New approaches to the synthesis of organofluorine nitrogenated derivatives

Fluorinated carboxylic acids are valuable building blocks for several types of organofluorine nitrogenated derivatives. In this review paper, several strategies that use these compounds as starting materials are described. First, fluorinated seven-membered cyclic β-amino esters can be diastereoselectively synthesized from these compounds with a ring-closing metathesis (RCM) reaction as the key step. The use of the RCM reaction in a different approach enables the preparation of fluorinated cyclic α-amino acid derivatives. Fluorinated carboxylic acids also constitute the starting material for the asymmetric synthesis of fluorinated allylic amines. Finally, a solution and solid-phase synthesis of fluorinated uracils and thiouracils is described.     

N-Boc-Protected α-Amino Acids by 1,3-Migratory Nitrene C(sp3)−H Insertion

N-Boc-protected α-amino acids are synthesized in two steps from linear or branched carboxylic acid feedstocks. In the first step, the carboxylic acid is coupled with tert-butyl aminocarbonate (BocNHOH) to generate azanyl ester (acyloxycarbamate) RCO₂NHBoc. In the second step, this azanyl ester undergoes a stereocontrolled iron-catalyzed 1,3-nitrogen migration to generate the N-Boc-protected non-racemic α-amino acid. This straightforward protocol is applicable to the catalytic asymmetric synthesis of α-monosubstituted α-amino acids with aryl, alkenyl, and alkyl side chains. Furthermore, α,α-disubstituted α-amino acids are accessible in an enantioconvergent fashion from racemic carboxylic acids. The new method is also advantageous for the synthesis of α-deuterated α-amino acids. N-Boc-protected α-amino acids synthesized using this two-step protocol are ready-to-use building blocks.     

N Reactivity vs. O reactivity in aqueous chlorination

Nitrogenated compounds react with hypochlorous acid yielding N-chloro compounds. In principle, α-amino acids chlorination may take place on the oxygen of the carboxylic group or on the nitrogen of the amino group. In this framework, we discuss the different reactivities of nitrogen and oxygen towards chlorine, and come to the conclusion that the nitrogen is the preferred reaction site in α-amino acids chlorination. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Synthesis of vitamin b6 derivatives. II. 3-Hydroxy-4-hydroxymethyl-2-methyl-5-pyridine acetic acid and related substances

The syntheses of 3-hydroxy-4-hydroxymethyl-2-methyl-5-pyridineacetic and -5-pyridine-propionic acids and several related compounds are described. Although acid hydrolysis of α⁴,3-O-isopropylidene-5-pyridoxic acid gives 5-pyridoxic acid lactone (α-pyracin), its higher homolog α⁴,3-O-isopropylidene-pyridoxylformic acid gave a corresponding free alcohol whose carboxylic acid proton was shown to be exchanged rapidly with the 3-phenolic and -4-alcoholic - protons in nuclear magnetic resonance studies. Inter-molecular hydrogen bonding between the side chain carboxylic acid and pyridine nitrogen atoms is suggested in the solid state.     

Synthesis of some Indanones having Nitrogen-containing Substituents

The title compounds have been synthesized by a Friedel-Crafts acylation-alkylation between aromatic ethers and α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids (or esters) having nitrogen-containing substituents. Polyphosphoric acid was used as condensing agent.     

A Study of the Constituents of the Heartwood of Tsuga Chinensis Pritz. Var. Formosana (Hay.)

By means of spectroscopic analysis, X-ray crystallography and chemical correlation the heartwood of Taiwan hemlock was found to contain compounds of sterols, carboxylic acids, 13-epimanool, o methoxyphenolics, coniferaldehyde, benzofuranoid neolignan, α-conidendrin, tsugacetal, isolariciresinol, secoisolariciresinol, matairesinol, hydroxymatairesinol and oxomatairesinol. Among them (+)-tsugacetal is a novel lignan acetal having an α-conidendrin related structure with the acetal methoxy group at the β-position.     

An Enantioselective Assembly of Dihydropyranones through an NHC/LiCl‐Mediated in situ Activation of α,β‐Unsaturated Carboxylic Acids

A straightforward N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC)/LiCl‐mediated synthesis of dihydropyranones from α,β‐unsaturated carboxylic acids and 1,3‐dicarbonyl compounds was realized through the in situ activation strategy. The key advantages of this protocol include ready availability and high stability of starting materials, good yields, and excellent enantioselectivity.     

Conjugated Additions in Hydrogen Fluoride

Fluorine and another substituent can be added in a single step to compounds having CC double bonds in anhydrous hydrogen fluoride. It is possible in this way to obtain e.g. α-fluorinated β-halogeno, β-alkyl, β-nitro, and β-amino compounds, and also (in some cases by secondary reactions) fluorinated ethers, alcohols, esters, and carboxylic acids, β-fluoro alcohols can be obtained by conjugated “hypofluorination” in the presence of oxenium ions.     

The synthetic protocol for α-bromocarbonyl compounds via brominations

α-Bromocarbonyl compound easily generates α-radicals in the presence of a proper initiator, such as copper salt. Recently, tertiary-alkylation reaction using α-bromocarbonyl compound as a tertiary alkyl source is recognized as one of the most important alkylation reactions. The reactions using α-bromocarbonyl compound are increasing, whereas synthetic methods for various functionalized α-bromocarbonyl compounds are not summarized. Generally, α-bromocarbonyl compounds can be synthesized from the corresponding carboxylic acids via α-bromo acid bromide, but the brominations of carboxylic acids are sometimes problematic. In this paper, we will report some technical information for a bromination and synthetic examples of representative α-bromocarbonyl compounds.     

Improved Cs2CO3 Promoted O-Alkylation of Acids

Cesium carbonate mediated O-alkylation of carboxylic acids was efficiently carried out under mild in situ conditions to give the corresponding esters exclusively. Chiral templates including α-hydroxy and α-alkoxy acids were also converted to their corresponding esters with no observed racemization.     

3-(Dimethylamino)-2,2-dimethyl-2H-azirin als α-Aminoisobuttersäure(Aib)-Äquivalent: Cyclische Depsipeptide durch direkte Amid-Cyclisierung

3-(Dimethylamino)-2,2-dimethyl-2H,-azirine as an α-Aminoisobutyric-Acid (Aib) Equivalent: Cyclic Depsipeptides via Direct Amid Cyclization In MeCN at room temperature, 3-(dimethylamino)-2,2-dimethyl-2H-azirine ( 1 ) and α-hydroxycarboxylic acids react to give diamides of type 8 (Scheme 3). Selective cleavage of the terminal N,N-dimethylcarboxamide group in MeCN/H₂O leads to the corresponding carboxylic acids 13 (Scheme 4). In toluene/Ph SH , phenyl thioesters of type 11 are formed (see also Scheme 5). Starting with diamides 8 , the formation of morpholin-2,5- diones 10 has been achieved either by direct amide cyclization via intermediate 1,3-oxazol-5(4H)-ones 9 or via base-catalyzed cyclization of the phenyl thioesters 11 (Scheme 3). Reaction of carboxylic acids with 1 , followed by selective amide hydrolysis, has been used for the construction of peptides from α-hydroxy carboxylic acids and repetitive α-aminoisobutyric-acid (Aib) units (Scheme 4). Cyclization of 14a, 17a , and 20a with HCI in toluene at 100° gave the 9-, 12-, and 15-membered cyclic depsipeptides 15, 18 , and 21 , respectively.     

Copper-Catalyzed Enantioselective Reductive Aldol Reaction of α,β-Unsaturated Carboxylic Acids to Alkyl Aryl Ketones: Silanes as Activator and Transient Protecting Group

The first enantioselective reductive aldol reaction of unprotected α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids was developed by employing a copper/bisphosphine catalyst. The reaction features in situ protection and activation of an α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid by a hydrosilane. The copper enolate formed in situ reacts with an alkyl aryl ketone to afford the β-hydroxy carboxylic acid with excellent enantioselectivity (up to 99 % ee). The corresponding gram-scale reaction with a low catalyst loading and the derivatization of the β-hydroxy carboxylic acids highlight the practicality of this transformation.     

Palladium‐catalyzed decarboxylative coupling of α,β‐unsaturated carboxylic acids with aryl tosylates

We report a general method for selective cross‐coupling of α,β‐unsaturated carboxylic acids with aryl tosylates enabled by versatile Pd(II) complexes. This method features the general cross‐coupling of ubiquitous α,β‐unsaturated carboxylic acids by decarboxylation. The transformation is characterized by its operational simplicity, the use of inexpensive, air‐stable Pd(II) catalysts, scalability and wide substrate scope. The reaction proceeds with high trans selectivity to furnish valuable (E)‐1,2‐diarylethenes.     

Enantioselective Rhodium‐Catalyzed Atom‐Economical Macrolactonization

A highly attractive route toward macrolactones, which form the cyclic scaffold of a multitude of diverse natural compounds, is described. Although many chemical approaches to this structural motif have been explored, an asymmetric variant of the cyclization is unprecedented. Herein we present an enantioselective macrolactonization through an intramolecular atom‐economical rhodium‐catalyzed coupling of ω‐allenyl‐substituted carboxylic acids. The use of a modified diop ligand, chiral DTBM‐diop, led to high enantioselectivity (up to 93 % ee). The reaction tolerated a large variety of functionalities, including α,β‐unsaturated carboxylic acids and depsipeptides, and provided the desired macrocycles with very high enantio‐ and diastereoselectivity.     

Synthesis and cyclization reactions of 2-amino-3-[(methoxy-carbonyl)methylsulfonyl]pyrroles and thiophene

The title aminopyrroles and thiophene have been prepared by condensation of methyl (cyanomethyl-sulfonyl)acetate with various α-amino ketones or 2-mercaptoacetaldehyde, respectively. Subsequent cyclization of these compounds by reaction between the amine and activated methylene has led to various ester-substituted thiazine- and thiadiazine-based bicyclic derivatives. In addition, cyclization of the title compounds by intramolecular coupling of the amine and ester has led to the analogous bicyclic thiazin-3(2H)-ones. Attempted hydrolysis of the ester-substituted bicyclics to the corresponding carboxylic acids was unsuccessful.     

SYNTHESIS OF SOME NEW 1,2,4-TRIAZOLO[3,4-b]-THIADIAZOLE DERIVATIVES AS POSSIBLE ANTICANCER AGENTS

3-Substituted-4-amino-5-mercapto-1,2,4-triazoles are versatile synthons for constructing various biologically active heterocycles. Their cyclization with carboxylic acids gives fused five-membered derivatives, whereas with α-bromoketones gives a six-membered heterocycle. In this article we report the synthesis of a series of 1,2,4-triazolo[3,4-b]thiadiazoles 5 starting from 4-amino-3-substituted-5-mercapto-1,2,4-triazoles 3 and fluorobenzoic acids 4 using phosphorous oxychloride as cyclizing agent. Fourteen of the newly synthesized compounds were screened for anticancer properties. Four among them showed in vitro anticancer activity.     

Oxidative decarboxylation of α-keto carboxylic acids by carbonyl oxides

Photosensitized oxygenation of α-keto carboxylic acids in the presence of diazo compounds afforded the corresponding carboxylic acids and carbon dioxide in high yields; oxidative decarboxylation by carbonyl oxides occurred.     

Electrophilic asymmetric syntheses of α-hydroxy carboxylic acids

Asymmetric electrophilic synthesis of α-hydroxy carboxylic acids from chiral amide derivatives of tert-butyl- and trialkylsilyl- protected glycolic and lactic acids are described which lead to chiral α-hydroxy carboxylic acids in 60–95% diastereomic excess.     

Combined Transition‐Metal‐ and Organocatalysis: An Atom Economic C3 Homologation of Alkenes to Carbonyl and Carboxylic Compounds

A combination of regioselective room‐temperature/ambient‐pressure hydroformylation (transition‐metal catalysis) and decarboxylative Knoevenagel reactions (organocatalysis) allowed for the development of an efficient, one‐pot C3 homologation of terminal alkenes to (E)‐α,β‐unsaturated acids and esters, (E)‐β,γ‐unsaturated acids, (E)‐α‐cyano acrylic acids, and α,β‐unsaturated nitriles. All reactions proceed under mild conditions, tolerate a variety of functional groups, and furnish unsaturated carbonyl compounds in good yields and with excellent regio‐ and stereocontrol. Further, an iterative C2 homologation of (E)‐α,β‐unsaturated carboxylic acids is possible through a combination of decarboxylative hydroformylation employing a supramolecular catalyst followed by decarboxylative Knoevenagel condensation with an organocatalyst.     

Carbon-13 n.m.r. spectra of branched carboxylic acids and their derivatives

¹³C n.m.r. spectra have been measured for 39 compounds with branched structures including carboxylic acids, their methyl and ethyl esters, nitriles and chlorinated esters. The results obtained indicate that the ¹³ C n.m.r. technique is applicable to structure assignment of acids and their derivatives containing various numbers of substituents on the chain. The dependence of the carboxylic carbon chemical shift on the number and structure of α-positioned substituents has been determined. Calculation of the chemical shifts for branched carboxylic acids, esters and nitriles from the corresponding increments using the additivity scheme is shown to be possible in principle.