[4+2] Cycloaddition reactions of 4-sulfur-substituted 2-pyridones with electron-deficient dienophiles

[4+2] Cycloaddition reactions of 4-(phenylthio)-1-tosyl-2-pyridone (6a) and 4-(phenylsulfonyl)-1-tosyl-2-pyridone (6b) with electron-deficient dienophiles 7 (N-methylmaleimide, N-phenylmaleimide, and methyl acrylate) gave new isoquinuclidine products 8-10. The N-tosyl group of 6a and 6b was also efficiently converted to N-alkyl derivatives 6c-f, which showed different stereoselectivity toward reactions with dienophiles 7. Several other dienophiles 15 (dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate, methyl vinyl ketone, ethyl vinyl ether, and methyl methacrylate) were found not to react with 6a or 6b, but led to the formation of tosyl migration products 4-(phenylthio)-O-tosyl-pyridinol (16a) and 4-(phenylsulfonyl)-O-tosyl-2-pyridinol (16b), respectively. The reactivity, regioselectivity, and stereoselectivity of the cycloaddition reactions were also compared with semi-empirical calculations.     

Synthesis and transformations of sulfur-substituted indolizidines and quinolizidines

3-Sulfolenes 1a-b underwent [4+2] cycloaddition reactions with p-toluenesulfonyl isocyanate to give tetrahydropyridinones 3a-b. Through N-detosylation of 3a-b and subsequent intramolecular cyclization, indolizidine 5a and quinolizidine 5b were synthesized. Useful functional group transformations of compounds 5a-b were also investigated.     

New synthesis of 2-trifluoromethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-quinolin-4-ones

N-(1-Ethoxy-2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)anilines 2a-2f, prepared from trifluoroacetaldehyde ethyl hemiacetal and aniline, readily reacted with diethyl malonate in the presence of sodium hydride, giving substituted products 5a-5f in high yields. Compounds 5a-5f subjected to hydrolysis and decarboxylation under specified conditions yielded the 4,4,4-trifluorobutyric acids 6a-6e or 7. Direct ring-closure of 6a-6e with polyphosphoric acid gave 2-trifluoromethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-quinolin-4-ones 9a-9e.     

Synthesis and highly selective Diels-Alder cycloadditions of the new dienes N-substituted 2,3,5,6-tetrahydrobenzoxazol-2-ones

The synthesis of the new dienes N-substituted 2,3,4,5-tetrahydrobenzoxazol-2-ones 8a-8c is described, through a one-step convergent process from 1,2-cyclohexanedione (7a) and the corresponding isocyanates 2a-2c. The presence of electron-donor substituents in the aryl ring of the isocyanate gave rise to the exclusive formation of the captodative olefins 10. Diene 8a proved to be reactive and stereoselective in Diels-Alder additions with a cyclic olefin. The reaction with acetylenic dienophiles yielded the 2,3-dihydrobenzoxazol-2-ones 21 and 24, as the products of sequential [4+2] cycloaddition and retro-Diels-Alder reactions. Methyl vinyl ketone (22) underwent regio- and stereoselective tandem Diels-Alder and Michael additions to give propellane 29a. Evidence of an endo π-pyramidalization of the central double bond of adduct 19 would rationalize the exo stereoselection in the formation of 29a. The regioselectivity in these reactions has been rationalized in terms of FMO theory by ab initio calculations.     

Application of chiral tetrahydropentalene ligands in rhodium-catalyzed 1,4-addition of (E)-2-phenylethenyl- and (Z)-propenylboronic acids to enones

Chiral tetrahydropentalenes (3aR,6aR)-1 have been prepared and used as ligands in the Rh-catalyzed 1,4-addition of 1-alkenylboronic acids to cyclic enones 5. It has been discovered that the stereochemistry of the reaction was controlled by the steric properties of the aryl groups in 1 rather than their electronic nature. In the vinylation with (E)-2-phenylethenylboronic acid 5, ligands (3aR,6aR)-1 provided enantioselectivity up to 87% ee and gave high yields of ethenylketones 6 in the presence of 1 (6.6 mol %). The configuration of all ketone products obtained with (3aR,6aR)-1 is (S). Rh-catalyzed reaction of cyclopentenone 4a and (Z)-propenylboronic acid 7 in the presence of ligands (3aR,6aR)-1 yielded at 50 °C an inseparable mixture of (Z)- and (E)-ketones 8 with (Z)-8 as the major product and both in only moderate enantiomeric excess.     

Diels-Alder cycloaddition of 2-azadienes to methyl 2-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-2H-azirine-3-carboxylate in the synthesis of methyl 4-oxo-1,3-diazabicyclo[4.1.0]heptane-6-carboxylates

A number of fused 4-oxo-1,3-diazabicyclo[4.1.0]heptane-6-carboxylates, a new type of compound, have been obtained by Diels-Alder cycloaddition between nucleophilic 2-azadienes and an electrophilic 2H-azirine. The reactions are completely endo- and regioselective, the azirine being added by its less hindered face to the diene. There are two isomers 7 and 8 formed from dienes 1 due either to isomerization of the cycloadducts 7 and 8 or by isomerization of the CN bond of the diene during the reaction. The isomer 10 is formed from diene 2e, and a single diastereoisomer structure 4a-i is formed from dienes 11. Some pyrimidones 8a, 7c/8c, 7e, 10, 11d have been hydrolyzed leading to functionalised aziridines 12, 13 and 15.     

Synthesis of 4-aryl-5,5-dimethyl-5H-1,2,3-triazoles and 4-aryl-3-cyano-5,5-dimethyl Δ-pyrazolines by cycloaddition of 2-diazopropane with iminoethers and propenenitriles

A regiospecific 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of 2-diazopropane 3 to iminoethers 1a-c, carried out at 0 °C, afforded in two steps the corresponding 4-aryl-5,5-dimethyl-5H-1,2,3-triazoles 5a-c. Under the same conditions, 3-arylpropenenitriles 2a-d led to 3-cyano-5,5-dimethyl Δ¹-pyrazolines 6a-d. Products 4-6 were obtained in good yields (69-85%).     

Synthesis of polyfunctionalized furans from 3-acetyl-1-aryl-2-pentene-1,4-diones

The BF₃-catalyzed cyclization of 3-acetyl-1-aryl-2-pentene-1,4-diones 1a-e in the presence of water in boiling tetrahydrofuran gave bis(3-acetyl-5-aryl-2-furyl)methanes 2a-e in 26-79% yields along with a small amount of 3-acetyl-5-aryl-2-methylfurans 3a-e. The exact structure of 2a was determined by X-ray crystallography. The use of a half volume of the solvent for the reaction of 1a resulted in the formation of 2,4-bis(3-acetyl-5-phenyl-2-furfuryl)-3-acetyl-5-phenylfuran (4) together with 2a and 3a. A similar reaction of 1a was carried out in the presence of 3-acetyl-5-(4-methylphenyl)-2-methylfuran (3d) to afford 4-(3-acetyl-5-phenyl-2-furfuryl)-3-acetyl-5-(4-methylphenyl)-2-methylfuran (5) in 49% yield. The BF₃-catalyzed reaction of 1a with 2,4-pentanedione in dry tetrahydrofuran at 23°C gave 3-(3-acetyl-5-phenyl-2-furfuryl)-4-hydroxy-3-penten-2-one (6a) and 3-(3-acetyl-2-methyl-4-phenyl-5-furyl)-4-hydroxy-3-penten-2-one (7a) in 66 and 24% yields, respectively. The product distribution depended on the reaction temperature. A similar reaction of 1b-e also yielded the corresponding trisubstituted furans 6b-e and tetrasubstituted furans 7b-e in good yields. These results suggested the presence of the furfuryl carbocation intermediate A during the reaction. The one-pot synthesis of 6a and 7a was also achieved by a similar reaction using phenylglyoxal. The deoxygenation of 1a with triphenylphosphine gave 3a in 88% yield, while 1a was treated with concentrated hydrochloric acid to yield 3-acetyl-2-chloromethyl-5-phenylfuran (8) which was quantitatively transformed in ethanol into 3-acetyl-2-ethoxymethyl-5-phenylfuran (9) and in water into 3-acetyl-5-phenylfurfuryl alcohol (10), respectively. In addition, the Diels-Alder reaction of cyclopantadiene with 1a gave the corresponding [4+2] cycloaddition products 11 and 12.     

Synthesis of 6-substituted tetrahydropyridinones and cyclization to indolizidine and quinolizidine structures

3-Sulfolenes 1 with various substituents at C-2 underwent [4+2] cycloaddition reactions with p-toluenesulfonyl isocyanate to give the teterahydropyridinones 4. Through N-detosylation and Hg(II)-mediated electrophilic addition/intramolecular cyclization of 4e and 4f, the indolizidine and quinolizidine compounds 7a/7b and 8 were synthesized, respectively.     

Cycloaddition of methyl 2-(2,6-dichorophenyl)-2H-azirine-3-carboxylate to electron-rich 2-azadienes

tert-Butyldimethylsililoxy-2-aza-1,3-butadienes react with 2H-azirine 3 leading to Diels-Alder cycloadducts in moderate yields. The reactions are endo- and regioselective with the azirine being added by its less hindered face. There is only one product in the case of 1b, 4b. There are two isomers (4 and 5) from 1a, 1c and 1d. A different result was obtained with the diene 1e. Diene 1e formed products 4e and 8. Some of compounds 4 and 5 have been hydrolysed leading to functionalised aziridines 7. Compound 8 gave aziridine 9.     

A convenient synthesis of benzofuro[3,2-c]isoquinolines and naphtho[1′,2′:4,5]furo[3,2-c]isoquinolines

A convenient method for the preparation of benzofuro[3,2-c]isoquinoline derivatives is described. The condensation reaction of methyl 2-(chloromethyl)-benzoate with substituted salicylonitriles 7a-c and intramolecular cyclization of the resulting substituted methyl 2-[(2-cyanobenzyl)oxy]benzoates 10a-c using potassium tert-butoxide results in the substituted benzofuro[3,2-c]isoquinolin-5(6H)-ones 1a-c. The same sequence of reactions starting from 2-(chloromethyl)benzonitrile and compounds 7a-c gave substituted 5-aminobenzofuro[3,2-c]isoquinolines 13a-c. In addition, this method is useful for the synthesis of other heterocycles. For example, using 1-cyano-2-naphthol 16, instead of the salicylonitriles 7a-c, gives naphtho[1′,2′:4,5]furo[3,2-c]isoquinolines.     

Some novel observations on the reaction of 2-hydrazino-3-methylquinoxaline with trifluoromethyl-β-diketones

The reaction of 2-hydrazino-3-methylquinoxaline 1 with trifluoromethyl-β-diketones 2 not only yields the expected 5-trifluoromethyl-5-hydroxy-Δ²-pyrazolines 3a-3f and/or 3-trifluoromethylpyrazoles 4c-4f but also the unexpected products 1,2,4-triazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalines 5a-5f and/or 3(5)-trifluoromethyl-1H-pyrazoles 6c-6f. Furthermore, the acid-catalyzed dehydration of 5-hydroxypyrazolines 3a-3b resulted in the formation of unexpected 5a-5b along with the expected corresponding pyrazoles 7a-7b. These unprecedented observations provide evidence for the existence of equilibrium between the hydroxypyrazoline 3 and its open chain tautomer, ketoimine 9 in the mechanistic path leading to the formation of pyrazoles 7 and triazoles 5.     

Solid-state photocycloaddition of 6,6′-dimethyl-4,4′-[bis(methylenoxy)phenylene]-di-2-pyrones with benzophenone

Photocycloaddition reactions of 6,6′-dimethyl-4,4′-[bis(methylenoxy)phenylene]-di-2-pyrones (4a-c) with benzophenone (2a) by mixing in the solid state (solid solution) afforded the corresponding oxetane derivatives (5a-c; 1:2 adducts) with high site- and regioselectivity across the C5-C6 and C5′-C6′ double bonds in 4 via the triplet excited state of benzophenone. The oxetane formation proceeded more effectively in the solid state than in solution. The reaction mechanism was inferred by MO methods to be initiated by electrostatic interaction between the C6 position of 4a-c and the carbonyl oxygen of 2a in their ground states. The solid-state interaction may be enhanced by the electron density at the carbonyl oxygen of the triplet 2a. The transition state (TS) analysis of the [2+2] cycloaddition reactions also suggested some triplet complexes and high regioselectivity. The hydrogen-bonding interaction between 2a and 4a-c and the triplet reaction mechanism were also explained by the IR analyses and the quenching experiments, respectively.     

Methylene-2-ethynylcyclopropanes: synthesis and biological activity of (Z)- and (E)-9-{[2-ethynyl-2-(hydroxymethyl)cyclopropylidene]methyl}adenine and -guanine

Synthesis of methylene-2-ethynylcyclopropane analogues of nucleosides 12a, 12b, 13a, and 13b is described. Ethyl methylenecyclopropane carboxylate 14 was hydroxymethylated to give alcohol 15, which was reduced to diol 16. Selective protection with tert-butyldimethylsilyl group gave derivative 17, which was oxidized to aldehyde 18. Wittig reaction with CBr₄ gave dibromoalkene 19. Elimination of both bromine atoms afforded methylene-2-ethynylcyclopropane 20. Bromoselenenylation using N-bromosuccinimide and diphenyldiselenide gave intermediate 21. Alkylation of adenine and 2-amino-6-chloropurine with 21 provided the Z,E-isomeric mixtures 22a and 22c. Oxidation afforded selenoxides 23a and 23c. Mild thermolysis furnished methylenecyclopropanes Z-24a, E-24a, and 24c. Deprotection and separation of Z,E-isomers gave adenine analogues 12a and 13a, and 2-amino-6-chloropurine intermediates 12c and 13c. Hydrolytic dechlorination of 12c and 13c afforded guanine analogues 12b and 13b. Adenine Z-isomer 12a inhibits replication of Epstein-Barr virus through its cytotoxicity. The E-isomer 13a is a substrate for adenosine deaminase.     

Regioselective synthesis of novel 4-aryl-2-ethylthio-7-methyl pyrazolo[1,5-a]-[1,3,5]-triazines

Pyrazolo[1,5-a]-[1,3,5]-triazines 6a-d were obtained by an efficient one-step reaction from S,S-diethyl aroyliminodithiocarbonates 4a-d and 5-amino-3-methylpyrazole 5 or by an alternative two-step reaction from 5 and aroyl isothiocyanates 8a-d to give initially the thiourea derivatives 9a-d, which after S-ethylation and cyclization afforded compounds 6a-d. The intermediate 7a isolated from reaction between 4a and 5 permitted us to establish the orientation.     

The conversion of 2-cyano cyanothioformanilides into 3-aminoindole-2-carbonitriles using triphenylphosphine

2-Cyano cyanothioformanilide 3a reacts with triphenylphosphine in the presence of water to give 2-(cyanomethyleneamino)benzonitrile 4a, 2-(cyanomethylamino)benzonitrile 5, 3-aminoindole-2-carbonitrile 2a and (2-cyanoindol-3-yl)iminotriphenylphosphorane 6a. In the presence of p-toluenesulfonic acid in MeOH the reaction between 2-cyano cyanothioformanilide 3a and triphenylphosphine (2 equiv) gives 3-aminoindole-2-carbonitrile 2a in 90% yield. Under the same conditions 2-(cyanomethyleneamino)benzonitrile 4a gives anthranilonitrile 8a, 3-aminoindole-2-carbonitrile 2a and N-(2-cyanophenyl)formamide 9. In addition, substituted 2-cyano cyanothioformanilides 3b-f react with triphenylphosphine and p-toluenesulfonic acid in MeOH to give 3-aminoindole-2-carbonitriles 2b-f in 63-75% yields. Under analogous conditions 2-cyano-4,5-dimethoxyphenyl cyanothioformanilide 2g gives only 4,5-dimethoxyanthranilonitrile 8g and 4,6,7-trimethoxyquinazoline-2-carbonitrile 14g, but in refluxing dry PhMe in the absence of p-toluenesulfonic acid 2-cyano-4,5-dimethoxyphenyl cyanothioformanilide 3g, (2-cyano-5,6-dimethoxyindol-3-yl)iminotriphenylphosphorane 6g and 2-(cyanomethyleneamino)-4,5-dimethoxybenzonitrile 4g are obtained. The structure of 2-(cyanomethyleneamino)-4,5-dimethoxybenzonitrile 4g is supported unambiguously via independent synthesis and comparison to the isomeric 6,7-dimethoxyquinazoline-2-carbonitrile 15. All new compounds are fully characterised and a tentative mechanism for the transformation of 2-cyano cyanothioformanilides to indoles is proposed.     

A biomimetic total synthesis of (+)-intricarene

An asymmetric synthesis of the furanocembrane (−)-bipinnatin J (3a) found in gorgonian corals is described. Treatment of 3a with VO(acac)₂-^tBuOOH, followed by acetylation, gave acetoxypyranone 15. When 15 was heated in the presence of DBU, it underwent a transannular oxidopyrylium-alkene [5+2] cycloaddition producing the polycyclic diterpene (+)-intricarene 1, isolated from the coral Pseudopterogorgia kallos. The total synthesis of intricarene 1 mimics its most likely biosynthesis via oxidation of bipinnatin J (3a) in vivo.     

Naphthyridines. Part 3: First example of the polyfunctionally substituted 1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-g][1,6]naphthyridines ring system

Treatment of 1,2,4-triazoles (1) with diethylmalonate in bromobenzene gave 1,2,4-triazolo-[1,5-a]pyridines 2. Chlorination of 2 using POCl₃/DMF (Vilsmeier reagent) led to the isolation of 7-chloro-6-formyl-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyridine derivative 4, which reacted with the stabilized ylid 5 to afford 6-ethoxycarbonylvinyl-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]-pyridines 6. Azidation of 6 yielded the corresponding azido compound 7, (Scheme 2). Reduction of 7 with Na₂S₂O₄ gave the corresponding 7-amino compound 8, which cyclized in boiling DMF to give the novel 1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-g][1,6]naphthyridines 9. On the other hand, reacting 7 with one equivalent of PPh₃ (aza-Wittig reaction) in CH₂Cl₂ gave 7-imino-phosphorane derivative 10, and subsequent cyclization in boiling DMF afforded the new 1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-g][1,6]naphthyridine derivative 11 (Scheme 3). However, treatment of 10 with phenyl isothiocyanate in 1,2-dichlorobenzene at reflux temperature gave the new 1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-g][1,6]naphthyridine derivative 14 (Scheme 4). Refluxing 6 with excess of a primary amines 15a,b in absolute. EtOH yielded the corresponding 7-alkyl-amino-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyridines 16a,b. These obtained amines 16a,b underwent intramolecular heterocyclization in boiling DMF to give the novel 9-alkyl-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-g][1,6]-naphthyridines 17a,b, in excellent yields (Scheme 5).     

A facile approach for the synthesis of novel substituted 4H-chromenes and condensation reactions of 4H-chromenes leading to chromenopyrrolones and triazolylchromenopyrrolones

A facile method has been developed for the synthesis of 4H-chromene-3-carboxylates 3a–d by the nucleophilic substitution reaction of 2-hydroxy-2H-chromene-3-carboxylates 2a–d with triethylsilane in the presence of BF₃·O(C₂H₅)₂. Cyclocondensation of 4H-chromene-3-carboxylates 3a–d with benzylamines 4a–d afforded a series of 2,3-dihydrochromenopyrrolones 5a–p and with propargylamine afforded 2-propynyl-2,3-dihydrochromenopyrrolones 6a–d. Click reaction of 6a–d with benzyl azides 7a–d provided a series of 1H-1,2,3-triazolylmethyl-2,3-dihydrochromenopyrrolones 8a–p. Thus synthesized compounds 3a–d, 5a–p, 6a–d, and 8a–p are novel heterocyclic compounds and being reported for the first time.     

Synthesis and substitution reactions of β-alkoxyvinyl bromodifluoromethyl ketones

β-Alkoxyvinyl bromodifluoromethyl ketones 1a, 1b and 1c were synthesized by the reaction of bromodifluoroacetic anhydride with appropriate vinyl ethers in high yields. The acyclic enone 1a reacted with amines to give the corresponding β-aminovinyl bromodifluoromethyl ketones 2 in good yields. The reaction of 1a with electrophilic reagent ICl yielded α-iodoenone 4. The substitution reaction of the cyclic enones 1b and 1c with thio-nucleophiles gave the corresponding difluoromethylene thioethers 6. The three-component reactions of 2 with primary amines and formaldehyde gave multifunctional 1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimidine 3 in moderate yields.