Bis‐tert‐Alcohol‐Functionalized Crown‐6‐Calix[4]arene: An Organic Promoter for Nucleophilic Fluorination

A bis‐tert‐alcohol‐functionalized crown‐6‐calix[4]arene (BACCA) was designed and prepared as a multifunctional organic promoter for nucleophilic fluorinations with CsF. By formation of a CsF/BACCA complex, BACCA could release a significantly active and selective fluoride source for S_N2 fluorination reactions. The origin of the promoting effects of BACCA was studied by quantum chemical methods. The role of BACCA was revealed to be separation of the metal fluoride to a large distance (>8 Å), thereby producing an essentially “free” F^?. The synergistic actions of the crown‐6‐calix[4]arene subunit (whose O atoms coordinate the counter‐cation Cs⁺) and the terminal tert‐alcohol OH groups (forming controlled hydrogen bonds with F^?) of BACCA led to tremendous efficiency in S_N2 fluorination of base‐sensitive substrates.     

Origin of Salt Effects in SN2 Fluorination Using KF Promoted by Ionic Liquids: Quantum Chemical Analysis

Quantum chemical analysis is presented, motivated by Grée and co-workers’ observation of salt effects [Adv. Synth. Catal. 2006, 348, 1149–1153] for S_N2 fluorination of KF in ionic liquids (ILs). We examine the relative promoting capacity of KF in [bmim]PF₆ vs. [bmim]Cl by comparing the activation barriers of the reaction in the two ILs. We also elucidate the origin of the experimentally observed additional rate acceleration in IL [bmim]PF₆ achieved by adding KPF₆. We find that the anion PF₆⁻ in the added salt acts as an extra Lewis base binding to the counter-cation K⁺ to alleviate the strong Coulomb attractive force on the nucleophile F⁻, decreasing the Gibbs free energy of activation as compared with that in its absence, which is in good agreement with experimental observations of rate enhancement. We also predict that using 2 eq. KF together with an eq. KPF₆ would further activate S_N2 fluorination     

The effect of properties of water-organic solvent mixtures on the solvation enthalpy of 12-crown-4, 15-crown-5, 18-crown-6 and benzo-15-crown-5 ethers at 298.15 K

Crown ethers are preferential solvated by organic solvents in the mixtures of water with formamide, N-methylformamide, acetonitrile, acetone and propan-1-ol. In these mixed solvents the energetic effect of the preferential solvation depends quantitatively on the structural and energetic properties of mixtures. The energetic properties of the mixtures of water with hydrophobic solvents (N,N-dimethylformamide, dimethylsulfoxide, N,N-dimethylacetamide, hexamethylphosphortriamide) counteract the preferential solvation of the crown ether molecules. The effect of the hydrophobic and acid-base properties of the mixture of water with organic solvent on the solvation of 12-crown-4, 15-crown-5, 18-crown-6 and benzo-15-crown-5 ethers was discussed. The solvation enthalpy of one -CH₂CH₂O- group in water, N,N-dimethylformamide and hexamethylphosphortriamide is equal to −24.21, −16.04 and −15.91 kJ/mol, respectively. The condensed benzene ring with 15-crown-5 ether molecule brings about an increase in the exothermic effect of solvation of the crown ether in the mixtures of water with organic solvent.     

Developing organoboranes as phase transfer catalysts for nucleophilic fluorination using CsF

Despite the general high fluorophilicity of boron, organoboranes such as BEt₃ and 3,5-(CF₃)₂C₆H₃–BPin are shown herein for the first time, to our knowledge, to be effective (solid to solution) phase-transfer catalysts for the fluorination of certain organohalides with CsF. Significant (up to 30% e.e.) chiral induction during nucleophilic fluorination to form β-fluoroamines using oxazaborolidine (pre)catalysts and CsF also can be achieved. Screening different boranes revealed a correlation between calculated fluoride affinity of the borane and nucleophilic fluorination reactivity, with sufficient fluoride affinity required for boranes to react with CsF and form Cs[fluoroborate] salts, but too high a fluoride affinity leading to fluoroborates that are poor at transferring fluoride to an electrophile. Fluoride affinity is only one component controlling reactivity in this context; effective fluorination also is dependent on the ligation of Cs⁺ which effects both the phase transfer of CsF and the magnitude of the [Cs⋯F-BR₃] interaction and thus the B–F bond strength. Effective ligation of Cs⁺ (e.g. by [2.2.2]-cryptand) facilitates phase transfer of CsF by the borane but also weakens the Cs⋯F–B interaction which in turn strengthens the B–F bond – thus disfavouring fluoride transfer to an electrophile. Combined, these findings indicate that optimal borane mediated fluorination occurs using robust (to the fluorination conditions) boranes with fluoride affinity of ca. 105 kJ mol⁻¹ (relative to Me₃Si⁺) under conditions where a signficant Cs⋯F–B interaction persists.

Simple boranes with the optimal fluoride ion affinity are effective as catalysts for phase transfer nucleophilic fluorination with CsF.     

Crown Ether As The Phase-Transfer Catalyst for Free Radical Polymerization of Hydrophobic Vinyl Monomers

Various crown ethers were used as phase-transfer catalysts for free radical polymerizations of some water-insoluble vinyl monomers such as acrylonitrile, methylmethacrylate and styrene with persulfate as initiator. The catalytic abilities of these crown ethers for free radical polymerization of acrylonitrile with S₂O₈^2?ion as an initiator were in the order: 18-crown-6 > 15-crown-4 > 12-crown-4 > benzo-15-crown-5 > dibenzo-18-crown-6. Among various persulfates such as Na₂S₂O₈ K₂S₂O₈ and (NH₄)₂S₂O₈, ammonium persulfate was the optimum initiator for the polymerization of acrylonitrile catalyzed by 18-crown-6 or 15-crown-5. Among the organic solvents used, chloroform seems to be the best solvent for the catalytic polymerization of acrylonitrile. An apparent activation energy of 72.9 kJ mol^?1 was observed for the polymerization of acrylonitrile. The catalytic reaction rates of free radical polymerization for these hydrophobic vinyl monomers were in the order: acrylonitrile > methylmethacrylate > styrene > isoprene. Effects of concentrations of crown ether, initiator, and nitrogen on the polymerization of these vinyl monomers were investigated.     

Synthesis of Double-Armed Benzo-15-crown-5 and Their Complexation Thermodynamics with Alkali Cations

A series of double-armed benzo-15-crown-5 lariats (3–8) have been synthesized by the reaction of 4′, 5′-bis(bromomethyl)-benzo-15-crown-5 (2) with 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde, phenol, 4-chlorophenol, 4-methoxyphenol, 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde, and 4-acetamidophenol in 43 ~ 82% yields, respectively. The complex stability constants (K _S) and thermodynamic parameters for the stoichiometric 1:1 and/or 1:2 complexes of benzo-15-crown-5 1 and double-armed crown ethers 3–8 with alkali cations (Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺) have been determined in methanol–water (V/V=8:2) at 25 °C by means of microcalorimetric titrations. As compared with the parent benzo-15-crown-5 1, double-armed crown ethers 3–8 show unremarkable changes in the complex stability constants upon complexation with Na⁺, but present significantly enhanced binding ability toward cations larger than the crown cavity by the secondly sandwich complexation. Thermodynamically, the sandwich complexations of crown ethers 3-8 with cations are mostly enthalpy-driven processes accompanied with a moderate entropy loss. The binding ability and selectivity of cations by the double-armed crown ethers are discussed from the viewpoints of the electron density, additional binding site, softness, spatial arrangement, and especially the cooperative binding of two crown ether molecules toward one metal ion.     

大环疏水效应: 冠醚在DMF+H2O混合物中的焓对作用

利用等温滴定微量热法测定了298.15 K时12-冠-4、15-冠-5、18-冠-6和4,13-二氮杂-18-冠-6四种冠醚在纯水及不同质量分数(w=0-0.3)的N,N-二甲基甲酰胺(DMF)+H₂O混合物中的稀释焓, 根据McMillan-Mayer理论计算得到相应的焓对作用系数(h_xx). 实验发现, h_xx均为较大的正值, 表明在冠醚-冠醚自相互作用中疏水性成分占绝对优势, 主要表现为两种机制: (1) 当疏水-疏水作用发生时, 共球交盖使得水结构形成减少, 对h_xx有正的贡献; (2) 当疏水-亲水作用发生时, 共球交盖使得水结构破坏增加, 对h_xx有正的贡献. 此外, 四种冠醚h_xx的大小关系为: h_xx(18-冠-6)>h_xx(4,13-二氮杂-18-冠-6)≈h_xx(15-冠-5)>h_xx(12-冠-4), 表明冠醚环越大, 疏水-疏水作用越强, 存在显著的大环疏水效应.     

Syntheses and properties of arenediazonium and anilinium cation lariat ether complexes: an “ostrich molecule” complex and evidence for intramolecular sidearm - macroring interaction

The preparation of several novel lariat ethers (macrocyclic crown polyethers having sidearms bearing pendant donor groups) is reported, These compounds are ethers derived from known 2-hydroxymethyl-15-crown-5 or -21-crown-7. The sidearms Include 2-aminophenyl, 2,4-diaminophenyl, 2-nitrophenyl, 2-(3'-nitrobiphenyl), and 2-(3'-aminobiphenyl). In several cases, the amino groups were converted into ammonium salts which showed substantial stabilization by intramolecular hydrogen bonding. Likewise, an -NH₂^+.,BF₃^- complex showed evidence of intramolecular hydrogen bonding. Diazotization of the aminobiphenyl residue produced an arenediazonium cation which underwent intramolecular crown complexation, as judged by infrared spectroscopic studies to form what we call an “ostrich molecule” complex. Addition of N,N-dimethylaniline to the intramolecular arenediazonium cation complex afforded an azo compound, but europium shift reagent studies showed clearly that the diazonium cation reacted outside the macroring.     

Synthesis of Double-Armed Benzo-15-crown-5 and Their Complexation Thermodynamics with Alkali Cations

A series of double-armed benzo-15-crown-5 lariats (3–8) have been synthesized by the reaction of 4′, 5′-bis(bromomethyl)-benzo-15-crown-5 (2) with 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde, phenol, 4-chlorophenol, 4-methoxyphenol, 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde, and 4-acetamidophenol in 43 ~ 82% yields, respectively. The complex stability constants (K _S) and thermodynamic parameters for the stoichiometric 1:1 and/or 1:2 complexes of benzo-15-crown-5 1 and double-armed crown ethers 3–8 with alkali cations (Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺) have been determined in methanol–water (V/V=8:2) at 25 °C by means of microcalorimetric titrations. As compared with the parent benzo-15-crown-5 1, double-armed crown ethers 3–8 show unremarkable changes in the complex stability constants upon complexation with Na⁺, but present significantly enhanced binding ability toward cations larger than the crown cavity by the secondly sandwich complexation. Thermodynamically, the sandwich complexations of crown ethers 3-8 with cations are mostly enthalpy-driven processes accompanied with a moderate entropy loss. The binding ability and selectivity of cations by the double-armed crown ethers are discussed from the viewpoints of the electron density, additional binding site, softness, spatial arrangement, and especially the cooperative binding of two crown ether molecules toward one metal ion.Graphical Abstract Synthesis of Double-Armed Benzo-15-crown-5 and Their Complexation Thermodynamics with Alkali CationsYU LIU*, JIAN-RONG HAN, ZHONG-YU DUAN and HENG-YI ZHANG This revised version was published online in July 2005 with a corrected issue number.     

Anion dependence of crown ether selectivities for alkali picrates and sulfonates in dioxane and toluene. A synergistic effect

The binding constants,K _N, of sodium and potassium 8-anilinonaphthalene-1-sulfonate (ANS) and of sodium 5-dimethylamino-1-naphthalenesulfonate (DNS) to benzo-18-crown-6 bound to a 2% cross-linked polystyrene network (RN18C6) were measured spectrophotometrically in dioxane and the results compared with those obtained for picrate salts. The network RN18C6 was then used to measure in dioxane and toluene by a competition method the equilibrium constant,K, of the reaction A^–M⁺N+CrA^–M⁺Cr+N.A^–M⁺N denotes the ionic solute (ANS, DNS, methyl orange or picrate salt) bound to the network RN18C6 (N) and A^–M⁺Cr is the solute bound to a soluble ligand Cr, where Cr represents a series of 18-crown-6 and 15-crown-5 compounds. Combining theK _N andK values the formation constants,K _L, of the crown ether complexes of the respective salts were obtained in dioxane. The data show a reversal in the complexation strength of the 18-crown-6 compounds in dioxane when sodium picrate is replaced by sodium ANS. The results were rationalized in terms of a synergistic effect exerted by dioxane, with dioxane forming a 1:1 dioxanate with the crown ion pair complex. This effect is especially strong with ANS and with a rigid planar crown ether like dibenzo-18-crown-6. The binding constants,K _N, of NaANS and NaDNS to RN18C6 in dioxane are nearly three times larger than for sodium picrate, and the same holds for the potassium salts. Differences in anion interactions with the network appear to be a plausible cause for the anion dependence ofK _N.     

Interaction between Divalent Copper Fluoride and Carboxamide Group Enabling Stereoretentive Fluorination of Tertiary Alkyl Halides

Herein, we report a copper-catalyzed stereospecific fluorination involving CsF and α-bromocarboxamides as tertiary alkyl sources that, unlike traditional stereospecific routes involving stereoinversive S_N2 reactions, proceeds with retention of stereochemistry. The developed stereospecific Cu-catalyzed reaction is among the most efficient methods for synthesizing fluorinated molecules that possess highly congested stereogenic carbon centers. Mechanistic studies revealed that the combined reactivity of CuF₂ and Cs salt is essential for completing the catalytic cycle. Our catalytic system underwent fluorination exclusively with tertiary alkyl bromides and did not react with primary alkyl bromides, indicating that this stereospecific fluorination methodology is suitable for synthesizing fluorinated building blocks possessing stereo-defined F-containing tertiary carbon stereogenic center.     

Ion-pair extraction of tetravalent plutonium from hydrochloric acid medium using crown ethers

Ion-pair extraction behaviour of plutonium (IV) from varying concentrations of HCl solution was studied employing crown ethers (benzo-l5-crown-5 (B15C5), 18-crown-6, (18C6), dibenzo-18-crown-6 (DB18C6), dicyclohexano-18-crown-6, (DC18C6), dibenzo-24-crown-8 (DB24C8) and dicyclohexano-24-crown-8 (DCH24C8)) in nitrobenzene as the extractant. Ammonium metavanidate was used as the holding oxidant in the aqueous phase and the conditions necessary for the quantitative extraction of the tetravalent ion were found. The co-extraction of species of the type [HL⁺].[HPu(Cl) ₆ ^– ] and [HL⁺]2·[Pu(Cl) ₆ ^2– ] as ion-pairs (where L represents the crown ether) is suggested.     

Extraction of tetrafluoroborate with crown ethers and its application to silicate rock analysis

Summary The extraction behaviour of tetrafluoroborate with crown ethers was studied. A high distribution ratio of tetrafluoroborate is obtained by extraction with dicyclohexano-18-crown-6 (DC18C6) in an organic solvent of high dielectric constant from potassium fluoride solution. The molar ratios of crown ether to KBF₄ in the extracted species are probably 1:1 for DC18C6, dibenzo-18-crown-6 and 18-crown-6, and 2:1 for benzo-15-crown-5 and 15-crown-5. The flow-injection extraction-spectrophotometric determination of tetrafluoroborate with Brilliant Green was worked out. Many rock reference samples were analyzed for boron (1–150 ppm).     

Side arm participation in lariat ether carboxylate-alkali metal cation complexes in solution

Lariat ether carboxylic acids of structure CECH₂OCH₂C₆H₄-2-CO₂H with crown ether (CE) ring sizes of 12-crown-4, 15-crown-5 and 18-crown-6 are prepared and converted into alkali metal-lariat ether carboxylate complexes. Absorptions for the diastereotopic benzylic protons in the ¹H NMR spectra of the complexes in CDCl₃ are utilized to probe the extent of side arm interaction with the crown ether-complexed metal ion as a function of the crown ether ring size and identity of the alkali metal cation.     

Synthesis of Some Selenacrown Ethers and the Thermodynamic Origin of Their Complexation with C60

Two new selenacrown ethers, i.e., N,N′-dimethyl-1,11-diaza-4,8,14,18,-tetraselenacycloicosane (1) and 7,11-diseleno-2,3,15,16,-dibenzo-1,4,14,17,20,23-hexaoxacyclopentacosane (2), have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis and UV, and ¹H-NMR spectroscopy. An X-ray crystallographic structure was obtained for 1. UV-spectrophotometric titrations have been performed in CCl₄ solution at 25–50 °C to obtain the complex stability constants (K_s) and the thermodynamic parameters (ΔH⁰ and TΔS⁰) for the stoichiometric 1:1 complexation of [60]-fullerene (C60) with the crown ethers 1–4. The obtained K_s values together with that reported for dicyclohexano-24-crown-8 (5) reveal that, the more the heteroatom numbers in crown ether ring are, and the larger the cavity sizes of crown ethers are, the higher theK_svalues for complexation with C60 are. Thermodynamically, the complexation of C60 with 1–5 is absolutely enthalpy-driven in CCl₄, while the complex stability is governed by the entropy term.     

Sodium and potassium benzeneazophosphonate complexes with crown ethers: Solid-state microwave synthesis, characterization and biological activity

The eco-friendly synthesis, spectroscopic (IR, MS, ¹H and ¹³C NMR) study and biological (cytostatic, antiviral) activity of sodium and potassium benzeneazophosphonate complexes, obtained by reaction in the solid state under microwave irradiation of the alkali salts of ethyl [α-(4-benzeneazoanilino)-N-benzyl]phosphonic acid and [α-(4-benzeneazoanilino)-N-4-methoxybenzyl]phosphonic acid with crown ethers containing 18-membered (dibenzo-18-crown-6 and bis(4′-di-tert-butylbenzo)-18-crown-6), 24-membered (dibenzo-24-crown-8) and 30-membered (dibenzo-30-crown-10) macrocyclic rings, have been described. The simple work-up solvent free reaction is an efficient green procedure for the formation of mononuclear crown ether complexes in which the sodium/potassium ion is bound to oxygen atoms of the macrocycle and the phosphonic acid oxygen. The free crown ethers, alkali benzeneazophosphonate salts and their complexes were evaluated for their cytostatic activity in vitro against murine leukemia L1210, murine mammary carcinoma FM3A and human T-lymphocyte CEM and MT-4 cell lines, as well as for their antiviral activity against a wide variety of DNA and RNA viruses. The investigated compounds showed no specific antiviral activity, whereas all the free crown ethers and their complexes demonstrated cytostatic activity, which was especially pronounced in the case of bis(4′-di-tert-butylbenzo)-18-crown-6 and its complexes.     

Stereoselective total synthesis of (−)-brevisamide

The stereoselective total synthesis of (−)-brevisamide, a novel marine cyclic ether alkaloid isolated from dinoflagellate karenia brevis is described. The key steps involved in this synthesis are the Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation and regioselective ring opening of chiral epoxide by Gilman's reagent. The tetrahydropyran core has been constructed by an intramolecular S_N2 cyclisation.     

Computational Studies of Coinage Metal Anion M− + CH3X (X = F,Cl, Br,I) Reactions in Gas Phase

We characterized the stationary points along the nucleophilic substitution (S_N2), oxidative insertion (OI), halogen abstraction (XA), and proton transfer (PT) product channels of M⁻ + CH₃X (M = Cu, Ag, Au; X = F, Cl, Br, I) reactions using the CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVTZ level of theory. In general, the reaction energies follow the order of PT > XA > S_N2 > OI. The OI channel that results in oxidative insertion complex [CH₃–M–X]⁻ is most exothermic, and can be formed through a front-side attack of M on the C-X bond via a high transition state OxTS or through a S_N2-mediated halogen rearrangement path via a much lower transition state invTS. The order of OxTS > invTS is inverted when changing M⁻ to Pd, a d¹⁰ metal, because the symmetry of their HOMO orbital is different. The back-side attack S_N2 pathway proceeds via typical Walden-inversion transition state that connects to pre- and post-reaction complexes. For X = Cl/Br/I, the invS_N2-TS’s are, in general, submerged. The shape of this M⁻ + CH₃X S_N2 PES is flatter as compared to that of a main-group base like F⁻ + CH₃X, whose PES has a double-well shape. When X = Br/I, a linear halogen-bonded complex [CH₃−X∙··M]⁻ can be formed as an intermediate upon the front-side attachment of M on the halogen atom X, and it either dissociates to CH₃ + MX⁻ through halogen abstraction or bends the C-X-M angle to continue the back-side S_N2 path. Natural bond orbital analysis shows a polar covalent M−X bond is formed within oxidative insertion complex [CH₃–M–X]⁻, whereas a noncovalent M–X halogen-bond interaction exists for the [CH₃–X∙··M]⁻ complex. This work explores competing channels of the M⁻ + CH₃X reaction in the gas phase and the potential energy surface is useful in understanding the dynamic behavior of the title and analogous reactions.     

Crystal Structure and Solid-State Packing of 4-Chloro-5H-1,2,3-dithiazol-5-one and 4-Chloro-5H-1,2,3-dithiazole-5-thione

The crystal structure and solid-state packing of 4-chloro-5H-1,2,3-dithiazol-5-one and two polymorphs of 4-chloro-5H-1,2,3-dithiazole-5-thione were analyzed and compared to structural data of similar systems. These five-membered S,N-rich heterocycles are planar with considerable bond localization. All three structures demonstrate tight solid-state packing without voids which is attributed to a rich network of short intermolecular electrostatic contacts. These include S^δ+…N^δ−, S^δ+…O^δ−, S^δ+…Cl^δ− and S^δ+…S^δ− interactions that are well within the sum of their van der Waals radii (∑_VDW). B3LYP, BLYP, M06, mPW1PW, PBE and MP2 were employed to calculate their intramolecular geometrical parameters, the Fukui condensed functions to probe their reactivity, the bond order, Bird Index and NICS(1) to establish their aromaticity.     

Crown ethers with converging neutral binding sites: Synthesis and complexation with t-butylammonium hexafluorophosphate

The influence of substituents in close proximity to crown ether cavities, on the stability of complexes of the crown ethers with t-butylammonium salts, has been investigated. Crown ethers with intra-annular donor substituents (2–4) were prepared by the reaction of 2-acetylresorcinol (1) with polyethylene glycol ditosylates and subsequent modification of the acetyl group. Crown ethers with substituents above and below the plane of the crown ether 0 atoms were synthesized by the reaction of 2,2'-dihydroxy-1,1'-biphenyls with polyethylene glycol ditosylates. Chloromethylation of 5,5'-dimethyl-1,1'-biphenyl crown ethers (6) yielded 4,4'-bis(chloromethyl)-1,1'-biphenyl crown ethers (10). 3,3'-Disubstituted-1,1'-biphenyl crown ethers (13–24) were synthesized by the reaction of 3,3'-diallyl-2,2'-dihydroxy-1,1'-biphenyl (12) with polyethylene glycol ditosylates. The allyl groups of 13 were isomerized with sodium hydride to propen- 1-yl groups. Ozonolysis of 13 and 14 gave the corresponding dialdehydes (15 and 18) which were converted into other 3,3'-disubstituted biphenyl-20-crown-6 derivatives (RCH₂COOMe, CH₂COOH, CH₂OH, CH₂Cl, CH₂OMe, OH and Me) by standard operations. The thermodynamic stability of the complexes of these functionalized crown ethers with t-butylammonium hexafluorophosphate has been studied in deuterochloroform in competition experiments with m-xyleno-18-crown-5 and benzo-15-crown-5 as the reference compounds. The nature of the 2-substituents in the crown ethers 2 and 3 has little effect on the stability of the complexes. The stability of the complexes of 3,3'-disubstituted biphenyl crown ethers depends of ringsize and the size and nature of the substituents. The most stable complexes are those of 24 (R = Me) and 14 (R=CH=CHMe).The Me groups in 24 represent the optimum between relief of O-O repulsion in the polyether ring and steric hindrance of complexation. The propen-1-yl substituents of 14 stabilize the complex because they provide extended π-electron donor stabilization. Substitution at the 4- and 4'-positions of the aryl groups has little effect on the stability of the complexes.