Rhodium(III)-catalyzed regioselective C2-alkenylation of indoles with CF3-imidoyl sulfoxonium ylides to give multi-functionalized enamines using a migratable directing group

Synthesis of CF3-Isoquinolinones and Imidazole-Fused CF3-Isoquinolinones Based on C-H Activation-Initiated Cascade Reactions of 2-Aryloxazolines

Presented herein are novel syntheses of CF3-isoquinolinones and imidazole fused CF3-isoquinolinones based on the cascade reactions of 2-aryloxazolines with trifluoromethyl imidoyl sulfoxonium ylides. The formation of CF3-isoquinolinone involves an intriguing cascade process including oxazolinyl group-assisted aryl alkylation through C(sp2)-H bond metalation, carbene formation, migratory insertion, and proto-demetalation followed by intramolecular condensation and water-promoted oxazolinyl ring-scission. With this method, the isoquinolinone scaffold tethered with valuable functional groups was effectively constructed. By taking advantage of the functional groups embedded therein, the products thus obtained could be readily transformed into imidazole-fused CF3-isoquinolinones or coupled with some clinical drugs to furnish hybrid compounds with potential applications in drug development. In general, the developed protocols feature expeditious and convenient formation of valuable CF3-heterocyclic skeletons, broad substrate scope, and ready scalability. In addition, studies on the activity of selected products against some human cancer cell lines demonstrated their potential as lead compounds for the development of novel anticancer drugs.

Chameleonic Reactivity of Imidoyl Sulfoxonium Ylides: Access to Functionalized Pyrroles and Dihydro-pyridines

We have found a chameleonic reactivity of imidoyl sulfoxonium ylides. On the one hand, imidoyl sulfoxonium ylides react with electron-deficient reagents, such as alkynyl esters, to lead to the formation of 1,2-dihydro-pyridines. The methyl group attached to the sulfur atom acts as a methylene donor. On the other hand, imidoyl sulfoxonium ylides react with pyridinium 1,4-zwitterionic thiolates, which leads to the formation of functionalized pyrroles. Both transformations feature mild reaction conditions and good functional group tolerance.

Divergent Synthesis of Trifluoromethyl-Substituted 1,2-Dihydroquinoxalines and Diimines by Cascade Reactions of CF3-Imidoyl Sulfoxonium Ylides with Azo Compounds

A base-mediated cascade reaction of CF3-imidoyl sulfoxonium ylides and azo compounds has been achieved, allowing for facile access to trifluoromethyl-substituted 1,2-dihydroquinoxalines and diimines in moderate to excellent yields. Noteworthy is that the unusual N-N bond cleavage and rearrangement of azo compounds are involved in the transformations.

Three-component synthesis of N-naphthyl pyrazoles via Rh(III)-catalyzed cascade pyrazole annulation and Satoh-Miura benzannulation

The synthesis of N-naphthyl pyrazoles has been realized by the direct three-component reactions of enaminones, aryl hydrazine hydrochlorides and internal alkynes via Rh(III) catalysis. The synthetic reactions employing simple substrates lead to simultaneous construction of dual cyclic moieties, including a pyrazole ring and a phenyl ring, via sequential formation of two C-N and three C-C bonds.