Functionalization of indazoles by means of transition metal-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions

Direct catalytic photodecarboxylative amination of carboxylic acids with diazirines for divergent access to nitrogen-containing compounds

Amines, hydrazines, and nitrogen-containing heterocycles are pivotal species in medicine, agriculture, fine chemicals, and materials. Diazirines have been recently reported to serve as versatile electrophilic amination reagents for the synthesis of building blocks or late-stage C-N bond formation. Here, we report the catalytic photodecarboxylative amination of carboxylic acids with diazirines under mild conditions. The substrate scope includes broad functional group tolerance, such as ketones, esters, olefins, and alcohols, along with the late-stage amination of naproxen, ibuprofen, gemfibrozil, and gibberellic acid. Synthetic applications leverage the versatility of the intermediate diaziridines and include the regioselective preparation of a suite of 1H-indazoles, 2H-indazoles, and fluoroquinolones.

A regioselective C7 bromination and C7 palladium-catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling arylation of 4-substituted NH-free indazoles

A direct and efficient regioselective C7-bromination of 4-substituted 1H-indazole has been achieved. Subsequently, a successful palladium-mediated Suzuki–Miyaura reaction of C7-bromo-4-substituted-1H-indazoles with boronic acids has been performed under optimized reaction conditions. A series of new C7 arylated 4-substituted 1H-indazoles was obtained in moderate to good yields.

A regioselective C7-bromination of 4-substituted 1H-indazoles followed by a palladium-catalyzed Suzuki–Miyaura reaction with boronic acids is described.

Visible-light-driven photocyclization reaction: photocatalyst-free mediated intramolecular N–N coupling for the synthesis of 2H-indazole-3-carboxamides from aryl azides

A visible-light-driven photocyclization reaction of aryl azides to access 2H-indazole-3-carboxamides in moderate to excellent yields has been realized efficiently under photocatalyst-free and external additive-free conditions.

Development of a Late-Stage Diversification Strategy for the 4- and 5-Positions of 4,5,6-Trisubstituted Indazoles

Indazoles represent a privileged motif in drug discovery. However, the formation of highly substituted indazoles can require the execution of lengthy synthetic routes with minimal opportunities to introduce diversity. In this report, we disclose the development of a late-stage diversification strategy for the 4- and 5-positions of 4,5,6-trisubstituted indazoles. A regioselective C-H functionalization and subsequent nucleophilic aromatic substitution provide two sequential points of diversification. The synthetic sequence delivers rapid access to an array of 4,5,6-trisubstituted indazoles in only four steps from readily available starting materials.

Rh(III)-Catalyzed C-H Cyanation of 2H-Indazole with N-Cyano-N-phenyl-p-toluenesulfonamide

A Rh(III)-catalyzed direct cyanation of 2H-indazoles with N-cyano-N-phenyl-p-toluenesulfonamide has been realized via a chelation-assisted strategy. The methodology enables regioselective access to various ortho-cyanated phenylindazoles in good yields with a broad substrate scope and good functional group compatibility. The obtained cyanated indazoles could further be converted into other value-added chemicals. Importantly, the current protocol is featured with several characteristics, including a novel cyanating agent, good regioselectivity, and operational convenience.

Highly Enantioselective Synthesis of Indazoles with a C3-Quaternary Chiral Center Using CuH Catalysis

C3-substituted 1H-indazoles are useful and important substructures in many pharmaceuticals. Methods for direct C3-functionalization of indazoles are relatively rare, compared to reactions developed for the more nucleophilic N1 and N2 positions. Herein, we report a highly C3-selective allylation reaction of 1H-N-(benzoyloxy)indazoles using CuH catalysis. A variety of C3-allyl 1H-indazoles with quaternary stereocenters were efficiently prepared with high levels of enantioselectivity. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed to explain the reactivity differences between indazole and indole electrophiles, the latter of which was used in our previously reported method. The calculations suggest that the indazole allylation reaction proceeds through an enantioselectivity-determining six-membered Zimmerman-Traxler-type transition state, rather than an oxidative addition/reductive elimination sequence, as we proposed in the case of indole alkylation. The enantioselectivity of the reaction is governed by both ligand-substrate steric interactions and steric repulsions involving the pseudoaxial substituent in the six-membered allylation transition state.

Access to 2-substituted-2H-indazoles via a copper-catalyzed regioselective cross-coupling reaction

A CuCl catalyzed C-N cross-coupling reaction using commercially available 1H-indazoles with diaryliodonium salts is described. The methodology features ample structural versatility, affording 2-substituted-2H-indazole in good yields and complete N(2)-regiocontrol. Furthermore, the utility of the reaction was demonstrated in the synthesis of a known estrogen receptor β agonist. Mechanistic studies using density functional theory calculations suggested that the complete regioselectivity can be attributed to the only weak base TfO^- in our system which could not deprotonate indazoles, and the catalyst oxidation process would be the rate-determining step.

Design of selective COX-2 inhibitors in the (aza)indazole series. Chemistry, in vitro studies, radiochemistry and evaluations in rats of a [18F] PET tracer

A series of novel derivatives exhibiting high affinity and selectivity towards the COX-2 enzyme in the (aza) indazole series was developed. A short synthetic route involving a bromination/arylation sequence under microwave irradiation and direct C–H activation were established in the indazole and azaindazole series respectively. In vitro assays were conducted and structural modifications were carried out on these scaffolds to furnish compound 16 which exhibited effective COX-2 inhibitory activity, with IC₅₀ values of 0.409 µM and an excellent selectivity versus COX-1. Radiolabeling of this most potent derivative [¹⁸F]16 was achieved after boron ester release and the tracer was evaluated in vivo in a rat model of neuroinflammation. All chemistry, radiochemistry and biological experimental data are discussed.

A facile route to 1H- and 2H-indazoles from readily accessible acyl hydrazides by exploiting a novel aryne-based molecular rearrangement

Herein we report the transformation of readily synthesised acyl hydrazides into 2-hydrazobenzophenones via a novel molecular rearrangement pathway using aryne chemistry. The developed reaction protocol is performed under relatively mild conditions and is tolerant of a wide variety of functional groups, and the 2-hydrazobenzophenone products provide access to both 1H- and 2H-indazoles from a single intermediate.