Copper-catalyzed radical methylation/C-H amination/oxidation cascade for the synthesis of quinazolinones

A Direct Method for Synthesis of Quinoxalines and Quinazolinones Using Epoxides as Alkyl Precursor

An iodine-mediated one-pot synthesis of pyrrolo/indolo [1,2-a]quinoxalines and quinazolin-4-one via utilizing epoxides as alkyl precursors under metal-free conditions has been described. Both 1-(2-aminophenyl)-pyrrole and 2-aminobenzamide could be applied to this protocol. A total of 33 desired products were obtained with moderate to good yields. This methodology was suitable for wide-scale preparation and the obtained products could be further modified into promising pharmaceutically active reagents.

Photoelectrochemical oxidative C(sp3)-H borylation of unactivated hydrocarbons

Organoboron compounds are of high significance in organic synthesis due to the unique versatility of boryl substituents to access further modifications. The high demand for the incorporation of boryl moieties into molecular structures has witnessed significant progress, particularly in the C(sp3)-H borylation of hydrocarbons. Taking advantage of special characteristics of photo/electrochemistry, we herein describe the development of an oxidative C(sp3)-H borylation reaction under metal- and oxidant-free conditions, enabled by photoelectrochemical strategy. The reaction exhibits broad substrate scope (>57 examples), and includes the use of simple alkanes, halides, silanes, ketones, esters and nitriles as viable substrates. Notably, unconventional regioselectivity of C(sp3)-H borylation is achieved, with the coupling site of C(sp3)-H borylation selectively located in the distal methyl group. Our method is operationally simple and easily scalable, and offers a feasible approach for the one-step synthesis of high-value organoboron building blocks from simple hydrocarbons, which would provide ample opportunities for drug discovery.

An Oxidant-Free and Mild Strategy for Quinazolin-4(3H)-One Synthesis via CuAAC/Ring Cleavage Reaction

An oxidant-free and highly efficient synthesis of phenolic quinazolin-4(3H)-ones was achieved by simply stirring a mixture of 2-aminobenzamides, sulfonyl azides, and terminal alkynes. The intermediate N-sulfonylketenimine underwent two nucleophilic additions and the sulfonyl group eliminated through the power of aromatization. The natural product 2-(4-hydroxybenzyl)quinazolin-4(3H)-one can be synthesized on a large scale under mild conditions with this method.

Identification of Alkoxy Radicals as Hydrogen Atom Transfer Agents in Ce-Catalyzed C-H Functionalization

The intermediacy of alkoxy radicals in cerium-catalyzed C-H functionalization via H-atom abstraction has been unambiguously confirmed. Catalytically relevant Ce(IV)-alkoxide complexes have been synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction. Operando electron paramagnetic resonance and transient absorption spectroscopy experiments on isolated pentachloro Ce(IV) alkoxides identified alkoxy radicals as the sole heteroatom-centered radical species generated via ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LMCT) excitation. Alkoxy-radical-mediated hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) has been verified via kinetic analysis, density functional theory (DFT) calculations, and reactions under strictly chloride-free conditions. These experimental findings unambiguously establish the critical role of alkoxy radicals in Ce-LMCT catalysis and definitively preclude the involvement of chlorine radical. This study has also reinforced the necessity of a high relative ratio of alcohol vs Ce for the selective alkoxy-radical-mediated HAT, as seemingly trivial changes in the relative ratio of alcohol vs Ce can lead to drastically different mechanistic pathways. Importantly, the previously proposed chlorine radical-alcohol complex, postulated to explain alkoxy-radical-enabled selectivities in this system, has been examined under scrutiny and ruled out by regioselectivity studies, transient absorption experiments, and high-level calculations. Moreover, the peculiar selectivity of alkoxy radical generation in the LMCT homolysis of Ce(IV) heteroleptic complexes has been analyzed and back-electron transfer (BET) may have regulated the efficiency and selectivity for the formation of ligand-centered radicals.

Application of N,N-Dimethylethanolamine as a One-Carbon Synthon for the Synthesis of Pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxalines, Quinazolin-4-ones, and Benzo[4,5]imidazoquinazolines via [5 + 1] Annulation

The synthesis of N-heterocycles composes a significant part of synthetic chemistry. In this report, a Cu(II)-catalyzed green and efficient synthesis of pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxaline, quinazolin-4-one, and benzo[4,5]imidazoquinazoline derivatives was developed, employing N,N-dimethylethanolamine (DMEA) as a C1 synthon. Green oxidant O₂ is critical in these transformations, facilitating the formation of a key intermediate─a reactive iminium ion. The method conducted under mild conditions is compatible with a diversity of functional groups, providing an appealing alternative to the previously developed protocols.

Design of Photosensitive Cobalt Complex Intermediates and Their Application in the Green Syntheses of Molecules Containing the Quinazolin-4(3H)-imine Scaffold

Cobalt/photoredox cooperative catalysis is a well-explored technology for visible-light photoredox catalysis. Recently, the photosensitivity of Co(II) complexes in homogeneous catalysis has aroused the interest of scientists. In this study, photosensitive Co(II) complex intermediates were designed to develop new synthetic methods. These intermediates, consisting of Co(II) and two substrate molecules, bind to O₂ and absorb visible light over a wide spectral range, triggering in situ oxidative decarboxylation to produce molecules containing the quinazolin-4(3H)-imine scaffold. These reactions employed glyoxylic acid and ketoacids as new building blocks, and good to excellent yields of the corresponding products were obtained under mild reaction conditions using green and inexpensive reagents and solvents. These results are of importance since the design of Co-based photosensitive intermediates will aid in establishing novel methods for harnessing visible light and hence lead to innovation in organic syntheses.

Copper-Catalyzed Oxidative Cyclization of 2-Aminobenzamide Derivatives: Efficient Syntheses of Quinazolinones and Indazolones

A simple copper-catalyzed assembly to formulate quinazolinone and indazolone derivatives in a single protocol manner is reported. These transformations are based on the fact that DMF can serve as a reaction solvent and one carbon synthon for the construction of heterocyclic rings. Moreover, this protocol features base-free and Brønsted acid free environmentally benign conditions with broad synthetic scope. A good scalability is demonstrated.

DMSO as a Dual Carbon Synthon in One-pot Tandem Synthesis of N-alkylated Quinazolinones from Anthranilamides and Acetophenones

A new, efficient, metal-free, and DMSO intervened approach for the synthesis of N-alkylated quinazolinones from readily available 2-aminobenzamide and aryl methyl ketones in the presence of an oxidizing agent has...

Di-tert-butyl peroxide as an effective two-carbon unit in oxidative radical cyclization toward 7-methylazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines

An unexpected oxidative radical cyclization with DTBP as the C2 cyclic unit enables the assembly of privileged 7-methylazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines.

Iodine-mediated electrochemical C(sp3)-H cyclization: the synthesis of quinazolinone-fused N-heterocycles

An efficient iodine-mediated electrochemical C(sp³)-H cyclization was developed under mild conditions. A variety of functionalized quinazolinone-fused N-heterocycles can be obtained with good to excellent yields by virtue of this method. The reaction features a broad substrate scope and scalability, and is metal-free and chemical oxidant-free.

N,N-Dimethylformamide as Carbon Synthons for the Synthesis of N-Heterocycles: Pyrrolo/Indolo[1,2-a]quinoxalines and Quinazolin-4-ones

N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) as synthetic precursors contributing especially the methyl, acyl, and amino groups has played a significant role in heterocycle syntheses and functionalization. In this protocol, a wide range of pyrrolo/indolo[1,2-a]quinoxalines and quinazolin-4-ones were obtained in moderate to good yields by using elemental iodine without any metal or peroxides. We considered that N-methyl and N-acyl of DMF participate and complete the reaction separately through different mechanisms, which displayed potential still to be explored of DMF.

Peroxide-mediated site-specific C–H methylation of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines and quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones under metal-free conditions

An effective approach to realize the direct methylation of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines and quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones with peroxides under metal-free conditions is described.

Stereoselective synthesis of trans-aziridines via intramolecular oxidative C(sp3)–H amination of β-amino ketones

An expedient strategy for the synthesis of trans-2,3-disubstituted via the intramolecular KI/TBHP mediated oxidative dehydrogenative C(sp³)–H amination reaction was presented.

Green Synthesis of Substituted Anilines and Quinazolines from Isatoic Anhydride-8-amide

Synthetic methods used to generate substituted anilines and quinazolines, both privileged pharmacological structures, are cumbersome, hazardous or, in some cases, unavailable. We developed a straightforward method for making isatoic anhydride-8-amide from isatin-7-carboxylic acid as a tool to easily produce a range of quinazoline and substituted aniline derivatives using adaptable pH-sensitive cyclization chemistry. The approaches are inexpensive, simple, fast, efficient at room temperature and scalable, enabling the synthesis of both established and new quinazolines and also highly substituted anilines including cyano derivatives.

Transition metal-free C-F/C-Cl/C-C cleavage of ClCF2COONa for the synthesis of heterocycles

A transition metal-free and external oxidant-free annulation of substrates having two nitrogen-nucleophilic sites with ClCF₂COONa was demonstrated, affording a series of 1,3,5-triazines and quinazolinones in up to 96% yields. Notably, ClCF₂COONa was employed as the C1 synthon for valuable heterocycles. Using this protocol, two C-N bonds were formed in one pot via the cleavage of two C-F bonds, one C-Cl bond and one C-C bond. This method avoided the use of a transition metal and an oxidant and generated low toxicity inorganic waste.

Metal-free synthesis of aminomethylated imidazoheterocycles: dual role of tert-butyl hydroperoxide as both an oxidant and a methylene source

A novel and efficient aminomethylation approach has been developed for the regioselective functionalization of imidazoheterocycles under metal-free conditions. A wide range of imidazoheterocycles and 2/4-aminoazaheterocycles successfully provided corresponding aminomethylated imidazoheterocycles in moderate to excellent (33-80%) yields. The isotopic labelling study suggested that TBHP played a dual role as both an oxidant and a methylene source in this transformation. The developed protocol follows a radical pathway which is supported by radical trapping experiments.

Copper-catalyzed methylative difunctionalization of alkenes

Trifluoromethylative difunctionalization and hydrofunctionalization of unactivated alkenes have been developed into powerful synthetic methodologies. On the other hand, methylative difunctionalization of olefins remains an unexplored research field. We report in this paper the Cu-catalyzed alkoxy methylation, azido methylation of alkenes using dicumyl peroxide (DCP), and di-tert-butyl peroxide (DTBP) as methyl sources. Using functionalized alkenes bearing a tethered nucleophile (alcohol, carboxylic acid, and sulfonamide), methylative cycloetherification, lactonization, and cycloamination processes are subsequently developed for the construction of important heterocycles such as 2,2-disubstituted tetrahydrofurans, tetrahydropyrans, γ-lactones, and pyrrolidines with concurrent generation of a quaternary carbon center. The results of control experiments suggest that the 1,2-alkoxy methylation of alkenes goes through a radical-cation crossover mechanism, whereas the 1,2-azido methylation proceeds via a radical addition and Cu-mediated azide transfer process.

While the trifluoromethylative difunctionalization of unactivated alkenes has been largely explored, methylative difunctionalization remains underinvestigated. Here, the authors report copper-catalyzed alkoxy- and azido-methylation reactions of alkenes leading to important synthetic building blocks and valuable O- and N-heterocycles.

Reductive cyclisations of amidines involving aminal radicals

The first general study of aminal radical cyclisations, triggered by reduction of amidines with SmI₂, delivers quinazolinones with complete diastereocontrol.

Copper-catalyzed decarboxylative and oxidative decarbonylative cross-coupling between cinnamic acids and aliphatic aldehydes

A convenient copper-catalyzed decarboxylative and oxidative decarbonylative cross-coupling of cinnamic acids with aliphatic aldehydes was achieved, which provides a useful strategy of C(sp³)–C(sp²) bonds construction for the synthesis of alkyl-substituted E-alkenes.

Base-promoted ring opening of 3-chlorooxindoles for the construction of 2-aminoarylthioates and their transformation to quinazolin-4(3H)-ones

Cesium carbonate-promoted synthesis of diverse 2-aminoarylthioates via ring opening of 3-chlorooxindoles with thiols, and their synthetic applications is demonstrated.

Copper-catalyzed cascade reaction: synthesis of pyrimido[4,5-b]quinolinones from 2-chloroquinoline-3-carbonitriles with (aryl)methanamines

Cu-catalyzed cascade reaction of 2-chloroquinoline-3-carbonitriles with benzyl amines using sodium hydroxide in aerobic atmosphere has been developed for the synthesis of pyrimido[4,5-b]quinoline-4-ones.

Synthesis of Cu-catalysed quinazolinones using a Csp3–H functionalisation/cyclisation strategy

A series of 2,3-disubstituted-4(3H)-quinazolinones were synthesised via a copper-catalysed C_sp3–H functionalisation/cyclisation of 2-amino-N,N-dialkylbenzamides.

Pd/Ni catalyzed selective N–H/C–H methylation of amides by using peroxides as the methylating reagents via a radical process

A palladium/nickel catalyzed selective N–H/C–H methylation of amides by using peroxides is described, providing N-methylation products and C-methylation products in moderate to good yields.