Axial structures of biphenyl compounds linked by diethyl ether chains

Two simple biphenyl compounds, I and II, linked by diethyl ether chains have been synthesized. These biphenyl compounds are able to respectively rotate about an internal axis. From X-ray analyses, it was found that the 2,2′-linked biphenyl compound I can transmit the same axial chirality of the biphenyl backbones through the diethyl ether chains. On the other hand, in the 3,3′-linked biphenyl compound II, the opposite axial chirality of the biphenyl backbones is transmitted.     

Phenothiazine-based oligomers as novel fluorescence probes for detecting vapor-phase nitro compounds

To meet the need for rapid and low-cost chemical sensing of explosive, new fluorescence chemosensors based on oligophenothiazines for probing vapor-phase nitro compounds have been developed. The phenothiazine-based trimer P3 and pentamer P5 have been synthesized via Heck and Wittig reactions by convergent approach. It was found that they can detect the vapors of nitro compounds, including p-nitrotoluene (p-NT), 2,4-dinitrotoluene (DNT), 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) with good sensitivity and reversibility. And the sensor of P3 film gave a linear fluorescence quenching response to 7-800 ppb TNT with the detection limit of 4 ppb. For DNT vapor, a linear working range of the sensor was 2-24 ppm with the detection limit of 40 ppb. Meanwhile, the interferents, including common organic solvents, p-nitrophenol and 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine cannot lead to obvious fluorescence quenching, meaning that the film based on oligophenothiazines exhibited good specificity of fluorescence response to explosive. Based on the fluorescence lifetime and UV-vis absorption measurements, we suggested that the fluorescence quenching of oligophenothiazine-based films exposed to the vapors of nitro compounds was due to the formation of non-fluorescent charge-transfer complex between oligophenothiazine and nitro compounds.     

A facile synthesis of (6S,1′S)-(+)-hernandulcin and (6S,1′R)-(+)-epihernandulcin

A facile total synthesis of (+)-hernandulcin (1) was accomplished from (−)-isopulegol in 6 steps with 15% overall yield. Epoxidation of (−)-isopulegol with m-chloroperbenzoic acid followed by opening of the epoxide 3a with prenyl Grignard afforded the tertiary alcohol 4a with correct C-6 and C-1′ stereochemistry as a major product. Oxidation of the secondary alcohol in compound 4a to the ketone 5a was accomplished in high yield by using TPAP and N-methylmorpholine N-oxide. Conversion of the ketone 5a to α,β-unsaturated ketone via organoselenium intermediate gave (+)-hernandulcin (1). This method was also successfully applied to the synthesis of (+)-epihernandulcin (2).     

Syntheses and regiochemistry of enol addition to 9-phenyl-9H-xanthen-9-ol

Regioselective C-C bond formation of 9-phenyl-9H-xanthen-9-ol 1 with various enolizable ketones I-X in an acidic (HBr) medium, obtained by the reaction of 1,1′-(ethane-1,2-diyl)dipyridinium bistribromide (EDPBT) with ketone is observed. Except for ketone, 4-methyl-pentan-2-one VII in all other cases examined the attack to xanthenyl carbocation is from the thermodynamically stable enolizable side of the unsymmetrical ketones. In the case of 3-methyl-butan-2-one VIII the equilibrium is in favor of the more stable enolizable ketone, which has large steric factor, hence no reaction was observed during its addition to alcohol 1.     

Rhodium(I) carbonyl complexes of quinoline carboxaldehyde ligands and their catalytic carbonylation reaction

The dimeric rhodium precursor [Rh(CO)₂Cl]₂ reacts with quinoline (a) and its three isomeric carboxaldehyde ligands [quinoline-2-carboxaldehyde (b), quinoline-3-carboxaldehyde (c), and quinoline-4-carboxaldehyde (d)] in 1:2 mole ratio to afford complexes of the type cis-[Rh(CO)₂Cl(L)] (1a-1d), where L = a-d. The complexes 1a-1d have been characterised by elemental analyses, mass spectrometry, IR and NMR (¹H, ¹³C) spectroscopy together with a single crystal X-ray structure determination of 1c. The X-ray crystal structure of 1c reveals square planar geometry with a weak intermolecular pseudo dimeric structure (Rh?Rh = 3.573 Å). 1a-1d undergo oxidative addition (OA) with different electrophiles such as CH₃I, C₂H₅I and I₂ to give Rh(III) complexes of the type [Rh(CO)(COR)Cl(L)I] {R = -CH₃ (2a-2d), R = -C₂H₅ (3a-3d)} and [Rh(CO)Cl(L)I₂] (4a-4d) respectively. 1b exhibits facile reactivity with different electrophiles at room temperature (25 °C), while 1a, 1c and 1d show very slow reactivity under similar condition, however, significant reactivity was observed at a temperature ∼40 °C. The complexes 1a-1d show higher catalytic activity for carbonylation of methanol to acetic acid and methyl acetate [Turn Over Frequency (TOF) = 1551-1735 h⁻¹] compared to that of the well known Monsanto’s species [Rh(CO)₂I₂]⁻ (TOF = 1000 h⁻¹) under the reaction conditions: temperature 130 ± 2 °C, pressure 33 ± 2 bar, 450 rpm and time 1 h. The organometallic residue of 1a-1d was also isolated after the catalytic reaction and found to be active for further run without significant loss of activity.     

Influence of sterically non-hindering methyl groups on adsorption properties of two classical zinc and copper MOF types

The metal-organic frameworks (three-dimensional porous coordination polymers) [Zn₄O(Me₄BPDC)₃] × 9 DMF, 2 · 9 DMF and [Cu₂(Me₄BPDC)₂] × 9 DMF, 3 · 9 DMF are representatives of the classical Zn-IRMOF series and Cu paddle-wheel complexes with H₂Me₄BPDC = 2,2′,6,6′-tetramethyl-4,4′-biphenyldicarboxylic acid, 1. The dicarboxylate linker of 1 is a representative of the non-planar biphenyl ligand family, known as an efficient scaffold for chiral molecules. There is a 90° twist angle between the phenyl rings in 1, dictated by the methyl groups, which leads to assembly of doubly interpenetrated pcu-a (in 2) and nbo-a (in 3) nets under low temperature solvothermal conditions in dimethylformamide (DMF). Activation by degassing (to yield 2), exchange with methanol or tetrahydrofuran and subsequent evacuation at elevated temperatures (to yield 3^I) gave materials with BET surface areas of 1735 m²/g (2) and 1041 m²/g (3^I). Adsorbed quantities of H₂ were 1.26 wt% (2) and 1.02 wt% (3^I) (77 K, 1 bar), CO₂ 30.8 cm³/g (2) and 50 cm³/g (3^I) (273 K, 1 bar) and CH₄ 12.9 cm³/g (2) and 11.4 cm³/g (3^I) (273 K, 1 bar). The H₂ and CO₂ sorption values for 2 are similar to those of MOF-5 (IRMOF-1) with its almost doubled BET surface area. An increase is found concerning the adsorbed amounts of N₂, H₂, and CO₂ for 3^I compared to related doubly interpenetrated nbo-a-type MOF-601, MOF-602, MOF-603 ([Cu₂L₂] with L = 2,2′-R₂-4,4′-biphenyldicarboxylate, R = CN, Me, I, respectively).     

Ruthenium piano-stool complexes containing mono- or bidentate pyrrolidinylalkylphosphines and their reactions with small molecules

Ruthenium piano-stool complexes incorporating the new bidentate aminoalkylphosphine ligand 1,2-bis(dipyrrolidin-1-ylphosphino)ethane (dpyrpe, I) or its monodentate counterpart bis(pyrrolidin-1-yl)methylphosphine (pyr₂PMe, II) have been prepared, [(C₅R₅)RuCl(PP)] (R = Me and PP = dpyrpe, 1; R = Me and PP = (pyr₂PMe)₂, 2; R = H and PP = dpyrpe, 3). Complexes 2 and 3 have been characterized by X-ray crystallography. Complexes 1 and 2 react with NaBAr₄^f in the presence of ligand L to yield [Cp^∗Ru(L)(dpyrpe-κ²P)][BAr^f₄] (L = MeCN, 4a; CO, 4b; N₂, 4c) and [Cp^∗Ru(L)(pyr₂PMe)₂][BAr₄^f] (L = MeCN, 5a; CO, 5b; N₂, 5c). Complex 4a was crystallographically characterized. The CO complexes 4b and 5b were examined using IR spectroscopy in an attempt to establish the electron-donating capabilities of I and II. Complex 1 oxidatively adds H₂ in the presence of NaBAr₄^f to yield the Ru(IV) dihydride [Cp^∗RuH₂(dpyrpe-κ²P)][BAr₄^f], 7.     

The microbiological transformation of steroidal saponins by Curvularia lunata

The microbiological transformation of polyphyllin I (compound I), polyphyllin III (compound II), polyphyllin V (compound III) and polyphyllin VI (compound IV) by Curvularia lunata into their corresponding subsaponins, for example, diosgenin-3-O-α-l-arabinofuranosyl (1→4)-β-d-glucopyranoside (compound V), diosgenin-3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl (1→4)-β-d-glucopyranoside (compound VI), diosgenin-3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (compound VII) and pennogenin-3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (compound VIII), were studied in this paper. Curvularia lunata is able to hydrolyze terminal rhamnosyls that are linked by 1→2 C- bond to sugar residues of steroidal saponins at C-3 position with high activity and regioselectivity.     

New ε-caprolactone diyne monomers aiming for biodegradable polymers

A substitution reaction of cyclohexane-1,4-diol with propargyl bromide gave 4-(prop-2-yn-1-yloxy)cyclohexanol. This compound was oxidized to the corresponding ketone (2-C₂H) and then to acetylene γ-substituted ε-caprolactone (3-C₂H). The latter compound was chain-extended to two butadiynyl monomers: symmetrical 5,5′-[hexa-2,4-diyne-1,6-diylbis(oxy)]bis(oxepan-2-one) (3-C₄-3) and unsymmetrical 5-{[5-(trimethylsilyl)penta-2,4-diyn-1-yl]oxy}oxepan-2-one (3-C₄TMS) via Eglinton and Cadiot–Chodkiewicz couplings, respectively. Both compounds were obtained through an alternative Baeyer–Villiger oxidation of immediate ketone precursors 2-C₄-2 and 2-C₄TMS.     

The synthesis, spectroscopic, electrochemical and X-ray diffraction characterization of novel bridged ferrocene precursors for use in self-assembled monolayers

The synthesis of 1,6-diferrocenylhexane-1,6-dione (I), 1-ferrocenylcarbonyl-2-ferrocenylcyclopentene (II) and 1,6-diferrocenylhexane (III) is reported. All three compounds were characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and infra-red spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. Compounds I and III each exhibit a single two electron transfer, while compound (II) exhibits two single electron transfers. Compounds (I) and (II) were further studied by single crystal X-ray diffraction. In compound (I), both carbonyl groups are in plane with the adjacent ferrocenyl Cp ring. For compound (II) one of the ferrocenyl Cp rings is coplanar with the carbonyl group, the other with the double bond of the cyclopentene ring, but the CO moiety and the double bond are basically perpendicular to each other.     

Enantioselective syntheses of poison-frog alkaloids: 219F and 221I and an epimer of 193E

Enantioselective syntheses of indolizidines (−)-219F and (−)-221I have been achieved and the relative stereochemistries of natural 219F and 221I were determined by the present synthesis. A levorotatory indolizidine, corresponding to one proposed structure for 193E, was also synthesized, but was found to differ from 193E. It seems likely that natural 193E is the 8-epimer of the synthesized indolizidine.     

Substituent effect on the photochemistry of 4,4-dialkoxylated- and 4-hydroxylated cyclohexenones

Photochemistry of the title compounds in various solvents was studied using a broad band of light centered at 350 nm. C-4 spiroketal cyclohexenone 4 (1.0 M) afforded dimers and 12b with the predominance of the former in polar solvent and the latter in nonpolar solvent. When the concentration was reduced to, 4 underwent solvent addition in nonpolar solvent and ring-contraction in polar solvents. 4,4-Dimethoxycyclohexenones 5a–d in TFE exhibited a different photochemical behavior. The 5-vinyl-substituted enone afforded the bridged-bicyclic ketone 16. Cyclohexenone 5b with methyl moieties at C-2 and C-3 underwent aromatization whereas cyclohexenones with butyl substituent at C-5 and 5d with silylated alcohol at C-2 underwent solvent exchange. In γ-hydroxylated cyclohexenones 6a–c ring-contraction and solvent exchange were observed. Photochemistry of the title compounds from the mechanistic viewpoint is also described.     

Enantioselective construction of nitrogen-substituted quaternary carbon centers adjacent to the carbonyl group in the cyclohexane ring: first asymmetric synthesis of anesthetic (S)-ketamine with high selectivity

Enantioselective construction of nitrogen-substituted quaternary carbon centers adjacent to the carbonyl group in the cyclohexane ring was performed with respect to the asymmetric synthesis of anesthetic (S)-ketamine 1. Diastereoselective nucleophilic 1,2-addition reaction of phenyllithium to α-ketoxime-ether acetal 9 bearing chiral auxiliary on the α-carbonyl function gave benzyloxyamine 11 major in 83% yield with 82% de, which was converted to the corresponding amino ketone 12. However, the reaction of 2-chlorophenyllithium did not work in which this route was unavailable for the synthesis of 1. Then, an alternative strategy directed toward 1, starting with a compound having 2-chlorophenyl groups in advance, was designed in which the chiral quaternary carbon center bearing a nitrogen atom in the ring is created by the enantioselective reduction of the atropisomeric intermediate ketone 18, and the sequential allyl cyanate-to-isocyanate rearrangement with complete 1,3-chirality transfer. The first asymmetric synthesis of 1 with excellent selectivity (>99% ee) was accomplished by a short path according to the strategy.     

First enantioselective synthesis of (+)-quinolizidine 207I: determination of the absolute stereochemistry

First enantioselective synthesis of quinolizidine 207I has been achieved and the absolute stereochemistry of natural quinolizidine 207I was determined to be 1S,4S,10S by the present chiral synthesis using GC analysis with β-dextrin chiral column on co-injection with racemate.     

Fungi mediated production and practical purification of (R)-(−)-3-quinuclidinol

A fungal system belonging to Mucoraceae family (Mucor piriformis) was explored for the asymmetric reduction of a prochiral ketone, 3-quinuclidinone (I) in an efficient manner to produce an important pharmaceutical precursor (R)-(−)-3-quinuclidinol (II) with ∼96% enantiomeric excess. The efficiency of the process was improved by developing a cation exchange resin (Amberlite IR-120) which assisted the purification of water soluble metabolite II from fermentation media.     

Microwave-assisted synthesis and characterization of phthalocyanines substituted with azo compound containing eugenol moiety

The new metallophthalocyanines (Co, Ni, Cu, and Zn) substituted with azo compound containing eugenol moiety are described. Firstly, azo compound (I) containing eugenol moiety was synthesized by treating eugenol with p-hydroxyaniline. Then phthalonitrile compound (1) was synthesized by microwave-assisted synthesis method. The purification of phthalonitrile compound (1) was carried out by column chromatographic separation. Intramolecular hydrogen bonding in the azo compound (I) prevent base-catalyzed nucleophilic aromatic substitution of OH group belongs eugenol. At the last step, metallophthalocyanines (1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d) were synthesized by the microwave irradiation. The microwave-assisted synthesis method reduces reaction times and enhances the yield of the reactions. All phthalocyanine compounds are soluble in DMF and DMSO. The structures were confirmed by elemental analysis, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, UV/Vis, IR and Mass spectra.     

N-Arylmethyl-7-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane derivatives: synthesis and reaction mechanisms

N-Arylmethyl-7-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane (I) derivatives have been synthesized by deprotection of N-protected, N-(arylmethyl)cyclohex-3-enamines, bromination of the resulting secondary cyclohex-3-enamines, followed by base-promoted cyclization (route a), or by bromination of N-protected, N-(arylmethyl)cyclohex-3-enamines followed by deprotection and base-mediated cyclization (route b). In these protocols we have observed that the bromination of the key intermediates (12, 13, and 19) is stereoselective leading to major trans-3-cis-4-dibromides (14, 17, and 20), whose mild base-mediated heterocyclization (on compound 14), or the two-step acid hydrolysis plus base-promoted cyclization (on compounds 17 and 20), gave products 6 and 7 in good yield. A mechanistic investigation using DFT has been carried out to explain the results observed in this work.     

Synthesis of the tetracyclic core of the bisabosquals

HCl-catalyzed deprotection and cyclization of 8b provided tricycle 9b cleanly. Epoxidation of 9b afforded tetracycle 13 with the wrong stereochemistry at the tertiary alcohol. Selective elimination of the tertiary alcohol to give the exocyclic methylene compound, alkene cleavage to form the ketone with OsO₄ and NaIO₄, and addition of MeMgBr to the ketone from the least hindered face gave tertiary alcohol 16 with the tetracyclic core of bisabosqual A (1).     

Fluoride-induced intermolecular excimer formation of bispyrenyl thioureas linked by polyethylene glycol chains

New bispyrenyl thioureas linked by polyethylene glycol (PEG) chains, L1-L3, and methoxy benzene pyrene thiourea, L4, were synthesized. Upon binding with F⁻ in CHCl₃, L1-L3 exhibited strong excimer emission bands (I_E) and weak monomer emission bands (I_M), while L4 displayed the same intensity of both bands. However, little or no change was observed in fluorescence spectra of L1 upon adding OH⁻, AcO⁻, BzO⁻, H₂PO₄⁻, Cl⁻, Br⁻, and I⁻. Therefore, only F⁻ induced the pyrene excimer formation. Job’s plots showed 1/1 or 2/2 complexation of L1 with F⁻. Ratios of I_E/I_M of L1·F⁻ complex were dependent on the concentration of L1, implying that the dimerization of L1 proceeded via the intermolecular excimer formation. Among L1-L4, L1 possessed the highest binding constant and sensitivity toward F⁻ implying the importance of the linking PEG chain. L1 was demonstrated to be an excellent probe for F⁻ in CHCl₃ with the detection limit as low as 46.2 μg/L.     

Confirmation of the structures of synthetic derivatives of migrastatin in the light of recently disclosed crystallographically based claims

In the light of recently disclosed crystallographic studies on migrastatin ketone 2 complex with fascin, the structures of migrastatin ketone 2 and migrastatin ether 4 have been re-evaluated by NMR and X-ray crystallographic techniques. The results of these studies established the correctness of the previously reported structural assignment and confirmed that the ‘small molecule’ co-crystallized in complex with fascin is not the migrastatin ketone, which was provided for the infusion experiment, but rather its stereoisomer.