Preparation of trifluoroethyl- and phenyl-protected sulfates using sulfuryl imidazolium salts

Sulfuryl imidazolium salts (SIS’s), a new class of sulfating agents, were prepared bearing the trifluoroethyl (TFE) and phenyl groups, two functionalities that have been used for the protection of sulfate monoesters, by subjecting the corresponding sulfonyl imidazoles with methyl triflate. In contrast, SIS’s bearing the electron donating neopentyl and isobutyl groups, two moieties that have also been used for the protection of sulfates, were found to be unstable and could not be isolated though SIS’s bearing electron donating aryl groups, such as a p-methoxyphenyl or p-thiomethylphenyl group were readily prepared and are stable compounds. In most instances, TFE-protected phenolic and carbohydrate sulfates were obtained in good yield by reaction of the corresponding SIS’s with steroids and carbohydrates. Phenyl-protected carbohydrates were also readily prepared using the corresponding SIS’s. Those SIS’s having a methyl group at the 2-position of the imidazole ring were, in general, superior sulfating agents to those, which lacked a methyl group at this position. The use of SIS’s to prepare TFE-protected sulfates represents a significant improvement of the previous reported procedure, which involved treating unprotected sulfates with trifluorodiazoethane. The TFE protecting group was removed from steroidal sulfates and secondary sulfates in carbohydrates in high yields using NaN₃ in warm DMF, conditions that are less vigorous than those previously reported for removing this group. Deprotection of TFE-protected 6-sulfated carbohydrates using NaN₃ in warm DMF proceeded in lower yields due to partial desulfation.     

Influence of the nature of the ligand on the microstructure of poly d,l-lactides prepared with organoaluminum initiators

The polymerization of d,l-lactide with organoaluminum initiators bearing two different ligands, acetylacetone (1) and achiral Schiff’s base (2), has been studied. The microstructure of the obtained polymers analyzed by high resolution ¹³C NMR (125 MHz) is strongly influenced by the nature of the ligand. Al(acac)₃ (1) leads to stereocopolymers having random repartition of configurational units while polylactides prepared with aluminum methoxide derivatives bearing as ligand Schiff’s base (2) present some degree of stereoregularity with preferential formation of isotactic sequences.Variation of the ligand linked to the initiator appears as one of the best tools for the moulding of the microstructure of obtained polylactides.     

Changing the shape of Tröger’s base

The first synthesis of Tröger’s base analogues bearing three and four atoms in the apical strap is reported, leading to a dramatic change in the shape of the aromatic scaffold with respect to the Tröger’s base framework.     

Functionalization of Csp-H bond—Sc(OTf)3-catalyzed domino 1,5-hydride shift/cyclization/Friedel-Crafts acylation reaction of benzylidene Meldrum’s acids

Under Sc(OTf)₃ catalysis, benzylidene Meldrum’s acids bearing a tethered p-methoxyphenethyl group were observed to undergo a [1,5]-hydride shift/cyclization at room temperature, representing a mild Csp³-H bond functionalization. The resulting spiro Meldrum’s acid intermediates then underwent intramolecular Friedel-Crafts acylation, completing the one-pot, domino reaction. The reported protocol generates the 6-6-5-6 tetracyclic core of tetrahydrobenzo[b]fluoren-11-ones.     

Synthesis and reactivity of dimethoxy-functionalised Tröger’s base analogues

Tröger’s base analogues were prepared bearing methoxy groups in the 1,7-, 2,8-, 3,9- or 4,10-positions. These compounds were converted to their dihydroxy analogues in excellent yields upon treatment with boron tribromide and the 4,10-dihydroxy analogue could be prepared by directly from 4-hydroxyaniline. The synthetic utility of the dihydroxy-functionalised compounds as building blocks was demonstrated by the synthesis of a dialkoxy and a diester Tröger’s base analogue.     

Reaction of Tröger’s base analogues with Vilsmeier reagents

As part of a program aimed at introducing functionality onto the Tröger’s base framework post-synthesis, we investigated the formylation reaction of Tröger’s base analogues with Vilsmeier reagents. We found that rather than the anticipated reaction at the aryl rings, these compounds react with Vilsmeier reagents to afford compounds with a modified strap, whereby the apical methylene group is replaced by a methylene strap bearing an N,N-disubstituted amine.     

Chemo- and regioselective synthesis of 2-alkylidenetetrahydrofurans bearing a chiral sulfur atom by domino reactions of sulfoximines

The addition of the dianion of Johnson’s sulfoximine to α,ω-halogenoesters evolves by an intramolecular heterocyclization to provide a direct access to 2-alkylidenetetrahydrofurans bearing a chiral sulfur atom via domino addition-elimination/S_N reactions.     

Trifluoro analog of Hagemann’s ester: access to angularly CF3-substituted heterobicyclic compounds

The selective reduction of the trifluoro analog of the Hagemann’s ester 1 provided corresponding cyclohexenols, which underwent a Johnson-Claisen rearrangement leading to diesters 3. These latter are precursors of tetrahydroisochromanes 5 and octahydroisoquinoline 7a bearing an angular trifluoromethyl substituent.     

Michael addition approach for the synthesis of novel spiro compounds and 2-substituted malonic acid derivatives from Meldrum’s acid

Novel routes for the synthesis of spiro derivatives of Meldrum’s acid and 2-substituted malonic acid derivatives have been developed. Meldrum’s acid was monoalkylated using a Michael addition reaction. Mono-Michael adducts were then alkylated using substituted haloalkanes, which on condensation gave spiro derivatives of Meldrum’s acid. Bis Michael addition of Meldrum’s acid with 1,5-diaryl-1,4-pentadien-3-one gave directly a spiro derivative of Meldrum’s acid. These compounds and bis alkylated Meldrum’s acid derivatives, on acidic methanolysis gave 2-substituted malonic acids.     

Chemoselective coupling of sugar oximes and α-ketoacids to glycosyl amides and N-glycopeptides

The reaction of unprotected sugar hydroxylamines and oximes with α-ketoacids leads to the chemoselective formation of glycosyl amides following the decarboxylative condensation pathway of Bode’s ketoacid hydroxylamine (KAHA) ligation. Sugar oximes with gluco configuration stereoselectively form β-linked products. This method can be used for the convergent synthesis of N-acylated sugars and oligosaccharides bearing small labels, spacers, or peptides in the acyl part.     

An expedient synthesis of orthogonally protected lysinoalanine from Aloc-protected Garner’s aldehyde

An expedient synthesis of orthogonally protected lysinoalanine has been developed. We have prepared a novel Garner’s aldehyde derivative bearing an Aloc group; reductive amination of this aldehyde with Fmoc-Lys-OPMB gave the lysinoalanine skeleton. This was then transformed into an orthogonally protected lysinoalanine derivative suitable for the synthesis of side-chain bridged cyclic peptides by solid phase peptide synthesis methods.     

One-pot construction of isoindolo[2,1-a]quinoline system

Polycyclic compounds bearing isoindolo[2,1-a]quinoline system were easily prepared stereo- and regioselectively, and in one-pot, in a tandem fashion containing Povarov’s multicomponent and condensation reactions. Involving a stepwise route for the aza Diels-Alder reaction within the synthesis was suggested.     

Noyori’s Ts-DPEN ligand: an efficient bifunctional primary amine-based organocatalyst in enantio- and diastereoselective Michael addition of 1,3-dicarbonyl indane compounds to nitroolefins

Noyori’s Ts-DPEN ligand bearing an amino sulfonamide moiety and with a primary amino group on a chiral scaffold was found to be a simple and efficient bifunctional organocatalyst for the asymmetric Michael addition of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds to nitroolefins, which gave highly functional Michael adduct with quaternary stereocenters in good enantioselectivities (up to 84%ee) and dr (up to 5.7:1 dr).     

Novel application of quantum chemical investigation in terms of substituent parameters: Statistical comparison of dual and single substituent parameter treatments

The correlation analysis of Mulliken charge (Q_M) calculated by using density functional theory (B3LYP/STO-3G) calculations of 1-(4-azido-5-hydroxymethyl-tetrahydro-selenophen-2-ylmethyl)-5-substituted-1H-pyrimidine-2,4-dione, were done by using mono substituent parameter (Hammett’s model), and dual substituent parameter (Taft’s, Reynolds’, and Swain’s models). The dual substituent parameter correlations of the Q_M data gave no significant improvement over single parameter correlations, the best correlation observed with the Taft’s Model as compared with the Swain’s and Reynolds’ Models, respectively. The correlation analysis of Mulliken charge can be used successfully to demonstrate the existence or absence of the interaction between the oxygen of the carbonyl group and selenium atom.     

Cyanuric chloride–dimethylformamide mediated cleavage of cyclopropylcarbinols-synthesis of phenolic antioxidant and construction of a new vinylcyclopropane skeleton

Differently substituted cyclopropylcarbinols underwent ring cleavage with easily accessible cyanuric chloride–N,N-dimethylformamide adduct to produce homoallylic chlorides or dienes depending on the nature and location of the substituents. A mechanistic explanation of the aforesaid observations has been provided. A promising antioxidant compound was prepared following this protocol and studied against Fenton’s reagent. This methodology was utilized to construct hitherto unreported vinylcyclopropane frameworks bearing homoallylic chloride and diene moieties.     

Functionalized ionic liquids with highly polar polyhydroxylated appendages and their rapid synthesis via thiol-ene click chemistry

The thiol-ene ‘click’ reaction of 1-thioglycerol with ionic liquids incorporating cations bearing appended vinyl- and/or allyl groups is a versatile, single-step means for their conversion into derivatives bearing up to eight hydroxyl groups per cation.     

Substituent-controlled domino-Knoevenagel-hetero Diels-Alder reaction—a one-pot synthesis of polycyclic heterocycles

The reaction of 2-(N-alkenyl-N-aryl)amino-4-oxo-4H-1-benzopyran-3-carbaldehyde with dimedone/Meldrum’s acid/4-hydroxycoumarin by heating in ethanol in the presence of pyridine produces polycyclic heterocycles bearing pyridine and pyran rings in a one-pot reaction. The effect of substituents on N-atom of the amino function controls the mode of reaction. Terminal alkenes prefer intramolecular Michael type reaction, but non-terminal alkenes favour Diels-Alder reaction, whereas, under similar condition, 2-(N-alkyl-N-allyl)amino-4-oxo-4H-1-benzopyran-3-carbaldehyde undergoes domino-Knoevenagel-hetero Diels-Alder reaction.     

Cycloaddition reactions of 1,3-diazabuta-1,3-dienes with alkynyl ketenes

The cycloaddition reactions of ‘all-carbon’ 1,3-diazabuta-1,3-dienes with a few conjugated and unconjugated alkynyl ketenes are described. The reactions provide some interesting azetidinones and dihydropyrimidinones bearing an alkynyl moiety. The regiochemistry of cycloadduct is related with the degree of conjugation of the alkynyl ketene. Moreover, two alternative approaches to ‘all-carbon’ 1,3-diazabuta-1,3-dienes are reported.     

Effect of the aspect ratio of silicate platelets on the mechanical and barrier properties of hydrogenated acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (HNBR)/layered silicate nanocomposites

The role of the aspect ratio of the layered silicate platelets on the mechanical and oxygen permeation properties of hydrogenated nitrile rubber (HNBR)/organophilic layered silicate nanocomposites was investigated. Montmorillonite (MMT) and fluorohectorite (FHT) bearing the same type of intercalant (i.e., octadecylamine; ODA), however, showing different aspect ratio was involved in this study. The dispersion of the layered silicates was assessed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), respectively. Increasing aspect ratio (MMT < FHT) resulted in higher stiffness under uniaxial tensile loading. The dispersion state (“secondary structure”) of the organophilic layered silicates reduced dramatically the oxygen permeability of the rubber matrix based on the labyrinth principle. The lowest oxygen permeability was measured for the HNBR/FHT-ODA films in which the layered silicates had the highest aspect ratio. By varying the FHT-ODA volume fraction in the latter compound the mechanical and permeation properties were measured and modelled. It was found that the modified Guth’s and Nielsen’s equations predicted accurately the mechanical and permeation responses, respectively.     

Stereoselective synthesis of the C3–C12 subunit of laulimalide

A stereoselective synthesis of the C3–C12 subunit of the tumor growth inhibitors laulimalide is disclosed. The key steps of the synthesis include asymmetric alkylation using Oppolzer’s protocol and an asymmetric hetero-Diels–Alder reaction using Jacobsen’s catalyst. Substrate controlled diastereoselective Luche reduction followed by Ferrier type reactions are other key steps.