Stereoselective Synthesis of (Z)‐4‐(2‐Bromovinyl)benzene‐sulfonyl Azide and Its Synthetic Utility for the Transformation to (Z)‐N‐[4‐(2‐Bromovinyl)benzenesulfonyl]imidates

A novel method for the stereoselective synthesis of (Z)‐4‐(2‐bromovinyl)benzenesulfonyl azide by simultaneous azidation and debrominative decarboxylation of anti‐2,3‐dibromo‐3‐(4‐chlorosulfonylphenyl)propanoic acid using NaN₃ only was developed. Facile transformation of (Z)‐4‐(2‐bromovinyl)benzenesulfonyl azide to (Z)‐N‐[4‐ (2‐bromovinyl)benzenesulfonyl]imidates was also achieved by Cu‐catalyzed three‐component coulping of (Z)‐4‐(2‐bromovinyl)benzenesulfonyl azide, terminal alkynes and alcohols/phenols.     

(E/Z)‐Isomerization of (all‐E)‐5,6‐Diepikarpoxanthin

(all‐E)‐5,6‐Diepikarpoxanthin (=(all‐E,3S,5S,6S,3′R)‐5,6‐dihydro‐β,β‐carotene‐3,5,6,3′‐tetrol; 1 ) was submitted to thermal isomerization and I₂‐catalyzed photoisomerization. The structures of the main products, i.e. (9Z)‐ ( 2 ), (9′Z)‐ ( 3 ), (13Z)‐ ( 4 ), (13′Z)‐ ( 5 ), and (15Z)‐5,6‐diepikarpoxanthin ( 6 ), were determined by their UV/VIS, CD, ¹H‐NMR, and mass spectra. In addition, (9Z,13′Z)‐ or (13Z,9′Z)‐ ( 7 ), (9Z,9′Z)‐ ( 8 ), and (9Z,13Z)‐ or (9′Z,13′Z)‐5,6‐diepikarpoxanthin ( 9 ) were tentatively identified as minor products of the I₂‐catalyzed photoisomerization.     

(E/Z)‐Isomerization of 3′‐Epilutein

3′‐Epilutein (=(all‐E,3R,3′S,6′R)‐4′,5′‐didehydro‐5′,6′‐dihydro‐β,β‐carotene‐3,3′‐diol; 1 ), isolated from the flowers of Caltha palustris, was submitted to both thermal isomerization and I₂‐catalyzed photoisomerization. The structures of the main products (9Z)‐ 1 , (9′Z)‐ 1 , (13Z)‐ 1 , (13′Z)‐ 1 , (15Z)‐ 1 , and (9Z,9′Z)‐ 1 were determined based on UV/VIS, CD, ¹H‐NMR, and MS data.     

Synthesis of (4Z)‐4‐(Arylmethylidene)‐5‐ethoxy‐1,3‐oxazolidine‐2‐thiones by the Reaction of Ethyl (2Z)‐3‐Aryl‐2‐isothiocyanatoprop‐2‐enoates with Organolithium Compounds

A convenient one‐pot method for the preparation of (4Z)‐4‐(arylmethylidene)‐5‐ethoxy‐1,3‐oxazolidine‐2‐thiones 2 and 3 from ethyl (2Z)‐3‐aryl‐2‐isothiocyanatoprop‐2‐enoates 1 , which can be easily prepared from ethyl 2‐azidoacetate and aromatic aldehydes, has been developed. Thus, these α‐isothiocyanato α,β‐unsaturated esters were treated with organolithium compounds, including lithium enolates of acetates, to provide 5‐substituted (4Z)‐4‐(arylmethylidene)‐5‐ethoxy‐1,3‐oxazolidine‐2‐thiones, 2 , and 2‐[(4Z)‐(4‐arylmethylidene)‐5‐ethoxy‐2‐thioxo‐1,3‐oxazolidin‐5‐yl]acetates, 3 .     

Efficient Synthesis of Dialkyl (2Z)‐2‐[(E)‐1‐Aryl‐2‐(3‐arylquinoxalin‐2‐yl)ethenyl]but‐2‐enedioates

The reaction of dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates 4 with 1‐aryl‐2‐[(3‐arylquinoxalin‐2(1H)‐ylidene)ethanones 3 in the presence of Ph₃P leads to dialkyl (2Z)‐2‐[(E)‐1‐aryl‐2‐(3‐arylquinoxalin‐2‐yl)ethenyl]but‐2‐enedioates 1 in good yields.     

一种经(E)-α-碘代烯基砜的钯催化交叉偶联反应立体选择合成(1Z,3E)-2-芳砜基取代的1,3-二烯的新方法

（E）-α-Stannylvinyl phenyl（or p-tolyl）sulfones underwent an iododestannylation reaction to afford （E）-α-iodovinyl phenyl（or p-tolyl）sulfones 1, which reacted with （E）-alkenylzirconium（IV） complexes 2 produced in situ by hydrozirconation of terminal alkynes in the presence of a Pd（PPh3）4 catalyst to afford stereoselectively （1Z,3E）-2- phenyl（or p-tolyl）sulfonyl-substituted 1,3-dienes 3 in good yields.     

A New Monomer for π‐Conjugated Polymers — Synthesis and Characterization of Bis((Z)‐5‐phenyl‐2‐phenylmethylidene‐1, 3‐dithiole‐4‐yl)monosulfane

Bis((Z)‐5‐phenyl‐2‐phenylmethylidene‐1, 3‐dithiole‐4‐yl)monosulfane ( 6 ), a molecule consisting of two diphenyldithiafulvene units connected by a sulfur bridge, was synthesized by the selective lithiation of (Z)‐4‐phenyl‐2‐phenylmethylidene‐1, 3‐dithiole ( 7a ) at the endocyclic double bond and by subsequent reaction of the lithiated intermediate with bis(phenylsulfonyl)sulfane. Since this reaction sequence proceeded with retention of configuration, of three possible isomers (E, E, Z, E, and Z, Z) only the Z, Z form was obtained. On the basis of the X‐ray structure analysis and the NMR‐spectroscopic characterization of 6 supplemented by the NMR parameters of (E)‐ and (Z)‐4‐phenyl‐2‐phenylmethylidene‐1, 3‐dithiole, it was demonstrated that two characteristic ⁵J coupling constants of the proton at the exocyclic double bond indicate the configuration (Z or E) of disubstituted dithiafuvene derivatives.     

A highly efficient synthesis of (Z)‐1‐aryl‐2‐silyl‐1‐ stannylethenes and their conversion to (E)‐2‐ arylethenyl‐, (Z)‐2‐(2‐pyridyl)ethenyl‐ and allenyl‐silanes

A Pd(dba)₂–P(OEt)₃ combination allowed the silastannation of arylacetylenes, 1‐hexyne or propargyl alcohols with tributyl(trimethylsilyl)stannane to take place at room temperature, producing (Z)‐2‐silyl‐1‐stannyl‐1‐substituted ethenes in high yields. Novel silyl(stannyl)ethenes were fully characterized by ¹H‐, ¹³C‐, ²⁹Si‐ and ¹¹⁹Sn‐NMR as well as infrared and mass analyses. Treatment of a series of (Z)‐1‐aryl‐2‐silyl‐1‐stannylethenes and (Z)‐1‐(3‐pyridyl)‐2‐silyl‐1‐stannylethene with hydrochloric acid or hydroiodic acid in the presence of tetraethylammonium chloride (TEACl) or tetrabutylammonium iodide (TBAI) led to the exclusive formation of (E)‐trimethyl(2‐arylethenyl)silanes with high stereoselectivity. A similar reaction of (Z)‐1‐(2‐anisyl)‐2‐silyl‐1‐stannylethene also produced E‐type trimethyl[2‐(2‐anisyl)ethenyl]silane, while (Z)‐trimethyl [2‐(2‐pyridyl)ethenyl]silane was produced exclusively from (Z)‐1‐(2‐pyridyl)‐2‐silyl‐1‐stannylethene. Protodestannylation of (Z)‐1‐[hydroxy(phenyl)methyl]‐2‐silyl‐1‐stannylethene with trifluoroacetic acid took place via the β‐elimination of hydroxystannane, providing trimethyl(3‐phenylpropa‐1,2‐dienyl)silane quite easily. The destannylation products were also fully characterized. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Stereospecific synthesis of a family of novel (E)‐2‐aryl‐1‐silylalka‐1,4‐dienes or (E)‐4‐aryl‐5‐silylpenta‐1,2,4‐trienes via a cross‐coupling of (Z)‐silyl(stannyl)ethenes with allyl halides or propargyl bromide

Stereospecific synthesis of a family of novel (E)‐2‐aryl‐1‐silylalka‐1,4‐dienes or (E)‐4‐aryl‐5‐silylpenta‐1,2,4‐trienes via a cross‐coupling of (Z)‐silyl(stannyl)ethenes with allyl halides or propargyl bromide is described. In the reaction with allyl bromide, either a Pd(dba)₂? CuI combination (dba, dibenzylideneacetone) in DMF or copper(I) iodide in DMSO–THF readily catalyzes or mediates the coupling reaction of (Z)‐silyl(stannyl)ethenes at room temperature, producing novel vinylsilanes bearing an allyl group β to silicon with cis ‐disposition in good yields. Allyl chlorides as halides can be used in the CuI‐mediated reaction. CuI alone much more effectively mediates the cross‐coupling reaction with propargyl bromide in DMSO–THF at room temperature compared with a Pd(dba)₂? CuI combination catalysis in DMF, providing novel stereodefined vinylsilanes bearing an allenyl group β to silicon with cis ‐disposition in good yields. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Reactions of Methyl Diazoacetate with (E)‐ and (Z)‐1,2‐Bis(trifluoromethyl)ethene‐1,2‐dicarbonitrile: Novel and Unanticipated Pathways

The cycloadditions of methyl diazoacetate to 2,3‐bis(trifluoromethyl)fumaronitrile ((E)‐ BTE ) and 2,3‐bis(trifluoromethyl)maleonitrile ((Z)‐ BTE ) furnish the 4,5‐dihydro‐1H‐pyrazoles 13 . The retention of dipolarophile configuration proceeds for (E)‐ BTE with > 99.93% and for (Z)‐ BTE with > 99.8% (CDCl₃, 25°), suggesting concertedness. Base catalysis (1,4‐diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO), proton sponge) converts the cycloadducts, trans‐ 13 and cis‐ 13 , to a 94 : 6 equilibrium mixture (CDCl₃, r.t.); the first step is N‐deprotonation, since reaction with methyl fluorosulfonate affords the 4,5‐dihydro‐1‐methyl‐1H‐pyrazoles. Competing with the cis/trans isomerization of 13 is the formation of a bis(dehydrofluoro) dimer (two diastereoisomers), the structure of which was elucidated by IR, ¹⁹F‐NMR, and ¹³C‐NMR spectroscopy. The reaction slows when DABCO is bound by HF, but F^? as base keeps the conversion to 22 going and binds HF. The diazo group in 22 suggests a common intermediate for cis/trans isomerization of 13 and conversion to 22 : reversible ring opening of N‐deprotonated 13 provides 18 , a derivative of methyl diazoacetate with a carbanionic substituent. Mechanistic comparison with the reaction of diazomethane and dimethyl 2,3‐dicyanofumarate, a related tetra‐acceptor‐ethylene, brings to light unanticipated divergencies.     

Preparation and Spectroscopic Characterization of (9Z,9′Z)‐Lutein (Neolutein C)

The preparation of pure, crystalline (9Z,9′Z)‐lutein (neolutein C; 2 ) by I₂‐catalyzed photoisomerization of (all‐E)‐lutein ( 1 ) is described. The structure of 2 was unambiguously determined by UV/VIS, CD, and NMR spectroscopy, as well as by mass spectrometry, and the complete assignment of the ¹³C‐NMR spectrum of this carotenoid is presented for the first time.     

Superacid‐Catalyzed Cyclization of Methyl (6Z)‐Geranylfarnesoates

Methyl (2Z,6Z,10E,14E)‐ ( 3 ) and methyl (2E,6Z,10E,14E)‐geranylfarnesoate ( 4 ) were prepared, and then individually cyclized in the presence of the superacid FSO₃H. In the case of substrate 3 , the scalaranic ester 9 (26%) and the cheilanthanic ester 10 (39%) were isolated. Under the same conditions, substrate 4 afforded a mixture of the corresponding stereoisomers 11 (25%) and 12 (63%). The observed product selectivity supports that the internal, (6Z)‐configured C?C bond in these and other biologically relevant substrates plays an essential role in the cyclization process.     

Two (Z)‐N‐aryl‐3‐benzylideneisoindolin‐1‐ones

Two isoindolin‐1‐one derivatives, (Z)‐3‐benzyl­idene‐N‐phenyl­isoindolin‐1‐one, C₂₁H₁₅NO, (II), and (Z)‐3‐benzyl­idene‐N‐(4‐methoxy­phenyl)­isoindolin‐1‐one, C₂₂H₁₇NO₂, (III), were synthesized by the palladium‐catalysed heteroannulation. The mol­ecules of both compounds have a Z configuration. The interplanar angles between the five‐ and six‐membered rings of the isoindolinone moiety in (II) and (III) are 1.66 (11) and 2.26 (7)°, respectively. The phenyl rings at the N‐position in (II) and (III) are twisted out of the C₄N ring plane by 62.77 (11) and 67.10 (7)°, respectively. The substitutions at the N and C‐3 positions of the isoindolinone system have little influence on the molecular dimensions of the resulting compounds.     

Synthesis of 4‐Arylisocoumarins (=4‐Aryl‐1H‐2‐benzopyran‐1‐ones) through Acidic Hydrolysis of (Z)‐2‐(1‐Aryl‐2‐methoxyethenyl)benzaldehydes,Followed by Oxidation

4‐Arylisocoumarins (=4‐aryl‐1H‐2‐benzopyran‐1‐ones) 6 were prepared from 2‐(1‐aryl‐2‐methoxyethenyl)‐1‐bromobenzenes 1 . Successive treatment of these bromo styrenes with BuLi and 1‐formylpiperidine gave a mixture of (E)‐ and (Z)‐2‐(1‐aryl‐2‐methoxyethenyl)benzaldehydes 2 . Hydrolysis of (Z)‐isomers with conc. HBr, followed by pyridinium chlorochromate (PCC) oxidation of the resulting 1H‐2‐benzopyran‐1‐ol derivatives 4 (and 5 ), afforded the desired products.     

(Z)‐3‐(1H‐Indol‐3‐yl)‐2‐(3‐thienyl)­acrylo­nitrile and (Z)‐3‐[1‐(4‐tert‐butyl­benzyl)‐1H‐indol‐3‐yl]‐2‐(3‐thienyl)­acrylo­nitrile

(Z)‐3‐(1H‐Indol‐3‐yl)‐2‐(3‐thienyl)­acrylo­nitrile, C₁₅H₁₀N₂S, (I), and (Z)‐3‐[1‐(4‐tert‐butyl­benzyl)‐1H‐indol‐3‐yl]‐2‐(3‐thienyl)­acrylo­nitrile, C₂₆H₂₄N₂S, (II), were prepared by base‐catalyzed reactions of the corresponding indole‐3‐carbox­aldehyde with thio­phene‐3‐aceto­nitrile. ¹H/¹³C NMR spectral data and X‐ray crystal structures of compounds (I) and (II) are presented. The olefinic bond connecting the indole and thio­phene moieties has Z geometry in both cases, and the mol­ecules crystallize in space groups P2₁/c and C2/c for (I) and (II), respectively. Slight thienyl ring‐flip disorder (ca 5.6%) was observed and modeled for (I).     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Annulation of 1,2‐Diborylalkenes and ‐Arenes with 1‐Bromo‐2‐[(Z)‐2‐bromoethenyl]arenes: A Modular Approach to Multisubstituted Naphthalenes and Fused Phenanthrenes

(Z)‐1,2‐Diaryl‐1,2‐bis(pinacolatoboryl)ethenes underwent double‐cross‐coupling reactions with 1‐bromo‐2‐[(Z)‐2‐bromoethenyl]arenes in the presence of [Pd(PPh₃)₄] as a catalyst and 3 M aqueous Cs₂CO₃ as a base in THF at 80 °C. The double‐coupling reaction gave multisubstituted naphthalenes in good to high yields. Annulation of 1,2‐bis(pinacolatoboryl)arenes with bromo(bromoethenyl)arenes in the presence of a catalyst system that consisted of [Pd₂(dba)₃] (dba=dibenzylideneacetone) and 2‐dicyclohexylphosphino‐2′,6′‐dimethoxybiphenyl (SPhos) under the same conditions produced fused phenanthrenes in good to high yields. The first annulation coupling occurred regiospecifically at the bromoethenyl moiety. This procedure is applicable to the facile synthesis of polysubstituted anthracenes, benzothiophenes, and dibenzoanthracenes through a double annulation pathway by using the corresponding dibromobis[(Z)‐2‐bromoethenyl]benzenes as diboryl coupling partners.     

A Rapid and Efficient Stereoselective Synthesis of (Z)‐ and (E)‐Allyl Bromides from Baylis–Hillman Adducts Using Bromo(dimethyl)sulfonium Bromide

Treatment of Baylis–Hillman adducts 1 with bromo(dimethyl)sulfonium bromide, Br(Me₂)S⁺Br^?, in MeCN was found to stereoselectively afford (Z)‐ and (E)‐allyl bromides 2 . The reaction is rapid at room temperature, high‐yielding, and highly stereoselective.     

Four (E,Z,E)‐1‐(4‐alkoxy­phen­yl)‐6‐(4‐nitro­phen­yl)hexa‐1,3,5‐trienes

The crystal structures of the four E,Z,E isomers of 1‐(4‐alk­oxy­phen­yl)‐6‐(4‐nitro­phen­yl)hexa‐1,3,5‐triene, namely (E,Z,E)‐1‐(4‐methoxy­phen­yl)‐6‐(4‐nitro­phen­yl)hexa‐1,3,5‐triene, C₁₉H₁₇NO₃, (E,Z,E)‐1‐(4‐ethoxy­phen­yl)‐6‐(4‐nitro­phen­yl)hexa‐1,3,5‐triene, C₂₀H₁₉NO₃, (E,Z,E)‐1‐(4‐nitro­phen­yl)‐6‐(4‐n‐propoxyphen­yl)hexa‐1,3,5‐triene, C₂₁H₂₁NO₃, and (E,Z,E)‐1‐(4‐n‐butoxy­phen­yl)‐6‐(4‐nitro­phen­yl)hexa‐1,3,5‐triene, C₂₂H₂₃NO₃, have been determined. Inter­molecular N⋯O dipole inter­actions between the nitro groups are observed for the meth­oxy derivative, while for the eth­oxy derivative, two adjacent mol­ecules are linked at both ends through N⋯O dipole–dipole inter­actions between the N atom of the nitro group and the O atom of the eth­oxy group to form a supra­molecular ring‐like structure. In the crystal structures of the n‐prop­oxy and n‐but­oxy derivatives, the shortest inter­molecular distances are those between the two O atoms of the alk­oxy groups. Thus, the nearest two mol­ecules form an S‐shaped supra­molecular dimer in these crystal structures.     

Hydrogen‐bonding patterns in enaminones: (2Z)‐1‐(4‐bromophenyl)‐2‐(pyrrolidin‐2‐ylidene)ethanone and its piperidin‐2‐ylidene and azepan‐2‐ylidene analogues

The title compounds, namely (2Z)‐1‐(4‐bromophenyl)‐2‐(pyrrolidin‐2‐ylidene)ethanone, C₁₂H₁₂BrNO, (I), (2Z)‐1‐(4‐bromophenyl)‐2‐(piperidin‐2‐ylidene)ethanone, C₁₃H₁₄BrNO, (II), and (2Z)‐2‐(azepan‐2‐ylidene)‐1‐(4‐bromophenyl)ethanone, C₁₄H₁₆BrNO, (III), are characterized by bifurcated intra‐ and intermolecular hydrogen bonding between the secondary amine and carbonyl groups. The former establishes a six‐membered hydrogen‐bonded ring, while the latter leads to the formation of centrosymmetric dimers. Weak C—H...Br interactions link the individual molecules into chains that run along the [011], [101] and [101] directions in (I)–(III), respectively. Additional weak Br...O, C—H...π and C—H...O interactions further stabilize the crystal structures.     

Desulfuration and Cyclization of (Z)‐2‐[Amino(pyridine‐2‐yl)methylene]‐ hydrazonecarbothioamide in the Presence of Manganese(II)

The reaction of (Z)‐2‐[amino(pyridine‐2‐yl)methylene]hydrazonecarbothioamide (HAm4DH) with Mn(ClO₄)₂·6H₂O afforded different mononuclear or polynuclear manganese(II) complexes, the nature of which apparently depended on the solvent used. For example, in ethanol a compound of formula [Mn(HAm4DH)₂](ClO₄)₂ ( 1 ) was obtained, where HAm4DH coordinates as a common tridentate NNS donor, but the [Mn(bpy)₂(NCS)₂] complex ( 2 ) (bpy = 2,2'‐bipyridine) has also been obtained – probably due to C–N bond cleavage of the thiosemicarbazone. Nevertheless, in a basic aqueous medium [Mn(bpy)₃](ClO₄)₂·0.5bpy ( 3 ) is formed and there is structural evidence for chemical transformations of the thiosemicarbazone promoted by Mn^II. Thus, the sulfate in {[Mn(py)₄Mn(py)₂(H₂O)₂(μ‐SO₄)₂]·4H₂O}_n ( 4 ) or sulfate and cyclooctasulfur in [Mn(pta)₂(pdo)]₄(SO₄)₂·4H₂O·S₈] ( 5 ), where pta is 3‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐1,2,4‐triazol‐5‐amine and pdo is (2R,4R/2S,4S)‐pentane‐2,4‐diolato, arise from the desulfuration and oxidation of the thiosemicarbazone ligand. The structures of complexes 2 to 5 were established by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The formation of pta is the result of the oxidative cyclization of HAm4DH. In the polynuclear complex 4 , the sulfate acts as an (O,O') bridge between alternating Mn(py)₂(H₂O)₂ and Mn(py)₄ centers. In the tetranuclear complex 5 , pta acts as a bischelating ligand through the N‐pyridine and N‐triazole, and pdo act as a bridge between two manganese atoms. It is also noteworthy that in complexes 4 and 5 hydrogen bonds give rise to different self‐assembly behaviour that leads to complicated supramolecular structures.