Eschenmoser's Salt Research Articles

The Eschenmoser's Salt as a Formylation Agent for the Synthesis of Indolizinecarbaldehydes and Their Use for Colorimetric Nitrite Detection.

C-H bond formylation is the most immediate way to incorporate the versatile formyl group into (hetero)aromatics. However, the type of reagents and severe conditions involved in the classical formylation methods often curtail their application, especially in the presence of other functional groups. Herein, we present the Eschenmoser's salt, a commercially available (dimethylamino)methylating chemical, as a useful reagent for the C-H formylation of indolizines and other compounds. The method is straightforward and mild, furnishing indolizinecarbaldehydes in modest-to-good yields with exclusive and remote regioselectivity. Furthermore, these compounds can be easily transformed into push-pull dyes and are highly selective in the colorimetric detection of nitrite, a substance extensively employed as preservative in the food industry, the concentration of which is crucial to control to prevent harmful effects in living organisms. The assay is simple, allowing the naked-eye detection of nitrite in solution or on a cotton swab for a wide range of concentrations.

The Eschenmoser's Salt as a Formylation Agent for the Synthesis of Indolizinecarbaldehydes and Their Use for Colorimetric Nitrite Detection

AbstractC−H bond formylation is the most immediate way to incorporate the versatile formyl group into (hetero)aromatics. However, the type of reagents and severe conditions involved in the classical formylation methods often curtail their application, especially in the presence of other functional groups. Herein, we present the Eschenmoser's salt, a commercially available (dimethylamino)methylating chemical, as a useful reagent for the C−H formylation of indolizines and other compounds. The method is straightforward and mild, furnishing indolizinecarbaldehydes in modest‐to‐good yields with exclusive and remote regioselectivity. Furthermore, these compounds can be easily transformed into push‐pull dyes and are highly selective in the colorimetric detection of nitrite, a substance extensively employed as preservative in the food industry, the concentration of which is crucial to control to prevent harmful effects in living organisms. The assay is simple, allowing the naked‐eye detection of nitrite in solution or on a cotton swab for a wide range of concentrations.

HFIP Mediates a Direct C-C Coupling between Michael Acceptors and Eschenmoser's salt.

A direct C−C coupling process that merges Michael acceptors and Eschenmoser's salt is presented. Although reminiscent of the Morita–Baylis–Hillman reaction, this process requires no Lewis base catalyst. The underlying mechanism was unveiled by a combination of kinetic, isotopic labelling experiments as well as computational investigations, which showcased the critical role of HFIP as a superior mediator for proton‐transfer events as well as the decisive role of the halide counterion.

Cannabitwinol, a Dimeric Phytocannabinoid from Hemp, Cannabis sativa L., Is a Selective Thermo-TRP Modulator.

Cannabitwinol (CBDD, 3), the second member of a new class of dimeric phytocannabinoids in which two units are connected by a methylene bridge, was isolated from a hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) industrial extract. The structural characterization of cannabitwinol, complicated by broadening of 1H NMR signals and lack of expected 2D NMR correlations at room temperature, was fully carried out in methanol-d4 at -30 °C. All the attempts to prepare CBDD by reaction of CBD with formaldehyde or its iminium analogue (Eschenmoser salt) failed, suggesting that this sterically congested dimer is the result of enzymatic reactions on the corresponding monomeric acids. Analysis of the cannabitwinol profile of transient receptor potential (TRP) modulation evidenced the impact of dimerization, revealing a selectivity for channels activated by a decrease of temperature (TRPM8 and TRPA1) and the lack of significant affinity for those activated by an increase of temperature (e.g., TRPV1). The putative binding modes of cannabitwinol with TRPA1 and TRPM8 were investigated in detail by a molecular docking study using the homology models of both channels.

The Practical Total Synthesis of Rottlerin and Rottlerone

AbstractRottlerin, a chromenochalcone accuring naturally in Mallotus philippensis, processes a variety of biological activities. The compound has a pseudodimeric structure, as two phloroacetophenone derived aryl cores are linked by a methylene bridge. In this paper, we described a La(OTf)3‐catalyzed activated arene‐formaldehyde condensation strategy to construct the methylene bridge, affording the desired product rottlerin and its analogue rottlerone. Moreover, with Eschenmoser's salt, we accomplished the synthesis of rottlerin and rottlerone in one pot.

Stereospecific Allylic Functionalization: The Reactions of Allylboronate Complexes with Electrophiles.

Allylboronic esters react readily with carbonyls and imines (π-electrophiles), but are unreactive toward a range of other electrophiles. By addition of an aryllithium, the corresponding allylboronate complexes display enhanced nucleophilicity, enabling addition to a range of electrophiles (tropylium, benzodithiolylium, activated pyridines, Eschenmoser’s salt, Togni’s reagent, Selectfluor, diisopropyl azodicarboxylate (DIAD), MeSX) in high regio- and stereocontrol. This protocol provides access to key new functionalities, including quaternary stereogenic centers bearing moieties such as fluorine and the trifluoromethyl group. The allylboronate complexes were determined to be 7 to 10 orders of magnitude more reactive than the parent boronic ester.

Salmeterol Xinafoate.

Salmeterol xinafoate is a potent and a long-acting β2-adrenoceptor agonist. It is prescribed for the treatment of severe persistent asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Different methods were used to prepare (R)-(-)-salmeterol such as: mixing a sample of 4-benzyloxy-3-hydroxymethyl-ω-bromoacetophenone with sodium lauryl sulfate and the mixture was added to the microbial culture of Rhodotorula rubra, treatment of p-hydroxyacetophenone with Eschenmoser's salt and carbonate exchange resin followed by a sequence of supported reagents and scavenging agents or via Rh-catalyzed asymmetric transfer hydrogenation. The enantioselective synthesis of (S)-salmeterol was achieved via asymmetric reduction of the azidoketone 4 by Pichia angusta yeast. Physical characteristics of salmeterol xinafoate were confirmed via: X-ray powder diffraction pattern, thermal analysis and UV, vibrational, nuclear magnetic resonance, and mass spectroscopical data. Initial improvement in asthma control may occur within 30 min following oral inhalation of salmeterol in fixed combination with fluticasone propionate. Clinically important improvements are maintained for up to 12 h in most patients. It is extensively metabolized in the liver by hydroxylation, thus increased plasma concentrations may occur in patients with hepatic impairment.

ChemInform Abstract: High‐Yielding Sequential One‐Pot Synthesis of Chiral and Achiral α‐Substituted Acrylates via a Metal‐Free Reductive Coupling Reaction.

A general process for the high-yielding synthesis of substituted chiral and achiral α-substituted acrylates was achieved through the sequential one-pot combination of a metal-free reductive coupling reaction followed by an Eschenmoser methylenation. The proline catalyzed reaction of Meldrum's acid, aldehydes and Hantzsch ester followed by methylenation was successful with Eschenmoser's salt in the presence of an alcohol solvent. Herein, we have shown the high-yielding synthesis of privileged building blocks from chiral/achiral α-substituted acrylates and shown them to be very good intermediates in the pharmaceuticals and natural products synthesis.

Concave Annelated Terpyridines

AbstractBimacrocyclic concave annelated terpyridines were generated from a U‐shaped nonmacrocyclic tetraalkene precursor by ring closing metathesis followed by hydrogenation. The U‐shaped precursor was synthesized by condensing two aryl‐tetrahydroquinolones with Eschenmoser's salt. The quinolones themselves were accessible by coupling a 2‐chloroquinolone with a bis‐alkenyloxy‐substituted boronic acid. The concave terpyridine was tested for reactivity and stereoselectivity in a copper(I)‐catalyzed cyclopropanation.

ChemInform Abstract: New Chiral Didehydroamino Acid Derivatives from a Cyclic Glycine Template with 3,6-Dihydro-2H-1,4-oxazin-2-one Structure: Applications to the Asymmetric Synthesis of Nonproteinogenic α-Amino Acids.

New chiral (Z)-α,β-didehydroamino acid (DDAA) derivatives with 3,5-dihydro-2H-1,4-oxazin-2-one structure 11a−f have been stereoselectively prepared after condensation of chiral glycine equivalent 7 with aldehydes in the presence of K2CO3 under mild solid−liquid phase-transfer catalysis reaction conditions. These new systems have been used in diastereoselective cyclopropanation reactions using Corey's ylide for the asymmetric synthesis of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acids (ACCs) such as allo-corononamic and allo-norcoronamic acids. The hydrogenation reaction of these systems at ambient pressure in the presence of formaldehyde affords saturated oxazinones and N-methylated oxazinones which have been transformed into the N-methyl-α-amino acids (N-MAAs) (S)-2-(methylamino)butanoic acid and (S)-N-methylleucine. In addition, the parent α,β-didehydroalanine derivative 11g has been prepared by a direct aminomethylation−elimination sequence from 7 and Eschenmoser's salt and has been used in Diels−Alder cycload...

Palladium(0)/indium iodide-mediated allylations of electrophiles generated from the hydrolysis of Eschenmoser’s salt: one-pot preparation of diverse carbocyclic scaffolds

A formyl equivalent was generated in situ from Eschenmoser's salt in aqueous THF and was reacted with an allylindium species. Acylnitroso-derived hetero-Diels Alder adducts and related allyl acetates were shown to be substrates for Pd(0)/InI-mediated allylations of formaldehyde-related species to provide homoallylic alcohols. Hydroxymethyl groups were installed with regio- and diastereocontrol to provide relevant disubstituted carbocyclic scaffolds. Enantiopure anti-disubstituted cyclopentene products were prepared from a chiral allyl acetate.

Pd(0)/InI-Mediated Allylic Additions to 4-Acetoxy-2-azetidinone: New Route to Highly Functionalized Carbocyclic Scaffolds

Acylnitroso-derived hetero-Diels-Alder cycloadducts are susceptible to C-O bond cleavage with Pd(0) and InI to form allylic indium(III) species. The in situ prepared allylindium compounds readily react at room temperature with Eschenmoser's salt. Allylation of 4-acetoxy-2-azetidinone provides derivatized cyclopentenes in high regio- and diastereoselectivity.

An Expedient Route to Montanine-Type Amaryllidaceae Alkaloids: Total Syntheses of (−)-Brunsvigine and (−)-Manthine

The first total syntheses of (-)-brunsvigine (1) and (-)-manthine (2) were accomplished in 10 and 18 steps, respectively. (-)-Quinic acid was converted to enone 12 in five steps. Iodination of enone 12 followed by stereoselective reduction yielded alpha-iodo allylic alcohol 16. Conversion of alcohol 16 into Weinreb amide 11 followed by anionic cyclization gave bicyclic enone 10. Stereoselective reduction of enone 10 and subsequent protection afforded pivaloate 9. Grignard addition of 8 to 9 and detosylation afforded amine derivative 19. Pictet-Spengler cyclization of 19 with Eschenmoser's salt and subsequent hydrolysis gave enantiomerically pure (-)-brunsvigine (1). For the total synthesis of (-)-manthine (2), the key intermediate 7 was hydrolyzed to diol 21. Conversion of 21 into 22 followed by regioselective cleavage with DIBAL furnished alcohol 25. Alcohol 25 was converted to the corresponding triflate 26, which on treatment with CsOAc and 18-crown-6 gave stereoinverted acetate 27. Hydrolysis of acetate 27 followed by methylation afforded compound 29. Detosylation of 29 afforded amine derivative 30. Pictet-Spengler cyclization of 30 followed by debenzylation gave alcohol 33. Finally, methylation of alcohol 33 afforded (-)-manthine (2).

Synthesis of substituted salicylamines and dihydro-2 H-1,3-benzoxazines

Phenols were converted to their magnesium salts with the MgCl 2–Et 3N base system and subsequently reacted with Eschenmoser's salt, affording N, N-dimethyl substituted benzylamines in high to excellent yields. A series of mono N-substituted benzylamines were prepared in one-pot syntheses by ortho-formylation of phenols to corresponding salicylaldehydes, which in turn reacted with amines to imines. The imines were subsequently reduced to mono N-substituted benzylamines. Some of these benzylamines were further converted, without work-up, to mono N-substituted dihydro-2 H-1,3-benzoxazines.

Contributions to the Chemistry of Carbenemetal Chemistry.

AbstractChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.

A Direct Preparation of 6‐Methylene‐2‐cyclohexenones.

AbstractFor Abstract see ChemInform Abstract in Full Text.

Efficient Synthesis of 3‐Aminocyclobut‐2‐en‐1‐ones: Squaramide Surrogates as Potent VLA‐4 Antagonists.

AbstractFor Abstract see ChemInform Abstract in Full Text.

Efficient synthesis of 3-aminocyclobut-2-en-1-ones: squaramide surrogates as potent VLA-4 antagonists.

A novel series of uniquely functionalized 3-aminocyclobut-2-en-1-ones has been prepared by facile condensation of a variety of cyclobuta-1,3-diones with a phenylalanine-derived primary amine. These systems subsequently lend themselves to substitution at C-2 by reaction with a variety of electrophilic reagents including N-halosuccinimides, sulfenyl chlorides, and Eschenmoser's salt. Compounds from this novel series are potent antagonists of VLA-4. [reaction: see text]

Facile Synthesis of α‐Substituted Acrylate Esters.

AbstractFor Abstract see ChemInform Abstract in Full Text.

Facile synthesis of alpha-substituted acrylate esters.

Treatment of 5-monosubstituted Meldrum's acids with dimethylmethyleneimmonium iodide (Eschenmoser's iodide salt) in methanol gives alpha-substituted acrylate methyl esters in good yields. Easy access to 5-monosubstituted Meldrum's acids allowed us to synthesize a wide variety of alpha-substituted acrylate methyl esters. The reaction conditions are mild and tolerate many functional groups commonly used in organic synthesis; thus, this new method has potential as an alternative to conventional preparative methods for alpha-substituted acrylate esters.