Stereoselective Cascade Double-Annulations Provide Diversely Ring-Fused Tetracyclic Benzopyrones

Diastereoselective Synthesis of Chromeno[3,2-d]isoxazoles via Brønsted Acid Catalyzed Tandem 1,6-Addition/Double Annulations of o-Hydroxyl Propargylic Alcohols

A Brønsted acid catalyzed tandem process to access densely functionalized chromeno[3,2-d]isoxazoles with good to excellent yields and diastereoselectivities was disclosed. The procedure is proposed to involve a 1,6-conjugate addition/electrophilic addition/double annulations process of alkynyl o-quinone methides (o-AQMs) in situ generated from o-hydroxyl propargylic alcohols with nitrones. Mild conditions, good functional group compatibility, easy scale-up of the reaction, and further product transformation demonstrated its potential application.

Synthesis of 5H-Chromeno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-5-one Derivatives via Microwave-Promoted Multicomponent Reaction

A microwave-promoted multicomponent reaction of 3-formylchromones, amines, and paraformaldehyde was achieved under catalyst-free and solvent-free conditions, delivering 5H-chromeno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-5-one derivatives in good to excellent yields via an unexpected annulation pathway, which further expanded the synthetic application of paraformaldehyde as a C1 building block.

Phosphine Organocatalysis

The hallmark of nucleophilic phosphine catalysis is the initial nucleophilic addition of a phosphine to an electrophilic starting material, producing a reactive zwitterionic intermediate, generally under mild conditions. In this Review, we classify nucleophilic phosphine catalysis reactions in terms of their electrophilic components. In the majority of cases, these electrophiles possess carbon-carbon multiple bonds: alkenes (section 2), allenes (section 3), alkynes (section 4), and Morita-Baylis-Hillman (MBH) alcohol derivatives (MBHADs; section 5). Within each of these sections, the reactions are compiled based on the nature of the second starting material-nucleophiles, dinucleophiles, electrophiles, and electrophile-nucleophiles. Nucleophilic phosphine catalysis reactions that occur via the initial addition to starting materials that do not possess carbon-carbon multiple bonds are collated in section 6. Although not catalytic in the phosphine, the formation of ylides through the nucleophilic addition of phosphines to carbon-carbon multiple bond-containing compounds is intimately related to the catalysis and is discussed in section 7. Finally, section 8 compiles miscellaneous topics, including annulations of the Hüisgen zwitterion, phosphine-mediated reductions, iminophosphorane organocatalysis, and catalytic variants of classical phosphine oxide-generating reactions.

Copper-Catalyzed Diversity-Oriented Synthesis (DOS) of 4-Amino-2H-chromen-2-imines: Application of Kemp Elimination toward O-Heterocycles

We report herein a copper-catalyzed sequential multicomponent reaction of benzo[d]isoxazoles with terminal alkynes and sulfonyl azides, which produced divergent 4-amino-2H-chromen-2-imines with excellent chemical selectivity. The reaction tolerated a broad range of functional groups, and released only N₂ as the sole byproduct. The sulfonyl imino group could be removed to give biologically active free 4-amino-2H-chromenone in good yield.

Scaffold Diversity Synthesis Delivers Complex, Structurally, and Functionally Distinct Tetracyclic Benzopyrones

Complexity-generating chemical transformations that afford novel molecular scaffolds enriched in sp3 character are highly desired. Here, we present a highly stereoselective scaffold diversity synthesis approach that utilizes cascade double-annulation reactions of diverse pairs of zwitterionic and non-zwitterionic partners with 3-formylchromones to generate highly complex tetracyclic benzopyrones. Each pair of annulation partners adds to the common chroman-4-one scaffold to build two new rings, supporting up to four contiguous chiral centers that include an all-carbon quaternary center. Differently ring-fused benzopyrones display different biological activities, thus demonstrating their immense potential in medicinal chemistry and chemical biology research.

Metal-Free Three-Component Domino Approach to Phosphonylated Triazolines and Triazoles

An efficient, three-component domino reaction between aldehydes, amines, and the Bestmann-Ohira reagent is reported that enables a general, mild, and straightforward access to 1,4,5-trisubstituted 1,2,3-triazolines and triazoles. The reaction proceeds through a domino-condensation/1,3-dipolar cycloaddition sequence to afford the triazoline derivatives with excellent diastereoselectivity. Moreover, when both amine and aldehyde employed for this reaction are aromatic, a spontaneous oxidation afforded 1,4,5-trisubstituted triazoles in moderate yields.

A general catalytic reaction sequence to access alkaloid-inspired indole polycycles

A general two-step catalytic reaction sequence affording a range of indole alkaloid-inspired complex molecular frameworks is presented.

Facile construction of novel heterocyclic compounds: three-component, one-pot synthesis of 2-hydroxybenzoyl-1,2-dihydropyridine-3-carboxylates, ketones, pyridone-3-carboxylates and benzopyrido-1,3-oxazole-4-carboxylates

A facile method has been developed for the preparation of novel heterocyclic compounds facilitated by 3-oxobutanoates and 1,3-diketones possessing a trihalo group. This three-component, one-pot protocol provided heterocyclic compounds without a catalyst.

A new reactivity mode for the diazo group: diastereoselective 1,3-aminoalkylation reaction of β-amino-α-diazoesters to give triazolines

A novel mode of reactivity for the diazo group, the 1,3-addition of a nucleophile and an electrophile to the diazo group, has been realized in the intramolecular aminoalkylation of β-amino-α-diazoesters to form tetrasubstituted 1,2,3-triazolines. The reaction exhibited a broad scope, good functional group tolerance, and excellent diastereoselectivity. In addition, a new Au-catalyzed intramolecular transannulation reaction of the obtained propargyl triazolines to give pyrroles has been discovered.