Substrate-controlled Rh(III)-catalyzed regiodivergent annulation towards fused and spiro benzimidazoles

Org Biomol Chem. 2022 Aug 31;20(34):6854-6862. doi: 10.1039/d2ob00906d.

Abstract

A Rh(III)-catalyzed cascade C-H activation and cyclization of 2-aryl benzimidazoles with maleimides for the synthesis of benzimidazole-fused isoquinolines and benzimidazole-spiro isoindoles is reported. Switchable selectivity towards the formation of these two distinct products can be achieved using unsubstituted and substituted benzimidazoles at the ortho-position of the phenyl ring. Mechanistically, C-H activation followed by migratory insertion of maleimide forms a Heck-type intermediate. Unsubstituted benzimidazole undergoes aza-Michael addition to form a (4 + 2) fused product, whereas ortho-substituted phenyl benzimidazole causes steric clash to deliver a (4 + 1) spiro-adduct favorably via acid-catalyzed intramolecular annulation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Benzimidazoles*
  • Catalysis
  • Cyclization
  • Isoquinolines*

Substances

  • Benzimidazoles
  • Isoquinolines