The synthesis of new planar chiral heterobidentate chelate ligands for asymmetric catalysis

A series of new heterobidentate N,S; N,O and N,P chelate ligands have been synthesised where the sole source of chirality is derived from a planar chiral ferrocene unit and have been shown to give up to 79% ee (R) in the palladium catalysed allylic substitution reaction, suggesting that they may be suitable in other palladium catalysed processes.     

Acetylene chemistry. Part 27. Palladium catalysed C?C bond formation between quinoline and mono-substituted alkynes: Synthesis of 4-alkynyl-2-bromoquinolines

Six new 4-alkynyl-2-bromoquinolines have been synthesised via palladium catalysed C? C bond formation between 2,4-dibromoquinoline and mono-substituted alkynes. Position of the alkyne substituent was confirmed to be at C-4 by an nOe experiment on some methoxy derivatives prepared by nucleophilic displacement of bromo substituent.     

“Green synthesis” of benzothiazepine library of indeno analogues and their in vitro antimicrobial activity

A novel series of indeno-benzothiazepine derivatives was synthesised via a “green” route. Synthesis of these compounds involves the treatment of dinucleophiles such as 2-aminobenzenethiols with α,β-unsaturated ketones in poly(oxyethylene) (poly(ethylene glycol), PEG-400) catalysed by acetic acid. The synthone α,β-unsaturated ketones were obtained by Claisen-Schmidt condensation of indan-1-one with substituted pyrazole-2-carbaldehydes prompted by bleaching earth (pH 12.5) as catalyst and PEG-400 as “green” reaction solvent. Screening of all the synthesised compounds for antimicrobial activity revealed that most of these compounds exhibited moderate to significant antimicrobial activity.     

Synthesis of a novel polycyclic ring scaffold with antimitotic properties via a selective domino Heck–Suzuki reaction

The synthesis of a previously undescribed sp³-rich 6-5-5-6 tetracyclic ring scaffold using a palladium catalysed domino Heck–Suzuki reaction is reported. This reaction is high-yielding, selective for the domino process over the direct Suzuki reaction and tolerant towards a variety of boronic acids. The novel scaffold can also be accessed via domino Heck–Stille and radical cyclisations. Compounds based around this scaffold were found to be effective antimitotic agents in a human cancer cell line. Detailed phenotypic profiling showed that the compounds affected the congression of chromosomes to give mitotic arrest and apoptotic cell death. Thus, a novel structural class of antimitotic agents that does not disrupt the tubulin network has been identified.     

Efficient synthesis of 3,3′,5,5′-tetra(p-X-phenylethynyl)biphenyl (X: NMe2; OMe) by homocoupling of 1-bromo-3,5-di(p-X-phenylethynyl)benzene or by heterocoupling of 3,3′,5,5′-tetraethynylbiphenyl with p-X-phenylbromobenzene with nickel or palladium complexes, respectively

The conjugated 3,3′,5,5′-tetra(p-X-phenylethynyl)biphenyl derivatives were efficiently obtained by homocoupling of 1-bromo-3,5-di(p-X-phenylethynyl)benzene mediated by zero-valent nickel complexes.The 1-bromo-3,5-di(p-X-phenylethynyl)benzene was previously prepared by heterocoupling between 1-bromo-3,5-di(ethynyl)benzene and p-X-iodobenzene (X: NMe₂; OMe) catalysed by the palladium/copper system in good yield. The necessary 1-bromo-3,5-di(ethynyl)benzene was obtained by heterocoupling between 1,3,5-tribromobenzene and 2-methyl-3-butyn-2-ol catalysed by palladium and successive treatment with sodium hydroxide in dry toluene, in good yield.The same 3,3′,5,5′-tetra(p-X-phenylethynyl)biphenyl (X: NMe₂; OMe) derivatives were alternatively synthesised in highest yield by heterocoupling between 3,3′,5,5′-tetra(ethynyl)biphenyl and p-X-bromobenzene (X: NMe₂; OMe) catalysed by palladium in excellent yields. Previously, 3,3′,5,5′-tetra(ethynyl)biphenyl was obtained in practically quantitative yield by homocoupling of 1-bromo-3,5-di[4-(2-methyl-3-butyn-2-ol)] benzene mediated by the zero-valent nickel complex to the 3,3′,5,5′-tetra{di[4-(2-methyl-3-butyn-2-ol)]}biphenyl followed the treatment with sodium hydroxide.     

Synthesis of Quinolines via a Metal‐Catalyzed Dehydrogenative N‐Heterocyclization

Efficient ruthenium‐, rhodium‐, palladium‐, copper‐ and iridium‐catalysed methodologies have been recently developed for the synthesis of quinolines by the reaction of 2‐aminobenzyl alcohols with carbonyl compounds (aldehydes and ketones) or the related alcohols. The reaction is assumed to proceed via a sequence involving initial metal‐catalysed oxidation of 2‐aminobenzyl alcohols to the related 2‐aminobenzaldehydes, followed by cross aldol reaction with a carbonyl compound under basic conditions to afford α,β‐unsaturated carbonyl compounds. These aldehydes or ketones can be also generated in situ via dehydrogenation of the related primary and secondary alcohols. In the final step cyclodehydration of the α,β‐unsaturated carbonyl compound intermediates gives quinolines. Good yields of quinolines were also obtained by reacting 2‐nitrobenzyl alcohols and secondary alcohols in the presence of a ruthenium catalyst. Finally, aniline derivatives afforded also a useful access to quinolines by the reaction with 1,3‐propanediol or 3‐amino‐1‐propanol, or in a three‐component reaction with benzyl alcohol and aliphatic alcohols.     

A palladium complex with a new hemilabile amino- and sulfur-containing phosphinite ligand as an efficient catalyst for the Heck reaction of aryl bromides with styrene. The effect of the amino group

A palladium complex with a new hemilabile amino- and sulfur-containing phosphinite ligand has been synthesised and its crystal structure determined. This system efficiently catalyses the Heck reaction of aryl bromides with styrene at 130°C after 24 h, with turnover numbers of up to 100000 and with a selectivity towards trans-stilbenes ranging from 91.5 to 96.3%. The analogous sulfur-containing phosphinite without the amino group has also been synthesised and subjected to the Heck reaction. The constructive role of the amino group on the formation of the P,S-chelate palladium complex as well as in the Heck reaction is discussed.     

The synthesis, structures, and electrochemistry of 1′-heteroaryl-2,5-dimethylazaferrocenes

We report the synthesis of 1′-heteroaryl-2,5-dimethylazaferrocenes (heteroaryl = 2-bromothiophen-5-yl and 2-bromopyrid-6-yl) via palladium catalysed cross-coupling reactions along with their crystallographically determined structures. The newly synthesized compounds as well as the parent 2,5-dimethylazaferrocene have been investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and were found to exhibit reversible first oxidations followed by an irreversible oxidation at considerably higher potential.     

Enzymatic kinetic resolution of tropic acid

A new strategy has been developed for the CAL-B catalysed kinetic resolution of tropic acid by which both enantiomers of tropic acid can be obtained in good enantiomeric excess. (R)-Tropic acid was synthesised with 90% ee and (S)-tropic acid butyl ester in 99% ee by the hydrolysis of tropic acid butyl ester. The other enantiomers were available through the enzymatically catalysed reaction of tropic acid lactone with butanol to give (S)-tropic acid lactone and (R)-tropic acid ester in >98% ee.     

Synthesis of conjugated trienes by palladium(0) catalysed cross coupling

2-Bromo-1-ethenyl-3,4-dihydronaphthalene (1) is subjected to palladium(0) catalysed coupling to a series of vinyl and aryl iodides via a bromozinc intermediate; the products when heated undergo 6π-electrocyclic ring closure.     

The synthesis of tetra-acrylamido-calix[4]arene capsules

Upper rim substituted tetra-acrylamido-calix[4]arenes have been synthesised using the palladium catalysed Heck reaction; the compounds display solvent dependent aggregation in solution to form dimeric capsules stabilised by only eight amide C=O-H-N hydrogen bonds and pi-pi interactions.     

Sunlight promoted palladium catalysed Mizoroki-Heck, Suzuki-Miyaura and Sonogashira reactions

The palladium catalysed Mizoroki-Heck, Suzuki-Miyaura and Sonogashira reactions were successfully carried out under irradiation with sunlight. The Heck reaction gives considerable amount of Z product due to photochemical isomerization of initially formed E alkenes. Reaction of methyl 2-iodobenzoate with acrylamide under solar condition furnished 2H-2-benzazepine-1,3-dione rather than the expected derivative of cinnamate while the same reaction with ethyl 2-iodobenzoate gave the desired cinnamide.     

Dramatic reversal of enantioselection in a palladium catalysed allylic substitution by choice of nitrogen substituents in a N–P chiral ligand

Two chiral chelate nitrogen–phosphorus ligands derived from (S)-valine, with the potential for stereogenic nitrogen donors, gave dramatically different enantioselectivities, ranging from 92% ee (R) to 83% ee (S), in the palladium catalysed allylic substitution reaction.     

NMR approach for the identification of dinuclear and mononuclear complexes: The first detection of [Pd(SPh)2(PPh3)2] and [Pd2(SPh)4(PPh3)2] - The intermediate complexes in the catalytic carbon-sulfur bond formation reaction

In the present study we have analyzed the nature of palladium complexes in the catalytic system for selective carbon-sulfur bond formation via the addition of S-S and S-H bonds to alkynes. For the first time the mononuclear and dinuclear palladium complexes were clearly detected by DOSY NMR under the catalytic conditions. It was demonstrated that the concentration of these palladium complexes strongly depends on the amount of phosphine ligand available under reaction conditions.     

Dearomative spirocyclization via visible-light-induced reductive hydroarylation of non-activated arenes

A visible-light-induced spirocyclizative hydroarylation via reductive dearomatization of a series of non activated arenes including 2-phenyl indoles and naphthalene derivatives under mild conditions is de scribed. An intriguing chemoselective dearomative hydroarylation of 2-phenyl indoles is presented. Th dearomative hydroarylation protocol rapidly delivers valuable spirocycles with carbon-carbon doub bonds from readily accessible aromatic precursors in a single step.     

A new entry to the substituted pyrrolo[3,2-c]quinoline derivatives of biological interest by intramolecular heteroannulation of internal imines

New 1,3,4-substituted pyrrolo[3,2-c]quinoline derivatives were synthesised in good yields by oxidative heteroannulation of internal imines starting from easily prepared substituted 5-(2-aminophenyl)pyrroles and commercially available aryl and heteroaryl aldehydes. The reaction occurs as a one-pot process involving an intramolecular acid catalysed reaction.     

Development of transition state analogue inhibitors for <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-acetylglycosyltransferases bearing <Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">d</Emphasis>psico- or <Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">d</Emphasis>tagatofuranose scaffolds

New potential transition state analogue inhibitors for N-acetylglucosyltransferases (GnTs) were synthesised. These compounds based on psico- and tagatofuranose (structure) scaffold contained a 2-thiophenyl-1-O-diethylphosphate moiety mimicking the proposed model of the transition state of the enzymatic reaction catalysed by N-acetylglucosyltransferases. The synthesised compounds as well as their precursors were fully characterised by NMR, optical rotation and mass techniques. Anomeric configuration of tagatofuranose derivatives was confirmed by X-ray crystallography. Two types of potential human glycosyltransferase (GnTs) inhibitors representing donor UDP-GlcNAc, assigned for biological assays on human GnTs, were prepared.     

Synthesis of 16-E-([aryl]idene)-3-methoxy-estrones by a palladium catalysed Mizoroki-Heck reaction

16-E-Arylidene-3-methoxy-estrones were synthesized using a palladium catalysed Mizoroki-Heck reaction. This methodology tolerates various functional groups and gives the corresponding products in yields between 14 and 99%, which were strongly dependent on the electronic character of the aryl halides.     

Synthesis and crystal structures of the first C2-symmetric bis-aldimine NCN-pincer complexes of platinum and palladium

(S,S)-2,6-bis[(N-α-methylbenzyl)imino]phenylpalladium bromide was synthesised by oxidative addition of palladium(0) to (S,S)-1-bromo-2,6-bis[(N-α-methylbenzyl)imino]benzene. In contrast, (S,S)-2,6-bis[(N-α-methylbenzyl)imino]phenylplatinum chloride was synthesised by direct C-H activation from the reaction of potassium tetrachloroplatinate with (S,S)-1,3-bis[(N-α-methylbenzyl)imino]benzene. The X-ray crystal structures of both pincer complexes were obtained. Treatment of both complexes with silver hexafluoroanimonate gave effective but not stereoselective catalysts for a Michael reaction between methyl vinyl ketone and methyl 2-cyanopropanoate.     

Facile synthesis of 1,8-naphthalimides in palladium-catalysed aminocarbonylation of 1,8-diiodo-naphthalene

1,8-Diiodo-naphthalene was aminocarbonylated with various primary and secondary amines in the presence of palladium(0) complexes formed in situ from palladium(II) acetate and triphenylphosphine. In the case of primary amines, depending on the amine to substrate ratio, two types of products have been obtained in highly chemoselective reaction: dicarboxamides and N-substituted imides have been formed at high and low amine to substrate ratio, respectively. The reaction tolerates the ester functionality, so that amino acid esters could serve as N-nucleophiles and in this way, naphthalimides possessing stereogenic centre in the N-substituent could be synthesised.