Synthesis of benzimidazole-fused 1,4-benzoxazepines and benzosultams spiro-connected to a 2-oxindole core via a tandem epoxide-opening/SNAr approach.

While hundreds of literature reports describe the preparation of spirooxindole-based five- and six-membered heterocycles, the construction of seven-membered heterocyclic rings spiro-connected to a 2-oxindole core has so far been less developed. Herein, we disclose a base-mediated (4 + 3) annulation of spiro-epoxyoxindoles and 2-(2-fluoroaryl)-1H-benzoimidazoles or 2-fluoro-N-arylbenzenesulfonamides toward the synthesis of two new classes of spirooxindole-based polycyclic systems. Mechanistically, this conceptually simple and high atom-economical reaction proceeds via an SN2-like intermolecular epoxide ring-opening, accompanied by a concomitant intramolecular SNAr reaction. From a synthetic aspect, the notable features of the process are its full regioselectivity, operational simplicity using readily available substrates under transition-metal-free conditions, high yields, and broad substrate scope.

Base-Mediated, Chemo- and Regioselective (4+2) Annulation of Indole-2-carboxamides with 2,3-Epoxy Tosylates toward 1,2-Fused Indoles.

Base-mediated [4+2] annulation of indole-2-carboxamides with 2,3-epoxy tosylates has been explored. The protocol delivers 3-substituted pyrazino[1,2-a]indol-1-ones in high yields in diastereoselective fashion, and neither 4-substituted pyrazino[1,2-a]indol-1-ones nor tetrahydro-1H-[1,4]diazepino[1,2-a]indol-1-ones are generated, irrespective of whether the distal epoxide C3 substituent is alkyl or aryl, or the epoxide is cis- or trans-configured. This reaction proceeds in one pot via N-alkylation of the indole scaffold with 2,3-epoxy tosylates, concomitantly followed by 6-exo-selective epoxide-opening cyclization. Notably, the process is chemo- and regioselective with respect to both the starting materials. To our knowledge, the process represents the first successful example of one-pot annulation of indole-based diheteronucleophiles with epoxide-based dielectrophiles.

Copper(II)-Mediated, Site-Selective C(sp2)-H Sulfonamidation of 1-Naphthylamines.

An operationally simple and efficient protocol for copper(II)-mediated, picolinamido-directed C8-H sulfonamidation of 1-naphthylamine derivatives with various sulfonamides has been developed. Remarkably, this cross-dehydrogenative C-H/H-N coupling reaction exhibits a broad substrate scope with excellent functional group tolerance, is scalable, and enables an expeditious route to a library of unsymmetrical N-arylated sulfonamides in good to excellent yields with exclusive site selectivity.

An epoxide-opening cyclization/double Smiles rearrangement cascade approach to N-aryl-1,4-benzoxazines and N-arylindolines.

Reported herein is a transition-metal-free protocol for a regio- and diastereoselective synthesis of hydroxyalkyl group-embedded N-arylbenzo[b][1,4]oxazines and N-arylindolines based on an epoxide-opening cyclization/double Smiles rearrangement cascade of p-nosylamide-tethered epoxides. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the integration of epoxide-opening cyclization with Smiles rearrangement in a cascade fashion, enabling simultaneous construction and N-arylation of N-heterocycles. The reaction employs substrates derived from commercially available 2-nitrophenols and easily accessible allylic halides/alcohols, and exhibits a broad substrate scope and delivers the products in high yields.

One-Pot Double Intramolecular Cyclization Approach to Tetralin-Based Cis-Fused Tetracyclic Compounds.

Presented herein is a BF3·OEt2-mediated, diastereoselective one-pot double cyclization of 4-aryl-2-[(arylthio)methyl]butanals leading to the formation of cis-tetrahydro-6H-naphtho[2,1-c]thiochromenes for the first time. Mechanistically, the formation of the title products involves the one-pot intramolecular Friedel-Crafts hydroxyalkylation/intramolecular Friedel-Crafts alkylation cascade. This synthetic methodology is featured by its high atom economy, broad substrate scope, mild transition-metal-free reaction conditions, capability to assemble two new rings in one pot, and moderate to high yields (up to 94% yield). It was then applied in the synthesis of a thia analogue of brazilane and a chromeno[3,4-c]chromene derivative. Moreover, the methodology was successfully extended to the synthesis of cis-hexahydrobenzo[c]phenanthrenes. Specifically, 1,5-diarylpentan-3-ones were first subjected to the Corey-Chaykovsky reaction, and the resulting epoxides, without being chromatographically isolated, were treated with BF3·OEt2 to afford the cyclized products in high yields (up to 84% yield over two steps).

Diastereoselective Synthesis of Indoline- and Pyrrole-Embedded Tetracycles via an Unprecedented Dearomative Indole-C3-Alkylation/Aza-Friedel-Crafts Cascade Reaction.

Dearomative indole C3-alkylation─intramolecular iminium trapping cascade reaction of indole-C3-tethered nucleophiles is a well-known blueprint for accessing 2,3-fused indolines. In exploring this strategy, synthetic chemists have utilized diverse classes of electrophilic reagents. However, the tethered nucleophiles have mainly been limited to heteronucleophiles and enolates; exploitation of tethered arenes/heteroarenes remains unknown. We herein describe the first examples of pyrrole-intercepted dearomative indole C3-allylation and benzylation of indole-tethered pyrroles toward the synthesis of 2,3-cis-fused tetracyclic indolines featuring a C3 all-carbon quaternary stereocentre. Our methodology capitalizes on the capability of NaOtBu/Et3B combination to direct the intermolecular alkylation to take place regioselectively at the indole C3 position over the other reactive sites (indole N and C2 and pyrrole C2 positions) and leverages the high nucleophilicity of the pyrrole template for the concomitant aza-Friedel-Crafts ring closure that traditionally would require an additional acid-catalyzed synthetic step. This cascade reaction is accomplished with broad substrate scope and excellent yields and chemo-, regio-, and diastereoselectivities.

ICl-Mediated Functional Group Interconversion from Methyl Homopropargyl Ether to α-Iodo-γ-chloroketone.

An ICl-mediated highly chemo- and regioselective functional group interconversion from methyl homopropargyl ether to α-iodo-γ-chloro-ketone is reported. Density functional theory (DFT)-calculated reaction coordinate and potential energy surface support the high chemo-selectivity observed for the formation of α-iodo-γ-chloroketone over furan. The five-membered oxonium ring formation-ring opening mechanism is a potential template for the preparation of polyfunctionalized carbonyl compounds.

Regioselectivity of the SEAr-based cyclizations and SEAr-terminated annulations of 3,5-unsubstituted, 4-substituted indoles.

Indole-3,4- and 4,5-fused carbo- and heterocycles are ubiquitous in bioactive natural products and pharmaceuticals, and hence, a variety of synthetic approaches toward such compounds have been developed. Among these, cyclization and annulation of 3,5-unsubstituted, 4-substituted indoles involving an electrophilic aromatic substitution (SEAr) as the ring closure are particularly attractive, because they avoid the use of 3,4- or 4,5-difunctionalized indoles as starting materials. However, since 3,5-unsubstituted, 4-substituted indoles have two potential ring-closure sites (indole C3 and C5 positions), such reactions in principle can furnish either or both of the indole 3,4- and 4,5-fused ring systems. This Commentary will briefly highlight the issue by summarizing recent relevant literature reports.

Hexafluoroisopropanol-Mediated Intramolecular Ring-Opening Cyclization of Indolyl-N-Tethered Epoxides: Tether-Length-Controlled Synthesis of 1,7- and 1,2-Fused Indoles.

Despite having the capability to construct benzo-fused heterocycles in complete atom economy and high chemo-, regio-, enantio-, and diastereoselectivities, intramolecular Friedel-Crafts epoxide arene cyclization (IFCEAC) remains underutilized in organic synthesis. The wide adaptation of this powerful Csp2-Csp3 bond-forming reaction, therefore, requires a broad understanding of the substrate scope to better impact heterocycle synthesis. Along this line, we investigated the applicability of IFCEAC for the synthesis of 1,7- and 1,2-fused indoles. In this article, we report the results of our systematic investigation into the scope and limitations of the first examples of the hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFIP)-mediated IFCEAC of readily accessible indolyl-N-tethered epoxides. We observed that the nature and position of the indole and epoxide substituents and the tether length separating these two reacting moieties have strong effects on the cyclization. This mild and transition-metal-free protocol delivered pyrrolo[3,2,1-ij]quinolin-5-ols in moderate to good yields from substrates bearing both a methylene linker that connects the indole and epoxide moieties and an electron-rich indole carbocyclic ring. Notably, the reactions required the presence of a π-activating aryl substituent on the reacting epoxide carbon atom. Interestingly, replacing the methylene tether with an ethylene unit resulted in regioswitching, which delivered the corresponding tetrahydropyrido[1,2-a]indol-8-ols in good to high yields. We could also successfully extend this methodology to pyrrolyl-N-tethered epoxides for a very high-yielding synthesis of tetrahydroindolizin-7-ols.

The C-H functionalization of N-alkoxycarbamoyl indoles by transition metal catalysis.

Indole and its congeners are ubiquitous nitrogen-containing organic scaffolds present in a plethora of natural products, marketed drugs, and other organic functional molecules. Recent years have witnessed tremendous advances in the diversification of this motif and its biological applications via transition-metal-catalyzed auxiliary assisted site-selective inert C-H functionalization. In this burgeoning field, N-methoxy/ethoxy/pivaloxy amide functionality has emerged as a most potent auxiliary/DG (directing group) for a wide range of C-C and C-heteroatom bond formations, providing a new advance for forging structurally fabricated polycyclic indole frameworks. This review aims to highlight evolved transformations, like arylation, alkylation, alkenylation, allylation, amidation, difluorovinylation, deuteration, hydroarylation, etc., and the applications of N-alkoxycarbamoyl indole derivatives made within the period of 2014-August 2021. Additionally, explicit mechanistic underpinnings have also been provided in the appropriate places.

Trifluoroethanol-promoted ring-opening cyclization of 4-(2-oxiranylmethoxy)indoles: access to 4,5-fused indoles.

Herein, we report that the trifluoroethanol-mediated ring-opening cyclization of readily accessible 4-(2-oxiranylmethoxy)indoles takes place in a diastereoselective and 6-endo fashion to generate pyrano[2,3-e]indol-3-ols in high yields. This regioselective cyclization at the indole C-5 position requires the presence of a π-activating aryl substituent on the reacting epoxide carbon atom, but remains uninfluenced by the electronic nature of the indole-N-substituent. Interestingly, blocking the C-5 position of the indole unit directs the reaction to generate oxepino[4,3,2-cd]indol-3-ols via 7-endo epoxide-arene cyclization.

NaI/KI/NH4I and TBHP as powerful oxidation systems: use in the formation of various chemical bonds.

In modern organic synthesis, the execution of reactions in the absence of expensive transition metals has received significant attention from the view-point of green chemistry and sustainable development. As a consequence, the combination of MI-TBHP as an oxidation system (M = Na, K, NH4) has opened a new avenue with significant impact for the succinct synthesis of complex heterocycle molecules via the construction of various chemical bonds [C-X (X = C, N, S, O), N-X (X = N, P) and S-N]. This comprehensive review article delineates the progress of recent developments in this emerging area, with an in-depth discussion on the substrate scope, limitations and proper mechanistic underpinnings. We hope this review will highlight the great potential of this MI-TBHP as a powerful oxidation system and inspire researchers to conduct further endeavors in this domain.

8-Aminoimidazo[1,2-a]pyridine (AIP) directed Pd(II) catalysis: site-selective ortho-C(sp2)-H arylation in aqueous medium.

We demonstrate herein the first example of a palladium(ii) catalyzed regioselective ortho-C(sp2)-H arylation in aqueous medium (a sustainable solvent) utilizing 8-AIP (8-aminoimidazo[1,2-a]pyridine) as a promising and removable bidentate directing group/auxilliary. This newly developed protocol features a broad substrate scope with excellent functional group tolerance and enables an expeditious route to a library of unsymmetrical amides in good to excellent yields with exclusive site-selectivity.

Palladium catalyzed 8-aminoimidazo[1,2-a]pyridine (AIP) directed selective ß-C(sp2)-H arylation.

Palladium catalyzed arylation of the inert ß-C(sp2)-H bond of carboxylic acid derivatives is reported herein for the first time utilizing 8-aminoimidazo[1,2-a]pyridine (AIP) as an efficacious and new inbuilt 6,5-fused bicyclic removable directing group. This protocol is scalable, exhibits high levels of ß-site selectivity and tolerates a broad spectrum of functional groups.

Organocatalytic synthesis of (Het)biaryl scaffolds via photoinduced intra/intermolecular C(sp2)-H arylation by 2-pyridone derivatives.

A unique N,O-bidentate ligand 6-oxo-1,6-dihydro-pyridone-2-carboxylic acid dimethylamide (L1) catalyzed direct C(sp2)-H (intra/intermolecular) arylation of unactivated arenes has been developed to expedite access to (Het)biaryl scaffolds under UV-irradiation at room temperature. The protocol tolerated diverse functional groups and substitution patterns, affording the target products in moderate to excellent yields. Mechanistic investigations were also carried out to better understand the reaction pathway. Furthermore, the synthetic applicability of this unified approach has been showcased via the construction of biologically relevant 4-quinolone, tricyclic lactam and sultam derivatives.

C-H functionalization of quinazolinones by transition metal catalysis.

Quinazolinone and its congeners are ubiquitous structural motifs found in numerous natural products due to their wide applications as anticancer, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antifolate and antitumor agents etc. Previously, the synthetic community devoted their efforts towards synthetic approaches but recent years have also witnessed an upsurge in the diversification of this scaffold and its applications. Thus, this review (from 2011 to the beginning of 2020) comprehensively focuses on transition metal catalyzed C-H bond functionalization namely arylation, amination, acetoxylation, amidation, alkylation, alkenylation, alkynylation, halogenation, thiolation, trifluoroethylation etc. of quinazolin-4(3H)-one. Additionally, we also briefly elucidate the plausible mechanistic pathways, scope and limitations.

Regioselectivity of the trifluoroethanol-promoted intramolecular N-Boc-epoxide cyclization towards 1,3-oxazolidin-2-ones and 1,3-oxazinan-2-ones.

The intramolecular N-Boc-epoxide cyclization leading to the formation of 1,3-oxazolidin-2-one and 1,3-oxazinan-2-one derivatives has scarcely been reported in the literature. More specifically, the intramolecular cyclization of N-Boc aniline-tethered 2,3-disubstitued epoxides has never been disclosed. Herein, we demonstrate that this reaction could proceed in a diastereoselective fashion in refluxing trifluoroethanol, in the absence of any external promoter or catalyst. Substrates bearing an alkyl group at the C-3 position furnished 1,3-oxazolidin-2-ones in a completely regioselective fashion via 5-exo epoxide ring-opening cyclization, thereby paving the way to synthesize alkyl side chain-bearing analogs of the antidepressant drug toloxatone. On the other hand, replacing the alkyl group with an aryl group resulted in easily separable mixtures of 1,3-oxazolidin-2-ones and 1,3-oxazinan-2-ones, the former being obtained as the major products. Remarkably, a tetralin-bearing substrate underwent fully regioselective 6-endo ring closure to form the corresponding 1,3-oxazinan-2-one. Our present study on the intramolecular ring opening-cyclization of epoxides with a tethered N-Boc group is the most comprehensive to date and features broad substrate scope, mild transition metal-free conditions, excellent functional group tolerance, and scalability.

Switching of regioselectivity in base-mediated diastereoselective annulation of 2,3-epoxy tosylates and their N-tosylaziridine analogs with 2-mercaptobenzimidazole.

A base-mediated dinucleophilic cyclization of readily accessible 2,3-epoxy tosylates with 2-mercaptobenzimidazole has been developed for the one-pot diastereoselective synthesis of benzimidazole-based tricyclic compounds equipped with two stereogenic centres. With trans-substrates bearing an aryl or alkyl substituent at the C3 position, the reaction involves an initial S-C1 bond-forming intermolecular alkylation followed by an N-C3 bond-forming, endo-selective intramolecular epoxide ring-opening cyclization reaction. A spectacular regioselectivity switching (tandem S-C3 and N-C1 bond formation reactions) was observed with related trans-N-tosylaziridine substrates. Wide substrate scope, complete diastereoselectivity, high to complete regioselectivity and mild transition metal-free conditions render this protocol particularly efficient and practical.

Base-mediated intramolecular one-pot double-cyclization of epoxide-tethered 2-fluorobenzenesulfonamides: an avenue to 1,4-benzoxazine-fused benzothiaoxazepine-1,1-dioxides.

Herein, we describe the synthesis of hitherto unknown 1,4-benzoxazine-fused benzothiaoxazepine-1,1-dioxides by a NaH-promoted intramolecular one-pot double-cyclization of epoxide-tethered 2-fluorobenzene sulfonamides. Mechanistically, the reactions proceed via an intramolecular epoxide ring-opening followed by an intramolecular nucleophilic aromatic substitution. The high yields, mild conditions, complete regio- and diastereoselectivity, and a wide substrate scope render this protocol well suited for drug discovery efforts.

Generation of ArS- and ArSe-Substituted 4-Quinolone Derivatives Using Sodium Iodide As an Inducer.

An operationally simple sodium iodide-mediated C-S and C-Se bond formation protocol involving substituted 4-quinolone and thiols/diselenide to generate different ArS/ArSe-substituted 4-quinolone derivatives in excellent yields was developed. The versatility of this methodology has been successfully demonstrated by extension of the suitable reaction conditions to both substrates having different substituents. This regioselective C-H bond activation approach provides a direct access of structurally diverse 3-sulfenylated/selenylated 4-quinolone derivatives. Moreover, this new method proceeds without a transition-metal catalyst and prerequisite NH protection of 4-quinolone derivatives.