One-pot synthesis of novel spiro 2,3,7,8-tetrahydro-benzo[1,2-b:5,4-b′]dipyran-4,6-dione and 2,3,8,9-tetrahydro-benzo[1,2-b:4,3-b′]dipyran-4,10-dione derivatives

An efficient synthesis of novel spiro 2,3,7,8-tetrahydro-benzo[1,2-b:5,4-b′]dipyran-4,6-dione and 2,3,8,9-tetrahydro-benzo[1,2-b:4,3-b′]dipyran-4,10-dione derivatives in high yields under microwave irradiation is described. The reaction was also studied under conventional heating conditions.     

The conductance and stability of fused dithia-heterocyclic compounds contacted with gold and platinum electrodes

The electronic transport properties of two kinds of fused dithia-heterocyclic compounds, 2,3,6,7-tetrahydrobenzo[1,2-b:4,5-b′]dithiophene (THBDT) and benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b]dithiophene (BDT), connected to gold and platinum electrodes are investigated using a self-consistent abinitio approach that combines the non-equilibrium Green’s function formalism with density functional theory. Our calculations show that the transmission at the Fermi level of the Au–THBDT–Au junction, where the THBDT molecule is connected to two gold electrodes through a gold adatom on each side, is 3.1 × 10⁻², in good agreement with the experimentally measured value (1.2 × 10⁻²). Replacement of the gold electrodes with platinum electrodes can improve the junction stability but cannot increase the zero-bias junction conductance. In contrast, due to the enhanced conjugation in BDT and the better molecule–electrode coupling, both the transmission and the stability of the Pt–BDT–Pt junction are improved significantly, demonstrating the close relation between the device performance and the device structure.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of silver(I) complexes with moon-shaped benzo[1,2-b;4,3-b′]dithiophene phosphine derivative ligands

New silver complexes of general formula [Ag(O₃SCF₃)(PPh₂{bzt})_n] (n = 1–3, bzt = benzo[1,2-b;4,3-b′]dithiophene) have been synthesized and characterized. Spectroscopic studies shown neutral ligand fluxionallity, typical of silver(I) complexes. The solid state structure of the complexes was determined by X-ray crystallographic studies, showing a decrease in structure complexity with increasing number of neutral ligands in silver coordination sphere: [Ag(O₃SCF₃)(PPh₂{bzt})] is a dimer with two bridging triflate anions, further linked into polymeric bidimensional chains along bc plane, through Ag?Ph close contacts; Ag(O₃SCF₃)(PPh₂{bzt})₂] is also a dimmer with two bridging triflate anions, displaying an interesting packing feature, with zig-zag alignment of bzt groups along direction b; [Ag(O₃SCF₃)(PPh₂{bzt})₃] is a monomer.     

From N,N-diphenyl-N-naphtho[2,1-b]thieno[2,3-b:3′,2′-d]dithiophene-5-yl-amine to propeller-shaped N,N,N-tri(naphtho[2,1-b]thieno[2,3-b:3′,2′-d]dithiophene-5-yl)-amine: syntheses and structures

Three unique propeller-shaped helicenyl amines compounds: N,N-diphenyl-N-naphtho[2,1-b]thieno[2,3-b:3′,2′-d]dithiophene-5-yl-amine (1), N-phenyl-N,N-di(naphtho[2,1-b]thieno[2,3-b:3′,2′-d]dithiophene-5-yl)amine (2), and N,N,N-tri(naphtho[2,1-b]thieno[2,3-b:3′,2′-d]dithiophene-5-yl)amine (3) were efficiently synthesized by Wittig reaction and oxidative photocyclization. The crystal structures of 1, 2 and molecular configuration optimization (DFT-B3LYP/6-31+G(d)) of 3 reveal that the steric hindrance from the moiety of trithia[5]helicene effectively forces the nitrogen atom and the three bonded carbon atoms to coplanar and the interplanar angles of the facing terminal thiophene ring and benzene ring becoming larger when the helical arm increased from 1 to 3. Electrochemical properties and UV–vis absorption behaviors of 1, 2, 3 were primarily determined by the moiety of trithia[5]helicene.     

Enantioselective synthesis of (R) and (S)-[9,9′]bi[naphtho(2,1-b)furanyl]-8,8′-diol: a furo-fused BINOL derivative

The enantioselective synthesis of [9,9′]bi[naphtho(2,1-b)furanyl]-8,8′-diol, a modified BINOL, was achieved using an inexpensive route. Both enantiomers of [9,9′]bi[naphtho(2,1-b)furanyl]-8,8′-diol were obtained with satisfactory stereoselectivities by employing two optical antipodes of phenylethylamine as chiral influence in a Cu(II)Cl₂ catalyzed oxidative coupling step.     

Fluorescent cyclopentadithiophene derivatives having phenyl-substituted silyl moieties

4,4-Dimethylcyclopenta[2,1-b:3,4-b′]dithiophene derivatives bearing trimethyl-, dimethylphenyl-, diphenylmethyl-, or triphenyl-silyl moieties were synthesized. The introduction of the silyl moieties onto cyclopenta[2,1-b:3,4-b′]dithiophene induced fluorescent emission as well as the bathochromic shift of wavelength at the maximum absorption and fluorescence. It was found that the larger number of phenyl group on silyl moiety resulted in the higher fluorescence quantum yield.     

A new route to the versatile synthesis of thiopyrano[2,3-b:6,5-b′]diindoles via 2-(alkylthio)-indole-3-carbaldehydes

A versatile synthesis of symmetrically and unsymmetrically substituted thiopyrano[2,3-b:6,5-b′]diindoles has been developed by the condensation of 2-(alkylthio)-indole-3-carbaldehydes with indoline-2-thiones in the presence of catalytic amount of ethylenediamine diacetate (EDDA). The EDDA mediated condensation leads to a spontaneous cyclization followed by aromatization to form thiopyrano[2,3-b:6,5-b′]diindoles in quantitative yields.     

Intramolecular 4+2 cycloaddition of thieno[2,3-e][1,2,4]triazines: routes towards condensed thieno[2,3-b]pyridines

Synthetic approaches towards new condensed thienopyridine ring systems including furo[2,3-b]thieno[3,2-e]pyridines, bisthieno[2,3-b:3′,2′-e]pyridines, 5H-chromeno[2,3-b]thieno[3,2-e]pyridines, 5H-benzo(f)chromeno[2,3-b]thieno[3,2-e]pyridines have been achieved by application of intramolecular 4+2 cycloaddition reactions of suitably designed thieno[2,3-e][1,2,4]triazines tethered with alkene or alkyne terminals.     

Exploration of versatile reactions on 2-chloro-3-nitroimidazo[1,2-a]pyridine: expanding structural diversity of C2- and C3-functionalized imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines

Alternative strategies for functionalizing 2-chloro-3-nitroimidazo[1,2-a]pyridine have been developed. Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reaction provided easily the corresponding 2-arylated compounds, and herefrom the nitro group was reduced into amine which afforded amides, anilines, and ureas in the 3-position. The amination of the key compound using a metal-catalyzed reaction was reported. This study highlighted the importance of the nitro group to facilitate the chlorine displacement. Other nucleophilic aromatic substitutions open a route to various products derived from imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine.     

One-step synthesis of [1]benzothieno[3,2-b][1]benzothiophene from o-chlorobenzaldehyde

Simple one-step synthesis of [1]benzothieno[3,2-b][1]benzothiophene (BTBT) from commercially available o-chlorobenzaldehyde is reported. The procedure is also applicable to the synthesis of dinaphtho[2,3-b:2′,3′-f]thieno[3,2-b]thiophene (DNTT).     

N-Alkyl- and N-aryl-dithieno[3,2-b:2′,3′-d]pyrrole-containing organic dyes for efficient dye-sensitized solar cells

Two new organic sensitizers, 2-cyano-3-(6-(4-(diphenylamino)phenyl)-4-(2-ethylhexyl)-4H-dithieno[3,2-b:2′,3′-d]pyrrol-2-yl)acrylic acid and 2-cyano-3-(6-(4-(diphenylamino)phenyl)-4-(4-(hexyloxy)phenyl)-4H-dithieno[3,2-b:2′,3′-d]pyrrol-2-yl)acrylic acid, consisting of electron donating (triphenylamine) and electron accepting (cyanoacrylic acid) functionalities linked by two different rigidified π-spacers, N-alkyl- and N-aryl-dithieno[3,2-b:2′,3′-d]pyrrole, were designed, synthesized and applied for dye-sensitized solar cells, respectively. The materials were successfully synthesized through Knoevenagel condensation reactions. Ultraviolet–visible absorption spectra revealed that the use of either of rigidified π-spacer resulted in similar charge transfer transition, however, enhanced spectral response was observed when compared with an oligothiophene analogue. In terms of their photovoltaic performance, new dyes outperformed the reference bithiophene sensitizer when tested with nitrile-based and ionic liquid-based electrolytes.     

Multicomponent access to novel dihydroimidazo[1′,5′:1,2]pyrido[3,4-b]indol-2-ium salts and indoles by means of Ugi/Bischler–Napieralski/heterocyclization two step strategy

A simple, efficient and general two step procedure, through a sequential Ugi reaction followed by a Bischler–Napieralski/heterocyclization tandem closure, to give novel 6,11-dihydro-5H-imidazo[1′,5′:1,2]pyrido[3,4-b]indol-2-ium salt derivatives, is described. By changing the amine and the acid components with ammonium formate, the same procedure affords 6,11-dihydro-5H-imidazo[1′,5′:1,2]pyrido[3,4-b]indole derivatives.     

Intramolecular amidation: synthesis of novel imidazo[2,1-b][1,3,4]thiadiazole and imidazo[2,1-b][1,3]thiazole fused diazepinones

Novel heterocyclic systems 2-alkyl/aryl-9-(2-hydroxybenzylidene)-7,9-dihydro-8H-[1,3,4]thiadiazolo[2′,3′:2,3]imidazo[4,5-d][1,2]diazepin-8-one and 9-(2-hydroxy-benzylidene)-3,3-dimethyl-3,4,7,9-tetrahydro-2H-11-thia-4b,6,7,10-tetraazaindeno[1,2-a]azulene-1,8-dione are synthesized via an intramolecular amidation reaction. An interesting ring opening and cyclization of 2-alkyl/aryl-6-(2-oxo-2H-chromen-3-yl)imidazo[2,1-b][1,3,4]thiadiazole-5-carbaldehyde and 6,6-dimethyl-8-oxo-2-(2-oxo-2H-chromen-3-yl)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydroimidazo[2,1-b][1,3]benzothiazole-3-carbaldehyde are discussed.     

New pyrano[3,4-b]indoles from 2-hydroxymethylindole and l-dehydroascorbic acid

2-Hydroxymethylindole reacts with l-dehydroascorbic acid under mild conditions to give (3R,3aR,10cS)-3-[(1S)-1,2-dihydroxyethyl]-3a,10c-dihydroxy-3a,5,6,10c-tetrahydrofuro[3′,4′:5,6]pyrano[3,4-b]indol-1(3H)-one. Its tosyl derivative undergoes cyclization to form a pentacyclic ketal derivative.     

Facile synthesis of regio-isomeric naphthofurans and benzodifurans

Naphtho[1,2-b]furans 1a-f, naphtho[2,1-b]furans 2a-f, benzo[1,2-b:5,4-b′]difurans 3a-b, benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b′]difurans 4a-b, and benzo[1,2-b:4,3-b′]difurans 5a-b were synthesized by base-catalyzed cyclization reaction of the corresponding o-alkoxybenzoylarene derivatives. The o-alkoxybenzoylarenes were obtained from the etherification reaction of the o-hydroxybenzoylarenes, which were prepared either by the reaction of methoxyarenes with benzoyl chloride in the presence of aluminum chloride or by photo-Fries rearrangement of aryl benzoates.     

Intercalating nucleic acids (INAs) containing insertions of 6H-indolo[2,3-b]quinoxaline

6H-Indolo[2,3-b]quinoxaline was studied as a covalently bound heteroaromatic intercalator. Six monomers were synthesized and incorporated into DNA oligonucleotides. Through a study of linker length dependence it was concluded that the linker between the oligo and the intercalator must consist of at least five C atoms in order to stabilize a DNA duplex. An intercalator with a 2′-deoxy-d-riboside linker to the oligo could also stabilize a DNA/RNA duplex, while (S)-4-(6-methylindolo[2,3-b]quinoxalin-3-ylmethoxy)-butane-1,2-diol was able to stabilize both DNA/DNA, DNA/RNA and a DNA/LNA duplex. Mismatch studies revealed a huge sensitivity to the C-C mismatch at the 5′-site of the intercalator.     

First synthesis of pyrrolo[1,2:1′,2′]azepino[5,6-b]indole derivatives

A new family of pyrrolo[1,2:1′,2′]azepino[5,6-b]indole derivatives 8,15 related to anthramycin skeleton was prepared in good yield from indole-2-carboxylic acid and β-aminoesters 4 through intramolecular cyclisation.     

An efficient synthesis of novel spiro[[8H]indeno[2,1-b]-thiophene-8,9′-fluorene] building block for blue light-emitting materials

We have developed efficient synthetic routes to obtain a novel building block spiro[[8H]indeno[2,1-b]thiophene-8,9′-fluorene] (SITF), a monothiophene-containing spirobifluorene analogue, and constructed blue light-emitting materials, including 2′,7′-bis([1,1′-biphenyl]-4-yl)-spiro[indeno[2,1-b]thiophene-8,9′-fluorene] (BBP-SITF) and 2′,7′-bis(9,9′-spirobifluoren-2-yl)spiro[[8H]indeno[2,1-b]-thiophene-8,9′-fluorene] (BSBF-SITF). BSBF-SITF has shown to be a stable blue light-emitting material with high PL quantum efficiency (89%) and unique regioselective feature at the C2 of thiophene, which indicate that BSBF-SITF will be useful for constructing complicated optoelectronic systems.     

The preparation of substituted bithiophenyl aldehydes via the ring opening of dithieno[2,3-b:3′,2′-d]thiophene in the presence of n-BuLi

In the presence of n-BuLi in THF at low temperature, the phenomena of ring opening of symmetric substituted dithieno[2,3-b:3′,2′-d]thiophenes were observed. After quenching the organolithium intermediates with dry DMF, a series of substituted novel bithiophenyl aldehydes were prepared in good to excellent yields. The mechanism shows the key step for the ring opening of dithieno[2,3-b:3′,2′-d]thiophene is the nucleophilic attack of butyl anion onto the sulfur atom of the central ring. Total ten samples of symmetric substituted dithieno[2,3-b:3′,2′-d]thiophenes and their ring-opened products, the substituted bithiophenyl aldehydes were characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and HRMS. Two ring-opened products were confirmed by X-ray single crystal analysis.     

Convergent and streamlined synthesis of 6-etherified imidazo[1,2-b]pyridazine-2-amine derivatives possessing VEGFR-2 kinase inhibitory activity

A convergent and streamlined synthesis of selective vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) 2 kinase inhibitors has been achieved using a synthetic strategy based on an S_NAr reaction of 6-chloroimidazo[1,2-b]pyridazine with phenols in the final step. For the synthesis of 6-chloroimidazo[1,2-b]pyridazine, a one-pot reaction using 3-amino-6-chloropyridazine, cyclopropanecarboxamide, and bromoacetyl bromide was developed. The phenols were easily prepared by chemoselective acylation of 3-aminophenols with pyrazole carboxylic acids, and an efficient and high-yielding synthesis of N-ethylpyrazole was also developed. The S_NAr reaction of 6-chloroimidazo[1,2-b]pyridazine with phenols in DMSO in the presence of cesium carbonate successfully proceeded at 100–110 °C to give the target products in good yields. This new chromatography-free process will be not only useful for the further bulk supply of these compounds but also applicable to the synthesis of other compounds containing the 6-etherified imidazo[1,2-b]pyridazin-2-amine core.