The Emergence and Properties of Selectively Fluorinated ‘Janus’ Cyclohexanes

This account describes the evolution of a research programme that started by linking fluoromethylene (−CHF−) groups along aliphatic chains and then progressing to alicyclic rings with contiguous fluorine atoms. Different stereoisomers of aliphatic chains tend to adopt low polarity conformations. In order to force polar conformations, the programme began to address ring systems and in particular cyclohexanes, to restrain conformational freedom and co-aligned C−F bonds. The flagship molecule, all-cis-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexafluorocyclohexane 7 , emerged to be the most polar aliphatic compound recorded. The polarity arises because there are three co-aligned triaxial C−F bonds and the six fluorines occupy one face of the ring. Conversely the electropositive hydrogens occupy the other face. These have been termed Janus face cyclohexanes after the Roman god with two faces. The review outlines progress by our group and others in preparing derivatives of the parent cyclohexane 7 , in order to explore properties and potential applications of these Janus cyclohexanes.     

Remarkable effect of metal fluoride catalyst on reaction of hexafluoropropene, sulfur and vinyl ethers. Convenient synthesis of 2,2-bis(trifluoromethyl)-4-R-thietanes, 3,3-bis(trifluoromethyl)-5-R-1,2-dithiolanes and 2,2-bis(trifluoromethyl)-4-R-1,3-dithiolanes

It was demonstrated that the outcome of the reaction of hexafluoropropene, sulfur and vinyl ether strongly depends on the catalyst and reaction conditions. The reaction of HFP and S_x leading to the formation of 2,2,4,4-tetrakis(trifluoromethyl)-1,3-dithietane (1) when it is catalyzed by CsF, proceeds under milder conditions and is easier to control compared to KF catalyzed process. The order of addition of reagents plays a crucial role on the outcome of the reaction. For example, the addition of vinyl ether to pregenerated solution of 1 in DMF solvent results in slow reaction, leading to the corresponding 2,2-bis(trifluoromethyl)-4-R-thietanes in 8-91% yield, and it is catalyzed by either by KF or CsF. The addition of second mole of sulfur to the solution of 2,2-bis(trifluoromethyl)-4-R-thietanes in the presence MF catalyst leads to insertion of sulfur into thietane ring with the formation of the corresponding cyclic disulfides—3,3-bis(trifluoromethyl)-5-R-1,2-dithietanes. On the other hand, the addition of second mole of sulfur to the solution of 1 in DMF in the presence of CsF catalyst, followed by addition of vinyl ether results in exothermic reaction, and it produces the corresponding 2,2-bis(trifluoromethyl)-4-alkoxy-1,3-dithiolanes in good yield.It was also demonstrated that 2,2-bis(trifluoromethyl)-4-R-thietanes can undergo disproportionation under action of fluoride anion, producing a mixture of the corresponding 1,2-dithiolane and CF₂C(CF₃)CH₂CFHOR. The nucleophilic attack of fluoride anion in this case proceeds selectively on the carbon of the thietane ring, bearing alkoxy group.The structure of 2,2-bis(trifluoromethyl)-4-R-thietanes forming as the result of 2 + 2 cycloaddition reaction between hexafluorothioacetone generated “in situ” from dimer 1 and vinyl ether was firmly supported by single crystal X-ray diffraction data, obtained for thietane bearing t-BuO-group.     

Reactions of Methyl Diazoacetate with (E)‐ and (Z)‐1,2‐Bis(trifluoromethyl)ethene‐1,2‐dicarbonitrile: Novel and Unanticipated Pathways

The cycloadditions of methyl diazoacetate to 2,3‐bis(trifluoromethyl)fumaronitrile ((E)‐ BTE ) and 2,3‐bis(trifluoromethyl)maleonitrile ((Z)‐ BTE ) furnish the 4,5‐dihydro‐1H‐pyrazoles 13 . The retention of dipolarophile configuration proceeds for (E)‐ BTE with > 99.93% and for (Z)‐ BTE with > 99.8% (CDCl₃, 25°), suggesting concertedness. Base catalysis (1,4‐diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO), proton sponge) converts the cycloadducts, trans‐ 13 and cis‐ 13 , to a 94 : 6 equilibrium mixture (CDCl₃, r.t.); the first step is N‐deprotonation, since reaction with methyl fluorosulfonate affords the 4,5‐dihydro‐1‐methyl‐1H‐pyrazoles. Competing with the cis/trans isomerization of 13 is the formation of a bis(dehydrofluoro) dimer (two diastereoisomers), the structure of which was elucidated by IR, ¹⁹F‐NMR, and ¹³C‐NMR spectroscopy. The reaction slows when DABCO is bound by HF, but F^? as base keeps the conversion to 22 going and binds HF. The diazo group in 22 suggests a common intermediate for cis/trans isomerization of 13 and conversion to 22 : reversible ring opening of N‐deprotonated 13 provides 18 , a derivative of methyl diazoacetate with a carbanionic substituent. Mechanistic comparison with the reaction of diazomethane and dimethyl 2,3‐dicyanofumarate, a related tetra‐acceptor‐ethylene, brings to light unanticipated divergencies.     

Stereospezifische Fragmentierungen in den Massenspektren von Cyclohexandiaminen und Bis(aminomethyl)cyclohexanen. 33. Mitteilung über massenspektrometrische Untersuchungen,,

Stereospecific Fragmentations in the Mass Spectra of Cyclohexanediamines and Bis(aminomethyl)cyclohexanes The mass spectral behaviour, especially loss of NH₃, of the six isomeric cyclohexanediamines 1--3 (cis and trans each, Scheme 1) as well as of the six isomeric bis(aminomethyl)cyclohexanes 4--6 (cis and trans each, Scheme 6) has been investigated. The cis- and trans-compounds of the 1,2-isomers 1 and 4 show very similar spectra, because of the ease of ring cleavage at C(1)–-C(2) and the similar geometrical relations in all ring conformations. The cis- and trans-compounds of both the 1,3- and 1,4-isomers 2, 3, 5 and 6 show striking differences in their mass spectra due to stereospecific elimination of NH₃ from the molecular ion.     

Reactions of a 4-(trifluoromethyl)thiazole dianion

Treatment of 2-trifluoroacetamido-4-(trifluoromethyl)thiazole with two equivalents of n-butyllithium at -78° produced the thiazole dianion 5 in situ, which reacted preferentially at the 5-position with a variety of electrophiles. These electrophiles include: an aldehyde, ketone, chloroformate, acid chloride, phosphorus oxychloride, silicon chloride, and disulfide. Dianion 5 also combined with dibromodifluoromethane at -98° to give the corresponding 5-(bromodifluoromethyl)thiazole 7 , which is an unusual reaction for an aromatic or heteroaromatic system. Compound 7 was converted to a 4,5-bis-(trifluoromethyl)thiazole 8 using tetrabutylammonium fluoride.     

Potassium-bis(trifluoromethyl)amino trifluoroborate

Potassium-bis(trifluoromethyl)amino trifluoroborate K[(F₃C)₂NBF₃] has been prepared from perfluoroazapropene, potassium fluoride and boron trifluoride in acetonitrile. The new compound was characterised by elemental analyses, NMR and IR spectra.     

Polar Organofluorine Substituents: Multivicinal Fluorines on Alkyl Chains and Alicyclic Rings

This Review outlines the progression, primarily of our own work, but with important contributions from other labs, on the synthesis and properties of multiple vicinally fluorinated alkyl chains and rings. Chain conformations of individual diastereoisomers with -CHF- at adjacent carbons are influenced by stereoelectronic factors associated with the polar C−F bond and the polarised geminal hydrogens. Generally, the chain will prefer a conformation which acts to minimise overall molecular polarity, and where the C−F bonds orient away from each other. However, when vicinal fluorine atoms are positioned on a ring then conformations are more constrained. The ring will adopt optimal conformations such as a chair in cyclohexane and then C−F bonds can be introduced with a stereochemistry that forces parallel (axial) orientations. In the case of cyclohexane, 1,3-diaxial arrangements of C−F bonds impart considerable polarity to the ring, resulting in an electronegative ‘fluorine face’ and an electropositive ‘hydrogen face’. For all-syn 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexafluorocyclohexane, this arrangement generates an unusually polar aliphatic ring system. Most recently the concept has been extended to the preparation of all-syn 1,2,3-trifluorocyclopropanes, a rigid ring system with fluorine atoms on one face and hydrogens on the other. Lipophilicity Log P values of such compounds indicate that they are significantly more polar than their parent alicyclic hydrocarbons and give some positive indication for a future role of such substituents in medicinal chemistry. Expanding to such a role will require access to improved synthesis methods to these motifs and consequently access to a broader a range of building blocks, however some exciting new methods have emerged recently and these are briefly reviewed.     

An unusual labilization of a 4-(trifluoromethyl)thiazole

N-Chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)-5-thiazolyl-N',N'-diethylurea 5 has been found to undergo a facile labilization of the trifluoromethyl group under mild conditions. The reaction relies on the assistance of the nitrogen substitution at the 4-position of the thiazole ring. Treatment of 5 with triethylamine and either methanol or methanethiol replaced the trifluoromethyl group with a methyl ester or a trimethylorthothio ester respectively at room temperature. Combination of 5 with diethylamine led to an unusual thiazolidine with two exocyclic double bonds, 8 .     

Reaction of 5-oxo-2-phenyl-4,4-bis(trifluoromethyl)-4,5-dihydro-1,3,2-benzodioxaphosphepine with chloral. The synthesis and spatial structure of 5-carbaphosphatrane containing a four-membered ring

Phosphorylation of 2-hydroxyphenyl 2,2,2-trifluoro-1-hydroxy-1-(trifluoromethyl)ethyl ketone with dichloro(phenyl)phosphine gave 5-oxo-2-phenyl-4,4-bis(trifluoromethyl)-4,5-di-hydro-1,3,2-benzodioxaphosphepine. Heating of the latter initiated an intramolecular interaction of the P atom with the carbonyl group. Hydrolysis of the intermediate product yielded 3-hydroxy-2-oxo-2-phenyl-3-[2,2,2-trifluoro-1-hydroxy-1-(trifluoromethyl)ethyl]-2,3-di-hydro-1,2λ⁵-benzo[d]oxaphosphole. The reaction was highly stereoselective (P_RC_S/P_SC_R). The reaction of the starting phosphepine with chloral proceeded highly stereoselectively (P_RC_SC_S/P_SC_RC_R) to give a 5-carbaphosphatrane derivative containing a four-membered ring, namely, 1-phenyl-3-trichloromethyl-10,10-bis(trifluoromethyl)-6,7-benzo-2,4,8,9-tetraoxa-1λ⁵-phosphatricyclo[3.3.2.0¹,⁵]decene. The trigonal bipyramid of the 5-carbaphosphatrane derivative is made up of the equatorial O atoms and the apical C atoms.     

Synthesis and X-ray molecular structure of cis,cis-1,3,5-Tris(diphenylphosphino)- 1,3,5-tris(methoxycarbonyl) cyclohexane

The novel tripodal phosphine ligand cis, cis-1,3,5-tris(diphenylphosphino)-1,3,5-tris(methoxycarbonyl)cyclohexane (tdppcyme) (2) has been synthesized. ¹H, ¹³C and ³¹P NMR spectroscopy shows that in solution the sterically demanding diphenylphosphine groups occupy equatorial positions on the cyclohexane ring. An X-ray crystal investigation confirms this result for the solid state. Treatment of tdppcyme with Mo(η⁶-C₇H₈)(CO)₃ gives Mo(tdppcyme)(CO)₃ (3), with octahedral molybdenum coordination.     

All-cis poly(p-phenylene vinylene)s with high molar masses and fast photoisomerization rates obtained through stereoretentive ring-opening metathesis polymerization of [2,2]paracyclophane dienes with various aryl substituents

Poly(p-phenylene vinylene)s (PPVs) are some of the most widely studied conjugated polymers in academia and industry, but most production methods lack precise control over molar masses and alkene stereochemistry. These critical parameters have a large influence on processability, polymer morphology, and optical properties. Herein, we report the stereoretentive ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of [2.2]paracyclophane dienes bearing either a linear alkyl substituent or a branched alkoxy substituent to form all-cis PPVs with great solubility in organic solvents. The introduction of 2-ethylhexyloxy side-chains permits the preparation of PPV with uncharacteristically high molar masses (up to 108.8 kg/mol) for a polymerization with living characteristics. Exposure to UV light (365 nm) rapidly induces isomerization of all-cis alkenes leading to the formation of all-trans PPV. This study proposes an attractive strategy to synthesize soluble all-cis and all-trans PPVs with tunable, high molar masses through careful design of the ROMP monomer.     

Polyfluorocycloalkenes. Part XIX. Some reactions and compounds from 1,2-bis(trifluoromethyl)octafluorocyclohexene

The title compound (A) gave a dichloro-adduct (D), which with lithium aluminum hydride yielded a complex mixture, from which a trace of trans 1H, 2H-1, 2-bis(trifluoromethyl)octafluorocyclohexane (E) was isolated. Catalytic hydrogenation of olefin (A) afforded cis 1H,2H-1,2-bis(trifluoromethyl)octafluorocyclohexane (C), and a small amount of 6H-1,6-bis(trifluoromethyl)heptafluorocyclohexene (B). Dehydrofluorination of the cis dihydride (C) by aqueous potash gave olefin (B) and 2,3-bis(trifluoromethyl)hexafluorocyclohexa-1,3-diene (G): fluorination of (G) by cobalt(III) fluoride gave back (A). Fluorination of compounds (C) and (B) afforded cis and trans 1H-1,2-bis(trifluoromethyl)nonafluorocyclohexane (J and H respectively). Both (H) and (J) were dehydrofluorinated to give olefin (A) exclusively, i.e. fluorine was lost preferentially from the tertiary →CF group. Ammonia and (A) gave 1,3-diamino-2-cyano-3-trifluoromethylhexafluorocyctohexene (K). Some hydro-polyfluoro-cyclohexanes took up small proportions of deuterium during dehydrofluorinations in the presence of deuterium oxide, but no interconversions of pairs of stereoisomers were observed.     

Bis(trifluoromethyl)-containing 1-azatricycloheptanes

6-Substituted 7-halo-3,3-bis(trifluoromethyl)-2-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptanes were synthesized by the addition of water, alcohols, and acetic acid to 3-halo-7,7-bis(trifluoromethyl)-1-azatricyclo[2.2.1.0^2,6]heptanes in the presence of H₂SO₄. 5,6-Disubstituted 3,3-bis(trifluoromethyl)-2-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptanes were prepared by oxymercuration of 3,3-bis(trifluoromethyl)-2-azabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene.     

Synthesis of poly(phenylacetylene)s containing trifluoromethyl groups for gas permeable membrane

Poly(phenylacetylene)s containing trifluoromethyl groups on their benzene rings were synthesized, and gas permeation behaviors of their films were examined. Permeability coefficients for O₂ and N₂, diffusion selectivity (D_o2/D_N2) and solubility selectivity (SO₂/SN₂) were estimated. The gas permeability of polymer films were found to be enhanced remarkably with introduction of trifluoromethyl groups into the polymers: poly[2,4,5-tris(trifluoromethyl)phenylacetylene], Po₂ = 7.8 × 10^?8 [cm³ (STP) cm cm^?2 s^?1 cm Hg^?1], Po₂/PN₂ = 2.1. The relationship between the polymer structures and their gas permeability was discussed.     

Synthesis,crystal structure,and BSA interaction with a new Co(II) complex based on 5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine-2-carboxylic acid

Abstract

A new complex, Co(Htpc)₂(H₂O)₂ (1) (Htpc = 5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine-2-carboxylic acid), has been synthesized and characterized by X-ray single-crystal diffraction, elemental analysis, infrared spectral analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis. Meanwhile, the optimized geometric structure of the ligand was determined using the M06-2X functional of density functional theory (DFT) with the 6-311?+?G(d, p) basis set. The gap energies ΔE between the frontier molecular orbitals were computed in different solvent media (water, methanol and ethanol) using the time dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT)/M06-2X by applying the Polarizable Continuum Model (PCM). The coordination sphere around Co(II) is distorted octahedral with two chelating tpc^- ligands and two coordinated water molecules. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) binding properties of the ligand, CoCl₂·6H₂O and 1 were investigated by fluorescence and UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy, revealing 1 exhibits higher binding affinity with BSA than free ligand and CoCl₂·6H₂O. ΔG, ΔH and ΔS at 298 and 308?K manifested that van der Waals interactions and hydrogen bonds were the main forces in the binding process.     

Studies on Reactions of Thioketones with Trimethyl(trifluoromethyl)silane Catalyzed by Fluoride Ions

Treatment of 2,2,4,4‐tetramethylcyclobutane‐1,3‐dione ( 6 ) in THF with CF₃SiMe₃ in the presence of tetrabutylammonium fluoride (TBAF) yielded the corresponding 3‐(trifluoromethyl)‐3‐[(trimethylsilyl)oxy]cyclobutanone 7 (Scheme 1) via nucleophilic addition of a CF anion at the CO group and subsequent silylation of the alcoholate. Under similar conditions, the ‘monothione' 1 reacted to give thietane derivative 8 (Scheme 2), whereas in the case of ‘dithione' 2 only the dispirodithietane 9 , the dimer of 2 , was formed (Scheme 3). A conceivable mechanism for the formation of 8 is the ring opening of the primarily formed CF₃ adduct A followed by ring closure via the S‐atom (Scheme 2). In the case of thiobenzophenones 4 , complex mixtures of products were obtained including diarylmethyl trifluoromethyl sulfide 10 and 1,1‐diaryl‐2,2‐difluoroethene 11 (Scheme 4). Obviously, competing thiophilic and carbophilic addition of the CF anion took place. The reaction with 9H‐fluorene‐9‐thione ( 5 ) yielded only 9,9′‐bifluorenylidene ( 14 ; Scheme 6); this product was also formed when 5 was treated with TBAF alone. Treatment of 4a with TBAF in THF gave dibenzhydryl disulfide ( 15 ; Scheme 7), whereas, under similar conditions, 1 yielded the 3‐oxopentanedithioate 17 (Scheme 9). The reaction of dithione 2 with TBAF led to the isomeric dithiolactone 16 (Scheme 8), and 3 was transformed into 1,2,4‐trithiolane 18 (Scheme 10).     

Asymmetrization of all-cis-3,5-dihydroxy-1-(methoxycarbonyl)cyclohexane and of the 4-methyl and 4-ethyl substituted homologues

Enantiomerically pure mono acylated derivatives of cis,cis-3,5-dihydroxy-1-(methoxycarbonyl)cyclohexane 1, all-cis-3,5-dihydroxy-4-methyl-1-(methoxycarbonyl)cyclohexane 2 and all-cis-3,5-dihydroxy-4-ethyl-1-(methoxycarbonyl)cyclohexane 3 were obtained upon lipase catalyzed asymmetrization. PPL-catalyzed transesterification of 1 with vinyl acetate led in high yield to the (S)-monoacetate (+)-13. With substrates 2 and 3 this process was slower and gave the (R)-monoacetates (−)-14 and (−)-15; the best results were obtained with SAM II lipase. On the other hand, enantiotoposelective hydrolysis of their diacetates and especially dibutyrates gave useful results only for the 4-substituted substrates and produced the (S)-monoesters.     

Synthesis and characterization of N -(alky(aryl)carbamothioyl)cyclohexanecarboxamide derivatives and their Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes

N-(R-carbamothioyl)cyclohexanecarboxamides (R: diethyl, di-n-propyl, di-n-butyl, diphenyl and morpholine-4) and their Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, FT-IR and NMR methods. N-(diethylcarbamothioyl)cyclohexanecarboxamide, HL¹, C₁₂H₂₂N₂OS, crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group P2₁2₁2₁, with Z = 4, and unit cell parameters, a = 6.6925(13) Å, b = 9.0457(18) Å, c = 22.728(5) Å. The conformation of the HL¹ molecule with respect to the thiocarbonyl and carbonyl moieties is twisted, as reflected by the torsion angles O1–C6–N2–C5, C6–N2–C5–N1 and S1–C5–N2–C6 of 1.68°, ?67.47° and 115.50°, respectively. The structure of HL¹ also shows a delocalization of the π electrons of the thiocarbonyl group over the C–N bonds. The ring puckering analysis shows that the cyclohexane ring has a chair conformation. The bis(N-(morpholine-4-carbonothioyl)cyclohexane carboxamido)nickel(II) complex, Ni(L⁵)₂, C₂₄H₃₈N₄NiO₄S₂, crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c, with Z = 4, and unit cell parameters, a = 16.919(3) Å, b = 8.3659(17) Å, c = 19.654(4) Å, β = 107.43(3)°. Ni(L⁵)₂ is a cis-complex with a slightly distorted square-planar coordination of the central nickel by two oxygen and two sulfur atoms.     

The reactions of hydrogen atoms with bis(trifluoromethyl)disulfide

The reactions of hydrogen atoms produced by the mercury-photosensitized decomposition of H₂ with bis(trifluoromethyl)disulfide has been studied. The rate coefficient for the primary reaction, H + CF₃SSCF₃ → CF₃SH + CF₃S, was determined in competition with the reaction H + C₂H₄S → SH + C₂H₄ to have the value k = (3.0 ± 0.18) × 10¹⁴ exp[-(4560 ± 140)/RT] cm³ mol^?1 S^?1. The high A factor can be partially accounted for by assuming free rotation for the two CF₃ groups and the SCF₃ groups about the S—S bond in the transition state. The relatively high activation energy is attributed to inductive and orbital overlap effects. CH₃SH, H₂S, and CF₃SH all react with CF₃SSCF₃ to yield solid complexes which were not explored further.     

Reactions of polyfluorinated thietanes: Selective synthesis of 4-R-2,2-bis(trifluoromethyl)thietane-1-S-oxides and 2-substituted 5-fluoro-4-(trifluoromethyl)-2,3-dihydrothiophenes

Oxidation of 4-substituted 2,2-bis(trifluoromethyl)thietanes by m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid results in selective formation of the corresponding S-oxides in 65-86% yield. Oxidation of 4-C₂H₅S-2,2-bis(trifluoromethyl)thietane under mild conditions led to selective formation of 4-C₂H₅SO₂-2,2-bis(trifluoromethyl)thietane, which under more rigorous conditions was selectively converted into trans-4-C₂H₅SO₂-2,2-bis(trifluoromethyl)thietane-1-S-oxide. Reaction of 4-substituted 2,2-bis(trifluoromethyl)thietanes with activated aluminum powder results in a highly selective ring expansion process, producing the corresponding 5-fluoro-4-(trifluoromethyl)-2,3-dihydro-2-alkoxythiophenes in 58-93% yield. These compounds were also prepared in 61-85% yield using a “one-pot” procedure, starting from sulfur, hexafluoropropene and the corresponding vinyl ether without isolation of any intermediates. Both 2-i-C₃H₇O- and 2-t-C₄H₉O- 5-fluoro-4-(trifluoromethyl)-2,3-dihydrothiophenes were converted into 2-fluoro-3-trifluormethylthiophene by reaction with P₂O₅.