Stereocontrol in cycloadditions of (1Z,4R*,5R*)-1-arylmethylidene-4-benzoylamino-5-phenylpyrazolidin-3-on-1-azomethine imines

Cycloadditions of (1Z,4R*,5R*)-4-benzoylamino-5-phenylpyrazolidin-3-on-1-azomethine imines to olefinic dipolarophiles were studied. Stereochemistry of cycloadditions to azomethine imines 3 was found to be controlled by stereodirecting phenyl group at position 3, as well as by the ortho-substituents at the aromatic ring at position 1′. The structures of dipoles and products were confirmed by NMR and X-ray diffraction.     

A concise synthesis of protected (2S,4R)-4-hydroxyornithine

A short synthesis of the nonproteinogenic amino acid, (2S,4R)-4-hydroxyornithine is described. Starting from racemic benzyl glycidol, the scaffold of the target compound was constructed in high enantio- and diastereoselectivity using Jacobsen’s hydrolytic kinetic resolution (HKR) and regioselective opening of an epoxide as key steps.     

New germanates RCrGeO5 (R=Nd-Er, Y): Synthesis, structure, and properties

The new complex germanates RCrGeO₅ (R=Nd-Er, Y) have been synthesized and investigated by means of X-ray powder diffraction, electron microscopy, magnetic susceptibility and specific heat measurements. All the compounds are isostructural and crystallize in the orthorhombic symmetry, space group Pbam, and Z=4. The crystal structure of RCrGeO₅, as refined using X-ray powder diffraction data, includes infinite chains built by edge-sharing Cr⁺³O₆ octahedra with two alternating Cr−Cr distances. The chains are combined into a three-dimensional framework by Ge₂O₈ groups consisting of two edge-linked square pyramids oriented in opposite directions. The resulting framework contains pentagonal channels where rare-earth elements are located. Thus, RCrGeO₅ germanates present new examples of RMn₂O₅-type compounds and show ordering of Cr⁺³ and Ge⁺⁴ cations. Electron diffraction as well as high-resolution electron microscopy confirm the structure solution. Magnetic susceptibility data for R=Nd, Sm, and Eu are qualitatively consistent with the presence of isolated 3d (antiferromagnetically coupled Cr⁺³ cations) and 4f (R⁺³) spin subsystems in the RCrGeO₅ compounds. NdCrGeO₅ undergoes long-range magnetic ordering at 2.6 K, while SmCrGeO₅ and EuCrGeO₅ do not show any phase transitions down to 2 K.     

The first total synthesis of (R)-convolutamydine A

The first total synthesis of (R)-convolutamydine A has been achieved by the organocatalytic addition of acetone to 4,6-dibromoisatin. The absolute configuration was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. DFT studies were used to model the transition states for the aldol reaction and equilibrium geometries of the post-aldol reaction intermediates. The DFT study revealed that the aldol bond forming reaction was considerably endothermic.     

Structural and magnetic study of RFe0.5V0.5O3 (R=Y, Eu, Nd, La) perovskite compounds

B-site disordered RFe_0.5V_0.5O₃ compounds, with R=La, Nd, Eu and Y, have been prepared by solid-state reaction technique and their structures and magnetic properties have been investigated through X-ray powder diffraction, time-of-flight neutron powder diffraction and magnetization measurements at temperatures ranging from 5 to 700 K. The four compounds can be described as distorted perovskites with space group symmetry Pbnm and a⁺b⁻b⁻ tilt system. The studied compounds also show antiferromagnetic ordering with Neel temperatures of 299, 304, 304, and 335 K respectively. The magnetic structures of R=La, Nd and Y compounds were determined from the neutron powder diffraction as G_z with observed magnetic moments of 2.55, 2.54 and 2.69μ_B at 30, 40 and 40 K, respectively.     

Hydrothermal synthesis and magnetic properties of RMn2O5 (R=La, Pr, Nd, Tb, Bi) and LaMn2O5+δ

RMn₂O₅ (R=La, Pr, Nd, Tb, Bi) crystallites were prepared by a mild hydrothermal method and characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and magnetic measurement. The formation of manganates was sensitive to the alkalinities and Mn-containing precursors of the reaction mixtures. This family of manganates is isostructural and has a space group of Pbam. The magnetic measurements for RMn₂O₅ showed an antiferromagnetic transition. The strong irreversibility between the ZFC and FC curves indicated a helicoidally magnetic structure below 40 K. The max d.c. susceptibilities of LaMn₂O_5+δ (δ=0.01, 0.06, 0.08, 0.16, 0.17) were found to be variable and the excess oxygen (δ) in the compounds was influenced by the alkalinity used in the hydrothermal synthesis.     

Asymmetric ring-opening reaction of azabenzonorbornadienes with phenols promoted by palladium/(R,R)-DIOP complex

An efficient asymmetric ring opening reaction of azabenzonorbornadienes with various phenols using Palladium/(R,R)-DIOP complex has been demonstrated, the reaction afforded the corresponding products in excellent yields (80–95%) with moderate enantioselectivities (50–64% ees). The syn-configuration of the product was confirmed by the single X-ray crystallography.     

Alteration of rare-earth-metal cluster iodides R(R6I12Z) through cation substitution

Four examples of (A_xR_1−x)R₆I₁₂Z phases further illustrate the flexibility of the rhombohedral R₇X₁₂Z structure to substitution of heterocations for the isolated R^III atoms without destruction of the structure. The examples with R=La, Pr, Z=Fe, Co, Ir, and stoichiometric amounts of A=Na or Ca were prepared by traditional high temperature techniques and characterized by single crystal and Guinier powder X-ray diffraction techniques. Product compositions refined in the parent space group from reactions of stoichiometry AR₆I₁₂Z were (Na_0.90Pr_0.10)Pr₆I₁₂Ir, (Na_0.954La_0.046)La₆I₁₂Fe, and (Ca_0.801La_0.199)La₆I₁₂Co. More general characteristics of and trends in the family of R₇X₁₂Z structures are also considered, including distortions of the ideal motif as a function of extremes in the components.     

Synthesis of chromeno[3,4-c][1,2]oxazine-N-oxides via formal [4+2] cycloaddition of 3-nitro-2-trihalomethyl-2H-chromenes with cyclohexanone and pinacolone enamines

3-Nitro-2-trichloro(trifluoro)methyl-2H-chromenes undergo a formal [4+2] cycloaddition reaction to cyclohexanone and pinacolone enamines, producing chromeno[3,4-c][1,2]benzoxazin-6-oxides with high diastereoselectivity and in good yields. In addition, some novel 2,3,4-trisubstituted chromanes were obtained. The stereochemistry of the products was established based on a 2D NOESY experiment and an X-ray diffraction study.     

Exo- and endo-palladacycles derived from (4R)-phenyl-2-oxazolines

Two novel oxazoline-derived palladacycles bearing an endo- or exo-CN bond were prepared by direct ortho-palladation of (R)-2,4-diphenyl- or (R)-2-methyl-4-phenyl-2-oxazolines, respectively. The structures of the palladacycles' dimeric forms and corresponding mononuclear PPh₃-derivatives were confirmed by IR, ¹H, ¹³C and 2D NMR spectroscopy. An X-ray diffraction study of the μ-chloro-dimeric cyclopalladated derivative of (R)-2,4-diphenyl-2-oxazoline proved the endo structure of the palladacycle.     

A simple route towards peptide analogues containing substituted (S)- or (R)-tryptophans

We investigated the Lewis acid-promoted Friedel-Crafts alkylation of indole and substituted indoles with dehydroalanine-containing dipeptides R-Xaa-Dha-OR¹. The reaction proceeded with modest to sufficient diastereoselectivity, and yields strongly varied depending on the Lewis acid selected. The substituent R¹ of the ester group revealed some impact on the preferential formation of (S)-Trp or (R)-Trp. We exploited the reaction to prepare different peptides containing substituted tryptophans. To test the efficacy of this method for preparing biologically relevant compounds, we synthesized two unprecedented analogues of endomorphin-1, the endogenous agonist of the μ-opioid receptor, having either (S)- or (R)-2-methyltryptophan in position 3.     

Asymmetric syntheses of (1R,1R,5R,7R) and (1S,1R,5R,7R)-1-hydroxy-exo-brevicomin and a formal synthesis of (+)-exo-brevicomin

Asymmetric syntheses of (1R,1^′R,5^′R,7^′R) and (1S,1^′R,5^′R,7^′R)-1-hydroxy-exo-brevicomins 1 and 2, volatiles of the male mountain pine beetle, and a formal synthesis of (+)-exo-brevicomin 3, a component of the attracting pheromone system of several bark beetles have been achieved. The key steps are Birch reduction of commercially available α-picoline, selective Wittig olefination, and Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation.     

Verwey Transition under Oxygen Loading in RBaFe2O5+w (R=Nd and Sm)

Double-cell perovskites RBaFe₂O_5+w (R= Nd and Sm) are synthesized in the −0.03<w<0.47 portion of the nonstoichiometry range. The ideal composition with w=0 has di- and tri-valent iron in equal proportions and exhibits a charge-ordering Verwey transition upon cooling, preceded by a weaker premonitory transition. Both transitions are detectable by differential scanning calorimetry. The changes in entropy, volume, orthorhombic distortion and electrical conductivity at the main transition are larger for the variant with the smaller Sm atom than for R=Nd. The discontinuity of the SmBaFe₂O_5+w transition also persists into much higher levels of the oxygen nonstoichiometry w than for the R=Nd variant. Whereas 3D-charge-ordered SmBaFe₂O_5.00 is isostructural with TbBaFe₂O_5.00 adopting space group Pmma, NdBaFe₂O_5.00 undergoes a more profound structural change upon entering the charge-ordered state, the structure of which is refined in the P2₁ma symmetry from high-resolution X-ray synchrotron diffraction data.     

Concise and practical synthesis of (2S,3R,4R,5R) and (2S,3R,4R,5S)-1,6-dideoxy-1,6-iminosugars

The syntheses of (2S,3R,4R,5R) and (2S,3R,4R,5S)-1,6-dideoxy-1,6 iminosugars 1a and 1b, respectively, from d-glucose are described. The key transformations in this reaction sequence include regio-selective epoxide ring opening with N-benzylamine followed by intramolecular reductive amination of amino-aldehyde.     

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.     

Diastereoselective synthesis of (2S)-2-[(R)-1H-indol-3-yl(phenyl)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-one

Double asymmetric induction in Michael reactions has been studied. Enantioselective alkylation of a cyclic ketone (1-indanone) with α-phenyl-nor-gramine was carried out. The relative configuration of (2S^∗)-2-[(R^∗)-1H-indol-3-yl(phenyl)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-one was established by X-ray diffraction. The relative configuration of (R^∗,R^∗,S^∗)- and (S^∗,R^∗,S^∗)-2-1H-indol-3-yl(phenyl)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-ols was established by ¹H NMR studies.     

Field-Induced Magnetic Properties in RCrO4 Oxides (R=Pr, Gd, Tb, Tm, and Yb)

RCrO₄ oxides (R=Pr, Gd, Tb, Tm, and Yb) have been synthesized at 773 K using the corresponding nitrates as precursors. X-ray diffraction data reveal that these samples are single phases and crystallize with the zircon-type structure, showing tetragonal symmetry, space group I4₁/amd. All the compounds are antiferromagnetic and the Néel temperature, which depends on the R³⁺ ion, takes values lower than 30 K. The presence of a canting appears to be responsible for the negative values of the magnetic susceptibility found below the compensation temperature. This uncommon phenomenon is named reversal of magnetization. It is field-dependent, being suppressed at 500 Oe for the TmCrO₄ compound. The highest value of the compensation temperature (24 K) corresponds to the YbCrO₄ oxide. A metamagnetic transition has been observed in all cases at critical fields ranging from 225 Oe (GdCrO₄) to 1600 Oe (YbCrO₄).     

Heterometallic M/Mn (M=Cu, Co, Zn) acetate complexes as precursors for binary oxides

A facile one-pot procedure, or so-called “direct synthesis,” was used to prepare the novel heterometallic complexes [M₂Mn(OAc)₆(bpy)₂], where M=Cu (1), Co (2), Zn (3), bpy=2,2′-bipyridyl, with high yields via oxidative dissolution of pure metals in a liquid phase. The complexes were characterized by an elemental analysis, single crystal X-ray diffraction method and FTIR. These complexes are proposed as precursors, whose thermal degradation may lead to the formation of solids possessing nano- to microsize levels of dispersity. The thermal behavior of the complexes obtained was studied by thermal analysis (TG/DTA/DTG) in both air and N₂ and also by TPD mass-spectrometry in vacuo. The FTIR, X-ray powder diffraction (PXRD) and thermoanalytical data were used for the identification of the solid products of thermal degradation. The morphology and microstructure of the solid residues were analyzed, using scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis (SEM/EDX) at mkm and sub-micro levels.     

Regio- and stereoselective cycloadditions of (1Z,4R,5R)-1-arylmethylidene-4-benzoylamino-3-oxo-5-phenylpyrazolidin-1-ium-2-ides to methyl methacrylate

[3+2] Cycloadditions of (1Z,4R^∗,5R^∗)-1-arylmethylidene-4-benzoylamino-3-oxo-5-phenylpyrazolidin-1-ium-2-ides 1a-e to methyl methacrylate gave the 1-CO₂Me regioisomers 3/3′, exclusively, in 1-67% yields. Stereocontrol was dependent on the ortho-substituents at the 1′-aryl group in dipole 1: ortho-unsubstituted dipoles 1a-c gave the major (1R^∗,3R^∗,5R^∗,6R^∗)-isomers 3a-c, whilst ortho-disubstituted dipoles gave the major (1R^∗,3S^∗,5R^∗,6R^∗)-isomers 3′d,e. The structures of cycloadducts were determined by NMR and X-ray diffraction.     

Synthesis, structure and magnetic properties of R-W-O-N (R=Nd and Eu) oxynitrides

Neodymium and europium tungsten oxynitrides have been synthesized by the nitridation of corresponding R₂W₂O₉ precursor oxides, in ammonia flow at 1173 K during 24 h. The obtained polycrystalline neodymium oxynitride phase, with NdWO_3.05N_0.95 composition, crystallizes with the tetragonal symmetry of the scheelite-type structure, space group S.G. I4₁/a (#88). The analogous europium derivative, with formula EuWO_1.58N_1.42, presents the cubic perovskite-type structure, S.G. (# 221). Unit-cell parameters, a=5.255(1) Å, c=11.399(3) Å, and a=3.976(3) Å, have been established from Rietveld refinements of collected X-ray powder diffraction patterns for the Nd and Eu- oxynitrides, respectively.Magnetic susceptibility measurements show that NdWO_3.05N_0.95 behaves as paramagnetic in a wide range of temperature T ∼50-300 K. The downwards deviation from the Curie-Weiss law below 40 K reflects the splitting of the ⁴I_9/2 ground state of Nd³⁺ experienced under the influence of a S₄ crystal field CF potential, as the successful reproduction of the magnetic susceptibility χ⁻¹_m vs. T, using semi-empirical structure-derived CF parameters, indicates. EuWO_1.58N_1.42 is paramagnetic down to 20 K, and the measured effective magnetic moment 8.01 μ_B is indicative of the presence of Eu²⁺ in this oxynitride. The observed sudden jump in the magnetic susceptibility at 20 K and the value of 6 μ_B for the saturation moment is attributed to the onset of ferrimagnetic interactions in which the Eu²⁺ and W⁵⁺ sublattices appear to be involved.