Synthesis of heterocyclic compounds using radical reactions and evidence for the formation of spiro radical intermediates

Synthesis of novel heterocycles using radical reactions have been described. Reaction mechanism of their formation is also presented.     

Synthesis of novel heterocycles based on the structures of erythrina alkaloids

Erythrina alkaloids represented by structure (1) are known to possess potent CNS activities. In this article, we have completed the synthesis of modified heterocyclic core structures (4) of erythrina alkaloids incorporating groups, which are expected to be metabolically more stable. Finally, we have oxidatively rearranged (4) to yield novel heterocycles (5).     

Synthesis of conformationally restricted sulfonamides via radical cyclisation

A convenient synthesis of conformationally restricted sulfonamides such as compounds (12) and (40) with seven- and eight-membered ring structures has been achieved using radical reaction. These compounds and their analogs are expected to serve as important pharmacophores in drug discovery.     

Synthesis of cyclopropyl silyl ethers and their facile ring opening by photoinduced electron transfer as key step in radical/radical cationic cascade reactions

Various ring-fused cyclopropyl silyl ethers with an benzylic, olefinic or acetylenic side chain have been synthesized. Upon oxidative photoinduced electron transfer (PET) the cyclopropane ring opens and forms a reactive β-keto radical, which undergoes intramolecular cyclization. In some cases we observed only formation of ring opened non-cyclized products. With olefinic side chain 5-exo-trig mode of cyclization rather than 6-endo-trig mode of cyclization takes place whereas in case of acetylenic side chain we observed 6-endo cyclization.     

Heisenberg models of radical reactions

Interactions between a pair of two-electron (singlet or triplet) systems undergoing abstraction, insertion, exchange and association reactions are treated on the basis of the quantum Heisenberg model. The local spin-permutation-symmetry properties of these reactions can well be visualized from the continuous or discontinuous variations of Penney's bond orders for the interacting electron pairs. In reactions where such a local permutation symmetry is not conserved, there is an apparent transition between two distinct valence-bond structures. It is shown that the concept of the local spin-permutation-symmetry conservation is useful for understanding the nature of the electron pairing requirement inherent in reactions of biradical species.     

Stereoselective synthesis of fluorobis(phenylsulfonyl)methyl-substituted alkenes using free radical fluoroalkylation

(PhSO₂)₂CFI was prepared in quantitative yield by the iodination of fluorobis(phenylsulfonyl)methane and utilized in facile radical bis(phenylsulfonyl)monofluoromethylation of various terminal alkenes. The synthetic methodology was further extended for the preparation of monofluoromethyl-substituted alkenes.     

Synthesis of nitrogen-containing heterocycles using exo- and endo-selective radical cyclizations onto enamides

The effect of positional change of the carbonyl group of enamides on Bu₃SnH-mediated alkyl radical cyclization leading to five-, six-, seven-, and eight-membered nitrogen-containing heterocycles was examined. A 5-exo cyclization is generally preferred over a 6-endo ring closure in systems having an alkyl radical center on the enamide-acyl side chain, whereas enamides having an alkyl radical center opposite to the acyl side chain predominantly gave 6-endo cyclization products. These results suggest that the exo or endo selectivity of radical cyclization onto the alkenic bond of enamides can be controlled by positional change of the carbonyl group. For an understanding of these selectivities, heat of formation for each transition state was calculated. 6-endo-Selective radical cyclization was applied to the radical cascade, enabling a concise synthesis of a cylindricine skeleton. A 7- or 8-endo alkyl radical cyclization, however, predominated over a corresponding 6- or 7-exo ring closure regardless of the positional change of the carbonyl group of enamides.     

Zinc-mediated intramolecular acyl and imino transfer reactions of aryl iodides

A method for the coupling of acyl and imino substituents to the sterically encumbered 5-position of a 4-aminoquinazoline was developed. Starting with a 4-amino-5-iodoquinazoline, the method employs a facile intramolecular zinc-mediated transfer from the 4-amino group to the iodo-bearing carbon. The method was found to be effective for a variety of substituents, in particular a pyridyl group required for the synthesis of Pfizer’s prostate selective α₁ antagonist candidate for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia, UK-338,003.     

Synthesis of condensed heterocycles via cyclopropylimine rearrangement of cyclopropylazoles

Thermal cyclopropylimine rearrangement of cyclopropylazoles into condensed heterocycles and factors affecting the regioselectivity and conversion are reported. A method of conducting the reaction in the absence of solvents is developed. A series of 2-cyclopropylazoles, including novel examples, is synthesized and their transformations into the corresponding condensed heterocyclic compounds (2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrroles and 6,7-dihydro-5H-pyrrolo[2,1-b]thiazolium salts) are studied.     

Novel synthesis and functionalization of ortho-ortho disubstituted biphenyls and a highly condensed novel heterocycle using radical cyclization reaction

This paper describes a novel synthetic route for the preparation of ortho-ortho disubstituted biphenyls and compounds possessing highly condensed ring system represented by structures X and Y, respectively. Several approaches, such as intermolecular Grubb's olefin metathesis, Heck and, Suzuki reactions were incorporated to functionalize the core structures of X and Y making it suitable for the preparation of a library of compounds.     

Synthesis of substituted pyrrolidines by sequential radical cyclization and N-acyliminium ion reactions

Readily available N-acyl-2-pyrrolines are converted into functionalized -alkoxy-β-iodopyrrolidines by N-iodosuccinimide promoted alcohol addition to the enamine group. These compounds are readily cyclized using a sodium cyanoborohydride-catalytic tributylstannane system affording functionalized pyrrolidines in good yields. The cyclized products undergo N-acyliminium ion reactions, such as BF₃·OEt₂ mediated addition of allyltrimethylsilane.     

Safe radical azidonation using polystyrene supported diazidoiodate(I)

Aldehydes are converted to acyl azides and benzyl ethers to azido ethers by treatment with polymer supported iodine azide in MeCN at 83 °C. The reaction provides a safe and convenient alternative to the use of iodine azide in radical azidonations.     

Chemical surface modification of self-assembled monolayers by radical nitroxide exchange reactions

This article describes the application of nitroxide exchange reactions of surface-bound alkoxyamines as a tool for reversible chemical modification of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). This approach is based on radical chemistry, which allows for introduction of various functional groups and can be used to reversibly introduce functionalities at surfaces. To investigate the scope of this surface chemistry, alkoxyamines with different functionalities were synthesized and were then applied to the immobilization of, for example, dyes, sugars, or biotin. Surface analysis was carried out by contact angle, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and fluorescence microscopy measurements. The results show that this reaction is highly efficient, reversible, and mild and allows for immobilization of various sensitive functional groups. In addition, Langmuir-Blodgett lithography was used to generate structured SAMs. Site-selective immobilization of a fluorescent dye could be achieved by nitroxide exchange reactions.     

Synthesis of highly decorated chiral 2-nitro-cyclohexane carboxylic esters through microwave-assisted organocatalyzed cascade reactions

Starting from (E)-β-substituted-β-nitroacrylates and α,β-unsaturated ketones, a stereoselective organocatalyzed one-pot methodology allowed to synthesize highly decorated chiral 2-nitro-cyclohexane carboxylic esters. The reaction is promoted by Cinchona alkaloid-derived primary amines in the presence of an acidic co-catalyst and affords two diastereoisomers, in good yields and high enantiomeric excess (often higher than 90% ee). By replacing conventional heating with microwave irradiation, cleaner reactions in shortened times (from 48 h to 30 min) were obtained, with improved dr (80:20) and high ee (up to 94%). The application of microwave technology to this organocatalytic methodology allowed also employing C1 substituted enones, leading to cyclohexanones with four contiguous stereocenters in two isomers only, and up to 99% enantioselectivity.     

Synthetic applications in radical/radical cationic cascade reactions

Oxidative photoinduced electron transfer (PET) reactions have been performed with various cyclic cyclopropyl(vinyl) silyl ethers bearing an olefinic or acetylenic side chain. The reactions result in bi- to tetracyclic ring systems via a fragmentation-radical/radical cationic addition reaction pathway with well defined ring juncture. The mode of cyclisation (endo/exo) can be partially controlled by addition of nucleophiles due to the suppression of radical cationic reaction pathways. Quantum chemical calculation of the cyclisation transition states underline the experimentally found selectivities. Additional mechanistic studies concerning the saturation step reveal that the final radical is saturated mostly by the solvent and traces of water in the solvent.     

Recent advances in N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed radical reactions

The N-heterocyclic carbene(NHC)-catalyzed reactions involving two-electron reaction pathway have been well-established.However,the development of NHC-catalyzed radical reactions is still in its infancy in terms of reaction types and enantioselectivity.In the past decade,several elegant NHC-catalyzed radical reactions have been developed,including NHC-catalyzed oxidation of aldehydes to esters,reductive coupling reactions using Breslow intermediate as SET reductant and NHC-catalyzed reactions via radical homoenolates,dienoaltes and trienolates.This review summarizes the recent advances in NHC-catalyzed reactions involving radical intermediates.