Heterotelechelic Polymers by Ring‐Opening Metathesis and Regioselective Chain Transfer

Heterotelechelic polymers were synthesized by a kinetic telechelic ring‐opening metathesis polymerization method relying on the regioselective cross‐metathesis of the propagating Grubbs’ first‐generation catalyst with cinnamyl alcohol derivatives. This procedure allowed the synthesis of hetero‐bis‐end‐functional polymers in a one‐pot setup. The molecular weight of the polymers could be controlled by varying the ratio between cinnamyl alcohol derivatives and monomer. The end functional groups can be changed using different aromatically substituted cinnamyl alcohol derivatives. Different monomers were investigated and the presence of the functional groups was shown by NMR spectroscopy and MALDI‐ToF mass spectrometry. Labeling experiments with dyes were conducted to demonstrate the orthogonal addressability of both chain ends of the heterotelechelic polymers obtained.     

Screening of ligands in the asymmetric metallocenethiolatocopper(I)-catalyzed allylic substitution with Grignard reagents

Screening of metallocenethiolate ligands for copper(I)-catalyzed substitution of allylic acetates with Grignard reagents has been carried out. The previously used ligand, lithium (R,S_p)-2-(1-dimethylaminoethyl)ferrocenylthiolate (4a), possessing both central and planar chirality, was the starting point for the screening. It was found that the diastereomeric ligand lithium (R,R_p)-2-(1-dimethylaminoethyl)ferrocenylthiolate (4b) exhibiting reversed planar chirality gave increased enantioselectivity in the allylic substitution, at least when cinnamyl acetate was used as a substrate. The ruthenocene-based ligand lithium (R,S_p)-2-(1-dimethylaminoethyl)ruthenocenylthiolate (4c) gave an enhanced reaction rate, but lower chiral induction. The use of disulfide bis[(R,S_p)-2-(1-dimethylaminoethyl)ferrocenyl]disulfide (7a) as a ligand precursor worked well but resulted in lower enantioselectivity.     

Bismuth triflate-catalyzed rearrangement of acetates of the Baylis-Hillman adducts into (E)-trisubstituted alkenes

In the presence of a catalytic amount of bismuth triflate, methyl 3-acetoxy-3-aryl-2-methylenepropanoates and 3-acetoxy-3-aryl-2-methylenepropanitriles were smoothly converted into methyl (2E)-2-(acetoxymethyl)-3-arylprop-2-enoates and (2E)-2-(acetoxymethyl)-3-arylprop-2-enenitriles, respectively. A remarkable reversal in stereochemical directions from ester to nitrile was observed. 3-Aryl-3-hydroxy-2-methylenepropanoates and 3-aryl-3-hydroxy-2-methylenepropanitriles could be easily obtained as Baylis-Hillman adducts from methyl acrylate and acrylonitrile, respectively. The overall process is an efficient isomerization of the Baylis-Hillman adducts to the corresponding cinnamyl derivatives. The isomerization reaction proceeded rapidly and afforded smoothly the cinnamyl acetates in moderate to very good yields using catalytic amounts of Bi(OTf)₃·4H₂O (10 mol %).     

Synthesis of 2,3-syn-diarylpent-4-enamides via acyl-Claisen rearrangements of substituted cinnamyl morpholines: application to the synthesis of magnosalicin

The acyl-Claisen rearrangement of substituted phenylacetyl chlorides and cinnamyl morpholines gives 2,3-syn-diarylpent-4-enamides. Electron-rich cinnamyl morpholines containing alkoxy substituents only reacted with phenylacetyl chlorides; replacement of the phenylacetyl chlorides with alkyl acid chlorides in these reactions gave no rearranged products. Use of the morpholine amides generated in the synthesis of the natural tetrahydrofuran neolignan magnosalicin and tetraphenyl tetrahydrofuran is also reported.     

Reactions of sodium sulphide—I : With compounds containing hydroxyl groups

Aqueous solutions of sodium sulphide (ca 10%) reagent were reacted at 250° with compounds containing OH groups. This work was part of a programme designed to test the usefulness of the Na₂S solution degradation technique for determining the primary structure of humic acids. The compounds reacted here and the principal products detected (shown in brackets) were: cinnamyl alcohol (benzyl alcohol, benzoic acid, 3-phenylpropan-1-ol, 3-phenylpropionic acid), benzyl alcohol (little reaction), 3-phenylpropan-1-ol (little reaction), 1,2-dihydroxy-1-phenylethane (phenylacetic acid, acetophenone, 1-phenylethanol), catechol and hydroquinone (recovered starting compounds+ polymer products). Sodium hydroxide gave the same products with cinnamyl alcohol, but in different proportions. Possible mechanisms for these reactions are discussed.     

Fused pyrimidine systems: XIV. Reaction of 2-alkenyl(alkynyl)sulfanylpyrido[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4(3H)-ones with arylsulfanyl chlorides

2-Allylsulfanylpyrido[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4(3H)-one reacted with arylsulfanyl chlorides in chloroform to give addition products to the exocyclic double bond, which were converted into linearly fused arylsulfanylthiazinopyridopyrimidines by the action of sodium acetate. The reactions of 2-allyl(cinnamyl, propargyl)sulfanylpyrido[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4(3H)-ones with arylsulfanyl chlorides in the presence of an equimolar amount of lithium perchlorate afforded angularly fused arylsulfanylmethylthiazolo- and -thiazinopyridopyrimidines.     

An efficient synthesis of (S)-3-aminomethyl-5-methylhexanoic acid (Pregabalin) via quinine-mediated desymmetrization of cyclic anhydride

A highly enantioselective synthesis of (S)-3-aminomethyl-5-methylhexanoic acid 1 (Pregabalin) is reported. The key step of the synthesis is a quinine-mediated ring opening of 3-isobutylglutaric anhydride with cinnamyl alcohol. A Curtius rearrangement and subsequent deprotection provides 1 in high yield and excellent enantiomeric excess.     

Regioselective synthesis of 1-arylnaphthalenes from N-tosylaziridine derivatives

Regioselective synthesis of 1-arylnaphthalene derivatives was carried out from N-tosylaziridines, which was made from the reaction of N-tosylimines and cinnamyl bromides by using the sulfur ylide chemistry.     

Thermogravimetry of heteroleptic zinc tri-tert-butoxysilanethiolates: synthesis and crystal structure of bis(tri-tert-butoxysilanethiolato)(pyridine) zinc(II)

Thermal behaviour of three silanethiolate zinc complexes i.e., bis(tri-tert-butoxysilanethiolato)bis(pyridine) zinc(II), bis(tri-tert-butoxysilanethiolato)bis(N-methylimidazole) zinc(II) and bis(tri-tert-butoxysilanethiolato) (2-methylpyridine) zinc(II) was studied. In order to determine the steps involved in thermal decay, decomposition intermediates were identified by means of IR spectroscopy and solid residues were analysed. Enthalpies of undergoing processes were estimated on the basis of DTA curves. The results of the study were applied to the synthesis of a new complex - bis(tri-tert-butoxysilanethiolato)(pyridine) zinc(II). NMR and IR spectra of this complex were measured and crystal and molecular structures were determined.     

Construction of 9-functionalized xanthenes via Diels-Alder reaction of stable ortho-quinone methides and arynes

Diels-Alder reaction of stable o–quinone methides and arynes has been developed, providing 9–aryl and 9–cinnamyl substituted xanthenes in moderate to high yields.     

Base-catalysed cleavage of allylic derivatives of group EVA elements II. Reactions of cinnamyl and benzyl derivatives in strongly basic media

The rates of cleavage of cinnamyl and benzyl derivatives of silicon, germanium and tin in strongly basic media have been measured spectrophotometrically. Correlations between these rates and acidity functions H₋, J₋ and H_R− were made and kinetic solvent isotope effects evaluated. For the cinnamyl derivatives, the yield of allylbenzene (S'_E product) was much greater in aqueous alcohol than in aqueous DMSO. It was concluded that the transition states for the cleavages in DMSO solvent mixtures had much more carbanion character than those in aqueous alcohol. The tin transition states appeared to involve a greater degree of tinoxygen bond formation than those of the silanes, where some evidence for an assisted pathway is presented. In the tin series, the transition state for the benzyl derivative has a greater ionic character than that of the cinnamyl analogue. There appears little evidence for any nucleophilic assistance in the latter case.     

An enantioselective total synthesis of the stilbenolignan (−)-aiphanol and the determination of its absolute stereochemistry

The title natural product (−)-aiphanol has been prepared by total synthesis. A key step involved the asymmetric dihydroxylation of (E)-3,5-dimethoxy-4-(methoxymethoxy)cinnamyl alcohol with the AD-mix-β to give triol (1R,2R)-1-(3′,5′-dimethoxy-4′-methoxymethoxyphenyl)-2,3-dihydroxypropanol, the absolute stereochemistry of which was confirmed by single-crystal X-ray analysis of a readily available bromo-derivative. These studies have established that the naturally occurring enantiomer of aiphanol possesses the (S)-configuration at each of C-2′ and C-3′.     

Stereoselective synthesis of the styryllactones, 7-epi-goniodiol and leiocarpin A, isolated from Goniothalamus leiocarpus

Two novel styryllactones, 7-epi-goniodiol and leiocarpin A, isolated from Goniothalamus leiocarpus, were stereoselectively synthesized in a short and efficient route from cinnamyl alcohol based on the asymmetric epoxidation and the palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling of vinyl epoxide with vinyltributylstannane.     

Headspace Volatiles and Endogenous Extracts of Prunus mume Cultivars with Different Aroma Types

Prunus mume is a traditional ornamental plant, which owed a unique floral scent. However, the diversity of the floral scent in P. mume cultivars with different aroma types was not identified. In this study, the floral scent of eight P. mume cultivars was studied using headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and organic solvent extraction (OSE), combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). In total, 66 headspace volatiles and 74 endogenous extracts were putatively identified, of which phenylpropanoids/benzenoids were the main volatile organic compounds categories. As a result of GC-MS analysis, benzyl acetate (1.55–61.26%), eugenol (0.87–6.03%), benzaldehyde (5.34–46.46%), benzyl alcohol (5.13–57.13%), chavicol (0–5.46%), and cinnamyl alcohol (0–6.49%) were considered to be the main components in most varieties. However, the volatilization rate of these main components was different. Based on the variable importance in projection (VIP) values in the orthogonal partial least-squares discriminate analysis (OPLS-DA), differential components of four aroma types were identified as biomarkers, and 10 volatile and 12 endogenous biomarkers were screened out, respectively. The odor activity value (OAV) revealed that several biomarkers, including (Z)-2-hexen-1-ol, pentyl acetate, (E)-cinnamaldehyde, methyl salicylate, cinnamyl alcohol, and benzoyl cyanide, contributed greatly to the strong-scented, fresh-scented, sweet-scented, and light-scented types of P. mume cultivars. This study provided a theoretical basis for the floral scent evaluation and breeding of P. mume cultivars.     

An efficient chemoselective strategy for the preparation of (E)-cinnamic esters from cinnamaldehydes using heterogeneous catalyst and DDQ

An efficient chemoselective protocol is developed for the synthesis of (E)-cinnamic esters from substituted cinnamaldehydes or cinnamyl alcohols using a combination of DDQ and heterogeneous catalyst under microwave irradiation. The method showed remarkable selectivity for cinnamaldehydes over aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes, which is a novel finding. The results demonstrate that the developed protocol can be a useful synthetic tool for chemoselective esterification in total synthesis of complex organic compounds.     

Indium chloride catalyzed intramolecular cyclization of N-aryl imines: synthesis of pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine annulated tetrahydroquinoline derivatives

The intramolecular aza Diels-Alder cyclization reaction of aldimines derived from aromatic amines and N-prenyl/cinnamyl derivatives of pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine were efficiently catalyzed by InCl₃ to afford the corresponding tetrahydroquinoline derivatives in good yields.     

Kinetics and mechanism of oxidation of allyl,crotyl and cinnamyl alcohol by chromium(V)

Summary The kinetics of oxidation of unsaturated alcoholsviz. allyl, crotyl and cinnamyl alcohol by sodium bis[2-ethyl-2-hydroxy butanoato (2–)] oxochromate(V) Cr^v, has been investigated in 25% (v/v) aq. HOAc:HClO₄. The order in [oxidant] and [substrate] was 1.0 and 0.7 respectively. The oxidation rate increased with increase in [2-ethyl-2-hydroxybutyric acid] (EHBA) and decreased with increase in the percentage of HOAc. The rate decreases slightly with increase in [H^_]. The unsaturated alcohols exhibited higher reactivity compared to their saturated analogues. A mechanism involving the formation of a complex between Cr^v and alcohol which in turn disproportionates into products in a slow step is advanced to explain the kinetic results.     

Inclusion [2]complexes based on the cryptand/diquat recognition motif

Seven diquat-based inclusion [2]complexes were studied by proton NMR spectroscopy, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, and X-ray analysis. The hosts used in these inclusion [2]complexes are bis(5-hydroxymethyl-1,3-phenylene)-32-crown-10, a bis(m-phenylene)-26-crown-8-based cryptand, and five bis(m-phenylene)-32-crown-10-based cryptands. Bis(m-phenylene)-32-crown-10-based cryptands have been proved to be able to complex diquat much more strongly than bis(m-phenylene)-32-crown-10 itself and one containing a pyridyl moiety has one of the highest K_a values reported to date. These hosts form 1:1 complexes with diquat in solution and in the solid state. It was found that the improved binding from bis(m-phenylene)-32-crown-10 to bis(5-hydroxymethyl-1,3-phenylene)-32-crown-10 was due to a supramolecular cryptand structure formed by chelation of the two terminal OH moieties of bis(5-hydroxymethyl-1,3-phenylene)-32-crown-10 with a water molecule as a hydrogen-bonding bridge.     

Bis(nitro- and polynitromethyl-ONN-azoxy)azoxyfurazans and some of their derivatives

Reaction of diamino derivative of azoxyfurazan with 2,2-dimethyl-5-nitro-5-nitroso-1,3-dioxane in the presence of dibromoisocyanuric acid afforded bis(2,2-dimethyl-5-nitro-1,3-dioxan-5-yl-ONN-azoxy)azoxyfurazan. The reaction of the latter with AcCl/MeOH and further transformations of the product gave the first representative of substituted (mono- and polynitroalkyl-ONN-azoxy)azoxyfurazans, e.g. bis(nitromethyl-ONN-azoxy)azoxyfurazan, bis(dinitromethyl-ONN-azoxy)azoxyfurazan, bis(trinitromethyl-ONN-azoxy)azoxyfurazan, and some of their derivatives.     

(N,N) vs. (N,S) chelation of palladium in asymmetric allylic substitution using bis(thiazoline) ligands: A theoretical and experimental study

New thiazoline-containing ligands including non-symmetric bis(thiazolines) and oxazoline-thiazolines were synthesized and then compared to C₂-symmetric bis(thiazolines) in the palladium-catalyzed allylic substitution. The experimental results obtained in this study support the hypothesis of a competition between the (N,N) and the (N,S) palladium chelation, when sterically hindered bis(thiazolines) are used as ligands. A quantum chemical study performed on the Pd-complexes derived from three selected ligands, two C₂-symmetric bis(thiazolines) and one oxazoline-thiazoline, also supports this hypothesis.