Synthesis of 2-Substituted-Pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridines from N-Iminopyridinium Ylides
This thesis describes the development of a methodology for the one-pot synthesis of 2-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridines from N-iminopyridinium ylide and styryl-halide starting materials. Both N-iminopyridinium ylide derivatives and styryl-halide derivatives were employed for the synthesis of various pharmaceutically interesting pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridines. The first chapter presents the literature precedents for the synthesis of pyrazolopyridines. More specifically, three different types of syntheses will be shown in detail. Furthermore, the biological importance of these compounds will be discussed. An overview of the developed methodologies previously carried out in our research group for the synthesis of the starting materials will be presented. Finally, the copper-catalyzed direct alkenylation of N-iminopyridinium ylides that brought about this research idea will be discussed. The second chapter describes the results of the optimization studies for the synthesis of 2-phenyl pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridines from N-benzoyliminopyridinium ylides and styryl iodides. Each component of the reaction was individually screened and the loading ratios were optimized: e.g., solvent and temperature.  The third chapter presents the scope of the pyrazolopyridine synthesis. The scope includes styryl iodide, –bromide and –chloride derivatives. The scope of the reaction was extended to N-iminopyridinium ylide derivatives and included electron donating and electron withdrawing groups. Substituted vinyl iodides and bromides were also investigated. The fourth chapter demonstrates the mechanistic studies conducted in order to obtain an accurate understanding of the catalytic cycles taking place during the reaction. Cyclization studies were explored for both styryl iodides and phenyl acetylene starting materials reacted with N-iminopyridinium ylides.
Pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridines N-benzoyliminopyridinium ylides Styryl iodides Rearomatization Cyclization Palladium catalyzed C-H insertions