Tandem α-Arylation/Cyclization of 4-Haloacetoacetates with Arynes: A Metal-Free Approach toward 4-Aryl-3-(2H)-furanones

Bicyclic nucleoside analogues: synthesis of thiazolopyrimidine-based nucleosides via a copper-catalysed tandem reaction of 5-iodocytidine with isothiocyanates

We have devised a copper-catalysed tandem annulation reaction to generate a new class of bicyclic nucleoside analogues (BCNAs), namely, amino-substituted thiazolopyrimidine ribonucleosides. The reaction between triacetyl-5-iodo-cytidine and an appropriate organic isothiocyanate in the presence of a Cu salt and ligand resulted in the formation of an amino-substituted thiazolopyrimidine moiety. This reaction was found to be compatible with a range of aliphatic and aromatic isothiocyanates, affording the corresponding products in moderate to good yields. The methodology was extended to diacetyl-2'-deoxy-5-iodo-cytidine and we could also establish the applicability of the methodology on a gram scale. Finally, acetyl deprotection of amino-substituted thiazolopyrimidine ribonucleosides was achieved by treatment with NH3 in MeOH.

Synthesis of 5-Amino-3(2H)-furanones via S-Methylation/Intramolecular Cyclization of γ-Sulfanylamides

The S-methylation/intramolecular cyclization of γ-sulfanylamide is depicted. Different methylating reagents were successfully employed for S-methylation, depending on the substituent pattern of the amide in the starting γ-sulfanylamides; trimethyloxonium tetrafluoroborate was used for N-aryl substituted γ-sulfanylamides, and the combination of methyl iodide and silver(I) tetrafluoroborate was used for N-alkyl substituted γ-sulfanylamides. When the resulting sulfonium salt was treated with DBU, it smoothly underwent intramolecular cyclization to produce a series of N-aryl, N-alkyl, N,N-dialkyl or N-alkyl-N-aryl substituted 5-amino-3(2H)-furanones in 55%-quantitative yields.

Synthesis of 3(2H)-furanone derivatives: p-TsOH/halotrimethylsilane promoted cycloketonization of γ-hydroxyl ynones

A p-TsOH/halotrimethylsilane facilitated cycloketonization of γ-hydroxyl ynones is detailed. This methodology enables the one-step synthesis of polysubstituted 3(2H)-furanone products. It is remarkable that the reaction exhibits excellent regio- and chemoselectivity by the addition of very small quantities of p-toluenesulfonic acid and water.

Palladium-Catalyzed Oxidative Cyclization of α-Allenols in the Presence of TBN: Access to 3(2H)-Furanones

A new palladium-catalyzed oxidative cyclization of α-allenols is described. The readily accessible α-allenols participate in intra-molecular oxidative cyclization in the presence of TBN to grant access to multisubstituted 3(2H)-furanones, which are common motifs in several biologically important natural products and pharmaceuticals.

Palladium Catalyzed Ring-Opening of Diazabicylic Olefins with 4-Halo-1,3-Dicarbonyl Compounds: Accessing 3(2H)-Furanone-Appended Cyclopentenes

We have realized a Pd-catalyzed ring-opening of diazabicyclic olefins with 4-halo-1,3-dicarbonyl compounds. This reaction resulted in the formation of 3(2H)-furanone-appended hydrazino cyclopentenes. The reaction proceeds via the formation of a π-allylpalladium intermediate which is attacked by the active methylene species, and an intramolecular nucleophilic substitution in the 4-halo-1,3-dicarbonyl moiety furnishes the 3(2H)-furanone-substituted cyclopentene. We could extend this methodology to cyclopropane-appended spirotricyclic olefin for synthesizing 3(2H)-furanone-substituted spiro[2.4]hept-5-ene.

Inverse Electron Demand Diels Alder Reaction of Aza-o-Quinone Methides and Enaminones: Accessing 3-Aroyl Quinolines and Indeno[1,2-b]quinolinones

We have developed a Diels Alder cycloaddition route toward 3-aroyl quinolines from enaminones and in situ generated aza-o-quinone methides. The reaction was found to be general with a range of substituted enaminones and aza-o-quinone methides, and we could validate the applicability of the methodology in gram scale. We also demonstrated a one-pot strategy toward 3-acyl quinolines starting from the corresponding aliphatic ketones. Finally, we utilized the 3-aroyl quinolines for synthesizing indeno[1,2-b]quinolinones via a Pd-catalyzed dual C-H activation approach.