Facile synthesis of 2-alkynyl oxazoles via a Ce(OTf)3-catalyzed cascade reaction of alkynyl carboxylic acids with tert-butyl isocyanide

We developed an efficient and novel protocol to synthesize 2-alkynyl oxazoles from tert-butyl isocyanide and alkynyl carboxylic acids. This method allowed the synthesis of diversely functionalized oxazoles under mild reaction conditions, coupled with operational simplicity and these functionalized oxazoles showed a certain degree of biological activity. Moreover, compounds 2b, 2h, 2k, 2n, 2p and 2t exhibited good anticancer activities in human gastric cancer cells (MGC803) and human bladder tumor cells (T24), with IC₅₀ below 20.0 μM.

Base-Promoted Chemodivergent Formation of 1,4-Benzoxazepin-5(4H)-ones and 1,3-Benzoxazin-4(4H)-ones Switched by Solvents

The KOH-promoted chemodivergent benzannulation of ortho-fluorobenzamides with 2-propyn-1-ol can afford either 1,4-benzoxazepin-5(4H)-ones or 1,3-benzoxazin-4(4H)-ones in good yields with high selectivity, depending greatly upon the use of solvents. In the case of using DMSO, the intermolecular benzannulation produced seven-membered benzo-fused heterocycles of 1,4-benzoxazepin-5(4H)-ones, whereas in MeCN, the six-membered benzo-fused heterocycles of 1,3-benzoxazin-4(4H)-ones were formed. The KOH-promoted benzannulation proceeded most probably through the C–F nucleophilic substitution of ortho-fluorobenzamides with 2-propyn-1-ol to give the intermediate of ortho-[(2-propynyl)oxy]benzamide, which underwent the intramolecular hydroamidation in a different manner to afford either seven- or six-membered benzo-fused heterocycles.

Palladium-Catalyzed Cyclization of N-Acyl- o-alkynylanilines with Isocyanides Involving a 1,3-Acyl Migration: Rapid Access to Functionalized 2-Aminoquinolines

A simple and expedient approach for the synthesis of functionalized 2-aminoquinolines via palladium-catalyzed annulation of N-acyl- o-alkynylanilines with isocyanides has been developed with high atom economy, in which an unconventional 6- endo-dig cyclization process is observed. Further investigations of the mechanism demonstrated that an intramolecular acyl migration of the N-protecting groups was involved in this transformation.

Synthesis of 2,3-Difunctionalized Benzofuran Derivatives through Palladium-Catalyzed Double Isocyanide Insertion Reaction

A novel palladium-catalyzed tandem cyclization of 1-(allyloxy)-2-ethynylbenzene derivatives with isocyanides in the presence of water has been developed. The key intermediates, benzofuran-3-α-carbonyl aldehydes, were obtained through a simple acid hydrolysis process and could serve as precursors for structurally diverse 2,3-difunctionalized benzofuran derivatives such as important 2-benzofurylquinoxalines, benzofuran-3-α-ketoesters and benzofuryl ynediones. This transformation features convenient operation, simple and commercially available starting materials, broad functional-group compatibility, and moderate to good reaction yields.