Microwave‐Assisted Facile Synthesis of Furo[3,2‐b]indole Derivatives via Silver(I)‐Mediated [3+2] Cycloaddition

A robust one‐pot process has been developed for the synthesis of a variety of furo[3,2‐b]indoles from readily available o‐propargylaminoacetophenones via silver(I)‐mediated [3+2] cycloaddition.     

Substrate Control in the Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Cyclization of β‐Propargylamino Acrylic Esters and Further Transformations of the Resultant Dihydropyridines

N‐Protected β‐propargylamino acrylic esters with a push‐pull olefinic bond afforded good to high yields of dihydropyridines upon treatment with 5% tris(2‐furyl)phosphine‐gold(I) chloride/silver(I) tetrafluoroborate [(TFP)AuCl/AgBF₄] in anhydrous benzene. Carbamate and sulfonyl groups were employed for nitrogen protection. On a model enyne, the p‐methoxybenzenesulfonyl (MBS) group was found to be a better protective group than tosyl in terms of cyclization yield, and also the yield of elimination to the corresponding 2,3,4‐trisubstituted pyridines. Boc‐protected dihydropyridines underwent partial deprotection/oxidation under the cyclization conditions, which enabled a more straightforward, one‐pot preparation of the corresponding pyridines. In another application, an appropriately substituted derivative protected as a stable methoxycarbamate was subjected to catalytic hydrogenation affording the known precursor of paroxetine. The chemoselectivity of enyne cyclization (dihydropyridine vs. pyrrole) is governed, among other factors, by C‐3 substitution. Dihydropyridines were obtained as sole products regardless of the catalyst/conditions when C‐3 was unsubstituted.

     

Synthesis of Diverse Azolo[c]quinazolines by Palladium(II)‐ Catalyzed Aerobic Oxidative Insertion of Isocyanides

We report the palladium(II)‐catalyzed aerobic oxidative coupling of isocyanides with various (2‐aminophenyl)azoles using air as the stoichiometric oxidant. A diverse range of medicinally valuable azolo[c]quinazolines was obtained by this new approach.

     

Gold(I)‐ and Brønsted Acid‐Catalyzed Ring‐Opening of Unactivated Vinylcyclopropanes with Sulfonamides

The gold(I)‐ or Brønsted acid‐catalyzed reaction of unactivated vinylcyclopropanes (VCPs) with sulfonamides affords useful homoallylic amine derivatives. This ring‐opening reaction occurs in a highly selective manner affording in the case of α‐phenyl‐substituted VCPs products with the E‐configuration exclusively.     

Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Tandem Alkoxylation/Lactonization of γ‐Hydroxy‐α,β‐Acetylenic Esters

The formation of 4‐alkoxy‐2(5H)‐furanones was achieved via tandem alkoxylation/lactonization of γ‐hydroxy‐α,β‐acetylenic esters catalyzed by 2 mol% of [2,6‐bis(diisopropylphenyl)imidazol‐2‐ylidine]gold bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imidate [Au(IPr)(NTf₂)]. The economic and simple procedure was applied to a series of various secondary propargylic alcohols allowing for yields of desired product of up to 95%. In addition, tertiary propargylic alcohols bearing mostly cyclic substituents were converted into the corresponding spiro derivatives. Both primary and secondary alcohols reacted with propargylic alcohols at moderate temperatures (65–80 °C) in either neat reactions or using 1,2‐dichloroethane as a reaction medium allowing for yields of 23–95%. In contrast to [Au(IPr)(NTf₂)], reactions with cationic complexes such as [2,6‐bis(diisopropylphenyl)imidazol‐2‐ylidine](acetonitrile)gold tetrafluoroborate [Au(IPr)(CH₃CN)][BF₄] or (μ‐hydroxy)bis{[2,6‐bis(diisopropylphenyl)imidazol‐2‐ylidine]gold} tetrafluoroborate or bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imidate – [{Au(IPr)}₂(μ‐OH)][X] (X=BF₄, NTf₂) – mostly stop after the alkoxylation. Analysis of the intermediate proved the exclusive formation of the E‐isomer which allows for the subsequent lactonization.     

Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Reactions of 1‐(ortho‐Alkynylaryl)ureas: Highly Selective Heterocyclization and Synthesis of Mixed N,O‐Acetals

Readily available 1‐(ortho‐ethynylaryl)urea derivatives undergo a selective gold/silver {[AuCl(IPr)]/AgSbF₆} catalyzed N‐6‐exo‐dig or N‐5‐endo‐dig heterocyclization process in dimethylformamide (DMF) at 60 °C. Benzoxazine derivatives, i.e., the products of O‐6‐exo‐dig ring closure through the urea oxygen, could be observed under catalytic conditions only when the N‐3 basicity was substantially diminished, but were readily isolable in stoichiometric processes carried out at low temperature. The open chain amino O,O‐acetals and a series of new cyclic mixed N,O‐acetals containing the trifluoroethyl group were synthesized when the reactions were performed in ethanol or trifluoroethanol, respectively, as solvent. The procedure allows for an easy access to this versatile class of key intermediates in organic synthesis from simple starting materials. The effect of using either DMF or protic solvents on the course of the reactions is reported.

     

Ruthenium(II)‐Catalyzed Regioselective Synthesis of Allyl Ketones from Alkynes and their Silver(I)‐Catalyzed Hydroarylation into γ‐Functionalized Ketones

The regioselective synthesis of β,γ‐unsaturated ketones from terminal alkynes is achieved by cooperative action of tris(acetonitrile)pentamethylcyclopentadieneruthenium hexafluorophosphate [Cp*Ru(NCMe)₃⁺ PF₆⁻] and para‐toluenesulfonic acid catalysts. These allyl ketones undergo direct regioselective hydroarylation/Friedel–Crafts reaction to introduce an electron‐rich aryl group at the γ‐position in the presence of ligand‐free silver triflate (AgOTf) catalyst. Both catalytic reactions take place with atom economy and provide an alternative to the synthesis of a variety of allyl ketones and γ‐arylated ketones.     

Cationic Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Intermolecular [4+2] Cycloaddition between Dienes and Allenyl Ethers

Simple allenyl ethers have been shown to be efficiently activated by cationic gold(I) catalysts to form reactive dienophiles in intermolecular Diels–Alder reactions. A range of different dienes give the cycloaddition products in moderate to excellent yields and good selectivity.     

Gold(I)‐Catalyzed [4+2] Annelation/Nucleophilic Addition Sequence: Stereoselective Synthesis of Functionalized Bicyclo[4.3.0]nonenes

The gold(I)‐catalyzed isomerization of readily available 1,8‐dien‐4‐ynes allows the rapid construction of a variety of synthetically useful bicyclo[4.3.0]nonenes by a stereoselective sequence involving a [4+2] annelation/nucleophilic addition process.     

A General Method for the Synthesis of 5H‐Benzo[b]‐, Carbazolo[2,3‐b]‐ and Indolo[2,3‐b]carbazole Derivatives via Copper(II) Triflate‐Catalyzed Heteroannulation

A straightforward approach for the construction of 5H‐benzo[b]‐, carbazolo[2,3‐b]‐ and indolo[2,3‐b]carbazole derivatives has been developed by using copper(II) triflate‐catalyzed heteroannulation.     

Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Intramolecular Hydroamination of N‐Allylic N′‐Arylureas to form Imidazolidin‐2‐ones

Treatment of N‐allylic N′‐arylureas with a catalytic 1:1 mixture of di‐tert‐butyl‐o‐biphenylphoshphine gold(I) chloride and silver hexafluorophosphate (1 mol%) in chloroform at room temperature led to 5‐exo‐hydroamination to form the corresponding imidazolidin‐2‐ones in excellent yield. In the case of N‐allylic ureas that possessed an allylic alkyl, benzyloxymethyl, or acetoxymethyl substituent, gold(I)‐catalyzed 5‐exo‐hydroamination leads to formation of the corresponding trans‐3,4‐disubstituted imidazolidin‐2‐ones in excellent yield with ≥50:1 diastereoselectivity.     

Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Carboaminations of Allenes by N‐Allyltetrahydro‐β‐carbolines: An Experimental and Theoretical Study

N‐Allyltetrahydro‐β‐carbolines bearing a pendant allene undergo unprecedented gold(I)‐catalyzed cyclizations proceeding with an allyl migration from the nitrogen to the allene moiety. The initial product of the gold‐catalyzed cyclization evolves either via isomerization or Cope rearrangement, leading to different scaffolds. Density function theory (DFT) calculations established that the allyl migration occurs in an asynchronous suprafacial manner.

     

Synthesis of Spiro[piperidine‐3,3′‐oxindoles] via Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Dearomatization of N‐Propargyl‐ and N‐Homoallenyl‐2‐bromotryptamines

N‐Propargyl‐ and N‐homoallenyl‐2‐bromo‐β‐tryptamines undergo gold(I)‐catalyzed dearomatizing cyclizations to afford 2‐bromospiroindolenines that are in situ hydrolyzed to furnish spirooxindoles in a one‐pot process. Tryptophane derivatives (R²=CO₂Et) led upon cyclization to chiral spirooxindoles in excellent diastereoselectivities.

     

Dissecting Anion Effects in Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Intermolecular Cycloadditions

From a series of gold complexes of the type [t‐BuXPhosAu(MeCN)]X (X=anion), the best results in intermolecular gold(I)‐catalyzed reactions are obtained with the complex with the bulky and soft anion BAr₄^F− [BAr₄^F−=3,5‐bis(trifluoromethyl)phenylborate] improving the original protocols by 10–30% yield. A kinetic study on the [2+2] cycloaddition reaction of alkynes with alkenes is consistent with an scenario in which the rate‐determining step is the ligand exchange to generate the (η²‐phenylacetylene)gold(I) complex. We have studied in detail the subtle differences that can be attributed to the anion in this formation, which result in a substantial decrease in the formation of unproductive σ,π‐(alkyne)digold(I) complexes by destabilizing the conjugated acid formed.

     

Synthesis of 3‐Formylfurans via a Silver(I)‐Catalyzed Epoxide Ring‐Opening/1,2‐Acyl Migration/Cyclization Cascade

By the design of suitable starting materials, a silver(I)‐catalyzed epoxide ring‐opening/1,2‐acyl migration/cyclization cascade has been developed, which allowed us to systematically prepare unsymmetrical 3‐formylfurans. Various 3‐formylfurans were prepared in good to excellent yields. In addition, the distinct fluorescence properties of 3‐formylfurans in solution and the solid state are disclosed.

     

Regioselective Synthesis of Functionalized Pyrroles via Gold(I)‐Catalyzed [3+2] Cycloaddition of Stabilized Vinyl Diazo Derivatives and Nitriles

The reaction of nitriles with alkenyldiazo compounds in the presence of gold catalysts provides functionalized pyrrole derivatives in moderate to high yields. This formal [3+2] cyclization reaction takes place with complete regioselectivity. The observed regiochemical outcome suggests the attack of the nitrile to the terminal position of the alkenylgold carbenoid (vinylogous reactivity). A broad range of nitriles (including those bearing functional groups) is compatible with this cyclization reaction.     

Gold(I)‐Catalysed Cyclisation of Alkynoic Acids: Towards an Efficient and Eco‐Friendly Synthesis of γ‐, δ‐ and ϵ‐Lactones

The improved synthesis of γ‐, δ‐ and ϵ‐lactones using a dinuclear N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC)‐gold(I) catalyst is reported. This solvent‐free process provides access to γ‐ and δ‐lactones in high regio‐ and stereoselectivity. Reactions were performed at low catalyst loadings and without the need for any additives. The use of a digold pre‐catalyst provides a new synthetic route to functionalised ϵ‐lactones, poorly accessible using previous methodologies.

     

Silver(I)‐Catalyzed Conia‐Ene Reaction: Synthesis of 3‐Pyrrolines via a 5‐endo‐dig Cyclization

A novel method has been developed for the synthesis of 3‐pyrrolines from β‐ketopropargylamines via a 5‐endo‐dig carbocyclization. This transformation involves a silver‐catalyzed Conia‐ene type reaction tolerating broad substrate scope with good to excellent yields. Furthermore, this methodology has been extended for the construction of 2‐substituted pyrroles under base‐mediated conditions.

     

Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Tandem Reaction of γ‐Amino‐Substituted Propargylic Esters to Pyrrolines and its Application in the Formal Synthesis of (±)‐Aphanorphine

An effective synthesis of structurally diverse pyrroline derivatives has been accomplished by a gold(I)‐catalyzed tandem 1,3‐acyloxy rearrangement/intramolecular azacylization reaction of γ‐amino‐substituted propargylic esters in good to excellent chemical yields (52–98%). The reaction proceeds under extremely mild conditions and has also demonstrated its potential in a concise formal synthesis of (±)‐aphanorphine with a catalyst loading as low as 0.5 mol% to provide the key intermediate 5‐(4‐methoxybenzyl)‐1‐tosyl‐2,5‐dihydro‐1H‐pyrrol‐3‐yl pivalate on a gram scale.

     

Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Bis‐Alkynylation Reaction of Aromatic Aldehydes with Alkynylsilanes

The first successful gold(I)‐catalyzed reaction of aryl aldehydes with trimethyl(arylethynyl)silanes to furnish bis‐alkynylated derivatives is reported. Key C C bond‐forming events involved in the catalytic cycle are analyzed.