Metal-Free Denitrogenative C-C Couplings of Pyridotriazoles with Boronic Acids To Afford α-Secondary and α-Tertiary Pyridines

Access to Amides and Lactams via Pyridotriazole as a Transformable Directing Group

Amide and lactam frameworks were synthesized via an efficient two-step strategy. In this protocol, pyridotriazoles were first treated with isocyanates to form the corresponding amides, which were found to be sufficiently reactive to undergo subsequent intramolecular N-H insertion in the absence of any additional reagents or catalysts.

Selective Formal Carbene Insertion into Carbon-Boron Bonds of Diboronates by N-Trisylhydrazones

Bisborylalkanes play important roles in organic synthesis as versatile bifunctional reagents. The two boron moieties in these compounds can be selectively converted into other functional groups through cross-coupling, oxidation or radical reactions. Thus, the development of efficient methods for synthesizing bisborylalkanes is highly demanded. Herein we report a new strategy to access bisborylalkanes through the reaction of N-trisylhydrazones with diboronate, in which the bis(boryl) methane is transformed into 1,2-bis(boronates) via formal carbene insertion. Since the N-trisylhydrazones can be readily derived from the corresponding aldehydes, this strategy represents a practical synthesis of 1,2-diboronates with broad substrate scope. Mechanistic studies reveal an unusual neighboring group effect of 1,1-bis(boronates), which accounts for the observed regioselectivity when unsymmetric 1,1-diboronates are applied.

Domino Aza-Annulations of Enynyl-/(Alkynyl)aryl-acetonitriles to Access Nitrogen-Enriched Heterocycles

Unprecedented domino aza-annulations of (E)-2-en-4-ynyl-acetonitriles (generated from the Morita-Baylis-Hillman acetates of propiolaldehydes for the first time) with sodium azide under metal- and oxidant-free conditions for the assembly of triazolo-pyridines are accomplished. The developed strategy offers broad substrate scope, extending to (2-alkynyl)aryl and indolyl-acetonitriles to provide the corresponding triazolo-fused isoquinolines and β-carbolines, respectively, in good yields. Additionally, the synthetic utility of the products is demonstrated via denitrogenative coupling of fused triazoles with different nucleophiles.

Rhodium-catalyzed denitrogenative gem-difunctionalization of pyridotriazoles with thioesters: formal carbene insertion into C(O)-S bonds

A formal carbene insertion into C(O)-S bonds to access α-quaternary pyridines was achieved via a rhodium(II)-catalyzed in situ formation of sulfonium ylides from pyridotriazoles with thioesters followed by acyl group migration. This protocol has enabled an efficient denitrogenative gem-acylthiolation of pyridotriazoles to incorporate an acyl, pyridyl, and sulfur-substituted quaternary carbon center with high selectivity, broad substrate scope, and good functional group tolerance.

Lewis Basic Salt-Promoted Organosilane Coupling Reactions with Aromatic Electrophiles

Lewis basic salts promote benzyltrimethylsilane coupling with (hetero)aryl nitriles, sulfones, and chlorides as a new route to 1,1-diarylalkanes. This method combines the substrate modularity and selectivity characteristic of cross-coupling with the practicality of a base-promoted protocol. In addition, a Lewis base strategy enables a complementary scope to existing methods, employs stable and easily prepared organosilanes, and achieves selective arylation in the presence of acidic functional groups. The utility of this method is demonstrated by the synthesis of pharmaceutical analogues and its use in multicomponent reactions.

Domino Construction of Benzoxazole-Derived Sulfonamides via Metal-Free Denitrogenation of 5-Iodo-1,2,3-triazoles in the Presence of SO2 and Amines

A straightforward domino approach to assemble benzoxazole-derived sulfonamides has been developed. The method is based on annulation-induced in situ generation of diazo compounds from readily available 2-(5-iodo-1,2,3-triazolyl)phenols, followed by metal-free denitrogenative transformation upon the action of 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane bis(sulfur dioxide) (DABSO) and amines. The protocol is operationally simple and features a broad substrate scope, furnishing a library of target compounds in generally good yields.

Co-Catalyzed Transannulation of Pyridotriazoles with Isothiocyanates and Xanthate Esters

An efficient radical transannulation reaction of pyridotriazoles with isothiocyanates and xanthate esters was developed. This method features conversion of pyridotriazoles into two N-fused heterocyclic aromatic systems-imino-thiazolopyridines and oxo-thiazolopyridine derivatives-via one-step Co(II)-catalyzed transannulation reaction proceeding via a radical mechanism. The synthetic usefulness of the developed method was illustrated in the synthesis of amino acid derivatives and further transformations of obtained reaction products.

Recent Advances in Denitrogenative Reactions of Pyridotriazoles

Diazo compounds display versatile reactivity and therefore are widely used in organic synthesis. Diazo compounds bearing a 2-pyridyl or a related azine moiety on the diazo carbon exist in the form of fused 1,2,3-triazoles. In this short review, we summarize the recent advances in denitrogenative reactions of [1,2,3]triazolo[1,5-a]pyridines (‘pyridotriazoles’) and related fused 1,2,3-triazoles. Over the past decade, there has been a surge of activity in this field, with novel denitrogenative reactions of pyridotriazoles induced by metal compounds, light, and Brønsted and Lewis acids having been devised. As a result, heterocyclic compounds and functionalized α-picolines as well as bio­active molecules have been synthesized. In the review, emphasis is also placed on the mechanisms of the new reactions.

1 Introduction

2 Ring-Chain Isomerization of Pyridotriazoles

3 Metal-Catalyzed Reactions

3.1 Rh(II) Catalysis

3.2 Rh(III) Catalysis

3.3 Cu Catalysis

3.4 Pd Catalysis

3.5 Catalysis by Other Metals

4 Metal-Free Reactions

5 Conclusion

Denitrogenative Transformations of Pyridotriazoles and Related Compounds: Synthesis of N-Containing Heterocyclic Compounds and Beyond

The high demand for new and efficient routes toward synthesis of nitrogen-containing heterocyclic scaffolds has inspired organic chemists to discover several methodologies over recent years. This Perspective highlights one standout approach, which involves the use of pyridotriazoles and related compounds in denitrogenative transformations. Readily available pyridotriazoles undergo ring-chain isomerization to produce uniquely reactive α-diazoimines. Such reactivity, enabled by metal catalysts, additives, or visible-light irradiation, can be applied in transannulation, insertion, cyclopropanation, and many other transformations.

Assembly of Thiosubstituted Benzoxazoles via Copper-Catalyzed Coupling of Thiols with 5-Iodotriazoles Serving as Diazo Surrogates

An efficient cascade approach to thiosubstituted benzoxazoles has been developed. The transformation starts with in situ generation of a diazo compound via annulation-triggered electrocyclic opening of the 1,2,3-triazole ring. The subsequent Cu-catalyzed trapping of diazo intermediates by various thiols affords the desired heterocycles in generally good yields of up to 91%. The protocol features very good functional group tolerance and is applicable to substrates with different electronic properties.

Light-induced metal-free transformations of unactivated pyridotriazoles

A highly efficient and practical method for incorporation of the arylmethylpyridyl moiety into diverse molecules has been developed. This method features the transition metal-free light-induced room temperature transformation of pyridotriazoles into pyridyl carbenes, which are capable of smooth arylation, X-H insertion, and cyclopropanation reactions. The synthetic usefulness of the developed method was illustrated in a facile synthesis of biologically active molecules.