Towards synthesis of kavalactone derivatives

Kavalactone derivatives were synthesized using a Heck reaction of the 4-methoxy-6-vinyl-5,6-dihydropyran-2-one with aryl iodides. The Suzuki-Miyaura reaction of an aryl boronic acid and (Z)-4-methoxy-6-(2-iodovinyl)-5,6-dihydropyran-2-one has also been successfully used to produce both Z and E isomers of lactones.     

Stereoisomerism in the series of isoindole-based quaternary salts

Steric structure of quaternary ammonium salts of the 3-[alkyl(aryl)amino]-1-[alkyl(aryl)iminio]-1H-isoindole series was studied by ¹H NMR spectroscopy and X-ray analysis. The examined salts are characterized by E,E configuration of substituents with respect to the exocyclic C-N bonds, and the presence of ortho- and meta-substituents in the benzene rings on the nitrogen atoms gives rise to atropisomers. Sterically hindered N-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl) derivative was found to exist as Z,Z isomer which undergoes irreversible thermal isomerization into the more stable E,E isomer through intermediate Z,E structure. The reactions of 1,1,3-trichloro-1H-isoindole with secondary aromatic amines having an electron-withdrawing substituent in the ortho position in the presence of organic bases (triethylamine, N,N-dimethylbenzylamine) are accompanied by decomposition of the latter and formation of unsymmetrically substituted salts of the 3-[alkyl(aryl)amino]-1-(dialkyliminio)-1H-isoindole series, which contain both arylamine residue and dialkylamino group and are also characterized by atropisomerism.     

Approaches to the preparation of (Z)-1,2-difluorostilbenes

Methodology directed at the preparation of (Z)-1,2-difluorostilbenes has been evaluated. For symmetrical (Z)-1,2-difluorostilbenes, photochemical isomerization of the isomeric (E)-1,2-difluorostilbenes, and HPLC separation of the mixture of stilbene isomers is a reasonable route to a particular (Z)-stilbene. An alternative approach to both symmetrical and/or unsymmetrical (Z)-1,2-difluorostilbenes has been developed via stereospecific Pd(0) coupling of (E)-1,2-difluoro-aryl-ethenyltributylstannanes under Stille-Liebiskind conditions with aryl idodies. The requisite arylstannanes can be obtained via the reported route developed by Davis or via (E)-1,2-difluorovinyltributylstannane - a new route described in this work. The methodology tolerates almost any functionality in the aryl ring, is easily carried out, is stereospecific and provides the first general route to (Z)-1,2-difluorostilbenes.     

A facile synthesis of novel 3-(aryl/alkyl-2-ylmethyl)-2-thioxothiazolidin-4-ones using microwave heating

(Z)-5-(2-(1H-Indol-3-yl)-2-oxoethylidene)-3-(aryl/alkyl-2-ylmethyl)-2-thioxothiazolidin-4-ones (7a–w) have been synthesized by the Knoevenagel condensation reaction of 3-(aryl/alkyl-2-ylmethyl)-2-thioxothiazolidin-4-ones (3a–d) with suitably substituted 2-(1H-indol-3-yl)2-oxoacetaldehydes (6a–g) under microwave conditions. The thioxothiazolidin-4-ones were prepared from the corresponding aryl/alkyl amines (1a–d) and di-(carboxymethyl)-trithiocarbonyl (2). The aldehydes (6a–g) were synthesized from the corresponding acid chlorides (5a–g) using HsnBu₃.     

Heck reactions of 2-substituted enol ethers with aryl bromides catalysed by a tetraphosphine/palladium complex

cis,cis,cis-1,2,3,4-Tetrakis(diphenylphosphinomethyl)cyclopentane/[PdCl(C₃H₅)]₂ efficiently catalyses the Heck reaction of β-substituted enol ethers with aryl bromides. Employing β-methoxystyrene, 3-ethoxyacrylonitrile or methyl 3-methoxyacrylate, the regioselective α-arylation of these enol ethers was observed in all cases, and mixtures of Z and E isomers were generally obtained, which in many cases yielded a single ketone product after acid treatment. The stereoselectivity of this reaction depends on steric and electronic factors, and better stereoselectivities in favour of Z isomers were observed with electron-rich or sterically congested aryl bromides. Better yields were obtained for this reaction with electron-rich or sterically congested aryl bromides than with electron-poor aryl bromides. This observation suggests that with these β-substituted enol ethers the rate-limiting step of the catalytic cycle is not the oxidative addition of the aryl bromide to the palladium complex.     

Convenient preparation of (Z)-α-halo-α,β-unsaturated aldehydes: synthesis of a Laurencia flexilis toxin

The CrCl₂-mediated two-carbon halo-homologation of aryl, alkenyl, and aliphatic aldehydes with chloral ethyl hemiacetal or bromal affords (Z)-α-chloro- and (Z)-α-bromo-α,β-unsaturated aldehydes, respectively, in good to excellent yields and high stereoselectivity. The utility of this methodology was illustrated by a synthesis of 2-chloropentadec-2(Z)-enal, a toxin isolated from the marine red alga Laurencia flexilis.     

Convenient synthesis of t-butyl Z-3-substituted glycidates under conditions of phase-transfer catalysis

Reactions of mixtures of t-butyl E- and Z-3-substituted glycidates 1a-h with 50% aq. sodium hydroxide and a catalyst, benzyltriethylammonium chloride, TEBAC in dichloromethane (phase-transfer catalysis, PTC) led to preferential hydrolysis of the E-isomers to afford pure (90-98%) t-butyl Z-3-substituted glycidates 1a-i in good yields; PTC cleavage of glycidates additionally substituted at C-2, 1g or C-3, 1h,i suggests that an aryl group in the Z isomers hampers attack of HO⁻ on the carbonyl carbon atom. As described in the literature, the diastereoselective PTC synthesis of Z-3-substituted glycidates and glycidonitriles consists of fast hydrolysis of E isomers present in mixtures with Z ones.     

One pot synthesis of important retinoid synthon by the catalytic regioselective bi-functionalization of acetylenes,alcohol and carbon monoxide

Base free Fe(CO)₅ catalyzed one-pot synthesis of E/Z alkyl 3-formyl-3-alkyl/aryl/ferrocenyl-2-propenoates (retinoid esters) was achieved by the photolysis of alcoholic solution of terminal acetylenes and carbon monoxide. 8–10 Mol% of ironpentacarbonyl was used as a catalyst for significant transformations of retinoid esters. During the photolysis, alkynes reduced by the simultaneous double functionalization esterification and formylation and resulted in regioselective E/Z isomers of alkyl 3-formyl-3-alkyl/aryl/ferrocenyl-2-propenoates. The bi-functionalization of acetylene is quite unusual and is not observed frequently. The highest yield of the retinoid esters was achieved with 3° alcohols (96%, for E and Z isomers) while the least yield was observed with 1° alcohols (25%, for E and Z isomers). All retinoid esters are regiospecific and have exceptional biological significance to serve as key structural motifs in drug and pharmaceutical applications.     

Unusual β,β′-coupling and β-alkylation of methyl 2,3,3-trifluoropropenoate by lithium diorganocuprates

Methyl 2,3,3-trifluoroprop-2-enoate (1) reacts with lithium diorganocuprates in two ways, by fluorine substitution at C-3 with alkyl or aryl, or by β,β′ C,C-coupling. The reaction product was strongly dependent on the organyl structure: while dibutyl- or diphenylcuprate reacted by C-3 substitution, dimethylcuprate afforded the product of the coupling, dimethyl (Z,Z)-2,3,4,5-tetrafluorohexa-2,4-dienedioate (3). (Z)-Configuration is highly prevailing in 3-alkylated 2,3-difluoropropenoates (77-90% rel.).     

Novel protocol for the generation of β-branched Baylis-Hillman adducts from ethyl sorbate and aryl aldehydes

A novel protocol for the generation of β-branched Baylis-Hillman adducts in moderate yields (52-68%) as E/Z mixtures from commercially available dienoates such as ethyl sorbate and aryl aldehydes catalyzed by DABCO in DMSO is reported.     

Synthesis of E and Z 1-amino-2-aryl(alkyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acids via meldrum derivatives

The reaction of 5-arylidene(alkylidene)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane-4,6-diones (1) (Meldrum's acid derivatives) with dimethylsulfoxonium methylide gave 1- aryl(alkyl) - 6,6 - dimethyl - 4,8 - dioxo - 5,7 -dioxaspiro [2.5] octanes (2) which, on treatment with sodium methoxide or ammonium hydroxide, gave exclusively E-1-methoxy-carboyl-2-aryl-cyclopropanecarboxylic acids (4) or Z-1-carbamoyl-2-aryl(alkyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acids (7), respectively. Compounds, 4, under conditions of Curtius-type reactions, yielded Z-methyl 1-isocyanate-2-aryl-cyclopropanecarboxylates (5), while derivatives 7 were treated with hypobromite, leading to E-1-methoxy-carbonylamino-2-aryl(alkyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acids (8).Reaction of compounds 5 and 8 with hydrochloric acid produced the corresponding Z and E 1-amino-2-aryl (alkyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylic acids hydrochlorides (6). The ¹H-NMR spectral data were analyzed to deduce the stereochemistry of the compounds obtained.     

Synthesis of 9-arylamino- and (Z)-9-arylimino-9H-pyrrolo[1,2-a]indoles by reactions of 2-(pyrrol-1-yl)benzaldehydes with aryl amines

Heating mixtures of 2-(pyrrol-1-yl)benzaldehydes and aryl amines under argon afforded 9-arylamino-9H-pyrrolo[1,2-a]indoles, via cyclization of the resulting 2-(pyrrol-1-yl)benzaldimine intermediates. Heating in the presence of oxygen afforded (Z)-9-arylimino-9H-pyrrolo[1,2-a]indoles, which were successfully hydrolyzed with hydrochloric acid to give pyrrolo[1,2-a]indol-9-ones.     

Synthesis of (E)- and (Z)-α,β-difluorourocanic acid

Horner-Emmons fluoroolefination of an aryl aldehyde followed by introduction of a second fluorine via “FBr” addition provides an original approach to the preparation of 1-alkyl-2-aryl-1,2-difluoroethenes. The utility of this procedure is demonstrated by the preparation of (E and Z)-α,β-difluorourocanic acid.     

Efficient preparation of N′,N″-1H-isoindole-1,3-diylidenedicarbohydrazides via 1,1,3-trichloro-1H-isoindole, and their characterization

N′,N″-1H-Isoindole-1,3-diylidenedialkyl(aryl,heteroaryl)carbohydrazides were prepared in good yields via 1,1,3-trichloro-1H-isoindole, which was shown to be a versatile reagent for their synthesis. Tautomeric structure and conformational behaviour of dicarbohydrazides in solid state as well as in solution have been studied by X-ray crystallography, NMR spectroscopy and quantum calculations. The dependence of Z/E amide-type isomerism upon steric effects and solvent polarity is discussed.     

Discovery of cationic domino reaction under the NMR experiment conditions: diastereoselective dimerization of 2-arylmethylideneindolin-3-ones to pentacyclic 3-hydroxyindolenine system

NMR spectroscopy (1D and 2D) showed that the protonation of the capto-dative heterocyclic α-amino enones, viz., (Z)-2-arylmethylideneindolin-3-ones, with strong acids led to stable (aryl)(3-hydroxyindol-2-yl)methyl cations. These substrates in trifluoroacetic acid underwent cationic domino reaction, which resulted in polynuclear pyrido[1,2-a: 5,6-b′]-[1,2′]biindoles.     

A novel base-mediated intramolecular hydroamination to build fused heteroaryl pyrazinones

Functionalized fused heteroaryl pyrazinones were built up through a novel DBU-catalyzed intramolecular hydroamination reaction of aryl(prop-2-yn-1-yl)-1H-heteroaryl-2-carboxamides. The nucleophilic addition afforded three isomers; two with an exo-cyclic double bond [cis (Z), trans (E)], and a third one with an endo-cyclic double bond. After the carboxamide deprotection, isomerization of the mixture under acidic conditions resulted in a unique isomer.     

Arylselenovinyl Sulfones: II. Addition of Benzeneselenols to Aryl Ethynyl Sulfones

Depending on the solvent nature, addition of benzeneselenols to aryl ethynyl sulfones leads to formation of a mixture of (E)- and (Z)-1-arylseleno-2-arylsulfonylethenes and 1-arylseleno-1-arylsulfonylethenes (in carbon tetrachloride and cyclohexane) or (Z)-1-arylseleno-2-arylsulfonylethenes as a single product (in alcohols).     

Participation of compact planar 1,3,5-tri(buta-2,3-dien-1-yl)-1,3,5-triazinane-2,4,6-trione in Pd(0) catalysed seven component cascade reactions delivers novel tunable molecular architecture

We report the spatially controlled, protecting group free, catalytic assembly of a library of nineteen 7-component cascade products generated from a novel planar trisallenyl 1,3,5-triazinane-2,4,6-trione core in combination with aryl iodides and amines with excellent regio and good stereoaselectivity for Z,Z,Z-isomers.     

Group IB organometallic chemistry: XXXV. Crystal and molecular structure of [Cu4(4-MeC6H4)-MeC-C(C6H4NMe2-2)2(C6H4NMe2-2)2], a tetranuclear organocopper compound containing bridging alkenyl and aryl groups

The crystal and molecular structure of the title compound has been determined by a single crystal X-ray diffraction study using standard Patterson and Fourier methods. The structure was refined by a block-diagonal least-square procedure to a finalR value of 0.16 for 3454 reflections. Crystals are monoclinic, space groupP2₁/c, witha 14.007(5), b 12.224(5), c 28.358(8)A?, β 99.60(1)°, andZ - 4.The molecule consists of a central rhombus-type core of copper atoms to which the alkenyl and aryl groups are bound in a bridging fashion (two electron-three center bonding). The two alkenyl and the two aryl groups each occupy adjoining edges of the Cu₄ core. The dimethylamino groups of the alkenyl ligand coordinate to copper, whereas those of the bridging aryl ligand are free. As a result the copper core is made up of copper atoms which are alternatingly two- and three-coordinate.The structure is discussed in terms of structural information now available for organocopper compounds. The geometry of the Cu₂C (bridge) moiety in organocopper cluster compounds as expected varies little with the nature of the bridging one-electron organo ligand (alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl or aryl).     

Stereochemical aspects of the chemistry of 2-[trialkyl(aryl)silyloxy]alkyl-4-alkoxyalk-2-enylstannanes

2-tert-Butyldimethylsilyloxymethyl-4-(methoxymethoxy)pent-2-enyl(tributyl)stannane, prepared predominantly as the (Z)-isomer, is transmetallated by tin(IV) chloride to generate an allyltin trichloride which reacts with aldehydes with excellent stereocontrol in favour of (E)-1,5-syn-3-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxymethyl-5-(methoxymethoxy)alk-3-en-1-ols. These were taken through to 3-[(E)-2-(methoxymethoxy)-propylidenyl]-5-alkyl(aryl)tetrahydrofurans and used to prepare more complex 4-(methoxymethoxy)-pent-2-enylstannanes.