Asymmetric induction in domino Heck-aza-Michael reactions

Domino Heck-aza-Michael reactions are an efficient method for the rapid synthesis of functionalised N-heterocycles. An asymmetric version of this domino process has been developed to access chiral 1,3-disubstituted N-heterocycles from amino acid precursors in excellent yields (68–81%) with moderate to high diastereoselectivity (up to 92% de).     

Promiscuous acylase-catalyzed aza-Michael additions of aromatic N-heterocycles in organic solvent

A novel and efficient enzymatic promiscuous protocol for aza-Michael addition of aromatic N-heterocycles to α,β-unsaturated compounds has been described. The reactions were catalyzed by promiscuous zinc-active-site acylase in organic solvent at 50 °C. The strategy works with a broad range of N-heterocycles to afford the corresponding Michael adduct with good yields in several hours (0.5-6 h). This catalytic promiscuity is the first example of metal-active-site enzyme-catalyzed aza-Michael addition for aromatic N-heterocycles.     

Copper-catalyzed aerobic oxidative intramolecular alkene C-H amination leading to N-heterocycles

A copper-catalyzed aerobic oxidative intramolecular alkene C-H amination has been developed using readily available substituted 3-benzylidene-2-pyridin-2-ylmethyl-2,3-dihydro-isoindol-1-ones as the starting materials, and the corresponding N-heterocycles were obtained in good to excellent yields. This method should provide a new and useful strategy for constructing N-heterocycles.     

Stereo- and regioselective gold-catalyzed hydroamination of internal alkynes with dialkylamines

We report the use of a P,N-ligand to support a gold complex as a state-of-the-art precatalyst for the stereoselective hydroamination of internal aryl alkynes with dialkylamines to afford E-enamine products. Substrates featuring a diverse range of functional groups on both the amine (ether, sulfide, N-Boc amine, fluoro, nitrile, nitro, alcohol, N-heterocycles, amide, ester, and carboxylic acid) and alkyne (ether, N-heterocycles, N-phthalimide amines, and silyl ethers) are accommodated with synthetically useful regioselectivity.     

Dehydroaromatization of quinoxalines: one-step syntheses of trinuclear 1,6,7,12,13,18-hexaazatrinaphthylene titanium complexes

We report the spontaneous coupling of N-heterocycles, initiated by C-H bond activation reactions. The reaction of quinoxalines and the titanocene acetylene complex Cp2Ti{eta2-C2(SiMe3)2}, as an excellent titanocene source, results in the formation of trinuclear 1,6,7,12,13,18-hexaazatrinaphthylene (HATN) titanium complexes. These HATN titanium complexes are thermally stable but sensitive to air and moisture. A three-fold dehydrogenative C-C coupling is proposed as the main step in the presented synthetic procedure. Particularly using commercial starting materials, an efficient route for the dehydrogenative coupling of N-heterocycles, leading to multidentate ligands, has been established.     

Practical and convenient synthesis of N-heterocycles: stereoselective cyclization of N-alkenylamides with t-BuOI under neutral conditions

[Structure: see text] tert-Butyl hypoiodite (t-BuOI) was found to be a powerful reagent for the cyclization of N-alkenylamides leading to a variety of N-heterocycles under extremely mild conditions. When N-alkenylsulfonamides were employed in the reaction, three- to six-membered saturated N-heterocycles were obtained in good to excellent yields with complete stereoselectivity. The method was applicable to the cyclization of alkenylbenzamide derivatives to afford N-, O- or N-, S-heterocycles.     

Iron(II)-Catalyzed Aerobic Biomimetic Oxidation of N-Heterocycles

Herein, an iron(II)-catalyzed biomimetic oxidation of N-heterocycles under aerobic conditions is described. The dehydrogenation process, involving several electron-transfer steps, is inspired by oxidations occurring in the respiratory chain. An environmentally friendly and inexpensive iron catalyst together with a hydroquinone/cobalt Schiff base hybrid catalyst as electron-transfer mediator were used for the substrate-selective dehydrogenation reaction of various N-heterocycles. The method shows a broad substrate scope and delivers important heterocycles in good-to-excellent yields.     

Base-mediated regio- and stereoselective intermolecular addition of alkynes to N-heterocycles

The regio- and stereoselective addition of N-heterocycles to alkynes using KOH is reported. Formation of (Z)-isomers and their conversion to (E)-products were found to be dependent upon time as well as the choice of base. Selective attack of N-heterocycles on a more electrophilic alkynyl carbon was supported by DFT calculations, and the stereochemistry of the products was established by X-ray crystallographic studies and intramolecular cyclization of ortho-haloalkynes in indolo-[2,1-a]isoquinolines.     

Reaction of phthalhydrazide and acetylenedicarboxylates in the presence of N-heterocycles: an efficient synthesis of phthalazine derivatives

Some new phthalazine derivatives were prepared by reaction of phthalhydrazide and dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates in the presence of N-heterocycles.     

Selective transannular ring transformations in azirino-fused eight-membered O,N- or S,N-heterocycles

The first examples of transannular ring transformations in azirino-fused eight-membered O,N- or S,N-heterocycles involving selective aziridine ring opening and medium-sized ring contraction are described, which provide an access to functionalized 1,4-benzox(thi)azines or 1,3-benzox(thi)azoles.     

Construction of N-Heterocycles through Cyclization of Tertiary Amines

N-Heterocycles have been found in a large number of natural products, drug molecules, and bioactive compounds, and they thereby play a vital role in diverse research disciplines including drug discovery, organic synthesis, chemical biology, and material science. To this end, the development of new methods and strategies for the construction of N-heterocyclic frameworks is arguably one of the most dynamic and significant research areas in organic synthesis. One of these powerful approaches to the synthesis of N-heterocycles is to establish cyclization reactions based on the transformation of tertiary amines, which has emerged as an attractive research topic. In this Minireview, the significant achievements in the construction of N-heterocycles through cyclization of tertiary amines are highlighted and a comprehensive overview of the rational design, development, and application of these synthetic methods is presented.     

Ring Enlargement of Alkaloids

Previouspublications'fromourlaboratoryhadreportedtheringenlargementreactionofquatemaryarnrnoniumsaltSofN-methyl-tetTahydroisoquinolinefollowedbyreductivedecyanationwiththenetresuItoftheinserti0nofanextraCH2group,assh0wninSckemeI.ThemethodologyfailedwithsomenatUrallyoccurringalkaloidssuchascephalotaxineandatropine'.Onereasonisthatsomeofthequaternaryammoniumsaltsaredifficulttoprepare,theotheroneisthatsome0fthequaternaryafnmoniumsaItsunderwentHofinarineliminationorSofnmeletrearrangement'.But…     

Samarium(II)-mediated linker cleavage-cyclization in fluorous synthesis: reactions of samarium enolates

SmI2 has been used to cleave a sulfur linker and trigger cyclizations in strategies for the traceless fluorous synthesis of N-heterocycles. The studies give further insights into the reactivity of samarium enolates.     

Enantioselective intramolecular formal [2 + 4] annulation of acrylates and α,β-unsaturated imines catalyzed by amino acid derived phosphines

The first chiral phosphine-catalyzed activation of acrylates for intramolecular formal [2 + 4] reactions with unsaturated imines is described. The catalytic reactions afford N-heterocycles with exceptionally high diastereo- and enantioselectivities. The [2 + 4] products are amenable for further transformations to useful molecules such as chiral piperidines and multicyclic structures.     

Palladium-catalyzed Minisci reaction with simple alcohols

A palladium-catalyzed coupling of N-heterocycles with simple alcohols was achieved. The reaction is initiated by peroxide and does not require the use of stoichiometric acid for activation of the heterocycle.     

Visible light mediated azomethine ylide formation-photoredox catalyzed [3+2] cycloadditions

The synthesis of highly functionalised N-heterocycles has been achieved by the visible light mediated photoredox conversion of tertiary amines to azomethine ylides and their further reaction with maleimide derivatives as dipolarophiles.     

Heterogeneous nanostructured catalysts in the synthesis of polyhydroquinolines (microreview)

Chemistry of Heterocyclic Compounds - This microreview focuses on the main modern synthetic approaches toward polyhydroquinolines, which represent a significant group of N-heterocycles of great...     

Enantioselective organocatalytic Michael addition reactions between N-heterocycles and nitroolefins

[reaction: see text] A method for Michael addition of N-heterocycles to nitroolefins has been developed. The process is promoted by a cinchona alkaloid derivative to give Michael adducts in moderate to high enantioselectivities.     

Synthesis of fused N-heterocycles via tandem C-H activation

The synthesis of fused N-heterocycles has been developed using an intramolecular cyclisation of purines or benzimidazoles. A range of medium and large rings were prepared.     

Expanded substrate scope and catalyst optimization for the catalytic kinetic resolution of N-heterocycles

The scope, reactivity, and selectivity of the chiral hydroxamic acid-catalyzed kinetic resolution of chiral amines are improved by a new catalyst structure and a more environmentally friendly reaction protocol. In addition to increasing selectivity across all substrates, these conditions make possible the resolution of N-heterocycles containing lactams or other basic functional groups that can inhibit the catalyst.