Two Approaches for the Synthesis of Fused Dihydropyridines via a 1,6-Electrocyclic Reaction: Fluorescent Properties and Prospects for Application

Reactions of penta-2,4-dienethioamides with acetylenedicarboxylic acid, methyl and ethyl esters, and methyl propiolate were systematically studied, and a number of new 2,3-dihydro-5H-thiazolo[3,2-a]pyridines (DTPs) and 4H,6H-pyrido[2,1-b][1,3]thiazines (PTZs) were prepared. A possible mechanism for a multistep domino transformation is suggested, and the key step is the 1,6-electrocyclic reaction. An additional alternative method for the synthesis of new heterocyclic systems was achieved. Evidence of the electrocyclic mechanism of a key step was collected from the analysis of the spatial structure of the synthesized bicyclic nonaromatic pyridines by X-ray diffraction and quantum chemical calculations, as well as from the thermodynamic quantities. DTPs exhibited yellow fluorescence in solution and yellow to red emissions in the solid state. Biological investigations demonstrated the ability of DTPs to penetrate living and fixed cells and presumably accumulate in lysosomes.

Photochemical rearrangement of diarylethenes: synthesis of functionalized phenanthrenes

A novel protocol for the synthesis of functionalized phenanthrenes through photocyclization of diarylethenes (DAE) under UV irradiation is proposed. The reaction proceeds through 6π-electrocyclization with the formation of a cyclic (closed) intermediate that undergoes a rearrangement affording unsymmetrical phenanthrenes in good yields. However, in contrast to benzene derivatives, the photocyclization of naphthalene diarylethenes proceeds more slowly, which is confirmed by DFT calculations. The transformation was performed on a 1 mmol scale. The scalability showed that the diarylethenes bearing oxazole, thiazole, pyrazole and imidazole as aryl moieties are more prone to photorearrangement and can be used in preparative organic synthesis.

Design and synthesis of imidazoles linearly connected to carbocyclic and heterocyclic ringsviaa 1,2,3-triazole linker. Reactivity of β-azolyl enamines towards heteroaromatic azides

The data of combined experimental and theoretical studies of the reactivity of azolylenamines towards azides are presented.

Switchable Synthesis of 4,5-Functionalized 1,2,3-Thiadiazoles and 1,2,3-Triazoles from 2-Cyanothioacetamides under Diazo Group Transfer Conditions

High yield solvent-base-controlled, transition metal-free synthesis of 4,5-functionalized 1,2,3-thiadiazoles and 1,2,3-triazoles from 2-cyanothioacetamides and sulfonyl azides is described. Under diazo transfer conditions in the presence of a base in an aprotic solvent 2-cyanothioacetamides operating as C-C-S building blocks produce 5-amino-4-cyano-1,2,3-thiadiazoles exclusively. The use of alkoxide/alcohol system completely switches the reaction course due to the change of one of the reaction centers in the 2-cyanothioacetamide (C-C-N building block) resulting in the formation of 5-sulfonamido-1,2,3-triazole-4-carbothioamide sodium salts as the only products. The latter serve as good precursors for 5-amino-1,2,3-thiadiazole-4-carboximidamides, the products of Cornforth-type rearrangement occurring in neutral protic medium or under acid conditions. According to DFT calculations (B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p)) the rearrangement proceeds via intermediate formation of a diazo compound, and can be catalyzed by acids via the protonation of oxygen atom of the sulfonamide group.

COMPUTATIONAL INSIGHTS ON THE LONE PAIR INDUCED BARRIER MODULATION IN THE THERMAL REARRANGEMENT OF 6-HALO-2-PYRONES

2-pyrones undergo intramolecular thermal rearrangement resulting in the migration of groups at 3-position to 5-position and vice-versa. Rearrangement of 6-halopyrone is a tandem process involving electrocyclic ring opening and closure (ERO & ERC), rotation, sigmatropic shift. It has been modeled at MP2/6-31g (d) level to understand the migratory aptitude of the halogens. Computations show that electrocyclic transition state and the corresponding intermediate which could not be located in 2-pyrone rearrangement have been located for 6-fluoropyrone and 6-chloropyrone. Halogens effectively modulate the barriers of all the steps involved and NBO (Natural Bond Orbital) analyses clearly reveal the involvement of lone pairs in activating rotation and sigmatropic shift, and deactivating ERO and ERC.

Recent advances in the benzannulation of substituted 3-alkoxycarbonyl-3,5-hexadienoic acids and 3-alkoxycarbonylhex-3-en-5-ynoic acids to polysubstituted aromatics

The benzannulation reactions of substituted 3-alkoxycarbonyl-3,5-hexadienoic and 3-alkoxycarbonylhex-3-en-5-ynoic acids offer a straightforward access to various polysubstituted aromatic compounds. The process is very flexible, and can be applied to the regiospecific preparation of oligoaryls, naphthalenes, ring-fused heterocycles, chiral tetrahydronaphthalenes, C-aryl-glycosides and many natural products of different structure. In this Concept article, we highlight the potential of this annulation reaction by illustration of our recent contribution to this field, as well as the studies previous reported by others.

Ab initio and density functional calculations on the pericyclic vs pseudopericyclic mode of conjugated nitrile ylide 1, 5-electrocyclizations

Ab initio (MP2/6-311+G and MP4(SDTQ)/6-311+G//MP2/6-311+G) and density functional (B3LYP/6-311+G) calculations on the ring closure reactions of conjugated nitrile ylides 1a-e, 3, and 6 to the corresponding oxazoles 2a, 5, 7, and 8; thiazoles 2b and 4; imidazole 2c; and pyrroles 2d and 2e, respectively, are reported. Vinyl nitrile ylides 1d and 1e cyclize with a substantially higher barrier than nitrile ylides containing a heteroatom. Geometric features as well as electronic structures as obtained by NBO analysis are indicative of a pericyclic, monorotatory 1, 5-electrocyclization of 1d and 1e. For nitrile ylides where X = heteroatom, a pseudopericyclic heteroelectrocyclization pathway, characterized by in-plane attack of the heteroatom's lone pair at the nitrile ylide group, is found. For 3 and 6, where two different cyclization products are possible, the calculated barriers and reaction energies are in line with the experimentally observed direction of reaction. Vinyl nitrile ylides 1d and 1e are characterized by an allene, acyl substituted derivatives 1a, 1b, 3, and 6 by a propargyl type structure. The nitrogen derivative 1c represents an intermediate case.