Hydroalkylation leading to heterocyclic compounds (Part 2): practical synthesis of polysubstituted 1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyridines through multicomponent reactions (MCRs)

Metal-free multicomponent reactions: a benign access to monocyclic six-membered N-heterocycles

The advent of multicomponent reactions in the synthesis of heterocycles and their ever burgeoning applications in drug development, materials chemistry, and catalysis, have attracted a great deal of current scientific interest. In particular, the metal-free multicomponent synthesis of six membered N-heterocycles has undergone intensive research over the last two decades offering an environmentally benevolent means contrary to traditional metal catalysed reactions. To the best of our knowledge, there exists no exclusive review on the metal-free multicomponent synthesis of six membered N-heterocyles, and hence the present report highlights the progress on metal-free multicomponent reactions with their advantages and mechanistic insights to access monocyclic six-membered N-heterocycles including pyridine, pyrimidine, pyrazine, triazine and their hydrogenated derivatives. The literature is covered since 2000, and the contents offer not only striking methods for divergent synthesis of six-membered N-heterocycles but also put forward some new insights into the exploration of metal-free multicomponent chemistry.

Recent developments in multicomponent synthesis of structurally diversified tetrahydropyridines

Tetrahydropyridines (THPDs) have recognized as a major constituent of naturally occurring alkaloids and exhibits various biological and pharmacological profiles. For their synthesis, MCRs are employed as an excellent tool to generate vast libraries.

Efficient synthesis of functionalized spiro[indoline-3,4'-pyrrolo[3,4-b]pyridines] via one-pot three-component reaction

Diverse functionalized spiro[indoline-3,4'-pyrrolo[3,4-b]pyridines] were efficiently synthesized by the three-component reaction of 3-arylamino-1-methyl-H-pyrrole-2,5-dione, isatins and malononitrile (ethyl cyanoacetate) in ethanol in the presence of triethylamine. This reaction not only provided a convenient synthetic method for the construction of a versatile spirooxindole system, but also access to reactive β-enaminone and its derivatives for organic and medical chemistry.

Facile synthesis of functionalized tetrahydroquinolines via domino Povarov reactions of arylamines, methyl propiolate and aromatic aldehydes

In the presence of p-toluenesulfonic acid as catalyst the domino reaction of arylamines, methyl propiolates and aromatic aldehydes in ethanol proceeded smoothly to give polysubstituted 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolines in moderate yields. The reaction is believed to involve the Povarov reaction of in situ generated β-enamino ester with the in situ formed aromatic imine.

Multicomponent reactions for the synthesis of heterocycles

Multicomponent domino reactions (MDRs) serve as a rapid and efficient tool for the synthesis of versatile heterocycles, particularly those containing structural diversity and complexity, by a one-pot operation. These reactions can dramatically reduce the generation of chemical wastes, costs of starting materials, and the use of energy and manpower. Moreover, the reaction period can be substantially shortened. This Review covers recent advances on multicomponent domino reactions for the construction of five-, six-, and seven-membered heterocyclic skeletons and their multicyclic derivatives.