Three-component selective synthesis of phenothiazines and bis-phenothiazines under metal-free conditions

Iodine-Catalyzed Cyclization of o-Nitrothiophenols with Cyclohexanones to Phenothiazines

Here, a novel iodine-catalyzed direct cyclization of o-nitrothiophenols with cyclohexanones to phenothiazines has been described without external oxidants and hydrogen acceptors. The nitro of o-nitrothiophenol works as both a hydrogen acceptor and a coupling group, and water is the only byproduct. The reaction involves the reduction of nitro groups, C-H bond thioetherification, and C-H bond dehydroaromatization. This scheme offers broad synthetic value for further elaborations, as exemplified by a 3-step total synthesis of antipsychotic chlorpromazine.

Visible-Light-Promoted Cascade Coupling of 2-Isocyanonaphthalenes with Elemental Sulfur and Amines to Construct Naphtho[2,1-d]thiazol-2-Amines

A visible-light-induced strategy has been explored for the synthesis of naphtho[2,1-d]thiazol-2-amines through ortho-C-H sulfuration of 2-isocyanonaphthalenes with elemental sulfur and amines under external photocatalyst-free conditions. This three-component reaction, which utilizes elemental sulfur as the odorless sulfur source, molecular oxygen as the clean oxidant, and visible light as the clean energy source, provides a mild and efficient approach to construct a series of naphtho[2,1-d]thiazol-2-amines. Preliminary mechanistic studies indicated that visible-light-promoted photoexcitation of reaction intermediates consisting of thioureas and DBU might be involved in this transformation.

Strongly reducing helical phenothiazines as recyclable organophotoredox catalysts

Recyclable phenothiazine organophotoredox catalysts (PTHS 1-3, E1/2ox* = -2.34 to -2.40 V vs. SCE) have been developed. When the recycling performance was evaluated, PTHS-1 could be recovered at least four times without loss of its catalytic activity. These recyclable organophotoredox catalysts represent a promising tool for sustainable organic synthesis.

Regioselective synthesis of indazolo[2,3-a]quinazolines enabled by I2/S-facilitated annulation relay dehydrogenative aromatization of cyclohexanones

A method for concise and efficient synthesis of indazolo[2,3-a]quinazolines has been developed via a sequential annulation of 3-aminoindazoles and dehydrogenative aromatization of cyclohexanones. This high regioselectivity is attributed to the fact that the Mannich reaction is superior to the aldol reaction in this system. It is worth mentioning that this convenient process is successfully extended to 3-aminopyrazoles for assembling another class of medicinally prevalent pyrazolo[1,5-a]quinazolines.

Metal- and Solvent-Free Synthesis of Substituted Pyrimidines via an NH4I-Promoted Three-Component Tandem Reaction

A facile and practical approach for the preparation of substituted pyrimidines from ketones, NH4OAc, and N,N-dimethylformamide dimethyl acetal has been described. This NH4I-promoted three-component tandem reaction affords a broad range of substituted pyrimidines in acceptable yields under metal- and solvent-free conditions. The present methodology features the advantages of simple and easily available starting materials, metal- and solvent-free conditions, a broad substrate scope with good functional group tolerance, and gram-scale synthesis.