Tandem Reactions of Electrophilic Indoles toward Indolizines and Their Subsequent Transformations through Pd(II)-Mediated C-H Functionalization to Access Polyring-Fused N-Heterocycles

A simple and efficient synthetic approach for generating a library of structurally novel indolizines has been developed via sequential 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition-ring opening processes. Using this methodology, a series of indolizines bearing different substituents were made in moderate to good yields. The presence of two functionalizable C-H bonds in these indolizine motifs makes them attractive for accessing fused indolizine scaffolds. In this line, we have introduced palladium-mediated site-selective C-H functionalizations, where the N-center and the two C-H centers of the indolizine moiety can be readily functionalized to generate fused N-heterocycles. Utilizing a Pd-mediated dual C-H activation of 5-benzoyl-substituted indolizine afforded 6H-indeno-indolizine, and a tetracene, viz., indolizino[2,1-b]indoles, was produced in the same substrate by the Pd-catalyzed selective C-H amination in the presence of oxygen.

Pyridinium-Derived Mesoionic N-Heterocyclic Olefins (py-mNHOs)

Mesoionic polarization allows access to electron-rich olefins that have found application as organocatalysts, ligands, or nucleophiles. Herein, we report the synthesis and characterization of a series of 3-methylpyridinium-derived mesoionic olefins (py-mNHOs). We used a DFT-supported design concept, which showed that the introduction of aryl groups in the 1-, 2-, 4-, and 6-positions of the heterocyclic core allowed the kinetic stabilization of the novel mesoionic compounds. Tolman electronic parameters indicate that py-mNHOs are remarkably strong σ-donor ligands toward transition metals and main group Lewis acids. Additionally, they are among the strongest nucleophiles on the Mayr reactivity scale. In reactions of py-mNHOs with electron-poor π-systems, a gradual transition from the formation of zwitterionic adducts via stepwise to concerted 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions was observed experimentally and analyzed by quantum-chemical calculations.

Recent Strategies in the Nucleophilic Dearomatization of Pyridines, Quinolines, and Isoquinolines

Dearomatization reactions have become fundamental chemical transformations in organic synthesis since they allow for the generation of three-dimensional complexity from two-dimensional precursors, bridging arene feedstocks with alicyclic structures. When those processes are applied to pyridines, quinolines, and isoquinolines, partially or fully saturated nitrogen heterocycles are formed, which are among the most significant structural components of pharmaceuticals and natural products. The inherent challenge of those transformations lies in the low reactivity of heteroaromatic substrates, which makes the dearomatization process thermodynamically unfavorable. Usually, connecting the dearomatization event to the irreversible formation of a strong C-C, C-H, or C-heteroatom bond compensates the energy required to disrupt the aromaticity. This aromaticity breakup normally results in a 1,2- or 1,4-functionalization of the heterocycle. Moreover, the combination of these dearomatization processes with subsequent transformations in tandem or stepwise protocols allows for multiple heterocycle functionalizations, giving access to complex molecular skeletons. The aim of this review, which covers the period from 2016 to 2022, is to update the state of the art of nucleophilic dearomatizations of pyridines, quinolines, and isoquinolines, showing the extraordinary ability of the dearomative methodology in organic synthesis and indicating their limitations and future trends.

Sulfonium Salt Reagents for the Introduction of Deuterated Alkyl Groups in Drug Discovery

The pharmacokinetics of pharmaceutical drugs can be improved by replacing C-H bonds with the more stable C-D bonds at the α-position to heteroatoms, which is a typical metabolic site for cytochrome P450 enzymes. However, the application of deuterated synthons is limited. Herein, we established a novel concept for preparing deuterated reagents for the successful synthesis of complex drug skeletons with deuterium atoms at the α-position to heteroatoms. (dn -Alkyl)diphenylsulfonium salts prepared from the corresponding nondeuterated forms using inexpensive and abundant D2 O as the deuterium source with a base, were used as electrophilic alkylating reagents. Additionally, these deuterated sulfonium salts were efficiently transformed into dn -alkyl halides and a dn -alkyl azide as coupling reagents and a dn -alkyl amine as a nucleophile. Furthermore, liver microsomal metabolism studies revealed deuterium kinetic isotope effects (KIE) in 7-(d2 -ethoxy)flavone. The present concept for the synthesis of deuterated reagents and the first demonstration of a KIE in a d2 -ethoxy group will contribute to drug discovery research based on deuterium chemistry.

Diastereoselective Synthesis of Dihydrobenzofuran-Fused Spiroindolizidines via Double-Dearomative [3 + 2] Cycloadditions

Spiroindolizidine oxindoles represent a kind of privileged scaffold in many biologically active natural alkaloids. 2,3-Dihydrobenzofuran derivatives exhibit significant bioactivities in a variety of pharmaceuticals. Herein, we assembled these two privileged fragments into a small molecule via double-dearomative [3 + 2] cycloadditions with pyridinium ylides and 2-nitrobenzofurans. This protocol features remarkable advantages including wide substrate scope, mild condition, high level of diastereoselectivities and yields. Thus, a collection of spiroindolizidine-fused dihydrobenzofurans/indolines were facilely produced efficiently.

Blue Light-Emitting Diode-Mediated In Situ Generation of Pyridinium and Isoquinolinium Ylides from Aryl Diazoesters: Their Application in the Synthesis of Diverse Dihydroindolizine

Blue light-emitting diode-mediated environmentally sustainable three component reactions among pyridine/isoquinoline 1/2, aryl diazoesters 3, and acrylic ester/3-alkenyl oxindoles 5/6 provide various dihydroindolizines 7 to 9 in excellent yield. The principle of the strategy is photolytic generation of nitrogen ylides from N-heteroarenes and aryl diazoesters and their subsequent [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction with dipolarophiles. Detailed mechanistic analysis of the transformation through control experiments establishes this strategy as the foundation for the photolytic multicomponent reaction.

[3 + 2]-Annulation of gem-Difluoroalkenes and Pyridinium Ylides: Access to Functionalized 2-Fluoroindolizines

A [3 + 2]-annulation of gem-difluoroalkenes and pyridinium ylides was developed employing ambient air as the sole oxidant in an open-vessel manner, affording a series of multifunctionalized 2-fluoroindolizines in moderate to good yields. In this reaction, gem-difluoroalkene acts as a C2 synthon and entirely avoids the competitive addition-elimination process, which provides facile access to 2-fluoroindolizines.

Unprecedented access to functionalized pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines from the domino reaction of isoquinolinium ylides and electrophilic benzannulated heterocycles

We have come across an unexpected reaction between electrophilic indoles and isoquinolinium methylides for accessing functionalized pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines. The reaction was found in general to yield the products in good yields. We also observed the formation of S-S-bridged bis-pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines from the reaction of 3-nitro benzothiophene and isoquinolinium methylides.

Electrophilic reactivities of cyclic enones and α,β-unsaturated lactones

The reactivities of cyclic enones and α,β-unsaturated lactones were characterized by following the kinetics of their reactions with colored carbon-centered reference nucleophiles in DMSO at 20 °C. The experimentally determined second-order rate constants k₂ were analyzed with the Mayr–Patz equation, lg k = s_N(N + E), to furnish the electrophilicity descriptors E for the Michael acceptors. Cyclic enones and lactones show different reactivity trends than their acyclic analogs. While cyclization reduces the reactivity of enones slightly, α,β-unsaturated lactones are significantly more reactive Michael acceptors than analogously substituted open-chain esters. The observed reactivity trends were rationalized through quantum-chemically calculated Gibbs energy profiles (at the SMD(DMSO)/M06-2X/6-31+G(d,p) level of theory) and distortion interaction analysis for the reactions of the cyclic Michael acceptors with a sulfonium ylide. The electrophilicities of simplified electrophilic fragments reflect the general reactivity pattern of structurally more complex terpene-derived cyclic enones and sesquiterpene lactones, such as parthenolide.

Different reactivity trends for cyclic and acyclic Michael acceptors were found within the framework of Mayr's experimental reactivity scales and analyzed through quantum-chemical studies.

Assembly of functionalized π-extended indolizine polycycles through dearomative [3+2] cycloaddition/oxidative decarbonylation

Reported herein is an unexpected construction of functionalized π-extended indolizine polycycles through a one-pot two-step cascade process comprising the base-promoted dearomative [3+2] cycloaddition of quinilinium salts and 3-alkenyl oxindoles, followed by a DDQ-mediated oxidative decarbonylation. Moreover, we could achieve the substrate-controlled diverse synthesis of structurally strained cyclopropane spirooxindole by using pyridinium salts as starting materials.

Efficient synthesis of tetra- and penta-substituted benzenes via a domino annulation reaction of a pyridinium ylide and chalcone o-enolate

A very simple and highly efficient protocol for synthesizing tetra- and penta-substituted benzene derivatives has been developed.

Highly stereoselective dearomative [3 + 2] cycloadditon of cyclic pyridinium ylides to access spiro-indolizidine scaffolds

A novel type of pyridinium salt bearing a EWG on the pyridine was developed as an efficient pyridinium ylide precursor in the [3 + 2] cycloaddition with nitroolefins to construct various spiro-indolizidine scaffolds via a dearomative pathway.

[4 + 1] annulation reaction of cyclic pyridinium ylides with in situ generated azoalkenes for the construction of spirocyclic skeletons

Two new types of cyclic pyridinium ylides were designed and further used in reactions with azoalkenes to access structurally diverse spirocyclic compounds. A range of spiropyrazoline oxindoles could be smoothly obtained in up to 99% yield via a [4 + 1] annulation process with oxindole 3-pyridinium ylides as C1 synthons. Similarly, a series of spiropyrazoline indanones could be prepared with indanone 2-pyridinium ylides as C1 synthons. This work represents the first example of cyclic pyridinium ylides as C1 synthons for the efficient construction of spirocyclic compounds.

Iron-catalyzed [3 + 2]-cycloaddition of in situ generated N-ylides with alkynes or olefins: access to multi-substituted/polycyclic pyrrole derivatives

An iron-catalyzed one-pot three-component reaction of 1-substituted benzimidazoles with diazoacetates and electron-deficient alkynes or alkenes has been reported. Mechanistically, the reaction goes through a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of catalytically generated benzimidazolium N-ylides with various activated alkynes or alkenes, leading to multi-substituted and polycyclic fused pyrrole derivatives, respectively.

Direct cyclopropanation of activated N-heteroarenes via site- and stereoselective dearomative reactions

A divergent cyclopropanation reaction has been accomplished via the dearomative addition of sulfur ylides to activated N-heteroarenes.

A divergent cyclopropanation reaction has been accomplished via the dearomative addition of sulfur ylides to activated N-heteroarenes. A series of biologically significant molecular skeletons was obtained by the direct cyclopropanation of quinolinium zwitterions. Furthermore, a straightforward synthetic route to optically enriched cyclopropane-fused heterocycles was developed using sulfur ylides as chiral nucleophiles in the 1,4-dearomative reaction.

Copper-catalyzed formal [1 + 2 + 2]-annulation of alkyne-tethered diazoacetates and pyridines: access to polycyclic indolizines

A copper-catalyzed formal [1 + 2 + 2]-annulation of alkyne-tethered diazo compounds with pyridines, which affords polycyclic fused indolizine derivatives with broad substrate generality, has been reported.

Selective synthesis of spirooxindoles via a two-step reaction of N-phenacylpyridinium bromide, 1,3-indanedione and N-alkylisations

The three-component reaction of 1,3-indanedione and N-alkylisatins with two molecular N-phenacylpyridinium salts in dry acetonitrile in the presence of triethylamine resulted in unique functionalized spiro[indoline-3,4'-naphtho[1,2-b]furan] derivatives in good yields, which were successfully converted to spiro[indoline-3,2'-naphthalen]-4'-yl acetate derivatives by acylation with acetyl chloride in methylene dichloride and alkoxy-substituted spiro[benzo[h]chromene-5,3'-indolines] by acid-catalyzed etherification reaction in alcohol. The reaction mechanism involved the sequential cycloaddition of the in situ-generated pyridinium ylide to dipolarophilic enone, ring-opening of 1,3-indanedione, and selective annulation.

Diastereoselective synthesis of spirocyclic isoxazolo[5,4-c]pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines via cascade double [3 + 2]cycloadditions

The one-pot base-promoted cascade double [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of N-cyanomethylisoquinolinium chloride with (E)-3-arylideneindolin-2-ones and (E)-N-hydroxybenzimidoyl chloride afforded novel polycyclic spiro[indoline-3,8'-isoxazolo[5,4-c]pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines] in good yields and with high diastereoselectivity. When 4-arylidenepyrazol-3-ones, 2-arylidene-1,3-indanediones and arylidenemalononitriles were employed in the reaction, the corresponding spiro[isoxazolo[5,4-c]pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinoline-8,4'-pyrazole], spiro[indene-2,8'-isoxazolo[5,4-c]pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinoline], and isoxazolo[5,4-c]pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinoline derivatives were also prepared in good yields and with high diastereoselectivty. The relative configurations of the polycyclic spiro compounds were clearly elucidated by determination of fifteen single crystal structures.

Convenient construction of dibenzo[b,d]furanes and 2,6-diaryl-4-(2-hydroxyphenyl)pyridines via domino reaction of pyridinium ylides with 2-aryl-3-nitrochromenes

The DBU promoted domino annulation reaction of 2-aryl-3-nitrochromenes with two molecular 4-(N,N-dimethylamino)-1-phenacylpyridinium bromides in DMF resulted in unprecedented 1-benzoyl-2,4-diaryldibenzo[b,d]furane derivatives in good yields.

Nucleophilic Dearomatization of Activated Pyridines

Amongst nitrogen heterocycles of different ring sizes and oxidation statuses, dihydropyridines (DHP) occupy a prominent role due to their synthetic versatility and occurrence in medicinally relevant compounds. One of the most straightforward synthetic approaches to polysubstituted DHP derivatives is provided by nucleophilic dearomatization of readily assembled pyridines. In this article, we collect and summarize nucleophilic dearomatization reactions of - pyridines reported in the literature between 2010 and mid-2018, complementing and updating previous reviews published in the early 2010s dedicated to various aspects of pyridine chemistry. Since functionalization of the pyridine nitrogen, rendering a (transient) pyridinium ion, is usually required to render the pyridine nucleus sufficiently electrophilic to suffer the attack of a nucleophile, the material is organized according to the type of N-functionalization. A variety of nucleophilic species (organometallic reagents, enolates, heteroaromatics, umpoled aldehydes) can be productively engaged in pyridine dearomatization reactions, including catalytic asymmetric implementations, providing useful and efficient synthetic platforms to (enantioenriched) DHPs. Conversely, pyridine nitrogen functionalization can also lead to pyridinium ylides. These dipolar species can undergo a variety of dipolar cycloaddition reactions with electron-poor dipolarophiles, affording polycyclic frameworks and embedding a DHP moiety in their structures.

Ammonium Ylide Mediated Cyclization Reactions

The use of readily accessible ammonium ylides for (asymmetric) transformations, especially cyclization reactions, has received considerable attention over the past two decades. A variety of highly enantioselective protocols to facilitate annulation reactions have recently been introduced as an alternative to other common methods including S-ylide-mediated strategies. It is the intention of this short review to provide an introduction to this field by highlighting the potential of ammonium ylides for (asymmetric) cyclization reactions as well as to present the limitations and challenges of these methods.

Tandem Double [3 + 2] Cycloaddition Reactions at Both C-1 and C-3 Atoms of N-Cyanomethylisoquinolinium Ylide

The base-promoted cycloaddition reaction of N-cyanomethylisoquinolinium chloride with 2-arylidene-1,3-indanediones in dry tetrahydrofuran resulted in the expected spiro[indene-2,1'-pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinoline] derivatives. However, the triethylamine-promoted three-component reaction of N-cyanomethylisoquinolinium chloride, aromatic aldehydes, and two molecules of 1,3-indanediones in acetonitrile afforded unique spiro[benzo[f]imidazo[5,1,2-cd]indolizine-4,2'-indene] derivatives in satisfactory yields through tandem double [3 + 2] cycloaddition reactions.

Quantification and Theoretical Analysis of the Electrophilicities of Michael Acceptors

In order to quantify the electrophilic reactivities of common Michael acceptors, we measured the kinetics of the reactions of monoacceptor-substituted ethylenes (H₂C═CH-Acc, 1) and styrenes (PhCH═CH-Acc, 2) with pyridinium ylides 3, sulfonium ylide 4, and sulfonyl-substituted chloromethyl anion 5. Substitution of the 57 measured second-order rate constants (log k) and the previously reported nucleophile-specific parameters N and s_N for 3-5 into the correlation log k = s_N(E + N) allowed us to calculate 15 new empirical electrophilicity parameters E for Michael acceptors 1 and 2. The use of the same parameters s_N, N, and E for these different types of reactions shows that all reactions proceed via a common rate-determining step, the nucleophilic attack of 3-5 at the Michael acceptors with formation of acyclic intermediates, which subsequently cyclize to give tetrahydroindolizines (stepwise 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions with 3) and cyclopropanes (with 4 and 5), respectively. The electrophilicity parameters E thus determined can be used to calculate the rates of the reactions of Michael acceptors 1 and 2 with any nucleophile of known N and s_N. DFT calculations were performed to confirm the suggested reaction mechanisms and to elucidate the origin of the electrophilic reactivities. While electrophilicities E correlate poorly with the LUMO energies and with Parr's electrophilicity index ω, good correlations were found between the experimentally observed electrophilic reactivities of 44 Michael acceptors and their calculated methyl anion affinities, particularly when solvation by dimethyl sulfoxide was taken into account by applying the SMD continuum solvation model. Because of the large structural variety of Michael acceptors considered for these correlations, which cover a reactivity range of 17 orders of magnitude, we consider the calculation of methyl anion affinities to be the method of choice for a rapid estimate of electrophilic reactivities.

A [3 + 2]–[4 + 2]–[3 + 2] cycloaddition sequence of isoquinolinium ylide

A unique [3 + 2]–[4 + 2]–[3 + 2] cycloaddition sequence of isoquinolinium ylide is investigated to afford polycyclic compounds with ten stereogenic centers.

Construction of dispirocyclohexyl-3,3′-bisoxindole and dispirocyclopentyl-3,3′-bisoxindole via domino cycloaddition reactions of N-benzylbenzimidazolium salts with 2-(2-oxoindolin-3-ylidene)acetates

Two kinds of spirocyclic oxindoles were selectively synthesized from cycloaddition of N-benzyl-N-phenacylbenzimidazolium salts with two molecules of 2-(2-oxoindolin-3-ylidene)acetates.

An unexpected three-component reaction of 2-alkylenecyclobutanone and N′-(2-alkynylbenzylidene)hydrazide with water

A silver(i)-catalyzed three-component reaction of 2-alkylenecyclobutanone, N′-(2-alkynylbenzylidene)hydrazide with water gives rise to 3-(pyrazolo[5,1-a]isoquinolin-1-yl)propanoic acids in good yields through 6-endo cyclization, [3 + 2] cycloaddition, and rearrangement.

A simple approach to pyrrolylimidazole derivatives by azirine ring expansion with imidazolium ylides

Versatile synthesis of 1-(1H-pyrrol-3-yl)-1H-imidazole derivatives by a domino reaction of 2H-azirines with 1-alkyl-3-phenacyl-1H-imidazolium bromides is reported.

Nucleophilicity parameters of pyridinium ylides and their use in mechanistic analyses

Kinetics of the reactions of pyridinium, isoquinolinium, and quinolinium ylides with diarylcarbenium ions, quinone methides, and arylidene malonates (reference electrophiles) have been studied in dimethylsulfoxide solution by UV-vis spectroscopy. The second-order rate constants (log k2) were found to correlate linearly with the electrophilicities E of the reference electrophiles, as required by the linear free-energy relationship log k(20°C) = sN(N + E) (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2001, 123, 9500), which allowed us to derive the nucleophile-specific parameters N and sN for these ylides. Pyridinium substitution is found to have a similar effect on the reactivity of carbanionic reaction centers as alkoxycarbonyl substitution. Agreement between the rate constants measured for the 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions of pyridinium, isoquinolinium, and quinolinium ylides with acceptor substituted dipolarophiles (arylidenemalononitrile and substituted chalcone) and those calculated from E, N, and sN shows that the above correlation can also be employed for predicting absolute rate constants of stepwise or highly unsymmetrical concerted cycloadditions. Deviations between calculated and experimental rate constants by a factor of 10(6) were demonstrated to indicate a change of reaction mechanism.

Novel one-pot green synthesis of indolizines biocatalysed by Candida antarctica Lipases

Marine microorganisms are of considerable interest as a promising source of enzymes with unsuspected potentials as catalysts for chemical synthesis. We describe here an efficient method for one-pot indolizine synthesis that has been developed using lipase A and lipase B from Candida antarctica as biocatalysts. As showed by HPLC/MS analysis, the yield in indolizines was higher in the presence of the biocatalyst than in absence of enzyme. Lipase A, from Candida antarctica, showed high catalytic activity and selectivity for the cycloaddition reactions. When the reactions were performed under ultrasound irradiation, the Candida antarctica lipase catalyzed reactions yielded pure indolozines, in good yields and in very short time.