Synthesis of 5-substituted 2-(4- or 3-methoxyphenyl)-4(1H)-quinolones

5-Substituted 7-methoxy-2-(4- or 3-methoxyphenyl)-4(1H)-quinolones 8-17 have been synthesised in good yields from the corresponding 7-methoxy-2-(4- or 3-methoxyphenyl)-5-trifluoromethanesulfonate-4(1H)-quinolones 7 via palladium-mediated cross-coupling reactions or aromatic nucleophilic substitution (SN_Ar) reactions.     

Unexpected dimerization during hydrogenation of 2-(2-pyridylmethylene)-3(2H)-benzofuran-3-ones

Palladium catalyzed hydrogenation of 2-(2-pyridylmethylene)-3(2H)-benzofuran-3-ones (1-3) gave besides the expected 2,α-dihydro products 8-10 pentacyclic dimers formed by an attack of a semihydrogenated species on the substrate.     

Coordination properties of N2S (1,5-bis(3,5-dimethyl-1-pyrazolyl)-3-thiapentane) or N2S2 (1,8-bis(3,5-dimethyl-1-pyrazolyl)-3,6-dithiaoctane or 1,2-bis[3-(3,5-dimethyl-1-pyrazolyl)-2-thiapropyl]benzene) donor ligands toward Rh(I)

The 1,5-bis(3,5-dimethyl-1-pyrazolyl)-3-thiapentane ligand (bdtp) reacts with [Rh(COD)(THF)₂][BF₄] to give [Rh(COD)(bdtp)][BF₄] ([1][BF₄]), which is fluxional in solution on the NMR time scale. Its further treatment with carbon monoxide leads to a displacement of the 1,5-cyclooctadiene ligand, generating a mixture of two complexes, namely, [Rh(CO)₂(bdtp)][BF₄] ([2][BF₄]) and [Rh(CO)(bdtp-κ³N,N,S)][BF₄] ([3][BF₄]). In solution, [2][BF₄] exists as a mixture of two isomers, [Rh(CO)₂(bdtp-κ²N,N)]⁺ ([2a]⁺) and [Rh(CO)₂(bdtp-κ³N,N,S)]⁺ ([2b]⁺; major isomer) rapidly interconverting on the NMR time scale. At room temperature, [2][BF₄] easily loses one molecule of carbon monoxide to give [3][BF₄]. The latter is prone to react with carbon monoxide to partially regenerate [2][BF₄]. The ligands 1,2-bis[3-(3,5-dimethyl-1-pyrazolyl)-2-thiapropyl]benzene (bddf) and 1,8-bis(3,5-dimethyl-1-pyrazolyl)-3,6-dithiaoctane (bddo) are seen to react with two equivalents of [Rh(COD)(THF)₂][BF₄] to give the dinuclear complexes [Rh₂(bddf)(COD)₂][BF₄]₂ ([4][BF₄]₂) and [Rh₂(bddo)(COD)₂][BF₄]₂ ([5][BF₄]₂), respectively. In such complexes, the ligand acts as a double pincer holding two rhodium atoms through a chelation involving S and N donor atoms. Bubbling carbon monoxide into a solution of [4][BF₄]₂ results in loss of the COD ligand and carbonylation to give [Rh₂(bddf)(CO)₄][BF₄]₂ ([6][BF₄]₂). The single-crystal X-ray structures of [3][CF₃SO₃], [5][BF₄]₂ and [6][BF₄]₂ are reported.     

Formal syntheses of (−)- and (+)-aphanorphine from (2S,4R)-4-hydroxyproline

We describe the efficient formal syntheses of both natural (−)-aphanorphine and unnatural (+)-aphanorphine from the same commercially available amino acid, (2S,4R)-4-hydroxyproline. The tricyclic framework was constructed by intramolecular Friedel-Crafts reaction. (1R,4S)-1-Methyl-8-methoxy-3-(4-toluenesulfonyl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,4-methano-3-benzazepine (8) was synthesized in six steps from sulfonamide 3; (−)-aphanorphine methyl ether 24 was obtained in seven steps from lactone 10. Intramolecular etherification of 18 proceeded with excellent stereoselectivity in the presence of BF₃·OEt₂, which has paved an efficient synthetic route to a series of medicinally attractive heterocycles.     

Preparation, structural characterisation and electrochemical properties of iron(0) and tungsten(0) carbonyl complexes with 1-(diphenylphosphanyl)-1′-vinylferrocene and 1-(diphenylphosphanyl)-1′-(dimethylvinylsilyl)ferrocene as P-monodentate ligands

A new organometallic phosphanylalkene, 1-(diphenylphosphanyl)-1′-(dimethylvinylsilyl)ferrocene (2) was prepared and—together with 1-(diphenylphosphanyl)-1′-vinylferrocene (1)—studied as a ligand in iron- and tungsten-carbonyl complexes. The following complexes featuring the mentioned phosphanylalkenes as P-monodentate donors were isolated and characterised by spectral methods: [Fe(CO)₄(L-κP)] (4, L = 1; 5, L = 2) and trans-[W(CO)₄(L-κP)₂] (6, L = 1; 7, L = 2). In addition, the solid-state structures of 4 and 6 have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and the electrochemical properties of compounds 1, 2, 4 and 6 were studied by cyclic voltammetry at platinum electrode.     

Asymmetric synthesis of (R)-(+)-6-(1,4-dimethoxy-3-methyl-2-naphthyl)-6-(4-hydroxyphenyl)hexanoic acid as a key intermediate for a neurodegenerative disease agent

An asymmetric synthesis of (R)-(+)-6-(1,4-dimethoxy-3-methyl-2-naphthyl)-6-(4-hydroxyphenyl)hexanoic acid 2 as a key intermediate for a neurodegenerative disease agent 1 has been developed. A key reaction was an asymmetric hydrogenation of hindered acrylic acid 13 catalyzed by the Rh-JOSIPHOS system in the presence of a base to afford a chiral acid up to 93% ee.     

Trifluoroacetylacetonate rhodium(III) methyl complexes, cis-[Rh(TFA)(PPh3)2(CH3)(L)][BPh4] and cis-[Rh(TFA)(PPh3)2(CH3)(I)] (L = CH3CN, NH3, pyridine), in comparison with their acetylacetonate analogs

The oxidative addition of CH₃I to planar rhodium(I) complex [Rh(TFA)(PPh₃)₂] in acetonitrile (TFA is trifluoroacetylacetonate) leads to the formation of cationic, cis-[Rh(TFA)(PPh₃)₂(CH₃)(CH₃CN)][BPh₄] (1), or neutral, cis-[Rh(TFA)(PPh₃)₂(CH₃)(I)] (4), rhodium(III) methyl complexes depending on the reaction conditions. 1 reacts readily with NH₃ and pyridine to form cationic complexes, cis-[Rh(TFA)(PPh₃)₂(CH₃)(NH₃)][BPh₄] (2) and cis-[Rh(TFA)(PPh₃)₂(CH₃)(Py)][BPh₄] (3), respectively. Acetylacetonate methyl complex of rhodium(III), cis-[Rh(Acac)(PPh₃)₂(CH₃)(I)] (5), was obtained by the action of NaI on cis-[Rh(Acac)(PPh₃)₂(CH₃)(CH₃CN)][BPh₄] in acetone at −15 °C. Complexes 1-5 were characterized by elemental analysis, ³¹P{¹H}, ¹H and ¹⁹F NMR. For complexes 2, 3, 4 conductivity data in acetone solutions are reported. The crystal structures of 2 and 3 were determined. NMR parameters of 1-5 and related complexes are discussed from the viewpoint of their isomerism.     

Enantioselective allylation of alkyl glyoxylates catalyzed by (salen)chromium(III) complexes

The enantioselective addition of allylstannanes and allylsilanes to alkyl glyoxylates of type 1, catalyzed by chiral (salen)Cr(III) complexes 3, has been studied. We have found that the reaction proceeded smoothly for low loading (1-2 mol %) of (1R,2R)-(salen)Cr(III)BF₄3a or (1R,2R)-(salen)Cr(III)ClO₄3c, and allyltributyltin under simple, undemanding conditions, affording (R)-2-hydroxypent-4-enoic acid esters 2 in good yield (61-90%) and enantioselectivity (58-76% ee).     

Rhodium complexes with chiral counterions: achiral catalysts in chiral matrices

The neutral complexes [Rh(I)(NBD)((1S)-10-camphorsulfonate)] (2) and [Rh(I)((R)-N-acetylphenylalanate)] (4) reacted with bis-(diphenylphosphino)ethane (dppe) to form the cationic Rh(I)(NBD)(dppe) complexes, 5 and 6, respectively, accompanied by their corresponding chiral counteranions. Analogously, 4 reacted with 4,4^′-dimethylbipyridine to yield complex 7. Complexes 5 and 6 disproportionated in aprotic solvents to form the corresponding bis-diphosphine complexes 8 and 9, respectively. 8 was characterized by an X-ray crystal structure analysis. In order to form achiral Rh(I) complexes bearing chiral countercations new sulfonated monophosphines 13-16 with chiral ammonium cations were synthesized. Tris-triphenylphosphinosulfonic acid (H₃TPPS, 11) was used to protonate chiral amines to yield chiral ammonium phosphines 14-16. Thallium-tris-triphenylphosphinosulfonate (Tl₃TPPS, 12) underwent metathesis with a chiral quartenary ammonium iodide to yield the proton free chiral ammonium phosphine 13. Phosphines 15 and 16 reacted with [Rh(NBD)₂]BF₄ to afford the highly charged chiral zwitterionic complexes [Rh(NBD)(TPPS)₂][(R)-N,N-dimethyl-1-(naphtyl)ethylammonium]₅ (17) and [Rh(NBD)(TPPS)₂][BF₄][(R)-N,N-dimethyl-phenethylammonium]₆ (18), respectively. Complexes 5, 6, and 18 were tested as precatalysts for the hydrogenation of de-hydro-N-acetylphenylalanine (19) and methyl-(Z)-(α)-acetoamidocinnamate (MAC, 20) under homogeneous and heterogeneous (silica-supported and self-supported) conditions. None of the reactions was enantioselective.     

Enantioselective synthesis of axially chiral 1-(1-naphthyl)isoquinolines and 2-(1-naphthyl)pyridines through sulfoxide ligand coupling reactions

Racemic 1-(1′-isoquinolinyl)-2-naphthalenemethanol rac-12 was prepared through a ligand coupling reaction of racemic 1-(tert-butylsulfinyl)isoquinoline rac-7 with the 1-naphthyl Grignard reagent 10. Resolution of rac-12 was achieved through chromatographic separation of the Noe-lactol derivatives 14 and 15, providing (R)-(−)-12 of >99% ee and (S)-(+)-12 of 90% ee. The ligand coupling reaction of optically enriched sulfoxide (S)-(−)-7 (62% ee) with Grignard reagent 10 furnished rac-12, with the absence of stereoinduction resulting from competing rapid racemisation of the sulfoxide 7. Reaction of optically enriched (S)-(−)-7 with 2-methoxy-1-naphthylmagnesium bromide was also accompanied by racemisation of the sulfoxide 7, and furnished optically active (+)-1-(2′-methoxy-1′-naphthyl)isoquinoline (+)-3b in low enantiomeric purity (14% ee). The absolute configuration of (+)-3b was assigned as R using circular dichroism spectroscopy, correcting an earlier assignment based on the Bijvoet method, but in the absence of heavy atoms. Optically active 2-pyridyl sulfoxides were found not to undergo racemisation analogous to the 1-isoquinolinyl sulfoxide 7, with the ligand coupling reactions of (R)-(+)- and (S)-(−)-2-[(4′-methylphenyl)sulfinyl]-3-methylpyridines, (R)-(+)-17 and (S)-(−)-17, with 2-methoxy-1-naphthylmagnesium bromide providing (−)- and (+)-2-(2′-methoxy-1′-naphthyl)-3-methylpyridines, (−)-18 and (+)-18, in 53 and 60% ee, respectively. The free energy barriers to internal rotation in 3b and 18 have been determined, and the isoquinoline (R)-(−)-12 examined as a ligand in the enantioselectively catalysed addition of diethylzinc to benzaldehyde; (R)-(−)-12 was also converted to (R)-(−)-N,N-dimethyl-1-(1′-isoquinolinyl)-2-naphthalenemethanamine (R)-(−)-19, and this examined as a ligand in the enantioselective Pd-catalysed allylic substitution of 1,3-diphenylprop-2-enyl acetate with dimethyl malonate.     

Asymmetric Friedel-Crafts alkylation of activated benzenes with methyl (E)-2-oxo-4-aryl-3-butenoates catalyzed by [Pybox/Sc(OTf)3]

The asymmetric Friedel-Crafts reaction between methyl (E)-2-oxo-4-aryl-3-butenoates (1a-c) and activated benzenes (2a-d) has been efficiently catalyzed by the Sc^III triflate complex of (4′S,5′S)-2,6-bis[4′-(triisopropylsilyl) oxymethyl-5′-phenyl-1′,3′-oxazolin-2′-yl]pyridine (pybox 3). The 4,4-diaryl-2-oxo-butyric acid methyl esters (4) are usually formed in good yields and the enantioselectivity is up to 99% ee. The sense of the stereoinduction can be rationalized with the same octahedral complex (10) between 1, pybox 3 and Sc triflate already proposed for other reactions involving pyruvates, and catalyzed by the same complex.     

Regioselective synthesis of 3-aryl-5-(1H-indole-3-carbonyl)-4-hydroxyfuroic acids as potential insulin receptor activators

3-Methoxy-4-aryl-furan-2,5-dicarboxylic acid (8) is selectively converted into its C-5 methylester (6) by treatment with methyl chloroformate followed by decarboxylation in one flask. Acylation of the resulting half ester with a 7-substituted indole was performed under mild conditions to afford 3-aryl-5-(1H-indole-3-carbonyl)-4-methoxy-2-furoic acid (11). The synthetic utility of the resulting furoic acids as a skeleton in the synthesis of potential insulin receptor activators is established.     

Rhodium(I) complexes with 1′-(diphenylphosphino)ferrocenecarboxylic acid as active and recyclable catalysts for 1-hexene hydroformylation

The rhodium complex trans-[Rh(CO)(Hdpf-κP)(dpf-κ²O,P)] (1), (Hdpf = 1′-(diphenylphosphino)ferrocenecarboxylic acid) was used as an efficient and recyclable catalyst for 1-hexene hydroformylation producing ca. 80% of aldehydes at 10 atm CO/H₂ and 80 °C. After the reaction, unchanged complex 1 was separated from the reaction mixture and used again three times with the same catalytic activity. The effect of modifying ligands, phosphines and phosphites, on the reactivity of 1 was investigated. The active catalytic systems containing 1 or trans-[Rh(CO)(L)(dpf-κ²O,P)] (2) were formed in situ from acetylacetonato rhodium(I) precursors [Rh(CO)₂(acac)] (3) or [RhL(CO)(acac)] (4) and Hdpf or Medpf (L = phosphine, Medpf = methyl ester of Hdpf).     

Rhodium(III) and palladium(II) complexes of some P-heterocycles; synthesis and X-ray structures

Deoxygenation of the syn-3-phosphabicyclo[3.1.0]hexane 3-oxides bearing a 3-phenyl or a 3-(4-methylphenyl) substituent (1a,b) by trichlorosilane took place already at mild condition and resulted in the corresponding phosphines (2a,b) with retention of configuration at phosphorus, while in the case of 3-(2-methylphenyl)-3-phosphabicyclo[3.1.0]hexane (2c), the inversion of the phosphorus atom was observed in solution under ambient conditions that was evaluated by quantum chemical calculations. A further phosphine ligand (5) was obtained by the reduction of 4-dichloromethylene-1,4-dihydrophosphinine oxide (4). The phosphine ligands (2 and 5) were used in the preparation of Rh(III) complexes (3 and 6). A Pd(II) complex of type PdCl₂(5)₂ (7) was also prepared. The stereostructures of a series of Rh(III) complexes of 3-aryl-3-phosphabicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes (3b-syn, 3c-syn and 3c-anti) were elucidated by single crystal X-ray analysis confirming the relative position of the dichlorocyclopropane and the P-substituent.     

Cationic methyl complexes of rhodium(III): synthesis, structure, and some reactions

Cationic methyl complex of rhodium(III), trans-[Rh(Acac)(PPh₃)₂(CH₃)(CH₃CN)][BPh₄] (1) is prepared by interaction of trans-[Rh(Acac)(PPh₃)₂(CH₃)I] with AgBPh₄ in acetonitrile. Cationic methyl complexes of rhodium(III), cis-[Rh(Acac)(PPh₃)₂ (CH₃)(CH₃CN)][BPh₄] (2) and cis-[Rh(BA)(PPh₃)₂(CH₃)(CH₃CN)][BPh₄] (3) (Acac, BA are acetylacetonate and benzoylacetonate, respectively), are obtained by CH₃I oxidative addition to rhodium(I) complexes [Rh(Acac)(PPh₃)₂] and [Rh(BA)(PPh₃)₂] in acetonitrile in the presence of NaBPh₄. Complexes 2 and 3 react readily with NH₃ at room temperature to form cis-[Rh(Acac)(PPh₃)₂(CH₃)(NH₃)][BPh₄] (4) and cis-[Rh(BA)(PPh₃)₂(CH₃)(NH₃)][BPh₄] (5), respectively. Complexes 1-5 were characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H and ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectra. Complexes 1, 2, 3 and 4 were characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis. Complexes 2 and 3 in solutions (CH₂Cl₂, CHCl₃) are presented as mixtures of cis-(PPh₃)₂ isomers involved into a fluxional process. Complex 2 on heating in acetonitrile is converted into trans-isomer 1. In parallel with that isomerization, reductive elimination of methyl group with formation of [CH₃PPh₃][BPh₄] takes place. Replacement of CH₃CN in complexes 1 and 2 by anion I⁻ yields in both cases the neutral complex trans-[Rh(Acac)(PPh₃)₂(CH₃)I]. Strong trans influence of CH₃ ligand manifests itself in the elongation (in solid) and labilization (in solution) of rhodium-acetonitrile nitrogen bond.     

Synthesis and reactions of 2-hydroxy-4-oxo-4-(2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-but-2-enoic acid methyl ester

2-Hydroxy-4-oxo-4-(2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-but-2-enoic acid methyl ester (1) was synthesized by the reaction of pentafluoroacetophenone with dimethyl oxalate in the presence of sodium methylate. Subsequently, reactions of compound 1 with aniline, o-phenylenediamine, and o-aminophenol were investigated. In addition, the thermal cyclization of ester 1 was studied and led to the formation of 5,6,8-trifluoro-7-methoxy-4-oxo-4H-chromene-2-carboxylic acid methyl ester (6) due to nucleophilic substitution of the 3-fluoro group. Hydrolysis of compound 1 and subsequent cyclization by treatment with SOCl₂ gave 5-(2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-furan-2,3-dione (3). Thermal decarbonylation of compound 3 under mild conditions resulted in the formation of 3-(2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-propene-1,3-dione (4) which dimerized to pyranone 5.     

An efficient synthesis of the intrinsic fluorescent peptide labels, (S)- and (R)-(6,7-dimethoxy-4-coumaryl)alanines via asymmetric hydrogenations

The title compounds 1a,b are efficiently synthesized in high yields and with high enantioselectivity (>95% ee) by using a sequence in which the key step involves asymmetric hydrogenation of dehydroamino methyl ester 4 with Burk’s DuPHOS-based Rh(I) catalysts.     

A series of 2D lanthanide (III) coordination polymers constructed from 2-(pyridin-3-yl)-1H-imidazole-4,5-dicarboxylate

Reactions of 2-(pyridine-3-yl)-1H-4,5-imidazoledicarboxylic acid (H₃PyIDC) with a series of Ln(III) ions affords ten coordination polymers, namely, {[Ln(H₂PyIDC)(HPyIDC)(H₂O)₂]·H₂O}_n [Ln=Nd (1), Sm (2), Eu (3) and Gd (4)], {[Ln(HPyIDC)(H₂O)₃]·(H₂PyIDC)·H₂O}_n [Ln=Gd (5), Tb (6), Dy (7), Ho (8) and Er (9)], and {[Y₂(HPyIDC)₂(H₂O)₅]·(bpy)·(NO₃)₂·3H₂O}_n (10) (bpy=4,4′-bipyridine). They exhibit three types of networks: complexes 1-4 are isomorphous coordination networks containing neutral 2D metal-organic layers, while complexes 5-9 are isomorphous, which consist of cationic metal-organic layers and anionic organic layers, and complex 10 is a 2D network built up from 4-connected HPyIDC²⁻ anion and 4-connected Y(III) ions. In addition, thermogravimetric analyses and solid-state luminescent properties of the selected complexes are investigated. They exhibit intense, characteristic emissions in the visible region at room temperature.     

Coordination chemistry of ester-functionalized cp ligands: synthesis and catalytic activity of [Rh{CpCO2(CHPh)2OH}(NBD)] and [Rh{CpCO2(CH2)3OH}(NBD)]

Two new sodium hydroxyalkoxycarbonylcyclopentadienide salts Na[rac-CpCO₂(CHPh)₂OH] (1) and Na[(2S,3S)-CpCO₂(CHPh)₂OH] (2) were prepared by reaction of NaCp with the five-membered cyclic carbonates cis-4,5-diphenyl-1,3-dioxolan-2-one and (4S,5S)-4,5-diphenyl-1,3-dioxolan-2-one. The reaction of these salts with [Rh(NBD)Cl]₂ gave [Rh{rac-CpCO₂(CHPh)₂OH}(NBD)] (3) and (−)-[Rh{(2S,3S)-CpCO₂(CHPh)₂OH}(NBD)] (4) whose catalytic activity in the hydroformylation of hex-1-ene and styrene has been investigated and compared with that of the previously reported rhodium complexes [Rh{CpCO₂(CHR)₂OH}(NBD)] (R=H, Me). In addition we also discuss some preliminary results regarding the behavior of these complexes in the hydrogenation of the same substrates. The reactivity of NaCp toward the six-membered cyclic carbonate 1,3-dioxan-2-one has also been studied and it has been found that the reaction leads to two cyclopentadienide anions [CpCO₂(CH₂)₃OH]⁻ (5) and [CpCO₂(CH₂)₃OC(O)O(CH₂)₃OH]⁻ (6) in amounts strictly dependent on the carbonate/NaCp stoichiometric ratio.