Facile and Green Synthesis of Saturated Cyclic Amines.

Single-nitrogen containing saturated cyclic amines are an important part of both natural and synthetic bioactive compounds. A number of methodologies have been developed for the synthesis of aziridines, azetidines, pyrrolidines, piperidines, azepanes and azocanes. This review highlights some facile and green synthetic routes for the synthesis of unsubstituted, multisubstituted and highly functionalized saturated cyclic amines including one-pot, microwave assisted, metal-free, solvent-free and in aqueous media.

1. Introduction

Saturated cyclic amines are prominent bioactive motifs in many medicinal compounds and natural products (Figure 1 and Figure 2). They are also attractive building blocks employed to construct other molecules of medicinal or biological interest [1]. A large number of such building blocks have also been used in polymers [2], copolymers [3], dyestuffs [4], reaction media [5], bases and chiral ligands, etc. [6,7,8]. Further, a large number of pharmacologically active natural and synthetic cyclic amines are in regular clinical use (Figure 3) [9]. They have been utilized as antibiotics, anticancer, analgesics, antidepressants, anti-HIV, anti-HCV agents, etc. [10,11]. A variety of cyclic amine-containing compounds also find applications as insecticides, pesticides, rodenticides and herbicides [12,13,14,15,16].

Figure 1

Saturated cyclic amines containing one-nitrogen atom.

Figure 2

Naturally compounds containing saturated cyclic amines.

Figure 3

Clinical drugs containing saturated cyclic amine.

A broad scope of applications of the aforementioned saturated cyclic amines has revolutionized the synthetic methodologies used to access such compounds. A number of efficient synthetic methods have been developed over the past decades [17,18,19]. In recent years, quite a many environmentally benign methods have also been developed for the synthesis of saturated cyclic amines. This review aims to highlight the green synthetic methodologies including one-pot, multi-component, solvent-free, microwave-assisted and synthesis in aqueous media for single-nitrogen containing saturated cyclic amines.

2. Green Methods for Synthesis of Aziridines

Bieber et al. presented a one-pot method for the synthesis of N-tosylaziridines from 2-amino-alcohols [20]. This one-pot transformation involves the tosylation and cyclization steps (Scheme 1). It was observed that highly substituted amino alcohols produce the corresponding aziridines in high yields in acetonitrile in the presence of K2CO3. High yields of less hindered aziridines were obtained from the corresponding alcohols when the reactions were performed in H2O/DCM using KOH (Scheme 2).

Scheme 1

One-pot synthesis of N-tosylaziridine.

Scheme 2

Transformation of aminoalcohols to N-tosylaziridines.

Lohray and his research group used 1,2-cyclic sulfates for the one-pot synthesis of aminoalcohols and homochiral N-substituted aziridines (Scheme 3). Cyclic sulfates react with primary amines to furnish β-aminosulfates which are converted to aziridines under basic conditions [21].

Scheme 3

One-pot synthesis of aziridines from cyclic sulfates.

Hayashi and his co-workers adopted a one-pot procedure to produce chiral aziridines with excellent enantio- and diastereoselectivities (Scheme 4). The sequential reactions include the desulfonylative generation of the N-tosylated imine from chloroacetaldehyde, an asymmetric Mannich reaction mediated by diarylprolinol silyl ether, reduction and finally aziridine formation [22].

Scheme 4

Synthesis of chiral N-tosylated aziridines.

Using a one-pot synthesis strategy, a series of (1R,2S)- and (1S,2R)-norephedrine and (1S,2S)-pseudonorephedrine were converted into diastereomerically and enantiomerically enriched N-sulfonylaziridines (Scheme 5). The reaction involves the N-sulfonylation of the Ephedra alkaloid followed by O-sulfonylation with methanesulfonyl chloride [23]. The bis(sulfonyl) Ephedra derivatives afforded the corresponding N-sulfonylaziridines when they were treated with sodium hydroxide or hydrazine.

Scheme 5

Synthesis of N-sulfonylaziridines.

Yadav et al. described a one-pot process for the synthesis of functionalized aziridines by the reaction of imines with phenacyl bromide derivatives. This high yielding stereoselective reaction is catalyzed by the tertiary amine DABCO (Scheme 6) [24].

Scheme 6

Synthesis of functionalized aziridines.

Olugbeminiyi and his co-workers presented a one-pot methodology that affords chiral N-alkyl terminal aziridines with more than 90% ee (Scheme 7). During this three step reaction, aldehydes initially undergo an enantioselective α-chlorination then reductive amination with primary amines and finally SN2 displacement results in the formation of the N-alkyl terminal aziridines (Scheme 8) [25].

Scheme 7

Synthesis of N-alkyl terminal aziridines.

Scheme 8

Organocatalytic approach to chiral N-alkyl terminal aziridines.

A convenient method for the synthesis of N-β-hydroxyethylaziridines was presented by Kim and his co-workers. N-β-Hydroxyethylaziridines are known as important biological intermediates. They found that various epoxides undergo regioselective ring reactions with ethyleneimines. Under basic conditions, the ethyleneimine is generated in-situ from β-chloroethylamine in an aqueous environment (Scheme 9) [26].

Scheme 9

Synthesis of N-β-hydroxyethylaziridines.

Aziridines with a range of substituents were synthesized from the corresponding olefins in aqueous media. The iodine-catalyzed reaction requires quaternary ammonium salt in catalytic amounts to furnish good yield of highly pure product with simple work-up (Scheme 10) [27].

Scheme 10

Synthesis of substituted aziridines from olefins.

Kiyokawa and his research fellows presented that styrene derivatives do react with N-tosyliminophenyliodinane to furnish N-tosyl aziridines in good yields. This metal-free catalytic transformation is promoted by a combination of tetrabutylammonium iodide (TBAI) and I2 (Scheme 11).

Scheme 11

Synthesis of N-tosyl aziridines from styrene.

During this reaction, both an extremely efficient catalyst TBAI3 and a real aziridination reagent called N,N-diiodotosylamide are produced in situ [28].

Imines react stereoselectively with ethyl diazoacetate in a montmorillonite K-10 solid acid catalyzed reaction to produce cis-aziridines in high yields (Scheme 12). This highly selective reaction accomplishes in short time under solvent-free conditions at room temperature furnishing the product in good yield [29].

Scheme 12

Synthesis of cis-aziridines from imines.

3. Green Synthesis of Azetidines

Quinodoze and his colleagues demonstrated an easily practicable method to access enantiomerically pure N-aryl-2-cyanoazetidines with a range of substituents in high yield. This three-step transformation of β-amino alcohol proceeds through Cu-catalyzed N-arylation, N-cyanomethylation of aniline and mesylation followed by base induced ring closure (Scheme 13 and Scheme 14). The azetidine product with desired substitution pattern and diastereoselectivity signifies the versatility of this highly efficient reaction [30].

Scheme 13

Synthesis of N-aryl-2-cyanoazetidines.

Scheme 14

Sequential transformation of β-amino alcohols.

Kem et al. presented a robust one-pot procedure for the synthesis of α-carbonylated N-sulfonylazetidines. In the presence of potassium carbonate, the reaction involves the nucleophilic addition mediated ring contraction reactions of α-bromo N-sulfonylpyrrolidinones. They managed to synthesize variously substituted azitidine derivatives using nucleophiles like anilines, phenols and alcohols (Scheme 15) [31].

Scheme 15

Synthesis of α-carbonylated N-sulfonylazetidines.

A general and efficient one-pot procedure has been presented by Malik et al. for the synthesis of 1-arenesulfonylazetidines. During this microwave-assisted reaction, the 1-arenesulfonylaziridines reacts with dimethylsulfoxonium methylide on a solid support of alumina to generate high yields of the product (Scheme 16) [32].

Scheme 16

Synthesis of 1-arenesulfonylazetidines.

An efficient, simple and one-pot cyclocondenation of primary amines and alkyl dihalides in an alkaline aqueous medium results in the formation of nitrogen-containing heterocycles. This microwave-assisted reaction is complete in just about 20 min (Scheme 17) [33].

Scheme 17

Microwave-assisted synthesis of cyclic amines.

Under very mild conditions, the carbodiimides, sulfonyl azides and terminal alkynes react to generate high yields of functionalized 2-(sulfonylimino)-4-(alkylimino)azetidine derivatives. This multi-component reaction is catalyzed by Cu (Scheme 18) [34].

Scheme 18

Synthesis of functionalized 2-(sulfonylimino)-4-(alkylimino)azetidines.

Hillier and his colleague accomplished the synthesis of 1,3-disubstituted azetidines through an undemanding method. During this reaction, the bistriflate of a 2-substituted-1,3-propanediol helps to achieve alkylation of primary amines leading to the formation of disubstituted azitidines [35]. The scope of this procedure has been well established using a variety of amines and 2-substituted-1,3-propanediols (Scheme 19).

Scheme 19

Synthesis of disubstituted azitidines.

A variety of 3-substituted azetidine-2,4-diones were synthesized when aromatic aldehydes underwent a tandem cyclization with ethyl cyanoacetate. This Sn(II)-catalyzed reaction proceeds through Knoevenagel condensation, hydration and the C-N cyclization to furnished good to excellent yields of the product (Scheme 20). This atomically economic reaction showed a broad substrate scope [36].

Scheme 20

Synthesis of 3-substituted azetidine-2,4-diones.

A facile, two-step and one-pot procedure provides an easy access to a range of chiral azetidine-piperidines by the reaction of chiral amines and piperidine chloroaldehyde [37]. Interestingly, the product retain the chirality of starting amine (Scheme 21).

Scheme 21

Synthesis of chiral azetidine-piperidines.

Franck et al. described a straightforward and regioselective procedure for the synthesis of azetidines or pyrrolidines in good to excellent yields (Scheme 22). In this reaction the homoallylic amines undergo selenocyclization in respect of substitutions on double bond [38].

Scheme 22

Regioselective procedure for the synthesis of azetidines or pyrrolidines.

Burkett and his colleagues presented a simple and facile microwave-assisted methodology for the accelerated synthesis of highly pure azetidines in aqueous media [39]. The reaction proceeds via the cyclization of 3-(ammonio)propyl sulfates derived from the cyclic sulfate of 1,3-propanediol and primary amines (Scheme 23).

Scheme 23

Microwave-assisted synthesis of azetidines in aqueous media.

Under solvent free conditions, the terminal alkynes, carbodiimides and sulfonyl azides reacts efficiently to generate N-Sulfonylazetidin-2-imines [40]. This one-pot three component reaction is catalyzed by an eco-friendly copper(I) oxide catalyst without the support of any ligand or base. The azetidin-2-ylidene derivatives have also been successfully prepared when 1,2-diamine were used as nucleophiles (Scheme 24).

Scheme 24

Synthesis of N-Sulfonylazetidin-2-imines.

4. Green Synthesis of Pyrrolidines

Xu and his co-workers came up with a simple, efficient and one-pot procedure for the synthesis of cyclic amines. The reaction proceeds with the chlorination of amino alcohols and subsequently results in the formation of cyclic amines (Scheme 25). Here, the chlorination step obviates the use of common N-protection/O-activation/cyclization/deprotection steps required for such transformations. The scope of the reaction has been well-explored and the mechanistic aspects were studied in detail [41].

Scheme 25

One-pot synthesis of cyclic amines.

Jain and his colleagues reported a simple one-pot three-component reaction for an easy access to dispiropyrrolidine-bisoxindole derivatives. The reaction involves the cycloaddition trappings of azomethine ylides produced in situ through decarboxylative condensation of isatin with sarcosine (Scheme 26). This environmentally benign, operationally simple, highly regio- and stereoselective reaction completes in short time in ionic liquid solvent without the requirement of any catalyst [42].

Scheme 26

One-pot synthesis of dispiropyrrolidine-bisoxindole derivatives.

Zhang et al. presented a one-pot highly enantioselective methodology for the synthesis of cyclic amines including pyrrolidine, piperidine and azocane via intramolecular reductive amination of N-Boc-protected aminoketones (Scheme 27) [43].

Scheme 27

Synthesis of cyclic amines from N-Boc protected amino ketones.

Abdulrahman et al. also reported the synthesis of dispirooxindolo-pyrrolidines in good yields with high regioselectivities. The one-pot three component 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition methodology involves the reaction between in situ generated azomethine ylides from L-phenylalanine with substituted isatin with unusual (E)-2-oxoindolino-3-ylidene acetophenone dipolarophiles (Scheme 28). The reaction is run in recyclable ionic liquids [44].

Scheme 28

One-pot synthesis of dispirooxindolo-pyrrolidines.

Ugarriza et al. presented an excellent methodology for the synthesis of C3-unsubstituted pyrrolidines with about 80% enantiomeric control and complete diastereomeric control. The in situ formed acyclic azomethine ylides react with acrolein through [3 + 2]-cycloadditions to furnish high yields of the product (Scheme 29). The reaction was catalyzed by easily available chiral amines like L-proline [45].

Scheme 29

Synthesis of substituted-pyrrolidines.

Varma and his research colleagues developed a one-pot methodology for a convenient synthesis of 2-hydroxy pyrrolidines under mild reaction conditions [46]. In the presence of CeCl3·7H2O as catalyst, different 2-aminothiazoles or thiadiazoles and 2,3-dihydrofuran reacts to furnish 2-hydroxy- pyrrolidines (Scheme 30).

Scheme 30

One-pot synthesis of 2-hydroxypyrrolidines.

Cui and his research team reported a one-pot methodology for enantioselective synthesis of chiral 2-aryl pyrrolidines and piperidines. Under neutral reaction conditions, rhodium hydroxide complex in the presence of chiral bicyclo[3.3.0]octadiene ligands catalyzes arylation of aliphatic N-tosylaldimines (Scheme 31). This high yielding method has been adopted for enantioselective synthesis of chiral 2-aryl pyrrolidines and piperidines [47].

Scheme 31

Synthesis of chiral 2-aryl pyrrolidines and piperidines.

In 2002, Gandon and Szymoniak reported an excellent procedure to access bifunctional nitrogen-heterocycles such as 1-azaspirocyclic γ-lactams, azetidines and pyrrolidines [48]. Imines react with EtMgCl under Zr-catalyzed reaction conditions to furnish C,N-dimagnesiated compounds which could be trapped with electrophiles leading to aforementioned N-heterocycles (Scheme 32).

Scheme 32

Synthesis of bifunctional cyclic amines.

In 2006, de Figueiredo and his colleagues described an efficient method for the synthesis of functionalized p-methoxyphenyl-protected 4-, 5- and 6-membered N-heterocycles (Scheme 33). This strategy involves the activation of hydroxyl group of amino alcohol without the use of toxic reagents. The scope of the reaction has been well-established by its ability to tolerate various functional groups [49].

Scheme 33

Synthesis of functionalized p-methoxyphenyl-protected 4-, 5- and 6-membered N-heterocycles.

Carson and his colleagues presented an excellent one-pot three-component procedure for the synthesis of substituted pyrrolidines [50]. During this reaction, the condensation of anilines or primary amines with aldehydes generates aldimines in situ which subsequently react with 1,1-cyclopropandiesters to afford pyrrolidines (Scheme 34). This high yielding-reaction is catalyzed by Yb(OTf)3.

Scheme 34

Synthesis of substituted pyrrolidines.

Nayak and her research group described an operationally simple, eco-friendly and novel one-pot three component reaction for the synthesis of spirooxidindole-pyrrolidine/piperidine fused nitrochromanes in good to excellent yields (Scheme 35). The less demanding reaction procedure involves the cycloaddition of isatin-based azomethine ylide and substituted nitrochromenes in nontoxic solvent in shorter time [51].

Scheme 35

Synthesis of spirooxidindole-pyrrolidine/piperidine fused nitrochromanes.

Trost and his colleagues described that aminopropargyl alcohols undergo domino redox isomerization/cyclization to furnish nitrogen heterocycles [52]. In this ruthenium-catalyzed, atom-economical single step reaction a variety of functional groups were tolerated, establishing the broad scope of reaction (Scheme 36).

Scheme 36

Domino synthesis of cyclic amines.

Methylenecyclopropanes react with sulfonamides through a gold(I)-catalyzed domino ring-opening ring-closing hydroamination process to afford pyrrolidine derivatives in excellent yield (Scheme 37) [53].

Scheme 37

Gold(I)-catalyzed synthesis of pyrrolidine derivatives.

Multisubstituted pyrrolidines were made accessible with high diastereoselectivity by the tandem ring-opening-cyclization reaction of imines with cyclopropanes (Scheme 38). Kang and his research team used 5 mol% of scandium triflate as catalyst for the reaction [54].

Scheme 38

Synthesis of multisubstituted pyrrolidines by tandom reaction.

Nguyen and Nicewicz presented a metal-free procedure for the synthesis of nitrogen-containing heterocyles with complete regiocontrol. The reaction involves a direct anti-Markonikov hydroamination of unsaturated amines (Scheme 39). In the presence of 9-mesityl-10-methylacridinium tetrafluoroborate as catalyst, the substrate amines are irradiated with visible light and thiophenol manages to donate H-atom [55].

Scheme 39

Metal-free synthesis of nitrogen-containing heterocyles.

Enones and unsaturated carbamates undergo a tandem cross-metathesis intramolecular aza-Michael reaction to generate β-amino carbonyl compounds (Scheme 40). The reaction is efficiently promoted by a combination of BF3·OEt2 and Hoveyda-Grubbs catalyst. In this reaction, a dramatic acceleration is observed under microwave irradiation with inversion of stereoselectivity in the addition step [56].

Scheme 40

Microwave assisted synthesis of pyrrolidines.

A highly endo-selective asymmetric 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of methyl N-benzylideneglycinate as source of azomethine ylides with (E)-acyclic α-enones is catalyzed by a silver(I)/ThioClickFerrophos complex to give highly functionalized endo-4-acyl pyrrolidines in good yields with high enantioselectivities (Scheme 41) [57].

Scheme 41

Synthesis of highly functionalized endo-4-acyl pyrrolidines.

5. Green Synthesis of Piperidines

Bansal et al. developed one-pot multicomponent reaction to access highly functionalized piperidines in moderate to good yields (Scheme 42). The reaction involves the condensation of amines, aldehydes and β-ketoesters catalyzed by a recyclable, nontoxic, and eco-friendly sodium lauryl sulfate. As an advantage, the reaction completes in water at room temperature and requires simple workup to furnish highly substituted piperidines [58].

Scheme 42

One-pot multicomponent synthesis of highly functionalized piperidines.

The abovementioned reaction (Scheme 42) had also been studied by Khan et al. for the highly functionalized piperidine as well for fully substituted piperidines (Scheme 43). The described one-pot multicomponent procedure offered a green approach due to atom economy, mild conditions and good yields [59].

Scheme 43

Synthesis of highly functionalized and fully substituted piperidines.

In 2010, Guérinot et al. represented an eco-friendly methodology for the synthesis cis-2,6-tetrahydropyrans and substituted cis-2,6-piperidines in good to excellent yields (Scheme 44). In this highly diastereoselective iron catalyzed reaction, the most stable cis-isomers are easy to isolate and purify [60].

Scheme 44

Synthesis of substituted cis-2,6-piperidines.

LaLonde and his co-workers described phosphinegold(I)-bis-p-nitrobenzoate complex catalyzed intramolecular hydroamination of alkenes to access vinyl pyrrolidines and piperidines (Scheme 45). This atom-economical and enantioselective reaction results in high ee [61].

Scheme 45

Synthesis of vinyl piperidines.

Métro and his research colleagues presented a high-yielding microwave-assisted reaction for the enantioselective synthesis of piperidines (Scheme 46) [62].

Scheme 46

Microwave-assisted enantioselective synthesis of piperidines.

Maegawa and his fellows presented an excellent methodology for mild and complete hydrogenation of various carbon and heteroatomic compounds including furans, biphenyls, pyridines, alkylbenzenes, etc. [63]. The same reaction has been adopted for the synthesis of piperidines in good to excellent yield in aqueous media (Scheme 47).

Scheme 47

Synthesis of piperidines in aquous media.

6. Green Synthesis of Azepanes

Valle and his colleague reported a one-pot synthesis of polyhydroxylated aminoazepanes using Ph3P in aqueous solvent. In the reaction, the D-glucitol was initially converted into 1,6-diazido derivatives which subsequently got converted into the product (Scheme 48) [64].

Scheme 48

Synthesis of polyhydroxylated azopanes.

Calder et al. presented a one-pot multi-reaction strategy for the synthesis of hydroxylated 3-aminoazepanes (Scheme 49) [65].

Scheme 49

Synthesis of hydroxylated 3-aminoazepanes.

Wishka and his colleagues presented a successful method for the synthesis of (2S,5S)-5-substituted-azepane-2-carboxylate derivatives starting from known hydroxyl ketone (Scheme 50) [66].

Scheme 50

Synthesis of (2S,5S)-5-substituted-azepane-2-carboxylate derivatives.

Zhang and his co-workers described the alkylation of amines with alcohol for the synthesis of cyclic amines (Scheme 51). This microwave assisted iridium catalyzed reaction recognized as a green reaction because of its features like atom-economy, solvent-free and base-free conditions [67].

Scheme 51

Microwave assisted iridium catalyzed synthesis of cyclic amines.

Further, the green and facile methods including one-pot, domino and microwave assisted reactions for the synthesis of azopane has already been described in Scheme 28, Scheme 30, Scheme 34, Scheme 39 and Scheme 43.

7. Green Synthesis of Azocanes

Sacher and his fellow developed following atom economical methodology for the construction of the azocane ring (Scheme 52) [68].

Scheme 52

Atom economical synthesis of azocane.

The green synthesis of azocanes has also been described in Scheme 27 and Scheme 31.

8. Conclusions

In conclusion, the presence of saturated cyclic amines in a number of naturally occurring bioactive molecules and in synthetic drugs has indicated their various potential roles in the past few decades. Further, vast arrays of applications in various scientific disciplines have triggered the development of new methods for their facile synthesis. This manuscript has highlighted some eco-friendly and facile synthetic routes for the synthesis of unsubstituted, fully substituted and functionalized aziridines, azetidines, pyrrolidines, piperidines, azepanes and azocanes.