Synthesis of polylactide using a zinc complex containing (S)-N-ethyl-N-phenyl-2-pyrrolidinemethanamine

The reaction between ZnCl₂ and (S)-N-ethyl-N-phenyl-2-pyrrolidinemethanamine (S-EPP) as a chiral ligand affords [ZnCl₂(S-EPP)], whose structure has been determined by X-ray crystallography. [ZnEt₂(S-EPP)] has demonstrated high activity toward the polymerization of rac-lactide with a maximum turnover frequency (TOF) of 121. Despite the intended stereocontrol by employing a chiral ligand, however, the observed heterotacticity was limited to under 0.6. The MWDs of the PLAs were found to be modulated by changing the solvent or controlling the concentration of the monomer in the solution. The glass transition temperature (T_g) was critically dependent on the MW within the narrow MWD regime, but the dependence became significantly shallow when the MWD was broadened.     

Palladium(II) complexes with S-benzyl dithiocarbazate and S-benzyl-N-isopropylidenedithiocarbazate: Synthesis,spectroscopic properties and X-ray crystal structures

Two new palladium(II) bis(NS) chelates, bis(S-benzyl dithiocarbazato)palladium(II) (1) and bis(S-benzyl-N-isopropylidenedithiocarbazato)palladium(II) (2), have been prepared and characterized using single-crystal X-ray diffraction and spectroscopic (electronic, IR and NMR) techniques. Complex 1 has a perfectly square planar trans configuration (point group C_i), while complex 2 has a distorted square planar cis configuration.     

Synthesis of (4R,15R,16R,21S)- and (4R,15S,16S,21S)-rollicosin

A convergent synthesis of (4R,15R,16R,21S)-rollicosin (1) and (4R,15S,16S,21S)-rollicosin (2) was accomplished. Hydroxy lactone 6a and/or 6b were synthesized from 4-pentyn-1-ol, and α,β-unsaturated lactone 7 was synthesized from γ-lactone 8 and 5-hexen-1-ol. Inhibitory activity of these compounds was examined with bovine heart mitochondrial complex I.     

Biomimetically inspired total synthesis of (12S)-12-hydroxymonocerin and (12R)-12-hydroxymonocerin

A concise asymmetric total synthesis of (12S)-12-hydroxymonocerin (1) and (12R)-12-hydroxymonocerin (2) were efficiently achieved from the known 4-bromo-2,6-dimethoxyphenol. The synthetic approach was inspired by our biomimetic synthesis of (+)-monocerin (3) and 7-O-demethylmonocerin (4). The cis-fused furobenzopyranones of 1 and 2 was efficiently constructed via an intramolecular nucleophilic trapping of a quinonemethide intermediate, which was obtained by benzylic oxidation of compound 10 using 2,3-Dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (DDQ).     

Synthesis and characterization of polybinaphthalene incorporating chiral (R) or (S)-1,1′-binaphthalene and oxadiazole units by Heck reaction

Chiral conjugated polymers P-1 and P-2 were synthesized by the polymerization of (R)-3,3′-diiodo-2,2′-bisbutoxy-1,1′-binaphthalene ((R)-M-1) and (S)-3,3′-diiodo-2,2′-bisbutoxy-1,1′-binaphthalene ((S)-M-1) with 2,5-bis(4-vinylphenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole (M-2) under Pd-catalyzed Heck coupling reaction, respectively. Both monomers and polymers were analysed by NMR, MS, FT-IR, UV, DSC-TG, fluorescent spectroscopy, GPC and CD spectra. The chiral conjugated polymers exhibit strong Cotton effect in their circular dichroism (CD) spectra indicating a high rigidity of polymer backbone. CD spectra of polymers P-1 and P-2 are almost identical and have opposite signs for their position. These polymers have strong blue fluorescence.     

Synthesis of (3′R,5′S)-3′-hydroxycotinine using 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of a nitrone

To synthesize (3′R,5′S)-3′-hydroxycotinine [(+)-1], the main metabolite of nicotine (2), cycloaddition of C-(3-pyridyl)nitrones 3a, 3c, and 15 with (2R)- and (2S)-N-(acryloyl)bornane-10,2-sultam [(2R)- and (2S)-8] was examined. Among them, l-gulose-derived nitrone 15 underwent stereoselective cycloaddition with (2S)-8 to afford cycloadduct 16, which was elaborated to (+)-1.     

Synthesis and odor of optically active trans-2,2,6-trimethylcyclohexyl methyl ketones and their related compounds

The synthesis characterized by cationic olefin cyclizations accomplished using ketone enol esters and odor of novel (1R,6S)- and (1S,6R)-2,2,6-trimethylcyclohexyl methyl ketones (5) are described. The stereoselective syntheses of (E)-(1R,6S)- and (E)-(1S,6R)-1-(2,2,6-trimethylcyclohexyl)-2-buten-1-one (6) and (1R,6S)-ethyl 2,2,6-trimethylcyclohexylcarboxylate (7), useful raw materials for flavor and fragrance, starting from the (1R,6S)- and (1S,6R)-5 are also described.     

Dimolybdenum complexes containing anions of N,N′-bis(pyrimidine-2-yl)formamidine and N-(2-pyrimidinyl)formamide

The reactions of Mo₂(O₂CCH₃)₄ with different equivalents of N,N′-bis(pyrimidine-2-yl)formamidine (HL1) and N-(2-pyrimidinyl)formamide (HL2) afforded dimolybdenum complexes of the types Mo₂(O₂CCH₃)(L1)₂(L2) (1) trans-Mo₂(L1)₂(L2)₂ (2) cis-Mo₂(L1)₂(L2)₂ (3) and Mo₂(L2)₄ (4). Their UV–Vis and NMR spectra have been recorded and their structures determined by X-ray crystallography. Complexes 2 and 3 establish the first pair of trans and cis forms of dimolybdenum complexes containing formamidinate ligands. The L1 ligands in 1–3 are bridged to the metal centers through two central amine nitrogen atoms, while the L2 ligands in 1–4 are bridged to the metal centers via one pyrimidyl nitrogen atom and the amine nitrogen atom. The Mo–Mo distances of complexes 1 [2.0951(17) Å], 2 [2.103(1) Å] and 3 [2.1017(3) Å], which contain both Mo?N and Mo?O axial interactions, are slightly longer than those of complex 4 [2.0826(12)–2.0866(10) Å] which has only Mo?O interactions.     

Syntheses and structures of iron carbonyl complexes derived from N-(5-methyl-2-thienylmethylidene)-2-thiolethylamine and N-(6-methyl-2-pyridylmethylidene)-2-thiolethylamine

The reaction of N-(5-methyl-2-thienylmethylidene)-2-thiolethylamine (1) with Fe₂(CO)₉ in refluxing acetonitrile yielded di-(μ₃-thia)nonacarbonyltriiron (2), μ-[N-(5-methyl-2-thienylmethyl)-η¹:η¹(N);η¹:η¹(S)-2-thiolatoethylamido]hexacarbonyldiiron (3), and N-(5-methyl-2-thienylmethylidene)amine (4). If the reaction was carried out at 45 °C, di-μ-[N-(5-methyl-2-thienylmethylidene)-η¹(N);η¹(S)-2-thiolethylamino]-μ-carbonyl-tetracarbonyldiiron (5) and trace amount of 4 were obtained. Stirring 5 in refluxing acetonitrile led to the thermal decomposition of 5, and ligand 1 was recovered quantitatively. However, in the presence of excess amount of Fe₂(CO)₉ in refluxing acetonitrile, complex 5 was converted into 2-4. On the other hand, the reaction of N-(6-methyl-2-pyridylmethylidene)-2-thiolethylamine (6) with Fe₂(CO)₉ in refluxing acetonitrile produced 2, μ-[N-(6-methyl-2-pyridylmethyl)-η¹ (N_py);η¹:η¹(N); η¹:η¹(S)-2-thiolatoethylamido]pentacarbonyldiiron (7), and μ-[N-(6-methyl-2-pyridylmethylidene)-η²(C,N);η¹:η¹(S)-2- thiolethylamino]hexacarbonyldiiron (8). Reactions of both complex 7 and 8 with NOBF₄ gave μ-[(6-methyl-2-pyridylmethyl)-η¹(N_py);η¹:η¹(N);η¹:η¹(S)-2-thiolatoethylamido](acetonitrile)tricarbonylnitrosyldiiron (9). These reaction products were well characterized spectrally. The molecular structures of complexes 3, 7-9 have been determined by means of X-ray diffraction. Intramolecular 1,5-hydrogen shift from the thiol to the methine carbon was observed in complexes 3, 7, and 9.     

Cyclopalladated complexes with N-(benzoyl)-N-(2,4-dimethoxybenzylidene)hydrazine: syntheses, characterization and structural studies

Cyclopalladated complexes with the Schiff base N-(benzoyl)-N^′-(2,4-dimethoxybenzylidene)hydrazine (H₂L, 1) have been described. The reaction of 1 with Li₂[PdCl₄] in methanol yields the complex [Pd(HL)Cl] (2). [Pd(HL)(CH₃CN)Cl] (3) has been prepared by dissolving 2 in acetonitrile. In methanol-acetonitrile mixture, treatment of 2 with two mole equivalents of PPh₃ produces [PdL(PPh₃)] (4) and that with one mole equivalent of PPh₃ produces [Pd(HL)(PPh₃)Cl] (5). Crystallization of 2 from dmso-d₆ results into isolation of [Pd(HL)((CD₃)₂SO)Cl] (6). In 2, the monoanionic ligand (HL⁻) is C,N,O-donor and the Cl-atom is trans to the azomethine N-atom. In 3, 5 and 6, HL⁻ is C,N-donor and the Cl-atom is trans to the metallated C-atom. The remaining fourth coordination site is occupied by the N-atom of CH₃CN, the P-atom of PPh₃ and the S-atom of (CD₃)₂SO in 3, 5 and 6, respectively. Thus on dissolution in acetonitrile and dmso and in reaction with stoichiometric PPh₃ the incoming ligand imposes a rearrangement of the coordinating atoms on the palladium centre. On the other hand, in presence of excess PPh₃ deprotonation of the amide functionality in 2 occurs and the Cl-atom is replaced by the P-atom of PPh₃ to form 4. Here the dianionic ligand (L²⁻) remains C,N,O-donor as in 2. The compounds have been characterized with the help of elemental analysis (C, H, N), infrared, ¹H NMR and electronic absorption spectroscopy. Molecular structures of 3, 4, and 6 have been determined by X-ray crystallography.     

Synthesis characterization and X-ray crystal structures of cis-1,4-diaminocyclohexane-platinum(II) nucleobase adducts

Platinum complexes of the type [Pt(cis-1,4-DACH)(L)₂]X, where cis-1,4-DACH = cis-1,4-diaminocyclohexane; L = adenine (ade) (1), hypoxanthine (hyp) (2), 9-methylguanine (9-megua) (3), cytosine (cyt) (4), or 1-methylcytosine (1-mecyt) (5); and X = SO₄ or Cl₂ groups, were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis and by ¹H, ¹³C, and ¹⁹⁵Pt nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The crystals of [Pt(cis-1,4-DACH)(9-megua)₂]SO₄[9-megua-H]₂SO₄ (3) and [Pt(cis-1,4-DACH)(1-mecyt)₂]Cl₂ · 6H₂O (5) were also subjected to single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The base/PtN4 coordination plane dihedral angles were 74.55° and 85.61° in complex 3 and 78.12° and 81.80° in complex 5. The platinum had distorted square planar geometry in both complexes; the two adjacent corners were occupied by the two nitrogen atoms of cis-1,4-DACH, and the other two corners were occupied by the two N7 atoms of 9-megua in complex 3 and the two N3 atoms of 1-mecyt in complex 5. The cis-1,4-DACH, which has a unique twist-boat configuration, formed a seven-member chelating ring with platinum, which led to considerable strain during bidentate cis-1,4-DACH binding. Cations of both complexes 3 and 5 adopted C₂ molecular symmetry. These adducts were the models for the intrastand cross-links that were relevant to the binding of the Pt(II) antitumor drugs to DNA.     

Chiral self-assembly of triorganotin complexes: Syntheses, characterization, crystal structures and antitumor activity of organotin(IV) complexes containing (R)-(+)-methylsuccinic acid, (S)-(+)-methylglutaric acid and l-(−)-malic acid ligands

Six new chiral triorganotin(IV) complexes, {(R₃Sn)₂[C₃H₆(COO)₂]}_n (R = Me: 1; Bu: 2), {(R₃Sn)₂[C₄H₈(COO)₂]}_n (R = Me: 3; Bu: 4), and {(R₃Sn)₂[C₂H₄O(COO)₂]}_n (R = Me: 5; Bu: 6) have been prepared by treatment of (R)-(+)-methylsuccinic acid, (S)-(+)-methylglutaric acid and l-(−)-malic acid, with the corresponding R₃SnCl (R = Me, Bu) and sodium ethoxide in methanol. All the complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, NMR (¹H, ¹³C, ¹¹⁹Sn) spectroscopy and TGA. Except for 3, all of the complexes were also characterized by X-ray crystallography. The structural analyses reveal that complexes 1 and 5 have 2D network structures in which (R)-(+)-methylsuccinic acid and l-(−)-malic acid act as tetradentate ligands coordinated to trimethyltin(IV) ions. Complexes 2 and 4 have 3D metal-organic framework structures in which the deprotoned acids serve as tetradentate ligands. Complex 6 adopts a 1D zigzag chain structure and forms a 2D supramolecular framework through intermolecular C-H?O interactions. In addition, the antitumor activities of complexes 1-6 have been studied. We also have measured the specific rotation of the chiral dicarboxylic acids and the organotin derivatives.     

Synthesis of (S)-2-amino-7-methoxytetralin and isoindolo[1,2-a]isoquinolinone derivatives from l-aspartic acid

This paper describes a new total synthesis for (S)-2-amino-7-methoxytetralin, (S)-7-MeO-AT, from l-aspartic acid in an overall yield of 10% over nine steps. The major loss was ascribed to a key intramolecular Friedel–Crafts cyclization step, which afforded up to 36% yield. Attempts to perform a Friedel–Crafts cyclization of an intermediate phthalimide protected amino alcohol 13 did not give the desired protected (S)-7-MeO-AT. On the other hand, two new isoindolo[1,2-a]isoquinolinone derivatives 14 and 15, were isolated in 21 and 11% yield, respectively. The yield of 15 was improved to 70%.     

Influence of multidentate N-donor ligands on highly electrophilic zinc initiator for the ring-opening polymerization of epoxides

A set of multidentate ligands have been synthesized and used to stabilize the putative highly electrophilic zinc species initiating ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of cyclohexene oxide (CHO) and propylene oxide (PO). Reaction of the bidentate C₂-chiral bis(oxazoline) ligand (^R2,R3BOX: R₂ = (4S)-tBu, R₃ = H (a); R₂ = (4S)-Ph, R₃ = H (b); R₂ = (4R)-Ph, R₃ = (5S)-Ph (c)) with Zn(R₁)₂ (R₁ = Et (1), Me (2)) led to the heteroleptic three-coordinate complexes (^R2,R3BOX)ZnR₁, 1a-c and 2a, which were isolated in 92-96% yield. Next, two pyridinyl-functionalized N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands have been designed and synthesized: the 1,3-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)imidazolinium salt (d) and the protected NHC adduct 2-(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorophenyl)-1,3-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)imidazolidine (e). The reaction of ligands d and e with ZnEt₂ led directly to the formation of (NHC)ZnEt(Cl) 3d complex with ethane elimination and the adduct (NHC-C₆F₅(H))ZnEt₂4e, respectively, in high yield. In situ combinations of selected complexes 1a-c, 3d and 4e with B(C₆F₅)₃ (1 or 2 equivalents) give active systems for ROP, with high productivity (3.3-5.9 10⁶ g_polym. mol_Zn⁻¹ h⁻¹) and high molecular weight (M_n up to 132 10³ g mol⁻¹) for CHO polymerization. Although the in situ B(C₆F₅)₃-activated zinc species were not isolated, the sterically demanding BOX ligands (1c > 1b > 1a) and functionalized NHC ligands seem to enhance the stability of highly electrophilic zinc complexes over ligand redistribution, allowing a better control of the cationic ROP as reflected particularly for 3d and 4e complexes by their respective efficiency (42-88%).     

Endo and exo cyclometallated iron carbonyl complexes derived from N-(N′-methyl-2-pyrrolylmethylidene)-2-thienylmethylamine

The reaction of N-(N′-methyl-2-pyrrolylmethylidene)-2-thienylmethylamine (1) with Fe₂(CO)₉ in refluxing toluene gives endo cyclometallated iron carbonyl complexes 2 and 5, exo cyclometallated iron carbonyl complex 3, and unexpected iron carbonyl complex 4. Complexes 2, 3, and 5 are geometric isomers. Complex 5 differs from complex 2 in the switch of the original substituent from α to β position of the pyrrolyl ring, and the pyrrolyl ring bridges to the diiron centers in μ-(3,2-η¹:η²) coordination mode in stead of μ-(2,3-η¹:η²). In complex 4, the pyrrolyl moiety of the original ligand 1 has been displaced by a thienyl group, which comes from the same ligand. Single crystals of 2, 3, and 5 were subjected to the X-ray diffraction analysis. The major product 2 undergoes: (i) thermolysis to recover the original ligand 1; (ii) reduction to form a hydrogenation product, 6, of the original ligand; (iii) substitution to form a monophosphine-substituted complex 7; (iv) chemical as well as electrochemical oxidation to produce a carbonylation product, γ-butyrolactam 8.     

Analysis of European oak bark beetle (Scolytus intricatus) extracts using hyphenated and chiral chromatography techniques

Two bioactive compounds, viz. 4-methylheptan-3-ol (I) and 4-methylheptan-3-one (II) have been identified in European oak bark beetle (Scolytus intricatus) extracts by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometric and electroantennographic detector systems. Further examination of these compounds using gas chromatography on chiral stationary phases, as well as a comparison with optically active standards proved the absolute configuration of the identified compounds to be (3R,4S)-I and (S)-II. The discovery of (3R,4S)-I and (S)-II as insect-produced compounds in both sexes of S. intricatus constitutes the first reported occurrence in this species.     

Silicon-carbon unsaturated compounds. 73. Photolysis of cis- and trans-1,2-dimethyl-1,2-diphenyl-1,2-disilacyclohexane in the presence of tert-butyl alcohol and acetone

Irradiation of cis-1,2-dimethyl-1,2-diphenyl-1,2-disilacyclohexane (1a) in the presence of tert-butyl alcohol in hexane with a low-pressure mercury lamp bearing a Vycor filter proceeded with high stereospecificity to give cis-2,3-benzo-1-tert-butoxy-1,4-dimethyl-4-phenyl-1,4-disilacyclooct-2-ene (2a), in 33% isolated yield, together with a 15% yield of 1-[(tert-butoxy)methylphenylsilyl]-4-(methylphenylsilyl)butane (3). The photolysis of trans-1,2-dimethyl-1,2-diphenyl-1,2-disilacyclohexane (1b) with tert-butyl alcohol under the same conditions gave stereospecifically trans-2,3-benzo-1-tert-butoxy-1,4-dimethyl-4-phenyl-1,4-disilacyclooct-2-ene (2b) in 41% isolated yield, along with a 12% yield of 3. Similar photolysis of 1a and 1b with tert-butyl alcohol-d₁ produced 2a and 2b, respectively, in addition to 1-[(tert-butoxy)(monodeuteriomethyl)(phenyl)silyl]-4-(methylphenylsilyl)butane. When 1a and 1b were photolyzed with acetone in a hexane solution, cis- and trans-2,3-benzo-1-isopropoxy-1,4-dimethyl-4-phenyl-1,4-disilacyclooct-2-ene (4a and 4b) were obtained in 25% and 23% isolated yield. In both photolyses, 1-(hydroxymethylphenylsilyl)-4-(methylphenylsilyl)butane (5) was also isolated in 4% and 5% yield, respectively. The photolysis of 1a with acetone-d₆ under the same conditions gave 4a-d₆ and 5-d₁ in 18% and 4% yields.     

A new route to thiopyran S,S-dioxide derivatives via an overall ring-enlargement protocol from 3-nitrothiophene

(1E,3Z)-1-Aryl-4-methanesulfonyl-2-nitro-1,3-butadienes (8), derived from the initial ring-opening of 3-nitrothiophene (5), have been found to undergo a facile base-induced cyclization leading to thiopyran S,S-dioxides (9), thus furnishing a further example of effective ring-enlargement from 5- to 6-membered sulfur heterocycles. Compounds 9 are obtained as single racemic mixtures in satisfactory yields; they still contain a nitrovinylic moiety, which can be exploited for further modifications targeted to new derivatives endowed with either synthetic or pharmacological potentialities e.g., in the field of L-type Ca²⁺-channel blockers.