Formaldehyde surrogates in multicomponent reactions

• Cecilia I. Attorresi,
• Javier A. Ramírez and
• Bernhard Westermann

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 564–595, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.45

• the MCR product is possible thus increasing the versatility of these reactions in terms of structural diversity and molecular complexity. In this context, a wide variety of heterocycles and macrocycles as important biological scaffolds have been synthesized [6]. One of the most important components

• and in solid forms [8][9]. Given the limitations mentioned above, there has been a critical impetus in recent years to identify formaldehyde substitutes, such as C1 synthons, in MCR. Various efforts have been made to explore alternative reagents that may act as a source of formaldehyde in the reaction

• separation processes are required [32][35][36]. In this context, DMSO has been used as an alternative to formaldehyde for the MCR synthesis of a wide variety of quinolines and related compounds. For example, Zhang et al. showed that starting from anilines and substituted styrenes while using K2S2O8 for the

Heteroannulations of cyanoacetamide-based MCR scaffolds utilizing formamide

• Marios Zingiridis,
• Danae Papachristodoulou,
• Despoina Menegaki,
• Konstantinos G. Froudas and
• Constantinos G. Neochoritis

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 217–225, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.13

• molecules, contributing significantly to sustainability, innovation and economic growth across various sectors. In this study, we present an efficient and rapid method for synthesizing a variety of heteroannulated pyrimidones using cyanoacetamide-based multicomponent reaction (MCR) chemistry. By utilizing

• specific MCR-based scaffolds as precursors and employing the abundant and inexpensive formamide as a C1 feedstock under neat conditions, we were able to efficiently access substituted thieno-, quinolino- and indolopyrimidones without the need of column chromatography. Further, a single-crystal X-ray

• structure was obtained, revealing certain geometrical features. Keywords: 2-amino-substituted heterocycles; cyanoacetamide; Gewald reaction; multicomponent reaction (MCR); pyrimidine; Introduction The term “net-zero carbon” is becoming increasingly common as we consider a future marked by a rising global

Multicomponent reactions driving the discovery and optimization of agents targeting central nervous system pathologies

• Lucía Campos-Prieto,
• Aitor García-Rey,
• Eddy Sotelo and
• Ana Mallo-Abreu

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 3151–3173, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.261

• contributed to the development of promising ligands in recent years. Rather than providing an exhaustive overview, this review aims to highlight key studies that address major CNS pathologies, relevant drug targets, and various MCR approaches. We have carefully selected representative articles and apologize

• identified: Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, depression, schizophrenia, and epilepsy. Our goal is not to provide a comprehensive survey but rather to spotlight key studies that address significant CNS disorders, pertinent drug targets, and various MCR methodologies. We have thoughtfully selected

• representative articles and extend our apologies to authors whose important works may not be included. By focusing on these studies, we aim to present a clear and concise view of current research directions and significant advancements in the field. Review Ligands targeting CNS diseases obtained from MCR

Synthesis of pyrrole-fused dibenzoxazepine/dibenzothiazepine/triazolobenzodiazepine derivatives via isocyanide-based multicomponent reactions

• Marzieh Norouzi,
• Mohammad Taghi Nazeri,
• Ahmad Shaabani and
• Behrouz Notash

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 2870–2882, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.241

• ) [42][43]. Another I-MCR for forming pyrroles is the in situ formation reaction of the zwitterion III, known as Huisgens 1,4-dipole. The latter is formed by the reaction of imines with acetylenedicarboxylates and can be trapped by an isocyanide through a [4 + 1] cyclization reaction to synthesize

• studied by X-ray diffraction analysis, and the crystal structure is illustrated in Figure 2 (detailed information can be found in the Supporting Information File 1). The 1H NMR spectrum of product 6f obtained through the I-MCR was investigated and some unexpected chemical shifts were observed at room

• QS (quinine sulfate) (a); emission for 4a, 6c and QS (b); c = 75 ppm in ethanol and T = 298 K. Methods for the construction of pyrrole-fused heterocycles through I-MCR reactions. The model reaction of dibenzoxazepine, gem-diactivated olefin (2-benzylidenemalononitrile), and cyclohexyl isocyanide

Synthesis of spiroindolenines through a one-pot multistep process mediated by visible light

• Francesco Gambuti,
• Jacopo Pizzorno,
• Chiara Lambruschini,
• Renata Riva and
• Lisa Moni

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 2722–2731, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.230

• . Interestingly, different solvents, such as trifluoroethanol or acetonitrile (Table 1, entries 5 and 6), had a low impact, affording 2a in acceptable yield. The possibility of conducting the MCR in acetonitrile, the same solvent in which the oxidation of the C–N bond is performed, pushed us to perform the

Deuterated reagents in multicomponent reactions to afford deuterium-labeled products

• Kevin Schofield,
• Shayna Maddern,
• Yueteng Zhang,
• Grace E. Mastin,
• Rachel Knight,
• Wei Wang,
• James Galligan and
• Christopher Hulme

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 2270–2279, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.195

• analyses of microsomal stability confirm prolongation of t1/2 of the new deuterated analogs. We also report the first preparation of [D2]-isonitriles from [D3]-formamides via a modified Leuckart–Wallach reaction and their use in an MCR to afford products with [D2]-benzylic positions and likely

• preparation of 4d, a deuterated isocyanide was solely employed and for 4a,b and 4e,f, water was used as solvent. For the latter, product precipitates from the aqueous solution which deters undesirable side-reactions whilst also aiding rate of the reaction. The fifth MCR employed herein is the ubiquitous

• summary we have presented the first method to prepare highly deuterated [D3]-formamides and [D2]-isocyanides from deuterated aldehydes. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that large libraries of deuterated drug-like molecules can be produced rapidly with MCR technology, with particular value for site

O,S,Se-containing Biginelli products based on cyclic β-ketosulfone and their postfunctionalization

• Kateryna V. Dil and
• Vitalii A. Palchykov

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 2143–2151, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.184

• gossypii, Tripomastigote Chagas, Tcruzi amastigota, Tcruzi epimastigota, Leishmania amazonensis, and Dengue larvicida. Keywords: dihydropyrimidinone/thione/selenone; green chemistry; in silico biological profile; multicomponent reaction (MCR); thiopyrandioxide; Introduction Multicomponent reactions (MCRs

Multicomponent syntheses of pyrazoles via (3 + 2)-cyclocondensation and (3 + 2)-cycloaddition key steps

• Ignaz Betcke,
• Alissa C. Götzinger,
• Maryna M. Kornet and
• Thomas J. J. Müller

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 2024–2077, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.178

• numerous other applications. The search for new and efficient syntheses of these heterocycles is therefore highly relevant. The modular concept of multicomponent reactions (MCR) has paved a broad alley to heteroaromatics. The advantages over traditional methods are the broader scope and increased

• efficiency of these reactions. In particular, traditional multistep syntheses of pyrazoles have considerably been extended by MCR. Progress has been made in the cyclocondensation of 1,3-dielectrophiles that are generated in situ. Limitations in the regioselectivity of cyclocondensation with 1,3-dicarbonyls

• were overcome by the addition–cyclocondensation of α,β-unsaturated ketones. Embedding 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions into a one-pot process has additionally been developed for concise syntheses of pyrazoles. The MCR strategy also allows for concatenating classical condensation-based methodology with modern

Diastereoselective synthesis of highly substituted cyclohexanones and tetrahydrochromene-4-ones via conjugate addition of curcumins to arylidenemalonates

• Deepa Nair,
• Abhishek Tiwari,
• Banamali Laha and
• Irishi N. N. Namboothiri

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 2016–2023, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.177

• , curcumin showcases its Michael donor–acceptor ability in different ways, such as simple Michael addition, [4 + 2] annulation, Michael addition followed by cyclization or one-pot multicomponent reactions (MCR), etc. (Scheme 1) [25]. In 2011, our group reported the reactivity of curcumin as a Michael donor

The Groebke–Blackburn–Bienaymé reaction in its maturity: innovation and improvements since its 21st birthday (2019–2023)

• Cristina Martini,
• Muhammad Idham Darussalam Mardjan and
• Andrea Basso

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 1839–1879, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.162

• approach uses large excess of reagents and produces a lot of waste, the intrinsic operational simplicity and the reduced reaction times allowed its use in teaching labs at the undergraduate level. This represents one of the first examples of MCR demonstration for educational purposes [32]. Also, the

A facile three-component route to powerful 5-aryldeazaalloxazine photocatalysts

• Ivana Weisheitelová,
• Radek Cibulka,
• Marek Sikorski and
• Tetiana Pavlovska

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 1831–1838, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.161

• substituents at positions 7 and 8 of the deazaalloxazine ring (see Figure 1 for numeration) showed the best reactivity as reductive photocatalysts. Such an outcome of MCR opens up the possibility of their production on a larger scale for commercial needs. However, the synthesis of the 7- and 8-methoxy

• mechanism, see Supporting Information File 1). Such results with previous reports on DMSO acting as a methine source in the synthesis of heterocyclic compounds [35][36] are opening a new avenue for the green synthesis of non-substituted 5-deazaalloxazines in a pseudo MCR fashion. Conclusion In summary, we

Syntheses and medicinal chemistry of spiro heterocyclic steroids

• Laura L. Romero-Hernández,
• Ana Isabel Ahuja-Casarín,
• Penélope Merino-Montiel,
• Sara Montiel-Smith,
• José Luis Vega-Báez and
• Jesús Sandoval-Ramírez

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 1713–1745, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.152

• through a one-pot multicomponent reaction (MCR) involving the reaction of substituted 2-aminopyridines, isocyanides, and the cholestanone derivatives 56 [36]. The reactions were conducted in dimethyl sulfoxide at 70 °C, and catalysed by propylphosphonic anhydride (T3P®), providing high yields in all cases

The Ugi4CR as effective tool to access promising anticancer isatin-based α-acetamide carboxamide oxindole hybrids

• Carolina S. Marques,
• Aday González-Bakker and
• José M. Padrón

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 1213–1220, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.104

• , representing the easygoing generation of a collection of small-molecules essential for structure–activity relationships (SAR). The isocyanide-based Ugi reaction is one of the most resourceful tools and still broadly studied MCR, generating multifunctional libraries of α-aminoacylamide derivatives, or Ugi

• alkene 2j carboxylic acids were used successfully in this MCR, demonstrating a great reaction scope (Scheme 2 and Figure 2). Remarkably, the best yields were obtained when heterocyclic carboxylic acid components like 1H-pyrrole-3-carboxylic acid (2n), 2-furoic acid (2o) and 5-nitrofuran-2-carboxylic acid

Innovative synthesis of drug-like molecules using tetrazole as core building blocks

• Jingyao Li,
• Ajay L. Chandgude,
• Qiang Zheng and
• Alexander Dömling

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 950–958, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.85

• due to the protected nature of the tetrazol. Additionally, inclusion of a strategically placed tetrazole and bioisostere replacement of MCR substrate with tetrazole may give rise to molecules with improved drug-like characteristics with nominal weight or size difference. This tetrazole building block

• use in MCRs to access diverse molecular scaffolds. To do that, we first developed an efficient and scalable MCR-based route of the building blocks, in order to provide useful quantities by utilizing diverse isocyanides, azide and paraformaldehyde. Then, this novel tetrazole building block was used in

• developed building block approach, we decided to incorporate an oxo-tetrazole into an Ugi four-component reaction, the most studied and versatile MCR in organic synthesis and drug discovery [31][32]. Despite tremendous exploration, finding novel substrates or bioisosteres as a starting material in the Ugi

Palladium-catalyzed three-component radical-polar crossover carboamination of 1,3-dienes or allenes with diazo esters and amines

• Geng-Xin Liu,
• Xiao-Ting Jie,
• Ge-Jun Niu,
• Li-Sheng Yang,
• Xing-Lin Li,
• Jian Luo and
• Wen-Hao Hu

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 661–671, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.59

• . Multicomponent reactions (MCRs) by virtue of high efficiency for the construction of complex chemicals, have shown the superiority in high step and atom economy in organic synthesis [25][26][27]. Over the past two decades, our group and others have developed a transition-metal-catalyzed MCR strategy involving

• limitation of the photoinduced palladium-catalyzed carboamination reactions and the radical-mediated difunctionalization of alkenes with diazo compounds. We envisioned an interesting MCR strategy with mild conditions to access unsaturated γ- and ε-AA derivatives via a π-allyl Pd radical-polar crossover

• started our studies with the palladium-catalyzed MCR of ethyl diazoacetate (1a), 1,3-butadiene (2a), and 1-phenylpiperazine (3a) in the presence of 5 mol % Pd(OAc)2 and 10 mol % Xantphos as ligand. To our delight, after irradiation with blue LED light in dimethylformamide (DMF) for 12 h at room

Synthesis of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-containing peptidomimetics by tandem of Groebke–Blackburn–Bienaymé and Ugi reactions

• Oleksandr V. Kolomiiets,
• Alexander V. Tsygankov,
• Maryna N. Kornet,
• Aleksander A. Brazhko,
• Vladimir I. Musatov and
• Valentyn A. Chebanov

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 727–735, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.53

• a given reaction makes it possible to very quickly not only to insert important pharmacophoric fragments, but also to create a wide chemical space for the search for lead structures to solve problems of medicinal chemistry. Examples of drugs synthesized by MCR clearly demonstrate the immense

• the MCR repertoire. Therefore, an urgent problem is to synthesize structurally complex compounds, molecular hybrids containing pharmacophoric and peptidomimetic fragments, to explore their biological activity. The possibility of inserting an unsubstituted imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine fragment into the

Mechanochemical halogenation of unsymmetrically substituted azobenzenes

• Dajana Barišić,
• Mario Pajić,
• Ivan Halasz,
• Darko Babić and
• Manda Ćurić

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2022, 18, 680–687, doi:10.3762/bjoc.18.69

• -dimensional (2D) plot of the time-resolved Raman monitoring of NG of L2 (0.50 mmol) with NBS (0.60 mmol) and SiO2 (250 mg). b) Reaction profile derived from multivariate curve analysis - alternating least squares fitting (MCR-ALS analysis). c) Extracted Raman spectra of species observed during Raman

In-depth characterization of self-healing polymers based on π–π interactions

• Josefine Meurer,
• Julian Hniopek,
• Johannes Ahner,
• Michael Schmitt,
• Jürgen Popp,
• Stefan Zechel,
• Kalina Peneva and
• Martin D. Hager

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2021, 17, 2496–2504, doi:10.3762/bjoc.17.166

• polymers. All dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) experiments were performed on a MCR 301 rheometer (SN80386674) from Anton Paar (Graz, Austria) using a convection temperature device CTD 450 which covers a broad temperature range of −100 to 450 °C. For measurements and the export of data the Rheocompas

A comprehensive review of flow chemistry techniques tailored to the flavours and fragrances industries

• Guido Gambacorta,
• James S. Sharley and
• Ian R. Baxendale

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2021, 17, 1181–1312, doi:10.3762/bjoc.17.90

Microwave-assisted multicomponent reactions in heterocyclic chemistry and mechanistic aspects

• Shivani Gulati,
• Stephy Elza John and
• Nagula Shankaraiah

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2021, 17, 819–865, doi:10.3762/bjoc.17.71

• economic perspective due to increased amounts of waste generation, toxic solvents, and no real-time control of pollution generated, etc. [4]. Therefore, in this connection, the multicomponent reaction (MCR) is one such approach where three or more reactants combine to form a single product retaining the

• atorvastatin, a potent HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor. Dömling and co-workers efficiently demonstrated an Ugi-based MCR approach towards the synthesis of atorvastatin in four steps ruling out the lengthy seven step protocol, and paving a rapid entry to the drug discovery market [12]. Alternatively, microwave

• [29][30], focusing on the synthetic aspect of five, six, seven and dicyclic structures. Later in 2013, Gupta et al. compiled reports of microwave-assisted cross-coupling, MCR with few cycloaddition reactions [31]. During the course of writing this review, we realized the very presence of two reviews

Dirhamnolipid ester – formation of reverse wormlike micelles in a binary (primerless) system

• David Liese,
• Hans Henning Wenk,
• Xin Lu,
• Jochen Kleinen and
• Gebhard Haberhauer

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2020, 16, 2820–2830, doi:10.3762/bjoc.16.232

• freshly cleaned mica surface (Plano) and waiting for 12 h. The AFM data were analyzed using the Gwyddion-2.53 software. Rheological measurements The rheological data were obtained using an Anton Paar MCR 301 rheometer equipped with a cylindrical geometry (CC27 – measuring unit). The temperature was

Controlling the stereochemistry in 2-oxo-aldehyde-derived Ugi adducts through the cinchona alkaloid-promoted electrophilic fluorination

• Yuqing Wang,
• Gaigai Wang,
• Anatoly A. Peshkov,
• Ruwei Yao,
• Muhammad Hasan,
• Manzoor Zaman,
• Chao Liu,
• Stepan Kashtanov,
• Olga P. Pereshivko and
• Vsevolod A. Peshkov

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2020, 16, 1963–1973, doi:10.3762/bjoc.16.163

• -component Passerini [19][20][21][22] and four-component Ugi [23][24] reactions that rely on the ability of organic isocyanides to participate in the nucleophilic attack onto the carbonyl or imine group are among the most studied MCRs. Accordingly, a wide range of post-MCR transformations have been

Natural dolomitic limestone-catalyzed synthesis of benzimidazoles, dihydropyrimidinones, and highly substituted pyridines under ultrasound irradiation

• Kumar Godugu,
• Venkata Divya Sri Yadala,
• Mohammad Khaja Mohinuddin Pinjari,
• Trivikram Reddy Gundala,
• Lakshmi Reddy Sanapareddy and
• Chinna Gangi Reddy Nallagondu

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2020, 16, 1881–1900, doi:10.3762/bjoc.16.156

• Biginelli reaction is a renowned and tunable MCR to synthesize the pharmacologically active 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2-(1H)-ones (DHPMs, Biginelli products) [31]. These compounds occupy an important position in the fields of natural products and synthetic organic chemistry owing to their potential

Synthesis of pyrrolidinedione-fused hexahydropyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines via three-component [3 + 2] cycloaddition followed by one-pot N-allylation and intramolecular Heck reactions

• Xiaoming Ma,
• Suzhi Meng,
• Xiaofeng Zhang,
• Qiang Zhang,
• Shenghu Yan,
• Yue Zhang and
• Wei Zhang

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2020, 16, 1225–1233, doi:10.3762/bjoc.16.106

• , triazolobenzodiazepines and tetrahydrochromeno[3,4-b]pyrrolizine (Scheme 2) [30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39]. Many of these scaffolds were synthesized through the combination of MCR and one-pot synthesis. A literature search indicated that a [3 + 2] cycloaddition-initiated method has also been used for the

Ultrasonic-assisted unusual four-component synthesis of 7-azolylamino-4,5,6,7-tetrahydroazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines

• Yana I. Sakhno,
• Maryna V. Murlykina,
• Oleksandr I. Zbruyev,
• Anton V. Kozyryev,
• Svetlana V. Shishkina,
• Dmytro Sysoiev,
• Vladimir I. Musatov,
• Sergey M. Desenko and
• Valentyn A. Chebanov

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2020, 16, 281–289, doi:10.3762/bjoc.16.27

• heterocycles of the types V–X (Scheme 2). It should be noted that such a type of MCR, giving previously undescribed 7-azolylamino-substituted tetrahydroazolopyrimidines, is reported for the first time herein. Thus, using 2 equivalents of 5-aminopyrazole-4-carbonitrile 1a/b in MCRs with aromatic aldehydes 2a–c