Keteniminium Salts as Key Intermediates for the Efficient Synthesis of 3-Amino-Indoles and -Benzofurans

Herein, we describe a high yielding approach towards the synthesis of 3-amino-indoles and -benzofurans through 6π-electrocyclization. This was made possible by taking advantage of the high reactivity of keteniminium salts, formed in-situ by treating with triflic anhydride and 2-fluoropyridine amides bearing at the α-position either an aniline or a phenoxy moiety. These mild conditions, on top of furnishing rapidly the 3-aminobenzoheteroles, allow the tolerance of various functional groups. Control experiments were carried out to highlight that the keteniminium is, indeed, in most cases, the reactive intermediate and conformational preferences of such species were investigated through a DFT study.     

Chemoselective Intermolecular α‐Arylation of Amides

A new approach for the fully chemoselective α‐arylation of amides is presented. By means of electrophilic amide activation, aryl groups can be regioselectively introduced α‐ to amides, even in the presence of esters and alkyl ketones. Mechanistic studies reveal key reaction intermediates and emphasize a remarkably subtle base effect in this transformation.     

Synthesis of Highly Substituted Cyclobutane Fused‐Ring Systems from N‐Vinyl β‐Lactams through a One‐Pot Domino Process

In this contribution, aminocyclobutanes, as well as eight‐membered enamide rings, have been made from N‐vinyl β‐lactams. The eight‐membered products have been formed by a [3,3]‐sigmatropic rearrangement, whereas the aminocyclobutanes have been derived from a domino [3,3]‐rearrangement/6π‐electrocyclisation process. The aminocyclobutanes have been obtained in a highly diastereoselective fashion. The cyclobutane ring system tolerates fusion even if adjacent quaternary centres are present. Systems containing up to four fused rings are readily accessible. The reaction profile has been investigated by using Gaussian 03. This study suggests that two reaction pathways for aminocyclobutane formation are possible. In one pathway the [3,3]‐sigmatropic rearrangement is the rate‐limiting step and in the second pathway the electrocyclisation is rate limiting. Taken together, these reactions should facilitate the construction of fused heterocycles.     

Chemoselective α,β‐Dehydrogenation of Saturated Amides

We report a method for the selective α,β‐dehydrogenation of amides in the presence of other carbonyl moieties under mild conditions. Our strategy relies on electrophilic activation coupled to in situ selective selenium‐mediated dehydrogenation. The α,β‐unsaturated products were obtained in moderate to excellent yields, and their synthetic versatility was demonstrated by a range of transformations. Mechanistic experiments suggest formation of an electrophilic Se^IV species.     

Efficient and Divergent Synthesis of α‐Halogenated Amides and Esters by Double Electrophilic Activation of Ynamides

An efficient and modular entry to α‐halogenated amides and esters is reported. This reaction is based on an underestimated double electrophilic activation of ynamides sequentially involving highly reactive activated keteniminium and iminium ions. Upon simple reaction with HCl and an electrophilic halogenation reagent in the presence of water or an alcohol, a broad range of ynamides can be transformed, in a highly divergent manner, to α‐halo amides and esters with high efficiency and under mild conditions.     

One‐Pot Organocatalytic Tandem Aldol/Polycyclization Reactions between 1,3‐Dicarbonyl Compounds and α,β,γ,δ‐Unsaturated Aldehydes for the Straightforward Assembly of Cyclopenta[b]furan‐Type Derivatives: New Insight into the Knoevenagel Reaction

A new cascade pathway viable for Knoevenagel chemistry that involves the coupling between 1,3‐dicarbonyl systems and α,β,γ,δ‐unsaturated aldehydes has been developed. The process comprises the combination of a classic aldol‐type condensation and a rare spontaneous metal‐free cycloisomerization, representing a convergent and innovative approach for the stereoselective synthesis of cyclopenta[b]furan‐type derivatives. The scope and limitations with respect to both reaction partners and mechanistic features were investigated. Meaningfully, our study provides valuable guidance concerning the structural and electronic effects controlling the reactivity of conjugated polyene carbonyl systems.     

Domino Pd0‐Catalyzed C(sp3)–H Arylation/Electrocyclic Reactions via Benzazetidine Intermediates

The Pd⁰‐catalyzed C(sp³)‐H arylation of 2‐bromo‐N‐methylanilides leads to unstable benzazetidine intermediates that rearrange to benzoxazines through 4π electrocyclic ring‐opening and 6π electrocyclization. The introduction of a bulky, non‐activatable amide group on the nitrogen atom was key to favor the challenging reductive elimination step and disfavor undesired reaction pathways.     

Library‐directed Solution‐ and Solid‐phase Synthesis of 2,4‐Disubstituted Pyridines: One‐pot Approach through 6 π‐Azaelectrocyclization

An efficient one‐pot synthetic procedure for the synthesis of 2,4‐disubstituted pyridines has been successfully established. The method proceeds through a 6π‐azaelectrocyclization‐aromatization sequence. Using this method, a wide variety of pyridine structures substituted at the 2‐position have been rapidly constructed from vinyl stannanes, vinyl iodide, sulfonamide, and a palladium catalyst. The method was further applied to the solid‐phase synthesis wherein the use of a “traceless” sulfonamide linker enabled the rapid preparation of a small library of pyridines with high purity, without any chromatographic separation.     

Synthesis of β‐Hydroxy α‐Sulfanyl Esters by Using Nanocrystalline Magnesium Oxide

Aldol‐type reaction between electron deficient aldehydes and sulfonium salts to afford the corresponding β‐hydroxy α‐sulfanyl esters in moderate‐to‐good yields by using nanocrystalline MgO is described. The sulfanyl group is a useful group for further transformations in organic synthesis. Low R_f‐value isomer is anti‐configured as revealed by X‐ray diffraction study and consistent with the assignment of ¹H‐NMR spectrum.     

Ynamide Preactivation Allows a Regio‐ and Stereoselective Synthesis of α,β‐Disubstituted Enamides

A novel ynamide preactivation strategy enables the use of otherwise incompatible reagents and allows preparation of α,β‐disubstituted enamides with high regio‐ and stereoselectivity. Mechanistic analysis reveals the intermediacy of a triflate‐bound intermediate as a solution‐stable, effective keteniminium reservoir, whilst still allowing subsequent addition of organometallic reagents.     

An Alkyne Diboration/6π‐Electrocyclization Strategy for the Synthesis of Pyridine Boronic Acid Derivatives

A new and efficient synthesis of pyridine‐based heteroaromatic boronic acid derivatives is reported through a novel diboration/6π‐electrocyclization strategy. This method delivers a range of functionalized heterocycles from readily available starting materials.     

An Efficient Amide‐Aldehyde‐Alkene Condensation: Synthesis for the N‐Allyl Amides

The allylamine skeleton represents a significant class of biologically active nitrogen compounds that are found in various natural products and drugs with well‐recognized pharmacological properties. In this personal account, we will briefly discuss the synthesis of allylamine skeletons. We will focus on showing a general protocol for Lewis acid‐catalyzed N‐allylation of electron‐poor N‐heterocyclic amides and sulfonamide via an amide‐aldehyde‐alkene condensation reaction. The substrate scope with respect to N‐heterocyclic amides, aldehydes, and alkenes will be discussed. This method is also capable of preparing the Naftifine motif from N‐methyl‐1‐naphthamide or methyl (naphthalene‐1‐ylmethyl)carbamate, with paraformaldehyde and styrene in a one‐pot manner.     

Conjugated Dienyne‐Imides as Robust Precursors of 1‐Azatrienes for 6π Electrocyclizations to Furo[2,3‐b]dihydropyridine Cores

A novel strategy to generate functionalized 1‐azatriene intermediates for 6π electrocyclizations was developed by using readily accessible dienyne‐imides and various terminal olefins under Pd^II catalysis. Taking advantage of the sequential cooperation between preloaded and incorporated functional handles at 1,3‐dien‐5‐yne skeletons, this method not only enables the selective generation of putative 1‐azatrienes but significantly accelerates their thermal 6π‐electrocyclic ring‐closure processes to a series of highly substituted furo[2,3‐b]dihydropyridine derivatives in good yields.     

The Thermal Rearrangement of an NHC‐Ligated 3‐Benzoborepin to an NHC‐Boranorcaradiene

An N‐heterocyclic‐carbene‐ligated 3‐benzoborepin with a bridged structure has been synthesized by double radical trans‐hydroboration of benzo[3,4]cycloundec‐3‐ene‐1,5‐diyne with an N‐heterocyclic carbene borane. The thermal reaction of the NHC‐ligated borepin at 150 °C gives an isolable NHC‐boranorcaradiene. Experiments and density functional theory calculations support a mechanism whereby the borepin initially rearranges to a boranorcaradiene by a thermal 6π‐electrocyclic reaction. This is followed by 1,5‐boron shift to give a rearranged boranorcaradiene. This shift occurs with stereoinversion at boron through a transition state with open‐shell diradical character. This is the first example of the isolation of a boranorcaradiene from a thermal reaction of a borepin.