Microwave-assisted generation and reactivity of aza- and diazafulvenium methides: heterocycles via pericyclic reactions

Azafulvenium methides and diazafulvenium methides have been generated under microwave irradiation from 2,2-dioxo-1H,3H-pyrrolo[1,2-c]thiazoles and 2,2-dioxo-1H,3H-pyrazolo[1,5-c]thiazoles, respectively. Pericyclic reactions of these 1,7-dipole intermediates, namely, sigmatropic [1,8]H shifts, 1,7-electrocyclization or [8π+2π] cycloaddition led to the synthesis of a range of pyrrole and pyrazole derivatives. The first evidence for the azafulvenium methides by intermolecular trapping via [8π+2π] cycloaddition is reported.     

Highly regio- and stereoselective synthesis of tricyclic frameworks using Baylis-Hillman derivatives

A simple and convenient synthetic route for the synthesis of tricyclic chromeno[4,3-b]pyrrolidine frameworks using Baylis-Hillman bromides involving in situ formation of an imine, decarboxylation and a [3+2] cycloaddition sequence is described.     

Enantioselective synthesis of the spirotryprostatin A scaffold

The pentacyclic spirotryprostatin scaffold embodies an oxindole with an all-carbon quaternary stereocenter. The scaffold can efficiently be accessed in a one-pot reaction sequence consisting of a highly enantioselective 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition, N-acylation of the resulting stereochemically complex 3,3′-pyrrolidinyl-spirooxindole core with Fmoc-proline and spontaneous ring closure upon N-deprotection.     

Cycloaddition reactions of 1,3-diazabuta-1,3-dienes with alkynyl ketenes

The cycloaddition reactions of ‘all-carbon’ 1,3-diazabuta-1,3-dienes with a few conjugated and unconjugated alkynyl ketenes are described. The reactions provide some interesting azetidinones and dihydropyrimidinones bearing an alkynyl moiety. The regiochemistry of cycloadduct is related with the degree of conjugation of the alkynyl ketene. Moreover, two alternative approaches to ‘all-carbon’ 1,3-diazabuta-1,3-dienes are reported.     

Novel synthesis of naphtho[2,1-b]pyrano pyrrolizidines and indolizidines through intramolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction

A facile synthesis of a series of naphtho[2,1-b]pyrano pyrrolizidines and indolizidines was accomplished in good yields in a one-pot reaction through intramolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides with Baylis-Hillman adducts as dipolarophiles. The protocol is applicable to a wide variety of photochromic and biologically active napthopyrano products. The regio and stereochemical outcome of the cycloaddition reaction was ascertained by X-ray crystallographic study of some of the products.     

A facile regioselective 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition protocol for the synthesis of new class of quinolinyl dispiro heterocycles

The 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of azomethine ylides generated in situ from isatin and secondary amino acids with quinolinyl dipolarophiles in refluxing methanol afforded new class of quinolinyl dispiro heterocycles with multi hetero core units. The regio and stereochemistry of the product was unambiguously assigned by ¹H, ¹³C, 2D NMR techniques and single crystal X-ray analysis. The structures of the compounds are stabilized through the presence of intermolecular hydrogen bonding and intramolecular non-covalent interactions.     

1,3-Dipolar cycloaddition of 2- and 3-nitroindoles with azomethine ylides. A new approach to pyrrolo[3,4-b]indoles

The 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of unstabilized azomethine ylides with 2- and 3-nitroindoles furnishes the expected hexahydropyrrolo[3,4-b]indole cycloadducts in good to excellent yields. The cycloadducts can be denitrated with Bu₃SnH/AIBN, and cycloadduct 5 was oxidized with MnO₂ to yield the known pyrrolo[3,4-b]indole 13.     

Microwave-assisted solvent-free intramolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions leading to hexahydrochromeno[4,3-b]pyrroles: scope and limitations

We report the microwave-assisted solvent-free synthesis of hexahydrochromeno[4,3-b]pyrroles. Intramolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions proceed under these conditions within 15-40 min in 16-84% yields. An influence of the microwave irradiation upon various [3+2] cycloaddition reaction intermediates was studied. Additionally, a scope and limitations of these reactions including an influence of the dipolarophile geometry upon the cycloaddition selectivity and steric demands of the dipole upon its reactivity were also disclosed. These observations led us to postulate a preferable transition state of the reaction. Finally, an influence of the microwave irradiation to the isomerization of activated olefins was also described.     

A Novel Method to Construct 2-Aminobenzofurans via [4 + 1] Cycloaddition Reaction of In Situ Generated Ortho-Quinone Methides with Isocyanides

A new approach for the synthesis of 2-aminobenzofurans has been described via Sc(OTf)₃ mediated formal cycloaddition of isocyanides with the in situ generated ortho-quinone methides (o-QMs) from o-hydroxybenzhydryl alcohol. Notably, as a class of readily available and highly active intermediates, o-QMs were first used in the construction of benzofurans. This [4 + 1] cycloaddition reaction provides a straightforward and efficient methodology for the construction of 2-aminobenzofurans scaffold in good yield (up to 93% yield) under mild conditions.     

Regioselective synthesis of novel spiroindane-1,3-diones through 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions

A facile synthesis of novel spiroindane-1,3-diones has been achieved via 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of an azomethine ylide, generated in situ from ninhydrin and 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline, with the conjugated double bond of chalcone derivatives. The regiochemistry and structures of the cycloadducts were determined with spectroscopic data and by X-ray crystal structure analysis.     

[4+1] Cycloaddition of N-acylimine derivatives with isocyanides: efficient synthesis of 5-aminooxazoles and 5-aminothiazoles

[4+1] Cycloaddition reaction between isocyanides and N-acylimine derivatives generated from N-acyl N,O-acetals acting as isocyanophiles has been developed. These reactions proceeded smoothly and cleanly to afford the corresponding 5-aminooxazoles in high yields. This reaction was extended to the syntheses of 5-aminothiazoles by using N-thioacyl N,O-acetals. A wide range of N-acyl N,O-acetals, N-thioacyl N,O-acetals, and isocyanides were found to be applicable to this reaction.     

A facile synthesis of chromeno[3,4-c]spiropyrrolidine-oxindoles via 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions

A facile one-pot synthesis of chromene bearing novel spiropyrrolidine-oxindoles has been accomplished by the [3+‏2]-cycloaddition reaction of 3-acetyl-2H-chromen-2-ones with azomethine ylides derived in situ from isatin or N-methyl isatin with sarcosine.     

New chemistry of diazafulvenium methides: one way to pyrazoles

Diazafulvenium methides generated from the solution pyrolysis of pyrazolo[1,5-c][1,3]thiazole-2,2-dioxides participate in [8π+2π] cycloadditions giving pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridine derivatives. 1-Methyl-diazafulvenium, generated under flash vacuum pyrolysis reaction conditions, undergoes an intramolecular sigmatropic [1,8]H shift giving 1-vinyl-1H-pyrazoles.     

Asymmetric construction of substituted pyrrolidines via 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides and chiral acrylates derived from biomass

The first application of chiral auxiliaries synthesized from levoglucosenone (a biomass-derived anhydrosugar) in asymmetric 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions of azomethine ylides is herein reported. The corresponding pyrrolidinic cores were obtained in excellent levels of regio and stereocontrol, good to excellent π-facial selectivities, and could be isolated enantiomerically pure by column chromatography. Unexpected NMR observations coupled with DFT calculations allowed the stereochemical assignment of the synthesized adducts. The stereochemical assignment performed in silico was further unambiguously validated by structural X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Expeditious synthesis of cis-1-methyl-2,3,3a,4,5,9b-hexahydro-1H-pyrrolo-[3,2h]isoquinoline/[2,3-f]quinoline via azomethine ylide-alkene [3+2] cycloaddition

Expeditious syntheses of cis-1-methyl-2,3,3a,4,5,9b-hexahydro-1H-pyrrolo-[3,2h]isoquinoline/[2,3-f]quinoline have been developed. The syntheses started with commercially available materials and afforded excellent overall yields in straightforward steps. Intramolecular azomethine ylide-alkene [3+2] cycloaddition is the key step in the construction of these pyrroloisoquinoline and pyrroloquinoline scaffolds. This route is much more atom-economic than those reported in the literature and is appropriate for scale-up synthesis.     

Reactivity of allenoates towards aziridines: synthesis of functionalized methylenepyrrolidines and pyrroles

The reactivity of buta-2,3-dienoates towards aziridines is reported. Typically, allenoates react as the 2π-component in the [3+2] cycloaddition with azomethine ylides generated from aziridines, affording 4-methylenepyrrolidines in a site-, regio- and stereoselective fashion. However, N-cyclohexyl- or N-tert-butyl-2-benzoyl-3-phenylaziridines showed a different reactivity in the reaction with buta-2,3-dienoates. Pyrrole derivatives were obtained as single or major products resulting from a formal [3+2] cycloaddition via C-N bond cleavage of the three-membered ring heterocycle leading to functionalized pyrroles. From the reaction with allenoates bearing bulkier C-4 substituents 4-methylenepyrrolidines were also formed as minor products.     

New pyrrolidine and pyrroline derivatives of fullerenes: from the synthesis to the use in light-converting systems

The results of the authors’ studies on the [2+3] cycloaddition of azomethine and nitrile ylides generated from picolylamine and benzylamine derivatives to fullerenes are systematized and new experimental data are considered. Catalysts and microwave radiation promoting the formation of ylides and their addition to fullerenes were successfully used for the first time. A large series of new pyrrolidine and pyrroline derivatives of fullerenes C₆₀ and C₇₀ were synthesized and characterized. The proposed procedures afford the reaction products in yields twice as high (80–85%) as those attained by the classical Prato reaction. The reactions proceed with virtually complete regio- (in the case of C₇₀) and stereoselectivity to afford only cis-2′,5′-disubstituted and trans-1′,2′,5′-trisubstituted pyrrolidinofullerenes. Pyridyl-substituted pyrrolidinofullerenes react with metalloporphyrins and phthalocyanines to form self-ordered coordination complexes. The latter are analogs of natural photosynthetic antenna systems due to photoinduced charge separation that occurs in these complexes upon exposure to light. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 5, pp. 873–898, May, 2008.     

Hydrogen‐Bonding Network Promoted [3+2] Cycloaddition: Asymmetric Catalytic Construction of Spiro‐pseudoindoxyl Derivatives

The enantioselective construction of a spirocyclic quaternary stereogenic carbon center at the C2 position of indole has long been an elusive problem in organic synthesis. Herein, by employing a rationally designed hydrogen‐bonding network activation strategy, for the first time, 2,2′‐pyrrolidinyl‐spirooxindole, which is a valuable and prevalent indole alkaloid scaffold, was directly obtained through a catalytic asymmetric [3+2] cycloaddition reaction with high yields and excellent stereoselectivities.     

Efficient Methods for the Synthesis of Benzopyrano[3,4-c]pyrrolidines by Catalyzed 1,3-Dipolar Cycloaddition of Azomethine Ylides with 3-Substituted Coumarins

With triethylamine as a catalyst, the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides with 3-substituted coumarins proceeded smoothly under mild conditions to afford the desired products benzopyrano[3,4-c]pyrrolidines in good to excellent yields.      

Cycloaddition reactions of 2,4-diphenyl-1,3-diazabuta-1,3-dienes with isocyanates and isothiocyanates

The cycloaddition reactions of 1-p-tolyl and 1-benzyl- 2,4-diphenyl-1,3-diazabuta-1,3-dienes with a variety of aryl and alkyl isocyanate and isothiocyanate are described. The reaction mechanism is also discussed.