Recent Advances in DMSO-Based Direct Synthesis of Heterocycles

Besides serving as a low-toxicity, inexpensive and easily accessible solvent, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) has also been extensively used as a versatile reagent for the synthesis of functionalized molecules. Dimethyl sulfoxide can not only be utilized as a carbon source, a sulfur source and an oxygen source, but also be employed as a crucial oxidant enabling various transformations. The past decade has witnessed a large number of impressive achievements on the direct synthesis of heterocycles as well as modifications of heterocyclic compounds by applying DMSO as a reagent. This review summarized the DMSO-based direct heterocycle constructions from 2012 to 2022.

A metal-free strategy for the cross-dehydrogenative coupling of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds with 2-methoxyethanol

Here, we report a metal-free approach for the construction of methylene-bridged bis-1,3-dicarbonyl compounds via cross-dehydrogenative coupling of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds with 2-methoxyethanol. In addition, we have extended this methodology to synthesize tetra-substituted pyridine derivatives using 1,3-dicarbonyl, 2-methoxyethanol and NH₄OAc in one step. The key advantages include accepting a wide range of substrates, utilizing O₂ as the sole oxidant, and synthesizing biologically active compounds such as 1,4-dihydropyridine and pyrazole.

Recent Advance on Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) Used as a Multipurpose Reactant

Abstract:

Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is not only a common and cheap aprotic polar solvent with low toxicity, but also serves as an efficient and multipurpose reactant and has widely been used in organic synthesis. DMSO as an important precursor can effectively introducea broad range of functional fragments into organic molecules, such as -Me, -CH, -CH2, -SMe2, -CH2SMe, -CH2SOMe, -SMe, -SO2Me, -SOMe or as O substituents, and serves as a mild oxidant in organic transformations. Many significant achievements based on DMSO as a synthon in synthetic chemistry have rapidly made over the past several years. To help researchers further understand the recent advances in the field, the review summarizes the applications of DMSO as carbon, sulfur, and oxygen sources and is used as the dual synthon in synthetic transformations.

Methylene-Tethered Arylsulfonation and Benzotriazolation of Aryl/Heteroaryl C-H Bonds with DMSO as a One-Carbon Surrogate

The Selectfluor-mediated approach toward the synthesis of methylene-tethered arylsulfonation and benzotriazolation of imidazopyridines has been described. The reaction involves imidazopyridine, aryl sulfinate, or benzotriazole and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in the presence of Selectfluor, where DMSO acts as a one-carbon synthon. The protocol has been extended to the methylene-tethered arylsulfonation and benzotriazolation of β-naphthols. The mechanistic insights show that the intermediate 3-((methylthio)methyl)-2-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridine is generated from imidazopyridine, DMSO, and Selectfluor. The nucleophilic displacement by the aryl sulfinate salt or benzotriazole on the intermediate afforded the product.

Selectfluor facilitated bridging of indoles to bis(indolyl)methanes using methyl tert-butyl ether as a new methylene precursor

A novel, green and efficient method is developed for the synthesis of methylene bridged bis(indolyl)methanes in good to excellent yields. The reaction employs methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) as the methylene source and selectfluor as an oxidizing agent. The scope and versatility of the methods have been successfully demonstrated with 48 examples. The metal-free transformation process is suitable for scale-up production. A selectfluor-promoted oxidative reaction mechanism is proposed based on the results of the experimental studies.

Metal-free [3 + 2 + 1] annulation of allylic alcohols, ketones, and ammonium acetate: radical-involving synthesis of 2,3-diarylpyridine derivatives

A three-component [3 + 2 + 1] annulation strategy for the synthesis of biologically and pharmaceutically active 2,3-diarylpyridine derivatives by using a series of allylic alcohols, ketones, and ammonium acetate as substrates has been developed. The method proceeds efficiently under metal-free conditions, and the desired heterocycles could be obtained in a site-specific selectivity manner with good functional group tolerance.

Sustainable Four-Component Annulation for the Synthesis of 2,3,4,6-Tetraarylpyridines

A one-pot, four-component annulation of 2,3,4,6-tetraarylpyridines from aromatic aldehydes, methyl ketones, diaryl ethanones, and ammonium acetate is described. The reaction features high functional group compatibility in air under solvent-free conditions without any additive and only water as the nontoxic byproduct, providing a strategy for the facile, economical, and eco-friendly construction of multiaryl-substituted pyridines from simple and readily available reactants.

Diamine-mediated degradative dimerisation of Morita-Baylis-Hillman ketones

A degradative dimerisation of Morita-Baylis-Hillman ketones was observed in the presence of a primary diamine. The reaction proceeded swiftly to produce methylene-bridged 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds. A brief mechanistic investigation alluded to a retro-Mannich reaction as the key step of the transformation.

Recent Advances in the Application of Selectfluor as a "Fluorine-free" Functional Reagent in Organic Synthesis

Selectfluor, [1-chloromethyl-4-fluoro-1,4-diazoniabicyclo-[2.2.2]octane bis(tetrafluoroborate)], is not only an important electrophilic fluorinating agent but also a facile and efficient "fluorine-free" functional reagent in other organic reactions. In this Minireview, we will present a brief history of Selectfluor as a transition metal oxidant, fluorine cation and radical initiator in "fluorine-free" functionalizations over the last five years.

An efficient 3-acylquinoline synthesis from acetophenones and anthranilviaC(sp3)–H bond activation mediated by Selectfluor

An efficient method for the synthesis of 3-functionalized quinolines from commercially available acetophenones and anthranil has been described. Selectfluor propels the C(sp³)–H bond activation of the acetophenones and aza-Michael addition of anthranil resulting in annulated 3-acylquinolines in moderate to high yields. DMSO acts not only as a solvent but also as a one carbon donor in the reaction.

An efficient method for the synthesis of 3-functionalized quinolines from acetophenones and anthranil mediated by Selectfluor was achieved.