Self-assembled dendrimers with uniform structure

Calix[4]arenes substituted at their wide rim by four aryl urea residues (1) form hydrogen-bonded dimers in apolar solvents. Replacement of one urea residue by an acetamido moiety leads to calix[4]arene derivatives (5) which form hydrogen-bonded tetramers under the same conditions. Both self-assembly processes occur independently. Therefore, molecules have been prepared in which a tetra-urea calix[4]arene and a tri-urea mono acetamide derivative are covalently connected between their narrow rims by a long, mainly aliphatic chain [-O-(CH(2))(n)-C(O)-NH-(CH(2))(m)-O-] (7). In the presence of an equimolar amount of tetra-tosyl urea calix[4]arene () they form dendritic assemblies since the well known heterodimerization of tetra-tosyl and tetra-aryl urea calix[4]arenes prevents the formation of a cross-linked structure. Covalent connection of adjacent urea residues leads to tetra-loop derivatives (3) that cannot form homodimers, but instead form heterodimers with tetra-aryl or tetra-tosylureas. Therefore, similar dendrimers should be available using the selective dimerization observed for 3. The formation of a single, structurally uniform dendrimer from eight building blocks is confirmed by (1)H NMR spectra, showing only peaks that are also found for respective model assemblies. Translational diffusion coefficients of the assemblies have been determined using (1)H DOSY NMR.     

Synthesis of huge macrocycles using two calix[4]arenes as templates

Macrocycles with up to 100 atoms have been synthesised using two calix[4]arenes as templates: first, (3,5-dialkenyloxy)phenyl groups are attached to the wide rim of a calix[4]arene via urea links, then the alkenyl groups are connected via a metathesis reaction using a tetratosylurea calix[4]arene for their correct prearrangement and finally the urea functions are cleaved to detach the newly formed macrocycles.     

Detection and Identification of the Herbicide Isoproturon and its Metabolites in Field Samples After a Heavy Rainfall Event

Abstract

The occurence of isoproturon [N-(4-isopropylphenyl)-N′, N′-dimethyl urea] and its metabolites was investigated in soil solution, runoff and creek water from a farm in Scheyern (Bavaria, FRG) after a heavy rainfall event following the application in spring 1994. The analytical procedure included enrichment by C 18 solid-phase extraction and reversed-phase HPLC with diode array detection. The major degradation product in most of the samples was identified as 2-hydroxy-isoproturon [N-(4-(2-hydroxyisopropyl)-phenyl)-N′. N′ dimethyl urea] using the authentic compound. The latter has been isolated from wheat cell culture medium and its structure elucidated by NMR and MS. Furthermore, the polar metabolites monodesmethyl-isoproturon [N-′ (4-Isopropylphenyl)-N′-methyl urea] and 2-hydroxy-monodesmethyl-isoproturon [N-(4-Isopropylphenyl)-N′-methyl urea] and 2-hydroxy-monodesmethyl-isoproturon [N-(4-(2-hydroxyisopropyl)-phenyl)-N′-methyl urea] were identified by comparison of their retention times and DAD-UV spectra with reference compounds.

The detection of isoproturon in soil solution down to 170 cm depth and in creek water in concentrations exceeding 4 μg/1 and also of the polar metabolites in concentrations up to 0,9 μg/1 indicated the mobility of this phenylurea herbicide and its degradation products. Therefore the metabolites should be considered in studies on the migration of isoproturon and in the ecotoxicological evaluation.     

Homogeneous forced hydrolysis of aluminum through the thermal decomposition of urea

Homogeneous hydrolysis of aluminum by decomposition of urea in solution was achieved because the urea coordinates to the Al3+ in solution, forming [Al(H2O)5 (urea)]3+ and to a lesser extent [Al(H2O)4 (urea)2]3+. Upon hydrolysis more hydrolyzed monomeric species, [Al(H2O)5 (OH)]2+, [Al(H2O)4 (OH)2]+, [Al(H2O)4 (urea)(OH)]2+, and [Al(H2O)3 (urea)(OH)2]+, were formed, followed by trimeric species and the Al13 Keggin complex [AlO4Al12(OH)24(H2O)12]7+. The 27Al NMR spectra indicated the formation of other complexes in addition to the Al13 at the end of the hydrolysis reaction.     

Preparation, structure, and anion sensing properties of 1,n-diaza[n]ferrocenophanes

The synthesis of structurally new types of azaferrocenophanes is reported in this note: 4, which comprises a 1,2-fused azaheterocycle to a 1,3-diaza[3]ferrocenophane framework; 1,3-diaza[3]ferrocenophanes 5 and 7, which can be considered as a 1,1'-ferrocenylene N,N'-guanidine or urea, respectively; and 1,3,6,8-tetraza[8]ferrocenophanes 9 and 10, bearing two ureido moieties in the ansa-bridge. These compounds were prepared directly from 1,1'-bis(isocyanato)ferrocene 1 and thoroughly characterized by spectroscopic means. Tetraza[8]ferrocenophanes 9 and 10 show spectral and electrochemical anion-sensing action: they display a selective downfield shift of the urea protons and a cathodic shift of the ferrocene/ferrocinium redox couple with dihydrogenphosphate and fluoride anions. The crystal structure of compound 4 has been determined by single-crystal X-ray methods.     

Stepwise synthesis and selective dimerisation of bis- and trisloop tetra-urea calix[4]arenes

Tetra-urea calix[4]arenes substituted with four mono- or bisalkenyl residues have been converted into bis- or tetraloop compounds by intramolecular olefin metathesis, with use of a tetratosylurea calix[4]arene as template. The same strategy has now been used to synthesise trisloop compounds and bisloop compounds with adjacent loops, completing the series of the loop-containing tetra-urea derivatives. A tetra-urea calix[4]arene of the AABB type, where A stands for a bisalkenyl- and B for a monoalkenyl-substituted urea unit, was used as precursor for the three loops. It was easily synthesised from a tetraamino calix[4]arene in which two adjacent amino groups were Boc-protected. The ABCB-type precursor for the two adjacent loops was prepared through protection of two opposite amino functions with trityl groups. The capabilities of the novel macrocyclic tetra-ureas for the selective formation of hydrogen-bonded dimers were studied.     

An Efficient and Modified Biginelli-Type Synthesis of 3,4-Dihydro-1H-indeno[1,2-d]pyrimidine-2,5-dione Using Phosphorous Pentoxide

A simple, clean and convenient one-pot method has been developed for the synthesis of 4-phenyl-3,4-dihydro-1H-indeno[1,2-d]pyrimidine-2,5-dione and 4-phenyl-2-thioxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-5H-indeno[1,2-d]pyrimidine-5-one by multicomponent condensation of 1,3-indanedione, aromatic aldehydes and urea/thiourea using phosphorus pentoxide in ethanol under reflux conditions. The simple workup procedure and moderate to good yields within short time are some important features of this protocol. The synthesized compounds have been interpreted on the basis of their spectroscopic data.     

A facile synthesis of 6-amino-2H, 4H-pyrano[2,3-F]pyrazole-5-carbonitriles in deep eutectic solvent

A convenient synthesis of 6-amino-2H,4H-pyrano[2,3-F]pyrazole-5-carbonitriles has been accomplished by one pot four-component cyclocondensation of aromatic aldehydes(1a-o) malanonitrile(2), ethyl acetoacetate(3), and hydrazine hydrate(4) in freshly prepared deep eutectic solvent, DES(choline chloride:urea). This protocol has afforded corresponding pyrano[2,3-F]pyrazoles in shorter reaction time with high yields, and it avoids the use of typical toxic catalysts and solvents.     

Cyclization reactions of nitriles. 26. Synthesis,structure, and properties of 2-amino-4-methylthio-5-cyano-6(1H)-pyrimidinethione

2-Amino-4-methylthio-5-cyano-6(1H)-pyrimidinethione has been prepared via treatment of N-cyanodimethyldithioimidate or 1,1-di(methylthio)-2-thiocar-bamoyl-2-cyanoethylene with cyanothioacetamide or cyanamide. The structure of the complex formed between 2-amino-4-methylthio-5-cyano-6(1H)-pyrimidinethione and urea has been studied by x-ray structural analysis. Thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidines and thiazolo[3,2-c]pyrimidinium salts have been synthesized based on the 6(1H)-pyrimidinethione.For Communication 25, see [1].Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 10, pp. 1377–1384, October, 1987.     

Efficient Synthesis of Aromatic Carboxylic Acids from Aryl Ketones in Ionic Liquid

Conversion of aryl ketones to the corresponding aromatic carboxylic acids has been achieved using sequential treatment of HDNIB and urea–hydrogen peroxide in [bmim]BF₄ ionic liquid.     

Topologically novel multiple rotaxanes and catenanes based on tetraurea calix[4]arenes

Calix[4]arenes bearing at their wide rim four urea residues easily form hydrogen bonded dimeric capsules. This has been used to preorganise alkenyl functions attached to these urea groups for their controlled connection via metathesis reaction. Multimacrocyclic tetraurea derivatives are thus obtained in excellent yields via heterodimers which are formed exclusively with tetratosylurea derivatives. Heterodimerisation of such bis- and tetraloop tetraureas leads analogously to multicatenanes, or to rotaxanes by stoppering. Huge macrocycles are detached from tetraloop derivatives by cleavage of the urea function.     

Synthesis, structural characterization and anion binding studies of palladium macrocycles with hydrogen-bonding ligands

The reactions between [Pd(P-P)(OTf)2] (where P-P=dppp or dppf) and two different bipyridyl ligands (=1,3-bis(4-pyridylmethyl)urea and=1,3- bis(pyridinylmethyl)benzenedicarboxamide) containing hydrogen-bonding units have been studied. The X-ray crystal structures of three of these assemblies have been solved showing them to be the [2+2] metallo-macrocycles [Pd(P-P)(n)]2(OTf)4 [P-P=dppp, n=1, (); P-P=dppp, n=2, (); P-P=dppf, n=1, ()]. To confirm whether the dimeric assembly of one of these species () is retained in solution, several investigations have been carried out. 1H NMR studies in DMSO and high resolution ESI mass spectrometry have shown that is in equilibrium with a larger [3+3] metallo-macrocycle. The equilibrium between these two species can be modified by changing the temperature, concentration or solvent. Also, addition of certain anions (e.g. [H2PO4]-) to the mixture shifts the equilibrium favoring the formation of the [2+2] metallo-macrocycle over the [3+3] (initially present in a larger proportion).     

Self-sorting dimerization of tetraurea calix[4]arenes

Calix[4]arenes substituted by four urea functions are self-complementary molecules that spontaneously combine in apolar solvents in the presence of an ammonium salt to form dimeric capsules held together by a belt of hydrogen bonds. In the presence of tetraethylammonium salts, the Et4N+ cation is included as a guest. The sorting between dimeric capsules formed in a mixture of calix[4]arenes directly depends on the steric crowding of the substituents grafted on the urea groups whether aromatic derivatives or aliphatic chains linking urea functions in mono-, di-, or tetraloop structures. Simple rules allow one to anticipate which capsules will be exclusively formed when calix[4]arenes are mixed in different proportions. The stabilization of the dimeric structures by hydrogen bonds is thwarted by the overlaps of aliphatic loops and/or by bulky groups that cannot pass through these loops. Despite the structural similarity of the calixarenes, the exclusive formation of dimers of well-defined compositions and clear titration breaks are observed by electrospray mass spectrometry. This technique yields reliable information on stoichiometries and composition despite measurements in the gas phase rather than in solution and it does not suffer from excessive peak overlaps in contrast with NMR.     

Mass spectroscopic investigation of bis-1,3-urea calix[4]arenes and their ability to complex N-protected α-amino acids

We report the ability of urea’s appended onto the upper-rim of conformationally locked ‘cone’ calix[4]arenes to show a preference for binding specific N-protected α-amino acids. Superior complexation (as judged by mass spectroscopy) between N-protected α-amino results and bis-1,3-N-benzylureas calix[4]arenes was observed when methylene bridges were present between the calix[4]arene ‘host’ and the urea motif. Interestingly we also demonstrate that subjecting mixtures of structurally diverse N-Fmoc-α-amino acids to a single bis-1,3-N-benzylurea derived calix[4]arene allows, in some cases, the calix[4]arene ‘host’ to selectively ‘pick out’ and complex a specific N-Fmoc amino acid from the mixture.     

A Regioselective Biginelli‐like Reaction Controlled by the Size of Alicyclic Mono‐ketones

A regioselective Biginelli‐like reaction of alicyclic mono‐ketones, aromatic aldehydes, and urea in ionic liquid [BPY]BF₄ has been investigated. The process is controlled by the size of alicyclic mono‐ketones and the steric hindrance of aromatic aldehydes. The reaction of cyclopentanone with urea and aromatic aldehydes afforded 7‐arylidene‐3,4,6,7‐tetrahydro‐4‐aryl‐1H‐cyclopenta[d]pyrimidin‐2(5H)‐ones ( 4 ). When cyclohexanone was used as the source of active methylene to react with urea and aldehydes with slight steric hindrance groups under the same condition, 8‐arylidene‐3,4,5,6,7, 8‐hexahydro‐4‐arylquinazolin‐2(1H)‐ones ( 6 ), a homologue of 4 , were yielded, whereas 4,8‐bisaryloc‐tahydro‐1H‐pyrimido[5,4‐i]‐quinazoline‐2,10(3H,11H)‐diones ( 7 ) were obtained via the simple one‐pot reaction of cyclohexanone, urea, and aromatic aldehydes with high steric hindrance groups. The possible transitional states and mechanism of the regioselective process were discussed.     

Fourfold [2]rotaxanes based on calix[4]arenes

Tetraurea calix[4]arenes with four loops form exclusively heterodimers with open-chain urea calix[4]arenes when they are dissolved in aprotic solvents. These assemblies can be considered as pseudorotaxanes. If open-chain tetraureas ending with maleic imide functions are used, their Diels-Alder reaction with 1,4,5,8-tetrapentoxyanthracene leads to tetra[2]rotaxanes which cannot be split into the single calixarene parts by hydrogen bond breaking solvents.     

Gas chromatographic study of the urea-cetyl alcohol adduct and its components. II. Urea as a selective stationary phase

Summary The properties of urea (the host component in the inclusion compound with cetyl alcohol) as a stationary phase were studied. In contrast to an earlier work [2] it has been found that, by increasing the urea surface (by depositing on a suitable support or adsorbent) both its polar properties and the contribution made by the formation of inclusion compounds [3] can be followed chromatographically and utilized analytically. In the present case, with urea deposited on Chromosorb W, the strongly polar character of the phase predominated to such an extent that the clathration contribution was not observed. From the analytical point of view this is, however, an interesting and useful GSC system permitting very rapid analyses even at relatively low experimental temperatures.For part I see ref. [1]     

Anion-induced urea deprotonation

The urea-based receptor 1 (1-(7-nitrobenzo[1,2,5]oxadiazol-4-yl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)urea, L--H), interacts with X- ions in MeCN, according to two consecutive steps: 1) formation of a hydrogen-bond complex [L--H...X]-; 2) deprotonation of L--H to give L- and [HX2]-, as shown by spectrophotometric and 1H NMR titration experiments. Step 2) takes place with more basic anions (fluoride, carboxylates, dihydrogenphosphate), while less basic anions (Cl-, NO2-, NO3-) do not induce proton transfer. On crystallisation from a solution containing L--H and excess Bu4NF, the tetrabutylammonium salt of the deprotonated urea derivative (Bu4N[L]) was isolated and its crystal and molecular structure determined.     

Nature of urea-fluoride interaction: incipient and definitive proton transfer

1,3-bis(4-nitrophenyl)urea (1) interacts through hydrogen bonding with a variety of oxoanions in an MeCN solution to give bright yellow 1:1 complexes, whose stability decreases with the decreasing basicity of the anion (CH3COO- > C6H5COO- > H2PO4- > NO2- > HSO4- > NO3-). The [Bu4N][1.CH3COO] complex salt has been isolated as a crystalline solid and its molecular structure determined, showing the formation of a discrete adduct held together by two N-H...O hydrogen bonds of moderate strength. On the other hand, the F- ion first establishes a hydrogen-bonding interaction with 1 to give the most stable 1:1 complex, and then on addition of a second equivalent, induces urea deprotonation, due to the formation of HF2-. The orange-red deprotonated urea solution uptakes carbon dioxide from air to give the tetrabutylammonium salt of the hydrogencarbonate H-bond complex, [Bu4N][1.HCO3], whose crystal and molecular structures have been determined.     

Efficient α‐Chlorination of Aryl Ketones Using Aluminum Chloride/Urea–Hydrogen Peroxide in Ionic Liquid

Effective α‐chlorination reactions of aryl ketones into the corresponding α‐chloroketones have been accomplished with aluminum chloride hexahydrate and urea–hydrogen peroxide in [bmim]BF₄ ionic liquid.