First application of fluorinated nitrones for the synthesis of fluoroalkylated β-lactams via the Kinugasa reaction

Synthesis of 2-(Trifluoromethyl)Azetidines by Strain-Release Reactions of 2-(Trifluoromethyl)-1-Azabicyclo[1.1.0]Butanes

Substituted azetidines are privileged heterocyclic scaffolds in medicinal chemistry and have become synthetic targets of high interest in recent years. With the goal of developing a new access to azetidines incorporating the pharmaceutically relevant trifluoromethyl group, the reactivity of 2-(trifluoromethyl)-1-azabicyclo[1.1.0]butanes was investigated in polar strain-release reactions. By using benzyl chloroformate or trifluoroacetic anhydride as reacting partners, diversely substituted 3-chloroazetidines, 3-substituted azetidines and azetidin-3-ols bearing a trifluoromethyl group at C2 could be readily synthesized. In addition, palladium-catalyzed hydrogenolysis reactions provided an entry to cis-3-aryl-2-trifluoromethyl azetidines.

Trifluoromethylated lactams: promising small molecules in the search for effective drugs

Lactams are a crucial class of compounds with broad therapeutic applications, including in the treatment of cancer, diabetes, and infectious diseases. Functionalised lactams are essential core structures in numerous alkaloids and pharmaceuticals. The introduction of fluorine-containing groups, such as a trifluoromethyl (CF3) group, into organic molecules significantly alters their physical and chemical properties. This review highlights the primary biological targets, as well as the most important synthetic pathways, associated with trifluoromethylated β-lactams (four-atom rings), γ-lactams (five-atom rings), δ-lactams (six-atom rings), and ε-lactams (seven atom rings). Furthermore, we analyze the most common lactam scaffolds, evaluating their potential for future chemical synthesis and emphasizing those that merit attention despite having limited reported analogues. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the importance of trifluoromethylated lactams in drug discovery and design.

Trifluoromethylnitrone: a versatile building block for synthesizing trifluoromethyl-containing heterocyclic compounds

This review explores the significance of trifluoromethylnitrones in synthesizing fluorine-containing compounds, with a particular focus on trifluoromethylated heterocycles. It explores the versatility of trifluoromethylnitrones, especially in [3 + 2] cycloaddition reactions, highlighting their unique reactivity with various dienophile substrates. Trifluoromethylnitrones are valuable precursors for the rapid synthesis of medicinally important trifluoromethylated heterocycles, including isoxazolidines, dihydroisoxazoles, oxathiazolidines, β-lactams, and aziridines. These heterocycles, in turn, serve as synthons for synthesizing trifluoromethylated lactams and aminoalcohols. Additionally, nitrone chemistry extends to synthesizing trifluoromethylated nucleosides and trifluorinated organoborane heterocycles, demonstrating their versatility. While sharing similarities with trifluorodiazoethane reactivity, trifluoromethylnitrones offer distinct advantages by enabling the synthesis of heterocycles typically inaccessible with trifluorodiazoethane.

Synthesis, Reactivity, and Antibacterial Activity of gem-Difluoroalkene, Difluoromethyl, and Trifluoromethyl β-Lactams

New gem-difluoroalkenes were synthesized by the dehydrofluorination of the corresponding 4-CF3-β-lactams. An unexpected rearrangement mechanism of the ester moiety dependent on a stabilizing negative charge was observed. Hydrogenation to 4-CHF2-β-lactams was successful from gem-difluoro-β-lactams.

Direct Access to Substituted 4-CF3 β-Lactams at the C-3 Position

Mono- and disubstituted 4-CF₃ β-lactams at the C-3 position have been obtained stereoselectively under basic conditions. A wide range of function such as alcohols, alkyls, aryls, esters, and double and triple bonds have been introduced.

Recent advances in β-lactam synthesis

During the past century, β-lactams have been identified as the core of penicillin and since then several strategies have been developed for their synthesis.