Domino Approach for the Synthesis of Pyridinium Salts and 1,2,3,8a-Tetrahydroimidazo[1,2-a]pyridines from 2-Imidazolines and Propiolic Acid Esters.

Adducts of 1-alkyl-2-imidazolines and two molecules of alkyl propiolate, possessing an N-propargyl-ß-enaminoester fragment, easily undergo a domino reaction to form pyridinium salts with ß-(alkylammonio)ethyl group at the nitrogen atom in the presence of 2 equiv of a protic acid. Treatment of the above reaction mixture with a base gives 1,2,3,8a-tetrahydroimidazo[1,2-a]pyridines. Reaction of the latter compounds with acid chlorides affords pyridinium salts with ß-(alkylamido)ethyl moiety at the nitrogen atom.

Assembly of 1,2,3,4-Tetrahydropyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazines via the Domino Reaction of 2-Imidazolines and Terminal Electron-Deficient Alkynes.

The transformation of 2-imidazolines into 1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazines has been realized. A pseudo-three-component reaction of 2-imidazolines with terminal electron-deficient alkynes (2 equiv) first generates imidazolidines, containing an N-vinylpropargylamine fragment. The latter can then undergo a base-catalyzed domino aza-Claisen rearrangement/cyclization reaction sequence, simultaneously constructing pyrrole and pyrazine rings. The process works in a broad substrate scope, delivering pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazines in good to excellent yields (45-90%). This two-step approach can be carried out in a one-pot fashion without a noticeable decrease in yield. Remarkably, a three-component protocol for the introduction of two different alkynes has been also developed.

Three-Component Reactions of 3-Arylidene-3H-Indolium Salts, Isocyanides and Amines.

A multicomponent reaction of isocyanides with aryl(indol-3-yl)methylium salts and amines has been found. A series of aryl(indol-3-yl)acetimidamides was obtained in up to 96% yields. In the case of ethyl isocyanoacetate, the reaction is followed by cyclization to form 3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one derivatives.

A Domino Route toward Polysubstituted Pyrroles from 2-Imidazolines and Electron-Deficient Alkynes.

The reaction of 1,2-disubstituted 2-imidazolines with electron-deficient alkynes proceeds as a pseudo-three-component process and forms imidazolidines with an N-vinylpropargylamine fragment. Heating the resulting imidazolidines in xylene on air leads to an effective formation of polysubstituted pyrroles through a domino sequence of aza-Claisen rearrangement/transannular nucleophilic addition/oxidative ring opening reactions. The direct one-pot transformation of 2-imidazolines to pyrroles has been also realized.

Three-Component Reaction of 3-Arylidene-3H-Indolium Salts, Isocyanides, and Alcohols.

A novel isocyanide-based multicomponent synthesis of alkyl aryl(indol-3-yl)acetimidates has been established. Starting from aryl(indol-3-yl)methylium tetrafluoroborates, aromatic isocyanides and alcohols, the imidates were obtained in moderate to very good yields. Consecutive four-component synthesis of the above mentioned imidates from N-alkylindoles, aromatic aldehydes, aromatic isocyanides and alcohols was also proposed. In addition, it was shown that in the presence of water, aryl(indol-3-yl)methylium tetrafluoroborates reacted with isocyanides to furnish aryl(indol-3-yl)acetamides.