Multicomponent synthesis of chromophores – The one-pot approach to functional π-systems

Multicomponent reactions, conducted in a domino, sequential or consecutive fashion, have not only considerably enhanced synthetic efficiency as one-pot methodology, but they have also become an enabling tool for interdisciplinary research. The highly diversity-oriented nature of the synthetic concept allows accessing huge structural and functional space. Already some decades ago this has been recognized for life sciences, in particular, lead finding and exploration in pharma and agricultural chemistry. The quest for novel functional materials has also opened the field for diversity-oriented syntheses of functional π-systems, i.e. dyes for photonic and electronic applications based on their electronic properties. This review summarizes recent developments in MCR syntheses of functional chromophores highlighting syntheses following either the framework forming scaffold approach by establishing connectivity between chromophores or the chromogenic chromophore approach by de novo formation of chromophore of interest. Both approaches warrant rapid access to molecular functional π-systems, i.e. chromophores, fluorophores, and electrophores for various applications.

Gold-catalyzed multicomponent reactions

Multicomponent reactions (MCRs) have emerged as an important branch in organic synthesis for the creation of complex molecular structures. This review is focused on gold-catalyzed MCRs with a special emphasis on the recent developments.

High-component reactions (HCRs): An overview of MCRs containing seven or more components as versatile tools in organic synthesis

Recently, multi-component reactions (MCRs) have gained special attention due to their versatility for the synthesis of polycyclic heterocycles. Moreover, their applicability can become more widespread as they can be combined together as a union of MCRs. In this overview, the authors have tried to collect the MCRs containing more than seven components that can lead to effectual heterocycles in organic and/or pharmaceutical chemistry. The review contains papers published up to the end of 2020. The subject is classified based on the number of substrates, such as seven-, eight-, nine-, ten-, and more components. The authors expect their report to be helpful for researchers to clarify their route to significant MCRs.

Gold Catalyzed Multicomponent Reactions beyond A³ Coupling

The preparation of complex architectures has inspired the search for new methods and new processes in organic synthesis. Multicomponent reactions have become an interesting approach to achieve such molecular diversity and complexity. This review intends to illustrate important gold-catalyzed examples for the past ten years leading to interesting skeletons involved in biologically active compounds.

Simple ZnEt2as a catalyst in carbodiimide hydroalkynylation: structural and mechanistic studies

Simple ZnEt₂is an efficient catalyst for the addition of terminal alkynes to carbodiimides, through amidinate complexes, and consecutive isocyanate addition and intramolecular cyclohydroamination.

Transition-metal-free synthesis of oxazoles: valuable structural fragments in drug discovery

This review article encapsulates the recent developments in the metal-free approaches used to construct oxazole moiety.

Gold-catalyzed tandem reactions of amide-aldehyde-alkyne coupling and cyclization-synthesis of 2,4,5-trisubstituted oxazoles

We report the first cationic gold(i)-catalyzed one-pot reaction of amide, alkyne and aldehyde followed by cyclization, to successfully access highly substituted oxazoles derivatives in good yields. A single catalyst allows the occurring of this multi-step reaction atom- and step-economically, with water as the only theoretical side product.

Cyclometallated gold(iii) aryl-pyridine complexes as efficient catalysts for three-component synthesis of substituted oxazoles

Cyclometallated gold(iii) complexes efficiently catalyze the multicomponent reaction between imines, alkynes, and acyl chlorides to form trisubstituted oxazoles.

O-Transfer-facilitated cyclizations of propargylamides with TMSN3: selective synthesis of tetrazoles and dihydroimidazoles

Herein, we disclose the O-transfer-facilitated cyclizations of propargylamides with TMSN₃ to selectively afford functionalized tetrazoles and diiodomethylated dihydroimidazoles.

Palladium-catalyzed imidoylative cyclization of α-isocyanoacetamides: efficient access to C2-diversified oxazoles

A novel procedure for the synthesis of C2-diversified oxazoles, through palladium-catalyzed imidoylative cyclization of α-isocyanoacetamides with aryl, vinyl, alkynyl halides, or triflates, was developed. Migratory insertion of isocyanide into a Csp3-palladium(II) intermediate in a cascade process was also realized, generating alkyl-substituted oxazoles. Therefore, oxazoles functionalized at the C2 position with sp, sp(2), and sp(3) hybridized carbon atoms are accessible by applying this method.

Silver and gold-catalyzed multicomponent reactions

Silver and gold salts and complexes mainly act as soft and carbophilic Lewis acids even if their use as σ-activators has been rarely reported. Recently, transformations involving Au(I)/Au(III)-redox catalytic systems have been reported in the literature. In this review we highlight all these aspects of silver and gold-mediated processes and their application in multicomponent reactions.

Alkaline earth catalysis for the 100% atom-efficient three component assembly of imidazolidin-2-ones

A variety of functionalised imidazolidin-2-ones may be synthesised under very mild reaction conditions using non-toxic and cost-effective alkaline earth bis(amide) pre-catalysts in a 100% atom-efficient, intermolecular one-pot assembly from inexpensive alkyne and cumulene reagents.