C-H functionalization directed by transformable nitrogen heterocycles: synthesis of ortho-oxygenated arylnaphthalenes from arylphthalazines

Transition-Metal-Free Addition of Dialkyl Phosphites to Phthalazin-2-ium Bromide: Synthesis of α-Aminophosphonate Analogues

α-Aminophosphonate analogues containing a phthalazine skeleton were efficiently obtained by a new transition-metal-free addition of dialkyl phosphites to phthalazin-2-ium bromide under mild conditions. A mechanistic study using isotope labeling and radical inhibition experiment revealed that the present transformation passes through a nucleophilic addition of dialkyl phosphates, rather than an insertion of P-H to carbenes.

Synthesis of Nitroaromatic Compounds via Three-Component Ring Transformations

1-Methyl-3,5-dinitro-2-pyridone serves as an excellent substrate for nucleophilic-type ring transformation because of the electron deficiency and presence of a good leaving group. In this review, we focus on the three-component ring transformation (TCRT) of dinitropyridone involving a ketone and a nitrogen source. When dinitropyridone is allowed to react with a ketone in the presence of ammonia, TCRT proceeds to afford nitropyridines that are not easily produced by alternative procedures. Ammonium acetate can be used as a nitrogen source instead of ammonia to undergo the TCRT, leading to nitroanilines in addition to nitropyridines. In these reactions, dinitropyridone serves as a safe synthetic equivalent of unstable nitromalonaldehyde.

Access to a Phthalazine Derivative Through an Angular cis-Quinacridone

Intramolecular electrophilic cyclization of a bisanthranilate afforded an angular cis-quinacridone compound, which condensed with hydrazine to give a phthalazine derivative. A [2+2+2] cyclization reaction occurred at the C-N double bond position of phthalazine when reacted with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate. The structures of these novel compounds were confirmed by crystallographic analysis. The phthalazine derivative decomposes back to quinacridone at ambient condition in the dark and as a solid with a half lifetime of about 22 months.

Mild, Modular, and Convergent Synthesis of Helical Naphtho[2,1-c]chromenes via a Multistep Cyclization/Aromatization Cascade Sequence

Tetracyclic 6H-naphtho[2,1-c]chromenes are expeditiously synthesized through a BF₃·OEt₂-mediated, three-step cascade reaction, creating new central pyran and aromatic rings. The cascade involves the addition of phenol-derived alkynyl substrates to BF₃-activated aldehydes followed by alkyne-Prins cyclization, Friedel-Crafts reaction, and final elimination. Aliphatic and electron-deficient aromatic aldehydes afford the products in 50-74% isolated yields, but benzaldehyde and tolualdehyde resulted in lower yields. X-ray analysis of a p-bromophenyl derivative (5aA) shows the two aromatic moieties are twisted by 28° to create a helical backbone.

Photocyclization and Photoaddition Reactions of Arylphenols via Intermediate Quinone Methides

A series of five benzannelated derivatives of 2-phenylphenol were prepared, and their photochemistry was investigated. Two of these (3-phenyl-2-naphthol, 10, and 1-phenyl-2-naphthol, 11) were photoinert. For 2-(1-naphthyl)phenol (12) and 1-(1-naphthyl)-2-naphthol (13), ESPT took place to either the 2'-position or the 7'-position of the naphthalene ring to give quinone methides (QMs) that underwent either reverse proton transfer (RPT) or electrocyclic ring closure to give dihydrobenzoxanthenes. The intermediate QMs for 12 and 13 were detected and characterized by laser flash photolysis. For 2-(9-phenanthryl)phenol (14), ESPT took place either to the 5'-position to give a QM that underwent quantitative electrocyclic ring closure to give the corresponding benzoxanthene or to the 10'-position to give a QM that underwent RPT. If the solution contained methanol, the QM produced on ESPT to the 10'-position in 14 could be trapped as the photoaddition product. The compounds studied in this work demonstrate three possible reactions of QMs produced following ESPT to aromatic carbon atoms: (1) reverse proton transfer (RPT) to regenerate starting material; (2) addition of hydroxylic solvents to give the photoaddition product; and (3) electrocyclic ring closure to give benzoxanthene derivatives.

Non-precious metals catalyze formal [4 + 2] cycloaddition reactions of 1,2-diazines and siloxyalkynes under ambient conditions

Copper(I) and nickel(0) complexes catalyze the formal [4 + 2] cycloaddition reactions of 1,2-diazines and siloxyalkynes, a reaction hitherto best catalyzed by silver salts. These catalysts based on earth abundant metals are not only competent, but the copper catalyst, in particular, promotes cycloadditions of pyrido[2,3-d]pyridazine and pyrido[3,4-d]pyridazine, enabling a new synthesis of quinoline and isoquinoline derivatives, as well as the formal [2 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of cyclohexenone with a siloxyalkyne.