Enantioselective Friedel–Crafts reactions of ethenetricarboxylates and substituted pyrroles and furans and intramolecular reaction of benzene derivatives

Compared to enantioselective Friedel–Crafts reactions of indoles, reactions of alkylidene malonates with monocyclic aromatic compounds generally proceed with low enantioselectivity. The Friedel–Crafts reactions of ethenetricarboxylates 1 and monocyclic heteroaromatic compounds, such as substituted pyrroles and furans were investigated. The reaction of 1 with 2,4-dimethylpyrrole in the presence of a chiral bisoxazoline–copper(II) complex (10 mol %) in tetrahydrofuran at room temperature gave alkylated products in up to 72% ee. The reaction of 1 with 2-substituted furans gave alkylated products in 46–62% ee. The absolute stereochemistry of the furan Friedel–Crafts product 7e was determined by transformation to the known 2,3-dimethylbutyric acid. The intramolecular reaction of benzene derivatives gave cyclized products up to 56% ee.     

Preparation of (2,2-difluoroethenylidene)bis(tributylstannane) and arylation reaction: efficient approach to 1,1-diaryl-2,2-difluoroethenes

Reaction of 2,2-difluoro-1-tributylstannylethenyl p-toluenesulfonate (1) with bis(tributyltin) in the presence of 5 mol % Pd(PPh₃)₄ and 30 equiv LiBr in THF at reflux temperature for 7 h afforded (2,2-difluoroethenylidene)bis(tributylstannane) (2) in a 70% yield. Coupling reaction of 2 with aryl iodides in the presence of 5 mol % Pd(PPh₃)₄ and 5 mol % CuI in DMF at 80 °C for 3–4 h provided the coupled products 3 in 59–85% yields.     

Expedient one-step synthesis of nitrogen stilbene analogs by transition metal-free hydroamination of arylacetylenes with pyrroles

A novel family of nitrogen stilbene analogs, 1-styrylpyrroles, has been synthesized in good to excellent yields by a straightforward facile transition metal-free addition of pyrroles to arylacetylenes in the KOH/DMSO system (90–120 °C, 5–13 h). Thermodynamically controlled E/Z-isomer ratio of 1-styrylpyrroles depends on structure of both pyrroles and acetylenes ranging from ca. 100% E-stereoselectivity (for the pair unsubstituted pyrrole—phenylacetylene) to 90, 96% Z-stereoselectivity (for the pairs: 2-phenylpyrrole—phenylacetylene and 2-(2-thienyl)pyrrole—phenylacetylene, respectively).     

Organocatalytic asymmetric addition of aliphatic thiols to nitro olefins and nitrodienes

The N-3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl thiourea derivative of readily available chiral 1-benzyl-3-aminopyrrolidine was an effective organocatalyst for the asymmetric sulfa-Michael reaction. The adducts of aliphatic thiols to nitro olefins and nitrodienes were formed in good yields and with up to 87% ee in the presence of 2.5 mol % of the organocatalyst.     

New β-amino thiols as efficient catalysts for highly enantioselective alkenylzinc addition to aldehydes

A series of new optically active β-amino thiols and thiolacetates prepared from the simple natural amino acid, (S)-(−)-valine, were found to be effective catalysts for the enantioselective addition of alkenylzinc to aldehydes and thereby providing an efficient route for chiral (E)-allylic alcohols with ees of up to >99% in the presence of 7a (1 mol %).     

Solvent-free asymmetric direct aldol reactions organocatalysed by recoverable (Sa)-binam-l-prolinamide

The combination of (S_a)-binam-l-Pro (5 mol %) and benzoic acid (10 mol %) was used as catalysts in the direct aldol reaction between different aliphatic ketones and 4-nitrobenzaldehyde under solvent-free reaction conditions. Three different procedures are assayed: magnetic stirring (method A), magnetic stirring after previous dissolution in THF and evaporation (method B), and ball mill technique (method C), methods A and B being the simplest. These reaction conditions allowed us to reduce the amount of required ketone to 2 equiv to give the aldol product in similar reaction times and regio-, diastero-, and enantioselectivities than in organic or aqueous solvents.     

Mixed ligand complexes of [Pd(terpy)(H2O)]2+ with some selected amino acids,peptides, DNA and related ligands

Stability constants of the ternary palladium(II) complexes of triamine 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine (terpy) and some amino acids, peptides, DNA constituents or thiols were determined at 25 °C and at constant 0.1 mol dm⁻³ ionic strength, adjusted using NaNO₃. The coordination sites are pH-dependent. The results show the formation of binuclear species, 210. The speciation diagrams of various complex species were evaluated as a function of pH. Good correlations were found between the stability constants of the complexes and basicity of ligands.     

Palladium-catalysed direct arylations of NH-free pyrrole and N-tosylpyrrole with aryl bromides

The palladium-catalysed direct coupling of aryl halides with pyrroles provides a greener access to arylated pyrroles than more classical couplings such as Suzuki, Stille or Negishi reactions. However, so far, NH-free pyrrole and N-tosylpyrrole gave disappointing results for such couplings either in terms of regioselectivity of the arylation, catalyst loading or substrate scope. The reactivity of both NH-free pyrrole and N-tosylpyrrole was studied, and the tosylated pyrrole led to higher yields of coupling products due to better conversions of the aryl bromides. A range of aryl bromides undergo regioselective coupling at C2 of N-tosylpyrrole in moderate to good yields using 1 mol % [Pd(Cl(C₃H₅)]₂ as the catalyst, KOAc as the base in DMAc.     

Synthesis of unsymmetrically disubstituted ethynes by the palladium/copper(I)-cocatalyzed sila-Sonogashira–Hagihara coupling reactions of alkynylsilanes with aryl iodides,bromides, and chlorides through a direct activation of a carbon–silicon bond

In this paper, we explore the copper/palladium-cocatalyzed cross-coupling reactions of 1-aryl-2-trimethylsilylethynes with aryl iodides, bromides, and chlorides as coupling partners, to furnish unsymmetrically disubstituted ethynes in moderate to excellent yields. Various aryl iodides were subjected to reaction under the optimized conditions with 5 mol % of Pd(PPh₃)₂ and 50 mol % of CuCl. The steric properties of the aryl iodide proved more influential to the outcome of the cross-coupling reaction than electronic factors. In addition, we succeeded in synthesizing unsymmetrical diarylethynes using two different aryl iodides in one-pot. Furthermore, under the same reaction conditions with 10 mol % of PdCl₂, 40 mol % of P(4-FC₆H₄)₃, and 50 mol % of CuCl as catalyst, we succeeded in synthesizing unsymmetrical diarylethynes from various aryl bromides. Finally, we explored reactions with aryl chlorides and duly discovered that unsymmetrical diarylethynes were obtainable in moderate to good yields when 10 mol % of Pd(OAc)₂, 10 mol % of (?)-DIOP, and 10 mol % of CuCl were used. These reactions proceed through a direct activation of a carbon–silicon bond in alkynylsilanes by CuCl to generate the corresponding alkynylcopper species via transmetalation from silicon to copper. Mechanistic investigations on the reaction of alkynylsilanes with aryl bromides confirmed that the trimethylsilyl bromide generated in situ retarded both transmetalation steps between CuCl and alkynylsilane, and between palladium(II) species formed by oxidative addition and alkynylcopper species.     

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.     

Synthesis of aryl alkynyl carboxylic acids and aryl alkynes from propiolic acid and aryl halides by site selective coupling and decarboxylation

The coupling of propiolic acid with aryl iodides afforded the aryl alkynyl carboxylic acids and aryl alkynes in generally good yields. Aryl alkynyl carboxylic acids were obtained when the reaction was performed in the presence of Pd(PPh₃)₂Cl₂ (2.5 mol %), dppb (5.0 mol %) and DBU (5 equiv) at 50 °C. For the synthesis of the terminal aryl alkynes, the reaction was conducted in the presence of Pd(PPh₃)₂Cl₂ (2.5 mol %), dppb (5.0 mol %), DBU (5.0 equiv), and Cu(acac)₂ (10 mol %) at 25 °C for 5 h, and further reacted at 60 °C for 6 h.     

Electroenzymatic oxidation of polyaromatic hydrocarbons using chemical redox mediators in organic media

The bioelectrochemical oxidation of two polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH): anthracene (ANT) and pyrene (PYR), using horseradish peroxidase (HRP) resulting in the synthesis of photoactive polyaromatic quinones in organic media was studied. The electrochemical generation of hydrogen peroxide was compared with its direct addition in concentrations of up to 0.0012 mol L⁻¹. In addition, three different chemical redox mediators were evaluated: ABTS, thionin and ortho-aminophenol. In a reaction medium containing 30% acetone and ABTS as mediator with a molar ratio mediator/PAH of 1:10, HRP attained the highest level of oxidation of PAH (1 × 10⁻³ mol L⁻¹): ANT (94%) and PYR (91%), producing 9,10-anthraquinone and mainly 1,2 and 4,5-pyrenequinones, respectively.     

Achiral additives dramatically enhance enantioselectivities in the BINOL–Ti(IV) complex catalyzed aldol condensations of aldehydes with Chan’s diene

Achiral additives can dramatically enhance the enantioselectivities in the BINOL–Ti(IV) complex catalyzed aldol condensations of aldehydes with Chan’s diene. The best results were obtained by using 2.0 equiv of LiCl with respect to (S)-BINOL/Ti(Oi-Pr)₄ as the additive. In the presence of 4.0 mol % of LiCl and 2.0 mol % of BINOL/Ti(Oi-Pr)₄, all aldehydes tested gave δ-hydroxy-β-ketoesters as almost pure single enantiomers. Moreover, the present catalyst system was highly effective on reducing the catalyst loadings to 0.1 mol %.     

Practical and highly enantioselective alkylation of aldehydes catalyzed by a titanium complex of 3-aryl H8-BINOL

A titanium complex derived from 3-(3,5-diphenylphenyl)-H₈-BINOL exhibits high catalytic activity and enantioselectivity in the alkylation of aldehydes. Enantioselectivities comparable to or higher than 20 mol % of the parent H₈-BINOL are obtained with 2 mol %-catalyst loadings. The reaction can be carried out without rigorous exclusion of water.     

Excess molar volumes of binary mixtures of 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol with water,or acetone,or 1,4-difluorobenzene,or 4-fluorotoluene,or α,α,α, trifluorotoluene or 1-alcohols at a temperature of 298.15 K and pressure of 101 kPa

Excess molar volumes V_m^E of binary mixtures of 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol with water, or acetone, or methanol, or ethanol, or 1-alcholos, or 1,4-difluorobenzene, or 4-fluorotoluene or α,α,α-trifluorotoluene were measured in a vibrating tube densimeter at temperature 298.15 K and pressure of 101 kPa. The V_m^E extrema are: 1.540 cm³ · mol⁻¹ for (2,2,2-trifluoroethanol + 1-heptanol); 1.452 cm³ · mol⁻¹ for (2,2,2-trifluoroethanol + 1-hexanol); 1.238 cm³ · mol⁻¹ for (2,2,2-trifluoroethanol + 1-butanol); 0.821 cm³ · mol⁻¹ for (2,2,2-trifluoroethanol + 4-fluorotoluene); 0.817 cm³ · mol⁻¹ for (2,2,2-trifluoroethanol + ethanol); 0.647 cm³ · mol⁻¹ for (2,2,2-trifluoroethanol + methanol); 0.618 cm³ · mol⁻¹ for (2,2,2-trifluoroethanol + acetone); 0.605 cm³ · mol⁻¹ for (2,2,2-trifluoroethanol + α,α,α-trifluorotoluene); 0.485 cm³ · mol⁻¹ for (2,2,2-trifluoroethanol + 1,4-difluorobenzene); and −0.656 cm³ · mol⁻¹ for (2,2,2-trifluoroethanol + water). The limiting excess partial molar volumes are estimated.     

Catalytic asymmetric cyano-phosphorylation of aldehydes using a YLi3tris(binaphthoxide) complex (YLB)

A highly enantioselective cyano-phosphorylation of aldehydes catalyzed by a YLi₃tris(binaphthoxide) complex YLB 1 is described. The slow addition of diethyl cyanophosphonate 4 to aldehydes 5 in the presence of YLB 1 (10 mol %), H₂O (30 mol %), tris(2,6-dimethoxyphenyl)phosphine oxide 3a (10 mol %), and BuLi (10 mol %) afforded cyanohydrin O-phosphates 6 in up to 98% yield and 97% ee. Mechanistic studies revealed that the addition of cyanide to aldehydes is irreversible and determines the enantioselectivity. The reaction mechanism is also discussed in detail.     

Enantioselective construction of all-carbon quaternary spirocenters through a Pd-catalyzed asymmetric intramolecular ipso-Friedel–Crafts allylic alkylation of phenols

A novel catalytic asymmetric synthetic method for making spirocyclohexadienones with an all-carbon quaternary spirocenter was developed based on the Pd-catalyzed intramolecular ipso-Friedel–Crafts allylic alkylation of phenols. When 5 mol % of the Pd catalyst and 12 mol % of (?)-9-NapBN (?)-3e were used, the spirocyclic adduct was obtained with up to 93% ee, albeit with low chemical yield. On the other hand, when using 6 mol% of the Trost ligand (R,R)-3k, the spirocyclic adducts were obtained in good yields with up to 89% ee (diastereoselectivity = 9.2:1).     

Structure characteristics contributing to flame retardancy in diazo modified novolac resins

The physical characteristics of two modified novolac resins (carbonyl phenyl azo novolac resin; CPAN and 4-(4-hydroxyphenyl azo) benzyl ester novolac resin; HPDEN) bearing nitrogen and aromatic functional groups by diazo-coupling or esterification in the branch structure of phenol novolac resin were examined. Presence of the modifiers raised the phenolic decomposition temperature (5% weight loss) from 300 °C (pure Phenolic) to 330 °C and 380 °C, while the char residue increased from 45% to 56% and 68%, respectively. The kinetics for thermal degradation energies (E_a) also rose from 151 kJ/mol K to 254 kJ/mol K (CPAN) and 273 kJ/mol K (HPDEN). The retarded decomposition kinetics is attributed both to the increase of crosslink densities and high aromatic content in the derivative resins. On the other hand, the diazo-coupling or phenyl diazenyl ester produces non-combustible gases (N₂, CO₂ and CO) during formation of aromatic char which dilute the ambient oxygen gas. Both the production of gases and the retarded kinetics due to cross-linking are definitive for the improved flame resistance.     

Enantioselective copper-catalyzed 1,4-addition of dialkylzincs to enones using a novel N,N,P–Cu(II) complex

Enantioselective copper-catalyzed 1,4-additions of dialkylzincs to enones were carried out in the presence of 1 mol % of Cu(OTf)₂ and 2.5 mol % of an N,N,P-ligand possessing a tert-butyl group at the adjacent position of the nitrogen of pyridine to afford the corresponding 1,4-adducts in up to 98% ee.     

3,4,5-Trimethoxyphenol: A combined experimental and theoretical thermochemical investigation of its antioxidant capacity

The standard (p^° = 0.1 MPa) molar enthalpies of combustion and sublimation of 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenol were measured, respectively, by static bomb combustion calorimetry in oxygen atmosphere and by Calvet microcalorimetry. From these measurements, the standard molar enthalpy of formation in both the crystalline and gaseous phase, at T = 298.15 K, were derived: ?(643.4 ± 1.9) kJ · mol^?1 and ?(518.1 ± 3.6) kJ · mol^?1, respectively. Density functional theory calculations for this compound and respective phenoxyl radical and phenoxide anion were also performed using the B3LYP functional and extended basis sets, which allowed the theoretical estimation of the gaseous phase standard molar enthalpy of formation through the use of isodesmic reactions and the calculation of the homolytic and heterolytic O–H bond dissociation energies. There is good agreement between the calculated and experimental enthalpy of formation. Substituent effects on the homolytic and heterolytic O–H bond dissociation energies have been analysed.