α-Heteroarylation of Esters, Lactones, Amides, and Lactams by Nucleophilic Aromatic Substitution

Ionic Reactivity of 2-Isocyanoaryl Thioethers: Access to 2-Halo and 2-Aminobenzothia/Selenazoles

An ionic cascade insertion/cyclization reaction of thia-/selena-functionalized arylisocyanides has been successfully developed for the efficient and practical synthesis of 2-halobenzothiazole/benzoselenazole derivatives. This synthetic protocol, incorporating a halogen atom when forming the five-membered ring of benzothia/selenazoles, is different from the existing ones, where halogenation of the preformed benzothia/selenazole precursors happens. Additionally, a facile access to 2-aminobenzothiazoles is also achieved by the one-pot cascade reaction of 2-isocyanoaryl thioethers, iodine, and amines.

The Construction of C-N, C-O, and C(sp2)-C(sp3) Bonds from Fluorine-Substituted 2-Aryl Benzazoles for Direct Synthesis of N-, O-, C-Functionalized 2-Aryl Benzazole Derivatives

Herein, a general and practical route to 2-(2-aminophenyl)- and 2-(2-alkoxyphenyl)-substituted benzazoles by nucleophilic aromatic substitution (S_NAr) is described. Upon treatment with Cs₂CO₃, the formation of C-N, C-O bonds occur between fluorine-substituted 2-aryl benzazoles and a diverse range of nitrogen, oxygen nucleophiles to provide the targets in good to excellent yields. Commercially available nucleophiles and high atom economy are notable features of the protocol. Meanwhile, the construction of C(sp²)-C(sp³) bond was also furnished in the presence of palladium catalyst.

A revisit to the Gattermann reaction: interesting synthesis of nitrogen heterocyclic aromatic halides and their fluorescence properties

The Gattermann reaction and an electrophilic substitution reaction, which were conducted in a one-pot reaction, are reported, and four aromatic dihalides of similar structure were obtained. 2-Chloro-5-(3-chloro-4-methoxy-phenyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazole was applied as a highly efficient fluorescence sensor for the detection of TNP.

Total synthesis of oxidized welwitindolinones and (-)-N-methylwelwitindolinone C isonitrile

We report the total synthesis of (-)-N-methylwelwitindolinone C isonitrile, in addition to the total syntheses of the 3-hydroxylated welwitindolinones. Our routes to these elusive natural products feature the strategic use of a deuterium kinetic isotope effect to improve the efficiency of a late-stage nitrene insertion reaction. We also provide a computational prediction for the stereochemical configuration at C3 of the hydroxylated welwitindolinones, which was confirmed by experimental studies.