Nanomagnetically modified thioglycolic acid (γ‐Fe2O3@SiO2‐SCH2CO2H): Efficient and reusable green catalyst for the one‐pot domino synthesis of spiro[benzo[a]benzo[6,7]chromeno[2,3‐c]phenazine] and benzo[a]benzo[6,7]chromeno[2,3‐c]phenazines

Superparamagnetic nanoparticles of modified thioglycolic acid (γ‐Fe₂O₃@SiO₂‐SCH₂CO₂H) represent a new, efficient and green catalyst for the one‐pot synthesis of novel spiro[benzo[a ]benzo[6,7]chromeno[2,3‐c ]phenazine] derivatives via domino Knoevenagel–Michael–cyclization reaction of 2‐hydroxynaphthalene‐1,4‐dione, benzene‐1,2‐diamines, ninhydrin and isatin. This novel magnetic organocatalyst was easily isolated from the reaction mixture by magnetic decantation using an external magnet and reused at least six times without significant loss in its activity. The catalyst was fully characterized using various techniques. This procedure was also applied successfully for the synthesis of benzo[a ]benzo[6,7]chromeno[2,3‐c ]phenazines.     

Functional Ionic Liquids Promoted Double Michael Reaction of Benzofuran‐3‐one or 1‐Indone and Symmetric Dienones: Construction of Spiro[benzofuran‐2,1’‐cyclohexane]‐3‐one or Spiro[cyclohexane‐1,2’‐indene]‐1’,4(3’H)‐dione Derivatives

The double Michael reactions between benzofuran‐3‐one or 1‐indone and symmetric dienones in the presence of catalytic ionic liquids were successfully developed and spiro[benzofuran‐2,1’‐cyclohexane]‐3‐one or spiro[cyclohexane‐1,2’‐indene]‐1’,4(3’H )‐dione derivatives containing a spiro quaternary stereogenic center, which widely exist in biologically active products and building blocks in organic synthesis, were obtained in excellent yields (up to 99%). This catalytic system was also extended to the double Michael reaction of less reactive 1‐indone and the desired products were also obtained in 31%‐62% yields. The catalytic system was highly active and efficient for a broad of substrates under mild conditions.     

Microwave Promoted and Improved Thermal Synthesis of Spiro[Indole‐Pyranobenzopyrans] and Spiro[Indole‐Pyranoimidazoles]

Spiro[indole‐pyranoimidazoles] ( 5 ) and spiro[indole‐pyranobenzopyrans] ( 6 ) are readily synthesized in one step in 86–92 and 91–97% yields by the Michael condensation of 3‐dicyanomethylene‐2H‐indol‐2‐ones ( 2 ) with 1‐phenyl‐2‐thiohydantoin ( 3 ) and 4‐hydroxy‐2H‐1‐benzopyran‐2‐one ( 4 ), respectively, without using any catalyst under different reaction conditions (conventional heating and microwave irradiation using (a) polar solvents (b) neutral alumina/silica gel as inorganic solid support in solvent free conditions). 2 was synthesized in situ by the Knoevenagel condensation of indole‐2,3‐dione ( 1 ) and malononitrile in the absence of any catalyst. 100% conversion was observed in most cases on TLC which also showed the formation of a single product. The comparison between the various methods is established.     

Enantio‐ and Diastereoselective Dehydrative “One‐Step” Construction of Spirocarbocycles via a Ru/H+‐Catalyzed Tsuji–Trost Approach

Chiral spirocarbocyclic skeletons are ubiquitous in natural products. An intramolecular Tsuji–Trost (T–T) α‐allylation of simple cyclic ketones is a reasonable approach to construct chiral spriocarbocyclic motifs; however, it has been a challenging approach despite many excellent intermolecular examples. For the first time, this has been achieved by a Ru/H⁺ combined catalyst that dehydratively cyclizes racemic allylic alcohols comprising a simple ketone via simultaneous activation of the C=O and OH groups. This chiral technology facilitates the construction of various spirocarbocycles containing two contiguous spiro all‐carbon quaternary and tertiary stereocenters. Among four possible stereoisomers, one stereoisomer can be selectively produced in high yield, enhancing the feasibility of the T–T strategy, particularly in the synthesis of spirocarbocycles.     

Three‐Component Reaction for Construction of Spiro[indoline‐3,7′‐thiazolo[3,2‐a]pyridines] and Spiro[benzo[4,5]thiazolo[3,2‐a]pyridine‐3,3′‐indolines]

The three‐component reaction of thiazole (benzothiazole), dialkyl but‐2‐ynedioate, and isatinylidene malononitriles in toluene at 110–120°C in a sealed tube afforded a mixture of cis/trans‐isomers of functionalized diastereoisomeric spiro[indoline‐3,7′‐thiazolo[3,2‐a]pyridines] and spiro[benzo[4,5]thiazolo[3,2‐a]pyridine‐3,3′‐indolines] in good yields. Both cis‐isomers and trans‐isomers were successfully separated out and fully characterized with spectroscopy and single crystal determination. Under similar conditions, the three‐component reaction containing 2‐(1,3‐dioxo‐1H‐inden‐2(3H)‐ylidene)malononitrile resulted in spiro[indene‐2,7′‐thiazolo[3,2‐a]pyridine] derivatives.     

Catalytic Divergent [3+3]‐ and [3+2]‐Cycloaddition by Discrimination Between Diazo Compounds

Highly selective divergent cycloaddition reactions of enoldiazo compounds and α‐diazocarboximides catalyzed by copper(I) or dirhodium(II) have been developed. With tetrakis(acetonitrile)copper(I) tetrafluoroborate as the catalyst epoxypyrrolo[1,2‐a]azepine derivatives were prepared in good yields and excellent diastereoselectivities through the first reported [3+3]‐cycloaddition of a carbonyl ylide. Use of Rh₂(pfb)₄ or Rh₂(esp)₂ directs the reactants to regioselective [3+2]‐cycloaddition generating cyclopenta[2,3]pyrrolo[2,1‐b]oxazoles with good yields and excellent diastereoselectivities.     

Calcium‐Catalyzed Formal [2+2+2] Cycloaddition

A formal intermolecular [2+2+2] cycloaddition reaction of enynes to aldehydes is presented, which can be realized in the presence of a simple and benign calcium catalyst. The reaction proceeds with excellent chemo, regio‐ and diastereoselectivity and leads to a one‐step assembly of highly interesting bicyclic building blocks containing up to three stereocenters from simple precursors via a new type of skeletal rearrangement of enynes. The observed diastereoselectivity is accounted for by two different mechanistic proposals. The first one engages mechanistic prospects arising from a gold catalyzed reaction in the absence of the stabilizing gold substituent. The second proposal involves an unprecedented cyclization–carbonyl allene ene reaction–hydroalkoxylation cascade.     

Microwave‐assisted Domino Cyclization for the Synthesis of Novel Spiro‐benzo[a]phenazine Annulated Heterocycles Catalyzed by a Basic Ionic Liquid

An efficient and green strategy for the improved synthesis of a biologically and pharmaceutically interesting multi‐functionalized diverse novel spiro‐benzo[a ]phenazine annulated heterocycles was developed with the assistance of microwave irradiation. A sequential one‐pot, two‐step domino reaction starting from 2‐hydroxynaphthalene‐1,4‐dione, benzene‐1,2‐diamines, a cyclic carbonyl compound, and 1,3‐indandione in the presence of a basic ionic liquid (1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hydroxide) as an expedient, ecofriendly and reusable catalyst afforded the corresponding novel spiro[benzo[a ]indeno[2′,1′:5,6]pyrano[2,3‐c ]phenazine] derivatives with high yield under solvent‐free conditions. This domino Knoevenagel–Michael annulation reaction provided five new bonds (two C–C, two CN, and one C–O) and two new rings through multiple operations in a single flask.     

Rhodium‐Catalyzed [3+2+2] and [2+2+2] Cycloadditions of Two Alkynes with Cyclopropylideneacetamides

It has been established that a cationic rhodium(I)/H₈‐binap complex catalyzes the [3+2+2] cycloaddition of 1,6‐diynes with cyclopropylideneacetamides to produce cycloheptadiene derivatives through cleavage of cyclopropane rings. In contrast, a cationic rhodium(I)/(S)‐binap complex catalyzes the enantioselective [2+2+2] cycloaddition of terminal alkynes, acetylenedicarboxylates, and cyclopropylideneacetamides to produce spiro‐cyclohexadiene derivatives which retain the cyclopropane rings.     

N,N,N′,N′‐Tetrabromobenzene‐1,3‐disulfonamide Catalyzed Synthesis of New Spiro[chroman‐3,2′‐chromeno[2,3‐b]furan]‐2,4,4′‐(3′H)‐trione Derivatives

An efficient approach for one‐pot synthesis of biologically active new spiro[chroman‐3,2′‐chromeno[2,3‐b ]furan]‐2,4,4′‐(3′H )‐trione derivatives from tandem Knoevenagel–Michel addition–heterocyclization reaction between 4‐hydroxycumarin and various aldehydes in the presence of N,N,N ′,N ′‐tetrabromobenzene‐1,3‐disulfonamide as an efficient catalyst at ambient temperature under solvent‐free conditions was reported. Simple procedure, high yields, easy work‐up, and reusability of the catalyst are the significant advantages of this process.     

[2+2] Cycloaddition Reactions of Imines with Cyclic Ketenes: Synthesis of 1,3‐Thiazolidine Derived Spiro‐β‐lactams and Their Transformations

Unsymmetric cyclic ketenes were generated from N‐acyl‐1,3‐thiazolidine‐2‐carboxylic acids 1a – c by means of Mukaiyama's reagent, and then reacted with imines 2a – c to the new, isomeric spiro‐β‐lactams 3 and 4 via [2+2] cycloaddition (Staudinger ketene–imine reaction; Scheme 1). The reactions were stereoselective (Table 1) and mainly afforded the spiro‐β‐lactams with a relative trans configuration. The spiro‐β‐lactams could be transformed into the corresponding monocyclic β‐lactams by means of thiazolidine ring opening or into substituted thiazolidines via hydrolysis of the β‐lactam ring.     

Catalytic Asymmetric Formal [3+3] Cycloaddition of an Azomethine Ylide with 3‐Indolylmethanol: Enantioselective Construction of a Six‐Membered Piperidine Framework

A catalytic asymmetric formal [3+3] cycloaddition of 3‐indolylmethanol and an in situ‐generated azomethine ylide has been established to construct a chiral six‐membered piperidine framework with two stereogenic centers. This approach not only represents the first enantioselective cycloaddition of isatin‐derived 3‐indolylmethanol, but also has realized an unusual enantioselective formal [3+3] cycloaddition of azomethine ylide rather than its common [3+2] cycloadditions. Besides, this protocol combines the merits of a multicomponent reaction and organocatalysis, which efficiently assembles a variety of isatin‐derived 3‐indolylmethanols, aldehydes, and amino esters into structurally diverse spiro[indoline‐3,4′‐pyridoindoles] with one all‐carbon quaternary stereogenic center in high yields and excellent enantioselectivities (up to 93 % yield, >99 % enantiomeric excess (ee)). Although the diastereoselectivity of the reaction is generally moderate, most of the diastereomers can be separated by using column chromatography followed by preparative TLC.     

Switchable [3+2] and [4+2] Heteroannulation of Primary Propargylamines with Isonitriles to Imidazoles and 1,6‐Dihydropyrimidines: Catalyst Loading Enabled Reaction Divergence

Isonitrile 1 due to its carbene‐like reactivity serves generally as a one‐carbon synthon in a diverse set of organic transformations. We report in this article that the isocyano group can also act as a polarized triple bond to undergo, as a two‐atom synthon, heteroannulation with primary propargylamines 15 . In addition, we serendipitously discovered that the reaction pathways can be modulated by simply changing the catalyst loading. In the presence of 0.1 equiv of Yb(OTf)₃ or TfOH, the reaction between 1 and 15 afforded exclusively imidazoles 16 by a formal [3+2] cycloaddition. At a higher catalyst loading (Yb(OTf)₃ (0.4 equiv) or TfOH (0.5 equiv)) under otherwise identical conditions, the same reaction furnished 1,6‐dihydropyrimidines 17 in good to excellent yields by way of a formal [4+2] cycloaddition process. Mechanistic investigations indicated that both annulations went through an amidine intermediate resulting from the insertion of the isocyano group to the NH bond of the primary amine. Subsequent catalyst‐loading‐dependent 5‐exo‐dig or 6‐endo‐dig cyclization provided selectively the two heterocycles, respectively.     

Facile Chemoselective synthesis of 2‐(2‐(Methoxycarbonyl)‐3‐oxo‐2,3‐dihydrobenzofuran‐2‐yl)benzoic acids and 3H,3’H‐Spiro[benzofuran‐2,1′‐isobenzofuran]‐3,3′‐dione derivatives

Oxidation of some derivatives of 4b,9b–dihydroxyindeno[1,2‐b]benzofuran‐10‐one have been investigated in detail using lead(IV) acetate in acetic acid under reflux conditions and periodic acid in aqueous ethanol at room temperature. We realized that during the first 5–15 minutes of the oxidation reactions in lead(IV) acetate/acetic acid system, 3H,3’H‐spiro[benzofuran‐2,1′‐isobenzofuran]‐3,3′‐dione derivatives have been synthesized chemo selectively, while, if the reaction mixtures stirred for additional 3 hours, the main products would be 2‐(2‐(Methoxycarbonyl)‐3‐oxo‐2,3‐dihydrobenzofuran‐2‐yl)benzoic acids. Moreover, room temperature oxidation of 4b,9b–dihydroxyindeno[1,2‐b]benzofuran‐10‐ones by periodic acid (H₅IO₆), leads to the formation of 3H,3’H‐spiro[benzofuran‐2,1′‐isobenzofuran]‐3,3′‐dione derivatives in good to excellent yields.     

Catalytic Asymmetric Dearomatization by Visible‐Light‐Activated [2+2] Photocycloaddition

A novel method for the catalytic asymmetric dearomatization by visible‐light‐activated [2+2] photocycloaddition with benzofurans and one example of a benzothiophene is reported, thereby providing chiral tricyclic structures with up to four stereocenters including quaternary stereocenters. The benzofurans and the benzothiophene are functionalized at the 2‐position with a chelating N‐acylpyrazole moiety which permits the coordination of a visible‐light‐activatable chiral‐at‐rhodium Lewis acid catalyst. Computational molecular modeling revealed the origin of the unusual regioselectivity and identified the heteroatom in the heterocycle to be key for the regiocontrol.     

PyBidine–Cu(OTf)2‐Catalyzed Asymmetric [3+2] Cycloaddition with Imino Esters: Harmony of Cu–Lewis Acid and Imidazolidine‐NH Hydrogen Bonding in Concerto Catalysis

A bis(imidazolidine)pyridine (PyBidine)–Cu(OTf)₂ complex catalyzing the endo‐selective [3+2] cycloaddition of nitroalkenes with imino esters was applied to the reaction of methyleneindolinones with imino esters to afford spiro[pyrrolidin‐3,3′‐oxindole]s in up to 98 % ee. X‐ray crystallographic analysis of the PyBidine–Cu(OTf)₂ complex and DFT calculations suggested that an intermediate Cu enolate of the imino ester reacts with nitroalkenes or methyleneindolinones, which are activated by NH‐hydrogen bonding with the PyBidine–Cu(OTf)₂ catalyst.     

[2+2] Photocycloaddition of 3‐Alkenyloxy‐2‐cycloalkenones: Enantioselective Lewis Acid Catalysis and Ring Expansion

By application of substoichiometric amounts (50 mol %) of a chiral Lewis acid, the intramolecular [2+2] photocycloaddition of the title compounds was achieved with high enantioselectivity (up to 94 % ee). Upon cleavage of the cyclobutane ring the resulting tricyclic products underwent ring‐expansion reactions under acidic conditions and formed anellated seven‐ or eight‐membered‐ring systems without racemization. The ring expansion could be combined with a diastereoselective reduction (triethylsilane) or allylation (allyltrimethylsilane) upon BF₃ catalysis (48–87 % yield).     

Synthesis of nitrogen‐containing heterocycles 9. Preparation and carbon‐carbon bond cleavage of spiro[cycloalkane[1′,2′,4′]‐triazolo[1′,5′‐a][1′,3′,5′]triazine] derivatives and related compounds

Diaminomethylenehydrazones of cyclic ketones 1–5 reacted with ethyl N‐cyanoimidate (I) at room temperature or with bis(methylthio)methylenecyanamide (II) under brief heating to give directly the corresponding spiro[cycloalkane[1′,2′,4′]triazolo[1′,5′,‐a][1′,3′‐5′]triazine] derivatives 7–12 in moderate to high yields. Ring‐opening reaction of the spiro[cycloalkanetriazolotriazine] derivatives occurred at the cycloalkane moiety upon heating in solution to give 2‐alkyl‐5‐amino[1,2,4]triazolotriazines 13–16. Diaminomethylenehydrazones 17–19, of hindered acyclic ketones, gave 2‐methyl‐7‐methylthio[1,2,4]‐triazolo[1,5‐a][1,3,5]triazines 21–23 by the reaction with II as the main products with apparent loss of 2‐methylpropane from the potential precursor, 2‐tert‐butyl‐2‐methyl‐7‐methylthio[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5‐a]‐[1,3,5]triazines 20, in good yields. In general, bis(methylthio)methylenecyanamide II was found to be a favorable reagent to the one‐step synthesis of the spiro[cycloalkanetriazolotriazine] derivatives from the diaminomethylenehydrazones. The spectral data and structural assignments of the fused triazine products are discussed.     

Construction of Spirocyclic Oxindoles through Regio‐ and Stereoselective [3+2] or [3+2]/[4+2] Cascade Reaction of α,β‐Unsaturated Imines with 3‐Isothiocyanato Oxindole

On the basis of asymmetric regioselective [3+2] or [3+2]/[4+2] cascade reaction of 3‐isothiocyanato oxindoles with C=C and C=N bonds of α,β‐unsaturated methanesulfonamides, diversified S‐containing heterocyclic spirooxindole derivatives could be obtained in high yields along with good to excellent diastereo‐ and enantioselectivities under mild conditions in the presence of cinchona alkaloid‐derived organocatalysts.     

Expanding the Scope of Enantioselective FerroPHANE‐Promoted [3+2] Annulations with α,β‐Unsaturated Ketones

The planar chiral 2‐phospha[3]ferrocenophane I has been shown to be the first efficient nucleophilic organocatalyst for the enantioselective synthesis of cyclopentenylphosphonates, through [3+2] cyclizations between diethyl allenylphosphonate and α,β‐unsaturated ketones. The same catalyst has also been applied to the highly enantioselective [3+2] cyclizations of allenic esters with dibenzylideneacetone and analogous bis‐enones, leading to functionalised cyclopentenes with either monocyclic or spirocyclic structures (ee 84–95 %). It has been shown that the residual enone functions in the resulting cyclopentenes can be involved in subsequent cyclization steps to afford unprecedented C₂‐symmetric bis‐cyclopentenylketones. In order to provide insight into the behaviour of FerroPHANE I as a chiral catalyst in [3+2] cyclisations, the energetically most favoured isomers of the key phosphine‐allene adduct have been calculated by DFT methods. Factors likely to control the chiral induction process are highlighted.