Multicomponent and multicatalytic asymmetric synthesis of furo[2,3-b]pyrrole derivatives: further insights into the mode of action of chiral phosphoric acid catalysts

Elevating pyrrole derivative synthesis: a three-component revolution

Pyrrole is an essential chemical with considerable relevance as a pharmaceutical framework for many biologically necessary medications. The growing demand for biologically active compounds calls for a simple one-pot method for generating novel pyrrole derivatives. Nots surprisingly, several multicomponent reactions (MCRs) aim to synthesize pyrrole derivatives. However, this review presents the three-component synthesis of pyrrole derivatives, highlighting the significance of multicomponent reaction in synthesizing eclectic multi-functionalised pyrrole covering the selected literature on the three-component synthesis of substituted pyrrole from 2016 to late 2023. Furthermore, this article classifies the reactions based on the starting material with functional groups involved in the pyrrole ring formation.

Domino Michael/Oxa-Michael Reactions of the Unsymmetric Double Michael Acceptor for Access to Bicyclic Furo[2,3-b]pyrrole

By creating an unsymmetric double Michael acceptor 1, we were able to synthesize the nonaromatic-fused bicyclic furo[2,3-b]pyrrole nucleus using a domino Michael/oxa-Michael reaction. Adopting benzoyl acetonitrile 2d (CN as the electron-withdrawing group) as a substrate, we discovered a (DHQ)2AQN-catalyzed method for high diastereo- and enantioselectivity of those products. The reaction path has been determined by isolating the reaction intermediates, and density functional theory calculations support these findings. Beyond providing a synthetic approach, this work illustrated the compounds' possible use in antitumor activity.

Gold-catalyzed multicomponent reactions

Multicomponent reactions (MCRs) have emerged as an important branch in organic synthesis for the creation of complex molecular structures. This review is focused on gold-catalyzed MCRs with a special emphasis on the recent developments.

Employing Visible-Light Photoredox Catalysis in Multicomponent-Multicatalyst Reactions: One-Pot Synthesis of Spiroquinazolin-2-(thi)ones

The multicomponent-multicatalyst reaction ((MC)²R) and visible-light catalysis have emerged as green and powerful strategies for achieving ideal syntheses. Here, we report the first example of a visible-light-induced approach toward spiroquinazolin(thi)ones. This (MC)²R features an eco-friendly energy source and solvent, metal-free catalysts, step- and atom-economy, a relay catalysis strategy, air as green oxidant, mild conditions, and easily accessible starting materials.

Efficient one-pot synthesis and dehydrogenation of tricyclic dihydropyrimidines catalyzed by OMS-2-SO3H, and application of the functional-chromophore products as colorimetric chemosensors

An efficient and convenient one-pot multicomponent reaction (MCR) for the synthesis and dehydrogenation of tricyclic dihydropyrimidine derivatives, catalyzed by –SO₃H functionalized octahedral manganese oxide molecular sieves (OMS-2-SO₃H) as a novel solid acid catalyst, is reported. All of the organic products and the catalyst were unambiguously characterized with conventional techniques including Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The targeted dehydrogenated chromophore compounds were successfully used as colorimetric chemosensors for detection of transition metals in aqueous solution. For example, 1-[4-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-phenyl)-2-methyl-benzo[4,5]imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-ethanone (7d), exhibited high sensitivity and selectivity toward detection of Cr³⁺ over a panel of other transition metal cations. The interference of foreign ions was found to be negligible. It was found that a 1 : 1 complex of Cr³⁺ and 7d is responsible for the color change of the solution from ochre to brown. These newly devised chemosensors can also exhibit significant wavelength shifts (up to 100 nm) when used as pH indicators. 7d for example, showed a vivid and sharp color change from pink to yellow in the pH range of 4 to 6.

Hyperconjugated products of dihydropyrimidines may act as colorimetric chemosensors.