Cu-Catalyzed Ullmann-Type Double C-N Coupling Approach to 5-Aryl-5H-indolizino[3,2-b]indoles

A modular approach to a polyfunctionalized 5H-indolizino[3,2-b]indole, an indolizine-indole fused system, was achieved from readily available pyridine-2-acetonitrile, 2-bromobenzaldehyde, and TMSCN via the strategic combination of a one-pot three-component assembly and Cu-catalyzed Ullmann-type double C-N coupling reactions through which five new bonds (two C-C and three C-N) were formed in two steps.

Microwave-assisted annulation for the construction of pyrido-fused heterocycles and their application as photoluminescent chemosensors

A catalyst-free microwave-assisted annulation protocol for the preparation of biologically interesting pyrido-fused quinazolinones and pyrido[1,2-a]benzimidazoles is developed. This reaction involves the [3 + 3] annulation of various quinazolinones or benzimidazoles with 3-formylchromones to yield functionalized 11H-pyrido[2,1-b]quinazolin-11-one and pyrido[1,2-a] benzimidazole derivatives. This approach is successfully extended to the construction of various pyrazolo[4,3-d]pyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidin-10(1H)-ones. The present approach is complementary to the existing synthetic methodologies and offers a rapid and facile approach with a broad substrate scope, good yields, catalyst-free conditions, and a high functional group tolerance. The optimal synthesized compound is also employed as an "on-off" photoluminescent probe for the selective detection of Fe³⁺ and Ag⁺ metal ions.

β-Perfluoroalkyl Peroxides as Fluorinated C3-Building Blocks for the Construction of Benzo[4,5]imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines

An efficient and selective protocol for the synthesis of perfluoroalkyl-group-substituted benzo[4,5]imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines has been developed in which β-perfluoroalkyl peroxides act as novel fluorinated C3-building blocks to implement regioselective [3 + 3] annulation with 2-cyanomethyl benzimidazole under metal-free conditions. The application of the synthesized perfluoroalkylated BIPs as potent anticancer reagents versus the nonfluorinated ones demonstrated the biological utility of this method.

Simple inorganic base promoted polycyclic construction using mucohalic acid as a C3 synthon: synthesis and AIE probe application of benzo[4,5]imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines

Using mucohalic acid as C3 synthon via a transition metal-free multicomponent reaction, an eco-friendly protocol to synthesize C1-functionalized benzo[4,5]imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines which can be applied as fluorescence probe for picric acid is described.

Recent Advances in the Tandem Copper-Catalyzed Ullmann-Goldberg N-Arylation–Cyclization Strategies

N‒Aryl bond formation under copper catalysis has been playing a pivotal role and has been extensively used as a key step in the total syntheses of several therapeutic molecules. The...

Cu(II)-Promoted Cascade Synthesis of Fused Imidazo-Pyridine-Carbonitriles

A Cu(II)-promoted synthesis of an aza-fused N-heterocycle having a benz-imidazopyridine scaffold is developed via an addition-cyclization reaction followed by an Ullmann-type C-N coupling between o-iodoanilines and γ-ketodinitriles. This protocol features a broad substrate scope, giving products in 32-84% yields. The compounds show excellent photoluminescence properties having two absorption maxima in the region between 270-280 and 338-350 nm and emission maxima in the range of 502-533 nm. The HOMO-LUMO energy gap of 3.49-3.57 eV was determined using Gaussian 09 at the B3LYP/6-31G (d, p) basis set level. We also demonstrated a few postsynthetic modifications.

Development of a New Arylamination Reaction Catalyzed by Polymer Bound 1,3-(Bisbenzimidazolyl) Benzene Co(II) Complex and Generation of Bioactive Adamanate Amines

We herein report the preparation and characterization of an inexpensive polymer supported 1,3-bis(benzimidazolyl)benzeneCo(II) complex [PS-Co(BBZN)Cl2] as a catalyst by using the polymer (divinylbenzene cross-linked chloromethylated polystyrene), on which 1,3-bis(benzimidazolyl)benzeneCo(II) complex (PS-Co(BBZN)Cl2) has been immobilized. This catalyst was employed to develop arylamination reaction and robustness of the same reaction was demonstrated by synthesizing various bioactive adamantanyl-tethered-biphenylamines. Our synthetic methodology was much improved than reported methods due to the use of an inexpensive and recyclable catalyst.

Structure-Activity Relationships of Radioiodinated 6,5,6-Tricyclic Compounds for the Development of Tau Imaging Probes

Tau aggregate, which is the main component of the neurofibrillary tangle, is an attractive imaging target for diagnosing and monitoring the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this study, we designed and synthesized six radioiodinated 6,5,6-tricyclic compounds to explore novel scaffolds for tau imaging probes. On in vitro autoradiography of AD brain sections, pyridoimidazopyridine and benzimidazopyrimidine derivatives ([¹²⁵I]21 and [¹²⁵I]22, respectively) showed selective binding affinity for tau aggregates, whereas carbazole, pyrrolodipyridine, and pyridoimidazopyrimidine derivatives ([¹²⁵I]10, [¹²⁵I]12, and [¹²⁵I]23, respectively) bound β-amyloid aggregates. In a biodistribution study using normal mice, [¹²⁵I]21 and [¹²⁵I]22 showed high initial uptakes (5.73 and 5.66% ID/g, respectively, at 2 min postinjection) into and rapid washout (0.14 and 0.10% ID/g, respectively, at 60 min postinjection) from the brain. Taken together, two novel scaffolds including pyridoimidazopyridine and benzimidazopyrimidine may be applied to develop useful tau imaging probes.

Rhodium-catalyzed annulative coupling of N-aryl-2-aminopyridine and propargylic amine via selective C–C and C–H bond activation

A Rh(iii)-catalyzed/Cu(ii)-mediated cascade reaction between N-aryl-2-aminopyridine and propargylic amine has been developed.

Chan–Lam N-arylation and C–H amination with heteroaromatic ring-NH: an approach to access extended-fused imidazo[1,2-a]-pyridines/pyrazines

An arene 1,2-diamination reaction of areneboronic acid with heterocyclic azines mediated by Cu(ii) constructs N-fused imidazole rings.

Synthesis of 2-Arylindoles by Rhodium-Catalyzed/Copper-Mediated Annulative Coupling of N-Aryl-2-aminopyridines and Propargyl Alcohols via Selective C-H/C-C Activation

A versatile rhodium-catalyzed/copper-mediated C-H/C-C activation and cascade annulation reaction was described to form 2-arylindole derivatives. Highly selective C-C bond cleavage of γ-substituted tert-propargyl alcohols occurred, together with pyridine-directed ortho C(sp²)-H bond activation, affording a series of 2-arylindoles with yields up to 90%. Subsequent derivations were smoothly conducted to access polyfunctionalized 2-arylindoles, illustrating the potential applications of this method.

Structure-Activity Relationships of Radioiodinated Benzoimidazopyridine Derivatives for Detection of Tau Pathology

It is generally accepted that neurofibrillary tangles consisting of tau proteins are involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). For selective detection of tau pathology, we synthesized and evaluated radioiodinated benzoimidazopyridine (BIP) derivatives with an alkylamino group as tau imaging probes. In vitro selectivity to tau aggregates and in vivo pharmacokinetics of BIP derivatives varied markedly, being strongly dependent on the alkylamino group. In in vitro autoradiography with AD brain sections, the BIP derivative with a dimethylamino group (BIP-NMe₂) showed the highest selectivity to tau aggregates. Regarding the biodistribution using normal mice, the BIP derivative with an ethylamino group (BIP-NHEt) showed the highest uptake (6.04% ID/g at 2 min postinjection) into and rapid washout (0.12% ID/g at 60 min postinjection) from the brain. These results suggest that the introduction of an optimal alkylamino group into the BIP scaffold may lead to the development of more potential tau imaging probes.

Reagent-controlled regiodivergent intermolecular cyclization of 2-aminobenzothiazoles with β-ketoesters and β-ketoamides

Two regiodivergent approaches to intermolecular cyclization of 2-aminobenzothiazoles with β-ketoesters and amides have been developed, controlled by the reagents employed. With the Brønsted base KOt-Bu and CBrCl3 as radical initiator, benzo[d]imidazo[2,1-b]thiazoles are synthesized via attack at the α-carbon and keto carbon of the β-ketoester moiety. In contrast, switching to the Lewis acid catalyst, In(OTf)3, results in the regioselective nucleophilic attack at both carbonyl groups forming benzo[4,5]thiazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidin-4-ones instead.

Copper(ii) catalyzed synthesis of novel helical luminescent benzo[4,5]imidazo[1,2-a][1,10]phenanthrolines via an intramolecular C–H amination reaction

Novel helical luminescent benzoimidazophenanthrolines were prepared using a Cu(ii) catalyzed C–H amination reaction.

Highly Selective Tau-SPECT Imaging Probes for Detection of Neurofibrillary Tangles in Alzheimer's Disease

Neurofibrillary tangles composed of aggregates of hyperphosphorylated tau proteins are one of the neuropathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in addition to the deposition of β-amyloid plaques. Since the deposition of tau aggregates is closely associated with the severity of AD, the in vivo detection of tau aggregates may be useful as a biomarker for the diagnosis and progression of AD. In this study, we designed and synthesized a new series of radioiodinated benzoimidazopyridine (BIP) derivatives, and evaluated their utility as single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging agents targeting tau aggregates in AD brains. Five radioiodinated BIP derivatives were successfully prepared in high radiochemical yields and purities. In in vitro autoradiographic studies using postmortem AD brains, all BIP derivatives displayed high accumulation of radioactivity in the brain sections with abundant neurofibrillary tangles, while no marked radioactivity accumulation was observed in the brain sections with only β-amyloid aggregates, indicating that the BIP derivatives exhibited selective binding to tau aggregates. Biodistribution studies in normal mice showed high brain uptake at 2 min postinjection (3.5-4.7% ID/g) and rapid clearance at 60 min postinjection (0.04-0.23% ID/g), which is highly desirable for tau imaging agents. The results of the present study suggest that [¹²³I]BIP derivatives may be useful SPECT agents for the in vivo imaging of tau aggregates in AD.

A copper-catalyzed cascade reaction of o-bromoarylisothiocyanates with isocyanides leading to benzo[d]imidazo[5,1-b]thiazoles under ligand-free conditions

A copper-catalyzed method has been realized for the synthesis of benzo[d]imidazo[5,1-b]thiazoles via intermolecular [3 + 2] cycloaddition and intramolecular C–S bond formation.

Copper-Catalyzed Inter- and Intramolecular C-N Bond Formation: Synthesis of Benzimidazole-Fused Heterocycles

A Cu (II)-catalyzed, inter/intramolecular C-N bond formation for the synthesis of various benzimidazole-fused heterocycles in a concise manner has been reported. The robustness of this reaction is demonstrated by the synthesis of a series of benzimidazole-fused heteroaromatics (e.g., pyrido[1,2-a] benzimidazole, benzimidazo[1,2-a]quinolines, benzimidazo [1,2-a]pyrazine, benzo[4,5] imidazo[2,1-b]thiazoles) directly from 2-aminoheteroarenens and 2-iodoarylboronic acids in one-pot. The novel cascade protocol for C-N bond formation operates via unique combination of Chan-Lam type coupling followed by Ullmann-type reaction.

Rhodium-catalyzed annulation between 2-arylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridines and alkynes leading to pyrido[1,2-a]benzimidazole derivatives

A rhodium-catalyzed annulation between 2-arylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridines and alkynes was developed, leading to pyrido[1,2-a]benzimidazole derivatives in moderate to excellent yields.

I2-Catalyzed diamination of acetyl-compounds for the synthesis of multi-substituted imidazoles

We have successfully developed the I₂-catalysed synthesis of substituted imidazole derivatives from amidines and ketones in good to excellent yields and 100% regioselectivity.

FeCl3/ZnI2-catalyzed synthesis of benzo[d]imidazo[2,1-b]thiazole through aerobic oxidative cyclization between 2-aminobenzothiazole and ketone

The FeCl3/ZnI2-catalyzed aerobic oxidative cyclization between 2-aminobenzothiazole and ketone/chalcone for the synthesis of benzo[d]imidazo[2,1-b]thiazole is described. A variety of fused benzoimidazothiazole derivatives are obtained by this protocol.

Hypervalent iodine(iii) catalyzed oxidative C–N bond formation in water: synthesis of benzimidazole-fused heterocycles

A diverse array of benzimidazole-fused heterocycles was synthesized by in situ generated hypervalent iodine(iii) catalyzed intramolecular oxidative C–N bond formation in water and under ambient conditions.