Synthetic applications of aryl radical building blocks for cyclisation onto azoles

2-(2-Bromophenyl)ethyl groups have been used as building blocks in radical cyclisation reactions onto azoles to synthesise tri- and tetra-cyclic heterocycles. 2-(2-Bromophenyl)ethyl methanesulfonate was used to alkylate azoles (imidazoles, pyrroles, indoles and pyrazoles) for the synthesis of the radical precursors. Cyclisations of the intermediate aryl radicals yield new 6-membered rings attached to the azoles. The aryl radicals undergo intramolecular homolytic aromatic substitution onto the azole rings. Tributylgermanium hydride has been used with success to replace the toxic and troublesome tributyltin hydride. Initial studies show that the protocol can be used on solid phase resins. The molecular and crystal structures of methyl 5,6-dihydroimidazo[5,1-a]iso-quinoline-1-carboxylate and methyl 5,6-dihydroimidazo[2,1-a]isoquinoline-3-carboxylate were determined by X-ray crystallography.     

Synthesis of heteroarenes using cascade radical cyclisation via iminyl radicals

Cascade radical cyclisation involving homolytic aromatic substitution has been used to synthesise new tetracycles. Treatment of vinyl iodide radical precursors with Me(3)Sn. radicals (from hexamethylditin) yielded intermediate vinyl radicals which undergo 5-exo cyclisation onto suitably placed nitrile groups to yield intermediate iminyl radicals. The iminyl radicals undergo aromatic homolytic substitution via 6-endo cyclisation (or 5-exo cyclisation followed by neophyl rearrangement) with loss of hydrogen (H.) in a H-abstraction step. We propose that this abstraction was facilitated by tert-butoxyl (t-BuO.) radicals from di-tert-butyl peroxide or methyl radicals, generated from breakdown of trimethylstannyl radicals (Me(3)Sn.). The biologically active alkaloids mappicine and luotonin A were synthesised using the new methodology. A novel radical conversion of nitriles to primary amides is proposed.     

One-pot homolytic aromatic substitutions/HWE olefinations under microwave conditions for the formation of a small oxindole library

[reaction: see text] An efficient one-pot sequence comprising a homolytic aromatic substitution followed by an ionic Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons olefination for the preparation of a small library of alpha,beta-unsaturated oxindoles is presented. Microwave-induced heating is used to conduct these reactions. The homolytic aromatic substitution is mediated by the persistent radical effect.     

Bu3SnH-mediated radical cyclisation onto azoles

Alkyl radicals have been cyclised onto pyrroles, imidazoles and pyrazoles, and acyl radicals cyclised onto pyrroles, using Bu₃SnH-, (TMS)₃SiH- and Bu₃GeH-mediated aromatic homolytic substitution for the synthesis of bicyclic N-heterocycles. The reactions yield intermediate π-radicals that lose hydrogen in the rearomatisation step of the aromatic homolytic substitution. Mechanistic studies of these rearomatisation steps indicate aromatic homolytic substitution in which the initiator or breakdown products from the inhibitor are responsible for the H-abstraction step.     

Generation of phosphorus-centered radicals via homolytic substitution at sulfur

A novel radical domino process relying on the homolytic cleavage of P-S bonds allows the preparation of phosphorus-containing molecules through addition of P-centered radicals onto olefins. The key step of this reaction is a homolytic substitution on a sulfur atom. The scope of the reaction is broad. Diaminophosphonyl radicals whose reactivity was unknown react smoothly with olefins. Use of tin hydride can be avoided. A radical thiophosphinoylation of triple bonds has been uncovered. [reaction: see text]     

Iron‐Catalyzed Aminative Cyclization/Intermolecular Homolytic Aromatic Substitution Using Oxime Esters and Simple Arenes

Intermolecular C?H alkylation of simple arenes in the presence of an iron catalyst has been achieved in a cascade manner with an aminative cyclization triggered by N?O bond cleavage of an alkene‐tethered oxime ester. Various arenes, including electron‐rich and electron‐poor arenes, and heteroarenes can be employed in the reaction system. Regioselectivity and radical trapping experiments support the involvement of alkyl radical species, which undergo a homolytic aromatic substitution (HAS) to afford the arylation products.     

Radical reactions with 3H-quinazolin-4-ones: synthesis of deoxyvasicinone, mackinazolinone, luotonin A, rutaecarpine and tryptanthrin

Alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl and acyl radicals have been cyclised onto the 2-position of 3H-quinazolin-4-one. The side chains containing the radical precursors were attached to the nitrogen atom in the 3-position. The cyclisations take place by aromatic homolytic substitution hence retain the aromaticity of the 3H-quinazolin-4-one ring. The highest yields were obtained using hexamethylditin to facilitate cyclisation rather than reduction without cyclisation. The alkaloids deoxyvasicinone , mackinazolinone , tryptanthrin , luotonin A and rutaecarpine were synthesised by radical cyclisation onto 3H-quinazolin-4-one.     

A short synthesis of lennoxamine using a radical cascade

[reaction: see text] A short synthesis of lennoxamine has been achieved by using a radical cascade involving aryl radical-induced 7-endo cyclization and homolytic aromatic substitution.     

Homolytic substitutions in indolinone nitroxide radicals—II: Reaction with organic peracids

The reactions of indolinone nitroxides 7 and of the corresponding amine precursors 15 with organic peracids were studied, and were found to give substitution products at the aromatic nucleus, i.e. 5-aroyloxy- and 7-aroyloxynitroxides 8 together with N-oxides 10 and with 7-hydroxynitroxides 9. Structures were assigned on the basis of ESR and ¹H NMR spectra. A reaction scheme was proposed involving a homolytic substitution which accounts for the products obtained and is supported by an experimental proof.     

Electrophilic radiofluorination of aryltrimethylsilanes as a general route to 18F-labeled aryl fluorides

The reactions of a variety of aryltrimethylsilanes with elemental fluorine and acetyl hypofluorite have been studied with the aim of developing a general method for labeling aromatic compounds with fluorine-18. Extensive ¹⁸F incorporation into the aromatic ring of the selected aryltrimethylsilanes was invariably observed, leading to the ipso (¹⁸F-for-Si) electrophilic substitution products together with variable yields of other (¹⁸F-for-H) electrophilic substitution products. The relative extent of the ¹⁸F substitution processes [(C-Si/C-H)subst.] is found to depend largely upon the substituent group on the aromatic ring of the substrate, the leaving moiety, and the radiofluorination procedure used. The utility of aryltrimethylsilyl derivatives as precursors for the rapid synthesis of high specific activity of ¹⁸F-labeled radiopharmaceuticals is discussed.     

Electrophilic properties of anodically generated polynitroalkyl radicals in homolytic aromatic substitution

Conclusions Arylpolynitromethanes, the products of the electrochemical oxidation of polynitrocarbanions in the presence of benzene and its substitution products, are formed by homolytic aromatic substitution. During this process the intermediate polynitroalkyl radicals show electrophilic properties. The yield of arylpolynitromethanes depends on radical structure and on the electron donor properties of the aromatic substrate.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 2, pp. 368–374, February, 1988.     

Ascorbic Acid as an Initiator for the Direct C?H Arylation of (Hetero)arenes with Anilines Nitrosated In Situ

Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) has been used as a radical initiator in a metal‐free direct C H arylation of (hetero)arenes. Starting from an aniline, the corresponding arenediazonium ion is generated in situ and immediately reduced by vitamin C to an aryl radical that undergoes a homolytic aromatic substitution with a (hetero)arene. Notably, neither heating nor irradiation is required. This procedure is mild, operationally simple, and constitutes a greener approach to arylation.     

Ascorbic Acid as an Initiator for the Direct CH Arylation of (Hetero)arenes with Anilines Nitrosated In Situ

Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) has been used as a radical initiator in a metal‐free direct C? H arylation of (hetero)arenes. Starting from an aniline, the corresponding arenediazonium ion is generated in situ and immediately reduced by vitamin C to an aryl radical that undergoes a homolytic aromatic substitution with a (hetero)arene. Notably, neither heating nor irradiation is required. This procedure is mild, operationally simple, and constitutes a greener approach to arylation.     

Silver-catalyzed 2-isocyanobiaryls insertion/cyclization with phosphine oxides: synthesis of 6-phosphorylated phenanthridines

A silver-catalyzed 2-isocyanobiaryls insertion/cyclization with phosphine oxides was described for the construction of the 6-phosphorylated phenanthridines through radical addition of in situ formed P-centered radical to 2-isocyanobiphenyls and homolytic aromatic substitution process. The reactions could proceed smoothly to give the desired 6-phosphorylated phenanthridines promoted by AgOAc (20 mol %) with PhI(OAc)₂ (3.0 equiv).     

Direct arylation of unactivated aromatic C-H bonds catalyzed by a stable organic radical

A stable zwitterionic radical can catalyze direct arylation of unactivated aromatic C-H bonds via a chain homolytic aromatic substitution mechanism in the presence of potassium tert-butoxide.     

Visible‐Light‐Promoted Iminyl‐Radical Formation from Acyl Oximes: A Unified Approach to Pyridines,Quinolines, and Phenanthridines

A unified strategy involving visible‐light‐induced iminyl‐radical formation has been established for the construction of pyridines, quinolines, and phenanthridines from acyl oximes. With fac‐[Ir(ppy)₃] as a photoredox catalyst, the acyl oximes were converted by 1 e^? reduction into iminyl radical intermediates, which then underwent intramolecular homolytic aromatic substitution (HAS) to give the N‐containing arenes. These reactions proceeded with a broad range of substrates at room temperature in high yield. This strategy of visible‐light‐induced iminyl‐radical formation was successfully applied to a five‐step concise synthesis of benzo[c]phenanthridine alkaloids.     

Visible‐Light‐Promoted Iminyl‐Radical Formation from Acyl Oximes: A Unified Approach to Pyridines,Quinolines, and Phenanthridines

A unified strategy involving visible‐light‐induced iminyl‐radical formation has been established for the construction of pyridines, quinolines, and phenanthridines from acyl oximes. With fac‐[Ir(ppy)₃] as a photoredox catalyst, the acyl oximes were converted by 1 e⁻ reduction into iminyl radical intermediates, which then underwent intramolecular homolytic aromatic substitution (HAS) to give the N‐containing arenes. These reactions proceeded with a broad range of substrates at room temperature in high yield. This strategy of visible‐light‐induced iminyl‐radical formation was successfully applied to a five‐step concise synthesis of benzo[c]phenanthridine alkaloids.     

A Radical Process towards the Development of Transition‐Metal‐Free Aromatic Carbon?Carbon Bond‐Forming Reactions

Transition‐metal‐free cross‐coupling reactions have been a hot topic in recent years. With the aid of a radical initiator, a number of unactivated arene C? H bonds can be directly arylated/functionalized by using aryl halides through homolytic aromatic substitution. Commercially available or specially designed promoters (e.g. diamines, diols, and amino alcohols) have been used to make this synthetically attractive method viable. This protocol offers an inexpensive, yet efficient route to aromatic C? C bond formations since transition metal catalysts and impurities can be avoided by using this reaction system. In this article, we focus on the significance of the reaction conditions (e.g. bases and promoters), which allow this type of reaction to proceed smoothly. Substrate scope limitations and challenges, as well as mechanistic discussion are also included.     

Intramolecular homolytic substitution of seleninates – a computational study

Ab initio and density functional theory (DFT) calculations predict that intramolecular homolytic substitution by alkyl radicals at the selenium atom in seleninates proceeds through smooth transition states in which the attacking and leaving radicals adopt a near collinear arrangement. When forming a five-membered ring and the leaving radical is methyl, G3(MP2)-RAD calculations predict that this reaction proceeds with an activation energy (ΔE₁³) of 30.4 kJ mol^?1. ROBHandHLYP/6-311++G(d,p) calculations suggest that the formation of five-membered rings through similar intramolecular homolytic substitution by aryl radicals, with expulsion of phenyl radicals, proceeds with the involvement of a hypervalent intermediate. This intermediate further dissociates to the observed products, with overall energy barriers of about 40 kJ mol^?1. Homolytic addition to the phenyl group was found not to be competitive with substitution, with a calculated barrier of 57.6 kJ mol^?1. This computational study provides insight into homolytic substitution chemistry involving seleninates.     

Small ring compounds—XXX : Homolytical aromatic substitution and hydrogen abstraction reaction with cyclopropyl radical

Homolytic aromatic substitution and hydrogen abstraction reactions with cyclopropyl radical were carried out to determine the reactivity and ionic character of cyclopropyl radical by examination of the orientation effect, partial rate factor and influence of substituents. By thermal decomposition of biscyclopropaneformyl peroxide in a series of substituted benzenes, the corresponding cyclopropylated benzene derivatives (the mixture of ortho, meta and para isomers) were obtained in moderate yield. In view of the orientation effect and the partial rate factor, the cyclopropyl radical seems to be fairly free from polar effect, and to resemble the phenyl radical more than the common alkyl radical although the cyclopropyl radical has a slightly higher reactivity than the phenyl radical. The relative reactivity of the 2-phenylcyclopropyl radical in the hydrogen abstraction reaction toward the benzylic position of ring-substituted toluenes gave good Hammett's correlation with the slope of + 0·20 suggesting little ionic character in the transition state. This result was in good agreement with the conclusion obtained from homolytic aromatic substitution reaction and with the chemical reactivity to be expected from the non-planar nearly sp²-hybridized conformation of the cyclopropyl radical.