The rhodium carbenoid route to oxazoles. Synthesis of 4-functionalised oxazoles; Three step preparation of a bis-oxazole

Photochemical three-component assembly of tri-substituted oxazoles through a carbenic phosphorus-nitrile hybrid ylide formation/trapping cascade

Construction of complex molecular skeletons with ubiquitous chemical feedstocks in a single transformation is highly appealing in organic synthesis. We report a novel visible-light-induced three-component reaction for the construction of complex 2,4,5-trisubstituted oxazoles, which are valuable in medicinal chemistry, from simple and readily available iodonium-phosphonium hybrid ylides, carboxylic acids, and nitriles. This reaction features a carbenic phosphorus-nitrile hybrid ylide formation/trapping cascade, in which a photo-generated α-phosphonium carbene acts as a sequence trigger. This catalyst- and additive-free transformation exhibits high efficiency and broad substrate scope for synthesizing diverse oxazoles.

Photoinduced [3+2] Cycloaddition of Carbenes and Nitriles: A Versatile Approach to Oxazole Synthesis

We have developed a photoinduced protocol for the synthesis of pharmaceutically important oxazole molecules using diazo- and nitrile-containing reactants. The process involves the initial photolysis of the diazo compound to afford singlet carbenes, which are tapped by nitriles in a [3+2] cycloaddition fashion to give substituted oxazoles. With di-nitrile compounds, useful bis-oxazoles were obtained. The applicability of the transformation is showcased through the expedient synthesis of small-molecule drugs and biologically relevant molecules such as felbinac, pimprinine, texamine, ugnenenazole etc. The protocol is also useful for the generation of 2 H and 13 C isotope labelled oxazoles. Merging photolysis with continuous-flow chemistry was demonstrated for scaling up the reaction. The non-requirement of metal catalysis or photosensitizers to harness the light energy with blue light sufficing the execution of the reaction makes it a versatile and general protocol for the synthesis of structurally diverse oxazoles.

Strategies for Nucleophilic C(sp3)-(Radio)Fluorination

This Perspective surveys the progress and current limitations of nucleophilic fluorination methodologies. Despite the long and rich history of C(sp³)-F bond construction in chemical research, the inherent challenges associated with this transformation have largely constrained nucleophilic fluorination to a privileged reaction platform. In recent years, the Doyle group─along with many others─has pursued the study and development of this transformation with the intent of generating deeper mechanistic understanding, developing user-friendly fluorination reagents, and contributing to the invention of synthetic methods capable of enabling radiofluorination. Studies from our laboratory are discussed along with recent developments from others in this field. Fluoride reagent development and the mechanistic implications of reagent identity are highlighted. We also outline the chemical space inaccessible by current synthetic technologies and a series of future directions in the field that can potentially fill the existing dark spaces.

O-Isocyanates as Uncharged 1,3-Dipole Equivalents in [3+2] Cycloadditions

1,3-Dipoles are commonly used in [3+2] cycloadditions, whereas isoelectronic uncharged dipole variants remain underdeveloped. In contrast to conventional 1,3-dipoles, uncharged dipole equivalents form zwitterionic cycloadducts, which can be exploited to build further molecular complexity. In this work, the first cycloadditions of oxygen-substituted isocyanates (O-isocyanates) were studied experimentally and by DFT calculations. This unique cycloaddition strategy provides access to a novel class of heterocycle aza-oxonium ylides through intramolecular and intermolecular cycloadditions with alkenes. This allowed a systematic study of the reactivity of the transient aza-oxonium ylide intermediate, which can undergo N-O bond cleavage followed by nitrene C-H insertion, and the formation of β-lactams or isoxazolidinones upon varying the structure of the alkene or O-isocyanate reagents.

Clickable Transformation of Nitriles (RCN) to Oxazolyl Sulfonyl Fluoride Warheads

The protocol for simple, efficient, and mild synthesis of oxazolyl sulfonyl fluorides was developed through Rh₂(OAc)₄-catalyzed annulation of methyl-2-diazo-2-(fluorosulfonyl)acetate (MDF) or its ethyl ester derivative with nitriles. This practical method provides a general and direct route to a unique class of highly functionalized oxazolyl-decorated sulfonyl fluoride warheads with great potential in medicinal chemistry, chemical biology, and drug discovery.

Tandem Carbenoid C-H Functionalization/Conia-ene Cyclization of N-Propargyl Indoles Generates Pyrroloindoles under Cooperative Rh(II)/Zn(II) Catalysis

The decomposition of diazodicarbonyl compounds in the presence of various metal catalysts has become a reliable method for the functionalization of indoles via carbenoid intermediates. Exploiting the nucleophilic reactivity of the in situ generated malonic ester product formed, we herein report a tandem C-H functionalization/Conia-ene cyclization of N-alkyne tethered indoles. This double functionalization of diazodicarbonyls generates a range of pyrrolo[1,2-a]-, pyrido[1,2-a]-, and azepino[1,2-a]indole products with good synthetic efficiency.

AuBr3 -Catalyzed Chemoselective Annulation of Isocyanates with 2H-Azirine

The chemoselective cyclization of isocyanates with 2H-azirine was achieved with AuBr₃ as catalyst. This transfer sets the stage for the synthesis of aromatic oxazole-ureas in a tandem process. The addition of a catalytic amount of phosphite enhances the process enormously. The reaction can also be performed in a one-pot process using benzoyl azide instead of isocyanate under the same conditions. A detailed study on the role of the phosphite that was applied as an additive revealed that only non-coordinated phosphite can reduce gold(III) and that gold(I) coordinated phosphite is not oxidized. Accompanied by the reduction of gold, HBr is generated in situ, which turned out to be the actual promotor in combination with the remaining AuBr₃ . The positive effect of acid can be explained by a strong N-Au coordination, which tends to break more easily in the presence of small amount of protic acid in the reaction solution.

Gold-catalyzed dual annulation of azide-tethered alkynes with nitriles: expeditious synthesis of oxazolo[4,5-c]quinolines

A gold-catalyzed dual annulation of azide-tethered internal alkynes, which provides convenient access to quinoline derivatives, has been reported.

Total Synthesis of the Cyclic Dodecapeptides Wewakazole and Wewakazole B

The cyclic dodecapeptides wewakazole and wewakazole B have been synthesized by a divergent strategy via a common tris-proline containing oxazole octapeptide and two separate bis-oxazole containing tetrapeptide units, followed by peptide coupling and macrocyclization. The three oxazole amino acid fragments are readily accessible by rhodium(II)-catalyzed amide N-H insertion of diazocarbonyl compounds, or by the cycloaddition of rhodium carbenoids with nitriles.

Total Synthesis of the Post-translationally Modified Polyazole Peptide Antibiotic Goadsporin

The structurally unique polyazole antibiotic goadsporin contains six heteroaromatic oxazole and thiazole rings integrated into a linear array of amino acids that also contains two dehydroalanine residues. An efficient total synthesis of goadsporin is reported in which the key steps are the use of rhodium(II)-catalyzed reactions of diazocarbonyl compounds to generate the four oxazole rings, which demonstrates the power of rhodium carbene chemistry in organic chemical synthesis.

Transition-metal-catalyzed denitrogenative transannulation: converting triazoles into other heterocyclic systems

Transition metal catalyzed denitrogenative transannulation of a triazole ring has recently received considerable attention as a new concept for the construction of diverse nitrogen-containing heterocyclic cores. This method allows a single-step synthesis of complex nitrogen heterocycles from easily available and cheap triazole precursors. In this Minireview, recent progress of the transition metal catalyzed denitrogenative transannulation of a triazole ring, which was discovered in 2007, is discussed.

Rh-catalyzed transannulation of N-tosyl-1,2,3-triazoles with terminal alkynes

The first transannulation of 1,2,3-triazoles with terminal alkynes into pyrroles is reported. The reaction proceeds in the presence of a Rh(2)(oct)(4)/AgOCOCF(3) binary catalyst system providing a straightforward approach to 1,2,4-trisubstituted pyrroles in good to excellent yields.

Rhodium carbene routes to oxazoles and thiazoles. Catalyst effects in the synthesis of oxazole and thiazole carboxylates, phosphonates, and sulfones

Dirhodium tetraacetate catalyzed reaction of alpha-diazo-beta-keto-carboxylates and -phosphonates with arenecarboxamides gives 2-aryloxazole-4-carboxylates and 4-phosphonates by carbene N-H insertion and cyclodehydration. In stark contrast, dirhodium tetrakis(heptafluorobutyramide) catalysis results in a dramatic change of regioselectivity to give oxazole-5-carboxylates and 5-phosphonates. Alpha-diazo-beta-ketosulfones behave similarly and give 5-sulfonyloxazoles upon dirhodium tetrakis(heptafluorobutyramide) catalyzed reaction with carboxamides. The analogous reactions of thiocarboxamides give the corresponding thiazole-5-carboxylates, -phosphonates, and -sulfones.

Rhodium-catalyzed transannulation of 1,2,3-triazoles with nitriles

Stable and readily available 1-sulfonyl triazoles are converted to the corresponding imidazoles in good to excellent yields via a rhodium(II)-catalyzed reaction with nitriles. Rhodium iminocarbenoids are proposed intermediates.

Efficient 1,4-addition of alpha-substituted fluoro(phenylsulfonyl)methane derivatives to alpha,beta-unsaturated compounds

The 1,4-addition of a monofluoromethyl nucleophile to a variety of alpha,beta-unsaturated compounds has been achieved under mild conditions using either phosphines or potassium carbonate at room temperature. alpha-Substituted fluoro(phenylsulfonyl)methane easily undergoes Michael addition to alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones, esters, nitriles, sulfones, as well as propynoates at room temperature to yield the corresponding adducts in moderate to excellent yields.

The total synthesis of siphonazole, a structurally unusual bis-oxazole natural product

The first synthesis of the unusual bis-oxazole natural product siphonazole is reported, both oxazole rings being constructed using rhodium carbene chemistry.

A Two-Stage Iterative Process for the Synthesis of Poly-oxazoles

[reaction: see text]. Methodology has been developed to prepare bis-oxazoles via a two-stage iterative process. The sequence begins with C(2)-chlorination of a lithiated oxazole using hexachloroethane. Generation of the C(2)-C(4)(') bond by S(N)Ar substitution with TosMIC anion, followed by conversion to the heterocycle in a one-pot reaction with glyoxylic acid monohydrate, affords the desired bis-oxazole in good yield and purity. The two-stage process allows for efficient synthesis of a tris-oxazole and the first iterative preparation of a tetra-oxazole.