Substituent effect of the spin-coupling constant through m-phenylene in m-xylylene and its derivatives

Density functional UB3LYP calculations with the broken symmetry approach and spin-projection method on m-xylylene diradical and its derivatives have been performed to investigate the dependence of the spin-coupling constant through m-phenylene on the number of phenyl substituents on the two radical sites. The results show that the coupling constant (or the singlet-triplet gap) steadily decreases on increasing the number of phenyl substituents on the two radical sites. This trend is ascribed to more spin delocalization into the phenyl substituents and the larger twist angle of the phenyl substituents out of the m-phenylene plane when the degree of phenyl substitution is increased. For Schlenk's hydrocarbon, the coupling constant J is 1.52 kcal/mol, only one quarter of that in the parent m-xylylene.     

Conformational analysis of bridgehead-substituted bicyclo[m.m.m]alkanes and bicyclo[8.8.n]alkanes

Conformational analyses of bicyclo[m.m.m]alkanes where m=1-10 and of bicyclo[8.8.n]alkanes where n=1-7 bearing methyl groups on the bridgeheads were carried out using a Monte Carlo search strategy. In the bicyclo[m.m.m]alkane series, greater variability was observed for the inter-bridgehead distance for larger values of m. This suggests that properly substituted bicyclo[8.8.8]hexacosanes or larger ring systems might serve as molecular springs.     

Synthesis of m-terphenyl derivatives for potential use as tectons in crystal engineering

Treatment of 4,4-biphenyldiboronic acid with suitably substituted iodo-m-terphenyls provide easy access to the precursors for the synthesis of two rigid m-terphenyl derivatives bearing, H-bonding groups, for potential use as tectons in crystal engineering.     

The stability of poly(m-carborane-siloxane) elastomers exposed to heat and gamma radiation

Poly(m-carboranyl-siloxane) elastomers containing a mixture of di-methyl- and methylphenyl-silyl units were synthesised using the ferric chloride catalysed condensation reaction between di-chloro-diorganosilane and bis(di-methylmethoxysilyl)-m-carborane. These elastomeric materials were originally developed to have greater stability to extreme thermal environments and retain tailorable physical and chemical properties relative to comparable non-carborane containing elastomers. Prepared samples were aged either by heating in air at elevated temperatures or by gamma irradiation from a ⁶⁰Co source. Multinuclear (¹H, ¹³C and ¹¹B) solid and solution state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) was used to assess degradation. This included measurements of segmental chain dynamics using a solid-echo pulse sequence reflecting changes in crosslink density and assessing changes to the carborane fragment by ¹¹B and ¹H Magic Angle Spinning (MAS) methods. Thermogravimetric measurements were also performed to assess thermal stability. Gamma radiation (to a dose of 1 MGy) was found to induce only a small degree of elastomer hardening as evidenced by a reduction in segmental chain dynamics. The carborane cage however, remained intact at these dose levels. Thermal degradation was observed to lead to oxidative crosslinking, the degree of which is dependent on temperature. At temperatures below 350 °C, only small changes in segmental dynamics were observed commensurate with only minor weight loss at this temperature. At temperatures above 350 °C, the degradation of the elastomer increased dramatically with decreased segmental dynamics and presumed partial oxidation of the carborane cage. The integrity of the m-carborane cage and the segmental dynamics were found to be significantly reduced at temperatures above 580 °C, in line with the known cage rearrangement temperature for icosahedral carboranes.     

Efficient trans-acetoacylation mediated by ytterbium(III) triflate as a catalyst under solvent-free condition

A simple and efficient trans-acetoacylation method for the synthesis of β-keto ester derivatives has been described using ytterbium(III) triflate as a new catalyst under solvent-free condition. This method was found to be efficient and convenient for the synthesis of a wide variety of β-keto ester derivatives.     

m-CPBA/TFA: an efficient nonmetallic reagent for oxidative coupling of 1,2-diarylethylenes

A mild synthesis of a series of phenanthrenes with different substituents on the phenanthrene ring is described. The method involves intramolecular oxidative coupling of a variety of 1,2-diarylethylene derivatives in the presence of m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid (m-CPBA) in trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) to yield phenanthrenes in high yields. The present approach solves a key step for the synthesis of polycyclic structures related to an alkaloid tylophorine.     

Fast and selective oxidation of thioglycosides to glycosyl sulfoxides using KF/m-CPBA

A very fast and selective oxidation of thioglycosides to glycosyl sulfoxides has been achieved using KF/m-CPBA in CH₃CN-H₂O. This protocol has many advantages compared to the currently available methodologies for this transformation in terms of selectivity, yield, reaction time, control of temperature, etc. The yields obtained were excellent in all cases.     

An efficient preparation of 1-phenylsulfonylindolyl methyl sulfoxides using KF/m-CPBA

A variety of 1-phenylsulfonylindolylmethyl sulfides are selectively oxidized to the corresponding sulfoxides using a hitherto unexplored KF/m-CPBA system. A major advantage is the absence of over-oxidation.     

Anodic synthesis of a conducting polymer deriving from m-methoxytoluene

The electropolymerization of m-methoxytoluene is studied in acetonitrile on a platinum anode. In the voltammetric study, a growing film of polymer is deposited on the electrode when sweeping the potential repetitively about the anodic peak. The modified electrode remains conducting after several cycles. Furthermore, in the chronoamperometric analysis, an oscillating current is observed. In the preparative electrolysis, two types of polymer are obtained, the first is soluble and the second is a deposit, insoluble in most usual solvents. Both give very similar results in IR and NMR spectroscopic analysis, which are in agreement with meta-linked aromatic rings. The polymer is photoluminescent and has maximum emission peaks situated in the near IR region.     

New B-substituted derivatives of m-carborane, p-carborane, and cobalt bis(1,2-dicarbollide) anion

The Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions of B-I bond in m- and p-carboranes and cobalt bis(1,2-dicarbollide) anion with organomagnesium and organozinc compounds were studied. Carboranyl derivatives of furan, thiophene, indole, pyridine and quinoline were synthesized. 2-Pyridylethynyl and 3-quinolylethynyl derivatives of p-carborane were prepared by Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions using corresponding alkynes or their magnesium derivatives.     

Oxidation of aromatic amines into nitroarenes with m-CPBA

A versatile and highly efficient approach for the synthesis of nitroarenes from aromatic amine using m-CPBA has been developed. This oxidation reaction was operationally straightforward and proceeded to afford products in good isolated yields.     

PhI- and polymer-supported PhI-catalyzed oxidative conversion of ketones and alcohols to α-tosyloxyketones with m-chloroperbenzoic acid and p-toluenesulfonic acid

Various ketones were converted to the corresponding α-tosyloxyketones with mCPBA and p-toluenesulfonic acid in the presence of a catalytic amount of iodobenzene. Moreover, secondary alcohols were directly converted to the corresponding α-tosyloxyketones using mCPBA and catalytic amounts of iodobenzene and potassium bromide, followed by treatment with p-toluenesulfonic acid in a one-pot manner. Poly(4-iodostyrene) could be also used as a recyclable catalyst for the same α-tosyloxylation of ketone     

Photovoltammetric behavior and photoelectrochemical determination of p-phenylenediamine on CdS quantum dots and graphene hybrid film

A photoelectroactive film composed of CdS quantum dots and graphene sheets (GS) was coated on F-doped SnO₂ (FTO) conducting glass for studying the electrochemical response of p-phenylenediamine (PPD) under photoirradiation. The result indicated that the cyclic voltammogram of PPD on CdS–GS hybrid film became sigmoidal in shape after exposed under visible light, due to the photoelectrocatalytic reaction. Such a photovoltammetric response was used to rapidly optimize the photoelectrocatalytic activity of hybrid films composed of different ratios of CdS to GS toward PPD. The influences of scan rate and pH on the photovoltammetric behavior of PPD on CdS–GS film revealed that although the controlled step for electrochemical process was not changed under photoirradiation, more electrons than protons might participate the photoelectrocatalytic process. Furthermore, the photoelectroactive CdS–GS hybrid film was explored for PPD determination based on the photocurrent response of film toward PPD. Under optimal conditions, the photocurrent signal on CdS–GS film was linearly proportional to the concentration of PPD ranging from 1.0 × 10⁻⁷ to 3.0 × 10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹, with a detection limit (3S/N) of 4.3 × 10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹. Our work based on CdS–GS hybrid film not only demonstrated a new facile photovoltammetric way to study the photoinduced electron transfer process of PPD, but also developed a sensitive photoelectrochemical strategy for PPD determination.     

Three-component tandem reactions of (2-arylsulfanyl-3-aryl-2-oxiranyl)(aryl)methanones and o-phenylenediamine: formation of quinoxalines

A series of new quinoxalines has been obtained from a one pot, three-component reaction of (2-arylsulfanyl-3-aryl-2-oxiranyl)(aryl)methanones with o-phenylenediamine in the presence of a catalytic amount of acetic acid. This reaction presumably involves a tandem oxirane aminolysis-cyclisation-elimination-air oxidation-condensation sequence.     

Efficient synthesis of trisubstituted alkenes in an aqueous-organic system using a versatile and recyclable Rh/m-TPPTC catalyst

We have found that the use of [Rh(cod)OH]₂ associated with the water-soluble ligand m-TPPTC was highly efficient for the Rh-catalyzed arylation of alkynes. Aryl and alkyl alkynes were transformed to alkenes using 3 mol % rhodium catalyst and 2.5 equiv of boronic acid at 100 °C in a biphasic water/toluene system in 80-99% yield. The reaction was found to be totally regioselective for alkyl arylalkynes and alkyl silylated alkynes. The Rh/m-TPPTC system was for the first time recycled with no loss of the activity and with excellent purity of the desired alkene.     

Synthesis and structures of polychalcogenadistannabicyclo[k.l.m]alkanes

Reaction of steric encumbered trichlorostannane with disodium sulfide or dilithium selenide gave 2,4-dimercapto-1,3,2,4-dithiadistannetane or tetraselenadistannabicyclo[2.1.1]hexane, respectively. Reactions of steric encumbered trihydrostannane with elemental chalcogens gave pentachalcogenadistannabicyclo[k.1.1]heptanes (k = 2 and 3). The two bridgehead tin atoms of the first polychalcogenadistannabicyclo[k.l.m]alkanes are concluded to have no significant bonding interaction, judging from the longer bond distances than those of the normal tin-tin single bonds.     

Trans-stereospecific polymerization of butadiene and random copolymerization with styrene using borohydrido neodymium/magnesium dialkyl catalysts

The combination of a neodymium borohydride, Nd(BH₄)₃(THF)₃ (1) or Cp^*Nd(BH₄)₂(THF)_x (2), with MgⁿBuEt (BEM), affords an efficient and highly selective (up to 96.7% 1,4-trans) catalyst for butadiene polymerization. In the presence of excesses of Mg co-catalyst, polymer chain transfer takes place between neodymium and magnesium, and significant amounts of 1,2-units are observed. When considered for butadiene-styrene statistical copolymerization, the catalytic system based on 2 showed a good ability to produce poly[(1,4-trans-butadiene)-co-styrene)], with strong impact of the Mg/Nd ratio on the yield and on the copolymer microstructure, including the percentage of inserted styrene (up to 16.9 mol%). Whatever the co-monomers concentration the polybutadiene backbone remained 1,4-trans. The precise microstructure of the polymers and copolymers was thoroughly analyzed by means of high resolution NMR spectroscopy (900 MHz) and MALDI-ToF spectrometry.     

An efficient protocol for the synthesis of quinoxaline derivatives at room temperature using molecular iodine as the catalyst

The use of molecular iodine as the catalyst for a one-pot synthesis of quinoxaline derivatives at room temperature is reported.     

Metal triflate catalyzed highly regio- and stereoselective 1,2-bromoazidation of alkenes using NBS and TMSN3 as the bromine and azide sources

Metal triflate catalyzed 1,2-bromoazidation of alkenes was performed using N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) and trimethylsilyl azide (TMSN₃) as the bromine and azide sources, respectively. Among the metal triflates, Zn(OTf)₂ was found to be the best catalyst. This catalytic process represents a highly regioselective, stereoselective and high yielding method for the synthesis of anti-1,2-bromoazides from a variety of alkenes including α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds.     

Synthesis and antitumor activity of 2-(m-substituted-benzoyl)baccatin III analogs from taxinine

2-m-Azidobenzoyl and 2-m-chlorobenzoyl baccatin III analogs were prepared from taxinine, a major component in Japanese yew leaves. In this study, a novel acetyl migration from 13- to 4-hydroxyl group was observed. The antitumor activity of these compounds was evaluated.