Facile S-alkyl thiocarbamate synthesis by a novel DBU-assisted carbonylation of amines with carbon monoxide and sulfur

A novel DBU-assisted carbonylation of amines with carbon monoxide and sulfur has been developed for the synthesis of S-alkyl thiocarbamates. In the presence of DBU (1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene), S-alkyl thiocarbamates are synthesized in excellent yields from amines, carbon monoxide, sulfur, and alkyl halides under mild conditions (1 atm, 20°C). In the absence of DBU, however, no formation of S-alkyl thiocarbamate is observed. The present DBU-assisted carbonylation can also be applied to new synthetic methods for benthiocarb and orthobencarb (herbicides) and carbamoyl chlorides.     

Solvent-assisted thiocarboxylation of amines and alcohols with carbon monoxide and sulfur under mild conditions

DMSO or DMF as a solvent strongly accelerated the thiocarboxylation of amines and alcohols with carbon monoxide and sulfur. Under mild conditions (1 atm, 20 °C), this thiocarboxylation of amines assisted by DMSO with carbon monoxide and sulfur has been developed into a practical and convenient synthetic method for S-alkyl thiocarbamates in good to excellent yields, including EPTC, thiobencarb, orbencarb, and molinate (herbicides). DMF also showed the similar solvent effect. NMP slightly decreased the effect for the thiocarboxylation of amines, and the yield of S-alkyl thiocarbamate was lowered in DMAc. Surprisingly, no formation of S-alkyl thiocarbamate was observed at the use of the other solvents, such as THF, hexane, toluene, AcOEt, MeCN, MeOH, and H₂O. The present solvent-assisted thiocarboxylation with carbon monoxide and sulfur could be also applied to a new synthesis of S-alkyl O-alkyl carbonothioates from alcohols under mild conditions (1 atm, 20 °C) in DMF using DBU (1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene).     

Microwave-assisted rapid and efficient synthesis of C-alkyl imidazoisoquinolinone derivatives

The synthesis of a set of 10-benzyl-2,3-dihydroimidazo[1,2-b]isoquinolin-5(1H)-one and 5-oxo-imidazo[1,2-b]isoquinolin-10-yl)-N-phenylacetamide derivatives was achieved by exposing the corresponding alkylating agent and imidazoisoquinolinone to microwave irradiation and traditional oil bath heating in the presence of K₂CO₃ and DMAP. The microwave technique as well as DMAP as base accelerated the alkylation reaction for 2-6 min giving 79-88% yields.     

Rearrangement of N-alkyl 1,2-amino alcohols. Synthesis of (S)-toliprolol and (S)-propanolol

N-alkyl 1,2-amino alcohols were rearranged stereospecifically by using TFAA/Et₃N. This rearrangement has been used to synthesize N-isopropyl-3-(aryloxy)-2-hydroxypropylamines, β-adrenergic blocking agents such as (S)-toliprolol and (S)-propanolol.     

Transition-metal-catalyzed carbonylation of allenes with carbon monoxide and thiols

In the presence of a catalytic amount of tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)platinum(0), allenes undergo carbonylative thiolation with carbon monoxide and thiols to provide the corresponding α,β- and β,γ-unsaturated thioesters in good yields. In contrast, the use of rhodium(I) catalysts such as RhH(CO)(PPh₃)₃ in place of Pt(PPh₃)₄ leads to copolymerization of allenes and carbon monoxide without incorporation of thio groups.     

Palladium-catalyzed carbonylation of aryl bromides using microwave heating and bis[CP-Fe(II)-(CO)2] as a carbon monoxide source

A palladium-catalyzed, microwave assisted carbonylative reaction is described for the synthesis of benzamides from aryl bromides and primary or secondary amines. The developed method uses bis(cyclopentadienyldicarbonyliron) as a solid source of carbon monoxide to produce a diverse set of secondary and tertiary amides in 42–82% yield.     

Aromatic polycarbonates by direct synthesis from bisphenol a and carbon monoxide

Oxidative carbonylation of bisphenol A to polycarbonates has been studied using mixtures of carbon monoxide and oxygen in the presence of a host of catalytic systems. Catalysts containing palladium compounds and selenium, as well as PdCl₂/Fe/I₂ and Pd/Fe/I₂ catalytic systems, exhibit different selectivity and activity towards the products obtained. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Cobalt-catalyzed synthesis of -caprolactam and nylon-6 from aminopentene and carbon monoxide

-Caprolactam and nylon-6 oligomers were synthesized from 4-pentene-1-amine and/or 3-pentene-1-amine and carbon monoxide using Co₂(CO)₈ as catalyst. The results show that the volatile fraction of the product mixture is composed of -caprolactam, 3-methyl-2-piperidinone and 3-ethyl-2-pyrrolidinone, while the solid residue mainly consists of nylon-6 oligomers. The addition of excess PEt₃ as ligand can significantly improve the regioselectivity to -caprolactam. Using 3-pentene-1-amine as starting material leads to the same results as 4-pentene-1-amine due to rapid C=C bond isomerization.     

Reactivities of mixed organozinc and mixed organocopper reagents, 2. Selective n-alkyl transfer in tri-n-butylphosphine-catalyzed acylation of n-alkyl phenylzincs; an atom economic synthesis of n-alkyl aryl ketones

Tri-n-butylphosphine-catalyzed acylation of mixed n-alkyl phenylzincs with aromatic acyl halides in THF is efficient in selective transfer of n-alkyl groups to produce n-alkyl aryl ketones in good yields. This route provides an atom economic organocatalyzed alternative to transition metal-catalyzed acylation of di-n-alkylzincs.     

Carbon monoxide as a reagent: A report on the role of N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands in metal-catalyzed carbonylation reactions

This report is a focused and critical essay on the effectiveness of M–NHC catalysts in reactions that specifically utilize carbon monoxide as a C1-carbon source. NHC ligands are touted as excellent trialkylphosphine (PR₃) mimics and are purported to improve existing phosphine based catalysts. One premise for using NHCs is that the need for excess ligand could be obviated in certain reactions. If true, then reactions involving CO as a reagent should be improved when a M–NHC complex is employed. Herein is a compilation of results that feature CO as a reagent in reactions such as: hydroformylation, hydroaminomethylation, carbonylation of aryl halides, oxidative carbonylation of amino and phenolic compounds, and the copolymerization of alkenes and CO. The aim of the report is to highlight reactions in which the ancillary NHC ligand is beneficial, detrimental, ineffective, or inconclusive in promoting the desired chemistry.     

A convenient and efficient synthesis of (S)-lysine and (S)-arginine homologues via olefin cross-metathesis

A convenient five step synthesis of (S)-homolysine, incorporating a key olefin cross-metathesis step in the chain extension methodology, has been developed, together with a six step related synthesis of a new homologue of arginine, (S)-bishomoarginine.     

Asymmetric synthesis of (−)-(S,S)-homaline

The asymmetric synthesis of (−)-(S,S)-homaline was achieved in 8 steps from commercially available starting materials using the diastereoselective conjugate addition of the novel lithium amide reagent lithium (R)-N-(3-chloropropyl)-N-(α-methyl-p-methoxybenzyl)amide to methyl cinnamate to install the correct stereochemistry. Subsequent functional group manipulation of the resultant β-amino ester and Sb(OEt)₃-mediated macrolactamisation was followed by homodimerisation to give (−)-(S,S)-homaline in 18% overall yield, representing the first asymmetric, and by far the most efficient synthesis of this natural product reported to date.     

Asymmetric synthesis of abietane diterpenoids via B-alkyl Suzuki-Miyaura coupling. Formal total asymmetric synthesis of 12-deoxyroyleanone and cryptoquinone

A convergent synthetic strategy for abietane diterpenoids via B-alkyl Suzuki-Miyaura coupling and Lewis acid-mediated cyclization reactions is established. Asymmetric total synthesis of 12-deoxyroyleanone, an antileishmanial diterpene, is described.     

A new route to thiopyran S,S-dioxide derivatives via an overall ring-enlargement protocol from 3-nitrothiophene

(1E,3Z)-1-Aryl-4-methanesulfonyl-2-nitro-1,3-butadienes (8), derived from the initial ring-opening of 3-nitrothiophene (5), have been found to undergo a facile base-induced cyclization leading to thiopyran S,S-dioxides (9), thus furnishing a further example of effective ring-enlargement from 5- to 6-membered sulfur heterocycles. Compounds 9 are obtained as single racemic mixtures in satisfactory yields; they still contain a nitrovinylic moiety, which can be exploited for further modifications targeted to new derivatives endowed with either synthetic or pharmacological potentialities e.g., in the field of L-type Ca²⁺-channel blockers.     

Stereoselective synthesis of protected (2S,3S)-N-methyl-5-hydroxyisoleucine, a component of halipeptins

The stereocontrolled synthesis of the protected (2S,3S)-N-methyl-5-hydroxyisoleucine, a component of halipeptins A and B with potent anti-inflammatory activity, has been achieved. The key steps include (i) installation of a double bond to bicyclic lactam 4 using N-tert-butyl phenylsulfinimidoyl chloride, (ii) highly exo-selective Michael reaction with lithium dimethylcuprate in the presence of chlorotrimethylsilane, and (iii) Ru-catalyzed oxidative deprotection of N,O-benzylidene acetal to the acid anhydride.     

The fragmentation reaction of 16R-bromopregnane-3S,20S-diol

16R-Bromopregnane-3S,20S-diol reacted with potassium t-butoxide to afford androst-16-en-3S-ol in a moderate yield via fragmentation reaction. The latter is a key intermediate for the synthesis of 5α-androst-16-en-3-one, as boar sex pheromone, and other steroidal drugs. In addition, 16R,20S-epoxypregnane-3S-ol was also obtained as a major product by changing the reaction solvent.     

Alkylation of ethylenethiourea with alcohols: a convenient synthesis of S-alkyl-isothioureas without toxic alkylating agents

The alkylation of ethylenethiourea with alcohols and aqueous acids (HCl, HBr, and HI) allows the synthesis of the respective S-alkyl-isothioureas in high yield and purity. Consistently high yields (91-98%) were obtained with 56% HI, the yields for 48% HBr (48-93%) and 37% HCl (36-85%) were lower and varied with the type of alcohol. The method is a convenient low-cost alternative to the use of alkyl iodides and an easy access to the S-tert-butyl isothiourea.     

Formation of trialkyl quinoline-2,3,4-tricarboxylates by reaction of isatin, dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates, and sodium O-alkyl carbonodithioates

An efficient one-pot synthesis of quinoline-2,3,4-tricarboxylates is described by reaction of isatin (indoline-2,3-dione) and electron-deficient acetylenic esters in the presence of sodium O-alkyl carbonodithioates, themselves prepared by addition of sodium hydride to a solution of an alcohol in CS₂.     

One-pot synthesis of aza-Morita-Baylis-Hillman adducts from α-oxo ketene-S,S-acetals, arylaldehydes and nitriles

Promoted by TiCl₄, a series of α-(1,3-dithiolan-2-ylidene)-β-amino carbonyl derivatives--the aza-Morita-Baylis-Hillman adducts, have been synthesized from α-oxo cyclic ketene-S,S-acetals, arylaldehydes, and nitriles in good to excellent yields. A mechanism involving sequential Morita-Baylis-Hillman and Ritter reactions for this novel one-pot, three-component reaction is described.     

Synthesis of C1-alkyl- and acylglycals from glycals using a B-alkyl Suzuki-Miyaura cross coupling approach

A B-alkyl Suzuki-Miyaura cross coupling approach provides a flexible, efficient means to convert glycals to C1-alkylglycals and C1-acylglycals that are versatile synthetic intermediates. This approach uses readily available glycal starting materials and overcomes major limitations associated with direct alkylation or acylation of glycals. Further, a commonly observed side reaction involving reduction of the halide coupling partner is suppressed by preincubation of the borane coupling partner with aqueous base, providing new mechanistic insights into the side reaction.