Construction of chiral N,O-hemiaminals via a copper-catalyzed enantioselective Michael/N-hemiacetalization cascade reaction

An efficient Michael/N-hemiacetalization cascade reaction of 5-aminoisoxazoles with β,γ-unsaturated α-ketoesters was developed under the catalysis of a chiral copper complex. A series of optically pure six-membered ring N,O-hemiaminals were obtained with excellent yields (up to 96% yield) and high enantioselectivities (up to 98% ee). The possible transition state was supported by DFT calculations and thereby the corresponding mechanism was proposed.

Lignin-Based Catalysts for C-C Bond-Forming Reactions

Carbon-carbon (C-C) bond formation is the key reaction in organic synthesis to construct the carbon framework of organic molecules. The continuous shift of science and technology toward eco-friendly and sustainable resources and processes has stimulated the development of catalytic processes for C-C bond formation based on the use of renewable resources. In this context, and among other biopolymer-based materials, lignin has attracted scientific attention in the field of catalysis during the last decade, either through its acid form or as a support for metal ions and metal nanoparticles that drive the catalytic activity. Its heterogeneous nature, as well as its facile preparation and low cost, provide competitive advantages over other homogeneous catalysts. In this review, we have summarized a variety of C-C formation reactions, such as condensations, Michael additions of indoles, and Pd-mediated cross-coupling reactions that were successfully carried out in the presence of lignin-based catalysts. These examples also involve the successful recovery and reuse of the catalyst after the reaction.

Synthetic Study of Dragmacidin E: Enantioselective Construction of the Seven-Membered Ring-Fused Indole Skeleton with Contiguous Stereocenters

We developed an enantioselective synthetic method of constructing a seven-membered ring-fused indole skeleton with contiguous stereocenters for the synthesis of dragmacidin E. Introduction of chirality at the benzylic position was achieved by Ir-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation. After construction of the tricyclic molecular framework using Pd-catalyzed cascade cyclization, the tetrasubstituted carbon center was created using the Ag nitrene-mediated C-H amination reaction. The developed method provided access to the functionalized seven-membered ring-fused indole skeleton with a hydroxymethyl branch in the tetrasubstituted carbon.

Increased catalytic activity through ZnMo7O24/g-C3N4 heterostructured assemblies for greener indole condensation reaction at room temperature

As an economical conjugated polymer, graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) has recently attracted much attention due to its exciting chemical and thermal stability and easy availability. Herein, we constructed a metal-coordinated graphitic carbon nitride (M–g-C₃N₄) catalyst through simple impregnation and calcination methods and used it as a new heterogeneous catalyst for the efficient synthesis of bis (indolyl) methanes and trisindolines under mild conditions. This reaction is performed efficiently in water as an environmentally friendly solvent at ambient conditions. The ZnMo₇O₂₄/g-C₃N₄ nanocomposite was synthesized by a simple method by immobilizing Mo₇O₂₄(NH₄)₆·4H₂O and ZnCl₂ on the surface of g-C₃N₄ under hydrothermal conditions. It was characterized by FT-IR, EDS, and electronic scanning microscopy (SEM). The metal doping of Mo and Zn on the surface of graphitic carbon nitride leads to the formation of a green catalyst that gives good to excellent yields of products in short reaction times with an easy working procedure. In addition, the ZnMo₇O₂₄/g-C₃N₄ catalyst could be reused at least five runs without apparent loss of efficiency.

Access to Polycyclic Indole-3,4-Fused Nine-Membered Ring via Cascade 1,6-Hydride Transfer/Cyclization

A cascade aldimine condensation/1,6-hydride transfer/Mannich-type cyclization of indole-derived phenylenediamine with aldehydes was developed for one-step construction of a polycyclic indole-3,4-fused skeleton. Aldehyde serves as a key to start the whole process, including 1,6-hydride transfer enabled δ-C(sp³)-H activation of the secondary amine. The challenges of construction of medium-sized rings are addressed via hydride transfer chemistry.

Construction of Polyfunctionalized 2,4-Dioxa-8-azaspiro[5.5]undec-9-enes and 2,4,8-Triazaspiro[5.5]undec-9-enes via a Domino [2+2+2] Cycloaddition Reaction

The three-component reaction of α,β-unsaturated N-arylaldimines, dialkyl but-2-ynedioates, and 2-arylidene Meldrum acids in DCM at room temperature gave mixtures of cis/trans-11-aryl-7-styryl-2,4-dioxa-8-azaspiro[5.5]undec-9-enes in satisfactory yields. The similar three-component reaction with 2-arylidene-N,N'-dimethylbarbituric acids afforded cis-11-phenyl-7-styryl-2,4,8-triazaspiro[5.5]undec-9-enes as major products. On the other hand, the three-component reaction of N-arylaldimines, dialkyl but-2-ynedioates, and 2-arylidene Meldrum acids or 2-arylidene-N,N'-dimethylbarbituric acids afforded cis/trans-isomeric spirocompounds in satisfactory yields with high diastereoselectivity. This domino [2+2+2] cycloaddition reaction proceeded with sequential nucleophilic addition of N-arylaldimine to an electron-deficient alkyne, Michael addition, and annulation process. The stereochemistry of all cis/trans isomeric spirocompounds was clearly elucidated by the determination of 33 single-crystal structures. The diastereoselectivity of the three-component reaction was correlated by DFT calculations.

A novel and robust heterogeneous Cu catalyst using modified lignosulfonate as support for the synthesis of nitrogen-containing heterocycles

A waste biomass, sodium lignosulfonate, was treated with sodium 2-formylbenzenesulfonate, and the phenylaldehyde condensation product was then used as a robust supporting material to immobilize a copper species. The so-obtained catalyst was characterized by many physicochemical methods including FTIR, EA, FSEM, FTEM, XPS, and TG. This catalyst exhibited excellent catalytic activity in the synthesis of nitrogen-containing heterocycles such as tricyclic indoles bearing 3,4-fused seven-membered rings, 2‑arylpyridines, aminonaphthalenes and 3-phenylisoquinolines. In addition, this catalyst showed to be recyclable and could be reused several times without significant loss in activity during the course of the reaction process.

Selective Construction of Diverse Polycyclic Spirooxindoles via a Three-Component Reaction of Cyclic Mercapto-Substituted β-Enamino Esters, Isatins, and Cyclic 1,3-Diketones

The three-component reaction of alkyl 2-(benzo[b][1,4]thiazin-3-ylidene)acetates, isatins, and 1,3-indanedione (1,3-cyclopentanedione) in ethanol in the presence of acetic acid conveniently afforded spiro[indeno[1,2-b]phenothiazine-6,3'-indolines] or spiro[cyclopenta[b]phenothiazine-4,3'-indolines] in good yields and with high diastereoselectivity. More interestingly, a similar three-component reaction with 4-hydroxychromen-2-one resulted in the unexpected polycyclic spiro[benzo[b]chromeno[3',4':5,6]pyrano[2,3-e][1,4]thiazine-7,3'-indolines] in satisfactory yields. A plausible reaction mechanism was rationally proposed for formation of different kinds of the spiro compounds, and the stereochemistries of the various spiro compounds were clearly elucidated.

Pyridine-2-carboxylic acid as an effectual catalyst for rapid multi-component synthesis of pyrazolo[3,4-b]quinolinones

Green synthesis of pyrazolo[3,4-b]quinolinones was designed using bioproduct pyridine-2-carboxylic acid (P2CA) as a green and efficient catalyst. The multi-component reaction of aldehydes, 1,3-cyclodiones and 5-amino-1-phenyl-pyrazoles regioselectively produced pyrazolo[3,4-b]quinolinones in excellent yield (84–98%). Recyclization of the catalyst was also investigated. The electronic effect of the various substituents in aromatic rings indicated that the reaction proceeded through the carbocation intermediate. This newly designed protocol very quickly constructed products conventionally under milder conditions.

Green synthesis of pyrazolo[3,4-b]quinolinones was designed using bioproduct pyridine-2-carboxylic acid (P2CA) as a green and efficient catalyst.