aza-Claisen Rearrangement Research Articles

An Overview of the Synthesis of 3,4-Fused Pyrrolocoumarins of Biological Interest.

3,4-Fused pyrrolocoumarins, synthetically prepared or naturally occurring, possess interesting biological properties. In this review, the synthetic strategies for the synthesis of the title compounds are presented along with their biological activities. Two routes are followed for that synthesis. In one, the pyrrole ring is formed from coumarin derivatives, such as aminocoumarins or other coumarins. In the other approach, the pyranone moiety is built from an existing pyrrole derivative or through the simultaneous formation of coumarin and pyrrole frameworks. The above syntheses are achieved via 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions, Michael reaction, aza-Claisen rearrangement reactions, multi-component reactions (MCR), as well as metal-catalyzed reactions. Pyrrolocoumarins present cytotoxic, antifungal, antibacterial, α-glucosidase inhibition, antioxidant, lipoxygenase (LOX) inhibition, and fluorescent activities, as well as benzodiazepine receptor ability.

An efficient synthesis and cytotoxic profile of D-ribo-phytosphingosine and its analogues

In this paper we describe the efficient synthesis of d-ribo-phytosphingosine and its analogues commencing from the easily available l-erythrose chiron, which already contained the future C-3 and C-4 stereocentres of our target compounds. Construction of the remaining C-2 stereochemistry relied on aza-Claisen rearrangements to establish the desired vicinal aminoalcohol motif. The aliphatic chain was introduced by means of an olefin cross metathesis process. Completion of this phytosphingolipid synthesis was then achieved through the suitable selection of functional group interconversions, accompanied by selective deprotection protocols. Preliminary in vitro experiments revealed higher antiproliferative activity of the unnatural d-arabino-phytosphingosine 3. HCl in comparison to cisplatin against three of the five cancer cell lines evaluated, with IC50 values ranging from 4.17 μM to 7.63 μM. Moreover, compound 3. HCl has better inhibitory effects on the proliferation of the aforementioned malignant cell lines than its natural stereochemical congener 2. HCl.

One-Pot Synthetic Approach to 3-Carboxyl- and 3-Ketopyridines in Aqueous Media.

We describe a one-pot strategy to access 3-carboxyl- and 3-ketopyridines from readily available alkynes and propargylamine via a hydroamination process. This one-pot protocol uses alkynes as starting materials, has a broad substrate scope, and operates in aqueous media and open-air conditions. A series of aryl- and alkyl-substituted pyridines were synthesized. This green methodology can be scaled to laboratory size and was used for the synthesis of the natural product core, 4-aza-fluorenone. Density-functional theory and control mechanistic studies support a domino hydroamination/pericyclic reaction, which includes the formation of the enaminone intermediate and its transformation through an aza-Claisen rearrangement to the desired pyridine product.

Synthetic Potential of Regio- and Stereoselective Ring Expansion Reactions of Six-Membered Carbo- and Heterocyclic Ring Systems: A Review.

Ring expansion reactions fascinate synthetic chemists owing to their importance in synthesizing biologically active compounds and their efficacy in medicinal chemistry. The present review summarizes a number of synthetic methodologies, including stereoselective and regioselective pathways adopted by scientists, for framing medium- to large-size carbo- and heterocycles involving lactams, lactone, azepine and azulene derivatives via ring expansion of six-membered carbo- and heterocycles that have been reported from 2007-2022. Numerous rearrangement and cycloaddition reactions involving Tiffeneau-Demjanov rearrangement, Aza-Claisen rearrangement, Schmidt rearrangement, Beckmann rearrangement, etc., have been described in this regard.

Reshuffle Bonds by Ball Milling: A Mechanochemical Protocol for Charge-Accelerated Aza-Claisen Rearrangements

This study presents the development of a mechanochemical protocol for a charge-accelerated aza-Claisen rearrangement. The protocol waives the use of commonly applied transition metals, ligands, or pyrophoric Lewis acids, e.g., AlMe3. Based on (heterocyclic) tertiary allylamines and acyl chlorides, the desired tertiary amides were prepared in yields ranging from 17% to 84%. Moreover, the same protocol was applied for a Belluš-Claisen-type rearrangement resulting in the synthesis of a 9-membered lactam without further optimization.

Stereoselective synthesis of the spirocyclic core of 13-desmethyl spirolide C using an aza-Claisen rearrangement and an exo-selective Diels-Alder cycloaddition.

13-Desmethyl spirolide C is a marine natural product of the cyclic imine class that demonstrates remarkable bioactivity against several biomarkers of Alzheimer's Disease, which renders its [7,6]-spirocyclic imine pharmacophore of significant synthetic interest. This work describes a facile and efficient synthesis of the [7,6]-spirocyclic core of 13-desmethyl spirolide C from inexpensive starting materials, featuring an aza-Claisen rearrangement to simultaneously set both stereocentres of the dimethyl moiety with complete atom economy, and a highly exo-selective Diels-Alder cycloaddition to construct the challenging contiguous tertiary and quaternary stereocentres of the spirocyclic core of 13-desmethyl spirolide C. A comprehensive study of the key Diels-Alder reaction was also performed to evaluate the stereoselectivity and reactivity of various functionalised dienes and protected lactam dienophiles, wherein the first successful exo-selective Diels-Alder cycloaddition to construct spirocyclic structures using a bromodiene and α-exo-methylene dienophiles is reported. This strategy not only establishes a more efficient stereoselective access to the spirocyclic core that can be used for the total synthesis of 13-desmethyl spirolide C, but also serves as a sound platform for convenient preparations of a range of spirocyclic analogues required for a comprehensive biological evaluation of this desirable pharmacophore.

Aza-Claisen rearrangement as a key step in synthesis of specialised anilines used in the production of efficient ethenolysis catalysts

Synthesis of new CAAC ruthenium complexes based on cheap anilines with excellent activity in ethenolysis reactions.

Zinc-mediated efficient and selective reductive aza-Claisen rearrangement of N-allyl- and N-propargylaminoanthraquinones in ionic liquid.

An efficient method is described for the first time for reductive aza-Claisen rearrangement of 1-(N-allylamino)anthraquinones to 1-amino-2-(prop-2'-enyl)anthraquinones using zinc powder in 1-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([Hmim] BF4) as an ionic liquid in good to excellent yields. Extending of this method on 1-(N-propargylamino)anthraquinones causes the production of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphtho[2,3-h]quinoline-7,12-diones containing a newly synthesized six membered heterocyclic ring on anthraquinone core via performing this reductive [3,3] sigmatropic reaction followed by cyclization in a tandem manner. These rearrangements can be executed even in the presence of some other functional groups with excellent chemoselectivity.

Stereoselective synthesis of vinylphosphonates through aromatic aza-Claisen rearrangement of α-aminophosphonates.

A novel and convenient approach for the synthesis of vinyl phosphonates has been developed, utilizing an aromatic aza-Claisen rearrangement of β,γ-unsaturated α-aminophosphonates. The synthetic utility of this method was further examined in a gram-scale synthesis. The DFT calculations have provided insights into the basis of the reaction mechanism.

Modular Synthesis of Enantioenriched α-Chiral Homoallylic Amidines Enabled by Relay Ir/Cu Catalysis.

The cascade of Ir-catalyzed enantioselective allylic amination and Cu-catalyzed alkyne-azide cycloaddition was designed for the asymmetric synthesis of homoallylic amidines. The nucleophilic addition of an in situ-generated enantioenriched tertiary allylamine to a ketenimine intermediate triggers a rapid and stereospecific zwitterionic aza-Claisen rearrangement in a 1,3-chiral transfer manner. The approach allows modular access to enantioenriched α-chiral homoallylic amidines in high yields with a high level of enantiomeric purity.

Stereoselective synthesis and anticancer profile of C-alkyl pyrrolidine-diols with a sphingoid base-like backbone

The chiron approach to pyrrolidine-containing isophytosphingosine base-like compounds 21.HCl-23.HCl was developed from the known d-glucofuranose template. The key step of the synthesis was a highly diastereoselective aza-Claisen rearrangement, which created the cornerstone of the target molecules carrying three consecutive stereocentres. Subsequent cross metathesis reaction allowed the installation of a long-chain unit. The five-membered ring formation was accomplished via an intramolecular SN2 process. A single crystal X-ray analysis of the key intermediates confirmed the (2R,3R,4R)- and (2S,3R,4R)-configuration seen in the final derivatives. A comparison of the cytotoxic activity of the novel sphingomimetics (21.HCl-23.HCl) with recently described analogues (compounds 61, 62 and their antipodes) revealed that their antiproliferative profile strongly depends on the stereochemistry of the pyrrolidine substituents as well as the length of the side chain unit. Moreover, with regard to their structure and recent literature findings, compound 22.HCl may possess β-GCase inhibitory activity.

Synthesis of functionalized γ-lactams by a lewis acid catalyzed ketene formation/cyclization/claisen rearrangement sequence of 5,5-disubstituted Meldrum’s acid

A series of γ-lactams were synthesized by intramolecular aza-claisen rearrangement of ketenes using Meldrum’s acid as ketene precursor. Derivatives of Meldrum’s acid with tertiary ammonia structure were used as raw material, and the reaction was catalyzed by Lewis acid at high-temperature conditions under microwave. Ketene formation by losing acetone and CO2, cyclization and claisen rearrangement occurred in sequence to form the γ-lactams.

Synthesis of isoxazoloazaborines via gold(I)-catalyzed propargyl aza-Claisen rearrangement/borylative cyclization cascade.

Isoxazoloazaborines 3 and 5 have been synthesized from 4-N-propargylaminoisoxazole 1via gold(I)-catalyzed propargyl aza-Claisen rearrangement followed by electrophilic borylative cyclization in 27-86% yields. In situ generation of isoxazole 2 having an amino group and allenyl functionality is essential to give highly substituted isoxazoloazaborines 3 and 5, although the conventional propargyl aza-Claisen rearrangement readily affords the corresponding nitrogen-containing heterocycles, such as pyridines and pyrroles. The resulting isoxazoloazaborine 5a underwent the N-O bond insertion of zinc carbenoid to give oxazine-fused azaborine 6 in 48% yield.

Dynamic Kinetic Resolution in Gold-Catalyzed (4 + 2)-Annulations between Alkynyl Benzaldehydes and Allenamides to Yield Enantioenriched All-Carbon Diarylalkylmethane Derivatives.

This work reports the synthesis of diarylmethane derivatives via gold-catalyzed (4 + 2)-annulations between alkynyl benzaldehydes and allenamides, followed by an aza-Claisen rearrangement. Deuterium labeling and crossover experiments have been performed to confirm this proposed mechanism. With racemic 3-substituted allenamides in a substrate ratio (1:1), we employ chiral gold catalysts to achieve a dynamic kinetic resolution to obtain enantioenriched diarylalkylmethane derivatives with high e.r. levels (up to 93:7).

Radical Chain Isomerization of N-Sulfonyl Ynamides to Ketenimines and Its Application to Furan Dearomatization.

A radical chain isomerization of N-sulfonyl ynamides to isolable ketenimines is developed, featuring mild reaction conditions, a high efficiency, ∼100% atom economy, a broad substrate scope, and column chromatography-free workup in most cases. Meanwhile, an unprecedented dearomatization of furans is achieved by the radical chain isomerization-triggered aza-Claisen rearrangement, providing highly chemo-, regio-, stereo-, and diastereoselective access to functionalized quaternary nitriles.

A convenient synthesis of branched-chain nucleoside isothiocyanates via aza-Claisen rearrangement

Stereocontrolled introduction of a nitrogen atom at either C-2′ or C-3′ positions of nucleosides derived from uridine, 4-N-benzoylcytidine and adenosine was investigated. An efficient and rapid procedure was employed for creating new chiral centers at C-2′ and C-3′ positions using [3,3]-sigmatropic aza-Claisen rearrangement of allyl thiocyanates under conventional and microwave conditions. Structure of isothiocyanate products was confirmed by 1-D and 2-D NMR spectral analyses including selective 1H 1-D-NOE experiments.

Divergent Reactivity of δ- and β'-Acetoxy Allenoates with 2-Sulfonamidoindoles via Phosphine Catalysis: Entry to Dihydro-α-carboline, α-Carboline, and Spiro-cyclopentene Motifs.

The reactivity of 2-sulfonamidoindoles with acetoxy allenoates under phosphine catalysis depends on the disposition of the acetoxy (OAc) group on the allenoate. In the temperature-controlled [3 + 3] annulations, δ-acetoxy allenoates afforded dihydrocarboline and carboline scaffolds with carbon-nitrogen nucleophilic 2-sulfonamidoindoles, in which allenoate serves as a β-, γ-, and δ-carbon donor. At room temperature (25 °C), dihydro-α-carboline motifs were obtained exclusively through Michael addition, 1,4-proton shift, isomerization, 1,2-proton transfer, phosphine elimination, and aza-Michael addition. The higher temperature (80 °C) cascade protocol using Ph3P-Cs2CO3 combination involves addition-elimination, aza-Claisen rearrangement, tosyl migration, and aromatization as key steps to give α-carbolines containing tosyl functionality at the γ-carbon. In contrast, with β'-acetoxy allenoate, 2-sulfonamidoindole acts only as a carbo-nucleophile in (p-tolyl)3P-directed [4 + 1] spiro-annulation, leading to five-membered spiro-carbocyclic motifs essentially as single diastereomers (dr >20:1) via chemoselective carbo-annulation.

Aromatic Aza-Claisen Rearrangement of Arylpropargylammonium Salts Generated in situ from Arynes and Tertiary Propargylamines.

The charge-accelerated aza-Claisen rearrangement of ammonium salts serves as a key step in the construction of complex nitrogen-containing molecules. However, much less attention has been paid to the aromatic aza-Claisen rearrangement than to the aliphatic one. Herein, we report an unprecedented aromatic aza-Claisen rearrangement of arylpropargylammonium salts, generated in situ from arynes and tertiary propargylamines, delivering structurally diverse 2-propargylanilines in moderate to good yields with high regioselectivity. This rearrangement proceeds in the absence of strong bases or transition metals, is compatible with moisture and air, tolerates a wide variety of functional groups, and is amenable to forming 11- to 13-membered heterocycles with a triple bond. The 2-propargylaniline products were treated with aluminum chloride in ethanol to afford multisubstituted indoles in moderate to excellent yields. Finally, a series of deuterium-labeling experiments was performed to elucidate the reaction mechanism.

Asymmetric Aza-Claisen Rearrangement between Enantioenriched α-Chiral Allylamines and Allenones.

An unprecedented asymmetric aza-Claisen rearrangement between enantioenriched α-chiral allylamines and allenones was found to proceed in the absence of catalysts and additives at room temperature. The rearrangement, followed by hydrolysis, provides convenient access to structurally diverse δ-chiral β-diketones in good to excellent yields with excellent retention of enantiopurity. This protocol proved powerful for the construction of an all-carbon quaternary stereocenter with high enantiopurity.

Pd-Catalyzed Rearrangement of N-Alloc-N-allyl Ynamides via Auto-Tandem Catalysis: Evidence for Reversible C-N Activation and Pd(0)-Accelerated Ketenimine Aza-Claisen Rearrangement.

An auto-tandem catalytic double allylic rearrangement of N-alloc-N-allyl ynamides was developed. This reaction proceeds through two separate and distinct catalytic cycles with both decarboxylative Pd-π-allyl and Pd(0)-promoted aza-Claisen rearrangements occurring. A detailed mechanistic study supported by computations highlights these two separate mechanisms. Previously unreported reversible C-N ionization and a Pd(0)-catalyzed [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement were discovered. This study provides new reaction pathways for both π-allyl and sigmatropic rearrangements.