Synlett 2005(20): 3121-3125  
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-922753
LETTER
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

A General and Efficient Synthesis of Azaindoles and Diazaindoles

Christian Harcken, Yancey Ward, David Thomson, Doris Riether*
Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 900 Ridgebury Road/P.O. Box 368, Ridgefield, Connecticut 06877, USA
Fax: +1(203)7916072; e-Mail: driether@rdg.boehringer-ingelheim.com;
Further Information

Publication History

Received 30 August 2005
Publication Date:
28 November 2005 (online)

Abstract

The DBU-mediated cyclization of ortho-(Boc-amino)alkynyl pyridines, -pyridazines, -pyrimidines and -pyrazines ­efficiently generates azaindoles and diazaindoles, respectively. The reaction proceeds under mild conditions and in high yields. A ­variety of functional groups are tolerated.

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General Procedure for the Sonogashira Coupling.
To a solution of ortho-(Boc-amino)halogeno pyridine or diazine (1 mmol) in anhyd DMF (1 mL) and Et3N (3 mL) was added copper iodide (0.10 mmol), Pd(PPh3)2Cl2 (0.05 mmol) and the alkyne (1 mmol) under argon and the reaction stirred at r.t. for 15 h. The reaction was diluted with EtOAc (10 mL), washed with sat. aq NH4Cl solution (2 × 5 mL) and the combined aqueous layers were extracted with EtOAc (3 × 20 mL). The combined organic layers were washed with brine (5 mL), dried over MgSO4 and concentrated. Column chromatography (hexane-EtOAc) yielded ortho-(Boc-amino)alkynyl pyridines or diazines in 37-99% yield.
Data for Alkynes. Compound 7: prepared from (4-iodopyridin-3-yl)carbamic acid tert-butyl ester. [23] 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 9.35 (s, 1 H), 8.20 (d, J = 5.06 Hz, 1 H), 7.19 (d, J = 5.06 Hz, 1 H), 7.06 (s, 1 H), 2.51 (t, J = 7.07 Hz, 2 H), 1.72 (qt, J = 7.07 Hz, J = 7.33 Hz, 2 H), 1.55 (s, 9 H), 1.09 (t, J = 7.33 Hz, 3 H).
Compound 9: 1H NMR data are in accordance with data reported in the literature. [7]
Compound 11: prepared from (2-bromopyridin-3-yl)carbamic acid tert-butyl ester. [22] 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 8.42 (d, J = 9.08 Hz, 1 H), 8.19 (dd J = 1.39 Hz, J = 4.67 Hz, 1 H), 7.18 (dd, J = 4.67 Hz, J = 8.57 Hz, 1 H), 2.53 (t, J = 7.08 Hz, 2 H), 1.74 (qt, J = 7.33 Hz, J = 7.08 Hz, 2 H), 1.54 (s, 9 H), 1.10 (t, J = 7.33 Hz, 3 H).
Compound 13: prepared from (3-iodopyridin-2-yl)carbamic acid tert-butyl ester. [24] 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 8.36 (dd, J = 5.05 Hz, J = 1.77 Hz, 1 H), 7.60 (dd, J = 7.58 Hz, 1.77 Hz, 1 H), 7.57 (s, 1 H), 6.90 (dd, J = 7.58 Hz, J = 5.05 Hz, 1 H), 2.49 (t, J = 7.07 Hz, 2 H), 1.69 (qt, J = 7.33 Hz, J = 7.07 Hz, 2 H), 1.54 (s, 9 H), 1.09 (t, J = 7.33 Hz, 3 H).
Compound 15: 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 9.74 (br s, 1 H), 9.29 (br s, 1 H), 6.90 (s, 1 H), 2.99 (t, J = 7.58 Hz, 2 H), 1.69 (m, 11 H), 0.99 (t, J = 7.33 Hz, 3 H).
Compound 17: 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 8.97 (br s, 1 H), 7.92 (br s, 1 H), 6.74 (s, 1 H), 2.99 (t, J = 7.58 Hz, 2 H), 1.69 (qt, J = 7.58 Hz, J = 7.58 Hz, 2 H), 1.63 (s, 9 H), 1.01 (t, J = 7.58 Hz, 3 H).
Compound 19: 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 9.41 (s, 1 H), 8.73 (s, 1 H), 6.96 (br s, 1 H), 2.49 (t, J = 7.08 Hz, 2 H), 1.66 (qt, J = 7.33 Hz, J = 7.08 Hz, 2 H), 1.48 (s, 9 H), 1.03 (t, J = 7.33 Hz, 3 H).
Compound 21: 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 8.34 (br s, 1 H), 8.24 (br s, 1 H), 6.46 (br s, 1 H), 2.96 (t, J = 7.58 Hz, 2 H), 1.69 (qt, J = 7.58 Hz, J = 7.34 Hz, 2 H), 1.62 (s, 9 H), 0.99 (t, J = 7.34 Hz, 3 H).
Compound 23: 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 9.32 (s, 1 H), 8.14 (d, J = 5.03 Hz, 1 H), 7.16 (d, J = 4.80 Hz, 1 H), 6.97 (s, 1 H), 4.53 (s, 2 H), 1.46 (s, 9 H).
Compound 25: 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 9.26 (br s, 1 H), 8.12 (d, J = 5.05 Hz, 1 H), 7.25 (s, 1 H), 7.11 (d, J = 5.05 Hz, 1 H), 3.79 (t, J = 5.71 Hz, 2 H), 2.60 (t, J = 6.95 Hz, 2 H), 1.85 (tt, J = 6.95 Hz, J = 5.71 Hz, 2 H), 1.48 (s, 9 H).
Compound 27: 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 9.28 (s, 1 H), 8.14 (d, J = 5.05 Hz, 1 H), 7.13 (d, J = 5.05 Hz, 1 H), 6.98 (s, 1 H), 3.41 (s, 1 H), 1.60 (s, 6 H), 1.46 (s, 9 H).
Compound 29: 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 9.35 (s, 1 H), 8.21 (d, J = 5.05 Hz, 1 H), 7.25-7.52 (m, 6 H), 7.04 (br s, 1 H), 1.49 (s, 9 H).
Compound 31: 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 8.85 (s, 1 H), 8.10 (d, J = 5.05 Hz, 1 H), 7.32 (d, J = 5.05 Hz, 1 H), 7.23 (d, J = 8.85 Hz, 2 H), 6.57 (s, J = 8.85 Hz, 2 H), 1.45 (s, 9 H).
Compound 33: 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 9.41 (s, 1 H), 8.22 (d, J = 5.06 Hz, 1 H), 7.20 (d, J = 5.06 Hz, 1 H), 7.04 (s, 1 H), 4.86 (s, 1 H), 4.22 (d, J = 5.56 Hz, 2 H), 1.56 (s, 9 H), 1.48 (s, 9 H).

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Typical Procedure for the Cyclization.
To a solution of ortho-(Boc-amino)alkynyl pyridine or diazine (1 mmol) in MeOH-H2O (5 mL, 3:1) was added DBU (5 mmol) and the reaction heated to 65-85 °C for 1-14 h. Then, MeOH was removed under vacuum and the solution cooled in an ice-water bath; H2O was added dropwise to precipitate the azaindole or diazaindole. Compounds 16, 18, 28, and 30 did not solidify from aqueous solution. In these cases the H2O-DBU mixture was decanted from the oil. The oil is then dissolved in MeOH and the precipitation procedure repeated. Compound 28 was purified by chromatography. The precipitate was collected by filtration, washed with H2O and dried to give the desired products (>95% purity). Yields 62%-97%.
Data for Azaindoles and Diazaindoles. Compound 8: mp (MeOH-H2O) 158 °C. 1H NMR (400 MHz CDCl3): δ = 8.71 (s, 1 H), 8.20 (d, J = 5.31 Hz, 1 H), 7.43 (d, J = 5.31 Hz, 1 H), 6.28 (s, 1 H), 2.80 (t, J = 7.58 Hz, 2 H), 1.81 (qt, J = 7.58 Hz, J = 7.33 Hz, 2 H), 1.03 (t, J = 7.33 Hz, 3 H). 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 145.22, 137.99, 134.03, 133.50, 132.73, 99.02, 30.45, 22.36, 13.90. HRMS (APCI): m/z calcd for C10H13N2 [M + 1]: 161.1073; found: 161.1075.
Compound 10: 1H NMR data are in accordance with data reported in the literature. [25]
Compound 12: mp (MeOH-H2O) 123 °C. 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 10.43 (s, 1 H), 8.40 (dd, J = 1.26 Hz, 4.80 Hz, 1 H), 7.59 (d J = 8.08 Hz, 1 H), 7.02 (dd, J = 4.80 Hz, 8.08 Hz, 1 H), 6.44 (s, 1 H), 2.80 (t, J = 7.58 Hz, 2 H), 1.76 (qt, J = 7.33 Hz, J = 7.58 Hz, 2 H), 0.98 (t, J = 7.33 Hz, 3 H). 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 147.27, 145.08, 141.98, 129.39, 117.72, 115.63, 99.68, 30.70, 22.37, 13.85. HRMS (APCI): m/z calcd for C10H13N2 [M + 1]: 161.1073; found: 161.1076.
Compound 14: mp (MeOH-H2O) 65 °C. 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 12.37 (s, 1 H), 8.21 (d, J = 4.55 Hz, 1 H), 7.83 (dd, J = 7.83 Hz, J = 1.26 Hz, 1 H), 7.03 (dd, J = 7.83 Hz, J = 4.80 Hz, 1 H), 6.20 (s, 1 H), 2.86 (t, J = 7.58 Hz, 2 H), 1.86 (qt, J = 7.58 Hz, J = 7.33 Hz, 2 H), 1.04 (t, J = 7.33 Hz, 3 H). 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 149.33, 141.78, 140.18, 127.63, 122.00, 115.38, 97.17, 30.84, 22.46, 13.99. HRMS (APCI): m/z calcd for C10H13N2 [M + 1]: 161.1073; found: 161.1073.
Compound 16: mp (MeOH-H2O) 154 °C. 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 9.46 (br s, 1 H), 9.28 (br s, 1 H), 6.35 (s, 1 H), 2.89 (t, J = 7.46 Hz, 2 H), 1.81 (qt, J = 7.45 Hz, J = 7.33 Hz, 2 H), 0.95 (t, J = 7.33 Hz, 3 H). 13C NMR (100 MHz, MeOH-d 4): δ = 148.43, 145.51, 137.86, 133.96, 126.91, 99.78, 30.95, 23.37, 14.09. HRMS (APCI): m/z calcd for C9H12N3 [M + 1]: 162.1025; found: 162.1032.
Compound 18: mp (MeOH-H2O) 177 °C. 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 10.02 (br s, 1 H), 8.83 (br s, 1 H), 7.44 (br s, 1 H), 6.64 (s, 1 H), 2.81 (t, J = 7.46 Hz, 2 H), 1.79 (qt, J = 7.46 Hz, J = 7.34 Hz, 2 H), 0.97 (t, J = 7.34 Hz, 3 H). 13C NMR (100 MHz, MeOH-d 4): δ = 151.68, 149.60, 130.76, 107.23, 97.11, 29.69, 21.40, 12.47. HRMS (APCI): m/z calcd for C9H12N3 [M + 1]: 162.1025; found: 162.1032.
Compound 20: mp (MeOH-H2O) 176 °C. 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 8.87 (s, 1 H), 8.63 (s, 1 H), 6.39 (s, 1 H), 2.79 (t, J = 7.46 Hz, 2 H), 1.75 (qt, J = 7.46 Hz, J = 7.46 Hz, 2 H), 0.95 (t, J = 7.46 Hz, 3 H). 13C NMR (100 MHz, MeOH-d 4): δ = 151.10, 150.11, 148.43, 137.04, 127.43, 98.08, 29.75, 21.46, 12.33. HRMS (APCI): m/z calcd for C9H12N3 [M + 1]: 162.1025; found: 162.1031.
Compound 22: mp (MeOH-H2O) 156 °C. 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 10.26 (br s, 1 H), 8.36 (br s, 1 H), 8.08 (br s, 1 H), 6.40 (s, 1 H), 2.81 (t, J = 7.58 Hz, 2 H), 1.79 (qt, J = 7.58 Hz, J = 7.34 Hz, 2 H), 0.99 (t, J = 7.34 Hz, 3 H). 13C NMR (100 MHz, MeOH-d 4): δ = 149.67, 143.79, 141.70, 137.77, 136.53, 98.67, 31.67, 23.26, 14.09. HRMS (APCI): m/z calcd for C9H12N3 [M + 1]: 162.1025; found: 162.1031.
Compound 24: mp (MeOH-H2O) 185 °C. 1H NMR (400 MHz, MeOH-d 4): δ = 8.60 (s, 1 H), 8.00 (d, J = 5.56 Hz, 1 H), 7.43 (d, J = 5.81 Hz, 1 H), 6.44 (s, 1 H), 4.79 (s, 2 H). HRMS (APCI): m/z calcd for C8H9N2O [M + 1]: 149.0709; found: 149.0711.
Compound 26: mp (MeOH-H2O) 161 °C. 1H NMR (400 MHz, MeOH-d 4): δ = 8.52 (s, 1 H), 7.96 (d, J = 5.56 Hz, 1 H), 7.44 (d, J = 5.56 Hz, 1 H), 6.29 (s, 1 H), 3.62 (t, J = 6.32 Hz, 2 H), 2.90 (t, J = 7.71 Hz, 2 H), 1.98 (tt, J = 6.32 Hz, J = 7.71 Hz, 2 H). HRMS (APCI): m/z calcd for C10H13N2O [M + 1]: 177.1022; found: 177.1026.
Compound 28: oil. 1H NMR (400 MHz, MeOH-d 4): δ = 8.60 (s, 1 H), 8.01 (d, J = 5.56 Hz, 1 H), 7.50 (d, J = 5.65 Hz, 1 H), 6.43 (s, 1 H), 1.57 (s, 6 H). HRMS (APCI): m/z calcd for C10H11N2 [M - H2O + 1]: 159.0916; found: 159.0917.
Compound 30: mp (MeOH-H2O) 205 °C. 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 8.92 (s, 1 H), 8.14 (d, J = 5.56 Hz, 1 H), 7.80 (d, J = 7.96 Hz, 2 H), 7.50 (d, J = 5.31 Hz, 1 H), 7.41 (dd, J = 7.58 Hz, J = 7.58 Hz, 2 H), 7.33 (dd, J = 6.81 Hz, J = 6.81 Hz, 2 H), 6.79 (s, 1 H). HRMS (APCI): m/z calcd for C13H11N2 [M + 1]: 195.0916; found: 195.0921.
Compound 32: mp (MeOH-H2O) 188 °C. 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 8.76 (s, 1 H), 8.22 (d, J = 5.56 Hz, 1 H), 7.53 (d, J = 8.59 Hz, 2 H), 7.46 (d, J = 5.30 Hz, 1 H), 6.77 (d, J = 8.33 Hz, 2 H), 6.65 (s, 1 H), 3.49 (br s, 2 H). HRMS (APCI): m/z calcd for C13H12N3 [M + 1]: 210.1031; found: 210.1034.
Compound 34: mp (MeOH-H2O) 64 °C. 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 8.75 (s, 1 H), 8.22 (d, J = 5.56 Hz, 1 H), 7.45 (dd, J = 5.56 Hz, J = 1.01 Hz, 1 H), 6.33 (s, 1 H), 5.15 (s, 1 H), 4.41 (d, J = 6.06 Hz, 2 H), 1.49 (s, 9 H). HRMS (APCI): m/z calcd for C13H18N3O2 [M + 1]: 248.1393; found: 248.1384.

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Unpublished results: pyridines and diazines with substituents such as NMe2, OMe, or CN are well tolerated in this reaction.