Diastereoselective synthesis of linear‐fused tricyclic nitrogen heterocycles by a tandem reduction‐reductive amination reaction

A two‐step diastereoselective synthesis of linear‐fused tricyclic nitrogen heterocycles has been developed from cyclic β‐ketoesters. The cyclization substrates are readily prepared by alkylation of the methyl 2‐oxo‐cycloalkanecarboxylates with 2‐nitrobenzyl bromide. Hydrogenation of these substrates initiates a reaction sequence involving (1) reduction of the aromatic nitro group, (2) condensation of the resulting hydroxyl‐amine or aniline nitrogen with the cycloalkanone and (3) reduction of the imine. The products are isolated in high yield as single diastereomers having the trans‐fused ring junction. The observed selectivity is rationalized in terms of a steric effect imposed by the ester group in the final reductive amination step which directs the incoming hydrogen to the opposite face of the molecule. By comparison, reductive cyclizations of substrates lacking the stereodirecting ester group give mixtures of cis and trans products with a preference for the cis‐fused heterocycle.     

Diastereoselective synthesis of substituted 2,3,4,5‐tetrahydro‐1H‐1‐benzazepine‐5‐carboxylic esters by a tandem reduction‐reductive animation reaction

An efficient, diastereoselective synthesis of substituted and unsubstituted 2,3,4,5‐tetrahydro‐1H‐1‐benzazepine‐5‐carboxylic esters has been developed based on the tandem reduction‐reductive amination reac tion. Catalytic hydrogenation of a series of 2‐(2‐nitrophenyl)‐5‐oxoalkanoic esters initiates a reaction sequence involving (1) reduction of the aromatic nitro group, (2) condensation of the N‐hydroxylamino (or amino) nitrogen with the side chain carbonyl, and (3) reduction of the seven‐membered cyclic imine. Cyclizations that produce 2‐alkyl‐2,3,4,5‐tetrahydro‐1H‐1‐benzazepine‐5‐carboxylic esters are diastereose lective for the product having the C2 alkyl and the C5 ester groups cis. In these reactions, the transannular ester group exerts a strong stereodirecting effect on the reduction of the cyclic imine intermediate, though not as strong as that observed in previous closures of 2‐alkyl‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroquinoline‐4‐carboxylic esters. This decrease in diastereoselectivity is attributed to (1) the greater distance between the ester and the imine double bond and (2) the increased conformational mobility of the larger ring, both of which diminish the stereodirecting effect of the ester. Finally, formation of the seven‐membered ring is sufficiently slow that reaction with the side chain ester group competes with heterocycle formation in several of the reactions.     

O‐Benzyl‐N‐tert‐butoxy­carbonyl‐N‐methyl‐l‐tyrosine

The crystal structure of the title compound, alternatively called 3‐[4‐(benzyl­oxy)­phenyl]‐2‐(N‐tert‐butoxy­car­bonyl‐N‐methyl­amino)­propi­onic acid, C₂₂H₂₇NO₅, has been studied in order to ex­amine the role of N‐methyl­ation as a determinant of peptide conformation. The conformation of the tert‐butoxy­carbonyl group is trans–trans. The side chain has a folded conformation and the two phenyl rings are effectively perpendicular to one another. The carboxyl­ate hydroxyl group and the urethane carbonyl group form a strong intermolecular O—H?O hydrogen bond.     

Synthesis of novel 3‐ and 5‐substituted indole‐2‐carboxamides

The preparation of several novel 3,5‐substituted‐indole‐2‐carboxamides is described. A 5‐nitro‐indole‐2‐carboxylate was elaborated to the 3‐benzhydryl ester, N‐substituted ester, and carboxylic acid intermedi ates, followed by conversion to the amide and then reduction of the 5‐nitro group to the amine. Indole‐2‐carboxamides with 3‐benzyl and 3‐phenyl substituents were prepared in four steps from either a 3‐bromo indole ester using the Suzuki reaction or from a 3‐keto substituted indole ester. N‐Alkylation of ethyl indole‐2‐carboxylate, followed by amidation and catalytic addition of 9‐hydroxyxanthene gave a 3‐xanthyl‐indole‐2‐carboxamide analog and a spiropyrrolo indole as a side product.     

Stereocontrolled Total Synthesis of (+)‐trans‐Dihydronarciclasine

A highly stereoselective and efficient total synthesis of trans‐dihydronarciclasine from a readily available chiral starting material was developed. The synthesis defines two of the five stereogenic centers of the natural product by an amino acid ester–enolate Claisen rearrangement. The other three stereogenic centers are created in a highly stereocontrolled fashion via a six‐ring vinylogous ester intermediate, which is generated from the γ,δ‐unsaturated ester functional group of the Claisen rearrangement product in an efficient three‐step sequence. This concise total synthesis exemplifies the use of a highly regioselective Friedel–Crafts‐type cyclization to form the B ring via an isocyanate intermediate derived from an N‐Boc group, which is superior to the conventional method using an imino triflate intermediate. This same N‐Boc group is employed to give high selectivity in the Claisen rearrangement earlier in the sequence.     

Synthesis and 1H and 13C NMR structural analysis of cis‐ and trans‐2‐imino‐1,3‐ and ‐3,1‐perhydrobenzoxazines and their 3‐ and 1‐N‐methyl derivatives

cis‐ and trans‐2‐imino‐1,3‐ and ‐3,1‐perhydrobenzoxazines and the N‐methyl derivatives of the latter were synthesized from the corresponding cyclic 1,3‐amino alcohol with cyanogen bromide. The configurations of the studied compounds were confirmed by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra. All trans‐fused compounds exist in biased chair–chair conformations as expected, whereas the cis‐fused 1,3‐benzoxazines attain exclusively the O‐in conformations. The cis‐fused 3,1‐benzoxazines, especially the 1‐methyl‐substituted derivatives, tend to favor the N‐out form, obviously owing to the favorable axial orientation of this N‐methyl. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Exo conformers of N‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐ and N‐(pyridin‐3‐yl)norbornene‐5,6‐dicarboximide crystals

Two isomeric pyridine‐substituted norbornenedicarboximide derivatives, namely N‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐exo‐norbornene‐5,6‐dicarboximide, (I), and N‐(pyridin‐3‐yl)‐exo‐norbornene‐5,6‐dicarboximide, (II), both C₁₄H₁₂N₂O₄, have been crystallized and their structures unequivocally determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The molecules consist of norbornene moieties fused to a dicarboximide ring substituted at the N atom by either pyridin‐2‐yl or pyridin‐3‐yl in an anti configuration with respect to the double bond, thus affording exo isomers. In both compounds, the asymmetric unit consists of two independent molecules (Z′ = 2). In compound (I), the pyridine rings of the two independent molecules adopt different conformations, i.e. syn and anti, with respect to the methylene bridge. The intermolecular contacts of (I) are dominated by C—H...O interactions. In contrast, in compound (II), the pyridine rings of both molecules have an anti conformation and the two independent molecules are linked by carbonyl–carbonyl interactions, as well as by C—H...O and C—H...N contacts.     

Direct CH Amidation of Benzoic Acids to Introduce meta‐ and para‐Amino Groups by Tandem Decarboxylation

The Ir‐catalyzed mild C?H amidation of benzoic acids with sulfonyl azides was developed to give reactions with high efficiency and functional‐group compatibility. Subsequent protodecarboxylation of ortho‐amidated benzoic acid products afforded meta‐ or para‐substituted (N‐sulfonyl)aniline derivatives, the latter being inaccessible by other C?H functionalization approaches. The decarboxylation step was compatible with the amidation conditions, enabling a convenient one‐pot, two‐step process.     

Tetrahydro‐1,5‐benzoxazepines and tetrahydro‐1H‐1,5‐benzodiazepines by a tandem reduction‐reductive amination reaction

A tandem reduction‐reductive amination reaction has been applied to the synthesis of (±)‐4‐alkyl‐2,3,4,5‐tetrahydro‐1,5‐benzoxazepines and (±)‐4‐alkyl‐1‐benzoyl‐2,3,4,5‐tetrahydro‐1H‐1,5‐benzodiazepines. The nitro aldehydes and ketones required for 1,5‐benzoxazepine ring closures were prepared by nucleophilic aromatic substitution of the alkoxides from several 3‐buten‐1‐ol derivatives with 2‐fluoro‐1‐nitrobenzene followed by ozonolysis. Precursors for the 1,5‐benzodiazepines were prepared by similar addition of N‐(3‐butenyl)benzamide anions to 2‐fluoro‐1‐nitrobenzene followed by ozonolysis. Catalytic hydrogenation of the nitro carbonyl compounds using 5% palladium‐on‐carbon in methanol then gave the target heterocycles by a tandem reduction‐reductive amination sequence. The 1,5‐benzoxazepines were isolated in high yield following chromatographic purification; the 1,5‐benzodiazepines were isolated as solids directly from the hydrogenation mixture and possessed differentiated functionality on the two nitrogen atoms.     

Stereoselective Peterson Olefinations from Bench‐Stable Reagents and N‐Phenyl Imines

The synthesis of bench‐stable α,α‐bis(trimethylsilyl)toluenes and tris(trimethylsilyl)methane is described and their use in stereoselective Peterson olefinations has been achieved with a wide substrate scope. Product stereoselectivity was poor with carbonyl electrophiles (E/Z ～1:1 to 4:1) though this was significantly improved by employing the corresponding substituted N‐benzylideneaniline (up to 99:1) as an alternative electrophile. The olefination byproduct was identified as N,N‐bis(trimethylsilyl)aniline and could be easily separated from product by aqueous acid extraction. Evidence for an autocatalytic cycle has been obtained.     

Synthesis of Furo[2,3‐d]pyridazin‐4(5H)‐one and Its N(5)‐Substituted Derivatives

We report the efficient preparation of furo[2,3‐d]pyridazin‐4(5H)‐one and its N‐substituted derivatives starting from methyl 2‐methylfuran‐3‐carboxylate. The Me group was converted to the aldehyde group, which was then condensed with hydrazine derivatives. Then, the ester functionalities were hydrolyzed to the corresponding acids, followed by treatment with SOCl₂ to give N‐substituted furopyridazinone derivatives.     

Kinetic study of oxidation of N‐(α‐methylbenzylidene) anilines by dimethyldioxirane

A kinetic study of the oxidation of substituted N‐(α‐methylbenzylidene) anilines by dimethyldioxirane was investigated using a UV/VIS spectrophotometer. Oxaziridines and nitrones were formed as intermediates, and in the excess of dimethyldioxirane corresponding carbonyl compounds, nitrosobenzene or nitrobenzene, were formed quantitatively. The kinetic data were used in the equation for the formation of oxaziridines and nitrones as an intermediate and further oxidation to the corresponding acetophenones and nitrosobenzene. Hammett ρ values were determined for compounds p‐substituted on the aromatic ring attached to the carbon atom of the imino group, and it was found that these substituents have very little effect on the oxidation reaction. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 39: 492–497, 2007     

Facile Synthesis of Nitrogen Tetradentate Ligands and Their Applications in CuI‐Catalyzed N‐Arylation and Azide–Alkyne Cycloaddition

Five new tetradentate ligands [NNNN] with benzimidazolyl‐imine or amine nitrogen donors have been synthesized in good yields under mild conditions from easily available substrates. trans‐N,N′‐bis(1‐Ethyl‐2‐benzimidazolylmethylene)cyclohexane‐1,2‐diimine is the best accelerating ligand in this series that supports the Cu^I‐catalyzed Ullmann N‐arylation and the direct three‐component azide–alkyne cycloaddition reaction to give the corresponding substituted imidazole, pyrazole, and triazole in high yields. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis of its complex with CuI reveals a novel one‐dimensional coordination polymer of the metal chain bridged alternately by the [NNNN] ligand and diiodides.     

NaBH4‐I2 mediated chemoselective reduction of γ‐lactam and thio‐γ‐lactam in presence of gem‐dicarboxylates: An easy access to 1,3‐diaryl pyrrolidines

Substituted pyrrolidine derivatives were synthesized in high yield by NaBH₄/I₂ mediated chemoselective reduction of N‐aryl‐γ‐lactam and N‐aryl‐thio‐γ‐lactam‐2,2‐dicarboxylate. With excess NaBH₄/I₂, carbonyl functionality of the ester groups remained unchanged. J. Heterocyclic Chem., (2011).     

Photochemistry of N‐(2‐Acylphenyl)‐2‐methylprop‐2‐enamides: Competition between Photocyclization and Long‐Range Hydrogen Abstraction

The photochemical reactions of various ‘N‐methacryloyl acylanilides’ (=N‐(acylphenyl)‐2‐methylprop‐2‐enamides) have been investigated. Under irradiation, the acyl‐substituted anilides 1a – 1c and 1o afforded exclusively the corresponding quinoline‐based cyclization products of type 2 (Table 1). In contrast, irradiation of the benzoyl (Bz)‐substituted anilides 1e – 1h afforded a mixture of the open‐chain amides 4e – 4h and the cyclization products 2e – 2h . Irradiation of the para‐acyl‐substituted anilides 6a – 6e and 6h afforded the corresponding quinoline‐based cyclization products of type 5 as the sole products (Table 2). The formation of the cyclization products 2a – 2c and 2o can be rationalized in terms of 6π‐electron cyclization, followed by thermal [1,5] acyl migration, and that of compounds 3p, 5a – 5e , and 5h can be explained by a 6π‐electron cyclization only. The formation of the open‐chain amides 4e – 4h probably follows a mechanism involving a 1,7‐diradical, C and a spirolactam of type D (Scheme). Long‐range ζ‐H abstraction by the excited carbonyl O‐atom of the benzoyl group on the aniline ring is expected to proceed via a nine‐membered cyclic transition state, as proposed on the basis of X‐ray crystallographic analyses (Fig. 2).     

New isomeric N‐substituted hydrazones of 2‐, 3‐ and 4‐pyridinecarboxaldehydes and methyl‐3‐pyridylketone

Twelve compounds unknown in the literature N‐(E)‐2‐stilbenyloxymethylenecarbonyl substituted hydrazones of 2‐, 3‐ and 4‐pyridinecarboxaldehydes, as well as methyl‐3‐pyridylketone have been prepared. The stereochemical behavior of these compounds in dimethyl‐d₆ sulfoxide solution has been studied by ¹H NMR technique. The E geometrical isomers and cis/trans amide conformers have been found for N‐substituted hydrazones 1–12. EI induced mass spectral fragmentation of these compounds were also investigated. The data obtained create the basis for distinguishing isomers.     

The Regio‐ and Stereoselective Synthesis of trans‐2,3‐Dihydropyridine N‐oxides and Piperidines

Reactivity N? Own : Pyridine N‐oxides can be used for the complete regio‐ and stereoselective synthesis of trans‐substituted piperidines. The sequential addition of Grignard reagents and aldehydes or ketones to pyridine N‐oxides yields a complete regio‐ and stereoselective trans 2,3‐addition reaction in high yields, and the substituted 2,3‐dihydropyridine N‐oxide can be reduced to form 2,3‐trans‐substituted piperidines (see scheme).

     

Synthesis of Some New Heteroylhydrazono‐1,3‐thiazolidin‐4‐ones

A series of (Z)‐methyl‐2‐[(Z)‐3‐substituted‐4‐oxo‐2‐(2‐picolinoyl‐/thiophene‐2‐carbonyl)‐hydrazonothiazolidin‐5‐ylidene]acetates were synthesized by condensation N‐substituted‐(2‐picolinoyl‐, thiophene‐2‐carbonyl)hydrazinecarbothioamides with dimethylacetylenedicarboxylate. The structure of thiazolidin‐4‐one derivatives has been confirmed unambiguously by single crystal X‐ray crystallography.     

Fused‐ring nitrogen and sulfur heterocycles by a tandem SN2‐michael addition reaction

A tandem S_N2‐Michael addition reaction has been developed for the synthesis of cis‐ and trans‐fused nitrogen and sulfur heterocycles from the cis and trans isomers of ethyl (±)‐(2E)‐3‐[2‐(iodomethyl)cyclo‐hexyl]‐2‐propenoate. Octahydro‐1H‐isoindole‐1‐acetic acid and octahydrobenzo[c]thiophene‐1‐acetic acid derivatives have been prepared and their stereochemistries elucidated using NMR and X‐ray crystallo‐graphic methods. Cyclization substrates for both the cis‐ and the trans‐fused rings are readily available in four steps from known compounds. Yields for the cyclization range from 80‐85% and stereochemical selec‐tivities with respect to the side chain vary from 12.5‐16:1 for the cis‐fused structures to 6‐7.5:1 for the trans‐fused structures. Steric interactions in the transition states for ring closure are proposed to rationalize the observed preferences.     

Synthesis of Multifunctionalized 1,2,3,4‐Tetrahydropyridines, 2,3‐Dihydropyridin‐4(1H)‐ones,and Pyridines from Tandem Reactions Initiated by [5+1] Cycloaddition of N‐Formylmethyl‐Substituted Enamides to Isocyanides: Mechanistic Insight and Synthetic Application

Tandem reactions for the efficient synthesis of multifunctionalized 1,2,3,4‐tetrahydropyridines, 2,3‐dihydropyridin‐4(1H)‐ones, and pyridine derivatives have been developed and reaction mechanisms have been investigated. Synthetic cascades are initiated by the Zn(OTf)₂‐mediated [5+1] cycloaddition of N‐formylmethyl‐substituted tertiary enamides to isocyanides, thus leading to the versatile heterocyclic enamino imine intermediates. Interception of the intermediates by diastereoselective reduction of imine functionality with Me₄NBH(OAc)₃ afforded 1,6‐disubstituted trans‐3‐hydroxy‐4‐arylamino‐ or ‐alkylamino‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydropyridines, whereas acylation of the imino group followed by acidic hydrolysis produced 1,6‐disubstituted 3‐acyloxy‐2,3‐dihydropyridin‐4(1H)‐ones. Aerobic oxidation led to the aromatization followed by intermolecular acyl‐group transfer from the pyridinium nitrogen to the 3‐hydroxy moiety, thereby yielding substituted 3‐acyloxy‐4‐aminopyridines. Synthetic potentials of the resulting products have been demonstrated by expedient and highly stereoselective synthesis of cis,cis‐4,5‐dihydroxy‐2‐phenylpiperidine and trans,trans‐4‐amino‐5‐hydroxy‐2‐phenylpiperidine compounds, which are important in medicinal chemistry, through simple and practical reduction reactions.