Umpolung Reactions of α‐Imino Esters: Useful Methods for the Preparation of α‐Amino Acid Frameworks

This paper summarizes our recent efforts toward the development of tandem reactions utilizing umpolung reactions of α‐imino esters. A highly diastereoselective tandem N‐alkylation–Mannich reaction of α‐imino esters was developed. A tandem N‐alkylation–addition reaction of α‐imino esters derived from ethyl glyoxylate with various aldehydes proceeded to give 1,2‐amino alcohols. The same reaction also proceeded efficiently using a novel flow system comprising two connected microreactors. Novel syntheses of α‐quaternary alkynyl amino esters and allenoates were developed through the use of umpolung N‐addition to β,γ‐alkynyl α‐imino esters, followed by regioselective acylation. In addition, a highly regioselective tandem N‐alkylation–vinylogous aldol reaction of β,γ‐alkenyl α‐imino esters was discovered. N‐Alkylation of α‐iminophosphonates followed by a Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons reaction with aldehydes occurred to afford enamines, which can be used in a four‐component coupling reaction with methyl vinyl ketone. α‐N‐Acyloxyimino esters served as highly efficient substrates for the N,N,C‐trialkylation reaction to introduce various nucleophiles at the imino nitrogen and carbon atoms.     

Advantage of the N‐Alkylation Strategy for Retaining the Molecular Planarity for Oligothiophene/Imidazole/1,10‐Phenanthroline‐Based Heterocyclic Semiconducting and Fluorescent Compounds

A family of planar oligothiophene/imidazole/1,10‐phenanthroline (OTIP)‐based heterocyclic, aromatic, semiconducting, and fluorescent compounds with N‐substituted alkyl chains (allyl, n‐butyl, n‐octyl, n‐dodecyl, and n‐cetyl) have been designed and synthesized. They all have specific N‐coordination sites, various donor–acceptor spacers, good molecular planarity, suitable solubility, and high thermal stability. In comparison with conventional double β‐alkylation of the thiophene ring, our results reveal that the single imidazole N‐alkylation strategy for OTIPs has the advantage of maintaining the planarity of the whole molecule, in addition to improving the solubility, which can be clearly verified by the small dihedral angles between adjacent thiophene/imidazole/1,10‐phenanthroline (TIP) rings in eight X‐ray single‐crystal structures. In particular, n‐dodecyl‐ and n‐cetyl‐substituted OTIPs ( 7 and 8 ) with the same molecular length of 2.37 nm (M_W=939 and 1052), show good molecular planarity with the aforementioned dihedral angles of 8.9(5) and 10.4(5)°. Furthermore, special attention has been paid to the physicochemical properties of seven symmetrical OTIPs ( 6 – 8 , 13 – 15 , and 19 ), including two to six thiophene rings in the middle of their molecular structures. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first synthetic, structural, and spectral investigation into the N‐alkylation of OTIP‐based compounds.     

Derivatives of 2,3‐dihydroimidazo[1,5,4‐ef][1,2,5]‐benzothiadiazepin‐6(4h,7h)‐thione 1,1‐dioxide,a new heterocyclic system related to tibo

The synthesis of derivatives of 2,3‐dihydroimidazo[1,5,4‐ef][1,2,5]benzothiadiazepin‐6(4H,7H)‐thione 1,1‐dioxide is reported starting from N‐substituted ethyl 2‐(5‐chloro‐2‐nitrobenzenesulfonamido)‐2‐alkyl‐acetates. Fundamental steps of the synthetic pathway were: i) intramolecular cyclization of N‐substituted 2‐(2‐amino‐5‐chlorobenzenesulfonamido)‐2‐alkylacetic acids in the presence of N‐(3‐dimethyl‐aminopropyl)‐N′‐ethyl carbodiimide hydrochloride‐N,N‐dimethylaminopyridine complex; ii) building of imidazole ring from 2‐alkyl‐8‐chloro‐2,3‐dihydro‐3‐methyl‐1,2,5‐benzothiadiazepin‐4(5H)‐one 1,1‐dioxide to achieve 2‐alkyl‐9‐chloro‐2,3‐dihydro‐3‐methylimidazo[1,5,4‐ef][1,2,5]benzothiadiazepin‐6(4H,7H)‐one 1,1‐dioxide; iii) preparation of thiocarbonyl derivative by treatment with Lawesson's reagent. Introduction of a 3‐methyl‐2‐butenyl chain at position 2 of above imidazobenzothiadiazepinone required protection at the 7 position with thermally removable tert‐butoxycarbonyl moiety, due to the fact that alkylation of unprotected structure proved to be regioselective for the 7 position.     

Synthesis of (+/‐) mappicine and mappicine ketone

Mappicine and mappicine ketone are camptothecin analogs of interest as antiviral agents. A novel synthesis of these compounds is described using a Friedlander condensation. The requisite ketone is prepared via a regioselective ortho‐directed metallation/alkylation of a trisubstituted pyridine. This is condensed with N‐t‐butyloxycarbonyl‐o‐aminobenzaldehyde as a convenient, stable o‐aminobenzaldehyde equivalent in the Friedlander condensation.     

Synthesis and Selected Reactions of Hydrazides Containing an Imidazole Moiety

The preparation of two types of imidazole derivatives bearing a hydrazide group was achieved by treatment of the corresponding esters with NH₂NH₂?H₂O in MeOH at room temperature. In the case of 4‐(ethoxycarbonyl)‐1H‐imidazole 3‐oxides 3 , hydrazides of type 1 were formed with retention of the N‐oxide structure (Scheme 1). Interestingly, due to a strong H‐bonding, no deoxygenation of the N→O function could be achieved even by treatment of 3 with Raney‐Ni. The second type, 2‐[(1H‐imidazol‐2‐yl)sulfanyl]acetohydrazides 2 , was obtained from 1H‐imidazole‐2(3H)‐thiones 4 in two steps via S‐alkylation with methyl bromoacetate, followed by treatment with NH₂NH₂?H₂O (Scheme 2). An imidazole 7 , containing both types of hydrazide groups, was prepared analogously from ethyl 2,3‐dihydro‐2‐thioxo‐1H‐imidazole‐4‐carboxylate 4d (Scheme 4). Both types of hydrazides, 1 and 2 , were transformed successfully to the corresponding acylhydrazones 8 and 9 , respectively (Scheme 5). Furthermore, it has been shown that hydrazides of type 1 are useful starting materials for the synthesis of 1,2,4‐triazole‐3‐thiones 11 and 1,3,4‐thiadiazole‐2‐amines 12 , bearing an imidazole 3‐oxide moiety (Scheme 7).     

An Iron(III) Catalyst with Unusually Broad Substrate Scope in Regioselective Alkylation of Diols and Polyols

In this study, [Fe(dibm)₃] (dibm=diisobutyrylmethane) is shown to have unusually broad scope as a catalyst for the selective monoalkylation of a diverse set of 1,2‐ and 1,3‐diol‐containing structures. The mechanism is proposed to proceed via a cyclic dioxolane‐type intermediate, formed between the iron(III) species and two adjacent hydroxyl groups. This approach represents the first transition‐metal catalysts that are able to replace stoichiometric amounts of organotin reagents in regioselective alkylation. The reactions generally lead to very high regioselectivities and high yields, on par with, or better than, previous methods used for regioselective alkylation.     

Regioselective synthesis of novel N2- and N4-substituted 7-methylpyrazolo[4,5-e][1,2,4]thiadiazines

The new compound 7-methylpyrazolo[4,5-e][1,2,4]thiadiazin-3(2H,4H)-one1,1-dioxide (5) was synthesized and its novel mono N2- or N4-substituted derivatives 6 and 7 were prepared by regioselective N-alkylation of 5 with different molar ratios of NaH and alkyl halides. Based on the regioselective alkylation conditions found a facile one-pot synthesis of N2,N4-disubstituted pyrazolo[4,5-e][1,2,4] thiadiazines 8 was developed. The structures of the newly synthesized compounds were confirmed by IR,(1)H-NMR, (13)C-NMR and MS spectral analysis.     

An Alternative Regioselective Approach for the Synthesis of Highly Functionalized Derivatives of Pyrazolo[5,1‐b]purine Scaffold

A straightforward approach for the regioselective synthesis of highly functionalized pyrazolo[5,1‐b]purine from the annulation of 6‐bromo‐3‐cyano‐2‐(ethylthio)‐5‐methyl‐7‐oxo‐6,7‐dihydropyrazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidine with thiourea as a bisnucleophilic reagent under reflux condition in CH₃CN in the presence of Et₃N has been developed. The N‐alkylation of the synthesis compound was also accomplished. The true regioisomer was determined by ²D‐NOESY NMR spectroscopy, as well.     

One‐pot acid‐free ferrocenylalkylation of azoles with α‐ferrocenyl alcohols: ferrocene‐based plant growth regulators and herbicide safeners

α‐Ferrocenylalkylation of azoles or S‐nucleophiles with FcCH(R)OH (Fc = ferrocenyl) can be accomplished under acid‐free conditions as one‐pot process via an intermediate formation of the α‐ferrocenylalkyl carbonates FcCH(R)OC(O)OEt. The reaction allows the alkylation of acid sensitive substrates like imidazole derivatives or sodium N,N‐diethyldithiocarbamate. The reaction with ambident azoles proceeds as the N‐alkylation. Some α‐ferrocenylalkyl azoles were found to exhibit plant growth stimulating or herbicidal effects on corn seeds or act as the herbicide safeners against sulfonylurea herbicides.     

Synthesis of Novel 7‐methylene‐6,7‐dihyrobenzo[f]Benzo[4,5]Imidazo[1,2‐d][1,4]Oxazepines via Base‐mediated Regioselective Intramolecular Hydroamination

A versatile and transition metal‐free approach for the synthesis of new 7‐methylene‐6,7‐dihyrobenzo[f]benzo[4,5]imidazo[1,2‐d][1,4]oxazepines were developed by an efficient 7‐exo‐dig regioselective hydroamination of 2‐(2‐(prop‐2‐yn‐1‐yloxy)phenyl)‐1H‐benzo[d]imidazole in the presence of potassium carbonate in DMF at 90°C.     

Alkylation of Pyridines at Their 4‐Positions with Styrenes plus Yttrium Reagent or Benzyl Grignard Reagents

A new regioselective alkylation of pyridines at their 4‐position was achieved with styrenes in the presence of yttrium trichloride, BuLi, and diisobutylaluminium hydride (DIBAL‐H) in THF. Alternatively, similar products were more simply prepared from pyridines and benzyl Grignard reagents. These reactions are not only a useful preparation of 4‐substituted pyridines but are also complementary to other relevant reactions usually giving 2‐substituted pyridines.     

Sur une methode de synthese d'une δ-lactone cyclopentenique via l'alkylation regioselective d'hydrazones α, β-insaturees

An original synthesis of a cyclopentenoid δ-lactone via regioselective alkylation of the cyclopentylidene cyclopentanone arenesulfonylhydrazones is described. The structures of the obtained derivatives are established on the basis of ¹H, ¹³C N.M.R., I.R., and mass spectral data.     

Structural comparisons between methylated and unmethylated nitrophenyl lophines

The lophine derivative 2‐(2‐nitrophenyl)‐4,5‐diphenyl‐1H‐imidazole, C₂₁H₁₅N₃O₂, (I), crystallized from ethanol as a solvent‐free crystal and from acetonitrile as the monosolvate, C₂₁H₁₅N₃O₂·C₂H₃N, (II). Crystallization of 2‐(4‐nitrophenyl)‐4,5‐diphenyl‐1H‐imidazole from methanol yielded the methanol monosolvate, C₂₁H₁₅N₃O₂·CH₄O, (III). Three lophine derivatives of methylated imidazole, namely, 1‐methyl‐2‐(2‐nitrophenyl)‐4,5‐diphenyl‐1H‐imidazole methanol solvate, C₂₂H₁₇N₃O₂·CH₄O, (IV), 1‐methyl‐2‐(3‐nitrophenyl)‐4,5‐diphenyl‐1H‐imidazole, C₂₂H₁₇N₃O₂, (V), and 1‐methyl‐2‐(4‐nitrophenyl)‐4,5‐diphenyl‐1H‐imidazole, C₂₂H₁₇N₃O₂, (VI), were recrystallized from methanol, acetonitrile and ethanol, respectively, but only (IV) produced a solvate. Compounds (III) and (IV) each crystallize with two independent molecules in the asymmetric unit. Five imidazole molecules in the six crystals differ in their molecular conformations by rotation of the aromatic rings with respect to the central imidazole ring. In the absence of a methyl group on the imidazole [compounds (I)–(III)], the rotation angles are not strongly affected by the position of the nitro group [44.8 (2) and 45.5 (1)° in (I) and (II), respectively, and 15.7 (2) and 31.5 (1)° in the two molecules of (III)]. However, the rotation angle is strongly affected by the presence of a methyl group on the imidazole [compounds (IV)–(VI)], and the position of the nitro group (ortho, meta or para) on a neighbouring benzene ring; values of the rotation angle range from 26.0 (1) [in (VI)] to 85.2 (1)° [in (IV)]. This group repulsion also affects the outer N—C—N bond angle. The packing of the molecules in (I), (II) and (III) is determined by hydrogen bonding. In (I) and (II), molecules form extended chains through N—H...N hydrogen bonds [with an N...N distance of 2.944 (5) Å in (I) and 2.920 (3) Å in (II)], while in (III) the chain is formed with a methanol solvent molecule as the mediator between two imidazole rings, with O...N distances of 2.788 (4)–2.819 (4) Å. In the absence of the imidazole N—H H‐atom donor, the packing of molecules (IV)–(VI) is determined by weaker intermolecular interactions. The methanol solvent molecule in (IV) is hydrogen bonded to imidazole [O...N = 2.823 (4) Å] but has no effect on the packing of molecules in the unit cell.     

Nucleophilic substitution studies on nitroimidazoles,and applications to the synthesis of biologically active compounds

The rationalization of the synthesis of substituted analogs of megazol, a biologically active 5‐nitroimidazole at position 4 of the imidazole ring, had led to the study of intermediate steps. The methylation by diazomethane of 2,4‐(5)dihalogeno‐5‐(4)nitroimidazole is regioselective leading to 2,4‐dihalogeno‐1‐methyl‐5‐nitroimidazole 2. On this compound 2 , hard nucleophiles such as cyanide, methoxide or hydride anions react only with the halogen at the 2 position; whereas soft nucleophiles such as amine, thiol or trifluoromethyl anion from an organocopper species react only with the halogen at postion 4 in the intermediate 3b or compound 4b.     

Lewis base assisted Brønsted base catalysis: direct regioselective asymmetric vinylogous alkylation of allylic sulfones

A Lewis base assisted Brønsted base catalysis (LBABB) strategy is applied for direct asymmetric vinylogous alkylation of allylic sulfones with Morita–Baylis–Hillman (MBH) carbonates, in which a strong Brønsted base, tert‐butoxy anion, generated in situ from a tertiary amine catalyst and MBH carbonate, is crucial in activating unstabilized nucleophiles. The γ‐regioselective alkylation products were obtained with good to excellent enantiomeric excess values when catalyzed by a modified cinchona alkaloid.     

Enantiospecific and regioselective rhodium-catalyzed allylic alkylation: diastereoselective approach to quaternary carbon stereogenic centers

The enantiospecific and regioselective rhodium-catalyzed allylic alkylation of a series of chiral nonracemic allylic carbonates, followed by ozonolysis and reductive lactonization, provides a convenient route to optically active gamma-lactones. Sequential alkylation and reductive alkylation furnished the alpha-quaternary-beta-ternary substituted gamma-lactone derivative as a >/=10:1 mixture of diastereoisomers.     

Biphenyl‐ and phenylnaphthalenyl‐substituted 1H‐imidazole‐4,5‐dicarbonitrile catalysts for the coupling reaction of nucleoside methyl phosphonamidites

Crystal structures are reported for three substituted 1H‐imidazole‐4,5‐dicarbonitrile compounds used as catalysts for the coupling reaction of nucleoside methyl phosphonamidites, namely 2‐(3′,5′‐dimethylbiphenyl‐2‐yl)‐1H‐imidazole‐4,5‐dicarbonitrile, C₁₉H₁₄N₄, (I), 2‐(2′,4′,6′‐trimethylbiphenyl‐2‐yl)‐1H‐imidazole‐4,5‐dicarbonitrile, C₂₀H₁₆N₄, (II), and 2‐[8‐(3,5‐dimethylphenyl)naphthalen‐1‐yl]‐1H‐imidazole‐4,5‐dicarbonitrile, C₂₃H₁₆N₄, (III). The asymmetric unit of (I) contains two independent molecules with similar conformations. There is steric repulsion between the imidazole group and the terminal phenyl group in all three compounds, resulting in the nonplanarity of the molecules. The naphthalene group of (III) shows significant deviation from planarity. The C—N bond lengths in the imidazole rings range from 1.325 (2) to 1.377 (2) Å. The molecules are connected into zigzag chains by intermolecular N—H...N_imidazole [for (I)] or N—H...·N_cyano [for (II) and (III)] hydrogen bonds.     

Regioselective Functionalization of 7‐Azaindole by Controlled Annular Isomerism: The Directed Metalation‐Group Dance

The regioselective functionalization of 7‐azaindole by controlled annular isomerism employing a directed metalation‐group migration is reported. The N7 carbamoyl azaindoles undergo regioselective metalation and quenching with an electrophile to furnish C6‐substituted derivatives which, in the presence of a catalytic amount of ClCONR₂ promotes a carbamoyl group shift or dance from N7 to N1. A second directed metalation/electrophile quench sequence leads to 2,6‐substituted azaindoles. Optimization of the metalation conditions for C2 and C6, separately and iteratively, is presented. Using the directed metalation group dance strategy, a late‐stage deuteration of an antipsychotic drug is described. Overall, the controlled migration of the carbamoyl directing group allows multiple functionalization events of the bioactive azaindole scaffold.     

Pd‐Catalyzed Regioselective Activation of gem‐Difluorinated Cyclopropanes: A Highly Efficient Approach to 2‐Fluorinated Allylic Scaffolds

An unprecedented Pd‐catalyzed regioselective activation of gem‐difluorinated cyclopropanes induced by C? C bond cleavage is reported. It provides a general and efficient access to a variety of 2‐fluoroallylic amines, ethers, esters, and alkylation products in high Z‐selectivity, which are important skeletons in many biologically active molecules. In addition, the transformation represents the first general application of gem‐difluorinated cyclopropanes as reaction partners in transition‐metal‐catalyzed cross‐coupling reaction.     

Antimalarials: Synthesis of 4-aminoquinolines that circumvent drug resistance in malaria parasites

The strategies described here have permitted the synthesis of a series of 4-aminoquinoline antimalarials. Substantive improvements over previous syntheses include nucleophilic substitution with neat amine rather than in phenol, regioselective reductive alkylation to convert the terminal primary amine (12a–20a) on the diaminoalkane side chain to a diethylamino group, and purification by column chromatography with basic alumina. The ¹H nmr spectra obtained after regioselective reductive alkylation with sodium borodeuteride (in comparison with sodium borohydride) demonstrated that this reductive alkylation proceeds via formation and subsequent reduction of the corresponding diamides in situ.