Diversity Oriented Synthesis of Indoloazepinobenzimidazole and Benzimidazotriazolobenzodiazepine from N1‐Alkyne‐1,2‐diamines

A one‐pot protocol for the diversity oriented synthesis of two N‐polyheterocycles indoloazepinobenzimidazole and benzimidazotriazolobenzodiazepine from a common N¹‐alkyne‐1,2‐diamine building block is described. The approach involves sequential formation of benzimidazole through cyclocondensation and oxidation, which is followed by the formation of either an azepine ring (through alkyne activation and 6‐endo‐dig cyclization, 1,2‐migration with ring expansion, and re‐aromatization), or diazepine and triazole rings through 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition.     

Triflic Acid Mediated Cascade Cyclization of Aryldiynes for the Synthesis of Indeno[1,2‐c]chromenes: Application to Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells

A new triflic acid (TfOH)‐mediated cascade cyclization of ortho‐anisole‐substituted aryldiynes is described for the construction of indeno[1,2‐c]chromenes. The cascade cyclization proceeds through an unusual TfOH‐induced alkyne‐alkyne cyclization followed by nucleophilic attack of the methoxy group on the benzylidene cation, which is completely different to the cyclization of ortho‐aniline‐ or ortho‐thioanisole‐substituted aryldiynes. A new class of organic dyes with the indeno[1,2‐c]chromene framework as both donor and π‐linker were synthesized. These compounds exhibit high photovoltaic performances in dye‐ sensitized solar cells (DSCs).     

New Approach for the Construction of the Coumarin Frame and Application in the Total Synthesis of Natural Products

A new synthetic approach is described for building the coumarin scaffold through the Lewis acid‐promoted cyclization of novel aryl 3‐(dimethylamino)prop‐2‐enoates 2a – 2f . The latter precursors were prepared via aminomethylenation of the corresponding aryl acetates 4a – 4f with the Bredereck reagent. This approach was used for the synthesis of biologically active natural compounds 1a – 1f , through a three‐step procedure starting from the corresponding phenols.     

Cyclization of 4,5‐Diamino Pyrazole Derivatives and Their Antibacterial Activities

A convenient synthesis of intermediate 4,5‐diamino‐3‐aryl‐1‐phenylpyrazoles 4a – 4c was reported. The different cyclization reactions were carried out with chalcone, 2‐mercaptoacetic acid and p‐anisialdehyde, ethyl chloroformate, glyoxal and thiourea to afford different N and S containing heterocycles. The reaction conditions were compared by conventional heating and microwave irradiation. The structures of the cyclization products were determined by analytical and spectroscopic data. All the synthesized compounds were screened for antibacterial activities in vitro.     

A Concise Flow Synthesis of Efavirenz

Efavirenz is an essential medicine for the treatment of HIV, which is still inaccessible to millions of people worldwide. A novel, semi‐continuous process provides rac‐Efavirenz with an overall yield of 45 %. This streamlined proof‐of‐principle synthesis relies on the efficient copper‐catalyzed formation of an aryl isocyanate and a subsequent intramolecular cyclization to install the carbamate core of Efavirenz in one step. The three‐step method represents the shortest synthesis of this life‐saving drug to date.     

Gold(III) Alkyne Complexes: Bonding and Reaction Pathways

The synthesis and characterization of hitherto hypothetical Au^III π‐alkyne complexes is reported. Bonding and stability depend strongly on the trans effect and steric factors. Bonding characteristics shed light on the reasons for the very different stabilities between the classical alkyne complexes of Pt^II and their drastically more reactive Au^III congeners. Lack of back‐bonding facilitates alkyne slippage, which is energetically less costly for gold than for platinum and explains the propensity of gold to facilitate C−C bond formation. Cycloaddition followed by aryl migration and reductive deprotonation is presented as a new reaction sequence in gold chemistry.     

9‐Membered Carbocycle Formation: Development of Distinct Friedel–Crafts Cyclizations and Application to a Scalable Total Synthesis of (±)‐Caraphenol A

Explorations into a series of different approaches for 9‐membered carbocycle formation have afforded the first reported example of a 9‐exo‐dig ring closure via a Au^III‐promoted reaction between an alkyne and an aryl ring as well as several additional, unique Friedel–Crafts‐type cyclizations. Analyses of the factors leading to the success of these transformations are provided, with the application of one of the developed 9‐membered ring closures affording an efficient and scalable synthesis of the bioactive resveratrol trimer caraphenol A. That synthesis proceeded with an average yield of 89 % per step (7.8 % overall yield) and has provided access to more than 600 mg of the target molecule.     

Stereoselective Synthesis of 1,2,3‐Triazolooxazine and Fused 1,2,3‐Triazolo‐δ‐Lactone Derivatives

The stereoselective synthesis of 1,2,3‐triazolooxazine and fused 1,2,3‐triazolo‐δ‐lactone by applying chemoenzymatic methods is described. trans‐2‐Azidocyclohexanol was successfully resolved by Novozyme 435 with an ee value of 99%. Installation of the alkyne moiety on the enantiomerically enriched azidoalcohol by O‐alkylation, followed by intramolecular azide? alkyne [3+2] cycloaddition resulted in the desired 1,2,3‐triazolooxazine derivative. Enantiomerically pure azidocyclohexanol was also subjected to the Huisgen 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition reaction with dimethylacetylene dicarboxylate, followed by intramolecular cyclization of the corresponding cycloadduct, to furnish a fused 1,2,3‐triazolo‐δ‐lactone.     

Rhodium(II)‐Catalyzed Annulation of Azavinyl Carbenes Through Ring‐Expansion of 1,3,5‐Trioxane: Rapid Access to Nine‐Membered 1,3,5,7‐Trioxazonines

The rhodium(II)‐catalyzed denitrogenative coupling of N‐alkylsulfonyl 1,2,3‐triazoles with 1,3,5‐trioxane led to nine‐membered‐ringed trioxazonines in moderate‐to‐good yields. 1,3,5‐Trioxane, acting as an oxygen nucleophile, reacted with the α‐aza‐vinylcarbene intermediate, giving rise to ylide formation, which was probably the key step in the reaction. Triazoles that contained aryl substituents with various electronic and steric features on the C4 carbon atom were well‐tolerated. The synthesis of trioxazonine derivatives was achieved through a one‐pot, two‐step procedure from 1‐mesylazide and a terminal alkyne by combining Cu^I‐catalyzed 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition and rhodium‐catalyzed transformations.     

Lactone Synthesis by Enantioselective Orthogonal Tandem Catalysis

In this work, we report enantioselective orthogonal tandem catalysis for the one pot conversion of Meldrum's acid derivatives and alkynes into δ‐lactones. This new transformation, which resembles a formal [4+2] cycloaddition with concomitant decarboxylation and loss of acetone, proceeds in high yields and excellent enantioselectivity (up to 99 % ee) over a broad substrate scope. The products are densely functionalized and ripe for further transformations, as demonstrated here by both ring‐opening reactions and reduction to saturated lactones. It was discovered that a new and serendipitously formed Ag^I‐Me‐StackPhos complex efficiently catalyzes the highly selective 6‐endo‐dig cyclization, completely reversing the regiochemistry that has been previously reported in related systems. More generally, in this study we identify a pair of compatible catalysts for alkyne difunctionalization that operate concurrently, which enable the alkyne to act as both a nucleophile and an electrophile in sequential one‐pot transformations.     

RhIII‐Catalyzed C?H Activation: A Versatile Route towards Various Polycyclic Pyridinium Salts

An efficient and convenient method for the synthesis of highly substituted polycyclic pyridinium salts from the reaction of various 2‐aryl‐pyridines and 2‐aryl‐sp²‐nitrogen‐atom‐containing heterocycles with alkynes through rhodium(III)‐catalyzed C? H activation and annulation under an O₂ atmosphere is described. A possible mechanism that involves the chelation‐assisted C? H activation of the 2‐aryl‐pyridine substrate, insertion of the alkyne, and reductive elimination is proposed. This mechanism was supported by the isolation of a five‐membered rhodacycle ( I′ ). In addition, kinetic isotope studies were performed to understand the intimate reaction mechanism.     

Enantioselective Nickel‐Catalyzed Intramolecular Allylic Alkenylations Enabled by Reversible Alkenylnickel E/Z Isomerization

Enantioselective nickel‐catalyzed arylative cyclizations of substrates containing a Z ‐allylic phosphate tethered to an alkyne are described. These reactions give multisubstituted chiral aza‐ and carbocycles, and are initiated by the addition of an arylboronic acid to the alkyne, followed by cyclization of the resulting alkenylnickel species onto the allylic phosphate. The reversible E /Z isomerization of the alkenylnickel species is essential for the success of the reactions.     

Reduction‐cleavable hyperbranched polymers with limited intramolecular cyclization via click chemistry

In this contribution, we present new reduction‐cleavable hyperbranched disulfide bonds‐containing poly(ester triazole)s with limited intramolecular cyclization, which can be synthesized by the Cu(I)‐catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) of A₂ monomer of dipropargyl 3,3′‐dithiobispropionate and B₃ monomer of tris(hydroxymethyl)ethane tri(4‐azidobutanoate). The hyperbranched poly(ester triazole)s possess numerous terminal groups and weight‐average molecular weight up to 20,400 g mol^?1 with a polydispersity index in the range 1.57–2.17. The CuAAC introduces rigid triazole units into the backbones of hyperbranched poly(ester triazole)s and reduces intramolecular cyclization, which is proved by topological analysis and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The disulfide bonds on backbones endow the reduction‐cleavable feature to the hyperbranched poly(ester triazole)s at the presence of dithiothreitol. It gives a novel and convenient methodology for the synthesis of reduction‐responsive functional polymer with controlled topologies, and the reduction‐cleavable hyperbranched poly(ester triazole)s with limited intramolecular cyclization are expected to possess potential in the application of stimuli‐responsive anticancer drug nanocarriers. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53, 2374–2380     

BCl3‐Induced Annulative Oxo‐ and Thioboration for the Formation of C3‐Borylated Benzofurans and Benzothiophenes

BCl₃‐induced borylative cyclization of aryl‐alkynes possessing ortho‐EMe (E=S, O) groups represents a simple, metal‐free method for the formation of C3‐borylated benzothiophenes and benzofurans. The dichloro(heteroaryl)borane primary products can be protected to form synthetically ubiquitous pinacol boronate esters or used in situ in Suzuki–Miyaura cross couplings to generate 2,3‐disubstituted heteroarenes from simple alkyne precursors in one pot. In a number of cases alkyne trans‐haloboration occurs alongside, or instead of, borylative cyclization and the factors controlling the reaction outcome are determined.     

Investigation of Alkyne Regioselectivity in the Ni‐Catalyzed Benzannulation of Cyclobutenones

A Ni‐catalyzed benzannulation reaction of cyclobutenones and alkynes provides a rapid synthesis of heavily substituted phenols. The regioselectivity of this reaction can be modulated by variation of substituents on the alkyne. Though the incorporation of Lewis basic donors provides modest selectivities, the use of aryl substituents can provide high levels of regiocontrol. Finally, alkynylboronates derived from alkyl‐substituted acetylenes provide both high yields and regioselectivities. This study suggests that alkynes bearing one sp²‐ and one sp³‐based substituent can undergo benzannulation with high levels of regiocontrol whereby the sp³‐based group is incorporated ortho‐to the phenolic OH.     

Radical Cyclization/ipso‐1,4‐Aryl Migration Cascade: Asymmetric Synthesis of 3,3‐Difluoro‐2‐propanoylbicyclo[3.3.0]octanes

A novel method for the asymmetric synthesis of 3,3‐difluoro‐2‐propanoylbicyclo‐[3.3.0]octanes involves an unprecedented intramolecular radical cyclization/ipso‐1,4‐aryl migration cascade.     

A Convenient and Facile Hantzsch Synthesis of Aryl Imidazo[1,2‐b]Isoxazolyl‐N‐aryl Thiazol Amines

The Hantzsch synthesis of novel aryl imidazo[1,2‐b]isoxazolyl‐N‐aryl thiazol amines 5 analogues were described. Reaction of 3‐aminoisoxazole 1 with substituted phenacyl bromides 2 in dry ethanol afforded the corresponding 6‐methyl‐3‐arylimidazo[1,2‐b]isoxazoles 3 in good yields. Compounds 3 on reaction with chloroacetyl chloride in 1,4‐dioxane furnished the corresponding 2‐chloro‐1‐(6‐methyl‐3‐arylimidazo[1,2‐b]isoxazol‐2‐yl)ethanones 4 . Compounds 4 on heating with N‐aryl thioureas in an oil bath underwent cyclization to afford the title compounds viz., imidazo[1,2‐b]isoxazolyl‐N‐aryl thiazol amines 5 in moderate to good yields by Hantzsch synthesis.     

Silica‐Supported P2O5 as an Efficient Heterogeneous Catalyst for the One Pot Synthesis of 3‐Amino‐imidazo[2,1‐b](1,3)benzothiazole under Green Conditions

The new approach involving the solid supported catalyst for the formation of C–N bond followed by cyclization has been reported. In this work we have reported a facile, efficient, and environment‐friendly protocol for the synthesis of some new 3‐amino‐imidazo[2,1‐b](1,3)benzothiazole derivatives by one‐pot condensation of 2‐aminobenzothiazole, indole‐3‐carbaldehyde, and aryl isocyanide in the presence of silica‐supported P₂O₅ as a heterogeneous solid acid catalyst. The reaction was performed using conventional method under green conditions. The present approach offers the advantages of simple methodology, inexpensive acid catalyst, short reaction time, easy work up with excellent yield, simple purification and use of green solvent. All the newly synthesized compounds were characterized in details using physical and chemical techniques such as melting point, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and FTIR spectroscopy.     

Synthesis of 3‐Carbamoyl β‐Lactams via Manganese(III)‐Promoted Cyclization of N‐Alkenylmalonamides

Manganese(III)‐promoted cyclization of N‐alkenylmalonamides (=N‐alkenylpropanediamides) gave 3‐(aryl/(alkylamino)carbonyl) β‐lactams as well as 3‐(aryl/(alkylamino)thiocarbonyl) β‐lactams. The relative configuration of the obtained products was unambiguously determined by X‐ray crystallography. The proposed method is very useful for the one‐pot synthesis of a number of 3‐(aryl/(alkylamino)carbonyl) β‐lactams, especially those containing an amino(thiocarbonyl) moiety, which are not selectively accessible by other methods.     

Unexpected Ritter Reaction During Acid‐Promoted 1,3‐Dithiol‐2‐one Formation

A series of aryl‐substituted 1,3‐dithiol‐2‐ones was prepared by the Bhattacharya? Hortmann cyclization method. Unexpectedly, a Ritter reaction occurred during the acid‐catalyzed cyclization at the cyano group of the aryl substituents and 1,3‐dithiol‐2‐ones bearing a carboxy or a carboxamide group could be selectively obtained (see 1 and 2a in Scheme 1). The formation of the acid or the amide functionality was temperature‐dependent so that the one or the other group could be introduced selectively by modifying the reaction temperature.