Generation of an 4‐Isoxazolyl Anion Species: Facile Access to Multifunctionalized Isoxazoles

A direct functionalization of unsubstituted isoxazole ( 1 ) was achieved by generation of 4‐isoxazolyl anion species ( 3 ). An efficient 4‐iodination of isoxazole and halogen–metal exchange reaction using a turbo Grignard reagent (iPrMgCl? LiCl) were essential for the generation of 3 , which reacted with various electrophiles to give 4‐functionalized isoxazoles in good to high yields. Isoxazolyl boronate, boronic acid, and stannane were also synthesized as useful building blocks from 1 . The current methods enabled us to synthesize multi‐functionalized isoxazoles by introducing each substituent into the desired positions. Furthermore, total synthesis of triumferol, which was isolated from Triumfetta rhomboidea, was achieved from 1 in only three steps.     

Synthesis of isomeric series of aryltetrahydrobenz-isoxazoles and arylcyclopentisoxazoles

Four series of potential PAF-antagonists in which the isoxazole nucleus is condensed with a polyhydrogenated five- or six-carbon ring were prepared. The synthesis of the compounds 3-aryl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydrobenz[c]isoxazoles 1 , 3-arylcyclopent[c]isoxazoles 2 , 3-aryl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydrobenz[d]isoxazoles 3 , and 3-arylcyclopent[d]isoxazoles 4 , required an extensive optimization and comparison of the methods available in the literature.     

Recent Advances in Ring‐Opening Functionalization of Cycloalkanols by C–C σ‐Bond Cleavage

Cycloalkanols prove to be privileged precursors for the synthesis of distally substituted alkyl ketones and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) by virtue of cleavage of their cyclic C−C bonds. Direct functionalization of cyclobutanols to build up other chemical bonds (e. g., C−F, C−Cl, C−Br, C−N, C−S, C−Se, C−C, etc.) has been achieved by using the ring‐opening strategy. Mechanistically, the C−C cleavage of cyclobutanols can be involved in two pathways: (a) transition‐metal catalyzed β‐carbon elimination; (b) radical‐mediated ‘radical clock’‐type ring opening. The recent advances of our group for the ring‐opening functionalization of tertiary cycloalkanols are described in this account.     

Exploiting PdII and TiIII chemistry to obtain gamma-dioxygenated terpenoids: synthesis of rostratone and novel approaches to aphidicolin and pyripyropene A

In nature there are several terpenoids with a characteristic gamma-dioxygenated system on the A ring, and many of them show interesting pharmacological properties. We have developed a novel strategy for the synthesis of these terpenoids involving three stages: (a) the selective epoxidation of commercial polyenes, (b) titanium(III)-catalyzed cyclization of the epoxypolyprenes thus obtained, and (c) Pd-mediated remote functionalization of the equatorial methyl group attached at C-4 on ring A of the cyclic terpenoid thus formed. This strategy has proved to be useful for the synthesis of the natural labdane rostratone (1) and related terpenoids, as well as for advanced synthetic approaches toward the pharmacologically active products aphidicolin (2) and pyripyropene A (3).     

N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions: a facile synthesis of 3,5-di- and 3,4,5-trisubstituted isoxazoles

A first example of organo-N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalyzed click-type fast 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of nitrile oxides with alkynes was developed for the regioselective synthesis of 3,5-di- and 3,4,5-trisubstituted isoxazoles. Triethylamine (Et(3)N) was employed as an effective base to generate both nitrile oxide and the organo-NHC catalyst in situ. This catalytic approach was used to attach a variety of substituents, including other biologically active fragments, onto the isoxazole ring to selectively design multinucleus structures. Further, we have also optimized the conditions for Cu(I)-free Sonogashira cross-coupling to obtain internal alkynes in high yields, which were subsequently used in cycloaddition. A catalytic cycle is proposed and the remarkable regiocontrol in the formation of isoxazoles was ascribed to a beneficial zwitterion intermediate developed by the interaction of the strongly nucleophilic organo-NHC catalyst with alkyne followed by nitrile oxide.     

Front Cover: Katritzky Salts for the Synthesis of Unnatural Amino Acids and Late-Stage Functionalization of Peptides (Eur. J. Org. Chem. 12/2023)

Peptide drug discovery often benefits from the large structural diversity permitted by unnatural amino acids (UAAs). Indeed, numerous approved peptide drugs include UAAs in their sequences. Therefore, innovative chemical approaches either to synthesize UAAs or to allow late-stage functionalization of peptides are emerging themes in peptide drug discovery. Thanks to the recent advances in deaminative strategies using alkylpyridiniums salts, often referred to as Katritzky salts, a variety of radical alkylation methods have been developed. In recent years the use of Katritzky salts have become popular in peptide chemistry due to their ease of preparation from a primary amine, which is a predominant functional group in amino acids. This review highlights the progress that has been made by using Katritzky salts in the synthesis of UAAs, late-stage peptide functionalization, and peptide macrocyclization.     

Neighboring group participation in cyclodehydration. A regiospecific isoxazole synthesis

The regiospecific synthesis of isoxazoles 2, 11, 14 , and 15 is explained in terms of neighboring group participation of the ortho nitrogen of the heterocyclic ring in the cyclodehydration step.     

Recent advances in mechanochemical C–H functionalization reactions

The mechanochemical synthesis has provided a greener alternative to solution-based approaches by eliminating the use of organic solvents and reducing the energy consumption. The C–H functionalization is among the most concise and economical synthetic strategies. The combination of the benefits from these two methods provides new opportunities to further increase the efficiency and sustainability of organic synthesis. In this digest, we aim to provide a brief overview of the recent advances in mechanochemical C–H functionalization reactions.     

Solid-phase synthesis of isoxazoles using vinyl ethers as chameleon catches

[reaction: see text] Regioselective 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions of supported vinyl ethers R(1)C(=CH(2))O-CH(2)-polymer, prepared by the Tebbe olefination of R(1)CO(2)-CH(2)-polymer, with ethyl cyanoformate N-oxide gave supported isoxazoline derivatives. Release from the support under mild acidic conditions gave the isoxazoles ethyl 5-R(1)-isoxazole-3-carboxylates. Alternatively, further on-resin functionalization of the R(1) substituent using Suzuki coupling reactions and release from the support under acidic conditions gave more structurally diverse isoxazoles.     

Synthesis of trisubstituted isoxazoles by palladium(II)-catalyzed cascade cyclization-alkenylation of 2-alkyn-1-one O-methyl oximes

A palladium-catalyzed, cascade 5-endo-dig cyclization-alkenylation synthesis of isoxazoles has been developed. The addition of 1 equiv of n-Bu(4)NBr significantly increases the yield of the desired 4-alkenyl-3,4,5-trisubstituted isoxazoles. A variety of trisubstituted isoxazoles are prepared in moderate to excellent yields. One example of the synthesis of a naphthoisoxazole is reported by a cascade cyclization-alkenylation-Heck reaction.     

Mo(CO)6-mediated synthesis of calix[4]arenes carrying β-hydroxy ketones or α,β-unsaturated-β-amino ketones

Mo(CO)₆-mediated ring opening reactions of calix[4]arene isoxazolines/isoxazoles provide a new synthetic methodology for calix[4]arenes carrying bifunctional β-hydroxy ketones or α,β-unsaturated-β-amino ketones. Mo(CO)₆ is a highly selective and convenient reagent for the ring opening process of these supramolecular isoxazolines/isoxazoles.     

Recent advances in the synthesis and functionalization of 1,2,5-oxadiazole 2-oxides

Among the variety of nitrogen heterocycles, the furoxan (1,2,5-oxadiazole 2-oxide) scaffold has attracted considerable attention owing to its ability to release NO under physiological conditions. Therefore, significant efforts of organic chemists have been directed toward the construction of new drug candidates containing the NO-donor furoxan subunit connected to a known pharmaceutical or a potential pharmacophore by CC/CN bonds or through an appropriate linker. This digest summarizes the recent information concerning both new synthetic approaches for the furoxan ring construction and various methods for the functionalized furoxan synthesis with particular focus on the last three years. Methods for the furoxan ring formation including cyclodimerization of nitrile oxides, nitrosation of unsaturated compounds, and acylation of dinitromethane sodium salt are reviewed. The functionalization of furoxan ring is represented by nucleophilic substitution of nitro and arylsulfonyl groups as well as by different condensations of cyano-, carbonyl- and carboxyfuroxan derivatives. Synthesis of hybrid structures combining NO-donor furoxan ring and some pharmacophoric moiety is also considered.     

Regioselective and diastereoselective synthesis of highly substituted cyclopentanes

Highly substituted cyclopentane rings are present in a wide range of targets, and the efficient synthesis of such compounds constitutes a continuing challenge to organic synthesis. We present two complementary approaches to the regio- and diastereoselective synthesis of highly substituted cyclopentane structures. In both cases, a non-symmetrically disposed norbornene is employed as a common intermediate. One strategy relies on the Lewis acid-catalyzed ring opening of an anhydride, while the other employs production of a bicyclic lactone followed by its selective functionalization.     

Mesogenic behaviour in some pyrazole and isoxazole derivatives

Abstract

Several aromatic β-diketones with a different number of alkyloxy groups in the aromatic rings and their derived pyrazoles, isoxazoles and thallium (I) complexes have been synthesized. The potential mesomorphic properties of these compounds have been investigated by optical microscopy, DSC and X-ray diffraction. The pyrazoles and isoxazoles with one chain in each aromatic ring are mesogenic, showing smectic A and smectic C mesophases, whereas the pyrazoles and isoxazoles with two chains per ring and the β-diketones and thallium complexes are not. The mesogenic potentiality is shown to be related to the molecular linearity and to the number of alkyloxy groups. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time liquid crystal properties have been described for pyrazole and isoxazole derivatives.     

Mesogenic behaviour in some pyrazole and isoxazole derivatives

Several aromatic β-diketones with a different number of alkyloxy groups in the aromatic rings and their derived pyrazoles, isoxazoles and thallium (I) complexes have been synthesized. The potential mesomorphic properties of these compounds have been investigated by optical microscopy, DSC and X-ray diffraction. The pyrazoles and isoxazoles with one chain in each aromatic ring are mesogenic, showing smectic A and smectic C mesophases, whereas the pyrazoles and isoxazoles with two chains per ring and the β-diketones and thallium complexes are not. The mesogenic potentiality is shown to be related to the molecular linearity and to the number of alkyloxy groups. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time liquid crystal properties have been described for pyrazole and isoxazole derivatives.     

Regioselective synthesis of polysubstituted pyrazoles and isoxazoles

A regioselective synthesis has been developed for the preparation of unsymmetrical 1,3,5-triaryl-4-alkylpyrazolines and -pyrazoles by treatment of alpha-benzotriazolyl-alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones with monosubstituted hydrazines followed by alkylation at the 4-position of the pyrazoline ring. Reaction of alpha-benzotriazolyl-alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones with hydroxylamine gives 3,5-disubstituted isoxazoles regioselectively.     

Functionalization of flat Si surfaces with inorganic compounds—Towards molecular CMOS hybrid devices

Covalent modification of flat silicon surfaces is a key step in integrating CMOS technology and molecular electronics that may lead to novel hybrid microelectronic devices. While much of the research has been focused on the functionalization of Si by organic compounds, interest in the functionalization with metal-containing species has intensified in recent years because of the unique attributes of inorganic species including rich redox characteristics and high ground state spins. Described in this short review are (i) synthetic approaches to immobilize inorganic compounds; (ii) structural, spectroscopic and voltammetric techniques for characterization of molecular layers; and (iii) preliminary device fabrication.     

Exploiting Strained Rings in Chelation Guided C−H Functionalization: Integration of C−H Activation with Ring Cleavage

Strained ring systems are regarded as privileged coupling partners in directed C?H bond functionalization and have emerged as a potential research area in organic synthesis. The inherent ring strain in these systems acts as a driving force, allowing the facile construction of diversified structural scaffolds via integrating C?H activation and ring‐scission. The mechanistic underpinnings allows the implementation of a plethora of C?H bonds across plentiful organic substrates, including the less reactive alkyl ones. Considering the synthetic space, this area will foster developments of novel synthetic methods in chelation guided C?H functionalization. This review will focus on recent developments in transition‐metal catalyzed chelation assisted concomitant C?H activation and ring scission of strained rings to attain molecular complexity.     

Revision and confirmation of the regiochemistry of isoxazoles derived from methyl oleanonate and lanost-8-en-3-one. Synthesis of a new lanostane triterpenoid with a cyano-enone functionality in ring A

It was previously reported that methyl oleanonate (5) and lanost-8-en-3-one (10) give predominantly [3,2-c]isoxazoles. On the contrary, we have confirmed that both compounds 5 and 10 do not give [3,2-c]isoxazoles but rather afford regioselectively [2,3-d]isoxazoles in good yields. Consequently, a new lanostane triterpenoid with a cyano-enone functionality in ring A was synthesized in two steps from the corresponding [2,3-d]isoxazole, which is interesting from the perspective of biological activity because lanosterol is the biogenetic precursor of steroids.     

Organometallic methods for the synthesis and functionalization of azaindoles

Azaindoles (also called pyrrolopyridines) constitute essential subunits in many pharmaceutically important compounds. The synthesis of azaindoles has been a great synthetic challenge for chemists. Many classical methods for indole synthesis (such as Fischer and Madelung cyclizations) often cannot be effectively applied to the synthesis of the corresponding azaindoles. In recent years, advances in organometallic chemistry have enabled a number of novel and efficient methodologies for azaindole formation as well as for the further functionalization of azaindole templates. In this tutorial review, we have surveyed the recent development of organometallic chemistry-based methods for azaindole synthesis.