Short communication: Stille coupling reactions of functionalized triorganotin halides

Convenient conditions for the Stille coupling of halide‐bearing triorganotin compounds, which do not normally react under typical Stille reaction conditions, are presented. The coupling of vinylstannanes with allyl bromide using palladium(II) catalysis is accomplished under fluoride assistance to give the substituted 2,5‐hexadien‐1‐ols in Z‐configuration. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Investigations of the fragmentation pathways of benzylpyridinium ions under ESI/MS conditions

Benzylpyridinium ions are often used as ‘thermometer ions’ in order to evaluate the internal energy distribution of the ions formed in sources of mass spectrometers. However, the detailed fragmentation pathways of these parent ions were not well established. In particular, fragmentation involving a rearrangement (RR) process may be influencing the simulated distribution curves. In a previous study, we suggested that such RR actually occurred under electrospray ionization/mass spectrometry (ESI/MS) and fast atom bombardment/mass spectrometry (FAB/MS) experiments. Here, we present a systematic study of different substituted benzylpyridinium ions. Theoretical calculations showed that RR fragmentation leading to substituted tropylium ions could occur under ‘soft ionization’ conditions, such as ESI or FAB. Experimental results obtained under gas‐phase reactivity conditions showed that some substituted benzylpiridinium compounds actually undergo RR fragmentations under ESI/MS conditions. Mass‐analyzed kinetic experiments were also carried out to gain information on the reaction pathways that actually occur, and these experimental results are in agreement with the reaction pathways theoretically proposed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis of Indolines via a SmI2 Promoted Domino Nitro Reduction–Intramolecular aza‐Michael Reaction

A simple and straightforward synthesis of substituted indolines based on a domino nitro reduction intramolecular aza‐Michael reaction is described. The reaction employs Samarium diiodide under mild conditions for the addition of dibromoacetic acid to substituted 2‐(2‐nitrophenyl) acetaldehyde derivatives and their subsequent cyclization upon nitro group reduction to provide corresponding indoline heterocycles in good yields. This “one pot” strategy also permitted the expeditious synthesis of a 1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroquinoline, whereas the seven‐membered 2,3,4,5‐tetrahydrobenzoazepines compounds were not formed under these reaction conditions.     

A new convenient way to synthesize 1,3,4‐thiadiazol‐2‐yl urea derivatives under microwave irradiation

A simple and efficient method was developed for the synthesis of 1‐(substituted)‐3‐(5‐(substituted)‐1,3,4‐thiadiazol‐2‐yl) ureas from heterocyclic amino compounds and phenyl‐5‐(pyridine‐3‐yl)‐1,3,4‐thiadiazol‐2‐ylcarbamate( 2 ) or phenyl‐5‐(trifluoro‐methyl)‐1,3,4‐thiadiazol‐2‐ylcarbamate( 5 ) under solvent conditions using microwave irradiation. The products were obtained in satisfactory yield as we expected. The reactions can be realized by conventional heating, but we find that the condition of microwave is better according to the reaction time. New 1‐(substituted)‐3‐(5‐(substituted)‐1,3,4‐thiadiazol‐2‐yl) urea derivatives are reported. The products were characterized by ¹H NMR, ESI‐MS, and Elemental analysis. The crystal structure of compound 6h was determined by X‐ray single crystal diffraction. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 19:621–629, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/hc.20489     

Chemistry of Energetically Activated Cumulenes—From Allene (H2CCCH2) to Hexapentaene (H2CCCCCCH2)

During the last decade, experimental and theoretical studies on the unimolecular decomposition of cumulenes (H₂C_nH₂) from propadiene (H₂CCCH₂) to hexapentaene (H₂CCCCCCH₂) have received considerable attention due to the importance of these carbon‐bearing molecules in combustion flames, chemical vapor deposition processes, atmospheric chemistry, and the chemistry of the interstellar medium. Cumulenes and their substituted counterparts also have significant technical potential as elements for molecular machines (nanomechanics), molecular wires (nano‐electronics), nonlinear optics, and molecular sensors. In this review, we present a systematic overview of the stability, formation, and unimolecular decomposition of chemically, photo‐chemically, and thermally activated small to medium‐sized cumulenes in extreme environments. By concentrating on reactions under gas phase thermal conditions (pyrolysis) and on molecular beam experiments conducted under single‐collision conditions (crossed beam and photodissociation studies), a comprehensive picture on the unimolecular decomposition dynamics of cumulenes transpires.     

Ag Loaded on SiO2 as an Efficient and Recyclable Heterogeneous Catalyst for the Synthesis of Chloro‐8‐substituted‐9H‐purines

Ag support on silica has been used as an effective heterogeneous catalyst for the facile synthesis of chloro‐8‐substituted‐9H‐purine derivatives via the one‐pot reaction of 6‐chloro‐pyrimidines and substituted acids. The title compounds were formed as excellent yields with short reaction time under eco‐friendly conditions. The prepared catalyst (Ag/SiO₂) can be reused for a number of times with insignificant loss in its activity. This route has the advantage of being a cost‐effective, readily available, easy workup procedure.     

Synthesis of 4‐substituted styrene compounds via palladium catalyzed Suzuki–Miyaura reaction using bidentate Schiff base ligands

Air‐stable symmetric Schiff base have been synthesized and proved to be efficient ligands for Suzuki–Miyaura reaction between aryl bromides and arylboronic acids using PdCl₂(CH₃CN)₂ as palladium source under aerobic conditions. The coupling reaction proceeded smoothly using N,N‐bis(anthracen‐9‐ylmethylene)benzene‐1,2‐diamine (L₇) as ligand to provide 4‐substituted styrene compounds in good yields. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Push–Pull Buta‐1,2,3‐trienes: Exceptionally Low Rotational Barriers of Cumulenic CC Bonds and Proacetylenic Reactivity

A variety of asymmetrically donor–acceptor‐substituted [3]cumulenes (buta‐1,2,3‐trienes) were synthesized by developed procedures. The activation barriers to rotation ΔG^≠ were measured by variable temperature NMR spectroscopy and found to be as low as 11.8 kcal mol^?1, in the range of the barriers for rotation around sterically hindered single bonds. The central C?C bond of the push–pull‐substituted [3]cumulene moiety is shortened down to 1.22 Å as measured by X‐ray crystallography, leading to a substantial bond length alternation (BLA) of up to 0.17 Å. All the experimental results are supported by DFT calculations. Zwitterionic transition states (TS) of bond rotation confirm the postulated proacetylenic character of donor–acceptor [3]cumulenes. Additional support for the proacetylenic character of these chromophores is provided by their reaction with tetracyanoethene (TCNE) in a cycloaddition‐retroelectrocyclization (CA–RE) cascade characteristic of donor‐polarized acetylenes.     

Copper‐Catalyzed Formal [4+2] Cycloaddition of Enoldiazoimides with Sulfur Ylides

Enoldiazoimides, a new subclass of enoldiazo compounds, generate enol‐substituted carbonyl ylides whose reactions with sulfur ylides enable an unprecedented formal [4+2] cycloaddition. The resulting multifunctionalized indolizidinones, which incorporate sulfur, are formed in good yields under mild reaction conditions. The uniqueness of this transformation stems from the role of the silyl‐protected enol, since the corresponding acetyldiazoimide failed to provide any cross‐products in metal‐catalyzed reactions with sulfur ylides. This copper‐catalyzed cycloaddition is initiated with the generation of enol‐substituted carbonyl ylides and sulfur ylides from enoldiazoimides and sulfonium salts, respectively, and proceeds through stepwise six‐membered ring formation, C?O and C?S bond cleavage, and silyl and acetyl group migration.     

Kinetic study of oxidation of N‐(α‐methylbenzylidene) anilines by dimethyldioxirane

A kinetic study of the oxidation of substituted N‐(α‐methylbenzylidene) anilines by dimethyldioxirane was investigated using a UV/VIS spectrophotometer. Oxaziridines and nitrones were formed as intermediates, and in the excess of dimethyldioxirane corresponding carbonyl compounds, nitrosobenzene or nitrobenzene, were formed quantitatively. The kinetic data were used in the equation for the formation of oxaziridines and nitrones as an intermediate and further oxidation to the corresponding acetophenones and nitrosobenzene. Hammett ρ values were determined for compounds p‐substituted on the aromatic ring attached to the carbon atom of the imino group, and it was found that these substituents have very little effect on the oxidation reaction. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 39: 492–497, 2007     

Synthesis and anti‐HIV activity of new chiral 1,2,4‐triazoles and 1,3,4‐thiadiazoles

5‐substituted 4‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐4H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐3‐thiones 3 and 2‐substituted 5‐(4‐chlorophenylamino)‐1,3,4‐thiadiazoles 4 were prepared from the intermediate thiosemicarbazides 2 under basic and acidic conditions, respectively. The thiosemicarbazides, in turn, were prepared by the reaction of hydrazides 1 with 4‐chlorophenylisothiocyanate in MeOH. Some of the new synthesized compounds were assayed against HIV‐1 and HIV‐2 in MT‐4 cells. All the compounds were inactive except 3f , which showed an EC₅₀ value of 23.9 μg/mL and 9.9 μg/mL against HIV‐1 and HIV‐2 with a therapeutic index of 3 and 7, respectively. It means that compound 3f was cytotoxic to MT‐4 cells at CC₅₀ of 72.7 μg/mL in both strains. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 18:316–322, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/hc.20282     

Formation of volatile selenium species in synthetic seawater under light and dark experimental conditions

Experiments were performed in the laboratory on synthetic seawater spiked with different selenium species at trace levels to study the formation of volatile selenium compounds under dark or controlled simulated sunlight conditions. Spiking the reaction media with inorganic and organic selenium compounds demonstrated that several volatile selenium species could be formed under these simulated conditions. Selenoamino acids react to produce significant amounts of volatile selenium species in both light and dark conditions. Products formed include dimethyl selenide (DMSe), dimethyl selenyl sulphide (DMSeS) and dimethyl diselenide (DMDSe). Inorganic selenium oxyanions added to the synthetic reaction media did not form volatile species via abiotic reactions despite the presence of strong methylating agents. These results suggest that the formation of stable volatile species from bio‐organic selenium compounds can occur via abiotic reactions in the marine photic zone. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Comparative studies on the pyrolysis of N‐arylideneaminoamides: Kinetic and mechanistic studies

Rates of thermal decomposition of title compounds have been measured using a static reaction system. They undergo a unimolecular first‐order elimination to give arylnitrile and the corresponding substituted amides. The decomposition parallels that of N‐arylidenamino cyclic amide. The relative elimination rates at 600 K were calculated. The kinetic data reveal that the electronic effects of substituents, such as methyl, phenyl, benzyl, and allyl groups, are associated with the opposing directions in which the lone pair of electrons on the nitrogen atom of the arylidene moiety is being delocalized. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 39: 59–66, 2007     

Palladium‐catalyzed selective alkoxycarbonylation of N‐vinylphthalimide

The palladium‐catalyzed selective alkoxycarbonylation of enamide was studied using N‐vinylphthalimide as the model substrate. Both palladium (0) and palladium (II) compounds can be used as the catalyst precursors. It was found that the efficiency and the regioselectivity of the reaction depended remarkably on phosphine ligands and other reaction parameters such as solvent, substrate concentration, temperature and promoters. Good yields and high regioselectivities of either the branched or linear products were obtained under optimum reaction conditions. The primary optical yield (12.3%) of N‐Phthaloyl‐L ‐alanine methyl ester (2) was obtained using (S)‐(+)‐BNPPA as the chiral ligand. A possible reaction mechanism for the alkoxycarbonylation of N‐vinylphthalimide was also proposed. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Chemoselective Synthesis of Substituted Imines,Secondary Amines,and β‐Amino Carbonyl Compounds from Nitroaromatics through Cascade Reactions on Gold Catalysts

Substituted imines, α,β‐unsaturated imines, substituted secondary amines, and β‐amino carbonyl compounds have been synthesized by means of new cascade reactions with mono‐ or bifunctional gold‐based solid catalysts under mild reaction conditions. The related synthetic route involves the hydrogenation of a nitroaromatic compound in the presence of a second reactant such as an aldehyde, α,β‐unsaturated carbonyl compound, or alkyne, which circumvents an ex situ reduction process for producing the aromatic amine. The process is shown to be highly selective towards other competing groups, such as double bonds, carbonyls, halogens, nitriles, or cinnamates, and thereby allows the synthesis of different substituted nitrogenated compounds. For the preparation of imines, substituted anilines are formed and condensed in situ with aldehydes to provide the final product through two tandem reactions. High chemoselectivity is observed, for instance, when double bonds or halides are present within the reactants. In addition, we show that the Au/TiO₂ system is also able to catalyze the chemoselective hydrogenation of imines, so that secondary amines can be prepared directly through a three‐step cascade reaction by starting from nitroaromatic compounds and aldehydes. On the other hand, Au/TiO₂ can also be used as a bifunctional catalyst to obtain substituted β‐amino carbonyl compounds from nitroaromatics and α,β‐unsaturated carbonyl compounds. Whereas gold sites promote the in situ formation of anilines, the intrinsic acidity of Ti species on the support surface accelerates the subsequent Michael addition. Finally, two gold‐catalyzed reactions, that is, the hydrogenation of nitro groups and a hydroamination, have been coupled to synthesize additional substituted imines from nitroaromatic compounds and alkynes.     

1,2,4-Triazoles: Synthetic approaches and pharmacological importance. (Review)

The synthetic routes of 1,2,4-triazole compounds as well as their pharmacological properties have been described. The review focuses intensively on two methods: cycloaddition reaction in the syntheses of various 1,5-dialky-1H-1,2,4-triazole derivatives from the reactive cumulenes with the nitrile precursors as well as the microwave irradiation method. Published in Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 11, pp. 1605–1634, November, 2006.     

Direct Arylation of N‐Heteroarenes with Aryldiazonium Salts by Photoredox Catalysis in Water

A highly effective visible light‐promoted “radical‐type” coupling of N‐heteroarenes with aryldiazonium salts in water has been developed. The reaction proceeds at room temperature with [Ru(bpy)₃]Cl₂ ? 6 H₂O as a photosensitizer and a commercial household light bulb as a light source. Pyridine and a variety of substituted pyridines are effective substrates under these reaction conditions, and only monosubstituted products are formed with different regioselectivities. Using aqueous formic acid as solvent, an array of xanthenes, thiazole, pyrazine, and pyridazine are compatible with this new arylation approach. The broad substrate scope, mild reaction conditions, and use of water as reaction solvent make this procedure a practical and environmentally friendly method for the synthesis of compounds containing aryl‐heteroaryl motifs.     

Zirconium(IV) oxide chloride and anhydrous copper(II) sulfate mediated synthesis of 2‐substituted benzothiazoles

A simple, fast and efficient benign procedure has been developed for one‐pot synthesis of 2‐substituted benzothiazoles in the presence of zirconium(IV) oxide chloride octahydrate (ZrOCl₂·8H₂O) and anhydrous copper(II) sulfate. The reaction of 2‐aminothiophenol with aldehydes and anhydrides was carried out efficiently in solvent‐free conditions with or without microwave irradiation, and adducts were produced in good to excellent yields. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 17:136–141, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/hc.20191     

Aerobic oxidation of benzyl alcohols by MoVI compounds

Selective and controlled aerobic oxidation of activated benzyl alcohols to the corresponding aldehydes is achieved in refluxing CH₃CN using catalytic amounts of MoO₂Cl₂(L)₂ where L is DMSO, DMF or THF. The catalysis reactions are possible under open air in the absence of any other external co‐oxidants. However, bubbling of oxygen to the reaction mixture is useful in making the catalysis reaction sustained. Both activated and deactivated varieties of α‐substituted benzyl alcohols (secondary alcohols) give ketones in the same reaction conditions. The inexpensive catalyst is selective towards activated primary benzyl alcohols and also, being mild, stops the oxidation at the aldehyde stage, making it synthetically useful. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Highly Stereoselective Conjugate Addition and α‐Alkynylation Reaction with Electron‐Deficient Alkynes Catalyzed by Chiral Scandium(III) Complexes

The highly Z‐selective asymmetric conjugate addition of 3‐substituted oxindoles to alkynyl carbonyl compounds has been developed by using scandium complexes of chiral N,N′‐dioxides under mild conditions. The thermodynamically unstable Z‐olefin derivatives were obtained in excellent yields and high enantiomeric and geometric control. The catalyst was also found to be effective in the asymmetric acetylenic substitution reaction of 3‐substituted oxindoles, giving excellent enantioselectivities.