A Flexible Strategy for the Regiocontrolled Synthesis of Pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrazines

Direct C7-H Arylation of Pyrazolo[1,5-a]azines with Aryl Chlorides

C7-Arylated pyrazolo[1,5-a]azines are important structural motifs with profound applications in drug and material research. Here, we report a general and straighforward synthesis of these bi(hetero)aryls via palladium-catalyzed direct C-H arylation, employing low-cost and abundant (hetero)aryl chlorides as the aryl source. The catalytic system is robust and covers a wide substrate scope regarding heteroarenes as well as (hetero)aryl chlorides, with possible extension to the C-H arylation of [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines. This study also presents a rare example of using (hetero)aryl chlorides for the direct C-H arylation of six-membered heteroarenes.

Highly Selective N-Alkylation of Pyrazoles: Crystal Structure Evidence for Attractive Interactions

Inspired by crystal structures, we designed and achieved a catalyst-free Michael reaction for the preparation of an N1-alkyl pyrazole in a high yield (>90%) with excellent regioselectivity (N1/N2 > 99.9:1). The scope of this protocol has been extended to accomplish the first general regioselective N1-alkylation of 1H-pyrazoles to give di-, tri-, and tetra-substituted pyrazoles in a single step. The resulting pyrazoles bear versatile functional groups such as bromo, ester, nitro, and nitrile, offering opportunities for late-stage functionalization. This efficient methodology will have an impact on drug discovery, as several Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs are pyrazole derivatives. A working hypothesis for the regioselectivity is proposed. X-ray crystal structures of the products that highlight the attractive interactions are discussed. This report provides a rare source for the further elucidation of the attractive interactions because the isomeric ratios and the crystal structures are directly related.

Copper-mediated oxidative [3 + 2]-annulation of nitroalkenes and pyridinium imines: efficient synthesis of 3-fluoro- and 3-nitro-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridines

An efficient route to pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridines by Cu(OAc)2-promoted oxidative [3 + 2]-annulation of nitroalkenes with in situ generated pyridinium imines is developed. The reaction with α-fluoronitroalkenes enables the first preparative synthesis of 3-fluoro-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridines. Cycloaddition with α-unsubstituted nitroalkenes provides access to 3-nitro-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridines in excellent yields. A broad transformation scope was demonstrated. Both electron-rich and electron-deficient nitroalkenes as well as different aminopyridinium salts can be used for the assembly of the target pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridines. The related aza-heterocycles, namely, pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrazines and pyrazolo[1,5-b]pyridazines, were successfully prepared via the present methodology. The possible mechanism of the reaction is discussed.

Recent Uses of N,N-Dimethylformamide and N,N-Dimethylacetamide as Reagents

N,N-Dimethylformamide and N,N-dimethylacetamide are multipurpose reagents which deliver their own H, C, N and O atoms for the synthesis of a variety of compounds under a number of different experimental conditions. The review mainly highlights the corresponding literature published over the last years.