A new class of aromatic polybenzoxazoles containing ortho-phenylenedioxy groups

A series of poly(o-hydroxy amide)s having both ether and ortho-catenated phenylene unit in the main chain were synthesized via the low-temperature solution polycondensation of 4,4^′-(1,2-phenylenedioxy)dibenzoyl chloride and 4,4^′-(4-tert-butyl-1,2-phenylenedioxy)dibenzoyl chloride with three bis(o-aminophenol)s including 4,4^′-diamino-3,3^′-dihydroxybiphenyl, 3,3^′-diamino-4,4^′-dihydroxybiphenyl, and 2,2-bis(3-amino-4-hydroxyphenyl)hexafluoropropane. The poly(o-hydroxy amide)s exhibited inherent viscosities in the range of 0.23-0.96 dl/g. Most of the poly(o-hydroxy amide)s were soluble in polar organic solvents such as N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc) and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) and could afford flexible and tough films by solution casting. Subsequent thermal cyclodehydration of the poly(o-hydroxy amide)s afforded polybenzoxazoles. However, the polybenzoxazoles were organic-insoluble except for those with the hexafluoroisopropylidene group. The polybenzoxazoles exhibited glass-transition temperatures (T_g) in the range of 200-232 °C by DSC and softening temperatures (T_s) of 250-256 °C by thermomechanical analysis. Thermogravimetric analyses indicated that most polybenzoxazoles were stable up to 500 °C in air or nitrogen. The 10% weight loss temperatures were recorded in the ranges of 546-606 °C in air and 574-631 °C in nitrogen.     

Preparation and properties of new ortho-linked polyamide-imides bearing ether, sulfur, and trifluoromethyl linkages

A CF₃-containing diamine, 2,2′-thiobis-[4-methyl(2-trifluoromethyl)4-aminophenoxy) phenyl ether] (DA), was successfully synthesized from 2-2′-sulfide-bis-(4-methyl phenol) and 2-chloro-5-nitrobenzotrifluoride. The sulfur containing diimide-diacid (DIDA) was prepared by condensation reaction of diamine DA and trimellitic anhydride. A series of novel organic-soluble polyamide-imides (PAIs) bearing flexible ether and sulfide links, electron-withdrawing trifluoromethyl groups and ortho-phenylene units were synthesized from DIDA, by direct polycondensation with various aromatic diamines in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone using triphenyl phosphite and pyridine as a condensing agent in the presence of dehydrating agent (LiCl). The polyamide-imides were obtained in high yields and possessed inherent viscosities in the range of 0.42-0.95 dL g⁻¹. All of the polymers were amorphous in nature, showed outstanding solubility and could be easily dissolved in amide-type polar aprotic solvents (e.g., N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, N,N-dimethylacetamide, and N,N-dimethylformamide) and even dissolved in less polar solvents (e.g., pyridine and tetrahydrofuran). They showed good thermal stability with glass transition temperatures between 195-245 °C, 10% weight loss temperatures in excess of 485 °C, and char yields more than 50% at 700 °C in nitrogen atmosphere. Moreover, these PAIs possessed low refractive indexes (n = 1.57-1.59) and low birefringence (Δ ≈ 0.02) due to the trifluoromethyl pendent groups and thioether bridged ortho-catenated aromatic rings that interrupt chain packing and increase free volume.     

Tailoring “non conventional” ionic metallomesogens around an ortho-palladated fragment

A series of new ionic ortho-palladated mesogenic complexes [Pd(L)(4,4′-Rⁿ-bpy)][X] of unusual molecular shape have been prepared and characterised. The effect of slight structural changes on the molecular organization in the liquid crystalline phase is discussed in relation with their potential application as molecular materials.     

Direct ortho-mercuration reactions of azobenzene and ortho-substituted azobenzenes

The mercuration of azobenzene occurred exclusively in the ortho-position to yield 2-chloromercuriazobenzene and a mixture which on iodination gave 2,2'and 2,6-diiodoazobenzene. Ten other ortho-substituted azobenzenes were mercurated and mercuration was found to occur predominately in an ortho-position. The regiospecificity of these reactions suggests that the mercury is directed into an ortho-position by coordination of the mercury to an azo nitrogen and then subsequent electrophilic substitution.     

Stereoselective cycloadditions of (1Z,4R,5R)-1-arylmethylidene-4-benzoylamino-5-phenylpyrazolidin-3-on-1-azomethine imines to maleimides

A library of 15 1,6,7,9-tetrasubstituted 6,7,9,9a-tetrahydro-5H-pyrazolo[1,2-a]pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrazole-1,3,5(2H,3aH)-triones was prepared by combinatorial stereoselective cycloadditions of (1Z,4R^∗,5R^∗)-1-arylmethylidene-4-benzoylamino-5-phenylpyrazolidin-3-on-1-azomethine imines to N-substituted maleimides. Stereochemistry was controlled by the stereodirecting phenyl group at position-3 and by the ortho-substituents at the aromatic ring at position-1′ in azomethine imines. Consequently, two sets of diastereomeric cycloadducts were obtained, one set from the ortho-unsubstituted dipoles and the other set from the ortho-disubstituted dipoles.     

Regio- and stereoselective cycloadditions of (1Z,4R,5R)-1-arylmethylidene-4-benzoylamino-3-oxo-5-phenylpyrazolidin-1-ium-2-ides to methyl methacrylate

[3+2] Cycloadditions of (1Z,4R^∗,5R^∗)-1-arylmethylidene-4-benzoylamino-3-oxo-5-phenylpyrazolidin-1-ium-2-ides 1a-e to methyl methacrylate gave the 1-CO₂Me regioisomers 3/3′, exclusively, in 1-67% yields. Stereocontrol was dependent on the ortho-substituents at the 1′-aryl group in dipole 1: ortho-unsubstituted dipoles 1a-c gave the major (1R^∗,3R^∗,5R^∗,6R^∗)-isomers 3a-c, whilst ortho-disubstituted dipoles gave the major (1R^∗,3S^∗,5R^∗,6R^∗)-isomers 3′d,e. The structures of cycloadducts were determined by NMR and X-ray diffraction.     

Efficient, protection-free Suzuki-Miyaura synthesis of ortho-biphenyltetrazoles

We describe an efficient protocol for the Suzuki-Miyaura synthesis of ortho-biphenyltetrazoles from non-protected 2-bromophenyltetrazole and arylboronic acids. The optimised conditions were achieved using [1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene]dichloropalladium(II) as catalyst and Na₂CO₃ as base. A panel of structurally diverse arylboronic acids was used to demonstrate the scope of the coupling procedure.     

Synthesis and spectroscopic characterization of polymer and oligomers of ortho-phenylenediamine

Poly(ortho-phenylenediamine) and oligomers of ortho-phenylenediamine were chemically synthesized and characterized by UV-vis, ¹H and ¹³C NMR, FTIR and resonance Raman spectroscopies. Polymerization of ortho-phenylenediamine in HCl medium with ammonium persulfate only leads the trimer compound, in disagreement with some previous reports. Nevertheless, in acetic acid medium it was possible to prepare a polymer constituted by ladder phenazinic segments with different protonation levels and quinonediimine rings (polyaniline-like). X-ray absorption at N K-edge (N K XANES), X-ray photoelectron (XPS) and Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopies were used to determine the different kinds of nitrogen presents in this class of polymer. N K XANES spectrum of poly(ortho-phenylenediamine) shows the band of N nitrogen of non-protonated phenazinic rings at 398.2 eV. In addition, XPS and N K XANES data confirm the presence of different types of protonated nitrogens in the polymeric poly(ortho-phenylenediamine) chain and the EPR spectrum shows that the polymer has a very weak polaronic signal.     

Copper-catalyzed one-pot synthesis of 2-thioxo-2,3-dihydroquinazolin-4(1H)-ones from ortho-bromobenzamides and isothiocyanates

Copper-catalyzed tandem reaction of ortho-bromobenzamides and isothiocyanates is described, which provides an efficient and practical route for the synthesis of 2-thioxo-2,3-dihydroquinazolin-4(1H)-ones. The optimal condition involved the following parameters: CuI as precatalyst, Cs₂CO₃ as base, N,N′-dimethylethane-1,2-diamine as ligand, and toluene as solvent, with reaction temperature at 120 °C.     

Studies on bis(1′-ortho-carboranyl)benzenes and bis(1′-ortho-carboranyl)biphenyls

Reactions between the C,C′-dicopper(I) derivative of ortho-carborane and ortho-, meta- and para-diiodobenzene are reported. The reaction with 1,2-C₆H₄I₂ unexpectedly afforded 2,2′-bis(1′-ortho-carboranyl)biphenyl, [HCB₁₀H₁₀CC₆H₄]₂2, whereas reactions with 1,3- or 1,4-C₆H₄I₂ provided alternative routes to 1,3-bis(1′-ortho-carboranyl)benzene 3 and 1,4-bis(1′-ortho-carboranyl)benzene 4, respectively. The crystal structure of the biphenyl derivative 2 revealed significant distortions in the biphenylene framework attributable to the proximity of the two bulky carborane cages. UV absorption spectra and electrochemical data on 2 and 3 showed little electronic communication between the two carborane cages in either, and negligible π-conjugation between the two ortho-phenylene rings in 2. However, substantial evidence was found of electronic communication between the carborane cages via the para-phenylene bridge in 4. B3LYP/6-31G^∗ computations have been carried out on compounds 2 and 4, on 4,4′-bis(ortho-carboranyl)biphenyl 6 and on 1,2-bis(1′-ortho-carboranyl)benzene 7. Those on 2, 4 and 6 show the computed geometries to be in very good agreement with the experimental geometries: those on 7 allowed the reported molecular geometry of this compound to be revised and revealed a long cage C–C bond of 1.725(3) Å.     

Metalation in hydrocarbon solvents: the mechanistic aspects of substrate-promoted ortho-metalations

The methoxy-substituted aromatic reagents 1,2- and 1,3-dimethoxybenzene (1,2-DMB and 1,3-DMB) and 1,2,4-trimethoxybenzene (1,2,4-TMB) each undergo directed ortho-metalation in high yield in n-BuLi/hydrocarbon media without the aid of a catalyst. These reactions, coined ‘substrate-promoted ortho-metalations’, proceed with the methoxy aromatic substrate functioning as both the directing metalation group (DMG) and as the deoligomerization agent. Evidence that the substrates themselves serve to deoligomerize n-BuLi comes from ¹³C NMR. The relative extent of metalated product formed as a function of time for each of the three aromatics directly correlates with the substrate's time-dependent ability to coordinate to n-BuLi as measured by ¹³C NMR. The interpretation of NMR results from experiments involving 1,2,4-TMB is consistent with the metalation proceeding via the activated complex [(1,2,4-TMB)₂·(n-BuLi)₂]. Finally, conclusions from solubility experiments are that for every substrate-promoted metalation investigated, a precipitate forms in the hydrocarbon solvent, and this precipitate mostly contains the ortho-lithiated aryl intermediate.     

Complete thermodynamic analysis of the ionization of ortho-methoxybenzoic acid. Influence of the medium on the ortho effects

The ionization and solution enthalpies of o-methoxybenzoic acid have been measured in H₂O-DMSO mixtures. In the same solutions, the ΔG⁰ values for the ionization process have been determined by potentiometric measurements. A study of the ortho effects by means of a linear combination of the ordinary polar, proximity polar, and steric effects was also performed. The CH₃O group seems to undergo a partial steric inhibition of resonance. Finally, the proton transfer process from the ortho derivative to benzoic acid, compared with the same process in the gaseous phase, is presented.     

Lithiation of 2-(chloroaryl)-2-aryl-1,3-dioxolanes with butyllithium activated by N,N,N′,N″,N″-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine

Intramolecular competition of variously substituted phenyl rings of benzophenone ketals in lithiation reactions proved to be a useful tool to study both ortho-directing ability and long-range effects of the substituents. The regioselectivities observed in the reaction of benzophenone ketals having one or two chloro substituents in one of the aryl rings with butyllithium complexed to N,N,N′,N″,N″-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine demonstrate the significance of both ortho- and meta-acidifying effect of the chloro substituents. The lithio species thus generated were carboxylated resulting in new polysubstituted benzoic acids.     

Direct alkenylation of arylamines at the ortho-position

Treatment of magnesium alkylidene carbenoids, which were generated from 1-chlorovinyl p-tolyl sulfoxides with isopropylmagnesium chloride at −78 °C in toluene, with N-lithio arylamines gave ortho-alkenylated arylamines in moderate to good yields. The reaction was found to proceed in a highly stereospecific manner at the carbenoid carbon. This reaction offers a quite novel and direct alkenylation of arylamines at the ortho-position of the aromatic ring.     

Thermal racemization of biaryl atropisomers

Many biaryl compounds possess atropisomerism due to the steric hindrance of substituents at the ortho-position of the two aromatic moieties. Upon heating, atropisomers may have enough energy to surpass the rotational energy barrier and racemize. The thermal stability of five atropisomers was studied using chiral chromatography by following the change in enantiomeric excess ratio at different temperatures. The first order racemization reaction rate was obtained at a given temperature as the slope of the change in enantiomeric excess ratio versus time. For each atropisomer, the racemization rates at different temperatures led to the value of the rotational energy barrier for racemization, ΔG³, and to the racemization half lifetime, t_1/2, indicating the atropisomer thermal stability. Binaphthol started to racemize significantly at temperature of 190 °C and above while binaphthyldiamine was much more stable showing little or very minor racemization up to 210 °C. A chloro-substituted phenylamino-naphthol was very sensitive to thermal racemization starting at a low 40 °C.     

ortho-Tetraaryls as helical building blocks: a study of structure, theory, electrochemistry, and optical properties

(ortho)-3,3′-Diphenyl-2,2′-bithiophene is shown to exhibit a solid-state helical conformation that is consistent with MMFF predictions of structure. The optical, electronic, and conformational properties of this compound are examined, and the results are commensurate with a helical building block capable of exhibiting redox-induced conformational changes along the long molecular axis. Such a property demonstrates promise for this tetramer to function as building block for a spring-like electromechanical actuator.     

Structure-biodistribution relation of neutral Tc(CO)3-complexes with tridentate N-substituted derivatives of aminoethylglycine and phenylenediamine

Derivatives of ethylenediamine-N-acetic acid (EDAA = N-aminoethylglycine = AEG) and ortho-phenylenediamine-N-acetic acid (PDAA) with uncharged substituents on one or both of the amines form neutral complexes with a [^99mTc(CO)₃]⁺-moiety. We studied the influence of different modifications at the amines (e.g., with methyl, ethyl, butyl or benzyl groups) on the behaviour of the ^99mTc(CO)₃-complexes in vivo in mice, with special focus on blood-brain barrier (BBB) passage. The complexes have been characterised by reversed phase HPLC, log P, electrophoresis and some of them also by LC-MS. Log P values of the ^99mTc-tricarbonyl complexes varied from −0.52 (AEG) to 2.5 (N,N′-dibenzyl-EDAA). With increasing lipophilicity, more of the activity was found in liver and intestines as compared to kidneys and urine for the more polar complexes. Brain uptake was found for the ^99mTc(CO)₃-complexes with N,N′-dibutyl-ethylenediamine-N-acetic acid (0.34% of I.D. after 2 min) and ortho-phenylenediamine-N-acetic acid (0.22% of I.D. after 2 min).