Synthesis 2003(15): 2345-2348  
DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-41064
PAPER
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Lithiation and Side-Chain Substitution of 3-Alkyl-1H-quinoxalin-2-ones

Keith Smith*, Gamal A. El-Hiti, Safaa A. Mahgoub
Centre for Clean Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Wales Swansea, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK
Fax: +44(1792)295261; e-Mail: k.smith@swansea.ac.uk;
Further Information

Publication History

Received 11 June 2003
Publication Date:
23 September 2003 (online)

Abstract

3-Methyl-1H-quinoxalin-2-one has been doubly lithi­ated with n-butylithium at -78 °C in THF. The dilithio reagent thus obtained reacts with various electrophiles (iodomethane, iodoethane, D2O, benzaldehyde, benzophenone, cyclohexanone) to give modified 3-substituted 1H-quinoxalin-2-ones in good yields. In the reaction of the dilithio reagent with phenyl isothiocyanate the product was a tautomer of the simple substitution product. Reaction of the dilithio reagent with iodine gives an oxidatively dimerised product instead of the 3-iodomethyl derivative. Lithiations of 3-ethyl- and 3-propyl-1H-quinoxalin-2-ones, followed by reactions with representative electrophiles (benzaldehyde, benzophenone, cyclohexanone), behaved in a similar manner to give the corresponding modified 3-substituted derivatives in good yields.

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Permanent address: G. A. El-Hiti, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt.