Nucleophilic Dearomatization of N-Heteroaromatics Enabled by Lewis Acids and Copper Catalysis

Recent Strategies in the Nucleophilic Dearomatization of Pyridines, Quinolines, and Isoquinolines

Dearomatization reactions have become fundamental chemical transformations in organic synthesis since they allow for the generation of three-dimensional complexity from two-dimensional precursors, bridging arene feedstocks with alicyclic structures. When those processes are applied to pyridines, quinolines, and isoquinolines, partially or fully saturated nitrogen heterocycles are formed, which are among the most significant structural components of pharmaceuticals and natural products. The inherent challenge of those transformations lies in the low reactivity of heteroaromatic substrates, which makes the dearomatization process thermodynamically unfavorable. Usually, connecting the dearomatization event to the irreversible formation of a strong C-C, C-H, or C-heteroatom bond compensates the energy required to disrupt the aromaticity. This aromaticity breakup normally results in a 1,2- or 1,4-functionalization of the heterocycle. Moreover, the combination of these dearomatization processes with subsequent transformations in tandem or stepwise protocols allows for multiple heterocycle functionalizations, giving access to complex molecular skeletons. The aim of this review, which covers the period from 2016 to 2022, is to update the state of the art of nucleophilic dearomatizations of pyridines, quinolines, and isoquinolines, showing the extraordinary ability of the dearomative methodology in organic synthesis and indicating their limitations and future trends.

Pd-Catalyzed Intermolecular Carbonylative Dearomatization of Arylamines with Propargylic Acetates for Synthesis of Bridged Polycyclic Lactams

A new palladium-catalyzed multicomponent dearomatization of arylamines with CO and propargylic acetates for the synthesis of bridged polycyclic lactams is described. This method allows double annulation at the ipso and para positions of the amino group to form four new bonds, three C-C bonds and one C-N bond. DFT calculations and experimental studies indicate that the efficient formation of the allenecarboxanilide intermediate is the key step to achieve the dearomative transformation.

Catalyst-Controlled Enantioselective and Regiodivergent Addition of Aryl Boron Nucleophiles to N-Alkyl Nicotinate Salts

Dihydropyridines are versatile building blocks for the synthesis of pyridines, tetrahydropyridines, and piperidines. Addition of nucleophiles to activated pyridinium salts allows synthesis of 1,2-, 1,4-, or 1,6-dihydropyridines; however, this process often leads to a mixture of constitutional isomers. Catalyst-controlled regioselective addition of nucleophiles to pyridiniums has the potential to solve this problem. Herein, we report that the regioselective addition of boron-based nucleophiles to pyridinium salts can be accomplished by the choice of a Rh catalyst.

Catalytic Access to Chiral δ-Lactams via Nucleophilic Dearomatization of Pyridine Derivatives

Nitrogen-bearing rings are common features in the molecular structures of modern drugs, with chiral δ-lactams being an important subclass due to their known pharmacological properties. Catalytic dearomatization of preactivated pyridinium ion derivatives emerged as a powerful method for the rapid construction of chiral N-heterocycles. However, direct catalytic dearomatization of simple pyridine derivatives are scarce and methodologies yielding chiral δ-lactams are yet to be developed. Herein, we describe an enantioselective C4-dearomatization of methoxypyridine derivatives for the preparation of functionalised enantioenriched δ-lactams using chiral copper catalysis. Experimental ¹³ C kinetic isotope effects and density functional theory calculations shed light on the reaction mechanism and the origin of enantioselectivity.

Recent advances in the dearomative functionalisation of heteroarenes

Dearomatisation reactions of (hetero)arenes have been widely employed as efficient methods to obtain highly substituted saturated cyclic compounds for over a century. In recent years, research in this area has shifted towards effecting additional C-C bond formation during the overall dearomative process. Moving away from classical hydrogenation-based strategies a wide range of reagents were found to be capable of initiating dearomatisation through nucleophilic addition (typically a reduction) or photochemically induced radical addition. The dearomatisation process gives rise to reactive intermediates which can be intercepted in an intra- or intermolecular fashion to deliver products with significantly increased molecular complexity when compared to simple dearomatisation. In this Perspective recent examples and strategies for the dearomative functionalisation of heteroaromatic systems will be discussed.

Selective skeletal editing of polycyclic arenes using organophotoredox dearomative functionalization

Reactions that lead to destruction of aromatic ring systems often require harsh conditions and, thus, take place with poor selectivities. Selective partial dearomatization of fused arenes is even more challenging but can be a strategic approach to creating versatile, complex polycyclic frameworks. Herein we describe a general organophotoredox approach for the chemo- and regioselective dearomatization of structurally diverse polycyclic aromatics, including quinolines, isoquinolines, quinoxalines, naphthalenes, anthracenes and phenanthrenes. The success of the method for chemoselective oxidative rupture of aromatic moieties relies on precise manipulation of the electronic nature of the fused polycyclic arenes. Mechanistic studies show that the addition of a hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) agent helps favor the dearomatization pathway over the more thermodynamically downhill aromatization pathway. We show that this strategy can be applied to rapid synthesis of biologically valued targets and late-stage skeletal remodeling en route to complex structures.

The synthesis of polycyclic structures bearing partially saturated (hetero)arenes is important as many of these structures have biological relevance. Here the authors develop a one-step method for selective dearomative functionalization of feedstock (hetero)arenes via organophotocatalysis.

Enantioselective synthesis of cyclic α-aminoboronates via copper-catalyzed dearomative borylation of 4-quinolinols

A highly enantioselective and regioselective dearomative borylation of 4-quinolinols was developed using a Cu(I)/(R,R)-Ph-BPE catalyst for efficient synthesis of unprecedented heterocyclic α-amino boronates, a new class of compounds potentially relevant to drug discovery, in generally excellent yields and enantioselectivities. The products were also useful intermediates for highly functionalized tetrahydroquinolines and cyclic α-aminoboronate derivatives.

Distinguishing normal and inflammatory models by viscosity changes with sensitively mitochondrial-trackable fluorescent probe

Biological microenvironment plays a momentous role in the regulation of various vital activities, and its abnormal changes are often closely related to some diseases. Viscosity, as an indispensable part of microenvironment parameters, has always been one of the research hotspots of investigators. Herein, we constructed a new red-emitting fluorescent probe (HVM) to identify the abnormal situation of mitochondria through viscosity changes in the biological microenvironment. Interestingly, HVM has excellent optical properties such as large stokes shift (160 nm), viscosity sensitivity (195-fold), high photostability, and biochemical properties with low cytotoxicity and excellent biocompatibility. For these reasons, the novel probe could successfully be used to identify the normal and inflammatory models via viscosity changes in biological experiments. Therefore, we provided a convenient synthetic route to obtain viscosity sensor HVM with excellent application properties.

Borane-catalyzed cascade Friedel–Crafts alkylation/[1,5]-hydride transfer/Mannich cyclization to afford tetrahydroquinolines

We report a redox-neutral annulation reaction of tertiary amines with electron-deficient alkynes under metal-free and oxidant-free conditions.

A cooperative Pd/Co catalysis system for the asymmetric (4+2) cycloaddition of vinyl benzoxazinones with N-acylpyrazoles

Transition metal-catalyzed cycloaddition has been established as a powerful tool for heterocycle synthesis. Despite impressive advances, the exploitation of new catalysis strategies and systems is still highly significant to enrich the heterocycle family. Herein, we disclosed a cooperative catalysis system merging an achiral Pd catalyst and a chiral Co catalyst for the asymmetric [4+2] cycloaddition between vinyl benzoxazinones and N-acylpyrazoles. Chiral tetrahydroquinolines bearing two contiguous, unusual cis-configured stereocenters were produced in high yields and enantio- and diastereoselectivities. The pyrazole directing group can be easily converted into many other functional groups, thus demonstrating the flexibility of the present methodology.

Modular Access to Spiro-dihydroquinolines via Scandium-Catalyzed Dearomative Annulation of Quinolines with Alkynes

The catalytic enantioselective construction of three-dimensional molecular architectures from planar aromatics such as quinolines is of great interest and importance from the viewpoint of both organic synthesis and drug discovery, but there still exist many challenges. Here, we report the scandium-catalyzed asymmetric dearomative spiro-annulation of quinolines with alkynes. This protocol offers an efficient and selective route for the synthesis of spiro-dihydroquinoline derivatives containing a quaternary carbon stereocenter with an unprotected N-H group from readily accessible quinolines and diverse alkynes, featuring high yields, high enantioselectivity, 100% atom-efficiency, and broad substrate scope. Experimental and density functional theory studies revealed that the reaction proceeded through the C-H activation of the 2-aryl substituent in a quinoline substrate by a scandium alkyl (or amido) species followed by alkyne insertion into the Sc-aryl bond and the subsequent dearomative 1,2-addition of the resulting scandium alkenyl species to the C═N unit in the quinoline moiety. This work opens a new avenue for the dearomatization of quinolines, leading to efficient and selective construction of spiro molecular architectures that were previously difficult to access by other means.

Transition-Metal-Catalyzed Nucleophilic Dearomatization of Electron-Deficient Heteroarenes

In recent decades, transition-metal-catalyzed nucleophilic dearomatization of electron-deficient heteroarenes, such as pyridines, quinolines, isoquinolines and nitroindoles, has become a powerful method for accessing unsaturated heterocycles. This short review summarizes nucleophilic dearomatizations of electron-deficient hetero­arenes with carbon- and heteroatom-based nucleophiles via transition-metal catalysis. A significant number of functionalized heterocycles are obtained via this transformation. Importantly, many of these reactions are carried out in an enantioselective manner by means of asymmetric catalysis, providing a unique method for the construction of enantio­enriched heterocycles.

1 Introduction

2 Transition-Metal-Catalyzed Nucleophilic Dearomatization of Hetero­arenes via Alkynylation

3 Transition-Metal-Catalyzed Nucleophilic Dearomatization of Heteroarenes­ via Arylation

4 Transition-Metal-Catalyzed Nucleophilic Dearomatization of Heteroarenes­ with Other Nucleophiles

5 Transition-Metal-Catalyzed Nucleophilic Dearomatization with Nucleophiles Formed In Situ

6 Conclusion and Outlook

Enantioselective Catalytic Dearomative Addition of Grignard Reagents to 4-Methoxypyridinium Ions

We describe a general catalytic methodology for the enantioselective dearomative alkylation of pyridine derivatives with Grignard reagents, allowing direct access to nearly enantiopure chiral dihydro-4-pyridones with yields up to 98%. The methodology involves dearomatization of in situ-formed N-acylpyridinium salts, employing alkyl organomagnesium reagents as nucleophiles and a chiral copper (I) complex as the catalyst. Computational and mechanistic studies provide insights into the origin of the reactivity and enantioselectivity of the catalytic process.