Synthesis and Reactions of Furo[2,3-b]pyrroles

Abstract

Methyl 6H-furo[2,3-b]pyrrole-5-carboxylate (2a) was prepared by thermolysis of the corresponding methyl 2-azido-3-(3-furyl)propenoate (1). 6-Methyl (2b) and 6-benzyl (2c) derivatives were obtained using phase-transfer catalysis conditions (PTC). The formylation of 2a-2c gave 2-formylated compounds (3a-3c). Compounds 4b, 4c were prepared by reactions of corresponding esters 2b, 2c with hydrazine in refluxing ethanol. By reaction of 3a-3c with hydroxylammonium chloride in acetic anhydride in the presence of pyridine, methyl 2-cyano-6-R1-furo[2,3-b]pyrrole-5-carboxylates (5a-5c) were obtained. The reaction of these compounds with sodium azide and ammonium chloride in dimethylformamide led to methyl 2-(5'-tetrazolyl)-6-R1-furo[2,3-b]pyrrole-5-carboxylates (6a-6c). A series of 5-methoxycarbonyl-6-R1-furo[2,3-b]pyrrole-2-carbaldehyde N,N-dimethylhydrazones (7a-7c) was prepared from methyl 2-formyl-6-R1-furo[2,3-b]pyrrole-5-carboxylates (3a-3c) and unsym-dimethylhydrazine. The correlation of the 13C and 15N chemical shifts with the data of the calculated (AM1) net atomic charges is discussed.