Hydrogen bonding interaction between acrylic esters and monohydric alcohols in non-polar solvents: An FTIR study

The association between acrylic esters (methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate and butyl methacrylate) and some monohydric (primary, secondary and tertiary) alcohols in non-polar solvents, viz. n-heptane, CCl4 and benzene has been investigated by means of FTIR spectroscopy. The most likely association complex between alcohol and acrylic ester is 1:1 stoichiometric complex through the hydroxyl group of alcohol and the carbonyl group of acrylic ester. The formation constant of the 1:1 complexes has been calculated using Nash method. It appears that the primary alcohols have larger formation constant than the secondary and tertiary alcohols. The results show that the proton donating power of the alcohols decreases in the order primary>secondary>tertiary and the association constant increases with the increase in carbon chain of the alkyl group of acrylic esters and alcohols. Also the results show a significant dependence of the association constant upon the solvents used. The solvent effect on the formation of hydrogen bond equilibria is discussed in terms of specific interaction between the solute and solvent.     

Synthesis of chiral (alpha,alpha-difluoroalkyl)phosphonate analogues of (lyso)phosphatidic acid via hydrolytic kinetic resolution

The hydrolytic kinetic resolution of 1,1-difluoro-3,4-epoxy-butylphosphonate using a chiral salen-Co complex was employed as a key step to obtain enantiomeric diols in 99% ee as key intermediates. The enantiomerically homogeneous (alpha,alpha-difluoroalkyl)phosphonates were obtained after selective esterification and deprotection of the corresponding phosphonates. These compounds are novel phosphatase-resistant analogues of lysophosphatidic acid and phosphatidic acid. [reaction: see text]     

Highly chemoselective calcium-catalyzed propargylic deoxygenation

A calcium-catalyzed direct reduction of propargylic alcohols and ethers has been accomplished by using triethylsilane as a nucleophilic hydride source. At room temperature a variety of secondary propargylic alcohols was deoxygenated to the corresponding hydrocarbons in excellent yields. Furthermore, for the first time, a catalytic deoxygenation of tertiary propargylic alcohols was generally applicable. The same protocol was suitable for an efficient reduction of secondary as well as tertiary propargylic methyl, benzyl and allyl ethers. Substrates containing an additional keto-, ester or secondary hydroxyl function were reduced with exceptional chemoselectivity at the propargylic position.     

3,4-dihydro-6,7-dimethoxy-4-methyl-3-oxo-qinoxaline-2-carbonyl azide as a highly sensitive fluorescence derivatization reagent for primary,secondary and tertiary alcohols in high-performance liquid chromatography

3,4-Dhydro-6,7-dimethoxy-4-methyl-3-oxo-quinoxaline-2-carbonyl azide is a highly senstive fluorescence derivatization reagent for primary, secondary and tertiary alcohols for high-performance liquid chromatography. Reaction conditions are optimized with benzyl alcohol, n-hexanol, cyclohexanol and 2-methyl-2-butanol. The reagent reacts with the alcohols in benzene to produce the corresponding fluorescent carbamic acid esters, which can be separated on a reversed-phase column YMC Pack C₈ with aqueous methanol as eluent. the detection limits for the alchols are 2–5 fmol per 10-μl njection. The reagent also reacts with hydroxysteroids with primary, secondary and/or tertiary alcoholic group(s) to form fluorescent derivatives. Hydroxycarboxylic acids and phenols do not give any chromatographic peaks.     

Highly Chemoselective Calcium‐Catalyzed Propargylic Deoxygenation

A calcium‐catalyzed direct reduction of propargylic alcohols and ethers has been accomplished by using triethylsilane as a nucleophilic hydride source. At room temperature a variety of secondary propargylic alcohols was deoxygenated to the corresponding hydrocarbons in excellent yields. Furthermore, for the first time, a catalytic deoxygenation of tertiary propargylic alcohols was generally applicable. The same protocol was suitable for an efficient reduction of secondary as well as tertiary propargylic methyl, benzyl and allyl ethers. Substrates containing an additional keto‐, ester or secondary hydroxyl function were reduced with exceptional chemoselectivity at the propargylic position.     

Catalytic enantioselective intermolecular reductive aldol reaction to ketones

We describe the first example of a catalytic enantioselective intermolecular reductive aldol reaction. Three types of reactions were studied: (1) reactions between acetophenone and methyl acrylate; (2) reactions between symmetric ketones and β-substituted α,β-unsaturated esters; and (3) reactions between acetophenone derivatives and an allenic ester. Although only moderate enantioselectivity was obtained in the first reaction type, high to excellent enantioselectivity was realized in the enantio-induction at the α-position in the second reaction type and at the δ-position in the third reaction type. Specifically, the third reaction type afforded the corresponding tertiary alcohols with up to 99% ee. Pre-activation of the nucleophile by silyl enolate formation is not necessary in these one-pot catalytic enantioselective reductive aldol reactions.     

Introducing efficient palladium catalyzed cross coupling reaction of tertiary alcohols and aroyl chlorides for the synthesis of highly substituted esters

Esters are chemical compounds with many practical uses. The common type of esterification is called the Fischer esterification. Another one is by the action of acid chlorides on alcohols but not with tertiary alcohols. The stable carbenium ions formed from tertiary alcohols favor elimination and the byproduct, hydrogen chloride prevents ester formation. In this new report, palladium inserted ArCOPdCl species reacts with tertiary alcohols and cross-coupling under microwave heating, minimizes the formation of probable carbenium ion, and promotes successful production of highly substituted esters in good to high yields.     

Analysis of alcohols, as dimethylglycine esters, by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

Dimethylglycine (DMG) esters are new derivatives for the rapid, sensitive and selective analysis of primary and secondary alcohols, in complex mixtures, by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS). Their development was inspired by the use of the complementary dimethylaminoethyl esters for the trace, rapid analysis of fatty acids. DMG esters are simply prepared by heating a dichloromethane solution of the imidazolide of dimethylglycine, containing triethylamine, and an alcohol. DMG esters of long-chain fatty alcohols, isoprenoidal alcohols and hydroxy-acids are analysed by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry with a precursor ion of m/z 104 scan. Diols, glyceryl esters, glyceryl ethers and some sterols are analysed by a neutral loss of 103 Da scan. Trimethylglycine (TMG) ester iodides, prepared by alkylation of DMG esters with methyl iodide, are more sensitive derivatives for molecules containing secondary alcohol groups, such as cholesterol and gibberellic acid. They are analysed by a precursor ion of m/z 118 scan. DMG or TMG derivatives were shown to be at least comparable and sometimes an order of magnitude more sensitive than N-methylpyridyl ether derivatives for ESI-MS/MS analysis of the different classes of alcohols. Applications of these derivatives for the diagnosis of inherited disorders and the analysis of natural products are presented.     

Synthesis of tricyclic analogues of methyllycaconitine using ring closing metathesis to append a B ring to an AE azabicyclic fragment

The synthesis of several ABE tricyclic analogues of the alkaloid methyllycaconitine 1 is reported. The analogues contain two key pharmacophores: a homocholine motif formed from a tertiary N-ethyl amine in a 3-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane ring system and a 2-(3-methyl-2,5-dioxopyrrolidin-1-ly)benzoate ester 4. The synthesis of the ABE tricyclic analogues of MLA 1 began with selective allylation at C-3 of 3 to produce allyl beta-keto ester 4. Double Mannich reaction of 4 with ethylamine and formaldehyde produced bicyclic amine 5 The C-9 ketone of bicyclic amine 5 was selectively reduced to form bicyclic alcohols 6 and 7 which were subsequently allylated to form dienes 8 and 9. Ring closing metathesis of dienes 8 and 9 afforded tricyclic ethers 11 and 12, respectively, the C-8 ester of which was reduced to a hydroxymethyl group to form ABE tricyclic analogues 13 and 14. Addition of allylmagnesium bromide to the C-9 ketone of 20 afforded dienes 21 and 22, which underwent ring closing metathesis to form tricyclic esters 23 and 24, respectively. Reduction of the C-8 ethyl ester of 23 and 24 to a hydroxymethyl group afforded diols 25 and 26 respectively. The 2-(3-methyl-2,5-dioxopyrrolin-1-ly)benzoate ester was introduced by conversion of alcohols 13, 14, 25 and 26, to the anthranilate esters 16, 17, 27 and 28 using N-(trifluoroacetyl)anthranilic acid 15 followed by fusion with methylsuccinic anhydride to afford the substituted anthranilates 18, 19, 29 and 30 containing the key 2-(3-methyl-2,5-dioxopyrrolidin-1-ly)benzoate ester pharmacophore.     

Chemoenzymatic route to various spirocyclic compounds based on enantiomerically enriched tertiary allylic,homoallylic, and homopropargylic alcohols

A ring closing metathesis (RCM) reaction of dienes and an intramolecular Pauson–Khand (PKR) reaction of enynes derived from tertiary allyl, homoallyl, and homopropargyl alcohol backbones to afford the corresponding spirocyclic dihydrofuran and dihydropyrans and spirocyclic cyclopentenone pyrans, respectively, are described. Cyclopent-2-ene anchored tertiary allyl, homoallyl, and homopropargyl alcohols 1a–c have been efficiently resolved via enzymatic resolution with high ee (up to 90%) with 44%, 40%, and 43% chemical yields, respectively. Moreover, the cyclohex-2-ene anchored tertiary allyl, homoallyl, and homopropargyl alcohols 3a–c have also been resolved in the same manner with high ee (up to 97%) and in 42%, 45%, and 49% chemical yields. Enantiomerically enriched dienes derived from tertiary homoallyl alcohols yield the corresponding enantiomerically enriched spirocyclic dihydropyran derivatives via RCM with 74% and 78% chemical yields and with 90% and 97% ee, respectively. Moreover, enantiomerically enriched enynes derived from tertiary homoallyl alcohols afford the corresponding enantiomerically enriched cyclopentenone pyrans with spirocyclic motifs via PKR with 80% and 81% chemical yields, respectively, and as single diastereomers.     

Electrospray tandem mass spectrometric study of ferrocene carbamate ester derivatives of saturated primary, secondary and tertiary alcohols

The fragmentation pathways and mechanisms for 27 ferrocene carbamate esters of saturated alkyl primary, secondary and tertiary alcohols were investigated using energy-resolved electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (ES-MS/MS). The mechanisms that control the formation and abundance of the three product ions common to all the derivatives, which appear at m/z 201, 227 and 245, were elucidated. Plotting the relative abundances of the three product ions versus a range of center-of-mass collision energies provided a graphical representation of the behavior of the fragmentation process that was directly comparable from compound to compound. As a result, it was possible to compare product ion spectra of the different derivatives to distinguish among different alcohol structural types. Straight-chain primary alcohols were easily distinguished from tertiary alcohols. Both of these structural types, including positional isomers, produced product ion spectra that were distinct from those of beta-branched primary alcohols, or acyclic secondary alcohols or cyclic secondary alcohols. The latter three alcohol types display similar product ion spectra and therefore cannot be distinguished from one another on the basis of these spectra alone.     

Asymmetric direct aldol reaction of functionalized ketones catalyzed by amine organocatalysts based on bispidine

Organocatalysts containing primary-secondary amine based on bispidine and amino acid have been designed to catalyze the asymmetric direct aldol reaction of functionalized ketones including alpha-keto phosphonates, alpha-keto esters, as well as alpha,alpha-dialkoxy ketones as aldol reaction acceptors. The corresponding products with chiral tertiary alcohols were obtained in moderate to high yields (up to 97%) and high enantioselectivities (up to 98% ee). A theoretical study of transition structures demonstrated that protonated piperidine was important for the reactivity and enantioselectivity of this reaction.     

Iodomethaneboronic esters and aminomethaneboronic esters

An efficient preparation of pinacol iodomethaneboronate and dibutyl iodomethaneboronate from the respective (phenylthio)methaneboronic esters has been devised, using the reaction with methyl iodide. Pinacol iodomethaneboronate reacts efficiently wit tertiary amines to form the crystalline quaternary ammonium salts. Dibutyl iodomethaneboronate reacts with excess piperidine or morpholine in ether to precipitate piperidine or morpholine hydriodide and yield the distillable piperidino- or morpholinomethaneboronic ester. Benzylamine failed to yield a stable product.     

Manganese(III) Porphyrin-Catalyzed Dehydrogenation of Alcohols to form Imines,Tertiary Amines and Quinolines

Manganese(III) porphyrin chloride complexes have been developed for the first time as catalysts for the acceptorless dehydrogenative coupling of alcohols and amines. The reaction has been applied to the direct synthesis of imines, tertiary amines and quinolines where only hydrogen gas and/or water are formed as the by-product(s). The mechanism is believed to involve the formation of a manganese(III) alkoxide complex which degrades into the aldehyde and a manganese(III) hydride species. The latter reacts with the alcohol to form hydrogen gas and thereby regenerates the alkoxide complex.     

Synthesis of （2R,3aR,8aR）-6-Chloro-3a-hydroxy-1,2,3,3a,8,8a-hexahydropyrrolo[2,3-b]indole-2-carboxylic Acid Methyl Ester by Reductive Cyclization

A synthesis of (2R，3aR，8aR)-6-chloro-3a-hydroxy-1,2,3,3a,8,8a-hexahydropyrrolo[2,3-b]indole-2-carboxylic acid methyl ester (1) was achieved. An aldol reaction with Garner aldehyde, a hydroxyl introduction by Davis reagent, and a reductive intramolecular ring-closure reaction were served as the key steps. This piece of work provides a new way to synthesize the analogues of hexahydropyrrolo[2,3-b]indole, starting from readily available chemical substrates and inexpensive reagents.     

Rapid procedure for the isolation and analysis of fatty acid and fatty alcohol fractions from wax esters of marine zooplankton

A rapid and simple method for the isolation of fatty acid methyl esters and fatty alcohols from the lipid fraction of marine zooplankton is described. Wax esters are the dominant lipid class in most calanoid copepods and trans-esterification results in a high fatty alcohol content in the analytical extract. Current procedures for the separation and purification of lipid classes by preparative thin-layer chromatography are time-consuming and are subject to low recovery of the analytes. In this method, fatty acid methyl esters and fatty alcohols were separated by liquid chromatography using silica or honded amino-silica as the stationary phase. The procedure is equally applicable to the analysis of zooplankton with low wax ester (and hence fatty alcohol) content, for example, a number of species of euphausiid and, generally, for samples of low mass.     

Catalytic enantioselective sulfinyl transfer using cinchona alkaloid catalysts

[reaction: see text] Practical reaction conditions for the catalytic enantioselective synthesis of sulfinate esters are reported. Commercially available cinchona alkaloids were found to be superior catalysts for the sulfinyl transfer reaction of tert-butanesulfinyl chloride and a variety of benzyl alcohols. Sulfinyl transfer with 2,4,6-trichlorobenzyl alcohol and 10 mol % of the commercially available, inexpensive catalyst quinidine provided the pure sulfinate ester product in 92% isolated yield and with 90% ee.     

Reductions of Carboxylic Acids and Esters with NaBH4 in Diglyme at 162°C

Abstract

Aromatic esters, including the extremely sterically hindered ester: t-amyl 2-chlorobenzoate, are readily reduced to the corresponding benzyl alcohols in high yield with NaBH₄ in refluxing diglyme (162°C). In sharp contrast, aliphatic esters usually gave only low yields of alcohols. Instead, diglyme fragmentation products are formed which undergo transesterification reactions, producing complex product mixtures including products such as RCOOCH₂CH₂OCH₃. The mechanism of this process involves sodium borohydride-induced S_N2 cleavage of diglyme (hydride attack) at high temperatures. However, when the extremely electron rich, 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoic acid is treated with NaBH₄/diglyme at 162°C (with or without an equivalent of LiCl), no 3,4,5-trimethyoxybenzyl alcohol is formed. The electron rich and hindered ester, t-amyl-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate, also does not reduce under these conditions (with or without LiCl). However, both methyl and isopropyl 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate esters were converted into 3,4,5-trimethyoxybenzyl alcohol in good yields in NaBH₄/diglyme/LiCl at 162°C. These reductions did not occur unless LiCl was present, illustrating the electron releasing effect of the three methoxy functions which reduce the carbonyl group's reactivity.     

Lipase-catalyzed kinetic resolution of β-borylated carboxylic esters

The kinetic resolution of chiral β-borylated carboxylic esters via lipase-catalyzed hydrolysis and transesterification reactions was studied. The enantioselective hydrolysis catalyzed by CAL-B furnished the β-borylated carboxylic acid with reasonable enantiomeric excess (62% ee), while both methyl and ethyl β-borylated carboxylic esters were recovered with excellent ee (>99%). Meanwhile, the transesterification reaction of β-borylated carboxylic esters and several alcohols, catalyzed by CAL-B, only indicated a high selectivity when ethanol and methyl-(β-pinacolylboronate)-butanoate were used as substrates, which gave ethyl-(β-pinacolylboronate)-butanoate with >99% ee.     

A general method for the synthesis of enantiopure aliphatic chain alcohols with established absolute configurations. Part 2, via catalytic reduction of acetylene alcohol MαNP esters

A general method for synthesizing enantiopure (100% ee) aliphatic alcohols with established absolute configurations has been developed and applied to alcohols CH₃(CH₂)_n–CH(OH)–(CH₂)_mCH₃, the enantiomeric discrimination of which is the most difficult, if m = n + 1 and n is large. Racemic saturated alcohols with short chains could be directly enantioresolved as (S)-(+)-2-methoxy-2-(1-naphthyl)propionic acid (MαNP acid) esters by HPLC on silica gel, and their absolute configurations were simultaneously determined by ¹H NMR diamagnetic anisotropy. However, the application of this powerful MαNP ester method to alcohols with long chains was difficult, because of smaller values of the separation factor α. In such cases, the use of the corresponding acetylene alcohol MαNP esters was crucial. Acetylene alcohol MαNP esters were largely separated by HPLC on silica gel, and their absolute configurations were unambiguously determined by ¹H NMR as reported in the Part 1 paper. The MαNP esters obtained with established absolute configurations were catalytically hydrogenated to yield saturated alcohol MαNP esters. It was evidenced that no racemization occurred at the stereogenic center of the alcohol moiety during catalytic hydrogenation, by the coinjection of MαNP esters in HPLC. From the MαNP esters obtained, enantiopure (100% ee) aliphatic chain alcohols with established absolute configurations were recovered. Although the [α]_D values of these alcohols were too small for the identification of the enantiomers, it was clarified that the analytical HPLC of MαNP esters is useful for identification in most cases.