An Unusual Triazole Synthesis from Aurones

Abstract

Attempts to prepare azido-substituted aurones via a copper-catalyzed azidation failed to afford the desired product, but instead resulted in an unusual triazole formation reaction. Further efforts noted that copper was not required for this reaction, but simply thermal treatment with sodium azide in a polar aprotic solvent. A wide range of substitution patterns were tolerated in this reaction to afford the interesting salicyl-substituted triazoles in modest to excellent yield. While the mechanism is not yet clear, a simple elimination/cyclization pathway seems unlikely given the failure of the reaction on the corresponding thioaurones, which feature an even better thiol leaving group. Regardless, the potential utility of these easily accessible, multifunctional compounds should engender further interest and applications.