Dearomatization-Rearomatization Reaction of Metal-Polarized Aza-ortho-Quinone Methides

Metal-polarized aza-ortho-quinone methides (aza-o-QMs) are a unique and efficient handle for azaheterocycle synthesis. Despite great achievements, the potential of these reactive intermediates has not yet been fully exploited, especially the new reaction modes. Herein, we disclosed an unprecedented dearomatization process of metal-polarized aza-o-QMs, affording transient dearomatized spiroaziridine intermediates. Based on this serendipity, we accomplished three sequential dearomatization-rearomatization reactions of benzimidazolines with aza-sulfur ylides, enabling the divergent synthesis of bis-nitrogen heterocycles with high efficiency and flexibility. Moreover, experimental and theoretical studies were performed to explain the proposed mechanisms and observed selectivity. Further cellular evaluation of the dibenzodiazepine products identified a hit compound for new antitumor drugs.     

Aza-Ortho-Quinone Methides as Reactive Intermediates: Generation and Utility in Contemporary Asymmetric Synthesis

The aza-ortho-quinone methide (aza-o-QM) chemistry has overwhelmingly progressed in the past few decades. This review aims to integrate various transition metal-catalyzed and organocatalytic strategies in taming aza-o-QM intermediates, including the aza-ortho-vinylidene quinone methide (aza-o-VQM), aza-ortho-alkynyl quinone methide (aza-o-AQM), aza-para-quinone methide (aza-p-QM), and indole-based aza-o-QM analog. These transient species are often utilized for the direct and enantioselective synthesis of complex (hetero)polycyclic or fused-ring molecular scaffolds such as tetrahydroquinoline and indoline, among others, which are abundant in many natural products, bioactive compounds, and pharmaceuticals.     

[4 + 3]-Cycloaddition of aza-o-quinone methides and azomethine imines to make 1,2,4-triazepines

In this study, an unprecedented [4 + 3] annulation of aza-ortho-quinone methides with azomethine imines was achieved under mild conditions. Annulation via the aza-Michael/aminalization sequence served as a useful method to synthesize biological heterocycles in good-to-excellent yields.     

Electrochemical oxidation of multisulfur heterocycles reactions of dithiane cations in acetonitrile

The electrochemical oxidation in acetonitrile of two orthothiooxalates containing 1,3-dithiane rings proceeds via rearrangement reactions of cationic intermediates to form the dication of an endocyclic tetrathioethylene. The dication undergoes a subsequent rearrangement, a possible example of a dyotropic reaction, to complete the electrode reaction. The electrochemical behavior was established by independent synthesis of the product tetrathioethylene, 2,6,8,12-tetrathiabicyclo(5.5.0)dodec-1(7)-ene, its electrochemical behavior, and the electron spin resonance spectra of the radical cations obtained by electrolytic generation from solutions of the orthothiooaxalate and suspected tetrathioethylene oxidation products. When the electrochemical oxidative pathway is compared to the thermal and electron-impact induced fragmentation reactions, distinct differences are noted.     

Transition-Metal Free Catalytic Synthesis of Trifluoromethyl Indolines by [4+1] Cycloaddition of Trifluoromethyl Benzoxazinones with Sulfur Ylides

Stereoselective catalytic synthesis of 3-trifluoromethyl indolines through the [4+1] cycloaddition of benzoxazinones and sulfur ylides in a transition-metal-free manner was developed. In the presence of a catalytic amount of sodium hydride, aza-ortho-quinone methide intermediates were formed from trifluoromethyl benzoxazinones through decarboxylation after the first nucleophilic attack of sulfur ylides, which progressed to a second nucleophilic attack of sulfur ylides, resulting in the [4+1] cycloaddition. The key for this catalytic transformation is the dual attack of sulfur ylides on substrates. This unique transition-metal-free protocol is applicable to the synthesis of non-fluorinated vinyl-, ethynyl- or methyl-substituted indolines. The synthesis of 3-trifluoromethyl indoles was also achieved described under stoichiometric conditions.     

New Synthesis of 2-Phenylindene Derivatives

Aza-ortho-xylylenes 4 generated via thermal extrusion of SO₂ from 1,3-dihydro-2,1-benzisothiazolo-3-spiro-2′-indan 2,2-dioxides 3 undergo [1,5] hydrogen shift giving 2-phenylindene derivatives 5 in good yields.     

Nitrogen-directed ortho-arylation and -heteroarylation of aromatic rings catalyzed by ruthenium complexes

The ruthenium-catalyzed direct ortho-arylation reactions of 2-phenylpyridine and 2-aryloxazolines have been successfully expanded to the direct aryl-heteroaryl coupling reactions using heteroaryl bromides. The reaction mechanism involving the Ru^II/Ru^IV intermediates is proposed from the results of the stoichiometric reaction of a divalent ruthenacycle complex of 2-phenylpyridine with bromobenzene.     

A computational study of the thermal opening of benzocyclobutenes to (E)- and (Z)-xylylenes

The structures of eleven 1-substituted benzocyclobutenes and corresponding (E)-o-xylylenes and (Z)-o-xylylenes have been calculated at the Becke3LYP/6-311G(d,p) level. Some o-xylylenes are plane and even some (Z)-isomers. In three cases (substituent: methoxy, amino and formamido groups), the (Z)-isomer is more stable than the (E)-isomer. The regioselectivity of the Diels-Alder reaction between (o)-xylylenes and propene or ethylvinylether is discussed according to the frontier OM coefficients.     

Rh(I)-catalyzed solvent-free ortho-alkylation of aromatic imines under microwave irradiation

The synthesis of ortho-alkylated ketones through a chelation-assisted Rh (I) catalyzed ortho-alkylation reaction of aromatic imines under microwave activated solvent-free conditions in monomode reactors was performed. These conditions have been also applied to hydroacylation and ortho-alkylation reactions with aldimines.     

Generation of ortho-quinone methides upon thermal extrusion of sulfur dioxide from benzosultones

3H-1,2-Benzoxathiole 2,2-dioxides (benzosultones) undergo thermal extrusion of sulfur dioxide to form ortho-quinone methides that enter Diels-Alder reaction with maleimides to form chroman 2,3-dicarboxylic acid derivatives.     

Stereochemistry of sulphilimine and sulphoxide formations in reactions of sulphides with chlorinating agents and nucleophiles

The stereochemistry of sulphilimine and sulphoxide formations was studied in reactions of chiral alkyl aryl sulphides either with N-chloro toluenesulphonamides or with t-BuOCl followed by TsNH^?Na⁺ both leading to unequal amounts of diastereomers of products. Configurations were determined by spectroscopic methods and stereospecific reactions, and diastereomeric product distributions were measured by hplc. Results are discussed and reaction pathways are suggested for the product-controlling steps. From sulphonium type intermediates sulphoxides are formed by hydrolysis with inversion, while sulphilimines with retention or inversion of configuration at sulphur depending on manner of attack by N-nucleophile. In reactions of ortho-carboxy-substituted sulphides both sulphilimines and sulphoxides are formed from cyclic acyloxysulphonium intermediates with inversion of configuration at sulphur.     

Selective hydrodechlorination of fluorinated arylamines

Chlorine-containing polyfluorinated anilines and meta-phenylenediamines undergo selective hydrodechlorination easily upon reduction by zinc in aqueous ammonia. A new approach is thus provided to synthetically valuable, partially fluorinated arylamines based on utilizing polyfluorochloroarenes, which are available as intermediates of perfluoroarene production from perchloroarenes. When chlorine atoms are present in positions both ortho and para to the amino group, para chlorine is initially eliminated. Based on this reaction, a one-pot synthesis of partially fluorinated 4-aminopyridines from 3,5-dichlorotrifluoro- and 3-chlorotetrafluoropyridine has been realized.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Amination of Aryl Sulfides with Anilines

A combination of a palladium–NHC catalyst and potassium hexamethyldisilazide enables the amination of aryl sulfides with anilines to afford a wide variety of diarylamines. The reaction conditions are versatile enough for the reaction of even bulky ortho‐substituted aryl sulfides. This amination can be applied to the modular synthesis of N‐aryl carbazoles from the corresponding ortho‐bromothioanisoles. As aryl sulfoxides undergo extended Pummerer reactions to afford ortho‐substituted aryl sulfides, the Pummerer products are thus useful substrates for the amination to culminate in efficient syntheses of a 2‐anilinobenzothiophene and an indole as proof‐of‐principle of the utility of the extended Pummerer reaction/amination cascade.     

Recent development of ortho-C–H functionalization of aryl sulfoxides through [3,3] sigmatropic rearrangement

Sulfoxide-promoted ortho-C–H functionalization reactions of aromatic compounds have emerged as powerful tools for organic synthesis. Among them, [3,3] sigmatropic rearrangement induced by interrupted Pummerer reaction or electrophilic activation of sulfoxides has proved to be a fruitful strategy due to its versatility and high reaction efficiency. This digest paper mainly focuses on recent progress on C–H functionalization reactions of aryl sulfoxides via [3,3] sigmatropic rearrangement of sulfonium-tethered intermediates.     

Catalytic Enantioselective Aza-pinacol Rearrangement

The first catalytic enantioselective asymmetric aza-pinacol rearrangement is reported. The reactions are catalyzed by a chiral phosphoric acid and proceed via a highly organized transition state involving a cyclic aza-ortho-xylylene intermediate to afford the indoline structures with good to excellent enantioselectivity. The synthetic utility of this method is demonstrated by the asymmetric synthesis of a key intermediate to the natural product minfiensine and the identification of a chiral lead compound to repress antibiotic resistance.     

Acylsilanes in Rhodium(III)‐Catalyzed Directed Aromatic C–H Alkenylations and Siloxycarbene Reactions with CC Double Bonds

Acylsilanes are known to undergo a 1,2‐silicon‐to‐oxygen migration under thermal or photochemical conditions to form siloxycarbenes. However, there are few reports regarding the application of siloxycarbenes in organic synthesis and surprisingly, their reaction with C? C double or triple bonds remains virtually unexplored. To facilitate such a study, previously inaccessible aromatic acylsilanes containing an ortho‐tethered C? C double bond were identified as suitable substrates. To access these key intermediates, we developed a new synthetic method utilizing a rhodium‐catalyzed oxidative Heck‐type olefination involving the application of an acylsilane moiety as a directing group. When exposed to visible‐light irradiation, the ortho‐olefinated acylsilanes underwent a smooth intramolecular cyclization process to afford valuable indanone derivatives in quantitative yields. This result paves the way for the development of new transformations involving siloxycarbene intermediates.     

Acylsilanes in Rhodium(III)‐Catalyzed Directed Aromatic C–H Alkenylations and Siloxycarbene Reactions with C?C Double Bonds

Acylsilanes are known to undergo a 1,2‐silicon‐to‐oxygen migration under thermal or photochemical conditions to form siloxycarbenes. However, there are few reports regarding the application of siloxycarbenes in organic synthesis and surprisingly, their reaction with C C double or triple bonds remains virtually unexplored. To facilitate such a study, previously inaccessible aromatic acylsilanes containing an ortho‐tethered C C double bond were identified as suitable substrates. To access these key intermediates, we developed a new synthetic method utilizing a rhodium‐catalyzed oxidative Heck‐type olefination involving the application of an acylsilane moiety as a directing group. When exposed to visible‐light irradiation, the ortho‐olefinated acylsilanes underwent a smooth intramolecular cyclization process to afford valuable indanone derivatives in quantitative yields. This result paves the way for the development of new transformations involving siloxycarbene intermediates.     

The ionic liquid [bmim]Br as an alternative medium for the catalytic cleavage of aromatic C-F and C-Cl bonds

The potential of [bmim]Br as an alternative to aprotic dipolar solvents in nickel-catalyzed hydrodehalogenation reactions is demonstrated. Hydrodechlorination of pentafluorochlorobenzene proceeds under the action of zinc in aqueous [bmim]Br. Under the above conditions aromatic C-F bonds also undergo slow cleavage. The reaction is significantly accelerated in the presence of nickel complexes with 2,2′-bipyridine or 1,10-phenanthroline. In the case of pentafluoroacetanilide highly regioselective ortho-hydrodefluorination leading to the formation of 3,4,5-trifluoroacetanilide is observed.     

An efficient synthesis of sterically hindered arylboronic acids

Boronic acids are important intermediates and molecular recognition moieties in a wide variety of applications. In our research, we have found that the synthesis of ortho-substituted arylboronic acids is problematic with the commonly used bis(pinacolato)diboron in palladium-mediated borylation reactions. As a substitute, we have found that bis(neopentyl glycolato)diboron is a much more efficient borylation agent for the synthesis of sterically hindered ortho-substituted arylboronic acids.     

Rearrangements in Spiro-λ4-sulfane Chemistry

The reactions of possible spiro-λ⁴-sulfane precursor diaryl sulfoxides with dehydrating agents have been studied resulting in the formation of cyclic anhydride, spiro-λ⁴-sulfane, cyclic sulfonium-ylide, lactam-sulfoxide, cyclic sulfonimide and cyclic sulfilimine type of intermediates or products. The structures of the intermediates or products depend on the functional groups attached to the aryl rings at ortho positions and on the reaction conditions applied.