BPO-promoted [4 + 2] cyclization of enaminones and o-phenylenediamines to 2-acyl quinoxalines via a cascade transamination and C-H amination

Rapid assembly of quinoxalines in a single step from readily available precursors has been recognized as an ideal platform in terms of efficiency and operation. Herein, we report a BPO-promoted metal-free approach to 2-acyl quinoxalines from enaminones and o-phenylenediamines via cascade transamination and C-H amination. This methodology demonstrates excellent compatibility with various substrates, including o-hydroxy enaminones, drug derivatives and natural products under mild reaction conditions.

Cascade Electrochemical Aerobic Oxygenation of 2-Substituted Indoles and Electrochemical [5 + 3] Annulation with Amidines: Access to Eight-Membered Benzo[1,3,5]triazocin-6(5H)-ones

The cascade electrochemical C3-selective aerobic oxygenation of 2-substituted indoles and electrochemical [5 + 3] annulation with amidines through an undivided cell galvanostatic method employing molecular oxygen and "electricity" as green oxidants was developed. This protocol provides an efficient and direct approach to eight-membered benzo[1,3,5]triazocin-6(5H)-ones. Mechanistic studies suggested that two subsequent electrochemical processes both proceeded through radical pathways.

Three-Component Ring-Expansion Reaction of Indoles Leading to Synthesis of Pyrrolo[2,3-c]quinolines

Herein, we have developed an atom- and step-economic three-component cascade reaction that enables a modular platform for the synthesis of pyrrolo[2,3-c]quinoline compounds through ring-expansion/cyclization by way of novel N1-C2 cleavage of indoles. The metal-free catalytic system exhibits a broad functional group tolerance.

Three-Component Fusion to Pyrazolo[5,1-a]isoquinolines via Rh-Catalyzed Multiple Order Transformation of Enaminones

A facile and practical method for the synthesis of fused tricyclic pyrazolo[5,1-a]isoquinolines has been realized via the reactions of enaminones, hydrazine hydrochloride, and internal alkynes. By means of Rh catalysis, the extraordinary high-order bond functionalization, including the transformation of aryl C-H, ketone C═O, and alkenyl C-N bonds in the enaminones, marks the major feature of the cascade reactions. The results disclose the individual advantage of enaminones in the design of novel and efficient synthetic methods.

Synthetic strategies and diversification of dibenzo[1,5]diazocines

Dibenzo[1,5]diazocine scaffolds are present in a wide range of organic building blocks, for example in pharmaceuticals, materials and structural chemistry. However, the development of these structural frameworks has not received significant attention owing to limited synthetic protocols and strategies. Herein, a summary of the attractive synthetic approaches for the construction of dibenzo[1,5]diazocines, epiminodibenzo[1,5]diazocines and epoxydibenzo[1,5]diazocines developed over the past two decades is presented. The spectroscopic, synthetic mechanisms for the formation of the heterocyclic rings and remarkable structural features, including in the solid-state, are discussed.

Synthesis of benzo[b][1,5]diazocin-6(5H)-one derivatives via the Cu-catalysed oxidative cyclization of 2-aryl-1H-indoles with 1,1-enediamines

A novel protocol for the synthesis of highly functionalized benzo[b][1,5]diazocin-6(5H)-one derivatives (BDCOs, 4 and 5) from 2-aryl-1H-indoles and 1,1-enediamines was developed via a complex cascade of reactions including regioselective free radical oxidation, the 1,2-addition of imine, imine-enamine tautomerization, intramolecular cyclization, and ring expansion. The cascade reaction was enabled by refluxing a mixture of two substrates in the presence of di-tert-butyl peroxide (DTBP) as an oxidant and anhydrous CuI as a catalyst in toluene under argon protection. Consequently, a series of BDCOs (4 and 5) were synthesized with high regioselectivity in good yield. This protocol can be used for the synthesis of functionalized BDCOs via a one-pot oxidative annulation reaction rather than a multi-step reaction, which is suitable for both combinatorial and parallel syntheses of BDCOs.

Indole Editing Enabled by HFIP-Mediated Ring-Switch Reactions of 3-Amino-2-Hydroxyindolines

This work reports the novel reactivity of hemiaminal as a precursor for indole editing at the multi-site. The HFIP-promoted indole editing of indoline hemiaminals affords 2-arylindoles through a ring-switch sequence. The key to success of this transformation is to use a cyclic hemiaminal as an α-amino aldehyde surrogate under transient tautomeric control. This transformation features mild reaction conditions and good yields with broad functional group tolerance. The utility of this transformation is presented through the one-pot protocol and the synthesis of isocryptolepine.

Brønsted-Acid-Promoted Selective C2-N1 Ring-Expansion Reaction of Indoles toward Cyclopenta[b]quinolines

A novel Brønsted-acid-promoted selective C2-N1 ring-expansion reaction of indoles has been developed that provides a rapid and efficient protocol for the preparation of fused quinolines. A variety of corresponding quinolines were obtained in high yields. Controlled experiments revealed that C2-spiroindolenines might be intermediates of this C2-N1 ring-expansion reaction. The notable advantages of this process include excellent yields, good functional group tolerance, and operational simplicity.

Employing Arylacetylene as a Diene Precursor and Dienophile: Synthesis of Quinoline via the Povarov Reaction

A novel I₂-mediated Povarov reaction of arylacetylenes and anilines for the synthesis of 2,4-substituted quinolines has been developed, in which arylacetylene first acts as both a diene precursor and dienophile. This work further develops the Povarov reaction to expand the types of diene precursors. Preliminary mechanistic studies indicate that the I₂/DMSO system realized the oxidative carbonylation of C(sp)-H of arylacetylene and then undergoes a [4 + 2] cycloaddition reaction.

Arylacetylenes as two-carbon synthons: synthesis of eight-membered rings via C[triple bond, length as m-dash]C bond cleavage

The first synthesis of eight-membered N-containing heterocycles by oxidative bicyclization/ring extension of arylacetylenes and aryl amines has been achieved. This protocol uses arylacetylene as an unusual two-carbon synthon by incorporating the two parts of the cracked C[triple bond, length as m-dash]C bond into the final product, which provides a new method for using arylacetylenes as two-carbon synthons and further enriches C[triple bond, length as m-dash]C bond cleavage methodology. Moreover, this multi-component reaction can provide diverse fused elegant eight-membered N-heterocycles under mild conditions with wide substrate scopes.

Autocatalyzed three-component cyclization of polyfluoroalkyl-3-oxo esters, methyl ketones and alkyl amines: a novel approach to 3-alkylamino-5-hydroxy-5-polyfluoroalkylcyclohex-2-en-1-ones

A new one-pot reaction between polyfluoroalkylated 3-oxo esters, methyl ketones and primary or secondary alkyl amines is reported as an efficient approach to 3-alkylamino-5-hydroxy-5-polyfluoroalkylcyclohex-2-en-1-ones. The scope of three-component cyclization and its plausible mechanism are discussed. The described protocol makes it possible to vary the functional substituents in 2, 3 and 5 positions of carbocycles. Anhydrous conditions are necessary for the productive synthesis of aminocyclohexenones, whereas in the presence of water the competitive formation of alkyl ammonium salts of keto hydroxy carboxylates is observed. Dehydration of the aminocyclohexenones was effectively used for the synthesis of 3-alkylamino-5-trifluoromethylphenols, some of which exhibited moderate antifungal activities against eight pathogenic fungal strains.

Visible-light-induced oxidative ring expansion of indoles with amidines

An efficient and mild visible-light-enabled reaction involving the oxidative ring expansion of indoles with amidines in the aqueous phase at room temperature is developed.

A straightforward TBHP-mediated synthesis of 2-amidobenzoic acids from 2-arylindoles and their antimicrobial activity

Synthesis of 2-amidobenzoic acids has been achieved through TBHP-mediated oxidative ring opening of 2-arylindoles. The synthesized compounds have been evaluated for their antimicrobial activity.

Efficient synthesis of 2-arylquinazolin-4-amines via a copper-catalyzed diazidation and ring expansion cascade of 2-arylindoles

Copper-catalyzed synthesis of 2-arylquinazolin-4-amines from readily available 2-arylindoles and TMSN₃ has been developed.