Cobalt-Catalyzed Electrophilic Aminations with Anthranils: An Expedient Route to Condensed Quinolines

Recent approaches for the synthesis of heterocycles from amidines via a metal catalyzed C-H functionalization reaction

Transition metal catalyzed C-H bond activation has become one of the most important tools for constructing new chemical bonds. Introducing directing groups to the substrates is the key to a successful reaction, these directing groups can also be further transformed in the reaction. Amidines with their unique structure and reactivity are ideal substrates for transition metal-catalyzed C-H transformations. This review describes the major advances and mechanistic investigations of the C-H activation/annulation tandem reactions of amidines until early 2024, focusing on metal-catalyzed C-H activation of amidines with unsaturated compounds, such as alkynes, ketone, vinylene carbonate, cyclopropanols and their derivatives. Meanwhile this manuscript also explores the reaction of amidines with different carbene precursors, for example diazo compounds, azide, triazoles, pyriodotriazoles, and sulfoxonium ylides as well as their own C-H bond activation/cyclization reactions. A bright outlook is provided at the end of the manuscript.

Synthesis of acridones via Ir(III)-catalyzed amination annulation of oxazoles with anthranils

An unprecedented Ir(III)-catalyzed C-H activation/amination/annulation of 2-phenyloxazoles with anthranils for the highly selective preparation of acridone derivatives in one-pot under controlled conditions is reported. This protocol is characterized by atom economy and high regioselectivity. A wide range of anthranils with 2-phenyloxazoles were well tolerated and afforded the desired products in moderate to good yields, in which the anthranil serves as a convenient amination reagent.

Ag-Catalyzed Practical Synthesis of N-Acyl Anthranilic Acids from Anthranils and Carboxylic Acids

A practical synthesis of valuable N-acyl anthranilic acids has been achieved via a silver-catalyzed imino-ketene generation from readily available anthranils and carboxylic acids. A wide range of carboxylic acids including sterically demanding aliphatic carboxylic acids, aromatic carboxylic acids, acrylic acids, and amino acids are compatible in this reaction. Moreover, this method can be used to modify drug molecules and natural products, such as ibuprofen, probenecid, and acetylglycine.

Triphosgene and Triphenylphosphine Oxide-Mediated Cascade Heterocyclization of N-Acylated Anilines: One-Pot Synthesis of 2,4-Dichloroquinolines

A one-pot cascade chlorination/heterocyclization strategy has been developed for the synthesis of 2,4-dichloro-substituted quinolines from acylated anilines using triphosgene and triphenylphosphine oxide. Obviating the conventional harsh conditions of chlorination, synthetic useful quinolines with moderate to good yields were obtained through this reaction. The mechanism study exhibited that the formation of a β-enamine intermediate plays a vital role in the generation of the final product.

Theoretical Study on the Mechanism of Cobalt-Catalyzed C-O Silylation and Stannylation

Organosilicon and organotin compounds have been widely used in many fields, such as organic synthesis, materials science, and biochemistry, because of their unique physical and electronic properties. Recently, two novel compounds containing C-Si or C-Sn bonds have been synthesized. These compounds can be used for late modification of drug-like molecules such as probenecid, duloxetine, and fluoxetine derivatives. However, the detailed reaction mechanisms and the influencing factors that determine selectivity are still unclear. Moreover, several questions remain that are valuable to investigate further, such as (1) the influence of the solvent and the lithium salt on the reaction of the Si/Sn-Zn reagent, (2) the stereoselective functionalization of C-O bonds, and (3) the differences between silylation and stannylation. In the current study, we have explored the above issues with density functional theory and have found that stereoselectivity was most likely caused by the oxidative addition of cobalt to the C-O bond of alkenyl acetate with chelation assistance and that transmetalation was most likely the rate-determining step. For Sn-Zn reagents, the transmetalation was achieved by anion and cation pairs, whereas for Si-Zn reagents, the process was facilitated by Co-Zn complexes.

Tf2O-Promoted Chemoselective C3 Functionalization of Anthranils with Phenols and Thiophenols

Different chemoselectivities of phenols and thiophenols were observed in a Tf₂O-promoted C3 functionalization of simple anthranils. The reaction of phenols and anthranils gives 3-aryl anthranils via a C-C bond formation, whereas thiophenols afford 3-thio anthranils through a C-S bond formation. Both reactions have a broad substrate scope and tolerate a wide range of functional groups, affording the corresponding products with specific chemoselectivity.

Regio- and chemoselective hydroamination of unactivated alkenes with anthranils via NiH-catalysis

A NiH-catalyzed polarity-reversed hydroamination of β,γ-, γ,δ- and δ,ε-unsaturated alkenes with electrophilic anthranils was developed. This reaction proceeds in a highly regio- and chemoselective manner to afford γ, δ and ε-arylamines bearing a carbonyl or alcohol functionality with 100% atom efficiency. Preliminary mechanistic studies indicate that the chemoselectivity is controlled by the base and the alcohol product is derived from the base-catalyzed hydrosilylation of the CO bond.

TBAI-Catalysed Formal [4+4]-Cycloaddition: Easy Access to Oxa-Bridged Eight-Membered Heterocycles

TBAI-catalysed [4+4]-cyclization reaction of anthranils with hydrazones to deliver oxa-bridged eight-membered heterocycles in accepted yields was developed. Preliminary mechanistic studies indicated that the reaction involved the in situ generation of vinyldiazenes from readily available hydrazones followed by an aza-Michael addition of the anthranil substrates onto the vinyldiazenes and subsequent annulation. This transformation involved the formation of two new C-N bonds and C-O bond in one pot, overcoming the synthetic limitations of anthranils in organic chemistry. This strategy benefits from high efficiency and atomic economy with mild reaction conditions.

1,4-Dithianes: attractive C2-building blocks for the synthesis of complex molecular architectures

This review covers the synthetic applications of 1,4-dithianes, as well as derivatives thereof at various oxidation states. The selected examples show how the specific heterocyclic reactivity can be harnessed for the controlled synthesis of carbon-carbon bonds. The reactivity is compared to and put into context with more common synthetic building blocks, such as 1,3-dithianes and (hetero)aromatic building blocks. 1,4-Dithianes have as yet not been investigated to the same extent as their well-known 1,3-dithiane counterparts, but they do offer attractive transformations that can find good use in the assembly of a wide array of complex molecular architectures, ranging from lipids and carbohydrates to various carbocyclic scaffolds. This versatility arises from the possibility to chemoselectively cleave or reduce the sulfur-heterocycle to reveal a versatile C2-synthon.

Synthesis of acridines via copper-catalyzed amination/annulation cascades between arylboronic acids and anthranils

Copper-catalyzed tandem cyclization reactions between arylboronic acids and anthranils have been established, providing new approaches for one-pot assembly of azacycle acridines. This one-pot protocol features simple operation, precious-metal-free conditions and good functional group compatibility, thus providing an efficient approach for the synthesis of a variety of acridines in moderate to good yields.

Synthesis and Applications of Asymmetric Catalysis Using Chiral Ligands Containing Quinoline Motifs

In the past decade, asymmetric synthesis of chiral ligands containing quinoline motifs, a family of natural products displaying a broad range of structural diversity and their metal complexes have become the most significant methodology for the generation of enantiomerically pure compounds of biological and pharmaceutical interest. This review provides comprehensive insight on the plethora of nitrogen-based chiral ligands containing quinoline motifs and organocatalysts used in asymmetric synthesis. However, it is circumscribed to the synthesis of quinoline-based chiral ligands and metal complexes, and their applications in asymmetric synthesis as a homogeneous and heterogeneous catalyst.

“Thiol-free synthesized” and sustainable thiolating synthons for nickel-catalyzed reductive assembly of sulfides with high efficiency

Unsymmetrical sulfides are widely found in the pharmaceutical industry, organic synthesis, and materials science.

Practical Synthesis of 3-Aryl Anthranils via an Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution Strategy

We report a practical route for the synthesis of valuable 3-aryl anthranils from readily available anthranils and simple arenes by using the classical electrophilic aromatic substitution (EAS) strategy. This transformation goes through an electrophilic substitution and rearomatisation sequence by employing Tf₂O as an effective activator. A wide range of arenes were compatible in this transformation, delivering various structurally diversified 3-aryl anthranils in good yields and high regioselectivity. In addition, a variety of readily available feedstocks such as olefins, alkenyl triflates, silyl enolethers, carbonyl compounds, thiophenols and thiols could also participate in the reaction to achieve the C3 alkenylation, alkylation and thioetherification of anthranils. Of note, the synthesized 3-aryl anthranils proved to be a highly robust platform to access a series of biologically active compounds, drug derivatives and organic optoelectronic materials.

A practical route for the synthesis of valuable 3-aryl anthranils from readily available anthranils and simple arenes has been achieved through an electrophilic substitution and rearomatization sequence by employing Tf₂O as an effective activator.

Recent Advances in Cross-Couplings of Functionalized Organozinc Reagents

Cross-couplings involving organozinc reagents usually require a Pd-catalyst (Negishi cross-coupling), however, uncatalyzed cross-couplings of zinc organometallics proceed well in the absence of transition-metal catalysts with reactive electrophiles such as benzal 1,1-diacetates, benzhydryl acetates, and iminium trifluoroacetates. Organozinc compounds also undergo C–N bond formation with O-benzoylhydroxylamines or organic azides in the presence of cobalt- or iron-catalysts. Highly diastereoselective and enantioselective cross-couplings can be readily performed with room-temperature configurationally stable alkylzinc species, producing diastereoselectively and enantiomerically enriched products. Finally, highly regioselective magnesiations of functionalized arenes and heteroarenes undergo Negishi (after transmetalation with ZnCl2) or Cu-catalyzed cross-couplings.

1 Introduction

2 Uncatalyzed Cross-Couplings of Organozinc Reagents with Highly Electrophilic Partners

3 Iron- and Cobalt-Catalyzed Aminations using Organozinc Reagents

4 Stereo- and Regioselective Cross-Couplings of Organozinc Reagents

5 Conclusion

Cobalt-catalyzed Divergent Markovnikov and Anti-Markovnikov Hydroamination

Catalytic hydroamination of the readily available alkenes is among the most straightforward means to construct diverse alkyl amines. To this end, the facile access to both regioselectivity, i.e., Markovnikov or anti-Markovnikov hydroamination, with minimum reaction-parameter alternation, remains challenging. Herein, we report a cobalt-catalyzed highly selective and divergent Markovnikov and anti-Markovnikov hydroamination of alkenes, in which the switch of regioselectivity is achieved simply by the variation of the addition sequence of 9-BBN.

Yb(OTf)3-Mediated Annulation of Cyclopropane-1,1-dicarbonitriles with 2-Aminobenzaldehydes for Synthesis of Polysubstituted Quinolines

A Yb(OTf)₃-mediated annulation of cyclopropane-1,1-dicarbonitriles and 2-aminobenzaldehydes for the synthesis of polysubstituted quinolines in generally good yields was investigated. In the cascade reaction, the protocol includes ring opening, intermolecular nuclophilic addition, intramolecular nuclophilic addition, and demalononitrile aromatization, in which the malononitrile group serves as a deciduous directing group mediated by Yb(OTf)₃.

Modular Two-Step Access to π-Extended Naphthyridine Systems-Potent Building Blocks for Organic Electronics

Efficient synthetic approaches for the incorporation of nitrogen into polyaromatic compounds (PACs) in different patterns as stabilising moiety for π‐extended systems and modification tool for optoelectronic properties remain a challenge until today. Herein, we developed a new versatile pathway to napthyridine‐based PACs as non‐symmetric and regioisomeric pendant to pyrazine‐based PACs. A combination of a gold‐catalysed synthesis of 2‐aminoquinolines and the development of an in situ desulfonation and condensation of these precursors are the key steps of the protocol. The shape and type of attached functional groups of the PACs can be designed in a late stage of the overall synthetic procedure by the chosen anthranile and backbone of the ynamide introduced in the gold‐catalysed step. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and the investigation of electronic properties of the compounds show the influence of the attached substituents. All naphthyridine‐based PACs show halochromic behaviour implying their use as highly sensitive proton sensor in non‐protic solvents.

Nickel-Catalyzed Hydroamination of Olefins with Anthranils

A nickel-catalyzed polarity-reversed hydroamination of olefins has been achieved with anthranils as the electrophilic aminating agents and hydrosilane as the reductant. This protocol provides a facile access to N-alkyl-2-aminobenzophenones that are versatile intermediates in organic synthesis. A wide range of olefins and anthranils are compatible in this transformation, delivering the desired amines in useful to excellent yields (38 examples, up to 92% yield). The utility of this protocol is exhibited in the late-stage functionalization of drug molecules and the valuable derivatives of the obtained amination products.

Organozinc pivalates for cobalt-catalyzed difluoroalkylarylation of alkenes

Installation of fluorine into pharmaceutically relevant molecules plays a vital role in their properties of biology or medicinal chemistry. Direct difunctionalization of alkenes and 1,3-dienes to achieve fluorinated compounds through transition-metal catalysis is challenging, due to the facile β-H elimination from the Csp³‒[M] intermediate. Here we report a cobalt-catalyzed regioselective difluoroalkylarylation of both activated and unactivated alkenes with solid arylzinc pivalates and difluoroalkyl bromides through a cascade Csp³‒Csp³/Csp³‒Csp² bond formation under mild reaction conditions. Indeed, a wide range of functional groups on difluoroalkyl bromides, olefins, 1,3-dienes as well as (hetero)arylzinc pivalates are well tolerated by the cobalt-catalyst, thus furnishing three-component coupling products in good yields and with high regio- and diastereoselectivity. Kinetic experiments comparing arylzinc pivalates and conventional arylzinc halides highlight the unique reactivity of these organozinc pivalates. Mechanistic studies strongly support that the reaction involves direct halogen atom abstraction via single electron transfer to difluoroalkyl bromides from the in situ formed cobalt(I) species, thus realizing a Co(I)/Co(II)/Co(III) catalytic cycle.

TfOH-Promoted Decyanative Cyclization toward the Synthesis of 2,1-Benzisoxazoles

A novel solvent-free, TfOH-promoted decyanative cyclization approach for the synthesis of 2,1-benzisoxazoles has been developed. The reactions are complete instantly at room temperature and result in the formation of the desired 2,1-benzisoxazoles in a 34-97% isolated yield.

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.

Preparation of anthranils via chemoselective oxidative radical cyclization of 3-(2-azidoaryl) substituted propargyl alcohols

In the presence of K₂S₂O₈ and HOAc, 3-(2-azidoaryl) substituted propargyl alcohols can go through chemoselective oxidative radical cyclizations to give a pool of anthranils based on Meyer-Schuster rearrangement. It's proposed that the cyclizations were triggered exclusively by the direct attack of oxygen radicals on the azides. The weak N-O bonds in anthranils could be easily cleaved in the presence of transition metal catalysts and went through aminations with 2-oxo-2-phenylacetic acid and iodobenzene.

Dehydrogenative 6π heterocyclization under visible light irradiation and mechanistic insights

A visible-light-driven oxidative 6π heterocyclization for the synthesis of structurally diverse π-conjugated polycyclic 1-aminoisoquinolines has been developed. DFT calculations demonstrated that deprotonation is the rate-determining step.

Highly enantioselective access to chiral chromanes and thiochromanes via Cu-catalyzed hydroamination with anthranils

Highly efficient and atom-economic asymmetric access to 4-arylamino chromanes and thiochromanes bearing a benzylic alcohol functionality were developed by Cu(i)/(R,R)-Ph-BPE-catalyzed enantioselective hydroamination with anthranils.

Multicomponent design of chromeno[2,3-b]pyridine systems

The review summarizes and systematizes data on the methods for the preparation of chromeno[2,3-b]pyridines. Both multicomponent and pseudo-multicomponent synthetic approaches and one-pot transformations based on the reactions of carbonyl compounds, malononitrile or its derivatives, and CH-acids are considered. Examples of the use of various catalysts, microwave and ultrasonic radiation, as well as electric current for the implementation of multicomponent transformations of this type are given. Characteristic features of the course and mechanisms of reactions are discussed. Data on the biological activity of the obtained compounds and on other fields of application of such heterocyclic systems are presented.

The bibliography includes 109 references.

Copper-Catalyzed Electrophilic Amination of Arylboronic Acids with Anthranils: An Access to N-Aryl-2-aminophenones

An efficient copper-catalyzed electrophilic amination strategy has been established for the rapid synthesis of N-aryl-2-aminophenones from readily available arylboronic acids/esters and anthranils. This protocol features good functional group tolerance, broad substrate scope, and operational simplicity. Moreover, a tandem C-H borylation and C-N coupling protocol has also been developed to transform simple arenes to the valuable N-aryl-2-aminophenones in one pot. Additionally, the synthetic potential of this methodology is further demonstrated by the synthesis of various useful N-heterocycles and derivatives.

Application of the Povarov Reaction in Biaryls under Iron Catalysis for the General Synthesis of Dibenzo[a,c]Acridines

A modified Povarov reaction involving 2'-alkynylbiaryl-2-carbaldehydes and aryl amines with tandem oxidation was performed using catalytic FeCl₃. The outcome was an efficient general synthesis of dibenzo[a,c]acridines with moderate to high yields. This method offers simplicity in the preparation of substrates, diverse substrate scope, and high atom economy. The generality of the protocol was verified by synthesizing a tribenzo[a,c,h]acridine derivative. Photophysical properties of the synthesized compounds were also studied. The compounds absorb UV light typically in the range 230-330 nm and emit in the visible range of 400-420 nm.

Copper-Catalyzed N,N-Diarylation of Amides for the Construction of 9,10-Dihydroacridine Structure and Applications in the Synthesis of Diverse Nitrogen-Embedded Polyacenes

We reported herein CuI/DMEDA catalyzed N,N-diarylation reaction of amides with various di(o-bromoaryl)methanes to produce diverse 9,10-dihydroacridine derivatives. The resulting 9,10-dihydroacridine derivatives were oxidized selectively under mild conditions to afford acridine, acridinone, and acridinium derivatives. The copper-catalyzed N,N-diarylation reaction coupled with oxidative aromatization reaction enabled the facile construction of nitrogen atom-embedded tetracenes and pentacenes of different ortho-fused patterns. The luminescence properties, especially the effect of fusion pattern on fluorescence emission of acquired N-polycenes, were also demonstrated.

tert-Butyl Bromide-Promoted Intramolecular Cyclization of 2-Arylamino Phenyl Ketones and Its Combination with Cu-Catalyzed C-N Coupling: Synthesis of Acridines at Room Temperature

Herein, a facile intramolecular cyclization of 2-arylamino phenyl ketones is established to supersede the traditional high-temperature, strongly acidic conditions and achieve 9-substituted acridines, by virtue of the combination of 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol and tert-butyl bromide. This protocol can be merged well with the preceding Cu-catalyzed intermolecular Chan-Evans-Lam cross-coupling reactions, therefore enabling pot-economic modular synthesis of 9-substituted acridines from readily available 2-amino phenyl ketones and aryl boronic acids at room temperature.

Gold-Catalyzed Oxidative Cascade Cyclization of 1,3-Diynamides: Polycyclic N-Heterocycle Synthesis via Construction of a Furopyridinyl Core

A facile and practical approach to construct a furopyridinyl motif through a gold-catalyzed cascade cyclization of easily accessible diynamides is described. This strategy offers a straightforward approach to furo[2,3-c]isoquinoline and 6H-furo[3',2':5,6]pyrido[3,4-b]indole derivatives. The reaction could build up four new bonds and two additional heteroaromatic rings via a single operation. The heterocyclic products show promising blue luminous performance with fluorescence quantum yields up to 75%.

Rh-Catalyzed C-H Amination/Annulation of Acrylic Acids and Anthranils by Using -COOH as a Deciduous Directing Group: An Access to Diverse Quinolines

A method for the synthesis of diverse polysubstituted quinolines from readily available acrylic acids and anthranils has been developed. The weakly coordinating -COOH directing group, which can be tracelessly removed in the cascade cyclization, is essential for this reaction. Diverse polysubstituted quinolines were obtained under mild reaction conditions with simple H₂O and CO₂ as byproducts. More importantly, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroacridine, which is the core skeleton of tacrine (an Alzheimer's disease drug), was conveniently synthesized.