Preparation of C-arylglycals via Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling of dihydropyranylphosphates

The preparation of C-arylglycals has been accomplished by employing the Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reaction of dihydropyranylphosphates with arylboronate esters. The reaction is tolerant of both electron-donating (EDG) and electron-withdrawing (EWG) groups on the aromatic ring and affords the corresponding C-arylglycals in good to excellent yields (68–97%). Additionally, the ketene acetal phosphate derived from 6-deoxy-3,4-di-O-benzyl-l-rhamnal also couples efficiently to yield C-arylglycals in excellent yields.     

A chiral primary-tertiary-1,2-diamine as an efficient catalyst in asymmetric aldehyde–ketone or ketone–ketone aldol reactions

A novel chiral 1,2-diaminocyclohexane derivative, (1R,2R)-N¹-n-pentyl, N¹-benzyl-1,2-cyclohexanediamine, was designed, synthesized and applied as a catalyst in a number of aldol reactions between ketones and aryl aldehydes. Reactions between acetone and aryl aldehydes gave aldol products with moderate to good yields and with excellent enantioselectivity (up to yield 85%, ee 98%), while reactions between cyclohexanone and aryl aldehydes provided anti-β-hydroxyketone products with excellent yields, diastereoselectivity and with enantioselectivity (up to 82% yield, anti/syn ratio 99:1, ee 99%). The aldol reactions between acetone and isatins were investigated, which afforded excellent yields and enantioselectivity (up to 95% yield, 98% ee). The (R)- and (S)-isomers of convolutamydine A were obtained with 95% yield and 96% ee, and 95% yield and 94% ee, respectively.     

Easily accessible chiral dicyclopentadiene ligands for rhodium-catalyzed enantioselective 1,4-addition reactions

A variety of novel C₁-symmetric chiral diene ligands based on the dicyclopentadiene (DCP) skeleton were easily prepared from commercially available DCP. The application of these diene ligands in the rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric 1,4-addition of arylboronic acids to α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds has been examined and excellent enantioselectivities (up to 97% ee) as well as good yields were achieved under mild reaction conditions.     

(1R,2R)-DPEN-derived triazolium salts for enantioselective oxodiene Diels-Alder reactions

Enantioselective oxodiene Diels-Alder reactions catalyzed by (1R,2R)-DPEN-derived triazolium salts were realized successfully. With 0.5 mol % of (1R,2R)-DPEN-derived triazolium salt C and 150 mol % of Et₃N, the reactions of various α-chloroaldehydes (α-bromoaldehyde) with substituted enones led to 3,4-dihydropyridinones and their derivatives in good yields, diastereoselectivities, and enantioselectivities (up to 97% ee).     

Enantioselective addition of diethylzinc to aromatic aldehydes catalyzed by C2-symmetric chiral diols

Optically pure C₂-symmetric diols have been synthesized with moderate yields in a straightforward manner, and are used as catalysts in the enantioselective alkylation of aromatic aldehydes with diethylzinc. The addition of diethylzinc to benzaldehyde and sterically hindered 1-naphthaldehyde was achieved with excellent enantioselectivities (97–99% ee) under catalysis with (1R,2R)-1,2-bis(3,5-dibromophenyl)-ethane-1,2-diol and (1R,2R)-1,2-bis(3,5-diphenylphenyl)-ethane-1,2-diol.     

One-pot synthesis of C2-symmetric N,N′-diaryl bis(oxazolidin-2-ones) as precursors for N,N′-diaryl 2,3-diamino-1,4-butanediols

A new and general one-pot synthetic method for C₂-symmetric N,N′-aryl-disubstituted bis(oxazolidin-2-ones) has been developed. Highly regioselective intramolecular cyclization reactions of 2,3-di(methanesulfonyloxy)-1,4-dihydroxybutane with arylisocyanates in the presence of sodium hydride afforded the corresponding C₂-symmetric N,N′-aryl-disubstituted bis(oxazolidin-2-ones) in 82–92% yields. Hydrolytic ring opening of the bis(oxazolidin-2-ones) provided a convenient synthetic route for optically pure C₂-symmetric N,N′-aryl-disubstituted 2,3-diamino-1,4-butanediols (58–86% yields).     

DAST promotes the synthesis of new 5-(trifluoromethyl)-3-(1,1-difluoroethan-2-yl)-1H-pyrazoles

This study describes, firstly, the synthesis of a new precursor, 4,6,6-trimethoxy-1,1,1-trifluorohex-3-en-2-one (1), from the trifluoroacetylation reaction of 1,1,3,3-tetramethoxybutane, in 65% yields. Afterwards, the reaction of 1 with two hydrazines (NH₂NHR, where R = 2-furanoyl, C₆F₅) led to a new series of 4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazoles, containing an acetal-protected aldehyde function as substituent, in 90-97% yields. In a subsequent step, the dehydration reactions of these 4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazoles gave the respective aromatic 1H-pyrazoles. Finally, we report the results of the deprotection reactions of the acetals to obtain the respective aldehyde function, as well as, the subsequent fluorination reaction using DAST, leading to new difluorinated derivatives in 55-60% yields.     

Three-component reaction of imidazoles,cyanophenylacetylene, and chalcogens: stereoselective synthesis of 3-alkenyl-2-imidazolethiones and -selones

The three-component reaction of 1-substituted imidazoles, cyanophenylacetylene, and elemental sulfur or selenium proceeds readily (for sulfur at room temperature without solvent, and for selenium in boiling MeCN) to stereoselectively afford 3-(Z)-cyanophenylethenyl-2-imidazolethiones or -selones in yields ranging 39–97% (for thiones) and 39–84% (for selones). In this reaction, tellurium is inactive both under the above conditions and upon heating (50–55 °C) in DMSO, instead, only the C(2)-vinylation of the imidazole ring in up to 98% yield takes place. The Z-stereoselectivity of the reaction is close to 100% (for sulfur) and reaches 91–99% (for selenium). The reaction involves the zwitterionic adduct of imidazoles with cyanophenylacetylene, which converts to the carbene via proton transfer (from the imidazole 2 position to the carbanionic site of the zwitterion) further reacting with chalcogens.     

L-tert-Leucine derived urea-ammonium salts: Efficient bifunctional phase transfer catalysts for highly diastereo- and enantioselective aza-Henry reaction of isatin-derived N-Boc ketimines with α-aryl nitromethanes

An efficient way of aza-Henry reaction between isatin-derived N-Boc ketimines and α-aryl nitromethanes catalyzed by bifunctional phase transfer catalysts with a quaternary ammonium center derived from L-tert-Leucine has been developed. A series of 3-substituted 3-amino-oxindoles were constructed by this catalytic protocol in excellent yields (90–99%), with high enantioselectivities (83–95%) and diastereoselectivities (79:21–97:3). The asymmetric aza-Henry reaction of N-Boc amidosulfones and α-aryl nitromethanes were also investigated and gave the corresponding products in high to excellent yields (72–97%) with high enantioselectivities (up to 99%) and diastereoselectivities (up to >99:1).     

Vibrational spectra and structure of cyclopropane-d1 and dicyclopropyl ketone

Infrared spectra have been obtained for cyclopropane-d₁, C₃H₅D(CP-d₁), in the vapor phase and for dicyclopropyl ketone (C₃H₅)₂ CO (DCPK) in the liquid state. Raman spectra of the latter compound in the liquid and solid phases have also been recorded. By comparing the experimental with the theoretical spectra of CP-d₁ it has been possible to assign most of the fundamental frequencies of the molecule. Additionably, empirical spectra—structure correlations from the literature for cyclopropyl derivatives containing the COX moiety (X=halogen) have been used to investigate the conformational preference of DCPK. The experimental results confirm that the molecular configuration with the carbonyl group cis to the planes of the two rings is the predominant species in the liquid state, though evidence for a second conformer, which we tentatively identify as the cis—trans conformer, is presented.     

Highly diastereoselective synthesis of α-trifluoromethylated α-propargylamines by acetylide addition to chiral CF3-substituted N-tert-butanesulfinyl ketimines

A convenient and practical method for the preparation of enantiomerically pure α-trifluoromethylated α-propargylamines is described. A range of enantiopure α-trifluoromethylated α-propargyl sulfinamides were obtained by the addition of lithium acetylides generated in situ with n-BuLi and terminal alkynes to diverse chiral CF₃-substituted (S)-N-tert-butanesulfinyl ketimines in moderate to excellent yields (56–97%) and with uniformly excellent diastereoselectivities (>99:1) by using Ti(OⁱPr)₄ as the catalyst and THF as the polar solvent. Enantiomerically pure α-trifluoromethylated α,α-dibranched propargyl amines were then readily obtained in excellent yields (87–97%) by acidic cleavage of the tert-butanesulfinyl group.     

Bis-paracyclophane N-heterocyclic carbene-ruthenium catalyzed asymmetric ketone hydrosilylation

New chiral bis-paracyclophane N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands 1-3 have been explored for ruthenium catalyzed asymmetric hydrosilylation of ketones using diphenylsilane to give enantioenriched alcohols. These ligands provide for efficient asymmetric reduction in the presence of silver(I) triflate (1 mol %) at room temperature with high reactivity and selectivity. Acetophenone 4 was reduced with 1 mol % catalyst in 96% isolated yield, 97% ee. Following removal of the silyl ether, various alcohols 5 were obtained from aromatic ketones in high yield and selectivity.     

Ir(III) complexes of diamine ligands for asymmetric ketone hydrogenation

The use of a combination of IrCl₃ with a series of ligands derived from the C2-symmetric diamine diphenylethanediamine (DPEN) forms a catalyst capable of the asymmetric hydrogenation of ketones in up to 85% ee.     

Arylation of adamantanamines: VI. Palladium-catalyzed arylation of amines and diamines of the adamantane series with 3-bromopyridine

Palladium-catalyzed amination of 3-bromopyridine with amines of the adamantane series in the presence of Pd(dba)₂/L [L = 2,2′-bis(diphenylphosphino)-1,1′-binaphthyl or 2-dimethylamino-2′-dicyclohexylphosphinobiphenyl] gave the desired N-(pyridin-3-yl)-substituted amines in 74–97% yields. Diamines of the adamantane series reacted with 2 equiv of 3-bromopyridine in a complicated fashion to produce mono- and triaryl-substituted derivatives as by-products, while the yields of N,N′-diarylation products were 18–56%.     

IR laser ablative and conventional decomposition of poly(vinyl phenyl ketone): Different processes and different products

Pulsed IR laser ablation of poly(vinyl phenyl ketone) results in the formation of CO, C₁-C₄ hydrocarbons, benzene, styrene and phenylacetylene and affords deposition of polymeric films that were examined by EDX-SEM, FTIR, UV and NMR spectroscopies and gel-permeation chromatography. It is revealed that the structure of the films is affected by laser fluence and their M_w distribution is almost identical to that of poly(vinyl phenyl ketone). The formation of the products is accounted for by cleavages of both polymer backbone and pendant group. Conventional heating of poly(vinyl phenyl ketone) yields CO, formaldehyde, methanol and benzene as major volatile products and affords a solid fraction showing substantial fragmentation of the polymer. The different degradation products from both processes are ascribed to different modes of heating and to the wall effect.     

Synthesis of a small library of oximes and phenylhydrazones of phenyl ketone C-glycosides

An efficient and convenient route was developed for the synthesis of oximes, the corresponding O-methylated oximes, and phenylhydrazones from phenyl ketone C-glycosides in medium to high yields. The broad substrate and reagent scope of this method expands the potential of applying phenyl ketone C-glycosides to the synthesis of important bioactive molecules.     

Z‐bpy,a New C2‐Symmetric Bipyridine Ligand and Its Application in Enantioselective Copper(I)‐Catalyzed Cyclopropanation of Olefins

A rigid C₂‐symmetric chiral bipyridine ligand Z‐bpy with a triptycene‐like backbone was designed and synthesized from simple chemicals in a scalable route. Using this new ligand, copper(I) catalyzed cyclopropanation of styrenes with commercial ethyl diazoacetate produced various corresponding cyclopropanes in high yields, diastereoselectivity and enantioselectivity up to 97% ee.     

Chiral 2-C-methylene glycosides and carbohydrate-derived pyrano[2,3-b][1]benzopyrans: synthesis via InCl3 catalyzed stereoselective Ferrier rearrangement of 2-C-acetoxymethyl glycal derivatives

2-C-Acetoxymethyl glycal derivatives react with aliphatic alcohols in the presence of InCl₃ (30 mol %) to furnish the corresponding 2-C-methylene glycosides in excellent yields and with exclusive α-selectivity except for the methyl 2-C-methylene glycosides, which are formed in ∼2:1 anomeric ratio in favour of the α-anomer. The reaction of 2-C-acetoxyglycals with phenols, however, produces the corresponding chiral carbohydrate-derived pyranobenzopyran derivatives via initial Ferrier rearrangement followed by tandem cyclization in excellent yields and moderate to high stereoselectivities in favour of the corresponding 10a-R-pyrano[2,3-b][1]benzopyran derivatives.     

Synthesis of porphyryl boronates with (un)saturated side-chains

Porphyrins with (un)saturated side-chains containing boron residues were developed as synthons for porphyrin functionalisation. Porphyrins with mono and bis-substituted unsaturated boronyl residues were prepared in good yields (52-66%) using a cross-metathesis approach in the presence of Grubbs I-generation catalysts. In all cases complete E-stereoselectivity (100%) was observed. Furthermore, formal cross-metathesis products with α,β-unsaturated chains smoothly underwent addition with bis(pinacolato)diboron [(Me₄C₂O₂)B-B(O₂C₂Me₄)] to yield the corresponding saturated boron compounds in 60-70% yields.     

Synthesis and optical properties of hyperbranched polyarylenes and linear polyacetylenes

New hyperbranched polyarylenes (HPAs) and linear polyacetylenes (LPAs) containing chromophoric moieties were synthesized in high yields (up to 97%) by coablt- and tantalum-catalyzed polycyclotrimerizations and tungsten-catalyzed metathesis polymerizations, respectively. The polymers possessed high molecular weights (M_w up to 113 000 Da) and were completely soluble in common organic solvents. The HPAs emitted strong UV light of 400 nm in high quantum yields (Φ_F up to 0.98) and limited intense laser pulses, whose limiting threshold and signal suppress power were better than those of C₆₀, a well-known optical limiter. The electroluminescence (EL) devices of the LPAs emitted blue light of ∼460 nm and exhibited maximun brightness, current efficiency, and external quantum efficiency of 1118 cd/m², 1.53 cd/A, and 0.85%, respectively.