Synthesis and Self‐Assembly of NCN‐Pincer Pd‐Complex‐Bound Norvalines

The NCN‐pincer Pd‐complex‐bound norvalines Boc‐D /L ‐[PdCl(dpb)]Nva‐OMe ( 1 ) were synthesized in multigram quantities. The molecular structure and absolute configuration of 1 were unequivocally determined by single‐crystal X‐ray structure analysis. The robustness of 1 under acidic/basic conditions provides a wide range of N‐/C‐terminus convertibility based on the related synthetic transformations. Installation of a variety of functional groups into the N‐/C‐terminus of 1 was readily carried out through N‐Boc‐ or C‐methyl ester deprotection and subsequent condensations with carboxylic acids, R¹COOH, or amines, R²NH₂, to give the corresponding N‐/C‐functionalized norvalines R¹‐D /L ‐[PdCl(dpb)]Nva‐R² 2 – 9 . The dipeptide bearing two Pd units 10 was successfully synthesized through the condensation of C‐free 1 with N‐free 1 . The robustness of these Pd‐bound norvalines was adequately demonstrated by the preservation of the optical purity and Pd unit during the synthetic transformations. The lipophilic Pd‐bound norvalines L ‐ 2 , Boc‐L ‐[PdCl(dpb)]Nva‐NH‐n‐C₁₁H₂₃, and L ‐ 4 , n‐C₄H₉CO‐L ‐[PdCl(dpb)]Nva‐NH‐n‐C₁₁H₂₃, self‐assembled in aromatic solvents to afford supramolecular gels. The assembled structures in a thermodynamically stable single crystal of L ‐ 2 and kinetically stable supramolecular aggregates of L ‐ 2 were precisely elucidated by cryo‐TEM, WAX, SAXS, UV/Vis, IR analyses, and single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography. An antiparallel β‐sheet‐type aggregate consisting of an infinite one‐dimensional hydrogen‐bonding network of amide groups and π‐stacking of PdCl(dpb) moieties was observed in the supramolecular gel fiber of L ‐ 2 , even though discrete dimers are assembled through hydrogen bonding in the thermodynamically stable single crystal of L ‐ 2 . The disparate DSC profiles of the single crystal and xerogel of L ‐ 2 indicate different thermodynamics of the molecular assembly process.     

1‐Azonia‐2‐boratanaphthalenes

The 1‐azonia‐2‐boratanaphthalenes (NH)(BX)C₈H₆ can be synthesized from 2‐aminostyrene and the dihaloboranes XBHal₂ ( 1 ‐ 4 : X = Cl, Br, iPr, tBu). Further derivatives (NH)(BX)C₈H₆ are obtained from 1 by replacing Cl by alkoxy or alkyl groups [ 5 ‐ 8 : X = OMe, OtBu, Me, (CH₂)₃NMe₂]. The hydrolysis of 1 gives a mixture of the bis(azoniaboratanaphthyl) oxide [(NH)BC₈H₆]₂O ( 9 ) and the hydroxy derivative (NH)[B(OH)]C₈H₆ ( 10 ). The diboryl oxide 9 crystallizes in the space group C2/c. The lithiation of 4 at the nitrogen atom gives [NLi(tmen)](BtBu)C₈H₆ ( 11 ), which upon reaction with the diborane(4) B₂Cl₂(NMe₂)₂ yields the 1, 2‐bis(azoniaboratanaphthyl)diborane B₂[N(BtBu)C₈H₆]₂(NMe₂)₂ ( 12 ). The 2‐chloro‐1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl derivative (NMe)(BCl)C₈H₅Ph ( 13 ) of the parent (NH)(BH)C₈H₆ can be synthesized from the aminoborane BCl₂(NMePh) and phenylethyne. Substitution of Cl in 13 gives the derivatives (NMe)(BX)C₈H₅Ph [ 14 ‐ 20 : X = N(SiMe₃)₂, Me, Et, iBu, tBu, CH₂SiMe₃, Ph] and the reaction of 13 with Li₂O affords the bis(azoniaboratanaphthyl) oxide [(NMe)BC₈H₅Ph]₂O ( 21 ). The reaction of 16 or 19 with [(MeCN)₃Cr(CO)₃] yields the complexes [{(NMe)(BX)C₈H₅Ph}Cr(CO)₃] ( 22 , 23 : X = Et, CH₂SiMe₃), in which the chromium atom is hexahapto bound to the homoarene part of 16 or 19 , respectively. The complex 23 crystallizes in the space group P2₁/c. Upon reaction of the phenols para‐C₆H₄R(OH) with the aryldichloroboranes ArBCl₂ and subsequent condensation of the products with phenylethyne, the 1‐oxonia‐2‐boratanaphthalenes O(BAr)C₈H₄RPh with R in position 6 and Ph in position 4 are formed ( 24 ‐ 26 : Ar = Ph, R = H, Me, OMe; 27 ‐ 29 : Ar = C₆F₅, R = H, Me, OMe). The azoniaboratanaphthalenes 1 ‐ 23 were characterized by NMR methods.     

Syntheses,Structures, and Electrochemical Properties of Two Bis‐triazole‐bis‐amide‐based Copper(II) Pyridine‐2,3‐dicarboxylate Coordination Polymers

Abstract. Two bis‐triazole‐bis‐amide‐based copper(II) pyridine‐2,3‐dicarboxylate coordination polymers (CPs), [Cu(2,3‐pydc)(dtb)_0.5(DMF)] · 2H₂O ( 1 ) and [Cu(2,3‐pydc)(dth)_0.5(DMF)] · 2H₂O ( 2 ) (2,3‐H₂pydc = pyridine‐2,3‐dicarboxylic acid, dtb = N,N′‐bis(4H‐1,2,4‐triazole)butanamide, and dth = N,N′‐bis(4H‐1,2,4‐triazole)hexanamide), were synthesized under solvothermal conditions. CPs 1 and 2 show similar two‐dimensional (2D) structures. In 1 , the 2,3‐pydc anions bridge the Cu^II ions into a one‐dimensional (1D) chain. Such 1D chains are linked by the dtb ligands to form a 2D layer. The adjacent 2D layers are extended into a three‐dimensional (3D) supramolecular architecture by hydrogen‐bonding interactions. The electrochemical properties of 1 and 2 were investigated.     

[Ni(terpy)(H2O)]‐trans‐[Ni‐(μ‐CN)2‐(CN)2]n,a one‐dimensional linear tetra­cyano­nickelate chain

The one‐dimensional chain catena‐poly­[[aqua(2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridyl‐κ³N)­nickel(II)]‐μ‐cyano‐κ²N:C‐[bis­(cyano‐κC)nickelate(II)]‐μ‐cyano‐κ²C:N], [Ni(terpy)(H₂O)]‐trans‐[Ni‐μ‐(CN)₂‐(CN)₂]_n or [Ni₂­(CN)₄­(C₁₅H₁₁N₃)(H₂O)], consists of infinite linear chains along the crystallographic [10] direction. The chains are composed of two distinct types of nickel ions, paramagnetic octahedral [Ni(terpy)(H₂O)]²⁺ cations (with twofold crystallographic symmetry) and diamagnetic planar [Ni(CN)₄]^2? anions (with the Ni atom on an inversion center). The [Ni(CN)₄]^2? units act as bidentate ligands bridging through two trans cyano groups thus giving rise to a new example of a trans–trans chain among planar tetra­cyano­nickelate complexes. The coordination geometry of the planar nickel unit is typical of slightly distorted octahedral nickel(II) complexes, but for the [Ni(CN)₄]^2? units, the geometry deviates from a planar configuration due to steric interactions with the ter­pyridine ligands.     

Hydrothermal Syntheses and Structural Studies of Lanthanide Coordination Polymers Involving In‐Situ Decarboxylation and their Luminescence Properties

Lanthanide coordination polymers with the formula [Ln(pydc)₂]·H₂O (Ln = La, 1 ; Nd, 2 ; pydc = 3,4‐pyridinedicarboxylate) and [Ln(pydc)(ina)(H₂O)₂] (Ln = Sm, 3 ; Eu, 4 ; Tb, 5 ; Dy, 6 ; pydc = 3,4‐pyridinedicarboxylate, ina = isonicotinate) were synthesized by treating Ln^III nitrates with 3,4‐pyridinedicarboxylic acid under hydrothermal conditions. Single‐crystal and powder X‐ray diffraction studies indicate that these lanthanide coordination polymers adopt two different structures. The lighter lanthanide compounds 1 and 2 consist of extended two‐dimensional layer structures with the thickness of ca. 1.7 nm. While the heavier lanthanide compounds 3 ‐ 6 have pydc‐bridged double chain structures with one chelating carboxylate group of ina ligand and two water molecules on each metal center. Interestingly, decarboxylation occurred and pydc was partially transformed into ina in the hydrothermal reactions of 3 ‐ 6 . The fluorescence activities of compounds 4 and 5 are reported.     

d‐ Versus l‐Glucose Conjugation: Mitochondrial Targeting of a Light‐Activated Dual‐Mode‐of‐Action Ruthenium‐Based Anticancer Prodrug

Light‐activated ruthenium polypyridyl anticancer prodrugs often suffer from poor water solubility, poor selectivity, and/or ill‐defined intracellular targets. Coordination of the d ‐ or l ‐glucose thioether ligand 3 (2‐(2‐(2‐(methylthio)ethoxy)ethoxy)ethyl‐β‐glucopyranoside) to the highly lipophilic ruthenium complex [Ru(tpy)(dppn)(H₂O)]²⁺ ([ 1 ]²⁺; dppn=benzo[i]dipyrido‐[3,2‐a:2′,3′‐c]phenazine, tpy=2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridine) solved all these problems at once. The two enantiomers of [Ru(tpy)(dppn)( 3) ][PF₆]₂, [d ‐ 2 ][PF₆]₂ and [l ‐ 2 ][PF₆]₂, were soluble in water, which allowed the influence of the chirality of the glucose moiety on uptake, toxicity, and intracellular localization of the prodrug to be probed without changing any other physicochemical properties. Both compounds showed mild, but different, cytotoxicity in A549 (human lung carcinoma) and MCF‐7 (human breast adenocarcinoma) cancer cells in the dark, whereas following low doses of visible light irradiation (3.1 J cm^?2 at λ = 454 nm), a similar, but high cytotoxicity (EC₅₀ < 1 μm ), was observed. Irrespective of the chirality, both slightly emissive Ru complexes were found in the mitochondria, and two modes of action may contribute to light‐induced cell death: 1) the glucose thioether ligand is photosubstituted by water, thus [ 1 ]²⁺, which interacts with DNA at an exceptionally high 400:1 base pair/Ru ratio, is released; 2) both [ 1 ]²⁺ and [ 2 ]²⁺ produce massive amounts of singlet oxygen, which leads to very efficient photodynamic DNA cleavage.     

Novel P‐Stereogenic PCP Pincer‐Aryl Ruthenium(II) Complexes and Their Use in the Asymmetric Hydrogen Transfer Reaction of Acetophenone

Achiral P‐donor pincer‐aryl ruthenium complexes ([RuCl(PCP)(PPh₃)]) 4c , d were synthesized via transcyclometalation reactions by mixing equivalent amounts of [1,3‐phenylenebis(methylene)]bis[diisopropylphosphine] ( 2c ) or [1,3‐phenylenebis(methylene)]bis[diphenylphosphine] ( 2d ) and the N‐donor pincer‐aryl complex [RuCl{2,6‐(Me₂NCH₂)₂C₆H₃}(PPh₃)], ( 3 ; Scheme 2). The same synthetic procedure was successfully applied for the preparation of novel chiral P‐donor pincer‐aryl ruthenium complexes [RuCl(P*CP*)(PPh₃)] 4a , b by reacting P‐stereogenic pincer‐arenes (S,S)‐[1,3‐phenylenebis(methylene)]bis[(alkyl)(phenyl)phosphines] 2a , b (alkyl=ⁱPr or ^tBu, P*CHP*) and the complex [RuCl{2,6‐(Me₂NCH₂)₂C₆H₃}(PPh₃)], ( 3 ; Scheme 3). The crystal structures of achiral [RuCl(equation/tex2gif-sup-3.gifPCP)(PPh₃)] 4c and of chiral (S,S)‐[RuCl(equation/tex2gif-sup-6.gifPCP)(PPh₃)] 4a were determined by X‐ray diffraction (Fig. 3). Achiral [RuCl(PCP)(PPh₃)] complexes and chiral [RuCl(P*CP*)(PPh₃)] complexes were tested as catalyst in the H‐transfer reduction of acetophenone with propan‐2‐ol. With the chiral complexes, a modest enantioselectivity was obtained.     

Pincer‐Type Heck Catalysts and Mechanisms Based on PdIV Intermediates: A Computational Study

Pincer‐type palladium complexes are among the most active Heck catalysts. Due to their exceptionally high thermal stability and the fact that they contain Pd^II centers, controversial Pd^II/Pd^IV cycles have been often proposed as potential catalytic mechanisms. However, pincer‐type Pd^IV intermediates have never been experimentally observed, and computational studies to support the proposed Pd^II/Pd^IV mechanisms with pincer‐type catalysts have never been carried out. In this computational study the feasibility of potential catalytic cycles involving Pd^IV intermediates was explored. Density functional calculations were performed on experimentally applied aminophosphine‐, phosphine‐, and phosphite‐based pincer‐type Heck catalysts with styrene and phenyl bromide as substrates and (E)‐stilbene as coupling product. The potential‐energy surfaces were calculated in dimethylformamide (DMF) as solvent and demonstrate that Pd^II/Pd^IV mechanisms are thermally accessible and thus a true alternative to formation of palladium nanoparticles. Initial reaction steps of the lowest energy path of the catalytic cycle of the Heck reaction include dissociation of the chloride ligands from the neutral pincer complexes [{2,6‐C₆H₃(XPR₂)₂}Pd(Cl)] [X=NH, R=piperidinyl ( 1 a ); X=O, R=piperidinyl ( 1 b ); X=O, R=iPr ( 1 c ); X=CH₂, R=iPr ( 1 d )] to yield cationic, three‐coordinate, T‐shaped 14e^? palladium intermediates of type [{2,6‐C₆H₃(XPR₂)₂}Pd]⁺ ( 2 ). An alternative reaction path to generate complexes of type 2 (relevant for electron‐poor pincer complexes) includes initial coordination of styrene to 1 to yield styrene adducts [{2,6‐C₆H₃(XPR₂)₂}Pd(Cl)(CH₂?CHPh)] ( 4 ) and consecutive dissociation of the chloride ligand to yield cationic square‐planar styrene complexes [{2,6‐C₆H₃(XPR₂)₂}Pd(CH₂?CHPh)]⁺ ( 6 ) and styrene. Cationic styrene adducts of type 6 were additionally found to be the resting states of the catalytic reaction. However, oxidative addition of phenyl bromide to 2 result in pentacoordinate Pd^IV complexes of type [{2,6‐C₆H₃(XPR₂)₂}Pd(Br)(C₆H₅)]⁺ ( 11 ), which subsequently coordinate styrene (in trans position relative to the phenyl unit of the pincer cores) to yield hexacoordinate phenyl styrene complexes [{2,6‐C₆H₃(XPR₂)₂}Pd(Br)(C₆H₅)(CH₂?CHPh)]⁺ ( 12 ). Migration of the phenyl ligand to the olefinic bond gives cationic, pentacoordinate phenylethenyl complexes [{2,6‐C₆H₃(XPR₂)₂}Pd(Br)(CHPhCH₂Ph)]⁺ ( 13 ). Subsequent β‐hydride elimination induces direct HBr liberation to yield cationic, square‐planar (E)‐stilbene complexes with general formula [{2,6‐C₆H₃(XPR₂)₂}Pd(CHPh?CHPh)]⁺ ( 14 ). Subsequent liberation of (E)‐stilbene closes the catalytic cycle.     

Palladium(II) Acetylide Complexes with Pincer‐Type Ligands: Photophysical Properties,Intermolecular Interactions,and Photo‐cytotoxicity

Two classes of cationic palladium(II) acetylide complexes containing pincer‐type ligands, 2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridine (terpy) and 2,6‐bis(1‐butylimidazol‐2‐ylidenyl)pyridine (C^N^C), were prepared and structurally characterized. Replacing terpy with the strongly σ‐donating C^N^C ligand with two N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) units results in the Pd^II acetylide complexes displaying phosphorescence at room temperature and stronger intermolecular interactions in the solid state. X‐ray crystal structures of [Pd(terpy)(C≡CPh)]PF₆ ( 1 ) and [Pd(C^N^C)(C≡CPh)]PF₆ ( 7 ) reveal that the complex cations are arranged in a one‐dimensional stacking structure with pair‐like Pd^II⋅⋅⋅Pd^II contacts of 3.349 Å for 1 and 3.292 Å for 7 . Density functional theory (DFT) and time‐dependent density functional theory (TD‐DFT) calculations were used to examine the electronic properties. Comparative studies of the [Pt(L)(C≡CPh)]⁺ analogs by ¹H NMR spectroscopy shed insight on the intermolecular interactions of these Pd^II acetylide complexes. The strong Pd−C_carbene bonds render 7 and its derivative sufficiently stable for investigation of photo‐cytotoxicity under cellular conditions.     

Providing Support in Favor of the Existence of a PdII/PdIV Catalytic Cycle in a Heck‐Type Reaction

The complex [Pd(O,N,C‐L)(OAc)], in which L is a monoanionic pincer ligand derived from 2,6‐diacetylpyridine, reacts with 2‐iodobenzoic acid at room temperature to afford the very stable pair of Pd^IV complexes (OC‐6‐54)‐ and (OC‐6‐26)‐[Pd(O,N,C‐L)(O,C‐C₆H₄CO₂‐2)I] (1.5:1 molar ratio, at ?55 °C). These complexes and the Pd^II species [Pd(O,N,C‐L)(OX)] and [Pd(O,N,C‐L′)(NCMe)]ClO₄, (X=MeC(O) or ClO₃, L′=another monoanionic pincer ligand derived from 2,6‐diacetylpyridine), are precatalysts for the arylation of CH₂?CHR (R?CO₂Me, CO₂Et, Ph) using IC₆H₄CO₂H‐2 and AgClO₄. These catalytic reactions have been studied and a tentative mechanism is proposed. The presence of two Pd^IV complexes was detected by ESI(+)‐MS during the catalytic process. All the data obtained strongly support a Pd^II/Pd^IV catalytic cycle.     

Two Pairs of Homochiral Coordination Polymers with Helices Based on Semi‐rigid Lactic Acid Ligands

Utilizing semirigid lactic acid derivatives (R)‐H₂CBA and (S)‐H₂CBA as chiral ligands, two pair of homochiral coordination polymers formulated as [Zn((R)‐CBA)(1,4‐DIB)] · H₂O ( 1 ‐ D ), [Zn((S)‐CBA)(1,4‐DIB)] · H₂O ( 1 ‐ L ), [Co((R)‐CBA)(1,4‐DIB)] · H₂O ( 2 ‐ D ) and [Co((S)‐CBA)(1,4‐DIB)] · H₂O ( 2 ‐ L ) were prepared under solvothermal reaction condition. Single X‐ray diffraction study reveals that all the complexes are comprised of three kinds of helical chains, which are constructed by corresponding metal ions, CBA^2– ligands, and/or 1,4‐DIB ligands. Moreover, some physical characteristics, such as PXRD, thermal stabilities, solid‐state circular dichroism (CD), luminescent and magnetic properties are also investigated.     

Allylic Peroxidations with Bis(2‐pyridylimino)isoindolato‐Cobalt and ‐Iron Complexes

Several novel substituted bis(2‐pyridylimino)isoindolato (BPI) cobalt(II) and iron(II) complexes [M(BPI)(OAc)(H₂O)] (M = Co: 1 ‐ 6, Fe: 7) have been synthesized by reaction of bis(2‐pyridylimino)isoindole derivatives with the corresponding metal(II) acetates. Reaction of 1‐6 with 1.5 ‐ 2 molar equivalents of t‐BuOOH gave the corresponding alkylperoxocobalt(III) complexes [Co(BPI)(OAc)(OOtBu)] (10 ‐ 15). Using an aqueous solution of t‐BuOOH (70 %), cyclohexene was selectively catalytically oxidized to the dialkylperoxide cyclohex‐2‐ene‐1‐t‐butylperoxide.     

Hexaaquacobalt(II) and hexaaquanickel(II) bis(μ‐pyridine‐2,6‐dicarboxylato)bis[(pyridine‐2,6‐dicarboxylato)bismuthate(III)] dihydrate

The title complexes, hexaaquacobalt(II) bis(μ‐pyridine‐2,6‐dicarboxylato)bis[(pyridine‐2,6‐dicarboxylato)bismuthate(III)] dihydrate, [Co(H₂O)₆][Bi₂(C₇H₄NO₄)₄]·2H₂O, (I), and hexaaquanickel(II) bis(μ‐pyridine‐2,6‐dicarboxylato)bis[(pyridine‐2,6‐dicarboxylato)bismuthate(III)] dihydrate, [Ni(H₂O)₆][Bi₂(C₇H₄NO₄)₄]·2H₂O, (II), are isomorphous and crystallize in the triclinic space group P. The transition metal ions are located on the inversion centre and adopt slightly distorted MO₆ (M = Co or Ni) octahedral geometries. Two [Bi(pydc)₂]⁻ units (pydc is pyridine‐2,6‐dicarboxylate) are linked via bridging carboxylate groups into centrosymmetric [Bi₂(pydc)₄]²⁻ dianions. The crystal packing reveals that the [M(H₂O)₆]²⁺ cations, [Bi₂(pydc)₄]²⁻ anions and solvent water molecules form multiple hydrogen bonds to generate a supramolecular three‐dimensional network. The formation of secondary Bi...O bonds between adjacent [Bi₂(pydc)₄]²⁻ dimers provides an additional supramolecular synthon that directs and facilitates the crystal packing of both (I) and (II).     

(Nitro‐κN)[2‐(phenyldiazenyl‐κN2)pyridine‐κN](2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridine‐κ3N)ruthenium(II) tetrafluoroborate

The Ru—N bond distances in the title complex, [Ru(NO₂)(C₁₁H₉N₃)(C₁₅H₁₁N₃)]BF₄ or [Ru(NO₂)(tpy)(azpy)]BF₄, [tpy is 2,2′:6′,2′′‐ter­pyridine and azpy is 2‐(phenyl­azo)­pyridine], are Ru—N_py 2.063 (4), Ru—N_azo 2.036 (4), Ru—N_nitro 2.066 (3) Å, and Ru—N_tpy 2.082 (4), 1.982 (3) and 2.074 (4) Å. The azo N atom is trans to the nitro group. The azo N=N bond length is 1.265 (5) Å, which is the shortest found in such complexes to date. This indicates a multiple bond between Ru and the N atom of the nitro group, and π‐­backbonding [dπ(Ru) π*(azo)] is decreased.     

Thermal isomerization of ruthenium hydride compounds containing asymmetric bidentate pyrrole‐imine ligands

A series of ruthenium hydride compounds containing substituted bidentate pyrrole‐imine ligands were synthesized and characterized. Reacting RuHCl(CO)(PPh₃)₃ with one equivalent of [C₄H₃NH(2‐CH=NR)] in ethanol in the presence of KOH gave compounds {RuH(CO)(PPh₃)₂[C₄H₃N(2‐CH=NR)]} where trans‐Py‐Ru‐H 1, R = CH₂CH₂C₆H₉; cis‐Py‐Ru‐H 2, R = Ph‐2‐Me; and cis‐Py‐Ru‐H 3, R = C₆H₁₁. Heating trans‐Py‐Ru‐H 1 in toluene at 70°C for 12 hr resulted a thermal conversion of the trans‐Py‐Ru‐H 1 into its cis form, {RuH(CO)(PPh₃)₂[C₄H₃N(2‐CH=NCH₂CH₂C₆H₉)]} (cis‐Py‐Ru‐H 1) in very high yield. The ¹H NMR spectra of trans‐Py‐Ru‐H 1, cis‐Py‐Ru‐H 2, cis‐Py‐Ru‐H 3, and cis‐Py‐Ru‐H 1 all show a typical triplet at ca. δ–11 for the hydride. The trans and cis form indicate the relative positions of pyrrole ring and hydride. The geometries of trans‐Py‐Ru‐H 1, cis‐Py‐Ru‐H 1, and cis‐Py‐Ru‐H 3 are relatively similar showing typical octahedral geometries with two PPh₃ fragments arranged in trans positions.     

Conformation of a terminally protected βγ hybrid dipeptide Boc‐Ant‐Gpn‐OMe stabilized by C6/C7 hydrogen bonds

The hybrid βγ dipeptide, methyl 2‐[1‐({2‐[(tert‐butoxycarbonyl)amino]benzamido}methyl)cyclohexyl]acetate (Boc‐Ant‐Gpn‐OMe), C₂₂H₃₂N₂O₅, adopts a folded conformation stabilized by intramolecular six‐ (C₆) and seven‐membered (C₇) hydrogen‐bonded rings, together with weak C—H...O and C—H...π interactions, resulting in a ribbon‐like structure.     

Synthesis of β‐Peptides with β‐Helices from New C‐Linked Carbo‐β‐Amino Acids: Study on the Impact of Carbohydrate Side Chains

The design and synthesis of β‐peptides from new C‐linked carbo‐β‐amino acids (β‐Caa) presented here, provides an opportunity to understand the impact of carbohydrate side chains on the formation and stability of helical structures. The β‐amino acids, Boc‐(S)‐β‐Caa_(g)‐OMe 1 and Boc‐(R)‐β‐Caa_(g)‐OMe 2 , having a D ‐galactopyranoside side chain were prepared from D ‐galactose. Similarly, the homo C‐linked carbo‐β‐amino acids (β‐hCaa); Boc‐(S)‐β‐hCaa_(x)‐OMe 3 and Boc‐(R)‐β‐hCaa_(x)‐OMe 4 , were prepared from D ‐glucose. The peptides derived from the above monomers were investigated by NMR, CD, and MD studies. The β‐peptides, especially the shorter ones obtained from the epimeric (at the amine stereocenter C_β) 1 and 2 by the concept of alternating chirality, showed a much smaller propensity to form 10/12‐helices. This substantial destabilization of the helix could be attributed to the bulkier D ‐galactopyranoside side chain. Our efforts to prepare peptides with alternating 3 and 4 were unsuccessful. However, the β‐peptides derived from alternating geometrically heterochiral (at C_β) 4 and Boc‐(R)‐β‐Caa_(x)‐OMe 5 (D ‐xylose side chain) display robust right‐handed 10/12‐helices, while the mixed peptides with alternating 4 and Boc‐β‐hGly‐OMe 6 (β‐homoglycine), resulted in left‐handed β‐helices. These observations show a distinct influence of the side chains on helix formation as well as their stability.     

Acid‐, Water‐ and High‐Temperature‐Stable Ruthenium Complexes for the Total Catalytic Deoxygenation of Glycerol to Propane

The ruthenium aqua complexes [Ru(H₂O)₂(bipy)₂](OTf)₂, [cis‐Ru(6,6′‐Cl₂‐bipy)₂(OH₂)₂](OTf)₂, [Ru(H₂O)₂(phen)₂](OTf)₂, [Ru(H₂O)₃(2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpy)](OTf)₂ and [Ru(H₂O)₃(Phterpy)](OTf)₂ (bipy=2,2′‐bipyridine; OTf^?=triflate; phen=phenanthroline; terpy= terpyridine; Phterpy=4′‐phenyl‐2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridine) are water‐ and acid‐stable catalysts for the hydrogenation of aldehydes and ketones in sulfolane solution. In the presence of HOS(O)₂CF₃ (triflic acid) as a dehydration co‐catalyst they directly convert 1,2‐hexanediol to n‐hexanol and hexane. The terpyridine complexes are stable and active as catalysts at temperatures ≥250 °C and in either aqueous sulfolane solution or pure water convert glycerol into n‐propanol and ultimately propane as the final reaction product in up to quantitative yield. For the terpy complexes the active catalyst is postulated to be a carbonyl species [(4′‐R‐2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpy)Ru(CO)(H₂O)₂](OTf)₂ (R=H, Ph) formed by the decarbonylation of aldehydes (hexanal for 1,2‐hexanediol and 3‐hydroxypropanal for glycerol) generated in the reaction mixture through acid‐catalyzed dehydration. The structure of the dimeric complex [{(4′‐phenyl‐2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpy)Ru(CO)}₂(μ‐OCH₃)₂](OTf)₂ has been determined by single crystal X‐ray crystallography (Space group P (a=8.2532(17); b=12.858(3); c=14.363(3) Å; α=64.38(3); β=77.26(3); γ = 87.12(3)°, R=4.36 %).     

trans‐Chloridobis[(Z)‐1‐imino‐1‐methoxyethane‐κN](triphenylphosphane‐κP)platinum(II) chloride monohydrate

The title compound, [PtCl(C₃H₇NO)₂(C₁₈H₁₅P)]Cl·H₂O or trans‐[PtCl{Z‐HN=C(Me)OMe}₂(PPh₃)]Cl·H₂O, crystallizes from an acetone solution of isomeric trans‐[PtCl{E‐HN=C(Me)OMe}₂(PPh₃)]Cl. The two HN=C(Me)OMe ligands show typical π‐bond delocalization over the N—C—O group [Cini, Caputo, Intini & Natile (1995). Inorg. Chem. 34 , 1130–1137] and have the unprecedented Z–anti configuration. The relative orientation of the imino ether ligands is head‐to‐tail.     

Reactions of [Cp*Ru(H2O)(NBD)]+ with alkynes

Formal [2 + 2 + 2] addition reactions of [Cp*Ru(H₂O)(NBD)]BF₄ (NBD = norbornadiene) with PhC?CR (R = H, COOEt) give [Cp*Ru(η⁶‐C₆H₅? C₉H₈R)] BF₄ (1a, R = H; 2a, R = COOEt). Treatment of [Cp*Ru(H₂O)(NBD)]BF₄ with PhC?C? C?CPh does not give [2 + 2 + 2] addition product, but [Cp*Ru(η⁶‐C₆H₅? C?C? C?CPh)] BF₄(3a). Treatment of 1a, 2a, 3a with NaBPh₄ affords [Cp*Ru(η⁶‐C₆H₅? C₉H₈R)] BPh₄ (1b, R = H; 2b, R = COOEt) and [Cp*Ru(η⁶‐C₆H₅? C?C? C?CPh)] BPh₄(3b). The structures of 1b, 2b and 3b were determined by X‐ray crystallography. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.