AGET ATRP of methyl methacrylate with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) as solvent and TMEDA as both ligand and reducing agent

Activator generated by electron transfer atom transfer radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) in inexpensive, non-toxic poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), with air-stable Cu(II)X₂(X = Br, Cl) as the catalyst and N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA) as both ligand and reducing agent was investigated. The polymerizations in PEG proceeded in a well-controlled manner as evidenced by kinetic studies and chain extension results. The polydispersity of the polymer obtained was quite narrow, with a weight-average molecular weight/number-average molecular weight ratio of less than 1.2. Effects of the TMEDA content and the catalysts on polymerization were also investigated, respectively.     

Efficient synthesis of N,N′-dialkyl-N″-dialkylaminocarbothioyl thioureas from cyclic secondary amines, CS2, and N,N′-dialkyl carbodiimides in water

A mild, convenient, and practical one-pot procedure for direct synthesis of N,N′-dialkyl-N″-dialkylaminocarbothioyl thioureas is described via three-component reaction of cyclic secondary amines, CS₂, and N,N′-dialkyl carbodiimides in water at room temperature.     

High performance liquid chromatographic studies on lanthanides, uranium and thorium on amide modified reversed phase supports

The retention behavior of uranium, thorium and lanthanides has been investigated with amide modified reversed phase C₁₈ supports using α-hydroxy isobutyric acid (α-HIBA) as the mobile phase. Four structurally different amide moieties namely, 4-hydroxy-N,N-dihexyl butyramide (4HHBA), 4-hydroxy-N,N-di-2-ethylhexylhexanamide (4HEHHA), bis(N,N,N′,N′-2-ethylhexyl)malonamide (B2EHM) and N-methyl-tris(dihexylcarbamoyl-3-methoxy)pivolamide (MTDCMPA) have been synthesized and studied. Among the various amide coated columns, the supports modified with 4HHBA, B2EHM and MTDCMPA exhibit an interesting retention for uranium and thorium, which is different from 4HEHHA modified support. The retention time for uranium and thorium increases with increasing amide concentration for 4HHBA, B2EHM and MTDCMPA supports, while the same decreases with increasing 4HEHHA content. However, the separation factor for uranium and thorium is greater on a 4HEHHA support, compared to an unmodified C₁₈ column, reflecting the amide's preferential complexation of uranium over thorium.Columns modified with 4HHBA, B2EHM and MTDCMPA exhibit relatively higher retentions for lanthanides. However, MTDCMPA modified support shows a different elution profile for lanthanides compared to 4HHBA, and B2EHM modified columns. Individual separations of heavier lanthanides, i.e., from gadolinium to lutetium also have been achieved using 4HHBA and B2EHM modified supports.The influence of modifier content, mobile phase concentration and its pH on the retention of metal ions has also been studied. Based on these investigations, an efficient high performance liquid chromatographic method (HPLC) has been developed for the rapid separation of uranium from thorium as well as for the individual separation of heavier lanthanides.     

Novel and efficient method for esterification, amidation between carboxylic acids and equimolar amounts of alcohols, and amines utilizing Me2NSO2Cl and N,N-dimethylamines; its application to the synthesis of coumaperine, a natural chemopreventive dieneamide

Various carboxylic esters or amides were prepared in good to excellent yield between carboxylic acids and equimolar amounts of alcohols or amines under very mild conditions (0-45°C; within 3 h) using dimethylsulfamoyl chloride (Me₂NSO₂Cl; 1) combined with N,N-dimethylamines (Me₂NR: 2a; R=Me, 2b; R=Bu). The choice of the sulfamoyl chloride and the amine is crucial for the reaction; that is, sterically uncrowded amines accelerated the present esterification and amidation. This agent had some advantages over methanesulfonyl chloride (3)/amines as for the atom-economy, avoidance of side reactions, and had very high chemoselectivity toward the carboxyl group vs the hydroxyl group; the experiment was performed by the addition of 1 to the mixture of carboxylic acids and alcohols. Application of this method to the synthesis of coumaperine, a chemopreventive natural product, was performed using the present amidation as a key step.     

New boron(III)-catalyzed amide and ester condensation reactions

In 1996, we reported that benzeneboronic acids bearing electron-withdrawing groups at the meta- or para-position are highly effective catalysts for the amide condensation reaction in less-polar solvents. In this paper, we report that N-alkyl-4-boronopyridinium halides are more effective catalysts than the previous ones in more polar solvents. N-Alkyl-4-boronopyridinium halides are effective not only for amide condensation between equimolar mixtures of carboxylic acids and amines but also for the esterification of α-hydroxycarboxylic acids in alcohol solvents. Furthermore, perchlorocatecholborane is more effective than areneboronic acids for the amide condensation of sterically demanding carboxylic acids. In addition, Lewis acid-assisted Brønsted acid (LBA), which is prepared from a 1:2 M mixture of boric acid and tetrachlorocatechol, is effective for the Ritter reaction from alcohols and nitriles to amides.     

Syntheses and studies of flexible amide ligands: a toolkit for studying metallo-supramolecular assemblies for anion binding

The syntheses of seven flexible bidentate bis-pyridyl diamide and four monodentate pyridyl amide ligands containing central amide units are described. The bis-pyridyl ligands were prepared in one step from commercially available compounds in moderate to good yield. These compounds all possess external metal coordinating pyridyl groups and internal amide functionalities, with the potential to bind anions. Crystal structures of six of the bis-pyridyl diamide ligands are described. The four compounds with xylene cores N,N′-[1,3-phenylenebis(methylene)]bis-3-pyridinecarboxamide 1, N,N′-[1,3-phenylenebis(methylene)]bis-4-pyridinecarboxamide 2, N,N′-[1,4-phenylenebis(methylene)]bis-3-pyridinecarboxamide 3 and N,N′-[1,4-phenylenebis(methylene)]bis-4-pyridinecarboxamide 4 crystallize with extensive amide N-H?OC hydrogen bonding between the diamide compounds, giving rise to two and three dimensional hydrogen bonded networks. N,N′-Bis(3-pyridylmethyl)benzene-1,3-dicarboxamide 5, the only compound with the amide groups directly attached to a central benzene core, was not able to be crystallised. N,N′-2,6-Bis(3-pyridylmethyl)pyridine dicarboxamide 6 and N,N′-2,6-bis(4-pyridylmethyl)pyridine dicarboxamide 7 have a mismatch of hydrogen bond donor and acceptor regions preventing ready involvement of the amide NH groups in network formation. For comparison we also prepared compounds N,N′-2′-propyl-6-(3-pyridylmethyl)pyridine dicarboxamide 10 and N,N′-2′-propyl-6-(4-pyridylmethyl)pyridine dicarboxamide 11 with two amide groups but only the one external donor pyridyl moiety, and compounds N-6-[(3-pyridylmethylamino)carbonyl]-2-pyridinecarboxylic acid methyl ester 8 and N-6-[(4-pyridylmethylamino)carbonyl]-2-pyridinecarboxylic acid methyl ester 9, which have only the one amide.     

Well-defined NHC–Pd(II)–Im (NHC=N-heterocyclic carbene; Im=1-methylimidazole) complex catalyzed C–N coupling of primary amines with aryl chlorides

We report herein a well-defined NHC–Pd(II)–Im (NHC=N-heterocyclic carbene; Im=1-methylimidazole) complex catalyzed C–N coupling of primary amines with aryl chlorides. Under the optimal reaction conditions, a variety of primary amines can be coupled with aryl chlorides to give the amination products in good to high yields within 4 h. It is worthy of noting here that the NHC–Pd(II)–Im complex showed especially high catalytic activity toward challenging sterically hindered substrates including both of aryl amines and aryl chlorides. In addition, alkyl amines were also proved to be suitable reaction partners to give the corresponding amination products in good to high yields.     

Carbamoylimidazolium and thiocarbamoylimidazolium salts: novel reagents for the synthesis of ureas, thioureas, carbamates, thiocarbamates and amides

Carbamoylimidazolium salts act as efficient N,N-disubstituted carbamoylating reagents. These salts are readily prepared by the sequential treatment of secondary amines with N,N′-carbonyldiimidazole (CDI) and iodomethane. The carbamoylimidazolium salts are more efficient carbamoyl transfer reagents than the intermediate carbamoylimidazoles, as a result of the ‘imidazolium’ effect. Kinetic studies on the base promoted hydrolysis of both carbamoylimidazoles and carbamoylimidazolium salts reveal over a hundred-fold rate acceleration. The salts react with amines, thiols, phenols/alcohols, and carboxylic acids in high yields, without the need for subsequent chromatographic purification of the products, producing ureas, thiocarbamates, carbamates, and amides, respectively. Analogous thiocarbamoylimidazolium salts were also synthesized from secondary amines and N,N′-thiocarbonyldiimidazole (TCDI), followed by methylation with iodomethane.     

Evaluating cis‐2,6‐Dimethylpiperidide (cis‐DMP) as a Base Component in Lithium‐Mediated Zincation Chemistry

Most recent advances in metallation chemistry have centred on the bulky secondary amide 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidide (TMP) within mixed metal, often ate, compositions. However, the precursor amine TMP(H) is rather expensive so a cheaper substitute would be welcome. Thus this study was aimed towards developing cheaper non‐TMP based mixed‐metal bases and, as cis‐2,6‐dimethylpiperidide (cis‐DMP) was chosen as the alternative amide, developing cis‐DMP zincate chemistry which has received meagre attention compared to that of its methyl‐rich counterpart TMP. A new lithium diethylzincate, [(TMEDA)LiZn(cis‐DMP)Et₂] (TMEDA=N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethylethylenediamine) has been synthesised by co‐complexation of Li(cis‐DMP), Et₂Zn and TMEDA, and characterised by NMR (including DOSY) spectroscopy and X‐ray crystallography, which revealed a dinuclear contact ion pair arrangement. By using N,N‐diisopropylbenzamide as a test aromatic substrate, the deprotonative reactivity of [(TMEDA)LiZn(cis‐DMP)Et₂] has been probed and contrasted with that of the known but previously uninvestigated di‐tert‐butylzincate, [(TMEDA)LiZn(cis‐DMP)tBu₂]. The former was found to be the superior base (for example, producing the ortho‐deuteriated product in respective yields of 78 % and 48 % following D₂O quenching of zincated benzamide intermediates). An 88 % yield of 2‐iodo‐N,N‐diisopropylbenzamide was obtained on reaction of two equivalents of the diethylzincate with the benzamide followed by iodination. Comparisons are also drawn using 1,1,1,3,3,3‐hexamethyldisilazide (HMDS), diisopropylamide and TMP as the amide component in the lithium amide, Et₂Zn and TMEDA system. Under certain conditions, the cis‐DMP base system was found to give improved results in comparison to HMDS and diisopropylamide (DA), and comparable results to a TMP system. Two novel complexes isolated from reactions of the di‐tert‐butylzincate and crystallographically characterised, namely the pre‐metallation complex [{(iPr)₂N(Ph)C?O}LiZn(cis‐DMP)tBu₂] and the post‐metallation complex [(TMEDA)Li(cis‐DMP){2‐[1‐C(=O)N(iPr)₂]C₆H₄}Zn(tBu)], shed valuable light on the structures and mechanisms involved in these alkali‐metal‐mediated zincation reactions. Aspects of these reactions are also modelled by DFT calculations.     

Structural study of oxalamide compounds: H, C, and DFT calculations

The conformational properties of some N-alkyl, N,N′-dialky, and tetraalkyloxalamides have been investigated, in vacuo and in solvent using DFT methods at the B3LYP/6-31G^∗∗ computational level. Special emphasis has been given on oxalamides with substituents of the type -CH₂CH₂OH. In oxalamides with the N-H group (N-alkyl and N,N′-dialky), the most stable conformations are those in which the oxalamide moiety adopts a planar s-trans arrangement and the amide bonds are trans. A different situation appears in the case of tetraalkyloxalamides, in which the oxalamide moiety always adopts a skewed arrangement and there are conformations with similar energy. A careful study of ¹³C and ¹H NMR spectra together with theoretical calculations (GIAO method) allowed the assignment of the signals of these conformers. The presence of the -CH₂CH₂OH chain produces numerous rotamers. The most stable rotamers, in vacuo, are those with strong intramolecular hydrogen bonds, however in solvent, hydrogen bonds are not crucial to establish the most stable specie and depend on the solvent used.     

Cobalt complexes of a selenium diimide and a tellurium diimide dimer

[CoCl₂{N,N′-Te₂(N^tBu)₄}] (1) was obtained in good yields by the reaction of equimolar amounts of (^tBu)NTe(μ-N^tBu)₂TeN(^tBu) and CoCl₂ in toluene under an argon atmosphere. The crystal structure of 1·CH₂Cl₂ showed that the dimeric tellurium diimide ligand is N,N′-chelated to cobalt. The related reaction of Se(N^tBu)₂ and CoCl₂ affords a green product tentatively identified as a 1:1 adduct [CoCl₂{N,N′-Se(N^tBu)₂}] (CHN analysis). However, recrystallization from thf produces the ion-separated complex [Co₂(μ-Cl)₃{N,N′-Se(N^tBu)₂}₂(thf)₂][CoCl₃{NH₂(^tBu)}]·1½thf (2·1½thf), in which the monomeric selenium diimide ligand is N,N′-chelated to cobalt in the cation. A pathway for the formation of 2 from [CoCl₂{N,N′-Se(N^tBu)₂}] in thf is proposed.     

Deprotonative Metalation of Functionalized Aromatics Using Mixed Lithium–Cadmium,Lithium–Indium,and Lithium–Zinc Species

In situ mixtures of CdCl₂?TMEDA (0.5 equiv; TMEDA=N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethylethylenediamine) or InCl₃ (0.33 equiv) with [Li(tmp)] (tmp=2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidino; 1.5 or 1.3 equiv, respectively) were compared with the previously described mixture of ZnCl₂?TMEDA (0.5 equiv) and [Li(tmp)] (1.5 equiv) for their ability to deprotonate anisole, benzothiazole, and pyrimidine. [(tmp)₃CdLi] proved to be the best base when used in tetrahydrofuran at room temperature, as demonstrated by subsequent trapping with iodine. The Cd–Li base then proved suitable for the metalation of a large range of aromatics including benzenes bearing reactive functional groups (CONEt₂, CO₂Me, CN, COPh) or heavy halogens (Br, I), and heterocycles (from the furan, thiophene, pyrrole, oxazole, thiazole, pyridine, and diazine series). Five‐membered heterocycles benefiting from doubly activated positions were similarly dideprotonated at room temperature. The aromatic lithium cadmates thus obtained were involved in palladium‐catalyzed cross‐coupling reactions or simply quenched with acid chlorides.     

Naphthalene-ring containing diamine and resulting thermally stable polyamides

A new naphthalene-ring containing diamine, bis-[4-(5-amino-naphthalene-1-yloxy)-phenyl]-methanone was prepared from reaction of 5-amino-1-naphthol with 4,4′-dichlorobenzophenone in the presence of K₂CO₃. A series of novel polyamides were prepared by direct polycondensation of the diamine with various commercially available diacid chlorides including terephthaloyl chloride, isophthaloyl chloride, adipoyl chloride, and sebacoyl chloride. All the synthesized polyamides showed good solubility in amide type solvents such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, N,N-dimethylacetamide, and N,N-dimethylformamide and they exhibited inherent viscosities in the range of 0.44-0.52 dL/g. According to the DMTA analysis, the glass transition temperatures of the polyamides were found to be 131-187 °C. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated that the polymers were stable up to 190 °C and the 10% weight loss temperatures were recorded in the range of 350-418 °C in air atmosphere.     

Effects of solvent and base on the palladium-catalyzed amination: PdCl2(Ph3P)2/Ph3P-catalyzed selective arylation of primary anilines with aryl bromides

A readily accessible catalytic system, PdCl₂(Ph₃P)₂/Ph₃P, was developed for the selective arylation of primary anilines with aryl bromides. The strong influence of solvents and bases on the catalytic activity was observed. In refluxing o-xylene, triphenylphosphine shows high efficiency for Pd-catalyzed intermolecular amination reactions. By changing the bases, mono- and diarylation of primary amines could be selectively achieved in high yields. Moreover, the catalytic system showed good toleration for the steric hindrance of anilines. A series of N,N,N′,N′-tetraaryl-1,1′-biphenyl-4,4′-diamines, important intermediates of OLED hole transport materials, were synthesized facilely via coupling reactions between 4,4′-diaminobiphenyls and aryl bromides.     

An efficient method for the synthesis of disubstituted thioureas via the reaction of N,N′-di-Boc-substituted thiourea with alkyl and aryl amines under mild conditions

An efficient method for the synthesis of disubstituted thioureas via the reaction of N,N′-di-Boc-substituted thiourea 5 with alkyl and aryl amines under mild conditions has been developed. In the presence of NaH as a base, trifluoroacetic anhydride (TFAA) reacted with 5 providing intermediate 6, which then reacted with amines giving thioureas 7 in excellent yields. This reaction conditions tolerated other functional groups such as amide, ester, enol ether and hydroxyl groups.     

Efficient synthesis of tetramethylsulfonylguanidines between a free sulfonamide group and HBTU

The reaction of a sulfonamide moiety with HBTU (O-(1H-benzotriazol-1-yl)-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyluronium hexafluorophosphate) during amide coupling, leading to the formation of tetramethylsulfonylguanidines, is described. Optimised conditions showed that HBTU was as a convenient agent for the synthesis of tetramethylsulfonylguanidines, in basic conditions. A panel of diverse sulfonamides was used to demonstrate the scope of this procedure.     

A robust dimethylgold(III) complex stabilized by a 2-pyridyl-2-pyrrolide ligand

Reaction of isopropyl[(2-pyridyl)alkyl]amines such as N-isopropyl-N-2-methylpyridine or N-isopropyl-N-2-ethylpyridine with aqueous solutions of NaAuCl₄ led to the formation of [LAuCl₂][AuCl₄] in low yields, where L = pyridyl amine bound to gold in a bidentate fashion. Reaction of 2-(3,5-diphenyl-1H-pyrrol-2-yl)pyridine with aqueous NaAuCl₄, however, proceeded with formal loss of HCl and direct formation of the gold(III) amido complex L′AuCl₂, where L′ = deprotonated pyrrolyl ligand. Optimization of the reaction conditions to make the new amido complex identified MeCN:H₂O (1:2) as the best choice of solvent, affording product in 92% yield. This dichloro amido complex is a convenient precursor to L′AuMe₂, which was found to be air-stable and thermally robust.     

Acyl iodides in organic synthesis: XI. Unusual N-C bond cleavage in tertiary amines

Acyl iodides reacted with excess primary and secondary amines in a way similar to acyl chlorides, yielding the corresponding carboxylic acid amide and initial amine hydroiodide. Reactions of tertiary amines with acyl iodides were accompanied by cleavage of the N-C bond with formation of the corresponding N,N-di(hydrocarbyl)carboxamide and alkyl iodide. In the presence of excess tertiary amine the latter was converted into quaternary tetra(hydrocarbyl)ammonium iodide.     

N-Silylation of amines and amino acid esters under neutral conditions employing TMS-Cl in the presence of zinc dust

An expedient synthetic approach to N-silylamines has been developed. The protocol, using TMS-Cl/zinc dust instead of BSA, is useful for the conversion of amines or amino acid esters to the corresponding silyl derivatives, followed by acylation with an acyl chloride or Fmoc-amino acid chloride to give the corresponding amide or peptide. This procedure, affording products in good to excellent yields, is also efficient for the coupling of sterically hindered amino acids like α,α-dialkylamino acids and NMe-amino acids. Further, the use of an equimolar quantity of organic base, such as Et₃N/pyridine, is circumvented.