1,2,3,-Triazole-Based Catalysts: From Metal- to Supramolecular Organic Catalysis

In Situ-Generated Formamidine as a Carbon/Nitrogen Source for Enaminone Formation: One-Pot Synthesis of Functionalized 4-Acyl-1,2,3-triazoles

N,N-Dimethylformamide was reacted with hexamethyldisilazane to generate an N,N-dimethylformimidamide intermediate; thereafter, a reaction with acetophenones/β-diketones was induced to form enaminones. The one-pot synthetic protocol described in this paper can be applied to synthesize 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles and 1,4,5-trisubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles, in which organic azides are used as substrates under optimized conditions. Furthermore, this protocol uses readily available materials, is nearly free of solvent, can be applied to gram-scale operations, and leads to the formation of structurally diverse products with favorable yields.

Base-mediated ketenimine formation from N-sulfonylthioimidates for the synthesis of 5-amino-1-vinyl/aryl-1,2,3-triazoles

N-Sulfonylthioimidate was converted to ketenimine under basic conditions. The reaction with vinyl/aryl azides was induced to cause dipolar cycloaddition to form 5-amino-1-vinyl/aryl-1,2,3-triazoles. The advantages of this method are high efficiency, structural diversity of products favorable yields and applicability to gram-scale operations.

Design and synthesis of 3,3'-triazolyl biisoquinoline N,N'-dioxides via Hiyama cross-coupling of 4-trimethylsilyl-1,2,3-triazoles

A new strategy to effectively lock the conformation of substituents at the 3,3'-positions of axial-chiral biisoquinoline N,N'-dioxides was developed based on the strong dipole-dipole interaction between 1,2,3-triazole and pyridine N-oxide rings. The crystal structure and the DFT calculations of 3,3'-bis(1-benzyl-1H-1,2,3-triazole-4-yl)-1,1'-biisoquinoline N,N'-dioxide (3a) provided strong support for this strategy. Furthermore, we successfully demonstrated that readily available 4-trimethylsilyl-1,2,3-triazoles are viable nucleophiles for Hiyama cross-coupling.

Preparation of Acidic 5-Hydroxy-1,2,3-triazoles via the Cycloaddition of Aryl Azides with β-Ketoesters

Herein, a high-yielding cycloaddition reaction of β-ketoesters and azides to provide 1,2,3-triazoles is described. The reactions employing 2-unsubstituted β-ketoesters were found to provide 5-methyl-1,2,3-triazoles, whereas 2-alkyl-substituted β-ketoesters provided 5-hydroxy-1,2,3-triazoles (shown to be relatively acidic) in high yields and as single regioisomers. Several novel compounds were reported and characterized including long-chain 5-hydroxy-1,2,3-triazoles potentially bioisosteric to hydroxamic acids.

N,N-Dialkylhydrazones as Versatile Umpolung Reagents in Enantioselective Anion-Binding Catalysis

An enantioselective anion-binding organocatalytic approach with versatile N,N-dialkylhydrazones (DAHs) as polarity-reversed (umpolung) nucleophiles is presented. For the application of this concept, a highly ordered hydrogen-bond (HB) network between a carefully selected CF3 -substituted triazole-based multidentate HB-donor catalyst, the ionic substrate and the hydrazone in a supramolecular chiral ion-pair complex was envisioned. The formation of such a network was further supported by both experimental and computational studies, which showed the crucial role of the anion as a template unit. The asymmetric Reissert-type reaction of quinolines as a model test reaction chemoselectively delivered highly enantiomerically enriched hydrazones (up 95:5 e.r.) that could be further derivatized to value-added compounds with up to three stereocenters.

Bis-BODIPY linked-triazole based on catechol core for selective dual detection of Ag+ and Hg2

Herein, we introduced a new chemosensor, bis-BODIPY linked-triazole based on catechol (BODIPY-OO) prepared by bridging two units of BODIPY fluorophore/triazole binding group with a catechol unit. A solution of this compound displayed 4- and 2-fold enhancements in fluorescence intensity after adding a mole equivalent amount of Ag⁺ and Hg²⁺ ions in methanol media, respectively. ¹H NMR titrations of BODIPY-OO with Ag⁺ and Hg²⁺ suggested that the triazole was involved in the recognition process. BODIPY-OO showed high sensitivity toward Ag⁺ and Hg²⁺ over other metal ions with detection limits of 0.45 μM and 1 μM, respectively. It can also distinguish Hg²⁺ from Ag⁺ by addition of an EDTA. This compound can therefore be employed as practical fluorescent probe for monitoring the presence of Ag⁺ and Hg²⁺ ions.

BODIPY–triazole–catechol combination serves as a “turn-on” fluorescent probe for dual detection and differentiation of Hg²⁺ and Ag⁺ ions.

Insight into the Folding and Cooperative Multi-Recognition Mechanism in Supramolecular Anion-Binding Catalysis

H-bond donor catalysts able to modulate the reactivity of ionic substrates for asymmetric reactions have gained great attention in the past years, leading to the development of cooperative multidentate H-bonding supramolecular structures. However, there is still a lack of understanding of the forces driving the ion recognition and catalytic performance of these systems. Herein, insight into the cooperativity nature, anion binding strength, and folding mechanism of a model chiral triazole catalyst is presented. Our combined experimental and computational study revealed that multi-interaction catalysts exhibiting weak binding energies (≈3-4 kcal mol^-1 ) can effectively recognize ionic substrates and induce chirality, while strong dependencies on the temperature and solvent were quantified. These results are key for the future design of catalysts with optimal anion binding strength and catalytic activity in target reactions.

Copper(i)-catalysed azide–alkyne cycloaddition and antiproliferative activity of mono- and bis-1,2,3-triazole derivatives

A series of mono- and bis-1,2,3-triazole derivatives were prepared via the copper(i)-catalysed azide–alkyne cycloaddition between substituted aromatic derivatives, comprising one or two terminal alkyne groups and a selection of aromatic azides.

Stereodivergent Anion Binding Catalysis with Molecular Motors

A photoresponsive chiral catalyst based on an oligotriazole‐functionalized unidirectional molecular motor has been developed for stereodivergent anion binding catalysis. The motor function controls the helical chirality of supramolecular assemblies with chloride anions, which by means of chirality transfer enables the enantioselective addition of a silyl ketene acetal nucleophile to oxocarbenium cations. Reversal of stereoselectivity (up to 142 % Δee) was achieved through rotation of the motor core induced by photochemical and thermal isomerization steps.

Helical Multi-Coordination Anion-Binding Catalysts for the Highly Enantioselective Dearomatization of Pyrylium Derivatives

A general and highly enantioselective synthesis of oxygen heterocycles from readily available in situ generated pyrylium derivatives has been realized by embracing a multi-coordination approach with helical anion-binding tetrakistriazole catalysts. The high activity of the tetrakistriazole (TetraTri) catalysts, with distinct confined anion-binding pockets, allows for remarkably low catalyst loadings (down to 0.05 mol %), while providing a simple access to chiral chromanones and dihydropyrones in high enantioselectivities (up to 98:2 e.r.). Moreover, experimental and theoretical studies provide new insights into the hydrogen-donor ability and key binding interactions of the TetraTri catalysts and its host:guest complexes, suggesting the formation of a 1:3 species.

1-Iodobuta-1,3-diynes in Copper-Catalyzed Azide-Alkyne Cycloaddition: A One-Step Route to 4-Ethynyl-5-iodo-1,2,3-triazoles

Cu-catalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of iododiacetylenes with organic azides using iodotris(triphenylphosphine)copper(I) as a catalyst was found to be an efficient one-step synthetic route to 5-iodo-4-ethynyltriazoles. The reaction is tolerant to various functional groups in both butadiyne and azide moieties. The synthetic application of 5-iodo-4-ethynyl triazoles obtained was also evaluated: the Sonogashira coupling with alkynes resulted in unsymmetrically substituted triazole-fused enediyne systems, while the Suzuki reaction yielded the corresponding 5-aryl-4-ethynyl triazoles.

A Comparative Study of Molybdenum Carbonyl and Oxomolybdenum Derivatives Bearing 1,2,3-Triazole or 1,2,4-Triazoles in Catalytic Olefin Epoxidation

The molybdenum(0)-carbonyl-triazole complexes [Mo(CO)₃(L)₃] [L = 1,2,3-triazole (1,2,3-trz) or 1,2,4-triazole (1,2,4-trz)] have been prepared and examined as precursors to molybdenum(VI) oxide catalysts for the epoxidation of cis-cyclooctene. Reaction of the carbonyl complexes with the oxidant tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) (either separately or in situ) gives oxomolybdenum(VI) hybrid materials that are proposed to possess one-dimensional polymeric structures in which adjacent oxo-bridged dioxomolybdenum(VI) moieties are further linked by bidentate bridging triazole (trz) ligands. A pronounced ligand influence on catalytic performance was found and the best result (quantitative epoxide yield within 1 h at 70 °C) was obtained with the 1,2,3-triazole oxomolybdenum(VI) hybrid. Both molybdenum oxide-triazole compounds displayed superior catalytic performance in comparison with the known hybrid materials [MoO₃(trz)_0.5], which have different structures based on organic-inorganic perovskite-like layers. With aqueous H₂O₂ as the oxidant instead of TBHP, all compounds were completely soluble and active. A pronounced ligand influence on catalytic performance was only found for the hybrids [MoO₃(trz)_0.5], and only the 1,2,4-trz compound displayed reaction-induced self-precipitation behavior. An insight into the type of solution species that may be involved in the catalytic processes with these compounds was obtained by separately treating [MoO₃(1,2,4-trz)_0.5] with excess H₂O₂, which led to the crystallization of the complex (NH₄)_1.8(H₃O)_0.2[Mo₂O₂(μ₂-O)(O₂)₄(1,2,4-trz)]·H₂O. The single-crystal X-ray investigation of this complex reveals an oxo-bridged dinuclear structure with oxodiperoxo groups being further linked by a single triazole bridge.

Unnatural Amino Acid Derivatives through Click Chemistry: Synthesis of Triazolylalanine Analogues

A novel tert-butyl 2-(1-oxoisolndolin-2-yl)acetate derivative is selectively alkylated with propargyl bromide in the presence of lithium hexamethyldisilazide. After removal of the tert-butyl protecting group, the resulting N-isoindolinyl (ethynylalanine) derivative is reacted with a series of azides under 'click conditions'. The click reactions afford an array of N-isoindolinyl-1,2,3-triazolylalanine derivatives as the free carboxylic adds. Following esterification, the N-isoindolinone protecting group is then transformed into the more easily removable phthaloyl group by selective oxidation at the benzylic position.

Synthesis of a heterogeneous Cu(OAc)2-anchored SBA-15 catalyst and its application in the CuAAC reaction

A dinuclear Cu(OAc)₂-anchored SBA-15 silica was synthesized, confirmed and showed excellent catalytic activity for the azide–alkyne cycloaddition reaction in water.

Sulfur Groups Improve the Performance of Triazole- and Triazolium-Based Interaction Units in Anion Binding

An NMR comparative study of 1,2,3-triazole and triazolium anion recognition units containing sulfoxide, sulfone, and sulfoximine groups at C₄ unveils an enhancement in binding ability up to ≈1 kcal/mol in acetone-d₆ correlated with a theoretical increase of H₅ acidity. DFT calculations provide insight into binding modes in line with experimental data for these receptors.

Triazole-Based Anion-Binding Catalysis for the Enantioselective Dearomatization of N-Heteroarenes with Phosphorus Nucleophiles

The first enantioselective synthesis of chiral heterocyclic α-amino phosphonates by nucleophilic dearomatization of quinolines and pyridines using an anion-binding organocatalysis approach is described. Chiral tetrakistriazoles were employed as efficient hydrogen-bond donor catalysts by forming a chiral close ion-pair with the in situ formed N-acyl salts and 2,2,2-trichlorethoxycarbonyl chloride (TrocCl). The ion-pair was subsequently treated with various phosphorus nucleophiles, such as silyl-protected dialkyl- and trialkylphosphites. Thus, the corresponding products were obtained in complete or high regioselectivities and up to 97:3 e.r. for quinolines or up to 89:11 e.r. for the more challenging pyridine substrates. This method allows for rapid access to substituted chiral cyclic α-amino phosphonates, which can be easily transformed into phosphonic acid derivatives.

5,5′-Bistriazoles as axially chiral, multidentate ligands: synthesis, configurational stability and catalytic application of their scandium(iii) complexes

The design and development of 5,5′-bistriazoles featuring aminomethyl substituents is discussed.