Paulo H. Menezes

Electrophilic Cyclization of 2-Chalcogenealkynylanisoles: Versatile Access to 2-Chalcogen-benzo[b]furans

An efficient synthesis of 2-chalcogen-3-substituted-benzo[b]furan compounds has been accomplished via electrophilic cyclization reaction of 2-chalcogenealkynyl anisoles using I(2), ICl, Br(2), and PhSeBr as electrophile sources. The product distributions were strongly dependent on the nature of substituents in the aromatic ring of anisole and on the chalcogen atom directly bonded to the triple bond. The 2-chalcogen-3-iodo-benzo[b]furans obtained smoothly underwent conversion to more complex structures of benzo[b]furan derivatives via palladium- or copper-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction with thiols, diphenyl diselenides, and zincates.

Regioselective synthesis of isochromenones by iron(III)/PhSeSePh-mediated cyclization of 2-alkynylaryl esters.

A series of 4-Se-(Te, S)-isochromenones and 3-substituted isochromenones were synthesized in good yields via FeCl(3)-mediated cyclization of alkynylaryl esters with different diorganyl dichalcogenides. This methodology was carried out at room temperature, using inexpensive and environmentally friendly iron salts as metallic source and under air atmosphere. The reaction showed to be tolerant to a range of substituents bonded into the aromatic ring of the diorganyl dichalcogenides as well as to alkyl groups directly bonded to the chalcogen atom. Alternatively, the cyclization reaction of 2-alkynylaryl esters with FeCl(3), in the absence of diorganyl dichalcogenide, gave the isochromenones without the chalcogen moiety in the structure. This approach proved to be highly regioselective, providing only six-membered ring products, once the possible five-membered products were not observed in any experiments.

Synthesis and anti-inflammatory activity of acetylenic thiophenes

A series of acetylenic thiophene derivatives have been synthesized via Pd-catalyzed coupling reaction of 2-(butyltelluro)thiophene with a variety of terminal alkynes. These compounds showed good anti-inflammatory activity in the carrageenin-induced paw edema assay on rats.

Iron(III) chloride and diorganyl diselenides-mediated 6-endo-dig cyclization of arylpropiolates and arylpropiolamides leading to 3-organoselenyl-2H-coumarins and 3-organoselenyl-quinolinones.

Combination of iron(III) chloride and diorganyl diselenides was used for cyclization of arylpropiolates and arylpropiolamides in formation of 3-organoselenyl-2H-coumarins and 3-organoselenyl-quinolinones, respectively. Systematic study to determine the ideal conditions revealed that the two substrates reacted in the same way using identical reaction conditions. The versatility of this method has been demonstrated by extension of the best reaction conditions to substrate having a variety of substituents. Analyses of the optimization reaction also showed that diorganyl diselenides have a dual role by acting as cycling agent and base to restore the aromatic system. Mechanistic investigation studies and analyses of the products obtained have revealed that the cyclization reactions follow an initial 6-endo-dig process to give the six-membered heterocycles without involving an intramolecular ipso-cyclization route.

Synthesis of 2,3-dihydroselenophene and selenophene derivatives by electrophilic cyclization of homopropargyl selenides.

The synthesis of several highly functionalized 2,3-dihydroselenophenes from homopropargyl selenides via electrophilic cyclization is described. Electrophiles such as I(2), ICl, and PhSeBr were used in a simple process employing CH(2)Cl(2) as solvent at room temperature, which gave the cyclized products in high yields. 4-Iodo-2,3-dihydroselenophenes obtained by this methodology were submitted to a dehydrogenation reaction using 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyanobenzoquinone (DDQ) to give 3-iodoselenophenes. 4-Iodo-5-phenyl-2,3-dihydroselenophene was also submitted to the thiol copper-catalyzed and Heck-type reactions giving the desired products under mild reaction conditions.

General synthesis of alkyl phenyl selenides from organic halides mediated by zinc in aqueous medium

Abstract Organic halides of different structural types react with diphenyl diselenide and zinc dust in aqueous medium to give alkyl phenyl selenides. Benzylic and allylic bromides, α-bromoesters, acids and ketones and some primary alkyl iodides produce high yields even under acidic conditions. Less reactive halides need basic medium. The reaction proceeds equally well in the presence of various unprotected functional groups. Control experiments support a S H 2 mechanism via alkyl radicals.

1H, 13C, 19F and 11B NMR spectral reference data of some potassium organotrifluoroborates

Complete 1H, 13C, 19F and 11B NMR spectral data for 28 potassium organotrifluoroborates are described. The resonance for the carbon bearing the boron atom is described for most of the studied compounds. A modified 11B NMR pulse sequence was used and better resolution was observed allowing the observation of 11B–19F coupling constants for some of the studied compounds. Copyright

2,5-Bis-(butyltelluro) thiophene as a convenient precursor for the synthesis of 2,5-bis-(acetylenic) thiophenes

Both symmetrically and unsymmetrically substituted 2,5-bis-(acetylenic) thiophene derivatives were obtained in good yields under mild conditions through palladium-catalyzed cross coupling reaction of 2,5-bis-(butyltelluro) thiophene 2 and terminal alkynes. The methodology represents a general and efficient protocol for carrying out the synthesis of thiophene derivatives with potential biological activities.

Lanthanide Dithiocarbamate Complexes: Efficient Catalysts for the Cyanosilylation of Aldehydes

A new class of lanthanide dithiocarbamate complexes was used to promote the cyanosilylation of aldehydes at high yields at room temperature. This represents the first application of lanthanide dithiocarbamate acting as Lewis acid.

Palladium(II) chloride catalyzes the cross-coupling reaction of 2,5-bis-(butyltelluro)-furan and 1-alkynes

Palladium(II) chloride catalyzed the cross-coupling reaction of 2,5-bis-(butyltelluro) furan and terminal alkynes yielding both symmetrically and unsymmetrically substituted 2,5-bis-acetylenic furan derivatives. The methodology represents a general and efficient protocol for carrying out the synthesis of furan derivatives with potential biological activities.