Alkyne-based, highly stereo- and regioselective synthesis of stereodefined functionalized vinyl tellurides.

(Z)-beta-Aryltellurovinylphosphonates and (Z)-beta-aryltellurovinyl sulfones were synthesized via the highly stereoselective anti-hydrotelluration of 1-alkynylphosphonates and 1-alkynyl sulfones. The configurations of these compounds were characterized via 1H NMR spectra or NOESY experiments and by X-ray diffraction analysis; (E)-beta-aryltellurovinyl sulfones were obtained with the reaction of sodium aryltellurate with (E)-2-iodovinyl sulfones to confirm the stereochemistry of the above anti-hydrotelluration. When the tandem reaction of alkynes with diaryl ditellurides and sodium arylsulfinates was carried out in AcOH/H2O (4/1), the corresponding (E)-beta-aryltellurovinyl sulfones were obtained in one step in good yields. This reaction is highly regio- and stereoselective and proceeds by using arylsulfinate as the sulfonyl radical precursor and diaryl ditellurides as free radical acceptors. (E)-1-Iodo-2-aryltelluroalkenes can be obtained by the anti-addition of ArTeI with terminal alkynes in THF. The stereochemistry of compound 17b was also determined by X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Enantio- and diastereoselective, stereospecific mannich-type reactions in water

Catalytic asymmetric Mannich-type reactions in water proceeded in high yields and selectivities using a combination of ZnF2 and a chiral diamine that has the methoxy groups on the aromatic rings. In these reactions, either syn- or anti-Mannich adducts were stereospecifically obtained from (E)- or (Z)-silicon enolate, in contrast with most asymmetric Mannich-type reactions.     

Nucleophilic epoxidation of gamma-hydroxyvinyl sulfoxide derivatives

The nucleophilic epoxidation of simple (gamma-silyloxy)vinyl sulfoxides takes place with complete stereocontrol and high yields. For substrates bearing an additional substituent at the gamma position, a reinforcing/nonreinforcing scenario is operative. While E and Z silylated substrates undergo a primarily sulfur directed epoxidation with good to excellent diastereocontrol, the related (E)-(2-methoxyethoxy)methyl ethers display diminished selectivity for the diastereomer derived from the nonreinforcing scenario.     

Probing the importance of the hemilabile site of bis(phosphine) monoxide ligands in the copper-catalyzed addition of diethylzinc to N-phosphinoylimines: discovery of new effective chiral ligands

The hemilabile ligand Me-DuPHOS(O) 2 has proven to be a successful ligand for the copper-catalyzed addition of diethylzinc to N-phosphinoylimines. The corresponding alpha-chiral amines were obtained in high yields (80-98%) and enantiomeric ratios (19.0:1 to 99.0:1 er). Furthermore, this Cu* 2 catalytic system has been shown to be effective in the addition of diethylzinc to nitroalkenes and in the reduction of beta,beta-disubstituted vinyl phenyl sulfones. This paper describes a general structure/selectivity study in which the three ligand subunits (chiral phospholane-linker-labile coordinating group (Z)) are systematically modified and tested in the copper-catalyzed addition of diethylzinc to the N-phosphinoylimine 1 derived from benzaldehyde. This study led to the discovery of a new class of effective chiral ligands that combine a chiral phospholane unit and an achiral phosphine oxide.     

Sulfur-directed enantioselective synthesis of functionalized dihydropyrans

The highly selective base-promoted cyclization of enantiopure sulfinyl dienols affords allylic sulfinyl dihydropyrans. The scope of this methodology, including the preparation of seven-membered rings, has been studied in depth. The reactivity of our sulfinyl dihydropyrans toward oxidation, imination, and dihydroxylation has been explored, and thus several routes to densely functionalized pyran derivatives have been outlined. The reactivity of allylic dihydropyranyl sulfones and sulfoximines in S(N)2' processes with organocuprates has been examined. The displacement products were obtained with good regio- and stereoselectivity and fair to good yields. The reactivity of these products to dihydroxylation opens new possibilities to access enantiopure polyhydroxylated tetrahydropyrans that could be of interest for the synthesis of natural products.     

Cobalt‐Catalyzed Z‐Selective Hydrosilylation of Terminal Alkynes

A cobalt‐catalyzed Z ‐selective hydrosilylation of alkynes has been developed relying on catalysts generated from bench‐stable Co(OAc)₂ and pyridine‐2,6‐diimine (PDI) ligands. A variety of functionalized aromatic and aliphatic alkynes undergo this transformation, yielding Z ‐vinylsilanes in high yields with excellent selectivities (Z /E ratio ranges from 90:10 to >99:1). The addition of a catalytic amount of phenol effectively suppressed the Z /E ‐isomerization of the Z ‐vinylsilanes that formed under catalytic conditions.     

Enhancement of the large stokes-shifted fluorescence emission from the 2-(2'-hydroxyphenyl)benzoxazole core in a dendrimer

The photochemical properties of a series of newly synthesized dendrimers, 4-6, having a 2-(2'-hydroxyphenyl)benzoxazole (HBO) core, were studied in benzene. The fluorescence quantum yields (Phi(f)) were determined to be 0.022, 0.030, and 0.038 for 4, 5, and 6, respectively, increasing in higher generation dendrimers. With transient absorption spectroscopy, the quantum yields of the isomerization from the (E)-keto form ((1)K(E)*) to the (Z)-keto form ((1)K(Z)) (Phi(E)(-->)(Z)) and those of intersystem crossing (Phi(isc)) can be estimated. Whereas Phi(E)(-->)(Z) values decreased in higher generation dendrimers, Phi(isc) values were almost the same among 4-6. The quantum yields of nonradiative decay (Phi(nr)) increased in higher generation dendrimers. The dendrimer structure also affected the reverse tautomerization process.     

A facile stereospecific synthesis of （Z）-2-sulfonyl-substituted 1,3-enynes via Sonogashira coupling of （E）-α-iodovinyl sulfones with 1-alkynes

(E)-a-Iodovinyl sulfones 1 underwent the Sonogashira coupling reactions with terminal alkynes 2 in piperidine at room temperature in the presence of 5 mol% of Pd(PPh3)4 and 10 mol% of CuI to stereospecifically afford the corresponding (Z)-2- sulfonyl-substituted 1,3-enynes 3 in high yields.     

Z‐Selective Hydrothiolation of Racemic 1,3‐Disubstituted Allenes: An Atom‐Economic Rhodium‐Catalyzed Dynamic Kinetic Resolution

A Z‐selective rhodium‐catalyzed hydrothiolation of 1,3‐disubstituted allenes and subsequent oxidation towards the corresponding allylic sulfones is described. Using the bidentate 1,4‐bis(diphenylphosphino)butane (dppb) ligand, Z/E‐selectivities up to >99:1 were obtained. The highly atom‐economic desymmetrization reaction tolerates functionalized aromatic and aliphatic thiols. Additionally, a variety of symmetric internal allenes, as well as unsymmetrically disubstituted substrates were well tolerated, thus resulting in high regioselectivities. Starting from chiral but racemic 1,3‐disubstituted allenes a dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) could be achieved by applying (S,S)‐Me‐DuPhos as the chiral ligand. The desired Z‐allylic sulfones were obtained in high yields and enantioselectivities up to 96 % ee.     

Reaction of arylsulfonylhydrazones of aldehydes with alpha-magnesio sulfones. A novel olefin synthesis

Reactions of representative tosylhydrazones of aldehydes and ketones with alpha-metalated sulfones were examined in order to develop a practical olefination method. Treatment of aldehyde tosylhydrazone 2 with an excess of alpha-lithiated methyl phenyl or dimethyl sulfones yielded 3a. The reaction of 2 with sterically unhindered lithiated alkyl sulfones gave mixtures of the respective olefination products 3b-d along with the Shapiro fragmentation product 4. Sterically hindered lithiated sulfones afforded Shapiro products exclusively. In contrast, aldehyde tosylhydrazones 2 or 6 in reactions with a variety of alpha-magnesio primary or secondary alkyl sulfones gave olefination products 3a-j and 7a-c in high yields (Tables 1 and 2). beta-Branched alkyl sulfones afforded predominantly (E)-alkenes, whereas unhindered primary sulfones gave mixtures of (E)- and (Z)-alkenes with low selectivity. Reaction of the 2,4,6-triisopropylbenzenesulfonylhydrazone (trisylhydrazone) of cyclodecanone 11c with alpha-magnesio methyl phenyl sulfone afforded the methylidene derivative 12a contaminated with the Shapiro product 13. Tosylhydrazone 2 resisted reaction with i-PrMgCl and gave only a small amount of the addition product in reaction with Bu(2)Mg. Some mechanistic aspects of the reaction of tosylhydrazones with organomagnesium compounds are discussed.     

Selective hydrogen peroxide oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides or sulfones with MWW-type titanosilicate zeolite catalyst under organic solvent-free conditions

Selective oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides and sulfones with hydrogen peroxide under organic solvent-free conditions was demonstrated by the MWW-type titanosilicate zeolite catalyst. Sulfides were oxidized smoothly to give sulfoxides with good selectivities at ambient temperature using 1.0–1.2 equiv of hydrogen peroxide with the MWW-type titanosilicate zeolite catalyst. Especially, the Ti-MWW with an interlayer-expanded structure (Ti-IEZ-MWW) catalyst showed high activity with good chemoselectivity for the oxidation of various sulfides. The catalyst is recyclable for at least five cycles, and the only byproduct is water. Sulfides were directly oxidized to give sulfones in high yields by 2.5 equiv of hydrogen peroxide with the MWW-type titanosilicate zeolite catalyst under organic solvent-free conditions.     

Stereoselective synthesis of Z alkenyl halides via Julia olefination

Julia olefination between alpha-halomethyl sulfones and a variety of aldehydes afforded alkenyl halides in good to excellent yields with high E/Z stereoselectivities. Sulfones were readily prepared in two or three steps from commercially available reagents in good yields. Optimization revealed that the nature of the solvent, the base, and the additive were crucial to obtain the desired alkenyl halides.     

A general and highly selective chelate-controlled intermolecular oxidative Heck reaction

A novel chelate-controlled intermolecular oxidative Heck reaction is reported that proceeds with a wide range of nonresonance stabilized alpha-olefin substrates and organoboron reagents to afford internal olefin products in good yields and outstanding regio- and E: Z stereoselectivities. Pd-H isomerization, common in many Heck reactions, is not observed under these mild, oxidative conditions. This is evidenced by outstanding E: Z selectivities (>20:1 in all cases examined), no erosion in optical purity for proximal stereogenic centers, and a tolerance for unprotected alcohols. Remarkably, a single metal/ligand combination, Pd/bis-sulfoxide complex 1, catalyzes this reaction over a broad range of coupling partners. Given the high selectivities and broad scope, we anticipate this intermolecular Heck reaction will find heightened use in complex molecule synthesis.     

Cobalt-catalyzed asymmetric cyclopropanation with diazosulfones: rigidification and polarization of ligand chiral environment via hydrogen bonding and cyclization

A new D2-symmetric chiral porphyrin P6 (2,6-DiMeO-ZhuPhyrin) with enhanced chiral rigidity and polarity was designed and synthesized through incorporation of hydrogen bonding and cyclic structure. Its cobalt(II) complex [Co(P6)] is a highly active and selective catalyst for asymmetric cyclopropanation of alkenes with diazosulfones. The [Co(P6)]-based catalytic system is suitable for various aromatic olefins as well as electron-deficient olefins, including alpha,beta-unsaturated esters, ketones, and nitriles, forming the corresponding cyclopropyl sulfones under mild conditions in high yields and high selectivities. In most cases, both excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivities were achieved.     

Z-selective metathesis homocoupling of 1,3-dienes by molybdenum and tungsten monoaryloxide pyrrolide (MAP) complexes

Molybdenum or tungsten monoaryloxide pyrrolide (MAP) complexes that contain OHIPT as the aryloxide (hexaisopropylterphenoxide) are effective catalysts for homocoupling of simple (E)-1,3-dienes to give (E,Z,E)-trienes in high yield and with high Z selectivities. A vinylalkylidene MAP species was shown to have the expected syn structure in an X-ray study. MAP catalysts that contain OHMT (hexamethylterphenoxide) are relatively inefficient.     

Novel approach to multifunctionalized homoallylic alcohols via regioselective ring opening of aryl oxiranes with 3-iodo allenoates

[reaction: see text] 3-Iodo allenoates were generated in situ and utilized, for the first time, in the ring opening of oxiranes in a regioselective fashion. This simple one-pot three-component reaction protocol provides easy access to highly functionalized homoallylic alcohols in good yields and moderate to very good (Z/E) selectivity. The two functional groups (ester and halogen) can be further subjected to many synthetic transformations.     

Rhenium-catalyzed regio- and stereoselective addition of two carbon units to terminal alkynes via carbon-carbon bond cleavage of β-keto sulfones

Treatment of β-keto sulfones with terminal alkynes gave unsaturated δ-keto sulfones in good to excellent yields under rhenium catalysis. In this reaction, the insertion of the alkynes into the nonstrained carbon-carbon single bond between the α- and β-positions of the β-keto sulfones proceeded smoothly, and (Z)-isomers were produced with high regio- and stereoselectivities.     

First enantioselective synthesis of vinyl oxiranes from aldehydes and ylides generated from allyl halides and chiral sulfides

Asymmetric allylidenation of aldehydes with sulfur ylides is possible with proper substitution of the initial sulfide, to avoid the [2,3] sigmatropic rearrangement of the unsaturated ylides. One-pot reaction of (2R,5R)-dimethylthiolane with allyl halides, aldehydes, and sodium hydroxide in tert-butyl alcohol affords vinyl oxiranes in good yields. Enantiomeric excesses up to 90% and trans selectivities have been achieved with methallyl-type halides.     

(Z)-3-p-tolylsulfinylacrylonitriles as chiral dipolarophiles: reactions with diazoalkanes

[reaction: see text] The dipolarophilic reactivity of enantiopure (Z)-3-p-tolylsulfinylacrylonitriles (1) has been evaluated with diazoalkanes. 3-Cyanopyrazoles are obtained when R = H, but with R = alkyl (Bn, n-Bu, and t-Bu) only one cycloadduct (4 or 5) is formed in high yield under mild conditions, therefore evidencing a complete control of the regioselectivity and the endo/exo and pi-facial selectivities. These reactions are a new straightforward entry to the synthesis of pyrazolines and related structures and reveal the excellent dipolarophilic features of (Z)-sulfinylacrylonitriles.     

Synthesis, spectral studies, antimicrobial, antioxidant and insect antifeedant activities of some 9H-fluorene-2-yl keto-oxiranes

Thirteen ee (αS, βR) 9H-fluorene-2-yl keto-oxiranes (2-(9H)-fluorene-4-yl[3-(substituted phenyl)oxiran-2-yl]methanones) have been synthesized by phase transfer catalysed epoxidation of 9H-fluorene-2-yl chalcones. The yields of oxiranes are more than 95%. The synthesized oxiranes have been characterized by IR, (1)H, (13)C and GC-MS spectral data. The spectral data are correlated with Hammett substituent constants and Swain-Lupton parameters. From the regression analysis, the effect of substituents on the group frequencies has been predicted. The antimicrobial, antioxidant and insect antifeedant activities of all the synthesized oxiranes have been studied.