Assembly of 1,2,3,4-Tetrahydropyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazines via the Domino Reaction of 2-Imidazolines and Terminal Electron-Deficient Alkynes

The transformation of 2-imidazolines into 1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazines has been realized. A pseudo-three-component reaction of 2-imidazolines with terminal electron-deficient alkynes (2 equiv) first generates imidazolidines, containing an N-vinylpropargylamine fragment. The latter can then undergo a base-catalyzed domino aza-Claisen rearrangement/cyclization reaction sequence, simultaneously constructing pyrrole and pyrazine rings. The process works in a broad substrate scope, delivering pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazines in good to excellent yields (45-90%). This two-step approach can be carried out in a one-pot fashion without a noticeable decrease in yield. Remarkably, a three-component protocol for the introduction of two different alkynes has been also developed.

One-Pot Synthesis of 2-Acetyl-1H-pyrroles from N-Propargylic β-Enaminones via Intermediacy of 1,4-Oxazepines

A one-pot two-step protocol for the synthesis of 2-acetyl-1H-pyrroles from N-propargylic β-enaminones was described. When treated with zinc chloride in refluxing chloroform, N-propargylic β-enaminones produced in situ 2-methylene-2,3-dihydro-1,4-oxazepines, which, upon further refluxing in methanol with zinc chloride, afforded 2-acetyl-1H-pyrroles. The process was found to be general for a wide variety of N-propargylic β-enaminones and yielded a diverse range of 2-acetyl-1H-pyrroles in good to high yields with large substrate scope and good functional group tolerance. This operationally easy method may provide a rapid access to functionalized 2-acetyl-1H-pyrroles of pharmacological interest.

Methyl (2E)-3-[3-Benzyl-2-(3-methoxy-3-oxoprop-1-yn-1-yl)-2-(1-naphthyl)imidazolidin-1-yl]acrylate

Compounds with propargylamine moiety are useful synthetic precursors of several important classes of nitrogen-containing heterocycles. The title compound, methyl (2E)-3-[3-benzyl-2-(3-methoxy-3-oxoprop-1-yn-1-yl)-2-(1-naphthyl)imidazolidine-1-yl]acrylate, has been prepared by domino-reaction, employing easily available 1-benzyl-2-(1-naphthyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazole and methyl propiolate in a high 92% yield. The structure of title compound was determined using 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, UV, FT-IR and HRMS (High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry).

Synthesis of 3-[(4-Nitrophenyl)thio]-Substituted 4-Methylene-1-pyrrolines from N-Propargylic β-Enaminones

A facile and efficient method for the synthesis of 3-[(4-nitrophenyl)thio]-substituted 4-methylene-1-pyrrolines is described. When treated with 4-nitrobenzenesulfenyl chloride in refluxing acetonitrile, N-propargylic β-enaminones produced α-sulfenylated N-propargylic β-enaminones, which, in the presence of sodium hydride or cesium carbonate, underwent nucleophilic cyclization to afford 4-methylene-3-[(4-nitrophenyl)thio]-1-pyrrolines in good to high yields. It was shown for the first time that on N-propargylic β-enaminone systems, α-sulfenylation dominates over the formation of thiirenium ion. This one-pot two-step process was found to be general for a variety of N-propargylic β-enaminones and demonstrated good tolerance to a diversity of aromatic and heteroaromatic groups with electron-withdrawing and electron-donating substituents. This process is also applicable to the cyclization of internal alkyne-tethered N-propargylic β-enaminones. The enrichment of 1-pyrroline core with an aryl sulfide moiety might exhibit potential for the synthesis of molecules of pharmacological interest.

Metal-Free Method for Direct Synthesis of Functionalized β-Ketoenamines

A new method for direct synthesis of β-ketoenamines was developed by a BF₃·OEt₂-catalyzed cyclization of 1-iodoalkyne and α-keto acid followed by an amine-mediated ring-opening in one pot. Its metal-free conditions allowed the easy synthesis of those products bearing the transition metal-sensitive functional groups. Its three-component process achieved wide range of functionalized products.

A new strategy for the synthesis of pyridines from N-propargylic β-enaminothiones

A new robust method for the synthesis of 2,4,5-trisubstituted pyridines with high efficiency and broad functional group tolerance is described.

N-Propargylic β-enaminocarbonyls: powerful and versatile building blocks in organic synthesis

Nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds are not only prevalent in an extensive number of natural products and synthetic pharmaceuticals but are also used as building blocks in organic synthesis.

Base-catalyzed cascade synthesis of 2,3-dihydrofuro[2,3-b]pyridines and 2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridines from N-propargylic β-enaminones

A novel protocol to prepare dihydrofuropyridine and dihydropyrrolopyridine derivatives from KOH-catalyzed reactions between N-propargylic β-enaminones and arylaldehydes or N-sulfonyl imines has been developed.