RhII-Catalyzed [3+2] Cycloaddition of 2 H-Azirines withN-Sulfonyl-1,2,3-Triazoles

Skeletal Editing: Ring Insertion for Direct Access to Heterocycles

Skeleton editing has rapidly advanced as a synthetic methodology in recent years, significantly streamlining the synthesis process and gaining widespread acceptance in drug synthesis and development. This field encompasses diverse ring reactions, many of which exhibit immense potential in skeleton editing, facilitating the generation of novel ring skeletons. Notably, reactions that involve the cleavage of two distinct rings followed by the reformation of new rings through ring insertion play a pivotal role in the construction of novel ring skeletons. This article aims to compile and systematize this category of reactions, emphasizing the two primary reaction types and offering a thorough exploration of their associated complexities and challenges. Our endeavor is to furnish readers with comprehensive reaction strategies, igniting research interest and injecting fresh impetus into the advancement of this domain.

An Accesss to 4,5,6-Trisubstituted Pyrimidines from 2H-Azirines and α-Isocyanoacetates or α-Isocyanoacetamides Enabled by 1,3-Dipolar [3 + 2] Cycloaddition/Ring-Expanding/Oxidative Aromatization Process

The products containing pyrimidine scaffolds exhibit various important physiological and biological activities. To date, the strategies to generate 4,5,6-trisubstituted pyrimidines were not reported. Here, a copper-catalyzed reaction of 2H-azirines with α-isocyanoacetates or α-isocyanoacetamides has been developed, rapidly preparing 4,5,6-trisubstituted pyrimidines. The mechanistic results reveal that this strategy underwent a formal 1, 3-dipolar [3 + 2] cycloaddition/ring-expanding/oxidative aromatization procedure to construct the desired pyrimidines.

Modular Synthesis of Highly Substituted 3-Azapyrroles by Rh(II)-Catalyzed N-H Bond Insertion and Cyclodehydration

A modular synthesis of highly substituted 3-azapyrroles has been developed using a three-step sequence comprising copper-catalyzed alkyne-azide cycloaddition (CuAAC), N-H bond insertion, and cyclodehydration. 1-Sulfonyl-1,2,3-triazoles (1-STs) can be accessed from common alkyne and sulfonyl azide building blocks by CuAAC using CuTC. Rhodium(II)-acetate-promoted 1-ST denitrogenation results in highly electrophilic rhodium azavinyl carbenes that, here, underwent insertion into the N-H bond of secondary α-aminoketones to form 1,2-aminoalkenes. These products were cyclized and dehydrated using BF₃·OEt₂ into highly substituted 3-azapyrroles. The three steps (CuAAC, N-H bond insertion, and cyclodehydration) could be telescoped into a one-pot process. The method proved to be highly efficient and tolerated a wide range of substituents.

Rhodium-Catalyzed Transannulation of 4,5-Fused 1-Sulfonyl-1,2,3-triazoles with Nitriles. The Selective Formation of 1-Sulfonyl-4,5-fused Imidazoles versus Secondary C-H Bond Migration

The reactivity of readily available 4,5-fused-1-sulfonyl-1,2,3-triazoles was examined in the Rh(II)-catalyzed transannulation reaction with nitriles. We have come across the interesting observation that 1-sulfonyl cycloalkeno[d][1,2,3]triazoles that possess β-hydrogens resist intramolecular β-hydride migration and could serve as a new source of Rh-iminocarbenoids for intermolecular Rh(II)-catalyzed transannulation reactions. As a result, 1-sulfonyl cyclohexeno-, cyclohepteno-, dihydropyrano-, 5-phenyltetrahydrobenzo-, and 4,5-dihydronaphtho[d]imidazoles were synthesized from various nitriles in good yields. A one-pot methodology has also been executed for the synthesis of NH-imidazoles.

Azide-alkyne cycloadditions with an electronically activated alkyne: indole formation via 1-aryl-1,2,3-triazole-derived imino carbenes

We report that the use of a diaminoalkyne in the azide-alkyne cycloaddition with aryl azides leads to 3H-indoles under mild, uncatalysed conditions. Computations reveal that N₂ extrusion from, in one case, isolable triazoles is facile, generating imino carbenes, which undergo intramolecular aryl C-H bond activation and give 3H-indoles as products.

Electrocyclizations of Conjugated Azapolyenes Produced in Reactions of Azaheterocycles with Metal Carbenes

Conjugated azapolyenes (azabuta-1,3-dienes, aza-/diaza-/oxaza-/oxadiazahexa-1,3,5-trienes) are highly reactive in electrocyclization reactions, which makes them convenient precursors for the synthesis of a wide range of four-, five-, and six-membered nitrogen heterocycles that are of relevance for medicinal chemistry. Ring opening reactions of 2H-azirines and azoles containing an N–N or N–O bond, initiated by a transition metal carbene, have become increasingly important in recent years, since they easily allow the generation of azapolyenes with different numbers of double bonds and heteroatoms in various positions. This review summarizes the literature, published mainly in the last decade, on the synthetic and mechanistic aspects of electrocyclizations of azapolyenes generated by the carbene method.

Rhodium-Catalyzed Synthesis of 2-Aroylpyrimidines via Cascade Heteropolyene Rearrangement

A one-step synthesis of cytotoxic 2-aroylpyrimidines by the denitrogenative reaction of 1-tosyl-1,2,3-triazoles with isoxazoles under rhodium catalysis has been developed. According to the density functional theory calculations and control experiments, the disclosed reaction proceeds via the rearrangement of an oxadiazatetraene intermediate involving a cascade of intramolecular aza-Diels-Alder and retro-aza-Diels-Alder reactions. The presence of a substituent at C4 of the isoxazole is a prerequisite for the formation of the pyrimidines.

Rh(ii)-Catalyzed denitrogenative 1-sulfonyl-1,2,3-triazole-1-alkyl-1,2,3-triazole cross-coupling as a route to 3-sulfonamido-1H-pyrroles and 1,2,3-triazol-3-ium ylides

The reaction of 1-alkyl-1H-1,2,3-triazoles with rhodium(ii) azavinyl carbenes, generated from 1-sulfonyl-1H-1,2,3-triazoles, was utilized to prepare 3-sulfonamido-1H-pyrroles and 1,2,3-triazol-3-ium ylides in good yields.

Regiodivergent synthesis of pyrazino-indolines vs. triazocines via α-imino carbenes addition to imidazolidines

Hexahydropyrazinoindoles were prepared in a single step from N-sulfonyl triazoles and imidazolidines. Under dirhodium catalysis, α-imino carbenes were generated and formed nitrogen ylide intermediates that, after subsequent aminal opening, afforded the pyrazinoindoles predominantly via formal [1,2]-Stevens and tandem Friedel–Crafts cyclizations. Of mechanistic importance, a regiodivergent reactivity was engineered through the use of a specific unsymmetrically substituted imidazolidine that promoted the exclusive formation of 8-membered ring 1,3,6-triazocines. Based on DFT calculations, an original Curtin–Hammett-like situation was demonstrated for the mechanism. Further derivatizations led to functionalized tetrahydropyrazinoindoles in high yields.

Hexahydropyrazinoindoles are prepared in a single step from N-sulfonyl triazoles and imidazolidines. Of mechanistic importance, a regiodivergent reactivity can be engineered towards the exclusive formation of 8-membered ring 1,3,6-triazocines.

Intramolecular azavinyl carbene-triggered rearrangement of furans

An intramolecular rhodium-catalyzed reaction of 1-tosyl-1,2,3-triazoles with furans has been explored. The tosylimino functionality was found to play a significant chemical role participating in the subsequent domino-transformations of a key reaction intermediate. One of the reaction pathways leads to valuable 2-formyl- and 2-acetylpyridine building blocks, which could be obtained in one-pot starting from easily accessible (furan-2-ylmethyl)propargyl amines. An original method for the synthesis of highly functionalized indolizines from the obtained pyridines has been proposed.

AuBr3 -Catalyzed Chemoselective Annulation of Isocyanates with 2H-Azirine

The chemoselective cyclization of isocyanates with 2H-azirine was achieved with AuBr₃ as catalyst. This transfer sets the stage for the synthesis of aromatic oxazole-ureas in a tandem process. The addition of a catalytic amount of phosphite enhances the process enormously. The reaction can also be performed in a one-pot process using benzoyl azide instead of isocyanate under the same conditions. A detailed study on the role of the phosphite that was applied as an additive revealed that only non-coordinated phosphite can reduce gold(III) and that gold(I) coordinated phosphite is not oxidized. Accompanied by the reduction of gold, HBr is generated in situ, which turned out to be the actual promotor in combination with the remaining AuBr₃ . The positive effect of acid can be explained by a strong N-Au coordination, which tends to break more easily in the presence of small amount of protic acid in the reaction solution.

Chemical Consequences of the Mechanical Bond: A Tandem Active Template-Rearrangement Reaction

We report the unexpected discovery of a tandem active template CuAAC‐rearrangement process, in which N₂ is extruded on the way to the 1,2,3‐triazole product to give instead acrylamide rotaxanes. Mechanistic investigations suggest this process is dictated by the mechanical bond, which stabilizes the Cu^I‐triazolide intermediate of the CuAAC reaction and diverts it down the rearrangement pathway; when no mechanical bond is formed, the CuAAC product is isolated.

Chemodivergent reaction of azomethine imines and 2H-azirines for the synthesis of nitrogen-containing scaffolds

Metal-free reactions of 2H-azirines with C,N-cyclic azomethine imines were investigated.

BBr3-Assisted Preparation of Aromatic Alkyl Bromides from Lignin and Lignin Model Compounds

For the first time, BBr₃-assisted nucleophilic substitution was applied to a variety of β-O-4 and α-O-4 model compounds for the highly effective cleavage of different C-O bonds, including C-O_α-OH, C_β-O/C_α-O and C_Me-O bonds (<0.5 h and >99% conversion for most cases). Without any pretreatment, the substitution proceeds at room temperature in the absence of any catalyst, or additive, selectively affording phenols and important organic synthesis reagents, aromatic alkyl bromides, in high to excellent yields (up to 98%). Preliminary studies also highlight the prospect of this method for the effective cleavage of different types of C-O bonds in real lignin. A total 14 wt % yield of aromatic alkyl bromide, 4-(1,2-dibromo-3-hydroxypropyl)benzene-1,2-diol (10), has been obtained from an extracted lignin through this method.

The Expanding Utility of Rhodium-Iminocarbenes: Recent Advances in the Synthesis of Natural Products and Related Scaffolds

Rhodium-iminocarbenes that are derived from N-sulfonyl-1,2,3-triazoles have become an important class of reactive species and useful intermediates in organic synthesis. Over the last several years, many practical and versatile approaches involving rhodium-iminocarbene intermediates to synthetically challenging molecules (scaffolds) have been developed. This Minireview mainly summarizes the recent advance of rhodium-iminocarbene involved reactions in the synthesis of natural products and their related scaffolds by the end of 2017. Several applications in important pharmaceuticals are documented as well.

Polycyclic Indoline-Benzodiazepines through Electrophilic Additions of α-Imino Carbenes to Tröger Bases

Polycyclic indoline-benzodiazepines can be accessed through the intermolecular reaction of Tröger bases with N-sulfonyl-1,2,3-triazoles. Under RhII catalysis, α-imino carbenes are generated and a subsequent cascade of [1,2]-Stevens, Friedel-Crafts, Grob, and aminal formation reactions yield the polycyclic heterocycles as single isomers (d.r.>49:1, four stereocenters including two bridgehead N atoms). Further ring expansion by insertion of a second α-imino carbene leads to elaborated polycyclic 9-membered-ring triazonanes.

A novel approach to 5H-pyrazino[2,3-b]indolesviaannulation of 3-diazoindolin-2-imines with 2H-azirines or 5-alkoxyisoxazoles under Rh(ii) catalysis

The first example of rhodium carbenoid-mediated intermolecular annulation of cyclic diazo compounds with azirines and alkoxyisoxazoles is presented.

Rh(II) Catalyzed High Order Cycloadditions of 8-Azaheptafulvenes with N-Sulfonyl 1,2,3-Triazloes or α-Oxo Diazocompounds

A novel strategy was developed for the application of Rh carbenes generated from readily accessible N-sulfonyl 1,2,3,-triazoles or diazocompouds in the high order cycloadditions, which offered an efficient route to a variety of N-containing medium-sized rings. The process provided a wide range of cyclohepta[b]pyrazine and cyclohepta[b]pyrrolone derivatives with high yields.

Visible light-induced cyclization reactions for the synthesis of 1,2,4-triazolines and 1,2,4-triazoles

1,2,4-Triazolines and 1,2,4-triazoles can be synthesized under visible light in one step without additional operations, which can be also scaled up to a gram-level.