New efficient synthesis of trisubstituted imidazolidine-2-thiones and thiazoles via vinyliminophosphoranes

Vinylazides: versatile synthons and magical precursors for the construction of N-heterocycles

Nowadays, application of vinylazides as precursors is a key method for the construction of N-heterocycles in organic synthesis. These versatile three-atom synthons can be converted into intermediates such as 2H-azirines, iminyl radicals, iminyl metal complexes, iminyl inions and nitrilium ions that subsequently afford a wide range of polyfunctional cyclic nitrogen-containing compounds. In this review, the reactions of vinylazides leading to these products (in the last decade) are categorized based on the types of the resulting N-heterocyclic rings and a brief and concise description of the reaction mechanisms is presented.

Sequential MCR via Staudinger/Aza-Wittig versus Cycloaddition Reaction to Access Diversely Functionalized 1-Amino-1H-Imidazole-2(3H)-Thiones

A multicomponent reaction (MCR) strategy, alternative to the known cycloaddition reaction, towards variously substituted 1-amino-1H-imidazole-2(3H)-thione derivatives has been successfully developed. The novel approach involves α-halohydrazones whose azidation process followed by tandem Staudinger/aza-Wittig reaction with CS₂ in a sequential MCR regioselectively leads to the target compounds avoiding the formation of the regioisomer iminothiazoline heterocycle. The approach can be applied to a range of differently substituted α-halohydrazones bearing also electron-withdrawing groups confirming the wide scope and the substituent tolerance of the process for the synthesis of the target compounds. Interestingly, the concurrent presence of reactive functionalities in the scaffolds so obtained ensures post-modifications in view of N-bridgeheaded heterobicyclic structures.

Investigation on the reactivity of α-azidochalcones with carboxylic acids: Formation of α-amido-1,3-diketones and highly substituted 2-(trifluoromethyl)oxazoles

The reaction of α-azidochalcones with carboxylic acids has been investigated resulting in the formation of α-amido-1,3-diketones under microwave irradiation via in situ formation of 2H-azirine intermediates. An interesting reaction is described wherein, with trifluoroacetic acid at lower temperature, it affords highly substituted 2-(trifluoromethyl)oxazoles. These flexible transformations proceed under solvent free conditions in good to excellent yields without any catalyst.

One-pot three-component approach to the synthesis of polyfunctional pyrazoles

A simple, multicomponent, and straightforward reaction of vinyl azide, aldehyde, and tosylhydrazine affords the construction of 3,4,5-trisubstituted 1H-pyrazoles regioselectively in the presence of base with moderate to excellent yields. A range of functionality could be tolerated in this methodology, and a possible mechanism is proposed.