N‐Bromosuccinimide (NBS): A Novel and Efficient Catalyst for the Synthesis of 14‐Aryl‐14H‐dibenzo[a,j]xanthenes under Solvent‐Free Conditions

A novel procedure for the synthesis of 14‐aryl‐14H‐dibenzo[a,j]xanthenes through one‐pot condensation of naphthalen‐2‐ol with arenecarbaldehydes in the presence of N‐bromosuccinimide (NBS) as catalyst under solvent‐free conditions is described.     

An Efficient Synthesis of 14‐Aryl or Alkyl‐14H‐Dibenzo[a. j]Xanthenes Using Reusable HBF4‐SiO2 Catalyst Under Thermal and Solvent‐Free Conditions

A simple and convenient procedure for the synthesis of 14‐aryl or alkyl‐14H‐dibenzo[a. j]xanthene derivatives is described through a one‐pot condensation of β‐naphthol with various aryl or alkyl aldehydes in the presence of HBF₄‐SiO₂ as the catalyst under thermal and solvent‐free conditions.     

The 14‐Alkyl‐ and 14‐Alkenyl‐5β‐methylindolomorphinan Series Provide δ‐Selective Partial Opioid Agonists

A series of 14β‐alkyl‐ and 14β‐alkenyl‐5β‐methylindolomorphinans was synthesized and evaluated in opioid binding and functional assays. While being relatively nonselective in binding assays, the 14‐cinnamyl and 14‐isopentyl members showed selective opioid δ‐receptor partial agonist activity in [³⁵S]GTPγS assays.     

Trityl Chloride (TrCl): Efficient and Homogeneous Organocatalyst for the Solvent‐Free Synthesis of 14‐Aryl‐14H‐dibenzo[a,j]xanthenes by in situ Formation of Carbocationic System

Trityl chloride (triphenylmethyl chloride, TrCl, Ph₃CCl) is utilized as an efficient and homogeneous organocatalyst for the synthesis of 14‐aryl‐14H‐dibenzo[a,j]xanthenes from β‐naphthol and arylaldehydes under solvent‐free conditions. Moreover, a plausible mechanism is suggested based on the literature and on in situ formation of trityl carbocation with inherent instability during the reaction.     

Silica Gel‐Supported Polyphosphoric Acid (PPA/SiO2): An Efficient and Reusable Heterogeneous Catalyst for Facile Synthesis of 14‐Aryl‐14H‐dibenzo[a,j]xanthenes under Solvent‐free Conditions

A simple, efficient and green method for the synthesis of 14‐aryl‐14H‐dibenzo[a,j]xanthenes by a one‐pot condensation reaction of β‐naphthol and aryl aldehydes using silica gel‐supported polyphosphoric acid (PPA/SiO₂), an effective and reusable catalyst, under solvent‐free conditions is described. The present methodology offers several advantages, such as a simple procedure with an easy work‐up, short reaction times, high yields, and the absence of any volatile and hazardous organic solvents.     

Perchloric Acid–Silica (HClO4⋅SiO2)‐Catalyzed Synthesis of 14‐Alkyl‐ or 14‐Aryl‐14H‐dibenzo[a,j]xanthenes and N‐[(2‐Hydroxynaphthalen‐1‐yl)methyl]amides

The synthesis of 14‐aryl‐ or 14‐alkyl‐14H‐dibenzo[a,j]xanthenes 3 involving the treatment of naphthalen‐2‐ol ( 1 ) with arenecarboxaldehydes or alkanals 2 in the presence of HClO₄?SiO₂ as a heterogeneous catalyst was achieved (Table 1), and this reaction was extended to the preparation of N‐[(2‐hydroxynaphthalen‐1‐yl)methyl]amides 5 by a three‐component reaction with urea ( 4a ) or an amide 4b – d as a third reactant (Table 2).     

Facile Catalyzed Preparation of 14‐Aryl‐ or Alkyl‐14‐H‐dibenzo[a,j]xanthenes by Dodecylphosphonic Acid and Dodecylsulfamic Acid: Environmentally Benign Methods

Under mild‐ and solvent‐free conditions, one‐pot preparation of 14‐alkyl‐ or 14‐aryl‐14‐H‐dibenzo[a,j]xanthenes could proceed in the presence of catalytic amounts of dodecylphosphonic acid (DPA) and dodecylsulfamic acid (DSA) in good to excellent yields. In these reactions, DPA and DSA are recovered by straightforward work‐ups.     

Synthesis of 14‐{[(Un)substituted phenyl] or alkyl}‐14H‐dibenzo[a,j]xanthenes Using Yb(OTf)3 as an Efficient Catalyst under Solvent‐free Conditions

A series of 14‐{[(Un)substituted phenyl] or alkyl}‐14H‐dibenzo[a,j]xanthenes were prepared under solvent‐free conditions by Yb(OTf)₃ catalyzed condensation reactions of β‐naphthol with various aldehydes. The process presented here is operationally simple, environmentally benign and has good to excellent yields. Furthermore, the catalyst can be recovered conveniently and reused efficiently.     

Diethyldisulfoammonium chlorometallates as heterogeneous Brønsted–Lewis acidic catalysts for one‐pot synthesis of 14‐aryl‐7‐(N‐phenyl)‐14H‐dibenzo[a,j]acridines

A new series of Brønsted–Lewis acidic diethyldisulfoammonium chlorometallates, [DEDSA][FeCl₄] and [DEDSA]₂[Zn₂Cl₆], were synthesized as solid materials from the reaction of [(Et)₂N(SO₃H)₂][Cl] ionic liquid with transition metal chlorides (FeCl₃ and ZnCl₂) at 80 °C in neat condition for 2 h. The chlorometallates were fully characterized using various spectroscopic and analytical techniques such as Fourier transform infrared, UV–visible and Raman spectroscopies, powder X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray and thermogravimetric analyses, Hammett acidity and elemental analyses. Their catalytic activity was studied as reusable heterogeneous catalysts for the three‐component synthesis of novel 14‐aryl‐7‐(N‐phenyl)‐14H‐dibenzo[a,j]acridines under solvent‐free conditions at 100 °C.     

An Unexpected Formation of a 14‐Membered Cyclodepsipeptide

The treatment of diluted solutions of the hydroxy diamides 6a and 6b in toluene with HCl gas at 100° gave the dimeric, 14‐membered cyclodepsipeptide 10 in up to 72% yield (Scheme 3). The same product was formed from the linear dimer of 6b , the depsipeptide 11 , under the same conditions (cf. Scheme 4). All attempts to prepare the cyclic seven‐membered monomer 9 , starting with different precursors and using different lactonization methods failed, and 10 was the only product which was isolated (cf. Scheme 6). For example, the reaction of the ester 20 with NaH in toluene at 80° led exclusively to the cyclodimer 10 . On the other hand, the base‐catalyzed cyclization of the hydroxy diester 22 , which is the ‘O‐analogue' of 20 , yielded neither the seven‐membered dilactone, nor the 14‐membered tetralactone, but only the known trimer 23 and tetramer 24 of 2,2‐dimethylpropano‐3‐lactone (cf. Scheme 7).     

(+)‐(14β)‐14‐Ethylmatridin‐15‐one,a New Quinolizidine Alkaloid from the Poisonous Plant Oxytropis ochrocephala Bunge

A new matrine alkaloid derivative (+)‐(14β)‐14‐ethylmatridin‐15‐one ( 1 ) was isolated from the poisonous plant Oxytropis ochrocephala Bunge . The structure was established by spectroscopic methods, including extensive 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR experiments.     

Novel Delta‐Opioid‐Receptor‐Selective Ligands in the 14‐Alkoxy‐Substituted Indolo‐ and Benzofuromorphinan Series

Several new indolo‐ and benzofuromorphinans substituted at the positions 5 and 14 were prepared and tested in vitro by means of opioid‐receptor binding and functional ([³⁵S]GTPγS binding) assays. All compounds 1 – 11 displayed high affinity for δ opioid‐binding sites (Table 1). Compound 4 proved to be an agonist, and all other compounds were antagonists. The presence of a Me group at position 5 induced no change in δ affinity (see 1 vs. 3 ), but decreased the μ and κ affinities. An EtO group at position 14 conferred a very high affinity and also high selectivity to δ opioid receptors (see 2 and 10 ). Chain elongation of the 14‐alkoxy group resulted in compounds with reduced δ affinity and selectivity (see 4 and 11 and also 5 – 9 ). The results of the present study indicate that the 5‐ and 14‐positions of indolo‐ and benzofuromorphinans represent critical sites that could be a trigger to develop new compounds with increased δ affinity and/or selectivity.     

Convenient Synthesis of 14‐Aryl‐14‐H‐dibenzo[a,j]xanthenes Catalyzed by Acyclic Brønsted Acidic Ionic Liquid [H—NMP]+[HSO4]− under Microwave Irradiation

Efficient method for direct preparation of 14‐aryl‐14‐H‐dibenzo[a,j]xanthenes through condensation of β‐naphthol with various aromatic aldehydes in the presence of the catalytic amount of [H—NMP]⁺[HSO₄]^? under microwave irradiation was described. This method has the advantages such as; very easy reaction workup, absolute separation of catalyst from the reaction mixture and smooth recyclability of catalyst. In this reaction 14‐aryl‐14‐H‐dibenzo[a,j]xanthenes were obtained as desired products in excellent yields and short reaction times via green and one‐pot procedure.     

Formic Acid Catalyzed Rearrangement of Thevinols (=4,5‐Epoxy‐3,6‐dimethoxy‐α,17‐dimethyl‐6,14‐ethenomorphinan‐7‐methanols) and Their Vinylogous Analogues: Effects of 5β‐Methyl Substitution

In a limited number of cases, 14‐alkenylcodeinones (=14‐alkenyl‐7,8‐didehydro‐4,5‐epoxy‐3‐methoxy‐17‐methylmorphinan‐6‐ones) can be obtained by formic acid treatment of thevinols (=4,5‐epoxy‐3,6‐dimethoxy‐α,17‐dimethyl‐6,14‐ethenomorphinan‐7‐methanols), but under these conditions the equivalent 14‐alkenyl‐7,8‐dihydrocodeinones undergo further rearrangement (Scheme 1 and Table). Introduction of a 5β‐methyl group allows the 18,19‐dihydrothevinol precursors to be rearranged to 14‐alkenyl‐7,8‐dihydrocodeinones, but similar manipulation of the vinylogues of these thevinols is generally unable to prevent full rearrangement to 5,14‐bridged thebainone derivatives.     

Alternative Synthesis of 2‐Hydroxy‐3,5,5‐trimethylcyclopent‐2‐en‐1‐one

The 2‐hydroxy‐3,5,5‐trimethylcyclopent‐2‐en‐1‐one ( 1 ) was synthesized in 42% yield by rearrangement of epoxy ketone 10 on treatment with BF₃⋅Et₂O under anhydrous conditions. Intermediate 10 was available from the known enone 8 , either via direct epoxidation (60% H₂O₂, NaOH, MeOH; yield 50%), or via reduction to the corresponding allylic alcohol 14 (LiAlH₄, THF), followed by epoxidation ([VO(acac)₂], ^tBuOOH) and reoxidation under Swern conditions, in 37% total yield.     

Intramolecularly‐stabilized Group 14 Alkoxides – Promising Precursors for the Synthesis of Group 14‐Chalcogenides by Hot‐Injection Method

Intramolecularly‐stabilized germanium, tin, and lead alkoxides of the type M(OCH₂CH₂NR₂)₂ [R = Et, M = Ge ( 1 ); R = Me, M = Sn ( 2 ); R = Me, M = Pb ( 3 )] are suitable precursors for the synthesis of group 14 chalcogenides ME (M = Ge, Sn, Pb; E = S, Se, Te) in scrambling reactions with (Me₃Si)₂S and (Et₃Si)₂E (E = Se, Te) at moderate temperatures via hot injection method. The reactions proceed with elimination of the corresponding silylether as was proven by in situ ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The solid‐state structures of the homoleptic complex 1 and the heteroleptic complex ClGe(OC₂H₄NEt₂) ( 4 ) were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, whereas the group 14 chalcogenides were characterized by XRD, SEM, and EDX.     

14N Solid‐State NMR Spectroscopy of Amino Acids

¹⁴N ultra‐wideline solid‐state NMR (SSNMR) spectra were obtained for 16 naturally occurring amino acids and four related derivatives by using the WURST–CPMG (wideband, uniform rate, and smooth truncation Carr–Purcell–Meiboom–Gill) pulse sequence and frequency‐stepped techniques. The ¹⁴N quadrupolar parameters were measured for the sp³ nitrogen moieties (quadrupolar coupling constant, C_Q, values ranged from 0.8 to 1.5 MHz). With the aid of plane‐wave DFT calculations of the ¹⁴N electric‐field gradient tensor parameters and orientations, the moieties were grouped into three categories according to the values of the quadrupolar asymmetry parameter, η_Q: low (≤0.3), intermediate (0.31–0.7), and high (≥0.71). For RNH₃⁺ moieties, greater variation in N?H bond lengths was observed for systems with intermediate η_Q values than for those with low η_Q values (this variation arose from different intermolecular hydrogen‐bonding arrangements). Strategies for increasing the efficiency of ¹⁴N SSNMR spectroscopy experiments were discussed, including the use of sample deuteration, high‐power ¹H decoupling, processing strategies, high magnetic fields, and broadband cross‐polarization (BRAIN‐CP). The temperature‐dependent rotations of the NH₃ groups and their influence on ¹⁴N transverse relaxation rates were examined. Finally, ¹⁴N SSNMR spectroscopy was used to differentiate two polymorphs of l ‐histidine through their quadrupolar parameters and transverse relaxation time constants. The strategies outlined herein permitted the rapid acquisition of directly detected ¹⁴N SSNMR spectra that to date was not matched by other proposed methods.     

Sodium Hydrogen Sulfate as Effective and Reusable Heterogeneous Catalyst for the One-pot Preparation of 14H-[(Un)substituted phenyl]-dibenzo[a,j]xanthene Leuco-dye Derivatives

NaHSO₄•H₂O has been used as an efficient catalyst for the one-pot preparation of 14H-[(un)substituted phenyl]-dibenzo[a,j]xanthene leuco-dye derivatives by condensation of β-naphthol with substituted benzaldehydes under microwave and thermal conditions. This method has the advantages of high yields, a green reaction, an efficient and cost-effective method, simple procedures, short reaction time, and easy workup.     

Evidence that the β‐Peptide 14‐Helix is Stabilized by β3‐Residues with Side‐Chain Branching Adjacent to the β‐Carbon Atom

Oligomers of β‐substituted β‐amino acids (‘β³‐peptides') are known to adopt a helical secondary structure defined by 14‐membered ring hydrogen bonds ('14‐helix'). Here, we describe a deca‐β³‐peptide, 1 , that does not adopt the 14‐helical conformation and that may prefer an alternative secondary structure. β³‐Peptide 1 is composed exclusively of residues with side chains that are not branched adjacent to the β‐C‐atom (β³‐hLeu, β³‐hLys, and β³‐hTyr). In contrast, an analogous β‐peptide, 2 , containing β³‐hVal residues in place of the β³‐hLeu residues of 1 , adopts a 14‐helical conformation in MeOH, according to CD data. These results illustrate the importance of side‐chain branching in determining the conformational preferences of β³‐peptides.     

An Efficient Synthesis of Benzo[g]thiazolo[2,3‐b]quinazolin‐4‐ium and Benzo[g]benzo[4,5]thiazolo[2,3‐b]quinazolin‐14‐ium Hydroxides by a One‐pot,Three‐component Reaction under Green Conditions

A new series of benzo[g]thiazolo[2,3‐b]quinazolin‐4‐ium and benzo[g]benzo[4,5]thiazolo[2,3‐b]quinazolin‐14‐ium hydroxide derivatives have been synthesized by the one‐pot, three‐component reaction of aryl glyoxal monohydrates, 2‐hydroxy‐1,4‐naphthoquinone, and 2‐aminothiazole or 2‐aminobenzothiazole in the presence of triethylamine and p‐toluenesulfonic acid as organocatalysts in H₂O/acetone (2:1) at room temperature. This method offers mild reaction conditions, excellent yields, easy workup, and readily accessible starting materials and catalysts.