Unlocking regioselective meta-alkylation with epoxides and oxetanes via dynamic kinetic catalyst control.

Regioselective arene C-H bond alkylation is a powerful tool in synthetic chemistry, yet subject to many challenges. Herein, we report the meta-C-H bond alkylation of aromatics bearing N-directing groups using (hetero)aromatic epoxides as alkylating agents. This method results in complete regioselectivity on both the arene as well as the epoxide coupling partners, cleaving exclusively the benzylic C-O bond. Oxetanes, which are normally unreactive, also participate as alkylating reagents under the reaction conditions. Our mechanistic studies reveal an unexpected reversible epoxide ring opening process undergoing catalyst-controlled regioselection, as key for the observed high regioselectivities.

Arylation Using Sulfonamides: Phenylacetamide Synthesis through Tandem Acylation-Smiles Rearrangement.

A range of electron-poor and heterocyclic sulfonamides react with phenylacetyl chlorides to produce benzhydryl derivatives in a single step. The reaction proceeds via tandem amide bond formation/Dohmori-Smiles rearrangement under the simple conditions of an aqueous base. In the case of o-nosylamides, a further reaction takes place at the nitro group to yield indazoles.

Stepwise preparation of all-cis 1,3,4-trifluoro-2-phenylcyclohexane, avoiding a phenonium intermediate.

The original synthesis of all-cis 1,2,4,5,-tetrafluoro-2-phenylcyclohexane resulted in a trifluorocyclohexene as a significant co-product of the final fluorination step. This product was notable in that an elimination reaction was accompanied by C-F bond formation that had occurred with a retention of configuration. In order to deconvolute this reaction, the two isomers of the ditriflate diol precursor were separated, and they were each treated independently with Et3N·3HF. One gave the original all-cis 1,2,4,5,-tetrafluoro-2-phenylcyclohexane and the other the trifluorocyclohexene. A deuterium labeling experiment was carried out, resulting in a distribution of the isotope in the trifluorocyclohexene consistent with an intermediate (symmetrical) phenonium intermediate. Cognisant of this, a controlled elimination reaction of one of the diastereoisomers with DBU, followed by hydrogenation, gave a cyclohexane triflate, which, on fluorination, gave the all-cis 1,2,3-trifluoro-2-phenylcyclohexane now with an inversion of configuration.

Synthesis and elaboration of all-cis-1,2,4,5-tetrafluoro-3-phenylcyclohexane: a polar cyclohexane motif.

A stereocontrolled synthesis of all-cis-1,2,4,5- tetrafluoro-3-phenylcyclohexane is developed as the first functionalised example of this polar cyclohexane motif. The dipolar nature of the ring, arising due to two 1,3-diaxial C-F bonds, is revealed in the solid-state (X-ray) structure. The orthogonal conformation of the aryl and cyclohexyl rings in all-cis-1,2,4,5-tetrafluoro-3-phenylcyclohexane, and in an ortho-nitro derivative, result in intramolecular (1h)JHF and (2h)JCF  NMR couplings relayed through hydrogen bonding. The aryl group of all-cis-1,2,4,5-tetrafluoro-3-phenylcyclohexane is elaborated in different ways to demonstrate the versatility of this compound for delivering the motif to a range of molecular building blocks.

Fluorocyclohexanes: synthesis and structure of all-syn-1,2,4,5-tetrafluorocyclohexane.

The all-syn isomer of 1,2,4,5-tetrafluorocyclohexane is prepared and characterised by NMR and X-ray crystallography. It emerges to be a particularly polar cyclohexane analogue with differentially polarised faces.

Synthesis and structure of all-syn-1,2,3,4-tetrafluorocyclohexane.

Preparation of the all-syn isomer of 1,2,3,4-tetrafluorocyclohexane is reported; X-ray structural studies shows a conformation with two of the C-F bonds oriented 1,3-diaxial to each other and (19)F-NMR reveals a through space diaxial (4)J(FF) coupling constant of 29 Hz.

Synthesis and evaluation of indatraline-based inhibitors for trypanothione reductase.

The search for novel compounds of relevance to the treatment of diseases caused by trypanosomatid protozoan parasites continues. Screening of a large library of known bioactive compounds has led to several drug-like starting points for further optimisation. In this study, novel analogues of the monoamine uptake inhibitor indatraline were prepared and assessed both as inhibitors of trypanothione reductase (TryR) and against the parasite Trypanosoma brucei. Although it proved difficult to significantly increase the potency of the original compound as an inhibitor of TryR, some insight into the preferred substituent on the amine group and in the two aromatic rings of the parent indatraline was deduced. In addition, detailed mode of action studies indicated that two of the inhibitors exhibit a mixed mode of inhibition.