One-pot synthesis of 1-aryl-3-methyl-1,3-dienes using methallyl(trimethyl)silane and aldehydes and their low temperature (Z)→(E) isomerization induced by sulfur dioxide

2-Methylprop-2-ene-1-sulfonyl fluorides can be easily prepared via the ene reaction of methallylsilanes and SO₂. In the presence of a base, aldehydes and 2-methylprop-2-ene-1-sulfonyl fluorides give 1,3-(E) and (Z)-dienes. Their (Z)→(E) isomerization by classical means fails or leads to their polymerization. It is shown that SO₂ can isomerize 1-aryl-3-methyl-1,3-dienes at low temperature, without formation of sulfolenes (cheletropic addition/elimination). Preliminary mechanistic studies suggest that SO₂ adds to 1,3-dienes forming 1,4-diradical intermediates that are responsible for the (Z)→(E) isomerizations.     

Stereospecific preparation of symmetrical (1Z, 3Z)- and (1E, 3E)-2,3-difluoro-1,4-disubstituted-buta-1,3-dienes from 1-bromo-1-fluoroalkenes

A straightforward method to prepare symmetrical (1Z, 3Z)- and (1E, 3E)-2,3-difluoro-1,4-disubstituted-buta-1,3-dienes is described. High E/Z ratio 1-bromo-1-fluoroalkenes, prepared by isomerization from the E/Z ≈ 1:1 isomeric mixtures, reacted with Bu₃SnSnBu₃ and Pd(PPh₃)₄ to afford (1Z, 3Z)-2,3-difluoro-1,4-disubstituted-buta-1,3-dienes in good yield. (Z)-1-Bromo-1-fluoroalkenes, which were prepared by kinetic reduction from 1-bromo-1-fluoroalkenes (E/Z ≈ 1:1), can undergo similar reaction with Bu₃SnSnBu₃ and Pd(PPh₃)₄/CuI to prepare (1E, 3E)-2,3-difluoro-1,4-disubstituted-buta-1,3-dienes.     

N,N-dihalophosphoramides-XV: The addition of diethyl N,N-dichlorophosphoroamidate (DCPA) to conjugated 1,3-dienes

The addition of DCPA to several conjugated 1,3-dienes has been studied. The reaction was found to proceed in dichloromethane and was spontaneously or photolytically initiated depending on the structure of the dienes. N-chloro adducts, formed upon addition, could be reduced “in situ” with sodium sulphite solution to give the corresponding diethyl N-(chloroalkenyl)posphoroamidates. Addition of DCPA to terminal double bond 1,3-dienes (butadiene, isoprene and 2,3-dimethyl-1,3-butadiene) leads regiospecifically to (E)-1,4-adducts. Similarly, 1,4-addition is also observed for 1,3-cyclohexadiene. Reaction of DCPA with nonterminal double bond 1,3-dienes (trans-piperylene, 4-methyl-1,3-pentadiene, 2,5-dimethyl-2,4-hexadiene and 1,4-diphenyl-1,3-butadiene) usually affords a mixture of adducts. Spectral data and chemical transformations pertinent to the proof of structure of DCPA addition products are presented. A possible mechanism for the addition is discussed.     

Calcium ions tune the zinc-sequestering properties and antimicrobial activity of human S100A12

Human S100A12 is a host-defense protein expressed and released by neutrophils that contributes to innate immunity. Apo S100A12 is a 21 kDa antiparallel homodimer that harbors two Ca(ii)-binding EF-hand domains per subunit and exhibits two His₃Asp motifs for chelating transition metal ions at the homodimer interface. In this work, we present results from metal-binding studies and microbiology assays designed to ascertain whether Ca(ii) ions modulate the Zn(ii)-binding properties of S100A12 and further evaluate the antimicrobial properties of this protein. Our metal-depletion studies reveal that Ca(ii) ions enhance the ability of S100A12 to sequester Zn(ii) from microbial growth media. We report that human S100A12 has antifungal activity against Candida albicans, C. krusei, C. glabrata and C. tropicalis, all of which cause human disease. This antifungal activity is Ca(ii)-dependent and requires the His₃Asp metal-binding sites. We expand upon prior studies of the antibacterial activity of S100A12 and report Ca(ii)-dependent and strain-selective behavior. S100A12 exhibits in vitro growth inhibitory activity against Listeria monocytogenes. In contrast, S100A12 has negligible effect on the growth of Escherichia coli K-12 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1. Loss of functional ZnuABC, a high-affinity Zn(ii) import system, increases the susceptibility of E. coli and P. aeruginosa to S100A12, indicating that S100A12 deprives these mutant strains of Zn(ii). To evaluate the Zn(ii)-binding sites of S100A12 in solution, we present studies using Co(ii) as a spectroscopic probe and chromophoric small-molecule chelators in Zn(ii) competition titrations. We confirm that S100A12 binds Zn(ii) with a 2 : 1 stoichiometry, and our data indicate sub-nanomolar affinity binding. Taken together, these data support a model whereby S100A12 uses Ca(ii) ions to tune its Zn(ii)-chelating properties and antimicrobial activity.     

Regiospecific synthesis of symmetrical (1E,3E) 2,3-difluoro-1,4-diphenyl-buta-1,3-dienes via palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling of (Z) 2-bromo-2-fluoroethenylbenzenes in presence of bis(pinacolato)diboron

The cross-coupling reaction of (Z) 1-bromo-1-fluoroalkenes catalyzed by PdCl₂(PPh₃)₂-2PPh₃ (3%) and CsF in Tetrahydrofuran (THF) in presence of bis(pinacolato)diboron led to (1E,3E) 2,3-difluoro-1,4-disubstituted-buta-1,3-dienes in high yields.     

Correlations between ligand field Δo,spin crossover T1/2 and redox potential Epa in a family of five dinuclear helicates

A family of five new bis-bidentate azole–triazole Rat ligands (1,3-bis(5-(azole)-4-isobutyl-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)benzene), varying in choice of azole (2-imidazole, 4-imidazole, 1-methyl-4-imidazole, 4-oxazole and 4-thiazole), and the corresponding family of spin-crossover (SCO) and redox active triply bridged dinuclear helicates, [Fe^II₂L₃]⁴⁺, has been prepared and characterised. X-ray crystal structures show all five Fe(ii) helicates are low spin at 100 K. Importantly, DOSY NMR confirms the intactness of these SCO-active dinuclear helicates in D₃-MeCN solution, regardless of HS fraction: γ_HS(298 K) = 0–0.81. Variable temperature ¹H NMR Evans and UV-vis studies reveal that the helicates are SCO-active in MeCN solution. Indeed, the choice of azole in the Rat ligand used in [Fe₂L₃]⁴⁺ tunes: (a) solution SCO T_1/2 from 247 to 471 K, and (b) reversible redox potential, E_m(Fe^II/III), from 0.25 to 0.67 V for four helicates, whilst one has an irreversible redox process, E_pa = 0.78 V, vs. 0.01 M AgNO₃/Ag. For the four reversible redox systems, a strong correlation (R² = 0.99) is observed between T_1/2 and E_pa. Finally, the analogous Ni(ii) helicates have been prepared to obtain Δ_o, establishing: (a) the ligand field strength order of the ligands: 4-imidazole (11 420) ∼ 1-methyl-4-imidazole (11 430) < 2-imidazole (11 505) ∼ 4-oxazole (11 516) < 4-thiazole (11 804 cm⁻¹), (b) that Δ_o ([Ni^II₂L₃]⁴⁺) strongly correlates (R² = 0.87) with T_1/2 ([Fe^II₂L₃]⁴⁺), and (c) interestingly that Δ_o strongly correlates (R² = 0.98) with E_pa for the four helicates with reversible redox, so the stronger the ligand field strength, the harder it is to oxidise the Fe(ii) to Fe(iii).

Choice of non-coordinated diazole heteroatom in five robust triply bridged dinuclear helicates tunes Δ_o, spin crossover and redox potential. Regardless of fraction high spin (0–0.81), DOSY NMR confirms the helicates are intact in solution.     

Concentration-dependent rhombitrihexagonal tiling patterns at the liquid/solid interface

We report STM investigations on a linear oligophenyleneethylene (OPE)-based self-assembling Pd(ii) complex 1 that forms highly-ordered concentration dependent patterns on HOPG. At high concentration, 2D lamellar structures are observed whereas the dilution of the system below a critical concentration leads to the formation of visually attractive rhombitrihexagonal Archimedean tiling arrangements featuring three different kinds of polygons: triangles, hexagons and rhombi. The key participation of the Cl ligands attached to the Pd(ii) centre in multiple C–H···Cl interactions was demonstrated by comparing the patterns of 1 with those of an analogous non-metallic system 2.     

Targeting antioxidant pathways with ferrocenylated N-heterocyclic carbene supported gold(i) complexes in A549 lung cancer cells

Ferrocene containing N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligated gold(i) complexes of the type [Au(NHC)₂]⁺ were prepared and found to be capable of regulating the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) via multiple mechanisms. Single crystal X-ray analysis of bis(1-(ferrocenylmethyl)-3-mesitylimidazol-2-ylidene)-gold(i) chloride (5) and bis(1,3-di(ferrocenylmethyl)imidazol-2-ylidene)-gold(i) chloride (6) revealed a quasi-linear geometry around the gold(i) centers (i.e., the C–Au–C bond angle were measured to be ∼177° and all the Au–C_carbene bonds distances were in the range of 2.00 (7)–2.03 (1) Å). A series of cell studies indicated that cell proliferation inhibition and ROS generation were directly proportional to the amount of ferrocene contained within the [Au(NHC)₂]⁺ complexes (IC₅₀ of 6 < 5 < bis(1-benzyl-3-mesitylimidazol-2-ylidene)-gold(i) chloride (4)). Complexes 4–6 were also confirmed to inhibit thioredoxin reductase as inferred from lipoate reduction assays and increased chelatable intracellular zinc concentrations. RNA microarray gene expression assays revealed that 6 induces endoplasmic reticulum stress response pathways as a result of ROS increase.     

Luminescent platinum(ii) complexes with self-assembly and anti-cancer properties: hydrogel,pH dependent emission color and sustained-release properties under physiological conditions

Supramolecular interactions are of paramount importance in biology and chemistry, and can be used to develop new vehicles for drug delivery. Recently, there is a surge of interest on self-assembled functional supramolecular structures driven by intermolecular metal–metal interactions in cellular conditions. Herein we report a series of luminescent Pt(ii) complexes [Pt(C^N^N^pyr)(CNR)]⁺ [HC^N^N^pyr = 2-phenyl-6-(1H-pyrazol-3-yl)-pyridine)] containing pincer type ligands having pyrazole moieties. These Pt(ii) complexes exert potent cytotoxicity to a panel of cancer cell lines including primary bladder cancer cells and display strong phosphorescence that is highly sensitive to the local environment. The self-assembly of these complexes is significantly affected by pH of the solution medium. Based on TEM, SEM, ESI-MS, absorption and emission spectroscopy, and fluorescence microscopy together with cell based assays, [Pt(C^N^N^pyr)(CNR)]⁺ complexes were observed to self-assemble into orange phosphorescent polymeric aggregates driven by intermolecular Pt(ii)–Pt(ii) and ligand–ligand interactions in a low-pH physiological medium. Importantly, the intracellular assembly and dis-assembly of [Pt(C^N^N^pyr)(CNR)]⁺ are accompanied by change of emission color from orange to green. These [Pt(C^N^N^pyr)(CNR)]⁺ complexes accumulated in the lysosomes of cancer cells, increased the lysosomal membrane permeability and induced cell death. One of these platinum(ii) complexes formed hydrogels which displayed pH-responsive and sustained release properties, leading to low-pH-stimulated and time-dependent cytotoxicity towards cancer cells. These hydrogels can function as vehicles to deliver anti-cancer agent cargo, such as the bioactive natural products studied in this work.     

Tris(acetonitrile)tricarbonylchromium(0) catalyzed 1,4-addition of hydrogen to 1,3-dienes

The Cr(CO)₃(CH₃CN)₃ complex is found to catalyze the 1,4-addition of hydrogen to 1,3-dienes such as 2-methyl-1,3-butadiene, trans-1,3-pentadiene, and trans, trans-2,4-hexadiene at low temperature (40°) and low H₂ pressure (20 psi). For trans, trans-2,4-hexadiene the only product obtained when D₂ is used is 2,5-dideuterio-cis-3-hexene. The catalytic 1,4-hydrogenation can be carried out in neat dienes, and turnover numbers for the catalyst of greater than 3000 have been observed.     

A combined magnetic circular dichroism and density functional theory approach for the elucidation of electronic structure and bonding in three- and four-coordinate iron(ii)–N-heterocyclic carbene complexes

Iron salts and N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands is a highly effective combination in catalysis, with observed catalytic activities being highly dependent on the nature of the NHC ligand. Detailed spectroscopic and electronic structure studies have been performed on both three- and four-coordinate iron(ii)–NHC complexes using a combined magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) and density functional theory (DFT) approach that provide detailed insight into the relative ligation properties of NHCs compared to traditional phosphine and amine ligands as well as the effects of NHC backbone structural variations on iron(ii)–NHC bonding. Near-infrared MCD studies indicate that 10Dq(T _d) for (NHC)₂FeCl₂ complexes is intermediate between those for comparable amine and phosphine complexes, demonstrating that such iron(ii)–NHC and iron(ii)–phosphine complexes are not simply analogues of one another. Theoretical studies including charge decomposition analysis indicate that the NHC ligands are slightly stronger donor ligands than phosphines but also result in significant weakening of the Fe–Cl bonds compared to phosphine and amine ligands. The net result is significant differences in the d orbital energies in four-coordinate (NHC)₂FeCl₂ complexes relative to the comparable phosphine complexes, where such electronic structure differences are likely a significant contributing factor to the differing catalytic performances observed with these ligands. Furthermore, Mössbauer, MCD and DFT studies of the effects of NHC backbone structure variations (i.e. saturated, unsaturated, chlorinated) on iron–NHC bonding and electronic structure in both three- and four-coordinate iron(ii)–NHC complexes indicate only small differences as a function of backbone structure, that are likely amplified at lower oxidation states of iron due to the resulting decrease in the energy separation between the occupied iron d orbitals and the unoccupied NHC π* orbitals.     

Hydrosilylation of 1,3-dienes with methyldichlorosilane in the presence of Ni catalyst systems

Conclusions The Ni(acac)₂-Et₃Al and Ni(acac)₂-i-Bu₃Al systems effectively catalyze with 1,4-addition of methyldichlorosilane to 1,3-dienes at 20–25C. In the case of butadiene and isoprene, the reaction is accompanied by the formation of appreciable amounts of bis-silylated products, viz., 1,4-bis(methyldichlorosilyl)-cis-2-butene and 1,4-bis(methyldichlorosilyl)-3-methyl-2-butene.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 2, pp. 418–421, February, 1979.     

Ytterbium-catalyzed dual intermolecular hydrophosphination: synthesis of bis(phosphinyl)dienes and bis(alkenyl)phosphine oxides

Dual intermolecular hydrophosphination of conjugated diynes with 2 equiv of diphenylphosphine was catalyzed by ytterbium complexes, Yb(η²-Ph₂CNPh)(hmpa)₃ (1) and Yb[N(SiMe₃)₂]₃(hmpa)₂ (2), to give the corresponding 1,4-bis(diphenylphosphinyl)buta-1,3-dienes in high yields after oxidative work-up. Distribution of the four possible stereoisomers sharply depended on substituents of the substrates. (Z,Z)-Isomers were predominantly obtained from the disubstituted diynes, together with minor (Z,E)-isomers. On the other hand, the reaction of the terminal diynes provided major (E,Z) and minor (E,E)-butadienes. 1,4-Di-tert-butylbuta-1,3-diyne was exclusively converted to an allenic compound. Moreover, the dual hydrophosphination using phenyphosphine was also performed with 1 and 2. Thus, the reaction of 2 equiv of aromatic alkynes with PhPH₂ and subsequent oxidation gave bis(alkenyl)phosphine oxides in preference of the (Z,Z)-stereoisomers.     

Development of a panchromatic photosensitizer and its application to photocatalytic CO2 reduction

We designed and synthesized a heteroleptic osmium(ii) complex with two different tridentate ligands, Os. Os can absorb the full wavelength range of visible light owing to S–T transitions, and this was supported by TD-DFT calculations. Excitation of Os using visible light of any wavelength generates the same lowest triplet metal-to-ligand charge-transfer excited state, the lifetime of which is relatively long (τ_em = 40 ns). Since excited Os could be reductively quenched by 1,3-dimethyl-2-(o-hydroxyphenyl)-2,3-dihydro-1H-benzo[d]imidazole, Os displays high potential as a panchromatic photosensitizer. Using a combination of Os and a ruthenium(ii) catalyst, CO₂ was photocatalytically reduced to HCOOH via irradiation with 725 nm light, and the turnover number reached 81; irradiation with light at λ_ex > 770 nm also photocatalytically induced HCOOH formation. These results clearly indicate that Os can function as a panchromatic redox photosensitizer.

The osmium(ii) complex functioned as a panchromatic photosensitizer and drove CO₂ reduction.     

The gold(i)···lead(ii) interaction: a relativistic connection

The crystal structure of complex [Pb{HB(pz)₃}Au(C₆Cl₅)₂] 1 displays an unsupported Au(i)···Pb(ii) interaction. This complex emits at 480 nm in the solid state due to an aurate(i) to lead(ii) charge transfer, in which the existence of a metallophilic interaction is a pre-requisite. Ab initio calculations show a very strong Au(i)···Pb(ii) closed-shell interaction of –390 kJ mol^–1, which has an ionic plus a dispersive (van der Waals) nature strengthened by large relativistic effects (>17%).     

Cyclic 1,1-bis(silyl)alkenes—new building blocks for the stereoselective synthesis of unsymmetrical (E)-stilbenes and (E,E)-1,4-diarylbuta-1,3-dienes

A new efficient synthetic protocol for the highly stereoselective synthesis of unsymmetrical (or symmetrical) (E)-stilbenes and (E,E)-1,4-diarylbuta-1,3-dienes based on sequential palladium-catalyzed Heck arylation-Hiyama cross-coupling reactions using cyclic gem-bis(silyl)ethene as alkenyl building block is reported.     

4-alkyl(aryl)-1-germacyclohexa-2,5-diene

enThe 1(Z),4(Z)-1,5-dilithium-3R-3-methoxypenta-1,4-dienes react with diaryldichlorogermanes and dialkyldichlorogermanes to give the 1,1-diaryl- and 1,1-dialkyl-4R-4-methoxy-1-germacyclohexa-2,5-dienes, respectively.With phenyltrichlorogermane, methyl- and ethyl-trichlorogermanes the E/Z-isomeric 1-phenyl(methyl,ethyl)-1-chloro-4R-4-methoxy-1-germacyclohexa-1,3-dienes are obtained, reduction of these with LiAlH₄ makes the corresponding 1-aryl-(alkyl)-1H-4R-4-methoxy-1-germacyclohexa-2,5-dienes available.Reduction of 1-ethyl-1-chloro-4-phenyl-4-methoxy-1-germacyclohexa-2,5-diene with LiAlH₄ yields by additional ether cleavage 1-ethyl-1H-4-phenyl-1-germacyclohexa-2,4-diene.The ¹H NMR (60 MHz, 90 MHz), ¹³C NMR, IR and mass spectra are discussed, several ¹H NMR spectra are calculated according to the LAOCOONLAME program.     

Ni(0)-promoted activation of Csp2–H and Csp2–O bonds

A dinickel(0)–N₂ complex, stabilized with a rigid acridane-based PNP pincer ligand, was studied for its ability to activate C(sp²)–H and C(sp²)–O bonds. Stabilized by a Ni–μ–N₂–Na⁺ interaction, it activates C–H bonds of unfunctionalized arenes, affording nickel–aryl and nickel–hydride products. Concomitantly, two sodium cations get reduced to Na(0), which was identified and quantified by several methods. Our experimental results, including product analysis and kinetic measurements, strongly suggest that this C(sp²)–H activation does not follow the typical oxidative addition mechanism occurring at a low-valent single metal centre. Instead, via a bimolecular pathway, two powerfully reducing nickel ions cooperatively activate an arene C–H bond and concomitantly reduce two Lewis acidic alkali metals under ambient conditions. As a novel synthetic protocol, nickel(ii)–aryl species were directly synthesized from nickel(ii) precursors in benzene or toluene with excess Na under ambient conditions. Furthermore, when the dinickel(0)–N₂ complex is accessed via reduction of the nickel(ii)–phenyl species, the resulting phenyl anion deprotonates a C–H bond of glyme or 15-crown-5 leading to C–O bond cleavage, which produces vinyl ether. The dinickel(0)–N₂ species then cleaves the C(sp²)–O bond of vinyl ether to produce a nickel(ii)–vinyl complex. These results may provide a new strategy for the activation of C–H and C–O bonds mediated by a low valent nickel ion supported by a structurally rigidified ligand scaffold.

A structurally rigidified nickel(0) complex was found to be capable of cleaving both C(sp²)–H and C(sp²)–O bonds.     

AuICl-bound N-heterocyclic carbene ligands form MII4(LAuCl)6 integrally gilded cages

The incorporation of an N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) moiety into a self-assembled MII4L₆ cage framework required the NHC first to be metallated with gold(i). Bimetallic cages could then be constructed using zinc(ii) and cadmium(ii) templates, showing weak luminescence. The cages were destroyed by the addition of further gold(i) in the form of Au^I(2,4,6-trimethoxybenzonitrile)₂SbF₆, which caused the reversibly-formed cages to disassemble and controllably release the Au^I-NHC subcomponent into solution. This release in turn induced the growth of gold nanoparticles. The rate of dianiline release could be tuned by capsule design or through the addition of chemical stimuli, with different release profiles giving rise to different nanoparticle morphologies.     

Ligand-field transition-induced C–S bond formation from nickelacycles

Photoexcitation is one of the acknowledged methods to activate Ni-based cross-coupling reactions, but factors that govern the photoactivity of organonickel complexes have not yet been established. Here we report the excited-state cross-coupling activities of Ni(ii) metallacycle compounds, which display ∼10⁴ times enhancement for the C–S bond-forming reductive elimination reaction upon Ni-centered ligand-field transitions. The effects of excitation energy and ancillary ligands on photoactivity have been investigated with 17 different nickelacycle species in combination with four corresponding acyclic complexes. Spectroscopic and computational electronic structural characterizations reveal that, regardless of coordinated species, d–d transitions can induce Ni–C bond homolysis, and that the reactivity of the resulting Ni(i) species determines the products of the overall reaction. The photoactivity mechanism established in this study provides general insights into the excited-state chemistry of organonickel(ii) complexes.

d–d excitations can accelerate C–S reductive eliminations of nickelacycles via intersystem crossing to a repulsive ³(C-to-Ni charge transfer) state inducing Ni–C bond homolysis. This homolytic photoreactivity is common for organonickel(ii) complexes.