Superelectrophilic activation of N-aryl amides of 3-arylpropynoic acids: synthesis of quinolin-2(1H)-one derivatives

Fe(III)-Catalyzed Tandem Cyclization of Phenylpropiolamides with 3-Formylchromones for the Construction of 2-Pyridones

A highly efficient and atom-economic iron(III)-catalyzed three-component heteroannulation reaction between phenylpropiolamides, 3-formylchromones, and water is described for the construction of diversely multifunctionalized 2-pyridones. This protocol allows rapid access to a variety of 2-pyridones bearing an ortho-hydroxybenzoyl and a benzoyl scaffold under operationally simple conditions. The synthetic utility of the synthesized 2-pyridone scaffolds is demonstrated by transformation into biologically interesting complex heterocycles.

DFT insights into superelectrophilic activation of α,β-unsaturated nitriles and ketones in superacids

Superelectrophilic activation of α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds and their isoelectronic analogs, proceeding normally under superacidic conditions, have led to a great variety of beneficial synthetic transformations. However, the essence of such activation is not yet fully recognized, while a number of alternative views on the subject have been discussed at length in the literature. Here, taking the example of virtual reactions of cinnamonitrile and benzalacetone with benzene, their feasible mechanistic variants, including multiple protonation (coordination to AlCl₃) of the reactants, were analyzed based on density functional theory (DFT). It is revealed that the most plausible reaction pathways involve the initial N- or O-protonation (coordination to AlCl₃) of the activated compounds followed by subsequent protonation on the α-C-atom. Dicationic superelectrophiles thus formed ensure practically barrier-free reactions with benzene in addition to a more favorable energetic profile of their generating, which is in marked contrast to other potential reaction pathways.

Synthesis of alkynamides through reaction of alkyl- or aryl-substituted alkynylaluminums with isocyanates

An efficient and facile method for the preparation of alkynamides through Et₃N-catalyzed alumination of alkyl- or aryl-substituted terminal alkynes with AlMe₃ and sequential nucleophilic addition of in situ generated alkynylaluminums to isocyanates is described. This method has the merits of using readily available isocyanates and monosubstituted alkynes, easy access to organoaluminums, short reaction times, and high efficiency. A gram-scale synthesis of the desired alkynamide and its application to the formation of α-methylene-β-lactams demonstrates the synthetic utility of this method.

4-Aminoalkyl Quinolin-2-one Derivatives via Knorr Cyclisation of ω-Amino-β-Keto Anilides

In a high-yielding and solvent-free procedure N-ethoxycarbonyl protected ω-amino-β-keto anilides undergo Knorr cyclisation in neat polyphosphoric acid to provide straightforward route to 4-aminoalkyl quinolin-2-one derivatives with variable length of the alkyl chain.

Rapid Access to Dispirocyclic Scaffolds Enabled by Diastereoselective Intramolecular Double Functionalization of Benzene Rings

Here we describe the diastereoselective synthesis of (5r,8r)-1,9-diazadispiro[4.2.4⁸ .2⁵ ]tetradecatrienes via domino double spirocyclization of N-arylamide derivatives. This reaction can serve as a fast way to synthesize diazadispirocycles, which are found in the core structures of bioactive natural products. Product diversification via Suzuki-Miyaura cross coupling and application to the synthesis of 1-oxa-9-azadispiro[4.2.4⁸ .2⁵ ]tetradecatrienes were also conducted.

Gold-catalyzed post-Ugi alkyne hydroarylation for the synthesis of 2-quinolones

A series of propargylamides containing an electron-rich benzene ring was prepared through the Ugi reaction of 3,5-dimethoxyaniline with various propiolic acids, aldehydes and isocyanides. Subjecting these adducts to a gold-catalyzed intramolecular alkyne hydroarylation process allowed to efficiently construct the 2-quinolone core bearing a branched substituent on the nitrogen atom.

Palladium-catalyzed dimerization of N-aryl propargylamines for the synthesis of 3-vinylquinolines

A straightforward method for the synthesis of polyfunctionalized quinolines from readily available N-aryl propargylamines under aerobic conditions was developed. It provides convenient access to a variety of synthetically and pharmaceutically important quinolines in moderate to good yields. Control experiments suggest that the cascade reaction might proceed via the Pd-catalyzed electrophilic cyclization of N-aryl propargylamines followed by a hydroarylation process through trapping of the σ-quinolinylpalladium intermediate with a second molecule of the substrate.

Gold-Catalyzed Hydroarylation of N-Aryl Alkynamides for the Synthesis of 2-Quinolinones

A mild method for the synthesis of 2-quinolinones via hydroarylation of N-aryl alkynamides is reported. While traditional methods have relied on the use of strong Brønsted or Lewis acids, this report describes the development of mild reaction conditions that yield 2-quinolinones in good to excellent yield using a commercially available gold catalyst. Substrates bearing a variety of functional groups are presented, with N-substitution proving to be key to the reactivity of several substrates.

Divergent Synthesis of Polymethoxylated 4-Aryl-2-quinolones

Polymethoxylated 4-aryl-2-quinolones were synthesized from the corresponding (o-aminophenyl)propiolates via Cu-catalyzed hydroarylation and subsequent deprotection/lactam formation. Selective iodination of the C3 position of the product followed by coupling reactions of the resulting 3-iodinated 4-aryl-2-quinolone afforded 3-substituted-4-aryl-2-quinolones. Moreover, the N-benzyl protecting group was successfully replaced with other polyoxygenated benzyl groups.

Reactions of N,3-diarylpropiolamides with arenes under superelectrophilic activation: synthesis of 4,4-diaryl-3,4-dihydroquinolin-2(1H)-ones and their derivatives

The reaction of 3-aryl-N-(aryl)propiolamides with arenes in TfOH at room temperature for 0.5 h led to 4,4-diaryl-3,4-dihydroquinolin-2-(1H)-ones in yields of 44-98%. The obtained dihydroquinolinones were further transformed into the corresponding N-acyl or N-formyl derivatives. For the latter, the superelectrophilic activation of the N-formyl group by TfOH in the reaction with benzene resulted in the formation of N-(diphenylmethyl)-substituted dihydroquinolinones.