Fluorinated 2-Azetines: Synthesis, Applications, Biological Tests, and Development of a Catalytic Process

Org Lett. 2023 Jul 14;25(27):5140-5144. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.3c01888. Epub 2023 Jun 30.

Abstract

An efficient and straightforward phosphine-promoted tandem aza-Michael addition/intramolecular Wittig reaction was developed for the synthesis of polyfunctionalized 2-azetines. After demonstrating that this transformation could be made catalytic in phosphine through in situ reduction of phosphine oxide with phenylsilane, different post-transformation steps have been demonstrated, including an original [2 + 2] photodimerization. Preliminary biological tests highlighted that these fluorinated 1,2-dihydroazete-2,3-dicarboxylates exhibited significant cytotoxicity against the human tumor cell line.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Azetines*
  • Benzoates / chemistry
  • Carboxylic Acids
  • Catalysis
  • Humans
  • Phosphines*

Substances

  • Azetines
  • Carboxylic Acids
  • phosphine
  • Phosphines
  • Benzoates