A radical exchange process: synthesis of bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane derivatives of xanthates.

Bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane (BCP) replacement as a bioisostere in drug molecules has an influence on their permeability, aqueous solubility and in vitro metabolic stability. Thus, the chemical installation of the BCP unit into a chemical entity remains a significant challenge from a synthetic point of view. Here, we have presented a new approach for the installation of the BCP unit on the xanthate moiety by means of a radical exchange process.

Synthesis of 1,2,4-Triazoles via Oxidative Heterocyclization: Selective C-N Bond Over C-S Bond Formation.

The higher propensity of C-N over C-S bond forming ability was demonstrated, through formal C-H functionalization during the construction of 4,5-disubstituted 1,2,4-triazole-3-thiones from arylidenearylthiosemicarbazides catalyzed by Cu(II). However, steric factors imparted by the o-disubstituted substrates tend to change the reaction path giving thiodiazole as the major or an exclusive product. Upon prolonging the reaction time, the in situ generated thiones are transformed to 4,5-disubstituted 1,2,4-triazoles via a desulfurization process. Two classes of heterocycles viz. 4,5-disubstituted 1,2,4-triazole-3-thiones and 4,5-disubstituted 1,2,4-triazoles can be synthesized from arylidenearylthiosemicarbazides by simply adjusting the reaction time. Desulfurization of 1,2,4-triazole-3-thiones is assisted by thiophilic Cu to provide 1,2,4-triazoles with concomitant formation of CuS and polynuclear sulfur anions as confirmed from scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy measurements. A one-pot synthesis of an antimicrobial compound has been successfully achieved following this strategy.

A metal free domino synthesis of 3-aroylindoles via two sp³ C-H activation.

A metal free synthesis of 3-aroylindole involving two sp(3) C-H activation has been achieved starting from o-alkynyl-N,N-dialkylamines using catalyst TBAI and oxidant TBHP.

Copper-catalyzed esterification of alkylbenzenes with cyclic ethers and cycloalkanes via C(sp3)-H activation following cross-dehydrogenative coupling.

A copper-catalyzed cross-dehydrogenative coupling strategy has been developed for the synthesis of two classes of esters from simple solvents. The reaction of methylarenes with cyclic ethers resulted in α-acyloxy ethers involving four sp(3) C-H cleavages, while treatment of methylarenes with cycloalkanes led to the formation of allyl esters at the expense of six consecutive sp(3) C-H bonds.

Terminal aryl alkenes and alkynes as arylcarboxy surrogates toward o-benzoxylation of 2-phenylpyridine catalyzed by copper.

A variety of styrenes and phenylacetylenes serve as excellent arylcarboxy sources in bringing about substrate directed o-benzoxylation of 2-phenylpyridine derivatives catalyzed by Cu(II) in the presence of TBHP. This reaction proceeds via formation of phenylglyoxal followed by decarbonylation to benzoyl radical/benzaldehyde which acts as the arylcarboxy source.

Directing group assisted copper-catalyzed chemoselective O-aroylation of phenols and enols using alkylbenzenes.

By using alkylbenzenes as aroyl surrogates, copper(II) catalyzed chemoselective O-aroylations of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds and phenolic -OH ortho to carbonyl (-CHO, -COR) groups have been achieved. A dual mechanism operating in tandem for these transformations has been supported by a crossover experiment.

A copper-catalyzed synthesis of 3-aroylindoles via a sp3 C-H bond activation followed by C-C and C-O bond formation.

An efficient Cu(I)-catalyzed synthesis of 3-aroylindoles has been achieved from o-alkynylated N,N-dimethylamines via a sp(3) C-H bond activation α to the nitrogen atom followed by an intramolecular nucleophilic attack with the alkyne using an aqueous solution of tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) as the oxidant. In this tandem catalytic synthesis of 3-aroylindoles both C-C and C-O bonds are installed at the expense of two sp(3) C-H bond cleavages.

Easy access to benzylic esters directly from alkyl benzenes under metal-free conditions.

An efficient metal free protocol has been developed for the synthesis of benzylic esters via a cross dehydrogenative coupling (CDC) involving alkylbenzene(s) as a self- or as a cross-coupling partner(s) via the intermediacy of Ar-COOH and the benzylic carbocation obtained from the other half of the alkylbenzene; both symmetrical as well as unsymmetrical esters can be prepared using Bu4NI and TBHP.

Four tandem C-H activations: a sequential C-C and C-O bond making via a Pd-catalyzed cross dehydrogenative coupling (CDC) approach.

An unprecedented aroylation at the ortho C-H bond with respect to a directing group has been accomplished via a Pd(II)-catalyzed cross dehydrogenative coupling approach using alkylbenzene as the synthetic equivalent of an aroyl moiety. The reaction proceeds through sequential C-C and C-O bond making at the expense of four consecutive C-H bond cleavages (three sp(3) benzylic C-H's and one sp(2) arene C-H) to selectively install an aroyl functionality at the proximal site of substrates containing various directing groups.

Copper catalyzed oxidative esterification of aldehydes with alkylbenzenes via cross dehydrogenative coupling.

Copper(II) as the catalyst in a cross dehydrogenative coupling (CDC) reaction has been demonstrated for the synthesis of benzylic esters using aldehydes and alkylbenzenes as coupling partners.

Cu(II) catalyzed imine C-H functionalization leading to synthesis of 2,5-substituted 1,3,4-oxadiazoles.

A direct access to symmetrical and unsymmetrical 2,5-disubstituted [1,3,4]-oxadiazoles has been accomplished through an imine C-H functionalization of N-arylidenearoylhydrazide using a catalytic quantity of Cu(OTf)(2). This is the first example of amidic oxygen functioning as a nucleophile in a Cu-catalyzed oxidative coupling of an imine C-H bond. These reactions can be performed in air atmosphere and moisture making it exceptionally practical for application in organic synthesis.

Tandem regioselective synthesis of tetrazoles and related heterocycles using iodine.

A one-pot, tandem process has been developed for the synthesis of a library of tetrazoles from aryl isothiocyanates. Condensation of aryl isothiocyanates with ammonia, and aryl amines (R-NH(2)) provided mono, 1,3-disubstituted symmetrical and unsymmetrical thioureas, which on desulfurization with molecular iodine (I(2)) led to formation of the corresponding heterocumulene (cyanamides or carbodiimides). The in situ generated heterocumulene on subsequent treatment with sodium azide at room temperature gave corresponding tetrazoles. The product regioselectivity for unsymmetrical 1,3-disubstituted thioureas was found to be correlated with the basicities (pK(a)'s) of the parent amines attached to the thiourea. Aryl-sec-alkyl unsymmetrical thioureas gave thioamido guanidino products rather than the 5-aminotetrazoles produced by HgCl(2) mediation of the reaction. Bis-thioureas derived from aryl isothiocyanates and hydrazine gave thiadiazoles exclusively.