The synthesis of ventiloquinone L, the monomer of cardinalin 3

Readily available ethyl-4-acetoxy-6,8-dimethoxynaphthalene-2-carboxylate was converted into 1-[3-allyl-4-(benzyloxy)-6,8-dimethoxy-2-naphthyl)-1-ethanol in seven steps. Subjection of this compound to Wacker oxidation conditions provided 5-benzyloxy-7,9-dimethoxy-1,3-dimethyl-1H-benzo[g]isochromene in good yield. Hydrogenation of the isochromene afforded (+/-)-cis-7,9-dimethoxy-1,3-dimethyl-1H-benzo[g]isochroman-5-ol as the major product, which was readily converted into ventiloquinone L.     

Synthesis of 2-(4-amino substituted benzylidene) indanone analogues from aromatic nucleophilic substitution (SNAr) reaction

A novel, efficient and convenient procedure has been developed for the synthesis of 2-(4-amino-substituted benzylidene)indanone derivatives. In the first step, the reaction of 4-fluorobenzaldehyde with 5, 6-dimethoxy-2, 3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-one in the presence of NaOH in EtOH was described. In the next step, a variety of aliphatic and aromatic amines were reacted with 2-(4-fluorobenzylidene)-5, 6-dimethoxy-2, 3-dihydro-1H-Inden-1-one via aromatic substitution (S_NAr) reaction to produce 2-(4-aminobenzylidene)-5, 6-dimethoxy-2, 3-dihydro-1H-Inden-1-one derivatives as a novel class of 1-indanones. These products have been successfully prepared in good to excellent yields. ^1?H and ^13?C NMR, FT-IR spectroscopy and CHN analysis supported the proposed structures of the products.     

The Terpenoids of Maytenus boaria MOL. (Celastraceae)

The known triterpenoids β-amyrin (= olean-12-en-3β-ol; 22 ), lupeol (= lup-20(29)-en-3β-ol; 17 ), betulin (= lup-20(29)-ene-3β,28-diol; 18 ), lup-20(29)-ene-3β,30-diol ( 20 ), oleanolic acid (= 3β-hydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid; 21 ), and betulonic acid (= 3-oxolup-20(29)-en-28-oic acid; 19 ), together with epicatechol (= cis-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-1-benzopyran-3,5,7-triol; 23 ), 5′-O-methylgallocatechol (= trans-2-(3,4-dihydroxy-5-methoxyphenyl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-1-benzopyran-3,5,7-triol; 24 ), and 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde were isolated from the aerial parts of Maytenus boaria (MOL. ). Additonally, the eight 4,C⁴-dihydro-β-agarofuran sesquiterpenoids 1–8 , one of them a diol with a (4R)-configuration, and compound 9 were present in the extract. The structures of these compounds were established by spectroscopic and chemical means.     

Synthesis,Characterization, and Screening for Antiamoebic Activity of Palladium(II), Platinum(II), and Ruthenium(II) Complexes with NS‐Donor Ligands

Reaction of [PdCl₂(DMSO)₂], [PtCl₂(DMSO)₂], and [RuCl₂(η⁴‐C₈H₁₂)(MeCN)₂] with S‐acetyl N^β‐acetyldithiocarbazate (=2‐acetylhydrazinecarbodithioic acid anhydrosulfide with ethanethioic acid; aadt; 1 ), S‐methyl N^β‐[(5‐nitrothiophene‐2‐yl)methylene]dithiocarbazate (=S‐methyl 2‐[(5‐nitrothiophene‐2‐yl)methylene]hydrazinecarbodithioate; mntdt; 2 ), and S‐benzyl N^β‐[(5‐nitrothiophene‐2‐yl)methylene]dithiocarbazate (=S‐benzyl 2‐[(5‐nitrothiophene‐2‐yl)methylene]hydrazinecarbodithioate; bntdt; 3 ) led to new complexes [PdCl₂(L)], [PtCl₂(L)], and [RuCl₂(η⁴‐C₈H₁₂)(L)] (L=ligands 1 – 3 ). All these compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR and UV/VIS spectra and thermogravimetric analysis. Ligand 1 coordinates through the thioxo S‐atom and the carbazate N(β) atom, whereas in ligands 2 and 3 the thioxo S‐atom and the azomethine N‐atom are coordinated to the metal ion. Screening of antiamoebic activity of these compounds was performed in vitro against the HK‐9 strain of E. histolytica. All the complexes were more active than their respective ligands; compound 3a showed the most promising activity.     

A Convenient Stereoselective Synthesis of (1R,2S,3R,4S)-3-(Neopentyloxy)isoborneol

A convenient preparation of (1R,2S,3R,4S)-3-(neopentyloxy)isoborneol (= (1R,2S,3R,4S)-3-(2,2-dimethyl-propoxy)-1,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-ol; 1a ), a valuable chiral auxiliary, is described. The synthesis involves six steps starting from the readily available camphorquinone ( 5 ) and gives 1a in 48% overall yield. The key step is the chemoselective hydrolysis of the less hindered 1,3-dioxolane moiety in the camphorquinone di-acetal 4 .     

Alkylierung in der 2-Stellung von (2S, 4R)- 4-Hydroxyprolin unter Retention

Alkylation in the 2-Position of (2S, 4R)-4-Hydroxyproline with Retention of Configuration O-Acetyl-4-hydroxyproline ( 1b ) is condensed with pivalaldehyde to give a single stereoisomer of the 2-(tert-butyl)-4-oxo-3-oxa-1-azabicyclo[3.3.0]oct-7-yl acetate ( 3 ). This is converted to the enolates 4 or 5 , reactions of which with alkyl halides, aldehydes, and acetone (→ 6,9,10,11 ) are diastereoselective (lk-1,3-induction). Cleavage of the corresponding products furnishes the enantiomerically pure 2-deuterio-, 2-methyl-, 2-allyl-, and 2-benzyl-substituted 4-hydroxyprolines 2a–2d .     

Contribution à la phytochimie du genre Gentiana,XIII. Etude des composés flavoniques et xanthoniques dans les feuilles de Gentiana campestris L. 2ème communication

Phytochemistry of genus Gentiana XIII. Study of flavocic and xantonic compounds in the leaves of Gentiana campestris L. 2nd communication. By means of column chromatography on polyamide, we have isolated from the leaves of Gentiana campestris L. a new xanthone-O-glucoside, the 3,4-dimethoxy-5, 8-dihydroxy-xanthone-1-O-β-D-glucopyranoside ( 2 ) and its aglucone, the 3,4-dimethoxy-1,5,8-trihydroxy-xanthone ( 1 ). The C-glucosides mangiferin ( 3 ) and swertisin ( 4 ) have also been isolated and identified.     

Bildung von 5,6-Dihydro-1,3(4H)-thiazin-4-carbonsäure-estern aus 4-Allyl-1,3-thiazol-5(4H)-onen

Formation of Methyl 5,6-Dihydro-l, 3(4H)-thiazine-4-carboxyiates from 4-Allyl-l, 3-thiazol-5(4H)-ones . The reaction of N-[1-(N, N-dimethylthiocarbamoyl)-1-methyl-3-butenyl]benzamid ( 1 ) with HCl or TsOH in MeCN or toluene yields a mixture of 4-allyl-4-methyl-2-phenyl-1,3-thiazol-5(4H)-one ( 5a ) and allyl 4-methyl-2-phenyl-1,3-thiazol-2-yl sulfide ( 11 ; Scheme 3). Most probably, the corresponding 1,3-oxazol-5(4H)-thiones B are intermediates in this reaction. With HCl in MeOH, 1 is transformed into methyl 5,6-dihydro-4,6-dimethyl-2-phenyl-1,3(4H)-thiazine-4-carboxylate ( 12a ). The same product 12a is formed on treatment of the 1,3-thiazol-5(4H)-one 5a with HCl in MeOH (Scheme 4). It is shown that the latter reaction type is common for 4-allyl-substituted 1,3-thiazol-5(4H)-ones.     

Säurekatalysierte Dienon-Phenol-Umlagerungen von Allylcyclohexadienonen; ladungsinduzierte und ladungskontrollierte sigmatropische Reaktionen

The rearrangement of 10-allyl-2-oxo-Δ^{1(9), 3}-hexahydronaphthalene ( 12 ) catalysed by trifluoroacetic acid and other Bronsted acids yielded almost exclusively the [3s, 3s]-products, 1- and 3-allyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2-naphthol ( 16 and 15 , respectively). The rearrangement of 12 with trifluoroacetic anhydride or acetic anhydride/sulfuric acid, yields, besides 15 and 16 , appreciable amounts of the [1s, 2s]-rearrangement product, 4-allyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2-naphthol ( 14 ) (table 1). The CF₃COOH catalysed dienone-phenol-rearrangement of 6-ally-5,6-dimethyl-cyclohexa-2,4-dien-l-one ( 11 ) in hexane at 0° yields4-allyl-2,3-dimethyl-phenol ( 19 ). Rearrangement of d₃- ll containing a specifically deuteriated allyl group proves that the formation of d₃- 19 occurs via a [3s, 3s]-sigmatropic reaction. On the other hand, treatment of 11 with (CF₃CO)₂O at 0° in hexane gives (after saponification) 4-allyl-, 5-allyl- and 6-allyl-2,3-dimethyl-phenol ( 19 , 20 and 21 , respectivcly). This reaction occurs via an acyloxybenzenium-ion intermediate. The reactions performed with d₃- 11 demonstrate that the formation of d₃- 19 occurs both by a direct [3s, 3s]-shift and by a twofold [1s, 2s]-shift, respectively. d₃- 20 is formcd by a [3s, 4s]-sigmatropic reaction. d₃- 21 is obtained with about 95% inversion of the carbon skeleton of the allyl group. Thus d₃- 21 is mainly formed by a [1s, 2s]- followed by a [3s, 4s]-sigmatropic rearrangement. 6-Allyl-6-niethyl-cyclohexa-2,4-dien-1-one ( 4 ) yields with CF₃COOH in hexane 4-allyl-2-methyl-phenol ( 5 ), whereas with (CF₃CO)₂O in hexane 5 , 3-allyl- and 5-allyl-2-methyl-phenol ( 24 and 25 , respectively) are formed in comparable amounts. As a minor product 6-allyl-2-methyl-phenol ( 26 ) was observed. Based on these observations, the concept of charge-induced, e.g. schemes 2 and 3, and charge-controlled, e.g. scheme 7, sigmatropic reactions, has been elaborated. In the former, the charge serves only to accelerate appreciably thermal orbital-symmetry allowed reactions, whereas in the latter, the charge determines the course of the transformations according to the Woodward-Hoffmann rules. Especially in acetylating systems, allylcyclohexdienones undergo charge-induced and charge-controlled reactions simultaneously.     

2-Phenyl-4-quinolinone Alkaloids from Casimiroa edulis Llave et Lex (Rutaceae)

Summary.  Three new 4-quinolinone alkaloids (5,6-dimethoxy-2-(3-methoxyphenyl)-1H-quinolin-4-one, 5,6-dimethoxy-2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-1H-quinolin-4-one, 5,6-dimethoxy-2-(2,5,6-trimethoxyphenyl)-1H-quinolin-4-one) were isolated from the leaves of Casimiroa edulis Llave et Lex (Rutaceae) cultivated in Egypt. Their structures were determined by UV/Vis, IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR, and EI mass spectroscopy. The alkaloids were also detected in the kernels of the seeds. Received May 28, 2001. Accepted (revised) July 24, 2001     

2-Phenyl-4-quinolinone Alkaloids from Casimiroa edulis Llave et Lex (Rutaceae)

 Three new 4-quinolinone alkaloids (5,6-dimethoxy-2-(3-methoxyphenyl)-1H-quinolin-4-one, 5,6-dimethoxy-2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-1H-quinolin-4-one, 5,6-dimethoxy-2-(2,5,6-trimethoxyphenyl)-1H-quinolin-4-one) were isolated from the leaves of Casimiroa edulis Llave et Lex (Rutaceae) cultivated in Egypt. Their structures were determined by UV/Vis, IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR, and EI mass spectroscopy. The alkaloids were also detected in the kernels of the seeds.     

Reactions of tellurium(IV) chloride,aryl-, diaryl-, and triaryl tellurium(IV) chlorides with pyrimidine-2-thiols

1-Substituted 4,4,6-trimethyl-1H, 4H-pyrimidine-2-thiol(L), whose substituents are C₆H₅ ( 1 ), p-CH₃OC₆H₄ ( 2 ), p-O₂NC₆H₄ ( 3 ), n-C₄H₉ ( 4 ), and NH₂ ( 5 ), react with TeCl₄, ArTeCl₃ (Ar = C₆H₅, 4-CH₃OC₆H₄, or 4-C₂H₅OC₆H₄), Ph₂TeCl₂, and Ph₃TeCl, resulting in TeCl₃(L–H), ArTeCl₂(L–H), Ph₂TeCl₂.L, and Ph₃TeCl.L types of compounds. Elemental analyses, molecular weights, conductances in solutions, IR, and ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectral data of these compounds suggest that, in all of them, the pyrimidine-2-thiols ligate through sulfur only. In the first two types of derivatives, the thiol form of L reacts with tellurium moieties, resulting in the liberation of HCl. On the basis of these data TeCl₃(L-H) appears to exist as a dimer in which two Te atoms are probably 5-coordinated and are bridged by two Cl. Tellurium in ArTeCl₂(L-H), Ph₂TeCl₂.L, and Ph₃TeCl.L also appears to be 5-coordinated. IR data suggest that the Te–S bond in Ph₂TeCl₂.L is weak and, therefore, because of partial dissociation, the molecular complexes exhibit lower molecular weights in CH₃CN. Ph₃TeCl.L in acetonitrile behaves as a 1:1 electrolyte. Attempts to synthesize N-, S-, and Te-containing heterocycle ring compounds from TeCl₃( 1/2 -H) and ArTe( 1/2 -H)Cl₂ did not succeed.     

A convenient preparation of 4,8-dimethoxy-3-substituted-2(1H)-quinolones by an electrophilic reaction through base-induced deprotonation and its synthetic application for the synthesis of new alkaloids, 3,4,8-trimethoxy-2(1H)-quinolone and 3-formyl-4,7,8-trimethoxy-2(1H)-quinolone(glycocitridine)

Some 4,8-dimethoxy-3-substituted-2(1H)-quinolones were prepared by electrophilic reaction of 4,8-dimethoxy-2(1H)-quinolone with electrophiles in the presence of n-butyllithium-N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethyl-enediamine in fairly good yields. This present method was successfully applied for the synthesis of two new alkaloids bearing the 4,8-dimethoxy-2(1H)-quinolone skeleton.     

Säurekatalysierte Umlagerung von Allyl-cyclohexadienon-tosyl-hydrazonen: Beispiel einer Dienimin-Anilin-Umlagerung

The tosylhydrazones of 4-allyl- and 4-crotyl-4-methyl-cyclohexa-2, 5-dien-l-one ( 14 and 15 ) rearrange in the presence of acid to yield the corresponding 2-allyl- and 2-α-methylallyl-hydrazines 17 and 18 , respectively. A similar behaviour is shown by the tosylhydrazone of 2-allyl-2-methyl-cyclohexa-3, 5-dien-1-one ( 16 ). 16 could not be isolated. The observed acidcatalysed [3 s, 3 s]-sigmatropic rearrangement of the tosylhydrazones can be regarded as a rearrangement of the dienimine-aniline type.     

[2+4] and [2+2] Cycloaddition Reactions of N‐Sulfinyl Carboxylic Acid Amides with (CF3)2BNMe2. Crystal Structure of cyclo‐(CF3)2B‐NMe2‐S(=O)‐N=C(p‐CH3C6H4)‐O

N‐sulfinylacylamides R‐C(=O)‐N=S=O react with (CF₃)₂BNMe₂ ( 1 ) to form, by [2+4] cycloaddition, six‐membered rings cyclo‐(CF₃)₂B‐NMe₂‐S(=O)‐N=C(R)‐O for R = Me ( 2 ), t‐Bu ( 3 ), C₆H₅ ( 4 ), and p‐CH₃C₆H₄ ( 5 ) while N‐sulfinylcarbamic acid esters R‐O‐C(=O)‐N=S=O react with 1 to yield mixtures of six‐membered (cyclo‐(CF₃)₂B‐NMe₂‐S(=O)‐N=C(OR)‐O) and four‐membered rings (cyclo‐(CF₃)₂B‐NMe₂‐S(=O)‐N(C=O)OR) for R = Me ( 6 and 9 ), Et ( 7 and 10 ), and C₆H₅ ( 8 and 11 ). The structure of 5 has been determined by X‐ray diffraction.     

4-Substituted 5-nitroisoquinolin-1-ones from intramolecular Pd-catalysed reaction of N-(2-alkenyl)-2-halo-3-nitrobenzamides

4-Methyl- and 4-benzyl-5-aminoisoquinolin-1-ones are close analogues of the water-soluble PARP-1 inhibitor 5-AIQ. Their synthesis was approached through Pd-catalysed cyclisations of N-(2-alkenyl)-2-iodo-3-nitrobenzamides. Reaction of N,N-diallyl-2-iodo-3-nitrobenzamide with Pd(PPh₃)₄ gave a mixture of 2-allyl-4-methyl-5-nitroisoquinolin-1-one and 2-allyl-4-methylene-5-nitro-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-1-one. N-Benzhydryl-N-cinnamyl-2-iodo-3-nitrobenzamide similarly gave 2-benzhydryl-4-benzyl-5-nitroisoquinolin-1-one and 2-benzhydryl-4-benzylidene-5-nitro-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-1-one. The isomeric products are not interconvertible. A deuterium-labelling study indicated that the isomers were formed by different pathways: a π-allyl-Pd route and the classical Heck route. The corresponding secondary amides N-allyl-2-iodo-3-nitrobenzamide and N-((substituted)-cinnamyl)-2-iodo-3-nitrobenzamide gave good yields of the required 4-methyl- and 4-((substituted)-benzyl)-5-nitroisoquinolin-1-ones, respectively, under optimised conditions (Pd(PPh₃)₄, Et₃N, Bu₄NCl, 150 °C, rapid heating). Hydrogenation of the nitro groups gave 4-methyl- and 4-benzyl-5-aminoisoquinolin-1-ones, which were potent inhibitors of PARP-1 activity.     

Wacker oxidation methodology for the synthesis of the benzo-fused acetal core of marticin

Methodology for the synthesis of the benzo-fused acetal core of marticin is described in this paper. Condensation of readily available 1-(2-allyl-3,6-dimethoxyphenyl)ethanone with diethyl oxalate under Claisen condensation conditions furnished (Z)-ethyl 4-(2-allyl-3,6-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-hydroxy-4-oxobut-2-enoate. Treatment of this with LiAlH₄ resulted in the formation of the diol, 1-(2-allyl-3,6-dimethoxyphenyl)-3,4-dihydroxybutan-1-one. Conversion of primary alcohol of the diol into the TBDMS ether followed by further reaction with LiAlH₄ and exposure to Wacker oxidation conditions resulted in the formation of (3,6-dimethoxy-9-methyl-10,13-dioxatricyclo[7.3.1.0^2,7]trideca-2,4,6-trien-11-yl)methanol, the core of marticin.     

Synthese von N-Methyl- und N,N-Dimethylmerucathin sowie von N-Methyl- und N,N-Dimethylpseudomerucathin aus L-Alanin

Synthesis of N-Methyl- and N,N-Dimethylmerucathine and of N-Methyl- and N,N--Dimethylpseudomerucathine Starting from L -Alanine Starting form L -alanine, N-methylmerucathine (= (3R,4S)-4-(methylamino)1-phenyl-1-penten-3-ol; (3R,4S,)- 6 ), N,N-dimethylmerucathine (= (3R,4S)-4-(dimethylamino)-1-phenyl-1-penten-3-ol; (3R,4S)- 9 ), N-methylpseudomerucathine (= (3S,4S)-4-(methylamino)-1-phenyl-1-penten-3-01; (3S,4S)-6), and N,N-dimethylpseudomerucathine (= (3S,4S)-4-(dimethylamino)-1-phenyl-1-penten-3-ol; (3S,4S)- 9 ) were synthesized. The four compounds were analyzed by HPLC and compared with a natural khat extract.     

Sarcodictyin A and Sarcodictyin B,Novel Diterpenoidic Alcohols Esterified by (E)-N(1)-Methylurocanic Acid. Isolation from the Mediterranean Stolonifer Sarcodictyon roseum

The Mediterranean stolonifer Sarcodictyon roseum (= Rolandia rosea) (Cnidaria, Anthozoa, Alcyonaria, Stolonifera, Clavulariidae) is shown to contain two novel diterpenoidic alcohols esterified by (E)-N(1)-methyl-urocanic acid (= E)-3-(l-methyl-lH-imidazol-4-yl)acrylic acid). They are sarcodictyin A ( = (?)-(4R,4a,R, 7R,10S,11S,12aR,lZ,5E,8Z)-7,10-epoxy-3,4,4a,7,10,11,12,12a-octahydro-7-hydroxy-6-(methoxycarbonyl)-1,10-dimethyl-4-(1-methylethyl)benzocyclodecen-11-yl (E)-3-(1-methyl-lH-imidazol-4-yl)acrylate; (?)- 1 ) and sarco-dictyin B (the 6-(ethoxycarbonyl analogue; (?)- 2 ). The assignment of the structures is mainly based on 1D- and 2D-NMR data, as well as on chemical transformations of (?)- 1 , such as transesterification with MeONa/MeOH giving methyl (E)-N(1)-methylurocanate ( 3 ) and the free alcohol (+)- 4 and reduction with LiAlH₄ followed by benzoylation giving dibenzoate 7. Absolute configurations are based on Horeau's method of esterification of (+)- 4 .     

Formation and Dissociation of Tetrahedral Nickel(II) and Cobalt(II) Complexes of ‘Dithioimidodiphosphato’ Ligands,Measurement of Kinetically Determined Stability Constants,and Kinetic Investigations of the Rapid Formation of Tetrahedral Bis(ligand)copper(II) Complexes and Their Rates of Reduction to Trinuclear Copper(I) Species

The stopped‐flow technique was used to measure the rates of formation and dissociation of tetrahedral [ML₂] complexes (M²⁺=Ni²⁺ or Co²⁺) of four bidentate S₂‐donor ‘dithioimidodiphosphato’ ligands L^? (HL=[R¹R²P(?S)]NH[P(?S)R³R⁴], R¹ to R⁴=alkyl) at 25.0° in MeOH/H₂O 95 : 5 (v/v) solution and in the presence of either MOPS (=3‐(morpholin‐4‐yl)propane‐1‐sulfonic acid) or 2,6‐lutidine (=2,6‐dimethylpyridine) buffers. The kinetically determined equilibrium formation constants for [ML]⁺ ions (M=Ni or Co) are 10^?5 K=0.50±0.01 or 1.64±0.07 l mol^?1 for L=L³ (R¹=R²=Me(CH₂)₂CH(Me), R³=R⁴=Me₂CH), 1.27±0.02 or 7.93±0.09 l mol^?1 for L=L⁷ (R¹ to R⁴=Me₂CHCH₂), 0.88±0.04 or 3.84±0.13 l mol^?1 for L=L⁸ (R¹ to R⁴=Me₂CH), and in case of Ni²⁺ 1.88±0.04 l mol^?1 for L=L⁶ (R¹=R³=Bu, R²=R⁴=^tBu) (see Table 3; for L³ and L⁶–L⁸, see Table 1). Whereas the tetrahedral Ni²⁺ complexes dissociate more slowly than the analogous Co²⁺ species, in all cases, the Co²⁺ complexes are more stable than those of Ni²⁺ due to their larger formation rate constants (Table 3). Reactions of Cu²⁺ with eight ligands HL (R¹ to R⁴=alkyl, alkoxy, aryl, and aryloxy) show that formation of intensely colored tetrahedral [Cu^IIL₂] species is too fast be measured with the available stopped‐flow apparatus (t_1/2<2 ms), but the subsequent rates of reduction of [Cu^IIL₂] to give trinuclear products [Cu^I₃L₃] are measurable. An X‐ray analysis establishes the structure of one of the [Cu₃L₃] complexes, where R¹=R²=Me₂CHO and R³=R⁴=2‐(tert‐butyl)phenyl (L=L⁵), and a multiwavelength stopped‐flow kinetic experiment establishes the spectrum of a tetrahedral [Cu^IIL₂] species prior to the reduction reactions. The redox reactions proceed at 25.0° with first‐order rate constants in the range 0.285 s^?1 (R¹ to R⁴=PhO; L=L¹¹) to 2.58?10^?4 s^?1 (R¹ to R⁴=Me₂CHCH₂; L=L⁷) (Table 4).