Use of Phenyl Formate as a CO Surrogate for the Reductive Cyclization of Organic Nitro Compounds to Yield Different N-Heterocycles: Avoiding the Use of Autoclaves and Pressurized Gases

The reductive cyclization of different organic nitro compounds by carbon monoxide, catalyzed by transition metal complexes, is a very efficient and clean strategy for the synthesis of many N-heterocycles. However, it requires the use of autoclaves and pressurized CO lines. In this pa-per, the authors will present the results obtained in their laboratories on the use of phenyl for-mate as a convenient CO surrogate, able to liberate carbon monoxide under reaction conditions and allowing for the use of a cheap glass pressure tube as a reaction vessel. In most cases, yields were better than those previously reported using pressurized CO, proving that the use of CO surrogates can be a viable alternative to the gaseous reagent.