One‐Step SnO2 Nanotree Growth

A comparison between Au, TiO₂ and self‐catalysed growth of SnO₂ nanostructures using chemical vapour deposition is reported. TiO₂ enables growth of a nanonetwork of SnO₂, whereas self‐catalysed growth results in nanoclusters. Using Au catalyst, single‐crystalline SnO₂ nanowire trees can be grown in a one‐step process. Two types of trees are identified that differ in size, presence of a catalytic tip, and degree of branching. The growth mechanism of these nanotrees is based on branch‐splitting and self‐seeding by the catalytic tip, facilitating at least three levels of branching, namely trunk, branch and leaf.     

Direct Detection of Key Intermediates in Rhodium(I)‐Catalyzed [2+2+2] Cycloadditions of Alkynes by ESI‐MS

The mechanism of the Rh‐catalysed [2+2+2] cycloaddition reaction of diynes with monoynes has been examined using ESI‐MS and ESI‐CID‐MS analysis. The catalytic system used consisted of the combination of a cationic rhodium(I) complex with bisphosphine ligands, which generates highly active complexes that can be detected by ESI(+) experiments. ESI‐MS on‐line monitoring has allowed the detection for the first time of all of the intermediates in the catalytic cycle, supporting the mechanistic proposal based mainly on theoretical calculations. For all ESI‐MS experiments, the structural assignments of ions are supported by tandem mass spectrometry analyses. Computer model studies based on density functional theory (DFT) support the structural proposal made for the monoyne insertion intermediate. The collective studies provide new insight into the reactivity of cationic rhodacyclopentadienes, which should facilitate the design of related rhodium‐catalysed C? C couplings.     

β‐cyclodextrin‐capped palladium nanoparticle‐catalyzed ligand‐free Suzuki and Heck couplings in low‐melting β‐cyclodextrin/NMU mixtures

Low‐melting β‐cyclodextrin/N‐methylurea (NMU) mixture, an efficient catalytic system for ligand‐free Suzuki and Heck couplings in the presence of fresh native β‐CD‐capped Pd⁰ nanoparticles, has been successfully reported. This natural and convenient system can be performed in air and could afford the corresponding cross‐coupled products in good to excellent isolated yields after a simple workup under every low Pd loading (0.05 mol%). Remarkably, the catalytic system can be recycled and reused without loss of catalytic activity. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A new single‐urea‐bound 3,5‐dimethylphenylcarbamoylated β‐cyclodextrin chiral stationary phase and its enhanced separation performance in normal‐phase liquid chromatography

A new single‐urea‐bound chiral stationary phase based on 3,5‐dimethylphenylcarbamoylated β‐cyclodextrin was prepared through the Staudinger reaction of mono (6^A‐azido‐6^A‐deoxy)‐per(3,5‐dimethylphenylcarbamoylated) β‐cyclodextrin and 3‐aminopropyl silica gel under CO₂ atmosphere. The new phase exhibited good enantioseparation performance for 33 analytes using normal‐phase HPLC conditions; 19 of them were baseline separated. Effects of structure of analytes, alcoholic modifiers, and acidic/basic additives on separation performances of this new cyclodextrin chiral stationary phase have been studied in detail. The results showed that the retention and resolution of acidic and basic analytes on the CSP were greatly affected by the additives. Peak symmetry for some analytes could be improved by simultaneously adding acidic and basic additives to the mobile phase. This work expands the potential applications of the cyclodextrin‐based chiral stationary phases in the normal‐phase HPLC.     

Bio‐assisted synthesized Ag(0) nanoparticles immobilized on SBA‐15/cyclodextrin nanosponge adduct: Efficient heterogeneous catalyst for the ultrasonic‐assisted synthesis of benzopyranopyrimidines

For the first time, SBA‐15/cyclodextrin nanosponge adduct was synthesized through reaction of Cl‐functionalized SBA‐15 and amine‐functionalized cyclodextrin nanosponge (CDNS). This adduct, which benefits from features of both SBA‐15 and CDNS, was then used for immobilization of Ag(0) nanoparticles which were prepared and capped using a bio‐based approach. Ag@CDNS–SBA‐15 was applied as a heterogeneous catalyst for promoting the three‐component reaction of benzaldehydes, 4‐hydroxycoumarin and urea or thiourea under ultrasonic irradiation to furnish benzopyranopyrimidines. The reaction variables were optimized using response surface methodology. The catalytic activity of Ag@CDNS–SBA‐15 was higher than those of Ag@CDNS, Ag@SBA‐15 and Ag@SBA‐15 + CDNS, confirming the contribution of both components to catalysis as well as a synergistic effect between CDNS and SBA‐15. The role of CDNS was to accommodate the substrates and bring them to the vicinity of the Ag(0) nanoparticles. Notably the catalyst was reusable and could be recovered and reused for up to four reaction runs with slight Ag(0) leaching and loss of catalytic activity.     

In situ generation of highly active bis(N‐heterocyclic)carbene palladium as an efficient catalyst in direct S‐arylation of methylphenyl sulfoxide and the Heck reaction: Ligand steric effects in product selectivity

The use of 1,3‐bis(N‐heterocyclic)carbene ligands with different alkyl wingtip groups (alkyl = methyl, isopropyl and tert ‐butyl) is an effective method for the palladium‐catalysed direct S ‐arylation of methylphenyl sulfoxide and C–C coupling of various of aryl halides with alkenes. The reactions proceed in moderate to good yields. Interestingly, it is shown experimentally that, by using bulkier bidentate N‐heterocyclic carbene ligands, more selective catalytic systems towards cis products in Heck coupling reactions can be achieved.     

Novel cyclodextrin‐modified h‐BN@Pd(II) nanomaterial: An efficient and recoverable catalyst for ligand‐free C‐C cross‐coupling reactions in water

An environmentally friendly palladium(II) catalyst supported on cyclodextrin‐modified h‐BN was successfully prepared. The catalyst was characterized by FT‐IR, SEM, TG, XRD and XPS, and the loading level of Pd in h‐BN@β‐CD@Pd(II) was measured to be 0.088 mmol g⁻¹ by ICP. It exhibits excellent catalytic activity for the Suzuki and Heck reactions in water, and can be easily separated and consecutively reused for at least nine times. In addition, a series of pharmacologically interesting products were successfully synthesized using this catalyst to demonstrate its potential applications in pharmaceutical industries. Above all, this work opens up an interesting and attractive avenue for the use of cyclodextrin‐functionalized h‐BN as an efficient support for hydrophilic heterogeneous catalysts.     

Catalytic Asymmetric Addition of Meldrum’s Acid,Malononitrile, and 1,3‐Dicarbonyls to ortho‐Quinone Methides Generated In Situ Under Basic Conditions

A new approach to the utilization of highly reactive and unstable ortho‐quinone methides (o‐QMs) in catalytic asymmetric settings is presented. The enantioselective reactions are catalysed by bifunctional organocatalysts, and the o‐QM intermediates are formed in situ from 2‐sulfonylalkyl phenols through base‐promoted elimination of sulfinic acid. The use of mild Brønsted basic conditions for transiently generating o‐QMs in catalytic asymmetric processes is unprecedented, and allows engaging productively in the reactions nucleophiles such as Meldrum’s acid, malononitrile and 1,3‐dicarbonyls. The catalytic transformations give new and general entries to 3,4‐dihydrocoumarins, 4H‐chromenes and xanthenones. These frameworks are recurring structures in natural product and medicinal chemistry, as testified by the formal syntheses of (R)‐tolterodine and (S)‐4‐methoxydalbergione from the catalytic adducts.     

Refolding of detergent‐denatured lysozyme using β‐cyclodextrin‐assisted ion exchange chromatography

Chromatography‐based protein refolding is widely used. Detergent is increasingly used for protein solubilization from inclusion bodies. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a refolding method for detergent‐denatured/solubilized proteins based on liquid chromatography. In the present work, sarkosyl‐denatured/dithiothreitol‐reduced lysozyme was used as a model, and a refolding method based on ion exchange chromatography, assisted by β‐cyclodextrin, was developed for refolding detergent‐denatured proteins. Many factors affecting the refolding, such as concentration of urea, concentration of β‐cyclodextrin, pH and flow rate of mobile phases, were investigated to optimize the refolding conditions for sarkosyl‐denatured lysozymes. The results showed that the sarkosyl‐denatured lysozyme could be successfully refolded using β‐cyclodextrin‐assisted ion exchange chromatography. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Flexible,dicationic imidazolium salts for in situ application in palladium‐catalysed Mizoroki–Heck coupling of acrylates under aerobic conditions

The synthesis, characterization and in situ catalytic performance of new unsymmetric N,N′‐disubstituted imidazolium‐based dicationic salts in Mizoroki–Heck coupling of acrylates with aryl bromides under aerobic conditions are described. A series of flexible dicationic salts with varying steric and electronic properties were synthesized in good to excellent yields. All the salts were well characterized using spectroscopic techniques. X‐ray diffraction analysis of two salts with the same dicationic backbone and different counter anions shows that the ligand adopts two different conformations which are influenced by the nature of the anion. Thus, the ligand is capable of changing its conformation according to the change in environment due to its flexible nature. All the synthesized imidazolium salts were found to be active in in situ palladium‐catalysed Mizoroki–Heck coupling under aerobic conditions. Amongst the salts, the hydroxyl‐functionalized imidazolium salt, incorporating the features of both bidentate chelating O,O ligand and carbene, shows the maximum catalytic activity. A variety of aryl and heteroaryl methyl and ethyl cinnamates were synthesized using these imidazolium salts as preligands. In addition, NMR studies confirm in situ generation of normal N‐heterocyclic carbenes from the C‐2 position of imidazol‐2‐ylidene ring. The mercury poisoning test was also performed to ascertain the nature of catalytically active palladium species. Aerobic conditions, low catalytic loading (0.5 mol%), shorter reaction times, broad functional group tolerance and good to excellent isolated yields are some of the significant features of the novel catalytic systems described here. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Preparation of chiral oxazolinyl‐functionalized β‐cyclodextrin‐bonded stationary phases and their enantioseparation performance in high‐performance liquid chromatography

A simple procedure for the synthesis of three new oxazolinyl‐substituted β‐cyclodextrins (6‐deoxy‐6‐R‐(–)‐4‐phenyl‐4,5‐dihydrooxazolinyl‐β‐cyclodextrin, 6‐deoxy‐6‐S‐(–)‐4‐phenyl‐4,5‐dihydrooxazolinyl‐β‐cyclodextrin, and 6‐deoxy‐6‐S‐(–)‐(4‐pyridin‐1‐ium‐4‐methyl‐benzenesulphonate)‐4,5‐dihy‐drooxazolinyl‐β‐cyclodextrin) and their covalent bonding to silica are reported. The ability of these chiral stationary phase columns for separating compounds is also presented and discussed. Twenty‐eight compounds were examined in the polar‐organic mobile phase mode, and 11 β‐nitroethanols were tested in the reversed‐phase mode. Excellent enantioseparations were achieved for most of the analytes, even for several challenging compounds. The rigid and flexible structures of mono‐substituted chiral groups and the fragments around the rim of the β‐cyclodextrin cavity played an important role in the separation process. Factors such as π–π stacking, dipole–dipole interactions, ion‐pairing, and steric hindrance effects were found to affect the chromatographic performance. Moreover, the buffer composition, and percentages of organic modifiers in the mobile phase, were investigated and compared. The mechanisms involved in the separation were postulated based on the chromatographic data.     

β‐Cyclodextrin‐Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles/Poly(L‐cysteine) Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode for Sensitive Determination of Metronidazole

A simple electrochemical method was developed to determine metronidazole based on β‐cyclodextrin‐functionalized gold nanoparticles/poly(L ‐cysteine) modified glassy carbon electrode (β‐CD‐GNPs/poly(L ‐cys)/GCE). The electropolymerized film of poly(L ‐cys) provides a stable matrix for the fabrication of a sensing interface. β‐CD‐GNPs can form inclusion complexes with metronidazole and act as a modifier with catalytic function. The modified electrode exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity towards metronidazole. The reaction of metronidazole at the modified electrode was an irreversible process controlled by diffusion. Under optimum experimental conditions, the logarithm of catalytic currents shows a good linear relationship with that of the metronidazole concentration in the range of 0.1–600 µmol/L with a low detection limit of 14 nmol/L. In addition, the modified electrode exhibited satisfactory stability, sensitivity and reproducibility, and could be applied to the determination of metronidazole in an injection solution.     

Influence of substituent position and cavity size of the regioisomers of monocarboxymethyl‐α‐, β‐, and γ‐cyclodextrins on the apparent stability constants of their complexes with both enantiomers of Tröger's base

Enantiomers of Tröger's base were separated by capillary electrophoresis using 2^I‐O‐, 3^I‐O‐, and 6^I‐O‐carboxymethyl‐α‐, β‐, and γ‐cyclodextrin and native α‐, β‐, and γ‐cyclodextrin as chiral additives at 0–12 mmol/L for β‐cyclodextrin and its derivatives and 0–50 mmol/L for α‐ and γ‐cyclodextrins and their derivatives in a background electrolyte composed of sodium phosphate buffer at 20 mmol/L concentration and pH 2.5. Apparent stability constants of all cyclodextrin–Tröger's base complexes were calculated based on capillary electrophoresis data. The obtained results showed that the position of the carboxymethyl group as well as the cavity size of the individual cyclodextrin significantly influences the apparent stability constants of cyclodextrin–Tröger's base complexes.     

Regioselective formation of β‐(E)‐ and α‐alkenylsilane moiety attached to silsesquioxane core via Pt‐ and Ru‐based hydrosilylation

The first attempts to use ethynylsiloxysilsesquioxanes as reagents for hydrosilylation in the presence of Pt‐ and Ru‐based catalysts are reported. The results obtained strongly depend on the catalytic system used. The catalysts are proved to promote regioselective introduction of β‐(E)‐ and α‐fragments of the alkenylsilane group to the silsesquioxane core. The favourable features of these catalytic systems are their high selectivity and the requirement for relatively mild conditions. This methodology was also successfully applied to dihydro‐substituted organosilicon compounds to obtain a new class of silsesquioxane‐based compounds.     

Inorganic–organic hybrid chitosan‐based Schiff base–Ni complex as a novel,highly efficient and recyclable heterogeneous catalyst for synthesis of pyrazolophthalazinediones

A Schiff base based on chitosan was synthesized through treatment of chitosan and p ‐dimethylaminobenzaldehyde in methanol solution. This biopolymeric Schiff base was used to prepare a new first row transition metal complex of Ni(II). The biopolymeric Schiff base and the synthesized tetra‐coordinated complex were characterized using Fourier transform infrared, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR techniques. Then, an efficient synthetic method for functionalized 1H –pyrazolo[1,2‐b ]phthalazine‐5,10‐diones was successfully developed using one‐pot domino reaction of ninhydrin and malononitrile with 3‐arylamino‐5,5‐dimethyl‐2‐cyclohexenones catalysed by the chitosan‐based Schiff base complex of Ni(II) at room temperature. The advantages of this protocol are easy work‐up, short reaction times and high yield of products and also the catalyst can be readily isolated from the reaction mixture and recycled without loss of catalytic activity.     

Synthesis of a Structure‐Definite α‐Cyclodextrin‐Based Macromolecular [3]Rotaxane Using a Size‐Complementary Method

The challenging synthesis of an α‐cyclodextrin (CD)‐based macromolecular rotaxane with definite structure was fulfilled using a size‐complementary method. A new peracetylated (PAc) α‐CD‐based size‐complementary [3]rotaxane was prepared and its thermal dissociation kinetics studied. The de‐slippage mechanism was found to be different from that of the native α‐CD‐based system. PAcα‐CD‐based size‐complementary [3]rotaxanes were employed as initiators for a ring‐opening polymerization of ?‐caprolactone to obtain the macromolecular [3]rotaxanes. Detailed investigation of component dissociation showed the highly movable character of the wheel on the polymer main chain. A general method for controlling the movement of wheels in rotaxane frameworks, even in polymer systems, was established. This will enable the development of new supramolecular architectures and molecular machines.     

Azomethine Ylides from Nitrones: Using Catalytic nBuLi for the Totally Stereoselective Synthesis of trans‐2‐Alkyl‐3‐oxazolines

The cycloaddition of azomethine ylide N‐oxides (nitrone ylides) with aldehydes provides 3‐oxazolines in a completely stereoselective manner in the presence of a catalytic amount of n‐butyllithium. The process involves an initial nucleophilic attack on the aldehyde, followed by intramolecular oxygen addition to the nitrone moiety and lithium‐assisted elimination of water, regenerating the catalytic species. Various Li‐based catalytic systems are possible and the in situ generated water is required for continuing the catalytic cycle. The best results are observed with 20 mol % of n‐butyllithium, whereas the use of stoichiometric amounts inhibit the rate of catalysis. Experimental, spectroscopic, and computational mechanistic studies have provided evidence of lithium‐ion catalysis and rationalized several competing catalytic pathways     

Synthesis of Pyrrolidine Derivatives by a Platinum/Brønsted Acid Relay Catalytic Cascade Reaction

A new catalytic reaction for the synthesis of pyrrolidine derivatives is presented. The method implies the coupling of N‐Boc‐protected alkynamine derivatives and appropriate alkenes or alkynes in a process catalysed by a platinum/triflic acid catalytic binary system. This reaction is believed to proceed through a cascade process implying an initial platinum‐catalysed cycloisomerization of the alkynamine derivative followed by a triflic acid promoted nucleophilic addition of the alkene or alkyne and trapping of the cationic species formed by the Boc group. Not only simple alkenes and alkynes were used in this reaction but also allyltrimethylsilane and propargyltrimethylsilane. Particularly, when allyltrimethylsilane is used as the alkene counterpart interesting bicyclic compounds containing a trimethylsilane group are obtained. However, when propargyltrimethylsilane is used in the presence of water we observed the formation of a related bicyclic compound lacking the trimethylsilane group and containing an exocyclic carbon?carbon bond.     

Crystal Structures of β‐Cyclodextrin Inclusion Complexes with 7‐Hydroxycoumarin and 4‐Hydroxycoumarin and Substituent Effects on Inclusion Geometry

Two inclusion complexes of β‐cyclodextrin‐7‐hydroxycoumarin ( 1 ) and β‐cyclodextrin‐4‐hydroxycoumarin ( 2 ) were prepared and their crystal structures were investigated by single crystal X‐ray crystallography under cryogenic condition. Both structures consist of stacks of face‐to‐face cyclodextrin dimers arranged in brickwork‐like pattern along the crystallographic a‐axis. For complex 1 , each of the two dimeric β‐cyclodextrins includes one 7‐hydroxycoumarin molecule that penetrates deeply into the cyclodextrin dimer and locates its lactonering at the center of the dimer cavity. For complex 2 , each cyclodextrin dimer accommodates three 4‐hydroxycoumarin molecules. One of them is sandwiched between two units of the cyclodextrin dimer, the other two are shallowly included in the cavities of the dimeric cyclodextrins respectively and protrude their lactone rings from the primary end of the cyclodextrin. The substituent effects of guest molecules on inclusion geometry of various coumarin molecules in β‐cyclodextrin were examined.     

The HPLC Resolution of Nucleic‐Acid Bases and An a Log Hypoxanthine on R,S‐2‐Hydroxypropyl Derivatized β‐Cyclodextrin Bonded Chiral Stationary Phase Using a Water‐Based Mobile Phase

A HPLC approach using R,S‐2‐hydroxypropyl derivatized β‐cyclodextrin packed column as the stationary phase was developed to resolve five nucleic‐acid bases and an a log hypoxanthine in the reversed‐phase mode. These bases are not only similar in structure but also very close in basicity. However, the resolution can be completed in less than ten minutes and is considered to be better carried out on the R,S‐2‐hydroxypropyl derivatized β‐cyclodextrin phase than that obtained on the native β‐cyclodextrin phase under the same chromatographic conditions. The mechanism involved in the resolution is believed to be inclusion complexation between the analyte and the cavity of cyclodextrin in the reversed‐phase mode. The retention time was found relevant to the size of the analyte. The number of groups on analyte that is available to form hydrogen bonding with hydroxyl groups on CDs also affects the retention scale. Factors of introducing organic acid and base or organic modifier such as methanol to the water‐based mobile phase or increasing their percent ages in the mobile phase decreases the retention time without de grading the resolution significantly.