Recent Advances in Catalytic Enantioselective Synthesis of Pyrazolones with a Tetrasubstituted Stereogenic Center at the 4-Position

Organocatalytic Asymmetric [4 + 4] Annulation Reaction of Ynones with Unsaturated Pyrazolones: Synthesis of Eight-Membered Ether-Embedded 4,5-Fused Pyrazoles

An aminocatalytic asymmetric (4 + 4) annulation of ynones and unsaturated pyrazolones is reported. This study is the first to describe an enantioselective synthesis of eight-membered ether-embedded 4,5-fused pyrazoles. The scope of the reaction is broad, and cyclic ether-containing 4,5-fused pyrazole products were isolated in moderate to good yields with good to high enantioselectivities.

Environment of Solvent-Controlled Chemoselective Asymmetric Hydroperoxidation and Hydroxylation of 5-Pyrazolone Ketimines Catalyzed by Bifunctional Organocatalysts

Chemoselectivity often garners significant attention in organic synthesis, serving as a primary strategy for producing a variety of functionalized products from the same substrate. The first environment of solvent-controlled chemoselective asymmetric hydroperoxidation and hydroxylation of 5-pyrazolone ketimines has been achieved, using an acid-base bifunctional chiral squaramide as the organocatalyst, affording a range of enantioenriched products of hydroperoxidation and hydroxylation with high stereoselectivities (up to 90% ee).

Antibacterial and antifungal pyrazoles based on different construction strategies

The growing prevalence of microbial infections, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) stemming from the overuse and misuse of antibiotics, call for novel therapeutic agents, particularly ones targeting resistant microbial strains. Scientists are striving to develop innovative agents to tackle the rising microbial infections and abate the risk of AMR. Pyrazole, a five-membered heterocyclic compound belonging to the azole family, is a versatile scaffold and serves as a core structure in many drugs with antimicrobial and other therapeutic effects. In this review, we have updated pyrazole-based antibacterial and antifungal agents mainly developed between 2016 and 2024, by combining with diverse pharmacophores such as coumarin, thiazole, oxadiazole, isoxazole, indole, etc. Meanwhile, the various strategies (molecular hybridization, bioisosterism, scaffold hopping, multicomponent reactions, and catalyst-free synthesis) for integrating different functional groups with the pyrazole ring are discussed. Additionally, structure-activity relationships of these pyrazole derivatives, i.e., how structural modifications impact their selectivity and therapeutic potential against bacterial and fungal strains, are highlighted. This review provides insights into designing next-generation antimicrobials to combat AMR, and offers valuable perspectives to the scientists working on heterocyclic compounds with diverse bioactivities.

Catalytic Enantioselective Propargylation of Pyrazolones by Amide-Based Phase-Transfer Catalysts

In this paper, we developed a highly enantioselective alkylation of 4-substituted pyrazolones catalyzed by phase-transfer catalysis. Cheap halohydrocarbons were employed as electrophilic alkylationg agents, and propargyl, allyl, and benzyl products with all-carbon quaternary stereocenters were afforded with excellent enantioselectivities and good yields. We found that the unique structures of the catalyst (hydrogen bond donors of the C-9 hydroxyl group and amide group, the triphenyl at the NH-position) were important for good enantioselectivity. Furthermore, chiral propargyl products could be easily connected to azide molecules by click cycloaddition, which offers unique opportunities to obtain structurally diverse chiral pyrazolones.

De-epimerizing DyKAT of β-lactones generated by isothiourea-catalysed enantioselective [2 + 2] cycloaddition

An enantioselective isothiourea-catalysed [2 + 2] cycloaddition of C(1)-ammonium enolates with pyrazol-4,5-diones is used to construct spirocyclic β-lactones in good yields, excellent enantioselectivity (99 : 1 er) but with modest diastereocontrol (typically 70 : 30 dr). Upon ring-opening with morpholine or alternative nucleophilic amines and alcohols β-hydroxyamide and β-hydroxyester products are generated with enhanced diastereocontrol (up to >95 : 5 dr). Control experiments show that stereoconvergence is observed in the ring-opening of diastereoisomeric β-lactones, leading to a single product (>95 : 5 dr, >99 : 1 er). Mechanistic studies and DFT analysis indicate a substrate controlled Dynamic Kinetic Asymmetric Transformation (DyKAT) involving epimerisation at C(3) of the β-lactone under the reaction conditions, coupled with a hydrogen bond-assisted nucleophilic addition to the Si-face of the β-lactone and stereodetermining ring-opening. The scope and limitations of a one-pot protocol consisting of isothiourea-catalysed enantio-determining [2 + 2] cycloaddition followed by diastereo-determining ring-opening are subsequently developed. Variation within the anhydride ammonium enolate precursor, as well as N(1) and C(3) within the pyrazol-4,5-dione scaffold is demonstrated, giving a range of functionalised β-hydroxyamides with high diastereo- and enantiocontrol (>20 examples, up to >95 : 5 dr and >99 : 1 er) via this DyKAT.

Access to Spiropyrazolone-butenolides through NHC-Catalyzed [3 + 2]-Asymmetric Annulation of 3-Bromoenals and 1H-Pyrazol-4,5-diones

The stereoselective synthesis of spirocyclic pyrazolin-5-ones by N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) organocatalysis has been less studied so far. For this reason and considering the interest of this class of compounds, here, we present the NHC-catalyzed [3 + 2]-asymmetric annulation of β-bromoenals and 1H-pyrazol-4,5-diones that achieves to produce chiral spiropyrazolone-butenolides. The synthesis is general for aryl and heteroaryl β-bromo-α,β-unsaturated aldehydes and 1,3-disubstituted pyrazolones. The spirobutenolides have been obtained in good yields (up to 88%) and enantioselectivities (up to 97:3 er). This constitutes the first described example using pyrazoldiones as the starting materials for this class of spiro compounds.

Organocatalytic asymmetric synthesis of oxazolidino spiropyrazolinones via N,O-acetalization/aza Michael addition domino reaction between N-Boc pyrazolinone ketimines and γ-hydroxyenones

A squaramide-catalyzed asymmetric N,O-acetalization/aza Michael addition domino reaction between N-Boc ketimines derived from pyrazolin-5-ones and γ-hydroxyenones has been developed for the construction of pyrazolinone embedded spirooxazolidines. A hydroquinine derived bifunctional squaramide catalyst was found to be the most effective for this cascade spiroannulation. This new protocol allows the generation of two stereocenters and the desired products are obtained in good yields with moderate to good diastereoselectivities (up to 3.3 : 1 dr) and high enantioselectivities (up to >99% ee) from a range of substituted N-Boc pyrazolinone ketimines and γ-hydroxyenones. The developed protocol is amenable for a scale-up reaction.

Catalytic Diastereo- and Enantioselective Synthesis of Tertiary Trifluoromethyl Carbinols through a Vinylogous Aldol Reaction of Alkylidenepyrazolones with Trifluoromethyl Ketones

A diastereo- and enantioselective organocatalytic aldol reaction between alkylidenepyrazolones and trifluoromethyl ketones leading to chiral tertiary alcohols bearing a trifluoromethyl group is presented. The methodology is based on the use of a bifunctional organocatalyst in order to activate the γ-hydrogen atoms of the alkylidenepyrazolone nucleophile and the carbonyl group of the trifluoromethylarylketone providing highly functionalized trifluoromethyl alcohols with moderate yields, excellent diastereoselectivity, and moderate to good enantioselectivity. Experiments monitoring the conversion by 1H NMR and the enantiomeric excess by HPLC with the reaction time showed that full conversion of the starting materials is not achieved and that the enantiomeric excess decreases upon extended times, probably due to the reversibility of the reaction.

NHC-catalysed [3 + 2]-asymmetric annulation between pyrazolin-4,5-diones and enals: synthesis of novel spirocyclic pyrazolone γ-butyrolactones and computational study of mechanism and stereoselectivity

Herein we present the first asymmetric synthesis of spiropyrazolone γ-butyrolactones from 1H-pyrazol-4,5-diones and enals by an NHC-catalysed [3 + 2] annulation. DFT calculations carried out predict the experimental configuration of final adducts.

Organocatalytic diastereo- and enantioselective conjugate addition of pyrazol-3-ones to 3-trifluoroethylidene oxindoles with a newly developed squaramide catalyst

An efficient organocatalytic conjugated addition reaction of pyrazol-3-ones with 3-trifluoroethylidene oxindoles has been developed for the synthesis of enantioenriched triflouromethylated indolin-2-ones bearing adjacent tertiary chiral centers in good yields and good to excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivities. The use of a newly developed chiral spirobiindane-derived squaramide catalyst is essential in achieving high diastereo- and enantioselectivities.

Organocatalytic diastereo- and enantioselective conjugate addition of pyrazol-3-ones to 3-trifluoroethylidene oxindoles with a newly developed squaramide catalyst has been developed.

Construction of a spiro[pyrazolone-4,2'-pyridoindole] scaffold via a [3 + 3] cycloaddition of 2-indolylmethanol with a 4-aminopyrazolone-derived azomethine ylide

This work reports a facile [3 + 3] cycloaddition sequence of two important heterocyclic pharmacophores, pyrazolone and 2-indolylmethanol, integrated into a polycyclic hybrid scaffold. In this process, an in situ generated azomethine ylide obtained from 4-aminopyrazolone and benzaldehyde reacts with 2-indolylmethanols to offer spiro[pyrazolone-pyridoindole] scaffolds in high yields with excellent diastereoselectivities. Remarkably, the reaction is carried out at room temperature without any catalyst and base.

Catalytic Diastereo- and Enantioselective Vinylogous Mannich Reaction of Alkylidenepyrazolones to Isatin-Derived Ketimines

A valuable organocatalytic vinylogous Mannich reaction between alkylidenepyrazolones and isatin-derived ketimines has been successfully established. Squaramide organocatalyst, prepared from quinine, catalyzed the diastereo- and enantioselective vinylogous Mannich addition, affording a range of aminooxindole-pyrazolone adducts (24 examples) with excellent outcomes: up to 98% yield with complete diastereoselectivity and excellent enantioselectivity (up to 99% ee). Additionally, different synthetic transformations were performed with the chiral pyrazolone-oxindole adducts.

Recent Advances in Selected Asymmetric Reactions Promoted by Chiral Catalysts: Cyclopropanations, Friedel–Crafts, Mannich, Michael and Other Zinc-Mediated Processes—An Update

The main purpose of this review article is to present selected asymmetric synthesis reactions in which chemical and stereochemical outcomes are dependent on the use of an appropriate chiral catalyst. Optically pure or enantiomerically enriched products of such transformations may find further applications in various fields. Among an extremely wide variety of asymmetric reactions catalyzed by chiral systems, we are interested in: asymmetric cyclopropanation, Friedel–Crafts reaction, Mannich and Michael reaction, and other stereoselective processes conducted in the presence of zinc ions. This paper describes the achievements of the above-mentioned asymmetric transformations in the last three years. The choice of reactions is related to the research that has been carried out in our laboratory for many years.

Diastereoselective synthesis of indolenine-based spiro[pyrazolone-4,2'-pyrrolidine] scaffolds via 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of 4-aminopyrazolones, aldehydes, and indolenines

In this work, we report a one-pot [3 + 2] cycloaddition of 4-aminopyrazolones, indolenines, and aldehydes. The reaction utilized in situ generated azomethine ylides as 1,3-dipoles and 2-alkenylindolenines as dipolarophiles affording indolenine-derived spiro[pyrazolone-4,2'-pyrrolidine] scaffolds with four contiguous stereocenters with excellent yields (up to 95%) and diastereoselectivities (up to >20 : 1 dr) under simple conditions. The in situ generation of azomethine ylides and dipolarophiles in one pot is a unique feature of this process.

Chiral Polythiophenes: Part I: Syntheses of Monomeric Precursors

The purpose of this mini-review is to comprehensively present the synthetic approaches used for the preparation of non-racemic mono- and multi-substituted thiophenes, which, in turn, can be applied as precursors for the synthesis of chiral polythiophenes isolated as a single chemical entity or having supramolecular thin-layer architectures.

Catalytic enantioselective synthesis of chiral 4-hydroxy 4′-substituted pyrazolones by the vinylogous aldol reaction of pyrazole-4,5-diones with 3-alkylidene-2-oxindoles

Here, a bifunctional quinine-derived benzamide catalyzed direct enantioselective vinylogous aldol reaction between 3-alkylidene-2-oxindoles and pyrazole-4,5-diones has been developed.