Two-Step Synthesis of 2,3-Dihydropyrroles via a Formal 5-endo Cycloisomerization of Ugi 4-CR/Propargyl Adducts

Are Terminal Alkynes Necessary for MAO-A/MAO-B Inhibition? A New Scaffold Is Revealed

A versatile family of quaternary propargylamines was synthesized employing the KA2 multicomponent reaction, through the single-step coupling of a number of amines, ketones, and terminal alkynes. Sustainable synthetic procedures using transition metal catalysts were employed in all cases. The inhibitory activity of these molecules was evaluated against human monoaminoxidase (hMAO)-A and hMAO-B enzymes and was found to be significant. The IC50 values for hMAO-B range from 152.1 to 164.7 nM while the IC50 values for hMAO-A range from 765.6 to 861.6 nM. Furthermore, these compounds comply with Lipinski's rule of five and exhibit no predicted toxicity. To understand their binding properties with the two target enzymes, key interactions were studied using molecular docking, all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and MM/GBSA binding free energy calculations. Overall, herein, the reported family of propargylamines exhibits promise as potential treatments for neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's disease. Interestingly, this is the first time a propargylamine scaffold bearing an internal alkyne has been reported to show activity against monoaminoxidases.

Stefano Marcaccini: a pioneer in isocyanide chemistry

Stefano Marcaccini was one of the pioneers in the use of isocyanide-based multicomponent reactions in organic synthesis. Throughout his career at the University of Florence he explored many different faces of isocyanide chemistry, especially those geared towards the synthesis of biologically relevant heterocycles. His work inspired many researchers who contributed to other important developments in the field of multicomponent reactions and created a school of synthetic chemists that continues today. In this manuscript we intend to review the articles on isocyanide multicomponent reactions published by Dr. Marcaccini and analyse their influence on the following works by other researchers. With this, we hope to highlight the immense contribution of Stefano Marcaccini to the development of isocyanide chemistry and modern organic synthesis as well as the influence of his research on future generations. We believe that this review will not only be a well-deserved tribute to the figure of Stefano Marcaccini, but will also serve as a useful inspiration for chemists working in this field.

Atom-Economical Syntheses of Dihydropyrroles Using Flavin-Iodine-Catalyzed Aerobic Multistep and Multicomponent Reactions

Herein, we report facile, atom-economical syntheses of multisubstituted 2,3-dihydropyrroles using flavin-iodine-catalyzed aerobic oxidative multistep transformations of chalcones with β-enamine ketones or 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds and amines. Exploiting coupled flavin-iodine catalysis, the multistep reaction, including C-C and C-N bond formation, is promoted only by the consumption of O₂ (1 atm), thus allowing aerobic oxidative synthesis that generates green H₂O as the only waste.

A sequential Ugi–Smiles/transition-metal-free endo-dig Conia–ene cyclization: the selective synthesis of saccharin substituted 2,5-dihydropyrroles

A convenient, transition-metal-free access to a series of unprecedented saccharin substituted 2,5-dihydropyrroles is reported.

Synthesis of β- and γ-lactam fused dihydropyrazinones from Ugi adducts via a sequential ring construction strategy

A modular approach for the construction of β- and γ-lactam fused dihydropyrazinones from the readily available Ugi adducts has been described. The sequential construction of rings through base-mediated cycloisomerization followed by acid-mediated cyclization yielded β-lactam fused dihydropyrazinones. However, the Ugi-derived dihydropyrazinones afforded γ-lactam fused dihydropyrazinones under base-mediated cycloisomerization. The regioselectivity in the cycloisomerization reactions is explained on the basis of ring-strain. Substrate scope, limitations and mechanistic investigations through DFT-calculations have been explored.

Post-Ugi Transformations for the Access to Pyrrolobenzodiazepine Scaffolds with Different Degrees of Unsaturation

The synthesis of three novel families of pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepine-5-ones is described. The compounds were prepared according to a three-step sequence, involving an Ugi reaction, building of the pyrrolo nucleus, and reduction-cyclization to the corresponding diazepine. Depending on the amine employed in the synthesis of the Ugi adducts, different unsaturation degrees could be obtained in the pyrrolo ring (saturated or with endo or exo unsaturations), a key feature determining their biological activity, as it affects the affinity of the pyrrolobenzodiazepines toward DNA and thus their cytotoxicity. This synthetic methodology represents a significant improvement with respect to those described in the literature so far, as it uses inexpensive and commercially available starting materials without needing derivatization or the use of protecting groups.

Conformational landscape of substituted prolines

The cyclic side chain of the amino acid proline confers unique conformational restraints on its backbone and side chain dihedral angles. This affects two equilibria-one at the backbone (cis/trans) and the other at the side chain (endo/exo). Substitutions on the proline ring impose additional steric and stereoelectronic effects that can further modulate both these equilibria, which in turn can also affect the backbone dihedral angle (ϕ, ψ) preferences. In this review, we have explored the conformational landscape of several termini capped mono-(2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-) substituted proline derivatives in the Cambridge Structural Database, correlating observed conformations with the nature of substituents and deciphering the underlying interactions for the observed structural biases. The impact of incorporating these derivatives within model peptides and proteins are also discussed for selected cases. Several of these substituents have been used to introduce bioorthogonal functionality and modulate structure-specific ligand recognition or used as spectroscopic probes. The incorporation of these diversely applicable functional groups, coupled with their ability to define an amino acid conformation via stereoelectronic effects, have a broad appeal among chemical biologists, molecular biophysicists, and medicinal chemists.

A transition metal-free approach towards the regioselective synthesis of β-carboline tethered pyrroles and 2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrroles

A transition metal-free one-pot sequential approach has been unfolded for the synthesis of β-carboline tethered pyrroles and 2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrroles by using highly diverse 1-formyl-9H-β-carbolines as a template.

Regio- and chemo-selective cyclization of allenic-Ugi products for the synthesis of 3-pyrroline skeletons

A highly efficient and stable novel class of allenic-Ugi products through a Crabbé homologation reaction is successfully demonstrated. Then, a regio- and chemo-selective cyclization of allenic-Ugi derivatives in a 5-exo-dig fashion to access 3-pyrroline skeletons is developed. Also, computational studies were performed and explained to provide insights into the reaction mechanism. This approach displays high bond-forming efficiency and atom economy with high yields.

(Z)-1-Benzoyl-5-benzylidene-2-hydroxy-4-oxo-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrrole-3-carbonitrile

The title compound, C19H12N2O3, obtained as an intermediate in the synthesis of a pyrrole derivative, is composed of a five-membered heterocycle with substituted groups via double or triple bonds as well as single bonds, without an asymmetric carbon atom. An intramolecular O—H...O link occurs. In the crystal, O—H...N hydrogen bonds link the molecules.

Raising the Diversity of Ugi Reactions Through Selective Alkylations and Allylations of Ugi Adducts

We report here selective Tsuji-Trost type allylation of Ugi adducts using a strategy based on the enhanced nucleophilicity of amide dianions. Ugi adducts derived from aromatic aldehydes were easily allylated at their peptidyl position with allyl acetate in the presence of palladium catalysts. These substitutions were compared to more classical transition metal free allylations using allyl bromides.

Copper-catalyzed oxidative cleavage of Passerini and Ugi adducts in basic medium yielding α-ketoamides

The present study provides an insight into the reactivity of Passerini and Ugi adducts in basic medium leading to α-ketoamides.

Acid-Promoted One-Pot Synthesis of Substituted Furan and 6-Methylpyrazin-2(1 H)-one Derivatives via Allene Intermediate Formed in Situ

Under the acidic conditions, substituted furans were constructed from γ-alkynyl ketones through corresponding allene intermediates in one-pot. The methodology was also tailored to a series of the Ugi reaction products for the synthesis of 6-methylpyrazin-2(1 H)-one derivatives. The current method offered significant advantages for the combinatorial applications of these chemical scaffolds.

Synthesis and Reactivity of Propargylamines in Organic Chemistry

Propargylamines are a versatile class of compounds which find broad application in many fields of chemistry. This review aims to describe the different strategies developed so far for the synthesis of propargylamines and their derivatives as well as to highlight their reactivity and use as building blocks in the synthesis of chemically relevant organic compounds. In the first part of the review, the different synthetic approaches to synthesize propargylamines, such as A³ couplings and C-H functionalization of alkynes, have been described and organized on the basis of the catalysts employed in the syntheses. Both racemic and enantioselective approaches have been reported. In the second part, an overview of the transformations of propargylamines into heterocyclic compounds such as pyrroles, pyridines, thiazoles, and oxazoles, as well as other relevant organic derivatives, is presented.

Pd-Catalyzed oxidative annulation of enamides with diazabicyclic olefins: rapid access to cyclopentene fused 2-pyrrolines

A catalytic tandem transformation via C–H activation of enamides for the stereoselective synthesis of cyclopentene fused 2-pyrrolines has been realized.

Synthesis of 6-methyl-3,4-dihydropyrazinones using an Ugi 4-CR/allenamide cycloisomerization protocol

A two-step synthesis of 6-methyl-3,4-dihydropyrazinones from Ugi adducts and their transformation into pyrazino[2,1-a]isoindole and pyrazino[2,1-a]isoquinoline cores has been accomplished.

Multicomponent access to indolo[3,3a-c]isoquinolin-3,6-diones: formal synthesis of (±)-plicamine

The complete tetracyclic core structure of plicamine, a novel Amaryllidaceae-type alkaloid, was expeditously prepared by an Ugi four-component condensation reaction, followed by a one-pot sequential phenolic oxidation and intramolecular coupling process.

Ugi-derived dehydroalanines as a pivotal template in the diversity oriented synthesis of aza-polyheterocycles

Various readily available, Ugi-derived dehydroalanines were used as pivotal templates to easily and efficiently assemble diverse pharmacologically important polyheterocyclic systems through cascade palladium-catalyzed C-C bond formation processes. Allyl, homoallyl and propargylamine led to the formation of benzopyrrolizidinones, benzoindolizidinones and pyrazinoisoquinolines, respectively, while benzylamines and o-bromobenzylamines were used as precursors of tetracyclic-fused systems and pyrazionoisoquinolindiones.

Application of Thio-Ugi Adducts for the Preparation of Benzo[b]thiophene and S-Heterocycle Library via Copper Catalyzed Intramolecular C-S Bond Formation

Fused heterocycles, such as benzo[b]thiophene, thiochroman, benzo[b][1,4]thiazine, and 1,4-benzothiazepine were generated from thio-Ugi adducts containing a thioamide group through copper-catalyzed intramolecular C-S bond formation under microwave irradiation.

Experimental and computational evidence for KOt-Bu-promoted synthesis of oxopyrazino[1,2-a]indoles

Metal-free intramolecular hydroamination of some Ugi adducts in the presence of KOt-Bu in DMF at room temperature led to the formation of novel oxopyrazino[1,2-a]indole derivatives.

Efficient and practical synthesis of enantioenriched 2,3-dihydropyrroles through gold-catalyzed anti-Markovnikov hydroamination of chiral homopropargyl sulfonamides

A direct gold-catalyzed anti-Markovnikov hydroamination of chiral homopropargyl sulfonamides has been developed. A range of enantioenriched 2,3-dihydropyrroles are readily accessed by utilizing this approach.

An efficient microwave-assisted synthesis of cotinine and iso-cotinine analogs from an Ugi-4CR approach

A convenient synthesis of cotinine and iso-cotinine analogs featuring an Ugi-4CR/cyclization approach.

Solvent switchable cycloaddition: a (one-pot) metal-free approach towards N-substituted benzo[e]- or [f]isoindolones via C(sp(2))-H functionalization

The tuning of selective ring closure is a nontrivial challenge in synthetic organic chemistry. Herein we report a solvent switchable metal-free [4 + 2] cycloaddition approach via Csp(2)-H functionalization. The protocol is highly atom economical with water being the only by-product, delivering N-substituted benzo[e]- or [f]isoindolones in high yields.

Combinatorial synthesis of nicotine analogs using an Ugi 4-CR/cyclization-reduction strategy

A practical one-pot synthesis of nicotine analogs from Ugi 4-CR/propargyl adducts is reported. This methodology allows the rapid construction of the pyrrolidine moiety present in nicotine through an intramolecular base-promoted 5-endo cycloisomerization process, followed by a reduction of the resulting mixture of 2- and 3-pyrrolines to afford nicotine analogs in good overall yields.

Base mediated 7-exo-dig intramolecular cyclization of Ugi–propargyl precursors: a highly efficient and regioselective synthetic approach toward diverse 1,4-benzoxazepine-5(2H)-ones

A metal-free facile and efficient two-step synthetic protocol for the preparation of 1,4-benzoxazepine-5(2H)-one derivatives has been developed.