Synthesis of 4-Difluoromethylquinolines by NHC-Catalyzed Umpolung of Imines

Carbene-Catalyzed Tandem Imine Umpolung-Intramolecular Aza-Conjugate Addition-Oxidation to Access N-Substituted Isoindolinones

Herein, we have described a novel N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-catalyzed synthesis of N-substituted isoindolinone acetates. The presented transformation proceeds through NHC-catalyzed tandem imine umpolung-intramolecular aza-Michael addition followed by oxidation, while molecular oxygen in air acts as a sole oxidant. Atom efficiency, operational simplicity, large-scale syntheses, and mild reaction conditions are the salient features of this method. Mechanistic studies were indicative of the necessity of molecular oxygen in air as oxidant for the conversion of imine to amide.

DBU-Mediated Isomerization/6-π Electro-Cyclization/Oxidation Cascade of Sulfonyl-Substituted Allenyl Ketones for the Construction of Hetero-1,3,5-Trisubstituted Benzene

1,3,5-tri-substituted benzene rings emerged with unique properties has widespread applications in materials, boosting the rapid development of their synthesis. Despite the significance, the direct construction of hetero-1,3,5-trisubstituted benzene core was far less-developed. Herein, we realized a DBU-mediated isomerization/6-π electro-cyclization/oxidative aromatization cascade of sulfonyl-substituted allenyl ketones under an air atmosphere (DBU=1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene). This versatile protocol featured metal-free conditions, easy operation, and broad functional group tolerance provides a new avenue for the construction of hetero-1,3,5-tri-substituted benzene.

Atroposelective Access to 1,3-Oxazepine-Containing Bridged Biaryls via Carbene-Catalyzed Desymmetrization of Imines

We disclose herein an atroposelective synthesis of novel bridged biaryls containing medium-sized rings via N-heterocyclic carbene organocatalysis. The reaction starts with addition of the carbene catalyst to the aminophenol-derived aldimine substrate. Subsequent oxidation and intramolecular desymmetrization lead to the formation of 1,3-oxazepine-containing bridged biaryls in good yields and excellent enantioselectivities. These novel bridged biaryl products can be readily transformed into chiral phosphite ligands. Preliminary density function theory calculations suggest that the origin of enantioselectivity arises from the more favorable frontier molecular orbital interactions in the transition state leading to the major product.

Reactivity Umpolung of the C═N Bond in Quinoxaline Scaffold Enabling Direct Nucleophilic Attack of Alkyl Grignard Reagents at the N-Terminus

The reactivity umpolung of the C═N bond in the quinoxaline scaffold has been successfully realized for the first time by introduction of a formyl or an acyl group adjacent to the C-position of the C═N moiety. The reversed reactivity of the C═N bond thus enabled direct nucleophilic attack of alkyl Grignard reagents at the N-terminus rather than the C-terminus, thereby providing an unprecedented and efficient method for the synthesis of quinoxalin-2(1H)-one derivatives involving a tandem N-alkylation/C─C bond cleavage process.

NHC Catalysis for Umpolung Pyridinium Alkylation via Deoxy‐Breslow Intermediates

Umpolung N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalysis of non‐aldehyde substrates offers new pathways for C−C bond formation, but has proven challenging to develop in terms of viable substrate classes. Here, we demonstrate that pyridinium ions can undergo NHC addition and subsequent intramolecular C−C bond formation through a deoxy‐Breslow intermediate. The alkylation demonstrates, for the first time, that deoxy‐Breslow intermediates are viable for catalytic umpolung of areniums.

NHC Catalysis for Umpolung Pyridinium Alkylation via Deoxy-Breslow Intermediates

Umpolung N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalysis of non-aldehyde substrates offers new pathways for C-C bond formation, but has proven challenging to develop in terms of viable substrate classes. Here, we demonstrate that pyridinium ions can undergo NHC addition and subsequent intramolecular C-C bond formation through a deoxy-Breslow intermediate. The alkylation demonstrates, for the first time, that deoxy-Breslow intermediates are viable for catalytic umpolung of areniums.

N-Heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-catalyzed oxidation of unactivated aldimines to amides via imine umpolung under aerobic conditions

Herein, we disclose an NHC-catalyzed aerobic oxidation of unactivated aldimines for the synthesis of amides via umpolung of imines proceeding through an aza-Breslow intermediate. We have developed an eco-friendly method for the conversion of imines to amides by using molecular oxygen in air as the sole oxidant and dimethyl carbonate (DMC) as a green solvent under mild reaction conditions. Broad substrate scope, high yields and gram scale syntheses expand the practicality of the developed method.

A general NHC-catalyzed conversion of imines to amides proceeding through umpolung–oxidation under aerobic conditions in green solvent is reported.

From imines to amides via NHC-mediated oxidation

An efficient construction of amides through NHC-mediated oxidation of imines is described. This work has the advantages of wide scope, fast assembly and high yield, and can avoid the use of coupling agents, such as HATU, DCC, etc.

Recent advances of N-heterocyclic carbenes in the applications of constructing carbo- and heterocyclic frameworks with potential biological activity

In recent years, N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) have established themselves as a masterful and promising type of organocatalyst for the speedy construction of medicinally and biologically significant molecules from common and accessible small molecules. In particular, various cyclic scaffolds, including carbocycles and heterocycles, have been synthesized using NHCs via cycloaddition reaction. An exhaustive review focused on the chemistry of NHCs in these cyclic molecules has yet to be reported. In this contribution, a general picture of the utilization of NHCs in constructing twelve kinds of bioactive cyclic skeletons is firstly presented. We provide a systematic and comprehensive overview from the perspective of cycloaddition reactions; moreover, the limitations, challenges, and future prospects were discussed.

Synthetic and medicinal perspective of quinolines as antiviral agents

In current scenario, various heterocycles have come up exhibiting crucial role in various medicinal agents which are valuable for mankind. Out of diverse range of heterocycle, quinoline scaffold have been proved to play an important role in broad range of biological activities. Several drug molecules bearing a quinoline molecule with useful anticancer, antibacterial activities etc have been marketed such as chloroquine, saquinavir etc. Owing to their broad spectrum biological role, various synthetic strategies such as Skraup reaction, Combes reaction etc. has been developed by the researchers all over the world. But still the synthetic methods are associated with various limitations as formation of side products, use of expensive metal catalysts. Thus, several efforts to develop an efficient and cost effective synthetic protocol are still carried out till date. Moreover, quinoline scaffold displays remarkable antiviral activity. Therefore, in this review we have made an attempt to describe recent synthetic protocols developed by various research groups along with giving a complete explanation about the role of quinoline derivatives as antiviral agent. Quinoline derivatives were found potent against various strains of viruses like zika virus, enterovirus, herpes virus, human immunodeficiency virus, ebola virus, hepatitis C virus, SARS virus and MERS virus etc.

Imines as acceptors and donors in N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) organocatalysis

The synthetic potential of imines as electrophiles or as a source of nucleophilic coupling partner in N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalysis for the synthesis of various nitrogen heterocycles and functionalized amines is highlighted in this Feature Article. Electrophilic imines are suitable candidates for intercepting the NHC-derived acyl anions, homoenolate equivalents, and (di)enolates for the synthesis of α-amino ketones and a variety of lactam derivatives. Moreover, enamines generated from imines bearing α-hydrogen could be trapped with α,β-unsaturated acylazoliums for the synthesis of functionalized dihydropyridinones. NHCs are also useful for the umpolung of imines for the generation of aza-Breslow intermediates thus leading to the synthesis of indoles, quinolines, dihydroquinoxalines etc. A concise account of the diverse reactivity of imines in NHC catalysis has been presented.

Recent Progress in the Synthesis of Quinolines

BACKGROUND

Quinoline-containing compounds present in both natural and synthetic products are an important class of heterocyclic compounds. Many of the substituted quinolines have been used in various areas including medicine as drugs. Compounds with quinoline skeleton possess a wide range of bioactivities such as antimalarial, anti-bacterial, anthelmintic, anticonvulsant, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic activity. Due to such a wide range of applicability, the synthesis of quinoline derivatives has attracted a lot of attention of chemists to develop effective methods. Many known methods have been expanded and improved. Furthermore, various new methods for quinoline synthesis have been established. This review will focus on considerable studies on the synthesis of quinolines date which back to 2014.

OBJECTIVE

In this review, we discussed recent achievements on the synthesis of quinoline compounds. Some classical methods have been modified and improved, while other new methods have been developed. A vast variety of catalysts were used for these transformations. In some studies, quinoline synthesis reaction mechanisms were also displayed.

CONCLUSION

Many methods for the synthesis of substituted quinoline rings have been developed recently. Over the past five years, the majority of those reported have been based on cycloisomerization and cyclization processes. Undoubtedly, more imaginative approaches to quinoline synthesis will appear in the literature in the near future. The application of known methods to natural product synthesis is probably the next challenge in the field.

N-Heterocyclic carbene (NHC) organocatalysis using aliphatic aldehydes

Recent advances are presented in NHC catalysis employing aliphatic aldehydes as substrates for the generation of various carbene-bound intermediates and subsequent interception with electrophiles/nucleophiles.

N-Heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-catalyzed tandem imine umpolung–aza-Michael addition–oxidation of β-carboline cyclic imines

N-Heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-catalyzed tandem imine umpolung–aza-Michael addition–oxidation of cyclic imines for the synthesis of a wide range of biologically relevant β-carboline-1-one derivatives has been disclosed.

NH2OH-HCl-Mediated Umpolung α-Methylsulfonylation of α-Sulfonyl Ketones with Methylsulfoxides: Synthesis of α,β-Bis-sulfonyl Arylketones

In this paper, a novel and efficient route for the synthesis of α,β-bis-sulfonyl arylketones via an NH₂OH-HCl-mediated intermolecular umpolung α-methylsulfonylation of α-sulfonyl ketones with methylsulfoxides is described. A plausible mechanism is proposed and discussed. Various reaction conditions for this efficient, one-pot, environmentally friendly transformation were investigated.

N-Heterocyclic carbene catalysed umpolung reactions of imines approaching enantioselective synthesis

N-Heterocyclic Carbene (NHC)-catalyzed umpolung reactions of aldimines are highlighted in this article, with a special emphasis on the corresponding enantioselective transformations developed by the research groups of Lupton and Biju.

A mechanistic investigation into N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalyzed umpolung of ketones and benzonitriles: is the cyano group better than the classical carbonyl group for the addition of NHC?

The cooperative participation of NHC-H₂O-activated cyano carbon is more preferred than the classical NHC-activated carbonyl carbon.

N-Heterocyclic Carbene (NHC) Organocatalytic One-Pot Reaction for the Enantioselective Synthesis of Fluoromethylated Chromenones

An efficient carbene organocatalyzed route to enantioenriched chromenones, bearing one tri- or difluoromethylated stereogenic center in the β position of the carbonyl group, from o-allyloxybenzaldehydes is described. The one-pot transition-metal-free transformation exhibits a broad substrate scope and excellent enantioselectivity.

Synthesis of difluoromethylated enynes by the reaction of α-(trifluoromethyl)styrenes with terminal alkynes

A novel and efficient method for the synthesis of difluoromethylated enynes by the reaction of α-(trifluoromethyl)styrenes with terminal alkynes with the assistance of NaOtBu was described. The mechanism of the reaction might involve the SN2' reaction of α-(trifluoromethyl)styrenes and a subsequent 1,3-H shift. Isomerization (E → Z) of 1-difluoromethyl-1,3-enynes in the presence of ZrCl4 was also developed.

Insights into the N-Heterocyclic Carbene (NHC)-Catalyzed Intramolecular Cyclization of Aldimines: General Mechanism and Role of Catalyst

One of the most challenging questions in the Lewis base organocatalyst field is how to predict the most electrophilic carbon for the complexation of N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) and reactant. This study provides a valuable case for this issue. Multiple mechanisms (A, B, C, D, and E) for the intramolecular cyclization of aldimine catalyzed by NHC were investigated by using density functional theory (DFT). The computed results reveal that the NHC energetically prefers attacking the iminyl carbon (AIC mode, which is associated with mechanisms A and C) rather than attacking the olefin carbon (AOC mode, which is associated with mechanisms B and D) or attacking the carbonyl carbon (ACC mode, which is associated with mechanism E) of aldimine. The calculated results based on the different reaction models indicate that mechanism A (AIC mode), which is associated with the formation of the aza-Breslow intermediate, is the most favorable pathway. For mechanism A, there are five steps: (1) nucleophilic addition of NHC to the iminyl carbon of aldimine; (2) [1,2]-proton transfer to form an aza-Breslow intermediate; (3) intramolecular cyclization; (4) the other [1,2]-proton transfer; and (5) regeneration of NHC. The analyses of reactivity indexes have been applied to explain the chemoselectivity, and the general principles regarding the possible mechanisms would be useful for the rational design of NHC-catalyzed chemoselective reactions.

Activation of C–F bonds α to C–C multiple bonds

A closer look is given to the successful approaches to the C(sp³)–F activation of benzylic, allylic, propargylic and allenylic fluorides.