Synthesis of chiral water-soluble metalloporphyrins (Fe, Ru,): new catalysts for asymmetric carbene transfer in water

The reaction of optically active Halterman porphyrin with sulfuric acid (95%) provided the expected water-soluble para-tetrasulfonated porphyrin in 82% yield. The metalloporphyrin complexes were prepared by metal insertion (iron) or direct sulfonation of the chiral ruthenium porphyrin. The asymmetric addition of diazoacetate to styrene to give optically active trans cyclopropyl ester (ee up to 86%) was carried out in water by using chiral iron or ruthenium porphyrins with a possible reuse due to the high solubility and stability in aqueous solution.     

Synthesis of meta- and paracyclophanes containing unsaturated amino acid residues

[7.7], [8.8], [9.9] and [13.13] Paracyclophanes and [9.9] and [13.13] metacyclophanes containing two unsaturated amino acid residues have been synthesised. An X-ray crystallographic study of three of the paracyclophanes and molecular modelling of two paracyclophanes and two metacyclophanes revealed two main structural types. The ‘staggered’ structure appears to be favoured by longer hydrocarbon chains, whilst the ‘barrel’ structure appears to be more accessible to compounds containing shorter hydrocarbon chains. The [9.9] paracyclophane has been hydrogenated and deprotected to give a saturated amino acid, and an alternative approach to key aldehydes is reported.     

Trapping of a cycloheptatetraene in the reaction of atomic carbon with phenol

Reaction of atomic carbon with phenol generates tropone in a reaction postulated to proceed via the hydroxycycloheptatetraenes, which rearrange to tropone. When the hydroxyphenylcarbenes are generated by the C atom deoxygenation of the corresponding aldehydes, the meta and para isomers produce tropone; the ortho isomer does not.     

Chiral recognition of amines and amino acid derivatives by optically active ruthenium Halterman porphyrins in organic solvents and water

The complexation of optically active or racemic amines, amino esters and amino acids with chiral ruthenium Halterman porphyrins is described. For various amino esters, chiral recognition was observed for the complexation of the ligand with up to 60% enantiomeric excess for 1-(1-naphthyl) ethylamine. A water-soluble ruthenium Halterman porphyrin, due to the presence of four sulfonate groups at the para-positions, was also prepared and used for the chiral recognition of amino acids in water.     

Ruthenium(II)-catalyzed transfer hydrogenation of aldehydes with new water-soluble monotosylated ethylenediamines as ligands

New water-soluble monotosylated ethylenediamines containing quaternary ammonium groups were conveniently synthesized from ethylenediamine. The ruthenium catalysts prepared in situ from ruthenium complex [RuCl₂(p-cymene)]₂ and water-soluble monotosylated ethylenediamine ligands were used in transfer hydrogenation of aldehydes, and excellent conversions and chemoselectivities were achieved with sodium formate as reductant in neat water.     

Chloro-substituted Hoveyda-Grubbs ruthenium carbene: Investigation of electronic effects

A series of applications of cross and ring-closing metathesis has been made to investigate the application profile of the chloro-substituted Hoveyda-Grubbs ruthenium carbene in order to evaluate electronic effects resulting from the introduction of a chlorine atom para to the isopropoxy moiety of its parent catalyst.     

Novel olefin metathetis catalysts with fluorinated <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-alkyl-<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>´-arylimidazolin-2-ylidene ligands

Novel ruthenium carbene complexes bearing unsymmetrical NHC-ligands based on N-alkyl-N´-arylimidazoline with hexafluoroisopropylmethoxy group in para-position of N-aryl moiety have been synthesized. Catalytic activity of complexes obtained was investigated on model reactions of intra- and intermolecular olefin metathesis.     

Ortho-para selectivity in coordinated reactions of aldimines with magnesium phenoxides

N-Aryl imines from aromatic aldehydes react in benzene with ortho-tertbutylphenoxymagnesium bromide to give 4,4′-arylidenebisphenols $\text{5}$ through two consencutive para-regiospecific processes whereas N-alkyl imines give mainly ortho-regioselective reactions in the same conditions, producing 2,2′-arylidenebisphenols $\text{4}$.     

Ruthenium(II)‐Catalyzed C−H Difluoromethylation of Ketoximes: Tuning the Regioselectivity from the meta to the para Position

A highly para‐selective C_Ar?H difluoromethylation of ketoxime ethers under ruthenium catalysis has been developed. A wide variety of ketoxime ethers are compatible with the reaction, which leads to the corresponding para‐difluoromethylated products in moderate to good yield. A mechanistic study clearly showed that chelation‐assisted cycloruthenation is the key factor in the para selectivity of the difluoromethylation of ketoxime ethers. Density functional theory was used to gain a theoretical understanding of the para selectivity.#     

Visible-light-enabled ruthenium-catalyzed para-C−H difluoroalkylation of anilides

Visible-light-mediated para-C–H difluoroalkylation of anilides via combination of steric effects and Lewis acid activation strategies has been developed. The addition of (C₆H₅O)₂P(O)OH and Ag₂CO₃ properly tune the redox potential of ruthenium catalyst and leads to mild reaction conditions. The protocol exhibits broad functional group tolerance and allows the late-stage functionalization of complex bioactive molecules.     

Reductive α-alkylation of ketones with aldehydes at atmospheric pressure of carbon monoxide: the effect of fluoride activation in ruthenium catalysis

Fluoride additive to [(p-cymene)RuCl₂]₂, a readily available ruthenium catalyst, allows one to achieve milder conditions for the reductive alkylation of aldehydes with ketones using carbon monoxide as a reducing agent. The procedure is suitable for the broad substrate scope, and a probable explanation for the fluoride role was provided.     

Ru3(CO)12-catalyzed intramolecular allylic transfer reaction of tethered carbonyl group and allylic acetate moiety

A ruthenium catalyzed intramolecular allylic transfer reaction of allylic acetates containing aldehydes or ketones to form cis-homoallylic cyclopentanols and cyclohexanols as a major component is described. The use of Ru₃(CO)₁₂ (1 mol %) to promote reaction results in a convenient procedure for intramolecular allylation of carbonyl functionalities.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Extended Bis(terpyridine)ruthenium Amino Acids

(Oligopyridine)ruthenium(II) complexes have been widely used in dye sensitized solar cells and other sophisticated optical devices due to their outstanding photophysical properties and their chemical stability. Herein, we describe the longitudinal extension of our previously reported bis(terpyridine)ruthenium(II) amino acid [Ru(tpy–NH₂)(tpy–COOH)]²⁺ (tpy = 4′‐substituted 2,2′:6′,2″‐terpyridine) by insertion of para‐phenylene spacers –C₆H₄– between the terpyridine and the functional groups. The influence of the para‐phenylene spacer on the absorption and emission properties is investigated using UV/Vis absorption and emission spectroscopy and is discussed within a qualitative molecular orbital picture.     

Synthesis of 2-(Pyrazol-1-yl)pyrimidine Derivatives by Cyclocondensation of Ethyl Acetoacetate (6-Methyl-4-oxo-3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2-yl)hydrazone with Aromatic Aldehydes

2-(4-Arylidene-3-methyl-5-oxo-4,5-dihydropyrazol-1-yl)-6-methylpyrimidin-4(3H)-ones were obtained by reaction of ethyl acetoacetate (6-methyl-4-oxo-3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2-yl)hydrazone with aromatic aldehydes. Successful cyclization occurs with aldehydes containing an auxochromic substituent in the para position.     

A C2-symmetric chiral bipyridyldiol–titanium complex as a catalyst for the asymmetric trimethylsilylcyanation of substituted benzaldehydes

This article describes a novel C₂-symmetric ligand that comprises a central bipyridine-pinene-derived core and two functionalized two diphenylmethanol subunits. The [8′-(hydroxy-diphenyl-methyl)-10,10,10′,10′-tetramethyl-[5,5′]bi[6-aza-tricyclo[7.1.1.0^2,7]undecyl]-2(7),3,5,2′(7′),3′,5′-hexane-8-yl]-diphenyl-methanol 1 is an effective catalyst in the enantioselective addition of trimethylsilylcyanide to various aromatic aldehydes with asymmetric inductions of up to 98% ee. Importantly, the correlation between Hammett substituent constants and the enantiomeric excess, and the electron-releasing group at the meta- and para-positions of substituted benzaldehydes were demonstrated to be associated with the high enantioselectivity of the trimethylsilylcyanation reaction that involves trimethylsilylcyanide.     

A convenient,rapid microwave assisted synthesis of some novel 3-[(4-chloro-3-methylphenoxy)methyl]-6-aryl-5,6-dihydro-[1,2,4]triazolo[3,4-b][1,3,4]thiadiazoles using acidic alumina

A facile synthesis of 3-[(4-chloro-3-methylphenoxy)methyl]-6-aryl-5,6-dihydro-[1,2,4]triazolo[3,4-b][1,3,4]thiadiazoles 3a–n has been achieved by microwave promoted condensation of 3-mercapto-4-amino-5-[(4-chloro-3-methylphenoxy)methyl]-4H-1,2,4-triazole 1 with various aromatic aldehydes 2a–n in presence of catalytic amount of p-TsOH (para-toluenesulphonic acid). The structures of 3a–n are supported by IR and ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectral data.     

Evaluation of tris(4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthrolinedisulfonate)ruthenium(II) as a chemiluminescence reagent

Previous studies have suggested that tris(4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthrolinedisulfonate)ruthenium(II) (Ru(BPS)₃⁴⁻) has great potential as a chemiluminescence reagent in acidic aqueous solution. We have evaluated four different samples of this reagent (two commercially available and two synthesised in our laboratory) in comparison with tris(2,2′-bipyridine)ruthenium(II) (Ru(bipy)₃²⁺) and tris(1,10-phenanthroline)ruthenium(II) (Ru(phen)₃²⁺), using a range of structurally diverse analytes. In general, Ru(BPS)₃⁴⁻ produced more intense chemiluminescence, but the oxidised Ru(BPS)₃³⁻ species is less stable in aqueous solution than Ru(bipy)₃³⁺ and produced a greater blank signal than Ru(bipy)₃³⁺ or Ru(phen)₃³⁺, which had a detrimental effect on sensitivity. Although the complex is often depicted with the sulfonate groups of the BPS ligand in the para position on the phenyl rings, NMR characterisation revealed that the commercially available BPS material used in this study was predominantly the meta isomer.     

Hybrid silica materials derived from Hoveyda-Grubbs ruthenium carbenes. Electronic effects of the nitro group on the activity and recyclability as diene and enyne metathesis catalysts

The preparation of several organic-inorganic hybrid materials by sol-gel process derived from Hoveyda-type monomers is described. One of them presents a nitro group at the para position with respect to the alkoxy moiety. These materials were treated with Grubbs catalysts to generate the corresponding Hoveyda-Grubbs carbene ruthenium complexes covalently bonded to the silica matrix, which were tested as recyclable catalysts for diene and enyne RCM. Electronic effects of the nitro group resulted in enhanced activity of the catalyst. Whereas the recyclability decreased in RCM of dienes, the presence of this electron-withdrawing group was highly advantageous for the RCM of enynes, the reusability being greatly improved.     

Palladium-catalyzed remote para-C–H activation of arenes assisted by a recyclable pyridine-based template

Direct para-selective C–H functionalization of arenes remains a daunting challenge and is still significantly restricted to a few scaffolds. Herein, we report an unprecedented pyridine-based para-directing template (DT) assisted, Pd-catalyzed para-C–H alkenylation of three classes of arenes, i.e. phenylpropanoic acids, 2-phenyl benzoic acids and benzyl alcohols, with a series of alkenes including perfluoroalkenes. Notably, the pyridine-based para-DT could be easily synthesized and readily recycled under mild conditions. These results may find application in rapid construction of para-substituted arenes and stimulate the exploration of novel methods for para-C–H functionalization of arenes.

An unprecedented pyridine-based para-directing template (DT) assisted, Pd-catalyzed remote para-C–H alkenylation of three classes of arenes is reported herein.     

Metallation reactions. Part 35: A change of the regiochemistry in the metallation of (alkylthio)arenes

The metallation reaction of bromo(alkylthio)benzenes is described. The results show the complementarity of these reactions with the metal-hydrogen exchange reaction. In fact, monometallation of bromo(methylthio)benzenes afforded products substituted in para or meta or ortho to the thioethereal function while bimetallation led to αS,para, αS,meta and αS,ortho disubstituted products. Analogously, the monometallation of 4-bromo-(isopropylthio)benzene afforded para-monosubstituted and ortho,para-disubstituted products.