Copper-mediated direct arylation of 1,3,4-oxadiazoles and 1,2,4-triazoles with aryl iodides

Synthesis of 3,4,5-Trisubstituted 1,2,4-Triazoles via I2-Catalyzed Cycloaddition of Amidines with Hydrazones

A general and practical method for the construction of various 3,4,5-trisubstituted 1,2,4-triazoles via I2-catalyzed cycloaddition of N-functionalized amidines with hydrazones is reported. This strategy features cheap and readily available catalyst and starting materials, broader substrate scope, and moderate-to-good yields. The mechanism study shows that the existence of hydrogen on the nitrogen of hydrazones is crucial for this transformation.

Photoredox/Cobalt-Catalyzed Cascade Oxidative Synthesis of 2,5-Disubstituted 1,3,4-Oxadiazoles under Oxidant-Free Conditions

An efficient oxidant-free, photoredox-mediated cascade cyclization strategy for the synthesis of 1,3,4-oxadiazoles by using an organo acridinium photocatalyst and a cobaloxime catalyst has been developed. Various acylhydrazones have been transformed into the corresponding 1,3,4-oxadiazole products in up to 96% yield, and H2 is the only byproduct. Mechanistic experiments and density functional theory (DFT) calculation studies indicate carbon-centered radicals rather than oxygen-centered radicals as π-radicals produced by the oxidation of photoexcited Mes-Acr+* along with deprotonation, which is responsible for this transformation. The practical utility of this method is highlighted by the one-pot gram-scale synthesis starting directly from commercially available aldehydes and acylhydrazides.

A One-Pot Synthesis-Functionalization Strategy for Streamlined Access to 2,5-Disubstituted 1,3,4-Oxadiazoles from Carboxylic Acids

A one-pot 1,3,4-oxadiazole synthesis-arylation strategy for accessing 2,5-disubstituted 1,3,4-oxadiazoles, from carboxylic acids, N-isocyaniminotriphenylphosphorane (NIITP), and aryl iodides, is reported. The reaction sequence, featuring a second stage copper-catalyzed 1,3,4-oxadiazole arylation, was found to tolerate (hetero)aryl, alkyl, and alkenyl carboxylic acids, and (hetero)aryl iodide coupling partners. The effectiveness of the two-stage strategy was exemplified by the late-stage functionalization of five carboxylic acid-containing APIs, and an extension to the synthesis of aminated 1,3,4-oxadiazoles using N-benzoyloxy amine coupling partners was also demonstrated.

Copper-Catalyzed One-Pot Synthesis of 2,5-Disubstituted 1,3,4-Oxadiazoles from Arylacetic Acids and Hydrazides via Dual Oxidation

A simple and efficient protocol has been developed to access symmetrical and unsymmetrical 2,5-disubstituted 1,3,4-oxadiazoles from arylacetic acids and hydrazides via copper-catalyzed dual oxidation under an oxygen atmosphere. Oxidative decarboxylation of arylacetic acids and oxidative functionalization of the imine C-H bond are the key steps. This is the first example of the synthesis of 2,5-disubstituted 1,3,4-oxadiazoles through dual oxidation in one-pot. Avoidance of the expensive ligand and high yield of the products are advantageous features of the developed method.

Potential Synthetic Routes and Metal-Ion Sensing Applications of 1,3,4-Oxadiazoles: An Integrative Review

Oxadiazoles, especially 1,3,4-oxadiazole scaffolds, stand among the foremost heterocyclic fragments with a broad spectrum of applications in diverse fields, including pharmacology, polymers, material science, and organic electronics, among others. In this comprehensive review, we summarize the pivotal synthetic strategies for 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives including dehydrogenative cyclization of 1,2-diacylhydrazines, oxidative cyclization of acylhydrazones, condensation cyclization, C-H activation of oxadiazole ring, decarboxylative cyclization and oxidative annulation along with plausible mechanisms. The set of 1,3,4-oxadiazoles selected from the literature and discussed herein epitomize the ease of synthesis as well as the possibility of linking π-conjugated groups; thereby encouraging the use of these molecules as important starting building blocks for a wide variety of fluorescent frameworks, particularly in the development of potential chemosensors. High photoluminescent quantum yield, excellent thermal and chemical stability, and the presence of potential coordination (N and O donor atoms) sites make these molecules a prominent choice for metal-ions sensors. An overview of selective metal-ion sensing, the detection limit along with the sensing mechanisms (photo-induced electron transfer, excited-state intramolecular proton transfer, and complex formation) is also included.

Novel Conjugated s-Tetrazine Derivatives Bearing a 4H-1,2,4-Triazole Scaffold: Synthesis and Luminescent Properties

A series of new symmetrical s-tetrazine derivatives, coupled via a 1,4-phenylene linkage with a 4H-1,2,4-triazole ring, were obtained. The combination of these two rings in an extensively coupled system has significant potential applications, mainly in optoelectronics. The methodology used turned out to be useful regardless of the type of five-membered ring or the nature of the individual substituents. All the products were identified by spectroscopic methods, and the target compounds were tested for luminescent properties. This study showed that all the synthesized highly-conjugated triazoles exhibited luminescence; in particular, one derivative, 3,6-bis(4-(5-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-phenyl-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)phenyl)-1,2,4,5-tetrazine (13b), showed strong fluorescence emission and ahigh quantum yield close to 1.

Synthesis of 1,3,4-Oxadiazoles by Iodine-Mediated Oxidative Cyclization of Methyl Ketones with 4-Phenylsemicarbazide

An efficient one-pot method has been developed to access 5-amino-2-(het)aroyl-1,3,4-oxadiazoles through I2/DMSO-promoted oxidative cyclization of 4-phenylsemicarbazide with (het)aryl methyl ketones under mild conditions. This reaction proceeds smoothly with a wide range of methyl ketones containing various functional groups to give the corresponding products in moderate yields under mild conditions.

Cobalt(II) nitrate promoted cyclization of benzoyl hydrazone for the synthesis of 2,5-diphenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives

A Co(NO3)2 method to promote cyclization of benzoyl hydrazone for the formation of 2,5-diphenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazoles has been developed. The reaction proceeded smoothly and was promoted by Co(NO3)2 under air at 110 °C in DCE; 16 examples of products were obtained.

The preparation, characterization and catalytic activity of Ni NPs supported on porous alginate-g-poly(p-styrene sulfonamide-co-acrylamide)

Herein, we report the synthesis of nickel nanoparticles under mild conditions using porous alginate-g-poly(p-styrene sulfonamide-co-acrylamide) as a protecting/stabilizing agent and sodium borohydride as a reducing agent. The porous cross-linked polymeric support was prepared via combining the use of sol–gel, nanocasting, and crosslinking techniques, in which the p-styrene sulfonamide monomer (PSSA) and N,N′-methylene-bis (acrylamide) (MBA) cross-linker underwent copolymerization on the surface of sodium alginate in the presence of a SiO₂ nanoparticle (NP) template (Alg–PSSA-co-ACA). The prepared catalyst (Alg–PSSA-co-ACA@Ni) showed high catalytic activity for the one-step synthesis of 1,3,4-oxadiazoles from the reaction of hydrazides and aryl iodides through isocyanide insertion/cyclization.

Ni NPs supported on novel porous alginate-g-poly(p-styrene sulfonamide-co-acrylamide) was investigated for the synthesis of 1,3,4-oxadiazoles.

Efficient Synthesis of Novel 1,3,4-Oxadiazoles Bearing a 4-N,N-Dimethylaminoquinazoline Scaffold via Palladium-Catalyzed Suzuki Cross-Coupling Reactions

Two series of novel (symmetrical and unsymmetrical) quinazolinylphenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives were synthesized using palladium-catalyzed Suzuki cross-coupling reactions. The presented synthetic methodology is based on the use of bromine-substituted 2-phenyl-4-N,N-dimethylaminoquinazolines and either a boronic acid pinacol ester or a diboronic acid bis(pinacol) ester of 2,5-diphenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole. The reactions are conducted in a two-phase solvent system in the presence of catalytic amounts of [1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene]-dichloropalladium(II), sodium carbonate, and tetrabutylammonium bromide, which plays the role of a phase-transfer catalyst. The luminescence properties of the obtained compounds are discussed in the context of applying these compounds in optoelectronics. Specifically, two highly-conjugated final products: N,N-dimethyl-2-phenyl-6-(4-(5-phenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)phenyl)quinazolin-4-amine (8f) and 6,6′-(4,4′-(1,3,4-oxadiazole-2,5-diyl)bis(4,1-phenylene))bis(N,N-dimethylquinazolin-4-amine (9f), which contain a 1,3,4-oxadiazole moiety connected to a quinazoline ring by a 1,4-phenylene linker at the 6 position, exhibit strong fluorescence emission and high quantum yields.

Experimental and Theoretical Studies on the Mechanism of DDQ-Mediated Oxidative Cyclization of N-Aroylhydrazones

The controversial single-electron-transfer process, frequently proposed in many 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (DDQ)-mediated reactions, was investigated experimentally and theoretically using the oxidative cyclization of aroylhydrazone with DDQ. DDQ-mediated oxadiazole formation involves several processes, including cyclization to form an oxadiazole ring and N-H bond cleavage, either by proton, hydride, or hydrogen atom transfer. The detailed mechanistic study using the M06-2X density functional theory, and the 6-31+G(d,p) basis set, suggests that the pathways involving radical ion pair (RIP) intermediates, which resulted from single-electron transfer (SET), were found to be energetically nearly identical to the pathway without the SET. The substituent-dependent reactivity of oxadiazole formation was consistent with the free energy profiles of both pathways, with or without the SET. This result indicates that in addition to the electron-transfer pathway, the nucleophilic addition/elimination pathway for DDQ should be considered as a possible mechanism of the oxidative transformation reaction using DDQ.

Approaches for improving the sustainability of conjugated polymer synthesis using direct arylation polymerization (DArP)

Emerging strategies to enhance the sustainability of Direct Arylation Polymerization (DArP) are discussed, illustrating the great potential of this method.

1,3,4-Oxadiazoles by Ugi-Tetrazole and Huisgen Reaction

Easy to perform, functional group tolerant, and short syntheses of the privileged scaffold oxadiazole are highly desired. Here, a metal-free protocol for MCR-based synthesis of 2,5-disubstituted 1,3,4-oxadiazoles via a Ugi-tetrazole/Huisgen sequence was developed. Optimization and scope and limitations of this short and general sequence are described. The reaction was also successfully performed on a gram scale.

Copper-catalyzed synthesis of pyrazolo[5,1-a]isoquinoline derivatives from 2-gem-dipyrazolylvinylbromobenzenes

An efficient copper-catalyzed synthesis of pyrazolo[5,1-a]isoquinolines from 2-gem-dipyrazolylvinylbromobenzenes under mild conditions has been developed.

A transition metal-free approach towards synthesis of β-carboline tethered 1,3,4-oxadiazoles via oxidative C–O bond formation

An efficient protocol has been developed for one-pot synthesis of biologically interesting β-carboline substituted 1,3,4-oxadiazoles via an I₂-assisted oxidative C–O bond formation strategy.

C-H functionalization reactions under flow conditions

C-H functionalization technologies have progressed enormously in the last decade as testified by the great number of publications that have appeared in the literature, which are receiving great attention from researchers from different areas of expertise. While most of the protocols reported realize the C-H functionalization processes under batch conditions, there is a growing interest in the development of continuous-flow procedures aiming at increasing the performances of established methodologies or the definition of otherwise unfeasible transformations. This review summarizes the application of flow technologies for the realization of C-H functionalization reactions. According to the type of flow reactors necessary, two main general approaches are possible for the application of flow techniques, namely the use of homogeneous or heterogeneous conditions. Each example is discussed and accompanied by the description of the main features and benefits of the use of flow compared to batch conditions.

3d Transition Metals for C-H Activation

C-H activation has surfaced as an increasingly powerful tool for molecular sciences, with notable applications to material sciences, crop protection, drug discovery, and pharmaceutical industries, among others. Despite major advances, the vast majority of these C-H functionalizations required precious 4d or 5d transition metal catalysts. Given the cost-effective and sustainable nature of earth-abundant first row transition metals, the development of less toxic, inexpensive 3d metal catalysts for C-H activation has gained considerable recent momentum as a significantly more environmentally-benign and economically-attractive alternative. Herein, we provide a comprehensive overview on first row transition metal catalysts for C-H activation until summer 2018.

Copper-Catalyzed Synthesis, Bio-Evaluation, and in Silico Studies of 2-Aryl-N-alkylbenzimidazoles as Neuroprotective Agents

2-aryl-N-alkylbenzimidazole derivatives synthesized by CuI/PPh3 promoted direct coupling of N-alkylbenzimidazoles with aryl bromides. In vitro neurotoxicities of 20 compounds were evaluated, and the neuroprotective abilities of low-neurotoxic compounds (3b, 3g, 3h, 3i, 3j, 3k, 3o, 3q, 3s and 3t) were investigated against toxicity induced by 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP+) in SH-SY5Y neuronal cells. In silico studies revealed that compound 3g could have molecule docking with the following proteins: the bone morphogenetic protein receptor type 1B (BMPR1B), human cytochrome P450 1B1(CYP1B1), Metabotropic glutamate receptor 7 (GRM7), histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6), 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 5A (HTR5A), human topoisomerase II beta (TOP2B). A molecular docking simulation of model compound 3g and model protein CYP1B1 has been shown.

Iodine-mediated one-pot intramolecular decarboxylation domino reaction for accessing functionalised 2-(1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)anilines with carbonic anhydrase inhibitory action

A practical and transition metal-free one-pot domino synthesis of diversified (1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)anilines has been developed employing isatins and hydrazides as the starting materials, in the presence of molecular iodine. The prominent feature of this domino process involves consecutive condensation, hydrolytic ring cleavage, and an intramolecular decarboxylation, in a one-pot process that leads to the oxidative formation of a C–O bond. Fluorescence properties of some of the representative molecules obtained in this way were studied. The synthesised 2-(1,3,4-oxadiazolo-2-yl)aniline-benzene sulphonamides (8a–o) were screened for their carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) inhibitory activity. Most of the compounds exhibited low micromolar to nanomolar activity against human (h) isoforms hCA I, hCA II, hCA IV, and XII, with some compounds displaying selective CA inhibitory activity towards hCA II with K_Is of 6.4–17.6 nM.

Copper catalyzed synthesis of conjugated copolymers using direct arylation polymerization

As an effort to replace palladium catalysts, we report the first example of a Copper-catalyzed Direct Arylation Polymerization (DArP).

Copper-catalyzed diarylation of Se with aryl iodides and heterocycles

The site-selective copper-catalyzed three-component coupling reaction of electron-deficient heterocycles, Se powder and aryl iodides is disclosed, providing an efficient and practical pathway to access 2-arylselenated heterocycles.

Copper-catalyzed Direct 2-Arylation of Benzoxazoles and Benzoimidazoles with Aryl Bromides and Cytotoxicity of Products

An efficient copper-catalyzed direct 2-arylation of benzoxazoles and benzoimidazoles with aryl bromides is presented. The CuI/PPh₃-based catalyst promotes the installation of various aryl and heteroaryl groups through a C-H activation process in good to excellent yields. The cytotoxicity of obtained 2-aryl benzoxazoles (benzoimidazoles) was also evaluated and 1-methyl-2-(naphthalen-1-yl)benzoimidazole showed potential cytotoxicity.

Palladium-catalyzed one-pot synthesis of diazoles via tert-butyl isocyanide insertion

An efficient one-pot palladium-catalyzed reaction for the synthesis of diazoles from readily available hydrazides and aryl halide via isocyanide insertion/cyclization sequence has been developed. This methodology efficiently constructs diazoles in good to excellent yields with the advantages of wide functional group tolerance and operational simplicity.

From Sphingosine Kinase to Dihydroceramide Desaturase: A Structure-Activity Relationship (SAR) Study of the Enzyme Inhibitory and Anticancer Activity of 4-((4-(4-Chlorophenyl)thiazol-2-yl)amino)phenol (SKI-II)

The sphingosine kinase (SK) inhibitor, SKI-II, has been employed extensively in biological investigations of the role of SK1 and SK2 in disease and has demonstrated impressive anticancer activity in vitro and in vivo. However, interpretations of results using this pharmacological agent are complicated by several factors: poor SK1/2 selectivity, additional activity as an inducer of SK1-degradation, and off-target effects, including its recently identified capacity to inhibit dihydroceramide desaturase-1 (Des1). In this study, we have delineated the structure-activity relationship (SAR) for these different targets and correlated them to that required for anticancer activity and determined that Des1 inhibition is primarily responsible for the antiproliferative effects of SKI-II and its analogues. In the course of these efforts, a series of novel SK1, SK2, and Des1 inhibitors have been generated, including compounds with significantly greater anticancer activity.

Regioselective copper-diamine-catalyzed C–H arylation of 1,2,4-triazole ring with aryl bromides

A bench-top protocol using simple Cu-diamine catalysis for the regioselective C5–H arylation of 1,2,4-triazole ring with (hetero)aryl bromides.

Pd/Cu-cocatalyzed reigoselective arylation of thiazole derivatives at 2-position under ligand-free conditions

An efficient protocol for regioselective arylation of thiazole derivatives at the 2-position via palladium- and copper-catalyzed C–H bond activation under ligand-free conditions has been developed.

Ligand-promoted intramolecular dehydrogenative cross-coupling using a Cu catalyst: direct access to polycyclic heteroarenes

A copper(ii)-promoted intramolecular C–H coupling reaction between indole-2 and imidazole-2 moieties, which provides direct access to biheteroaryl incorporated polycyclic frameworks.

I2-mediated oxidative C-O bond formation for the synthesis of 1,3,4-oxadiazoles from aldehydes and hydrazides

A practical and transition-metal-free oxidative cyclization of acylhydrazones into 1,3,4-oxadiazoles has been developed by employing stoichiometric molecular iodine in the presence of potassium carbonate. The conditions of this cyclization reaction also work well with crude acylhydrazone substrates obtained from the condensation of aldehydes and hydrazides. A series of symmetrical and asymmetrical 2,5-disubstituted (aryl, alkyl, and/or vinyl) 1,3,4-oxadiazoles can be conveniently generated in an efficient and scalable fashion.