Rajiv T Sawant1, Marc Y Stevens1, Luke R Odell1. 1. Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala Biomedical Center, Uppsala University, P.O. Box 574, SE-751 23 Uppsala, Sweden.
Abstract
A one-pot microwave-assisted aza-Friedel-Crafts arylation of N-acyliminium ions, generated in situ from o-formyl carbamates and different amines, is reported. This metal-free protocol provides rapid access to diverse 4-aryl 3,4-dihydroquinazolinones in excellent yield without any aqueous workup. A solvent-directed process for the selective aza-Friedel-Crafts arylation of electron-rich aryl/heteroaryl/butenyl-tethered N-acyliminium ions is also described.
A one-pot microwave-assisted aza-Friedel-Crafts arylation of N-acyliminium ions, generated in situ from o-formyl carbamates and different amines, is reported. This metal-free protocol provides rapid access to diverse 4-aryl 3,4-dihydroquinazolinones in excellent yield without any aqueous workup. A solvent-directed process for the selective aza-Friedel-Crafts arylation of electron-rich aryl/heteroaryl/butenyl-tethered N-acyliminium ions is also described.
N-Acyliminium
ions[1−5] are versatile electrophiles that provide direct access to α-substituted
amino derivatives via the intra- or intermolecular addition of various
nucleophiles. In particular, in situ-generated N-acyliminium
ions have been widely exploited in the synthesis of bioactive nitrogen-containing
heterocycles, especially in the preparation of alkaloid natural products.[1,2,6,7] Accordingly,
the development of rapid, convenient, and high-yielding protocols
for the selective intra- or intermolecular nucleophilic addition to
cyclic N-acyliminium ions remains a field of considerable
interest.[8−11] The C4-substituted quinazolinone framework is known to exhibit a
wide range of biological properties. For example, SM-15811 is a potent
Na+/Ca2+ exchanger inhibitor,[12−14] proquazone
is an anti-inflammatory drug,[15,16] and 4-disubstituted
3,4-dihydroquinazolinones are T-type channel selective calcium blockers
with in vivo central nervous system efficacy in epilepsy and tremor
models[17,18] (Figure ). Finally, the 3,4-dihydroquinazolinonesDPC 961 and
DPC 083 and related analogs are potent human immunodeficiency virus
non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors.[19,20]
Figure 1
Structures
of pharmaceutically important 4-aryl quinazolinones.
Structures
of pharmaceutically important 4-aryl quinazolinones.The known methods for the synthesis of 4-aryl substituted
3,4-dihydroquinazolinones
include a two-step condensation of aldehyde, urea, and carboxylic
acid,[21] and a three-step synthesis from o-amino acetophenones[12−14,17,18] and the organocatalytic asymmetric synthesis
of trifluoromethyl 3,4-dihydroquinazolinones based on the aza-Friedel–Crafts reaction of indoles with cyclic N-acylketimines using a chiral phosphoric acid catalyst.[22] Xie and co-workers reported the enantioselective aza-Friedel–Crafts reaction of naphthols/phenols
with cyclic N-acylketimines using a chiral quinine-squaramide
catalyst.[23] Despite these elegant approaches,
the existing methods require either lengthy reaction sequences or
isolation of cyclic N-acylketimines, which limits
their utility in the generation of diverse 3,4-dihydroquinazolinone
libraries.During the preparation of this manuscript, Chandrasekharam
and
co-workers reported a water-mediated multicomponent synthesis of 4-aryl
substituted 3,4-dihydroquinazolinones under conventional heating.[24] However, it is important to highlight that the
use of water as a reaction medium demanded long reaction times, and,
in many cases, chromatographic purification was required, both of
which detract from its appeal as a green protocol. Moreover, the scope
of this method is restricted to indole and mono-functional amine nucleophiles,
limiting its utility in library generation. In this context, an environmentally
benign and expedient method for the rapid synthesis of 4-aryl 3,4-dihydroquinazolinone
libraries is highly desirable.As part of our ongoing research
program, we recently reported a
highly efficient solvent-directed diversity-oriented synthesis of
skeletally diverse 3,4-dihydroquinazolinones scaffold libraries based
on N-acyliminium ion chemistry under environmentally
benign reaction conditions.[25−29] Our recent findings demonstrated that the intramolecular cyclization
of aryl/heteroaryl tethered nucleophiles with N-acyliminium
ions[27] leads to the formation of 3,4-dihydroquinazolinone-embedded
polyheterocycles (Scheme ). With the aim of developing an expedient approach to 4-aryl/heteroaryl3,4-dihydroquinazolinones, we were encouraged to investigate the intermolecular
functionalization of N-acyliminium ions (I) with indoles and arenes to produce 4-aryl 3,4-dihydroquinazolinone
scaffold libraries based on a cascade imine/cyclization/aza-Friedel–Crafts reaction sequence. Herein, we present one-pot
microwave-assisted metal-free sequential N-acyliminium
ion/aza-Friedel–Crafts arylation that provides
rapid access to 4-aryl/heteroaryl3,4-dihydroquinazolinones from readily
available precursors (Scheme ).
Scheme 1
Proposed Reaction Sequence for the aza-Friedel–Crafts
Arylation of N-Acyliminium Ions
Results and Discussion
We started
our investigation by optimization of the reaction conditions
for the aza-Friedel–Crafts arylation of the N-acyliminium ion generated in situ from o-formyl carbamate 1a and NH4OAc 2a (Scheme ). We were
pleased to observe that the reaction proceeded in either AcOH or EtOH/AcOH
as the solvent. The reaction between o-formyl carbamate 1a and NH4OAc 2a (2 equiv) in AcOH
under microwave heating at 130 °C for 10 min provided N-acyliminium ion intermediate Ia (confirmed
by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS)), which upon subsequent
treatment with indole 3a (1.3 equiv) and an additional
20 min of heating at 130 °C produced 4-indolyl 3,4-dihydroquinazolinone 4a in excellent yield (95%). Similarly, the two-step reaction
sequence in EtOH/AcOH (9:1) afforded dihydroquinazolinone 4a in a slightly reduced yield (91%) under optimal protic solvent/Brønsted
acid combinations (Scheme ).
Scheme 2
Optimization Studies for the aza-Friedel–Crafts
Arylation of an N-Acyliminium Ion
With the optimized reaction conditions in hand,
we first explored
the scope of the aza-Friedel–Crafts arylation
of different cyclic N-acyliminium ions generated
in situ from o-formyl carbamates 1b–1h and NH4OAc 2a with indole 3a in AcOH (Scheme ). N-Acyliminium ions 1b–1h derived from aldehydes 1b–1h containing electron-donating/withdrawing and halogen substituents
reacted smoothly with indole to afford the corresponding 4-indolyl
3,4-dihydroquinazolinones 4b–4f in
good to excellent yields (86–92%). The introduction of an o-substituent and N-1-benzyl substituent
was also well-tolerated, giving 3,4-dihydroquinazolinones 4g and 4h in good yield. Next, the scope of the indole
nucleophile was explored and indole derivatives containing electron-donating/withdrawing,
and halogen substituents furnished the corresponding 4-indolyl 3,4-dihydroquinazolinones 4i, 4j, and 4n in good to excellent
yield (83–92%). Sterically hindered o-substituted
indoles reacted smoothly, producing 3,4-dihydroquinazolinones 4k–4m in good to excellent yield. The
protocol also worked well with N-methylindole and
7-azaindole to afford 3,4-dihydroquinazolinones 4o and 4p in 84 and 90% yield, respectively (Scheme ).
Scheme 3
Scope of aza-Friedel–Crafts
Arylation of N-Acyliminium Ions with Indoles
Isolated yield. All reactions
were performed with 1 equiv o-formyl carbamate (1b–1h), 2 equiv NH4OAc (2a) in 1 mL AcOH, 130 °C, MW, 10 min, and then 1.3 equiv
indole (3a–3i) 130 °C, MW, 20–30
min.
Scope of aza-Friedel–Crafts
Arylation of N-Acyliminium Ions with Indoles
Isolated yield. All reactions
were performed with 1 equiv o-formyl carbamate (1b–1h), 2 equiv NH4OAc (2a) in 1 mL AcOH, 130 °C, MW, 10 min, and then 1.3 equiv
indole (3a–3i) 130 °C, MW, 20–30
min.Next, to further expand the scope and
applicability of microwave-assisted aza-Friedel–Crafts
arylation of N-acyliminium ions, we investigated
the effect of varying the arene
and amine components (Scheme ). Our protocol tolerated a wide range of amine nucleophiles,
affording the corresponding 3,4-dihydroquinazolinone in up to 95%
yield. Primary alkyl amines such as benzylamine 2a and
2-thiophenemethylamine 2b worked well to afford N-3-functionalized 3,4-dihydroquinazolinones 6a, 6b in excellent yields (>94%). A one-step three-component
reaction between aldehyde 1a, benzylamine 2b, and indole 3a afforded 6a in reduced
yield (85%) confirming that the two-step sequential approach is preferable. N-Acyliminium ions also reacted smoothly with 1,3-dimethoxybenzene 5a to produce 4-aryl 3,4-dihydroquinazolinones 6c–6e in moderate to good yields. It is important
to highlight that the branched amine N-methyl 4-amino
piperidine 2d was efficiently transformed into 6e, an analog of SM-15811 in satisfactory yield. Finally, m-cresol 5b underwent chemoselective C-functionalization
to produce 6f in 52% yield (Scheme ).
Scheme 4
Scope of aza-Friedel–Crafts
Arylation of N-Acyliminium Ions with Arenes,
Isolated
yield. Unless otherwise
stated, reactions were performed with 1 equiv o-formyl
carbamate (1b–1h), 2 equiv NH4OAc (2a) and 1.3 equiv amine (2b–2d) in 1 mL AcOH, 130 °C, MW, 10 min, and
then 1.3 equiv Nu (3a/5a/5b) 130 °C, MW, 20–30 min.
One-step reaction in AcOH, MW, 130 °C, 20 min.
Scope of aza-Friedel–Crafts
Arylation of N-Acyliminium Ions with Arenes,
Isolated
yield. Unless otherwise
stated, reactions were performed with 1 equiv o-formyl
carbamate (1b–1h), 2 equiv NH4OAc (2a) and 1.3 equiv amine (2b–2d) in 1 mL AcOH, 130 °C, MW, 10 min, and
then 1.3 equiv Nu (3a/5a/5b) 130 °C, MW, 20–30 min.One-step reaction in AcOH, MW, 130 °C, 20 min.Next, we sought to expand the scope of the selective
cascade arylation
reaction using challenging amine nucleophiles bearing pendant electron-rich
aryl/alkenyl moieties (2e–2j, Scheme ). Gratifyingly,
electron-rich aryl/heteroaryl/butenyl-tethered N-acyliminium
ions were generated in situ from o-formyl carbamate
and amines 2e–2h in EtOH/AcOH (9:1)
and reacted smoothly with indole 3a to afford N-3-aryl/heteroaryl/butenyl-tethered 4-aryl 3,4-dihydroquinazolinones 7a–7d in excellent yield (Scheme ). However, with indole tethered N-acyliminium ions, intramolecular aza-Friedel–Crafts
cyclization was more favored under the optimized reaction conditions.
The N-acyliminium ion derived from 4-aminomethyl
indole 2i gave 7e in 36% yield along with
the polycyclic product 7e′, whereas the tryptamine
derivative gave only traces of 7f (Scheme ). It is important to highlight that by changing
the solvent composition the reaction can be paused at the N-acyliminium ion stage, followed by selective functionalization
at the C-4 position with an external indole nucleophile, despite the
presence of a pendant electron-rich aryl, thiophene, indole, or alkene
nucleophile. Thus, the two-step protocol using a minimum of acetic
acid can effectively suppress competing intramolecular aza-Friedel–Crafts[27] and aza-Prins cyclization[28] reactions, allowing
the selective C-4 functionalization by an indole nucleophile.
Scheme 5
Solvent-Directed Selective 4-Arylation of Aryl/Alkenyl Tethered N-Acyliminium Ions,
Isolated yield. All reactions
were performed with 1 equiv o-formyl carbamate (1a), 1.3 equiv amine (2e–2j) in 1 mL EtOH/AcOH (9:1), 130 °C, MW, 10 min, and then 1.5
equiv Nu (3a) 130 °C, MW, 20 min.
Product not isolated.
Solvent-Directed Selective 4-Arylation of Aryl/Alkenyl Tethered N-Acyliminium Ions,
Isolated yield. All reactions
were performed with 1 equiv o-formyl carbamate (1a), 1.3 equiv amine (2e–2j) in 1 mL EtOH/AcOH (9:1), 130 °C, MW, 10 min, and then 1.5
equiv Nu (3a) 130 °C, MW, 20 min.Product not isolated.
Conclusions
In conclusion, we have developed a highly
efficient, metal-free
microwave-assisted aza-Friedel–Crafts arylation
of N-acyliminium ions. The solvent-directed selective aza-Friedel–Crafts arylation of challenging aryl/heteroaryl/butenyl-tethered N-acyliminium ions was achieved to produce 4-aryl 3,4-dihydroquinazolinones.
This protocol offers a rapid and direct approach to generate polyfunctionalized
4-aryl 3,4-dihydroquinazolinone libraries in excellent yields under
environmentally benign reaction conditions and in a short reaction
time. Moreover, the protocols utilize readily available and stable o-formyl carbamate precursors and are compatible with a
broad scope of amine and aryl/heteroaryl nucleophiles. Further investigations
to expand the scope of this approach and explore the biological activity
of these compounds are underway in our laboratory.
Experimental
Section
All reagents and solvents were obtained from commercial
suppliers
and used without further purification. The yields stated refer to
homogenous and spectroscopically pure isolated material. Thin layer
chromatography (TLC, 0.25 mm E. Merck silica plates, 60F-254) was
used to assess reaction progress and the plates were visualized with
254 nm UV light. Silica gel chromatography was performed using E.
Merck silica gel (60 Å pore size, particle size 40–63
nm). 1H NMR spectra were recorded at 400 MHz and 13C NMR spectra at 100 MHz. The chemical shifts for 1H NMR
and 13C NMR were referenced to tetramethylsilane via residual
solvent signals (1H, CDCl3 at 7.26 ppm; 13C, CDCl3 at 77.16 ppm; 1H, DMSO-d6 at 2.45 ppm; 13C, DMSO-d6 at 39.43 ppm; 1H, CD3OD at 3.31 ppm; and 13C, CD3OD at 49.0 ppm).
Microwave reactions were performed in an Initiator single mode reactor
producing controlled irradiation at 2450 MHz and the temperature was
monitored using the built-in online IR sensor. LC/MS was performed
on an instrument equipped with a CP-Sil 8 CB capillary column (50
× 3.0 mm2, particle size 2.6 μm, pore size 100
Å) operating at an ionization potential of 70 eV using a CH3CN/H2O gradient (0.05% HCOOH). High-resolution
mass values were determined using a 7-T hybrid ion trap and a time
of flight detector and an electrospray ionization source. All reactions
were performed in sealed Pyrex microwave-transparent process vials
designed for 0.5–2 mL reaction volumes, unless otherwise stated.
Preparation
of o-Formyl Carbamates
The required known
compounds 1a–1h were prepared from
the corresponding amino alcohols following the
literature procedure.[25,26]
General Procedure A
One-Pot,
Two-Step Preparation of 4-Aryl 3,4-Dihydroquinazolinones
(4a–4p and 6a–6f) Exemplified by 4a
A 0.5–2
mL Pyrex process vial was charged with aldehyde 1a (40
mg, 224 μmol), NH4OAc 2a (34 mg, 448
μmol), and acetic acid (1 mL). The vial was sealed and subjected
to microwave irradiation at 130 °C for 10 min, after which indole
(3a, 34 mg, 290 μmol) was added. The vial was re-sealed
and heated by microwave at 130 °C for 20 min, and thereafter
the reaction mixture was concentrated in vacuo. Silica gel chromatography
(2–5% MeOH in dichloromethane (DCM) or 30–85% EtOAc
in n-pentane) provided the title compound as a white
solid (56 mg, 95%).
General Procedure B
One-Pot, Two-Step Preparation
of 4-Aryl 3,4-Dihydroquinazolinones
(7a–7e) Exemplified by 7b
A 0.5–2 mL Pyrex process vial was charged with aldehyde 1a (40 mg, 224 μmol), amine 2f (53 mg,
290 μmol), and ethanol/acetic acid (9:1, 1 mL). The vial was
sealed and subjected to microwave irradiation at 130 °C for 10
min, after which indole (3a, 39 mg, 334 μmol) was
added. The vial was re-sealed and heated by microwave at 130 °C
for 20 min, and thereafter the reaction mixture was concentrated in
vacuo. Silica gel chromatography (2–5% MeOH in DCM or 55–70%
EtOAc in n-pentane) provided the title compound as
a white solid (85 mg, 90%).
Authors: Suvarna Bokale-Shivale; Mohammad A Amin; Rajiv T Sawant; Marc Y Stevens; Lewend Turanli; Adam Hallberg; Suresh B Waghmode; Luke R Odell Journal: RSC Adv Date: 2020-12-23 Impact factor: 3.361