Direct Access to Bridged Tetrahydroquinolines and Chromanes via an InCl3-Catalyzed Sequential Three-Component Cascade.

A sequential three-component cascade process was developed for the synthesis of bridged tetrahydroquinolines and chromanes bearing 2,6-methanobenzo[d][1,3]diazocine and 2,6-methanobenzo[g][1,3]oxazocine scaffolds, respectively, in good yields from readily available materials. The InCl3-catalyzed reaction progressed via enamine formation, Michael addition, intramolecular cyclization, and intramolecular iminium ion cyclization steps. Notably, this high atom economic approach (-2H2O) allowed the generation of four new bonds (1 C-C and 3 C-N or 1 C-C, 1 C-O and 2 C-N) and two heterocyclic rings in a single operation.

Heterogeneous Amberlyst-15-catalyzed synthesis of complex hybrid heterocycles containing [1,6]-naphthyridine under metal-free green conditions.

An efficient green protocol for the synthesis of complex hybrid heterocycles containing [1,6]-naphthyridine and coumarin/pyrazole moieties was established, involving an intramolecular [4 + 2] hetero Diels-Alder reaction as the key step. The biologically significant 12,13-dihydro-6H-benzo[h]chromeno[3,4-b][1,6]naphthyridin-6-ones and 6,10-dihydro-5H-benzo[h]pyrazolo[3,4-b][1,6]naphthyridines were synthesized starting from 2-(N-propargylamino)-arylaldehydes and 3-aminocoumarins or 3-methyl-1-aryl-1H-pyrazol-5-amines in the presence of an Amberlyst-15 catalyst in PEG-200 in good yields. The easy access to diverse complex molecules in a single operation from readily available starting materials, a commercially available, transition metal-free and recyclable catalyst, the use of a green solvent, a very high atom economy and the release of water as the only side product are the highlights of this protocol.

Direct Access to 9-Chloro-1H-benzo[b]furo[3,4-e]azepin-1-ones via Palladium(II)-Catalyzed Intramolecular syn-Oxypalladation/Olefin Insertion/sp2-C-H Bond Activation Cascade.

An efficient Pd(II)-catalyzed cascade approach was established for the synthesis of 9-chloro-1H-benzo[b]furo[3,4-e]azepin-1-ones starting from N-propargyl arylamines having a pendant α,ß-unsaturated ester scaffold. The mechanism of this sequential process involved intramolecular syn-oxypalladation followed by olefin insertion and ortho sp2-C-Cl bond formation reactions. This high atom- and step-economical cascade sequence generated two heterocycle rings and three new bonds in a single synthetic operation.

Palladium-Catalyzed Regioselective Syn-Chloropalladation-Olefin Insertion-Oxidative Chlorination Cascade: Synthesis of Dichlorinated Tetrahydroquinolines.

A palladium catalyzed cascade process involving syn-chloropalladation, intramolecular olefin insertion, and oxidative C-Cl bond formation reactions was demonstrated for the synthesis of dichlorinated tetrahydroquinolines in high yields (up to 93%). The N-propargyl arylamines having a tethered α,ß-unsaturated carbonyl moiety underwent a regioselective syn-chloropalladation followed by a Heck-type reaction to deliver the tetrahydroquinoline scaffold. The rare insertion of the second chlorine atom was rationalized comprising a PdII/IV catalytic cycle and oxidative cleavage of the C-PdII bond.

Diastereoselective ABB' Three-Component Synthesis of Highly Functionalized Spirooxindoles Bearing Five Consecutive Asymmetric Carbons.

The synthesis of spirooxindoles bearing tetrahydro-4 H-cyclopenta[ b]furan framework was established starting from isatin-derived aldehydes and 2 equiv of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds involving a piperidine-catalyzed ABB' three-component domino process. This reaction was highly diastereoselective affording a single diastereomer of spirooxindoles with five consecutive asymmetric carbons including spiro and tetrasubstituted carbon centers. In addition, this waste-free (-2H2O) reaction showed high atom economy and step economy by creating four new bonds, including three C-C bonds and one C-O bond, and two rings (one carbo- and one heterocyclic) in a single operation. The mechanism of this three-component domino process involved sequential Knoevenagel condensation-Michael addition-intramolecular oxa-Michael addition-intramolecular aldol reactions.

Oxidant-free, three-component synthesis of 7-amino-6H-benzo[c]chromen-6-ones under green conditions.

An oxidant-free three-component synthesis of biologically significant 7-amino-6H-benzo[c]chromen-6-ones was established involving a Sc(OTf)3 catalyzed three-component reaction between primary amines, ß-ketoesters and 2-hydroxychalcones under green conditions. In this strategy, both the B and C rings of 6H-benzo[c]chromen-6-ones were constructed simultaneously starting from acyclic precursors by generating four new bonds including two C-C, one C-N and one C-O in a single synthetic operation. The mechanism of this sequential cascade process involves the initial formation of a ß-enaminone intermediate followed by Michael addition with 2-hydroxychalcone, intramolecular cyclization, dehydration, lactonization and aromatization steps. Unlike the related literature approaches, this reaction delivered the products without the addition of any external oxidants to achieve the key aromatization step.