2-Aminophenones, a common precursor to N-aryl isatins and acridines endowed with bioactivities

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/j.tet.2018.02.038

Because N-arylation of isatin only worked with iodoferrocene (and in low yield), we employed N-arylation of 2-aminophenones and subsequent oxidative cyclization to access various N-arylated isatins. In the course of this work, we observed that N-arylation using 2-iodofuran, 2-iodobenzofuran and 2-iodobenzothiophene did not lead to the expected derivatives, but to (benzo)furo- and (benzo)thieno[2,3-b]quinolines. Separate cyclization was also performed under acidic conditions on 2-(arylamino)phenones in order to obtain acridines and related compounds. Most of the synthesized compounds were screened for their antiproliferative activity in A2058 melanoma cells, and against a panel of disease-relevant kinases such as mammalian CDK5/p25, PIM1, CLK1, DYRK1A, GSK3α/β Haspin and leishmanial CK1. The biological results are reported.

Full text of DOI:10.1016/j.tet.2018.02.038

Accepted Manuscript
2-Aminophenones, a common precursor to N-aryl isatins and acridines endowed with
bioactivities
Nahida Mokhtari Brikci-Nigassa, Ghenia Bentabed-Ababsa, William Erb, Floris
Chevallier, Laurent Picot, Lucille Vitek, Audrey Fleury, Valérie Thiéry, Mohamed
Souab, Thomas Robert, Sandrine Ruchaud, Stéphane Bach, Thierry Roisnel,
Florence Mongin
PII:
S0040-4020(18)30182-0
10.1016/j.tet.2018.02.038
TET 29309
DOI:
Reference:
To appear in: Tetrahedron
Received Date: 2 January 2018
Revised Date: 13 February 2018
Accepted Date: 16 February 2018
Please cite this article as: Brikci-Nigassa NM, Bentabed-Ababsa G, Erb W, Chevallier F, Picot L,
Vitek L, Fleury A, Thiéry Valé, Souab M, Robert T, Ruchaud S, Bach Sté, Roisnel T, Mongin F, 2-
Aminophenones, a common precursor to N-aryl isatins and acridines endowed with bioactivities,
Tetrahedron (2018), doi: 10.1016/j.tet.2018.02.038.
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ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT
Graphical Abstract
_________________________________________________
2-Aminophenones, a common precursor to N-aryl isatins and
acridines endowed with bioactivities
Nahida Mokhtari Brikci-Nigassa,a,b Ghenia Bentabed-Ababsa,b,* William Erb,a Floris Chevallier,a
Laurent Picot,c,* Lucille Vitek,c Audrey Fleury,c Valérie Thiéry,c Mohamed Souab,d Thomas Robert,d
Sandrine Ruchaud,d Stéphane Bach,d,* Thierry Roisnela and Florence Mongina,*
a Univ Rennes, CNRS, ISCR (Institut des Sciences Chimiques de Rennes) - UMR 6226,
F-35000 Rennes, France
b Laboratoire de Synthèse Organique Appliquée, Faculté des Sciences Exactes et Appliquées,
Université d’Oran 1 Ahmed Ben Bella, BP 1524 El M’Naouer, 31000 Oran, Algeria
c Laboratoire Littoral Environnement et Sociétés, UMRi CNRS 7266,
Université de La Rochelle, 17042 La Rochelle, France
d Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, CNRS USR3151, “Protein Phosphorylation and Human
Disease” Unit, Plateforme de criblage KISSf, Station Biologique de Roscoff, Place Georges Teissier,
29688 Roscoff, France
* Corresponding authors.
E-mail addresses: badri_sofi@yahoo.fr (G. Bentabed-Ababsa), laurent.picot@univ-lr.fr (L. Picot),
bach@sb-roscoff.fr (S. Bach), florence.mongin@univ-rennes1.fr (F. Mongin).
Keywords: isatin; acridin; N-arylation; copper; kinase inhibition; antiproliferative activity; melanoma
cells
1

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Abstract:
Because N-arylation of isatin only worked with iodoferrocene (and in low yield), we employed N-
arylation of 2-aminophenones and subsequent oxidative cyclization to access various N-arylated isatins.
In the course of this work, we observed that N-arylation using 2-iodofuran, 2-iodobenzofuran and 2-
iodobenzothiophene did not lead to the expected derivatives, but to (benzo)furo- and (benzo)thieno[2,3-
b]quinolines. Separate cyclization was also performed under acidic conditions on 2-
(arylamino)phenones in order to obtain acridines and related compounds. Most of the synthesized
compounds were screened for their antiproliferative activity in A2058 melanoma cells, and against a
panel of disease-relevant kinases such as mammalian CDK5/p25, PIM1, CLK1, DYRK1A, GSK3α/β,
Haspin and leishmanial CK1. The biological results are reported.
1.
Introduction
Heterocycles possessing an aromatic core are key entities in numerous molecules of pharmaceutical
interest, as well as in organic materials for a wide range of applications. Among them, isatins and
acridines are of the highest interest.
Isatins can be found in natural products,2 pharmaceuticals3 and dyes.4 Due to their wide properties,1
numerous procedures are reported to access them.5 We can for example cite oxidation of indoles,6 C-H
functionalization of suitable N-substituted anilines,7 intramolecular oxidative cyclization,8 and double
carbonylation followed by cyclization.9
Regarding acridines, they are present in compounds having versatile pharmacological activities
(anticancer, antibacterial, etc) including alkaloids from natural plants and marine organisms. Moreover,
they are used as pigments and dyes, as well as in fluorescent materials.10 Since the Bernthsen’s
synthesis of acridines,11 gentler methods have been developed.12 For instance, we can cite quinoline
aminobenzannulation reaction,13 intramolecular Heck reaction,14 use of in situ generated arynes,15
palladium-catalyzed reaction between 1,2-dibromobenzenes and N-tosyl hydrazones,16 rhodium-
catalyzed [3+3] annulation of aryl azides with azobenzenes,17 indium-catalyzed cyclization of 2-
2

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(arylamino)benzaldehydes,18 palladium-catalyzed aniline arylation followed by cyclization and
aromatization,19 copper salt-mediated cyclization of trityl amines,20 zinc salt-promoted cyclization of 2-
(arylamino)phenyl imines,21 copper-catalyzed reaction of 2-cyanoanilines with diaryliodonium salts,22
palladium-catalyzed reaction of 2-bromobenzaldehydes with anilines,23 reaction of 2-acylanilines with
cyclohexanones,24 and rhodium-catalyzed bilateral cyclization of benzaldehydes with
nitrosobenzenes.25
We here report our efforts to combine copper-catalyzed N-arylation of 2-aminophenones with either
intramolecular oxidative cyclization or cyclization of 2-(arylamino)phenones in order to get isatins and
acridines, respectively.
Most of the compounds obtained were evaluated for their antiproliferative activity against melanoma
cells. Indeed, if melanoma account for 2% of skin cancers, their mortality rate remains very high (80%)
mainly due to the melanocyte intrinsic resistance to chemical agents and radiotherapy, a good ability to
adapt and acquire resistance, and to develop distant metastases (e.g. in brain).26 There is thus a need to
identify other pharmacological targets and to develop new drugs. The selected cell lines, which have
relevant mutations, are a suitable model to evaluate the cytotoxicity and the antiproliferative activity of
original molecules due to their natural and acquired resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
The bioactivity of the small chemical compounds synthesized was also analyzed against a panel of
disease-related kinases. Indeed, since the end of the nineties, this class of signaling biomolecules has
become a major class of drug targets since they are often deregulated in diseases such as cancers and
neurodegenerative disorders.27 Today, 39 FDA-approved kinase inhibitors are on the market and more
than 250 drug candidates are undergoing clinical evaluation.28
2.
Results and Discussion
In the course of our studies dedicated to the generation of new aromatic heterocycles, we attempted to
N-arylate isatins. Under the conditions reported by Chakraborty and co-workers from iodobenzene,29
and by Moghaddam and co-workers from bromobenzene,30 we failed in obtaining the N-arylated isatin
3

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as described. The procedure of Shibata and co-workers on oxindole (0.2 equiv of N,N’-
dimethylethylenediamine, 0.1 equiv of copper(I) iodide, 2.2 equiv of potassium carbonate in refluxing
acetonitrile)31 did not allow isatin to be N-arylated by iodobenzene either. Recourse to catalytic
copper(I) oxide (0.1 equiv) and iron(III) acetylacetonate (0.3 equiv), in the presence of cesium
carbonate (2 equiv) as base, in dimethylformamide at 90 °C (30 h), as documented by Taillefer and co-
workers from 2-pyrrolidinone,32 did not furnish the expected N-phenyl isatin from iodobenzene.
Finally, by following conditions reported by Ranu and co-workers to couple amides with aryl iodides,33
iodobenzene was treated by isatin (2 equiv) in the presence of nickel(II) acetylacetonate (0.1 equiv),
copper(I) iodide (0.1 equiv) and cesium carbonate (2 equiv) in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone at 100 °C, but
without success.
These disappointing results led us to consider an alternative way to synthesize N-arylated isatins.
Intramolecular oxidative cyclization being largely developed,8 we decided to involve in the reaction
various 2-(arylamino)acetophenones. For this purpose, N-arylation of 2-aminoacetophenone (1) to
afford the derivatives 2 was achieved by reaction with iodides in the presence of catalytic activated
Cu34 and potassium carbonate (2 equiv) at the reflux temperature of dibutyl ether.8b (Table 1, left).
Oxidative cyclization was next performed by following the optimized procedure of Deng and co-
workers using selenium dioxide in dioxane at 80 °C (Table 1, right, Method A).
The expected isatins were often produced in satisfying yields. Nevertheless, 3f and 3g proved
difficult to isolate due to their low solubility (entries 6 and 7). The method being unsuitable to cyclize
2-(ferrocenylamino)acetophenone (2l) into 3l (mainly recovery of 2l), we attempted an alternative way
using iodine (1.3 equiv) as oxidative agent in dimethylsulfoxide;8j unfortunately, by slowly increasing
the reaction temperature from 20 to 120 °C until disappearance of 2l, only degradation was noticed
(entry 12). In the case of 2m, conversion to the expected product 3m gave a better result by using
pyridine as solvent at 120 °C instead of dioxane at 80 °C, either because of a higher solubility of 3m in
the former or since a higher temperature is used (entry 13, Method A; Figure 1, left).
4

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Table 1. N-arylation of 2-aminoacetophenone (1) to afford the diarylamines 2, and subsequent
conversion to the isatins 3.
2, Yield (%)a
2a, 71
Product 3, Yield (%)a
Entry I-Ar
Method
A
1
I-Ph
3a, 90
3b, 67
2
A
2b, 60
3
4
2c, 88
2d, 94
A
A
3c, 68
3d, 71
b
b
b
5
6
2e, 70
2f, 66
-
-
-
3f, 20c
A
5

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7
8
A
2g, 71
3g, 13c
A
A
A
2h, 63
2i, 94
2j, 90
3h, 45
9
3i, 80
10
3j, 62
11
12
2k, 69
2l, 87
-
-
-
3l, 0d
A
13
B
2m, 62
3m, 89
a After purification (see experimental part). b Not attempted. c These compounds proved difficult
to isolate due to solubility issues. d Mainly recovery of 2l.
6

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Figure 1. ORTEP diagrams (50% probability) of the isatins 3m and 3l.
Because we could not convert 2l into the corresponding N-ferrocenylisatin (3l) (entry 12), we tried
again to arylate isatin but this time using iodoferrocene. Using activated copper (1 equiv) and
tripotassium phosphate (2 equiv) in dimethylformamide at 145 °C for several days did not lead to any
conversion (iodoferrocene recovered). N-ferrocenylisatin (3l) was only obtained, albeit in a moderate
16% yield, when isatin and iodoferrocene were treated by activated copper in dibutyl ether at 150 °C for
24 h (Scheme 1; Figure 1, right).
Scheme 1. N-arylation of isatin with iodoferrocene to afford 3l.
Double N-arylation starting from 1,3- and 1,4-diiodobenzene similarly worked to furnish the N,N-
diarylated phenylenediamines 2n and 2o. From 2o, our attempt to generate the corresponding bis-isatin
3o as previously (4 equiv selenium dioxide in dioxane at 80 °C) failed; nevertheless, 3o could be
isolated in 56% yield using iodine in dimethylsulfoxide.8j Both 2n and 2o were converted to
pentacycles as described previously,35 and the structure of 4o could be confirmed by X-ray diffraction
(Scheme 2).
7

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Scheme 2. N-arylation of 2-aminoacetophenone (1) to afford the diarylamines 2n and 2o, formation of
the bis-isatine 3o from 2o, and cyclization to the pentacycles 4n (from 2n) and 4o (from 2o); ORTEP
diagram (50% probability level) of the pentacycle 4o.
As shown in Table 1, it is possible to prepare 2-(2-thienylamino)acetophenone (2k). Nevertheless,
this compound proved sensitive to degradation, and our attempts to make the corresponding isatin, by
using either selenium dioxide in dioxane at 80 °C (complex mixture obtained including dearylated
isatin) or iodine in dimethylsulfoxide at 130 °C (degradation), failed. Replacing 2-iodothiophene by 2-
iodobenzothiophene in the N-arylation of 2-aminoacetophenone (1) was even more striking. Indeed,
under the conditions used (0.2 equiv of activated copper, 2 equiv of potassium carbonate, reflux of
dibutyl ether), the expected 2-(2-benzothienylamino)acetophenone was not isolated but instead the
benzothieno[2,3-b]quinoline 4p resulting from subsequent reaction of the benzothienyl ring with the
nearby ketone and dehydration (Table 2, entry 1; Figure 2, left).
8

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Because very few efficient methods are reported to access benzothieno[2,3-b]quinolines36 and
benzofuro[2,3-b]quinolines,37 we decided to extend the scope of the reaction (Table 2). For this
purpose, 2-aminoacetophenone (1) was similarly N-arylated with 2-iodobenzofuran and cyclized to
furnish the benzofuro[2,3-b]quinoline 4q (entry 2). 2-Aminobenzophenone (5) and 2-amino-3-
benzoylpyridine (7) were next successfully employed to afford the derivatives 6p, 6q, 8p and 8q
(entries 3-6; Figure 2, right). Furan being more suitable than thiophene to undergo such cyclizations, as
shown by higher yields in all the attempted reactions, the use of 2-iodofuran was tested: unlike 2-
iodothiophene (entry 7), it allowed the expected tricycle to be formed in 61% yield (entry 8).
Table 2. N-arylation-cyclization from 2-aminoketones to afford tri- and tetracycles.
Entry
Aminoketone
Iodide
Product, Yield (%)a
1
2
Y = S
Y = O
1
4p, 46
4q, 57
3
4
Y = S
Y = O
5
7
5
6p, 64
6q, 85
5
6
Y = S
Y = O
8p, 63
8q, 70
7
8
Y = S
Y = O
6k, 10
6r, 61
a After purification (see experimental part).b The rest is mainly 9k.
9

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Figure 2. ORTEP diagrams (50% probability) of the tetracycles 4p and 6q.
This one-pot N-arylation-cyclization reaction, albeit very useful as shown in Table 2, cannot be
extended to all the aryl iodides. Thus, in order to access a larger range of tricycles, we combined N-
arylation of different 2-aminophenones (Table 3, left; Figure 3, left) with acid-mediated cyclization
(Table 3, right; Figure 3, right). By using sulfuric acid in boiling acetic acid for 10 min,38 the expected
heterocycles of acridine-type were obtained satisfactorily in most cases. From 5, formation of the
expected thieno[2,3-b]quinoline 6k was already detected after the N-arylation step. The electron-rich
ferrocenyl derivatives 2l and 9l did not lead to the expected tricycles; instead, either unidentified
products were formed (with no more unsubstituted cyclopentadienyl ring in the case of 9l) or the
starting materials 9l (entry 10) and 2l (result not shown) were recovered. In the case of 9m and 2m,
lower yields were observed for the cyclized products 6m and 4m (entries 12 and 13); this could be due
to lower reactivity of the π-deficient pyridine toward the ketone function. Moreover, even if the
reactions appear as being regioselective with isolated 6m and 4m, the NMR spectra of the crudes show
that other products are formed. Extending the reaction time from 2m led to degradation (formation of a
4-substituted acetophenone was suspected).
Table 3. N-arylation of the 2-aminoketones 5 and 7 to respectively afford 9 and 10, and cyclization of
the 2-(arylamino)ketones 2 and 9 to respectively afford the acridines and related compounds 4 and 6.
10

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Entry I-Ar
Product, Reaction time, Yield (%)a
6e (R = Ph; from 9e), 15 min, 59
9, Yield (%)a
1
2
9e (from 5), 42
4e (R = Me; from 2e), 10 min, 94
3
-
-
4h (from 2h), 10 min, 92
4
5
9i (from 5), 74
6i (R = Ph; from 9i), 15 min, 46
4i (R = Me; from 2i), 10 min, 95
6
7
9j (from 5), 81
9k (from 5), 50b
6j (R = Ph; from 9j), 10 min, 96
4j (R = Me; from 2j), 30 min, 98
8
9
6k (R = Ph; from 9k), 30 min, 80
4k (R = Me; from 2k), 10 min, 61
10
11
9l (from 5), 85
10l (from 7), 82
-
-
12
13
9m (from 5), 88
10m (from 7)d
6m (R = Ph; from 9m), 2 h, 54c
4m (R = Me; from 2m), 30 min, 57c
a After purification (see experimental part). b Further cyclization to 4-phenylthieno[2,3-
b]quinoline (6k) was also noticed in 10% yield. c Starting material and unidentified products were
also present in the crude. d 10m also formed but proved to have a very low solubility in organic
solvents.
Figure 3. ORTEP diagrams (50% probability) of the compounds 10l and 4j.
11

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3.
Antiproliferative activity in A2058 melanoma cells
Most of the synthesized compounds were tested and exerted a significant antiproliferative activity in
A2058 melanoma cells (Figure 4). The best result was obtained with the acridine 6i which induced
95.97% ± 2.56% growth inhibition at 10-5 M. Nevertheless, other heterocyclic products such as the
pentacycle 4o, its precursor 2o, the ferrocene- and pyridine-containing isatins 3l and 3m, and the
tetracycles 4p and 4q also exhibited high antiproliferative activity.
Figure 4: Antiproliferative activity of most of the synthesized compounds
at 10-5 M after 72 h in A2058 human melanoma cells.
Most of the synthesized compounds were also evaluated39 against a short panel of disease-related
protein kinases: cyclin-dependent kinases 2 (CDK2/Cyclin A), 5 (CDK5/p25) and 9 (CDK9/Cyclin T);
proto-oncogene kinase PIM1; CDC2-like kinase 1 (CLK1), dual specificity tyrosine phosphorylation
regulated kinase 1A (DYRK1A); glycogen-synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3 α/β); casein kinase 1 (CK1
12

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isoforms δ/ε); mitotic kinases Haspin and Aurora B; and leishmanial casein kinase 1 (LmCK1) (Table
4).
Table 4. Inhibitory activities of synthesized compounds against a short panel of disease-related protein
kinases. The table displays the remaining kinase activities detected after treatment with 10 µM of the
tested compounds. The values obtained after treatment with 1 µM are given in brackets. Results are
expressed in % of maximal activity, i.e. measured in the absence of inhibitor but with an equivalent
dose of DMSO (solvent of the tested compounds). ATP concentration used in the kinase assays was 15
µmol/L (values are means, n = 2). Kinases are from human origin unless specified: Mm, Mus musculus;
Rn, Rattus norvegicus; Ssc, Sus scrofa domesticus; Lm, Leishmania major.
Compoun CDK5/p25 PIM1
d
MmCLK1 RnDYRK1A SscGSK3
α
/
β
LmCK1
Haspin
91 (100)
-
97 (103)
95 (95)
97 (84)
94 (80)
94 (87)
99 (86)
70 (75)
128 (130)
129 (125)
123 (90)
39 (89)
112 (111)
94 (87)
159 (160)
96 (121)
88 (83)
66 (86)
92 (84)
67 (61)
91 (70)
32 (108)
58 (102)
57 (90)
73 (87)
130 (70)
-
149 (107)
92 (90)
131 (119)
93 (75)
79 (125)
88 (123)
87 (111)
85 (114)
87 (117)
85 (110)
58 (98)
2b
2e
2j
2k
2l
2m
3b
3c
3d
3f
3g
3h
3i
a
a
105 (108)
106 (94)
104 (125)
127 (116)
112 (115)
90 (99)
101 (108)
93 (111)
94 (108)
89 (116)
102 (138)
106 (128)
109 (78)
109 (134)
105 (112)
107 (113)
58 (97)
107 (92)
63 (104)
121 (77)
110 (110)
141 (107)
84 (103)
36 (90)
101 (95)
55 (116)
41 (104)
65 (126)
52 (82)
103 (65)
80 (73)
60 (66)
140 (73)
108 (100)
123 (104)
99 (75)
101 (93)
99 (129)
114 (127)
113 (125)
100 (87)
95 (87)
106 (109)
64 (120)
140 (134)
128 (132)
83 (90)
94 (109)
101 (115)
82 (102)
89 (111)
89 (113)
89 (114)
79 (113)
91 (134)
65 (106)
88 (120)
27 (90)
126 (74)
99 (80)
107 (77)
84 (86)
31 (108)
85 (77)
144 (105)
52 (79)
32 (93)
79 (98)
43 (63)
84 (67)
55 (65)
93 (70)
57 (64)
95 (100)
102 (93)
98 (101)
91 (105)
111 (129)
117 (128)
124 (142)
128 (120)
74 (102)
87 (93)
84 (88)
117 (77)
119 (105)
135 (85)
168 (101)
26 (79)
75 (100)
74 (90)
3j
3l
3m
3o
4e
4h
4i
a
a
-
-
-
-
a
a
-
68 (96)
58 (93)
60 (99)
69 (94)
a
a
-
88 (107)
80 (100)
89 (97)
73 (87)
78 (88)
55 (90)
69 (91)
43 (80)
80 (103)
52 (89)
72 (67)
143 (136)
92 (101)
56 (82)
88 (85)
72 (92)
97 (71)
82 (143)
97 (61)
85 (81)
98 (82)
79 (76)
77 (90)
55 (89)
4j
113 (77)
50 (104)
150 (95)
137 (86)
81 (77)
72 (94)
106 (96)
98 (95)
104 (88)
39 (73)
122 (87)
22 (44)
115 (110)
116 (107)
133 (85)
4k
4m
4n
4o
4p
4q
6e
6i
6k
6p
6q
8q
9i
80 (100)
81 (84)
65 (112)
56 (108)
69 (109)
60 (87)
44 (77)
99 (90)
72 (109)
49 (80)
89 (120)
77 (92)
101 (107)
81 (104)
71 (73)
108 (95)
101 (110)
88 (126)
73 (130)
130 (96)
57 (102)
66 (131)
62 (120)
51 (96)
91 (104)
90 (101)
64 (116)
92 (117)
24 (73)
68 (96)
a
a
-
84 (103)
101 (135)
85 (111)
52 (84)
94 (124)
47 (65)
119 (142)
126 (133)
78 (75)
-
-
a
a
-
61 (109)
74 (91)
87 (110)
77 (126)
92 (127)
96 (78)
73 (69)
98 (88)
46 (104)
96 (107)
13 (44)
107 (103)
104 (111)
87 (111)
77 (85)
a
a
-
-
-
-
104 (197)
106 (104)
106 (100)
96 (90)
a
a
-
117 (106)
118 (106)
100 (120)
a
a
-
9j
9k
61 (76)
27 (113)
13

ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT
103 (104)
90 (109)
76 (76)
100 (70)
84 (135)
149 (183)
77 (74)
9l
10l
100 (101)
-
a
a
114 (107)
132 (108)
107 (104)
-
114 (107)
a Not performed.
None of the tested compounds inhibits significantly CDK2/Cyclin A, CDK9/Cyclin T, CK1 δ/ε and
Aurora B (data not shown). Nevertheless, positive results were recorded with CDK5/p25 (compound
9k), PIM1 (compounds 4e, 6p and 8q), CLK1 (compounds 4m and 8q), DYRK1A (compounds 3c and
4e), GSK-3 α/β (compounds 3c, 3g, 6p and 8q), LmCK1 (compounds 3b, 3g and 3i) and Haspin
(compounds 4e, 4m and 4p) at 10 ꢀM. At 1 ꢀM, 8q remains active, but unselectively inhibits PIM1 and
GSK-3 α/β.
4.
Conclusion
Thus, whereas N-arylation of isatin only worked with iodoferrocene, various N-arylated isatins were
synthesized by combining copper-catalyzed N-arylation of 2-aminoacetophenone and oxidative
cyclization. With 2-iodofuran, 2-iodobenzofuran and 2-iodobenzothiophene, the corresponding 2-
(arylamino)phenones cyclized under the N-arylation conditions, affording relevant furo- and thieno[2,3-
b]quinolines in only one step. Finally, cyclization of other 2-(arylamino)phenones was performed under
acidic conditions to furnish acridines and related compounds.
Because of their promising activity as antiproliferative drugs in human invasive melanoma cells,
some of the synthesized molecules should be further elaborated. Moreover, there is a growing interest
on PIM1 kinase for development of new targeted therapy against triple-negative breast tumors.40 The
inhibitors of PIM1 detected in this study should be improved in order to be evaluated as sensitizing
agents for chemotherapeuty using pro-apoptotic drugs.
5.
Experimental
5.1. General
14

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All the reactions were performed under an argon atmosphere. Column chromatography separations
were achieved on silica gel (40-63 ꢀm). Melting points were measured on a Kofler apparatus. IR
1
spectra were taken on a Perkin-Elmer Spectrum 100 spectrometer. H and 13C Nuclear Magnetic
Resonance (NMR) spectra were recorded either on a Bruker Avance III spectrometer at 300 MHz and
75 MHz respectively, or on a Bruker Avance III HD spectrometer at 500 MHz and 126 MHz
1
respectively. H chemical shifts (δ) are given in ppm relative to the solvent residual peak and 13C
chemical shifts are relative to the central peak of the solvent signal.41 Microanalyses were performed on
a Flash 1112 Thermo Fisher elemental analyzer. Iodoferrocene,42 2-iodobenzothiophene,43 2-
iodobenzofuran43 and 2-iodofuran44 were prepared as described previously.
Crystallography. The samples were studied with monochromatized Mo-Kα radiation (λ = 0.71073
Å). The X-ray diffraction data were collected at the temperature given in the product description by
using either D8 VENTURE Bruker AXS diffractometer (multilayered monochromator; compounds 3l,
3m, 10l, 4o, 4p and 6q), or APEXII Bruker AXS diffractometer (graphite monochromator; compound
4j). The structure was solved by dual-space algorithm using the SHELXT program,45 and then refined
with full-matrix least-square methods based on F2 (SHELXL-2014).46 All non-hydrogen atoms were
refined with anisotropic atomic displacement parameters. Except the nitrogen linked hydrogen atom
that was introduced in the structural model through Fourier difference maps analysis in the case of 10l,
H atoms were finally included in their calculated positions and, in the case of 3m, 10l, 4o and 4j,
treated as riding on their parent atom with constrained thermal parameters. The molecular diagrams
were generated by ORTEP-3 (version 2.02).47
5.2. N-arylation of 2-aminoacetophenone (1)
5.2.1. General procedure 1: The N-arylated substrates were prepared by slightly modifying a
literature procedure.8b To the required iodide (9.0 mmol) in Bu2O (3 mL) were successively added
activated Cu34 (76 mg, 1.2 mmol), 2-aminoacetophenone (1, 0.73 mL, 6.0 mmol) and K2CO3 (1.7 g, 12
mmol). The mixture was degassed and refluxed under argon for 24 h. After cooling to room
15

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temperature, the mixture was concentrated. Addition of H2O (25 mL), extraction with AcOEt (3x10
mL), drying over Na2SO4, removal of the solvent and purification by chromatography on silica gel (the
eluent is given in the product description) led to the expected compound.
5.2.2. 2-(Phenylamino)acetophenone (2a). The general procedure 1 using iodobenzene (1.0 mL)
gave 2a (eluent: heptane-AcOEt 80:20) in 71% yield (0.90 g) as a yellow oil: 1H NMR (CDCl3) δ 2.65
(s, 3H), 6.74 (ddd, 1H, J = 8.1, 6.6 and 1.5 Hz), 7.12 (tt, 1H, J = 7.2 and 1.3 Hz), 7.23-7.39 (m, 6H),
7.82 (ddd, 1H, J = 8.1, 1.6 and 0.5 Hz), 10.55 (br s, 1H); 13C NMR (CDCl3) δ 28.3 (CH3), 114.3 (CH),
116.6 (CH), 119.1 (C), 123.3 (2CH), 124.1 (CH), 129.5 (2CH), 132.6 (CH), 134.7 (CH), 140.5 (C),
148.1 (C), 201.3 (C). The spectral data are analogous to those described previously.48
5.2.3. 2-(4-(Phenyl)phenylamino)acetophenone (2b).8b The general procedure 1 using 1-iodo-4-
phenylbenzene (2.5 g) gave 2b (eluent: heptane-AcOEt 80:20) in 60% yield (1.0 g) as a pale yellow
powder: mp 92 °C; 1H NMR (CDCl3) δ 2.67 (s, 3H), 6.78 (ddd, 1H, J = 8.1, 5.0 and 3.1 Hz), 7.32-7.38
(m, 5H), 7.42-7.49 (m, 2H), 7.59-7.64 (m, 4H), 7.85 (ddd, 1H, J = 8.1, 1.4 and 0.7 Hz), 10.65 (br s,
13
1H); C NMR (CDCl3) δ 28.2 (CH3), 114.5 (CH), 116.8 (CH), 119.4 (C), 123.1 (2CH), 126.9 (2CH),
127.1 (CH), 128.1 (2CH), 128.9 (2CH), 132.7 (CH), 134.7 (CH), 136.7 (C), 139.8 (C), 140.7 (C), 147.8
(C), 201.3 (C).
5.2.4. 2-(3-Tolylamino)acetophenone (2c).8b The general procedure 1 using 3-iodotoluene (1.2 mL)
1
gave 2c (eluent: heptane-AcOEt 80:20) in 88% yield (1.2 g) as a yellow oil: H NMR (CDCl3) δ 2.35
(d, 1H, J = 0.35 Hz), 2.64 (s, 3H), 6.72 (ddd, 1H, J = 8.1, 6.6 and 1.5 Hz), 6.93 (br d, 1H, J = 7.5 Hz),
13
7.06-7.08 (m, 2H), 7.20-7.33 (m, 3H), 7.81 (dd, 1H, J = 8.0 and 1.4 Hz), 10.50 (br s, 1H); C NMR
(CDCl3) δ 21.6 (CH3), 28.2 (CH3), 114.4 (CH), 116.5 (CH), 119.1 (C), 120.3 (CH), 124.0 (CH), 124.9
(CH), 129.2 (CH), 132.6 (CH), 134.6 (CH), 139.4 (C), 140.4 (C), 148.2 (C), 201.2 (C).
5.2.5. 2-(4-Methoxyphenylamino)acetophenone (2d). The general procedure 1 using 4-iodoanisole
(2.1 g) gave 2d (eluent: heptane) in 94% yield (1.4 g) as a yellow powder: mp 68 °C (lit.49 65.5-66.5
1
°C); H NMR (CDCl3) δ 2.64 (s, 3H), 3.82 (s, 3H), 6.67 (ddd, 1H, J = 8.1, 7.0 and 1.2 Hz), 6.88-6.94
16

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(m, 2H), 6.99 (dd, 1H, J = 8.5 and 1.2 Hz), 7.14-7.21 (m, 2H), 7.24 (ddd, 1H, J = 8.9, 6.9 and 1.6 Hz),
7.79 (dd, 1H, J = 8.1 and 1.6 Hz), 10.37 (br s, 1H); 13C NMR (CDCl3) δ 28.2 (CH3), 55.6 (CH3), 113.8
(CH), 114.8 (2CH), 115.7 (CH), 118.3 (C), 126.4 (2CH), 132.6 (CH), 133.1 (C), 134.7 (CH), 149.7 (C),
157.0 (C), 201.2 (C). The spectral data are analogous to those described previously.48
5.2.6. 2-(4-Aminophenylamino)acetophenone (2e). The general procedure 1 using 4-iodoaniline
(2.0 g) gave 2e (eluent: heptane-AcOEt 90:10; Rf (heptane-AcOEt 80:20) 0.08) in 70% yield (0.95 g) as
an orange powder: mp 143 °C; IR (ATR): 705, 741, 795, 815, 842, 958, 1022, 1043, 1067, 1163, 1228,
1
1252, 1408, 1436, 1457, 1513, 1567, 1586, 1619, 2989, 3269, 3342, 3420 cm-1; H NMR (CDCl3) δ
2.63 (s, 3H), 3.75 (br s, 2H, NH2), 6.63 (ddd, 1H, J = 8.1, 6.9 and 1.1 Hz), 6.69-6.72 (m, 2H), 6.95 (dd,
1H, J = 8.6 and 1.1 Hz), 7.03-7.06 (m, 2H), 7.24 (ddd, 1H, J = 8.6, 7.0 and 1.7 Hz), 7.77 (dd, 1H, J =
13
8.1 and 1.5 Hz), 10.29 (br s, 1H); C NMR (CDCl3) δ 28.2 (CH3), 113.9 (CH), 115.4 (CH), 116.1
(2CH), 118.1 (C), 126.8 (2CH), 131.2 (C), 132.6 (CH), 134.7 (CH), 143.7 (C), 150.1 (C), 201.1 (C).
Anal. Calcd for C14H14N2O (226.28): C, 74.31; H, 6.24; N, 12.38. Found: C, 74.19; H, 6.28; N, 12.29.
5.2.7. 2-(4-Nitrophenylamino)acetophenone (2f). The general procedure 1 using 1-iodo-4-
nitrobenzene (2.2 g) gave 2f after washing with water in 66% yield (1.0 g) as a beige powder: mp 140
°C; 1H NMR (CDCl3) δ 2.67 (s, 3H), 6.99 (ddd, 1H, J = 8.2, 6.9 and 1.4 Hz), 7.25-7.31 (m, 2H), 7.43-
7.55 (m, 2H), 7.90 (dd, 1H, J = 8.1 and 1.5 Hz), 8.16-8.22 (m, 2H), 10.79 (br s, 1H); 13C NMR (CDCl3)
δ 28.5 (CH3), 116.7 (CH), 118.5 (2CH), 119.2 (C), 120.2 (CH), 122.2 (C), 125.9 (2CH), 132.7 (CH),
134.7 (CH), 144.1 (C), 147.6 (C), 202.0 (C). The spectral data are analogous to those described
previously.48
5.2.8. 2-(3-Nitrophenylamino)acetophenone (2g). The general procedure 1 using 1-iodo-3-
nitrobenzene (2.2 g) gave 2g after washing with water in 71% yield (1.1 g) as a beige powder: mp 160
°C (lit.50 94-95 °C); 1H NMR (CDCl3) δ 2.67 (s, 3H), 6.89 (ddd, 1H, J = 8.1, 6.9 and 1.4 Hz), 7.35 (dd,
1H, J = 8.5 and 1.3 Hz), 7.38-7.51 (m, 3H), 7.86-7.90 (m, 2H), 8.13 (t, 1H, J = 2.1 Hz), 10.70 (br s,
17

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13
1H); C NMR (CDCl3) δ 28.3 (CH3), 114.6 (CH), 115.7 (CH), 117.7 (CH), 118.7 (CH), 120.5 (C),
127.4 (CH), 130.2 (CH), 132.8 (CH), 134.9 (CH), 142.3 (C), 145.8 (C), 149.2 (C), 201.8 (C).
5.2.9. 2-(4-Chlorophenylamino)acetophenone (2h). The general procedure 1 using 1-chloro-4-
iodobenzene (2.1 g) gave 2h (eluent: heptane-AcOEt 80:20) in 63% yield (0.93 g) as a beige powder:
mp 70 °C; 1H NMR (CDCl3) δ 2.65 (s, 3H), 6.76 (ddd, 1H, J = 8.2, 7.0 and 1.2 Hz), 7.16-7.21 (m, 3H),
7.27-7.35 (m, 3H), 7.83 (dd, 1H, J = 8.1 and 1.6 Hz), 10.49 (br s, 1H); 13C NMR (CDCl3) δ 28.3 (CH3),
114.3 (CH), 117.1 (CH), 119.5 (C), 124.4 (2CH), 129.0 (C), 129.6 (2CH), 132.7 (CH), 134.8 (CH),
139.2 (C), 147.7 (C), 201.5 (C). The spectral data are analogous to those described previously.48
5.2.10. 2-(4-Bromophenylamino)acetophenone (2i).8b The general procedure 1 using 1-bromo-4-
1
iodobenzene (2.5 g) gave 2i (eluent: heptane-AcOEt 80:20) in 94% yield (1.6 g) as a yellow oil: H
NMR (CDCl3) δ 2.64 (s, 3H), 6.78 (ddd, 1H, J = 8.2, 7.0 and 1.3 Hz), 7.11-7.17 (m, 2H), 7.22 (dd, 1H,
J = 8.6 and 1.2 Hz), 7.33 (ddd, 1H, J = 8.6, 6.9 and 1.5 Hz), 7.42-7.48 (m, 2H), 7.83 (dd, 1H, J = 8.1
13
and 1.6 Hz), 10.49 (br s, 1H); C NMR (CDCl3) δ 28.3 (CH3), 114.3 (CH), 116.4 (C), 117.2 (CH),
119.6 (C), 124.5 (2CH), 132.5 (2CH), 132.7 (CH), 134.7 (CH), 139.7 (C), 147.4 (C), 201.5 (C).
5.2.11. 2-(4-(Trifluoromethyl)phenylamino)acetophenone (2j). The general procedure 1 using 1-
iodo-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzene (1.3 mL) gave 2j (eluent: heptane-AcOEt 80:20) in 90% yield (1.5 g)
as a beige powder: mp 70 °C; 1H NMR (CDCl3) δ 2.68 (s, 3H), 6.88 (ddd, 1H, J = 8.1, 5.8 and 2.4 Hz),
7.34 (d, 2H, J = 8.9 Hz), 7.39-7.45 (m, 2H), 7.59 (d, 2H, J = 8.8 Hz), 7.88 (dd, 1H, J = 8.1 and 1.4 Hz),
13
10.69 (br s, 1H); C NMR (CDCl3) δ 28.3 (CH3), 115.1 (CH), 118.3 (CH), 120.6 (C), 120.9 (2CH),
124.4 (q, C, J = 270 Hz), 124.7 (q, C, J = 32.5 Hz), 126.7 (q, 2CH, J = 3.8 Hz), 132.7 (CH), 134.7
(CH), 144.2 (q, C, J = 1.5 Hz), 146.0 (C), 201.7 (C). The spectral data are analogous to those described
previously.48
5.2.12. 2-(2-Thienylamino)acetophenone (2k). The general procedure 1 using 2-iodothiophene
(0.99 mL) gave 2k (eluent: heptane-AcOEt 80:20; Rf 0.56) in 69% yield (0.90 g) as a yellow oil: IR
(ATR): 702, 751, 855, 954, 1158, 1241, 1311, 1358, 1451, 1490, 1499, 1538, 1571, 1607, 1633, 1738,
18

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1
2924, 3244 cm-1; H NMR (CDCl3) δ 2.65 (s, 3H), 6.76 (ddd, 1H, J = 8.1, 7.1 and 1.2 Hz), 6.82 (dt,
1H, J = 3.6 and 1.2 Hz), 6.95 (dd, 1H, J = 5.6 and 3.6 Hz), 7.04-7.12 (m, 2H), 7.34 (dddd, 1H, J = 8.6,
13
7.1, 1.6 and 0.5 Hz), 7.81 (dd, 1H, J = 8.1 and 1.5 Hz), 10.43 (br s, 1H); C NMR (CDCl3) δ 28.1
(CH3), 114.3 (CH), 117.0 (CH), 118.7 (C), 121.3 (CH), 121.9 (CH), 126.1 (CH), 132.2 (CH), 135.0
(CH), 143.3 (C), 149.8 (C), 201.5 (C). Anal. Calcd for C12H11NOS (217.29): C, 66.33; H, 5.10; N,
6.45; S, 14.75. Found: C, 66.00; H, 5.15; N, 6.49; S, 14.66.
5.2.13. 2-(Ferrocenylamino)acetophenone (2l). The general procedure 1 using iodoferrocene (2.8 g)
gave 2l (eluent: heptane-AcOEt 80:20) in 87% yield (1.7 g) as an orange powder: mp 58 °C (lit.51 57-59
1
°C), H NMR (CDCl3) δ 2.64 (s, 3H), 4.10 (t, 2H, J = 1.9 Hz), 4.25 (s, 5H), 4.33 (t, 2H, J = 1.9 Hz),
6.65 (ddd, 1H, J = 8.1, 6.9 and 1.2 Hz), 7.08 (dd, 1H, J = 8.6 and 1.2 Hz), 7.30 (ddd, 1H, J = 8.6, 6.9
and 1.6 Hz), 7.78 (dd, 1H, J = 8.1 and 1.6 Hz), 10.06 (br s, 1H); 13C NMR (CDCl3) δ 28.1 (CH3), 65.2
(2CH), 65.6 (2CH), 69.5 (5CH), 96.0 (C), 114.3 (CH), 115.4 (CH), 118.0 (C), 132.4 (CH), 134.7 (CH),
150.5 (C), 201.2 (C). The spectral data are analogous to those described previously.51
5.2.14. 2-(3-Pyridylamino)acetophenone (2m).52 The general procedure 1 using 3-iodopyridine (1.8
g) gave 2m (eluent: heptane-AcOEt 70:30) in 62% yield (0.79 g) as a yellow oil: IR (ATR): 706, 746,
794, 955, 1020, 1106, 1163, 1185, 1240, 1318, 1359, 1454, 1481, 1512, 1568, 1579, 1605, 1638, 1736,
1
3031, 3247 cm-1; H NMR (CDCl3) δ 2.66 (s, 3H), 6.81 (ddd, 1H, J = 8.1, 7.1 and 1.2 Hz), 7.20 (dd,
1H, J = 8.6 and 1.1 Hz), 7.28 (dd, 1H, J = 8.2 and 4.7 Hz), 7.35 (dddd, 1H, J = 8.6, 7.0, 1.6 and 0.5
Hz), 7.59 (ddd, 1H, J = 8.3, 2.4 and 1.5 Hz), 7.85 (dd, 1H, J = 8.1 and 1.5 Hz), 8.35 (d, 1H, J = 4.7 Hz),
8.57 (br s, 1H), 10.55 (br s, 1H); 13C NMR (CDCl3) δ 28.1 (CH3), 113.9 (CH), 117.7 (CH), 119.7 (C),
123.8 (CH), 129.5 (CH), 132.6 (CH), 134.7 (CH), 137.2 (C), 144.7 (CH), 144.8 (CH), 147.0 (C), 201.5
(C).
5.2.15. General procedure 2: To the required iodide (2.0 g, 6.0 mmol) in Bu2O (3 mL) were
successively added activated Cu34 (0.15 g, 2.4 mmol), 2-aminoacetophenone (1, 1.5 mL, 12 mmol) and
K2CO3 (2.5 g, 18 mmol). The mixture was degassed and refluxed under argon for 48 h. After cooling to
19

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room temperature, the mixture was concentrated. Addition of H2O (25 mL), filtration of the precipitate,
washing with H2O and heptane, and drying led to the expected compound.
5.2.16. N,N’-(1,3-Phenylene)-2,2’-bis(2-aminoacetophenone) (2n). The general procedure 2 using
1,3-diiodobenzene gave 2n in 62% yield (1.3 g) as a beige powder: mp 126 °C (lit.35 129.5-132.5 °C);
1H NMR (CDCl3) δ 2.64 (s, 6H), 6.75 (ddd, 2H, J = 8.1, 5.8 and 2.3 Hz), 6.99 (dd, 2H, J = 8.0 and 2.1
Hz), 7.16 (t, 1H, J = 2.1 Hz), 7.28-7.36 (m, 5H), 7.81 (dd, 2H, J = 8.1 and 1.5 Hz), 10.53 (br s, 2H).
1
The H NMR data are analogous to those described previously.35 13C NMR (CDCl3) δ 28.3 (2CH3),
114.7 (2CH), 116.9 (2CH), 117.0 (CH), 118.4 (2CH), 119.4 (2C), 130.3 (CH), 132.6 (2CH), 134.7
(2CH), 141.7 (2C), 147.7 (2C), 201.4 (2C).
5.2.17. N,N’-(1,4-Phenylene)-2,2’-bis(2-aminoacetophenone) (2o). The general procedure 2 using
1,4-diiodobenzene gave 2o in 100% yield (2.1 g) as a beige powder: mp 210 °C (lit.35 196-198 °C); 1H
NMR (CDCl3) δ 2.65 (s, 6H), 6.72 (ddd, 2H, J = 8.1, 6.9 and 1.3 Hz), 7.20 (dd, 2H, J = 8.7 and 1.2
Hz), 7.24 (s, 4H), 7.32 (dddd, 2H, J = 8.6, 6.9, 1.6 and 0.5 Hz), 7.82 (dd, 2H, J = 8.1 and 1.5 Hz), 10.50
(br s, 2H). The 1H NMR data are analogous to those described previously.35 13C NMR (CDCl3) δ 27.2
(2CH3), 113.2 (2CH), 115.5 (2CH), 118.0 (2C), 123.7 (4CH), 131.7 (2CH), 133.8 (2CH), 135.6 (2C),
147.5 (2C), 200.3 (2C).
5.3. Conversion of the N-arylated 2-aminoacetophenones to isatins
5.3.1. General procedure 3 (Method A): To the required N-arylated 2-aminoacetophenone (3.0
mmol) in dioxane (3 mL) was added SeO2 (0.67 g, 6.0 mmol). The mixture was heated at 80 °C for 24
h. After cooling to room temperature, the mixture was concentrated and the compound was purified by
chromatography on silica gel (the eluent is given in the product description).
5.3.2. 1-Phenylisatin (3a). The general procedure 3 using 2-(phenylamino)acetophenone (2a, 0.63 g)
gave 3a (eluent: heptane-AcOEt 80:20) in 90% yield (0.60 g) as an orange powder: mp 137 °C (lit.53
136-139 °C); 1H NMR (CDCl3) δ 6.90 (d, 1H, J = 8.0 Hz), 7.17 (td, 1H, J = 7.6 and 0.9 Hz), 7.40-7.59
13
(m, 6H), 7.70 (dd, 1H, J = 7.4 and 1.4 Hz); C NMR (CDCl3) δ 111.4 (CH), 117.7 (C), 124.4 (CH),
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125.8 (CH), 126.2 (2CH), 129.0 (CH), 130.1 (2CH), 133.1 (C), 138.4 (CH), 151.8 (C), 157.5 (C), 183.0
(C). The spectral data are analogous to those described previously.53
5.3.3.
1-(4-Phenylphenyl)isatin
(3b).
The
general
procedure
3
using
2-((4-
phenyl)phenylamino)acetophenone (2b, 0.86 g) gave 3b (eluent: heptane-AcOEt 80:20) in 67% yield
(0.60 g) as an orange powder: mp 178 °C; 1H NMR (CDCl3) δ 6.98 (dt, 1H, J = 8.0 and 0.75 Hz), 7.19
(td, 1H, J = 7.5 and 0.8 Hz), 7.37-7.52 (m, 5H), 7.57 (td, 1H, J = 7.8 and 1.4 Hz), 7.59-7.64 (m, 2H),
7.72 (ddd, 1H, J = 7.5, 1.4 and 0.6 Hz), 7.74-7.79 (m, 2H); 13C NMR (CDCl3) δ 111.4 (CH), 117.7 (C),
124.5 (CH), 125.8 (CH), 126.4 (2CH), 127.3 (2CH), 128.0 (CH), 128.8 (2CH), 129.1 (2CH), 132.1 (C),
138.5 (CH), 140.1 (C), 142.0 (C), 151.8 (C), 157.6 (C), 183.0 (C). The spectral data are analogous to
those described previously.8b
5.3.4. 1-(3-Tolyl)isatin (3c). The general procedure 3 using 2-(3-tolylamino)acetophenone (2c, 0.68
1
g) gave 3c (eluent: heptane-AcOEt 80:20) in 68% yield (0.48 g) as an orange powder: mp 150 °C; H
NMR (CDCl3) δ 2.43 (s, 3H), 6.87 (dd, 1H, J = 8.0 and 0.75 Hz), 7.16 (td, 1H, J = 7.5 and 0.8 Hz),
7.18-7.28 (m, 3H), 7.43 (td, 1H, J = 7.6 and 0.8 Hz), 7.53 (td, 1H, J = 7.8 and 1.4 Hz), 7.68 (ddd, 1H, J
13
= 7.4, 1.4 and 0.6 Hz); C NMR (CDCl3) δ 21.5 (CH3), 111.5 (CH), 117.6 (C), 123.1 (CH), 124.3
(CH), 125.7 (CH), 126.8 (CH), 129.8 (CH), 129.9 (CH), 132.9 (C), 138.4 (CH), 140.3 (C), 152.0 (C),
157.5 (C), 183.1 (C). The spectral data are analogous to those described previously.8b
5.3.5.
1-(4-Methoxyphenyl)isatin
(3d).
The general
procedure
3
using 2-(4-
methoxyphenylamino)acetophenone (2d, 0.72 g) gave 3d (eluent: heptane-AcOEt 80:20) in 71% yield
1
(0.54 g) as an orange powder: mp 168 °C; H NMR (CDCl3) δ 3.86 (s, 3H), 6.82 (d, 1H, J = 8.0 Hz),
7.02-7.08 (m, 2H), 7.15 (td, 1H, J = 7.5 and 0.8 Hz), 7.28-7.34 (m, 2H), 7.52 (td, 1H, J = 7.8 and 1.4
Hz), 7.67 (ddd, 1H, J = 7.5, 1.3 and 0.5 Hz); 13C NMR (CDCl3) δ 55.7 (CH3), 111.3 (CH), 115.4
(2CH), 117.6 (C), 124.3 (CH), 125.5 (C), 125.6 (CH), 127.6 (2CH), 138.4 (CH), 152.2 (C), 157.8 (C),
159.9 (C), 183.2 (C). The spectral data are analogous to those described previously.8b
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5.3.6.
1-(4-Nitrophenyl)isatin
(3f).8e
The
general
procedure
3
using
2-(4-
nitrophenylamino)acetophenone (2f, 0.77 g) gave 3f (eluent: heptane-AcOEt 80:20) in 20% yield (0.16
g) as an orange powder: mp 232 °C; 1H NMR (CDCl3) δ 7.04 (d, 1H, J = 8.1 Hz), 7.27 (td, 1H, J = 7.5
and 0.7 Hz), 7.63 (td, 1H, J = 7.8 and 1.4 Hz), 7.66-7.72 (m, 2H), 7.77 (ddd, 1H, J = 7.5, 1.4 and 0.6
13
Hz), 8.41-8.47 (m, 2H); C NMR (CDCl3) δ 111.3 (CH), 118.0 (C), 125.4 (CH), 125.5 (2CH), 126.2
(2CH), 126.4 (CH), 138.7 (CH), 138.7 (C), 147.1 (C), 150.2 (C), 157.0 (C), 181.6 (C).
5.3.7.
1-(3-Nitrophenyl)isatin
(3g).54
The
general
procedure
3
using
2-(3-
nitrophenylamino)acetophenone (2g, 0.77 g) gave 3g (eluent: heptane-AcOEt 80:20) in 13% yield (0.10
g) as an orange powder: mp 160 °C; 1H NMR (CDCl3) δ 6.97 (d, 1H, J = 8.0 Hz), 7.26 (td, 1H, J = 7.6
and 0.7 Hz), 7.62 (td, 1H, J = 7.8 and 1.4 Hz), 7.75-7.86 (m, 3H), 8.31-8.37 (m, 2H); 13C NMR
(CDCl3) δ 111.1 (CH), 117.8 (C), 121.0 (CH), 123.5 (CH), 125.2 (CH), 126.3 (CH), 131.1 (CH), 132.1
(CH), 134.3 (C), 138.7 (CH), 150.4 (C), 157.1 (C), 181.7 (C), 1C not seen.
5.3.8.
1-(4-Chlorophenyl)isatin
(3h).
The
general
procedure
3
using
2-(4-
chlorophenylamino)acetophenone (2h, 0.74 g) gave 3h (eluent: heptane-AcOEt 80:20) in 45% yield
(0.35 g) as an orange powder: mp 198 °C (lit.53 194-197 °C); 1H NMR (CDCl3) δ 6.89 (dt, 1H, J = 8.0
and 0.7 Hz), 7.19 (td, 1H, J = 7.6 and 0.9 Hz), 7.35-7.40 (m, 2H), 7.50-7.57 (m, 2H), 7.57 (dd, 1H, J =
13
7.8 and 1.4 Hz), 7.70 (ddd, 1H, J = 7.5, 1.4 and 0.6 Hz); C NMR (CDCl3) δ 111.2 (CH), 117.7 (C),
124.7 (CH), 125.9 (CH), 127.4 (2CH), 130.3 (2CH), 131.5 (C), 134.7 (C), 138.5 (CH), 151.3 (C), 157.3
(C), 182.5 (C). The spectral data are analogous to those described previously.53
5.3.9.
1-(4-Bromophenyl)isatin
(3i).
The
general
procedure
3
using
2-(4-
bromophenylamino)acetophenone (2i, 0.87 g) gave 3i (eluent: heptane-AcOEt 80:20) in 80% yield
1
(0.73 g) as an orange powder: mp 182 °C (lit.53 178-180 °C); H NMR (CDCl3) δ 6.89 (d, 1H, J = 8.1
Hz), 7.19 (td, 1H, J = 7.5 and 0.8 Hz), 7.29-7.34 (m, 2H), 7.56 (td, 1H, J = 7.8 and 1.4 Hz), 7.66-7.72
(m, 3H); 13C NMR (CDCl3) δ 111.2 (CH), 117.7 (C), 122.6 (C), 124.7 (CH), 125.9 (CH), 127.7 (2CH),
22

ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT
132.1 (C), 133.3 (2CH), 138.5 (CH), 151.2 (C), 157.3 (C), 182.5 (C). The spectral data are analogous to
those described previously.53
5.3.10. 1-(4-(Trifluoromethyl)phenyl)isatin (3j). The general procedure 3 using 2-(4-
(trifluoromethyl)phenylamino)acetophenone (2j, 0.84 g) gave 3j (eluent: heptane-AcOEt 80:20) in 62%
yield (0.54 g) as an orange powder: mp 184 °C (lit.53 177-181 °C); 1H NMR (CDCl3) δ 6.97 (d, 1H, J =
8.0 Hz), 7.23 (td, 1H, J = 7.6 and 0.7 Hz), 7.56-7.62 (m, 3H), 7.73 (dd, 1H, J = 7.5 and 0.9 Hz), 7.83
(d, 2H, J = 8.4 Hz); 13C NMR (CDCl3) δ 111.3 (CH), 117.8 (C), 123.7 (q, C, J = 271 Hz), 124.9 (CH),
126.1 (CH), 126.3 (2CH), 127.2 (q, 2CH, J = 15 Hz), 130.8 (q, C, J = 40 Hz), 136.3 (C), 138.6 (CH),
150.8 (C), 157.2 (C), 182.1 (C). The spectral data are analogous to those described previously.53
5.3.11. 1-Ferrocenylisatin (3l). To isatin (0.29 g, 2.0 mmol) in Bu2O (3 mL) was added
iodoferrocene (0.31 g, 1.0 mmol) and activated Cu34 (63 mg, 1.0 mmol). The mixture was degassed and
heated at 150 °C under argon for 24 h. After cooling to room temperature, the mixture was concentrated
and the residue was purified by chromatography on silica gel (eluent: heptane-AcOEt 80:20; Rf 0.30)
gave 3l in 16% yield (53 mg) as a black powder: mp 170 °C; IR (ATR): 753, 812, 945, 1093, 1105,
1
1155, 1173, 1301, 1341, 1354, 1458, 1473, 1495, 1599, 1721, 1735, 2925, 3114 cm-1; H NMR
(CDCl3) δ 4.30-4.31 (m, 7H), 4.66 (t, 2H, J = 2.0 Hz), 7.18 (td, 1H, J = 7.5 and 0.9 Hz), 7.56-7.67 (m,
3H); 13C NMR (CDCl3) δ 63.3 (2CH), 66.1 (2CH), 69.8 (5CH), 89.8 (C), 112.5 (CH), 118.0 (C), 124.1
(CH), 125.2 (CH), 138.2 (CH), 151.3 (C), 157.5 (C), 182.9 (C). Anal. Calcd for C18H13FeNO2 (331.14):
C, 65.29; H, 3.96; N, 4.23. Found: C, 65.33; H, 4.14; N, 4.27. Crystal data for 3l. C18H13FeNO2, M =
331.14, T = 150 K, triclinic, P -1, a = 7.6255(4), b = 13.3306(6), c = 14.5450(7) Å, α = 73.602(2), β =
84.944(2), γ = 77.362(2) °, V = 1383.48(12) Å3, Z = 4, d = 1.590 g cm-3, µ = 1.096 mm-1. A final
refinement on F2 with 6295 unique intensities and 373 parameters converged at ωR(F2) = 0.0981 (R(F)
= 0.0392) for 5336 observed reflections with I > 2σ(I). CCDC 1811743.
5.3.12. 1-(3-Pyridyl)isatin (3m, Method B). To 2-(3-pyridylamino)acetophenone (2m, 0.11 g, 0.50
mmol) in pyridine (1 mL) was added SeO2 (115 mg, 1.0 mmol). The mixture was heated at 120 °C for
23

ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT
2 h. After cooling to room temperature, an aqueous 1 M solution of HCl (2 mL) was added before
filtration and washing with H2O (2 x 5 mL). Drying under vacuum afforded 3m in 89% yield (0.10 g)
as an orange powder: mp 204 °C; IR (ATR): 695, 704, 719, 759, 802, 927, 1028, 1098, 1150, 1170,
1
1180, 1200, 1300, 1365, 1426, 1461, 1490, 1578, 1608, 1733, 3049, 3106, 3456 cm-1; H NMR
(CDCl3) δ 6.92 (dd, 1H, J = 8.0 and 0.8 Hz), 7.23 (td, 1H, J = 7.6 and 0.9 Hz), 7.53 (dd, 1H, J = 8.2
and 4.8 Hz), 7.59 (td, 1H, J = 7.8 and 1.4 Hz), 7.74 (ddd, 1H, J = 7.5, 1.2 and 0.5 Hz), 7.82 (ddd, 1H, J
13
= 8.1, 2.5 and 1.5 Hz), 8.70-8.78 (m, 2H); C NMR (CDCl3) δ 111.1 (CH), 117.8 (C), 124.6 (CH),
125.0 (CH), 126.2 (CH), 130.1 (C), 133.9 (CH), 138.7 (CH), 147.2 (CH), 149.9 (CH), 150.9 (C), 157.4
(C), 182.0 (C). Anal. Calcd for C13H8N2O2 (224.22): C, 69.64; H, 3.60; N, 12.49. Found: C, 69.71; H,
3.83; N, 12.55. Crystal data for 3m. C13H8N2O2, M = 224.21, T = 150 K, orthorhombic, F d d 2, a =
31.035(3), b = 34.022(3), c = 3.7555(4) Å, V = 3965.3(7) Å3, Z = 16, d = 1.502 g cm-3, µ = 0.104 mm-1.
A final refinement on F2 with 2262 unique intensities and 154 parameters converged at ωR(F2) =
0.1168 (R(F) = 0.0463) for 2126 observed reflections with I > 2σ(I). CCDC 1811744.
5.3.13. 1,1’-(1,4-Phenylene)bis(isatin) (3o). The procedure was adapted from a reported protocol.8j
To N,N’-(1,4-phenylene)-2,2’-bis(2-aminoacetophenone) (2o, 1.0 g, 3.0 mmol) in DMSO (6 mL) was
added I2 (2.0 g, 7.8 mmol). The mixture was heated at 130 °C for 7 h. After cooling to room
temperature, an aqueous saturated solution of Na2S2O3 (10 mL) was added before filtration and
washing using AcOEt (20 mL). Drying afforded 3o in 56% yield (0.62 g) as a beige powder: mp > 260
°C; IR (ATR): 701, 754, 815, 823, 928, 1029, 1094, 1151, 1182, 1302, 1358, 1426, 1461, 1515, 1608,
1737, 3059, 3458 cm-1; 1H NMR ((CD3)2SO) δ 6.98 (d, 2H, J = 7.9 Hz), 7.23 (t, 2H, J = 7.5 Hz), 7.62-
7.71 (m, 8H); 13C NMR ((CD3)2SO) δ 110.9 (2CH), 117.8 (2C), 123.8 (2CH), 124.7 (2CH), 127.7
(4CH), 133.0 (2C), 138.0 (2CH), 150.9 (2C), 157.5 (2C), 182.5 (2C). Anal. Calcd for C22H12N2O4
(368.35): C, 71.74; H, 3.28; N, 7.61. Found: C, 71.92; H, 3.41; N, 7.67.
5.4. N-arylation of 2-aminobenzophenone (5) or 2-amino-3-benzoylpyridine (7)
24

ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT
5.4.1. 2-Amino-3-benzoylpyridine (7) was synthesized from 2-fluoro-3-benzoylpyridine as
described previously.55 Yield: 88%. White powder: mp 145 °C (lit.55 147 °C); 1H NMR (CDCl3) δ 6.61
(dd, 1H, J = 7.8 and 4.8 Hz), 6.80 (br s, 2H), 7.45-7.63 (m, 5H), 7.78 (dd, 1H, J = 7.8 and 1.9 Hz), 8.25
13
(dd, 1H, J = 4.8 and 1.9 Hz); C NMR (CDCl3) δ 112.2 (CH), 113.2 (C), 128.5 (2CH), 129.2 (2CH),
131.7 (CH), 139.2 (C), 143.3 (CH), 153.5 (CH), 159.7 (C), 197.8 (C).
5.4.2. General procedure 4: The N-arylated substrates were prepared by slightly modifying a
literature procedure.8b To the required iodide (9.0 mmol) in Bu2O (3 mL) were successively added
activated Cu34 (76 mg, 1.2 mmol), the aminoketone (6.0 mmol) and K2CO3 (1.7 g, 12 mmol). The
mixture was degassed and refluxed under argon (the reaction time is given in the product description).
After cooling to room temperature, the mixture was concentrated. Addition of H2O (25 mL), extraction
with AcOEt (3x10 mL), drying over Na2SO4, removal of the solvent and purification by
chromatography on silica gel (the eluent is given in the product description) led to the expected
compound.
5.4.3. 2-(4-Aminophenylamino)benzophenone (9e). The general procedure 4 (reaction time: 24 h)
using 4-iodoaniline (2.0 g) and 2-aminobenzophenone (5, 1.1 g) gave 9e (eluent: heptane-AcOEt 80:20)
in 42% yield (0.73 g) as an orange oil: IR (ATR): 700, 730, 748, 819, 845, 925, 939, 1109, 1154, 1252,
1
1325, 1410, 1446, 1514, 1567, 1616, 2923, 3031, 3356 cm-1; H NMR (CDCl3) δ 3.4-4.4 (br s, 2H),
6.59 (t, 1H, J = 7.5 Hz), 6.75 (d, 2H, J = 8.6 Hz), 7.06 (d, 1H, J = 8.6 Hz), 7.11 (d, 2H, J = 8.5 Hz),
13
7.26-7.29 (m, 1H), 7.45-7.55 (m, 4H), 7.66-7.68 (m, 2H), 10.02 (br s, 1H); C NMR (CDCl3) δ 114.0
(CH), 115.3 (CH), 116.5 (2CH), 118.3 (C), 126.1 (2CH), 128.2 (2CH), 129.3 (2CH), 131.1 (CH), 131.8
(C), 134.6 (CH), 135.3 (CH), 140.4 (C), 142.9 (C), 150.5 (C), 199.3 (C). Anal. Calcd for C19H16N2O
(288.35): C, 79.14; H, 5.59; N, 9.72. Found: C, 79.25; H, 5.70; N, 9.89.
5.4.4. 2-(4-Bromophenylamino)benzophenone (9i). The general procedure 4 (reaction time: 24 h)
using 1-bromo-4-iodobenzene (2.5 g) and 2-aminobenzophenone (5, 1.1 g) gave 9i (eluent: heptane-
AcOEt 80:20) in 74% yield (1.6 g) as a yellow oil: 1H NMR (CDCl3) δ 6.85 (ddd, 1H, J = 8.1, 7.1 and
25

ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT
1.2 Hz), 7.33 (d, 2H, J = 8.5 Hz), 7.42 (ddd, 1H, J = 8.5, 7.1 and 1.6 Hz), 7.44-7.59 (m, 7H), 7.72-7.75
(m, 2H); 13C NMR (CDCl3) δ 114.9 (CH), 115.8 (C), 117.3 (CH), 120.4 (C), 123.5 (2CH), 128.3
(2CH), 129.6 (2CH), 131.7 (CH), 132.5 (2CH), 134.4 (CH), 135.1 (CH), 139.7 (C), 140.0 (C), 147.4
(C), 199.3 (C). The spectral data are similar to those reported previously.56
5.4.5. 2-(4-(Trifluoromethyl)phenylamino)benzophenone (9j).57 The general procedure 4 (reaction
time: 24 h) using 1-iodo-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzene (2.4 g) and 2-aminobenzophenone (5, 1.1 g) gave
9j (eluent: heptane-AcOEt 90:10) in 81% yield (1.7 g) as a yellow powder: mp 74 °C; IR (ATR): 699,
745, 760, 827, 840, 926, 939, 1011, 1065, 1106, 1157, 1256, 1316, 1449, 1525, 1572, 1591, 1617,
3067, 3302 cm-1; 1H NMR (CDCl3) δ 6.88 (ddd, 1H, J = 8.1, 7.1 and 1.1 Hz), 7.36 (d, 2H, J = 8.5 Hz),
7.45 (ddd, 1H, J = 8.5, 7.2 and 1.5 Hz), 7.50-7.55 (m, 3H), 7.58-7.62 (m, 4H), 7.75-7.77 (m, 2H), 10.09
(br s, 1H); 13C NMR (CDCl3) δ 116.1 (CH), 118.6 (CH), 119.7 (2CH), 121.9 (C), 124.2 (q, C, J = 32.8
Hz), 124.5 (q, C, J = 272 Hz), 126.8 (q, 2CH, J = 3.8 Hz), 128.4 (2CH), 129.8 (2CH), 132.1 (CH),
134.2 (CH), 134.9 (CH), 139.3 (C), 144.4 (C), 145.8 (C), 199.2 (C).
5.4.6. 2-(2-Thienylamino)benzophenone (9k). The general procedure 4 (reaction time: 24 h) using
2-iodothiophene (0.99 mL) and 2-aminobenzophenone (5, 1.1 g) gave 9k (eluent: heptane) in 50% yield
(0.84 g) as a brown oil: Rf (heptane-AcOEt 80:20) 0.31; IR (ATR): 682, 697, 748, 923, 937, 1154,
1179, 1224, 1251, 1310, 1324, 1442, 1495, 1542, 1574, 1599, 1616, 1738, 3061, 3252 cm-1; 1H NMR
(CDCl3) δ 6.71 (ddd, 1H, J = 8.1, 7.1 and 1.1 Hz), 6.87 (dt, 1H, J = 3.6 and 1.2 Hz), 6.96 (dd, 1H, J =
5.6 and 3.6 Hz), 7.07 (dd, 1H, J = 5.6 and 1.3 Hz), 7.17 (dd, 1H, J = 8.6 and 1.1 Hz), 7.33-7.40 (m,
13
1H), 7.45-7.59 (m, 4H), 7.66-7.70 (m, 2H), 10.1 (br s, 1H); C NMR (CDCl3) δ 114.4 (CH), 116.7
(CH), 118.7 (C), 121.2 (CH), 121.6 (CH), 126.1 (CH), 128.3 (2CH), 129.4 (2CH), 131.4 (CH), 134.9
(CH), 135.0 (CH), 140.0 (C), 143.5 (C), 150.3 (C), 199.6 (C). Anal. Calcd for C17H13NOS (279.36): C,
73.09; H, 4.69; N, 5.01; S, 11.48. Found: C, 73.23; H, 4.81; N, 4.77; S, 11.34.
5.4.7. 2-(Ferrocenylamino)benzophenone (9l). The general procedure 4 (reaction time: 24 h) using
iodoferrocene (2.8 g) and 2-aminobenzophenone (5, 1.1 g) gave 9l (eluent: heptane-CH2Cl2 80:20) in
26

ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT
85% yield (1.9 g) as a sticky red oil; Rf (heptane-AcOEt 80:20) 0.71; IR (ATR): 698, 731, 748, 804,
821, 919, 932, 1000, 1105, 1152, 1249, 1322, 1452, 1509, 1570, 1599, 1615, 1738, 3083, 3275 cm-1;
1H NMR (CDCl3) δ 4.14-4.57 (m, 9H), 6.55 (t, 1H, J = 7.0 Hz), 7.07 (br s, 1H), 7.34 (t, 1H, J = 6.7
13
Hz), 7.45-7.57 (m, 4H), 7.62-7.70 (m, 2H), 9.64 (br s, 1H); C NMR (CDCl3) δ 65.1 (2CH), 65.6
(2CH), 69.5 (5CH), 96.1 (C), 114.2 (CH), 115.2 (CH), 117.8 (C), 128.2 (2CH), 129.2 (2CH), 131.1
(CH), 134.6 (CH), 135.2 (CH), 140.4 (C), 151.2 (C), 199.6 (C). Anal. Calcd for C23H19FeNO (381.26):
C, 72.46; H, 5.02; N, 3.67. Found: C, 72.52; H, 5.30; N, 3.59.
5.4.8. N-Ferrocenyl-2-amino-3-benzoylpyridine (10l). The general procedure 4 (reaction time: 5 h)
using 2-amino-3-benzoylpyridine (7, 1.2 g) and iodoferrocene (2.8 g) gave 10l (eluent: heptane-AcOEt
70:30) in 82% yield (1.9 g) as an orange powder: mp 170 °C; Rf (heptane-AcOEt 80:20) 0.50; IR
(ATR): 697, 713, 764, 802, 821, 924, 1005, 1076, 1104, 1245, 1300, 1396, 1516, 1586, 1617, 3095,
1
3269 cm-1; H NMR (CDCl3) δ 4.12 (s, 2H), 4.21 (s, 5H), 4.76 (s, 2H), 6.59 (dd, 1H, J = 7.8 and 4.6
Hz), 7.47-7.65 (m, 5H), 7.80 (dd, 1H, J = 7.8 and 1.9 Hz), 8.39 (dd, 1H, J = 4.7 and 1.9 Hz), 10.13 (br
13
s, 1H); C NMR (CDCl3) δ 64.0 (2CH), 65.1 (2CH), 69.4 (5CH), 95.4 (C), 111.6 (CH), 112.9 (C),
128.5 (2CH), 129.2 (2CH), 131.6 (CH), 139.4 (C), 143.4 (CH), 154.4 (CH), 157.9 (C), 198.4 (C). Anal.
Calcd for C22H18FeN2O (382.24): C, 69.13; H, 4.75; N, 7.33. Found: C, 69.24; H, 4.96; N, 7.51.
Crystal data for 10l. C22H18FeN2O, M = 382.23, T = 150 K, triclinic, P -1, a = 7.9601(9), b =
8.0753(9), c = 14.2210(16) Å, α = 75.571(4), β = 87.859(4), γ = 72.932(4) °, V = 845.67(17) Å3, Z = 2,
d = 1.501 g cm-3, µ = 0.905 mm-1. A final refinement on F2 with 3892 unique intensities and 238
parameters converged at ωR(F2) = 0.0894 (R(F) = 0.0332) for 3657 observed reflections with I > 2σ(I).
CCDC 1811746.
5.4.9. 2-(3-Pyridylamino)benzophenone (9m). The general procedure 4 (reaction time: 24 h) using
3-iodopyridine (1.8 g) and 2-aminobenzophenone (5, 1.1 g) gave 9m (eluent: heptane-AcOEt 70:30) in
88% yield (1.4 g) as a yellow oil: Rf (heptane-AcOEt 80:20) 0.08; IR (ATR): 698, 748, 926, 938, 1156,
1
1249, 1315, 1448, 1509, 1576, 1625, 3029, 3056, 3264 cm-1; H NMR (CDCl3) δ 6.79 (ddd, 1H, J =
27

ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT
8.1, 6.9 and 1.2 Hz), 7.31 (br s, 1H), 7.33 (d, 1H, J = 7.7 Hz), 7.38 (td, 1H, J = 7.7, 7.0 and 1.5 Hz),
7.46-7.50 (m, 2H), 7.54-7.58 (m, 2H), 7.61 (d, 1H, J = 8.1 Hz), 7.70-7.73 (m, 2H), 8.39 (br s, 1H), 8.68
(br s, 1H), 10.1 (br s, 1H); 13C NMR (CDCl3) δ 114.6 (CH), 117.9 (CH), 120.8 (C), 124.2 (CH), 128.3
(2CH), 128.5 (C), 129.6 (2CH), 131.8 (CH), 134.4 (CH), 135.1 (CH), 137.7 (CH), 139.5 (C), 144.0
(CH), 144.4 (CH), 147.1 (C), 199.4 (C). Anal. Calcd for C18H14N2O (274.32): C, 78.81; H, 5.14; N,
10.21. Found: C, 79.05; H, 5.33; N, 10.28.
5.5. N-arylation-cyclization of 2-ketoanilines
5.5.1. General procedure 5: To the required aniline (1.5 mmol) and iodide (the amount is given in
the product description) in Bu2O (2 mL) were successively added activated Cu34 (19 mg, 0.30 mmol)
and K2CO3 (0.43 g, 3.0 mmol). The mixture was degassed and refluxed under argon (the reaction time
is given in the product description). After cooling to room temperature, the expected compound was
isolated as described in the product description.
5.5.2. 11-Methyl[1]benzothieno[2,3-b]quinoline (4p). The general procedure 5 (reaction time: 24 h)
using 2-iodobenzothiophene (2.2 mmol, 0.57 g) and 2-aminoacetophenone (0.18 g) gave 4p after
filtration of the precipitate, washing with water (10 mL) and heptane (10 mL), dissolution in CH2Cl2
(20 mL), filtration to remove copper and evaporation of the solvent. The product was isolated in 46%
yield (0.17 g) as a beige powder: mp 172 °C; Rf (heptane-AcOEt 80:20) 0.45; IR (ATR): 702, 728, 751,
823, 855, 928, 1071, 1110, 1165, 1183, 1302, 1359, 1425, 1461, 1515, 1575, 1608, 1737, 3060 cm-1;
1H NMR (CDCl3) δ 3.19 (s, 3H), 7.46-7.53 (m, 2H), 7.57 (ddd, 1H, J = 8.3, 7.7 and 1.3 Hz), 7.74 (ddd,
1H, J = 8.3, 7.6 and 1.3 Hz), 7.83-7.88 (m, 1H), 8.12 (dd, 1H, J = 8.5 and 0.7 Hz), 8.27 (dd, 1H, J = 8.6
and 0.8 Hz), 8.34-8.39 (m, 1H); 13C NMR (CDCl3) δ 16.0 (CH3), 123.3 (CH), 124.2 (CH), 125.0 (CH),
125.4 (CH), 125.6 (C), 126.1 (CH), 126.8 (C), 127.5 (CH), 128.8 (CH), 129.5 (CH), 134.1 (C), 138.6
(C), 140.4 (C), 147.0 (C), 163.0 (C). Anal. Calcd for C16H11NS (249.32): C, 77.08; H, 4.45; N, 5.62; S,
12.86. Found: C, 77.13; H, 4.56; N, 5.64; S, 12.75. Crystal data for 4p. C16H11NS, M = 249.32, T =
150 K, monoclinic, P 21/n, a = 15.5283(13), b = 9.1423(6), c = 17.4157(15) Å, β = 106.444(2) °, V =
28

ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT
2371.3(3) Å3, Z = 8, d = 1.397 g cm-3, µ = 0.250 mm-1. A final refinement on F2 with 5353 unique
intensities and 357 parameters converged at ωR(F2) = 0.1896 (R(F) = 0.0806) for 3124 observed
reflections with I > 2σ(I). CCDC 1811748.
5.5.3. 11-Phenyl[1]benzothieno[2,3-b]quinoline (6p). The general procedure 5 (reaction time: 24 h)
using 2-iodobenzothiophene (2.2 mmol, 0.57 g) and 2-aminobenzophenone (5, 0.27 g) gave 6p after
filtration over celite® using AcOEt (20 mL), removal of the solvent and purification by chromatography
on silica gel (eluent: heptane). The product was isolated in 64% yield (0.30 g) as a yellow powder: mp
1
179 °C (lit.36a 175-177 °C); H NMR (CDCl3) δ 6.79 (dd, 1H, J = 8.2 and 0.5 Hz), 7.09 (ddd, 1H, J =
8.3, 7.3 and 1.2 Hz), 7.37-7.48 (m, 4H), 7.62 (ddd, 1H, J = 8.5, 1.4 and 0.5 Hz), 7.64-7.71 (m, 3H),
7.77 (ddd, 1H, J = 8.4, 6.7 and 1.5 Hz), 7.81 (ddd, 1H, J = 8.0, 1.0 and 0.6 Hz), 8.19 (ddd, 1H, J = 8.5,
13
1.1 and 0.6 Hz); C NMR (CDCl3) δ 123.0 (CH), 124.7 (CH), 125.5 (CH), 125.6 (CH), 125.7 (C),
126.0 (C), 126.7 (CH), 127.9 (CH), 128.2 (CH), 129.0 (CH), 129.1 (2CH), 129.6 (2CH), 129.7 (CH),
133.2 (C), 136.5 (C), 138.7 (C), 143.9 (C), 147.3 (C), 163.3 (C). The spectral data are analogous to
those described previously.36a
5.5.4. 5-Phenylbenzothieno[2,3-b][1,8]naphthyridine (8p). The general procedure 5 (reaction time:
24 h) using 2-iodobenzothiophene (1.2 mmol, 0.31 g) and 2-amino-3-benzoylpyridine (7, 0.30 g) gave,
after removal of the solvent and purification by chromatography on silica gel (eluent: heptane-AcOEt
70:30), 8p in 63% yield (0.24 g) as a beige powder: mp 252 °C; Rf (AcOEt) 0.53; IR (ATR): 702, 723,
742, 761, 781, 820, 882, 1018, 1054, 1100, 1147, 1183, 1312, 1367, 1381, 1454, 1581, 1592, 3049 cm-
1; 1H NMR (CDCl3) δ 6.85 (d, 1H, J = 7.9 Hz), 7.12 (ddd, 1H, J = 8.3, 7.3 and 1.2 Hz), 7.41-7.47 (m,
13
3H), 7.66-7.71 (m, 3H), 7.84 (d, 1H, J = 8.1 Hz), 8.04 (d, 1H, J = 7.4 Hz); C NMR (CDCl3) δ 123.1
(CH), 124.9 (CH), 125.5 (CH), 126.9 (C), 128.4 (CH), 129.1 (2CH), 129.4 (CH), 129.7 (2CH), 132.4
(C), 135.3 (C), 135.9 (CH), 139.0 (C), 144.5 (C), 153.4 (C), 154.2 (C), 166.5 (C), 2CH not seen. Anal.
Calcd for C20H12N2S (312.39): C, 76.90; H, 3.87; N, 8.97; S, 10.26. Found: C, 77.06; H, 4.01; N, 9.05;
S, 10.29.
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