First synthesis of arylpyrrolo- and pyrazolopyrrolizinones as useful agents with potential biological interest

Novel arylpyrrolo- and pyrazolopyrrolizinones were prepared in three or four steps starting from aminoarylpyrrole and pyrazole carboxylates through the cyclisation of a Vilsmeier-Haack intermediate. This synthesis was enhanced by diverse N-protections of the aza-heterocycle and furnish new series with potential biological interest.     

Efficient N- and C-functionalisation of cyclam macrocycles utilising bisaminal methodology

An efficient synthesis of C-functionalised cyclam macrocycles that employs bisaminal intermediates and allows N-substitution to be controlled is reported.     

Synthesis of 5-aminothiazoles as building blocks for library synthesis

A convenient route to 4-phenyl-5-aminothiazoles is described, which offers control over substitution at the 2-position. 2-N-Acylglycinamides were dithionated and a subsequent TFAA-mediated cyclisation step was followed by removal of the 5-N-trifluoroacetyl group providing the free amines. Though applicable generally the method was found to be most effective when introducing aromatic substituents at the 2-position, whereupon moderate overall yields of the 5-amino compounds were obtained.     

A facile three-step synthesis of (±)-crispine A via an acyliminium ion cyclisation

A high yielding cyclisation of the readily available N-(4,4-diethoxybutyl)-2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)acetamide to 8,9-bis(methyloxy)-2,3,6,10b-tetrahydropyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolin-5(1H)-one is described. The latter can be reduced with either AlH₃ or BH₃ to (±)-crispine A in an overall yield of 55%.     

Synthetic studies related to diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP) pigments. Part 2: The use of esters in place of nitriles in standard DPP syntheses: Claisen-type acylations and furopyrrole intermediates

Ethyl 2-aryl-4,5-dihydro-5-oxopyrrole-3-carboxylates react with esters or acyl halides in the presence of a strong base to give 4-acyl derivatives, which exist predominantly as either E- or Z-enols. These are cyclised, either in solution at temperatures >200 °C or by microwave irradiation, to 3,6-disubstituted 1H-furo[3,4-c]pyrrolediones which, after N-protection, are convertible by reaction with primary amines into novel N,N′-disubstituted DPP derivatives.     

Synthesis of 3,4-disubstituted piperidines by ene cyclisation of 4-aza-1,7-dienes

Ene cyclisation of a variety of 4-aza-1,7-dienes affords 3,4-disubstituted piperidines. In particular, cyclisation of diesters 14 and 20 catalysed by MeAlCl₂ gives the corresponding trans 3,4-disubstituted piperidines with diastereomeric ratios of >200:1.     

First organophosphorus radical-mediated cyclisations to afford medium-sized rings: eight-membered lactones and seven- and eight-membered lactams

The phosphorus based radical precursors N-ethylpiperidine hypophosphite (EPHP) and diethylphosphine oxide (DEPO) are efficient reagents for carrying out the formation of seven- and eight-membered rings. Esters and amides were successfully converted into the corresponding eight-membered lactones and seven- and eight-membered lactams in good to excellent yields.     

Enantioselective synthesis of N-heterocycles via intramolecular Pd(0)-catalysed allylic amination

An efficient and stereoselective synthesis of pyrrolidine-, piperidine-, and azepane-type N-heterocycles is described by the intramolecular Pd(0)-catalysed cyclisation of amino allylic carbonates. The use of chiral ligands gave the corresponding heterocyclic derivatives having er values that were from moderate to good.     

Improved synthesis of structural analogues of (−)-epicatechin gallate for modulation of staphylococcal β-lactam resistance

The high-yielding synthesis of enantiomerically pure epicatechin gallate analogues where the A and/or B-ring hydroxylation is reduced or altered has been achieved by optimising routes to the catechin stereochemistry. The B-ring analogues were synthesised by using an electrophilic ring closure onto an enantiomerically enriched epoxide as a key step. The A and B-ring hydroxyl-deleted analogues were synthesised through a Mitsunobu cyclisation. For the B-ring analogues, the anti- (catechin) stereochemistry was converted to the syn- (epicatechin) stereochemistry by a known oxidation/reduction protocol. Absolute stereochemistry was derived from either a Sharpless epoxidation or asymmetric dihydroxylation.