Highly stereoselective synthesis of perhydropyrano[2,3-b]pyrans from the new 3-methylidenepentane-1,5-dianion synthon

4-Phenylsulfanyl-2-(2-phenylsulfanylethyl)but-1-ene (2) is a new 3-methylidenepentane-1,5-dianion synthon which on reaction with an excess of lithium powder and a catalytic amount of DTBB (2.5%) in the presence of a carbonyl compound in THF at 0 °C, leads, after hydrolysis, to the expected methylidenic diols 3. These diols when subjected to successive hydroboration-oxidation and final oxidation, undergo spontaneous cyclisation to furnish a series of cis-perhydropyrano[2,3-b]pyrans (4) in a highly diastereoselective manner (>99% de). Acid-catalysed isomerisation of the cis-perhydropyrano[2,3-b]pyrans (4) leads, also stereoselectively, to the corresponding trans-perhydropyrano[2,3-b]pyrans (5). A discussion about the stability of 4 and 5 is also included.     

Synthesis of maresin 1 and (7S)-isomer

Maresin 1 (with the 7R carbon) and (7S)-maresin 1 were synthesized stereoselectively. The conjugated triene system was constructed by Pd-catalyzed coupling of the trans cis-dienylborane (the C10–C22 part) with the trans vinyl iodide corresponding to the C1–C9 part. The stereogenic centers at C7 and C14 were created by Ru-catalyzed asymmetric reduction of ketone and asymmetric epoxidation/kinetic resolution of the racemic alcohol, respectively.     

Reactivity of chlorodeoxypseudoephedrines with oxo-, thio-, and selenocyanates

Herein, the reactivity of chlorodeoxypseudoephedrine hydrochlorides with oxo-, thio-, and selenocyanate nucleophiles is reported. 1,3-Heterazolidine-2-iminium or ammonium salts were obtained stereoselectively in most cases. The hard–soft nature of the calcogen atom determines the mechanistic pathway via an S_N2 (X = O), aziridine intermediate (X = Se), or both (X = S). A simple method to synthesize stereoselectively the trans-isomer of 3,4-dimethyl-5-phenyl-oxazolidine-2-iminium chloride and the cis-isomer of 4-methyl-5-phenyl-oxazoline-2-ammonium chloride, was also found. In addition, heterazolidine-2-imines or amines were liberated from the corresponding salts [Cl⁻ or XCN⁻ (X = O, S, Se)] with aqueous NaOH. Finally, cis-3,4-dimethyl-5-phenyl-oxazolidine-2-iminium chloride, cis-4-methyl-5-phenyl-oxazoline-2-amine, and trans-4-methyl-5-phenyl-selenazoline-2-amine compounds were studied by X-ray diffraction.     

Synthesis of fused or not β-lactam-biaryl hybrids by free radical aryl-aryl coupling of 2-azetidinone-tethered haloarenes

cis and trans-Aryl-2-azetidinone-tethered haloarenes can be stereoselectively prepared using the ketene-imine cyclization. These β-lactam-tethered haloarenes were used for the regiocontrolled preparation of β-lactam-biaryl hybrids including fused tetracyclic biaryl-2-azetidinones as well as C4-dearylated not fused biphenyl‐2-azetidinones via aryl-aryl radical cyclization and/or rearrangement. Alternatively, trans-dibenzocarbacephems could be stereoselectively prepared, both in racemic and enantiopure form, through the Staudinger reaction between phenanthridine and activated ketenes.     

Mechanochemical-induced cis-to-trans isomerization of poly(2-ethynyl-3-n-octylthiophene) prepared with a Rh complex catalyst

Highly stereoregular polymerization of 2-ethynyl-3-n-octylthiophene was successfully performed with a [Rh(norbornadiene)Cl]₂ catalyst to produce the corresponding polymers in fairly high yields by using triethylamine or a mixture of it with other solvents as the polymerization solvent. We found that the obtained polymer using CHCl₃ was a mixture of cis-transoid form, ca. 68% and trans-transoid form, ca. 32% unlike our previous conjecture. Further, we found that the cis-to-trans isomerization can be also induced when the pristine predominant cis polymer was subjected to mechanochemical grinding (MCG) treatment at 77 K using a mortar filled with liquid nitrogen to decrease the cis content from ca. 68% to ca. 7%. The polymers obtained before and after the MCG treatment were characterized in detail using ¹H NMR, laser Raman, solution UV-vis, diffuse reflective UV-vis, and ESR methods in order to determine the geometry of the main-chain CC bonds in the polymer. The data showed that the polymer obtained by the treatment has a fairly distorted trans conjugation length, i.e., bent trans structure in which less mobile unpaired electrons generated by the rotational scission of the original cis CC bonds are stabilized.     

Photochemical polar addition of trialkylboranes

cis-2-Alkylcyclohexanols are obtained stereoselectively upon irradiation of a mixture of cyclohexene and the corresponding trialkylborane in the presence of p-xylene as a sensitizer and upon the successive oxidation of the photolysate with alkaline H₂O₂. The similar reaction of 1-ethylcyclohexene yields 2,2-dialkylcyclohexanols. Cycloheptene also reacts with the boranes to afford cis-2-alkylcycloheptanols. These reactions are explained by assuming the highly strained trans-cyclohexene or -heptene to be the reactive species. Photochemically produced trans-cyclo-oct-2-enone and cis,trans-cyclo-octa-2,7-dienone react thermally with the bora e to give 3-alkylcyclo-octanone and cis-7-alkylcyclo-oct-2-enone, respectively. Photoreactions of acridine with the boranes result in reductive alkylation, affording 9-alkylacridans in fairly good yields.     

Solvent dependent photo-isomerization of 4-dimethylaminoazobenzene carboxylic acid

We have observed reversible trans–cis photo-isomerization behaviors of 4-dimethylaminoazobenzene carboxylic acid (4DAzC) in ethyl acetate by alternating irradiations at 370 and 430 nm. The photo-isomerization from trans- to cis-isomer was found to be strongly solvent dependent and not to occur efficiently in water and ethanol. Also photo-isomerization from cis- to trans-isomer was occurred upon 370 nm illumination or via thermal relaxation. The activation energy for the thermal isomerization from cis to trans-isomer was estimated to be 49.2 kJ/mol in ethyl acetate from the temperature-dependent kinetic absorption measurements.     

Heterobimetallic [Ru(II)/Fe(II)] complexes: On the formation of trans- and cis-[RuCl2(dppf)(diimines)]

The synthesis and characterization of trans/cis-[RuCl₂(dppf)(diimines)], dppf = 1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene; diimines = 2,2′-bipyridine (trans/cis-(1)), the new complexes with 4,4′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine (trans/cis-(2)) and 1,10-phenanthroline (cis-(3)) are presented. The complexes were synthesized using two routes and the trans/cis-isomer formation is dependent upon conditions and the precursor applied. The trans-isomer (kinetic) readily isomerizes to the cis-isomer (thermodynamic) when exposed to light (fluorescent) and this process was followed by cyclic voltammetry and UV-vis. The electrochemical studies on these complexes reveal that Fe^(III)/Fe^(II) couples are insensitive to the isomer (trans/cis) formed, but the Ru^(III)/Ru^(II) couples are dependent on the isomer. Transfer-hydrogenation reactions for reduction of acetophenone were conducted using complexes cis-(1) and cis-(2) and the results are compared with that obtained for similar complexes. X-ray structure for cis-(3) are presented and discussed.     

Aminobis(phenolate)s of imidomolybdenum(VI) and -tungsten(VI)

The reactions of trans-[MoO(ONO^Me)Cl₂] 1 (ONO^Me = methylamino-N,N-bis(2-methylene-4,6-dimethylphenolate) dianion) and trans-[MoO(ONO^tBu)Cl₂] 2 (ONO^tBu = methylamino-N,N-bis(2-methylene-4-methyl-6-tert-butylphenolate) dianion) with PhNCO afforded new imido molybdenum complexes trans-[Mo(NPh)(ONO^Me)Cl₂] 3 and trans-[Mo(NPh)(ONO^tBu)Cl₂] 4, respectively. As analogous oxotungsten starting materials did not show similar reactivity, corresponding imido tungsten complexes were prepared by the reaction between [W(NPh)Cl₄] with aminobis(phenol)s. These reactions yielded cis- and trans-isomers of dichloro complexes [W(NPh)(ONO^Me)Cl₂] 5 and [W(NPh)(ONO^tBu)Cl₂] 6, respectively. The molecular structures of 4, cis-6 and trans-6 were verified by X-ray crystallography. Organosubstituted imido tungsten(VI) complex cis-[W(NPh)(ONO^tBu)Me₂] 7 was prepared by the transmetallation reaction of 6 (either cis or trans isomer) with methyl magnesium iodide.     

Flash vacuum pyrolysis (fvp) of some hexahydroquinazolin-4(1H)-ones

Some cis/trans-2-thioquinazolin-4-ones and their 2,4-dione analogs were subjected to flash vacuum pyrolysis. The cis- and trans-thio compounds reacted at lower temperatures than the cis- and trans-dioxo analogs, showing a lower thermal stability. All of these compounds afforded similar reactions: ring opening to the corresponding iso(thio)cyanate, the loss of H and NCS to form three isomeric cyclohexadienes and then aromatization to form the corresponding benzamide. The cis-dioxo compound also underwent a competitive retro Diels-Alder (RDA) reaction to form 3-phenylpyrimidine-2,4(1H,3H-dione(3-phenyluracil)) and butadiene. Kinetic measurements of the ring opening reaction supported a concerted β-elimination as the most probable mechanism.     

Synthesis of asymmetric iron-pybox complexes and their application to aziridine forming reactions

The synthesis of a series of iron-pybox complexes and their employment in the catalytic asymmetric aziridine forming reaction is presented. When AgSbF₆ is used as an initiator, the i-pr- and t-bu-pybox complexes produce 47% of the cis-aziridine in moderate ee’s with the bulk of side products consisting of the trans-isomer and β-amino-α,β-unsaturated esters (AUE’s).     

Reactions of urocanic acid (UCA) methyl esters with singlet oxygen and 4-methyl-1,2,4-triazoline-3,5-dione (MTAD)

Singlet oxygen adds to the imidazole ring of cis- and trans-methyl urocanate (MUC) to yield the corresponding 2,5-endoperoxides, which are modestly stable at low temperature but decompose upon warming to form complex reaction mixtures. MTAD, a singlet oxygen mimic, reacts with cis- and trans-MUC to yield stereospecific [4+2] reaction products involving the olefinic side chain and the C₄-C₅ double bond of the imidazole ring. trans-MUC forms a 1:2 MTAD adduct while the cis isomer yields only the 1:1 adduct at 25 °C. The stereospecificity and absence of MeOH trapping adducts indicate that these reactions may not involve open or trappable dipolar intermediates.     

Enantioselective catalytic cyclopropanation of styrenes by copper complexes with chiral pinene-[5,6]-bipyridine ligands

Substituted mono- and bis-pinene-[5,6]-bipyridines are useful ligands in asymmetric copper-catalyzed cyclopropanation by styrenes. Copper complexes were prepared either in situ or prior to the reaction. The catalytic reaction of styrene with ethyl diazoacetate and Cu–11b yields ethyl trans-phenylcyclopropane carboxylate in >99% yield and 87% e.e. at 0°C. The corresponding cis-configured cyclopropane was produced with an e.e. of 90%. The cis/trans ratio is 22:78. Other ligands of this series are less effective. Various olefins were tested as substrates but exo-methylene olefins show the best results.     

Stereoselective Synthesis of cis,cis‐Configured Perhydroquinoxaline‐5‐Carbonitrile from Cyclohex‐2‐en‐1‐ol

cis,cis‐Configured perhydroquinoxaline‐5‐carbonitrile 10 was synthesized stereoselectively by ditosylation of trans,cis‐2,3‐dihydroxycyclohexane‐1‐carbonitrile 4 and subsequent reaction with ethylenediamine. The diol precursor 4 was stereoselectively obtained by regioselective opening of the epoxide 3 with KCN in water avoiding hazardous Et₂AlCN.     

1,3-Heterazolidines-2-heterounsaturated compounds derived from ephedrines

Herein, a direct and easy method for preparing 2-oxo-, 2-thione- or 2-imine-1,3-heterazolidines derived from ephedrines and norephedrines are reported. The method is based on solvent free heating of ephedrines with oxocyanate or thiocyanate salts (180–200 °C). In the reactions with potassium oxocyanate in refluxing ethanol, it was possible to isolate ureidic derivatives. The structure and stereochemistry of the compounds were determined by ¹H, ¹³C NMR, IR spectroscopies and mass spectrometry. Ureidic derivatives, cis-1,5-dimethyl-4-phenyl-imidazolidine-2-thione and trans-4-methyl-5-phenyl-thiazolidine-2-one are new compounds. Ephedrineurea, cis-1,5-dimethyl-4-phenyl-imidazolidine-2-thione and trans-4-methyl-5-phenyl-thiazolidine-2-one were also studied by X-ray diffraction.     

Cyclic oligomers in the cationic polymerization of cis- and trans-2,3-dimethylthiirane

Under the influence of triethyloxonium tetrafluoroborate in methylene chloride, cis- and trans-2,3-dimethylthiirane are transformed to their corresponding polymers almost instantaneously (at temperatures between 0 and 20 °) but within a few hours these polymers completely degrade to form a mixture of low molecular weight substances. The cis-monomer leads to a mixture of cyclic tetramer, cis-butene and two geometric isomers of 3,4,6,7-tetramethyl-1,2,5-trithiepane. By ¹H-NMR it was shown that these two isomers are the trans-cis-trans and the trans-trans-trans forms. The trans-monomer leads to a mixture of trans-butene and 3,4,6,7-tetramethyl-1,2,5-trithiepane which is present as a mixture of the cis-cis-cis and the cis-trans-cis isomers. In both cases, the butene and the trithiepanes were formed in equimolar quantities. The formation of these oligomers is explained by assuming that polymerization occurs via an SN2 propagation reaction between the three-membered cyclic sulphonium ion (the active species) and monomer, followed by a degradation reaction occurring via a back-biting mechanism.     

Synthesis and evaluation of new fluorescent derivatization reagents for resolution of chiral amines by RP-HPLC

New fluorescent chiral derivatization reagents (i.e., DBD-trans-4-hydroxy-l-proline, DBD-cis-4-hydroxy-l-proline, DBD-cis-4-hydroxy-d-proline, and DBD-trans-3-hydroxy-l-proline) were synthesized from the reaction of 4-(N,N-dimethylaminosulfonyl)-7-fluoro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole with corresponding hydroxy-prolines. These reagents reacted with chiral amine to produce a couple of diastereomers. The labeling efficiently proceeded in the presence of 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide and pyridine as the activation reagents. The reaction conditions are mild and no racemization occurred during both the reagent synthesis and the diastereomer formation (<0.4%). The resulting diastereomers fluoresce at around 560 nm (excitation at around 450 nm). Good linearity of the calibration curves was obtained in the range of 1-75 pmol and the detection limits on chromatogram were less than 1 pmol. The separability of the diastereomers was evaluated in terms of separation factor (α) and resolution value (Rs). DBD-trans-4-hydroxy-l-proline was efficient for the resolution of dl-phenylalanine methylester; while DBD-cis-4-hydroxy-d(or l)-proline was excellent for the separation of 1-(1-naphtyl)ethylamines, as comparing with trans-4-hydroxy isomer. The reagents of cis-isomer seemed to be predominant for the resolution of hydrophobic enantiomers. On the other hand, trans-isomers were suitable for the separation of the racemic amines containing ester in the structure. With respect to the position of OH group, the effect seems to be less, judging from the results of DBD-trans-4-hydroxy-l-proline and DBD-trans-3-hydroxy-l-proline toward phenylalanine methylester. The results suggest that the separation is dependent upon both structures of the amines and the reagent used. Thus, the stereostructure, hydrophobicity and hydrogen bonding of the diastereomer, etc. seem to be affecting the separation.     

A comparison of solid-phase microextraction and stir bar sorptive extraction coupled to liquid chromatography for the rapid analysis of resveratrol isomers in wines, musts and fruit juices

A comparison of direct immersion solid-phase microextraction (DI-SPME) and stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) coupled to liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorimetric detection for the rapid analysis of resveratrol isomers is described. For DI-SPME, a polar Carbowax-template resin (CW/TPR) 50 μm fiber was the most efficient and optimum extraction conditions were 40 °C and an extraction time of 30 min, stirring in the presence of 5% (m/v) sodium chloride and 0.07 M acetate/acetic acid buffer (pH 6). Desorption was carried out using the static mode for 10 min. Linearity was obtained in the 5-150 and 2-150 ng mL⁻¹ ranges for trans- and cis-resveratrol, with detection limits of 2 and 0.5 ng mL⁻¹, respectively. When using SBSE, a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) twister provided best extraction by means of a derivatization reaction in the presence of acetic anhydride and potassium carbonate. The same time and temperature were used for the extraction step in the presence of 2.5% (m/v) sodium chloride, and liquid desorption was performed with 150 μL of a 50/50 (v/v) acetonitrile/1% (v/v) acetic acid solution in a desorption time of 15 min. Linearity was now between 0.5 and 50 ng mL⁻¹ for trans-resveratrol with a detection limit of 0.1 ng mL⁻¹, while cis-resveratrol could not be extracted. The proposed methods were successfully applied to determining the resveratrol isomer content of wine, must and fruit juices.     

Synthesis of 1,5-disubstituted (E)-pent-2-en-4-yn-1-ones

The condensation of 3-arylpropynals with aryl methyl ketones in the presence of sodium hydroxide in 50% aqueous ethanol at 0°C (Claisen-Schmidt reaction) afforded up to 89% of the corresponding (E)-1,5-diarylpent-2-en-4-yn-1-ones. The E configuration of the double C=C bond and cis conformation of the enone fragment in the products in crystal and CDCl₃ solution were determined by X-ray analysis and ¹H NMR spectroscopy.     

Nucleophilic Substitution at Tetracoordinate Phosphorus. Stereochemical Course and Mechanisms of Nucleophilic Displacement Reactions at Phosphorus in Diastereomeric cis- and trans-2-Halogeno-4-methyl-1,3,2-dioxaphosphorinan-2-thiones: Experimental and DFT Studies

Geometrical cis- and trans- isomers of 2-chloro-, 2-bromo- and 2-fluoro-4-methyl-1,3,2-dioxaphosphorinan-2-thiones were obtained in a diastereoselective way by (a) sulfurization of corresponding cyclic P^III-halogenides, (b) reaction of cyclic phosphorothioic acids with phosphorus pentachloride and (c) halogen–halogen exchange at P^IV-halogenide. Their conformation and configuration at the C₄-ring carbon and phosphorus stereocentres were studied by NMR (¹H, ³¹P) methods, X-ray analysis and density functional (DFT) calculations. The stereochemistry of displacement reactions (alkaline hydrolysis, methanolysis, aminolysis) at phosphorus and its mechanism were shown to depend on the nature of halogen. Cyclic cis- and trans-isomers of chlorides and bromides react with nucleophiles (HO⁻, CH₃O⁻, Me₂NH) with inversion of configuration at phosphorus. DFT calculations provided evidence that alkaline hydrolysis of cyclic thiophosphoryl chlorides proceeds according to the S_N2-P mechanism with a single transition state according to the potential energy surface (PES) observed. The alkaline hydrolysis reaction of cis- and trans-fluorides afforded the same mixture of the corresponding cyclic thiophosphoric acids with the thermodynamically more stable major product. Similar DFT calculations revealed that substitution at phosphorus in fluorides proceeds stepwise according to the A–E mechanism with formation of a pentacoordinate intermediate since a PES with two transition states was observed.