A eutectogels-catalyzed one-pot multi-component reaction: access to pyridine and chromene derivatives

The demand for a wide array of functional chemicals and materials has experienced a significant surge in tandem with the advancement of civilization. Regrettably, a number of perilous solvents are employed in chemical laboratories and industrial settings, posing significant risks to the well-being of researchers and contributing to environmental degradation through pollution. Eutectogels, which are based on the eutectic concept, may be synthesized by self-assembling or self-polymerization of various components when put under UV irradiation (254 nm). A novel copolymeric deep eutectic solvent (DES) was successfully synthesized, comprising choline chloride (HBA) as the hydrogen bond acceptor, acetamide (HBD) as the hydrogen bond donor, tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS), and formic acid. In this study, we present the preparation of four-component ETGs for synthesizing pyridine and chromene derivatives as a reusable catalyst through a multi-component pathway without solvents. The procedure of synthesizing these heterocyclic compounds is free of using toxic solvents and it could be categorized as a green method.

Applying green chemistry principles to iron catalysis: mild and selective domino synthesis of pyrroles from nitroarenes

An efficient and general cascade synthesis of pyrroles from nitroarenes using an acid-tolerant homogeneous iron catalyst is presented. Initial (transfer) hydrogenation using the commercially available iron-Tetraphos catalyst is followed by acid catalysed Paal-Knorr condensation. Both formic acid and molecular hydrogen can be used as green reductants in this process. Particularly, under transfer hydrogenation conditions, the homogeneous catalyst shows remarkable reactivity at low temperatures, high functional group tolerance and excellent chemoselectivity transforming a wide variety of substrates. Compared to classical heterogeneous catalysts, this system presents complementing reactivity, showing none of the typical side reactions such as dehalogenation, debenzylation, arene or olefin hydrogenation. It thereby enhances the chemical toolbox in terms of orthogonal reactivity. The methodology was successfully applied to the late-stage modification of multi-functional drug(-like) molecules as well as to the one-pot synthesis of the bioactive agent BM-635.

Stereoselective Synthesis of α-Disubstituted β-Homoprolines

An efficient enantioselective synthesis of chiral α-disubstituted β-homoprolines was developed, starting with the stereodivergent allylation of chiral N-tert-butanesulfinyl imines derived from 4-bromobutanal with indium or zinc and using well-established and reliable synthetic transformations. This methodology allows the easy introduction of different substituents at the α-position of the pyrrolidine scaffold and is characterized by the possibility of switching the absolute configuration of the newly formed stereocenter either by changing the configuration of the tert-butanesufinamide chiral auxiliary or by using a different stereodivergent allylation protocol with the same auxiliary.

The anti-Alzheimer potential of novel spiroindolin-1,2-diazepine derivatives as targeted cholinesterase inhibitors with modified substituents

In this study, a new series of spiro indolin-1,2-diazepine were designed, synthesized, and screened for their cholinesterase inhibitory activities. A novel, green, high-yielding approach was constructed to synthesize spiro indolin-1,2-diazepine derivatives through a cascade reaction of different isatins, malononitrile and 1,1-enediamines (EDAMs) via sequential four-component reactions to produce the target compounds with good to excellent yields. Next the inhibitory potencies of all derivatives were determined spectroscopically at 415 nm using the modified Ellman method. The results of the in vitro screening indicated that 5l with spiroindolin-1,2-diazepine core bearing 5-NO₂ at R¹ and 4-OH at R² was the most potent and selective AChE inhibitor with an IC₅₀ value of 3.98 ± 1.07 µM with no significant inhibition against BChE while 5j was the most active analog against both AChE and BChE enzymes. The structure-activity relationships suggested the variation in the inhibitory activities of derivatives was affected by different substitutions on the indolinone ring as well as the phenyl moiety. The enzyme kinetic studies of the most potent compound 5l at five different concentrations and acetylthiocholine substrate (0.1-1 mM) by Ellman's method revealed that it inhibited AChE in a mixed mode with a K_i of 0.044 μM. A molecular docking study was performed via induced fit docking protocol to predict the putative binding interaction. It was shown that the moieties used in the initial structure design play a fundamental role in interacting with the enzyme's binding site. Further, molecular dynamics simulations with the Schrödinger package were performed for 5l in a complex with AChE and revealed that compound 5l formed the stable complex with the enzyme. The MTT toxicity assessments against the neuroblastoma cell line were executed, and no toxicity was seen for 5l under the tested concentrations.

Recent Advances in the Green Synthesis of Active N-Heterocycles and Their Biological Activities

N-heterocyclic scaffolds represent a privileged architecture in the process of drug design and development. It has widespread occurrence in synthetic and natural products, either those that are established or progressing as potent drug candidates. Additionally, numerous novel N-heterocyclic analogues with remarkable physiological significance and extended pharmaceutical applications are escalating progressively. Hence, the classical synthetic protocols need to be improvised according to modern requirements for efficient and eco-friendly approaches. Numerous methodologies and technologies emerged to address the green and sustainable production of various pharmaceutically and medicinally important N-heterocyclic compounds in last few years. In this context, the current review unveils greener alternatives for direct access to categorically differentiated N-heterocyclic derivatives and its application in the establishment of biologically active potent molecules for drug design. The green and sustainable methods accentuated in this review includes microwave-assisted reactions, solvent-free approaches, heterogeneous catalysis, ultrasound reactions, and biocatalysis.

Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride-CuCl as a New Catalyst for the Synthesis of Tetrahydrocinnolin-5(1H)-ones

The current study deals with the synthesis and characterization of a novel catalyst made from diphenhydramine hydrochloride and CuCl ([HDPH]Cl-CuCl). The prepared catalyst was thoroughly characterized using various techniques, such as ¹H NMR, Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis and derivative thermogravimetry. More importantly, the observed hydrogen bond between the components was proven experimentally. The activity of this catalyst was checked in the preparation of some new derivatives of tetrahydrocinnolin-5(1H)-ones via a multicomponent reaction between dimedone, aromatic aldehydes, and aryl/alkyl hydrazines in ethanol as a green solvent. Also, for the first time, this new homogeneous catalytic system was effectively used for the preparation of unsymmetric tetrahydrocinnolin-5(1H)-one derivatives as well as mono- and bis-tetrahydrocinnolin-5(1H)-ones from two different aryl aldehydes and dialdehydes, respectively. The effectiveness of this catalyst was further confirmed by the preparation of compounds containing both tetrahydrocinnolin-5(1H)-one and benzimidazole moieties from dialdehydes. The one-pot operation, mild conditions, rapid reaction, and high atom economy, along with the recyclability and reusability of the catalyst, are other notable features of this approach.

Iodine-promoted insertion of the oxygen atom from water in η4-vinylketene[Fe(CO)3] complexes

Iodine promotes the in situ formation of iron(II) species from η⁴-vinylketene[Fe(CO)₃] (3a-h) as a key intermediate for the synthesis of 2(5H)-furanones (4a-h) by a sequential water-insertion/carbon-oxygen coupling under mild reaction conditions. Compounds 4a-h were obtained in good to excellent yields. A possible reaction pathway was also proposed by DFT calculations. This methodology can be extended to the synthesis of (5H)-pyrrol-2-ones using anilines, with moderate yields and a few limitations.

Rh(III)-Catalyzed Synthesis of Indazolo[2,3-a]quinolines: Vinylene Carbonate as C1 and C2 Building Blocks

A rhodium-catalyzed cyclization of azobenzenes and vinylene carbonate via C-H bond activation to construct indazolo[2,3-a]quinolines has been developed. This protocol offers an efficient method for synthesis of the titled products in good yields with broad functional group tolerance. In this reaction, three C-C bonds and C-N bond are formed in one pot, and vinylene carbonate (VC) acts as C1 and C2 synthons as well as "vinylene transfer" agent and acylation reagent in the construction of target-fused heterocycles. Moreover, the products exhibit favorable fluorescence properties, which indicate their potential application as fluorescent materials and biosensors.

Silver-catalysed C–H bond activation: a recent review

Transition metal catalysed C–H activations are efficient, simple, mild, cost-effective and stereoselective, and many of them are environmentally sustainable transformations.

Recent advances in the transition metal catalyzed synthesis of quinoxalines: a review

This review summarizes the recent developments in the synthesis of a variety of substituted quinoxalines using transition metal catalysts.

Application of the Povarov Reaction in Biaryls under Iron Catalysis for the General Synthesis of Dibenzo[a,c]Acridines

A modified Povarov reaction involving 2'-alkynylbiaryl-2-carbaldehydes and aryl amines with tandem oxidation was performed using catalytic FeCl₃. The outcome was an efficient general synthesis of dibenzo[a,c]acridines with moderate to high yields. This method offers simplicity in the preparation of substrates, diverse substrate scope, and high atom economy. The generality of the protocol was verified by synthesizing a tribenzo[a,c,h]acridine derivative. Photophysical properties of the synthesized compounds were also studied. The compounds absorb UV light typically in the range 230-330 nm and emit in the visible range of 400-420 nm.

Rh(III)-Catalyzed C–H Bond Activation for the Construction of Heterocycles with sp3-Carbon Centers

Rh(III)-catalyzed C–H activation features mild reaction conditions, good functional group tolerance, high reaction efficiency, and regioselectivity. Recently, it has attracted tremendous attention and has been employed to synthesize various heterocycles, such as indoles, isoquinolines, isoquinolones, pyrroles, pyridines, and polyheterocycles, which are important privileged structures in biological molecules, natural products, and agrochemicals. In this short review, we attempt to present an overview of recent advances in Rh(III)-mediated C–H bond activation to generate diverse heterocyclic scaffolds with sp3 carbon centers.

Fe-Catalyzed enaminone synthesis from ketones and amines

A novel Fe-catalyzed β-functionalization of ketones with amines for constructing enaminones has been demonstrated.