Investigation of Symphytum cordatum alkaloids by liquid-liquid partitioning, thin-layer chromatography and liquid chromatography-ion-trap mass spectrometry

From the alkalised crude extract of Symphytum cordatum (L.) W.K. roots, pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) were extracted as free tertiary bases and polar N-oxides in a merely one-step liquid-liquid partitioning (LLP) in separation funnel and subsequently pre-fractionated by preparative multiple-development (MD) thin-layer chromatography (TLC) on silica gel plates. In this way three alkaloid fractions of different polarities and retention on silica gel plates were obtained as: the most polar N-oxides of the highest retention, the tertiary bases of medium retention, and diesterified N-oxides of the lowest retention. The former fraction was reduced into free bases by sodium hydrosulfite and purified by LLP on Extrelut-NT3 cartridge. It was further analysed together with the two other fractions by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-ion-trap mass spectrometry with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) interface on XTerra C₁₈ column using a gradient elution. Based on MSⁿ spectra, 18 various alkaloids have been tentatively determined for the first time in this plant as the following types of structure: echimidine-N-oxide (three diasteroisomers), 7-sarracinyl-9-viridiflorylretronecine (two diasteroisomers), echimidine (two diasteroisomers), lycopsamine (two diasteroisomers), dihydroechinatine-N-oxide, dihydroheliospathuline-N-oxide, lycopsamine-N-oxide (three diasteroisomers), 7-acetyllycopsamine-N-oxide, symphytine-N-oxide (two diasteroisomers) and 2″,3″-epoxyechiumine-N-oxide.     

Fabrication of MCM-41 mesoporous silica through the self-assembly supermolecule of β-CD and CTAB

Using the self-assembly β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as structure-directing agents, high-quality ordered MCM-41 silicas have been prepared. Small-angle X-ray diffraction (SXRD), N₂ adsorption-desorption and scanning electron microscope (SEM) techniques were used to characterize the calcined samples. Results showed that the pore structure of the resulting mesoporous silica belonged to the two-dimensional hexagonal structure (space group p6mm). The high-quality hexagonal structure was formed as n?1 (n denotes molar ratio of β-CD to CTAB). N₂ adsorption-desorption curves revealed type IV isotherms, H4 hysteresis loops, for all samples, and H1 hysteresis loops for samples at n=0, 0.1, 1 and 2, respectively. The pore size and the pore wall thickness of the samples increased with the increase in n values, respectively.     

Pd2dba3/P(i-BuNCH2CH2)3N: a highly efficient catalyst for the one-pot synthesis of trans-4-N,N-diarylaminostilbenes and N,N-diarylaminostyrenes

A Pd₂dba₃/P(i-BuNCH₂CH₂)₃N catalyzed one-pot synthesis of unsymmetrically substituted trans-4-N,N-diarylaminostilbenes and both symmetrically and unsymmetrically substituted N,N-diarylaminostyrene derivatives is reported. The procedure involves two or more palladium catalyzed sequential coupling reactions (an amination and an inter-molecular Heck reaction) in one-pot using the same catalyst system with two different aryl halides, including aryl chlorides and hetero aryl halides as the coupling partners.     

Stereoselective radical cyclizations of N-(2-halobenzoyl)-cyclic ketene-N,X(X=O, S)-acetals

2-Alkyloxazolines and 2-alkylthiazolines react with 2-halobenzoyl chlorides to form N-(2-halobenzoyl)-cyclic ketene-N,O-acetals and N-(2-halobenzoyl)-cyclic ketene-N,S-acetals in excellent yields, respectively. These ketene acetals readily undergo stereocontrolled aryl radical cyclizations to afford the central six-membered rings of substituted-2,3,10,10α-tetrahydrooxazolo[3,2-b]isoquinolin-5-ones and their 2,3,10,10α-tetrahydrothiazolo[3,2-b]isoquinolin-5-one analogs. The tertiary N,O- and N,S-radicals formed upon aryl radical reaction at the ketene-N,X(X=O, S)-acetal double bond appear to have reasonable stability. The stereoselectivity in hydrogen abstractions by these intermediate radicals from both Bu₃SnH and (Me₃Si)₃SiH was investigated. The N,S-heterocyclic fused ring products may have potential medical value.     

Synthesis of N,N-Ac,Boc laurylthio sialoside and its application to O-sialylation

The combination of the 5-N-tert-butoxycarbonyl (Boc) group of laurylthio sialoside and cyclopentyl methyl ether (CPME) as a solvent enhanced the reactivity and α-selectivity of the sialyl donor during sialylation. Selective deprotection of the N-Boc group of sialoside, including an acid-sensitive isopropylidene function, was successfully achieved by Yb(OTf)₃-SiO₂. Transformation of N,N-Ac,Boc into an N-acetylglycolyl group of sialoglycoside was easily performed via selective N-deacylation of the mixed Ac-N-Boc carbamate, subsequent Boc group removal, and acylation.     

Selective functionalization at the small rim of calix[6]arene. Synthesis of novel non-symmetrical N3, N4 and N3ArO biomimetic ligands

Eight novel calix[6]arene-based biomimetic ligands for transition metal ions have been synthesized. They display a non-symmetrical N₃, N₄ or N₃ArO binding core that mimics enzyme active sites presenting histidine and tyrosine residues. The key step for their synthesis is the mono-alkylation at the small rim of the C_3v symmetrical trimethyl ether derivative of tBu-calix[6]arene with N-Boc-2-chloroethylamine to yield a novel calix[6]arene synthon. Its combined O-alkylation with a chloromethyl aromatic amine and N-deprotection or alkylation or reductive alkylation with a salicylaldehyde derivative yielded the calix[6]arene-based ligands with mixed N/O donors.     

Catalytic photocarboxylation of 1,1-diphenylethylene with N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylbenzidine and carbon dioxide

Photocarboxylation of 1,1-diphenylethylene with N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) in MeCN under bubbling of CO₂ proceeded with high catalytic efficiency, giving 3,3-diphenylacrylic acid (DPA) and 3-hydroxy-3,3-diphenylpropionic acid (20). The turnover number (TON=(DPA+20)/TMB) reached 17. Similarly, 1-phenyl-1-cyclohexene yielded cis-2-acetamido-2-phenylcyclohexanecarboxylic acid with TON 5.9. As compared with related N,N-dimethylaniline derivatives, TMB is more resistant to photodecomposition, has the much larger absorbance in the S₀→S₁ transition, and has the lower quenching efficiency by CO₂. Probably these factors are partly responsible for the high TON observed for TMB.     

Unprecedented formation of stable ketene-N,O-acetals and their rearrangement under basic conditions

Treatment of 2,4-disubstituted glutaryl dichlorides with benzimidic acid ethyl ester hydrochloride in the presence of triethylamine did not give the expected bis(acylbenzimidates), but delivered O-acyl-N-ethoxybenzylidene-ketene-N,O-acetals in good to excellent yields. These compounds, which are stable to moisture and chromatography on silica gel, underwent an unprecedented rearrangement to cyclic enamides under stronger basic conditions. A mechanism for this rearrangement is proposed.     

Synthesis and characterization of a tetraruthenium butterfly cluster containing a quadruply-bridging ligand derived from an N,N′-dipyrid-2-ylurea

The tetraruthenium cluster complex [Ru₄(μ₄-κ⁴-dmpu)(CO)₁₀], H₂dmpu = N,N′-bis(6-methylpyrid-2-yl)urea, has been prepared by treating [Ru₃(CO)₁₂] with H₂dmpu in toluene at reflux temperature. An X-ray diffraction study has determined that this cluster has a butterfly metallic skeleton hold up by a doubly-deprotonated N,N′-bis(6-methylpyrid-2-yl)urea ligand (dmpu). This ligand has the pyridine N atoms attached to the wing-tip Ru atoms and the amido N atoms spanning Ru-Ru wing-edges, in such a way that the cluster has C₂ symmetry. The donor atoms of doubly-deprotonated N,N′-dipyrid-2-ylureas seem to be appropriately arranged to hold butterfly tetranuclear clusters.     

A simple and efficient biphasic method for the preparation of 4-nitrophenyl N-methyl- and N-alkylcarbamates

Treatment of 4-nitrophenyl chloroformate with alkylammonium hydrochloride salts and solid anhydrous Na₂CO₃ in either CH₂Cl₂ or CH₃CN gave 4-nitrophenyl N-methylcarbamate and other N-alkylcarbamate analogues in excellent yields. Of particular interest is the observation that 4-nitrophenyl N-methylcarbamate, a safer alternative to the highly toxic methyl isocyanate, is obtained in quantitative yield (?95% pure as determined by ¹H NMR) after simple filtration and solvent evaporation.     

N-[1-(Benzotriazol-1-yl)alkyl]amides from N-acyl-α-amino acids or N-alkylamides

A variety of N-(1-methoxyalkyl)amides react with benzotriazole in the presence of PPh₃·HBF₄ and organic bases (Hünig's base, DBU or DABCO) or solid-state-supported bases (SiO₂-Pip or IRA-67) in CHCl₃ to give N-[1-(benzotriazol-1-yl)alkyl]amides in good yields. The most convenient and efficient procedure for obtaining N-[1-(benzotriazol-1-yl)alkyl]amides consists, however, of the addition of benzotriazole sodium salt to a solution of crude 1-(N-acylamino)alkyltriphenylphosphonium salt, obtained in situ from N-(1-methoxyalkyl)amides and PPh₃·HBF₄. A combination of these reactions with the recently described electrochemical decarboxylative α-methoxylation of N-acyl-α-amino acids in the presence of SiO₂-Pip enables an effective two-pot transformation of N-acyl-α-amino acids to N-[1-(benzotriazol-1-yl)alkyl]amides.     

Cyclooctatetraene made easy

Cyclooctatetraene, C₈H₈, has been made readily available from 1,5-cyclooctadiene in 65% yield without the need of using hazardous or toxic reagents by the straightforward oxidation of the intermediate [Li(tmeda)]₂C₈H₈ (3, tmeda=N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine) with di-tert-butylperoxide.     

Synthesis, characterization and intercalation property of layered zirconium benzylamino-N,N-dimethylphosphonate phosphate materials

Layered zirconium benzylamino-N,N-dimethylphosphonate phosphate (ZBMPA) was prepared by the reaction of zirconyl chloride with benzylamino-N,N-dimethylphosphonic acid (H₂BMPA) and phosphoric acid in the presence of hydrofluoric acid. The intercalation of n-alkylamines (n-butylamine, n-heptylamine and n-decylamine) into ZBMPA was primarily investigated at room temperature. These materials were characterized by elemental analysis, ICP, XRD, SEM, FT-IR, Raman spectra, TG and DSC. The composition of ZBMPA is Zr(HPO₄)(C₆H₅CH₂N(CH₂PO₃)₂)_0.5 · 2.0H₂O. The interlayer distance of ZBMPA, n-butylamine, n-heptylamine and n-decylamine intercalation compounds is 2.03, 2.58, 2.52 and 3.17 nm, respectively. ZBMPA and the n-alkylamine intercalation compounds are different in the morphology and vibration spectra. Thermogravimetries of all materials obtained reveal three step mass losses at temperatures of up to 1000 °C. These results indicate that n-alkylamines are intercalated into the galleries of host ZBMPA.     

Single-step conversion of N-benzyl, N-trityl and N-diphenylmethyl amines to t-butyl carbamates using polymethylhydrosiloxane

t-Butyl carbamates were obtained efficiently in high yields from the corresponding N-benzyl, N-trityl and N-diphenylmethyl precursors in a single-step reductive transformation employing polymethylhydrosiloxane and di-t-butyl dicarbonate under Pd(OH)₂/C catalysis.     

Bi(III) Catalysed O-acylative cleavage of 2,5-dimethyltetrahydrofuran: a substrate dependent borderline mechanism

The Bi(III) catalysed O-acylative cleavage of cis- and trans-2,5-dimethyltetrahydrofuran 4 with AcCl, BzCl or i-PrCOCl is stereochemically consistent with the operation of a concerted process (A_ND_N), which proceeds via a stabilised carbocation or ‘loose’ S_N2 transition state. However, the O-acylative cleavage of cis-2,5-dimethyltetrahydrofuran 4 with sterically demanding electrophiles such as t-BuCOCl, appears to be stereochemically consistent with the alternative S_N1 (D_N+A_N) pathway. The apparent merging of mechanistic pathways is rationalised by the participation of a strained acyloxy cation.     

Nucleophilic alkynylation of N-bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl aldimines

N-Bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl aldimines undergo nucleophilic addition reaction with premixed lithium alkynides/BF₃·OEt₂ to give moderate to good yields of N-bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl propargyl amines.     

A practical approach to non-natural or N-unsubstituted α-arylglycine derivatives: Hf(OTf)4-doped Me3SiCl system-catalyzed aminomethylation of electron-rich arenes with a new type of N,O-acetal

The authors have demonstrated the Hf(OTf)₄-doped Me₃SiCl system-catalyzed aminomethylation of electron-rich aromatic compounds, such as indoles and anilines, with new types of N,O-acetals having a variety of functional groups, such as cyano, ester, bis(trimethylsilyl)amino, diallylamino, and cyclic amino moieties, for the preparation of non-natural aromatic amino acid derivatives. Aminomethylation using an N,O-acetal with a bis(trimethylsilyl)amino group was particularly successful in the direct preparation of an N-unsubstituted α-indolylglycine derivative, which required only a standard aqueous workup.     

Alkynylation of N-tosylimines with aryl acetylenes promoted by ZnBr2 and N,N-diisopropylethylamine in acetonitrile

We found a suitable condition for the effective alkynylation of N-tosylimines with aryl acetylenes. The reaction of N-tosylimines and aryl acetylenes in the presence of ZnBr₂ and DIEA (N,N-diisopropylethylamine) in CH₃CN afforded the desired N-tosyl propargylamines in moderate to good yields.     

New and clean synthesis of N-substituted pyrroles under microwave irradiation

N-Substituted homochiral pyrrole derivatives were synthesized by the ring-closure reaction of cis-1,4-dichloro-2-butene with various amine compounds on a silica surface under microwave irradiation.     

Synthesis,spectral characterization of the zinc(II) mixed-ligand complexes of N(4)-allyl thiosemicarbazones and N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine,and crystal structure of the novel [ZnL2(tmen)] compound

Mixed-ligand zinc complexes with N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine (tmen) and R-salicylaldehyde N(4)-allyl thiosemicarbazones (R: 3-OCH₃ (L₁), 5-Br(L₂)), [ZnL_1,2(tmen)], were synthesized and the complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, atomic absorption spectrometer, magnetic susceptibility, molar conductivity, electrospray ionization (ESI) and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) mass spectra and IR, UV–Vis, ¹H NMR and ¹⁵N spectroscopies. Crystal of [ZnL₂(tmen)] have a slightly distorted square pyramid involving O, N, S atoms of thiosemicarbazone and one N atom of tmen in basal plane and the other N atom of tmen in apex of the pyramid. The non-coordinated allyl group is disordered.