A Domino Route toward Polysubstituted Pyrroles from 2-Imidazolines and Electron-Deficient Alkynes

Synthesis of Tetrasubstituted Pyrroles via DBU-Mediated Cyclization of Unactivated Propargyl Tertiary Amines

Compared with the well-developed cyclization of functionalized propargylamines, the use of unactivated tertiary propargylamines to access pyrroles remains challenging. Herein, we report an efficient method for constructing tetrasubstituted pyrroles via a DBU-mediated intramolecular cycloaddition of N-alkyl propargylamines. This reaction employs cyclization to access dihydropyrrole intermediates, followed by oxidation to produce pyrroles in the presence of 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-p-benzoquinone. In addition, a broad substrate scope, high atom economy, high selectivity, and simple operation are also advantages of this protocol.

An Acceptor-Substituted N-Heterocyclic ortho-Quinodimethane: Pushing the Boundaries of Polarization in Donor-Acceptor-Substituted Polyenes

We report the synthesis, isolation, and characterization of a stable donor-acceptor substituted ortho-quinodimethane (oQDM). This system with an imidazolidine scaffold as the donor can also be referred to as acceptor-substituted ortho-N-heterocyclic quinodimethane (oNHQ). We have examined the extent of polarization of the conjugated π-system using single-crystal X-ray diffraction, NMR and UV/vis spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and DFT computations. The bond lengths in the phenyl linker do not exhibit the alternation typical of oQDMs. In addition, the 13C and 15N NMR shifts suggest significant charge separation, an interpretation supported by the diatropic ring current determined by NICSZZ(r) computations, which is characteristic of aromatic compounds. DFT calculations show that polarization is an electronic effect that is amplified by steric influences. More strikingly, the oxidation and reduction potentials of the push-pull substituted oQDM are virtually identical to those of authenticated anionic and cationic derivatives. The results therefore indicate that an aromatic zwitterionic structure represents the electronic structure more accurately than a neutral quinoidal Lewis structure, which indicates that the acceptor-substituted oNHQ is a rare example of an organic zwitterion in which the centers of charge are in conjugation. The ambiphilic reactivity of the acceptor-substituted oNHQ, which is evidenced by the dehydrogenation of ammonia borane and the addition of phenylacetylene via heterolytic C-H bond cleavage, further supports its notation as an organic zwitterion and is reminiscent of frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs). Thus, the acceptor-substituted oNHQ can be considered to be an intramolecular carbogenic FLP in terms of its reactivity.

Domino Approach for the Synthesis of Pyridinium Salts and 1,2,3,8a-Tetrahydroimidazo[1,2-a]pyridines from 2-Imidazolines and Propiolic Acid Esters

Adducts of 1-alkyl-2-imidazolines and two molecules of alkyl propiolate, possessing an N-propargyl-β-enaminoester fragment, easily undergo a domino reaction to form pyridinium salts with β-(alkylammonio)ethyl group at the nitrogen atom in the presence of 2 equiv of a protic acid. Treatment of the above reaction mixture with a base gives 1,2,3,8a-tetrahydroimidazo[1,2-a]pyridines. Reaction of the latter compounds with acid chlorides affords pyridinium salts with β-(alkylamido)ethyl moiety at the nitrogen atom.

Efficient access to 1,3,4-trisubstituted pyrroles via gold-catalysed cycloisomerization of 1,5-diynes

A gold-catalysed cycloisomerization of 1,5-diynes is described, which offers a selective approach to access 1,3,4-trisubstituted pyrroles. In this reaction, the cationic gold catalyst activates the ynamide moiety, initiating the cycloisomerization to produce the pyrrole core, and H₂O acts as an external nucleophile to trap the vinyl cationic species, thus leading to the formation of 1,3,4-trisubstituted pyrroles with high selectivity.

Assembly of 1,2,3,4-Tetrahydropyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazines via the Domino Reaction of 2-Imidazolines and Terminal Electron-Deficient Alkynes

The transformation of 2-imidazolines into 1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazines has been realized. A pseudo-three-component reaction of 2-imidazolines with terminal electron-deficient alkynes (2 equiv) first generates imidazolidines, containing an N-vinylpropargylamine fragment. The latter can then undergo a base-catalyzed domino aza-Claisen rearrangement/cyclization reaction sequence, simultaneously constructing pyrrole and pyrazine rings. The process works in a broad substrate scope, delivering pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazines in good to excellent yields (45-90%). This two-step approach can be carried out in a one-pot fashion without a noticeable decrease in yield. Remarkably, a three-component protocol for the introduction of two different alkynes has been also developed.

Pd-Catalyzed Triple-Fold C(sp2)-H Activation with Enaminones and Alkenes for Pyrrole Synthesis via Hydrogen Evolution

The synthesis of NH-free pyrroles via Pd-catalyzed annulation of enaminones and alkenes is reported. With the catalysis of Pd(II), the activation of triple C(sp²)-H bonds, including one internal C(sp²)-H bond in enaminone, has been activated to provide various pyrroles. The interesting evolution of hydrogen gas from the reactions has been observed by a hydrogen detector.

[3,3] Ring Rearrangement of Oxo- or Aza-Bridged Bicyclo[3.2.1]octene-Based 1,5-Dienes

We report that oxo- or aza-bridged alkylidenemalononitrile-cycloheptenes undergo a [3,3] ring rearrangement to yield cyclopenta-fused dihydro-furans or pyrroles. Described herein are the origins of the serendipitous discovery, scope studies, and representative functional group interconversion chemistry.

Methyl (2E)-3-[3-Benzyl-2-(3-methoxy-3-oxoprop-1-yn-1-yl)-2-(1-naphthyl)imidazolidin-1-yl]acrylate

Compounds with propargylamine moiety are useful synthetic precursors of several important classes of nitrogen-containing heterocycles. The title compound, methyl (2E)-3-[3-benzyl-2-(3-methoxy-3-oxoprop-1-yn-1-yl)-2-(1-naphthyl)imidazolidine-1-yl]acrylate, has been prepared by domino-reaction, employing easily available 1-benzyl-2-(1-naphthyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazole and methyl propiolate in a high 92% yield. The structure of title compound was determined using 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, UV, FT-IR and HRMS (High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry).