Silica Gel as a Promoter of Sequential Aza-Michael/Michael Reactions of Amines and Propiolic Esters: Solvent- and Metal-Free Synthesis of Polyfunctionalized Conjugated Dienes

Solid-state synthesis of polyfunctionalized 2-pyridones and conjugated dienes

Functionalized 2-pyridones are important biologically active compounds, DNA base analogues and synthetic intermediates. Herein, we report a simple, green, solid-state synthesis of differently substituted 2-pyridones. It starts from commercially available amines and activated alkynes, uses silica gel (15%Cs2CO3/SiO2) as the solid phase and a reaction vial as the only equipment. If necessary, heating is performed in a laboratory oven. Since most reactions are completed within a few hours, no additional energy consumption is required. The syntheses do not require solvents and other reagents and are easily monitored by standard analytical techniques. The atom economy is high, since all atoms of reactants are present in the products and EtOH is the only by-product. The syntheses produce polyfunctionalized conjugated dienes as the only intermediates, which are also important building blocks.

Solid-state silica gel-catalyzed synthesis of fluorescent polysubstituted 1,4- and 1,2-dihydropyridines

We present the green, highly atom-economical, solid-state silica gel-catalyzed synthesis of polysubstituted 1,4- and 1,2-dihydropyridines (DHPs) from commercially available materials, amines and ethyl propiolate. The DHP skeleton was assembled by heating the reactants and silica gel in a closed vessel. Aliphatic amines provided 1,4-isomers as the main or only DHP products, but the reactions of aromatic amines yielded a mixture of 1,4- and 1,2-isomers. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example of the formation of a 1,2-DHP structure by the reaction of an amine with propiolic ester. Addition of 1 mass percent of H₂SO₄ to silica gel shifted the product distribution to 1,4-DHP as the main or the only isomer obtained. Experimental and theoretical analyses led to the identification of two key intermediates en route to DHPs and the explanation of the observed regioisomeric ratios. 1,2-DHPs show blue-cyan fluorescence in MeOH with the quantum yield Φ = 0.10-0.22 relative to quinine sulfate Φ = 0.58 and 1,4-DHPs show blue-violet fluorescence with Φ = 0.09-0.81.

Studies on chemoselective synthesis of 1,4- and 1,2-dihydropyridine derivatives by a Hantzsch-like reaction: a combined experimental and DFT study

In the experimental process of preparing diethyl 3,5-dicarboxylate-1,4-dihydropyridine (1,4-DHP) by a Hantzsch-like reaction, it was found that a by-product named diethyl 3,5-dicarboxylate-1,2-dihydropyridine (1,2-DHP) was produced in the reaction. To discuss this phenomenon, the effects of the reaction conditions on the yield ratio of 1,4-DHP and 1,2-DHP were studied by using aromatic amines, aromatic aldehydes and ethyl propiolate as raw materials. The mechanisms for the formation of 1,4-DHP and 1,2-DHP were proposed based on the isolated intermediate named diethyl 4-((phenylamino)methylene)pent-2-enedioate generated by the Michael addition of aniline and ethyl propiolate. The transition state structures were optimized and the reaction energy barriers of intermediates in the speculated mechanisms were calculated by DFT calculations at the M062X/def2TZVP//B3LYP-D3/def-SVP level. It was found that the reaction energy barriers and dominant configurations of intermediates IM2 and IM3' are the determinants for the chemoselectivity. Together, these results demonstrate a high chemoselectivity in the synthesis of 1,4-DHPs and 1,2-DHPs by a Hantzsch-like reaction and that 1,4-DHPs and 1,2-DHPs can be easily obtained under different conditions.

Synthesis of 2,3-Dihydro-4-pyridones and 4-Pyridones by the Cyclization Reaction of Ester-Tethered Enaminones

2,3-Dihydro-4-pyridone skeleton is an important building block in organic synthesis because it features several reaction sites with nucleophilic or electrophilic properties. Herein, we disclose a method for its formation by intramolecular cyclization of ester-tethered enaminones, which can easily be synthesized from readily available materials, such as amines, activated alkynes, and activated alkenes. 2,3-Dihydro-4-pyridones have been isolated in 41-90% yields. We also demonstrate the transformation of these heterocycles into another important class of compounds, 4-pyridones, by utilizing 2,3,5,6-tetrachloro-p-benzoquinone (chloranil) as an oxidizing agent. The latter products were isolated in 65-94% yields.

Iridium(i)-catalyzed hydration/esterification of 2-alkynylphenols and carboxylic acids

A mild and efficient iridium(i)-catalyzed hydration/esterification of 2-alkynylphenols and carboxylic acids has been successfully developed.