Copper-catalyzed tandem cyclization of 2-(2-iodophenyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine derivatives with selenium: Synthesis of benzo[b]selenophene-fused imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines

Copper-Mediated Intramolecular Interrupted CuAAC Selanylation

We, herein, describe a copper-mediated domino CuAAC intramolecular selanylation for the synthesis of unprecedented fused benzo[4,5][1,3]selenazolo[3,2-c][1,2,3]triazoles from 1,2-bis(2-azidoaryl)diselenides and terminal alkynes under microwave irradiation. This is the seminal method for the synthesis of these fused heterocycles, and it proceeds under mild conditions, tolerates several functional groups, and can be carried out using environmentally benign solvents such as dimethyl carbonate. This transformation has been successfully extended to TMS-protected alkynes and to bioactive alkynes. A plausible reaction mechanism is proposed based on several control experiments and previous reports.

Recent Advances in the Synthesis of Selenophenes and Their Derivatives

The selenophene derivatives are an important class of selenium-based heterocyclics. These compounds play an important role in prospecting new drugs, as well as in the development of new light-emitting materials. During the last years, several methods have been emerging to access the selenophene scaffold, employing a diversity of cyclization-based synthetic strategies, involving specific reaction partners and particularities. This review presents a comprehensive discussion on the recent advances in the synthesis of selenophene-based compounds, starting from different precursors, highlighting the main differences, the advantages, and limitations among them.

Synthesis of benzo[d]imidazo[2,1-b]benzoselenoazoles: Cs2CO3-mediated cyclization of 1-(2-bromoaryl)benzimidazoles with selenium

The synthesis of benzimidazo[2,1-b]benzoselenoazoles is described. The novel ring-closure reaction of 1-(2-bromoaryl)benzimidazoles with Se powder is promoted by Cs₂CO₃ (2 equiv) in DMF at 150 °C. Moreover, the obtained tetracyclic heterocycles are all novel compounds. Single-crystal X-ray analysis of the parent benzimidazo[2,1-b]benzoselenoazole revealed that the tetracyclic ring is almost planar. Absorption spectroscopy data of the benzimidazo[2,1-b]benzoselenoazoles showed the λ_max was dependent on the number of rings.

Transition metal catalysed direct selanylation of arenes and heteroarenes

Transition metal catalysed C-H functionalization has reached an exciting level of sophistication, and, today, it represents a paradigm shift from the standard logic of synthetic chemistry. The direct conversion of C-H bonds into C-heteroatoms remains, however, a critical challenge. Nowadays, there is a great demand in general synthetic chemistry in, for example, the materials science for the development of straightforward C-Se bond formation, in order to fulfil the practical requirements. In this sense, this review summarizes recent outstanding advances in the C-Se bond formation through transition metal-catalysed direct selanylation, providing new insights into their mechanistic aspects and disclosing effective synthetic routes with high atom economy. In addition, this review intends to show the growing opportunities to construct complex chemical scaffolds containing selenium atoms.

Chemodivergent synthesis of N-(pyridin-2-yl)amides and 3-bromoimidazo[1,2-a]pyridines from α-bromoketones and 2-aminopyridines

N-(Pyridin-2-yl)amides and 3-bromoimidazo[1,2-a]pyridines were synthesized respectively from α-bromoketones and 2-aminopyridine under different reaction conditions.

3d Transition Metals for C-H Activation

C-H activation has surfaced as an increasingly powerful tool for molecular sciences, with notable applications to material sciences, crop protection, drug discovery, and pharmaceutical industries, among others. Despite major advances, the vast majority of these C-H functionalizations required precious 4d or 5d transition metal catalysts. Given the cost-effective and sustainable nature of earth-abundant first row transition metals, the development of less toxic, inexpensive 3d metal catalysts for C-H activation has gained considerable recent momentum as a significantly more environmentally-benign and economically-attractive alternative. Herein, we provide a comprehensive overview on first row transition metal catalysts for C-H activation until summer 2018.