α-Aminoazoles/azines: key reaction partners for multicomponent reactions

Switching the three-component Biginelli-like reaction conditions for the regioselective synthesis of new 2-amino[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines

Among the eight different triazolopyrimidine isomers existing in nature, 1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine (TZP) is one of the most studied and used isomers in medicinal chemistry. For some years, our group has been involved in developing regioselective one-pot procedures for the synthesis of 2-amino-7-aryl-5-methyl- and 2-amino-5-aryl-7-methyl-TZPs of interest in the preparation of antiviral agents. In this work, taking advantage of a Biginelli-like multicomponent reaction (MCR), we report the identification of finely tunable conditions to regioselectively synthesize C-6 ester-substituted amino-TZP analogues, both in dihydro and oxidized forms. Indeed, the use of mild acidic conditions is strongly directed toward the regioselective synthesis of 5-aryl-7-methyl C-6-substituted TZP analogues, while the use of neutral ionic liquids shifted the regioselectivity towards 7-aryl-5-methyl derivatives. In addition, the novel synthesized scaffolds were functionalized at the C-2 position and evaluated for their antiviral activity against RNA viruses (influenza virus, flaviviruses, and SARS-CoV-2). Compounds 25 and 26 emerged as promising anti-flavivirus agents, showing activity in the low micromolar range.

Regioselective synthesis of indazolo[2,3-a]quinazolines enabled by I2/S-facilitated annulation relay dehydrogenative aromatization of cyclohexanones

A method for concise and efficient synthesis of indazolo[2,3-a]quinazolines has been developed via a sequential annulation of 3-aminoindazoles and dehydrogenative aromatization of cyclohexanones. This high regioselectivity is attributed to the fact that the Mannich reaction is superior to the aldol reaction in this system. It is worth mentioning that this convenient process is successfully extended to 3-aminopyrazoles for assembling another class of medicinally prevalent pyrazolo[1,5-a]quinazolines.

Indole-pyridine carbonitriles: multicomponent reaction synthesis and bio-evaluation as potential hits against diabetes mellitus

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a significant health disorder; therefore, researchers should focus on discovering new drug candidates. Methods: A series of indole-pyridine carbonitrile derivatives, 1-34, were synthesized through a one-pot multicomponent reaction and evaluated for antidiabetic and antioxidant potential. Results: In this library, 12 derivatives - 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10-12, 14, 15 and 31 - exhibited potent inhibitory activities against α-glucosidase and α-amylase enzymes, in comparison to acarbose (IC50 = 14.50 ± 0.11 μM). Furthermore, kinetics, absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity and molecular docking studies were used to interpret the type of inhibition, binding energies and interactions of ligands with target enzymes. Conclusion: These results indicate that the compounds may be promising hits for controlling diabetes mellitus and its related complications.

Regio- and Stereoselective Intermolecular Oxysulfonylation of Alkynes with 1,3-Diketones to Access (Z)-β-Sulfonated Enethers

The first multicomponent regio- and stereoselective difunctionalization of alkynes via concomitant C-O and C-S bond formation using 1,3-diketones and sodium sulfinate has been developed for the synthesis of various sulfonated enethers. The viability of this strategy is unveiled by gram-scale, various synthetic modifications and late-stage functionalization. This transformation does not require any prefunctionalization, metal catalysts, and oxidants. The present operationally simple, efficient, and sustainable approach provides various functionalized olefins in a one-pot protocol with high Z-selectivity.

Can Catenated Nitrogen Compounds with Amine-like Structures Become Candidates for High-Energy-Density Compounds?

The worthwhile idea of whether amine-like catenated nitrogen compounds are stable enough to be used as high-energy materials was proposed and answered. Abstracting the NH3 structure into NR3 (R is the substituent) yields a new class of amine-like catenated nitrogen compounds. Most of the azole ring structures have a high nitrogen content and stability. Inspired by this idea, a series of new amine-like catenated nitrogen compounds (A1 to H5) were designed, and their basic energetic properties were calculated. The results showed that (1) amine-like molecular structures are often characterized by low density; however, the density of these compounds increases as the number of nitrogens in the azole ring increases; (2) these catenated nitrogen compounds generally have extremely high enthalpies of formation (882.91-2652.03 kJ/mol), and the detonation velocity of some compounds exceeds 9254.00 m/s; (3) the detonation performance of amine-like catenated nitrogen compounds designed based on imidazole and pyrazole rings is poor due to their low nitrogen content; and (4) the bond dissociation enthalpy of trigger bonds of most compounds is higher than 84 kJ/mol, indicating that these compounds have a certain thermodynamic stability. In summary, amine-like catenated nitrogen compounds have the potential to become energetic compounds with excellent detonation properties and should be considered to be synthesized by experimental chemists.

Multicomponent Reactions Using C,N-Binucleophilic Nature of Aminopyrazoles: Construction of Pyrazole-Fused Heterocycles

Synthesis of pyrazole-fused heterocycles has gained considerable attention in recent years due to their wide applications in medicinal chemistry. Aminopyrazoles are versatile building blocks for the synthesis of pyrazole-fused heterocycles by multicomponent reactions. Due to the presence of multiple reaction sites, they have fascinating chemical reactivity. Thus, they have been extensively used in multicomponent reactions for the construction of pyrazole-fused heterocycles. Although few review articles on the preparation and applications of aminopyrazoles are known in the literature, to date there is no dedicated review article on the construction of pyrazole-fused heterocycles exploring the reactivity of amino pyrazoles as C,N-binucleophiles in multicomponent reactions. Considering this, herein the multicomponent reactions for the construction of pyrazole-fused heterocycles exploring C,N-binucleophilic nature of amino pyrazoles have been reported.

Design of a new method for one-pot synthesis of 2-amino thiazoles using trichloroisocyanuric acid in the presence of a novel multi-functional and magnetically catalytic nanosystem: Ca/4-MePy-IL@ZY-Fe3O4

In this study, an effective approach was developed to synthesize a novel, multifunctional ionic liquid nanocatalyst based on zeolite-Y with 4-methylpyridinium chloride (4-MePy-Cl) and calcium ions (Ca/4-MePy-IL@ZY). Then, Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were produced inside the zeolite pores with the use of ultrasonic waves. XRD, FESEM, FT-IR, EDX-Map, TGA-DTA, VSM, BET, and atomic absorption techniques were used to identify the structure of the magnetic nanocomposite. Then, its catalytic activity in the one-pot synthesis of 2-aminothiazoles using trichloroisocyanuric acid (TCCA) as a green supplier of halogen ions for intermediates was studied. To provide ideal conditions for the preparation of pure products, first, the one-pot reaction of acetophenone and thiourea in various solvents, different temperatures, and the presence of different amounts of nanocatalysts and the molar amount of TCCA was used. Next, the reaction was investigated in the one-pot preparation of 2-aminothiazole derivatives under optimal conditions. This method replaces iodine (I₂), a toxic reagent, for the first time with TCCA, a safe and sustainable source of halogen. The use of non-toxic solvent and a cheap, safe, recyclable nanocatalyst, quick reaction times, high efficiency, and ease of nanocatalyst separation with the aid of a magnet are additional benefits of this method. This has led to this procedure being classified as "green chemistry".

In Melting Points We Trust: A Review on the Misguiding Characterization of Multicomponent Reactions Adducts and Intermediates

We discuss herein the problems associated with using melting points to characterize multicomponent reactions’ (MCRs) products and intermediates. Although surprising, it is not rare to find articles in which these MCRs final adducts (or their intermediates) are characterized solely by comparing melting points with those available from other reports. A brief survey among specialized articles highlights serious and obvious problems with this practice since, for instance, cases are found in which as many as 25 quite contrasting melting points have been attributed to the very same MCR adduct. Indeed, it seems logical to assume that the inherent non-confirmatory nature of melting points could be vastly misleading as a protocol for structural confirmation, but still many publications (also in the Q1 and Q2 quartiles) insist on using it. This procedure contradicts best practices in organic synthesis, and articles fraught with limitations and misleading conclusions have been published in the MCRs field. The drawbacks inherent to this practice are indeed serious and have misguided MCRs advances. We therefore suggest some precautions aimed at avoiding future confusions.

Catalytic Approaches to Multicomponent Reactions: A Critical Review and Perspectives on the Roles of Catalysis

In this review, we comprehensively describe catalyzed multicomponent reactions (MCRs) and the multiple roles of catalysis combined with key parameters to perform these transformations. Besides improving yields and shortening reaction times, catalysis is vital to achieving greener protocols and to furthering the MCR field of research. Considering that MCRs typically have two or more possible reaction pathways to explain the transformation, catalysis is essential for selecting a reaction route and avoiding byproduct formation. Key parameters, such as temperature, catalyst amounts and reagent quantities, were analyzed. Solvent effects, which are likely the most neglected topic in MCRs, as well as their combined roles with catalysis, are critically discussed. Stereocontrolled MCRs, rarely observed without the presence of a catalytic system, are also presented and discussed in this review. Perspectives on the use of catalytic systems for improved and greener MCRs are finally presented.