Photocationic and radical polymerizations of epoxides and acrylates by novel sulfonium salts

Novel sulfonium salts [methyl‐, 2‐indany‐, or 1‐ethoxycarbonylethyl methyl‐2‐naphthylsulfonium hexafluorophosphate and 2‐indany‐, 1‐ethoxycarbonylethyl‐, 2‐methyl‐2‐phenylpropyl‐, 2‐phenylpropyl‐, 2‐phenylethyl‐, 2‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)‐ethyl‐, or 3‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)‐2‐propyl methylphenylsulfonium hexafluorophosphates] were synthesized by the reaction of dimethylsulfate and the corresponding sulfides followed by anion exchange with KPF₆. These sulfonium salts could polymerize epoxy monomers at lower temperatures than previously reported for benzylsulfonium salt initiators. In particular, sulfonium salts with naphthyl groups showed higher photoactivity than already reported for di(4‐tert‐butylphenyl)iodonium and triphenylsulfonium hexafluorophosphates. These sulfonium salts showed higher activity in photoradical polymerization and photocationic polymerization. The photopolymerization was accelerated by the addition of 4‐methoxy‐1‐naphthol, N‐ethylcarbazole, 2,4‐dimethylthioxanthone, phenothiazine, and 2‐ethyl‐9,10‐dimethoxyanthracene as photosensitizers. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 3816–3827, 2003     

Facile Syntheses of N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Precursors through I2‐ or NIS‐Promoted Amidiniumation of N‐Alkenyl Formamidines

We have developed I₂‐ or N‐iodosuccinimide (NIS)‐mediated amidiniumation of N‐alkenyl formamidines for the syntheses of cyclic formamidinium salts, some of which could be directly used as N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) precursors. Treatment of iodine‐containing formamidinium salts with Al₂O₃ led to the formation of cyclic formamidinium salts with an unsaturated backbone. A rhodium(I) complex ligated by a representative NHC was prepared by the reaction of [Rh(cod)Cl]₂ (cod=1,5‐cyclooctadiene) with the free carbene obtained in situ from deprotonation of the corresponding formamidinium salts. The NHCs prepared in situ can also react with S₈ to afford the corresponding thiones.     

Solution‐Mediated Transformation of a 1D [Zn(Im)(HIm)2(OAc)] Precursor to Several Different 3D Zn(Im)2 Frameworks

1D compound [Zn(Im)(HIm )₂(OAc )] was used as a single precursor of metal and imidazole to prepare several 3‐dimensional (3D ) Zn(Im)₂ frameworks by solution‐mediated transformation. Specifically, three known topologies, zni, coi and crb (BCT ) were obtained using a solution‐mediated transformation with CH₃OH , DMF and DMA as solvent, respectively. Structural studies by ¹³C MAS NMR spectroscopy and TG imply that in the transformation process from 1D compound to coi‐[Zn(Im)₂]•(DMF )_x and crb‐[Zn(Im)₂]•(DMA )_x (ZIF ‐1), DMF and DMA solvent molecules acted as structure‐directing agent and, therefore, were occluded inside the framework, respectively. In contrast, in the formation of zni‐[Zn(Im)₂], no solvent molecules were present in the frameworks; therefore the transformation from 1D compound to zni was induced by temperature. Thus, solution‐mediated transformation of a single precursor (1D compound) approach was established for the synthesis of ZIFs .     

One‐Pot Stereoselective Synthesis of 2‐Acylaziridines and 2‐Acylpyrrolidines from N‐(Propargylic)hydroxylamines

The stereoselective direct transformation of N‐(propargylic)hydroxylamines into cis‐2‐acylaziridines was achieved by the combined use of AgBF₄ and CuCl. Copper salts were found to promote the transformation of the intermediary 4‐isoxazolines into 2‐acylaziridines and both 3‐aryl‐ and 3‐alkyl‐substituted 2‐acylaziridines could be prepared by using this method. Furthermore, subsequent 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides that were generated in situ from the intermediary 2‐acylaziridines with maleimides was achieved in a stereoselective one‐pot procedure to afford the corresponding 2‐acylpyrrolidines, which consisted of an octahydropyrrolo[3,4‐c]pyrrole skeleton.     

Ring transformations of heterocyclic compounds. XIX. Spiro[dihydropyridine‐indolines] novel heterocycles with two spiro‐condensed N‐containing subunits easy accessible by 1,3‐oxazinium ring transformation

The synthesis of hitherto unknown 1‐benzoyl‐1′,3′,3′‐trimethyl‐4,6‐diphenylspiro[1,2‐dihydropyridine‐2,2′‐indolines] 5 from 2,4,6‐triphenyl‐1,3‐oxazinium tetrafluoroborate ( 1b ) and 1,3,3‐trimethyl‐2‐methyleneindolines 2 (used as such or generated in situ from the corresponding 3H‐indolium salts 4 ) in the presence of triethylamine in anhydrous acetonitrile by a 3,6‐[C₃N+C₂] 1,3‐oxazinium ring transformation is reported. Structure elucidation is performed by an X‐ray structure determination of the spiro[dihydropyridine‐indoline] 5a . Spectroscopic data of the transformation products and their mode of formation are discussed.     

Ring transformations of heterocyclic compounds. XXI. Diastereoselective built‐up of an aroylcyclohexadiene moiety as second spiro‐connected ring at spiroindolines by pyrylium ring transformation

2,4,6‐Triarylpyrylium perchlorates 1 react with methyleneindolines 3 in situ generated from the corresponding methylindolium salts 2 , which are spiro‐fused with a cycloalkane, benzanellated cycloalkene or a heterocyclic system. These diastereoselective 2,5‐[C₄+C₂] pyrylium ring transformations are carried out in the presence of triethylamine/acetic acid in boiling ethanol to give the dispiroindolines 4 with a trans configuration of the more bulky substituents at the cyclohexadiene ring. By the same type of transformation the dispiro compounds 7/10 with an additional fused benzene ring are obtained from the pyrylium salt 1a and 6/9 , the benzo‐fused analogues of 3 . Spectroscopic data of the transformation products as well as their mode of formation are discussed.     

Investigation of the Effect of Various Substituents on the Density of Tetrazolium Nitrate Salts as Green Energetic Materials

The substitution effect of various functional groups such as –NO₂, –CN, –N₃, –NF₂, and –NH₂ on the density of tetrazolium nitrate salts is investigated through multiple linear regression method. The methodology of this work introduces a new model, which related density of tetrazolium nitrate salts to the number of fluorine and nitrogen atoms, the presence of NF₂ groups, NO₂ groups, as well as CH₃ groups in the structural formula. The new reliable correlation shows that the NF₂ and NO₂ group can cause increasing the density of tetrazolium nitrate salts, especially NO₂, whereas the CH₃ group can decrease their density. The new proposed relationship has good reliability and predictability, so it can be used to design new rich nitrogen compounds based on tetrazolium nitrate salts as green energetic materials. These results are also tested for N,N′‐azo‐1,2,4‐triazolium nitrate salts, which is caused to derive another correlation. This correlation shows that the presence of NF₂ functional groups increases the density of N,N′‐azo‐1,2,4‐triazolium nitrate salts as well as the value of n_O/n_C.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Catellani ortho‐Acylation Reaction: An Efficient and Regiospecific Synthesis of Diaryl Ketones

A palladium‐catalyzed, norbornene‐mediated Catellani ortho‐acylation reaction was developed by the use of either acyl chlorides or acid anhydrides as acylation reagents. The addition of more than a stoichiometric amount of H₂O is crucial for this transformation when acid chlorides are used, and kinetic studies indicate that the active acylation reagent is possibly an acid anhydride.     

Visible‐Light‐Induced ortho‐Selective Migration on Pyridyl Ring: Trifluoromethylative Pyridylation of Unactivated Alkenes

The photocatalyzed ortho‐selective migration on a pyridyl ring has been achieved for the site‐selective trifluoromethylative pyridylation of unactivated alkenes. The overall process is initiated by the selective addition of a CF₃ radical to the alkene to provide a nucleophilic alkyl radical intermediate, which enables an intramolecular endo addition exclusively to the ortho‐position of the pyridinium salt. Both secondary and tertiary alkyl radicals are well‐suited for addition to the C2‐position of pyridinium salts to ultimately provide synthetically valuable C2‐fluoroalkyl functionalized pyridines. Moreover, the method was successfully applied to the reaction with P‐centered radicals. The utility of this transformation was further demonstrated by the late‐stage functionalization of complex bioactive molecules.     

Pentanuclear Gold(I) Cluster with an Axially Chiral Biaryl Center: Synthesis and Chiral Transformation

We synthesized and structurally characterized a novel pentanuclear gold(I) cluster by a Ag(I)‐mediated organometallic transformation. The racemic mixture of this pentanuclear gold cluster has been successfully transformed into an enantio‐rich hexanuclear cluster compound by adding adscititious chiral species [Au₂(S‐BINAP)₂]²⁺ (S‐BINAP = (S)‐2,2’‐bis(diphenylphosphino)‐1,1’‐binaphthyl). In this process, a [AuPPh₃]⁺ species in the pentanuclear cluster is replaced by [Au₂(S‐BINAP)₂]²⁺. This strategy represents a new method for the designed construction of chiral metal clusters.     

Novel pyridinium salts as cationic thermal and photoinitiators and their photosensitization properties

Novel pyridinium salts [N‐(α‐phenylbenzyl)‐, N‐(1‐naphthylmethyl)‐, or N‐cinnamyl p‐ or o‐cyanopyridinium hexafluoroantimonates] were synthesized by the reaction of p‐ or o‐cyanopyridine and the corresponding bromides followed by anion exchange with KSbF₆. These pyridinium salts polymerized epoxy monomers at lower temperatures than previously reported for N‐benzyl‐2‐cyanopyridinium hexafluoroantimonate. The o‐substituted pyridinium salts showed higher activity than the p‐substituted ones, and the crosslinked epoxy polymers cured with these initiators showed higher glass‐transition temperatures. These pyridinium salts photoinitiated radical polymerization as well as cationic polymerization. The photopolymerization was accelerated by the addition of aromatic ketones as photosensitizers. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 1037–1046, 2002     

Modified One‐Pot Protocol for the Preparation of Thioglycosides from Unprotected Aldoses via S‐Glycosyl Isothiouronium Salts*

An efficient one‐pot protocol for the direct preparation of thioglycosides starting from unprotected reducing sugars via S‐glycosyl isothiouronium salts is reported. In this one‐pot methodology, BF₃ · OEt₂ has been used as a general catalyst for both per‐O‐acetylation of sugars and conversion of sugar per‐O‐acetates into S‐glycosyl isothiouronium salts, which was allowed to react with alkylating agents in the presence of a base to furnish thioglycosides in excellent yield.     

Effect of lipophilicity of wingtip groups on the anticancer potential of mono N‐heterocyclic carbene silver(I) complexes: Synthesis,crystal structures and in vitro anticancer study

A series of symmetrically n ‐alkyl‐substituted mono benzimidazolium salts with steady increase in n ‐alkyl chain length have been prepared by stepwise N ‐alkylation resulting in salts ( 1 – 8 ). The mono N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC)–Ag(I) complexes ( 9 – 16 ) derived from the respective salts were readily accessible by in situ deprotonation using Ag₂O. All the salts and the complexes were characterized using Fourier transform infrared, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and elemental analyses. Furthermore, the structures of salts 3 and 7 and complex 16 were elucidated using X‐ray crystallography, which established that this mono NHC–Ag(I) complex has a linear bis‐carbene arrangement (C₂–Ag). The proligands and the respective Ag(I) complexes were studied for their in vitro anticancer potential against human colon cancer cell line (HCT‐116) using 5‐fluorouracil as a standard. From the IC₅₀ values of all the tested compounds, it can be postulated that there is an influential relationship between the increase in chain length of the wingtip n ‐alkyl groups and the anticancer potential. The proligands 4 – 8 and their respective complexes 12 – 16 with long n ‐alkyl chain lengths (n  = 6–10) showed better IC₅₀ values (0.3–3.9 μM) than the standard drug with the complexes displaying markedly better antiproliferation activity against HCT‐116 cell line than the respective proligands and the standard drug (IC₅₀ = 10.2 μM).     

Novel N‐methylbenzothiazolium salts as hardeners for epoxy and acrylate monomers

Novel N‐methylbenzothiazolium salts [N‐methyl‐2‐benzylthiobenzothiazolium, N‐methyl‐2‐(4‐nitrobenzylthio)benzothiazolium, N‐methyl‐2‐(1‐ethoxycarbonylethylthio)benzothiazolium, and N‐methyl‐2‐methylthiobenzothiazolium hexafluoroantimonates] were synthesized by the reaction of the corresponding 2‐substituted benzothiazole with dimethylsulfate, followed by anion exchange with KSbF₆. These benzothiazolium salts cationically polymerized an epoxy monomer by photoirradiation. They also polymerized an acrylate monomer via a photoradical process. The use of aromatic compounds such as 2‐ethyl‐9,10‐dimethoxyanthracene as photosensitizers was effective in enhancing the polymerization. These benzothiazolium salts also served as thermal cationic initiators. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 3828–3837, 2003     

Diversity‐Oriented Synthesis of Substituted Benzo[b]thiophenes and Their Hetero‐Fused Analogues through Palladium‐Catalyzed Oxidative CH Functionalization/Intramolecular Arylthiolation

An efficient, high yielding route to multisubstituted benzo[b]thiophenes has been developed through palladium‐catalyzed intramolecular oxidative C?H functionalization–arylthiolation of enethiolate salts of α‐aryl‐β‐(het)aryl/alkyl‐β‐mercaptoacrylonitriles/acrylates or acrylophenones. The overall strategy involves a one‐pot, two‐step process in which enethiolate salts [generated in situ through base‐mediated condensation of substituted arylacetonitriles, deoxybenzoins, or arylacetates with (het)aryl (or alkyl) dithioates] are subjected to intramolecular C?H functionalization–arylthiolation under the influence of a palladium acetate (or palladium chloride)/cupric acetate catalytic system and tetrabutylammonium bromide as additive in N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF) as solvent. In a few cases, the yields of benzo[b]thiophenes were better in a two‐step process by employing the corresponding enethiols as substrates. In a few examples, Pd(OAc)₂ (or PdCl₂) catalyst in the presence of oxygen was found to be more efficient than cupric acetate as reoxidant, furnishing benzothiophenes in improved yields by avoiding formation of side products. The method is compatible with a diverse range of substituents on the aryl ring as well as on the 2‐ and 3‐positions of the benzothiophene scaffold. The protocol could also be extended to the synthesis of a raloxifene precursor and a tubulin polymerization inhibitor in good yields. The versatility of this newly developed method was further demonstrated by elaborating it for the synthesis of substituted thieno‐fused heterocycles such as thieno[2,3‐b]thiophenes, thieno[2,3‐b]indoles, thieno[3,2‐c]pyrazole, and thieno[2,3‐b]pyridines in high yields. A probable mechanism involving intramolecular electrophilic arylthiolation via either a Pd‐S adduct or palladacycle intermediate has been proposed on the basis of experimental studies.     

Ring transformations of heterocyclic compounds. XV. N-(2-hydroxyphenyl) substituted 2-alkylamino-4,6-diarylbenzophenones by ring transformation of 2,4,6-triarylpyrylium salts with anhydrobases of benzoxazolium salts

The synthesis of hitherto unknown N-(2-hydroxyphenyl) substituted 2-alkylamino-4,6-diarylbenzophenones 3 from 2,4,6-triarylpyrylium salts 1 and 3-alkyl-2-methylbenzoxazolium salts 2 in the presence of triethylamine in ethanol by a 2,5-[C₄+C₂] pyrylium ring transformation is reported. Structure elucidation is performed by an X-ray crystal structure determination of the benzophenone 3a. Spectroscopic data of the transformation products and their mode of formation via anhydrobases of the salts 2 are discussed.     

High‐throughput experimentation in atom transfer radical polymerization: A general approach toward a directed design and understanding of optimal catalytic systems

High‐throughput experimentation (HTE) was successfully applied in atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of methyl methacrylate (MMA) for the rapid screening and optimization of different reaction conditions. A library of 108 different reactions was designed for this purpose, which used four different initiators [ethyl 2‐bromoisobutyrate, methyl 2‐bromopropionate, (1‐bromoethyl)benzene, and p‐toluenesulfonyl chloride], five metal salts (CuBr, CuCl, CuSCN, FeBr₂, and FeCl₂), and nine ligands (2,2′‐bipyridine and its derivatives). The optimal reaction conditions for Cu(I) halide, CuSCN, and Fe(II) halide‐mediated ATRP systems with 2,2′‐bipyridine and its 4,4′‐dialkyl‐substituted derivatives as ligands were determined. Cu(I)‐mediated systems were better controlled than Fe(II)‐mediated ones under the examined conditions. A bipyridine‐type ligand with a critical length of the substituted alkyl group (i.e., 4,4′‐dihexyl 2,2′‐bipyridine) exhibited the best performance in Cu(I)‐mediated systems, and p‐toluenesulfonyl chloride and ethyl 2‐bromoisobutyrate could effectively initiate Cu(I)‐mediated ATRP of MMA, resulting in polymers with low polydispersities in most cases. Besides, Cu(I) halide‐mediated ATRP with 4,5′‐dimethyl 2,2′‐bipyridine as the ligand and p‐toluenesulfonyl chloride as the initiator proved to be better controlled than those with 4,4′‐dimethyl 2,2′‐bipyridine as the ligand, and polymers with much lower polydispersities were obtained in the former cases. This successful HTE example opens up a way to significantly accelerate the development of new catalytic systems for ATRP and to improve the understanding of structure–property relationships of the reaction systems. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 1876–1885, 2004     

Sterically Hindered N‐Heterocyclic Salts Utilized as Antimicrobial Agents

By the adoption of annulated ring systems for their steric bulkiness, a new series of symmetric N ‐heterocyclic imidazolium and perimidium salts were synthesized. Also, corresponding asymmetric ferrocenyl N ‐functionalized series were prepared as salts. All the reported salts were fully characterized. The reported X‐ray structure of 4,5‐diphenyl‐1,3‐dimethyl‐1H ‐imidazol‐3‐ium iodide ( 2a ) shows that it crystallized in the orthorhombic space group P 2₁2₁2₁. Low to moderate antimicrobial activities were observed with both sets of salts against important clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus , Bacillus subtilis , and Enterococcus faecalis and Escherichia coli , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , and Salmonella enterica . The results were benchmarked against meropenem. Both 1,3‐propyl‐1H ‐phenanthro[9,10‐d ]imidazol‐3‐ium iodide ( 3b ) and 1‐ferrocenyl‐3‐propyl‐1H ‐perimidin‐3‐ium iodide ( 9b ) showed high antimicrobial activities against all tested Gram‐positive bacterial strains, with minimum inhibitory concentration values ranging from 8 to 4 μg/mL (meropenem = 0.5–0.125 μg/mL), while all the salts showed little or no activity against Gram‐negative bacterial strains. In general, the asymmetric ferrocenyl‐containing salts exhibited higher activities than the symmetric ones.     

Investigation of the Hydrolysis Stability of Triazine Tricarboxylate in the Presence of Transition Metal(II) Ions and Synthesis and Crystal Structure of the Alkaline Earth Triazine Tricarboxylates M3[C3N3(CO2)3]2·12H2O (M = Sr,Ba)

The stability against hydrolysis of triazine tricarboxylate (TTC) in the presence of divalent transition metal and alkaline earth ions was investigated by means of X‐ray diffraction and FTIR spectroscopy. Depending on the size of the cation either formation of the respective triazine tricarboxylate salts or hydrolysis of TTC yielding oxalate was observed. The hydrolysis of TTC induced by transition metal ions could be explained in analogy to the hydrolysis of triazine tris(2‐pyrimidyl) as a result of ring tension caused by the coordination of these ions. By the reaction of potassium triazine tricarboxylate with alkaline earth salts in aqueous solution the alkaline earth triazine tricarboxylates M₃[C₃N₃(CO₂)₃]₂ · 12H₂O (M = Sr, Ba) were obtained and analyzed by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The isotypic salts represent the first examples of alkaline earth triazine tricarboxylates and the first TTC salts comprising solely divalent cations.     

Preparation,Crystal Structure,and Thermal Analysis of Two Energetic Salts Based on Nitro Phenolic Compounds with Diamino‐glyoxine

As a key research objective for environmentally friendly energetic materials, energetic salts without heavy metal have received wide attention. The energetic salts DAG · PA · H₂O ( 1 ) and DAG · TNR · H₂O ( 2 ) were synthesized by using diamino‐glyoxine (DAG) and picric acid (PA) or 2, 4,6‐trinitro‐resorcinol (TNR) as raw materials, and their structures were characterized by elemental analysis, FT‐IR, ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. Single crystals of the title salts were cultured and their structures were determined by X‐ray single‐crystal diffraction. Both salts belong to the triclinic space group P1 with density values of 1.764 and 1.751 g · cm^–3, respectively. The thermal decomposition behaviors of both salts were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), the non‐isothermal kinetic parameters and the critical temperature of thermal explosion were calculated. The heats of formation for the salts were also determined through the combustion heats date measured by using the oxygen bomb calorimetry. In addition, the detonation pressure (P) and detonation velocities (D) of the salts were predicted by using the K‐J equations, and their sensitivities towards impact and friction were tested. The results indicated that the title salts have potential applications in the field of energetic materials.