Reaction of 1,2-dibromoethane with primary amines: formation of N,N′-disubstituted ethylenediamines RNH-CH2CH2-NHR and homologous polyamines RNH-[CH2CH2NR]n-H

The reaction of primary amines RNH₂ (R: Me, Et, iPr, tBu and Ph) with 1,2-dibromoethane gave N,N′-disubstituted ethylenediamines R-NH-CH₂CH₂-NH-R (1) in yields ranging from 10% (1a; R=Me) to 70% (1d, R=tBu; 1e, R=Ph). Piperazines and N-substituted polyethyleneimines were identified (¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and EI-MS) as side products of the reaction and isolated by fractional distillation. The piperazines 2 are formed in yields of 3-10% and can be separated from the diamines 1 in all cases, except for R=Me and Ph. The polyamine homologues RNH-[CH₂CH₂NR]_n-H (3-5) were isolated in yields ranging from 0.1% (n=4, R=iPr) to 14% (n=2, R=iPr). The yields of 1 increase with the size of the substituent R, no obvious trend exists for the yields of the side products.     

Reactions of P4S10 and pyPS2Cl with N,N′-diphenylurea and N,N′-diphenylthiourea

The reaction of P₄S₁₀ (1) with N,N′-diphenylurea (PhNH)₂CO (2) results in new heterocyclic compounds: the pyridinium salt of 1,3-diphenyl-2-sulfido-2-thioxo-1,3-diaza-2λ⁵-phosphetidine (3) (with a P–N–C–N cycle) and the pyridinium salt of 1,4-diphenyl-2,5-disulfido-2,5-dithioxo-1,4-dithiadiaza-2λ⁵,5λ⁵-diphosphinane (4), containing the (P–S–N)₂ cycle and the cyclic thiophosphates [pyH]₂[P₂S₈] (5), [pyH]₂[P₂S₇] (6) and [pyH]₃[P₃S₉] (7). A similar reaction, but carried out with N,N′-diphenylthiourea (PhNH)₂CS (8), leads to the formation of 4 and 6. pyPS₂Cl (9), used as an alternative starting material, also yields compounds 3, 4, 5, and further [pyH][PS₂Cl₂] (10) and S₈ after reaction with 2. Compound 3 reacts with Pd(CH₃COO)₂, with the formation of the complex [Pd(Ph₂N₂COPS₂)₂] (11). The crystal structures of 3 and 7 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Stereoselective synthesis of 3-substituted tetrahydroisoquinolines from phthalan and chiral N-sulfinylimines

The reaction of the dianionic intermediate [resulting from the reductive opening of phthalan (1) with lithium] with chiral N-tert-butylsulfinyl aldimines 3 in the presence of ZnMe₂ gives, after hydrolysis, N-tert-butylsulfinyl amino alcohols 4 with high diastereoselectivity. Successive treatment of compounds 4 with hydrogen chloride in methanol, thionyl chloride in chloroform and sodium hydroxide yields 3-substituted tetrahydroisoquinolines 6.     

Palladium complexes of N-aryl-2-pyridylamines

Palladium complexes of N-phenyl-2-pyridylamine (4) and dipyridylamine substrates (7, 11) have been studied. Due to the coordination ability of the pyridine-nitrogen atoms, the pyridyl substrates, 4, 7, 11 were subjected to Pd(OAc)₂ complexations and a number of N-aryl-2-pyridylamine Pd complexes (13-17) were isolated and characterised, in particular by NMR and ESI-MS. A new method for the preparation of the acetato-bridged six-membered ring palladacycle complex (13) of 4 is reported. The dipyridyl amines 7, 11 formed cis/trans bis-dentate acetato-bridged dimeric Pd₂Lig₂(OAc)₂ (14a,b/16a,b) and Pd₃Lig₂(OAc)₄ complexes (15a,b/17a,b). The N-aryl-2-pyridylamine substrates (4, 7, 11) were prepared by oxidative nucleophilic substitution, by 1,3-cycloaddition reaction or by Buchwald amination.     

Synthesis and aromatic nucleophilic N-N, N-S and N-O exchange reactions of N,N-dimethyl-2-trifluoroacetyl-1-naphthylamine

We succeeded in the synthesis of N,N-dimethyl-2-trifluoroacetyl-1-naphthylamine (10) by the regioselective deacylation of N,N-dimethyl-2,4-bis(trifluoroacetyl)-1-naphthylamine with trifluoroacetic acid and water. The aromatic nucleophilic substitutions of 10 with various amines, thiols and alcohols proceeded cleanly to give the corresponding N-N, N-S and N-O exchanged products in moderate to excellent yields.     

1,n-Diamines. Part 2: Synthesis of acyclic and heterocyclic N-arylputrescine derivatives

In the present Letter we report the use of N-arylputrescines as synthetic intermediates for the preparation of N-acyl-N′-aryltetramethylenediamines 3 and related seven-membered heterocyclic amidines 4. Compounds 1 were synthesized by Cs₂CO₃/KI-mediated aminolysis of 4-chlorobutyronitrile and subsequent reduction. N-Acylation of diamines 1 with carboxylic acid anhydrides led selectively to N-acyl-N′-aryl tetramethylenediamines 3. Microwave-assisted ring closure of such precursors promoted by PPE allowed for the synthesis of hitherto unreported 1-aryl-2-alkyl-1H-1,4,5,6-tetrahydro-1,3-diazepines 4.     

Convenient and efficient Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reactions catalyzed by palladium complexes containing N,N,O-tridentate ligands

N,N,O-Tridentate ligands 1-9 were prepared from the condensation of amines with nine aromatic aldehydes or ketones. These ligands are thermally stable and neither air- nor moisture-sensitive. Combination of either 2-methoxy-6-[(pyridine-2-ylmethylimino)-methyl]-phenol, 1 or 2-(benzothiazol-2-yl-hydrazonomethyl)-4,6-di-tert-butyl-phenol, 6 with Pd(OAc)₂ furnished an excellent catalyst precursor for the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling of various aryl bromides with arylboronic acids. The effects of varying solvents, bases, and ligand/palladium ratios on the performance of the coupling reaction were investigated. The molecular structures of both free ligand 1 and its palladium acetate complex 10 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods. The DFT studies revealed that the catalytic performance of palladium complexes involving this type of a ligand may differ greatly upon a small variation in its structure.     

Ru(II) complexes imparting N2O2 donor bis chelating ligand N,N-bis(salicylidine)-hydrazine in unusual coordination mode

The synthesis and characterization of binuclear ruthenium complexes [{(η⁶-C₆H₆)Ru}₂(μ-bsh)₂] (1), [{(η⁶-C₁₀H₁₄)Ru}₂(μ-bsh)₂] (2), [{(η⁶-C₆Me₆)Ru}₂(μ-bsh)₂] (3), and rhodium complex [{(η⁵-C₅Me₅)RhCl}₂(μ-bsh)] (4) (bsh=N,N^′-bis(salicylidine)-hydrazine dianion) are reported. The complexes have been fully characterized by analytical and spectral techniques and unusual coordination mode of the ligand H₂bsh has been confirmed by single crystal X-ray analysis of the complex 2. Structural data revealed extensive inter- and intra-molecular C-H?O and C-H?π interactions and involvement of methyl and isopropyl hydrogen from the p-cymene in hydrogen bonding.     

ESR and pH-potentiometric study of the mixed-ligand complex formation in the copper(II)-4-fluorosalicylic acid-N,N-diethylnicotinamide system: Structure and spectral properties of [Cu(4-fluorosalicylate)2(N,N-diethylnicotinamide)2(H2O)2] complex

EPR simulation method together with pH-potentiometry combined with UV-Vis spectrophotometry were used for the study of the ternary system 4-fuorosalicylic acid (HA)-N,N-diethylnicotinamide (B)-copper(II) in aqueous solution. The N,N-diethylnicotinamide ligand is a weak donor, its mixed-ligand complexes with 4-fluorosalicylate anions are more favoured. The number of coordinated N,N-diethylnicotinamide molecules increases with decreasing temperature: up to four ones were detected in the coordination sphere of copper(II) in frozen solutions. The formation of [CuH₋₁AB₂] and [CuH₋₁A] was detected by all methods at neutral pH. At lower pH values, [CuA₂B₂] and [CuB] become dominant, and this fact is in good agreement with [CuA₂B₂(H₂O)₂] crystals obtained from similar solutions. The structural unit of the [CuA₂B₂(H₂O)₂] complex consists of a copper(II) ion, which is monodentately coordinated by a pair of 4-fluorosalicylate anions and by a pair of N,N-diethylnicotinamide in trans positions in the basal plane, and by two water molecules in the axial positions of a tetragonal bipyramid.     

Dimolybdenum complexes containing anions of N,N′-bis(pyrimidine-2-yl)formamidine and N-(2-pyrimidinyl)formamide

The reactions of Mo₂(O₂CCH₃)₄ with different equivalents of N,N′-bis(pyrimidine-2-yl)formamidine (HL1) and N-(2-pyrimidinyl)formamide (HL2) afforded dimolybdenum complexes of the types Mo₂(O₂CCH₃)(L1)₂(L2) (1) trans-Mo₂(L1)₂(L2)₂ (2) cis-Mo₂(L1)₂(L2)₂ (3) and Mo₂(L2)₄ (4). Their UV–Vis and NMR spectra have been recorded and their structures determined by X-ray crystallography. Complexes 2 and 3 establish the first pair of trans and cis forms of dimolybdenum complexes containing formamidinate ligands. The L1 ligands in 1–3 are bridged to the metal centers through two central amine nitrogen atoms, while the L2 ligands in 1–4 are bridged to the metal centers via one pyrimidyl nitrogen atom and the amine nitrogen atom. The Mo–Mo distances of complexes 1 [2.0951(17) Å], 2 [2.103(1) Å] and 3 [2.1017(3) Å], which contain both Mo?N and Mo?O axial interactions, are slightly longer than those of complex 4 [2.0826(12)–2.0866(10) Å] which has only Mo?O interactions.     

Synthesis, structure and electrochemical properties of N-substituted diiron azadithiolates as active site models of Fe-only hydrogenases

As biomimetic models for the active site of Fe-only hydrogenases,six new N-substituted diiron azadithiolates (ADT) were prepared.Treatment of CH₂Cl₂ solutions of primary amines RNH₂ with paraformaldehyde followed by an excess of SOCl₂ gave N,N-bis(chloromethyl)amines RN(CH₂Cl)₂ (1,R = CH₂CO₂Et;2,C₆H₄C(O)Me-p;3,C₆H₄CO₂Me-p;4,C₆H₄SCN-p) in 30-90% yields.Further treatment of the chloromethylated amines 1-4 with (μ-LiS)₂Fe₂(CO)₆ in THF resulted in formation of the corresponding N-substituted ADT-type models [(μ-SCH₂)₂NR]Fe₂(CO)₆ (5,R = CH₂CO₂Et;6,C₆H₄C(O)Me-p;7,C₆H₄CO₂Me-p;8,C₆H₄SCN-p) in 24-75% yields.Also prepared were the N-substituted models [(μ-SCH₂)₂NC(O)CH₂C₁₀H₇-α]Fe₂(CO)₆ (9) and 1,4-[Fe₂(CO)₆(μ- SCH₂)₂NC(O)]₂C₆H₄ (10) by reaction of CH₂Cl₂ solutions of [(μ-SCH₂)₂NH]Fe₂(CO)₆ with α-C₁₀H₇CH₂COCl and 1,4-C₆H₄(COCl)₂ in 81% and 28% yields, respectively. All the new compounds 1-10 were characterized by elemental analysis and spectroscopy, as well as for 5-7 and 9 by X-ray crystallography. The crystallographic studies indicated that the functionality of 5 attached to the bridged N atom lies in an equatorial position, whereas those of functionalities of 6, 7, and 9 are located in an axial position. This is presumably due to different electronic and steric effects between the N-substituted aliphatic and aromatic functionalities. More interestingly, model 7 has been found to be a catalyst for proton reduction in the presence of either strong acid CF₃CO₂H or weak acid HOAc under electrochemical conditions. In addition, two mechanisms ECCE and EECC are preliminarily suggested for such two electrocatalytic H₂ production processes, respectively.     

Structural diversity in Cu(II), Cd(II) and Hg(II) coordination complexes with the rigid N,N′-bis(2/3-aryl)-1,4-benzenedicarboxamide ligand

The syntheses and structures of a series of metal complexes, namely Cu₂Cl₄(L¹)(DMSO)₂·2DMSO (L¹ = N,N′-bis(2-pyridinyl)-1,4-benzenedicarboxamide), 1; {[Cu(L²)_1.5(DMF)₂][ClO₄]₂·3DMF}_∞ (L² = N,N′-bis(3-pyridinyl)-1,4-benzenedicarboxamide), 2; {[Cd(NO₃)₂(L³)]·2DMF}_∞ (L³ = N,N′-bis-(2-pyrimidinyl)-1,4-benzenedicarboxamide), 3; {[HgBr₂(L³)]·H₂O}_∞, 4, and {[Na(L³)₂][Hg₂X₅]·2DMF}_∞ (X = Br, 5; I, 6) are reported. All the complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectra and single crystal X-ray diffraction. Complex 1 is dinuclear and the molecules are interlinked through S?S interactions. In 2, the Cu(II) ions are linked through the L² ligands to form 1-D ladder-like chains with 60-membered metallocycles, whereas complexes 3 and 4 form 1-D zigzag chains. In complexes 5 and 6, the Na(I) ions are linked by the L³ ligands to form 2-D layer structures in which the [Hg₂X₅]⁻ anions are in the cavities. The L² ligand acts only as a bridging ligand, while L¹ and L³ show both chelating and bridging bonding modes. The L¹ ligand in 1 adopts a trans-anti conformation and the L² ligand in 2 adopts both the cis-syn and trans-anti conformations, whereas the L³ ligands in 3–6 adopt the trans conformation.     

Endo and exo cyclometallated iron carbonyl complexes derived from N-(N′-methyl-2-pyrrolylmethylidene)-2-thienylmethylamine

The reaction of N-(N′-methyl-2-pyrrolylmethylidene)-2-thienylmethylamine (1) with Fe₂(CO)₉ in refluxing toluene gives endo cyclometallated iron carbonyl complexes 2 and 5, exo cyclometallated iron carbonyl complex 3, and unexpected iron carbonyl complex 4. Complexes 2, 3, and 5 are geometric isomers. Complex 5 differs from complex 2 in the switch of the original substituent from α to β position of the pyrrolyl ring, and the pyrrolyl ring bridges to the diiron centers in μ-(3,2-η¹:η²) coordination mode in stead of μ-(2,3-η¹:η²). In complex 4, the pyrrolyl moiety of the original ligand 1 has been displaced by a thienyl group, which comes from the same ligand. Single crystals of 2, 3, and 5 were subjected to the X-ray diffraction analysis. The major product 2 undergoes: (i) thermolysis to recover the original ligand 1; (ii) reduction to form a hydrogenation product, 6, of the original ligand; (iii) substitution to form a monophosphine-substituted complex 7; (iv) chemical as well as electrochemical oxidation to produce a carbonylation product, γ-butyrolactam 8.     

Coordination steric effect of N,N-dimethylformamide, N,N-dimethylacetamide and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone on the assembly of coordination polymers

Three coordination polymers 1, 2 and 3 have been synthesized in DMF (N,N-dimethylformamide), DMA (N,N-dimethylacetamide) and NMP (N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone), respectively. In 1, DMF solvent molecule coordinates to zinc ion as an ancillary ligand, and 1D chain structure is obtained. 2 and 3 are isostructural, in which solvent molecules, DMA and NMP, do not coordinate to zinc ions, and 1D double stranded chain structures are formed. The coordination steric hindrance of the solvents is suggested as the decisive factor of the assemblies. Crystallography and thermoanalysis reveal that 2 and 3 are more stable and also include more guest solvent molecules than 1.     

Troubleshooting a molecular motor: a remarkably stable N-acyl pyridinium salt

With the objective of establishing why reaction of the proposed molecular motors 7 and 22 with carbonyldiimidazole and phosgene does not result in unidirectional rotation, N-ethyl-2-[4-(N,N-dimethylamino)-2-pyridinyl]benzenamine [28, 2-(2-(ethylamino)phenyl)DMAP] was examined as a model substrate. The synthesis of 28 is described. Compound 28 was found to react with phosgene to give the unexpectedly stable N-acyl pyridinium salt 30. The latter (30) is so stable that it is effectively inert to reaction with methanol. At room temperature the two methyls in the Me₂N-group of 30 are nonequivalent (NMR) and the barrier to rotation around the Me₂N-pyridinium bond is 18.5 kcal/mol. To the authors' knowledge, that is the first quantitative determination of the barrier to rotation around the bond between a 4-(N,N-dimethylamino) group and an N-acyl pyridinium unit. The implications of the findings regarding 30 as to troubleshooting the proposed molecular motor 7, and possible strategies to follow, are discussed.     

N-tert-Butylbenzenesulfenamide-catalyzed oxidation of alcohols to the corresponding carbonyl compounds with N-chlorosuccinimide

N-tert-Butylbenzenesulfenamide (1)-catalyzed oxidation of various primary and secondary alcohols to the corresponding aldehydes and ketones was efficiently carried out by using N-chlorosuccinimide (NCS) in the coexistence of potassium carbonate and molecular sieves 4 Å at easy-to-control temperatures ranging from 0°C to room temperature. The present catalytic oxidation was performed without giving any damage to the functional groups in alcohols, and was particularly effective in the oxidation of alcohols that formed labile aldehydes because of its mild reaction conditions. Further, selective oxidation of primary hydroxy groups took place in 1-catalyzed oxidation of several diols. Mechanistic investigation suggested that the chlorination of the sulfenamide 1 by NCS led to the formation of a key species, N-tert-butylbenzenesulfinimidoyl chloride (2), which in turn oxidized alcohols in the presence of potassium carbonate to afford carbonyl products by accompanying regeneration of the catalyst 1.     

General methodology for solid-phase synthesis of N-alkyl hydroxamic acids

Polymer-supported N-benzyloxy-2-nitrobenzenesulfonamides 1 were N-alkylated using three different routes: via Fukuyama reaction with alcohols, by N-alkylation with alkylbromides, and by Michael addition reaction with α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds. The N-alkylated products prepared on the linker 1b were obtained in excellent purity and yield. The 2-nitrobenzenesulfonyl (Nos) group was cleaved under mild conditions to yield polymer-supported N-alkylated benzyloxyamines. Acylation by carboxylic acids and cleavage with TFA yielded N-alkyl hydroxamic acids.     

Reactions of benzopinacol with group 13 alkyl metals:: Crystal structure of Me6In4[OC(C6H5)2C(C6H5)2O]2(OCH3)2, a new alkylalkoxo indium diolate

Reactions of Me₅Al₃[OC(C₆H₅)₂C(C₆H₅)₂O]₂ (1) with alcohols ROH (R = Me, Et, ^tBu) in a 1:1 molar ratio afforded the compound Me₂Al₂[OC(C₆H₅)₂C(C₆H₅)₂O]₂(C₄H₈O) (2) and a mixture of methylaluminum alkoxides. The alcohols acted as the factor formally eliminating a molecule of Me₃Al (as a methylaluminum alkoxide) from compound 1. ^tBu₃Al reacted with an equimolar amount of benzopinacol to form the monomeric complex ^tBuAl[OC(C₆H₅)₂C(C₆H₅)₂O](C₄H₈O) (3). Reactions of Me₃Ga and Me₃In with benzopinacol yielded trinuclear complexes Me₅M₃[OC(C₆H₅)₂C(C₆H₅)₂O]₂ (4 (M = Ga), 5 (M = In)), isostructural to compound 1. In the presence of water and alcohols, compounds 4 and 5 underwent a decomposition reaction to benzopinacol and a mixture of metalloxanes and alkoxides. An unusual methylmethoxo indium benzopinacolate Me₆In₄[OC(C₆H₅)₂C(C₆H₅)₂O]₂(OCH₃)₂ (6) was obtained in the reaction of benzopinacol with Me₃In and Me₂InOMe in a 1:1:1 molar ratio. Molecular structures of the compounds 3, 4 and 6 were determined by X-ray crystallography.     

Charge-transfer salts of methylferrocenes with DCNQI derivatives (DCNQI = N,N′-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinonediimine): Crystal structures and magnetic properties

Organometallic charge-transfer salts composed of decamethyl-, octamethyl-, and dimethylferrocene with N,N′-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinonediimine (DCNQI) derivatives were prepared. [Fe(C₅Me₅)₂][(MeO)₂DCNQI] (1) and [Fe(C₅Me₄H)₂][Me₂DCNQI] (2) were 1:1 DA salts with mixed-stack structures, whereas [Fe(C₅Me₄H)₂][(MeO)₂DCNQI]₂ (3) and [Fe(C₅MeH₄)₂][DCNQI]₂ (4) were 1:2 DA salts. 3 exhibited a segregated-stack structure, in which charge separation was observed in the acceptor column. 1 became a metamagnet below T_N = 5.0 K, whereas the other salts were paramagnets. Valence states and charge-transfer (CT) transitions in these complexes are discussed based on the neutral-ionic (NI) phase diagram.