Conversion of bis(trichloromethyl) carbonate to phosgene and reactivity of triphosgene, diphosgene, and phosgene with methanol(1)

Triphosgene was decomposed quantitatively to phosgene by chloride ion. The reaction course was monitored by IR spectroscopy (React-IR), showing that diphosgene was an intermediate. The methanolysis of triphosgene in deuterated chloroform, monitored by proton NMR spectroscopy, gave methyl chloroformate and methyl 1,1, 1-trichloromethyl carbonate in about a 1:1 ratio, as primary products. The reaction carried out in the presence of large excess of methanol (0.3 M, 30 equiv) was a pseudo-first-order process with a k(obs) of 1.0 x 10(-)(4) s(-)(1). Under the same conditions, values of k(obs) of 0.9 x 10(-)(3) s(-)(1) and 1.7 x 10(-)(2) s(-)(1) for the methanolysis of diphosgene and phosgene, respectively, were determined. The experimental data suggest that, under these conditions, the maximum concentration of phosgene during the methanolysis of triphosgene and diphosgene was lower than 1 x 10(-)(5) M. Methyl 1,1,1-trichloromethyl carbonate was synthesized and characterized also by the APCI-MS technique.     

Simple, rapid, and highly sensitive detection of diphosgene and triphosgene by spectrophotometric methods

Methods for the detection and estimation of diphosgene and triphosgene are described. These compounds are widely used phosgene precursors which produce an intensely colored purple pentamethine oxonol dye when reacted with 1,3-dimethylbarbituric acid (DBA) and pyridine (or a pyridine derivative). Two quantitative methods are described, based on either UV absorbance or fluorescence of the oxonol dye. Detection limits are ∼4 μmol/L by UV and <0.4 μmol/L by fluorescence. The third method is a test strip for the simple and rapid detection and semi-quantitative estimation of diphosgene and triphosgene, using a filter paper embedded with dimethylbarbituric acid and poly(4-vinylpyridine). Addition of a test solution to the paper causes a color change from white to light blue at low concentrations and to pink at higher concentrations of triphosgene. The test strip is useful for quick on-site detection of triphosgene and diphosgene in reaction mixtures. The test is easy to perform and provides clear signal readouts indicative of the presence of phosgene precursors. The utility of this method was demonstrated by the qualitative determination of residual triphosgene during the production of poly(bisphenol-A carbonate).     

Concise syntheses of (+)- and (−)-methylenolactocins and phaseolinic acids

(+)- and (−)-Methylenolactocins and phaseolinic acids are synthesized in four steps via asymmetric syn- and anti-aldol reactions of chiral N-succinyl-2-oxazolidinones using the same set of reagents.     

Titanium mediated asymmetric aldol reaction with α-fluoropropionimide enolates

Aldol reaction utilising Evans N-(α-fluoropropyl)-2-oxazolidinones with TiCl₄ have been explored. Reactions of N-(α-fluoropropyl)-2-oxazolidinones with aliphatic aldehydes generated α-fluoro-β-hydroxy-aldol products with high diastereoselectivities. When (αR)- and (αS)-N-(α-fluoropropyl)-2-(4S)-oxazolidinones were explored as substrates they gave rise to identical aldol diastereoisomer products. Examination of the enolates formed in each case by ¹⁹F NMR, after treatment with TiCl₄, indicated that both preparations gave the same predominant enolate. This was assumed to be the E-enolate. The α-fluoro-β-hydroxy-aldol products were removed from the auxiliary either by alcoholysis or reduction and converted to the corresponding α,β-difluoro products by treatment with Deoxofluor™.     

Asymmetric cycloaddition reactions between 2-benzopyrylium-4-olates and 3-(2-alkenoyl)-2-oxazolidinones in the presence of 2,6-bis(oxazolinyl)pyridine-lanthanoid complexes

Highly enantioselective (96% ee) and endo-selective (>99:1) cycloaddition reactions were observed between carbonyl ylides, generated from o-(p-bromobenzyloxy)carbonyl-α-diazoacetophenone, and 3-crotonoyl-2-oxazolidinone using (4S,5S)-Pybox-4,5-Ph₂-Yb(OTf)₃ (20 mol %) as the chiral Lewis acid catalyst. In contrast, high exo-selectivity (exo/endo=82:18; 96% ee, exo) was observed for the reaction of o-methoxycarbonyl-α-diazoacetophenone with 3-acryloyl-2-oxazolidinone under similar conditions as reported previously. In the case of cycloaddition reactions between 2-benzopyrylium-4-olate, generated from o-methoxycarbonyl-α-diazoacetophenone, and 3-cinnamoyl- or 3-[(E)-3-(ethoxycarbonyl)propenoyl]-2-oxazolidinones, using the same chiral Lewis acid, the reaction favored the endo-adduct with relatively good enantioselectivity (72 and 78% ee, respectively).     

Asymmetric O-methylhalohydrin reaction of chiral N-enoyl-2-oxazolidinones: synthesis of N-protected syn-β-methoxyphenylalanine, an unusual amino acid component of cyclomarins

Asymmetric O-methylhalohydrin reactions of chiral N-enoyl-2-oxazolidinones were performed with halogens (Br₂/I₂) promoted by silver(I) in methanol with high regio- and anti-selectivity and moderate to good diastereoselectivity. Reagent-controlled opposite diastereoselectivity was observed especially for cinnamoyl and electron-deficient cinnamoyl substrates. This method was applied to the short enantioselective synthesis of N-protected syn-β-methoxyphenylalanine, an unusual amino acid component of cyclomarins.     

Facile and selective synthesis of chloronicotinaldehydes by the Vilsmeier reaction

Eleven enamides were prepared by adopting different procedures. The various enamides prepared were subjected to Vilsmeier reaction using (i) POCl₃/DMF; (ii) diphosgene/DMF; (iii) triphosgene/DMF leading to the formation of various multisubstituted chloronicotinaldehydes. Studies carried out indicate that Vilsmeier reagent concentration and the replacement of POCl₃ by diphosgene or triphosgene, provides excellent selectivity and higher yields. Under modified reaction conditions one can get only chloronicotinaldehydes and not the chloropyridines as products. The various advantages in using diphosgene and triphosgene are illustrated. The mechanism of formation of chloronicotinaldehyde was discussed.     

Construction of a new asymmetric reaction site: asymmetric 1,4-addition of thiol using pentagonal bipyramidal Hf(salen) complex as catalyst

Pentagonal bipyramidal Hf(salen) complex 1 was found to serve as a catalyst for 1,4-addition reaction of thiol to N-(2-alkenoyl)-2-oxazolidinones.     

Synthesis and conformational analysis of new naphth[1,2-e][1,3]oxazino[3,4-c]quinazoline derivatives

A new highly functionalized aminonaphthol derivative, 1-(amino(2-aminophenyl)methyl)-2-naphthol (4), was synthesized by the reaction of 2-naphthol, 2-nitrobenzaldehyde and tert-butyl carbamate or benzyl carbamate, followed by reduction and/or removal of the protecting group. The aminonaphthol derivative thus obtained was converted in ring-closure reactions with formaldehyde, benzaldehyde and/or phosgene to the corresponding naphth[1,2-e][1,3]oxazino[3,4-c]quinazoline derivatives. The conformational analysis of some derivatives by NMR spectroscopy and accompanying molecular modelling are also reported.     

Silver (I)-promoted asymmetric halohydrin reaction of chiral N-enoyl-2-oxazolidinones: scope and limitations

The halohydrin reaction of chiral N-enoyl-2-oxazolidinones 1 by halogen (Br₂/I₂) and water were efficiently carried out in aqueous organic solvent promoted by silver(I) with high anti- and regioselectivity and moderate to good diastereoselectivities. The alkenoyl, cinnamoyl and electron-deficient cinnamoyl substrates smoothly underwent bromohydrin reaction in aqueous acetone but no iodohydrin reaction, where as electron-rich cinnamoyl substrates preferred to undergo iodohydrin reaction in aqueous acetone with moderate diastereoselectivity and enhanced diastereoselectivity was observed in aqueous THF.     

Base catalyzed cyclization of N-aryl and N-alkyl-O-propargyl carbamates to 4-alkylidene-2-oxazolidinones

The base catalyzed cyclization of N-aryl and N-alkyl-O-propargyl carbamates is studied in detail. The effect of various bases and solvents on the efficacy of this cyclization reaction is analyzed and a new base-solvent system (LiOH in DMF) for effective cyclization of these carbamates is reported. A number of differentially substituted O-propargyl carbamates were cyclized to the corresponding 2-oxazolidinones under these conditions. The reaction conditions reported here are mild and no side reactions were observed in any of the substrates studied. A propargyl carbonate group was unaffected during the course of the cyclization of the O-propargyl carbamate group. The propargyl carbamates were prepared from the corresponding alkyl or aryl amines and the corresponding propargyl chloroformate, resulting in oxazolidinones diversely substituted at the nitrogen atom. N-Aryl-O-propargyl carbamates cyclized readily to the corresponding oxazolidinones with LiOH in DMF, whereas N-alkyl-O-propargyl carbamates reacted slowly under the same conditions. O-Propargyl carbamates substituted at the 1-position tend to cyclize faster whereas those substituted at 3-position cyclize considerably slower than the unsubstituted carbamates.     

Electrolytic partial fluorination of organic compounds. Part 78: Regioselective anodic fluorination of 2-oxazolidinones

Various 2-oxazolidinones were galvanostatically electrooxidized in the presence of various fluoride salts. It was found that a fluorine atom was introduced to the α-position of the nitrogen atom of N-acyl- and N-alkoxycarbonyl-2-oxazolidinones to provide the corresponding α-fluorinated products in moderate to good yields. In the case of N-phenoxycarbonyl derivative, fluorination took place on the phenyl group selectively.     

Sensitive and Visual Detection of Phosgene by a TICT-Based BODIPY Dye with 8-(o-Hydroxy)aniline as the Active Site

Phosgene and its substitutes (diphosgene and triphosgene) are widely utilized as chemical industrial materials and chemical warfare agents and pose a threat to public health and environmental safety due to their extreme toxicity. Research efforts have been directed to develop selective and sensitive detection methods for phosgene and its substitutes. In this paper, we have prepared two BODIPY-based fluorescent probes, o-Pah and o-Pha, which are two isomers with different active sites, ortho-aminohydroxy (3′,4′ or 4′,3′) phenyls at meso position of BODIPY, and compared their sensing performance toward triphosgene. The probe with o-(4′-amino-3′-hydroxyl), o-Pha, exhibits better sensing performance over the o-(3′-amino-4′-hydroxyl), o-Pah, for instance, a lower limit of detection (LOD) (0.34 nm vs. 1.2 nm ), and more rapid response (10 s vs. 200 s). Furthermore, based on the above comparative studies, a red-fluorescence probe o-Phae has been constructed through extending 3,5-conjugation of o-Pha. The probe o-Phae displays rapid response (60 s), high sensitivity to triphosgene (LOD=0.88 nm ), and high selectivity for triphosgene over relevant analytes including nitric oxide. Finally, a facile test strip for phosgene was fabricated by immobilizing o-Phae in a polyethylene oxide membrane for sensitive (<2 ppm) and selective detection of phosgene in the gas phase.     

Efficient synthesis of 2-oxazolidinones and quinazoline-2,4(1H,3H)-diones from CO2 catalyzed by tetrabutylammonium fluoride

By employing tetrabutylammonium fluoride (TBAF) as a catalyst, the various carboxylative cyclizations of the propargylic amines having internal alkynes with CO₂ proceeded to afford the corresponding 2-oxazolidinones. In this case, it was also found that the generated 2-oxazolidinones were tautomerized into the corresponding 2-oxazolones due to the basicity of TBAF. In addition, we performed the synthesis of quinazoline-2,4(1H,3H)-dione from 2-aminobenzonitrile and CO₂ by using TBAF as a catalyst.     

Synthesis of pyrimido[6,1-a]isoquinolines via a one-pot, four-component reaction

An efficient one-pot synthesis of pyrimido[6,1-a]isoquinoline-1-carboxylate derivatives is described. This involves the four-component reaction between primary amines, alkyl acetoacetates, isoquinoline and trichloromethylchloroformate (diphosgene) under mild conditions at ambient temperature.     

Bifunctional Onium and Potassium Iodides as Nucleophilic Catalysts for the Solvent-Free Syntheses of Carbonates,Thiocarbonates, and Oxazolidinones from Epoxides

The catalytic potential of organo-onium iodides as nucleophilic catalysts is aptly demonstrated in the synthesis of cyclic carbonates from epoxides and carbon dioxide (CO₂), as a representative CO₂ utilization reaction. Although organo-onium iodide nucleophilic catalysts are metal-free environmentally benign catalysts, harsh reaction conditions are generally required to efficiently promote the coupling reactions of epoxides and CO₂. To solve this problem and accomplish efficient CO₂ utilization reactions under mild conditions, bifunctional onium iodide nucleophilic catalysts bearing a hydrogen bond donor moiety were developed by our research group. Based on the successful bifunctional design of the onium iodide catalysts, nucleophilic catalysis using a potassium iodide (KI)-tetraethylene glycol complex was also investigated in coupling reactions of epoxides and CO₂ under mild reaction conditions. These effective bifunctional onium and potassium iodide nucleophilic catalysts were applied to the solvent-free syntheses of 2-oxazolidinones and cyclic thiocarbonates from epoxides.     

Enantioselective addition of amines to alkenoyl-N-oxazolidinones

Investigations of cationic Pd(II) complex 1 as hydroamination catalysts led to the development of highly enantioselective addition of aromatic amines to alkenoyl-N-oxazolidinones, with ee values up to 93%. Factors affecting the yield and selectivity of the reaction were described. Addition of substituted benzylamines to these Michael acceptors was also attempted, and was found to be reversible under catalytic conditions.     

Synthesis of new unsymmetric N,N′-dipyridylurea derivatives by selenium and selenium dioxide-catalyzed reductive carbonylation of substituted nitropyridines

Without using phosgene, a series of new unsymmetric N,N′-dipyridylurea derivatives have been synthesized in moderate to good yields by the one-pot reductive carbonylation of substituted nitropyridines. These reactions utilize selenium or selenium dioxide as the catalyst, aminopyridine derivatives as co-reagents, and carbon monoxide as the carbonyl source.     

Efficient and eco-friendly process for the synthesis of N-substituted 4-methylene-2-oxazolidinones in ionic liquids

The carbonylation of amines with propargylic alcohol using CO₂ as carbonyl source to yield N-substituted 4-methylene-2-oxazolidinones could efficiently proceed in ionic liquids, and various 4-methylene oxazolidinones with high yields could be obtained under relatively mild conditions. This result showed that ionic liquid might be an effective catalyst and reaction medium for the activation of CO₂, which also offered a new way to the chemical fixation of CO₂.     

A novel highly stereoselective synthesis of chiral 5- and 4,5-substituted 2-oxazolidinones

A novel highly stereoselective synthesis of chiral mono- and bicyclic 4- and 4,5-substituted 2-oxazolidinones starting from β-keto esters was developed. After bioreduction with S. cerevisiae the resulting homochiral β-hydroxy esters are transformed into their hydrazides. Treatment with NaNO₂/H⁺ then furnishes 2-oxazolidinones in high e.e. (∼99%) and d.e. (>99%). The ring formation proceeds via a highly concerted sextet rearrangement with full retention of configuration at the stereocentres. Enantiopure 1,2-amino alcohols can subsequently be obtained by saponification of the 2-oxazolidinone products.