Orthoamides by selective borohydride reduction of N,N′,N″-triacyl- and N,N′,N″-tri(alkoxycarbonyl)-guanidines

N,N′,N″-Triacylguanidines and N,N′,N″-tri(alkoxycarbonyl)guanidines were prepared and reduced with borohydride salts in a mixture of tetrahydrofuran and acetic acid to give triacyl and tri(alkoxycarbonyl) orthoamides in yields of 40–85%. However, similar reduction of N,N′,N″-tri(t-butoxycarbonyl)guanidine did not give orthoamide but the aminal di(t-butyl) methylenedicarbamate.     

In vitro and in vivo studies of N,N′-bis[2(2-pyridyl)-methyl]pyridine-2,6-dicarboxamide–copper(II) and rheumatoid arthritis

The thermodynamic equilibria of copper(II), zinc(II) and calcium(II) with N,N′-bis[2(2-pyridyl)-methyl]pyridine-2,6-dicarboxamide (L1) have been studied at 25 °C and an ionic strength of 0.15 mol dm⁻³. Spectroscopic studies suggest metal ion complexation promotes deprotonation and coordination of the amide nitrogens resulting in overall tetragonal coordination of Cu²⁺. Blood–plasma modelling predicts that Cu(II) competes effectively against Zn(II) and Ca(II) for L1 in vivo. Octanol–water partition coefficient studies show that Cu(II)–L1 complexes are reasonably lipophilic. However, the CuL1H₋₂ species which predominates at the physiological pH of 7.4 has poor superoxide dismutase activity. Bio-distribution experiments showed activity accumulation and retention in the body of about 50% of the injected dose for the [⁶⁴Cu]Cu(II)–L1 complex after 24 h.     

Synthesis of 2-(N-arylimino-κN-methyl)pyrrolide-κN complexes of nickel

2-(N-aryliminomethyl)pyrrole precursors (2,6-R₂-C₆H₃-NCH-2-C₄H₃NH) (R = Me, IH; R = ⁱPr, IIH) were prepared and transformed into their corresponding sodium salts (Na⁺I⁻ and Na⁺II⁻) by treatment with NaH. Both salts readily react with [NiBr₂(DME)] (DME = 1,2-dimethoxyethane) to give the respective bis{2-(N-arylimino-κN-methyl)pyrrolide-κN}nickel(II) complexes (1, 2) in almost quantitative yields. The oxidative addition of IH to [Ni(COD)₂] (COD = 1,5-cyclooctadiene) results in the formation of 3, which is a mono(iminomethylpyrrolide)-η³-(cyclic-allyl)-type organonickel(II) complex. The crystal structure of compound 1 has been established by X-ray diffraction studies.     

Chiral N,N′-dioxide-iron(II) complexes catalyzed enantioselective oxa-Michael addition of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes

The enantioselective oxa-Michael addition reaction of 1-(4-methoxyphenyl) ethanone oxime to various α,β-unsaturated aldehydes was accomplished by using chiral N,N′-dioxide-FeSO₄·7H₂O (1:1) complex. Aromatic acid was employed as additive to increase the yield of the reaction. The corresponding adducts were obtained in moderate yields with up to 76% ee under mild conditions.     

Syntheses and lipophilicity measurement of N/N-terminus-1,1-dihydroperfluoroalkylated α-amino acids and small peptides

(1,1-Dihydroperfluoroalkyl)phenyliodonium N,N-bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imides (4, n = 0-2) were synthesized and used to transfer the corresponding 1,1-dihydroperfluoroalkyl groups to the α-amino group of (l)tyrosine. The obtained N^α-2,2,2-trifluoroethylated (l)tyrosine (6, n = 0) was further used as the N-terminus in the solid phase peptide synthesis of leucine enkephalin analogue. The lipophilicity of the N^α-1,1-dihydroperfluoroalkylated (l)tyrosines (6, n = 0-2) and N-terminus-2,2,2-trifluoroethylated leucine enkephalin analogue (7), as well as the corresponding parent compounds, was measured.     

Synthesis, characterization, and norbornene polymerization of η-benzylnickel(II) complexes of N-heterocyclic carbenes

Neutral η¹-benzylnickel carbene complexes, [Ni(η¹-CH₂C₆H₅)(IiPr)(PMe₃)(Cl)] (3) (IiPr = 1,3-bis-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene) and [Ni(η¹-CH₂C₆H₅)(SIiPr)(PMe₃)(Cl)] (4) (SIiPr = 1,3-bis-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazolin-2-ylidene), were prepared by the reaction between [Ni(η³-CH₂C₆H₅)(PMe₃)(Cl)] and an equivalent amount of the corresponding free N-heterocyclic carbene. The preparation of η³-benzylnickel carbene complexes, [Ni(η³-CH₂C₆H₅)(IiPr)(Cl)] (5) and [Ni(η³-CH₂C₆H₅)(SIiPr)(Cl)] (6) were carried out by the abstraction of PMe₃ from 3 and 4 by the treatment of B(C₆F₅)₃. The treatment of AgX on 5 and 6 produced the anion-exchanged complexes, [Ni(η³-CH₂C₆H₅)(NHC)(X)] (7, NHC = IiPr, X = O₂CCF₃; 8, NHC = IiPr, X = O₃SCF₃; 9, NHC = SIiPr, X = O₂CCF₃; 10, NHC = SIiPr, X = O₃SCF₃). The solid state structures of 3 and 10 were determined by X-ray crystallography. The η³-benzyl complexes of IiPr (5, 7, and 8) alone, in the absence of any activators such as borate and MAO, showed good catalytic activity towards the vinyl-type norbornene polymerization. The catalyst was thermally robust and the activity increases as the temperature rises to 130 °C.     

Biodegradable and thermoresponsive micelles of triblock copolymers based on 2-(N,N-dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate and ε-caprolactone for controlled drug delivery

Amphiphilic triblock copolymers, poly(2-(N,N-dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate)_x-block-poly(caprolactone)-block-poly(2-(N,N-dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate)_x, PDMAEMA_Co, were synthesized. Polymerization and structural features of the polymers were analyzed by different physicochemical techniques (GPC, ¹H NMR and FTIR). Formation of hydrophobic domains as cores of the micelles was studied by ¹H NMR and further confirmed by fluorescence. Dynamic light scattering measurements showed a monodispersed size distribution only for the copolymer with the lowest degree of polymerization, while increasing the length of PDMAEMA blocks leads to a bimodal size distribution. The micelles showed reversible dispersion/aggregation in response to temperature cycles through an outer polymer shell lower critical solution temperature (LCST) for PDMAEMA at temperatures between 54 and 87 °C. The triblock copolymer micelles were loaded with the sparingly water-soluble anticancer drug, chlorambucil, by a dialysis procedure. The drug release profile monitored by fluorescence showed that the release of chlorambucil from PDMAEMA nanoparticles is controlled by a combined degradation-diffusion mechanism.     

Enantio- and diastereoselective cyclopropanation with tert-butyl α-diazopropionate catalyzed by dirhodium(II) tetrakis[N-tetrabromophthaloyl-(S)-tert-leucinate]

The first successful example of a catalytic asymmetric cyclopropanation with α-diazopropionates is described. The cyclopropanation reaction of 1-aryl-substituted and related conjugated alkenes with tert-butyl α-diazopropionate has been achieved by catalysis with dirhodium(II) tetrakis[N-tetrabromophthaloyl-(S)-tert-leucinate], Rh₂(S-TBPTTL)₄, providing the corresponding cyclopropane products containing a quarternary stereogenic center in good to high yields and with high diastereo- and enantioselectivities (trans:cis = 90:10 to >99:1, 81-93% ee).     

Synthesis of (E)- and (Z)-α,β-difluorourocanic acid

Horner-Emmons fluoroolefination of an aryl aldehyde followed by introduction of a second fluorine via “FBr” addition provides an original approach to the preparation of 1-alkyl-2-aryl-1,2-difluoroethenes. The utility of this procedure is demonstrated by the preparation of (E and Z)-α,β-difluorourocanic acid.     

The first asymmetric total synthesis of (R)-tuberolactone, (S)-jasmine lactone and (R)-δ-decalactone

A general synthetic approach has been developed for the first asymmetric total synthesis of tuberolactone 1, jasmine lactone 2 and δ-decalactone 3. The key step is the selective hydrogenation of triple and endocyclic double bonds in the key intermediate 4.     

A facile metal-free approach to N,N′-bis(1-oxidopyrimidin-4-yl)diamines with promising biological activity

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Enantioselective synthesis of (2R,3R)- and (2S,3S)-β-hydroxyornithine

An efficient and short synthesis of (2R,3R)- and (2S,3S)-β-hydroxyornithine 1a-b is described using Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation and regioselective nucleophilic opening of a cyclic sulfite as the key steps.     

One pot synthesis of α,α-bis(N-arylamido) lactams via iodide-catalyzed rearrangement of β,β-bis(N-arylamido) cyclic ketene-N,O-acetals

Five and six-membered cyclic ketene-N,O-acetals, generated in situ from 2,3-dimethyl-2-oxazolinium iodide or 2,3-dimethyl-2-oxazinium iodide and triethylamine, reacted with aryl isocyanates in refluxing THF producing α,α-bis(N-arylamido) lactams via the iodide-catalyzed rearrangement of β,β-bis(N-arylamido) cyclic ketene-N,O-acetal intermediates. The cyclic ketene-N,O-acetal generated in situ from 2,3,4,4-tetramethyl-2-oxazolinium iodide reacted with isocyanates to give β,β-bis(N-arylamido) cyclic ketene-N,O-acetals, which do not readily rearrange. The two methyls at C-4 hindered the nucleophilic attack of iodide on C-5, which is required for rearrangement.     

Oxidative ring opening of 3-hydroxyquinoline-2,4(1H,3H)-diones into N-(α-ketoacyl)anthranilic acids

N-(α-Ketoacyl)anthranilic acids were prepared by oxidative ring opening of 3-hydroxyquinoline-2,4(1H,3H)-diones by using paraperiodic acid (H₅IO₆) or sodium periodate (NaIO₄). The optimisation of the reaction conditions is described as well as the utilisation of N-(α-ketoacyl)anthranilic acids in the preparation of anthranilic acid hydrochlorides.     

An efficient one-pot synthesis of N,N′-disubstituted phenylureas and N-aryl carbamates using hydroxylamine-O-sulfonic acid

We have developed an efficient one-pot method for the microwave-assisted synthesis of ureas and carbamates via a proposed Lossen rearrangement. Herein we report the first examples of the direct conversion of benzoyl chlorides into N,N′-disubstituted ureas and N-aryl carbamates using hydroxylamine-O-sulfonic acid as reagent. Using our general method, we have produced 11 examples of N,N′-disubstituted phenylureas in yields up to 95% using various substituted anilines, and primary and secondary amines. Additionally, we were able to generate a series of N-aryl carbamates in moderate yields using primary, secondary and tertiary alcohols.     

Cyclisation at very high temperature. Thermal transformations of N-alkyl and N, N-dialkyl amides of α,β-unsaturated acids into mono- and bicyclic heterocycles under FVT conditions

Cyclisations of N-alkyl and N,N-dialkyl cinnamic amides to the corresponding pyrrolidin-2-ones under the conditions of flash vacuum thermolysis (FVT), are described. It was found that these reactions proceed at 950-1000 °C affording in various yields the mixtures of isomeric mono and bicyclic γ-lactams, which were separated chromatographically and analysed by means of NMR spectroscopy. Two alternative mechanisms for the title process are proposed.     

Trading N and O. Part 4: Asymmetric synthesis of syn-β-substituted-α-amino acids

A total of nine enantiopure syn-β-substituted-α-amino acids have been synthesised, comprising both syn-β-hydroxy-α-amino acids and syn-β-fluoro-α-amino acids. The key step in the synthetic strategy towards these syn-β-substituted-α-amino acids involves a stereospecific rearrangement, which proceeds via the intermediacy of the corresponding aziridinium ions. The requisite enantiopure syn-α-hydroxy-β-amino esters were prepared via asymmetric aminohydroxylation of the corresponding α,β-unsaturated esters followed by epimerisation of the resultant anti-α-hydroxy-β-amino esters at the C(2)-position. Subsequent activation of the α-hydroxy moiety as a leaving group followed by displacement by the β-amino substituent gave the corresponding aziridinium species. Regioselective in situ ring-opening of the aziridinium intermediates with either water or fluoride gave the corresponding syn-β-hydroxy-α-amino ester or syn-β-fluoro-α-amino ester, respectively, and N-deprotection and ester hydrolysis afforded the target syn-β-substituted-α-amino acids as single diastereoisomers in good overall yield.     

Reactions of titanocene dihalides with N,N′,N″-chelates: Preparation,X-ray structure and characterization of bis(chloro){2,6-bis[(3,5-dimethyl)pyrazol-1-yl]pyridine}(η-peroxo)titanium(IV)

The reaction of [Ti^IV(Cp)₂Cl₂] (Cp⁻ = η⁵-C₅H₅⁻) and 2,6-bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl-1-yl)pyridine (bdmpp) in Me₂CO has afforded complex [Ti^IVCl₂(O₂)(bdmpp)] (1). The complex can also be prepared from the 1:1:1 [Ti(Cp)₂Cl₂]/bdmpp/H₂O₂ reaction mixture in various solvents. Single-crystal, X-ray crystallography has revealed that the Ti^IV center is in a distorted pentagonal bipyramidal environment in both of the two, crystallographically independent molecules that are present in the asymmetric unit; the equatorial positions are occupied by the two O atoms of the side-on (η²) O₂²⁻ group and the three N-atoms of the tridentate chelate, while the two chloro ligands are on the axial positions. IR, Raman, electronic and ¹H NMR data are discussed in terms of the known structure and the coordination modes of the peroxo and bdmpp ligands.     

Design and synthesis of N–acetylglucosamine derived 5a-carbasugar analogues as glycosidase inhibitors

An efficient synthesis of new six-membered carbasugars in both L-form and D-form starting from N–acetylglucosamine is described. The key synthetic steps involved regioselective protection and deprotection, Ferrier carbocyclization, Peterson olefination, hydroboration and stereoselective epoxidation followed by regioselective epoxide ring opening reactions. These six-membered carbasugars showed moderate glycosidase inhibitory activity and one of the compounds was found selective towards β-galactosidase inhibitory activity.     

Solvatochromism and piezochromism of pentacyanoferrates(II) and of mixed valence iron(II)—iron(III) and ruthenium(II)—ruthenium(III) species

Pressure effects on the MLCT bands of the pyrazine- and 4-cyanopyridine-pentacyanoferrate(II) anions have been established. The relation of these piezochromic effects to the solvatochromism of each complex is put into the correlation between these parameters developed for other d⁶ ternary complexes. The conformance of piezochromic and solvatochromic efrects on MMCT bands for diiron and diruthenium mixed valence complexes to this correlation is examined.