Oxidative Ring-Opening of 1H-Pyrazol-5-amines and Its Application in Constructing Pyrazolo–Pyrrolo–Pyrazine Scaffolds by Domino Cyclization

Abstract

Herein, an oxidative ring-opening of 1H-pyrazol-5-amines to form 3-diazenylacrylonitrile derivatives under mild and transition-metal-free conditions is described. In addition, the nucleophilic addition of deprotonated 1H-pyrrole-2-carbaldehydes to the vinyl moiety of the yielded 3-diazenylacrylonitriles could trigger domino cyclization to afford the 3H-pyrazolo[3,4-e]pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine derivatives. Computational studies suggest that the oxidation of 1H-pyrazol-5-amines in the presence of PhIO is through the formation of a hydroxylamine intermediate followed by elimination of H2O to result in the ring-opening product. The detailed domino cyclization pathway leading to the pyrazolo–pyrrolo–pyrazine scaffolds is revealed.