A speedy route to sterically encumbered, benzene-fused derivatives of privileged, naturally occurring hexahydropyrrolo[1,2-b]isoquinoline

The Castagnoli–Cushman Reaction

Since the first reports of the reaction of imines and cyclic anhydrides by Castagnoli and Cushman, this procedure has been applied to the synthesis of a variety of lactams, some of them with important synthetic or biological interest. The scope of the reaction has been extended to the use of various Schiff bases and anhydrides as well as to different types of precursors for these reagents. In recent years, important advances have been made in understanding the mechanism of the reaction, which has historically been quite controversial. This has helped to develop reaction conditions that lead to pure diastereomers and even homochiral products. In addition, these mechanistic studies have also led to the development of new multicomponent versions of the Castagnoli–Cushman reaction that allow products with more diverse and complex molecular structures to be easily obtained.

One-Pot Sequence of Staudinger/aza-Wittig/Castagnoli-Cushman Reactions Provides Facile Access to Novel Natural-like Polycyclic Ring Systems

Realization of the one-pot Staudinger/aza-Wittig/Castagnoli-Cushman reaction sequence for a series of azido aldehydes and homophthalic anhydrides is described. The reaction proceeded at room temperature and delivered novel polyheterocycles related to the natural product realm in high yields and high diastereoselectivity. The methodology has been extended to three other cyclic anhydrides. These further unravel the potential of the Castagnoli-Cushman reaction in generating polyheterocyclic molecular scaffolds.

New reagent space and new scope for the Castagnoli–Cushman reaction of oximes and 3-arylglutaconic anhydrides

The Castagnoli–Cushman reaction of oximes, previously known only for homophthalic anhydride, was extended to 3-arylglutaconic anhydrides to produce a new family of cyclic hydroxamic acids from a significantly improved diversity of oxime substrates.

Acyclic Twisted Amides

In this contribution, we provide a comprehensive overview of acyclic twisted amides, covering the literature since 1993 (the year of the first recognized report on acyclic twisted amides) through June 2020. The review focuses on classes of acyclic twisted amides and their key structural properties, such as amide bond twist and nitrogen pyramidalization, which are primarily responsible for disrupting nN to π*C═O conjugation. Through discussing acyclic twisted amides in comparison with the classic bridged lactams and conformationally restricted cyclic fused amides, the reader is provided with an overview of amidic distortion that results in novel conformational features of acyclic amides that can be exploited in various fields of chemistry ranging from organic synthesis and polymers to biochemistry and structural chemistry and the current position of acyclic twisted amides in modern chemistry.

Fluoral Hydrate: A Perspective Substrate for the Castagnoli-Cushman Reaction

The reactivity of azomethines based on trifluoroacetaldehyde hydrate in the Castagnoli-Cushman reaction (CCR) was researched. The impact of the nature of anhydrides explored on the reaction route was determined. The preparative procedures for the synthesis of N-substituted (3R*,4R*)-1-oxo-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-4-carboxylic and (1R*,2R*)-4-oxo-2-(trifluoromethyl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-benzo[d]azepine-1-carboxylic acids in gram scales were elaborated. It was shown that the trifluoromethyl group remarkably decreased the reactivity of azomethines in CCR. The mechanism for the formation of different products depending on the anhydride's nature was proposed.

One-step route to tricyclic fused 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline systems via the Castagnoli-Cushman protocol

The Castagnoli-Cushman reaction of 3,4-dihydroisoquinolines with glutaric anhydride, its oxygen and sulfur analogues was investigated as a one-step approach to the benzo[a]quinolizidine system and its heterocyclic analogs. An extension towards the pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinoline system was achieved with the use of succinic anhydride. The results are evidence of an unexplored method for the access of the aforementioned tricyclic annelated systems incorporating a bridgehead nitrogen atom. The structures and relative configurations of the new compounds were established by means of 1D and 2D NMR techniques. The reactions between 1-methyldihydroisoquinoline and glutaric, diglycolic and succinic anhydrides yielded unexpected isoquinoline derivatives containing an exocyclic double bond. The compounds prepared bear the potential to become building blocks for future synthetic bioactive molecules.

Three-Component Castagnoli-Cushman Reaction of 3-Arylglutaconic Acids with Aromatic Aldehydes and Amines Delivers Rare 4,6-Diaryl-1,6-dihydropyridin-2(3 H)-ones

Attempted use of 3-arylglutaconic acids in the three-component version of the Castagnoli-Cushman reaction with amines and aromatic aldehydes resulted in an unexpected formation of 4,6-diaryl 1,6-dihydropyridine-2(3 H)-ones. These are of interest as representatives of a rare heterocyclic chemotype for de novo biological investigation. Alternatively, these compounds can be oxidized into their 2-pyridone counterparts, stereoselectively reduced to give cis-configured 4,6-diaryl 2-piperidones, or isomerized to 5,6-dihydropyridin-2(1 H)-ones. All the three scaffolds are well represented in the bioactive compound domain.

Unusually Reactive Cyclic Anhydride Expands the Scope of the Castagnoli-Cushman Reaction

In the course of synthesizing and testing various "azole-including" cyclic anhydrides in the Castagnoli-Cushman reaction with imines, a remarkably reactive, pyrrole-based anhydride has been identified. It displayed a remarkably efficient reaction with N-alkyl and N-aryl imines, in particular, with "enolizable" α-C-H imines which typically fail to react with a majority of known cyclic anhydrides. The reactivity of this anhydride has been justified by an efficient resonance stabilization of its enol form. This finding expands the existing arsenal of highly reactive cyclic anhydrides and further confirms the importance of anhydride enolization for an efficient Castagnoli-Cushman reaction.

Mixed carboxylic–sulfonic anhydride in reaction with imines: a straightforward route to water-soluble β-lactams via a Staudinger-type reaction

The first example of employing a mixed carboxylic–sulfonic anhydride in reaction with imines is reported. It gave β-lactams, presumably, via a formal [2 + 2] cycloaddition (a Staudinger-type reaction).

Cyclic Hydroxamic Acid Analogues of Bacterial Siderophores as Iron-Complexing Agents prepared through the Castagnoli-Cushman Reaction of Unprotected Oximes

The first application of multicomponent chemistry (the Castagnoli-Cushman reaction) toward the convenient one-step preparation of cyclic hydroxamic acids is described. Cyclic hydroxamic acids are close analogues of bacterial siderophores (iron-binding compounds) and form stable complexes with Fe³⁺ ions as confirmed by spectrophotometric measurements. These compounds are potential components for the design of chelating agents for iron overload disease therapy, as well as siderophore-based carrier systems for antibiotic delivery across the bacterial cell wall.