Synthesis of 1-Cyanoalkynes and Their Ruthenium(II)-Catalyzed Cycloaddition with Organic Azides to Afford 4-Cyano-1,2,3-triazoles

Regiospecific Synthesis of 1,4-Diaryl-5-cyano-1,2,3-triazoles and Their Photoconversion to 2- or 3-Cyanoindoles

We report the synthesis of 1,4-diaryl-5-cyano-1,2,3-triazoles from azides and alkynes via two copper-mediated steps. Aryl-substituted cyanotriazoles are emissive in nonpolar solvents. When the N1-aryl group is electron-donating, the photoconversion of a cyanotriazole to a cyanoindole is efficient. Each of the seven pairs of 4- and 5-cyanotriazole isomers is photoconverted to either distinctive cyanoindoles without rearrangement or a major cyanoindole product via the presumed common intermediate azirine. The resulting cyanoindoles appear to be stronger emitters in polar solvents than the parent cyanotriazoles.

AlBr3-Promoted stereoselective anti-hydroarylation of the acetylene bond in 3-arylpropynenitriles by electron-rich arenes: synthesis of 3,3-diarylpropenenitriles

Reactions of 3-arylpropynenitriles (ArC≡CCN) with electron-rich arenes (Ar′H, benzene and its polymethylated derivatives) under the action of aluminum bromide (AlBr₃, 6 equiv) at room temperature for 0.5–2 h result in the stereoselective formation of 3,3-diarylpropenenitriles (Ar(Ar′)C=CHCN) in yields of 20–64%, as products of mainly anti-hydroarylation of the acetylene bond. The obtained 3,3-diarylpropenenitriles in triflic acid CF₃SO₃H (TfOH) at room temperature for 1 h are cyclized into 3-arylindenones in yields of 55–70%.

A recent overview on the synthesis of 1,4,5-trisubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles

Diverse strategies for the efficient and attractive synthesis of a wide variety of relevant 1,4,5-trisubstituted 1,2,3-triazole molecules are reported. The synthesis of this category of diverse fully functionalized 1,2,3-triazoles has become a necessary and unique research subject in modern synthetic organic key transformations in academia, pharmacy, and industry. The current review aims to cover a wide literature survey of numerous synthetic strategies. Recent reports (2017–2021) in the field of 1,4,5-trisubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles are emphasized in this current review.

An aerobic and green C-H cyanation of terminal alkynes

This study describes a benign C-H cyanation of terminal alkynes with α-cyanoesters serving as a nontoxic cyanide source. In situ generation of the key copper cyanide intermediate is proposed by a sequence of α-C-H oxidation and copper-mediated β-carbon elimination of α-cyanoesters, releasing the α-ketoester byproduct observed experimentally. The ensuing reaction of copper cyanide with terminal alkynes delivers preferentially cyanoalkynes and surpasses the possible Glaser type dimerization of terminal alkynes or the undesired accumulation of HCN under protic conditions. The presence of the co-oxidant K2S2O8 is crucial to this selectivity, probably by promoting oxidative transmetalation and the resulting formation of the Cu(iii)(acetylide)(CN) intermediate. All the reagents and salts used are commercially available, cheap and nontoxic, avoiding the use of highly toxic cyanide salts typically required in cyanation studies. The scope of this reaction is demonstrated with a set of alkynes and α-cyanoesters. The application of this method to late-stage functionalization of the terminal alkyne group in an estrone derivative is also feasible, showing its practical value for drug design.

Chemo- and regioselective click reactions through nickel-catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition

Nickel-catalyzed [3 + 2] cycloaddition reactions of unsymmetrical alkynes and organic azides afford substituted 1,2,3-triazoles with high levels of chemo- and regioselectivity.

Cyanoacetylenes as Triggers and Partners in KOH-Assisted Assemblies of Quinoline-Based Dihydropyrimido[1,2-a]quinolin-3-ones on Water

Arylcyanoacetylenes trigger the assembly of dihydropyrimido[1,2-a]quinolin-3-ones in good to excellent yields on the platform of quinolines in the presence of KOH in aqueous media at room temperature. This green on-water methodology provides a simple one-pot access to a novel family of the pharmaceutically prospective compounds.

A facile synthesis of diverse 5-arylated triazoles via a Cu-catalyzed oxidative interrupted click reaction with arylboronic acids in air

A Cu-catalyzed synthesis of 5-arylsubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles via an oxidative interrupted click reaction with arylboronic acids in air at room temperature is disclosed.