Straightforward assembly of phenylimidazoquinoxalines via a one-pot two-step MCR process

Brønsted Acid-Catalyzed Synthesis of 1,2,5-Trisubstituted Imidazoles via a Multicomponent Reaction of Vinyl Azides with Aromatic Aldehydes and Aromatic Amines

A facile and efficient approach to the synthesis of 1,2,5-trisubstituted imidazoles is developed via a multicomponent reaction under metal-free catalysis. Under Brønsted acid catalysis, the desired products can be obtained from readily available vinyl azides, aromatic aldehydes, and aromatic amines without generating any toxic waste. The convenient operations and high functional group compatibility indicate that this approach offers an attractive alternative method for the synthesis of imidazole derivatives.

Tandem 6π-Azatriene Electrocyclization of Fused Amino-cyclopentenones: Synthesis of Functionalized Pyrrolo- and Indolo-quinoxalines

A tandem 6π-azacyclization approach for the synthesis of diversified pyrrolo/indolo[1,2-a]quinoxalines from amino-cyclopentenones has been developed. The reaction proceeds through a trifluoroacetic-acid-mediated 6π-electrocyclization and concomitant opening of the cyclopentenone ring. The advantageous features of the developed chemistry include transition-metal-free conditions, operational simplicity, and a broad substrate scope. Further X-ray crystallographic studies confirm the assigned structures of the fused heterocycles.

One-Pot Synthesis of Enantiopure Pyrrolopiperazines

A simple one-pot protocol for the synthesis of fused pyrrolopiperazines with a complete diastereoselectivity has been developed. This novel methodology combined the Ugi reaction with a spontaneous enamine alkylation on a multicomponent domino reaction, starting from nonprotected diamines and arylglyoxals.

The base-free van Leusen reaction of cyclic imines on water: synthesis of N-fused imidazo 6,11-dihydro β-carboline derivatives

Construction of imidazoles has been demonstrated on water under base-free conditions. The reaction of dihydro β-carboline imines and p-toluenesulfonylmethyl isocyanides furnished the corresponding substituted N-fused imidazo 6,11-dihydro β-carboline derivatives in very good yields under ambient conditions. The use of deuterium oxide (D2O) as a solvent enabled the incorporation of deuterium isotopes in the imidazole ring.

A facile I2-catalyzed synthesis of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines via sp3 C–H functionalization of azaarenes and evaluation of anticancer activity

A three component synthetic protocol has been developed for the synthesis of medicinally important imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines via the iodine-catalyzed oxidative amination of benzylic C–H bonds of azaarenes. The synthesized compounds were evaluated for their anti-cancer activity.

Efficient synthesis of pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxalines catalyzed by a Brønsted acid through cleavage of C-C bonds

An efficient and convenient one-pot domino reaction for the direct synthesis of pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxalines has been developed. This approach utilizes an imine formation reaction, SEAr reaction and cleavage of C-C bonds catalyzed by a Brønsted acid. β-Diketones and β-keto esters are both well tolerated to give the corresponding products in moderate to excellent yields.

One-Pot Synthesis of 2,4,5-Trisubstituted Imidazoles via [2 + 2 + 1] Cycloannulation of 1,3-Bishet(aryl)-monothio-1,3-diketones, α-Substituted Methylamines and Sodium Nitrite through α-Nitrosation of Enaminones

An efficient one-pot synthesis of a series of diversely functionalized trisubstituted 4(5)het(aroyl)-2,5(4)-het(aryl)/alkylimidazoles from readily available 1,3-bishet(aryl)monothio-1,3-diketones has been reported. This novel sequential one-pot, three step protocol, wherein three new carbon nitrogen bonds are formed in contiguous fashion, involves in situ generation of enaminones by reaction of monothio-1,3-diketones with α-substituted methylamines, followed by their α-nitrosation with sodium nitrite and subsequent base mediated intramolecular heterocyclization of the resulting α-hydroxyiminoimines to trisubstituted imidazoles in high yields under mild conditions. These newly prepared 4(5)-het(aroyl)-5(4)-het(aryl)/alkylimidazoles are shown to exist as tautomeric mixture, however, their subsequent alkylation with methyl iodide in the presence of potassium carbonate affords 1-N-methy-2,5-bishet(aryl)-4-het(aroyl)imidazoles in highly regioselective fashion in most of the cases. Synthesis of few 4(5)-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-2,5(4)-substituted imidazoles, which are known to be good coordinating ligands, has also been reported. A probable mechanism for the formation of these imidazoles from hydroxyiminoimine intermediates has also been suggested.

Synthesis of Organofluoro Compounds Using Methyl Perfluoroalk-2-ynoates as Building Blocks

This review provides an overview of several synthetic applications of methyl perfluoroalk-2-ynoates, leading to convenient preparation of many perfluoroalkylated compounds. The use of these important substrates in the synthesis of various five-, six-, and seven-membered heterocycles, cyclopentadienes, and biphenyls is described, alongside a discussion of the mechanistic aspects of these reactions.

Unexpected regiospecific Michael addition product: synthesis of 5,6-dihydrobenzo[1,7]phenanthrolines

The unexpected formation of 5,6-dihydrobenzo[1,7]phenanthroline instead of 5,6-dihydrobenzo[1,7]phenanthroline-3-carbonitrile in acridine molecules using Michael addition has been observed for the first time.

Arylsulfonylmethyl isocyanides: a novel paradigm in organic synthesis

p-Tosylmethyl isocyanide (TosMIC), an α-acidic isocyanide has emerged as a privileged reagent to access biologically relevant fused heterocycles and some natural products like (−)-ushikulide A, variolin B, porphobilinogen and mansouramycin B.

I2-catalyzed one-pot synthesis of pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxaline and imidazo[1,5-a]quinoxaline derivatives via sp3and sp2C–H cross-dehydrogenative coupling

An efficient I₂-catalyzed cascade coupling protocol was developed for the synthesis of pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxaline and imidazo[1,5-a]quinoxaline derivativesviasp³and sp²C–H cross-dehydrogenative coupling.

MCRs reshaped into a switchable microwave-assisted protocol toward 5-aminoimidazoles and dihydrotriazines

A tunable microwave-assisted protocol for the synthesis of two biologically relevant families of heterocycles has been designed. Via a simple switch of reaction conditions, the same starting materials can be engaged in either an improved synthesis of the dihydrotriazine scaffold or a novel, first-in-class MCR to render the challenging 5-aminoimidazole nucleus in a single step. An additional first in class MCR is also reported utilizing guanidines to afford 2,5-aminoimidazoles.

Aldol reactions in multicomponent reaction based domino pathways: a multipurpose enabling tool in heterocyclic chemistry

The aldol reaction has been evaluated in combination with the Ugi multicomponent reaction to assemble richly decorated mono- and polycyclic systems via expeditious cascade pathways. A small collection of pyrrolinones was generated thereof, and the scarcely accessible pyridoquinoxalinedione scaffold was also prepared by designing an additional nucleophilic substitution step in this domino sequence requiring minimal operational effort.

A Van Leusen deprotection-cyclization strategy as a fast entry into two imidazoquinoxaline families

A concise synthesis of two pharmacologically relevant classes of molecules possessing the imidazoquinoxaline core is reported. The protocol involves use of 1,2-phenylenediamines and glyoxylic acid derivatives, namely ethyl glyoxylate or benzylglyoxamide, along with tosylmethylisocyanides in a microwave-assisted Van Leusen three-component condensation. Subsequent unmasking (Boc removal) of an internal amino-nucleophile promotes deprotection and cyclization that take place either spontaneously in a one-pot fashion to give 8 or upon acidic treatment under microwave irradiation after isolation of the imidazole intermediate to give 11. Of note, a tricyclic framework is hence assembled by means of a rapid and straightforward method with a high bond-forming efficiency.