Versatile reactions of a para-bromophenylacetylide iron(II) derivative and X-ray structure of the fluoro analogue. Synthesis of new redox-active organoiron(II) synthons

The synthesis of the new (η²-dppe)(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Fe---CC---1,3-(C₆H₄X) (m-2a/2b; X=F/Br) and (η²-dppe)(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Fe---CC---1,4-(C₆H₄I) (2c) complexes, as well as the solid-state structure of the known (η²-dppe)(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Fe---CC---1,4-(C₆H₄F) (2a) complex are described. The catalytic coupling reactions of the bromo complexes with various alkynes were next investigated. Starting from the known (η²-dppe)(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Fe---CC---1,4-(C₆H₄Br) complex (2b), the synthesis of the (η²-dppe)(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Fe---CC---1,4-(C₆H₄)---CC---H complex (6d) and of the corresponding silyl-protected precursors (η²-dppe)(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Fe---CC---1,4-(C₆H₄)CC---SiR₃ (6b/6c; R=ⁱPr/Me) are reported. By use of lithium---bromine exchange reactions on 2b, the silyl- (7a; E=Si; R=Me) and tin- (7b–7d; E=Sn; R=Me, Bu, Ph) substituted analogues (η²-dppe)(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Fe---CC---1,4-(C₆H₄)ER₃ are also isolated. The spectroscopic and electrochemical characterisations of all these new Fe(II)/Fe(III) redox-active building blocks are presented and the electronic substituent parameters for the “(η²-dppe)(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Fe---CC” group are determined by means of ¹⁹F-NMR.     

Synthetic studies towards diazepanone scaffolds

The synthesis of new enantiopure polyfunctionalised diazepanone scaffolds is described. The key steps involve the opening of an azido-epoxide C4 building block derived from l-ascorbic or d-isoascorbic acid by a l-serine derivative followed by a lactonisation–lactamisation two-step sequence.     

Total synthesis of wasabidienones B1 and B0 via SIBX-mediated hydroxylative phenol dearomatization

The first total synthesis of the natural nondimerizing o-quinol (+)-wasabidienone B1 was achieved from commercially available 1,3,5-trimethoxybenzene. The key dearomatizing transformation was efficiently accomplished via a hydroxylative phenol dearomatization reaction using the stabilized lambda(5)-iodane reagent IBX (SIBX). (+)-Wasabidienone B1 was then converted into its congener (-)-wasabidienone B0 via an improved thermally induced ring-contracting isomerization reaction.     

On the Supra-LUMO Interaction: Case Study of a Sudden Change of Electronic Structure as a Functional Emergence

The synergistic functioning of redox-active components that emerges from prototypical 2,2′-di(N-methylpyrid-4-ylium)-1,1′-biphenyl is described. Interestingly, even if a trans conformation of the native assembly is expected, due to electrostatic repulsion between cationic pyridinium units, we demonstrate that cis conformation is equally energy-stabilized on account of a peculiar LUMO (SupLUMO) that develops through space, encompassing the two pyridiniums in a single, made-in-one-piece, electronic entity (superelectrophoric behavior). This SupLUMO emergence, with the cis species as superelectrophore embodiment, originates in a sudden change of electronic structure. This finding is substantiated by insights from solid state (single-crystal X-ray diffraction) and solution (NOE NMR and UV-vis-NIR spectroelectrochemistry) studies, combined with electronic structure computations. Electrochemistry shows that electron transfers are so strongly correlated that two-electron reduction manifests itself as a single-step process with a large potential inversion consistent with inner creation of a carbon-carbon bond (digital simulation). Besides, absence of reductive formation of dimers is a further indication of a preferential intramolecular reactivity determined by the SupLUMO interaction (cis isomer pre-organization). The redox-gated covalent bond, serving as electron reservoir, was studied via atropisomerism of the reduction product (VT NMR study). The overall picture derived from this in-depth study of 2,2′-di(N-methylpyrid-4-ylium)-1,1′-biphenyl proves that trans and cis species are worth considered as intrinsically sharply different, that is, as doubly-electrophoric and singly-superelectrophoric switchable assemblies, beyond conformational isomerism. Most importantly, the through-space-mediated SupLUMO may come in complement of other weak interactions encountered in Supramolecular Chemistry as a tool for the design of electroactive architectures.     

Full control of polymer properties during the two‐stage on‐demand free‐radical photopolymerization of fiber‐reinforced polymers

The effect of a two‐step free‐radical photopolymerization of an acrylate resin on the polymer properties in the presence of glass fibers is studied. It is found that a first irradiation leading to a partial conversion is effective for the fabrication of a preimpregnated glass‐fiber composite, which can be further processed and fully polymerized through a second irradiation. DMA analysis evidences the formation of a first relatively soft polymer embedding unreacted double bonds during the preirradiation. Further process allows the completion of the photopolymerization together with a reinforcement of the polymer network. This obviously affects the final mechanical properties of the photocomposite. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019, 57, 1440–1447     

Structural analysis of unstable norbixin isomers guided by pure shift nuclear magnetic resonance

We report the analysis of complex samples obtained during the microwave irradiation/heating of norbixin, which has been identified as a potential therapeutic target for age-related macular degeneration (AMD). In this context, identifying the different isomers that are obtained during its degradation is of primary importance. However, this characterization is challenging because, on the one hand, some of these isomers are unstable, and on the other hand, the ¹H spectra of these isomeric mixtures are poorly resolved. We could successfully apply 1D pure shift experiments to obtain ultrahigh-resolution ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of the norbixin isomer samples and exploit their information content to analyze complementary 2D NMR data and describe accurately their isomeric composition.     

A New Synthesis of Optically Active 3‐Substituted (3S)‐3,4‐Dihydro‐5‐(perfluoroalkyl)‐2H‐[1,4]oxazepin‐7‐ones

Optically active (perfluoroalkyl)‐oxazepin‐7‐ones were synthesized in two steps starting from ethyl perfluorobut‐2‐ynoate by direct addition of optically active amino alcohols via intermolecular Michael addition and lactone formation.     

Second harmonic generation: Effects of the multiple reflections of the fundamental and the second harmonic waves on the Maker fringes

The Maker fringes technique is commonly used for the determination of nonlinear optical coefficients. In this article, we present a new formulation of Maker fringes in parallel-surface samples, using boundary conditions taking into account the anisotropy of the crystal, the refractive-index dispersion, and the reflections of the fundamental and the second harmonic waves inside the material. Complete expressions for the generated second harmonic intensity are given for birefringent crystals for the case of no pump depletion. A comparison between theory and experimental results is made, showing the accuracy of our theoretical expressions.