Synthesis of enantiopure 3,6,7,8-tetrahydrochromeno[7,8-d]imidazoles via asymmetric ketone hydrogenation in the presence of RuCl2[Xyl-P-Phos][DAIPEN]

The asymmetric hydrogenation of complex heterocyclic ketones 1 in the presence of the novel catalyst RuCl₂[(S)-Xyl-P-Phos][(S)-DAIPEN] and a base afforded the corresponding alcohols 2 in good enantiomeric purity. The outcome of the reaction depended on the substitution pattern of the ketone and the stoichiometry of the base. After optimization of the reaction conditions, the pure alcohols 2a and 2b were isolated in good yield (>70%) and enantiomeric purity (>93% ee) and used as key intermediates for the synthesis of the pharmaceutically active 3,6,7,8-tetrahydrochromeno[7,8-d]imidazoles 3a and 3b.     

Additive Pummerer reactions of vinylic sulfoxides. Synthesis of γ-hydroxy-α,β-unsaturated esters, α-hydroxyketones, and 2-phenylsulfenyl aldehydes and primary alcohols

Treatment of β-monosubstituted vinylic sulfoxides 1 with trifluoroacetic anhydride in dichloromethane gave excellent yields of 1,2-bis(trifluoroacetoxy)thioethers 6. Mildly basic methanolysis of 2-alkyl-substituted 6 gave α-hydroxyaldehydes 11 as monomer-dimer mixtures; similar treatment of the 2-aryl analogues afforded aryl (hydroxymethyl) ketones 12. Compounds 11 underwent Wittig reactions with methoxycarbonylmethylenetriphenylphosphorane to give high yields of γ-hydroxy-α,β-unsaturated esters 13, predominantly as the E-isomers. β-Monosubstituted vinylic sulfoxides 1 possessing a β-aryl group, and β-disubstituted vinylic sulfoxides 3 reacted with trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride-sodium acetate in acetic anhydride to give 2-(phenylsulfenyl)acylals 14. These gave 2-phenylsulfenyl aldehydes 15 upon basic methanolysis, and the corresponding primary alcohols 16 on reduction with sodium borohydride. Reaction of both geometric isomers of enantiomerically pure vinylic sulfoxide 1o with TFAA gave racemic 6o as a mixture of diastereomers. Reaction of optically pure (E)- and (Z)-1p with trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride-sodium acetate in acetic anhydride gave acylal 19 in 10.5 and 23% e.e., respectively.     

Deshydrogenation d'alcools en composes carbonyles par le systeme CuCl/O2/Ligande

The dehydrogenation of alcohols to the corresponding carbonyl compounds by CuCl/O₂/ligand (L) shows relative rates of dehydrogenation according to the type of alcohol used; primary or secondary benzyl alcohols > allylic alcohols or aliphatic alcohols > cyclic alcohols. The rate of this reaction was found to be dependent upon the nature of the ligands used; e.g. phenanthroline 1–10 > bipyridyl 2,2' > TMEDA, etc. When L = phenanthroline 1–10 the catalytic effect, of the system ROH/CuCl/L (3:1:1), was found to be similar to the system ROH/CuCl/L (1:2:2). The pure oxygen was replaced by air without any noticeable change in the rate of the reaction. The primary aliphatic alcohols lead to the aldehydes containing 1, 2, etc. carbon atoms fewer than the starting alcohols.     

An evaluation of the Noyori system “in reverse”: Thermodynamic and kinetic parameters of secondary alcohol transfer dehydrogenation catalyzed by [(η-1-Pr-4-Me-C6H4)Ru(HN-CR′R″-CR′R″NTs)], R′ = H, Me; Ph, R″ = H, Me

The 16 electron ruthenium complexes [(η⁶-1-isopropyl-4-methyl-benzene)(X-N)Ru(II)], where X-N is 2-amido-1-ethoxide (2), 1-N-p-tosyl-1,2-diamido-ethane (3), 1-N-p-tosyl-1,2-diamido-benzene (7), 1-N-(p-tosyl)-1,2-diamido-1,1,2,2-tetramethyl-ethane (8) and 1-N-(p-tosyl)-1,2-diamido-meso-1,2-diphenyl-ethane (9) have been evaluated as catalysts for the transfer dehydrogenation of secondary alcohols to ketones in acetone and/or cyclohexanone solvent. Complexes 2 and 3 cannot be isolated and decompose under these conditions. In contrast complexes 7, 8 and 9 are supported by ligands designed to resist β-hydride elimination and can with the exclusion of oxygen be held in solution for weeks. Complex 7 is not active as a catalyst. Complexes 8 and 9 are highly air-sensitive and active as catalysts for transfer (de)hydrogenations under oxidizing and reducing conditions, respectively. There is no coordinative inhibition of the catalysts by the ketone solvent under oxidizing conditions, but both catalysts show a correlation between the reaction rates and the ΔG values of the reactions with reactions leading to α, β-unsaturated ketones proceeding faster. For all alcohol/ketone substrate pairs where the ketone is not α, β-unsaturated, the hydrogenation reactions under reducing conditions (iso-propanol solvent) are at least one order of magnitude faster than the corresponding dehydrogenation reaction under oxidizing conditions (acetone solvent).     

The synthesis, structure and reactivity of aldehyde substituted η-allylic complexes of molybdenum

Reaction of cis-[Mo(NCMe)₂(CO)₂(η⁵-L)][BF₄] (L=C₅H₅ or C₅Me₅) with 1-acetoxybuta-1,3-diene gives the cationic complexes [Mo{η⁴-syn-s-cis-CH₂CHCHCH(OAc)}(CO)₂(η⁵-L)][BF₄], which, on reaction with aqueous NaHCO₃/CH₂Cl₂, afford good yields of the anti-aldehyde substituted complexes [Mo{η³-exo-anti-CH₂CHCH(CHO)}(CO)₂(η⁵-L)] 2 (L=C₅Me₅), 4 (L=C₅H₅)]. The corresponding η⁵-indenyl substituted complex 5 was prepared by protonation (HBF₄·OEt₂) of [Mo(η³-C₃H₅)(CO)₂(η⁵-C₉H₇)] followed by addition of CH₂=CHCH=CH(OAc) and hydrolysis (aq. NaHCO₃/CH₂Cl₂). An X-ray crystallographic study of complex 2 confirmed the structure and showed that there is a contribution from a zwitterionic form involving donation of electron density from the molybdenum to the aldehyde carbonyl group. Treatment of 2 and 4, in methanol solution, with NaBH₄ afforded the alcohols [Mo{η³-exo-anti-CH₂CHCHCH₂(OH)}(CO)₂(η⁵-L)] [6 (L=C₅H₅), 8 (L=C₅Me₅)]; however, prolonged (30 h) reaction with NaBH₄/MeOH surprisingly gave good yields of the methoxy-substituted complexes [Mo{η³-exo-anti-CH₂CHCHCH₂(OMe)}(CO)₂(η⁵-L)] [7 (L=C₅H₅), 9 (L=C₅Me₅)], the structure of 7 being confirmed by single crystal X-ray crystallography. This methoxylation reaction can be explained by coordination of the hydroxyl group present in 6 and 8 onto B₂H₆ to form the potential leaving group HOBH₃⁻, which on ionisation affords [Mo(η⁴-exo-buta-1-3-diene)(CO)₂(η⁵-L)]⁺ which is captured by reaction with OMe⁻. Complex 8 is also formed in good yield on reaction of 2 with HBF₄·OEt₂ followed by treatment of the resulting cation [Mo{η⁴-exo-s-cis-syn-CH₂CHCHCH(OH)}(CO)₂(η⁵-C₅Me₅)][BF₄] with Na[BH₃CN]. Reaction of 4 with the Grignard reagents MeMgI, EtMgBr or PhMgCl afforded moderate yields of the alcohols [Mo{η³-exo-anti-CH₂CHCHCH(OH)R}(CO)₂(η⁵-C₅H₅)] [11 (R=Me), 12 (R=Et), 13 (R=Ph)]. Similarly, treatment of 2 with MeLi gave the corresponding alcohol 14. An attempt to carry out the Oppenauer oxidation [Al(OPr′)₃/Me₂CO] of 11 resulted in an elimination reaction and the formation of the η³-s-pentadienyl complex [Mo{η³-exo-anti-CH₂CHCH(CHCH₂)}(CO)₂(η⁵-C₅H₅)], which was structurally identified by X-ray crystallography. Interestingly, oxidation of 6 with [Bu₄ⁿN][RuO₄]/morpholine-N-oxide affords the aldehyde complex, 4 in good yield. Finally, reaction of 11 with [NO][BF₄] followed by addition of Na₂CO₃ affords the fur-3-ene complex [Mo{η²-

(H)Me}(CO)(NO)(η⁵-C₅H₅)].     

Palladium acetate complexes bearing chelating N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands: Synthesis and catalytic oxidative homocoupling of terminal alkynes

The imidazolium salts 1,1′-dibenzyl-3,3′-propylenediimidazolium dichloride and 1,1′-bis(1-naphthalenemethyl)-3,3′-propylenediimidazolium dichloride have been synthesized and transformed into the corresponding bis(NHC) ligands 1,1′-dibenzyl-3,3′-propylenediimidazol-2-ylidene (L₁) and 1,1′-bis(1-naphthalenemethyl)-3,3′-propylenediimidazol-2-ylidene (L₂) that have been employed to stabilize the Pd^II complexes PdCl₂(κ²-C,C-L₁) (2a) and PdCl₂(κ²-C,C-L₂) (2b). Both latter complexes together with their known homologous counterparts PdCl₂(κ²-C,C-L₃) (1a) (L₃ = 1,1′-dibenzyl-3,3′-ethylenediimidazol-2-ylidene) and PdCl₂(κ²-C,C-L₄) (1b) (L₄ = 1,1′-bis(1-naphthalenemethyl)-3,3′-ethylenediimidazol-2-ylidene) have been straightforwardly converted into the corresponding palladium acetate compounds Pd(κ¹-O-OAc)₂(κ²-C,C-L₃) (3a) (OAc = acetate), Pd(κ¹-O-OAc)₂(κ²-C,C-L₄) (3b), Pd(κ¹-O-OAc)₂(κ²-C,C-L₁) (4a), and Pd(κ¹-O-OAc)₂(κ²-C,C-L₂) (4b). In addition, the phosphanyl-NHC-modified palladium acetate complex Pd(κ¹-O-OAc)₂ (κ²-P,C-L₅) (6) (L₅ = 1-((2-diphenylphosphanyl)methylphenyl)-3-methyl-imidazol-2-ylidene) has been synthesized from corresponding palladium iodide complex PdI₂(κ²-P,C-L₅) (5). The reaction of the former complex with p-toluenesulfonic acid (p-TsOH) gave the corresponding bis-tosylate complex Pd(OTs)₂(κ²-P,C-L₅) (7). All new complexes have been characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and elemental analyses. In addition the solid-state structures of 1b·DMF, 2b·2DMF, 3a, 3b·DMF, 4a, 4b, and 6·CHCl₃·2H₂O have been determined by single crystal X-ray structure analyses. The palladium acetate complexes 3a/b, 4a/b, and 6 have been employed to catalyze the oxidative homocoupling reaction of terminal alkynes in acetonitrile chemoselectively yielding the corresponding 1,4-di-substituted 1,3-diyne in the presence of p-benzoquinone (BQ). The highest catalytic activity in the presence of BQ has been obtained with 6, while within the series of palladium-bis(NHC) complexes, 4b, featured with a n-propylene-bridge and the bulky N-1-naphthalenemethyl substituents, revealed as the most active compound. Hence, this latter precursor has been employed for analogous coupling reaction carried out in the presence of air pressure instead of BQ, yielding lower substrate conversion when compared to reaction performed in the presence of BQ. The important role of the ancillary ligand acetate in the course of the catalytic coupling reaction has been proved by variable-temperature NMR studies carried out with 6 and 7′ under catalytic reaction conditions.     

Structural and energetic aspects of hydrogen bonding and proton transfer to ReH2(CO)(NO)(PR3)2 and ReHCl(CO)(NO)(PMe3)2 by IR and X-ray studies

The interaction of rhenium hydrides ReHX(CO)(NO)(PR₃)₂ 1 (X=H, R=Me (a), Et (b), iPr (c); X=Cl, R=Me (d)) with a series of proton donors (indole, phenols, fluorinated alcohols, trifluoroacetic acid) was studied by variable temperature IR spectroscopy. The conditions governing the hydrogen bonding ReHHX in solution and in the solid state (IR, X-ray) were elucidated. Spectroscopic and thermodynamic characteristics (−ΔH=2.3–6.1 kcal mol⁻¹) of these hydrogen bonded complexes were obtained. IR spectral evidence that hydrogen bonding with hydride atom precedes proton transfer and the dihydrogen complex formation was found. Hydrogen bonded complex of ReH₂(CO)(NO)(PMe₃)₂ with indole (2a–indole) and organyloxy-complex ReH(OC₆H₄NO₂)(CO)(NO)(PMe₃)₂ (5a) were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. A short NHHRe (1.79(5) Å) distance was found in the 2a–indole complex, where the indole molecule lies in the plane of the Re(NO)(CO) fragment (with dihedral angle between the planes 0.01°).     

Application of a base-induced [1,2]-rearrangement to synthesize thiophosphonate bidentate S(sp2)–N monoanionic ligand: Characterization of its silver and palladium complexes

The O,O-diethyl thiophosphonate functional group has been introduced on position 2 of a pyrrole heterocycle following a two steps sequence that makes use of a [1,2] base-induced rearrangement applied for the first time to a O,O-diethyl thiophosphoramide intermediate. This rearrangement has been studied by low temperature NMR and the intermediates have been fully characterized. The coordination of this monoanionic bidentate (N,Ssp²) ligand to silver or palladium is studied The bidentate ligand 2 (O,O-diethyl pyrrol-2-ylthiophosphonate), associated with a palladium precursor, produces in the presence of triethylamine the complex trans-[Pd(η²-2′)₂] 3 (2′ is deprotonated ligand 2). Ligand 2 also reacts with silver oxide in dichloromethane to give an unstable complex 2′-Ag that can be stabilized by addition of triphenylphosphine to produce the coordination complex 4 [Ag((η²-2′)(PPh₃)₂].     

Syntheses and pharmacological characterization of achiral and chiral enantiopure C/Si/Ge-analogous derivatives of the muscarinic antagonist cycrimine: a study on C/Si/Ge bioisosterism

The C/Si/Ge-analogous compounds rac-Ph(c-C₅H₉)El(CH₂OH)CH₂CH₂NR₂ (NR₂=piperidino; El=C, rac-3a; El=Si, rac-3b; El=Ge, rac-3c) and (c-C₅H₉)₂El(CH₂OH)CH₂CH₂NR₂ (NR₂=piperidino; El=C, 5a; El=Si, 5b; El=Ge, 5c) were prepared in multi-step syntheses. The (R)- and (S)-enantiomers of 3a–c were obtained by resolution of the respective racemates using the antipodes of O,O′-dibenzoyltartaric acid (resolution of rac-3a), O,O′-di-p-toluoyltartaric acid (resolution of rac-3b), or 1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diyl hydrogen phosphate (resolution of rac-3c). The enantiomeric purities of (R)-3a–c and (S)-3a–c were ≥98% ee (determined by ¹H-NMR spectroscopy using a chiral solvating agent). Reaction of rac-3a–c, (R)-3a–c, (S)-3a–c, and 5a–c with methyl iodide gave the corresponding methylammonium iodides rac-4a–c, (R)-4a–c, (S)-4a–c, and 6a–c (3a–c→4a–c; 5a–c→6a–c). The absolute configuration of (S)-3a was determined by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of its (R,R)-O,O′-dibenzoyltartrate. The absolute configurations of the silicon analog (R)-4b and germanium analog (R)-4c were also determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The chiroptical properties of the (R)- and (S)-enantiomers of 3a–c, 3a–c·HCl, and 4a–c were studied by ORD measurements. In addition, the C/Si/Ge analogs (R)-3a–c, (S)-3a–c, (R)-4a–c, (S)-4a–c, 5a–c, and 6a–c were studied for their affinities at recombinant human muscarinic M₁, M₂, M₃, M₄, and M₅ receptors stably expressed in CHO-K1 cells (radioligand binding experiments with [³H]N-methylscopolamine as the radioligand). For reasons of comparison, the known C/Si/Ge analogs Ph₂El(CH₂OH)CH₂CH₂NR₂ (NR₂=piperidino; El=C, 7a; El=Si, 7b; El=Ge, 7c) and the corresponding methylammonium iodides 8a–c were included in these studies. According to these experiments, all the C/Si/Ge analogs behaved as simple competitive antagonists at M₁–M₅ receptors. The receptor subtype affinities of the individual carbon, silicon, and germanium analogs 3a–8a, 3b–8b, and 3c–8c were similar, indicating a strongly pronounced C/Si/Ge bioisosterism. The (R)-enantiomers (eutomers) of 3a–c and 4a–c exhibited higher affinities (up to 22.4 fold) for M₁–M₅ receptors than their corresponding (S)-antipodes (distomers), the stereoselectivity ratios being higher at M₁, M₃, M₄, and M₅ than at M₂ receptors, and higher for the methylammonium compounds (4a–c) than for the amines (3a–c). With a few exceptions, compounds 5a–c, 6a–c, 7a–c, and 8a–c displayed lower affinities for M₁–M₅ receptors than the related (R)-enantiomers of 3a–c and 4a–c. The stereoselective interaction of the enantiomers of 3a–c and 4a–c with M₁–M₅ receptors is best explained in terms of opposite binding of the phenyl and cyclopentyl ring of the (R)- and (S)-enantiomers. The highest receptor subtype selectivity was observed for the germanium compound (R)-4c at M₁/M₂ receptors (12.9-fold).     

Triethylantimony(V) complexes with bidentate O,N-, O,O- and tridentate O,N,O′-coordinating o-iminoquinonato/o-quinonato ligands: Synthesis, structure and some properties

The novel triethylantimony(v) o-amidophenolato (AP-R)SbEt₃ (R = i-Pr, 1; R = Me, 2) and catecholato (3,6-DBCat)SbEt₃ (3) complexes have been synthesized and characterized by IR, NMR spectroscopy (AP-R is 4,6-di-tert-butyl-N-(2,6-dialkylphenyl)-o-amidophenolate, alkyl = isopropyl (1) or methyl (2); 3,6-DBCat is 3,6-di-tert-butyl-catecholate). Complexes 1–3 have been obtained by the oxidative addition of corresponding o-iminobenzoquinones or o-benzoquinones to Et₃Sb. The addition of 4,6-di-tert-butyl-N-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxyphenyl)-o-iminobenzoquinone to Et₃Sb at low temperature gives hexacoordinate [(AP-AP)H]SbEt₃ (4) which decomposes slowly in vacuum with the liberation of ethane yielding pentacoordinate complex [(AP-AP)]SbEt₂ (5). [(AP-AP)H]²⁻ is O,N,O′-tridentate amino-bis-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-phenolate-2-yl) dianion and [(AP-AP)]³⁻ is amido-bis-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-phenolate-2-yl) trianion. The decomposition of 4–5 accelerates in the presence of air. o-Amidophenolates 1 and 2 bind molecular oxygen to give spiroendoperoxides Et₃Sb[L-iPr]O₂ (6) or Et₃Sb[L-Me]O₂ (7) containing trioxastibolane rings. This reaction proceeds slowly and reaches the equilibrium at 15–20% conversion five times more than for (AP-R)SbPh₃ analogues. Molecular structures of 1 and 5 were determined by X-ray analysis.     

Amidinoethylation—a new reaction—IV : The amidinoethylation of alcohols: a facile synthesis of 3-alkoxy-N,N'-substituted-propanamidines

The amidinoethylation of alcohols takes place by the addition of sodium alkoxides 2 (R¹ = Me, Et) to the CC double bond of a variety of N,N'-substituted-propenamidines 1 (Method A). This illustrates the activation of the CC double bond by the conjugated amidine function and provides a new class of Michael acceptors for alcohols. However, this activation is poorer than with other nucleophiles or Michael acceptors. The amidinoethylation makes available 3-alkoxy-N,N'-substituted-amidines not easily accessible by other classical methods. However, it is demonstrated that the general N,N'-substituted-amidine synthesis via the nitrilium salts can also apply to nitrile compounds having an alkoxygroup present on the molecule (method B). Since the cyanoethylation of alcohols (4) is a very fast and facile reaction the method B is the preferred strategy for the synthesis of 3-alkoxy-N,N'-substituted-propanamidines 3.     

Stabilizing N-tosyl-2-lithioindoles with bis(N,N′-dimethylaminoethyl) ether—a non-cryogenic procedure for lithiation of N-tosylindoles and subsequent addition to ketones

A practical procedure suitable for large scale lithiation of N-tosylindoles and subsequent addition to ketones is described. Bis(N,N′-dimethylaminoethyl) ether was found to stabilize 2-lithio-N-tosylindole 1A at −25 °C [The temperatures cited are internal temperatures unless otherwise stated]. Addition of this reagent allows the lithiation of N-tosyl indoles and subsequent addition to ketones to operate at −25 °C, a temperature suitable for large scale reactions.     

Microbiological transformations—XII: Microbiological reduction of racemic 1-(2',2',3'-trimethyl-cyclopent-3'-en-1'-yl)propan-2-one and 1-(2',2',3'-trimethyl-cyclopent-3'-en-1'-yl)butan-2-one by rhodotorula mucilaginosa

The microbiological reduction of (±)-l-(2',2',3'-trimethylcyclopent-3'-en-l'-yl)-propan-2-one (4) and (±)-1-(2',2',3'-trimethylcyclopent-3'-en-l'-yl)-butan-2-one (5) by Rhodotorula mucilaginosa was investigated. Both enantiomers of 4 are reduced stereospecifically to corresponding alcohols; (+)-(2S, l'R)-(2',2',3'-trimethylcyclopent-3'-en-l'-yl)-propan-2-ol (6) and (-)-(2S,l'S)-(2',2',3'-trimethylcyclopent-3'-en-l'-yl)-propan-2-ol (7). p ]The substrate selectivity in the reduction of 5 was observed: R enantiomer of 5 yields stereospecifically (+)-(2S,1'R)-(2',2',3'-trimethylcyclopent-3'-en-l'-yl)-butan-2-ol (8) while S(-)5 remains unchanged.     

Steroids from sponges

The sponges Stelleta clarella Tethya aurantia, Lissodendoryx noxiosa, Haliclona permollis and Haliclona sp. were examined for steroids. All sponges contained C₂₇-C₂₉, Δ⁵, mono and diunsaturated sterols. In addition, the sponge Tethya aurantia contained Z - 24 - propylidene - cholest - 5- en -3β-ol (19) and the 5α,8α-peroxides of cholesta - 5,7 - dien - 3β - ol, ergosterol, ergosta - 5,7,24(28) - trien - 3β - ol and 24ξ - ethyl - cholesta - 5,7 - dien - 3β - ol (29, 30, 31 and 32). The sponge Stelleta clarella also contained 24 - nor - cholesta - 4,22 - dien - 3 - one (21), cholesta - 4,22 - dien - 3 - one (22), 24ξ - methyl - cholesta - 4,22 - dien - 3 - one (24), ergosta - 4,24(28) - dien - 3 - one (25), (E) - stigmasta - 4,24(28) - dien - 3 - one (28), 5α - cholestanol (5), 5α - ergostanol (7) and 5α - poriferastanol (9) The possible biosynthetic significance of these hitherto undescribed peroxides and enones from marine sources is discussed. A synthesis of 19 is also described.     

Synthesis of optically active forms of ipsdienol and ipsenol : The pheromone components of ips bark beetles

(R)-(-)-Ipsdienol 1″ and its antipode 1' were synthesized from (R)-(+)-glyceraldehyde acetonide and (R)-(+)-malic acid, respectively. This established the S-configuration of the naturally occurring (+)-ipsdienol. A new synthesis of (R)-(+)-ipsenol 2″ and its antipode 2' was also described. Chiral epoxides were shown to be useful intermediates for the synthesis of these chiral alcohols.     

Synthesis, photophysical properties and sugar-dependent in vitro photocytotoxicity of pyrrolidine-fused chlorins bearing S-glycosides

Eight S-glycosylated 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(tetrafluorophenyl)porphyrins (1a′, 1b′, 1a and 1b (a: S-glucosylated, b: S-galactosylated)) and their 1,3-dipolar cycloadducts, i.e. chlorins 2a′, 2b′, 2a and 2b were prepared by nucleophilic substitution of the pentafluorophenyl groups with S-glycoside. These photosensitizers were characterized by ¹H, ¹³C and ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopies and elemental analysis. The photocytotoxicity of the S-glycosylated photosensitizers and the parent porphyrin (1) and chlorin (2) was examined in HeLa cells. Photosensitizers 1, 2, 1a′, 1b′, 2a′ and 2b′ showed no significant photocytotoxicity at the concentration of 0.5 μM, while the deprotected photosensitizers 1a, 1b, 2a and 2b were photocytotoxic. The strong inhibition by sodium azide of the photocytotoxicity of these photosensitizers suggested that ¹O₂ is the main mediator. The S-glucosylated photosensitizers 1a and 2a showed higher photocytotoxicity than S-galactosylated 1b and 2b, respectively. The cellular uptake of 1a and 2a increased up to 24 h, while that of 1b and 2b was saturated by 12 h.     

Electro-oxidation of catechols in the presence of benzenesulfinic acid. Application to electro-organic synthesis of new sulfone derivatives

The mechanism of electrochemical oxidation of catechol (1a), 3-methylcatechol (1b) and 3-methoxycatechol (1c) in the presence of benzenesulfinic acid (3) as a nucleophile has been studied in an aqueous solution using cyclic voltammetry and controlled-potential coulometry. The results indicate that the catechol derivatives (1a–1c) are converted to sulfone derivatives (4a–4c) through Michael addition of benzenesulfinate to anodically generated o-quinones (2a–2c). The electrochemical synthesis of 4a–4c has been successfully performed in an undivided cell in good yields and purity.     

Salicylaldoxime in manganese(III) carboxylate chemistry: Synthesis, structural characterization and physical studies of hexanuclear and polymeric complexes

The use of salicylaldehyde oxime (H₂salox) in manganese(III) carboxylate chemistry has yielded new members of the family of hexanuclear compounds presenting the [Mn₆(μ₃-O)₂(μ₂-OR)₂]¹²⁺ core, complexes [Mn^III₆(μ₃-O)₂(O₂CPh)₂(salox)₆(L₁)₂(L₂)₂] (L₁ = py, L₂ = H₂O (1); L₁ = Me₂CO, L₂ = H₂O (2); L₁ = L₂ = MeOH (3)). Addition of NaOMe to the acetonitrile reaction mixture, afforded the 1D complex [Mn^III₃Na(μ₃-O)(O₂CPh)₂(salox)₃(MeCN)]_n (4), whereas addition of NaClO₄ to the acetone reaction mixture afforded an analogous 1D complex [Mn^III₃Na(μ₃-O)(O₂CPh)₂(salox)₃(Me₂CO)]_n (5). The structures of 1–3 present the [Mn₆(μ₃-O)₂(μ₂-OR)₂]¹²⁺ core and can be described as two [Mn₃(μ₃-O)]⁷⁺ triangular subunits linked by two μ₂-oximato oxygen atoms of the salox²⁻ ligands, which show the less common μ₃-κ²O:κO′:κN coordination mode. The benzoato ligands are coordinated through the usual syn,syn-μ₂-κO:κO′ mode. The 1D polymeric structures of 4 and 5 consist of alternating [Mn₃(μ₃-O)]⁷⁺ subunits and Na⁺ atoms linked through two μ₃-κ²O:κO′:κN and one μ₄-κ²O:κ²O′:κN salox²⁻ ligands as well as one syn,anti-μ₂-κO:κO′ benzoato ligand. DC and AC magnetic susceptibility studies on 1 revealed the stabilization of an S = 4 ground state, and indications of single-molecule magnetism behavior, whereas the DC experimental data from polycrystalline sample of 5 are indicative of antiferromagnetic interactions within the [Mn₃] subunit. Solid state ¹H NMR data of 1 were used to probe the spin-lattice relaxation of the system.     

Novel coordination polymers with ferrocene-containing dicarboxylate ligand: Syntheses, crystal structures and properties

A new ferrocene-containing dicarboxylate ligand, L = 5-ferrocene-1,3-benzenedicarboxylic acid, has been prepared. Self-assembly of L, M(II) salts (M = Co and Zn) and chelating ligands dpa or phen (dpa = 2,2′-dipyridylamine and phen = 1,10-phen) gave rise to four new coordination polymers {[Co(L)(dpa)] · 2MeOH}_n (1), {[Zn(L)(dpa)] · 2MeOH}_n (2), {[Co(L)(phen)(H₂O)] · MeOH} (3), [Zn(L)(phen)(H₂O)] · MeOH (4). The isostructural complexes 1 and 2 possess 1D helical chain structures with 2₁ screw axes along the b-direction, and the right- and left-handed helical chains are alternate arrayed into 2D layer structures through hydrogen-bonding interactions; while isostructural complexes 3 and 4 are 1D linear chain structures with phen and ferrocene groups of L as pendants hanging on the different sides of the main chain. A structural comparison of complexes 1–4 demonstrated that the characteristics of subsidiary ligands and slight difference in coordination models of L play very important role in the construction of the complexes. In addition, the redox properties of complexes 1–4, as well as the magnetic properties of complexes 1 and 3 are also investigated.     

Lithiated γ-O-functionalized propyl phenyl sulfides and sulfones of the type Li[CH(SOxPh)CH2CH2OR] (x = 0, 2). [Li{CH(SPh)CH2CH2Ot-Bu}(tmeda)] – A structurally characterized organolithium inner complex

Lithiation of O-functionalized alkyl phenyl sulfides PhSCH₂CH₂CH₂OR (R = Me, 1a; i-Pr, 1b; t-Bu, 1c; CPh₃, 1d) with n-BuLi/tmeda in n-pentane resulted in the formation of α- and ortho-lithiated compounds [Li{CH(SPh)CH₂CH₂OR}(tmeda)] (α-2a–d) and [Li{o-C₆H₄SCH₂CH₂CH₂OR)(tmeda)] (o-2a–d), respectively, which has been proved by subsequent reaction with n-Bu₃SnCl yielding the requisite stannylated γ-OR-functionalized propyl phenyl sulfides n-Bu₃SnCH(SPh)CH₂CH₂OR (α-3a–d) and n-Bu₃Sn(o-C₆H₄SCH₂CH₂CH₂OR) (o-3a–d). The α/ortho ratios were found to be dependent on the sterical demand of the substituent R. Stannylated alkyl phenyl sulfides α-3a–c were found to react with n-BuLi/tmeda and n-BuLi yielding the pure α-lithiated compounds α-2a–c and [Li{CH(SPh)CH₂CH₂OR}] (α-4a–b), respectively, as white to yellowish powders. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of [Li{CH(SPh)CH₂CH₂Ot-Bu}(tmeda)] (α-2c) exhibited a distorted tetrahedral coordination of lithium having a chelating tmeda ligand and a C,O coordinated organyl ligand. Thus, α-2c is a typical organolithium inner complex.Lithiation of O-functionalized alkyl phenyl sulfones PhSO₂CH₂CH₂CH₂OR (R = Me, 5a; i-Pr, 5b; CPh₃, 5c) with n-BuLi resulted in the exclusive formation of the α-lithiated products Li[CH(SO₂Ph)CH₂CH₂OR] (6a–c) that were found to react with n-Bu₃SnCl yielding the requisite α-stannylated compounds n-Bu₃SnCH(SO₂Ph)CH₂CH₂OR (7a–c). The identities of all lithium and tin compounds have been unambiguously proved by NMR spectroscopy (¹H, ¹³C, ¹¹⁹Sn).