Interconversion of cis‐ and trans‐Fused Oxabicyclo[5.2.0]nonan‐2‐ones

On irradiation (350 nm) in the presence of alkenes (2,3‐dimethylbut‐2‐ene, 1,1‐dimethoxyethene, and 2,4,4‐trimethylpent‐1‐ene), benzoxepinone 1 and dioxepinone 2 are converted into mixtures of cis‐ and trans‐fused oxabicyclo[5.2.0]nonan‐2‐ones. Their relative thermodynamic stabilities (as reflected by the observed diastereoisomer ratios after equilibration with basic alumina) depend on the substitution pattern of the alkene moiety.     

Two 2,6‐Dioxabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan‐3‐ones from Phragmanthera capitata (Spreng.) Balle (Loranthaceae)

Phytochemical investigation of the leaves of Phragmanthera capitata collected on Cassia spectabilis tree led to the isolation of two natural lactones, rel‐(1R,5S,7S)‐7‐[2‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)ethyl]‐2,6‐dioxabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan‐3‐one ( 1 ) and 4‐{2‐[rel‐(1R,3R,5S)‐7‐oxo‐2,6‐dioxabicyclo[3.3.1]non‐3‐yl]ethyl}phenyl 3,4,5‐trihydroxybenzoate ( 2 ) together with the known compounds betulinic acid ( 3 ), dodoneine ( 4 ), quercetin 3‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranoside ( 5 ), quercetin 3‐O‐α‐L ‐arabinofuranoside ( 6 ), quercetin ( 7 ), betulin ( 8 ), lupeol ( 9 ), and sitosterol ( 10 ). Their structures were established by means of modern spectroscopic techniques, and the relative configuration of compound 1 was confirmed by X‐ray analysis. Compounds 1 and 2 were tested in vitro for their antiplasmodial activity against the Plasmodium falciparum chloroquine sensitive‐strains NF54 and 3D7. Compound 2 exhibited good antiplasmodial activity against both strains with IC₅₀ of 2.4 and 4.9 μM , respectively, while compound 1 was inactive.     

Photocycloaddition of Cyclohex‐2‐enones to Penta‐1,2,4‐triene

Dihydrothiinone 9a undergoes photocycloaddition regioselectively to all three C?C bonds of penta‐1,2,4‐triene ( 10 ), the relative stabilities of the biradical intermediates determining the product distribution. In contrast, cyclohexenone 9b and dihydropyranone 9c afford more complex mixtures of bicyclo[4.2.0]octanones, which also turn out to be less stable on chromatographic workup, reflecting the higher strain due to the shorter bond lengths (C? O and C? C vs. C? S) in the six‐membered rings, respectively.     

Photocycloaddition of Six‐Membered Cyclic Enones to Propen‐2‐yl Isocyanate

On irradiation in the presence of propen‐2‐yl isocyanate ( 4 ), six‐membered cyclic enones 3 are converted into regio‐ and stereoisomeric mixtures of [2+2] cycloadducts 5 – 10 ; the preferentially formed HT products, 5 – 8 , can be converted into the corresponding bicyclic amines by acid hydrolysis, whereas, under these conditions, the regioisomeric HH‐isocyanato derivatives undergo a retro‐Mannich reaction.     

Synthesis of 4‐fluoroalkyl‐2H‐pyrido [1, 2‐a] pyrimidin‐2‐ones from 2, 2‐dihydropolyfluoroalkanoic acids

In the presence of N, N′‐dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, 2‐aminopyridine and its derivatives (2) condensed with 2, 2‐di‐hydropolyfluoroalkanoic adds (1) to give the corresponding amides. Subsequent intramolecular Micheal addition‐elimination reactions of the fluorine‐containing amides under basic conditions gave 4‐fluoroalkyl‐2H‐pyrido[1,2‐a]pyrimidin‐2‐ones (3) in good yields.     

Synthesis of Novel Pyrimido[4,5‐b]quinolin‐4‐ones with Potential Antitumor Activity

The 5,6,7,8,9,10‐hexahydro‐2‐methylthiopyrimido[4,5‐b]quinolines 4a , 4b , 4c , 4d , 5a , 5b , 5c , 5d and their oxidized forms 6a , 6b , 6c , 6d , 7a , 7b , 7c , 7d were obtained from the reaction of 6‐amino‐2‐(methylthio)pyrimidin‐4(3H)‐one 2 or 6‐amino‐3‐methyl‐2‐(methylthio)pyrimidin‐4(3H)‐one 3 and α,β‐unsaturated ketones 1a , 1b , 1c , 1d using BF₃.OEt₂ as catalyst and p‐chloranil as oxidizing agent. Some of the new compounds were evaluated in the US National Cancer Institute (NCI), where compound 5a presented remarkable activity against 46 cancer cell lines, with the most important GI₅₀ values ranging from 0.72 to 18.4 μM from in vitro assays.     

A Facile One‐Pot Synthesis of Functionalized 1,5‐Dihydro‐2H‐[1]benzopyrano[2,3‐b]pyridin‐5‐ones

The highly reactive 1 : 1 intermediate generated in the reaction between dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylate (=but‐2‐ynedioic acid dialkyl ester) 4 and triphenylphosphine was trapped by 2‐amino‐4‐oxo‐4H‐1‐benzopyran‐3‐carboxaldehydes 5 to yield highly functionalized dialkyl‐1,5‐dihydro‐5‐oxo‐1‐phenyl‐2H‐[1]benzopyrano[2,3‐b]pyridine‐2,3‐dicarboxylates in high yield.     

Multicomponent Reactions of Furan‐2,3‐diones: Synthesis and Characterizations of Furo[3,2‐c]pyran‐4‐ones

Furo[3,2‐c]pyran‐4‐ones, which possess a natural‐product skeleton, are synthesized via a simple, one‐pot, three‐component reaction of furan‐2,3‐diones with dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates and Ph₃P.     

Rapid Access to Oxabicyclo[2.2.2]octane Skeleton through Cu(I)‐Catalyzed Generation and Trapping of Vinyl‐o‐quinodimethanes (Vinyl‐o‐QDMs)†

A Cu(I)‐catalyzed three‐component reaction of terminal enynals/enynones, diazo compounds, and alkenes has been developed. With this method, a series of oxabicyclo[2.2.2]octanes were effectively synthesized in high yields under mild reaction conditions. This transformation is proposed to proceed through trapping of the cyclic vinyl‐o‐quinodimethanes (vinyl‐o‐QDMs) species, which were generated from terminal enynals/enynones and diazo compounds by alkenes. The obvious advantages of wide substrate scopes, mild reaction conditions, and high seteroselectivity and atom efficiency make this reaction highly appealing for construction of highly rigid [2.2.2]octane skeleton.     

Photocycloaddition of Conjugated Cyclohex‐2‐enones to 2,3‐Dimethylbuta‐1,3‐diene

On irradiation, in the presence of 2,3‐dimethylbuta‐1,3‐diene, naphthalen‐2‐ones 1 are quantitatively and regioselectively converted to mixtures of diastereoisomeric cyclobutane adducts 3 and 4 , whereas, under these conditions, 3‐(alk‐1‐ynyl)cyclohex‐2‐enones 5 give only one cyclobutane adduct 6 regio‐ and diastereoselectively. In contrast, 3‐(alk‐1‐ynyl)‐2‐methylcyclohex‐2‐enones 10 undergo [2+2]‐cycloaddition to the same diene exclusively at the C≡C bond to afford hitherto unknown 3‐cyclobutenylcyclohex‐2‐enones 11 .     

Synthesis of 3‐Alkoxybenzo[c]thiophen‐1(3H)‐ones by Hydrolysis of N‐Substituted 3‐Alkoxybenzo[c]thiophen‐1(3H)‐imines Derived from 1‐Bromo‐2‐(dialkoxymethyl)benzenes and Isothiocyanates

A convenient procedure for the preparation of a new type of thiophthalides, 3‐alkoxybenzo[c]thiophen‐1(3H)‐ones 4 and 9 has been developed. Thus, 1‐(dialkoxymethyl)‐2‐lithiobenzenes, generated by Br/Li exchange between 2‐bromo‐1‐(dialkoxymethyl)benzenes 1 and 6 , and BuLi, react with isothiocyanates to afford N‐substituted 2‐(dialkoxymethyl)benzothioamides 2 and 7 , which, on treatment with a catalytic amount of TsOH?H₂O, give N‐substituted 3‐alkoxybenzo[c]thiophen‐1(3H)‐imines 3 and 8 . The latter are hydrolyzed under acidic conditions to the desired products 4 and 9 , respectively.     

Facile Synthesis,Single‐Crystal Structure,and Biological Evaluation of Novel Pyrazolo[5,1‐d][1,2,5]triazepin‐4‐ones

A facile ring‐enlargement reaction of 2,6‐diphenyl‐4H‐pyrazolo[5,1‐c][1,4]oxazin‐4‐one is described, generating the pyrazolo[5,1‐d][1,2,5]triazepin‐4‐ones in good yields. Structures of the prepared compounds were determined on the basis of IR, ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR, and HR‐MS data. Moreover, the molecular structure was confirmed by the X‐ray crystal‐structure analysis of one compound that was prone to crystallization. Preliminary biological evaluation showed that the compounds 2e – 2h promote the viability and inhibit the apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells at low concentration.     

Synthesis of Certain 3-Aminopyrazolo[5,4-b]pyridine and 3,4-Substituted Pyrido[2′,3′：3,4]pyrazolo[5,1-c][1,2,4]triazine Derivatives

2-Thioxo-1,2-dihydropyridine derivatives 2a, 2b were reacted with methyl iodide to give 2-methylthiopyridines 3a, 3b, which were reacted with hydrazine hydrate to produce 3-aminopyrazolo[5,4-b]pyridines 4a, 4b. Compounds 4a, 4b were diazotized to afford the corresponding diazonium salts 5a, 5b, which were reacted with some active methylene compounds 6a-6h to give the corresponding pyrido[2′,3′ ： 3,4]pyrazole[5,1-c][1,2,4]triazines 7-14.     

One‐Pot Synthesis of Fused [1,6]Naphthyridine Derivatives via Three‐Component Reaction

A simple, convenient, and eco‐friendly synthetic protocol has been developed via a one‐pot three‐component reaction between 2‐chloroquinoline‐4‐amines, different substituted aromatic aldehydes, and malononitrile using ethanol as reaction medium. Employing this protocol, a series of 5‐chloro‐4‐phenyl benzo[f ][1,6] naphthyridine‐2‐amino‐3‐carbonitrile derivatives were synthesized in an environmentally friendly approach under operational simplicity, short time reactions, easy work‐up procedure, and comparatively high yields. This chemistry provides a convenient and promising synthetic strategy for the construction of the napthyridine skeleton. All synthesized compounds were identified on the basis of their spectral data.     

Tetrakis(bicyclo[2.2.2]oct‐2‐ene)‐Fused Calix[4]pyrrole

Tetrakis(bicyclo[2.2.2]oct‐2‐ene)‐fused calix[4]pyrrole, 5 , was obtained starting from (E)‐1,2‐bis(phenylsulfonyl)ethylene. This new calixpyrrole derivative is the prospective precursor of tetrabenzocalix[4]pyrrole, a potential ion‐pair receptor and an attractive species as a possible deep‐walled ‘molecular container’.     

Synthesis of New Furo[3,4‐b]quinolin‐1(3H)‐one Scaffolds Derived from γ‐Lactone‐Fused Quinolin‐4(1H)‐ones

In the context of our aim of discovering new antitumor drugs among synthetic γ‐lactone‐ and γ‐lactam‐fused 1‐methylquinolin‐4(1H)‐ones, we developed a rapid access to 5‐methyl‐1,3‐dioxolo[4,5‐g]furo[3,4‐b]quinoline‐8,9(5H,6H)‐dione ( 9 ) exploiting the γ‐lactone‐fused chloroquinoline 10 previously synthesized in our laboratory (Scheme 1). We also elaborated efficient synthetic methods allowing for a rapid access to two nonclassical bioisosteres of 9 , i.e., a deoxy and a carba analogue. The deoxy analogue 11 was prepared in two steps from the γ‐lactone‐fused quinoline 13 which was also the synthetic precursor of 10 (Scheme 1). The carba analogue 6,9‐dihydro‐5‐methyl‐9‐methylene‐1,3‐dioxolo[4,5‐g]furo[3,4‐b]quinolin‐8(5H)‐one ( 12 ) was easily prepared by HCl elimination from the 9‐(chloromethyl)dioxolofuroquinoline 15 , which was obtained via a three‐component one‐pot reaction from N‐methyl‐3,4‐(methylenedioxy)aniline (=N‐methyl‐1,3‐benzodioxol‐5‐amine; 16 ), commercially available chloroacetaldehyde, and tetronic acid ( 17 ) (Scheme 2).     

Synthesis of Derivatives of Pyrido[4,3‐d]pyrimidin‐4(3H)‐one via an Iminophosphorane

A series of new, 2‐substituted 3‐aryl‐8,9,10,11‐tetrahydro‐5‐methyl[1]benzothieno[3′,2′ : 5,6]pyrido[4,3‐d]pyrimidin‐4(3H)‐ones, compounds 5a – q , were designed and synthesized via the aza‐Wittig reaction as the key step. The iminophosphorane 1 reacted with phenyl isocyanate (or 4‐chlorophenyl isocyanate) to the carbodiimide 4 , which was cyclized to 5 upon addition of different amines, EtOH, or phenols in the presence of a catalytic amount of EtONa or K₂CO₃ (Schemes 1 and 2). The structures of compounds 5 were confirmed by IR, ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR, EI‐MS, elemental analyses, and, in the case of 5l , by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction (Figure).     

A New Four‐Component Reaction for the Synthesis of Spiro[4H‐indeno[1,2‐b]pyridine‐4,3′‐[3H]indoles]

A new four‐component synthesis of spiro[4H‐indeno[1,2‐b]pyridine‐4,3′‐[3H]indoles] and spiro[acenaphthylene‐1(2H),4′‐[4H‐indeno[1,2‐b]pyridines] by the reaction of indane‐1,3‐dione, 1,3‐dicarbonyl compounds, isatins (=1H‐indole‐2,3‐diones) or acenaphthylene‐1,2‐dione, and AcONH₄ in refluxing toluene in the presence of a catalytic amount of pyridine is reported.     

Synthesis and Herbicidal Activity of Muti‐Substituted Pyrido[4,3‐d]pyrimidin‐4‐ones

A series of novel muti‐substituted pyrido[4,3‐d]pyrimidin‐4‐one derivatives 5a , 5b , 5c , 5d , 5e , 5f , 5g , 5h , 5i , 5j , 5k , 5l were designed and synthesized by the muti‐step reaction. N,S‐acetal 1 reacted with acetyl acetamide in the presence of zinc nitrate to obtain muti‐substituted pyridine 2 , which reacted with triethyl orthoformate to give 8‐cyano‐5‐methyl‐7‐methylthio‐pyrido[4,3‐d]pyrimidin‐4‐one 3 ; the target compounds 5 were obtained in good yields by the oxidation of 3 with H₂O₂ in a catalytic amount of sodium tungstate then by the substitution with various substituted phenols. Their structures were confirmed by IR, ¹H NMR, EI‐MS, and elemental analyses. The preliminary bioassay indicated that some of them displayed moderate herbicidal activity against dicotyledonous weed Brassica campestris L. at the concentration of 100 mg/L. For example, compounds 5a , 5f , and 5g possessed 76.0%, 62.7%, and 60.2% inhibition against B. campestris at the concentration of 100 mg/L. Moreover, 5a exhibited 58.2% inhibition against B. campestris at the concentration of 10 mg/L.     

Synthesis of Some New 6,8‐Disubstituted 7,8‐Dihydropyrimido[2,3:4,3]pyrazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidines and 6,7,8‐Trisubstituted Pyrimido[2,3:4,3]Pyrazolo[1,5‐a]Pyrimidine Derivatives

Cyclization of 5‐cyano‐1,6‐dihydro‐4‐methyl‐2‐phenyl‐6‐thioxopyrimidine 4 with excess of 85% hydrazine hydrate afforded the 3‐amino‐4‐methyl‐6‐phenylpyrazolo[3,4‐d]pyrimidine 5 , which can react with appropriate Mannich base derivatives 13a‐c and chalcones 27a,b to yield the corresponding 6,8‐disubstituted 7,8‐dihydropyrimido[2,3:4,3]pyrazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidines 15a‐c and 30a,b , respectively. On the other hand, the 6,7,8‐trisubstituted pyrimido[2,3:4,3]pyrazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidine derivatives 8a‐g, 20a‐e, 36 and 38 were obtained by treatment of compound 5 with appropriate 1,3‐diketones 6a‐g , 3‐dimethylamino‐1‐(substituted)prop‐2‐enones 18a‐e , 3‐aminocrotononitrile 3 , and ethoxymethylenemalononitrile 37 under acidic condition, respectively.