Intramolecular Homolytic Aromatic Substitution Research Articles

DABCO‐Promoted Selective Photochemical C−N Coupling: Access to Unsymmetrical Azahelicenes

AbstractA multifaceted study on the effect of various factors on the efficiency of photocyclization of naphthofuran O‐acyl oximes was performed. It showed that without any additives or in the presence of electron acceptors, the reaction occurs by a radical pathway and with low chemoselectivity, while DABCO promotes intramolecular cyclization to give naphthofuroquinolines (NFQs) in 34–87% yields. The iminyl radical formed under UV irradiation in the presence of DABCO due to single electron transfer (SET) and N−O bond cleavage undergoes selective intramolecular homolytic aromatic substitution (HAS) with formation of a new C−N bond. This route to quinoline‐annulated scaffolds is based on the use of DABCO both as an electron transfer agent and a proton acceptor.

Facile Synthesis of Isoindolinones via Radical-Mediated Intramolecular Coupling of Two C–H Bonds

AbstractA metal-free method for the construction of 3,3-dimethyl isoindolinones via radical-mediated intramolecular coupling of two C–H bonds of N,N-diisopropyl benzamides was developed. The reactions can proceed in moderate to high yield and with excellent chemoselectivity. A reaction sequence of the formation of an alkyl radical via oxidative cleavage of alkyl C–H bond and the formation of lactam ring via intramolecular homolytic aromatic substitution was proposed.

Photocatalytic Synthesis of Polycyclic Indolones.

In this work, a photocatalytic strategy for a rapid and modular access to polycyclic indolones starting from readily available indoles is reported. This strategy relies on the use of redox‐active esters in combination with an iridium‐based photocatalyst under visible‐light irradiation. The generation of alkyl radicals through decarboxylative single electron reductions enables intramolecular homolytic aromatic substitutions with a pending indole moiety to afford pyrrolo‐ and pyridoindolone derivatives under mild conditions. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that these radicals could also be engaged into cascades consisting of an intermolecular Giese‐type addition followed by an intramolecular homolytic aromatic substitution to rapidly assemble valuable azepinoindolones.

Visible-light-promoted iminyl radical formation from vinyl azides: synthesis of 6-(fluoro)alkylated phenanthridines.

An efficient strategy assisted by visible-light-promoted iminyl radical formation has been developed for the synthesis of 6-(fluoro)alkylated phenanthridine derivatives. In the reactions, addition of alkyl and trifluoromethyl radicals onto vinyl azides gives iminyl radicals, which then undergo intramolecular homolytic aromatic substitution leading to phenanthridines. These reactions can be carried out under mild conditions with high chemical yields and broad substrate scope.

ChemInform Abstract: Visible‐Light‐Promoted Iminyl‐Radical Formation from Acyl Oximes: A Unified Approach to Pyridines, Quinolines, and Phenanthridines.

A unified strategy involving visible-light-induced iminyl-radical formation has been established for the construction of pyridines, quinolines, and phenanthridines from acyl oximes. With fac-[Ir(ppy)3] as a photoredox catalyst, the acyl oximes were converted by 1 e− reduction into iminyl radical intermediates, which then underwent intramolecular homolytic aromatic substitution (HAS) to give the N-containing arenes. These reactions proceeded with a broad range of substrates at room temperature in high yield. This strategy of visible-light-induced iminyl-radical formation was successfully applied to a five-step concise synthesis of benzo[c]phenanthridine alkaloids.

Visible‐Light‐Promoted Iminyl‐Radical Formation from Acyl Oximes: A Unified Approach to Pyridines, Quinolines, and Phenanthridines

AbstractA unified strategy involving visible‐light‐induced iminyl‐radical formation has been established for the construction of pyridines, quinolines, and phenanthridines from acyl oximes. With fac‐[Ir(ppy)3] as a photoredox catalyst, the acyl oximes were converted by 1 e− reduction into iminyl radical intermediates, which then underwent intramolecular homolytic aromatic substitution (HAS) to give the N‐containing arenes. These reactions proceeded with a broad range of substrates at room temperature in high yield. This strategy of visible‐light‐induced iminyl‐radical formation was successfully applied to a five‐step concise synthesis of benzo[c]phenanthridine alkaloids.

Visible-light-promoted iminyl-radical formation from acyl oximes: a unified approach to pyridines, quinolines, and phenanthridines.

A unified strategy involving visible-light-induced iminyl-radical formation has been established for the construction of pyridines, quinolines, and phenanthridines from acyl oximes. With fac-[Ir(ppy)3 ] as a photoredox catalyst, the acyl oximes were converted by 1 e(-) reduction into iminyl radical intermediates, which then underwent intramolecular homolytic aromatic substitution (HAS) to give the N-containing arenes. These reactions proceeded with a broad range of substrates at room temperature in high yield. This strategy of visible-light-induced iminyl-radical formation was successfully applied to a five-step concise synthesis of benzo[c]phenanthridine alkaloids.

Expeditious Approach to Pyrrolophenanthridones, Phenanthridines, and Benzo[c]phenanthridines via Organocatalytic Direct Biaryl-Coupling Promoted by Potassium tert-Butoxide

A methodology involving a "transition metal-free" intramolecular biaryl-coupling of o-halo-N-arylbenzylamines has been developed in the presence of potassium tert-butoxide and an organic molecule as catalyst. The reaction appears to proceed through KO(t)Bu-promoted intramolecular homolytic aromatic substitution (HAS). Interestingly, this biaryl coupling also works in the presence of potassium tert-butoxide as sole promoter. On extending our approach further, we found that N-acyl 2-bromo-N-arylbenzylamines undergo a one-pot N-deprotection/biaryl coupling followed by oxidation, thus offering an expeditious route to the phenanthridine and benzo[c]phenanthridine skeletons. The strategy has been applied to a concise synthesis of Amaryllidaceae alkaloids viz. oxoassoanine (1b), anhydrolycorinone (1d), 5,6-dihydrobicolorine (2d), trispheridine (2b), and benzo[c]phenanthridines alkaloids dihydronitidine (3b), dihydrochelerythidine (3d), dihydroavicine (3f), nornitidine (3h), and norchelerythrine (3j).

Modular Synthesis of Phenanthridine Derivatives by Oxidative Cyclization of 2‐Isocyanobiphenyls with Organoboron Reagents

Where HAS you been? A manganese-mediated annulation of 2-isocyanobiaryls with organoboronic acids is developed for the synthesis of a broad range of phenanthridine derivatives. Mechanistic studies indicate that the reaction proceeds by the intramolecular homolytic aromatic substitution (HAS) of an imidoyl radical intermediate.

Intramolecular Direct Dehydrohalide Coupling Promoted by KOtBu: Total Synthesis of Amaryllidaceae Alkaloids Anhydrolycorinone and Oxoassoanine

A transition-metal-free intramolecular dehydrohalide coupling via intramolecular homolytic aromatic substitution (HAS) with aryl radicals has been developed in the presence of potassium tert-butoxide and an organic molecule as the catalyst. The methodology has been applied to a concise synthesis of Amaryllidaceae alkaloids viz. oxoassoanine (1b), anhydrolycorinone (1d), and other related structures. Interestingly, the method also works only in the presence of potassium tert-butoxide.

One-pot double intramolecular homolytic aromatic substitution routes to dialicyclic ring fused imidazobenzimidazolequinones and preliminary analysis of anticancer activity

Bu(3)SnH/1,1'-azobis(cyclohexanecarbonitrile) (ACN)-mediated five, six, and seven-membered double alkyl radical cyclizations onto imidazo[5,4-f]benzimidazole and imidazo[4,5-f]benzimidazole are described. The quinone derivatives evaluated show selective toxicity towards human cervical (HeLa) and prostate (DU145) cancer cell lines (with negligible toxicity towards a normal human cell line, GM00637). Only the Fremy oxidation of the 6-aminoimidazo[5,4-f]benzimidazole gave iminoquinone, which showed high specificity towards the prostate cancer cell line (DU145).

Intramolecular homolytic aromatic substitution of alkyl 2-benzimidazolyl sulfones as a means of entry into alkyl radicals for organic synthesis

The intramolecular radical aromatic substitution of heteroaryl sulfones by tethered aryl radicals has been investigated as a source of alkyl radicals. The 1-(2-iodobenzyl)benzimidazole-2-sulfonyl system was found to be the most effective, while a tetrazole-based system did not undergo the desired radical aromatic substitution at all. Application of the benzimidazole-based system to the generation of alkyl radical and their subsequent use in radical cyclizations was demonstrated.

Synthetic applications of aryl radical building blocks for cyclisation onto azoles

2-(2-Bromophenyl)ethyl groups have been used as building blocks in radical cyclisation reactions onto azoles to synthesise tri- and tetra-cyclic heterocycles. 2-(2-Bromophenyl)ethyl methanesulfonate was used to alkylate azoles (imidazoles, pyrroles, indoles and pyrazoles) for the synthesis of the radical precursors. Cyclisations of the intermediate aryl radicals yield new 6-membered rings attached to the azoles. The aryl radicals undergo intramolecular homolytic aromatic substitution onto the azole rings. Tributylgermanium hydride has been used with success to replace the toxic and troublesome tributyltin hydride. Initial studies show that the protocol can be used on solid phase resins. The molecular and crystal structures of methyl 5,6-dihydroimidazo[5,1- a]iso-quinoline-1-carboxylate and methyl 5,6-dihydroimidazo[2,1- a]isoquinoline-3-carboxylate were determined by X-ray crystallography.

Radical cyclisation onto imidazoles and benzimidazoles

New synthetic methodology has been developed for the synthesis of [1,2-a]fused imidazoles and benzimidazoles using intramolecular homolytic aromatic substitution. In the intramolecular substitution, N-( ω-alkyl) radicals are generated using Bu 3SnH from N-( ω-phenylselanyl)alkyl side chains. Phenylselanyl groups are used as radical leaving groups to avoid problems in the N-alkylation of imidazoles and benzimidazoles. Arylsulfones for imidazoles, and phenylsulfides for benzimidazoles, are used as the leaving groups in the homolytic substitutions.

Redox catalysis in free-radical reactions: New, simple, convenient intramolecular homolytic aromatic substitutions

Three new general, simple and convenient procedures of intramolecular homolytic aromatic substitution leading to homocyclic and heterocyclic compounds have been developed by addition of aryl or nucleophilic alkyl radicals to alkenes conjugated with electron-withdrawing groups in the presence of metal salt redox systems.

1,5 vs. 1,6 Intramolecular homolytic aromatic substitution by vinyl radicals

Manganese(III) acetate oxidation of substituted diethyl benzylmalonates in the presence of alkynes affords tetrahydronaphthalene derivatives 3, 6, 7 and spiro[4,5]decatriene derivatives 4 or 5, through competitive 1,5 and 1,6 intramolecular aromatic substitution by vinyl radicals.

Reactivity of malonyl radicals. Synthesis of substituted dihydronaphthalenes by manganese(III) oxidation of diethyl .alpha.-benzylmalonate in the presence of alkynes

Oxidation of diethy α-benzylmzalonate (1) by Mn(III) acetate in acetic acid at 70 o C in the presence of alkynes 2a-j leads to dihydronaphalene derivatives 3a-j in moderate to good yields. A homolytic mechanism, involving oxidation of 1 to the corresponding malonyl radical, its addition to a triple bond, and intramolecular homolytic aromatic substitution of the vinyl radical adducts, is suggest. Propargylic hydrogen abstraction and dimerization at the malonic position for less reactive alkynes are the main side reactions observed