Aniline derivatives hydroxylation

Some of the earliest QSAR studies on CYPs were performed by Basak (257), Murray (258), and Marshall (205). Gao et al. (259) explored the influence of electronic parameters of CYP substrates in 1996. The findings of Basak that electronic terms would cancel out have been proven wrong by many research papers published in the following decades. Tyrakowska et al. (260) indicated via QSARs based on calculated molecular orbital descriptors that the cat (maximum velocity converted per nmol of P450 per min) for CYP catalyzed C4-hydroxylation rates of aniline derivatives of different species (rats, rabbit, mice, and human) are closely related to the highest occupied molecular orbital energy (EHOMo)> r - 0-97. Several reviews published by Lewis et al. (212,216,228,261-265) and Ekins (240) should also be mentioned. 

A series of pyrrolidines was conveniently prepared in a microwave-assisted double alkylation of aniline derivatives with alkyl dihalides in water in the presence of K2CO3 as a base (Scheme 1) [12,13]. Although the reaction mixture could be regarded as a multi-phase system, as neither reactant was soluble in the mildly basic aqueous medium, the microwave-assisted reaction proceeded readily without the use of phase-transfer reagents. The amount of side-reactions such as hydrolysis of bromides to alcohols in an alkaline reaction medium was substantially suppressed compared to the conventional thermal conditions. The reaction conditions were sufficiently mild to tolerate a variety of functional groups in anilines such as hydroxyls, ketones and esters. Alkyl bromides and tosylates were equally efficient as alkylating agents. Notably, isolation and purification comprised simply of phase separations (filtration or decantation) of the desired product from the aqueous media. 

This microwave-accelerated double alkylation reaction was applicable to a variety of aniline derivatives and dihalides, furnishing N-aryl azacycloalkanes in good to excellent yields [89]. The reaction was applicable to alkyl chlorides, bromides and iodides and was extended to include hydrazines [90]. This improved synthetic methodology provided a simple and straightforward one-pot approach to the synthesis of a variety of heterocycles such as substituted azetidines, pyrrolidines, piperidines, azepanes, N-substituted-2,3-dihydro-Iff-isoindoles, 4,5-dihydro-pyrazoles, pyrazolidines, and 1,2-dihydro-phthalazines [91]. The mild reaction conditions tolerated a variety of functional groups such as hydroxyls, carbonyls, and esters. 

Note that the electrophile is directed para to the hydroxyl group, the most powerful activating group on the ring. The product, like any azo compound, can be cleaved to two aniline derivatives by a mixture of stannous chloride and acid. In this case, they are aniline and 4-amino-5-chloro-2-methylphenol. 

The identification of aniline derivatives and benzidine 126) as urinary metabolites of azobenzene administered to rats and rabbits indicates that azobenzene is reduced in vivo to aniline by way of the corresponding hydrazine, which itself rearranges into benzidine on acid extraction and (probably to a lesser extent) in the naturally acidic environments of the whole animal. However, the predominance of hydroxylated derivatives in these same studies also indicates that oxidation, presumably involving an arene-oxide... 

The direct conversion of aniline into aminophenols may be achieved by hydrogen peroxide hydroxylation in SbE —HE at —20 to —40° C. The reaction yields all possible aminophenols via the action of H20" 2 on the anilinium ions the major product is 3-aminophenol (64% yield) (70,71). This isomer may also be made by the hydrolysis of 3-aminoaniline [108-45-2] in dilute acid at 190°C (72). Another method of limited importance, but useful in the synthesis of derivatives, is the dehydrogenation of aminocyclohexenones (73). 

In many cases, substituents linked to a pyrrole, furan or thiophene ring show similar reactivity to those linked to a benzenoid nucleus. This generalization is not true for amino or hydroxyl groups. Hydroxy compounds exist largely, or entirely, in an alternative nonaromatic tautomeric form. Derivatives of this type show little resemblance in their reactions to anilines or phenols. Thienyl- and especially pyrryl- and furyl-methyl halides show enhanced reactivity compared with benzyl halides because the halogen is made more labile by electron release of the type shown below. Hydroxymethyl and aminomethyl groups on heteroaromatic nuclei are activated to nucleophilic attack by a similar effect. 

The H202-HF-SbF5 system has been applied by Jacquesy and co-workers in the hydroxylation of a variety of functionalized arenes.624 Hydroxylation of phenyl esters has been shown to afford themeta and para isomers as main products625 [Eq. (5.217)]. Substantial amounts of the deacylated derivatives were obtained in the reaction of phenyl formate and diphenyl carbonate. In the hydroxylation of 2-chlorophenyl and 4-chlorophenyl acetate, regioselectivity is controlled by the chlorine substituent with the hydroxyl entering into the meta position to the ester group.626 A similar effect was observed in the hydroxylation of anilines and anilides. 

The procedure has also been applied for the hydroxylation of aromatic amines. Aniline and its /V-alkyl-substimted derivatives show similar behavior under similar conditions to afford the meta-substi tuted aminophenols as the major hydroxylated product.627 Product formation was interpreted by the attack of protonated hydrogen peroxide on the anilinium ion protected by /V-protonation from oxidation or degradation. Indoles, indolines, and tetrahydroquinoline have also been successfully hydroxylated with H202 in HF-SbF5 with the hydroxyl group meta to the nitrogen function.559,628 Hydroxylation of tryptophane and tryptamine derivatives affords pretonine and serotonine derivatives in 42% and 38% yields, respectively.629... 

In the rabbit, phenol gives rise to catechol and quinol. Hydroxyquinol is a minor metabolite of catechol but not of quinol, and neither quinol nor resorcinol is further oxidized to trihydric phenols.126 Aniline and its derivatives do not undergo meta substitution, but give rise to ortho- and para-directed hydroxylation products only.122... 

Derivatives of phenol or aniline can be oxidized to quinones, the yield and ease of oxidation depending on the substituents. If an amino or hydroxyl group is in the para position, the reaction proceeds readily, as illustrated by the synthesis of quinone from hydroquinone by oxidation with a sodium chlorate-vanadium pentoxide mixture (5>6%) or with chromic-sulfuric acid mixture (92%). A para halogen atom usually has a favorable effect. Any group in the para position is eliminated or oxidized. o-Quinones are usually prepared from the corresponding catechols. A survey of procedures for the synthesis of benzoquinones by oxidation has been made. ... 

---