A Domino Azidation/C–H Amination Approach toward Trifluoromethyl Substituted Imidazoles

Synthesis of Diverse Imidazole and Quinoxaline Derivatives via Iodine-Mediated Cyclization Reactions

A novel approach for the synthesis of diverse substituted imidazoles and quinoxalines via an iodine-promoted cyclization reaction is described. The methodology showcases a broad substrate scope, achieving moderate to very good yields for biologically relevant imidazoles and quinoxalines. Notably, iodine serves as both an iodinating agent and an oxidizing agent, as shown by a mechanistic study. The current methodology is capable of being scaled up to gram quantities, operates in a metal-free environment under mild reaction conditions, and utilizes readily available substrates.

Hypervalent Iodine(III)-Mediated Oxidative Cyclization of Exo-Cyclic Ene-Carbamate to Tetrahydroisoquinoline-Oxazol-2(3H)-one Derivatives

The new development of a transition-metal-free method for the synthesis of THIQ-oxazol-2(3H)-one motif from exo-cyclic ene-carbamates by using hypervalent iodine as an oxidant is reported. Various functional groups substituted on the aryl rings of the ene-carbamate substrates as well as the N- and S-heterocyclic substrates afforded the corresponding THIQ-oxazol-2(3H)-one products in up to 91 % yield. Moreover, the synthetic utility was highlighted for the synthesis of phthalide-THIQ natural product, (±)-corlumine.

An electrochemical tandem Michael addition, azidation and intramolecular cyclization strategy for the synthesis of imidazole derivatives

An electrochemical-oxidation-induced intramolecular annulation used for the synthesis of imidazole was developed under undivided electrolytic conditions. In an undivided cell, amines, alkynes and azides could smoothly participate in the transformation to furnish a variety of substituted imidazoles through the tandem Michael addition/azide/cycloamine reaction. The reaction could be easily handled and avoided the use of both transition metal catalysts and peroxide reagents, which is in line with the concept of green chemistry.

Recent developments in the synthesis of nitrogen-containing heterocycles from β-aminovinyl esters/ketones as CC-N donors

Nitrogen-containing heterocycles are ubiquitous fragments of numerous natural products, pharmaceuticals, designed bioactive drug candidates and agrochemicals. During the past few decades, these compounds have received considerable attention from the synthetic chemistry community, and great efforts have been focused on the development of concise and efficient methods for the synthesis of these heterocyclic skeletons. In this review, we summarize a diverse range of synthetic methods employing β-aminovinyl esters(ketones) as key CC-N-synthons to furnish useful bioactive heterocyclic frameworks, such as quinolines, pyridines, pyrazines, pyrroles, indoles, oxazoles, imidazoles, thiazoles, isothiazoles, pyrazoles, triazoles, and azepines, thus offering new opportunities and expanding the toolbox of synthetic chemistry reactions.

Iodine-Mediated Cyclization of Enamines to Imidazole-4-Carboxylic Derivatives with Sequential Removal of Nitrogen Atoms from TMSN3

An iodine-mediated oxidative [4+1] cyclization of enamines with TMSN₃ for the synthesis of 2,5-disubstituted imidazole-4-carboxylic derivatives has been developed. The mechanistic studies revealed that the reaction proceeds through a sequential removal of two nitrogen atoms from TMSN₃. The synthetic utility was further demonstrated with a gram-scale reaction and various derivatization transformations of the products.

Photocatalytic Visible-Light-Induced Nitrogen Insertion via Dual C(sp3)-H and C(sp2)-H Bond Functionalization: Access to Privileged Imidazole-based Scaffolds

Here we have demonstrated a visible-light-mediated metal-free organic-dye-catalyzed dehydrogenative N-insertion leading to highly substituted imidazoles and privileged dihydroisoquinoline-based imidazole derivatives via C(sp³)-H and C(sp²)-H bond functionalization. A sustainable, convenient, metal-free azidation/C-H aminative cyclization approach in the absence of stoichiometric oxidants is presented. This protocol involves a rare photoinduced iminyl radical as a key intermediate for the "N" insertion.

Comparative Study of the Decomposition Mechanism and Kinetics of Biimidazole-Based Energetic Explosives

It is well known that imidazoles, possessing two or more nitro substituents, are potential candidates for highly energetic explosives with detonation parameters comparable to those of 1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazacyclohexane (RDX) and 1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetraazacyclooctane. 4,4',5,5'-Tetranitro-2,2'-bi-imidazole (TNBI) is a typical imidazole explosive with energy equivalent to that of RDX but suffers from low sensitivity (impact sensitivity 7 J). 1,1'-Diamino-4,4',5,5'-tetranitro-2,2'-biimidazole (DATNBI), a derivative of TNBI, possesses two -NH₂ groups and has a higher detonation velocity (9063 m s^-1) and lower impact sensitivity of 15 J, which indicates great potential for future applications. Examination of the thermal decomposition mechanism and kinetics of TNBI and DATNBI gives a more comprehensive view of the influence that the -NH₂ group has on the sensitivity and storage safety of the energetic explosive-based TNBI molecular skeleton. Herein, the thermal decomposition mechanism is studied, showing that detachment of -NH₂ groups from DATNBI generates 1-diamino-4,4',5,5'-tetranitro-2,2'-biimidazole (ATNBI) and TNBI and induces self-decomposition. Although the decomposition peak temperature of DATNBI is significantly lower than that of TNBI at the same heating rate; its self-accelerating decomposition temperature (50 kg) is only 4 K lower. Therefore, the -NH₂ group displays good ability of reducing sensitivity but has no influence on storage safety of DATNBI.

Novel synthesis of divergent aryl imidazoles from ketones involving copper-catalyzed α-amination and oxidative C-C bond cleavage

A one-pot synthesis, initiated by a copper salt with inorganic (NH4)2CO3 as the nitrogen source, forms divergent aryl imidazole derivatives from ketones via α-amination and oxidative C-C bond cleavage reactions. The approach provides a simple and rapid synthesis of imidazole derivatives and has certain versatility.

A rhodium-catalyzed three-component reaction of arylisocyanides, trifluorodiazoethane, and activated methylene isocyanides or azomethine ylides: an efficient synthesis of trifluoroethyl-substituted imidazoles

A novel method for the synthesis of trifluoroethyl-substituted imidazoles is reported via a rhodium-catalyzed three-component reaction of isocyanides, 2,2,2-trifluorodiazoethane and activated methylene isocyanides or azomethine ylides.