Muhammad Jawwad Saif1
Sajjad Ahmad2
Aqsa Mushtaq3Saba Munawar3
Ameer Fawad Zahoor3*Shoela Ettampola4
Ali Irfan3Katarzyna Kotwica-Mojzych5Karol Ruszel6Mariusz Mojzych6*- 1Department of Applied Chemistry, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan
- 2Department of Chemistry, University of Engineering and Technology Lahore, Faisalabad Campus, Faisalabad, Pakistan
- 3Department of Chemistry, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan
- 4Dunwoody High School, Dunwoody, GA, United States
- 5Department of Histology, Embryology and Cytophysiology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
- 6Collegium Medicum, The Mazovian Academy in Płock, Płock, Poland
An additive-free and ultrasound-assisted approach has been established for the Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reaction between substituted boronic acid and benzofuran-endowed aryl halides by employing a catalytic amount of Pd(PPh3)4. The resulting substituted biaryls were then employed as efficient starting materials to furnish a novel library of arylated benzofuran-triazole hybrids 13(a–i). The method offers a facile, efficient, and less time-consuming approach under non-inert conditions to synthesize the targeted derivatives in a good to excellent yield range of 70%–92%.
Introduction
Carbon–carbon bond-forming reactions play a crucial role in the synthesis of several intricate organic compounds (Akhtar et al., 2019; Brahmachari, 2016; Mushtaq et al., 2024; Zahoor et al., 2024a). Among several carbon–carbon (C-C) bond formation reactions, the Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reaction (SMCR) has found huge significance since its discovery by Akira Suzuki and Norio Miyaura in 1979 (Miyaura et al., 1979). They carried out the reaction by treating aryl halides with alkenylboranes employing tetrakis (triphenylphosphine)palladium Pd(PPh3)4 as a catalyst (Miyaura and Suzuki, 1979). As a Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reaction involves the linkage of a Csp2-Csp2 bond, it is predominantly involved in the synthesis of planar compounds, thereby validating its efficiency in the drug development process (Miyaura and Suzuki, 1995). In Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions, aryl iodides (as Suzuki coupling partners) are generally the most reactive aryl halides (Panahi et al., 2018). Generally, aryl bromides are more commonly employed than aryl chlorides, whose reactivity is less than that of aryl iodides and bromides (Miyaura and Suzuki, 1995; Sonogashira, 1998; Stanforth, 1998; Suzuki, 1999; Miyaura, 1998). However, in a few Pd-catalyzed reactions, aryl bromides involving cross-coupling reactions have been observed to proceed more rapidly than aryl iodides. Moreover, Suzuki reactions involving aryl bromides have been reported to occur more rapidly under room temperature conditions than those involving aryl iodides (Littke et al., 2000).
SMCR involves the facile synthesis of biaryl scaffolds, which are abundantly found in several pharmaceutically active and synthetically significant organic molecules (Adlington et al., 2018; Farhang et al., 2022; Kotha et al., 2002). This reaction has also found applications in the synthesis of natural products (Taheri Kal Koshvandi et al., 2018). Non-toxicity, readily accessible reagents, and high stereo- and regioselectivity are some of the merits of SMCR over other coupling reactions. The reaction proceeds by employing homogeneous catalysis, thus offering remarkable activity and selectivity (Suzuki, 1999; Suzuki, 2002; Johansson Seechurn et al., 2012; Zhang and Wang, 2015). Several Pd-based homogenous catalysts have been employed for this reaction, including Pd(II) complexes (Nagalakshmi et al., 2020; Ortega-Gaxiola et al., 2020; Thunga et al., 2019), PdCl2 (Nobre et al., 2018), Pd2dba3, Pd(PPh3)4 (Czompa et al., 2019; Suzuki and Yamamoto, 2011), Pd(PPh3)2Cl2 (Mai et al., 2019; Sarkar et al., 2020), Pd (dppf)Cl2 (Alza et al., 2015), and Pd(OAc)2 (Li et al., 2018; Louvis et al., 2016). Most of these reactions have been carried out under an inert atmosphere (nitrogen or argon) (Wang et al., 2001).
Several heterogeneous catalytic systems, which include metal-based heterogeneous catalysts trapped on water-insoluble support and palladium supported on carbon (Pd/C), have also been introduced for this reaction. These catalytic systems have been found to be favorable in terms of facile recovery of the catalyst, low catalyst requirement, and high catalytic activity (Amoroso et al., 2011; Sancheti and Gogate, 2018; Zheng et al., 2013). However, these catalysts have unveiled several deficiencies, including a need for additives, long reaction times, and more palladium content (Felpin et al., 2006; Maegawa et al., 2007; Polshettiwar et al., 2010; Rao et al., 2014). These notable shortcomings must be avoided by investigating novel methods for the Suzuki coupling reaction to carry out this significant reaction in low catalyst loading within short reaction times.
Various chemical and physical changes that occur as a result of cavitational events in an ultrasound reactor make it an effective apparatus for the facile conversion of reactants into target molecules. Ultrasound is processed through multiple rarefaction and compression cycles that are produced in a liquid medium. Upon passing through several growth stages, these cavities eventually partially collapse, leading to severe local heating and high pressure (Cintas et al., 2014; Mason, 1997). In addition, the rapid disintegration of the cavitating bubble results in liquid circulation and severe agitation. These physical effects facilitate the breakage of solid aggregates. These factors may also contribute to providing a large surface area, thereby facilitating the reaction to proceed rapidly. For these reasons, ultrasound-assisted methodologies are considered greener approaches as they involve intense processing and moderate reaction conditions with reduced probabilities of side products (Brahmachari et al., 2021; Cravotto et al., 2015; Irfan et al., 2022).
The literature survey highlights the employment of ultrasonic conditions for Suzuki–Miyaura coupling to access diverse organic compounds. The reported protocols involved the use of palladium-based catalysts, that is, Pd/C (Cravotto et al., 2005), Pd/PVP (de Souza et al., 2008), and Pd(PPh3)4 (Cella and Stefani, 2006) under ultrasonic conditions. Similarly, synthesis of polydihexylfluorene has also been carried out by using an ultrasound-assisted Suzuki cross-coupling reaction (Gao et al., 2014). All these instances emphasize the applications of ultrasound irradiation toward the fast and facile conversion of Suzuki coupling partners into desired coupling products.
Heterocycles are integral structural constituents of several bioactive organic compounds and drugs. Benzofuran and triazole are oxygen and nitrogen-containing heterocyclic scaffolds that are key structural units of several pharmaceutically significant organic compounds and therapeutic agents (Bozorov et al., 2019; Khanam and Shamsuzzaman, 2015). Benzbromarone 1, amiodarone 2, and saprisartan 3 are some of the clinically established benzofuran-endowed drugs. These drugs are known to treat gout, tachycardia, and hypertension, respectively (Nevagi et al., 2015). Similarly, nefazodone 4, anastrozole 5, and fluconazole 6 are some triazole-bearing market-available drugs that are effective against depression, breast cancer, and fungal diseases, respectively (Figure 1) (Kharb et al., 2011).
Figure 1. Structures of some benzofuran and triazole core-constituting drugs.
Bearing in mind the significance of ultrasound-assisted approaches and pharmaceutical significance of these heterogeneous scaffolds, we have carried out the novel synthesis of arylated benzofuran-triazole hybrids by utilizing a novel additive-free approach for Suzuki–Miyaura coupling, constituting low catalyst loading of tetrakis (triphenylphosphine) palladium under ultrasonic irradiation and a non-inert atmosphere (Scheme 1).
Scheme 1. (a) Previous synthetic routes. (b) Our synthetic strategy.
Results and discussion
The 5-bromo-substituted benzofuran-based ester was synthesized using the reported protocol (Faiz et al., 2019). The synthesized halogenated ester 7 was employed in a model Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reaction with 3,5-dimethyl benzene boronic acid 8 using several palladium-based catalysts in the presence of different bases. The optimization of reaction conditions was carried out by varying the Pd catalyst and bases under conventional heating and ultrasonication irradiation in dimethylformamide (DMF). Initially, the Suzuki reaction was investigated using palladium (II) acetylacetone (Pd (acac)2) and aqueous sodium carbonate (base) under conventional conditions, which gave the resulting coupled molecule 9 in 10% yield (Table 1, entry 1). The reaction was repeated at 90 °C using potassium phosphate as a base, which was found to diminish the yield of target molecule 9 (8%). Similarly, utilization of tris(dibenzylideneacetone)dipalladium (0) (Pd2 (dba)3) as a catalyst employing different bases (aq. Na2CO3 and Cs2CO3) at 80 °C and 60 °C (respectively) afforded the target molecule 9 in 50% and 30% yield (Table 1, entries 3 & 4). It was observed that the Suzuki reaction carried out using aqueous sodium carbonate afforded a relatively better yield (50%) of the target molecule in a shorter duration (6 h) than the one obtained by using cesium carbonate, which afforded a 30% yield of product in 8 h. However, when the same reaction was carried out under ultrasonic conditions using aq. Na2CO3, 50% yield of target molecule 9 was obtained in relatively less time (4 h) (Table 1, entry 5). The catalytic effects of [1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene]dichloropalladium (II) (Pd (dppf)Cl2) and bis(triphenylphosphine)palladium (II) dichloride (PdCl2(PPh3)2) were also explored by employing two different bases using conventional and ultrasonication conditions. A Pd (dppf)Cl2-promoted and ultrasonic-assisted Suzuki reaction involving aqueous sodium carbonate/aqueous potassium carbonate afforded target molecule 9 in 52% and 55% yields, respectively (Table 1, entries 6 and 8). A Pd (dppf)Cl2 catalyst in the presence of aqueous sodium carbonate and potassium carbonate (base) at 25 °C furnished the target molecule 9 in 48% and 52% yields, respectively (Table 1, entries 7 and 9). The PdCl2(PPh3)2-catalyzed model reaction carried out by employing sodium carbonate resulted in a relatively higher yield (60%) of the targeted product 9 than the reaction carried out in aqueous potassium carbonate (53%) (Table 1, entries 10 and 11). Repeating the same reaction under ultrasonic irradiations harnessing aq. Na2CO3 furnished a higher yield (67%) of product 9 in a relatively shorter duration of 2 h (Table 1, entry 12). The catalytic efficiency of tetrakis (triphenylphosphine)palladium (0) (Pd(PPh3)4) was also investigated under ultrasonication conditions using these two bases. It was observed that the use of 5 mol% of this catalyst in the model reaction and using aqueous sodium carbonate as a base resulted in a remarkable yield of 92% of the targeted molecule 9 (Table 1, entry 13). Meanwhile, employment of potassium carbonate within a Pd(PPh3)4-mediated model reaction diminished the yield of coupled product 9 i.e., 85%. (Table 1, entry 14), thereby indicating the use of the Pd(PPh3)4 catalyst, aq. Na2CO3, and ultrasonic irradiation as the best optimized conditions for the studied reaction.
Table 1. Optimization of reaction conditionsa/b.
Under optimized conditions, the SMC reaction was carried out by treating aryl halide 7 with substituted aryl boronic acids 8 to attain coupled product 9 in an efficient yield of 92%. The obtained biaryl was further made to react with hydrazine monohydrate in methanol to afford the respective benzohydrazide 10 in a remarkable yield of 95%. The benzohydrazide then underwent reaction with phenylisothiocyanate in dichloromethane (DCM), followed by base-mediated cyclization to furnish the corresponding triazole framework 11 in a 77% yield (Scheme 2) (Zahoor et al., 2024b).
Scheme 2. Utilization of optimized reaction conditions within the synthetic pathway to access the arylated benzofuran-triazole framework.
The substituted phenylacetamides (prepared by treating substituted anilines with bromoacetyl bromide) (Irfan et al., 2022) were further treated with the benzofuran-based triazole framework 11 by employing potassium carbonate and potassium iodide in DCM. In this way, this synthetic strategy resulted in the generation of novel arylated benzofuran-triazole hybrids 13(a-i) in a good to efficient yield range (72%–90%) (Scheme 3).
Scheme 3. Substrate scope for the synthesis of arylated benzofuran-triazole hybrids 13(a–i).
Diversely substituted phenyl acetamides were treated to determine the substrate scope of the synthetic protocol. All of the target molecules were obtained successfully. The analysis of synthesized compounds with their respective yields revealed the potential influence of electron-donating and electron-withdrawing groups on the yield of targeted derivatives. The electron-donating substituents (Me, OMe, and n-Bu) bearing derivatives 13a, 13b, 13e, and 13f were attained in 70%–78% yield. Meanwhile, the electron-withdrawing substituents (NO2, Cl, and F) bearing derivatives 13(c, g-i) were attained in better yields (80%–92%). However, the 2-methyl 5-nitro substituted hybrid 13d was achieved in 77% yield (Scheme 3).
All of the synthesized derivatives were structurally characterized by several spectroscopic techniques, including NMR spectroscopy (1H-NMR and 13C-NMR) and mass spectrometric analysis. In the 1H-NMR spectrum of the 2,4-dimethyl substituted derivative 13a, the two singlets at 2.26 ppm and 2.34 ppm correspond to the methyl protons of 13a. In addition, the singlet peak of two protons at 4.33 ppm arises as a result of -CH2 attached to the sulfur atom. The singlet at 6.71 ppm corresponds to the signal of furan-H. The aromatic protons gave signals in the range of 6.98–7.69 ppm. In addition, -NH gave a singlet signal at 9.55 ppm. For the 13C-NMR spectrum, the characteristic aliphatic carbon signals were found at 17.9 ppm, 21.1 ppm, 21.3 ppm, and 36.0 ppm. In addition, the carbon signal of the carbonyl carbon was observed at 166.5 ppm. Furthermore, an [M + H]+ peak was observed at 559.0 via mass spectrometry analysis, and the found value was significantly close to the theoretical value. The structural characterization of all compounds was carried out in a similar manner.
Materials and methods
Chemicals and instruments
All the requisite precursors, chemical reagents, and solvents were purchased from Macklin (China, Shanghai Pudong New Area) and Sigma-Aldrich (St. Louis, MO). These analytical-grade chemicals and solvents were used to carry out the synthetic protocol without additional purification. Thin-layer chromatography was carried out at each step to analyze the progress of the reaction. The melting points (mp) of synthesized compounds were obtained via a WRS-1B melting point apparatus, which have been used uncorrected. 13C-NMR spectra and 1H-NMR spectra of synthesized hybrids were obtained via a Bruker spectrophotometer run at 100 MHz/400 MHz and 400 MHz/600 MHZ, respectively. Deuterated chloroform and dimethyl sulfoxide were used for solubility, and tetramethyl silane (TMS) was employed as an internal standard. MestReNova software was used to interpret the spectral details.
Synthesis of compounds 13 (a–i)
The synthesized benzofuran-endowed aryl halide 7 (1 mmol) and substituted boronic acid 8 (1 mmol) were dissolved in DMF (5 mL). After 30 min of room temperature stirring, Pd(PPh3)4 (5 mol%) and 1 M Na2CO3 solution (5.5 mL) were added to the reaction mixture, which was subjected to ultrasonication for approximately 90–120 min. After indication of completion of reaction by thin layer chromatography, solvent extraction was performed with ethyl acetate and water, followed by drying the moisture content in the organic layer via anhydrous Na2SO4. Column chromatography (n-hexane:ethyl acetate 99:1) of the concentrated organic layer was then performed to obtain the pure product 9. The biaryl 9 was then used as precursor to synthesize the novel arylted benzofuran-triazole conjugates 13(a-i) via reported protocol (Zahoor et al., 2024b).
13a, White powder; 70%; mp 217–219 °C; 1H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) 9.55 (s, 1H), 7.67 (d, J = 16 Hz, 5H), 7.54 (d, J = 8 Hz, 2H), 7.41 (d, J = 12 Hz, 2H), 7.14 (s, 2 H), 6.98 (s, 3H), 6.71 (s, 1H), 4.33 (s, 2H), 2.34 (s, 9H), 2.26 (s, 3H). 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) 166.5, 154.3, 140.8, 142.5, 141.7, 138.3, 138.3, 137.6, 136.1, 135.1, 132.7, 131.1, 130.4, 130.4, 130.4, 130.2, 128.8, 127.6, 127.3, 127.3, 127.3, 126.1, 125.7, 125.2, 125.2, 125.2, 122.9, 120.0, 111.7, 108.2, 36.0, 21.3, 21.1, 17.9. MS (m/z): 559.0 [M+ + H]. Elem. Anal. Calc. for C34H30N4O2S: C, 73.09; H, 5.41; N, 10.03. Found: C, 73.07; H, 5.39; N, 10.07.
13b, Off-white powder; 71%; mp 170–172 °C; 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) 9.61 (s, 1H), 7.76 (s, 1H), 7.63-7.61 (m, 1H), 7.53-7.51 (m, 2H), 7.45 (d, J = 8 Hz, 1H), 7.39 (d, J = 8 Hz, 3H), 7.14 (s, 2H), 7.03 (d, J = 8 Hz, 1H), 6.96 (s, 1H), 6.84 (d, J = 4 Hz, 2H), 6.50 (s, 1H), 4.09 (s, 2H), 2.34 (s, 9H), 2.29 (s, 3H). 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) 166.5, 154.3, 140.8, 138.3, 138.3, 137.6, 136.1, 132.7, 131.1, 130.4, 130.4, 130.4, 130.4, 130.2, 128.8, 127.3, 127.3, 127.3, 127.3, 126.1, 125.7, 125.2, 125.2, 125.2, 125.2, 122.9, 120.0, 111.7, 108.2, 36.0, 21.3, 21.1, 21.1, 17.9. MS (m/z): 559.0 [M+ + H]. Elem. Anal. Calc. for C34H30N4O2S: C, 73.09; H, 5.41; N, 10.03. Found: C, 73.07; H, 5.45; N, 10.05.
13c, White solid; 80%; mp 175–177 °C; 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) 10.99 (s, 1H), 8.67 (s, 1H), 7.89-7.83 (m, 2H), 7.66-7.60 (m, 5H), 7.51-7.49 (m, 1H), 7.41-7.38 (m, 4H), 7.09 (s, 2H), 6.93 (s, 1H), 4.15 (s, 2H), 2.30 (s, 6H). 13C NMR (100 MHz, DMSO) 166.7, 157.5, 155.5, 155.3, 154.4, 154.0, 152.7, 147.6, 147.3, 143.5, 143.0, 140.4, 138.3,138.3, 136.9, 130.7, 130.2, 129.6, 129.4, 129.0, 128.1, 128.1, 127.7, 125.2, 125.2, 120.4, 113.6, 111.9, 107.7, 55.3, 37.2, 21.4. MS (m/z): 576.0 [M+ + H]. Elem. Anal. Calc. for C32H25N5O4S: C, 66.77; H, 4.38; N, 12.17. Found: C, 66.79; H, 4.42; N, 12.19.
13d, Off-white solid; 77%; mp 156–158 °C; 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) 10.29 (s, 1H), 8.98 (s, 1H), 7.88 (d, J = 8 Hz, 1H), 7.43-7.66 (m, 8H), 7.30 (d, J = 8 Hz, 1H), 7.14 (s, 2H), 6.97 (s, 1H), 6.49 (s, 1H), 4.14 (s, 2H), 2.56 (s, 3H), 2.35 (s, 6H). 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) 166.8, 154.4, 148.3, 146.6, 142.1, 140.7, 138.3, 138.3, 137.7, 137.1, 136.2, 132.5, 131.4, 130.8, 130.5, 130.5, 130.5, 128.8, 127.5, 127.2, 126.4, 125.2, 125.2, 125.2, 120.1, 119.2, 116.7, 111.7, 108.6, 36.12, 21.3, 21.3, 19.0. MS (m/z): 589.9 [M+]. Elem. Anal. Calc. for C33H27N5O4S: C, 67.22; H, 4.62; N, 11.88. Found: C, 67.28; H, 4.66; N, 11.86.
13e, White powder; 78%; mp 152–154 °C; 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) 10.13 (s, 1H), 7.67-7.59 (m, 5H), 7.54 (t, J = 8 Hz, 3H), 7.46 (d, J = 8 Hz, 1H), 7.39 (d, J = 8 Hz, 2H), 7.15 (s, 1H), 6.97 (s, 1H), 6.83 (d, J = 8 Hz, 2H), 6.43 (s, 1H), 3.97 (s, 2H), 3.76 (s, 3H), 2.34 (s, 6H). 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) 166.0, 165.9, 156.3, 154.4, 154.3, 142.7, 140.9, 138.3, 137.6, 132.8, 131.4, 131.2, 130.4, 130.4, 129.2, 128.7, 127.6, 127.3, 127.2, 126.1, 125.2, 124.3, 121.3, 120.0, 114.0, 113.2, 111.7, 107.9, 106.8, 55.4, 36.0, 21.3, 21.3. MS (m/z): 561.0 [M+ + H]. Elem. Anal. Calc. for C33H28N4O3S: C, 70.69; H, 5.03; N, 9.99. Found: C, 70.71; H, 5.07; N, 9.97.
13f, White solid; 75%; mp 191–193 °C; 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) 10.19 (s, 1H), 7.62-7.38 (m, 10H), 7.15-7.09 (m, 4H), 6.96 (s, 1H), 6.44 (s, 1H), 3.98 (s, 2H), 2.54 (t, J = 8 Hz, 2H), 2.34 (s, 6 H), 1.56-1.24 (m, 4H), 0.89 (t, J = 6 Hz, 3H). 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) 166.1, 154.4, 148.2, 142.7, 140.9, 138.9, 138.3, 138.3, 137.6, 135.8, 132.8, 131.1, 130.4, 130.4, 128.7, 128.7, 127.6, 127.3, 127.3, 126.1, 125.2, 125.2, 125.2, 120.0, 119.7, 119.7, 119.6, 111.7, 107.9, 36.1, 35.0, 33.6, 22.2, 21.3, 21.3, 13.9. MS (m/z): 587.0 [M+ + H]. Elem. Anal. Calc. for C36H34N4O2S: C, 73.69; H, 5.84; N, 9.55. Found: C, 73.73; H, 5.86; N, 9.57.
13g, Off-white powder; 88%; mp 216–218 °C; 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) 9.87 (s, 1H), 8.30 (d, J = 12 Hz, 1H), 7.34-7.62 (m, 10H), 7.14 (s, 2H), 7.02 (t, J = 8 Hz, 1H), 6.96 (s, 1H), 6.50 (s, 1H), 4.12 (s, 2H), 2.34 (s, 6H). 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) 154.3, 153.4, 148.4, 142.9, 140.9, 138.2, 138.2, 137.5, 134.9, 132.9, 131.0, 130.3, 130.3, 129.3, 128.7, 127.6, 127.3, 127.3, 127.3, 127.3, 127.3, 125.9, 125.2, 125.2, 125.0, 124.1, 122.2, 119.9, 111.7, 107.8, 35.8, 21.3. MS (m/z): 564.9 [M+]. Elem. Anal. Calc. for C32H25ClN4O24S: C, 68.02; H, 4.46; N, 9.91. Found: C, 68.06; H, 4.42; N, 9.95.
13h, Off-white powder; 79%; mp 224–226 °C; 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) 10.49 (s, 1H), 7.67-7.59 (m, 7H), 7.55-7.47 (m, 2H), 7.39 (d, J = 8 Hz, 2H), 7.27 (s, 1H), 7.15 (s, 2H), 6.97 (s, 1H), 6.44 (s, 1H), 3.96 (s, 2H), 2.34 (s, 6 H). 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) 166.4, 154.4, 151.2, 150.5, 150.2, 149.4, 148.8, 148.8, 142.5, 140.8, 138.3, 137.6, 136.8, 135.8, 134.2, 132.7, 131.2, 130.4, 128.9, 128.8, 127.2, 126.2, 125.2, 120.9, 120.0, 111.7, 110.1, 110.1, 108.0, 36.0, 21.3, 21.3. MS (m/z): 564.9 [M+]. Elem. Anal. Calc. for C32H25ClN4O2S: C, 68.02; H, 4.46; N, 9.91. Found: C, 68.04; H, 4.48; N, 9.95.
13i, Off-White solid; 92%; mp 253–255 °C; 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) 10.45 (s, 1H), 7.67-7.61 (m, 6H), 7.54 (d, J = 8, 1H), 7.47 (d, J = 8 Hz, 1H), 7.40 (d, J = 4 Hz, 2H), 7.15 (s, 2 H), 7.01-6.97 (m, 3H), 6.47 (s, 1H), 4.01 (s, 2H), 2.34 (s, 6H). 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) 166.1, 160.5, 154.4, 140.8, 138.3, 138.3, 138.3, 137.7, 134.2, 132.6, 131.3, 130.4, 130.4, 130.4, 128.8, 127.5, 127.2, 127.2, 126.3, 125.2, 125.2, 125.2, 121.4, 121.3, 120.1, 115.6, 115.3, 111.7, 108.3, 36.1, 21.3, 21.3. MS (m/z): 549.0 [M+ + H]. Elem. Anal. Calc. for C32H25FN4O2S: C, 70.06; H, 4.59; N, 10.21. Found: C, 70.04; H, 4.57; N, 10.19%.
Conclusion
To conclude, we have developed a facile, additive-free, and convenient protocol for the Suzuki cross-coupling reaction to synthesize substituted biaryls in high yields. The reaction was carried out by treating benzofuran-endowed aryl halide and substituted boronic acids using aq. Na2CO3 and Pd(PPh3)4 under ultrasonic conditions to access the coupling products within a minimum time. Compared to previous studies, the developed protocol has been found to be facile and efficient in terms of reaction conditions, catalyst loading, and product yields, as it does not require an inert atmosphere or the use of additives. The obtained products were efficiently employed as synthetic building blocks to synthesize a novel series of arylated benzofuran-based phenyl acetamides. The merits of the utilized methodology are the facile conversion, short duration, broad substrate scope, non-inert atmosphere, and high yields.
Data availability statement
The original contributions presented in the study are included in the article/Supplementary Material; further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding authors.
Author contributions
MS: Project administration, Writing – review and editing, Resources. SA: Formal Analysis, Writing – review and editing. AM: Writing – original draft, Investigation, Methodology. SM: Methodology, Investigation, Writing – review and editing. AZ: Supervision, Conceptualization, Resources, Writing – review and editing. SE: Resources, Formal Analysis, Writing – review and editing. AI: Writing – review and editing, Resources. KK-M: Resources, Funding acquisition, Writing – review and editing. KR: Writing – review and editing, Resources. MM: Resources, Funding acquisition, Writing – review and editing, Project administration.
Funding
The authors declare that financial support was received for the research and/or publication of this article. The research was partly financed by the following research projects: Collegium Medicum, The Mazovian Academy in Plock, and the Medical University of Lublin (DS 730).
Conflict of interest
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.
Generative AI statement
The authors declare that no Generative AI was used in the creation of this manuscript.
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Supplementary material
The Supplementary Material for this article can be found online at: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fchem.2025.1726528/full#supplementary-material
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Keywords: Suzuki reaction, Pd(PPh3)4, ultrasound, arylated benzofuran-triazole hybrids, heterocycles
Citation: Saif MJ, Ahmad S, Mushtaq A, Munawar S, Zahoor AF, Ettampola S, Irfan A, Kotwica-Mojzych K, Ruszel K and Mojzych M (2025) Ultrasonic-assisted, additive-free Pd-catalyzed Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling enabled synthesis of novel arylated benzofuran-triazole hybrids. Front. Chem. 13:1726528. doi: 10.3389/fchem.2025.1726528
Received: 16 October 2025; Accepted: 11 November 2025;
Published: 10 December 2025.
Edited by:
Hitendra M. Patel, Sardar Patel University, IndiaReviewed by:
Ivan Damljanović, University of Kragujevac, SerbiaJovana Bugarinovic, University of Kragujevac, Serbia
Copyright © 2025 Saif, Ahmad, Mushtaq, Munawar, Zahoor, Ettampola, Irfan, Kotwica-Mojzych, Ruszel and Mojzych. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
*Correspondence: Ameer Fawad Zahoor, ZmF3YWQuemFob29yQGdjdWYuZWR1LnBr; Mariusz Mojzych, bS5tb2p6eWNoQG1hem93aWVja2EuZWR1LnBs