Copper-Catalyzed Intramolecular C-C Bond Cleavage To Construct 2-Substituted Quinazolinones

Ketone Skeletal Modification via a Metallaphotoredox-Catalyzed Deacylation and Acylation Strategy

Herein, we describe a dual catalytic strategy that employs dihydroquinazolinones, derived from ketone analogs, as versatile intermediates for acylation via α C-C cleavage with 2-pyridyl esters, facilitating the efficient synthesis of a variety of ketones. The reaction accommodates a wide range of ketones and carboxylic acids, showing tolerance to various functional groups. The versatility of this synthetic technique is further highlighted through its application in the late-stage modification of pharmaceuticals and biologically active natural products.

I2-Promoted Chemoselective Annulative Coupling of 2-Aminobenzamides with Sulfoxonium Ylides: Easy Access to Quinazolinones

A flexible and metal-free synthetic approach for synthesizing 2-benzoyl quinazolinones and 2-aryl quinazolinones via molecular iodine-mediated annulative coupling of sulfoxonium ylides with 2-aminobenzamides has been disclosed. The method demonstrates remarkable chemoselectivity and efficiency, leading to high yields of 2-benzoyl quinazolinones and 2-aryl quinazolinones under optimized conditions. The broad substrate scope, scalability, and practical utility were highlighted through diverse applications, including gram-scale reactions and the synthesis of biologically significant compounds such as tryptanthrin and the chemo/biosensor derivative.

Homologation of Ketones: Direct Transformation of Alkyl Ketones to Aryl Ketones via Photoredox Catalyzed Deacylation-Aroylation Sequence

Ketones, as essential functional group skeletons, have garnered significant interest due to their diverse transformations. Herein, we describe a versatile photoredox catalyzed deacylation-aroylation strategy that enables the direct transformation of alkyl ketones to aryl ketones. This process involves photoredox deacylation of dihydroquinazolinones derived from alkyl ketones to generate alkyl radicals, followed by subsequent NHC-catalyzed or NHC-mediated radical aroylation.

Methyl Ketones as Alkyl Halide Surrogates: A Deacylative Halogenation Approach for Strategic Functional Group Conversions

Alkyl halides are versatile precursors to access diverse functional groups (FGs). Due to their lability, the development of surrogates for alkyl halides is strategically important for complex molecule synthesis. Given the stability and ease of derivatization inherent in common alkyl ketones, here we report a deacylative halogenation approach to convert various methyl ketones to the corresponding alkyl chlorides, bromides, and iodides. The reaction is driven by forming an aromatic byproduct, i.e., 1,2,4-triazole, in which N'-methylpicolinohydrazonamide (MPHA) is employed to form a prearomatic intermediate and halogen atom-transfer (XAT) reagents are used to quench the alkyl radical intermediate. The reaction is efficient in yielding primary and secondary alkyl halides from a wide range of methyl ketones with broad FG tolerance. It also works for complex natural-product-derived and fluoro-containing substrates. In addition, one-pot conversions of methyl ketones to various other FGs and annulations with alkenes and alkynes through deacylative halogenation are realized. Moreover, an unusual iterative homologation of alkyl iodides is also demonstrated. Finally, mechanistic studies reveal an intriguing double XAT process for the deacylative iodination reaction, which could have implications beyond this work.

Ruthenium-Catalyzed Activation of Nonpolar C-C Bonds via π-Coordination-Enabled Aromatization

Activation of C-C bonds allows editing of molecular skeletons, but methods for selective activation of nonpolar C-C bonds in the absence of a chelation effect or a driving force derived from opening of a strained ring are scarce. Herein, we report a method for ruthenium-catalyzed activation of nonpolar C-C bonds of pro-aromatic compounds by means of π-coordination-enabled aromatization. This method was effective for cleavage of C-C(alkyl) and C-C(aryl) bonds and for ring-opening of spirocyclic compounds, providing an array of benzene-ring-containing products. The isolation of a methyl ruthenium complex intermediate supports a mechanism involving ruthenium-mediated C-C bond cleavage.

Copper-Catalyzed C(sp3 )-Amination of Ketone-Derived Dihydroquinazolinones by Aromatization-Driven C-C Bond Scission

Herein, we describe the development of a copper-catalyzed C(sp³ )-amination of proaromatic dihydroquinazolinones derived from ketones. The reaction is enabled by the intermediacy of open-shell species arising from homolytic C-C bond-cleavage driven by aromatization. The protocol is characterized by its operational simplicity and generality, including chemical diversification of advanced intermediates.

Pyridine coordination enabled stepwise PT/ET N-H transfer and metal-independent C-C cleavage mechanism for Cu-mediated dehydroacylation of unstrained ketones

A density functional theory study of copper-mediated dehydroacylation of 4-phenyl-2-butanone to the corresponding olefin reveals a flexible N-H transfer process and a metal-independent C-C cleavage mechanism. When N'-methylpicolinohydrazonamide (MPHA) acts as the activating reagent, N-H cleavage can easily take place via stepwise proton transfer/electron transfer (PT/ET) and the rate-determining step is C-C homolysis with a total free energy barrier of 22.6 kcal mol^-1, which is consistent with experimental observation of no kinetic isotope effects (KIE) at β-H. Besides, copper is found to have little influence on C-C cleavage, but is responsible for triggering single electron oxidation of the pre-aromatic intermediate (PAI). When replacing MPHA with picolinohydrazonamide (PHA), the second N-H transfer is 2.7 kcal mol^-1 more favorable than C-C cleavage and dominates the pathway to aromatization, which explains there being no C-C cleavage product well. When N'-methylbenzohydrazonamide (MBHA) is adopted, the lack of pyridine coordination significantly reduces the stability of Cu^II and N-H transfer proceeds via a much more difficult proton coupled electron transfer (PCET) pathway, thus making N-H cleavage a rate-determining step with a total free energy barrier of up to 28.1 kcal mol^-1.

Dihydroquinazolinones as adaptative C(sp3) handles in arylations and alkylations via dual catalytic C-C bond-functionalization

C–C bond forming cross-couplings are convenient technologies for the construction of functional molecules. Consequently, there is continual interest in approaches that can render traditionally inert functionality as cross-coupling partners, included in this are ketones which are widely-available commodity chemicals and easy to install synthetic handles. Herein, we describe a dual catalytic strategy that utilizes dihydroquinazolinones derived from ketone congeners as adaptative one-electron handles for forging C(sp³) architectures via α C–C cleavage with aryl and alkyl bromides. Our approach is achieved by combining the flexibility and modularity of nickel catalysis with the propensity of photoredox events for generating open-shell reaction intermediates. This method is distinguished by its wide scope and broad application profile––including chemical diversification of advanced intermediates––, providing a catalytic technique complementary to existing C(sp³) cross-coupling reactions that operates within the C–C bond-functionalization arena.

Although derived from feedstock chemicals and therefore in principle abundant, ketones are not widely used as cross-coupling partners in organic synthesis. Herein, the authors use ketone derivatives as one-electron handles for forging C(sp3) architectures via dual photo- and nickel catalysis.

Copper-Catalyzed One-Pot Synthesis of Quinazolinones from 2-Nitrobenzaldehydes with Aldehydes: Application toward the Synthesis of Natural Products

A novel, efficient, and atom-economical approach for the construction of quinazolinones from 2-nitrobenzaldehydes has been unveiled via copper-catalyzed nitrile formation, hydrolysis, and reduction in one pot for the first time. In this reaction, urea is used as a source of nitrogen for nitrile formation, hydrazine hydrate is used for both the reduction of the nitro group and the hydrolysis of nitrile, and atmospheric oxygen is used as the sole oxidant. The method portrays a wide substrate scope with good functional group tolerances. Moreover, this method was applied for the synthesis of schizocommunin, tryptanthrin, phaitanthrin-A, phaitanthrin-B, and 8H-quinazolino[4,3-b]quinazolin-8-one.

Olefination via Cu-Mediated Dehydroacylation of Unstrained Ketones

The dehydroacylation of ketones to olefins is realized under mild conditions, which exhibits a unique reaction pathway involving aromatization-driven C-C cleavage to remove the acyl moiety, followed by Cu-mediated oxidative elimination to form an alkene between the α and β carbons. The newly adopted N'-methylpicolinohydrazonamide (MPHA) reagent is key to enable efficient cleavage of ketone C-C bonds at room temperature. Diverse alkyl- and aryl-substituted olefins, dienes, and special alkenes are generated with broad functional group tolerance. Strategic applications of this method are also demonstrated.

Selective Synthesis of 2-(1,2,3-Triazoyl) Quinazolinones through Copper-Catalyzed Multicomponent Reaction

We describe here our results from the copper-catalyzed three component reaction of 2-azidobenzaldehyde, anthranilamide and terminal alkynes, using Et3N as base, and DMSO as solvent. Depending on the temperature and amount of Et3N used in the reactions, 1,2,3-triazolyl-quinazolinones or 1,2,3-triazolyl-dihydroquinazolinone could be obtained. When the reactions were performed at 100 °C using 2 equivalents of Et3N, 1,2,3-triazolyl-dihydroquinazolinone was formed in 82% yield, whereas reactions carried out at 120 °C using 1 equivalent of Et3N provided 1,2,3-triazolyl-quinazolinones in moderate-to-good yields.

Palladium-catalyzed one-pot synthesis of 2-substituted quinazolin-4(3H)-ones from o-nitrobenzamide and alcohols

Palladium-catalyzed 2-substituted quinazolin-4(3H)-one formation from readily available o-nitrobenzamides and alcohols using hydrogen transfer is described. Various quinazolin-4(3H)-ones were obtained in good to high yields. The cascade reaction including alcohol oxidation, nitro reduction, condensation, and dehydrogenation occurs without any added reducing or oxidizing agent.

Palladium-catalyzed 2-substituted quinazolin-4(3H)-one formation from readily available o-nitrobenzamides and alcohols using hydrogen transfer is described. Various quinazolin-4(3H)-ones were obtained in good to high yields.

Visible-Light-Mediated Intermolecular Radical Conjugate Addition for the Construction of Vicinal Quaternary Carbon Centers

The visible light-driven organophotoredox catalysis is reported for the construction of vicinal quaternary carbon centers. Intermolecular conjugate addition of alkyl radicals, derived from 2,2-disubstituted dihydroquinazolinones, to Michael acceptors under blue light irradiation and rhodamine B catalysis allows the facile assembly of diverse, vicinal secondary/quaternary, tertiary/quaternary, and quaternary/quaternary carbon centers at room temperature. Our method provides a synthetically versatile protocol since both 2,2-disubstituted dihydroquinazolinones and Michael acceptors can be conveniently prepared from readily available ketones.

Discovery of Quinazolin-4(3 H)-ones as NLRP3 Inflammasome Inhibitors: Computational Design, Metal-Free Synthesis, and in Vitro Biological Evaluation

NLRP3 inflammasome is an important therapeutic target for a number of human diseases. Herein, computationally designed series of quinazolin-4(3 H)-ones were synthesized using iodine-catalyzed coupling of arylalkynes (or styrenes) with O-aminobenzamides. The key event in this transformation involves the oxidative cleavage of the C-C triple/double bond and the release of formaldehyde. The reaction relies on the C-N bond formation along with the C-C bond cleavage under metal-free conditions. The nitro-substituted quinazolin-4(3 H)-one 2k inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome (IC₅₀ 5 μM) via the suppression of IL-1β release from ATP-stimulated J774A.1 cells.

2,3-Dihydroquinazolin-4(1H)-one as a privileged scaffold in drug design

2,3-Dihydroquinazolin-4-one (DHQ) belongs to the class of nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds representing a core structural component in various biologically active compounds. In the past decades, several methodologies have been developed for the synthesis of the DHQ framework, especially the 2-substituted derivatives. Unfortunately, multistep syntheses, harsh reaction conditions, and the use of toxic reagents and solvents have limited their full potential as a versatile fragment. Recently, use of green chemistry and alternative strategies are being explored to prepare diverse DHQ derivatives. This fragment is used as a synthon for the preparation of biologically active quinazolinones and as a functional substrate for the synthesis of modified DHQ derivatives exhibiting different biological properties. In this review, we provide a comprehensive assessment of the synthesis and biological evaluations of DHQ derivatives.

Autoxidation of Heterocyclic Aminals

The autoxidation reactions of 2-acyl-2,3-dihydroquinazolin-4(1H)-ones 4a and 5a and 2,2'-bis(dihydroquinazolinone) 6a are described. These reactions generate aminyl radicals that undergo β-C-C cleavage, and subsequent reactions of the resulting C-based radicals with O₂ lead to diverse products with good selectivity, depending on the structure of the substrate. Oxidation of 4a, in which the 2-acyl group is part of a cyclic acenaphthenone unit, yields a heterocyclic C-hydroperoxylaminal via 1,2-acyl migration. Oxidation of 5a, which contains a 2-acetyl group, yields peracetic acid and a quinazolinone product. Oxidation of 6a forms a bis(quinazolinone) by net dehydrogenation.

Metal-free synthesis of quinazolinones without any additives in water

Here we report that an excess amount of aldehyde, in particular, aliphatic aldehyde, without any additives, efficiently facilitates the oxidation of aminal intermediates to quinazolinones in pure water.