Carbon-Carbon Bond Formation by Reaction of Rhodium Azavinylcarbenes with Secondary Amides: Access to Indigo Analogues from Isatins

Chemospecific C3- and C2-Olefinations of Isatins by TfOH-Promoted Tandem Aldol-Grob and Semiacetalization-Grob Fragmentations

A novel method for TfOH-promoted chemospecific C3- and C2-olefinations of isatins is developed, which offers the first examples of Grob fragmentation using isatins and amides as substrates.

Coupling of acceptor-substituted diazo compounds and tertiary thioamides: synthesis of enamino carbonyl compounds and their pharmacological evaluation

This paper describes the synthesis of enamino carbonyl compounds by the copper(i)-catalyzed coupling of acceptor-substituted diazo compounds and tertiary thioamides. We plan to use this method to synthesize indolizidine (-)-237D analogs to find α6-selective antismoking agents. Therefore, we also performed in silico α6-nAchRs binding studies of selected products. Compounds with low root-mean-square deviation values showed more favorable binding free energies. We also report preliminary pharmacokinetic data on indolizidine (-)-237D and found it to have weak activity at CYP3A4. In addition, as enamino carbonyl compounds are also known for antimicrobial properties, we screened previously reported and new enamino carbonyl compounds for antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antifungal properties. Eleven compounds showed significant antimicrobial activities.

Copper-Catalyzed Oxidative C(sp3)-H/C(sp3)-H Cross-Coupling Reaction of 3-Methylbenzo[c]isoxazoles with Methyl Ketones: Access to Indigoid Analogues

A copper-catalyzed oxidative C(sp³)-H/C(sp³)-H cross-coupling reaction of methyl ketones and 3-methylbenzo[c]isoxazoles has been developed for the direct synthesis of 3-oxoindolin-2-ylidene derivatives. This process involves an intermolecular nucleophilic addition/ring-opening/aza-Michael addition cascade, providing indigoid analogues with high atom economy and as single isomers exclusively under mild conditions.

Catalytic Insertion Reactions of α-Imino Carbenoids

Over the past decade, α-imino carbenoids generated via transition metal (such as rhodium, nickel, copper, palladium, silver) catalyzed denitrogenative ring-opening of N-sulfonyl-1,2,3-triazoles have found an extensive account of applications in synthetic organic chemistry. Particularly, they have been widely utilized as a donor/acceptor carbene complex in a range of transformations leading to diverse nitrogen containing compounds and heterocycles. Along the same direction, 3-diazoindolin-2-imines were successfully applied as an alternative source of α-imino carbenoid precursors for the development of a number of methodologies to access diverse indole derivatives. This review summarizes the insertion reactions of α-imino metal carbenes derived from N-sulfonyl-1,2,3-triazoles and 3-diazoindolin-2-imines.

Insights into the Mechanisms and Chemoselectivities of Carbamates and Amides in Reactions Involving Rh(II)-Azavinylcarbene: A Computational Study

Reactions involving Rh(II)-azavinylcarbenes (Rh(II)-AVCs) to synthesize nitrogen-containing compounds have attracted significant research interest. Despite the importance of these reactions, controlling the chemoselectivities in the reactions involving Rh(II)-AVC remains a challenge. To understand the mechanisms and factors controlling the chemoselectivities between N-H and C═O groups of carbamates and amides in reactions involving Rh(II)-AVC, computational studies were employed. The results reveal that not only the greater nucleophilicity of the N-H group than that of the carbonyl group, but also the presence of H-bonding interactions, could favor the addition of the N-H group of primary carbamates to Rh(II)-AVC. However, for secondary carbamates and amides, they could undergo either chemoselective N-H or C═O addition. Secondary carbamates with less steric hindrance, such as oxazolidinone, prefer the N-H addition mode. However, a switch in chemoselectivity (preference for the C═O addition) was revealed for the sterically hindered secondary carbamates/amides. In addition, a possible O-H addition pathway via the keto-enol tautomerization for isatin and isatoic anhydride was disregarded due to the energetically demanding barrier. Instead, a pathway involving the chemoselective C═O addition, formal [3 + 2] cycloaddition, followed by ring opening was proposed. The origins of the chemoselectivity and the factors responsible were addressed.

Diastereoselective access to 2-aminoindanonesviathe rhodium(ii)-catalyzed tandem reaction involving O–H insertion and Michael addition

A rhodium(ii)-catalyzed tandem reaction involving O–H insertion ofN-sulfonyl 1,2,3-triazoles and Michael addition has been described. A series of 2-amino-1-indanones were afforded in acceptable to good yields with high diastereoselectivities.

Rhodium(ii)-catalyzed divergent intramolecular tandem cyclization of N- or O-tethered cyclohexa-2,5-dienones with 1-sulfonyl-1,2,3-triazole: synthesis of cyclopropa[cd]indole and benzofuran derivatives

A novel rhodium(ii)-catalyzed divergent intramolecular tandem cyclization of N- or O-tethered cyclohexa-2,5-dienones and 1-sulfonyl-1,2,3-triazole is disclosed, affording cyclopropa[cd]indole and benzofuran derivatives in moderate to good yields.

Interception of Secondary Amide Ylide with Sulfonamides: Catalyst-Controlled Synthesis of N-Sulfonylamidine Derivatives

A novel, secondary amide activation strategy has been developed through the in situ generation of ylides from amides and diazoacetates. Under the developed reaction conditions, Mn-catalyzed ylide formation and interception reaction by sulfonamide delivered a variety of N-sulfonylamidines. Notably, when highly active Zn(OTf)₂ was used as the catalyst, further N-H insertion products were obtained. In contrast with traditional methods, our amide activation strategy is distinguished by accessible starting material, inexpensive catalyst, and broad substrate scope.

Understanding the chemoselectivities between carbonyl and hydroxyl groups in the Rh(ii)–azavinyl carbene involved reactions

Computational studies were carried out to understand the chemoselectivities between carbonyl and hydroxyl groups in the Rh(ii)–AVC involved reactions.