Deprotometalation-iodolysis and computed CH acidity of 1,2,3- and 1,2,4-triazoles. Application to the synthesis of resveratrol analogues

1-Aryl- and 2-aryl-1,2,3-triazoles were synthesized by N-arylation of the corresponding azoles using aryl iodides. The deprotometalations of 1-phenyl-1,2,3-triazole and -1,2,4-triazole were performed using a 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidino-based mixed lithium-zinc combination and occurred at the most acidic site, affording by iodolysis the 5-substituted derivatives. Dideprotonation was noted from 1-(2-thienyl)-1,2,4-triazole by increasing the amount of base. From 2-phenyl-1,2,3-triazoles, and in particular from 2-(4-trifluoromethoxy)phenyl-1,2,3-triazole, reactions at the 4 position of the triazolyl, but also ortho to the triazolyl on the phenyl group, were observed. The results were analyzed with the help of the CH acidities of the substrates, determined in THF solution using the DFT B3LYP method. 4-Iodo-2-phenyl-1,2,3-triazole and 4-iodo-2-(2-iodophenyl)-1,2,3-triazole were next involved in Suzuki coupling reactions to furnish the corresponding 4-arylated and 4,2'-diarylated derivatives. When evaluated for biological activities, the latter (which are resveratrol analogues) showed moderate antibacterial activity and promising antiproliferative effect against MDA-MB-231 cell line.

Deproto-metallation of N-arylated pyrroles and indoles using a mixed lithium-zinc base and regioselectivity-computed CH acidity relationship

The synthesis of N-arylated pyrroles and indoles is documented, as well as their functionalization by deprotonative metallation using the base in situ prepared from LiTMP and ZnCl2·TMEDA (1/3 equiv). With N-phenylpyrrole and -indole, the reactions were carried out in hexane containing TMEDA which regioselectively afforded the 2-iodo derivatives after subsequent iodolysis. With pyrroles and indoles bearing N-substituents such as 2-thienyl, 3-pyridyl, 4-methoxyphenyl and 4-bromophenyl, the reactions all took place on the substituent, at the position either adjacent to the heteroatom (S, N) or ortho to the heteroatom-containing substituent (OMe, Br). The CH acidities of the substrates were determined in THF solution using the DFT B3LYP method in order to rationalize the experimental results.

Palladium-catalyzed oxidative C–H/C–H cross-coupling of 1-substituted 1,2,3-triazoles with furans and thiophenes

Palladium-catalyzed heteroarylation of 1-substituted 1,2,3-triazoles with furans and thiophenes has been developed in the presence of pyridine and Ag₂CO₃.

Synthesis of C,N'-linked bis-heterocycles using a deprotometalation-iodination-N-arylation sequence and evaluation of their antiproliferative activity in melanoma cells

Benzothiophene, benzofuran, benzothiazole and benzoxazole were deprotometalated using the lithium-zinc combination prepared from ZnCl2·TMEDA (TMEDA=N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine, 1equiv) and lithium 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidide (LiTMP, 3equiv). Subsequent interception of the 2-metalated derivatives using iodine as electrophile led to the iodides in 81%, 82%, 67% and 42% yields, respectively. These yields are higher (10% more) than those obtained using ZnCl2·TMEDA (0.5equiv) and LiTMP (1.5equiv), except in the case of benzoxazole (10% less). The crude iodides were involved in the N-arylation of pyrrole, indole, carbazole, pyrazole, indazole, imidazole and benzimidazole in the presence of Cu (0.2equiv) and Cs2CO3 (2equiv), and using acetonitrile as solvent (no other ligand) to provide after 24h reflux the expected N-arylated azoles in yields ranging from 33% to 81%. Using benzotriazole also led to N-arylation products, but in lower 34%, 39%, 36% and 6% yields, respectively. A further study with this azole evidenced the impact of 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine on the N-arylation yields. Most of the C,N'-linked bis-heterocycles thus synthesized (in particular those containing benzimidazole) induced a high growth inhibition of A2058 melanoma cells after a 72h treatment at 10(-5)M.

TMP (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidide)-aluminate bases: lithium-mediated alumination or lithiation–alkylaluminium-trapping reagents?

Surprisingly lithium TMP-aluminate reagents are not capable of directly aluminating anisole as previously thought but operateviasequential lithiation–alkylaluminium trapping.

Deproto-metallation using mixed lithium–zinc and lithium–copper bases and computed CH acidity of 2-substituted quinolines

The metallated quinolines were functionalized by iodolysis or aroylation.