An overview of metal-free synthetic routes to isoxazoles: the privileged scaffold

Synthesis of 3,5-disubstituted isoxazoles by domino reductive Nef reaction/cyclization of β-nitroenones

β-Nitroenones can be efficiently converted into 3,5-disubstituted isoxazoles by using tin(II)chloride dihydrate and ethyl acetate as a reducing agent and solvent, respectively. Products are obtained in good yields and several functional groups are tolerated thanks to the mild reaction conditions.

Iodobenzene-Catalyzed Synthesis of Fully Functionalized NH-Pyrazoles and Isoxazoles from α,β-Unsaturated Hydrazones and Oximes via 1,2-Aryl Shift

An iodine(III)-catalyzed general method for the synthesis of fully functionalized NH-pyrazoles and isoxazoles from α,β-unsaturated hydrazones and oximes, respectively, via cyclization/1,2-aryl shift/aromatization/detosylation, has been developed. The reaction progresses through an anti-Baldwin 5-endo-trig cyclization. It gives direct access to an advanced intermediate for the preparation of valdecoxib and parecoxib, drugs used for COX-inhibition. In addition, a method for N-alkynylation of pyrazoles has also been developed in the presence of TIPS-EBX.

Naphtho[1,8-de][1,2]Oxazin-4-ol: Precursor to 1,2,8-Trisubstituted Naphthalenes and 1-Unsubstituted Naphtho[1,2-d]isoxazole 2-Oxide: A Novel Isomerization of the N-Oxide to Nitrile Oxide en Route to Isoxazol(in)es

Naphtho[1,8-de][1,2]oxazin-4-ol and its acyl or benzyl derivatives ring open to various 2,8-dihydroxy-1-naphthonitriles, which, through (de)protection protocols and reduction, afford the target (E)-2-hydroxy-8-methoxy-1-naphthaldehyde. This was converted to its corresponding oxime, which was oxidatively o-cyclized with phenyliodine(III) diacetate (PIDA) to 9-methoxynaphtho[1,2-d]isoxazole 2-oxide. The latter, in deuterated DMSO at room temperature, was rearranged to its isomer 2-hydroxy-8-methoxy(naphthalen-1-yl)nitrile oxide. The isomerization was detected by time-course plot 1H NMR spectroscopy and further identified from its 13C NMR and HRMS spectra. The nitrile oxide was stable in (non)deuterated DMSO for at least 18 h. A 3,4-bis(2-hydroxy-8-methoxynaphthalen-1-yl)-1,2,5-oxadiazole 2-oxide, as a dimerization product or an isocyanate as a rearrangement isomer, was ruled out, the former by its HRMS spectrum and the latter by its 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions to substituted isoxazoles.

Construction of Highly Functionalized C4-Oxyacylated and Aminated Pyrazolines

Pyrazolines and pyrazolones are prevalent cores in drugs and bioactive molecules. Functionalizing them with heteroatoms on the ring improves or expands their clinical efficacy. However, a general method to selectively heterofunctionalize them at C4 and C5 is still elusive. Herein, we have demonstrated an iodine(III)-mediated construction of C4-heterofunctionalized pyrazolines from α,β-unsaturated hydrazones. The oxyacylated and aminated products, bearing a tertiary as well as a secondary stereocenter, were obtained via aza-Michael, followed by a C-O/C-N bond formation. A deprotection/oxidation sequence produced pyrazolones in a quantitative yield.

Isoxazole as a nitrile synthon: en routes to the ortho-alkenylated isoxazole and benzonitrile with allyl sulfone catalyzed by Ru(II)

A Ru(II) catalyzed regioselective Heck-type C-H olefination of isoxazole with unactivated allyl phenyl sulfone is revealed. The solvent DCM offers dual sp2-sp2 C-H activation via an N-directed strategy, leading to ortho-olefinated isoxazoles with exclusive E-selectivity. On the other hand, in DCE solvent, isoxazole serves as the nitrile synthon and leads to o-olefinated benzonitrile. At a higher temperature (110 °C) in DCE, after the ortho-olefination Ru(II) mediated cleavage of isoxazoles delivered the nitrile functionality.

Chiral spirocyclic phosphoric acid-catalyzed enantioselective synthesis of heterotriarylmethanes bearing an amino acid moiety

We present herein an enantioselective protocol for the chiral phosphoric acid-catalyzed addition of 3-arylisoxazol-5-amines to highly reactive 3-methide-3H-pyrroles to provide a diverse range of heterotriarylmethanes bearing an amino acid moiety in good yields (up to 97%) and high enantioselectivities (up to 93% ee) under mild conditions. The chiral spirocyclic phosphoric acid is crucial in converting the initial 1H-pyrrol-3-yl carbinols into reactive 3-methide-3H-pyrroles and obtaining the good enantiocontrol, thereby facilitating the desired enantioselective transformation.

Synthesis of (4-Trifluoromethyl)isoxazoles through a Tandem Trifluoromethyloximation/Cyclization/Elimination Reaction of α,β-Unsaturated Carbonyls

We disclose a metal-free, cascade regio- and stereoselective trifluormethyloximation, cyclization, and elimination strategy with readily available α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds to access a wide variety of pharmaceutically potential heteroaromatics, i.e., 4-(trifluoromethyl)isoxazoles including a trifluoromethyl analogue of an anticancer agent. The transformation requires only a couple of commercially available and cheap reagents i.e., CF₃SO₂Na as the trifluoromethyl source, and ^tBuONO as an oxidant as well as a source of N and O. Notably, 5-alkenyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)isoxazoles were further synthetically diversified to a new class of biheteroaryls, i.e., 5-(3-pyrrolyl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)isoxazoles. Mechanistic studies revealed a radical pathway for the reaction.

Electrochemical Synthesis of Pyrazolines and Pyrazoles via [3+2] Dipolar Cycloaddition

Pyrazolines and pyrazoles are common and important motifs of pharmaceutical agents and agrochemicals. Herein, the first electrochemical approach for their direct synthesis from easily accessible hydrazones and dipolarophiles up to decagram scale is presented. The application of a biphasic system (aqueous/organic) even allows for the conversion of highly sensitive alkenes, wherein inexpensive sodium iodide is employed in a dual role as supporting electrolyte and mediator. In addition, mechanistic insight into the reaction is given by the isolation of key step intermediates. The relevance of the presented reaction is underlined by the synthesis of commercial herbicide safener mefenpyr-diethyl in good yields.

Chiral Cyclopropenimine-catalyzed Asymmetric Michael Addition of Bulky Glycine Imine to α,β-Unsaturated Isoxazoles

A highly efficient asymmetric Michael addition of bulky glycine imine to α,β-unsaturated isoxazoles has been achieved by using 5 mol% of chiral cyclopropenimine as a chiral organo-superbase catalyst under mild conditions. Michael adducts were obtained in excellent yields (up to 97%) and stereoselectivities (up to>99 : 1 dr and 98% ee). A significant solvent effect was found in these chiral organosuperbase catalyzed asymmetric Michael reactions. Gram-scale preparation of Michael adducts and their transformations are realized to provide corresponding products without loss of stereoselectivities. The configurations of Michael adduct was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.

Crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of 5-(5-phenyl-1,2-oxazol-3-yl)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-amine

In the crystal, the mol­ecules are linked by N—H⋯N and C—H⋯N hydrogen bonds, forming double layers parallel to the (001) plane. The layers are connected by van der Waals inter­actions, generating a three-dimensional supra­molecular structure.

The title compound, C₁₁H₈N₄OS, crystallizes with two independent mol­ecules in the asymmetric unit. In the crystal, the N—H⋯N and C—H⋯N hydrogen bonds connect the mol­ecules, generating double layers parallel to the (001) plane. The layers are joined by C—H⋯π inter­actions to form a three-dimensional supra­molecular structure.

Palladium-catalyzed cyclizative cross coupling of ynone oximes with 2-haloaryl N-acrylamides for isoxazolyl indoline bis-heterocycles

Metal-catalyzed cyclizative cross-coupling reactions have attracted enormous attention due to their unique cascade nature. We demonstrated, herein, a dual-cyclizative coupling of ynone oxime ethers with acrylamides for the synthesis of methylene-linked isoxazolyl 2-oxindoles. The cascade was triggered by a palladium(II)-catalyzed ynone oxime ether cyclization, which underwent a Heck-type coupling intercepted by an aryl iodide insertion. Control experiments were carried out to understand the mechanism.