Molecules (May 2023)

Substituent-Controllable Cascade Regioselective Annulation of <i>β</i>-Enaminones with <i>N</i>-Sulfonyl Triazoles for Modular Access to Imidazoles and Pyrroles

  • Hua Wang,
  • Tongtong Zhou,
  • Mengdi Wu,
  • Qingqing Ye,
  • Xinwei He

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28114416
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 28, no. 11
p. 4416

Abstract

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A controllable synthesis of trisubstituted imidazoles and pyrroles has been developed through rhodium(II)-catalyzed regioselective annulation of N-sulfonyl-1,2,3-trizaoles with β-enaminones. The imidazole ring was formed through a 1,1-insertion of the N-H bond to α-imino rhodium carbene, followed by a subsequent intramolecular 1,4-conjugate addition. This occurred when the α-carbon atom of the amino group was bearing a methyl group. Additionally, the pyrrole ring was constructed by utilizing a phenyl substituent and undergoing intramolecular nucleophilic addition. The mild conditions, good tolerance towards functional groups, gram-scale synthesis capability, and ability to undergo valuable transformations of the products qualify this unique protocol as an efficient tool for the synthesis of N-heterocycles.

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