Post-Ugi Cyclization for the Construction of Diverse Heterocyclic Compounds: Recent Updates

Introduction

Multicomponent reactions (MCRs) are considered as privileged one-pot processes involving a sequential combination of at least three reagents in the same pot (Ramon and Yus, 2005). The MCRs have found their usefulness and influence in Diversity-Oriented Synthesis (DOS) particularly in the field of medicinal chemistry (Biggs-Houck et al., 2010). The combinatorial compound libraries play a vital role for achieving the goal of DOS providing large compound libraries with reduced synthetic steps and with increased molecular complexity (Bariwal et al., 2010).

From the past two decades, the Ugi four-component reaction (Ugi-4CR) has offered one of the most investigated reaction route for generating multifunctional adducts, owing to the mildness of the reaction conditions, the wide application and the high variability (four diversity points) associated with it (Ugi and Steinbrückner, 1961; Ugi, 1962). More importantly, the Ugi-adduct can be manipulated by careful selection of the starting components (amine, acid, isonitrile, and aldehyde/ketone). Synthesis of the desired heterocycle can be achieved by performing a post-Ugi transformation on the exclusively designed Ugi-adduct (Sharma et al., 2015). The efficiency of post-Ugi transformation is further enhanced by manipulating the Ugi-adducts in a regioselective manner to provide access to complex heterocycles in a domino fashion (Li et al., 2016) (Scheme 1).

SCHEME 1

Scheme 1. Ugi multicomponent reaction and post Ugi transformation to heterocyclic system.

There are several reports for the transformations of the Ugi-adducts to diverse heterocyclic systems including Ugi-Heck, Ugi-ring opening metathesis, Ugi-intramolecular arylation, post-Ugi-cascades, and metal/ligand regio-, chemoselectivity switch, which has been reviewed by us recently (Sharma et al., 2015) and others (Hulme and Dietrich, 2009; Kaïm and Grimaud, 2010, 2014; Koopmanschap et al., 2014; Xiuming et al., 2017). During the last few years, noteworthy progress in the post-Ugi-transformations has taken place as is evident from the substantial number of reports. We have carefully selected the prime literature reports where Ugi-adducts have been cyclized to generate a variety of heterocyclic systems. The present review mainly covers the literature reports on post-Ugi-modifications appeared after the year 2014. However, we have included few other important reports before the year 2014 and were not discussed in previous reviews. We have grouped these reports based on the structural complexity of the product after cyclization. For more clarity, we have started the discussion with the construction of the small heterocyclic systems to larger, and then followed by fused systems after post-Ugi-cyclization as given below:

1. Four-membered heterocycles

2. Five-membered heterocycles

3. Six-membered heterocycles

4. Fused heterocycles

4.1 Five-membered heterocycles fused with five-membered heterocyclic systems

4.2 Five-membered heterocycles fused with six-membered carbocyclic systems

4.3 Five-membered heterocycles fused with six-membered heterocyclic systems

4.4 Five-membered heterocycles fused with medium sized heterocyclic systems

4.5 Six-membered heterocycles fused with six-membered carbocyclic systems

4.6 Seven-membered heterocycles fused with six-membered carbocyclic systems

4.7 Nine-membered heterocycles fused with five-membered heterocycles

5. Tricyclic fused heterocycles

6. Spiro-polyheterocycles

Four-Membered Heterocycles

2-Azetidinones, known as β-lactams, are well known antimicrobial agents and are important synthetic intermediates for vitamins, alkaloids, and β-amino acids. Van der Eycken et al. (Li et al., 2015b) have developed a diversity-oriented post-Ugi intramolecular cyclization of Ugi-adducts 2a to give access to α-methylene β-lactams 2b in moderate to excellent yields using InCl₃ as a catalyst in toluene at 120°C with α,β-unsaturated γ-lactams 2c as a minor product (Scheme 2). Under the optimized conditions, the intramolecular cyclization reaction proceeded smoothly to give α-methylene β-lactams utilizing a variety of substituents on the Ugi-adducts. Ugi-adducts (2d and 2e) prepared from 1-trityl-1H-imidazole-4-carbaldehyde and 4-methylthiazole-2-carbaldehyde provided the corresponding alkylidene-β-lactams 2f in good yields. However, Ugi-adduct derived from imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-3-carbaldehyde or from benzaldehyde failed to cyclized under these conditions. Moreover, the use of Ugi-adducts derived from 4-pentynoic acid did not provide the desired alkylidene-β-lactam.

SCHEME 2

Scheme 2. Synthesis of fused α-methylene β-lactams 2b, 2f, α,β-unsaturated γ-lactams 2g, 2h, indolyl based γ-lactams 3b and tetra-substituted Imidazoles 4b.

Interestingly, switching the catalyst to AlCl₃, provided exclusive access to the unsaturated γ-lactams 2g in moderate to excellent yields. Under the optimized conditions, the Ugi-adducts obtained from substituted imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-2-carbaldehydes provided moderate to good yields, whereas 1-trityl-1H-imidazole-4-carbaldehyde derived Ugi-adduct provided a low product yield (20% only). In addition, Ugi-adducts 2a prepared from imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-2-carbaldehyde and 2-butynoic acid, underwent the InCl₃-catalyzed Michael addition reaction (InCl₃ (10 mol%) in DCE at 120°C for 12 h) and provided exclusive access to γ-lactam 2h in good to excellent yields, even with a bulky substituent such as a phenyl group on the alkyne.

Five-Membered Heterocycles

Shiri et al. (2014) have reported a selective synthesis for a series of novel indolyl based γ-lactams 3b by cyclization of Ugi-adducts 3a in the presence of K₂CO₃ in DMF at 100°C within few hours (Scheme 2). Under the optimum conditions, adducts derived from activated anilines underwent the reaction smoothly and gave access to the corresponding lactams in moderate to good yields. However, synthesis of Ugi-adducts using deactivated anilines met with failure. Benzyl aniline derived Ugi-adduct also afforded the desired N-benzyl lactam in excellent yield, whereas benzaldehyde-derived Ugi-adduct required modified conditions (KOH (1.0 equiv) DMF, 100°C, 10h) to provide access to the γ-lactam in moderate yield. Bulky tert-butyl isocyanide-derived Ugi-adduct significantly reduced the product yield compared to the cyclohexyl substituted substrate.

Dömling et al. (Madhavachary et al., 2018) have developed a new, facile one-pot synthetic approach for the synthesis of uracil/thymine-containing tetra-substituted imidazoles 4b by cyclizing Ugi-adducts 4a with NH₄OAc in AcOH at 120°C in moderate to excellent yields (Scheme 2). Under the optimized conditions, a variety of substituted isocyanides, aliphatic, and aromatic amines and uracil derived acetic acids were found suitable for the reaction and provided good to excellent product yields. From this small library, products obtained from 5-fluorouracil and 5-methyluracil acetic acids are interesting analogs of the marketed drugs Retrovir and Tegafur and were obtained in only two synthetic steps.

Six-Membered Heterocycles

Balalaie et al. (2017a) have developed a facile post-Ugi-transformation to cyclize Ugi-adducts 5a to 2,5-diketopiperazines 5b in good to excellent yields in the presence of triphenylphosphine as catalyst in ethanol at 80°C (Scheme 3). Under the optimized conditions, various Ugi-adducts derived from aldehydes and anilines bearing electron-withdrawing and electron-releasing substituents performed well to give the desired products in good to high yields, except with thiophene-2-carbaldehyde and 2-iodo substituted aniline which were obtained in moderate yields. Adducts derived from isocyanides bearing cyclohexyl or ethyl ester underwent the reaction smoothly. However, with tert-butyl bearing isocyanide, acetonitrile as solvent was required to furnish the corresponding 2,5-diketopiperazines in moderate yields. The post-Ugi cyclization reaction proceeds by nucleophilic addition of triphenylphosphine to the active alkyne group followed by the proton transfer from amide NH as shown in [A]. The nucleophilic addition of nitrogen results in the formation of cyclized intermediate [B], followed by PPh₃ elimination furnishing the desired 2,5-diketopiperazines 5b.

SCHEME 3

Scheme 3. Synthesis of arylidence 2,5-diketopiperazines 5b and piperazine 2,5-dione 6b.

Halimehjani and Sharifi (2017) have reported a simple approach to synthesize functionalized piperazine 2,5-diones 6b via intramolecular aza-Michael addition reaction of Ugi-adducts 6a in the presence of NaH in THF at rt (Scheme 3). Under the optimized conditions, the reaction proceeds smoothly and provides high product yields with excellent diastereoselectivity.

Fused Heterocycles

Five-Membered Heterocycles Fused With Five-Membered Heterocyclic Systems

Li et al. (He et al., 2017) have developed a facile post-Ugi gold(I)-catalyzed domino dearomatization/ipso-cyclization/aza-Michael cascade reaction of diverse Ugi-adducts 7a to gain access to the functionalized tetracyclic benzo[e]pyrrolo[2,3-c]indole-2,4,7(5H)-triones 7b in good yields and with unique diastereoselectivities. The reaction gave best results when Au(PPh₃)OTf was used as a catalyst in CHCl₃ at 70°C (Scheme 4). Under the optimized conditions, a variety of Ugi-adducts 7a prepared from diversely substituted amines, isocyanides and acids bearing electron-withdrawing or electron-donating groups performed well to give the desired products in good to excellent yields. Interestingly, Ugi-adducts derived from isonitriles bearing a bulky substituent did not significantly affected the reaction yield. The substrates comprising a terminal alkyne also gave the exo-dig products in moderate to good yields. The gold(I)-catalyzed domino dearomatization/ipso-cyclization/aza-Michael sequence proceeded by in situ formation of a cationic gold(I) species which is followed by nucleophilic attack by the C-4 position of the 1-naphthol (5-exo-dig fashion) as shown in intermediate [A]. This leads to the formation of the spirocarbocyclic intermediate [B]. This generated the tetracyclic scaffold via aza-Michael addition facilitated by π-activation by the cationic gold species.

SCHEME 4

Scheme 4. Synthesis of azaspiro tetracyclic scaffolds 7b, amidino substituted indazoles 8b and N-substitutednenzo[e]-or [f]isoindolones 9e,g.

Five-Membered Heterocycles Fused With Six-Membered Carbocyclic Systems

Sharada et al. (Sagar et al., 2015) have described a FeCl₃ catalyzed post-Ugi cyclization protocol for cyclization of α-amino amidines 8a, generated via an Ugi-3CR using silica gel as promoter, to construct amidino substituted indazoles 8b in good to high yields in DMF at 120°C (Scheme 4). Under the optimized conditions, a variety of amidino substituted indazoles were prepared where the electronic nature of substituents on the various Ugi-components did not hamper the reaction and provided good product yields.

Van der Eycken et al. (Ambasana et al., 2014) have reported a solvent switchable metal-free [4 + 2] cycloaddition reaction via ${\text{C}}_{\text{sp}}^2$-H functionalization of the Ugi-adduct, N-propynylphenyl propiolamide 9f (prepared by reacting aldehyde 9a, amine 9b, 2-alkynoic acid 9c and isonitrile 9d), to access the N-substituted benzo[f ]isoindolone 9e or benzo[e]isoindolone 9g in excellent yields and with good regioselectivity. The cyclization reaction to access the benzo[e]isoindolones 9g gave best results in toluene at 150°C. However, the use of a polar-protic solvent alone, or with toluene as co-solvent, resulted in an increased formation of benzo[f ]isoindolone 9e. Interestingly, use of n-BuOH as a solvent in a one-pot reaction for Ugi-4CR and ring closure reaction, provided access to selective formation of 9e over 9g (Scheme 4). Under the optimized conditions, Ugi-adducts generated from a broad range of aromatic aldehydes, isonitriles and acids performed well to furnish the benzo[f ]isoindolones 9e in excellent yields. However, a low yield of 9e was observed when aliphatic aldehyde- such as valeraldehyde- derived Ugi-adducts were used in the reaction, whereas use of Ugi-adduct derived from phenyl propargylamine did not underwent the reaction. Further, variedly substituted benzo[e]isoindolones 9g were prepared in moderate to high yields under the optimized conditions from Ugi-adducts derived from differently substituted aldehydes, acids and isonitriles. Importantly, an electron-withdrawing group on the acids improves the yields, while the use of an electron deficient aldehyde and electron rich acid provides low product yields. Interestingly, employing o-substituted acid derived Ugi-adduct under the optimized conditions led to the formation of product 9g as a single isomer.

Five-Membered Heterocycles Fused With Six-Membered Heterocyclic Systems

González-Zamora et al. (Zamudio-Medina et al., 2015) have described a one-pot, Ugi-4CR for the synthesis of cyclic analogs of hexamethylenebis(3-pyridine)amide (HMBPA) 10e in low yields. After reaction of diamine 10a, aldehydes 10b, and isocyanoacetamides 10c, cycloaddition and ring opening reaction with maleic anhydride 10d was performed under MW irradiation using Sc(OTf)₃ as a catalyst in benzene (Scheme 5). Under the optimized conditions, different isocyanoacetamides and aldehydes furnished the corresponding products 10e in low yields. During this one-pot synthetic operation, six new chemical bonds were formed.

SCHEME 5

Scheme 5. Synthesis of cyclic analogs of HMBPA 10e, pyrroloazepinones 11b, pyrroloazepinones 11c, and benzothienopyridines 11d.

Van der Eycken et al. (Li et al., 2015a) have developed a facile catalyst-controlled regioselective process for post-Ugi intramolecular hydroarylation reaction to provide access to heterocycles such as pyrroloazepinones 11b, pyrrolopyridinones 11c, and benzothienopyridines 11d in high yields. The intramolecular hydroarylation of Ugi-adduct 11a furnished the desired pyrroloazepinone 11b and pyrrolopyridinone 11c in a nearly 1:1 ratio when Au(PPh₃)Cl and AgOTf were used as a catalytic system at 50°C in CDCl₃. Switching the catalyst to AgSbF₆ in CDCl₃ at 70°C provided exclusive access to pyrroloazepinones 11b in excellent yields (Scheme 5). Other silver and gold salts such as AgOTf, AgBF₄, AgNTf₂, AuCl₃, or AuCl also provided product in moderate to good yield. Interestingly, the use of InCl₃ as catalyst in CDCl₃, resulted in a switch of selectivity and afforded the pyrrolopyridinones 11c in excellent yields. Ugi-adducts prepared from aliphatic n-butylamine or bulky alkyne substituents, such as phenyl, were not found suitable under these conditions resulting in unstable pyrrolopyridinones. On the other hand, for the pyrroloazepinone 11b, diversely substituted Ugi-adducts performed well and provided good product yields. However, a bulky phenyl substituent on the alkyne, resulted in a drastic reduction of the product yield, whereas a terminal alkyne afforded the corresponding product in moderate yields. An electron-donating substituent on the carboxamide moiety provided excellent product yields in both cases. In addition, the exo-dig cyclization of the benzothiophene comprised Ugi-adducts was also performed in the presence of IPrAuNTf₂ as catalyst in DCE at 70°C, affording the selective benzothienopyridines 11d in excellent yields, whereas Au(PPh₃)OTf provided the products in moderate yield and InCl₃, AgSbF₆, or AuCl₃ did not work for this conversion. Under the optimized conditions, a variety of Ugi-adducts obtained from acids and isonitriles were well tolerated. However, a bulky phenyl substituent on the alkyne failed to give the corresponding product, whereas electron-donating substituents on the amines proved beneficial in this reaction.

Peshkov et al. (Trang et al., 2015) have developed a one-pot base-promoted post-Ugi carbocyclization of Ugi-adduct 12a with cleavage of the isocyanide-originated amide moiety, to provide facile access to 6,7-dihydro-5H-pyrrolo[3,4-b]pyridin-5-ones 12b in high yields when performed under inert atmosphere at 110°C in DMF. However, when this reaction was performed under air atmosphere, the oxidized 7-hydroxy-6,7-dihydro-5H-pyrrolo[3,4-b]pyridin-5-one 12c was obtained (Scheme 6). Adducts derived from a diverse array of aromatic amines as well as several aromatic and heteroaromatic aldehydes were found suitable in both inert and aerobic conditions, provided the desired products in good to moderate yields. However, aliphatic amines drastically reduced the product yield for both normal 12b and oxidized product 12c. Interestingly, the use of butylamine resulted in a poor yield of normal product 12b and failed to give the oxidized product 12c. In general, the yields for the non-oxidized products 12b were higher than for the oxidized ones 12c.

SCHEME 6

Scheme 6. Synthesis of 6,7-dihydro-5H-pyrrolo[3,4-b]pyridine-5-ones 12b and the oxidized product 12c and fused quinolones 13g and 13h.

Srivastava et al. (Ghoshal et al., 2017) have reported an efficient and divergent one-pot sequential Ugi-4CR of amino acetaldehyde acetals 13a, ketone 13b or aldehydes 13c, alkynoic acids 13d, and isocyanides 13e in ethanol and subsequent acid-mediated Povarov-type reaction followed by treatment with substituted anilines 13f and H₂SO₄ to afford the fused quinolines 13g, and 13h in moderate to excellent yields at rt (Scheme 6). Under the optimized conditions, a diverse array of anilines bearing electron-rich as well as electron-deficient substituents were well tolerated in the Povarov-type reaction. However, heteroaromatic amines afforded the corresponding product in low yield. Interestingly, electron-deficient anilines such as 2-iodo-4-nitroaniline provided dihydro-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrrolo[3,4-b]quinolin-1-ones (DHPQ) as a minor product which after oxidation, afforded the desired product in low yield. Among the isocyanides, tert-butylisocyanide and cyclohexylisocyanide were suitable, whereas the use of naphthylisocyanide led to the formation of the desired product in poor yield. For the acid counterpart, phenylpropiolic acid and other alkynoic acids were found suitable in the reaction resulting in good product yields. A diverse array of aromatic aldehydes bearing electron-rich or electron-deficient groups, as well as, aliphatic aldehydes were found suitable in this reaction, affording the corresponding products in moderate to excellent yields. Importantly, the acidic proton in the Ugi-adduct did not interfere in the Povarov-type reaction. Under these conditions, unprotected propiolamides also provided access to the corresponding products via Povarov-type reaction in moderate yields.

Van der Eycken et al. (He et al., 2018) have developed an efficient gold(I)-catalyzed post-Ugi domino dearo matization/ipso-cyclization/Michael sequence of Ugi-adduct 14a that provided access to various (hetero)-arene-annulated tricyclic heterocycles 14b in moderate to good yields with excellent chemo-, regio-, and diastereoselectivity. The reaction for the synthesis of indole-annulated tricyclic heterocycle 14b proceeded smoothly utilizing IPrAuCl and AgOTf as catalytic system in CDCl₃ at rt (Scheme 7). Under the optimal conditions, Ugi-adducts derived from aliphatic and aromatic isonitriles underwent the reaction smoothly and provided good product yields. Bulky alkyne substrates provided good product yields, whereas Ugi-adducts bearing a terminal alkyne did not performed well. Electron-donating as well as electron-withdrawing substituents on the indole ring were well tolerated and provided high yields. A strong electron-withdrawing benzenesulfonyl group on the indole nitrogen atom drastically reduced the C3 nucleophilicity, resulting in the need of high temperature (115°C) to perform the reaction in excellent yield. In contrast to Ugi-adducts derived from ortho-substituted 4-aminophenols, meta-substituted 4-aminophenols afforded low yields. Pyrrole-containing Ugi-adducts 15a gave access to the corresponding pyrrole-fused polyheterocycles 15b in good yields under the optimized conditions. In addition, different Ugi-adducts derived from various heteroaromatic aldehydes led to diverse (hetero)-arene-annulated tricyclic heterocycles in moderate to good yields using the modified conditions. The use of Ugi-adducts derived from benzofuran-2-carbaldehyde, 1-phenyl-1H-pyrazole-5-carboxaldehyde, and benzo[b]thiophene-3-carbaldehyde resulted in the formation of a mixture of heteroarene-annulated tricycle 15c and spirocarbocyclic product 15d in moderate to good yields upon heating at 115°C. Furthermore, Ugi-adducts derived from electron-rich aromatic aldehydes (hydroxy- and alkoxy-substituted benzaldehydes) when used in this domino process underwent the reaction smoothly in CHCl₃ at 70°C to afford the benzene-annulated tricyclic heterocycles 15e in moderate to good yields. The pyrrolidine-substituted benzene provided the benzene-annulated tricycle in high yield at rt, whereas, piperidine- or morpholine-substituted benzaldehydes afforded the benzene-annulated tricycles 15f in DCE at 115°C in low yields. Interestingly, when these reactions were performed at rt, only the spirocarbocyclic products were obtained (Scheme 7). The reaction proceeds by in situ generation of cationic gold(I) species that π-activates the alkyne group in the Ugi-adducts to give intermediate [A], which is subsequently attacked by the nucleophilic phenol in a 5-endo-dig fashion to afford spirocarbocyclic intermediate [B]. Subsequent Michael addition of the intermediate cyclohexadienone with the C3 position of the indole, results in the formation of the indole-annulated tricyclic heterocycle 14b (Scheme 7).

SCHEME 7

Scheme 7. Synthesis of indole-annulated tricyclic heterocycle 14b and diverse (hetero)-arene-annulated tricyclic heterocycle 15b-f.

Krasavin et al. (Golubev and Krasavin, 2017) have developed an efficient synthetic protocol to access sterically encumbered tricyclic peptidomimetics 16b via intramolecular nucleophilic substitution reaction of Joullie-Ugi-adduct 16a in the presence of NaH in THF at 50°C in good to excellent yields (Scheme 8). Under the optimized conditions, bulky substituents on the amide nitrogen such as tert-butyl or mesityl, did not affect the reaction and provided good product yields. The remaining substituents on the Joullie-Ugi-adducts 16a did not affect the reaction output significantly. These tricyclic peptidomimetics may be useful as small molecule-ligands for peptidergic biological targets, including G-protein coupled receptors.

SCHEME 8

Scheme 8. Synthesis of substituted tetrahydropyrazino[1,2-a]indole-1,4-diones 16b, pyrrolo[2,3-c]pyridines 17b and tricyclic chromenopyrroles 18b.

VenkataPrasad et al. (VenkataPrasad et al., 2017) have developed an efficient and facile post-Ugi condensation approach to access the pyrrolo[2,3-c]pyridines 17b in excellent yields, using 50 mol% PTSA in methanol at 50°C (Scheme 8). Under the optimized conditions, diversely substituted Ugi-adducts 17a provided the desired products, in moderate to excellent yields. Use of Ugi-adducts bearing CF₃ on the aniline or on the phenyl glyoxylic acid, provided the respective pyrrolo[2,3-c]pyridones in excellent yields. However, use of NO₂-substituted aniline did not provided the Ugi-adduct, whereas Ugi-adducts derived from phenylglyoxalic acid bearing a NO₂-group failed to cyclize under the optimized conditions. The reaction proceeds via protonation of α-keto group of the Ugi-adduct, followed by the electrophilic addition on the pyrrole ring to give intermediate [A], which subsequently underwent dehydration to afford the desired compound via intermediate [B]. This approach has many advantages including practical simplicity, high atom economy and short reaction time.

Sieburth et al. (Srinivasulu et al., 2018) have developed a serendipitous one-pot protocol for the diastereoselective construction of tricyclic chromenopyrroles 18b from Ugi-adducts 18a in moderate to good yields, using ZnBr₂ as catalyst in DCE under MW irradiation (Scheme 8). Under the optimized conditions, Ugi-adducts 18a derived from variously substituted methylamines and phenylacetic acids were found well tolerable and afforded the desired products in moderate to good yields. However, the use of benzylamine derived Ugi-adducts provided low product yields. Substitutions on the nitrogen of the Ugi-adduct have little effect on the product output and provided good product yields. Ugi-adducts derived from 2-indole carboxylic acid also gave moderate product yields. Additionally, the Ugi-adducts prepared from D- and L-phenylalanine and L-3,4-dimethoxyphenylalanine underwent the reaction smoothly and furnished the corresponding products as a mixture of diastereomers in moderate yields, in spite of steric hindrance of the amine. The reaction proceeds through the coordination of ZnBr₂ that catalyzes the O-acylation by the tertiary amide [A], followed by rearrangement of the resultant tetrahedral intermediate [B]. Abstraction of the benzylic proton led to the formation of azomethine ylide [C]. Subsequent intramolecular [3 + 2]-cyclization delivered the highly strained intermediate [D], which undergoes expulsion of carbon dioxide and 1,4-proton migration to give the desired chromenopyrrole 18b.

Five-Membered Heterocycles Fused With Medium-Sized Heterocyclic Systems

Van der Eycken et al. (Li et al., 2014b) have developed an efficient copper-catalyzed post-Ugi intramolecular Ullmann-coupling strategy to give access to 4H-benzo[f ]imidazo[1,4]diazepin-6-ones 19b in moderate to good yields using Cs₂CO₃ as a base in DMSO at 100°C under MW irradiation (Scheme 9). Under the optimized conditions, Ugi-adducts 19a derived from diversely substituted aromatic acids and amines were found suitable for this reaction and gave access to the corresponding products in moderate to high yields. Use of Ugi-adducts obtained from C-2 or C-5 substituted imidazole-4-carbaldehyde did not underwent the reaction and resulted in the decomposition of the starting Ugi-adduct, whereas Ugi-adducts assembled from imidazole-2-carbaldehyde furnished the corresponding products in moderate to high yields. The reaction takes place through the formation of intermediate [A] via coordination of copper(I) iodine with the amine of the Ugi-adduct 19a, which subsequently inserts into the aryl iodine bond, followed by reductive elimination of the resultant intermediate [B] generating 4H-benzo[f ]imidazo[1,4]diazepin-6-one 19b.

SCHEME 9

Scheme 9. Synthesis of 4H-benzo[f ]imidazo[1,4]diazepin-6-ones 19b, indoloazepinones 20b and indoloazocinones 20d, and imidazo-tetrazolodiazepinones 21d.

Modha et al. (Vachhani et al., 2015) have developed a post-Ugi regioselective intramolecular carbocyclization approach to afford diversely substituted indoloazepinones 20b and indoloazocinones 20d in good to excellent yields, using Au(PPh₃)SbF₆ as catalyst in CDCl₃ at 50°C (Scheme 9). Under the optimized conditions, endo-dig cyclization afforded the indoloazepinones 20b in good to excellent yields. Ugi-adducts 20a derived from aliphatic or aromatic aldehydes were well tolerated. Similarly, bulky substituents on the alkyne such as ethyl, isopropyl, and aryl underwent the reaction smoothly. However, the Ugi-adduct derived from a tert-butyl substituted alkyne, failed to afford the corresponding cyclized product. Interestingly, the Ugi-adduct derived from a terminal alkyne, provided the 6-exo-dig product. Additionally, intramolecular hydroarylation of Ugi-adducts 20c under the optimized conditions afforded the indoloazocinones 20d in good yields except the tert-butyl substituted alkyne. The regioselective intramolecular carbocyclization reaction was believed to progress through π-coordination of the cationic gold with the alkyne [A], followed by nucleophilic attack by the 3-position of the indole on the π-activated internal alkyne, in an endo-dig fashion, in contrast to the terminal alkyne (exo-dig fashion). Intermediate [B] was formed, which subsequently underwent a 1,2-shift and after deprotonation and protodeauration led to the formation of the indoloazepinone.

Hulme et al. (Medda et al., 2015) have developed a facile and concise route for post-condensation modifications of Ugi-azide adducts 21a to give the imidazotetrazolodiazepinones 21d in modest to excellent yields. The reaction proceeds by treatment of tetrazole 21a with an excess of isocyanate 21b in ethanol at rt, followed by ring closure of the resultant hydantoin 21c with TFA in DCE under MW irradiation at 150°C, furnishing the desired imidazotetrazolodiazepinones 21d (Scheme 9). Under the optimized conditions, diversely substituted Ugi-azide adducts 21a afforded the hydantoin products 21c in modest to high yields. Adducts derived from isocyanates bearing a 3-methoxyphenyl or an ethyl substituent yielded the desired hydantoin under MW irradiation at a slightly lower temperature of 120°C. Ugi-adducts bearing aliphatic substituents were well tolerated, affording the desired products in higher yields compared to adducts with aromatic substituents. Ring closure and acid-mediated Boc-removal proceeded smoothly under MW irradiation to afford the corresponding products in modest to excellent yields.

Balalaie et al. (Balalaie et al., 2017b) have reported a diversity-oriented access to isoxazolino-benzazepines 22b and isoxazolo-benzazepines 22d in good to excellent yields and with high diastereoselectivities (≈95) via post-Ugi heteroannulation reaction involving intramolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of 2-((hydroxyimino)methyl)benzoic acid 22a and 22c, respectively. The nitrile oxide reacted with alkenes or alkynes in the presence of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) in DCM at rt (Scheme 10). Under the optimized conditions, Ugi-adducts derived from aldehydes bearing electron-donating or electron-withdrawing groups provided isoxazolino- and isoxazolo-benzazepines in good to high yields and with high diastereoselectivities. The use of aliphatic aldehydes in both reactions provided low product yields. Ugi-adducts derived from bulky tert-butyl isonitriles provided reduced product yields compared to cyclohexyl isonitrile derivatives. The reaction takes place through the chlorination of the oxime group in the Ugi-adduct to chloroxime [A], followed by removal of the proton from OH by in situ-generated NaOH, and loss of the chloride group resulting in the formation of nitrile oxide [B]. Subsequent intramolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of nitrile oxide with the alkene or alkyne group afforded the corresponding product.

SCHEME 10

Scheme 10. Synthesis of isoxazolino-benzazepines 22b and isoxazolo-benzazepines 22d.

Six-Membered Heterocycles Fused With Six-Membered Carbocyclic Systems

Ding et al. (Wang et al., 2016) have developed a sequential Ugi condensation/Wittig reaction of phosphonium salt 23a to give access to 1,2-dihydroisoquinolines 23c in moderate yields in a one-pot fashion. Ugi-adducts 23b prepared from phosphonium salt 23a underwent intramolecular Wittig reaction in the presence of K₂CO₃ in toluene under reflux conditions (Scheme 11). The reaction proceeded smoothly when formic acid or aromatic acids were utilized as acid components. Bulky substituent derived from t-butyl isonitrile and aromatic amines were well tolerated under the optimized conditions. However, adducts derived from aliphatic amines failed to afford the desired products. The substituents on the phosphonium salt 23b did not influence the product yield.

SCHEME 11

Scheme 11. Synthesis of 1,2-dihydroisoquinolines 23c, quinoxalines 24b and quinoxalines 25e.

Chen et al. (Li et al., 2017) have utilized a facile Ugi/deprotection/cyclization (UDC) strategy, followed by a nucleophilic aromatic substitution reaction to give access to diverse quinoxalines 24b in moderate to good yields under MW irradiation (Scheme 11). The reaction proceeded smoothly using diversely substituted Ugi-adducts, providing good yields by deprotection and cyclization of Ugi-adducts 24a using TFA in DCE under MW irradiation at 110°C. Ugi-adducts derived from differently substituted diamines, isonitriles and aromatic aldehydes were found to be well tolerated under the optimized conditions.

Sotelo et al. (Azuaje et al., 2014) have developed a concise one-pot Ugi-based approach to access the quinoxalines 25e in excellent yields by Ugi-4CR of glyoxals 25a, isocyanides 25b, mono-Boc protected phenylenediamines 25c, and acids 25d in methanol at rt, followed by Boc-removal using 30% TFA/DCE at 80°C, and subsequent cyclization (Scheme 11). A variety of substituents on all the four building blocks for the Ugi reaction were well tolerated. Bulky substituents on carboxylic acids or isocyanides afforded high yields. However, substitution on the mono-Boc protected phenylenediamines slightly reduced the yield. Further, aromatic acids were better tolerated than aliphatic acids.

Seven-Membered Heterocycles Fused With Six-Membered Carbocyclic Systems

Dai et al. (Shi et al., 2016) have developed an efficient MW-assisted intramolecular Ullmann etherification of Ugi-adducts 26a and 26c using CuI alone or in combination with N,N-dimethylglycine HCl (DMG·HCl) as catalyst, in the presence of Cs₂CO₃ in dioxane, to give access dibenz[b,f ][1,4]oxazepin-11(10H)ones 26b and dibenz[b,f ][1,4]oxazepin-11(10H)-carboxamides 26d in good to excellent yields and with excellent chemoselectivity (Scheme 12). Under the optimized conditions, most of the reactions proceed smoothly in the absence of ligand under MW irradiation, whereas addition of DMG.HCl as a ligand improves the product yields significantly. Substrates derived from bulky anilines such as 2-naphthylamine, were well tolerated and afforded high product yields. Importantly, for thienyl containing Ugi-adducts, addition of DMG.HCl as ligand was found essential to access the corresponding product. The reaction exhibited excellent chemoselectivity under MW irradiation at elevated temperature. Ugi substrate derived from variety of amines, isocyanides, aldehydes and acids were found well tolerated, providing the products in excellent yields. Interestingly, under these reaction conditions, preference for intramolecular Ullmann etherification was observed over intramolecular Goldberg amidation.

SCHEME 12

Scheme 12. Synthesis of dibenz[b,f ][1,4]oxazepin-11(10H)once 26b and dibenze[b,f][1,4]oxazepin-11(10H)-carboxamides 26d, benzoxazepinones 27b and benzoxazinones 27c, and benzo[b]pyrrole[2-1-i][1,5]diazonin-7(6H)-once 28b.

Sharma et al. (Singh et al., 2018) have reported a catalyst-controlled selective intramolecular 7-endo-dig and 6-exo-dig post-Ugi cyclization of Ugi-adducts 27a to afford the benzoxazepinones 27b and benzoxazinones 27c, respectively, with high regioselectivity. The cyclization of Ugi-product 27a was performed using Pd(CH₃CN)₄(BF₄)₂ as catalyst in toluene facilitated the formation of benzoxazepinones 27b in high yields with exclusive 7-endo-dig selectivity. However, switching the catalyst to 5 mol% of Echavarren's gold(I) catalyst [JohnPhosAu-(CH₃CN)]SbF₆ in DCE resulted in the preferential formation of benzoxazinones 27c in high yields with 7-exo-dig selectivity (Scheme 12). Under the optimized conditions for the formation of benzoxazepinones and benzoxazinones, Ugi-adducts derived from various alkynes, isonitriles, aldehydes, and amines underwent the reaction smoothly with high selectivity. Several adducts derived from aldehydes bearing electron-donating or electron-withdrawing substituents underwent the reaction smoothly and yielded the corresponding products in moderate to excellent yields. However, adducts from aldehydes bearing an electron-withdrawing substituent such as cyano, bromo, and bis-amide afforded relatively lower yields for 7-endo dig cyclization. No specific electronic effect was observed for the cyclization of Ugi-adducts derived from different isocyanides and 2-aminophenol and afforded the corresponding benzoxazepinones and benzoxazinones in good to high yields. However, Ugi-adducts derived from phenyl substituted alkynes bearing electron-donating groups afforded the corresponding products in slightly lower yields.

Nine-Membered Heterocycles Fused With Five-Membered Heterocycles

Van der Eycken et al. (Li et al., 2014a) have reported an efficient gold-catalyzed intramolecular hydroarylation reaction of Ugi-adduct 28a for the regioselective construction of the fused nine-membered ring in benzo[b]pyrrolo[2,1-i][1,5]diazonin-7(6H)-ones 28b in good to excellent yields using 10 mol% Au(PPh₃)OTf in CDCl₃ at 50°C (Scheme 12). Under the optimized reaction conditions, Ugi-adducts derived from diversely substituted alkynes, isocyanides, aldehydes, and amines were found compatible and underwent the intramolecular hydroarylation reaction smoothly, providing access to the corresponding benzo[b]pyrrolo[2,1-i][1,5]diazonin-7(6H)-ones 28b in good yields. Ugi-adducts from bulky phenyl-substituted alkynes or terminal alkynes afforded moderate product yields. Cyclization of the Ugi-adduct bearing an indole moiety (from aldehyde component) resulted in decomposition of the Ugi-adduct.

Tricyclic Fused Heterocycles

Jida et al. (Barlow et al., 2016) have developed an efficient, diversity-oriented, one-pot approach to access amino-benzotriazolodiazocine-bearing dipeptides 29c in good to high yields and with good diastereoselectivity. This catalyst-free reaction of an azidoaniline 29a, an isocyanide, an aldehyde and a Boc-propargylglycine 29b, proceeded well in methanol at rt and was followed by a thermal azide-alkyne Huisgen cycloaddition reaction at 70°C (Scheme 13). Variedly substituted azidoanilines were well tolerated and afforded the corresponding products in good yields without any influence on the diastereoselectivity. Aldehydes were preferred over ketones under the optimum conditions for Ugi reaction. Among differently substituted isocyanides, t-Bu-substituted isocyanides yielded the corresponding products in 24 h. However, benzyl- and cyclohexyl-substituted isocyanides required extended reaction times for completion of the reaction. An isomer 29f with different triazole orientation was obtained in high yield when Boc-β-azido-L-alanine 29e and commercially available ethynyl aniline 29d were used in place of the functionalized azidoanilines 29a and Boc-L-propargylamine 29b.

SCHEME 13

Scheme 13. Synthesis of amino-benzotriazocine-bearing dipeptides 29c, 29f and tricyclic pyranoquinolines 30b.

Balalaie et al. (Balalaie et al., 2017c) have reported an expedient synthesis of pyranoquinolines 30b via InCl₃-catalyzed post-Ugi intramolecular hydroamidation of alkyne containing Ugi-adduct 30a in toluene at 100°C (Scheme 13). The reaction proceeded smoothly under the optimized conditions and accommodated a wide range of Ugi-adducts irrespective of the positional and electronic influence of the substituents, providing the pyranoquinolines in good to excellent yields. The reaction proceeded via π-activation of the triple bond using InCl₃ and delivered intermediate A. The 6-exo-dig that led to the pyran ring was preferred over the 7-endo-dig cyclization (that should result in the oxepine ring). Nucleophilic addition of the amide oxygen to the internal carbon of the triple bond led to the formation of the desired product through intermediate B.

Spiro-polyheterocycles

Ghandi et al. (2015) have developed a one-pot Ugi metal-free intramolecular bisannulation reaction of 2-chloroquinoline-3-carbaldehydes 31a, with amines 31b, acids 31d, or 31e and isocyanide 31c to give access to spiro[isoindoline-1,3′-pyrrolo[2,3-b]quinoline]-2′,3(1′H)-diones 31f and their aza-analogs, spiro[pyrrolo[2,3-b]quinoline-3,7′-pyrrolo[3,4-b]pyridine]-2,5′(1H,6′H)-diones 31g, in good to high yields, using Cs₂CO₃ as base in DMF at 120°C for 2 h (Scheme 14). Under the optimized conditions, adducts derived from aliphatic amines provided access to the corresponding products in high yields compared to aromatic amines. Easy cyclization in high yields was achieved for sterically hindered amides, such as 2,4,4-trimethylpentyl amide, suggested insensitive of the reaction to steric hindrance around the amide. Among the aldehydes, unsubstituted or modest electron-donating methyl substituted aldehydes resulted in higher product yields, compared to aldehydes bearing a stronger electron-donating methoxy group. The present approach is very attractive providing molecular diversity and synthetic simplicity with high atom economy.

SCHEME 14

Scheme 14. Synthesis of spiropyrroloquinoline-isolinone 31f and their aza-azalogs 31g and (spiro)polyheterocycles 32b and 32c.

Sharma et al. (Li et al., 2016) have reported an efficient and diversity-oriented ligand-controlled intramolecular palladium-catalyzed domino post-Ugi Buchwald–Hartwig/Aldol reaction sequence for the construction of (spiro)polyheterocycles 32b and 32c using Pd(OAc)₂ as catalyst and XantPhos or BINAP as ligand under basic conditions of Cs₂CO₃ in toluene at 120°C (Scheme 14). A variety of Ugi-adducts 32a derived from 2-acetyl benzoic acid, afforded the spiro[indoline-3,3′-isoquinoline]-diones 32b in modest to excellent yields and with moderate diastereoselectivity. Diversely substituted aromatic aldehydes bearing electron-donating or electron-withdrawing groups were well tolerated. Particularly, fluorine substitution at the o- or m-position of the aldehydes yielded the corresponding products with good diastereoselectivity. A bulky substituent such as a tert-butyl amide on the Ugi-adduct has a significant effect on the reaction outcome, resulting in the formation of polycyclic 32c as a side product. Interestingly, a switch of ligand from XantPhos to BINAP resulted in the regioselective synthesis of tetrahydrobenzofuro-isoquinoline 32c in high yields, using a mixture of toluene and methanol (1.95: 0.05 mL) at 120°C. Interestingly, regioselective cyclization for this reaction was only observed with a bulky secondary amide group bearing a tert-butyl, a 1,1,3,3-tetramethyl butyl or an adamantyl group. However, linear and cyclic amides led to the formation of a mixture of spirocyclic and polycyclic products.

Sharma et al. (2014) have reported a facile post-Ugi domino Buchwald–Hartwig/Michael reaction of Ugi-adduct 33a to give access to functionalized spiro[indoline-3,2′-pyrrole]-2,5′-diones 33b in low to excellent yields using Pd(OAc)₂ (5 mol %) as catalyst, Xantphos (7.5 mol %) as ligand, and Cs₂CO₃ as base in toluene at 120 °C (Scheme 15). Halogen substituted aromatic aldehydes have a significant effect on the reaction outcome as the Ugi-adduct derived from o-iodo substituted benzaldehyde afforded the product in higher yields than its chloro substituted counterpart. Electron-donating or electron-withdrawing substituents at the o, m, or p-position of the aryl ring of the aldehydes were well tolerated. The reactions proceeded smoothly with Ugi-adducts obtained from aliphatic isonitriles. However, the use of aromatic isonitriles provided low product yields. Interestingly, Ugi-adducts obtained from propiolic acid did not provided the desired spiro-product. Additionally, use of α,β-unsaturated acids (instead of 2-alkynoic acids) resulted in spirooxindoles in good yields with adequate diastereoselectivities. Ugi-adducts derived from differently substituted amines were well tolerated.

SCHEME 15

Scheme 15. Synthesis of spiro[indoline-3,2′-pyrrole]-2,5′-diones 33b and spiro-diketopiperazines 34b.

Silvani et al. (Lesma et al., 2014) have developed an intramolecular aza-Michael reaction for the post-Ugi cyclization of chiral 3,3-disubstituted 3-aminooxindole 34a to access the spiro-diketopiperazine 34b in moderate yield and good diastereoselectivity (Scheme 15). The spiro-diketopiperazine scaffold has received great recognition as pharmacologically active peptidomimetic.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we have demonstrated the wide-spread application of the Ugi reaction for the synthesis of heterocyclic compounds, where careful selection of the starting building blocks provided the appropriate functionality for post-Ugi modifications. We have discussed various recent reports where a variety of heterocyclic systems were successfully synthesized starting from simple four, five or six-membered heterocycles to fused heterocycles and spirocyclized complex molecules. During the post-Ugi transformation, we have witnessed the application of various metallic salts of palladium, gold, indium, copper, zinc, scandium, iron and aluminum, leading to the successful transformation of appropriately substituted Ugi-adducts to heterocyclic systems. The use of modern medicinal chemistry tools such as microwave irradiation has also been successfully applied in post-Ugi transformations. Interestingly, the use of chiral ligands such as BINAP, XantPhos, and triphenylphosphine has provided stereoselectivity and chemoselectivity in such transformations. We anticipate that this review would provide in-depth understanding of the chemistry and applications of post-Ugi transformations for the synthesis of variety of heterocyclic systems. New heterocyclic systems with interesting biological activity are expected from the post-Ugi transformation in the near future.

Author Contributions

JB and RK collected the publications related to this review article, wrote the first draft of the manuscript and made subsequent corrections. EV and LV completed critical literature analysis and checked subsequent manuscript drafts.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Acknowledgments

We acknowledge the support of Shiva Institute of B. Pharmacy and RUDN University Program 5-100.

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