Synthesis of Thieno-Fused Heterocycles through Reiterative Iodocyclization

Synthesis of alkynyl sulfides via base-promoted nucleophilic ring-opening of α-bromostyrene sulfonium salt

An efficient method for the synthesis of alkynyl sulfides via a C(sp3)-S bond cleavage of α-bromostyrene sulfonium salts has been developed. This base-promoted nucleophilic ring-opening pathway allows the preparation of diverse alkynyl sulfide compounds using tetramethylene sulfoxide as the sulfur source. The reaction proceeds with good functional group tolerance and could be applied to the late-stage functionalization of bioactive molecules and drugs. Furthermore, the synthetic utility of this method was demonstrated by a one-pot synthesis, scale-up reaction and further modification of various alkynyl sulfide products.

Systematic Photoassisted Access to Designer Polyheterocycles via Modular Blocks and Scaffolding

Diverse polyheterocycles are accessed via scaffolded photoassisted synthesis involving decarboxylative aromatization of the primary photoproducts from intramolecular cycloadditions of azaxylylenes and tethered heteroaromatic unsaturated pendants.

Iodocyclisation of Electronically Resistant Alkynes: Synthesis of 2-Carboxy (and sulfoxy)-3-iodobenzo[b]thiophenes

The iodocyclisation of alkynes bearing tethered nucleophiles is a highly effective method for the construction and diversification of heterocycles. A key limitation to this methodology is the 5-endo-dig iodocyclisation of alkynes that have an unfavourable electronic bias for electrophilic cyclisation. These tend to direct electrophilic attack of the iodonium atom to the wrong carbon for cyclisation, thus favouring competing addition reactions. Using our previously determined reaction conditions for the 5-endo-dig iodocyclisations of electronically resistant alkynes, we have achieved efficient synthetic access to 2-carboxy (and sulfoxy)-3-iodobenzo[b]thiophenes. The corresponding benzo[b]furans and indoles were not accessible under these conditions. This difference may arise due to the availability of a radical mechanism in the case of iodobenzo[b]thiophenes. The 2-carboxy functionality of the iodocyclised products can be further employed in iterative alkyne-coupling iodocyclisation reactions, where the carboxy group or an imine (Schiff base) partakes in a second iodocyclisation to generate a lactone or pyridine ring.

One-step synthesis of benzo[b]thiophenes by aryne reaction with alkynyl sulfides

An aryne reaction with alkynyl sulfides affording benzo[b]thiophenes is disclosed. A wide range of 3-substituted benzothiophenes were synthesized from easily available o-silylaryl triflates and alkynyl sulfides in a one-step intermolecular manner. The synthesis of diverse multisubstituted benzothiophene derivatives involving a pentacyclic compound was achieved by virtue of the good functional group tolerance and versatile C2 functionalizations.

Copper-Catalyzed Thiolation of Terminal Alkynes Employing Thiocyanate as the Sulfur Source Leading to Enaminone-Based Alkynyl Sulfides under Ambient Conditions

A highly efficient protocol for copper-catalyzed thio-alkynylation of enaminone-based thiocyanates with terminal alkynes under mild conditions has been developed. This scalable amino group-directed thio-alkynylation proceeds in the open air with a broad substrate scope and an excellent yield. The demonstrated synthetic transformation creates the opportunity for a wide variety of sulfur-containing useful materials. Gram-scale synthesis and further synthetic transformations of alkynyl sulfides highlight the potential utility of the method.

Polyynes to Polycycles: Domino Reactions Forming Polyfused Chalcogenophenes

Polyfused chalcogenophenes are prepared in one step through polyelectrophilic cyclization of polyynes using the ambiphilic reagent MeACl (A = S, Se, or Te). Up to four new rings have been generated under mild conditions, including thiophenes, selenophenes, and tellurophenes.

Synthesis of 2,3-bis-organochalcogenyl-benzo[b]chalcogenophenes promoted by Oxone®

We report here an alternative and tunable metal-free synthesis of benzo[b]chalcogenophenes via the electrophilic cyclization of 2-functionalized chalcogenoalkynes promoted by Oxone®.

Silyl Group-Directed 6-exo-dig Iodocyclization of Homopropargylic Carbamates and Amides

Iodocyclization of silyl group-substituted homopropargylic carbamates and amides proceeded via 6-exo-dig mode to afford 6-vinylene-4,5-dihydro-1,3-oxazines in moderate to quantitative yields. This is the first report for silyl group-solely directed iodocyclization of alkynes utilizing the β-silyl effect. Under these mild reaction conditions, various functionalities such as secondary alcohol, acetal, urea, and sulfide were tolerated.

Direct halosulfenylation of benzo[b]furans: a metal-free synthesis of 3-halo-2-thiobenzo[b]furans

The first example of the direct halosulfenylation of benzo[b]furans with commercially available disulfides and N-halosuccinimides has been achieved, providing an efficient metal-free synthetic pathway to access diverse 3-halo-2-thiobenzo[b]furans in moderate to excellent yields. In particular, a halogen (e.g., bromo or iodo) substituent on the benzo[b]furan ring is amenable for further synthetic elaborations thereby broadening the diversity of the products.

Synthesis of benzothiophene and indole derivatives through metal-free propargyl-allene rearrangement and allyl migration

An efficient base-catalyzed protocol for the synthesis of benzothiophene is described. The reaction proceeds via base-promoted propargyl-allenyl rearrangement followed by cyclization and allyl migration. Phosphine-substituted indoles can be synthesized by a similar strategy.

Formation of Benzimidazoisoquinolinium and Benzimidazoisoindolinum Cyclic Systems by the Reaction of 2-(2-Alkynylphenyl)benzimidazoles with Iodine and Iodine-Iodine Interaction Including Halogen Bonding in Their Crystal Structures

The reaction of 2-(2-alkynylphenyl)benz[d]imidazoles with molecular iodine constructed 5- and 6-membered rings as novel organic salts in high yield. The constituted number of ring systems was influenced by the substituent at the triple bond: 6-membered rings were formed from compounds bearing aryl substituents, whereas 5-membered ones were obtained from compounds with hydrogen or alkyl substituents. The products were obtained with triiodide as a counteranion; however, compounds with iodide were also obtainable under certain conditions. We also revealed that they had an iodine-iodine interaction included in halogen bonding between an iodo moiety of the cation and a triiodide or iodide of the counteranion. The iodine-iodine interaction was formed with greater preference than the electrostatic interaction between the cationic atom and triiodide or iodide.

Chemoselective reduction of quinols as an alternative to Sonogashira coupling: synthesis of polysubstituted benzofurans

An efficient synthetic approach to polysubstituted benzofurans is described, using 2-methoxyquinone as a benzofuran backbone.

Palladium-catalyzed benzothieno[2,3-b]indole formation via dehydrative–dehydrogenative double C–H sulfuration using sulfur powder, indoles and cyclohexanones

An efficient procedure for benzothieno[2,3-b]indole formation via double C–H sulfuration using sulfur powder is described.