Preparation of Polyfunctional Aryl Azides from Aryl Triazenes. A New Synthesis of Ellipticine, 9-Methoxyellipticine, Isoellipticine, and 7-Carbethoxyisoellipticine

Abstract

The preparation of polyfunctional aryl azides by the reaction of aryl triazenes with NaN3 in the presence of KHSO4 or BF3.OEt2/TFA (trifluoroacetic acid) has been described. A variety of functional groups (halides, esters, ketones, nitriles, aldehydes, and boronic esters) are tolerated under the Lewis acidic conditions. By using this methodology, the potent antitumor agents, ellipticine and 9-methoxyellipticine, have been synthesized. In addition, isoellipticine and a related derivative, 7-carbethoxyisoellipticine, were also prepared.