Novel functionalization of 1-methyl-2-quinolone; dimerization and denitration of trinitroquinolone

Skeletal rearrangement through photocatalytic denitrogenation: access to C-3 aminoquinolin-2(1H)-ones

The addition of an amine group to a heteroaromatic system is a challenging synthetic process, yet it is an essential one in the development of many bioactive molecules. Here, we report an alternative method for the synthesis of 3-amino quinolin-2(1H)-one that overcomes the limitations of traditional methods by editing the molecular skeleton via a cascade C-N bond formation and denitrogenation process. We used TMSN3 as an aminating agent and a wide variety of 3-ylideneoxindoles as synthetic precursors for the quinolin-2(1H)-one backbone, which demonstrates remarkable tolerance of sensitive functional groups. The control experiments showed that the triazoline intermediate plays a significant role in the formation of the product. The spectroscopic investigation further defined the potential reaction 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.

Chemistry of nitroquinolones and synthetic application to unnatural 1-methyl-2-quinolone derivatives

The 1-methyl-2-quinolone (MeQone) framework is often found in alkaloids and recently attention was drawn to unnatural MeQone derivatives with the aim of finding new biologically active compounds, however, low reactivity of the MeQone framework prevents the syntheses of versatile derivatives. A nitro group is one of the useful activating groups for this framework that enables a concise chemical transformation. Among nitroquinolones, 1-methyl-3,6,8-trinitro-2-quinolone (TNQ) exhibits unusual reactivity favoring region-selective cine-substitutions that afford 4-substituted 1-methyl-6,8-dinitro-2-quinolones upon treatment with nucleophilic reagents. Contrary to this, 1-methyl-3,6-dinitro-2-quinolone (3,6-DNQ) does not undergo any reaction under the same conditions. The unusual reactivity of TNQ is caused by steric repulsion between the methyl group at the 1-position and the nitro group at the 8-position, which distorts the MeQone framework. As a result, the pyridone ring of TNQ loses aromaticity and acts rather as an activated nitroalkene. Indeed, the pyridone moiety of TNQ undergoes cycloaddition with electron-rich alkenes or dienes under mild conditions, whereby a new fused ring is constructed on the [c]-face of the MeQone. Consequently, TNQ can be used as a new scaffold leading to versatile unnatural MeQone derivatives.

Synthesis of Unnatural 1-Methyl-2-quinolone Derivatives

Unnatural 1-methyl-2-quinolone derivatives were synthesized by regioselective C-C bond formation. When 1-methyl-3,6,8-trinitro-2-quinolone (TNQ) was treated with enamines, nucleophilic addition readily occurred at the 4-position, and succeeding hydrolysis of enamine moiety followed by elimination of nitrous acid furnished 4-acylmethyl-1-methyl-6,8-dinitro-2-quinolones. The same products could be prepared by the reaction of TNQ with ketones in the presence of triethylamine. The present reaction enabled the introduction of various kinds of acylmethyl groups substituted with alkyl, aryl or hetaryl groups.