The `cyclophene' [2.2.2](1,2,4)cyclophan‐9‐ene

In the title compound, C₁₈H₁₆, the [2.2]paracyclophane geometry is restrained to a considerable extent despite the introduction of the extra C=C bridge; typical paracyclophane features, such as the elongated C—C bridges, are still observed. However, the bridgehead atoms of the C=C bridge are forced into unusually close proximity [2.657 (3) Å], which in turn causes the rings to be rotated to an interplanar angle of 13.7 (2)°. The packing involves hexagonally close‐packed layers of molecules parallel to the xy plane, corresponding to the known `7,11' pattern of paracyclophanes, but without significant short intermolecular contacts.     

C—H...π interactions in five ethynyl‐substituted [2.2]paracyclophanes: further examples of the `7,11' packing pattern

The monosubstituted derivative 4‐ethynyl[2.2]paracyclophane, C₁₈H₁₆, (I), and the four disubstituted isomers, 4,12‐, (II), 4,13‐, (III), 4,15‐, (IV), and 4,16‐diethynyl[2.2]paracyclophane, (V), all C₂₀H₁₆, show the usual distortions of the [2.2]paracyclophane framework. The crystal packing is analyzed in terms of C—H...π interactions, some with H...π as short as 2.47 Å, in which the cyclophane rings and/or the triple‐bond systems may act as acceptors. For compounds (I) and (IV), the known `7,11'‐type cyclophane packing is observed, with a herring‐bone pattern of molecules in a layer structure.     

Janoxepin and brevicompanine B: antiplasmodial metabolites from the fungus Aspergillus janus

Two compounds janoxepin (1) and brevicompanine B (2) were isolated from the fungus Aspergillus janus and the structures elucidated by one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopic methods and mass spectrometry. Janoxepin is a novel oxepin derivative with a rare d-leucine incorporated. Brevicompanine B has previously only been isolated from Penicillium brevicompactum. Both compounds were tested in antimicrobial assays and found to be active against the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum 3D7 (IC₅₀-values of 28 and 35 mg/ml, respectively). However, no activity was observed in antifungal or antibacterial assays.     

Palladium-catalyzed alpha-arylation of sulfoximines

[reaction: see text] Palladium-catalyzed alpha-arylation of N-benzoyl sulfoximine ethyl ester with various aryl bromides leads to alpha-arylated products that can easily be hydrolyzed, giving the corresponding N-protected benzyl phenyl sulfoximines. In this manner, new sulfoximine derivatives are accessible that have so far been difficult to prepare in enantiopure form.     

Reactivity of silyl-substituted heterobimetallic iron-platinum hydride complexes towards unsaturated molecules: Part II. Insertion of trifluoropropyne and hexafluorobutyne into the platinum-hydride bond

Insertion of hexafluorobutyne into the Pt-H bond of the heterobimetallic complexes [(OC)₃Fe{Si(OMe)₃}(μ-Ph₂PXPPh₂)Pt(H)(PPh₃)] (1a X = CH₂; 1b X = NH) yields the σ-alkenyl complexes [(OC)₃Fe{μ-Si(OMe)₂(OMe)}(μ-Ph₂PXPPh₂)Pt{C(CF₃)C(H)CF₃}] (3a X = CH₂; 3b X = NH). This insertion reaction is accompanied by dissociation of the platinum bound PPh₃ ligand and saturation of the vacant coordination site by a dative μ−η²-Si-O → Pt interaction. Addition of the Pt-H bond of 1a across the triple bond of 3,3,3-trifluoropropyne affords in a regiospecific manner [(OC)₃Fe{μ-Si(OMe)₂(OMe)}(μ-dppm)Pt{C(CF₃)CH₂}] (2) having the trifluoromethyl substituent on the α-carbon. Addition of RNC to 3 affords the isocyanide adducts [(OC)₃Fe{Si(OMe)₃}(μ-Ph₂PXPPh₂)Pt(CNR){C(CF₃)C(H)CF₃}] (4a R = t-Bu, X = CH₂; 4b R = 2,6-xylyl, X = CH₂; 4c R = 2,6-xylyl, X = NH). In dichloromethane solution 3a is gradually transformed into the C₄F₆-bridged compound [(OC)₃Fe(μ-dppm)(μ-CF₃CCCF₃)Pt(CO)] 5. The Pt-bound carbonyl ligand of 5 is displaced by xylylisocyanide or trimethylphosphite affording the derivatives [(OC)₃Fe(μ-dppm)(μ-CF₃CCCF₃)Pt(CNxylyl)] 6 and [(OC)₃Fe(μ-dppm)(μ-CF₃CCCF₃)Pt{P(OMe)₃}] 7. The molecular structures of 4a, 5 and 6 have been determined by X-ray diffraction studies.     

Synthesis and use of alpha-silyl-substituted alpha-hydroxyacetic acids

[reaction: see text] Rhodium-catalyzed oxygen transfer was used to generate benzyl 2-silyl-2-oxoacetates in good yields. The hydrogenation of these compounds led to chiral alpha-silyl-substituted alpha-hydroxyacetic acids. Resolution by means of HPLC using a chiral stationary phase afforded an enantiomerically pure representative of this class of compounds, which was successfully applied as a chiral ligand in an asymmetric aldol-type reaction.     

Synthesis,spectral, thermal and structural characterization of {[Cu(H2O)3][Cu(MAL)2] · 2H2O}∞ and [Cu(MAL)(TEA)] · H2O (MAL = malonate and TEA = triethanolamine)

A polymeric malonato-bridged copper(II) complex, {[Cu(H₂O)₃][Cu(MAL)₂]· 2H₂O}, and a mononuclear malonato-copper(II) complex with triethanolamine, [Cu(MAL)(TEA)]·H₂O, have been prepared and characterized by elemental analyses, i.r., u.v.–vis, magnetic measurements and single crystal X-ray diffraction. The polymeric complex consists of one-dimensional chains containing the MAL bridged [Cu(H₂O)₃]²⁺ and [Cu(MAL)₂]^2– ions and each MAL ligand simultaneously exhibits chelating bidentate (at one copper atom) and bridging (at the adjacent copper atom) coordination modes. The intrachain Cu1...Cu2 separation is 4.963 Å and the polymeric complex exhibits antiferromagnetic behaviour. In the mononuclear complex, the copper(II) ion is octahedrally coordinated by one bidentate MAL and one tetradentate neutral TEA ligands. The i.r. spectra and thermal decompositions of both complexes are described.