γ-Selective allylic substitution reaction with Grignard reagents catalyzed by copper N-heterocyclic carbene complexes and its application to enantioselective synthesis

The reaction of allylic compounds with alkyl Grignard reagents in the presence of a catalytic amount of copper N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes proceeded predominantly in an S_N2′ reaction pathway to give γ-substituted product in excellent yield. The method was applied to asymmetric reaction by using optically active NHC ligands.     

Chiral N,N′-dioxide-iron(II) complexes catalyzed enantioselective oxa-Michael addition of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes

The enantioselective oxa-Michael addition reaction of 1-(4-methoxyphenyl) ethanone oxime to various α,β-unsaturated aldehydes was accomplished by using chiral N,N′-dioxide-FeSO₄·7H₂O (1:1) complex. Aromatic acid was employed as additive to increase the yield of the reaction. The corresponding adducts were obtained in moderate yields with up to 76% ee under mild conditions.     

Efficient synthesis of 1,4-disubstituted triazolyl N-carboxamides via a simple and convenient MCR using basic alumina as solid support

A microwave assisted green protocol for the synthesis of 1,4-disubstituted triazolyl N-carboxamides was explored using basic alumina as solid support. The method allows domino Ullmann-type reaction, Click reaction and formation of ester or amide linkages in a single reaction vessel using Cu(phen)(PPh₃)Br and CMPA as catalyst and basic alumina as solid support in high yield. The protocol did not require addition of any external ligands or base. The method was also found to be equally good for the synthesis of bis triazole adducts.     

Racemic and chiral expanded salen-type complexes derived from biphenol and binaphthol: Salbip and salbin

The reaction of 2-fluoronitrobenzene with 2,2′-biphenol or (R)-binaphthol, followed by reduction and subsequent reaction of the resulting diamine with two equivalents of a salicylaldehyde, affords expanded salen-type ligands having backbones based on biphenol or binaphthol: salbipH₂, (R)-salbinH₂ and (R)-salbin(t-Bu)₄H₂. Deprotonation of these ligands with sodium methoxide or potassium hydride, followed by metallation with M(OAc)₂ (M = Mn, Co, Ni, or Cu), affords the corresponding metal complexes in good yield (61-85%). The species containing Mn, Co, and Ni all have distorted octahedral geometry, as determined by X-ray crystallography. The ethereal oxygen atoms occupy two coordination sites with metal-oxygen distances ranging from 2.19 to 2.36 Å. The imine nitrogen atoms are trans to each other in the solid state, an impossible geometry in traditional salen-type complexes. The species containing Cu are distorted square planar and show much longer metal-ethereal oxygen distances ranging from 2.79 to 3.22 Å. The manganese complexes are competent catalysts for the epoxidation of olefins.     

ReBr(CO)5-catalyzed sequential addition-cyclization of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds with electron-deficient internal alkynes affording trisubstituted 2H-pyran-2-ones

The reaction of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds such as acetoacetate, acetylacetone, dibenzoylmethane, and benzoylacetate with electron-deficient internal alkynes in the presence of catalytic amount of ReBr(CO)₅ in toluene under neutral conditions resulted in the formation of 4,5,6-trisubstituted 2H-pyran-2-ones in moderate to high yield. The reaction took place via a two-step sequence including the rhenium(I)-catalyzed addition of the activated methylenes to alkynes to give enolic 2-alkenyl derivatives, and subsequently dealcoholic cyclization to form 2H-pyran-2-one derivatives.     

Selective functionalization at the small rim of calix[6]arene. Synthesis of novel non-symmetrical N3, N4 and N3ArO biomimetic ligands

Eight novel calix[6]arene-based biomimetic ligands for transition metal ions have been synthesized. They display a non-symmetrical N₃, N₄ or N₃ArO binding core that mimics enzyme active sites presenting histidine and tyrosine residues. The key step for their synthesis is the mono-alkylation at the small rim of the C_3v symmetrical trimethyl ether derivative of tBu-calix[6]arene with N-Boc-2-chloroethylamine to yield a novel calix[6]arene synthon. Its combined O-alkylation with a chloromethyl aromatic amine and N-deprotection or alkylation or reductive alkylation with a salicylaldehyde derivative yielded the calix[6]arene-based ligands with mixed N/O donors.     

Solvent-free copper-catalyzed oxidative S-arylation of 1,2-diaryldisulfides with aryltrimethoxysilane

A novel and solvent-free protocol for the synthesis of diarylsulfides by the copper-catalyzed oxidative S-arylation of 1,2-diaryldisulfides with aryltrimethoxysilanes is reported. In the presence of CuI, 2-(di-tert-butylphosphino)biphenyl, and TBAF (n-Bu₄NF), a variety of 1,2-diaryldisulfides underwent the S-arylation reaction with aryltrimethoxysilanes smoothly to afford the corresponding products in moderate to good yield. It is noteworthy that the reaction is conducted under solvent-free conditions.     

The preparation and resolution of 2-(2-pyridyl)- and 2-(2-pyrazinyl)-Quinazolinap and their application in palladium-catalysed allylic substitution

The preparation and resolution of two new axially chiral quinazoline-containing phosphinamine ligands, 2-(2-pyridyl)-Quinazolinap and 2-(2-pyrazinyl)-Quinazolinap, is described. The ligands were synthesised in good yield over eight steps and included two Pd-catalysed reactions, a Suzuki coupling to form the biaryl linkage and the introduction of the diphenylphosphino group, as the key transformations. The racemic ligands were resolved via the fractional crystallisation of diastereomeric palladacycles derived from (+)-di-μ-chlorobis{(R)-dimethyl[1-(1-naphthyl)ethyl]aminato-C₂,N}dipalladium (II) X-ray crystal structures of the (S,R)-2-pyridyl- and (S,R)-2-pyrazinyl-palladacycles are included. Displacement of the resolving agent by reaction with 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane gave enantiopure 2-(2-pyridyl)-Quinazolinap and 2-(2-pyrazinyl)-Quinazolinap, new atropisomeric phosphinamine ligands for asymmetric catalysis. These ligands were applied in the palladium-catalysed allylic substitution of 1,3-diphenylprop-2-enyl acetate resulting in moderate conversions and enantioselectivities of up to 81%.     

Silver(I) complexes based on novel tripodal thioglycosides: synthesis, structure and antimicrobial activity

The reaction of tris(2-bromoethyl)amine hydrobromide with sugar thiols or thioacetates leads to the formation of novel carbohydrate substituted tripodal NS₃ ligands. Complexation with silver(I) ions gives stable complexes. NMR, X-ray, MS and EXAFS studies indicate their mononuclear C₃-symmetric structure. The highly water soluble complexes formed from the unprotected ligands show a wide spectrum of effective antimicrobial activities and their use lowers the cytotoxic and antiproliferative activities compared to the free silver salts.     

Nucleophilic alkynylation of N-bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl aldimines

N-Bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl aldimines undergo nucleophilic addition reaction with premixed lithium alkynides/BF₃·OEt₂ to give moderate to good yields of N-bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl propargyl amines.     

Synthesis of novel P-ketimine bidentate ferrocenyl ligands with central and planar chirality and comparsion in the catalytic activity between P-ketimine and P-aldimine

A series of novel ferrocenylphosphine-ketimine ligands 6 were prepared by reaction of (R,S_p)-PPFNH₂-R or (S,S_p)-PPFNH₂ with a variety of m-substituted acetophenones. A different catalytic activity was observed between ferrocenylphosphine-ketimine ligands and corresponding aldimine ligands. The efficiency and diastereomeric impact of these ferrocenylphosphine-ketimine ligands in Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation were first investigated, and higher enantioselectivity of over 98% e.e. with 95% yield was obtained by the use of ferrocenylphosphine-ketimine ligands. However, in Rh-catalyzed asymmetric hydrosilylation of aryl ketones, only 42% e.e. was obtained by the use of ferrocenylphosphine-ketimine ligands compared to 90% e.e. with the use of aldimine ligands.     

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.     

Studies on the reduction of the nitro group in 3-aryl-2-methylene-4-nitro-alkanoates afforded by the Baylis-Hillman adducts: synthesis of 4-aryl-3-methylene-2-pyrrolidinones and 3-(1-alkoxycarbonyl-vinyl)-1H-indole-2-carboxylates

The formation of substituted 2-pyrrolidinones and indoles by the reduction of the secondary nitro group in appropriate 3-aryl-2-methylene-4-nitroalkanoates afforded by Baylis-Hillman chemistry via different reducing agents is described. The 3-aryl-2-methylene-4-nitroalkanoate obtained from S_N2 nucleophilic reaction between the acetate of Baylis-Hillman adducts and ethyl nitroacetate upon reduction with indium-HCl furnishes a mixture of cis and trans substituted phenyl-3-methylene-2-pyrrolidinones. In contrast, similar reductions of analogous substrates derived from nitroethane stereoselectively furnished only the trans substituted phenyl-3-methylene-2-pyrrolidinones. On the other hand the SnCl₂·2H₂O-promoted reductions of substrates derived from nitro ethylacetate give oxime derivatives while the ones obtained from nitroethane yield a mixture of cis and trans 4-aryl-3-methylene-2-pyrrolidinones. Alternatively, the SnCl₂·2H₂O-promoted reduction of substituted 2-nitrophenyl-2-methylene-alkanoate furnished from ethyl nitroacetate yield 3-(1-alkoxycarbonyl-vinyl)-1H-indole-2-carboxylate while indium-promoted reaction of this substrate leads to a complex mixture. Analogous reactions with SnCl₂·2H₂O of substituted 2-nitrophenyl-2-methylene-alkanoate obtained from nitroethane yield 4-alkyl-3-methylene-2-quinolones in moderate yields.     

Suzuki reaction on pyridinium N-(5-bromoheteroar-2-yl)aminides

The reactivity of substituted pyridinium N-(2′-azinyl)aminides in Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction is reported. The reaction proceeds in good yield employing Cs₂CO₃ as base, and producing substitution on the negatively charged moiety.     

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.     

Transition-metal-free approach to synthesis of indolines from N-(ortho-chloromethyl)aryl amides and iodonium ylides

A transition-metal-free method for the synthesis of indolines has been developed. In the presence of K₂CO₃, the cyclization reaction of N-(ortho-chloromethyl)aryl amides and iodonium ylides proceeded smoothly at room temperature in moderate to good yields.     

Diels-Alder reaction of optically active (E)-γ-keto-α,β-unsaturated p-tolylsulfoxides with cyclopentadiene

The Diels-Alder reaction of enantiomerically pure (E)-γ-keto-α,β-unsaturated p-tolylsulphoxides 3 with cyclopentadiene give four easily separable diastereomers. The effect of several Lewis acids on the reaction was studied, finding a high endo selectivity with respect to the carbonyl group and moderate π-diastereoselectivity using BF₃·Et₂O as catalyst. The reactivity of compounds 3 as well as their endo selectivity are both higher than those observed for the corresponding (E)-3-sulfinylacrylates.     

Reactivity and regioselectivity in the synthesis of spiroindoles via indole o-quinodimethanes. An experimental and computational study

The 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions of stable nitrile oxides with indole o-quinodimethanes have been examined. In all cases the ‘exo-anti’ addition products, dispiroisoxazolines, were isolated in moderate to good yields (25-47%). In addition, from the reaction of one of the indole quinodimethanes with mesitonitrile oxide the ‘exo-syn’ addition product was isolated in 7% yield along with the remarkable indole quinodimethane dimerization and cycloaddition product, which was isolated in 13% yield. An analogous dimerization and cycloaddition product was isolated in 18% yield from the reaction of the N-acetyl-indole quinodimethane with mesitonitrile oxide. In the case of the reaction of the N-benzoylindole quinodimethane with the 2,6-dichlorobenzonitrile oxide an oxime was also isolated in 13% yield. The proposed reaction mechanism is supported by semiempirical (AM1) MO calculations via FMO interactions. The observed selectivity was explained by an investigation of the transition states carried out also for analogous dispiroisoxazolines.     

A new synthesis of key intermediates for the assembly of polycyclic ethers: Yb(OTf)3-promoted formation of O,S-acetals from α-fluorosulfides and alcohols

We report a new reaction for the direct construction of O,S-acetals, key intermediates in the assembly of fused polycyclic ethers. α-Fluorosulfides and secondary alcohols were coupled by the action of Yb(OTf)₃ to generate O,S-acetals in high yield. The neutral and selective nature of the reaction should be useful for synthesizing natural and artificial polyethers with multisensitive functionalities.     

Efficient synthesis of 5-fluoroalkylated 1H-1,2,3-triazoles and application of the bromodifluoromethylated triazole to the synthesis of novel bicyclic gem-difluorinated 1H-pyrano[3,4-d][1,2,3]-triazol-4-one compounds

A series of 5-fluoroalkylated 1H-1,2,3-triazoles were synthesized in good yield by the regiospecific 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of (Z)-ethyl 3-fluoroalkyl-3-pyrrolidino-acrylates with aryl or benzyl azides. In the cases of benzyl azides, addition of Na₂CO₃ was crucial for a high yield of the triazoles. Tetrakis(dimethylamino)ethylene (TDAE) promoted reaction of bromodifluoro-methylated triazole with aldehydes affording a new class of β,β-difluoro-β-triazolyl alcohol derivatives, which were lactonized with catalytic amount of p-toluenesulfonic acid in toluene at 80-90°C to give a series of novel bicyclic gem-difluorinated 1H-pyrano[3,4-d][1,2,3]-triazol-4-one compounds in good yield.