Intramolecular free-radical substitution of pyridinium rings

Facile one-pot synthesis of 2,3-dihydro-1H-indolizinium derivatives by rhodium(iii)-catalyzed intramolecular oxidative annulation via C–H activation: application to ficuseptine synthesis

Various substituted indolizidinium, quinolizinium and pyrido[1,2-a]azepinium salts were synthesized from benzaldehydes (α,β-unsaturated aldehydes) and alkyne–amines via Rh-catalyzed C–H activation.

Direct alkylation of heteroarenes with unactivated bromoalkanes using photoredox gold catalysis

Although visible light photoredox catalysis has emerged as a powerful tool for the construction of C-C bonds, common catalysts and/or their photoexcited states suffer from low redox potentials, limiting their applicability to alkyl radical generation from substrates with activated carbon-halogen bonds. Radicals derived from these activated compounds, being highly electrophilic or stabilized, do not undergo efficient addition to heteroarenes. Herein we describe the photocatalytic generation of nucleophilic alkyl radicals from unactivated bromoalkanes as part of a universal and efficient cross-coupling strategy for the direct alkylation of heteroarenes using a dimeric gold(i) photoredox catalyst, [Au2(bis(diphenylphosphino)methane)2]Cl2. The method proves to be efficient for alkylation of arenes under mild conditions in the absence of directing groups.

One-pot double intramolecular homolytic aromatic substitution routes to dialicyclic ring fused imidazobenzimidazolequinones and preliminary analysis of anticancer activity

Bu(3)SnH/1,1'-azobis(cyclohexanecarbonitrile) (ACN)-mediated five, six, and seven-membered double alkyl radical cyclizations onto imidazo[5,4-f]benzimidazole and imidazo[4,5-f]benzimidazole are described. The quinone derivatives evaluated show selective toxicity towards human cervical (HeLa) and prostate (DU145) cancer cell lines (with negligible toxicity towards a normal human cell line, GM00637). Only the Fremy oxidation of the 6-aminoimidazo[5,4-f]benzimidazole gave iminoquinone, which showed high specificity towards the prostate cancer cell line (DU145).

Amidine dications as superelectrophiles

2-Dimethylalkylammonium pyridinium and 2-dimethylalkylammonium pyrimidinium ditriflate salts are very powerful methylating agents toward phosphorus (triphenylphosphine) and nitrogen (triethylamine) nucleophiles. In competition experiments with triethylamine as nucleophile, these N-methyl disalts are more reactive methylating agents than dimethyl sulfate. Reaction of the pyridinium dications with water as an oxygen nucleophile leads to attack at the 2-position of the heteroaromatic ring and displacement of an ammonium group; 2-hydroxypyridinium compounds are formed in the first instance, which are easily converted to 2-pyridones. Extending the scope of the reactions, a tricationic 2,6-bis(dimethylalkylammonium)pyridinium salt has also been prepared and characterized and its reactivity as a methylating agent assessed in comparison with that of the dications.

Attempted Synthesis of Spongidines by a Radical Cascade Terminating onto a Pyridine Ring

Mn(III)-based oxidative free-radical cyclization of an unsaturated beta-keto ester containing a pyridine ring as radical trap has been studied. This intramolecular reaction of nucleophilic carbon-centered radicals with the pyridine ring leads to the stereospecific construction of a tetracyclic compound in which five chiral centers are created in one pot. This synthetic approach represents the first attempt to prepare the anti-inflammatory pyridinium alkaloids spongidine A, B, and D.

Radical reactions with 3H-quinazolin-4-ones: synthesis of deoxyvasicinone, mackinazolinone, luotonin A, rutaecarpine and tryptanthrin

Alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl and acyl radicals have been cyclised onto the 2-position of 3H-quinazolin-4-one. The side chains containing the radical precursors were attached to the nitrogen atom in the 3-position. The cyclisations take place by aromatic homolytic substitution hence retain the aromaticity of the 3H-quinazolin-4-one ring. The highest yields were obtained using hexamethylditin to facilitate cyclisation rather than reduction without cyclisation. The alkaloids deoxyvasicinone , mackinazolinone , tryptanthrin , luotonin A and rutaecarpine were synthesised by radical cyclisation onto 3H-quinazolin-4-one.

Efficient, "tin-free" radical cyclization to aromatic systems. synthesis of 5,6,8,9,10,11-hexahydroindolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines

Efficient radical cyclization of alkyl iodides to various aromatic systems including pyrrole, indole, isoquinolone, pyridone, and benzene, mediated by dicumyl peroxide, is described. The methodology was used to provide access to 5,6,8,9,10,11-hexahydroindolo[2,1-a]isoquinoline derivatives.

Efficient, intermolecular, oxidative radical alkylation of heteroaromatic systems under “tin-free” conditions

Novel and efficient radical alkylation of several heterocyclic systems including pyrroles, indoles, furan and thiophenes is described using xanthate based radical chemistry. The present methodology could be used to provide rapid access to various nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs.

Stereoselective radical aryl migration from silicon to carbon

Highly diastereoselective radical 1,5 phenyl migration reactions from silicon in diarylsilyl ethers to various C-centered radicals to form the corresponding 3-phenylated alcohols are described. Functionalized aryl groups can also be transferred. The effect of the variation of the attacking radical on the aryl transfer reaction is discussed. Best results are obtained for the phenyl migration to nucleophilic secondary alkyl radicals, where high yields (up to 81%) and high selectivities (up to 95% ds) have been obtained. The mechanism of the process is discussed and a model to explain the stereochemical outcome of the reaction is presented. Finally, stereoselective 1,4 aryl migration reactions from Si to C, including a new method for the alpha-arylation of esters, are presented.