Synthesis of phosphorus‐containing dipeptide mimetics via the Kabachnik–Fields reaction

The synthesis of three novel dimethyl (2‐(4,4‐dimethyl‐2,5‐dioxoimidazolidin‐1‐ylamino)‐ 2‐oxoethylamino)methylphosphonate, dimethyl (1‐ (4,4‐dimethyl‐2,5‐dioxoimidazolidin‐1‐ylamino)‐4‐ methyl‐1‐oxopentan‐2‐ylamino)methylphosphonate, and dimethyl (1‐(4,4‐dimethyl‐2,5‐dioxoimidazolidin‐ 1‐ylamino)‐1‐oxo‐3‐phenylpropan‐2‐ylamino)methylphosphonate, respectively, is reported. The newly synthesized compounds were prepared via the Kabachnik–Fields reaction. Their structures have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR, and NMR (¹H, ¹³C, and ³¹P) spectra. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 22:669–672, 2011; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com . DOI 10.1002/hc.20731     

Convenient One‐Pot Synthesis of α‐Amino Phosphonates in Water Using p‐Toluenesulfonic Acid as Catalyst for the Kabachnik–Fields Reaction

The three‐component Kabachnik–Fields reaction of substituted salicylaldehydes, aromatic amine, and triphenyl phosphite in water was effectively catalyzed by p‐toluenesulfonic acid to give various α‐amino phosphonates in good yields. The catalyst is easily available and inexpensive, and the process is green and mild. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 24:110–115, 2013; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com . DOI 10.1002/hc.21071     

Ultrafast Preparation of AIE‐Active Fluorescent Organic Nanoparticles via a “One‐Pot” Microwave‐Assisted Kabachnik–Fields Reaction

The development of effective strategies for fabrication of fluorescent organic nanoparticles (FONs) with an aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) feature has an important impact on the biomedical applications of these AIE‐active FONs. In the current work, an ultrafast strategy for fabricating AIE‐active FONs is developed through a “one‐pot” microwave‐assisted, catalysts‐free, and solvent‐free Kabachnik–Fields (KF) reaction for the first time. It is demonstrated that such organophosphorous‐containing AIE‐active block polymers can be synthesized within 2 min under air atmosphere through the microwave‐assisted KF reaction. These polymers show amphiphilic properties and can self‐assemble into mPEG‐CHO‐Phe‐NH₂‐DEP FONs, which display high water dispersibility and desirable optical properties. Biological evaluation results suggest that the mPEG‐CHO‐Phe‐NH₂‐DEP FONs exhibit low toxicity and are potential for biological imaging applications. More importantly, many other multifunctional AIE‐active FONs can also be fabricated through the strategy described in this work owing to the universality of KF reaction. Besides, combined with the excellent properties of mPEG‐CHO‐Phe‐NH₂‐DEP FONs, it is believed that such microwave‐assisted KF reaction shall be an effective route for designing various AIE‐active nanomaterials for different biomedical applications.

     

The Kabachnik–Fields and Pudovik Reactions on the Basis of E,Z‐Citral and Its Imines and (R,S)‐Citronellal

The Kabachnik–Fields reaction of E,Z‐citral with diethyl phosphite in the presence of isobutylamine has been found to form α‐aminophosphonates. The Pudovik reactions of diethyl phosphite with prenyl imines prepared on the basis of E,Z‐citral with isobutylamine also allowed us to obtain the same α‐aminophosphonates. We have managed to synthesize α‐aminophosphonates by the reaction of O,O‐dialkyl trimethylsilyl phosphites with prenyl imines in the presence of water or diethylamine. α‐Aminophosphonates were also synthesized by the reaction of diethyl phosphite with (R,S)‐citronellal in the presence of alkylamines. α‐Aminophosphonates obtained showed bacteriostatic activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 24:36–42, 2013; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com . DOI 10.1002/hc.21060     

The Synthesis of N,N‐Bis(dialkoxyphosphinoylmethyl)‐ and N,N‐Bis(diphenylphosphinoylmethyl)glycine Esters by the Microwave‐Assisted Double Kabachnik–Fields Reaction

The condensation of a glycine ester, two equivalents of paraformaldehyde, and the same quantity of a dialkyl phosphite or diphenylphosphine oxide afforded the title compounds as new bis(phospha‐Mannich) products under microwave (MW) conditions at 100°C. The dialkoxyphosphinoylmethyl derivatives were synthesized under solvent‐free conditions, whereas the diphenylphosphinoylmethyl derivatives were synthesized in acetonitrile solution. Comparative thermal experiments showed the beneficial role of MW in respect of efficiency.     

α‐Aminophosphonates and α‐Aminophosphine Oxides by the Microwave‐Assisted Kabachnik–Fields Reactions of 3‐Amino‐6‐methyl‐2 H‐pyran‐2‐ones

The microwave‐assisted Kabachnik–Fields reaction of a series of 3‐amino‐6‐methyl‐2H‐pyran‐2‐ones, paraformaldehyde, and dialkyl phosphites or diphenylphosphine oxide led to α‐aminophosphonates or α‐aminophosphine oxides, respectively. The α‑aminophosphonates were obtained under solvent‐free conditions, whereas the α‑aminophosphine oxides in acetonitrile. The novel products were characterized by NMR and mass spectral data. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 24:221–225, 2013; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com . DOI 10.1002/hc.21086     

Synthesis of N,N‐Bis(dialkoxyphosphinoylmethyl)‐ and N,N‐Bis(diphenylphosphinoylmethyl)‐β‐ and γ‐amino acid Derivatives by the Microwave‐Assisted Double Kabachnik–Fields Reaction

The title compounds were synthesized by the microwave‐assisted, mostly solvent‐free bis Kabachnik–Fields condensation of β‐alanine and γ‐aminobutyric acid or their esters with formaldehyde and >P(O)H species, such as dialkyl phosphites and diphenylphosphine oxide.     

Metal Amides as the Simplest Acid/Base Catalysts for Stereoselective Carbon–Carbon Bond‐Forming Reactions

In this paper, new possibilities for metal amides are described. Although typical metal amides are recognized as strong stoichiometric bases for deprotonation of inert or less acidic hydrogen atoms, transition‐metal amides, namely silver and copper amides, show interesting abilities as one of the simplest acid/base catalysts in stereoselective carbon–carbon bond‐forming reactions.     

Metal‐Catalyzed Cyclization Reactions of 2,3,4‐Trien‐1‐ols: A Joint Experimental–Computational Study

Controlled preparation of tri‐ and tetrasubstituted furans, as well as carbazoles has been achieved through chemo‐ and regioselective metal‐catalyzed cyclization reactions of cumulenic alcohols. The gold‐ and palladium‐catalyzed cycloisomerization reactions of cumulenols, including indole‐tethered 2,3,4‐trien‐1‐ols, to trisubstituted furans was effective, due to a 5‐endo‐dig oxycyclization by attack of the hydroxy group onto the central cumulene double bond. In contrast, palladium‐catalyzed heterocyclization/coupling reactions with 3‐bromoprop‐1‐enes furnished tetrasubstituted furans. Also studied was the palladium‐catalyzed cyclization/coupling sequence involving protected indole‐tethered 2,3,4‐trien‐1‐ols and 3‐bromoprop‐1‐enes that exclusively generated trisubstituted carbazole derivatives. These results could be explained through a selective 6‐endo‐dig cumulenic hydroarylation, followed by aromatization. DFT calculations were carried out to understand this difference in reactivity.     

Aryl–Phenyl Scrambling in Intermediate Organopalladium Complexes: A Gas‐Phase Study of the Mizoroki–Heck Reaction

The intramolecular aryl–phenyl scrambling reaction within palladium–DPPP–aryl complex (DPPP=1,3‐bis(diphenylphosphino)propane) ions was analyzed by state‐of‐the‐art tandem MS, including gas‐phase ion/molecule reactions. The Mizoroki–Heck cross‐coupling reaction was performed in the gas phase, and the intrinsic reactivity of important intermediates could be examined. Moreover, linear free‐energy correlations were applied, and a mechanism for the scrambling reaction proceeding via phosphonium cations was assumed.     

A Structure–Activity Study of Nickel NNN Pincer Complexes for Alkyl‐Alkyl Kumada and Suzuki–Miyaura Coupling Reactions

A new series of Ni NNN pincer complexes were synthesized and characterized. The main difference among these complexes is the substituents on the side arm amino group(s). No major structural difference was found except for the C–N–C angle of the various substituents and the ‘pseudo bite angle’ of the complexes. Four new complexes were efficient for the alkyl‐alkyl Kumada reaction of primary alkyl halides, and among them, one complex was also efficient with secondary alkyl halides. The influence of the substituents on the catalytic performance of the Ni complexes in alkyl‐alkyl Kumada and Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling reactions was systematically investigated. No correlation was found between the catalytic activity and the key structural parameters (C–N–C angle and ‘pseudo bite angle’), redox properties or Lewis acidity of the complexes.     

Oxygen‐Containing Amorphous Cobalt Sulfide Porous Nanocubes as High‐Activity Electrocatalysts for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction in an Alkaline/Neutral Medium

A novel OER electrocatalyst, namely oxygen‐incorporated amorphous cobalt sulfide porous nanocubes (A‐CoS_4.6O_0.6 PNCs), show advantages over the benchmark RuO₂ catalyst in alkaline/neutral medium. Experiments combining with calculation demonstrate that the desirable O* adsorption energy, associated with the distorted CoS_4.6O_0.6 octahedron structure and the oxygen doping, contribute synergistically to the outstanding electrocatalytic activity.     

Gold‐Catalyzed Tandem Hydroamination/Formal Aza‐Diels–Alder Reaction of Homopropargyl Amino Esters: A Combined Computational and Experimental Mechanistic Study

A tandem gold‐catalyzed hydroamination/formal aza‐Diels–Alder reaction is described. This process, which employs quaternary homopropargyl amino ester substrates, leads to the formation of an intrincate tetracyclic framework and involves the generation of four bonds and five stereocenters in a highly diastereoselective manner. Theoretical calculations have allowed us to propose a suitable mechanistic rationalization for the tandem protocol. Additionally, by studying the influence of the ligands on the rate of the gold‐catalyzed reactions, it was possible to establish optimum conditions in which to perform the process with a variety of substituents on the amino ester substrates. Notably, the asymmetric version of the tandem reaction was also evaluated.     

Activation and Deactivation of Gold/Ceria–Zirconia in the Low‐Temperature Water–Gas Shift Reaction

Gold (Au) on ceria–zirconia is one of the most active catalysts for the low‐temperature water–gas shift reaction (LTS), a key stage of upgrading H₂ reformate streams for fuel cells. However, this catalyst rapidly deactivates on‐stream and the deactivation mechanism remains unclear. Using stop–start scanning transmission electron microscopy to follow the exact same area of the sample at different stages of the LTS reaction, as well as complementary X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, we observed the activation and deactivation of the catalyst at various stages. During the heating of the catalyst to reaction temperature, we observed the formation of small Au nanoparticles (NPs; 1–2 nm) from subnanometer Au species. These NPs were then seen to agglomerate further over 48 h on‐stream, and most rapidly in the first 5 h when the highest rate of deactivation was observed. These findings suggest that the primary deactivation process consists of the loss of active sites through the agglomeration and possible dewetting of Au NPs.     

A Theoretical DFT‐Based and Experimental Study of the Transmetalation Step in Au/Pd‐Mediated Cross‐Coupling Reactions

In this work a combined theoretical and experimental investigation of the cross‐coupling reaction involving two metallic reaction centers, namely gold and palladium, is described. One metal center (Au) hereby is rather inert towards change in its oxidation state, whereas Pd undergoes oxidative insertion and reductive elimination steps. Detailed mechanistic and energetic studies of each individual step, with the focus on the key transmetalation step are presented and compared for different substrates and ligands on the catalytic Pd center. Different aryl halides (Cl, Br, I) and aryl triflates were investigated. Hereby the nature of the counteranion X turned out to be crucial. In the case of X=Cl and L=PMe₃ the oxidative addition is rate‐determining, whereas in the case of X=I the transmetalation step becomes rate‐determining in the Au/Pd‐cross‐coupling mechanism. A variety of Au–Pd transmetalation reaction scenarios are discussed in detail, favoring a transition state with short intermetallic Au–Pd contacts. Furthermore, without a halide counteranion the transmetalation from gold(I) to palladium(II) is highly endothermic, which confirms our experimental findings that the coupling does not occur with aryl triflates and similar weakly coordinating counteranions—a conclusion that is essential in designing new Au–Pd catalytic cycles. In combination with experimental work, this corrects a previous report in the literature claiming a successful coupling potentially catalytic in both metals with weakly coordinating counteranions.     

l‐Proline‐Catalyzed Knoevenagel Condensation: A Tandem Synthesis of 3‐Acetylcoumarinoindoles and Their N‐Alkyl Derivatives by Using PEG‐600 as the Reaction Medium

A tandem synthesis of 3‐acetylcoumarinoindoles 5a , 5b , 5c , 5d , 5e in the presence of catalytic amount of l ‐proline in ethanol medium is reported. l ‐proline has been utilized as an efficient and eco‐friendly catalyst for the Knoevenagel condensation of 3‐cyanoacetylindoles 1a , 1b , 1c , 1d , 1e with 2‐hydroxybenzaldehyde ( 2 ) to afford the corresponding substituted 3‐(1H‐indol‐3‐yl)2‐(2‐hydroxybenzylidene)‐3‐oxopropanenitriles 3(a–e) , which without isolation were treated with hot conc. HCl to afford 3‐acetylcoumarinoindoles 4a , 4b , 4c , 4d , 4e in high yields. Subsequently, these were reacted with dimethyl sulfate in the presence of PEG‐600 (Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India) as an efficient and green solvent to afford the corresponding N‐methyl‐3‐acetylcoumarinoindoles 5a , 5b , 5c , 5d , 5e in moderate yields.     

Mechanism of Crystalline Self‐Assembly in Aqueous Medium: A Combined Cryo‐TEM/Kinetic Study

Understanding the crystallization of organic molecules is a long‐standing challenge. Herein, a mechanistic study on the self‐assembly of crystalline arrays in aqueous solution is presented. The crystalline arrays are assembled from perylene diimide (PDI) amphiphiles bearing a chiral N‐acetyltyrosine side group connected to the PDI aromatic core. A kinetic study of the crystallization process was performed using circular dichroism spectroscopy combined with time‐resolved cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo‐TEM) imaging of key points along the reaction coordinate, and molecular dynamics simulation of the initial stages of the assembly. The study reveals a complex self‐assembly process starting from the formation of amorphous aggregates that are transformed into crystalline material through a nucleation–growth process. Activation parameters indicate the key role of desolvation along the assembly pathway. The insights from the kinetic study correlate well with the structural data from cryo‐TEM imaging. Overall, the study reveals four stages of crystalline self‐assembly: 1) collapse into amorphous aggregates; 2) nucleation as partial ordering; 3) crystal growth; and 4) fusion of smaller crystalline aggregates into large crystals. These studies indicate that the assembly process proceeds according to a two‐step crystallization model, whereby initially formed amorphous material is reorganized into an ordered system. This process follows Ostwald’s rule of stages, evolving through a series of intermediate phases prior to forming the final structure, thus providing an insight into the crystalline self‐assembly process in aqueous medium.