Modular pyridine synthesis from oximes and enals through synergistic copper/iminium catalysis

J Am Chem Soc. 2013 Mar 13;135(10):3756-9. doi: 10.1021/ja312346s. Epub 2013 Mar 1.

Abstract

We describe here a [3+3]-type condensation reaction of O-acetyl ketoximes and α,β-unsaturated aldehydes that is synergistically catalyzed by a copper(I) salt and a secondary ammonium salt (or amine). This redox-neutral reaction allows modular synthesis of a variety of substituted pyridines under mild conditions with tolerance of a broad range of functional groups. The reaction is driven by a merger of iminium catalysis and redox activity of the copper catalyst, which would initially reduce the oxime N-O bond to generate a nucleophilic copper(II) enamide and later oxidize a dihydropyridine intermediate to the pyridine product.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aldehydes / chemistry*
  • Amines / chemistry*
  • Catalysis
  • Copper / chemistry*
  • Molecular Structure
  • Oximes / chemistry*
  • Pyridines / chemical synthesis*
  • Pyridines / chemistry
  • Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / chemistry*

Substances

  • Aldehydes
  • Amines
  • Oximes
  • Pyridines
  • Quaternary Ammonium Compounds
  • Copper
  • pyridine