The new synthesis of pyrrole-fused dibenzo[ b, f][1,4]oxazepine/thiazepines by the pseudo-Joullié-Ugi reaction via an unexpected route with high chemoselectivity

Org Biomol Chem. 2023 May 17;21(19):4095-4108. doi: 10.1039/d3ob00250k.

Abstract

A novel and unexpected route for synthesizing pyrrole-fused dibenzoxazepines/thiazepines has been designed based on a modified Ugi reaction of cyclic imines with isocyanides and acetylenedicarboxylates under catalyst-free conditions. Mechanism investigation indicates that this process is carried out through the production of zwitterion species (Huisgen's 1,4-dipole), which is a key intermediate in the chemoselectivity of products. This Huisgen's 1,4-dipole is trapped in situ with isocyanides and a variety of pyrrole-fused dibenzoxazepines/thiazepines are synthesized in a simple one-pot operation with high yields and chemoselectivity. This strategy opens a new route in Ugi reactions (pseudo-Joullié-Ugi reaction) for the synthesis of pyrrole-fused heterocycles as special pharmaceutical scaffolds.