Progress in Quinoxaline Synthesis (Part 1)

Micelle-mediated synthesis of quinoxaline, 1,4-benzoxazine and 1,4-benzothiazine scaffolds from styrenes

A range of heterocycles based on quinoxalines, 1,4-benzoxazines and 1,4-benzothiazines have been accessed from styrenes by reacting them with benzene-1,2-diamine, 2-aminophenol and 2-aminothiophenol respectively in micellar medium. This reaction occurring in a less explored cetylpyridinium bromide (CPB) micellar medium operates in the presence of NBS through a tandem hydrobromination-oxidation cascade, converting styrenes to phenacyl bromides. Its subsequent nucleophilic addition with aromatic 1,2-dinucleophiles and further transformations led to the formation of heterocyclic constructs. The locus of the reaction site was confirmed through NMR studies and the types of interactions between the CPB and solubilizates were established by DFT calculations.

Synthesis of Quinoxalines through Cu-electrocatalytic Azidation/Annulation Cascade at Low Catalyst Loading

A Cu-electrocatalytic azidation of N-aryl enamines and subsequent denitrogenative annulation for the construction of quinoxaline frameworks is reported. Only 0.5 mol % of copper(II) chloride was employed for this cascade transformation displaying excellent functional-group compatibility even with complex bioactive scaffolds. The efficient electro-oxidative protocol enables the use of NaN3 as the cheapest azide source. Detailed mechanistic experiments, cyclic voltammetry, and spectroscopic studies provided strong evidence for a dual role of the Cu catalyst in azidyl and iminyl radical generation steps.

Synthesis of quinoxaline derivatives via aromatic nucleophilic substitution of hydrogen

The electrophilic nature of quinoxaline has been explored in the vicarious nucleophilic substitution (VNS) of hydrogen with various carbanions as nucleophiles in an attempt to develop a general method for functionalizing the heterocyclic ring. Only poorly stabilized nitrile carbanions were found to give the VNS products. 2-Chloroquinoxaline gave products of S_NAr of chlorine preferentially. A variety of quinoxaline derivatives containing cyanoalkyl, sulfonylalkyl, benzyl or ester substituents, including fluorinated ones, have been prepared in the VNS reactions with quinoxaline N-oxide.

KOtBu-promoted C3-homocoupling of quinoxalinones through single electron transfer from an sp2 carbanion intermediate

The C3-selective homodimerization of quinoxalinones is described. A C3-sp² carbanion species generated through deprotonation of quinoxalinone using potassium tert-butoxide (KO^tBu) transfers an electron (single electron transfer mechanism) to a second quinoxalinone, affording a radical-anion intermediate. The radical scavenging and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) experiments support the plausible radical reaction pathway. A mild reaction temperature and a short reaction time were attained under cost-effective conditions, which reveal the amenability of this protocol to pharmaceutical and chemical industries.

Copper-Catalyzed Oxidative [3 + 2]-Annulation of Quinoxalin-2(1H)-one with Oxime Esters toward Functionalized Pyrazolo[1,5-a]quinoxalin-4(5H)-ones as Opioid Receptor Modulators

Pyrazolo[1,5-a]quinoxalin-4(5H)-one derivatives as novel opioid receptor modulators have been synthesized via copper-catalyzed oxidative [3 + 2]-annulation of quinoxalin-2(1H)-one and oxime-O-acetates. This hydrazine-free C-C and N-N bond formation strategy starts with the generation of C₂N₁ synthon using oxime acetate, which reacts in a [3 + 2] manner with quinoxalin-2(1H)-one, followed by oxidative aromatization. The synthesized compounds were tested against opioid receptors, of which eight compounds exhibited an antagonistic effect with EC₅₀ < 5 μM at various opioid receptors. Molecular docking studies were performed to identify the binding of active pyrazolo[1,5-a]quinoxalin-4(5H)-one ligands with hKOR protein. Docking results indicated that compounds 3d and 3g participate in hydrogen bonding with the hydroxyl group of T111 of the active site pocket residue.

Synthetic route towards 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoxaline/piperidine combined tricyclic ring system

The synthetic route toward novel tricyclic, nitrogen-containing system is disclosed. Three novel compounds possessing structural features of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoxaline and decahydropyrido[3,4-b]pyrazine are synthesized starting from readily available precursors in six or seven steps, of which the last three or four steps respectively are diastereoselective. Key reaction steps include N-acylation, Hofmann rearrangement and ring-closing Buchwald? Hartwig reaction. Compounds trans-8, cis-12 and trans-12 are synthesized in order to prove that this novel, tricyclic system can be functionalized with various groups. Synthetic significance of this heterocyclic system lies in the possibility for the orthogonal functionalization of three different amino groups, allowing fine structural tuning.

Synthesis and Some Properties of New 5-Hydroxy-2-[(hetarylthio)methyl]-4H-pyran-4-ones

Abstract

The reaction of 2-thioxoazines with chlorokojic acid in the presence of KOH in DMF led to the formation of new hybrid molecules containing fragments of kojic acid and azaheterocycle linked by the SCH2 spacer. In silico prediction of bioavailability parameters was carried out, possible protein targets were predicted by the protein ligand docking method.

Green Hydrothermal Synthesis of Fluorescent 2,3-Diarylquinoxalines and Large-Scale Computational Comparison to Existing Alternatives

Here, the hydrothermal synthesis (HTS) of 2,3-diarylquinoxalines from 1,2-diketones and o-phenylendiamines (o-PDAs) was achieved. The synthesis is simple, fast, and generates high yields, without requiring any organic solvents, strong acids or toxic catalysts. Reaction times down to <10 min without decrease in yield could be achieved through adding acetic acid as promoter, even for highly apolar biquinoxalines (yield >90 % in all cases). Moreover, it was shown that HTS has high compatibility: (i) hydrochlorides, a standard commercial form of amines, could be used directly as combined amine source and acidic catalyst, and (ii) Boc-diprotected o-PDA could be directly employed as substrate that underwent HT deprotection. A systematic large-scale computational comparison of all reported syntheses of the presented quinoxalines from the same starting compounds showed that this method is more environmentally friendly and less toxic than all existing methods and revealed generic synthetic routes for improving reaction yields. Finally, the application of the synthesized compounds as fluorescent dyes for cell staining was explored.

Copper-catalyzed redox neutral ketoalkylation of Csp2–H bonds via C–C bond cleavage

An efficient copper-catalyzed ketoalkylation of Csp2–H bonds with cycloalkyl silyl peroxides under mild conditions is presented. A series of Csp2–H bonds in quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones, heteroaromatic N-oxides and quinones were amenable to this protocol.

Recent advances in the synthesis and reactivity of quinoxaline

Quinoxalines are observed in several bioactive molecules and have been widely employed in designing molecules for DSSC's, optoelectronics, and sensing applications. Therefore, developing newer synthetic routes as well as novel ways for their functionalization is apparent.

Construction of C(sp2 )-C(sp3 ) Bond between Quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones and N-Hydroxyphthalimide Esters via Photocatalytic Decarboxylative Coupling

A novel visible-light-driven decarboxylative coupling of alkyl N-hydroxyphthalimide esters (NHP esters) with quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones has been developed. This C(sp² )-C(sp³ ) bond-forming transformation exhibits excellent substrate generality with respect to both the coupling partners. Of note, a series of 3-primary alkyl-substituted quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones that were difficult to synthesize by previous methods could be obtained in moderate to excellent yields. Additionally, the mild conditions, easy availability of substrates, wide functional group tolerance and operational simplicity make this protocol practical in the synthesis of 3-alkylated quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones.

Copper-catalyzed oxidative coupling of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones with alcohols: access to hydroxyalkylation of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones

An efficient protocol for the synthesis of hydroxyl-containing quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones has been developed via the copper-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones with alcohols with moderate to good yields.

An “all-water” strategy for regiocontrolled synthesis of 2-aryl quinoxalines

CascadeN-aroylmethylation–reduction–condensation process as novel strategy of “all water chemistry” for first generalized regioselective synthesis of 2-aryl quinoxalines.

Ugi-based approaches to quinoxaline libraries

An expedient and concise Ugi-based unified approach for the rapid assembly of quinoxaline frameworks has been developed. This convergent and versatile method uses readily available commercial reagents, does not require advanced intermediates, and exhibits excellent bond-forming efficiency, thus exemplifying the operationally simple synthesis of quinoxaline libraries.

Enantioselective Synthesis of Tetrahydroquinolines, Tetrahydroquinoxalines, and Tetrahydroisoquinolines via Pd-Catalyzed Alkene Carboamination Reactions

A catalyst composed of Pd₂(dba)₃ and (S)-Siphos-PE provides excellent results in Pd-catalyzed alkene carboamination reactions between aniline derivatives bearing pendant alkenes and aryl or alkenyl halides. These transformations generate tetrahydroquinolines and tetrahydroquinoxalines that contain quaternary carbon stereocenters with high levels of asymmetric induction. In addition this catalyst also effects the asymmetric synthesis of tetrahydroisoquinolines via related transformations of 2-allylbenzylamines. In contrast to most other approaches to the asymmetric synthesis of these compounds, which frequently involve functional group interconversion or a single C-C or C-N bond-forming event, the carboamination reactions generate both a C-N bond, a C-C bond, and a stereocenter.