Tandem Thioacylation-Intramolecular Hydrosulfenylation of Propargyl Amines - Rapid Access to 2-Aminothiazolidines

Copper-Catalyzed One-Pot Synthesis of Thiazolidin-2-imines

The synthesis of thiazolines, thiazolidines, and thiazolidinones has been extensively studied, due to their biological activity related to neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, as well as their antiparasitic and antihypertensive properties. The closely related thiazolidin-2-imines have been studied less, and efficient strategies for synthesizing them, mainly based on the reaction of propargylamines with isothiocyanates, have been explored less. The use of one-pot approaches, providing modular, straightforward, and sustainable access to these compounds, has also received very little attention. Herein, we report a novel, one-pot, multicomponent, copper-catalyzed reaction among primary amines, ketones, terminal alkynes, and isothiocyanates, toward thiazolidin-2-imines bearing quaternary carbon centers on the five-membered ring, in good to excellent yields. Density functional theory calculations, combined with experimental mechanistic findings, suggest that the copper(I)-catalyzed reaction between the in situ-formed propargylamines and isothiocyanates proceeds with a lower energy barrier in the pathway leading to the S-cyclized product, compared to that of the N-cyclized one, toward the chemo- and regioselective formation of 5-exo-dig S-cyclized thiazolidin-2-imines.

Isothiocyanates: happy-go-lucky reagents in organic synthesis

Owing to their unique structural features, isothiocyanates (ITCs) are a class of highly useful and inimitable reagents as the -NCS group serves both as electrophile and nucleophile in organic synthesis. ITCs share a rich legacy in organic, medicinal, and combinatorial chemistry. Compared to their oxygen equivalents, isocyanates, ITCs are easily available, less unpleasant, and somewhat less harmful to work with (mild conditions) which makes them happy-go-lucky reagents. Functionalized ITCs can finely tune the reactivity of the -NCS group and thus can be exploited in the late-stage functionalization processes. This review's primary aim is to outline ITC chemistry in the construction and derivatization of heterocycles through the lens of sustainability. For ease and brevity, the sections are divided based on reactive centers present in functionalized ITCs and modes of cyclisation. Scrutinizing their probable unexplored directions for future research studies is also addressed.

Catalysis-free synthesis of thiazolidine-thiourea ligands for metal coordination (Au and Ag) and preliminary cytotoxic studies

The reaction of propargylamines with isothiocyanates results in the selective formation of iminothiazolidines, aminothiazolines or mixed thiazolidine-thiourea compounds under mild conditions. It has been observed that secondary propargylamines lead to the selective formation of cyclic 2-amino-2-thiazoline derivatives, while primary propargylamines form iminothiazoline species. In addition, these cyclic thiazoline derivatives can further react with an excess of isothiocyanate to give rise to thiazolidine-thiourea compounds. These species can also be achieved by reaction of propargylamines with isothiocynates in a molar ratio of 1 : 2. Coordination studies of these heterocyclic species towards silver and gold with different stoichiometries have been carried out and complexes of the type [ML(PPh₃)]OTf, [ML₂]OTf (M = Ag, Au) or [Au(C₆F₅)L] have been synthesised. Preliminary studies of the cytotoxic activity in lung cancer cells have also been performed in both ligands and complexes, showing that although the ligands do not exhibit anticancer activity, their coordination to metals, especially silver, greatly enhances the cytotoxic activity.

Novel thiazolidines of potential anti-proliferation properties against esophageal squamous cell carcinoma via ERK pathway

The discovery of a new class of extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) inhibitors has been achieved via developing novel 2-imino-5-arylidene-thiazolidine analogues. A novel synthetic method employing a solid support-mediated reaction was used to construct the targeted thiazolidines through a cascade reaction with good yields. The chemical and physical stability of the new thiazolidine library has successfully been achieved by blocking the labile C5-position to aerobic oxidation. A cell viability study was performed using esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cell lines (KYSE-30 and KYSE-150) and non-tumorous esophageal epithelial cell lines (HET-1A and NES-G4T) through utilization of an MTT assay, revealing that (Z)-5-((Z)-4-bromobenzylidene)-N-(4-methoxy-2-nitrophenyl)-4,4-dimethylthiazolidin-2-imine (6g) was the best compound among the synthesized library in terms of selectivity. DAPI staining experiments were performed to visualize the morphological changes and to investigate the apoptotic activity. Moreover, western blots were used to probe the mechanism/pathway behind the observed activity/selectivity of thiazolidine 6g which established selective inhibition of phosphorylation in the ERK pathway. Molecular modeling techniques have been utilized to confirm the observed activity. A molecular docking study revealed similar binding interactions between the synthesized thiazolidines and reported co-crystalized inhibitors with ERK proteins. Thus, the present study provides a starting point for the development of interesting bioactive 2-imino-5-arylidene-thiazolidines.

One-Pot Synthesis of Novel 2-Imino-5-Arylidine-Thiazolidine Analogues and Evaluation of Their Anti-Proliferative Activity against MCF7 Breast Cancer Cell Line

An efficient surface-mediated synthetic method to facilitate access to a novel class of thiazolidines is described. The rationale behind the design of the targeted thiazolidines was to prepare stable thiazolidine analogues and evaluate their anti-proliferative activity against a breast cancer cell line (MCF7). Most of the synthesized analogues exhibited increased potency ranging from 2–15-fold higher compared to the standard reference, cisplatin. The most active thiazolidines contain a halogenated or electron withdrawing group attached to the N-phenyl ring of exocyclic 2-imino group. However, combination of the two substituents did not enhance the activity. The anti-proliferative activity was measured in terms of IC₅₀ values using an MTT assay.

Ag(I)-Catalyzed rapid access to 2-amino-4-methylenethiazolines with potential applications in bioconjugation chemistry

An Ag(i)-catalyzed tandem addition-cyclization of isothiocyanate and propargylamine was successfully applied to the synthesis of 2-amino-4-methylenethiazolines. This route features an unprecedented fast reaction rate with full conversion reached within 10 min at room temperature for aromatic isothiocyanates and excellent chemoselectivity for exocyclic products. The application of this strategy is further highlighted by the accelerated bioconjugation of propargylamine with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) under Ag(i)-catalysis.

Enantiomeric Separation of New Chiral Azole Compounds

Twelve new azole compounds were synthesized through an ene reaction involving methylidene heterocycles and phenylmaleimide, producing four oxazoles, five thiazoles, and one pyridine derivative, and ethyl glyoxylate for an oxazole and a thiazole compound. The twelve azoles have a stereogenic center in their structure. Hence, a method to separate the enantiomeric pairs, must be provided if any further study of chemical and pharmacological importance of these compounds is to be accomplished. Six chiral stationary phases were assayed: four were based on macrocyclic glycopeptide selectors and two on linear carbohydrates, i.e., derivatized maltodextrin and amylose. The enantiomers of the entire set of new chiral azole compounds were separated using three different mobile phase elution modes: normal phase, polar organic, and reversed phase. The most effective chiral stationary phase was the MaltoShell column, which was able to separate ten of the twelve compounds in one elution mode or another. Structural similarities in the newly synthesized oxazoles provided some insights into possible chiral recognition mechanisms.

One-Pot Synthesis of Benzimidazo[2,1-b]thiazoline Derivatives through an Addition/Cyclization/Oxidative Coupling Reaction

A novel and efficient approach to the synthesis of benzimidazo[2,1-b]thiazoline derivatives has been developed through an addition/cyclization/intramolecular oxidative C-H functionalization process. A variety of alkylene benzimidazo[2,1-b] thiazolines were conveniently assembled from the reaction of aryl isothiocyanate and propargylic amine in the presence of Cu(OAc)₂ and PIFA at room temperature. The product could be further converted to substituted benzimidazo[2,1-b]thiazole derivatives.

[4-(4-Methoxyphenyl)-8-oxo-3-(phenylselanyl)spiro[4.5]deca-3,6,9-trien-2-yl]methylcyanamide

The title compound, C25H22N2O2Se, crystallizes in the space group P21/c with one molecule in the asymmetric unit. The compound was synthesized by the addition of phenylselenyl bromide to a cyanamide. The phenylselenyl portion and the cyano group, as well as the ketone functional group in the cyclohexa-2,5-dien-1-one portion of the structure, are disordered, with occupancy factors of 0.555 (14) and 0.445 (14).

Divergent synthesis of N-heterocyclic 1,6-enynes through a zinc-catalyzed decarboxylative A3 reaction

A zinc-catalyzed decarboxylative A³ reaction of cyclic amino acids, α,β-unsaturated aldehydes and terminal alkynes has been developed. A series of functionalized N-heterocyclic 1,6-enynes have been successfully obtained with excellent regioselectivities through this novel approach. In addition, the utility of this straightforward process is demonstrated by the preparation of a polycyclic nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound.

Development of a Telescoped Flow Process for the Safe and Effective Generation of Propargylic Amines

Propargylic amines are important multifunctional building blocks that are frequently exploited in the synthesis of privileged heterocyclic entities. Herein we report on a novel flow process that achieves the safe and effective on-demand synthesis of propargylic amines in a telescoped manner. This process minimizes exposure to hazardous azide intermediates and renders a streamlined route into these building blocks. The value of this approach is demonstrated by the rapid generation of a small selection of drug-like thiazolines that result from a high-yielding reaction cascade between propargylic amines with different aryl isothiocyanates.