2-Oxobenzo[h]chromene: a novel entry for the synthesis of functionalized angular polycyclic azaarenes

An efficient and short synthesis of (5,6-dihydrobenzo[h]pyrido[2,1-b]quinazolin-2-ylidene)acetonitriles, (5,6-dihydrobenzo[h]pyrazino[2,1-b]quinazolin-2-ylidene)acetonitriles and (5,6-dihydrobenzimidazo[1,2-b]benzo[f]isoquinolin-7-yl)acetonitriles in good yields is delineated through base catalyzed ring transformation of 4-(piperidin-1-yl)-2-oxo-5,6-dihydro-2H-benzo[h]chromene-3-carbonitriles with 2-amino-pyridine, 2-aminopyrazine and (imidazo-2-yl)acetonitrile.     

Synthesis of Some 3-Substituted 1,2-Dihydroindoles

The reaction of 4-oxo-2-(2-oxo-1,2-dihydroindol-3-ylidene)hydrazone-1,3-thiazin-6-methyl carboxylate 2 with hydrazine hydrate in methanol gave 4-oxo-2-(2-oxo-1,2-dihydroindol-3-ylidene)hydrazone-1,3-thiazin-6-carbonylhydrazine 3. Furthermore, the reaction of 3 with carbon disulfide and then hydrazine hydrate afforded 3-[6-(4-amino-5-thioxo-4,5-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)-4-oxo-1,3-thiazin-2-yl] hydrazone-1,3-dihydroindol-2-one 5. the latest reacted with DMAD to give {6-hydroxy-3-[4-oxo-2-(2-oxo-1,2-dihydroindol-3-ylidene)hydrazone-1,3-thiazin-6yl]-[1,2,4]triazolo[3,4-b][1,3,4]thiadiazin-7-ylidene}methoxycarbonylmethylene 6.     

Syntheses, structures, and electrochemical properties of platinum(II) complexes containing di-tert-butylbipyridine and crown ether annelated dithiolate ligands

A series of new platinum(II) complexes containing both 4,4'-di-tert-butyl-2,2'-bipyridine (dbbpy) and the extended tetrathiafulvalenedithiolate ligands have been prepared and characterized. These complexes include [Pt(dbbpy)(C8H4S8)] (1; C8H4S82- = 2-{(4,5-ethylenedithio)-1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene}-1,3-dithiol-4,5-dithiolate), [Pt(dbbpy)(ptdt)] (2; ptdt = 2-{(4,5-cyclopentodithio)-1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene}-1,3-dithiol-4,5-dithiolate), [Pt(dbbpy)(mtdt)] (3; mtdt = 2-{(4,5-methylethylenedithio)-1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene}-1,3-dithiol-4,5-dithiolate), [Pt(dbbpy)(btdt)] (4; btdt = benzotetrathiafulvalenedithiolate), [Pt(dbbpy)(C8H6S8)] (5; C8H6S82- = 2-{4,5-bis(methylthio)-1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene}-1,3-dithiol-4,5-dithiolate), [Pt(dbbpy)(3O-C6S8)] (6; 3O-C6S82- = 2-{4,5-dithia-(3',6',9'-trioxaundecyl)-1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene}-1,3-dithiol-4,5-dithiolate), and [Pt(dbbpy)(4O-C6S8)] (7; 4O-C6S82- = 2-{4,5-dithia-(3',6',9',12'-tetraoxatetradecyl)-1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene}-1,3-dithiol-4,5-dithiolate). The crystal structures of a new ligand precursor (2-[4,5-dithia-(3',6',9',12'-tetraoxatetradecyl)-1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene]-4,5-bis(2-cyanoethylsulfanyl)-1,3-dithiole, IIIc) and complexes 5-7 have been determined by X-ray crystallography. Complexes 1-7 show intense electronic absorption bands in the UV-vis region due to the intramolecular mixed metal/ligand-to-ligand charge-transfer transition, and they display significant solvatochromic behavior. Redox properties of these compounds have been investigated by cyclic voltammetry, and complex 7 shows a significant response for Na+ ions with a large positive shift of ca. 45 mV.     

A Green Route for Synthesis of New 1,2-Naphthoquinomethane Acetonitriles in Water

A series of new 2-(3-hydroxy-4-oxo-4H-naphthalen-1-ylidene) acetonitriles was prepared by the cascade Michael addition-elimination reaction of sodium 1,2-naphthoquinone-4-sulfonate with various substituted acetonitriles compounds in ethanol-water in presence of basic catalyst.     

Synthesis of oxoindolin-3-ylidene-1,3-dithioles

An efficient and one-pot synthesis of 2-(2-oxoindolin-3-ylidene)-1,3-dithiole-4,5-dicarboxylates by a three-component condensation reaction of isatins, carbon disulfide and dialkyl acetylendicarboxylates in the presence of Bu₃P is reported. Reaction of carbon disulfide and dialkyl acetylene dicarboxylates with acenaphthylene-1,2-dione, ninhydrine and pyrimidine-tetraone resulted in the formation of 2-(2-oxoacenaphthylen-1(2H)-ylidene)-1,3-dithiole-4,5-dicarboxylates, 2-(1,3-dioxo-1H-inden-2(3H)-ylidene)-1,3-dithiole-4,5-dicarboxylates and 2-(2,4,6-trioxotetrahydropyrimidin-5(6H)-ylidene)-1,3-dithiole-4,5-dicarboxylates, respectively, in the same conditions.     

Novel ruthenium-based metathesis catalysts containing electron-withdrawing ligands: synthesis, immobilization, and reactivity

The syntheses and reactivity of seven different ruthenium-based metathesis catalysts are described. Ru(CF3COO)2(PCy3)(=CH-2-(2-PrO)C6H4) (1), Ru(CF3COO)2(1,3-dimesityldihydroimidazolin-2-ylidene)(=CH-2-(2-PrO)C6H4) (2), and Ru(CF3COO)2(PCy(3))(1,3-dimesityldihydroimidazolin-2-ylidene)(=CHC6H5) (3) were prepared via chlorine exchange by reacting RuCl2(PCy3)2(=CH-2-(2-PrO)C6H4), RuCl2(1,3-dimesityldihydroimidazolin-2-ylidene)(=CH-2-(2-PrO)C6H4), and RuCl2(PCy3)(1,3-dimesityldihydroimidazolin-2-ylidene)(=CHC6H5), respectively, with silver trifluoroacetate (Cy =cyclohexyl). In analogy, Ru(CF3CF2COO)2(1,3-dimesityldihydroimidazolin-2-ylidene)(=CH-2-(2-PrO)C6H4) (4) and Ru(CF3CF2CF2COO)2(1,3-dimesityldihydroimidazolin-2-ylidene)(=CH-2-(2-PrO)C6H4) (5) were prepared from RuCl2(1,3-dimesityldihydroimidazolin-2-ylidene)(=CH-2-(2-PrO)C6H4) via reaction with CF3CF2COOAg and CF3CF2CF2COOAg, respectively. Ru(C6F5COO)2(1,3-dimesityldihydroimidazolin-2-ylidene)(=CH-2-(2-PrO)C6H4) (6) and Ru(C6F5O)2(1,3-dimesityldihydroimidazolin-2-ylidene)(=CH-2-(2-PrO)C6H4) (7) were prepared from RuCl2(1,3-dimesityldihydroimidazolin-2-ylidene)(=CH-2-(2-PrO)C6H4) via reaction with C6F5COOTl and C6F5OTl, respectively. Supported catalysts Ru(PS-DVB-CH2OOCCF2CF2CF2COO)(CF3COO)(PCy3)(1,3-dimesityldihydroimidazolin-2-ylidene)(=CHC6H5) (8), Ru(PS-DVB-CH2OOCCF2CF2CF2COO)(CF3COO)(PCy3)(=CH-2-(2-PrO)C6H4) (9), and Ru(PS-DVB-CH2OOCCF2CF2CF2COO)(CF3COO)(1,3-dimesityldihydroimidazolin-2-ylidene)(=CH-2-(2-PrO)C6H4) (10) were synthesized by reaction of RuCl2(PCy3)(1,3-dimesityldihydroimidazolin-2-ylidene)(=CHC6H5), RuCl2(PCy3)(=CH-2-(2-PrO)C6H4), and RuCl2(1,3-dimesityldihydroimidazolin-2-ylidene)(=CH-2-(2-PrO)C6H4), respectively, with a perfluoroglutaric acid-derivatized poly(styrene-co-divinylbenzene) (PS-DVB) support (silver form). Halogen exchange in PCy3-containing systems had to be carried out in dichloromethane in order to suppress precipitation of AgCl.PCy3. The reactivity of all new catalysts in ring-closing metathesis (RCM) of hindered electron-rich and -poor substrates, respectively, at elevated temperature (45 degrees C) was compared with that of existing systems. Diethyl diallylmalonate (DEDAM, 11), diethyl allyl(2-methylallyl)malonate (12), N,N-diallyl-p-toluenesulfonamide (13), N-benzyl-N-but-1-en-4-ylbut-2-enecarboxylic amide (14), and N-allyl-N-(1-carboxymethyl)but-3-en-1-yl-p-toluenesulfonamide (15) were used as educts. Supported catalysts were prepared with high loadings (2.4, 22.1, and 160 mg of catalyst/g PS-DVB for 8, 9, and 10, respectively). Catalyst 8 showed higher and catalysts 9 and 10 sowed significantly reduced activities in RCM compared to their homogeneous analogues. Thus, with 8, turnover numbers (TONs) up to 4200 were realized in stirred-batch (carousel) RCM experiments. To elucidate the nature of the bound species, catalysts 8-10 were subjected to 13C- and 31P-MAS NMR spectroscopy. These investigations provided evidence for the proposed structures. Leaching of ruthenium into the reaction mixture was low, resulting in ruthenium contents <85 ppb (ng/g) in the final RCM-derived products.     

New type of ring-chain tautomerism. Direct evidence from 1H NMR spectroscopy

A new type of ring-chain tautomerism consisting in the reversible transformation of 4-(5-)haloalkanecarboxylic acid dialkylamides into dialkyl(tetrahydrofuran-2-ylidene)- and dialkyl(tetrahydropyran-2-ylidene)ammonium halides, respectively, was found and studied by ¹H NMR spectroscopy.     

Versatility of 2-oxobenzo[h]chromene for the synthesis of oxabenzo[c]chrysenes

An innovative and concise synthesis of (7,8-dihydro-5-oxabenzo[c]chrysene-6-ylidene)acetonitriles is described through base catalyzed ring transformation of 2-oxo-4-piperidin-1-yl-5,6-dihydro-2H-benzo[h]chromene-3-carbonitriles with 1-tetralone in very good yields.     

1,3-dialkyl- and 1,3-diaryl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ylidene rhodium(i) and palladium(II) complexes: synthesis, structure, and reactivity

The synthesis of novel 1,3-diaryl- and 1,3-dialkylpyrimidin-2-ylidene-based N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) and their rhodium(i) and palladium(II) complexes is described. The rhodium compounds bromo(cod)[1,3-bis(2-propyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ylidene]rhodium (7), bromo(cod)(1,3-dimesityl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ylidene)rhodium (8) (cod=eta(4)-1,5-cyclooctadiene, mesityl=2,4,6-trimethylphenyl), chloro(cod)(1,3-dimesityl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ylidene)rhodium (9), and chloro(cod)[1,3-bis(2-propyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ylidene]rhodium (10) were prepared by reaction of [[Rh(cod)Cl](2)] with lithium tert-butoxide followed by addition of 1,3-dimesityl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidinium bromide (3), 1,3-dimesityl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidinium tetrafluoroborate (4), 1,3-di-2-propyl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidinium bromide (6), and 1,3-di-2-propyl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidinium tetrafluoroborate, respectively. Complex 7 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/n, and 8 in the monoclinic space group P2(1). Complexes 9 and 10 were used for the synthesis of the corresponding dicarbonyl complexes dicarbonylchloro(1,3-dimesityl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ylidene)rhodium (11), and dicarbonylchloro[1,3-bis(2-propyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ylidene]rhodium (12). The wavenumbers nu(CO I)/nu(CO II) for 11 and 12 were used as a quantitative measure for the basicity of the NHC ligand. The values of 2062/1976 and 2063/1982 cm(-1), respectively, indicate that the new NHCs are among the most basic cyclic ligands reported so far. Compounds 3 and 6 were additionally converted to the corresponding cationic silver(i) bis-NHC complexes [Ag(1,3-dimesityl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ylidene)(2)]AgBr(2) (13) and [Ag[1,3-bis(2-propyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ylidene](2)]AgBr(2) (14), which were subsequently used in transmetalation reactions for the synthesis of the corresponding palladium(II) complexes Pd(1,3-dimesityl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ylidene)(2) (2+)(Ag(2)Br(2)Cl(4) (4-))(1/2) (15) and Pd[1,3-bis(2-propyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ylidene)(2)]Cl(2) (16). Complex 15 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/c, and 16 in the monoclinic space group C(2)/c. The catalytic activity of 15 and 16 in Heck-type reactions was studied in detail. Both compounds are highly active in the coupling of aliphatic and aromatic vinyl compounds with aryl bromides and chlorides with turnover numbers (TONs) up to 2000000. Stabilities of 15 and 16 under Heck-couplings conditions were correlated with their molecular structure. Finally, selected kinetic data for these couplings are presented.     

Five-Membered 2,3-dioxoheterocycles: XCV. Recyclization of 4-benzoyl-5-phenylfuran-2,3-dione at the action of substituted 1,3,3-trimethyl-2-azaspiro[4.5]dec-1-enes. Crystal and molecular structure of substituted 5-(2-azaspiro[4.5]dec-1-ylidene)cyclopent-3-ene-1,2-dione

4-Benzoyl-5-phenylfuran-2,3-dione reacts with 2′,5′,5′-trimethyl-4′,5′-dihydro-4H-spiro[naphthalene-1,3′-pyrrol]-4-one and 8-(2-methoxy-5-methylphenyl)-1,3,3,9-tetramethyl-2-azaspiro[4.5]deca-1,7-dien-6-one with the formation of (Z)-3-benzoyl-5-(5′,5′-dimethyl-4-oxo-4H-spiro[naphthalene-1,3′-pyrrolidin]-2′-ylidene)-4-phenylcyclopent-3-ene-1,2-dione, whose structure was proved by XRD analysis, and of (Z)-3-benzoyl-5-{8-(2-methoxy-5-methylphenyl)-3,3,9-trimethyl-6-oxo-2-azaspiro[4.5]dec-7-en-1-ylidene}-4-phenylcyclopent-3-ene-1,2-dione.     

Polymerization of phenylacetylene by novel Rh (I)-, Ir (I)- and Ru (IV) 1,3-R2-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ylidenes (R = mesityl, 2-propyl): Influence of structure on activity and polymer structure

The preparation of novel Rh (I) and Ir (I) complexes, i.e. [Rh(1,3-dimesityl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ylidene)(COD)]⁺[PF₆]⁻ (1), Rh(CF₃SO₃)(1,3-dimesityl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ylidene)(COD) (2) and Ir(CF₃CO₂)(1,3-dimesityl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ylidene)(COD) (3) (COD = 1,5-cyclooctadiene), is described. Compounds 1 and 3 were structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction. In 1, the N-heterocyclic carbene acts as a bidentate ligand with the carbene coordinating to the Rh(I) center and an arene group acting as a homoazallyl ligand. The catalytic activity of complexes 1–3 in the polymerization of phenylacetylene was studied and compared to that of RhCl(1,3-dimesityl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ylidene)(COD) (4), Rh(CF₃COO)(1,3-dimesityl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ylidene)(COD) (5), [Rh(1,3-dimesityl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ylidene)(COD)]⁺[BF₄]⁻ (6), IrCl(1,3-dimesityl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ylidene)(COD) (7), IrCl(1,3-diisopropyl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ylidene)(COD) (8), IrBr(1,3-di-2-propylimidazolin-2-ylidene)(COD) (9), RuCl₂(PCy₃)(1,3-dimesityl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ylidene)(CH–C₆H₅) (10), RuCl₂(1,3-dimesityl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ylidene)(CH-2-(2-PrO)-5-NO₂-C₆H₃) (11), Ru(CO₂CF₃)₂(1,3-dimesityl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ylidene)(CH-2-(2-PrO)-5-NO₂-C₆H₃) (12). Compounds 1–6 were active in the polymerization of phenylacetylene. cis-Poly(phenylacetylene) (PPA) was obtained with the rhodium-based catalysts 1, 2, 4–6, trans-PPA was obtained with the Ir-based catalysts 3 and 8. In addition, compounds 1 and 6 were found to produce highly stereoregular PPA with a cis-content of 100% in the presence of water. Finally, the Ru-based metathesis initiator 12 allowed for the synthesis of trans-PPA, representing the first example of a ruthenium complex being active in the polymerization of a terminal alkyne.     

An efficient synthesis of (E)-(2-arylpyrazino[1,2-a]pyrimidine-4-ylidene)acetonitriles and cyanomethyl appended pyrimidines

A series of (E)-(2-arylpyrazino[1,2-a]pyrimidine-4-ylidene)acetonitriles 5a-j and aryl/heteroaryl tethered pyrimidin-4-yl acetonitriles 6a-e has been synthesized in excellent yields through base catalyzed ring transformation of suitably functionalized 2H-pyran-2-ones 3 using 2-aminopyrazine 4a and arylamidinium salts 4b, separately.     

Synthesis of novel 3-(1,3-thiazol-2-yl)-7,8-dihydroquinoline-2,5(1H,6H)-diones

An efficient method for the synthesis of novel 3-(1,3-thiazol-2-yl)-7,8-dihydroquinoline-2,5(1H,6H)-diones from various 2-dimethylaminomethylidenecyclohexane-1,3-diones, (1,3-thiazol-2-yl)acetonitriles, and dimethylformamide dimethyl acetal was developed. These transformations proceeded through intermediate 2-[2-(4-aryl-1,3-thiazol-2-yl)-2-cyanoethenyl]-3-oxocyclohex-1-en-1-olates. They were isolated as piperidinium salts and used in further heterocyclization reactions with aromatic amines, giving novel 1-aryl-3-(1,3-thiazol-2-yl)-7,8-dihydroquinoline-2,5(1H,6H)-diones. These compounds were also obtained by preparative three-step “one pot” synthesis under controlled microwave irradiation. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 2, pp. 412–417, February, 2008.     

(4-甲基-1,3-二噻烷-2-亚甲基)-1,7-二芳基-1,6-二烯-3,5-二酮的合成

从2,4-戊二酮和1,2,3-三溴丙烷出发合成了一类新的α-羰基二硫缩烯酮类化合物,并以其为底物合成了(4-甲基-1,3-二噻烷-2-亚甲基)-1,7-二芳基-1,6-二烯-3,5-二酮类化合物,通过IR和1H NMR方法对其进行了表征.     

Synthesis of Pyrrolo[2,1-b]thiazol-3-one Derivatives

Ethyl [4-oxo-3-(2-oxo-2-arylethyl)thiazolidin-2-ylidene]acetates and [4-oxo-3-(2-oxo-2-arylethyl)thiazolidin-2-ylidene]acetonitriles were shown to react with substituted benzaldehydes at the endocyclic methylene group leading to the corresponding 5-arylmethylidene derivatives. Their treatment with DMF · POCl₃ complex yielded 3-oxo-5-aroyl-2-arylmethylidene-2,3-dihydropyrrolo[2,1-b]thiazole-7-carboxylic acids ethyl esters and -7-carbonitriles. The structures of the pyrrolothiazoles were confirmed by an X-ray crystallographic study, which indicated the (Z)-configuration at the arylmethylidene moiety.     

Five-membered 2,3-dioxo heterocycles: CVI. Acylation of substituted (Z)-2-[1,3,4,4a,5,10b-Hexahydrophenanthridin-6(2H)-ylidene]acetamide with aroylketenes. crystal and molecular structure of substituted N-{(Z)-2-[1,3,4,4a,5,10b-Hexahydrophenanthridin-6(2H)-ylidene]acetyl}acrylamide

Aroylketenes generated by thermolysis of 6-aryl-2,2-dimethyl-4H-1,3-dioxin-4-ones reacted with (Z)-2-[4a,7,10-trimethyl-1,3,4,4a,5,10b-hexahydrophenanthridin-6(2H)-ylidene]acetamide to give (Z)-3-aryl-3-hydroxy-N-{(Z)-2-[4a,7,10-trimethyl-1,3,4,4a,5,10b-hexahydrophenanthridin-6(2H)-ylidene]acetyl}acrylamides whose structure was confirmed by X-ray analysis.     

Structural and theoretical investigation of 2-iminoimidazolines--carbene analogues of iminophosphoranes

The preparation of 2-iminoimidazolines - has been accomplished by the Staudinger reaction of the carbenes 1,3-di-tert-butylimidazolin-2-ylidene (), 1,3-diisopropyl-4,5-dimethylimidazolin-2-ylidene (), 1,3-diisopropylimidazolin-2-ylidene (), 1,3-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)imidazolin-2-ylidene (), 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenylimidazolin-2-ylidene () and 1,3,4,5-tetramethylimidazolin-2-ylidene () with trimethylsilyl azide (Me3SiN3) followed by desilylation of the resulting 2-trimethylsilyliminoimidazolines -. The X-ray crystal structures of and have been established, revealing C1-N1-Si1 angles that are more obtuse than the corresponding P-N-Si angles observed in related trimethylsilyl iminophosphoranes. Together with , the disilylated side product 1,3-diisopropyl-2-(trimethylsilylimino)-4-trimethylsilylimidazoline () has been isolated and structurally characterized. Cleavage of the N-Si bonds in and formation of is easily achieved by stirring in methanol. The molecular structures of the 2-iminoimidazolines are reported, indicating that the structural parameters are best described by non-ylidic resonance structures and that electron delocalization within the imidazole heterocycle does not play a crucial role in these imine systems. Compound forms a head-to-head dimer in the solid state via weak intermolecular N-H...N contacts, which have additionally been characterized by means of compliance constants. To further analyze the electronic structure of these imines in comparison to related guanidine ligands, the proton affinities (PAs) of the model compounds 2-imino-1,3-dimethylimidazoline (), 2-imino-1,3-dimethylimidazolidine () and tetramethylguanidine () have been calculated by means of density functional theory. Finally, the charge distribution in - and the relative contribution of relevant resonance structures have been determined using natural bond orbitals (NBO) and natural resonance theory (NRT).     

The interplay of inverted redox potentials and aromaticity in the oxidized states of new pi-electron donors: 9-(1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene)fluorene and 9-(1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene)thioxanthene derivatives

Derivatives of 9-(1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene)fluorene (9) and 9-(1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene)thioxanthene (10) have been synthesised using Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reactions of (1,3-dithiol-2-yl)phosphonate reagents with fluorenone and thioxanthen-9-one. X-ray crystallography, solution electrochemistry, optical spectroscopy, spectroelectrochemistry and simultaneous electrochemistry and electron paramagnetic resonance (SEEPR), combined with theoretical calculations performed at the B3P86/6-31G** level, elucidate the interplay of the electronic and structural properties in these molecules. These compounds are strong two-electron donors, and the oxidation potentials depend on the electronic structure of the oxidised state. Two, single-electron oxidations (E(1)ox < E(1)ox) were observed for 9-(1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene)fluorene systems (9). In contrast, derivatives of 9-(1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene)thioxanthene (10) display the unusual phenomenon of inverted potentials (E(1)ox > E(1)ox) resulting in a single, two-electron oxidation process. The latter is due to the aromatic structure of the thioxanthenium cation (formed on the loss of a second electron), which stabilises the dication state (10(2+)) compared with the radical cation. This contrasts with the nonaromatic structure of the fluorenium cation of system 9. The two-electron oxidation wave in the thioxanthene derivatives is split into two separate one-electron waves in the corresponding sulfoxide and sulfone derivatives 27-29 owing to destabilisation of the dication state.     

Mukaiyama reagents in the synthesis of (E)-2-(1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)-2-[1-alkylpyridin-2(1H)ylidene]acetonitriles and their further electronic rearrangements effected by the action of acids and alkylating agents

Reactions of N-alkyl-2-chloropyridinium salts with benzimidazolylacetonitriles result in (E)-2-(1Hbenzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)-2-[1-alkylpyridin-2(1H)-ylidene]acetonitriles. The alkylation of the latter with ω-bromoacetophenones in boiling acetone may gives rise to the N-alkylated salts, which are stabilized in two configurations, Z and E. The heating of the salts in acetonitrile causes their transformation into 2-(1H-benzo[d]-imidazol-2(3H)-ylidene(cyano)methyl)-1-methylpyridinium bromide due to the dearoylmethylation. The structure of the latter was proved by the XRD analysis.     

2-Acyl(aroyl)-1,1,3,3-tetracyanopropenides: VI. Reaction with hydrogen halides

Reactions of 2-aroyl-1,1,3,3-tetracyanopropenides with hydrogen halides in solvents of low dielectric permittivity result in the formation of 6-amino-2-aroyl-2-halopyridine-3,5-dicarbonitriles. 2-Acyl-1,1,3,3-tetracyanopropenides under similar conditions afford 2-(2-alkylidene-5-amino-4-cyano-2,3-dihydrofuran-3-ylidene)propanedinitriles. In solvents of high dielectric permittivity the result of the reaction depends on the nature of the hydrogen halide and the acyl(aroyl) substituent: With HCl and HBr 2-aroyl-1,1,3,3-tetracyanopropenides form 2-(5-amino-2-aryl-2-halo-4-cyano-2,3-dihydrofuran-3-ylidene)-propanedinitriles, and 2-acyl-1,1,3,3-tetracyanopropenides give 2-(2-alkylidene-5-amino-4-cyano-2,3-dihydrofuran-3-ylidene)propanedinitriles; with HI depending on the reaction conditions and the structure of the acyl substituent 2-(5-amino-2-aryl-4-cyano-2,3-dihydrofuran-3-ylidene)propanedinitriles, 2-(5-amino-4-cyano-2,3-dihydrofuran-3-ylidene) propane-dinitrile, 2-amino-4-(dimethoxybenzyl)-6-iodo-5-cyanonicotinamide, 4-amino-6-iodo-3-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyridine-7-carbonitrile, or 4-amino-6-iodo-3-oxo-1-ethylidene-1,3-dihydrofuro[3,4-c]pyridine-7-carbonitrile are obtained.