Short approach to pyrrolopyrazino-, pyrrolodiazepino-isoindoles and their benzo analogues via the IMDAF reaction

Aim and Objective: A new approach to synthesis of isoindoles condensed with other heterocycles and revelation of their spatial structure for biochemistry purposes was the main objective of this research. Material and Method: Starting materials for the proposed method, 1-furyl substituted pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazines, pyrrolo[1,2-a][1,4]diazepines and their benzoannulated analogues - 4-furyl substituted pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxalines and pyrrolo[1,2-a][1,4]benzodiazepines, were synthesized by known procedures. These compounds, all containing a furfurylamine moiety, were introduced into the tandem acylation/ intramolecular furan Diels-Alder (IMDAF) reaction withα,β-unsaturated acid anhydrides (maleic and citraconic anhydrides). In most cases, the key step - the IMDAF reaction - proceeds diastereospecifically with simultaneous formation of five new stereogenic centers and affording the title compounds in mild conditions with satisfactory overall yields. Results: Consequently a broad series of 10,12a-epoxypyrrolo[2',1':3,4]pyrazino[2,1-a]isoindoles, 11,13a-epoxypyrrolo[ 2',1':3,4][1,4]diazepino[2,1-a]isoindoles, tetrahydro-14bH-12,14a-epoxyisoindolo[2,1-a]pyrrolo[2,1-c]quinoxalines, and tetrahydro-9H,15bH-13,15a-epoxyisoindolo[1,2-c]pyrrolo[1,2-a][1,4]benzodiazepines was synthesized and their space structure was elucidated by X-ray analysis. Conclusion: New effective method for synthesis of isoindoles condensed with various heterocycles was proposed. The method is based on the IMDAF reaction and provided a broad diversity of target molecules with controlled stereochemistry. © 2017 Bentham Science Publishers.