Home Physical Sciences Synthesis of benzodiazepines catalyzed by CoFe2O4@SiO2-PrNH2 nanoparticles as a reusable catalyst
Article Publicly Available

Synthesis of benzodiazepines catalyzed by CoFe2O4@SiO2-PrNH2 nanoparticles as a reusable catalyst

  • Naiereh Sadat Miri and Javad Safaei-Ghomi EMAIL logo
Published/Copyright: June 16, 2017
Become an author with De Gruyter Brill

Abstract

CoFe2O4@SiO2-PrNH2 nanoparticles have been used as an efficient catalyst for the preparation of benzodiazepines by multi-component reactions of 1,2-phenylenediamine, dimedone, different aldehydes or Meldrum’s acid and isocyanides. This method provides several advantages including mild reaction conditions, the applicability to a wide range of substrates, the reusability of the catalyst and low catalyst loading.

1 Introduction

Benzodiazepines have emerged as a group of important heterocycles in organic and medicinal chemistry due to their potency and wide spectrum of biological activities including antimicrobial [1], anticancer [2], anti-anxiety [3], inhibitors of HIV protease [4] and antipsychotics [5]. These activities make benzodiazepines attractive targets in organic synthesis. The synthesis of benzodiazepines has been reported in the presence of diverse catalysts such as Hg(OTf)2 [6], organic acid [7], Yb(OTf)3 [8], ceric ammonium nitrate [9], Sc(OTf)3 [10], nano-Fe3O4/SiO2 [11], Fe3O4@cellulose composite [12], nano-Fe3O4@chitosan [13] and nano-Fe3O4 [14]. Despite the use of these ways, there remains adequate purpose to offer a new way for an efficient, high yielding and mild approach to achieve such systems. The eco-compatibility and utilization of multicomponent reactions (MCRs) are enhanced when the multicomponent strategy is applied in conjugation with a heterogeneous catalyst [15, 16]. The surface of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) can be functionalized simply through suitable surface modifications to provide the attachment of a variety of favorable functionalities. The expansion of surface modification of MNPs as significant candidates in the search for supporting catalysts is presently a subject of increasing interest [17, 18].

Herein, we report the use of CoFe2O4@SiO2-PrNH2 NPs as an efficient catalyst for the preparation of benzodiazepines by multi-component reactions of 1,2-phenylenediamine, dimedone, different aldehydes or Meldrum’s acid and isocyanides (Scheme 1).

Scheme 1: Synthesis of benzodiazepines catalyzed by CoFe2O4@SiO2-PrNH2 nanoparticles.
Scheme 1:

Synthesis of benzodiazepines catalyzed by CoFe2O4@SiO2-PrNH2 nanoparticles.

2 Results and discussion

The particle size and morphology of CoFe2O4@SiO2-PrNH2 NPs was determined by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). The statistic of results from SEM images clearly demonstrates that the average size of CoFe2O4@SiO2-PrNH2 is about 15–20 nm (Fig. S1, see Supplementary Information).

Figure S2 (see Supplementary Information) shows the powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern. The pattern agrees well with the reported pattern for CoFe2O4 (JCPDS No. 22-1086). The crystallite size of CoFe2O4@SiO2-PrNH2 NPs calculated by the Debye–Scherer equation is about 20 nm, which is in good agreement with the result obtained by SEM.

Figure S3 (see Supplementary Information) shows Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra of CoFe2O4@SiO2-PrNH2 NPs. The bands at 464, 1079, 1628 and 3418 cm−1 are the characteristic absorptions of SiO2, which shows evidence for the formation of a silica shell. The presence of Co–O and Fe–O bonds in magnetic particles is confirmed by the characteristic peak appeared at 592 cm−1. The intense and broad peaks near 1079 and 3400 cm−1 are characteristic absorption bands of the vibration of OH moieties, which overlap with the NH2 vibrations. The enhancement of the bands at 1628 cm−1 provides direct evidence to verify the existence of the N–H deformation vibration [19].

Initially, we had explored and optimized different reaction parameters for the synthesis of benzodiazepines by the MCR of 1,2-phenylenediamine, dimedone and 4-chlorobenzaldehyde as a model reaction. Meanwhile, we carried out the MCR among 1,2-phenylenediamine, Meldrum’s acid and tert-buthyl isocyanide at room temperature as a model reaction in the presence of different catalysts (Table 1). These reactions were carried out in the presence of various catalysts, such as SiO2, CH3COOH, CH3SO3H, CF3COOH, triethylamine, MgO NPs, CuO NPs, p-toluene sulfonic acid (p-TSA), nano-CoFe2O4, CoFe2O4@SiO2 and nano-CoFe2O4@SiO2-PrNH2. The best results were obtained in the presence of nano-CoFe2O4@SiO2-PrNH2. In order to optimize the reaction conditions, we performed the reaction using varied quantities of the catalyst. There was no difference in yield and reaction time when catalyst loading was enhanced to 30 mg.

Table 1:

Optimization of reactions conditions using different catalysts.

EntryCatalystTime (min) 4a/4′aYield (%) 4a/4′a
1400/30010/trace
2SiO2 NPs (5 mol%)200/30045/60
3MgO NPs (3 mol%)250/30038/52
4Triethylamine (20 mol%)250/30020/28
5CuO NPs (3 mol%)200/24050/69
6p-TSA (7 mol%)200/30055/45
7CH3SO3H (5 mol%)80/30065/52
8CF3COOH (3 mol%)80/30060/55
9CoFe2O4 NPs (30 mg)60/20070/65
10CoFe2O4@SiO2 (30 mg)60/20075/71
11CoFe2O4@SiO2-PrNH2 NPs (10 mg)50/10087/84
12CoFe2O4@SiO2-PrNH2 NPs (20 mg)50/10095/92
13CoFe2O4@SiO2-PrNH2 NPs (30 mg)50/10095a/92b
  1. aIsolated yield (reaction conditions: 1,2-phenylenediamine, dimedone and 4-chlorobenzaldehyde at room temperature in EtOH).

  2. bIsolated yield (reaction conditions: 1,2-phenylenediamine, Meldrum’s acid and tert-buthyl isocyanide at room temperature in CH2Cl2).

To investigate the scope and limitation of this catalytic process, different aldehydes and isocyanides were chosen as substrates (Table 2). The above results obviously show that the present catalytic procedure is extendable to a wide variety of substrates to construct a diversity-oriented library of benzodiazepines.

Table 2:

Synthesis of benzodiazepines catalyzed by CoFe2O4@SiO2-PrNH2 nanoparticles.

EntryProductTime (min)Yield (%)aM.p. (°C)M.p. (°C) [ref.]
1
5095234–236237–238 [13]
2
6087225–227229–231 [20]
3
5590240–242246–248 [20]
4
5095235–237241–242 [20]
5
5392230–232232–233 [13]
6
10092>300>300 [21]
7
12086286–288286–288 [14]
8
11088304–306306–308 [14]
9
11092>300>300 [21]
10
11090280–282
  1. aIsolated yield.

Reusability of the catalysts is one of the significant properties of every catalyst used in large-scale production. Therefore, the reusability of the heterogeneous catalyst was explored using the model reaction system under the optimized conditions. After completion of the reaction, the magnetic nanocatalyst is easily and efficiently separated from the product by an external magnetic field. The nano-CoFe2O4@SiO2-PrNH2 was washed three to four times with ethanol and dried at room temperature for 5 h. The reusability of the nano-catalyst was examined for the synthesis of 4a, and it was found that product yields decreased to a small extent on each reuse (run 1: 95%; run 2: 95%; run 3: 94%; run 4: 94%; run 5: 93%, run 6: 91%).

The proposed mechanism for the reaction is shown in Scheme 2. Initially, intermolecular imine formation from 1,2-phenylenediamine and dimedone promoted by the CoFe2O4@SiO2-PrNH2 nanocatalyst occurs. The amino groups distributed on the surface of CoFe2O4@SiO2 activate the C=O groups of dimedone through hydrogen bonding, and the amino group of 1,2-phenylenediamine attack the carbonyl group of dimedone with elimination of H2O leading to imine intermediate I. A 1,3-hydrogen shift then results in isomeric form (tautomerized) to give enamine II. After this step, the other amino group of the 1,2-phenylenediamine part of enamine II attacks the carbonyl group of aldehyde, which is itself activated by the catalyst through hydrogen bonding to form intermediate III. Finally, the seven-membered ring products 4a–e are afforded via intramolecular cyclization of III [13].

Scheme 2: Proposed reaction pathway for the synthesis of 4a–e.
Scheme 2:

Proposed reaction pathway for the synthesis of 4a–e.

A possible mechanism for the formation of products 4′a–e is shown in Scheme 3. It is conceivable that the initial event is the formation of intermediate II from a condensation reaction between o-phenylenediamine and Meldrum’s acid. The amino groups distributed on the surface of CoFe2O4@SiO2 activate the C=O groups of Meldrum’s acid and intermediate I through hydrogen bonding. Then, intermediate II under a Knoevenagel condensation reaction with in situ liberated acetone produces intermediate III. Then, isocyanides reacts with α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compound (intermediate III) to form intermediate IV (Michael-type addition reaction), followed by nucleophilic attack of a H2O molecule on the nitrilium moiety to form the product [21]. In this mechanism, CoFe2O4@SiO2-PrNH2 acts as a highly efficient and green catalyst activating the C=O, C≡N+ groups for better reaction with nucleophiles through hydrogen bonding [22, 23].

Scheme 3: Proposed reaction pathway for the synthesis of 4′a–e.
Scheme 3:

Proposed reaction pathway for the synthesis of 4′a–e.

3 Conclusions

In conclusion, we have developed a straightforward and efficient method for the synthesis of benzodiazepines by multi-component reactions of 1,2-phenylenediamine, dimedone, different aldehydes or Meldrum’s acid and isocyanides. The method offers several advantages including cleaner reaction profiles, easy availability, high yields, shorter reaction times, reusability of the catalyst and low catalyst loading.

4 Experimental section

All organic materials were purchased commercially from the Sigma-Aldrich and Merck and were used without further purification. All melting points are uncorrected and were determined in a capillary tube on a Boetius melting point microscope. FT-IR spectra were recorded with KBr pellets using a Magna-IR spectrometer 550 (Nicolet). NMR spectra were recorded on a Bruker 400 MHz spectrometer with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as solvent and tetramethylsilane (TMS) as an internal standard. Powder XRD was carried out on a Philips diffractometer of X’pert Company. Microscopic morphology of products was visualized by SEM (MIRA3 TESCAN).

4.1 Preparation of CoFe2O4@SiO2-PrNH2 NPs

CoFe2O4@SiO2-PrNH2 NPs were prepared according to the method reported in the literature with some modifications [19]. CoFe2O4 NPs were prepared by a chemical co-precipitation method using FeCl3·6H2O and CoCl2·6H2O as precursors. FeCl3·6H2O (5.4 g) and CoCl2·6H2O (2.38 g) were dissolved in 100 mL distilled water. Then, the mixture solution was transferred into a three-necked flask equipped with a mechanical stirrer. Fifty milliliters of 3 mol/L NaOH solution was added into the flask under vigorous stirring. The mixture was heated to reflux for 1 h to yield a black dispersion. When the reaction had finished, the black product was washed with doubly distilled water for several times until the pH value of the solution became neutral. The black precipitate was separated by a permanent magnet, followed by washing three times with ethanol and drying at 100°C in a vacuum for 24 h.

Coating of a layer of silica on the surface of the CoFe2O4 NPs was achieved by pre-mixing (ultrasonic) a dispersion of the purified CoFe2O4 NPs (1 g) obtained previously with distilled water (80 mL) for 1 h at 40°C. A concentrated ammonia solution (1.5 mL) was added and the resulting mixture stirred at 40°C for 30 min. Subsequently, tetraethyl orthosilicate (1.0 mL) was charged to the reaction vessel and the mixture continuously stirred at 40°C for 24 h. The silica-coated NPs were collected using a permanent magnet, followed by washing three times with ethanol, diethyl ether and drying at 100°C in a vacuum for 24 h.

CoFe2O4@SiO2 (1 g) was added to the solution of 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (2 mmol, 0.44 g) in dry toluene (20 mL) and refluxed for 24 h. After the reaction had finished, the aminated CoFe2O4@SiO2 were separated by a permanent magnet, washed with doubly distilled water and anhydrous ethanol, and dried at 80°C for 8 h to give the surface-bound amino group CoFe2O4@SiO2-PrNH2.

4.2 General procedure for the preparation of benzodiazepines (4a–e)

A mixture of 1,2-phenylenediamine (1 mmol), dimedone (1 mmol), aldehyde (1 mmol) and CoFe2O4@SiO2-PrNH2 nanocatalyst (20 mg) was stirred in EtOH (10 mL) at room temperature. After completion, as indicated by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) (EtOAc:n-hexane, 3:1), the catalyst was separated from the mixture using an external magnet, and the residue was washed with EtOH to give pure benzodiazepines 4a–e.

4.3 General procedure for the preparation of benzodiazepines (4′a–e)

CoFe2O4@SiO2-PrNH2 NPs (20 mg) were added to a mixture of 1,2-phenylenediamines (1 mmol), Meldrum’s acid (1 mmol) and isocyanide (1 mmol) in 5 mL dichloromethane. The progress of the reaction was continuously monitored by TLC. After completion of the reaction the residue was dissolved in methanol and the nanocatalyst was separated by the use of an external magnet. The solvent was evaporated under vacuum and the solid obtained was washed several times with acetone to afford pure benzodiazepine.

4.4 Physical and spectroscopic data

4.4.1 3,3-Dimethyl-2,3,4,5,10,11-hexahydro-11-[(4-chloro)phenyl]-1H-dibenzo[b,e][1,4]diazepin-1-one (4a)

Pale green solid, yield: 95%; m.p. 234–236°C. – IR (KBr): ν=3302, 3237, 3055, 2957, 1587, 1382, 1534, 1328, 1425, 1276 cm−1. – 1H NMR (400 MHz, [D6]DMSO): δ (ppm)=1.02 (s, 3H, CH3), 1.07 (s, 3H, CH3), 2.12 (A.Bq, 2H, J=16.0 Hz, CH2), 2.54 (s, 2H, CH2CO), 4.96 (s, 1H, NH), 6.07 (s, 1H, CH), 6.46 (d, 1H, J=8.2 Hz, Ar), 6.54 (m, 3H, Ar), 6.85 (d, 1H, J=8.2 Hz, Ar), 6.97 (d, 2H, J=8.4 Hz, Ar), 7.01 (d, 1H, J=8.4 Hz, Ar), 8.61 (s, 1H, NH). – 13C NMR (100 MHz, [D6]DMSO): δ (ppm)=28.16, 28.69, 32.25, 44.85, 49.90, 56.43, 109.38, 120.62, 120.73, 121.05, 123.11, 123.29, 128.36, 131.45, 138.07, 146.08, 150.02, 152.06, 192.82. – Analysis for C21H21ClN2O: Calcd. C 71.48, H 6.00, N 7.94; found C 71.54, H 6.09, N 7.95.

4.4.2 3,3-Dimethyl-2,3,4,5,10,11-hexahydro-11-[(2-chloro)phenyl]-1H-dibenzo[b,e][1,4]diazepin-1-one (4e)

White solid; yield: 92%; m.p. 230–232°C. – IR (KBr): ν=3293, 3236, 3064, 2958, 1586, 1383, 1517, 1317, 1424, 1279 cm−1. – 1H NMR (400 MHz, [D6]DMSO): δ (ppm)=1.02 (s, 3H, CH3), 1.06 (s, 3H, CH3), 2.08 (A.Bq, 2H, J=16.0 Hz, CH2), 2.52 (s, 2H, CH2CO), 5.72 (s, 1H, NH), 5.75 (s, 1H, CH), 6.35 (d, 1H, J=7.2 Hz, Ar), 6.45–6.65 (m, 2H, Ar), 6.72 (d, 1H, J=7.6 Hz, Ar), 6.83 (d, 1H, J=7.6 Hz, Ar), 6.86–7.02 (m, 2H, Ar), 7.20 (d, J=7.6 Hz, 1H, Ar), 8.53 (s, 1H, NH). – 13C NMR (100 MHz, [D6]DMSO): δ (ppm)=28.15, 28.73, 32.25, 44.85, 49.87, 56.43, 109.33, 120.61, 120.65, 121.14, 123.14, 123.43, 126.11, 128.53, 128.62, 131.42, 138.05, 146.07, 149.59, 151.08, 192.83. – Analysis for C21H21ClN2O: Calcd. C 71.48, H 6.00, N 7.94; found C 71.51, H 6.10, N 7.90.

4.4.3 N-tert-butyl-2-(2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-2,4-dioxo-1H-benzo[b][1,4]diazepin-3-yl)-2-methyl propanamide (4′a)

White powder, yield: 92%; m.p. >300°C. – IR (KBr): ν=3387, 2967, 2902, 1691, 1646, 1601, 1528 cm−1. – 1H NMR (400 MHz, [D6]DMSO): δ (ppm)=1.21 (9H, s, C(CH3)3), 1.37 (6H, s, 2CH3), 3.18 (1H, s, CH), 6.15–7.15 (5H, bs, 4H-Ar and –NH), 10.38 (2H, bs, 2NH). – 13C NMR (100 MHz, [D6]DMSO): δ (ppm)=23.12 (2CH3), 28.92 (C(CH3)3), 43.63 (CH), 50.42 (C), 55.10 (C), 122.42, 125.41, 130.32, 167.12, 177.30 (2 CO). – Analysis for C17H23N3O3: C 64.33, H 7.30, N 13.24; found: C 63.90, H 7.26, N, 13.09.

4.4.4 2-(2,3,4,5-Tetrahydro-2,4-dioxo-1H-benzo[b][1,4]diazepin-3-yl)-N-(4-methoxy-3-methyl phenyl)-2-methylpropanamide (4′e)

White powder, yield: 90%; m.p. 280–282°C. – IR (KBr): ν=3448, 1705, 1662, 1518, 1246 cm−1. – 1H NMR (400 MHz, [D6]DMSO): δ (ppm)=1.51 (s, 6H, 2CH3), 2.29 (s, 3H, CH3), 3.44 (s, 1H, CH), 3.89 (s, 3H, OCH3), 6.99–7.55 (m, 7H, ArH), 8.18 (bs, 1H, NH), 10.37 (bs, 2H, 2NH). – 13C NMR (100 MHz, [D6]DMSO): δ (ppm)=19.92, 42.70, 43.62, 55.22, 56.84, 122.73, 123.75, 125.56, 128.58, 130.84, 131.52, 135.32, 136.63, 138.45, 142.25, 167.77, 169.84.

Supplementary information

Some characteristics of the CoFe2O4@SiO2-PrNH2 nanoparticles and copies of the H NMR spectra of the products are given in the Supplementary Information available online (DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/znb-2017-0023).

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to the University of Qom for supporting this work. The authors are also grateful to Dr. Hossein Shahbazi-Alavi for his help.

References

[1] L. Z. Wang, X. Q. Li, Y. S. An, Org. Biomol. Chem. 2015, 13, 5497.10.1039/C5OB00655DSearch in Google Scholar

[2] Y. Chen, V. Le, X. Xu, X. Shao, J. Liu, Z. Li, Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 2014, 24, 3948.10.1016/j.bmcl.2014.06.041Search in Google Scholar

[3] B. E. Leonard, Hum. Psychopharmacol. Clin. Exp. 1999, 14, 125.10.1002/(SICI)1099-1077(199903)14:2<125::AID-HUP79>3.0.CO;2-XSearch in Google Scholar

[4] J. Schimer, P. Cigler, J. Vesely, K. G. Saskova, M. Lepsik, J. Brynda, P. Rezacova, M. Kozisek, I. Cisarova, H. Oberwinkler, H. G. Kraeusslich, J. Konvalinka, J. Med. Chem. 2012, 55, 10130.10.1021/jm301249qSearch in Google Scholar

[5] A. Leyva-Perez, J. R. Cabrero-Antonino, A. Corma, Tetrahedron2010, 66, 8203.10.1016/j.tet.2010.08.022Search in Google Scholar

[6] G. Maiti, U. Kayal, R. Karmakar, R. N. Bhattacharya, Tetrahedron Lett. 2012, 53, 1460.10.1016/j.tetlet.2012.01.036Search in Google Scholar

[7] H. Thakuria, A. Pramanik, B. M. Borah, G. Das, Tetrahedron Lett. 2006, 47, 3135.10.1016/j.tetlet.2006.02.137Search in Google Scholar

[8] M. Curini, F. Epifano, M. C. Marcotullio, O. Rosati, Tetrahedron Lett. 2001, 42, 3193.10.1016/S0040-4039(01)00413-0Search in Google Scholar

[9] R. Varala, R. Enugala, S. Nuvula, S. R. Adapa, Synlett, 2006, 7, 1009.10.1055/s-2006-939066Search in Google Scholar

[10] S. K. De, R. A. Gibbs, Tetrahedron Lett. 2005, 46, 1811.10.1016/j.tetlet.2005.01.113Search in Google Scholar

[11] A. Maleki, Tetrahedron2012, 68, 7827.10.1016/j.tet.2012.07.034Search in Google Scholar

[12] A. Maleki, M. Kamalzare, Catal. Commun. 2014, 53, 67.10.1016/j.catcom.2014.05.004Search in Google Scholar

[13] A. Maleki, M. Kamalzare, Tetrahedron Lett. 2014, 55, 6931.10.1016/j.tetlet.2014.10.120Search in Google Scholar

[14] M. A. Ghasemzadeh, N. Ghasemi-Seresht, Res. Chem. Intermed. 2015, 41, 8625.10.1007/s11164-014-1915-zSearch in Google Scholar

[15] J. Safaei-Ghomi, H. Shahbazi-Alavi, P. Babaei, H. Basharnavaz, S. G. Pyne, A. C. Willis, Chem. Heterocycl. Compd.2016, 52, 288.10.1007/s10593-016-1892-9Search in Google Scholar

[16] J. Safaei-Ghomi, H. Shahbazi-Alavi, R. Teymuri, Polycyclic Aromat. Compd. 2016, 36, 834.10.1080/10406638.2015.1061027Search in Google Scholar

[17] A. H. Lu, E. L. Salaba, F. Schüth, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2007, 46, 1222.10.1002/anie.200602866Search in Google Scholar PubMed

[18] A. Kumar, V. Kumar, Chem. Rev. 2014, 114, 7044.10.1021/cr4007285Search in Google Scholar PubMed

[19] P. H. Li, B. L. Li, Z. M. An, L. P. Mo, Z. S. Cui, Z. H. Zhang, Adv. Synth. Catal. 2013, 355, 2952.10.1002/adsc.201300551Search in Google Scholar

[20] N. N. Kolos, E. N. Yurchenko, V. D. Orlov, S. V. Shishkina, O. V. Shishkin, Chem. Heterocycl. Compd. 2004, 40, 1550.10.1007/s10593-005-0098-3Search in Google Scholar

[21] A. Shaabani, A. H. Rezayan, S. Keshipour, A. Sarvary, S. W. Ng, Org. Lett. 2009, 11, 3342.10.1021/ol901196zSearch in Google Scholar PubMed

[22] A. Maleki, R. Paydar, RSC Adv. 2015, 5, 33177.10.1039/C5RA03355ASearch in Google Scholar

[23] J. Safaei-Ghomi, H. Shahbazi-Alavi, P. Babaei, Z. Naturforsch. 2016, 71b, 849.10.1515/znb-2016-0041Search in Google Scholar


Supplemental Material:

The online version of this article (DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/znb-2017-0023) offers supplementary material, available to authorized users.


Received: 2017-2-17
Accepted: 2017-3-31
Published Online: 2017-6-16
Published in Print: 2017-6-27

©2017 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston

Downloaded on 22.12.2025 from https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/znb-2017-0023/html
Scroll to top button