Synthesis of 2,4,5-Trisubstituted Oxazoles from Copper-Mediated Benzylic sp3 C-H Aerobic Oxidative Annulation of Ketones and Amines via a Cascade Reaction

The functionalization of sp³ carbons is deemed challenging in synthetic organic chemistry yet has tremendous potential in producing potent organic compounds. A facile synthesis of 2,4,5-trisubstituted oxazoles through an oxidative, copper-catalyzed, and solvent-free annulation is described. Various arylated oxazoles were efficaciously synthesized at a mild temperature from readily available substrates under a molecular oxygen atmosphere. Preliminary mechanistic studies suggested that the reaction proceeds via an anionic-type mechanism and indicated the formation of a keto-imine intermediate. The reaction is notable for the abstraction of six hydrogen atoms, the functionalization of one sp² carbon and two sp³ carbons, and the formation of C-O and C-N bonds.

Ketones as strategic building blocks for the synthesis of natural product-inspired compounds

Natural product-inspired compound collections serve as excellent sources for the identification of new bioactive compounds to treat disease. However, such compounds must necessarily be more structurally-enriched than traditional screening compounds, therefore inventive synthetic strategies and reliable methods are needed to prepare them. Amongst the various possible starting materials that could be considered for the synthesis of natural product-inspired compounds, ketones can be especially valuable due to the vast variety of complexity-building synthetic transformations that they can take part in, their high prevalence as commercial building blocks, and relative ease of synthesis. With a view towards developing a unified synthetic strategy for the preparation of next generation bioactive compound collections, this review considers whether ketones could serve as general precursors in this regard, and summarises the opulence of synthetic transformations available for the annulation of natural product ring-systems to ketone starting materials.

Development of novel and green NiFe2O4/geopolymer nanocatalyst based on bentonite for synthesis of imidazole heterocycles by ultrasonic irradiations

Geopolymers as aluminosilicate inorganic polymers and eco-friendly building materials which can be used as substrate for different kinds of composite. In this research, according to the fabrication of geopolymer based on bentonite as a substrate and embedment of NiFe2O4 nanoparticles in the construction of this polymer, the synthesis of a new magnetic nanocomposite (NiFe2O4/geopolymer) was investigated for the first time. In order to describe its chemistry and morphology features, different analyses such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy images, Brunauer-Emmet-Teller adsorption-desorption isotherm, X-ray diffraction pattern, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, and vibrating-sample magnetometer analysis were used. The application of this novel nanocatalyst was studied for one-pot three-component condensation reaction of substituted imidazole derivatives by accelerated ultrasonic irradiations. Compared to the other conventional catalysts which were used for the synthesis of imidazole derivatives, the green synthesis method for fabrication of this heterogeneous and magnetic nanocatalyst, its high thermal stability, being eco-friendly, noticeable efficiency and easy reusability have become privileges to be superior.

Recent progress in selenium-catalyzed organic reactions

Selenium-based catalysts, including organo- and inorganoselenium ones, in organic synthesis in the recent decade are reviewed.

An iodine/DMSO-catalyzed sequential one-pot approach to 2,4,5-trisubstituted-1H-imidazoles from α-methylene ketones

A sequential one-pot approach to 2,4,5-trisubstituted imidazoles has been developed from α-methylene ketones and aldehydes. This methodology employs air-moisture stable reaction conditions and an inexpensive iodine/DMSO system affording a diverse range of known and novel (substrate scope) 2,4,5-trisubstituted imidazoles in moderate to excellent yields. The iodine/DMSO system was extended to the domino convergent synthesis of two functionalized intermediates, benzil and benzaldehyde, to produce the final product.