Directed ortho-metalation versus reductive amination in the preparation of polytopic,highly substituted,and sterically congested amine-S-arylthiocarbamates as thiophenol precursors

The synthesis of polydentate amine-S-arythiocarbamates was tested by directed ortho-lithiation of 2,4-disubstituted thiophenols, or the corresponding O- and S-arylthiocarbamates by deprotonation or lithium–bromine exchange, followed by addition of the electrophiles N(CH₂CH₂X)₃ (X=Br, I). In the case of the thiophenol, deprotonation resulted in a trithioether-amine upon addition of the electrophile. With the O- and S-thiocarbamates, the reactions resulted in the migration of the thiocarbamoyl group to the ortho-position (Fries rearrangement), or nucleophilic attack of the carbonyl group by butyllithium, respectively. An alternative route employed 2,4-disubstituted phenols to obtain the corresponding salicylaldehydes, and subsequently the O-arylthiocarbamates for Newman–Kwart thermal rearrangement (NKR). Finally, the formyl group on the S-arylthiocarbamates allowed reductive amination to assemble polytopic compounds with amine and S-thiocarbamate groups.     

Imino 1,2-Wittig rearrangement of hydroximates and its application to synthesis of cytoxazone

The imino 1,2-Wittig rearrangement of hydroximates provides a novel method for the construction of 2-hydroxyoxime ethers. Upon treatment with LDA, Z-hydroximates smoothly underwent stereoselective rearrangement to give Z-2-hydroxyoxime ethers in good yield, which were converted into amino alcohols. On the other hand, the rearrangement of E-hydroximates gave a mixture of E- and Z-2-hydroxyoxime ethers. This method was successfully applied to a practical synthesis of cytoxazone.     

Electron-impact induced fragmentation of labeled 3-(m-nitrobenzoyl)-2-methylpropanoic acids : Evidence for a stepwise McLafferty rearrangement

The mass spectra of deuterium and ¹⁸O labeled 3-(m-nitrobenzoyl)-2-methylpropanoic acid reveal that the McLafferty rearrangement and the rearrangement process leading to protonated m-nitrobenzoic acid do not take place via a common intermediate. H-D exchange phenomena point to a stepwise McLafferty rearrangement.     

Rearrangement of 4,5α-epoxymorphinan derivatives with carbamoylepoxy rings provide novel oxazatricyclodecane structures

We describe the rearrangement of a carbamoylepoxy 4,5α-epoxymorphinan derivative that provided a novel 4,5α-epoxymorphinan derivative with an oxazatricyclodecane structure via an oxabicyclo[2.2.2]octane intermediate. We proposed the mechanism of the rearrangement reaction based on results observed in different deprotonation conditions. Epimerization occurred during rearrangement under reversible, but not irreversible, deprotonation conditions. The rearrangement product had a novel fundamental structure with moderate affinities for opioid receptors (K_i (μ)=47.7 nM, K_i (δ)=174.6 nM, and K_i (κ)=248.1 nM). Thus, the rearrangement products might have high potency as opioid ligands.     

Claisen rearrangements—VII : Novel reactions of the coumarin,tomentin

The structure of tomentin has been confirmed as 5-hydroxy-6,7-dimethoxycoumarin (2), the derived 3,3-dimethylallyl ether giving a para-Claisen rearrangement product. Relief of strain in the corresponding 1,1-dimethylallyl ether has been found to result in a novel regiospecific ortho-Claisen rearrangement occurring on silica at room temperature. The structure 18 of the stable ortho-dienone formed has been confirmed by conversion of the corresponding dehydrodienone (15), obtained from the rearrangement of tomentin 1,1-dimethylpropargyl ether, to alloxanthoxyletin (25).     

Efficient synthesis of indoles using [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement of N-trifluoroacetyl enehydrazines

[3,3]-Sigmatropic rearrangement of N-trifluoroacetyl enehydrazines provides a novel method for the construction of indoles. N-Trifluoroacetyl enehydrazine having a cyclopentene ring smoothly underwent [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement followed by cyclization to give indolines in excellent yield. On the other hand, both cyclohexenyl N-trifluoroacetyl enehydrazine and acyclic N-trifluoroacetyl enehydrazine gave indoles in good yield. Additionally, the substituent effect on the benzene ring was also studied. The rearrangement of N-trifluoroacetyl enehydrazines proceeded smoothly even under either aqueous or solvent-free conditions.     

One-step novel synthesis of methylene bisphenols and methylene bisnaphthols using Lewis acid mediated rearrangement

Mono- and di-substituted isomeric methylene bisphenols and methylene bisnaphthols have been synthesized by rearrangement of the corresponding O-methoxyacetyl derivatives of phenols and naphthols, respectively, in presence of aluminium chloride under dry conditions. The chemistry observed is different from the usual Fries rearrangement reaction and involves an intermolecular rearrangement. The reactions reported here also reflect the influence of substituents present in the substrate as is supported by the substitution of the bridging methylene at a position meta to the phenolic hydroxyl in some of the minor products formed along-side the majorly formed ortho substituted products.     

Investigations on the question of multiple mechanisms in the cope rearrangement

The possible occurrence of the ionic Cope rearrangement, and other non-concerted mechanisms is discussed. The synthesis of 2 - (1 - ethyl - 1 - propenyl) -2- (3 - p - methoxyphenylallyl)malononitrile (1b) and its clean thermal 1,3 rearrangement to (1 - ethyl - 5 - p - methoxyphenyl - 2 - methyl - 4 - pentenylidene)malononitrile (4) are reported. This result contrasts with the rearrangement of 2 - (1,1 - dideuterioallyl) - 2 -(1 - ethyl - 1 - propenyl)malononitrile (1c) which isomerizes cleanly in a 3,3 rearrangement. Rearrangement of 2 - (1 - cyclohexenyl) - 2 - (3 - p - methoxyphenylallyl)malononitrile (11), however, leads sluggishly to [2 - (p - methoxy - α - vinylbenzyl)cyclohexylidene]malononitrile (19) (3,3 shift) and rearrangement of 2 - (1 - isopropyl - 2 - methyl - 1 - propenyl) - 2 -(3 - p - methoxyphenylallyl)malononitrile (12) leads, also slowly, to (1 - isopropyl - 5-p- methoxyphenyl - 2,2 - dimethyl - 4 - pentenylidene)malononitrile (14) (1,3 shift). Rearrangement of 1b in the presence of sodium borohydride allows interception of the proposed ionic intermediates and isolation of 2 - (1 - ethylpropylidene)malononitrile (5) and anethole (21c). Ion trapping experiments also gave positive results in the 3,3 rearrangement of 11. These results are discussed in terms of the ionic Cope rearrangement.     

A novel Barton decarboxylation produces a 1,4-phenyl radical rearrangement domino reaction

A novel 1,4-Phenyl radical rearrangement (1,4-PhRR) is described in a typical Barton decarboxylation procedure. While carrying out this reaction in presence of a N,N-disubstituted β-amino acid derivative, the decarboxyphenyl rearranged derivative is obtained, as well as in presence of β-N,N-acylamide. On the other hand, secondary amines give the β-lactam derivative without rearrangement, as well as N-Fmoc derivatives give the normal decarboxylation reaction. In regards of amines which are far away from the carboxylic group, such as δ-amino acid derivatives, the reaction occur through a typical Barton decarboxylation without rearrangement. The diversity of the reaction proves synthetic usefulness paving the way to interesting biologically active compounds.     

Studies in N-amino-3-aza Cope rearrangements

The first examples of a N-amino-3-aza Cope rearrangement as well as the first N-amino-anion 3-aza Cope rearrangement are reported. These occur in good to excellent yields and in short reaction times.     

A facile and stereoselective synthetic method for allylic 1,3-dienyl ethers

The 1,4-elimination reaction of 1-allyloxy-4-methoxy-(2Z)-alkenes with n-butyllithium is shown to proceed in a marked preference to the [2,3] Wittig rearrangement to afford the allylic (1Z,3E)-dienyl ethers in high stereoselectivities. The synthetic utility of this method is demonstrated by the Claisen rearrangement of the dienyl ethers thus obtained.     

Skeletal Wagner-Meerwein rearrangement of perhydro-3a,6;4,5-diepoxyisoindoles

An investigation of a skeletal Wagner-Meerwein rearrangement of variously substituted or quinoline-annulated 3a,6;4,5-diepoxyisoindol-1-ones is reported. Optimum reaction conditions (Ac₂O, BF₃·OEt₂, rt) were discovered for the formation of the target 4,6-epoxycyclopenta[c]pyridines in 40-80% yields. It was shown that the direction of the sigmatropic rearrangement of 3a,6;4,5-diepoxyisoindol-1-ones depended dramatically on the carboxyl group position (exo-/endo-) in the oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane moiety. The spatial structure of previously unknown 7,9-epoxycyclopenta[4,5]pyrido[1,2-a]quinolines derived from Wagner-Meerwein rearrangement of 2,11b-epoxyoxireno[6,7]isoindolo[2,1-a]quinolines was established based on the X-ray analysis data. The skeletal rearrangement proceeded regio- and stereospecifically in all the cases examined due to the absence of the epimerization of the carbon atoms adjacent to the carbocation centres.     

Palladium-catalysed Claisen rearrangement of 6-allyloxypurines

6-Allyloxypurines readily undergo palladium-catalysed Claisen rearrangement under mild conditions affording N ¹-substituted hypoxanthines. In contrast with the previously reported protocol, the Claisen rearrangement can be performed using Pd(PPh₃)₄ or Pd(dba)₂/dppf in dry THF at 60°C. The reaction can accommodate variously substituted allyl fragments to position N ¹ of the hypoxanthine skeleton with high yields. Retention of the double bond configuration during rearrangement was observed.     

The phenylcarbene rearrangement revisited

The evolution of mechanistic ideas about the phenylcarbene rearrangement has been reviewed, and three closely linked problems have been identified toward whose solution this research has been aimed: 1. Why do the ratios of the stable end products from the rearrangements of o-, m- and p-tolylmethylene differ when all three reactions have been throught to pass through a common intermediate? 2. Why does the rearrangement of 2-methylcycloheptatrienylidene lead to exclusive formation of styrene? 3. What is the mechanism of styrene formation from o-tolylmethylene? New mechanisms have been proposed in which m- and p-tolylmethylene can rearrange to styrene without necessarily being converted to o-tolylmethylene. The formation of a small amount of 2,6-dimethylstyrene from the rearrangement of 3,4,5-trimethylphenylmethylene is viewed as evidence for such a mechanism, and a set of interconverting norcaradienylidenes are believed to be the crucial intermediates. Other alternatives are considered and rejected on the basis of the rearrangement products of 3,5-dimethyl- and 3,4,5-trimethylphenylmethylene.     

Synthesis of α-benzylated amides via electrocatalytic Favorskii rearrangement of 1, 3-diarylacetones

Electrolysis of 1,3-diarylacetones with aliphatic amines in Bu₄NI/CH₃CN to racemic Favorskii amides via benzyl group rearrangement has been developed. The electroconversion is easily conducted in a simple undivided cell under constant-current conditions at room temperature. The electrocatalytic Favorskii rearrangement of 1,3-diarylacetones including electron-withdrawing substituents was favored and gave a good yield of α-benzylated amides. When several unsymmetrical ketones were employed as substrates, this rearrangement with moderate regioselectivity was observed. This chemistry also provides an efficient approach to construct a chiral center at α-position of amides.     

Reactivity of N-nitrosoamides in confined spaces

The thermal rearrangement of several N-nitrosoamides was studied by ¹H NMR in the context of reversible encapsulation. The N-nitrosoamide guests were isolated from the bulk solvent in a hydrogen-bonded dimeric host capsule which prevented their rearrangement. The guests appear to be preserved in their ground state conformations by the pressure exerted by the host. The conformations of the free and bound N-nitrosoamides are of comparable relative energies as determined by DFT calculations.     

Base-promoted aromatic [3,3] sigmatropic rearrangement of N-acyl-O-arylhydroxylamine derivatives

The base-promoted aromatic [3,3] sigmatropic rearrangement of N-acyl-O-arylhydroxylamines giving α-(2-hydroxyphenyl)amides was successfully demonstrated. The substrates were prepared from N-substituted hydroxylamines by N-acylation followed by copper(I)-mediated O-arylation with boronic acids. Treatment of the substrates with lithium hexamethyldisilazide (LiHMDS) in THF at 0?°C to room temperature generated the corresponding amide enolates. The aromatic [3,3] rearrangement of the enolates provided the desired products in moderate to good yields. A crossover experiment produced only intramolecular products and clarified that the reaction proceeds via the aromatic [3,3] sigmatropic rearrangement, not a bond-cleavage–recombination process. Our method is a formal α-arylation of amides.     

Novel oxidative nitrogen to carbon rearrangement found in the conversion of anilines to benzaldoximes by treating with HCHO/H2O2

Novel rearrangement was found by reacting anilines with HCHO/H₂O₂ resulting in the synthesis of various benzaldoximes. The mechanism of the rearrangement is proposed and suggested that the rearrangement might proceed via unstable N-phenyloxazirane intermediate followed by the transfer of aryl moiety from nitrogen to carbon atom leading to the formation of benzaldoxime.     

One-pot N-dealkylation and acid-catalyzed rearrangement of morphinans into aporphines

The one-pot N-demethylation and acid-catalyzed rearrangement of morphinan-N-oxides offers a new, shorter and more efficient route to neuropharmacologically important N-substituted aporphines. An improved procedure is described for the preparation of the starting alkaloid N-oxides using Na₂WO₄ as catalyst. The transetherification during the rearrangement of codeinone into 2-O-alkyl-norapocodeines is documented.     

Transpositions spinales in vitro en milieu acide—VII : Isomerisation d'hydroxy-17 steroïdes ethyleniques: possibilite d'un mecanisme concerte au niveau des cycles c et d

Synthesis and rearrangement of ethylenic 17-hydroxy steroids, with a cis or trans configuration of the 18-methyl and 17-hydroxy groups, is described. The cis compounds lead, in acidic media, to backbone-rearranged steroids, whereas the trans compounds lead to C-nor spiroketones. A concerted mechanism is postulated for the rearrangement of the C and D rings, in every case different from the one occurring for the transposition of ABC rings.