H2O ⋅ B(C6F5)3-Catalyzed para-Alkylation of Anilines with Alkenes Applied to Late-Stage Functionalization of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
Anilines are core motifs in a variety of important molecules including medicines, materials and agrochemicals. We report a straightforward procedure that allows access to new chemical space of anilines via their para-C−H alkylation. The method utilizes commercially available catalytic H2O ⋅ B(C6F5)3 and is highly selective for para-C-alkylation (over N-alkylation and ortho-C-alkylation) of anilines, with a wide scope in both the aniline substrates and alkene coupling partners. Readily available alkenes are used, and include new classes of alkene for the first time. The mild reaction conditions have allowed the procedure to be applied to the late-stage-functionalization of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including fenamic acids and diclofenac. The formed novel NSAID derivatives display improved anti-inflammatory properties over the parent NSAID structure.
Funding
Royal Society. Grant Number: RGS\R1\191082
Stopped-Flow NMR Spectroscopy for the Physical and Life Sciences
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
Find out more...Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. Grant Numbers: EP/Y00146X/1
History
Author affiliation
School of Chemistry, University of LeicesterVersion
- VoR (Version of Record)