Synthesis of 1H-Indazoles via Silver(I)-Mediated Intramolecular Oxidative C-H Bond Amination

Palladium-catalyzed C-C bond cleavage of N-cyclopropyl acylhydrazones

Despite their utility as directing groups, the C-C bond cleavage of cyclopropanes utilizing hydrazones has not been explored. Herein, Pd-catalyzed C-C bond cleavage reaction of N-cyclopropyl acylhydrazones, followed by cycloisomerization to yield pyrazoles, has been developed. The protocol enables the synthesis of various α-pyrazole carbonyl compounds, which have a potential of biological activity. Control experiments and DFT calculations suggest that β-carbon elimination of a stable 6-membered chelate palladium complex occurs, generating a conjugated azine as a reaction intermediate for the following cycloisomerization.

Synthesis of N-phenyl- and N-thiazolyl-1H-indazoles by copper-catalyzed intramolecular N-arylation of ortho-chlorinated arylhydrazones

The broad application of 1H-indazoles has prompted the development of several approaches for the synthesis of such compounds, including metal-free, palladium-, or copper-promoted intramolecular N-arylation of in situ-generated or isolated o-haloarylhydrazones. Such methods mainly start from o-bromo derivatives due to the better yield observed when compared to those obtained from o-chloroarylhydrazones. However, the o-chloroarylaldehydes and o-chloroarylketones used to prepare the arylhydrazones are more commercially available and less expensive than brominated analogs. Seeking to cover a lack in the literature, this work reports a convenient protocol for the synthesis of N-phenyl- and N-thiazolyl-1H-indazoles by copper-catalyzed intramolecular N-arylation of o-chlorinated arylhydrazones. Therefore, a series of seven N-phenyl derivatives and a series of six novel N-thiazolyl derivatives was obtained in 10–70% and 12–35% yield, respectively, after stirring the o-chlorinated arylhydrazones, CuI, KOH, and 1,10-phenantroline for 12–48 hours in DMF at 120 °C. The products were isolated by column chromatography on silica gel. All products were fully characterized by HRMS as well as 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. Thus, this approach is valuable for promoting the synthesis of N-phenyl-1H-indazoles in a higher yield than that reported in the literature using copper catalysis and the same substrates. This study also prompted the first reported synthesis of pharmacologically interesting N-thiazolyl derivatives.

Recent Advances in Copper-Catalyzed C-N Bond Formation Involving N-Centered Radicals

C-N bonds are pervasive throughout organic-based materials, natural products, pharmaceutical compounds, and agricultural chemicals. Considering the widespread importance of C-N bonds, the development of greener and more convenient ways to form C-N bonds, especially in late-stage synthesis, has become one of the hottest research goals in synthetic chemistry. Copper-catalyzed radical reactions involving N-centered radicals have emerged as a sustainable and promising approach to build C-N bonds. As a chemically popular and diverse radical species, N-centered radicals have been used for all kinds of reactions for C-N bond formation by taking advantage of their inherently incredible reactive flexibility. Copper is also the most abundant and economic catalyst with the most relevant activity for facilitating the synthesis of valuable compounds. Therefore, the aim of the present Review was to illustrate recent and significant advances in C-N bond formation methods and to understand the unique advantages of copper catalysis in the generation of N-centered radicals since 2016. To provide an ease of understanding for the readers, this Review was organized based on the types of nitrogen sources (amines, amides, sulfonamides, oximes, hydrazones, azides, and tert-butyl nitrite).