Sequential Ugi reaction/base-induced ring closing/IAAC protocol toward triazolobenzodiazepine-fused diketopiperazines and hydantoins

Isocyanide-Based Multicomponent Reactions Coupled One-Pot Process: Efficient Tools to Diversity-Oriented Synthesis of Structural Peptidomimetics

Multicomponent diversity-oriented synthesis (DOS) of conformationally anchored structural peptidomimetics like 2,5-diketopiperazines (2,5-DKP) containing heterocyclic bioisosteres of the amide bond, such as 1,2,3-triazoles and 1,5-disubstituted tetrazoles (1,5-DS-T) is described. Structural peptidomimetics are synthesized from similar available starting materials, via a strategy based on isocyanide-based multicomponent reactions (IMCRs): Ugi-4CR and Ugi-Azide (UA), followed by a one-pot process: SN2/intramolecular alkyne-azide cycloaddition (IAAC). The sequential aligning of two powerful synthetic tools (IMCR and IAAC) has parallelly contributed to generate anchored conformation and complexity in target molecules, which are considered structural peptidomimetics of 2,5-DKP. Herein, the 1,2,3-triazole ring plays a key role in the preference for the boat conformation. Furthermore, the use of UA reaction generates scaffold diversity at the N-1 α-carbon of the pyrazinone ring, replacing a linear amide bond with a heterocyclic bioisostere such as 1,5-DS-T leading to the synthesis of novel tricyclic peptidomimetics. The DFT calculations confirmed the boat conformation of the synthesized molecules.

Stefano Marcaccini: a pioneer in isocyanide chemistry

Stefano Marcaccini was one of the pioneers in the use of isocyanide-based multicomponent reactions in organic synthesis. Throughout his career at the University of Florence he explored many different faces of isocyanide chemistry, especially those geared towards the synthesis of biologically relevant heterocycles. His work inspired many researchers who contributed to other important developments in the field of multicomponent reactions and created a school of synthetic chemists that continues today. In this manuscript we intend to review the articles on isocyanide multicomponent reactions published by Dr. Marcaccini and analyse their influence on the following works by other researchers. With this, we hope to highlight the immense contribution of Stefano Marcaccini to the development of isocyanide chemistry and modern organic synthesis as well as the influence of his research on future generations. We believe that this review will not only be a well-deserved tribute to the figure of Stefano Marcaccini, but will also serve as a useful inspiration for chemists working in this field.

Advances in the Synthesis of Fused 1,2,3-Triazoles via a MCR-Intramolecular Azide-Alkyne Cycloaddition Approach

The present review narrates several reports which deal with the synthesis of fused 1,2,3-triazole containing scaffolds following a sequential multicomponent reaction (MCR)-intramolecular azide-alkyne cycloaddition (IAAC) approach. The reviewed reactions were cleverly designed so as to incorporate azide and alkyne functionalities in the MCR product which was then subjected to IAAC. The review is divided into two sections based on the number of components in the multicomponent reaction. We have aimed at a critical discussion and also have highlighted either advantages or disadvantages of each methodology.

Effective microwave-assisted approach to 1,2,3-triazolobenzodiazepinones via tandem Ugi reaction/catalyst-free intramolecular azide-alkyne cycloaddition

A novel catalyst-free synthetic approach to 1,2,3-triazolobenzodiazepinones has been developed and optimized. The Ugi reaction of 2-azidobenzaldehyde, various amines, isocyanides, and acids followed by microwave-assisted intramolecular azide-alkyne cycloaddition (IAAC) gave a series of target heterocyclic compounds in moderate to excellent yields. Surprisingly, the normally required ruthenium-based catalysts were found to not affect the IAAC, only making isolation of the target compounds harder while the microwave-assisted catalyst-free conditions were effective for both terminal and non-terminal alkynes.

Multicomponent reaction-derived covalent inhibitor space

The area of covalent inhibitors is gaining momentum due to recently introduced clinical drugs, but libraries of these compounds are scarce. Multicomponent reaction (MCR) chemistry is well known for its easy access to a very large and diverse chemical space. Here, we show that MCRs are highly suitable to generate libraries of electrophiles based on different scaffolds and three-dimensional shapes and highly compatible with multiple functional groups. According to the building block principle of MCR, acrylamide, acrylic acid ester, sulfurylfluoride, chloroacetic acid amide, nitrile, and α,β-unsaturated sulfonamide warheads can be easily incorporated into many different scaffolds. We show examples of each electrophile on 10 different scaffolds on a preparative scale as well as in a high-throughput synthesis mode on a nanoscale to produce libraries of potential covalent binders in a resource- and time-saving manner. Our operational procedure is simple, mild, and step economical to facilitate future covalent library synthesis.

One-pot synthesis of 1,3,5-triazine-2,4-dithione derivatives via three-component reactions

A catalyst-free one-pot synthetic methodology was developed for the preparation of 1,3,5-triazine-2,4-dithione derivatives through three-component reactions of arylaldehydes, thiourea, and orthoformates. The procedure tolerated a diverse range of arylaldehydes and orthoformates and provided a rapid entry to a variety of 4-aryl-6-(alkylthio)-3,4-dihydro-1,3,5-triazine-2(1H)-thiones (29 examples). The synthetic strategy relies on the dual role of thiourea in the cyclization with the aldehydes and the alkylation via an intermediate imidate formation. The structures of 1,3,5-triazine-2,4-dithione derivatives were characterized by spectroscopic techniques as well as by single crystal X-ray diffraction.

Design, synthesis and anticonvulsant activity of new imidazolidindione and imidazole derivatives

New imidazolidindiones and tetra-substituted imidazole derivatives were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for the anticonvulsant activity through pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizures and maximal electroshock (MES) tests using valproate sodium and phenytoin sodium as reference drugs, respectively. Most of the target compounds showed excellent activity against pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizures with fair to no-activity against MES. Compounds 3d, 4e, 11b, and 11e showed higher activity (120%) than that of valproate sodium in PTZ model. Almost all compounds showed no neurotoxicity, as indicated by the rotarod test. Estimation of physicochemical properties and pharmacokinetic profiles of the target compounds were studied. The chemical structures of the target compounds were characterized by different spectrometric methods and elemental analysis.

One-Pot Synthesis of Triazolobenzodiazepines Through Decarboxylative [3 + 2] Cycloaddition of Nonstabilized Azomethine Ylides and Cu-Free Click Reactions

A one-pot synthesis of triazolobenzodiazepine-containing polycyclic compounds is introduced. The reaction process involves a decarboxylative three-component [3 + 2] cycloaddition of nonstabilized azomethine ylides, N-propargylation, and intramolecular click reactions.

Assembly of fully substituted triazolochromenes via a novel multicomponent reaction or mechanochemical synthesis

A new metal-free one-pot three-component procedure towards fully substituted triazolochromenes has been developed, starting from commercially available materials. Salicylaldehydes and nitroalkenes were reacted under solvent-free conditions, followed by a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of the intermediate 3-nitro-2H-chromenes with organic azides in a one-pot two-step sequence. The triazolochromenes were formed with complete regioselectivity and new biologically relevant structures were synthesized via extension of the developed procedure and via postfunctionalization. The mechanochemical synthesis was carried out for several salicylaldehydes and gave a clear improvement in the yield of the corresponding triazolochromenes and consequently showed to be a viable alternative for solid salicylaldehydes.

Synthesis of new tricyclic 5,6-dihydro-4H-benzo[b][1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-d][1,4]diazepine derivatives by [3+ + 2]-cycloaddition/rearrangement reactions

Two new series of tricyclic heterocycles, namely 5,6-dihydro-4H-benzo[b][1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-d][1,4]diazepinium salts 10 and the related neutral, free bases 13 were synthesized from 4-acetoxy-1-acetyl-4-phenylazo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolines 8 and nitriles 9 in the presence of aluminium chloride by the [3⁺ + 2]-cycloaddition reaction of the in situ generated azocarbenium intermediates 14 followed by a ring-expansion rearrangement. In the rearrangement reaction, the phenyl substituent in the initially formed spiro-triazolium adducts 16 underwent a [1,2]-migration from C(3) to the electron-deficient N(2). This led to the ring expansion from 6-membered piperidine to 7-membered diazepine furnishing the tricyclic 1,2,4-triazole-fused 1,4-benzodiazepines.