Tony Roy

Transition‐Metal‐Free Multicomponent Reactions Involving Arynes, N‐Heterocycles, and Isatins

Mix and match: With isoquinoline as the nucleophilic trigger, multicomponent reactions afforded spirooxazino isoquinoline derivatives, proceeding through 1,4-dipolar intermediates. The use of pyridine as a nucleophile furnished indolin-2-one derivatives, with the reaction likely proceeding through a pyridylidene intermediate.

Lewis Acid Catalyzed Selective Reactions of Donor-Acceptor Cyclopropanes with 2-Naphthols.

Lewis acid-catalyzed reactions of 2-substituted cyclopropane 1,1-dicarboxylates with 2-naphthols is reported. The reaction exhibits tunable selectivity depending on the nature of Lewis acid employed and proceed as a dearomatization/rearomatization sequence. With Bi(OTf)3 as the Lewis acid, a highly selective dehydrative [3+2] cyclopentannulation takes place leading to the formation of naphthalene-fused cyclopentanes. Interestingly, engaging Sc(OTf)3 as the Lewis acid, a Friedel-Crafts-type addition of 2-naphthols to cyclopropanes takes place, thus affording functionalized 2-naphthols. Both reactions furnished the target products in high regioselectivity and moderate to high yields.

Synthesis of Functionalized Coumarins and Quinolinones by NHC-Catalyzed Annulation of Modified Enals with Heterocyclic C–H Acids

N-Heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalyzed lactonization and lactamization of 2-bromoenals with heterocyclic C-H acids proceeding via the α,β-unsaturated acyl azolium intermediates is reported. The reaction furnished coumarin- or quinolinone-fused lactone/lactam derivatives. In addition, results of the enantioselective version of this reaction using chiral NHC are presented.

Substrate-Controlled Selectivity Switch in the Three-Component Coupling Involving Arynes, Aromatic Tertiary Amines, and CO2

The transition-metal-free multicomponent coupling involving arynes, aromatic tertiary amines, and CO2 is reported. The reaction exhibits switchable selectivity depending on the electronic nature of the aromatic amines used. With amines bearing electron-releasing/neutral groups as the nucleophilic trigger, the reaction afforded 2-arylamino benzoates via a nitrogen to oxygen alkyl group migration. Employing electron-deficient amines in the reaction furnished 2-aminoaryl benzoates proceeding via the aryl to aryl amino group migration resembling a Smiles rearrangement.

The Aryne [2,3] Stevens Rearrangement

Arynes are employed in the transition-metal-free and mild [2,3] Stevens rearrangement of tertiary allylic amines for the synthesis of functionalized homoallylic amines in moderate to good yield with a broad substrate scope. The key nitrogen ylide intermediate was generated by the N-arylation of allyl amines using arynes. Moreover, the reaction of chiral allyl amines with arynes resulted in the enantiospecific synthesis of homoallylic amines. In addition, preliminary studies on the [1,2] Stevens rearrangement is also presented.

Synthesis of N-Aryl β-Amino Alcohols by Trifluoroacetic Acid Promoted Multicomponent Coupling of Aziridines, Arynes, and Water.

A transition-metal-free, three-component coupling involving N-substituted aziridines, arynes, and water promoted by trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) has been reported. The reaction furnished medicinally important N-aryl β-amino alcohol derivatives in moderate to good yields. In addition, the use of azetidines in this reaction afforded N-aryl γ-amino alcohol derivatives.

Rapid access to benzoxaphospholes and their spiro analogues by a three-component coupling involving arynes, phosphines, and activated ketones.

An operationally simple multicomponent coupling involving in situ generated arynes from 2-(trimethylsilyl)aryl triflates, phosphines, and various acyclic and cyclic activated carbonyl compounds has been developed. The reaction proceeds via a formal [3 + 2] cycloaddition mode giving access to differently substituted (spiro)benzoxaphosphole derivatives in moderate to good yields. Mild reaction conditions, a broad scope, and the possibility of varying all the three-components are the notable features of the present reaction.

Employing carboxylic acids in aryne multicomponent coupling triggered by aziridines/azetidines

The transition-metal-free aryne multicomponent coupling (MCC) involving carboxylic acids initiated by aziridines/azetidines has been reported. The use of aziridines as nucleophiles afforded N-aryl β-amino alcohol derivatives and the application of azetidines as nucleophilic triggers furnished N-aryl γ-amino alcohol derivatives in moderate to good yields. These reactions proceed under mild conditions and result in the formation of a new carbon–nitrogen bond and a new carbon–oxygen bond. The utility of carboxylic acids in aryne MCCs has been demonstrated, and the synthetic potential of phenols as acid surrogates in the present aryne MCCs has been realized.

Synthesis of Functionalized β-Keto Arylthioethers by the Aryne Induced [2,3] Stevens Rearrangement of Allylthioethers

A mild and transition-metal-free synthesis of β-keto arylthioethers has been developed by the aryne triggered [2,3] Stevens rearrangement of allylthioethers. The key sulfur ylide intermediate for the rearrangement was formed by the S-arylation of allylthioethers with arynes generated from 2-(trimethylsilyl)aryl triflates using CsF. Later, the reaction products are converted into valuable heterocycles in two steps.

Engaging isatins in solvent-free, sterically congested Passerini reaction

A facile, atom-economic and environmentally-benign protocol for the synthesis of biologically important oxindole derivatives in high yields has been demonstrated by employing isatins as carbonyl compound surrogates in a Passerini reaction carried out under solvent-free conditions. Moreover, electron-deficient phenols can also be used as the acid component in this reaction. In addition, the synthetic utility of the present methodology was examined by the one-pot synthesis of oxindoles with a free –OH group at the benzylic position.