Trichloromethyl Research Articles

Photocatalytic organosulfur reagent-promoted selective mono-(deutero)hydrodechlorination

Selective partial C–Cl bond reduction represents an important strategy for the construction of valuable chlorine-containing skeletons.

Trichloromethylative Olefin Lactonization by Photoredox Catalysis

AbstractA trichloromethylative olefin lactonization reaction using an iridium photoredox catalyst was developed. The reactions proceeded at room temperature for olefins with various substituents and substitution patterns, and a variety of lactones with a tetrasubstituted carbon and trichloromethyl group were obtained regio‐ and stereoselectively. The reaction mechanism was elucidated through isotope labeling experiments. The chemical properties of the lactones containing the trichloromethyl groups were investigated, and synthetic transformations of the product were realized.

Design, synthesis, in vitro anticancer, molecular docking and SAR studies of new series of pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine derivatives

The current study involves the design and synthesis of a newly synthesized pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine derivatives to contain chlorine atoms in positions 4 and 6 and trichloromethyl group in position 2 using microwave technique as a new and robust approach for preparation of this type of pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine derivatives. The chemical structure of the synthesized pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine derivatives 3–19 was well-characterized using spectral and elemental analyses as well as single-crystal X-ray diffraction. All compounds were tested in vitro against seven selected human cancer cell lines, namely, MCF7, A549, HCT116, PC3, HePG2, PACA2 and BJ1 using MTT assay. It was found that compounds 14a, 16b and 18b were the most active toward MCF7 with IC50 (1.7, 5.7, and 3.4 μg/ml, respectively) relative to doxorubicin (Dox.) (26.1 μg/ml). Additionally, compound 17 exerted promising cytotoxic effects against HePG2 and PACA2 with IC50 (8.7 and 6.4 μg/ml, respectively) relative to Dox. (21.6 and 28.3 μg/ml, respectively). The molecular docking study confirmed our ELISA result which showed the promising binding affinities of compounds 14a and 17 against Bcl2 anti-apoptotic protein. At the gene expression level, P53, BAX, DR4 and DR5 were up-regulated, while Bcl2, Il-8, and CDK4 were down-regulated in 14a, 14b and 18b treated MCF7 cells. At the protein level, compound 14b increased the activity of Caspase 8 and BAX (18.263 and 14.25 pg/ml) relative to Dox. (3.99 and 4.92 pg/ml, respectively), while the activity of Bcl2 was greatly decreased in 14a treated MCF7 (2.4 pg/ml) compared with Dox. (14.37 pg/ml). Compounds 14a and 14b caused cell cycle arrest at the G1/S phase in MCF7. Compounds 16b and 18b induced the apoptotic death of MCF7 cells. In addition, the percentage of fragmented DNA was increased significantly in 14a treated MCF7 cells.

Regiocontrolled Synthesis of 1-Substituted-3(5)-carboxyalkyl-1H-pyrazoles Using Trichloromethyl Enones.

In this work, we present a regiocontrolled methodology to prepare 1-substituted-3(5)-carboxyalkyl-1H-pyrazoles using trichloromethyl enones as starting materials. It was found that the selectivity of the reaction depends on the nature of the hydrazine: when using arylhydrazine hydrochlorides, synthesis of the 1,3-regioisomer was achieved (22 examples, 37-97% yields), while the corresponding free hydrazine led exclusively to the 1,5-regioisomer (12 examples, 52-83% yields). The trichloromethyl group was used as a precursor for the carboxyalkyl moiety, furnishing a one-pot three-component regioselective protocol suitable for preparing both isomers at moderate to excellent yields. The selectivity of the reaction was investigated through NMR analyses and the structures of the products were unambiguously determined by SCXR analyses.

Lewis Base-Boryl Radicals Enabled Borylation Reactions and Selective Activation of Carbon-Heteroatom Bonds.

ConspectusThe past decades have witnessed tremendous progress on radical reactions. However, in comparison with carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and other main group element centered radicals, the synthetic chemistry of boron centered radicals was less studied, mainly due to the high electron-deficiency and instability of such 3-center-5-electron species. In the 1980s, Roberts and co-workers found that the coordination of a Lewis base (amines or phosphines) with the boron center could form 4-center-7-electron boryl radicals (Lewis base-boryl radicals, LBRs) that are found to be more stable. However, only limited synthetic applications were developed. In 2008, Curran and co-workers achieved a breakthrough with the discovery of N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) boryl radicals, which could enable a range of radical reduction and polymerization reactions. Despite these exciting findings, more powerful and valuable synthetic applications of LBRs would be expected, given that the structures and reactivities of LBRs could be easily modulated, which would provide ample opportunities to discover new reactions. In this Account, a summary of our key contributions in LBR-enabled radical borylation reactions and selective activation of inert carbon-heteroatom bonds will be presented.Organoboron compounds have shown versatile applications in chemical society, and their syntheses rely principally on ionic borylation reactions. The development of mechanistically different radical borylation reactions allows synthesizing products that are inaccessible by traditional methods. For this purpose, we progressively developed a series of NHC-boryl radical mediated chemo-, regio-, and stereoselective radical borylation reactions of alkenes and alkynes, by which a wide variety of structurally diverse organoboron molecules were successfully prepared. The synthetic utility of these borylated products was also demonstrated. Furthermore, we disclosed a photoredox protocol for oxidative generation of NHC-boryl radicals, which enabled useful defluoroborylation and arylboration reactions.Selective bond activation is an ideal way to convert simple starting materials to value-added products, while the cleavage of inert chemical bonds, in particular the chemoselectivity control when multiple identical bonds are present in similar chemical environments, remains a long-standing challenge. We envisaged that finely tuning the properties of LBRs might provide a new solution to address this challenge. Recently, we disclosed a 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP)-boryl radical promoted sequential C-F bond functionalization of trifluoroacetic acid derivatives, in which the α-C-F bonds were selectively snipped via a spin-center shift mechanism. This strategy enables facile conversion of abundantly available trifluoroacetic acid to highly valuable mono- and difluorinated molecules. Encouraged by this finding, we further developed a boryl radical enabled three-step sequence to construct all-carbon quaternary centers from a range of trichloromethyl groups, where the three C-Cl bonds were selectively cleaved by the rational choice of suitable boryl radical precursors in each step. Furthermore, a boryl radical promoted dehydroxylative alkylation of α-hydroxy carboxylic acid derivatives was achieved, allowing for the efficient conversion of some biomass platform molecules to high value products.

SYNTHESIS OF SALTS OF N-ALLYLTRICHLOROACETAMIDINIUM HEXAHALOGENOTELLURATE

Amidines with a trichloromethyl group exhibit the properties of inotropic agents, which are used as scaffolds in synthesizing aza-hete­rocycles and ligands for complex formation. Functionalized amidines show anticancer, and antidiabetic activity, and are antihypertensive and antiparasitic agents. The synthesis of new functional derivatives of such amidines is definitely an urgent task. The introduction of an alkenyl substituent and several nucleophilic centers in the amidine creates prerequisites for electrophilic cyclization. This work aims to study the reactions of N-allyl-N-methyl-N'-(trimethylsilyl)-2,2,2-trichloroethanimidamide with tellurium halides.
 The starting N-allyl-N-methyl-N'-(trimethylsilyl)-2,2,2-trichloroethanimidamide was synthesized from N-allyl-N-methyl-­2,2,2-­trichloroethanimidamide by the action of trimethylsilyl chloride in the presence of triethylamine base. The reaction of N-­allyl-­N-methyl-N'-(trimethylsilyl)-2,2,2-trichloroethanimidamide with tellurium dioxide in hydrohalic acid was carried out while cooling to 0°C. Elemental analysis confirms that the electrophilic reagent is in its acidic form in the complex. The 1H NMR spectra of the obtained complexes indicate the absence of EVC - the spin pattern of the proton signals of the allylic substituent, characteristic of the starting compounds, is preserved, but the signals are shifted by 0.3–0.6 ppm. The absence of proton signals of the trimethyl salt substituent indicates the removal of imide protection under these conditions. The presence of a broade­ned singlet in a weak field indicates the pre­sence of acidic protons. Apparently, protonation does not take place on the alkenyl multiple bonds, but, presumably, on the imide nitrogen atom. Based on elemental analysis, the composition of the formed complex was determined: N-allyl-N-methyl-2,2,2-trichloroethanimidamidine: hexahalogenotelluric acid as 1:0.5, which contains 4 or 3 water molecules. So the interaction of N-allyl-N-methyl-N'-(trimethylsilyl)-2,2,2-trichloroethanimidamide with tellurium tetrahalides in a strongly acidic environment, tellurium- or proton-induced cyclization does not occur, but hexahalogeno­tellurate N-allyl-N-methyl-2,2,2-trichloro­etha­neimidamidinium regardless of the polarity of the solvent.

Dichloro{4-(4-chlorophenoxy)phthalazin-1-yl} methylphosphonic dichloride

As part of our ongoing scaffold-hopping work on an antiplasmodial 2-trichloromethylquinazoline scaffold, we aimed to explore the 1-trichloromethylphthalazine scaffold as a potential new antimalarial series. Using previously chlorination conditions described by our lab to obtain a trichloromethyl group from a methyl group, we did not obtain the target compound; instead, we obtained a dichloro methylphosphonic dichloride side product 3. The nature of this compound was then characterized by NMR, HRMS and X-ray crystallography. The same issue was previously reported by Kato et al., starting from the 2-methyl-3-nitropyridine. Finally, compound 3, although not cytotoxic, was not active against P. falciparum, the parasite responsible for human malaria.

Boryl Radicals Enabled a Three-Step Sequence to Assemble All-Carbon Quaternary Centers from Activated Trichloromethyl Groups.

The construction of diversely substituted all-carbon quaternary centers has been a longstanding challenge in organic synthesis. Methods that add three alkyl substituents to a simple C(sp3) atom rely heavily on lengthy multiple processes, which usually involve several preactivation steps. Here, we describe a straightforward three-step sequence that uses a range of readily accessible activated trichloromethyl groups as the carbon source, the three C-Cl bonds of which are selectively functionalized to introduce three alkyl chains. In each step, only a single C-Cl bond was cleaved with the choice of an appropriate Lewis base-boryl radical as the promoter. A vast range of diversely substituted all-carbon quaternary centers could be accessed directly from these activated CCl3 trichloromethyl groups or by simple derivatizations. The use of different alkene traps in each of the three steps enabled facile collections of a large library of products. The utility of this strategy was demonstrated by the synthesis of variants of two drug molecules, whose structures could be easily modulated by varying the alkene partner in each step. The results of kinetic and computational studies enabled the design of the three-step reaction and provided insights into the reaction mechanisms.

Structure and conformational analysis of 5,5-bis(bromomethyl)-2-trichloromethyl-1,3-dioxane by XRD, NMR and computer simulation

According to the NMR 1Н, 13С and X-ray analysis data molecules of 5,5-bis(bromomethyl)-2-trichloromethyl-1,3-dioxane in the crystalline phase and in solution have a chair conformation with an equatorial trichloromethyl group. The route of conformational transformations for isolated molecule and for a cluster with five chloroform molecules, as well as a transition states and barriers to the internal rotation of the axial and equatorial trichloromethyl group have been established using DFT approximation PBE/3ξ.

Stepwise Construction of All-Carbon Quaternary Centers Starting from Activated Trichloromethyl Group in Three Steps

Stepwise Construction of All-Carbon Quaternary Centers Starting from Activated Trichloromethyl Group in Three Steps

Functionalized β,β-dichloroenones and β,β-dibromoenones as versatile building blocks: Synthesis and transformations

An efficient one-step synthesis of functionalized β,β-dichloroenones and β,β-dibromoenones was achieved via the Fe-catalyzed radical induced reaction between silyl enol ethers and carbon tetrachloride, bromotrichloromethane or carbon tetrabromide in moderate to good yields. This reaction proceeds through addition of the trichloromethyl or tribromomethyl radical group to the CC bond of the silyl enol ethers and subsequent base-induced elimination under mild conditions.

Antiplasmodial 2-thiophenoxy-3-trichloromethyl quinoxalines target the apicoplast of Plasmodium falciparum.

The identification of a plant-like Achille's Heel relict, i.e. the apicoplast, that is essential for Plasmodium spp., the causative agent of malaria lead to an attractive drug target for new antimalarials with original mechanism of action. Although it is not photosynthetic, the apicoplast retains several anabolic pathways that are indispensable for the parasite. Based on previously identified antiplasmodial hit-molecules belonging to the 2-trichloromethylquinazoline and 3-trichloromethylquinoxaline series, we report herein an antiplasmodial Structure-Activity Relationships (SAR) study at position two of the quinoxaline ring of 16 newly synthesized compounds. Evaluation of their activity toward the multi-resistant K1 Plasmodium falciparum strain and cytotoxicity on the human hepatocyte HepG2 cell line revealed a hit compound (3k) with a PfK1 EC50 value of 0.3μM and a HepG2 CC50 value of 56.0μM (selectivity index=175). Moreover, hit-compound 3k was not cytotoxic on VERO or CHO cell lines and was not genotoxic in the invitro comet assay. Activity cliffs were observed when the trichloromethyl group was replaced by CH3, CF3 or H, showing that this group played a key role in the antiplasmodial activity. Biological investigations performed to determine the target and mechanism of action of the compound 3k strongly suggest that the apicoplast is the putative target as showed by severe alteration of apicoplaste biogenesis and delayed death response. Considering that there are very few molecules that affect the Plasmodium apicoplast, our work provides, for the first time, evidence of the biological target of trichloromethylated derivatives.

Trichloromethylative Olefin Cycloamination by Photoredox Catalysis

AbstractThe trichloromethyl group is an important functionality. It is a useful synthetic moiety and appears in the structures of natural and biologically active compounds; hence, developing synthetic methods for its introduction into structural motifs is an important objective. Herein, we report an efficient chemistry for the trichloromethylations and cycloaminations of olefin. These reactions are realized in a single step and triggered by the addition of the trichloromethyl radical, generated from bromotrichloromethane by photoredox catalysis, to a double bond, with the resulting intermediate trapped through intramolecular reaction with an amino group. This process facilitates the construction of N‐heterocycles having trichloromethyl units and tetrasubstituted carbons from simple compounds under mild conditions.

Simple Synthesis of Substituted 3-Hydroxyfuran-2(5H)-ones

AbstractA convenient and facile approach to functionalized 4-substituted 3,5-dihydroxy-5-(trichloromethyl)furan-2(5H)-ones was developed. This method is based on regioselective synthesis of novel furan-2,3-diones containing the trichloromethyl group and subsequent hydrolysis. The structures of compounds were unambiguously confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.

Recent Advances in Polychloromethylation Reactions

AbstractMolecules with di‐ or trichloromethyl group are widely existed in natural products and man‐made structures that represent special activities in pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. Besides, polychloromethyl‐containing compounds are also high valuable intermediates in organic synthesis and also can be used as functional materials. Therefore, significant efforts have been made toward the incorporation of polychloromethyl groups into certain structures. In this field, a variety of polychloromethyl reagents, such as CH2Cl2, HCCl3, CCl4, TMSCCl3, TMSCCl2H, etc. have been utilized as the di‐ or trichloromethyl sources toward polychloromethylated structures through radical, nucleophilic, and other reaction patterns. In this review, we summarized and discussed the recent achievements in the synthesis of polychloromethylated compounds, mainly focused on the employment of different polychloromethyl reagents. Most of the works we investigated were reported after 2010. Mechanism discussions and outlooks were also given.magnified image

Recent Developments in the Polychloroalkylation by Use of Simple Alkyl Chlorides

AbstractOwing to their easy availability and cheapness, simple alkyl chlorides are good raw materials for introducing complex polychlorinated groups. Polychlorinated hydrocarbons units, such as di‐ or trichloromethyl groups, not only widely found in pesticide and bioactive molecule, but also can be as a precursor to converted into different functional groups such as −COOH, −CHO and −CO. The direct polychloroalkylation reaction by using simple alkyl chlrides has been considered to be an important tool for synthesizing complex polychlorinated compounds. This review summarizes recent developments, especially free radical strategies, in the polychloroalkylation of different substrates (such as 2‐acylpyridines, benzyl tertiary amines, alkenes, imine and 1,n‐enynes). We hope that this review provides a new perspective on this field and also provides a reference to develop environmentally friendly and sustainable methods.magnified image

Sigillins from Springtails Are Potent Natural Insecticides.

Sigillins are highly chlorinated natural products from the springtail Ceratophysella sigillata (Collembola) that are used to deter arthropod predators. We report here the isolation and structure elucidation of sigillin F, a hydrogenated benzopyranone compound bearing two trichloromethyl groups, and the synthesis of trideoxysigillin (8), a non-natural compound representing the basic scaffold of the sigillins. Sigillins A and F showed insecticidal activity toward various insects, similar to the commercial insecticide imidacloprid, whereas 8 was inactive. The highest mortality was observed for the aphids Megoura viciae and Myzus persicae, but other insect species were also susceptible. Sigillins act as noncompetitive antagonists of the GABA receptor. This mode of action is identical to that of known insecticides with high chlorine content such as dieldrin or endosulfan. The high content of sigillins in C. sigillata, more than 4 mM in concentration, indicates self-resistance. Strikingly, the Collembola and humans have both arrived at the same target with related types of compounds to combat insects.

Novel pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine derivatives: Design, synthesis, structure elucidation and in vitro anti-BVDV activity

The progression of drug resistance of viral infection justifies the discovering of new anti-viral agents. Thus, a novel series of pyrrolopyrimidine derivatives 5–7 and 9–18 were designed, synthesized and fully characterized by IR, mass spectroscopy, NMR, and elemental analysis. The structure of 4,6-dichloro-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine 10 elucidated by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Herein, we reported the first pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine compounds with trichloromethane at position 2 of the pyrimidine ring. As initial biological activity screening, evaluation of the pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine compounds as anti-BVDV (Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus) was examined. The compounds 11, 13, 16 and 17 exhibited excellent activity as a potent inhibitor against BVDV. Structure activity relationship showed that the pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine molecules presenting hydrogen atom or trichloromethyl group on C2 and chlorine, sulfur, pyrrolidine or methoxy groups on C4 of the pyrimidine ring showed high activity as anti-BVDV in comparison with the compounds which have Cl or CH3 on C2 position.

3-(5-Amino-1,2,4-triazole)-1,2,4-oxadiazole: A new biheterocyclic scaffold for the synthesis of energetic materials

Nitrogen-rich heterocycles are increasingly used in energetic chemistry with the aim to achieve superior performance of the new energetic materials. Combining such building blocks into biheterocycles increases energy output while at the same time retains low sensitivity. Herein, we report the synthesis and characterization of a compound containing a 5-amino-1,2,4-triazole moiety connected with a 1,2,4-oxadiazole ring. The trichloromethyl group attached to the oxadiazole ring offers an attractive point for further transformations into potentially energetic compounds.

From destructive CCl4 adsorption to grafting SO3H groups onto activated carbon fibers

Nanoporous activated carbon fibers (BusofitTM, BACF) showed effective adsorption of carbon tetrachloride (CTC) vapors. About 2.50 mmol × g−1 of chlorine, in the form of trichloromethyl and chlorine groups, can be grafted onto BACF surface by thermal decomposition of CTC at 450 °C. To obtain solid acids, this chlorinated BACF, the brominated and pristine BACFs, taken for comparison, were subjected to progressive sulfidation, hydrolysis and oxidation reactions for grafting sulfonic groups. By this wet route, sulfonic groups can substitute only 1.1–1.4 mmol × g−1 of the grafted chlorine groups. Nevertheless, solid acids obtained in this way have high catalytic performance in the 2-propanol dehydration to propene. For these catalysts, in the range from 180 to 220°C, a 100% alcohol conversion with 100% selectivity to propene could be reached. Thermoprogrammed desorption and thermal analysis revealed that the pyrolytic chlorination triggers the highest thermal stability of grafted sulfonic groups, and, they can repeatedly act in the dehydration reaction.