Kinetics of oxidative ammonolysis of 4-bromo-<Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-xylene: I. Transformations of 4-bromo-<Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-xylene and 4-bromo-<Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-tolunitrile

Kinetic laws of 4-bromo-phthalonitrile synthesis by vapor-phase oxidative ammonolisis of 4-bromo-o-xylene in the range of 633–69 K were studied. It was shown that formation of 4-bromophthalonitrile proceeds successively through 4-bromo-o-tolunitrile. Conversion rates of 4-bromo-o-xylene and 4-bromo-o-toluinitrile were found to be described by half-order equations on the corresponding components and not to depend on the oxygen and ammonia concentrations.     

Oxidation of 4-nitro-<Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-xylene with nitric acid using <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-hydroxyphthalimide under phase transfer conditions

4-Nitro-o-xylene was selectively oxidized to 2-methyl-4-nitrobenzoic acid using dilute nitric acid as the oxidizing agent under atmospheric pressure. The oxidation of 4-nitro-o-xylene was effectively promoted by an addition of radical initiators. Under reflux, 2-methyl-4-nitrobenzoic acid was afforded in high yield using nitric acid combined with N-hydroxyphthalimide, cobalt dichloride (CoCl₂ · 6H₂O), manganese acetate (Mn(OAc)₂ · 4H₂O) and phase transfer catalyst.     

Synthesis of derivatives of <Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-aminoacetophenone and <Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-aminobenzyl alcohol

Oxidation of 2′-hydroxy-8-methylspiro[4H-benz-1,3-oxazin-2-one-6,1′-cyclopentane] or N-mesyl-2-(cyclopent-1-en-1-yl)-6-methylaniline provided the corresponding ketones. The rearrangement of these ketones oximes under treatment with thionyl chloride gave rise to nitriles of 5-(2-amino-3-methylphenyl)-5-oxopentanoic or 5-(2-methanesulfamido-3-methylphenyl)-5-hydroxypentanoic acids. By heating 5-(2-acetylamido-3-methylphenyl)-5-oxopentanoic acid with LiH in THF3-(2,8-dimethylquinol-4-on-3-yl)propanoic acid was obtained.     

Conformational Polymorphism in Racemic 2,4-Di-<Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-Benzoyl-6-<Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-Tosyl <Emphasis Type="Italic">myo</Emphasis>-Inositol 1,3,5-Orthoacetate

The title compound, C₂₉H₂₆O₁₀S, yields two conformational polymorphs concomitantly from dichloromethane-methanol mixture; the major polymorph grows as plates (Form I, monoclinic, P2₁/n) and the minor polymorph grows as needles (Form II, triclinic, P-1). The two forms differ mainly in orientation of the tosyl group. In Form I, sulfonyl oxygen of the tosyl group makes intermolecular C −H…O interactions, whereas the same group in Form II is involved in an intramolecular short dipolar S=O…C=O (sulfonyl-carbonyl) contact. The molecular organization and the influence of various weak non-covalent interactions that stabilize these conformers in the crystal lattices are discussed.     

Synthesis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>(<Emphasis Type="Italic">m</Emphasis>)-carborane-containing azomethines

A method of preparative synthesis of o(m)-carborane-containing azomethines via the condensation of o(m)-carboranyl-C-methylene-4-formylbenzoates with aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, and aromatic amines was developed.     

Oxidation kinetics of Zn-5,15 bis(<Emphasis Type="Italic">ortho</Emphasis>-methoxyphenyl)-2,3,7,8,12,13,17,18-octamethylporphyrin with organic peroxides in <Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-xylene

With the purpose of further investigation of the effect of the steric strain of the porphyrin macroring in metal porphyrins on their redox properties, kinetics of oxidation of Zn-5,15 bis(ortho-methoxyphenyl)-2,3,7,8,12,13.17,18-octamethylporphyrin with organic peroxides in o-xylene at 295°C were studied spectrophotometrically to show that this process leads to complete destruction of the complex. Kinetic characteristics (k _ef, k _v) of the process were evaluated. The structure of the zinc porphyrin and its oxidation intermediates were obtained by quantum-chemical calculations. Steris strains in the metal prophyrin macroring were revealed and shown to enhance in the course of the reaction. An effect of the degree of deformational strain on the oxidation rate was noted.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-aryl-<Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-iminobenzoquinones as novel regulators of radical polymerization

The effect of a number of quinoid compounds on methyl methacrylate polymerization initiated by azo-bis(isobutyronitrile) has been studied. It has been revealed that N-aryl-o-iminobenzoquinones, in contrast to o-benzoquinones, can provide radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate in controllable mode. The efficiency of the compounds as chain growth regulators has been found to depend on their composition and reaction conditions. It has been established that 4,6-di-tert-butyl-N-(2,6-diethylphenyl)-o-iminobenzoquinone and 4,6-di-tert-butyl-N-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-o-iminobenzoquinone under radical initiation conditions provide the synthesis of poly(methyl methacrylate) with wide-range molecular weight, retaining polydispersity indices about ~1.4–1.8 up to deep conversions.     

Molecular structure of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-(<Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-and <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-hydroxybenzyl)cytisine

The molecular structures of N-(o-and p-hydroxybenzyl)cytisine were investigated by NMR spectroscopy, x-ray structure analysis, and molecular modeling. It was found that NMR resonances of the OH and aromatic protons in N-(o-hydroxybenzyl)cytisine were doubled because of the presence of two conformers in solution. __________ Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 2, pp. 165–168, March–April, 2008.     

Zinc(II) and cadmium(II) complexes with <Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-hydroxybenzoic acid or <Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-aminobenzoic acid and 2-methylimidazole

Mixed complexes of the type: Zn(Hsal)₂(2-MeHim)₂, Zn(Han)₂(2-MeHim)₂, Cd(Hsal)₂(2-MeHim)₂, Cd(Han)₂(2-MeHim)₂, where Hsal=OHC₆H₄COO⁻, Han=NH₂C₆H₄COO⁻, 2-MeHim=2-methylimidazol) have been synthesized and characterized by IR spectroscopic and X-ray diffraction studies. Single-crystal X-ray structure of Cd(Hsal)₂(2-MeHim)₂ has been obtained. Thermal behaviour of the compounds was investigated by thermal analysis (TG, DTG, DTA). A coupled TG-MS system was used to analyse the principal volatile products of complexes. Thermal decomposition pathways have been postulated.     

Reaction of <Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-aminophenol and <Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-aminobenzyl alcohol with palladium(II) bis(isocyanide) complexes

Reactions of palladium(II) bis-isocyanide complexes cis-[PdCl₂(CNR)₂] (R = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃, 2-Me-6-ClC₆H₃) with an equimolar amount of chelating N,O-binucleophiles, 2-aminophenol and (2-aminophenyl)-methanol, in acetonitrile at room temperature in 24 h selectively afforded the corresponding open-chain monocarbene complexes. The complexation involved one isocyanide ligand and amino group of the aromatic amine. Neither bis(carbene) complexes (in the reactions with 4 equiv of the nucleophile under harsh conditions) nor C,O-chelate structures were detected. The isolated complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, IR, NMR, and mass spectra, and X-ray diffraction data.     

New tin(<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">iv</Emphasis>) <Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-iminosemiquinone complexes

New tin(iv) mono- and bis-o-iminosemiquinone complexes were obtained by the exchange reaction of radical anion lithium salt of 4,6-di-tert-butyl-N-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-o-imino-benzoquinone with tin(iv) organochlorides. The compounds synthesized were characterized by EPR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. Substituents on the tin atom were found to affect stability of paramagnetic metal derivatives formed.     

Heterospin biradicals based on new piperidineoxyl-substituted 3,6-di-<Emphasis Type="Italic">tert</Emphasis>-butyl-<Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-benzoquinone

A nucleophilic addition reaction of 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (OH-TEMPO) to 3,6-di-tert-butyl-o-benzoquinone was used to obtain a new sterically hindered o-benzoquinone (1) containing 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidineoxyl functional group, which was characterized by IR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, elemental analysis, and X-ray diffraction. A one-electron reduction of 1 with potassium and thallium is an efficient method for the generation of earlier unknown heterospin biradicals 5a and 5b, respectively, containing nitroxide and o-semiquinone radical centers. Analysis of the hyperfine structure of the ESR spectra of biradicals 5a and 5b in solution showed that they belong to the group of heterospin biradicals with strong (J >> a) and fast exchange interaction between the radical centers.     

Photolysis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-iodo- and <Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-bromophenols in aqueous solution of sodium sulfite and organic solvents

The photochemical reaction of o-iodo- and o-bromophenol in an aqueous sodium sulfite solution proceeds via both nonchain and chain mechanisms. The formation of the intermediate product, aromatic radical anion, was observed. The quantum yield of the photochemical reaction of o-iodophenol increases, when the electron donor diphenylamine is irradiated. In the photolysis of o-halophenols in organic solvents, free iodine is evolved in addition to aromatic products. The products of the photolysis of o-iodophenol in ethanol and carbon tetrachloride were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. These are phenol in the case of ethanol and a mixture of o-chlorophenol and hydroxychloro-substituted biphenyls in the case of carbon tetrachloride. The quantum yields were determined for all photochemical reactions studied.     

KMnO<Subscript>4</Subscript>/HOAc system promoted one-pot synthesis of benzoxazoles from <Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-aminophenols or oxidative cyclization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-hydroxyarylidene anilines at room temperature

1,3-Benzoxazoles via oxidative cyclization of corresponding o-hydroxyarylidene anilines was synthesized in the presence of KMnO₄/HOAc system. This system also was applied for the one-pot synthesis of 1,3-benzoxazoles from o-amino phenols and aldehydes. The both protocols were processed at room temperature under solvent-free conditions with good to excellent yields.     

In situ oxidative copolymerization and characterization of new poly(benzidine-<Emphasis Type="Italic">co</Emphasis>-<Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-phenylenediamine)/kaolinite microcomposites

Copolymers of benzidine and o-phenylenediamine/kaolinite clay composites with different percentages of kaolinite clay particles were synthesized via in situ oxidative copolymerization. The spectral characteristics upon incorporation of o-phenylenediamine units into the polybenzidine backbone in presence of kaolinite clay were investigated by means of UV–Vis and FTIR spectroscopy. The copolymer in the absence and in the presence of kaolinite clay was studied by thermal gravimetric analysis under non-oxidative conditions. The morphology of the copolymer kaolinite composites system was investigated by the scanning electron microscopy.     

Halogen aggregation in chlorobenzene-<Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-dichlorobenzene solutions

The chlorobenzene (CB)–o-dichlorobenzene (o-DCB) liquid system has been studied by classical molecular dynamics simulation over the entire range of concentrations. The structure of the solutions is characterized by using radial angular distribution functions for the distances between the planes of benzene rings and the angle between them, using radial distribution functions for the distances between chlorine atoms, and by calculating the self-diffusion coefficients and local dipole moments. Halogen aggregation in the pure components and solutions is analyzed. It is found that in pure CB, chlorine aggregates consisting of four to ten molecules are most likely to form. The sizes of chlorine aggregates increase with increasing o-DCB concentration, and at a o-DCB concentration of 0.50-1.00 ppm, an extended system of chlorine–chlorine contacts is formed. In pure o-DCB, the chlorine aggregation system includes 99% of the molecules of the simulated system. The agglomeration of solute molecules in the range of dilute solutions (x < 0.1 ppm) is investigated.     

Synthesis of new hydrazones based on <Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>- and <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-hydroxybenzohydrazides

o- and p-Hydroxybenzohydrazides reacted with various unsaturated aromatic aldehydes to give the corresponding N′-(hydroxybenzoyl)hydrazones. Inhibitory activity of the obtained hydrazones against cathepsin E was evaluated.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Z</Emphasis>-and <Emphasis Type="Italic">E</Emphasis>-conformers of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-chloroacetylcytisine

N-Chloroacetylcytisine was synthesized by acylation of (–)-cytisine. Stable Z- and E-conformers with respect to rotational isomerism around the N-12–CO bond were found in PMR spectra at room temperature. The point at which PMR resonances of the Z- and E-conformers coalesced upon heating was measured. The transition barrier between the conformers was estimated.     

Mono-<Emphasis Type="Italic">meso</Emphasis>-<Emphasis Type="Italic">tert</Emphasis>-butylporphyrin

Summary. Treatment of meso-tetra(tert-butyl)porphyrin with sulfuric acid/n-butanol affords a mixture of porphyrin and mono-tert-butylporphyrin in relatively high yield.     

Study of the mechanism of redox transformations of sterically hindered <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-aryl-<Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-iminoquinones

The mechanisms of redox transformations of sterically hindered [¹IBQ]-[³IBQ], 9,10-iminophenanthraquinone [⁴IFQ], and o-aminophenol [⁵AP] have been studied by cyclic voltammetry. It has been shown that the reduction process in tetrahydrofuran consists of two consecutive reversible steps leading to the formation of a radical anion and a dianion. In the case of acetonitrile, only the first redox process is detected, which involves the steps of protonation and electron addition resulting in the formation of a monoanion. Quantum-chemical calculations indicate a lower degree of participation of the six-membered nonaromatic carbon ring in the spin density delocalization in the o-iminosemiquinonate radical anions as compared to o-benzosemiquinonate radical anions. The oxidation of iminoquinones results in the formation of an unstable radical cation, which undergoes further chemical transformations. An increase in the acidity of a medium leads to the formation of protonated forms with the reduction potential being shifted anodically. The introduction of screening groups makes it possible to suppress side reactions of hydrolysis and cyclization of oxidized o-aminophenol [⁵AP] forms. Therefore, the major product of complete electrolysis is o-iminobenzoquinone [²IBQ].