Alkylation Reactions at the Benzo Moiety of 2,4‐Dimethoxy‐3‐(phenylsulfonyl)benzo[a]heptalenes – Model Compounds of Colchicinoids

Alkylation reactions of 3‐(X‐sulfonyl)benzo[a]heptalene‐2,4‐diols (X=Ph, morpholin‐4‐yl) and their dimethyl ethers were studied. The diols form with K₂CO₃/MeI in aqueous media the 1‐methylated benzoheptalenes, but in yields not surpassing 20% (Table 1). On the other hand, 2,4‐dimethoxybenzo[a]heptalenes can easily be lithiated at C(3) with BuLi and then treated with alkyl iodides to give the 3‐alkylated forms in good yield (Table 2). Surprising is the reaction with two equiv. or more of t‐BuLi since the alkylation at C(4) is accompanied by the reductive elimination of the X‐sulfonyl group at C(3) (Table 3). Most exciting is also the course of 2,4‐dimethoxy‐3‐(phenylsulfonyl)benzo[a]heptalenes in the presence of an excess of MeLi. After the expected exchange of MeO against Me at C(4) (Scheme 6), rearrangement takes place under formation of 4‐benzyl‐2‐methoxybenzo[a]heptalenes and concomitant loss of the sulfonyl group at C(3) (Table 4). In the case of X=morpholin‐4‐yl, rearrangement cannot occur. However, the intermediate benzyl anions of Type E (Scheme 8) react easily with O₂ of the air to build up corresponding benzo[a]heptalene‐4‐methanols (Table 6).     

Studies for a Variable Synthesis of Colchicinoids: Construction of Ring A on a Heptalene Moiety

It is shown that heptalene‐4,5‐dicarboxylates 2 , which react with lithiated methyl sulfones mainly in a Michael fashion at C(3) (cf. Scheme 2), so that the formation of 3‐sulfonylbenzo[a]heptalene‐2,4‐diols 5 is repressed or completely suppressed, can be transformed into corresponding pseudo‐esters 15 (Scheme 4). These pseudo‐esters, on treatment with lithiated methyl sulfones, followed by addition of BuLi, furnish the 3‐sulfonylbenzo[a]heptalene‐2,4‐diols 5 in excellent‐to‐moderate yields without formation of Michael adducts or their follow‐up products (cf. Scheme 5 and 6). The reaction of the pseudo‐ester 15a with Li[¹³C]H₂SO₂Ph, followed by treatment with non‐labeled LiCH₂SO₂Ph and then BuLi, led to the exclusive formation of 3‐(phenylsulfonyl)‐[1‐¹³C]benzo[a]heptalene‐2,4‐diol 5a* (Scheme 9). This experiment demonstrates that the (phenylsulfonyl)acetyl groups at C(4) and C(5) of the heptalene core retain their individual positions in the course of the benzo[a]heptalene‐2,4‐diol formation. These findings are only compatible with an intramolecular rearrangement mechanism as depicted in Scheme 10.     

Reductive Elimination of Phenylsulfonyl Groups in the 3‐Position of Benzo[a]heptalene‐2,4‐diols

3‐(Phenylsulfonyl)benzo[a]heptalene‐2,4‐diols 1 can be desulfonylated with an excess of LiAlH₄/MeLi?LiBr in boiling THF in good yields (Scheme 6). When the reaction is run with LiAlH₄/MeLi, mainly the 3,3′‐disulfides 6 of the corresponding 2,4‐dihydroxybenzo[a]heptalene‐3‐thiols are formed after workup (Scheme 7). However, the best yields of desulfonylated products are obtained when the 2,4‐dimethoxy‐substituted benzo[a]heptalenes 2 are reduced with an excess of LiAlH₄/TiCl₄ at ?78→20° in THF (Scheme 10). Attempts to substitute the PhSO₂ group of 2 with freshly prepared MeONa in boiling THF led to a highly selective ether cleavage of the 4‐MeO group, rather than to desulfonylation (Scheme 13).     

Benzo[a]heptalenes from Heptaleno[1,2‐c]furans. Part I

It is shown that heptaleno[1,2‐c]furans 1 , which are available in two steps from heptalene‐4,5‐dicarboxylates by reduction and oxidative dehydrogenation of the corresponding vicinal dimethanols 2 with MnO₂ or IBX (Scheme 4), react thermally in a Diels–Alder‐type [4+2] cycloaddition at the furan ring with a number of electron‐deficient dipolarophiles to yield the corresponding 1,4‐epoxybenzo[d]heptalenes (cf. Schemes 6, 15, 17, and 19). The thermal reaction between dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate (ADM) and 1 leads, kinetically controlled, via a sterically less‐congested transition state (Fig. 4) to the formation of the (M*)‐configured 1,4‐dihydro‐1,4‐epoxybenzo[a]heptalenes, which undergo a cyclic double‐bond shift to the energetically more‐relaxed benzo[d]heptalenes 4 (Schemes 6 and 7). Most of the latter ones exhibit under thermal conditions epimerization at the axis of chirality, so that the (M*)‐ and (P*)‐stereoisomers are found in reaction mixtures. The (P*)‐configured forms of 4 are favored in thermal equilibration experiments, in agreement with AM1 calculations (Table 1). The relative (P*,1S*,4R*)‐ and (M*,1S*,4R*)‐configuration of the crystalline main stereoisomers of the benzo[d]heptalene‐2,3‐dicarboxylates 4a and 4f , respectively, was unequivocally established by an X‐ray crystal‐structure determination (Figs. 1 and 2). Acid‐induced rearrangement of 4 led to the formation of the corresponding 4‐hydroxybenzo[a]heptalene‐2,3‐dicarboxylates 5 in moderate‐to‐good yields (Schemes 8, 13, and 14). When the aromatization reaction is performed in the presence of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), trifluoroacetates of type 6 and 13 (Schemes 8, 12, and 13) are also formed via deprotonation of the intermediate tropylium ions of type 7 (Scheme 11). Thermal reaction of 1 with dimethyl maleate gave the 2,3‐exo‐ and 2,3‐endo‐configured dicarboxylates 14 as mixtures of their (P*)‐ and (M*)‐epimers (Scheme 15). Treatment of these forms with lithium di(isopropyl)amide (LDA) at ?70° gave the expected benzo[a]heptalene‐2,3‐dicarboxylates 15 in good yields (Scheme 16). Fumaronitrile reacted thermally also with 1 to the corresponding 2‐exo,3‐endo‐ and 2‐endo,3‐exo‐configured adducts 17 , again as mixtures of their (P*)‐ and (M*)‐epimers (Scheme 17), which smoothly rearranged on heating in dimethoxyethane (DME) in the presence of Cs₂CO₃ to the benzo[a]heptalene‐2,3‐dicarbonitriles 18 (Scheme 18). Some cursory experiments demonstrated that hex‐3‐yne‐2,5‐dione and (E)/(Z)‐hexa‐3‐ene‐2,5‐dione undergo also the Diels–Alder‐type cycloaddition reaction with 1 (Scheme 19). The mixtures of the stereoisomers of the 2,3‐diacetyl‐1,4‐epoxytetrahydrobenzo[d]heptalenes 22 gave, on treatment with Cs₂CO₃ in DME at 80°, only mixtures of the regioisomeric inner aldol products 24 and 25 of the intermediately formed benzo[a]heptalenes 23 (Scheme 20).     

Benzo[a]heptalenes from Heptaleno[1,2‐c]furans. Part 2

It is shown in this ‘Part 2’ that heptaleno[1,2‐c]furans 1 react thermally in a Diels–Alder‐type [4+2] cycloaddition at the furan ring with vinylene carbonate (VC), phenylsulfonylallene (PSA), α‐(acetyloxy)acrylonitrile (AAN), and (1Z)‐1,2‐bis(phenylsulfonyl)ethene (ZSE) to yield the corresponding 1,4‐epoxybenzo[d]heptalenes (cf. Schemes 1, 5, 6, and 8). The thermal reaction of 1a and 1b with VC at 130° and 150°, respectively, leads mainly to the 2,3‐endo‐cyclocarbonates 2,3‐endo‐ 2a and ‐ 2b and in minor amounts to the 2,3‐exo‐cyclocarbonates 2,3‐exo‐ 2a and ‐ 2b . In some cases, the (P*)‐ and (M*)‐configured epimers were isolated and characterized (Scheme 1). Base‐catalyzed cleavage of 2,3‐endo‐ 2 gave the corresponding 2,3‐diols 3 , which were further transformed via reductive cleavage of their dimesylates 4 into the benzo[a]heptalenes 5a and 5b , respectively (Scheme 2). In another reaction sequence, the 2,3‐diols 3 were converted into their cyclic carbonothioates 6 , which on treatment with (EtO)₃P gave the deoxygenated 1,4‐dihydro‐1,4‐epoxybenzo[d]heptalenes 7 . These were rearranged by acid catalysis into the benzo[a]heptalen‐4‐ols 8a and 8b , respectively (Scheme 2). Cyclocarbonate 2,3‐endo‐ 2b reacted with lithium diisopropylamide (LDA) at ?70° under regioselective ring opening to the 3‐hydroxy‐substituted benzo[d]heptalen‐2‐yl carbamate 2,3‐endo‐ 9b (Scheme 3). The latter was O‐methylated to 2,3‐endo‐(P*)‐ 10b . The further way, to get finally the benzo[a]heptalene 13b with MeO groups in 1,2,3‐position, could not be realized due to the fact that we found no way to cleave the carbamate group of 2,3‐endo‐(P*)‐ 10b without touching its 1,4‐epoxy bridge (Scheme 3). The reaction of 1a with PSA in toluene at 120° was successful, in a way that we found regioisomeric as well as epimeric cycloadducts (Scheme 5). Unfortunately, the attempts to rearrange the products under strong‐base catalysis as it had been shown successfully with other furan–PSA adducts were unsuccessful (Scheme 4). The thermal cycloaddition reaction of 1a and 1b with AAN yielded again regioisomeric and epimeric adducts, which could easily be transformed into the corresponding 2‐ and 3‐oxo products (Scheme 6). Only the latter ones could be rearranged with Ac₂O/H₂SO₄ into the corresponding benzo[a]heptalene‐3,4‐diol diacetates 20a and 20b , respectively, or with trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate (TfOSiMe₃/Et₃N), followed by treatment with NH₄Cl/H₂O, into the corresponding benzo[a]heptalen‐3,4‐diols 21a and 21b (Scheme 7). The thermal cycloaddition reaction of 1 with ZSE in toluene gave the cycloadducts 2,3‐exo‐ 22a and ‐ 22b as well as 2‐exo,3‐endo‐ 22c in high yields (Scheme 8). All three adducts eliminated, by treatment with base, benzenesulfinic acid and yielded the corresponding 3‐(phenylsulfonyl)‐1,4‐epoxybenzo[d]heptalenes 25 . The latter turned out to be excellent Michael acceptors for H₂O₂ in basic media (Scheme 9). The Michael adducts lost H₂O on treatment with Ac₂O in pyridine and gave the 3‐(phenylsulfonyl)benzo[d]heptalen‐2‐ones 28a and 3‐exo‐ 28b , respectively. Rearrangement of these compounds in the presence of Ac₂O/AcONa lead to the formation of the corresponding 3‐(phenylsulfonyl)benzo[a]heptalene‐1,2‐diol diacetates 30a and 30b , which on treatment with MeONa/MeI gave the corresponding MeO‐substituted compounds 31a and 31b . The reductive elimination of the PhSO₂ group led finally to the 1,2‐dimethoxybenzo[a]heptalenes 32a and 32b . Deprotonation experiments of 32a with t‐BuLi/N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethylethane‐1,2‐diamine (tmeda) and quenching with D₂O showed that the most acid C? H bond is H? C(3) (Scheme 9). Some of the new structures were established by X‐ray crystal‐diffraction analyses (cf. Figs. 1, 3, 4, and 5). Moreover, nine of the new benzo[a]heptalenes were resolved on an anal. Chiralcel OD‐H column, and their CD spectra were measured (cf. Figs. 8 and 9). As a result, the 1,2‐dimethoxybenzo[a]heptalenes 32a and 32b showed unexpectedly new Cotton‐effect bands just below 300 nm, which were assigned to chiral exciton coupling between the heptalene and benzo part of the structurally highly twisted compounds. The PhSO₂‐substituted benzo[a]heptalenes 30b and 31b showed, in addition, a further pair of Cotton‐effect bands in the range of 275–245 nm, due to chiral exciton coupling of the benzo[a]heptalene chromophore and the phenylsulfonyl chromophore (cf. Fig. 10).     

A ‘One-Pot’ Anellation Method for the Transformation of Heptalene-4,5-dicarboxylates into Benzo[a]heptalenes

It has been found that dimethyl heptalene-4,5-dicarboxylates, when treated with 4 mol-equiv. of lithiated N,N-dialkylamino methyl sulfones or methyl phenyl sulfone, followed by 4 mol-equiv. of BuLi in THF in the temperature range of ?78 to 20°, give rise to the formation of 3-[(N,N-dialkylamino)sulfonyl]- or 3-(phenylsul-fonyl)benzo[a]heptalene-2,4-diols of. (cf. Scheme 4, and Tables 2 and 3). Accompanying products are 2,4-bis{[(N,N-dialkylamino)sulfonyl]methyl}- or 2,4-bis[(phenylsulfonyl)methyl]-4,10a-dihydro-3H-heptaleno[1,10-bc]furan-3-carboxylates as mixtures of diastereoisomers of. cf. Scheme 4, and (Tables 2 and 3) which are the result of a Michael addition reaction of the lithiated methyl sulfones at C(3) of the heptalene-4,5-dicarboxylates, followed by (sulfonyl)methylation of the methoxycarbonyl group at C(5) and cyclization of. (cf. Scheme 5). It is assumed that the benzo[a]heptalene formation is due to (sulfonyl)methylation of both methoxycarbonyl groups of the heptalene-4,5-dicarboxylates of. (cf. Schemes 6 and 8). The resulting bis-enolates 35 are deprotonated further. The thus formed tris-anions 36 can then cyclize to corresponding tris-anions 37 of cyclopenta[d]heptalenes which, after loss of N,N-dialkylamido sulfite or phenyl sulfinate, undergo a ring-enlargement reaction by 1,2-C migration finally leading to the observed benzo[a]heptalenes of. (cf. Schemes 8 and 9). The structures of the new product types have been finally established by X-ray crystal-structure analyses (cf. Figs. 1 and 2 as well as Exper. Part).     

A New Alkylation Method for Heptalene‐4,5‐dicarboxylates and of One of Their Pseudoester Forms

Dimethyl heptalene‐4,5‐dicarboxylates

1 The locants of heptalene itself are maintained throughout the whole work. See footnote 4 in [1] for reasoning.

undergo preferentially a Michael addition reaction at C(3) with α‐lithiated alkyl phenyl sulfones at temperatures below ?50°, leading to corresponding cis‐configured 3,4‐dihydroheptalene‐4,5‐dicarboxylates (cf. Table 1, Schemes 3 and 4). The corresponding heptalenofuran‐1‐one‐type pseudoesters of dimethyl heptalene‐4,5‐dicarboxylates (Scheme 5) react with [(phenylsulfonyl)methyl]lithium almost exclusively at C(1) of the furanone group (Scheme 6). In contrast to this expected behavior, the uptake of 1‐[phenylsulfonyl)ethyl]lithium occurs at C(5) of the heptalenofuran‐1‐ones as long as they carry a Me group at C(11) (Schemes 6 and 7). The 1,4‐ as well as the 1,6‐addition products eliminate, on treatment with MeONa/MeOH in THF, benzenesulfinate, thus leading to 3‐ and 4‐alkylated dimethyl heptalene‐4,5‐dicarboxylates, respectively (Schemes 8–13). The configuration of the addition reaction of the nucleophiles to the inherently chiral heptalenes is discussed in detail (cf. Schemes 14–19) on the basis of a number of X‐ray crystal‐structure determinations as well as by studies of the temperature‐dependence of the ¹H‐NMR spectra of the addition products.     

Formation of 6‐Methyl‐7,11‐diphenylheptaleno[1,2‐c]furanones

The dehydrogenation reaction of a mixture of heptalene‐1,2‐ and heptalene‐4,5‐dimethanols 4a and 4b with basic MnO₂ in AcOEt at room temperature led to the formation of the corresponding heptaleno[1,2‐c]furan‐1‐one 6a and heptaleno[1,2‐c]furan‐3‐one 7a (Scheme 2). Both products can be isolated by chromatography on silica gel. The methylenation of the furan‐3‐one 7a with 1 mol‐equiv. of Tebbe's reagent at ?25 to ?30° afforded the 2‐isopropenyl‐5‐methylheptalene‐1‐methanol 9a , instead of the expected 3,6‐dimethylheptaleno[1,2‐c]furan 8 (Scheme 3). Also, the treatment of 7a with Takai's reagent did not lead to the formation of 8 . On standing in solution at room temperature, or more rapidly on heating at 60°, heptalene 9a undergoes a reversible double‐bond shift (DBS) to 9b with an equilibrium ratio of 1 : 1.     

Reactions of Imidoyl Isoselenocyanates with Aromatic 2‐Amino N‐Heterocycles and 1‐Methyl‐1H‐imidazole

The reaction of N‐phenylimidoyl isoselenocyanates 1 with 2‐amino‐1,3‐thiazoles 10 in acetone proceeded smoothly at room temperature to give 4H‐1,3‐thiazolo[3,2‐a] [1,3,5]triazine‐4‐selones 13 in fair yields (Scheme 2). Under the same conditions, 1 and 2‐amino‐3‐methylpyridine ( 11 ) underwent an addition reaction, followed by a spontaneous oxidation, to yield the 3H‐4λ⁴‐[1,2,4]selenadiazolo[1′,5′:1,5] [1,2,4]selenadiazolo[2,3‐a]pyridine 14 (Scheme 3). The structure of 14 was established by X‐ray crystallography (Fig. 1). Finally, the reaction of 1‐methyl‐1H‐imidazole ( 12 ) and 1 led to 3‐methyl‐1‐(N‐phenylbenzimidoyl)‐1H‐imidazolium selenocyanates 15 (Scheme 4). In all three cases, an initially formed selenourea derivative is proposed as an intermediate.     

New Synthetic Approach to Naphtho[1,2‐b]furan and 4′‐Oxo‐Substituted Spiro[cyclopropane‐1,1′(4′H)‐naphthalene] Derivatives

A one‐step synthesis of ethyl 2,3‐dihydronaphtho[1,2‐b]furan‐2‐carboxylate and/or ethyl 4′‐oxospiro[cyclopropane‐1,1′(4′H)‐naphthalene]‐2′‐carboxylate derivatives 2 and 3 , respectively, from substituted naphthalen‐1‐ols and ethyl 2,3‐dibromopropanoate is described (Scheme 1). Compounds 2 were easily aromatized (Scheme 2). In the same way, 3,4‐dibromobutan‐2‐one afforded the corresponding 1‐(2,3‐dihydronaphtho[1,2‐b]furan‐2‐yl)ethanone and/or spiro derivatives 8 and 9 , respectively (Scheme 6). A mechanism for the formation of the dihydronaphtho[1,2‐b]furan ring and of the spiro compounds 3 is proposed (Schemes 3 and 4). The structures of spiro compounds 3a and 3f were established by X‐ray structural analysis. The reactivity of compound 3a was also briefly examined (Scheme 9).     

Synthesis and Reactivity of π‐Electron‐Deficient (Arylsulfonyl)acetates

Different π‐electron‐deficient (arylsulfonyl)acetates 9 were synthesized (Scheme 1, Table 1), and their behavior as soft nucleophiles in the dialkylation reaction under phase‐transfer catalysis conditions was studied (Schemes 2 and 3, Tables 2 and 3). The [3,5‐bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]sulfonyl group was shown to be the best substituent for the stereoselective synthesis of (E)‐aconitates 18 via an alkylation hydro‐sulfonyl‐elimination integrated process under very mild phase‐transfer‐catalysis conditions (Scheme 5, Table 4). Sulfonylacetates 9h , i also underwent smooth Diels‐Alder reactions with acyclic and cyclic dienes via in situ formation of the appropriate dienophile through a Knoevenagel condensation with paraformaldehyde (Scheme 6). Reductive desulfonylation with Zn and NH₄Cl in THF was shown to be an efficient method for removal of the synthetically useful sulfonyl moiety (Scheme 7).     

Synthesis of Substituted Pyrrolo[3,4‐a]carbazoles

The cycloaddition between N‐protected 3‐{1‐[(trimethylsilyl)oxy]ethenyl}‐1H‐indoles and substituted maleimides (= 1H‐pyrrole‐2,5‐diones) yielded substituted pyrrolo[3,4‐a]carbazole derivatives bearing an additional succinimide (= pyrrolidine‐2,5‐dione) moiety either at C(5a) or C(10b) depending on the type of the protection group at the indole N‐atom. Derivatives substituted at C(10b) were isolated when the protection group, Me₃Si or Boc (^tBuOCO), was eliminated during the reaction (Schemes 2 and 3), whereas a substitution at C(5a) was observed when an electron‐withdrawing group, Tos (4‐MeC₆H₄SO₂) or pivaloyl (Me₃CCO), was not eliminated (Scheme 1). Complex results were found in reactions between 1‐(trimethylsilyl)‐3‐{1‐[(trimethylsilyl)oxy]ethenyl}‐1H‐indole, in contrast to formerly reported results (Scheme 3). Some derivatives of 1H,5H‐[1,2,4]triazolo[1′,2 : 1,2]pyridazino[3,4‐b]indole‐1,3(2H)‐dione were obtained from reactions with 4‐phenyl‐3H‐1,2,4‐triazole‐3,5(4H)‐dione (Scheme 2). All structures were established by spectroscopic data, by calculations, and one representative structure was confirmed by an X‐ray crystallographic analysis (Fig.). Finally, the formation of the different structure types was discussed, and compared with similar reactions reported in the literature.     

New Routes to Fused Isoquinolines

Treatment of 6,7‐diethoxy‐3,4‐dihydroisoquinoline ( 8 ) and its 1‐methyl derivative 12 with hydrazonoyl halides 10 in the presence of Et₃N in THF under reflux afforded the corresponding 5,6‐dihydro‐1,2,4‐triazolo[3,4‐a]isoquinolines 11 and 13 , respectively, in high yield (Schemes 2 and 3). The products are formed via regioselective 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition of the intermediate nitrilimines 9 with the isoquinoline C=N bond. Reaction of 6,7‐diethoxy‐3,4‐dihydroisoquinoline‐1‐acetonitrile ( 4a ) with ethyl α‐cyanocinnamates 15 in the presence of piperidine in refluxing MeCN yielded benzo[a]quinolizin‐4‐ones 16 (Scheme 4). Under the same conditions, 12 and arylidene malononitriles 19 reacted to give benzo[a]quinolizin‐4‐imines 20 (Scheme 5). Instead of 15 and 19 , mixtures of an aromatic aldehyde, and ethyl cyanoacetate or malononitrile, respectively, can be used in a one‐pot reaction.     

Unexpected Thermal Transformation of Aryl 3‐Arylprop‐2‐ynoates: Formation of 3‐(Diarylmethylidene)‐2,3‐dihydrofuran‐2‐ones

A number of aryl 3‐arylprop‐2‐ynoates 3 has been prepared (cf. Table 1 and Schemes 3 – 5). In contrast to aryl prop‐2‐ynoates and but‐2‐ynoates, 3‐arylprop‐2‐ynoates 3 (with the exception of 3b ) do not undergo, by flash vacuum pyrolysis (FVP), rearrangement to corresponding cyclohepta[b]furan‐2(2H)‐ones 2 (cf. Schemes 1 and 2). On melting, however, or in solution at temperatures >150°, the compounds 3 are converted stereospecifically to the dimers 3‐[(Z)‐diarylmethylidene]‐2,3‐dihydrofuran‐2‐ones (Z)‐ 11 and the cyclic anhydrides 12 of 1,4‐diarylnaphthalene‐2,3‐dicarboxylic acids, which also represent dimers of 3 , formed by loss of one molecule of the corresponding phenol from the aryloxy part (cf. Scheme 6). Small amounts of diaryl naphthalene‐2,3‐dicarboxylates 13 accompanied the product types (Z)‐ 11 and 12 , when the thermal transformation of 3 was performed in the molten state or at high concentration of 3 in solution (cf. Tables 2 and 4). The structure of the dihydrofuranone (Z)‐ 11c was established by an X‐ray crystal‐structure analysis (Fig. 1). The structures of the dihydrofuranones 11 and the cyclic anhydrides 12 indicate that the 3‐arylprop‐2‐ynoates 3 , on heating, must undergo an aryl O→C(3) migration leading to a reactive intermediate, which attacks a second molecule of 3 , finally under formation of (Z)‐ 11 or 12 . Formation of the diaryl dicarboxylates 13 , on the other hand, are the result of the well‐known thermal Diels‐Alder‐type dimerization of 3 without rearrangement (cf. Scheme 7). At low concentration of 3 in decalin, the decrease of 3 follows up to ca. 20% conversion first‐order kinetics (cf. Table 5), which is in agreement with a monomolecular rearrangement of 3 . Moreover, heating the highly reactive 2,4,6‐trimethylphenyl 3‐(4‐nitrophenyl)prop‐2‐ynonate ( 3f ) in the presence of a twofold molar amount of the much less reactive phenyl 3‐(4‐nitrophenyl)prop‐2‐ynonate ( 3g ) led, beside (Z)‐ 11f , to the cross products (Z)‐ 11fg , and, due to subsequent thermal isomerization, (E)‐ 11fg (cf. Scheme 10), the structures of which indicated that they were composed, as expected, of rearranged 3f and structurally unaltered 3g . Finally, thermal transposition of [¹⁷O]‐ 3i with the ¹⁷O‐label at the aryloxy group gave (Z)‐ and (E)‐[¹⁷O₂]‐ 11i with the ¹⁷O‐label of rearranged [¹⁷O]‐ 3i specifically at the oxo group of the two isomeric dihydrofuranones (cf. Scheme 8), indicating a highly ordered cyclic transition state of the aryl O→C(3) migration (cf. Scheme 9).     

Synthesis of pyrazolo[1,5‐a]‐, 1,2,4‐triazolo[1,5‐a]‐ and imidazo[1,2‐a]pyrimidines related to zaleplon,a new drug for the treatment of insomnia

This paper describes the preparation of some pyrazolo[1,5‐a]‐, 1,2,4‐triazolo[1,5‐a]‐ and imidazo[1,2‐a]‐pyrimidines substituted on the pyrimidine moiety by a 4‐[(N‐acetyl‐N‐ethyl)amino]phenyl group. A new synthesis of related benzo[h]pyrazolo[1,5‐a]‐, benzo[h]pyrazolo[5,1‐b]‐ and benzo[h]1,2,4‐triazolo[1,5‐a]‐quinazolines is also reported.     

Synthesis of Benzo[a]heptalenes via Benzanellation–Aromatization Sequence

A novel approach towards the synthesis of functionalized benzo[a]heptalenes 9 and 10 via a 6π‐electrocyclic ring closure – aromatization sequence of corresponding bis[prop‐2‐enoates] 5 and 6 has been developed (Scheme 1). The starting bis[prop‐2‐enoates] have been prepared from the corresponding dialdehydes 3a and 4a in a Wittig‐Horner reaction, and their UV/VIS properties have also been investigated (Fig. 1 and Table 1). The dehydrogenations of the corresponding diols 1 and 2 to dialdehydes with a number of oxidizing reagents, including MnO₂ in CH₂Cl₂, tetrapropylammonium perruthenate (TPAP), and activated DMSO, have been studied in detail.     

From Colchicine and Some of Its Derivatives to 1,2,3,9,10-Pentamethoxybenzo[a]heptalenes

A two-step synthesis of 4-methylcolchicine ( 13 ), starting from colchicine ( 2 ), has been developed (Scheme 5). In three steps, 4-ethylcolchicine ( 28 ) is also accessible from 2 (Scheme 8). Colchicine ( 2 ) and its derivatives 13 and 28 have been transformed into the benzo[a]heptalene derivatives 9 , 18 , and 34 , respectively, by Hofmann degradation of the corresponding deacetylcolchiceine 3, 19 , and 29 , respectively, followed by methylation of the two O-functions first with diazomethane and then with trimethoxonium tetrafluoroborate (Scheme 2 and 6). The thus formed tropylium salts gave, on deprotonation with Me₃N in CHCl₃, the expected pentamethoxybenzo[a]heptalenes 9, 18 , and 34 , respectively. X-Ray crystal-structure analysis of 9 (Fig.3) and 18 (Fig. 7), determination of the vicinal coupling constants of the H-atoms at the heptalene skeleton as well as the measurement of the racemization rate of the new benzo[a]heptalenes revealed a marked influence of the substituent at C(4) on the degree of twisting of the heptalene skeleton. The absolute configuration of the resolved heptalenes was deduced from their long-wavelength CD maxima around 350 nm. The heptalenes with a negative maximum in this range possess (7aP)-configuration.     

Reactions of alkyl (z)‐2‐[(E)‐2‐ethoxycarbonyl‐2‐(2‐pyridinyl)‐ethenyl]amino‐3‐dimethylaminopropenoates with C‐ and N‐nucleophiles. the synthesis of fused pyranones,pyridinones and pyrimidinones

Alkyl 2‐[2‐ethoxycarbonyl‐2‐(2‐pyridinyl)ethenyl]amino‐3‐dimethylaminopropenoates 3 and 4 were transformed with C‐and N‐nucleophiles into β‐heteroaryl‐α,β‐didehydro‐α‐amino acid derivatives 13 ‐ 16 , substituted 3‐amino‐4H‐quinolizin‐4‐one 17, 2H,5H‐benzo[b]pyran‐2,5‐dione 18 and 19 , 2H,5H‐pyrano[4,3‐b]pyran‐2,5‐dione 20 , 2H,5H‐pyrano[3,2‐c]benzo[b]pyran‐2,5‐dione 21 , 2H‐1‐benzopyran‐2‐one 22 and 24 , pyrido[l,2‐a]pyrimidin‐4‐one 31–34 and 39 derivatives, and N‐heteroaryl‐1H‐imidazole‐4‐carboxylates 37 and 38 .     

Synthesis and Reactivity of 2‐(6,7‐Diethoxy‐3,4‐dihydroisoquinolin‐ 1‐yl)acetonitrile towards Hydrazonoyl Halides

The synthesis of 2‐(6,7‐diethoxy‐3,4‐dihydroisoquinolin‐1‐yl)acetonitrile ( 1 ) has been performed by ring closure of the corresponding amide according to the Bischler‐Napieralski method (Scheme 1). Based on spectroscopic data, the tautomeric 2‐(tetrahydroisoquinolin‐1‐ylidene)acetonitrile is the actual compound. The reactions of 1 with α‐oxohydrazonoyl halides 4 in the presence of Et₃N led to 2‐(aryldiazenyl)pyrrolo[2,1‐a]isoquinoline derivatives 8 (Scheme 2), whereas with C‐(ethoxycarbonyl)hydrazonoyl chlorides 14 , 2‐(arylhydrazono)pyrrolo[2,1‐a]isoquinoline‐1‐carbonitriles 16 were formed (Scheme 4). The structures of the products were established from their analytical and spectroscopic data and, in the case of 8b , by X‐ray crystallography.     

New Products from the Heptalene‐Forming Reaction of Azulenes and Acetylenedicarboxylates in Polar Media

A number of azulenes 1 , in particular those with π‐substituents at C(6) such as phenyl, 3,5‐dimethylphenyl, and 4‐biphenyl, have been reacted with 3 mol‐equiv. of dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate (ADM) in MeCN at 110° (cf. Scheme 1). Main products had been, in all cases, the corresponding heptalene‐4,5‐dicarboxylates 2 . However, a whole number of side products, mainly rearranged (1+2)‐adducts with two molecules of ADM, in amounts of 0.2–9% were also isolated and characterized (cf. Scheme 2). The 2a,8a‐dihydro‐3,4‐ethenoazulene‐1,2‐dicarboxylates 14 , formed by energetically favorable ring closure from the solvent‐stabilized zwitterions 15 , resulting from bond heterolysis in the primary cycloadducts 12 (cf. Scheme 3), have been mechanistically identified as the pivotal intermediates responsible for the formation of all side product (cf. Schemes 5, 9, 12, and 13). Deuterium‐labeling experiments were in agreement with the proposed mechanisms, indicating that sigmatropic [1,5s]‐H shifts in 14 (cf. Scheme 6) as well as isoconjugate [1,4s]‐H shifts in resonance‐stabilized zwitterions of type 21 (cf. Scheme 9) are the crucial steps for side‐product formation. It is postulated that a concluding antarafacial 8e‐dyotropic rearrangement is responsible for the appearance of the 2,4a‐dihydrophenanthrene‐tetracarboxylates of type trans‐ 6 (cf. Scheme 9) in the reaction mixtures, which further rearrange thermally by a not fully understood mechanism into the isomeric tetracarboxylates 7 (cf. Schemes 10 and 11). Most surprising is the presence of a small amount (0.3–1%) of the azulene‐4,5,7,8‐tetracarboxylate 9 in the reaction mixture of azulene 1a and ADM. It is proposed that the formation of 9 is the result of a [1,5s]‐C shift in the spiro‐linked intermediates 24 , which, after prototropic shift and take‐up of a third molecule of ADM, disintegrate by a retro‐Diels‐Alder reaction into 9 and the phthalic diesters 30 (cf. Scheme 12). The UV/VIS spectra of the π‐substituted heptalene‐4,5‐dicarboxylates 2d – 2f and their double‐bond shifted (DBS) forms 2d – 2f (cf. Table 4 and Figs. 9–12) exhibit in comparison with the heptalene‐dicarboxylates 2a and 2′a , carrying a t‐Bu group at C(8), only marginal differences, which are mainly found in the relative intensity and position of heptalene bands II and III .