A facile approach to spirocyclic butenolides through cascade cyclization/oxidative cleavage reactions of (Z)-enynols catalyzed by gold under dioxygen atmosphere

A facile approach for the syntheses of spirocyclic butenolides through cascade cyclization/oxidative cleavage reactions of (Z)-enynols bearing cyclic substituents at the C-1 position catalyzed by gold under dioxygen atmosphere has been developed. A variety of substituted butenolides was constructed in a regioselective manner from suitably substituted (Z)-2-en-4-yn-1-ols. (Z)-Enynols substituted both at C2 and C3-position afforded the spirocyclic butenolides in moderate to good yields, C-2 unsubstituted (Z)-enynols afforded the products in moderate yields, and the C-3 unsubstituted (Z)-enynols afforded the desired products in low yields.     

A novel synthesis of 2,4,4-trisubstituted 2-cyclopentenones by consecutive reaction of 1-chlorovinyl p-tolyl sulfoxides with acetonitrile and its homologues

1-Chlorovinyl p-tolyl sulfoxides were synthesized from several kinds of ketones and chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide in three steps in high overall yields. Treatment of the 1-chlorovinyl p-tolyl sulfoxides with cyanomethyllithium (lithium α-carbanion of acetonitrile) at low temperature gave the adducts in almost quantitative yields. The adducts were then treated with LDA followed by excess lithium α-carbanion of the homologues of acetonitrile to afford 3,5,5-trisubstituted cyclopentadienyl enaminonitriles, which were hydrolyzed and heated under acidic conditions to give 2,4,4-trisubstituted 2-cyclopentenones in good overall yields.     

Anthracene-9-methanol—a novel fluorescent phototrigger for biomolecular caging

Photoexcitation of a solution of anthracene-9-methanol derived esters at ∼386 nm in CH₃CN/H₂O (3:2 v/v) results in fluorescence emission in the 380-480 nm range, with quantum yields of fluorescence (Φ_f) in the 0.01-0.09 range and releases of the carboxylic acids in good chemical yields (43-100%), with quantum yields of photoreaction (Φ_PR, i.e., the photodisappearance of the esters) in the 0.067-0.426 range.     

(E)-alkenyl thiocyanates from (E)-alkenylpentafluorosilicates by the oxidative cleavage with copper(II) thiocyanate

(E)-Alkenylpentafluorosilicates react with copper(II) thiocyanate in DMF at ambient temperature to give (E)-alkenyl thiocyanates stereoselectively in high yields.     

Pretreatment for Simultaneous Production of Total Lipids and Fermentable Sugars from Marine Alga, Chlorella sp.

The goal of this study was to determine the optimal pretreatment process for the extraction of lipids and reducing sugars to facilitate the simultaneous production of biodiesel and bioethanol from the marine microalga Chorella sp. With a single pretreatment process, the optimal ultrasonication pretreatment process was 10 min at 47 KHz, and extraction yields of 6.5 and 7.1 (percentage, w/w) of the lipids and reducing sugars, respectively, were obtained. The optimal microwave pretreatment process was 10 min at 2,450 MHz, and extraction yields of 6.6 and 7.0 (percentage, w/w) of the lipids and reducing sugars, respectively, were obtained. Lastly, the optimal high-pressure homogenization pretreatment process was two cycles at a pressure of 20,000 psi, and extraction yields of 12.5 and 12.8 (percentage, w/w) of the lipids and reducing sugars, respectively, were obtained. However, because the single pretreatment processes did not markedly improve the extraction yields compared to the results of previous studies, a combination of two pretreatment processes was applied. The yields of lipids and reducing sugars from the combined application of the high-pressure homogenization process and the microwave process were 24.4 and 24.9 % (w/w), respectively, which was up to three times greater than the yields obtained using the single pretreatment processes. Furthermore, the oleic acid content, which is a fatty acid suitable for biodiesel production, was 23.39 % of the fatty acids (w/w). The contents of glucose and xylose, which are among the fermentable sugars useful for bioethanol production, were 77.5 and 13.3 % (w/w) of the fermentable sugars, respectively, suggesting the possibility of simultaneously producing biodiesel and bioethanol. Based on the results of this study, the combined application of the high-pressure homogenization and microwave pretreatment processes is the optimal method to increase the extraction yields of lipids and reducing sugars that are essential for the simultaneous production of biodiesel and bioethanol.     

The diorgano dichalcogenides addition to benzyne under mild conditions

The reaction between diorgano dichalcogenides and o-(trimethylsilyl)phenyl triflate in the presence of CsF at room temperature produced o-bis(organochalcogenide)benzenes in moderate to good yields.     

Selective ring N-protection of aminopyrazoles

Two simple procedures for the selective protection of the ring N of aminopyrazoles as tert-butoxycarbamate (Boc) in high yields are reported; several other protecting groups (Cbz, Bn, SEM) can be introduced using the one-pot procedure (method B). The N-Boc protected aminopyrazoles are acylated at the exocyclic NH₂ group and subsequently deprotected to give the corresponding 3-acylaminopyrazoles in high yields. This procedure is applicable for the rapid parallel synthesis of 3-acylaminopyrazoles.     

Preparation of naphthaldehydes by cerium(IV)ammonium nitrate oxidation of methylnaphthalenes

Naphthalenes with an Me group in the 1-position gave aldehydes in good to excellent yields when oxidized with cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate (CAN) in 50% HOAc at 85°. Under the same conditions methylnaphthalenes with no Me group in a peri position gave aldehydes in fair yields but also significant amounts of 1,4-naphthoquinone.     

Catalytic silylation of secondary alcohols by pyridine N-oxide derivative

The reaction of t-butyldiphenylsilyl (TBDPS) chloride with secondary alcohols was catalyzed by pyrrolidinopyridine N-oxide (PPYO) in the presence of diisopropylethylamine (DIPEA) at room temperature, giving the corresponding TBDPS ethers in high yields.     

Manganese(III)-based oxidation of 2,4-piperidinediones in the presence of alkenes

The manganese(III)-catalyzed aerobic oxidation of 2,4-piperidinediones was performed in the presence of alkenes at room temperature, producing 1-hydroxy-8-aza-2,3-dioxabicyclo[4.4.0]decan-7-ones in excellent yields. On the other hand, the 6-acetoxy-3-aza-7-oxabicyclo[4.3.0]nonan-2-ones were obtained by the oxidation of the 2,4-piperidinedione-3-carboxylates with manganese(III) acetate in the presence of alkenes at elevated temperature under an argon atmosphere. A similar oxidation using decarboxylated 2,4-piperidinediones produced the 2,3,6,7-tetrahydrofuro[3,2-c]pyridin-4(5H)-ones and/or 2,3,6,7-tetrahydrofuro[2,3-b]pyridin-4(5H)-ones in good yields. The structure determination and the decomposition reaction of the azabicyclic peroxides in acetic acid or acetic anhydride, and the reaction pathway were also described.     

3-(o-Trifluoroacetamidoaryl)-1-propargylic esters: common intermediates for the palladium-catalyzed synthesis of 2-aminomethyl-, 2-vinylic, and 2-alkylindoles

3-(o-Trifluoroacetamidoaryl)-1-propargylic esters have been used as common synthetic intermediates for the preparation of a variety of 3-unsubstituted 2-substituted indoles. Treating ethyl 3-(o-trifluoroacetamidoaryl)-1-propargylic carbonates unsubstituted or containing an aryl substituent at the propargylic carbon with piperazines and Pd(PPh₃)₄ in THF at 80 °C affords 2-(piperazin-1-ylmethyl)indoles in excellent yields. Good to excellent yields of 2-aminomethylindoles are also obtained with other secondary amines. Ethyl 3-(o-trifluoroacetamidoaryl)-1-propargylic carbonates bearing an alkyl substituent at the propargylic carbon and ethyl 3-(o-trifluoroacetamidoaryl)-1-propargylic acetates disubstituted at the propargylic carbon give 2-vinylic indoles with the Pd(OAc)₂/PPh₃ combination and Et₃N in THF at 80 °C. Formation of 2-vinylic indoles is quite stereoselective, generating trans vinylic derivatives, at least with the substrates that we have investigated. In the presence of formic acid, Et₃N, and Pd(PPh₃)₄ in MeCN at 80 °C, ethyl 3-(o-trifluoroacetamidoaryl)-1-propargylic carbonates afford 2-alkylindoles in good to excellent yields.     

One-pot synthesis of highly functionalized stable ketenimines of 2,2,2-trifluoro-N-aryl-acetamides

Three-component reaction of alkyl isocyanides and dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates in the presence of 2,2,2-trifluoro-N-aryl-acetamides in dichloromethane at ambient temperature afforded dialkyl 2-(N-(aryl)-2,2,2-trifluoroacetamido)-3-(alkylimino) methylene-succinate derivatives in excellent yields.     

A novel synthesis of bicyclo[3.3.0]oct-1-en-3-ones from cyclobutanones through [chloro(p-tolylsulfinyl)methylidene]cyclobutanes with ring expansion

Treatment of [chloro(p-tolylsulfinyl)methylidene]cyclobutanes, which were synthesized from cyclobutanones and chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide in three steps in high overall yields, with excess cyanomethyllithium gave enaminonitriles in high yields. Heating of these enaminonitriles with H₃PO₄ in acetic acid gave 2-cyanobicyclo[3.3.0]oct-1-en-3-ones in good yield. On the other hand, treatment of the [chloro(p-tolylsulfinyl)methylidene]cyclobutanes with cyanomethyllithium followed by lithium carbanion of the homologues of acetonitrile afforded enaminonitriles having a substituent at the 3-position. Heating of the enaminonitriles with H₃PO₄ in acetic acid gave 2-substituted bicyclo[3.3.0]oct-1-en-3-ones in good to high yields. This method offers a novel and versatile procedure for synthesis of 2-substituted bicyclo[3.3.0]oct-1-en-3-ones from cyclobutanones in good overall yields.     

Reactions of 3-(polyfluoroacyl)chromones with hydroxylamine. The first synthesis of 3-cyano-2-(polyfluoroalkyl)chromones

Reaction of 3-(polyfluoroacyl)chromones with hydroxylamine proceeds via nucleophilic 1,4-addition followed by opening of the pyrone ring and subsequent cyclization to 4-(polyfluoroalkyl)-4H-chromeno[3,4-d]isoxazol-4-ols in good yields. On treatment with trifluoroacetic acid, the isoxazole ring of this annulated heterocyclic system opens to give 3-cyano-2-(polyfluoroalkyl)chromones. Reaction of 3-(polyfluoroacyl)chromones with hydroxylamine hydrochloride occurs only at the carbonyl carbon atom connected to the R^F group to give the corresponding oximes in low yields.     

A simple and efficient method for the synthesis of highly substituted imidazoles using 3-aroylquinoxalin-2(1H)-ones

3-Aroylquinoxalin-2(1H)-ones were found to be hetero analogues of α-diketones for the efficient, one-pot, three component synthesis of 2,4,5-trisubstituted imidazoles and imidazo[1,5-a]quinoxalin-4(5H)-ones in boiling methanol. The key advantages of this process are high yields, ready availability and low cost of 3-aroylquinoxalin-2(1H)-ones and easy work-up and separation of the products by non-chromatographic methods. Furthermore, the presence of an ortho-iminoanilide fragment at position 4 of the imidazoles obtained has made it possible to produce 2-(imidazol-4-yl)benzimidazoles in almost quantitative yields.     

Efficient microwave-assisted three-component one-pot preparation of 1-aryl-4-(2-acetoxyethyl)piperazines and 1-aryl-4-(2-acetoxyethyl)piperidines

A highly efficient one-pot, three-component microwave-assisted procedure has been developed for the preparation of 1-(para-substituted-aryl)-4-(2-acetoxyethyl)piperazines and 1-(para-substituted-aryl)-4-(2-acetoxyethyl)piperidines. Microwave-accelerated heating of electron-deficient aryl halides and potassium acetate with either 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) or quinuclidine at 180 °C for 120 min provided the title products in good yields and with general substrate scope. Similarly, subjection of potassium pthalimide instead of potassium acetate to the same conditions provided good yields of 1-arylpiperazines and 1-arylpiperidines containing a 2-phthalimidoethyl substituent at the C-4 position.     

TBSOTf-promoted versatile N-formylation using DMF at room temperature

Hydrazides and amines were N-formylated by DMF in the presence of tert-butyldimethylsilyl triflate (TBSOTf) at room temperature, in good to excellent yields.     

Synthesis of azido arylselenides and azido aryldiselenides: a new class of selenium-nitrogen compounds

We present here our results of the efficient synthesis of azido arylselenides and azido aryldiselenides under mild conditions. Starting from nitrogen-substituted benzenes, we incorporated selenium atom at aromatic ring and obtained amino arylselenides and diselenides in satisfactory yields. Treatment of these compounds with iso-pentyl nitrite (i-C₅H₁₁ONO) and azido trimethylsilane (Me₃SiN₃) in THF affords a variety of azido arylselenides and diselenides in good to excellent yields.     

Novel diastereoselective synthesis of (E)- and (Z)-allylsilanes via organoboranes

A simple, novel diastereoselective synthesis of both (E)- and (Z)-allylsilanes via organoboranes is developed. (E)-1-Alkenylboronate esters easily prepared from the corresponding terminal alkynes via hydroboration with dibromoborane-methyl sulfide complex followed by treatment with 1,3-propane diol readily react with trimethylsilylmethyllithium at −78 °C in methanol followed by reaction with iodine in methanol to produce the corresponding (Z)-allylsilanes in high yields (72-80%) and in high stereochemical purities (98% as evidenced by CMR spectral data). Similarly, the (Z)-1-alkenylboronate esters react with trimethylsilylmethyllithium at −78 °C in methanol followed by treatment with iodine in methanol to produce the corresponding (E)-allylsilanes in moderate yields (57-65%) in high stereochemical purities (>98% as revealed by CMR spectral data).     

A new synthesis of enantiomerically pure α- and β-amino acid derivatives using aziridinyl anions

Optically active sulfinylaziridines having a 4-methoxyphenyl group on their nitrogen atom were synthesized from optically active 1-chloroalkyl p-tolyl sulfoxide and an imine derived from benzaldehyde and p-anisidine stereoselectively in good overall yields. The sulfinylaziridines were treated with ethylmagnesium bromide or tert-butyllithium to afford aziridinylmagnesiums or aziridinyllithiums, respectively, in quantitative yields. Cross-coupling of the aziridinylmagnesiums with iodoalkanes in the presence of Cu(I) iodide gave tri-substituted aziridines in high yields from which enantiomerically pure β,β-disubstituted β-amino acid derivatives were synthesized. A β-amino acid derivative having deuterium at the stereogenic center was also realized by this method. On the other hand, from the aziridinyllithium, enantiomerically pure quaternary phenylalanine and quaternary aspartic acid derivatives were synthesized.