were obtained in nearly quantitative yields. The removal of the MeOPEG moiety from the 1,2,3-triazole nucleus was achieved by acidic cleavage of the cycloadduct mixtures 4 and 5 giving 4- and 5-substituted-1,2,3-triazoles 6 and 7.     

A contribution to the asymmetric synthesis of isoquinolines: Concise stereoselective approach to (3S,4S)-6,7-dimethoxy-4-hydroxy-3-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline

A highly efficient stereoselective synthesis of (3S,4S)-6,7-dimethoxy-4-hydroxy-3-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline 8 (e.e.=96%) starting from enantiomerically pure imine 3 is reported.     

Benzoheterocycles via aryne C−C cyclisation: Initial approaches

The preparation of some benzo-4,5 and 6-membered mononitrogen heterocycles by cyclisation of an aryne with a side chain carbanion α to a cyanide group has been investigated: Thus 1-cyano-2-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline, (50%); 4-cyano-1-ethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline, (11%) 2-methylisoindole, (89%) have been prepared. Attempts to prepare an N-acetyl indoline gave 2-methylbenzoxazole, and a benzazetine approach gave predominantly amination products.     

Benzolactams. 4. Reaction of 3',4'- or 4',5'-dialkoxy-substituted 1-(2'-Bromobenzyl)-2-ethoxycarbonyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines with alkyllithium. 1,2 and 1,4 additions of alkyllithium to benzolactams

Treatment of 1-(2'-bromo-3',4'-dialkoxybenzyl)-1,2,3, 4-tetrahydroisoquinoline carbamates, 1a,c, with excess alkyllithium gave 8-oxoberbines, 2a,c, which were successively attacked in situ with another molecule of alkyllithium to give 1,2 and/or 1,4 addition products. A primary alkyllithium, such as MeLi or BuLi, gave a 1,2 addition product, 8-methyleneberbine 9a or 8-butylideneberbine 3a. t-BuLi preferred 1,4 addition, followed by elimination of the alkoxy group, to give 9-tert-butyl-8-oxoberbine 6a or 7c. s-BuLi gave a mixture of 1,2 and 1,4 addition products, 1-[2'-(2' '-methylbutyryl)benzyl]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline 4a and 9-s-butyl-8-oxoberbine 5a. Similar treatments of carbamate 1b having no alkoxy group at its 3' position gave 1,2 addition products, 8-butylideneberbine 3b, 1-[2'-(2' '-methylbutyryl)benzyl]-1,2,3, 4-tetrahydroisoquinoline 4b, and 1-(2'-pivaloylbenzyl)-1,2,3, 4-tetrahydroisoquinoline 6b, in all cases. Reactions of 1a with s-BuMgCl and isoPrMgCl also gave the 1,4 adduct, 5a, and its 9-isoPr analogue, 12a. Treatment of 9a with excess NaBH(4) in AcOH gave (+/-)-coralydine (10b).