Synthesis of isoindolinones: Intramolecular [4+2] cycloaddition/retro [4+2] of pyridone propiolamides

A new synthesis of isoindolinones was discovered during a screening campaign aimed at the development of novel methods for the synthesis of pyridone-EZH2 inhibitor analogues. The reaction proceeds via an intramolecular [4+2] cycloaddition of a pyridone with a tethered propiolamide moiety followed by extrusion of isocyanic acid. The discovery, optimization, and scope of the methodology are described.     

Intramolecular [4+2] and [3+2] Cycloadditions in Organic Synthesis

Numerous examples of intramolecular cycloaddition of 1,3-dienes, nitrones, and azomethine imines attest the preparative value of this variant for regioselective and stereoselective synthesis of annelated and bridged ring systems. The common features, differences, and limitations of these types of reaction are systematically reviewed.     

Synthesis of thiazolidin-4-ones via [3+2] cycloaddition of in situ generated aza-oxyallylic cations with isothiocyanates

A highly efficient one-pot synthesis of thiazolidin-4-ones via [3+2] cycloaddition of aza-oxyallylic cations with isothiocyanates is developed. The aza-oxyallyic cations were generated in situ in the present of a base. This cycloaddition reaction allows the rapid access to a variety of thiazolidin-4-one derivatives in mild conditions, good yield, and excellent functional group compatibility.     

Synthesis of novel pyrazoles via [2+3]-dipolar cycloaddition using alkyne surrogates

The syntheses of an important class of hitherto unreported novel pyrazoles are described. The regioselective synthesis of 1,3,4,5-tetrasubstituted pyrazoles was achieved by the Huisgen cyclization of nitrile imines with a trisubstituted bromoalkene. The substituted bromoalkene functions as an alkyne synthon which was used to construct 5,5-disubstituted bromopyrazoline intermediates that undergo aromatization to the analogous pyrazoles through the loss of HBr. The cycloaddition regioselectivity was confirmed through single X-ray crystal data of one of the pyrazoles.     

Divergent Photosensitizer Controlled Reactions of 4-Hydroxycoumarins and Unactivated Olefins: Hydroarylation and Subsequent [2+2] Cycloaddition

Herein, we report a photoinduced approach for hydroarylation of unactivated olefins using 4-hydroxycoumarins as the arylating reagent. Key to the success of this reaction is the conversion of nucleophilic 4-hydroxycoumarins into electrophilic carbon radicals via photocatalytic arene oxidation, which not only circumvents the polarity-mismatch issue encountered under ionic conditions but also accommodates a broad substrate scope and inhibits side reactions that were previously observed. Moreover, divergent reactivity was achieved by changing the photocatalyst, enabling a subsequent [2+2] cycloaddition to deliver cyclobutane-fused pentacyclic products that are otherwise challenging to access in high yields and with high diastereoselectivity. Mechanistic studies have elucidated the mechanism of the reactions and the origin of the divergent reactivity.     

Photoinduced [3+2] Cycloaddition of Carbenes and Nitriles: A Versatile Approach to Oxazole Synthesis

We have developed a photoinduced protocol for the synthesis of pharmaceutically important oxazole molecules using diazo- and nitrile-containing reactants. The process involves the initial photolysis of the diazo compound to afford singlet carbenes, which are tapped by nitriles in a [3+2] cycloaddition fashion to give substituted oxazoles. With di-nitrile compounds, useful bis-oxazoles were obtained. The applicability of the transformation is showcased through the expedient synthesis of small-molecule drugs and biologically relevant molecules such as felbinac, pimprinine, texamine, ugnenenazole etc. The protocol is also useful for the generation of ²H and ¹³C isotope labelled oxazoles. Merging photolysis with continuous-flow chemistry was demonstrated for scaling up the reaction. The non-requirement of metal catalysis or photosensitizers to harness the light energy with blue light sufficing the execution of the reaction makes it a versatile and general protocol for the synthesis of structurally diverse oxazoles     

Synthesis of aromatic aldehydes by organocatalytic [4+2] and [3+3] cycloaddition of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes

Organocatalytic inter- and intramolecular [4+2] and [3+3] cycloadditions of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes to give polysubstituted aromatic aldehydes are described. High periselectivity for the cycloadditions, with catalyst effects exerted by l-proline and pyrrolidine-HOAc, as well as cocatalyst, additive effects, has been observed.     

Photosensitized [4+2]- and [2+2]-Cycloaddition Reactions of N-Sulfonylimines

The synthesis of polycyclic compounds is of high interest due to the prevalence of these motifs in drugs and natural products. Herein, we report on the stereoselective construction of 3D bicyclic scaffolds and azetidine derivatives by modulation of N-sulfonylimines to achieve either [4+2]- or [2+2]-cycloaddition reactions. The utility of the method was established by further modulation of the product. Mechanistic studies are also included, which support reaction via Dexter energy transfer.     

Synthesis of dimethyl substituted benzimidazoles containing cyclopropane fused onto five to eight membered [1,2-a]alicyclic rings and influence of methyl group substituents on cytotoxicity of benzimidazolequinones

Upon thermolysis 5,6-dimethyl-N-[(allyl, but-3-enyl, pent-4-enyl and hex-5-enyl-benzimidazol-2-yl)methylene]-(trans)-2,3-diphenylaziridin-1-amines (Eschenmoser hydrazones) form cyclopropane fused onto pyrrolo-, pyrido-, azepino- and azocino[1,2-a]benzimidazoles in 70, 50, 77 and 11% yield, respectively. The latter reaction also gave carbene insertion products. Dimethyl group substituents were found to significantly reduce the cytotoxicity of benzimidazolequinone towards human skin fibroblast cells.     

Intramolecular pyridone/enyne photocycloaddition: partitioning of the [4 + 4] and [2 + 2] pathways

Intramolecular photocycloaddition (>290 nm) between a 1,3-enyne and a 2-pyridone is far more selective than the intermolecular version; a three-atom linkage both controls regiochemistry and separates the [2 + 2] and [4 + 4] pathways. All four head-to-head, head-to-tail, tail-to-head, and tail-to-tail tetherings have been investigated. Linkage via the ene of the enyne leads to [2 + 2] products regardless of alkene geometry, whereas linkage through the yne results in [4 + 4] cycloadducts. The bridged 1,2,5-cyclooctatriene products of [4 + 4] cycloaddition are unstable and undergo a subsequent [2 + 2] dimerization reaction.     

Reaction of ene-bis(phosphinylallenes): [2+2] versus [4+2] cycloaddition

Reaction of ene-bis(phosphinylallenes), derived from ene-bis(propargyl alcohols) and chlorodiphenylphosphine, was investigated. Benzene-bridged bis(phosphinylallenes) exclusively gave intramolecular [2+2] cycloadducts in the presence of dimethyl fumarate in sharp contrast to the reaction of benzene-bridged bis(sulfinylallenes), which gave the corresponding [4+2] cycloadducts. On the other hand, substituted ethylene- or five-membered heterocycle-bridged bis(phosphinylallenes) provided [4+2] cycloadducts. Reaction of benzene-bridged diallene bearing both a sulfinyl group and a phosphinyl group on the two allenyl groups was also described.     

[3+2] Cycloaddition Approaches to Five-Membered Rings via Trimethylenemethane and Its Equivalents [New Synthetic Methods (55)]

The power of cycloadditions for ring formation derives from the potential for chemo-, regio-, diastereo-, and enantioselectivity. Trimethylenemethane (TMM) and its equivalents offer the possibility of extending such benefits to the synthesis of five-membered rings. Three types of conjunctive reagents appear to be promising candidates: (1) selected 4-alky-lidene-4,5-dihydro-3H-pyrazoles, (2) 2-[(trimethylsilyl)methyl]allyl esters and halides, and (3) alkylidenecyclopropanes. Thermal reactions, especially intramolecular ones, effect the cycloaddition of the pyrazoles to olefins–especially electron-poor olefins. The latter two precursors require a catalyst, notably a palladium complex, to unlock the synthetic potential. With the 2-[(trimethylsilyl)methyl]allyl esters, a general chemo-, regio-, and diastereoselective cycloaddition with typical Diels-Alder dienophiles forms methylenecyclopentanes in both inter- and intramolecular fashion. A tin analogue allows extension of this cycloaddition to aldehydes, and, in a related sequence, to ketones and imines to form 3-methylenete-trahydrofurans and 3-methylenepyrrolidines with excellent diastereoselectivity. The 2-[(tri-methylsilyl)methyl]allyl esters also serve to effect net methylenecyclopentane annulation to cyclic enols. Such adducts can further undergo three-carbon intercalation or combined ring contraction-spiroannulation simply by the use of either a nucleophilic or electrophilic trigger. Alkylidenecyclopropanes undergo cycloadditions to both electron-rich and electron-poor olefins when stimulated by metal catalysts, especially palladium. A complementary regiochemistry to the approach based upon silicon conjunctive reagents is observed. The availability of these cycloadditions provides new strategies for the synthesis of natural products.     

N-Iodosaccharin (NISac): a new reusable catalyst for formal [2+4] cycloaddition of imines and enones

The first example of N-iodosaccharin (NISac)-catalyzed step, pot and atom economic synthesis of 1,3-oxazines via formal [2+4] cycloaddition of imines and enones has been reported. No by-product formation, operational simplicity, ambient temperature and high yields (85-95%) are the salient features of the present synthetic protocol. After isolation of the product, the catalyst NISac can be easily recovered and reused without any loss of efficiency.     

Synthesis of substituted 3,9-diazaspiro[5.5]undecanes via spirocyclization of pyridine substrates

Construction of 3,9-diazaspiro[5.5]undecane derivatives can be easily achieved via intramolecular spirocyclization of 4-substituted pyridines. The reaction entails in situ activation of the pyridine ring with ethyl chloroformate followed by intramolecular addition of an attached β-dicarbonyl nucleophile in the presence of Ti(OⁱPr)₄.     

Electrochemical Synthesis of Pyrazolines and Pyrazoles via [3+2] Dipolar Cycloaddition

Pyrazolines and pyrazoles are common and important motifs of pharmaceutical agents and agrochemicals. Herein, the first electrochemical approach for their direct synthesis from easily accessible hydrazones and dipolarophiles up to decagram scale is presented. The application of a biphasic system (aqueous/organic) even allows for the conversion of highly sensitive alkenes, wherein inexpensive sodium iodide is employed in a dual role as supporting electrolyte and mediator. In addition, mechanistic insight into the reaction is given by the isolation of key step intermediates. The relevance of the presented reaction is underlined by the synthesis of commercial herbicide safener mefenpyr-diethyl in good yields.     

Ruthenium-catalyzed [2+2] cycloadditions of bicyclic alkenes and ynamides

Ruthenium-catalyzed [2+2] cycloadditions between bicyclic alkenes and ynamides were investigated. The ynamide moiety was found to be compatible with the ruthenium-catalyzed cycloaddition conditions giving the corresponding cyclobutene cycloadducts in moderate to good yields (up to 97%). Diastereoselective cycloaddition utilizing chiral cyclic ynamides were also examined and a low to moderate level of asymmetric induction was observed.     

Formal [4+2] cycloaddition of 3-phenylcyclobutanones with nitriles

Various 3-phenylcyclobutanones reacted with aliphatic and aromatic nitriles in the presence of Me₃SiOTf to afford dihydropyridones by formal [4+2] cycloaddition.     

Synthesis of Pyrimidine-Annelated Heterocycles: Regioselective Heterocyclization of 5-(Cyclohex-2-enyl)-1,3-dimethyl-6-hydroxyuracil [1]

Summary.  5-(Cyclohex-2-enyl)-1,3-dimethyl-6-hydroxyuracil undergoes regioselective heterocyclization to afford fused tricyclic heterocycles upon treatment with bromine and m-CPBA. However, the same substrate furnished bridged tricyclic heterocycles when treated with N-iodosuccinimide and conc. H₂SO₄ and a mixture of bridged tricyclic heterocycles and fused tricyclic heterocycles when treated with hexamine hydrotribromide or pyridine hydrotribromide. Corresponding author. E-mail: kcm@klyuniv.ernet.in Received September 27, 2001. Accepted (revised) December 3, 2001     

[4+2] cycloaddition of intermediates generated from arynes and DMF

The trapping reaction of the transient intermediate ortho-quinone methides, generated by the insertion of arynes into a carbon–oxygen double bond of DMF, with dienophiles was investigated. The [4+2] cycloaddition products were obtained when the diesters of acetylenedicarboxylic acid were employed as dienophiles.     

Formal cycloaddition of ethyl 2-aroyl-1-chlorocyclopropanecarboxylates:facile synthesis of diversified tetrahydrocyclopropa[b]chromenes

Tandem reaction of ortho-hydroxy chalcone with ethyl 2-aroyl-1-chlorocyclopropanecarboxylates has been disclosed, affording facile synthesis of diversified tetrahydrocyclopropa[b]chromenes via electron-deficient cyclopropene intermediate.