An efficient tandem aldol condensation-thia-Michael addition process

NbCl5-catalyzed sulfa-Michael addition for constructing quaternary centers in enones

A novel NbCl5-catalyzed sulfa-conjugate addition has been developed to construct quaternary centers in various enones. This new method enables a range of functionalized thiols to access different β-sulfido carbonyl compounds bearing a quaternary center. 27 novel β-sulfido ketones have been obtained with moderate to excellent yields. The preparative scale reactions also proceed well, showing no decrease in yield. We further studied the mechanism by DFT calculations. This methodology is significant in sulfur chemistry, especially in sulfa-conjugate addition, giving a new pathway to add thiols to tri-substituted enones.

NBS-mediated elimination of β-keto sulfides to access enones and dienones

A novel transformation of β-keto sulfides into enones has been developed. The new method facilitates an NBS-mediated elimination of sulfides to access both enones and dienones. 22 enone products were obtained in moderate to high yields. 4 different dienones were also prepared in 73%-93% yields. 7 different alkylthio motifs have been removed efficiently from β-keto sulfides. We also found that our transformation proceeds well in gram-scale reactions showing no decrease in yield. This methodology is significant in the research and application of sulfides, giving a new pathway to transform β-keto sulfides into enones.

Synthesis of Unsymmetrical Sulfides and Their Oxidation to Sulfones to Discover Potent Antileishmanial Agents

Unsymmetrical sulfides were first synthesized using combinations of a 1,3-dicarbonyl, an aromatic aldehyde and a thiol in the presence of 10 mol % ethanolic piperidine. These sulfides derivatives were subsequently converted into corresponding sulfones via oxidation in the presence of m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid (m-CPBA) at ice-bath to room temperature. The former reaction was achieved at room temperature through one-pot three-component. The later was obtained in good yields using mild reaction conditions with flexibility in choice from a range of substrates. The antimicrobial properties of the newly synthesized sulfone derivatives were investigated against the protozoan parasite, Leishmania donovani, a causative agent of visceral leishmaniasis (VL). Nine sulfone derivatives were found to be efficacious and exhibited significant antimicrobial activity. Further, these compounds were nontoxic on murine peritoneal macrophages thus eliminating potential cytoxicity in the host cells. These compounds may be indicated as potential leads in the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis.

Thiol-promoted selective addition of ketones to aldehydes

A simple and efficient thiol-mediated addition of ketones to aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes is reported. This thermodynamically controlled Pummerer/aldol reaction, which can tolerate both moisture and protic functional groups, provides a direct entry to syn-β-thioketones in high chemo- and regioselectivity. Mechanistic studies revealed that selective transformation of the aldehyde to an electrophilic thionium ion species concurrent with the generation of a nucleophilic vinyl sulfide coupling partner from the ketone is imposing cross-coupling over dimerization.

Nano ZrO2: an efficient, recyclable, and inexpensive catalyst for diastereoselective three-component Mannich reactions

A facile procedure is developed for the three-component Mannich reactions of several heterocyclic, homocyclic, and acyclic ketones by using catalytic quantities of nano ZrO2. As a result, the starting ketones undergo rapid reactions with a variety of aromatic aldehydes and aniline derivatives at room temperature to produce stereoselectively high yields of the corresponding anti β-amino ketones. Interestingly, the catalyst could be recycled for several runs in a row without significant loss of its activity. The structure of the products was assigned based on their spectroscopic data and the anti stereoselectivity was confirmed by X-ray crystallography.

Tandem Aldol-Michael reactions in aqueous diethylamine medium: a greener and efficient approach to dimedone-barbituric acid derivatives

Background

Green chemistry is a rapidly developing new field that provides us with a proactive avenue for the sustainable development of future science and technologies. Green chemistry uses highly efficient and environmentally benign synthetic protocols to deliver lifesaving medicines, accelerating lead optimization processes in drug discovery, with reduced unnecessary environmental impact. From this view point, it is desirable to use water instead of organic solvents as a reaction medium, since water is safe, abundant and an environmentally benign solvent.

Results

A convenient one-pot method for the efficient synthesis of the novel Zwitterion derivatives 4a-pvia a three-component condensation reaction of barbituric acid derivatives 1a,b, dimedone 2, and various aldehydes 3 in the presence of aqueous diethylamine media is described. This new approach is environmentally benign, with clean synthetic procedure, short reaction times and easy work-up procedure which proceeded smoothly to provide excellent yield (88-98%). The synthesized products were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, MS, NMR and CHN analysis. The structure of 4a was further confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The compound crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pbca with α = 14.6669 (5) Å, b = 18.3084 (6) Å, c = 19.0294 (6) Å, α = 90°, β = 90°, = 90°, V = 5109.9 (3) ų, and Z = 8. The molecules are packed in crystal structure by weak intermolecular C–H⋅ ⋅ ⋅O hydrogen bonding interactions.

Conclusions

An environmentally benign Aldol-Michael protocol for the synthesis of dimedone-barbituric derivatives using aqueous diethylamine medium is achieved.

A greener, efficient approach to Michael addition of barbituric acid to nitroalkene in aqueous diethylamine medium

An efficient method for the synthesis of a variety of pyrimidine derivatives 3a–t by reaction of barbituric acids 1a,b as Michael donor with nitroalkenes 2a–k as Michael acceptor using an aqueous medium and diethylamine is described. This 1,4-addition strategy offers several advantages, such as using an economic and environmentally benign reaction media, high yields, versatility, and shorter reaction times. The synthesized compounds were identified by ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, CHN, IR, and MS. The structure of compound 3a was further confirmed by single crystal X-ray structure determination.

Tandem aldol-Michael reactions in aqueous diethylamine medium: a greener and efficient approach to bis-pyrimidine derivatives

A simple protocol, involving the green synthesis for the construction of novel bis-pyrimidine derivatives, 3a–i and 4a–e are accomplished by the aqueous diethylamine media promoted tandem Aldol-Michael reaction between two molecules of barbituric acid derivatives 1a,b with various aldehydes. This efficient synthetic protocol using an economic and environmentally friendly reaction media with versatility and shorter reaction time provides bis-pyrimidine derivatives with high yields (88%–99%).