Introduction

Pyridine is the most common aromatic heterocycle in FDA approved drugs [1]. Significant examples include isoniazid (1) and ethionamide (2) which are both antibiotics used to treat tuberculosis and are included on the World Health Organizations List of Essential Medicines (Fig. 1a) [2]. A number of herbicides also contain the pyridine motif such as dithiopyr (3) [3] and imazapyr (4) [4] (Fig. 1b).

Fig. 1
figure 1

Examples of common a drugs and b herbicides which contain a pyridine ring

Full size image

As a result of the prevalence of this heterocycle there is a continued interest in the synthesis of densely functionalized examples. Classical approaches to the synthesis of pyridines include the Chichibabin [5] and Hantzsch condensations [6] and the Kröhnke reaction [7]. More modern approaches have been reported including a copper-catalyzed annulation reaction [8] and metal-free cycloaddition reactions [9,10,11].

Modification or functionalization of existing pyridine structures can be carried out using a variety of strategies. Metal-catalyzed methods range from cross-coupling reactions, such as the Suzuki–Miyaura coupling [12] and iron-catalyzed cross coupling with Grignard reagents [13] to direct C–H functionalization [14]. Minisci reported the addition of carbon-centered radicals to pyridine [15], although this approach is not always completely selective [16]. Another approach to introduce functional groups that avoids the use of metal catalysis is by electrophilic activation of the corresponding N-oxide followed by nucleophilic substitution. In 1966, Bauer and Hirsch reported the synthesis of mercaptopicolines via addition of thiols to picoline N-oxide which had been activated with phenylsulfonyl chloride [17]. More recently, Johnson et al. have shown how to introduce a protected amine to the 2-position of picoline (Scheme 1A) [18]. Londregan et al. reported that the amide coupling reagent PyBroP can be used to activate pyridine N-oxides for the attack of a range of nucleophiles (Scheme 1B) [19].

scheme 1

Our group has a long-standing interest in the chemistry of highly reactive intermediates, and in particular, the use of trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride (triflic anhydride) as an easily handled, commercially available electrophilic activating agent [20,21,22,23,24]. Given this, we decided to investigate its use as an activating agent for pyridine N-oxides with malonates as nucleophiles: malonic esters are a versatile handle for the introduction of carboxylic esters or acids [25].

Results and discussion

We began by treating 2,6-lutidine N-oxide with triflic anhydride (Tf2O) to form strongly electrophilic intermediate 5. The addition of a solution of the sodium salt of dibenzyl malonate, generated by the action of sodium hydride on the malonate in THF, resulted in smooth formation of dibenzyl 2-(2,6-dimethylpyridin-4-yl)malonate (6a) (Scheme 2).

scheme 2

A brief optimization of the reaction conditions yielded a general procedure, whereby the N-oxide was treated with 1.5 equivalents of Tf2O at 0 °C for 15 min before addition of a THF solution of the malonate anion. This afforded product 6a in moderate yield of 53%. Using this protocol, we investigated different substitution patterns on the malonate partner (Scheme 3).Footnote 1 We were pleased to find that a fluorine atom could be incorporated giving product 6b in 61% yield. Gratifyingly, we were able to form quaternary centers (6c, 6d, and 7a) and both alkene and nitrile functional groups were tolerated on the malonate. We then turned our attention to N-oxides that had a pre-existing substituent at the 4-position with the aim to divert functionalization to the 2-position. With diethyl 2-allylmalonate, alkyl (7b) and aryl (7c) substituents on the N-oxide resulted in good yields of the product. However, a nitrile group at the 4-position of the N-oxide gave the anticipated product in only poor yield (7d). This could be partly due to the reduced nucleophilic character of the N-oxide, resulting in a slower reaction with Tf2O. Londregan et al. similarly reported a poor yield using his activation procedure. The use of unsubstituted pyridine N-oxide yielded a mixture of products alkylated at either the 4- or 2- position (ratio = 1:1.4) in a combined 43% yield.Footnote 2

scheme 3

Conclusion

We have developed a mild and convenient way to functionalize pyridine N-oxide derivatives with malonates. This is achieved by activating the corresponding N-oxide with Tf2O, setting the stage for the nucleophilic addition event. Functional groups including alkenes and nitriles are tolerated on the malonate and this effectively redox-neutral method is amenable to the formation of quaternary centers.

Experimental

All reagents and anhydrous solvents were used as received from commercial suppliers. Purification was monitored by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) performed on plastic plates coated with Kieselgel F254 with 0.2 mm thickness or GC–MS. Visualization was achieved by ultraviolet light (254 nm) or development with KMnO4 solution. Flash column chromatography was performed using silica gel 60 (230–400 mesh, Merck and co.). Near infrared spectra were recorded using a Perkin-Elmer Spectrum 100 FT-IR spectrometer. Mass spectra were obtained using a Finnigan MAT 8200 or (70 eV) or an Agilent 5973 (70 eV) spectrometer, using electrospray ionization (ESI). All 1H NMR, 13C NMR and 19F NMR spectra were recorded on Bruker AV-400 or Bruker AV-600 or Bruker AV-700 in CDCl3. Chemical shifts are given in parts per million (δ/ppm).

General procedure

All flasks and stirrer bars were flame dried before use. To the N-oxide (0.2 mmol, 1.0 equiv.), dissolved in 2 cm3 dichloromethane was added Tf2O (0.3 mmol, 1.5 equiv.) at 0 °C. In another flask, a suspension of NaH (0.7 mmol, 3.5 equiv.) in 1 cm3 tetrahydrofuran was cooled to 0 °C and the malonate (0.7 mmol, 3.5 equiv.) was added. After 15 min, the malonate solution was added to the activated N-oxide solution and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 h. The reaction was quenched with NH4Cl solution and the aqueous phase was extracted with dichloromethane. The combined organic layers were washed with brine before being dried over MgSO4. The solvents were removed under reduced pressure and the crude product was purified by column chromatography.

Dibenzyl 2-(2,6-dimethylpyridin-4-yl)malonate (6a, C24H23NO4)

The product was prepared according to the general procedure. Purification by column chromatography (EtOAc:heptane = 1:1) yielded the product (41.0 mg, 53%) as a pale yellow solid. 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 7.28–7.20 (m, 10H), 6.88 (s, 2H), 5.11 (dd, J = 12.0, 18.1 Hz, 4H), 4.56 (s, 1H), 2.43 (s, 6H) ppm; 13C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 167.0, 158.4, 141.5, 135.1, 128.7, 128.7, 128.4, 120.9, 67.9, 57.3, 24.6 ppm; IR: \(\bar{\nu }\) = 3064, 3033, 2955, 2922, 1732, 1605, 1569, 1497, 1453, 1375, 1297, 1140 cm−1; HRMS (ESI): m/z calculated for [M + H]+ 390.1700, found 390.1701.

Diethyl 2-(2,6-dimethylpyridin-4-yl)-2-fluoromalonate (6b, C14H18FNO4)

The product was prepared according to the general procedure. Purification by column chromatography (EtOAc:heptane = 1:3) yielded the product (34.3 mg, 61%) as a pale yellow liquid. 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 7.19 (s, 2H), 4.33 (q, J = 7.1, 4H), 2.56 (s, 6H), 1.32 (t, J = 7.1 Hz, 6H) ppm; 13C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 164.9 (d, J = 25.0 Hz), 158.3, 142.4 (d, J = 22.4 Hz), 116.8 (d, J = 9.0 Hz), 93.2 (d, J = 202.9 Hz), 63.4, 24.8, 14.0 ppm; 19F NMR (659 MHz, CDCl3): − 165.2 ppm; IR: \(\bar{\nu }\) = 2983, 2927, 1753, 1604, 1569, 1445, 1412, 1369, 1270, 1230, 1174, 1105, 1044, 1010 cm−1; HRMS (ESI): m/z calculated for [M + H]+ 284.1293, found 284.1292.

Diethyl 2-(2-cyanoethyl)-2-(2,6-dimethylpyridin-4-yl)malonate (6c, C17H22N2O4)

The product was prepared according to the general procedure. Purification by column chromatography (EtOAc:heptane = 1:1) yielded the product (48.4 mg, 76%) as a pink liquid. 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 6.90 (s, 2H), 4.32–4.24 (m, 4H), 2.61–2.57 (m, 2H), 2.54 (s, 6H), 2.37–2.33 (m, 2H), 1.28 (t, J = 7.1 Hz, 6H) ppm; 13C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 168.8, 158.6, 145.0, 119.0, 118.9, 62.6, 61.3, 32.0, 24.8, 14.0, 13.5 ppm; IR: \(\bar{\nu }\) = 2982, 2937, 2249, 1728, 1603, 1564, 1445, 1368, 1254, 1188, 1079, 1016 cm−1; HRMS (ESI): m/z calculated for [M + H]+ 319.1652, found 319.1651.

Diethyl 2-(2,6-dimethylpyridin-4-yl)-2-methylmalonate (6d, C15H21NO4)

The product was prepared according to the general procedure. Purification by column chromatography (EtOAc:heptane = 1:1) yielded the product (33.6 mg, 60%) as a pale yellow liquid. 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 6.94 (s, 2H), 4.25 (m, 4H), 2.52 (s, 6H), 1.81 (s, 3H), 1.26 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 6H) ppm; 13C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 170.7, 157.9, 147.8, 119.1, 62.1, 58.6, 24.8, 22.2, 14.1 ppm; IR: \(\bar{\nu }\) = 2982, 1728, 1604, 1564, 1447, 1414, 1377, 1253, 1181, 1105, 1017 cm−1; HRMS (ESI): m/z calculated for [M + H]+ 280.1543, found 280.1543.

Diethyl 2-allyl-2-(2,6-dimethylpyridin-4-yl)malonate (7a, C17H23NO4)

The product was prepared according to the general procedure. Purification by column chromatography (EtOAc:heptane = 1:3) yielded the product (43.6 mg, 71%) as a pale yellow liquid. 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 7.01 (s, 2H), 5.75–5.64 (m, 1H), 5.08 (m, 1H), 5.04(s, 1H), 4.29–4.16 (m, 4H), 3.00 (d, J = 7.1 Hz, 2H), 2.52 (s, 6H), 1.25 (t, J = 7.1, 6H) ppm; 13C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 169.5, 157.8, 146.3, 132.5, 119.7, 119.4, 62.4, 62.0, 40.3, 24.8, 14.1 ppm; IR: \(\bar{\nu }\) = 2981, 2926, 1729, 1602, 1563, 1443, 1414, 1367, 1295, 1270, 1230, 1196, 1162 cm−1; HRMS (ESI): m/z calculated for [M + H]+ 306.1700, found 306.1703.

Diethyl 2-allyl-2-(4-methylpyridin-2-yl)malonate (7b, C16H21NO4)

The product was prepared according to the general procedure. Purification by column chromatography (EtOAc:heptane = 1:10) yielded the product (48.8 mg, 84%) as a pale yellow liquid. 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 8.39 (dd, J = 0.5, 5.0 Hz, 1H), 7.56 (app t, J = 0.7 Hz, 1H), 7.01–6.99 (m, 1H), 5.82–5.75 (m, 1H), 5.04–4.99 (m, 2H), 4.27–4.20 (m, 4H), 3.12 (d, J = 7.2 Hz, 2H), 2.36 (s, 3H), 1.24 (t, J = 7.1 Hz, 6H) ppm; 13C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 169.9, 156.6, 148.6, 147.1, 133.6, 124.8, 123.5, 118.6, 65.3, 61.7, 40.4, 21.4, 14.1 ppm; IR: \(\bar{\nu }\) = 2980, 2936, 1729, 1601, 1444, 1298, 1195 cm−1; HRMS (ESI): m/z calculated for [M + H]+ 292.1543, found 292.1543.

Diethyl 2-allyl-2-(4-phenylpyridin-2-yl)malonate (7c, C21H23NO4)

The product was prepared according to the general procedure. Purification by column chromatography (EtOAc:heptane = 1:10) yielded the product (48.0 mg, 68%) as a pale yellow liquid. 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 8.59 (dd, J = 0.7, 5.1 Hz, 1H), 7.88 (dd, J = 0.7, 1.7 Hz, 1H), 7.65–7.63 (m, 2H), 7.48–7.41 (m, 4H), 5.86–5.79 (m, 1H), 5.06–5.02 (m, 2H), 4.30–4.24 (m, 4H), 3.17 (d, J = 7.1 Hz, 2H), 1.26 (t, J = 7.1 Hz, 6H) ppm; 13C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 169.8, 157.2, 149.2, 148.5, 138.6, 133.3, 129.2, 129.1, 127.3, 122.4, 120.7, 119.0, 65.5, 61.8, 40.5, 14.2 ppm; IR: \(\bar{\nu }\) = 3062, 2980, 2935, 1729, 1594, 1547, 1467, 1225, 1036 cm−1; HRMS (ESI): m/z calculated for [M + H]+ 354.1700, found 354.1699.

Diethyl 2-allyl-2-(4-cyanopyridin-2-yl)malonate (7d, C16H18N2O4)

The product was prepared according to the general procedure. Purification by column chromatography (EtOAc:heptane = 1:10) yielded the product (10.3 mg, 17%) as a pale yellow liquid. 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 8.72 (dd, J = 0.9, 5.0 Hz, 1H), 7.98 (app t, J = 1.3 Hz, 1H), 7.43 (dd, J = 1.3, 5.0 Hz, 1H), 5.74–5.63 (m, 1H), 5.04–5.01 (m, 2H), 4.29–4.22 (m, 4H), 3.12 (d, J = 7.3 Hz, 2H), 1.25 (t, J = 7.1 Hz, 6H) ppm; 13C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl3): δ = 169.0, 158.5, 149.6, 132.4, 126.5, 124.0, 120.5, 119.7, 116.8, 65.3, 62.2, 40.3, 14.1 ppm; IR: \(\bar{\nu }\) = 3077, 2981, 2933, 2239, 1730, 1594, 1467, 1299, 1168, 1044 cm−1; HRMS (ESI): m/z calculated for [M + Na]+ 325.1159, found 325.1157.