Disparate orientation of [1]rotaxanes

A novel [1]rotaxane 2 has been synthesized employing a 4-methyl-benzenesulfonyl and an azobenzene modified β-cyclodextrin (β-CyD) at the 2 position, through self-inclusion complexation and Suzuki-coupling capping in aqueous solution. Disparate absorption, induced circular dichroism (ICD) properties from its isomer [1]rotaxane 1, prepared from the isomeric β-CyD modifier at the 6 position, and the photoisomerization of [1]rotaxane 2 were thoroughly investigated.     

Tonkinensines A and B, two novel alkaloids from Sophora tonkinensis

Tonkinensines A (1) and B (2), two novel cytisine-type alkaloids that feature the skeleton with a linkage to pterocarpan, were isolated from the roots of Sophora tonkinensis. Their structures and absolute configurations were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, especially X-ray crystal diffraction and CD spectral analysis. The proposed biosynthetic pathway was also discussed. Both 1 and 2 were tested in HeLa and MDA-MB-231 tumor cell lines, and compound 2 showed moderate cytotoxic activity.     

A Baylis-Hillman/ozonolysis route towards (±) 4,5-dihydroxy-2,3-pentanedione (DPD) and analogues

The Baylis-Hillman reaction between 2-(tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy)ethanal and 3-buten-2-one followed by desilylation gave rise to the corresponding α-methylene-β,γ-dihydroxy ketone further converted by reductive ozonolysis of the carbon-carbon double bond into racemic 4,5-dihydroxy-2,3-pentanedione (DPD), a significant molecule in bacterial cell-cell communication systems. The same sequence applied to other substrates allowed the preparation of chain elongated analogues and 5-O-acylated derivatives of DPD.     

Magnetic coupling in EE and EO azido-bridged binuclear copper complexes: Synthesis,structure and magnetic studies

Four azide bridged dinuclear copper(II) complexes, [Cu₂(L^X)₂(N₃)₂](ClO₄)₂, with L^X = substituted N,N-bis[(3,5-dimethylpyrazole-1-yl)-methyl]benzylamine, [X = H (1), OMe (2), Me (3) and Cl (4)] have been synthesized, out of which complexes 1 and 2 have been characterized structurally. In Complex 1 the two bridging azide ligands have connected the two metal centers in an end-on (EO) fashion with aSP (asymmetric Square Pyramidal) geometry and showed an weak antiferromagnetic interaction (J = −3.34 cm⁻¹). On the contrary, in complex 2, the two metal centers have been connected in end-to-end (EE) fashion exhibiting moderately strong ferromagnetic interaction (J = +19.7 cm⁻¹). Cyclic voltammetric studies performed on all the four complexes show a reasonably good correlations when E_1/2 for Cu^IICu^II → Cu^IICu^III and Cu^IICu^III → Cu^IIICu^III oxidations are plotted against σ (substituent constants) with ρ = −0.182 (R² = 0.92) and −0.684 (R² = 0.99) respectively.     

Synthesis of (3′R,5′S)-3′-hydroxycotinine using 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of a nitrone

To synthesize (3′R,5′S)-3′-hydroxycotinine [(+)-1], the main metabolite of nicotine (2), cycloaddition of C-(3-pyridyl)nitrones 3a, 3c, and 15 with (2R)- and (2S)-N-(acryloyl)bornane-10,2-sultam [(2R)- and (2S)-8] was examined. Among them, l-gulose-derived nitrone 15 underwent stereoselective cycloaddition with (2S)-8 to afford cycloadduct 16, which was elaborated to (+)-1.     

Eunicellin-based diterpenoids from the cultured soft coral Klyxum simplex

Eight new eunicellin-base diterpenoids, klysimplexins A-H (1-8), were isolated from a cultured soft coral Klyxum simplex. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, particularly in 1D and 2D NMR experiments. The structure of 1 was further confirmed by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and the application of modified Mosher's method. Metabolites 2 and 8 were found to be cytotoxic toward a limited panel of cancer cell lines.     

Rapid determination of phenoxy acid residues in rice by modified QuEChERS extraction and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A new method for the analysis of phenoxy acid herbicide residues in rice, based on the use of liquid extraction/partition and dispersive solid phase extraction (dispersive-SPE) followed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-MS/MS), is reported. 5% (v/v) formic acid in acetonitrile as the extraction solvent and inclusion of citrate buffer helped partitioning of all the analytes into the acetonitrile phase. The extract was then cleaned up by dispersive-SPE using C18 and alumina neutral as selective sorbents. Further optimization of sample preparation and determination allowed recoveries of between 45 and 104% for all 13 phenoxy acid herbicides with RSD values lower than 13.3% at 5.0 μg kg⁻¹ concentration level. Limit of detections (LODs) of 0.5 μg kg⁻¹ or below were attained for all 13 phenoxy acids. Quantitative analysis was done in the multiple-reaction monitoring (MRM) mode using two combinations of selected precursor ion and product ion transition for each compound. This developed method produced relatively higher recoveries of the acid herbicides with a smaller range of variation and less susceptibility to matrix effects, than the original QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe) method.     

Structural characterization of triorganotin(IV) complexes with sodium fusidate and DFT calculations

Three new complexes of the steroid sodium fusidate (sodium 2-[(1S,2S,5R,6S,7S,10S,11S,13S, 14Z,15R,17R)-13-(acetyloxy)-5,17-dihydroxy-2,6,10,11-tetramethyl tetracyclo[8.7.0.0^2,7.0^11,15] heptadecan-14-ylidene]-6-methylhept-5-enoate = (NaFusidate, NaFA)]), with triorganotin(IV) moieties have been prepared and investigated by conventional techniques as FTIR, Mössbauer, ESI-MS and NMR spectroscopy. The isolated compounds showed stoichiometries organotin(IV)/fusidate 1/1, R₃Sn(IV)FA (R = Me, FA1; Bu, FA2; Ph, FA3). The ligand coordination sites were determined by FTIR spectroscopic measurements. In the complexes, the carboxylate group of the fusidate ligand behaves as monodentate monoanionic donor, binding the Sn(IV) through one oxygen atom.On the basis of C-Sn-O_COO angles, calculated through the rationalization of the ¹¹⁹Sn Mössbauer parameter nuclear quadrupole splitting, it has been confirmed that, in all the solid state complexes, the Sn(IV) was tetracoordinated in a distorted tetrahedral structure.Further data from ¹¹⁹Sn CP-MAS spectra confirmed the distorted tetrahedral arrangement.In MeOH solution, ¹H, ¹³C and ¹¹⁹Sn NMR spectroscopy showed monomeric complexes, where the carboxylate group mainly acts as monodentate ester-type ligand, and the occurrence of a coordinated solvent molecule to the tin center, as validated by non-relativistic NMR DFT study.     

Chronoamperometric study and X-ray analysis of Ru(II)-pdto (1,8-bis-(2-pyridyl)-3,6-dithiaoctane) complexes with substituted 1,10-phenanthrolines

This work presents cyclic voltammetry and double potential step chronoamperometry experiments corresponding to the electrochemical reduction of the substituted 1,10-phenanthroline ligands in the coordination compounds [Ru(pdto)(1,10-phenanthroline)]Cl₂ (1), [Ru(pdto)(5,6-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline)]Cl₂ (2), [Ru(pdto)(4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline)]Cl₂ (3), [Ru(pdto)(4,7-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline)]Cl₂ (4) and [Ru(pdto)(3,4,7,8-tetramethyl-1,10-phenanthroline)]Cl₂ (5). These studies were performed in order to evaluate the stability of the electrogenerated chemical species. An EC_i mechanism for all the complexes was proposed and the rate constant value (k₁) for the chemical coupled reaction was estimated. The stability is discussed in terms of the rate constant value (k₁) and the π*-acceptor properties.     

Asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of aromatic ketones with the ruthenium(II) catalyst derived from C2 symmetric N,N′-bis[(1S)-1-benzyl-2-O-(diphenylphosphinite)ethyl]ethanediamide

Asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of ketones with chiral molecular catalysts is realized to be one of the most magnificent tools to access chiral alcohols in organic synthesis. A new chiral phosphinite compound N,N′-bis[(1S)-1-benzyl-2-O-(diphenylphosphinite)ethyl]ethanediamide (1), has been synthesized by the reaction of chlorodiphenylphosphine with N,N′-bis[(1S)-1-benzyl-2-hydroxyethyl]ethanediamide under argon atmosphere. The oxidation of 1 with aqueous hydrogen peroxide, elemental sulfur or grey selenium in toluene gave the corresponding oxide 1a, sulfide 1b and selenide 1c, respectively. Pd, Pt and Ru complexes were obtained by the reaction of 1 with [MCl₂(cod)] (M: Pd 1d, Pt 1e) and [Ru(p-cymene)Cl₂]₂1f, respectively. All these new complexes were characterized by using NMR, FT-IR spectroscopies and microanalysis. Additionally, as a demonstration of their catalytic reactivity, the ruthenium complex 1f was tested as catalyst in the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation reactions of acetophenone derivatives with iPrOH was also investigated.     

Poly(N-bromo-N-ethylbenzene-1,3-disulfonamide) and N,N,N′,N′-tetrabromobenzene-1,3-disulfonamide as efficient reagents for synthesis of quinolines

Poly(N-bromo-N-ethylbenzene-1,3-disulfonamide) [PBBS] and N,N,N′,N′-tetrabromobenzene-1,3-disulfonamide [TBBDA] were used as efficient reagents for the synthesis of quinolines in excellent yields from 2-aminoaryl ketones and carbonyl compounds under aqueous and solvent-free conditions.     

Formation and crystal structures of [(alkoxy)bis(pyridin-2-yl)methanolato-N,O,N]tin(IV) complexes

Reactions of bis(pyridin-2-yl)ketone with tin tetrahalides, SnX₄ (X = Cl or Br), or organotin trichlorides, R^′SnCl₃ (R^′ = Ph, Bu or CH₂CH₂CO₂Me), in ROH (R = Me or Et) readily produces RObis(pyridin-2-yl)methanolato)tin complexes, [5: RO(py)₂C(OSnX₃)] (5: R,X = Me,Cl; Et,Cl; Et,Br) or [6: MeO(py)₂C(OSnCl₂R^′)] (R^′ = Ph, Bu, CH₂CH₂CO₂Me). In addition, halide exchange reaction between SnI₄ and (5: R,X = Me,Cl) occurred to give (5: R,X = Me,I). The crystal structures of six tin(IV) derivatives indicated, in all cases, a monoanionic tridentate ligand, [RO(py)₂C(O⁻)-N,O,N], arranged in a fac manner about a distorted octahedral tin atom. The Sn–O and Sn–N bonds lengths do not show much variation amongst the six complexes despite the differences in the other ligands at tin.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel optically active poly(amide-imide)s via direct amidation

N,N′-Pyromelliticdiimido-di-l-methionine (3) was prepared from the reaction of pyromellitic dianhydride (1) with l-methionine (2) in glacial acetic acid and pyridine solution at refluxing temperature. The direct polycondensation reaction of the monomer diimide-diacid (3) with 1,3-phenylenediamine (4a), 1,4-phenylenediamine (4b), 2,6-diaminopyridine (4c), 3,5-diaminopyridine (4d), 4,4′-diaminodiphenylether (4e) and 4,4′-diaminodiphenylsulfone (4f) was carried out in a medium consisting of triphenyl phosphate, N-methyl-2-pyrolidone, pyridine and calcium chloride. The resulting poly(amide-imide)s having inherent viscosities 0.45-0.53 dl g⁻¹ were obtained in high yields and are optically active and thermally stable. All of the above compounds were fully characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental analyses and specific rotation. Some structural characterization and physical properties of these new optically active poly(amide-imide)s are reported.     

Synthesis, structure and reactivity of samarium complexes supported by Schiff-base ligands

Three tris(salicyladiminato) samarium complexes were synthesized by the reaction of anhydrous SmCl₃ with the sodium salts of the Schiff-bases in THF in 3:1 molar ratio. X-ray diffraction studies revealed that the coordination geometry around samarium atom could be best described as a distorted pentagonal bipyramidal for complexes 1 and 2 and as a distorted tricapped trigonal prism for complex 3. It was found that the coordination environment around samarium atom has significant effect on the catalytic activity of homoleptic Schiff-base complexes of lanthanide. The increasing order of the catalytic activity for the ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone, as well as guanylation of aniline with N,N-diisopropylcarbodiimide is 3 < 2 < 1.     

Studies on the synthesis of phorboxazole B: stereoselective synthesis of the C28-C46 segment

A stereoselective synthesis of C28-C46 segment of phorboxazole B is described. Key features of the synthetic route involved the use of 1,3-asymmetric induction of Mukaiyama aldol reaction to construct the stereogenic center at C35, and the employment of metalated oxazole chemistry to prepare the ketal 6.     

Self-assembly and aggregation of ATRP prepared amphiphilic BAB tri-block copolymers contained nonionic ethylene glycol and fluorescent 9,10-di(1-naphthalenyl)-2-vinyl-anthracene/1-vinyl-pyrene segments

Two novel amphiphilic BAB-type block copolymers, ADN-PEG3400-ADN and Py-PEG3400-Py containing deep blue and bluish-green fluorescent moieties were prepared using atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) (where, ADN = poly(9,10-di(1-naphthalenyl)-2-vinylanthracene), Py = poly(1-vinyl pyrene) and PEG3400 = poly(ethylene glycol) with M_n = 3400 g/mol). The GPC number averaged molecular weights (MW) of the block copolymers were M_n = 9600 and 13,800 g/mol, respectively, based on polystyrene MW standards. The PEG3400 segment has a melting temperature (T_m peak) at 64–65 °C, whereas the glass transition temperatures (T_g midpoint) of the ADN and Py segments were found to be 230 °C and 193 °C, respectively, and are similar to their respective homopolymers indicating complete microphase segregration. The photoluminescence (PL) emission of the copolymers ADN-PEG3400-ADN exhibited two maxima at 423.5 nm and 441.5 nm while Py-PEG3400-Py has a maximum at 488.5 nm. Both copolymers form individual spherical micelles with diameter from 30 to 90 nm for Py-PEG3400-Py and 40–160 nm for ADN-PEG3400-ADN. The micelles, however, transform into cross-linked pearl-necklace-like aggregates at polymer concentrations above 1000 ppm, which may be attributed to the physical cross-linking between adjacent spherical micelles caused by the PEG3400 segments.     

Enantioselective total synthesis of pyrroloquinolone as a potent PDE5 inhibitor

A concise enantioselective strategy for the synthesis of key PDE5 inhibitor 2 was developed in 5 and 6 steps using asymmetric hydrogenation and one-pot chiral auxiliary approaches, respectively. The synthesis features the use of imine 6 obtained through Bischler-Napieralsky reaction from amide 5. Absolute R configuration was introduced in (+)-7 by asymmetric transfer-hydrogenation reaction with Ru(II) catalyst followed by establishing the tricyclic pyrroloquinalone core using the Winterfeldt oxidation. Another alternative synthetic approach for the introduction of chirality in the molecule employed imine 6 and chloroformates of different chiral auxiliaries, which achieved N-acyliminium ion intermediates that were reduced in situ using PdCl₂/Et₃SiH protocol. These synthetic routes were applied in the total synthesis of promising male erectile dysfunction (MED) PDE5 inhibitor 1.     

Design and synthesis of boron containing 2,4-disubstituted-phthalazin-1(2H)-one and 3,7-disubstituted-2H-benzo[b][1,4] oxazine derivatives as potential HGF-mimetic agents

We synthesized boron containing 2-(4-methoxybenzyl)-4-(4-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioaborolan-2-yl)phenyl) phthalazin-1(2H)-one 3 and 7-methyl-3-(4-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolan-2-yl)phenyl)-2H-benzo[b][1,4] oxazine 8. The reaction of compound 2 with B₂pin₂ using potassium acetate as the base and Pd(PPh₃)₂Cl₂ as the catalyst, produced the corresponding boron-containing derivative 3 as a white solid in 65% yield. Alternatively, we have synthesized compound 8 as a yellow solid in 59% yield using the Miyaura borylation reaction. The potassium trifluoro(4-(-methyl-2H-benzo[b][1,4]oxazine-3-yl)phenylborate 9 was then obtained after treatment of 8 with aqueous solution of KF₂H in methanol as white solid product in 60% yield. The biological activities of the synthetic compounds are currently being evaluated.     

Synthesis, crystal structure and biological activities of two novel organotin(IV) complexes constructed from 12-(4-methylbenzoyl)-9,10-dihydro-9,l0-ethanoanthracene-11-carboxylic acid

Two complexes: [(n-Bu₂Sn)₄(L)₂O₂(OC₂H₅)₂] (1) and [(C₆H₅)₃Sn(L)] (2) (where, HL is 12-(4-methylbenzoyl)-9,10-dihydro-9,10-ethanoanthracene-11-carboxylic acid) have been prepared and structurally characterized by means of elemental analysis and vibrational, ¹H NMR and FT-IR spectroscopies. The crystal structures of 1 and 2 have been determined by X-ray crystallography. Three distannoxane rings are present to the centrosymmetric dimeric tetraorganodistannoxane by virtue of μ₃-oxo form the central R₄Sn₂O₂ core with a planar Sn₂O₂ ring, resulting in a ladder type structural motif in the molecular structure of 1, and five-coordinated tin atoms are present in the distannoxane dimer. While the molecular of 2 adopts a monomeric distorted tetrahedral configuration with the carboxylate ligand coordinating in a monodentate mode. Both 1 and 2 exhibited good antibacterial and antitumour activities and have a potential to be used as drugs.     

Synthesis and characterisation of six Fe(II or III), Co(II) or Zr(IV) complexes containing the ligand [CH(SiMe2R)P(Ph)2NSiMe3] (R = Me, NEt2) and of [Co{N(SiMe3)C(Ph)C(H)P(Ph)2NSiMe3}2]

The C,N-(trimethylsilyliminodiphenylphosphoranyl)silylmethylmetal complexes [Fe(L)₂] (3), [Co(L)₂] (4), [ZrCl₃(L)]·0.83CH₂Cl₂ (5), [Fe(L)₃] (6), [Fe(L′)₂] (7) and [Co(L′)₂] (8) have been prepared from the lithium compound Li[CH(SiMe₂R)P(Ph)₂NSiMe₃] [1a, (R = Me) {≡ Li(L)}; 1b, (R = NEt₂) {≡ Li(L′)}] and the appropriate metal chloride (or for 7, FeCl₃). From Li[N(SiMe₃)C(Ph)C(H)P(Ph)₂NSiMe₃] [≡ Li(L″)] (2), prepared in situ from Li(L) (1a) and PhCN, and CoCl₂ there was obtained bis(3-trimethylsilylimino- diphenylphosphoranyl-2-phenyl-N-trimethylsilyl-1-azaallyl-N,N′)cobalt(II) (9). These crystalline complexes 3-9 were characterised by their mass spectra, microanalyses, high spin magnetic moments (not 5) and for 5 multinuclear NMR solution spectra. The X-ray structure of 3 showed it to be a pseudotetrahedral bis(chelate), the iron atom at the spiro junction.