Copper-Catalyzed Azide-Alkyne Cycloaddition of Hydrazoic Acid Formed In Situ from Sodium Azide Affords 4-Monosubstituted-1,2,3-Triazoles

J Org Chem. 2022 Mar 18;87(6):4018-4028. doi: 10.1021/acs.joc.1c02775. Epub 2022 Feb 11.

Abstract

We report a copper-catalyzed cycloaddition of hydrogen azide (hydrazoic acid, HN3) with terminal alkynes to form 4-substituted-1H-1,2,3-triazoles in a sustainable manner. Hydrazoic acid was formed in situ from sodium azide under acidic conditions to react with terminal alkynes in a copper-catalyzed reaction. Using polydentate N-donor chelating ligands and mild organic acids, the reactions were realized to proceed at room temperature under aerobic conditions in a methanol-water mixture and with 5 mol % catalyst loadings to afford 4-substituted-1,2,3-triazoles in high yields. This method is amenable on a wide range of alkyne substrates, including unprotected peptides, showing diverse functional group tolerance. It is applicable for late-stage functionalization synthetic strategies, as demonstrated in the synthesis of the triazole analogue of losartan. The preparation of orthogonally protected azahistidine from Fmoc-l-propargylglycine was realized on a gram scale. The hazardous nature of hydrazoic acid has been diminished as it forms in situ in <6% concentrations at which it is safe to handle. Reactions of distilled solutions of hydrazoic acid indicated its role as a reactive species in the copper-catalyzed reaction.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alkynes
  • Azides*
  • Catalysis
  • Copper*
  • Cycloaddition Reaction
  • Sodium Azide
  • Triazoles

Substances

  • Alkynes
  • Azides
  • Triazoles
  • hydrazoic acid
  • Copper
  • Sodium Azide