Fluorinated epoxides: 6. Chemoselectivity in the preparation of 2-[(heptafluoroisopropyl)methyl]oxirane from iodoacetate and iodohydrin precursors

Fluorinated iodoacetate (CF₃)₂CFCH₂CHICH₂OAc (1) (prepared by radical addition of perfluoroisopropyl iodide to allyl acetate) and fluorinated iodohydrin (CF₃)₂CFCH₂CHICH₂OH (2) (prepared from 1) were converted to the corresponding perfluoroalkylated oxirane (CF₃)₂CFCH₂CH(O)CH₂ (3) in the yield of 62%. The chemoselectivity of the oxirane formation appeared to be strongly dependent on the starting compound 1 or 2 and solvent used. Byproducts (CF₃)₂CFCHCHCH₂OH (4) and (CF₃)₂CFCHCHCH₂OAc (5) can form a major part of the products in the formation of epoxide 3.     

Lewis acid-promoted reactions of ethenetricarboxylates with γ-CF3-substituted propargyl alcohols

The Lewis acid-promoted reaction of an ethenetricarboxylate derivative (1) with CF₃-substituted propargyl alcohols has been examined. Reaction of γ-CF₃ propargyl alcohols in the presence of zinc bromide gave five-membered CF₃-containing tetrahydrofurans in 66-85% yield. The CF₃ group activates alkyne as an electron-withdrawing group. On the other hand, reaction of γ-trifluoromethyl-α-aryl propargyl alcohols 2 with 1 in the presence of 1 equiv of SnCl₄ gave cyclobutane derivatives 6 in 29-49% yield. Formation of cyclobutane 6a arises from the [2+2] cycloaddition between ethenetricarboxylate 1 and chloroallene 8, which is produced by the reaction of propargyl alcohol 2a and SnCl₄.     

EPR studies on regio-selective H-abstraction by “magic blue” reagent from polymers

The radical reactions of polyolefin and olefin copolymers (4-9), polydienes and diene coplymers (10-15), and polysiloxane (16) with “magic blue” reagent containing H-abstracting agent-bis{perfluoro-1-[1-(2-fluorosulfonyl)ethoxy]ethyl}nitroxide [FSO₂CF₂CF₂OCF(CF₃)]₂N(O) (2)and spin trap-perfluoro-1-nitroso-[1-(2-fluoro-sulfonyl)ethoxy]ethane FSO₂CF₂CF₂OCF(CF₃)NO (3) were studied by EPR detection of the spin adducts of the corresponding polymeric radicals generated in the H-abstraction step to the spin trap 3, namely, the nitroxides FSO₂CF₂CF₂OCF(CF₃)N(O) (polymer-H) 17-29. EPR studies have provided information about the regio-selectivity of H-abstraction, the subsequent radical steps followed H-abstraction and grounded a possibility of employing “magic blue” reagent in polymer modification via H-abstraction-initiated grafting polymerization.     

Synthesis of redox-active biscalix[4]quinones and their electrochemical properties

Biscalix[4]arenes, 7 and 8, have been synthesized by a one-pot coupling method and a stepwise approach, respectively. One-pot reaction in a pressurized vessel resulted in the symmetric biscalix[4]arene 7 in high yield. Oxidation of compounds 7 and 8 by Tl(CO₂CF₃)₃ in CF₃COOH yielded biscalix[4]quinones, 9 and 10, respectively. Preliminary electrochemical studies by cyclic voltammetry of 9 and 10 show significant changes of their voltammograms upon addition of Na⁺.     

Sodium dithionite initiated fluoroalkylation of trimethoxybenzenes, mesitylene and pyrroles with BrCF2CF2Br

Sodium dithionite initiated reaction of 1,2-dibromotetrafluoroethane with 1,3,5-trimethoxybenzene (1a) in an acetonitrile-water mixture proceeded efficiently at ambient temperature to give 1-(2-bromotetrafluoroethyl)-2,4,6-trimethoxybenzene (2) almost quantitatively. Similar reaction with 1,2,3-trimethoxybenzene (1b) gave only reasonable yield of regioisomers of (2-bromotetrafluoroethyl)-trimethoxybenzenes 3 and 4 and small amount of a substitution product of the central trimethoxy group, 1-(2-bromotetrafluoroethyl)-2,6-dimethoxybenzene (5). The reaction with mesitylene (6) gave complex mixtures from which, depending on the temperature and a mesitylene/BrCF₂CF₂Br ratio, the expected (2-bromotetrafluoroethyl)mesitylene (8) or a dimeric product, 4,4′-bis(2-bromo-1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethyl)-1,3,5,1′,3′,5′-hexamethylbicyclohexyl-2,5,2′,5′-tetraene (7), were isolated in a yield of 18 and 13%, respectively. The reactions of BrCF₂CF₂Br with pyrrole (9) and 1-methylpyrrole (11) gave the respective alkylated compounds, 2-(2-bromotetrafluoroethyl)pyrrole (10) and 2-(2-bromotetrafluoroethyl)-1-methylpyrrole (12) in over 70% yields; the former was found to be fairly unstable. The reactivity of the terminal bromine atom in 1-(2-bromotetrafluoroethyl)-2,4,6-trimethoxybenzene (2) was also investigated.     

Synthesis and repellent properties of vinylidene fluoride-containing polyacrylates

Fluorinated polyacrylats with side group containing vinylidene fluoride (VDF) units (CF₃(CF₂)_n (CH₂CF₂)_m, n = 3, 5; m = 1, 2) were successfully synthesized. The water and oil repellency properties of these polymers are similar to those of fluorinated polyacrylate with side group containing long perfluorooctyl group (CF₃(CF₂)₇). The thermal telomerization of CF₃(CF₂)₅I and CF₃(CF₂)₃I with vinylidene fluoride (VDF) provided CF₃(CF₂)₅CH₂CF₂I (1b) and CF₃(CF₂)₃CH₂CF₂CH₂CF₂I (1c), respectively. The addition of 1b with ethylene followed by hydrolysis gave CF₃(CF₂)₅CH₂CF₂CH₂CH₂OH (2b). Treatment of 1c with ethyl vinyl ether in the presence of Na₂S₂O₄ followed by reduction produced CF₃(CF₂)₃CH₂CF₂CH₂CF₂CH₂CH₂OH (2c). Fluoroacrylates 3b-d were prepared by acrylation of the corresponding fluoroalcohols 2b-d. The semi-continuous process emulsion co-polymerization of 3a-d with octadecyl acrylate and 2-hydroxylethyl acrylate initiated by (NH₄)₂S₂O₈ in the presence of a mixture emulsifiers of polyoxyethylene(10)nonyl phenyl ether (TX-10) and sodium lauryl sulfate provided stable latexes 4a-d, respectively. The water and oil repellency properties of 4b (R_f: CF₃(CF₂)₅CH₂CF₂) and 4c (R_f: CF₃(CF₂)₃CH₂CF₂CH₂CF₂) containing vinylidene fluoride (VDF) units were similar to those of 4a (R_f: CF₃(CF₂)₇) containing long perfluoroalkyl group and much better than those of polymer 4d (R_f: CF₃(CF₂)₃) with short perfluoroalkyl chain. Thus, polyacrylates containing vinylidene fluoride units showed promising aspects as the alternatives to the currently used water and oil repellent agents with long perfluoroalkyl chains.     

Perfluoro-4-methyl-1,3-dioxole: a new monomer for high-Tg amorphous fluoropolymers

A 4-Chloro-5-trifluoromethyl-2,2,4-trifluoro-1,3-dioxolane (1) was synthesised by reaction of CF₂(OF)₂ with CF₃CHCFCl; the elimination of HCl from (1) in basic conditions led to the formation of dioxole perfluoro-4-methyl-1,3-dioxole (2). Both these synthetic steps gave the corresponding product in high yield.A new synthetic route for the preparation of CF₃CHCFCl, starting from CF₂ClBr and CH₂CF₂, together with some examples of polymerisation products obtained by reaction of dioxole (2) with fluoroolefins are also reported.     

New aromatic pentafluoro-λ-sulfanyl (SF5) derivatives, m-SF5(CF2)2C6H4X: (X = N3, Br, OC(O)CHCH2, CHCH2)

Preparation of the following new m-SF₅CF₂CF₂C₆H₄X derivatives has been achieved: X=N₃(2), Br(3), OC(O)CHCH₂(4), CHCH₂(5). The compounds were characterized by their respective IR, NMR, mass spectra (MS) and high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). An improved yield of SF₅(CF₂)₂C₆H₅ (1) is also reported along with the synthesis of the polyacrylate (6) and polystyrene (7) from their respective monomers.     

Synthesis and structural characterisation of gallium and indium fluoroalkoxide ‘ate’ complexes

The treatment of InCl₃ with MOCH(CF₃)₂ (M = Li, Na, K) in a 1:6 stoichiometry, followed by recrystallisation results in the formation of the bimetallic “ate” complexes [Na₃In(OCH(CF₃)₂)₆(THF)₃] (2) and [Li₃In(OCH(CF₃)₂)₆(THF)₃] (5) from hexane, and [K₃In(OCH(CF₃)₂)₆]_n (4) from a THF and toluene mixture. If a 1:3 stoichiometry is used chloride containing compounds [Na₂InCl(OCH(CF₃)₂)₄(THF)₄] (1) and [KInCl₂ (OCH(CF₃)₂)₂(THF)₃]_n · THF (3) are obtained on recrystallisation from hexane. Treatment of GaCl₃ with 6 equivalents of LiOC(CH₃)₂CF₃ gives [LiGa(OC(CH₃)₂CF₃)₄(THF)₂] (6) on recrystallisation from hexane. The protolysis reaction between In(N(SiMe₃)₂)₃, formed in situ from (Me₃Si)₂NH, ⁿBuLi and Incl₃, and HOCH(CH₃)CF₃ results in isolation of [LiIn(OCH(CH₃)CF₃)₃Bu]₂ (7) from hexane. The structures of 2, 4, and 5 all contain the tetranuclear core InO₆M₃. Compounds 1 and 3 have residual chloride; 1 is a trinuclear species with two THF ligands per Na, while 3 is a linear polymer. Compound 6 has a GaO₂Li four-membered parallelogram at its core. Complex 7 has a tetranuclear In₂O₆Li₂ core and an unexpected ⁿBu group on the In atoms. The coordination spheres of the alkali metals in 1-6 include solvated THF while 1-5 display additional close M?F interactions.     

Reductive alkylation of perfluorocarboxylic acid esters with CCl3F or CCl4 and synthesis of higher linear perfluoroketones

Barbier-type reductive alkylation of perfluorocarboxylic acid esters (I) with CFCl₃ and activated Al was successfully performed to give α,α-dichloroperfluoroketones (II). A similar reaction of CF₃COOEt with CCl₄ and Al provided a convenient synthesis of CF₃COCCl₃. Ketones (II) were fluorinated further with SbF₅ to form higher linear perfluoroketones (IX). An alternative approach to the synthesis of ketones (IX) was proposed by reductive perfluoroalkylation of esters (I) under the action of R_FI and Al.     

Structural diversity in the self-assembly of Ag(I) complexes containing 2-amino-5-halopyrimidine

A series of Ag(I) complexes containing the 2-amino-5-halopyrimidine ligands have been synthesized and their structures characterized by X-ray crystallography. The isomorphous complexes Ag(L-Cl)₂(CF₃SO₃) (L-Cl = 2-amino-5-chloropyrimidine), 1, and Ag(L-Br)₂(CF₃SO₃) (L-Br = 2-amino-5-bromopyrimidine), 2, are mononuclear, while [Ag(L-Br)(CF₃SO₃)]₆·6C₄H₁₀O, 3, and [Ag(L-I)(CF₃SO₃)]₆ (L-I = 2-amino-5-iodopyrimidine), 4, show cyclic self-assembly of six Ag(Ι) atoms and six L-X ligands, resulting in 24-membered metallocycles. The complex [Ag(L-I)(CF₃SO₃)]_∞, 5, forms 1D zigzag chains which are linked through C-I?Ag and Ag?O interactions to form a 3D structure. The tetranuclear complexes [Ag(L-X)(NO₃)]₄ [X = Cl, 6; Br, 7] form 16-membered metallocycles, while [Ag(L-X)(ClO₄)]_∞ [X = Cl, 8; Br, 9] exhibit helical chains. The different structure of 5 from 1 and 2 appears to be due to the stronger nucleophilic character of the iodine atom. In these complexes, the relatively smaller NO₃⁻ anions lead to the formation of tetranuclear metallocycles and the larger CF₃SO₃⁻ anions support the hexanuclear metallocycles, whereas the ClO₄⁻ anions induce the helical chains.     

Fluorous modification of 2,2′-bipyridine

A series of 2,2′-bipyridines featuring fluorinated alkyl groups [(CH₂)₃(CF₂)_xCF₃: x = 0, (1); 5, (2); 7, (3); 9 (4)] appended in the 4 and 4′ positions have been prepared. 1-4 were characterized by spectroscopy and physical methods including partition coefficient (biphase: perfluoromethylcyclohexane/toluene) and cyclic voltammetry (THF). Ab-initio calculations of vertical ionization potentials (VIPs) for 1-4 confirm the insulating role of the methylene spacers as the electrochemical reduction potentials of 1-4 are almost identical to that of 2,2′-bipyridine. Calculations for (CH₂)_nCF₃ derivatives (n = 0-10) describe a limit for impact of the CF₃ group through 9-10 methylenes. From both physical and theoretical data fluorinated alkyl groups of the formula (CH₂)₃(CF₂)_xCF₃ [x = 0-9] are inductively equivalent to a hydrogen substituent when appended to the bipyridine moiety.     

Synthesis of trifluoromethylated heterocycles using partially fluorinated epoxides

Reaction of 2-trifluoromethyl- (1) and 2,2-bis(trifluoromethyl)- (2) oxiranes with a variety of sulfur nucleophiles proceeds rapidly and under mild conditions. For example, epoxide 2 reacts with aqueous solution of Na₂S, producing S[CH₂C(CF₃)₂OH]₂. Reaction of 2 with Na₂S₂O₃ leads to the formation of the corresponding Bunte salt. Interaction of 2 with NaSCN in water proceeds exothermically and results in high-yield formation of cyclic imine 5. Although this material can be isolated, it has limited stability and undergoes cyclotrimerization at ambient temperature, giving the corresponding 1,3,5-triazine. A number of heterocyclic compounds containing pendant -CH₂C(CF₃)₂OH group were prepared by the reaction of the corresponding thio-derivatives, such as pyridine-2-thiole with epoxide 2. It was found that fluoride anion catalyzes the reaction of epoxides 1 and 2 with isothiocyanates carrying electron withdrawing groups at nitrogen. The reaction results in nucleophilic cyclization and formation of the corresponding exocyclic imines containing a 1,3-oxothiolane moiety. Carbon disulfide was also found to be active in this process, reacting with epoxides 1 and 2 at ambient to give the corresponding trifluoromethylated 1,3-oxathiolane-2-thiones in 58-65% yield.     

Reactivity of thiophosphinous acid bound to ruthenium

The thiophosphinous acid coordinated to ruthenium through the phosphorus atom in [CpRu(PPh₃)₂(PH₂SH)]CF₃SO₃ (1) is deprotonated in the presence of proton sponge to yield the neutral compound [CpRu(PPh₃)₂(PH₂S)] (2), where the thiophosphinite, PH₂S⁻, anion remains bound to the metal through the phosphorus atom. The parent complex 1 is easily restored in the presence of a weak acid. The sulfur of the coordinated anion may be alkylated with CF₃SO₃Me to yield [CpRu(PPh₃)₂(PH₂SCH₃)]CF₃SO₃ (3), the methyl thioester of the acid being bound to ruthenium through the phosphorus. The new compounds have been characterized by elemental analyses, IR and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy. The crystal structure of 2 · CH₃CN has been determined by X-ray diffraction methods.     

Greener fluorous chemistry: Convenient preparation of new types of ‘CF3-rich’ secondary alkyl mesylates and their use for the synthesis of azides, amines, imidazoles and imidazolium salts

2,2,2-Trifluoroethanol, 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol, and nonafluoro-tert-butyl alcohol were used as precursors for the preparation of the appropriate bis(polyfluoroalkoxymethyl)carbinols [(R_FHOCH₂)₂CHOH, 1a-c, R_FH = (a) CF₃CH₂, (b) (CF₃)₂CH, and (c) (CF₃)₃C] and the corresponding mesylates [(R_FHOCH₂)₂CHOSO₂CH₃, 2a-c]. This novel design paradigm is introduced to eliminate the persistence and bioaccumulation problems of fluorous chemistry, which are associated with the use of longer linear perfluoroalkyl groups (e.g. R_fn ≥ n-C₈F₁₇, n-C₇F₁₅). Secondary mesylates 2a,b and the primary tosylate [(CF₃)₃COCH₂CH₂OTs, 2d] displayed acceptable reactivity towards azide and imidazole nucleophiles to allow the syntheses of novel fluorous azides, which on hydrogenolysis with H₂/Pd-C offered fluorous amines [(R_FHOCH₂)₂CHNH₂, 8a,b], and 1-(polyfluoroalkyl)imidazoles (5a,b,d), respectively, while 2c showed no reactivity due to steric hindrance. The reaction of 8a,b with formaline, glyoxal and hydrochloric acid gave symmetrical 1,3-dialkylated imidazolium chlorides (9a,b), while 5a,b,d were effectively alkylated using n-C₈F₁₇(CH₂)₃I, methyl iodide, 2-bromoethanol, and 2d to yield the corresponding 1,3-dialkylimidazolium iodides, bromides, and tosylates (7aa-ec). Some physical properties of new compounds including mp, bp and solubility patterns were also analyzed; and the fluorophilicity values of 1a-c, and 2a-c were experimentally determined by GC and/or ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopy.     

Partial hydrogenation of substituted pyridines and quinolines: a crucial role of the reaction conditions

Hydrogenation of pyridyl and quinolyl compounds 2-substituted with a carbonyl group (1a-c and 2b,c) using PtO₂ and 1 equiv. of HCl (conditions A) provides clean and total formation of the desired amino alcohol (hydrogenation of the heterocyclic ring and of the carbonyl) while under conditions B₁ and/or B₂ (concentrated HCl or pure CF₃CO₂H) the heterocyclic ring remains untouched and other aromatic parts are hydrogenated providing complex mixtures. When the heterocyclic ring is substituted by an alkyl group (quinaldine 3) conditions A provide mixtures while under conditions B₂ (pure CF₃CO₂H) the benzene ring is cleanly hydrogenated leading to a pure product.     

Anion dependent formation of Ag(I) complexes of multidentate azine ligands: Synthesis and structural study

The extended structures of Ag-complexes of the azine based ligands phenyl-2-pyridyl ketone azine (L₁) and di-2-pyridyl ketone azine (L₂) are reported, and focus is made on the investigation of the influence of the anion and supramolecular interactions on the self-assembly. Using AgNO₃, AgClO₄ and CF₃COOAg salts as starting materials for both ligands in acetonitrile, we observed the formation of the dinuclear complexes [Ag₂(L₁)₂](NO₃)₂ (1a), [Ag₂(L₁)₂](ClO₄)₂ (1b), from L₁, the tetranuclear complexes [Ag₄(L₂)₂ (NO₃)(CH₃CN)₂](NO₃)₃ (2a), [Ag₄(L₂)₂(CF₃COO)₃CH₃CN](CF₃COO) (2b) and the linear chain polynuclear complex {[Ag₃(L₂)₂] (ClO₄)₃}_n (3) from L₂. The X-ray structures show that the molecular geometry depends on the choice of anion. The silver centers have distorted tetrahedral coordination geometry in all the complexes. Weak hydrogen bonding and other interactions result in 2-D and 3-D networks in these complexes.     

Synthesis and crystal structures of new palladium catalysts for the hydromethoxycarbonylation of alkenes

The preparation and structural characterization of dimeric Pd(I)-Pd(I) complex [Pd₂{(PPh₃)(OSO₂CF₃)}₂].CH₂Cl₂ (1) and three palladium center [Pd₃{(PPh₃)(OSO₂CF₃)}₂] (2) and [Pd₃(PPh₃)₄](SO3CF₃)₂ (3) complexes are reported. The complexes exhibit coordination in which the phosphine phenyl ring is used to stabilize Pd(I) centers in (1) and, Pd(I) and Pd(0) centers in (2) and (3) by acting as π electron donors. The complexes were characterized by single crystal X-ray crystallography.     

Dicationic triple-decker complexes with a bridging boratabenzene ligand

New dicationic triple-decker complexes with a bridging boratabenzene ligand [Cp*Fe(μ-η:η-C₅H₅BMe)ML]X₂ (ML=CoCp*, 6(CF₃SO₃)₂; RhCp, 7(BF₄)₂; IrCp, 8(CF₃SO₃)₂; Ru(η-C₆H₆), 9(CF₃SO₃)₂; Ru(η-C₆H₃Me₃-1,3,5), 10(CF₃SO₃)₂; Ru(η-C₆Me₆), 11(CF₃SO₃)₂) were synthesized by stacking reactions of Cp*Fe(η-C₅H₅BMe) (2) with the corresponding half-sandwich fragments [ML]²⁺. The structure of 10(CF₃SO₃)₂ was determined by X-ray diffraction study.     

Pentamethylcyclopentadienyl rhodium(III) trifluorovinyl phosphine complexes and attempted intramolecular dehydrofluorinative coupling of pentamethylcyclopentadienyl and trifluorovinyl phosphine ligands

The trifluorovinyl phosphine complexes [Cp*RhCl₂{PR_3−x(CFCF₂)_x}] (1x = 1, a R = Ph, b Prⁱ, c Et; 2x = 2, R = Ph) have been prepared by treatment of [Cp*RhCl(μ-Cl)]₂ with the relevant phosphine. The salt [Cp*RhCl(CNBu^t){PPh₂(CFCF₂)}]BF₄, 3, was prepared by addition of Bu^tNC to 1a in the presence of NaBF₄. The salt [Cp*RhCl{κP,κS-(CF₂CF)PPh(C₆H₄SMe-2)}]BF₄ was prepared as a mixture of cis (5a) and trans (5b) isomers by treatment of [Cp*RhCl(μ-Cl)]₂ with the phosphine-thioether (CF₂CF)PPh(C₆H₄SMe-2), 4, in the presence of NaBF₄. The structures of 1a-c and 5a have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Intramolecular dehydrofluorinative carbon-carbon coupling between pentamethylcyclopentadienyl and trifluorovinylphosphine ligands of 1a, 3 and 5 has been attempted. No reaction was observed on treatment of the neutral complex [Cp*RhCl₂{PPh₂(CFCF₂)}], 1a, with proton sponge, however, 5a underwent dehydrofluorinative coupling to yield [{η⁵,κP,κS-(C₅Me₄CH₂CFCF)PPh(C₆H₄SMe-2)}RhCl]BF₄, 6. Other reactions, in particular addition of HF across the vinyl bonds of 5, occurred leading to a mixture of products. The cation of 3 underwent similar reactions.