Paal–Knorr Reaction in the Synthesis of Heterocyclic Compounds

Lithium Bromide-Promoted Formal C(sp3)-H Bond Insertion Reactions of β-Carbonyl Esters with Sulfoxonium Ylides to Synthesize 1,4-Dicarbonyl Compounds

A LiBr-promoted formal C(sp3)-H bond insertion reaction between β-carbonyl esters and sulfoxonium ylides is established. This practical reaction has a wide range of substrate scope for both β-carbonyl esters and sulfoxonium ylides to give a variety of 1,4-dicarbonyl compounds with 43-94% yields. The reaction features transition-metal-free reaction conditions and exclusive C-alkylation chemselectivity. The use of bench-stable sulfoxonium ylides overcomes previous methods that require transition metal as catalysts and unstable diazo compounds or toxic haloketones as alkylation reagents.

Catalytic Reductive Recyclization of Functionalized Isoxazoline N-Oxides to Pyrrolizidine-3-ones

Pyrrolizidine is among the saturated N-heterocyclic scaffolds most frequently found in natural products and pharmaceutically relevant substances. Herein, a strategy for the synthesis of polysubstituted pyrrolizidine-3-ones by catalytic reductive domino-type recyclization of properly functionalized isoxazoline N-oxides was developed. The process is diastereoselective, and one diastereomer (out of four possible ones) is predominant in many of the studied cases. Using the developed method, modifications of potent GSK's PDE4 inhibitor and MSD's potent hNK1 antagonist were prepared.

One-pot furan synthesis through diethylzinc-mediated coupling reaction between two α-bromocarbonyl compounds

Polysubstituted furans were synthesized in one-pot through the Et2Zn-mediated coupling reaction between dibromoketones and monobromo carbonyl compounds and the subsequent β-elimination with bromoacetyl bromide. Polysubstituted pyrroles were also prepared in one-pot by addition of primary amines after the coupling reaction.

Photoredox-catalyzed 1,2-oxo-alkylation of vinyl arenes with 1,3-diketones: an approach to 1,4-dicarbonyls via C-C activation

A mild and inexpensive approach to synthesising a series of 1,4-diketones in moderate to excellent yields via 1,2-oxo alkylation has been developed using fluorescein as a photocatalyst and air as an oxidant. The key features include (i) varied substrate scope (39 examples); (ii) good functional group tolerance; (iii) unsymmetrical 1,4-dicarbonyls; (iv) late-stage functionalization of thymol and ibuprofen derivatives; and (v) the synthetic expansion to 5- and 6-membered N-, O- and S-containing heterocycles.

Synthesis of a BC-Dihydrodipyrrin Building Block of Bacteriochlorophyll a

A strategy for the synthesis of bacteriochlorophyll a relies on joining AD and BC halves that contain the requisite stereochemical configurations of the target macrocycle. The BC half (1) is a dihydrodipyrrin bearing a dimethoxymethyl group at the 1-position, a β-ketoester at the 8-position, and (R)-2-methyl and (R)-3-ethyl substituents in the pyrroline ring. An established route to AD-dihydrodipyrrins (Pd-mediated coupling of a 2-halopyrrole with a chiral 4-pentynoic acid followed by Petasis methenylation, acidic hydrolysis, Paal-Knorr ring closure, and Riley oxidation) proved to be unviable for BC-dihydrodipyrrins given the presence of the β-ketoester unit. A route presented here entails Pd-mediated coupling of a 2-halopyrrole (2) with (3R,4R)-4-ethyl-1,1-dimethoxy-3-methylhex-5-yn-2-one (3), anti-Markovnikov hydration of the alkyne to give the 1,4-diketone, and Paal-Knorr ring closure. Compound 3 was prepared by Schreiber-modified Nicholas reaction beginning with (S)-4-isopropyl-3-propionyloxazolidin-2-one and the hexacarbonyldicobalt complex of (±) 3-methoxy-1-(trimethylsilyl)pentyne followed by transformation of the aldehyde derived therefrom to the 1,1-dimethoxymethylcarbonyl motif. The absolute stereochemical configuration of the Schreiber-Nicholas alkylation product was confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, whereas the BC half (1) by 1H NMR spectroscopy showed a J value of 2.9 Hz consistent with the trans-configuration. Taken together, the route provides a key chiral building block for the synthesis of photosynthetic tetrapyrroles and analogues.

Synthesis of 1,4-ketoaldehydes and 1,4-diketones by Mo-catalyzed oxidative cleavage of cyclobutane-1,2-diols

A new two-step procedure for the synthesis of 1,4-dicarbonyls has been developed involving an efficient and clean Mo-catalyzed oxidative cleavage of cyclobutane-1,2-diols with DMSO, which is used as solvent and oxidant. The required starting glycols were prepared by nucleophilic additions of organolithiums and Grignard reagents to easily available 2-hydroxycyclobutanones.

Synthesis of Novel 1,4-Diketone Derivatives and Their Further Cyclization

One of the important reactions to obtain a new carbon-carbon bond is the Stetter reaction, which is generally via a nucleophilic catalyst like cyanide or thiazolium-NHC catalysts. In particular, 1,4-diketones with very functional properties are obtained by the Stetter reaction with the intermolecular reaction of an aldehyde and an α,β-unsaturated ketone. In this study, we synthesized new derivatives (substituted arenoxy) of 1,4-diketone compounds (2a-2n) with useful features by a new version of the Stetter reaction method. In our work, arenoxy benzaldehyde derivatives with different structures as the Michael donor and methyl vinyl ketone as the Michael acceptor were used for the intermolecular Stetter reaction. The reaction was catalyzed by 3-benzyl-5-(2-hydroxyethyl)-4-methylthiazolium chloride (3b), using triethylamine for the basic medium and dimethyl sulfoxide as the solvent. As a result, some novel arenoxy-substituted 1,4-diketones were gained with good yields at room temperature within 24 h through an intermolecular Stetter reaction. In addition, new furan and pyrrole derivatives were prepared by performing the cyclization reaction with one of the obtained new diketone compounds.

The preparation of polyvinyl imidazole-functionalized magnetic biochar decorated by silver nanoparticles as an efficient catalyst for the synthesis of spiro-2-Amino-4H-pyran compounds

The silver nanoparticle was synthesized by developing poly (1-vinylimidazole) on the surface of magnetized biochar (the stem and roots of Spear Thistle) (biochar/Fe₃O₄/PVIm/Ag). This nanocomposite was characterized by Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The SEM and TEM images of the nanocatalyst, biochar/Fe₃O₄/PVIm/Ag-NPs, confirmed the observation of microscopic sheets of biochar. The catalytic activity of these Ag NPs was tested via multicomponent reaction plus reusing to successful formation of 2-amino-4H-pyran and functionalized spirochromen derivatives. The prepared nanocatalyst was easily separated by an external magnet and reused in repeating coupling reaction cycles four times without remarkable activity loss. The catalyst showed great efficiency and reusability, thus making it an ideal candidate for catalytic purposes in several organic transformations.

Fused Pyrroles in Cholestane and Norcholestane Side Chains: Acaricidal and Plant Growth-Promoting Effects

Herein, we describe the synthesis and characterization of fused pyrroles in cholestane and norcholestane side chains derived from kryptogenin and diosgenin, respectively. Both conventional and microwave heating techniques were used to synthesize the steroidal pyrroles from primary amines, with the microwave method producing the highest yields. In particular, the norcholestane pyrroles were tested as acaricides against the two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae Koch) under laboratory conditions and as plant growth promoters on habanero pepper (Capsicum chinense Jacq) under greenhouse conditions.

Pd-Promoted Cyclization of (Z)-Pent-2-en-4-yn-1-yl Alkanoates Leading to Furans via an Acyl Group Shift and Further Synthetic Transformation

Palladium-promoted acyl migration was observed in the reaction of (Z)-pent-2-en-4-yn-1-yl alkanoates in the presence of DBU to yield 2-(alkanoylmethyl)furan derivatives (2) in high yields. Compounds 2 then underwent oxidative decarbonylation to afford 2-acylfurans with O₂ as the oxidant under mild and metal-free conditions. The mechanistic pathway of the reaction involving an intramolecular cyclization and acyl group shift is discussed.

Visible-Light-Induced Dual Acylation of Alkenes for the Construction of 3-Substituted Chroman-4-ones

Heterocyclic compounds, especially oxygen-containing heterocyclic compounds, are crucial moieties in bioactive compounds and drug leads. Substituted chroman-4-ones are a kind of the most significant structural skeletons. Herein, we report a visible-light-induced dual acylation of alkenes for constructing 3-substituted chroman-4-ones, which undergoes a radical tandem cyclization reaction through carbon-carbon bond cleavage of oxime esters by a nitrogen-centered radical strategy. A series of 3-substituted chroman-4-ones were prepared with up to 86% yield.

Electrochemically-mediated C–H functionalization of allenes and 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds to construct tetrasubstituted furans

We reported an electrocatalytic C–H activation method to construct novel highly functionalized tetrasubstituted furan derivatives, which uses allenes and 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds as substrates.

Synthesis of indole derivatives as prevalent moieties present in selected alkaloids

Indoles are a significant heterocyclic system in natural products and drugs. They are important types of molecules and natural products and play a main role in cell biology. The application of indole derivatives as biologically active compounds for the treatment of cancer cells, microbes, and different types of disorders in the human body has attracted increasing attention in recent years. Indoles, both natural and synthetic, show various biologically vital properties. Owing to the importance of this significant ring system, the investigation of novel methods of synthesis have attracted the attention of the chemical community. In this review, we aim to highlight the construction of indoles as a moiety in selected alkaloids.

Rhodium(iii)-catalyzed synthesis of trisubstituted furans via vinylic C-H bond activation

We report an Rh(iii)-catalyzed one-pot synthesis of trisubstituted furan derivatives through C_vinyl-H activation of α,β-unsaturated ketones with acrylates. The control study revealed that the Heck-type product obtained undergoes Paal-Knorr type cyclization in the presence of an Ag salt. Hence, the Ag salt plays a dual role of a halide scavenger and a Lewis acid catalyst for Paal-Knorr type cyclization. The furan product can be transferred into the respective alcohol and acid derivatives which are useful intermediates in synthesizing biologically active molecules.

Synthesis of AD-Dihydrodipyrrins Equipped with Latent Substituents of Native Chlorophylls and Bacteriochlorophylls

Native chlorophylls and bacteriochlorophylls share a common trans-substituted pyrroline ring D (17-propionic acid, 18-methyl), whereas diversity occurs in ring A particularly at the 3-position. Two dihydrodipyrrins equipped with native-like D-ring substituents and tailorable A-ring substituents have been synthesized. The synthesis relies on a Schreiber-modified Nicholas reaction to construct the stereochemically defined precursor to ring D, a dialkyl-substituted pent-4-ynoic acid. The carboxylic acid group of the intact propionic acid proved unworkable, whereupon protected propionate (-CO₂^tBu) and several latent propyl ethers were examined. The tert-butyldiphenylsilyl-protected propanol substituent proved satisfactory for reaction of the chiral N-acylated oxazolidinone, affording (2S,3S)-2-(3-((tert-butyldiphenylsilyl)oxy)propyl)-3-methylpent-4-ynoic acid in ∼30% yield over 8 steps. Two variants for ring A, 2-tert-butoxycarbonyl-3-Br/H-5-iodo-4-methylpyrrole, were prepared via the Barton-Zard route. Dihydrodipyrrin formation from the pyrrole and pentynoic acid entailed Jacobi Pd-mediated lactone formation, Petasis methenylation, and Paal-Knorr-type pyrroline formation. The two AD-dihydrodipyrrins bear the D-ring methyl and protected propanol groups with a stereochemical configuration identical to that of native (bacterio)chlorophylls, and a bromine or no substitution in ring A corresponding to the 3-position of (bacterio)chlorophylls. The analogous β-position of a lactone-pyrrole intermediate on the path to the dihydrodipyrrin also was successfully brominated, opening opportunities for late-stage diversification in the synthesis of (bacterio)chlorophylls.

Copper-Catalyzed Three-Component Reactions of α-Ketoaldehyde, 1,3-Dicarbonyl Compound, and Organic Boronic Acid in Water: A Route to 1,4-Diketones

A novel three-component reaction of α-ketoaldehydes, 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds, and organic boronic acids catalyzed by CuO in water has been developed to give a wide range of products containing 1,3/1,4-diketones. The method has some advantages such as the use of readily available starting materials, wide substrate scopes, excellent yields, gram-scale synthesis, and mild reaction conditions.

Synthesis of Polysubstituted Pyrroles through Electro-Oxidative Annulation of 1,3-Dicarbonyl Compounds and Primary Amines

Reported herein is a synthetic method of polysubstituted pyrroles from easily available materials, 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds and primary amines, via electro-oxidative intermolecular annulation. Under similar conditions, enamines are also converted smoothly into desired products, indicating that in situ formed enamines are crucial intermediates for the first transformation. Neither transition-metal salts nor harsh conditions are required to facilitate the dehydrocyclization process.

Consecutive reactions to construct tricarbonyl compounds and synthetic applications thereof

A cascade process to construct synthetically valuable β-keto-β′-acylcycloalkanecarboxylic acid esters and their transformation into bicyclic and tricyclic systems through intramolecular condensation reactions.

Gold(I)-Catalyzed Synthesis of Highly Substituted 1,4-Dicarbonyl Derivatives via Sulfonium [3,3]-Sigmatropic Rearrangement

An efficient and straightforward gold-catalyzed protocol for the synthesis of 2-substituted 4-oxo-4-arylbutanal derivatives from commercially available or easily accessible alkynes and vinylsulfoxide substrates has been developed. Extension of the methodology to the use of 1-cycloalkenyl sulfoxides allowed the facile synthesis of five-, six-, and seven-membered-ring cycloalkyl-1-one backbone. Subsequently, the tetrahydrocycloalkyl[b]pyrrole derivatives, which are found in many active pharmaceutical ingredients, were isolated in good yields. Mechanistic investigation highlighted a [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement of a sulfonium intermediate in this process.

Prescribed drugs containing nitrogen heterocycles: an overview

Heteroatoms as well as heterocyclic scaffolds are frequently present as the common cores in a plethora of active pharmaceuticals natural products. Statistically, more than 85% of all biologically active compounds are heterocycles or comprise a heterocycle and most frequently, nitrogen heterocycles as a backbone in their complex structures. These facts disclose and emphasize the vital role of heterocycles in modern drug design and drug discovery. In this review, we try to present a comprehensive overview of top prescribed drugs containing nitrogen heterocycles, describing their pharmacological properties, medical applications and their selected synthetic pathways. It is worth mentioning that the reported examples are actually limited to current top selling drugs, being or containing N-heterocycles and their synthetic information has been extracted from both scientific journals and the wider patent literature.

Silver nanoparticles-decorated Preyssler functionalized cellulose biocomposite as a novel and efficient catalyst for the synthesis of 2-amino-4H-pyrans and spirochromenes

Silver nanoparticles-decorated Preyssler functionalized cellulose biocomposite (PC/AgNPs) was prepared and fully characterized by FTIR, UV–vis, SEM, and TEM techniques. The preparation of PC/AgNPs was studied systematically to optimize the processing parameters by Taguchi method using the amount of PC, reaction temperature, concentration of silver nitrate and pH of medium. Taguchi’s L9 orthogonal (4 parameters, 4 level) was used for the experimental design. The SEM analysis confirmed the presence of the Preyssler as a white cloud as well as spherical AgNPs on the surface of cellulose. The formation of AgNPs on the surface was observed by changing of the color from yellow to deep brown and confirmed by UV–vis spectroscopy. The best yield of AgNPs forming was obtained in pH 12.5 at 80 ºC in 20 min. TEM analysis confirmed the formation of spherical AgNPs with a size of 50 nm, at the 1% wt. loading of Preyssler. This easily prepared PC/AgNPs was successfully employed as an efficient, green, and reusable catalyst in the synthesis of a wide range of 2-amino-4H-pyran and functionalized spirochromene derivatives via a one-pot, multicomponent reaction. The chief merits realized for this protocol were the utilization of commercially available or easily accessible starting materials, operational simplicity, facile work-up procedure, obtaining of high to excellent yields of the products and being done under green conditions. The catalyst could be easily separated from the reaction mixture and reused several times without observing any appreciable loss in its efficiency.

Synthesis of Densely Substituted Sulfonylfurans and Dihydrofurans via Cascade Reactions of α-Functionalized Nitroalkenes with β-Ketosulfones

The reaction of β-ketosulfones with different α-functionalized nitroalkenes affords diversely substituted sulfonylfurans and dihydrofurans. Furthermore, β-ketosulfones react with α-bromonitroalkenes and α-hydrazinonitroalkenes via a cascade Michael addition-cyclization protocol to afford nitrodihydrofurans and hydrazinodihydrofurans, respectively, bearing a key sulfonyl group, in excellent yields with a broad substrate scope. Application of these products has been demonstrated by the synthesis of pyrroles and pyrazoles in good yields. The reaction of β-ketosulfones with nitroallylic acetates yields tetrasubstituted sulfonyl furans through a cascade S_N2'-intramolecular Michael reaction, followed by aromatization. The gram-scale synthesis of a representative example of sulfonylfurans was carried out to demonstrate the synthetic efficiency of the methodology.

Convergent Total Synthesis of Lamellarins and Their Congeners

A convergent total synthesis of lamellarins S and Z is described. The synthesis features a halogen dance of an easily accessible α,β-dibromopyrrole promoted by an ester moiety. The resultant β,β'-dibromopyrrole undergoes a ligand-controlled Suzuki-Miyaura coupling to provide a range of diarylated pyrrole derivatives. The established synthetic method was also applicable to the synthesis of ningalin B and lukianols A and B.

Recent Advances in Homogeneous Catalysis via Metal–Ligand Cooperation Involving Aromatization and Dearomatization

Recently, an increasing number of metal complex catalysts have been developed to achieve the activation or transformation of substrates based on cooperation between the metal atom and its ligands. In such “cooperative catalysis,” the ligand not only is bound to the metal, where it exerts steric and electronic effects, but also functionally varies its structure during the elementary processes of the catalytic reaction. In this review article, we focus on metal–ligand cooperation involving aromatization and dearomatization of the ligand, thus introducing the newest developments and examples of homogeneous catalytic reactions.

Access to Fused Pyrroles from Cyclic 1,3-Dienyl Boronic Esters and Arylnitroso Compounds

Complimentary to classical hydroboration and boron-Wittig reactions, a new, efficient access to cyclic 1,3-dienyl boronic esters has been developed via diene or triene metathesis. Subsequently, fused pyrroles were synthesized with a broad substrate scope from the reaction of cyclic 1,3-dienyl boronic esters with arylnitroso compounds using a one-pot hetero-Diels-Alder/ring contraction sequence.

Recent applications of the Wittig reaction in alkaloid synthesis

The Wittig reaction is the chemical reaction of an aldehyde or ketone with a triphenyl phosphonium ylide (the Wittig reagent) to afford an alkene and triphenylphosphine oxide. Noteworthy, this reaction results in the synthesis of alkenes in a selective and predictable fashion. Thus, it became as one of the keystone of synthetic organic chemistry, especially in the total synthesis of natural products, where the selectivity of a reaction is paramount of importance. A literature survey disclosed the existence of vast numbers of related reports and comprehensive reviews on the applications of this important name reaction in the total synthesis of natural products. However, the aim of this chapter is to underscore, the applications of the Wittig reaction in the total synthesis of one the most important and prevalent classes of natural products, the alkaloids, especially those showing important and diverse biological activities.

Recent Advances in the Hofmann Rearrangement and Its Application to Natural Product Synthesis

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C-N bond formation reactions are the most important transformations in (bio)organic chemistry because of the widespread occurrence of amines in pharmaceuticals, natural products, and biologically active compounds. The Hofmann rearrangement is a well-known method used for the preparation of primary amines from amides. But, the traditional version of the Hofmann rearrangement often gave relatively poor yields due to over-oxidation or due to the poor solubility of some amides in aqueous base, and created an enormous amount of waste products. Developments over the last two decades, in particular, have focused on refining both of these factors affecting the reaction. This review covers both the description of recent advances (2000-2019) in the Hofmann rearrangements and its applications in the synthesis of heterocycles, natural products and complex molecules of biological interest. It is revealed that organo-catalytic systems especially hypervalent iodine-based catalysts have been developed for the green and environmentally friendly conversion of carboxamides to primary amines and carbamates.

Electrochemically Induced Diels-Alder Reaction: An Overview

One of the most important name reactions in organic chemistry, is the Diels-Alder cycloaddition reaction. It is a chemical reaction between a conjugated diene and a substituted alkene, commonly termed the dienophile to construct a substituted cyclohexene derivative. It is the stereotypical example of a pericyclic reaction with a concerted mechanism. In synthesis, the use of electricity instead of stoichiometric amounts of oxidant or reducing agents is definitely appealing for economic, ecological and selective, reasons. In this review, we try to underscore the combination of the electrosynthesis with Diels-Alder cycloaddition reaction to establish of a powerful synthetic tool which may encourage synthetic organic chemists to use it in the future.