Boulton-Katritzky Rearrangement Research Articles

Mild and efficient synthesis and base-promoted rearrangement of novel isoxazolo[4,5-b]pyridines.

An efficient method for the synthesis of isoxazolo[4,5-b]pyridines has been developed on the basis of readily available 2-chloro-3-nitropyridines via the intramolecular nucleophilic substitution of the nitro group as a key step. The previously unknown base-promoted Boulton-Katritzky rearrangement of isoxazolo[4,5-b]pyridine-3-carbaldehyde arylhydrazones into 3-hydroxy-2-(2-aryl[1,2,3]triazol-4-yl)pyridines was observed.

An Alkyne-Isocyanide Cycloaddition/Boulton-Katritzky Rearrangement/Ring Expansion Reaction: Access to 9-Deazaguanines.

An alkyne-isocyanide [3 + 2] cycloaddition followed by a Boulton-Katritzky rearrangement and a ring expansion is demonstrated. Different from the typical Boulton-Katritzky rearrangement, which forms five-membered ring products, the rearrangement-ring expansion method provides a mild, efficient, and atom-economical access to fused 9-deazaguanine structures in high yields.

Boulton-Katritzky Rearrangement of 5-Substituted Phenyl-3-[2-(morpholin-1-yl)ethyl]-1,2,4-oxadiazoles as a Synthetic Path to Spiropyrazoline Benzoates and Chloride with Antitubercular Properties.

The analysis of stability of biologically active compounds requires an accurate determination of their structure. We have found that 5-aryl-3-(2-aminoethyl)-1,2,4-oxadiazoles are generally unstable in the presence of acids and bases and are rearranged into the salts of spiropyrazolinium compounds. Hence, there is a significant probability that it is the rearranged products that should be attributed to biological activity and not the primarily screened 5-aryl-3-(2-aminoethyl)-1,2,4-oxadiazoles. A series of the 2-amino-8-oxa-1,5-diazaspiro[4.5]dec-1-en-5-ium (spiropyrazoline) benzoates and chloride was synthesized by Boulton–Katritzky rearrangement of 5-substituted phenyl-3-[2-(morpholin-1-yl)ethyl]-1,2,4-oxadiazoles and characterized using FT-IR and NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Spiropyrazolylammonium chloride demonstrates in vitro antitubercular activity on DS (drug-sensitive) and MDR (multidrug-resistant) of MTB (M. tuberculosis) strains (1 and 2 µg/mL, accordingly) equal to the activity of the basic antitubercular drug rifampicin; spiropyrazoline benzoates exhibit an average antitubercular activity of 10–100 μg/mL on MTB strains. Molecular docking studies revealed a series of M. tuberculosis receptors with the energies of ligand–receptor complexes (−35.8–−42.8 kcal/mol) close to the value of intermolecular pairwise interactions of the same cation in the crystal of spiropyrazolylammonium chloride (−35.3 kcal/mol). However, only in complex with transcriptional repressor EthR2, both stereoisomers of the cation realize similar intermolecular interactions.

Intriguing enigma of nitrobenzofuroxan's 'Sphinx': Boulton-Katritzky rearrangement or unusual evidence of the N-1/N-3-oxide rearrangement?

The SEAr/SNAr reaction between 7-chloro-4,6-dinitrobenzofuroxan (ClDNBF) and 2-morpholinyl-, 2-piperidinyl-, or 2-pyrrolidinylthiazole afforded unexpectedly two isomeric products, bearing the benzofuroxanyl moiety bound to the C-5 carbon atom of the thiazole ring. The relative ratio for the two isomers was dependent on temperature and solvent, suggesting the occurrence of an equilibrium between the two novel species. In order to investigate their structure and to design a plausible mechanistic pathway, a series of synthetic and spectroscopic experiments was planned. The isomer's structure was unambigously assigned when the reduction of furoxanyl to the furazanyl ring of the products gave exclusively a single species whose NMR data were coincident with those obtained by reacting the starting 2-aminothiazole derivatives with the 7-chloro-4,6-dinitrobenzofurazan (ClDNBZ). Possible mechanistic pathways might involve N-1-/N-3 oxide tautomerism or Boulton–Katritzky rearrangement and the current study is the first attempt to compare these two reactions. The data collected agree with the first one and DFT calculations permitted also a significant correlation with 13C NMR experimental data and the assignment of the structure of each isomer. Finally, only one Meisenheimer intermediate for each electrophile/nucleophile combination was isolated by coupling the 2-aminothiazole derivatives with 4,6-dinitrobenzofuroxan (DNBF).

Unexpected Substituent Effects in the Iso-Heterocyclic Boulton-Katritzky Rearrangement of 3-Aroylamino-5-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazoles: A Mechanistic Study.

The kinetics of the iso-heterocyclic mononuclear rearrangement of some 3-aroylamino-5-methyl-1,2,4-ozadiazoles was carefully examined under largely variable acidic or alkaline conditions. This reaction may proceed via two different mechanistic pathways (an uncatalyzed and a base-catalyzed one), as accounted for also by the evaluation of the relevant activation parameters. Substituent effects, as quantified by means of the Hammett's equation, appear relatively modest; however, they reveal some interesting anomalies, which enabled us to draw a very precise picture of the intimate reaction course.

Stereospecific Synthesis of ( E)-5-Tetrasubstituted-ylidene-3,5-dihydro-4 H-imidazol-4-ones.

A stereospecific synthesis of ( E)-5-tetrasubstituted-ylidene-3,5-dihydro-4 H-imidazol-4-one derivatives is demonstrated through a cascade process by combination of a Michael addition and Boulton-Katritzky rearrangement. The method provides a simple and efficient approach for the synthesis of ( E)-5-tetrasubstituted-ylidene-3,5-dihydro-4 H-imidazol-4-ones from the reactions of N-(isoxazol-3-yl)-propiolamides or N-(1,2,4-oxadiazo-3-yl) propiolamides with N or C nucleophiles.

Rapid Boulton–Katritzky rearrangement of 5-aryl-3-[2-(piperidin-1-yl)ethyl]-1,2,4-oxadiazoles upon exposure to water and HCl

Сhemical stability of 3-(2-aminoethyl)-5-substituted 1,2,4-oxadiazoles was studied with respect to Boulton–Katritzky rearrangement, which is known to produce planar pyrazolines and pyrazoles upon heating in DMF at 150°C or without solvent at 240°C. The reactivity of 5-aryl-3[2(piperidin-1-yl)ethyl]-1,2,4-oxadiazoles in one type of Boulton–Katritzky rearrangement was observed at room temperature in H 2 O, DMF + H 2 O, and in the presence of HCl. Hydrolysis of 3,5-disubstituted 1,2,4-oxadiazoles under the first two conditions gave 2-amino-1,5-diazaspiro[4.5]dec-1-en-5-ium benzoates, while the action of HCl on 3,5-disubstituted 1,2,4-oxadiazoles produced their hydrochlorides along with 2-amino-1,5-diazaspiro[4.5]dec-1-en-5-ium chloride hydrate. Thus, the reaction afforded spiropyrazoline compounds instead of products with a planar structure.

Rearrangements of 1,2,4-Oxadiazole: “One Ring to Rule Them All”

1,2,4-Oxadiazoles are heterocycles characterized by low aromaticity and the presence of a weak O–N bond and are widely studied due to their tendency to rearrange into more stable heterocyclic compounds. This review covers literature from the last fifteen years, highlighting the general features of 1,2,4-oxadiazoles and their applications. Regarding the reactivity, the development of classical reactions (thermal and photochemical rearrangements) is presented in terms of synthetic utility and mechanistic insight. Among the relevant rearrangement reactions, the Boulton–Katritzky Rearrangement (BKR), Migration – Nucleophilic Attack – Cyclization (MNAC), and Addition of the Nucleophile, Ring Opening, and Ring Closure (ANRORC) reactions are discussed, together with recent noteworthy syntheses and applications of the 1,2,4-oxadiazole ring.

Improved and expanded one-pot, two-component Boulton-Katritzky syntheses of N–N bond containing bicyclic heterocycles

Improved and expanded one-pot, two-component syntheses of bicyclic heterocycles containing a 3-N-acyl-3-amino-1,2-pyrazole motif from N′-hydroxy-carboxyamidines and acylbenzotriazoles have been developed. Importantly, this sequence obviates the need for hydrazine or N-aminating reagents to synthesize the key nitrogen–nitrogen (N–N) bond of these heterocycles, which is formed via Boulton-Katritzky rearrangement. A diverse array of pharmaceutically relevant N–N containing heterocycles has been prepared with this methodology using readily available reagents without the need for special equipment or conditions.

Reactivity of cyclic alkoxyguanidines – experimental and theoretical studies

Cyclic alkoxyguanidines such as 2-methoxyiminoimidazolidine, 2-benzyloxyiminoimidazolidine and 6',7'-dihydro-5' H-spiro(cyclohexane-1,3'-imidazo(2,1-c)(1,2,4)oxadiazole react with isocyanates and isothiocyanates to give the corresponding urea and thiourea derivatives, which under basic reaction conditions undergo an intramolecular SN2σ nucleophilic substitution reaction at the sp 2 nitrogen atom of the alkoxyimine moiety with simultaneous extrusion of the alkoxy anion leading to the formation of imidazo(2,1-c)(1,2,4)triazol-3-one and imidazo(2,1- c)(1,2,4)thiadiazole with new N-N and N-S bonds, respectively. The above extensions of the Boulton-Katritzky rearrangement were studied theoretically with the DFT B3LYP-6-31+G* method and SM8 solvation model.

Synthesis of Isoxazoline Derivatives through Boulton–Katritzky Rearrangement of 1,2,4‐Oxadiazoles

AbstractThe base‐induced rearrangement of 1,2,4‐oxadiazoles into isoxazoline derivatives is reported. This represents the first example of a three‐atom side‐chain rearrangement that involves a saturated CCO side chain at C‐3 of the oxadiazole. Nonaromatic 3‐amino‐isoxazoline derivatives are obtained in good yields. Interestingly, this reaction occurs through the rearrangement of aromatic oxadiazoles to form less stable bonds than those that are broken.

Synthetic Studies toward 3-(Acylamino)-1H-indazoles and Development of a One-Pot, Microwave-Assisted, Oxadiazole Condensation/Boulton-Katritzky Rearrangement

Studies on the Boulton-Katritzky rearrangement of 3-(2-aminoaryl)-1,2,4-oxadiazoles have led to the identification of additional electronic factors that govern the rearrangement as well as a competitive thermal rearrangement pathway for select substrates. To circumvent the limitations of the conventional thermal conversion sequence an improved protocol that employs microwave irradiation has been devised that allows access to rearrangement products in good to excellent isolated yields. Furthermore, we have developed a two-component, one-pot sequence using a microwave-assisted oxadiazole condensation/Boulton-Katritzky rearrangement to deliver 3-(acylamino)-1H-indazoles from simple esters and 2-amino-N-hydroxy-benzamidine

Reaction of 1-Aryl-1H-1,2,3-Triazole-4-Carbonyl Chlorides/Isothiocyanates with 3-Amino-5-Methylisoxazole

1-Aryl-1H-1,2,3-triazole-4-carbonyl chlorides were selected as starting materials for the Boulton–Katritzky rearrangement. When 3-amino-5-methylisoxazole was acylated by 1-aryl-1H-1,2,3-triazole-4-carbonyl chlorides, 1-aryl-5-methyl-N-(5-methylisoxazol-3-yl)-1H-1,2,3-triazole-4-carboxamides 5 were obtained and no further rearrangement occurred. On the other hand, when 1-aryl-1H-1,2,3-triazole-4-carbonyl chlorides were first converted into isothiocyanates by the reaction with KSCN and then were allowed to react with 3-amino-5-methylisoxazole 4 in one pot, intermediate thioureas were formed and spontaneously transformed in statu nascendi into 1,2,4-thiadiazole derivatives 6.GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

The Boulton–Katritzky rearrangement of isocarboxazid

Abstract magnified imageIsocarboxazid rearranges on heating to 5‐acetonyl‐2‐benzyl‐4‐hydroxy‐1,2,3‐triazole in DMF at 150°C, in the ionic liquid, [bmin]HSO at 100°C or as a melt at 105°C. This is the first reported example of the Boulton–Katritzky rearrangement of an acyl hydrazide. J. Heterocyclic Chem., (2009)

Synthesis of fluorinated 1,2,4-oxadiazin-6-ones through ANRORC rearrangement of 1,2,4-oxadiazoles

The reaction of 3-ethoxycarbonyl-5-perfluoroalkyl-1,2,4-oxadiazoles with hydroxylamines has been investigated, evidencing the possibility of competitive reaction paths. Nucleophilic addition of hydroxylamine to the electrophilic C(5) of the 1,2,4-oxadiazole ring, followed by ring-opening and ring-closure with enlargement, leads to high yield and in very mild experimental conditions to the formation of 5-hydroxyamino-3-perfluoroalkyl-6 H-1,2,4-oxadiazin-6-ones, one of these presenting water gelation ability. In turn, reactions with N-methylhydroxylamine lead the exclusive formation of 4-perfluoroacylamino-2-methyl-2 H-1,2,5-oxadiazol-3-ones through the well known Boulton–Katritzky rearrangement.

Experimental and DFT Studies on Competitive Heterocyclic Rearrangements. 3. A Cascade Isoxazole−1,2,4-Oxadiazole−Oxazole Rearrangement

The thermal rearrangements of 3-acylamino-5-methylisoxazoles 1 have been investigated under basic and neutral conditions and interpreted with the support of computational data. The density functional theory (DFT) study on the competitive routes available for the base-catalyzed thermal rearrangement of isoxazoles 1 showed that the Boulton-Katritzky (BK) rearrangement, producing the less stable 3-acetonyl-1,2,4-oxadiazoles 5, is a much more favored process than either the migration-nucleophilic attack-cyclization (MNAC) or the ring contraction-ring expansion (RCRE). In turn, an increase in reaction temperature will promote the MNAC of oxadiazoles 5, producing the more stable 2-acylaminooxazoles 8. The thermal rearrangement of 3-acylaminoisoxazoles 1 into oxazoles 8 can therefore be interpreted in terms of a cascade BK-MNAC rearrangement involving 3-acetonyl-1,2,4-oxadiazoles 5 as ancillary intermediates.

Synthesis of trifluoromethylated 2-benzoyl- and 2-aminoimidazoles from ring rearrangement of 1,2,4-oxadiazole derivatives

Fluoroalkylated 2-ylamino-imidazoles have been synthesized by reaction of 3-amino-5-phenyl-1,2,4-oxadiazole with fluorinated β-dicarbonyl compounds and subsequent base-induced Boulton–Katritzky Rearrangement (BKR) of the isolated β-enaminocarbonyl intermediate. Alternatively, one-pot reactions performed in the presence of Montmorillonite K10 favoured the condensation at the 3-amino moiety of the oxadiazole and, in some cases, allowed the direct synthesis of 2-benzoylamino-imidazoles. Hydrolysis of 2-benzoylamino-imidazoles easily yielded fluorinated 2-amino-imidazoles targets.

Experimental and DFT Studies on Competitive Heterocyclic Rearrangements. Part 2:1 A One-Atom Side-Chain versus the Classic Three-Atom Side-Chain (Boulton−Katritzky) Ring Rearrangement of 3-Acylamino-1,2,4-oxadiazoles

The experimental investigation of the base-catalyzed rearrangements of 3-acylamino-1,2,4-oxadiazoles evidenced a new reaction pathway which competes with the well-known ring-degenerate Boulton-Katritzky rearrangement (BKR). The new reaction consists of a one-atom side-chain rearrangement that is base-activated, occurs at a higher temperature than the BKR, and irreversibly leads to the corresponding 2-acylamino-1,3,4-oxadiazoles. An extensive DFT study is reported to elucidate the proposed reaction mechanism and to compare the three possible inherent routes: (i) the reversible three-atom side-chain ring-degenerate BKR, (ii) the ring contraction-ring expansion route (RCRE), and (iii) the one-atom side-chain rearrangement. The results of the computational investigation point out that the latter route is kinetically preferred over the RCRE and can be considered as the ground-state analogue of a previously proposed C(3)-N(2) migration-nucleophilic attack-cyclization (MNAC) photochemically activated pathway. The MNAC consists of the formation of a diazirine intermediate, involving the exocyclic nitrogen, that eventually evolves into a carbodiimide intermediate (migration); the latter undergoes a single intramolecular nucleophilic attack-cyclization step leading to the final 2-acylamino-1,3,4-oxadiazole.

Five-to-Six Membered Ring-Rearrangements in the Reaction of 5-Perfluoroalkyl-1,2,4-oxadiazoles with Hydrazine and Methylhydrazine

The hydrazinolysis reaction of 5-perfluoroalkyl-1,2,4-oxadiazoles with hydrazine or methylhydrazine as bidentate nucleophiles has been investigated. The reaction occurred through the addition of the bidentate nucleophile to the C(5)-N(4) double bond of the 1,2,4-oxadiazole followed by ring-opening and ring-closure (ANRORC) involving the second nucleophilic site of the reagent. This ring-closure step could involve either the original C(3) of the 1,2,4-oxadiazole (giving a five-to-five membered ring rearrangement) or an additional electrophilic center linked to it (exploiting a five-to-six membered ring rearrangement). An alternative initial nucleophilic attack may involve the additional electrophilic center linked at C(3), that is the carbonyl group, leading to the formation of the hydrazones which undergo the Boulton-Katritzky rearrangement (BKR). The chosen reaction path is a function of the used nucleophile and of the nature of the substituent at C(3). At variance with previous hypotheses, when methylhydrazine was used, the observed regiochemistry always showed the preferred initial attack by the less hindered NH(2) end of the nucleophile on C(5). Moreover, new spectroscopic evidence allowed the assignment of correct structures to the products formed by reaction of 5-perfluoroalkyl-3-phenyl-1,2,4-oxadiazoles with methylhydrazine.

Fluorinated Heterocyclic Compounds. An Effective Strategy for the Synthesis of FluorinatedZ-Oximes of 3-Perfluoroalkyl-6-phenyl-2H-1,2,4-triazin- 5-ones via a Ring-Enlargement Reaction of 3-Benzoyl-5-perfluoroalkyl-1,2,4-oxadiazoles and Hydrazine

The reaction of 3-benzoyl-5-perfluoroalkyl-1,2,4-oxadiazoles with hydrazine has been investigated, evidencing the possibility of competitive reaction paths. Nucleophilic addition of the hydrazine to the electrophilic C(5) of the 1,2,4-oxadiazole ring, followed by ring opening and ring closure with enlargement, leads with high yield and in very mild experimental conditions to the formation of Z-oximes of 3-perfluoroalkyl-6-phenyl-2H-1,2,4-triazin-5-ones (11a-c) as major products of the reaction. In turn, the hydrazine can attack the electrophilic carbonyl carbon giving 4-perfluoroacylamino-5-phenyl-2H-1,2,3-triazoles (13a-c) through the well-known Boulton-Katritzky rearrangement of the intermediate hydrazones.