Palladium-Catalyzed Intramolecular Hydroamination of Propargylic Carbamates and Carbamothioates

Pd-Catalyzed Sequential Electrophilic Cyclization/Selective C-H Annulation Cascade: Synthesis of Isoxazole-Phthalimide-Fused Poly-Heterocyclics

Harnessing the organo-palladium intermediates generated from electrophilic cyclizations for tandem C-C bond construction is a challenging task but constitutes an excellent tool for constructing complex motifs from simpler substrates. We realize herein such a cyclative annulation of alkynyl-oxime ethers with maleimides for the facile construction of isoxazole-phthalimide hybrid motifs through Pd(II) catalysis. This protocol features excellent regio-selectivity in C-H selection, a broad substrate scope, good functional group tolerance, and scalability. Necessary KIE & labeling studies give insight into the reaction mechanism.

Lanthanide Mimicking by Magnesium for Oxazolidinone Synthesis

In the last decade, magnesium complexes have emerged as a viable alternative to transition-metal catalysts for the hydrofunctionalization of unsaturated bonds. However, their potential for advanced catalytic reactions has not been thoroughly investigated. To address this gap, we have developed a novel magnesium amide compound (3) using a PNP framework that is both bulky and flexible. Our research demonstrates that compound 3 can effectively catalyze the synthesis of biologically significant oxazolidinone derivatives. This synthesis involves a tandem reaction of hydroalkoxylation and cyclohydroamination of isocyanate using propargyl alcohol. Furthermore, we conducted comprehensive theoretical calculations to gain insights into the reaction mechanism. It is important to note that these types of transformations have not been reported for magnesium and would significantly enhance the catalytic portfolio of the 7th most abundant element.

Rare-Earth-Metal-Complex-Catalyzed Hydroalkoxylation and Tandem Hydroalkoxylation/Cyclohydroamination of Isocyanates: Synthesis of Carbamates and Oxazolidinones

Novel N,N,N-tridentate β-diketiminato rare-earth-metal dialkyl complexes LRE(CH₂SiMe₃)₂ [RE = Y (1a), Gd (1b), Yb (1c), Lu (1d); L = MeC(NDipp)CHC(Me)N(CH₂)₂NC₄H₈, where Dipp = 2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃] have been conveniently synthesized by one step from reactions of the rare-earth-metal trialkyl complexes RE(CH₂SiMe₃)₃(THF)₂ (THF = tetrahydrofuran) with a pyrrolidine-functionalized β-diketiminate HL, and their catalytic behaviors toward hydroalkoxylation and tandem hydroalkoxylation/cyclohydroamination of isocyanates have been described. These rare-earth-metal catalysts exhibited high efficiency in the hydroalkoxylation of isocyanates, providing a variety of N-alkyl and N-aryl carbamate derivatives under mild reaction conditions with a rather low catalyst loading (0.04 mol %). More significantly, they can promote a tandem hydroalkoxylation/cyclohydroamination reaction between terminal and internal propargylic alcohols with substituted arylisocyanates, leading to the efficient synthesis of methylene and (Z)-selective arylidene oxazolidinones in good-to-high yields via consecutive C-O and C-N bond formation. The stoichiometric reaction of 1a with p-tolylisocyanate generated an unusual dinuclear yttrium complex, {[η²-(4-MePhNCO)(CH₂SiMe₃)]Y[μ-η²:η¹:η¹-(4-MePhNCO)CC(Me)(NDipp)C(Me)N(CH₂)₂NC₄H₈]}₂ (7a), with two different amidate units, which underwent an sp² C-H bond activation of the β-diketiminato backbone, followed by the insertion of isocyanate.

Microwave-Assisted Electrostatically Enhanced Phenol-Catalyzed Synthesis of Oxazolidinones

An electrostatically enhanced phenol is utilized as a straightforward, sustainable, and potent one-component organocatalyst for the atom-economic transformation of epoxides to oxazolidinones under microwave irradiation. Integrating a positively charged center into phenols over a modular one-step preparation gives rise to a bifunctional system with improved acidity and activity, competent in rapid assembly of epoxides and isocyanates under microwave irradiation in a short reaction time (20-60 min). A careful assessment of the efficacy of various positively charged phenols and anilines and the impact of several factors, such as catalyst loading, temperature, and the kind of nucleophile, on catalytic reactivity were examined. Under neat conditions, this one-component catalytic platform was exploited to prepare more than 40 examples of oxazolidinones from a variety of aryl- and alkyl-substituted epoxides and isocyanates within minutes, where up to 96% yield and high degree of selectivity were attained. DFT calculations to achieve reaction barriers for different catalytic routes were conducted to provide mechanistic understanding and corroborated the experimental findings in which concurrent epoxide ring-opening and isocyanate incorporation were proposed.

Switchable synthesis of cyclic carbamates by carbon dioxide fixation at atmospheric pressure

The base-promoted switchable synthesis of five- and six-membered cyclic carbamates using atmospheric pressure carbon dioxide as the C1 source was developed. The chemoselectivity of products was simply controlled by changing bases and solvents. The reaction proceeds effectively under mild conditions, affording valuable cyclic carbamates. Experimental results and DFT studies revealed the reaction mechanism.

Synthesis of N-substituted-4-methylene-oxazolidinones via base-catalyzed cyclization of propargylic alcohols with p-toluenesulfonyl isocyanate

A practical method is developed for the synthesis of oxazolidinone derivatives, an important class of heterocyclic compounds. The effect of bases and solvents on this cyclization reaction is discussed and a simple new base–solvent system (triethylamine in toluene) is found to be the most effective. The reaction conditions developed here are mild and no by-products are observed. Moreover, using optimized conditions, a number of differently substituted propargylic alcohols are cyclized to the corresponding N-substituted-4-methylene-oxazolidinones in yields of up to 99%.

A concise and unexpected one-pot methodology for the synthesis of pyrazinone-fused pyridones

A post-Ugi/Michael/Retro-Michael reaction, aromatization and 5-exo-dig cyclization cascade reaction was developed and utilized for the synthesis of pyrazinone-fused pyridone derivatives under mild reaction conditions in one-pot.

An intramolecular 1,5-chalcogen bond on the conformational preference of carbonyl thiocarbamate species

Two closely related carbamothioates were prepared by the reaction of benzoyl isothiocyanates and methanol. The crystal structures show the occurrence of 1,5-O⋯O intramolecular short distance that determines the conformational preference.

Palladium-Catalyzed Cascade Annulation/Allylation of Alkynyl Oxime Ethers with Allyl Halides: Rapid Access to Fully Substituted Isoxazoles

A novel and efficient approach for the synthesis of functionalized isoxazoles via palladium-catalyzed cascade annulation/allylation of alkynyl oxime ethers with allyl halides has been established. The present protocol exhibits mild reaction conditions, good functional group compatibility, and convenient operation. Moreover, scalability was performed and further decoration of the isoxazole product was achieved.

Efficient synthesis of spirooxindolyl oxazol-2(5H)-ones via palladium(ii)-catalyzed addition of arylboronic acids to nitriles

A versatile synthesis of spirooxindolyl oxazol-2(5H)-ones via palladium(ii)-catalyzed addition of arylboronic acids to nitriles is described. A wide range of spirooxindolyl oxazol-2(5H)-ones and other spirocyclic frameworks incorporating the oxazol-2(5H)-one unit can be readily prepared in good to high yields under the optimal conditions.

4-Hydroxymethyl-substituted oxazolidinone synthesis by tetraarylphosphonium salt-catalyzed reactions of glycidols with isocyanates

A tetraarylphosphonium catalyst enables efficient coupling reactions between glycidols and isocyanates to afford 4-hydroxymethyl-substituted oxazolidinones.

Recent Advances in the Catalytic Synthesis of Imidazolidin-2-ones and Benzimidazolidin-2-ones

2-Imidazolidinone and its analogues are omnipresent structural motifs of pharmaceuticals, natural products, chiral auxiliaries, and intermediates in organic syntheses. Over the years, continuous efforts have been addressed to the development of sustainable and more efficient protocols for the synthesis of these heterocycles. This review gives a summary of the catalytic strategies to access imidazolidin-2-ones and benzimidazolidin-2-ones that have appeared in the literature from 2010 to 2018. Particularly important contributions beyond the timespan will be mentioned. The review is organized in four main chapters that identify the most common approaches to imidazolidin-2-one derivatives: (1) the direct incorporation of the carbonyl group into 1,2-diamines, (2) the diamination of olefins, (3) the intramolecular hydroamination of linear urea derivatives and (4) aziridine ring expansion. Methods not included in this classification will be addressed in the miscellaneous section.

Tandem cyclization of o-alkynylanilines with isocyanides triggered by intramolecular nucleopalladation: access to heterocyclic fused 2-aminoquinolines

Herein, a novel strategy for the synthesis of various heterocyclic fused 2-aminoquinolines via palladium-catalyzed tandem cyclization of o-alkynylanilines with isocyanides has been developed. This process includes trans-oxy/aminopalladation, isocyanide insertion, elimination and 1,3-hydrogen migration. Besides high atom and step economy, this method shows good functional group compatibility with excellent chemo- and regioselectivities under mild reaction conditions.

Tetraarylphosphonium Salt-Catalyzed Synthesis of Oxazolidinones from Isocyanates and Epoxides

Preparation of a range of oxazolidinones, including enantioenriched N-aryl-substituted oxazolidinones, in which tetraarylphosphonium salts (TAPS) catalyze the [3 + 2] coupling reaction of isocyanates and epoxides effectively, is described. The key finding is a Brønsted acid/halide ion bifunctional catalyst that can accelerate epoxide ring opening with high regioselectivity. Mechanistic studies disclosed that the ylide generated from TAPS, along with the formation of halohydrins, plays a crucial role in the reaction with isocyanates.

Synthesis of oxazolidinones: rhodium-catalyzed C-H amination of N-mesyloxycarbamates

N-Mesyloxycarbamates undergo intramolecular C-H amination reactions to afford oxazolidinones in good to excellent yields in the presence of rhodium(ii) carboxylate catalysts. The reaction is performed under green conditions and potassium carbonate is used, forming biodegradable potassium mesylate as a reaction by-product. This method enables the production of electron-rich, electron-deficient, aromatic and heteroaromatic oxazolidinones in good to excellent yields. Conformationally restricted cyclic secondary N-mesyloxycarbamates furnish cis-oxazolidinones in high yields and selectivity; DFT calculations are provided to account for the observed selectivity. trans-Oxazolidinones were prepared from acyclic secondary N-mesyloxycarbamates using Rh₂(oct)₄. The selectivity was reverted with a cytoxazone N-mesyloxycarbamate precursor using large chiral rhodium(ii) carboxylate complexes, affording the corresponding cis-oxazolidinone. This orthogonal selectivity was used to achieve the formal synthesis of (-)-cytoxazone.

Recent advances in reactions of aryl sulfonyl isocyanates

Aryl sulfonyl isocyanates are important intermediates in organic synthesis. They are used as electrophilic reagents and easily react with nucleophiles to form amides, sulfonyl ureas, pyrrolidine derivatives, lactams, oxazolidinones, and so on. Although there are some reviews on the applications of isocyanates in chemistry, few are concerned about aryl sulfonyl isocyanates. This review focuses on recent advances related to aryl sulfonyl isocyanates in organic synthesis, mainly including three special characteristics. The mechanisms of the typical reactions are also discussed.

Reactions of secondary propargylamines with heteroallenes for the synthesis of diverse heterocycles

This focused review aims to summarize recent developments in the processes involving additions of secondary propargylamines to various heteroallenes and subsequent transition metal-catalyzed or electrophile-mediated cyclizations.

Rhodium-catalyzed denitrogenative transannulation of 1,2,3-triazolyl-carbamates: efficient access to 4-aminooxazolidinones

The rhodium(ii)-catalyzed denitrogenative transannulation reaction of 1,2,3-triazolyl-carbamates was described providing an efficient access to biologically interesting 4-aminooxazolidinones in excellent yields and selectivities.

PhI(OAc)2-mediated 1,2-aminohalogenation of alkynes: a general access to (E)-4-(halomethylene)oxazolidin-2-ones

A new PhI(OAc)₂-mediated 1,2-aminohalogenation of prop-2-yn-1-yl carbamates and halogen sources is presented with excellent selectivity. The reaction is general for the construction of (E)-4-(halomethylene)oxazolidin-2-ones through the three-membered ring or N-radical.