Vilsmeier-Haack acylation

Section C of Table 11,5 gives some examples of Friedel-Crafts and Vilsmeier-Haack acylations of indoles. 

Because the iminium ion derived from H—C(=0)NMe2 is a poor electrophile, it is understandable why there are in general no analogous Vilsmeier-Haack acylations using R— C(=0)NMe2. The corresponding iminium ion 7 —C(Cl)=NMe2+ is a still poorer electrophile for steric and electronic reasons. 

Vilsmeier-Haack conditions have been used most frequently for formylation but are also applicable to longer acyl chains[3]. Reactions with lactams generate 3-(iminyl)indoles which can be hydrolysed to generate co-aminoacyl groups as in equation 11.6 [4]. 

Acylation. Acylation is the most rehable means of introducing a 3-substituent on the indole ring. Because 3-acyl substituents can be easily reduced to 3-aLkyl groups, a two-step acylation—reduction sequence is often an attractive alternative to direct 3-aLkylation. Several kinds of conditions have been employed for acylation. Very reactive acyl haUdes, such as oxalyl chloride, can effect substitution directiy without any catalyst. Normal acid chlorides are usually allowed to react with the magnesium (15) or 2inc (16) salts. The Vilsmeier-Haack conditions involving an amide and phosphoms oxychloride, in which a chloroiminium ion is the active electrophile, frequentiy give excellent yields of 3-acylindoles. 

The most useful general method for the C-acylation of pyrroles is the Vilsmeier-Haack procedure in which pyrrole is treated with the phosphoryl chloride complex (55a, b) of an AiA-dialkylamide (54). The intermediate imine salt (56) is hydrolyzed subsequently under mildly alkaline conditions to give the acylated pyrrole (57). On treatment of the imminium salt (56 R =H) with hydroxylamine hydrochloride and one equivalent of pyridine and heating in DMF, 2-cyanopyrrole (58) is formed (80CJC409). 

Furan can also be acylated by the Vilsmeier-Haack method. Acylation of furans can also be carried out with acid anhydrides and acyl halides in the presence of Friedel-Crafts catalysts (BF3-Et20, SnCU or H3PO4). Reactive anhydrides such as trifluoroacetic anhydride, however, require no catalyst. Acetylation with acetyl p-toluenesulfonate gives high yields. 

Thiophene is also readily acylated under both Friedel-Crafts and Vilsmeier-Haack conditions and similarly to pyrrole and furan gives 2-acylated products. An almost quantitative conversion of thiophene into its 2-benzoyl derivative is obtained by reaction with 2-benzoyloxypyridine and trifluoroacetic acid. The attempted preparation of 2-benzoylthiophene under standard Friedel-Crafts conditions, however, failed (80S139). 

Friedel-Crafts acylation usually fails (72AHC(14)43), but 3-substituted l-methyl-2,1-benzisothiazole 2,2-dioxides can be acetylated at the 5-position (73JHC249). l-Methyl-2,1-benzisothiazol-3-one can be chlorsulfonated at the 5-position (78JHC529). Vilsmeier-Haack formylation causes cleavage of the isothiazole ring (80JCR(S)197). 

Another useful method for introducing formyl and acyl groups is the Vilsmeier-Haack reaction.67 /V.A-dialkylamidcs react with phosphorus oxychloride or oxalyl chloride68 to give a chloroiminium ion, which is the reactive electrophile. 

Scheme 11.5 gives some examples of these acylation reactions. Entry 1 is an example of a chloromethylation reaction. Entry 2 is a formylation using carbon monoxide. Entry 3 is an example of formylation via to-chloromethyl ether. A cautionary note on this procedure is the potent carcinogenicity of this reagent. Entries 4 and 5 are examples of formylation and acetylation, using HCN and acetonitrile, respectively. Entries 6 to 8 are examples of Vilsmeier-Haack reactions, all of which are conducted on strongly activated aromatics. 

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