[1+1+1] Cyclotrimerization for the Synthesis of Cyclopropanes

Photocatalyzed Borylcyclopropanation of Alkenes with a (Diborylmethyl)iodide Reagent

Cyclopropane skeletons play a prominent role in the development of organic synthesis and pharmaceutical chemistry. Herein, we report the design and synthesis of a stable, multifunctional (diborylmethyl)iodide reagent (CHI(Bpin)2 ) for the photoinduced cyclopropanation of alkenes, providing an array of 1,2-substituted cyclopropylboronates in good yields. This α-haloboronic ester can be readily synthesized on a multigram scale from commercially available starting materials. Furthermore, the protocol displays high chemo- and diastereoselectivity, excellent functional-group tolerance, and allows for late-stage borylcyclopropanation of complex molecules. Mechanistic studies reveal that the borylcyclopropanation proceeds through a radical addition/polar cyclization pathway mediated by the photocatalyst fac-Ir(ppy)3 and visible light.

N-Phenacyldibromobenzimidazoles—Synthesis Optimization and Evaluation of Their Cytotoxic Activity

Antifungal N-phenacyl derivatives of 4,6- and 5,6-dibromobenzimidazoles are interesting substrates in the synthesis of new antimycotics. Unfortunately, their application is limited by the low synthesis yields and time-consuming separation procedure. In this paper, we present the optimization of the synthesis conditions and purification methods of N-phenacyldibromobenzimidazoles. The reactions were carried out in various base solvent-systems including K₂CO₃, NaH, KOH, t-BuOK, MeONa, NaHCO₃, Et₃N, Cs₂CO₃, DBU, DIPEA, or DABCO as a base, and MeCN, DMF, THF, DMSO, or dioxane as a solvent. The progress of the reaction was monitored using HPLC analysis. The best results were reached when the reactions were carried out in an NaHCO₃–MeCN system at reflux for 24 h. Additionally, the cytotoxic activity of the synthesized compounds against MCF-7 (breast adenocarcinoma), A-549 (lung adenocarcinoma), CCRF-CEM (acute lymphoblastic leukemia), and MRC-5 (normal lung fibroblasts) was evaluated. We observed that the studied cell lines differed in sensitivity to the tested compounds with MCF-7 cells being the most sensitive, while A-549 cells were the least sensitive. Moreover, the cytotoxicity of the tested derivatives towards CCRF-CEM cells increased with the number of chlorine or fluorine substituents. Furthermore, some of the active compounds, i.e., 2-(5,6-dibromo-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl)-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)ethanone (4f), 2-(4,6-dibromo-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl)-1-(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl)ethanone (5g), and 2-(4,6-dibromo-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl)-1-(2,4,6-trifluorophenyl)ethanone (5j) demonstrated pro-apoptotic properties against leukemic cells with derivative 5g being the most effective.

Crystal structure of cyclopropane-1,2,3-triyltris(phenylmethanone), C24H18O3

C24H18O3, monoclinic, P21/n (no. 14), a = 5.376(2) Å, b = 15.787(6) Å, c = 21.103(7) Å, β = 92.356(6)°, V = 1789.5(11) Å3, Z = 4, R gt (F) = 0.0569, wR ref (F 2) = 0.1166, T = 296 K.

Copper(I)/DDQ-Mediated Double-Dehydrogenative Diels-Alder Reaction of Aryl Butenes with 1,4-Diketones and Indolones

A copper(I)/DDQ-mediated double-dehydrogenative Diels-Alder (DDDA) reaction of simple butenes with 1,4-diketones and indolones has been established for the first time. This strategy is based on a tandem double-dehydrogenation/Diels-Alder reaction from nonprefunctionalized starting materials, in which both a diene and dienophile were in situ generated via activation of fourfold inert C(sp³)-H bonds in one catalytic system.

Catalytic Transfer Hydrogenation Using Biomass as Hydrogen Source

We developed an operationally simple method for the direct use of biomass-derived chemical entities in a fundamentally important process, such as hydrogenation. Various carbohydrates, starch, and lignin were used for stereoselective hydrogenation. Employing a transition metal catalyst and a novel catalytic system, the reduction of alkynes, alkenes, and carbonyl groups with high yields was demonstrated. The regioselective hydrogenation to access different stereoisomers was established by simple variations in the reaction conditions. This work is based on an unprecedented catalytic system and represents a straightforward application of biomass as a reducing reagent in chemical reactions.

Chemoselective cyclization of N-sulfonyl ketimines with ethenesulfonyl fluorides: access to trans-cyclopropanes and fused-dihydropyrroles

A stereo- and chemoselective ring closing reaction of N-sulfonyl ketimines with ethene sulfonyl fluorides promoted by DBU is reported. This selective C–C vs. C–N bond cyclization process delivers to trans-cyclopropanes (dr up to ≤99 : 1) and fused-dihydropyrroles.

Radical asymmetric intramolecular α-cyclopropanation of aldehydes towards bicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes containing vicinal all-carbon quaternary stereocenters

The development of a general catalytic method for the direct and stereoselective construction of cyclopropanes bearing highly congested vicinal all-carbon quaternary stereocenters remains a formidable challenge in chemical synthesis. Here, we report an intramolecular radical cyclopropanation of unactivated alkenes with simple α-methylene group of aldehydes as C1 source via a Cu(I)/secondary amine cooperative catalyst, which enables the single-step construction of bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane skeletons with excellent efficiency, broad substrate scope covering various terminal, internal alkenes as well as diverse (hetero)aromatic, alkenyl, alkyl-substituted geminal alkenes. Moreover, this reaction has been successfully realized to an asymmetric transformation, providing an attractive approach for the construction of enantioenriched bicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes bearing two crucial vicinal all-carbon quaternary stereocenters with good to excellent enantioselectivity. The utility of this method is illustrated by facile transformations of the products into various useful chiral synthetic intermediates. Preliminary mechanistic studies support a stepwise radical process for this formal [2 + 1] cycloaddition.

A Valuable Upgrade to the Portfolio of Cycloaddition Reactions

Knitting: Recently Antonchick and Manna described a unique annulation that knits together three acetophenones to construct cyclopropanes. The cascade is mediated by organocopper and free radical species, and amounts to the first known [1+1+1] cyclotrimerization. It works well for ketones having electron-deficient or electron-rich substituents in their aryl rings. DTBP=di-tert-butylperoxide.

[1+1+1] Cyclotrimerization for the Synthesis of Cyclopropanes

The synthesis of small rings by functionalization of C(sp³)−H bonds remains a great challenge. We report for the first time a copper‐catalyzed [1+1+1] cyclotrimerization of acetophenone derivatives under mild reaction conditions. The reaction has a broad scope for the stereoselective synthesis of cyclopropanes by trimerization of acetophenone. The developed transformation is based on an extraordinary copper‐catalyzed cascade process that allows saturated carbocycles to be obtained for the first time by cyclotrimerization through functionalization of C(sp³)−H bonds. The cascade of sixfold C(sp³)−H bond functionalization allows the synthesis of cyclopropanes in a highly stereoselective approach.

Radical trideuteromethylation with deuterated dimethyl sulfoxide in the synthesis of heterocycles and labelled building blocks

A selective introduction of trideuteromethyl groups for the synthesis of labelled compounds under radical reaction conditions is demonstrated.