Novel aziridination of α-halo ketones: an efficient nucleophile-induced cyclization of phosphoramidates to functionalized aziridines

A novel and efficient aziridination of α-halo ketones is reported. The reaction of α-halo ketones with diethyl N-arylphosphoramidates affords diethyl N-aryl-N-(2-oxoalkyl)phosphoramidates which undergo reductive (H⁻-induced) cyclization with sodium borohydride followed by sodium hydride to give 1,2-disubstituted and 1,2,3-trisubstituted aziridines. The cyclization induced by NCS⁻ or PhS⁻ affords substituted aziridines functionalized at C-2. The reactions give excellent yields and are highly diastereoselective in favour of cis aziridines.     

Cyclization into hydrindanones using samarium diiodide

Samarium(II) iodide has been employed to promote vinylogous pinacol coupling reaction of aldehyde onto alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones. The diastereoselectivity of 6-endo products was changed by addition of a proton source and/or HMPA and by the reaction temperature. The cyclization reactions described herein provide a general approach to the syntheses of 3,3-dimethylhydrindanes with a cis-relationship between the OH at C-4 and the proton at C-3a with good diastereoselectivity and under mild reaction conditions.     

Radical cyclizations to quinolone and isoquinolone systems under oxidative and reductive conditions

Radical cyclizations to quinolone and isoquinolone systems under Fenton-type and n-Bu₃SnH-mediated conditions are described. For N-iodoalkylquinolones, ca. 3:1 mixtures of oxidative cyclization products at C-2, and unexpectedly at C-8, were obtained under both conditions. Five- or six-membered oxidative cyclization products were obtained from N-iodoalkylisoquinolones under Fenton-type conditions, whereas n-Bu₃SnH-mediated reactions gave products of reductive cyclization in the five, six, and seven-membered series.     

Pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridines: synthetic approaches to a novel class of antiherpetics

Synthesis of a novel class of 7-amino-3-pyrimidinyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridine antiherpetic compounds is described. The synthetic methodology is designed to allow for rapid analog synthesis around the C-3 and C-7 positions of the pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridine. The 7-chloropyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridine D, produced through an azirine rearrangement, served as a key building block. Two complementary methodologies for construction of the C-3 pyrimidine are described. These methods include the development of a novel cyclization utilizing alkynyl ketones or enones to give highly substituted pyrimidines. The outlined strategies facilitated late stage manipulation of either the C-3 or C-7 positions providing flexibility for rapid analog synthesis.     

Cyclizations producing hydrindanones with two methyl groups at the juncture positions mediated by samarium diiodide and electrolysis

One-electron reductive intramolecular cyclization of enones with ketones or aldehydes mediated by samarium diiodide and electrolysis to afford cis-trimethyl- hydrindanolones. The reactions gave selectivities ranging from 1:1 to 100:0 depending on the conditions.     

Iron-catalyzed cascade reaction of ynone with o-aminoaryl compounds: a Michael addition-cyclization approach to 3-carbonyl quinolines

An efficient iron-catalyzed cascade Michael addition-cyclization of o-aminoaryl compounds including o-aminoaryl aldehydes, o-aminoaryl ketones, and o-aminobenzyl alcohols with ynones for the synthesis of 3-carbonyl quinolines is reported. The reactions proceed to afford 3-carbonyl quinoline derivatives with or without substituent at the C-4 position in good to high yields using Iron(III) chloride hexahydrate as the catalyst in the air.     

Free-radical cyclization of enantiomerically enriched 2-p-tolylthio derivatives of 2-allylcyclohexanones with Mn(III): asymmetric synthesis of bridged bicyclic ketones and thiochroman-3-ones

Mn(III)-based oxidative intramolecular cyclization of enantiomerically enriched 2-allyl-2-(p-tolylsulfonyl)-cyclohexanone 4 and 2-allyl-2-(p-tolylsulfenyl)cyclohexanone 9 are reported. The observed chemoselectivity (reaction on the allylic double bond yielding bridged bicyclic ketones vs. reaction on the aromatic ring of the p-tolyl group affording thiochroman-3-ones) depends on the sulfur function (sulfone or thioether, respectively), which determines the electronic density of the p-tolyl ring and the conformational preferences of the starting compounds. The nature of the substituent at C-2 is related to the endo/exo selectivity of the cyclization as well as the regioselectivity in the formation of the enones.     

AuCl-catalyzed reaction of ortho-alkynyl(oxo)benzene with benzenediazonium 2-carboxylate as a synthetic method towards anthracene, triptycene, and phthalazine derivatives

The AuCl-catalyzed benzannulation of ortho-alkynylphenyl ketones with benzenediazonium 2-carboxylate proceeded efficiently at 40 °C in (CH₂Cl)₂ and a variety of anthracene derivatives, having a ketone group at 9-position, were produced in good to high yields. On the other hand, the reaction of ortho-alkynylbenzaldehydes with benzenediazonium 2-carboxylate afforded triptycyl ketones. The reactions most probably proceed through the formation of a zwitterionic intermediate by the gold-induced electrophilic cyclization of ortho-alkynyl(oxo)benzenes, followed by the cycloaddition of benzyne. In contrast, when the above reaction was carried out at rt in 1,4-dioxane, phthalazine derivative was produced without the generation of benzyne.     

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.     

Synthesis of angularly fused cyclopentanoids and analogous tricycles via photoinduced ketyl radical/radical anion fragmentation-cyclization reactions

Angular fused tricycles were synthesized through intramolecular tandem fragmentation-cyclization reactions by photochemically induced electron transfer (PET) of tricyclic α-cyclopropyl ketones with an unsaturated side chain at the position γ to the carbonyl group. The reactions resulted in regioselective cleavage of a β-cyclopropyl bond with formation of angular fused tricyclic ring systems via ketyl radical/radical anions as reactive intermediates. In general, triethylamine (TEA) was used as a strong reducing reagent in acetonitrile. The preferred regioselectivity of the cyclization step (exo vs endo) depending on the substitution pattern at the quaternary carbon center (Cβ′) of the tricyclic α-cyclopropyl ketones was investigated. In addition, we also checked a two-step pathway for the synthesis of angular dioxa-triquinanes including photolysis of an allyloxy-substituted cyclopenta[c]furanone derivative and subsequent β-cleavage of the resulted dioxa-[4.5.5.5]fenestrane under reductive PET conditions.     

Reactions of epoxides derived from internal perfluoroolefins with o-phenylenediamine and 2-aminophenol

The reactions of epoxy derivatives of internal perfluoroolefins with o-phenylenediamine and 2-aminophenol in dioxane gave 23–67% of the corresponding 2,3-bis(perfluoroalkyl)quinoxalines and 2,3-bis(perfluoroalkyl)-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-2-ols, respectively. When N,N-dimethylacetamide was used as a solvent, the main reaction pathway was anionic isomerization of epoxides into ketones which were then converted into 2-perfluoroalkylbenzimidazoles (in the reactions with o-phenylenediamine) or 2-hydroxy-N-perfluoroalkanoylanilines (in the reactions with 2-aminophenol). The reaction of 3,4-epoxydodecafluorohexane with 2-aminophenol in N,N-dimethylacetamide was accompanied by unusual cyclization to afford 2-pentafluoropropanoyl-2-pentafluoroethyl-1,3-benzoxazolidine.     

Lewis acid-catalyzed atom transfer radical cyclization of unsaturated β-keto amides

The Lewis acid-catalyzed atom transfer radical cyclization reactions of olefinic -bromo β-keto amides were investigated. It was found Lewis acid Yb(OTf)₃ or Mg(ClO₄)₂ not only promoted the cyclization reactions, but also resulted in excellent trans stereocontrol in the cyclization products. With the catalysis of Lewis acid Yb(OTf)₃ or Mg(ClO₄)₂ at −78°C in the presence of Et₃B/O₂, the cyclization reactions of C-olefinic β-keto amides provided cyclic ketones, while the cyclization reactions of N-olefinic β-keto amides led to the formation of γ-lactams, which could be converted to 3-aza-bicyclo[3,1,0]hexan-2-ones.     

Regioselectivity of Pictet-Spengler cyclization reactions to construct the pentacyclic frameworks of the ecteinascidin-saframycin class of tetrahydroisoquinoline antitumor antibiotics

The regiochemical outcome of Pictet-Spengler cyclization reactions directed toward the preparation of the pentacyclic core of the ecteinascidin class of antitumor antibiotics has been investigated on two different phenolic substrates. In one substrate, the assistance of an incipient benzylamine group at C-4 is postulated to direct the cyclization in favor of the pentacyclic framework of ET-743, which bears a hydroxyl group at C-18. Conversely, cyclization of an alternative substrate lacking a heteroatom at C-4 favors the opposite regiochemical outcome, primarily affording an unnatural pentacyclic core bearing a hydroxyl group at C-16.     

Facile synthesis of 1-naphthols through a copper-catalyzed arylation of methyl ketones with o-bromoacetophenones

The coupling reactions of simple methyl ketones with o-bromoacetophenones and subsquential cyclization reactions were realized to produce a range of 1-naphthols. These cascade reactions were initiated by a rare Cu-catalyzed arylation reaction of methyl ketones with aromatic bromides.     

One-pot synthesis of iodine-substituted 1,4-oxazepines

A facile one-pot method for the synthesis of iodine-substituted 1,4-oxazepines is reported. When reacted with ZnCl₂ and I₂ in DCM at 40?°C, N-propargylic β-enaminones, prepared by the conjugate addition of propargylamine to α,β-alkynic ketones, underwent 7-exo-dig cyclization by zinc chloride and concomitant reaction with molecular iodine to afford 2-(iodomethylene)-2,3-dihydro-1,4-oxazepines in good to high yields. This cyclization was found to occur with broad scope of substrates and high tolerance of functional groups. The resulting iodine-containing 1,4-oxazepines can be further elaborated to more complex structures by subsequent cross-coupling reactions, which may provide a platform for biological studies.     

Regioselective functionalization of 2-(2′-fluorophenyl)-3-cyanopyridine and its cyclization to benzo[h]-1,6-naphthyridines

Benzo[h]-1,6-naphthyridines and 5-ones, selectively functionalized at C-2, C-3, C-5 and C-10, were obtained by alkyllithium-, lithium amide- or potassium hydroxide-induced anionic cyclization of 3-cyano-2-(2-fluorophenyl)pyridine, which was functionalized regioselectively at positions 4, 5, 6, and 6′.     

Silicon-directed nazarov cyclizations VII: Linearly-fused tricyclics

A new modification of the silicon-directed Nazarov cyclization is described which involves the cyclization of divinyl ketones incorporating an allylsilane as the control unit. The cyclizations are extremely facile with FeCl₃ or BF₃·OEt₂ as the Lewis acid. Four permutations of five- and six-membered ring substrates have been examined. In all cases the reactions are regio- and stereoslective. In the 6-5-6 (6ba) and 5-5-6 (6ba) systems the major product has the trans-anti configuration. The ability to incorporate a methyl substituent on the double bond and in the ring has been addressed.     

Synthesis of 1-hydroxy-substituted pyrazolo[3,4-c]- and pyrazolo[4, 3-c]quinolines and -isoquinolines from 4- and 5-aryl-substituted 1-benzyloxypyrazoles

1-Hydroxypyrazolo[3,4-c]quinoline (22), 1-hydroxypyrazolo[4, 3-c]quinoline (21), 1-hydroxypyrazolo[3,4-c]isoquinoline (20), and 1-hydroxypyrazolo[4,3-c]isoquinoline (19) were prepared from 1-benzyloxypyrazole (6), establishing the pyridine B-ring in the terminal step. The pyridine ring of pyrazoloquinolines 14 and 18 was formed via cyclization of a formyl group at C-4 or C-5 and an amino group of a 2-aminophenyl substituent at C-5 or C-4 in 1-benzyloxypyrazole. The pyridine ring of pyrazoloisoquinolines 5 and 9 was created via cyclization of a formyl group in a 2-formylphenyl substituent at C-4 or C-5 with an iminophosphorane group installed at C-5 or C-4 of 1-benzyloxypyrazole by lithiation followed by reaction with tosyl azide and then with tributylphoshine utilizing the Staudinger/aza-Wittig protocol. The 2-aminophenyl and the 2-formylphenyl substituent were introduced at C-5 or C-4 by regioselective metalation followed by transmetalation to the pyrazolylzinc halide and subsequent palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling with 2-iodoaniline or 2-bromobenzaldehyde. The order of reactions and use of protecting groups in the individual sequences have been optimized. The 1-benzyloxy-substituted pyrazoloquinolines and isoquinolines thus obtained were debenzylated by strong acid to the corresponding 1-hydroxy-substituted pyrazoloquinolines and isoquinolines 19-22.     

Regioselective intramolecular electrophilic substitution reactions involving π-deficient pyridine substrates: a new entry to pyridoquinazolines and benzo[h][1,6]naphthyridines

Regioselective intramolecular electrophilic substitution reactions have been described in π-deficient pyridine substrates tethered at C-2 to the aryl amine. The presence and nature of ring activating groups at C-6 led to the involvement of either N-1 or C-3 of the pyridine ring in the cyclization thereby leading to the regioselective synthesis of pyridoquinazolines and naphthyridines in excellent yields.     

Thermodynamics of vinyl ethers—XXVII: Thermodynamic stability of β-methoxy-substituted α,β-unsaturated ketones and the corresponding carboxylic esters

Chemical equilibration studies on isomeric β-methoxy-substituted α,β and β,γ-unsaturated ketones and the corresponding carboxylic esters have been carried out. The α,β-isomers are highly favored at equilibrium if the MeO and keto (or ester) groups are trans disposed across the CC bond and if these groups are unhindered by steric factors to conjugate with the olefinic bond. In acylic ketones and esters the latter condition is not fulfilled if substitutents essentially larger than hydrogen are bound to both C-α and C-β.