# Synthesis of New Benzofuran-2-Carboxylic Acid Derivatives

Authors: M. Kowalewska; H. Kwiecień; M. Śmist; A. Wrześniewska
Journal: Journal of Chemistry
 (2013)

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## Abstract

Novel ethyl ester and methylamide of 5-[bis(2-chloroethyl)amino]-7-methoxybenzofuran-2-carboxylic acid as well as (2-hydroxy-1,1-dimethylethyl)amides of 5-bromo- and 5,7-dichlorobenzofuran-2-carboxylic acid were synthesized and characterized.


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## Body

## 1. Introduction

Derivatives of benzofuran-2-carboxylic acid are known for exhibiting various pharmacological activities. Such compounds were found to be selective adenosineA2A receptor antagonists [1], anti-inflammatory agents [2], and local anaesthetics [3]. Variously substituted 2-benzofurancarboxylic acid derivatives show selective cytotoxicity against human cancer cell line [4]. On the other hand, benzofuran-2-carboxylic acids bearing (chlorometyl)indoline or benzoyl nitrogen mustard as DNA-binding group are structural subunits of synthetic analogues of some natural antitumor agents such as CC-1065, duocarmycin, dystamycin, and netropsin [5–8]. Amide derivatives of halo-benzofuran-2-carboxylic acid were found to be useful in the treatment of the diseases which are associated with the modulation of H3 receptors [9]. Moreover, 7-piperazinylbenzofuran-2-carbxylic acid amides having halogens or methoxyl groups in benzene ring were patented as partial agonists of 5-HT receptors which should be useful in the treatment of many psychiatric disorders [10].Many methodologies for the synthesis of benzofuran-2-carboxylic acid skeleton were developed and most of them are based on the reaction of salicylaldehydes with haloacetates followed by cyclization of formylphenoxyacetic acid derivatives intermediates [11–17]. The cyclizations were usually carried out in an alcoholic solution in the presence of a basic catalyst such as sodium ethanolate [11], 1,8-diazobicyclo-[5.4.0]-7-undecane [7], potassium carbonate [12, 13], or phosphine [14]. Moreover, ethyl 5-nitrobenzofuran-2-carboxylate was prepared by cyclocondensation of 2-hydroxy-5-nitrobenzaldehyde with bromomalonic acid [18] as well as palladium catalysed carbonylative cyclization of o-alkynylphenols [19–21].Most of these methods are restricted by the requirement of relatively long reaction time to obtain the expected product in low to moderate yields.We present herein a short synthetic route to obtain halogen-substituted benzofuran-2-carboxylic acid derivatives such as (2-hydroxy-1,1-dimethylethyl)amides as well as esters and amides of benzofuran-2-carboxylic acid containing anticancer mustard type pharmacophore in their structure.


## 2. Experimental Section

### 2.1. General

1H and 13C NMR spectra were recorded on a TM Bruker DPX 400 (400 MHz) instrument, solvent CDCl3. Chemical shifts δ are given from TMS (0 ppm) as an internal standard for 1H NMR, and CDCl3 (77.0 ppm) for 13C NMR (100 MHz). Mass spectra were obtained on an Agilent Technologies 6890 N apparatus, equipped with a mass detector 5973 Network and 30m×0.25mm capillary column filled with a 0.25 μm film of a 5% MePh silicate. All melting points were determined on a Boetius apparatus and are uncorrected.


### 2.2. Starting Materials

Most of the reagents and solvents were purchased in a commercially available grade purity. 2-Hydroxybenzaldehyde, ethyl chloroacetate, and catalyst (10% Pd/C) were used without a further purification. Both dimethoxyethane (DME) and dimethylformamide (DMF) were dried before their use, over sodium and 4A molecular sieves, respectively. 5-Bromo- (mp 103–105°C) and 5,7-dichlorosalicylaldehyde (mp 101–103°C) were prepared by bromination or chlorination of 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde in acetic acid solution, respectively, although they are commercially available. 3-Methoxy-5-nitrobenzaldehyde (mp 140–142°C) was prepared by nitration of 2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde with 100% nitric acid in acetic acid solution, although being commercially available also. Methyl 2-bromoalkanoates: pentanoate and hexanoate were obtained according to the literature [22].


### 2.3. General Procedure for Synthesis of Benzofuran-2-Carboxylic Acid Ethyl Esters(2a, 2b)

A mixture of 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde1a or 1b (0.05 mol), ethyl chloroacetate (0.05 mol), anhydrous potassium carbonate (0.075 mol), and dry DMF (70 mL) was heated at 92–94°C with stirring for 4 h. The solution was poured into ice water, the precipitate was filtered off, washed with water, and dried on the air. The crude ester was crystallized from methanol to give compounds 2a and 2b. Compound 2a: 5,7-dichlorobenzofuran-2-carboxylic acid ethyl ester—yield 85%, mp 80-81°C; Lit. mp. 78-79°C [17]. Compound 2b: 5-bromobenzofuran-2-carboxylic acid ethyl ester—yield 78%, mp 55–57°C; Lit. mp. 53,5–54,8 [23]. 1H NMR spectra of 2a and 2b are consistent with those given in the literature [17, 23].


### 2.4. Procedure for Synthesis of 7-Methoxy-5-Nitrobenzofuran-2-Carboxylic Acid Ethyl Ester(2c)

A mixture of 2-hydroxy-3-methoxy-5-nitrobenzaldehyde (0.05 mol), ethyl chloroacetate (0.05 mol), anhydrous potassium carbonate (0.075 mol), and dry DMF (70 mL) was heated at 92–94°C with stirring for 4 h. Then the solution was poured into ice water, the precipitate was filtered off, washed with water, and dried on the air. The crude ester was crystallized from methanol to give 2-(2-formy-6-methoxy-4-nitrophenoxy) acetic acidethyl ester (4, mp 107–109°C, lit. mp 107–109°C [7]). Next, a mixture of dried ester, anhydrous potassium carbonate (0.065 mol), and dry DMF (70 mL) was heated at 92–94°C with stirring for 4 h. After that the solution was poured into ice water, the precipitate was filtered off, washed with water, and dried on the air to give 2c. Compound 2c: yield—73%, mp 162–164°C, lit. mp. 161-162 [7]. GC/MS (τ=21.41min), MS m/z (%) = 265 (M+, 100), 250 (1), 237 (9), 219 (26), 204 (9), 191 (13), 174 (8), 161 (2), 147 (3), 133 (2), 120 (4), 103 (3), 89 (4), 75 (5), and 62 (2).


### 2.5. General Procedure for Synthesis of Benzofuran-2-Carboxylic Acid (2-Hydroxy-1,1-Dimethylethyl)-Amides(3a, 3b)

A mixture of benzofuran-2-carboxylic acid ethyl esters2a or 2b (0.03 mol), 2-amino-2-methylpropan-1-ol (0.045 mol), ammonium chloride (0.05 g), and methanol (30 mL) was heated at 65–67°C with stirring for 16 h. Then the solution was poured into water, the precipitate was filtered off, washed with water, and dried on the air. The crude amide was crystallized from methanol to give compounds 3a or 3b. Compound 3a: 5,7-dichlorobenzofuran-2-carboxylic acid (2-hydroxy-1,1-dimethylethyl)amide—yield 62%, mp 129-130°C. 1H NMR δ 7.54 (d,J=1.3Hz, 1H, Ar), 7.41 (d,J=3.1Hz, 2H, Ar), 6.69 (s, 1H, NH), 4.14 (s, 1H, OH), 3.75 (d,J=5.7Hz, 2H, CH2), 1.47 (s, 6H, CH3); Anal. Calcd for C13H13Cl2NO3 (302.15): C, 51.68; H, 4.34; N, 4.64; Cl, 23.47. Found: C, 51.56; H, 4.43; N, 4.56; Cl, 23.25. Compound 3b: 5-bromobenzofuran-2-carboxylic acid (2-hydroxy-1,1-dimethylethyl)amide—yield 57%, mp 147.5–148.5°C. 1H NMR δ 7.81 (d,J=1.8Hz, 1H, Ar), 7.50 (s, 1H, Ar), 7.39 (d,J=3.1Hz, 2H, Ar), 6.66 (s, 1H, NH), 4.18 (s, 1H, OH), 3.74 (d,J=6.3Hz, 2H, CH2), 1.45 (s, 6H, CH3); Anal. Calcd for C13H14BrNO3 (312.16): C, 50.02; H, 4.52; N, 4.49; Br, 25.60. Found: C, 49.89; H, 4.63; N, 4.33; Br, 25.69.


### 2.6. Procedure for Catalytic Reduction of 7-Methoxy-5-Nitrobenzofuran-2-Carboxylic Acid Ethyl Ester(2c)

A mixture of2c(0.5 g, 1.9 mmol) and 10% Pd/C (0.065 g) in methanol (30 mL) and dimethoxyethane (10 mL) was stirred under hydrogen atmosphere for 3.5 h. The Pd/C catalyst was removed and the filtrate concentrated in vacuo. The crude product was crystallized from a mixture of chloroform and n-hexane (1 : 3) to afford 5-amino-7-methoxybenzofuran-2-carboxylic acid ethyl ester (5) as brown crystals. Compound 5: yield—91%, mp 107–109°C. 1H NMR δ 7.35 (s, 1H, Ar), 6.48 (s, 1H, Ar), 6.36 (s, 1H, Ar), 4.41 (q,J=7.0Hz, 2H, CH2), 3.95 (s, 3H, OCH3), 3.62 (s, 2H, NH2), 1.40 (t,J=7.0Hz, 3H, CH3); 13C NMR δ 159.5, 146.1, 146.1, 143.8, 140.2, 129.1, 113.6, 100.0, 97.8, 61.3, 55.9, 14.4; GC/MS (τ=20.98min), MS m/z (%) = 235 (M+, 100), 207 (99), 190 (10), 177 (4), 164 (35), 148 (1), 134 (5), 120 (4), 104 (5), 91 (4), 77 (3), 63 (2), 50 (1). Anal. Calcd for C12H13NO4 (235.24): C, 61.27; H, 5.57; N, 5.95. Found: C, 61.21; H, 5.69; N, 5.86.


### 2.7. Procedure for Synthesis of 5-Amino-7-Methoxybenzofuran-2-Carboxylic Acid Methyl Amide(6)

A mixture of 5-amino-7-methoxybenzofuran-2-carboxylic acid ethyl ester5(2.8 mmol), solution of N-methylamine in methanol (24 mL), ammonium chloride (0.05 g), and methanol (30 mL) was left for 48 hours at room temperature. Then the solution was evaporated. The crude amide was crystallized from a mixture of chloroform and n-hexane (1 : 3) to give product 6. Compound 6: yield—98%, mp 156–160°C. 1H NMR δ 7.29 (s, 1H, Ar), 6.90 (s, 1H, NH), 6.47 (s, 1H, Ar), 6.33 (s, 1H, Ar), 3.92 (s, 3H, OCH3), 3.72–3.47 (m, 2H, NH2), 2.97 (d,J=4.7Hz, 3H, CH3); 13C NMR δ 159.6, 149.2, 145.5, 143.8, 138.8, 129.7, 110.1, 99.1, 98.3, 55.9, 25.9; GC/MS (τ=22.67min), MS m/z (%) = 220 (M+, 100), 204 (1), 190 (24), 177 (7), 162 (12), 148 (3), 134 (9), 120 (7), 104 (5), 91 (4), 77 (3), 58 (2). Anal. Calcd for C11H12N2O3 (220.22): C, 59.99; H, 5.49; N, 12.72. Found: C, 59.90; H, 5.57; N, 12.57.


### 2.8. General Procedure for Synthesis of 5-[Bis(2-Hydroxyethyl)Amino]-7-Methoxybenzofuran-2-Carboxylic Acid Derivatives(7a, 7b)

To a solution of amino derivative5or 6(1.9 mmol) in methanol (10 mL), cooled to 7°C, cold ethylene oxide (1 mL) was added. The reaction flask was sealed and was left in refrigerator at 6-7°C for two weeks. Methanol and excess of ethylene oxide were removed by evaporation and the crude product was crystallized from chloroform and n-hexane (1 : 3) to give product 7aor7b. Compound 7a: yield—50%, semisolid product. 1H NMR δ 7.36 (d,J=1.7Hz, 1H, Ar), 6.51–6.33 (m, 2H, Ar), 4.42 (q,J=7.1Hz, 2H, CH2), 3.99 (s, 3H, OCH3), 3.95 (s, 1H, OH), 3.89–3.84 (m, 4H, CH2), 3.56–3.54 (m, 4H, CH2), 3.31 (t,J=5.1Hz, 1H, OH), 1.41 (t,J=7.3Hz, 3H, CH3); 13C NMR δ 158.9, 146.5, 146.2, 143.6, 140.2, 130.9, 114.1, 99.7, 98.5, 60.9, 59.2, 56.9, 56.3, 14.2; GC/MS (τ=26.53min), MS m/z (%) = 323 (M+, 10), 305 (1), 292 (100), 278 (2), 264 (5), 248 (9), 233 (1), 220 (9), 202 (4), 177 (1), 146 (1), 89 (1). Anal. Calcd for C16H21NO6 (323.34): C, 59.43; H, 6.55; N, 4.33. Found: C, 59.35; H, 6.61; N, 4.21. Compound 7b: yield—67%, mp 132–135°C. 1H NMR δ 8.30 (t,J=4.5Hz, 1H, Ar), 7.08 (d,J=2.0Hz, 1H, NH), 6.32 (d,J=2.1Hz, 1H, Ar), 6.26 (d,J=2.1Hz, 1H, Ar), 4.62–4.60 (m, 2H, OH), 3.75 (s, 3H, OCH3), 3.41–3.18 (m, 8H, CH2), 2.60 (d,J=4.7Hz, 3H, CH3); 13C NMR δ 160.1, 149.2, 144.5, 143.7, 138.9, 129.7, 110.0, 99.1, 98.5, 56.1, 54.9, 40.5, 25.8; GC/MS (τ=27.24min), MS m/z (%) = 308 (M+,15), 277 (100), 257 (1), 233 (24), 202 (10), 176 (8), 148 (5), 117 (4), 89 (6), 58 (15). Anal. Calcd for C15H20N2O5 (308.33): C, 58.43; H, 6.54; N, 9.09. Found: C, 58.31; H, 6.59; N, 8.94.


### 2.9. General Procedure for Synthesis of 5-[Bis(2-Chloroethyl)Amino]-7-Methoxybenzofuran-2-Carboxylic Acid Derivatives(8a, 8b)

To a solution of compound8aor8b (0.6 mmol) in dichloromethane (50 mL) thionyl chloride (0.8 mL) was added. The reaction flask was sealed and was left at room temperature for 24 h. Dichloromethane and excess of thionyl chloride were removed by evaporation and the crude product was washed with n-hexane and next crystallized from the same solvent to give product 8aor8b. Compund 8a: yield—47%, oil product. 1H NMR δ 7.48 (s, 1H, Ar), 6.40 (s, 1H, Ar), 6.01 (s, 1H, Ar), 4.21 (q,J=7.1Hz, 2H, CH2), 3.79 (s, 3H, OCH3), 3.61–3.43 (m, 8H, CH2), 1.39 (t,J=7.1, 3H, CH3); GC/MS (τ=26.00min), MS m/z (%) = 360 (M+, 17), 324 (1), 310 (100), 282 (9), 247 (3), 233 (2), 219 (4), 202 (3), 177 (1), 130 (1), 116 (1), 89 (1), 63 (1). Anal. Calcd for C16H19Cl2NO4 (360.23): C, 53.35; H, 5.32; N, 3.89; Cl, 19.68. Found: C, 53.17; H, 5.41; N, 3.82; Cl, 19.49. Compound 8b: yield—49%, mp 80–82°C. 1H NMR δ 7.25 (s, 1H, Ar), 6.70 (s, 1H, NH), 6.40 (s, 1H, Ar), 6.34 (s, 1H, Ar), 3.92 (s, 3H, OCH3), 3.64–3.44 (m, 8H, CH2), 2.93 (s, 3H, CH3); 13C NMR δ 159.4, 149.4, 144.3, 140.1, 132.5, 129.9,110.3, 98.0, 97.4, 56.1, 54.6, 40.8, 25.9; GC/MS (τ=27.38min), MS m/z (%) = 344 (M+, 26), 295 (100), 281 (1), 295 (2), 246 (1), 232 (10), 218 (5), 202 (8), 188 (2), 175 (4), 161 (2), 147 (4), 130 (2), 116 (2), 103 (2), 89 (2), 76 (1), 58 (3). Anal. Calcd for C15H18Cl2N2O3 (345.22): C, 52.19; H, 5.26; N, 8.11; Cl, 20.54. Found: C, 52.10; H, 5.37; N, 8.01; Cl, 20.37.


## 2.1. General

1H and 13C NMR spectra were recorded on a TM Bruker DPX 400 (400 MHz) instrument, solvent CDCl3. Chemical shifts δ are given from TMS (0 ppm) as an internal standard for 1H NMR, and CDCl3 (77.0 ppm) for 13C NMR (100 MHz). Mass spectra were obtained on an Agilent Technologies 6890 N apparatus, equipped with a mass detector 5973 Network and 30m×0.25mm capillary column filled with a 0.25 μm film of a 5% MePh silicate. All melting points were determined on a Boetius apparatus and are uncorrected.


## 2.2. Starting Materials

Most of the reagents and solvents were purchased in a commercially available grade purity. 2-Hydroxybenzaldehyde, ethyl chloroacetate, and catalyst (10% Pd/C) were used without a further purification. Both dimethoxyethane (DME) and dimethylformamide (DMF) were dried before their use, over sodium and 4A molecular sieves, respectively. 5-Bromo- (mp 103–105°C) and 5,7-dichlorosalicylaldehyde (mp 101–103°C) were prepared by bromination or chlorination of 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde in acetic acid solution, respectively, although they are commercially available. 3-Methoxy-5-nitrobenzaldehyde (mp 140–142°C) was prepared by nitration of 2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde with 100% nitric acid in acetic acid solution, although being commercially available also. Methyl 2-bromoalkanoates: pentanoate and hexanoate were obtained according to the literature [22].


## 2.3. General Procedure for Synthesis of Benzofuran-2-Carboxylic Acid Ethyl Esters(2a, 2b)

A mixture of 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde1a or 1b (0.05 mol), ethyl chloroacetate (0.05 mol), anhydrous potassium carbonate (0.075 mol), and dry DMF (70 mL) was heated at 92–94°C with stirring for 4 h. The solution was poured into ice water, the precipitate was filtered off, washed with water, and dried on the air. The crude ester was crystallized from methanol to give compounds 2a and 2b. Compound 2a: 5,7-dichlorobenzofuran-2-carboxylic acid ethyl ester—yield 85%, mp 80-81°C; Lit. mp. 78-79°C [17]. Compound 2b: 5-bromobenzofuran-2-carboxylic acid ethyl ester—yield 78%, mp 55–57°C; Lit. mp. 53,5–54,8 [23]. 1H NMR spectra of 2a and 2b are consistent with those given in the literature [17, 23].


## 2.4. Procedure for Synthesis of 7-Methoxy-5-Nitrobenzofuran-2-Carboxylic Acid Ethyl Ester(2c)

A mixture of 2-hydroxy-3-methoxy-5-nitrobenzaldehyde (0.05 mol), ethyl chloroacetate (0.05 mol), anhydrous potassium carbonate (0.075 mol), and dry DMF (70 mL) was heated at 92–94°C with stirring for 4 h. Then the solution was poured into ice water, the precipitate was filtered off, washed with water, and dried on the air. The crude ester was crystallized from methanol to give 2-(2-formy-6-methoxy-4-nitrophenoxy) acetic acidethyl ester (4, mp 107–109°C, lit. mp 107–109°C [7]). Next, a mixture of dried ester, anhydrous potassium carbonate (0.065 mol), and dry DMF (70 mL) was heated at 92–94°C with stirring for 4 h. After that the solution was poured into ice water, the precipitate was filtered off, washed with water, and dried on the air to give 2c. Compound 2c: yield—73%, mp 162–164°C, lit. mp. 161-162 [7]. GC/MS (τ=21.41min), MS m/z (%) = 265 (M+, 100), 250 (1), 237 (9), 219 (26), 204 (9), 191 (13), 174 (8), 161 (2), 147 (3), 133 (2), 120 (4), 103 (3), 89 (4), 75 (5), and 62 (2).


## 2.5. General Procedure for Synthesis of Benzofuran-2-Carboxylic Acid (2-Hydroxy-1,1-Dimethylethyl)-Amides(3a, 3b)

A mixture of benzofuran-2-carboxylic acid ethyl esters2a or 2b (0.03 mol), 2-amino-2-methylpropan-1-ol (0.045 mol), ammonium chloride (0.05 g), and methanol (30 mL) was heated at 65–67°C with stirring for 16 h. Then the solution was poured into water, the precipitate was filtered off, washed with water, and dried on the air. The crude amide was crystallized from methanol to give compounds 3a or 3b. Compound 3a: 5,7-dichlorobenzofuran-2-carboxylic acid (2-hydroxy-1,1-dimethylethyl)amide—yield 62%, mp 129-130°C. 1H NMR δ 7.54 (d,J=1.3Hz, 1H, Ar), 7.41 (d,J=3.1Hz, 2H, Ar), 6.69 (s, 1H, NH), 4.14 (s, 1H, OH), 3.75 (d,J=5.7Hz, 2H, CH2), 1.47 (s, 6H, CH3); Anal. Calcd for C13H13Cl2NO3 (302.15): C, 51.68; H, 4.34; N, 4.64; Cl, 23.47. Found: C, 51.56; H, 4.43; N, 4.56; Cl, 23.25. Compound 3b: 5-bromobenzofuran-2-carboxylic acid (2-hydroxy-1,1-dimethylethyl)amide—yield 57%, mp 147.5–148.5°C. 1H NMR δ 7.81 (d,J=1.8Hz, 1H, Ar), 7.50 (s, 1H, Ar), 7.39 (d,J=3.1Hz, 2H, Ar), 6.66 (s, 1H, NH), 4.18 (s, 1H, OH), 3.74 (d,J=6.3Hz, 2H, CH2), 1.45 (s, 6H, CH3); Anal. Calcd for C13H14BrNO3 (312.16): C, 50.02; H, 4.52; N, 4.49; Br, 25.60. Found: C, 49.89; H, 4.63; N, 4.33; Br, 25.69.


## 2.6. Procedure for Catalytic Reduction of 7-Methoxy-5-Nitrobenzofuran-2-Carboxylic Acid Ethyl Ester(2c)

A mixture of2c(0.5 g, 1.9 mmol) and 10% Pd/C (0.065 g) in methanol (30 mL) and dimethoxyethane (10 mL) was stirred under hydrogen atmosphere for 3.5 h. The Pd/C catalyst was removed and the filtrate concentrated in vacuo. The crude product was crystallized from a mixture of chloroform and n-hexane (1 : 3) to afford 5-amino-7-methoxybenzofuran-2-carboxylic acid ethyl ester (5) as brown crystals. Compound 5: yield—91%, mp 107–109°C. 1H NMR δ 7.35 (s, 1H, Ar), 6.48 (s, 1H, Ar), 6.36 (s, 1H, Ar), 4.41 (q,J=7.0Hz, 2H, CH2), 3.95 (s, 3H, OCH3), 3.62 (s, 2H, NH2), 1.40 (t,J=7.0Hz, 3H, CH3); 13C NMR δ 159.5, 146.1, 146.1, 143.8, 140.2, 129.1, 113.6, 100.0, 97.8, 61.3, 55.9, 14.4; GC/MS (τ=20.98min), MS m/z (%) = 235 (M+, 100), 207 (99), 190 (10), 177 (4), 164 (35), 148 (1), 134 (5), 120 (4), 104 (5), 91 (4), 77 (3), 63 (2), 50 (1). Anal. Calcd for C12H13NO4 (235.24): C, 61.27; H, 5.57; N, 5.95. Found: C, 61.21; H, 5.69; N, 5.86.


## 2.7. Procedure for Synthesis of 5-Amino-7-Methoxybenzofuran-2-Carboxylic Acid Methyl Amide(6)

A mixture of 5-amino-7-methoxybenzofuran-2-carboxylic acid ethyl ester5(2.8 mmol), solution of N-methylamine in methanol (24 mL), ammonium chloride (0.05 g), and methanol (30 mL) was left for 48 hours at room temperature. Then the solution was evaporated. The crude amide was crystallized from a mixture of chloroform and n-hexane (1 : 3) to give product 6. Compound 6: yield—98%, mp 156–160°C. 1H NMR δ 7.29 (s, 1H, Ar), 6.90 (s, 1H, NH), 6.47 (s, 1H, Ar), 6.33 (s, 1H, Ar), 3.92 (s, 3H, OCH3), 3.72–3.47 (m, 2H, NH2), 2.97 (d,J=4.7Hz, 3H, CH3); 13C NMR δ 159.6, 149.2, 145.5, 143.8, 138.8, 129.7, 110.1, 99.1, 98.3, 55.9, 25.9; GC/MS (τ=22.67min), MS m/z (%) = 220 (M+, 100), 204 (1), 190 (24), 177 (7), 162 (12), 148 (3), 134 (9), 120 (7), 104 (5), 91 (4), 77 (3), 58 (2). Anal. Calcd for C11H12N2O3 (220.22): C, 59.99; H, 5.49; N, 12.72. Found: C, 59.90; H, 5.57; N, 12.57.


## 2.8. General Procedure for Synthesis of 5-[Bis(2-Hydroxyethyl)Amino]-7-Methoxybenzofuran-2-Carboxylic Acid Derivatives(7a, 7b)

To a solution of amino derivative5or 6(1.9 mmol) in methanol (10 mL), cooled to 7°C, cold ethylene oxide (1 mL) was added. The reaction flask was sealed and was left in refrigerator at 6-7°C for two weeks. Methanol and excess of ethylene oxide were removed by evaporation and the crude product was crystallized from chloroform and n-hexane (1 : 3) to give product 7aor7b. Compound 7a: yield—50%, semisolid product. 1H NMR δ 7.36 (d,J=1.7Hz, 1H, Ar), 6.51–6.33 (m, 2H, Ar), 4.42 (q,J=7.1Hz, 2H, CH2), 3.99 (s, 3H, OCH3), 3.95 (s, 1H, OH), 3.89–3.84 (m, 4H, CH2), 3.56–3.54 (m, 4H, CH2), 3.31 (t,J=5.1Hz, 1H, OH), 1.41 (t,J=7.3Hz, 3H, CH3); 13C NMR δ 158.9, 146.5, 146.2, 143.6, 140.2, 130.9, 114.1, 99.7, 98.5, 60.9, 59.2, 56.9, 56.3, 14.2; GC/MS (τ=26.53min), MS m/z (%) = 323 (M+, 10), 305 (1), 292 (100), 278 (2), 264 (5), 248 (9), 233 (1), 220 (9), 202 (4), 177 (1), 146 (1), 89 (1). Anal. Calcd for C16H21NO6 (323.34): C, 59.43; H, 6.55; N, 4.33. Found: C, 59.35; H, 6.61; N, 4.21. Compound 7b: yield—67%, mp 132–135°C. 1H NMR δ 8.30 (t,J=4.5Hz, 1H, Ar), 7.08 (d,J=2.0Hz, 1H, NH), 6.32 (d,J=2.1Hz, 1H, Ar), 6.26 (d,J=2.1Hz, 1H, Ar), 4.62–4.60 (m, 2H, OH), 3.75 (s, 3H, OCH3), 3.41–3.18 (m, 8H, CH2), 2.60 (d,J=4.7Hz, 3H, CH3); 13C NMR δ 160.1, 149.2, 144.5, 143.7, 138.9, 129.7, 110.0, 99.1, 98.5, 56.1, 54.9, 40.5, 25.8; GC/MS (τ=27.24min), MS m/z (%) = 308 (M+,15), 277 (100), 257 (1), 233 (24), 202 (10), 176 (8), 148 (5), 117 (4), 89 (6), 58 (15). Anal. Calcd for C15H20N2O5 (308.33): C, 58.43; H, 6.54; N, 9.09. Found: C, 58.31; H, 6.59; N, 8.94.


## 2.9. General Procedure for Synthesis of 5-[Bis(2-Chloroethyl)Amino]-7-Methoxybenzofuran-2-Carboxylic Acid Derivatives(8a, 8b)

To a solution of compound8aor8b (0.6 mmol) in dichloromethane (50 mL) thionyl chloride (0.8 mL) was added. The reaction flask was sealed and was left at room temperature for 24 h. Dichloromethane and excess of thionyl chloride were removed by evaporation and the crude product was washed with n-hexane and next crystallized from the same solvent to give product 8aor8b. Compund 8a: yield—47%, oil product. 1H NMR δ 7.48 (s, 1H, Ar), 6.40 (s, 1H, Ar), 6.01 (s, 1H, Ar), 4.21 (q,J=7.1Hz, 2H, CH2), 3.79 (s, 3H, OCH3), 3.61–3.43 (m, 8H, CH2), 1.39 (t,J=7.1, 3H, CH3); GC/MS (τ=26.00min), MS m/z (%) = 360 (M+, 17), 324 (1), 310 (100), 282 (9), 247 (3), 233 (2), 219 (4), 202 (3), 177 (1), 130 (1), 116 (1), 89 (1), 63 (1). Anal. Calcd for C16H19Cl2NO4 (360.23): C, 53.35; H, 5.32; N, 3.89; Cl, 19.68. Found: C, 53.17; H, 5.41; N, 3.82; Cl, 19.49. Compound 8b: yield—49%, mp 80–82°C. 1H NMR δ 7.25 (s, 1H, Ar), 6.70 (s, 1H, NH), 6.40 (s, 1H, Ar), 6.34 (s, 1H, Ar), 3.92 (s, 3H, OCH3), 3.64–3.44 (m, 8H, CH2), 2.93 (s, 3H, CH3); 13C NMR δ 159.4, 149.4, 144.3, 140.1, 132.5, 129.9,110.3, 98.0, 97.4, 56.1, 54.6, 40.8, 25.9; GC/MS (τ=27.38min), MS m/z (%) = 344 (M+, 26), 295 (100), 281 (1), 295 (2), 246 (1), 232 (10), 218 (5), 202 (8), 188 (2), 175 (4), 161 (2), 147 (4), 130 (2), 116 (2), 103 (2), 89 (2), 76 (1), 58 (3). Anal. Calcd for C15H18Cl2N2O3 (345.22): C, 52.19; H, 5.26; N, 8.11; Cl, 20.54. Found: C, 52.10; H, 5.37; N, 8.01; Cl, 20.37.


## 3. Results and Discussion

In order to obtain 5-nitro and halo-substituted benzofurnan-2-carboxylic acid derivatives we have developed a method of synthesis proceedingvia corresponding ethyl 2-formylphenoxy acetates as the intermediates. According to the literature reports ethyl 2-formylphenoxyacetate acid was obtained by O-alkylation of salicylaldehyde with ethyl bromoacetate carried out in acetone or dimethylformamide under heating conditions for 20 hours [24, 25]. The condensation was also carried out in acetone in the presence of tripotassium phosphate but this process was proven to be slow [26]. Moreover, the reaction of 2-hydroxy-5-nitrobenzaldehydes with ethyl bromoacetate was also reported to be a slow process lasting for 36 hours [12].We have previously observed that the reaction of salicylaldehyde with ethyl chloroacetate, carried out in DMF solution and with the use of potassium carbonate as a basic dehydrating agent, led to a mixture of two esters: ethyl 2-formylphenoxyacetate and ethyl benzofuran-2-carboxylate in ratio 1 : 1 [12]. In the present research we have found that the reactions of 5-bromo- or 3,5-dichloro-2-hydroxybenzaldehyde with ethyl chloroacetate, carried out in DMF solution in the presence of 1.5 molar excess of anhydrous potassium carbonate at 92–94°C for 4 hours, lead only to the corresponding cyclic esters: ethyl 5-bromo- or 5,7-dichlorobenzofuran-2-carboxylate (2a, 2b) (Scheme 1). In both cases the products were obtained in high yields.Scheme 1
A: K2CO3 (1.5 equiv.), DMF, 92–94°C, 4 h; B: NH4Cl, MeOH, r.t., 16 h.The obtained ethyl halo-benzofuran-2-carboxylates (2a and 2b) were next subjected to the reaction with 2-amino-2-methylpropan-1-ol in the presence of ammonium chloride. When this process was carried out in boiling methanol for 16 hours the target benzofuran-2-carboxylic acid (2-hydroxy-1,1-dimethylethyl)amides (3a and 3b) were obtained in moderate yields.On the other hand, the reaction of 2-hydroxy-5-nitro-3-methoxybenzaldehyde (1c) with ethyl chloroacetate performed in the same conditions as for synthesis of 2a (DMF, K2CO3) afforded only ethyl 2-formyl-6-methoxy-4-nitro-phenoxyacetate (4). An attempt to obtain the cyclic product by one-pot synthesis failed, despite longer reaction time (10 hours) and the use of more than double molar excess of  K2CO3.However, when dried ethyl 2-formyl-6-methoxy-4-nitrophenoxyacetate (4) underwent 4-hour cyclization in DMF with 1.3 molar excess of anhydrous potassium carbonate at 92–94°C the desired ethyl 7-methoxy-5-nitrobenzofuran-2-carboxylate (2c) was obtained in good yield (73%) (Scheme 2). These conditions were established according to the results of several trials of this reaction in which the reaction time and the molar ratio of potassium carbonate to the ester were varied (Table 1).Table 1
Cyclization of ethyl 6-methoxy-4-nitro-2-formylphenoxyacetate (4).
Trial
Molar ratioEster 4/K2CO3
Reaction time (h)
Product2c  Yield (%)*
1
1 : 1
3
—
2
1 : 1
3.5
52
3
1 : 1
4
60
4
1 : 1.3
3
59
5
1 : 1.3
3.5
64
6
1 : 1.3
4
73
*The yield was calculated relative to the starting ester 4.Scheme 2
A: K2CO3 (1.5 equiv.), DMF, 92–94°C, 4 h; B: K2CO3 (1.3 equiv.), DMF, 92–94°C; C: H2, Pd/C, CH3OH, DME, 3.5 h; D: NH2CH3, NH4Cl, CH3OH, 48 h; E: CH3OH, 6-7°C, 2 weeks; F: SOCl2, CH2Cl2, 24 h.Cyclization of 2-formylphenoxyacetic acid ethyl ester to the benzofuran derivative is based on base catalyzed intramolecular aldolization of formyl ester via formation of carbiol and next elimination of water (Scheme3). The presence of halogens as donors of electrons favors this reaction. On the other hand, strongly electrophilic nitro group lower the activity of the carbonyl group and because of that it was not possible to obtain the suitable ester of benzofuran-2-carboxylic acid in a one-step process. The desired product 2c could be only obtained starting from previously isolated and dried ester 4 by heating in DMF in the presence of anhydrous K2CO3 as a base.Scheme 3The obtained 7-methoxy-5-nitrobenzofuran-2-carboxylate (2c) was subsequently reduced to the corresponding amine (5). The reduction was carried out in methanol-dimethoxyethane mixture at room temperature under a hydrogen stream, with the use of 10% palladium on activated coal as a catalyst. In order to obtain the desired product in satisfactory yield three attempts of reduction were made. The reduction was performed with different weight ratio of nitrobenzofuran to the catalyst, that is, 1 : 0.1 or 1 : 0.13, for 3.5 or 4 hours. Progress of the reaction was monitored by GC/MS analysis of periodically taken samples. When the reduction was finished the reaction mixture was left for 24 hours. The catalyst was filtered off and the solvent was evaporated, affording the crude product which was analyzed by GC/MS and crystallized. The best result of the reduction was achieved when the reaction was carried out at room temperature for 3.5 hours, using a weight ratio of ethyl 7-methoxy-5-nitrobenzofuran-2-carboxylate to the catalyst of 1 : 0.13. In these conditions the crude ethyl 5-amino-7-methoxybenzofuran-2-carboxylate (5) was obtained in 91% yield.Next, 5-amino-7-methoxybenzofuran-2-carboxylate (5) underwent aminolysis with methyl amine to give the corresponding amide (6). This reaction was carried out in methanol, in the presence of ammonium chloride at room temperature for 48 hours. The crude product was crystallized from chloroform and n-hexane (1 : 3) and 5-amino-7-methoxy-2-benzofuranocarboxylic acid N-methyl amide (6) was obtained as a brown solid in 98% yield.In the next step the amino compounds (5and6) were transformed into corresponding bis(2-chloroethyl)amino derivatives (8aand8b) with the use of a two-step strategy: N-hydroxyalkylation with ethylene oxide followed by chlorination with thionyl chloride (Scheme 1). When N-hydroxyalkylation of ethyl 5-amino-7-methoxybenzofuran-2-carboxylate (5) with ethylene oxide was performed with 5-fold molar excess of ethylene oxide in methanol and the reaction mixture was left at 6-7°C for two weeks, the crude product consisted of two compounds, that is, the desired ethyl 5-[bis(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]-7-methoxybenzofuran-2-carboxylate (60%) and ethyl 5-[mono-(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]-7-methoxybenzofuran-2-carboxylate (40%). Therefore, in the next attempt a larger, 10-fold molar excess of ethylene oxide was employed while the other conditions of the reaction remain unchanged. The product was analyzed by CG/MS and it turned out that only the target ethyl 5-[bis(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]-7-methoxybenzofuran-2-carboxylate (7a) was obtained. Next, the reaction of amine 6 with ethylene oxide was carried out in the same conditions to give derivative 7b in good yield.Bis(2-hydroxyethyl)amino derivatives7a and 7bwere next subjected to the reaction with thionyl chloride. To obtain the desired products 8a and 8bin good yields several attempts to this reaction were done using benzene or methylene chloride as solvents and changing reaction temperature and the time. The desired products 8aand8b were finally obtained in the highest yields of 47% and 50%, respectively, when the reagents were left in methylene chloride at room temperature for 24 hours.


## 4. Conclusion

Herein, we have described the efficient synthesis of 5-bromo- and 5,7-dichlorobenzofuran-2-carboxylic acid (2-hydroxy-1,1-dimethylethyl)amides and 5-[bis(2-chloroethyl)amino]-7-methoxy-benzofuran-2-carboxylic acid ethyl esters and methylamides starting from commercially available materials. The presented method can be easily applied in a large-scale synthesis and the obtained compounds can be utilized for further pharmacological applications.



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*Source: 183717-2012-10-17.xml*