5-Nitroisocoumarins from tandem Castro-Stephens coupling—6-endo-dig cyclisation of 2-iodo-3-nitrobenzoic acid and arylethynes and ring-closure of methyl 2-alkynyl-3-nitrobenzoates with electrophiles

Reaction of 2-iodo-3-nitrobenzoic acid with arylalkynyl copper(I) reagent gave 3-aryl-5-nitroisocoumarins. Castro-Stephens coupling was followed by in situ Cu-catalysed ring-closure. ¹H NMR and X-ray crystallography showed the cyclisations to be 6-endo, contrasting with reports of 5-exo cyclisation of analogous 2-iodobenzoate esters with alkynes. Sonogashira couplings of methyl 2-iodo-3-nitrobenzoate with phenylacetylene and with trimethylsilylacetylene gave the corresponding 2-alkynyl-3-nitrobenzoate esters. With HgSO₄, the phenylalkyne underwent 6-endo cyclisation to give 5-nitro-3-phenylisocoumarin. The disubstituted alkyne esters gave 4-phenylselenylisocoumarins with PhSeCl. 5-Nitro-3-phenyl-4-phenylselenylisocoumarin shows significant sterically-driven distortion of the isocoumarin ring. Reaction of methyl 3-nitro-2-phenylethynylbenzoate with ICl gave the 4-iodoisocoumarin. Thus the nitro group tends to direct these electrophile-driven cyclisations towards the 6-endo mode.     

A radical mediated approach to the core structure of huperzine A

The synthesis of the core structure of huperzine A by cyclisation of 2-pyridylmethyl radicals is described. (2-Methylpyridin-3-yl)cyclohexenols are directly selenated at the benzylic position by deprotonation/selenation and the products undergo either 5-exo-trig or 6-exo-trig radical cyclisations giving access to hexahydroindenopyridines and the bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane core of huperzine A, respectively.     

Conformational Effects of Regioisomeric Substitution on the Catalytic Activity of Copper/Calix[8]arene C−S Coupling

Functionalization of the phenolic rim of p-tert-butylcalix[8]arene with phenanthroline to create a cavity leads to formation of two regioisomers. Substitution of positions 1 and 5 produces the known C_2v-symmetric regioisomer 1,5-(2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroyl)-p-tert-butylcalix[8]arene ( L^1,5 ), while substitution of positions 1 and 4 produces the C_s-symmetric regioisomer 1,4-(2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroyl)-p-tert-butylcalix[8]arene ( L^1,4 ) described herein. [ Cu(L^1,4)I ] was synthesized from L^1,4 and CuI in good yield and characterized spectroscopically. To evaluate the effect of its cavity on catalysis, Ullmann-type C−S coupling was chosen as proof-of-concept. Selected aryl halides were used, and the results compared with the previously reported Cu(I)/ L^1,5 system. Only highly activated aryl halides generate the C−S coupling product in moderate yields with the Cu(I)/ L^1,4 system. To shed light on these observations, detailed computational investigations were carried out, revealing the influence of the calix[8]arene macrocyclic morphology on the accessible conformations. The L^1,4 regioisomer undergoes a deformation that does not occur with L^1,5 , resulting in an exposed catalytic center, presumably the cause of the low activity of the former system. The 1,4-connectivity was confirmed in the solid-state structure of the byproduct [ Cu(L^1,4 − H) (CH₃CN)₂] that features Cu(I) coordinated inside a cleft defined by the macrocyclic framework.     

Cationic polymerization of butadiene using a titanium tetrachloride—<Emphasis Type="Italic">tert</Emphasis>-butyl chloride catalytic system

Cationic polymerization of butadiene using a titanium tetrachloride—tert-butyl chloride catalytic system allows one to synthesize with high rates and yield fully soluble polybutadiene with controlled molecular characteristics. It was shown that the obtained cationic polybuta diene is characterized by predominantly 1,4-trans-structure and reduced unsaturation. The macromolecules of the cationic polybutadiene contain the initial tert-butyl and end chlorine-containing units.     

Structure of polypiperylene chain segments according to high-resolution 13C NMR spectra

The microstructure of stereoregular 1,4-trans-and 1,4-cis-polypiperylenes, as well as polymers prepared from the trans-and cis-piperylene isomers via cationic polymerization in the presence of TiCl₄, was studied by high-resolution ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. Polypiperylene synthesized through the cationic polymerization of the cis isomer had a more diversified morphology of the macromolecular chain, i.e., had higher relative amounts of 1,2-cis-units and combinations of irregular-addition 1,4-trans-units. It was shown that ¹³C NMR spectra give the most comprehensive and independent information on the details of structure of the piperylene macromolecular chain.     

Reactions promoted by [hydroxy(tosyloxy)iodo]benzene in pyrazino[1,2-b]isoquinolines

The hypervalent iodine reagent PhI(OH)OTs (HTIB) promoted oxidative demethylation of 1,4-hydroquinone methyl ethers to give quinones in a quantitative conversion. The efficacy of this reaction, that has been applied to simple arene compounds and to heterocyclic systems, such as 2-isopropoxycarbonyl-7,10-dimethoxy-pyrazino[1,2-b]isoquinoline-4-ones and 1,4-diones to get the corresponding 7,10-quinones (compounds 6-8), is similar to those promoted by CAN and does not require the presence of water. Instead of oxidative demethylation, HTIB promoted in 1-methoxy-pyrazino[1,2-b]isoquinoline-4-ones complex multi-step processes to give compounds 9 or 10.     

Stereospecific epoxide-opening reactions of 1,1-dibromo-3,4-epoxy-1-alkenes with carbon nucleophiles

The stereospecific epoxide-opening reactions of 1,1-dibromo-3,4-epoxy-1-alkenes with allyltributylstannane and with ketene silyl acetals in the presence of a Lewis acid are described. Both the reactions occurred regioselectively at the allylic position via an S_N2 process giving rise to a single product, respectively. Treatment of the products by the latter reaction with p-TsOH afforded various 3,4-anti- and 3,4-syn-disubstituted γ-lactones in a highly stereoselective manner and high yields.     

Liquid membrane transport of cytochrome c using a calix[6]arene carboxylic acid derivative as a carrier

The present study examined the liquid membrane transport of the cationic protein cytochrome c, using the macrocyclic compound calix[6]arene, which is a carboxylic acid derivative, as a carrier. The transport rate was governed by carrier concentration and the pH gradient between the feed and the receiving phases, as well as the salt concentration in the aqueous phases. Transport of cytochrome c was examined using a series of calix[n]arene carboxylic acid derivatives (n = 4, 6 and 8). Cytochrome c successfully permeated membranes in the presence of the calix[6]arene derivative. Liquid membrane separation of cytochrome c from a mixture of cationic proteins was demonstrated under optimal conditions. Cytochrome c was selectively extracted by the calix[6]arene carboxylic acid derivative and 77% of the extracted cytochrome c was recovered into the receiving phase. In this liquid membrane system, which discriminates between the number of lysine residues on the surface of proteins, cationic proteins with similar molecular weights and pIs were separated with macrocyclic compounds.     

Regioselective double intramolecular bridging of p-tert-butylcalix[7]arene

The first examples of doubly bridged calix[7]arenes 2a-h have been obtained by base-promoted O-alkylation of p-tert-butylcalix[7]arene 1 or 1,4-tetramethylene-bridged calix[7]arene 3a with a variety of bis-electrophiles including BrCH₂Cl, oligoethylene glycol ditosylates, and 1,2-bis(bromomethyl)benzene. In the presence of Cs₂CO₃ as the base, in acetone, the syn-1,4:2,3-bis-bridged regioisomer was obtained in yields up to 76%. Assignment of bridging pattern was based on chemical shift of OH groups in conjunction with chemical correlations with known compounds. Stereochemical and conformational features were investigated with the aid of 2D and Dynamic NMR studies and MM3 calculations.     

Extraction of Cesium-137 and Americium-241 by Calix[n]arenes from Carbonate-Alkaline Media

Trends of cesium-137 and americium-241 extraction from carbonate–alkaline media with p-tert-butylcalix[n]arenes with macrocycles of different size (n = 4, 6, 8), including monofunctional derivatives with lipophilic substituents for increasing their solubility in organic media, were studied. It was demonstrated that O-n-octyl ethers of p-tert-butylcalix[6]arene appeared to be the most efficient extractants for Cs(I) cations, while it was p-tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene for and americium(III) cations.     

Radical cyclisation reactions with indoles

Several radical cyclisation reactions involving indoles are described. Most notably, we have shown that radical additions to C3 of an indole are frequently facile. A dichotomy in the course of radical cyclisation reactions to C2 of the indole has also been exposed wherein 6-endo-trig cyclisations are propagated by the loss of a hydrogen atom from C2 while 5-exo-trig cyclisations are propagated by hydrogen atom abstraction at C3 from tributyltin hydride. Cyclisations involving the addition of indolyl radical intermediates to arenes have also been demonstrated.     

Synthesis of glyco-1-ynitols via 1,1-dibromo-1-alkenes from partially and unprotected aldoses

We report the synthesis of 1,1-dibromo-1-alkenes from partially and unprotected aldoses and the synthesis of glyco-1-ynitols from these dibromocompounds. The 1,1-dibromo-1-alkenes were obtained by the reaction of dibromomethyl-triphenylphosphonium bromide in the presence of zinc in refluxing 1,4-dioxane. As an example, when the reaction is performed on 2-deoxy-5-O-trityl-d-ribofuranose (1) the corresponding 1,1-dibromo-1-olefin, (2R,3S)-6,6-dibromo-1-O-trityl-hex-5-ene-1,2,3-triol (12), is obtained in 89% yield. These smooth reaction conditions led also to the achievement of the other olefins from other sugars with good yields (44-90%). The reaction of these olefins with n-butyllithium in THF at low temperature afforded the corresponding alkynes. So the reaction of (2R,3S)-6,6-dibromo-1-O-trityl-hex-5-ene-1,2,3-triol (12) with this alkyllithium reagent led to (2R,3S)-1-O-trityl-hex-5-yne-1,2,3-triol (23) in 87% yield. Other glyco-1-ynitols were obtained with satisfying yields (64-87%).     

Arene Ruthenium(II) Complexes Bearing the κ-P or κ-P,κ-S Ph2P(CH2)3SPh Ligand

Neutral [Ru(η⁶-arene)Cl₂{Ph₂P(CH₂)₃SPh-κP}] (arene = benzene, indane, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene: 2a, 2c and 2d) and cationic [Ru(η⁶-arene)Cl(Ph₂P(CH₂)₃SPh-κP,κS)]X complexes (arene = mesitylene, 1,4-dihydronaphthalene; X = Cl: 3b, 3e; arene = benzene, mesitylene, indane, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene, and 1,4-dihydronaphthalene; X = PF₆: 4a–4e) complexes were prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, ¹H, ¹³C and ³¹P NMR spectroscopy and also by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. The stability of the complexes has been investigated in DMSO. Complexes have been assessed for their cytotoxic activity against 518A2, 8505C, A253, MCF-7 and SW480 cell lines. Generally, complexes exhibited activity in the lower micromolar range; moreover, they are found to be more active than cisplatin. For the most active ruthenium(II) complex, 4b, bearing mesitylene as ligand, the mechanism of action against 8505C cisplatin resistant cell line was determined. Complex 4b induced apoptosis accompanied by caspase activation.     

Barreleneiridium(I) complexes. Crystal structures of [Ir(Me3TFB)(η6-C6H4Me2)]ClO4 and [Ir(TFB)(η5-PhNPh2)]BF4·CH2Cl2 (TFB = tetrafluorobenzobarrelene)

A new series of cationic areneiridium(I) complexes of formula [Ir(barrelene)(arene)]⁺ or [Ir(barrelene)(PhNRPh)]⁺ (R= Ph or H) have been synthesized from neutral iridium complexes of the type [IrY(barrelene)]_x (barrelene = Me₃TFB, Y = Cl or OMe (x = 2), Y = acac (x = 1); barrelene = TFB, Y = OMe (x = 2), Y = acac (x = 1)). The crystal structures of [Ir(Me₃TFB)(1,4-C₆H₄Me₂)]ClO₄ and [Ir(TFB)(PhNPh₂)]BF₄·CH₂Cl₂ have been determined by X-ray diffraction. They crystallize in the space groups Pbca and Pna2₁ respectively with lattice constants of 17.6947(11), 15.8072(10), 16.0019(11) Å and 9.8059(2), 20.8097(9), 14.3367(4) Å. Final R factors were 0.063 and 0.042 for the observed data. Both complexes show a staggered arrangement between the arene and the TFB moieties and deviation from planarity of the coordinated arene ligands. In the second complex the IrC and NC distances, the CNC angle, the type of arene puckering, and the spectroscopic data indicate a distortion of the coordinated arene towards a η⁵-coordinated iminocyclohexadienyl form.     

Coordination modes of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1,4-diphenyl-1,4-benzodiphosphinine (bedip) to Pt and Pd metal ions: Synthesis and structural characterization of mono- and bi-nuclear complexes

Within this study, coordination properties of the cyclic diphosphine 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1,4-diphenyl-1,4-benzodiphosphinine (bedip) are investigated, through the preparation of neutral and cationic Pt(II), Pt(IV) and Pd(II) complexes. The diphosphine acts as bridging ligand in the neutral Pt(II) and Pd(II) complexes, affording [MX(CH₃)(μ-bedip)]₂ (X = Cl, Br, I, CH₃) species. Chelation is observed in all the remaining complexes. The molecular structures of [PtX(CH₃)(μ-bedip)]₂ (X = Br, I) and [PtI(CH₃)₃(bedip)] are also determined.     

Dioxamethylene intramolecular bridging of p-tert-butylcalix[8]arene

The first examples of dioxamethylene bridged calix[8]arenes 2-6 have been obtained by Cs₂CO₃-promoted direct O-alkylation of p-tert-butylcalix[8]arene with BrCH₂Cl. Assignment of the 1,2-, 1,2:3,4-, 1,2:3,4:6,7-, 1,4:2,3:5,6:7,8-, and 1,2:3,4:5,6:7,8-bridging pattern of 2-6, respectively, was mainly based on chemical shift of OH groups and chemical correlations. Dynamic ¹H NMR studies and MM3 calculations indicated that in these compounds the dioxocine subunit adopts a boat-chair conformation.     

Selectively formylated and bridged calix[6]arene derivatives at the upper rim

The strategy of bridging the anisole units at the upper rim of calix[6]arene has been applied to strain the conformations of calix[6]arene. Based on the selective formylation of the 1,3,5-tri-p-tert-butylcalix[6]arene, several new calix[6]arene derivatives with different 1,3-bridged chains or a 1,3,5-tripod bridge at the upper rim have been prepared with moderate yields. The ¹H NMR spectra indicate that these calix[6]arene derivatives adopt a cone conformation, which has also been confirmed by the theoretical calculation at AM1 level. X-ray crystal structure of 1,3,5-tripod bridged compound 5 discloses that the calix[6]arene host stands in a cone conformation with approximate C_3v symmetry, and that a methanol molecule is enclosed in its hydrophobic cavity and stabilized by multi hydrogen bonds.     

Syntheses and extraction properties of novel biscalixarene and thiacalix[4]arene hydrazone derivatives

By reacting thiacalix[4]arene with p-tosyloxyethoxylbenzaldehyde 1, 3-bis(benzaldehyde-4-oxyethyloxy)-p-tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene (2) were prepared in yield of 65%. Refluxing compound 2 with aniline, salicylic hydrazide, nicotinic hydrazide and isonicotinic hydrazide, novel ringopening 1,3-bis-arylformyl-hydrazone substituted thiacalix[4]arene derivatives (3a–3d) were obtained in yields of 77–89%. Refluxing compound 2 with o-phenylendiamine, oxalyl dihydrazide, malonic dihydrazide and adipic dihydrazide in “1 + 1” intermolecular condensation mode under diluted condition, novel 1,3-bis-acyl hydrazone-bridged calix[4]arene derivatives (4a–4d) were prepared in good yields. Moreover, by condensating compound 2 with 1,3-bis(hydrazinocarbonyl-methoxy)-p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene (5), the first example of hydrazone-bridged biscalixarene (6) with calix[4]arene and thiacalix[4]arene subunits was facilely synthesized in yield of 90%. The noncompetitive and competitive extracting experiments showed that these novel hosts were good receptors for both metal cations and α-amino acids. Compounds 3a–3d and 4a–4d showed similar binding properties with high extraction percentage but low extracting selectivities. Biscalixarene 6 exhibited not only high extracting abilities but also good extracting selectivities.     

Tributyltin hydride-mediated cyclisations of cinnamic enamides to piperidin-2-ones or pyrrolidin-2-ones. Indolizidinone ring formation by tandem radical cyclisation

Efficient 6-endo-trig free radical cyclisations of various 3-phenyl-acryl enamides to piperidin-2-ones, by using Bu₃SnH and AIBN in boiling toluene, are reported. A different result has been observed for related enamide system without phenyl substituent at the 3-position of an acrylic moiety, as such a reaction of 3-methyl-butenoic acid cyclohex-1-enyl-methyl-amide afforded only the 5-exo-trig product. The difference in the cyclisation mode has been explained in terms of a reversible process leading to the thermodynamically more stable product. An application of this method for the tandem cyclisation permits to obtain idolizidine derivatives.     

Synthesis and characterization of an inherently chiral calix[6]arene in the 1,4-alternate conformation

An inherently chiral calix[6]arene possessing a C₂-symmetric A-B-H substitution pattern was synthesized via a two step process starting from the parent hexa-t-butylcalix[6]arene. The racemic, inherently chiral compound exists as a single isomer with the 1,4-alternate conformation. The inherent chirality was confirmed by treatment of the racemic compound with Pirkle’s reagent to form diastereomeric complexes in solution.