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Advances in Organic Synthesis: A Theme Issue in Honor of Professor Mieczysław Mąkosza

A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Organic Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2021) | Viewed by 28968

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Institute of Organic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kasprzaka 44/52, 01-224 Warsaw, Poland
Interests: nucleophilic substitution; heterocycles; carbanions; C–H activation; homogenous catalysis; fluoroorganic compounds

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nucleophilic aromatic substitution (SNAr) is one of the main approaches to introduction of complex substituents into electron deficient aromatic systems. It is a well-established alternative to methods based on transition metal catalysis and plays a key role in the synthesis of numerous valuable chemical products, including pharmaceuticals and biologically active compounds, functional materials or agrochemicals. Nucleophilic substitution of ring hydrogen in aromatic systems is particularly attractive as it avoids preparation of pre-functionalized substrates equipped with suitable leaving groups. In this regard, Professor Mieczysław Mąkosza, to whom this thematic issue is dedicated, is well known for his discovery of the vicarious nucleophilic substitution reaction (VNS), as well as for his important contributions to the development of oxidative SNAr of hydrogen (ONSH) processes.

SNAr reactions are now deeply studied and well understood, but they remain a field of active research and new developments. Considering the synthetic aspect, new variants of nucleophilic substitution continue to be developed, enabling new efficient strategies for direct functionalization of aromatic rings with a variety of substituents or, in many cases, also further synthesis of heterocycles. On the other hand,  mechanistic and computational studies are pursued, particularly those aiming at providing a full picture of hydrogen and nucleofugal group replacement. Contributions concerning all these areas of the SNAr chemistry are welcome, in the form of communications, full papers and reviews.

Dr. Rafał Loska
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • nucleophilic substitution
  • aromatic compounds
  • nitroarenes
  • heterocycles
  • VNS
  • ONSH
  • nucleophiles
  • carbanions
  • hydrogen substitution
  • reaction mechanisms

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 1607 KiB  
Article
Tethered Blatter Radical for Molecular Grafting: Synthesis of 6-Hydroxyhexyloxy, Hydroxymethyl, and Bis(hydroxymethyl) Derivatives and Their Functionalization
by Szymon Kapuściński, Bindushree Anand, Paulina Bartos, Jose M. Garcia Fernandez and Piotr Kaszyński
Molecules 2022, 27(4), 1176; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27041176 - 9 Feb 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2420
Abstract
Synthetic access to 7-CF3-1,4-dihydrobenzo[e][1,2,4]triazin-4-yl radicals containing 4-(6-hydroxyhexyloxy)phenyl, 4-hydroxymethylphenyl or 3,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)phenyl groups at the C(3) position and their conversion to tosylates and phosphates are described. The tosylates were used to obtain disulfides and an azide with good yields. The Blatter [...] Read more.
Synthetic access to 7-CF3-1,4-dihydrobenzo[e][1,2,4]triazin-4-yl radicals containing 4-(6-hydroxyhexyloxy)phenyl, 4-hydroxymethylphenyl or 3,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)phenyl groups at the C(3) position and their conversion to tosylates and phosphates are described. The tosylates were used to obtain disulfides and an azide with good yields. The Blatter radical containing the azido group underwent a copper(I)-catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition with phenylacetylene under mild conditions, giving the [1,2,3]triazole product in 84% yield. This indicates the suitability of the azido derivative for grafting Blatter radical onto other molecular objects via the CuAAC “click” reaction. The presented derivatives are promising for accessing surfaces and macromolecules spin-labeled with the Blatter radical. Full article
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21 pages, 4412 KiB  
Article
An Efficient Approach to 2-CF3-Indoles Based on ortho-Nitrobenzaldehydes
by Vasiliy M. Muzalevskiy, Zoia A. Sizova, Vladimir T. Abaev and Valentine G. Nenajdenko
Molecules 2021, 26(23), 7365; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26237365 - 4 Dec 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2314
Abstract
The catalytic olefination reaction of 2-nitrobenzaldehydes with CF3CCl3 afforded stereoselectively trifluoromethylated ortho-nitrostyrenes in up to 88% yield. The reaction of these alkenes with pyrrolidine permits preparation of α-CF3-β-(2-nitroaryl) enamines. Subsequent one pot reduction of nitro-group by Fe-AcOH-H [...] Read more.
The catalytic olefination reaction of 2-nitrobenzaldehydes with CF3CCl3 afforded stereoselectively trifluoromethylated ortho-nitrostyrenes in up to 88% yield. The reaction of these alkenes with pyrrolidine permits preparation of α-CF3-β-(2-nitroaryl) enamines. Subsequent one pot reduction of nitro-group by Fe-AcOH-H2O system initiated intramolecular cyclization to afford 2-CF3-indoles. Target products can be prepared in up to 85% yields. Broad synthetic scope of the reaction was shown as well as some followed up transformations of 2- CF3-indole. Full article
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18 pages, 4642 KiB  
Article
Radical and Ionic Mechanisms in Rearrangements of o-Tolyl Aryl Ethers and Amines Initiated by the Grubbs–Stoltz Reagent, Et3SiH/KOtBu
by Krystian Kolodziejczak, Alexander J. Stewart, Tell Tuttle and John A. Murphy
Molecules 2021, 26(22), 6879; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26226879 - 15 Nov 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3168
Abstract
Rearrangements of o-tolyl aryl ethers, amines, and sulfides with the Grubbs–Stoltz reagent (Et3SiH + KOtBu) were recently announced, in which the ethers were converted to o-hydroxydiarylmethanes, while the (o-tol)(Ar)NH amines were transformed into dihydroacridines. Radical [...] Read more.
Rearrangements of o-tolyl aryl ethers, amines, and sulfides with the Grubbs–Stoltz reagent (Et3SiH + KOtBu) were recently announced, in which the ethers were converted to o-hydroxydiarylmethanes, while the (o-tol)(Ar)NH amines were transformed into dihydroacridines. Radical mechanisms were proposed, based on prior evidence for triethylsilyl radicals in this reagent system. A detailed computational investigation of the rearrangements of the aryl tolyl ethers now instead supports an anionic Truce–Smiles rearrangement, where the initial benzyl anion can be formed by either of two pathways: (i) direct deprotonation of the tolyl methyl group under basic conditions or (ii) electron transfer to an initially formed benzyl radical. By contrast, the rearrangements of o-tolyl aryl amines depend on the nature of the amine. Secondary amines undergo deprotonation of the N-H followed by a radical rearrangement, to form dihydroacridines, while tertiary amines form both dihydroacridines and diarylmethanes through radical and/or anionic pathways. Overall, this study highlights the competition between the reactive intermediates formed by the Et3SiH/KOtBu system. Full article
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14 pages, 3588 KiB  
Article
A DFT Study on the Molecular Mechanism of Additions of Electrophilic and Nucleophilic Carbenes to Non-Enolizable Cycloaliphatic Thioketones
by Grzegorz Mlostoń, Karolina Kula and Radomir Jasiński
Molecules 2021, 26(18), 5562; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26185562 - 13 Sep 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2411
Abstract
The molecular mechanisms of addition of dihalocarbenes and dimethoxycarbene to thioketones derived from 2,2,4,4-tetrmethylcyclobutane-1,3-dione were examined on the basis of the DFT wb97xd/6-311g(d,p)(PCM) calculations. Obtained results demonstrated that the examined processes exhibit polar nature and in the case of electrophilic dichloro-, and dibromocarbenes [...] Read more.
The molecular mechanisms of addition of dihalocarbenes and dimethoxycarbene to thioketones derived from 2,2,4,4-tetrmethylcyclobutane-1,3-dione were examined on the basis of the DFT wb97xd/6-311g(d,p)(PCM) calculations. Obtained results demonstrated that the examined processes exhibit polar nature and in the case of electrophilic dichloro-, and dibromocarbenes are initiated by the attack of carbene species onto the sulfur atom of the C=S group. Remarkably, reactions involving more electrophilic carbenes (dichloro-, and dibromocarbene) proceeds via stepwise mechanism involving thiocarbonyl ylide as a transient intermediate. In contrast, analogous reactions with nucleophilic dimethoxycarbene occur via a single step reaction, which can be considered as the [2 + 1] cycloaddition reaction initiated by the attack onto the C=S bond. A computational study showed that difluorocarbene tends to react as a nucleophilic species and resembles rather dimethoxycarbene and not typical dihalocarbene species. Significantly higher reactivity of the thioketone unit in comparison to the ketone group, both present in 3-thioxo-2,2,4,4-tetramthylcyclobutanone molecule, was rationalized in the light of DFT computational study. Full article
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18 pages, 2676 KiB  
Article
Oxidative C-H/C-H Coupling of Dipyrromethanes with Azines by TiO2-Based Photocatalytic System. Synthesis of New BODIPY Dyes and Their Photophysical and Electrochemical Properties
by Maria A. Trestsova, Irina A. Utepova, Oleg N. Chupakhin, Maksim V. Semenov, Dmitry N. Pevtsov, Lyubov M. Nikolenko, Sergey A. Tovstun, Anna V. Gadomska, Alexander V. Shchepochkin, Gregory A. Kim, Vladimir F. Razumov, Irina B. Dorosheva and Andrey A. Rempel
Molecules 2021, 26(18), 5549; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26185549 - 13 Sep 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2405
Abstract
Oxidative C-H/C-H coupling reactions of dipyrromethanes with azines in the presence of a heterophase oxidative photocatalytic system (O2/TiO2/visible light irradiation) were carried out. As a result of cyclization of obtained compounds with boron trifluoride etherate, new hetaryl-containing derivatives of [...] Read more.
Oxidative C-H/C-H coupling reactions of dipyrromethanes with azines in the presence of a heterophase oxidative photocatalytic system (O2/TiO2/visible light irradiation) were carried out. As a result of cyclization of obtained compounds with boron trifluoride etherate, new hetaryl-containing derivatives of 4,4-difluoro-4-boron-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene were synthesized. For the obtained compounds, absorption and luminescence spectra, quantum yields of luminescence as well as cyclic volt-amperograms were measured. Full article
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13 pages, 1355 KiB  
Communication
Doubly Decarboxylative Synthesis of 4-(Pyridylmethyl)chroman-2-ones and 2-(Pyridylmethyl)chroman-4-ones under Mild Reaction Conditions
by Jan Bojanowski and Anna Albrecht
Molecules 2021, 26(15), 4689; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26154689 - 3 Aug 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2364
Abstract
The doubly decarboxylative Michael–type addition of pyridylacetic acid to chromone-3-carboxylic acids or coumarin-3-carboxylic acids has been developed. This protocol has been realized under Brønsted base catalysis, providing biologically interesting 4-(pyridylmethyl)chroman-2-ones and 2-(pyridylmethyl)chroman-4-ones in good or very good yields. The decarboxylative reaction pathway has [...] Read more.
The doubly decarboxylative Michael–type addition of pyridylacetic acid to chromone-3-carboxylic acids or coumarin-3-carboxylic acids has been developed. This protocol has been realized under Brønsted base catalysis, providing biologically interesting 4-(pyridylmethyl)chroman-2-ones and 2-(pyridylmethyl)chroman-4-ones in good or very good yields. The decarboxylative reaction pathway has been confirmed by mechanistic studies. Moreover, attempts to develop an enantioselective variant of the cascade are also described. Full article
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15 pages, 1540 KiB  
Communication
Synthesis of (Het)aryl 2-(2-hydroxyaryl)cyclopropyl Ketones
by Alexander A. Fadeev, Alexey O. Chagarovskiy, Anton S. Makarov, Irina I. Levina, Olga A. Ivanova, Maxim G. Uchuskin and Igor V. Trushkov
Molecules 2020, 25(23), 5748; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25235748 - 5 Dec 2020
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3608
Abstract
A simple general method for the synthesis of 1-acyl-2-(ortho-hydroxyaryl)cyclopropanes, which belong to the donor–acceptor cyclopropane family, has been developed. This method, based on the Corey–Chaykovsky cyclopropanation of 2-hydroxychalcones, allows for the preparation of a large diversity of hydroxy-substituted cyclopropanes, which can [...] Read more.
A simple general method for the synthesis of 1-acyl-2-(ortho-hydroxyaryl)cyclopropanes, which belong to the donor–acceptor cyclopropane family, has been developed. This method, based on the Corey–Chaykovsky cyclopropanation of 2-hydroxychalcones, allows for the preparation of a large diversity of hydroxy-substituted cyclopropanes, which can serve as promising building blocks for the synthesis of various bioactive compounds. Full article
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Review

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25 pages, 6151 KiB  
Review
Triptycene Derivatives: From Their Synthesis to Their Unique Properties
by Mateusz Woźny, Adam Mames and Tomasz Ratajczyk
Molecules 2022, 27(1), 250; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27010250 - 31 Dec 2021
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 6533
Abstract
Since the first preparation of triptycene, great progress has been made with respect to its synthesis and the understanding of its properties. Interest in triptycene-based systems is intense; in recent years, advances in the synthetic methodology and properties of new triptycenes have been [...] Read more.
Since the first preparation of triptycene, great progress has been made with respect to its synthesis and the understanding of its properties. Interest in triptycene-based systems is intense; in recent years, advances in the synthetic methodology and properties of new triptycenes have been reported by researchers from various fields of science. Here, an account of these new developments is given and placed in reference to earlier pivotal works that underpin the field. First, we discuss new approaches to the synthesis of new triptycenes. Progress in the regioselective synthesis of sterically demanding systems is discussed. The application of triptycenes in catalysis is also presented. Next, progress in the understanding of the relations between triptycene structures and their properties is discussed. The unique properties of triptycenes in the liquid and solid states are elaborated. Unique interactions, which involve triptycene molecular scaffolds, are presented. Molecular interactions within a triptycene unit, as well as between triptycenes or triptycenes and other molecules, are also evaluated. In particular, the summary of the synthesis and useful features will be helpful to researchers who are using triptycenes as building blocks in the chemical and materials sciences. Full article
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30 pages, 13506 KiB  
Review
Electron-Deficient Acetylenes as Three-Modal Adjuvants in SNH Reaction of Pyridinoids with Phosphorus Nucleophiles
by Boris A. Trofimov, Pavel A. Volkov and Anton A. Telezhkin
Molecules 2021, 26(22), 6824; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26226824 - 11 Nov 2021
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2097
Abstract
Publications covering a new easy metal-free functionalization of pyridinoids (pyridines, quinolines, isoquinolines, acridine) under the action of the system of electron-deficient acetylenes (acetylenecarboxylic acid esters, acylacetylenes)/P-nucleophiles (phosphine chalcogenides, H-phosphonates) are reviewed. Special attention is focused on a SNH [...] Read more.
Publications covering a new easy metal-free functionalization of pyridinoids (pyridines, quinolines, isoquinolines, acridine) under the action of the system of electron-deficient acetylenes (acetylenecarboxylic acid esters, acylacetylenes)/P-nucleophiles (phosphine chalcogenides, H-phosphonates) are reviewed. Special attention is focused on a SNH reaction of the regioselective cross-coupling of pyridines with secondary phosphine chalcogenides triggered by acylacetylenes to give 4-chalcogenophosphorylpyridines. In these processes, acetylenes act as three-modal adjuvants (i) activating the pyridine ring towards P-nucleophiles, (ii) deprotonating the P-H bond and (iii) facilitating the nucleophilic addition of the P-centered anion to a heterocyclic moiety followed by the release of the selectively reduced acetylenes (E-alkenes). Full article
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