In this work we have assessed reactions of
N6-([1,1’-biaryl]-2-yl)adenine nucleosides
with Pd(OAc)2 and PhI(OAc)2, via a
PdII/PdIV redox cycle. The substrates are readily
obtained by Pd/Xantphos-catalyzed reaction of adenine nucleosides with
2-bromo-1,1’-biaryls. In PhMe, the
N6-biarylyl nucleosides gave C6-carbazolyl
nucleoside analogues by C–N bond formation with the exocyclic
N6 nitrogen atom. In the solvent screening for
the Pd-catalyzed reactions, an uncatalyzed process was found to be operational.
It was observed that the carbazolyl products could also be obtained in the
absence of a metal catalyst by reaction with PhI(OAc)2 in
1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP). Thus, under Pd catalysis and in HFIP,
reactions proceed to provide carbazolyl nucleoside analogues, with some
differences. If reactions of N6-biarylyl nucleoside
substrates were conducted in MeCN, formation of aryl benzimidazopurinyl
nucleoside derivatives was observed in many cases by C–N bond formation
with the N1 ring nitrogen atom of the purine (carbazole and
benzimidazole isomers are readily separated by chromatography). Whereas
PdII/PdIV redox is responsible for carbazole formation
under the metal-catalyzed conditions, in HFIP and MeCN radical cations and/or
nitrenium ions can be intermediates. An extensive set of radical inhibition
experiments was conducted and the data are presented.