Reactivity of Arynes for Arene Dearomatization

Copper-Catalyzed and 1,3-Sulfonyl Migration Enabled Installation of Azaindoles in the Periphery of Aryl Rings: Synthesis of Sulfonylated Pyrrolo[2,3-b]quinolines and Investigation of Antimalarial Potency

Herein, an atom efficient and one-pot protocol, offering a series of sulfonylated pyrrolo[2,3-b]quinolines via C-N, C-C, and C-S bond formation, has been developed with an inexpensive copper catalyst. Notably, the reaction proceeds via a double-annulation reaction followed by a 1,3-sulfonyl migration sequence. Moreover, the method is applicable to a broad range of 2-carbonylanilines. Furthermore, synthetic applications and the scale-up reaction highlight the utility potential of this protocol. In addition, the antimalarial property of sulfonylated pyrrolo[2,3-b]quinolines showed parasite inhibition without cytotoxic effects in mammalian cells.

Aryne Chemistry: Generation Methods and Reactions Incorporating Multiple Arynes

Arynes hold significance for the efficient fusion of (hetero) arenes with diverse substrates, advancing the construction of complex molecular frameworks. Employing multiple equivalents of arynes is particularly effective in the rapid formation of polycyclic cores found in optoelectronic materials and bioactive compounds. However, the inherent reactivity of arynes often leads to side reactions, yielding unanticipated products and underlining the importance of a detailed investigation into the use of multiple arynes to fine-tune their reactivity. This review centers on methodologies and syntheses in organic reactions involving multiple arynes, categorizing based on mechanisms like cycloadditions, σ-bond insertions, nucleophilic additions, and ene reactions, and discusses aryne polymerization. The categorization based on these mechanisms includes two primary approaches: the first entails multiple aryne engagement within a single step while the second approach involves using a single equivalent of aryne sequentially across multiple steps, with both requiring strict reactivity control to ensure precise aryne participation in each respective step. Additionally, the review provides an in-depth analysis of the selection of aryne precursors, organized chronologically and by activation strategy, offering a comprehensive background that supports the main theme of multiple aryne utilization. The expectation remains that this comprehensive review will be invaluable in designing advanced syntheses engaging multiple arynes.

Selectivity in the Formal [2 + 2 + 2] Cycloaromatization of Enyne-Allenes Generated by the Alder-ene Reaction from Triynes

1,3-Diynyl propiolates undergo the Alder-ene reaction to generate enyne-allenes, which participate in the Diels-Alder reaction to provide products of a formal [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaromatization of three alkynes. Without an external alkyne, enyne-allene reacts with one of the alkyne moieties of 1,3-diynyl propiolate, whereas external alkynes can be used to trap enyne-allene to provide various arene products. The substituents on the dienophilic alkynes have a profound impact on their reactivity. In this Diels-Alder reaction, 1,3-diynes display higher reactivity than monoynes; thus, an excess amount (4-5 equiv) of external monoynes needs to be employed to get good product selectivity.

Hydrosilylation of Arynes with Silanes and Silicon-Based Polymer

Benzyne derived from hexadehydrogenated Diels Alder (HDDA) reactions was found to be an efficient hydrosilylation acceptors. Various silanes can react smoothly with HDDA-derived benzyne to give the arylation products. Lewis acid such as boron trifluoride etherate can accelerate these hydrosilylation reactions. Polyhydromethylsiloxane (PHMS), a widely used organosilicon polymer, was also successfully modified using our method. About 5 % of Si-H bonds in the polymer were inserted by benzynes, giving a functional PHMS with much more solubility in methanol and with a blue-emitting fluorescence behavior. Mechanism research shows that the insertion of benzyne into the Si-H bond probably undergoes a synergistic pathway, which is quite different from the traditional radical-initiated hydrosilylation or transition-metal-catalyzed hydrosilylation.

1,3-Butadiynamides the Ethynylogous Ynamides: Synthesis, Properties and Applications in Heterocyclic Chemistry

1,3-butadiynamides-the ethynylogous variants of ynamides-receive considerable attention as precursors of complex molecular scaffolds for organic and heterocyclic chemistry. The synthetic potential of these C4-building blocks reveals itself in sophisticated transition-metal catalyzed annulation reactions and in metal-free or silver-mediated HDDA (Hexa-dehydro-Diels-Alder) cycloadditions. 1,3-Butadiynamides also gain significance as optoelectronic materials and in less explored views on their unique helical twisted frontier molecular orbitals (Hel-FMOs). The present account summarizes different methodologies for the synthesis of 1,3-butadiynamides followed by the description of their molecular structure and electronic properties. Finally, the surprisingly rich chemistry of 1,3-butadiynamides as versatile C4-building blocks in heterocyclic chemistry is reviewed by compiling their exciting reactivity, specificity and opportunities for organic synthesis. Besides chemical transformations and use in synthesis, a focus is set on the mechanistic understanding of the chemistry of 1,3-butadiynamides-suggesting that 1,3-butadiynamides are not just simple alkynes. These ethynylogous variants of ynamides have their own molecular character and chemical reactivity and reflect a new class of remarkably useful compounds.

Total synthesis of monoterpenoid indole alkaloid (–)-arbophyllidine

The first asymmetric total synthesis of (–)-arbophyllidine, an unusual pentacyclic monoterpenoid indole alkaloid, has been achieved.

Hexadehydro-Diels-Alder Reaction: Benzyne Generation via Cycloisomerization of Tethered Triynes

The hexadehydro-Diels-Alder (HDDA) reaction is the thermal cyclization of an alkyne and a 1,3-diyne to generate a benzyne intermediate. This is then rapidly trapped, in situ, by a variety of species to yield highly functionalized benzenoid products. In contrast to nearly all other methods of aryne generation, no other reagents are required to produce an HDDA benzyne. The versatile and customizable nature of the process has attracted much attention due not only to its synthetic potential but also because of the fundamental mechanistic insights the studies often afford. The authors have attempted to provide here a comprehensive compilation of publications appearing by mid-2020 that describe experimental results of HDDA reactions.

Selectivity between an Alder–ene reaction and a [2 + 2] cycloaddition in the intramolecular reactions of allene-tethered arynes

Substituent-dependent reactivity and selectivity in the intramolecular reactions of arynes tethered with an allene are described.

Synthesis of Imides, Imidates, Amidines, and Amides by Intercepting the Aryne-Isocyanide Adduct with Weak Nucleophiles

New aryne-based multicomponent coupling reactions for the formation of functionalized aromatic compounds have been developed. Arynes generated from triynes or tetraynes through the hexadehydro Diels-Alder reaction readily react with isocyanide to generate nitrilium intermediate. Intercepting this nitrilium species with various weak nucleophile including carboxylic acids, alcohols, sulfonamides, or water generated the corresponding imides, imidates, amidines, or amides. The high regioselectivity of these transformations was mainly controlled by the substituents of the arynes.

Versatile Dibenzothio[seleno]phenes via Hexadehydro-Diels-Alder Domino Cyclization

A facile strategy to synthesize highly substituted dibenzoselenophenes and dibenzothiophenes by a domino hexadehydro-Diels–Alder reaction is reported in this article. The formation of three new C–C bonds, one new Caryl–Se/Caryl–S bond, and C–H σ-bond migration via one-pot multiterminal cycloaddition reactions were involved in over three transformations. The target tetracyclic compounds were prepared from tetraynes with a triphenylphosphine selenide or triphenylphosphine sulfide. This reaction played a pivotal role in constructing natural thio[seleno]phene cores, which were highly substituted, and is a robust method for producing fused heterocycles.

Umpolung Reactivity of Ynamides: An Unconventional [1,3]-Sulfonyl and [1,5]-Sulfinyl Migration Cascade

A regioselective sulfonyl/sulfinyl migration cycloisomerization cascade of alkyne-tethered ynamides is developed in the presence of XPhosgold catalyst. This reaction is the first example of a general [1,3]-sulfonyl migration from the nitrogen center to the β-carbon atom of ynamides, followed by umpolung 5-endo-dig cyclization of the ynamide α-carbon atom to the gold-activated alkyne, and final deaurative [1,5]-sulfinylation. This process allows the synthesis of peripherally decorated unconventional 4-sulfinylated pyrroles with broad scope from N-propargyl-tethered ynamides. In contrast, N-homopropargyl-tethered ynamides undergo intramolecular tetradehydro Diels-Alder reaction to provide 2,3-dihydro-benzo[f]indole derivatives. Control experiments and density-functional theory studies were used to study the reaction pathways.

Direct methylation and carbonylation of in situ generated arynes via HDDA-Wittig coupling

A high-efficiency HDDA-Wittig coupling strategy for synthesis of fully functionalized benzenes is reported. Direct methylation and carbonylation of aryne intermediates reacted with phosphorus ylides to form the carbonylated 2,3-dihydro-1H-indenes.

BF3-Promoted, Carbene-like, C-H Insertion Reactions of Benzynes

Boron trifluoride is observed to promote a variety of C-H insertion reactions of benzynes bearing pendant alkyl groups. Computations and various mechanistic studies indicate that BF₃ engages the strained π-bond to confer carbene-like character on the adjacent, noncoordinated benzyne carbon. This represents an unprecedented catalytic role for a non-transition metal such as BF₃.