Next Article in Journal
Untargeted Metabolomics Based on Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Coupled with Quadrupole Orbitrap High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry for Differential Metabolite Analysis of Pinelliae Rhizoma and Its Adulterants
Previous Article in Journal
Chromium Catalysts for Selective Ethylene Oligomerization Featuring Binuclear PNP Ligands
 
 
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
Article

Divergent Synthesis of 5,7-Diazaullazines Derivatives through a Combination of Cycloisomerization with Povarov or Alkyne–Carbonyl Metathesis

1
Institute of Chemistry, University Rostock, Albert-Einstein-Str. 3a, 18059 Rostock, Germany
2
Leibniz Institute for Catalysis (LIKAT), University Rostock, Albert-Einstein-Str. 29a, 18059 Rostock, Germany
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Molecules 2024, 29(9), 2159; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29092159
Submission received: 19 February 2024 / Revised: 23 April 2024 / Accepted: 30 April 2024 / Published: 6 May 2024
(This article belongs to the Section Organic Chemistry)

Abstract

:
Ullazines and their π-expanded derivatives have gained much attention as active components in various applications, such as in organic photovoltaic cells or as photosensitizers for CO2 photoreduction. Here, we report the divergent synthesis of functionalized diazaullazines by means of two different domino-reactions consisting of either a Povarov/cycloisomerization or alkyne–carbonyl metathesis/cycloisomerization protocol. The corresponding quinolino-diazaullazine and benzoyl-diazaullazine derivatives were obtained in moderate to good yields. Their optical and electronic properties were studied and compared to related, literature-known compounds to obtain insights into the impact of nitrogen doping and π-expansion.

Graphical Abstract

1. Introduction

Ullazine contains 16-π-electrons, is isoelectronic to pyrene, and is a representative of polycyclic heteroaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) [1]. It has been known since its first synthesis in 1983 [2], but has gained much interest for applications in organic electronics during the last decade [1,3,4,5,6,7] since Grätzel et al. disclosed its promising application in dye-sensitized solar cells in 2013 [1]. The aromatic 14-π-electron resonance structure is a key factor, consisting of an electron-accepting iminium center surrounded by an electron-donating annulene. Hence, in the following years, several approaches, such as substitution, π-extension or heteroatom doping, were employed to modify the properties of various applications. Substitutions on the ullazine core are known in each position (1–9) of the ullazine core (Figure 1) [1,2,8,9,10,11,12]. Positions 4, 5, and 7 can be addressed by electrophilic substitution, whereas position 5 is the most active of these three [1,13,14]. Functionalization on the other positions can be achieved through the employment of suitable precursors during ullazine formation, for example, by the double benzannulation of N-phenylpyrroles [1,2,8,9]. The expansion of the π-systems is mainly executed by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition with azomethine ylides, which leads to symmetrical dibenzoullazines with functionalization of positions 1 and 2 [15,16,17,18,19,20]. Fused dithieno- and dipyridoullazines are obtained by the photochemical cyclization of 3,9-diarylullazines [21]. In addition to the extension of the π-system and variations in the substitution pattern, doping of the scaffold by heteroatoms has been used to alter the inherent properties of ullazines. Several examples of N-, O-, and B-doped ullazines are known in the literature [9,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29].
Recently, we studied the synthesis of 5,7-diazaullazines [29]. The incorporation of a pyrimidine ring into the ullazine scaffold leads to strongly altered optical properties through the stabilization of the HOMO and LUMO energies with strong intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) properties and improved quantum yields. Moreover, we reported the synthesis of quinolino-azaullazines, which show bathochromically shifted absorption and emission features compared to their azaullazine subunit or related dibenzoullazines [30]. Hence, we were interested in combining these two approaches, π-expansion and increased N-doping of the ullazine structure, to study the impact of these structural modifications on the photophysical properties. Retrosynthetic analysis revealed that respective quinolino-diazaullazines are accessible by a combination of the Povarov reaction and cycloisomerization, similarly to the synthesis of quinolino-azapyrenes and quinolino-azaullazines [30,31]. Interestingly, the same starting material might also undergo alkyne–carbonyl metathesis (ACM) followed by cycloisomerization for the construction of novel benzoyl-diazaullazine derivatives. Hence, we report a divergent synthesis of quinolino-diazaullazines and benzoyl-diazaullazine from the same precursor through careful choice of the employed reaction conditions. During our studies, the group of Chen reported a related approach for the selective synthesis of pharmaceutically relevant naphthyridinones and quinolinones via either Povarov or ACM reaction, respectively, starting from formyl-phenylpropialamide (Scheme 1) [32].

1.1. Synthesis

Our synthetic methodology started with the synthesis of an eligible pyrrolopyrimidine 4, which can undergo ACM and Povorav reactions followed by cycloisomerization. Starting from commercially available 4,6-dichloropyrimidin-5-amine (1), the Clausson–Kaas reaction gave pyrrolopyrimidine 2 in excellent yield. Subsequent Vilsmeier–Haak reaction proceeded selectively on the pyrrole ring, resulting in a mixture of the 2- and 3-formylpyrrole derivatives from which the respective precursor 3, with aldehyde function in position 2, was separated in 41% yield. Finally, the desired precursors 4a–f were obtained by two-fold Sonogashira reaction in good yield (Scheme 2) [29,30].
Starting material 4a was chosen as the model substrate to study the divergent synthesis of quinolino-diazapyrene 5a and benzoyl-diazaullazine 6a. At first, we focused on the optimization of the Povarov reaction with subsequent cycloisomerization in a one-pot protocol, as both reactions are typically mediated by strong acids. In particular, product 5a derives from three individual reaction steps: Schiff-base formation, Povarov reaction and cycloisomerization.
The synthesis of 5a is initially based on the addition of aniline and FeCl3 [33]. FeCl3 has proven to be a powerful catalyst for the synthesis of PAHs via Povarov reaction [30,31,32,33]. After the Povarov reaction has ceased, p-TsOH, as a Brønsted acid, is added to the reaction mixture, which initiates the final ring closure through the activation of the second triple bond. As a starting point, we tested the reaction conditions that were recently employed for the synthesis of related quinolino-azaullazine derivatives, but only traces of the desired product 5a were obtained (Table 1) [30]. Since starting material 4a was still detected by TLC control, we decided to focus on the first reaction step—the Povarov reaction. The elevation of the reaction temperature and the amount of FeCl3 led to an improvement of 38% in the yield of final product 5a using 1 eq. of FeCl3 at 140 °C. Interestingly, the formation of 5a was detected by the TLC control before the addition of Brønsted acid. However, 5a was isolated in a reduced 21% yield even when access of FeCl3 was employed. Hence, a strong Brønsted acid is required to drive the reaction to completion. Next, we turned our attention to the final cyclization step. The application of p-TsOH·H2O proved to be superior to the employment of methanesulfonic acid (MsOH). Different amounts of p-TsOH∙H2O and an increased reaction time improved the overall product yield to 45%, which corresponds to a theoretical yield of more than 75% for each reaction step in this one-pot process.
In the following, we analyzed the synthesis of 6a. It is known from the literature that both cycloisomerization and the ACM reaction are promoted efficiently by Brønsted acids (Table 2) [24,34]. Hence, we first tested similar conditions as for the Povarov but without the addition of aniline [32]. To our delight, product 6a was isolated in 59% after 16 h. Reducing the amount of p-TsOH to 20 eq. and lowering the reaction temperature to 120 °C gave an improved yield of 68%, while the use of less acid or the employment of MsOH led to inferior results. Finally, we reduced the reaction time to 6 h without compromising the isolated yield.
With optimized reaction conditions for both reactions, we studied the scope and limitations of our developed methodologies through an examination of different precursors, 4af and the employed anilines (Scheme 3). Similar yields of the respective quinoline-diazaullazine (5ac) were obtained for weak sigma donors or acceptors on the aryl alkyne moiety. However, stronger donors and acceptors led to inferior results (5df). One explanation for this could be the competitive reaction (ACM), as only the product 6d was obtained during the synthesis of 5d. In particular, 4d did not react to product 5d, and instead ACM product 6d was detected as the only product. However, whether strong donors/acceptors lead to an enhancement of the ACM or to an inhibition of imine formation/[4 + 2]-cycloaddition cannot be clarified conclusively. Similar effects were observed by changing the substitution pattern of the employed aniline. While 4-methyl or 4-F substituents gave good yields (5g, 5j), the yield dropped when CF3 or NMe2 groups were present. Moreover, sterical effects lead to reduced yield (5h, 5i).
The ACM reaction seems to be less sensitive to functional groups and compounds 6af were isolated in moderate to good yields independently from the substitution pattern. However, donor-substituted products (6b, 6d, 6e) were obtained in slightly lower yields.
Crystals of 5c were grown via the slow evaporation of its chloroform solution, making them suitable for X-ray crystal structure analysis (Figure 2) [35]. The obtained crystal structure contained two co-crystallized CHCl3 molecules per unit cell, which were omitted for better illustration. Both p-tolyl residues were twisted out of plane from the core structure by dihedral angles of 40° on the diazaullazine moiety and 84° on the quinoline part. Moreover, the crystal lattice showed a slipped antiparallel π-π-stacking with a spacing of 3.43 Å and 3.41 Å between the quinoline and diazaullazine entities, respectively. Different stacks within the crystal lattice were stabilized by close F-π (3.14 Å) and F-HC (2.52 Å) contacts.
NICS(1.7)ZZ, as a criterion of the local aromaticity, and bond currents, using the BC-Wizard by Gershoni-Poranne et al., were calculated to obtain detailed insights into the aromatic behavior of 5 (Figure 3) [36,37]. A global diatropic ring current is apparent, accompanied by two local diatropic ring currents within the pyrrole and the pyrimidine rings. Furthermore, two diatropic semi-global currents are identifiable for the quinoline and the pyrimido-indolizine units. The central benzene ring connecting both moieties possesses the lowest NICS(1.7)ZZ values of the entire molecule. This observation coincides with the experimentally measured bond lengths. The C-C bond lengths between the quinoline and pyrimido-quinoline moieties are the longest within the molecular scaffold (1.45–1.47 Å; marked in red), indicating a reduced delocalization of π-electrons and leading to a slight curvature between the pyrimido-indolizine and the quinoline moieties by 8.2°. Similar results were observed for the related quinolino-azapirone and quinolino-azaullazine [30,31].

1.2. Photophysical Properties

The optical properties were studied via steady-state absorption- and emission spectroscopy (Figure 4). We focused on products 5a, 5k, and 5l, which differ from the substitution pattern directly on the polycyclic scaffold. The impact of the attached phenyl rings on the optical properties is known to be limited due to its twisted orientation, and will not be further analyzed [30,31]. The results will be compared with ACM product 6a. The spectroscopic data are shown in Table S2.
Only slight differences between 5a and 5l containing an electron-withdrawing CF3-group are evident. Thus, both exhibit similar extinction coefficients and a fine structure of the absorption spectra, with slightly red-shifted absorption and emission maxima of 5l. The fluorescence quantum yields of both compounds are also very similar and relatively high, at 53% and 52%, respectively [38]. Compound 5k displays a broadened, unstructured absorption with smaller extinction coefficients over the entire spectrum, with significantly red-shifted absorption and emission maxima and noticeably reduced quantum yields (29%). These observations could indicate an ICT for compound 5k.
To investigate its potential ICT character, we performed solvatochromic studies with 5a and 5k and compared the calculated dipole moments of their S0 and the S1 transition states. Only minor changes in the calculated dipole moments, as well as in the absorption and emission features, in solvents of different polarities (toluene, CH2Cl2, acetonitrile, ethanol) were determined for both compounds (Figure S1, Supplementary Materials). Hence, the occurrence of ICT properties due to the presence of the NMe2 group can be neglected.
In contrast, 6a features a completely different structure of the absorption spectrum and strongly blue-shifted absorption and emission spectra with higher extinction coefficients of the lowest energy band (Figure 4). The fine structure and the location of the lowest energy band is very similar to that of the symmetrically 3,9-substituted 5,7-diazaullazines (8) [29]. However, 6a has a much lower fluorescence quantum yield compared to 8. A similar impact of benzoyl groups was previously observed for benzoyl functionalized azapyrene derivatives [39,40]. Interestingly, the quantum yield is comparable to 2-azaullazines, containing a benzoyl group and an additional CF3 group, whereby the emission maxima of 5a are significantly blue-shifted by ~140 nm [41].
To gain insights into the redox properties of the different core structures, 5a and 6a, we performed cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurements in dichloromethane (Figure 5). Both compounds exhibit an irreversible oxidation potential, while 5a is slightly more easily oxidized (0.95 V; onset potential of 0.85 V) than compound 6a (1.08 V; onset potential of 0.96 V), which corresponds to the experimentally deduced HOMO energies of −5.65 eV (5a) and −5.76 eV (6a) [42]. As expected, the presence of a withdrawing benzoyl group on the ullazine scaffold leads to a lower oxidation potential compared to diazaullazine 8 [29]. Similarly, the exchange of a pyridine ring of 7 with a more electron-poor pyrimidine ring (5a) leads to a reduced oxidation potential (Table 3) [30]. No reduction event is observed within the analyzed potential window of dichloromethane.
Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed for 5a, 5k, 5l, and 6a to obtain an improved understanding of the electronic properties and to disclose the impact of N-doping (Figure 6) [43]. The frontier orbitals of all three quinolino-diazaullazines are very similar and are mainly located on the core structures, with no contribution of the aryl substituents. Localization of the frontier orbitals, as well as the HOMO-LUMO gap, is comparable, as could be assumed from their previously discussed optical properties. The depiction of the HOMO and LUMO reveals no additional contribution by the CF3 group to either of the frontier orbitals. In contrast, a pertinent contribution by the NMe2 group of 5k to the HOMO and, to a lesser extent, to the LUMO is apparent, leading to destabilized HOMO and LUMO energies, with a greater impact on the former. A comparison of 5a with 7 shows the stabilization of both the HOMO and LUMO by ~0.30 eV due to the incorporation of a pyrimidine instead of a pyridine ring within the ullazine scaffold (Table 3) [30].
6a has an increased HOMO-LUMO gap (3.69 eV), which is due to a destabilized LUMO and a stabilized HOMO compared to product 5. Interestingly, the HOMO–LUMO gap is exactly the same as for 3,9-substituted 5,7-diazaullazine (8), with both the HOMO and LUMO energies stabilized by 0.13 eV [29]. However, both compounds show different contributions to their respective frontier orbitals. While the HOMO and LUMO of 8 are mainly localized on the ullazine core structure, the strong participation of the benzoyl substituent of 6a is observed on the LUMO.
A comparison of symmetrical (8) and unsymmetrical (6a) substituted diazaullazines, as well as π-expanded aza-(7) and diazaullazines (5a), reveal the impact of nitrogen doping, π-expansion, and the substitution pattern on the properties of these ullazine derivatives (Table 3) [29,30].
The absorption and emission properties of 5a are comparable to those of quinolino-azaullazine (7) However, the installment of a pyrimidine moiety instead of a pyridine unit leads to red-shifted absorption and emission spectra. 5a exhibits the highest quantum yields of the compared substances, which are twice as high as for related compound 7. The HOMO and LUMO energies are stabilized by ~0.30 eV. Comparing compounds 5a and 8 reveals significantly red-shifted absorption and emission spectra. The annulation of a quinoline moiety on the diazaullazine moiety leads to a bathochromical shift of 75 nm for the absorption and 91 nm for the emission spectrum.
The differences between 6a and 8 are rather small. Both have similar absorption and emission spectra, as well as similar HOMO and LUMO energies, which differ by 0.13 eV. This can be explained by the fact that these properties are mainly specified by the core structure and the substituents only have a minor influence on this. However, the introduction of a benzoyl function results in a noticeable quenching of the fluorescence and thus 8 has a 3.5 times higher quantum yield than 6a.

2. Conclusions

We developed a divergent synthesis of π-expanded diazaullazine (quinolino-diazaullazines) and 9-benzoyl-diazaullazines through a one-pot multi-step procedure consisting of a Povarov/cycloisomerization or ACM/cycloisomerization protocol, respectively. Moderate to good yields of the desired products were obtained and selected compounds were studied by UV/Vis, fluorescence, and cyclovoltammetric measurements, which have been underpinned by DFT calculations. A comparison with related compounds offered insights into the impact of the substitution pattern and degree of N-doping on the optical and electrochemical properties. In particular, π-expansion by the fusion of a quinoline moiety leads to bathochromically shifted absorption and emission spectra accompanied by improved quantum yields, while benzoyl substituents lead to blue-shifted absorption and emission bands and reduced quantum yields.

3. Materials and Methods

3.1. General Information

The nuclear magnetic resonance spectra (1H/13C/19F NMR) were obtained using a Bruker AVANCE 300 III, 250 II, or 500. Chemical shifts (δ) were calibrated with respect to residual solvent signals of deuterated solvents CDCl3 (δ = 7.26 ppm/77.0 ppm). Spin–spin correlation-induced multiplicities were denoted as follows: s = singlet; d = doublet; dd = double doublet; ddd = doublets of doublets; pt = pseudo triplet; m = multiplet, accompanied by their coupling constants (J). Infrared spectra (IR) were measured using attenuated total reflection (ATR) with a Nicolet 380 FT-IR spectrometer. Signal characteristics were described in terms of wavenumbers (ῦ) and absorption strengths, categorized as very strong (vs), strong (s), medium (m), or weak (w). UV/Vis spectra were acquired using a Cary 60 UV−vis spectrophotometer, and emission spectra were obtained with an Agilent Cary Eclipse fluorescence spectrophotometer. Cyclic voltammograms (CVs) were conducted at room temperature in CH2Cl2 (c = 10−3 M) with 0.1 M n-Bu4NPF6 as the supporting electrolyte, a glassy carbon working electrode, ANE2 (Ag/AgNO3 0.01 M in CH3CN), as a reference electrode, and Pt as a counter-electrode (0.5 mm diameter platinum wire). Ferrocene (c = 10−3 M, in CH3CN) served as an external standard at a scan rate of 100 mV/s. The voltammograms were recorded on a PalmSense EmStat 3 blue potentiostat. The working electrode is a 3 mm diameter, glassy, carbon disk electrode coated with KeI-F, polished using aqueous alumina slurry (0.03 μm alumina powder) on a polishing pad. Solvents were deoxygenated by argon purging. Potentials were referenced to as Fc+/Fc, with a reductive scan direction starting at 1.5 V and a switching potential of −1.5 V, plotted using the IUPAC conventions. Mass spectra (MS/HRMS) were acquired using instruments coupled with preceding gas chromatography (GC) or liquid chromatography (LC). The samples were ionized either by electron impact ionization (EI) using an Agilent 6890/5973 or Agilent 7890/5977 GC-MS with a HP-5 capillary column and helium carrier gas, or by electron spray ionization (ESI) using an Agilent 1200/6210 Time-of-Flight (TOF) LC−MS. Melting points (mp) were determined using a Micro-Hot-Stage GalenTM III Cambridge Instruments without correction. X-ray single-crystal structure analysis was performed using a Bruker Apex Kappa-II CCD diffractometer.

3.2. Analytical Data

3.2.1. General Procedure A for the Synthesis of 5,13-Diphenylpyrimido[4′,5′,6′:9,1]pyrrolo[2′,1′,5′:4,5,6]quinolizino[3,2-b]quinoline (5al)

A total of 100 mg of 4af, 1.2 eq. of the corresponding aniline and 1 eq. FeCl3 were suspended in 4 mL xylene and stirred at 140 °C for 3 h. Subsequently, 20 eq. p-TsOH∙H2O were added to the reaction mixture and the solution was stirred at 140 °C for another 6 h. The reaction was quenched with NaHCO3-solution, extracted three times with 50 mL CH2Cl2 and dried over Na2SO4. The solvent was distilled in vacuo and the residue was purified by column chromatography (CH2Cl2/EtOAc) to yield the desired products (5al).
  • 5,13-diphenylpyrimido[4′,5′,6′:9,1]pyrrolo[2′,1′,5′:4,5,6]quinolizino[3,2-b]quinoline (5a)
  • Molecules 29 02159 i004
  • According to general procedure A, the title compound 5a was obtained as an orange solid in 45% yield (54 mg, 0.121 mmol). Rf 0.50 (CH2Cl2/EtOAc 10:1). Mp. 284–286 °C. 1H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3) δ = 8.83 (s, 1H), 8.31–8.27 (m, 1H), 8.24 (d, J = 4.3 Hz, 1H), 7.89–7.86 (m, 2H), 7.84 (ddd, J = 8.3 Hz, J = 6.6 Hz, J = 1.4 Hz, 1H), 7.66 (dd, J = 8.6 Hz, J = 1.4 Hz, 1H), 7.63–7.54 (m, 7H), 7.46 (ddd, J = 8.3 Hz, J = 6.7 Hz, J = 1.2 Hz, 1H), 7.42 (d, J = 4.3 Hz, 1H), 7.40–7.37 (m, 2H). 13C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl3) δ = 153.4, 150.2, 149.6, 146.9, 146.8, 144.5, 140.9, 138.7, 137.3, 131.5, 129.4, 129.1, 128.9, 128.7, 128.2, 127.9, 127.6, 127.5, 127.2, 126.3, 126.1, 122.1, 117.5, 116.8, 112.2, 109.1. IR (ATR, cm−1): ṽ = 1605 (s), 1578 (m), 1500 (m), 1449 (m), 1405 (m), 863 (m), 777 (s), 734 (s), 705 (vs), 612 (s), 554 (s). MS (EI, 70 eV): m/z (%) = 446 (86, M+), 445 (92), 444 (28), 382 (56), 381 (100), 380 (89), 379 (28), 354 (26), 223 (49), 222 (52), 208 (31). HRMS (ESI-TOF): calculated for C31H19N4 ([M + H]+) 447.1609, found 447.1602.
  • 5,13-di-p-tolylpyrimido[4′,5′,6′:9,1]pyrrolo[2′,1′,5′:4,5,6]quinolizino[3,2-b]quinoline (5b)
  • Molecules 29 02159 i005
  • According to general procedure A, the title compound 5b was obtained as an orange solid in 42% yield (50 mg, 0.105 mmol). Rf 0.78 (CH2Cl2/EtOAc 15:1). Mp. 303–306 °C. 1H NMR (250 MHz, CDCl3) δ = 8.83 (s, 1H), 8.22–8.16 (m, 1H), 8.13 (d, J = 4.3 Hz, 1H), 7.79–7.69 (m, 3H), 7.64 (ddd, J = 8.7 Hz, J = 1.5 Hz, J = 0.7 Hz, 1H), 7.49 (s, 1H), 7.44–7.35 (m, 5H), 7.33 (d, J = 4.3 Hz, 1H), 7.32–7.21 (m, 2H), 2.60 (s, 3H), 2.48 (s, 3H).13C NMR (63 MHz, CDCl3) δ = 153.3, 150.4, 149.4, 146.8, 146.7, 144.4, 140.7, 139.5, 137.0, 135.6, 134.4, 131.3, 129.7, 128.8, 128.8, 128.6, 128.5, 127.9, 127.4, 127.3, 126.1, 125.8, 121.9, 117.0, 116.7, 112.0, 108.9, 21.5, 21.4. IR (ATR, cm−1): ṽ = 1603 (s),1498 (m), 820 (s), 771 (m), 748 (vs), 734 (s), 725 (s), 612 (s), 556 (s). MS (EI, 70 eV): m/z (%) = 474 (92, M+), 473 (100), 472 (7), 238 (6), 237 (28), 236 (10), 230 (21), 229 (13), 228 (7), 222 (7), 215 (7). HRMS (ESI-TOF): calculated for C33H23N4 ([M + H]+) 475.1923, found 475.1926.
  • 5,13-bis(4-fluorophenyl)pyrimido[4′,5′,6′:9,1]pyrrolo[2′,1′,5′:4,5,6]quinolizino[3,2-b]quinoline (5c)
  • Molecules 29 02159 i006
  • According to general procedure A, the title compound 5c was obtained as an orange solid in 38% yield (44 mg, 0.091 mmol). Rf 0.78 (CH2Cl2/EtOAc 15:1). Mp. 318–320 °C. 1H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3) δ = 8.86 (s, 1H), 8.32 (d, J = 8.5 Hz, 1H), 8.27 (d, J = 4.3 Hz, 1H), 7.89–7.84 (m, 3H), 7.68–7.65 (m, 1H), 7.54 (s, 1H), 7.50 (ddd, J = 8.3 Hz, J = 6.6 Hz, J = 1.2 Hz, 1H), 7.38 (d, J = 4.3 Hz, 1H), 7.36–7.28 (m, 6H). 13C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl3) δ = 163.5 (d, J = 250.0 Hz), 162.6 (d, J = 246.3 Hz), 153.4, 149.5, 149.3, 146.8, 146.7, 144.4, 139.9, 134.3 (d, J = 3.6 Hz), 133.3 (d, J = 3.2 Hz), 131.7, 130.4 (d, J = 8.7 Hz), 130.4 (d, J = 8.6 Hz),129.0, 127.6, 127.5, 127.2, 126.3, 126.3, 122.1, 117.5, 116.9, 116.2 (d, J = 21.8 Hz), 115.3 (d, J = 21.6 Hz), 112.4, 109.0. 19F NMR (471 MHz, CDCl3) δ = −111.4, −114.7. IR (ATR, cm−1): ṽ = 1603 (vs),1502 (vs), 1228 (vs), 1158 (s), 835 (vs), 802 (s), 769 (s), 748 (s), 736 (s), 610 (s), 563 (vs). MS (EI, 70 eV): m/z (%) = 482 (67, M+), 481 (100), 480 (42), 453 (13), 241 (27), 240 (71), 231 (16), 226 (37), 225 (32), 217 (16), 216 (17), 213 (14). HRMS (ESI-TOF): calculated for C31H17F2N4 ([M + H]+) 483.1421, found 483.1425.
  • 5,13-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)pyrimido[4′,5′,6′:9,1]pyrrolo[2′,1′,5′:4,5,6]quinolizino[3,2-b]quinoline (5e)
  • Molecules 29 02159 i007
  • According to general procedure A, the title compound 5e was obtained as an orange solid in 14% yield (16 mg, 0.032 mmol). Rf 0.85 (CH2Cl2/EtOAc 15:1). Mp. 298–301 °C. 1H NMR (250 MHz, CDCl3/TFA) δ = 9.05 (d, J = 4.9 Hz, 1H), 8.92 (s, 1H), 8.61 (d, J = 8.6 Hz, 1H), 8.44 (ddd, J = 8.6 Hz, J = 6.9 Hz, J = 1.4 Hz, 1H), 8.31–8.18 (m, 3H), 8.03–7.90 (m, 3H), 7.39–7.21 (m, 6H), 4.06 (s, 3H), 4.01 (s, 3H). 13C NMR (63 MHz, CDCl3/TFA) δ = 166.0, 163.3, 161.4, 148.6, 146.7, 145.3, 140.6, 140.3, 138.4, 136.1, 131.4, 131.3, 130.8, 130.1, 129.6, 128.1, 127.0, 126.6, 119.9, 119.7, 119.4, 118.4, 116.0, 115.9, 115.1, 111.1, 55.8, 55.7. IR (ATR, cm−1): ṽ = 1601 (s),1498 (s), 1243 (vs), 1175 (vs), 1158 (s), 1024 (vs), 835 (s), 785 (s), 762 (vs), 736 (s), 573 (s), 558 (vs). MS (EI, 70 eV): m/z (%) = 506 (100, M+), 505 (99), 463 (5) 462 (13), 420 (4), 419 (8), 254 (7), 253 (19), 232 (8), 231 (5), 210 (9), 197 (5), 196 (5). HRMS (ESI-TOF): calculated for C33H23N4O2 ([M + H]+) 507.1821, found 507.1828.
  • 11-methyl-5,13-diphenylpyrimido[4′,5′,6′:9,1]pyrrolo[2′,1′,5′:4,5,6]quinolizino[3,2-b]quinoline (5g)
  • Molecules 29 02159 i008
  • According to general procedure A, the title compound 5g was obtained as an orange solid in 48% yield (59 mg, 0.128 mmol). Rf 0.75 (CH2Cl2/EtOAc 15:1).Mp. 319–322 °C. 1H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3) δ = 8.80 (s, 1H), 8.17 (d, J = 4.3 Hz, 1H), 8.14 (d, J = 8.6 Hz, 1H), 7.87–7.84 (m, 2H), 7.64–7.54 (m, 7H), 7.53 (s, 1H), 7.40–7.36 (m, 4H), 2.44 (s, 3H). 13C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl3) δ = 153.3, 149.2, 148.2, 146.7, 143.7, 140.7, 138.8, 137.3, 136.1, 134.0, 129.4, 129.0, 128.7, 128.6, 128.6, 128.1, 127.4, 127.3, 127.1, 126.2, 126.2, 122.0, 117.2, 116.7, 111.8, 109.0, 22.0. IR (ATR, cm−1): ṽ = 1607 (s),1554 (m), 1492 (m), 1449 (m), 1403 (m), 1325 (m), 814 (m), 777 (vs), 754 (m), 703 (vs), 596 (m), 556 (s). MS (EI, 70 eV): m/z (%) = 460 (91, M+), 459 (100), 458 (11), 457 (7), 230 (28), 229 (29), 228 (15), 222 (18), 215 (8), 214 (13), 208 (7). HRMS (ESI-TOF): calculated for C32H21N4 ([M + H]+) 461.1766, found 461.1771.
  • 9-methyl-5,13-diphenylpyrimido[4′,5′,6′:9,1]pyrrolo[2′,1′,5′:4,5,6]quinolizino[3,2-b]quinoline (5h)
  • Molecules 29 02159 i009
  • According to general procedure A, the title compound 5h was obtained as an orange solid in 38% yield (34 mg, 0.074 mmol). Rf 0.80 (CH2Cl2/EtOAc 15:1). Mp. 256–259 °C. 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) δ = 8.83 (s, 1H), 8.26 (d, J = 4.3 Hz, 1H), 7.92–7.85 (m, 2H), 7.69 (ddd, J = 6.8 Hz, J = 1.5 Hz, J = 1.0 Hz, 1H), 7.65–7.55 (m, 7H), 7.50 (ddd, J = 8.7 Hz, J = 1.5 Hz, J = 0.7 Hz, 1H), 7.43 (d, J = 4.3 Hz, 1H), 7.38–7.32 (m, 3H), 3.0 (s, 3H). 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3) δ = 153.4, 150.1, 148.8, 146.9, 146.8, 143.4, 140.9, 139.1, 137.4, 136.9, 131.3, 129.4, 129.1, 128.7, 128.7, 128.1, 127.4, 127.1, 126.9, 125.8, 125.8, 122.2, 117.2, 116.4, 111.8, 109.0, 18.2. IR (ATR, cm−1): ṽ = 1601 (m),1552 (m), 1447 (m), 1428 (s), 1339 (m), 1323 (m), 781 (s), 762 (vs), 701 (vs), 604 (m), 567 (m), 556 (s). MS (EI, 70 eV): m/z (%) = 460 (81, M+), 459 (100), 458 (6), 457 (6), 445 (7), 230 (16), 229 (18), 228 (8), 222 (10), 214 (8). HRMS (ESI-TOF): calculated for C32H21N4 ([M + H]+) 461.1766, found 461.1775.
  • 10,12-dimethyl-5,13-diphenylpyrimido[4′,5′,6′:9,1]pyrrolo[2′,1′,5′:4,5,6]quinolizino[3,2-b]quinoline (5i)
  • Molecules 29 02159 i010
  • According to general procedure A, the title compound 5i was obtained as an orange solid in 26% yield (34 mg, 0.072 mmol). Rf 0.82 (CH2Cl2/EtOAc 15:1). Mp. 317–320 °C. 1H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3/TFA) δ = 9.12 (d, J = 4.9 Hz, 1H), 8.84 (s, 1H), 8.36 (s, 1H), 8.25 (s, 1H), 8.16 (d, J = 4.9 Hz, 1H), 7.95–7.87 (m, 2H), 7.76–7.64 (m, 6H), 7.58 (s, 1H), 7.40–7.35 (m, 2H), 2.77 (s, 3H), 2.15 (s, 3H). 13C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl3/TFA) δ = 165.2, 154.1, 147.5, 147.4, 145.6, 142.6, 142.0, 138.9, 137.5, 136.7, 135.2, 134.2, 132.1, 130.9, 130.4, 130.0, 129.4, 129.3, 127.1, 125.2, 121.3, 119.5, 119.2, 118.1, 117.3, 115.7, 112.8, 25.2, 22.8. IR (ATR, cm−1): ṽ = 1605 (s),1578 (m), 1550 (m), 1504 (m), 1451 (s), 1325 (m), 857 (m), 777 (s), 725 (s), 703 (vs), 558 (m). MS (EI, 70 eV): m/z (%) = 474 (89, M+), 473 (100), 471 (5), 470 (5), 399 (7), 237 (10), 236 (6), 229 (15), 228 (12), 214 (6). HRMS (ESI-TOF): calculated for C33H22N4 ([M + H]+) 475.1923, found 475.1934.
  • 11-fluoro-5,13-diphenylpyrimido[4′,5′,6′:9,1]pyrrolo[2′,1′,5′:4,5,6]quinolizino[3,2-b]quinoline (5j)
  • Molecules 29 02159 i011
  • According to general procedure A, the title compound 5j was obtained as an orange solid in 55% yield (69 mg, 0.148 mmol). Rf 0.79 (CH2Cl2/EtOAc 15:1). Mp. 348–350 °C. 1H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3) δ = 8.85 (s, 1H), 8.32 (dd, J = 9.3 Hz, J = 5.5 Hz, 1H), 8.24 (d, J = 4.3 Hz, 1H), 7.91–7.86 (m, 2H), 7.67–7.55 (m, 8H), 7.44 (d, J = 4.3 Hz, 1H), 7.38–7.35 (m, 2H), 7.26 (dd, J = 10.3 Hz, J = 2.8 Hz, 1H). 13C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl3) δ = 160.1 (d, J = 248.7 Hz), 153.5, 149.5, 149.5, 147.0, 146.8, 146.4, 144.1 (d, J = 1.9 Hz), 141.1, 138.3, 137.3, 131.5 (d, J = 8.9 Hz), 129.5, 129.1, 128.7, 128.5, 128.4, 127.9 (d, J = 9.5 Hz), 127.8, 127.6, 126.2, 122.4 (d, J = 26.2 Hz), 117.5, 117.2, 112.0, 110.7 (d, J = 23.6 Hz), 109.2. 19F NMR (471 MHz, CDCl3) δ = −111.7. IR (ATR, cm−1): ṽ = 1488 (s),1175 (s), 830 (s), 777 (vs), 725 (s), 705 (vs), 593 (s), 552 (s), 474 (s), 460 (s), 443 (s). MS (EI, 70 eV): m/z (%) = 464 (89, M+), 463 (100), 462 (25), 435 (12), 232 (41), 231 (42), 230 (10), 218 (11), 217 (19). HRMS (ESI-TOF): calculated for C31H18FN4 ([M + H]+) 465.1516, found 465.1524.
  • N,N-dimethyl-5,13-diphenylpyrimido[4′,5′,6′:9,1]pyrrolo[2′,1′,5′:4,5,6]quinolizino[3,2-b]quinolin-11-amine (5k)
  • Molecules 29 02159 i012
  • According to general procedure A, the title compound 5k was obtained as an orange solid in 8% yield (11 mg, 0.021 mmol). Rf 0.82 (CH2Cl2/EtOAc 15:1). Mp. 130–134 °C. 1H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3) δ = 8.81 (s, 1H), 8.25 (s, 2H), 7.91–7.88 (m, 2H), 7.62–7.57 (m, 5H), 7.57–7.55 (m, 3H), 7.45 (d, J = 4.3 Hz, 1H), 7.41–7.35 (m, 2H), 6.55 (d, J = 2.8 Hz, 1H), 2.96 (s, 6H). 13C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl3/TFA) δ = 148.3, 146.8, 146.7, 145.8, 138.9, 137.4, 134.9, 134.2, 134.0, 132.2, 130.8, 130.3, 130.1, 130.0, 129.8, 129.6, 129.3, 126.8, 122.4, 121.5, 120.4, 118.8, 117.8, 116.6, 112.0, 42.9. IR (ATR, cm−1): ṽ = 2920 (s),1607 (s), 1492 (s), 1449 (s), 1323 (s), 1123 (s), 775 (s), 699 (vs), 591 (s), 554 (s).MS (EI, 70 eV): m/z (%) = 489 (40, M+), 488 (24), 207 (14), 57 (25), 55 (20), 44 (100), 43 (28), 41 (23). HRMS (ESI-TOF): calculated for C33H24N5 ([M + H]+) 490.3032, found 490.2031.
  • 5,13-diphenyl-11-(trifluoromethyl)pyrimido[4′,5′,6′:9,1]pyrrolo[2′,1′,5′:4,5,6]quinolizino[3,2-b]quinoline (5l)
  • Molecules 29 02159 i013
  • According to general procedure A, the title compound 5l was obtained as an orange solid in 28% yield (38 mg, 0.075 mmol). Rf 0.85 (CH2Cl2/EtOAc 15:1). Mp. 311–313 °C. 1H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3/TFA) δ = 9.10 (d, J = 4.9 Hz, 1H), 8.96 (s, 1H), 8.77 (d, J = 8.9 Hz, 1H), 8.56 (dd, J = 9.1 Hz, J = 1.8 Hz, 1H), 8.37 (s, 1H), 8.31 (s, 1H), 8.28 (d, J = 4.9 Hz, 1H), 7.95–7.89 (m, 2H), 7.86–7.82 (m, 1H), 7.81–7.71 (m, 5H), 7.41–7.37 (m, 2H). 13C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl3/TFA) δ = 167.4, 149.3, 147.4, 145.8, 141.4, 138.6, 137.3, 135.9 (q, J = 3.1 Hz), 133.8, 133.8, 132.7, 132.2, 132.1 (q, J = 34.7 Hz), 131.2, 130.3, 129.8, 129.4, 128.2 (q, J = 4.1 Hz), 127.1, 127.0, 122.4 (q, J = 273.1 Hz), 121.9, 121.5, 120.6, 119.7, 118.8, 116.9, 113.0. 19F NMR (471 MHz, CDCl3/TFA) δ = −63.8. IR (ATR, cm−1): ṽ = 1609 (m), 1311 (s), 1298 (s), 1117 (vs), 1067 (s), 985 (m), 837 (s), 779 (s), 701 (vs), 589 (s), 556 (s). MS (EI, 70 eV): m/z (%) = 514 (86, M+), 513 (100), 512 (5), 485 (5), 445 (4), 257 (11), 256 (14), 223 (4), 222 (13), 221 (4), 208 (5), 207 (4). HRMS (ESI-TOF): calculated for C32H18F3N4 ([M + H]+) 515.1483, found 515.1495.

3.2.2. General Procedure B for the Synthesis of Aryl(8-arylpyrimido[4,5,6-ij]pyrrolo[2,1,5-de]quinolizin-4-yl)methanone (6af)

In a pressure tube, 100 mg of 4af and 20 eq. of p-TsOH∙H2O were dissolved in 4 mL of xylene. The pressure tube was sealed with a Teflon cap and the solution was stirred for 6 h at 120 °C. The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature, quenched with saturated NaHCO3 solution and extracted three times with 50 mL CH2Cl2. The combined organic phases were dried over Na2SO4; the solvent was distilled off in vacuo. The residue was purified by column chromatography (heptane/EtOAc) to yield the desired products (6a–f).
  • Phenyl(8-phenylpyrimido[4,5,6-ij]pyrrolo[2,1,5-de]quinolizin-4-yl)methanone (6a)
  • Molecules 29 02159 i014
  • According to general procedure B, the title compound 6a was obtained as a yellow solid in 68% yield (68 mg, 0.182 mmol). Rf 0.48 (heptane/EtOAc 1:2). Mp. 266–269 °C. 1H NMR (250 MHz, CDCl3) δ = 9.14 (s, 1H), 8.52 (s, 1H), 7.99–7.94 (m, 2H), 7.93 (s, 1H), 7.90–7.84 (m, 2H), 7.75–7.69 (m, 2H), 7.67–7.57 (m, 4H), 7.52–7.44 (m, 2H). 13C NMR (63 MHz, CDCl3) δ = 194.4, 155.1, 147.2, 144.9, 140.6, 137.2, 136.9, 133.5, 130.1, 129.6, 129.2, 128.9, 128.6, 128.1, 127.7, 126.3, 126.3, 124.7, 119.8, 113.9, 113.2. IR (ATR, cm−1): ṽ = 1644 (m), 1609 (s), 1455 (s), 1261 (s), 1238 (s), 1045 (s), 795 (s), 779 (s), 684 (vs), 637 (vs), 563 (vs). MS (EI, 70 eV): m/z (%) = 373 (16, M+), 372 (29), 346 (7), 345 (28), 344 (100), 316 (5), 240 (10), 187 (16), 172 (8). HRMS (ESI-TOF): calculated for C25H15N3O ([M + H]+) 374.1293, found 374.1294.
  • p-tolyl(8-(p-tolyl)pyrimido[4,5,6-ij]pyrrolo[2,1,5-de]quinolizin-4-yl)methanone (6b)
  • Molecules 29 02159 i015
  • According to general procedure B, the title compound 6b was obtained as a yellow solid in 54% yield (54 mg, 0.135 mmol). Rf 0.52 (heptane/EtOAc 1:2). Mp. 258–261 °C. 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) δ = 9.12 (s, 1H), 8.47 (s, 1H), 7.88 (s, 1H), 7.86 (d, J = 8.3 Hz, 2H), 7.76 (d, J = 8.1 Hz, 2H), 7.73–7.66 (m, 2H), 7.45–7.39 (m, 2H), 7.30–7.21 (m, 2H), 2.50 (s, 3H), 2.43 (s, 3H). 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3) δ = 194.0, 155.1, 147.2, 144.8, 144.5, 140.5, 139.8, 134.6, 134.0, 130.3, 129.9, 129.2, 128.8, 128.4, 127.6, 126.2, 125.9, 124.6, 119.4, 113.6, 113.1, 21.7, 21.3. IR (ATR, cm−1): ṽ = 1607 (s), 1457 (s), 1344 (vs), 1267 (s), 1251 (s), 1043 (s), 903 (s), 824 (s), 777 (vs), 756 (s), 723 (s), 563 (vs). MS (EI, 70 eV): m/z (%) = 401 (19, M+), 400 (28), 373 (31), 372 (100), 371 (9), 201 (12), 186 (8), 179 (6), 178 (11), 91 (7). HRMS (ESI-TOF): calculated for C27H19N3O ([M + H]+) 402.1606, found 402.1602.
  • (4-fluorophenyl)(8-(4-fluorophenyl)pyrimido[4,5,6-ij]pyrrolo[2,1,5-de]quinolizin-4-yl)methanone (6c)
  • Molecules 29 02159 i016
  • According to general procedure B, the title compound 6c was obtained as a yellow solid in 71% yield (71 mg, 0.173 mmol). Rf 0.48 (heptane/EtOAc 1:2). Mp. 317–320 °C. 1H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3/TFA) δ = 9.25 (s, 1H), 9.17 (s, 1H), 8.63 (s, 1H), 8.41 (d, J = 5.0 Hz, 1H), 8.35 (d, J = 5.0 Hz, 1H), 8.00–7.87 (m, 4H), 7.44 (pt, J = 8.3 Hz, 2H), 7.30 (pt, J = 8.3 Hz, 2H). 13C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl3/TFA) δ = 193.9, 166.6 (d, J = 258.6 Hz), 164.9 (d, J = 254.6 Hz), 146.3, 144.6, 143.6, 136.7, 132.8 (d, J = 9.7 Hz), 131.9 (d, J = 8.9 Hz), 131.7, 130.6, 130.4, 130.3, 129.9, 122.9, 121.9, 121.2, 118.2, 117.5 (d, J = 22.1 Hz), 116.7 (d, J = 22.3 Hz). 19F NMR (471 MHz, CDCl3/TFA) δ = −101.5, −107.3. IR (ATR, cm−1): ṽ = 1609 (s), 1599 (s), 1589 (s), 1508 (s), 1453 (s), 1267 (s), 1243 (vs), 1232 (s), 1158 (s), 847 (s), 837 (s), 783 (vs), 563 (s). MS (EI, 70 eV): m/z (%) = 409 (14, M+), 408 (17), 382 (4), 381 (27), 380 (100), 379 (7), 259 (4), 258 (10), 205 (7), 190 (4), 95 (9). HRMS (ESI-TOF): calculated for C25H14F2N3O ([M + H]+) 410.1105, found 410.1113.
  • (4-(dimethylamino)phenyl)(8-(4-(dimethylamino)phenyl)pyrimido[4,5,6-ij]pyrrolo[2,1,5-de]quinolizin-4-yl)methanone (6d)
  • Molecules 29 02159 i017
  • According to general procedure B, the title compound 6d was obtained as a yellow solid in 54% yield (54 mg, 0.118 mmol). Rf 0.29 (EtOAc). Mp. 255–258 °C. 1H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3) δ = 9.11 (s, 1H), 8.39 (s, 1H), 7.91–7.75 (m, 6H), 7.63 (d, J = 4.6 Hz, 1H), 6.94–6.88 (m, 2H), 6.67–6.61 (m, 2H), 3.09 (s, 6H), 3.07 (s, 6H). 13C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl3) δ = 192.2, 155.0, 153.9, 151.2, 147.2, 144.6, 140.8, 132.7, 130.0, 129.7, 127.4, 126.4, 124.8, 124.7, 124.3, 124.3, 117.5, 113.1, 112.8, 112.4, 110.6, 40.3, 40.0. IR (ATR, cm−1): ṽ = 1597 (vs), 1523 (s), 1346 (s), 1284 (s), 1271 (s), 1261 (s), 1189 (s), 1179 (s), 1168 (s), 818 (s), 779 (s), 771 (s), 560 (s). MS (EI, 70 eV): m/z (%) = 459 (53, M+), 458 (39), 445 (22), 444 (28), 431 (34), 430 (100), 416 (35), 414 (16), 230 (18), 215 (13). HRMS (ESI-TOF): calculated for C29H26N5O ([M + H]+) 460.2137, found 460.2148.
  • (4-methoxyphenyl)(8-(4-methoxyphenyl)pyrimido[4,5,6-ij]pyrrolo[2,1,5-de]quinolizin-4-yl)methanone (6e)
  • Molecules 29 02159 i018
  • According to general procedure B, the title compound 6e was obtained as a yellow solid in 51% yield (51 mg, 0.118 mmol). Rf 0.29 (heptane/EtOAc 1:3). Mp. 265–267 °C. 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) δ = 9.27 (s, 1H), 9.14 (s, 1H), 8.64 (s, 1H), 8.46–8.40 (m, 2H), 7.96–7.84 (m, 4H), 7.26 (d, J = 8.9 Hz, 2H), 7.10 (d, J = 8.3 Hz, 2H), 3.99 (s, 3H), 3.95 (s, 3H). 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3) δ = 194.3, 165.4, 162.7, 146.3, 145.8, 143.0, 135.7, 133.1, 131.8, 131.7, 130.5, 130.1, 127.8, 126.6, 123.1, 122.9, 122.0, 121.1, 118.1, 115.8, 114.9, 55.8, 55.7. IR (ATR, cm−1): ṽ = 1597 (s), 1455 (s), 1253 (vs), 1166 (vs), 1041 (s), 1020 (s), 832 (s), 775 (s), 604 (s), 575 (s), 560 (s), 536 (s). MS (EI, 70 eV): m/z (%) = 433 (16, M+), 432 (20), 405 (26), 404 (100), 389 (11), 361 (13), 217 (26), 180 (9), 265 (7). HRMS (ESI-TOF): calculated for C27H20N3O3 ([M + H]+) 434.1505, found 434.1518.
  • (4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)(8-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)pyrimido[4,5,6-ij]pyrrolo[2,1,5-de]quinolizin-4-yl)methanone (6f)
  • Molecules 29 02159 i019
  • According to general procedure B, the title compound 6f was obtained as a yellow solid in 62% yield (62 mg, 0.121 mmol). Rf 0.52 (heptane/EtOAc 1:2). Mp. 309–311 °C. 1H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3/TFA) δ = 9.23 (s, 1H), 9.18 (s, 1H), 8.66 (s, 1H), 8.41 (d, J = 5.0 Hz, 1H), 8.30 (d, J = 5.0 Hz, 1H), 8.04 (d, J = 8.1 Hz, 2H), 8.02–7.94 (m, 4H), 7.85 (d, J = 7.9 Hz, 2H). 13C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl3) δ = 194.3, 146.2, 144.1, 143.8, 138.8, 137.6, 137.0, 135.3 (q, J = 33.0 Hz), 133.4 (q, J = 33.3 Hz), 131.7, 130.9, 130.2, 130.0, 129.9, 126.9 (q, J = 3.8 Hz), 126.2 (q, J = 3.8 Hz), 123.6, 123.5 (q, J = 272.7 Hz), 123.3, 123.3 (q, J = 272.9 Hz), 122.6, 120.8, 117.8. 19F NMR (471 MHz, CDCl3) δ = −63.2, −63.5. IR (ATR, cm−1): ṽ = 1325 (vs), 1166 (s), 1109 (vs), 1067 (s), 1057 (s), 1049 (s), 1018 (s), 845 (m), 787 (s), 670 (m), 563 (m). MS (EI, 70 eV): m/z (%) = 509 (12, M+), 508 (20), 482 (5), 481 (28), 480 (100), 255 (7), 240 (8), 145 (9). HRMS (ESI-TOF): calculated for C27H14F6N3O ([M + H]+) 510.1041, found 510.1055.

Supplementary Materials

The following supporting information can be downloaded at: https://www.mdpi.com/article/10.3390/molecules29092159/s1, containing analytical data of starting materials, X-ray chrystallograpfic, UV-Vis data (solvatochromism), Cartesian Coordinates from DFT calculations and NMR-spectra of final products. Reference [44] is cited in the Supplementary Materials.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, P.E.; formal analysis, A.V.; investigation, J.P.; writing—original draft, J.P.; writing—review and editing, P.E. and P.L.; supervision, P.E. and P.L.; project administration, P.L. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This research received no external funding.

Institutional Review Board Statement

Not applicable.

Informed Consent Statement

Not applicable.

Data Availability Statement

The data underlying this study are available in this article and its Supplementary Materials.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

References

  1. Delcamp, J.H.; Yella, A.; Holcombe, T.W.; Nazeeruddin, M.K.; Grätzel, M. The molecular engineering of organic sensitizers for solar-cell applications. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2013, 52, 376–380. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  2. Balli, H.; Zeller, M. Neue Heteroarene: Synthese und spektrale Daten von Indolizino[6,5,4,3-aij ]chinolin («Ullazin») und einigen Derivaten. Helv. Chim. Acta 1983, 66, 2135–2139. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  3. Feng, J.; Jiao, Y.; Ma, W.; Nazeeruddin, M.K.; Grätzel, M.; Meng, S. First Principles Design of Dye Molecules with Ullazine Donor for Dye Sensitized Solar Cells. J. Phys. Chem. C 2013, 117, 3772–3778. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  4. Zhang, Y.; Cheema, H.; McNamara, L.; Hunt, L.A.; Hammer, N.I.; Delcamp, J.H. Ullazine Donor-π bridge-Acceptor Organic Dyes for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells. Chem. Eur. J. 2018, 24, 5939–5949. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  5. Cebrián, C. Ullazine-based materials: Towards novel opportunities in organic electronics. J. Mater. Chem. C 2018, 6, 11943–11950. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  6. Li, Y.; Li, X.; Xu, Y. Theoretical screening of high-efficiency sensitizers with D-π-A framework for DSSCs by altering promising donor group. Sol. Energy. 2020, 196, 146–156. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  7. Le Bao, Q.; Thogiti, S.; Koyyada, G.; Kim, J.H. Synthesis and photovoltaic performance of novel ullazine-based organic dyes for dye-sensitized solar cells. Jpn. J. Appl. Phys. 2019, 58, 12011. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  8. Das, A.; Ghosh, I.; König, B. Synthesis of pyrrolo1,2-aquinolines and ullazines by visible light mediated one- and twofold annulation of N-arylpyrroles with arylalkynes. Chem. Commun. 2016, 52, 8695–8698. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  9. Pierrat, P.; Hesse, S.; Cebrián, C.; Gros, P.C. Controlling charge-transfer properties through a microwave-assisted mono- or bis-annulation of dialkynyl-N-(het)arylpyrroles. Org. Biomol. Chem. 2017, 15, 8568–8575. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  10. Kanno, K.; Liu, Y.; Iesato, A.; Nakajima, K.; Takahashi, T. Chromium-mediated synthesis of polycyclic aromatic compounds from halobiaryls. Org. Lett. 2005, 7, 5453–5456. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  11. Drigo, N.A.; Paek, S.; Huckaba, A.J.; Schouwink, P.A.; Tabet, N.; Nazeeruddin, M.K. Approaches for Selective Synthesis of Ullazine Donor-Acceptor Systems. Chem. Eur. J. 2017, 23, 17209–17212. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  12. Zhang, G.; Gautam, P.; Chan, J.M.W. Symmetrical and unsymmetrical fluorine-rich ullazines via controlled cycloaromatizations. Org. Chem. Front. 2020, 7, 787–795. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  13. Qiao, H.; Deng, Y.; Peng, R.; Wang, G.; Yuan, J.; Tan, S. Effect of π-spacers and anchoring groups on the photovoltaic performances of ullazine-based dyes. RSC Adv. 2016, 6, 70046–70055. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  14. Wan, D.; Li, X.; Jiang, R.; Feng, B.; Lan, J.; Wang, R.; You, J. Palladium-Catalyzed Annulation of Internal Alkynes: Direct Access to π-Conjugated Ullazines. Org. Lett. 2016, 18, 2876–2879. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  15. Richter, M.; Fu, Y.; Dmitrieva, E.; Weigand, J.J.; Popov, A.; Berger, R.; Liu, J.; Feng, X. Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Containing A Pyrrolopyridazine Core. ChemPlusChem 2019, 84, 613–618. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  16. Liu, J.; Feng, X. Bottom-Up Synthesis of Nitrogen-Doped Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons. Synlett 2020, 31, 211–222. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  17. Berger, R.; Wagner, M.; Feng, X.; Müllen, K. Polycyclic aromatic azomethine ylides: A unique entry to extended polycyclic heteroaromatics. Chem. Sci. 2015, 6, 436–441. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  18. Ito, S.; Tokimaru, Y.; Nozaki, K. Isoquinolino4,3,2-dephenanthridine: Synthesis and its use in 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions to form nitrogen-containing polyaromatic hydrocarbons. Chem. Commun. 2015, 51, 221–224. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  19. Tokimaru, Y.; Ito, S.; Nozaki, K. Synthesis of Pyrrole-Fused Corannulenes: 1,3-Dipolar Cycloaddition of Azomethine Ylides to Corannulene. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2017, 56, 15560–15564. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  20. Hager, J.; Kang, S.; Chmielewski, P.J.; Lis, T.; Kim, D.; Stępień, M. Acenaphthylene-fused ullazines: Fluorescent π-extended monopyrroles with tunable electronic gaps. Org. Chem. Front. 2022, 9, 3179–3185. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  21. Miao, D.; Aumaitre, C.; Morin, J.-F. Photochemical synthesis of π-extended ullazine derivatives as new electron donors for efficient conjugated D–A polymers. J. Mater. Chem. C 2019, 7, 3015–3024. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  22. Hou, D.; Balli, H. A Novel Heterocyclic Ring System: Synthesis and Spectral Data of 4,8,9b-Triazacyclopenta[c,d]phenalene. Helv. Chim. Acta 1992, 75, 2608–2612. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  23. Janke, S.; Boldt, S.; Nakielski, P.; Villinger, A.; Ehlers, P.; Langer, P. Synthesis and Properties of 5-Azaullazines. J. Org. Chem. 2023, 88, 10470–10482. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  24. Boldt, S.; Parpart, S.; Villinger, A.; Ehlers, P.; Langer, P. Synthesis and Properties of Aza-ullazines. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2017, 56, 4575–4578. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  25. Ge, Q.; Li, B.; Wang, B. Synthesis of substituted benzoijimidazo2,1,5-dequinolizine by rhodium(III)-catalyzed multiple C-H activation and annulations. Org. Biomol. Chem. 2016, 14, 1814–1821. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  26. Davies, D.L.; Ellul, C.E.; Macgregor, S.A.; McMullin, C.L.; Singh, K. Experimental and DFT Studies Explain Solvent Control of C-H Activation and Product Selectivity in the Rh(III)-Catalyzed Formation of Neutral and Cationic Heterocycles. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2015, 137, 9659–9669. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  27. Li, C.; Liu, Y.; Sun, Z.; Zhang, J.; Liu, M.; Zhang, C.; Zhang, Q.; Wang, H.; Liu, X. Synthesis, Characterization, and Properties of Bis-BN Ullazines. Org. Lett. 2018, 20, 2806–2810. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  28. Guo, Y.; Zhang, L.; Li, C.; Jin, M.; Zhang, Y.; Ye, J.; Chen, Y.; Wu, X.; Liu, X. BN/BO-Ullazines and Bis-BO-Ullazines: Effect of BO Doping on Aromaticity and Optoelectronic Properties. J. Org. Chem. 2021, 86, 12507–12516. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  29. Polkaehn, J.; Molenda, R.; Cordero, M.A.; Lochbrunner, S.; Boldt, S.; Ehlers, P.; Villinger, A.; Langer, P. Synthesis and Properties of 5,7-Diazaullazines. J. Org. Chem. 2024, 89, 2169–2181. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  30. Polkaehn, J.; Thom, R.; Ehlers, P.; Villinger, A.; Langer, P. π-Expanded azaullazines: Synthesis of quinolino-azaullazines by Povarov reaction and cycloisomerisation. Org. Biomol. Chem. 2024. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  31. Spruner von Mertz, F.; Molenda, R.; Boldt, S.; Villinger, A.; Ehlers, P.; Langer, P. Synthesis and Properties of Diphenylbenzojnaphtho2,1,8-def2,7phenanthrolines. Chem. Eur. J. 2023, 29, e202204011. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  32. Chen, J.; Li, J.; Xie, L.; Fan, H.; Sheng, X.; Du, Y.; Liu, G.; Hu, H.; Jiang, Y.; Chen, M. Iron-catalyzed divergent approach to naphthyridinones and quinolinones: Leveraging Povarov and carbonyl-alkyne metathesis reactions of electron deficient alkynes. Org. Chem. Front. 2023, 10, 5505–5511. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  33. Chakraborty, B.; Kar, A.; Chanda, R.; Jana, U. Application of the Povarov Reaction in Biaryls under Iron Catalysis for the General Synthesis of Dibenzoa, cAcridines. J. Org. Chem. 2020, 85, 9281–9289. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  34. Sobhani, M.; Frey, A.; Rettmann, A.; Thom, R.; Villinger, A.; Ehlers, P.; Langer, P. Synthesis of Dibenzotropones by Alkyne-Carbonyl Metathesis. J. Org. Chem. 2021, 86, 14420–14432. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  35. CCDC 2332651 Contains the Supplementary Crystallographic Data for This Paper. Available online: www.ccdc.cam.ac.uk/data_request/cif (accessed on 19 February 2024).
  36. Paenurk, E.; Gershoni-Poranne, R. Simple and efficient visualization of aromaticity: Bond currents calculated from NICS values. Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 2022, 24, 8631–8644. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  37. Schleyer, P.v.R.; Maerker, C.; Dransfeld, A.; Jiao, H.; van Eikema Hommes, N.J.R. Nucleus-Independent Chemical Shifts: A Simple and Efficient Aromaticity Probe. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1996, 118, 6317–6318. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  38. Brouwer, A.M. Standards for photoluminescence quantum yield measurements in solution (IUPAC Technical Report). Pure Appl. Chem. 2011, 83, 2213–2228. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  39. Vardanyan, A.; Boldt, S.; Villinger, A.; Ehlers, P.; Langer, P. Synthesis and Properties of 1-Azapyrenes. J. Org. Chem. 2022, 87, 11296–11308. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  40. Vardanyan, A.; Argüello Cordero, M.A.; Lochbrunner, S.; Villinger, A.; Ehlers, P.; Langer, P. Synthesis and Properties of 4- and 10-Benzoyl-1-azapyrenes. J. Org. Chem. 2024, 89, 2155–2168. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  41. Parpart, S.; Boldt, S.; Ehlers, P.; Langer, P. Synthesis of Unsymmetrical Aza-Ullazines by Intramolecular Alkynyl-Carbonyl Metathesis. Org. Lett. 2018, 20, 122–125. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  42. Pommerehne, J.; Vestweber, H.; Guss, W.; Mahrt, R.F.; Bässler, H.; Porsch, M.; Daub, J. Efficient two layer leds on a polymer blend basis. Adv. Mater. 1995, 7, 551–554. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  43. Frisch, M.J.; Trucks, G.W.; Schlegel, H.B.; Scuseria, G.E.; Robb, M.A.; Cheeseman, J.R.; Scalmani, G.; Barone, V.; Petersson, G.A.; Nakatsuji, H.; et al. Gaussian 16 Rev. C.01; Gaussian, Inc.: Wallingford, CT, USA, 2016. [Google Scholar]
  44. Xiang, J.; Zheng, L.; Chen, F.; Dang, Q.; Bai, X. A cascade reaction consisting of Pictet-Spengler-type cyclization and Smiles rearrangement: Application to the synthesis of novel pyrrole-fused dihydropteridines. Org. Lett. 2007, 9, 765–767. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
Figure 1. Potential modifications to ullazine.
Figure 1. Potential modifications to ullazine.
Molecules 29 02159 g001
Scheme 1. Divergent synthesis of Chen and our approach with the synthesis quinolino-diazaullazines and benzoyl-diazaullazines.
Scheme 1. Divergent synthesis of Chen and our approach with the synthesis quinolino-diazaullazines and benzoyl-diazaullazines.
Molecules 29 02159 sch001
Scheme 2. Synthesis of ACM and Povarov precursors 4af; i: 2,5-dimethoxytetrahydrofuran, acetic acid, 1,2-dichloroethane, reflux, 3 h. ii: POCl3 (2.0 eq.), DMF, 100 °C, 3 h. iii: alkyne (3 eq.), PdCl2(CH3CN)2 (0.06 eq.), XPhos (0.12 eq.), CuI (0.04 eq.), HNiPr2, 1,4-dioxane, 90 °C, 24 h.
Scheme 2. Synthesis of ACM and Povarov precursors 4af; i: 2,5-dimethoxytetrahydrofuran, acetic acid, 1,2-dichloroethane, reflux, 3 h. ii: POCl3 (2.0 eq.), DMF, 100 °C, 3 h. iii: alkyne (3 eq.), PdCl2(CH3CN)2 (0.06 eq.), XPhos (0.12 eq.), CuI (0.04 eq.), HNiPr2, 1,4-dioxane, 90 °C, 24 h.
Molecules 29 02159 sch002
Scheme 3. Synthesis of final products 5al by Povarov/cycloisomerization and 6af by ACM/cycloisomerization. (a) 1. FeCl3 (1 eq.), corresponding aniline (1.2 eq.), xylene, 140 °C, 3 h; 2. p-TsOH∙H2O (30 eq.), xylene, 140 °C, 6 h. (b) p-TsOH∙H2O (20 eq.), xylene, 120 °C, 6 h.
Scheme 3. Synthesis of final products 5al by Povarov/cycloisomerization and 6af by ACM/cycloisomerization. (a) 1. FeCl3 (1 eq.), corresponding aniline (1.2 eq.), xylene, 140 °C, 3 h; 2. p-TsOH∙H2O (30 eq.), xylene, 140 °C, 6 h. (b) p-TsOH∙H2O (20 eq.), xylene, 120 °C, 6 h.
Molecules 29 02159 sch003
Figure 2. X-ray structures of 5c.
Figure 2. X-ray structures of 5c.
Molecules 29 02159 g002
Figure 3. (A) NICS calculations for pyrimido[4′,5′,6′:9,1]pyrrolo[2′,1′,5′:4,5,6]quinolizino[3,2-b]quinoline: NICS2BC graphs (current was calculated from NICS(1.25)ZZ strength relative to Iref (ring current of benzene, 11.5 nA T−1)). In the center of each ring are the respective NICS(1.7)ZZ values. (B) Ortep of 5c with C-C bond length of the core structure (left) and plane angle between the pyrimido-indolizine and the quinoline moieties.
Figure 3. (A) NICS calculations for pyrimido[4′,5′,6′:9,1]pyrrolo[2′,1′,5′:4,5,6]quinolizino[3,2-b]quinoline: NICS2BC graphs (current was calculated from NICS(1.25)ZZ strength relative to Iref (ring current of benzene, 11.5 nA T−1)). In the center of each ring are the respective NICS(1.7)ZZ values. (B) Ortep of 5c with C-C bond length of the core structure (left) and plane angle between the pyrimido-indolizine and the quinoline moieties.
Molecules 29 02159 g003
Figure 4. UV/Vis (left) and PL spectra ((right), λex = 480 nm (5a,k,l), λex = 400 nm (6a)) of the compounds shown in CH2Cl2 (c = 10−5 M) at 20 °C.
Figure 4. UV/Vis (left) and PL spectra ((right), λex = 480 nm (5a,k,l), λex = 400 nm (6a)) of the compounds shown in CH2Cl2 (c = 10−5 M) at 20 °C.
Molecules 29 02159 g004
Figure 5. Cyclic voltammograms of 5a and 6a. Measured in CH2Cl2 (0.001 M) with 0.1 M n-Bu4NPF6 as a supporting electrolyte, glassy carbon working electrode, and Pt counter-electrode, with ferrocene as a standard, at a scan rate of 100 mV/s.
Figure 5. Cyclic voltammograms of 5a and 6a. Measured in CH2Cl2 (0.001 M) with 0.1 M n-Bu4NPF6 as a supporting electrolyte, glassy carbon working electrode, and Pt counter-electrode, with ferrocene as a standard, at a scan rate of 100 mV/s.
Molecules 29 02159 g005
Figure 6. Frontier orbitals of 5a, 5k, 5l, and 6a, and energy levels calculated at the B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level of theory within IEFPCM in CH2Cl2.
Figure 6. Frontier orbitals of 5a, 5k, 5l, and 6a, and energy levels calculated at the B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level of theory within IEFPCM in CH2Cl2.
Molecules 29 02159 g006
Table 1. Optimization of one-pot reaction for the synthesis of 5a consisting of the Schiff base formation, Povarov reaction and cycloisomerization.
Table 1. Optimization of one-pot reaction for the synthesis of 5a consisting of the Schiff base formation, Povarov reaction and cycloisomerization.
Molecules 29 02159 i001
Entryeq. FeCl3Acid (eq.)SolventT [°C]t1 [h]t2 [h]Yield [a] [%]
10.1p-TsOH∙H2O (30)toluene10032traces
20.3p-TsOH∙H2O (30)xylene1403229
30.6p-TsOH∙H2O (30)xylene1403234
41p-TsOH∙H2O (30)xylene1403238
54-xylene1403-21
61p-TsOH∙H2O (10)xylene1403223
71p-TsOH∙H2O (20)xylene1403227
81p-TsOH∙H2O (30)xylene1403645
91p-TsOH∙H2O (30)xylene14031645
101p-TsOH∙H2O (40)xylene1403643
111MsOH (30)xylene1403640
i: aniline (1.2 eq.), FeCl3, T, t1. ii: acid, T, t2. [a] isolated yield (bold highlighted line indicates used conditions for scope analysis).
Table 2. Optimization of cycloisomerization and ACM reaction for 6a.
Table 2. Optimization of cycloisomerization and ACM reaction for 6a.
Molecules 29 02159 i002
EntryAcid (eq.)SolventT [°C]t [h]Yield [a] [%]
1p-TsOH∙H2O (30)-1201657
2p-TsOH∙H2O (30)xylene1201668
3p-TsOH∙H2O (30)xylene1401659
4p-TsOH∙H2O (20)xylene1201667
5p-TsOH∙H2O (10)xylene1201653
6MsOH (20)xylene1201627
7p-TsOH∙H2O (20)xylene120668
i: acid, solvent, T, t. [a] isolated yield (bold highlighted line indicates used conditions for scope analysis).
Table 3. Comparison of properties with related molecular structures.
Table 3. Comparison of properties with related molecular structures.
Molecules 29 02159 i003Molecules 29 02159 i020Molecules 29 02159 i021Molecules 29 02159 i022
5a6a7 [30]8 [29]
λ1,abs [nm]497420471422
ελ1 [104 L·mol−1cm−1]0.82.01.11.7
λ1,em [nm]530462515439
Φ0.520.100.260.35
EOx. [V vs. Fc/Fc+]0.951.080.721.00
EHOMO/CV [eV]−5.65−5.76−5.41−5.69
EHOMO/DFT [eV]−5.53−5.73−5.22−5.60
ELUMO/DFT [eV]−2.43−2.04−2.09−1.90
Egap [eV]3.103.693.133.69
Disclaimer/Publisher’s Note: The statements, opinions and data contained in all publications are solely those of the individual author(s) and contributor(s) and not of MDPI and/or the editor(s). MDPI and/or the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to people or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content.

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Polkaehn, J.; Ehlers, P.; Villinger, A.; Langer, P. Divergent Synthesis of 5,7-Diazaullazines Derivatives through a Combination of Cycloisomerization with Povarov or Alkyne–Carbonyl Metathesis. Molecules 2024, 29, 2159. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29092159

AMA Style

Polkaehn J, Ehlers P, Villinger A, Langer P. Divergent Synthesis of 5,7-Diazaullazines Derivatives through a Combination of Cycloisomerization with Povarov or Alkyne–Carbonyl Metathesis. Molecules. 2024; 29(9):2159. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29092159

Chicago/Turabian Style

Polkaehn, Jonas, Peter Ehlers, Alexander Villinger, and Peter Langer. 2024. "Divergent Synthesis of 5,7-Diazaullazines Derivatives through a Combination of Cycloisomerization with Povarov or Alkyne–Carbonyl Metathesis" Molecules 29, no. 9: 2159. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29092159

Article Metrics

Back to TopTop