instrument with an Agilent LC/MSD SL selective detector (sample in a CF3CO2H matrix, EI ionization).
Elemental analysis for CHNOS was conducted on a Vario Macro cube elemental analyzer, and elemental
analysis for Br was done by the Schöniger flask method.
(4Z)-5-(Bromomethyl)-2,2,6,6-tetramethylhept-4-en-3-one (1) was obtained by the known method [10].
5-Bromo-4-methylpent-3-en-2-one (13) (content 80%), obtained by the bromination of mesityl oxide [11], was
used for the synthesis of products 14-16. (3E)-5-Bromopent-3-en-2-one (17) (content 86%), obtained by
acylation of 3-bromo-1-propene [14], was used for the synthesis of products 18 and 19.
3-[(2Z)-2-tert-Butyl-5,5-dimethyl-4-oxohex-2-en-1-yl]-1-methyl-1H-imidazol-3-ium (2a), 1-Alkyl-
3-[(2Z)-2-tert-butyl-5,5-dimethyl-4-oxohex-2-en-1-yl]-1H-benzimidazol-3-ium (2c,d), and 3-[(2Z)-2-tert-
Butyl-5,5-dimethyl-4-oxohex-2-en-1-yl]-4-methyl-1,3-thiazol-3-ium (2f) Bromides (General Method).
Diazole or benzimidazole (3.83 mmol) was added to a solution of bromoheptenone 1 (1.0 g, 3.83 mmol) in
benzene (30 ml) . The mixture was kept at room temperature for 1-2 days. The precipitate was filtered off,
washed with acetone, and recrystallized from MeCN.
6,8-Di-tert-butyl-1-methyl-1H-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-4-ium Bromide (3a). A. K2CO3 (0.62 g,
4.5 mmol) was added to a solution of the salt 2a (1.03 g, 3.00 mmol) in ethanol (40 ml). The mixture was
boiled for 30 min. The precipitate was filtered off, the solvent was evaporated, and hexane (30 ml) was added.
The colorless precipitate was filtered off and washed with diethyl ether.
B. The salt 2a (1.03 g, 3.00 mmol) was dissolved in Ac2O (30 ml) and heated at 50°C for 30 min. The
solvent was evaporated under vacuum, and an oily residue was obtained. It contained 78% of 6,8-di-tert-butyl-
8-hydroxy-1-methyl-7,8-dihydro-1H-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-4-ium bromide (12), 20% of the starting salt 2a,
and < 10% of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridinium bromide 3a. The mixture was dissolved in ethanol (40 ml), and the
reaction was then continued as in method A. Yield 0.79 g (81%).
1-Benzyl-6,8-di-tert-butyl-1H-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-4-ium Bromide (3b). 1-Benzyl-1H-imidazole (0.8
g, 3.83 mmol) was added to a solution of bromoheptenone 1 (1.0 g, 3.83 mmol) in benzene (30 ml). The mixture
was kept at room temperature for two days. The precipitate was filtered off and washed with acetone. A mixture
containing 82% of 1-benzyl-3-[(2Z)-2-tert-butyl-5,5-dimethyl-4-oxohex-2-en-1-yl]-1H-imidazol-3-ium bromide
2b was obtained. The reaction was then continued according to method A for the synthesis of product 3a.
5-Alkyl-2,4-di-tert-butyl-5H-pyrido[1,2-a]benzimidazol-10-ium (4a,b) and 6,8-Di-tert-butyl-
3-methylthiazolo[3,2-a]pyridin-4-ium (6) Bromides (General Method). The compounds were obtained by
method A for the synthesis of compound 3a. The heating time was 45 min.
6,8-Di-tert-butyl-1-methyl-1H-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyridin-4-ium Bromide (5). 1-Methyl-1H-1,2,4-
triazole (0.32 g, 3.83 mmol) was added to a solution of bromoheptanone 1 (1.0 g, 3.83 mmol) in benzene (30
ml). The mixture was kept at room temperature for four days. The solvent was evaporated, and a mixture
containing 80% of 4-[(2Z)-2-tert-butyl-5,5-dimethyl-4-oxohex-2-en-1-yl]-1-methyl-1H-1,2,4-triazol-4-ium
bromide (2e) was obtained. The reaction was then continued according to method A for the synthesis of
compound 3a.
2,4-Di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-5-methyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrido[1,2-a]benzimidazol-10-ium
Bromide
(10). A. A mixture of the benzimidazolium salt 2c (1 g, 2.54 mmol) and Et3N (4 ml) in acetone (25 ml) was
heated for 45 min. After cooling, the precipitate was filtered off and washed with acetone.
B. Sodium (0.25 g, 11.0 mmol) was dissolved in MeOH (15 ml), and salt 2c (0.45 g, 1.15 mmol) was
added with stirring to the MeONa solution cooled to 0-5°C. The mixture was stirred for a further 1.5 h while the
temperature was maintained at 5-10°C. The solvent was evaporated, water (20 ml) was added, and the product
was extracted with chloroform. The combined extracts were dried over Na2SO4 (anh.), the solvent was
evaporated, and a 2:1 mixture of 2,4-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-5-methyl-4,5-dihydro-3H-pyrido[1,2-a]-
benzimidazol-10-ium bromide (11) and 2,4-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-5-methyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrido-
[1,2-a]benzimidazol-10-ium bromide (10) was obtained in the oily residue.
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