Reducing versus basic properties of 1,2-diaryl-1,2-disodioethanes

The outcome of the reaction between halogenated arylacetic acids and 1,2-diaryl-1,2-disodioethanes strongly depends on the nature of both reaction partners, and it can be rationalized in terms of a competition between reducing and basic properties of the vic-diorganometals, as well as of the ease of the reductive cleavage of the different carbon-halide bonds. As an application of these findings, we developed a particularly mild approach to the synthesis of halogenated and non halogenated α-substituted arylacetic acids.     

Combined directed ortho-metalation, remote metalation, and Stille cross-coupling strategies. Concise stereoselective synthesis of polysubstituted 9H-fluoren-9-ones

The new sequential stereoselective synthesis of diversely substituted 9H-fluoren-9-ones by ortho-lithiation/Bu₃SnCl quench of unprotected benzoic acids followed by Stille cross-coupling reaction and remote metalation is reported.     

An effective synthesis of N,N-dimethylamides from carboxylic acids and a new route from N,N-dimethylamides to 1,2-diaryl-1,2-diketones

Carboxylic acids were heated at 150 °C in DMF in the presence of 1.25 equiv of thionyl chloride to give corresponding N,N-dimethylamides in good yields. Tandem chlorination and amidation reactions occurred in the one-pot procedure. Dicarboxylic acids needed prolonged reaction time to produce bisamides in good yields. Some benzamides were efficiently converted into corresponding 1,2-diaryl-1,2-diketones (benzils) under acyloin condensation conditions in the presence of 4,4′-di-tert-butylbiphenyl (DBB) in THF. Ultrasonic irradiation effectively accelerates the reaction, but it is not critical. However, the presence of DBB is fatal to the reaction. Although a few synthetic methods for benzils from benzoic acids have been reported so far, this method is one of the most convenient and highly reproducible procedures.     

C-N bond formation followed by N-Cl bond breaking. One more and unexpected case of the formation of a hydroxamic group via heterolytic bond cleavage

An unexpected and previously unknown reaction sequence in the interactions of the acyl halides with nitrosobenzenes, which involves carbon-nitrogen bond formation followed by heterolytic nitrogen-chlorine bond cleavage giving the corresponding unsubstituted N-phenylalkylhydroxamic acids (or N-phenylarylhydroxamic acids) and chlorine as the products has been observed. The kinetic and other evidence obtained suggest that the carbon-nitrogen bond formation is the consequence of a nucleophilic interaction of an N-phenylchlorohydroxylamine intermediate, formed in the first reaction step, with the acyl halide in the second step of the complex sequence, which leads to an N-acyl-N-chlorophenylhydroxylamine cation intermediate. The key reaction step involves the interaction of an N-acyl-N-chlorophenylhydroxylamine cation intermediate with chloride ion, which leads to the N-Cl heterolytic bond cleavage and the final formation of the hydroxamic group and a molecule of chlorine.     

Convergent and streamlined synthesis of 6-etherified imidazo[1,2-b]pyridazine-2-amine derivatives possessing VEGFR-2 kinase inhibitory activity

A convergent and streamlined synthesis of selective vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) 2 kinase inhibitors has been achieved using a synthetic strategy based on an S_NAr reaction of 6-chloroimidazo[1,2-b]pyridazine with phenols in the final step. For the synthesis of 6-chloroimidazo[1,2-b]pyridazine, a one-pot reaction using 3-amino-6-chloropyridazine, cyclopropanecarboxamide, and bromoacetyl bromide was developed. The phenols were easily prepared by chemoselective acylation of 3-aminophenols with pyrazole carboxylic acids, and an efficient and high-yielding synthesis of N-ethylpyrazole was also developed. The S_NAr reaction of 6-chloroimidazo[1,2-b]pyridazine with phenols in DMSO in the presence of cesium carbonate successfully proceeded at 100–110 °C to give the target products in good yields. This new chromatography-free process will be not only useful for the further bulk supply of these compounds but also applicable to the synthesis of other compounds containing the 6-etherified imidazo[1,2-b]pyridazin-2-amine core.     

Substituent directed regioselective synthesis of 2-oxonicotonic acids and methyl nicotinates

An innovative synthesis of aryl tethered 1,2-dihydro-2-oxopyridine-3-carboxylic acids has been developed through nucleophile induced ring transformation of methyl 6-aryl-4-methylsulfanyl-2H-pyran-2-one-3-carboxylates using either cyanamide or arylamidine in excellent yields. Further, the reaction of methyl 6-aryl-4-methylsulfanyl-2H-pyran-2-one-3-carboxylates with formamidine acetate under analogous reaction conditions did not follow the same course of reaction and produced methyl nicotinate, regioselectively, in good yield. Decarboxylation of a 6-aryl-4-methylsulfanyl-1,2-dihydro-2-oxopyridine-3-carboxylic acid has been achieved by heating in PPA. The 4-methylsulfanyl substituent in 3 has also been oxidized to the corresponding methylsulfonyl group with m-chloroperbenzoic acid.     

Active manganese dioxide promoted cyclization of ortho-(1H-pyrrol-1-yl)aryl and heteroaryl carboxylic acids to 5H-pyrrolo[1,2-a][3,1]benzoxazin-5-one derivatives

The hitherto unknown lactone 5H-pyrrolo[1,2-a][3,1]benzoxazin-5-one and six of its substituted derivatives have been prepared by active manganese dioxide promoted oxidative cyclization of the corresponding 2-(1H-pyrrol-1-yl)benzoic acids, under mild conditions, in moderate yields. The method was successfully extended to the cyclization of some ortho-(1H-pyrrol-1-yl)heteroaryl carboxylic acids and 2-(1H-indol-1-yl)benzoic acids.     

Ionic liquid promoted selective debromination of α-bromoketones under microwave irradiation

The debromination of α-bromoketones with an easily accessible ionic liquid, 1-methyl-3-pentylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, [pmIm]BF₄ under microwave irradiation has been investigated. By controlling the reaction time gem-α-dibromoketones are selectively debrominated to either monobromo or debromoketones. The α-monobromo- and α-monoiodoketones are dehalogenated while the corresponding chloroketones remain inert. The activated vic-bromoacetates are converted to the corresponding (E)-alkenes by the same procedure. These reactions do not require any organic solvent, any metal or any conventional reducing agent. The ionic liquid works here as catalyst as well as reaction medium and is recycled without any appreciable loss of its catalytic efficiency.     

Unprecedented conversion of (Z)-3-chloro-3-arylacrylic acids to benzoic acids: synthesis of s-triazolo[3,4-b][1,3,4]thiadiazoles

An unprecedented method for the conversion of (Z)-3-chloro-3-arylacrylic acids to corresponding benzoic acids by stirring in POCl₃ at 80 °C is reported. The benzoic acids formed in situ undergo condensation with 4-amino-5-aryl-3-mercapto-1,2,4-triazoles to yield s-triazolo[3,4-b][1,3,4]thiadiazoles in high yields.     

Tandem Parham cyclisation--α-amidoalkylation reaction in the synthesis of the isoindolo[1,2-a]isoquinoline skeleton of nuevamine-type alkaloids

C-12b substituted isoindolo[1,2-a]isoquinolones 4 are prepared efficiently via a tandem Parham cyclisation--α-amidoalkylation reaction. Thus, Parham cyclisation on imide 1 generates a 12b-hydroxy isoindolo[1,2-a]isoquinolone, which is an immediate precursor of an N-acyliminium ion. Intermolecular alkylation with different π-nucleophiles (allyl silanes or enol ethers) is accomplished upon treatment with Lewis acids (BF₃·OEt₂, TiCl₄) to obtain nuevamine-type derivatives in high yields (69-95%) under mild conditions.     

Bis-β-sulfanylethylester and cyclic disulfide-S-oxides as precursors of bifunctionalized anionic derivatives with two oxidized sulfurs

The cyclic disulfide and the bis-β-sulfanyl ethyl ester derived from dithiol, N,N′-1,2-phenylenebis(3-methyl-3-sulfanylbutanamide) were used as precursors to prepare upon oxidation the cyclic disulfide-S-oxides and the thioether sulfur oxidized species including thioether/sulfoxide, bis-sulfoxide, sulfoxide/sulfone, and bis-sulfone. Ring cleavage with KOH/EtOH of the cyclic disulfide-S-monooxide followed by reaction of the opened intermediate with ethyl acrylate afforded the sulfinate/β-sulfanyl ethyl ester derivative. Selective oxidation with 1 and 2 equiv of (3S)-3-tert-butyl-3-methyl-2-(phenylsulfonyl)oxaziridine or with 3 equiv of DMD led to the isolation of a series of compounds containing a sulfonate and a β-sulfanyl, a β-sulfinyl, and a β-sulfonyl ethyl ester. Retro-Michaël reaction applied to the β-sulfonyl/β-sulfinyl and bis-β-sulfonyl derivatives enabled to produce compounds containing a sulfinate and a β-sulfinyl or a β-sulfonyl ethyl ester as well as the bis-sulfinate dianion. DMD oxidation of the latter afforded the bis-sulfonate dianion. All these anionic species were characterized by ¹H NMR, mass spectrometry, HRMS or elemental analysis. Sulfenates in such pseudopeptidic structures could not be isolated from the ring cleavage of the cyclic disulfide-S-dioxide or from a retro-Michaël reaction applied to the β-sulfinyl ethyl ester. A cyclization reaction leading to an isothiazolidin-3-one is likely to occur as observed from the ring cleavage of the cyclic disulfide-S-dioxide. Finally, Ni(II) and Co(III) have been inserted into the disulfinate dianion leading to the corresponding diamidato/disulfinato complexes S-bonded to Ni(II) or Co(III) centers.     

Indium(III) chloride-catalyzed oxidative cleavage of carbon-carbon multiple bonds by tert-butyl hydroperoxide in water—a safer alternative to ozonolysis

An efficient and general method for the oxidative cleavage of alkenes and alkynes using tert-butyl hydroperoxide and indium(III) chloride as catalyst in water to give the corresponding carboxylic acids or ketones has been achieved. The reaction conditions are compatible with sensitive moieties such as peptide bonds, tert-butyl carboxylic esters and N-Boc-protected tryptophan. The catalyst could be recycled.     

Regioselective synthesis of novel polyfunctionally substituted pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines under solvent-free conditions

A series of 2-(pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-5-yl)benzoic acids 5 has been prepared by a novel protocol that uses the fusion method between 5-amino-1H-pyrazoles 4 and 3-(3-oxo-2-benzofuran-1(3H)-ylidene)pentane-2,4-dione 3. The use of this novel protocol renders good to excellent yields along with short reaction times. In addition, this solvent-free cyclocondensation proceeds in a regiospecific fashion by intramolecular ring opening of the furane ring in a Michael-type reaction.     

The solvent effect on the reaction constants of tert-butyl radical addition to 2-substituted allyl chlorides

The ρ values of free radical S_H2′ reactions have been determined in various solvents. The correlation of Hammett ρ with Taft's π* gives a W value of 0.70. The W value is a measure of susceptibility of the reaction constant to change in solvent polarity. However, the W value is 2.64 in the dissociation reactions of substituted benzoic acids. The free radical reactions are less susceptible to the solvent effect than ionic reactions and this could be rationalized in terms of the partial charge formed in the transition state of free radical reaction is less than that of heterolytic reaction. The ρ values in S_H2′ reactions might not reflect truly the partial charge separation at transition state, however, it might be a measure of the susceptibility of the reaction to the electronic effect of the substituents.     

A facile microwave assisted synthesis of spiro-1,3-oxazines from N-(2-(cyclohex-1-en-1-yl)ethyl)amides

A mild and efficient methodology has been developed for the synthesis of spiro-1,3-oxazine derivatives by the microwave assisted cyclization of N-2-(1′-cyclohexenyl)ethyl-acetamides/benzamides. The reaction was catalyzed by in situ generated trimethylsilyl iodide and featured by its very short reaction time. The starting materials were easily obtained by the condensation of substituted acetic/benzoic acids with 2-(1′-cyclohexenyl)ethyl amine.     

Substituent effects in π-(tricarbonylchromium)arenes: V. Thermodynamic dissociation constants of some substituted π-(tricarbonylchromium)benzoic acids

The thermodynamic dissociation constants of a series of 38 substituted π-(tricarbonylchromium)benzoic acids in 50% aqueous ethanol at 25°C have been determined. The results require revision of some literature values.The pK_a^*-values of the π-(tricarbonylchromium)benzoic acids were correlated with the electronic substituent parameters in terms of the Yukawa-Tsuno equation. The reaction constant (ρ) decreases from 1.4 for the benzoic acids to 0.8 for the π-(tricarbonylchromium)benzoic acids, reflecting the decreased ability of the complexed aromatic system to transmit electronic substituent effects. For the alkylsubstituted π-(tricarbonylchromium)benzoic acids, conformational effects of the Cr(CO)₃ group can account for some of the anomalies observed. The substituent parameters, σ_meta and σ_para, of the π-(Cr(CO)₃)phenyl group as a substituent were derived from the dissociation constants of the complexed phenylbenzoic acids.     

A new approach to construction of isoindolo[1,2-a]isoquinoline alkaloids Nuevamine, Jamtine, and Hirsutine via IMDAF reaction

The interaction between 1-furyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines and unsaturated acids derivatives (acryloyl, methacryloyl, and crotonoyl chloride, maleic and citraconic anhydride) was studied. It was shown that the reaction proceeds via amide formation and subsequent intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction of the furan (IMDAF). The [4+2] cycloaddition proceeded under mild reaction conditions (25-80 °C) and afforded only the exo-adduct in a high yield. With this method, a new approach to the isoindolo[1,2-a]isoquinoline system, the basic structural element of alkaloids Jamtine, Hirsutine, and Nuevamine, is proposed.     

Synthesis and photostabilizing properties of hexachlorobicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-enylmethyl esters of substituted benzoic acids

Polychlorinated bicyclic esters of p-substituted benzoic acids were prepared by the Diels-Alder reaction of hexachlorocyclopentadiene with allyl esters of p-substituted benzoic acids. Some of the adducts synthesized were tested as photostabilizers for polyethylene-based polymer formulations.     

Original one-pot microwave-promoted Hunsdiecker-Suzuki strategy: straightforward access to trans-1,2-diarylethenes from cinnamic acids

An original strategy combining a Hunsdiecker-type bromodecarboxylation and a Suzuki cross-coupling reaction starting from various cinnamic acids has been developed in one-pot and under microwave heating to give trans-1,2-diarylethenes in few minutes.     

Synthesis of 2,3-diaryl-5H-imidazo[2,1-a]isoindol-5-ones via the one-pot reaction of 1,2-diketones, 2-formylbenzoic acids, and ammonium acetate

We describe a new one-pot synthesis of 2,3-diaryl-5H-imidazo[2,1-a]isoindol-5-ones via the reaction of 1,2-diketones, 2-formylbenzoic acids, and ammonium acetate in acetic acid under reflux conditions and in the absence of a catalyst.