Visible Light Initiated Hantzsch Synthesis of 2,5-Diaryl-Substituted Pyrroles at Ambient Conditions

Photochemical α-selective radical ring-opening reactions of 1,3-disubstituted acyl bicyclobutanes with alkyl halides: modular access to functionalized cyclobutenes

Although ring-opening reactions of bicyclobutanes bearing electron-withdrawing groups, typically with β-selectivity, have evolved as a powerful platform for synthesis of cyclobutanes, their application in the synthesis of cyclobutenes remains underdeveloped. Here, a novel visible light induced α-selective radical ring-opening reaction of 1,3-disubstituted acyl bicyclobutanes with alkyl radical precursors for the synthesis of functionalized cyclobutenes is described. In particular, primary, secondary, and tertiary alkyl halides are all suitable substrates for this photocatalytic transformation, providing ready access to cyclobutenes with a single all-carbon quaternary center, or with two contiguous centers under mild reaction conditions.

Construction of 3-Oxazolin-5-one via Visible Light-Induced Nondecarboxylative Coupling and Sequential Reactions

3-Oxazolin-5-ones are precursors of nitrile ylides and represent valuable 1,3-dipoles for constructing cyclic imines or pyrrole compounds. Harnessing the power of photocatalysis, we accomplished a straightforward synthesis of 3-oxazolin-5-ones from redox-active esters and secondary nitro compounds. Visible light-induced nondecarboxylative coupling of a redox-active ester, nitro aldol condensation, and subsequent visible light-induced N-oxide deoxygenation were accomplished within 2 h. The reaction mechanism was supported by experimental data and DFT calculations.

Lewis Acid-Relayed Singlet Oxygen Reaction with Enamines: Selective Dimerization of Enamines to Pyrrolin-4-ones

Singlet oxygen (¹O₂)-mediated oxidation represents an attractive strategy for incorporation of oxygen atoms from air under mild and environmentally benign conditions. However, the ¹O₂ reaction with enamine suffers from fragmentation, leading to very unsuccessful transformation. Here, Lewis acid is introduced to intercept [2 + 2] or "ene" reaction intermediates of the ¹O₂ reaction and enables oxidative dimerization of enamines to produce pyrrolin-4-ones in good to excellent yields. Mechanistic studies reveal the formation of the imino ketone intermediate from the interaction of ¹O₂ and enamine, which is able to interact with Lewis acid, relaying the ¹O₂ reaction in enamine chemistry. For the first time, selective cross-dimerization of two different enamines is achieved. Due to the advantages of mild conditions, high chemoselectivity, and up to 99% yield, a promising strategy has been developed for synthesizing aza-heterocycles under ambient conditions, which can be further applied for the synthesis of imidazolone, quinoxaline, and highly functionalized imine.

Organo-photocatalytic Synthesis of Functionalized Pyrroles from 2H-Azirines and α-Substituted Nitroalkenes

An efficient organo-photocatalytic method for the synthesis of tetrasubstituted pyrroles bearing a ketone, ester, alcohol, or nitro group at the 3-position has been developed. The reaction involves visible-light-mediated formal [3+2] dipolar cycloaddition between 2H-azirines and α-substituted nitroalkenes followed by a denitration or debromination sequence. The notable features of the protocol are excellent regioselectivity, wide substrate scope, and high yields of the products.

Cu(II)-catalyzed [4 + 1] and [4 + 3] annulation reactions: a modular approach to N-aryl/alkyl substituted 2,5-diamidopyrroles and diazepines

A one-pot copper-catalyzed [4 + 1] annulation reaction of primary amines with ynamide-derived buta-1,3-diynes for the synthesis of 2,5-diamido bearing N-aryl/alkyl pyrroles in up to excellent yields has been showcased. A broad range of primary amines having highly reactive functional groups are well tolerated. Notably, sterically demanding aniline and primary aliphatic amines are excellent amine sources. Furthermore, the current protocol may yield structurally unique diazepine derivatives. The scale-up reaction and fruitful chemical elaboration of pyrrole motifs highlight the importance of this reaction.

Protecting Group-Dependent Synthesis of Densely Substituted Dihydropyrroles v/s Pyrroles via 5-Exo-trig Cascade Radical Cyclization to Alkynyl Vinylogous Carbamates

Densely substituted dihydropyrroles could be synthesized with excellent diastereoselectivity via 5-exo-trig cascade radical cyclization to alkynyl vinylogous carbamates. N-Alkyl/acyl protected alkynyl vinylogous carbamates upon radical cyclization using thiophenol gave substituted pyrroles as against dihydropyrroles, which were formed with N-sulfonyl protecting groups. This enabled a rare example wherein both dihydropyrrole and pyrrole rings are assembled in the same reaction. This strategy could be used for the synthesis of an unprecedented adjacent polyheterocyclic system having a furan-thiophene-pyrrole motif. When vinylogous carbamate is embedded in the isoindole moiety, a pyridoisoindole derivative was formed with excellent diastereoselectivity, instead of the expected pyrroloisoindole product.

Recent developments in the synthesis of nitrogen-containing heterocycles from β-aminovinyl esters/ketones as CC-N donors

Nitrogen-containing heterocycles are ubiquitous fragments of numerous natural products, pharmaceuticals, designed bioactive drug candidates and agrochemicals. During the past few decades, these compounds have received considerable attention from the synthetic chemistry community, and great efforts have been focused on the development of concise and efficient methods for the synthesis of these heterocyclic skeletons. In this review, we summarize a diverse range of synthetic methods employing β-aminovinyl esters(ketones) as key CC-N-synthons to furnish useful bioactive heterocyclic frameworks, such as quinolines, pyridines, pyrazines, pyrroles, indoles, oxazoles, imidazoles, thiazoles, isothiazoles, pyrazoles, triazoles, and azepines, thus offering new opportunities and expanding the toolbox of synthetic chemistry reactions.

Visible light photocatalysis in the synthesis of pharmaceutically relevant heterocyclic scaffolds

Visible light and photoredox catalysis have emerged as a powerful and long-lasting tool for organic synthesis, demonstrating the importance of a variety of chemical bond formation methods.

Synthesis of Polysubstituted Pyrroles through Electro-Oxidative Annulation of 1,3-Dicarbonyl Compounds and Primary Amines

Reported herein is a synthetic method of polysubstituted pyrroles from easily available materials, 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds and primary amines, via electro-oxidative intermolecular annulation. Under similar conditions, enamines are also converted smoothly into desired products, indicating that in situ formed enamines are crucial intermediates for the first transformation. Neither transition-metal salts nor harsh conditions are required to facilitate the dehydrocyclization process.

Redox-Neutral 1,3-Dipolar Cycloaddition of 2H-Azirines with 2,4,6-Triarylpyrylium Salts under Visible Light Irradiation

A novel visible light mediated redox-neutral 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of 2H-azirines with 2,4,6-triarylpyrylium tetrafluoroborate salts providing tetrasubstituted pyrroles has been developed. The 2,4,6-triarylpyrylium salt acts as dipolarophile as well as photosensitizer in the reaction, under blue light irradiation. The control experiments indicated single electron oxidation of 2H-azirines by photoexcited pyrylium salts, followed by coupling between an azaallenyl radical cation and triarylpyranyl radical as the key mechanistic feature. The mild conditions, wide substrate scope, and complete regioselectivity are the noticeable attributes of the reaction.

Recent Advancements in Pyrrole Synthesis

This review article features selected examples on the synthesis of functionalized pyrroles that were reported between 2014 and 2019. Pyrrole is an important nitrogen-containing aromatic heterocycle that can be found in numerous compounds of biological and material significance. Given its vast importance, pyrrole continues to be an attractive target for the development of new synthetic reactions. The contents of this article are organized by the starting materials, which can be broadly classified into four different types: substrates bearing π-systems, substrates bearing carbonyl and other polar groups, and substrates bearing heterocyclic motifs. Brief discussions on plausible reaction mechanisms for most transformations are also presented.

Switching the Regioselectivity Access to Pyrroles and Isoquinolines from Ketoxime Acetates and Ynals

A novel formal [3+2] and [4+2] annulation of ketoxime acetates and ynals for the synthesis of pyrroles and isoquinolines has been developed. By simply switching the catalyst and solvent, the reaction proceeds via two pathways. The reactions are achieved under mild conditions with broad substrate scope and excellent regioselectivity.

Dithiane-Induced [3+2] Cycloaddition Tactic for the Convergent Synthesis of Dihydropyrrole and Pyrrole Derivatives

An efficient transition-metal-free tactic for the convergent synthesis of substituted dihydropyrroles and pyrroles by β-chloro-vinyl dithiane cyclization with a broad range of imines was developed. [3+2] Cyclization and aromatization occur under these reaction conditions providing biologically relevant dihydropyrroles and pyrroles in good yields.

Recent Progress in the Synthesis of Pyrroles

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Pyrrole derivatives are nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds and widely distributed in a large number of natural and non-natural compounds. These compounds possess a broad spectrum of biological activities such as anti-infammatory, antiviral, antitumor, antifungal, and antibacterial activities. Besides their biological activity, pyrrole derivatives have also been applied in various areas such as dyes, conducting polymers, organic semiconductors.

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Due to such a wide range of applicability, access to this class of compounds has attracted intensive research interest. Various established synthetic methods such as Paal-Knorr, Huisgen, and Hantzsch have been modified and improved. In addition, numerous novel methods for pyrrole synthesis have been discovered. This review will focus on considerable studies on the synthesis of pyrroles, which date back from 2014.

Regiodivergent Synthesis of Penta-Substituted Pyrroles through a Cascade [3 + 2] Cyclization of C-Acylimines with Activated Alkynes and Aromatic Nucleophiles

Highly robust one-pot, four-component cascade cyclization reaction of α-keto aldehydes, anilines, activated alkynes, and aromatic nucleophiles is developed to synthesize a diverse range of pharmaceutically important penta-substituted pyrroles. The reaction proceeds through the cascade cyclization of acylimines (in situ formed) with activated alkynes and aromatic nucleophiles such as indoles, pyrroles, and naphthols at room temperature under calcium(II) catalysis with high yields and broad substrate diversity.

Cascade reaction of isatins with nitro-substituted enamines: highly selective synthesis of functionalized (Z)-3-(1-(arylamino)-2-oxoarylidene)indolin-2-ones

A novel protocol for the construction of functionalized (Z)-3-(1(-arylamino)-2-oxoarylidene)indolin-2-ones (AOIDOs) from isatins 1 with nitro-substituted enamines 2via an unprecedented cascade reaction catalyzed by sulfamic acid is developed.

Synthesis of 2,3-Ring Fused Pyrroles via Cu-Catalyzed 5-exo-dig Annulation of Alkyne-Tethered Enaminones

A copper-catalyzed annulation of alkyne-tethered enaminones for the synthesis of 2,3-ring fused pyrroles is reported. The 5-exo-dig cyclization/olefin migration reaction delivers the multisubstituted pyrroles in 59-99% yields with 16 examples. This strategy features easily available starting materials, mild reaction conditions, and a cheap ligand-free copper catalyst. The atom-economic transformation provides a simple access to a variety of synthetic useful pyrroles and their derivatives.

Reductive Halogenation Reactions: Selective Synthesis of Unsymmetrical α-Haloketones

A method for the selective synthesis of unsymmetrical α-haloketones has been developed. The key transformation is a triphenylphosphine oxide catalyzed reductive halogenation of an α,β-unsaturated ketone in which trichlorosilane is the reducing reagent and an N-halosuccinimide is the electrophilic halogen source. This method allows for a halogen atom to be installed selectively at either of two very similarly substituted sites adjacent to a ketone group.

Acid-induced intermolecular [3+2] cycloaddition/oxidation to synthesize polysubstituted benzo[f]isoindole-4,9-diones

A novel one-pot 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition/oxidation reaction of 1,4-quinones, aromatic aldehydes, and N-substituted amino esters to construct polysubstituted benzo[ f]isoindole-4,9-diones induced by benzoic acid is reported. Based on optimized reaction conditions, various polysubstituted benzo[ f]isoindole-4,9-diones derivatives are obtained in moderate yields. This straightforward methodology employs mild reaction conditions, a green oxidant, and readily available starting materials. Notably, a wide range of substrates is tolerated.

Lead halide perovskites for photocatalytic organic synthesis

Nature is capable of storing solar energy in chemical bonds via photosynthesis through a series of C–C, C–O and C–N bond-forming reactions starting from CO₂ and light. Direct capture of solar energy for organic synthesis is a promising approach. Lead (Pb)-halide perovskite solar cells reach 24.2% power conversion efficiency, rendering perovskite a unique type material for solar energy capture. We argue that photophysical properties of perovskites already proved for photovoltaics, also should be of interest in photoredox organic synthesis. Because the key aspects of these two applications are both relying on charge separation and transfer. Here we demonstrated that perovskites nanocrystals are exceptional candidates as photocatalysts for fundamental organic reactions, for example C–C, C–N and C–O bond-formations. Stability of CsPbBr₃ in organic solvents and ease-of-tuning their bandedges garner perovskite a wider scope of organic substrate activations. Our low-cost, easy-to-process, highly-efficient, air-tolerant and bandedge-tunable perovskites may bring new breakthrough in organic chemistry.

While photoredox catalysis provides organic chemistry new avenues for chemical reactions, typical photocatalysts require expensive noble metals and show modest stabilities. Here, authors examine lead halide perovskites nanocrystals as stable and tunable photoredox catalysts for organic synthesis.

Metal-Free Method for Direct Synthesis of Functionalized β-Ketoenamines

A new method for direct synthesis of β-ketoenamines was developed by a BF₃·OEt₂-catalyzed cyclization of 1-iodoalkyne and α-keto acid followed by an amine-mediated ring-opening in one pot. Its metal-free conditions allowed the easy synthesis of those products bearing the transition metal-sensitive functional groups. Its three-component process achieved wide range of functionalized products.

Access to 2,3-Fused Pyrroles via Visible Light Driven Coupling of α-Azidochalcones with 1/2-Naphthols, or 2-Hydroxy-1,4-Naphthoquinone

α-Azidochalcones were coupled with 1/2-naphthols or 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone using Ru(bpy)₃(PF₆)₂ as a photocatalyst under blue LED light irradiation to yield 2,3-fused pyrroles in high yields (68-84%). The overall transformation involves photosensitized decomposition of α-azidochalcones into highly reactive 2 H-azirines which are trapped by 1/2-naphthols or 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone, leading to the construction of two new C-N and one new C-C bonds.

Cu-Catalyzed Tandem Aerobic Oxidative Cyclization for the Synthesis of 3,3'-Bipyrroles from the Homopropargylic Amines

A Cu-catalyzed method for the synthesis of 3,3'-bipyrroles from homopropargylic amines through tandem aerobic oxidative cyclization involving the formation of C-C bond has been developed. The features of this reaction are a small number of Cu catalysis and simple starting substrates. Moreover, this procedure exhibits good functional group tolerance and a series of 3,3'-bipyrroles derivatives are obtained in moderate to good yields.

Crystal structure of (Z)-N-(4-nitrophenyl)-3-phenyl-3-(phenylamino)acrylamide, C21H17N3O3

C21H17N3O3, orthorhombic, Pbca (no. 61), a = 14.3606(4) Å, b = 7.4250(2) Å, c = 34.2840(9) Å, V = 3655.62(17) Å3, Z = 8, R gt(F) = 0.0399, wR ref(F 2) = 0.1178, T = 571(2) K.

One-pot synthesis of N-substituted pyrroles from nitro compounds and 2,5-hexadione over a heterogeneous cobalt catalyst

One-pot synthesis of N-substituted pyrroles with highly stable CoN_x catalysts and HCOOH as hydrogen donor.

Iron-Mediated Annulation between Methylene Ketones and Diethanolamines: A Sustainable and Scalable Procedure toward N-(2-Hydroxyethyl) Pyrroles

An iron-mediated direct annulation between methylene ketones and diethanolamines was developed for the efficient synthesis of N-(2-hydroxyethyl) pyrroles. This protocol shows high efficiency, operational simplicity, good functional group compatibility as well as broad substrates scope.