Preparation of (2,2-difluoroethenylidene)bis(tributylstannane) and arylation reaction: efficient approach to 1,1-diaryl-2,2-difluoroethenes

Reaction of 2,2-difluoro-1-tributylstannylethenyl p-toluenesulfonate (1) with bis(tributyltin) in the presence of 5 mol % Pd(PPh₃)₄ and 30 equiv LiBr in THF at reflux temperature for 7 h afforded (2,2-difluoroethenylidene)bis(tributylstannane) (2) in a 70% yield. Coupling reaction of 2 with aryl iodides in the presence of 5 mol % Pd(PPh₃)₄ and 5 mol % CuI in DMF at 80 °C for 3–4 h provided the coupled products 3 in 59–85% yields.     

Copper(I) complexes of heterocyclic thiourea ligands

The coordination of heterocyclic thiourea ligands (L = N-(2-pyridyl)-N′-phenylthiourea (1), N-(2-pyridyl)-N′-methylthiourea (2), N-(3-pyridyl)-N′-phenylthiourea (3), N-(3-pyridyl)-N′-methylthiourea (4), N-(4-pyridyl)-N′-phenylthiourea (5), N-(2-pyrimidyl)-N′-phenylthiourea (6), N-(2-pyrimidyl)-N′-methylthiourea (7), N-(2-thiazolyl)-N′-methylthiourea (8), N-(2-benzothiazolyl)-N′-methylthiourea (9), N,N′-bis(2-pyridyl)thiourea (10) and N,N′-bis(3-pyridyl)thiourea (11)) with CuX (X = Cl, Br, I, NO₃) has been investigated. CuX:L product stoichiometries of 1:1–1:5 were found, with 1:1 being most common. X-ray structures of four 3-coordinate mononuclear CuXL₂ complexes (CuCl(6)₂, CuCl(7)₂, CuBr(6)₂, and CuBr(9)₂) are reported. In contrast, CuBr(1)₂ is a 1D sulfur-bridged polymer. CuIL structures (L = 7, 8) are 1D chains with corner-sharing Cu₂(μ-I)₂ and Cu₂(μ-S)₂ units, and CuCl(10) is a 2D network having μ-Cl and N-/S-bridging L. Two [CuL₂]NO₃ structures are reported: a mononuclear 4-coordinate copper complex with chelating ligands (L = 10) and a 1D link-chain with N-/S-bridging L (L = 3). Two ligand oxidative cyclizations were encountered during crystallization. CuI crystallized with 6 to produce zigzag ladder polymer [(CuI)₂(12)]·½CH₃CN (12 = N-(pyrimidin-2-yl)benzo[d]thiazol-2-amine) and CuNO₃ crystallized with 10 to form [Cu₂(NO₃)(13)₂(MeCN)]NO₃ (13 = dipyridyltetraazathiapentalene).     

Lewis acid-assisted olefin cross-metathesis reaction: an efficient approach for the synthesis of glycosidic-pyrroloquinolinone based novel building blocks of camptothecin and evaluation of their antitumor activity

A series of glycosidic-pyrroloquinolinone based novel building blocks of camptothecin (2a–g) were synthesized via Lewis acid-assisted olefin cross-metathesis reaction using Ti(OⁱPr)₄ 30 mol % and 10 mol % of Grubb’s second generation catalyst with good to excellent yields. Most of these compounds exhibited significant growth inhibitory effects on all the tested cancer cell lines and three compounds (2c, 2d and 2e) showed potent cytotoxic activity.     

Catalytic asymmetric cyano-phosphorylation of aldehydes using a YLi3tris(binaphthoxide) complex (YLB)

A highly enantioselective cyano-phosphorylation of aldehydes catalyzed by a YLi₃tris(binaphthoxide) complex YLB 1 is described. The slow addition of diethyl cyanophosphonate 4 to aldehydes 5 in the presence of YLB 1 (10 mol %), H₂O (30 mol %), tris(2,6-dimethoxyphenyl)phosphine oxide 3a (10 mol %), and BuLi (10 mol %) afforded cyanohydrin O-phosphates 6 in up to 98% yield and 97% ee. Mechanistic studies revealed that the addition of cyanide to aldehydes is irreversible and determines the enantioselectivity. The reaction mechanism is also discussed in detail.     

Synthesis of modified H4-BINOL ligands and their applications in the asymmetric addition of diethylzinc to aromatic aldehydes

Two new ligands (S,S)-3-(1,1′-bi-2-naphthol-3-yl)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-1,1′-bi-2-naphthol [(S,S)-1] and (S)-3-(morpholin-4-ylmethyl)-H₄-BINOL [(S)-2] have been synthesized via Suzuki cross-coupling reaction and a Mannich-type reaction, respectively. In the presence of titanium tetraisopropoxide, 0.8 mol % of ligand (S,S)-1 catalyzed the asymmetric addition of diethylzinc to aromatic aldehydes in good yield and with high enantioselectivity.     

Synthesis of rigid and C2-symmetric 18-crown-6 type macrocycles bearing diamide–diester groups: enantiomeric recognition for α-(1-naphthyl)ethylammonium perchlorate salts

A series of rigid and chiral C₂-symmetric 18-crown-6 type macrocycles (S,S)-4, (S,S)-5, (S,S)-6 and (R,R)-2 bearing diamide–ester groups were synthesized. The binding properties of these macrocycles were examined for α-(1-naphthyl)ethylammonium perchlorates salts by an ¹H NMR titration method. Taking into account the host employed, important differences were observed in the K_a values of (R)- and (S)-enantiomers of guests for macrocycles (S,S)-4 and (S,S)-6, K_S/K_R = 3.6, and K_S/K_R = 0.1 (K_R/K_S = 10.3) ΔΔG = 3.19 and ΔΔG = ?5.77 kJ mol^?1, respectively. The results indicated excellent enantioselectivity of macrocyclic (S,S)-6 towards the enantiomers of α-(1-naphthyl)ethylammonium perchlorate salts.     

Metal or ammonium alginates as Lewis base catalysts for the 1,2-addition of silyl nucleophiles to carbonyl compounds

Several metal (Na⁺, Ca²⁺) or ammonium (n-Bu₄N⁺) derivatives of alginic acid, an abundant bio-polymer obtained from the cell walls of brown algae, were synthesized. Their potential to act as organocatalysts to catalyze the 1,2-addition of various silyl derivatives to carbonyl compounds was evaluated for the first time. Ammonium alginate 1h is able to promote the reaction in modest to good isolated yields (up to 98%) affording access to a large range of substrates (β-cyano alcohols or ester, β-substituted methylacrylate or acrylonitrile, and cyanohydrin) by using only 5 mol % of catalyst.     

Syntheses and properties of NCN-bridged tri- and tetranuclear complexes of cobalt and rhodium

The reaction of [Cp¹CoI₂]₂ (1b) with 2 equiv of NaNCNH affords the 16-membered macrocyclic NCNH-bridged tetracobalt(III) complex [Cp¹CoI(μ₂-NCNH-N,N′)]₄ (2b), while that with 2 equiv of Na₂NCN yields the C₃-elongated cubane-like NCN-bridged tetracobalt(III) complex [Cp¹Co(μ₃-NCN-N,N,N′)₃(CoCp¹)₃(μ₃-NCN-N,N,N)] (4b). Treatment of [Cp¹RhCl₂]₂ (1c) with 2 equiv of NaNCNH gives the C₃-elongated cubane-like tetrarhodium(III) complex [Cp¹Rh(μ₃-NCN-N,N,N′)₃(RhCp¹)₃(μ₃-NCN-N,N,N)] (4c) via the macrocyclic complex [Cp¹RhCl(μ₂-NCNH-N,N′)]₄ (2c). On the other hand, the reaction of [Cp¹CoCl]₂ (7) with Na₂NCN affords the anionic bis(NCN)-capped tricobalt(II) complex Na[(Cp¹Co)₃(μ₃-NCN-N,N,N)₂] (6). The molecular structures of complexes 2b · CH₂Cl₂ and 4c · 2C₆H₆ have been confirmed by X-ray analyses. The electrochemical properties of these types of NCN-bridged group 9 metal complexes have also been examined.     

Enantioselective construction of all-carbon quaternary spirocenters through a Pd-catalyzed asymmetric intramolecular ipso-Friedel–Crafts allylic alkylation of phenols

A novel catalytic asymmetric synthetic method for making spirocyclohexadienones with an all-carbon quaternary spirocenter was developed based on the Pd-catalyzed intramolecular ipso-Friedel–Crafts allylic alkylation of phenols. When 5 mol % of the Pd catalyst and 12 mol % of (?)-9-NapBN (?)-3e were used, the spirocyclic adduct was obtained with up to 93% ee, albeit with low chemical yield. On the other hand, when using 6 mol% of the Trost ligand (R,R)-3k, the spirocyclic adducts were obtained in good yields with up to 89% ee (diastereoselectivity = 9.2:1).     

Biotransformation of 3-azidomethyl-4-phenyl-3-buten-2-one and analogs by Saccharomyces cerevisiae: New evidence for an SN2′ mechanism

(Z)-3-XCH₂-4-(C₆H₅)-3-buten-2-one enones (X = SCN, N₃, SO₂Me, OC₆H₅) were synthesized and submitted to biotransformations using whole Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells. The enone (X = SCN) produced (R)-4-(phenyl)-3-methylbutan-2-one (R)-6 with 93% ee and enones (X = N₃, SO₂Me, OC₆H₅) yielded a mixture of (R)-6 and the corresponding CC bond reduction products. Biotransformation with enone (X = N₃) mediated by Saccharomyces cerevisiae resulted in two products via two different routes: (i) the ketone (R)-4-azido-3-benzylbutan-2-one in 28% yield and with >99% ee by CC bond reduction; (ii) ketone (R)-6 in 51% yield and with 95% ee via cascade reactions beginning with azido group displacement by the formal hydride from flavin mononucleotide in an S_N2′ type reaction followed by reduction of the newly formed CC bond.     

Asymmetric addition of diethylzinc to aldehydes catalyzed by a camphor-derived β-amino alcohol

The asymmetric addition of diethylzinc to aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes, including linear aliphatic ones, catalyzed by 2 mol % of β-amino alcohol (1S, 2R)-7,7-dimethyl-1-morpholin-4-yl-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-ol 10 gave the corresponding secondary alcohols in high yields and with up to 94% ee at ambient temperature after 15 min.     

Spontaneous resolution of a novel chiral coordination polymer through supramolecular interactions and solvent symmetry breaking

The spontaneous resolution reaction of racemic trans-2,3-dihydro-2,3-dipyridyl-benzo[e]indole 1 with Cd(ClO₄)₂·6H₂O in the presence of 2-butanol under solvothermal reaction conditions favors the formation of crystal 2 [P-Cd(R,R,-1)₂(ClO₄)₂], while a similar reaction in the presence of ethanol only favors the formation of crystal 3 [M-Cd(S,S,-1)₂(ClO₄)₂]. The crystal structural determination shows that both 2 and 3 crystallize in chiral enantiomorphous space groups (P6₁22 and P6₅22) and their structures are 1D infinite chain, and are just enantiomorphous pairs most like. The spontaneous resolution process displays estimated ee values of ca. +0.6 for 2-butanol and ca. −0.4 for ethanol. Enantiomerically pure (S,S)-trans-2,3-dihydro-2,3-dipyridyl-benzo[e]indole (S,S,-1) can be obtained through the decomposition of mechanically separated 3. Additionally (S,S,-1) also crystallizes in a chiral space group (P2₁). The CD (circular dichroism) spectra of both 2 and 3 in the solid state are also approximately enantiomorphous pairs. However, their fluorescent spectra in the solid state display a moderate difference in maximum emission peaks (Δλ = 19 nm). Crystal data for 2: C₄₄H₃₄Cl₂N₆O₈Cd, M = 958.07, hexagonal, P6₁22, a = 10.5488(5), c = 68.256(4) Å, α = γ = 90°, β = 120°, V = 6577.8(6) Å³, Z = 6, D_c = 1.451 mg m⁻³, R₁ = 0.0498, wR₂ = 0.1124, μ = 0.679 mm⁻¹, S = 0.623, Flack χ = −0.02(6). For space group P6₅22, R₁ = 0.0670, wR₂ = 0.1602, S = 0.725 with a Flack value of 1.03(7); Crystal data for 3, C₄₄H₃₄Cl₂N₆O₈Cd, M = 958.07, hexagonal, P6₅22, a = 10.5446(3), c = 68.265(3) Å, V = 6573.3(4) Å³, Z = 6, D_c = 1.452 mg m⁻³, R₁ = 0.0444,wR₂ = 0.1002, μ = 0.679 mm⁻¹, S = 0.558, Flack χ = 0.01(5). For space group P6₁22, R₁ = 0.0501, wR₂ = 0.1178, S = 0.599 with a Flack value of 1.00(5). The low Flack parameter indicates that the absolute configurations of 2 and 3 are stated; Crystal data for (S,S)-1, C₂₂H₁₇N₂, M = 323.39, orthorhombic, P2₁2₁2₁, a = 9.2598(7), b = 9.4617(8), c = 19.1452(16) Å, V = 1677.4(2) Å³, Z = 4, D_c = 1.281 mg m⁻³, R₁ = 0.0417, wR₂ = 0.1191, T = 293 K, μ = 0.077 mm⁻¹, S = 0.862.     

Synthesis and structure of a new scorpionate-dithio carboxyl oxovanadium complex and an organic dithio carboxyl compound

A new complex of oxovanadium(IV), V₂O₂[(HB(pz)₃)₂(pyrro)₂ (1) and a dimer-dithio carboxyl compound (C₅H₈NS₂)₂ (2) have been synthesized by the reaction of VOSO₄·nH₂O with NaHB(pz)₃ and pyrrolidine dithio carboxylic acid ammonium salt. They were characterized by element analysis, IR spectra, UV–vis spectra and X-ray diffraction. Structural analyses of 1 and 2 gave the following parameters: 1, triclinic, P-1, a = 7.732(4) Å, b = 14.285(8) Å, c = 17.802(9) Å, α = 101.314(8)°, β = 92.682(9)°, γ = 92.228(9)°, V = 1923.6(18) Å³, and Z = 4; 2, monoclinic, C2/c, a = 13.857(2) Å, b = 10.4213(18) Å, c = 9.436(2) Å, β = 97.099(2), V = 1352.1(4) Å³, and Z = 4. In complex 1, vanadium atom adopts a distorted tetragonal bipyramid structure, which is typical for oxovanadium(IV) complexes. Compound 2 is a dimer-dithio carboxyl compound with S–S bond. In addition, thermal analysis was performed for analyzing the stabilization of the complexes.     

Asymmetric hydrogenation reactions with Rh and Ru complexes bearing phosphine–phosphites with an oxymethylene backbone

Phosphine–phosphites 3a and 3b, derived from diphenylhydroxymethyl phosphine have been prepared. From these ligands [Rh(COD)(3a)]BF₄ 5a and RuCl₂(3b)[(S,S)-DPEN] 6b (DPEN = 1,2-diphenylethylenediamine) were synthesized and their structure determined by X-ray diffraction. Ligands 3 are characterized by a small bite angle of 83°. In addition, 5a led to an active catalyst for the hydrogenation of olefins, giving enantioselectivities of up to 96% ee. Likewise, compound 6b showed good activity and enantioselectivity in the hydrogenation of N-1-phenyl ethylidene aniline and a completed reaction at S/C = 500 in 24 h with 83% ee.     

Organo-aluminum,zinc and magnesium derivatives of the imidotris(amido)phosphate Me3SiNP(NHtBu)3

Reactions of (^tBuHN)₃PNSiMe₃ (1) with the alkyl-metal reagents dimethylzinc, trimethylaluminum and di-n-butylmagnesium yield the monodeprotonated complexes [MeZn{(N^tBu)(NSiMe₃)P(NH^tBu)₂}] (2), [Me₂Al{(N^tBu)(NSiMe₃)P(NH^tBu)₂}] (3) and [Mg{(N^tBu)(NSiMe₃)P(NH^tBu)₂}₂] (4), respectively. Attempts to further deprotonate complex 2 with n-butyllithium or di-n-butylmagnesium result in nucleophilic displacement of the methylzinc fragment by lithium or magnesium. The two remaining amino protons of 3 are removed by reaction with di-n-butylmagnesium to give a heterobimetallic complex in which the coordination sphere of magnesium is completed by two molecules of THF (5 · 2THF) or one molecule of TMEDA (5 · TMEDA). Reaction of complex 3 with 1 equiv. of n-butyllithium followed by treatment of the product with di-n-butylmagnesium yields the complex {Me₂Al[(N^tBu)(NSiMe₃)P(N^tBu)₂]MgBu} Li · 4THF (6 · 4THF), the first example of a triply deprotonated complex of 1 containing three different metals. Reaction of complex 5 with iodine results in cleavage of an Al–Me group to give {MeIAl[(N^tBu)(NSiMe₃)P(N^tBu)₂Mg]} (7). Complexes 5 · 2THF, 5 · TMEDA, 6 · 4THF and 7 have been characterized in solution by multinuclear (¹H, ¹³C, ³¹P and ⁷Li) NMR spectroscopy, while the solid-state structures of 2, 4 and 5 · 2THF have been determined by X-ray crystallography.     

Ferromagnetic interaction in iron(II)–bis-Schiff base complexes

The preparation and magnetic properties of three Fe(II)–bis-Schiff base complexes, [Fe₂(L1)2(4,4′-bpy)] · MeOH (1), [Fe(L2)(EtOH)] (2) and [Fe(L3)(MeOH)] (3) (L1 = N,N′-bis(2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde)-1,2-phenylenediimine; L2 = N,N′-bis(salicylidene)-1,2-phenylenediamine; L3 = N,N′-bis(5-Cl-salicylidene)-1,2-phenylenediamine; 4,4′-bpy = 4,4′-bipyridine) are reported. X-ray single crystal structure analyses for 1–3 reveal that 1 shows a dinuclear Fe(II)–bis-Schiff base complex bridged by 4,4′-bpy, while 2 and 3 show mononuclear structures. Molecular packing of 2 shows a uniform one-dimensional chain structure through hydrogen bonds and Fe?π interaction and that of 3 indicates significant π–π interaction to form a dimmer structure. The χT–T plots of 1–3 show all ferromagnetic interaction at low temperature. The origin of the ferromagnetic interaction observed in 2 is tentatively ascribed to the dimer formation through Fe?π interaction at low temperature.     

Design,synthesis and physical properties of the metal complexes using π-radical with photo-excited high-spin state as a ligand

Two π-radicals, 3-pyridinyl-phenylanthracene(iminonitroxide) (3) and 3-pyridinyl-phenylanthracene-(nitronylnitroxide) (4) were designed as candidates of the ligand for the metal complexes to clarify the exchange interactions between the paramagnetic centers of the metal ions and the photo-excited high-spin states of the purely organic π-radical. Compounds 3 and 4 were synthesized and their magnetic properties were examined, showing weak antiferromagnetic interactions, θ = −1.5 K for 3 and −0.7 K for 4. The photo-excited states of 3 and 4 were investigated by time-resolved ESR and clarified that both π-radicals have the quartet (S = 3/2) high-spin states as their lowest photo-excited states. Two metal complexes [Fe(III)(L)(4)] · (BPh₄) (Low spin) (LH₂ = N,N′-bis(1-hydroxy-2-benzyliden)-1,7-diamino-4-azaheptane) and [Cu(II)(hfac)₂(4)₂] using 4 were prepared. Their magnetic behaviors are well analyzed with the Bleaney–Bowers model with J/k_B = − 0.86 K and three S = 1/2 spin cluster model with J/k_B = −1.0 K, respectively, showing weak antiferromagnetic interactions between the paramagnetic centers of the metal ions and the π-radical in the ground state.     

Iridium aminyl radical complexes as catalysts for the catalytic dehydrogenation of primary hydroxyl functions in natural products

The cationic tetra-coordinated 16 electron complex [Ir(trop₂dach)]⁺OTf⁻ (1) where (OTf⁻ = CF₃SO₃⁻) and the neutral amine amido complex [Ir(trop₂dach-1H)] (2) were isolated and structurally characterized. The NH function in 1 is easily deprotonated (pK_a^DMSO = 10.5) to yield the amino amido complex [Ir(trop₂dach-1H)] (2), which is deprotonated at pK_a^DMSO = 19.6 to the anionic di(amido) iridate [Ir(trop₂dach-2H)]⁻ (3); [(R,R)-top₂dach stands for the tetrachelating diamino diolefin ligand (R,R)-N,N′-bis(5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-yl)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane; (R,R)-top₂dach-1H and (R,R)-top₂dach-2H indicate the mono and double deprotonated form]. Complex 3 is easily oxidized by 1,4-benzoquinone (BQ) to the neutral iridium aminyl radical complex [Ir(trop₂dach-2H)] (4). In combination with BQ as hydrogen acceptor and catalytic amounts of base, 4 serves as catalyst in the highly efficient dehydrogenation of functionalized primary alcohols to the corresponding aldehydes, RCH₂OH + BQ → RCHO + H₂BQ (H₂BQ = catechol). Alcohols like geraniol and retinol are rapidly converted to geranial and retinal, while the conversion of sterically hindered alcohols like lavandulol is slower and the primary product, lavandulal, isomerizes to isolavandulal in a classical base-catalyzed reaction.     

A theoretical analysis of the conformational space of tris(2-methylbenzimidazol-1-yl)methane

The conformation surface of tris(2-methylbenzimidazol-1-yl)methane has been explored locating four minima (uuu, uud, udd and ddd, each one corresponding to two enantiomers, the P and the M) and seven transition states. The known experimental barrier to racemization (119 kJ mol^?1) was calculated to be about 110 kJ mol^?1 (uuu or uud stereoisomers). GIAO calculations of absolute shieldings correlate very well with ¹H and ¹³C NMR chemical shifts. Finally, the specific rotation of the four minima was calculated allowing us to identify the absolute configuration of the first eluted enantiomer.     

Sterically hindered and completely arrested nitrogen inversion in pyrazolidines

Syntheses of trans-1,2-di-tert-butylpyrazolidine 1, d,l- and semi-meso-1,2-diisopropyl-3,5-dimethylpyrazolidines, 2a and 2b, respectively, have been developed. Activation parameters of the nitrogen inversion in 1 (ΔG^≠ = 123 kJ mol⁻¹ at 110 °C, ΔH^≠ = 114 kJ mol⁻¹, ΔS^≠ = −15 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹) have been determined. The steric veto of the nitrogen inversion in 2a has been confirmed. Chemical transformations of 1 have been studied, and the crystal structures of 2a·picrate and 2b·HCl determined.