Products of Photo- and Thermochemical Rearrangement of 19-Membered di-tert-Butyl-Azoxybenzocrown

The preparation and characterization of products of the photochemical and thermochemical rearrangements of 19-membered azoxybenzocrowns with two, bulky, tert-butyl substituents in benzene rings in the para positions to oligooxyethylene fragments (meta positions to azoxy group, i.e., t-Bu-19-Azo-O have been presented. In photochemical rearrangement, two colored typical products were expected, i.e., 19-membered o-hydroxy-m,m′-di-tert-butyl-azobenzocrown (t-Bu-19-o-OH) and 19-membered p-hydroxy-m,m′-di-tert-butyl-azobenzocrown (t-Bu-19-p-OH). In experiments, two colored atypical macrocyclic derivatives, one 6-membered and one 5-membered ring, bearing an aldehyde group (t-Bu-19-al) or intramolecular ester group (t-Bu-20-ester), were obtained. Photochemical rearrangement led to one more macrocyclic product being isolated and identified: a 17-membered colorless compound, without an azo moiety, t-Bu-17-p-OH. The yield of the individual compounds was significantly influenced by the reaction conditions. Thermochemical rearrangement led to t-Bu-20-ester as the main product. The structures of the four crystalline products of the rearrangement—t-Bu-19-o-OH, t-Bu-19-p-OH, t-Bu-20-ester and t-Bu-17-p-OH—were determined by the X-ray method. Structures in solution of atypical derivatives (t-Bu-19-al and t-Bu-20-ester) and t-Bu-19-p-OH were defined using NMR spectroscopy. For the newly obtained hydroxyazobenzocrowns, the azo–phenol⇄quinone–hydrazone tautomeric equilibrium was investigated using spectroscopic methods. Complexation studies of alkali and alkaline earth metal cations were studied using UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy. ¹H NMR spectroscopy was additionally used to study the cation recognition of metal cations. Cation binding studies in acetonitrile have shown high selectivity towards calcium over magnesium for t-Bu-19-o-OH.     

The phenylcarbene rearrangement revisited

The evolution of mechanistic ideas about the phenylcarbene rearrangement has been reviewed, and three closely linked problems have been identified toward whose solution this research has been aimed: 1. Why do the ratios of the stable end products from the rearrangements of o-, m- and p-tolylmethylene differ when all three reactions have been throught to pass through a common intermediate? 2. Why does the rearrangement of 2-methylcycloheptatrienylidene lead to exclusive formation of styrene? 3. What is the mechanism of styrene formation from o-tolylmethylene? New mechanisms have been proposed in which m- and p-tolylmethylene can rearrange to styrene without necessarily being converted to o-tolylmethylene. The formation of a small amount of 2,6-dimethylstyrene from the rearrangement of 3,4,5-trimethylphenylmethylene is viewed as evidence for such a mechanism, and a set of interconverting norcaradienylidenes are believed to be the crucial intermediates. Other alternatives are considered and rejected on the basis of the rearrangement products of 3,5-dimethyl- and 3,4,5-trimethylphenylmethylene.     

Umlagerung von Allyl-aryläthern und Allyl-cyclohexadienonen mittels Bortrichlorid

Allyl aryl ethers which have no strongly electron attracting substituents undergo a charge-induced [3 s, 3 s] sigmatropic rearrangement in the prescence of 0.7 mole boron trichloride in chlorobenzene at low temperature, to give after hydrolysis the corresponding o-allyl phenols (Tables 1 and 2). The charge induction causes an increase in the reaction rate relative to the thermal Claisen rearrangement of ～10¹⁰. With the exception of allyl 3-methoxyphenyl ether (5) , m-substituted allyl aryl ethers show similar behaviour (with respect to the composition of the product mixture) to that observed in the thermal rearrangement (Table 3). The rearrangement of allyl aryl ethers with an alkyl group in the o-position, in the prescence of boron trichloride, yields a mixture of o- and p-allyl phenols, where more p-product is present than in the corresponding product mixture from the thermal rearrangement (Table 4). This ‘para-effect’ is especially noticeable for o-alkylated α-methylallyl aryl ethers (Table 5 ). With boron trichloride, 2,6-dialkylated allyl aryl ethers give reaction products which arise, in each case, from a sequence of an ortho-Claisen rearrangement followed by a [1,2]-, [3,3]- or [3,4]-shift of the allyl moiety (Tables 6 and 7). Ally1 mesityl ether (80), with boron trichloride, gives pure 3-ally1 mesitol ( 95 ). From phenol, penta-ally1 phenol ( 101 ) can be obtained by a total of five O-allylations followed by three thermal and two boron trichloride-induced rearrangements. The sigmatropic rearrangements of the ethers studied, using D- and ¹⁴C-labelled compounds, are collected in scheme 2; only the reaction steps indicated by heavy arrows are of importance. With protic acids, there is a [3,3]-shift of the allyl group in 6-allyl-2,6-disubstituted cyclohexa-2,4-dien-l-ones, while with boron trichloride the [3,3]-reaction is also observed along with the much less important [1,2]- and [3,4]-transformations (Table 8). 4-Allyl-4-alkyl-cyclohexa-2,5-dien-1-ones give only [3,3]-rearrangements with boron trichloride (Table 9). As expected, the naphthalenone 112 , which is formed by allowing boron trichloridc to react for a short time with allyl (1-methyl-2-naphthyl) ether ( 111 ), undergoes only a [3,4] rearrangement (Scheme 3). Representations of how, in our opinion, the complex behaviour of allyl aryl ethers and allyl cyclohexadienones under the influence of boron trichloride, can be rationalized are collected together in Schemes 4 and 5. In the last part of the discussion section, the steric factors leading to the appearance of the ‘para-effect’, are dealt with (Scheme 6).     

Synthesis of precursors of phomactins using [2,3]-Wittig rearrangements

o-Toluic acid has been converted into methyl (8RS,9SR)-7-(bromomethyl)-8,9-dimethyl-1,4-dioxaspiro[4.5]dec-6-ene-8-carboxylate, the stereochemical defining step being a conjugate addition of lithium dimethylcuprate to a cyclohexadienone prepared using a Birch reduction followed by an allylic oxidation. Displacement of the bromide with various propargylic alcohols followed by reduction of the ester and protection of the primary alcohol so formed then gave a series of propargyl cyclohexenylmethyl ethers. [2,3]-Wittig rearrangements of these and related propargylic ethers were studied as an approach to precursors of phomactins. The rearrangements were found to proceed by regioselective deprotonation of the propargylic side-chain to give substituted methylenecyclohexanes but mixtures of stereoisomers were obtained.Aspects of the chemistry of the Wittig rearrangement products were investigated including epoxidation, oxidation of the side-chain hydroxyl groups to give 2-ynones and reactions of the 2-ynones with lithium dimethylcuprate. The propargyl side-chain of a Wittig rearrangement precursor was elaborated to prepare an intermediate, which was fully functionalised for incorporation into a phomactin.     

Synthesis and spectral properties of 2,3-dihydro-2-[(o- and p-substituted)anilinylidene]-1H-4-(p-methylphenyl)-7-[(o- and p-methyl)phenoxy]-1,5-benzodiazepines

A series of twelve new 2,3-dihydro-2-[(o- and p-substituted)anilinylidene]-1H-4-(p-methylphenyl)-7-[(o- and p-methyl)phenoxy]-1,5-benzodiazepines, which have potentially useful pharmacological properties, has been synthesized by condensing the 3,3-dimercapto-1-(p-methylphenyl)-2-propen-1-one with 3,4-diaminophenyl-R-phenyl ethers. Subsequently the 1H-1,5-benzodiazepine-2-thiones obtained were treated with the (o- and p-substituted)aniline. The structure of all products was corroborated by ir, ¹H nmr, ¹³C nmr and ms.     

Cationic copolymerization of phenyl propenyl ethers

Ring-substituted phenyl propenyl ethers were found to form homopolymers without any rearrangement by metal halides. Phenyl propenyl ethers were less reactive than the corresponding phenyl vinyl ethers in cationic polymerization. In order to study the electronic effect of a substituent on the reactivity, cis-p-Cl,p-CH₃, and p-CH₃O-phenyl propenyl ethers were copolymerized with phenyl propenyl ether in methylene chloride at ?78°C with stannic chloride–trichloroacetic acid, and their ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR spectra were measured. The reaction constant ρ against Hammett σ_p was ?2.1. The cis-phenyl propenyl ethers were slightly more reactive than the corresponding trans isomers. On the other hand, an o-methyl group decreased the reactivity of phenyl propenyl ether. The low reactivity of o-methyl phenyl propenyl ether was attributed to the steric hindrance between the propagating carbocation and the monomer.     

Bis(Benzo-18-crown-6) Derivatives: Synthesis and Ion-Sensing Properties in Plasticized PVC Membranes

Several mono-and bis(benzo-18-crown-6) ethers comprising o-nitrophenyl urethanemoieties were synthesized and studied as ionophores in PVC membrane electrodes. Thebis(crown ether)s were found to exhibit good potentiometric Cs⁺ selectivity overmono and divalent cations as compared to the respective mono(crown ether)s.     

Molecular rearrangements—XII: Pyrolysis of α-phenylacetanilide

Pyrolysis of α-phenylacetanilide resulted in migration of the benzyl group to the o and p positions of the aniline nucleus and formation of CO, NH₃, toluene benzaldehyde, dibenzyl, trans stilbene, aniline, 9 phenylacridine and 2,3 diphenyl-indole. With o-toluidine as a solvent the previous products were accompanied by 2,3 diphenyl-7-methylindole and 4 amino 3 methyl diphenylmethane. With isoqumoline 1 benzyl isoquinoline and 1,1' bi-isoquinolyl were also obtained.It is concluded that the pyrolysis of phenylacetanilide depends on the homolytic fission of the amide C-N bond into anilino and phenylacetyl free radicals followed by the interaction of the primary and secondary formed radicals with the rearrangement products and solvent nuclei.     

Conformations of highly hindered aryl ethers—XIX: Synthesis and NMR study of some cyclic aryl polyethers

Reaction of 1,3-difluoro-4,6-dinitrobenzene with some dihydroxybenzenes and naphthalenes or aminiphenols resulted in the formation of tetrameric macrocyclic aromatic ethers. In spite of their very low general solubility, PMR studies permitted partial conformational analyses. Whereas the m,o,m,o-tetraphenylenes exist exclusively in one preferred saddle-shaped conformation (as judged from the appearance of an aromatic proton at δ = 5·67), the m,m,m,m- and m,p,m,p-tetraphenylenes show surprisingly large conformational mobility. Comparison with analogous linear poly-(2,4-dinitrophenoxy)benzenes and other appropriate reference compounds afforded further evidence for the adoption of twist conformations in diaryl ethers and the additivity of aromatic ring magnetic anisotropy effects.     

Synthesis of o-(diphenylphosphinoyloxy)anilines by the rhodium-catalyzed reaction of nitroarenes and diphenylphosphine oxide

A rhodium complex Rh₂(OAc)₄ catalyzed the reaction of nitrobenzenes and diphenylphosphine oxide HP(O)Ph₂ giving o-(diphenylphosphinoyloxy)anilines predominantly, which were accompanied by small amounts of the p-isomers. Nitorobenzenes possessing a bulky o-substituent, particularly o-(t-butyl)nitrobenzenes, underwent the reaction in high yields. The reaction is considered to involve the reductive formation of O-phosphinoyl-N-arylhydroxyamines from nitrobenzenes, and o-phosphinoyloxylation by the rearrangement.     

Novel one-step synthesis of 2-carbonyl/thiocarbonyl isoindolinones and mechanistic disclosure on the rearrangement reaction of o-phthalaldehyde with amide/thioamide analogs

A rearrangement reaction of o-phthalaldehyde with urea/thiourea analogs or amides/thioamides under the catalysis of TMSCl (trimethylchlorosilane) is described, whereby a series of 2-carbonyl isoindolinones and 2-thiocarbonyl isoindolinones are afforded. This is the first time that the N-carbonyl/thiocarbonyl isoindolinones are synthesized in a single step from o-phthalaldehyde. Similar reactions using primary amines also proceed smoothly to give corresponding N-alkyl or N-aryl isoindolinones in this mild catalytic system. The mechanism of this kind of rearrangement is discussed based on new evidences observed from the ESI-MS time-interval monitoring of the full reaction course and deuterium exchange experiments.     

Radical and Ionic Mechanisms in Rearrangements of o-Tolyl Aryl Ethers and Amines Initiated by the Grubbs–Stoltz Reagent,Et3SiH/KOtBu

Rearrangements of o-tolyl aryl ethers, amines, and sulfides with the Grubbs–Stoltz reagent (Et₃SiH + KO^tBu) were recently announced, in which the ethers were converted to o-hydroxydiarylmethanes, while the (o-tol)(Ar)NH amines were transformed into dihydroacridines. Radical mechanisms were proposed, based on prior evidence for triethylsilyl radicals in this reagent system. A detailed computational investigation of the rearrangements of the aryl tolyl ethers now instead supports an anionic Truce–Smiles rearrangement, where the initial benzyl anion can be formed by either of two pathways: (i) direct deprotonation of the tolyl methyl group under basic conditions or (ii) electron transfer to an initially formed benzyl radical. By contrast, the rearrangements of o-tolyl aryl amines depend on the nature of the amine. Secondary amines undergo deprotonation of the N-H followed by a radical rearrangement, to form dihydroacridines, while tertiary amines form both dihydroacridines and diarylmethanes through radical and/or anionic pathways. Overall, this study highlights the competition between the reactive intermediates formed by the Et₃SiH/KO^tBu system.     

The use of McMurry coupling for the synthesis of indolophanes and cis-stilbenophanes

Treatment of 2 equiv of indole-3-aldehyde with o, m, p-xylyl, 2,5-dimethoxy-p-xylyl dibromides and 4,4′-bis(bromomethyl)-1,1′-biphenyl gave the bisalkylated products, which underwent McMurry coupling with low valent titanium to give indolophanes. Various cis-stilbenophanes with m-terphenyl building blocks were also synthesized by application of the McMurry coupling technique.     

Mechanism of the exclusive cyclic 1,3-rearrangement of O-benzoyl-N-(p-toluenesulfonyl)-n-arylhydroxylamines

O-(p-Substituted benzoyl)-N-(p-toluenesulfonyl)-N-arylhydroxylamines (1) were found to rearrange thermally giving o-acyloxy-p-toluenesulfonanilides (2) in quantitative yields. An intramolecular concerted cyclic process is considered to be in operation for the rearrangement on the basis of ¹⁸O tracer and kinetic experiments. The effects of both substituents and solvents on the rate of this novel 1,3-acyloxy migration were also examined. While the effect of solvent was small, the electronic effect of substituents on both N and O atoms plays a significant role in determining the mechanism of the rearrangement, especially the mode of cleavage of the NO bond at the transition state of the 1,3-acyloxy migration.     

Preparation of optically active α-hydroxy oxime ether by diastereoselective imino 1,2-Wittig rearrangement of hydroximates and its application to synthesis of (+)-cytoxazone

The diastereoselective imino 1,2-Wittig rearrangement of hydroximates provides a novel method for the construction of optically active α-hydroxy oxime ethers. Upon treatment with LDA, allyl p-methoxyphenylhydroximate carrying a chiral auxiliary smoothly underwent diastereoselective rearrangement to give the (R)-α-hydroxy oxime ether which was effectively converted into (+)-cytoxazone.     

Synthesis of o-nitrosoacylbenzenes from o-nitrobenzyl alcohols and their derivatives

Nitration of substituted benzyl alcohols, as well as ethers and esters derived therefrom, with nitric acid in acetic anhydride was studied. The corresponding o-nitrobenzyl alcohols and their derivatives formed as the primary products are capable of being converted into o-nitrosoacylbenzenes by the action of acids.     

Synthesis of gem-dihaloenynes and butatrienes from gem-dihalovinyl derivatives

gem-Dihaloenynes were synthesized in high yields from 1,1,4,4-tetrahalo-1,3-butadienes through the Fritsch-Buttenberg-Wiechell (FBW) rearrangement mediated by an organolithium compound. Butatriene derivatives could be obtained efficiently via an organolithium-mediated reaction of o-halo-(2,2-dihalovinyl)benzenes.     

Synthesis and spectral properties of 2-methylthio-3H-4-(para-substituted-phenyl)-7-[(o-, and p-substituted)-phenylthio]-1,5-benzodiazepines

A series of twelve new 2-methylthio-3H-4-(p-substituted phenyl)-7-[(o-, and p-substituted)phenylthio]-1,5-benzodiazepines, which have potentially useful pharmacological properties, has been synthesized by condensing the 3,3-dimercapto-1-(para-substituted-phenyl)-2-propen-1-one with 3,4-diamino phenyl-R-phenylthio ethers, and subsequently the 1H-1,5-benzodiazepine-2-thiones obtained were treated with sodium hydride and methyl iodide. The structure of all products was corroborated by ir, ¹H-nmr, ¹³C-nmr and ms.     

Rearrangement in the reaction of oxindole with o-nitrobenzyl chloride

The alkylation of oxindole with o-nitrobenzyl chloride produces three products, 5a, 6, and 10. The N-hydroxyindoloquinolone 5a probably arises by rearrangement of an initial alkylation product as shown in Scheme 1. The indoloquinolone 6 is formed by base-catalyzed elimination of o-nitrobenzaldehyde from the dialkylation product 10 and also apparently by a thermal process most simply considered as a 1,5-sigmatropic rearrangement of 10 → 12.