Synthesis and structural, spectroscopic, and electrochemical characterization of benzo[c]quinolizinium and its 5-aza-, 6-aza, and 5,6-diaza analogues

Four heterocyclic salts 1a-d were prepared by Ca²⁺-assisted cyclization of fluoro derivatives 3, and investigated by spectroscopic (NMR and UV), electrochemical, and computational (DFT and MP2) methods. The mechanism for the formation of the cations was investigated at the DFT level of theory. 2-D NMR spectroscopy for 1[ClO₄] in DMSO­d₆ aided with DFT results permitted the assignment of ¹H and ¹³C NMR signals in cations 1. The molecular and crystal structures for 1a[ClO₄] [C₁₃H₁₀ClNO₄ triclinic, P−1, a=9.6517(12) Å, b=11.0470(13) Å, c=12.2373(15) Å, α=67.615(1)°, β=78.845(2)°, γ=87.559(2)°; V=1183.0(2) Å³, Z=4] and 1d[ClO₄] [C₁₂H₉ClN₂O₄ triclinic, P−1, a=5.9525(6) Å, b=8.3141(9) Å, c=12.2591(13) Å, α=73.487(1)°, β=83.814(1)°, γ=83.456(1)°; V=576.07(10) Å³, Z=2] were determined by X-ray crystallography and compared with results of DFT and MP2 calculations. Electrochemical analysis gave the reduction potential order (1b>1c∼1d>1a), which is consistent with computational results.     

Regio- and stereoselective reactions of a rhodanine derivative with optically active 2-methyl- and 2-phenyloxirane

The reaction of a rhodanine derivative (=(Z)-5-benzylidene-3-phenyl-2-thioxo-1,3-thiazolidin-4-one; 1) with (S)-2-methyloxirane (2) in the presence of SiO₂ in dry CH₂Cl₂ for 10 days led to two diastereoisomeric spirocyclic 1,3-oxathiolanes 3 and 4 with the Me group at C(2) (Scheme 2). The analogous reaction of 1 with (R)-2-phenyloxirane (5) afforded also two diastereoisomeric spirocyclic 1,3-oxathiolanes 6 and 7 bearing the Ph group at C(3) (Scheme 3). The structures of 3, 4, 6, and 7 were confirmed by X-ray crystallography (Figs. 1 and 2). These results show that oxiranes react selectively with the thiocarbonyl group (CS) in 1. Furthermore, the nucleophilic attack of the thiocarbonyl S-atom at the SiO₂-activated oxirane ring proceeds with high regio- and stereoselectivity via an S_N2-type mechanism.     

The conversion of 2-cyano cyanothioformanilides into 3-aminoindole-2-carbonitriles using triphenylphosphine

2-Cyano cyanothioformanilide 3a reacts with triphenylphosphine in the presence of water to give 2-(cyanomethyleneamino)benzonitrile 4a, 2-(cyanomethylamino)benzonitrile 5, 3-aminoindole-2-carbonitrile 2a and (2-cyanoindol-3-yl)iminotriphenylphosphorane 6a. In the presence of p-toluenesulfonic acid in MeOH the reaction between 2-cyano cyanothioformanilide 3a and triphenylphosphine (2 equiv) gives 3-aminoindole-2-carbonitrile 2a in 90% yield. Under the same conditions 2-(cyanomethyleneamino)benzonitrile 4a gives anthranilonitrile 8a, 3-aminoindole-2-carbonitrile 2a and N-(2-cyanophenyl)formamide 9. In addition, substituted 2-cyano cyanothioformanilides 3b-f react with triphenylphosphine and p-toluenesulfonic acid in MeOH to give 3-aminoindole-2-carbonitriles 2b-f in 63-75% yields. Under analogous conditions 2-cyano-4,5-dimethoxyphenyl cyanothioformanilide 2g gives only 4,5-dimethoxyanthranilonitrile 8g and 4,6,7-trimethoxyquinazoline-2-carbonitrile 14g, but in refluxing dry PhMe in the absence of p-toluenesulfonic acid 2-cyano-4,5-dimethoxyphenyl cyanothioformanilide 3g, (2-cyano-5,6-dimethoxyindol-3-yl)iminotriphenylphosphorane 6g and 2-(cyanomethyleneamino)-4,5-dimethoxybenzonitrile 4g are obtained. The structure of 2-(cyanomethyleneamino)-4,5-dimethoxybenzonitrile 4g is supported unambiguously via independent synthesis and comparison to the isomeric 6,7-dimethoxyquinazoline-2-carbonitrile 15. All new compounds are fully characterised and a tentative mechanism for the transformation of 2-cyano cyanothioformanilides to indoles is proposed.     

Synthesis of aryliminoacetonitriles under FVT conditions or by dehydrogenation of arylaminoacetonitriles: an NMR and UV-photoelectron spectroscopy study

The synthesis of [(E)-arylimino]-acetonitriles 3 has been described. It was found that the title compounds can be obtained on the three ways, namely by: (i) dehydrogenation of arylaminoacetonitriles 1, (ii) thermal fragmentation of 1-aryl-4-cyano-β-lactams 4 and (iii) retro-ene reaction of (allyl-p-methoxyphenyl-amino)-acetonitrile (7a) under FVT conditions. ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra of compounds 3, 5 and 6, and all their precursors 1 and 4, were recorded and analysed in detail using chemical shifts δ_H and δ_C [from GIAO DFT B3LYP/6-31(d) calculations] and J-couplings predicted at the DFT B3LYP/IGLO-II level. Also, UV-photoelectron spectra of 4a,d and 3a,d were measured and analysed considering the theoretical evaluation of their ionisation potentials.     

On the non-classical course of Polonowski reactions of N-benzylmorpholine-N-oxide (NBnMO)

The Polonowski reaction of NBnMO (4) afforded tropone (10) and the novel isoindole 11 besides the expected products benzaldehyde and acetmorpholide, in a temperature-dependent ratio. The reaction proceeded via two primary carbenium-iminium ion intermediates, an exo-centered species 5 which underwent a benzylium-tropylium type rearrangement, and a ring-centered species 6, which reacted further to isoindole 11 by intramolecular electrophilic substitution. The experimental findings were in good agreement with DFT computational data.     

Studies on the carbenium-iminium ions derived from N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide (NMMO)

Two carbenium-iminium ions, an exo-centered species 2 and a ring-centered form 3, are derived from the widely used oxidant and cellulose solvent N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide (1) by heterolytic degradation. 3 rearranges into 2 in the presence of water, in an endothermic, bimolecular reaction involving a highly organized transition state, which is the first example of a carbenium-iminium ion interconversion. The reaction mechanism was investigated by a combined approach consisting of trapping reactions, isotopic labeling, kinetic studies, and computations on the DFT level.     

Confirmation by trapping, synthesis, and reactivity of 2,3-dehydro-N-methylmorpholine (DNMM)

The elusive 4-methyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-[1,4]oxazine (2,3-dehydro-N-methylmorpholine, DNMM, 5) was confirmed to occur as degradation product of N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide (1) by trapping with the α-tocopherol-derived ortho-quinone methide in a hetero-Diels-Alder reaction with inverse electron demand. The regioselectivity of the addition was in good agreement with DFT computational data. An authentic sample of 5 was synthesized from formmorpholide (16) via 2-methoxy-formmorpholide in 38% overall yield.     

Synthesis and chemistry of tricyclic cyclopropene-tricyclo[3.2.2.0]nona-2(4),6-diene

The 1,2-bridged tricyclic cyclopropene, tricyclo[3.2.2.0^2,4]nona-2(4),6-diene (1), has been synthesized by the elimination of 2-bromo-4-chlorotricyclo[3.2.2.0^2,4]-non-6-ene (5). Cyclopropene 1 will undergo different isomerizations in ether solution and in neat conditions. Compound 1 rearranged to an anti-Bredt compound 4 via diradical mechanism in ether and tricyclic compound 6 via vinyl carbene mechanism in neat conditions. Compound 1 can be trapped with DPIBF at different temperatures yielding different results: the exo-endo adduct 2 (exo-addition from the view of the cyclopropene and endo-addition from the view of bicyclo[2.2.2]octene) is a sole product at 0°C by slowly addition of methyllithium, and the exo-endo adduct 2, endo-endo adduct 9, anti-Bredt adduct 3, and styrene 8 are isolated at ether refluxing temperature. Styrene 8 is proposed to be formed from endo-endo adduct 9 by diradical mechanism. The chemistry of exo-endo adduct 2 and endo-endo adduct 9 is as well studied. The exo-endo adduct 2 undergoes hydration in trifluoroacetic acid to generate 1,3-cis-diol 11 followed by eliminations of water and formaldehyde to give naphthalene 12. The endo-endo adduct 9 reacts with water in tetrahydrofuran-containing silica gel to yield 1,4-cis-diol 10. Both 9 and 10 react with trifluoroacetic acid to form trans-3-hydroxy trifluoroacetate 13. Compound 13 will undergo hydrolysis and isomerization to generate 1,3-cis-diol 11 in trifluoroacetic acid.     

Photophysical properties and computational investigations of tricarbonylrhenium(I)[2-(4-methylpyridin-2-yl)benzo[d]-X-azole]L and tricarbonylrhenium(I)[2-(benzo[d]-X-azol-2-yl)-4-methylquinoline]L derivatives (X = N-CH3, O, or S; L = Cl, pyridine)

We report a combined experimental and computational study of new rhenium tricarbonyl complexes based on the bidentate heterocyclic N-N ligands 2-(4-methylpyridin-2-yl)benzo[d]-X-azole (X = N-CH₃, O, or S) and 2-(benzo[d]-X-azol-2-yl)-4-methylquinoline (X = N-CH₃, O, or S). Two sets of complexes are reported. Chloro complexes, described by the general formula Re(CO)₃[2-(4-methylpyridin-2-yl)benzo[d]-X-azole]Cl (X = N-CH₃, 1; X = O, 2; X = S, 3) and Re(CO)₃[2-(benzo[d]-X-azol-2-yl)-4-methylquinoline]Cl (X = N-CH₃, 4; X = O, 5; X = S, 6) were synthesized heating at reflux Re(CO)₅Cl with the appropriate N-N ligand in toluene. The corresponding pyridine set {Re(CO)₃[2-(4-methylpyridin-2-yl)benzo-X-azole]py}PF₆ (X = N-CH₃, 7; X = O, 8; X = S, 9) and {Re(CO)₃[2-(benzo[d]-X-azol-2-yl)-4-methylquinoline]py}PF₆ (X = N-CH₃, 10; X = O, 11; X = S, 12) was synthesized by halide abstraction with silver nitrate of 1-6 followed by heating in pyridine and isolated as their hexafluorophosphate salts. All complexes have been fully characterized by IR, NMR, electrochemical techniques and luminescence. The crystal structures of 1 and 7 were obtained by X-ray diffraction. DFT and time-dependent (TD) DFT calculations were carried out for investigating the effect of the organic ligand on the optical properties and electronic structure of the reported complexes.     

Preparation of 1,4,5,8-tetra-tert-butyl-1,3,5,7-cyclooctatetraene by twofold SO2 extrusion

Oxidation of cis-1-transoid-1,2-cis-2-3,4,7,8-tetra-tert-butyl-9,10-dithiatricyclo[4.2.1.1^2,5]deca-3,7-diene 9,10-dioxide (2) by dimethyldioxirane gave the corresponding tetraoxide 4 quantitatively, which in turn provided 1,4,5,8-tetra-tert-butyl-1,3,5,7-cyclooctatetraene (6a) quantitatively by twofold thermal SO₂ extrusion. The molecular structure of 6a is described on the basis of DFT calculations (B3LYP/6-31G(d) level) and X-ray crystallographic analysis.     

1,2,5-Thiadiazole 2-oxides: selective synthesis,structural characterization,and electrochemical properties

A new general procedure for the selective synthesis of 1,2,5-thiadiazole 2-oxides (including fused derivatives) 8a,b,c,g,h from the reaction of vic-glyoximes with S₂Cl₂ and pyridine in acetonitrile was elaborated together with general procedure for the synthesis of 1,2,5-thiadiazoles 7a–i, 10, 12, and 14 from the same starting materials and reagents. Molecular structures of 3,4-dimethyl-1,2,5-thiadiazole 2-oxide 8a and [1,2,5]thiadiazolo[3,4-b]quinoxaline 10 were confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Electrochemical properties of 1,2,5-thiadiazole 2-oxides 8 were studied by cyclic voltammetry and different behavior was observed for monocyclic and benzo-fused derivatives. With compounds 8g and 17, previously unknown deoxygenation of 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole 1-oxides was discovered by electrochemical reduction, and resulted 2,1,3-benzothiadiazoles 7g and 19 were detected in the forms of their radical anions by EPR spectroscopy combined with DFT calculations.     

Triterpenoids from the stems of Kadsura ananosma

An extensive study of the triterpenoids produced by the stems of Kadsura ananosma, has led to the isolation of eleven new ones, kadnanolactones A-I (1-4, 7-11) and kadnanosic acids A (5) and B (6), and six known analogues. Their structures were elucidated mainly by comprehensive spectroscopic analysis, and DFT computational methods were applied to validate the stereochemistry of an epoxide in compound 7. All triterpenoids were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against HL-60, SMMC-7721, A-549, PANC-1, and SK-BR-3 human cancer cells.     

Reactions of 4-substituted 5H-1,2,3-dithiazoles with primary and secondary amines: fast and convenient synthesis of 1,2,5-thiadiazoles, 2-iminothioacetamides and 2-oxoacetamides

The treatment of 5H-1,2,3-dithiazole-5-thiones 1 in chloroform under reflux and 5H-1,2,3-dithiazol-5-ones 2 in THF at room temperature with primary aliphatic amines and benzylamine afforded 1,2,5-thiadiazole-3(2H)-thiones 3 and 1,2,5-thiadiazol-3(2H)-ones 6, respectively. The structure of dithiazolone 3f was confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. The reaction of dithiazolone 2e bearing an electron-donating methyl group in the 4-position gave 2-oxoacetamide 7e in high yield. The reaction of thiones 1 with secondary aliphatic amines in DMSO yielded 2-iminothioacetamides 8 in moderate yields together with elemental sulfur. Interestingly, the treatment of dithiazolones 2 with secondary amines under the same conditions afforded 2-oxoacetamides 9—the products of the hydrolysis of corresponding imino derivatives 10, which was isolated as 10b. A general mechanism was proposed for the formation of the products.     

Gelegamines A-E: five new oxindole alkaloids from Gelsemium elegans

Five new oxindole alkaloids, gelegamines A-E (1-5), were isolated from the roots of Gelsemium elegans. Their structures were extensively elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis. Among them, the epoxy ring (C-19/C-20) of gelegamine A (1) was assigned as α-orientation by ROESY experiment and DFT method at B3LYP/6-31g(d) level, and gelegamine B (2) is the first humantenine-type alkaloid with 19-(E) ethylidene configuration. The absolute configurations of gelegamines A-E (1-5) were established on biosynthetic consideration coupled with CD experiments.     

Click reactions of 2H-azaphosphirene chromium and molybdenum complexes and a surprisingly facile access to a 2H-1,4,2-diazaphosphole derivative

Ring expansion reactions of 2H-azaphosphirene chromium and molybdenum complexes 1a,b with dimethyl cyanamide, triflic acid, and, subsequently at ambient temperature, with triethylamine gave a mixture of the respective 2H-1,4,2-diazaphosphole complex 2a,b and the non-ligated heterocycle 3. If the deprotonation with NEt₃ was carried out at low temperature, the selective formation of complexes 2a,b was observed, which were isolated in excellent yields and fully characterized (including single-crystal X-ray crystallography). Experimental and computational results revealed that the P, Cr and P, Mo bonds of 2H-1,4,2-diazaphosphole complexes are significantly weakened upon N-protonation of the heterocyclic ligand. When mixtures of 1a,b, TfOH, and Me₂NCN were warmed to ambient temperature, the primarily formed N-protonated of 2H-1,4,2-diazaphosphole complexes 4a,b could be observed by ³¹P NMR spectroscopy. The latter underwent decomplexation to give the N-protonated free ligand 5, which could be isolated and characterized by multinuclear NMR experiments. The neutral non-ligated heterocycle 3 was isolated from a one-pot reaction of 1b with TfOH and Me₂NCN by adding NEt₃ to a solution of intermediately formed 5.     

Dopamine derivatives from the insect Polyrhachis dives as inhibitors of ROCK1/2 and stimulators of neural stem cell proliferation

Polyrhachis dives is consumed as an insect food in some regions of China. In this study, new dopamine derivatives, (+)-polyrhadopamine A (1a) and (−)-polyrhadopamine A (1b), (+)-polyrhadopamine B (2a) and (−)-polyrhadopamine B (2b), and polyrhadopamines C–E (3–5), were isolated from this species. The structures and stereochemistry of these substances were assigned by using spectroscopic and computational methods. Compounds 1a, 1b, 2a, and 2b are dimeric N-acetyldopamine derivatives, 3 is a dopamine analog containing an unusual sulfone group, and 4 and 5 possess a rare benzo[d]thiazole moiety. The functions of these substances as ROCK1/2 inhibitors, neural stem cell (NSCs) proliferation stimulators, immunosuppressive, and anti-inflammatory agents were determined.     

Computational insight into the thermal reactivity of N-methyl-3-cyanomethyl-2-vinylindole. Competition between two pericyclic reactions

The direct cycloaddition of a N-methyl-3-cyanomethyl-2-vinylindole (1) with a N-methylmaleimide (2) is not observed. The in situ formation of an indolo-2,3-quinodimethane intermediate (3) leads instead of the normal cycloadduct to an 1,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazole (5). To help our understanding of this reaction, we performed a DFT study. The formation of both, the direct cycloadduct (4) and the intermediate (3) are found to be not thermodynamically favorable. However, the small amount of 3 formed in the medium reacts with the dienophile in this way explaining the regio-selectivity of the reaction. The diastereo-selectivity is finally explained by a Curtin-Hammett-type energy profile.     

Palladium complexes of N-aryl-2-pyridylamines

Palladium complexes of N-phenyl-2-pyridylamine (4) and dipyridylamine substrates (7, 11) have been studied. Due to the coordination ability of the pyridine-nitrogen atoms, the pyridyl substrates, 4, 7, 11 were subjected to Pd(OAc)₂ complexations and a number of N-aryl-2-pyridylamine Pd complexes (13-17) were isolated and characterised, in particular by NMR and ESI-MS. A new method for the preparation of the acetato-bridged six-membered ring palladacycle complex (13) of 4 is reported. The dipyridyl amines 7, 11 formed cis/trans bis-dentate acetato-bridged dimeric Pd₂Lig₂(OAc)₂ (14a,b/16a,b) and Pd₃Lig₂(OAc)₄ complexes (15a,b/17a,b). The N-aryl-2-pyridylamine substrates (4, 7, 11) were prepared by oxidative nucleophilic substitution, by 1,3-cycloaddition reaction or by Buchwald amination.     

Assessment of mechanistic hypotheses of 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of (arylsulfonyl)allene to nitrilimines by DFT reactivity indices

The mechanism of 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition between 1-[2-(acetylamino)phenylsulfonyl]-1,2-propadiene 1 and a series of N-(4-substituted)phenyl-C-methoxycarbonylnitrilimines 2 has been reinvestigated on the basis of DFT calculations and a quantitative formulation of the HSAB principle. Comparison of the new computational results with experimental findings led to the formulation of a mechanistic scheme involving both 1,3-prototropic and 1,3-arylsulfonyl shifts. The role of silver cation is also pointed out.     

Efficient and regioselective chromium(0)-catalyzed reaction of 2-substituted furans with diazo compounds: stereoselective synthesis of (2E,4Z)-2-aryl-hexadienedioic acid diesters

Pentacarbonyl(η²-cis-cyclooctene)chromium(0) (1) catalyzes efficiently reactions of diazo compounds with electron-rich furans. The reaction of 2-methoxyfuran (2) with alkyl α-diazoarylacetate (3a-g) furnishes the (2E,4Z)-2-aryl-hexadienedioic acid diesters (4a-g) in excellent yields. These reactions are highly regioselective. The cyclopropanation intermediates formed from 1 and diazo compounds 3a-g always arise from a carbene addition to the less substituted CC bond of 2. The resulting cyclopropanation product undergoes a ring opening reaction to form the corresponding (2E,4Z)-2-aryl-hexadienedioic acid diesters (4a-g). The pentacarbonylchromium(0)-catalyzed reactions of 2-alkylfuran (5a-b) with ethyl α-diazophenylacetate (3a) and 9-diazo-9H-fluorene (3h) produce the 1(E),3(E)-butadienes (6a-d) in very good yields.