Copper-Catalyzed Chemodivergent Cyclization of N-(ortho-alkynyl)aryl-Pyrrole and Indoles

Copper-catalyzed chemoselective C-H functionalization/dearomatization sequence: direct access to indole-based spirocyclic scaffolds

Herein, a copper-catalyzed intermolecular [4+1] spiroannulation of indoles with alkynyldiazoketones affording various indole-based spirocyclic molecules via a chemoselective C-H functionalization/dearomatization sequence was developed.

Copper-Catalyzed Synthesis of N-Fused Quinolines via C(sp3)-H Activation-Radical Addition-Cyclization Cascade

A novel copper-catalyzed cyclization reaction for the synthesis of pyrazolo[1,5-a]quinoline, triazolo[1,5-a]quinoline, and pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoline derivatives is described. The process is initiated by di-tert-butyl peroxide-mediated C(sp3)-H activation to generate the α-functionalized radical, which supervenes a cascade radical addition/cyclization sequence to access the N-fused quinolines in good yields with broad functional group tolerance.

Diverse Synthesis of 2H-Isoindole-Based Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds

1,3-Disubstituted N-aryl-2H-isoindoles have been synthesized by a cascade reaction of divinyl ethers, which are derived from easily available 4-bromoisocoumarins, with substituted anilines in HFIP. This cascade reaction consists of a ring-opening step through addition-elimination mechanism and the following 5-exo-tet type ring-closing step via the intramolecular nucleophilic substitution reaction. Thus obtained 2H-isoindoles have been derivatized to high-order nitrogen-containing polycycles including less accessible benzo[a]ullazines.

Synthesis and Atropisomeric Properties of Benzoazepine-Fused Isoindoles

Atropisomeric, bench-stable benzoazepine-fused isoindoles were synthesized via oxidation from isoindoline precursors. Using the isoindoles 5d-f as models, the stereochemistry and conformational folding of the systems were examined. Chiral UHPLC was used to analyze the rate of racemization and calculate the Gibbs free energy of enantiomerization (ΔG^‡_Enant). X-ray crystallography, ¹H NMR spectroscopy, and DFT calculations were used to elucidate the three axes of chirality and clarify the structural factors contributing to ΔG^‡_Enant. Tandem rotation around the axes of chirality precludes the formation of diastereomers, with rotational restriction of the C_aryl-N_sulfonamide bond determined as the moderator of atropisomeric stability in the system, affected primarily by steric hindrance as well as by π-stacking interactions facilitated by the folded conformation of the sulfonamide over the isoindole moiety.

Direct Regioselective Hydro(hetero)arylation/Cyclocondensation Reactions of β-(2-Aminophenyl)-α,β-ynones by Means of Transition-Metal Catalysis/Brønsted Acid Synergism: Experimental Results and Computational Insights

Experimental results and computational insights explain the key role of transition-metal catalysis/Brønsted acid synergism in the achievement of the sequential regioselective direct heteroarylation/cyclocondensation reactions of β-(2-aminophenyl)-α,β-ynones with a variety of electron-rich aromatic heterocyclic/arenes to afford quinoline-(hetero)aromatic hybrids. The first approach to the synthesis of 4-(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)quinolines is described. The effectiveness of various transition metals is compared.

Three Component Cascade Reaction of Cyclohexanones, Aryl Amines, and Benzoylmethylene Malonates: Cooperative Enamine-Brønsted Acid Approach to Tetrahydroindoles

A three-component cascade reaction comprising cyclic ketones, arylamines, and benzoylmethylene malonates has been developed to access 4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-indoles. The reaction was achieved through cooperative enamine-Brønsted catalysis in high yields with wide substrate scopes. Mechanistic studies identified the role of the Brønsted acid catalyst and revealed the formation of an imine intermediate, which was confirmed by X-ray crystallography.

Recent Developments in Isoindole Chemistry

Isoindoles are highly reactive aromatic heterocycles that have a variety of important applications in areas such as medicine, analytical detection, and solar energy. Due to their highly reactive nature, isoindoles can be used to access their derivatives, which possess a diverse array of biological activities. However, their reactivity also makes isoindoles unstable and thus, difficult to prepare. Consequently, there has been a need for the development of novel methods that address some of the synthetic challenges and limitations, as well as reactions that utilize isoindoles to access potentially useful compounds. This review will give an overview of the novel reactions reported within the past decade (2012 to 2022) that involve 2H- and 1H-isoindoles and fused isoindoles as reactants, key intermediates, or products. This review is divided into two parts, with the first part focusing on the synthesis of isoindoles and the second part focusing on reactions of isoindoles. The scopes and limitations of the methods described therein will be discussed and the significance of their contributions to the literature will be highlighted. Similar reactions will also be compared.

1 Introduction

2 Synthesis of Isoindoles

2.1 Synthesis of 2H-Isoindoles

2.2 Synthesis of 1H-Isoindoles

3 Reactions of Isoindoles

3.1 Reactions of 2H-Isoindoles

3.2 Reactions of 1H-Isoindoles

4 Conclusions

Diversity-Oriented Metal-Free Synthesis of Nitrogen-Containing Heterocycles Using Atropaldehyde Acetals as a Dual C3/C2-Synthon

A highly efficient and elegant diversity-oriented reaction paradigm employing atropaldehyde acetals as new dual C2/C3 synthons was developed under metal-free conditions using glycine esters as the counterpart reagents, which allowed rapid synthesis of two important nitrogen-containing heterocycles, pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinolines and 3,5-diarylpyridines. The divergent products are subtly controlled by the manipulation of the substitutional groups of glycine esters. When a N-arylglycine ester was used, pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinolines can be formed through cascade oxidative C-C cleavage/multiple cyclization. Instead, N-benzylglycine ester as the counter-reagent led to the synthesis of 3,5-diarylpyridines via two key C-N cleavages. Mild conditions, broad substrate scope, scalability and environmentally acceptable organic solvents rendered this method practical and attractive.

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.

Dearomative Iodocyclization of N-(o-Alkynyl)aryl Isoindole

We present a dearomative iodocyclization of N-(o-alkynyl)aryl isoindole here, which affords various biologically active benzoindoleazine skeletons containing alkenyl iodine. The products can further undergo cycloaddition or coupling reactions to afford a series of highly functionalized N-fused polycyclic scaffolds.

Recent Advances in Functionalization of Pyrroles and their Translational Potential

Among the known aromatic nitrogen heterocycles, pyrrole represents a privileged aromatic heterocycle ranging its occurrence in the key component of "pigments of life" to biologically active natural products to active pharmaceuticals. Pyrrole being an electron-rich heteroaromatic compound, its predominant functionalization is legendary to aromatic electrophilic substitution reactions. Although a few excellent reviews on the functionalization of pyrroles including the reports by Baltazzi in 1963, Casiraghi and Rassu in 1995, and Banwell in 2006 are available, they are fragmentary and over fifteen years old, and do not cover the modern aspects of catalysis. A review covering a comprehensive package of direct functionalization on pyrroles via catalytic and non-catalytic methods including their translational potential is described. Subsequent to statutory yet concise introduction, the classical functionalization on pyrroles using Lewis acids largely following an ionic mechanism is discussed. The subsequent discussion follows the various metal-catalyzed C-H functionalization on pyrroles, which are otherwise difficult to implement by Lewis acids. A major emphasize is given on the radical based pyrrole functionalization under metal-free oxidative conditions, which is otherwise poorly highlighted in the literature. Towards the end, the current development of pyrrole functionalization under photocatalyzed and electrochemical conditions is appended. Only a selected examples of substrates and important mechanisms are discussed for different methods highlighting their scopes and limitations. The aromatic nucleophillic substitution on pyrroles (being an electron-rich heterocycle) happened to be the subject of recent investigations, which has also been covered accentuating their underlying conceptual development. Despite great achievements over the past several years in these areas, many challenges and problems are yet to be solved, which are all discussed in summary and outlook.

Palladium-Catalyzed Intermolecular Heck-Type Dearomative [4 + 2] Annulation of 2H-Isoindole Derivatives with Internal Alkynes

Here, an interesting palladium-catalyzed intermolecular Heck-type dearomative [4 + 2] annulation of 2H-isoindole derivatives with internal alkynes has been developed, affording diverse polycyclic pyrrolidine scaffolds in good yield. This reaction is a useful method for the transformation of 2H-isoindole.