Synthesis of aryl ring-fused benzimidazolequinones using 6-exo-trig radical cyclizations

The preparation of alicyclic ring-fused tetracyclic and pentacyclic benzimidazoles containing one and two fused aryl rings, respectively, is achieved conveniently in three steps, including Bu₃SnH-mediated 6-exo-trig cyclization of σ-aryl radicals generated from 1-allyl-2-(ω-bromoaryl)benzimidazoles. Inclusion of 4,7-dimethoxy substituents on the radical precursors allows access to aryl ring-fused benzimidazolequinones, a unique family of potential bioreductive anti-cancer agents.     

Nickel-catalyzed multi-component coupling reaction of aldimine, alkyne, and dimethylzinc via dimerization of butadiene

In the presence of a Ni/phosphine ligand catalyst, dimethylzinc, alkyne, butadiene, aldehyde, and primary amine were successively combined via dimerization of butadiene to provide (3E,7E,10Z)-dodecatrienylamine in good yields with excellent regio and stereoselectivities.     

La(OTf)3 catalyzed synthesis of α-aryl tetrasubstituted pyrroles through [4+1] annulation under microwave irradiation

A La(OTf)₃ catalyzed synthesis of tetrasubstituted pyrroles under microwave irradiation has been developed affording various α-aryl tetrasubstituted pyrroles in acceptable to good yields (36–82% yield) through condensation/alkyne azacyclization/isomerization sequence. Functionalized α-aryl pentasubstituted pyrroles could be prepared from tetrasubstituted pyrroles through easy transformations.     

Polyaromatic heterocycles through intramolecular alkyne carbonyl metathesis: 5-Acylnaphtho[2,1-b]benzofurans

A modular approach to 5-acylated naphtho[2,1-b]benzofurans was developed where Sonogashira cross-coupling and intramolecular alkyne carbonyl metathesis were sequentially employed to build the aromatic benzene C ring of naphtho[2,1-b]benzofuran with an acyl group at the C5 position.     

The influence of distal substitution on the base-induced isomerization of long-chain terminal alkynes

When compared to a long-straight chain terminal alkyne, a long chain terminal alkyne with a distal isopropyl unit (isobranched) isomerizes about two times faster when treated with strong base under identical conditions, and appears to follow pseudo first order kinetics. In both cases, equilibration to a 95–97:5–3 mixture of terminal:internal alkyne accompanies isomerization. The difference in rate may be due to an unusual folding of both long-chain alkynes, bringing the distal substituent close to the carbon-carbon-triple bond moiety. The distal isopropyl moiety may provide unanticipated steric hindrance that disrupts such folding, making the propargylic proton more available for reaction with base.     

Synthetic studies on psiguadial B: Construction of bicyclo[4.3.1]decane skeleton via double cyclization reaction of alkyne dicobalt complex

A new method for constructing the polycyclic skeleton of psiguadial B (1), a meroterpenoid isolated from an evergreen shrub of Myrtaceae, was developed. The terpenoid substructure of 1 was constructed on the basis of a cascade double cyclization reaction of an alkyne dicobalt complex, which afforded the bicyclo[4.3.1]decane derivative having a benzyl group with the correct configuration. The substituted aromatic ring was introduced to the bridgehead position of the intermediate, and bromination under radical conditions followed by intramolecular cyclization reaction resulted in formation of the benzopyran moiety in a stereoselective manner.     

Rhodium(I)/cationic 2,2′-bipyridyl-catalyzed [2+2+2] cycloaddition of α,ω-diynes with alkynes in water under air

A simply performed procedure for the [Rh(cod)Cl]₂/cationic 2,2′-bipyridyl system-catalyzed [2+2+2] cycloaddition of α,ω-diynes with terminal and internal alkynes was achieved in water under air at 60 °C. The reaction proceeded smoothly with 1 equiv α,ω-diynes and 3 equiv alkynes in the presence of 20 mol % KOH for 1 h or 9 h, resulting in the formation of tri- and tetra-substituted benzene derivatives in moderate to high yields. After separation of the organic products by extraction, the residual aqueous solution could be reused for further reactions until complete degradation of its catalytic activity.     

Intramolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition as a route to triazolobenzodiazepines and pyrrolobenzodiazepines

Intramolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition between an alkyne and an azide leads to a series of 1,2,3-triazolo-fused 1,4-benzodiazepines, 1,2,5-benzothiadiazepines, pyrrolobenzodiazepines and pyrrolobenzothiadiazepines (eight examples). The products are privileged structures in medicinal chemistry. The precursor azido alkynes are obtained, usually as transient intermediates, by treatment of the corresponding aldehydes (derived from α-amino acids) with the Bestmann-Ohira reagent.     

Silver(I) complex of 5,6,11,12-tetradehydrodibenzo[a,e]cyclooctene

The reaction of 5,6,11,12-tetradehydrodibenzo[a,e]cyclooctene with silver(I)triflate yielded a 1:2 complex. X-ray investigations revealed that each silver ion is tetrahedrally coordinated to one triple bond and three oxygen atoms of the triflate anion.     

Crystal Structure of Cesium Phenylacetylide,CsC2C6H5, Solved and Refined from Synchrotron Powder Diffraction Data

The crystal structure of cesium phenylacetylide, CsC₂C₆H₅, was solved and refined from synchrotron powder diffraction data (Pbca, Z = 8). Each Cs⁺ cation is coordinated by five ligands: four acetylide groups coordinate side‐on and one end‐on. A similar arrangement is found in the crystal structure of NaC₂H (P4/nmm, Z = 2). There is a group‐subgroup relationship between both structures. Most importantly, the crystal structure of CsC₂C₆H₅ could only be solved with the help of synchrotron data, as the very good peak:noise ratio allowed the assignment of several very weak reflections, which finally led to the correct space group, in which a structural solution was possible using direct space methods.