Swapping Copper-Catalytic Process: Selective Access to Pyrazoles and Conjugated Ketimines from Oxime Acetates and Cyclic Sulfamidate Imines

A powerful CuCl-catalyzed sequential one-pot reaction of aryl methyl ketoxime acetates with cyclic N-sulfonyl imines followed by elimination in the presence of base is reported. This hydrazine-free method conveniently makes C-C and N-N bonds via a radical cleavage of the N-O bond, delivering a special class of C3-hydroxyarylated pyrazoles in good yields. Surprisingly, while employing CuI as a catalyst instead of CuCl, the reaction proceeds through a non-radical pathway which embodies a new tactic for the high-yielding access to value-added conjugated N-unsubstituted ketimines. Moreover, additive-free approach to sulfamidate-fused-pyrazoles was achieved by successfully catalyzing addition and oxidative N-N bond-making reactions by CuI and CuCl, respectively. Significantly, our novel technique could convert the prepared ketimines into the pharmacologically recognized 6H-benzo[c]chromene frameworks.

Crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of 4-(3-methoxyphenyl)-2,6-diphenylpyridine

The title compound was obtained via the reaction of (1E,2E)-3-(3-meth­oxy­phen­yl)-1-phenyl­prop-2-en-1-one with ethyl 2-oxo­propano­ate, using NH₄I as a catalyst. In the mol­ecule, the four rings are not in the same plane, the pyridine ring being inclined to the benzene rings by 17.26 (6), 56.16 (3) and 24.50 (6)°. In the crystal, mol­ecules are linked by C—H⋯π inter­actions into a three-dimensional network.

The title compound, C₂₄H₁₉NO, was obtained via the reaction of (1E,2E)-3-(3-meth­oxy­phen­yl)-1-phenyl­prop-2-en-1-one with ethyl 2-oxo­propano­ate, using NH₄I as a catalyst. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group I2/a. In the mol­ecule, the four rings are not in the same plane, the pyridine ring being inclined to the benzene rings by 17.26 (6), 56.16 (3) and 24.50 (6)°. In the crystal, mol­ecules are linked by C—H⋯π inter­actions into a three-dimensional network. To further analyse the inter­molecular inter­actions, a Hirshfeld surface analysis was performed. Hirshfeld surface analysis indicates that the most abundant contributions to the crystal packing are from H⋯H (50.4%), C⋯H/H⋯C (37.9%) and O⋯H/H⋯O (5.1%) inter­actions.

Regioselective access to di- and trisubstituted pyridines via a metal-oxidant-solvent-free domino reaction involving 3-chloropropiophenones

A remarkable metal-oxidant-solvent- and base-free domino route for regioselective access to a wide range of 2,4-di- and 2,3,4/6-trisubstituted pyridines including carbo- and heterocyclic fused pyridines is reported. This [3C + 2C + 1N] cyclization reaction occurs between 3-chloropropiophenones (3C units), enolizable acyclic/cyclic ketones (2C sources) and NH₄OAc as a robust N source under neat conditions under an open atmosphere, producing new C=C and C=N-C bonds in highly chemo- and regioselective manners. Interestingly, this eco-friendly method has many positive features: excellent functional group tolerance, broad substrate scope, good to excellent regioselectivities, promising yields, no-unwanted products, neutral reaction conditions and appropriateness for large-scale synthesis. Mechanism studies reveal that the in situ generated β-amino ketone from 3-chloropropiophenone and an ammonium salt undergoes C=N bond formation with a ketone followed by an intramolecular cyclization process (C=C bond), which are the decisive steps for pyridine synthesis.

Cu(OAc)2/DABCO-mediated domino reaction of vinyl malononitriles with cyclic sulfamidate imines: access to 6-hydroxyaryl-2-aminonicotinonitriles

A novel Cu(II)-salt/DABCO-mediated one-pot access to a myriad of highly substituted biologically relevant 2-aminonicotinonitriles possessing a resourceful phenolic moiety with satisfactory yields is reported. This method involves cyclic sulfamidate imines as 1C1N sources and different kinds of acyclic/cyclic vinyl malononitriles as 4C sources for pyridine synthesis via a vinylogous Mannich-cycloaromatization sequence process, creating two new C-N bonds under mild conditions. Importantly, this de novo strategy is applicable to gram-scale syntheses, underlining the method's practicability and allowing for a wide range of substrates with excellent functional group tolerance.

Tandem 1,6-addition/cyclopropanation/rearrangement reaction of vinylogous para-quinone methides with 3-chlorooxindoles: construction of vicinal quaternary carbon centers

A novel tandem 1,6-addition/cyclopropanation/rearrangement reaction of vinylogous para-quinone methides with 3-chlorooxindoles has been developed, providing dispirooxindole–cyclopentane–cyclohexadienones with vicinal quaternary carbon centers.

Recent advances and future challenges in the synthesis of 2,4,6-triarylpyridines

2,4,6-Triarylpyridines are key building blocks to access functional molecules that are used in the design of advanced materials, metal-organic frameworks, supramolecules, reactive chemical intermediates and drugs. A number of synthetic protocols to construct this heterocyclic scaffold have been developed to date, the most recent of which (2015-present) are included and discussed in the present review. An emphasis has been placed on the utility of each synthetic approach in view of the scope of aryl/hetaryl substituents, limitations and an outlook of each method to be used in applied sciences.

Unmasking the reverse reactivity of cyclic N-sulfonyl ketimines: multifaceted applications in organic synthesis

The chemistry related to the exploration of cyclic N-sulfonyl ketimines and their derivatives has attracted significant attention in the last few decades because of their intriguing structures and properties. They serve broadly as reactive synthons in various reactions to create a diverse set of synthetically and biologically attractive molecules. Furthermore, these moieties, which possess multiple heteroatoms (N, O and S), display or can enhance many biological activities. In the case of synthetic reactions, chemists mainly focus on the chemical manipulation of the highly reactive prochiral CN bond of N-sulfonyl ketimines. Besides their traditional role as electrophiles, N-sulfonyl ketimines possess α-Csp³-H protons, and thus behave as potential carbonucleophiles, where they can undergo several C-X (X = C, N and O) bond-forming reactions with different types of electrophiles under various conditions to form a wide range of fascinating asymmetric and non-asymmetric versions of fused heterocycles, carbocycles, spiro-fused skeletons, pyridines, pyrroles, etc. Herein, we highlight the recent examples from our research work and others covering the scope of cyclic N-sulfonyl ketimines as useful carbonucleophiles. In addition, the detailed mechanistic studies of the above-mentioned reactions are also presented.

Construction of Oxygen- and Nitrogen-based Heterocycles from p-Quinone Methides

In the last few years, there has been an explosive growth in the area of para-quinone methide (p-QM) chemistry. This boom is actually due to the unique reactivity pattern of p-QMs, and also their remarkable synthetic applications. In fact, p-QMs serve as synthons for unsymmetrical diaryl- and triarylmethanes, and also for the construction of diverse range of carbocycles and heterocycles. In the last few years, a wide range of structurally complex heterocyclic frameworks could be accessed through the synthetic transformations of structurally modified stable p-QMs. Therefore, the main focus of this review article is to cover the recent advancements in the transition-metal, Lewis acid and base-catalyzed/mediated synthetic transformations of the stable p-quinone methides (p-QMs) to oxygen- and nitrogen-containing heterocycles.

Tandem (2 + 2) Annulation/Retro-4π Electrocyclization/Imino-Nazarov Cyclization Reaction of p-Quinone Methides with Ynamides: Expeditious Construction of Functionalized Aminoindenes

A new tandem annulation of p-quinone methides (p-QMs) with ynamides is described. This cascade reaction features a unique combination of (2 + 2) annulation, retro-4π electrocyclization, and imino-Nazarov cyclization, wherein vinyl p-quinone methides (p-VQMs) as one of the key intermediates have been identified chemically. Significantly, an unusual structural reconstruction of p-QMs involving the cleavage of the C5-C6 bond and the late-stage formation of the C4-C6 bond is involved, leading to a methodology development for the construction of functionalized aminoindenes.

Regiocontrolled synthesis of 2,4,6-triarylpyridines from methyl ketones, electron-deficient acetylenes and ammonium acetate

A novel one-pot two-step approach for the synthesis of 2,4,6-triarylpyridines via t-BuOK/DMSO-promoted C-vinylation of a variety of methyl ketones with electron-deficient acetylenes (alkynones) followed by a cyclization of the in situ generated unsaturated 1,5-dicarbonyl species with ammonium acetate has been developed. This approach possesses competitive advantages such as high regioselectivity, available starting materials and the absence of transition-metal catalysts, oxidants and undesirable byproducts. A wide synthetic utility of the developed approach was demonstrated by the synthesis of trisubstituted, tetrasubstituted and fused pyridines.

Five-membered cyclic sulfamidate imines: versatile scaffolds for organic synthesis

In recent years, five-membered ring cyclic sulfamidate imines (5H-1,2,3-oxathiazole 2,2-dioxides) have received increasing attention as useful precursors for the stereoselective synthesis of many valuable heterocycles. Bearing a reactive N-sulfonyl imine moiety as part of the stereodefined skeleton, this sulfamidate imine platform has been utilised as a substrate in many reactions, including nucleophilic additions and reductions, to prepare highly functionalised cyclic sulfamidates. In addition, cyclic sulfamidate imines can also readily participate as nucleophiles in many chemical transformations, owing to the acidic proton(s) adjacent to the imine moiety. This short review highlights recent developments involving cyclic sulfamidate imines, including their synthesis and reactivity, with a focus on stereoselective processes.