A Facile Synthesis of 2-Oxazolines via Dehydrative Cyclization Promoted by Triflic Acid

2-oxazolines are common moieties in numerous natural products, pharmaceuticals, and functional copolymers. Current methods for synthesizing 2-oxazolines mainly rely on stoichiometric dehydration agents or catalytic dehydration promoted by specific catalysts. These conditions either generate stoichiometric amounts of waste or require forcing azeotropic reflux conditions. As such, a practical and robust method that promotes dehydrative cyclization while generating no byproducts would be attractive to oxazoline production. Herein, we report a triflic acid (TfOH)-promoted dehydrative cyclization of N-(2-hydroxyethyl)amides for synthesizing 2-oxazolines. This reaction tolerates various functional groups and generates water as the only byproduct. This method affords oxazoline with inversion of α-hydroxyl stereochemistry, suggesting that alcohol is activated as a leaving group under these conditions. Furthermore, the one-pot synthesis protocol of 2-oxazolines directly from carboxylic acids and amino alcohols is also provided.

Molecules 2022, 27, x FOR PEER REVIEW dehydrative approaches [54][55][56][57]. The Ishihara group reported a molybdenum co catalyzed dehydrative cyclization of N- (2-hydroxyethyl)amides [54,55]. Saito a workers demonstrated a phosphorus-based organocatalytic dehydrative cyclizat proach [57] (Figure 2a). In addition, one example of cyclization catalyzed by sulfu was also reported but under harsh high-temperature conditions [58]. While these m avoid using stoichiometric dehydration agents and thus have higher atom econo requirement for specific catalysts and forcing azeotropic reflux conditions mig their industrial application. As a result, a practical and robust method that prom hydrative cyclization while generating no byproducts would be attractive to ox production. Herein, we report our effort in the TfOH-promoted synthesis of 2-oxa by dehydrative cyclization of N-(2-hydroxyethyl)amides (Figure 2b).

Optimization of the Reaction Conditions
We began our reaction optimization by examining the cyclization reaction o droxyamide 1 in the presence of several organic acids in 1,2-dichloroethane (DCE 1, entries 1-3). It was found that TfOH in DCE at 80 °C effectively promoted the for of the desired 2-oxazoline. The acidity of the acid seemed to be important, as weak such as MsOH and TFA only afforded product in low yields (  dehydrative approaches [54][55][56][57]. The Ishihara group reported a molybdenum catalyzed dehydrative cyclization of N- (2-hydroxyethyl)amides [54,55]. Sai workers demonstrated a phosphorus-based organocatalytic dehydrative cycl proach [57] (Figure 2a). In addition, one example of cyclization catalyzed by s was also reported but under harsh high-temperature conditions [58]. While the avoid using stoichiometric dehydration agents and thus have higher atom ec requirement for specific catalysts and forcing azeotropic reflux conditions m their industrial application. As a result, a practical and robust method that pr hydrative cyclization while generating no byproducts would be attractive to production. Herein, we report our effort in the TfOH-promoted synthesis of 2 by dehydrative cyclization of N-(2-hydroxyethyl)amides (Figure 2b).

Optimization of the Reaction Conditions
We began our reaction optimization by examining the cyclization reacti droxyamide 1 in the presence of several organic acids in 1,2-dichloroethane (D 1, entries 1-3). It was found that TfOH in DCE at 80 °C effectively promoted the of the desired 2-oxazoline. The acidity of the acid seemed to be important, as w such as MsOH and TFA only afforded product in low yields (

Optimization of the Reaction Conditions
We began our reaction optimization by examining the cyclization reaction of βhydroxyamide 1 in the presence of several organic acids in 1,2-dichloroethane (DCE) ( Table 1, entries 1-3). It was found that TfOH in DCE at 80 • C effectively promoted the formation of the desired 2-oxazoline. The acidity of the acid seemed to be important, as weaker acids such as MsOH and TFA only afforded product in low yields (

Substrate Scope Studies
With the optimized reaction conditions in hand, we then investigated the generality of this protocol. We initially tested a range of substrates derived from monosubstituted benzoic acid and ethanolamine. Functional groups, such as halides, ether, ester, CF3, and nitro, were well tolerated in standard reaction conditions and afforded the desired products in good to excellent yields ( Figure 3, products 3-11). Although generally unstable under acidic conditions in the presence of water, the substrate with the cyano group also gave product albeit in a lower yield. It appears that the steric hindrance had a minimal impact on the reactivity as evident by the similar yield observed in the reaction of the sterically hindered substrates (Figure 3, products 12 and 13). N-(2-hydroxyethyl)amides derived from 2-thiophenecarboxylic acid and 2-furoic acid were also viable substrates, delivering the desired products 14 and 15 in 96% and 73% yield, respectively. N-(2-hydroxyethyl)amides derived from secondary and tertiary aliphatic acids proceeded smoothly under standard conditions affording the desired 2-oxazolines with moderate to good yields (Figure 3, products 16-18). We then turned our attention to exploring the substrates derived from β-substituted 1,2-amino alcohols. The substrates derived from L-valinol, L-tert-Leucinol, L-Leucinol, D-Phenylglycinol, 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol, and D-serine methyl ester were all viable substrates and delivered the desired products in good to excellent yields (Figure 3, products 19-24). Moreover, the substrates derived from (S)-(+)-1-Amino-2-propanol, L-Threonine methyl ester and (1S, 2R)-(−)-cis-1-amino-2-indanol that bear α-substitution, and α, β-disubstitution were also well tolerated in this protocol (Figure 3, products 25-27). Notably, products 26 and 27 were isolated as a single diastereomer, and no other diastereomers were detected from crude NMR. Mechanistic studies suggested that products 25 and 26 were formed with an inversion of the stereochemistry at carbon β. Depending on the starting material, a product with a rigid backbone such as 27 can be generated with either inversion or retention of the stereochemistry

Substrate Scope Studies
With the optimized reaction conditions in hand, we then investigated the generality of this protocol. We initially tested a range of substrates derived from monosubstituted benzoic acid and ethanolamine. Functional groups, such as halides, ether, ester, CF 3 , and nitro, were well tolerated in standard reaction conditions and afforded the desired products in good to excellent yields ( Figure 3, products 3-11). Although generally unstable under acidic conditions in the presence of water, the substrate with the cyano group also gave product albeit in a lower yield. It appears that the steric hindrance had a minimal impact on the reactivity as evident by the similar yield observed in the reaction of the sterically hindered substrates (Figure 3, products 12 and 13). N-(2-hydroxyethyl)amides derived from 2-thiophenecarboxylic acid and 2-furoic acid were also viable substrates, delivering the desired products 14 and 15 in 96% and 73% yield, respectively. N-(2-hydroxyethyl)amides derived from secondary and tertiary aliphatic acids proceeded smoothly under standard conditions affording the desired 2-oxazolines with moderate to good yields (Figure 3,  products 16-18). We then turned our attention to exploring the substrates derived from β-substituted 1,2-amino alcohols. The substrates derived from L-valinol, L-tert-Leucinol, L-Leucinol, D-Phenylglycinol, 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol, and D-serine methyl ester were all viable substrates and delivered the desired products in good to excellent yields ( Figure 3, products 19-24). Moreover, the substrates derived from (S)-(+)-1-Amino-2propanol, L-Threonine methyl ester and (1S, 2R)-(−)-cis-1-amino-2-indanol that bear αsubstitution, and α, β-disubstitution were also well tolerated in this protocol (Figure 3,  products 25-27). Notably, products 26 and 27 were isolated as a single diastereomer, and no other diastereomers were detected from crude NMR. Mechanistic studies suggested that products 25 and 26 were formed with an inversion of the stereochemistry at carbon β. Depending on the starting material, a product with a rigid backbone such as 27 can be generated with either inversion or retention of the stereochemistry at position β. In  Given the robustness of this practical protocol, we envisioned the possibility of a onepot synthesis of 2-oxazolines directly from the carboxylic acid and 1,2-amino alcohols. To construct a TfOH-friendly system, we tested the base-free ynamide invented by Zhao [59] as a coupling reagent. A variety of oxazolines were successfully synthesized in a one-pot fashion via in situ coupling of carboxylic acids with amino alcohols followed by cyclization under standard conditions. (Figure 4, products 29-32, 18).  Given the robustness of this practical protocol, we envisioned the possibility of a onepot synthesis of 2-oxazolines directly from the carboxylic acid and 1,2-amino alcohols. To construct a TfOH-friendly system, we tested the base-free ynamide invented by Zhao [59] as a coupling reagent. A variety of oxazolines were successfully synthesized in a one-pot fashion via in situ coupling of carboxylic acids with amino alcohols followed by cyclization under standard conditions. (Figure 4, products 29-32, 18).
Molecules 2022, 27, x FOR PEER REVIEW 4 of 8 at position β. In addition, 1,3-amino alcohol derivative afforded 5,6-dihydro-4H-1,3-oxazine in moderate yields (Figure 3, product 28). Given the robustness of this practical protocol, we envisioned the possibility of a onepot synthesis of 2-oxazolines directly from the carboxylic acid and 1,2-amino alcohols. To construct a TfOH-friendly system, we tested the base-free ynamide invented by Zhao [59] as a coupling reagent. A variety of oxazolines were successfully synthesized in a one-pot fashion via in situ coupling of carboxylic acids with amino alcohols followed by cyclization under standard conditions. (Figure 4, products 29-32, 18).

Control Experiments and Mechanistic Studies
According to previous reports, this reaction has two possible pathways that result in products with opposite stereochemical outcomes. One pathway involves acid activation of the amide carbonyl group followed by nucleophilic attack of the hydroxyl group resulting in 2-oxazoline with retention of stereochemistry (Figure 5a, pathway A). Alcohol activation followed by intramolecular S N 2-like substitution, on the other hand, would produce cyclized products with reversed a-hydroxyl stereochemistry (Figure 5a, pathway B). We then conducted several control experiments to study the reaction mechanism. Our studies started from treating sterically rigid cis-β-hydroxyl amide 34 and trans-β-hydroxyl amide 35 with standard conditions to probe the possible reaction pathway (Figure 5a). Surprisingly, the formation of product 27 was observed in both cases, suggesting that both pathways are operatable under standard conditions. While the higher yield obtained from 35 suggested that pathway B might be more favored, more information is required to gain a better understanding of the mechanism. We then subjected enantiopure β-hydroxyl amide 36 to the reaction conditions and analyzed the stereoselectivity using chiral HPLC (Figure 5b). 2-oxazoline 25 was obtained with stereochemical inversion as the major isomer (94:6 e.r.), which indicates that the pathway involving alcohol activation is more favored. We think that the erosion of optical purities observed in product 25 might result from a hybrid reaction pathway. To validate this hypothesis, we conducted the 18 O labeling experiment. N-(2-hydroxyethyl)amides 37 with 95% 18 O enrichment was smoothly converted to product, and the ratio of 18 O-19 and 19 was 83:17 ( Figure 5c). These data are consistent with the hypothesis of a hybrid mechanism, in which activation of the hydroxyl group is the dominant pathway under our reaction condition.

Control Experiments and Mechanistic Studies
According to previous reports, this reaction has two possible pathways that result in products with opposite stereochemical outcomes. One pathway involves acid activation of the amide carbonyl group followed by nucleophilic attack of the hydroxyl group resulting in 2-oxazoline with retention of stereochemistry (Figure 5a, pathway A). Alcohol activation followed by intramolecular SN2-like substitution, on the other hand, would produce cyclized products with reversed a-hydroxyl stereochemistry (Figure 5a, pathway B). We then conducted several control experiments to study the reaction mechanism. Our studies started from treating sterically rigid cis-β-hydroxyl amide 34 and trans-β-hydroxyl amide 35 with standard conditions to probe the possible reaction pathway (Figure 5a). Surprisingly, the formation of product 27 was observed in both cases, suggesting that both pathways are operatable under standard conditions. While the higher yield obtained from 35 suggested that pathway B might be more favored, more information is required to gain a better understanding of the mechanism. We then subjected enantiopure β-hydroxyl amide 36 to the reaction conditions and analyzed the stereoselectivity using chiral HPLC (Figure 5b). 2-oxazoline 25 was obtained with stereochemical inversion as the major isomer (94:6 e.r.), which indicates that the pathway involving alcohol activation is more favored. We think that the erosion of optical purities observed in product 25 might result from a hybrid reaction pathway. To validate this hypothesis, we conducted the 18 O labeling experiment. N-(2-hydroxyethyl)amides 37 with 95% 18 O enrichment was smoothly converted to product, and the ratio of 18 O-19 and 19 was 83:17 ( Figure 5c). These data are consistent with the hypothesis of a hybrid mechanism, in which activation of the hydroxyl group is the dominant pathway under our reaction condition.

Conclusions
In conclusion, a practical and effective strategy for synthesizing 2-oxazolines via dehydrative cyclization of N-(2-hydroxyethyl)amides has been developed. This efficient cyclization process was promoted by TfOH and had good functional group tolerance. Stereoselectivity and 18 O labeling data suggested that the reaction might proceed through a hybrid mechanism, in which activation of the hydroxyl group is the dominant pathway. Notably, this robust reaction condition can be adapted to a one-pot reaction by directly utilizing readily available carboxylic acid and amino alcohols.

Conclusions
In conclusion, a practical and effective strategy for synthesizing 2-oxazolines via dehydrative cyclization of N-(2-hydroxyethyl)amides has been developed. This efficient cyclization process was promoted by TfOH and had good functional group tolerance. Stereoselectivity and 18 O labeling data suggested that the reaction might proceed through a hybrid mechanism, in which activation of the hydroxyl group is the dominant pathway. Notably, this robust reaction condition can be adapted to a one-pot reaction by directly utilizing readily available carboxylic acid and amino alcohols.