Photocycloaddition of Cyclohex‐2‐enones to 2‐Alkylprop‐2‐enenitriles

The outcome of the photocycloaddition of cyclohex‐2‐enones to 2‐alkylprop‐2‐enenitriles differs basically from that of the corresponding 2‐alkylbut‐1‐en‐3‐ynes. While the latter afford mainly products resulting from 1,6‐cyclization of the intermediate triplet alkyl‐(prop‐2‐ynyl) 1,4‐biradical, the former give only cyclobutanecarbonitriles resulting from 1,4‐cyclization of the singlet alkyl‐cyanoalkyl 1,4‐biradical.     

Photochemistry of N‐(2‐Acylphenyl)‐2‐methylprop‐2‐enamides: Competition between Photocyclization and Long‐Range Hydrogen Abstraction

The photochemical reactions of various ‘N‐methacryloyl acylanilides’ (=N‐(acylphenyl)‐2‐methylprop‐2‐enamides) have been investigated. Under irradiation, the acyl‐substituted anilides 1a – 1c and 1o afforded exclusively the corresponding quinoline‐based cyclization products of type 2 (Table 1). In contrast, irradiation of the benzoyl (Bz)‐substituted anilides 1e – 1h afforded a mixture of the open‐chain amides 4e – 4h and the cyclization products 2e – 2h . Irradiation of the para‐acyl‐substituted anilides 6a – 6e and 6h afforded the corresponding quinoline‐based cyclization products of type 5 as the sole products (Table 2). The formation of the cyclization products 2a – 2c and 2o can be rationalized in terms of 6π‐electron cyclization, followed by thermal [1,5] acyl migration, and that of compounds 3p, 5a – 5e , and 5h can be explained by a 6π‐electron cyclization only. The formation of the open‐chain amides 4e – 4h probably follows a mechanism involving a 1,7‐diradical, C and a spirolactam of type D (Scheme). Long‐range ζ‐H abstraction by the excited carbonyl O‐atom of the benzoyl group on the aniline ring is expected to proceed via a nine‐membered cyclic transition state, as proposed on the basis of X‐ray crystallographic analyses (Fig. 2).     

Synthesis of 3‐Ω‐amino‐2‐thiohydantoins

In the reaction of ethyl isothiocyanatoacetate with diamines, followed by cyclization of the intermediate product, 3‐monosubstituted thiohydantoins have been obtained. It was found that the reaction course depends on the purity of the isothiocyanate used and also, in the case of dialkylaminoamines, the self‐cyclization occurs. Besides the dialkylamino derivatives of 3‐monosubstituted 2‐thiohydantoins also new monoalkylamino, amino and heterocyclic derivatives were synthesized. The aryldiazonium derivative of 3‐monosubstituted 2‐thiohydantoin yielded both respective phenol derivative after hydrolysis and the product of coupling with 2‐naphthol.     

Synthesis of some fused β‐carbolines including the first example of the pyrrolo[3,2‐c]‐β‐carboline system

Condensation of 1‐methyl‐β‐carboline‐3‐carbaldehyde with ethyl azidoacetate and subsequent thermolysis of the resulting azidopropenoate was used to [c] annulate a pyrrole ring onto the β‐carboline moiety, thus producing the first example of the pyrrolo[3,2‐c]‐β‐carboline ring system. The latter ring system results from cyclization at the C‐4 carbon, whereas cyclization at the N‐2 nitrogen atom also occurs to form a pyrazolo[3,2‐c]‐β‐carboline ring system. Condensation of β‐carboline‐1‐carbaldehyde with ethyl azidoacetate produced a non‐isolable intermediate, which immediately underwent cyclization, however in this case cyclization occurred via attack at the ester and the azide remained intact. The resulting 5‐azidocanthin‐6‐one was transformed to the first examples of 5‐aminocanthin‐6‐ones. β‐Carboline‐1,3‐dicarbaldehyde failed to give an acceptable reaction with ethyl azidoacetate, but did undergo selective condensation with dimethyl acetylene dicarboxylate at the C‐1 carbaldehyde with concomitant cyclization to form a highly functionalized 2‐formyl‐canthine derivative.     

Consecutive isomerization and cyclization of 3‐(2‐aminophenyl)‐1‐arylprop‐2‐yn‐1‐ols leading to 2‐arylquinolines in the presence of potassium hydroxide

3‐(2‐Aminophenyl)‐1‐arylprop‐2‐yn‐1‐ols are readily converted to 2‐arylquinolines in good yields in ethanol at 80° in the presence of potassium hydroxide via domino isomerization and cyclization.     

Photocycloaddition of Cyclohex‐2‐enones to 2‐Methylbut‐1‐en‐3‐yne

Irradiation (350 nm) of 2‐alkynylcyclohex‐2‐enones 1 in benzene in the presence of an excess of 2‐methylbut‐1‐en‐3‐yne ( 2 ) affords in each case a mixture of a cis‐fused 3,4,4a,5,6,8a‐hexahydronaphthalen‐1(2H)‐one 3 and a bicyclo[4.2.0]octan‐2‐one 4 (Scheme 2), the former being formed as main product via 1,6‐cyclization of the common biradical intermediate. The (parent) cyclohex‐2‐enone and other alkylcyclohex‐2‐enones 7 also give naphthalenones 8 , albeit in lower yields, the major products being bicyclo[4.2.0]octan‐2‐ones (Scheme 4). No product derived from such a 1,6‐cyclization is observed in the irradiation of 3‐alkynylcyclohex‐2‐enone 9 in the presence of 2 (Scheme 4). Irradiation of the 2‐cyano‐substituted cyclohexenone 12 under these conditions again affords only traces of naphthalenone 13 , the main product now being the substituted bicyclo[4.2.0]oct‐7‐ene 16 (Scheme 5), resulting from [2+2] cycloaddition of the acetylenic C−C bond of 2 to excited 12 .     

Photochemical Transformations of Some 2‐(5‐Methylthiophen‐2‐yl)‐3‐[(naphthalen‐2‐yl)methoxy]‐4H‐chromen‐4‐ones Involving Type‐II Process

Photo‐irradiation of 2‐(5‐methylthiophen‐2‐yl)‐3‐[(naphthalen‐2‐yl)methoxy]‐4H‐chromen‐4‐ones yielded the fascinating angular tetracyclic products via cyclization involving both 2‐thienyl ring and naphthylmethoxy group via 1,4‐biradical generated in the Norrish type‐II process. The stereochemical dispositions of the products were determined by MM2 energy minimized programme and spectroscopic analysis.     

Two‐step Synthesis of New γ‐Lactones via Cyclization of 7‐Chloro‐2‐(methoxycarbonyl)‐4‐6‐dimethylocta‐(2E,4E,6E)‐trienoic acid

A new rapid synthesis of γ‐lactones, cis fused with a cyclopentenic ring by thermal cyclization of 7‐chloro‐2‐(methoxycarbonyl)‐4‐6‐dimethylocta‐7‐phenyl (or methyl) (2E,4E,6E)‐trienoic acids was reported. The key step implicates an intramolecular cyclization to a cyclopentenyl cation, according to an electrocyclic π_2s + π_2a conrotatory process, published in a recent paper (from the corresponding diacids). We have investigated the thermal behavior of the corresponding half‐esters since; if the cyclization obeys to the proposed mechanism, the diacids, half‐esters must also cyclize in a similar manner. Saponification of these led to γ‐dilactones via intermediary cyclopropanes. Mechanistic pathways were investigated.     

The Stereoselective Total Synthesis of (6S)‐5,6‐Dihydro‐6‐[(2R)‐2‐hydroxy‐6‐phenylhexyl]‐2H‐pyran‐2‐one via Prins Cyclization

The stereoselective total synthesis of an antiproliferative and antifungal α‐pyrone natural product (6S)‐5,6‐dihydro‐6‐[(2R)‐2‐hydroxy‐6‐phenylhexyl]‐2H‐pyran‐2‐one is described. The key steps involved are the Prins cyclization, Mitsunobu reaction, and ring‐closing metathesis reaction.     

Synthesis of 3‐Aryl‐2‐methoxyinden‐1‐one (Z)‐Phenylhydrazones via Hydrobromic Acid‐Mediated Cyclization of 2‐(1‐Aryl‐2‐methoxyethenyl)benzaldehyde Phenylhydrazones

2‐(1‐Aryl‐2‐methoxyethenyl)benzaldehydes 2 , obtained by successive treatment of 1‐(1‐aryl‐2‐methoxyethenyl)‐2‐bromobenzenes 1 with BuLi and 1‐formylpiperidine, were transformed to the corresponding phenylhydrazones 3 on treatment with PhNHNH₂. When these hydrazones were allowed to react with conc. HBr, cyclization, followed by dehydrogenation with air occurred, furnished 3‐aryl‐2‐methoxyinden‐1‐one (Z)‐phenylhydrazones 4 .     

Synthesis of 2‐Unsubstituted 1,3‐Selenazoles by Cyclization of Selenoformamide with α‐Bromocarbonyl Compounds

2‐Unsubstituted 1,3‐selenazoles were prepared by cyclization of selenoformamide with α‐bromoacetophenones. Parent 1,3‐selenazole was prepared by cyclization of selenoformamide with α‐bromoacetaldehyde.     

A Facile Synthesis of 2‐Methyl‐3‐oxoindoline‐2‐carboxylates Utilizing Aza‐Brook Rearrangement as a Crucial Step

Synthesis of 2‐methyl‐3‐oxoindoline‐2‐carboxylates is developed using a bis(trimethylsilyl)aluminum chloride‐induced aza‐Brook rearrangement as a crucial step. Regarding the organoaluminum species, use of readily available tris(trimethylsilyl)aluminum·ether complex was not suitable for the present cyclization. After a series of examination of the reaction conditions, the aza‐Brook rearrangement and the subsequent cyclization with 2 equivalens of bis(trimethylsilyl)aluminum chloride were found to be the most effective. An application to the synthesis of a potential intermediate of duocarmycin A is also described, in which ozonolysis of the styrenyl moiety and the Barton–McCombie deoxygenation of the hydroxymethyl group were successfully carried out.     

Versatile One‐Pot Synthesis of Polysubstituted Cyclopent‐2‐enimines from α,β‐Unsaturated Amides: Imino‐Nazarov Reaction

The imino‐Nazarov cyclization of the polysubstituted pentan‐1,4‐diene‐3‐imines was realized. To this aim, a one‐pot procedure involving reductive alkenyliminylation of α,β‐unsaturated secondary amides with potassium organotrifluoroborates, followed by acid‐catalyzed imino‐Nazarov cyclization of the polysubstituted pentan‐1,4‐diene‐3‐imine intermediates, was studied systematically. This mild, operationally simple, flexible, and high‐yielding protocol efficiently affords polysubstituted pentan‐1,4‐diene‐3‐imines, cyclopentenimines, and α‐amino cyclopentenones, which are useful scaffolds in organic synthesis. The substituent effect at the C2 position of the polysubstituted pentan‐1,4‐diene‐3‐imines was studied by means of density‐functional theory calculations. Results suggested that the electron‐donating group facilitates the imino‐Nazarov cyclization process.     

Improved Synthesis of 2‐Chloro‐3‐amino‐4‐methylpyridine

2‐Chloro‐3‐amino‐4‐methylpyridine ( 1 ), a key intermediate in the synthesis of nervirapine, was prepared from 2‐cyanoacetamide and 4,4‐dimethoxyl‐2‐butanone via condensation, cyclization, one‐pot reaction of chlorination and hydrolysis, and Hofmann reaction. Utilization of the quadratic orthogonal test resulted in a high yield (62.1%) of the whole process.     

Mercuric Acetate Mediated Oxidative Cyclization of (2E, 4E)‐1‐(2‐Hydroxyphenyl)‐5‐phenylpenta‐2,4‐dien‐1‐ones: Synthesis of (Z)‐2‐((E)‐3‐Phenylallylidene)benzofuran‐3(2H)‐ones

(2E,4E)‐1‐(2‐Hydroxyphenyl)‐5‐phenylpenta‐2,4‐dien‐1‐ones 1a , 1b , 1c , 1d , 1e on oxidative cyclization with mercuric acetate in dimethylsulphoxide have provided (Z)‐2‐((E)‐3‐phenylallylidene)benzofuran‐3(2H)‐ones 2a , 2b , 2c , 2d , 2e in good yields.     

One‐Pot Syntheses of 2‐(2‐Sulfanyl‐4H‐3,1‐benzothiazin‐4‐yl)acetic Acid Derivatives via Reactions of 3‐(2‐Isothiocyanatophenyl)prop‐2‐enoic Acid Derivatives with Thiols or Sodium Sulfide

Two efficient methods for the preparation of 2‐(2‐sulfanyl‐4H‐3,1‐benzothiazin‐4‐yl)acetic acid derivatives 3 under mild conditions have been developed. The first method is based on the reaction of 3‐(2‐isothiocyanatophenyl)prop‐2‐enoates 1a – 1c with thiols in the presence of Et₃N in THF at room temperature, leading to the corresponding dithiocarbamate intermediates 2 , which underwent spontaneous cyclization at the same temperature by an attack of the S‐atom at the prop‐2‐enoyl moiety in a 1,4‐addition manner (Michael addition) to give 2‐(2‐sulfanyl‐4H‐3,1‐benzothiazin‐4‐yl)acetates in one pot. The second method involves treatment of 3‐(2‐isothiocyanatophenyl)prop‐2‐enoic acid derivatives 1b – 1d with Na₂S leading to the formation of 2‐(2‐sodiosulfanyl‐4H‐3,1‐benzothiazin‐4‐yl)acetic acid intermediates 5 by a similar addition/cyclization sequence, which are then allowed to react with alkyl or aryl halides to afford derivatives 3 . 2‐(2‐Thioxo‐4H‐3,1‐benzothiazin‐4‐yl)acetic acid derivatives 6 can be obtained by omitting the addition of halides.     

Enhancive Synthesis of ‐lβ, 11‐Diol‐4‐en‐eudesmol

An enhancive synthesis of ?1β, 11‐diol‐4‐en‐eudesmol, starting from 2‐chloroacrylonitrile, is described. The effect of temperature on the Diels‐Alder reaction of 2‐chloroacrylonitrile with 2‐methylfuran and the condition of cationic cyclization of diene were discussed in detail.     

POCl3‐Mediated Reaction: A New Entry to Polysubstituted 2‐Pyridones via Self‐condensation of β‐Keto Amides

Synthesis of polysubstituted 2‐pyridones and their analogues from β‐keto amides via self‐condensation cyclization is described. Notable advantages include mild reaction conditions, reduced synthetic steps, high yields, and a readily available starting materials. Further mechanistic studies suggest that the transformation proceeds through self‐condensation, intramolecular nucleophilic cyclization, and elimination.     

Unexpected Ritter Reaction During Acid‐Promoted 1,3‐Dithiol‐2‐one Formation

A series of aryl‐substituted 1,3‐dithiol‐2‐ones was prepared by the Bhattacharya? Hortmann cyclization method. Unexpectedly, a Ritter reaction occurred during the acid‐catalyzed cyclization at the cyano group of the aryl substituents and 1,3‐dithiol‐2‐ones bearing a carboxy or a carboxamide group could be selectively obtained (see 1 and 2a in Scheme 1). The formation of the acid or the amide functionality was temperature‐dependent so that the one or the other group could be introduced selectively by modifying the reaction temperature.     

Synthesis of 2‐(1‐methyl‐1,2,5,6‐tetrahydropyridin‐3‐yl)benzimidazoles

A useful approach for the synthesis of pharmacologically active tetrahydropyridinylbenzimidazoles is described. 2‐Pyridin‐3‐ylbenzimidazoles 3a‐d have been synthesized by condensation of 3‐pyridinecarbox‐aldehyde 1 with substituted 1,2‐phenylenediamines 2a‐d following oxidative cyclization with iodobenzene diacetate. Methylation of 3a‐d with iodomethane and potassium hydroxide, subsequent formation of methylpyridinium salts 4a‐d and 7a‐d and reduction thereafter afforded tetrahydropyridinylbenzimidazoles 5a‐d and 8a‐d .