One-Step Synthesis of 3,4-Disubstituted 2-Oxazolidinones by Base-Catalyzed CO2 Fixation and Aza-Michael Addition.

2-Oxazolidinones are saturated heterocyclic compounds, which are highly attractive targets in modern drug design. Herein, we describe a new, single-step approach to 3,4-disubstituted 2-oxazolidinones by aza-Michael addition using CO2 as a carbonyl source and 1,1,3,3-tetramethylguanidine (TMG) as a catalyst. The modular reaction, which occurs between a γ-brominated Michael acceptor, CO2 and an arylamine, aliphatic amine or phenylhydrazine, is performed under mild conditions. The regiospecific reaction displays good yields (av. 75 %) and excellent functional-group compatibility. In addition, late-stage functionalization of drug and drug-like molecules is demonstrated. The experimental results suggest a mechanism consisting of several elementary steps: TMG-assisted carboxylation of aniline; generation of an O-alkyl carbamate; and the final ring-forming step through an intramolecular aza-Michael addition.

Carbon dioxide-based facile synthesis of cyclic carbamates from amino alcohols.

We report herein a straightforward general method for the synthesis of cyclic carbamates from amino alcohols and carbon dioxide in the presence of an external base and a hydroxyl group activating reagent. Utilizing p-toluenesulfonyl chloride (TsCl), the reaction proceeds under mild conditions, and the approach is fully applicable to the preparation of various high value-added 5- and 6-membered rings as well as bicyclic fused ring carbamates. DFT calculations and experimental results indicate a SN2-type reaction mechanism with high regio-, chemo-, and stereoselectivity.

A One-Pot Synthesis of N-Aryl-2-Oxazolidinones and Cyclic Urethanes by the Lewis Base Catalyzed Fixation of Carbon Dioxide into Anilines and Bromoalkanes.

The multicomponent assembly of pharmaceutically relevant N-aryl-oxazolidinones through the direct insertion of carbon dioxide into readily available anilines and dibromoalkanes is described. The addition of catalytic amounts of an organosuperbase such as Barton's base enables this transformation to proceed with high yields and exquisite substrate functional-group tolerance under ambient CO2 pressure and mild temperature. This report also provides the first proof-of-principle for the single-operation synthesis of elusive seven-membered ring cyclic urethanes.

Diverting Hydrogenations with Wilkinson's Catalyst towards Highly Reactive Rhodium(I) Species.

The addition of Barton's base has a dramatic effect on the classic rhodium(III)-mediated hydrogenations promoted by Wilkinson's catalyst. Following the initial oxidative addition, a barrierless reductive elimination of HCl from the traditional rhodium(III) intermediates instantly produces a rhodium(I) monohydride species, which is remarkably reactive in the hydrogenation of several internal alkynes and functionalized trisubstituted alkenes. The direct formation of this species is unprecedented upon addition of molecular hydrogen and its catalytic potential has been hitherto barely explored.

Direct assembly of 2-oxazolidinones by chemical fixation of carbon dioxide.

The reaction of ß- and γ-haloamines with carbon dioxide to give pharmaceutically relevant 2-oxazolidinones and 1,3-dioxazin-2-ones, was found to proceed efficiently in the presence of a base and in the absence of catalyst. After optimization of reaction conditions, the system was successfully expanded to a variety of haloamines, even at multigram scale. The reaction was further studied in silico by DFT calculations.

Solvent free oxidation of primary alcohols and diols using thymine iron(III) catalyst.

In this study, we developed an efficient and selective iron-based catalyst system for the synthesis of ketones from secondary alcohols and carboxylic acids from primary alcohol. In situ generated iron catalyst of thymine-1-acetate (THA) and FeCl(3) under solvent-free condition exhibits high activity. As an example, 1-octanol and 2-octanol were oxidized to 1-octanoic acid and 2-octanone with 89% and 98% yields respectively.