Synthesis of allyl cyanamides and N-cyanoindoles via the palladium-catalyzed three-component coupling reaction

Cyanation with isocyanides: recent advances and perspectives

Cyanation has attracted considerable attention in organic synthesis because nitriles are key structural motifs in numerous important dyes, agrochemicals, natural products and drug molecules. As the fourth generation of cyanating reagents, isocyanides occupy a prominent place in the synthesis of nitriles due to their favorable stability, easy operability and high reactivity. In recent years, three types of cyanation with isocyanides have been established: the cleavage of the C-NC bond of tertiary alkyl isocyanides (Type I), the rearrangement of aryl isocyanides with azides (Type II), and the reductive cyanation of ketones with α-acidic isocyanides (Type III). This review focuses on advances in cyanation with isocyanides with an emphasis on reaction scope, limitations and mechanisms, which could reveal their remarkable value and superiority for accessing various nitriles. In addition, the future development prospects of this specific field are also introduced. We believe that this feature article will serve as a comprehensive tool to navigate cyanation with isocyanides across the vast area of synthetic chemistry.

Bicyclic Amidine-Triggered Cyclization of o-Alkynylisocyanobenzenes: Synthesis of Lactam-Derived Quinolines

Efficient access to the synthesis of lactam-derived quinoline through a bicyclic amidine-triggered cyclization reaction from readily prepared o-alkynylisocyanobenzenes has been developed. The reaction was initiated by nucleophilic attack of the bicyclic amidines to o-alkynylisocyanobenzenes, subsequently with intramolecular cyclization to produce a DBU-quinoline-based amidinium salt, followed by hydrolysis to afford the lactam-derived quinoline in moderate to good yields.

Uncatalyzed Synthesis of Unsymmetrical Indole-substituted Methane Derivatives via One-pot Multicomponent Reactions under Solvent-free Conditions

Abstract:

For the first time, one-pot multicomponent reactions containing indole, aromatic aldehydes, and dimedone have been achieved in the absence of a catalyst under solvent-free conditions. A class of unsymmetrical indole-substituted methane derivatives and symmetrical diindolylmethanes has been synthesized through this green organic synthetic method. Based on experimental results, a reasonable mechanism for this condensation is emphasized here.

N-Cyanation of Primary and Secondary Amines with Cyanobenzio-doxolone (CBX) Reagent

An efficient electrophilic N-cyanation of amines with a stable and less-toxic cyanobenziodoxole reagent towards the synthesis of cyanamides is disclosed. This synthetically practicable strategy allows the construction of a wide variety of cyanamides under very mild and simple conditions with a broad functional group compatibility, and showcases a huge potential in late-stage modification of complex molecules.

Advances in palladium-catalysed imidoylative cyclization of functionalized isocyanides for the construction of N-heterocycles

Palladium-catalysed isocyanide insertion reactions have witnessed great progress in recent years. In particular, imidoylative cyclization of functionalized isocyanides was successfully developed by taking advantage of the adjustable substituents on the isocyano group, opening a new avenue to access a variety of nitrogen-containing heterocycles. In this review article, we summarize the advances of functionalized isocyanide insertion reactions and highlight the breakthroughs of enantioselective palladium catalysed imidoylation reactions by using this strategy. Additionally, copper-catalysed cyclization reactions of functionalized isocyanides are briefly discussed.

Sequential Sonogashira/intramolecular aminopalladation/cross-coupling of ortho-ethynyl-anilines catalyzed by a single palladium source: rapid access to 2,3-diarylindoles

We have developed a practical and efficient one-pot protocol for the synthesis of 2,3-diarylindoles via Pd-catalyzed bis-arylative cyclization of various o-ethynylanilines with aryl iodides. Mechanism studies showed that a Pd-catalyzed Sonogashira reaction took place firstly, giving an internal alkyne intermediate, which subsequently underwent intramolecular aminopalladation/cross-coupling to give access to 2,3-diarylindoles. The present methodology exhibits a broad substrate scope, producing various 2,3-diaryl indoles bearing two different aryl groups.

Nanofibrils of a CuII-Thiophenyltriazine-Based Porous Polymer: A Diverse Heterogeneous Nanocatalyst

Herein, we report knitting of a thiophenyltriazine-based porous organic polymer (TTPOP) with high surface area and high abundance of nitrogen and sulfur sites, synthesized through a simple one-step Friedel-Crafts reaction of 2,4,6-tri(thiophen-2-yl)-1,3,5-triazine and formaldehyde dimethyl acetal in the presence of anhydrous FeCl₃, and thereafter grafting of Cu(OAc)₂·H₂O in the porous polymer framework to achieve the potential catalyst (Cu^II-TTPOP). TTPOP and Cu^II-TTPOP were characterized thoroughly utilizing solid-state ¹³C-CP MAS NMR, Fourier transform infrared, wide-angle powder X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and surface imaging by transmission electron microscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy. The porosity of the nanomaterials was observed in the surface imaging and verified through conducting N₂ gas adsorption techniques. Keeping in mind the tremendous importance of C-C and C-N coupling and cyclization processes, the newly synthesized Cu^II-TTPOP was employed successfully for a wide range of organic catalytic transformations under mild conditions to afford directly valuable diindolylmethanes and spiro-analogues, phthalimidines, propargyl amines, and their sugar-based chiral compounds with high yields using readily available substrates. The highly stable new heterogeneous catalyst showed outstanding sustainability, robustness, simple separation, and recyclability.

A Microwave Accelerated Sustainable Approach for the Synthesis of 2-amino-4H-chromenes Catalysed by WEPPA: A Green Strategy

Background:

The agricultural wastes as a source offer an excellent alternative to replace many toxic and environmentally hazardous catalysts, due to their least toxicity, ease of biodegradability, and ability to act as a greener catalytic medium. Some of the agro-waste based catalysts reported are BFE, WERSA, WEB, and WEPBA. 2-Amino-4H-chromene derivatives are promising biologically potent heterocyclic compounds, due to their medicinal applications such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, anticancer, antidiuretic, anticoagulant and antianaphylactic activities. The present work describes a microwave accelerated, efficient, eco-friendly and economical approach for the synthesis of 2-amino-4H-chromenes through condensation of substituted arylaldehyde, malononitrile and resorcinol/naphthol catalyzed water extract of pomegranate peel ash (WEPPA) under microwave irradiation. The reaction completed within 3-6 min with good to excellent yield of product isolation. The final product isolated by simple filtration and recrystallization gave a spectroscopically pure form of product and did not require further purification.

Methods:

The pomegranate peel ash water extract as an agro-waste derived catalyst was employed under microwave irradiation for the economical synthesis of 2-amino-4H-chromene derivatives.

Results:

The reported agro-waste based catalyst was obtained in the absence of external base, additives and solvent-free synthesis of 2-amino-4H-chromene using aryl aldehyde, malononitrile and resorcinol/ naphthol under microwave irradiation. WEPPA acts as a solvent media and catalyst, as it plays a dual role in the synthesis of 2-amino-4H-chromenes.

Conclusion:

We established an efficient, simple, agro-waste based catalytic approach for the synthesis of 2-amino-4H-chromene derivatives from the condensation of arylaldehyde, malononitrile and resorcinol/α-naphthol/β-naphthol employing WEPPA as an efficient catalyst under microwave synthesis. The method has found to be a greener, economic and eco-friendly approach for the synthesis of chromene scaffolds. The advantages of the present approach are solvent-free, no external metal, chemical base free, short reaction time and isolated product in good to excellent yields. The catalyst is agro-waste derived, which has abundant natural sources available, thus making the present approach a greener one.

To each his own: isonitriles for all flavors. Functionalized isocyanides as valuable tools in organic synthesis

The term functionalized isocyanides refers to all those isocyanides in which a neighbouring functional group can finely tune the reactivity of the isocyano group or can be exploited in post-functionalization processes. In this manuscript, we have reviewed all the isocyanides in which the pendant functional group causes either deviation from or reinforces the normal reactivity of the isocyano group and categorized them to highlight their common features and differences. An analysis of their synthetic potential and the possible unexplored directions for future research studies is also addressed.

Silver(i) catalyzed intramolecular cyclization of N-(2-(alk-1-yn-1-yl))-1H-tetrazoles leading to the formation of N-cyano-2-substituted indoles under ambient conditions

Synthesis of N-heterocycles from N-(2-(alk-1-yn-1-yl))tetrazoles to obtain N-cyano 2-substituted indoles as selective products.

CuI-Catalyzed intramolecular aminocyanation of terminal alkynes in N-(2-ethynylphenyl)-N-sulfonylcyanamides via Cu-vinylidene intermediates

CuI-Catalyzed intramolecular aminocyanation of terminal alkynes in N-(2-ethynylphenyl)-N-sulfonylcyanamides was initiated by the formation of Cu-acetylide to trigger N-CN bond cleavage of the N-sulfonylcyanamide moiety followed by CN migration to form a β-cyano Cu-vinylidene intermediate. Subsequently, the indole ring closure furnished the corresponding 1-sulfonyl-3-cyanoindoles.

Ketenimines from Isocyanides and Allyl Carbonates: Palladium-Catalyzed Synthesis of β,γ-Unsaturated Amides and Tetrazoles

The reaction of allyl ethyl carbonates with isocyanides in the presence of a catalytic amount of Pd(OAc)₂ provided ketenimines through β-hydride elimination of the allyl imidoylpalladium intermediates. The insertion of the isocyanide into the π-allyl Pd complex proceeded via an unusual η¹ -allyl Pd species. The resulting ketenimines were hydrolyzed to β,γ-unsaturated carboxamides during purification by flash column chromatography on silica gel or converted in situ into 1,5-disubstituted tetrazoles by [3+2] cycloaddition with hydrazoic acid or trimethylsilyl azide.

Transition-metal free N-arylation of cyanamides by diaryliodonium triflates in aqueous media

Various disubstituted cyanamides were constructed through transition-metal free N-arylation of cyanamides by diaryliodonium triflates under aqueous conditions with good yields.

Highly selective intramolecular addition of C–N and S–N bonds to alkynes catalyzed by palladium: a practical access to two distinct functional indoles

Palladium-catalyzed highly selective intramolecular addition of C–N and S–N bonds to alkynes has been achieved, and two distinct kinds of functional indoles were synthesized rapidly from the same set of substrates in a catalyst-controlled manner.

Divergent synthesis of indoles, oxindoles, isocoumarins and isoquinolinones by general Pd-catalyzed retro-aldol/α-arylation

Divergent synthesis of indoles, oxindoles, isocoumarins and isoquinolinones is achieved by a general Pd-catalyzed retro-aldol reaction of β-hydroxy ketones/esters with aryl halides bearing an ortho-nitro, -ester or -nitrile group. DFT insights have been presented to rationalize the experimental observations and the chemoselectivity.

Synthesis of allylated quinolines/isoquinolines via palladium-catalyzed cyclization-allylation of azides and allyl methyl carbonate

A novel and efficient strategy for one-step synthesis of allylated quinolines and isoquinolines via palladium-catalyzed cyclization-allylation of azides and allyl methyl carbonate is developed for the first time. The results indicated that the regioselective synthesis of allyl- and diallyl-substituted quinolines/isoquinolines depends on different substituted groups at R(1) and R(4) positions, such as H or other groups. The reactions proceed smoothly in the presence of Pd(PPh3)4 and K3PO4 or NaOAc in DMF at 100 °C to give the corresponding allyl- and diallyl-substituted quinolines and isoquinolines in good to high yields.

Excellent catalytic activity of magnetically recoverable Fe3O4–graphene oxide nanocomposites prepared by a simple method

An easy-to-prepare Fe₃O₄–graphene oxide nanocomposite which works well as a reusable catalyst for A³-coupling reactions.

Catalytic Isonitrile Insertions and Condensations Initiated by RNC-X Complexation

Isonitriles are delicately poised chemical entities capable of being coaxed to react as nucleophiles or electrophiles. Directing this tunable reactivity with metal and non-metal catalysts provides rapid access to a large array of complex nitrogenous structures ideally functionalized for medicinal applications. Isonitrile insertion into transition metal complexes has featured in numerous synthetic and mechanistic studies, leading to rapid deployment of isonitriles in numerous catalytic processes, including multicomponent reactions (MCR). Covering the literature from 1990-2014, the present review collates reaction types to highlight reactivity trends and allow catalyst comparison.

Synthesis of 3-acyl-2-arylindole via palladium-catalyzed isocyanide insertion and oxypalladation of alkyne

The synthesis of 3-acyl-2-arylindole derivatives was performed through palladium-catalyzed isocyanide insertion and oxypalladation of an alkyne. As a result of the introduction of internal nucleophiles, domino cyclization was also achieved for the synthesis of several tetracyclic indole derivatives. Imidoylpalladium generated by isocyanide insertion is a key intermediate in these reactions.

[3,3]-Sigmatropic rearrangement step in the gold-catalyzed cyclization of allyl-(ortho-alkinylphenyl)methyl ethers

The gold-catalyzed conversion of allyl-(ortho-alkynylphenyl)methyl ethers was investigated, and allylated isochromenes were obtained. An optimization of the catalysis conditions with respect to different phosphane and carbene ligands on gold, different counterions, and different solvents was conducted. Subsequently, the scope and limitations of this reaction were investigated with 21 substrates. The mechanistic studies show an allylic inversion, as supported by NMR data and an X-ray crystal structure analysis, as well as an intermolecular reaction, as determined by crossover experiments. There is no competition of protodeauration even in the presence of water. All these observations differ from other related conversions and clearly indicate product formation by a [3,3]sigmatropic rearrangement in the step forming the new C-C bond.