Studies on pyrrolidinones. Synthesis of methyl N-(4-nitrobenzyl)pyroglutamate

Methyl N-trimethylsilylpyroglutamate is reacted with 4-nitrobenzyl chloride to yield methyl N-(4-nitrobenzyl)pyroglutamate.     

Cyclodextrin assisted enantiomeric recognition of benzo[de]isoquinoline-1,3-dione derived amino acids

Spectroscopic evidence for enantiomeric recognition of properly modified amino acids through the cyclodextrin assisted formation of polymer like self-assemblies is presented. The requirements for the formation of these assemblies through aromatic π-π stacking are discussed. It is suggested that this approach can be used for enantiomeric separation of chiral compounds that contain both electron-rich and electron-poor moieties.     

2-Benzyliden-2H-thieto[3,2-b]quinoline: a new heterocycle and its rearrangement to 2-phenylthieno[3,2-b]quinoline

Synthesis of the strained 2H-thieto[3,2-b]quinoline ring system is reported for the first time. Treatment of (Z)-2-benzyliden-2H-thieto[3,2-b]quinoline derivatives of this heterocycle with base, at reflux in ethanol, causes a novel rearrangement to 2-phenylthieno[3,2-b]quinolines. Indeed, the one-pot reaction of 2-aminobenzaldehydes and (Z)-2-benzylidenethietan-3-one in refluxing basic ethanol leads directly to 2-phenylthieno[3,2-b]quinolines in good yields.     

Studies on pyrrolidinones. Oxidations and rearrangements in the hexahydrobenz[f]indolizine-3,10-dione series

Air oxidation of hexahydrobenz[f]indolizine-3,10-diones in MeOH/MeONa yields alcohols, which are easily and selectively transformed, in very good yields, to succinimides, isoquinoline propanoic acids or dehydrated to ene lactams.     

The reaction of tetralones with nitriles: a simple approach to the synthesis of new substituted benzo[h]quinazolines, benzo[f]quinazolines and dibenzo[a,i]phenanthridines

The one-pot reaction of 1-tetralone with nitriles in the presence of triflic anhydride affords in good yields 2,4-disubstituted 5,6-dihydrobenzo[h]quinazolines, which oxidation with DDQ leads to the corresponding benzo[h]quinazolines. 2-Tetralone undergoes identical process forming 1,3-disubstituted 5,6-dihydrobenzo[f]quinazolines. However, when the reaction of 2-tetralone is carried out with methylthiocyanate as nitrile, 5-methylthiotetrahydrodibenzo[a,i]phenanthridines are isolated in good yields. Easy transformations of the methylthio group offer possible access to a variety of substituted dibenzo[a,i]phenanthridines.     

Cyclometallation reactions : VII. Reactions of benzo[h]quinoline

Reactions between benzo[h]quinoline (BqH) and M(CO)₅Me (M = Mn, Re), M₃(CO)₁₂ (M = Ru, Os) and [Rh(CO)₂Cl]₂ have given the complexes M(CO)₄Bq (M = Mn, Re), M(CO)₂Bq₂ (M = Ru, Os), and Bq₂RhCl₂Rh(CO)₂, respectively; Cr(CO)₃ (π-BqH) is metallated on reaction with Mn(CO)₅Me, affording [π-BqMn(CO)₄]Cr(CO)₃. Spectroscopic evidence was obtained for the formation of Mo(CO)₂Bq(π-C₅H₅). Reactions of some complexes to give bi(benzo[h]quinolyl) are also reported. Characteristic changes in the IR and NMR spectra which occur as a result of metallation of the ligand are reported.     

Selective synthesis of benzo[4,5]imidazo[2,1-a]isoquinolines via copper-catalyzed tandem annulation of alkynylbenzonitriles with 2-Iodoanilines

An efficient copper-catalyzed cascade cyclization reaction for selectively synthesizing a variety of benzo[4,5]imidazo[2,1-a]isoquinoline derivatives has been developed. The reaction features the formation of three different CN bonds in sequence. In the presence of Cu(OAc)₂ and KO^tBu, o-alkynylbenzonitriles and 2-iodoanilines proceeded smoothly to obtain the corresponding benzo[4,5]imidazo[2,1-a]isoquinolines in moderate to good yields.     

Efficient route to benzo[4,5]imidazo[2,1-a]phthalazines

Benzo[4,5]imidazo[2,1-a]phthalazines have been obtained from various o-nitrophenylhydrazines through different 2-(2-nitrophenyl)-1,2-dihydro-1-phthalazinones as intermediates using an elaborated advanced procedure. An activated chlorine atom in 2-nitrophenyl moiety of the latter is able to undergo nucleophilic substitution for secondary alicyclic amines yielding novel substituted phthalazinones. Their one-pot reduction and cyclodehydration yield a series of novel substituted benzo[4,5]imidazo[2,1-a]phthalazines.     

Stereodefined ring contraction-rearrangement of thiocoumarins to new fused benzo[b]thiophene derivatives

Mesoionic 1,3-oxazolium-5-olates (münchnones) react with thiocoumarins having an electron-withdrawing group at the 3-position to afford stereodefined fused polycyclic thienopyrroles. The reaction sequence seems to be triggered by a regiospecific dipolar cycloaddition followed by ring opening of the initial 1:1 cycloadduct and intramolecular rearrangement with an unusual ring contraction.     

Synthesis of novel fluorescent benzo[a]pyrano[2,3-c]phenazine and benzo[a]chromeno[2,3-c]phenazine derivatives via facile four-component domino protocol

An efficient and practical route to novel fluorescent benzo[a]pyrano[2,3-c]phenazine framework has been developed by one-pot, four-component reaction of 2-hydroxynaphthalene-1,4-dione, 1,2-phenylenediamines, aromatic aldehydes, and Meldrum’s acid in glacial acetic acid at 70 °C. Photophysical studies of these compounds have been reported. Reactions involving cyclohexane-1,3-dione/5-methylcyclohexane-1,3-dione/dimedone in the place of Meldrum’s acid yielded corresponding benzo[a]chromeno[2,3-c]phenazine derivatives. Crystal structure of 3k established the regioisomer formed. Mild reaction conditions, good yields, short reaction time, and easy separation are some of the salient features of the present protocol.     

Facile synthesis of 4,5,6a,7-tetrahydrodibenzo[de,g]chromene heterocycles and their transformation to phenanthrene alkaloids

Oxa-Pictet–Spengler cyclization and microwave-assisted C–H arylation have been implemented as key steps in the synthesis of new isochroman heterocycles containing a 4,5,6a,7-tetrahydrodibenzo[de,g]chromene motif. These isochromans may be easily transformed to phenanthrene alkaloids via acidic cleavage of the isochroman ring and standard synthetic manipulations thereafter. The route described is attractive in that it provides access to two biologically interesting scaffolds in simple and high yielding synthetic steps.     

Studies on pyrrolidinones. Derivatives of 1,2,3,5,10,10a-hexahydrobenz[f]indolizine-3,10-dione

The Friedel-Crafts reaction of N-(arylmethyi)-5-pyrrolidinone-2-carboxylic acids gives either a cyclization or a reaction with benzene (used as a solvent). Reactions such as reduction, keto substitution and lactam ring opening of 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 10a-hexahydrobenz[f]indolizine-3, 10-diones obtained by the method above have been studied.     

Synthetic studies of benzo[b]pyrrolo[4,3,2-de][1,10]phenanthroline

6,11-Dihydrobenzo[b]pyrrolo[4,3,2-de][1,10]phenanthroline-5,8-dione (6), which possesses a unique heterocyclic ring system similar to that in plakinidines A-D (1-4), was synthesized from 2-acetyl-3′-nitrodiphenylamine (16) in nine steps.     

Studies on pyrrolidinones. Synthesis of 1-[(N-acetylarylamino)methyl]pyroglutamic acid derivatives

Pyroglutamic acid was transformed into 1-[(N-Acetylarylamino)methyl]pyroglutamic acid derivatives by using trimethylsilyl variations of the Mannich reaction.     

Synthesis and characterization of 9,9-dialkylfluorene capped benzo[c]thiophene/benzo[c]selenophene analogs as potential OLEDs

The synthesis of soluble benzo[c]thiophene analogs capped with 9,9-dialkylfluorene at one end is described.     

A simple route to derivatives of benzo[j]fluoranthene

3,6,8,11-Tetramethoxybenzo[j]fluoranthene can be made from 1,6-dimethoxynaphthalene in a one-pot ferric chloride oxidation/methanol reduction procedure. The reaction is tolerant of the presence of substituents in the 7-position of the naphthalene nucleus and provides a quick and easy route to these particular benzo[j]fluoranthenes. The reactions presumably proceed through initial formation of a bond between the 4-positions of two naphthalene molecules followed by closure of the five-membered ring. Indeed in one case some 4,4′-binaphthyl was isolated from the reaction mixture and it was generally found that better yields of the benzo[j]fluoranthrenes were obtained starting from the 4,4′-binaphthyl rather than by using the naphthalene as the starting material. In an analogous manner to the ring-closure of the 4,4′-binaphthyls, starting from a hexakisalkoxyphenylnaphthalene, a hexakisalkoxyfluoranthene could be obtained.     

Studies on pyrrolidinones. Synthesis of 1,2,3,5,11,11a-hexahydroindolizino[7,6-b]indole-3,11-dione

Condensation of N-trimethylsilylindole with methyl N-trimethylsilyloxymethylpyroglutamate is the best method to obtain methyl N-indolylmethylpyroglutamate. Friedel-Crafts cyclization of the corresponding acid yields a new ketone (1,2,3,5,11,11a-hexahydroindolizino[7,6-b] indole-3,11-dione).     

A concise synthesis of novel naphtho[a]carbazoles and benzo[c]carbazoles

Starting from simple indole precursors the synthesis of naphtho[a]carbazoles and benzo[c]carbazoles is described. Key steps include the use of the Suzuki-Miyaura reaction to afford 2- or 3-aryl substituted indoles, as well as a potassium t-butoxide and light assisted aromatic ring-forming reaction.     

Synthesis of original thiazoloindolo[3,2-c]quinoline and novel 8-N-substituted-11H-indolo[3,2-c]quinoline derivatives from benzotriazoles. Part I

Synthesis of novel thiazoloindolo[3,2-c]quinoline and 8-substituted-11H-indolo[3,2-c]quinolines was performed via Graebe-Ullmann thermal cyclization from appropriated N-arylated benzotriazoles. 7H-4,7-Diaza-benzo[de]anthracene, a by-product reaction structurally closed to pyridoacridine skeleton was also identified.     

Studies on pyrrolidinones: a reaction of methylene dichloride under Friedel-Crafts conditions. Synthesis of an α-hydroxymethyl ketone in the hexahydrobenzo[f]indolizine series

When carried out in methylene dichloride, the Friedel-Crafts cyclization of N-arylmethyl pyroglutamates can lead to addition of a CH₂OH group in the position α to the newly formed ketone function.