Ring-closing metathesis for the synthesis of 2H- and 4H-chromenes

Synthesis and DFT Study of 7-Bromophenylnaphthopyran Moieties

A one-pot, three-component reaction of 6-bromo-2-naphthol (1), p-chlorobenzaldehyde (2) and malononitrile or ethyl cyanoacetate (3) in ethanol/piperidine under reflux was performed to afford 4H-naphtho[2,1-b]pyrano-3-carbonitrile (4a) and ethyl 4H-naphtho[2,1-b]pyrano-3-carboxylate (4b) derivatives, respectively. The structure of these compounds was determined using IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, mass spectroscopy and UV-Vis spectra. The molecular geometry of compounds 4a and 4b was determined at the B3LYP/631+G(d) level. The geometric optimization was performed on two tautomers and two conformers. Tautomers were separated by about 7.942 kcal/mol, while rotational conformers were separated by just 0.511 kcal/mol. The global electrophilicity, hardness, softness and local condensed Fukui functions were calculated and considered as molecular reactivity descriptors, moreover the frontier molecular orbitals (HOMO and LUMO) were also calculated.

Flexible Approach for the Synthesis of Annulated 4H-Pyrans Based on a Cu(I)-Catalyzed C-Allylation/O-Vinylation Reaction of Cyclic 1-Bromoallyl Tosylates with Cyclic and Acyclic 1,3-Dicarbonyls

The Cu(I)-catalyzed reaction between five-, six-, seven-, and eight-membered cyclic 1-bromoallyl tosylates and five- and six-membered cyclic 1,3-dicarbonyls in DMF at 80 °C using Cs₂CO₃ as a base and 2-picolinic acid as an additive selectively delivers a wide array of bisannulated 4H-pyrans in a single step with yields up to 92%. The transformations are considered to proceed as intermolecular C-allylations/intramolecular O-vinylations. With six-membered cyclic 1-bromoallyl tosylates and acyclic β-ketoesters as substrates, the corresponding 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-chromene-3-carboxylates are obtained with yields up to 59%.

Modular Approach to Benzofurans, 2H-Chromenes and Benzoxepines via Claisen Rearrangement and Ring-Closing Metathesis: Access to Phenylpropanoids

Benzofurans, 2 H -chromenes and benzoxepines are key structural elements present in several natural products and pharmaceuticals. Here, we describe an easy-to-execute strategy for the synthesis of benzofurans, 2 H -chromenes and benzoxepines, by employing Claisen rearrangement and ring-closing metathesis as key steps. A variety of phenols were converted into useful oxacycles in good to excellent yields. The ring-closing metathesis approach has been used to produce phenylpropanoid natural products. Examples described here include, the naturally occurring benzofurans such as 7-methoxywutaifuranal, 7-methoxywutaifuranol, 7-methoxywutaifuranate and the O -prenylated natural products like boropinic acid, boropinols A and C.

Characterization of Toxicological and Neurophysiological Effects of Natural Product Based Chromenes to Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda

We previously extracted and purified a chromene amide from Amyris texana and found this scaffold is moderately insecticidal and thus, this study aimed to test the insecticidal properties of 13 synthetically derived chromene analogs to the fall armyworm (FAW, Spodoptera frugiperda). Microinjection of chromenes with alcohol or aldehydes substitutions at the meta position on the benzopyran moiety led to moderate toxicity that was approximately 2- to 3-fold less toxic when compared to permethrin, yet microinjection of differently substituted chromenes exhibited little to no toxicity. Similarly, chromenes with alcohol or aldehydes substitutions at the meta position on the benzopyran moiety were among the most toxic chromenes studied through ingested exposure. In addition to acute toxicity, select chromenes significantly increased the percentage of developmental defects upon eclosion that prevented adult moths from being capable of flight, suggesting these compounds alter development. Interestingly, microinjection yielded differing signs of intoxication between alcohol and aldehyde substitutions where the alcohol resulted in flaccid paralysis and lethargy whereas aldehyde led to tonic contractions and hyperactivity. These contrasting signs of intoxication were also observed in electrophysiological assays where alcohol substitutions led to the depression of central neuron firing activity and aldehyde substitutions led to hyperexcitation of central neurons. In summary, the chromene amides led to acute lethality and/or altered developmental trajectories of FAW, yet the high doses required for acute mortality suggest these scaffolds hold relatively little promise for development into FAW-directed insecticides but may represent novel growth regulators for FAW.

DFT Calculations and Molecular Docking Studies on a Chromene Derivative

Chromenes and their derivatives have been considered as an important class of oxygen-containing heterocycles. There has been an increasing interest in the study of chromenes due to their biological activity. Herein, the structural, electronic, and vibrational properties of a chromene derivative, entitled 2‐amino‐5‐oxo‐4‐phenyl‐4,5‐dihydropyrano[3,2‐c]chromene‐3‐carbonitrile and abbreviated as Chrom-D, have been reported. The FT-IR, UV-vis, and 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR chemical shifts’ measurements were recorded. The molecular geometry and the vibrational frequencies are computed in the frame of density functional theory at the B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level of theory. The noncovalent interactions in the crystal lattice which are responsible to the 3D crystal structure of Chrom-D are investigated based on Hirshfeld surfaces and topological reduced density gradient (RDG) analysis. Molecular electrostatic potential surface, Mulliken charges, and Fukui functions are computed in order to find out the electrophilic and nucleophilic sites. The electronic properties of the title compound have been studied based on the TD-DFT calculations. Finally, Chrom-D has been evaluated as a multifunctional agent against Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

Synthesis, Antimicrobial and Antitumor Evaluations of a New Class of Thiazoles Substituted on the Chromene Scaffold

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE

A new series of thiazoles substituted on the chromene scaffold were prepared by facial approaches starting from (E)-1-(2,3-Dihydrochromen-4-ylidene)thiosemicarbazide derivatives (2a,b). The thiosemicarbazides (2a,b) were reacted with a series of α-halo carbonyl compounds to give the corresponding rhodanine analogues and reacted also with C-acetyl-or Cethoxy- N-hydrazonoyl chlorides to afford the corresponding tri- and tetra-substituted hybrid hydrazinyl thiazole substituted chromenes.

METHODS

The newly synthesized compounds were screened for their in vitro antimicrobial and antitumor activities by agar diffusion method and MTT assay, respectively.

RESULTS

The results of the antimicrobial activity revealed that some of the new compounds exhibited excellent activity against pathogenic microorganism; Candida albicans compared with Ciprofloxacin and nystatin, as the reference drugs. All of the tested compounds exhibited significant cytotoxic activities comparable to that of the reference drug; Doxorubicin® (on HCT116 (colorectal carcinoma human cell line).

Combined use of tandem mass spectrometry and computational chemistry to study 2H-chromenes from Piper aduncum

Natural 2H-chromenes were isolated from the crude extract of Piper aduncum (Piperaceae) and analyzed by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS) applying collision-induced dissociation. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were used to explain the preferred protonation sites of the 2H-chromenes based on thermochemical parameters, including atomic charges, proton affinity, and gas-phase basicity. After identifying the nucleophilic sites, the pathways were proposed to justify the formation of the diagnostic ions under ESI-MS/MS conditions. The calculated relative energy for each pathway was in good agreement with the energy-resolved plot obtained from ESI-MS/MS data. Moreover, the 2H-chromene underwent proton attachment on the prenyl moiety via a six-membered transition state. This behavior resulted in the formation of a diagnostic ion due to 2-methylpropene loss. These studies provide novel insights into gas-phase dissociation for natural benzopyran compounds, indicating how reactivity is correlated to the intrinsic acid-base equilibrium and structural aspects, including the substitution pattern on the aromatic moiety. Therefore, these results can be applied in the identification of benzopyran derivatives in a variety of biological samples.

A simple green protocol for the synthesis of ethyl 3-amino-1-aryl-1H-benzo[f] chromene-2-carboxylates in aqueous media

An eco-friendly and efficient straightforward method has been developed for the synthesis of ethyl 3-amino-1-aryl-1 H-benzo[ f]chromene-2-carboxylate derivatives via 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO)-catalysed cyclisation of β-naphthol and 3-aryl-2-cyanoacrylates using water as a green solvent. All products precipitated from the reaction mixture and were isolated by simple filtration. No further work-up nor purification was necessary. The structure of ethyl 3-amino-1-aryl-1 H-benzo[ f]chromene-2-carboxylate was further confirmed by X-ray single crystal analysis.

An Approach to the Synthesis of 1-Propenylnaphthols and 3-Arylnaphtho[2,1-b]furans

A simple and efficient strategy for the synthesis of 1-propenylnaphthols from readily accessible 3-arylallylnaphthyl ethers has been developed. By using K₂CO₃ as base and 2-methoxyethanol as solvent, direct access to a wide range of 1-propenylnaphthols can be achieved in generally good yield (up to 99%) with high stereoselectivity toward the Z isomer. The control experiments indicate that the reaction proceeds through a sequential Claisen rearrangement/isomerization process. Furthermore, starting from the same material, the highly valuable 3-arylnaphtho[2,1-b]furans can be obtained in N,N-dimethylformamide and in the presence of Ag₂O as the oxidant via a one-pot sequential Claisen rearrangement/isomerization/cyclization reaction. Mechanistic studies confirm that 1-propenylnaphthols are the key intermediates to form the 3-arylnaphtho[2,1-b]furans. In addition, these two operationally simple and practical protocols could be scaled up to a gram level.

A pH-controlled recyclable indolinooxazolidine tagged N-heterocyclic carbene Ru catalyst for olefin metathesis

A pH-controlled recyclable indolinooxazolidine tagged N-heterocyclic carbene Ru catalyst for olefin metathesis has been developed.

Synthesis of Organofluoro Compounds Using Methyl Perfluoroalk-2-ynoates as Building Blocks

This review provides an overview of several synthetic applications of methyl perfluoroalk-2-ynoates, leading to convenient preparation of many perfluoroalkylated compounds. The use of these important substrates in the synthesis of various five-, six-, and seven-membered heterocycles, cyclopentadienes, and biphenyls is described, alongside a discussion of the mechanistic aspects of these reactions.

Facile synthesis of 4H-chromene derivatives via base-mediated annulation of ortho-hydroxychalcones and 2-bromoallyl sulfones

The cesium carbonate-mediated reaction of 2-bromoallyl sulfones and ortho-hydroxychalcones furnished 3-arylsulfonyl-4H-chromene derivatives in 58–67% yield (18 examples). 2-Bromoallyl sulfones functioned as synthetic surrogates for allenyl sulfones in the reaction.

An efficient synthesis of 1,3-dimethyl-5-(2-phenyl-4H-chromen-4-ylidene) pyrimidine-2,4,6(1H,3H,5H)-triones and investigation of their interactions with β-lactoglobiulin

An efficient method for synthesis of 1,3-dimethyl-5-(2-phenyl-4H-chromen-4-ylidene)pyrimidine-2,4,6(1H,3H,5H)-triones has been developed.

Highly efficient nitrogen chelated ruthenium carbene metathesis catalysts

Highly efficient nitrogen chelated ruthenium carbene metathesis catalysts containing an N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) and a carbonyl group have been developed.

Synthesis of 2-Acylphenol and Flavene Derivatives from the Ruthenium-Catalyzed Oxidative C-H Acylation of Phenols with Aldehydes

The cationic ruthenium hydride complex [(C₆H₆)(PCy₃)(CO)RuH]⁺BF₄^- has been found to be an effective catalyst for the oxidative C-H coupling reaction of phenols with aldehydes to give 2-acylphenol compounds. The coupling of phenols with α,β-unsaturated aldehydes selectively gives the flavene derivatives. The catalytic method mediates direct oxidative C-H coupling of phenol and aldehyde substrates without using any metal oxidants or forming wasteful byproducts.

Enantioselective synthesis of chiral heterocycles containing both chroman and pyrazolone derivatives catalysed by a chiral squaramide

An efficient chiral squaramide-catalysed enantioselective Michael addition of pyrazolin-5-ones to 3-nitro-2H-chromenes afforded chiral heterocycles containing both chroman and pyrazolone derivatives in high to excellent yields (up to 98%) with high enantioselectivities (up to 96%) under very low catalyst loading (0.2 mol%).

Gold(I)-catalyzed hydroarylation reaction of aryl (3-iodoprop-2-yn-1-yl) ethers: synthesis of 3-iodo-2H-chromene derivatives

An efficient entry to the preparation of elusive 4-unsubstituted-3-iodo-2H-chromenes has been accomplished as result of a catalytic cyclization. Thus, upon exposition of [(3-iodoprop-2-yn-1-yl)oxy]arenes to IPrAuNTf₂ (3 mol %), in 1,4-dioxane at 100 °C, the desired heterocyclic motif is readily assembled. This process nicely tolerates a variety of functional groups and, interestingly, it is compatible with the presence of strong electron-withdrawing groups attached to the arene. The overall transformation can be termed as a new example of a migratory cycloisomerization and, formally, it involves well-blended 1,2-iodine shift and hydroarylation steps.

Diversity-oriented synthesis of chromenes via metal-free domino reactions from ketones and phenols

Functionalized chromenes have been synthesized via highly selective metal-free domino reactions from ketones and phenols. 2H-Chromenes, 4H-chromenes, spiran and benzocyclopentane can be respectively prepared starting from the corresponding cyclic ketones, aryl methyl ketones, acetone, and 3-pentanone.

Simultaneous synthesis of both rings of chromenes via a benzannulation/o-quinone methide formation/electrocyclization cascade

A new route to the chromene ring system has been developed which involves the reaction of an α,β-unsaturated Fischer carbene complex of chromium with a propargyl ether bearing an alkenyl group on the propargylic carbon. This transformation involves a cascade of reactions that begins with a benzannulation reaction and is followed by the formation of an o-quinone methide, and finally results in the emergence of a chromene upon an electrocyclization. This reaction was extended to provide access by employing an aryl carbene complex. This constitutes the first synthesis of chromenes in which both rings of the chromene system are generated in a single step and is highlighted in the synthesis of lapachenole and vitamin E.

Hexatriene Formation from the Regiospecific Alkene Cross-Metathesis of Trans-1-(Buta-1,3-Dien-1-yl)-2-Acryloyloxynaphthalene

Wittig olefination of 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde with allylidenetriphenylphosphorane afforded trans-1-(buta-1,3-dien-1-yl)-2-naphthol in good yield. Subsequent O-acylation with acryloyl chloride provided the corresponding acrylate ester. Attempts to effect cyclisation of the latter by ring-closing metathesis with Grubbs’ 2nd generation catalyst failed to provide 5H-naphth[2,1-b]oxocin-5-one and instead induced a novel cross-metathesis reaction to generate trans,trans,trans-1,6-bis(2-acryloyloxynaphthalen-1-yl)hexa-1,3,5-triene, the structure of which was established by 1H NMR spectroscopy and by X-ray crystallography.

A synergistic approach to polycyclics via a strategic utilization of Claisen rearrangement and olefin metathesis

Olefin metathesis promoted by a well-defined metal carbene complex has evolved into an efficient method for the construction of a broad range of carbocyclic and heterocyclic rings of varying size. The synthetic potential of the olefin metathesis has been further increased by combining various other C-C bond forming processes either in tandem or in sequence. Herein, application of Claisen rearrangement and olefin metathesis to prepare various intricate and/or biologically important targets has been described.