Rhodauricanol A,an analgesic diterpenoid with an unprecedented 5/6/5/7 tetracyclic system featuring a unique 16-oxa-tetracyclo[11.2.1.01,5.07,13]hexadecane core from Rhododendron dauricum

A novel diterpenoid with an unprecedented 5/6/5/7 tetracyclic system, rhodauricanol A (1), five new grayanane-derived diterpenoids, dauricanols A?E (2?6), and five known ones (7?11) were isolated from the flowers of Rhododendron dauricum. Rhodauricanol A (1) possesses a unique 5/6/5/7 tetracyclic ring system featuring a 16-oxa-tetracyclo[11.2.1.0^1,5.0^7,13]hexadecane core. Dauricanols A?C (2?4) are the first 1,3-dioxolane conjugates of grayanane diterpenoids and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural and vanillin, respectively, and dauricanols D (5) and E (6) represent the first examples of 6-deoxy-1,5-seco-grayanane diterpenoids. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods, quantum chemical calculation including ¹³C NMR-DP4+ analysis and ECD calculation, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Plausible biosynthetic pathways for 1?4 were proposed. All the isolates showed significant analgesic activities, and dauricanols B (3) and C (4) showed more potent analgesic activities than the positive control, morphine.     

Polyhydroxylated pyrrolidines, III. Synthesis of new protected 2,5-dideoxy-2,5-iminohexitols from d-fructose

The readily available 3-O-benzoyl-4-O-benzyl-1,2-O-isopropylidene-β-d-fructopyranose (6) was straightforwardly transformed into 5-azido-3-O-benzoyl-4-O-benzyl-5-deoxy-1,2-O-isopropylidene-β-d-fructopyranose (8), after treatment under modified Garegg's conditions followed by reaction of the resulting 3-O-benzoyl-4-O-benzyl-5-deoxy-5-iodo-1,2-O-isopropylidene-α-l-sorbopyranose (7) with lithium azide in DMF. O-debenzoylation at C(3) in 8, followed by oxidation and reduction caused the inversion of the configuration to afford the corresponding β-d-psicopyranose derivative 11 that was transformed into the related 3,4-di-O-benzyl derivative 12. Cleavage of the acetonide of 12 to give 13 followed by O-tert-butyldiphenylsilylation afforded a resolvable mixture of 14 and 15. Compound 14 was transformed into (2R,3R,4S,5R)- (17) and (2R,3R,4S,5S)-3,4-dibenzyloxy-2′,5′-di-O-tert-butyldiphenylsilyl-2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)pyrrolidine (18) either by a tandem Staudinger/intramolecular aza-Wittig process and reduction of the resulting intermediate Δ²-pyrroline (16), or only into 18 by a high stereoselective catalytic hydrogenation. When 15 was subjected to the same protocol, (2S,3S,4R,5R)- (21) and (2R,3S,4R,5R)-3,4-dibenzyloxy-2′-O-tert-butyldiphenylsilyl-2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)pyrrolidine (22) were obtained, respectively.     

Polyhydroxylated pyrrolidines. Part 4: Synthesis from d-fructose of protected 2,5-dideoxy-2,5-imino-d-galactitol derivatives

The readily available 3-O-benzoyl-4-O-benzyl-1,2-O-isopropylidene-5-O-methanesulfonyl-β-d-fructopyranose (5) was straightforwardly transformed into its d-psico epimer (8), after O-debenzoylation followed by oxidation and reduction, which caused the inversion of the configuration at C(3). Compound 8 was treated with lithium azide yielding 5-azido-4-O-benzyl-5-deoxy-1,2-O-isopropylidene-α-l-tagatopyranose (9) that was transformed into the related 3,4-di-O-benzyl derivative 10. Cleavage of the acetonide in 10 to give 11, followed by regioselective 1-O-pivaloylation to 12 and subsequent catalytic hydrogenation gave (2R,3S,4R,5S)-3,4-dibenzyloxy-2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)-2′-O-pivaloylpyrrolidine (13). Stereochemistry of 13 could be determined after O-deacylation to the symmetric pyrrolidine 14. Total deprotection of 14 gave 2,5-imino-2,5-dideoxy-d-galactitol (15, DGADP).     

Biphenyl quinolizidine lactone alkaloids from “sinicuichi” (Heimia salicifolia)

Six new biphenyl quinolizidine lactone alkaloids: 14α-hydroxydecodine (1), 14β-hydroxydecodine (2), 4″-O-demethylheimidine (3), 4″-O-demethyl-9β-hydroxyvertine (4), 4″-O-demethylvertine N-oxide (5), and 4″-O-demethyl-9β-hydroxyvertine N-oxide (6) were isolated from so-called “sinicuichi” (origin: Heimia salicifolia) together with 18 known alkaloids. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic analyses and chemical conversions.     

Phloroglucinol derivatives and a chromone glucoside from the leaves of Myrtus communis

Seven new phloroglucinol derivatives, myrtucommunins A–D (1–4), 6-methylisomyrtucommulone B (5), 4-methylmyrtucommulone B (6), and 2-isobutyryl-4-methylphloroglucinol 1-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (7), and one new chromone derivative, undulatoside A 6′-O-gallate (8), were isolated from the leaves of Myrtus communis (Myrtaceae). Myrtucommunins A–D (1–4) were conjugates of polymethylated acylphloroglucinol and flavonol rhamnoside. The absolute configurations of the rhamnosyl moieties for 1–4 were confirmed to be l in each case by HPLC analyses, while those of the aglycones were assigned by comparisons of the experimental and TDDFT calculated ECD spectra. 6-Methylisomyrtucommulone B (5) and 4-methylmyrtucommulone B (6) were assigned as 6/6/6 tricyclic acylphloroglucinol derivatives with a racemic nature. Antimicrobial activities of 1–8 and related known compounds were evaluated.     

Chiral building-blocks by chemoenzymatic desymmetrization of 2-ethyl-1,3-propanediol for the preparation of biologically active natural products

2-Ethyl-1,3-propanediol 1 and its related di-O-acetate 2 were desymmetrized by partial chemoenzymatic acetylation and deacetylation, by Pseudomonas fluorescens lipase (Amano P.; PFL), to (R)-1-O-acetyl-2-ethyl-1,3-propanediol 3. On treatment of 3 with I₂/Ph₃P/imidazole the related (S)-1-O-acetyl-2-ethyl-3-iodopropanol 4 was obtained and transformed into the corresponding triphenylphosphonium salt 5. Reaction of [(S)-3-acetoxy-2-ethylpropylidene]triphenylphosphorane 6, prepared from 5, with 2,3:4,5-di-O-isopropylidene-β-d-arabino-hexos-2-ulopyranose 7 gave (Z)-3-C-acetoxymethyl-1,2,3,4,5-pentadeoxy-6,7:8,9-di-O-isopropylidene-β-d-manno-dec-4-ene-6-ulo-6,10-pyranose 8 which was hydrogenated to 9 and subsequently deacylated to 10. Treatment of 10 with Me₂CO/H⁺ caused a rearrangement to (3R,4R,5S,6R,9R)-9-ethyl-5-hydroxy-3,4-isopropylidenedioxy-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane 11, which closely matched the skeleton of the talaromycins.     

Investigation into the reactivity of oxoniobocene complexes [Cp*2Nb(O)R] (Cp*=η5-C5Me5; R=H,OH, OMe) towards heterocumulenes: formation of carbamato and thiocarbamato complexes and catalytic cyclization of PhNCO

The reaction of [Cp*₂NbCl₂] (Cp*=η⁵-C₅Me₅) with KOH or Ba(OH)₂·8H₂O in THF was investigated under slightly modified conditions. In addition to the known complex [Cp*₂Nb(O)H] (1), the new compound [Cp*₂Nb(O)OH] (2) was formed. The reaction of 2 with PhNCS gave yellow [Cp*₂Nb(O){SC(O)NHPh}] (3), while PhNCO formed yellow [Cp*₂Nb(O){OC(O)NHPh}] (4). Complexes 3 and 4 were analytically and spectroscopically characterized. X-ray diffraction analyses of both compounds show that they contain either η¹-S-thiocarbamato (3) or η¹-O-carbamato ligand (4) along with a terminal NbO group. The reaction of 1 with one equivalent of PhNCO mainly gave orange [Cp*₂NbH{OC(O)NPh}] (5) along with some 4. The molecular structure of 5 contains a niobocene unit comprising η²-N,O-carbamato chelate, which formally is a [2+2] cycloaddition product of the NbO group and the heterocumulene. A hydride ligand completes the coordination sphere around Nb. Reaction of 1 with excess PhNCO gave a mixture of heterocycles (PhNCO)₂ (6) and (PhNCO)₃ (7) in the approximate ratio 3:2. By contrast, the reaction of [Cp*₂Nb(O)OMe] with PhNCO in molar ratios from 1:3 to 1:100 gave nearly pure triphenylisocyanurate 7.     

Syntheses and characterization of η-hexamethylbenzeneruthenium(II)-β-diketone complexes: their reactions with mono- and bidentate neutral ligands

The complex [(η⁶-C₆Me₆)Ru(μ-Cl)Cl]₂1 react with sodium salts of β-diketonato ligands in methanol to afford the oxygen bonded neutral complexes of the type [(η⁶-C₆Me₆)Ru(κ²-O,O′-R¹COCHCOR²)Cl] {R¹, R² = CH₃ (2), CH₃, C₆H₅ (3), C₆H₅ (4), OCH₃ (5), OC₂H₅ (6)}. Complex 4 with AgBF₄ yields the γ-carbon bonded ruthenium dimeric complex 7. Complex 4 also reacts with tertiary phosphines and bridging ligands to yield complexes of the type [(η⁶-C₆Me₆)Ru(κ²-O,O′-C₆H₅COCHCOC₆H₅)(L)]⁺ (L = PPh₃ (8), PMe₂Ph (9)) and [{η⁶-C₆Me₆)Ru(κ²-O,O′-C₆H₅COCHCOC₆H₅)}₂(μ-L)] L = 4,4′-bipyridine (4,4′-bipy) (11), 1,4-dicyanobenzene (DCB) (12) and pyrazine (Pz) (13). Complexes 2-4 react with sodium azide to yield neutral complexes [(η⁶-C₆Me₆)Ru(κ²-O,O′-R¹COCHCOR²)N₃] {R¹, R² = CH₃ (10a), CH₃, C₆H₅ (10b), C₆H₅ (10c). All these complexes were characterized by FT-IR and FT-NMR spectroscopy as well as analytical data. The molecular structures of complexes [(η⁶-C₆Me₆)Ru(κ²-O,O′CH₃COCH-COC₆H₅)Cl] (3) and [(η⁶-C₆Me₆)Ru(κ²-O,O′-C₆H₅COCHCOC₆H₅] (4) were established by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The complex 3 crystallizes in the triclinic space group, [a = 7.9517(4), b = 9.0582(4) and c = 14.2373(8) Å, α = 88.442(3)°, β = 76.6.8(3)° and γ = 81.715(3)°. V = 987.17(9) ų, Z = 2]. Complex 4 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group, P2₁/c [a = 7.5894(8), b = 20.708(2) and c = 29.208(3) Å,β = 92.059(3)° V = 4587.5(9) ų, Z = 8].     

Dianionic complexes with hexacoordinate silicon(IV) or germanium(IV) and three bidentate ligands of the salicylato(2–) type: Syntheses and structural characterization in the solid state and in solution

Reaction of tetramethoxysilane or tetramethoxygermane with salicylic acid and morpholine (molar ratio 1:3:2) in tetrahydrofuran yielded morpholiniummer-tris[salicylato(2–)-O¹,O³]silicate(mer -5) and morpholiniummer-tris[salicylato(2–)-O¹,O³]germanate (mer-8), respectively. Treatment of tetramethoxysilane with 5-chlorosalicylic acid and piperidine (molar ratio 1:3:2) in tetrahydrofuran afforded piperidinium mer-tris[5-chlorosalicylato(2–)-O¹,O³]silicate–ditetrahydrofuran (mer-6·2THF). Triethylammonium mer-tris[3-methylsalicylato(2–)-O¹,O³]silicate (mer-7) was obtained analogously by reaction of tetramethoxysilane with three molar equivalents of 3-methylsalicylic acid and two molar equivalents of triethylamine in dichloromethane/diethyl ether. The racemic compounds mer-5, mer-6· 2THF,mer-7, and mer-8 were characterized by elemental analyses (C, H, N), single-crystal X-ray diffraction, as well as solid-state (²⁹Si) and solution(¹H, ¹³C, ²⁹Si) NMR studies. The structural characterizationwas complemented by computational studies (HF studies, TZVP level) of thefac- and mer-tris[salicylato(2–)-O¹,O³]silicatedianion. In addition, the behavior of mer-7 in solution was studied by VT ¹HNMR experiments.     

A study of 1,5-hydrogen shift and cyclization reactions of an alkali isomerized methyl linolenoate

Heating a mixture formed by alkali isomerization of methyl linolenoate (1) produces a complex mixture with the bicyclic hexahydroindenoic esters 4β-(7-methoxycarbonylheptyl)-5α-methyl-2,3,3aα,4,5,7aαhexahydroindene (CL5) and 4β-ethyl-5α-(6-methoxycarbonylhexyl)-2,3,3aα,4,5,7aα-hexahydroindene (CL6) as main components. Similar isomerization reactions of three synthetic model compounds, methyl 9Z,13E,15Z-octadecatrienoate (2), 9Z,14E,16E-octadecatrienoate (4) and 9Z,11E,15Z-octadecatrienoate (5) corroborated the results obtained with alkali isomerized methyl linolenoate.     

Absolute configuration of gomadalactones A, B and C, the components of the contact sex pheromone of Anoplophora malasiaca

Absolute configuration of gomadalactones A (1), B (2) and C (3), the pheromone components of the white-spotted longicorn beetle (Anoplophora malasiaca) was assigned as (1S,4R,5S)-1, (1R,4R,5R)-2 and (1S,4R,5S,8S)-3 by comparing their published CD spectra with those of (1R,5R)-(+)-4,4,8-trimethyl-3-oxabicyclo[3.3.0]oct-7-ene-2,6-dione (4) and (1S,5R,8S)-(+)-4,4,8-trimethyl-3-oxabicyclo[3.3.0]octane-2,6-dione (5) prepared from (R)-(−)-carvone (6).     

New resveratrol oligomers in the stem bark of Vatica pauciflora

Five new resveratrol oligomers; pauciflorols A-C (1-3), isovaticanols B (6) and C (8), and three new oligostilbene glucosides; pauciflorosides A (11), B (13), C (14), were isolated from the stem bark of Vatica pauciflora (Dipterocarpaceae) together with known 17 resveratrol oligomers (4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12 and 15-25) and bergenin (26). The structures of isolates were established on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analysis. The typical and characteristic spectral properties of some resveratrol oligomers were also discussed.     

Pheromone synthesis. Part 249: Syntheses of methyl (R,E)-2,4,5-tetradecatrienoate and methyl (2E,4Z)-2,4-decadienoate,the pheromone components of the male dried bean beetle,Acanthoscelides obtectus (Say)

The enantiomers of methyl (E)-2,4,5-tetradecatrienoate (1), a component of the male pheromone of Acanthoscelides obtectus, were synthesized from the enantiomers of 1-undecyn-3-ol (6), which were obtained via asymmetric acetylation of (±)-1-trimethylsilyl-1-undecyn-3-ol (4) with vinyl acetate as catalyzed by lipase PS (Amano). The ortho ester Claisen rearrangement of 6 with triethyl orthoacetate was the key-step to generate the chiral allenic system. A new synthesis of (±)-1 was also executed starting from (±)-6. Three different syntheses of methyl (2E,4Z)-2,4-decadienoate (2), another component of the male pheromone of A. obtectus, were achieved by means of either palladium-catalyzed Heck reaction or a Claisen and an Al₂O₃ catalyzed thermal rearrangements.     

Yonarolide A,an unprecedented furanobutenolide-containing norcembranoid derivative formed by photoinduced intramolecular [2+2] cycloaddition

Eight polycyclic furanobutenolide-containing norcembrane diterpenoids featuring C19 frameworks (1–8) were rapidly recognized and isolated from the Hainan soft coral Sinularia sp. by the HSQC-based small molecule accurate recognition technology. Yonarolide A (1a), featuring an unprecedented 5/6/4/4/7 pentacyclic ring skeleton, was surprisingly obtained as a transformed product by leaving compound 1 under indoor natural light, and was further proved to be a [2 + 2] cycloaddition product of 1 by photochemical reaction. The absolute stereochemistry of 1a and the three known norcembrane diterpenoids 1, 4, and 7 were determined by using X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. Further, with the aid of XRD analysis, the structure of scabrolide B (2), which was previously reported of possessing 5/6/7 tricyclic skeleton, was firmly revised as 2a with the rare inelegane skeleton featured by the highly oxygenated 5/7/6 tricyclic carbocycle.     

Emission of 2-phenylethanol from its β-d-glucopyranoside and the biogenesis of these compounds from [H8] l-phenylalanine in rose flowers

The hydrolysis of 2-phenylethyl β-d-glucopyranoside (3) was found to be partially inhibited by feeding with 2-phenyl-N-glucosyl-acetamidiumbromide (8), a β-glucosidase inhibitor, resulting in a decrease in the diurnal emission of 2-phenylethanol (2) from Rosa damascena Mill. flowers. Detection of [1,1,2,2′,3′,4′,5′,6′-²H₈]-2 and [1,2,2′,3′,4′,5′,6′-²H₇]-2 from R. ‘Hoh-Jun’ flowers fed with [1,1,2,2′,3′,4′,5′,6′-²H₈]-3 suggested that β-glucosidase, alcohol dehydrogenase, and reductase might be involved in scent emission. Comprehensive GC-SIM analyses revealed that [1,2,2,2′,3′,4′,5′,6′-²H₈]-2 and [1,2,2,2′,3′,4′,5′,6′-²H₈]-3 must be biosynthesized from [1,2,2,2′,3′,4′,5′6′-²H₈] l-phenylalanine ([²H₈]-1) with a retention of the deuterium atom at α-position of [²H₈]-1.     

Lipase mediated resolution of 1,3-butanediol derivatives: chiral building blocks for pheromone enantiosynthesis. Part 3

(R,S)-1,3-Butanediol 5 was kinetically resolved by enzymatic acetylation with vinyl acetate under the presence of Chirazyme™ L-2, c–f, yielding (S)-1-O-acetyl-1,3-hydroxybutane 6 and (R)-1,3-di-O-acetyl-1,3-butanediol 7 with enantiomeric excesses of 91% (E=67.3). Compounds 6 and 7 were easily transformed into the corresponding (S)-3-O-(2-methoxyethoxymethyl)-3-hydroxybutanal 10 and (R)-3-benzyloxybutanal 19, through a protection–deprotection and functional group interchange methodology. Subsequent reaction of 10 and 19 with 3-(methoxycarbonylpropionylmethylene)triphenylphosphorane afforded methyl (E,S)-8-O-(2-methoxyethoxymethyl)-4-oxo-5-nonenoate 12 and (E,R)-8-benzyloxy-4-oxo-5-nonenoate 20. The alkenes 19 and 20 were then catalytically hydrogenated to the corresponding saturated esters 13 and 21. Treatment of 13 and 21 with 1,2-ethanedithiol/F₃B·OEt₂ afforded dithioketals 14 and 22, which were respectively reduced to (S)-1,8-dihydroxy-4-nonanone ethylidenedithioketal 15 and (R)-8-O-benzyl-1,8-dihydroxy-4-nonanone ethylidenedithioketal 23. Finally, deprotection of 15 by catalytic hydrogenation under acidic conditions gave the expected (5S,7S)-(−)-7-methyl-1,6-dioxaspiro[4.5]decane 1. The (5R,7R)-(+)-1 enantiomer was analogously prepared from 23. Both compounds were formed by this procedure with an e.e. of 91%.     

Ammonium hexafluorosilicate salts

The preparation and characterization of the ammonium hexafluorosilicate salts, 2[R]⁺ [SiF₆]²⁻ (where R=piperidinium (2), methylammonium (3), quinolinium (4), acridinium (5), 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinium (6), and propylammonium (7)) is described.The salts were prepared from the reaction of the corresponding alkylammonium fluoride with silica gel. The compounds were characterized by NMR, IR, mass spectrometry and in the case of 1 (piperidinium fluoride), 2-4 by X-ray crystallography. Compounds 1-3 crystallize in the orthorhombic crystal system (space groups Iba2, Fdd2, and Pnnm, respectively), with Z=8, 14, and 4, respectively. Compound 4 crystallizes in the triclinic space group P-1, with Z=2. Compounds 1-4 exhibit hydrogen bonding.     

Two xanthones and two rotameric (3⟶8) biflavonoids from the Cameroonian medicinal plant Allanblackia floribunda Oliv. (Guttiferae)

Two xanthones, 2-(3-hydroxy-3,3-dimethyldihydroallyl)-dihydro-6-deoxyisojacareubin (1) and dihydro-6-deoxyjacareubin (2), and two 3 ⟶ 8 rotameric biflavonoids, (2R,3S)-volkensiflavone-7-O-β-acetylglucopyranoside (3) and (2S,3S)-morelloflavone-7-O-β-acetylglucopyranoside (4), together with fifteen known compounds, were isolated from a dichloromethane/methanol (1:1, v/v) extract of the bark of the plant Allanblackia floribunda. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by NMR spectroscopy and mass spectroscopic techniques and those of the known ones were deduced by comparison with data reported in the literature. The isolated biflavonoids were obtained as mixtures of conformers exhibiting duplicate NMR signals in solution at 25 °C and their respective absolute configurations were assigned using circular dichroism spectroscopy. Selected isolated compounds were assessed for their antibacterial and antioxidant properties.     

Synthesis and properties of novel 5-(cyclohepta-2′,4′,6′-trienylidene)pyrimidine-2(1H),4(3H),6(5H)-triones: methodology for synthesizing cyclohepta[b]pyrimido[5,4-d]furan-8(7H),10(9H)-dionylium tetrafluoroborates

Novel condensation reaction of tropone with N-substituted and N,N′-disubstitued barbituric acids in Ac₂O afforded 5-(cyclohepta-2′,4′,6′-trienylidene)pyrimidine-2(1H),4(3H),6(5H)-trione derivatives (8a-f) in moderate to good yields. The ¹³C NMR spectral study of 8a-f revealed that the contribution of zwitterionic resonance structures is less important as compared with that of 8,8-dicyanoheptafulvene. The rotational barriers (ΔG^‡) around the exocyclic double bond of mono-substituted derivatives 8a-c were obtained to be 14.51-15.03 kcal mol⁻¹ by the variable temperature ¹H NMR measurements. The electrochemical properties of 8a-f were also studied by CV measurement. Upon treatment with DDQ, 8a-c underwent oxidative cyclization to give two products, 7 and 9-substituted cyclohepta[b]pyrimido[5,4-d]furan-8(7H),10(9H)-dionylium tetrafluoroborates (11a-c·BF₄⁻ and 12a-c·BF₄⁻) in various ratios, while that of disubstituted derivatives 8d-f afforded 7,9-disubstituted cyclohepta[b]pyrimido[5,4-d]furan-8(7H),10(9H)-dionylium tetrafluoroborate (11d-f·BF₄⁻) in good yields. Similarly, preparation of known 5-(1′-oxocycloheptatrien-2′-yl)-pyrimidine-2(1H),4(3H),6(5H)-trione derivatives (14a-d) and novel derivatives 14e,f was carried out. Treatment of 14a-c with aq. HBF₄/Ac₂O afforded two kinds of novel products 11a-c·BF₄⁻ and 12a,c·BF₄⁻ in various ratios, respectively, while that of 14d-f afforded 11d-f. The product ratios of 11a-c·BF₄⁻ and 12a-c·BF₄⁻ observed in two kinds of cyclization reactions were rationalized on the basis of MO calculations of model compounds 20a and 21a. The spectroscopic and electrochemical properties of 11a-f·BF₄⁻ and 12a-c·BF₄⁻ were studied, and structural characterization of 11c·BF₄⁻ based on the X-ray crystal analysis and MO calculation was also performed.     

Preparation of chelate bis(imine)nickel allyl systems by reaction of their corresponding butadiene complexes with electrophiles

The chelate 1,2-bis(imine)nickel(butadiene) complex 4a (chelate ligand derived from condensation of biacetyl with 2,6-diisopropylaniline) adds the strong Lewis acid B(C₆F₅)₃ at the terminal carbon atom of the butadiene ligand to yield the dipolar substituted π-allyl-type betaine complex (lig)Ni[η³-C₃H₄-CH₂B(C₆F₅)₃] (Z-6a). At 90 °C the kinetically formed product equilibrated with its E-6a isomer. Similarly, 4a adds the boron Lewis acid (pyrrolyl)B(C₆F₅)₂ to yield the corresponding neutral dipolar π-allyl betaine complex Z-7a, that slowly equilibrated with E-7a over several hours at ambient temperature. Protonation of the butadiene ligand of complex 4a was achieved by treatment with the neutral Brønsted acid (2H-pyrrol)B(C₆F₅)₃ to yield the [(lig)Ni(η³-crotyl)⁺][(pyrrolyl)B(C₆F₅)₃⁻] salt 9a (Z-/E-9a ratio=90:10 upon preparation). At 298 K this salt rearranged to a 5:95 mixture of Z-9a/E-9a with a Gibbs activation energy of ΔG^‡ (298 K)=22.3±0.2 kcal mol⁻¹. Complex 4a added [Ph₃C⁺] to the butadiene ligand to yield the salt [(lig)Ni(η³-C₃H₄-CH₂CPh₃)⁺][B(C₆F₅)₄⁻] (Z-12a), that proved isomerically stable under the applied reaction conditions. Similar reactions were carried out starting from the acenaphthylene 1,2-dione derived chelate bis(imine)Ni(butadiene) complex 4b. The systems 6, 7, 9 and 12 were found to be active ethene polymerization catalysts in the presence of Al(i-Bu)₃.