Conformations and steric and stacking interactions of trisubstituted ureas and thioureas with alkyl and phenyl groups

The monomeric ν(N—H) vibrations of various trisubstituted ureas of the R₂UPh type and -thioureas of the R₂TUPh type have been studied. The trans—out isomerism in the former and the trans—out—cis isomerism in the latter are discussed from the point of view of steric effect. The monomeric ν(N—H) vibrations of RPhUPh and RPhTUPh are also examined. The single band appearing in the spectrum of both ureas is characteristic of the cis form; this suggests the existence of phenyl—phenyl interaction (the stacking interaction proposed by Galabov et al. [10]). Behavior of ν(N—H) vibrations at several concentrations is shown to be clearly different in the three forms (trans, out and cis). The presence of the cis form is confirmed by solvent effect experiments.     

Regioselective reactions of N-(carboxyalkyl)- and N-(aminoethyl)ureas with glyoxal and 1,2-dioxo-1,2-diphenylethane

Regioselective reactions of N-(carboxyalkyl)ureas (ureido acids) and N-(aminoethyl)ureas with 1,2-dioxo-1,2-diphenylethane (benzyl) and glyoxal are studied in detail. The structure of the reactants affects the reaction regioselectivity. Acid-catalyzed reactions of glyoxal with 1-[2-(dimethylamino(acetylamino))ethyl]ureas and benzene with ureido acids result mainly in 2,6-di-substituted glycolurils. The structure of 2,6-di(methoxycarbonylethyl)glycoluril is unambiguously established by X-ray diffraction.     

Infrared spectroscopic study of the configuration of some alkylaryl ureas

The conformation of a series of 1-aryl-3-(n-butyl)ureas and 1-aryl-1-methyl-3-(n-butyl)-ureas having an orthohydroxyl group in the aromatic ring is studied by infrared spectroscopy. The spectral data show that in organic solvents (CHCl₃, CH₂Cl₂, CCl₄) the compounds are in a Z,Z-conformation. Conclusive evidence is obtained for the existence of an intramolecular hydrogen bond between the OH and CO groups in all N-methylated ureas.     

Facile direct synthesis of unsymmetrical ureas from N-Alloc-, N-Cbz-, and N-Boc-protected amines using DABAL-Me3

A practical synthetic method for the direct synthesis of unsymmetrically substituted ureas from N-Alloc-, N-Cbz-, and N-Boc-protected amines is described. In this study, efficient direct conversion of the Alloc-, Cbz-, and Boc-carbamate compounds to ureas was achieved in the presence of DABAL-Me₃, an air stable and easily handled reagent. Using this reaction method, both protected aromatic and aliphatic amines were successfully transformed into various trisubstituted and tetrasubstituted ureas with high yields without side product. Our findings offer promising guidelines for direct preparation of useful ureas from N-Alloc-, N-Cbz-, and N-Boc-carbamates.     

Chameleonic reactivity of α-amino nitrile-derived ureas. Synthesis of highly functionalized imidazolidin-2-one and imidazolidine-2,4-dione derivatives

The potential of α-amino nitrile-derived ureas for the synthesis of imidazolidin-2-one derivatives has been studied in the context of a medicinal chemistry project focused on the search of antagonists of the thrombin receptor PAR1. In this study α-amino nitrile-derived ureas have shown chameleonic reactivity. Thus, under neutral, basic or mild acid media they cyclize to 4-iminoimidazolidin-2-one derivatives, which tautomerize to 4-amino-2,3-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-ones. This tautomerism triggers epimerization at the C₅ of the imidazolidine ring, as well as its oxidation. However, they give stable highly functionalized hydantoin derivatives under strong acid media, by a no-epimerizing two-step hydrolysis.     

Effective approach to ureas through organocatalyzed one-pot process

An efficient approach to N, N′-unsymmetrically substituted ureas 9 has been developed through the ammonolysis process of N-Boc protected anilines 7 with amines prompted by 1,5,7-triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec-5-ene (TBD). Moreover, a convenient protocol for the synthesis of the symmetric N, N'-substituted ureas 12 by one-pot diammonolysis process of Boc₂O with amines catalyzed by DABCO has also been achieved. With broad substrate scope and mild conditions, these two methods demonstrate practical preparation of both unsymmetrical and symmetrical ureas.     

Non-phosgene route to unsymmetrical ureas from N-Cbz-α-amino acid amides

A convenient method toward the synthesis of α-amino acid-derived unsymmetrical ureas 2 is described herein. This route involves an interesting rearrangement of amides of N-Cbz-α-amino acids 1, which presumably entails the intermediacy of hydantoins that is followed by hydrolysis to afford unsymmetrical ureas 2 in quantitative yields and high purity.     

Lateral lithiation of N,N′-diaryl ureas

Aromatic ureas bearing N-(2-alkylaryl) groups may be laterally lithiated by treatment with sec-butyllithium. Quenching with a range of electrophiles yields functionalised aryl ureas in excellent yield. Lateral lithiation is favoured when the urea nitrogen adjacent to the aromatic ring in question is alkylated, and when competitive lithiations of such a ring are possible, lateral lithiation is more favourable than the alternative ortholithiation.     

Rearrangement with oxide ion transfer in reactions of 4-chloro-2-oxo-2,3-dihydrothiazole-5-carbaldehyde with ureas. cis-(Z)-trans-(E) isomerism of N-(2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)ureas

4-Chloro-2-oxo-2,3-dihydrothiazole-5-carbaldehyde reacted with monosubstituted ureas to give cis-(Z)-and trans-(E)-N-(2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)ureas via rearrangement involving oxide ion transfer, cis (Z) Isomers were formed in methanol or dimethylformamide, while both individual cis (Z) and trans (E) isomers and their mixtures were isolated in the reaction performed in acetic acid.     

A novel solid-phase synthesis of di- and trisubstituted N-acyl ureas

A novel, mild method for the synthesis of di- and trisubstituted N-acyl ureas on solid support is described. Addition of carboxylic acids to a resin-bound carbimidoyl chloride gave, initially, an O-acyl isourea which subsequently rearranged to the corresponding N-acyl urea. Trisubstituted N-acyl ureas were assembled on a Wang resin from a wide range of Fmoc amino acids, secondary amines and carboxylic acids. Acid mediated cleavage yielded the products in good yields and excellent purities. In addition, the regioselective synthesis of disubstituted N-acyl ureas is demonstrated with four examples.     

Synthesis and properties of 1-(R-adamant-1-yl)-3-(1-propionylpiperidin-4-yl)ureas and 4-({4-[3-(R-adamant-1-yl)ureido]cyclohexyl}oxy)benzoic acids,efficient target-oriented human soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibitors

A reaction of R-adamant-1-yl isocyanates with 4-[(4-aminocyclohexyl)oxy]benzoic acid and 1-(4-aminopiperidin-1-yl)propan-1-one in DMF afforded corresponding ureas in 90—95% yield, the target-oriented inhibitors of epoxide hydrolase sEH. The ureas are characterized by reduced melting points and increased solubility in water, as well as by inhibitory activity in the range of 0.5—4.0 nmol L^–1.     

Infrared spectra and configuration of N,N'-diaryl-thioureas

The conformation of the —NH—CS—NH— grouping in a series of N,N'-diarylthioureas some of which possess a marked anti-viral activity is studied using IR spectral data. The results indicate that in organic solvents (CCl₄, CHCl₃, C₂C1₄, CH₂C1₂) the compounds studied participate in an equilibrium between several isomeric forms arising from the possibility of a cis or trans structure of the —CS—NH— groups. The increased solvent polarity favours the cis conformation.     

1-Alkoxyamino-4-dimethylaminopyridinium derivatives as new representatives of O–N–N+ geminal systems and their structure2

N-Alkoxy-N-(4-dimethylaminopyridin-1-ium-1-yl)-substituted ureas, benzamides and N-tert-alkylamines were prepared by the reac tion of the corresponding (N-chloro-N-alkoxy)amino compounds with 4-dimethylaminopyridine. The XRD study of N-alkoxy-N-(4-dimethylaminopyridin-1-ium-1-yl)ureas has revealed the high pyramidality of the central nitrogen atom in O–N–N+ geminal system.     

N-Isopropyl-N',N'-diphenyl-N-(silylmethyl)ureas: Synthesis and structure

New N-isopropyl-N',N'-diphenyl-N-(silylmethyl)ureas were obtained, and their structure was explored by ¹H, ¹³C, ²⁹Si NMR spectroscopy and X-ray analysis. These results have shown that N-isopropyl-N', N'-diphenyl-N-[(fluorosilyl)-methyl]ureas exist as (O–Si) chelates with intramolecular dative bond C=O→Si.     

Reaction of Carbodiimides with trifluoromethanesulfonic acid

Carbodiimides RN=C=NR (R = i-Pr, c-C₆H₁₁, Ph) react with trifluoromethanesulfonic acid with successive formation of O-triflyl isoureas RNHC(OTf)=NR, the isomeric N-triflyl ureas RN(Tf)C(O)NHR, and symmetrically substituted ureas RNHC(O)NHR. Carbodiimide Me₃SiN=C=NSiMe₃ in the reaction with TfOH undergoes desilylation to afford ester CF₃SO₂OSiMe₃ and unsubstituted carbodiimide (cyanamide), which gives the products of di- and trimerization and urea.     

Thermal decomposition study and biological characterization of zinc(II) 2-chlorobenzoate complexes with bioactive ligands

New zinc(II) 2-chlorobenzoates of general formula [Zn(2-ClC₆H₄COO)₂(L)₂] (where L = caffeine—caf, urea—u, methyl-3-pyridylcarbamate—mpc, phenazone—phen, theophylline—thp) were synthesised and characterised by elemental analysis and IR spectroscopy. The thermal behaviour of the complexes was studied by TG/DTG and DTA methods in nitrogen and in air atmosphere. During the thermal decomposition of the studied compounds the release of organic ligands take place followed by the decomposition of 2-chlorobenzoate anion. The volatile decomposition intermediates were proved by mass spectrometry. Zinc oxide was found as the final product of the thermal decomposition performed up to 1,000 K. The antimicrobial activity of the zinc(II) complexes against various strains of bacteria, yeasts and filamentous fungi has been investigated. It was found that the prepared compounds decreased the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, Rhizopus oryzae and Microsporum gypseum, respectively. The most resistant to all tested compounds was probiotic strain of Lactobacillus plantarum. The presence of zinc and ligands in the prepared compounds increased the inhibitory effect compared to sodium salt of prepared compounds and free ligands.     

Microwave-assisted traceless synthesis of benzimidazolones

We have developed a microwave-assisted traceless rapid synthesis of benzimidazolones on polymeric supports. The key step in our approach involves an arylation of benzylammonia followed by treatment with N-chlorosulfonyl isocyanate and by subsequent hydrolysis to yield the corresponding primary ureas. Intramolecular cyclization of the resin-bound primary ureas under Pd-catalyzed condition followed by cleavage with TFA-H₂O provided the desired benzimidazolones with excellent yields and high purities. Except for step 4, the other reactions involved were performed completely within a few minutes under microwave exposure.     

Preparation of organometallic uracil-analogue Fischer carbene complexes: Comparative study of conventional heating vs microwave irradiation

Mono and disubstituted ureas react with alkynyl Fischer carbene complexes to give mono and di N,N-substituted organometallic uracil analogues. An optimization of the process using different starting metal carbene complexes and variously substituted ureas under conventional heating (with and without solvent) and microwave irradiation techniques is reported. The synthesis of the metal-carbene analog of the commercially available dimethyl uracil is reported.     

Urea derivatives of spirocyclic piperidines endowed with antibacterial activity

Antimycobacterial activity of certain ureas as well as spirocyclic piperidines described in the literature prompted us to synthesize and test a series of hybrids of spirocyclic piperidine with ureas. Surprisingly, no activity was detected against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. However, significant antibacterial activity was identified and confirmed against common gram-positive as well as gram-negative bacteria.     

An efficient one-pot synthesis of N,N′-disubstituted phenylureas and N-aryl carbamates using hydroxylamine-O-sulfonic acid

We have developed an efficient one-pot method for the microwave-assisted synthesis of ureas and carbamates via a proposed Lossen rearrangement. Herein we report the first examples of the direct conversion of benzoyl chlorides into N,N′-disubstituted ureas and N-aryl carbamates using hydroxylamine-O-sulfonic acid as reagent. Using our general method, we have produced 11 examples of N,N′-disubstituted phenylureas in yields up to 95% using various substituted anilines, and primary and secondary amines. Additionally, we were able to generate a series of N-aryl carbamates in moderate yields using primary, secondary and tertiary alcohols.