Formation of Metal‐Assisted Stable Double Helices in Dimers of Cyclic Bis‐Tetrapyrroles that Exhibit Spring‐Like Motion

Bidipyrrin‐bridged macrocycles, prepared from Ni^II‐bridged dipyrrin‐based nanorings by intramolecular oxidative biaryl coupling reactions, yielded [2+4]‐type Zn^II‐assisted stable twisted‐ring dimers comprising two double helices. These [2+4]‐type metal complexes can be optically resolved by chiral HPLC and exhibit tunable electronic and optical properties as a result of spring‐like motions. The double helices behave as glue to connect two macrocycles and as the screws of hinges to form thermally responsive synchronized spring systems.     

Efficient access to new chemical space through flow--construction of druglike macrocycles through copper-surface-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition reactions

A series of 12‐ to 22‐membered macrocycles, with druglike functionality and properties, have been generated by using a simple and efficient copper‐catalyzed azide–acetylene cycloaddition reaction, conducted in flow in high‐temperature copper tubing, under environmentally friendly conditions. The triazole‐containing macrocycles have been generated in up to 90 % yield in a 5 min reaction, without resorting to the high‐dilution conditions typical of macrocyclization reactions. This approach represents a very efficient method for constructing this important class of molecules, in terms of yield, concentration, and environmental considerations.     

The Effect of the Equatorial Environment on Oxo‐Group Silylation of the Uranyl Dication: A Computational Study

A theoretical investigation of the reductive oxo‐group silylation reaction of the uranyl dication held in a Pacman macrocylic environment has been carried out. The effect of the modeling of the Pacman ligand on the reaction profiles is found to be important, with the dipotassiation of a single oxo group identified as a key component in promoting the reaction between the Si? X and uranium–oxo bonds. This reductive silylation reaction is also proposed to occur in an aqueous environment but was found not to operate on bare ions; in this latter case, substitution of a ligand in the equatorial plane was the most likely reaction. These results demonstrate the importance of the presence but not the identity of the equatorial ligands upon the silylation of the uranyl U? O bond.     

Oligomerization of 1,2‐Ethanedithiol: An Expedient Approach to Oligothiaethylenethioglycols

Reactions of ethylenedithioglycol (ETG) with Na₂CO₃, K₂CO₃, and Cs₂CO₃ provided the oligothiaethylenethioglycols (nETG): di‐ (DETG), tri‐ (TrETG), tetra‐ (TETG), and pentathiaethylenethioglycol (PETG), along with higher polymers. The most efficient carbonate was K₂CO₃ and reactions using DETG and TrETG as starting materials—or their mixtures—were also found to afford similar species. This largely unknown oligomerization process was thoroughly explored and potential pathways were put forward. A convenient conversion of ETG to laboratory quantities of the otherwise scarce and/or expensive DETG, TrETG, TETG, and PETG oligomers, in organic or aqueous media was achieved. Notably, this straightforward reaction takes place without the addition of expensive or toxic metal catalysts and with pure water as the solvent, thereby highlighting its potential as a green chemical reaction. Moreover, the process opens up new approaches to dynamic combinatorial libraries (DCLs) of oligomers and macrocycles with manifolded nETG [(SCH₂CH₂)_nS] bridges.     

In Pursuit of a Competitive Target: Total Synthesis of the Antibiotic Kendomycin

Kendomycin is a novel polyketide having a unique quinone methide ansa structure and an impressive biological profile. Herein we provide a chronological overview of the synthetic work towards the title compound. Thus far, over a period of about eight years, eight groups worldwide have published on their synthetic efforts resulting in five total syntheses, one formal synthesis, and a number of fragment syntheses. Most approaches roughly mimic the biogenetic pathway, starting with an aromatic polyphenol subunit to which a polyketide chain is attached. Subsequent key steps include macrocyclization and the formation of the densely substituted tetrahydropyran ring, and then a late‐stage oxidation and lactol formation.     

Polymers of carbonic acid 32: Influence of catalysts on propagation and cyclization in the interfacial polycondensation of bisphenol A with diphosgene

Bisphenol A was polycondensed with diphosgene in a dichloromethane/aqueous NaOH system. Temperature, time, and molar ratios of the reactants were optimized according to a previously elaborated optimization of the hydrolytic polycondensation of bisphenol A bischloroformate. Five of the following catalysts were examined: triethylamine, 4‐(N,N‐dimethylamino)pyridine (DMAP), ethyldiisopropylamine (EDPA), tetrabutylammonium hydrogen sulfate, and triethylbenzylammonium chloride (TEBA‐Cl). Triethylamine and DMAP accelerated the hydrolysis of diphosgene by formation of a hydrophilic acylammonium salt. Therefore, the molecular weights decreased with higher concentration of these tert‐amines. However, the molecular weights increased (weight‐average molecular weight up to 10⁶) with higher concentrations of tetraalkylammonium salts because these catalysts favor chain growth in the organic phase via “naked” phenoxide ions without catalyzing the hydrolysis of diphosgene. EDPA gave poor results under all circumstances. Cyclic polycarbonates were discovered in all samples. Their fraction increased with the average molecular weight of the samples. When samples prepared with triethylamine or TEBA‐Cl were fractionated, cycles having molar masses up to 15,000 Da were detected by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectroscopy. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 890–904, 2003