Recent Advances of Bismuth(III) Salts in Organic Chemistry: Application to the Synthesis of Heterocycles of Pharmaceutical Interest

A microwave-assisted bismuth nitrate-catalyzed unique route toward 1,4-dihydropyridines

The classical Hantzsch reaction is one of the simplest and most economical methods for the synthesis of biologically important and pharmacologically useful 1,4-dihydropyridine derivatives. Bismuth nitrate pentahydrate under microwave irradiation is proven to act as a very efficient catalyst for a one-pot, three-component synthesis of 1,4-dihydropyridines in excellent yields from diverse amines/ammonium acetate, aldehydes and 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds within 1–3 min under solvent-free conditions. The present environmentally benign procedure for the synthesis of 1,4-dihydropyridines is suitable for library synthesis and it will find application in the synthesis of potent biologically active molecules. The excellent yield and extreme rapidity of the method is due to a concurrent effect of the catalyst and microwave irradiation.

Bi(OTf)3-, TfOH-, and TMSOTf-mediated, one-pot epoxide rearrangement, addition, and intramolecular silyl-modified Sakurai (ISMS) cascade toward dihydropyrans: comparison of catalysts and role of Bi(OTf)3

Catalytic quantities of bismuth(III) triflate efficiently initiate the rearrangement of epoxides to aldehydes, which subsequently react with (Z)-δ-hydroxyalkenylsilanes to afford 2,6-disubstituted 3,6-dihydro-2H-pyrans. Isolated yields of desired products using Bi(OTf)(3) were compared with yields obtained when the reactions were run with TfOH and TMSOTf in the presence and absence of several additives. These studies, as well as NMR spectroscopic analyses, indicate an initial Lewis acid/base interaction between Bi(OTf)(3) and substrates providing TfOH in situ.

A rapid, convenient, solventless green approach for the synthesis of oximes using grindstone chemistry

Background

Synthesis of oximes is an important reaction in organic chemistry, because these versatile oximes are used for protection, purification, and characterization of carbonyl compounds. Nitriles, amides via Beckmann rearrangement, nitro compounds, nitrones, amines, and azaheterocycles can be synthesised from oximes. They also find applications for selective α-activation. In inorganic chemistry, oximes act as a versatile ligand.

Several procedures for the preparation of oximes exist, but, most of them have not addressed the green chemistry issue. They are associated with generation of pollutants, requirement of high reaction temperature, low yields, lack of a generalized procedure, etc. Hence, there is a demand for developing an efficient, convenient, and non-polluting or less polluting alternative method for the preparation of oximes. In this context, bismuth compounds are very useful as they are cheap in general, commercially available, air stable crystalline solids, safe, and non-toxic, hence easy to handle.

Results

Carbonyl compounds (aliphatic, heterocyclic, and aromatic) were converted into the corresponding oximes in excellent yields by simply grinding the reactants at room temperature without using any solvent in the presence of Bi₂O₃. Most importantly, this method minimizes waste disposal problems, provides a simple yet efficient example of unconventional methodology and requires short time.

Conclusions

We have developed a novel, quick, environmentally safe, and clean synthesis of aldoximes and ketoximes under solvent-free grinding condition.

New applications for bismuth(III) salts in organic synthesis: from bulk chemicals to steroid and terpene chemistry

Bismuth(III) salts are currently considered efficient and "ecofriendly" reagents and catalysts for the development of new applications in organic synthesis. The preparation of bismuth(III) triflate and its analogues is reviewed as well as some of their applications to the synthesis of bulk chemicals via electrophilic addition and cyclization reactions. The use of bismuth(III) salts in the development of new chemical processes involving steroids and terpenes as substrates is also discussed.

Bismuth(III) reagents in steroid and terpene chemistry

Steroid and terpene chemistry still have a great impact on medicinal chemistry. Therefore, the development of new reactions or “greener” processes in this field is a contemporaneous issue. In this review, the use of bismuth(III) salts, as “ecofriendly” reagents/catalysts, on new chemical processes involving steroids and terpenes as substrates will be focused. Special attention will be given to some mechanistic considerations concerning selected reactions.

Cationic bismuth-catalyzed hydroamination and direct substitution of the hydroxy group in alcohols with amides

Bismuth-catalyzed hydroamination and direct substitution of the hydroxy group in alcohols are described in this chapter. Intermolecular 1:1 hydroamination of 1,3-dienes with carbamates, sulfonamides, and carboxamides was promoted by a combination of Bi(OTf)(3) and Cu(CH(3)CN)(4)PF(6). The mechanistic studies suggested that a cationic bismuth species would be an active species, which selectively promotes 1:1 hydroamination to give allylic amides in up to 96% yield. The cationic bismuth species was also applicable for hydroamination of vinyl arenes. The combination of Bi(OTf)(3) and KPF(6) was an excellent catalyst for direct substitution of the hydroxy group in allylic, propargylic, and benzylic alcohols with carbamates, sulfonamides, and carboxamides, giving allylic, propargylic, and benzylic amides, respectively, in up to 99% yield in one step.