A general method for the synthesis of the most powerful naturally occurring Maillard flavors

The natural flavors 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline 1a, 2-propionyl-1-pyrroline 1b, 2-acetyl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyridine 1c, 2-acetyl-2-thiazoline 1d, 2-propionyl-2-thiazoline 1e, and the artificial flavor 2-acetyl-5,6-dihydro-4H-1,3-thiazine 1f have been prepared by catalytic SeO₂ oxidation of the corresponding cyclic imines 6a-c and sulfur cyclic imines 7a-c using TBHP as co-oxidant. The oxidation of the pyrrolines 1a and b is completely regioselective. Professional olfactory evaluation together with the odor threshold of the new flavor 1f is reported.     

Formation of epoxides and N-arylaziridines via a simple Mg-Barbier reaction in DMF

The Mg-activation of benzal bromide 2b in DMF in the presence of carbonyl compounds 1 or imines 4 leads to epoxides 3 and N-arylaziridines 5, respectively, with acceptable isolated yields. It was found that DMF is likely involved in this process to form a nucleophilic intermediate by reaction with a first generated electrophilic carbene. Results obtained in this chemical approach are compared to those obtained using electrochemical activation, also in DMF.     

α-Phenylselanyl imines: preparation of β-phenylselanyl amines and original synthesis of allylaziridines

Resorting to suitable methods, a wide variety of α-phenylselanyl imines 2-5 were prepared from α-phenylselanyl aldehydes and α-phenylselanyl ketones 1. These compounds were reduced to afford β-phenylselanyl amines 6-9. Our experimental conditions have limited the well known deselenenylation side-reaction occurring with most hydrides. On the other hand, the reaction of α-phenylselanyl imines 2 with organometallics led to the expected addition products only in the case of allylated derivatives. Depending on the temperature, either β-phenylselanyl amines 11 or unexpected allylaziridines 12 were recovered.     

Synthesis and photochemistry of 3-(o-stilbeneyl)-4-H/Me/Ph-sydnones; intramolecular cyclization to 1,2-benzodiazepines and/or quinolines

Stilbeneylsydnone derivatives were synthesized by a sequence of reactions in good yields. Irradiation of 3-stilbeneyl-4-methylsydnone 4 gives 1H-1,2-benzodiazepine derivative 7 as the main product along with 2-methylquinoline derivative 20. Irradiation of 3-stilbeneyl-4-phenylsydnone 5 afforded only 1H-1,2-benzodiazepine derivative 8 whereas on irradiation of 4-unsubstituted 3-stilbeneylsydnone 3 no benzodiazepine derivative was detected. An efficient novel photochemical approach to 1H-1,2-benzodiazepines has been found from the new 3-(o-stilbeneyl)-4-substituted-sydnones via intramolecular 1,7-electrocyclization reaction of the photogenerated nitrile imines.     

Fast ring opening of unstable mesoionic 1,3-dioxolylium-4-olates to acyloxyketenes: formation of [2+2] cycloadducts of acyloxyketene with several ketenophiles

Fast ring opening of mesoionic 1,3-dioxolylium-4-olate 5, generated by Rh₂(OAc)₄-catalyzed decomposition of a phenyldiazoacetic anhydride 6, to an acyloxyketene 10 was demonstrated by trapping the ketene 10. Rh₂(OAc)₄-catalyzed decomposition of p-nitrophenyldiazoacetic p-chlorobenzoic anhydride 6a in the presence of ketenophiles such as dihydrofuran, carbodiimides, and imines did not give 1,3-dipolar cycloadducts with the 1,3-dioxolylium-4-olates 5a, but their [2+2]-cycloadducts with the acyloxyketene 10a. PM3 calculation of heats of formation of a 1,3-dioxolylium-4-olate 5 and an acyloxyketene 10 indicates that the acyloxyketene 10 is 9 kcal/mol more stable than the 1,3-dioxolylium-4-olates 5.     

Cinchona-derived ammonium salts-catalyzed aza Diels-Alder reaction of Danishefsky’s diene with imines

Described is the efficiency of cinchona-derived quaternary ammonium salts as Lewis acid organocatalysts in aza Diels-Alder reaction of Danishefsky’s diene 1 with imines 2 and 16, providing 1,2-dialkyl-2,3-dihydro-4-pyridinones 3 and cyclic dihydropyridones 17, respectively. Among the nine of cinchonidine-derived quaternary ammonium catalysts prepared, N-2′,3′,4′-trifluorobenzyl-O-benzylcinchonidinum bromide (6) exhibited the highest chemical yield (up to 99%). Systematic study on structure-catalytic efficiency relationship revealed that 2′,3′,4′-trifluorobenzyl, quinuclidine, and quinoline moieties are essential.     

Copper-catalyzed addition reaction of γ,γ-dialkoxyallylic zirconium species with imines

In the presence of CuCN, reaction of γ,γ-dialkoxyallylic zirconium species 1 with imines proceeded at the γ-position of 1 to give gem-dialkoxyhomoallylic amines 3 in high yield. In this reaction, γ,γ-dialkoxyallylic zirconium species 1 acts as an α,β-unsaturated acyl anion equivalent.     

Rhodium-catalyzed and sonication-accelerated addition of aryltin and aryllead reagents to imines in air and water

In the presence of a rhodium catalyst, imines (1a-k) react with phenyltrimethyltin 2a or phenyltrimethyllead 2b in water and air under ultrasonic irradiation at 35 °C to give the corresponding diarylmethylamines (3a-k) in good yields.     

Alternative synthesis and novel oxidizing ability of 6,9-disubstituted cyclohepta[b]pyrimido[5,4-d]pyrrole-8(6H),10(9H)-dione derivatives

Synthesis of 6,9-disubstituted cyclohepta[b]pyrimido[5,4-d]pyrrole-8(6H),10(9H)-diones 7a-g was accomplished by ring opening and ring closure sequences of 9-substituted cyclohepta[b]pyrimido[5,4-d]furan-8,10(9H)-dione derivatives induced by several amines. Furthermore, alternative synthetic methodology for compounds 7a-e was also accomplished by single-step reaction of 2-chlorotropone with 6-aminouracil derivatives under mild conditions. X-ray crystal analysis of 7a was carried out to clarify the structural characteristics. The properties of 7a-e were studied by the UV-vis spectra and reduction potentials (−1.24 to −1.39 V vs Ag/AgNO₃). Novel photo-induced oxidation reaction of 7a-d toward some amines under aerobic conditions was carried out to give the corresponding imines in more than 100% yield [based on compounds 7a-d], suggesting the oxidation reaction occurs in an autorecycling process.     

Efficient synthesis of fluorinated α- and β-amino nitriles from fluoroalkylated α,β-unsaturated imines

A simple and efficient synthesis of fluoroalkylated α-amino nitrile (4) derivatives by regioselective 1,2-addition of trimethylsilyl cyanide to fluoroalkylated α,β-unsaturated imines (1) is described. Fluoroalkylated β-amino nitriles (7) are also prepared by regioselective 1,2-addition of α-carbanions derived from acetonitrile to fluoroalkylated α,β-unsaturated imines (1). Fluoroalkylated α-(4) and β-amino nitriles (7) are also prepared through an ‘one pot’ procedure by reaction of enaminophosphonate 2 with BuLi, addition of aldehydes and subsequent addition of either trimethylsilyl cyanide or α-carbanion derived from acetonitrile. Basic hydrolysis of α-(4) and β-amino nitriles (7) gives fluoroalkylated α-(5) and β-amino acids (8).     

Chiral N-phosphonyl imine chemistry: new reagents and their applications for asymmetric reactions

Novel chiral N-phosphonyl imines 2 have been designed and synthesized using chiral N-phosphoramide 1. These N-phosphonyl imines have been successfully utilized for asymmetric aza-Darzens reaction and asymmetric aza-Henry reaction. The C₂-symmetric chiral auxiliary tolerates oxidation, is not sensitive to racemization and can be recycled for large scale synthesis.     

Synthesis and properties of 4,9-methanoundecafulvenes and their transformation to 3-substituted 7,12-methanocycloundeca[4,5]furo[2,3-d]pyrimidine-2,4(1H,3H)-diones: photo-induced autorecycling oxidizing reaction toward amines

The synthesis and properties of 4,9-methanoundecafulvene [5-(4,9-methanocycloundeca-2′,4′,6′,8′,10′-pentaenylidene)pyrimidine-2,4,6(1,3,5H)-trione] derivatives 8a,b were studied. Their structural characteristics were investigated on the basis of the ¹H and ¹³C NMR and UV-vis spectra. The rotational barrier (ΔG^‡) around the exocyclic double bond of 8a was found to be 12.55 kcal mol⁻¹ by the variable temperature ¹H NMR measurement. The electrochemical properties of 8a,b were also studied by CV measurement. Furthermore, the transformation of 8a,b to 3-substituted 7,12-methanocycloundeca[4,5]furo[2,3-d]pyrimidine-2,4(1H,3H)-diones 16a,b was accomplished by oxidative cyclization using DDQ and subsequent ring-opening and ring-closure. The structural details and chemical properties of 16a,b were clarified. Reaction of 16a with deuteride afforded C13-adduct 19 as the single product, and thus, the methano-bridge controls the nucleophilic attack to prefer endo-selectivity. The photo-induced oxidation reaction of 16a and a vinylogous compound, 3-methylcyclohepta[4,5]furo[2,3-d]pyrimidine-2,4(3H)-dione 2a, toward some amines under aerobic conditions were carried out to give the corresponding imines (isolated by converting to the corresponding 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazones) with the recycling number of 6.1-64.0 (for 16a) and 2.7-17.2 (for 2a), respectively.     

Synthesis and structure of nitrones derived from 2-trifluoromethyl bornane 3-imines

Upon treatment with (trifluoromethyl)trimethylsilane (CF₃SiMe₃), 3-(N-alkyl or 3-N-aryl)imines of camphorquinone of type 1 smoothly undergo stereoselective conversion to yield 2-endo-trifluoromethylated 1:1 adducts 2, which, after subsequent desilylation with sodium borohydride in boiling alcoholic solutions, were converted into imino alcohols 3. Unexpectedly, oxidation of 3 with m-CPBA resulted in the formation of a new type of trifluoromethylated nitrones 5 (and not the expected oxaziridines) in a stereoselective manner. In the case of 5a, the (Z)-configuration of the CN double bond of the nitrone unit was unambiguously established by an X-ray crystal-structure determination. However, photolysis of 5a led to the exo,exo/exo,endo mixture of the isomeric oxaziridine 7; the two stereoisomers were separated chromatographically.     

Synthesis and properties of 3-arylcyclohepta[4,5]imidazo[1,2-a]-1,3,5-triazine-2,4(3H)-diones and related compounds: photo-induced autorecycling oxidation of some amines

Novel 3-phenyl- and 3-(4-nitrophenyl)cyclohepta[4,5]imidazo[1,2-a]-1,3,5-triazine-2,4(3H)-diones and the corresponding imino derivatives 5a,b and 6a,b were synthesized in modest to moderate yields by the abnormal and normal aza-Wittig reaction of 2-(1,3-diazaazulen-2-ylimino)triphenylphosphorane with aryl isocyanates and subsequent heterocyclization reaction with a second isocyanate. The related cationic compound, 1-methyl-3-phenylcyclohepta[4,5]imidazo[1,2-a]-1,3,5-triazine-2,4(3H)-dionylium tetrafluoroborate 7a, was also prepared. The electrochemical reduction of these compounds exhibited more positive reduction potentials as compared with those of the related compounds of 3,10-disubstituted cyclohepta[4,5]pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine-2,4(1H,3H)-dione systems. In a search of the oxidizing ability, compounds 5a, 6a, and 7a were demonstrated to oxidize some amines to give the corresponding imines in more than 100% yield under aerobic and photo-irradiation conditions, while even benzylamine was not oxidized under aerobic and thermal conditions at 100 °C. The oxidation reactions by cation 7a are more efficient than that by 5a and 6a. Quenching of the fluorescence of 5a was observed, and thus, the oxidation reaction by 5a probably proceeds via electron-transfer from amine to the excited singlet state of 5a. In the case of cation 7a, the oxidation reaction is proposed to proceed via formation of an amine-adduct of 7a and subsequent photo-induced radical cleavage reaction.     

On the formation of imines in water—a comparison

The reaction of aniline with aryl aldehydes in water has been investigated in the past, but contradictory results have been published. While only small amounts of imines 3 were detected by NMR analysis, isolation afforded high imine yields. A reinvestigation of the reaction of benzaldehyde (1a) and salicylaldehyde (1b) with aniline (2) revealed two important factors which explain the putative contradiction: (i) NMR only reveals the fraction of products which is soluble in water, and (ii) imines 3 form during or after workup.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel trans-3-benzyl/(diphenyl)methyl/naphthyl seleno substituted monocyclic β-lactams: X-ray structure of trans-1-(4′-methoxyphenyl)-3-(diphenyl)methylseleno-4-(4′-methoxyphenyl)azetidin-2-one

Several novel trans-3-benzyl/(diphenyl)methyl/naphthylseleno substituted monocyclic β-lactams (5-7) have been synthesized in high yields. The reaction scheme inolves [2 + 2] cycloaddition (Staudinger) reaction between suitably substituted imines 4(a-h) and ketenes (B) accessed from 2-benzyl/(diphenyl)methyl/naphthylselenoethanoic acids (1-3) using POCl₃ and triethylamine in refluxing toluene. Characterization of these newly synthesized seleno substituted β-lactams has been performed by various spectroscopic techniques viz. NMR (¹H, ¹³C and ⁷⁷Se), FTIR, mass spectrometry and elemental analysis. The molecular structure of trans-1-(4′-methoxyphenyl)-3-(diphenyl)methylseleno-4-(4′-methoxyphenyl)azetidin-2-one (6b) has also been established with the help of single crystal X-ray analysis.     

Novel photo-induced oxidative cyclization of 1,3-dimethyl-5-(1-arylmethylidene)pyrimidine-2,4,6(1,3,5H)-triones: synthesis and properties of areno[5,6]pyrano[2,3-d]pyrimidine-2,4(1,3H)-dionylium ions and their photo-induced autorecycling oxidizing reaction toward some amines

Novel photo-induced oxidative cyclization was accomplished to synthesize areno[b]pyrimido[5,4-e]pyran-2,4(1,3H)-dionylium ions 13a-c⁺·ClO₄⁻. Furthermore, 13a-c⁺·BF₄⁻ and their phenyl-substituted derivatives 19a,b⁺·BF₄⁻ were alternatively synthesized by the reaction of salicylaldehyde and its naphthyl derivatives with barbituric acids and subsequent treatment with aq. HBF₄. Structural characteristics of 13a-c⁺ and 19a,b⁺ were clarified on inspection of the UV-vis and NMR spectral data as well as X-ray crystal analyses. The electrochemical properties were studied by the CV measurement. In a search for reactivity, reactions of 13a-c⁺·BF₄⁻ with some nucleophiles, hydride, benzylamine, and H₂O, were also carried out. The photo-induced autorecycling oxidation reactions of 13a-c⁺·BF₄⁻ toward some amines under aerobic conditions were carried out to give the corresponding imines (isolated by converting to the corresponding 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazones) in 643-3600% yield (recycling number of 13a-c⁺·BF₄⁻: 6.4-36.0).     

2,2,6,6-Tetramethylcyclohexanethione S-methylide, a highly hindered thiocarbonyl ylide: two-step cycloadditions

The switching from the concerted 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition to a two-step pathway via zwitterionic intermediates requires a major energy difference between HOMO-LUMO energies of 1,3-dipole and dipolarophile, as well as sterically demanding reactants. In contrast to previously studied models, the title compound 1C, a thiocarbonyl ylide prepared by N₂ extrusion from dihydrothiadiazole 7C at 80 °C, combined with 2,3-bis(trifluoromethyl)fumaronitrile (11) to give a zwitterion (gauche-10); the latter failed to close the thiolane ring by 1,5-cyclization, but formed the seven-membered ketene imine 9C by 1,7-cyclization. X-ray analysis of 9C revealed an angle-deformed cumulated bond system and a transoid relation of the CF₃ groups. The relatively stable 9C allowed ¹⁹F NMR recordings from −90 to +90 °C; temperature-dependent line broadening resulted from equilibration with ≤1% of an unknown isomer. Among various possible angle-strained rate processes, an inversion transoid19?cisoid20 is preferred which involves a topomerization at the CN bond; lateral inversion and rotation are discussed. At 80 °C in solution, ketene imine 9C slowly suffered fragmentation to give trans- and cis-1,2-bis(trifluoromethyl)cyclopropane-1,2-dicarbonitrile (13)+thioketone 6C by intramolecular substitution. The reaction of 1C with ethenetetracarbonitrile furnished a tetracyanothiolane 3C, whereas 1C and dimethyl 2,3-dicyanofumarate ((E)-26) afforded thiolanes of the same trans,cis-ratio as 1C with dimethyl 2,3-dicyanomaleate ((Z)-26); a preceding (E,Z)-equilibration of 26 thwarts mechanistic conclusions. When the solvent contained water or methanol, short-lived ketene imines 4C and 31 were intercepted.     

Solid-state and solution photocycloadditions of 4-acyloxy-2-pyrones with maleimide

Solid-state photosensitized reactions of 4-acyloxy-2-pyrones (1b,c) with maleimide (2) afforded endo-endo double-[4+2] cycloadducts (3b,c) with high stereoselectivity. Sensitized photoreactions of 1a-d with 2 in solution gave exo-endo double-[4+2] cycloadducts (4a-d). 2-Pyrones 1a-d were photolyzed to give carboxylic acids (5a-d) via their valence isomerization in the solid state and in solution. Such kinds of photoreaction of the 4-acyloxy-2-pyrones were dramatically different from regio- and stereoselective [2+2] cycloadditions of 4-alkyloxy-2-pyrones. The photoreaction mechanisms of 1 with 2 and 1 itself were analyzed by powder X-ray diffraction analysis and MO calculations.     

H-Bonded metallomesogens derived from salicyladiminates

A series of new mesogenic compounds 1a-b (n=8, 10, 12, 14, 16) derived from salicyladimines and their palladium 2a, 2b, vanadyl 2a, and copper complexes 3a, 3b were prepared and their mesomorphic properties investigated by optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and powder X-ray diffractometry. Pd²⁺ and VO²⁺ ions formed mononuclear complexes, whereas, Cu²⁺ ion formed binuclear complexes due to the relative acidic strength of Schiff base. Single crystallographic analysis of non-mesogenic compound 2a (n=8) confirmed its coordination geometry at Pd²⁺ as square plane. It crystallizes in a triclinic space group P−1 with a Z=1. As expected, the Pd²⁺ was coordinated via a trans-N₂O₂ donor set of phenolic-O and imine-N atoms, leaving two hydroxyl groups intact and uncoordinated. The two alkoxy chains, pointing to the opposite direction were parallel, and the molecule was considered as twisted Z-shaped. Both hydroxyl-OH groups attached on C₁₇ and C₁₈-Schiff imines participate in the H-bonds in the lattice. Interestingly, a pseudo polymeric structure was observed, in which H-bonded dimer was continuously extended by another H-bonded dimer in the lattice. Compounds 1 exhibited smectic A phases, and Pd and VO complexes and Cu complexes 3b exhibited smectic A or/and smectic X phases, however, Cu complexes 3a formed crystal phases. Intermolecular H-bonds might be attributed to the difference observed on the mesomorphic properties in these compounds. Copper complexes 2b were not active on ESR spectroscopy.