A Convenient One-Pot Preparation of Benzo[b]-tellurophenes,-selenophenes, and -thiophenes fromo-Bromoethynylbenzenes

Domino Reaction Protocol to Synthesize Benzothiophene-Derived Chemical Entities as Potential Therapeutic Agents

An efficient synthesis of 3-amino-2-formyl-functionalized benzothiophenes by a domino reaction protocol and their use to synthesize a library of novel scaffolds have been reported. Reactions of ketones and 1,3-diones with these amino aldehyde derivatives formed a series of benzothieno[3,2-b]pyridine and 3,4-dihydro-2H-benzothiopheno[3,2-b]quinolin-1-one, respectively. A plausible mechanism for the formation of fused pyridine derivatives by the Friedlander reaction has been elucidated by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Furthermore, hydrazones were obtained by reacting the aldehyde functional group of benzothiophenes with different hydrazine derivatives. Preliminary screening of these compounds against several bacterial strains and cancer cell lines led to the discovery of several hit molecules. Hydrazone and benzothieno[3,2-b]pyridine derivatives are potent cytotoxic and antibacterial agents, respectively. One of the potent compounds effected ∼97% growth inhibition of the LOX IMVI cell line at 10 μM concentration.

Synthesis of Benzoselenophenes via TMSCN-Enabled Radical-Mediated Tandem Reaction Involving Enamides and Elemental Selenium

This study presents a TMSCN-enabled tandem reaction involving enamides and elemental selenium to access a diverse array of benzoselenophenes. Notably, this methodology involves the direct 2-fold C(sp2)-H bond activation without the need for preinstalled halides or boronic acids as reaction handles. The protocol offers several noteworthy features, including the absence of transition metals and strong oxidants, high reaction efficiency, broad substrate scopes, and the use of stable elemental selenium as a selenium source.

Supramolecular Chalcogen-Bonded Semiconducting Nanoribbons at Work in Lighting Devices

This work describes the design and synthesis of a π-conjugated telluro[3,2-β][1]-tellurophene-based synthon that, embodying pyridyl and haloaryl chalcogen-bonding acceptors, self-assembles into nanoribbons through chalcogen bonds. The ribbons π-stack in a multi-layered architecture both in single crystals and thin films. Theoretical studies of the electronic states of chalcogen-bonded material showed the presence of a local charge density between Te and N atoms. OTFT-based charge transport measurements showed hole-transport properties for this material. Its integration as a p-type semiconductor in multi-layered CuI -based light-emitting electrochemical cells (LECs) led to a 10-fold increase in stability (38 h vs. 3 h) compared to single-layered devices. Finally, using the reference tellurotellurophene congener bearing a C-H group instead of the pyridyl N atom, a herringbone solid-state assembly is formed without charge transport features, resulting in LECs with poor stabilities (<1 h).

Tellurium-induced cyclization of olefinic compounds

In this article, we discuss about the importance of Tellurium (Te) in organic synthesis. Tellurium-induced cyclization of alkenyl compounds, as well as alkynyl compounds, are considered for the study. The developments in this area are incorporated in great detail. The mechanism of the reactions does not follow any straightforward process. This study opens up the possibility of stereocontrolled synthesis of complex natural products.

Diisobutylaluminum Hydride Promoted Selectivity-Switchable Synthesis of Benzothiophene Oxides and Benzothiophenes via an Al-Li-Dimetalated Intermediate

We developed an efficient and direct method for synthesis of benzothiophene oxides from 1-bromo-2-[2-(trimethylsilyl)ethynyl]benzenes and thionyl chloride as an easily accessible source of the sulfinyl group. Benzothiophenes were also synthesized selectively by simply increasing the amount of thionyl chloride. These methods achieved efficient syntheses of various benzothiophene oxides and benzothiophenes. The further modification of the benzothiophene oxides obtained was also demonstrated.

Synthesis of fused chalcogenophenocarbazoles: towards dual emission resulting from hybridized local and charge-transfer states

Fused chalcogenophenocarbazoles exhibit fluorescence resulting from recombination of either locally excited, intramolecular charge-transfer or hybridized local and charge-transfer (HLCT) states.

Benzo[b]tellurophenes as a Potential Histone H3 Lysine 9 Demethylase (KDM4) Inhibitor

Gene expression and tumor growth can be regulated by methylation levels of lysine residues on histones, which are controlled by histone lysine demethylases (KDMs). Series of benzo[b]tellurophene and benzo[b]selenophene compounds were designed and synthesized and they were evaluated for histone H3 lysine 9 demethylase (KDM4) inhibitory activity. Among the carbamates, alcohol and aromatic derivatives, tert-butyl benzo[b]tellurophen-2-ylmethylcarbamate (compound 1c) revealed KDM4 specific inhibitory activity in cervical cancer HeLa cells, whereas the corresponding selenium or oxygen substitute compounds did not display any inhibitory activity toward KDM4. Compound 1c also induced cell death in cervical and colon cancer but not in normal cells. Thus, compound 1c, a novel inhibitor of KDM4, constitutes a potential therapeutic and research tool against cancer.

A Three-Component Strategy for Benzoselenophene Synthesis under Metal-Free Conditions Using Selenium Powder

An efficient three-component benzoselenophenes formation has been developed from substituted indoles, acetophenones, and selenium powder under metal-free conditions. 2-Aryl indoles played an important role to promote benzoselenophene formation from acetophenone derivatives and selenium powder. One C-C and two C-Se bonds were selectively formed to provide 40 new benzoselenophenes in good yields.

Synthesis of azuleno[2,1-b]thiophenes by cycloaddition of azulenylalkynes with elemental sulfur and their structural, optical and electrochemical properties

The reaction of several azulenylalkynes having an aryl substituent with elemental sulfur afforded the corresponding azuleno[2,1-b]thiophenes in good yields.

Synthesis of 2,3-bis-organochalcogenyl-benzo[b]chalcogenophenes promoted by Oxone®

We report here an alternative and tunable metal-free synthesis of benzo[b]chalcogenophenes via the electrophilic cyclization of 2-functionalized chalcogenoalkynes promoted by Oxone®.

Synthesis of 2-substituted benzo[b]thiophenes via gold(i)-NHC-catalyzed cyclization of 2-alkynyl thioanisoles

Benzo[b]thiophene heterocycles are important components of many important small molecule pharmaceuticals and drug candidates as well as organic semiconducting materials. Many methods have been developed for the construction of a benzo[b]thiophene core via cyclization reaction of alkynes. Although few catalytic reactions were disclosed, most methods rely on stoichiometric activation of alkynes. Here we report an efficient method for the synthesis of 2-substituted benzo[b]thiophenes from 2-alkynyl thioanisoles catalyzed by a gold(i)-IPr hydroxide that is applicable to a wide range of substrates with diverse electronic and steric properties. Additionally, we demonstrate experimentally that the acid additive and its conjugate base are essential to catalyst turnover.

Versatile telluracycle synthesis via the sequential electrophilic telluration of C(sp2)-Zn and C(sp2)-H bonds

We report herein a new approach for the synthesis of tellurium-bridged aromatic compounds based on the sequential electrophilic telluration of C(sp2)-Zn and C(sp2)-H bonds with tellurium(iv) chlorides. A combination of transition metal-catalyzed (migratory) arylmetalation of alkynes and sequential telluration allows for the expedient construction of a library of functionalized benzo[b]tellurophenes. Furthermore, a variety of heteroarene-fused benzotellurophenes and other novel tellurium-embedded polycyclic aromatics can be readily synthesized from the corresponding 2-iodoheterobiaryls.

Synthesis of 2-substituted benzo[b]thiophene via a Pd-catalyzed coupling of 2-iodothiophenol with phenylacetylene

A Pd(ii)-catalyzed Sonogashira type cross-coupling reaction between 2-iodothiophenol and phenylacetylene to form 2-substituted benzo[b]thiophenes has been developed with yields up to 87%.

Natural-Antioxidant-Inspired Benzo[b]selenophenes: Synthesis, Redox Properties, and Antiproliferative Activity

The cyclization of arylalkynes under selenobromination conditions, combined with an acid-induced 3,2-aryl shift, was elaborated as a general synthetic pathway for the preparation of polyhydroxy-2- and -3-arylbenzo[b]selenophenes from the same starting materials. The redox properties, free-radical-scavenging ability, and cytotoxicity against malignant cell lines (MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, HepG2, and 4T1) of the synthesized compounds were explored, and the obtained results were used to consider the structure-activity relationships (SARs) in these compounds. Consequently, the structural features that were responsible for the highly potent peroxyl-radical-scavenging activity were established.

Syntheses and Reactions of Chalcogen-containing Heterocycles

The advances in my laboratory for the past 20-25 years concerning the chemistry of chalcogen-containing heterocycles are reviewed. The intramolecular cyclization of the chalcogenols (-TeH, -SeH, -SH) into a triple bond or appropriate leaving group produced various chalcogen-containing heterocycles. The reactions of the obtained products were examined: the reactions of 1-benzo- and 2-benzopyrylium salts containing a tellurium or selenium element with several nucleophiles, including alkoxides, amines, the cyanide ion, an active methyl compound (acetone), Grignard reagents, copper reagents, and tin reagents, along with hydrogenation and hydrolysis reactions, provided corresponding chromes or isochromes having various functional groups at the 2- or 1-C position. Isothiocyanate and isoselenocyanate were used as chalcogen sources for the preparation of five- or six-membered heterocycles. In addition, double intramolecular cyclization, ring-expansion reactions, electrophilic cyclization and iodocyclization were also carried out.

Recent developments in synthetic methods for benzo[b]heteroles

Benzo[b]heteroles containing heteroatoms other than nitrogen and oxygen have received considerable attention for their potential applications in materials science. This poses an increasing demand for efficient, selective, and broad-scope methods for their synthesis. This review article summarizes the recent developments in synthetic methods and approaches to access representative members of the benzoheterole family.

Selenium analogues of raloxifene as promising antiproliferative agents in treatment of breast cancer

Synthetic protocols for the preparation of selenium analogues of raloxifene were elaborated. General aim of the current research is to improve the positive impact of selenium atom introduction in drug design. Antiproliferative activity on CCL-8 (mouse sarcoma), MDA-MB-435s (human melanoma), MES-SA (human uterus sarcoma), MCF-7 (human breast adenocarcinoma), HT-1080 (human fibrosarcoma), MG-22A (mouse hepatoma) tumor cell lines, and normal cell line NIH 3T3 (mouse fibroblasts) was studied. Influence of aminoethoxy "tail" and benzoyl group position on SAR was discussed. Results of in vivo studies on BALB/c female mice with 4T1 cell induced breast cancer model showed that selenium analogue of raloxifene is able to suppress estrogen-depending tumor growth.

Effects of heteroatom substitution in conjugated heterocyclic compounds on photovoltaic performance: from sulfur to tellurium

Band gaps of benzochalcogenophene-based organic semiconductors and the efficiencies of the corresponding photovoltaic devices can be tuned through heteroatom variation.

Versatile synthesis of benzothiophenes and benzoselenophenes by rapid assembly of arylzinc reagents, alkynes, and elemental chalcogens

Rapidly aSSembled: The combination of cobalt-catalyzed migratory arylzincation and copper-mediated/catalyzed chalcogenative cyclization allows the construction of benzothiophenes and benzoselenophenes from arylzinc reagents, alkynes, and elemental chalcogens. Benzothiophenes and benzoselenophenes diversely functionalized at the benzene ring moiety can be prepared, which are not readily accessible by conventional methods.

CuI/TMEDA-catalyzed annulation of 2-bromo alkynylbenzenes with Na2S: synthesis of benzo[b]thiophenes

A copper-catalyzed thiolation annulation reaction of 2-bromo alkynylbenzenes with sodium sulfide has been developed. In the presence of CuI and TMEDA, a variety of 2-substituted benzo[b]thiophenes were readily prepared in moderate to good yields by the reaction of 2-bromo alkynylbenzenes and Na(2)S·9H(2)O.

New development of synthesis and reactivity of seleno- and tellurophenes

Due to the many new and remarkable findings and applications that have been published in recent years in seleno- and tellurophene chemistry, this review revisits the different aspects of this chemistry, including synthesis, reactivity and applications in the field of heterocycles.