Synthesis of atropisomeric 5,5′-linked biphenyl bisaminophosphine ligands and their applications in asymmetric catalysis

Atropisomeric 5,5′-linked biphenyl bisaminophosphine ligands 2 has been synthesized. The axial chirality of this type of ligands can be retained by macro-ring strain produced from 5,5′-linkage of biphenyl even without 6,6′-substituents on biphenyls. The Rh complex of bisaminophosphine 2a as a catalyst is effectively working in the asymmetric hydrogenation of methyl (Z)-2-acetamido-3-arylacrylates, however, for hydrogenation of arylenamide, the low enantioselectivity was observed. When the ligands applied to Pd-catalyzed allylic alkylation, it is found that ligand 2b having a longer backbone linkage is a better ligand for enantioselection in the reaction.     

Synthesis, structures and some chemical and electrochemical properties of E-1,2-diferrocenyl-3-methylthioprop-2-enone and its ketals

2,3-Diferrocenyl-1-methylthiocyclopropenylium iodide reacts with water, metal alkoxides, phenolates and with alcohols in the presence of Et₃N to give E-1,2-diferrocenyl-3-methylthioprop-2-enone or its ketals. Their structures were established based on data from ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. The mechanistic aspects of these reactions are discussed. Electrochemical properties of 8 and 13b have been studied. The compounds present two oxidation processes (I-II), attributed to the oxidations of the ferrocenes groups, E^0′(I), E^0′(II), ΔE^0′(II-I) and comproportionation constant K_com are reported.     

Efficient bimetallic titanium catalyst for carbonyl-ene reaction

A new family of achiral 3,3′,5,5′-tetrasubstituted-2,2′,6,6′-tetrahydroxy biphenyl ligand 4 was developed. The axial chirality of the ligand could be induced by the chelation of 2,2′,6,6′-tetrahydroxy groups with (R)-BINOL-Ti(OⁱPr)₂ to form an axially chiral bimetallic titanium catalyst 9. Compared with (R)-BINOL-Ti(OⁱPr)₂ catalyst, this novel catalyst 9 exhibited excellent activity and enantioselectivity for the carbonyl-ene reaction of methylstyrene and ethyl glyoxylate. 3,3′,5,5′-Tetrasubstituted groups showed a remarkable effect on both enantioselectivity and yield. With 9d prepared from 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethyl-2,2′,6,6′-tetrahydroxy biphenyl 4d as the catalyst, the best result, up to 97.6% ee and 99% yield, was obtained. Additionally, the bimetallic catalyst 9 also showed better catalytic capability than the corresponding monometallic catalyst.     

Atropisomeric bisoxazoline ligands with a bridge across the 5,5′-position of biphenyl for asymmetric catalysis

A new family of atropisomeric bisoxazoline ligands 2 with a bridge across the 5,5′-position of biphenyl has been developed. The axial chirality of this type of ligands can be retained by macro-ring strain produced by 5,5′-linkage of biphenyls even without 6,6′-substituents on biphenyls. The Pd(II)-2d complex as catalyst showed high catalytic activity and enantioselectivity for asymmetric Wacker-type cyclization of allylphenols.     

The synthesis, spectroscopic, electrochemical and X-ray diffraction characterization of novel bridged ferrocene precursors for use in self-assembled monolayers

The synthesis of 1,6-diferrocenylhexane-1,6-dione (I), 1-ferrocenylcarbonyl-2-ferrocenylcyclopentene (II) and 1,6-diferrocenylhexane (III) is reported. All three compounds were characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and infra-red spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. Compounds I and III each exhibit a single two electron transfer, while compound (II) exhibits two single electron transfers. Compounds (I) and (II) were further studied by single crystal X-ray diffraction. In compound (I), both carbonyl groups are in plane with the adjacent ferrocenyl Cp ring. For compound (II) one of the ferrocenyl Cp rings is coplanar with the carbonyl group, the other with the double bond of the cyclopentene ring, but the CO moiety and the double bond are basically perpendicular to each other.     

Novel atropisomeric aminophosphine ligands with a bridge across the 5,5′-position of biphenyl for Rh(I)-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation

A new type of atropisomeric bisaminophosphine ligands 2 with a bridge across the 5,5′-position of biphenyl has been developed. The axial chirality of this type of ligands can be retained by macro-ring strain produced from 5,5′-linkage of biphenyl even without 6,6′-substituents on biphenyls. The ligand (R)-2a showed high catalytic activities and enantioselectivities (up to 95.3% ee and quantitative yields) for Rh(I)-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of a variety of methyl (Z)-2-acetamido-3-arylacrylates.     

Synthesis, crystal structures and thermal properties of new copper(I)halide 2-ethylpyrazine coordination polymers: the influence of solid-state kinetics on product formation

Three new copper(I) coordination polymers were prepared by the reaction of copper(I) chloride with 2-ethylpyrazine in water at room temperature or under solvothermal conditions. In poly[CuCl(μ₂-2-ethylpyrazine-N,N′)] (I), “zig-zag”-like CuCl chains are present, which are connected by the 2-ethylpyrazine ligand to a three-dimensional network. In comparison in catena[Cu₃Cl₃(μ₂-2-ethylpyrazine-N,N′)₂] (II) six-membered Cu₃Cl₃ rings occur, which are connected to chains by the organic ligands. In poly[Cu₂Cl₂(μ₂-2-ethylpyrazine-N,N′)] (III), CuCl double chains are found, which are linked by the ligands to form sheets. The thermal behaviour of the different compounds was investigated using simultaneous thermogravimetry, differential thermoanalysis and mass spectroscopy as well as temperature-dependent X-ray powder diffraction. Two mass steps are found upon heating compound I in a thermobalance with 1°C/min, where the first corresponds to the transformation into compound III, and the second to the loss of the remaining ligands under formation of CuCl. If the heating rate is increased to 16°C/min, compound II is formed as an intermediate in a consecutive reaction. Therefore, the product formation depends on the actual heating rate, which shows that the solid-state kinetics plays an important role in such thermal reactions.     

Studies on bis(1′-ortho-carboranyl)benzenes and bis(1′-ortho-carboranyl)biphenyls

Reactions between the C,C′-dicopper(I) derivative of ortho-carborane and ortho-, meta- and para-diiodobenzene are reported. The reaction with 1,2-C₆H₄I₂ unexpectedly afforded 2,2′-bis(1′-ortho-carboranyl)biphenyl, [HCB₁₀H₁₀CC₆H₄]₂2, whereas reactions with 1,3- or 1,4-C₆H₄I₂ provided alternative routes to 1,3-bis(1′-ortho-carboranyl)benzene 3 and 1,4-bis(1′-ortho-carboranyl)benzene 4, respectively. The crystal structure of the biphenyl derivative 2 revealed significant distortions in the biphenylene framework attributable to the proximity of the two bulky carborane cages. UV absorption spectra and electrochemical data on 2 and 3 showed little electronic communication between the two carborane cages in either, and negligible π-conjugation between the two ortho-phenylene rings in 2. However, substantial evidence was found of electronic communication between the carborane cages via the para-phenylene bridge in 4. B3LYP/6-31G^∗ computations have been carried out on compounds 2 and 4, on 4,4′-bis(ortho-carboranyl)biphenyl 6 and on 1,2-bis(1′-ortho-carboranyl)benzene 7. Those on 2, 4 and 6 show the computed geometries to be in very good agreement with the experimental geometries: those on 7 allowed the reported molecular geometry of this compound to be revised and revealed a long cage C–C bond of 1.725(3) Å.     

Temperature dependence on recrystallisation of the magnesium phthalocyanine (MgPc) in triethylamine

Three complexes of magnesium phthalocyaninato(2−) derivatives in the crystalline form, MgPc(H₂O)·(C₂H₅)₃N – (I), MgPc(H₂O)₂·2(C₂H₅)₃N – (II) and MgPc(H₂O)₂ – (III), depending on the thermal recrystallisation conditions were obtained and structurally characterised. In complex I, the Mg center exhibits square-pyramidal (4 + 1) coordination environment, whereas in II and III the Mg center of MgPc the biaxial (4 + 2) coordination. Owing to the interaction of the positively charged Mg center with oppositely charged oxygen atom of water molecule in an axial position in I, the Mg atom is significantly displaced (0.451(2) Å) from the plane defined by four isoindole N atoms and leads to distortion of the planar Pc(2−) macrocycle to the saucer-shape form. In II and III due to the biaxial (4 + 2) coordination of the Mg center of MgPc, the Mg atom lies on a N₄-isoindole plane. The triethylamine solvent molecules in I and II interact with mono or bis(aqua)magnesium phthalocyanine via   O–H?$?$N hydrogen bonds. The axial Mg–O bond in I is significantly shorter than that in the II and III complexes. The strength of the Mg–O bond in these complexes is correlated with their thermal stability. From among the complexes only complex I exhibits an intense near-IR absorption band in the solid-state. The spectra of I, II and III in solution are very similar.     

Syntheses, electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical properties of novel ball-type and mononuclear Co(II) phthalocyanines substituted at the peripheral and non-peripheral positions with binaphthol groups

Mononuclear cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc) substituted at the non-peripheral 8 and peripheral positions 9 with 1,1′-binaphthyl-8,8′-diol and ball-type dinuclear Co₂Pc₂ substituted at the non-peripheral 10 and peripheral 11 positions with the same substituent are reported. The complexes with 1,1′-binaphthol-bridges were prepared from the corresponding phthalonitriles 4-7. The effects of the position of substituent on spectral, electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical properties of these complexes were also explored. The mononuclear complexes 8 and 9 exhibited one metal reduction, one ring reduction and one ring oxidation. The redox properties of the ball-type complexes 10 and 11 exhibited two reduction processes assigned to [(Co^IPc⁻²)₂]²⁻/[(Co^IPc⁻³)₂]⁴⁻ (I), (Co^IIPc⁻²)₂/[(Co^IPc⁻²)₂]²⁻ (II) and one oxidation process assigned to [(Co^IIIPc⁻²)₂]²⁺/Co^IIPc⁻²)₂ (III). The ball-type complexes are much easier to oxidize and more difficult to reduce than the corresponding monomers 8 and 9.     

Synthesis and characterization of bis(methoxyl hydroxyl)-functionalized disiloxane and polysiloxane oligomers derivatives therefrom

With purpose to prepare waterborne polyurethane with improved performance, bis(methyoxyl hydroxyl)-functionalized polysiloxanes with different dimethylsiloxane segment length were prepared. The preparation includes three steps, the first is synthesis of 1,3-bis(glycidoxypropyl)tetramethyldisiloxane (compound I) via hydrosilylation of allylglycidyl ether with tetramethyldisiloxane, followed by a subsequent methoxylation of the resultant compound from the hydrosilylation to give 1,3-bis(3-(1-methoxy-2-hydroxypropoxy)propyl)tetramethyldisiloxane (compound II). Using this compound II and octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D₄), an equilibrium reaction was carried out to obtain the target Product III, i.e. bis(methoxyl hydroxyl)-functionalized polysiloxanes. The ratio of D₄/compound II was varied in order to prepare product III with different segment length consisting of dimethylsiloxane units. At each step, the outcome compounds were characterized through Infrared, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR as well as H-H and H-C Correlated Spectroscopy (COSY). The results showed that each step was successfully carried out and objective products were achieved. It was estimated that compound II was not exclusive in the methoxylation step. Characterizations of the compound II enabled us to give a reliable quantitative amount for the by-products for the first time. In addition, the molecular weights of the final product III with varying dimethylsiloxane length were estimated by hydroxyl group analysis, ¹H NMR and GPC, which showed a good agreement between the theoretical molecular weights and those from these tests.     

Hydrothermal synthesis, crystal structures and fluorescence properties of three novel frameworks constructed with mixed ligands of isophthalic acid (1,3-BDC) and 2,3-di-2-pyridylquinoxaline (Dpdq): [M(1,3-BDC)(Dpdq)(H2O)m] · nH2O (M = Co, Cd or Zn)

Three novel metal-organic frameworks [M(1,3-BDC)(Dpdq)(H₂O)_m] · nH₂O, (M = Co^II (1), Cd^II (2) or Zn^II (3); m = 0, 1; n = 0, 1, 2, respectively) have been obtained from hydrothermal reactions of three different metal(II) nitrates with the same mixed ligands [isophthalic acid (1,3-BDC) and 2,3-di-2-pyridylquinoxaline (Dpdq)], and structurally characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectroscopy, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. Single-crystal X-ray analyses show that each pair of metal ions are bridged by various coordination modes of 1,3-BDC ligands to form left- and right-handed helical chains in 1, linear chains in 2, and double chains in 3, respectively. N-containing flexible ligand Dpdq takes a chelating coordination mode acting as terminal ligand. In the compound 1, adjacent left- and right-handed helical chains are packed through hydrogen bonds to form a two-dimensional (2-D) structure. In the compounds 2 and 3, adjacent chains are further linked by hydrogen bonds and/or π-π stacking interactions to form a three-dimensional (3-D) distorted hexagon meshes supramolecular framework for 2 and a ZnS-related three-dimensional (3-D) topology for 3, respectively. The different structures of compounds 1-3 illustrate that the influence of the metal ions in the self-assembly of polymeric coordination architectures. In addition, compounds 2 and 3 exhibit blue emission in the solid state at room temperature.     

Synthesis and electrochemical properties of new cobalt and manganese phthalocyanine complexes tetra-substituted with 3,4-(methylendioxy)-phenoxy

The synthesis and electrochemical properties of new cobalt and manganese phthalocyanine complexes, tetra-substituted with 3,4-(methylendioxy)-phenoxy at the peripheral (complexes 3 and 5) and non-peripheral (complexes 4 and 6) positions, are reported. Complexes 3 and 4 showed Q-band absorption, in DMF, at 668 and 686 nm, respectively while Q-band due to complexes 5 and 6 appeared at 732 and 760 nm, respectively in CHCl₃. All the complexes showed well resolved redox processes attributed to both metal and ring based processes. Complexes 3 and 4 showed four redox processes, labeled I, II, III and IV. For complex 3, process I (Co^IPc⁻²/Co^IPc⁻³) was observed at −1.45 V, II (Co^IIPc⁻²/Co^IPc⁻²) at −0.38 V, III (Co^IIIPc⁻²/Co^IIPc⁻²) at +0.49 V and IV (Co^IIIPc⁻¹/Co^IIIPc⁻²) at +0.97 V versus Ag|AgCl. Similar processes were observed for complex 4 at −1.36 V, −0.27 V, +0.56 V, +1.03 V versus Ag|AgCl, respectively. Complexes 5 and 6 showed two redox processes (I and II). For complex 5, these processes appeared at −0.79 V (Mn^IIPc⁻²/Mn^IIPc⁻³, I) and −0.07 V versus Ag|AgCl (Mn^IIIPc⁻²/Mn^IIPc⁻², II), while for complex 6, they were observed at −0.86 V and −0.04 V versus Ag|AgCl. Spectroelectrochemistry was used to probe and confirm the origin of these processes.     

Inclusion crystals of 2,2′,7,7′,9,9′-hexahalo-9,9′-bisfluorenyl derivatives: a new family of polyhalo aryl hosts

The preparation and inclusion properties of the new halo aryl hosts, 2,2′,7,7′,9,9′-hexahalo-9,9′-bisfluorenyl derivatives 5-7, are described. The host compounds 5-7 having four halogen atoms on the aromatic rings form stable inclusion crystals with many guest compounds, whereas the parent compound 4 does not. The X-ray structures of the host 4 and representative inclusion compounds of hosts 5-7 were determined, allowing rationalization of several of the experimental observations.     

A “sodium trap” based on benzo-15-crown-5 with an exocyclic N-(thiophosphoryl)thiourea moiety

For N-(thio)phosphorylthioureas of the common formula RC(S)NHP(X)(OiPr)₂HL^I (R = N-(4′-aminobenzo-15-crown-5), X = S), HL^II (R = N-(4′-aminobenzo-15-crown-5), X = O), HL^III (R = PhNH, X = S), HL^IV (R = PhNH, X = O), and (N,N′-bis-[C(S)NHP(S)(OiPr)₂]₂-1,10-diaza-18-crown-6) H₂L^V, salts LiL^I,III,IV, NaL^I–IV, KL^I–IVM₂L^V (M = Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺), Ba(L^I,III,IV)₂, and BaL^V have been synthesized and investigated. Compounds NaL^I,II quantitatively drop out as a deposit in ethanol medium, allowing the separation of Na⁺ and K⁺ cations. This effect is not displayed for the other compounds. The crystal structures of HL^III and the solvate of the composition [K(Me₂CO)L^III] have been investigated by X-ray crystallography.     

Translation of helical chirality from polymer into monomer: supramolecular polymerization of a chirality-memory molecule with an asymmetric Pd(II) complex

A chirality-memorizing saddle-shaped porphyrin (1_2H) with 3,5-dipyridylphenyl side arms at the opposite meso positions underwent supramolecular polymerization in CH₂Cl₂ with a chiral Pd(II) complex of 2,2′-bis(diphenylphosphino)-1,1′-binaphthyl (Pd^II(BINAP)), forming a ladder-shaped polymer (3_2H) with a prevailing one-handed helical chirality. When this polymer was poured into AcOH containing 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane (DPPP) as a decomplexing agent, 3_2H was depolymerized in a stereochemically retentive way to give optically active 1_2H, hydrogen-bonded with AcOH. Although a cyclodimeric reference of 3_2H, formed from 2_2H having two 3-pyridylphenyl meso substituents in conjunction with Pd^II(BINAP), behaved similar to 3_2H, the translation efficiency of helical chirality was lower than that in the case with 3_2H.     

Formal total synthesis of (−)-spongidepsin

The formal total synthesis of (−)-spongidepsin is described. Three fragments I, II, and III were first prepared from readily available starting materials and then assembled to the target compound. The key steps involved in the synthesis are asymmetric α-hydroxylation, Ender's alkylation, and ring-closing metathesis reactions. An alternative route for the fragment II is also achieved involving Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation and Gilman's alkylation as key reactions.     

Analysis of European oak bark beetle (Scolytus intricatus) extracts using hyphenated and chiral chromatography techniques

Two bioactive compounds, viz. 4-methylheptan-3-ol (I) and 4-methylheptan-3-one (II) have been identified in European oak bark beetle (Scolytus intricatus) extracts by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometric and electroantennographic detector systems. Further examination of these compounds using gas chromatography on chiral stationary phases, as well as a comparison with optically active standards proved the absolute configuration of the identified compounds to be (3R,4S)-I and (S)-II. The discovery of (3R,4S)-I and (S)-II as insect-produced compounds in both sexes of S. intricatus constitutes the first reported occurrence in this species.     

C-H?Cl relevant discrepancy on structure, magnetic and electronic conductivity of two mixed-valence CuCu coordination polymers

Two mixed-valence Cu^ICu^II coordination polymers [Cu^ICu^II(qdiol)ClL]_n (qdiol²⁻=2,3-dioxyquinoxalinate, L=2,2′-bipyridine, 1; L=1,10-phenanthroline, 2) were obtained in basic ethanolic solution of CuCl₂, 1,4-dihydro-2,3-quinoxalinedione and L under the solvothermal condition. 1 and 2 are similar in composition, but differ remarkably in structure. The coordination modes of Cu^II, qdiol²⁻ and L are identical in both complexes. But the Cu^I ions are two- and three-coordinated, and the Cl⁻ ions are terminal and bridging, in 1 and 2, respectively, which are relevant to the significantly different C-H?Cl hydrogen bonding pattern of bpy and phen. The temperature variable magnetic susceptibilities show that 1 is paramagnetic and 2 is weakly antiferromagnetic. The complex impedance spectroscopic studies indicate that both 1 and 2 are semiconductors and 2 is more conducting.     

Molecular and crystal structure and stability of triiodides of quinolinium derivatives

1,2,4-Trimethylquinolinium triiodide (I) and 1-ethyl-2,4-dimethylquinolinium (II) triiodide are synthesized and studied by X-ray diffraction analysis. The layered structures of compounds I and II are formed by mixed stacks of cations and anions. Crystals of compound II consist of two types of anionic chains. The coordinating ability of the corresponding organic iodides toward molecular iodine in chloroform solutions is studied.