Synthesis of substituted pyrazoles via tandem cross-coupling/electrocyclization of enol triflates and diazoacetates

Synthetic Approaches, Biological Activities, and Structure-Activity Relationship of Pyrazolines and Related Derivatives

It has been established that pyrazolines and their analogs are pharmacologically active scaffolds. The pyrazoline moiety is present in several marketed molecules with a wide range of uses, which has established its importance in pharmaceutical and agricultural sectors, as well as in industry. Due to its broad-spectrum utility, scientists are continuously captivated by pyrazolines and their derivatives to study their chemistry. Pyrazolines or their analogs can be prepared by several synthesis strategies, and the focus will always be on new greener and more economical ways for their synthesis. Among these methods, chalcones, hydrazines, diazo compounds, and hydrazones are most commonly applied under different reaction conditions for the synthesis of pyrazoline and its analogs. However, there is scope for other molecules such as Huisgen zwitterions, different metal catalysts, and nitrile imine to be used as starting reagents. The present article consists of recently reported synthetic protocols, pharmacological activities, and the structure-activity relationship of pyrazoline and its derivatives, which will be very useful to researchers.

Swapping Copper-Catalytic Process: Selective Access to Pyrazoles and Conjugated Ketimines from Oxime Acetates and Cyclic Sulfamidate Imines

A powerful CuCl-catalyzed sequential one-pot reaction of aryl methyl ketoxime acetates with cyclic N-sulfonyl imines followed by elimination in the presence of base is reported. This hydrazine-free method conveniently makes C-C and N-N bonds via a radical cleavage of the N-O bond, delivering a special class of C3-hydroxyarylated pyrazoles in good yields. Surprisingly, while employing CuI as a catalyst instead of CuCl, the reaction proceeds through a non-radical pathway which embodies a new tactic for the high-yielding access to value-added conjugated N-unsubstituted ketimines. Moreover, additive-free approach to sulfamidate-fused-pyrazoles was achieved by successfully catalyzing addition and oxidative N-N bond-making reactions by CuI and CuCl, respectively. Significantly, our novel technique could convert the prepared ketimines into the pharmacologically recognized 6H-benzo[c]chromene frameworks.

Ring Opening of Pyrrolinium Ions Enabled Regioselective Synthesis of 4-Alkyl N-Arylpyrazoles

An unprecedented method for the regioselective synthesis of 1,3-diaryl 4-alkyl pyrazoles has been reported. A wide variety of 1,3-diaryl 4-alkyl pyrazoles were synthesized as a single regioisomer via a ring-opening cyclization reaction of unsaturated pyrrolinium ions in the presence of arylhydrazines. This method avoids using additional alkylation steps and hazardous oxidants that generally are essential for the synthesis of 4-alkyl N-arylpyrazoles.

A cascade reaction for regioselective construction of pyrazole-containing aliphatic sulfonyl fluorides

A copper-catalyzed cascade reaction of α-diazocarbonyl compounds with ethenesulfonyl fluoride (ESF) is developed, affording a variety of highly functionalized pyrazolyl aliphatic sulfonyl fluorides in good to excellent yields (66-98%). This transformation features broad substrates, exclusive regioselectivity, high atom economy and operational simplicity, thus providing a straightforward method for the direct construction of pyrazole-containing aliphatic sulfonyl fluorides, which will provide great applicable value in medicinal chemistry and other related disciplines.

Recent advances in pyrazole synthesis employing diazo compounds and synthetic analogues

This review summarizes the recent developments in the construction of pyrazoles using diazo compounds, nitrile imines and their synthetic equivalents.

Tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane-Catalyzed Carbenium Ion Generation and Autocatalytic Pyrazole Synthesis-A Computational and Experimental Study

In recent years, metal-free organic synthesis using triarylboranes as catalysts has become a prevalent research area. Herein we report a comprehensive computational and experimental study for the highly selective synthesis of N-substituted pyrazoles through the generation of carbenium species from the reaction between aryl esters and vinyl diazoacetates in the presence of catalytic tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane [B(C6 F5 )3 ]. DFT studies were undertaken to illuminate the reaction mechanism revealing that the in situ generation of a carbenium species acts as an autocatalyst to prompt the regiospecific formation of N-substituted pyrazoles in good to excellent yields (up to 81 %).

Substituted Pyrazoles and Their Heteroannulated Analogs-Recent Syntheses and Biological Activities

Pyrazoles are considered privileged scaffolds in medicinal chemistry. Previous reviews have discussed the importance of pyrazoles and their biological activities; however, few have dealt with the chemistry and the biology of heteroannulated derivatives. Therefore, we focused our attention on recent topics, up until 2020, for the synthesis of pyrazoles, their heteroannulated derivatives, and their applications as biologically active moieties. Moreover, we focused on traditional procedures used in the synthesis of pyrazoles.

Diazocarbonyl and Related Compounds in the Synthesis of Azoles

Diazocarbonyl compounds have found numerous applications in many areas of chemistry. Among the most developed fields of diazo chemistry is the preparation of azoles from diazo compounds. This approach represents a useful alternative to more conventional methods of the synthesis of azoles. A comprehensive review on the preparation of various azoles (oxazoles, thiazoles, imidazoles, pyrazoles, triazoles, and tetrazoles) from diazocarbonyl and related compounds is presented for the first time along with discussion of advantages and disadvantages of «diazo» approaches to azoles.

Thermal Stability and Explosive Hazard Assessment of Diazo Compounds and Diazo Transfer Reagents

Despite their wide use in academia as metal-carbene precursors, diazo compounds are often avoided in industry owing to concerns over their instability, exothermic decomposition, and potential explosive behavior. The stability of sulfonyl azides and other diazo transfer reagents is relatively well understood, but there is little reliable data available for diazo compounds. This work first collates available sensitivity and thermal analysis data for diazo transfer reagents and diazo compounds to act as an accessible reference resource. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and accelerating rate calorimetry (ARC) data for the model donor/acceptor diazo compound ethyl (phenyl)diazoacetate are presented. We also present a rigorous DSC dataset with 43 other diazo compounds, enabling direct comparison to other energetic materials to provide a clear reference work to the academic and industrial chemistry communities. Interestingly, there is a wide range of onset temperatures (T onset) for this series of compounds, which varied between 75 and 160 °C. The thermal stability variation depends on the electronic effect of substituents and the amount of charge delocalization. A statistical model is demonstrated to predict the thermal stability of differently substituted phenyl diazoacetates. A maximum recommended process temperature (T D24) to avoid decomposition is estimated for selected diazo compounds. The average enthalpy of decomposition (ΔH D) for diazo compounds without other energetic functional groups is -102 kJ mol-1. Several diazo transfer reagents are analyzed using the same DSC protocol and found to have higher thermal stability, which is in general agreement with the reported values. For sulfonyl azide reagents, an average ΔH D of -201 kJ mol-1 is observed. High-quality thermal data from ARC experiments shows the initiation of decomposition for ethyl (phenyl)diazoacetate to be 60 °C, compared to that of 100 °C for the common diazo transfer reagent p-acetamidobenzenesulfonyl azide (p-ABSA). The Yoshida correlation is applied to DSC data for each diazo compound to provide an indication of both their impact sensitivity (IS) and explosivity. As a neat substance, none of the diazo compounds tested are predicted to be explosive, but many (particularly donor/acceptor diazo compounds) are predicted to be impact-sensitive. It is therefore recommended that manipulation, agitation, and other processing of neat diazo compounds are conducted with due care to avoid impacts, particularly in large quantities. The full dataset is presented to inform chemists of the nature and magnitude of hazards when using diazo compounds and diazo transfer reagents. Given the demonstrated potential for rapid heat generation and gas evolution, adequate temperature control and cautious addition of reagents that begin a reaction are strongly recommended when conducting reactions with diazo compounds.

Retracted Article: Molybdenum-silver co-catalyzed cycloaddition of alkynes with N-isocyanoiminotriphenylphosphorane (NIITP): an efficient strategy for the synthesis of monosubstituted pyrazoles

A highly efficient synthesis of monosubstituted pyrazoles from alkynes and N-isocyanoiminotriphenylphosphorane (NITTP) is developed via molybdenum-silver co-catalyzed [3+2] cycloaddition.

Synthesis of 2,2,2,-Trichloroethyl Aryl- and Vinyldiazoacetates by Palladium-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling

An efficient and convenient synthesis of 2,2,2-trichloroethyl (TCE) aryl- and vinyldiazoacetates was achieved by palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions between TCE diazoacetates and aryl or vinyl iodides. The broad substrate scope allows for rapid and facile formation of TCE aryl- and vinyldiazoacetates, which recently have emerged as versatile reagents for rhodium-carbene chemistry.

Palladium-Catalyzed Synthesis of Alkynes via a Tandem Decarboxylation/Elimination of (E)-Enol Triflates

A mild catalytic synthesis of alkynes via a tandem Pd-catalyzed decarboxylation/elimination of enol triflates is described. Key attributes of the method include readily available starting materials, broad functional group tolerance, and the ability to access terminal, internal, and halogenated alkynes. The preliminary scope of the reaction is demonstrated on 25 different examples with yields ranging from 63% to 96%.

Dinitrogen extrusion from enoldiazo compounds under thermal conditions: synthesis of donor-acceptor cyclopropenes

Donor-acceptor cyclopropenes are formed quantitatively or in high yield from enoldiazoacetates and enoldiazoacetamides under moderate thermal conditions. They are more versatile than their corresponding enoldiazocarbonyl compounds as carbene precursors.

Synthesis of Pyrano[3,2-c]pyrazol-7(1H)-one Derivatives by Tandem Cyclization of 2-Diazo-3,5-dioxo-6-ynoates (Ynones)

The construct of the core of pyrano[3,2-c]pyrazol-7(1H)-one derivatives is realized. The key step includes a tandem cyclization, namely, a metal-free cascade 6-π electrocyclic ring closure-Michael reaction of 2-diazo-3,5-dioxo-6-ynoates (ynones). The cascade reaction cleanly generated the desired products in excellent yields under mild conditions.

[3 + 2] cycloaddition and subsequent oxidative dehydrogenation between alkenes and diazo compounds: a simple and direct approach to pyrazoles using TBAI/TBHP

Herein, an efficient [3 + 2] cycloaddition and oxidative dehydrogenation reaction of diazo compounds and alkenes was well developed using TBAI/TBHP, leading to pyrazoles with moderate to high yields.

Solvent-dependent copper-catalyzed synthesis of pyrazoles under aerobic conditions

We have developed a copper-catalyzed oxidative cyclization of hydrazones under aerobic conditions, enabling solvent-dependent selective synthesis of different pyrazoles.

N-vinylation and N-allylation of 3,5-disubstituted pyrazoles by N–H insertion of vinylcarbenoids

A vinylcarbenoid approach toward N-functionalization of NH-pyrazoles is presented. The rhodium(II)-catalyzed reaction of methyl styryl-diazoacetate (1) or dimethyl 2-diazoglutaconate (3) with 3,5-disubstituted pyrazoles gave products of carbenoid N–H insertion in high combined yields, although regioselectivity issues posed by the pyrazole or the vinylcarbenoid moiety as well as positional and configurational isomerism concerning the C,C double bond of the latter led to product mixtures. The ambident reactivity of the vinylcarbenoid derived from 1 could be steered by the catalyst: while Rh2(OAc)4 yielded products of direct carbenoid insertion preferentially, silver(I) catalysis strongly favored reaction at the vinylogous site of the carbenoid resulting in an N-allylation of the pyrazoles.

Palladium-catalyzed C-H functionalization of acyldiazomethane and tandem cross-coupling reactions

Palladium-catalyzed C-H functionalization of acyldiazomethanes with aryl iodides has been developed. This reaction is featured by the retention of the diazo functionality in the transformation, thus constituting a novel method for the introduction of diazo functionality to organic molecules. Consistent with the experimental results, the density functional theory (DFT) calculation indicates that the formation of Pd-carbene species in the catalytic cycle through dinitrogen extrusion from the palladium ethyl diazoacetate (Pd-EDA) complex is less favorable. The reaction instead proceeds through Ag2CO3 assisted deprotonation and subsequently reductive elimination to afford the products with diazo functionality remained. This C-H functionalization transformation can be further combined with the recently evolved palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of diazo compounds with aryl iodides to develop a tandem coupling process for the synthesis of α,α-diaryl esters. DFT calculation supports the involvement of Pd-carbene as reactive intermediate in the catalytic cycle, which goes through facile carbene migratory insertion with a low energy barrier (3.8 kcal/mol).

Synthesis of highly functionalized tri- and tetrasubstituted alkenes via Pd-catalyzed 1,2-hydrovinylation of terminal 1,3-dienes

An efficient method for the construction of Csp²–Csp³ bond in a regio- and stereoselective fashion involving 1,3-terminal dienes, enol triflates/nonaflates, and sodium formate under Pd(0)-catalysis is described. The three component assembly allows trapping of a π-allyl intermediate, after the initial migratory insertion of the diene, by a hydride source that leads to structurally complex and synthetically challenging tri- and tetrasubstituted alkene building blocks.

Copper-catalyzed aerobic cascade cycloamination and acyloxylation: a direct approach to 4-acyloxy-1H-pyrazoles

An efficient copper-catalyzed regioselective olefinic C(sp²)–H bond cycloamination and acyloxylation was developed to give acyloxylated pyrazoles under mild conditions, which combines the formation of the pyrazole skeleton and installation of an acyloxyl group in a single step.

Total syntheses of (-)-pyrimidoblamic acid and P-3A

Total syntheses of (-)-pyrimidoblamic acid and P-3A are disclosed. Central to the convergent approach is a powerful inverse electron demand Diels-Alder reaction between substituted electron-deficient 1,2,3-triazines and a highly functionalized and chiral primary amidine, which forms the pyrimidine cores and introduces all necessary stereochemistry in a single step. Intrinsic in the convergent approach is the potential it provides for the late stage divergent synthesis of modified analogs bearing deep-seated changes in either the pyrimidine cores or the highly functionalized C2 side chain common to both natural products. The examination of the key cycloaddition reaction revealed that the inherent 1,2,3-triazine mode of cycloaddition (C4/N1 vs C5/N2) as well as the amidine regioselectivity were unaffected by introduction of two electron-withdrawing groups (-CO2R) at C4 and C6 of the 1,2,3-triazine even if C5 is unsubstituted (Me or H), highlighting the synthetic potential of the powerful pyrimidine synthesis.

Cyclocondensation of arylhydrazines with 1,3-bis(het)arylmonothio-1,3-diketones and 1,3-bis(het)aryl-3-(methylthio)-2-propenones: synthesis of 1-aryl-3,5-bis(het)arylpyrazoles with complementary regioselectivity

Two efficient highly regioselective routes for the synthesis of unsymmetrically substituted 1-aryl-3,5-bis(het)arylpyrazoles with complementary regioselectivity starting from active methylene ketones have been reported. In the first protocol, the newly synthesized 1,3-bis(het)aryl-monothio-1,3-diketone precursors (prepared by condensation of active methylene ketones with het(aryl) dithioesters in the presence of sodium hydride) were reacted with arylhydrazines in refluxing ethanol under neutral conditions, furnishing 1-aryl-3,5-bis(het)arylpyrazoles 7, in which the het(aryl) moiety attached to the thiocarbonyl group of monothio-1,3-diketones is installed at the 3-position. In the second method, the corresponding 3-(methylthio)-1,3-bis(het)aryl-2-propenones (prepared in situ by base-induced alkylation of 1,3-monothiodiketones) were condensed with arylhydrazines in the presence of potassium tert-butoxide in refluxing tert-butyl alcohol, yielding 1-aryl-3,5-bis(het)arylpyrazoles 9 with complementary regioselectivity (method A). The efficiency of this protocol was further improved by developing a one-pot, three-component procedure for the synthesis of pyrazoles 9, directly from active methylene ketones, by reacting in situ generated 3-(methylthio)-1,3-bis(het)aryl-2-propenones with arylhydrazines in the presence of sodium hydride (instead of potassium tert-butoxide as base). The structures and regiochemistry of newly synthesized pyrazoles were confirmed from their spectral and analytical data along with X-ray crystallographic data of three pairs of regioisomers.