First SNAr reaction using TDAE-initiated carbanions in quinazoline series

We report herein the first example of a S_NAr reaction using TDAE-initiated carbanions in quinazoline series. The o-nitrobenzyl carbanion, formed by the action of TDAE on o-nitrobenzyl chloride, reacts with 4-chloro-2-trihalomethylquinazolines 4 and 5 via a S_NAr mechanism. This enabled a new series of 4-benzyl-2-trihaloquinazoline derivatives to be synthesized in good yields under mild reaction conditions offering promising prospects for pharmacomodulation.     

Synthesis of α,β-unsaturated dioxanes, dioxolanes and dioxepanes by trans-acetalisation of dimethylacetals with meso or C2-symmetrical 1,2-, 1,3- and 1,4-diols

Several o-dibenzylic diols were prepared reacting organometallics with o-phthalaldehyde at room temperature in ether. The identity of the meso and C₂-symmetrical (d,l) isomers as well as their ratio were determined by chiral gas chromatography. The meso and C₂ (racemic) stereoisomeric diols were easily separated by flash chromatography on silica gel. A set of 18 α,β-unsaturated acetals were then prepared reacting those, as well as commercially available 1,2, 1,3 and 1,4 diols, with the corresponding methylacetals in acidic medium. A trans-acetalisation procedure adapted to the cases of fragile allylic alcohols or unfavorable 1,6 diols-derived dioxonanes based on a Dean-Stark trapping of methanol was also employed.     

An ab initio investigation into the SN2 reaction: Frontside attack versus backside attack in the reaction of F− with CH3F

The energy hypersurface for the attack of fluoride ion on methyl fluoride has been explored with ab initio LCAO-SCF calculations at a split-valence basis set level. Transition states for frontside and backside attack have been located. In addition to transition states, two possible F^–-CH₃F clusters have been identified. The transition state for the substitution of fluoride with retention of configuration is found to be 56 kcal/mol higher than the transition state for inversion of configuration. The transition state for hydride displacement with inversion is 62 kcal/mol above the transition state for fluoride substitution with inversion.     

Base-mediated reaction of vinyl bromides with aryl azides: one-pot synthesis of 1,5-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles

A one-pot base-mediated reaction of azides and β- or α-vinyl bromides has been reported. The effects of bases and solvents have been investigated in the process. A variety of 1,5-disubstituted triazoles were prepared in low to good yields. Further studies reveal that the corresponding alkynes were produced as intermediates via elimination reaction. Under the same reaction conditions, the reactions of alkyl alkynes with phenyl azide would give 1,5-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles.     

Direct synthesis of hetero-biaryl compounds containing an unprotected NH2 group via Suzuki-Miyaura reaction

Hetero-biaryl compounds were prepared via the Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reaction of hetero-aryl moieties containing an unprotected NH₂ group and arylboronic acids. D-t-BPF was found to be an efficient ligand for the cross-coupling of NH₂-unprotected hetero-aryl chlorides with phenylboronic acid.     

Free radical SH2′ reaction mechanism study by comparing free radical SH2′ reaction with free radical addition reaction

It is not clear whether the mechanism of the S_H2′ reaction of allyl chloride is concerted or stepwise. The relative rates of the competitive free radical addition to two different double bonds in (2-chloroallyl)-(2-choromethylallyl) ether have been determined. There are two competitive free radical addition reactions, one is free radical S_H2′ reaction and the other is free radical addition reaction. The mechanism of the S_H2′ reaction is discussed by comparing free radical S_H2′ reaction with free radical addition reaction.     

Bi2O3-catalyzed oxidation of aldehydes with t-BuOOH

A variety of aromatic, aliphatic and conjugated aldehydes were transformed to the corresponding carboxylic acids with 70% t-BuOOH solution (water) in the presence of catalytic amounts of Bi₂O₃. This method possesses a wide range of capabilities, does not involve cumbersome work-up, exhibits chemoselectivity and proceeds under mild conditions. The resulting products are obtained in good yields within reasonable time. The overall method is green.     

Synthesis of 1,2-dihydro-4H-3,1-benzoxazine derivatives via ZnCl2 catalyzed cyclocondensation reaction

A short and facile synthesis of a series of 1,2-dihydro-4H-3,1-benzoxazine derivatives was accomplished in moderate to good yields via the novel cyclocondensation of substituted o-aminobenzonitrile with aldehydes or ketones catalyzed by ZnCl₂.     

Intramolecular α-acylamino radical cyclizations with acylsilanes in the preparation of polyhydroxylated alkaloids: (+)-lentiginosine, (+)-1,8a-di-epi-lentiginosine, and (+)-1,2-di-epi-swainsonine

Acylsilanes with latent α-acylamino radical functionality were prepared from different chiral templates. Radical cyclizations of these acylsilanes efficiently constructed polyhydroxylated indolizidine derivatives with excellent stereoselectivity at the bridgehead position. These cyclization products were converted to (+)-lentiginosine, (+)-1,8a-di-epi-lentiginosine, and (+)-1,2-di-epi-swainsonine.     

The reaction of SF5Br with select 1,2-dihaloethylenes

SF₅Br reacts with 1,2-haloethylenes (F, Cl, Br) in distinct ways. In the case of F- and Cl-olefins, the expected addition occurs while with 1,2-dibromoethylene a metathetical reaction yielding in a clean reaction a 1:1 mixture of SF₅CHCHBr and CHBr₂CHBr₂ is found. The mechanism for this reaction is discussed.     

Formation of chiral 21-helical columnar host system with phenylacetylene unit by using (1R,2S)-2-amino-1,2-diphenylethanol

A tunable supramolecular phenylacetylene host system with a chiral channel-like cavity is developed by using (1R,2S)-2-amino-1,2-diphenylethanol. This host system possesses a chiral 2₁-helical columnar structure; chiral cavities are constructed by the self-assembly of the 2₁-helical column, and guest molecules are included by varying the packing of this column.     

Highly efficient copper/palladium-catalyzed tandem Ullman reaction/arylation of azoles via C-H activation: synthesis of benzofuranyl and indolyl azoles from 2-(gem-dibromovinyl)phenols(anilines) with azoles

In this paper, a novel and highly efficient copper/palladium-catalyzed tandem intramolecular Ullman-type C-O(N) coupling reaction of 2-(gem-dibromovinyl)phenols(anilines) followed by an intermolecular arylation of azoles through C-H activation has been developed. In the presence of CuBr with Pd(PPh₃)₂Cl₂ used as co-catalyst, and LiO^tBu as a base, the one-pot reactions of 2-(gem-dibromovinyl)phenols and 2-(gem-dibromovinyl)anilines with a variety of azoles, including oxazoles, imidazoles, thiazoles, and oxadiazoles underwent smoothly in toluene at 100 °C to generate the corresponding biheteroaryl products in high yields. A tentative mechanism of copper/palladium-catalyzed tandem reaction was described.     

Hydrated ferric sulfate catalyzed synthesis of 3-[(alkyl/arylthio)(aryl)methyl]-1H-indole derivatives through one-pot reaction

A wide variety of 3-[(alkyl/arylthio)(aryl)methyl]-1H-indole derivatives (4a–z) were synthesized through a one-pot three-component reaction from indoles, aromatic aldehydes, and thiols at room temperature using hydrated ferric sulfate as a Lewis acid catalyst. The key features of the present protocol are mild and simple reaction procedure, moderate to good yields, requirement of inexpensive and reusable catalyst, no formation of dithioacetals derivatives from the corresponding aldehydes as well as bis-(indolyl) methane derivatives.     

Novel reactions of arylmalonate carbanions. The reaction with phenyl isocyanate resulting in carbamates by 1,3-C→N migration of the ethoxycarbonyl group

The reactions of carbanions of diethyl phenyl and 4-nitrophenylmalonates with phenyl isocyanate occur with 1,3-C→N migration of the ethoxycarbonyl group to form the corresponding adducts. The introduction of NO₂ groups into the benzene ring of arylmalonates inhibits the reaction. Dedicated to Academician V. A. Tartakovsky on the occasion of his 75th birthday. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 8, pp. 1608–1610, August, 2007.     

2′-Lipid-modified oligonucleotides via a ‘Staudinger-Vilarrasa’ reaction

We report a new access to 2′-amido-2′-deoxyuridine via a Staudinger-Vilarrasa coupling reaction for the preparation of lipid-modified oligonucleotides. One or two lipidic moieties were inserted within the oligonucleotidic sequence (LONs) leading to a repertoire of original antagomir-like molecules targeting micro RNA (miRNA or miR). Melting temperature (Tm) experiments revealed that the stability of the duplexes depends on the lipid position and the number of lipid moieties inserted within the oligonucleotide sequence. Single lipid conjugations of positions 11 and 19 of LONs targeting miR-122 do not destabilize the duplexes.     

Platinum(II) complex-catalyzed enantioselective aldol reaction with ketene silyl acetals in DMF at room temperature

[{(R)-binap}Pt(μ-OH)]₂2X is a weak Lewis acid, which can catalyze the enantioselective aldol reaction of aldehydes with ketene silyl acetals in DMF at room temperature. The platinum(II) complex-catalyzed the enantioselective aldol reaction of aldehydes with 1-methoxy-2-methyl-(1-trimethylsilyloxy)propene gave the corresponding aldols in high yields with enantioselectivity up to 92%. With 5 mol % loading of the complexes, the enantioselective aldol reaction of aldehydes with 1-benzyloxy-1-(trimethylsilyloxy)propene smoothly proceeded in DMF containing 10% HMPA as to predominantly give anti-propionates with enantioselectivity up to 89%, irrespective of the silyl nucleophile geometry.     

Cu(II)-catalyzed oxidation of sulfides

A variety of sulfides and disulfides were converted into the corresponding sulfoxide derivatives with 70% t-BuOOH (water) as the oxidant in the presence of catalytic quantity of CuBr₂. The method described does not involve cumbersome work-up, has wide range of applicabilities, exhibits chemoselectivity, and proceeds under mild reaction conditions, and the resulting products are obtained in good yields within reasonable time.     

Rh2(OAc)4-catalyzed reaction of 1,3-dioxanes with methyl diazoacetate

The reactions of methyl diazoacetate with 1,3-dioxanes in the presence of Rh₂(OAc)₄ afford 1,4-dioxepanes in up to 46% yields. The insertion of methoxycarbonylcarbene into the C—O bond occurs only in the case of 2-phenyl-1,3-dioxanes.     

DAB-Cy as an inexpensive and effective ligand for palladium-catalyzed homocoupling reaction of aryl halides

A novel catalytic system of PdCl₂(CH₃CN)₂ with N,N′-dicyclohexyl-1,4-diazabutadiene (DAB-Cy) ligand was successfully used in reductive coupling of aryl halides.