2‐Arylacetamides as Versatile Precursors for 3‐Aminoisocoumarin and Homophthalimide Derivatives: Palladium‐Catalyzed Cascade Double Carbonylation Reactions

The synthesis of biologically relevant homophthalimide and 3‐aminoisocoumarin nuclei via palladium‐catalyzed carbonylation of 2‐(2‐iodoaryl)acetamides has been developed. The degree of N‐substitution on the starting amide substrate dictates whether C−N or C−O coupling takes place in the final step of the catalytic cycle giving rise to each type of heterocycle. The introduction of a second C−halogen bond in the starting acetamides allows a catalytic cascade double carbonylation involving a C−H activation step to give fused heterocyclic structures.

     

Phosphane‐Catalyzed [3+3] Annulation of C,N‐Cyclic Azomethine Imines with Ynones: A Practical Method for Tricyclic Dinitrogen‐Fused Heterocycles

A phosphane‐catalyzed [3+3] annulation of azomethine imines with ynones has been developed. Under mild reaction conditions, the reaction proceeds smoothly to afford tricyclic dinitrogen‐fused heterocyclic compounds in moderate to excellent yields with moderate to excellent stereoselectivies. Using a chiral phosphine as the catalyst, the reaction could work to give the cycloadduct in moderate yield with moderate enantioselectivity.

     

N‐Heterocyclic Carbene‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Annulation of Bromoenal and 1,3‐Dicarbonyl Compounds

Highly enantioselective [3+3] annulation reactions of bromoenals and 1,3‐dicarbonyl compounds are reported. In addition, both enantiomers of the resultant dihydropyranone could be easily obtained by choosing N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) with the same stereocenter but different substituents under the optimized reaction conditions.     

Synthesis of 3‐Iodoquinolines by Copper‐Catalyzed Tandem Annulation from Diaryliodoniums,Nitriles, and 1‐Iodoalkynes

A novel method for the synthesis of 3‐iodoquinolines was developed by copper‐catalyzed tandem annulation from diaryliodoniums, nitriles, and 1‐iodoalkynes. It is a method that is characterized by the most convenient operation and wide molecular diversity.

     

Palladium on Carbon‐Catalyzed C−H Amination for Synthesis of Carbazoles and its Mechanistic Study

10% Palladium on carbon (10% Pd/C) successfully catalyzed the intramolecular C−H amination of various N‐mesylated 2‐aminobiphenyls in the presence of a catalytic amount of pyridine N‐oxide in heated dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) under an oxygen atmosphere to afford the corresponding N‐mesylcarbazoles. The reaction would proceed via a single‐electron transfer process based on its significant suppression by the addition of a single‐electron scavenger, tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ), and the substituents on the aromatic rings of the substrate have an insignificant effect on the reaction progress.

     

Lewis Acid‐Catalyzed [3+4] Annulation of 2‐(Heteroaryl)‐ cyclopropane‐1,1‐dicarboxylates with Cyclopentadiene

A novel Lewis acid‐catalyzed [3+4] annulation of 2‐(heteroaryl)cyclopropane‐1,1‐dicarboxylates with cyclopentadiene is reported. This reaction proceeds via an electrophilic attack of the Lewis acid‐activated donor‐acceptor cyclopropane onto cyclopentadiene followed by Friedel–Crafts intramolecular alkylation of the heteroarene substituent. This is the first general example of reactions of donor‐acceptor cyclopropanes wherein the donor substituent serves as a nucleophile. The described annulation represents a convenient approach to bicyclo[3.2.1]octa‐2,6‐dienes with heteroarenes annulated to C(2)‐C(3) bond. Its efficiency was demonstrated for a series of furyl, thienyl, pyrrolyl, benzofuryl, benzothienyl, and indolyl substituted cyclopropanes. Additionally, in the case of 2‐(5‐methyl‐2‐furyl)cyclopropane‐1,1‐diester we observed the predominant formation of product of the [3+4] annulation or the tetracyclic 5,8‐methanocyclopenta[a]azulene derivative, depending on the reaction conditions.     

Cobalt‐Catalyzed,Imine‐Directed Olefin Hydroarylation under Grignard‐Free Conditions

We report here that a cobalt catalyst generated from a cobalt(II) salt and a ligand using magnesium metal is capable of promoting hydroarylation reactions through chelation‐assisted C−H activation. With the appropriate choice of the ligand and other reaction conditions, ketimine‐ or aldimine‐directed branched selective hydroarylations of styrenes and ketimine‐directed hydroarylations of vinylsilane have been achieved. The reported catalytic systems may serve as more convenient alternatives to previously developed catalytic systems employing Grignard reagents as reducing agents.

     

Ruthenium(II)‐Catalyzed Protocol for Preparation of Diverse α,β‐ and β,β‐Dihaloenones from Diazodicarbonyls

Efficient one‐step syntheses of α,β‐ and β,β‐dihaloenones were achieved by ruthenium(II)‐catalyzed reactions between cyclic or acyclic diazodicarbonyl compounds and oxalyl chloride or oxalyl bromide in moderate to good yields. This methodology offers several significant advantages, which include ease of handling, mild reaction conditions, one‐step reaction, and the use of an effective and non‐toxic catalyst. The synthesized compounds were further transformed into highly functionalized novel molecules bearing aromatic rings on the enone moiety using the Suzuki reaction.

     

Domino Reaction of Acyclic α,α‐Dialkenoylketene S,S‐Acetals and Diamines: Efficient Synthesis of Tetracyclic Thieno[2,3‐b]thiopyran‐Fused Imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridine/Pyrido[1,2‐a]pyrimidines

A series of unusual fused tetraheterocyclic compounds 3 , consisting of a thiopyran (ring A), a thiophene (ring B), a pyridine (ring C), and an imidazole or a pyrimidine (ring D) core, with a bridgehead nitrogen and an angular methyl group, were successfully synthesized by a catalyst‐free, one‐pot, two‐component domino reaction of 4‐(4‐methyl‐1,3‐dithiol‐2‐ylidene)‐1,7‐bis(aryl/heteroaryl)hepta‐1,6‐diene‐3,5‐dione 2 and diamines. In this reaction, up to five new bonds were formed accompanied by the C S bond cleavage of the 1,3‐dithiole ring of 2 , with water as the only by‐product.     

Direct Construction of the 9H‐Pyrrolo[1,2‐a]azepin‐9‐amine Skeleton via [4+3] Annulation of Alkyl 2‐Aroyl‐1‐chlorocyclo‐ propanecarboxylates

A direct diastereoselective synthesis approach of important 9H‐pyrrolo[1,2‐a]azepin‐9‐amines was established via base‐promoted [4+3] annulation between donor–acceptor reagents derived from 1H‐pyrrole‐2‐carbaldehydes and alkyl 2‐aroyl‐1‐chlorocyclopropanecarboxylates. This transition metal‐free domino reaction proceeded quickly under mild basic conditions, affording potentially bioactive azepine derivatives in moderate to high yields with high diastereoselectivities (up to >20:1).

     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Annulation of 2‐(1‐Alkynyl)benzenamines with Disulfides: Synthesis of 3‐Sulfenylindoles

3‐Sulfenylindoles can be efficiently prepared in moderate to good yields from 2‐(1‐alkynyl)benzenamines and disulfides using the palladium/air catalytic systems. The study also provides a useful route to the synthesis of fipronil analogues.     

Ruthenium(II)‐ or Rhodium(III)‐Catalyzed Grignard‐Type Addition of Indolines and Indoles to Activated Carbonyl Compounds

The ruthenium(II)‐ or rhodium(III)‐catalyzed pyrimidinyl‐directed Grignard‐type C−H additions of N‐heterocycles with activated aldehydes and ketones are described. A cationic ruthenium catalyst and sodium acetate additive in dichloroethane as solvent were found to be optimal catalytic system for the construction of C‐7 alkylated indolines. In sharp contrast, a cationic rhodium complex allows the generation of C‐2 alkylated indoles and pyrroles as well as C‐1 alkylated carbazoles. The site‐selective C−H functionalization of these heterocyclic scaffolds could be an important asset towards the development of novel bioactive compounds.

     

Nickel‐ or Iron‐Catalyzed Cross‐Coupling of Aryl Carbamates with Arylsilanes

Aryl carbamates were for the first time applied as electrophiles in the cross‐coupling with arylsilanes via nickel or iron catalysis to construct valuable biaryl compounds. This new coupling reaction features a good group tolerance and non‐sensitivity to steric hindrance on both aryl carbamates and arylsilanes.

     

Rational Design,Synthesis, and Potency of N‐Substituted Indoles,Pyrroles, and Triarylpyrazoles as Potential Fructose 1,6‐Bisphosphatase Inhibitors

By using computer modeling and lead structures from our earlier SAR results, a broad variety of pyrrole‐, indole‐, and pyrazole‐based compounds were evaluated as potential fructose 1,6‐bisphosphatase (FBPase) inhibitors. The docking studies yielded promising structures, and several were selected for synthesis and FBPase inhibition assays: 1‐[4‐(trifluoromethyl)benzoyl]‐1H‐indole‐5‐carboxamide, 1‐(α‐naphthalen‐1‐ylsulfonyl)‐7‐nitro‐1H‐indole, 5‐(4‐carboxyphenyl)‐3‐phenyl‐1‐[3‐(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]‐1H‐pyrazole, 1‐(4‐carboxyphenylsulfonyl)‐1H‐pyrrole, and 1‐(4‐carbomethoxyphenylsulfonyl)‐1H‐pyrrole were synthesized and tested for inhibition of FBPase. The IC₅₀ values were determined to be 0.991 and 1.34 μM , and 575, 135, and 32 nM , respectively. The tested compounds were significantly more potent than the natural inhibitor AMP (4.0 μM ) by an order of magnitude; indeed, the best inhibitor showed an IC₅₀ value toward FBPase more than two orders of magnitude better than that of AMP. This level of activity is virtually the same as that of the best currently known FBPase inhibitors. This work shows that such indole derivatives are promising candidates for drug development in the treatment of type II diabetes.     

Copper‐Catalyzed Remote C−H Functionalization of 8‐Aminoquinolines with Sodium and Lithium Sulfinates

A simple and mild copper‐catalyzed sulfonylation of 8‐aminoquinolines with sodium and lithium sulfinates is reported. In the presence of manganese(III) acetate [Mn(OAc)₃] as cooxidant a highly site‐selective C−H functionalization at the C‐5 position takes place. The reaction proceeds readily at room temperature in air and various sulfones were synthesized in moderate to high yields. Moreover, a straightforward procedure for the conversion of organolithium reagents and sulfur dioxide into C‐5 sulfonylated quinolines was developed.

     

Enantioselective N‐Heterocyclic Carbene‐Catalyzed [3+3] Annulation of α,β‐Unsaturated Esters with Methyl Ketoimine

Herein, we disclose the N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC)‐catalyzed [3+3] annulation of challenging esters with methyl ketoimines for the highly enantioselective synthesis of intriguing δ‐lactams featuring various substituent patterns. The annulation occurs under mild conditions and offers good tolerance, good yields and excellent enantioselectivities. The six‐membered heterocyclic products are valuable for the synthesis of bioactive molecules.

     

Phosphine‐Catalyzed [3+2] and [4+3] Annulation Reactions of C,N‐Cyclic Azomethine Imines with Allenoates

Phosphine‐catalyzed [3+2] and [4+3] annulation reactions of C,N‐cyclic azomethine imines with allenoates have been developed to give a variety of pharmaceutically attractive tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives in moderate to excellent yields. The two distinct reaction pathways, [3+2] and [4+3] cyclization, depend on the nature of the nucleophilic phosphine and the allenoate. Generally, for α‐alkylallenoates, the reactions always proceed with [3+2] cyclization as the major pathway no matter what phosphine was used; for α‐ArCH₂‐substituted allenoates, the reaction pathway was controlled by the phosphine catalyst used.     

Phosphine‐Catalyzed Asymmetric [4+2] Annulation of Vinyl Ketones with Oxindole‐Derived α,β‐Unsaturated Imines: Enantioselective Syntheses of 2′,3′‐Dihydro‐1′H‐spiro[indoline‐3,4′‐pyridin]‐2‐ones

A novel asymmetric [4+2] annulation of vinyl ketones with oxindole‐derived α,β‐unsaturated imines has been developed in the presence of a multifunctional thiourea‐phosphine catalyst derived from a natural amino acid, providing the first phosphine‐catalyzed enantioselective synthesis of 2′,3′‐dihydro‐1′H‐spiro[indoline‐3,4′‐pyridin]‐2‐ones in good yields with excellent stereoselectivities under mild conditions.

     

Gold‐Catalyzed 5‐ and 6‐exo‐dig Selective Cyclizations of Alkynyl Silyl Enol Ethers: Efficient Method for [3+2] and [4+2] Annulations onto α,β‐Enones

An efficient method for the annulation of five‐ and six‐membered rings onto α,β‐enones is described via gold‐catalyzed 5‐ and 6‐exo‐dig selective cyclizations of alkynyl silyl enol ethers.     

Regioselective Access to Sultam Motifs through Cobalt‐Catalyzed Annulation of Aryl Sulfonamides and Alkynes using an 8‐Aminoquinoline Directing Group

The use of cobalt as catalyst in direct C H activation protocols as a replacement for more expensive second row transition metals is currently attracting significant attention. Herein we disclose a facile cobalt‐catalyzed C H functionalization route towards sultam motifs through annulation of easily prepared aryl sulfonamides and alkynes using 8‐aminoquinoline as a directing group. The reaction shows broad substrate scope with products obtained in a highly regioselective manner in good to excellent isolated yields. Mechanistic insights suggest the formation of a Co(III)‐aryl key species via a rate‐determining arene C H activation during the annulation reaction.