[bmim]OH promoted hydroalkynylation of nitrile and intramolecular hydroamination of the carbon–carbon multiple bond: an efficient and eco-compatible strategy for the synthesis of indolizinones

Abstract

An efficient and novel hydroalkynylation of 2-cyanopyridine with arylacetylene and a subsequent intramolecular hydroamination promoted by a basic ionic-liquid, [bmim]OH, under microwave activation in the absence of an organic solvent and an inorganic base, yielding biodynamic indolizinones has been developed. The protocol involves [bmim]OH mediated in situ generation and addition of a nucleophilic alkynide from the aryl substituted terminal on a carbon alkyne of a polar nitrile group of 2-cyanopyridine. This results in the formation of a 2-pyridylphenylethynyl methimine intermediate which, on subsquent intramolecular nucleophilic addition of a pyridyl nitrogen on the carbon–carbon triple bond of the imine intermediate, heterocyclized into indolizinone with high atom economy. The reaction proceeded smoothly and quantitatively at an ambient temperature. The task specific [bmim]OH was recovered and reused three times without any appreciable decrease in its activity and product yield.