Direct Synthesis of Monofunctionalized Indolizine Derivatives Bearing Alkoxymethyl Substituents at C-3 and Their Benzofused Analogues

Calcium-Catalyzed Stereoselective Tandem [4+2] and [3+2] Annulation Reaction for the Synthesis of Dihydropyrrolo[1,2-a]quinolines

Calcium-catalyzed highly facile one-pot, A⁴ annulation of aldehyde, amine, alkene, and alkyne to form fused 4,5-dihydropyrrolo[1,2-a]quinolines with exclusive syn diastereoselectivity is reported. This selectivity arises from an inverse electron demand [4+2] aza-Diels-Alder cycloaddition, and the adduct further undergoes a formal [3+2] cyclization with activated alkynes. This diversity-oriented protocol is highly general and furnishes the dihydropyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoline derivatives with a broad substrate scope in good to excellent yields.

Synthesis of indolizine derivatives containing eight-membered rings via a gold-catalyzed two-fold hydroarylation of diynes

A novel strategy for a gold(i)-catalyzed synthesis of indolizine derivatives containing eight-membered rings has been developed, which may have potential usefulness as blue or green OLEDs.

Hydrohalogenation of Ethynylpyridines Involving Nucleophilic Attack of a Halide Ion

Efficient hydrochlorination of 2-ethynylpyridines was achieved without the use of special reagents. Ethynylpyridine readily reacts with hydrochloric acid to form a pyridinium salt. The salt formation considerably enhances the electrophilicity of the ethynyl group and attracts a chloride ion as the counteranion. The spatial proximity facilitates the nucleophilic addition of the halide anion to the ethynyl group, producing 2-(2-chloroethenyl)pyridine in high yields. This protocol could also be applied for hydrobromination and hydroiodination using hydrobromic and hydroiodic acids, respectively. In the case of acetic acid, the reaction did not proceed because of the low acidity and lack of salt formation. This problem was overcome by exchanging the counteranion using silver acetate; the resultant pyridinium acetate underwent hydroacetoxylation.

Investigation of the Pyridinium Ylide--Alkyne Cycloaddition as a Fluorogenic Coupling Reaction

The cycloaddition of pyridinium ylides with alkynes was investigated under mild conditions. A series of 13 pyridinium salts was prepared by alkylation of 4-substituted pyridines. Their reactivity with propiolic ester or amide in various reaction conditions (different temperatures, solvents, added bases) was studied, and 11 indolizines, with three points of structural variation, were, thus, isolated and characterized. The highest yields were obtained when electron-withdrawing groups were present on both the pyridinium ylide, generated in situ from the corresponding pyridinium salt, and the alkyne (X, Z = ester, amide, CN, carbonyl, etc.). Electron-withdrawing substituents, lowering the acid dissociation constant (pKa) of the pyridinium salts, allow the cycloaddition to proceed at pH 7.5 in aqueous buffers at room temperature.

Palladium-catalyzed highly efficient synthesis of functionalized indolizines via cross-coupling/cycloisomerization cascade

Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling/cycloisomerization of 3-(2-pyridyl) propargyl carbonates with organoboronic acids provides a straightforward route for the synthesis of 1,3-disubstituted indolizines.

Indolizine synthesis via Cu-catalyzed cyclization of 2-(2-enynyl)pyridines with nucleophiles

Cu-catalyzed cyclization of 2-(2-enynyl)pyridines with various nucleophiles was developed, providing efficient access to indolizine derivatives.

C3 functionalization of indolizines via In(iii)-catalyzed three-component reaction

Post-functionalization at the C3 position of indolizines via In(iii)-catalyzed three-component coupling reaction with amines and aldehydes allowed rapid access to a new class of indolizines with diverse functional groups at the C3 position in good to excellent yields.

A direct method for the synthesis of indolizine derivatives from easily available aromatic ketones, pyridines, and acrylonitrile derivatives

A concise and efficient strategy has been proposed to synthesize indolizine derivatives from easily available aryl or heteroaryl methyl ketones, pyridines, and acrylonitriles. The mechanistic pathway involved the integration of iodination, pyridinium ylide synthesis, and 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition. The protocols were found to be highly efficient in terms of high yields, operational simplicity, mild reaction conditions, and easy workup. This method has provided an important supplement for the synthesis of indolizine derivatives via a novel tandem synthesis.

Ring closing and opening reactions leading to aza-polycyclic aromatic compounds

A series of functionalized aza-polycyclic aromatic compounds were prepared by a superacid-promoted ring closing and opening reaction cascade. A reaction mechanism is proposed, which involves reactive dicationic intermediates. A key step in the conversions involves ipso protonation of an aryl group and elimination of an alkyl phenyl group.

Regioselective synthesis of 3-acylindolizines and benzo- analogues via 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions of N-ylides with maleic anhydride

3-Acylindolizines (5a-5f) and their benzo- analogues 1-acylpyrrolo[1,2-a]quinolines (6a-6f) and 1-acylpyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines (7a-7i) are regioselectively synthesized by a convenient one pot reaction of the corresponding pyridinium (quinolinium, isoquinolinium) ylide with maleic anhydride (MA) in the presence of the mild oxidant tetrakispyridinecobalt(ii) dichromate (TPCD). These reactions proceed via a tandem reaction sequence of 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylide with MA, anhydride hydrolysis and oxidative bisdecarboxylation of the primary cycloadducts followed by dehydrogenative aromatization of the dihydroindolizines. TPCD serves as both decarboxylation and dehydrogenation reagent in the reactions. These results show that TPCD is a promising new reagent for bisdecarboxylation of aliphatic carboxylates.

Multisubstituted N-fused heterocycles via transition metal-catalyzed cycloisomerization protocols

Two complementary protocols for assembly of multisubstituted N-fused heterocycles have been developed. It was demonstrated that 1,3-disubstituted N-fused heterocycles, including indolizines, pyrroloquinoxalines, and pyrrolothiazoles can easily be synthesized via an exceptionally mild and efficient method involving a novel silver-catalyzed cycloizomerization of propargyl-containing heterocycles. Alternatively, 1,2-disubstituted heterocycles can be accessed through the novel cascade transformation involving an alkyne-vinylidene isomerization with concomitant 1,2-shift of hydrogen, silyl, stannyl, or germyl groups. This mild and simple method allows for selective and highly efficient synthesis of indolizines, pyrroloisoquinolines, pyrroloquinoxalines, pyrrolopyrazines, and pyrrolothiazoles.

Pt-catalyzed cyclization/migration of propargylic alcohols for the synthesis of 3(2H)-furanones, pyrrolones, indolizines, and indolizinones

Several heterocycles such as furanones, pyrrolones, and indolizines, which are of pharmacological importance, are easily accessed via the Pt(II)-catalyzed heterocyclization/1,2-migration of propargylic ketols or hydroxy imine derivatives. This method sidesteps the challenges of traditional heteroaromatic oxygenation strategies such as regioselectivity and functional group tolerance in the syntheses of these heterocycles.

Highly Efficient Synthesis of Functionalized Indolizines and Indolizinones by Copper-Catalyzed Cycloisomerizations of Propargylic Pyridines

The copper-catalyzed cycloisomerizations of 2-pyridyl-substituted propargylic acetates and its derivatives are described, which offer an efficient route to C-1 oxygenated indolizines with a wide range of substituents under mild reaction conditions. The presented method could be readily applied to the synthesis of indolizinones through a cyclization/1,2-migration of tertiary propargylic alcohols.

Base- and ligand-free room-temperature synthesis of N-fused heteroaromatic compounds via the transition metal-catalyzed cycloisomerization protocol

A new practical method for the synthesis of N-fused heterocycles via the transition metal-catalyzed cycloisomerization of heterocyles possessing a propagyl group has been developed. This very mild, base- and ligand-free method allows for the synthesis of diverse fused heterocyclic cores in good to excellent yields.

Pt-catalyzed cyclization/1,2-migration for the synthesis of indolizines, pyrrolones, and indolizinones

Indolizine, pyrrolone, and indolizinone heterocycles are easily accessed via the Pt(II)-catalyzed cycloisomerization or a tandem cyclization/1,2-migration of pyridine propargylic alcohols and derivatives. This method provides an efficient synthesis of highly functionalized heterocycles from readily available substrates. [reaction: see text]

General and Direct Synthesis of 3-Aminoindolizines and Their Analogues via Pd/Cu-Catalyzed Sequential Cross-Coupling/Cycloisomerization Reactions

[reaction: see text] An efficient and one-step synthesis of 3-aminoindolizines or benz[e]indolizines from the reactions of propargyl amines or amides with heteroaryl bromides was developed. This methodology is realized by a tandem reaction using Pd/Cu catalysts, which could catalyze coupling and cycloisomerization reactions in the same vessel.