Silicon-carbon unsaturated compounds. 73. Photolysis of cis- and trans-1,2-dimethyl-1,2-diphenyl-1,2-disilacyclohexane in the presence of tert-butyl alcohol and acetone

Irradiation of cis-1,2-dimethyl-1,2-diphenyl-1,2-disilacyclohexane (1a) in the presence of tert-butyl alcohol in hexane with a low-pressure mercury lamp bearing a Vycor filter proceeded with high stereospecificity to give cis-2,3-benzo-1-tert-butoxy-1,4-dimethyl-4-phenyl-1,4-disilacyclooct-2-ene (2a), in 33% isolated yield, together with a 15% yield of 1-[(tert-butoxy)methylphenylsilyl]-4-(methylphenylsilyl)butane (3). The photolysis of trans-1,2-dimethyl-1,2-diphenyl-1,2-disilacyclohexane (1b) with tert-butyl alcohol under the same conditions gave stereospecifically trans-2,3-benzo-1-tert-butoxy-1,4-dimethyl-4-phenyl-1,4-disilacyclooct-2-ene (2b) in 41% isolated yield, along with a 12% yield of 3. Similar photolysis of 1a and 1b with tert-butyl alcohol-d₁ produced 2a and 2b, respectively, in addition to 1-[(tert-butoxy)(monodeuteriomethyl)(phenyl)silyl]-4-(methylphenylsilyl)butane. When 1a and 1b were photolyzed with acetone in a hexane solution, cis- and trans-2,3-benzo-1-isopropoxy-1,4-dimethyl-4-phenyl-1,4-disilacyclooct-2-ene (4a and 4b) were obtained in 25% and 23% isolated yield. In both photolyses, 1-(hydroxymethylphenylsilyl)-4-(methylphenylsilyl)butane (5) was also isolated in 4% and 5% yield, respectively. The photolysis of 1a with acetone-d₆ under the same conditions gave 4a-d₆ and 5-d₁ in 18% and 4% yields.     

Electrostatic forces that determine O,O-trans versus O,S-cis conformers in the aminated porphyrin complexes of Cd(N-NHCO-2-C4H3O-tpp)(OAc) and Cd(N-NHCO-2-C4H3S-tpp)(OAc)

Two new diamagnetic, mononuclear and aminated porphyrin complexes of O,O-trans-Cd (3-trans) and O,S-cis-Cd (4-cis) have been synthesized and characterized by ¹H, ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The crystal structures of (acetato)(N-2-furancarboxamido-meso-tetraphenylporphyrinato)cadmium(II) [Cd(N-NHCO-2-C₄H₃O-tpp)(OAc); 3-trans] and (acetato)(N-2-thiophenecarboxamido-meso-tetraphenylporphyrinato)cadmium(II) [Cd(N-NHCO-2-C₄H₃S-tpp)(OAc); 4-cis] were determined. The coordination sphere around Cd²⁺ is a distorted square-based pyramid in which the apical site is occupied by a bidentate chelating OAc⁻ group for 3-trans and 4-cis. The plane of three pyrrole nitrogen atoms [i.e., N(1), N(2), N(4) for 3-trans and N(1), N(2), N(3) for 4-cis] strongly bonded to Cd²⁺ is adopted as a reference plane 3N. The N(3) and N(4) pyrrole rings bearing the 2-furancarboxamido (Fr) and 2-thiophenecarboxamido groups in 3-trans and 4-cis, respectively, deviate mostly from the 3N plane, thus orienting separately with a dihedral angle of 33.4° and of 31.0°. In 3-trans, Cd²⁺ and N(5) are located on different sides at 1.06 and −1.49 Å from its 3N plane, while in 4-cis, Cd²⁺ and N(5) are also located on different sides at 1.04 and −1.53 Å from its 3N plane. An attractive electrostatic interaction between the Cd²⁺ and O(4)⁻ atoms in furan stabilizes the O,O-trans conformer of 3. A repulsive electrostatic interaction between Cd²⁺ and S(1)⁺ destabilizes the O,S-trans conformer of 4. Both of these repulsive and the mutually attractive interactions between S(1)⁺ and O(3)⁻ atoms favor the O,S-cis rotamer of 4 both in the vapor phase and in low polarity solvents. NOE difference spectroscopy, HMQC and HMBC were employed for the unambiguous assignment of the ¹H and ¹³C NMR resonances of 3-trans and 4-cis in CDCl₃ at 20 and −50 °C.     

Organolanthanides with 3-(2-pyridylmethyl) indenyl ligands: synthesis, crystal structures and catalytic activities of divalent complexes for ε-caprolactone polymerization

Reaction of 3-(2-pyridylmethyl)indenyl lithium (1) with LnI₂(THF)₂ (Ln = Sm, Yb) in THF produced the divalent organolanthanides (C₅H₄NCH₂C₉H₆)₂Ln^II(THF) (Ln = Sm (2), Yb (3)) in high yield. 1 reacts with LnCl₃ (Ln = Nd, Sm, Yb) in THF to give bis(3-(2-pyridylmethyl)indenyl) lanthanide chlorides (C₅H₄NCH₂C₉H₆)₂Ln^IIICl (Ln = Nd (4), Sm (5)) and the unexpected divalent lanthanides 3 (Ln = Yb). Complexes 2-5 show more stable in air than the non-functionalized analogues. X-ray structural analyses of 2-4 were performed. 2 and 3 belong to the high symmetrical space group (Cmcm) with the same structures, they are THF-solvated 9-coordinate monomeric in the solid state, while 4 is an unsolvated 9-coordinate monomer with a trans arrangement of both the sidearms and indenyl rings in the solid state. Additionally, 2 and 3 show moderate polymerization activities for ε-caprolactone (CL).     

Neodymium alk(aryl)oxides-dialkylmagnesium systems for butadiene polymerization and copolymerization with styrene and glycidyl methacrylate

The application of well-defined neodymium alkoxides/aryloxides in combination with dialkylmagnesium reagents for 1,3-butadiene (BD) polymerization and copolymerization with styrene (St) and glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) has been investigated. The trinuclear complex Nd₃(Ot-Bu)₉(THF)₂ (1) provided a low-activity system for BD polymerization, even at high temperature, but with a high trans-1,4 stereospecificity (trans-1,4≈95%). Aryloxide complexes Nd(O-2,6-t-Bu₂-4-Me-Ph)₃(THF) (2) and Nd(O-2,6-t-Bu₂-4-Me-Ph)₃ (3) were found to give more active systems. The polymerization displayed a controlled character, i.e. a precise control of the molecular weight and a low polydispersity (M_w/M_n<1.30) for high catalyst concentration, keeping the same level of stereocontrol over the polymerization course. The statistical copolymerization of BD and styrene with those systems was successful. High-molecular weight copolymers (M_n up to 50?000 g mol⁻¹) with noticeable styrene content (3-15 mol%) were synthesized. Determination of the microstructure by ¹³C-NMR showed exclusively trans-1,4-BD-St sequences. The livingness of BD polymerization encouraged attempts of diblock copolymerization with GMA. In this case, low-molecular weight polymers with variable polydispersities were obtained (M_n<20?000 g mol⁻¹; M_w/M_n=1.4-5.0). The composition of the copolymers was analyzed by ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR and IR spectroscopies. SEC analyses confirmed the true nature of the diblock copolymer. The influence of the alkylating agent on those (co)-polymerizations was briefly studied. Finally, the mechanism of polymerization is also discussed.     

Synthesis and structural characterisation of rhodium hydride complexes bearing N-heterocyclic carbene ligands

Addition of excesses of N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) IEt₂Me₂, IⁱPr₂Me₂ or ICy (IEt₂Me₂ = 1,3-diethyl-4,5-dimethylimidazol-2-ylidene; IⁱPr₂Me₂ = 1,3-diisopropyl-4,5-dimethylimidazol-2-ylidene; ICy = 1,3-dicyclohexylimidazol-2-ylidene) to [HRh(PPh₃)₄] (1) affords an isomeric mixture of [HRh(NHC)(PPh₃)₂] (NHC = IEt₂Me₂ (cis-/trans-2), IⁱPr₂Me₂ (cis-/trans-3), ICy (cis-/trans-4) and [HRh(NHC)₂(PPh₃)] (IEt₂Me₂(cis-/trans-5), IⁱPr₂Me₂ (cis-/trans-6), ICy (cis-/trans-7)). Thermolysis of 1 with the aryl substituted NHC, 1,3-dimesityl-4,5-dihydroimidazol-2-ylidene (IMesH₂), affords the bridging hydrido phosphido dimer, [{(PPh₃)₂Rh}₂(μ-H)(μ-PPh₂)] (8), which is also the reaction product formed in the absence of carbene. When the rhodium precursor was changed from 1 to [HRh(CO)(PPh₃)₃] (9) and treated with either IMes (=1,3-dimesitylimidazol-2-ylidene) or ICy, the bis-NHC complexes trans-[HRh(CO)(IMes)₂] (10) and trans-[HRh(CO)(ICy)₂] (11) were formed. In contrast, the reaction of 9 with IⁱPr₂Me₂ gave [HRh(CO)(IⁱPr₂Me₂)₂] (cis-/trans-12) and the unusual unsymmetrical dimer, [(PPh₃)₂Rh(μ-CO)₂Rh(IⁱPr₂Me₂)₂] (13). The complexes trans-3, 8, 10 and 13 have been structurally characterised.     

Stereospecific Polymerization of Isoprene with Nd(BH4)3(THF)3/MgBu2 as Catalyst

Summary: The neodymium trisborohydride Nd(BH₄)₃(THF)₃ (THF = tetrahydrofuran) has been used as a catalyst precursor for isoprene polymerization for the first time. Associated to an excess of Al(Et)₃, the resulting catalyst is moderately active, giving a mixture of cis‐ and trans‐ polymer. Addition of a stoichiometric amount of MgBu₂ to Nd(BH₄)₃(THF)₃ affords a stereospecific catalyst providing trans‐1,4‐polyisoprene, more than 96% regular. That dual component Nd/Mg system also shows a better efficiency and good control of the molecular weights. A molecular structure is tentatively attributed to a bimetallic active species, based on ¹H NMR experiments.

Possible Nd/Al and Nd/Mg active initiating species.     

Synthesis and properties of novel 5-(cyclohepta-2′,4′,6′-trienylidene)pyrimidine-2(1H),4(3H),6(5H)-triones: methodology for synthesizing cyclohepta[b]pyrimido[5,4-d]furan-8(7H),10(9H)-dionylium tetrafluoroborates

Novel condensation reaction of tropone with N-substituted and N,N′-disubstitued barbituric acids in Ac₂O afforded 5-(cyclohepta-2′,4′,6′-trienylidene)pyrimidine-2(1H),4(3H),6(5H)-trione derivatives (8a-f) in moderate to good yields. The ¹³C NMR spectral study of 8a-f revealed that the contribution of zwitterionic resonance structures is less important as compared with that of 8,8-dicyanoheptafulvene. The rotational barriers (ΔG^‡) around the exocyclic double bond of mono-substituted derivatives 8a-c were obtained to be 14.51-15.03 kcal mol⁻¹ by the variable temperature ¹H NMR measurements. The electrochemical properties of 8a-f were also studied by CV measurement. Upon treatment with DDQ, 8a-c underwent oxidative cyclization to give two products, 7 and 9-substituted cyclohepta[b]pyrimido[5,4-d]furan-8(7H),10(9H)-dionylium tetrafluoroborates (11a-c·BF₄⁻ and 12a-c·BF₄⁻) in various ratios, while that of disubstituted derivatives 8d-f afforded 7,9-disubstituted cyclohepta[b]pyrimido[5,4-d]furan-8(7H),10(9H)-dionylium tetrafluoroborate (11d-f·BF₄⁻) in good yields. Similarly, preparation of known 5-(1′-oxocycloheptatrien-2′-yl)-pyrimidine-2(1H),4(3H),6(5H)-trione derivatives (14a-d) and novel derivatives 14e,f was carried out. Treatment of 14a-c with aq. HBF₄/Ac₂O afforded two kinds of novel products 11a-c·BF₄⁻ and 12a,c·BF₄⁻ in various ratios, respectively, while that of 14d-f afforded 11d-f. The product ratios of 11a-c·BF₄⁻ and 12a-c·BF₄⁻ observed in two kinds of cyclization reactions were rationalized on the basis of MO calculations of model compounds 20a and 21a. The spectroscopic and electrochemical properties of 11a-f·BF₄⁻ and 12a-c·BF₄⁻ were studied, and structural characterization of 11c·BF₄⁻ based on the X-ray crystal analysis and MO calculation was also performed.     

PhP-PPh group bound to 1,8-positions of naphthalene: Preparation of cis isomer and synthesis of binuclear complex

A thermodynamically less stable cis isomer of 1,2-diphosphacycle was prepared from the corresponding trans isomer. Diphosphine, in which a PhP-PPh bond bridges the 1,8-positions of naphthalene, 1,2-diphenyl-1,2-dihydronaphtho[1,8-cd][1,2]diphosphole (1), was first prepared according to a previously reported method, and the trans isomer of 1 was irradiated in tetrahydrofuran with UV-vis light to reach equilibrium with cis-1 in a trans:cis ratio of 1:2. When a similar photochemical conversion was carried out using a saturated hexane solution of trans-1, cis-1 was precipitated in a good yield of 94%. The configuration of cis-1 was confirmed by X-ray analysis. Both cis- and trans-1 diphosphine ligands were used for the preparation of binuclear gold complexes. The crystal structure of (μ-cis-1)-[AuCl]₂ demonstrated that the two lone pairs of cis-1 are suitably directed for arrangement of the two gold centers in close proximity to each other. The two independent (μ-cis-1)-[AuCl]₂ molecules in the crystal were found to form a dimer through the multiple intermolecular interaction among the gold centers.     

Solvent-controlled selective synthesis of a trans-configured benzimidazoline-2-ylidene palladium(II) complex and investigations of its Heck-type catalytic activity

Reaction of N,N′-dimethylbenzimidazolyl iodide (A) with Pd(OAc)₂ in DMSO gives selectively trans-bis(N,N′-dimethylbenzimidazoline-2-ylidene) palladium(II) diiodide (trans-2) in 77% yield. The selective formation of the trans-coordination isomer and thus the cis-trans rearrangement is driven by the insolubility of trans-2 in DMSO. X-ray single-crystal diffraction analysis and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy confirm the trans-geometry of the square planar Pd(II) complex. Catalytic studies show that cis-1 and trans-2 are highly efficient in the Mizoroki-Heck coupling reaction of aryl bromides and activated aryl chlorides both in DMF and [N(n-C₄H₉)₄]Br as ionic liquid. The catalytic activities of Pd(II) complexes with N-heterocyclic carbene ligands derived from benzimidazole are comparable to their imidazole-derived analogues.     

Alkaline hydrolysis of N-bromoiminothianthrene derivatives

5-(N-Bromo)iminothianthrene (2) and 5-(N-bromo)iminothianthrene 10-oxide (5) and 10,10-dioxide (8) were prepared and their alkaline hydrolyses were studied. The compound 2 and cis-5-(N-bromo)iminothianthrene 10-oxide (cis-5) afforded the corresponding sulfoximine exclusively. While, unexpectedly, both trans-5-(N-bromo)iminothianthrene 10-oxide (trans-5) and 8 afforded mainly de-brominated products, trans-5-iminothianthrene 10-oxide (trans-4) and 5-iminothianthrene 10,10-dioxide (7), respectively. In these cases, 5-iminothianthrene 5,10-dioxide (6) (Z- and E-mixture) and 5-iminothianthrene 5,10,10-trioxide (9) and further de-iminated products were also formed respectively as minor products. The stereochemical considerations on the S_N reactions are described in view of the steric effect and ‘flip-flap’ motion of the thianthrene framework.     

Pd(II) complexes of a sterically bulky, benzannulated N-heterocyclic carbene and their catalytic activities in the Mizoroki-Heck reaction

The bis(N,N′-diisopropylbenzimidazolin-2-ylidene)Pd(II) complexes trans-[PdBr₂(ⁱPr₂-bimy)₂] (trans-1) and trans-[PdI₂(ⁱPr₂-bimy)₂] (trans-2) have been prepared in good yields by in situ deprotonation of the corresponding N,N′-diisopropylbenzimidazolium salt (ⁱPr₂-bimyH⁺X⁻) (A: X = Br, B: X = I) with Pd(OAc)₂ in DMSO at elevated temperature. Salt metathesis of trans-1 or trans-2 with AgO₂CCF₃ in refluxing CH₃CN afforded the novel mixed carbene-carboxylato complex cis-[Pd(O₂CCF₃)₂(ⁱPr₂-bimy)₂] (cis-3). This halo/trifluorocarboxylato ligand substitution can be regarded as a selective method for the synthesis of cis-configured bis(carbene) complexes. All compounds have been fully characterized by multinuclei NMR spectroscopies and ESI mass spectrometry. X-ray diffraction studies on single crystals of trans-1, trans-2 and cis-3 revealed a square planar geometry and a fixed orientation of the N-isopropyl substituents with the C-H protons pointing to the metal center to maximize rare C-H?Pd preagostic interactions. These interactions are also retained in solution as indicated by the large downfield shift of the isopropyl C-H protons in the ¹H NMR spectrum compared to those in precursor salts A or B. A preliminary catalytic study revealed that all complexes are highly active in the Mizoroki-Heck coupling of aryl bromides and chlorides. However, these complexes gave slower conversions as compared to catalysts with less bulky benzimidazolin-2-ylidenes. This is most likely due to the steric bulk of the ligands, which hamper a fast reductive formation of catalytically active Pd(0) species.     

Cyclopalladated complexes with N-(benzoyl)-N-(2,4-dimethoxybenzylidene)hydrazine: syntheses, characterization and structural studies

Cyclopalladated complexes with the Schiff base N-(benzoyl)-N^′-(2,4-dimethoxybenzylidene)hydrazine (H₂L, 1) have been described. The reaction of 1 with Li₂[PdCl₄] in methanol yields the complex [Pd(HL)Cl] (2). [Pd(HL)(CH₃CN)Cl] (3) has been prepared by dissolving 2 in acetonitrile. In methanol-acetonitrile mixture, treatment of 2 with two mole equivalents of PPh₃ produces [PdL(PPh₃)] (4) and that with one mole equivalent of PPh₃ produces [Pd(HL)(PPh₃)Cl] (5). Crystallization of 2 from dmso-d₆ results into isolation of [Pd(HL)((CD₃)₂SO)Cl] (6). In 2, the monoanionic ligand (HL⁻) is C,N,O-donor and the Cl-atom is trans to the azomethine N-atom. In 3, 5 and 6, HL⁻ is C,N-donor and the Cl-atom is trans to the metallated C-atom. The remaining fourth coordination site is occupied by the N-atom of CH₃CN, the P-atom of PPh₃ and the S-atom of (CD₃)₂SO in 3, 5 and 6, respectively. Thus on dissolution in acetonitrile and dmso and in reaction with stoichiometric PPh₃ the incoming ligand imposes a rearrangement of the coordinating atoms on the palladium centre. On the other hand, in presence of excess PPh₃ deprotonation of the amide functionality in 2 occurs and the Cl-atom is replaced by the P-atom of PPh₃ to form 4. Here the dianionic ligand (L²⁻) remains C,N,O-donor as in 2. The compounds have been characterized with the help of elemental analysis (C, H, N), infrared, ¹H NMR and electronic absorption spectroscopy. Molecular structures of 3, 4, and 6 have been determined by X-ray crystallography.     

Synthesis, characterization and Schlenk equilibrium studies of methylmagnesium compounds with O- and N-donor ligands - the unexpected behavior of [MgMeBr(pmdta)] (pmdta = N,N,N′,N″,N″-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine)

MgMe₂ (1) was found to react with 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (dabco) in tetrahydrofuran (thf) yielding a binuclear complex [{MgMe₂(thf)}₂(μ-dabco)] (2). Furthermore, from reactions of MgMeBr with diglyme (diethylene glycol dimethyl ether), NEt₃, and tmeda (N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine) in etheral solvents compounds MgMeBr(L), (L = diglyme (5); NEt₃ (6); tmeda (7)) were obtained as highly air- and moisture-sensitive white powders. From a thf solution of 7 crystals of [MgMeBr(thf)(tmeda)] (8) were obtained. Reactions of MgMeBr with pmdta (N,N,N′,N″,N″-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine) in thf resulted in formation of [MgMeBr(pmdta)] (9) in nearly quantitative yield. On the other hand, the same reaction in diethyl ether gave MgMeBr(pmdta) · MgBr₂(pmdta) (10) and [{MgMe₂(pmdta)}₇{MgMeBr(pmdta)}] (11) in 24% and 2% yield, respectively, as well as [MgMe₂(pmdta)] (12) as colorless needle-like crystals in about 26% yield. The synthesized methylmagnesium compounds were characterized by microanalysis and ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The coordination-induced shifts of the ¹H and ¹³C nuclei of the ligands are small; the largest ones were found in the tmeda and pmdta complexes. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses revealed in 2 a tetrahedral environment of the Mg atoms with a bridging dabco ligand and in 8 a trigonal-bipyramidal coordination of the Mg atom. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses of [MgMe₂(pmdta)] (12) and [MgBr₂(pmdta)] (13) showed them to be monomeric with five-coordinate Mg atoms. The square-pyramidal coordination polyhedra are built up of three N and two C atoms in 12 and three N and two Br atoms in 13. The apical positions are occupied by methyl and bromo ligands, respectively. Temperature-dependent ¹H NMR spectroscopic measurements (from 27 to −80 °C) of methylmagnesium bromide complexes MgMeBr(L) (L = thf (4); diglyme (5); NEt₃ (6); tmeda (7)) in thf-d₈ solutions indicated that the deeper the temperature the more the Schlenk equilibria are shifted to the dimethylmagnesium/dibromomagnesium species. Furthermore, at −80 °C the dimethylmagnesium compounds are predominant in the solutions of Grignard compounds 4-6 whereas in the case of the tmeda complex7 the equilibrium constant was roughly estimated to be 0.25. In contrast, [MgMeBr(pmdta)] (9) in thf-d₈ revealed no dismutation into [MgMe₂(pmdta)] (12) and [MgBr₂(pmdta)] (13) even up to −100 °C. In accordance with this unexpected behavior, 1:1 mixtures of 12 and 13 were found to react in thf at room temperature yielding quantitatively the corresponding Grignard compound 9. Moreover, the structures of [MgMeBr(pmdta)] (9c), [MgMe₂(pmdta)] (12c), and [MgBr₂(pmdta)] (13c) were calculated on the DFT level of theory. The calculated structures 12c and 13c are in a good agreement with the experimentally observed structures 12 and 13. The equilibrium constant of the Schlenk equilibrium (2 9c ? 12c + 13c) was calculated to be K_gas = 2.0 × 10⁻³ (298 K) in the gas phase. Considering the solvent effects of both thf and diethyl ether using a polarized continuum model (PCM) the corresponding equilibrium constants were calculated to be K_thf = 1.2 × 10⁻³ and K_ether = 3.2 × 10⁻³ (298 K), respectively.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel trans-3-benzyl/(diphenyl)methyl/naphthyl seleno substituted monocyclic β-lactams: X-ray structure of trans-1-(4′-methoxyphenyl)-3-(diphenyl)methylseleno-4-(4′-methoxyphenyl)azetidin-2-one

Several novel trans-3-benzyl/(diphenyl)methyl/naphthylseleno substituted monocyclic β-lactams (5-7) have been synthesized in high yields. The reaction scheme inolves [2 + 2] cycloaddition (Staudinger) reaction between suitably substituted imines 4(a-h) and ketenes (B) accessed from 2-benzyl/(diphenyl)methyl/naphthylselenoethanoic acids (1-3) using POCl₃ and triethylamine in refluxing toluene. Characterization of these newly synthesized seleno substituted β-lactams has been performed by various spectroscopic techniques viz. NMR (¹H, ¹³C and ⁷⁷Se), FTIR, mass spectrometry and elemental analysis. The molecular structure of trans-1-(4′-methoxyphenyl)-3-(diphenyl)methylseleno-4-(4′-methoxyphenyl)azetidin-2-one (6b) has also been established with the help of single crystal X-ray analysis.     

Synthesis of 1,4-disilacyclohexa-2,5-dienes

Title compounds of the type 2,3,5,6-tetraphenyl-1,4-di-X-1,4-di-Y-1,4-disilacyclohexa-2,5-diene wherein X=Y=NMe₂ (4); X=NMe₂, Y=Cl (cis, trans-5); X=NMe₂, Y=Me [(trans)-6] and X=t-Bu, Y=Cl (trans-8) were synthesized from Si₂(NMe₂)₅Cl, sym-Si₂(NMe₂)₄Cl₂, sym-Si₂(NMe₂)₄Me₂, and sym-Si₂Cl₄(t-Bu)₂, respectively, in the presence of diphenylacetylene at 200 °C. Similarly the analogous title compound from the combination of 1-phenyl-1-propyne and Si₂(NMe₂)₅Cl [X=Y=NMe₂ (cis and trans-7) was synthesized. In all cases where cis/trans diastereomers could arise from two different silicon substituents (5, 6, 8) the trans isomer was the sole or dominant product. Evidence for the intermediacy of the silylene Si(NMe₂)₂ in these reactions was gained from a trapping experiment. Compound 4 upon treatment with SiCl₄, SiBr₄ or PI₃ provided the corresponding 1,1,4,4-tetrahalo derivatives 9a-c, respectively. Treatment of 4 with MeOH or PhOH gave the 1,1,4,4-tetramethoxy and tetraphenoxy analogues 9d and 9e, respectively. The tetrachloro derivative 9a upon LAH reduction led to the corresponding tetrahydro compound 10, while the reaction of 9a with H₂O gave the tetrahydroxy derivative 11. Allowing (trans)-6 to react with SiCl₄ provided a ca. 1:1 cis/trans ratio of the derivative 12 in which X=Cl, Y=Me, and possible pathways that rationalize this loss of stereochemistry are proposed. Synthesis of trans-13 in which X=t-Bu, Y=H was achieved by LAH reduction of 8. All of the title compounds except 8 experience free phenyl rotation at room temperature. At −30 °C this rotation in 8 is essentially halted. The molecular structures of 4, 8, 9c, 9e, 10 and 13 were determined by X-ray crystallography.     

Synthesis and reactivity of rhodium(III) pentamethylcyclopentadienyl complexes of N-B-PTA(BH3): X-ray crystal structures of [CpRhCl2{N-B}-PTA(BH3)] and [CpRh{N-B-PTA(BH3)}(η-CH2 = CHPh)]

The reaction between 1-boranyl-1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane ligand N-B-PTA(BH₃) and [Cp^∗RhCl(μ-Cl)]₂ affords [Cp^∗Rh{N-B-PTA(BH₃)}Cl₂] (3) or [Cp_∗Rh{N-B-PTA(BH₃)}₂Cl]Cl (5) containing one or two P-bonded boronated PTA ligands. The hydride [Cp_∗Rh{N-B-PTA(BH₃)}H₂] (8) was also obtained by reaction of 3 with NaBH₄ and alternatively by direct hydroboration of [Cp^∗Rh(PTA)Cl₂] with excess NaBH₄. Moderately slow hydrolysis of the N-boranyl rhodium complexes affords dihydrogen, H₃BO₃ and the corresponding PTA derivatives, including the water-soluble dihydride [Cp^∗Rh(PTA)H₂] (9). Finally, the reaction of 8 with electron poor alkynes gives the alkene complexes [Cp^∗Rh{N-B-PTA(BH₃)}(η²-CH₂ = CHR)] (R = Ph, 10; C(O)OEt, 11) as a mixture of rotamers η²-coordinated to rhodium without affecting the N-BH₃ moiety. The X-ray crystal structures of 3 and 10 were also obtained and are here discussed.     

Microwave assisted synthesis of novel imidazo [2,1-b]thiazole derivative attached to quinoxalinones

3-(6-Phenylimidazo[2,1-b]thiazol-5-yl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones (qunoxalinone) (6a-q) have been synthesized by the reaction of ethyl 2-oxo-2-(6-phenylimidazo[2,1-b]thiazol-5-yl)acetates (4a-e) with suitably substituted o-phenylenediamines (5a-f) under microwave heating. The ethyl 2-oxo-2-(6-phenylimidazo[2,1-b]thiazol-5-yl)acetates (4a-e) were prepared by the reaction of 6-phenylimidazo[2,1-b]thiazoles (3a-e) with ethyl chlorooxoacetate in refluxing 1,4-dioxane whereas the thiazoles (3a-e) were synthesized by the reaction of 2-bromo-1-phenylethanones (2a-e) with thiazol-2-amine in refluxing acetone.     

Effect of α-fluorination on asymmetric epoxidation of trans-olefins using α-fluorinated cyclohexanone dioxiranes

Epoxidations of trans-β-methylstyrene, trans-stilbene and trans-methyl p-methoxycinnamate using chiral dioxiranes derived from both enantiopure diastereomers of α-fluoro cyclohexanones, (2S, 5R)-3a-6a and (2R, 5R)-3e-6e are studied and compared. From ab initio calculations at the HF/6-31G^∗ level of conformational inter-conversion for (2S, 5R)-D5a and (2R, 5R)-D5e dioxiranes it was found that, due to the α-fluorine atom, conformer K1 is more stable in the case of (2S, 5R)-D5a while conformer K2 is more stable in the case of (2R, 5R)-D5e. However, in both cases, the more stable conformers, K1 and K2, undergo rapid inter-conversion. Therefore, based on slow epoxidation reactions and rapid ring inversion of six-membered ring dioxiranes the Curtin-Hammett principle holds. Conformation K2 with axial fluorine having been found to be more reactive, the inversion of configuration observed for the epoxides obtained with ketones 3e-6e (compared with ketones 3a-6a) could be rationalized from competitive reactions of K2 and K1 conformations leading to simultaneous production of both (−) and (+) epoxides in the case of ketones 3e-6e.     

trans-Spanning ferrocene amidodiphosphine ligand: Synthesis, palladium complexes and catalytic use in Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling

Amide coupling between [2-(diphenylphosphino)phenyl]methylamine and 1′-(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene-1-carboxylic acid (Hdpf) afforded a novel diphosphine-amide, 1-{N-[(2-(diphenylphosphino)phenyl)methyl]carbamoyl}-1′-(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene (1), which was subsequently studied as a ligand for palladium(II) complexes. Depending on the metal precursor, the following complexes were isolated: [PdCl₂(1-κ²P,P′)] (2), [PdCl(Me)(1-κ²P,P′)] (3), [(μ-1){PdCl₂(PBu₃)}₂] (4) and [(μ-1){PdCl(L^NC)}₂] (L^NC = 2-[(dimethylamino-κN)methyl]phenyl-κC¹), featuring this ligand either as a trans-chelating or as a P,P′-bridging donor. The crystal structure of 2·1.25CH₂Cl₂ was established by X-ray crystallography, corroborating that 1 coordinates as a trans-spanning diphosphine without any significant distortion to the coordination sphere. Complex 2 together with a catalyst prepared in situ from 1 and palladium(II) acetate were tested in Suzuki-Miyaura reaction of aryl bromides with phenylboronic acid in dioxane.     

Cyclorhenated compounds derived from 1,4-diaryl-1-azabutadienes: preparation, structures and reactions

PhCH₂Re(CO)₅ reacted with 1,4-diaryl-1-azabutadienes to give cyclometallated (η²-(C,N)-azabutadiene)Re(CO)₄ (4) together with the substituted derivatives (η¹-(N)-azabutadiene)(η²-(C,N)-azabutadiene)Re(CO)₃ (6 and 7) The substituted product was shown by NMR and X-ray crystal structure analysis to be an inseparable mixture of isomers differing in the conformation of the η¹-ligand about the NC bond—trans for (6) and cis for (7). Reaction of the mixture of 6 and 7 from 1,4-diphenyl-1-azabutadiene with phenyl acetylene gave η⁵-(1,2,4-triphenyl-1-aza-cyclohexadienyl)Re(CO)₃.