Synlett 2024; 35(18): 2063-2083
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1751549
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Adventures in the Chemistry of Nitro Compounds

Peter Langer
a   Institut für Chemie, Universität Rostock, Albert-Einstein-Str. 3a, 18059 Rostock, Germany
b   Leibniz-Institut für Katalyse e. V. an der Universität Rostock, Albert-Einstein-Str. 29a, 18059 Rostock, Germany
› Author Affiliations


Abstract

The present article provides an overview of our work related to cyclization reactions of nitro-substituted electrophilic building blocks with various nucleophiles. As electrophiles, we used nitro-substituted benzoylacetones, 3-ethoxy-2-nitro-2-en-1-ones, 2-nitrobenzoyl chlorides, 4-chloro-3-nitrocoumarin, 2-nitromalonic aldehyde, 3-nitrochromone and 1-(2-chloro-5-nitrophenyl)prop-2-yn-1-ones. As nucleophiles, 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds, 1,3-bis(silyloxy)-1,3-butadienes, (heterocyclic) enamines, hydroxylamine, hydrazines, amines and amino esters were employed. The products include a variety of nitro-substituted carbo- and heterocycles that are not readily available by other methods. The electron-withdrawing nitro group can be easily transformed into an electron-donating amino group which is not only pharmacologically relevant, but can also act as a nucleophile in inter- and intramolecular reactions with electrophiles, such as aldehydes, and can be converted into other functional groups. The nitro group has the capacity to activate compounds for regioselective palladium-catalyzed CH-arylation reactions. Inter- and intramolecular CH arylations of nitro-substituted heterocyclic building blocks, such as 4-nitropyrazoles, 4-nitroimidazoles, 2-nitroindole and nitro-substituted purine analogues, allow for a convenient diversity-oriented approach to the corresponding arylated products. In addition, the nitro group can act as a leaving group in SNAr reactions. Various fused benzofuro[3,2-b]pyridines were prepared by intramolecular SNAr reactions of 2-(hydroxyphenyl)-3-nitropyridines.

1 Introduction

2 Cyclizations of 1,3-Bis(silyloxy)-1,3-butadienes

3 Cyclizations of Heterocyclic Enamines

4 Reactions of Simple Nitro-Substituted Heterocycles

5 Hydroamination Reactions of Alkynes

6 Miscellaneous

7 Conclusions



Publication History

Received: 22 November 2023

Accepted after revision: 13 December 2023

Article published online:
30 January 2024

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