Multistep Flow Synthesis of 5‐Amino‐2‐aryl‐2H‐[1,2,3]‐triazole‐4‐carbonitriles

1,2,3‐Triazole has become one of the most important heterocycles in contemporary medicinal chemistry. The development of the copper‐catalyzed Huisgen cycloaddition has allowed the efficient synthesis of 1‐substituted 1,2,3‐triazoles. However, only a few methods are available for the selective preparation of 2‐substituted 1,2,3‐triazole isomers. In this context, we decided to develop an efficient flow synthesis for the preparation of various 2‐aryl‐1,2,3‐triazoles. Our strategy involves a three‐step synthesis under continuous‐flow conditions that starts from the diazotization of anilines and subsequent reaction with malononitrile, followed by nucleophilic addition of amines, and finally employs a catalytic copper(II) cyclization. Potential safety hazards associated with the formation of reactive diazonium species have been addressed by inline quenching. The use of flow equipment allows reliable scale up processes with precise control of the reaction conditions. Synthesis of 2‐substituted 1,2,3‐triazoles has been achieved in good yields with excellent selectivities, thus providing a wide range of 1,2,3‐triazoles.     

Facile syntheses of 4‐vinyl‐1,2,3‐triazole monomers by click azide/acetylene coupling

Synthetic strategies for the preparation of a new family of vinyl monomers, 4‐vinyl‐1,2,3‐triazoles, have been developed. These monomers are noteworthy as they combine the stability and aromaticity of styrenics with the polarity of vinylpyridines and the structural versatility of acrylate/methacrylate derivatives. To enable the wide adoption of these unique monomers, new methodologies for their synthesis have been elaborated which rely on Cu‐catalyzed azide/acetylene cycloaddition reactions—“click chemistry”—as the key step, with the vinyl substituent being formed by either elimination or Wittig‐type reactions. In addition, one‐pot “click” reactions have been developed from alkyl halides, which allow for monomer synthesis without isolation of the intermediate organic azides. The high yield and facile nature of these procedures has allowed a library of new monomers including the parent compound, 1‐H‐4‐vinyl‐1,2,3‐triazole, to be prepared on large scales. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 2897–2912, 2008     

Metal‐Free Route for the Synthesis of 4‐Acyl‐1,2,3‐Triazoles from Readily Available Building Blocks

Functionalized 1,2,3‐triazole heterocycles have been known for a long time and hold an extraordinary potential in diverse research areas ranging from medicinal chemistry to material science. However, the scope of therapeutically important 1‐substituted 4‐acyl‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazoles is much less explored, probably due to the lack of synthetic methodologies of good scope and practicality. Here, we describe a practical and efficient one‐pot multicomponent reaction for the synthesis of α‐ketotriazoles from readily available building blocks such as methyl ketones, N,N‐dimethylformamide dimethyl acetal, and organic azides with 100 % regioselectivity. This reaction is enabled by the in situ formation of an enaminone intermediate followed by its 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition reaction with an organic azide. We effectively utilized the developed strategy for the derivatization of various heterocycles and natural products, a protocol which is difficult or impossible to realize by other means.     

Recent Developments in Azide‐Free Synthesis of 1,2,3‐Triazoles

1,2,3‐Triazoles, as one of the most significant nitrogen‐containing heterocycles due to their extensive use in biology, material science and organic synthesis, have aroused great interest. 1,2,3‐Triazoles are commonly synthesized by metal‐catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition and organocatalytic azide–carbonyl cycloaddition, which indispensably employ the toxic and potentially explosive azides. The azide‐free synthetic approaches provide a powerful and straightforward alternative to the assembly of diverse 1,2,3‐triazoles without the use of azides. In this review, we summarize the recent development of the construction of 1,2,3‐triazoles under azide‐free conditions.     

Synthesis of Triazole and Isoxazole Based Novel Unsymmetrical Bis‐heterocycles

Novel unsymmetrical bis‐heterocyclic compounds encompassing triazole and isoxazole moieties were synthesized by employing 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition/click chemistry approach using 5‐butynyl‐1,2,3‐triazoles and 5‐butynyl isoxazoles.     

The reaction of heteroaroyl‐substituted heterocyclic ketene aminals with 2,3,4,6‐tetra‐O‐acetyl‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyl azide

The reaction of heteroaroyl‐substituted heterocyclic ketene aminals with 2,3,4,6‐tetra‐O‐acetyl‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl azide was investigated and a series of potential bioactive compounds, 1‐glucopyranosyl‐4‐heterocyclic‐5‐heteroaryl‐1,2,3‐triazoles, were obtained in good yields. Both the reaction rate and the yield were strongly affected by the heteroaryl and heterocyclic groups. In order to improve their water solubility, the deprotection of 1‐glucopyranosyl‐4‐heterocyclic‐5‐heteroaryl‐1,2,3‐triazole was carried out. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 13:242–247, 2002; Published online in Wiley Interscience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/hc.10023     

An Efficient and Convenient Synthesis of Ethyl 1‐(4‐Methoxyphenyl)‐5‐phenyl‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazole‐4‐carboxylate

The “click chemistry” of using organic azides and terminal alkynes is arguably the most efficient and straightforward route to the synthesis of 1,2,3‐triazoles. In this paper, an alternative and direct access to ethyl 1‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)‐5‐phenyl‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazole‐4‐carboxylate is described. Treatment of ethyl diazoacetate with 4‐methoxyaniline derived aryl imines in the presence of 1,8‐diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec‐7‐ene provided fully substituted 1,2,3‐triazoles in good to high chemical yields. The base‐mediated reaction tolerates various substituted phenyl imines as well as ethyl diazoacetate or the more bulky diazoacetamide. A reasonable mechanism is proposed that involves the addition of an imine nitrogen atom to the terminal nitrogen atom of the diazo compound, followed by aromatization to give the 1,2,3‐triazole. The presence of the 4‐carboxy group is advantageous as it can be easily transformed into other functional groups.     

1H‐1,2,3‐Triazole: From Structure to Function and Catalysis

The heterocyclic family of azoles have recently become one of the most widely used members of the N‐heterocycles; the most prominent one being 1H‐1,2,3‐triazole and its derivatives. The sudden growth of interest in this structural motif was sparked by the advent of click chemistry, first described in the early 2000s. From the early days of click chemistry, when the accessibility of triazoles made them into one of the most versatile linkers, interest has slowly turned to the use of triazoles as functional building blocks. The presence of multiple N‐coordination sites and a highly polarized carbon atom allows for metal coordination and the complexation of anions by both hydrogen and halogen bonding. Exploitation of these multiple binding sites makes it possible for triazoles to be used in various functional materials, such as metallic and anionic sensors. More recently, triazoles have also shown their potential in catalytic systems, thus increasing their impact far beyond the initial purpose of click chemistry. This report gives an overview of the structure, functionalities, and use of triazoles with a focus on their use in catalytic systems.     

Acid Catalyzed tert‐Butylation and Tritylation of 4‐Nitro‐1,2,3‐triazole: Selective Synthesis of 1‐Methyl‐5‐nitro‐1,2,3‐triazole via 1‐tert‐Butyl‐4‐nitro‐1,2,3‐triazole

4‐Nitro‐1,2,3‐triazole was found to react with tert‐butanol in concentrated sulfuric acid to yield 1‐tert‐butyl‐4‐nitro‐1,2,3‐triazole as the only reaction product, whereas tert‐butylation and tritylation of 4‐nitro‐1,2,3‐triazole in presence of catalytic amount of sulfuric acid in benzene was found to provide mixtures of isomeric 1‐ and 2‐alkyl‐4‐nitro‐1,2,3‐triazoles with predominance of N2‐alkylated products. A new methodology for preparation of 1‐alkyl‐5‐nitro‐1,2,3‐triazoles from 1‐tert‐butyl‐4‐nitro‐1,2,3‐triazole via exhaustive alkylation followed by removal of tert‐butyl group from intermediate triazolium salts was demonstrated by the example of preparation of 1‐methyl‐5‐nitro‐1,2,3‐triazole.     

Reaction between Azidyl Radicals and Alkynes: A Straightforward Approach to NH‐1,2,3‐Triazoles

Reaction between nitrogen‐centered radicals and unsaturated C?C bonds is an effective synthetic strategy for the construction of nitrogen‐containing molecules. Although the reactions between nitrogen‐centered radicals and alkenes have been studied extensively, their counterpart reactions with alkynes are extremely rare. Herein, the first example of reactions between azidyl radicals and alkynes is described. This reaction initiated an efficient cascade reaction involving inter‐/intramolecular radical homolytic addition toward a C?C triple bond and a hydrogen‐atom transfer step to offer a straightforward approach to NH‐1,2,3‐triazoles under mild reaction conditions. Both the internal and terminal alkynes work well for this transformation and some heterocyclic substituents on alkynes are compatible. This mechanistically distinct strategy overcomes the inherent limitations associated with azide anion chemistry and represents a rare example of reactions between a nitrogen‐centered radicals and alkynes.     

Metal‐Free Synthesis of Functional 1‐Substituted‐1,2,3‐Triazoles from Ethenesulfonyl Fluoride and Organic Azides

The boom in growth of 1,4‐disubstituted triazole products, in particular, since the early 2000’s, can be largely attributed to the birth of click chemistry and the discovery of the Cu^I‐catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC). Yet the synthesis of relatively simple, albeit important, 1‐substituted‐1,2,3‐triazoles has been surprisingly more challenging. Reported here is a straightforward and scalable click‐inspired protocol for the synthesis of 1‐substituted‐1,2,3‐triazoles from organic azides and the bench stable acetylene surrogate ethenesulfonyl fluoride (ESF). The new transformation tolerates a wide selection of substrates and proceeds smoothly under metal‐free conditions to give the products in excellent yield. Under controlled acidic conditions, the 1‐substituted‐1,2,3‐triazole products undergo a Michael addition reaction with a second equivalent of ESF to give the unprecedented 1‐substituted triazolium sulfonyl fluoride salts.     

Highly N2‐Selective Coupling of 1,2,3‐Triazoles with Indole and Pyrrole

Hydrogen‐bond mediated coupling of 1,2,3‐triazoles to indoles and pyrroles results in N2 selective functionalization of the triazole moiety in moderate to excellent yields. The reaction was tolerant of un‐, mono‐ and disubstituted triazoles and was applied to synthesize tryptophan derived fluorescent amino acids.     

Efficient Atropodiastereoselective Access to 5,5′‐Bis‐1,2,3‐triazoles: Studies on 1‐Glucosylated 5‐Halogeno 1,2,3‐Triazoles and Their 5‐Substituted Derivatives as Glycogen Phosphorylase Inhibitors

Whereas copper‐catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) between acetylated β‐D ‐glucosyl azide and alkyl or phenyl acetylenes led to the corresponding 4‐substituted 1‐glucosyl‐1,2,3‐triazoles in good yields, use of similar conditions but with 2 equiv CuI or CuBr led to the 5‐halogeno analogues (>71 %). In contrast, with 2 equiv CuCl and either propargyl acetate or phenyl acetylene, the major products (>56 %) displayed two 5,5′‐linked triazole rings resulting from homocoupling of the 1‐glucosyl‐4‐substituted 1,2,3‐triazoles. The 4‐phenyl substituted compounds (acetylated, O‐unprotected) and the acetylated 4‐acetoxymethyl derivative existed in solution as a single form (d.r.>95:5), as shown by NMR spectroscopic analysis. The two 4‐phenyl substituted structures were unambiguously identified for the first time by X‐ray diffraction analysis, as atropisomers with aR stereochemistry. This represents one of the first efficient and highly atropodiastereoselective approaches to glucose‐based bis‐triazoles as single atropisomers. The products were purified by standard silica gel chromatography. Through Sonogashira or Suzuki cross‐couplings, the 1‐glucosyl‐5‐halogeno‐1,2,3‐triazoles were efficiently converted into a library of 1,2,3‐triazoles of the 1‐glucosyl‐5‐substituted (alkynyl, aryl) type. Attempts to achieve Heck coupling to methyl acrylate failed, but a stable palladium‐associated triazole was isolated and analyzed by ¹H NMR and MS. O‐Unprotected derivatives were tested as inhibitors of glycogen phosphorylase. The modest inhibition activities measured showed that 4,5‐disubstituted 1‐glucosyl‐1,2,3‐triazoles bind weakly to the enzyme. This suggests that such ligands do not fit the catalytic site or any other binding site of the enzyme.     

Synthesis and reactivity ratios of regioisomeric vinyl‐1,2,3‐triazoles with styrene

The free radical reactivity ratios between styrene and different vinyl‐1,2,3‐triazole regioisomeric monomers in 1,4‐dioxane at 65 °C have been established using nonlinear least square method. The results obtained for the reactivity ratio between regioisomers show exceptionally different polymerization behavior, highlighting the effects of the electronic and steric factors of these regioisomeric monomers. The experimental results highlight the effects of the electronic and sterics on the copolymerization behavior. In case of 1,4‐vinyl‐triazoles, it was found that without the steric effects, the reactivity is very similar to that of styrene and forms random copolymers. However, it was found that 1,5‐vinyl‐triazoles are more reactive than 1,4‐vinyl triazoles. In the case of styrene‐co‐1,4‐vinyl‐1,2,3‐triazoles, the reactivity ratios were calculated to be r_styrene: r_{1‐octyl‐4‐vinyl‐triazole} = 1.97:0.54, r_styrene : r_{1‐benzyl‐4‐vinyl‐triazole} = 1.62:0.50, and r_styrene: r_{1‐methyl‐4‐vinyl‐triazole} = 0.90:0.87. On the other hand, reactivity ratios for styrene‐co‐1,5‐vinyl‐1,2,3‐triazoles were found to be r_styrene: r_{1‐octyl‐5‐vinyl‐triazole} = 0.13:0.66 and r_styrene: r_{1‐benzyl‐5‐vinyl‐triazole} = 0.34:0.49. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013 , 51, 3359–3364     

Concise Stereoselective Synthesis of Oxaspirocycles with 1‐Tosyl‐1,2,3‐triazoles: Application to the Total Syntheses of (±)‐Tuberostemospiroline and (±)‐Stemona‐lactam R

A 4‐substituted‐1‐tosyl‐1,2,3‐triazole‐based stereoselective synthesis of structurally diverse oxaspirocycles is reported. The synthesis involves Rh‐catalyzed loss of nitrogen from 4‐substituted‐1‐tosyl‐1,2,3‐triazoles, Grignard reaction, and a ring‐closing metathesis reaction as key steps. By employing readily available and stable 4‐substituted‐1‐tosyl‐1,2,3‐triazoles as surrogates of diazo compounds and nitrogen sources, two types of oxaspirocycles were obtained. The latter compounds, which contain adjacent nitrogen stereocenters, could serve as the core structures of many natural products. This chemistry has been successfully applied to the total syntheses of (±)‐tuberostemospiroline and (±)‐stemona‐lactam R.     

Regioselective N‐Alkylation of Ethyl 4‐Benzyloxy‐1,2,3‐triazolecarboxylate: A Useful Tool for the Synthesis of Carboxylic Acid Bioisosteres

Acidic 4‐hydroxy‐1,2,3‐triazole is a proven bioisostere of acidic functions that has recently been used to replace the acidic moieties of biologically active leads. Straightforward chemical strategies for the synthesis of the three possible N‐alkylated 4‐hydroxy‐1,2,3‐triazole regioisomers have been designed and reported herein, by identifying the optimal conditions under which the alkylation of ethyl 4‐benzyloxy‐1,2,3‐triazolecarboxylate (compound 19 ) can be regiodirected to the triazole N(b) position and thus produce the only isomer that cannot be obtained via the cycloaddition reaction. Furthermore, an innovative platform for parallel synthesis, called Arachno and which has been patented by the authors' group, has been used to speed up the process, and an NMR study has been carried out to better understand the reactivity of compound 19 towards the N(b) position. A library of benzyloxy protected 4‐hydroxy‐1,2,3‐triazoles has been prepared using the two strategies: regiodirection for the N(b) and N(c) isomers and cycloaddition for the N(a) isomers; the processes are described herein. The three N‐alkylated regioisomer series have been characterized spectroscopically (NMR and MS). The subsequent catalytic hydrogenation of the 4‐benzyloxy protective group on the N‐alkylated‐4‐benzyloxy‐5‐ethoxycarbonyl‐1,2,3‐triazoles provided the corresponding substituted 4‐hydroxy‐1,2,3‐triazoles.     

1‐(5‐(R‐Amino)‐1,2,4‐thiadiazol‐3‐yl)propan‐2‐ones: Convenient Ketomethylenic Reagents for the Gewald and Dimroth Reactions

1‐(5‐(R‐Amino)‐1,2,4‐thiadiazol‐3‐yl)propan‐2‐ones were used as activated ketomethylenic compounds for the Gewald and Dimroth reactions. It was found out that they exhibited high reactivity in such anion reactions for the construction of the 1,2,3‐triazole and thiophene frameworks. The target 1,2,3‐triazoles and thiophenes were obtained in high yields in minimum time.     

Combining Oxidative N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Catalysis with Click Chemistry: A Facile One‐Pot Approach to 1,2,3‐Triazole Derivatives

A combination of the oxidative N‐heterocyclic carbene catalysis and click chemistry has been explored for the direct, one‐pot synthesis of 1,2,3‐triazole derivatives from aromatic aldehydes. This procedure was found to be very efficient and a variety of 1,2,3‐triazole derivatives could be accessed through their corresponding propargyl esters in moderate‐to‐good yields under mild conditions.     

Syntheses of 1‐(4‐methylsulfonylphenyl)‐5‐aryl‐1,2,3‐triazoles and ‐(4‐aminosulfonylphenyl)‐5‐aryl‐1,2,3‐triazoles

Condensation of 4‐methylsulfonylaniline with aryl aldehyde in ethanol‐tetrahydrofuran afforded the imino compound 3 . 1,3‐Cycloaddtion of diazomethane with compound 3 followed by oxidazation of the triazoline 4 with potassium permanganate gave 1‐(4‐methylsulfonylphenyl)‐5‐aryl‐1,2,3‐triazoles 5 . Similarly, condensation of 4‐(N,N‐dibenzylaminosulfonyl)aniline with aryl aldehyde followed by 1,3‐cycloaddition of diazomethane with the imino compound 11 and the subsequent oxidation of triazoline 12 with potassium permanganate yielded the triazole 13 . Debenzylation of compound 13 with sulfuric acid gave the desired compound 1‐(4‐aminosulfonylphenyl)5‐aryl‐1,2,3‐triazoles 14 .     

Solid‐Phase Organic Synthesis of 1,4‐N‐Vinyl‐ and 1,4‐N‐Allyl‐Triazoles with the Sulfonate Linker

Polymer‐supported 2‐azidoethyl sulfonate and 3‐azidopropyl sulfonate reagents have been developed and applied to the solid‐phase organic synthesis of 1‐vinyl‐ and 1‐allyl‐1,2,3‐triazoles, respectively, by CuI‐mediated azide‐alkyne cycloadditions and subsequent cleavage from the polymer support through elimination reaction promoted by DBU. The advantages of this new synthetic method include simple operation and high yield of the products, as well as good stability of the reagents.