New route synthesis of indolizines via 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of pyridiniums and alkynes

A convenient synthesis of 2,3-di and 1,2,3-trisubstituted indolizines has been achieved via a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of pyridiniums and alkynes. Various alkynes and diynes were used instead of dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate (DMAD) and its analogues in the traditional method. The corresponding 1,2,3-trisubstituted indolizines are useful building blocks for the construction of complex indolizine derivatives.     

Base-catalyzed stereoselective intermolecular addition of imidazoles onto alkynes: an easy access to imidazolyl enamines

An efficient transition metal-free approach for the regio- and stereoselective addition of imidazoles 1a–f onto alkynes 2a–l to provide the Z- and E isomers of imidazolyl enamines 3a–q and 4a–d using catalytic amount of KOH is described. Stereoselectivity of the addition products (Z and E isomer) was found to be dependent upon time. Competitive experiments show that imidazole is less reactive than pyrrole and more reactive than aniline towards hydroamination.     

Amine nucleophilic addition to nitroalkene as a new practical approach for the synthesis of fully substituted isoxazoline-N-oxide

The secondary amine nucleophilic addition to the nitroalkene was used to generate the active nitronate intermediate, followed by the sequential addition to aldehyde and ylide, giving the fully substituted isoxazoline-N-oxide in one-pot fashion. Mechanistic studies revealed the equilibrium nature of the diene intermediates, which provide the foundation for the asymmetric synthesis of this interesting heterocycles.     

A novel fluorescent and chromogenic probe for cyanide detection in water based on the nucleophilic addition of cyanide to imine group

A fluorescent and colorimetric probe bearing salicylaldehyde hydrazone functionality has been prepared for cyanide sensing. The detection of cyanide was performed via the nucleophilic attack of cyanide anion on the imine group of the probe with a 1:1 binding stoichiometry, which could be confirmed by ¹H NMR and MS studies. The specific reaction results in a prominent fluorescence enhancement and a color change from colorless to yellow.     

Synthesis of indoles via palladium-catalyzed C-H activation of N-aryl amides followed by coupling with alkynes

A convenient and efficient method for the construction of indole skeleton was developed via Pd-catalyzed C-H activation of N-aryl amides and subsequent coupling with alkynes. Both stoichiometric and catalytic versions have been successfully achieved.     

Efficient synthesis of tricyclic quinazolines by one-pot cyclizations of 2-(dichloroisocyanido)benzonitrile

The one-pot cyclization of 2-(dichloroisocyanido)benzonitrile with 1,4-dinucleophiles, such as α-aminoketones, afforded 5H-oxazolo[2,3-b]quinazolin-5-imines and related quinazolines.     

Copper-catalyzed Z-selective semihydrogenation of alkynes with hydrosilane: a convenient approach to cis-alkenes

A copper catalyst generated in situ from widely available copper salt and imidazolium salt in the presence of t-BuOK showed high efficiency for the semihydrogenation of a wide range of internal and terminal alkynes to their corresponding alkenes without obvious over-reduction. Functional groups, such as hydroxyl, nitro, halides, and amino, etc. were tolerated. The Z/E ratios of the obtained alkenes were generally >99%. Finally, semireduction of bulky alkynes also went smoothly.     

Efficient iodine catalyzed chemoselective synthesis of aminals—an access to N,N-acetals by the addition of lactams to N-acyl imines

A highly efficient protocol has been developed for the synthesis of aminals from γ-butyrolactam and benzaldehyde using iodine as Lewis acid catalyst. The attack of γ-butyrolactam nucleophile to intermediate N-acyliminium ion was more favorable, when aryl aldehyde bears the electron donating group (EDG). Iodine plays a key role in these reaction transformations. This current mild protocol is environmentally benign and cost-effective method for the synthesis of industrially and pharmaceutically useful scaffolds.     

Synthesis of chiral 2,2′-dipyridylamines and their use in the copper-catalyzed asymmetric allylic oxidation of cyclohexene

Chiral dipyridylamines have been synthesized by N-arylation reactions, and the applicability of those compounds to the copper-catalyzed asymmetric allylic oxidation of cyclohexene was demonstrated.     

Michael addition of chiral formaldehyde N,N-dialkylhydrazones to activated cyclic alkenes

The nucleophilic conjugate addition of chiral formaldehyde N,N-dialkylhydrazones 1 to doubly activated cyclic alkenes 2-8 proceeds smoothly to afford the corresponding Michael adducts 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, and 25 in variable yields and selectivities. The reactions take place either spontaneously or in the presence of MgI₂ as a mild Lewis acid depending on the type of substrate. Release of the chiral auxiliary was achieved by transformation of the hydrazone moiety into acetals, dithioacetals or nitriles.     

DFT-assisted design and evaluation of bifunctional copper(I) catalysts for the direct intermolecular addition of aldehydes and ketones to alkynes

Bifunctional catalysts containing discrete metal pi-acid and amine sites were designed and investigated for the direct intermolecular addition of aldehydes and ketones to unactivated alkynes. Copper(I)-based catalysts were prioritized based on intramolecular (Conia-ene type) reactions, and complexes were designed with tridentate ligands and potentially hemilabile heterocyclic spacers. The structures of the designed catalysts were computed using density functional theory (DFT), and the relative energies of putative catalytic intermediates were estimated and used to prioritize catalyst designs. Novel bifunctional precatalysts containing a thiazole spacer were synthesized via a 9-step sequence and combined with transition metals before screening for the direct addition of aldehydes and ketones to several internal and terminal alkynes. Despite the lack of desired intermolecular reactions, DFT calculations of putative catalyst intermediates appears to be a promising strategy for the design and prioritization of bifunctional catalysts for CC bond formation.     

The nucleophilic addition reactions of difluorovinyl tosylates with O- and S-nucleophiles

A series of O- and S-nucleophiles reacted with 2,2-difluorovinyl tosylate 1 regiospecifically with the nucleophiles attacking at the terminal CF₂ carbon at room temperature, affording α,α-difluoroethyl ethers or thioethers in moderate to good yields.     

Design and synthesis of new bidentate alkoxy-NHC ligands for enantioselective copper-catalyzed conjugate addition

A new family of chiral alkoxy-N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands has been designed for the enantioselective copper-catalyzed conjugate addition of dialkylzincs to enones. These new bidentate NHC ligands were synthesized in high overall yields using a five-step procedure starting from commercially available β-aminoalcohols. Influence of the temperature, base, solvent and copper source were studied in order to optimize the stereoselectivity of the addition. High reactivity and excellent enantioselectivity were obtained at ambient temperature with a range of cyclic enones and dialkylzinc. Addition to acyclic enones has also been studied.     

Copper powder-catalyzed N-arylation of imidazoles in water using 2-(hydrazinecarbonyl)pyridine N-oxides as the new ligands

2-(2-Hydrazinecarbonyl)pyridine N-oxides, which were derived from pyrrole-2-carbohydrazides and pyridine N-oxides, were synthesized and utilized as the ligands for copper powder-catalyzed N-arylation of imidazoles with aryl halides in water. Imidazoles could be arylated smoothly with various aryl halides to provide the title products in preferable yields without the need of an inert atmosphere.     

BF3·Et2O catalyzed diastereoselective nucleophilic reactions of 3-silyloxypiperidine N,O-acetal with silyl enol ether and application to the asymmetric synthesis of (+)-febrifugine

The asymmetric BF₃·Et₂O catalyzed nucleophilic reactions of 3-silyloxypiperidine N,O-acetal 10 with silyl enol ethers derived from ketones are described. (+)-Febrifugine 1, an antimalarial alkaloid, was successfully synthesized based on this nucleophilic substitution. In addition, N,O-acetal 10 was synthesized from l-benzyl glutamate in 11 steps.     

The Mukaiyama-Michael addition of a β,β-dimethyl substituted silyl ketene acetal to α,β-unsaturated ketones using tetra-n-butylammonium bibenzoate as a nucleophilic catalyst

The Michael addition of a β,β-dimethyl substituted silyl ketene acetal [Me₂CC(OMe)OSiMe₃] to α,β-unsaturated ketones, namely, 2-cyclopentenone, 2-cyclohexenone, 3-methyl-2-cyclohexenone, isophorone, methyl vinyl ketone and mesityl oxide occurs smoothly in the presence of the nucleophilic catalyst, tetra-n-butyl ammonium bibenzoate (TBABB) in THF giving the corresponding 1,4-adducts in excellent yields.     

Formation of N-sulfonylamidines by copper-catalyzed coupling of sulfonyl azides, terminal alkynes, and trialkylamines

A copper-catalyzed synthesis of N-sulfonylamidines via three-component coupling of sulfonyl azides, terminal alkynes, and trialkylamines is reported.     

Regioselective addition of pyrrole to N-tosyl imines in the presence of Cu(OTf)2

The Cu(OTf)₂ catalysed reaction of pyrrole with N-tosyl imines gives pyrrole sulfonamides in high yields. The addition reaction takes place regioselectively at C(2) of the pyrrole. The procedure is simple and does not require anhydrous conditions.     

Synthesis of enantiomerically enriched propargylamines by copper-catalyzed addition of alkynes to enamines

The first copper(I) bromide/Quinap-catalyzed synthesis of enantiomerically enriched propargylamines by addition of alkynes to enamines is reported. Various functionalized terminal alkynes add smoothly to Nprotected enamines to afford the corresponding amines in good to high yields and moderate to good enantiomeric excesses. The influence of the metal salt, the ligand, and the protecting group on the conversion, the reaction rate, and the stereoselectivity of the reaction are investigated. The scope of the reaction and further transformations of the resulting propargylamines (deprotection, Pauson-Khand reaction) are also described.     

Synthetic applications of the nickel-catalyzed cyclization of alkynes combined with addition reactions in a domino process

Carbonickelations of alkynes and functionalization of the resulting vinylnickel moiety have been performed efficiently in a nickel-catalyzed domino cyclization-condensation process. This reaction, which does not require the preparation of any other organometallic reagent, proceeds only by exo-dig cyclization. This convenient and mild method constitutes a one-pot synthesis of substituted dihydrobenzofurans, chromans, isochromans, indoles, or indanes. Theses valuable products are generally obtained in good yields and high stereoselectivity. They are shown to be useful synthons for rapid access to functionalized polycyclic skeletons.