Two novel copper-catalyzed cyclization reactions involving a remote propargylic substitution/cyclization/isomerization cascade are disclosed. Derivatives of the seldomly studied heterocycles thieno[2,3-c]pyrrole and thieno[2,3-d]pyridazine are conveniently synthesized in moderate to good yields from primary amines or arylhydrazines through [4+1] and [4+2] reactions, respectively. Preliminary mechanistic experiments corroborated the occurrence of the designed cascade reactions.
Key words
copper catalysis - propargylic substitution - [4+1] cyclization - [4+2] cyclization - arylhydrazines - amines