Advances in chromone-based reactants in the ring opening and skeletal reconstruction reaction: access to skeletally diverse salicyloylbenzene/heterocycle derivatives

Salicyloylbenzene/heterocycles are privileged scaffolds found in many natural products and bioactive molecules. Numerous useful approaches for the preparation of these privileged scaffolds have been developed in recent years. Among these approaches, chromone-based reactants have demonstrated their importance in the synthesis of these salicyloylbenzene/heterocycle scaffolds with structural complexity and potential biological appeal. In this review, the recent advances in the synthesis of salicyloylbenzene/heterocycles are summarized and discussed according to the chromone-based reactants which could be achieved in one step via ring-opening and skeletal reconstruction reactions. Both the mechanisms and the applications of the corresponding products in organic and medicinal chemistry are also described.

Ring opening and skeletal reconstruction of 3-vinyl benzofuranone-chromone synthons: catalyst-free access to skeletally-diverse 2-pyridone and optically active imidazoline derivatives

Herein is reported the first example of ring opening and skeletal reconstruction of 3-vinyl benzofuranone-chromones 1 as versatile synthons, which can react with ammonia or primary aliphatic amines as binucleophiles, for the eco-friendly and atom-economical synthesis of diverse and functionalized 2-pyridones 3 with potential biological activity in good to excellent yields (77-93%). When using optically active 1,2-diphenylethylenediamine 2 as the binucleophile, the in situ generated 2-pyridone intermediates are successfully transformed to novel optically active functionalized imidazoline derivatives 4 with high efficiency (up to 87% yield). In particular, this is the first report on the catalyst-free intramolecular cyclization occurring between an amide and a primary aliphatic amine for the construction of imidazoline molecules.

3-Vinyl oxindole-chromone synthon as a skeletal reconstruction reactant for the synthesis of 2-hydroxy benzoyl pyridones

The first example of 3-vinyl oxindole-chromones in the ring opening and recyclization reaction.

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.

Halogen-Substituted Allenyl Ketones through Ring Opening of Nonstrained Cycloalkanols

An efficient synthesis of halogen-substituted allenyl ketones via Ag-catalyzed oxidative ring opening of allenyl cyclic alcohols under mild reaction conditions has been achieved. The reaction features a wide substrate scope and excellent regioselectivity. The synthetic potential of the products has been demonstrated by their conversion to stereodefined alkenes and heterocyclic compounds.

Aerobic Copper-Catalyzed Salicylaldehydic Cformyl -H Arylations with Arylboronic Acids

We report a challenging copper-catalyzed C_formyl -H arylation of salicylaldehydes with arylboronic acids that involves unique salicylaldehydic copper species that differ from reported salicylaldehydic rhodacycles and palladacycles. This protocol has high chemoselectivity for the C_formyl -H bond compared to the phenolic O-H bond involving copper catalysis under high reaction temperatures. This approach is compatible with a wide range of salicylaldehyde and arylboronic acid substrates, including estrone and carbazole derivatives, which leads to the corresponding arylation products. Mechanistic studies show that the 2-hydroxy group of the salicylaldehyde substrate triggers the formation of salicylaldehydic copper complexes through a Cu^I /Cu^II /Cu^III catalytic cycle.

A simple and convenient synthesis of 3-salicyloylquinoline-4-carboxylic esters from chromone and isatin

A simple and convenient synthesis of 3-salicyloylquinoline-4-carboxylic esters has been developed through an AlCl3-catalyzed reaction of easily available Baylis-Hillman adducts from chromones and isatin-derivatives. This reaction involves esterification, cyclization and ring opening in a one-step process, and provides an efficient approach for easy access to a series of valuable salicyloylquinoline derivatives with high yields. Moreover, this protocol offers several advantages, such as availability of starting materials, economic availability, operational simplicity and mild reaction conditions.

A bicyclization reaction with two molecular allenyl ketones and isocyanides: synthesis of a lactone-containing azaspirocycle derivative

A novel bicyclization reaction of two molecular allenyl ketones and isocyanides has been disclosed. This strategy allows for the construction of structurally complex spirocyclic lactam–lactone systems in an efficient manner.

Phosphine-mediated sequential annulations of allenyl ketone and isocyanide: a bicyclization strategy to access a furan-fused eight-membered ring and a spirocycle

Phosphine-mediated cascade annulations of allenyl ketone and isocyanide have been disclosed. This strategy enables the efficient synthesis of a furan-fused eight-membered ring and a spirocycle.

Synthesis of functionalized cyclopentenes through allenic ketone-based multicomponent reactions

A novel and efficient synthesis of diversely functionalized cyclopentene derivatives through the multicomponent reactions of 1,2-allenic ketones with 4-chloroacetoacetate and malononitrile/cyanoacetate under mild and metal-free conditions is presented. Mechanistically, the formation of title compounds involves a cascade process including nucleophilic substitution, Michael addition and intramolecular aldol type reaction. Interestingly, when 1-phenyl allenic ketones bearing electron-donating groups on the phenyl ring were reacted with 4-chloroacetoacetate and cyanoacetate, methylenecyclo-pentanes, the regioisomer of cyclopentenes, were formed with good selectivity and high efficiency.