Functionalization of Csp-H bond—Sc(OTf)3-catalyzed domino 1,5-hydride shift/cyclization/Friedel-Crafts acylation reaction of benzylidene Meldrum’s acids

Under Sc(OTf)₃ catalysis, benzylidene Meldrum’s acids bearing a tethered p-methoxyphenethyl group were observed to undergo a [1,5]-hydride shift/cyclization at room temperature, representing a mild Csp³-H bond functionalization. The resulting spiro Meldrum’s acid intermediates then underwent intramolecular Friedel-Crafts acylation, completing the one-pot, domino reaction. The reported protocol generates the 6-6-5-6 tetracyclic core of tetrahydrobenzo[b]fluoren-11-ones.     

A highly diastereoselective synthesis of (E)-B-2-(1-cyclopropyl-1-alkenyl)-1,3,2-dioxaborinanes. Isolation and oxidation to alkyl cyclopropyl ketones

A convenient, novel synthesis of alkyl cyclopropyl ketones based on Z-1-bromo-1-alkenylboronate esters is developed. α-Bromo-(Z)-1-alkenylboronate esters readily available from literature procedures smoothly undergo a reaction with cyclopropylmagnesium bromide in tetrahydrofuran to provide the corresponding ‘ate’ complexes. These ‘ate’ complexes undergo intramolecular nucleophilic substitution reactions to provide the corresponding (E)-1-alkenylboronate esters containing cylcopropyl moiety for the first time in good isolated yields (68-82%). The carbon skeleton present in these intermediates is confirmed by oxidation with hydrogen peroxide and sodium acetate to afford the corresponding alkyl cyclopropyl ketones in good yields (72-85%).     

Application of a stereospecific RhCl(PPh3)3 decarbonylation reaction for the total synthesis of 7-(±)-deoxypancratistatin

A highly efficient total synthesis of 7-deoxypancratistatin is described. The synthesis features the ready preparation of the phenanthridone skeleton by a Stille-IMDAF cycloaddition cascade. The resulting cycloadduct is converted into a key aldehydic intermediate, which is then induced to undergo a stereospecific decarbonylation reaction using Wilkinson’s catalyst to set the trans B-C ring junction of the target molecule.     

A diastereoselective synthesis 1-trimethylsilyl-(E)-1,3-alkenynes and a simple synthesis of alkyl trimethylsilylethynyl ketones via organoboranes

A convenient, novel diastereoselective synthesis of 1-trimethylsilyl-(E)-1,3-alkenynes and a convenient synthesis of alkyl trimethylsilylethynyl ketones based on Z-1-bromo-1-alkenylboronate esters are developed. α-Bromo-(Z)-1-alkenylboronate esters readily available using literature procedures smoothly undergo a reaction with trimethylsilylethynyllithium (derived from the deprotonation of trimethylsilylethyne with n-butyllithium) in tetrahydrofuran to provide the corresponding ‘ate’ complexes. These ‘ate’ complexes undergo intramolecular nucleophilic substitution reactions to afford the corresponding (E)-1-alkenylboronate esters containing trimethylsilylethynyl moiety which upon protonolysis with acetic acid provide the corresponding 1-trimethylsilyl-(E)-1,3-alkenynes in good yields (70-82%) and in high stereochemical purities (>98%). These intermediates upon oxidation with hydrogen peroxide and sodium acetate afford the corresponding alkyl trimethylsilylethynyl ketones in good yields (66-78%).     

Enantioselective total synthesis of (S)-(−)-quinolactacin B

The enantioselective total synthesis of (−)-quinolactacin B (−)-1 was performed in seven steps and 33% overall yield from tryptamine. The synthesis features the use of ruthenium catalytic asymmetric hydrogen reaction to introduce the chirality in dihydro-β-carboline 2. Based on Noyori’s work, the hydrogenation using the (R,R)-TsDPEN-Ru complex produces dihydro-β-carbolines possessing the (S) absolute configuration, the corrected asymmetric center of the natural product. The synthetic quinolactacin B displayed optical rotations that was in accordance with that of the natural product, thereby supporting the (S) configuration for natural quinolactacin B. The final product’s stereochemical assignment is in agreement with that proposed by Nakagawa and co-workers.     

A six-step synthesis of (S)-5-ethenyl-3-(1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinyl)pyridine (SIB-1508Y) from (S)-nicotine

The anti-Parkinson’s agent SIB-1508Y was prepared in six steps from (S)-nicotine in 20% overall yield. The strategy involves a regioselective formylation at C-5 of a 1,4-dihydronicotine intermediate.     

Synthesis and electronic properties of nanometer-size symmetrical tetrakis(poly-p-phenylene)ethylenes

A simple synthesis of soluble tetrakis(poly-p-phenylene)ethylenes (TPEs), where poly-p-phenylene units contain up to 4 phenylene moieties, is accomplished using an easily available tetrakis(4-bromophenyl)ethylene and phenyl, biphenyl, and p-terphenylboronic acids, containing solubilizing iso-alkyl groups as the end-capping substituents. Electrochemical oxidation of TPEs (i.e., T1-T4) showed that they undergo reversible electrochemical oxidations and form stable cation-radical salts in solution. The evaluation of absorption and emissions characteristics of T1-T4 in solution indicated that unlike parent tetratolylethylene (T1), the higher homologues (i.e., T2-T4) show emission centered at 520 nm and the quantum efficiency of emission increases with the increasing number of phenylene moieties in poly-p-phenylene units in various TPEs.     

Interactions of aluminum(III) with the biologically relevant ligand d-ribose

Aluminum(III) can be absorbed when it is appropriately complexed. There are several plasma components which can bind weakly Al(III). Many proteins bind Al(III) in solution quite strongly. Carbohydrates bearing an abundance of electronegative functional groups can interact with metal cations. In solution, d-ribose exists as a mixture at equilibrium of many isomers and only a few of them bear a ‘complexing’ sequence of the hydroxyl groups. The presence of d-ribose in an Al(III) solution experiences a decrease of its Brönsted-acid sites. The lowering of the Brönsted acidity of an Al(III)-d-ribose mixture suggests the existence of attractive interactions (‘association’) between Al(III) ion and the complexing sequence of the hydroxyls of d-ribose. There is enhancement in the stability of the interaction complexes between Al(III) and d-ribose through strong intramolecular hydrogen bonding, which offers the possibility to investigate the kinetics of the subsequent proton release reactions. On the basis of the kinetic results, it may be concluded that proton release reactions, which are associated with the complexation reactions, are associatively activated. The complexes (Al(H₂O)_6−n(d-ribose_−nH)⁽³⁻ⁿ⁾⁺) resulting from the various ‘complexing’ forms of d-ribose are formed at mainly acidic pH. As the pH increases, the values of the activation enthalpy, ΔH^≠, are changing, because of the formation of mixed hydroxo-complexes (Al(H₂O)_6−n−m(OH)_m(d-ribose_−nH)^(3−n−m)+); finally, OH⁻ displaces d-ribose from the coordination sphere of Al(III) in a rather slow process, i.e. with high values of ΔH^≠; the activation enthalpy values, ΔH^≠, decrease with the progression of the displacement, becoming finally very small due to the formation of a precipitate. Chelate coordination of d-ribose with some divalent and trivalent metal ions has been also reported.     

Efficient synthesis of (2R,3S)-2-amino-3-(benzyloxy)-4,4,4-trifluorobutanoic acid (4,4,4-trifluoro-OBn-d-allothreonine)

An efficient synthesis of the non-proteinogenic amino acid (2R,3S)-4,4,4-trifluoro(OBn)-threonine is described. Starting with commercially available (S)-Garner’s aldehyde, the desired amino acid was prepared as its hydrochloride salt in five steps and an overall yield of 33% (59% based on recovered starting material). The utility of this unusual amino acid was demonstrated by its elaboration into a potent and selective androgen.     

Synthesis of aromatic poly(amide-imide)s from novel diimide-diacid (DIDA) containing sulphone and bulky pendant groups by direct polycondensation with various diamines

A novel diimide-diacid (DIDA) monomer, 4-{4-[(4-methyl phenyl) sulphonyl]}-1,3-bis-trimellitoimido benzene containing sulphone and bulky pendant groups was successfully synthesized and used to synthesize a series of wholly aromatic poly(amide-imide)s (PAIs) by direct polycondensation method. The direct polycondensation of newly synthesized DIDA with different diamines was carried out via Yamazaki’s phosphorylation method using triphenyl phosphite and pyridine system. The resulting poly(amide-imide)s were obtained in quantitative yields with inherent viscosities 0.36-0.47 dl/g in DMAc at 30 ± 0.1 °C. The poly(amide-imide)s were amorphous and were readily soluble in various solvents such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP), N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc), N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), and pyridine. Tough and flexible films were obtained by casting their DMAc solution. According to thermogravimetric analysis, the polymers were fairly stable up to temperature around 396 °C, and 10% weight losses in the temperature range of 476-511 °C that showed good thermal stabilities of these polymers.     

Synthesis, characterization, and OLED application of oligo(p-phenylene ethynylene)s with polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) as pendant groups

Two new classes of mono- and oligo(p-phenylene ethynylene)s grafted with polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) were synthesized via ‘click’ chemistry and palladium-catalyzed Sonogashira cross-coupling. These materials with cubic silsesquioxanes are very robust with excellent thermal stability in air (T_5%loss>330 °C) and exhibited T_g>80 °C. All the compounds showed high photoluminescence with a range of blue emission and quantum yield up to 80% in the solution. Extended π conjugation molecules of oligo-pPEs POSS maintain relatively high PL quantum efficiencies in the solid state, compared to mono-pPEs POSS. A preliminary report is made of some of the materials as multilayer OLED components with active dopants PVK and PBD.     

Electrochemical and electrochromic properties of novel aromatic poly(amine-amide)s derived from N,N′-bis(4-carboxyphenyl)-N,N′-diphenyl-1,4-phenylenediamine

A series of novel triphenylamine-containing aromatic poly(amine-amide)s were prepared from the dicarboxylic acid, N,N′-bis(4-carboxyphenyl)-N,N′-diphenyl-1,4-phenylenediamine, and various diamines by direct phosphorylation polycondensation. All the poly(amine-amide)s were amorphous, soluble in a variety of organic solvents, and could be solution cast into transparent, tough, and flexible films with good mechanical properties. They had useful levels of thermal stability associated with relatively high glass-transition temperatures (195-280 °C). These polymers exhibited strong UV-Vis absorption bands at 330-346 nm and their photoluminescence showed maximum bands around 516-535 nm in NMP solution. The hole-transporting and electrochromic properties are examined by electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical methods. Cyclic voltammograms of the poly(amine-amide)s prepared by casting polymer solution onto an indium-tin oxide (ITO)-coated glass substrate exhibited two reversible oxidative redox couples at potential 0.73-0.78 V and 1.12-1.18 V, respectively vs Ag/AgCl in acetonitrile solution. All the poly(amine-amide)s exhibited excellent reversibility of electrochromic characteristics by continuous ten cyclic scans between 0.0 and 1.40 V, with a color change from original pale yellowish neutral form to the green and then to blue oxidized forms.     

Towards the development of Eu(III) luminescent switching/sensing in water-permeable hydrogels

The synthesis of the Eu(III) complex 1.Eu and photophysical studies of this complex in solution are described. In water, the Eu(III) luminescence was ‘switched on’ in the presence of H⁺, with large enhancements in the Eu(III) luminescence. The complex was then incorporated into poly[methylmethacrylate-co-2-(hydroxyethylmethacrylate)]-based hydrogels and the luminescent properties of the resulting polymeric films were investigated using confocal laser-scanning microscopy as well as using steady-state luminescence. The luminescence was shown to be ‘switched on’ in the soft material after adjusting the pH of the solution in which the 1.Eu-incorporated film was immersed from alkaline to acid.     

The structure of N-meso-(6,8,8,14,16,16-hexamethyl-1,5,9,13-tetraazacyclohexadeca-5,13-diene)nickel(II) chloro(isothiocyanato)zincate(II)

A yellow compound which was crystallised from a solution of (6,8,8,14,16,16-hexamethyl-1,5,9,13-tetraazacyclohexadeca-5,13-diene)bis(isothiocyanato)nickel(II) in aqueous zinc(II) chloride has cations with singlet ground state nickel(II) in square-planar coordination by the nitrogen atoms of the macrocycle. The asymmetric unit has two similar cations. The N₄ group of one cation is near coplanar (r.m.s. displacements ±0.009(1) Å, with Ni displaced by 0.048(1) Å from this plane) while the other cation has significant tetrahedral twisting of the N₄ group (r.m.s. displacements of N atoms ±0.126(2) Å, with Ni displaced by 0.027(2) Å from this plane). The mean Ni–N distances are Ni–N_amine = 1.950(6) and Ni–N_imine = 1.897(6) Å. Both cations have N-meso configurations with saddle conformations, with the substituted chelate rings in boat conformations tilted to one side of the NiN₄ ‘plane’ and the unsubstituted chelate rings tilted to the other side, one in a boat conformation and the other with the central methylene group disordered, the components forming boat {s.o.f. 0.70(1) and 0.74(1) for the two cations} and chair conformation chelate rings. The counter-ions have tetrahedrally coordinated zinc(II) ions, one as [ZnCl₂(NCS)₂]²⁻ ions and the other with one ligand site with disordered Cl⁻ {s.o.f. 0.78(1)} and NCS⁻ ligands, i.e. with disordered [ZnCl₂(NCS)₂]²⁻ and [ZnCl(NCS)₃]²⁻ ions, with an overall composition of [Ni(trans-Me₆[16]diene)][ZnCl_1.9(NCS)_2.1].     

From unsaturated dodecahedranes to C40 cages?

(2+2)-Dimerization of unsaturated, highly pyramidalized dodecahedranes (Φ = 43-45°) is explored as a route to C₄₀-cage molecules and non-classical ions derived thereby. The cycloadducts (X-ray structure) formed under vigorous conditions either in solution or in the solid phase above 300 °C did not undergo 2σ → 2π isomerization. The MS fragmentation patterns, in line with calculations (B3LYP/6-31G*), suggest the formation of ‘open’ C₄₀ dications.     

The synthesis of bicyclic 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1,4-benzodiazepin-5-ones from 2-(o-nitrobenzoyl)-1,2-thiazine-1-oxide precursors

Sulfinylation of o-nitrobenzamide and subsequent hetero Diels-Alder reaction gave a series of 2-(o-nitrobenzoyl)-1,2-thiazine-1-oxides. The 2-(o-nitrobenzoyl)-1,2-thiazine-1-oxides undergo a ring opening reaction with phenyl magnesium bromide to give allylic sulfoxides, which, after [2,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement and desulfurisation, furnish unsaturated vicinal N-(o-nitrobenzoyl)-1,2-amino alcohols. Oxidation of the alcohol and reductive ring closure gave a series of bicyclic 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1,4-benzodiazepin-5-ones, a subset of the ‘privileged’ 1,4-benzodiazepine structure. A 4-hydroxy-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepin-1,1-dioxide was synthesised by the same route starting from o-nitrobenzenesulfonamide.     

Lewis acid catalyzed asymmetric halohydrin reactions of chiral α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid derivatives with N-halosuccinimide (NXS) as the halogen source

Lewis acid catalyzed asymmetric halohydrin reactions—(halohydroxylation as well as halomethoxylation) of chiral α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid derivatives were performed using N-halosuccinimide (NXS; X = Br, I) as the halogen source. Regio- and anti-selectivity of 100% and moderate to good diastereoselectivity with good yields were observed when Oppolzer’s sultam was used as the chiral auxiliary. Among the Lewis acids, Yb(OTf)₃ was found to be the best catalyst. Alkenoyl and cinnamoyl substrates smoothly underwent bromohydrin reactions and the more electron-rich cinnamoyl substrates preferred to undergo iodohydrin reactions. However, electron-deficient cinnamoyl substrates did not respond to this Lewis acid catalyzed halohydrin reaction with NXS (X = Cl, Br, I).     

Simple Michael acceptor type coumarin derived turn-on fluorescence probes to detect cyanide in pure water

The present article describes design and synthesis of coumarin derived chemical reaction based chemodosimeter to recognize cyanide in aqueous medium. The Michael acceptor type coumarin derived probes 3 and 4 upon interaction with cyanide undergo Michael type nucleophilic addition reaction to form adducts in which fluorescence intensity was significantly enhanced, ‘turn-on’ by the change in intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) mechanism. The nonfluorescent color of solutions changed to a naked-eye sensitive fluorescent blue (switched-on). Job’s plot analysis revealed a 1:1 stoichiometry for the interaction between the probe and cyanide anion with a high detection limit.     

Pd/CaCO3 in liquid poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG): an easy and efficient recycle system for partial reduction of alkynes to cis-olefins under a hydrogen atmosphere

Lindlar’s catalyst (Pd/CaCO₃) in PEG (400) has been found to be the most reusable reaction medium for selective reduction of alkynes to cis-olefins. The catalyst and PEG were recycled five times without loss of activity.