Unexpected C–N bond formation via Smiles rearrangement: one pot synthesis of N-arylated coumarin/pyran derivatives

A conceptually new and one-pot method for the synthesis of N-arylated coumarin/pyran derivatives via Smiles rearrangement.

Chiral-aminoquinoline-based fluorescent pH probe with large stokes shift for bioimaging

The aminoquinoline derivatives, (R)- and (S)-2-phenyl-2-(quinolin-6-ylamino)ethan-1-ol (R-PEO and S-PEO), were synthesized by a tandem one-pot three-step CN coupling method where Smiles rearrangement was the key procedure. The selected compound R-PEO showed a significant fluorescence enhancement with a turn-on ratio over 98-fold and enabled the real time determination of proton concentration in acidic solution. The fluorescence intensity of R-PEO exhibited strong pH-dependent performance with a large Stokes shift (115nm) and responded linearly to minor pH change within the range of 3.8-6.0. With the help of ¹H NMR spectrum, we also confirmed the protonation of the quinoline unit should be the proposed reaction. Compared with the conjugated acid of N-hexylquinolin-6-amine (NQA), the conjugated acid of R-PEO shows significant planar intramolecular charge transfer (PICT) character. Furthermore, biological imaging proved that R-PEO probe can be used to monitor the pH change of S. cerevisiae in vivo.

Brønsted Acid Catalyzed Functionalization of Aromatic Alcohols through Nucleophilic Substitution of Hydroxyl Group

The hydroxyl groups of naphthol and tautomerizable phenol derivatives have been substituted by O-, S-, N-, and C-centered nucleophiles under solvent-free reaction conditions. The products are generated in good to excellent yields. para-Toluenesulfonic acid exhibits the best catalytic activity compared to other Brønsted acids. Experimental observations suggest that the reaction proceeds through the intermediacy of the keto tautomer of naphthol. Nucleophilic addition to the carbonyl group followed by elimination of water generates the desired product. The present methodology provides access to substituted naphtho[2,1-b]furan derivatives. The products generated using N-centered nucleophiles can be further transformed to important classes of organic molecules such as benzocarbazole and imidazole derivatives.