Synthesis of 2-aryl-4-phenyl-5-trifluoromethylimidazoles

Several 2-aryl-4-phenyl-5-trifluoromethylimidazoles have been made from the previously unknown 1-phenyl-3,3,3-trifluoro-1,2-propanedione monohdyrate. One analog, 4-phenyl-2,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)imidazole, is quite acidic, exhibiting pK_a 8.1.     

Features of reactions of polyfluorinated ethyl 4-oxo-2-pnenyl-4H-chromene-3-carboxylates with N-nucleophiles

Ethyl 5,6,7,8-tetrafluoro-4-oxo-2-phenyl-4H-chromene-3-carboxylate in reactions with primary amines is characterized by a chromone-coumarin rearrangement affording 3-[amino(phenyl)methylene]-6,7,8-trifluoro-2H-chromene-2,4(3H)-diones, and ethyl 4-oxo-2-phenyl-5,6,7,8-tetrafluoro-4H-chromene-3-carboxylate characteristically adds the amine at the C² site of the flavone furnishing 3-amino-3-phenyl-2-(2,3,4,5-tetrafluoro-6-hydroxybenzoyl)acrylates which depending on the substituent at the amino group are capable of intramolecular cyclization into 3-[(alkylamino)(phenyl)methylene]-5,6,7,8-tetrafluoro-2H-chromene-2,4(3H)-dione or in the case of benzylamine substituent, into ethyl 1-benzyl-5-hydroxy-4-oxo-2-phenyl-6,7,8-trifluoro-1,4-dihydroquinoline-3-carboxylate. The main process in the reaction of tri- and tetrafluoroflavones with secondary amine (1-methylpiperazine) is the nucleophilic substitution at the C⁷ of flavone. In the reaction with 1,2-phenylenediamine 3-[(2-aminophenyl)amino]-3-phenyl-2-(2,3,4,5-tetrafluoro-6-hydroxybenzoyl)acrylate was obtained from tetrafluoroflavone and 1H-benzimidazol-2-yl(3,4,5-trifluoro-2-hydroxyphenyl)methanone, from trifluoroflavone.     

The substrate specificity of the heat-stable stereospecific amidase from Klebsiella oxytoca

The substrate specificity of the heat-stable stereospecific amidase from Klebsiella oxytoca was investigated. In addition to the original substrate, 3,3,3-trifluoro-2-hydroxy-2-methylpropanamide, the amidase accepted 2-hydroxy-2-(trifluoromethyl)-butanamide and 3,3,3-trifluoro-2-amino-2-methylpropanamide as substrates. Compounds with larger side chains and compounds where the hydroxyl group was substituted with a methoxy group, or in which the CF₃ group was substituted by CCl₃, were not accepted. The biotransformation is a new synthetic route to (R)-(+)-3,3,3-trifluoro-2-amino-2-methylpropanoic acid, and its related (S)-(−)-amide, and to (R)-(+)-2-hydroxy-2-(trifluoromethyl)-butanoic acid and its related (S)-(−)-amide.     

Reactions of 2,2,2-trifluorodiazoethane with carbon-nitrogen and carbon-oxygen multiple bonds

2,2,2-Trifluorodiazoethane reacts with trifluoroacetonitrile in the dark at room temperature to give a 2-(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)-4, 5-bis(trifluoromethyl)triazole, the 1,2,3-triazole structure being preferred to the 1,2,4-isomer on the basis of the ¹⁹F n.m.r. spectrum. The diazoethane reacts more slowly with trichloroacetonitrile, again forming the N-alkylated triazole even in the presence of an excess of the nitrile. No identifiable adduct resulted with acetonitrile. Hexafluoroisopropyl-ideneimine is first N-alkylated and then undergoes addition to form 1-(2,2,2-trifluoro-1-trifluoromethyl)ethyl-4,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)-?-1,2,3-triazoline, but N-methylhexafluoroisopropylideneimine failed to react. Trifluoroacetaldehyde and trichloroacetaldehyde give mixtures of the ketone (formed by insertion of the CF₃CH group into the aldehyde CH bond) and the $\text{cis}$- and $\text{trans}$-oxirans, apparently $\text{via}$ a β-hydroxydiazoalkane.     

Preparation and steric structure of 2-Alkoxy-2,5-dioxo-4,4-bis(trifluoromethyl)-7(8)-chloro-1,3,2λ5-benzodioxaphosphepins

The reaction of hexafluoroacetone with 2-alkoxy-6(7)-chloro-1,3,2-benzodioxaphosphorin-4-ones yielded 7-and 8-chloro-substituted 2-alkoxy-2,5-dioxo-4,4-bis(trifluoromethyl)-1,3,2λ⁵-benzodioxaphosphepines. Their steric structure was studied by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The effect of fluorinated substituents on the crystal packing of the benzophosphepines was demonstrated. Hydrolysis of these compounds gave the corresponding 4-and 5-chloro-substituted 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-2-oxo-1,1-bis(trifluoromethyl)-ethanols; the structure of 2-(2-hydroxy-5-chlorophenyl)-2-oxo-1,1-bis(trifluoromethyl)ethanol was also proved by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.     

2,3-Epoxyperfluoro-2-methylpentane in reactions with urea and thiourea

2,3-Epoxyperfluoro-2-methylpentane reacts with thiourea in protic (methanol, 2-propanol) and aprotic (dioxane) solvents, and also with urea in acetonitrile affording unexpected products: 1-(2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropionyl)-2-(2,2,2-trifluoro-1-trifluoro-methylethyl)isothiourea, and 1-(2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropionyl)-3-(2,2,2-trifluoro-1-trifluoro-methylethyl)urea respectively that result from the rearrangement of the intermediately formed ketone in the process of the intramolecular “haloform” cleavage. At the same time in dioxane the 2,3-epoxyperfluoro-2-methylpentane reacts with urea with the formation of a heterocyclic compound, 2-amino-4-pentafluoroethyl-5,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)-4,5-dihydrooxazol-4-ol. From 1-(2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropionyl)-2-(2,2,2-trifluoro-1-trifluoromethylethyl)isothiourea and Cu(OAc)₂ a stable fluorine-containing chelate complex was obtained.     

Amide-based atropisomers in tachykinin NK1-receptor antagonists: synthesis and antagonistic activity of axially chiral N-benzylcarboxamide derivatives of 2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-6H-pyrido[2,3-b][1,5]oxazocin-6-one

A series of novel N-benzylcarboxamide derivatives of bicyclic compounds, 3,4-dihydropyrido[3,2-f][1,4]oxazepin-5(2H)-one and 2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-6H-pyrido[2,3-b][1,5]oxazocin-6-one, were synthesized by cyclization of N-benzyl-2-chloro-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)- [and -(3-hydroxypropyl)-] nicotinamides, respectively. Atropisomerism was observed in 5-[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzyl]-7-phenyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-6H-pyrido[2,3-b][1,5]oxazocin-6-ones due to steric hindrance of the carboxamide moiety and restriction of its rotation. Cyclization of N-[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzyl]-2-chloro-N-[(2S)-3-hydroxy-2-methylpropyl]-5-methyl-4-phenylnicotinamide gave (3S)-5-[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzyl]-3,8-dimethyl-7-phenyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-6H-pyrido[2,3b][1,5]oxazocin-6-one, which exists predominantly in the thermodynamically stable aR-conformer in CDCl₃. This compound showed excellent NK₁-antagonistic activity with IC₅₀ value (in vitro inhibition of [¹²⁵I]-Bolton-Hunter-substance P binding in human IM-9 cells) of 0.47 nM, which is ca. 200-fold more potent than that of its enantiomer, indicating that the atropisomer chirality affects NK₁-receptor recognition.     

Fluorinated 1,3-diketones, 2-trifluoroacetyl phenols and their derivatives: versatile reactants in phosphorus chemistry

The role of fluorinated β-diketones, their tautomers (keto–enols) and their derivatives as reagents towards λ³P compounds is reviewed, including 2-trifluoroacetyl phenols, possessing formally a keto–enol system, and their derivatives. In an ‘insertion’ reaction phosphine and the keto–enol tautomers of 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoro- and 1,1,1-trifluoropentan-2,4-dione furnished primary (S) or (R) α-hydroxy phosphines, whose enol functions probably isomerized the corresponding keto compounds. Further addition and isomerisation furnished 1,3α,5,7β-tetrakis(trifluoromethyl)-2-phospha-6-oxa-9-oxabicyclo[3.3.1]-nonan-3β,7α-diol and 1,7-trifluoromethyl-3,5-methyl-2,4,8-trioxa-6-phophaadamantane, exclusively one diastereomer in each case. The main mechanistic feature of these reactions is a consecutive diastereoselective hemiketal cyclization. 1,1,1,5,5,5-Hexafluoro- and 1,1,1-trifluoropentan-2,4-dione, as well as 2-trifluoroacetyl phenol and its imino derivatives reacted diastereospecifically with phosphonous acid dichlorides, RPCl₂ to give in a concerted mechanism thermally stable tricyclic λ⁵σ⁵P phosphoranes containing two five-membered rings and one six-membered ring. Surprisingly, the two CF₃ groups bonded to an sp³-hybridized carbon were in a cisoid arrangement having closest non-bonding FF distances of 301.4 or 273.5 pm. These findings reflect the ‘through space’ F---F coupling constants of the tricyclic phosphoranes (J_FF=4.0–7.0 Hz), in solution. 4,4,4-Trifluoro-3-hydroxy-1-phenyl-butan-1-one and methyl or phenyl phosphonous acid dichlorides gave similar tricyclic phosphoranes decomposing at ambient temperature to furnish 1,2λ⁵σ⁴-oxaphospholanes and (E)-1,1,1-trifluoro-4-phenyl-but-2-en-4-one. Dialkylphosphites and 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoropentan-2,4-dione reacted to give either the (Z)-enol phosphonates or the respective γ-ketophosphonates from which in two cases four diastereomeric 2-oxo-2,5-dialkoxy-3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)-3-hydroxy-1,2λ⁵σ⁴-oxa-phospholanes were obtained. 2-Trifluoroacetyl cyclohexanone, 4,4,4-trifluoro-3-trimethylsiloxy-1-phenylbutan-1-one, 1-benzoyl-2-trifluormethyloxirane, 1-benzoyl-2-trifluoro-methylaziridine, 2-trifluoroacetyl-1-trimethylsiloxybenzene and (trifluoroacetyl-1-phenyl) diethyl phosphate reacted with tris(trimethylsilyl) phosphite to give functionalized α-trimethylsiloxy phosphonates, which could easily be transferred into the respective phosphonic acids. In the case of an oxirane and an aziridine ketone no ring cleavage was observed. For 1,1′-(2-hydroxy-5-methyl-m-phenylene)-bis-ethanone and 1,1′-(2-trimethylsiloxy-5-methyl-m-phenylene)-bis-ethanone benzoxaphospholanes were obtained. Trialkyl phosphites and 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoropentan-2,4-dione furnished cyclic phosphoranes containing the 3-hydroxy-3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)-1,2λ⁵σ⁵-oxaphospholene structural element, stable at ambient temperature only in the case of one cyclic phosphite precursor. (E)-1,1,1-Trifluoro-4-phenyl-but-2-en-4-one and trimethylphosphite reacted to form 1,2λ⁵σ⁵-oxaphosphol-4-ene as the sole product. Results similar to the reaction of 1,1′-(2-hydroxy-5-methyl-m-phenylene)-bis-ethanone with diethyltrimethylsilylphosphite were obtained for trimethylphosphite and 2-trifluoroacetyl phenol where a deoxygenated phosphorane was found, easily hydrolyzed to give the respective phosphonic acid. With dialkylisocyanato phosphites and the keto components, 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoro- and 1,1,1-trifluoropentan-2,4-dione, 4,4,4-trifluoro-1-phenyl-1,3-butandione, 2-trifluoroacetyl cyclohexanone, 2-trifluoroacetyl phenol and 1,1′-(2-hydroxy-5-methyl-m-phenylene)-bis-ethanone reacted in a ‘double’ cycloaddition to form bicyclic phosphoranes containing the 4,8-dioxa-2-aza-1λ⁵σ⁵-phosphabicyclo[3.3.0]-oct-6-en-3-one ring system; for the imino derivatives of 2-trifluoroacetyl phenol a corresponding 8-oxa-2,4-diaza- system was generated. For (E)-1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoro-4-trimethylsiloxy-3-penten-2-one however, a cyclic spiroimino phosphorane was obtained which underwent a [2+2] cyclodimerization to form a diazadiphosphetidine. Dimethylpropynyl phosphonite and 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoropentan-2,4-dione yielded diastereoselectively a bisphosphorane, namely 1,4-bis(trifluoromethyl)-3,6-dioxa-2,2,7,7-tetramethoxy-2,7-di(1-propynyl)-2,7-diphosphabicyclo[2.2.1] heptane. When trimethylsilanyl–phosphenimidous acid bis-trimethylsilanyl–amide, Me₃SiN=PN(SiMe₃)₂, was allowed to react with 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoro- and 1,1,1-trifluoropentan-2,4-dione, (E)-1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoro-4-trimethylsiloxy-3-penten-2-one, 2-trifluoroacetyl cyclopentanone, 2-trifluoroacetyl phenol and its imino derivatives, 2-imino-1,2λ⁵σ⁴-oxaphospholenes were found containing two diastereomers in each case, which added hexafluoroacetone across the P=N bond to give 1,3,2λ⁵σ⁵-oxazaphosphetanes.     

Chirale Synthesebausteine durch Kolbe-Elektrolyse enantiomerenreiner β-Hydroxy-carbonsäurederivate. (R)- und (S)-Methyl-sowie (R)-Trifluormethyl-γ-butyrolactone und -δ-valerolactone

Chiral Building Blocks for Syntheses by Kolbe Electrolysis of Enantiomerically Pure β-Hydroxybutyric-Acid Derivatives. (R)- and (S)-Methyl-, and (R)-Trifluoromethyl-γ-butyrolactones, and -δ-valerolactones The coupling of chiral, non-racemic R* groups by Kolbe electrolysis of carboxylic acids R*COOH is used to prepare compounds with a 1.4- and 1.5-distance of the functional groups. The suitably protected β-hydroxycarboxylic acids (R)- or (S)-3-hydroxybutyric acid, (R)-4,4,4-trifluoro-3-hydroxybutyric acid (as acetates; see 1 – 6 ), and (S)-malic acid (as (2S,5S)-2-(tert-butyl)-5-oxo-1,3-dioxolan-4-acetic acid; see 7 ) are decarboxylatively dimerized or ‘codimerized’ with 2-methylpropanoic acid, with 4-(formylamino)butyric acid, and with monomethyl malonate and succinate. The products formed are derivatives of (R,R)-1,1,1,6,6,6-hexafluoro-2,5-hexanediol (see 8 ), of (R)-5,5,5-trifluoro-4-hydroxypentanoic acid (see 9,10 ), of (R)- and (S)-5-hydroxyhexanoic acid (see 11 ) and its trifluoro analogue (see 12, 13 ), of (S)-2-hydroxy- and (S,S)-2,5-dihydroxyadipic acid (see 23, 20 ), of (S)-2-hydroxy-4-methylpentanoic acid (‘OH-leucine’, see 21 ), and of (S)-2-hydroxy-6-aminohexanoic acid (‘OH-lysine’, see 22 ). Some of these products are further converted to CH₃- or CF₃-substituted γ- and δ-lactones of (R)- or (S)-configuration ( 14 , 16 – 19 ), or to an enantiomerically pure derivative of (R)-1-hydroxy-2-oxocyclopentane-1-carboxylic acid (see 24 ). Possible uses of these new chiral building blocks for the synthesis of natural products and their CF₃ analogues (brefeldin, sulcatol, zearalenone) are discussed. The olfactory properties of (R)- and (S)-δ-caprolactone ( 18 ) are compared with those of (R)-6,6,6-trifluoro-δ-caprolactone ( 19 ).     

New Synthesis and Chirality of (−)-4,4,4,4′,4′,4′-Hexafluorovaline

(?)-(R)-4,4,4,4′,4′,4′-Hexafluorovaline hydrochloride ((R)- 5 ) of 98% ee is prepared from β,β-bis(trifluoromethyl)acrylic acid (= benzyl 4,4,4-trifluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)but-2-enoate; 1 ) in 4 steps with an overall yield of 9.6%. Key step is the separation of the TsOH salts of the diastereoisomers obtained by anti-Michael addition of (+)-(R)-1-phenylethylamine ( 2 ) to 1 (→ (R,R)- 3 ). In contrast to the published (S)-chirality, the X-ray structure analysis of (R,S)- 6 reveals, that (R)-chirality has to be assigned to the levorotatory (?)-4,4,4,4′,4′,4′-hexafluorovaline hydrochloride.     

Thermisch beständige Trialkyl-2,2,2-trifluor-1-(trifluormethyl)-ethoxy-phosphonium Iodide

Thermally Stable Trialkyl-2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(trifluoromethyl)-ethoxyphosphonium Iodides The phosphinites R¹R²POCH(CF₃)₂ (R¹ = R² = Me, tBu; R¹ = Me, R² = tBu) react with methyl iodide to give the thermally very stable phosphonium iodides [R¹R²MePOCH(CF₃)₂]⁺I^?. In the case of tBu₂POCH(CF₃)₂ a sublimable 1:1 adduct is formed with boron trichloride.     

Oxidative ring-opening of rel-(2R,3R,5S)-5-aryl-2-benzoylamino-6,7-bis(methoxycarbonyl)-2,3-dihydro-1-oxo-3-phenyl-1H,5H-pyrazolo[1,2-a]-pyrazoles. Synthesis of rel-(2R,3R)-3-phenyl-3-[5-aryl-3,4-bis(methoxycarbonyl)pyrazolyl-1]alanine esters

rel-(2R,3R)-N-Benzoylamino-6,7-bis(methoxycarbonyl)-2,3-dihydro-1-oxo-1H,5H-pyrazolot[1,2-a]-pyrazoles 5 , accesible by cycloaddition of dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate ( 3 ) to (1Z)-rel-(4R,5R)-1-aryl-methylidene-4-benzoylamino-5-phenyl-3-pyrazolidinone-1-azomethine imines 4 , undergo oxidative ring cleavage with methanolic bromine giving rel-(2R,3R)-N-benzoyl-3-phenyl-3-[5-aryl-3,4-bis(methoxy-carbonyl)pyrazolyl-1]alanine methyl esters 6 as products.     

Analogues of the Quararibea metabolite chiral enolic-γ-lactone from (2S,3S)- and (2S,3R)-tetrahydro-3-hydroxy-5-oxo-2,3-furandicarboxylic acids

Reaction of dialkyl (2S,3S)- or (2S,3R)-tetrahydro-3-hydroxy-5-oxo-2,3-furandicarboxylates with POCl₃ in pyridine followed by diazomethane resulted in the isolation of dialkyl 2S-4-methoxy-5-oxo-2,5-dihydro-2,3-furandicarboxylates, which are analogues of the Quararibea metabolite chiral enolic-γ-lactone (3-hydroxy-4,5-(R)-dimethyl-2(5H)-furanone). An unusual α-hydroxylation of γ-butyrolactone takes place involving POCl₃ in pyridine. When the dehydration was facilitated with methanesulfonyl chloride in triethylamine, instead of POCl₃, aromatic dialkyl 5-[(methylsulfonyl)oxy]-2,3-furandicarboxylates were obtained.     

Architecture of the rings of 5-arylidenerhodanine derivatives versus P-gp inhibition

5-Arylidene derivatives of rhodanine show various biological activities. The new crystal structures of five derivatives investigated towards ABCB1 efflux pump modulation are reported, namely, 2-[5-([1,1′-biphenyl]-4-ylmethylidene]-4-oxo-2-thioxothiazolidin-3-yl)acetic acid dimethyl sulfoxide monosolvate, C₁₈H₁₃NO₃S₂·C₂H₆OS ( 1 ), 4-[5-([1,1′-biphenyl]-4-ylmethylidene]-4-oxo-2-thioxothiazolidin-3-yl)butanoic acid, C₂₀H₁₇NO₃S₂ ( 2 ), 5-[4-(benzyloxy)benzylidene]-2-thioxothiazolidin-4-one, C₁₇H₁₃NO₂S₂ ( 3 ), 4-{5-[4-(benzyloxy)benzylidene]-4-oxo-2-thioxothiazolidin-3-yl}butanoic acid, C₂₁H₁₉NO₄S₂ ( 4 ), and 5-[4-(diphenylamino)benzylidene]-2-thioxothiazolidin-4-one, C₂₂H₁₆N₂OS₂ ( 5 ). Compounds 1 and 3 – 5 crystallize in the triclinic space group P, while 2 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n, where the biphenyl moiety is observed in two positions (A and B). Two molecules are present in the asymmetric unit of 5 and, for the other four compounds, there is only one molecule; moreover, 1 crystallizes with one dimethyl sulfoxide molecule. The packing of the molecules containing a carboxyl group ( 1 , 2 and 4 ) is determined by O—H…O hydrogen bonds, while in the other two compounds ( 3 and 5 ), the packing is determined by N—H…O hydrogen bonds. Additionally, induced-fit docking studies have been performed for the active compounds to investigate their putative binding mode inside the human glycoprotein P (P-gp) binding pocket.     

Haloacetylated enol ethers. 2. Synthesis of 5-trifluoromethylpyrazoles

1-Methyl-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazoles 2, 3 and 4,5-dihydro-1-phenyl-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-5-ol 4 were prepared by reaction of 4-alkoxy-1,1,1-trifluoro-3-alken-2-ones 1 and hydrazine, methylhydrazine, and phenylhydrazine, respectively, in good yields. Compound 1 proved to be a versatile building block for the regiospecific construction of pyrazole rings having an 5-trifluoromethyl substituent.     

THE BAYLIS—HILLMAN REACTION: TiCl4 MEDIATED COUPLING OF ALKYL VINYL KETONES WITH α-KETO ESTERS AND ALDEHYDES

TiCl₄ mediated coupling of alkyl vinyl ketones with α-keto esters and aldehydes provides respectively 2-aryl-2-hydroxy-3-methylene-4-oxoalkanoates and (Z)-keto allyl chlorides in 1 h time at room temperature. Similar coupling of trifluoromethyl phenyl ketone with methyl vinyl ketone produces 1,1,1-trifluoro-2-hydroxy-2-phenyl-3-methylenepentan-4-one.     

Diamines Having a C2 Symmetry. Synthesis and Application as Ligands in the Hydrogenation of Prochiral Substrates over Rhodium Complexes

Chiral diamines having a C ₂ symmetry, (4S,5S)-2,2-dimethyl-4,5-bis(aminomethyl)-1,3-dioxolane and (5S,5'S)-2,2,2',2'-tetramethyl-3,3'-diphenyl-5,5'-bioxazolidine, were synthesized on the basis of (+)-(2R,3R)-tartaric acid. Their structure was proved by X-ray analysis. The products were used as ligands in rhodium catalyst for enantioselective hydrogenation of -acetamidocinnamic and itaconic acids.     

The dynamic kinetic resolution of 3-oxo-4-phenyl-β-lactam by recombinant E. coli overexpressing yeast reductase Ara1p

Using a recombinant E. coli strain overexpressing yeast reductase Ara1p, we reduced racemic 3-oxo-4-phenyl-β-lactam to cis-(3S,4R)-3-hydroxy-4-phenyl-β-lactam as a single enantiopure product. The dynamic kinetic resolution occurred over the course of fermentation at pH 7. Under the same conditions, 3-oxo-4-(2-thiophenyl)-β-lactam 4 and 3-oxo-4-(2-furyl)-β-lactam 5 were not resolved.     

Enantiomeric products formed via different mechanisms: asymmetric hydrogenation of an α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid involving a Ru(CH3COO)2[(R)-binap] catalyst

Hydrogenation of (Z)-3-phenyl-2-butenoic acid with a Ru(CH₃COO)₂[(R)-binap] (BINAP=2,2′-bis(diphenylphosphino)-1,1′-binaphthyl) catalyst in methanol gives (S)-3-phenyl-2-butanoic acid and its R enantiomer in a 97:3 (4 atm) to 94:6 (100 atm) ratio in quantitative yield. Both hydrogen gas and protic methanol participate in the saturation of the olefinic bond. Analysis of the products obtained using (Z)-3-phenyl-2-butenoic acid-3-¹³C and either H₂, a 1:1 H₂-D₂ mixture, or D₂ in CH₃OD indicates that several catalytic cycles are operative, showing different reactivity and stereoselectivity. The major S enantiomer was formed primarily by the standard Ru monohydride mechanism, whereas the minor R isomer is produced via more complicated routes.     

Synthesis of new analgesics based on 4-isopropyl-1-phenyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)pyrazol-5-one

Methyl 4-trifluoro-2-isopropyl-4-oxobutanoate prepared by the improved procedure was cyclized with hydrazines to afford the title pyrazole derivatives. N- and O-alkylation of 4-isopropyl-1-phenyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)pyrazol-5-ol gave trifluoromethyl analogues of Propyphenazone and 5-alkoxy derivatives. 4-Isopropylpyrazoles containing O-butoxy moiety with a terminal trifluoromethyl or acyloxy group were found to demonstrate a promising analgesic activity.