Preparation of Protected β2‐ and β3‐Homocysteine, β2‐ and β3‐Homohistidine,and β2‐Homoserine for Solid‐Phase Syntheses

The Ser, Cys, and His side chains play decisive roles in the syntheses, structures, and functions of proteins and enzymes. For our structural and biomedical investigations of β‐peptides consisting of amino acids with proteinogenic side chains, we needed to have reliable preparative access to the title compounds. The two β³‐homoamino acid derivatives were obtained by Arndt–Eistert methodology from Boc‐His(Ts)‐OH and Fmoc‐Cys(PMB)‐OH (Schemes 2–4), with the side‐chain functional groups' reactivities requiring special precautions. The β²‐homoamino acids were prepared with the help of the chiral oxazolidinone auxiliary DIOZ by diastereoselective aldol additions of suitable Ti‐enolates to formaldehyde (generated in situ from trioxane) and subsequent functional‐group manipulations. These include OH→O^tBu etherification (for β²hSer; Schemes 5 and 6), OH→STrt replacement (for β²hCys; Scheme 7), and CH₂OH→CH₂N₃→CH₂NH₂ transformations (for β²hHis; Schemes 9–11). Including protection/deprotection/re‐protection reactions, it takes up to ten steps to obtain the enantiomerically pure target compounds from commercial precursors. Unsuccessful approaches, pitfalls, and optimization procedures are also discussed. The final products and the intermediate compounds are fully characterized by retention times (t_R), melting points, optical rotations, HPLC on chiral columns, IR, ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, elemental analyses, and (in some cases) by X‐ray crystal‐structure analysis.     

4‐(2‐Hydroxyphenyl)‐2‐phenyl‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐1,5‐benzodiazepine and the 2‐(2,3‐dimethoxyphenyl)‐, 2‐(3,4‐dimethoxyphenyl)‐ and 2‐(2,5‐dimethoxyphenyl)‐substituted derivatives

The 1,5‐benzodiazepine ring system exhibits a puckered boat‐like conformation for all four title compounds [4‐(2‐hydroxyphenyl)‐2‐phenyl‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐1,5‐benzodiazepine, C₂₁H₁₈N₂O, (I), 2‐(2,3‐dimethoxyphenyl)‐4‐(2‐hydroxyphenyl)‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐1,5‐benzodiazepine, C₂₃H₂₂N₂O₃, (II), 2‐(3,4‐dimethoxyphenyl)‐4‐(2‐hydroxyphenyl)‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐1,5‐benzodiazepine, C₂₃H₂₂N₂O₃, (III), and 2‐(2,5‐dimethoxyphenyl)‐4‐(2‐hydroxyphenyl)‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐1,5‐benzodiazepine, C₂₃H₂₂N₂O₃, (IV)]. The stereochemical correlation of the two C₆ aromatic groups with respect to the benzodiazepine ring system is pseudo‐equatorial–equatorial for compounds (I) (the phenyl group), (II) (the 2,3‐dimethoxyphenyl group) and (III) (the 3,4‐dimethoxyphenyl group), while for (IV) (the 2,5‐dimethoxyphenyl group) the system is pseudo‐axial–equatorial. An intramolecular hydrogen bond between the hydroxyl OH group and a benzodiazepine N atom is present for all four compounds and defines a six‐membered ring, whose geometry is constant across the series. Although the molecular structures are similar, the supramolecular packing is different; compounds (I) and (IV) form chains, while (II) forms dimeric units and (III) displays a layered structure. The packing seems to depend on at least two factors: (i) the nature of the atoms defining the hydrogen bond and (ii) the number of intermolecular interactions of the types O—H...O, N—H...O, N—H...π(arene) or C—H...π(arene).     

Synthesen und Charakteristika von Heterobimetallorganika des Siliciums mit dem 2‐(Dimethylaminomethyl)ferrocenyl‐Liganden FcN (η5‐C5H5)Fe[η5‐C5H3(CH2NMe2)]—

Syntheses and characteristics of the heterobimetalorganics of the silicon with the 2‐(dimethylaminomethyl)ferrocenyl ligand FcN (η⁵‐C₅H₅)Fe[η⁵‐C₅H₃(CH₂NMe₂)]^— The heterobimetallic lithiumorganyl [2‐(dimethylaminomethyl)ferrocenyl] lithium, LiFcN, reacts with silicon(IV)‐chlorid, SiCl₄, under the formation of heterobimetallic silicon(IV) organyl [(FcN)₃SiCl] ( 1 ). The heterobimetallic organosilanol [(FcN)₃SiOH] ( 2 ) is formed at hydrolysis of 1 . A detailed characterization of the defined compounds 1 and 2 was carried out by NMR‐ rsp. mass‐spectrometry and by crystal X‐ray analysis of 2 .     

Synthesis of dihydrofuro[2,3‐b]pyridines by the reaction of 2‐amino‐4,5‐dihydro‐3‐furancarbonitriles with α,β‐unsaturated carbonyl compounds

The reactions of 2‐amino‐4,5‐dihydro‐3‐furancarbonitriles 1a‐d with α,β‐unsaturated carbonyl compounds in the presence of sodium ethoxide (0.1 equivalent) gave the corresponding Michael adducts 2a‐d , 3a‐d and 4a‐d. Compounds 2a‐d and 3a‐c reacted with sodium alkoxide (1 equivalent) to yield the corresponding 7a‐alkoxyhexahydrofuro[2,3‐b]pyridines 5a‐d, 6a‐d, 7a‐c and 8a‐c . Treatment of 5a‐d, 6a‐d, 7a‐c and 8a‐c with potassium tert‐butoxide produced the corresponding dihydrofuro[2,3‐b]pyridines 9a‐d and 10a‐c . The reaction of 4a‐c with sodium ethoxide (1 equivalent) afforded the corresponding dihydro‐furo[2,3‐b]pyridines 11a‐c .     

Synthesis and Characterization of 11‐Amino‐3‐methoxy‐8‐substituted‐12‐aryl‐8,9‐dihydro‐7H‐chromeno[2,3‐b]quinolin‐10(12H)‐one Derivatives

A series of 2‐amino‐7‐methoxy‐4‐aryl‐4H‐chromene‐3‐carbonitrile compounds 2 were obtained by condensation of 3‐methoxyphenol with β‐dicyanostyrenes 1 in absolute ethanol containing piperidine. The intermediate enamines 3 were prepared by compounds 2 with 5‐substituted‐1,3‐cyclohexanedione using p‐toluenesuflonic acid (TsOH) as catalyst. The title compounds 11‐amino‐3‐methoxy‐8‐substituted‐12‐aryl‐8,9‐dihydro‐7H‐chromeno[2,3‐b]quinolin‐10(12H)‐one 4 were synthesized by cyclization of the intermediate enamines 3 in THF with K₂CO₃ /Cu₂Cl₂ as catalyst. The structures of all compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, MS, and ¹H NMR spectra. The crystal structure of compound 4i was determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis.     

Synthesis and Conformational Analysis of 1′‐ and 3′‐Substituted 2‐Deoxy‐2‐fluoro‐D‐ribofuranosyl Nucleosides

Convergent syntheses of the 9‐(3‐X‐2,3‐dideoxy‐2‐fluoro‐β‐D ‐ribofuranosyl)adenines 5 (X=N₃) and 7 (X=NH₂), as well as of their respective α‐anomers 6 and 8 , are described, using methyl 2‐azido‐5‐O‐benzoyl‐2,3‐dideoxy‐2‐fluoro‐β‐D ‐ribofuranoside ( 4 ) as glycosylating agent. Methyl 5‐O‐benzoyl‐2,3‐dideoxy‐2,3‐difluoro‐β‐D ‐ribofuranoside ( 12 ) was prepared starting from two precursors, and coupled with silylated N⁶‐benzoyladenine to afford, after deprotection, 2′,3′‐dideoxy‐2′,3′‐difluoroadenosine ( 13 ). Condensation of 1‐O‐acetyl‐3,5‐di‐O‐benzoyl‐2‐deoxy‐2‐fluoro‐β‐D ‐ribofuranose ( 14 ) with silylated N²‐palmitoylguanine gave, after chromatographic separation and deacylation, the N⁷‐β‐anomer 17 as the main product, along with 2′‐deoxy‐2′‐fluoroguanosine ( 15 ) and its N⁹‐α‐anomer 16 in a ratio of ca. 42 : 24 : 10. An in‐depth conformational analysis of a number of 2,3‐dideoxy‐2‐fluoro‐3‐X‐D ‐ribofuranosides (X=F, N₃, NH₂, H) as well as of purine and pyrimidine 2‐deoxy‐2‐fluoro‐D ‐ribofuranosyl nucleosides was performed using the PSEUROT (version 6.3) software in combination with NMR studies.     

Convenient and Efficient Synthesis of 11‐Amino‐2,8‐substituted‐2,3,8,9‐tetrahydrobenzo[4,5]thieno[2,3‐b]quinolinone Derivatives

The Gewald reactions of 5‐substituted‐1,3‐cyclohexanedione, malononitrile, and powdered sulfur were carried out to give the corresponding products 2‐amino‐5‐substituted‐7‐oxo‐4,5,6,7‐tetrahydrobenzo[b]thiophene‐3‐carbonitrile derivatives 1 . The intermediate enamines 2 were prepared by reaction of compounds 1 and 5‐substituted‐1,3‐cyclohexanedione with hydrochloric acid as catalyst. The title compounds 11‐amino‐2,8‐substituted‐2,3,8,9‐tetrahydrobenzo[4,5]thieno[2,3‐b]quinolinone 3 were synthesized by cyclization of compounds 2 in the presence of K₂CO₃ and Cu₂Cl₂. The structures of all compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, MS, and ¹H‐NMR spectra.     

Differentiation of Boc‐protected α,δ‐/δ,α‐ and β,δ‐/δ,β‐hybrid peptide positional isomers by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

Two new series of Boc‐N‐α,δ‐/δ,α‐ and β,δ‐/δ,β‐hybrid peptides containing repeats of L ‐Ala‐δ⁵‐Caa/δ⁵‐Caa‐L ‐Ala and β³‐Caa‐δ⁵‐Caa/δ⁵‐Caa‐β³‐Caa (L ‐Ala = L ‐alanine, Caa = C‐linked carbo amino acid derived from D ‐xylose) have been differentiated by both positive and negative ion electrospray ionization (ESI) ion trap tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). MSⁿ spectra of protonated isomeric peptides produce characteristic fragmentation involving the peptide backbone, the Boc‐group, and the side chain. The dipeptide positional isomers are differentiated by the collision‐induced dissociation (CID) of the protonated peptides. The loss of 2‐methylprop‐1‐ene is more pronounced for Boc‐NH‐L ‐Ala‐δ‐Caa‐OCH₃ (1), whereas it is totally absent for its positional isomer Boc‐NH‐δ‐Caa‐L ‐Ala‐OCH₃ (7), instead it shows significant loss of t‐butanol. On the other hand, second isomeric pair shows significant loss of t‐butanol and loss of acetone for Boc‐NH‐δ‐Caa‐β‐Caa‐OCH₃ (18), whereas these are insignificant for its positional isomer Boc‐NH‐β‐Caa‐δ‐Caa‐OCH₃ (13). The tetra‐ and hexapeptide positional isomers also show significant differences in MS² and MS³ CID spectra. It is observed that ‘b’ ions are abundant when oxazolone structures are formed through five‐membered cyclic transition state and cyclization process for larger ‘b’ ions led to its insignificant abundance. However, b₁⁺ ion is formed in case of δ,α‐dipeptide that may have a six‐membered substituted piperidone ion structure. Furthermore, ESI negative ion MS/MS has also been found to be useful for differentiating these isomeric peptide acids. Thus, the results of MS/MS of pairs of di‐, tetra‐, and hexapeptide positional isomers provide peptide sequencing information and distinguish the positional isomers. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

New Open‐Chain and Cyclic Tetrapeptides,Consisting of α‐, β2‐, and β3‐Amino‐Acid Residues,as Somatostatin Mimics – A Survey

Cyclo‐β‐tetrapeptides are known to adopt a conformation with an intramolecular transannular hydrogen bond in solution. Analysis of this structure reveals that incorporation of a β²‐amino‐acid residue should lead to mimics of ‘α‐peptidic β‐turns’ (cf. A, B, C ). It is also known that short‐chain mixed β/α‐peptides with appropriate side chains can be used to mimic interactions between α‐peptidic hairpin turns and G protein‐coupled receptors. Based on these facts, we have now prepared a number of cyclic and open‐chain tetrapeptides, 7 – 20 , consisting of α‐, β²‐, and β³‐amino‐acid residues, which bear the side chains of Trp and Lys, and possess backbone configurations such that they should be capable of mimicking somatostatin in its affinity for the human SRIF receptors (hsst_1–5). All peptides were prepared by solid‐phase coupling by the Fmoc strategy. For the cyclic peptides, the three‐dimensional orthogonal methodology (Scheme 3) was employed with best success. The new compounds were characterized by high‐resolution mass spectrometry, NMR and CD spectroscopy, and, in five cases, by a full NMR‐solution‐structure determination (in MeOH or H₂O; Fig. 4). The affinities of the new compounds for the receptors hsst_1–5 were determined by competition with [¹²⁵I]LTT‐SRIF₂₈ or [¹²⁵I] [Tyr¹⁰]‐CST₁₄. In Table 1, the data are listed, together with corresponding values of all β‐ and γ‐peptidic somatostatin/Sandostatin^® mimics measured previously by our groups. Submicromolar affinities have been achieved for most of the human SRIF receptors hsst_1–5. Especially high, specific binding affinities for receptor hsst₄ (which is highly expressed in lung and brain tissue, although still of unknown function!) was observed with some of the β‐peptidic mimics. In view of the fact that numerous peptide‐activated G protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs) recognize ligands with turn structure (Table 2), the results reported herein are relevant far beyond the realm of somatostatin: many other peptide GPCRs should be ‘reached’ with β‐ and γ‐peptidic mimics as well, and these compounds are proteolytically and metabolically stable, and do not need to be cell‐penetrating for this purpose (Fig. 5).     

μ3‐η2:η2:η2‐Coordination of Primary Silane on a Triruthenium Plane

A μ₃‐η²:η²:η²‐silane complex, [(Cp*Ru)₃(μ₃‐η²:η²:η²‐H₃SitBu)(μ‐H)₃] ( 2 a ; Cp*=η⁵‐C₅Me₅), was synthesized from the reaction of [{Cp*Ru(μ‐H)}₃(μ₃‐H)₂] ( 1 ) with tBuSiH₃. Complex 2 a is the first example of a silane ligand adopting a μ₃‐η²:η²:η² coordination mode. This unprecedented coordination mode was established by NMR and IR spectroscopy as well as X‐ray diffraction analysis and supported by a density functional study. Variable‐temperature NMR analysis implied that 2 a equilibrates with a tautomeric μ₃‐silyl complex ( 3 a ). Although 3 a was not isolated, the corresponding μ₃‐silyl complex, [(Cp*Ru)₃(μ₃‐η²:η²‐H₂SiPh)(H)(μ‐H)₃] ( 3 b ), was obtained from the reaction of 1 with PhSiH₃. Treatment of 2 a with PhSiH₃ resulted in a silane exchange reaction, leading to the formation of 3 b accompanied by the elimination of tBuSiH₃. This result indicates that the μ₃‐silane complex can be regarded as an “arrested” intermediate for the oxidative addition/reductive elimination of a primary silane to a trinuclear site.     

A Convenient Synthesis of 2,3‐Dihydro‐4H‐thiopyrano[2,3‐b]‐, ‐[2,3‐c]‐, or ‐[3,2‐c]pyridin‐4‐ones by the Reaction of the Corresponding 1‐(Chloropyridinyl)alk‐2‐en‐1‐ones with NaSH

2,3‐Dihydro‐4H‐thiopyrano[2,3‐b]pyridin‐4‐ones 4 were prepared by a three‐step sequence from commercially available 2‐chloropyridine ( 1 ). Thus, successive treatment of 1 with ⁱPr₂NLi (LDA) and α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes gave 1‐(2‐chloropyridin‐3‐yl)alk‐2‐en‐1‐ols 2 , which were oxidized with MnO₂ to 1‐(2‐chloropyridin‐3‐yl)alk‐2‐en‐1‐ones 3 . The reactions of 3 with NaSH?n H₂O proceeded smoothly at 0° in DMF to provide the desired thiopyranopyridinones. Similarly, 2,3‐dihydro‐4H‐thiopyrano[2,3‐c]pyridin‐4‐ones 8 and 2,3‐dihydro‐4H‐thiopyrano[3,2‐c]pyridin‐4‐ones 12 were obtained starting from 3‐chloropyridine ( 5 ) and 4‐chloropyridine ( 9 ), respectively.     

β,β‐(1,4‐Dithiino)subporphyrin Dimers Capturing Fullerenes with Large Association Constants

β,β‐(1,4‐Dithiino)subporphyrin dimers 7‐syn and 7‐anti were synthesized by the nucleophilic aromatic substitution reaction of 2‐bromo‐3‐(4‐methoxyphenylsulfonyl)subporphyrin 4 with 2,3‐dimercaptosubporphyrin 5 under basic conditions followed by axial arylation. Additions of C₆₀ or C₇₀ to a dilute solution of 7‐anti (ca. 10^?6 m ) in toluene did not cause appreciable UV/Vis spectral changes, while similar additions to a concentrated solution (ca. 10^?3 m ) resulted in precipitation of complexes. In contrast, dimer 7‐syn captured C₆₀ and C₇₀ in different complexation stoichiometries in toluene; a 1:1 manner and a 2:1 manner, respectively, with large association constants; K_a=(1.9±0.2)×10⁶ m ^?1 for C₆₀@ 7‐syn , and K₁=(1.6±0.5)×10⁶ and K₂=(1.8±0.9)×10⁵ m ^?1 for C₇₀@( 7‐syn )₂. These association constants are the largest for fullerenes‐capture by bowl‐shaped molecules reported so far. The structures of C₆₀@ 7‐anti , C₇₀@ 7‐anti , C₆₀@ 7‐syn , and C₇₀@ 7‐syn have been determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis.     

The 7‐bromo derivative of 2‐amino‐2′‐deoxytubercidin fluorinated at the sugar moiety

The title compound, 2,4‐diamino‐5‐bromo‐7‐(2‐deoxy‐2‐fluoro‐β‐d ‐arabinofuranosyl)‐7H‐pyrrolo[2,3‐d]pyrimidine, C₁₁H₁₃BrFN₅O₃, shows two conformations of the exocyclic C4′—C5′ bond, with the torsion angle γ (O5′—C5′—C4′—C3′) being 170.1 (3)° for conformer 1 (occupancy 0.69) and 60.7 (7)° for conformer 2 (occupancy 0.31). The N‐glycosylic bond exhibits an anti conformation, with χ = −114.8 (4)°. The sugar pucker is N‐type (C3′‐endo; ³T₄), with P = 23.3 (4)° and τ_m = 36.5 (2)°. The compound forms a three‐dimensional network that is stabilized by several intermolecular hydrogen bonds (N—H...O, O—H...N and N—H...Br).     

Sodium 2‐oxo‐3‐semicarbazono‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐indole‐5‐sulfonate dihydrate

The title compound, Na⁺·C₉H₇N₄O₅S⁻·2H₂O, presents a Z configuration around the imine C=N bond and an E configuration around the C(O)NH₂ group, stabilized by two intra­molecular hydrogen bonds. The packing is governed by ionic inter­actions between the Na⁺ cation and the surrounding O atoms. The ionic unit, Na⁺ and 2‐oxo‐3‐semicarbazono‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐indole‐5‐sulfonate, forms layers extending in the bc plane. The layers are connected by hydrogen bonds involving the water mol­ecules.     

Three‐Step Synthesis of 3‐Aryl‐2‐sulfanylthieno[2,3‐b]‐, ‐[2,3‐c]‐, or ‐[3,2‐c]pyridines from the Corresponding Aryl(halopyridinyl)methanones

A convenient three‐step procedure for the synthesis of three types of 3‐aryl‐2‐sulfanylthienopyridines 4, 8 , and 12 has been developed. The first step of the synthesis of thieno[2,3‐b]pyridine derivatives 4 is the replacement of the halo with a (sulfanylmethyl)sulfanyl group in aryl(2‐halopyridin‐3‐yl)methanones 1 by successive treatment with Na₂S?9 H₂O and chloromethyl sulfides to give aryl{2‐[(sulfanylmethyl)sulfanyl]pyridin‐3‐yl}methanones 2 . In the second step, these were treated with LDA (LiNⁱPr₂) to give 3‐aryl‐2,3‐dihydro‐2‐sulfanylthieno[2,3‐b]pyridin‐3‐ols 3 , which were dehydrated in the last step with SOCl₂ in the presence of pyridine to give the desired products. Similarly, thieno[2,3‐c]pyridine and thieno[3,2‐c]pyridine derivatives, 8 and 12 , respectively, can be prepared from aryl(3‐chloropyridin‐4‐yl)methanones 5 and aryl(4‐chloropyridin‐3‐yl)methanones 9 , respectively.     

Metalated 1, 3‐Azaphospholes: η1‐(1H‐1, 3‐Benzazaphosphole‐P)M(CO)5 and μ2‐[(1, 3‐Benzazaphospholide‐P)(cyclopentadienide)nickel] Complexes

1H‐1, 3‐Benzazaphospholes react with M(CO)₅(THF) (M = Cr, Mo, W) to give thermally and relatively air stable η¹‐(1H‐1, 3‐Benzazaphosphole‐P)M(CO)₅ complexes. The ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR‐data are in accordance with the preservation of the phosphaaromatic π‐system of the ligand. The strong upfield ³¹P coordination shift, particularly of the Mo and W complexes, forms a contrast to the downfield‐shifts of phosphine‐M(CO)₅ complexes and classifies benzazaphospholes as weak donor but efficient acceptor ligands. Nickelocene reacts as organometallic species with metalation of the NH‐function. The resulting ambident 1, 3‐benzazaphospholide anions prefer a μ₂‐coordination of the η⁵‐CpNi‐fragment at phosphorus to coordination at nitrogen or a η³‐heteroallyl‐η⁵‐CpNi‐semisandwich structure. This is shown by characteristic NMR data and the crystal structure analysis of a η⁵‐CpNi‐benzazaphospholide. The latter is a P‐bridging dimer with a planar Ni₂P₂ ring and trans‐configuration of the two planar heterocyclic phosphido ligands arranged perpendicular to the four‐membered ring.     

Synthesis of Thieno[2,3‐b]quinolinone Derivatives

The Knoevenagel reactions of malononitrile with acetophenone or 4‐substituted acetophenons were carried to give the corresponding 2‐(1‐aryle thylidene)malononitriles, which was further cyclized with sulfur using NaHCO₃ as catalysts to generate 2‐amino‐5‐arylthiophene‐3‐carbonitrile 2 . The intermediate enamines 3 were prepared by refluxing of 2 with 5‐substituted‐1,3‐cyclohexanedione using p‐toluenesulfonic acid as catalyst. The title compounds 4‐amino‐3‐aryl ‐7‐substituted‐7,8‐dihydrothieno[2,3‐b]quinolin‐5(6H)‐one were synthesized by cyclization of 3 in the presence of K₂CO₃ and Cu₂Cl₂. The structures of all compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, MS, and ¹H‐NMR spectra.     

Darstellung,Eigenschaften und Molekülstrukturen von Heterobimetallorganika des vierwertigen Germaniums mit dem 2‐(Dimethylaminomethyl)ferrocenyl‐Liganden FcN (η5‐C5H5)Fe[η5‐C5H3(CH2NMe2)‐2]

Hydrolysereak‐Syntheses, Properties and Molecular Structures of the Heterobimetalorganics of the four‐valued Germanium with the 2‐(Dimethylaminomethyl)ferrocenyl Ligand FcN (η⁵‐C₅H₅)Fe[η⁵‐C₅H₃(CH₂NMe₂)‐2] The heterobimetallic lithiumorganyl [2‐(dimethylaminomethyl)ferrocenyl] lithium, FcNLi, reacts with germanium(IV) chloride, GeCl₄, under the formation of heterobimetallic germanium(IV) organyls (FcN)_nGeCl_4‐n (n = 2 ( 1 ), 3 ( 2 )). The heterobimetallic organogermanol (FcN)₃GeOH ( 3 ) is formed at hydrolysis of 2 . A detailed characterization of the defined compounds 1 — 3 was carried out by single crystal X‐ray analyses, NMR‐ and mass‐spectrometry.     

Synthesis of thieno[2,3‐b][1,5]benzoxazepine derivatives

A new series of 4‐(4‐methylpiperazin‐1‐yl)thieno[2,3‐b][1,5]benzoxazepines 1a‐k has been synthesized from 4‐bromo‐2‐methylthiophene 6 or ethyl 2‐amino‐4,5‐dimethyl‐3‐thiophencarboxylate 10 . Preparation of the key intermediate thieno[2,3‐b][1,5]benzoxazepine‐4(5H)‐ones 4a‐i, 4k were carried out by treatment of 2‐bromo‐N‐(2‐hydroxyphenyl)‐3‐thiophencarboxamides 5a‐i, 5k with potassium carbonate in DMSO. Compounds 1 are thienoanalogues of loxapine, a potent antipsychotic drug. Of these compounds, the neu‐roleptic activity of 2‐methyl‐4‐(4‐methylpiperazin‐l‐yl)thieno[2,3‐b][1,5]benzoxazepine 1a (R¹, R³=H, R²=CH₃) demonstrated potent antipsychotic activity.     

Unexpected Approach to the Synthesis of 2‐Phenylquinoxalines and Pyrido[2,3‐b]pyrazines via a Regioselective Reaction

An unexpected approach to the preparation of quinoxaline and pyrido[2,3‐b]pyrazine derivatives 5 is described. The reaction between 1H‐indole‐2,3‐diones 1 , 1‐phenyl‐2‐(triphenylphosphoranylidene)ethanone ( 2 ), and benzene‐1,2‐ or pyridine‐2,3‐diamines 3 proceeds in MeOH under reflux in good to excellent yields (Scheme 1 and Table). No co‐catalyst or activator is required for this multi‐component reaction (MCR), and the reaction is, from an experimental point of view, simple to perform. The structures of 5, 5′ , and 6 were corroborated spectroscopically (IR, ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR, and EI‐MS) and were confirmed by comparison with reference compounds. A plausible mechanism for this type of reaction is proposed (Scheme 2).