Multicenter Homogeneous Dendritic Catalysts: The Higher the Generation,the Better the Reactivity and Selectivity? – A Comparative Study of the Catalytic Efficiency of Dendrimeric [1,1′‐Binaphthalene]‐2,2′‐diol‐Derived Catalysts

The G0 and G1 generations of optically active, multicenter 1,1′‐binaphthalene‐based dendritic ligands 4 and 5 constructed on a rigid oligo(arylene) framework were prepared by divergent synthesis. Their corresponding aluminum complexes 1 and 2 , respectively, were shown to possess slightly better reactivity and enantioselectivity than those of a monomeric 1,1′‐binaphthalene catalyst 3 in the Diels–Alder reaction between cyclopentadiene and 3‐[(E)‐but‐2‐enoyl]‐oxazolidin‐2‐one.     

Is Cyclopropane Really the σ‐Aromatic Paradigm?

Dewar proposed the σ‐aromaticity concept to explain the seemingly anomalous energetic and magnetic behavior of cyclopropane in 1979. While a detailed, but indirect energetic evaluation in 1986 raised doubts—“There is no need to involve ‘σ‐aromaticity’,”—other analyses, also indirect, resulted in wide‐ranging estimates of the σ‐aromatic stabilization energy. Moreover, the aromatic character of “in‐plane”, “double”, and cyclically delocalized σ‐electron systems now seems well established in many types of molecules. Nevertheless, the most recent analysis of the magnetic properties of cyclopropane (S. Pelloni, P. Lazzeretti, R. Zanasi, J. Phys. Chem. A 2007 , 111, 8163–8169) challenged the existence of an induced σ‐ring current, and provided alternative explanations for the abnormal magnetic behavior. Likewise, the present study, which evaluates the σ‐aromatic stabilization of cyclopropane directly for the first time, fails to find evidence for a significant energetic effect. According to ab initio valence bond (VB) computations at the VBSCF/cc‐PVTZ level, the σ‐aromatic stabilization energy of cyclopropane is, at most, 3.5 kcal mol^?1 relative to propane, and is close to zero when n‐butane is used as reference. Trisilacyclopropane also has very little σ‐aromatic stabilization, compared to Si₃H₈ (6.3 kcal mol^?1) and Si₄H₁₀ (4.2 kcal mol^?1). Alternative interpretations of the energetic behavior of cyclopropane (and of cyclobutane, as well as their silicon counterparts) are supported.     

Is the μ‐Oxo‐μ‐Peroxodiiron Intermediate of a Ribonucleotide Reductase Biomimetic a Possible Oxidant of Epoxidation Reactions?

Density functional calculations on a mu-oxo-mu-peroxodiiron complex (1) with a tetrapodal ligand BPP (BPP=N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-3-aminopropionate) are presented that is a biomimetic of the active site region of ribonucleotide reductase (RNR). We have studied all low-lying electronic states and show that it has close-lying broken-shell singlet and undecaplet (S=0, 5) ground states with essentially two sextet spin iron atoms. In strongly distorted electronic systems in which the two iron atoms have different spin states, the peroxo group moves considerably out of the plane of the mu-oxodiiron group due to orbital rearrangements. The calculated absorption spectra of (1,11)1 are in good agreement with experimental studies on biomimetics and RNR enzyme systems. Moreover, vibrational shifts in the spectrum due to (18)O(2) substitution of the oxygen atoms in the peroxo group follow similar trends as experimental observations. To identify whether the mu-oxo-mu-1,2-peroxodiiron or the mu-oxo-mu-1,1-peroxodiiron complexes are able to epoxidize substrates, we studied the reactivity patterns versus propene. Generally, the reactions are stepwise via radical intermediates and proceed by two-state reactivity patterns on competing singlet and undecaplet spin state surfaces. However, both the mu-oxo-mu-1,2-peroxodiiron and mu-oxo-mu-1,1-peroxodiiron complex are sluggish oxidants with high epoxidation barriers. The epoxidation barriers for the mu-oxo-mu-1,1-peroxodiiron complex are significantly lower than the ones for the mu-oxo-mu-1,2-peroxodiiron complex but still are too high to be considered for catalytic properties. Thus, theory has ruled out two possible peroxodiiron catalysts as oxidants in RNR enzymes and biomimetics and the quest to find the actual oxidant in the enzyme mechanism continues.     

Why do Cationic Hydridoiridium(III) Complexes with β‐Aminophosphane Ligands Favour the Transfer Hydrogenation of Ketones over the Direct “H2‐Hydrogenation”?—A Computational Approach

Density functional theory and ab initio molecular orbital calculations show that the observed inability of cationic hydridoiridium(III) complexes with beta-aminophosphane ligands to catalyse the direct hydrogenation of carbonyl compounds with dihydrogen ("H2-hydrogenation") in contrast to their ruthenium(II) equivalents is due to the inability of H2 to displace a coordinated solvent molecule from an intermediate hydrido complex.     

Enantioselective Palladium‐Catalyzed Insertion of α‐Aryl‐α‐diazoacetates into the O?H Bonds of Phenols

A palladium‐catalyzed asymmetric O H insertion reaction was developed. Palladium complexes with chiral spiro bisoxazoline ligands promoted the insertion of α‐aryl‐α‐diazoacetates into the O H bond of phenols with high yield and excellent enantioselectivity under mild reaction conditions. This palladium‐catalyzed asymmetric O H insertion reaction provided an efficient and highly enantioselective method for the preparation of synthetically useful optically active α‐aryl‐α‐aryloxyacetates.     

Temperature-Dependent NMR and CD Spectra of β-Peptides: On the Thermal Stability of β-Peptide Helices – Is the Folding Process of β-Peptides Non-cooperative?

Temperature-dependent NMR and CD spectra of methanol solutions of a β-hexapeptide and of a β-heptapeptide at temperatures between 298 and 393 K are reported. They establish the fact that the 3₁₄-helical secondary structures of the two β-peptides, 1 and 2 , do not `melt' in the temperature range investigated. This is in sharp contrast to the behavior of the helices of α-peptides and proteins which undergo cooperative unfolding (`denaturing') upon heating. A non-cooperative mechanism is proposed, with a stepwise, rather than an `un-zipping' opening of H-bonded rings (cf. Fig. 6). The experimental results are regarded as evidence that, of the three effects which have been identified as contributing to the stability of β-peptide helices, i.e., H-bonding, hydrophobic interactions, and ethane staggering, the latter one is predominant.     

“What is KRI?” – R&D based on excellent tradition and innovation –

As far as KRI's clients were concerned, KRI's appeal was not only in having researchers who had a high level of expert knowledge, but it was also in the efficiency with which high risk jobs were conducted, and the speed of response time, especially when corporations made comparisons with their own in‐house labs. KRI, while being a facility for contract research, is also capable of becoming a profitable corporation, mostly thanks to the adoption of this system. KRI sincerely hopes to continue serving as a group made up of quality professionals who embrace a dream, and to contribute to society through its achievements. At the same time, the company strives to be sensitive to changing needs, and, of course, to conduct R&D and consulting activities which will ensure success for its clients.     

Where is the Oxygen? Structural Analysis of α‐Humulene Oxidation Products by the Crystalline Sponge Method

Crystal structures of α‐humulene, a cyclic sesquiterpene, and its oxidized subproducts, were analyzed by the crystalline sponge method. Regio‐ and stereochemistry, including absolute configuration when a chiral oxidant was applied, and the stable conformations of all the scaffold‐related compounds were successfully determined for samples on a 5–50 μg scale.     

6‐Chloroisocytosine and 5‐bromo‐6‐methylisocytosine: again,one or two tautomers present in the same crystal?

It is well known that pyrimidin‐4‐one derivatives are able to adopt either the 1H‐ or the 3H‐tautomeric form in (co)crystals, depending on the coformer. As part of ongoing research to investigate the preferred hydrogen‐bonding patterns of active pharmaceutical ingredients and their model systems, 2‐amino‐6‐chloropyrimidin‐4‐one and 2‐amino‐5‐bromo‐6‐methylpyrimidin‐4‐one have been cocrystallized with several coformers and with each other. Since Cl and Br atoms both have versatile possibilities to interact with the coformers, such as via hydrogen or halogen bonds, their behaviour within the crystal packing was also of interest. The experiments yielded five crystal structures, namely 2‐aminopyridin‐1‐ium 2‐amino‐6‐chloro‐4‐oxo‐4H‐pyrimidin‐3‐ide–2‐amino‐6‐chloropyrimidin‐4(3H)‐one (1/3), C₅H₇N₂⁺·C₄H₃ClN₃O⁻·3C₄H₄ClN₃O, (Ia), 2‐aminopyridin‐1‐ium 2‐amino‐6‐chloro‐4‐oxo‐4H‐pyrimidin‐3‐ide–2‐amino‐6‐chloropyrimidin‐4(3H)‐one–2‐aminopyridine (2/10/1), 2C₅H₇N₂⁺·2C₄H₃ClN₃O⁻·10C₄H₄ClN₃O·C₅H₆N₂, (Ib), the solvent‐free cocrystal 2‐amino‐5‐bromo‐6‐methylpyrimidin‐4(3H)‐one–2‐amino‐5‐bromo‐6‐methylpyrimidin‐4(1H)‐one (1/1), C₅H₆BrN₃O·C₅H₆BrN₃O, (II), the solvate 2‐amino‐5‐bromo‐6‐methylpyrimidin‐4(3H)‐one–2‐amino‐5‐bromo‐6‐methylpyrimidin‐4(1H)‐one–N‐methylpyrrolidin‐2‐one (1/1/1), C₅H₆BrN₃O·C₅H₆BrN₃O·C₅H₉NO, (III), and the partial cocrystal 2‐amino‐5‐bromo‐6‐methylpyrimidin‐4(3H)‐one–2‐amino‐5‐bromo‐6‐methylpyrimidin‐4(1H)‐one–2‐amino‐6‐chloropyrimidin‐4(3H)‐one (0.635/1/0.365), C₅H₆BrN₃O·C₅H₆BrN₃O·C₄H₄ClN₃O, (IV). All five structures show R₂²(8) hydrogen‐bond‐based patterns, either by synthon 2 or by synthon 3, which are related to the Watson–Crick base pairs.     

π Aromaticity and Three‐Dimensional Aromaticity: Two sides of the Same Coin?

A bridge between classical organic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and closo borohydride clusters is established by showing that they share a common origin regulated by the number of valence electrons in an electronic confined space. Application of the proposed electronic confined space analogy (ECSA) method to archetypal PAHs leads to the conclusion that the 4n+2 Wade–Mingos rule for three‐dimensional closo boranes is equivalent to the (4n+2)π Hückel rule for two‐dimensional PAHs. More importantly, use of ECSA allows design of new interesting fused closo boranes which can be a source of inspiration for synthetic chemists.     

π Aromaticity and Three‐Dimensional Aromaticity: Two sides of the Same Coin?

A bridge between classical organic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and closo borohydride clusters is established by showing that they share a common origin regulated by the number of valence electrons in an electronic confined space. Application of the proposed electronic confined space analogy (ECSA) method to archetypal PAHs leads to the conclusion that the 4n+2 Wade–Mingos rule for three‐dimensional closo boranes is equivalent to the (4n+2)π Hückel rule for two‐dimensional PAHs. More importantly, use of ECSA allows design of new interesting fused closo boranes which can be a source of inspiration for synthetic chemists.     

A Straightforward Synthesis of 2‐[1‐Alkyl‐5,6‐bis(alkoxycarbonyl)‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydro‐2‐oxopyridin‐3‐yl]acetic Acid Derivatives via Domino Michael Addition?Cyclization Reaction

A new and efficient synthesis of 2‐[1‐alkyl‐5,6‐bis(alkoxycarbonyl)‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydro‐2‐oxopyridin‐3‐yl]acetic acid derivatives by a one‐pot three‐component reaction between primary amine, dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylate, and itaconic anhydride (=3,4‐dihydro‐3‐methylidenefuran‐2,5‐dione) is reported. The reaction was performed without catalyst and under solvent‐free conditions with excellent yields. Notably, the ready availability of the starting materials, and the high level of practicability of the reaction and workup make this approach an attractive complementary method to access to unknown 2‐[1‐alkyl‐5,6‐bis(alkoxycarbonyl)‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydro‐2‐oxopyridin‐3‐yl]acetic acid derivatives. The structures were corroborated spectroscopically (IR, ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR, and EI‐MS) and by elemental analyses. A plausible mechanism for this type of domino Michael addition? cyclization reaction is proposed (Scheme 2).     

Acid?Base Properties of Adenosine 5′‐Monophosphate,Guanosine 5′‐Monophosphate,and Inosine 5′‐Monophosphate in Aqueous Solutions of Methanol

The protonation constants of adenosine 5′‐monophosphate, guanosine 5′‐monophosphate, and inosine 5′‐monophosphate were determined in binary mixtures of H₂O containing 0, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, and 50% MeOH, using a combination of potentiometric and spectrophotometric methods at a constant temperature (25°) and constant ionic strength (0.1 mol?dm^?3 NaClO₄). The protonation constants were analyzed using the normalized polarity parameter (E ), and Kamlet, Abboud, and Taft (KAT) parameters. A linear correlation of log K vs. the normalized polarity parameter was obtained. Dual‐parameter correlation of log K vs. π* (dipolarity/polarizability) and α (H‐bond‐donor acidity), as well as π* and β (H‐bond‐acceptor basicity) also gives good results in various aqueous organic solvent mixtures. Finally, the results are discussed in terms of the effect of solvent on the protonation equilibria.     

Do Carbenes Have a “Hidden” Carbon(0) Character? Revisiting the Electronic Structure of 2,2′‐Bipyridyl Carbene

Density functional calculations predict that 2,2′‐bipyridyl carbenes have some degree of “hidden” carbon(0) character. This is supported by very high second proton affinity values and bond dissociation energies (BDEs) for the dissociation of one AuCl and one Ni(CO)₂ molecule from [(AuCl)₂(2,2′‐bipyridyl carbene)] and [{Ni(CO)₂}₂(2,2′‐bipyridyl carbene)]. An Arduengo type carbene also showed significant BDE values for gem‐dimetallation, thus indicating the possible existence of carbon(0) character. All of the dimetallated derivatives showed metallophilic interactions.