Synthesis of symmetrical and unsymmetrical 3,3-di(indolyl)indolin-2-ones under controlled catalysis of ionic liquids

Three ionic liquids, [BMIM][BF₄] doped with 60 mol % of LiCl ([BMIM][BF₄]-LiCl), N,N,N,N-tetramethylguanidinium trifluoroacetate (TMGT), and N,N,N,N-tetramethylguanidinium triflate (TMGT_f) were found useful as catalyst solvents for controlled 3-indolylation of isatins. Our investigation revealed that the reaction between isatin and indoles in [BMIM][BF₄]-LiCl or TMGT_f media stops at the step of addition of the two components providing 3-indolyl-3-hydroxyindolin-2-ones while the ionic liquid TMGT runs the reaction further through accompanying Friedel-Crafts substitution to afford symmetrical 3,3-di(indol-3-yl)indolin-2-ones. To take advantage of the difference between the effects of these ionic liquids on the reaction progress, we planned a two-step protocol for the efficient synthesis of unsymmetrical 3,3-di(indol-3-yl)indolin-2-ones.     

The combination of TsNBr2/TsNH2 as the nitrogen/halo source for the aminobromination of β-methyl-β-nitrostyrenes catalyzed by Mn(OAc)2

The combination of N,N-dibromo-p-tolunesulfonamide (4-TsNBr₂) and TsNH₂ was found to be an efficient halogen/nitrogen source for the aminohalogenation of β-methyl-β-nitrostyrenes with manganese (II) acetate as the catalyst in the presence of 4 Å molecular sieves. The reaction results in vicinal bromoamino nitroalkanes with the opposite regioselectivity comparing with those reported, which was also confirmed by X-ray structural analysis.     

Ionic liquid media resulted in more efficient regio- and stereoselective aminohalogenation of cinnamic esters

The ionic liquid, butylmethylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([Bmim][BF4]), was found to be superior to classical organic solvents for the metal catalyzed regio- and stereoselective aminohalogenation of cinnamic esters. The aminohalogenation reaction of cinnamic esters with p-TsNCl₂ proceeded at a faster rate (within 12 h) in the presence of a reduced amount of catalyst (CuOTf, 6.0 mol %). Good yields (76-82%) and excellent regio- and stereoselectivity (one isomer) were achieved for eight examples.     

Ionic liquid media resulted in the first asymmetric aminohalogenation reaction of alkenes

[reaction: see text] The first asymmetric aminohalogenation of functionalized alkenes has been established. The ionic liquid [bmim][BF4] was found to be the only effective media for success as normal organic solvents failed to give any product for this reaction. The reaction is also very convenient to perform by simply mixing the three reactants, cinnamates, N,N-dichloro-p-toluenesulfonamide, and catalyst, together with 4 A molecular sieves at room temperature in [bmim][BF4] in any convenient vial of appropriate size without special protection from inert gases. Good chemical yields (60-72%) and diastereoselectivities (up to 75% de) have been obtained with a good scope of substrates. The resulting individual diastereomers have been cleanly separated via column chromatography. The absolute stereochemistry of the reaction was unambiguously determined by X-ray structural analysis.     

Solubilities of cinnamic acid esters in binary mixtures of ionic liquids and organic solvents

The solubilities of three cinnamic acid esters, namely, methyl ferulate, methyl p-coumarate, and methyl sinapate, have been measured in mixed solvent systems of tert-butanol with 1-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([BMIM][PF₆]), 1-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([BMIM][BF₄]) and 1-methyl-3-octyl-imidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([OMIM][BF₄]) at 303.15 and 321.15 K, and in mixed solvent systems of ethyl acetate with [BMIM][BF₄] and [OMIM][BF₄] at 303.15 K. In eight cases, out of the 22 data sets, an additive behaviour of the solubility was observed, positive deviations from additivity were observed in six cases, a positive synergistic effect in five cases, and, finally, negative deviations from additivity in the remaining three cases. Prediction of the solubilities of the solutes in the various ternary systems was performed with the NRTL and UNIQUAC activity coefficient models. The binary interaction parameters of the models between solute and solvent molecules were taken from the literature. When the parameters between the solvent molecules are fitted to literature data, satisfactory predictions are not always obtained. On the other hand, very good predictions are obtained when only one of the two interaction parameters between the two solvent molecules is fitted to one single point of the solubility isotherm and the other interaction parameter is set equal to zero.     

Chemoselective Heck arylation of acrolein diethyl acetal catalyzed by an oxime-derived palladacycle

A dimeric 4-hydroxyacetophenone oxime-derived palladacycle has been used as a very efficient precatalyst for the chemoselective arylation of acrolein diethyl acetal to give either cinnamaldehyde derivatives or 3-arylpropanoate esters by proper choice of the reaction conditions. The synthesis of cinnamaldehyde derivatives can be performed by Heck reaction of acrolein diethyl acetal with iodo-, bromo- or chloroarenes in N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMA) using K₂CO₃ as base at 120 °C and tetra-n-butylammonium acetate (TBAA) and KCl as additives, followed by acid workup. In the case of 3-arylpropanoate esters the corresponding arylation of acrolein diethyl acetal with iodoarenes can be performed at 90 °C in aqueous DMA using (dicylohexyl)methylamine as base, whereas for bromoarenes the reaction has to be performed at 120 °C using tetra-n-butylammonium bromide (TBAB) as additive. Alternatively, this process can be performed under microwave irradiation. These couplings take place in good yields and with lower catalyst loading than with palladium(II) acetate as well as in shorter reaction times and with lower excess of acrolein diethyl acetal.     

Ionic liquids accelerate access to N-substituted-1,8-naphthalimides

The synthesis of N-substituted-1,8-naphthalimides is accelerated in the presence of the room temperature ionic liquid [BMIM][NO₃]. Reaction times are reduced from 18 h in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) (PhCH₃, EtOH and THF) to 20 min in the ionic liquid [BMIM][NO₃]. The reaction yields are typically increased to >85% and the products are isolated by ethanol-mediated precipitation direct from the ionic liquid, requiring no further purification.     

Catalytic olefin epoxidation with cyclopentadienyl-molybdenum complexes in room temperature ionic liquids

Complexes of the type (η⁵-C₅R₅)Mo(CO)₃X (X = Me, Cl; R = H, Me), being efficient homogeneous catalysts for the epoxidation of olefins, have been examined for their catalytic performance at 55 °C in systems containing room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) of composition [BMIM]NTf₂, [BMIM]PF₆, [C₈MIM]PF₆ and [BMIM]BF₄. The catalytic performance for cyclooctene epoxidation depends strongly on the water content of the system, the catalyst solubility in the RTIL, and the reaction behaviour of the RTIL under the applied reaction conditions. The catalysts can be recycled without significant loss of activity when a reaction system containing [BMIM]NTf₂ and [BMIM]PF₆ in a 4:1 relationship is used. High proportions of [BMIM]PF₆ lead to a ring opening reaction (diol formation), due to HF formation and the presence of residual water.     

Carbonyl allylation of aldehydes and ketones with allylic chlorides catalyzed by immobilization of palladium in MCM-41

The heterogeneous carbonyl allylation of aldehydes and ketones with allylic chlorides was achieved in DMF using SnCl₂ as reducing agent at 25-40 °C in the presence of a 3-(2-aminoethylamino)propyl-functionalized MCM-41-immobilized palladium(II) complex [MCM-41-2N-Pd(II)], yielding a variety of homoallylic alcohols in good to high yields. This heterogeneous palladium catalyst exhibited higher activity than (N-propylethylenediamine)PdCl₂ and can be recovered and recycled by a simple filtration of the reaction solution and used for at least 5 consecutive trials without any decreases in activity.     

Recyclable N-heterocyclic carbene/palladium catalyst on graphene oxide for the aqueous-phase Suzuki reaction

Graphene oxide (GO) was functionalized with a N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) precursor, 3-(3-aminopropyl)-1-methylimidazolium bromide ([APMIm][Br]) for the immobilization of palladium catalyst. The GO-supported NHC precursor (IMGO) formed a stable complex with Pd(OAc)₂ (GO–NHC–Pd), which showed excellent catalytic activity and fast reaction kinetics in the aqueous-phase Suzuki reaction of aryl bromides and chlorides at relatively mild conditions (1 h at 50 °C). The GO–NHC–Pd catalyst was reused several times without any loss of its catalytic activity in the Suzuki reaction of aryl bromide.     

The Synthesis of Anatase TiO2 Nanoparticles by Solvothermal Method using Ionic Liquid as Additive

The solvothermal reactions of Ti(OiPr)₄ in alcohol using ionic liquid as additive were investigated. In the presence of [BMIM][Cl], [BMIM][Br], [BMIM][NTf₂], [BMIM][SO₃Me], [BMIM][SO₄Me], or [BMIM][OTf] (BMIM = 1‐Butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium), pure anatase nanoparticles were obtained. The controlled hydrolysis of Ti(OiPr)₄ in the presence of ionic liquids to form titanium oxo clusters plays a key role in the formation of anatase nanostructures, and ionic liquids can be repeatedly used to synthesise anatase nanoparticles. However, in the presence of [BMIM][PF₆], [BMIM]₂[Ti(OH)₆] was obtained by an anion exchange reaction.     

Esterification of (RS)-Ibuprofen by native and commercial lipases in a two-phase system containing ionic liquids

Four commercially available lipases and two native lipases from Aspergillus niger AC-54 and Aspergillus terreus AC-430 were used for the resolution of (RS)-Ibuprofen in systems containing the ionic liquids [BMIM][PF₆] and [BMIM][BF₄]. The lipases showed higher conversion in a two-phase system using [BMIM][PF₆] and isooctane compared to that in pure isooctane. Although the best enzyme was a commercially available lipase from Candida rugosa (E = 8.5), another native lipase, produced in our laboratory, from A. niger gave better enantioselectivity (E = 4.6) than the other lipases tested (E = 1.9–3.3.). After thorough optimization of several reaction conditions (type and ratios of isooctane/ionic liquid, amount of enzyme, and reaction time), the E-value of A. niger lipase (15% w/v) could be duplicated (E = 9.2) in a solvent system composed of [BMIM][PF₆] and isooctane (1:1) after 96 h of reaction.     

1-丁基-3-甲基咪唑氯化锌离子液体的合成、表征及催化性能

本文合成了1-丁基-3-甲基咪唑氯化锌([BMIM][Zn2Cl5])离子液体,通过红外光谱、TGA、DSC以及1H-NMR等方法对[BMIM][Zn2Cl5]进行了结构表征,实现了对于[BMIM][Zn2Cl5]的定性分析。以尿素醇解合成碳酸二乙酯反应为探针,考查了[BMIM][Zn2Cl5]离子液体的催化性能,结果显示,[BMIM][Zn2Cl5]表现出较好的催化活性及重复利用性能,碳酸二乙酯的收率接近30%。     

Polymerization of 5-norbornene-2-methyl acetate catalyzed by air-stable cationic (η-substituted allyl) palladium complexes of N-heterocyclic carbene

In situ generated cationic (η³-substituted allyl) palladium N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes are air-stable active catalysts for the olefin polymerization of (bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-2-yl)methyl acetate (5-norbornene-2-methyl acetate) (endo:exo = 7:3). Catalytic activities, polymer yields, molecular weights, and molecular weight distributions of polymers were investigated under various reaction conditions. The catalytic activity was highly dependent not only on the reaction condition such as a solvent or the reaction temperature but also on the structure of the catalyst that include substituents of the allyl group in the catalyst and the counter anion. As the bulkiness of the allyl group increased, the catalytic activity of the catalysts increased.     

Mild conversion of propargylic alcohols to α,β-unsaturated enones in ionic liquids (ILs); a new ‘metal free’ life for the Rupe rearrangement

A mild and selective transition metal free protocol for the conversion of propargylic alcohols to cyclic and acyclic α,β-unsaturated enones via the Rupe rearrangement is reported. The method utilizes the Brønsted acidic ionic liquid [BMIM-SO₃H][OTf] as catalyst and [BMIM][PF₆] as solvent and offers the potential for recycling and reuse of the IL solvent. The feasibility to synthesize bicyclic fused cyclopentenone derivatives via a Rupe → Aldol → Nazarov sequence utilizing this protocol has also been demonstrated.     

Effect of ionic liquid organizing ability and amine structure on the rate and mechanism of base induced elimination of 1,1,1-tribromo-2,2-bis(phenyl-substituted)ethanes

The kinetics of the elimination reaction of 1,1,1-tribromo-2,2-bis(phenyl-substituted)ethanes into the corresponding 1,1-dibromo-2,2-bis(phenyl-substituted)ethenes induced by amines were studied in three room temperature ionic liquids ([BMIM][BF₄], [BMIM][PF₆], [BdMIM][BF₄]). In order to have information about reagent-ionic liquid interactions, the reaction was carried out over the temperature range (293.1-313.1 K). To study the effect of the amine on the rate and occurrence of the elimination reaction, several primary, secondary and tertiary amines with different structure (cyclic and acyclic), basicity and steric requirements were used. The data collected show that the reaction occurs faster in ionic liquids than in other conventional solvents. Furthermore, ionic liquids seem to be able to induce, for the studied reaction, a shift of mechanism from E1_cb (in MeOH) versus E2 (in ionic liquid).     

Facile nucleophilic fluorination by synergistic effect between polymer-supported ionic liquid catalyst and tert-alcohol reaction media system

A highly efficient method was developed for nucleophilic fluorination using an alkali metal fluoride through the synergistic effect of the polymer-supported ionic liquid (PSIL) as a catalyst and tert-alcohol as an alternative reaction media. This PSIL/tert-alcohol system not only enhances the reactivity of alkali metal fluorides and reduces the formation of by-products but also allows the use of a polymer-supported catalyst protocol. As an example, the nucleophilic fluorinations of the model compound, 2-(3-bromopropoxy)naphthalene, with CsF using only tert-amyl alcohol as solvent (for 2 h reaction time), 0.5 equiv of PS[hmim][BF₄] in CH₃CN (for 12 h reaction time), and 0.5 equiv of PS[hmim][BF₄] in tert-amyl alcohol (which is a PSIL/tert-alcohol system for the synergistic effect; for 2 h reaction time) provided 18, 40, and 84% yield, respectively. The characteristics of the nucleophilic fluorination reactions of some halo- and alkanesulfonyloxyalkane systems to the corresponding fluoroalkanes using various alkali metal fluorides are also reported.     

Ionic Liquid-Based Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Chlorogenic Acid from Lonicera japonica Thunb

Hydrophilic ionic liquid of [BMIM][BF₄] was successfully applied for the ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) of hydrophilic chlorogenic acid from Lonicera japonica Thunb. To explore this extraction procedure, the corresponding extraction parameters including the sample size, [BMIM][BF₄] concentration, pH, extraction temperature, ultrasonic power and extraction time were investigated. The results revealed that the [BMIM][BF₄]-based UAE efficiency of chlorogenic acid was higher than that of the ethanol-based UAE and the traditional refluent ethanol extraction. And the study on the method reliability further confirmed that the [BMIM][BF₄]-based UAE is suitable for the effective extraction of chlorogenic acid from honeysuckle.     

Selectfluor-mediated mild oxidative halogenation and thiocyanation of 1-aryl-allenes with TMSX (X = Cl,Br, I,NCS) and NH4SCN

Presence of TMSX (X = Cl, Br, I) unleashes the oxidative character of Selectfluor and provides a mild dihalogenation method for 1-arylallenes. Preference for 2,3-addition was observed with TMSCl in MeCN irrespective of the nature of the substituent on the aryl moiety, whereas 1,2-addition was preferred in [BMIM][BF₄]. With TMSBr and TMSI only products corresponding to 2,3-addition were observed. Reactions carried out with TMSBr in IL solvents gave the corresponding monobromoalkenes as a major product along with the isomeric dibromo-alkenes. Reaction with NH₄SCN provided convenient access to dithiocyanate derivatives. The same products were formed via TMS-NCS/Selectfluor. Formation of common products via TMSNCS and NH₄SCN points to the formation and interplay of SCN⁺/NCS⁺ as incipient electrophiles.     

Liquid structures of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate and carbon dioxide mixtures by X-ray diffraction measurements

X-ray diffraction measurements for the ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, [BMIM][BF₄], mixed with CO₂ were carried out at high pressures using our developed polymer cell. The intermolecular distribution functions obtained for [BMIM][BF₄]–CO₂ mixtures showed that CO₂ molecules are preferentially solvated to the [BF₄]⁻ anion. The similar preferential solvation was previously observed in analogous 1-btuyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, [BMIM][PF₆], with a different anion, which is in harmony with the present results in [BMIM][BF₄]–CO₂.