Clickable dendronized copolymers for introducing structural heterogeneity

A new class of shape-persistent dendronized copolymers 1[Gn]4–5(a–d) (n = 1, 2) with an alternating structure was synthesized via a combination of conventional radical copolymerization and Cu(I)-catalyzed click reaction (i.e. CuAAC). Firstly, azide-functionalized dendronized copolymers 1[Gn]4-N₃ that could be used as “clickable” single molecular platforms were synthesized through two steps: (i) the preparation of methanesulfonate-modified copolymers by a radical copolymerization of styrene derivatives pendant with Percec-type polyether dendron and methanesulfonate-containing maleimide; (ii) the replacement reaction of methanesulfonate unit with sodium azide. Then a series of functional molecules bearing an alkyne group, respectively, such as anthracene and mini-dendritic wedges, were attached onto each maleimide unit of the copolymers through CuAAC. Moreover, a postmodification of the denpols bearing anthracene has been conducted using Diels–Alder cycloaddition between the attached anthracenes and the maleimide dendron, demonstrating that more complicated denpols can be fabricated. These novel dendronized copolymers have been characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, atom force microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, UV–vis spectroscopy.     

Thermodynamics of organic mixtures containing amines. X. Phase equilibria for binary systems formed by imidazoles and hydrocarbons: Experimental data and modelling using DISQUAC

(Solid + liquid) equilibrium (SLE) temperatures have been determined using a dynamic method for the systems (1H-imidazole, + benzene, + toluene, + hexane, or + cyclohexane; 1-methylimidazole + benzene, or + toluene, 2-methyl-1H-imidazole + benzene, + toluene, or + cyclohexane, and benzimidazole + benzene). In addition (liquid + liquid) equilibrium (LLE) temperatures have been obtained using a cloud point method for (1H-imidazole, + hexane, or + cyclohexane; 1-methylimidazole + toluene, and 2-methyl-1H-imidazole + cyclohexane). The measured systems show positive deviations from the Raoult’s law, due to strong dipolar interactions between amine molecules related to the high dipole moment of imidazoles. On the other hand, DISQUAC interaction parameters for the contacts present in these solutions and for the amine/hydroxyl contacts in (1H-imidazole + 1-alkanol) mixtures have been determined. The model correctly represents the available data for the examined systems. Deviations between experimental and calculated SLE temperatures are similar to those obtained using the Wilson or NRTL equations, or the UNIQUAC association solution model. The quasichemical interaction parameters are the same for mixtures containing 1H-imidazole, 1-methylimidazole, or 2-methyl-1H-imidazole and hydrocarbons. This may be interpreted assuming that they are members of a homologous series. Benzimidazole behaves differently.     

Enthalpic changes on mixing two couples of S- and R-enantiomers of benzyl-(1-phenyl-ethyl)-amine, 1-phenylethylamine, 1-phenyl-ethanol,butyric acid oxiranylmethyl ester, 4-methyl-[1,3]dioxolan-2-one, 2-chloro-methyloxirane and 3-hydroxyisobutyric acid methyl ester at T = 298.15 K

Enthalpies of mixing of (R)- and (S)-enantomers of liquid chiral compounds such as benzyl-(1-phenyl-ethyl)-amine (1), 1-phenylethylamine (2), 1-phenyl-ethanol (3), butyric acid oxiranylmethyl ester (4), 4-methyl-[1,3]dioxolan-2-one (5), 2-Chloromethyloxirane (6) and 3-hydroxyisobutyric acid methyl ester (7) have been measured over the whole range of mole fractions at 298.15 K, albeit very small values. Mixing of heterochiral liquids of R-1 + S-1, R-5 + S-5, and R-7 + S-7 realized enthalpic stabilization over the whole range of mole fractions, whereas that of R-2 + S-2, R-3 + S-3, R-4 + S-4, and R-6 + S-6 realized enthalpic destabilization over entire compositions. The extreme values of enthalpies of mixing and the intermolecular interaction obtained by the molecular mechanics calculations showed a linear correlation, except few the compounds measured.     

New chemical and chemo-enzymatic routes for the synthesis of (RS)- and (S)-enciprazine

The chemo-enzymatic synthesis of racemic and enantiopure (RS)- and (S)-enciprazine 1, a non-benzodiazepine anxiolytic drug, is described herein. The synthesis started from 1-(2-methoxyphenyl) piperazine 3, which was treated with 2-(chloromethyl) oxirane (RS)-4 using lithium bromide to afford a racemic alcohol, 1-chloro-3-(4-(2-methoxyphenyl) piperazin-1-yl) propan-2-ol (RS)-6 in 85% yield. Intermediate (S)-6 was synthesized from racemic alcohol (RS)-6 using Candida rugosa lipase (CRL) with vinyl acetate as the acyl donor. Various reaction parameters such as temperature, time, substrate, enzyme concentration, and the effect of the reaction medium on the conversion and enantiomeric excess for the transesterification of (RS)-6 by CRL were optimized. It was observed that 10 mM of (RS)-6, 50 mg/mL of CRL in 4.0 mL of toluene with vinyl acetate (5.4 mmol) as acyl donor at 30 °C gave good conversion (C = 49.4%) and enantiomeric excess (ee_P = 98.4% and ee_S = 96%) after 9 h of reaction. Compound (S)-6 is a key intermediate for the synthesis of enantiopure (S)-1. The (RS)- and (S)-enciprazine drug 1 was synthesized by treating (RS)- and (S)-6 with 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenol 5 using MeCN as a solvent and K₂CO₃ as a base.     

Synthesis of the (1S,2S)- and (1R,2S)-stereoisomers of the respective E- and Z-isomers of ethyl 4-[(2-hydroxycyclohexyl)methyl]phenoxy-3-methyl-2-butenoate using yeast whole cell bioreduction of the parent ketones

Saccharomyces cerevisiae, strain DBM 2115, was successfully employed in the reduction of the separated Z- and E-isomers of ethyl 4-[(2-oxocyclohexyl)methyl]phenoxy-3-methyl-2-butenoates 1 and 2, in order to prepare the (1S,2S)- and (1R,2S)-enantiomers of the corresponding ethyl 4-[(2-hydroxycyclohexyl)methyl]phenoxy-3-methyl-2-butenoates 3–6. The products were obtained with the required absolute configuration: (1S,2S)-3 (ee = 98%; yield 48%), (1R,2S)-4 (ee = >99%; yield 45%), (1S,2S)-5 (ee = 98.5%; yield 47%), and (1R,2S)-6 (ee = >99%; chemical yield 44%).     

Approaches to (R)- and (S)-1′-(1-aminoethyl)ferrocene-1-carboxylic acid derivatives

Lipase-catalyzed esterification of (±)-methyl 1′-(1-hydroxyethyl)ferrocene-1-carboxylate 4 afforded its (R)-acetate (−)-5 (ee = 99%) and (S)-(+)-4 (ee = 90%). Stereoretentive azidation/amination/acetylation of (R)-(−)-5 gave (R)-(+)-methyl 1′-(1-acetamidoethyl)ferrocene-1-carboxylate (R)-3 (ee = 98%). In a similar manner (S)-(+)-4 was converted into (S)-(−)-3 (ee = 84%). Both enantiomers of 3 were obtained in high chemical yields without a loss of enantiomeric purity. The title compounds can be coupled with natural amino acids and peptides on both C- and N-termini.     

Enantioselective construction of all-carbon quaternary spirocenters through a Pd-catalyzed asymmetric intramolecular ipso-Friedel–Crafts allylic alkylation of phenols

A novel catalytic asymmetric synthetic method for making spirocyclohexadienones with an all-carbon quaternary spirocenter was developed based on the Pd-catalyzed intramolecular ipso-Friedel–Crafts allylic alkylation of phenols. When 5 mol % of the Pd catalyst and 12 mol % of (?)-9-NapBN (?)-3e were used, the spirocyclic adduct was obtained with up to 93% ee, albeit with low chemical yield. On the other hand, when using 6 mol% of the Trost ligand (R,R)-3k, the spirocyclic adducts were obtained in good yields with up to 89% ee (diastereoselectivity = 9.2:1).     

Lipase-catalyzed kinetic and dynamic kinetic resolution of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-1-carboxylic acid

A dynamic kinetic resolution method for the preparation of enantiopure 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-1-carboxylic acid (R)-2 was developed involving the CAL-B-catalyzed enantioselective hydrolysis of the corresponding ethyl ester (±)-1 in toluene/acetonitrile (4:1) containing 1 equiv of added water and 0.25 equiv of dipropylamine. This method allowed the preparation of (R)-2 (ee = 96%) with 80% isolated yield. The kinetic resolution of (±)-1 in diisopropyl ether at 3 °C afforded both enantiomers with ee ⩾92%.     

Enantioselective self-assembly,crystallographic structure and magnetic properties of the two enantiomers of the optically active canted antiferromagnet [Ru(bpy)3][Mn2(ox)3]

The two enantiomers of [Ru(bpy)₃][Mn₂(ox)₃] (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine, ox = oxalate), namely [(Δ)-Ru(bpy)₃][(Δ)-Mn₂(ox)₃], (Δ-1) and [(Λ)-Ru(bpy)₃][(Λ)-Mn₂(ox)₃], (Λ-1), were obtained as single crystals using [(Δ)-Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ and [(Λ)-Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺, respectively, as a chiral templating cation. Their structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The compounds crystallise in the enantiomeric chiral cubic space groups, P4₃32 (Δ-1) and P4₁32 (Λ-1), with a = 15.492(2) and 15.507(2) Å, respectively (Z = 4). Both structures include a three-dimensional 10-gon 3-connected (10,3) anionic network wrapped around the [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ cations. In both crystalline enantiomers, the resolved ruthenium template cation imposes both the topology and the absolute configuration of all the metal centres. The thermal variation of the magnetic susceptibility, measured on Δ-1 and Λ-1 crystals, reveals an antiferromagnetic coupling between the oxalate-bridged manganese ions in the paramagnetic region characterised by a negative Weiss constant Θ = −35 K. Below T_N = 13 K, Δ-1 and Λ-1 exhibit a canted antiferromagnetic order.     

Synthesis of modified H4-BINOL ligands and their applications in the asymmetric addition of diethylzinc to aromatic aldehydes

Two new ligands (S,S)-3-(1,1′-bi-2-naphthol-3-yl)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-1,1′-bi-2-naphthol [(S,S)-1] and (S)-3-(morpholin-4-ylmethyl)-H₄-BINOL [(S)-2] have been synthesized via Suzuki cross-coupling reaction and a Mannich-type reaction, respectively. In the presence of titanium tetraisopropoxide, 0.8 mol % of ligand (S,S)-1 catalyzed the asymmetric addition of diethylzinc to aromatic aldehydes in good yield and with high enantioselectivity.     

Activation of C–H bonds of hydrocarbons by the ArH–alkali metal systems in THF (ArH – naphthalene,biphenyl, anthracene,phenanthrene, trans-stilbene,pyrene). Alkylation of naphthalene and toluene with ethene

Systems based on naphthalene and alkali metals (Li, Na, K) in THF are able to induce the alkylation of naphthalene with ethene at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. The highest activity in this reaction is exhibited by the naphthalene–potassium system which converts naphthalene into 1-ethylnaphthalene (1) and small amounts of two isomeric dihydro derivatives of 1 in a yield of 85% (24 h, K:C₁₀H₈ = 2:1). The same alkylation products are formed when metallic sodium is used instead of potassium. The interaction of ethene with the naphthalene–lithium system (24 h, Li:C₁₀H₈ = 2:1) affords 1 together with 1-n-butylnaphthalene (4), 1-n-hexylnaphthalene (5), 1-n-oktylnaphthalene (6) and dihydro derivatives of 5 and 6 in a total yield of 60%. Alkylation of toluene with ethene in the naphthalene–alkali metal systems leads to the formation of higher monoalkylbenzenes. The greatest toluene conversion (48%, 24 h) is observed on using the lithium-containing system (Li:C₁₀H₈ = 2:1), in the presence of which a mixture of n-propylbenzene (11), n-pentylbenzene (12), 3-phenylpentane (13) and 3-phenylheptane (14) is produced from ethene and toluene. On the replacement of lithium by sodium or potassium, only 11 and 13 are obtained. A treatment of biphenyl, phenanthrene, trans-stilbene, pyrene and anthracene with alkali metals in THF also gives systems capable of catalyzing the alkylation of toluene with ethene at 22 °C. Of particularly active is the stilbene–lithium system (Li:stilbene = 3:1) which converts toluene into a mixture of 11–14, n-heptylbenzene and 5-phenylnonane in a yield of 58%. In all cases, the rate of the alkylation considerably increases in the presence of the solid phase of alkali metal. The mechanism of the reactions found is discussed.     

Correlation between molecular structure and optical properties for the bis(2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)benzothiazolate) complexes

A series of methyl-substituted bis(2-(hydroxyphenyl)benzothiazolate)zinc derivatives [Zn(n-MeBTZ)₂, n = 3 (1a), 4 (1b), 5 (1c)] were synthesized to investigate the correlation between molecular structures and optical properties. The results indicate that the blue-emitting (λ_max = 470 nm) complex 1b is monomer with a higher PL quantum efficiency than complexes 1, 1a, 1c. Two green-emitting (λ_max = 507 nm and 499 nm) complexes 1a and 1c have special bi-molecular structures. The molecular structure for Zn(BTZ)₂ (complex 1) is dimer. Bilayer organic light-emitting devices were fabricated by using these complexes as emitting layer. The maximum emission wavelengths of the devices are in the range of 501–553 nm. The devices show turn-on voltages at 9.2, 12.7, 2.3 and 10.7 V for complex 1, 1a, 1b, and 1c, respectively. In particular, the device with complex 1b shows a higher brightness than the other complexes under the same conditions.     

Asymmetric synthesis of propargylic alcohols catalyzed by (−)-MITH

This investigation describes that in the presence of 2.5 mol % of (?)-2-exo-morpholinoisobornane-10-thiol (MITH) 1, catalytic asymmetric alkynylation of aldehydes gives enantioenriched propargylic alcohols with good enantioselectivities.     

Copper(I) complexes of heterocyclic thiourea ligands

The coordination of heterocyclic thiourea ligands (L = N-(2-pyridyl)-N′-phenylthiourea (1), N-(2-pyridyl)-N′-methylthiourea (2), N-(3-pyridyl)-N′-phenylthiourea (3), N-(3-pyridyl)-N′-methylthiourea (4), N-(4-pyridyl)-N′-phenylthiourea (5), N-(2-pyrimidyl)-N′-phenylthiourea (6), N-(2-pyrimidyl)-N′-methylthiourea (7), N-(2-thiazolyl)-N′-methylthiourea (8), N-(2-benzothiazolyl)-N′-methylthiourea (9), N,N′-bis(2-pyridyl)thiourea (10) and N,N′-bis(3-pyridyl)thiourea (11)) with CuX (X = Cl, Br, I, NO₃) has been investigated. CuX:L product stoichiometries of 1:1–1:5 were found, with 1:1 being most common. X-ray structures of four 3-coordinate mononuclear CuXL₂ complexes (CuCl(6)₂, CuCl(7)₂, CuBr(6)₂, and CuBr(9)₂) are reported. In contrast, CuBr(1)₂ is a 1D sulfur-bridged polymer. CuIL structures (L = 7, 8) are 1D chains with corner-sharing Cu₂(μ-I)₂ and Cu₂(μ-S)₂ units, and CuCl(10) is a 2D network having μ-Cl and N-/S-bridging L. Two [CuL₂]NO₃ structures are reported: a mononuclear 4-coordinate copper complex with chelating ligands (L = 10) and a 1D link-chain with N-/S-bridging L (L = 3). Two ligand oxidative cyclizations were encountered during crystallization. CuI crystallized with 6 to produce zigzag ladder polymer [(CuI)₂(12)]·½CH₃CN (12 = N-(pyrimidin-2-yl)benzo[d]thiazol-2-amine) and CuNO₃ crystallized with 10 to form [Cu₂(NO₃)(13)₂(MeCN)]NO₃ (13 = dipyridyltetraazathiapentalene).     

Synthesis of rigid and C2-symmetric 18-crown-6 type macrocycles bearing diamide–diester groups: enantiomeric recognition for α-(1-naphthyl)ethylammonium perchlorate salts

A series of rigid and chiral C₂-symmetric 18-crown-6 type macrocycles (S,S)-4, (S,S)-5, (S,S)-6 and (R,R)-2 bearing diamide–ester groups were synthesized. The binding properties of these macrocycles were examined for α-(1-naphthyl)ethylammonium perchlorates salts by an ¹H NMR titration method. Taking into account the host employed, important differences were observed in the K_a values of (R)- and (S)-enantiomers of guests for macrocycles (S,S)-4 and (S,S)-6, K_S/K_R = 3.6, and K_S/K_R = 0.1 (K_R/K_S = 10.3) ΔΔG = 3.19 and ΔΔG = ?5.77 kJ mol^?1, respectively. The results indicated excellent enantioselectivity of macrocyclic (S,S)-6 towards the enantiomers of α-(1-naphthyl)ethylammonium perchlorate salts.     

A family of dodecanuclear Mn11Ln single-molecule magnets

A series of four isostructural dodecanuclear complexes [Mn^III₉Mn^II₂Ln^III(O)₈(OH)(piv)₁₆(NO₃)(CH₃CN)]·xCH₃CN·yC₇H₁₆ (piv = pivalate; x = ½, y = ¾, Ln = Tb (1); x = 2, y = ½, Ln = Dy (2), Ho (3), and Y (4)) has been prepared for which the structural motif described as ‘a lanthanide ion nested in a large manganese shell’ is observed. All compounds show out-of-phase signals in their ac susceptibilities, and their single-molecule magnet behaviour was confirmed by single-crystal micro-SQUID studies of 1-3 which show hysteresis loops of molecular origin at T < 1.0 K. The SMM behaviour observed in compounds 1-3 is more pronounced than that for 4, which contains the diamagnetic Y^III ion. This is principally the result of ferromagnetic coupling between the paramagnetic anisotropic Ln^III ions (Tb^III, Dy^III and Ho^III) and the manganese shell, which enhances the total spin ground state of the complexes.     

Third-order nonlinear optical properties and structures of (E)-N-(4-nitrobenzylidene)-2,6-dimethylaniline and (E)-N-(4-nitrobenzylidene)-2,3-dimethylaniline

(E)-N-(4-Nitrobenzylidene)-2,6-dimethylaniline (1) and (E)-N-(4-nitrobenzylidene)-2,3-dimethylaniline (2) have been synthesized. The crystal structures of both compounds have been defined by X-ray diffraction analysis. The maximum one-photon absorption (OPA) wavelengths recorded by quantum mechanical computations using a configuration interaction (CI) method are estimated in the UV region to be shorter than 450 nm, showing good optical transparency to the visible light. To provide an insight into the microscopic third-order nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of the investigated molecules, both dispersion-free (static) and also frequency-dependent (dynamic) linear polarizabilities (α) and second hyperpolarizabilities (γ) at λ = 825–1125 nm and 1050–1600 nm wavelength areas have been computed using time-dependent Hartree–Fock (TDHF) method. According to the ab initio calculation results, the title molecules exhibit second hyperpolarizabilities with non-zero values, implying microscopic third-order NLO behavior.     

Asymmetric reductions of ethyl 2-(benzamidomethyl)-3-oxobutanoate by yeasts

The stereoselective reduction of ethyl 2-(benzamidomethyl)-3-oxobutanoate 1 using yeasts was investigated among a restricted number (12) of yeasts. Kluyveromyces marxianus var. lactis CL69 diastereoselectively produced (2R,3S)-ethyl 2-(benzamidomethyl)-3-hydroxybutanoate 2, whereas Pichia glucozyma CBS 5766 gave (2S,3S)-2 as the major stereoisomer. The biotransformations were independently optimized for minimizing by-product formation and maximizing the diastereoselectivity. Under optimized conditions, K. marxianus var. lactis CL 69 gave the (2R,3S)-ethyl 2-(benzamidomethyl)-3-hydroxybutanoate 2 with ee > 99% and de = 98%, while P. glucozyma CBS 5766 allowed for the production of (2S,3S)-2 with ee > 99% and de = 86%.     

Dialkyl- and diaryl-platinum(II) complexes with secondary phosphines: Preparation,structure and thermal reaction giving the metallopolymer

Alkyl and arylplatinum complexes with 1,5-cyclooctadiene ligand, [PtR₂(cod)] (R = Me, Ph, C₆H₄-p-CF₃, C₆F₅), react with secondary phosphines, PHR′₂ (R′ = i-Bu, t-Bu, Ph), to afford the mononuclear platinum complexes, cis-[PtR₂(PHR′₂)₂] (1a: R = Me, R′ = i-Bu; 1b: R = Me, R′ = t-Bu; 1c: R = Me, R′ = Ph; 2a: R = Ph, R′ = i-Bu; 2b: R = Ph, R′ = t-Bu; 2c: R = R′ = Ph; 3a: R = C₆H₄-p-CF₃, R′ = i-Bu; 3b: R = C₆H₄-p-CF₃, R′ = t-Bu; 3c: R = C₆H₄-p-CF₃, R′ = Ph; 4a: R = C₆F₅, R′ = i-Bu; 4c: R = C₆F₅, R′ = Ph) in 81–98% yields. Molecular structures of the complexes except for 1a, 1c and 2a were determined by X-ray crystallography. Complex 1b has a square-planar structure with Pt–C(methyl) bonds of 2.083(8) and 2.109(8) Å, while the Pt–C(aryl) bonds of 2b–c, 3a–c, 4a and 4c (2.055(1)–2.073(8) Å) are shorter than them. Thermal decomposition of 1b, 2a–c, and 3a–c releases methane, biphenyl or 4,4′-bis(trifluoromethyl)biphenyl as the organic products, which are characterized by NMR spectroscopy. The solid product of the thermal reactions of 2b and 2c were characterized as the metallopolymers formulated as [Pt(PR′₂)₂]_n (5b: R′ = ^tBu; 5c: R′ = Ph), based on the solid-state NMR and elemental analyses.     

A combined laser flash photolysis,density functional theory and atoms in molecules study of the photochemical hydrogen abstraction by pyrene-4,5-dione

The photochemical hydrogen abstraction reaction of pyrene-4,5-dione (3) has been investigated by laser flash photolysis. Excitation (λ = 355 nm) of a degassed solution of 3 in acetonitrile resulted in the formation of a detectable transient with absorption maxima at 380 and 470 nm. This transient decays with a lifetime of around 4.8 μs and is quenched by oxygen. This transient is most probably a triplet state of 3. Addition of hydrogen donors, such as 2-propanol; 1,4-cyclohexadiene or 4-methoxyphenol led to the formation of a new transient with λ_max at 380, 500 nm and a broad absorption at 640 nm. This new transient slowly decays with second order kinetics and was assigned to the semiquinone radical obtained from the hydrogen abstraction reaction. Using DFT and AIM calculations the reactivity of 3 and 9,10-phenanthrenequinone (1) is best interpreted as a proton coupled electron transfer like mechanism for the hydrogen abstraction from 2-propanol.