Directed metalation and regioselective functionalization of 3-bromofuran and related heterocycles with NaHMDS

A mild and regioselective functionalization protocol for 3-bromofuran and analogs has been developed. Selective metalation and functionalization of C2 can be achieved as a result of the directing effect of the adjacent electron-withdrawing bromo group. In addition, the C5 position can also be selectively functionalized by blocking the C2 position via silylation or by simply controlling the reaction temperature. These functionalized compounds bearing a C3 bromo substituent may be further elaborated by utilizing a Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling procedure.     

Tandem regioselective synthesis of tetrazoles and related heterocycles using iodine

A one-pot, tandem process has been developed for the synthesis of a library of tetrazoles from aryl isothiocyanates. Condensation of aryl isothiocyanates with ammonia, and aryl amines (R-NH(2)) provided mono, 1,3-disubstituted symmetrical and unsymmetrical thioureas, which on desulfurization with molecular iodine (I(2)) led to formation of the corresponding heterocumulene (cyanamides or carbodiimides). The in situ generated heterocumulene on subsequent treatment with sodium azide at room temperature gave corresponding tetrazoles. The product regioselectivity for unsymmetrical 1,3-disubstituted thioureas was found to be correlated with the basicities (pK(a)'s) of the parent amines attached to the thiourea. Aryl-sec-alkyl unsymmetrical thioureas gave thioamido guanidino products rather than the 5-aminotetrazoles produced by HgCl(2) mediation of the reaction. Bis-thioureas derived from aryl isothiocyanates and hydrazine gave thiadiazoles exclusively.     

Transition-metal-free regioselective thiocyanation of phenols,anilines and heterocycles

An expedient direct and regioselective thiocyanation of phenols, anilines and heterocycles is described. Transformation is realized via the direct CH functionalization under transition metal free conditions at ambient temperature in excellent yields. Method proved to be monoselective and variety of functional groups tolerated the reaction conditions. The practicality of the protocol is demonstrated in gram scale synthesis of a precursor of PPAR δ agonist in excellent yield.     

Acyl‐Directed ortho‐Borylation of Anilines and C7 Borylation of Indoles using just BBr3

Indoles are privileged heterocycles found in many biologically active pharmaceuticals and natural products. However, the selective functionalization of the benzenoid moiety in indoles in preference to the more reactive pyrrolic unit is a significant challenge. Herein we report that N‐acyl directing groups enable the C7‐selective C?H borylation of indoles using just BBr₃. This transformation shows some functional‐group tolerance and notably proceeds with C6 substituted indoles. The directing group can be readily removed in situ and the products isolated as the pinacol boronate esters. Acyl‐directed electrophilic borylation can be extended to carbazoles and anilines with excellent ortho selectivity. 4‐amino‐indoles are amenable to this process, with acyl group installation and directed electrophilic C?H borylation enabling selective formation of C5‐BPin‐indoles.     

Ring-selective functionalization of N,N'-diarylureas by regioselective N-alkylation and directed ortho metalation

[reaction: see text]. Unsymmetrical N,N'-diarylureas may be alkylated regioselectively at the more sterically congested nitrogen atom. The resulting mono-N-alkylated ureas undergo directed metalation (ortholithiation) with sec-BuLi to yield, on electrophilic quench, products functionalized regioselectively at the ring bearing the alkylated nitrogen atom.     

Stereoselective and regioselective reaction of cyclic ortho esters with phenols

Cyclic ortho esters undergo stereoselective and regioselective reaction with phenols when treated with BF(3) x OEt(2) at low temperatures. Attack of the phenol on the ortho ester occurs at an open carbon para to electron-donating groups on the phenol ("C-addition") or at the phenolic hydroxyl group ("O-addition") depending on the nature of the cation formed from reaction of the ortho ester and BF(3) x OEt(2). Products resulting from O-addition undergo reversion to a mixture of starting phenol, C-addition product, and O-addition product if treated with BF(3) x OEt(2) at room temperature, but C-addition products are stable under the same conditions. X-ray structural analysis of the C-addition compound indicates that its stereochemistry is opposite to that observed in reaction of similar ortho esters with chloride from TMSCl. However, the stereochemistry of the reaction can be rationalized by the ability of the ortho ester to isomerize via an intermediate benzylic cation and examination of the preferred trajectory of attack of the nucleophile on the intermediate oxonium ion.     

Sulfoxide‐Directed Metal‐Free ortho‐Propargylation of Aromatics and Heteroaromatics

A sulfoxide‐directed, metal‐free ortho‐propargylation of aromatics and heteroaromatics exploits intermolecular delivery of a propargyl nucleophile to sulfur followed by an intramolecular relay to carbon. The operationally simple cross‐coupling procedure is general, regiospecific with regard to the propargyl nucleophile, and shows complete selectivity for products of ortho‐propargylation over allenylation. The use of secondary propargyl silanes allows metal‐free ortho‐coupling to form carbon–carbon bonds between aromatic and heteroaromatic rings and secondary propargylic centres. The ‘safety‐catch’ nature of the sulfoxide directing group is illustrated in a selective, iterative double cross‐coupling process. The products of propargylation are versatile intermediates and they have been readily converted into substituted benzothiophenes.     

First general, direct, and regioselective synthesis of substituted methoxybenzoic acids by ortho metalation

New general methodology of value in aromatic chemistry based on ortho-metalation sites in o-, m-, and p-anisic acids (1-3) (Scheme 1) is described. The metalation can be selectively directed to either of the ortho positions by varying the base, metalation temperature, and exposure times. Metalation of o-anisic acid (1) with s-BuLi/TMEDA in THF at -78 degrees C occurs exclusively in the position adjacente to the carboxylate. On the other hand, a reversal of regioselectivity is observed with n-BuLi/t-BuOK. With LTMP at 0 degrees C, the two directors of m-anisic acid (2) function in concert to direct introduction of the metal between them while n-BuLi/t-BuOK removes preferentially the proton located ortho to the methoxy and para to the carboxylate (H-4). s-BuLi/TMEDA reacts with p-anisic acid (3) exclusively in the vicinity of the carboxylate. According to these methodologies, routes to very simple methoxybenzoic acids with a variety of functionalities that are not easily accessible by other means have been developed (Table 1).     

An efficient and mild ortho-zincation of aromatics and heterocycles by using TMP2Mg·2LiCl in the presence of ZnCl2

A variety range of functionalized aryl and heteroaryl zinc reagents were efficiently generated by using TMP₂Mg·2LiCl (TMP = 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperamidyl) in the presence of ZnCl₂. The subsequently functionalization gave after reaction with electrophiles the expected polyfunctionalized products in good yields. A detailed study concerned on the point how we found the protocol and how we optimized it was depicted.     

Sustainable Protocol for the Synthesis of 2′,3′-Dideoxynucleoside and 2′,3′-Didehydro-2′,3′-dideoxynucleoside Derivatives

An improved protocol for the transformation of ribonucleosides into 2′,3′-dideoxynucleoside and 2′,3′-didehydro-2′,3′-dideoxynucleoside derivatives, including the anti-HIV drugs stavudine (d4T), zalcitabine (ddC) and didanosine (ddI), was established. The process involves radical deoxygenation of xanthate using environmentally friendly and low-cost reagents. Bromoethane or 3-bromopropanenitrile was the alkylating agent of choice to prepare the ribonucleoside 2′,3′-bisxanthates. In the subsequent radical deoxygenation reaction, tris(trimethylsilyl)silane and 1,1′-azobis(cyclohexanecarbonitrile) were used to replace hazardous Bu₃SnH and AIBN, respectively. In addition, TBAF was substituted for camphorsulfonic acid in the deprotection step of the 5′-O-silyl ether group, and an enzyme (adenosine deaminase) was used to transform 2′,3′-dideoxyadenosine into 2′,3′-dideoxyinosine (ddI) in excellent yield.     

One ‐ pot synthesis of novel sulfur and selenium heterocycles by directed ortho‐lithiation

A procedure for the synthesis of benzo[e][1,3]thiazine‐2,4‐diones from benzamides by directed lithiation and sequential treatment with sulfur and phosgene is reported. Use of thiophosgene afforded 2‐thioxo‐2,3‐dihydro‐benzo[e][1,3] thiazin‐4‐ones. Application of this methodology to benzenesulfonamides afforded the previously unknown 1,1‐dioxo‐1,2‐dihydro‐1,4‐dithia‐2‐aza‐naphthalen‐3‐one ring system with phosgene and the 1,2‐dioxo‐2‐phenyl‐2,3‐dihydrobenzo[e][1,4,2]dithiazine‐3‐one ring system with thiophosgene. Use of selenium in place of sulfur afforded the novel analogous selenium heterocycles, however in the case of benzamides the use of selenium and phosgene afforded benzo[d]isoselenazol‐3‐ones unexpectedly.     

Hydrogen Bond Directed ortho‐Selective C−H Borylation of Secondary Aromatic Amides

Reported is an iridium catalyst for ortho‐selective C?H borylation of challenging secondary aromatic amide substrates, and the regioselectivity is controlled by hydrogen‐bond interactions. The BAIPy ‐Ir catalyst forms three hydrogen bonds with the substrate during the crucial activation step, and allows ortho‐C?H borylation with high selectivity. The catalyst displays unprecedented ortho selectivities for a wide variety of substrates that differ in electronic and steric properties, and the catalyst tolerates various functional groups. The regioselective C?H borylation catalyst is readily accessible and converts substrates on gram scale with high selectivity and conversion.     

An efficient, rapid and regioselective nuclear bromination of aromatics and heteroaromatics with NBS using sulfonic-acid-functionalized silica as a heterogeneous recyclable catalyst

A simple, efficient and rapid method has been developed for high-yielding regioselective nuclear monobromination of aromatic and heteroaromatic compounds using NBS in the presence of sulfonic-acid-functionalized silica at room temperature. The catalyst works under heterogeneous conditions and can be recycled.