Regio- and stereoselective reactions of a rhodanine derivative with optically active 2-methyl- and 2-phenyloxirane

The reaction of a rhodanine derivative (=(Z)-5-benzylidene-3-phenyl-2-thioxo-1,3-thiazolidin-4-one; 1) with (S)-2-methyloxirane (2) in the presence of SiO₂ in dry CH₂Cl₂ for 10 days led to two diastereoisomeric spirocyclic 1,3-oxathiolanes 3 and 4 with the Me group at C(2) (Scheme 2). The analogous reaction of 1 with (R)-2-phenyloxirane (5) afforded also two diastereoisomeric spirocyclic 1,3-oxathiolanes 6 and 7 bearing the Ph group at C(3) (Scheme 3). The structures of 3, 4, 6, and 7 were confirmed by X-ray crystallography (Figs. 1 and 2). These results show that oxiranes react selectively with the thiocarbonyl group (CS) in 1. Furthermore, the nucleophilic attack of the thiocarbonyl S-atom at the SiO₂-activated oxirane ring proceeds with high regio- and stereoselectivity via an S_N2-type mechanism.     

Platinum-catalyzed double silylations of alkynes with bis(dichlorosilyl)methanes

Bis(dichlorosilyl)methanes 1 undergo the two kind reactions of a double hydrosilylation and a dehydrogenative double silylation with alkynes 2 such as acetylene and activated phenyl-substituted acetylenes in the presence of Speier’s catalyst to give 1,1,3,3-tetrachloro-1,3-disilacyclopentanes 3 and 1,1,3,3-tetrachloro-1,3-disilacyclopent-4-enes 4 as cyclic products, respectively, depending upon the molecular structures of both bis(dichlorosilyl)methanes (1) and alkynes (2). Simple bis(dichlorosilyl)methane (1a) reacted with alkynes [R¹-CC-R²: R¹ = H, R² = H (2a), Ph (2b); R¹ = R² = Ph (2c)] at 80 °C to afford 1,1,3,3-tetrachloro-1,3-disilacyclopentanes 3 as the double hydrosilylation products in fair to good yields (33-84%). Among these reactions, the reaction with 2c gave a trans-4,5-diphenyl-1,1,3,3-tetrachloro-1,3-disilacyclopentane 3ac in the highest yield (84%). When a variety of bis(dichlorosilyl)(silyl)methanes [(Me_nCl_3 − nSi)CH(SiHCl₂)₂: n = 0 (1b), 1 (1c), 2 (1d), 3 (1e)] were applied in the reaction with alkyne (2c) under the same reaction conditions. The double hydrosilylation products, 2-silyl-1,1,3,3-tetrachloro-1,3-disilacyclopentanes (3), were obtained in fair to excellent yields (38-98%). The yields of compound 3 deceased as follows: n = 1 > 2 > 3 > 0. The reaction of alkynes (2a-c) with 1c under the same conditions gave one of two type products of 1,1,3,3-tetrachloro-1,3-disilacyclopentanes 3 and 1,1,3,3-tetrachloro-1,3-disilacyclopent-4-enes (4): simple alkyne 2a and terminal 2b gave the latter products 4ca and 4cb in 91% and 57% yields, respectively, while internal alkyne 2c afforded the former cyclic products 3cc with trans form between two phenyl groups at the 3- and 4-carbon atoms in 98% yield, respectively. Among platinum compounds such as Speier’s catalyst, PtCl₂(PEt₃)₂, Pt(PPh₃)₂(C₂H₄), Pt(PPh₃)₄, Pt[ViMeSiO]₄, and Pt/C, Speier’s catalyst was the best catalyst for such silylation reactions.     

Utilisation of 1,3-dialkylimidazolium-2-carboxylates as CO2-carriers in the presence of Na and K: application in the synthesis of carboxylates, monomethylcarbonate anions and halogen-free ionic liquids

1,3-Dialkylimidazolium-2-carboxylate compounds have recently been fully characterised. Here we describe the utilisation of 1,3-dimethyl (1a) and 1-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium-2-carboxylate (1b) in a carboxylation reaction with transfer of the CO₂ moiety to benzoylacetone and methanol for the synthesis, in high yield, of benzoylacetate and monoalkylcarbonate anions, respectively. Conversely, when compounds 1a and b are reacted with carbonylic substrates lacking C-H active bonds, a product resulting from nucleophilic attack of the 1,3-dialkylimidazol-2-ylidene species on the carbonyl moiety is obtained. The reported reactions can find applications in organic synthesis and in the synthesis of halogen-free ionic liquids.     

On the microstructure and symmetry of apparently hexagonal BaAl2O4

The P6₃ (a=2a_p, b=2b_p, c=c_p) crystal structure reported for BaAl₂O₄ at room temperature has been carefully re-investigated by a combined transmission electron microscopy and neutron powder diffraction study. It is shown that the poor fit of this P6₃ (a=2a_p, b=2b_p, c=c_p) structure model for BaAl₂O₄ to neutron powder diffraction data is primarily due to the failure to take into account coherent scattering between different domains related by enantiomorphic twinning of the P6₃22 parent sub-structure. Fast Fourier transformation of [0 0 1] lattice images from small localized real space regions (∼10 nm in diameter) are used to show that the P6₃ (a=2a_p, b=2b_p, c=c_p) crystal structure reported for BaAl₂O₄ is not correct on the local scale. The correct local symmetry of the very small nano-domains is most likely orthorhombic or monoclinic.     

Atom-efficient and environment-friendly multicomponent synthesis of amidoalkyl naphthols catalyzed by P2O5

An atom-efficient and environment-friendly approach for the synthesis of amidoalkyl naphthols (4a-x) via multicomponent one-pot reaction of 2-naphthol (1), aromatic aldehyde (2) and amide (3) catalyzed by P₂O₅ has been developed. The present approach offers several advantages such as reduced reaction times, moderate temperature, higher yields, eco-friendly reaction condition, easy purification and economic availability of the catalyst.     

One pot synthesis of new benzopyranopyridines via Friedlander condensation

A facile, green synthetic route to new benzopyrano [2,3-b] pyridines in excellent yield via Friedlander condensation has been developed by the reaction of 2-amino-3-formylchromone 1a-b and cyclic active methylene compounds 2a-e in the presence of Zn(l-proline)₂ as an efficient, stable, and inexpensive Lewis acid catalyst in water. The present methodology offers several advantages such as shorter reaction time, mild reaction conditions, simple operational procedure, recyclable catalyst, and safe to the environment.     

Selective synthesis of 2-pyridones and pyrimidine-2,4-diones by neutral rhodium(I) complex-catalyzed cyclocotrimerization of alkynes and isocyanates

A neutral rhodium(I) complex, ‘RhCl(PPh₃)₂’ generated by the combination of [RhCl(C₂H₄)₂]₂ with a fourfold amount of PPh₃, effectively catalyzed the cyclocotrimerization of alkynes (1) and isocyanates (2) to give 2-pyridones (3) and/or pyrimidine-2,4-diones (4), selectively, by controlling the molar ratio of alkynes (1) and isocyanates (2).     

Cyclopalladated ferrocenylimines: efficient catalysts for homocoupling and Sonogashira reaction of terminal alkynes

A novel pathway for homocoupling of terminal alkynes has been described using cyclopalladated ferrocenylimine 1 or 2/CuI as catalyst in the air. This catalytic system could tolerate several functional groups. The palladacycle 2 in the presence of n-Bu₄NBr as an additive could be applied to Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction of aryl iodides, aryl bromides, and some activated aryl chlorides with terminal alkynes under amine- and copper-free conditions, mostly to give moderate to excellent yields.     

Synthesis of polyfunctionalized furans from 3-acetyl-1-aryl-2-pentene-1,4-diones

The BF₃-catalyzed cyclization of 3-acetyl-1-aryl-2-pentene-1,4-diones 1a-e in the presence of water in boiling tetrahydrofuran gave bis(3-acetyl-5-aryl-2-furyl)methanes 2a-e in 26-79% yields along with a small amount of 3-acetyl-5-aryl-2-methylfurans 3a-e. The exact structure of 2a was determined by X-ray crystallography. The use of a half volume of the solvent for the reaction of 1a resulted in the formation of 2,4-bis(3-acetyl-5-phenyl-2-furfuryl)-3-acetyl-5-phenylfuran (4) together with 2a and 3a. A similar reaction of 1a was carried out in the presence of 3-acetyl-5-(4-methylphenyl)-2-methylfuran (3d) to afford 4-(3-acetyl-5-phenyl-2-furfuryl)-3-acetyl-5-(4-methylphenyl)-2-methylfuran (5) in 49% yield. The BF₃-catalyzed reaction of 1a with 2,4-pentanedione in dry tetrahydrofuran at 23°C gave 3-(3-acetyl-5-phenyl-2-furfuryl)-4-hydroxy-3-penten-2-one (6a) and 3-(3-acetyl-2-methyl-4-phenyl-5-furyl)-4-hydroxy-3-penten-2-one (7a) in 66 and 24% yields, respectively. The product distribution depended on the reaction temperature. A similar reaction of 1b-e also yielded the corresponding trisubstituted furans 6b-e and tetrasubstituted furans 7b-e in good yields. These results suggested the presence of the furfuryl carbocation intermediate A during the reaction. The one-pot synthesis of 6a and 7a was also achieved by a similar reaction using phenylglyoxal. The deoxygenation of 1a with triphenylphosphine gave 3a in 88% yield, while 1a was treated with concentrated hydrochloric acid to yield 3-acetyl-2-chloromethyl-5-phenylfuran (8) which was quantitatively transformed in ethanol into 3-acetyl-2-ethoxymethyl-5-phenylfuran (9) and in water into 3-acetyl-5-phenylfurfuryl alcohol (10), respectively. In addition, the Diels-Alder reaction of cyclopantadiene with 1a gave the corresponding [4+2] cycloaddition products 11 and 12.     

Synthesis and photochromic behaviour of new methyl induced linear and angular thieno-2H-chromenes

New methyl induced linear and angular thieno-2H-chromenes 4, 5 and 6 were prepared by reaction of new methylated 6-hydroxybenzo[b]thiophenes 2 (a, b and c) and propargylic alcohols 3a and 3b, using acidic Alumina Brockmann I as catalyst and drying agent. Compounds 2 were prepared in good to excellent yields in a ‘one pot’ three step reaction from the corresponding bromo compounds 1. The photochromic behaviour of compounds 4, 5 and 6b was evaluated with the aid of a classical set of spectrokinetic parameters, and compared to reference compounds that are benzoannellated in the 5,6 and 6,7 positions of the chromene (naphthopyrans) and also to thieno-2H-chromenes 7 and 8, previously prepared, which are analogues of 5a. The resistance to fatigue (photodegradation) under continuous irradiation was also evaluated.     

Design and synthesis of boron containing 2,4-disubstituted-phthalazin-1(2H)-one and 3,7-disubstituted-2H-benzo[b][1,4] oxazine derivatives as potential HGF-mimetic agents

We synthesized boron containing 2-(4-methoxybenzyl)-4-(4-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioaborolan-2-yl)phenyl) phthalazin-1(2H)-one 3 and 7-methyl-3-(4-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolan-2-yl)phenyl)-2H-benzo[b][1,4] oxazine 8. The reaction of compound 2 with B₂pin₂ using potassium acetate as the base and Pd(PPh₃)₂Cl₂ as the catalyst, produced the corresponding boron-containing derivative 3 as a white solid in 65% yield. Alternatively, we have synthesized compound 8 as a yellow solid in 59% yield using the Miyaura borylation reaction. The potassium trifluoro(4-(-methyl-2H-benzo[b][1,4]oxazine-3-yl)phenylborate 9 was then obtained after treatment of 8 with aqueous solution of KF₂H in methanol as white solid product in 60% yield. The biological activities of the synthetic compounds are currently being evaluated.     

Ring opening metathesis polymerization of bisnorbornene derivatives linked by Cp2Ni2(μ-S)2 bridge

ROMP of 2 with Grubbs I catalyst in CH₂Cl₂ furnished the corresponding polymer 5 which was characterized by spectroscopic means, particularly, MAS ¹³NMR. The EXAFS of 5 results were compared with those of the monomeric starting material 2 and the X-ray data of 2.     

Syntheses and coordination behaviour of 2-(ortho-phosphinophenyl)-functionalised 1,3-dioxolanes and 1,3-dioxanes towards a [(COD)Rh]-complex fragment - models for immobilised complexes

The syntheses are reported of the ether-phosphine ligands: 2-(ortho-diphenylphosphinophenyl)-1,3-dioxolane (1a), 2-(ortho-diisopropylphosphinophenyl)-1,3-dioxolane (1b), 2-(ortho-diphenylphosphinophenyl)-1,3-dioxane (1c), 2-(ortho-diisopropylphosphinophenyl)-1,3-dioxane (1d). Their reaction with [(COD)RhCl]₂ (COD: 1,5-cyclooctadiene) results in the formation of the mononuclear complexes: {chloro(COD)[2-(ortho-diphenylphosphinophenyl)-1,3-dioxolane]rhodium(I)} (2a), {chloro(COD)[2-(ortho-diisopropylphosphinophenyl)-1,3-dioxolane]rhodium(I)} (2b), {chloro(COD)[2-(ortho-diphenylphosphinophenyl)-1,3-dioxane]rhodium(I)} (2c), and {chloro(COD)[2-(ortho-diisopropylphosphinophenyl)-1,3-dioxane]rhodium(I)} (2d). The chloride ligands of compounds 2a and 2b were abstracted with TlPF₆, with accompanied insertion of an acetal oxygen atom of the ligands 1a and 1b into the coordination sphere of the metal centre, producing {(COD)[η²-P,O-2-(ortho-diphenylphosphinophenyl)-1,3-dioxolane]rhodium(I)}PF₆ (3a∗PF₆) and {(COD)[η²-P,O-2-(ortho-diisopropylphosphinophenyl)-1,3-dioxolane]rhodium(I)}PF₆ (3b∗PF₆). In contrast the dioxane analogues of 3, 3c∗BF₄ and 3d∗BF₄, were formed by reacting the ligands 1c, 1d with [Rh(COD)₂]BF₄. The ligands 1 and the complexes 2 serve as model compounds for their via acetalation to a polyvinylalcohol resin bound analogues. The complexes synthesised were employed as pre-catalysts in the hydroformylation reaction of 1-octene.     

Rhodium(I) carbonyl complexes of tetradentate chalcogen functionalized phosphines, [P(X)(CH2CH2P(X)Ph2)3] {X = O, S, Se}: Synthesis, reactivity and catalytic carbonylation reaction

The reaction of [Rh(CO)₂Cl]₂ with 0.5 mol equivalent of the ligands [P^′(X)(CH₂-CH₂P(X)Ph₂)₃](P^′P₃X₄) {where X = O(a), S(b) and Se(c)} affords tetranuclear complexes of the type [Rh₄(CO)₈Cl₄(P^′P₃X₄)] (1a-1c). The complexes 1a-1c have been characterized by elemental analyses, mass spectrometry, IR and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, and the ligands b and c are structurally determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. 1a-1c undergo oxidative addition (OA) reactions with CH₃I to generate Rh(III) oxidised products. Kinetic data for the reaction of 1a and 1b with excess CH₃I indicate a pseudo first order reaction. The catalytic activity of 1a-1c for the carbonylation of methanol to acetic acid and its ester show a higher Turn Over Frequency (TOF = 1349-1748 h⁻¹) compared to the well-known species [Rh(CO)₂I₂]⁻ (TOF = 1000 h⁻¹) under the similar experimental conditions. However, 1b and 1c exhibit lower TOF than 1a, which may be due to the desulfurization and deselinization of the ligands in the respective complexes under the reaction conditions.     

The perfluoroallylation of alkynes and transformation of the products

The addition of perfluoroallyl iodide to alkynes 1 initiated by AIBN in the absence of solvent 65 °C gave the corresponding 1:1 adducts (1,1,2,3,3-pentafluoro-5-iodopenta-1,4-dienes) 2. The reaction of 2 with boronic acids 3 and terminal alkynes 1 in the presence of catalytic palladium afforded the cross-coupling products 4 and 5, respectively.     

Palladium complexes of N-aryl-2-pyridylamines

Palladium complexes of N-phenyl-2-pyridylamine (4) and dipyridylamine substrates (7, 11) have been studied. Due to the coordination ability of the pyridine-nitrogen atoms, the pyridyl substrates, 4, 7, 11 were subjected to Pd(OAc)₂ complexations and a number of N-aryl-2-pyridylamine Pd complexes (13-17) were isolated and characterised, in particular by NMR and ESI-MS. A new method for the preparation of the acetato-bridged six-membered ring palladacycle complex (13) of 4 is reported. The dipyridyl amines 7, 11 formed cis/trans bis-dentate acetato-bridged dimeric Pd₂Lig₂(OAc)₂ (14a,b/16a,b) and Pd₃Lig₂(OAc)₄ complexes (15a,b/17a,b). The N-aryl-2-pyridylamine substrates (4, 7, 11) were prepared by oxidative nucleophilic substitution, by 1,3-cycloaddition reaction or by Buchwald amination.     

Copper catalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of azides with N-(2-trifluoroacetylaryl)propargylamines: A mild entry to novel 1,4-disubstituted-[1,2,3]-triazole derivatives

The synthesis of N-(2-trifluoroacetylaryl)propargylamines 10-14 and 17 is presented. The copper(I) catalyzed cycloaddition reaction of these propargylamines (dipolarophiles) with a series of azides (1,3-dipoles) 18-20, 21 and 24 was found to proceed smoothly in dimethylsulfoxide at room temperature, to furnish the corresponding 1,4-disubstituted-[1,2,3]triazole derivatives 26-36 in moderate to good yields.     

Synthesis and characterization of aluminum complexes of 2-pyrazol-1-yl-ethenolate ligands

The synthesis and the characterization of some new aluminum complexes with bidentate 2-pyrazol-1-yl-ethenolate ligands are described. 2-(3,5-Disubstituted pyrazol-1-yl)-1-phenylethanones, 1-PhC(O)CH₂-3,5-R₂C₃HN₂ (1a, R = Me; 1b, R = Bu^t), were prepared by solventless reaction of 3,5-dimethyl pyrazole or 3,5-di-tert-butyl pyrazole with PhC(O)CH₂Br. Reaction of 1a or 1b with (R¹ = Me, Et) yielded N,O-chelate alkylaluminum complexes (2a, R = R¹ = Me; 2b, R = Bu^t, R¹ = Me; 2c, R = Me, R¹ = Et). Compound 1a was readily lithiated with LiBuⁿ in thf or toluene to give lithiated species 3. Treatment of 3 with 0.5 equiv of MeAlCl₂ or AlCl₃ yielded five-coordinated aluminum complexes [XAl(OC(Ph)CH{(3,5-Me₂C₃HN₂)-1})₂] (4, X = Me; 5, X = Cl). Reaction of 5 with an equiv of LiHBEt₃ generated [Al(OC(Ph)CH{(3,5-Me₂C₃HN₂)-1})₃] (6). Complex 6 was also obtained by reaction of 3 with 1/3 equiv of AlCl₃. Treatment of 5 with 2 equiv of AlMe₃ yielded complex 2a, whereas with an equiv of AlMe₃ afforded a mixture of 2a and [Me(Cl)AlOC(Ph)CH{(3,5-Me₂C₃HN₂)-1}] (7). Compounds 1a, 1b, 2a-2c and 4-6 were characterized by elemental analyses, NMR and IR (for 1a and 1b) spectroscopy. The structures of complexes 2a and 5 were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. Both 2a and 5 are monomeric in the solid state. The coordination geometries of the aluminum atoms are a distorted tetrahedron for 2a or a distorted trigonal bipyramid for 5.     

Catalytic hydrogenation of CO and CN bonds via heterolysis of H2 mediated by metal-sulfur bonds of rhodium and iridium thiolate complexes

Coordinatively unsaturated rhodium and iridium complexes having a bulky thiolate, [Cp∗M(PMe₃)(SDmp)](BAr^F₄) (1a: M = Rh; 1b: M = Ir; Dmp = 2,6-(mesityl)₂C₆H₃, Ar^F = 3,5-(CF₃)₂C₆H₃), catalyzed the hydrogenation of benzaldehyde, N-benzylideneaniline, and cyclohexanone, under 1 atm of H₂ at low temperatures. In these catalytic reactions, the M-H/S-H complexes [Cp∗M(PMe₃)(H)(HSDmp)](BAr^F₄) (2a: M = Rh; 2b: M = Ir) generated via H₂ heterolysis by 1a or 1b were suggested to transfer both M-H hydride and S-H proton to substrates. The catalytic reactions were terminated by the dissociation of H-SDmp from the metal centers of 2a and 2b that occurs at ambient temperature under H₂ atmosphere.     

A simple and highly efficient method for the synthesis of chalcones by using borontrifluoride-etherate

Chalcones are secondary metabolites of terrestrial plants, precursors for the biosynthesis of flavonoids and exhibit various biological activities. Condensation of substituted acetophenones (2a-12a) with various aromatic aldehydes (1b-7b) in the presence of BF₃-Et₂O at room temperature gave chalcones in 75-96% yield.