Unprecedented InCl3-catalyzed formation of cis-fused perhydrofuro[2,3-b]oxepines

2-Methylindole and its N-substituted derivatives react smoothly with 2,3-dihydrofuran (DHF) in the presence of a catalytic amount of InCl₃ under mild conditions to afford the corresponding 2-methyl-3-perhydrofuro[2,3-b]oxepin-4-yl-1H-indole derivatives in fairly good yields with high diastereoselectivity, while 3,4-dihydro-2H-pyran (DHP) affords exclusively 5,5-di(1H-3-indolyl)-1-pentanol derivatives in high yields under similar reaction conditions.     

Stereoselective glycosylation of endo-glycals by microwave- and AlCl3-assisted catalysis

α-2-Deoxyglycosides were synthesized in good to excellent yields by microwave-assisted reaction of endo-glycals with various O-nucleophiles in the presence of catalytic amount of AlCl₃. These glycosyl additions occurred with high α-stereoselectivity and were complete in 5-35 min in 65-93% yield.     

rac-BINAP-PdCl2 catalyzed Heck reactions of 3-formylquinolin-2-yl chlorides with methyl acrylate: synthesis of methyl 3-(3-formylquinolin-2-yl) acrylates

rac-BINAP-PdCl₂ catalytic system catalyzed Heck reaction of 3-formylquinolin-2-yl chlorides with methyl acrylate in DMA is described to the synthesis of methyl 3-(3-formyl-quinolin-2-yl)-acrylates, in good to excellent yields. The reaction could be also extended with other activated alkenes to afford Heck products. Fused-benzene ring in heterocyclic and carbocyclic moieties was found to enhance the yields.     

AuBr3-catalyzed cyclization of o-(alkynyl)nitrobenzenes. Efficient synthesis of isatogens and anthranils

The cyclization of o-(arylalkynyl)nitrobenzenes was catalyzed by AuBr₃ to produce the corresponding isatogens in good to high yields together with small amounts of anthranils. On the other hand, anthranils were obtained selectively when the AuBr₃-catalyzed reaction was carried out using o-(alkylalkynyl)nitrobenzenes.     

Nano-ferrous ferric oxide (nano-Fe3O4): Powerful,reusable, and stable catalyst for N-Boc protection of amines

Nano-ferrous ferric oxide (nano-Fe₃O₄) efficiently catalyzed N-boc protection of amines in high yields and acceptable reaction times. Nano-Fe₃O₄ was applied as an efficient, green, heterogeneous and reusable magnetite catalyst. Clean reaction, simple purification, short reaction time and high yield were some other advantages of this compound.     

Stereoselective synthesis of CF3-substituted trans- and cis-enediynes via carbocupration or hydrostannation reactions of CF3-containing diyne

CF₃-containing diyne, readily prepared from (Z)-2,3,3,3-tetrafluoro-1-iodoprop-1-ene in two steps, was smoothly subjected to carbocupration reaction with various organocuprates, followed by treatment of the resultant carbocupration adducts with iodine, the corresponding vinyl iodides being formed in good yields in a cis-addition manner. Thus obtained iodide could be successfully converted into CF₃-substituted trans-enediynes in high yields. Also, hydrostannation reaction of the diyne proceeded well in a trans-addition manner to give the corresponding vinylstannane in high yield. The vinylstannane was also found to be effectively convertible to CF₃-substituted cis-enediynes in high yields.     

Y(OTf)3 as a highly efficient catalyst in Ferrier Rearrangement for the synthesis of O- and S-2,3-unsaturated glycopyranosides

By using Y(OTf)₃ as the catalyst, a series of 2,3-unsaturated-glucosides have been synthesized from 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-d-glucal, 3,4-di-O-acetyl-l-rhamnal, and 3,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-d-glucal under mild reaction conditions in good yields with high anomeric selectivities. It was found that, in this reaction, 3,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-d-glucal behaved differently from the other two glucals when it was reacted with phenol, O-benzyl glucoside instead of O-phenyl glucoside formed as the sole product. An explanation is given for this phenomenon.     

An efficient synthesis of 5-substituted 1H-tetrazoles via B(C6F5)3 catalyzed [3+2] cycloaddition of nitriles and sodium azide

A simple and efficient protocol is developed for the synthesis of 5-substituted 1H-tetrazole derivatives from various nitriles and sodium azide (NaN₃) via [3+2] cycloaddition reaction using B(C₆F₅)₃ as a catalyst. The present synthetic method displayed significant advantages such as low catalyst loading, mild reaction conditions, low toxicity, easy work-up, high yields, and compatibility with other functional groups.     

Unexpected course of rearrangement of substituted S-(1(3H)-isobenzofuranone-3-yl)isothiuronium bromides

Three series of S-(1(3H)-isobenzofuranone-3-yl)isothiuronium bromides differing in substitution at the isothiuronium moiety (none, one or two methyl groups) and at the benzene ring were prepared and characterized. These salts were then treated with various bases (acetate, triethylamine, Na₂CO₃) to give either 1-hydroxy-3-oxo-1,3-dihydro-2H-isoindol-2-carbothioamides or the product of S to N isobenzofuranone-3-yl migration, i.e., 1,3-dimethyl-1-(3-oxo-1,3-dihydro-2-benzofuran-1-yl)thioureas. If ammonia was used in reaction with N,N′-dimethyl isothiuronium salts then 3-hydroxy-2,3-dihydro-1H-isoindol-1-ones were formed together with 1,3-dimethyl-1-(3-oxo-1,3-dihydro-2-benzofuran-1-yl)thioureas in parallel reaction with the yields increasing with ammonia concentration. The formation of isoindolones takes place in two steps with an aldehyde intermediate, which can be trapped with N,N-dimethylhydrazine.     

Superelectrophilic activation of N-aryl amides of 3-arylpropynoic acids: synthesis of quinolin-2(1H)-one derivatives

The superelectrophilic activation of N-aryl amides of 3-arylpropynoic acids by Bronsted superacids (CF₃SO₃H, HSO₃F) or strong Lewis acids AlX₃ (X=Cl, Br) results in the formation of 4-aryl quinolin-2(1H)-ones in quantitative yields. The vinyl triflates or vinyl chlorides may be formed as additional reaction products. The investigated amides in reactions with benzene give 4,4-diaryl 3,4-dihydroquinolin-2-(1H)-ones under the superelectrophilic activation. 4-Aryl quinolin-2(1H)-ones in POCl₃ are converted into 4-aryl 2-chloroquinolines. 4-Fluorophenyl-4-phenyl 3,4-dihydroquinolin-2-(1H)-one give N-formylation products in a yield of 79% under the Vilsmeier–Haack reaction conditions.     

Gallium(III) triflate-catalyzed one-pot selective synthesis of 2,3-dihydroquinazolin-4(1H)-ones and quinazolin-4(3H)-ones

A series of 2,3-dihydroquinazolin-4(1H)-ones and quinazolin-4(3H)-ones have been synthesized in good to excellent yields and high selectivity by one-pot reaction using isatoic anhydride, ammonium acetate (or amines), and aldehydes in ethanol or in DMSO under mild conditions, respectively. The reaction was efficiently promoted by 1 mol % Ga(OTf)₃ and the catalyst could be recovered easily after the reactions and reused without evident loss of reactivity.     

Yb(OTf)3: an efficient catalyst for the synthesis of 3-arylbenzo [f]quinoline-1,2-dicarboxylate derivatives via imino-Diels-Alder reaction

A mild and facile method for the synthesis of 3-arylbenzo[f]quinoline-1,2-dicarboxylate derivatives is reported by an imino-Diels-Alder reaction in high yields (76-92%). This procedure includes a novel three-component reaction of aromatic aldehyde, naphthalen-2-amine, and but-2-ynedioate catalyzed by Yb(OTf)₃ in toluene. The results are obviously different from those of the simple substituted aniline-involved reactions catalyzed by ZnCl₂ or KOH in the literature.     

A novel three-component reaction of N-fluoropyridinium salts: a facile approach to imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines

The reaction of N-fluoropyridinium triflate with isonitriles in acetonitrile and propionitrile in the presence of NaBH(OAc)₃ led to the formation of the corresponding imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines in 44-73% yields. The proposed reaction mechanism involves the intermediate formation of a highly reactive carbene species and apparent reduction of the pyridinium intermediate with NaBH(OAc)₃ to yield the targeted heterocycles.     

Synthesis of (Z)-1-bromo-1-alkenes and terminal alkynes from anti-2,3-dibromoalkanoic acids by microwave-induced reaction

(Z)-1-Bromo-1-alkenes were stereoselectively prepared in high yields in a short reaction time by microwave irradiation of the corresponding anti-2,3-dibromoalkanoic acids in a Et₃N/DMF system. A one-pot synthesis of terminal alkynes and enynes from 2,3-dibromoalkanoic acids were also developed by microwave-induced reaction.     

InCl3-catalyzed four-component reaction: a novel synthesis of N-carbazolyl dihydropyridines

We have developed a simple, efficient, and environmentally benign microwave-assisted InCl₃-catalyzed synthesis of N-carbazolyldihydropyridines via a four-component reaction of 3-amino-9-ethylcarbazole, malononitrile, aromatic aldehydes, and acetylenic esters. The use of microwave heating allowed for reduced reaction times and resulted in higher yields. This four-component reaction is atom-efficient, high-yielding, and applicable to a wide variety of four-component reactions.     

Chemoselective synthesis of 3H-pyrrolo[2,3-c]quinolin-4(5H)-one derivatives from 3-phenacylideneoxindoles and substituted tosylmethyl isocyanide (TosMIC)

A simple and convenient synthetic approach to access of 3H-pyrrolo[2,3-c]quinolin-4(5H)-one derivatives by the reaction of (Z)-3-(2-oxo-2-ethylidene)indolin-2-one derivatives 1 with functionalized TosMICs under basic conditions has been reported. The desired products were obtained in good to excellent yields (82–94%). The easy accessibility of the starting materials, simple and mild reaction conditions, short reaction time, and good to excellent chemical yields make this methodology highly efficient.     

Unprecedented conversion of (Z)-3-chloro-3-arylacrylic acids to benzoic acids: synthesis of s-triazolo[3,4-b][1,3,4]thiadiazoles

An unprecedented method for the conversion of (Z)-3-chloro-3-arylacrylic acids to corresponding benzoic acids by stirring in POCl₃ at 80 °C is reported. The benzoic acids formed in situ undergo condensation with 4-amino-5-aryl-3-mercapto-1,2,4-triazoles to yield s-triazolo[3,4-b][1,3,4]thiadiazoles in high yields.     

First example of the carbon-Ferrier rearrangement of glycals with isocyanides: a novel synthesis of C-glycosyl amides

Glycals undergo smooth carbon-Ferrier rearrangement with isocyanides in the presence of a catalytic amount of FeCl₃ under mild reaction conditions to provide C-glycosyl amides in good yields with high α-selectivity. The use of FeCl₃ makes this method simple, convenient and cost-effective. This is the first report on carbon-Ferrier rearrangement using isonitriles as nucleophiles.     

Syntheses of indolo[3,2,1-d,e]phenanthridines and isochromeno[3,4-a] carbazoles: palladium catalyzed intramolecular arylation via C-H functionalization

A new synthetic route has been developed for the preparation of indolo[3,2,1-d,e]phenanthridines and isochromeno[3,4-a]carbazoles via palladium catalyzed intramolecular biaryl coupling reactions. The coupling reactions proceeded smoothly and in high yields under ligand-free conditions with the catalytic system Pd(OAc)₂/Cs₂CO₃/TBAB. Under optimized reaction conditions no halogen-reduced products were observed.     

Chiral 2-C-methylene glycosides and carbohydrate-derived pyrano[2,3-b][1]benzopyrans: synthesis via InCl3 catalyzed stereoselective Ferrier rearrangement of 2-C-acetoxymethyl glycal derivatives

2-C-Acetoxymethyl glycal derivatives react with aliphatic alcohols in the presence of InCl₃ (30 mol %) to furnish the corresponding 2-C-methylene glycosides in excellent yields and with exclusive α-selectivity except for the methyl 2-C-methylene glycosides, which are formed in ∼2:1 anomeric ratio in favour of the α-anomer. The reaction of 2-C-acetoxyglycals with phenols, however, produces the corresponding chiral carbohydrate-derived pyranobenzopyran derivatives via initial Ferrier rearrangement followed by tandem cyclization in excellent yields and moderate to high stereoselectivities in favour of the corresponding 10a-R-pyrano[2,3-b][1]benzopyran derivatives.