A direct synthesis of α-(hydroxymethyl) and α-alkyl-vinyl alkyl ketones

Reaction of 2,4-diketoesters 3a-c with aqueous formaldehyde using potassium carbonate solution as base affords the corresponding α-methylene-β-hydroxyalkanones 4a-c which provide a route to α,β-unsaturated alkyl ketones 6a-e via coupling of α-acetoxymethyl alkyl vinyl ketone 5a with Grignard reagents in the presence of a catalytic amount of LiCuBr₂ at low temperature.     

Singlet oxygen addition to homoallylic substrates in solution and microemulsion: novel secondary reactions

The photooxygenation of three homoallylic substrates, the γ,δ-unsaturated ketone 1a, nitrile 2a, and the γ,δ-unsaturated ester 3a was investigated in homogeneous solution and in microemulsion (for 1a). Two secondary reaction pathways were detected for the allylic hydroperoxides of type b and c, respectively. The cyclization reactions of 1b and 2b to the 1,2-dioxanes 1d and 2d followed well-known reaction patterns, whereas the base-catalyzed epoxide (1e-3e) formation from the tertiary allylic hydroperoxides 1c-3c is a unprecedented reaction type.     

An expedient, regioselective synthesis of 2-alkylamino- and 2-alkylthiothiazolo[5,4-e]indoles

1-Benzenesulfonyl-5-aminoindole 5, prepared from 5-nitroindole 3, was condensed with alkyl isothiocyanates and separately with carbon disulfide and alkyl bromides/iodides to furnish efficiently the corresponding N-alkyl-thioureidoindoles 6a-c and the alkyl N-(indol-5′-yl)dithiocarbamates 9a-e, respectively. Their cyclisation using N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) and 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU), in the cold, followed by indolic N-deprotection, furnished regioselectively the 2-alkylamino- and the 2-alkylthiothiazolo[5,4-e]indoles 8a-c and 11a-e, respectively, in good overall yields.     

Synthesis and dynamics of atropisomeric (S)-N-(α-phenylethyl)benzamides

The synthesis of atropisomeric 2-substituted benzamides 2a-e, 3a-e, and 4a-e, and characterization by X-ray structure analysis of 2d, 2e, 3c, 3e, 4c, and 4e are reported. Dynamic ¹H NMR spectroscopic studies of benzamides 2b-d, 3b-d, and 4b-d indicate that only two of the four possible rotamers are present in solution, with population ratios ranging between 1.5:1 and 4.1:1. The measured free energy of activation to interconversion of the rotamers ranged from 12.4 to 18.9 kcal mol⁻¹. Benzamides ArCON[(S)-phenethyl]₂ (2e, 3e, and 4e), exhibited atropisomer ratios between 1.7:1 and 1:1, and free energies of interconversion of the rotamers ranged from 11.5 to 17.6 kcal mol⁻¹. The highest rotation barriers were observed for the ortho-nitro derivatives 2a-e. Molecular calculations at the semiempirical level (PM3MM) gave free energies of activation for benzamides 2e and 3e of 23.6 and 12.4 kcal mol⁻¹, respectively, which are comparable to the experimental values.     

Synthesis and conformational analysis of 1,3,2-diazaphosphorino[6,1-a]isoquinolines, a new ring system

Through ring-closure reactions of N- or 1′-substituted 1-(2′-aminoethyl)-6,7-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines (5a-e) with phenylphosphonyl dichloride, 1- or 3-substituted 4-phenyl-1,3,4,6,7,11b-tetrahydro-2H-1,3,2-diazaphosphorino[6,1-a]isoquinolin-4-one diastereomers (7a-e and 8a-c,e), the first representatives of a new ring system, were prepared. The diastereomeric ratios in the cyclizations and the conformer (A-E) populations of the nitrogen-bridged tricyclic systems (7 and 8) were strongly influenced by the N- and 1′-substituents of the starting diamines. The conformational analysis of compounds 7 and 8 was performed by ¹H, ¹³C and ³¹P NMR methods.     

Electrochemical synthesis of 1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-ylthio-substituted catechols in aqueous medium

Anodic oxidation of catechols 1a-e in the presence of 5-methyl-2-mercapto-1,3,4-thiadiazole 2 has been studied in acetate buffer solution by cyclic voltammetry and controlled-potential electrolysis techniques. The effects of various electrolytic conditions (amount of passed charge, anodic materials, pH of the electrolytic solution, applied potential, and concentration of substrates) on the yield have also been investigated. The results showed that the position of the initial substituent of the starting catechol derivatives dominated the formation of monothiadiazol-2-ylthio-substituted or/and dithiadiazol-2-ylthio-substituted products. For 4-substituted catechols 1a-b, monothiadiazol-2-ylthio-substituted products (3a-b) were exclusively produced in high to excellent yields. However, in the cases of catechol itself (1c) and 3-substituted catechols (1d-e), both monothiadiazol-2-yl-substituted (3c-e and 5d-e) and dithiadiazol-2-ylthio-substituted products (4c-e) were isolated. In addition, the nature of the initial substituent of the starting 3-substituted catechols (1d and 1e) affected the relative ratio of the two monothiadiazol-2-ylthio-substituted isomers (3d-e vs 5d-e).     

Simple preparation of phenylpropenoid β-d-glucopyranoside congeners by Mizoroki-Heck type reaction using organoboron reagents

Palladium(II)-catalyzed carbon-carbon bond formation between allyl 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-d-glucopyranoside (3) and arylboronic acid congeners gave the corresponding cinnamyl 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl- β-d-glucopyranosides (4a-m) in good yield. Among them, coupling products 4a-m were converted to not only the naturally occurring phenylpropenoid β-d-glucopyranoside analogues (1a-e) but also the unnaturally ones (1f-m).     

Synthesis of α,β-unsaturated γ-lactones via photooxygenation of 2,3-dihydrofurans followed by ferrous ion-catalyzed gem-dehydration

Several alkyl and aryl substituted 2,3-dihydrofurans 1a-1e were synthesized and their reactions with singlet oxygen were investigated. Photooxygenation of 1a-1e in carbon tetrachloride at ambient temperature exclusively yields allylic hydroperoxides 4a-4e. Treatment of these hydroperoxides with aqueous ferrous sulfate solution affords the corresponding α,β-unsaturated γ-lactones 6a-6e with high yields. This work provides an efficient route to the preparation of butenolide moiety, an important functionality in the structures of many natural products that exhibit biological properties.     

A clay-mediated, regioselective synthesis of 2-(aryl/alkyl)amino-thiazolo[4,5-c]carbazoles

The 3-aminocarbazoles 1a-e were condensed with phenyl and benzyl isothiocyanates on montmorillonite K10 clay or TLC-grade silica gel at room temperature to furnish efficiently the N-phenyl and N-benzylthioureidocarbazoles, 2a-e and 2f, respectively, within minutes. When adsorbed on montmorillonite K10 clay impregnated with para-toluene sulfonic acid (1:1, w/w) and heated at 60-70 °C, 2a-e and 2f furnished the 2-anilino and 2-benzylaminothiazolo[4,5-c]carbazoles, 3a-e and 3f, respectively, regioselectively in high yields. The cyclisation was also effective for the N-methylthioureidocarbazoles 2g-i.     

Synthesis of poly-substituted pyrroles starting from the Baylis-Hillman adducts

We synthesized poly-substituted pyrrole derivatives 4a-e, 7a-c and 10a-d from the reaction of phenacyl bromide and the aza-Baylis-Hillman adducts 1a-d or their rearranged derivatives 5a-e. The pyrroles were synthesized via the successive N-alkylation, Michael addition, elimination of p-toluenesulfinic acid and oxidative aromatization processes.     

Synthesis and reactivity of para-substituted benzoylmethyltellurium(II and IV) compounds: observation of intermolecular C-H-O hydrogen bonding in the crystal structure of (p-MeOC6H4COCH2)2TeBr2

Bis(p-substituted benzoylmethyl)tellurium dibromides, (p-YC₆H₄COCH₂)₂TeBr₂, (Y=H (1a), Me (1b), MeO (1c)) can be prepared either by direct insertion of elemental Te across C_Rf-Br bonds (where C_Rf refers to α-carbon of a functionalized organic moiety) or by the oxidative addition of bromine to (p-YC₆H₄COCH₂)₂Te (Y=H (2a), Me (2b), MeO (2c)). Bis(p-substituted benzoylmethyl)tellurium dichlorides, (p-YC₆H₄COCH₂)₂TeCl₂ (Y=H (3a), Me (3b), MeO (3c)), are prepared by the reaction of the bis(p-substituted benzoylmethyl)tellurides 2a-c with SO₂Cl₂, whereas the corresponding diiodides (p-YC₆H₄COCH₂)₂TeI₂ (Y=H (4a), Me (4b), MeO (4c)) can be obtained by the metathetical reaction of 1a-c with KI, or alternatively, by the oxidative addition of iodine to 2a-c. The reaction of 2a-c with allyl bromide affords the diorganotellurium dibromides 1a-c, rather than the expected triorganotelluronium bromides. Compounds 1-4 were characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectroscopy, ¹H, ¹³C and ¹²⁵Te NMR spectroscopy (solution and solid-state) and in case of 1c also by X-ray crystallography. (p-MeOC₆H₄COCH₂)₂TeBr₂ (1c) provides, a rare example, among organotellurium compounds, of a supramolecular architecture, where C-H-O hydrogen bonds appear to be the non-covalent intermolecular associative force that dominates the crystal packing.     

Novel β-lactam condensed 3-thiaquinolines: an efficient synthesis and structural characterization

Quinoline analog 2-aryl-4H-3,1-benzothiazine derivatives 8-13, obtained by the condensation of o-aminobenzyl chloride 1 with substituted thiobenzamides 2-7, were transformed to azeto[2,1-a][3,1]benzothiazin-1-one derivatives 18-23a,b,c and 24d,e by reaction with the corresponding substituted acetyl chlorides 14-17 in the presence of triethylamine. The structures of the new molecules were determined by NMR spectroscopy and electron ionization (EI) mass spectrometry. The typical EI⁺ mass spectrometric fragmentations of 8-13 and 18-23a,b,c and 24d,e are discussed in detail.     

Facile generation method for conjugated allenyl esters based on retro-Dieckmann-type ring-opening reactions

α-Alkynyl-α-ethoxycarbonyl cyclopentanones 1a-c and cyclohexanones 2a-c were readily synthesized by the reaction of ethyl 2-oxocyclopentanonecarboxylate 6 and ethyl 2-oxocyclohexanonecarboxylate 7 with alkynyllead triacetates 5a-c obtained from lithium acetylides 4a-c and lead tetraacetate. Treatment of 1a-c and 2a-c with 1 N KOH in THF or with n-Bu₄N⁺OEt⁻ in EtOH and THF gave the corresponding conjugated allenyl esters 8a-c, 9a-c, 10a-c, and 11a-c in good to excellent yields, respectively.     

Simple synthesis of phenylpropenoid β-d-glucopyranoside congeners based on Mizoroki-Heck type reaction of organoboron reagents

Palladium(II)-catalyzed carbon-carbon bond formation between allyl 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-d-glucopyranoside (3) and phenylboronic acid congeners gave the phenylpropenoid 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-d-glucopyranoside (4a-f) in good yield. Among them, compounds 4a-c were converted to the naturally occurring phenylpropenoid β-d-glucopyranoside analogues (1a-c).     

Short-step syntheses and complexation properties of Z,Z-tribenzodidehydro- and all-Z-tribenzo[12]annulenes

Syntheses of all-Z-tribenzo[12]annulenes (1a-c) and Z,Z-tribenzodidehydro[12]annulenes (2a-c) by the reduction of the corresponding tribenzohexadehydro[12]annulenes 3a-c were carried out using a low valent titanium complex generated from Ti(O-i-Pr)₄ and i-PrMgCl. The unique structure of the first reduction products 2a-c as well as 1a-c was fully characterized. Complexation of these annulenes with silver(I) ions produces the corresponding silver complexes. Among them, the silver complexes of 2a-c exhibit interesting monomer-dimer equilibrium.     

Synthesis and rearrangement of cycloalkyl[1,2-e]oxazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidin-8/9-ones: an access to cycloalkyl[1,2-d]oxazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidin-5-ones

2-Substituted-4a-hydroxy-9H-cycloalkyl[1,2-e]oxazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidin-9-ones 2a-c were synthesized by an one-step cyclocondensation from the 5-substituted-2-amino-2-oxazolines 1a-c with ethyl 2-oxocyclohexanecarboxylate in ethanol at room temperature, and easily dehydrated to provide 2-substituted-9H-cycloalkyl[1,2-e]oxazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidin-9-ones 3. In refluxing xylene, the reaction conducted with various ethyl 2-oxocycloalkanecarboxylates led to the two isomeric 2-substituted-8/9H-cycloalkyl[1,2-e]oxazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidin-8/9-ones 3 and 2-substituted-5H-cycloalkyl[1,2-d]oxazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidin-5-ones 4. The structure of some compounds was unambiguously established using X-ray crystallography. According to results from the DSC analysis of compound 2a, formation of the thermodynamically stable pyrimidinones 4 could be related to an intramolecular rearrangement of kinetically controlled pyrimidinones 3.     

Alternative synthesis and novel oxidizing ability of 6,9-disubstituted cyclohepta[b]pyrimido[5,4-d]pyrrole-8(6H),10(9H)-dione derivatives

Synthesis of 6,9-disubstituted cyclohepta[b]pyrimido[5,4-d]pyrrole-8(6H),10(9H)-diones 7a-g was accomplished by ring opening and ring closure sequences of 9-substituted cyclohepta[b]pyrimido[5,4-d]furan-8,10(9H)-dione derivatives induced by several amines. Furthermore, alternative synthetic methodology for compounds 7a-e was also accomplished by single-step reaction of 2-chlorotropone with 6-aminouracil derivatives under mild conditions. X-ray crystal analysis of 7a was carried out to clarify the structural characteristics. The properties of 7a-e were studied by the UV-vis spectra and reduction potentials (−1.24 to −1.39 V vs Ag/AgNO₃). Novel photo-induced oxidation reaction of 7a-d toward some amines under aerobic conditions was carried out to give the corresponding imines in more than 100% yield [based on compounds 7a-d], suggesting the oxidation reaction occurs in an autorecycling process.     

A flow chemistry route to 2-phenyl-3-(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)propan-1-amines

The Knoevenagel condensation of pyrrole-2-carboxaldehyde (1) with a range of substituted benzyl nitriles (2a-e) afforded rapid access to a family of α,β-unsaturated nitriles (3a-e) in good yields (67-78%). Flow hydrogenation (ThalesNano H-cube™) at 60 °C, 50 bar H₂ pressure, 1.0 mL/min through a 10% Pd-C catalyst selectively, and quantitatively, hydrogenated the olefin double bond (4a-e). Use of a Raney Nickel catalyst at 70 °C, 70 bar H₂ pressure and flow rates of 0.5-1.0 mL/min afforded quantitative conversion into the corresponding saturated amines with the reduction of both the olefin and nitrile bonds (5a-e). The versatility of this approach was further exemplified by reaction of 5a and 5c with norcantharidin to afford acid amide norcantharidin analogues 7 and 8 as novel protein phosphatase 1 and 2A inhibitors.     

Substituted coumarin amidines: useful building blocks for the preparation of [1]benzopyrano[4,3-b]pyridin-5-one and [1]benzopyrano[4,3-d]pyrimidin-5-one derivatives

The synthesis of [1]benzopyrano[4,3-b]pyridin-5-ones 4a-f and 4g-j starting from 3-formylcoumarin and 3-cyanocoumarin N-functionalized amidines 3a-f and 3g-j, respectively, was reported. The ring-closure reaction mechanism, under basic or acidic media, was proposed. Furthermore, the reaction of 3-formylamidines 3a,c-f with ammonium acetate gave good yields of 2-substituted [1]benzopyrano[4,3-d]pyrimidin-5-ones 7.     

3-Amino- and 3-acylamido-2-phosphonopyridines: synthesis by Pd-catalyzed P-C coupling, structure and conversion to pyrido[b]-anellated PC-N heterocycles

Palladium catalyzed cross-coupling of 3-amino- and 3-acylamido-2-bromopyridines 1a-f with triethyl phosphite allowed the synthesis of 3-amino- and 3-acylamido pyridine-2-phosphonic acid diethyl esters 2a-f, whereas nickel catalysts, although providing access to related anilido-2-phosphonates, proved inactive. Reduction of the aminophosphonate 2a with LiAlH₄ afforded 3-amino-2-phosphinopyridine (3a), which was cyclocondensed with dimethylformamide dimethyl acetal (DMFA) via phosphaalkene intermediates 4a to the novel pyrido[b]-anellated 1,3-azaphosphole 5a. Reaction of amidophosphonates 2b-f with LiAlH₄ did not result in the expected reductive cyclization, as shown by closely related anilido-2-phosphonates, but led to product mixtures containing N-secondary 3-amino-2-phosphinopyridines 3b-f as the main or major component. The conversion of 3b,d,e with DMFA to 5b,d,e provides first examples of N-substituted pyrido[b]-anellated azaphospholes. Structures were confirmed by multinuclear NMR and X-ray crystallography (for 2c, 3b).