Controllable Site-Selective Construction of 2- and 4-Substituted Pyrimido[1,2-b]indazole from 3-Aminoindazoles and Ynals

Multi-Auto-Tandem Reaction to Access Site-Specific Functionalized Tricyclic Furo[3,2-c]coumarins and Naphtho[2,3-b]furan-4,9-diones

A three-component multi-auto-tandem reaction for the construction of site-specific tricyclic furo[3,2-c]coumarins via the formation of C-C, C-O, and C-S bonds in one step from 4-hydroxycoumarins/4-hydroxy-2-pyrones, ynals, and sodium sulfinates is reported. This cascade reaction efficiently produces a variety of rare C-2-functionalized furo[3,2-c]coumarins in moderate to good yields under straightforward reaction conditions. Furthermore, this protocol can be extended to a three-component coupling involving 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone, ynals, and sodium sulfinates, yielding tricyclic naphtho[2,3-b]furan-4,9-dione derivatives. Notably, the carbonyl group and the α-position of ynals act as C-2 synthons in the specific multi-auto-tandem reaction, enabling the two aforementioned types of multicomponent transformations.

Five-Component [2 + 2 + 1 + 1] Tandem Benzannulation Leading to Multifunctionalized Aromatic Amines

An unprecedented five-component [2 + 2 + 1 + 1] benzannulation strategy for regioselective assembly of densely functionalized aromatic amines from two ynals, two malononitriles, and sodium sulfinates is established. The benzannulation protocol enables the efficient installation of five substituents on a benzene ring via the formation of multiple chemical bonds in a single operation, providing various multifunctionalized aromatic primary amines in moderate to good yields. Additionally, three-component [3 + 2 + 1] cycloaddition of malononitriles, ynals, and NH4SCN was also achieved to produce 2-amnopyridine derivatives with NH4SCN serving as an ammonia surrogate.

Regioselective synthesis of 3,4-diarylpyrimido[1,2-b]indazole derivatives enabled by iron-catalyzed ring-opening of styrene oxides

The first synthesis of 3,4-diarylpyrimido[1,2-b]indazole derivatives from 3-aminoindazoles has been realized. The FeCl3-catalyzed intermolecular epoxide ring-opening reaction altered the order of annulation, with the free primary NH2 groups in 3-aminoindazoles preferentially reacting with styrene oxides instead of aromatic aldehydes. This protocol is further highlighted by its broad substrate compatibility, high chemo- and regioselectivities, and the late-stage modifications of bioactive molecules. Without aromatic aldehydes, the synthesis of 3-aryl-4-acylpyrimido[1,2-b]indazole derivatives can also be accomplished using alternative reaction conditions.

Divergent synthesis of pyrrolidone fused pyrimido[1,2-b]indazole through selective trapping of an enone intermediate by 1H-indazol-3-amine

An oxidant-controlled divergent synthesis of a pyrrolidone fused pyrimido[1,2-b]indazole skeleton was developed through selective cyclization of an in situ generated enone intermediate and 1H-indazol-3-amine. The one-pot, metal-free process formed three C-N bonds, one C-C bond, and a tetrasubstituted carbon stereocenter containing a hydroxyl group. This method not only allowed for the synthesis of over 60 new pyrrolidone fused pyrimido[1,2-b]indazole derivatives, but was also compatible with the transformation of complex active molecules and the derivation of target products. Significantly, product 4q exhibited aggregation-induced emission (AIE) characteristics without any further modification.

Construction of pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines and pyrimido[1,2-b]indazoles with calcium carbide as an alkyne source

An efficient method for the construction of 5-arylpyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines using calcium carbide as a solid alkyne source instead of flammable and explosive gaseous acetylene, pyrazole-3-amine and (hetero)aromatic aldehydes as starting materials in the presence of a copper mediator is described. Meanwhile, 2-arylpyrimido[1,2-b]indazoles are also synthesized under similar conditions using indazole-3-amine as a substitute for pyrazole-3-amine as a starting material. The method has salient features such as the use of an inexpensive and easy-to-handle alkyne source, commercially available substrates, wide functional group tolerance, a low-cost mediator, and simple workup procedures. This protocol can also be extended to gram-scale synthesis.

I2-DMSO-Mediated Construction of 2,3- and 2,4-Disubstituted Pyrimido[1,2-b]indazole Skeletons

An efficient synthetic method for constructing 2,3- and 2,4-disubstituted pyrimidio[1,2-b]indazole skeletons through I2-DMSO-mediated and substrate-controlled regioselective [4 + 2] cyclization is reported. The reaction conditions are mild, its operation is simple, and the substrate scope is wide. More than 60 pyrimidio[1,2-b]indazole derivatives have been synthesized, providing a new methodology for constructing related molecules and potentially enriching bioactive-molecule libraries.

Synthesis of Trifluoromethylated Pyrimido[1,2-b]indazole Derivatives through the Cyclocondensation of 3-Aminoindazoles with Ketoester and Their Functionalization via Suzuki-Miyaura Cross-Coupling and SNAr Reactions

A new series of trifluoromethylated pyrimido[1,2-b]indazol-4(1H)-one derivatives was synthesized with good to excellent yields through a simple condensation of 3-aminoindazole derivatives with ethyl 4,4,4-trifluoro 3-oxobutanoate. The functionalization of the corresponding chlorinated fused tricyclic scaffolds via Suzuki-Miyaura and aromatic nucleophilic substitution reactions led to the synthesis of highly diverse trifluoromethylated pyrimido[1,2-b]indazole derivatives with good yields.

I2-Promoted gem-Diarylethene Involved Aza-Diels-Alder Reaction and Wagner-Meerwein Rearrangement: Construction of 2,3,4-Trisubstituted Pyrimido[1,2-b]indazole Skeletons

A [3 + 1 + 2] cyclization-rearrangement reaction scheme was developed to synthesize pyrimido[1,2-b]indazoles from aryl methyl ketones, 3-aminoindazoles, and gem-diarylethenes. This metal-free process proceeds via a sequential aza-Diels-Alder reaction and Wagner-Meerwein rearrangement, and a possible reaction mechanism was demonstrated based on control experiments. This method exhibits good substrate compatibility and allows simple reaction conditions. Moreover, the products display significant aggregation-induced emission characteristics after simple modifications.

Synthesis of N-, O-, and S-heterocycles from aryl/alkyl alkynyl aldehydes

In the field of heterocyclic synthesis, alkynyl aldehydes serve as privileged reagents for cyclization reactions with other organic compounds to construct a broad spectrum of N-, O-, and S-heterocycles. Due to the immense application of heterocyclic molecules in pharmaceuticals, natural products, and material chemistry, the synthesis of such scaffolds has received wide attention. The transformations occurred under metal-catalyzed, metal-free-promoted, and visible-light-mediated systems. The present review article highlights the progress made in this field over the past two decades.

Visible-light-promoted radical cascade alkylation/cyclization: access to alkylated indolo/benzoimidazo[2,1-a]isoquinolin-6(5H)-ones

A new protocol is herein described for the direct generation of alkylated indolo/benzoimidazo[2,1-a]isoquinolin-6(5H)-one derivatives by using Hantzsch esters as alkylation radical precursors using a photoredox/K₂S₂O₈ system. This oxidative alkylation of active alkenes involves a radical cascade cyclization process and a sequence of Hantzsch ester single electron oxidation, C-C bond cleavage, alkylation, arylation and oxidative deprotonation.

Copper-catalyzed cross coupling reaction of sulfonyl hydrazides with 3-aminoindazoles

A novel Cu-catalyzed radical-radical cross coupling reaction of 3-aminoindazoles with sulfonyl hydrazides has been disclosed, enabling the production of diverse 1,3-substituted aminoindazoles in good yields. This methodology is distinguished by readily available starting materials, wide substrate scope and operational simplicity. In addition, a gram-scale reaction has been well demonstrated.

Synthesis of Diversified Pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine Frameworks from 5-Aminopyrazoles and Alkynyl Aldehydes via Switchable C≡C Bond Activation Approaches

A cascade 6-endo-dig cyclization reaction was developed for the switchable synthesis of halogen and non-halogen-functionalized pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridines from 5-aminopyrazoles and alkynyl aldehydes via C≡C bond activation with silver, iodine, or NBS. In addition to its wide substrate scope, the reaction showed good functional group tolerance as well as excellent regional selectivity. This new protocol manipulated three natural products, and the arylation, alkynylation, alkenylation, and selenization of iodine-functionalized products. These reactions demonstrated the potential applications of this new method.

Recent advances in 3-aminoindazoles as versatile synthons for the synthesis of nitrogen heterocycles

Nitrogen-based heterocycles are an important class of structural scaffolds distributed in biologically active natural products, medicinal chemistry, and agrochemicals. Hence, there is increasing interest in the development of novel synthetic strategies for the construction of these privileged structural motifs. Recently, 3-aminoindazoles have emerged as versatile synthons participating in a variety of condensation annulation, denitrogenative transannulation and rearrangement ring expansion reactions, which provide efficient synthetic routes for the formation of nitrogen heterocycles. This review systematically highlights for the first time the most recent advances in 3-aminoindazoles to provide a deep understanding of using 3-aminoindazoles as versatile synthons in organic transformations for synthetic and medicinal chemists.

Cu-catalyzed oxidative denitrogenation of 3-aminoindazoles for the synthesis of isoquinolinones

A Cu-catalyzed oxidative dual arylation of active alkenes via the cleavage of two C-N bonds of 3-aminoindazoles is presented for constructing isoquinolinones. Importantly, 3-aminoindazoles are used as efficient arylating agents through a radical process. This method has a good substrate scope and functional group compatibility.

A Straightforward Approach to Fluorinated Pyrimido[1,2-b]indazole Derivatives via Metal/Additive-Free Annulation with Enaminones, 3-Aminoindazoles, and Selectfluor

A novel and efficient three-component reaction with two C-N bonds and one C-F bond formation has been reported, which provides a straightforward route to a variety of fluorinated pyrimido[1,2-b]indazole derivatives. This transformation has the advantage of excellent functional group compatibility, including aliphatic and aromatic substituents enaminones. Moreover, metal and additives are not necessary for this reaction, which is of great significance for the synthesis and application of fluorinated heterocycles.

Visible-Light-Driven Multicomponent Cyclization by Trapping a 1,3-Vinylimine Ion Intermediate: A Direct Approach to Pyrimido[1,2-b]indazole Derivatives

Here we develop a novel visible-light-driven three-component cyclization by trapping an 1,3-vinylimine ion intermediate for the direct synthesis of pyrimido[1,2-b]indazole derivatives from bromodifluoroacetic acid derivatives, enaminones, and 3-aminoindazoles under mild conditions. Notably, the robust methodology provides a valuable opportunity for the introduction of aliphatic substituents and enables good compatibility of complex bioactive molecules. Furthermore, this is the first example of photoinduced multicomponent reaction by employing bromodifluoroacetic acid derivatives as a C1-synthon.