Catalyst-free reactions of anilines with ß-chloroenones: synthesis of α-chloroenaminones and 1,4-benzodiazepines.

The Michael addition of anilines to ß-chloroenones gives enaminones by the elimination of hydrochloric acid (HCl). These enaminones are transformed into α-chloroenaminones via in situ sp2 C-H functionalization. Anilines that are attached to an electron-donating group react more readily with ß-chloroenone to give the corresponding products in excellent yields. A highly atom-economical method has been developed using dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as a green oxidant and solvent. The desired α-functionalized enaminones are formed in good yields with excellent Z-selectivity. We have established the generality of this reaction with many substrates, and scaled-up reactions have been performed to showcase the practical applications. A catalyst-free double annulation of ß-chloroenones with o-phenylenediamine has also been demonstrated for the synthesis of 1,4-benzodiazepine derivatives in moderate yields under mild reaction conditions.

Iodine-Catalyzed Annulation Reaction of Ortho-Formylarylketones with Indoles: A General Strategy for the Synthesis of Indolylbenzo[b]carbazoles.

The iodine-catalyzed cascade reaction of ortho-formylarylketones with indoles for the synthesis of indolylbenzo[b]carbazoles is reported. The reaction is initiated in the presence of iodine by two successive nucleophilic additions of indoles with an aldehyde group of ortho-formylarylketones, and the ketone does not undergo a nucleophilic addition and only involves in the Friedel-Crafts-type cyclization. A variety of substrates are tested, and the efficiency of this reaction is demonstrated with gram-scale reactions.

One-Pot Knoevenagel/Imination/6π-Azaelectrocyclization Sequence for the Synthesis of Disubstituted Nicotinonitriles.

We report on a copper-catalyzed three-component reaction for the synthesis of disubstituted nicotinonitriles using 3-bromopropenals, benzoylacetonitriles, and ammonium acetate (NH4OAc). The Knoevenagel-type condensation of 3-bromopropenals with benzoylacetonitriles gives δ-bromo-2,4-dienones that contain strategically placed functional groups that react with the ammonia generated in situ to give the corresponding azatrienes. These azatrienes can then be transformed into trisubstituted pyridines under the reaction conditions via a reaction sequence involving 6π-azaelectrocyclization and aromatization.

Iodine-Catalyzed Regioselective Synthesis of Diphenyl-Substituted Carbazoles via [4 + 2] Annulation of ß-Formyl Ketones with Indoles.

The [4 + 2] annulation of ß-formyl ketones with an indole has been developed for the regioselective synthesis of diphenyl-substituted carbazoles in the presence of a catalytic amount of iodine. The 1,4-dicarbonyl compound containing a phenyl group at the α-position of an aldehyde group reacts more readily with indoles to form carbazole derivatives. Using this method, a variety of carbazole derivatives can be readily accessed under mild reaction conditions.

Synthesis of Unsymmetrical Urea Derivatives via Cu-Catalyzed Reaction of Acylazide and Secondary Amine.

The synthesis of unsymmetrical urea generally requires toxic reagent, solvent and harsh reaction condition. Herein, we introduce Cu-catalyzed greener and safer unsymmetrical urea derivatives synthesis in ethyl acetate. This method minimized utilization of toxic reagent. A variety of indole, amines, and azides with bis-indole successfully employed leading to high yields and gram scale synthesis of isolated urea.

Copper-catalysed synthesis of 3-hydroxyisoindolin-1-ones from benzylcyanide 2-iodobenzamides.

An efficient one-pot two-step sequential reaction for the synthesis of biologically active 3-hydroxyisoindolin-1-one derivatives from 2-iodobenzamide derivatives and various substituted benzyl cyanides in the presence of CuCl and cesium carbonate in DMSO is reported. Furthermore, 3-hydroxyisoindolinone derivatives possessing bromo substituents were obtained from 2-iodobenzamide and 2-bromobenzyl cyanide substrates in two steps. Benzyl cyanide has been successfully used for the first time as a benzoyl synthon for the synthesis of 3-hydroxyisoindolin-1-ones. Interestingly, the mechanism of formation of 3-hydroxyisoindolin-1-ones is a novel pathway that involves carbon degradation followed by ring contraction.

Synthesis of Polysubstituted Cyclopentene and Cyclopenta[ b]carbazole Analogues from Unsymmetrical 4-Arylidene-3,6-diarylhex-2-en-5-ynal and Indole Derivatives via an Iodine Mediated Electrocyclization Reaction.

An efficient method for the synthesis of polysubstituted cyclopentene and cyclopenta[ b]carbazole derivatives through the iodine-promoted electrocyclization of substituted indoles and 4-arylidene-3,6-diarylhex-2-en-5-ynal derivatives is reported. Polysubstituted cyclopentene derivatives were produced through 4π electrocyclization reactions with indole, 7-methylindole, and 5-bromoindole as coupling partners, whereas cyclopenta[ b]carbazole derivatives were produced via 6π electrocyclization in the case of methoxy (-OMe)-substituted indoles. The methods reported herein diastereo- and regioselectively proceed under straightforward and mild conditions.

Copper-Catalyzed Cascade Synthesis of 2-Aryl-3-cyanobenzofuran and Dibenzo[ b, f]oxepine-10-carbonitrile Derivatives.

The copper-catalyzed reaction of aryl aldehydes with 2-iodobenzylcyanides afforded 2-aryl-3-cyanobenzofurans in isolated yields of up to 74% in a cascade manner, which involves Knoevenagel condensation, aryl hydroxylation, oxa-Michael addition, and aromatization reactions. Conversely, 2-halo benzaldehydes as reacting partners with 2-iodobenzylcyanide regioselectively furnished dibenzo[ b,f]oxepine-10-carbonitrile derivatives up to 85% isolated yields via tandem Knoevenagel condensation, aryl hydroxylation, and Ullmann coupling reactions.

Synthesis of Biologically Active Indenoisoquinoline Derivatives via a One-Pot Copper(II)-Catalyzed Tandem Reaction.

A concise route for the synthesis of indenoisoquinoline derivatives from 2-iodobenzamide and 1,3-indanedione derivatives in the presence of copper(II) chloride and cesium carbonate in acetonitrile solvent is reported. A wide variety of 2-iodobenzamide derivatives and indandiones could be used to synthesize indenoisoquinoline derivatives and other fused indenoisoquinoline in moderate to good yields. This methodology was adapted for the one-step synthesis of a series of clinically active topoisomerase I inhibitors such as NSC 314622, LMP-400, LMP-776.

Synthesis of Benzopyridoindolone Derivatives via a One-Pot Copper Catalyzed Tandem Reaction of 2-Iodobenzamide Derivatives and 2-Iodobenzylcyanides.

An efficient approach for the synthesis of benzo-fused pyridoindolone derivatives via a one-pot copper catalyzed tandem reaction of 2-iodobenzamides with 2-iodobenzylcyanides has been developed. Using this protocol, benzo-fused pyridoindolone derivatives are obtained in high yields in a relatively short period of time under mild reaction conditions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first approach where one can synthesize free indole N-H benzo-fused pyridoindolones. Also, both indole and pyridone cores are constructed during the course of the reaction. The methodology shows good functional group tolerance and allows synthesis of thiophene-fused pyridoindolones and fused indolobenzonaphthyridone derivatives.

Syntheses of 4-Indolylquinoline Derivatives via Reductive Cyclization of Indolylnitrochalcone Derivatives by Fe/HCl.

An easy and efficient procedure for the synthesis of 4-indolylquinoline derivatives is described. This process involves two steps, the first of which is the Michael addition of indole to nitrochalcones promoted by sulfamic acid under solvent free conditions and the second step is a reductive cyclization of the indolylnitrochalcone intermediates to 4-indolylquinoline derivatives by Fe/HCl in ethanol. In both steps, the reactions are clean and the yields of products are high.

Synthesis of Bicyclic Isoxazoles and Isoxazolines via Intramolecular Nitrile Oxide Cycloaddition.

An efficient and straight forward procedure for the syntheses of bicyclic isoxazole/isoxazoline derivatives from the corresponding dimethyl-2-(2-nitro-1-aryl/alkyl)-2-(prop-2-yn-1yl)malonates or dimethyl 2-allyl-2-(2-nitro-1-aryl/alkyl ethyl)malonate is described. High yields and simple operations are important features of this methodology.

FeCl3 catalyzed regioselective C-alkylation of indolylnitroalkenes with amino group substituted arenes.

An efficient FeCl3 catalyzed protocol for the synthesis of amino functionalized indolylnitroalkanes from easily available precursor indolylnitroalkenes and substituted amines has been developed. Regioselective C-alkylation in the presence of free amino substituted arenes occurred. The scope of this methodology shows good functional group tolerance, and further, this protocol was used to prepare indolylquinoline derivatives.

Molecular iodine-mediated reaction of 2-(2-phenylethynyl)-Morita-Baylis-Hillman adducts: an easy route to naphthyl ketones and iodo-substituted isochromenes.

The molecular iodine-promoted reaction of 2-(2-phenylethynyl)-Morita-Baylis-Hillman adducts is reported. In the presence of I2, naphthyl ketone derivatives are produced, whereas in the presence of I2/K3PO4, iodo-substituted isochromene derivatives are produced.

Pd(II)-catalyzed hydroarylations/hydroalkenylations of terminal alkynes: regioselective synthesis of allylic, homoallylic, and 1,3-diene systems.

A Pd-catalyzed regioselective hydroarylation of terminal alkynes containing a heteroatom has been developed via carbopalladation for the synthesis of allylic ethers, amines, and homoallylic alcohols. Moreover, hydroalkenylation of alkynes produces a variety of stereodefined 1,4-dienes with high regioselectivity. The important features of the present protocol are that it is highly regioselective, operationally rapid, and scalable with a huge substrate scope using only 3 mol% of PdCl2(PPh3)2 catalyst in the presence of a mild base KOAc.

Halonium ion mediated synthesis of 2-halomethylene-3-oxoketoxime derivatives from isoxazoline N-oxides.

A protocol for the N-bromosuccinimide (NBS)- and trichloroisocyanuric acid (TCCA)-mediated synthesis of novel 2-halomethylene-3-oxoketoximes via one-pot halogenation/oxidation of isoxazoline N-oxide derivatives is described here. The keto functionality of 3-ketoximes was selectively reduced by lithiumaluminum hydride to synthesize an unprecedented type of Baylis-Hillman oxime, which underwent N-O coupling to produce new isoxazoline N-oxide derivative.

Pd-Catalyzed Regioselective (Markovnikov) Addition of Aryl Boronic Acids to Terminal Alkynes of 1,3-Dicarbonyl Compounds and Cyclization/Debenzoylation of Olefinic Dicarbonyl: Access to Arylated Pyran and (E)-4-Methylene-1,6-diphenylhex-5-en-1-one.

This Letter outlines palladium-catalyzed regioselective (Markovnikov's) addition of aryl boronic acids to propargyl 1,3-dicarbonyl alkyne to accomplish olefinic/diene 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds without the need for water workup. This methodology showcases remarkable performance with wide-ranging substrate diversity, achieving high yields while employing merely 3 mol % [Pd] alongside a mild KOAc base. Moreover, the utility of dicarbonyl olefins is exemplified through their application in intramolecular cyclization and debenzoylation reactions to access valuable trisubstituted pyran building blocks and (E)-4-methylene-1,6-diphenylhex-5-en-1-one synthesis.

Synthesis of indolylquinolines, indolylacridines, and indolylcyclopenta[b]quinolines from the Baylis-Hillman adducts: an in situ [1,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement of an indole nucleus to access indolylacridines and indolylcyclopenta[b]quinolines.

A simple and easy route to the synthesis of a variety of structurally diverse indolylquinolines, indolylacridines, and indolylcyclopenta[b]quinoline derivatives via the reductive cyclization of C-alkylated indole derivatives, derived from acyclic as well as cyclic Baylis-Hillman adducts with indoles, is described. An unusual in situ [1,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement of the indole nucleus was observed during the reductive cyclicization of α-regioselective B-H adducts containing indoles to produce indolylacridines and indolylcyclopenta[b]quinoline derivatives.

Alcohol mediated synthesis of 4-oxo-2-aryl-4H-chromene-3-carboxylate derivatives from 4-hydroxycoumarins.

The unusual alcohol mediated formation of 4-oxo-2-aryl-4H-chromene-3-carboxylate (flavone-3-carboxylate) derivatives from 4-hydroxycoumarins and ß-nitroalkenes in an alcoholic medium is described. The transformation occurs via the in situ formation of a Michael adduct, followed by the alkoxide ion mediated rearrangement of the intermediate. The effect of the different alcohol and nonalcohol media on the reaction was investigated.

Synthesis of isocoumarin derivatives via the copper-catalyzed tandem sequential cyclization of 2-halo-N-phenyl benzamides and acyclic 1,3-diketones.

A facile and rapid synthesis of isocoumarin derivatives using a copper-catalyzed tandem C-C/C-O coupling strategy from readily available substrates is described. The reactions of a wide range of 2-iodo-N-phenyl benzamides and acyclic diketones as starting materials were investigated.