Sulfenyl Ynamides in Gold Catalysis: Synthesis of Oxo‐functionalised 4‐aminoimidazolyl Fused Compounds by Intermolecular Annulation Reactions

Silver-Catalyzed and Base-Mediated Double Cyclization for the Streamlined Synthesis of Benzo[4,5]imidazo[2,1-b]naphtho[2,3-d]oxazole from ortho-Alkynylarylketones

We report a novel silver-catalyzed and base-mediated double cyclization strategy for the streamlined synthesis of benzo[4,5]imidazo[2,1-b]naphtho[2,3-d]oxazoles from ortho-alkynylarylketones. The transformation proceeds through an initial ketonization step catalyzed by silver trifluoroacetate (AgTFA), generating a reactive 1,5-diketone intermediate, followed by a sequential double cyclization under basic conditions. This method affords a broad range of benzo[4,5]imidazo[2,1-b]naphtho[2,3-d]oxazoles with good functional group tolerance in moderate-to-good yields. Moreover, this methodology also enhances the synthetic utility of ortho-alkynylarylketones, expanding their applicability in constructing diverse fused heterocycles.

Regiodivergent Gold-Catalyzed Rearrangement-Addition Reactions of Sulfenylated Propargylic Carboxylates with Indoles

Sulfenylated propargylic carboxylates were introduced to investigate the influence of sulfur substitution in gold-catalyzed alkyne activation pathways. Regiodivergent gold-catalyzed rearrangement and indole capture reactions proceed under mild conditions to give functionalized indole products bearing sulfenylated (Z)-enol carboxylate motifs. Pathways involving both 1,2- and 1,3-carboxylate migrations are achieved selectively, with indole being added in a 1,4 relationship to the sulfenyl group in each case. High levels of selectivity are influenced by the catalyst system, counterion, and carboxylate group.

Novel imidazolone derivatives as potential dual inhibitors of checkpoint kinases 1 and 2: Design, synthesis, cytotoxicity evaluation, and mechanistic insights

Applying various drug design strategies including ring variation, substituents variation, and ring fusion, two series of 2-(alkylthio)-5-(arylidene/heteroarylidene)imidazolones and imidazo[1,2-a]thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidines were designed and prepared as dual potential Chk1 and Chk2 inhibitors. The newly synthesized hybrids were screened in NCI 60 cell line panel where the most active derivatives 4b, d-f, and 6a were further estimated for their five dose antiproliferative activity against the most sensitive tumor cells including breast MCF-7 and MDA-MB-468 and non-small cell lung cancer EKVX as well as normal WI-38 cell. Noticeably, increasing the carbon chain attached to thiol moiety at C-2 of imidazolone scaffold elevated the cytotoxic activity. Hence, compounds 4e and 4f, containing S-butyl fragment, exhibited the most antiproliferative activity against the tested cells where 4f showed extremely potent selectivity toward them. As well, compound 6a, containing imidazothienopyrimidine core, exerted significant cytotoxic activity and selectivity toward the examined cells. The mechanistic investigation of the most active cytotoxic analogs was achieved through the evaluation of their inhibitory activity against Chk1 and Chk2. Results revealed that 4f displayed potent dual inhibition of both Chk1 and Chk2 with IC50 equal 0.137 and 0.25 μM, respectively. It also promoted its antiproliferative and Chk suppression activity via EKVX cell cycle arrest at S phase through stimulating the apoptotic approach. The apoptosis induction was also emphasized by elevating the expression of Caspase-3 and Bax, that are accompanied by Bcl-2 diminution. The in silico molecular docking and ADMET profiles of the most active analogs have been carried out to evaluate their potential as significant anticancer drug candidates.

Regiodivergent Synthesis of 4- and 5-Sulfenyl Oxazoles from Alkynyl Thioethers

The regiodivergent synthesis of 4- and 5-sulfenyl oxazoles from 1,4,2-dioxazoles and alkynyl thioethers has been achieved. Gold-catalysed conditions are used to favour the formation of 5-sulfenyl oxazoles via β-selective attack of the nitrenoid relative to the sulfenyl group. In contrast, 4-sulfenyl oxazoles are formed by α-selective reaction under Brønsted acid conditions from the same substrates. The nature of stabilising gold-sulfur interactions have been investigated by natural bond orbital analysis, showing that the S→Au interactions are significantly stronger in the intermediate that favours the 5-sulfenyl oxazoles. A kinetic survey identifies catalyst inhibition processes. This study into the regiodivergent methods includes the development of telescoped annulation-oxidation protocols for regioselective access to oxazole sulfoxides and sulfones.

Selenoneine-inspired selenohydantoins with glutathione peroxidase-like activity

Chronic diseases such as cystic fibrosis, inflammatory bowel diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, and cardiovascular illness have been linked to a decrease in selenium levels and an increase in oxidative stress. Selenium is an essential trace element that exhibits antioxidant properties, with selenocysteine enzymes like glutathione peroxidase being particularly effective at reducing peroxides. In this study, a series of synthetic organoselenium compounds were synthesized and evaluated for their potential antioxidant activities. The new selenohydantoin molecules were inspired by selenoneine and synthesized using straightforward methods. Their antioxidant potential was evaluated and proven using classical radical scavenging and metal-reducing methods. The selenohydantoin derivatives exhibited glutathione peroxidase-like activity, reducing hydroperoxides. Theoretical calculations using Density Functional Theory (DFT) revealed the selenone isomer to be the only one occurring in solution, with selenolate as a possible tautomeric form in the presence of a basic species. Cytocompatibility assays indicated that the selenohydantoin derivatives were non-toxic to primary human aortic smooth muscle cells, paving the way for further biological evaluations of their antioxidant activity. The results suggest that selenohydantoin derivatives with trifluoro-methyl (-CF3) and chlorine (-Cl) substituents have significant activities and could be potential candidates for further biological trials. These compounds may contribute to the development of effective therapies for chronic diseases such cardiovascular diseases.

Computational insights into the mechanisms and origins of switchable selectivity in gold(i)-catalyzed annulation of ynamides with isoxazoles via 6π-electrocyclizations of azaheptatrienyl cations

Electrocyclizations of acyclic conjugated π-motifs have emerged as a versatile and effective strategy for accessing various ring systems with excellent functional group tolerability and controllable selectivity. Typically, the realization of 6π-electrocyclization of heptatrienyl cations to afford seven-membered motif has proven difficult due to the high-energy state of the cyclizing seven-membered intermediate. Instead, it undergoes the Nazarov cyclization, affording a five-membered pyrrole product. However, the incorporation of a Au(i)-catalyst, a nitrogen atom and tosylamide group in the heptatrienyl cations unexpectedly circumvented the aforementioned high energy state to afford a seven-membered azepine product via 6π-electrocyclization in the annulation of 3-en-1-ynamides with isoxazoles. Therefore, extensive computational studies were carried out to investigate the mechanism of Au(i)-catalyzed [4+3] annulation of 3-en-1-ynamides with dimethylisoxazoles to produce a seven-membered 4H-azepine via the 6π-electrocyclization of azaheptatrienyl cations. Computational results showed that after the formation of the key α-imino gold carbene intermediate, the annulation of 3-en-1-ynamides with dimethylisoxazole occurs via the unusual 6π-electrocyclization to afford a seven-membered 4H-azepine exclusively. However, the annulation of 3-cyclohexen-1-ynamides with dimethylisoxazole occurs via the commonly proposed aza-Nazarov cyclization pathway to majorly generate five-membered pyrrole derivatives. The results from the DFT predictive analysis revealed that the key factors responsible for the different chemo-, and regio-selectivities observed are the cooperating effect of the tosylamide group on C¹, the uninterrupted π-conjugation pattern of the α-imino gold(i) carbene and the substitution pattern at the cyclization termini. The Au(i)-catalyst is believed to assist in the stabilization of the azaheptatrienyl cation.

N-Amino Pyridinium Salts in Organic Synthesis

C-N bond forming reactions hold immense significance to synthetic organic chemistry. In pursuit of efficient methods for the introduction of nitrogen in organic small molecules, myriad synthetic methods have been developed, and methods based on both nucleophilic and electrophilic aminating reagents have received sustained research effort. In response to continued challenges - the need for substrate prefunctionalization, the requirement for vestigial N-activating groups, and the need to incorporate nitrogen in ever more complex molecular settings - the development of novel aminating reagents remains a central challenge in method development. N-aminopyridinums and their derivatives have recently emerged as a class of bifunctional aminating reagents, which combine N-centered nucleophilicity with latent electrophilic or radical reactivity by virtue of the reducible N-N bond, with broad synthetic potential. Here, we summarize the synthesis and reactivity of N-aminopyridinium salts relevant to organic synthesis. The preparation and application of these reagents in photocatalyzed and metal-catalyzed transformations is discussed, showcasing the reactivity in the context of bifunctional platform and its potential for innovation in the field.

Ring forming transformations of ynamides via cycloaddition

Ynamides are N-alkyne compounds bearing an electron withdrawing group at the nitrogen atom. They offer unique pathways for the construction of versatile building blocks owing to their exceptional balance between reactivity and stability. Recently several studies have been reported that explore and illustrate the synthetic potential of ynamides and ynamide-derived advanced intermediates in cycloadditions with different reaction partners to yield heterocyclic cycloadducts of synthetic and pharmaceutical value. Cycloaddition reactions of ynamides are the facile and preferable routes for the construction of structural motifs having striking importance in synthetic, medicinal chemistry, and advanced materials. In this systematic review, we highlighted the recently reported novel transformations and synthetic applications that involved the cycloaddition reaction of ynamides. The scope along with the limitations of the transformations are discussed in detail.

Gold-Catalyzed Annulations with Nucleophilic Nitrenoids Enabled by Heteroatom-Substituted Alkynes

The combination of a nucleophilic nitrene equivalent, a triple bond and a π-acid catalyst has underpinned numerous efficient transformations for the preparation of azacycles. This personal account details our efforts in developing an annulation strategy. Adding a nucleophilic nitrenoid to an activated alkyne can generate carbenoid character that is then quenched by a cyclisation onto the nitrenoid substituent. The use and development of N-acyl and N-heterocyclic pyridinium-N-aminides as 1,3-N,O and 1,3-N,N-dipole equivalents is discussed in the context of oxazole and heterocycle-fused imidazole formation, respectively. The resulting processes are highly efficient, practically straightforward, and tolerate considerable structural and functional group variation. Our use of heteroatom-substituted alkynes as enabling tools for reaction discovery is discussed. The reactivity accessed from the strong donor-like properties of ynamides is complemented by that obtained from alkynyl thioethers, which are emerging as interesting substrates for π-acid catalysis.

Direct Synthesis of 4-Aryl-1,2,3-triazoles via I2-Promoted Cyclization under Metal- and Azide-Free Conditions

We herein report an iodine-mediated formal [2 + 2 + 1] cyclization of methyl ketones, p-toluenesulfonyl hydrazines, and 1-aminopyridinium iodide for preparation of 4-aryl-NH-1,2,3-triazoles under metal- and azide-free conditions. Notably, this is achieved using p-toluenesulfonyl hydrazines and 1-aminopyridinium iodide as azide surrogates, providing a novel route toNH-1,2,3-triazoles. Furthermore, this approach provides rapid and practical access to potent inhibitors of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO).

Gold(I)-Catalyzed Intermolecular Formal [4+2] Cycloaddition of O-Aryl Ynol Ethers and Enol Ethers: Synthesis of Chromene Derivatives

Gold(I)-catalyzed formal [4+2] cycloaddition of O-aryl ynol ethers 1 and enol ethers 2 is described. This intermolecular reaction between two electron-rich unsaturated systems takes place, under mild conditions, in the presence of 5 mol% [IPrAu(CH3 CN)]SbF6 as catalyst giving chromene derivatives with good yields. The cycloaddition is completely regio- and stereoselective, as well as versatile for both reactives. Silyl enol ethers can also react in the same way and under the same reaction conditions with quantitative yields. A plausible mechanism through a selective addition of the enol ether to the alkyne gold activated complex followed by an intramolecular aromatic electrophilic substitution is proposed. Several experimental results support the presence of a cationic oxonium intermediate prior to the aromatic substitution. The reaction represents a new entry to the chromene core.

Gold(I)-Catalyzed Synthesis of 3-Sulfenyl Pyrroles and Indoles by a Regioselective Annulation of Alkynyl Thioethers

The combination of nucleophilic nitrenoids and π-acid catalysis has emerged as a powerful tool in heterocycle synthesis. Accessing more varied heterocycle-substitution patterns by maintaining the same reaction pathways across different alkynes remains a challenge. Here we show that Au(I) catalysis of isoxazole-based nitrenoids with alkynyl thioethers provides controlled access to (3 + 2) annulation by a regioselective addition β to the sulfenyl group. The reaction with isoxazole-containing nitrenoids delivers sulfenylated pyrroles and indoles as single regioisomers bearing useful functional groups and structural variety.

Gold(I)-Catalyzed [8+2]-Cycloaddition of 8-Aryl-8-azaheptafulvenes with Allenamides and Ynamides: Regioselective Synthesis of Dihydrocycloheptapyrrole Derivatives

Gold(I)-catalyzed higher-order [8+2] cycloadditions of 8-aryl-8-azaheptafulvenes 1 with allenamides 2 and ynamides 3 were studied. 1,8-Dihydrocycloheptapyrroles 4 were achieved by a regioselective [8+2] cycloaddition of azaheptafulvenes 1 and allenamides 2 in the presence of (2,4-ditBuC₆ H₃ O)₃ PAuNTf₂ as catalyst. Besides, ynamides 3 and 8-aryl-8-azaheptafulvenes 1, undergo a regioselective [8+2] cycloaddition, to give 2-amido-1,4-dihydrocycloheptapyrroles 7 in the presence of JohnPhosAuNTf₂ as catalyst. Both reactions take place with good yields and with a variety of substituents. A plausible mechanism hypothesis suggests a nucleophilic attack of the 8-azaheptafulvene to the gold activated electron rich allene or alkyne moieties of the allenamide and ynamide, respectively.

Reactivity of ynamides in catalytic intermolecular annulations

Ynamides are unique alkynes with a carbon-carbon triple bond directly attached to the nitrogen atom bearing an electron-withdrawing group. The alkyne is strongly polarized by the electron-donating nitrogen atom, but its high reactivity can be finely tempered by the electron-withdrawing group. Accordingly, ynamides are endowed with both nucleophilic and electrophilic properties and their chemistry has been an active research field. The catalytic intermolecular annulations of ynamides, featuring divergent assembly of structurally important amino-heterocycles in a regioselective manner, have gained much attention over the past decade. This review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of the advances achieved in this area involving transition metal and acid catalysis. Moreover, the intermolecular annulations of ynamide analogs including ynol ethers and thioalkynes are also discussed, which can provide insights into the reactivity difference caused by the heteroatoms.