Palladium‐Catalyzed Oxidative Cross‐Coupling of α‐Cyanoketene Dithioacetals with Olefins

Efficient palladium‐catalyzed cross‐coupling reactions of the internal olefins α‐cyanoketene dithioacetals with a variety of olefins were achieved in dioxane/HOAc/DMSO (9:3:1 v/v/v) under air atmosphere or by means of AgOAc as the terminal oxidant. Electron‐deficient terminal olefins reacted to form the linear diene derivatives with air as the oxidant. Styrenes underwent the cross‐coupling to give both the linear and branched dienes when using AgOAc as the oxidant. Unactivated cyclic and linear internal olefin substrates both reacted in the presence of a catalytic amount of benzoquinone in air to produce skipped dienes. The typical products were structurally confirmed by X‐ray crystallography.     

Oxidative degradation of poly(isophthaloylhydrazine‐1,2‐diyl)s

The condensation polymerization of isophthalodihydrazide and diphenyl isophthalate affords poly(isophthaloylhydrazine‐1,2‐diyl). High‐molecular‐weight poly(5‐tert‐butylisophthaloylhydrazine‐1,2‐diyl) is prepared by the polycondensation of 5‐tert‐butylisophthalodihydrazide and bis(4‐nitrophenyl) 5‐tert‐butylisophthalate in NMP at 100 °C. T_d of the poly(diacylhydrazine) is observed above 300 °C. No T_g is observed below T_d. The high‐molecular‐weight poly(diacylhydrazine) exhibits a film‐forming ability. The poly(diacylhydrazine) decomposes on treatment with an oxidant such as sodium hypochlorite solution to obtain the corresponding carboxylic acid and nitrogen. However, poly(diacylhydrazine) was stable to oxygen and hydrogen peroxide even in the presence of transition metal ions. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 6255–6262, 2008     

Synthesis of N‐methyl‐4‐pyridyl‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroisoquinolines via a pictet‐spengler cyclisation

The synthesis of N‐methyl‐4‐pyridyl‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroisoquinolines (6a,b,c) was achieved via a Pictet‐Spengler cyclization of an activated amino group derivatized in a carbamate form. The obtained compounds have been designed as potential serotonin analogs.     

Microwave‐Induced Stereocontrol of β‐Lactam Formation with an N‐Benzylidene‐9,10‐dihydrophenanthren‐3‐amine via Staudinger Cycloaddition

The synthesis of 3‐substituted 4‐phenyl‐1‐(9,10‐dihydrophenanthren‐3‐yl)azetidin‐2‐ones was achieved following Staudinger cycloaddition under microwave‐induced conditions. The stereoselectivity of β‐lactam formation depended on the power level of the microwave irradiation used in the experiments.     

First Stereoselective Synthesis of the Cytotoxic Polyketide (4R)‐1‐(3,5‐Dihydroxyphenyl)‐4‐hydroxypentan‐2‐one

The first stereoselective synthesis of the cytotoxic polyketide (4R)‐1‐(3,5‐dihydroxyphenyl)‐4‐hydroxypentan‐2‐one ( 1 ) was achieved from readily available propylene oxide and 3,5‐dimethoxybenzyl alcohol. The synthesis involves Jacobsen's hydrolytic kinetic resolution (HKR) and Grignard reaction as key steps.     

Ring‐Closing Metathesis and Photo‐Fries Reaction for the Construction of the Ansamycin Antibiotic Kendomycin: Development of a Protecting Group Free Oxidative Endgame

Two convergent total syntheses of the ansa‐polyketide (?)‐kendomycin ( 1 ) are described. The syntheses benefit from the use of readily available and cheap starting materials. Highly complex diastereoselective Claisen–Ireland rearrangements were used to introduce the (E)‐double bond and the C16‐Me group. The ring closure of the strained ansa macrocycle was achieved by ring‐closing metathesis and a highly efficient combination of macrolactonization and photo‐Fries reaction. A protecting group free endgame via an unstable o‐quinone is presented. Additionally some unsuccessful synthetic efforts towards the total synthesis of 1 are described.     

Metal‐Free Oxidative B−N Coupling of nido‐Carborane with N‐Heterocycles

A general method for the oxidative substitution of nido‐carborane (7,8‐C₂B₉H₁₂^?) with N‐heterocycles has been developed by using 2,3‐dichloro‐5,6‐dicyanobenzoquinone (DDQ) as an oxidant. This metal‐free B?N coupling strategy, in both inter‐ and intramolecular fashions, gave rise to a wide array of charge‐compensated, boron‐substituted nido‐carboranes in high yields (up to 97 %) with excellent functional‐group tolerance under mild reaction conditions. The reaction mechanism was investigated by density‐functional theory (DFT) calculations. A successive single‐electron transfer (SET), B?H hydrogen‐atom transfer (HAT), and nucleophilic attack pathway is proposed. This method provides a new approach to nitrogen‐containing carboranes with potential applications in medicine and materials.     

Enzyme Modification and Oxidative Cross‐linking Using Carboxylate‐, Phenol‐ and Catechol‐Conjugated 1,8‐Naphthalimides

The ground‐ and excited‐state interactions of β‐alanine, tyrosine and l ‐dopa substituted 1,8 naphthalimides (NI‐Ala, NI‐Tyr and NI‐Dopa) with lysozyme and mushroom tyrosinase were evaluated to understand the mechanism of oxidative modification. Photooxidative cross‐linking of lysozyme was observed for all three conjugates. The yield was significantly reduced for NI‐Tyr and NI‐Dopa due to intramolecular electron transfer to the excited singlet state of the 1,8‐naphthalimide. Incubation of NI‐Tyr and NI‐Dopa with mushroom tyrosinase resulted in an increased fluorescence from the naphthalimide, suggesting that the phenol and catechol portion of the conjugates are oxidized by the enzyme. This result demonstrates that the compounds bind in the active site of mushroom tyrosinase. The catalytic activity of mushroom tyrosinase to oxidize both tyrosine (monophenolase) and l ‐dopa (diphenolase) was modified by NI‐Tyr and NI‐Dopa. Monophenolase activity was inhibited, and the diphenolase activity was enhanced in the presence of these conjugates. Detailed Michaelis–Menten studies show that both V_max and K_m are modified, consistent with a mixed inhibition mechanism. Collectively, the results show that the compounds interact in the enzyme's active site, but also modify the distribution of the enzyme's oxidation states that are responsible for catalysis.     

Synthesis of Chiral 2‐Aroyl‐1‐tetralols: Asymmetric Transfer Hydrgenation of 2‐Aroyl‐1‐tetralones via Dynamic Kinetic Resolution

The dynamic kinetic resolution of 2‐aroyl‐1‐tetralones was achieved via asymmetric transfer hydrogenation using (S,S)‐RuCl(p‐cymene)TsDPEN (TsDPEN=N‐(tosyl)‐1,2‐diphenylethylenediamine) in formic acid/triethyl‐ amine (5:2, molar ratio), afforded the desired products in good yields (up to 85%) with diastereomeric ratio up to >99:1 and high enantiomeric excesses (up to >99%). The absolute configuration of major the product was confirmed by X‐ray crystal structure analysis.     

One‐Pot Synthesis of 1,4‐Dihydro‐2‐thioxo‐2H‐3,1‐benzoxazine‐4‐acetic Acid Derivatives by the Reaction of 2‐Isothiocyanatophenyl Ketones with Lithium Enolates of Acetates and Tertiary Acetamides

The one‐pot synthesis of 4‐aryl‐1,4‐dihydro‐2‐thioxo‐2H‐3,1‐benzoxazine‐4‐acetic acid derivatives 2 was achieved in good yields by the reaction of aryl(2‐isothiocyanatophenyl)methanones 1 with lithium enolates of acetates and tertiary acetamides. (2E)‐1‐(2‐Isothiocyanatophenyl)‐3‐phenylprop‐2‐en‐1‐one ( 3 ) gave 1,4‐dihydro‐4‐[(1E)‐2‐phenylethenyl]‐2‐thioxo‐2H‐3,1‐benzoxazine‐4‐acetic acid derivatives 4 in good yields as well.     

A Green Synthesis of 7‐amino‐5‐(4‐aroyl)‐1,3‐dimethyl‐2,4‐dioxo‐1,2,3,4,5,8‐hexahydropyrido[2,3‐d]pyrimidine‐6‐carbonitrile Derivatives by a One‐pot Three‐component Reaction

The synthesis of polyfunctionalized 7‐amino‐5‐(4‐aroyl)‐1,3‐dimethyl‐2,4‐dioxo‐1,2,3,4,5,8‐hexahydropyrido[2,3‐d ]pyrimidine‐6‐carbonitrile derivatives by a green approach was achieved via one‐pot three‐component reaction of arylglyoxals, malononitrile, and 1,3‐dimethyl‐6‐aminouracil in the presence of urea as organocatalyst in EtOH:H₂O (1:1) at 60°C. This protocol provides a mild and fast procedure to structurally diverse bicyclic pyridopyrimidines in good to excellent yields.     

Study of the Reaction of 5‐Aryl‐7‐hydrazino‐2‐phenylpyra‐zolo[1,5‐c]pyrimidines with 1,3‐Dicarbonyl Compounds

A novel synthetic method for the preparation of 5‐aryl‐7‐(3,5‐dimethyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐1‐yl)‐2‐phenylpyrazolo[1,5‐c]‐pyrimidines and 1‐(5‐aryl‐2‐phenylpyrazolo[1,5‐c]pyrimidin‐7‐yl)‐3‐methyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐5‐ols is provided by condensative cyclization of 5‐aryl‐7‐hydrazino‐2‐phenylpyrazolo[1,5‐c]pyrimidines with 1,3‐dicarbonyl compounds. The study of the more reactive position for electrophilic substitusion reactions on such ring system was also achieved.     

One‐Pot Stereoselective Synthesis of 2‐Acylaziridines and 2‐Acylpyrrolidines from N‐(Propargylic)hydroxylamines

The stereoselective direct transformation of N‐(propargylic)hydroxylamines into cis‐2‐acylaziridines was achieved by the combined use of AgBF₄ and CuCl. Copper salts were found to promote the transformation of the intermediary 4‐isoxazolines into 2‐acylaziridines and both 3‐aryl‐ and 3‐alkyl‐substituted 2‐acylaziridines could be prepared by using this method. Furthermore, subsequent 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides that were generated in situ from the intermediary 2‐acylaziridines with maleimides was achieved in a stereoselective one‐pot procedure to afford the corresponding 2‐acylpyrrolidines, which consisted of an octahydropyrrolo[3,4‐c]pyrrole skeleton.     

Synthesis and NMR‐Spectroscopic Investigations with 4‐Chloroacyl‐1‐phenylpyrazolin‐5‐ones

The synthesis of various 4‐acylpyrazolones bearing in the acyl moiety either a terminal chloro‐substituent or a terminal ortho‐chlorophenyl group was achieved by reaction of 3‐methyl‐1‐phenyl‐2‐pyrazolin‐5‐one (tautomer to 3‐methyl‐1‐phenyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐5‐ol) with the corresponding acid chloride using calcium hydroxide / 1,4‐dioxane. In one case (reaction with chlorobutanoyl chloride) a spontaneous cyclization occurred leading to the corresponding oxepino[2,3‐c]pyrazole. Detailed NMR spectroscopic investigations with all prepared compounds were performed.     

‘Click Synthesis’ of 1H‐1,2,3‐Triazolyl‐Based Oxiconazole (=(1Z)‐1‐(2,4‐Dichlorophenyl)‐2‐(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)ethanone O‐[(2,4‐Dichlorophenyl)methyl]oxime) Analogs

The ‘click synthesis’ of some oxiconazole analogs 5a – 5v having 1H‐1,2,3‐triazolyl residues by Huisgen cycloaddition was achieved in four steps (Scheme 1). Oximation of phenacyl chloride ( 1 ) followed by azidation of 2‐chloro‐1‐phenylethanone oxime ( 2 ) provided azido ketoxime 3 . The CuI‐catalyzed Huisgen cycloaddition of 3 with terminal alkynes gave the 4‐substituted (at the triazole) 2‐(1H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐1‐yl)‐1‐phenylethanone oximes 4a – 4i . The O‐alkylation of 4a – 4i with various alkyl halides resulted in the formation of the target molecules 5a – 5v in good yields.     

Redox Non‐Innocence and Isomer‐Specific Oxidative Functionalization of Ruthenium‐Coordinated β‐Ketoiminate

This article deals with isomeric ruthenium complexes [Ru^III(L^R)₂(acac)] (S=1/2) involving unsymmetric β‐ketoiminates (AcNac) (L^R=R‐AcNac, R=H ( 1 ), Cl ( 2 ), OMe ( 3 ); acac=acetylacetonate) [R=para‐substituents (H, Cl, OMe) of N‐bearing aryl group]. The isomeric identities of the complexes, cct (cis‐cis‐trans, blue, a ), ctc (cis‐trans‐cis, green, b ) and ccc (cis‐cis‐cis_, pink, c ) with respect to oxygen (acac), oxygen (L) and nitrogen (L) donors, respectively, were authenticated by their single‐crystal X‐ray structures and spectroscopic/electrochemical features. One‐electron reversible oxidation and reduction processes of 1 – 3 led to the electronic formulations of [Ru^III(L)(L ^? )(acac)]⁺ and [Ru^II(L)₂(acac)]^? for 1 ⁺‐ 3 ⁺ (S=1) and 1^? – 3^? (S=0), respectively. The triplet state of 1 ⁺‐ 3 ⁺ was corroborated by its forbidden weak half‐field signal near g≈4.0 at 4 K, revealing the non‐innocent feature of L. Interestingly, among the three isomeric forms ( a – c in 1 – 3 ), the ctc ( b in 2 b or 3 b ) isomer selectively underwent oxidative functionalization at the central β‐carbon (C?H→C=O) of one of the L ligands in air, leading to the formation of diamagnetic [Ru^II(L)(L ′ )(acac)] (L ′ =diketoimine) in 4 / 4′ . Mechanistic aspects of the oxygenation process of AcNac in 2 b were also explored via kinetic and theoretical studies.     

Atom transfer radical polymerization of 6‐O‐methacryloyl‐1,2;3,4‐di‐O‐isopropylidene‐D‐galactopyranose in solution

A detailed exploration of the atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of a sugar‐carrying monomer, 6‐O‐methacryloyl‐1,2;3,4‐di‐O‐isopropylidene‐D‐galactopyranose (MAIPGal) was performed. The factors pertinent to ATRP, such as initiators, ligands, catalysts, and temperature were optimized to obtain good control over the polymerization. The kinetics were examined in detail when the polymerization was initiated by methyl 2‐bromoisopropionate (2‐MBP), ethyl 2‐bromoisobutyrate (2‐EBiB), or a macroinitiator, [α‐(2‐bromoisobutyrylate)‐ω‐methyl PEO] (PEO–Br), with bipyridine (bipy) as the ligand at 60 °C or by 2‐EiBB with N,N,N′,N″,N″‐pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PMDETA) as the ligand at room temperature (23 °C). The effects of the catalysts (CuBr and CuCl) were also investigated. We demonstrate that the successful ATRP of MAIPGal can be achieved for 2‐EBiB/CuBr/bipy and 2‐MBP/CuCl/bipy at 60 °C and for 2‐EBiB/CuBr/PMDETA at room temperature. The initiation by 2‐EBiB at room temperature with PMDETA as the ligand should be the most optimum operation for its moderate condition and suppression of many side reactions. Chain extension of P(MAIPGal) prepared by ATRP with methyl methacrylate (MMA) as the second monomer was carried out and a diblock copolymer, P(MAIPGal)‐b‐PMMA, was obtained. Functional polymers, poly(D‐galactose 6‐methacrylate) (PGMA), PEO‐b‐PGMA, and PGMA‐b‐PMMA were obtained after removal of the protecting groups. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 752–762, 2005     

Perchloric Acid–Silica (HClO4⋅SiO2)‐Catalyzed Synthesis of 14‐Alkyl‐ or 14‐Aryl‐14H‐dibenzo[a,j]xanthenes and N‐[(2‐Hydroxynaphthalen‐1‐yl)methyl]amides

The synthesis of 14‐aryl‐ or 14‐alkyl‐14H‐dibenzo[a,j]xanthenes 3 involving the treatment of naphthalen‐2‐ol ( 1 ) with arenecarboxaldehydes or alkanals 2 in the presence of HClO₄?SiO₂ as a heterogeneous catalyst was achieved (Table 1), and this reaction was extended to the preparation of N‐[(2‐hydroxynaphthalen‐1‐yl)methyl]amides 5 by a three‐component reaction with urea ( 4a ) or an amide 4b – d as a third reactant (Table 2).     

Process‐Scale Total Synthesis of Nature‐Identical (−)‐(S,S)‐7‐Hydroxycalamenal in High Enantiomeric Purity through Catalytic Enantioselective Hydrogenation

A process‐scale stereoselective synthesis of nature‐identical (−)‐(S,S)‐7‐hydroxycalamenal (=(−)‐(5S,8S)‐5,6,7,8‐tetrahydro‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐8‐(1‐methylethyl)naphthalene‐2‐carbaldehyde; (−)‐ 1a ) in 96% enantiomeric excess (ee) with the aid of chiral Ru complexes has been developed. The key step was the enantioselective hydrogenation of easily accessible 2‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)‐3‐methylbut‐2‐enoic acid ( 10 ) to (+)‐ 11 in a 86% ee (Scheme 5 and Table 1). A substantial increase in optical purity (96% ee) was achieved by induced crystallization of the intermediate (+)‐3,4‐dihydro‐4‐(1‐methylethyl)‐7‐methoxy‐2H‐naphthalen‐1‐one ((+)‐ 3 ). Computational conformation analysis carried out on the analog (−)‐ 9 rationalized the high diastereoselectivity achieved in the catalytic hydrogenation of the CC bond.     

First Total Synthesis of N‐(3‐Guanidinopropyl)‐2‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐2‐oxoacetamide

The first total synthesis of the α‐oxo amide‐based natural product, N‐(3‐guanidinopropyl)‐2‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐2‐oxoacetamide ( 3 ), isolated from aqueous extracts of hydroid Campanularia sp., has been achieved. The α‐oxo amide 12 , prepared via the oxidative amidation of 1‐[4‐(benzyloxy)phenyl]‐2,2‐dibromoethanone ( 9a ) with 4‐{[(tert‐butyl)(dimethyl)silyl]oxy}butan‐1‐amine ( 10a ), has been used as the key intermediate in the total synthesis of 3 as HBr salt. On the way, an expeditious total synthesis of polyandrocarpamide C ( 2c ), isolated from marine ascidian Polyandrocarpa sp., was carried out in four steps.