Unexpected cleavage of the Cpy–Cpy bond in the reaction of 2,2′-bipyridine N,N′-diimines with acetylenes

An unusual cleavage of the C_py–C_py bond in the reaction of 2,2′-bipyridine N,N′-diimine and its C-methyl substituted derivatives with acetylenes is described. The effect of the solvent on the yield of 7,7′-bipyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridine-2,2′,3,3′-tetracarboxylates and the products of cleavage of the C_py–C_py bond has been studied. The mechanism of the cleavage reaction is discussed on the basis of DFT calculations.     

Enantioselective synthesis of indolo[2,3-b]-dihydrothiopyranones via [3+3] cycloaddition of chiral α,β-unsaturated acylammonium salts

A nucleophile-catalyzed Michael addition/proton transfer/lactonization (NCMPL) organocascade process of chiral α,β-unsaturated acylammonium salts and indoline-2-thiones is described, which delivers the indolo[2,3-b]dihydrothiopyranone motifs in high yields (up to 97%) with good to excellent enantioselectivities (up to 98% ee).     

NBS-mediated practical cyclization of N-acyl amidines to 1,2,4-oxadiazoles via oxidative N‒O bond formation

A reaction involving an efficient NBS-mediated oxidative N?O bond formation has been established for the synthesis of 1,2,4-oxadiazoles from readily accessible N-acyl amidines. The features of this synthetic method include simplicity of operation, mild reaction conditions, short reaction times, high yields, and eco-friendliness. The reaction also works well with crude N-acyl amidines obtained by amidation of simple benzoic acids and amidines to produce biologically relevant 1,2,4-oxadiazoles in a scalable fashion.     

Molecular complexes of non-chelating polydentate Lewis bases with group 13 Lewis acids: crystal structure and computed energy of stepwise donor–acceptor bond formation

The crystal structures of five donor–acceptor (DA) complexes of 1:1 and 2:1 composition between E(C₆F₅)₃ (E = B, Al, Ga and In) and pyrazine (pyz) as a non-chelating bidentate nitrogen-containing donor, as well as the GaI₃ pyz GaI₃ complex have been established for the first time. A joint analysis of the experimental structural data and the results of computations at the M06-2X/def2-TZVP level of theory reveals that with an increase in the number of acceptor molecules in the DA complex, the DA bond distances increase, while the DA bond energies and Wiberg bond indexes decrease, indicating a weaker bonding. The previously reported ‘inverse’ relationship between the Lewis acidity and the capacity of a polydentate donor to complex with multiple Lewis acids is not confirmed.     

Thieno[2,3-a]carbazole-based donor–π–acceptor organic dyes for efficient dye-sensitized solar cells

New donor–π–acceptor organic dyes K-1 and K-2 containing thieno[2,3-a]carbazole as an electron donor were designed and synthesized for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). Photophysical and electrochemical properties of K-dyes were investigated. DSCs based on K-dyes showed a high conversion efficiency of 6.6–6.7% with a J_sc of 12.40–12.49 mA cm⁻² and a V_oc of 0.70–0.71 V. The molecular geometry calculation indicated that the existence of thienocarbazole donor in K-dyes enhanced the molecular planarity compared to the carbazole analogue dye MK-3. As a result, DSCs based on K-dyes showed high IPCEs, perhaps due to efficient intramolecular charge transfer and electron injection from excited dye to TiO₂ conduction band.     

Synthesis of β- and γ-carbolines via ruthenium and rhodium catalysed [2+2+2] cycloadditions of yne-ynamides with methylcyanoformate

A flexible approach towards substituted β- and γ-carbolines based on transition metal catalysed [2+2+2] cycloaddition reactions between functionalised yne-ynamides and methylcyanoformate is described. The versatility of this new reaction sequence is demonstrated by its application in the total synthesis of the marine natural product eudistomin U.     

The first synthesis of cis-N,N′-dialkylisoindigo derivatives from 3-indolyl-2-oxindoles with DDQ

cis-N,N′-Dialkylisoindigo derivatives were synthesized for the first time by the reaction of 3-indolyl-2-oxindoles with DDQ in aqueous 1,4-dioxane. cis-Isoindigo derivatives were completely isomerized to the corresponding trans-isomers by heating the solution in short time.     

An efficient route to quinoline-2-carboxylates via a rhodium-catalyzed oxidative [5+1] annulation of 2-vinylanilines with α-diazocarbonyl compounds

A novel rhodium-catalyzed oxidative [5 + 1] annulation of 2-vinylanilines with α-diazocarbonyl compounds for the construction of quinoline-2-carboxylate derivatives has been developed. A series of functional groups such as methyl, methoxy, fluoro, chloro, bromo, cyano, and even thienyl substituents were tolerated well. This methodology has the potential for use in the pharmaceutical industry.     

The effect of styrene α-substituents on the regiochemistry of [2+2] cycloadditions with difluoroallene.

Consistent with our hypothesis for a mechanism involving two kinetically-distinct diradical intermediates, the observed effects of styrene α-substituents can be explained as deriving either from steric effects or radical stabilizing effects.     

DBU as a scaffold for the synthesis of [1,3]oxazolo[2’,3’ : 2,3]pyrimido-[1,2-a]azepines: annulation with aromatic cyanopropargylic alcohols

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Synthesis of pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyrrolo[3,4-d]pyridine derivatives via Aza-Diels–Alder reaction: evaluation of torsion effect of pyrazoylimines

A modified method for the synthesis of pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyrrolo[3,4-d]pyridine was developed through an Aza-Diels–Alder reaction of pyrazoylimines with maleimides in the sealed tube. Based on the control experiment, the yields for the Aza-Diels–Alder reaction seemed proportional to the suitable torsion conformation of pyrazoylimine, which was modulated by N,N-disubstituted amidinyl moiety. The versatile sealed tube technique was also proved to promote the higher isolated yields in the Aza-Diels–Alder reaction.     

Exploring effects of the trifluoromethyl substituent on the chemoselectivity and regioselectivity of [3+2] cycloadditions of thiocarbonyl S-methanides with α, β-unsaturated ketones

A [3+2] cycloaddition (32CA) reaction between a thiocarbonyl ylide ( TCY 2 ) and an electron-deficient enone ( TFB 3 ) in tetrahydrofuran (THF) was studied in the light of molecular electron density theory at the DFT-B3LYP/6-31G(d) computational level to probe energetics and selectivities. The reaction was investigated in four competitive reaction paths associated with the CC and CO chemoselectivities in TFB 3 . An analysis of the density functional theory-based reactivity indices shows that TCY 2 is a strong nucleophile, and TFB 3 is also a strong electrophile. Although both C4─C5 and C6─O7 double bonds of TFB 3 can potentially be involved in 32CA reaction toward TCY 2 , computed relative Gibbs free energies obviously demonstrate that C6─O7 involvement in a quite regioselective manner is entirely preferred over the C4─C5 one in an excellent agreement with the chemoselectivity and regioselectivity observed experimentally. Interestingly, such a chemoselectivity could not be rationalized through assessment of the electrophilic Parr functions calculated at the C4, C5, C6, and O7 centers of TFB 3 . The global electron density transfer value, 0.31 e, calculated at the most energetically preferred transition state structure TS 1 involved within the C6─O7 chemoselective reaction channel demonstrates that this pseudodiradical type (pdr-type) 32CA reaction has a notable polar character.     

3H-Pyrroles as a platform for the catalyst-free construction of dihydropyrrolo[2,1-b]oxazoles: [4 + 2]-cycloaddition vs [2 + 3]-annulation with 1-cyano-3-hydroxyalkynes

Non-aromatic pyrrole isomers, 3,3-dialkyl-2-aryl-3H-pyrroles, were reacted with 1-cyano-3-hydroxyalkynes under mild, catalyst-free conditions (20–60?°C) to regio- and stereoselectively afford (Z)-2-(dihydropyrrolo[2,1-b]oxazolylidene)acetonitriles in 62–82% yield, thus evidencing the preference for [2?+?3]-annulation over the [4?+?2]-Diels-Alder alternative. The reaction involves initial nucleophilic addition of the pyrrole moiety at the triple bond followed by tandem ring closure of an anionic intermediate.     

Stereoselective [4+2] cycloadditions of tetrazines to 3-oxo- and 3-arylimino-4′-methylenedihydro-3′H-spiro[bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2,2′-furans]

Stereoselective inverse-demand [4+2] cycloadditions of 3,6-bis(pyridin-2-yl)-1,2,4,5-tetrazine and dimethyl 1,2,4,5-tetrazine-3,6-dicarboxylate to 4′-methylenedihydro-3′H-spiro[bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2,2′-furans] and 4′-methylene-1′-(4-nitrophenyl)spiro[bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-3,2′-pyrrolidine] were studied. Cycloadditions took place stereoselectively at the exocyclic CC double bonds to give novel 11:14-isopropylidene-14-methyl-2,3-diaza-8-oxadispiro[5.1.5.2]pentadecane and 11:14-isopropylidene-11-methyl-2,3,8-triazadispiro[5.1.5.2]pentadecane derivatives in 50–98% de. The structures of the novel dispiro compounds were determined by NMR techniques, NOESY spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction.     

In vitro and in vivo studies of N,N′-bis[2(2-pyridyl)-methyl]pyridine-2,6-dicarboxamide–copper(II) and rheumatoid arthritis

The thermodynamic equilibria of copper(II), zinc(II) and calcium(II) with N,N′-bis[2(2-pyridyl)-methyl]pyridine-2,6-dicarboxamide (L1) have been studied at 25 °C and an ionic strength of 0.15 mol dm⁻³. Spectroscopic studies suggest metal ion complexation promotes deprotonation and coordination of the amide nitrogens resulting in overall tetragonal coordination of Cu²⁺. Blood–plasma modelling predicts that Cu(II) competes effectively against Zn(II) and Ca(II) for L1 in vivo. Octanol–water partition coefficient studies show that Cu(II)–L1 complexes are reasonably lipophilic. However, the CuL1H₋₂ species which predominates at the physiological pH of 7.4 has poor superoxide dismutase activity. Bio-distribution experiments showed activity accumulation and retention in the body of about 50% of the injected dose for the [⁶⁴Cu]Cu(II)–L1 complex after 24 h.     

Synthesis of 3-methyleneisoindolin-1-ones via palladium-catalyzed C–Cl bond cleavage and cyclocarbonylation of ortho-chloro ketimines

PdCl₂(PCy₃)₂-catalyzed cyclocarbonylative coupling of ortho-chloro arylketimines with CO has been investigated to develop an efficient method for the synthesis of isoindolin-1-ones. The developed synthetic method has the advantages of having easily available starting materials, high atom-economy, and high selectivity.     

Synthesis of spiro[bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2,2′-furan]-3-amines via stereoselective cycloadditions of trimethylenemethane to (1S,3EZ,4R)-3-arylimino-1,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-ones

Stereoselective [3+2] cycloadditions of trimethylenemethane (TMM) to the exocyclic CO and CN double bonds of (1S,3EZ,4R)-3-arylimino-1,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-ones gave the corresponding spiro[bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2,2′-furan] and spiro[bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-3,2′-pyrrolidine] derivatives. Further stereoselective reductions of the CN or CO bond in these cycloadducts furnished new chiral amines, diamines, and a new aminoalcohol. All cycloadditions and reductions of the CN double bonds took place from the less hindered endo-face of the (1S,3EZ,4R)-3-arylimino-1,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-ones, exclusively, thus giving the corresponding products in 100% de. The structures were determined by NMR, NOESY spectroscopy, and by X-ray diffraction.     

Chemoselective one-pot access to benzo[e]indole-4,5-diones and naphtho[2,1-b]thiophene-4,5-diones via copper-catalyzed oxidative [3 + 2] annulation of α-oxoketene N,S-acetals/β-ketothioamides with α-/β-naphthols

An operationally simple and efficient one-pot method for the synthesis of 1-aroyl (or alkanoyl)-2-thioalkyl-3-aryl (or alkyl)-3H-benzo[e]indole-4,5-diones and naphtho[2,1-b]thiophene-4,5-diones has been devised by copper-catalyzed cross-coupling of α-oxoketene N,S-acetals/β-ketothioamides with α-/β-naphthols in open air for the first time. The key to the success of this transformation is the room temperature oxidation of α-/β-naphthol to 1,2-naphthoquinone as a reactive species, which undergoes formal [3 + 2] annulation with α-oxoketene N,S-acetals/β-ketothioamides via cascade sequence of Michael addition/tautomerization/oxidation/cyclization/aromatization reactions, enabling addition of a pyrrole/thiophene ring onto naphthoquinone moiety. Further, benzo[e]indole-4,5-diones were transformed to pentacyclic fused phenazine derivatives under solvent-free conditions. Based on our experimental outcomes, a tentative mechanistic rationale for this chemoselective protocol is proposed, which is well validated and supported by the control experiments.     

A simple,efficient, regioselective and one-pot preparation of N-hydroxy- and N–O-protected hydroxyindoles via cycloaddition of nitrosoarenes with alkynes. Synthetic scope,applications and novel by-products

The thermal reaction between nitrosoarenes and alkynes under alkylating conditions produces N-alkoxyindoles as the major products in moderate to good yields and excellent regioselectivity. Various electrophiles are used affording different N–O-protected hydroxyindoles in a multi-component fashion. Privileged acetylenic substrates used in reactions with substituted nitrosoarenes are arylalkynes or propiolates. Potentially bioactive compounds and other classes of highly functionalizable indole products were prepared. Reactions between o-carbomethoxy-nitrosoarenes and arylacetylenes provided tricyclic compounds containing an acylaziridine indoline skeleton.