Reactive 2-quinolones dearomatized by steric repulsion between 1-methyl and 8-substituted groups

A Study of the Correlation between the Bulkiness of peri-Substituents and the Distortion of a Naphthalene Ring

A systematic study on the distortion of a naphthalene ring was performed using steric repulsion between peri-substituents at the 1- and 8-positions. The introduction of bromo groups into the methyl groups of the 1,8-dimethylnaphthalene enhanced the steric repulsion to distort the naphthalene ring. X-ray crystallography revealed that 1,8-bis(bromomethyl)naphthalene had a vertical distortion with a 11.0° dihedral angle (α) between peri-substituents which disturbed the coplanarity of the naphthalene ring. On the other hand, the dihedral angle of 1,8-bis(dibromomethyl)naphthalene was smaller (α = 8.3°) despite the bulkier substituents. In this case, horizontal distortion of the naphthalene ring increased. These distortions should non-electronically activate the naphthalene framework. In order to evaluate their reactivity, nitration and hydrogenation were carried out; however, the 1,8-bis(dibromomethyl)naphthalene was intact under the employed conditions. A DFT calculation suggested that the inertness of the 1,8-bis(dibromomethyl)naphthalene is presumably due to the negative hyperconjugation of the (dibromo)methyl group.

Halo-Jacobsen Rearrangement Induced by Steric Repulsion between peri-Iodo Groups

The naphthalene ring is distorted due to steric repulsion between iodo groups at the peri-positions. Due to the distortion, 1,8-diiodonaphthalene underwent a halo-Jacobsen rearrangement when treated with trifluoromethanesulfonic acid, producing 1,5-diiodonaphthalene and 1,4-diiodonaphthalene. In this reaction, acid-induced dehalogenative homocoupling also proceeded to form 4,4'-diiodo-1,1'-binaphthyl. The reaction selectivity could be controlled by varying the reaction temperature. DFT calculations and some control experiments revealed that these compounds were formed by different pathways.

Recent Progress in Nitro-Promoted Direct Functionalization of Pyridones and Quinolones

Nitro group is one of the most important functional groups in organic syntheses because its strongly electron-withdrawing ability activates the scaffold, facilitating the reaction with nucleophilic reagents or the Diels-Alder reaction. In this review, recent progress in the nitro-promoted direct functionalization of pyridones and quinolones is highlighted to complement previous reviews.

A direct and vicinal functionalization of the 1-methyl-2-quinolone framework: 4-alkoxylation and 3-chlorination

Bis(functionalization), 4-alkoxylation and 3-chlorination, of the 1-methyl-2-quinolone framework was achieved under mild conditions by a sequential treatment of 3-nitrated 1-methyl-2-quinolones with sodium alkoxide and N-chlorosuccinimide. Moreover, a succinimide group instead of an alkoxy group was introduced at the 4-position, affording a masked form of the 4-amino-3-chloro-2-quinolone derivative. Furthermore, the prepared vicinally functionalized quinolones thus obtained were subjected to a Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reaction, arylating the 3-position.

Straightforward synthesis of 1,2-dicyanoalkanes from nitroalkenes and silyl cyanide mediated by tetrabutylammonium fluoride

A straightforward synthesis of 1,2-dicyanoalkanes by reacting nitroalkenes with trimethylsilyl cyanide in the presence of tetrabutylammonium fluoride is described. The reaction proceeds through a tandem double Michael addition under mild conditions. Employing the hypervalent silicate generated from trimethylsilyl cyanide and tetrabutylammonium fluoride is essential for achieving this transformation. Mechanistic studies suggest that a small amount of water included in the reaction media plays a key role. This protocol is applicable to various types of substrates including electron-rich and electron-deficient aromatic nitroalkenes, and aliphatic nitroalkenes. Moreover, vinyl sulfones were found to be good alternatives, particularly for electron-deficient nitroalkenes. The broad substrate scope and functional group tolerance of the reaction makes this approach a practical method for the synthesis of valuable 1,2-dicyanoalkanes.