Divergent and Regioselective Synthesis of Pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridines and Imidazo[1,5-a]pyridines

Recent highlights in the synthesis and biological significance of pyrazole derivatives

Aza-heterocyclic scaffolds are privileged cores in the composition of their potential therapeutic profiles and versatile synthetic intermediates. Pyrazole is one of the frequently studied compounds of "azole" family and consists of nitrogen in a 1,2 linking sequence. These motifs possess a wide-spectrum of applications in the field of pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, polymer chemistry, cosmetics, food industries and more. In addition, functionalized pyrazole derivatives are frequently used as ligands in coordination chemistry and metal-catalysed reactions. As exemplified by numerous recent reports, pyrazoles are highly promising pharmacophores with excellent therapeutic applications. Owing to their aromaticity, the ring structures have many reactive positions, where electrophilic, nucleophilic, alkylation and oxidative reactions might occur. The structural adroitness and diversity of pyrazole cores further emanated numerous fused bicyclic skeletons with various biological applications. In this review, we highlight the recent synthetic methods developed for the preparation of functionalized pyrazole derivatives (From 2017 to present). In addition, we have also covered the notable biological activities (anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-viral) of this ubiquitous core. Herein, we emphasised the synthesis of pyrazoles from variety of precursors such as, alkynes, α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds, diazo reagents, nitrile imines, diazonium salts, 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds and etc. Moreover, the recent synthetic methodologies focusing on the preparation of pyrazolines and pyrazolones and variously fused-pyrazoles are also included. Authors expect this review could significantly help the researchers in finding elegant novel tools to synthesize pyrazole skeletons and expand their biological evaluation.

Relay Copper-Catalyzed Synthesis of Imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine Scaffolds from Phenylalanine and Halohydrocarbon

An efficient and straightforward strategy to synthesize imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine compounds from phenylalanine and halohydrocarbon has been successfully developed. The protocol features a relay copper-catalyzed reaction involving intermolecular C-O coupling and intramolecular C-N cyclization, providing an approach to access a diverse range of imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine derivatives with unique aza quaternary carbon centers.

Divergent Synthesis of Pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridines and Imidazo[1,5-a]pyridines via Reagent-Controlled Cleavage of the C-N or C-C Azirine Bond in 2-Pyridylazirines

The three-membered ring in 2-(2-pyridyl)azirine-2-carboxylic esters and thioesters can undergo selective cleavage of either the N-C2 bond under copper(II) catalysis or the C-C bond under the action of HCl to provide isomeric azirine ring expansion products of pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridine or imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine series, respectively. Mild catalytic reaction conditions for the formation of pyrazolopyridines make it possible to obtain them directly from 4-bromoisoxazoles by a one-pot, three-stage procedure without isolating the intermediate 2-bromoazirines and 2-(2-pyridyl)azirines.

Microwave-accelerated and benzoyl peroxide (BPO)-initiated cyclization of 1,5-enynes having cyano groups with cyclic alkanes under metal-free conditions

A novel and efficient method for preparing exocyclic indan derivatives, with this method involving benzoyl peroxide (BPO)-initiated cyclization of 1,5-enynes having cyano groups with simple cyclic alkanes under microwave irradiation, has been developed. The presented approach showed advantages of simple conditions, an environmentally friendly protocol, good functional-group tolerance, and high yields of products.

Synthesis of Imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines via Near UV Light-Induced Cyclization of Azirinylpyridinium Salts

An efficient one-pot synthesis of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines from 2-bromoazirines and pyridines has been developed. The construction of the bicyclic framework of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines occurs in two steps through the formation of (2H-azirin-2-yl)pyridinium bromides followed by dehydrobrominative UV light-induced cyclization. The method can also be applied for the synthesis of imidazo[2,1-a]isoquinolines. Unstable in solution, (2H-azirin-2-yl)pyridinium/isoquinolinium bromides were quantitatively converted to stable tetrafluoroborates, which can be cyclized to imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines under UV irradiation in the presence of bromide ions.