An efficient potassium cyanide-promoted synthesis of 2-arylbenzoxazoles from [4.3.0]boron heterobicycles

The 2-arylbenzoxazoles 3a-f were produced in moderate to excellent yields merely by stirring a potassium cyanide (3 equiv)-containing methanol solution of the borobicyclic compounds 1a-f at room temperature. These compounds were fully characterized spectroscopically [IR, ¹H, and ¹³C NMR and X-ray analysis (3a)] and by elemental analysis.     

Amphiphilic dipyrrinones: methoxylated [6]-semirubins

Replacing the typical β-alkyl substituents of [6]-semirubin and [6]-oxosemirubin, two intramolecularly hydrogen-bonded bilirubin analogs, with methoxy groups produces amphiphilic dipyrrinones. Synthesized from the respective 9H-dipyrrinones prepared by base-catalyzed condensation of 3,4-dimethoxypyrrolin-2-one with the appropriate pyrrole α-aldehyde, the 2,3-dimethoxy and 2,3,7,8-tetramethoxy analogs of [6]-semirubin are yellow-colored dipyrrinones that form intramolecularly hydrogen-bonded monomers in CDCl₃, as deduced from ¹H NMR NH chemical shifts. They are monomeric in CHCl₃, as determined by vapor pressure osmometry. In contrast, in the solid, X-ray crystallography reveals supramolecular ribbons of intermolecularly hydrogen-bonded (dipyrrinone to dipyrrinone and acid to acid) 2,3,7,8-tetramethoxy-[6]-semirubin. The latter is approximately 20 times more soluble in water than the parent [6]-semirubin with four β-methyl groups.     

The topological and chemical implications of introducing oriented rings to [3]catenanes

We report the synthesis of three donor–acceptor azido-functionalised catenanes, wherein the asymmetric positioning of the azide group on one or two of the ring components renders its resident macrocycle constitutionally asymmetric, and so it acts as an oriented ring. As a consequence, the analyses of (i) a monoazido[2]catenane, (ii) a monoazido[3]catenane and (iii) a bisazido[3]catenane, which exists as a mixture of two conditional topological isomers, are significantly complicated. Accordingly, characterisation of the catenanes, which was achieved by a combination of dynamic ¹H NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and single crystal X-ray diffraction, is an arduous task. We expect that the difficulties in analysing these mechanically interlocked molecules will be encountered more frequently as chemists prepare entities with increasingly complex topologies.     

Stereoselective addition of singlet oxygen to 8-isopropylidene-tricyclo[3.2.1.02,4]octane derivatives

Singlet oxygen adds stereoselectively to 8-isopropylidenetricyclo[3.2.1.0^2,4]octane. The π-orbital distortion and the secondary orbital interaction are discussed in order to explain the observed stereoselectivity.     

The conformation and dynamic behaviour of tetrathiacalix[4]arenes functionalized by hydrazide and hydrazone groups

The ¹H, ¹³C and ¹⁵N NMR data, conformation and dynamic behaviour of the new tetrathiacalix[4]arenes functionalized by hydrazide and hydrazone groups are reported and compared with the result of earlier investigations of 4-tert-butylphenoxyacetylhydrazones. The unusual fact of formation of N,N′-diacetylhydrazine bridge and factors leading to its formation in the cone conformer of calixarene has been discussed. The barriers of rotation of hydrazone fragments of tetrathiacalix[4]arenes were determined by NMR-measurements at various temperatures. The structure of 1,3-alternate conformer of 5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butyl-25,26,27,28-tetrakis[hydrazinocarbonylmethyl]-2,8,14,20-tetrathiacalix[4]arene in solution is compared with crystal structure obtained by the X-ray analysis.     

Synthesis and characterization of boronates derived from non-symmetric amino-bis-phenols

The condensation of 2-[[(2-hydroxyphenyl)amino]methyl]-phenols (1a-1e) with different arylboronic acids led to 12 new monomeric boronates of the type 2-aryl-dibenzo[d,h]-6-aza-1,3-dioxa-2-boracyclononene (2a-2l). The boronates were characterized by ¹H-, ¹³C-, ¹¹B- and 2D-NMR experiments, FT infrared, mass spectra and elemental analyses. The stereochemistry of the H-N → B-Ph fusion is always cis, as established through the NMR spectra, as well as the X-ray structures of four boronates (2a, 2e, 2f and 2l). Hydrogen bonds between the amine proton and the oxygen ester of the five- membered ring are present in three X-ray structures (2a, 2e and 2f), while the supramolecular structure in the derivative possessing a primary amine (2l) is built up through the protons present in this moiety instead of the proton from the H-N → B-Ph fragment.     

Functionalization of the macropolyhedral borate anion cluster [B22H22]: isolation and characterization of the OH and OEt derivatives

Preparation and characterization of the first derivatives of the fused macropolyhedral anion [B₂₂H₂₂]²⁻ are reported. The species [B₂₂H₂₁OH]²⁻ (1) and [B₂₂H₂₁OEt]²⁻ (2) are obtained from workup of the products of the reaction between HgBr₂ and [NBzlEt₃]₂[B₂₂H₂₂]; a cluster involving the conjoining of a closo-B₁₂ icosahedron with a nido-B₁₀ cluster. Washing the products with ethanol followed by thin-layer chromatography allows the isolation of 1 and 2, reproducibly, in yields of 27 and 20%, respectively. The species were characterized by NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis and X-ray diffraction studies. The crystal structure determinations of the two species identify novel features. Apparently the influence of the O atoms in the ions [B₂₂H₂₁OH]²⁻ and [B₂₂H₂₁OEt]²⁻ results in the lengthening of what was a gunwale B---B connection adjacent to the junction of the two cages such that the distances are 2.180 and 2.230 Å, respectively. These latter are longer than the corresponding distance in the parent species [B₂₂H₂₂]²⁻, which is 2.09 Å; quite long for a normal B---B distance. Thus it is assumed that these B atoms, in 1 and 2, one of which bears the substituent, are not bonded to each other.     

Conformational behaviour of tetramethoxythiacalix[4]arenes: solution versus solid-state study

The conformational behaviour of simple thiacalix[4]arene derivatives was studied using a combination of NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. The 25,26,27,28-tetramethoxythiacalix[4]arene was found to adopt an unprecedented solid-state structure, where the cone and 1,3-alternate conformers co-exist in the crystal lattice in the 3:1 ratio. This phenomenon reflects the basically distinct conformational behaviour of thiacalix[4]arene skeleton as compared with classical calixarenes.     

Fine tuning of folded conformation by change of substituents: H NMR and crystallographic evidence for folded conformation due to arene interactions in pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine core based ‘propylene linker’ compounds

Proton NMR and X-ray crystallographic analysis of two newly synthesized ‘trimethylene linker,’ (Leonard linker) compounds 1,3-bis(4-ethoxy-6-methylsulfanyl-lH-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-1-yl)propane (4c) and 1,3-bis(4-isopropoxy-6-methylsulfanyl-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-1-yl)propane (4d) show intramolecularly stacked conformations both in solution and solid state. Robustness of the unusual U-motif formed due to intramolecular stacking in earlier related compounds (1, n=3 and 3, n=3) is not only confirmed but additional fine tuning is also achieved in new compounds (4) formed by replacement of remote 4-alkylsulfanyl group in 1a by 4-alkoxy substituents.     

New boronates prepared from 2,4-pentanedione derived ligands of the NO2 and N2O2 type - comparison to the complexes obtained from the corresponding salicylaldehyde derivatives

2,4-Pentanedione (=acetylacetone) has been reacted with 2-aminoethanol, 1,2-diaminoethane and 1,3-diaminopropane to give the NO₂ and N₂O₂ type ligands named acacaminolH₂, acacenH₂ and acpenH₂, which are structurally and electronically related to the corresponding ligands derived from salicylaldehyde (salaminolH₂ and salenH₂). On reaction of acacaminolH₂ with phenylboronic acid a dinuclear monomeric complex has been obtained containing one three- and one four-coordinate boron atoms as well as one six-membered and one seven-membered heterocyclic ring. Since with salaminolH₂ a dimeric complex with a central 10-membered heterocycle had been reported, it becomes apparent that there may be differences in reactivity when comparing 2,4-pentanedione and salicylaldehyde derived ligands. The molecular compositions of the boron complexes prepared from acacenH₂ and acacpenH₂ are analogous to the corresponding salen and salpen derivatives, however, the presence of two methyl groups in the six-membered chelate rings generates some structural changes, the most important being the distortion of the boat conformation of the central heterocyclic ring. This was predicted by computational methods and confirmed experimentally for one of the complexes. A further important observation was that the products described in here are much more soluble than the salicylaldehyde derivatives. As lateral product the adduct of acacenH₂ with 1,3,5-triphenylboroxine was crystallized. Elemental analysis, IR and NMR (¹H, ¹³C, ¹¹B) spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, ab intio theoretical calculations and X-ray crystallography have been applied to carry out this study.     

Synthesis of a deep-cavity thiacalix[4]arene

A novel thiacalix[4]arene derivative bearing four phenyl groups on the upper rim was prepared by the direct condensation of biphenyl-4-ol with elemental sulphur. As revealed by X-ray diffraction analysis, this compound adopts the cone conformation in the solid state, thus creating a cavity with an extended π-aromatic system potentially applicable for solid-state inclusion of suitable molecules. Subsequent alkylation (RI/K₂CO₃/acetone, R=Me, Et, Pr) yielded tetraalkylated derivatives, which were studied for their conformational preferences using ¹H NMR spectroscopy. While the Me or Et derivatives are conformationally mobile and exhibit thermodynamic equilibria of several conformers in solution (CDCl₃ or CD₂Cl₂), the corresponding propoxy derivative is infinitely stable at room temperature.     

Synthesis of [60]fullerene-glycopyranosylaminopyrimidin-4-one conjugates

The synthesis of several C₆₀ derivatives containing a 6-(β-d-glycopyranosylamino)pyrimidin-4-one unit and a C₆₀-uridine conjugate is described. The fullerene derivatives bearing a 4-(β-d-glycopyranosylamino)pyrimidin-4-one moiety were synthesised by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions of C₆₀ with azomethine ylides generated in situ from the corresponding 5-formylpyrimidin-4-one derivatives and N-methylglycine. The synthesis of the C₆₀-uridine conjugate involved the selective protection of the 2′- and 3′-hydroxyl groups of uridine, esterification, cyclopropanation of C₆₀ and, finally, the deprotection of the hydroxyl groups. One of the fullerene-glycopyranosylaminopyrimidin-4-one conjugates was characterised by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. Differentiation between pairs of diastereoisomers, for several fullerene derivatives, was achieved through the study of their gas-phase fragmentations.     

Diastereoselective ortho-lithiation of [5]ferrocenophanes

Planarly chiral ferrocene derivatives with bridged cyclopentadienyl rings are interesting ligands in asymmetric catalysis. A planar stereogenic unit is conveniently introduced by diastereoselective ortho-lithiation. The directed lithiation of several [5]ferrocenophane derivatives followed by quenching with chlorodiphenylphosphane led to planarly chiral ligands. The sense of diastereoselection was studied by computational methods. Absolute configuration of methoxy phosphane was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction study.     

Novel addition in trifluoromethylation of [70]fullerene

Pyrolytic trifluoromethylation of [70]fullerene with CF₃CO₂Ag at 300 °C results in the addition of up to 12 CF₃ groups to the fullerene cage. Forty-six C₇₀(CF₃)_n derivatives (numbers in parentheses) were separated by two-stage high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) as follows: n = 2(2), 4(16), 6(9), 8(14) 10(5), some being characterised by NMR. The range of derivatives is much greater than for other [70]fullerene reactions, and as with [60]fullerene trifluoromethylation, no single derivative is dominant, indicating that kinetic stability mainly controls product formation. NMR spectra show most derivatives to be unsymmetrical, with combinations of quartets and septets (overlapping quartets) due to contiguous (‘linear’) addend arrays, having significantly different coupling constants of the ‘terminal’ quartets of between 9.1 and 17.7 Hz. These differences, together with those observed previously in trifluoromethylation of [60]fullerene are consistent with addition across both 6:6- and 5:6-ring junctions. Of the two C₇₀(CF₃)₂ isomers, one has either C_s or C₂ symmetry, the other has C₁ symmetry, whilst the C₇₀(CF₃)₄ derivatives fall into four categories: (i) symmetrical compounds (one gives only two singlets in the NMR); (ii) unsymmetrical compounds that show a ‘linear’ coupling sequence; (iii) unsymmetrical compounds having a remote pairs of adjacent groups; (iv) compounds having a coupled array of three CF₃ groups, together with a remote group suggesting sterically-driven migration. The first evaluation of differential NMR couplings across 6:6- and 5:6-bonds in a fullerene has been made using C₆₀F₆ as a model.     

A short approach to the bicyclo[4.3.0]nonane fragment of stawamycin

The bicyclo[4.3.0]nonane (C₁₁-C₂₁) fragment of stawamycin has been prepared by a sequence involving 11 steps (10% overall yield) from methyl (R)-(−)-3-hydroxy-2-methylpropionate. Key steps are a Pd-catalysed Stille coupling reaction between a vinyl iodide and a vinyl stannane followed by an intramolecular Diels-Alder cycloaddition reaction to give the desired adduct as the major isomer in 21% overall yield.     

Synthesis and THF Accompanied Crystal Structure of llH-Naphtho[1＇,2＇：5,6]- pyrano[2,3-d]pyrimidin- 11 （10H）-one

8,9,12-Trihydro-9,9-pentamethylene- 12-（3-nitrophenyl）- 11H-naphtho[ 1＇,25,6]- pyrano[2,3-d]pyfimidin- 11 （10H）-one 1, another conversion product of Ffiedlandler reaction, has been synthesized by the reaction of 2-amino-4-（3-nitrophenyl）-4H-benzo[f]chromene-3-carbonitrile 2 with cyclohexanone in the presence of Lewis acid catalysts. The crystal of the title compound 1 THF solvate, C60H62N6O10, was obtained and determined by X-ray diffraction method. The crystal is of triclinic, space group P1 with a = 11.4633（11）, b = 12.6247（12）, c = 19.658（2）A, α = 72.642（8）, β = 89.045（9）, γ = 68.340（5）°, V = 2509.6（4）, Z = 2, De = 1.359 g/cm^3, F（000） = 1088, Mr = 1027.16, the final R = 0.0674 and wR = 0.1869 with Ⅰ 〉 2σ（Ⅰ） and the goodness-of-fit S = 1.045 on F^2. The pyrimidine ring has an envelope conformation, linked with a six-membered ring through a spiro C atom. The crystal packing of 1 THF solvate is stabilized by N-H…O hydrogen bonds, and π-π stacking interaction occurs between two adjacent nearly planar molecules of 1.     

Synthesis and Structures of some Trisorganylstannyl Boranes and Triorganylstannyl Borates [1]

New stannylboranes were prepared from tetramethylpiperidino dichloroborane or B‐bromo‐pentamethylborazine with lithium triorganylstannides LiSnR₃. Only double stannylation was possible with tmpBCl₂ and LiSnMe₃, while tmpBCl(SnPh₃) was obtained by employing LiSnPh₃. This chloride reacted with LiGePh₃ to the stannyl germyl borane tmpB(GePh₃)(SnPh₃). On the other hand, PhMeNBCl₂ and an excess of LiSnMe₃ gave the borate Li[B(NMePh)(SnMe₃)₃], which was isolated as a solvate with 4 molecules of THF. The compound is present in the solid state as a solvent separated ion pair. The borate Li(H₃BSnMe₃) · 2 THF is dimeric in the solid state. Dimerization occurs via two single Li–H–B bridges and a Li–H(B)–Li bridge. The B–Sn bonds in the borates are practically of the same lengths as those in the boranes. In solution all BH bonds of this trihydridoborate are equivalent.