10.1016/j.tet.2005.05.055
The study focuses on the synthesis and evaluation of galanthamine analogs, specifically 6H-benzofuro[3a,3,2-e,f][1]benzazepine and 6H-benzofuro[3a,3,2-e,f][3]benzazepine, which are derivatives of the Amarylidaceae alkaloid galanthamine. Galanthamine is known for its cholinesterase inhibitory properties and is used in the treatment of neuromuscular diseases and Alzheimer's dementia. The purpose of the study was to alter the position of the nitrogen within the azepine ring of galanthamine to create analogs that might have similar or improved therapeutic effects. The synthesis involved a variety of chemicals, including p-hydroxyphenylpropionic acid, benzyl chloride, thionyl chloride, and various other reagents and solvents, which were used to perform esterification, benzylation, saponification, formylation, bromination, and reduction reactions, among others. These chemicals served to construct the complex molecular structures of the analogs, with the ultimate goal of understanding how changes in the molecular structure affect the reactivity and potential therapeutic applications of these compounds.
10.1016/j.tet.2008.09.070
The research aims to develop a concise and stereoselective method for synthesizing azepines, which are important heterocyclic compounds. The study employs the conjugate addition of formamides to nitroalkenes, followed by an intramolecular nitrile oxide cycloaddition (INOC) reaction to achieve this goal. Key chemicals used include formamides, nitroalkenes, tBuOK (potassium tert-butoxide), phenyl isocyanate, and ethyl formate. The researchers observed high cis-selectivity in the formation of azepines and successfully developed a one-pot procedure for the synthesis, achieving moderate yields. The formyl group in the synthesized compounds could be readily removed under acidic conditions without significant epimerization, yielding N–H azepines. The study concludes that this method provides a useful and stereoselective route for preparing azepines from readily available starting materials, with potential applications in the synthesis of aza-heterocyclic compounds.