Investigation of the pyridinium ylide-alkyne cycloaddition as a fluorogenic coupling reaction

Article abstract of DOI:10.3390/molecules21030332

The cycloaddition of pyridinium ylides with alkynes was investigated under mild conditions. A series of 13 pyridinium salts was prepared by alkylation of 4-substituted pyridines. Their reactivity with propiolic ester or amide in various reaction conditions (different temperatures, solvents, added bases) was studied, and 11 indolizines, with three points of structural variation, were, thus, isolated and characterized. The highest yields were obtained when electron-withdrawing groups were present on both the pyridinium ylide, generated in situ from the corresponding pyridinium salt, and the alkyne (X, Z = ester, amide, CN, carbonyl, etc.). Electron-withdrawing substituents, lowering the acid dissociation constant (pKa) of the pyridinium salts, allow the cycloaddition to proceed at pH 7.5 in aqueous buffers at room temperature.

Full text of DOI:10.3390/molecules21030332

molecules
Article
Investigation of the Pyridinium Ylide—Alkyne
Cycloaddition as a Fluorogenic Coupling Reaction
Simon Bonte 1, Ioana Otilia Ghinea 2, Rodica Dinica 2, Isabelle Baussanne 1,* and
Martine Demeunynck 1,
*
1
Department of Pharmacochemistry, Université Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, DPM UMR 5063, F-38041 Grenoble,
France; simontlse.12@gmail.com
Department of Chemistry, Physics and Environment, Faculty of Science and Environment,
“Dunarea de Jos” University of Galati, 111 Domneasca Street, 800201 Galati, Romania;
otilia.ghinea@gmail.com (I.O.G.); rodicad@yahoo.com (R.D.)
2
*
Correspondence: isabelle.baussanne@ujf-grenoble.fr (I.B.);
martine.demeunynck@univ-grenoble-alpes.fr (M.D.); Tel.: +33-476-635-314 (M.D.)
Academic Editor: Philippe Belmont
Received: 26 January 2016 ; Accepted: 4 March 2016 ; Published: 10 March 2016
Abstract: The cycloaddition of pyridinium ylides with alkynes was investigated under mild
conditions. A series of 13 pyridinium salts was prepared by alkylation of 4-substituted pyridines.
Their reactivity with propiolic ester or amide in various reaction conditions (different temperatures,
solvents, added bases) was studied, and 11 indolizines, with three points of structural variation, were,
thus, isolated and characterized. The highest yields were obtained when electron-withdrawing groups
were present on both the pyridinium ylide, generated in situ from the corresponding pyridinium salt,
and the alkyne (X, Z = ester, amide, CN, carbonyl, etc.). Electron-withdrawing substituents, lowering
the acid dissociation constant (pKa) of the pyridinium salts, allow the cycloaddition to proceed at
pH 7.5 in aqueous buffers at room temperature.
Keywords: indolizine; coupling reaction; ylide; dipolar cycloaddition
1. Introduction
We have been interested in the indolizine chemistry for several years. Indolizine is a
nitrogen-containing bicyclic heterocycle, and its derivatives display interesting biological [
1–5] and
optical properties [ 13] (fluorescence and circular dichroism [14 15]). Indolizines have been used as
6
–
,
biomarkers [16] and in the fluorescent labeling of carbon nanotubes [17] and graphene [18], for instance.
Among the main routes of preparation that have been designed, we can cite the metal-catalyzed
cyclization of 2-alkynylpyridines [19
metal-free methodology [ 32 33] involves the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of pyridinium ylides with
alkynes (Scheme 1) [ 34 39]. The dihydroindolizines thus formed spontaneously, aromatize under
air oxidation. This chemistry has been the subject of a large number of publications, focusing, in
particular, on the formation and reactivity of the ylides [34 35 40 44] and on the mechanism of the
cycloaddition [33]. More recently, improvements in the reaction conditions have been reported,
by using oxidant-free cycloaddition to alkenes [32], one-pot [38], microwave-activated [34 35], or
biocatalyzed processes [36]. Note that most of the work reported so far in the literature involved
N-benzoylmethylpyridinium-derived ylides [45 46]. The purpose of the present work was to explore
the potency of the pyridinium ylide-alkyne cycloaddition as a click–type coupling reaction.
–25] or 2-pyridine alkynyl carbinols [26–31]. The most common
2, ,
2, –
,
, –
,
,
Molecules 2016, 21, 332; doi:10.3390/molecules21030332
www.mdpi.com/journal/molecules

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R1
N
R1
N
R1
R1
N
R1
N
base
-HR3
CO2Et
N
X
CO2Et
CO2Et
or
atm. O2
R3
R2
R2
R2
R2
R3
R3
R3
R2
O
O
O
O
O
Ylide formation
Scheme 1. General mechanism.
The key points to investigate were the effectiveness of this cycloaddition in mild conditions (room
temperature, neutral or near neutral conditions), ease of accessibility of the reactants, and their practical
pre- or post-functionalization. For all these reasons, we decided to prepare a series of ylide precursors
(pyridinium salts) and to compare their reactivity in the presence of alkynes in various conditions.
We first aimed to select the best partners for the application as coupling methodology. To achieve this
goal, we modified the structure of the ylide precursors: reactive or easily modified substituents were
introduced on the pyridinium salts (R1 group in Scheme 1) and ester or amide groups were used to
stabilize the ylide (R2 = RO- or RNH-, in Scheme 1) in place of the benzoyl group usually reported
in the literature. The structure optimization of the reactants allowed the cycloaddition to proceed at
room temperature in very mild conditions including pH 7.5 aqueous buffers, yielding indolizines with
three possible points of functionalization.
2. Results
2.1. Preparation and Characterization of the Pyridinium Salt
We first prepared a series of 13 pyridinium salts. To keep the symmetry of the starting molecule
and to prevent formation of regioisomers after cycloaddition, substituents were only introduced at
position 4 of the pyridine ring [37].
The pyridinium salts were obtained by alkylation of the pyridine derivatives with methyl
2-bromoacetate (compounds
1–7), 2-iodoacetophenone derivatives (compounds 8 and 9), or
2-bromo-N-propylacetamide (compound 10) in acetone under ultrasound activation. In the case of
alkylation with diethyl 2-iodomalonate to prepare the pyridinium salts containing two carboxylic esters
(compounds 11–13, R3 = CO2Et), very low yields were observed under these conditions. The reaction
was improved by using the diethyl 2-iodomalonate in large excess. The structures, yields, pKa and
1H-NMR data are collected in Table 1.
As previously observed [47
modulates the pKa values, and the pKa variation correlates well with the Hammett constant of the
R1 group. The electron-withdrawing groups decrease the pKa values (compare versus ). This
,48], the electronic nature of the substituent present at position 4
4
–
7
1
effect was more pronounced with mesomeric (CN or COCH3) than inductive (CF3) withdrawing
substituents. The effect of the nature of R1 has been studied [49] and seemed more prominent for
the phenacyl analogues [47], however the measurements were made in different conditions (ylides
dissolved in methanol). In another study, the deprotonation of pyridinium salts was studied by NMR
in DMSO in the presence of a strong base [48]. The authors found that the effect on the deprotonation
of the ring substituents was greater than the effect of the methylene substituent.
The proton NMR spectra of 4-substituted pyridinium salts are characterized downfield by two
multiplets for H-2/H-6 and H-3/H-5, the latter being more shielded, and a singlet for the CH2 generally
found between 4.4 and 6.6 ppm. The correlation between the presence of the electron-withdrawing
group R1 and pKa (deprotonation and ylide formation) is reflected by higher
signal. The integration of this singlet was lower than expected with compounds
may also be lacking (see 11 and 12) probably due to high H/D exchange rate in CD3OD. We observed
in the spectrum of the 4-acetylpyridinium salt in CD3OD, the presence of a second set of shielded
signals, not found in DMSO-d6, which was attributed to the formation of hemiketal or ketal derivatives
δ
value for the CH2
4–6
and this signal
6

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in this solvent and that increased with time spent in solution (the simulated spectra of the different
species were in agreement with the experimental data).
Table 1. Structures, yields, pKa values, and proton NMR data of the pyridinium salts.
R1
N
X-
R2
R3
O
X = Br, Cl, I
1H-NMR b
δ H2/H6
1H-NMR b
δ H3/H5
1H-NMR b
δ CH2/CH
R1 Hammett
Cste
Salt
R1
R2
R3
Yields %
pKa a
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
H
NH2
NHAc
CF3
CONHPr
COCH3
CN
CN
CN
CN
H
OMe
OMe
OMe
OMe
OMe
OMe
OMe
Ph
Ph-NO2
NHC3H7
OEt
OEt
OEt
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
71
83
81
54
80
64
60
70
60
60
89
99
40
0
8.30
8.84
8.74
8.25
8.24
8.04
8.16
8.11
7.07
nd
9.01
8.09
8.74
9.39
9.19
9.35
9.29
9.30
9.26
9.24
9.20
9.36
9.44
8.23
6.92
8.14
8.66
8.52
8.63
8.64
8.85
8.83
8.59
8.28
8.61
8.66
5.66
5.12
5.51
5.83
5.75
5.88
5.75
6.61
6.60
´0.66
0.06
0.54
0.36
0.50
0.66
H
5.60
CO2Et
CO2Et
CO2Et
5.51
5.04
nd c
Not obs.
Not obs.
Not obs.
COCH3
CN
a
The pKa values were determined by potentiometry of 10´3 M solution of the salt in 0.1 M NaClO4. The
measurements were made in triplicate; b The NMR spectra were recorded in CD3OD; c Non-reproducible data.
2.2. Reactivity Studies
The reactivity of the different salts with alkynes was compared using a reference reaction:
methanol was chosen as solvent, ethyl propiolate as dipolarophile, and K2CO3 for ylide generation.
The reaction mixtures were stirred at 25 ˝C for 18 h, and the indolizines were isolated. The ease of
isolation and purification is an important point for the usefulness of the reaction. Therefore, in the
following tables, we give and discuss the yields of isolated indolizines.
As known in the literature, the cycloaddition is fully regioselective, the ethyl and methyl esters
being found in positions 1 and 3, respectively, in our study and easily identified.
2.2.1. Influence of the R1 Substituent
We first studied the importance of the nature of R1 on the reactivity (Table 2). Introduction of
electron-withdrawing groups on the pyridine ring clearly favored the cycloaddition. Higher yields
(77% and 81%) were obtained in the presence of electron-withdrawing mesomeric groups (COCH3 or
CN, respectively) that efficiently stabilize the negative charge of the ylides by delocalization. In the
case of the CF3 substituent (entry 6), the NMR data showed the presence of the desired indolizine 19
and of the corresponding dimethyl carboxylate, formed by trans-esterification of the ethyl ester at
position 1 by methanol. To selectively prepare 19, the reaction should be performed in ethanol or in a
non-nucleophilic solvent such as DMF (cf. part 2.2.2). Under these mild conditions, the 4-amino or
amido-substituted pyridinium salts (entries 2 and 3), which display the lowest Hammett constant, did
not react.

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Table 2. Influence of the pyridine substituent R1 on the yields of indolizines a.
Hammett
Constant
Entry
Pyridinium Salt
R1
Indolizine
Yield (%)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
1
2
3
5
6
4
7
H
NH2
NHAc
CONHPr
COCH3
CF3
0
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
59
0
0
66
77
55 b
81
´0.66
0.06
0.36
0.50
0.54
0.66
CN
a
The pyridinium salts (1 eq.) and ethyl propiolate (1.5 eq.) were dissolved in MeOH. K2CO3 (1 eq.) was then
b
added to generate the ylides and the resulting solutions were stirred 18h at room temperature. Mixtures of 19
and of the corresponding 1,3-dimethyl carboxylate analogue were obtained in a non-reproducible ratio.
From these experiments, compounds 6 and 7 were selected for further studies.
2.2.2. Influence of the Solvent and of the Nature of the Added Base
To evaluate the importance of the solvent on the cycloaddition efficiency, the reactions were
performed in parallel in DMF, a polar non-nucleophilic solvent, and methanol. Three bases, NH4OH,
NEt3, and K2CO3 were also tested. The data are collected in Table 3.
Table 3. Influence of the nature of the solvent and of the base on the yields of indolizines 18 and 20
from pyridinium salts 6 and 7.
Entry
R1
Base (1 eq.)
Solvent
T ˝
C
Time (h)
Yield (%)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
COCH3
COCH3
COCH3
COCH3
COCH3
COCH3
COCH3
COCH3
COCH3
COCH3
CN
K2CO3
K2CO3
NH4OH
NEt3
K2CO3
NH4OH
NEt3
K2CO3
NH4OH
NEt3
K2CO3
K2CO3
K2CO3
K2CO3
pH 7.5
Phosphate
buffer
MeOH
MeOH
MeOH
MeOH
DMF
DMF
DMF
DMF
DMF
25
25
25
25
25
25
25
25
25
25
25
25
25
40
1
18
1
1
1
1
1
5
5
5
5
18
5
18
50
77
45
38
88
44
45
>90
48
48
45
81
70
38
DMF
MeOH
MeOH
DMF
CN
CN
CN
MeOH
15
CN
H2O
25
18
24

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K2CO3 appeared as the most efficient base in both solvents (entries 1 and 5), and DMF emerged
as the best choice to perform reactions with (R1 = COCH3). The reaction proceeded quickly in this
solvent with good yield obtained in 1 h (entry 5). Increasing the reaction time to 5 h (entry 8) did
not significantly improve the yield. This solvent effect was also observed with the 4-cyano analog
6
7
,
for which both solvents may be alternatively used. Still, the reaction remained faster in DMF than
in methanol (compare entries 11 and 13). The reaction was attempted at a higher temperature in
methanol (entries 12 and 14), but leading to the formation of side-products including those resulting
from trans-esterification.
The reaction was also performed in pH 7.5 phosphate buffer (entry 15). The pyridinium salt 7 was
soluble in aqueous solution, but the hydrophobic nature of the ethyl propiolate was a severe limitation.
Nevertheless, we were thrilled to isolate the resulting indolizine 20 in 24% yield. This result indicated
that the pKa of the salt (8.16 for 7) was compatible with the partial formation of the ylide under these
conditions, thus allowing the cycloaddition reaction. It should be noted that, to our knowledge, dipolar
cycloaddition involving a pyridinium ylide in neutral aqueous solution has not been reported so far.
In an effort to increase the reactivity in water, the reaction was performed with compounds
11–13 that displayed lower pKa values and would mainly exist as ylides at pH 7.5. The reactions were
˝
performed in pH 7.5 buffer solutions. For solubility reasons, the first attempts were made at 40 C in Tris
buffer. As indicated in Table 4, the cyclization was highly dependent on the nature of the substituent
at position 4. There was no reaction with the unsubstituted pyridinium 11 (entry 1), and a low yield
in indolizine 22 was obtained from the 4-acetyl pyridinium 12 (entry 2). The 4-cyanopyridinium 13
yielded the indolizine 23 in a reasonable 40% yield. As we had previously observed a negative effect
of temperature on yields, the reaction was then performed at 25 ˝C under vigorous stirring and, as a
result, the yield jumped to 63% (entry 4). Replacing Tris buffer with phosphate buffer (entry 5) had
a negative effect on the yield that dropped to 42%. For comparison, the reactivity of 13 in organic
solvents was investigated (entries 6 and 7). A very strong solvent effect was observed. While no
formation of 23 occurred in methanol, it was isolated in excellent yield in DMF. The difference in
reactivity between 12 and 13 in Tris buffer may be due to the unfavorable formation of the hydrate
form of 12. However, these first data confirmed the feasibility of this dipolar cycloaddition in aqueous
solutions starting with 4-cyanopyridinium salts 7 and 13.
Table 4. Formation of indolizine from diethyl dicarboxylate substituted pyridinium 11–13 in pH 7.5
buffer solutions.
Entry
R1
Base
Solvent
T ˝
C
Indolizine Yield (%)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
H
COCH3
CN
CN
CN
pH 7.5 Tris buffer
pH 7.5 Tris buffer
pH 7.5 Tris buffer
pH 7.5 Tris buffer
pH 7.5 phosphate buffer
K2CO3
H2O
H2O
H2O
H2O
H2O
40
40
40
25
25
25
25
21
22
23
23
23
23
23
0
12
40
63
42
0
CN
CN
MeOH
DMF
K2CO3
93
The mixtures of pyridinium salts (1 eq.) and ethyl propiolate (1.5 eq.) were stirred at the chosen temperatures
for 18 h. Results are given as yields of isolated indolizines.

Molecules 2016, 21, 332
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2.2.3. Effect of the R2 Group
To extend the scope of the reaction, it was also important to compare the reactivity of pyridinium
salts containing various methylene R2 substituents. As shown in Table 5, the yield in 7-cyanoindolizine
was higher starting from the methyl ester
7 than from benzoyl derivatives 8 or 9. The presence of
the nitro group on the phenyl ring, lowering the pH of ylide formation, slightly increased the yield
(compare entries 2 and 3).
Table 5. Effect of the nature of R2 group on the yield of 7-cyanoquinazolines.
Entry
Pyridinium Salt
R2
Indolizine
Yield (%)
1
2
3
4
7
8
9
OMe
Ph
C6H4NO2
NHC3H7
20
24
25
26
81
50
67
62
10
The pyridinium salts and 1.5 equivalents of ethyl propiolate were stirred in methanol in the presence of K2CO3
(1 eq.) for 18 h at room temperature.
An interesting result was obtained with the amide containing pyridinium salt 10. The yield of
indolizine 26 was moderate (62%), but this result was important as it gives an interesting alternative to
the ester as a potential reactant, and this approach has not been reported so far in the literature.
2.2.4. Influence of the Dipolarophile
The last parameter to evaluate was the nature of the dipolarophile. As shown in Table 6, the
reaction worked also well with propiolic amide such as 27, giving the corresponding indolizine 28
in reasonable (not optimized) yield. With substituted propiolate, such as 29, a complex mixture of
indolizines was obtained as shown by the presence of several fluorescent spots on TLC. No reaction
was observed with less activated alkynes, as exemplified by 30 or 31.
Table 6. Reaction of 4-cyanopyridinium salt 7 with various dipolarophiles.
Entry
Dipolarophile
Indolizine (Yield)
CN
O
EtO
O
N
OEt
1
MeO
O
20 (81%)
O
N
H
2
3
27
28 (40%)
COOEt
Complex mixture
29

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Table 6. Cont.
Entry
Dipolarophile
Indolizine (Yield)
O
EtO
4
(0%)
30
O
N
O
5
(0%)
H
31
7, the chosen dipolarophile and K2CO3 in methanol were stirred
Stoichiometric amounts of 4-cyanopyridinium
at room temperature for 18 h. Yields are given after purification of the indolizines by column chromatography
(elution EtOAc/cyclohexane).
Again, it is important to emphasize the mild conditions used in this study. Simple pyridinium
ylides were shown to react at high temperatures with isolated alkynes [39]. However the lack of
reactivity with isolated alkynes at room temperature may be useful as it allows the introduction of an
isolated triple bond in the reactants for further orthogonal reactions.
3. Discussion
To summarize, the highest yields of indolizines were obtained when both partners of the reaction,
the pyridinium salt (or the corresponding ylide) and the triple bond, were substituted with a strong
electron-withdrawing group (acetyl, cyano, ester, or amide). The mechanism of the cycloaddition has
been discussed in the literature. The reactions of pyridinium ylides with propiolates are generally
described as concerted OM-controlled reactions [33,40,43,44]. Matsumoto [41] also reported the inverse
electron-demand cycloaddition of cyclooctyne with pyridinium bis(methoxycarbonyl)methylides
similar to 11. However, Shang and colleagues [39] found that, in the reaction with simple alkynes
˝
in DMF–K2CO3 at high temperature (120 C), the presence of electron-donating or –withdrawing
substituents on the ylides significantly lowered the yields in indolizines.
The importance of electron-withdrawing groups on both reactants is in favor of the two-step
mechanism depicted in Scheme 2, involving the Michael addition of the ylide to the triple bond, with
formation of zwitterionic allenoate intermediate followed by the intramolecular 5-endo trig cyclization.
However, one also has to keep in mind that the very first step is not the cycloaddition itself, but the
formation and stabilization of the reactive ylides that are also favored by electron-withdrawing groups.
R1
N
R1
N
R1
N
Michael
addition
O
1) Cyclization
OEt
2) spontaneous
oxidation
CO2Et
OEt
O
R2
R2
R2
O
O
O
allenoate intermediate
Scheme 2. Alternative two-step mechanism.
In conclusion, the reaction of pyridinium ylides with propiolic acid derivatives was explored in the
perspective of its use as coupling reaction. The reaction was investigated by varying a set of parameters,
i.e., the nature of the substituents, the reaction conditions, and the nature of the dipolarophile. First
of all, the regioselectivity of the reaction is a positive aspect for this application. The presence of an
electron-withdrawing group at position 4 of the pyridinium salt (exemplified with 4-cyano or 4-acetyl
derivatives) allowed the reaction with propiolic ester or amide to proceed in mild conditions in a

Molecules 2016, 21, 332
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variety of solvents. The reaction progression was easily monitored by TLC, due to the fluorescence of
the newly-formed indolizine. This point is of major interest is that, so far, most pro-fluorescent click
reactions involve the use of added fluorogenic or fluorescent heterocycles [50,51].
A second key result was the reactivity in neutral aqueous solutions at room temperature. Indeed,
the presence of the electron-withdrawing group at position 4 played an essential role in the formation
and stabilization of the reactive ylides in these conditions. The main limitation appeared to be the
water solubility of the propiolic ester.
This study allowed us to select the best partners and conditions for a highly modular
pro-fluorescent click-type coupling reaction. The reactants include a pyridine containing an
electron-withdrawing group (CN, COR, CO2R, CONHR, etc.) at position 4, a 2-bromo-acetyl ester or
amide, and a propiolic ester or amide. Interestingly, this methodology appears complementary
to the tetrazine-alkene reaction [52
non-fluorescent compounds.
,53] involving an electron-rich dipolarophile, but yielding
4. Experimental Section
4.1. Material and Methods
Melting points were determined using a Reichert Thermovar apparatus (Depew, NW, USA)
and are uncorrected. NMR spectra were recorded on the Bruker Avance 400 spectrometer (Bruker
Corporation, Billerica, MA, USA) of the “Fédération de Recherche” ICMG (FR2607) platform, using
the solvent as the internal reference; the chemical shifts are reported in parts per million (ppm)
units. High-resolution mass spectra (HRMS) were performed on a Bruker maXis mass spectrometer
Q-TOF (Bruker Corporation) by the “Fédération de Recherche” ICOA/CBM (FR2708) platform.
Reversed-phase HPLC was performed with a µ-bondapak-C18 analytical column (Waters Corporation,
Milford, MA, USA). A Waters chromatographic system was used, with two M-510 pumps and a
photodiode array detector Waters 996 using Millenium 32 software. A linear gradient from 0 to 100%
methanol in H2O pH 2.5 (phosphoric acid), 2 mL/min flow rate, was used.
The reagents were purchased from Sigma Aldrich and were used without further purification.
N-Benzylprop-2-ynamide 27 was prepared by biocatalyzed reaction between benzylamine and ethyl
propiolate as reported recently by us [54]. Ethyl 3-ethynylbenzoate 30 was prepared by esterification
of 3-ethynylbenzoic acid following reported procedure [55].
Calculator Plugins were used for structure property prediction and calculation, Marvin 6.0.2 ,
2013, ChemAxon (http://www.chemaxon.com).
Copies of the NMR spectra and HPLC chromatograms of the new compounds may be found in
the Supplementary Materials.
4.2. General Methods for the Synthesis of N-Heterocyclic Salts
Method A: The pyridine derivative (1 eq.) and the alkylating reagent (1.5 eq) were dissolved
in dry acetone (2 mL for 1 mmol of pyridine derivative). The reaction mixture was stirred in an
ultra-sound bath for 5 h to 10 h, depending on the nature of substituent present on the pyridine. The
temperature of the bath was kept under 50 ˝C by adding ice is necessary. Then, a non-polar solvent
(3 to 5 mL of Et2O or DCM) was added, and the quaternary salt that deposited was filtered off, and
washed with DCM.
Method B: The reactions between the pyridine derivatives and diethyl iodomalonate were
performed in acetone in the presence of a large excess of reactant, the mixture being stirred at room
temperature for two days. Then, Et2O was added to the flask and the quaternary hygroscopic salt was
filtered off and washed with DCM and/or Et2O.
1-(2-Methoxy-2-oxoethyl)pyridinium bromide (
pyridine (1 mmol) and methyl 2-bromoacetate. The resulting pyridinium
1
) was prepared according to the general method A from
was obtained in 71% yield
1

Molecules 2016, 21, 332
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˝
˝
(165 mg) as a white powder. mp 167–168 C [lit. [56] 174–175 C]; 1H-NMR (400 MHz, CD3OD)
δ
9.01
was
(dd, 2H, J = 6.8, 1.2 Hz), 8.74 (m, 1H), 8.23 (t, 2H, J = 7.6, 6.8 Hz), 5.66 (s, 2H), 3.90 (s, 3H).
4-Amino-1-(2-methoxy-2-oxoethyl)pyridinium bromide (
A from 4-aminopyridine (1 mmol) and methyl 2-bromoacetate. The resulting pyridinium salt
obtained in 83% yield (205 mg) as a white powder. mp 268–269 ˝C [lit. [57] 175–176 ˝C]; 1H-NMR
2
) was prepared according to the general method
2
(400 MHz, CD3OD) δ 8.09 (dd, J = 6 Hz, 2H), 6.92 (dd, J = 6 Hz, 2H), 5.12 (s, 2H), 3.86 (s, 3H).
4-Acetamido-1-(2-methoxy-2-oxoethyl)pyridinium bromide (
method A from 4-acetamidopyridine (1 mmol) and methyl 2-bromoacetate The resulting pyridinium
salt
was obtained in 81% yield (234 mg) as a white powder. mp 104–106 ˝C; 1H-NMR (400 MHz,
DMSO-d6) 11.61 (s, 1H), 8.74 (d, 2H, J = 7.6 Hz), 8.14 (d, 2H, J = 7.2 Hz), 5.51 (s, 2H), 3.78 (s, 3H), 2.26
(s, 3H); 13C-NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d6)
171.1, 167.3, 152.5, 146.6, 114.3, 58.6, 53.0, 24.7; HRMS (ESI)
3) was prepared according to the general
3
δ
δ
m/z calcd for C10H13N2O3 209.0926, obsd 209.0919.
4-Trifluoromethyl-1-(2-methoxy-2-oxoethyl)pyridinium bromide (4) was prepared according to the general
method A from commercial 4-trifluoromethylpyridine (2 mmol) and methyl 2-bromoacetate. The
˝
resulting quaternary salt
1H-NMR (400 MHz, CD3OD)
13C-NMR (100 MHz, CD3OD)
4
was obtained in 54% yield (162 mg) as a yellow powder. mp 127–130 C;
9.39 (d, 2H, J = 6.8 Hz), 8.66 (d, 2H, J = 6.8 Hz), 5.83 (s, 2H), 3.94 (s, 3H);
165.9, 148.6 (2C), 145.9, 145.5, 124.6 (2C), 122.5, 119.8, 61.0, 52.8; HRMS
δ
δ
(ESI) m/z calcd for C9H9F3NO2 220.0577, obsd 220.0580.
4-(N-Propylcarbamoyl)-1-(2-methoxy-2-oxoethyl)pyridinium bromide (5) was pepared according to the
general method A from 4-N-propylcarbamoylpyridine (0.9 mmol) and methyl 2-bromoacetate.
The resulting quaternary salt was obtained in 80% yield (231 mg) as an orange powder. mp
136–138 C; 1H-NMR (400 MHz, CD3OD)
9.19 (dd, 2H, J = 6.4 Hz); 8.52 (dd, 2H, J = 6.4 Hz),
5.75 (s, 2H), 3.92 (s, 3H), 3.46 (t, 2H, J = 7.4 Hz), 1.71–1.76 (m, 2H), 1.05 (t, 3H, J = 7.4 Hz); 13C-NMR
(100 MHz, CD3OD) 167.6, 164.0, 151.8, 148.6 (2C), 1267.0 (2C), 61.8, 54.1, 43.3, 23.4, 11.7; HRMS (ESI)
m/z: [M + H]+ calcd for C12H17N2O3 237.1234, obsd 237.1232.
5
˝
δ
δ
4-Acetyl-1-(2-methoxy-2-oxoethyl)pyridinium bromide ( ) was prepared according to the general method
6
A from 4-acetylpyridine (4.1 mmol) and methyl 2-bromoacetate. The resulting quaternary salt
6
was
˝
obtained in 64% yield (716 mg) as a red powder. mp 149–150 C; 1H-NMR (400 MHz, CD3OD) δ 9.35
(dd, 2H, J = 6.8 Hz); 8.63 (dd, 2H, J = 6.8 Hz); 5.88 (s, 2H, CH2); 3.80 (s, 3H, OCH3), 2.78 (s, 3H, CH3);
13C-NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d6)
δ 195.5, 166.6, 149.2, 147.8 (2C), 125.7 (2C), 60.4, 53.3, 27.5; HRMS (ESI)
m/z calcd for C10H12NO3 194.0812, obsd 194.0810.
4-Cyano-1-(2-methoxy-2-oxoethyl)pyridinium bromide (
7
) was prepared according to the general method
A from 4-cyanopyridine (1 mmol) and methyl 2-bromoacetate. The resulting pyridinium salt 7 was
obtained in 60% yield (154 mg) as a white powder. mp 208–209 ˝C [lit. [58] 181–183 ˝C]; 1H-NMR
(400 MHz, CD3OD) δ 9.29 (dd, 2H, J = 5.4 Hz), 8.64 (dd, 2H, J = 5.4 Hz), 5.75 (s, 2H), 3.92 (s, 3H).
4-Cyano-1-(2-oxo-2-phenylethyl)pyridinium iodide (
from commercial 4-cyanopyridine (2 mmol) and 2-iodo-acetophenone. The resulting pyridinium salt
was obtained in 70% yield (493 mg) as a red powder. mp 132–134 ˝C [lit. [47] 114–118 ˝C]; 1H-NMR
(400 MHz, DMSO-d6) 9.30 (d, 2H, J = 6.9 Hz), 8.84 (d, 2H, J = 6.9 Hz), 8.09 (dd, 2H, J = 8.5, 7.1 Hz),
8) was prepared according to the general method B
8
δ
7.80–7.85 (m, 1H), 7.67–7.72 (m, 2H), 6.61 (s, 2H).
4-Cyano-1-(2-oxo-2-(para-nitrophenyl)ethyl)pyridinium iodide (9) was prepared according to the general
method A from commercial 4-cyanopyridine (1 mmol) and 2-iodo-4-nitroacetophenone. The resulting
quaternary salt
9 ]
was obtained in 60% yield (239 mg) as a yellow powder. mp 182–184 ˝C [lit. [47
187–189 ˝C]; 13C-NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d6)
δ 189.2, 150.7, 147.6 (2C), 138.0, 130.8 (2C), 129.8 (2C),
128.1, 124.2 (2C), 114.8, 67.3.

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4-Cyano-1-[(N-propylcarbamoyl)methyl]pyridinium bromide (10) was prepared according to the general
method A from 4-cyanopyridine (1 mmol) and 2-bromo-N-propylacetamide. T˝he resulting
pyridinium-salt 10 was obtained in 60% yield (160 mg) as a yellow powder. mp 185–186 C; 1H-NMR
(400 MHz, CD3OD) δ 9.24 (d, 2H, J = 6.8 Hz), 8.59 (d, 2H, J = 6.8 Hz), 5.60 (s, 2H), 3.26 (t, 2H, J = 7.2 Hz),
1.58–1.64 (m, 2H), 0.99 (t, 3H, J = 7.2 Hz); 13C-NMR (100 MHz, CD3OD)
δ 165.0, 149.1 (2C), 131.7 (2C),
130.4, 115.3, 63.9, 42.9, 23.5, 11.8; HRMS (ESI) m/z: [M + H]+ calcd for C11H14N3O 204.1131, obsd
204.1132.
1-(1,3-Diethoxy-1,3-dioxopropan-2-yl)pyridinium iodide (11) was prepared according to the general method
B from pyridine (5.5 mmol) and ethyl 2-iodomalonate. The resulting quaternary salt 11 was obtained
in 89% yield (1.80 g) as a white powder. mp 151–152 ˝C [lit. [59] 154–155 ˝C]; 1H-NMR (400 MHz,
CD3OD)
δ 9.20 (t, 2H, J = 7.2 Hz), 8.81–8.85 (m, 1H), 8.28 (dd, 2H, J = 7.2 Hz, 8 Hz), 4.37–4.52 (m, 4H),
1.40 (t, 6H, J = 7.2 Hz).
4-Acetyl-1-(1,3-diethoxy-1,3-dioxopropan-2-yl)pyridinium iodide (12) was prepared according to the general
method B from 4-acetylpyridine (4 mmol) and ethyl 2-iodomalonate. The resulting pyridinium-salt 12
˝
˝
was obtained in 99% yield (1.66 g) as a yellow powder. mp 130–131 C [lit. [37]: 196–198 C]; 1H-NMR
(400 MHz, CD3OD)
δ 9.36 (d, 2H, J = 7.0 Hz), 8.61 (d, 2H, J = 7.0 Hz), 4.39–4.51 (m, 4H), 2.84 (s, 3H),
1.41 (t, 6H, J = 7.1 Hz).
4-Cyano-1-(1,3-diethoxy-1,3-dioxopropan-2-yl)pyridinium iodide (13) [37] was prepared according to
the general method B from 4-cyanopyridine (4.8 mmol) and ethyl 2-iodomalonate. The resulting
pyridinium-salt 13 was obtained in 40% yield (750 mg) as a white powder. mp 120–122 ˝C [lit. [37
]
240 ˝C decomposed]; 13C-NMR (100 MHz, CD3OD)
115.2, 65.8 (2C), 14.2 (2C).
δ 163.3 (2C), 151.6, 149.7 (2C), 132.0, 131.4 (2C),
4.3. General Methods for the Ylide-Alkyne Cycloaddition
Method C: The cycloaddition was performed with 1 eq. of the quaternary salt, 1.1 eq. of the
alkyne derivative, and 1 eq. of K2CO3 in methanol or DMF. The pH of the solution was close to 9.
The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature under air atmosphere for 18 h. Then, water was
added and the corresponding indolizine was precipitated, filtered off and washed with water.
Method D: The cycloaddition was performed in Tris-buffer pH 7.5 (Tris-buffered saline tablets
from sigma, one tablet dissolved in 15 mL of deionized water produces 50 mM Tris-HCl, 150 mM
sodium chloride) with 1 ˝eq. of the quaternary salt and 1.1 eq of the alkyne derivative. The reaction
mixture was stirred at 40 C under air atmosphere for 18 h. Then, the reaction mixture cooled in an ice
bath, and the precipitate that formed was filtered off and washed with water.
1-Ethyl 3-methyl indolizine-1,3-dicarboxylate (14). The reaction was performed with
propiolate in methanol, following method C. The indolizine 14 was obtained in 59% yield (63 mg) as a
white powder. mp 97–99 ˝C [lit. [60] 92–93 ˝C]; 1H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3)
9.56 (dd, 1H, J = 7.0,
1 (100 mg) and ethyl
δ
1.2 Hz), 8.34 (m, 1H), 8.04 (s, 1H), 7.37 (m, 1H), 7.04 (td, 1H, J = 6.8, 1.2 Hz), 4.43 (q, 2H, J = 7.2 Hz), 3.97
(s, 3H), 1.47 (t, 3H, J = 7.2 Hz).
1-Ethyl 3-methyl 7-(propylcarbamoyl)indolizine-1,3-dicarboxylate (17). The reaction was performed with
5
(40 mg) and ethyl propiolate in methanol, following method C. The indolizine 17 was obtained in
66% yield (27 mg) as a white powder. mp 159–161˝C; 1H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3)
δ
9.52 (m, 1H),
8.64 (dd, 1H, J = 1.2 Hz, 2.0 Hz), 8.00 (s, 1H), 7.47 (dd, 1H, J = 2.0 Hz, 5.2 Hz), 6.38 (s br, 1H), 4.39
(q, 2H, J = 7.2 Hz), 3.94 (s, 3H), 3.46 (m, 2H), 1.68 (q, 2H, J = 7.2 Hz), 1.43 (t, 3H, J = 7.2 Hz), 1.01(t, 3H,
J = 7.2 Hz); 13C-NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3)
δ 165.3, 164.1, 161.3, 137.7, 131.4, 127.9, 124.7, 117.1, 115.6,
113.1, 107.3, 60.3, 51.7, 42.0, 22.9, 14.5, 11.5; HRMS (ESI) m/z: [M + H]+ calcd for C17H21N2O5 333.1443,
obsd 333.1445.

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1-Ethyl 3-methyl 7-acetylindolizine-1,3-dicarboxylate (18). The reaction was performed with
6
(100 mg)
and ethyl propiolate in methanol, fol˝lowing method C. The indolizine 18 was obtained in 77% yield
(40 mg) as a red powder. mp 151–152 C; 1H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3)
δ 9.55 (m, 1H), 8.98 (m, 1H), 8.07
(s, 1H), 7.57 (dd, 1H, J = 7.4 Hz, 1.9 Hz), 5.34 (s, 2H), 4.46 (q, 2H, J = 7.2 Hz), 4.00 (s, 3H), 2.75 (s, 3H),
1.49 (t, 3H, J = 7.2 Hz); 13C-NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3)
δ 196.0, 163.8, 161.3, 137.5, 132.8, 127.6, 124.8, 121.4,
116.4, 111.8, 109.0, 60.4, 51.8, 26.1, 14.5; HRMS (ESI) m/z: [M + H]+ calcd for C15H16NO5 290.1023, obsd.
290.1022, [M + Na]+ calcd for C15H15NNaO5 312.0842, obsd. 312.0840.
1-Ethyl 3-methyl 7-(trifluoromethyl)indolizine-1,3-dicarboxylate (19a) and 1-methyl 3-methyl 7-(trifluoromethyl)
indolizine-1,3-dicarboxylate (19b). The reaction was performed with 4 (50 mg) and ethyl propiolate in
methanol, following method C. The mixture of indolizines 19a and 19b (30/70 ratio) was obtained in
1
55% yield (27 mg) as a yellow powder. H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3)
δ
9.60 (d, 1H, J = 7.2 Hz), 8.64 (s,
1H), 8.04 (s, 1H), 7.12 (dd, 1H, J = 7.2, 2.0 Hz), 4.40 (q, 2H, J = 7.2 Hz, CH2 of 19a), 3.95 and 3.94 (2s,
3H, OMe of 19a and 19b), 1.42 (t, 3H, J = 7.2 Hz, CH3 of 19a); 13C-NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3)
164.0,
163.5, 161.3, 136.8, 128.4,127.16, 125.7 (q, 225 Hz, CF3), 124.9, 124.6, 121.9, 117.5, 117.4, 116.1, 110.1,
2
ˆ
δ
107.9, 60.5, 51.8, 51.6, 14.5; HRMS (ESI) 19a : m/z calcd for C14H13F3NO4 316.0791, obsd 316.0796, 19b
m/z calcd for C13H11F3NO4 302.0635, obsd 302.0638.
:
1-Ethyl 3-methyl 7-cyanoindolizine-1,3-dicarboxylate (20). The reaction was performed with
7 (50 mg)
and ethyl propiolate in methanol, following method C. The indolizine 20 was obtained in 81% yield
˝
(37 mg) as a white powder. mp 114–115 C; 1H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3)
δ 9.58 (dd, 1H, J = 7.2, 0.8 Hz),
8.74–8.75 (m, 1H), 8.06 (s, 1H), 7.07 (dd, 1H, J = 7.2, 2.0 Hz), 4.42 (q, 1H, J = 7.0 Hz), 3.98 (s, 3H), 1.44
(t, 3H, J = 7.2 Hz); 13C-NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3)
δ 163.2, 161.1, 136.0, 128.2, 125.9, 125.1, 117.5, 114.1,
109.0, 108.0, 60.7, 52.0, 14.5; HRMS (ESI) m/z: [M + H]+ calcd for C14H13N2O4 273.0869, obsd 273.0870.
1,3-Diethyl 7-acetylindolizine-1,3-dicarboxylate (22) [61]. The reaction was performed with 12 (100 mg)
and ethyl propiolate, following method D. The indolizine 22 was obtained in 12% yield (9 mg) as a
white powder. mp 125–127 ˝C. 1H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6)
δ 9.47 (dd, 1H, J = 0.8, 7.4 Hz), 8.81
(d, 1H, J = 0.8 Hz), 7.90 (s, 1H), 7.62 (dd, 1H, J = 1.9, 7.4 Hz), 4.35–4.40 (m, 4H), 2.69 (s, 3H), 1.35–1.41
(m, 6H).
1,3-Diethyl 7-cyanoindolizine-1,3-dicarboxylate (23). The reaction was performed with 13 (15 mg) and
ethyl propiolate, following method D. The indolizine 23 was obtained in 40% yield (4.9 mg) as a white
˝
powder. mp 103–104 C; 1H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 9.64 (dd, 1H, J = 0.8, 7.2 Hz), 8.78 (s, 1H), 8.11
(s, 1H), 7.11 (dd, 1H, J = 1.6, 7.2 Hz), 4.45–4.50 (m, 4H), 1.46–1.51 (m, 6H); 13C-NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3)
δ
163.2, 161.1, 136.1, 128.2, 125.8, 125.0, 117.5, 116.9, 114.1, 109.0, 108.0, 61.4, 60.7, 52.0, 14.5 (identical to
the commercial compound).
1-Ethyl 3-benzoyl-7-cyanoindolizine-1-carboxylate (24). The reaction was performed with 8 (50 mg) and
ethyl propiolate in methanol, following m˝ethod C. The indolizine 24 was obtained in 50% yield
(22.4 mg) as an orange powder. mp 136–137 C; 1H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3)
δ 9.99 (d, 1H, J = 6.8 Hz),
8.83 (s, 1H), 7.95 (s, 1H), 7.87 (d, 2H, J = 6.8 Hz), 7.67 (d, 1H, J = 6.4 Hz), 7.60 (d, 2H, J = 7.2 Hz), 7.20
(d, 1H, J = 6.8 Hz), 4.47 (q, 2H, J = 7.2 Hz), 1.47 (t, 3H, J = 7.2 Hz); 13C-NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3)
δ
186.1,
163.2, 138.9, 136.9, 132.3, 129.3, 129.1, 129.0, 128.7, 128.4, 125.6, 124.2, 117.3, 114.8, 109.7, 109.4, 60.8,
14.53; HRMS (ESI) m/z calcd for C19H15N2O3 319.1077, obsd 319.1081.
1-Ethyl 3-(4-nitrobenzoyl)-7-cyanoindolizine-1-carboxylate (25). The reaction was performed with
and ethyl propiolate in methanol, following method C. The indolizine 25 was obtained in 67% yield
(29.6 mg) as a yellow powder. mp 143–144 ˝C; 1H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3)
9.92 (d, 1H, J = 7.2 Hz),
8.75 (s, 1H), 8.34 (d, 2H, J = 8.5 Hz), 7.90 (d, 2H, J = 8.4 Hz), 7.76 (s, 1H), 7.17 (m, 1H), 4.35 (q, 2H, J = 7.1
9 (50 mg)
δ
Hz), 1.35 (t, 3H, J = 7.1 Hz); 13C-NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3)
δ 183.9, 163.0, 150.0, 144.3, 137.7, 130.1, 129.9,
129.6, 129.3, 125.9, 124.1, 123.9, 123.6, 117.2, 115.7, 110.9, 110.2, 61.2, 14.7; HRMS (ESI) m/z: [M + H]+
calcd for C19H14N3O5 364.0927, obsd 364.0928.

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1-Ethyl 7-cyano-3-(N-propylcarbamoyl)indolizine-1-carboxylate (26). The reaction was performed with
10 (20 mg) and ethyl propiolate in methanol, following method C. The indolizine 26 was obtained
in 62% yield (15.6 mg) as a white powder. mp 170–171 ˝C; 1H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3)
δ 9.83 (dd,
1H, J = 7.4, 1.0 Hz), 8.75 (dd, 1H, J = 1.8, 1.0 Hz), 7.80 (s, 1H), 7.08 (dd, 1H, J = 7.4, 1.8 Hz), 6.17 (br s,
1H), 4.51 (q, 2H, J = 7.2 Hz), 3.40–3.55 (m, 2H), 1.72–1.79 (m, 2H), 1.53 (t, 3H, J = 7.2 Hz), 1.10 (t, 3H,
J = 7.2 Hz); 13C-NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3)
δ 163.4, 160.7, 135.1, 128.7, 125.8, 119.9, 119.2, 117.7, 113.4,
108.2, 107.3, 60.7, 41.3, 23.0, 14.6, 11.5; HRMS (ESI) m/z: [M + H]+ calcd for C16H18N3O3 300.1342, obsd
300.1348.
Methyl 1-(N-benzylcarbamoyl)-7-cyanoindolizine-3-carboxylate (28). The reaction was performed with
propiolamide 27 and pyridinium salt
7 (50 mg) in methanol, following method C. The indolizine 28
was obtained in 40% yield (26 mg) as a white powder. mp 196–199 ˝C; 1H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3)
δ
9.56 (dd, 1H, J = 7.4, 1.2 Hz), 9.07 (dd, 1H, J = 1.8, 1.2 Hz), 7.77 (s, 1H), 7.42–7.44 (m, 4H), 7.36–7.39
(m, 1H), 7.10 (dd, 1H, J = 7.4, 1.8 Hz), 6.29 (br s, 1H), 4.72 (d, 2H, J = 5.6 Hz), 3.99 (s, 3H); 13C-NMR
(100 MHz, CDCl3)
δ 162.9, 160.9, 138.1, 136.0, 128.9 (2C), 128.0 (2C), 127.8, 127.7, 126.8, 120.1, 117.5,
116.3, 114.2, 111.5, 107.5, 51.9, 43.7; HRMS (ESI) m/z: [M + H]+ calcd for C19H16N3O3 334.1186, obsd
334.1183, [M + Na]+ calcd for C19H15N3O3 356.1006, obsd. 356.1007.
4.4. pKa Determination
Potentiometric measurements were performed in a jacketed cell thermostated at 25.0 ˝C, kept
under an inert atmosphere of purified argon, using an automatic titrator (Metrohm, DMS Titrino
716, Herisau, Switzerland) connected to a microcomputer. The free hydrogen concentrations were
measured with a glass-Ag/AgCl combined electrode (Metrohm) filled with 0.1 M NaCl. The electrode
was calibrated with three standard buffers at pH 4, 7, and 10. NaCl was employed as supporting
electrolyte to maintain the ionic strength at 0.10 M.
Samples of 0.2 mmol of pyridinium salts were dissolved in 20 mL of fresly prepared 0.1 M NaClO4.
Aliquot of 10 mL were titrated with 0.02 M NaOH. A minimum of three sets of data was used in each
case. Equilibrium constants and species distribution diagrams were calculated by using the program
HYPERQUAD 2003.
Supplementary Materials: Supplementary materials can be accessed at: http://www.mdpi.com/ 1420-3049/
21/3/332/s1.
Acknowledgments: This work has been partly supported by the Labex ARCANE (ANR-11-LABX-0003-01)
and by a grant of the Romanian National Authority for Scientific Research, CNCS-UEFISCDI project number
PN-II-ID-PCE-2011-3-0226.
Author Contributions: M.D. and R.D. conceived the project; I.B. designed the experiments; S.B. and I.O.G.
performed the experiments; M.D. and I.B. wrote the paper.
Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Abbreviations
The following abbreviations are used in this manuscript:
DMF
N,N-dimethylformamide
DMSO-D6
TLC
TRIS
deuterated dimethylsulfoxide
thin-layer chromatography
Tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane
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Sample Availability: Samples of the compounds are not available from the authors.
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