Benzannulation from alkynes and allyl tosylates via a pi-allylpalladium intermediate

[reaction: see text] Allyl tosylate is a good allyl source for a novel palladium-catalyzed benzannulation that affords polysubstituted benzenes from 1 mol of an allyl compound and 2 mol of internal alkynes. Using triphenyl phosphite as a ligand, the reaction with terminal alkynes gave trisubstituted benzenes regioselectively.     

Palladium-catalyzed highly chemo- and regioselective formal [2+2+2] sequential cycloaddition of alkynes: a renaissance of the well known trimerization reaction?

A new concept of highly chemo- and regioselective formation of the benzene ring by a palladium-catalyzed formal [2 + 2 + 2] sequential intermolecular trimerization of alkynes is proposed. Homodimerization of terminal alkynes and subsequent [4 + 2] benzannulation with diynes gives tetrasubstituted benzenes in moderate to good yields. The introduction of two different alkynes (terminal and internal) in the first step of the sequence allows for construction of pentasubstituted benzenes from three different acyclic acetylenic units. In all cases the tetra- and pentasubstituted benzenes are formed as a single reaction product without being accompanied by any of regio- or chemoisomers. A significant acceleration of the sequential trimerization reaction in the presence of Lewis acid/phosphine combined system was observed. Mechanistic studies reveal that the Lewis acid assisted isomerization of the E-enyne formed in the first step of the sequence to the more reactive Z-isomer is responsible for the observed acceleration effect. The proposed methodology provides a conceptually new and synthetically useful route to multifunctional aromatic compounds.     

ZnCl2-catalyzed [4 + 2] benzannulation of 2-ethynylbenzaldehydes with alkynes: Selective synthesis of naphthalene derivatives

Zn-catalyzed [4 + 2] benzannulation of 2-ethynylbenzaldehydes with alkynes is described for the selective synthesis of naphthalene derivatives. In the presence of ZnCl₂, a variety of 2-ethynylbenzaldehydes underwent the [4 + 2] benzannulation reactions with alkynes to selectively afford the corresponding naphthalene derivatives in moderate to good yields.     

Synthesis of 1,6-dihydropyrrolo[2,3-g]indazoles using Larock indole annulation

The synthesis of 1,6-dihydropyrrolo[2,3-g]indazole derivatives is described. The indolic ring system is constructed via a Larock palladium-catalyzed annulation using terminal and internal alkynes. Additionally, when using internal alkynes for this reaction, we found that a directing effect on regioselectivity was mediated by the ester group of alkyl 3-substituted propiolate derivatives.     

Synthesis of multiply functionalized benzenes via ruthenium-catalyzed cycloaddition of diiododiynes

Highly functionalized benzenes were precisely synthesized via multi-step processes consisting of ruthenium-catalyzed [2+2+2] cycloaddition of diiododiynes with an ethynylboronate or terminal alkynes, and subsequent chemo- and regio-selective palladium-catalyzed C-C bond-forming reactions of the resulting cycloadducts. The sequential cycloaddition/coupling process was applied to the synthesis of oligo(p-phenylene ethynylene)s.     

New Members of the Cinchona Alkaloids Family: Assembly of the Triazole Heterocycle at the 6′ Position

The substance class of the well-known Cinchona alkaloids is widened by 6′-Amino-cinchonine and 6′-Amino-cinchonidine, novel compounds which incorporate a primary amino function in the quinolinic ring system. These key intermediates open the field for a range of fruitful chemistry. Here is described a short and direct pathway for the synthesis of triazole containing derivatives of the above-mentioned substances using the [3 + 2] Huisgen cycloaddition. For this purpose, the amines were first converted into the corresponding azides. Based on this, non-substituted and silyl-protected triazoles were synthesized as examples. Furthermore, didehydrated derivatives of quincorine and quincoridine were used as addition partners, resulting in compounds that carry the quinuclidine ring of the cinchona alkaloids at both ends. Some of these compounds were examined radiographically to investigate the position of the quinuclidine ring to the triazole. The solid-state structures of compounds 10, 11 and 28 were determined by X-ray diffraction analyses.     

Palladium-catalyzed [3+2+1] cyclocarbonylative coupling of 1,3-cyclohexanediones, alkynes, and carbon monoxide: an atom-economic route to chromene-2,5-dione derivatives

3,4,7,8-Tetrahydro-2H-chromene-2,5(6H)-dione derivatives were efficiently synthesized with excellent selectivity via a [3+2+1] cyclocarbonylative coupling of 1,3-cyclohexanediones, terminal alkynes, and CO catalyzed by Pd(PPh₃)₄.     

Iodine-mediated oxidative Pictet-Spengler reaction using terminal alkyne as the 2-oxoaldehyde surrogate for the synthesis of 1-aroyl-β-carbolines and fused-nitrogen heterocycles

An efficient iodine-mediated oxidative Pictet-Spengler reaction in dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) using terminal alkynes as the 2-oxoaldehyde surrogate for the synthesis of aryl (9H-pyrido[3,4-b]indol-1-yl)methanones is described. The scope of the protocol includes the total synthesis of Fascaplysin, Eudistomins Y₁ and Y₂. The methodology is extended for preparing pyrrolo[1,2-a]-quinoxaline and indolo[1,5-a]quinoxaline derivatives. The utility of 1-aroyl-β-carbolines was demonstrated by performing palladium-catalyzed β-carboline directed ortho-C(sp2)-H functionalization of the phenyl ring with thiomethyl (SMe) group using DMSO as source and for accessing 4-aryl-canthin-6-ones.     

Palladium-catalyzed carbonylative annulation of terminal alkynes: synthesis of coumarins and 2-quinolones

o-Iodophenols and o-iodoaniline derivatives react with terminal alkynes under 1 atm of CO in the presence of pyridine and catalytic amounts of Pd(OAc)₂ to generate coumarins and 2-quinolones, respectively, as the only products. Terminal alkynes bearing alkyl, aryl, silyl, hydroxyl, ester and cyano substituents are effective in these processes affording the desired products in moderate yields. The formation of coumarins and 2-quinolones in this process is in stark contrast with all previously described palladium-catalyzed reactions of o-iodophenols or o-iodoanilines with terminal alkynes and CO, which have afforded chromones and 4-quinolones. Moreover, under our reaction conditions terminal alkynes insert into the carbonpalladium bond instead of undergoing a Sonogashira-type coupling as confirmed by an isotope labeling experiment.     

Plant coumarins: XI. Cross coupling reactions with 2-(tosyl)oreoselone

The reaction of a linearly fused furocoumarin, oreoselone, with p-toluenesulfonyl chloride gave 2-tosyloreoselone which showed a high reactivity in palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions with formation of a new carbon-carbon bond. 2-Tosyloreoselone reacted with terminal alkynes in the presence of Pd(PPh₃)₂Cl₂ to give the corresponding 2-alkynylfuro[3,2-g]chromen-3-ones. 2-Aryl(hetaryl)alkynyloreoselones were obtained in high yield directly by palladium-catalyzed reaction of oreoselone with tosyl chloride and aryl(hetaryl)acetylenes. The reaction of 2-tosyloreoselone with aryl(hetaryl)boronic acids in the presence of palladium complexes with uni- and bidentate ligands, tetrabutylammonium bromide, and a base afforded 2-aryl(hetaryl)-substituted oreoselones. 2-Vinyloreoselone was synthesized from 2-tosyloreoselone and potassium trifluoro(vinyl)borate.     

[2+2+1+1] Cycloaddition for de novo Synthesis of Densely Functionalized Phenols

A unique benzannulation strategy for regioselective de novo synthesis of densely functionalized phenols is described. Through metal-mediated formal [2+2+1+1] cycloaddition of two different alkynes and two molecules of CO, a series of densely functionalized phenols were obtained. The benzannulation strategy allows efficient regioselective installation up to five different substituents on a phenol ring. The resulting phenols have a substitution pattern different from those obtained from Dötz and Danheiser benzannulations.     

RhCl3/amine-catalyzed [2+2+2] cyclization of alkynes

The RhCl₃·3H₂O/i-Pr₂NEt-catalyzed [2+2+2] cyclotrimerization of alkynes has been achieved. The reaction can be widely used for various alkynes and provides tri- or hexa-substituted benzenes regioselectively in high yields. The [2+2+2] cycloaddition of diynes and alkynes is also developed, and it affords benzene derivatives in moderate to high yields.     

Hexafluoroantimonic Acid Catalysis: Formal [3+2+2] Cycloaddition of Aziridines with Two Alkynes

A practical method for the synthesis of azepine derivatives, a typical seven‐membered heterocyclic ring system, was developed and involves the use of hexafluoroantimonic acid to catalyze a formal [3+2+2] cycloaddition of aziridines with two alkynes. This method was applicable to two of the same or different terminal alkynes for the [3+2+2] cycloaddition with unactivated aziridines, and furnished the corresponding azepine derivatives in good yields with good levels of chemo‐ and regioselectivity. The mechanism was also discussed according to the results of the in situ HRMS and ¹H NMR analysis.     

Palladium-Catalyzed [3+2] and [2+2+2] Annulations of 4-Iodo-2-quinolones with Activated Alkynes through Selective C−H Activation

The palladium-catalyzed reaction of 4-iodo-2-quinolones with activated alkynes was investigated. Cyclopenta[de]quinoline-2(1 H)-ones and/or phenanthridine-6(5 H)-ones were obtained through [3+2] annulation involving aromatic C−H activation or [2+2+2] annulation involving vinylic C−H activation, respectively. Reasonable mechanisms for the formation of these annulation products have been proposed based on density functional theory calculations.     

Grignard cross-coupling catalyzed by chiral phosphino–quincorine and phosphino–quincoridine derivatives

New β-aminoalkylphosphines with a stereogenic nitrogen center have been synthesized from quincorine and quincoridine. Nickel catalysts were studied for their enantioselectivity in the asymmetric Kumada–Corriu reaction. The (2S,4S,5R)-2-diphenylphosphinomethyl-5-ethyl-quinuclidine–nickel complex led to e.e. of 85% for the cross-coupling of 1-phenylethylmagnesium chloride with vinyl bromide.     

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.     

Lewis acid-catalyzed benzannulation via unprecedented [4+2] cycloaddition of o-alkynyl(oxo)benzenes and enynals with alkynes

The reaction of o-alkynyl(oxo)benzenes 1 with alkynes 2 in the presence of a catalytic amount of AuCl(3) in (CH(2)Cl)(2) at 80 degrees C gave the [4+2] benzannulation products, naphthyl ketone derivatives 3 and 4, in high yields. When the reaction was carried out using AuBr(3) instead of AuCl(3), the reaction speed was enhanced and the chemical yield was increased. On the other hand, when the reaction was carried out in the presence of a catalytic amount of Cu(OTf)(2) and 1 equiv of a Br?nsted acid, such as CF(2)HCO(2)H, in (CH(2)Cl)(2) at 100 degrees C, the decarbonylated naphthalene products 5 were obtained in high yields. Similarly, the Cu(OTf)(2)-H(2)O-promoted reaction of the enynals 7 with an alkyne 2 afforded the corresponding [4+2] benzannulation products, decarbonylated benzene derivatives 8, in good yields. Both AuX(3)- and Cu(OTf)(2)-catalyzed benzannulations proceed most probably through the formation of the benzo[c]pyrylium ate complex 10, the Diels-Alder addition of alkynes 2 to the ate complex, and the resulting bicyclic pyrylium ion intermediate 12. The mechanistic difference between the AuX(3) and Cu(OTf)(2)-HA system is discussed.     

2,5-Bis-(butyltelluro) thiophene as a convenient precursor for the synthesis of 2,5-bis-(acetylenic) thiophenes

Both symmetrically and unsymmetrically substituted 2,5-bis-(acetylenic) thiophene derivatives were obtained in good yields under mild conditions through palladium-catalyzed cross coupling reaction of 2,5-bis-(butyltelluro) thiophene 2 and terminal alkynes. The methodology represents a general and efficient protocol for carrying out the synthesis of thiophene derivatives with potential biological activities.     

Tandem versus single C-C bond forming reaction under palladium-copper catalysis: regioselective synthesis of α-pyrones fused with thiophene

We herein report a highly convenient protocol for rapid construction of α-pyrone fused with thiophene. This includes one-pot and regioselective synthesis of 4,5-disubstituted and 5-substituted thieno[2,3-c]pyran-7-ones, 6,7-disubstituted and 6-substituted thieno[3,2-c]pyran-4-ones. The synthesis of thieno[2,3-c]pyran-7-ones involves palladium mediated cross coupling of 3-iodothiophene-2-carboxylic acid with terminal alkynes in a simple synthetic operation. The coupling-cyclization reaction was initially studied in the presence of Pd(PPh₃)₂Cl₂ and CuI in a variety of solvents. 5-Substituted 4-alkynylthieno[2,3-c]pyran-7-ones were isolated in good yields when the reaction was performed in DMF. Similarly, 6-substituted 7-alkynylthieno[3,2-c]pyran-4-ones were synthesized via palladium-catalyzed cross coupling of 2-bromothiophene-3-carboxylic acid with terminal alkynes. A tandem C-C bond forming reaction in the presence of palladium catalyst rationalizes the formation of coupled product in this apparently three-component reaction. The cyclization step of this coupling-cyclization-coupling process occurs in a regioselective fashion to furnish products containing six-membered ring only. This sequential C-C bond forming reaction however, can be restricted to the formation of single C-C bond by using 10% Pd/C-Et₃N-CuI-PPh₃ as catalyst system in the cross coupling reaction. 5-Substituted thieno[2,3-c]pyran-7-ones were obtained in good yields when the coupling reaction was performed under this condition. Some of the compounds synthesized were tested in vitro for their anticancer activities.     

6-Substituted-5H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyrazines via palladium-catalyzed heteroannulation from N-(3-chloropyrazin-2-yl)-methanesulfonamide and alkynes

We herein report the efficient and convenient synthesis of 6-substituted-5H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyrazines. The reaction is a palladium-catalyzed heteroannulation process followed by deprotection to yield the desired pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyrazine substrates. The reaction starts with readily accessible N-(3-chloropyrazin-2-yl)-methanesulfonamide and commercially available terminal alkynes and works with aryl- and alkylalkynes.