2‐Bromo‐2‐chloro‐3‐arylpropanenitriles as C‐3 Synthons for the Synthesis of Functionalized 3‐Aminothiophenes

Abstract

2‐Bromo‐2‐chloro‐3‐arylpropanenitriles can be prepared by Meerwein reaction from 2‐chloroacrylonitrile and various aryldiazonium salts under copper(II) bromide catalysis. They proved to be stable compounds which form 2‐chlorocinnnamonitriles upon treatment with bases. Reaction of the title compounds with substituted thioglycolates gave substituted 3‐aminothiophenes which have not yet been accessible by other routes. Three‐component reactions with the title compound, sodium sulfide and bromonitromethane, chloroacetonitrile, or ethyl 4‐chloroacetoacetate gave 2‐nitro‐ and 2‐cyano‐substituted 3‐aminothiophenes, and thienopyridinediones in high yields and in one single step, respectively.