Regioselective Synthesis of 5-Trifluoromethylpyrazoles by [3 + 2] Cycloaddition of Nitrile Imines and 2-Bromo-3,3,3-trifluoropropene

A quick access to CF3-containing functionalized benzofuranyl, benzothiophene and indolyl heterocycles under catalyst-free conditions

A catalyst-free one-pot synthetic protocol is presented for the preparation of CF3-containing benzofuran, indolin, and benzothiophene derivatives using readily available aromatic aldehydes and ketones. 2-Bromo-3,3,3-trifluoropropene was employed as a non-corrosive and environmentally benign trifluoromethylacetylene synthon for incorporation of the CF3 group. The reaction proceeds via the formation of a suitably substituted 4,4,4-trifluoro-1-phenylbut-2-yn-1-ol intermediate, which undergoes 5-exo-dig cyclization, resulting in an exocyclic double bond with Z-configuration. The synthetic utility, substrate scope, tolerance to broader substrates are also presented.

Recent advances in the synthesis of trifluoromethyl-containing heterocyclic compounds via trifluoromethyl building blocks

Trifluoromethylated heterocyclic compounds have played an increasingly significant role in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and materials. This is because the introduction of trifluoromethyl could enhance the lipophilicity, metabolic stability, and pharmacokinetic properties of heterocyclic drug molecules. Therefore, the synthesis of trifluoromethylated heterocyclics has become a major subject of research. The construction of trifluoromethylated heterocyclics via the annulation of trifluoromethyl building blocks with suitable partners has been proved to be a powerful strategy. In this review, we systematically summarize and discuss recent advances in the preparation of trifluoromethyl-containing heterocyclics via trifluoromethyl building block strategies over the period from 2019 to the present.

Metal-Free Visible-Light Catalytic Deoxygenation of Azaaryl N-Oxides: Harnessing Photons for Efficient Greener Synthesis

Regio- and chemo-selective functionalization of electron deficient azaarenes often required their transformations to corresponding N-oxides and subsequent removal of oxygen after functionalization to get back the desired substituted azaarenes. An efficient metal-free visible-light photo-redox catalytic deoxygenation of N-oxides of azaheterocyclic compounds has been developed using acridinium based organo-photocatalyst in blue LED light. High efficiency and mildness of this methodology has been demonstrated through higher deoxygenation yield of wide variety of azaheterocyclic N-oxides with reactive functional groups. Robustness of the photocatalytic reduction has been demonstrated through easy scaling-up of the reaction to gram level without much change in the reaction yield.

Construction of 1,3,4-oxadiazolines bearing CF3-quaternary centers via amino-assisted [3 + 2] cycloadditions

An amino-assisted [3 + 2] cycloaddition strategy of nitrile imines with o-aminotrifluoroacetophenones has been explored, thus providing functionalized 1,3,4-oxadiazolines bearing CF3-quaternary centers in good to excellent yields in the presence of K2CO3 under mild conditions. The amino groups located at the ortho-position of trifluoroacetophenone might play a crucial role in the present cyclization. The MTT assay shows that the 1,3,4-oxadiazoline derivatives could be potential candidates for the treatment of head and neck cancers.

Regioselective Synthesis of 3-Trifluoromethylpyrroles by [3 + 2] Cycloaddition of N-Acyl α-Amino Acids and 2-Bromo-3,3,3-trifluoropropene

A mild and concise method for the synthesis of 3-trifluoromethylpyrroles via base-mediated [3 + 2] cycloaddition of N-acyl α-amino acids and 2-bromo-3,3,3-trifluoropropene is described. N-Acyl α-amino acids serve as 1,3-dipole precursors without additional activating agents directly. A high level of regioselectivity was observed, regardless of the electronic nature and size of the substituents on 1,3-dipoles.

Synthesis of fused 3-trifluoromethyl-1,2,4-triazoles via base-promoted [3 + 2] cycloaddition of nitrile imines and 1H-benzo[d]imidazole-2-thiols

Here we report a strategy for the facile assembly of fused 3-trifluoromethyl-1,2,4-triazoles, which are difficult to synthesize using traditional strategies, in 50-96% yields through a triethylamine-promoted intermolecular [3 + 2] cycloaddition pathway. This protocol features high efficiency, good functional group tolerance, mild conditions, and easy operation. Furthermore, a gram-scale reaction and product derivatizations were carried out smoothly to illustrate the practicability of this method.

Synthesis of α-CF3 Amides via Palladium-Catalyzed Carbonylation of 2-Bromo-3,3,3-trifluoropropene

Amide compounds are important organic compounds, which play an important role in biomedical chemistry, materials science, life science, and other fields. The synthesis of α-CF₃ amides, especially compounds containing 3-(trifluoromethyl)-1,3,4,5-tetrahydro-2H-benzo[b][1,4]diazepine-2-one, has long been a challenge due to the tensile properties and instability of the rings. Here, we report an example of palladium-catalyzed carbonylation of CF₃-containing olefin to form α-CF₃ acrylamide. By controlling the ligands, we can get different amide compounds as products. This method has good substrate adaptability and functional group tolerance.

Swapping Copper-Catalytic Process: Selective Access to Pyrazoles and Conjugated Ketimines from Oxime Acetates and Cyclic Sulfamidate Imines

A powerful CuCl-catalyzed sequential one-pot reaction of aryl methyl ketoxime acetates with cyclic N-sulfonyl imines followed by elimination in the presence of base is reported. This hydrazine-free method conveniently makes C-C and N-N bonds via a radical cleavage of the N-O bond, delivering a special class of C3-hydroxyarylated pyrazoles in good yields. Surprisingly, while employing CuI as a catalyst instead of CuCl, the reaction proceeds through a non-radical pathway which embodies a new tactic for the high-yielding access to value-added conjugated N-unsubstituted ketimines. Moreover, additive-free approach to sulfamidate-fused-pyrazoles was achieved by successfully catalyzing addition and oxidative N-N bond-making reactions by CuI and CuCl, respectively. Significantly, our novel technique could convert the prepared ketimines into the pharmacologically recognized 6H-benzo[c]chromene frameworks.

Ag2O-Induced Regioselective Huisgen Cycloaddition for the Synthesis of Fully Substituted Pyrazoles as Potential Anticancer Agents

Efficient regioselective synthesis of novel fully substituted pyrazoles has been achieved through Huisgen cycloaddition reaction of δ-acetoxy allenoates with hydrazonoyl chlorides by the addition of Ag₂O. The present approach offers the advantages of simpleness, high efficiency, mild conditions, wide substrate scope, and good-to-excellent regioselectivities. The strategy could be performed on a large-scale pattern to allow access to structurally versatile pyrazoles, of which a key intermediate of lonazolac (303), a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, could be synthesized efficiently. Moreover, several pyrazoles show obvious growth-inhibitory activity of Huh-7 cells, expected as potential anticancer agents.

Regioselective Synthesis of 5-Trifluoromethyl 1,2,4-Triazoles via [3 + 2]-Cycloaddition of Nitrile Imines with CF3CN

We herein describe a general approach to 5-trifluoromethyl 1,2,4-triazoles via the [3 + 2]-cycloaddition of nitrile imines generated in situ from hydrazonyl chloride with CF₃CN, utilizing 2,2,2-trifluoroacetaldehyde O-(aryl)oxime as the precursor of trifluoroacetonitrile. Various functional groups, including alkyl-substituted hydrazonyl chloride, were tolerated during cycloaddition. Furthermore, the gram-scale synthesis and common downstream transformations proved the potential synthetic relevance of this developed methodology.

Construction of multi-substituted pyrazoles via potassium carbonate-mediated [3 + 2] cycloaddition of in situ generated nitrile imines with cinnamic aldehydes

A highly efficient potassium carbonate-mediated [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of hydrazonoyl chlorides with cinnamic aldehydes to furnish multi-substituted pyrazoles under nontoxic and mild conditions has been developed. A plausible stepwise cycloaddition reaction mechanism is proposed. This protocol featured broad substrate coverage, good functional group tolerance, wide scalability, and operational simplicity, as well as conveniently constructed pyrazole scaffolds.

Relay Photocatalytic Reaction of N-Aryl Amino Acids and 2-Bromo-3,3,3-trifluoropropene: Synthesis of 4-(Difluoromethylidene)-tetrahydroquinolines

The bulk industrial chemical 2-bromo-3,3,3-trifluoropropene (BTP) was first employed as a coupling partner in photocatalytic defluorinative reactions with N-aryl amino acids. Photoredox activation of the C(sp²)-Br bond of the resultant 2-bromo-1,1-difluoroalkenes generates gem-difluoro vinyl radicals for further radical cyclization. Various 4-(difluoromethylidene)-tetrahydroquinolines were assembled in good yields by combining two photoredox cycles with a single photocatalyst.

Method for Preparing N-Tosylhydrazonyl Chlorides

A facile and efficient method for preparing N-tosylhydrazonyl chlorides was developed. The reaction was general for a variety of substrates and displayed wonderful compatibility to diverse substituents. A range of N-tosylhydrazonyl chlorides was prepared for the first time.

Synthesis of Methylene-Bridged Trifluoromethyl Azoles Using 5-(1,2,3-Triazol-1-yl)enones

A protocol for synthesizing triazole-containing pyrazolines and pyrazoles selectively using trifluoromethylated 5-(1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)enones as starting materials, is reported. The selectivity of the reaction was controlled by the nature of the hydrazine or derivative used: free hydrazines furnished the 1,5-regiosiomer exclusively in yields up to 98%, whereas protected hydrazines provided the 1,3-regioisomer in yields up to 77%. To demonstrate the synthetic versatility of the triazole-based enone, reactions with other unsymmetrical dinucleophiles (hydroxylamine hydrochloride and S-methyl isothiourea sulfates) allowed the selective preparation of triazole-containing isoxazoline and pyrimidine rings.

α-Trifluoromethyl Carbanion-catalyzed Intermolecular Stetter Reaction of Aromatic Aldehydes with 2-Bromo-3,3,3-trifluoropropene: Synthesis of β-Alkoxyl-β-trifluoromethylated Ketones

The intermolecular Stetter reaction of aromatic aldehydes with 2-bromo-3,3,3-trifluoropropene is achieved by the in situ generated α-trifluoromethyl carbanion catalyst. It not only represents the first example for α-trifluoromethyl carbanion-catalyzed umpolung reaction but also reveals a new protocol for the umpolung of aldehydes. Various useful β-alkoxyl-β-trifluoromethylated ketones were obtained in high yields, which could further convert to attractive bioactive compounds. Mechanism studies indicated an intramolecular 1,4-shift of the hydrogen atom was involved in this reaction.

Copper-Catalyzed Synthesis of 5-Aryl-6-(Trifluoromethyl)-2,3-Dihydropyrazolo[1,2-a]Pyrazol-1(5H)-One

An efficient protocol for the synthesis of 5-aryl-6-(trifluoromethyl)-2,3-dihydropyrazolo[1,2-a]pyrazol-1(5H)-one derivatives through a copper-catalyzed [3+2]-cycloaddition of azomethine imines with 3,3,3-trifluoropropyne (generated in situ from dehydrobromination of 2-bromo-3,3,3-trifluoropropene under base conditions) is developed. The advantages of this transformation are the broad substrate scope and the good functional group compatibility. The subsequent oxidation and nucleophilic substitution/aromatization provide a new approach to 4-trifluoromethylated pyrazol-1-yl propanoic acids.