1,2-hydroxypyridonates as contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging: TREN-1,2-HOPO

1,2-Hydroxypyridinones (1,2-HOPO) form very stable lanthanide complexes that may be useful as contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). X-ray diffraction of single crystals established that the solid-state structures of the Eu(III) and the previously reported [Inorg. Chem. 2004, 43, 5452] Gd(III) complex are identical. The recently discovered sensitizing properties of 1,2-HOPO chelates for Eu(III) luminescence [J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2006, 128, 10 067] allow for direct measurement of the number of water molecules coordinated to the metal center. Fluorescence measurements of the Eu(III) complex corroborate that, in solution, two water molecules coordinate the lanthanide (q = 2) as proposed from the analysis of NMRD profiles. In addition, fluorescence measurements have verified the anion binding interactions of lanthanide TREN-1,2-HOPO complexes in solution, studied by relaxivity, revealing only very weak oxalate binding (KA = 82.7 +/- 6.5 M-1). Solution thermodynamic studies of the metal complex and free ligand have been carried out using potentiometry, spectrophotometry, and fluorescence spectroscopy. The metal ion selectivity of TREN-1,2-HOPO supports the feasibility of using 1,2-HOPO ligands for selective lanthanide binding [pGd = 19.3 (2), pZn = 15.2 (2), pCa = 8.8 (3)].     

Toward versatile methods leading to highly functionalized imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines

A convenient and general method of preparation of polyfunctionalized imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines is reported. This methodology involves activation of secondary amides leading to the formation of the corresponding amidines 9. Different activating reagents have been evaluated and the efficiency of PCl₅ was illustrated with alkyl functionalized groups.     

An octadentate luminescent Eu(III) 1,2-HOPO chelate with potent aqueous stability

The synthesis, characterization, and photophysical properties of two novel ligands, 5LINMe-1,2-HOPO (1) and H(2,2)-1,2-HOPO (2), which utilize the 1,2-HOPO chelate as a sensitizer for Eu(III) are reported. In addition, the former ligand was structurally characterized as the Eu(III) complex by X-ray crystallography. The [Eu(1)2]- complex of the tetradentate ligand (1) is stable in aqueous solution, to a limiting concentration of ca. 7x10(-9) M, and retains the superior photophysical performance noted for the 1,2-HOPO sensitizer. By contrast, the octadentate ligand (2) has vastly improved stability as the [Eu(2)]- complex upon further dilution, to a limiting concentration of ca. 5x10(-17) M, which is beyond the minimum detectable concentration of most fluorimeters. The presence of a single coordinated water molecule for the latter complex reduces the overall metal-centered luminescence.     

O-Methylephedrine: a versatile and highly efficient ortho-directing group. Synthesis of enantiopure 1,2-disubstituted ferrocene derivatives.

O-Methylephedrine was identified as a very efficient chiral auxiliary for ortho-lithiation reactions of ferrocenes. (1R,2S)-O-Methylephedrine [CH(3)NHCH(CH(3))CH(Ph)OCH(3)] was reacted with N-ferrocenylmethyl-N,N,N-trimethylammonium iodide [FcCH(2)N(CH(3))(3)I; Fc = ferrocenyl] to give (1R,2S)-N-ferrocenylmethyl-O-methylephedrine. Treatment of this compound with t-BuLi in pentane followed by quenching with the electrophiles iodine, dibromotetrafluoroethane, chlorodiphenylphosphine or benzophenone gave 2-substituted ferrocenes in 98% de and with the (R(p))-ferrocene configuration. Subsequently, the chiral auxiliary could be replaced by systems including dimethylamine, acetate, diaryl- or dialkylphosphines to give a number of enantiopure bifunctional 1,2-disubstituted ferrocene derivatives such as (R(p))-N-2-iodo- or (R(p))-N-2-bromoferrocenylmethyldimethylamine or (R(p))-2-acetoxymethyl-1-diphenylphosphinoferrocene. As an application, ferrocenyl diphosphines possessing a planar (R(p))-ferrocene configuration only [1,2-(PPh(2))FcCH(2)PR(2), R = Cy, Ph, [3,5-(CF(3))(2)Ph]] were synthesized in three steps from O-methylephedrine and N-ferrocenylmethyl-N,N,N-trimethylammonium iodide in up to 77% overall yield.     

Terephthalamide-containing analogues of TREN-Me-3,2-HOPO

A series of terephthalamide-containing analogues based on TREN-Me-3,2-HOPO have been prepared. These analogues contain one, two, or three bidentate 2,3-dihydroxyterephthalamide (TAM) units in place of the 3,2-hydroxypyridinone (HOPO) units on the parent hexadentate ligand. One representative ligand in the series, TRENHOPOTAM2, and its gallium complex have been structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction. TRENHOPOTAM2 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/c with cell parameters a = 16.0340(17) A, b = 17.0609(18) A, c = 16.0695(17) A, beta = 113.837(2) degrees, and Z = 4. Ga[TRENHOPOTAM2] also crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/c, with cell parameters a = 16.3379(14) A, b = 15.2722(13) A, c = 19.4397(17) A, beta = 91.656(2) degrees, and Z = 4. The conformation of the TRENHOPOTAM2 ligand structure suggests that the ligand is predisposed for metal ion binding. The aqueous protonation and ferric ion coordination chemistry of all ligands in the series were examined using potentiometric and spectrophotometric methods, giving log formation constants of 34.6(2) (beta110) and 38.8(2) (beta111) for the ferric TRENHOPO2TAM complexes, 41.0(3) (beta110) and 45.4(3) (beta111) for the ferric TRENHOPOTAM2 complexes, and 45.2(2) (beta110) and 50.9(2) (beta111) for the ferric TRENTAM3 complexes. These thermodynamic data confirm that adding terephthalamide units to a hydroxypyridinone-containing ligand tends to increase the stability of the resulting iron complex. The ferric TRENTAM3 complex is one of the most stable iron complexes yet reported.     

1,2-cyclic sulfamidates as versatile precursors to thiomorpholines and piperazines

[reaction: see text] 1,2-Cyclic sulfamidates undergo regiospecific nucleophilic displacement with either methyl thioglycolate or alpha-amino esters, followed by lactamization (thermal, base-mediated, or cyanide-catalyzed), to give thiomorpholin-3-ones and piperazin-2-ones.     

Ns strategies: a highly versatile synthetic method for amines

A highly efficient and versatile synthetic method for amines was established using nitrobenzenesulfonamides (Ns-amides) as both a protecting and activating group. The alkylation of N-monosubstituted Ns-amides either proceeded conventionally or under Mitsunobu conditions to provide the N,N-disubstituted sulfonamides, and the Ns group was removed easily with soft nucleophiles via Meisenheimer complexes to give the corresponding secondary amines. The major advantage of this protocol is that both alkylation and deprotection proceed under mild conditions. Thus, with this methodology, the total synthesis of linear and/or macrocyclic natural polyamines can be accomplished efficiently.     

p-Benzoquinone-2,3-dicarboxylic anhydride as highly reactive and versatile electron-accepting dienophile

Pericyclic reactions of p-benzoquinone-2,3-dicarboxylic anhydride(PBA) with homo-dienne and conjugated medium-ring polyenes have been examined. The high peri- and stereospecificity observed with dienes is explained using the frontier orbital model where the diene HOMO-PBA LUMO interaction predominates.     

Pyrazolinofullerenes: a less known type of highly versatile fullerene derivatives

The cycloaddition of readily available nitrile imines to [60]fullerene affording 2-pyrazolino[60]fullerenes is a versatile procedure for the functionalization of fullerenes. In contrast to other functionalization methods these cycloadducts are obtained generally in good yields as single isomers, thus avoiding the formation of undesired stereoisomers. This tutorial review discusses these less known fullerene compounds that display, however, interesting electrochemical and photophysical properties. Owing to their outstanding electron acceptor character, similar to pristine C(60), and their remarkable thermal stability, these cycloadducts are good candidates for incorporation in photovoltaic devices. However, more work is needed in order to design better pyrazolinofullerenes exhibiting improved performances for PV applications.     

Catalytic enantioselective 1,2-diboration of 1,3-dienes: versatile reagents for stereoselective allylation

More with boron: The development of catalytic enantioselective 1,2-diboration of 1,3-dienes enables a new strategy for enantioselective carbonyl allylation reactions (see scheme). These reactions occur with outstanding levels of stereoselection and can be applied to both monosubstituted and 1,1-disubstituted dienes. The carbonyl allylation reactions provide enantiomerically enriched functionalized homoallylic alcohol products.     

Photochemistry of 3,6-dihydro-1,2-oxazines: A versatile route to substituted pyrroles

A high yield pyrrole synthesis which employs a sequence of cyclo-addition, photoextrusion of H₂O and Birch reduction has been developed.     

7-Dialkylamino-1-alkylquinolinium salts: highly versatile and stable fluorescent probes

7-Dialkylamino- and 7-alkylsulfenyl-1-alkylquinolinium salts have been synthesized using a novel synthetic approach. The key intermediate, 7-fluoro-1-methylquinolinium iodide, was shown to possess high reactivity toward nitrogen and sulfur nucleophiles, and the kinetics of this nucleophilic aromatic substitution reaction was investigated. A wide variety of compounds were synthesized and characterized spectroscopically. High fluorescence quantum yields were observed, and this was attributed to the rigid molecular architecture. The thermal and photochemical stability of a number of compounds was investigated, and it was demonstrated that 7-dialkylamino-1-methylquinolinium salts have superior stability compared to a number of hemicyanine dyes and rigid charge-transfer probes. Based on the high quantum yields, the large Stokes shifts, and in particular, the high thermal and photochemical stability, it is concluded that 7-dialkylamino-1-methylquinolinium salts are excellent color-shifting, mobility-sensitive fluorescent probes for polymer characterization and other demanding applications.     

A practical preparation of highly versatile N-acylpyrroles from 2,4,4-trimethoxybutan-1-amine

A novel method for the preparation of N-acylpyrrole is described. The method involves condensation of carboxylic acids with 2,4,4-trimethoxybutan-1-amine, followed by acid-mediated cyclization to form the pyrrole ring. The preparative procedure is highly tolerant of a variety of functional groups.     

Donor stabilized borylnitrene: a highly reactive BN analogue of vinylidene

A donor atom stabilized borylnitrene, 2-nitreno-1,3,2-benzodioxaborole 4c, is characterized by matrix isolation IR, UV, and ESR spectroscopy as well as multiconfiguration SCF and CI computations. UV irradiation (lambda = 254 nm) of the corresponding azide 6c, isolated in solid argon at 10 K, produces 4c in high yield. The oxygen donor atoms in 4c result in a triplet ground state (|D/hc| = 1.492 cm(-)(1), |E/hc| = 0.004 cm(-)(1)) for the borylnitrene. The lowest energy singlet state ((1)A(1)) is 33 kcal mol(-)(1) higher in energy and closely related to the ground state of vinylidene. Under the conditions of matrix isolation, triplet 4c is photochemically and thermally stable toward rearrangement to the corresponding cyclic iminoborane. Photochemical irradiation (lambda > 550 nm) of 4c rather causes an efficient reaction with molecular nitrogen, lying in matrix sites nearby, to give 6c. Similarly, photochemical, but not thermal, trapping of 4c with CO is possible and results in the corresponding isocycanate 9c. Thermal reaction of 4c with O(2) in doped argon matrixes at 35 K could be observed by IR spectroscopy to result in borylnitroso-O-oxide 17c as shown by (18)O(2) labeling experiments and DFT computations. The diradical 17c is very photolabile and quickly rearranges to the nitritoborane 16c upon irradiation.     

Preparation of polyfunctional heterocycles using highly functionalized aminated arylmagnesium reagents as versatile scaffolds

[reaction: see text] Functionalized Grignard reagents, derived from readily available o-iodoaniline derivatives and obtained via a straightforward iodine-magnesium exchange, can be used to prepare a wide range of polyfunctional indoles, quinolines, and quinazolinones.     

Synthesis of highly functionalized indeno[1,2-b]furans

Some novel functionalized indeno[1,2-b]furans were synthesized from the reaction of indandione/indanone and aldehydes at room temperature followed by the reaction of the Knoevenagel condendensed intermediate with 4-hydroxycoumarins in the presence of iodine as catalyst in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) under thermal conditions. The reaction involved in a condensation and Michael addition followed by lactone ring opening and intramolecular cyclization process to afford the product in high yield in easy work-up procedure.     

The practical synthesis of a novel and highly potent analogue of bryostatin

Macrocycle 1 is a new highly potent analogue of bryostatin 1, a promising anti-cancer agent currently in human clinical trials. In vitro, 1 displays picomolar affinity for PKC and exhibits over 100-fold greater potency than bryostatin 1 when tested against various human cancer cell lines. Macrocycle 1 can be generated in clinically required amounts by chemical synthesis in only 19 steps (LLS) and represents a new clinical lead for the treatment of cancer.     

Template synthesis and spectroscopic studies of highly conjugated tetraiminetetraamide macrocyclic complexes from 1,2-diphenylethane-1,2-dione dihydrazone

A new class of tetraiminetetraamide macrocyclic (Ph4[20]tetraene, N8O4, and Ph6[20]tetraene, N8O4) complexes have been prepared through the metal ion controlled reaction of 1,2-diphenylethane-1,2-dione dihydrazone (DPEDDH) with succinic acid [ML1X2] or phthalic acid [ML2X2] [M=Mn, Co, Ni, Cu or Zn; X=Cl or NO3]. The structures of the complexes have been elucidated on the basis of i.r, 1H-n.m.r, e.p.r. and electronic spectral data and conductance, as well as magnetic, properties. An octahedral geometry is assigned for all the complexes, involving coordination of the all-imine nitrogens.     

A novel synthesis of amino-1,2-oxazinones as a versatile synthon for beta-amino acid derivatives

The radical addition-cyclisation of alpha, beta-unsaturated hydroxamates containing an oxime ether provides a novel method for the stereoselective synthesis of amino-1,2-oxazinones. Its synthetic utility is demonstrated by a stereoselective synthesis of beta-amino acid derivatives, such as alpha-alkyl-beta-amino-gamma-lactone and alpha,beta-disubstituted beta-lactam.