Importance of a Fluorine Substituent for the Preparation of meta‐ and para‐Pentafluoro‐λ6‐sulfanyl‐Substituted Pyridines

Although there are ways to synthesize ortho‐pentafluoro‐λ⁶‐sulfanyl (SF₅) pyridines, meta‐ and para‐SF₅‐substituted pyridines are rare. We disclose herein a general route for their synthesis. The fundamental synthetic approach is the same as reported methods for ortho‐SF₅‐substituted pyridines and SF₅‐substituted arenes, that is, oxidative chlorotetrafluorination of the corresponding disulfides to give pyridylsulfur chlorotetrafluorides (SF₄Cl‐pyridines), followed by chloride/fluoride exchange with fluorides. However, the trick in this case is the presence on the pyridine ring of at least one fluorine atom, which is essential for the successful transformation of the disulfides into m‐and p‐SF₅‐pyridines. After enabling the synthesis of an SF₅‐substituted pyridine, ortho‐F groups can be efficiently substituted by C, N, S, and O nucleophiles through an S_NAr pathway. This methodology provides access to a variety of previously unavailable SF₅‐substituted pyridine building blocks.     

Transition‐Metal‐Free BF3‐Mediated Oxidative and Non‐Oxidative Cross‐Coupling of Pyridines

We report a BF₃‐mediated direct alkynylation of pyridines at C(2) by using a variety of alkynyllithium reagents (oxidative cross‐coupling). Moreover, we have developed a novel transition‐metal‐free cross‐coupling method between alkylmagnesium reagents and 4‐substituted pyridines, such as isonicotinonitrile and 4‐chloropyridine, by employing BF₃?OEt₂ as a promoter. The combination of these methods enabled us to efficiently prepare a range of di‐, tri‐, and tetrasubstituted pyridines.     

Redox‐Divergent Synthesis of Fluoroalkylated Pyridines and 2‐Pyridones through Cu‐Catalyzed N−O Cleavage of Oxime Acetates

Cu‐catalyzed redox‐divergent [3+3] coupling of oxime esters with β‐CF₃ enones and acrylates is described. This redox‐neutral coupling with enones and acrylates affords trifluoromethylated pyridines and pyridones, respectively. Under reductive conditions, difluoromethylated pyridines, difluoromethlated pyridones, and trifluoromethylated dihydropyridones are obtained. The reactions occur under mild conditions with broad substrate scope and regio/redox selectivity.     

Photocatalyzed ortho‐Alkylation of Pyridine N‐Oxides through Alkene Cleavage

A photocatalyzed reaction of pyridine N‐oxides with alkenes gives ortho‐alkylated pyridines with cleavage of the carbon–carbon double bond. Benzyl and secondary alkyl groups are incorporated at the ortho position of pyridines in one pot.     

One‐Pot Synthesis of Tri‐ and Tetrasubstituted Pyridines by Sequential Ring‐Opening/Cyclization/Oxidation of N‐Arylmethyl 3‐Aziridinylpropiolate Esters

A novel strategy for the one‐pot synthesis of substituted pyridines from N‐arylmethyl 3‐aziridinylpropiolate esters is described. The method employs a three‐step procedure including the formation of allenyl imines, phosphine‐catalyzed cyclization, and subsequent oxidation of the dihydropyridines. Depending on the reaction conditions of the final oxidation step, tri‐ and tetrasubstituted pyridines can be selectively produced.     

Library‐directed Solution‐ and Solid‐phase Synthesis of 2,4‐Disubstituted Pyridines: One‐pot Approach through 6 π‐Azaelectrocyclization

An efficient one‐pot synthetic procedure for the synthesis of 2,4‐disubstituted pyridines has been successfully established. The method proceeds through a 6π‐azaelectrocyclization‐aromatization sequence. Using this method, a wide variety of pyridine structures substituted at the 2‐position have been rapidly constructed from vinyl stannanes, vinyl iodide, sulfonamide, and a palladium catalyst. The method was further applied to the solid‐phase synthesis wherein the use of a “traceless” sulfonamide linker enabled the rapid preparation of a small library of pyridines with high purity, without any chromatographic separation.     

Kinetics and Mechanism of the Pyridinolyses of O‐Methyl and O‐Ethyl Phenyl Phosphonochloridothioates in Acetonitrile

Kinetic studies on the reactions of O‐methyl ( 2 ) and O‐ethyl ( 3 ) phenyl phosphonochloridothioates with X‐pyridines have been carried out in acetonitrile at 35.0°C. The pyridinolysis rates of 2 are slightly faster than those of 3 . The substituent effects of X on the pyridinolysis rates of 2 and 3 are similar. The Hammett and Brönsted plots with X in the nucleophiles are biphasic concave upward with a break point at X = 3‐Ph for both substrates. The stepwise mechanism with rate‐limiting leaving group departure from the intermediate is proposed based on the β_X values and biphasic concave upward free energy relationship for both substrates. The biphasic concave upward free energy relationships are rationalized by a frontside nucleophilic attack TSf with more basic pyridines and backside attack TSb with less basic pyridines for both substrates.     

Visible‐Light‐Enabled Trifluoromethylative Pyridylation of Alkenes from Pyridines and Triflic Anhydride

A general strategy for visible‐light‐enabled site‐selective trifluoromethylative pyridylation of unactivated alkenes has been developed using pyridines and triflic anhydride (Tf₂O). Intriguingly, the N‐triflylpyridinium salts, generated in situ from pyridines and Tf₂O, serve as effective modular bifunctional reagents to install both CF₃ and pyridyl groups to various olefins while controlling C4‐selectivity in radical addition to the pyridine core. This synthetic route exhibited broad substrate scope under metal‐free and mild photocatalytic conditions, granting efficient access to valuable C4‐alkylated pyridines and quinolines without requiring prefunctionalization of the reaction site.     

Synthesis of dihydrofuro[2,3‐b]pyridines by the reaction of 2‐amino‐4,5‐dihydro‐3‐furancarbonitriles with α,β‐unsaturated carbonyl compounds

The reactions of 2‐amino‐4,5‐dihydro‐3‐furancarbonitriles 1a‐d with α,β‐unsaturated carbonyl compounds in the presence of sodium ethoxide (0.1 equivalent) gave the corresponding Michael adducts 2a‐d , 3a‐d and 4a‐d. Compounds 2a‐d and 3a‐c reacted with sodium alkoxide (1 equivalent) to yield the corresponding 7a‐alkoxyhexahydrofuro[2,3‐b]pyridines 5a‐d, 6a‐d, 7a‐c and 8a‐c . Treatment of 5a‐d, 6a‐d, 7a‐c and 8a‐c with potassium tert‐butoxide produced the corresponding dihydrofuro[2,3‐b]pyridines 9a‐d and 10a‐c . The reaction of 4a‐c with sodium ethoxide (1 equivalent) afforded the corresponding dihydro‐furo[2,3‐b]pyridines 11a‐c .     

Heterocyclization reaction of 2‐(2‐methylaziridin‐1‐yl)‐3‐ureidopyridines under appel's conditions

The reaction of 2‐(2‐methylaziridin‐1‐yl)‐3‐ureidopyridines 12 with triphenylphosphine, carbon tetra‐chloride, and triethylamine (Appel's conditions) led to the corresponding carbodiimides 13 , which underwent intramolecular cycloaddition reaction with aziridine under the reaction conditions to give the pyridine‐fused heterocycles, 2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐imidazo[2′,3′:2,3]imidazo[4,5‐b]pyridines 16 and 12,13‐dihydro‐5H‐1,3 ‐benzodiazepino [2′,3′:2,3] imidazo[4,5‐b]pyridines 17 .     

Small‐Molecule Recognition for Controlling Molecular Motion in Hydrogen‐Bond‐Assembled Rotaxanes

Di(acylamino)pyridines successfully template the formation of hydrogen‐bonded rotaxanes through five‐component clipping reactions. A solid‐state study showed the participation of the pyridine nitrogen atom in the stabilization of the mechanical bond between the thread and the benzylic amide macrocycle. The addition of external complementary binders to a series of interlocked bis(2,6‐di(acylamino)pyridines) promoted restraint of the back and forward ring motion. The original translation can be restored through a competitive recognition event by the addition of a preorganized bis(di(acylamino)pyridine) that forms stronger ADA–DAD complexes with the external binders.     

Alkylation of Pyridines at Their 4‐Positions with Styrenes plus Yttrium Reagent or Benzyl Grignard Reagents

A new regioselective alkylation of pyridines at their 4‐position was achieved with styrenes in the presence of yttrium trichloride, BuLi, and diisobutylaluminium hydride (DIBAL‐H) in THF. Alternatively, similar products were more simply prepared from pyridines and benzyl Grignard reagents. These reactions are not only a useful preparation of 4‐substituted pyridines but are also complementary to other relevant reactions usually giving 2‐substituted pyridines.     

Synthesis of meta‐Functionalized Pyridines by Selective Dehydrogenative Heterocondensation of β‐ and γ‐Amino Alcohols

New reactions that convert alcohols into important classes of compounds are becoming increasingly important as their development contributes to the conservation of our fossil carbon feedstock and the reduction of CO₂ emissions. Two key catalytic alcohol conversion concepts are borrowing hydrogen or hydrogen autotransfer and acceptorless dehydrogenative condensation. Herein, we combined both concepts to synthesize meta ‐functionalized pyridines. First, diols and amines were linked to β‐amino alcohols, which can then undergo a selective dehydrogenative heterocondensation with γ‐amino alcohols. Iridium catalysts stabilized by PN₅P pincer ligands that were developed in our laboratory mediate the reactions most efficiently. All of the 3‐aminopyridines that we describe in this paper have been synthesized for the first time, emphasizing the degree of innovation of this method and the problems associated with the synthesis of such meta ‐functionalized pyridines.     

Direct Synthesis of Multi‐functional Pyrimidine,Pyrazine, and Pyridine Scaffolds via Inter‐ and Intramolecular Annulations of 3‐Amino‐thieno[2,3‐b]pyridine‐2‐carboxylate

The synthesis of a new series of annulated thieno[2,3‐b]pyridines was performed. Ester compound 1 underwent heterocyclization upon reaction with phenylisothiocyanate and formamide to afford pyrimidines 2 and 3 , respectively. Thienopyrimidine 5 was resulted via reaction of amino derivative 1 with triethyl orthoformate to afford the non‐isolable intermediate 4 , which allowed hydrazinolysis with hydrazine hydrate to afford the target compound. Pyrimidine type 5 was condensed with p‐nitrobenzaldehyde to afford Schiff base 6 . Refluxing of ester 1 with ethyl cyanoacetate and diethyl malonate followed by base‐mediated heterocyclization afforded condensed pyridines 8 and 9 , respectively. The tetracyclic pyrazine derivative 14 was obtained from the reaction of amino compound 1 with 2,5‐dimethoxytetrahydrofuran followed by hydrazinolysis to give carbohydrazide 11 , which undergo diazotization followed by Curtius rearrangement. The antibacterial results illustrated no significant results for the investigated compounds except compound 5 , which has moderate activity against Gram‐positive bacteria.     

Facile one‐pot syntheses of new polyfunctional pyrazolyl substituted and pyrazolofused pyridines

Ethyl 2‐cyano‐3‐(5‐chloro‐1,3‐diphenylpyrazol‐4‐yl)acrylate ( 1 ) undergoes both conjugate addition of a number of methylene‐active ethanenitriles and direct addition of other active methylene donors to the cyano carbon atom. These additions are the starting events of cascades of subsequent reactions eventually forming (i) novel polyfunctional pyrazolyl‐substituted monocyclic pyridines ( 4a , b and 6 ), (ii) 1,3‐benzothiazole and benzimidazole‐fused pyridines ( 11, 13 ) and (iii) pyrazolo[5,4‐b]pyridines ( 19b, 20 ) in one‐pot reactions in ethanolic solution containing catalytic amounts of piperidine.     

Studies with enaminones: reactivity of 1,5‐disubstituted‐1,4‐pentadien‐3‐ones toward electrophilic reagents. a novel route to azolylazines,benzofuranals, pyranones

Several new enaminodienones prepared from substituted acetone and dimethylformamide dimethylacetal were used as precursors for synthesis of pyridines, pyranones and benzofurans.     

4‐(Azulen‐1‐yl) six‐membered heteroaromatics substituted with thiophen‐2‐yl or furan‐2‐yl moieties in 2 and 6 positions

Pyranylium perchlorates with azulen‐1‐yl moiety in 4‐position and thiophen‐2‐yl or furan‐2‐yl in 2 and 6‐positions were obtained by the substitution of 4‐chloro corresponding salts with azulenes. The pyranylium salts are used as starting materials for the synthesis of pyridine and pyridinium salts. The products were characterized and for pyridines pKa was spectroscopically determined. Several attempts were made for pyridine complexation with metal cations as Hg²⁺ or Ag⁺. J. Heterocyclic Chem., (2011).     

A Highly Efficient Catalyst for the Suzuki Cross‐coupling Reaction of 3‐Chloro‐5‐oxadiazol‐2‐yl Pyridine

A facile access to diversely substituted 3‐aryl/heteroaryl‐5‐oxadiazol‐2‐yl‐pyridines using PdCl₂(dtbpf) as palladium precursor has been developed. The method is compatible with a wide range of aryl/heteroaryl boronic acids.     

Synthesis and Herbicidal Activity of 2‐Alkyl(aryl)‐4‐amino‐3‐[alkyl(alkoxy)carbonyl]‐5‐cyano‐6‐[(3‐trifluoromethyl)phenoxy]‐pyridines

To find novel bleaching herbicide lead compounds, a series of novel 2‐alkyl(aryl)‐4‐amino‐3‐[alkyl(alkoxy)carbonyl]‐5‐cyano‐6‐[(3‐trifluoromethyl)phenoxy]‐pyridines was designed and synthesized by the multistep reactions. N,S‐acetal 1 reacted with 2 to obtain multisubstituted pyridines 3 in the presence of zinc nitrate as the catalyst. The target compounds 5a , 5b , 5c , 5d , 5e , 5f , 5g , 5h , 5i , 5j , 5k , 5l were formed by the oxidation of 3 , followed by the substitution with 3‐(trifluoromethyl)phenol in the presence of potassium carbonate. Their structures were confirmed by IR, ¹H NMR, EI‐MS, and elemental analyses. The preliminary bioassays indicated that some of them displayed moderate herbicidal activity against dicotyledonous weed Brassica campestris L at the concentration of 100 mg/L.     

Reactions of hydrazonoyl halides 43 : Synthesis of some new 2,3‐dihydro‐1,3,4‐thiadiazoles,pyrazoles, pyrazolo[3,4‐d]‐pyridazines,thieno[2,3‐b]pyridines,pyrimidino[4′,5′:4,5]thieno[2,3‐b]‐pyridines and pyrrolo[3,4‐d]pyrazoles

2,3‐Dihydro‐1,3,4‐thiadiazoles, pyrazoles, pyrazolo[3,4‐d]pyridazines, thieno[2,3‐b]pyridines, pyrim‐idino[4′,5′:4,5]thieno[2,3‐b]pyridines and pyrrolo[3,4‐d]pyrazoles were obtained in a good yields by treatment of hydrazonoyl halides with each of alkyl carbodithioates, 3‐(dimethylamino)‐1‐naphtho[1,2‐d]furan‐2‐ylprop‐2‐en‐1‐one and N‐arylmalemides.