An Improved Synthesis of Some 5-Substituted Indolizines Using Regiospecific Lithiation

Abstract

Various 2-substituted indolizines can be directly and selectively lithiated in the 5 position and subsequent reactions with different electrophiles lead to some novel classes of indolizines. In particular, previously unknown 5-formyl- and 5-iodoindolizine have been prepared by this way and the molecular structure of 5-formyl-2-phenylindolizine was confirmed by X-Ray analysis. The reactivity of the 5-CHO- and 5-COPh groups toward some nucleophiles has been examined, and some additional classes of derivatives (oximes and alcohols) have been obtained. The possibility of Suzuki cross-coupling of 5-iodoindolizines and boronic acids was proven.

Introduction

According to literature data, the first attempt at direct lithiation of indolizines corresponds to Renard and Gubin [1], who achieved regioselective metallation of 2-phenylindolizine in the 5-position, followed by replacement of lithium by electrophiles. Our long involvement in the chemistry of 5-substituted indolizines [2,3] and the failure to precisely reproduce the protocol reported in [1] have stimulated our interest to the problem of indolizine lithiation. In addition some common electrophiles (e.g. I⁺, CHO⁺) were not tested in reference [1], although the expected products – 5-formyl and 5-iodoindolizines – are not readily available by common heterocyclic synthesis methods. Thus, 5-iodoindolizines are still unknown, and there are only two references [4,5] devoted to 5-formylindolizines prepared via [3+2]-cycloaddition (a stepwise preparation starting from pyridinium ylides bearing an acetal group at position 2).

In this article we report our success in following areas:

–

optimization of the protocol for direct lithiation of 2- and 1,2- substituted indolizines by varying temperature and time of metallation;

–

discovery of a novel and easy route to 5-formyl and 5-haloindolizines by means of direct lithiation followed by electrophilic quench;

–

the first Suzuki type cross-coupling reaction between 5-iodoindolizines and a boronic acid;

–

follow-up of the chemistry of 5-formylindolizines and their derivatives;

–

direct proof of the structure of 5-formyl-2-phenylindolizine by X-ray analysis.

Results and Discussion

Preparation of indolizines.

Starting indolizines were prepared by the standard Tchichibabin method [6]:

Substances 1	R1	R2
1a	H	Ph
1b	H	tBu
1c	Me	tBu

Substances 1	R1	R2
1a	H	Ph
1b	H	tBu
1c	Me	tBu

All the obtained indolizines 1a-c are known from the literature [6,7,8], and the intermediate pyridinium salts were not isolated in some cases. The yields of indolizines 1 varied from 50% to 85%.

Direct lithiation of indolizines.

In the original literature procedure [1] reaction of n-BuLi at -40°C with indolizine 1a (carrying out the metallation for 2 hours at -40°C) followed by reaction with PhCN gave 90% of 5-benzoyl-indolizine 2d. In our hands, however, all attempts to precisely reproduce this protocol (even after several runs) led to 2d in yields that never exceeded 10-15%. Better yields (that incidently were never higher than 55%) have been obtained using a modified procedure. The changes were the following: the substrate 1c was mixed with n-BuLi at -78 to -80°C, and the stirring was continued at -20°C for 5 hours to complete the metallation. Optimization was achieved by varying reaction time, temperature, and amount of TMEDA. The optimal reaction time was found by TLC monitoring (an aliquot of reaction mixture was taken every 30 min and quenched with an excess of an electrophile. The final optimized protocol is given in the Experimental. Lithiation of indolizines 1b,c required shorter times (2 hours) compared with 5 hours for 1a (under the same conditions).

Preparation of 5-substituted indolizines

Direct lithiation of indolozines 1a-c followed by treatment with DMF gave 5-formylindolizines 2a-c in good yields (75-95%, Table 1). The obtained crystalline substances presented deep colors ranging from orange-brown to dark-brown (in contrast to the well-known isomeric 3-formyl derivatives of indolizines that are colorless).

In the ¹H-NMR spectra of formylindolizines 2a-c (Table 2) the signal of proton H₃ is shifted to low field (8.7 - 9.2 ppm), whereas in the parent indolizines 1 this signal appears at 6.8-7.2 ppm. This downfield shift can be clearly explained by a "peri-effect" caused by magnetic anisotropy of the 5-formyl group located at the peri-position with respect to proton H₃. Earlier an analogous effect was observed for 1-COR-, 3-COR-, and 8-COR-substituted indolizines, where the corresponding signals of protons located at the peri-positions (H₈, H₅ and H₁ respectively) underwent a downfield shift, see review [9].

Table 1. Characteristics of 5-Substituted indolizines

Indolizine	E	Product	Yield,%	Mp, °C
1a	CHO	2a	74	128-130
1b	CHO	2b	94	81-83
1c	CHO	2c	95	37-39
1a	C(O)Ph	2d	55	284-286 (lit. 286) [1]
1b	I	2e	96	57-59

Table 1. Characteristics of 5-Substituted indolizines

Indolizine	E	Product	Yield,%	Mp, °C
1a	CHO	2a	74	128-130
1b	CHO	2b	94	81-83
1c	CHO	2c	95	37-39
1a	C(O)Ph	2d	55	284-286 (lit. 286) [1]
1b	I	2e	96	57-59

Table 2. ¹H-NMR spectra of 5-formyl indolizines 2a-c.

	Chemical shifts, ppm (J, Hz)
No.	H1, s	H3, s	H6, d (J67)	H7, m	H8, d (J78)	CHO, s	HR1,R2
2a	7.04	9.18	7.83 (8.7)	6.95	7.52 (6.9)	9.88	m: 7.71; 7.39; 7.24 (2-Ph)
2b	6.61	8.71	7.71 (8.6)	6.86	7.42 (7.2)	9.81	s, 1.37 (2-tBu)
2c	-	8.65	7.71 (8.7)	6.78	7.35 (7.4)	9.75	s, 2.47 (1-CH3); s, 1.42 (2- tBu)

Table 2. ¹H-NMR spectra of 5-formyl indolizines 2a-c.

	Chemical shifts, ppm (J, Hz)
No.	H1, s	H3, s	H6, d (J67)	H7, m	H8, d (J78)	CHO, s	HR1,R2
2a	7.04	9.18	7.83 (8.7)	6.95	7.52 (6.9)	9.88	m: 7.71; 7.39; 7.24 (2-Ph)
2b	6.61	8.71	7.71 (8.6)	6.86	7.42 (7.2)	9.81	s, 1.37 (2-tBu)
2c	-	8.65	7.71 (8.7)	6.78	7.35 (7.4)	9.75	s, 2.47 (1-CH3); s, 1.42 (2- tBu)

Finally, the structure of 5-formylindolizine 2a was proven by X-ray analysis, Figure 1. The main feature of this structure is the very short (2.44 Å) distance between the oxygen atom of the formyl group and the H₃ hydrogen atom (this peculiarity may be linked to the above discussed peri-effect in the ¹H-NMR spectra of 2a.)

Figure 1.

Figure 1.

Successful introduction of the formyl group at position 5 has stimulated our interest in investigating the possibility of inserting a halogen atom at this position. 5-Halogen derivatives of indolizines cannot be obtained by the direct Tchichibabin method [10], and the reported synthesis of 5-chloro- [11] and 5-bromoindolizines [12] involved dipolar cycloaddition strategies. 5-iodo-indolizines remain unknown. It is possible to introduce I or Br substituents at positions 1 or 3 by direct halogenation of 3- or 1-acylindolizines respectively [13,14]. It was shown that 1-bromo-2,3,7-trisubstituted indolizines may be converted to 1-iodoindolizine via 1-lithium derivative [15]. Although no attempts have been performed yet to halogenate 5-lithioindolizines, the structurally related 5-lithium-2,3-diazaindolizine reacted with bromine abnormally leading to cleavage of the azole fragment [16]. We now report our success in preparing of 5-iodoindolizine via lithium-iodine exchange at position 5. Iodine added to the 5-lithio derivative of indolizine 1b to give 5-iodo-indolizine 2e in high yield.

Reactivity of the 5-COR group

The 5-benzoyl derivative 2d was found to be inert towards common reactions of carbonyl compounds (hydroxylamine, 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine in different conditions) though the benzoyl group can be removed by the action of alkali.

The formyl derivatives 2a-c were more reactive toward hydroxylamine and 2,4-dinitro-phenylhydrazine, however the products formed were extremely unstable. A change from hydroxylamine to NH₂OMe resulted in the formation under mild conditions (ethanol, pyridine, RT, 5 hours) of almost quantitative yields of stable canary-yellow oximes 3a-c. The oximes 3 darken during storage. One would suppose that the unexpected instability of oximes and hydrazones may be caused by a sort of tautomerism promoted by an acidic hydrogen from the OH and even NH groups; in the case of O-Me oximes such acidity is impossible. The removal of the formyl group from indolizines 2a-c under the action of alkali was also observed.

Table 3. Characteristics of O-Me oximes 3 of 5-formylindolizines

5-Formylindolizine	Oxime	Yield,%	Mp, °C
2a	3a	89	82-84
2b	3b	96	49-51
2c	3c	quant.	69-71

Table 3. Characteristics of O-Me oximes 3 of 5-formylindolizines

5-Formylindolizine	Oxime	Yield,%	Mp, °C
2a	3a	89	82-84
2b	3b	96	49-51
2c	3c	quant.	69-71

Table 4. ¹H-NMR spectra of O-Me oximes of 5-formylindolizines.

No.	Chemical shifts, ppm (J, Hz)
	H1, s	H3, s	H6, d (J67)	H7, m	H8, d (J78)	CH=N, s	OMe, s	HR1,R2
3a	6.92	8.84	7.56 (9.1)	6.81	6.93 (6.9)	8.40	4.13	m: 7.68; 7.38; 7.23 (2-Ph)
3b	6.50	8.34	7.43 (8.9)	6.72	6.82 (6.7)	8.31	4.07	s, 1.37 (2-tBu)
3c	-	8.30	7.43 (8.7)	6.65	6.76 (6.7)	8.26	4.05	s, 2.46 (1-CH3); s, 1.41 (2- tBu)

Table 4. ¹H-NMR spectra of O-Me oximes of 5-formylindolizines.

No.	Chemical shifts, ppm (J, Hz)
	H1, s	H3, s	H6, d (J67)	H7, m	H8, d (J78)	CH=N, s	OMe, s	HR1,R2
3a	6.92	8.84	7.56 (9.1)	6.81	6.93 (6.9)	8.40	4.13	m: 7.68; 7.38; 7.23 (2-Ph)
3b	6.50	8.34	7.43 (8.9)	6.72	6.82 (6.7)	8.31	4.07	s, 1.37 (2-tBu)
3c	-	8.30	7.43 (8.7)	6.65	6.76 (6.7)	8.26	4.05	s, 2.46 (1-CH3); s, 1.41 (2- tBu)

Reduction of the 5-formyl group.

The 5-formyl group readily underwent reduction upon reaction with NaBH₄ under mild conditions yielding 5-hydroxymethylindolizines 4. Alcohols 4 were nearly colorless crystals which became light-green upon storage. The yields were nearly quantitative.

Table 5. Characteristics of 5-CH₂OH indolizines 4

5-Formylindolizine	Product	Yield,%	Mp, °C
2a	4a	quant.	110-112
2b	4b	quant.	82
2c	4c	quant.	76-78

Table 5. Characteristics of 5-CH₂OH indolizines 4

5-Formylindolizine	Product	Yield,%	Mp, °C
2a	4a	quant.	110-112
2b	4b	quant.	82
2c	4c	quant.	76-78

Table 6. ¹H-NMR spectra of 5-CH₂OH indolizines 4

No.	Chemical shifts, ppm (J, Hz)
	H1, s	H3, s	H6, d (J67)	H7, m	H8, d (J78)	OCH2, d (JCH2OH)	-OH, t (JCH2OH)	HR1,R2
4a	6.73	7.77	7.34*	6.70	6.58 (6.6)	4.72**	5.33**	m: 7.68; 7.39*; 7.19 (2-Ph)
4b	6.31	7.19	7.21 (9.3)	6.22	6.49 (6.3)	4.64 (4.5)	5.24 (4.5)	s, 1.35 (2-tBu)
4c	-	7.10	7.19 (9.4)	6.56	6.42 (6.9)	4.60 (5.4)	5.19 (5.4)	s, 2.40 (1-CH3); s, 1.40 (2- tBu)

^*) Peak H₆ overlapped with multiplet of Ph group.

^**) Broad signal.

Table 6. ¹H-NMR spectra of 5-CH₂OH indolizines 4

No.	Chemical shifts, ppm (J, Hz)
	H1, s	H3, s	H6, d (J67)	H7, m	H8, d (J78)	OCH2, d (JCH2OH)	-OH, t (JCH2OH)	HR1,R2
4a	6.73	7.77	7.34*	6.70	6.58 (6.6)	4.72**	5.33**	m: 7.68; 7.39*; 7.19 (2-Ph)
4b	6.31	7.19	7.21 (9.3)	6.22	6.49 (6.3)	4.64 (4.5)	5.24 (4.5)	s, 1.35 (2-tBu)
4c	-	7.10	7.19 (9.4)	6.56	6.42 (6.9)	4.60 (5.4)	5.19 (5.4)	s, 2.40 (1-CH3); s, 1.40 (2- tBu)

^*) Peak H₆ overlapped with multiplet of Ph group.

^**) Broad signal.

Suzuki-type cross-coupling reaction between 5-iodoindolizine and arylboronic acid.

With the goal of investigating the reactivity of the 5-iodo derivative we examined the possibility of Suzuki-type coupling reaction between 5-iodo-2-tert-butylindolizine 2e and 4-methoxyphenyl-boronic acid:

The reaction proceeded in high yield (94%) in alcoholic-aqueous medium and required mild conditions and one of simplest Pd^II-catalysts. The structure of the product 5 was clearly confirmed by NMR data. This result confirmed the high capacity of the iodine atom in 5-iodoindolizines for substitution and C-C-bond formation. Meanwhile, our test experiments to form a C-N bond with some amines using Pd^II and Pd⁰ catalysts up to now failed.

Conclusions

We have optimized and expanded the protocol for direct lithiation of indolizines and discovered two new classes of indolizine derivatives, namely 5-formylindolizines and 5-iodoindolizines. Carbonyl groups at position 5 of indolizine ring behave somewhat unexpectedly, forming no stable oximes and hydrazones and being easily removed under the action of alkali. Nevertheless, some further modifications of the 5-formyl group (reduction and formation of OMe-oxime) remain possible. The first example of Suzuki-type coupling reaction between 5-iodoindolizine and arylboronic acid is demonstrated.

Experimental

General

¹H-NMR spectra were recorded using a Bruker AC 400 NMR spectrometer at 360 MHz. All reagents and chemicals were obtained from Acros or Merck and were used as received unless otherwise noted. THF was refluxed over sodium with benzophenone for 3-4 hours and then distilled in an argon atmosphere. TMEDA (N,N,N’,N’-tetramethylethylenediamine) was distilled over sodium in an argon atmosphere. DMF was stirred with calcium hydride powder for 2-3 hours at 70-80°C, and then DMF decanted and distilled under reduced pressure. The obtained DMF was again distilled with addition of phthalic anhydride under reduced pressure under an argon atmosphere and stored in refrigerator (at -12°C).

Procedure for direct lithiation of indolizine 1 and preparing 5-formylindolizines 2.

A flame-dried 3-necked round bottom flask (500 mL) equipped with a Teflon coated magnetic stir bar, dropping funnel with by-pass (with rubber septum on top neck), thermometer and gas inlet adapter was filled with argon and charged with 2-phenylindolizine 1a (3.0 g, 15.5 mmol). Then anhydrous THF (200mL) and freshly distilled TMEDA (11.8 mL, 72.5 mmol) were added. The resulting mixture was degassed in vacuo and the apparatus backfilled with argon. The dropping funnel was charged with a solution of n-butyllithium (via syringe). The mixture was stirred for an additional 10 min at RT for the purpose of dissolving the 2-phenylindolizine. Then the mixture was cooled to -78 to -80 °C, and n-butyllithium (27.2 mL, 31 mmol, 1.24 M solution in n-hexane) was added dropwise. The temperature was allowed to increase up to -20°C, and the reaction mixture was stirred at -20°C for an additional period of time (5h in the case of 1a, 2h for 1b,c). Then DMF (3.1 mL, 31 mmol) was added, the cooling bath was removed, and the reaction mixture was allowed to warm up to RT. The obtained light-green solution was poured into saturated aqueous NH₄Cl and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase was washed with brine, dried (Na₂SO₄) and evaporated in vacuo. 5-formyl-2-phenylindolizine (2a, brown crystals, 2.5g, 74%) was obtained by recrystallization of the residue from iPrOH. 5-Formyl-2-tert-butylindolizine (2b, red crystals) and 5-formyl-1-methyl-2-tert-butylindolizine (2c, red-brown solid) were obtained using column chromatography (silica gel Merck, eluent: hexane). For the yields and characteristics of indolizines 2a-c see Table 1; for ¹H-NMR data see Table 2.

Typical procedure for preparation of O-Me oximes 3.

To a stirred solution of 2a (0.5g, 2.3 mmol) in EtOH (5 mL) pyridine (0.18 mL, 2.3 mmol) and methoxylamine hydrochloride (0.19g 2.3 mmol) were added, and the mixture was stirred at RT for 5 h. Then the reaction mixture was filtered and the precipitate (a canary-yellow solid) was identified as pure oxime 3a. The mother liquors were evaporated and purified by recrystallization from i-PrOH. Overall yield of 3a was 0.5g (89%). For the yields and characteristics of OMe-oximes 3a-c see Table 3; for ¹H-NMR data see Table 4. In the reaction between 5-formylindolizine 2a and hydroxylamine hydrochloride (in the presence or absence of organic bases) an intensely green new solid appeared. This precipitate was insoluble in most solvents and according to ¹H-NMR, was a complex mixture. In the reaction of 2a with 2,4-DNPH the formation of a new substance can be detected (orange-yellow spot on TLC), however it decomposed during isolation. In reactions of 2a or 2d with sodium hydroxide the deacylation to 1a was observed.

Typical procedure for reduction of 5-formylindolizines 2.

5-Formyl-2-phenylindolizine (2a, 1g, 4.53 mmol) was dissolved in EtOH (10 mL) and NaBH₄ (0.088g, 2.26 mmol) was added to the solution. The mixture was stirred at 0°C for 30 min. Then the solvent was evaporated and water (10 mL) was added. The mixture was extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (3x15 mL), and the organic phase was dried (Na₂SO₄). Evaporation of the organic solution gave 1 g of 5-hydroxymethyl-2-phenylindolizine 4a (99%) as a colorless solid. Upon exposure to air the substance became light-green. For the yields and characteristics of alcohols 4a-c see Table 5; for ¹H-NMR data see Table 6.

Preparation of 5-iodo-2-tert-butylindolizine 2e via direct lithiation.

The lithiation protocol was exactly the same as described above for preparation of indolizines 2a-c. The starting materials were 2-tert-butylindolizine 1b (1.0 g, 5.78 mmol), anhydrous THF (60 mL), freshly distilled TMEDA (1.75 mL, 11.6 mmol) and n-butyllithium (5.12 mL, 6.35 mmol, 1.24 M solution in n-hexane). The stirring time at -20°C (to complete the lithiation) was reduced to 2 hours. To the obtained solution of 5-lithium-2-tert-butylindolizine a solution of iodine (1.62 g, 6.35 mmol) in anhydrous THF was added, the cooling bath was removed, and the reaction mixture was allowed to warm up to RT. The obtained dark solution was poured into saturated aqueous NH₄Cl and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase was washed with aqueous Na₂SO₃ (until the organic layer became almost colorless) and with brine, dried (Na₂SO₄), and evaporated in vacuo giving 1.67 g (96%) of green crystals of 5-iodo-2-tert-butylindolizine (2e). Mp 57-59°C; ¹H-NMR in DMSO-D₆, δ (ppm): 7.32 (1H, s, H₃), 7.28 (1H, d, H₆, J₆₇ = 8.9 Hz), 6.96 (1H, d, H₈, J₇₈ = 6.8 Hz), 6.53 (1H, s, H₁), 6.36 (1H, m, H₇), 1.35 (9H, s, ^tBu)

Cross-coupling reaction between 5-iodo-2-tert-butylindolizine 2e and p-methoxybenzeneboronic acid.

5-Iodo-2-tert-butylindolizine (2e, 0.299 g, 1 mmol), p-methoxybenzeneboronic acid (0.160 g, 1.05 mmol), sodium carbonate (0.265 g, 2.5 mmol) and tetra-n-butylammonium hydrosulfate (0.034 g, 0.1 mmol) were dissolved in the mixture of methanol (5 mL) and water (3 mL). The resulting mixture was purged with argon for 10 min. Then the reaction mixture was heated to 40°C and bis(triphenylphosphine)palladium dichoride Pd(PPh₃)₂Cl₂ (0.035g, 0.05 mmol, 5 mol %) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred at 40°C for an additional 5 hours (until the TLC confirmed that the reaction was complete). Methanol was removed under reduced pressure, and water (10 mL) was added to the residue. The mixture was extracted with CHCl₃, the organic layer was separated and dried (Na₂SO₄). Silica gel (3 g) was added to the organic solution, and the mixture was evaporated in vacuo. The obtained dry silica gel containing the crude product was placed onto the column for HPLC, and the product was purified using hexane as eluent. 5-(p-Methoxyphenyl)-2-tert-butylindolizine (5, 0.262g, 94%) was obtained as colorless crystals, Mp 113-115°C; ¹H-NMR in DMSO-D₆, δ (ppm): 7.53 (2H, m, Ar), 7.20 (1H, d, H₆, J₆₇=9.1 Hz), 7.09 (1H, s, H₃), 7.04 (2H, m, Ar), 6.65 (1H, m, H₇), 6.32 (1H, s, H₁) 6.27 (1H, d, H₈, J₇₈=6.2 Hz), 3.87 (3H, s, OCH₃), 1.28 (9H, s, ^tBu).