Features and applications of reactions of α,β-unsaturated N-acylbenzotriazoles with amino compounds

Promoted by triethylamine, α,β-unsaturated N-acylbenzotriazoles reacted with amino compounds in a variety of ways. Thus, N-cinnamoylbenzotriazoles reacting with aromatic amines afforded novel addition products β-benzotriazolyl amides 3, which might be normally formed from the alternative but unknown 1,4-addition of benzotriazole to N-cinnamoylamides. The type 3 compounds could also result from the reaction between N-crotonoylbenzotriazole and aliphatic amines. However, normal 1,4-addition could occur between α,β-unsaturated aliphatic N-acylbenzotriazoles and aromatic amines, leading to β-amino N-acylbenzotriazoles 4 in good yields. In addition, exclusive 1,2-addition of aliphatic amines to N-cinnamoylbenzotriazoles gave excellent yields of cinnamides 5. Accordingly, three possible routes were proposed to rationalize the formation of compounds 3-5. Finally, with o-phenylenediamine and o-aminothiophenol as the substrates, the 1,4- and 1,2-addition to α,β-unsaturated N-acylbenzotriazoles could take place concurrently and the corresponding heterocycles 1,5-benzodiazepine-2-one and 1,5-benzothiazepine-4-one were constructed, respectively.     

N- vs O-Coordination in cyclomanganation of 1,5-diaryl-3-(2-pyridyl)pentane-1,5-diones and 3-(2-pyridyl)chalcones; cyclomanganation at saturated carbon and the crystal structure of [1,5-diphenyl-κC-3-(2-pyridyl- κN)pentan-2-yl-κC-1,5-dione-κOκO]tetracarbonylmanganesetricarbonylmanganese

Reaction of 1,5-diphenyl-3-(2-pyridyl)pentane-1,5-dione (5a) with 2.5 moles of benzylpentacarbonylmanganese in petroleum spirit under reflux gives a small amount of the symmetric di-aryl-manganated product [1,5-diphenyl-κC²-3-(2-pyridyl)pentane-1,5-dione-κO¹κO⁵]bis-(tetracarbonylmanganese) (7a), but mostly [1,5-diphenyl-κC²-3-(2-pyridyl-κN)pentan-2-yl- κC²-1,5-dione-κO¹κO⁵]tetracarbonylmanganesetricarbonylmanganese (6a) which is manganated at only one aryl carbon [by Mn(CO)₄] but also [by Mn(CO)₃ with N and O coordination] at the methylene carbon adjacent to the Mn(CO)₄-coordinated ketone carbonyl. The latter is a rare example of direct cyclomanganation at a saturated carbon and the only known case adjacent to a carbonyl group; the X-ray crystal structure of 6a is reported. With 3 moles of benzylpentacarbonylmanganese the yield of 6a remains unchanged but some trimanganation product [1,5-diphenyl-κC^2′κC^2?-3-(2-pyridyl-κN)pentan-2-yl-κC²-1,5-dione-κO¹κO⁵]tris-(tetracarbonylmanganese) (8a) is formed, presumably from 7a. Routes to products are proposed and activating factors considered. 1,5-Di-(2-thienyl)-3-(2-pyridyl)pentane-1,5-dione (5b) and its 3-thienyl isomer (5c) similarly give 6a analogues [1,5-di-(2-thienyl-κC³)-3-(2-pyridyl-κN)pentan-2-yl-κC²-1,5-dione-κO¹κO⁵]tetracarbonylmanganesetricarbonylmanganese (6b) and [1,5-di-(3-thienyl-κC²)-3-(2-pyridyl-κN)pentan-2-yl-κC²-1,5-dione-κO¹κO⁵]tetracarbonylmanganesetricarbonylmanganese (6c).Also reported are the mono-cyclomanganation product [1-(2,6-dimethoxyphenyl)-3-(2-pyridyl-κN)prop-2-en-2-yl-κC²-1-one]tetracarbonylmanganese (16) and dicyclomanganation product [1-(2,5-dimethyl-3-thienyl-κC⁴)-3-(2-pyridyl-κN)prop-2-en-2-yl- κC²-1-one-κO ]bis-(tetracarbonylmanganese) (17) from reaction of the respective (E)-1-aryl-3-(2-pyridyl)prop-2-en-1-ones (3-(2-pyridyl)chalcones), the first reported examples of enone metallation at the α-carbon via N-coordination by a β-2-pyridyl group.     

Synthesis of 2,3-disubstituted benzofurans and indoles by π-Lewis acidic transition metal-catalyzed cyclization of ortho-alkynylphenyl O,O- and N,O-acetals

The PtCl₂-catalyzed cyclization reaction of ortho-alkynylphenyl acetals 1 in the presence of COD (1,5-cyclooctadiene) produces 3-(α-alkoxyalkyl)benzofurans 2 in good to high yields. For example, the reaction of acetaldehyde ethyl 2-(1-octynyl)phenyl acetal (1a), acetaldehyde ethyl 2-(cyclohexylethynyl)phenyl acetal (1c), and acetaldehyde ethyl 2-(phenylethynyl)phenyl acetal (1f) in the presence of 2 mol % of platinum(II) chloride and 8 mol % of 1,5-cycloocatadiene in toluene at 30 °C gave the corresponding 2,3-disubstituted benzofurans 2a, 2c, and 2f in 91, 94, and 88% yields, respectively. Moreover, the reaction of N-methoxymethyl-2-alkynylanilines 3 was catalyzed by PdBr₂, affording the corresponding 2,3-disubstituted indoles 4 in moderate yields. For example, the reaction of N-methoxymethyl-2-(1-pentynyl)-N-tosylaniline (3a) and N-methoxymethyl-2-(phenylethynyl)-N-tosylaniline (3b) in the presence of 10 mol % of PdBr₂ in toluene at 80 °C gave 3-methoxymethyl-2-propyl-1-tosylindole (4a) and 3-methoxymethyl-2-phenyl-1-tosylindole (4b) in 33 and 33% yields, respectively.     

Catalytic syntheses of γ-functionalized α-keto esters from thioacetals and N,O-acetals

Ethyl 2-(trimethylsilyloxy)acrylic ester (1a) reacts with thioacetals providing the corresponding α-keto-γ-thio esters in good to satisfactory yields. Whereas aminals do not react, N,O-acetals lead to γ-amino-α-keto esters in good to excellent yields. All reactions proceed under mild reaction conditions, and no additional work up is required. Subsequent transformations of the obtained products to the corresponding α-oximes have been demonstrated.     

Investigation of the reaction of α-thioamides, α-esters and α-nitriles with N-halosuccinimides

Investigation of the reaction of α-thioamides, α-esters and α-nitriles with NBS and NCS is described. The scope of this stereoselective oxidative transformation to the β-haloacrylamides, β-acrylates and β-acrylonitriles has been determined. A mechanistic rationale to explain the observed differences in reactivity between the amide, ester and nitrile series is proposed.     

A simple one-pot 2-step N-1-alkylation of indoles with α-iminoketones toward the expeditious 3-step synthesis of N-1-quinoxaline-indoles

A straightforward procedure for the preparation of N-quinoxaline-indoles is presented. A base-catalyzed one-pot addition of indoles to a preformed α-iminoketone proceeds on the N-1 indole and the subsequent adduct undergoes an acid-mediated deprotection of an internal amino nucleophile, intramolecular cyclization, and final oxidation generating N-1-quinoxaline-indoles in good yield.     

Trading N and O. Part 4: Asymmetric synthesis of syn-β-substituted-α-amino acids

A total of nine enantiopure syn-β-substituted-α-amino acids have been synthesised, comprising both syn-β-hydroxy-α-amino acids and syn-β-fluoro-α-amino acids. The key step in the synthetic strategy towards these syn-β-substituted-α-amino acids involves a stereospecific rearrangement, which proceeds via the intermediacy of the corresponding aziridinium ions. The requisite enantiopure syn-α-hydroxy-β-amino esters were prepared via asymmetric aminohydroxylation of the corresponding α,β-unsaturated esters followed by epimerisation of the resultant anti-α-hydroxy-β-amino esters at the C(2)-position. Subsequent activation of the α-hydroxy moiety as a leaving group followed by displacement by the β-amino substituent gave the corresponding aziridinium species. Regioselective in situ ring-opening of the aziridinium intermediates with either water or fluoride gave the corresponding syn-β-hydroxy-α-amino ester or syn-β-fluoro-α-amino ester, respectively, and N-deprotection and ester hydrolysis afforded the target syn-β-substituted-α-amino acids as single diastereoisomers in good overall yield.     

DABCO/AgOAc cooperatively catalyzed α-sulfenylation of isocyanoacetates with N-(sulfanyl)succinimides

The first organo/metal cooperatively catalyzed α-sulfenylation of isocyanoacetates with N-(sulfanyl)succinimides has been developed. The reaction condition was suitable to α-aryl and alkyl-substituted isocyanoactates as well as N-(arylthio)succinimides, affording the corresponding products with high yields (90–96%). Preliminary asymmetric organocatalysis has also been evaluated.     

Asymmetric α-2-tosylvinylation of in situ-generated N-2-tosylvinyl proline-derived ammonium ylides

Asymmetric α-2-tosylvinylation of N-substituted proline esters using ethynyl tolyl sulfone as an electrophile was shown to proceed in good yield with high enantioselectivities without the addition of any bases. The reaction proceeds via the formation of N-2-tosylvinyl ammonium ylides.     

Alkylation and aldol reactions of acyl derivatives of N-1-(1′-naphthyl)ethyl-O-tert-butylhydroxylamine: asymmetric synthesis of α-alkoxy-, α-substituted-β-alkoxy- and α,β-dialkoxyaldehydes

Treatment of a range of O-protected glycolate derivatives of the chiral auxiliary N-1-(1′-naphthyl)ethyl-O-tert-butylhydroxylamine with KHMDS in the presence of 18-crown-6 followed by addition of an alkyl halide generates α-substituted derivatives with very high levels of diastereoselectivity. Alternatively, reaction of the potassium enolate of a propanoate or O-protected glycolate derivative of N-1-(1′-naphthyl)ethyl-O-tert-butylhydroxylamine with a range of aldehydes gives syn-aldol products with high levels of diastereoselectivity. These adducts may be reductively cleaved with LiAlH₄ to give enantiopure α-alkoxy-, α-substituted-β-alkoxy- and α,β-dialkoxyaldehydes in good yield.     

Asymmetric synthesis of diverse α,α-diarylmethylamines via aryl Grignard additions to chiral N-2,4,6-triisopropylbenzenesulfinylimines

A mild method has been developed for the asymmetric synthesis of a variety of chiral diarylmethylamines via the addition of aryl Grignard reagents to chiral N-2,4,6-triisopropylbenzenesulfinylimines in high yields and high diastereoselectivities. Higher stereoselectivity was obtained for most of the examples studied when the reactions are performed at ambient temperature as compared to cryogenic conditions. N-2,4,6-Triisopropylbenzenesulfinamide was shown to be the optimal chiral auxiliary as it provided higher diastereoselectivities when compared to the more commonly employed tert-butanesulfinamide or p-toluenesulfinamide in the synthesis of diarylmethylamine synthons. A rationale for the improved selectivity derived from the triisopropylbenzyl auxiliary is presented.     

Trading N and O: asymmetric syntheses of β-hydroxy-α-amino acids via α-hydroxy-β-amino esters

Both diastereoisomers of 2-amino-3-hydroxybutanoic acid and 2-amino-3-hydroxy-3-phenylpropanoic acid have been prepared from enantiopure α-hydroxy-β-amino esters via the intermediacy of the corresponding cis- and trans-aziridines. Aminohydroxylation of two α,β-unsaturated esters produced enantiopure 2,3-anti-α-hydroxy-β-amino esters in >99:1 dr. Subsequent epimerisation at the C(2)-position via a sequential oxidation/diastereoselective reduction protocol gave the corresponding enantiopure 2,3-syn-α-hydroxy-β-amino esters in >99:1 dr. These syn- and anti-substrates were then converted into the corresponding N-Boc protected cis- and trans-aziridines, respectively, via a three step reaction sequence: (i) hydrogenolysis and in situ N-Boc protection; (ii) OH-activation; and (iii) aziridine formation. Subsequent regioselective ring-opening of the C(3)-methyl-aziridines with Cl₃CCO₂H proceeded with inversion of configuration to give the corresponding 2-amino-3-trichloroacetate esters, whereas the analogous reaction with the C(3)-phenyl-aziridines resulted in rearrangement to the corresponding oxazolidin-2-ones with retention of configuration. In each case, hydrolysis of the products from these ring-opening reactions produced the corresponding enantiopure β-hydroxy-α-amino acids as single diastereoisomers.     

One pot synthesis of α,α-bis(N-arylamido) lactams via iodide-catalyzed rearrangement of β,β-bis(N-arylamido) cyclic ketene-N,O-acetals

Five and six-membered cyclic ketene-N,O-acetals, generated in situ from 2,3-dimethyl-2-oxazolinium iodide or 2,3-dimethyl-2-oxazinium iodide and triethylamine, reacted with aryl isocyanates in refluxing THF producing α,α-bis(N-arylamido) lactams via the iodide-catalyzed rearrangement of β,β-bis(N-arylamido) cyclic ketene-N,O-acetal intermediates. The cyclic ketene-N,O-acetal generated in situ from 2,3,4,4-tetramethyl-2-oxazolinium iodide reacted with isocyanates to give β,β-bis(N-arylamido) cyclic ketene-N,O-acetals, which do not readily rearrange. The two methyls at C-4 hindered the nucleophilic attack of iodide on C-5, which is required for rearrangement.     

One-pot syntheses of α,α-dibromoacetophenones from aromatic alkenes with 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin

A novel method for the preparation of α,α-dibromoacetophenones from aromatic alkenes was reported. This procedure was mediated by 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin, which served as bifunctional reagent, proceeding oxidation and bromination in one-pot.     

Facile rearrangement of N-(α-aminoacyl)cytidines to N-(4-cytidinyl)amino acid amides

Under near neutral and mildly basic conditions, primary N⁴-(α-aminoacyl)cytidines (4a-g) undergo a facile rearrangement to form N-(4-cytidinyl)amino acid amides (5a-g). Secondary aminoacyl derivatives rearrange with other competing pathways. Tertiary aminoacyl derivatives do not rearrange.     

Synthesis and reactions of α-fluoro-α-amino amides

N-((S)-1-Phenylethyl)halofluoroethanamides have been investigated as precursors to N-protected α-fluoro-α-amino amides by nucleophilic displacement of halide with nitrogen nucleophiles such as potassium phthalimide, sodium succinimide, sodium glutarimide, trimethylamine and sodium azide. With single diastereoisomers of the iodofluoroethanamide, clean inversion of configuration occurs at room temperature, but subsequent epimerisation may occur as a result of the liberated iodide. The α-fluoro-α-amino amides made underwent a wide variety of reactions depending on conditions, but in many cases the carbon-fluorine bond was compromised. However, reacting trimethylamine and N-((S)-1-phenylethyl)iodofluoroethanamide gave the corresponding α-fluorobetaine amide, and subsequent acidic hydrolysis led to α-fluorobetaine as the first example of an ‘unprotected’ α-fluoroamino acid.     

Efficient synthesis of N-Me, N-Boc-protected α-hydrazinoacids: access to 1:1:1 [N-Me α-hydrazino/α/N-Me α-hydrazino]trimers

The preparation of optically pure N^α-Me, N^β-Boc-protected α-hydrazinoacids in large scale is described via a S_N2 protocol. These compounds were used as starting materials for the synthesis of 1:1:1 [N^α-Me α-hydrazino/α/N^α-Me α-hydrazino]trimers.     

Use of bis-(aminol) ethers derived from N-(S)-(−)-α-methylbenzylamine in reactions with resorcinarenes and double Mannich reactions

The synthesis of some chiral bis-(aminol)ethers are described. Reaction of a solution of the resorcin[4]arene derived from propanal with N,N-bis(methoxymethyl)-N-(S)-(−)-α-methylbenzylamine in toluene at 85 °C initially afforded a 1:1 mixture of two diastereoisomeric tetrakis(benzoxazines). Further, heating of this mixture under reflux in ethanol for 24 h afforded the crystalline (αS),(S)-diastereoisomer in 77% yield. N,N-bis(ethoxymethyl)-N-(S)-(−)-α-methylbenzylamine and N,N-bis(ethoxymethyl)-N-(R)-(+)-α-methylbenzylamine were reacted with β keto esters to afford a 1:1 mixture of the diastereoisomeric double Mannich adducts. Two of the double Mannich adducts were converted into tricyclic ABE analogues of the alkaloid methyllycaconitine 1.     

Stereoselective tribromomethylation of N-(tert-butanesulfinyl)imines with bromoform: practical synthesis of α-tribromomethyl amines

The unprecedented nucleophilic tribromomethylation of N-(tert-butanesulfinyl)imines with bromoform has been shown to be a highly stereoselective and practical method for the synthesis of enantiomerically pure α-tribromomethyl amines. THF has proven to be the best solvent in this addition reaction. By changing the reaction solvent from THF to DMF, 2,2-dibromoaziridines can also be synthesized directly from bromoform and N-(tert-butanesulfinyl)imines under similar reaction conditions.     

Dy(OTf)3-mediated selective substitution of N-(α-benzotriazolyl-alkyl)amides with active methylene compounds for synthesis of benzotriazole derivatives

A Dy(OTf)₃-mediated selective substitution reaction of N-(α-benzotriazolyl-alkyl)amides with active methylene compounds is reported. The present procedure provides a facile method for the synthesis of benzotriazole derivatives.