Enhancing Intermolecular Benzoyl‐Transfer Reactivity in Crystals by Growing a “Reactive” Metastable Polymorph by Using a Chiral Additive

Racemic 2,4‐di‐O‐benzoyl‐myo‐inositol‐1,3,5‐orthoacetate, which normally crystallizes in a monoclinic form (form I, space group P2₁/n) could be persuaded to crystallize out as a metastable polymorph (form II, space group C2/c) by using a small amount of either D ‐ or L ‐ 2,4‐di‐O‐benzoyl‐myo‐inositol‐1,3,5‐orthoformate as an additive in the crystallization medium. The structurally similar enantiomeric additive was chosen by the scrutiny of previous experimental results on the crystallization of racemic 2,4‐di‐O‐benzoyl‐myo‐inositol‐1,3,5‐orthoacetate. Form II crystals can be thermally transformed to form I crystals at about 145 °C. The relative organization of the molecules in these dimorphs vary slightly in terms of the helical assembly of molecules, that is, electrophile (El)???nucleophile (Nu) and C? H???π interactions, but these minor variations have a profound effect on the facility and specificity of benzoyl‐group‐transfer reactivity in the two crystal forms. While form II crystals undergo a clean intermolecular benzoyl‐group‐transfer reaction, form I crystals are less reactive and undergo non‐specific benzoyl‐group transfer leading to a mixture of products. The role played by the additive in fine‐tuning small changes that are required in the molecular packing opens up the possibility of creating new polymorphs that show varied physical and chemical properties. Crystals of D ‐2,6‐di‐O‐benzoyl‐myo‐inositol‐1,3,5‐orthoformate (additive) did not show facile benzoyl‐group‐transfer reactivity (in contrast to the corresponding racemic compound) due to the lack of proper juxtaposition and assembly of molecules.     

cine‐Substitution Reactions of Metallabenzenes: An Experimental and Computational Study

Alkali‐resistant osmabenzene [(SCN)₂(PPh₃)₂Os{CHC(PPh₃)CHCICH}] ( 2 ) can undergo nucleophilic aromatic substitution with MeOH or EtOH to give cine‐substitution products [(SCN)₂(PPh₃)₂Os{CHC(PPh₃)CHCHCR}] (R=OMe ( 3 ), OEt( 4 )) in the presence of strong alkali. However, the reactions of compound 2 with various amines, such as n‐butylamine and aniline, afford five‐membered ring species, [(SCN)₂(PPh₃)₂Os{CH?C(PPh₃)CH?C(CH?NHR′)}] (R′=nBu( 8 ), Ph( 9 )), in addition to the desired cine‐substitution products, [(SCN)₂(PPh₃)₂Os{CHC(PPh₃)CHCHC(NHR′)}] (R′=nBu( 6 ), Ph( 7 )), under similar reaction conditions. The mechanisms of these reactions have been investigated in detail with the aid of isotopic labeling experiments and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The results reveal that the cine‐substitution reactions occur through nucleophilic addition, dissociation of the leaving group, protonation, and deprotonation steps, which resemble the classical “addition‐of‐nucleophile, ring‐opening, ring‐closure” (ANRORC) mechanism. DFT calculations suggest that, in the reaction with MeOH, the formation of a five‐membered metallacycle species is both kinetically and thermodynamically less favorable, which is consistent with the experimental results that only the cine‐substitution product is observed. For the analogous reaction with n‐butylamine, the pathway for the formation of the cine‐substitution product is kinetically less favorable than the pathway for the formation of a five‐membered ring species, but is much more thermodynamically favorable, again consistent with the experimental conversion of compound 8 into compound 6 , which is observed in an in situ NMR experiment with an isolated pure sample of 8 .     

Donor‐Bound Glycosylation for Various Glycosyl Acceptors: Bidirectional Solid‐Phase Semisynthesis of Vancomycin and Its Derivatives

The glycosidation of a polymer‐supported glycosyl donor, N‐phenyltrifluoroacetimidate, with various glycosyl acceptors is reported. The application of the polymer‐supported N‐phenyltrifluoroacetimidate is demonstrated in the synthesis of vancomycin derivatives. 2‐O‐[2‐(azidomethyl)benzoyl]glycosyl imidate was attached to a polymer support at the 6‐position by a phenylsulfonate linked with a C13 alkyl spacer. Solid‐phase glycosidation with a vancomycin aglycon, selective deprotection of the 2‐(azidomethyl)benzoyl group, and glycosylation of the resulting 2‐hydroxy group with a vancosamine unit were performed. Nucleophilic cleavage from the polymer support with acetate, chloride, azido, and thioacetate ions provided vancomycin derivatives in pure form after simple purification. The semisynthesis of vancomycin was achieved by deprotection of the acetate derivative.     

Synthesis of 6‐Alkylidene‐5,6‐dihydro‐4H‐1,3‐thiazine Derivatives via the Cyclization of N‐3‐Bromo‐3‐alkenylthioamides

By the treatment of N‐3‐bromo‐3‐alkenylthioamides with sodium hydroxide in DMF‐H₂O in the presence of tetra‐butylammonium bromide, series of 6‐alkylidene‐5,6‐dihydro‐4H‐1,3‐thiazine derivatives were prepared in moderate to good yields. The cyclization is supposed to proceed via both the intramolecular vinylic nucleophilic substitution and the elimination‐addition mechanisms (formation of acetylenic intermediates) in a competitive manner.     

2‐Methoxy‐4‐methylsulfinylbenzyl: A Backbone Amide Safety‐Catch Protecting Group for the Synthesis and Purification of Difficult Peptide Sequences

The use of 2‐methoxy‐4‐methylsulfinylbenzyl (Mmsb) as a new backbone amide‐protecting group that acts as a safety‐catch structure is proposed. Mmsb, which is stable during the elongation of the sequence and trifluoroacetic acid‐mediated cleavage from the resin, improves the synthetic process as well as the properties of the quasi‐unprotected peptide. Mmsb offers the possibility of purifying and characterizing complex peptide sequences, and renders the target peptide after NH₄I/TFA treatment and subsequent ether precipitation to remove the cleaved Mmsb moiety. First, the “difficult peptide” sequence H‐(Ala)₁₀‐NH₂ was selected as a model to optimize the new protecting group strategy. Second, the complex, bioactive Ac‐(RADA)₄‐NH₂ sequence was chosen to validate this methodology. The improvements in solid‐phase peptide synthesis combined with the enhanced solubility of the quasi‐unprotected peptides, as compared with standard sequences, made it possible to obtain purified Ac‐(RADA)₄‐NH₂. To extend the scope of the approach, the challenging Aβ(1‐42) peptide was synthesized and purified in a similar manner. The proposed Mmsb strategy opens up the possibility of synthesizing other challenging small proteins.     

Ionic Transformations in Extremely Nonpolar Fluorous Media: Easily Recoverable Phase‐Transfer Catalysts for Halide‐Substitution Reactions

Solutions of the fluorous alkyl halides R_f8(CH₂)_mX (R_fn=(CF₂)_n?1CF₃; m=2, 3; X=Cl, Br, I) in perfluoromethylcyclohexane or perfluoromethyldecalin are inert towards solid or aqueous NaCl, NaBr, KI, KCN, and NaOAc. However, halide substitution occurs in the presence of fluorous phosphonium salts (R_f8(CH₂)₂)(R_f6(CH₂)₂)₃P⁺X^? (X=I ( 1 ), Br ( 3 )) and (R_f8(CH₂)₂)₄P⁺I^? (10 mol %), which are soluble in the fluorous solvents under the reaction conditions (76–100 °C). Stoichiometric reactions of a) 1 with R_f8(CH₂)₂Br and b) 3 with R_f8(CH₂)₂I were conducted under homogenous conditions in perfluoromethyldecalin at 100 °C and yielded the same R_f8(CH₂)₂I/R_f8(CH₂)₂Br equilibrium ratio (≈60:40). This shows that ionic displacements can take place in extremely nonpolar fluorous phases and suggests a classical phase‐transfer mechanism for the catalyzed reactions. Interestingly, the nonfluorous salt (CH₃(CH₂)₁₁)(CH₃(CH₂)₇)₃P⁺I^? ( 4 ) also catalyzes halide substitutions, but under triphasic conditions with 4 suspended between the lower fluorous and upper aqueous layers. NMR experiments established very low solubilities in both phases, which suggests interfacial catalysis. Catalyst 1 is easily recycled, optimally by simple precipitation onto teflon tape.     

Systematic Investigation of Molecular Arrangements and Solid‐State Fluorescence Properties on Salts of Anthracene‐2,6‐disulfonic Acid with Aliphatic Primary Amines

Organic salts of anthracene‐2,6‐disulfonic acid (ADS) with a wide variety of primary amines have been fabricated, and their arrangements of anthracene molecules and solid‐state fluorescence properties investigated. Single‐crystal X‐ray studies reveal that the salts show seven types of crystal forms and corresponding molecular arrangements of anthracene moieties depending on the amine, while anthracene shows only one form and arrangement in the solid state. Depending on the molecular arrangements, the ADS salts exhibit various solid‐state fluorescence properties: spectral shift (30 nm) and suppression and enhancement of the fluorescence intensity. Especially the ADS salt with n‐heptylamine (nHepA), which shows discrete anthracene moieties in the crystal, exhibits the highest quantum yield (Φ_F=46.1±0.2 %) in the series of ADS salts, which exceeds that of anthracene crystal (Φ_F=42.9±0.2 %). From these systematic investigations on the arrangements and the solid‐state properties, the following factors are essential for high fluorescence quantum yield in the solid state: prevention of contact between π planes of anthracene moieties and immobilization of anthracene rings. In addition, such organic salts have potential as a system for modulating the molecular arrangements of fluorophores and the concomitant solid‐state properties. Thus, systematic investigation of this system constructs a library of arrangements and properties, and the library leads to remarkable strategies for the development of organic solid materials.     

Spiral‐Type Heteropolyhedral Coordination Network Based on Single‐Crystal LiSrPO4: Implications for Luminescent Materials

Novel structures of luminescent materials, which are used as light sources for next‐generation illumination, are continuously being improved for use in white‐light‐emitting diodes. Activator‐doped known structures are reported as habitual down‐conversion phosphors in solid‐state lightings and displays. Consequently, the intrinsic qualities of the existent compounds produce deficiencies that limit their applications. Herein we report a spiral‐network single‐crystal orthophosphate (LiSrPO₄) prepared in a platinum crucible with LiCl flux through crystal‐growth reactions of SrCl₂ and Li₃PO₄ in air. It crystallizes in a hexagonal system with a=5.0040(2) and c=24.6320(16) Å, V=534.15(5) ų, and Z=6 in the space group P6₅. The unit cell is comprised of LiO₄ and PO₄ tetrahedrons that form a three‐dimensional LiPO₄^2? anionic framework with a helical channel structure along the c axis in which the Sr²⁺ cation is accommodated. The optical band gap of this composition is about 3.65 eV, as determined by using UV/Vis absorption and diffuse reflection spectra. We used the crystal‐growth method to synthesize blue‐ and red‐emitting crystals that exhibited pure color, low reabsorption, a large Stokes shift, and efficient conversion of ultraviolet excitation light into visible light. Emphasis was placed on the development of gratifying structure‐related properties of rare‐earth luminescent materials and their applications.     

The 2‐Cyano‐2,2‐dimethylethanimine‐N‐oxymethyl Group for the 2′‐Hydroxyl Protection of Ribonucleosides in the Solid‐Phase Synthesis of RNA Sequences

The reaction of 2‐cyano‐2‐methyl propanal with 2′‐O‐aminooxymethylribonucleosides leads to stable and yet reversible 2′‐O‐(2‐cyano‐2,2‐dimethylethanimine‐N‐oxymethyl)ribonucleosides. Following N‐protection of the nucleobases, 5′‐dimethoxytritylation and 3′‐phosphitylation, the resulting 2′‐protected ribonucleoside phosphoramidite monomers are employed in the solid‐phase synthesis of three chimeric RNA sequences, each differing in their ratios of purine/pyrimidine. When the activation of phosphoramidite monomers is performed in the presence of 5‐benzylthio‐1H‐tetrazole, coupling efficiencies averaging 99 % are obtained within 180 s. Upon completion of the RNA‐chain assemblies, removal of the nucleobase and phosphate protecting groups and release of the sequences from the solid support are carried out under standard basic conditions, whereas the cleavage of 2′‐O‐(2‐cyano‐2,2‐dimethylethanimine‐N‐oxymethyl) protective groups is effected (without releasing RNA alkylating side‐products) by treatment with tetra‐n‐butylammonium fluoride (0.5 m) in dry DMSO over a period of 24–48 h at 55 °C. Characterization of the fully deprotected RNA sequences by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), enzymatic hydrolysis, and matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry confirmed the identity and quality of these sequences. Thus, the use of 2′‐O‐aminooxymethylribonucleosides in the design of new 2′‐hydroxyl protecting groups is a powerful approach to the development of a straightforward, efficient, and cost‐effective method for the chemical synthesis of high‐quality RNA sequences in the framework of RNA interference applications.     

Crystal Structures and Emitting Properties of Trifluoromethylaminoquinoline Derivatives: Thermal Single‐Crystal‐to‐Single‐Crystal Transformation of Polymorphic Crystals That Emit Different Colors

2,4‐Trifluoromethylquinoline (TFMAQ) derivatives that have amine ( 1 ), methylamine ( 2 ), phenylamine ( 3 ), and dimethylamine ( 4 ) substituents at the 7‐position of the quinoline ring were prepared and crystallized. Six crystals including the crystal polymorphs of 2 (crystal GB and YG) and 3 (crystal B and G) were obtained and characterized by X‐ray crystallography. In solution, TFMAQ derivatives emitted relatively strong fluorescence (${\lambda {{{\rm f}\hfill \atop {\rm max}\hfill}}}$ =418–469 nm and Φ_f(s)=0.23–0.60) depending on the solvent polarity. From Lippert–Mataga plots, Δμ values in the range of 7.8–14 D were obtained. In the crystalline state, TFMAQ derivatives emitted at longer wavelengths (${\lambda {{{\rm f}\hfill \atop {\rm max}\hfill}}}$ =464–530 nm) with lower intensity (Φ_f(c)=0.01–0.28) than those in n‐hexane solution. The polymorphous crystals of 2 and 3 emitted different colors: 2 , ${\lambda {{{\rm f}\hfill \atop {\rm max}\hfill}}}$ =470 and 530 nm with Φ_f(c)=0.04 and approximately 0.01 for crystal GB and YG, respectively; and 3 , ${\lambda {{{\rm f}\hfill \atop {\rm max}\hfill}}}$ =464 and 506 nm with Φ_f(c)=0.28 and approximately 0.28 for crystal B and G, respectively. In both crystal polymorphs of 2 and 3 , crystals GB and G showed emission color changes by heating/melting/cooling cycles that were representative. By following the color changes in heating at the temperature below the melting point with X‐ray diffraction measurements and X‐ray crystallography, the single‐crystal‐to‐single‐crystal transformations from crystal GB to YG for 2 and from crystal B to G for 3 were revealed.     

Chemoselectivity Control in the Reactions of 1,2‐Cyclic Sulfamidates with Amines

Although 1,2‐cyclic sulfamidates derived from α‐methylisoserine undergo nucleophilic displacement at the quaternary center, to the best of our knowledge their behavior with amines as nucleophiles has never been explored. We have found that a broad range of amines can be used, demonstrating the scope of the reaction, and that excellent control of the chemoselectivity can be achieved. Application of this methodology for the synthesis of a chiral α,β‐diamino acid and an important piperazinone heterocycle is also presented. Additionally, we have found that DMF and DMSO behave not only as polar aprotic solvents but also as O‐nucleophilic reagents, allowing the incorporation of an oxygen atom at a quaternary center of the electrophile, with inversion of configuration.     

Synthesis of a Natural Product‐Like Compound Collection through Oxidative Cleavage and Cyclization of Linear Peptides

Massive efforts in molecular library synthesis have strived for the development of synthesis methodology which systematically delivers natural product‐like compounds of high spatial complexity. Herein, we present a conceptually simple approach that builds on the power of solid‐phase peptide synthesis to assemble precursor peptides (oligomers) designed to undergo oxidative cascade reactions. By harnessing the structural side‐chain diversity and inherent stereochemical features offered by readily available amino acids (monomers), a proof‐of‐concept collection of 54 skeletally and stereochemically diverse compounds was generated, and selected compounds were elaborated into isoform‐selective metalloprotease inhibitors.     

Excited State Intramolecular Proton Transfer of New Diphenylethylene Derivatives Bearing Imino Group: A Combination of Experimental and Theoretical Investigation

In this paper, we described the synthesis and characterization of new diphenylethylene bearing imino group. We concentrated particularly on the investigation of the possibility of the excited state intramolecular charge transfer (ESIPT) of the new dyes experimentally and theoretically. The absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy of the dyes were determined in various solvents. The results showed that the maximal absorption wavelength of 2‐[(4′‐N,N‐dimethylamino‐diphenylethylene‐4‐ylimino)methyl]phenol ( C1 ) and 4‐[(4′‐N,N‐dimethylamino‐diphenylethylene‐4‐ylimino)methyl]phenol ( C2 ) exhibited almost independence on the solvent polarity. While as contrast, the maximal fluorescence wavelength of the dyes showed somewhat dependence on the solvent polarity. In particular, C1 displayed well‐separated dual fluorescence spectroscopy. The second fluorescence peak was characterized with an "abnormal" fluorescence emission wavelength in aprotic solvents with large Stokes shift (ca. 140 nm in THF), which was much more than normal Stokes shift (ca. 30 nm in THF). This emission spectroscopy could be assigned to ESIPT emission. On the other hand, the ESIPT fluorescence of C1 was much reduced or lost in the protic solvents. While, only normal fluorescence emission was detected in various solvents. Although the absorption maxima of C1 exhibited about 10 nm red‐shift with respect to those of C2 , the normal fluorescence maxima of C1 and C2 were almost identical in various solvents. These results suggested that C1 could undergo ESIPT, but C2 was not able to proceed ESIPT. The molecular geometry optimization of phototautomers in the ground electronic state (S₀) was carried out with HF method (Hartree‐Fock) and at DFT level (Density Functional Theory) using B3LYP both, while the CIS was employed to optimize the geometries of the first singlet excited state (S₁) of the phototautomers of C1 and C2 respectively. The properties of the ground state and the excited state of the phototautomers of C1 and C2 , including the geometrical parameter, the energy, the frontier orbits, the Mulliken charge and the dipole moment change were performed and compared completely. The data were analyzed further based on our experimental results. Furthermore, the absorption and fluorescence spectra were calculated in theory and compared with the measured ones. The rate constant of internal proton transfer (9.831×10¹¹ s^?1) of C1 was much lower than that of salicylidene methylamine ( C3 , 2.045×10¹⁵ s^?1), which was a typical Schiff base compound and was well demonstrated to undergo ESIPT easily under photoexcitation.