Palmitoleate (=(9Z)‐Hexadeca‐9‐enoate) Esters of Oleanane Triterpenoids from the Golden Flowers of Tagetes erecta: Isolation and Autoxidation Products

Six oleanane‐type triterpenoid esters were isolated from the golden flowers of Tagetes erecta. Spectral studies characterized their structures as 3‐O‐[(9Z)‐hexadec‐9‐enoyl]erythrodiol ( 1 ), 11α,12α:13β,28‐diepoxyoleanan‐3β‐yl (9Z)‐hexadec‐9‐enoate ( 2 ), 13β,28‐epoxyolean‐11‐en‐3β‐yl (9Z)‐hexadec‐9‐enoate ( 3 ), 28‐hydroxy‐11‐oxoolean‐12‐en‐3β‐yl (9Z)‐hexadec‐9‐enoate ( 4 ), 3‐O‐[(9Z‐hexadec‐9‐enoyl]‐β‐amyrin ( 5 ), and 11‐oxoolean‐12‐en‐3β‐yl (9Z)‐hexadec‐9‐enoate ( 6 ). Compounds 1 – 4 and 6 are new natural products, while the known 5 was isolated for the first time from the genus Tagetes, from which only one triterpenoid has earlier been obtained. Aerial oxidation (autoxidation) converted amyrin 1 into 2 – 4 and transformed amyrin 5 into 6 . The configuration of 1 – 6 and an autoxidation mechanism (Scheme) involving the formation of the intermediate 11α‐hydroxyolean‐12‐ene derivatives 1b and 5b on thermal decomposition of the labile 11α‐OOH derivatives 1a and 5a , respectively, under neutral conditions are discussed. For the first time, the reactivity of the allylic H? C(11) bond of triterpenoids of type 1 and 5 toward aerial oxidation was observed. The long‐chain ester group at C(3) of 1 and 5 may be responsible for their labile nature, as β‐amyrin ( 7 ), erythrodiol ( 8 ), and ursolic acid were found to be inert toward autoxidation.     

Quinolone Analogs 13: Synthesis of Novel 1,1′‐(2‐Methylenepropane‐1,3‐diyl)di(4‐quinolone‐3‐carboxylate) and Related Compounds

The reaction of the 4‐hydroxyquinoline‐3‐carboxylate 6 with pentaerythritol tribromide gave the 1,1′‐(2‐methylenepropane‐1,3‐diyl)di(4‐quinolone‐3‐carboxylate) 11 , whose reaction with bromine afforded the 1,1′‐(2‐bromo‐2‐bromomethylpropane‐1,3‐diyl)di(4‐quinolone‐3‐carboxylate) 12 . Compound 12 was transformed into the (Z)‐1,1′‐(2‐acetoxymethylpropene‐1,3‐diyl)di(4‐quinolone‐3‐carboxylate) 13 or (E)‐1,1′‐[2‐(imidazol‐1‐ylmethyl)propene‐1,3‐diyl]di(4‐quinolone‐3‐carboxylate) 14 . Hydrolysis of the dimer (Z)‐ 13 or (E)‐ 14 with potassium hydroxide provided the (E)‐1,1′‐(2‐hydroxymethylpropene‐1,3‐diyl)di(4‐quinolone‐3‐carboxylic acid) 15 or (Z)‐1,1′‐[2‐(imidazol‐1‐ylmethyl)propene‐1,3‐diyl]di(4‐quinolone‐3‐carboxylic acid) 16 , respectively. The nuclear Overhauser effect (NOE) spectral data supported that those hydrolysis resulted in the geometrical conversion of (Z)‐ 13 into (E)‐ 15 or (E)‐ 14 into (Z)‐ 16 .     

Diarylheptanoids from the Rhizomes of Alpinia officinarum

A novel dimeric diarylheptanoid, (5R,5′R)‐7,7′‐(6,6′‐dihydroxy‐5,5′‐dimethoxy[1,1′‐biphenyl]‐3,3′‐diyl)bis[5‐methoxy‐1‐phenylheptan‐3‐one] ( 1 ), and two new diarylheptanoids, (4E,6R)‐6‐hydroxy‐7‐(4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxyphenyl)‐1‐phenylhept‐4‐en‐3‐one ( 2 ) and (4E,6R)‐6‐hydroxy‐1,7‐diphenylhept‐4‐en‐3‐one ( 3 ), together with seven known diarylheptanoids, were isolated from the rhizomes of Alpinia officinarum. Their structures were elucidated by application of extensive spectroscopic analyses and the modified Mosher method.     

Diepoxy[18]annulene(10.0) : (Z,E,Z,E,Z)‐Diepoxy[18]annulen(10.0) – ein hochdynamisches Annulen

Diepoxy[18]annulenes(10.0): ( Z , E , Z , E , Z )‐Diepoxy[18]annulene(10.0) – a Highly Dynamic Annulene The McMurry reaction of (all‐E)‐5,5′‐([2,2′‐bifuran]‐5,5′‐diyl)bis[penta‐2,4‐dienal] ( 13 ) only occurs intramolecularly to give a mixture of the diepoxy[18]annulenes(10.0) 6 and 7 . Tetraepoxy[36]annulene(10.0.10.0) resulting from an intermolecular McMurry reaction is not formed. According to spectroscopic data, 6 is (Z,E,Z,E,Z)‐ and 7 (Z,E,E,Z,E)‐configured. The ¹H‐NMR data confirm that in 6 the (E)‐ethene‐1,2‐diyl bonds (C(11)=C(12) and C(15)=C(16)) rotate around the adjacent σ‐bonds. Beginning at −70°, this rotation freezes, and 6 is becoming a diatropic aromatic ring system. Beside [18]annulene itself, (Z,E,Z,E,Z)‐diepoxy[18]annulene(10.0) 6 is the only hitherto known [18]annulene derivative with dynamic properties.     

Secoiridoid Glycosides from Swertia mileensis

From the MeOH extract of the aerial parts of Swertia mileensis, four new secoiridoid glycosides were isolated, 4′‐O‐[(E)‐caffeoyl]swertiamarin ( 1 ), 4′‐O‐[(Z)‐coumaroyl]swertiamarin ( 7 ), 6′‐O‐[(E)‐coumaroyl]swertiamarin ( 8 ), and 6′‐O‐[(Z)‐coumaroyl]swertiamarin ( 9 ), together with five known compounds. Their structures were elucidated by NMR spectroscopy and tandem mass spectrometry. Detailed HPLC/MS analyses and MS/MS fragmentation pathways are discussed for the identification of the swertiamarin‐derived (E)/(Z) isomers 6 / 7 and 8 / 9 .     

Three New Neolignans and One New Phenylpropanoid from the Leaves and Stems of Toona ciliata var. pubescens

Three new neolignans, (7S,8S,7′E)‐4,9‐dihydroxy‐3,7,3′,9′‐tetramethoxy‐8,4′‐oxyneolign‐7′‐ene ( 1 ), (7R,8S,7′E)‐4, 9‐dihydroxy‐3,7,3′,9′‐tetramethoxy‐8,4′‐oxyneolign‐7′‐ene ( 2 ), (7S,8S,7′E)‐5, 9‐dihydroxy‐3,7,3′,5′,9′‐pentamethoxy‐8,4′‐oxyneolign‐7′‐ene ( 3 ), and one new phenylpropanoid, threo‐5‐hydroxy‐3,7‐dimethoxyphenylpropane‐8,9‐diol ( 4 ), were isolated from the leaves and stems of Toona ciliata var. pubescens. Their structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic analysis, especially 2D‐NMR, HR‐ESI‐MS, and CD data. The antiproliferative activities of these compounds against four tumor cell lines (A549, Colo 205, QGY‐7703, and LOVO) were also evaluated by MTT (=(3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyl‐2H‐tetrazolium bromide) method.     

Synthesis and characterization of alt‐bipyridinylene‐phenylene copolymers containing ruthenium(II) complexes

Poly{bis(4,4′‐tert‐butyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine)–(2,2′‐bipyridine‐5,5′‐diyl‐[1,4‐phenylene])–ruthenium(II)bishexafluorophosphate} ( 3a ), poly{bis(4,4′‐tert‐butyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine)–(2,2′‐bipyridine‐4,4′‐diyl‐[1,4‐phenylene])–ruthenium(II)bishexafluorophosphate} ( 3b ), and poly{bis(2,2′‐bipyridine)–(2,2′‐bipyridine‐5,5′‐diyl‐[1,4‐phenylene])–ruthenium(II)bishexafluorophosphate} ( 3c ) were synthesized by the Suzuki coupling reaction. The alternating structure of the copolymers was confirmed by ¹H and ¹³C NMR and elemental analysis. The polymers showed, by ultraviolet–visible, the π–π* absorption of the polymer backbone (320–380 nm) and at a lower energy attributed to the d–π* metal‐to‐ligand charge‐transfer absorption (450 nm for linear 3a and 480 nm for angular 3b ). The polymers were characterized by a monomodal molecular weight distribution. The degree of polymerization was approximately 8 for polymer 3b and 28 for polymer 3d . © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 2911–2919, 2004     

Chloro(η6‐p‐cymene)(phosphoramidite)ruthenium(II), a 16‐Electron Fragment Stabilized by an η2‐Aryl–Metal Interaction,and Its Use in Asymmetric Cyclopropanation

Chloride abstraction from the half‐sandwich complexes [RuCl₂(η⁶‐p‐cymene)(P*‐κP)] ( 2a : P* = (S_a,R,R)‐ 1a = (1S_a)‐[1,1′‐binaphthalene]‐2,2′‐diyl bis[(1R)‐1‐phenylethyl)]phosphoramidite; 2b : P* = (S_a,R,R)‐ 1b = (1S_a)‐[1,1′‐binaphthalene]‐2,2′‐diyl bis[(1R)‐(1‐(1‐naphthalen‐1‐yl)ethyl]phosphoramidite) with (Et₃O)[PF₆] or Tl[PF₆] gives the cationic, 18‐electron complexes dichloro(η⁶‐p‐cymene){(1S_a)‐[1,1′‐binaphthalene]‐2,2′‐diyl {(1R)‐1‐[(1,2‐η)‐phenyl]ethyl}[(1R)‐1‐phenylethyl]phosphoramidite‐κP}ruthenium(II) hexafluorophosphate ( 3a ) and [Ru(S)]‐dichloro(η⁶‐p‐cymene){(1S_a)‐[1,1′‐binaphthalene]‐2,2′‐diyl {(1R)‐1‐[(1,2‐η)‐naphthalen‐1‐yl]ethyl}[(1R)‐1‐(naphthalen‐1‐yl)ethyl]phosphoramidite‐κP)ruthenium(II) hexafluorophosphate ( 3b ), which feature the η²‐coordination of one aryl substituent of the phosphoramidite ligand, as indicated by ¹H‐, ¹³C‐, and ³¹P‐NMR spectroscopy and confirmed by an X‐ray study of 3b . Additionally, the dissociation of p‐cymene from 2a and 3a gives dichloro{(1S_a)‐[1,1′‐binaphthalene]‐2,2′‐diyl [(1R)‐(1‐(η⁶‐phenyl)ethyl][(1R)‐1‐phenylethyl]phosphoramidite‐κP)ruthenium(II) ( 4a ) and di‐μ‐chlorobis{(1S_a)‐[1,1′‐binaphthalene]‐2,2′‐diyl [(1R)‐1‐(η⁶‐phenyl)ethyl][(1R)‐1‐phenylethyl]phosphoramidite‐κP}diruthenium(II) bis(hexafluorophosphate) ( 5a ), respectively, in which one phenyl group of the N‐substituents is η⁶‐coordinated to the Ru‐center. Complexes 3a and 3b catalyze the asymmetric cyclopropanation of α‐methylstyrene with ethyl diazoacetate with up to 86 and 87% ee for the cis‐ and the trans‐isomers, respectively.     

Annulenoide Tetrathiafulvalene:, 5,16‐Bis(1,3‐benzodithiol‐2‐yliden)‐5,16‐dihydrotetraepoxy‐ und 5,16‐Bis(1,3‐benzodithiol‐2‐yliden)‐5,16‐dihydrotetraepithio[22]annulene(2.1.2.1)

Annulenoid Tetrathiafulvalenes: 5,16‐Bis(1,3‐benzodithiol‐2‐ylidene)‐5,16‐dihydrotetraepoxy‐ and 5,16‐Bis(1,3‐benzodithiol‐2‐ylidene)‐5,16‐dihydrotetraepithio[22]annulenes(2.1.2.1) The title compounds are among the first tetrathiafulvalenes with annulene spacers, here with tetraepoxy‐[22]annulene(2.1.2.1) (see 3a ), tetraepithio[22]annulene(2.1.2.1) (see 3b ), and diepithiodiepoxy[22]annulene(2.1.2.1) (see 23 ) units. The annulenoid tetrathiafulvalenes 3a and 3b are prepared by cyclizing McMurry coupling of the 5,5′‐(1,3‐benzodithiol‐2‐ylidenemethylene)bis[furan‐ or thiophene‐2‐carbaldehydes] ( 8a or 8b , resp.) or by Wittig reaction of (1,3‐benzodithiol‐2‐yl)tributylphosphonium tetrafluoroborate ( 13b ) with tetraepoxy[22]annulene(2.1.2.1)‐1,12‐dione 20 (formation of 3a ) or diepithiodiepoxy[22]annulene(2.1.2.1)‐1,12‐dione 22 (formation of 23 ). The annulenoide tetrathiafulvalene 3a is obtained as a mixture of the isomers (E,E)‐ and (Z,Z)‐ 3a . At 130°, (Z,Z)‐ 3a rearranges quantitatively into the (E,E)‐isomer. Isomer (E,E)‐ 3a is a dynamic molecule, where the (E)‐ethene‐1,2‐diyl bridges rotate around the adjacent σ‐bonds. The tetraepithioannulene derivative 3b as well as 23 only exist in the (Z,Z)‐configuration. The oxidation of (E,E/Z,Z)‐ 3a with Br₂ yields the annulene‐bridged tetrathiafulvalene dication (E,E)‐ 3a _Ox, while with 4,5‐dichloro‐3,6‐dioxocyclohexa‐1,4‐diene‐1,2‐dicarbonitrile (DDQ) obviously only the radical cation 3a _Sem is formed, which belongs to the class of cyanine‐like violenes. The annulenoide tetrathiafulvalenes 3b and 23 , which exist only in the (Z,Z)‐configuration, obviously for steric reasons, cannot be oxidized by DDQ. Electrochemical studies are in agreement with these results.     

Two New Sesquiterpenes from the Roots of Valeriana fauriei Briq.

A phytochemical investigation of the MeOH extract of Valeriana fauriei Briq . roots resulted in the isolation of two new sesquiterpenes, isovalerianin A (=(1β,4Z,6β,8α)‐8‐(acetyloxy)‐1,10‐dihydroxy‐6,11‐cyclogermacr‐4‐en‐15‐al=rel‐(1R,2Z,6S,7R,9R,10S)‐9‐(acetyloxy)‐6,7‐dihydroxy‐7,11,11‐trimethylbicyclo[8.1.0]undec‐2‐ene‐3‐carboxaldehyde; 1 ) and valerianin C (=(2α,3α,6α,8α)‐3‐(acetyloxy)‐2,4,8‐trihydroxyguai‐1(10)‐ene‐12,6‐lactone=rel‐(3R,3aS,4R,7S,8S,9R,9aR,9bR)‐8‐(acetyloxy)‐3a,4,5,7,8,9,9a,9b‐ octahydro‐4,7,9‐trihydroxy‐3,6,9‐trimethylazuleno[4,5‐b]furan‐2(3H)‐one; 2 ), together with six known compounds, i.e., camphor, methyl 4‐hydroxybenzoate, 2‐methoxybenzoic acid, benzoic acid, quercetin, and kaempferol. The structures of the compounds were established by detailed spectral analysis and comparison with previously reported data.     

Multiflorane Triterpene Esters from the Seeds of Trichosanthes kirilowii

Two new multiflorane triterpene esters, (3α,7β)‐3,7,29‐trihydroxymultiflor‐8‐ene‐3,29‐diyl dibenzoate ( 2 ) and (3α)‐3,29‐dihydroxy‐7‐oxomultiflor‐8‐ene‐3,29‐diyl dibenzoate ( 3 ) have been isolated from the CHCl₃ extract of the seeds of Trichosanthes kirilowii, together with two known compounds, (3α,5α,22E)‐24‐ethylcholesta‐7,22,25(27)‐trien‐3‐ol and darutigenol. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated on the basis of extensive NMR experiments, and by means of an X‐ray crystallographic analysis of 2 . A preliminary cytotoxicity assay showed that 2 and 3 are basically inactive against the K562 cell line.     

Andhraxylocarpins A–E: Structurally Intriguing Limonoids from the True Mangroves Xylocarpus granatum and Xylocarpus moluccensis

Five new limonoids, including andhraxylocarpins A and B ( 1 and 2 ) which contain a 9‐oxa‐tricyclo[3.3.2.1^{7, 10}]undecane‐2‐ene motif, andhraxylocarpins C and D ( 3 and 4 ), which contain a (Z)‐bicyclo[5.2.1]dec‐3‐en‐8‐one substructure, and andhraxylocarpin E ( 5 ), which contains a tricyclo[3.3.1.1^{3, 6}]decane‐9‐one scaffold, were isolated from the seeds of two true mangroves, Xylocarpus granatum and Xylocarpus moluccensis, that were collected in the estuaries of Andhra Pradesh, India. The absolute configurations of these compounds were determined by extensive NMR investigations, single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis, and by circular dichroism and optical rotatory dispersion spectroscopy, in combination with quantum‐chemical calculations. The pronounced structural diversity of limonoids from these mangroves might originate from environmental factors.     

(E/Z)‐Isomerization of (all‐E)‐5,6‐Diepikarpoxanthin

(all‐E)‐5,6‐Diepikarpoxanthin (=(all‐E,3S,5S,6S,3′R)‐5,6‐dihydro‐β,β‐carotene‐3,5,6,3′‐tetrol; 1 ) was submitted to thermal isomerization and I₂‐catalyzed photoisomerization. The structures of the main products, i.e. (9Z)‐ ( 2 ), (9′Z)‐ ( 3 ), (13Z)‐ ( 4 ), (13′Z)‐ ( 5 ), and (15Z)‐5,6‐diepikarpoxanthin ( 6 ), were determined by their UV/VIS, CD, ¹H‐NMR, and mass spectra. In addition, (9Z,13′Z)‐ or (13Z,9′Z)‐ ( 7 ), (9Z,9′Z)‐ ( 8 ), and (9Z,13Z)‐ or (9′Z,13′Z)‐5,6‐diepikarpoxanthin ( 9 ) were tentatively identified as minor products of the I₂‐catalyzed photoisomerization.     

Effect of Isomeric Structures on Photovoltaic Performance of D–A Copolymers

Two donor–acceptor copolymers based on isomeric acceptor units, [7,7′‐bithieno[2′,3′:4,5]thieno[2,3‐d ]thieno[3,2‐b ]pyridine]‐5,5′(4H ,4′H )‐dione (BTTP) and [2,2′‐bithieno[2′,3′:4,5]thieno[2,3‐d ]thieno[3,2‐b ]pyridine]‐5,5′(4H ,4′H )‐dione (iBTTP), are developed to study the effect of isomeric structures on photovoltaic performance. Compared with PBDTBTTP, PBDTiBTTP possesses a smaller bandgap for good light harvesting and a better π–π stacking for higher hole mobility. PBDTiBTTP solar cells present balanced mobilities and good nanoscale phase separation, giving a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 6.51%, with higher short‐circuit current (J _sc) and fill factor (FF).

     

Superheteroaromaten mit Furan‐Bausteinen: Isomere antiaromatische Tetraepoxy[36]annulene(6.4.6.4) und aromatische Tetraoxa[34]porphyrin(6.4.6.4)‐Dikationen

Superheteroaromatic Systems with Furan Building Blocks: Isomeric Antiaromatic Tetraepoxy[36]annulenes(6.4.6.4) and Aromatic Tetraoxa[34]porphyrin(6.4.6.4) Dications The title compounds are available by a twofold cyclizing Wittig reaction of (all‐E)‐3,3′‐(hexa‐1,3,5‐triene‐1,6‐diyldifuran‐5,2‐diyl)bis[prop‐2‐enal] ( 4 ) with (all‐E)‐(hexa‐1,3,5‐triene‐1,6‐diyl)bis(furan‐5,2‐diylmethylene)bis[triphenylphosphonium] dibromide ( 7 ). Two conformational isomers 2a / 2a ′ of (Z,E,E,E,E,Z,E,E,E,E)‐tetraepoxy[36]annulene(6.4.6.4) are obtained. The oxidation of 2a / 2a ′ yields two (E,E,Z,E,E,E,E,Z,E,E)‐tetraoxa[34]porphyrin(6.4.6.4) dications 3a / 3a ′, which are conformers, too. The oxidation of 2a / 2a ′ is accompanied by the isomerization of four ethen‐1,2‐diyl bridges. The reduction of the dications 3a / 3a ′ leads to the new (E,E,Z,E,E,E,E,Z,E,E)‐tetraepoxy[36]annulene(6.4.6.4) ( 2b ) and (E,E,E,Z,E,E,E,E,Z,E)‐tetraepoxy[36]annulene(6.4.6.4) ( 2c ). In 2b as well as in 2c , both 1,3‐butadiene‐1,4‐diyl bridges are rotating until −90°. The Δδ values, i.e., the maximum δ difference of the `inner' and `outer' perimeter protons of 3a / 3a ′ (26.62 and 25.32 ppm) are of the same size as the Δδ value of the tetramethyl[34]porphyrin(5.5.5.5) dication ( 1 ; Δδ=25.3 ppm); therefore, they might be called `superheteroaromatic' too. The Δδ values of the tetraepoxy[36]annulenes(6.4.6.4) ( 2a – c ; Δδ=2.3 – 3.3 ppm) establish that they are still paratropic; they represent the most expanded antiaromatic systems yet known.     

Synthesis and Photovoltaic Properties of Cyclopentadithiophene‐Based Low‐Bandgap Copolymers That Contain Electron‐Withdrawing Thiazole Derivatives

We have synthesized four types of cyclopentadithiophene (CDT)‐based low‐bandgap copolymers, poly[{4,4‐bis(2‐ethylhexyl)‐4H‐cyclopenta[2,1‐b:3,4‐b′]dithiophene‐2,6‐diyl}‐alt‐(2,2′‐bithiazole‐5,5′‐diyl)] ( PehCDT‐BT ), poly[(4,4‐dioctyl‐4H‐cyclopenta[2,1‐b:3,4‐b′]dithiophene‐2,6‐diyl)‐alt‐(2,2′‐bithiazole‐5,5′‐diyl)] ( PocCDT‐BT ), poly[{4,4‐bis(2‐ethylhexyl)‐4H‐cyclopenta[2,1‐b:3,4‐b′]dithiophene‐2,6‐diyl}‐alt‐{2,5‐di(thiophen‐2‐yl)thiazolo[5,4‐d]thiazole‐5,5′‐diyl}] ( PehCDT‐TZ ), and poly[(4,4‐dioctyl‐4H‐cyclopenta[2,1‐b:3,4‐b′]dithiophene‐2,6‐diyl)‐alt‐{2,5‐di(thiophen‐2‐yl)thiazolo[5,4‐d]thiazole‐5,5′‐diyl}] ( PocCDT‐TZ ), for use in photovoltaic applications. The intramolecular charge‐transfer interaction between the electron‐sufficient CDT unit and electron‐deficient bithiazole (BT) or thiazolothiazole (TZ) units in the polymeric backbone induced a low bandgap and broad absorption that covered 300 nm to 700–800 nm. The optical bandgap was measured to be around 1.9 eV for PehCDT‐BT and PocCDT‐BT , and around 1.8 eV for PehCDT‐TZ and PocCDT‐TZ . Gel permeation chromatography showed that number‐average molecular weights ranged from 8000 to 14 000 g mol^?1. Field‐effect mobility measurements showed hole mobility of 10^?6–10^?4 cm² V^?1 s^?1 for the copolymers. The film morphology of the bulk heterojunction mixtures with [6,6]phenyl‐C₆₁‐butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) was also examined by atomic force microscopy before and after heat treatment. When the polymers were blended with PCBM, PehCDT‐TZ exhibited the best performance with an open circuit voltage of 0.69 V, short‐circuit current of 7.14 mA cm^?2, and power conversion efficiency of 2.23 % under air mass (AM) 1.5 global (1.5 G) illumination conditions (100 mW cm^?2).     

1,2‐Bis(trifluoromethyl)ethene‐1,2‐dicarbonitrile and Vinyl Ethers: Cyclic Ketene Imines on the Pathway to 1 : 2 Cycloadducts

(E)‐ and (Z)‐1,2‐bis(trifluoromethyl)ethene‐1,2‐dicarbonitrile (BTE; (=E)‐ and (Z)‐1,2‐bis(trifluoromethyl)but‐2‐enedinitrile) were reacted with an excess of methyl vinyl ether, used as solvent, and furnished 1 : 2 adducts 6 (54%) and cyclobutanes 3 as 1 : 1 adducts (41%). The four diastereoisomeric bis‐adducts 6 (different ratios from (E)‐ and (Z)‐BTE) are derivatives of 1‐azabicyclo[4.2.0]oct‐5‐ene; X‐ray analyses and ¹⁹F‐NMR spectra revealed their structures. Since the cyclobutanes 3 are resistant to vinyl ether, the pathways leading to mono‐ and bis‐adducts must compete on the level of the intermediate l,4‐zwitterions 1 and 2 . The latter either cyclize to the cyclobutanes 3 or to six‐membered cyclic ketene imines 8 which accept a second molecule of vinyl ether to yield the bis‐adducts 6 . The occurrence of the highly strained ketene imines 8 gains credibility by comparison to stable seven‐membered cyclic ketene imines recently reported.     

Isomerization of (all‐E)‐Cucurbitaxanthin A

Cucurbitaxanthin A (=(all‐E,3S,5R,6R,3′R)‐3,6‐epoxy‐5,6‐dihydro‐β,β‐carotene‐5,3′‐diol; 1 ) was submitted to thermal isomerization and to I₂‐catalysed photoisomerization. The structure of the main reaction products (9Z)‐ ( 2 ), (9′Z)‐ ( 3 ), (13Z)‐ ( 4 ), and (13′Z)‐cucurbitaxanthin A ( 5 ) was determined by their UV/VIS, CD, ¹H‐NMR, and mass spectra.     

Synthesis of Some C2‐Symmetric Bidentate Ligands and Their Complexes Derived from Feist's Acid

Various new C₂‐symmetric bidentate ligands, bearing phosphorus, nitrogen, and sulfur, were obtained in an efficient manner, starting from (±)‐trans‐3‐methylidenecyclopropane‐1,2‐dicarboxylic acid (Feist's acid; (±)‐trans‐ 3 ). The structures of the new bidentate ligands, di(tert‐butyl) (±)‐[(trans‐3‐methylidenecyclopropane‐1,2‐diyl)dimethanediyl]biscarbamate ((±)‐ 9 ), (±)‐(trans‐3‐methyldienecyclopropane‐1,2‐diyl)dimethanaminium dichloride ((±)‐ 10 ), (±)‐S,S′‐[(trans‐3‐methylidenecyclopropane‐1,2‐diyl)dimethanediyl] diethanethioate ((±)‐ 11 ), and (±)‐[(trans‐3‐methylidenecyclopropane‐1,2‐diyl)dimethanediyl]bis(diphenylphosphane) ((±)‐ 12 ), were fully characterized by standard spectroscopic techniques. These new classes of C₂‐symmetric bidentate ligands have the potential to be used in asymmetric catalysis.     

Neutrale aromatische Tetraepoxyannulene: Tetraepoxy[26]annulene(4.2.2.2) und Tetraepoxy[30]annulene(4.4.4.2) – Systeme mit hoher molekularer Dynamik

Neutral Aromatic Tetraepoxyannulenes: Tetraepoxy[26]annulenes(4.2.2.2) and Tetraepoxy[30]annulenes(4.4.4.2) – Systems with High Molecular Dynamics The twofold cyclizing Wittig reaction of the bis‐aldehyde 6 with the ylide of the bis‐phosphonium salt 7 yields tetraepoxy[26]annulene(4.2.2.2) 4 , which exists in the two isomeric forms 4a (EE,Z,E,Z) and 4b (EE,Z,E,E). Annulene 4a is a highly dynamic system down to −80°. Temperature‐dependent ¹H‐NMR spectra of 4a establish that the (E,E)‐buta‐1,3‐dien‐1,4‐diyl as well as the (E)‐ethen‐1,2‐diyl bridges rotate around the adjacent σ‐bonds in a synchronous manner. Isomer 4b , for steric reasons, is rigid. By Wittig reaction of the bis‐aldehyde 8 with the ylide of the bis‐phosphonium salt 9 , the tetraepoxy[30]annulene(4.4.4.2) 5 is obtained, which exists also in two isomeric forms, 5a and 5b . Only 5a (EE,ZE,EE,Z) can be isolated in pure form. Like 4a , 5a is highly dynamic, the (E,E)‐buta‐1,3‐dien‐1,4‐diyl as well as the opposite (E)‐ethen‐1,2‐diyl bridge being able to rotate down to −80°. The ¹H‐NMR spectrum at −80° indicates that 5a exists in the stable conformation 5a′ . The 26‐ and 30‐membered annulenes belong to the most expanded neutral annulenes known hitherto; their ¹H‐NMR spectra confirm that they still have diatropic, aromatic character.