Enantioselective reduction of benzofuryl halomethyl ketones: asymmetric synthesis of (R)-bufuralol

Enantioselective reduction of representative 2-(bromoacetyl)- and 2-(chloroacetyl)benzofurans with (−)-B-chlorodiisopinocampheylborane and by transfer hydrogenation with formic acid/triethylamine in the presence of RhCl[R,R-TsDPEN](C₅Me₅) is described. Transfer hydrogenation of the chloro ketones produced the corresponding chlorohydrins of ⩾95% ee. (R)-Bufuralol of 96% ee was prepared from the corresponding chloro ketone by transfer hydrogenation–substitution.     

Asymmetric synthesis of β-amino alcohols by the transfer hydrogenation of α-keto imines

The asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of representative aryl and benzofuranyl 2-tert-butylaminoethanones with formic acid–triethylamine, catalyzed by RhCl[(R,R)-TsDPEN](C₅Me₅), produced the corresponding β-tert-butylamino alcohols in 97–99% ee. A short asymmetric synthesis of (R)-bufuralol, a potent β-adrenergic receptor antagonist, is described. This approach to β-amino alcohols from ketones circumvents the halogenation–reduction–amination sequence.     

Ruthenium-catalyzed asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of ketones in ethanol

A ruthenium catalyst formed in situ by combining [Ru(p-cymene)Cl₂]₂ and an amino acid hydroxy-amide was found to catalyze efficiently the asymmetric reduction of aryl alkyl ketones under transfer hydrogenation conditions using ethanol as the hydrogen donor. The secondary alcohol products were obtained in moderate to good yields and with good to excellent enantioselectivity (up to 97% ee).     

Competition entre substitution nucleophile et reduction chez les bromo-9 anthracenes dans l'action des anions phenate et methylate : Application à la mono-deutériation spécifique en méso en série anthracénique

Treatment of meso-substituted 9-bromoanthracenes bearing no hydrogen in the α position with potassium phenoxide in DMF gives rise to a competition between nucleophilic substitution and reductive dehalogenation. Derivatives carrying electron attracting groups, 1c (Br), 1e (CN) and 1f (NO₂), react essentially by substitution leading to phenolic ethers 2, whereas with non-activated bromides, 1a (H), 1b (C₆H₅) and 1d (OC₆H₅), the main reaction is a reduction to anthracenes 3 which should arise from an electron transfer.A reduction of 9-bromoanthracene into anthracene is also observed with sodium methoxide and it is shown, by labelling, that this one must result from a hydride transfer from methoxide. It may be applied to the specific meso-monodeuteriation of various anthracenic derivatives.     

SIFT studies of the reactions of H3O+, NO+ and O+2 with a series of volatile carboxylic acids and esters

We report the results of a selected ion flow tube (SIFT) study of the reactions of H₃O⁺, NO⁺ and O⁺₂ with some nine carboxylic acids and eight esters. We assume that all the exothermic proton transfer reactions of H₃O⁺ with all the acid and esters molecules occur at the collisional rate, i.e. the rate coefficients, k, are equal to k_c; then it is seen that k values for most of the NO⁺ and O⁺₂ reactions also are equal to or close to k_c. The major ionic products of the H₃O⁺ reactions with both the acids and esters are the protonated parent molecules, MH⁺, but minor channels are also evident, these being the result of H₂O elimination from the excited (MH⁺)1 in some of the acid reactions and an alcohol molecule elimination (CH₃OH or C₂H₅OH) in some of the ester reactions. The NO⁺ reactions with the acids and esters result in both ion-molecule association producing NO⁺M in parallel with hydroxide ion (OH⁻) transfer with some of the acids, and parallel methoxide ion (CH₃O⁻) and ethoxide ion (C₂H₅O⁻) transfer as appropriate with some of the esters. The O⁺₂ reactions proceed by dissociative charge transfer with the production of two or more ionic fragments of the parent molecules, the different isomeric forms of both the acid and the ester molecules resulting in different product ions.     

Voltammetric and spectroscopic analysis of interactions of pyridine mono-carboxylic acid isomers with cysteine at physiological pH

The interactions of pyridine mono-carboxylic acid isomers (PCAIs) (nicotinic acid (NA), isonicotinic acid (INA) and picolinic acid (PA)) with cysteine (RSH) at physiological pH (7.40) have been investigated by square-wave and cyclic voltammetry (SWV and CV), and UV-Vis and infrared spectroscopy. By the addition of isomeric pyridine mono-carboxylic acids, the reduction peak current of mercurous cysteine thiolate could be decreased and also its peak potential E _p was shifted to more positive values. Also, the significant changes in formal potential E ⁰′, electron transfer coefficient α and electrode reaction standard rate constant k _s of mercurous cysteine thiolate (Hg₂(SR)₂) in the presence and absence of PCAIs were observed. The results of voltammetric measurements indicated that binding reactions were occurred between PCAIs and RSH and new electroactive molecular complexes were formed, which resulted in the decrease of free cysteine concentration and the decrease of the reduction peak current of mercurous cysteine thiolate. The logarithmic values of binding constants of NA, INA and PA were calculated as 13.4, 17.7 and 18.9, respectively. The binding ratios for NA-RSH, INA-RSH and PA-RSH complexes were determined as 1: 3, 1: 4 and 1: 4, respectively. Both UV-Vis and FTIR studies also confirmed these interaction reactions.     

Enantioselective reduction of ketophosphonates using chiral acid adducts with sodium borohydride

A method for asymmetric reduction of α-and β-ketophosphonates using a chiral complex prepared from sodium borohydride and D-or L-tartaric acid is developed. Reduction of α-or β-ketophosphonates by these reagents led to formation of corresponding (S)-or (R)-hydroxyphosphonates. Reduction of chiral di(1R,2S,5R)-menthylketophosphonates by the chiral complex NaBH₄/(R,R)-tartaric acid due to the dual compliant asymmetric induction resulted in increased stereoselectivity of the reaction and led to formation of the hydroxyphosphonates with ee 90% or higher. On the other hand, reduction of di(1R,2S,5R)-methylketophosphonates by the chiral complex NaBH₄/(S,S)-tartaric acid proceeded as non-compliant dual asymmetric induction and resulted in decreased reaction stereoselectivity leading to formation of hydroxyphosphonates with ～45–60% ee. The developed methodology was applied to the synthesis of (R)-phosphocarnitine in multigram amounts.     

On the electroreduction of 4-chloro-2,6-diisopropylamino-s-triazine (propazine) on mercury electrodes

This paper presents a polarographic (dc and differential pulse (DP)) study of the reduction of the s-triazine derivative propazine (4-chloro-2,6-diisopropylamino-s-triazine). The study is performed in acidic media (from solutions 2.25 M in H₂SO₄ to pH 5) because no signals were obtained above pH 5 (even at pH values of 11–12). In the pH range 2–4 the polarograms decreased until they vanished. In DP polarography, two main reduction peaks were observed, accompanied by a pre-peak at less negative potentials, and a post-peak at more negative potentials, due to the adsorption of propazine on the electrode. The main peaks corresponded to two-electron reduction processes. At pH below the protonation pK of the triazine ring (about 1.7), the results showed that, in a first stage, propazine suffers a cleavage of the Cl atom via a CEC process (electron transfer placed between two chemical reactions) to yield a dechlorinated intermediate, which is reduced through an irreversible two-electron process, the rate-determining step (r.d.s.) being the second electron transfer. At pH above the pK, a protonation of the triazine ring precedes the reduction process, this reaction being also responsible for the observed decrease in limiting current.     

Reaction of 3-chloroallyltrimethylsilane with acid chloride and exploitation of a new regioselective synthesis of αβ-unsaturated epoxide

α-Chloro-βγ-unsaturated ketone (2) was synthesized from the reaction of 3-chloroallyltrimethylsilane (1) with acid chloride. The ketone was converted into αβ-unsaturated epoxide (3) regioselectively in good yield via reduction with NaBH₄ or LiAlH₄ followed by treatment with NaOH. Treatment with methyl lithium instead of reduction gave homologous epoxide (5).     

Polarographic reduction of some potential antidiabetic compounds

The polarographic reduction of 4-arylhydrazone-N′-benzysulphonyl-3-methyl-2-pyrazoline-5-ones gave two, two-electron transfer, well defined, well separated, diffusion controlled, irreversible waves in B.R. buffers of pH range 7.0–11.0. In acidic medium the E_1/2 values of the two waves are so close that only one 4-electron transfer, well defined, diffusion controlled, irreversible waves is obtained. The reduction in these compounds takes place at the-NH-N=C-bond. The effect of substituents and its correlation with the Hammett substituent constant (σ) have also been studied.     

Novel synthesis and properties of 7,9-dimethylcyclohepta[b]pyrimido[5,4-d]thiophen-8(7H),10(9H)-dionylium tetrafluoroborate: autorecycling oxidation of some alcohols under photo-irradiation

Three-step reactions starting from 2-chlorotropone with dimethylthiobarbituric acid afforded 7,9-dimethylcyclohepta[b]pyrimido[5,4-d]thiophen-8(7H),10(9H)-dionylium tetrafluoroborate 5·BF₄⁻, which is the isoelectronic compound of the 5-ethyl-3-methyllumiflavinium ion. The X-ray crystal analysis and MO calculation were carried out to clarify the structural characteristics of 5·BF₄⁻. The stability of cation 5 is expressed by the pK_R+ value, which was determined spectrophotometrically as 5.1. The electrochemical reduction of 5 exhibited low reduction potential at −0.53 (V vs Ag/AgNO₃), upon cyclic voltammetry (CV). In a search for the reactivity, reactions of 5·BF₄⁻ with some nucleophiles, hydride, diethylamine, thiols, and methanol, were carried out, which revealed that the introduction of nucleophiles to give regio-isomers is dependent on the nucleophile. The photo-induced oxidation reactions of 5·BF₄⁻ toward some alcohols under aerobic conditions were carried out to give the corresponding carbonyl compounds in more than 100% yield [based on compound 5·BF₄⁻], suggesting the oxidizing function of 5·BF₄⁻ toward alcohols in the autorecycling process. The UV-vis and fluorescence spectra of 5 were studied to suggest the electron transfer from alcohols to the excited 5.     

Acidité dans le nitrométhane: IV. Étude électrochimique des complexes chlorures de l'antimoine(III et V). HSbCl6

The electrochemical behavior of SbCl₃ and SbCl₅ is studied in nitromethane. SbCl₃ and SbCl₅ are Cl^? acceptors, giving respectively SbCl₄/^? (log K formation=4), and SbCl₆ (log K formation=15). Formal potentials of systems are determined. SbCl₅ reacts with HCl, giving the solvated proton H_S/⁺ and SbCl₆/^?; it is not possible to determine the formal potential of the hydrogen electrode, using HSbCl₆ as an acid, because the reduction of Sb^v occurs before the reduction of H_S/⁺.     

On the polarographic reduction of nitrate ion in the presence of zirconium(IV)

The polarographic reduction of nitrate ion in the presence of zirconium(IV) is studied by dc and phase-selective ac polarography. The total reduction process was proved by means of controlled-potential electrolysis and chemical analysis to conform to NO⁻₃+8H⁺6e⁻→NH₂OHH⁺=2 H₂O. Using a measurement of differential capacity, a large part of the difference between the reduction transfer to the vicinity of the electrode but to a charge transfer step and/or a chemical reaction step. The zirconium(IV) is concluded to act as an intermediary for the charge transfer from the electrode to the nitrate ion.     

Synthesis of amino sugars via isoxazolines the concept and one application: nitrile oxide/furan adducts

Aliphatic nitrile oxides cycloadd to furans to afford amino sugar precursors 1. Oxidation by m-chloroperbenzoic acid and/or LiA1H₄ reduction give rise stereoselectively to derivatives of the xylo and ido series, 2 – 4, with 3 to 5 adjacent chiral centres.     

Lewis Acid Coordination Redirects S‐Nitrosothiol Signaling Output

S‐Nitrosothiols (RSNOs) serve as air‐stable reservoirs for nitric oxide in biology. While copper enzymes promote NO release from RSNOs by serving as Lewis acids for intramolecular electron‐transfer, redox‐innocent Lewis acids separate these two functions to reveal the effect of coordination on structure and reactivity. The synthetic Lewis acid B(C₆F₅)₃ coordinates to the RSNO oxygen atom, leading to profound changes in the RSNO electronic structure and reactivity. Although RSNOs possess relatively negative reduction potentials, B(C₆F₅)₃ coordination increases their reduction potential by over 1 V into the physiologically accessible +0.1 V vs. NHE. Outer‐sphere chemical reduction gives the Lewis acid stabilized hyponitrite dianion trans‐[LA‐O‐N=N‐O‐LA]^2? [LA=B(C₆F₅)₃], which releases N₂O upon acidification. Mechanistic and computational studies support initial reduction to the [RSNO‐B(C₆F₅)₃] radical anion, which is susceptible to N?N coupling prior to loss of RSSR.     

Model-free kinetics analysis of ZSM-5 catalyzed pyrolysis of waste LDPE

Both thermal and catalytic decomposition of waste LDPE sample is studied to understand the effect of catalyst (ZSM-5) on the decomposition behaviour. The nonlinear Vyazovkin model-free technique is applied to evaluate the quantitative information on variation of E_α with α for waste LDPE sample under both catalytic and noncatalytic nonisothermal conditions. The literature reported data on such variation under noncatalytic condition and effects of different catalysts on the LDPE sample are compared with the results of the present study.Results show that the optimum catalyst composition is around 20 wt.%, where the reduction in maximum decomposition temperature is around 70 °C. Presence of ZSM-5 shows similar reduction in maximum decomposition temperature as reported for Al-MCM-41 and MCM-41. Similar trend to literature reported data is observed for variation of E_α with α for LDPE under nonisothermal noncatalytic condition. ZSM-5 catalyzed decomposition of the LDPE sample in the present study indicates that E_α is strong and increasing function of α and consists of four steps. Cracking of large polymer fragments on the external surface of the catalyst, oligomerization, cyclization, and hydrogen transfer reactions inside the catalyst pores might be the possible reaction mechanisms involved during catalytic decomposition.     

Enantiospecific synthesis of (−)-muricatacin from l-(+)-tartaric acid

Enantiospecific synthesis of (−)-muricatacin, a bio-active lactone comprising of a 5-hydroxyalkylbutan-4-olide structural component has been achieved from l-(+)-tartaric acid. The key step involves a disteroselective reduction of a C₂-symmetric 1,4-diketone derived from tartaric acid followed by a selective Grignard reagent addition.     

Spectroelectrochemical titrations and cyclic voltammetry of methyl pheophorbide in acid: Possible role of pheophytin enol iminium in the primary process of PS II

In this paper we examine methyl pheophorbide (MP), a model of pheophytin_l, with UV-visible spectroelectrochemistry and cyclic votammetry in aprotic solvent with varying molar equivalents of acid. Our results provide evidence for the formation of the monocation of MP and its electrochemically generated radical. The spectroelectrochemical experiments furnished information about the products at equilibrium at each applied potential. In addition, when only one equivalent of acid was used, an isosbestic point was observed from the spectra taken at different potentials, thus supporting the interconversion of MP monocation and the radical. While the E°′'s for the two redox couples of MP in acid free solution were −0.66 V and 0.88 V vs. the acetonitrile/calomel reference, after one mole of nonaqueous acid was added, the first E°′, shifted from −0.66 to −0.55 V. Protonation of MP, apparently to yield the monocation, facilitates reduction by 0.11 V. It is known that the chlorophyll pair in the excited state effects electron transfer to pheophytin_L which is then followed by electron transfer to a quinone. In contrast, pheophytin_M is apparently not involved in electron transfer. One key difference between these pheophytins is that the former may convert to the iminium form during enolization. In addition to a discussion of the electrochemical results, a hypothesis is advanced for a role of pheophytin enol iminium in the photosynthetic primary process.     

Rapid, efficient, room temperature aromatization of Hantzsch-1,4-dihydropyridines with vanadium(V) salts: superiority of classical technique versus microwave promoted reaction

The aromatization of 1,4-dihydropyridines (1,4-DHPs) employing group 4 (Zr and Hf) and 5 (V, Nb, Ta) elements of periodic system has been studied. The reaction with VOCl₃ in dichloromethane at room temperature afforded products, substituted pyridines, in high-to-excellent yield. For the first time, the formation of charge-transfer complexes (CTCs) has been evidenced in preorganization step between 1,4-DHP and oxidant before electron transfer. The CTC has been formed only in neutral solvents such as dichloromethane and is characterized by intensive coloration. The aromatization of 1,4-DHP with V₂O₅ in refluxing acetic acid has found to be superior over microwave promoted reaction in solventless media. The only reasonable explanation was found in polymeric structure of V₂O₅, which slowly transfer energy of microwaves needed for the activation of the reactants. The solvent polarity dependent oxidative dealkylation of 4-n-propyl-1,4-DHP has been discovered. Unexpectedly, the reaction in acetic acid afforded only 33% of dealkylated product compared to 91% obtained in dichloromethane under the same reaction conditions.     

Electrochemical reduction of uracil in dimethyl sulfoxide: Autoprotonation of the anion radical

The electrochemical reduction of uracil in dimethyl sulfoxide was investigated, using d.c.and a.c. polarography, cyclic voltammetry, and controlled potential electrolysis. Uracil is reduced in a one-electron step (E_1/2=?2.3 V); the apparent number of electrons transferred (n) decreases from one at infinite dilution to one-half at concentrations above 1mM. The concentration dependent n-value is due to proton transfer by the parent compound to the radical anion formed on reduction. Such a proton transfer, which has been observed for 2-hydroxypyrimidine, deactivates part of the uracil, which would otherwise be available for reduction, by formation of the more difficultly reducible conjugate base. The uracil anion forms insoluble mercury salts, producing two oxidation waves (E_1/2 of ?0.1 and ?0.3 V); the latter wave is due to formation of a passivating film on the electrode. Digital simulations indicate that the protonation rate exceeds 10⁵M^?1 s^?1 and that, at low uracil concentration, some of the free radical formed on protonation is further reduced. At concentrations exceeding 1 mM, all of the free radical dimerizes. The effect of added acids and base on the electrochemical behavior is described.