Microwave-assisted Intramolecular Dehydrogenative Diels-Alder Reactions for the Synthesis of Functionalized Naphthalenes/Solvatochromic Dyes

Summary

Microwave-assisted intramolecular dehydrogenative Diels-Alder (DA) reactions provide concise access to functionalized cyclopenta[b]naphthalene building blocks. The utility of this methodology is demonstrated by one-step conversion of the dehydrogenative DA cycloadducts into novel solvatochromic fluorescent dyes via Buchwald-Hartwig palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions.

Abstract

Functionalized naphthalenes have applications in a variety of research fields ranging from the synthesis of natural or biologically active molecules to the preparation of new organic dyes. Although numerous strategies have been reported to access naphthalene scaffolds, many procedures still present limitations in terms of incorporating functionality, which in turn narrows the range of available substrates. The development of versatile methods for direct access to substituted naphthalenes is therefore highly desirable.

The Diels-Alder (DA) cycloaddition reaction is a powerful and attractive method for the formation of saturated and unsaturated ring systems from readily available starting materials. A new microwave-assisted intramolecular dehydrogenative DA reaction of styrenyl derivatives described herein generates a variety of functionalized cyclopenta[b]naphthalenes that could not be prepared using existing synthetic methods. When compared to conventional heating, microwave irradiation accelerates reaction rates, enhances yields, and limits the formation of undesired byproducts.

The utility of this protocol is further demonstrated by the conversion of a DA cycloadduct into a novel solvatochromic fluorescent dye via a Buchwald-Hartwig palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction. Fluorescence spectroscopy, as an informative and sensitive analytical technique, plays a key role in research fields including environmental science, medicine, pharmacology, and cellular biology. Access to a variety of new organic fluorophores provided by the microwave-assisted dehydrogenative DA reaction allows for further advancement in these fields.

Introduction

Small molecule design and synthesis is critical to the development of a range of scientific fields that includes pharmaceuticals, pesticides, organic dyes, and many more ¹. The Diels-Alder (DA) and dehydro-Diels-Alder (DDA) reactions are especially powerful tools in the synthesis of small cyclic and aromatic compounds ^2-4. Additionally, thermal dehydrogenative DA reactions of styrene dienes with alkyne dienophiles provide a potentially beneficial route to the synthesis of aromatic compounds by initially forming cycloadducts that can further aromatize under oxidative conditions ⁵. By employing a thermal intramolecular dehydrogenative DA....

Protocol

1. Microwave-assisted Dehydrogenative DA Reaction

1. Add the para-chloro-styrene derivative (0.045 g, 0.18 mmol) and 1,2-dichloroethane (3 ml) to a 2-5 ml microwave irradiation vial equipped with a stir bar to create a 0.060 M solution. This concentration is used because higher concentrations lead to the formation of undesired products.
2. Cap the microwave irradiation vial and place it in the microwave synthesizer cavity.
3. Irradiate the solution at 180 °C for 200 min with stirring and with fixed hold time on. The hold time is how long irradiation will occur at the designated temperature. The reaction mixture will turn golden in color. Lon....

Results

Microwave irradiation (MWI) of styrenyl derivatives at 180 °C results in complete cyclopenta[b]naphthalene formation in as little as 30 min and in high to quantitative yields (Figure 1) ¹⁸. No dihydronaphthalene byproduct is observed, and by ¹H NMR spectroscopy the products appear pure without the need for additional purification after irradiation (Figure 2). Various changes to the naphthalene framework are well tolerated utilizing these thermal.......

Discussion

Microwave-Assisted Dehydrogenative DA Reaction

The intramolecular dehydrogenative DA reaction of styrenyl precursors by microwave irradiation (MWI) produces diverse naphthalene structures in high yields of 71-100% and short reaction times, requiring as little as 30 min (Figure 1) ¹⁸. The most difficult aspect of performing the dehydrogenative DA reaction is solvent selection, which is often complicated because a variety of solvent characteristics need to be considere.......

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Reagent/Material
1,2-Dichlor–thane, ACS reagent ≥99.0%	Sigma-Aldrich	319929
SiliaPlate G TLC - glass-backed, 250 μm	Silicycle	TLG-R10011B-323
Ethyl acetate, certified ACS ≥99.5%	Fisher Scientific	E14520
Hexanes, certified ACS ≥98.5%	Fisher Scientific	H29220
Silica gel, standard grade	Sorbent Technologies	30930M	60 A, 40-63 μM (230 x 400 mesh)
RuPhos palladacycle	Strem	46-0266
Nitrogen gas	Matheson TRIGAS	NI304	Nitrogen 304cf, industrial
Lithium bis(trimethylsilyl) amide solution	Sigma-Aldrich	225770	1.0 M solution in THF
Tetrahydrofuran anhydrous ≥99.9%	Sigma-Aldrich	401757	Inhibitor-free
Dimethylamine solution	Sigma-Aldrich	391956	2.0 M solution in THF
Ammonium chloride	Fisher Scientific	A661-500
Sodium sulfate, anhydrous (granular)	Fisher Scientific	S421-500
Chromatography column	Chemglass	CG-1188-04	½ in ID x 18in E.L.
Cyclohexane, ≥99.0%	Fisher Scientific	C556-1
Toluene anhydrous, 99.8%	Sigma-Aldrich	24451
1,4-Dioxane anhydrous, 99.8%	Sigma-Aldrich	296309
Tetrahydrofuran anhydrous, ≥99.9%	Sigma-Aldrich	186562	250 ppm BHT as inhibitor
Dichloromethane	Sigma-Aldrich	650463	Chromasolv Plus
Chloroform, ≥99.8%	Fisher Scientific	C298-1
Acetonitrile anhydrous, 99.8%	Sigma-Aldrich	271004
Dimethyl sulfoxide, ≥99.9%	Fisher Scientific	D128
Ethyl alcohol	Pharmco-AAPER	11ACS200	Absolute
Equipment
Microwave Synthesizer	Biotage	Biotage Initiator Exp
Microwave Vial	Biotage	352016	0.5 – 2 ml
Microwave Vial	Biotage	351521	2 – 5 ml
Microwave Vial Cap	Biotage	352298
Microwave Synthesizer	Anton Paar	Monowave 300
Microwave Vial G4	Anton Paar	99135
Microwave Vial Cap	Anton Paar	88882
NMR Spectrometer	Bruker	Avance	300 or 400 MHz
UV-Visible Spectrometer	PerkinElmer	Lamda 9
Spectrophotometer cell	Starna Cells	29B-Q-10	Spectrosil quartz, path length 10 mm, semi-micro, black wall
Spectrofluorometer	HORIBA Jobin Yvon	FluoroMax-3 S4
Fluorometer cell	Starna Cells	29F-Q-10	Spectrosil quartz, path length 10 mm, semi-micro