Ru-Catalyzed [3 + 2] Cycloaddition of Nitrile Oxides and Electron-Rich Alkynes with Reversed Regioselectivity

tert-Butyl Nitrite (TBN)-Enabled Tandem C-H Bond Oxidation/C-N Bond Cleavage/[3+2] Cycloaddition of 1-Nitromethyltetrahydroisoquinoline Derivatives: Construction of Multifunctionalized Isoxazole and Isoxazoline Skeletons

A TBN-enabled tandem C-H bond oxidation/C-N bond cleavage/[3+2] cycloaddition of 1-nitromethyltetrahydroisoquinolines was realized, constructing a series of multifunctionalized isoxazole and isoxazoline skeletons in the presence of alkynes and alkenes, respectively. Various functional groups were smoothly tolerated, and the mechanistic study revealed that the construction of isoxazole and isoxazoline rings is mediated by the in situ generated nitrile oxides.

Organocatalytic Deoxygenative [3+2] Cycloaddition of N-Hydroxyamides with Alkynes to Access Isoxazoles

Although the transition-metal-catalyzed [3+2] cycloadditions to access isoxazoles have been described well, organocatalytic methods remain underdeveloped. Herein, we report the use of an organophosphine catalyst for the preparation of a series of isoxazoles with exceptional regioselectivity via the [3+2] cycloaddition of N-hydroxyamides and alkynes. The scope of this organocatalytic transformation is broad, tolerating numerous functional groups and proceeding uniformly in an environmentally friendly, simple, and efficient manner.

Regiodivergent Synthesis of 4- and 5-Sulfenyl Oxazoles from Alkynyl Thioethers

The regiodivergent synthesis of 4- and 5-sulfenyl oxazoles from 1,4,2-dioxazoles and alkynyl thioethers has been achieved. Gold-catalysed conditions are used to favour the formation of 5-sulfenyl oxazoles via β-selective attack of the nitrenoid relative to the sulfenyl group. In contrast, 4-sulfenyl oxazoles are formed by α-selective reaction under Brønsted acid conditions from the same substrates. The nature of stabilising gold-sulfur interactions have been investigated by natural bond orbital analysis, showing that the S→Au interactions are significantly stronger in the intermediate that favours the 5-sulfenyl oxazoles. A kinetic survey identifies catalyst inhibition processes. This study into the regiodivergent methods includes the development of telescoped annulation-oxidation protocols for regioselective access to oxazole sulfoxides and sulfones.

Chromatography Scrutiny, Molecular Docking, Clarifying the Selectivities and the Mechanism of [3 + 2] Cycloloaddition Reaction between Linallol and Chlorobenzene-Nitrile-oxide

Employing the Molecular Electron Density Theory, [3 + 2] cycloaddition processes between 4-chlorobenzenenitrileoxide and linalool, have been applied using the DFT/B3LYP/6-311(d,p) method, activation, reaction energies and the reactivity indices are calculated. In an investigation of conceptual DFT indices, LIL-1 will contribute to this reaction as a nucleophile, whilst NOX-2 will participate as an electrophile. This cyclization is regio, chemo and stereospecific, as demonstrated by the reaction and activation energies, in clear agreement with the experiment's results, in addition, ELF analysis revealed that the mechanism for this cycloaddition occurs in two steps. Furthermore, a docking study was conducted on the products studied, and the interaction with the protein protease COVID-19 (PDB ID: 6LU7), our results indicate that the presence of the -OH group increases the affinity of these products, moreover, adsorption study by chromatography was made on silica gel as support; our outcome reveals that the -OH group creates an intramolecular hydrogen bond in the product P2, while in the product P3 will create a hydrogen bond with the silica gel which makes the two products P2 and P3 are very easy to separate by chromatography, this result is in excellent agreement with the Rf retention value. The study might provide a fundamental for developing natural anti-viral compound in promoting human health.

Lewis Acid-Catalyzed Formal [4 + 2] Reaction of Alkynyl Sulfides and 2-Pyrones To Access Polysubstituted Aryl Sulfides

A practical and efficient method to access polysubstituted aryl sulfides has been discovered via a Lewis acid-catalyzed reaction between alkynyl sulfide and 2-pyrone, involving a Diels-Alder/retro-Diels-Alder pathway. Alkynyl sulfide as an electron-rich dienophile and 2-pyrones as electron-poor dienes are conjunctively transformed into a series of polysubstituted aryl sulfides with broad functional group compatibility in good to excellent yields (40 examples, 43-88% yield). The robustness and practicality of the protocol has been demonstrated through gram-scale synthesis and the ease of transformation of the resulting products.

Heterodifunctionalization of Electron-Rich Alkynes Catalyzed by in Situ Generated Silylium Ions

Silylium ions are versatile Lewis acids in organic synthesis. While they have been well-known for the activation of σ donors, catalysis initiated by the activation of π donors remains underdeveloped, particularly for alkynes. Herein, we demonstrate an example of silylium-catalyzed alkyne heterodifunctionalization. The silylium ion generated in situ from HNTf2 and the silyl reagent serve as superior catalysts in the efficient silylphosphination and silylcyanation of electron-rich alkynes with excellent regio- and stereoselectivity. The compatibility of this protocol with strongly coordinating ligands (Ph2P and CN) not only complements the metal-catalyzed systems but also expands the scope of silylium-catalyzed reactions.

Organic Base-Facilitated Thiol-Thioalkyne Reaction with Exclusive Regio- and Stereoselectivity

Here, we report the regiospecific hydrothiolation of electron-rich thioalkynes with exclusive stereoselectivity facilitated by an organic base, which could proceed exceedingly fast under ambient atmosphere and room temperature, affording β trans addition products in up to nearly quantitative yields. The dual nature of the sulfur atom in attracting and donating electrons is supposed to be pivotal in determining the regio- and stereoselectivity. This system tolerates a wide range of thiols and thioalkynes and shows great potential in polymer synthesis.

Regiodivergent (3 + 2) annulation reactions of oxyallyl cations

We report a new method for the regiodivergent dearomative (3 + 2) reaction between 3-substituted indoles and oxyallyl cations. Access to both regioisomeric products is possible and is contingent on the presence or absence of a bromine atom on the substituted oxyallyl cation. In this way, we are able to prepare molecules that contain highly-hindered, stereodefined, vicinal, quaternary centers. Detailed computational studies employing energy decomposition analysis (EDA) at the DFT level establishes that regiochemical control arises from either reactant distortion energy or orbital mixing and dispersive forces, depending on the oxyallyl cation. Examination of the Natural Orbitals for Chemical Valence (NOCV) confirms that indole acts as the nucleophilic partner in the annulation reaction.

Oxidative [3+2]Cycloaddition of Alkynylphosphonates with Heterocyclic N-Imines: Synthesis of Pyrazolo[1,5-a]Pyridine-3-phosphonates

A series of pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridine-3-ylphosphonates were prepared with moderate to good yields by the oxidative [3+2]cycloaddition of 2-subtituted ethynylphosphonates with in situ generated pyridinium-N-imines and their annulated analogs. 2-Aliphatic and 2-Ph acetylenes demonstrate low activity, and the corresponding pyrazolopyridines were achieved with a moderate yield in the presence of 10 mol% Fe(NO₃)₃·9H₂O. At the same time, tetraethyl ethynylbisphosphonate, diethyl 2-TMS- and 2-OPh-ethynylphosphonates possess much greater reactivity and the corresponding pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridines, and their annulated derivatives were obtained with good to excellent yields without any catalyst. 2-Halogenated ethynylphosphonates also readily reacted with pyridinium-N-imines, forming complex mixtures containing poor amounts of 2-halogenated pyrazolopyridines.

Palladium-Catalyzed Highly Chemo- and Stereoselective Bisthiolation of Terminal Alkynes with Allyl Phenyl Sulfides via C-S Bond Cleavage

A facile and general method for palladium-catalyzed stereoselective bisthiolation of terminal alkynes with allyl phenyl sulfides has been developed. The scope and versatility of the reaction have been demonstrated, and a broad range of substrates bearing electron-donating and -withdrawing groups on the aromatic rings were all compatible with this reaction, providing the desired (Z)-1,2-dithio-1-alkenes in moderate to good yields. Preliminary mechanistic studies demonstrated that the sulfur source of the desired products may be successively incorporated into alkynes via C-S bond cleavage of two molecules of allyl phenyl sulfides and ruled out the possibility of vinyl sulfides, alkynyl sulfides, and disulfide intermediates being involved in this reaction.

2,2,2-Trifluoroacetaldehyde O-(Aryl)oxime: A Precursor of Trifluoroacetonitrile

The preparation of 2,2,2-trifluoroacetaldehyde O-(aryl)oxime, a previously inaccessible precursor of trifluoroacetonitrile, via reaction of hydroxylamine and trifluoroacetaldehyde hydrate is reported. This precursor released CF₃CN in quantitative yield under mildly basic conditions. The precursor was successfully used in the synthesis of trifluoromethylated oxadiazoles. The facile, cost-effective, scalable, and recyclable procedure makes these trifluoroacetonitrile precursors generally applicable.

Synthesis of novel chiral spiro-β-lactams from nitrile oxides and 6-(Z)-(benzoylmethylene)penicillanate: batch, microwave-induced and continuous flow methodologies

The first examples of the diastereoselective 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of nitrile oxides and 6-alkylidene penicillanates leading to chiral spiroisoxazoline-penicillanates are reported. The synthesis of this new type of penicillanate involved the selective generation of two consecutive stereogenic centers, including a quaternary chiral center. Furthermore, the present work also describes the outcomes of these 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions under three distinct reaction conditions (conventional heating, microwave irradiation and continuous flow). The successful use of the continuous flow technique as well as the proper selection of the reaction media allowed the development of a sustainable route to chiral spiroisoxazoline-penicillanates.

The first examples of the diastereoselective 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of nitrile oxides and 6-alkylidene penicillanates leading to chiral spiroisoxazoline-penicillanates are reported.