Discovery of chiral catalysts by asymmetric activation for highly enantioselective diethylzinc addition to imines: using racemic and achiral diimines as effective activators

A library of chiral zinc complexes formed in situ by the combination of achiral and racemic diimines with 3,3′-di(3,5-ditrifluoromethylphenyl)-BINOL and diethylzinc were evaluated in the asymmetric addition of diethylzinc to N-acylimines. In the presence of 10 mol % of chiral ligand 4 and racemic diimine 5, high enantioselectivities of up to 97% ee and yields of up to 96% were achieved for a wide range of aromatic imines in dichloromethane at −30 °C.     

Enantioselective addition of dialkylzinc reagents to N-(diphenylphosphinoyl)imines catalyzed by β-aminoalcohols with the prolinol skeleton

Several β-aminoalcohols with the prolinol framework are shown to be very efficient catalysts for the enantioselective addition of dialkylzinc reagents to N-(diphenylphosphinoyl)imines. The use of 0.5 equiv of the catalyst leads to the expected addition products in good yields and with ee up to 94% in a reaction time of only 4 h at room temperature. This ee is the highest value reported so far using 0.5 equiv of an aminoalcohol as a promoter. High enantioselectivities are obtained in the addition of dialkylzincs to both aromatic and aliphatic imines. The amount of the catalyst can be reduced to 0.25 equiv with a slight decrease in the ee. A very interesting effect of the addition rate and temperature on the enantioselectivity was also observed.     

Synthesis,characterization, and structures of arylaluminum reagents and asymmetric arylation of aldehydes catalyzed by a titanium complex of an N-sulfonylated amino alcohol

A series of phenylaluminum reagents AlPh_xEt_3?x(L) (x = 1–3) containing adduct ligand L [Et₂O, THF, OPPh₃, or 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP)] were synthesized and characterized. NMR studies showed that AlPh_xEt_3?x(L) (x = 1 or 2) exists as an equilibrium mixture of 3–4 species in solution. Solid-state structures of the phenylaluminum reagents reveal a distorted tetrahedral geometry. Asymmetric additions of phenylaluminum to 2-chlorobenzaldehyde were examined employing a titanium(IV) complex [TiL¹(OPrⁱ)₂]₂ 10 (H₂L¹ = (1R,2S)-2-(p-tolylsulfonylamino)-1,3-diphenyl-1-propanol) as a catalyst precursor. It was found that the adduct ligand L had a strong influence on the reactivity and the enantioselectivity in asymmetric phenyl additions to aldehydes. The phenylaluminum reagents with OPPh₃ or DMAP were unreactive toward aldehydes, and AlPh₃(THF) was found to be superior to AlPh₃(OEt₂) or AlPhEt₂(THF). Asymmetric aryl additions of AlAr₃(THF) to aldehydes employing a loading of 5 mol % titanium(IV) complex 10 with a strategy of a slow addition of the aldehydes over 20 min were conducted, and the reactions produced optically active secondary alcohols in high yields with excellent enantioselectivities of up to 94% ee.     

Asymmetric nitroaldol reaction catalyzed by copper–diamine complexes: selective construction of two contiguous stereogenic centers

Chiral copper(II) complexes of secondary bisamines derived from 1,2-diaminocyclohexane were successfully used in the diastereoselective nitroaldol reaction. The reactions were carried out in the presence of 10 mol % of the Cu(II) complex and 7.7 mol % of i-Pr₂NEt in 2-propanol at ?30 °C. Good to excellent yields, enantioselectivities of up to 99%, and moderate to excellent diastereoselectivities were obtained for both aromatic or aliphatic aldehydes and various prochiral nitrocompounds forming the corresponding β-nitroalcohols with two contiguous stereocenters.     

Enantioselective aldol reactions with aqueous 2,2-dimethoxyacetaldehyde organocatalyzed by binam-prolinamides under solvent-free conditions

Aqueous 2,2-dimethoxyacetaldehyde (60% wt solution) is used as an acceptor in aldol reactions, with cyclic and acyclic ketones and aldehydes as donors, organocatalyzed by 10 mol % of N-tosyl-(S_a)-binam-l-prolinamide [(S_a)-binam-sulfo-l-Pro] at rt under solvent-free conditions. The corresponding monoprotected 2-hydroxy-1,4-dicarbonyl compounds are obtained in good yields and with high levels of diastereo- and enantioselectivity mainly as anti-aldols. In the case of 4-substituted cyclohexanones a desymmetrization process takes place to mainly afford the anti,anti-aldols. 2,2-Dimethyl-1,3-dioxan-5-one allows the synthesis of a useful intermediate for the preparation of carbohydrates in higher yield, de and ee than with l-Pro as the organocatalyst.     

N-Benzyl-l-prolinol: an efficient catalyst for the enantioselective addition of dialkylzinc reagents to N-(diphenylphosphinoyl)imines

Commercially available N-benzyl-l-prolinol has shown to be a very efficient catalyst for the enantioselective addition of dialkylzinc reagents to N-(diphenylphosphinoyl)imines. The use of 0.5 equiv of this β-aminoalcohol as a catalyst leads to the expected addition products in good yields and with ees up to 92% in a reaction time of only 4 h at room temperature. This ee is almost equal to the highest value reported so far using 0.5 equiv of an aminoalcohol as promoter, although the reaction time is much shorter in our case. The amount of the catalyst can be reduced to 0.25 equiv with a slight decrease in the ee. An interesting effect of the addition rate and temperature on the enantioselectivity has been observed.     

Nickel(0)/N-heterocyclic carbene complexes catalysed arylation of aromatic diamines

Nickel complexes of N-heterocyclic carbenes were examined for effecting C–N coupling reactions between aromatic diamines and aryl chlorides of varying electron density. The Ni(0) · 2IPr (IPr = N,N′-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene) complex associated to t-BuONa allowed N,N′-diarylation at 100 °C in 1,4-dioxane with excellent yields. Selective monoarylation of diamines could be performed in THF at 65 °C.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of the first chain-type nitridosilicates RE5Si3N9 (RE = La,Ce)

The novel branched chain-type nitridosilicates Ce₅Si₃N₉ and La₅Si₃N₉ have been synthesized in a radio-frequency furnace starting from the respective metals and silicon diimide Si(NH)₂ at 1625 °C for La₅Si₃N₉ and 1650 °C for Ce₅Si₃N₉, respectively. The structure of Ce₅Si₃N₉ has been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (Ce₅Si₃N₉, Cmca (no. 64), a = 10.567(2) Å, b = 11.329(2) Å, c = 15.865(3) Å, V = 1899.3 Å³, Z = 8, R₁ = 0.0391, 1480 independent reflections, 90 refined parameters). The structure of isotypic La₅Si₃N₉ has been refined by the Rietveld method, starting from single-crystal data of Ce₅Si₃N₉ (La₅Si₃N₉, Cmca (no. 64), a = 10.647(4) Å, b = 11.414(4) Å, c = 16.030(5) Å, V = 1948.1 Å³, Z = 8, R_P = 0.0348, R_F² = 0.0533). Both compounds are built up of alternating Q²- and Q³-type corner sharing SiN₄ tetrahedra with additional corner sharing Q¹-units attached to the Q³-tetrahedra pointing alternately in opposing directions. These zipper-like chains are intertwined in both directions perpendicular to the chain itself to form a three-dimensionally interlocked structure with the rare-earth ions situated between the chains. Magnetic measurements resulted in a ferromagnetic ground state with a magnetic moment in agreement with Ce³⁺.     

Isopiestic determination of the osmotic and activity coefficients of dilute aqueous solutions of symmetrical and unsymmetrical quaternary ammonium bromides with a new isopiestic cell at 298.15 K

The osmotic coefficients of Bu₄NBr, sec-Bu₄NBr, iso-Bu₄NBr, Bu₂Et₂NBr and Bu₃EtNBr were determined by isopiestic method at 298.15 K in dilute aqueous solutions. A branched isopiestic cell was used. The osmotic coefficients of tetra-alkyl-ammonium solutions were analyzed comparing these with the Debye–Hückel limiting law. The order of the osmotic coefficient variation is Bu²Et₂N⁺ > BuEt₃N⁺ > sec-Bu₄N⁺ > iso-Bu₄N⁺ > n-Bu₄N⁺. The results were fitted to the Pitzer equation and the parameters β₀ and β₁ were calculated. The results are discussed.     

Highly diastereo- and enantioselective direct aldol reactions by 4-tert-butyldimethylsiloxy-substituted organocatalysts derived from N-prolylsulfonamides in water

A new set of 4-tert-butyldimethylsiloxy-substituted organocatalysts derived from N-prolylsulfonamide has been designed and proved to be effective in catalyzing the direct aldol reactions of cyclic ketones with a series of aromatic aldehydes. Furthermore, to the best of our knowledge, there are no reports on the aldol reaction generating the products in very good yields (>99%) and with excellent diastereoselectivities up to >99:1 and enantioselectivities up to >99% by using lower catalyst loadings (only 3 mol %), without using any additives in a large amount of water under mild conditions.     

Asymmetric addition of diethylzinc to aldehydes catalyzed by a camphor-derived β-amino alcohol

The asymmetric addition of diethylzinc to aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes, including linear aliphatic ones, catalyzed by 2 mol % of β-amino alcohol (1S, 2R)-7,7-dimethyl-1-morpholin-4-yl-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-ol 10 gave the corresponding secondary alcohols in high yields and with up to 94% ee at ambient temperature after 15 min.     

Uranium(VI) bis(imido) disulfonamide and dihalide complexes: Synthesis density functional theory analysis

Novel cis- and trans-bis(imido) uranium disulfonamide derivatives have been prepared from iodide metathesis reactions between two equivalents of K[N(Me)(SO₂Ar’)] (Ar’ = 4-Me-C₆H₄) and U(N^tBu)₂(I)₂(L)_x (L = OPPh₃, x = 2; Me₂bpy, x = 1; Me₂bpy = 4,4’-dimethyl-2,2’-bipyridyl). These bis(amide) derivatives serve as useful precursors for the synthesis of the trans-diphenolate complex U(N^tBu)₂(O-2-^tBuC₆H₄)₂(OPPh₃)₂ (5), cis- and trans-dithiolate complexes U(N^tBu)₂(SPh)₂(L)_x (L = OPPh₃ (6); Me₂bpy (7)), and cis- and trans-dihalide complexes with the general formulas U(N^tBu)₂(X)₂(L)_x (X = Cl, L = OPPh₃ (8), L = Me₂bpy (10); X = Br, L = OPPh₃ (9), L = Me₂bpy (11)). DFT calculations performed on the trans-dihalide series U(N^tBu)₂(X)₂(L)₂ and the UO₂²⁺ analogues UO₂X₂(OPPh₃)₂ suggest that the uranium centers in the [U(N^tBu)₂]²⁺ ions possess more covalent character than analogous UO₂²⁺ derivatives but that the U-X bonds in the U(N^tBu)₂X₂L₂ complexes possess a more ionic nature.     

Sulfonated organic heteropolyacid salts as a highly efficient and green solid catalysts for the synthesis of 1,8-dioxo-decahydroacridine derivatives in water

In the present study, we introduce two nonconventional ionic liquids [MIMPS]₃PW₁₂O₄₀ (a) and [TEAPS]₃PW₁₂O₄₀ (b) as green and highly efficient solid acid catalysts for the synthesis of 1,8-dioxo-decahydroacridine derivatives. The one-pot three component reaction of 1,3-cyclohexanediones, aromatic aldehydes and aromatic amines or ammonium acetate in water afforded the corresponding 1,8-dioxo-decahydroacridines in excellent yields. This reaction has been carried out in the presence of 1 mol% of catalysts at room temperature. The reusability of the catalysts was demonstrated by a five-run test. Additionally, the catalysts pose several advantages including mild reaction conditions, cleaner reactions and shorter reaction times.     

Thermochemistry of Cu(II) and Ni(II) complexes with N,N-di-n-butyl-N′-thenoylthiourea and N,N-di-iso-butyl-N′-thenoylthiourea

Two substituted N-acylthioureas and the respective Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes were synthesized, namely: N,N-di-n-butyl-N′-thenoylthiourea (Hnbtu); N,N-di-iso-butyl-N′-thenoylthiourea (Hibtu); bis[N,N-di-n-butyl-N′-thenoylthioureato]nickel(II), [Ni(nbtu)₂]; bis[N,N-di-n-butyl-N′-thenoylthioureato]copper(II), [Cu(nbtu)₂]; bis[N,N-di-iso-butyl-N′-thenoylthioureato]nickel(II), [Ni(ibtu)₂]; bis[N,N-di-iso-butyl-N′-thenoylthioureato]copper(II), [Cu(ibtu)₂]. The standard (p^° = 0.1 MPa) molar enthalpies of formation and sublimation of the two N-acylthioureas were measured, at T = 298.15 K, by rotating-bomb combustion calorimetry and Calvet microcalorimetry, respectively. The standard (p^° = 0.1 MPa) molar enthalpies of formation of the Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes were determined, at T = 298.15 K, by high precision solution–reaction calorimetry. From the results obtained, the enthalpies of hypothetical metal–ligand and metal–metal exchange reactions, in the gaseous phase, were derived, thus allowing a discussion of the gaseous phase energetic difference between the complexation of Ni(II) and Cu(II) to 1,3-ligand systems with (S,O) ligator atoms.     

Experimental thermochemical study of the enthalpies of formation and sublimation of isonicotinamide,picolinamide, nicotinamide,isonicotinamideN-oxide,and nicotinamideN-oxide. The dissociation enthalpies of the N–O bonds

The standard (p ^∘  =  0.1MPa) molar enthalpies of combustion in oxygen, at T =  298.15 K, for crystalline picolinamide (2-NH₂COPy), nicotinamide (3-NH₂COPy), isonicotinamide (4-NH₂COPy), nicotinamide N -oxide (3- NH₂COPyNO), and isonicotinamide N - oxide (4-NH₂COPyNO) were measured by static-bomb calorimetry. These values were used to derive the standard molar enthalpies of formation of the crystalline compounds. The standard molar enthalpies of sublimation, at T =  298.15 K, for the three pyridinecarboxamide isomers were measured by microcalorimetry and the standard molar enthalpies of sublimation for the two pyridinecarboxamide N -oxide compounds were measured by a mass-loss effusion technique. From the enthalpies of formation of the gaseous compounds, the molar dissociation enthalpies D_m^oof the (N ⁺ – O ⁻ ) covalent bonds were derived. Comparison has been made with D_m^o(N–O) values in pyridine N -oxide derivatives.     

Organo-aluminum,zinc and magnesium derivatives of the imidotris(amido)phosphate Me3SiNP(NHtBu)3

Reactions of (^tBuHN)₃PNSiMe₃ (1) with the alkyl-metal reagents dimethylzinc, trimethylaluminum and di-n-butylmagnesium yield the monodeprotonated complexes [MeZn{(N^tBu)(NSiMe₃)P(NH^tBu)₂}] (2), [Me₂Al{(N^tBu)(NSiMe₃)P(NH^tBu)₂}] (3) and [Mg{(N^tBu)(NSiMe₃)P(NH^tBu)₂}₂] (4), respectively. Attempts to further deprotonate complex 2 with n-butyllithium or di-n-butylmagnesium result in nucleophilic displacement of the methylzinc fragment by lithium or magnesium. The two remaining amino protons of 3 are removed by reaction with di-n-butylmagnesium to give a heterobimetallic complex in which the coordination sphere of magnesium is completed by two molecules of THF (5 · 2THF) or one molecule of TMEDA (5 · TMEDA). Reaction of complex 3 with 1 equiv. of n-butyllithium followed by treatment of the product with di-n-butylmagnesium yields the complex {Me₂Al[(N^tBu)(NSiMe₃)P(N^tBu)₂]MgBu} Li · 4THF (6 · 4THF), the first example of a triply deprotonated complex of 1 containing three different metals. Reaction of complex 5 with iodine results in cleavage of an Al–Me group to give {MeIAl[(N^tBu)(NSiMe₃)P(N^tBu)₂Mg]} (7). Complexes 5 · 2THF, 5 · TMEDA, 6 · 4THF and 7 have been characterized in solution by multinuclear (¹H, ¹³C, ³¹P and ⁷Li) NMR spectroscopy, while the solid-state structures of 2, 4 and 5 · 2THF have been determined by X-ray crystallography.     

Apparent molar volumes and apparent molar heat capacities of aqueous urea, 1,1-dimethylurea,and N,N′-dimethylurea at temperatures from (278.15 to 348.15) K and at the pressure 0.35 MPa

Apparent molar volumes V_ϕ and apparent molar heat capacities C_p,ϕ were determined for aqueous solutions of urea, 1,1-dimethylurea, and N,N′-dimethylurea. Measurements were made at molalities m = (0.02 to 6.0) mol · kg⁻¹ for urea, at m = (0.01 to 1.6) mol · kg⁻¹ for 1,1-dimethylurea, and at m = (0.01 to 8.0) mol · kg⁻¹ for N,N′-dimethylurea. Experimental temperatures ranged from (278.15 to 318.15) K for both urea and 1,1-dimethylurea, and from (278.15 to 348.15) K for N,N′-dimethylurea. All measurements were conducted at the pressure p = 0.35 MPa. Density measurements obtained with a vibrating-tube densimeter were used to calculate V_ϕ values. Heat capacity measurements obtained with a twin fixed-cell differential temperature-scanning calorimeter were used to calculate C_p,ϕ values. Functions of m and T were fitted to the results and were compared with the literature values. The “structure making/structure breaking” aspects of urea in water are discussed. Comparisons are made between the different urea compounds, and the effects of the methyl-group additions are outlined.     

Furan- and thiophene-functionalised bis-carbene ligands: Synthesis,silver(I) complexes,and catalysis

New furan- and thiophene-functionalised nucleophilic heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes of Ag(I) were prepared via the reaction of novel furan- and thiophene-functionalised bis-imidazolium salts with Ag₂O. Samples of both the N-methyl substituted furan- and thiophene-functionalised Ag(I) complexes suitable for single crystal X-ray studies were obtained following anion metathesis to the tetrafluoroborate salts. The structural characterisations revealed dinuclear [Ag₂(_MeCEC)₂](BF₄)₂ (E = O, S) formulations with discrete twenty-membered dimetallacycles present in both instances; however, the overall molecular conformation varies considerably, notably in the orientations of the two bridging furan or thiophene heterocycles to the silver coordination plane. The functionalised bis-imidazolium salts were tested as in situ additives in a Pd(0)-catalysed aryl amination coupling reaction, with the best observed activities around 20% of those seen with 1,3-bis(2,6-di-iso-propylphenyl)imidazolium chloride under identical conditions. The bulkier N-^tBu and N-mesityl substituted salts were found to be more active than the N-methyl substituted analogues.     

Phase equilibria study of the (N-octylisoquinolinium thiocyanate ionic liquid + aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbon,or thiophene) binary systems

Binary liquid + liquid phase equilibria for 8 systems containing N-octylisoquinolinium thiocyanate, [C₈iQuin][SCN] and aliphatic hydrocarbon (n-hexane, n-heptane), cyclohexane, aromatic hydrocarbon (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, n-propylbenzene) and thiophene have been determined using dynamic method. The experiment was carried out from room temperature to the boiling-point of the solvent at atmospheric pressure. For the tested binary systems the mutual immiscibility with an upper critical solution temperature (UCST) for {IL + aliphatic hydrocarbon, or thiophene} were observed. The immiscibility gap with lower critical solution temperature (LCST) for the {IL + aromatic hydrocarbon} were determined. The parameters of the LLE correlation equation for the tested binary systems have been derived using NRTL equation. The phase equilibria diagrams presented in this paper are compared with literature data for the corresponding ionic liquids with N-alkylisoquinolinium, or N-alkylquinolinium cation and with thiocyanate – based ionic liquids. The influence of the ionic liquid structure on mutual solubility with aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons and thiophene is discussed.     

Microwave-assisted,mild, facile,and rapid one-pot three-component synthesis of some novel pyrano[2,3-d]pyrimidine-2,4,7-triones

Novel pyrano[2,3-d]pyrimidine-2,4,7-triones were synthesized in 90–97% yield via a three-component reaction of an aromatic aldehyde, Meldrums acid, and barbituric acid in the presence of 10 mol % K₂CO₃ under microwave irradiation. This is the first protocol to be reported for the synthesis of title compounds and the significant features of the present protocol are simplicity, high yields, short reaction time, involvement of aqueous work-up procedure, environmentally benign nature, and no chromatographic purification.