Sodium Salts (NaI/NaBr/NaCl) for the Halogenation of Imidazo-Fused Heterocycles

Recent advances in oxidative chlorination

Considering the wide occurrence and extensive application of organic chlorides in many research fields, the development of easy, practical and green chlorination methodologies is much needed. In the oxidative chlorination strategy, active chlorinating species can be in situ formed by the interaction of easily accessible chlorides such as NaCl, HCl, KCl, CHCl3, etc. and suitable oxidants. Among the established chlorination approaches, this strategy is an attractive one as it features the use of readily available, cheap and safe inorganic or organic chlorides, good atom economy of chlorine, and multiple choices of oxidants. This review summarizes the representative methodologies in the field of oxidative chlorination, covering 2013 to 2023.

Tunable Regioselective Allylic Alkylation/Iodination of Imidazoheterocycles in Water

The switchable roles of allylic alcohol and molecular iodine as reagents and catalysts have been demonstrated in the regioselective allylic alkylation and iodination of imidazoheterocycles employing the mixture of allylic alcohol-I2. First, we have explored the catalytic activity of iodine for the allylation of imidazoheterocycles using allylic alcohol in an aqueous medium. The allylation of a library of imidazoheterocycles and other electron-rich heterocycles like indole, pyrazole, 4-hydroxy coumarin, and 6-amino uracil has been achieved by employing this methodology. The efficiency of the I2 catalyst for N-allylation of azoles has also been demonstrated. Next, we have shown that this mixture of allylic alcohol and I2 could be beneficial for the iodination of imidazoheterocycles under room temperature. Mechanistic studies indicate that the activation of allylic alcohol by molecular iodine took place probably through halogen bonding, and NMR studies show that the reaction did not proceed through allylic ether formation.

K2S2O8-Promoted Consecutive Tandem Cyclization/Oxidative Halogenation: Access to 3-Halo-Pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines

A one-pot methodology has been developed to synthesize 3-halo-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine derivatives through the three-component reaction of amino pyrazoles, enaminones (or chalcone), and sodium halides. The use of easily accessible 1,3-biselectrophilic reagents like enaminones and chalcone offers a straightforward approach for the synthesis of 3-halo-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines. The reaction proceeded through a cyclocondensation reaction between amino pyrazoles with enaminones/chalcone in the presence of K₂S₂O₈ followed by oxidative halogenations by NaX-K₂S₂O₈. Mild and environmentally benign reaction conditions, wide functional group tolerance, and scalability of the reaction are the attractive facet of this protocol. The combination of NaX-K₂S₂O₈ is also beneficial for the direct oxidative halogenations of pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines in water.

Tandem Ring-Contraction/Regioselective C-H Iodination Reaction of Pyridinium Salts

A facile route for direct access to the 4-iodopyrrole-2-carbaldehydes from pyridinium salts has been successfully developed, which undergoes cascade pyrrole-2-carbaldehydes construction/selective C4 position iodination process. Using Na₂S₂O₈ as an oxidant and readily available sodium iodide as an iodine source, a variety of 4-iodopyrrole-2-carbaldehydes were obtained in good to excellent yields. Atom- and step-economy, good functional group tolerance, high regioselectivity, as well as mild conditions entail this transformation an alternative strategy for enriching pyrroles library.

K2S2O8-Mediated Radical Cyclization of 1,6-Enyne for the Synthesis of Diiodonated γ-Lactams

A novel and convenient K₂S₂O₈-mediated diiodo cyclization of 1,6-enynes for the facile synthesis of functionalized γ-lactam derivatives has been developed. This reaction features mild and transition-metal-free conditions, which offer a green and efficient entry to synthetically important γ-lactam scaffolds. Mechanistic studies suggest that iodide radicals initiate the cascade cyclic transformation.

Copper-Promoted N-Alkylation and Bromination of Arylamines/Indazoles Using Alkyl Bromides as Reagents for Difunctionalization

Practical copper-promoted N-alkylation and bromination of arylamines/indazoles with alkyl bromides are described; the N-alkylation-C-4-bromination and N-dialkylation-C-4-bromination of arylamines, and N-alkylation-C-3-bromination of indazoles, with alkyl bromides have been analyzed. The full use of alkyl bromides as alkylating and brominating building blocks without atom wastage, indicating excellent atom and step economy, has been highlighted. Eco-friendly oxygen and water are the reaction oxidant and byproduct, respectively.

Visible light-enabled regioselective chlorination of coumarins using CuCl2via LMCT excitation

An efficient, regioselective chlorination of coumarins using Earth-abundant and cost-effective CuCl₂ under visible light irradiation is reported. A key feature of this protocol is the photocatalytic dissociation of the copper(II) complex in acetonitrile through ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LMCT) to give the chlorine atom which then selectively chlorinates the coumarin. This method can chlorinate a broad scope of coumarins with either electron-withdrawing or electron-donating substituents to regioselectively afford 3-chlorocoumarins in good to excellent yields and can be further extended to other electron-deficient heterocycles and olefins such as flavones, 8-methoxypsoralen and naphthoquinones.

Electrochemical Activation of the C-X Bond on Demand: Access to the Atom Economic Group Transfer Reaction Triggered by Noncovalent Interaction

An atom economic method demonstrates the involvement of noncovalent interaction via hydrogen or halogen bonding interaction in triggering paired electrolysis for the group transfer reactions. Specifically, this method demonstrated the bromination of several aromatic and heteroaromatic compounds through the activation of the C(sp³)-Br bond of organic-bromo derivatives on demand. This electrochemical protocol is mild, and mostly no additional electrolyte is needed, which makes the workup process straightforward. Unlike the existing regioselective monobromination methods, this work utilizes a relatively small amount (1.2 equiv) of bromine surrogates that releases bromine on demand under the electrochemical condition and after completion of the reaction generates acetophenone as a useful byproduct. Green metrics indicate this protocol has a very good atom efficiency with an E-factor of 26.86 kg of waste/1 kg of product. In addition to the scale-up process, this strategy could be extended to the transfer of chlorine and thioaryl units. An extensive mechanistic study is accomplished to validate the hypothesis of noncovalent interaction using computational, spectroscopic, and cyclic voltammetry studies. Finally, the applicability of this newly developed nonbonding interaction to trigger paired electrolysis was extended to the chemoselective debromination of several dihalo organic compounds.

DABCO as a practical catalyst for aromatic halogenation with N-halosuccinimides

A simple and practical synthetic approach for synthesis of aromatic halides is developed. Simple Lewis base, DABCO, is used as the catalyst. This arene halogenation process proceedes conveniently and efficiently at ambient conditions, providing the desired products in good to excellent yields and selectivity.

Transition Metal Catalyst-Free C-3 Sulfonylmethylation of Imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines with Glyoxylic Acid and Sodium Sulfinates in Water

Herein, we describe an efficient and benign protocol for direct C-3 sulfonylmethylation of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines with glyoxylic acid and sodium sulfinates. Various sulfonylmethylated imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines were synthesized in water under transition metal catalyst-free conditions. This multicomponent reaction featured available substrates, good functional group tolerance, moderate to excellent yields, and mild reaction conditions.

Copper-catalyzed three-component reaction to synthesize polysubstituted imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines

An efficient three-component one-pot and operationally simple cascade of 2-aminopyridines with sulfonyl azides and terminal ynones is reported, providing a variety of polysubstituted imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine derivatives in moderate to excellent yields. In particular, the reaction goes a through CuAAC/ring-cleavage process and forms a highly active intermediate α-acyl-N-sulfonyl ketenimine with base free.

Three-component one-pot synthesis of polysubstituted imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine derivatives through a base free CuAAC/ring-cleavage process.

Directing Group Enables Electrochemical Selectively Meta-Bromination of Pyridines under Mild Conditions

Without the use of catalysts and oxidants, a facile and sustainable electrochemical bromination protocol was developed. By introducing the directing groups, the regioselectivity of pyridine derivatives could be controlled at the meta-position utilizing the inexpensive and safe bromine salts at room temperature. A variety of brominated pyridine derivatives were obtained in 28-95% yields, and the reaction could be readily performed at a gram scale. By combining the installation and removing the directing group, the concept of meta-bromination of pyridines could be verified.

Palladium(II) catalyzed site-selective C-H olefination of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines

Herein, we disclose an efficient Pd(II)-catalyzed site selective C8 alkenylation of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines with electronically biased olefinic substrates. Notably, besides the presence of four C-H sites available, selective mono-alkenylation was achieved by N-chelation overriding O-chelation. The versatility and scalability of the catalysis enabled the selective late-stage functionalization of a marketed drug, zolimidine. Various substituted heteroaryl alkenes can be afforded with moderate to good yields with high C8 regioselectivity.

Ultrasound-Assisted Iodination of Imidazo[1,2-α]pyridines Via C-H Functionalization Mediated by tert-Butyl Hydroperoxide

A novel metal catalyst-free and environmentally friendly method for the regioselective iodination of imidazo[1,2-α]pyridines at their C3 position is disclosed, which has a wide substrate scope and could be sustainable. This reaction proceeds through ultrasound acceleration in the presence of a green alcohol solvent. Compared with a conventional heating system, the reaction efficiency and the rate are significantly improved and the iodine atom economy is maximized using ultrasound techniques.

Selective Oxidation of Clopidogrel by Peroxymonosulfate (PMS) and Sodium Halide (NaX) System: An NMR Study

A selective transformation of clopidogrel hydrogen sulfate (CLP) by reactive halogen species (HOX) generated from peroxymonosulfate (PMS) and sodium halide (NaX) is described. Other sustainable oxidants as well as different solvents have also been investigated. As result of this study, for each sodium salt the reaction conditions were optimized, and four different degradation products were formed. Three products were halogenated at C-2 on the thiophene ring and have concomitant functional transformation, such as N-oxide in the piperidine group. A halogenated endo-iminium product was also observed. With this condition, a fast preparation of known endo-iminium clopidogrel impurity (new counterion) was reported as well. The progress of the reaction was monitored using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy as an analytical tool and all the products were characterized by 1D-, 2D-NMR and HRMS.

Copper-Catalyzed C-3 Functionalization of Imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines with 3-Indoleacetic Acids

A copper-catalyzed C-3 functionalization of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines with 3-indoleacetic acids through an aerobic oxidative decarboxylative process has been developed. The protocol provided a series of 3-(1H-indol-3-ylmethyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines in moderate to good yields under simple reaction conditions. Importantly, some products exhibited potent antiproliferative activity in cancer cell lines.

Reduced Phenalenyl in Catalytic Dehalogenative Deuteration and Hydrodehalogenation of Aryl Halides

Dehalogenative deuteration reactions are generally performed through metal-mediated processes. This report demonstrates a mild protocol for hydrodehalogenation and dehalogenative deuteration of aryl/heteroaryl halides (39 examples) using a reduced odd alternant hydrocarbon phenalenyl under transition metal-free conditions and has been employed successfully for the incorporation of deuterium in various biologically active compounds. The combined approach of experimental and theoretical studies revealed a single electron transfer-based mechanism.

Synthesis of benzo[b]chalcogenophenes fused to selenophenes via intramolecular electrophilic cyclization of 1,3-diynes

We describe herein an alternative and transition-metal-free procedure for the access of benzo[b]chalcogenophenes fused to selenophenes via intramolecular cyclization of 1,3-diynes. This efficient protocol involves a double cyclization of 1,3-diynyl chalcogen derivatives promoted by the electrophilic species of organoselenium generated in situ by the oxidative cleavage of the Se-Se bond of dibutyl diselenide using Oxone® in acetonitrile as solvent in an open-flask at 80 °C. In this study, 15 selenophenes with broad substrate scope were prepared in moderate to excellent yields (55-98%) with short reaction times (0.5-3.0 h).

Metal free C-3 chalcogenation (sulfenylation and selenylation) of 4H-pyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidin-4-ones

An expeditious metal free C-3 chalcogenation of 4H-pyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidin-4-one has been devised to synthesize diversely orchestrated 3-ArS/ArSe derivatives in high yields (up to 95%). This operationally simple reaction proceeds under mild reaction conditions, can be executed in gram scale, and also highlights broad functional group tolerance. Preliminary experimental investigation suggests a radical mechanistic pathway for these transformations.

Visible light-induced mono-bromination of arenes with BrCCl3

A highly efficient and regioselective bromination of electron-rich arenes and heteroarenes using commercially available BrCCl3 as a "Br" source has been developed. The reaction was performed in air under mild conditions with photocatalyst Ru(bpy)3Cl2·6H2O, avoiding the usage of strong acids and strong oxidants. Mono-brominated products were obtained with medium to excellent yields (up to 94%). This strategy has shown good compatibility and high para-selectivity, which will facilitate the complicated synthesis.

Metal-free oxidative decarbonylative halogenation of fused imidazoles

An efficient strategy has been developed for the deformylative halogenation of carbaldehyde imidazo-fused heterocycles in the presence of TBHP controlled by temperature.

Enhancing intradermal delivery of tofacitinib citrate: Comparison between powder-loaded hollow microneedle arrays and dissolving microneedle arrays

Autoimmune-mediated inflammatory skin diseases, such as psoriasis, alopecia areata, and vitiligo, have been reported as the 4th leading cause of nonfatal disease burden worldwide. This is mainly related to the poor quality of life experienced by these patients. Although topical and systemic steroids represent the most common treatment, the variability in success rates and side effects often lead to treatment discontinuation. Recent off-label clinical studies using oral Janus Kinase (JAK) inhibitors (e.g., ruxolitinib, tofacitinib, baraticinib) have shown promising results. However, frequent side effects, such as infections and blood clots have been reported. Therefore, the aim of this research was to enhance the intradermal delivery of tofacitinib citrate with MN arrays. Using crosslinked hydrogels containing modifying agents (urea, sorbitol and sodium chloride), hollow MN arrays were fabricated and then loaded with tofacitinib citrate. Their efficiency in intradermal delivery of tofacitinib was compared with dissolving MN arrays and a control (Aqueous cream BP), using neonatal porcine skin. Despite the fact that the hydrogel was only present on the outer surface, hollow MN arrays showed comparable resistance to compression values and insertion capabilities to dissolving MN arrays. Although hollow MN arrays containing NaCl in the formulation led to slightly higher depositions of tofacitinib in epidermis and dermis of neonatal porcine skin when compared to a control cream, dissolving MN arrays showed superiority in terms of tofacitinib deposition in the dermis. Indeed, at 24 h of the study, control cream and dissolving MN arrays delivered 143.98 ug/cm² and 835 ug/cm² of drug in the dermis, respectively, confirming the enhanced intradermal drug delivery capacity of MN arrays and their potential for treatment of autoimmune skin diseases.

Visible-Light-Induced Phosphorylation of Imidazo-Fused Heterocycles under Metal-Free Conditions

A metal-free and base-free procedure for the phosphorylation of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines with phosphine oxides under the irradiation of visible light at room temperature in green solvent was reported, featuring mild and sustainable conditions, convenient operation, as well as good functional group compatibility.

Regioselective Monobromination of Phenols with KBr and ZnAl-BrO3--Layered Double Hydroxides

The regioselective mono-bromination of phenols has been successfully developed with KBr and ZnAl-BrO3--layered double hydroxides (abbreviated as ZnAl-BrO3--LDHs) as brominating reagents. The para site is much favorable and the ortho site takes the priority if para site is occupied. This reaction featured with excellent regioselectivity, cheap brominating reagents, mild reaction condition, high atom economy, broad substrate scope, and provided an efficient method to synthesize bromophenols.