Heteroaryl sulfonamide synthesis: scope and limitations.

Heteroaryl sulfonamides are important structural motifs in the medicinal and agrochemical industries. However, their synthesis often relies on the use of heteroaryl sulfonyl chlorides, which are unstable and toxic reagents. Herein, we report a protocol that allows direct oxidative coupling of heteroaryl thiols and primary amines, readily available and inexpensive commodity chemicals. The transformation proceeds under mild reaction conditions and yields the desired N-alkylated sulfonamides in good yields. N-alkyl heteroaryl sulfonamides can be further transformed using a microwave-promoted Fukuyama-Mitsunobu reaction to N,N-dialkyl heteroaryl sulfonamides. The developed protocols thus enable the preparation of previously difficult to prepare sulfonamides (toxic reagents, harsh conditions, and low yields) under mild conditions.

Acid-promoted cyclization of 2,4-diaryl-1,1,1-trifluorobut-3-en-2-oles and their TMS-ethers into CF3-indenes.

2,4-Diaryl-1,1,1-trifluorobut-3-en-2-oles and their TMS-ethers in H2SO4 at room temperature in just 2 min are quantitatively cyclized into 1-aryl-3-trifluoromethyl-1H-indenes. The reaction proceeds through an intermediate formation of the corresponding CF3-allyl cations, which are cyclized regioselectively at the allyl carbon atom most remote from the CF3-group. The obtained CF3-indenes in solution of EtOAc in the presence of silica gel at room temperature over 4 h are quantitatively isomerized into 3-aryl-1-trifluoromethyl-1H-indenes.

Acid-Promoted Reaction of Trifluoromethylated Allyl Alcohols with Arenes. Stereoselective Synthesis of CF3-Alkenes and CF3-Indanes.

Reaction of 4-aryl-1,1,1-trifluorobut-3-en-2-ols [CF3-allyl alcohols, ArCH═CHCH(OH)CF3] with arenes under activation with anhydrous FeCl3 or FSO3H was studied. We found that the transformation led to trifluoromethylated alkenes [Ar(Ar')CHCH═CHCF3] or 1-trifluoromethylated indanes (CF3-indanes). The formation of these two types of reaction products strongly depends on the nucleophilicity of the starting arene and the electrophilicity of cationic intermediates generated from CF3-allyl alcohols under reaction conditions. Benzene, anisole, veratrole, and ortho-xylene lead exclusively to CF3-alkenes with an E-configuration. More π-donating polymethylated arenes (pseudocumene, mesitylene) afford only CF3-indanes with a predominantly cis-orientation of substituents at positions 1 and 3 of the indane ring. Meta- and para-xylenes show an intermediate behavior; they may form both CF3-alkenes and/or CF3-indanes. The mechanisms of the investigated transformations are discussed.

Reactions of CF3-enones with arenes under superelectrophilic activation: a pathway to trans-1,3-diaryl-1-CF3-indanes, new cannabinoid receptor ligands.

4-Aryl-1,1,1-trifluorobut-3-en-2-ones ArCH[double bond, length as m-dash]CHCOCF3 (CF3-enones) react with arenes in excess of Brønsted superacids (TfOH, FSO3H) to give, stereoselectively, trans-1,3-diaryl-1-trifluoromethyl indanes in 35-85% yields. The reaction intermediates, the O-protonated ArCH[double bond, length as m-dash]CHC(OH(+))CF3 and the O,C-diprotonated ArHC(+)CH2C(OH(+))CF3 species, have been studied by means of (1)H, (13)C, (19)F NMR, and DFT calculations. Both types of the cations may participate in the reaction, depending on their electrophilicity and electron-donating properties of the arenes. The formation of CF3-indanes is a result of cascade reaction of protonated CF3-enones to form chemo-, regio- and stereoselectively three new C-C bonds. The obtained trans-1,3-diaryl-1-trifluoromethyl indanes were investigated as potential ligands for cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 types. The most potent compound showed sub-micromolar affinity for both receptor subtypes with a 6-fold selectivity toward the CB2 receptor with no appreciable cytotoxicity toward SHSY5Y cells.

Domino reactions of 2H-azirines with acylketenes from furan-2,3-diones: Competition between the formation of ortho-fused and bridged heterocyclic systems.

3-Aryl-2H-azirines react with acylketenes, generated by thermolysis of 5-arylfuran-2,3-diones, to give bridged 5,7-dioxa-1-azabicyclo[4.4.1]undeca-3,8-diene-2,10-diones and/or ortho-fused 6,6a,12,12a-tetrahydrobis[1,3]oxazino[3,2-a:3',2'-d]pyrazine-4,10-diones. The latter compounds, with a new heterocyclic skeleton, are the result of the coupling of two molecules of azirine and two molecules of acylketene and can be prepared only from 3-aryl-2H-azirines having no electron-withdrawing groups in the aryl substituent. Calculations at the DFT B3LYP/6-31G(d) level for the various routes of bis[1,3]oxazino[3,2-a:3',2'-d]pyrazine skeleton formation revealed a new domino reaction of 3-aryl-2H-azirines occurring in the presence of furandiones: acid-catalyzed dimerization to dihydropyrazine followed by consecutive cycloaddition of the latter to two molecules of acylketenes.