Multicomponent Synthesis of 6H-Dibenzo[b,d]pyran-6-ones and a Total Synthesis of Cannabinol

The Versatile and Strategic O-Carbamate Directed Metalation Group in the Synthesis of Aromatic Molecules: An Update

The aryl O-carbamate (ArOAm) group is among the strongest of the directed metalation groups (DMGs) in directed ortho metalation (DoM) chemistry, especially in the form Ar-OCONEt2. Since the last comprehensive review of metalation chemistry involving ArOAms (published more than 30 years ago), the field has expanded significantly. For example, it now encompasses new substrates, solvent systems, and metalating agents, while conditions have been developed enabling metalation of ArOAm to be conducted in a green and sustainable manner. The ArOAm group has also proven to be effective in the anionic ortho-Fries (AoF) rearrangement, Directed remote metalation (DreM), iterative DoM sequences, and DoM-halogen dance (HalD) synthetic strategies and has been transformed into a diverse range of functionalities and coupled with various groups through a range of cross-coupling (CC) strategies. Of ultimate value, the ArOAm group has demonstrated utility in the synthesis of a diverse range of bioactive and polycyclic aromatic compounds for various applications.

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.

Recent Advances in Biologically Active Coumarins from Marine Sources: Synthesis and Evaluation

Coumarin and its derivatives have significantly attracted the attention of medicinal chemists and chemical biologists due to their huge range of biological, and in particular, pharmacological properties. Interesting families of coumarins have been found from marine sources, which has accelerated the drug discovery process by inspiring innovation or even by the identification of analogues with remarkable biological properties. The purpose of this review is to showcase the most interesting marine-derived coumarins from a medicinal chemistry point of view, as well as the novel and useful synthetic routes described to date to achieve these chemical structures. The references that compose this overview were collected from PubMed, Mendeley and SciFinder.

New Dibenzo-α-pyrone Derivatives with α-Glucosidase Inhibitory Activities from the Marine-Derived Fungus Alternaria alternata

Three new dibenzo-α-pyrone derivatives, alternolides A-C (1-3), and seven known congeners (4-10) were isolated from the marine-derived fungus of Alternaria alternata LW37 assisted by the one strain-many compounds (OSMAC) strategy. The structures of 1-3 were established by extensive spectroscopic analyses, and their absolute configurations were determined by modified Snatzke's method and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. Compounds 6 and 7 showed good 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) antioxidant scavenging activities with IC₅₀ values of 83.94 ± 4.14 and 23.60 ± 1.23 µM, respectively. Additionally, 2, 3 and 7 exhibited inhibitory effects against α-glucosidase with IC₅₀ values of 725.85 ± 4.75, 451.25 ± 6.95 and 6.27 ± 0.68 µM, respectively. The enzyme kinetics study indicated 2 and 3 were mixed-type inhibitors of α-glucosidase with K_i values of 347.0 and 108.5 µM, respectively. Furthermore, the interactions of 2, 3 and 7 with α-glucosidase were investigated by molecular docking.

Cannabinol: History, Syntheses, and Biological Profile of the Greatest "Minor" Cannabinoid

Cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.) is an outstanding source of bioactive natural products, with more than 150 different phytocannabinoids isolated throughout the decades; however, studies of their bioactivity have historically concentrated on the so-called "big four" [∆⁹-THC (1a), CBD (2a), CBG (3a) and CBC (4a)]. Among the remaining products, which have traditionally been referred to as "minor cannabinoids", cannabinol (CBN, 5a) stands out for its important repercussions and implications on the global scientific landscape. Throughout this review, we will describe why CBN (5a) deserves a prominent place within the so-called "cannabinome", providing an overview on its history, the syntheses developed, and its bioactivity, highlighting its promising pharmacological potential and the significant impact that the study of its chemistry had on the development of new synthetic methodologies.

Benzannulation Reactions: A Case for Perspective Change From Arene Decoration to Arene Construction

Benzannulation reactions involve construction of a benzene ring from acyclic precursors. This class of reactions offer a versatile and often superior alternative to aromatic substitution for construction of substituted arenes. Selected pioneering and recent reports of various benzannulation reactions are categorised and discussed in this review.

Cascade Lactonization/Benzannulation of Propargylamines with Dimethyl 3-Oxoglutarate for Modular Assembly of Hydroxylated/Arene-Functionalized Benzo[c]chromen-6-ones

A DBU-mediated cascade strategy of propargylamines with dimethyl 3-oxoglutarate for constructing a functionalized benzo[c]chromen-6-one core has been achieved. This cascade process presumably involves a sequence of 1,4-conjugate addition, followed by lactonization, alkyne-allene isomerization, enol-keto tautomerization, 6π-electrocyclization, and aromatization. This protocol features mild reaction conditions, simple operation, rich structural diversity, and good functional group tolerance. A photophysical survey reveals that the benzo[c]chromen-6-one products exhibit fluorescence properties and show potential for exploring fluorescent material applications.

Construction of Sulfonyl Dihydrobenzo[c]xanthen-7-ones Core via NH4OAc/PdCl2/CuCl2-Mediated Double Cyclocondensation of α-Sulfonyl o-Hydroxyacetophenones with 2-Allylbenzaldehydes

NH₄OAc/PdCl₂/CuCl₂ mediated domino double cyclocondensation of α-sulfonyl o-hydroxyacetophenones and 2-allylbenzaldehydes provides tetracyclic sulfonyl dihydrobenzo[c]xanthen-7-one core with good to excellent yields in MeOH. The intermediates contain a 3-sulfonyl flavanone motif. Only water is generated as a byproduct. The use of various catalysts and reaction conditions is studied for the facile-operational conversion.

Bran-New Four-Molecule and Five-Molecule Cascade Reactions for One-Pot Synthesis of Pyrano[3,2-c]chromen-5-ones and Spiro[benzo[b][1,4]diazepine-2,2'-pyrano[3,2-c]chromen]-5'-ones under Catalyst- and Solvent-Free Conditions

Herein, two versatile bran-new methods have been developed for building three new kinds of complicated-framework compounds including 2,4,4-trimethyl-2-(phenylamino)-3,4-dihydro-2H,5H-pyrano[3,2-c]chromen-5-ones, 4,4,4',4'-tetramethyl-1,3,3',4,4',5-hexahydro-5'H-spiro-[benzo[b][1,4]diazepine-2,2'-pyrano[3,2-c]-chromen]-5'-ones, and 2,2,4',4'-tetramethyl-2,3,3',4'-tetrahydro-5H,5'H-spiro[benzo[b][1,4]-oxazepine-4,2'-pyrano[3,2-c]chromen]-5'-ones in a one-pot manner via four-molecule and five-molecule cascade reactions of commercially available 4-hydroxychromen-2-one, substituted anilines, and acetone. In consideration of these impressive features including no need of additional catalysts and solvents, moderate to good yields, excellent site-selectivity, and broad substrate/functional group tolerance, we believe that the two present protocols should have the potential for broad synthetic utility.

Construction of Sulfonyl Oxabenzo[3.3.1]bicyclic Core via Cyclocondensation of β-Ketosulfones and o-Formyl Allylbenzenes

NH₄OAc mediated domino Knoevenagel/Diels-Alder cyclocondensation of β-ketosulfones 1 and o-formyl allylbenzenes 2 provides sulfonyl oxabenzo[3.3.1]bicyclic core 4 in a cosolvent of toluene and HOAc (v/v = 1/1) at reflux for 3 h. The intermediate 3 contains a chalcone motif. The uses of various ammonium salts and solvent systems are investigated for facile and efficient transformation. The plausible mechanisms have been proposed and the DFT calculations have been included.

One-pot formation of 2,4-di- or 2,4,6-tri-olefinic monocarboxylic acids by straight chain C4-extension

We report a one-pot formation of 2,4-diolefinic or 2,4,6-triolefinic monocarboxylic acids, R-(CH 000000000000 000000000000 000000000000 111111111111 000000000000 111111111111 000000000000 000000000000 000000000000 CH)_2or3-COOH, by decarboxylative condensation of an optionally α,β-unsaturated aldehyde with glutaconic acid, HOOC-CH₂-CHCH-COOH as straight chain C4-extender. The reaction is broadly applicable to saturated and unsaturated aldehydes and opens up a simple gateway to valuable organic products and reactive intermediates.

A metal-free one-pot synthesis of benzo[c]chromen-6-ones from 3,4-dichlorocoumarins and butadienes using tandem photo-thermal-photo reactions

An efficient, simple and versatile synthesis of biologically valuable benzo[c]chromen-6-ones is achieved using a tandem photo-thermal-photo reaction sequence starting from 3,4-dichlorocoumarins and a 1,3-butadiene. In this concise one-pot protocol, neither metal catalyst nor peroxide promoter is needed and the products can be purified through simple recrystallization in most cases. The synthesis consists of a reaction sequence of photo-induced [4 + 2] and [2 + 2] cycloadditions, silica gel promoted elimination of HCl and electrocyclic cyclobutene ring opening followed by a photo-induced 6π electrocyclization. The reactions proceed well with a range of dichlorocoumarins and some typical butadienes to provide the corresponding annulated products in 70-80% yield.

[N,P]-pyrrole PdCl2complexes catalyzed the formation of dibenzo-α-pyrone and lactam analogues

Catalytic applications on direct intramolecular arylation was developed using a new family of palladium complexes that includes [N,P] ligands based on the pyrrole ring with α-phosphine and phosphole units.

Photophysics of Derivatives of 3-Hydroxybenzo[c]coumarin

The photophysical studies of two phenols, derivatives of 3-hydroxybenzo[c]coumarin, were performed in n-nonane matrix at 5 K. Unstructured fluorescence spectrum of the derivative bearing a salicylaldehyde moiety, whose onset is shifted by ca. 3000 cm(-1) to lower energy in respect to that of absorption, and short decay time of this emission (0.75 ns) suggested the occurrence of excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT). The experimental results were interpreted with the aid of quantum chemistry calculations performed with the DFT and TDDFT/B3LYP/6-31++G(d,p) methods.

Regiospecific inverse electron demand Diels–Alder reactions of 7-methylcoumarin-4-azadienes

Condensation of 7-methylcoumarin-4-carbaldehyde with different anilines affords 7-methylcoumarin-4-azadienes which on Diels–Alder reaction with dihydropyran gives coumarinyl substituted pyranoquinolines.

Graphene oxide nanosheets as metal-free catalysts in the three-component reactions based on aryl glyoxals to generate novel pyranocoumarins

Graphene oxide (GO) was employed as an efficient and powerful catalyst in one-pot, three-component synthesis of new pyranocoumarins.

Vertically π-expanded coumarin – synthesis via the Scholl reaction and photophysical properties

A short and efficient access to a unique type of π-expanded coumarin is achieved.

Novel synthesis of substituted furo[3,2-c]chromen-4-ones via four-component reaction from substituted nitrostyrenes, aromatic aldehydes, coumarins, and ammonium acetate

An efficient and direct synthesis of 2-arylideneamino-3-aryl-4H-furo[3,2-c]chromen-4-ones has been developed via four-component reaction from substituted nitrostyrenes, aromatic aldehydes, coumarins, and ammonium acetate under very mild conditions, which involves sequentially a Michael addition, an aza-nucleophilic addition, of the imine to the double bond, an intermolecular nucleophilic addition and a dehydration reaction. The resulting biologically intriguing structures could have broad applications in related biomedical-program structures.

Pd-catalyzed C-H lactonization for expedient synthesis of biaryl lactones and total synthesis of cannabinol

A practical Pd(II)/Pd(IV)-catalyzed carboxyl-directed C-H activation/C-O cyclization to construct biaryl lactones has been developed. The synthetic utility of this new reaction was demonstrated in an atom-economical and operationally convenient total synthesis of the natural product cannabinol from commercially available starting materials, with the newly developed method used for two key steps.

Multi-Bond Forming Processes in Efficient Synthesis

An increasing number of synthetic organic chemists are embracing the philosophy of efficiency. Herein we highlight multi-bond forming processes, which form two or more new covalent bonds in a single synthetic operation. Such processes, which have the ability to rapidly increase structural complexity, are preeminent in contemporary synthetic organic chemistry. In this short review we classify, analyse, and contrast contemporary multi-bond forming processes, frame these cutting edge contributions within a historical context, and speculate on likely future developments in the area.

Synthesis of polysubstituted 2-piperidinones via a Michael addition/nitro-Mannich/lactamization cascade

An efficient and practical method has been developed for the diversity-oriented synthesis of polysubstituted 2-piperidinones via four-component reaction between substituted nitrostyrenes, aromatic aldehydes, ammonium acetate, and dialkyl malonates for the generation of a wide range of structurally interesting and pharmacologically significant compounds. It is worth mentioning that in the course of this reaction, the formation of products was highly stereoselective. Two differently stereochemical classes of polysubstituted 2-piperidinones depended on the substitutent position of aromatic aldehyde.