Sequential decarboxylative [3+2] cycloaddition and Staudinger/aza-Wittig reactions for diastereoselective synthesis of tetrahydro-pyrroloquinazolines and tetrahedro-pyrrolobenzodiazepines

Decarboxylative 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of amino acids for the synthesis of heterocyclic compounds

The [3 + 2] cycloadditions of stabilized azomethine ylides (AMYs) derived from amino esters are well-established. However, the reactions of semi-stabilized AMYs generated from decarboxylative condensation of α-amino acids with arylaldehydes are much less explored. The [3 + 2] adducts of α-amino acids could be used for a second [3 + 2] cycloaddition as well as for other post-condensation modifications. This article highlights our recent work on the development of α-amino acid-based [3 + 2] cycloaddition reactions of N-H-type AMYs in multicomponent, one-pot, and stepwise reactions for the synthesis of diverse heterocycles related to some bioactive compounds and natural products.

Stereoselective Synthesis of 12-Tetrazolyl Substituted (E)-5H-Quinazolino[3,2-a]quinazolines via Sequential Ugi-Azide/Staudinger/aza-Wittig/Addition/Ag(I)-Catalyzed Cyclization

A new efficient and stereoselective synthesis of 12-tetrazolyl substituted (E)-5H-quinazolino[3,2-a]quinazolines via sequential Ugi-azide/Staudinger/aza-Wittig/addition/Ag(I)-catalyzed cyclization was developed. The four-component reactions of 2-azidobenzaldehyde, 2-(alkynyl)benzenamine, isocyanide, and trimethylsilyl azide gave Ugi-azide intermediates, which were subsequently treated with triphenylphosphine and isocyanate to produce 12-tetrazolyl substituted (E)-5H-quinazolino[3,2-a]quinazolines in the presence of Ag(I) catalyst and K₂CO₃.

One-pot double annulations to confer diastereoselective spirooxindolepyrrolothiazoles

A novel four-component reaction in one pot as an atom- and step-economic process was developed to synthesize diastereoselectively spirooxindolepyrrolothiazoles through sequential N,S-acetalation of aldehydes with cysteine and decarboxylative [3 + 2] cycloaddition with olefinic oxindoles. High synthetic efficiency, operational simplification and reaction process economy using EtOH as solvent, and only releasing CO2 and H2O as side products confer this approach favorable in green chemistry metrics analysis.

New efficient synthesis of polysubstituted 3,4-dihydroquinazolines and 4H-3,1-benzothiazines through a Passerini/Staudinger/aza-Wittig/addition/nucleophilic substitution sequence

A new efficient synthesis of polysubstituted 3,4-dihydroquinazolines and 4H-3,1-benzothiazines via sequential Passerini/Staudinger/aza-Wittig/addition/nucleophilic substitution reaction has been developed. The three-component Passerini reactions of 2-azidobenzaldehydes 1, benzoic acid (2), and isocyanides 3 produced the azide intermediates 4, which were treated sequentially with triphenylphosphine, isocyanates (or CS₂), and secondary amines to give polysubstituted 3,4-dihydroquinazolines 8 and 4H-3,1-benzothiazines 11 in good overall yields through consecutive Passerini/Staudinger/aza-Wittig/addition/nucleophilic substitution reactions.

Pseudo-Five-Component Reaction for Diastereoselective Synthesis of Butterfly Shaped Bispiro[Oxindole-Pyrrolidine]s

A pseudo-five-component reaction involving double decarboxylative 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides with olefinic oxindoles for the diastereoselective synthesis of bispiro[oxindole-pyrrolidine]s is developed. The major diastereomers are unique butterfly shaped compounds with a plane of symmetry. Recyclable zeolite HY acid catalyst is used to promote the reaction, and only CO₂ and H₂O are generated as byproducts.

Multi-Ion Bridged Pathway of N-Oxides to 1,3-Dipole Dilithium Oxide Complexes

Roussi's landmark work on the generation of 1,3-dipoles from tertiary amine N-oxides has not reached its full potential since its underlying mechanism is neither well explored nor understood. Two competing mechanisms were previously proposed to explain the transformation involving either an iminium ion or a diradical intermediate. Our investigation has revealed an alternative mechanistic pathway that explains experimental results and provides significant insights to guide the creation of new N-oxide reagents beyond tertiary alkylamines for direct synthetic transformations. Truhlar's M06-2x functional and Møller-Plesset second-order perturbation theory with Dunning's [jul,aug]-cc-pv[D,T]z basis sets and discrete-continuum solvation models were employed to determine activation enthalpies and structures. During these mechanistic explorations, we discovered a unique multi-ion bridged pathway resulting from the rate-determining step, which was energetically more favorable than other alternate mechanisms. This newly proposed mechanism contains no electrophilic intermediates, strengthening the reaction potential by broadening the reagent scope and limiting the possible side reactions. This thoroughly defined general mechanism supports a more direct route for improving the use of N-oxides in generating azomethine ylide-dilithium oxide complexes with expanded functional group tolerance and breadth of chemistry.

Recent Advances in the Synthesis of Heterocycles by the Aza-Wittig Reaction

The formation of the C=N bond in recent studies on heterocyclic compounds via the aza-Wittig reaction is reviewed. Furthermore, two different strategies for the formation of heterocyclic compounds, including intermolecular and intramolecular aza-Wittig reactions are described. The primary aim of this review is to provide up-to-date information on the application of the aza-Wittig reaction in the synthesis of a wide range of N-containing heterocyclic compounds in the chemical literature since 2010.

1 Introduction

2 Mechanism of the Staudinger and Aza-Wittig Reactions

3 Intramolecular Aza-Wittig Reaction

4 Intermolecular Aza-Wittig Reaction

5 Conclusion

Synthesis of pyrrolidinedione-fused hexahydropyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines via three-component [3 + 2] cycloaddition followed by one-pot N-allylation and intramolecular Heck reactions

Two kinds of [3 + 2] cycloaddition intermediates generated from the three-component reactions of 2-bromobenzaldehydes and maleimides with amino esters or amino acids were used for a one-pot N-allylation and intramolecular Heck reactions to form pyrrolidinedione-fused hexahydropyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines. The multicomponent reaction was combined with one-pot reactions to make a synthetic method with good pot, atom and step economy. MeCN was used as a preferable green solvent for the reactions.