Photochemical alkylation of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones with N,N,N',N'-tetraalkylethylenediamine

A visible-light-induced C-3 alkylation of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones with N,N,N',N'-tetraalkylethylenediamine was achieved without an external photocatalyst. The mechanism showed that quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones could act as photocatalysts. The accessibility of the reagents and the green and mild reaction conditions made this protocol an alternative method to access C-3 alkylated quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones.

Photoexcited nitroarenes for alkylation of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones

A straightforward method for the dehydrogenative alkylation of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones with alkylbenzenes has been developed, facilitated by a photoexcited nitroarene. The reaction's success hinges on the dual role of the photoexcited nitroarene molecule, acting as both a hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) reagent and an oxidant. This technique is both atom-economical and cost-effective, due to the readily available nitroarene, which serves as the sole intermediary in the reaction process.

Photoredox cross-dehydrogenative C(sp2)-C(sp3) coupling of heteroarenes with secondary amines through 1,5-HAT

The functionalization of α-C(sp3)-H bonds in amines has become a focal point of contemporary research. Here, we report a new approach utilizing photocatalysis α-C(sp3)-H bond functionalization in alicyclic and aliphatic secondary amines facilitated by intramolecular 1,5-hydrogen atom transfer (HAT). This finding unlocks a sustainable method for rapidly constructing complex heterocyclics via cross-dehydrogenative C-C coupling of protected amines and nitrogen-containing heterocycles. This protocol boasts broad applicability to various substrates, exhibits tolerance to numerous functional groups, and supports the late-stage modification of drug molecules.

Visible Light-Induced Electron-Donor-Acceptor-Mediated C-3 Coupling of Quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones with Unactivated Aryl Iodides

Visible light-induced C-3 arylation of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones with abundantly available aryl iodides with good yields via an electron-donor-acceptor (EDA)-complex formation have been accomplished. The radical scavenging, Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), UV-visible experiments, density functional theory (DFT), and quantum yield studies revealed that the reaction went through a radical pathway via a single electron transfer (SET) process. Furthermore, the protocol could also be applied to the synthesis of biologically active molecules, illustrating the practicality of the present protocol.

Photoinduced Dehydrogenative Amination of Quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones with Air as an Oxidant

A facile and eco-friendly photoinduced dehydrogenative amination of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones with aliphatic amines without any metal, strong oxidant, and photocatalyst has been established for the first time. This reaction proceeding efficiently with air as the sole oxidant at room temperature obtains a wide range of 3-aminoquinoxaline-2(1H)-ones in high yields with excellent functional group tolerance. The mechanistic studies show an interesting involvement of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones as a photosensitizer, which eliminates the requirement for external photocatalysts.

Visible-light-mediated direct C3 alkylation of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones using alkanes

Due to the high C-H bond dissociation energy of alkanes, the utilization of alkanes as alkyl radical precursors for C-H functionalization of heteroarenes is synthetically captivating but practically challenging, especially under metal- and photocatalyst-free conditions. We report herein a mild and practical visible-light-mediated method for C-H alkylation of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones using trifluoroacetic acid as a hydrogen atom transfer reagent and air as an oxidant. This mild protocol was performed under metal- and photocatalyst-free circumstances and presented good functional-group tolerance as well as a broad substrate scope.

Direct Access to Strained Fused Dihalo-Aziridino Quinoxalinones via C3-Alkylation Followed by Tandem Cyclization

Quinoxalinones are a privileged class of compounds, and their structural framework is found in many bioactive compounds, natural compounds, and pharmaceuticals. Quinoxalinone is a promising scaffold for different types of functionalization, and the slight modification of the quinoxalinone skeleton is known to offer a wide range of compounds for drug discovery. Owing to the importance of the quinoxalinone scaffold, we have developed a base-mediated protocol for the C3-alkylation of quinoxalinone followed by tandem cyclization to access novel types of strenuous and fused dihalo-aziridino-quinoxalinone heterocycles via the construction of C-C and C-N bonds. The protocol proved to be simple and practical to access desired fused quinoxalinone heterocycles in excellent yields (up to 98% yield). As an application, the highly functionalized fused dihalo-aziridino-quinoxalinone molecule has been further utilized for mono-dehalogenation under visible light irradiation and selective amide reduction. Moreover, the protocol has also been demonstrated on a gram scale.

Photoredox-catalyzed three-component difluorobenzylation of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones with unactivated vinylarenes and BrCF2CO2Et/HCF2CO2H

An environmentally friendly strategy for the photo-catalyzed three-component reaction between quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones, vinylarenes, with inexpensive and easily accessible ethyl bromodifluoroacetate/sodium difluoromethanesulfinate is described. This protocol exhibits mild conditions, high efficiency, and excellent functional group tolerance, providing a highly efficient approach for the synthesis of difluorobenzylated quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones by the formation of two carbon-carbon bonds. A radical mechanism is responsible for this three-component transformation.

Metal- and Base-Free Radical Cascade Cyclization/Hydrolysis of CN-Containing 1,6-Enynes with Ethers to Access Polyheterocycles

A convenient and straightforward approach for the radical cascade cyclization/hydrolysis of CN-containing 1,6-enynes with simple ethers under metal- and base-free conditions is described. This strategy provides a variety of valuable ethers-substituted polyheterocycles via the construction of three C-C bonds, one C=O bond, and two new six-membered rings within a single procedure. The resulting products can smoothly undergo follow-up conversions to various useful scaffolds. The methodology shows excellent functional group tolerance, high step- and atom- economy, and mild reaction conditions, which can be further scaled up to gram quantity in a satisfactory yield.

Sunlight Induced and Recyclable g-C3N4 Catalyzed C-H Sulfenylation of Quinoxalin-2(1H)-Ones

A sunlight-promoted sulfenylation of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones using recyclable graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) as a heterogeneous photocatalyst was developed. Using the method, various 3-sulfenylated quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones were obtained in good to excellent yields under an ambient air atmosphere. Moreover, the heterogeneous catalyst can be recycled at least six times without significant loss of activity.

A HCl-Mediated, Metal- and Oxidant-Free Photocatalytic Strategy for C3 Arylation of Quinoxalin(on)es with Arylhydrazine

A novel and simple HCl-mediated, photocatalytic method for quinoxaline(on)es C3-H arylation with arylhydrazine under transition metal catalyst- and oxidant-free conditions is presented. Various quinoxaline(on)es underwent this transformation smoothly, demonstrating a broad substrate tolerance and providing the corresponding aryl products in moderate to excellent yields. Mechanistic studies indicated that a radical pathway may be involved in this transformation.

Regioselective C-3-alkylation of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones via C-N bond cleavage of amine derived Katritzky salts enabled by continuous-flow photoredox catalysis

An efficient, transition metal-free visible-light-driven continuous-flow C-3-alkylation of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones has been demonstrated by employing Katritzky salts as alkylating agents in the presence of eosin-y as a photoredox catalyst and DIPEA as a base at room temperature. The present protocol was accomplished by utilizing abundant and inexpensive alkyl amine (both primary and secondary alkyl) and as well as this a few amino acid feedstocks were converted into their corresponding redox-active pyridinium salts and subsequently into alkyl radicals. A wide variety of C-3-alkylated quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones were synthesized in moderate to high yields. Further this environmentally benign protocol is carried out in a PFA (Perfluoroalkoxy alkane) capillary based micro reactor under blue LED irradiation, enabling excellent yields (72% to 91%) and shorter reaction times (0.81 min) as compared to a batch system (16 h).

Photoinduced ligand to metal charge transfer enabling cerium mediated decarboxylative alkylation of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones

Here, we report the cerium-mediated decarboxylative alkylation of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones utilizing feedstock carboxylic acids as a radical precursor via photoinduced-LMCT. This operationally simple protocol overcomes the limitation of the direct use of carboxylic acids to access alkyl radicals. Spectroscopic investigations reveal the photoinduced LMCT and CO₂ evolving events. We have utilized a broad range of alkyl carboxylic acids (1° to 3° acids), amino acids and pharmaceutically-important acids as a coupling partner to synthesise the desired alkylated heterocyclic product in good to excellent yields.

Di-tert-butyl peroxide as an effective two-carbon unit in oxidative radical cyclization toward 7-methylazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines

An unexpected oxidative radical cyclization with DTBP as the C2 cyclic unit enables the assembly of privileged 7-methylazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines.

Photo-Induced Cross-Dehydrogenative Alkylation of Heteroarenes with Alkanes under Aerobic Conditions

We report a Minisci-type cross-dehydrogenative alkylation in an aerobic atmosphere using abundant and inexpensive cerium chloride as a photocatalyst and air as an oxidant. This photoreaction exhibits excellent tolerance to functional groups and is suitable for both heteroarene and alkane substrates under mild conditions, generating the corresponding products in moderate-to-good yields. Our method provides an alternative approach for the late-stage functionalization of valuable substrates.

Metal-free regioselective nitration of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones with tert-butyl nitrite

A metal-free coupling of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones with tert-butyl nitrite has been developed. Distinctly from the previous functionalization of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones, this nitration reaction took place selectively at the C7 or C5 position of the phenyl ring, affording a series of 7-nitro and 5-nitro quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones in moderate to good yields. Preliminary mechanistic studies revealed that the reaction may involve a radical process.

Synthesis of indolo[2,1-α]isoquinoline derivatives via metal-free radical cascade cyclization

In the present studies, we describe a convenient and efficient protocol for the synthesis of the indolo[2,1-α]isoquinoline core structure through the reaction of 2-aryl-N-acryloyl indoles and aryl or alkyl α-keto acids under air environment in four hours. The developed approach features broad substrate scope and good functional group tolerance under mild reaction conditions without a metal catalyst participation. A series of valuable indolo[2,1-α] isoquinoline derivatives bearing various functional groups were synthesized using this method in good to excellent yields. Based on a series of control experiments, a radical pathway was proposed to explain the experiment.

Alkylation of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones using phosphonium ylides as alkylating reagents

A practical and efficient methodology for the construction of 3-alkylquinoxalinones through base promoted direct alkylation of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones with phosphonium ylides as alkylating reagents under metal- and oxidant-free conditions was developed. Various 3-alkylquinoxalin-2(1H)-ones were easily obtained in good to excellent yields. Tentative mechanistic studies suggest that this reaction is likely to involve a nucleophilic addition-elimination process.

Direct functionalization of quinoxalin-2(1H)-one with alkanes: C(sp2)-H/C(sp3)-H cross coupling in transition metal-free mode

Considering the significance of pharmaceutically important heterocycles, efficient and highly versatile protocols for the functionalization of diverse heterocycles with easily accessible feedstock are crucial. Here, we have reported selective alkylation of quinoxalin-2(1H)-one with a broad class of hydrocarbons having different C(sp³)-H bonds with varying bond strengths using di-tert-butyl peroxide (DTBP) as an alkoxyl radical mediator for hydrogen atom transfer (HAT). This dehydrogenative coupling approach utilizes feedstock chemicals such as cycloalkanes, cyclic ethers and alkyl arenes as coupling partners. This protocol exhibits good functional group compatibility and selectivity regarding both heterocycles and unactivated alkanes. Moreover, this methodology allows functionalization of relatively strong C-H bonds of adamantane and exclusive selectivity towards 3° C(sp³)-H bonds is observed. We also illustrate the applicability of this C(sp²)-H/C(sp³)-H cross-coupling for practical access to bioactive pharmaceuticals.

Metal-Free Direct C-H Functionalization of Quinoxalin-2(1H)-Ones to Produce 3-Vinylated Quinoxalin-2(1H)-Ones in the Presence of Alkenes

A novel and efficient C 3-H vinylation reaction with quinoxalin-2(1H)-one as the substrate, in the presence of alkenes, under metal-free conditions, is reported herein. The reaction leads to the formation of new carbon-carbon bonds that exhibit moderate to good reactivities. The vinylation of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones, in the presence of alkenes, is an attractive process that can be potentially utilized to produce biologically active 3-vinylated quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones.

Synthesis of (E)-Quinoxalinone Oximes through a Multicomponent Reaction under Mild Conditions

Herein, a novel method for the gram-scale synthesis of (E)-quinoxalinone oximes through a multicomponent reaction under mild conditions is described. Such a transformation was performed under transition-metal-free conditions, affording (E)-oximes in a moderate-to-good yield through recrystallization. Our methodology demonstrates a successful combination of a Mannich-type reaction and radical coupling, providing a green and practical approach for the synthesis of potentially bioactive quinoxalinone-containing molecules.

BI-OAc-Accelerated C3-H Alkylation of Quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones under Visible-Light Irradiation

An efficient, photoredox-catalyst-free radical alkylation of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones has been described. This reaction utilizes 4-alkyl-1,4-dihydropyridines (R-DHPs) as alkyl radical precursors and acetoxybenziodoxole (BI-OAc) as an electron acceptor to undergo single-electron transfer with photoexcited R-DHPs. The benign conditions allow for good compatibility in the scope of both quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones and R-DHPs. The synthetic value of the protocol was also demonstrated by the successful functionalization of natural products and drug-based complex molecules.