Synthesis of multi-substituted 1,2,4-triazoles utilising the ambiphilic reactivity of hydrazones

Palladium-catalyzed C-C bond cleavage of N-cyclopropyl acylhydrazones

Despite their utility as directing groups, the C-C bond cleavage of cyclopropanes utilizing hydrazones has not been explored. Herein, Pd-catalyzed C-C bond cleavage reaction of N-cyclopropyl acylhydrazones, followed by cycloisomerization to yield pyrazoles, has been developed. The protocol enables the synthesis of various α-pyrazole carbonyl compounds, which have a potential of biological activity. Control experiments and DFT calculations suggest that β-carbon elimination of a stable 6-membered chelate palladium complex occurs, generating a conjugated azine as a reaction intermediate for the following cycloisomerization.

Unexpected Cyclization Product Discovery from the Photoinduced Bioconjugation Chemistry between Tetrazole and Amine

Bioconjugation chemistry has emerged as a powerful tool for the modification of diverse biomolecules under mild conditions. Tetrazole, initially proposed as a bioorthogonal photoclick handle for 1,3-dipolar cyclization with alkenes, was later demonstrated to possess broader photoreactivity with carboxylic acids, serving as a versatile bioconjugation and photoaffinity labeling probe. In this study, we unexpectedly discovered and validated the photoreactivity between tetrazole and primary amine to afford a new 1,2,4-triazole cyclization product. Given the significance of functionalized N-heterocycles in medicinal chemistry, we successfully harnessed the serendipitously discovered reaction to synthesize both pharmacologically relevant DNA-encoded chemical libraries (DELs) and small molecule compounds bearing 1,2,4-triazole scaffolds. Furthermore, the mild reaction conditions and stable 1,2,4-triazole linkage found broad application in photoinduced bioconjugation scenarios, spanning from intramolecular peptide macrocyclization and templated DNA reaction cross-linking to intermolecular photoaffinity labeling of proteins. Triazole cross-linking products on lysine side chains were identified in tetrazole-labeled proteins, refining the comprehensive understanding of the photo-cross-linking profiles of tetrazole-based probes. Altogether, this tetrazole-amine bioconjugation expands the current bioconjugation toolbox and creates new possibilities at the interface of medicinal chemistry and chemical biology.

P(III)-Mediated Formal Reductive N-H Bond Insertion Reaction of Hydrazones to α-Keto Esters

A diazo-, metal-, and base-free multi-substituted hydrazone synthesis via a formal reductive N-H bond insertion reactions of hydrazones to α-keto esters has been developed. The protocol features a broad substrate scope and good functional group tolerance, providing N-H bond insertion products in moderate to excellent yields. Moreover, P(III)-mediated N-H functionalization of pharmaceutical containing hydrazone moiety was also successfully achieved.

Formal [3 + 2] Cycloaddition of α-Imino Esters with Azo Compounds: Facile Construction of Pentasubstituted 1,2,4-Triazoline Skeletons

1,2,4-Triazole and 1,2,4-triazoline are important components of bioactive molecules and catalysts employed in organic synthesis. Therefore, the efficient synthesis of these components has received significant research attention. However, studies on their structural diversity remain lacking. Previously, we developed chiral phase-transfer-catalyzed asymmetric reactions of α-imino carbonyl compounds with α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds and haloalkanes. In this study, we demonstrate the formal [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of α-imino esters with azo compounds under Brønsted base catalysis, resulting in the corresponding 1,2,4-triazolines in high yields. The results revealed that a wide range of substrates and reactants can be applied, irrespective of their steric and electronic characteristics. The present reaction made the general preparation of 3-aryl pentasubstituted 1,2,4-triazolines possible for the first time. Furthermore, a mechanistic study suggested that the reaction proceeds without isomerization into the aldimine form.

A copper-catalysed one-pot hydroboration/azidation/cycloaddition reaction of alkynes

Herein we report our study on the development of a catalytic one-pot process, showing the challenges and advantages encountered all over the way. At the end, we developed a regioselective, environmentally friendly, and operationally simple method to explore the reactivity of functionalized propargylic alkynes through three copper-catalysed reactions in a single reaction vessel. The sequence consisted of a hydroboration, azidation, and 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition and led to the regioselective formation of vinyl 1,2,3-triazoles in good yields.