Regioselective monobromination of (E)-1-(2′-hydroxy-4′,6′-dimethoxyphenyl)-3-aryl-2-propen-1-ones using bromodimethylsulfonium bromide and synthesis of 8-bromoflavones and 7-bromoaurones

A wide variety of monobrominated compounds 2a-l have been prepared in good yields from (E)-1-(2′-hydroxy-4′,6′-dimethoxyphenyl)-3-aryl-2-propen-1-ones (1a-l) through regioselective ring bromination using 1.5 equiv of bromodimethylsulfonium bromide (BDMS) at room temperature. Similarly, some of the 2′-hydroxychalcones can be converted directly into tribromides 3 or dibromides 4 by employing 4.0 equiv of BDMS under different reaction conditions which in turn can be transformed into 8-bromoflavones and 7-bromoaurones on treatment with 0.2 M ethanolic KOH solution. Mild reaction conditions, good yields and no chromatographic separation are some of the salient features of the present protocol.     

Synthesis and conformational analysis of 1,3,2-diazaphosphorino[6,1-a]isoquinolines, a new ring system

Through ring-closure reactions of N- or 1′-substituted 1-(2′-aminoethyl)-6,7-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines (5a-e) with phenylphosphonyl dichloride, 1- or 3-substituted 4-phenyl-1,3,4,6,7,11b-tetrahydro-2H-1,3,2-diazaphosphorino[6,1-a]isoquinolin-4-one diastereomers (7a-e and 8a-c,e), the first representatives of a new ring system, were prepared. The diastereomeric ratios in the cyclizations and the conformer (A-E) populations of the nitrogen-bridged tricyclic systems (7 and 8) were strongly influenced by the N- and 1′-substituents of the starting diamines. The conformational analysis of compounds 7 and 8 was performed by ¹H, ¹³C and ³¹P NMR methods.     

SnCl4-mediated oxidative biaryl coupling reaction of 1-naphthol and subsequent ring closure of 2,2′-binaphthol to the dinaphthofuran framework

A simple method for the direct synthesis of 2,2′-binaphthols 2 and dinaphtho[1,2-b;2′,1′-d]furans 3 under mild conditions was developed, utilizing a biaryl coupling reaction via electron donor-acceptor complexes of 1-naphthols with SnCl₄. Heating of the complex in a sealed tube for (18-24 h) afforded the corresponding o-o coupled product 2 in excellent yield. Prolonged reaction (56-65 h) under the same conditions afforded 3 in high yield in one step. We also found that in the case of α-naphthol without substituents other than a hydroxyl group at the C-1 position, regioselective o-o coupling reaction proceeded. The products 2a, 2b and 2g should be useful as synthetic intermediates for naturally occurring 3,3′-bijuglone, 3,3′-biplumbagin and elliptinone.     

Synthesis and characterization of aluminum and zinc complexes supported by pyrrole-based ligands and catalysis of the aluminum complexes toward the ring-opening polymerization of ?-caprolactone

Reaction of quinolin-8-amine with 1H-pyrrole-2-carbaldehyde or 5-tert-butyl-1H-pyrrole-2-carbaldehyde catalyzed by HCO₂H forms N-((1H-pyrrol-2-yl)methylene)quinolin-8-amine (≡ HL, 3a) or N-((5-tert-butyl-1H-pyrrol-2-yl)methylene)quinolin-8-amine (≡ HL′, 3b). Treatment of 3a and 3b respectively with AlMe₃ or AlEt₃ in toluene affords corresponding aluminum complexes LAlMe₂ (4a), L′AlMe₂ (4b) and LAlEt₂ (4c). Reaction of 3a and 3b with an equivalent of ZnEt₂ in toluene generates L₂Zn and L′₂Zn, respectively. A related compound N-((1H-pyrrol-2-yl)methylene)-2-(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)benzenamine (≡ HL″, 7) was prepared by reaction of 2-(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)benzenamine with 1H-pyrrole-2-carbaldehyde in the presence of HCO₂H. Reaction of 7 with AlMe₃ gives L″₂AlMe (8), and with ZnEt₂ yields L″₂Zn (9). All new compounds were characterized by NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The structures of complexes 4b, 5b and 8 were additionally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. Complexes 4a-4c, and 8 were proved to be active catalysts for the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of ?-caprolactone (?-CL) in the presence of BnOH. The kinetic study of the polymerization reactions catalyzed by 4a and 8 was performed.     

The reaction of 2-(1-hydropolyfluoro-1-alkenyl)-4H-3,1-benzoxin-4-ones with dinucleophilic reagents: a convenient route to fluoroalkylated nitrogen-containing tricyclic compounds

The reactions of 2-(1-hydropolyfluoro-1-alkenyl)-4H-3,1-benzoxin-4-ones (2) with hydrazine hydrate and phenyl hydrazine were investigated. The reaction of 2 with hydrazine hydrate in ethanol under reflux condition readily gave 2-fluoroalkyl-4H-pyrazolo[5,1-b]quinazolin-9-ones (3) in high yields. The reaction of 2 with phenyl hydrazine, however, resulted in the formation of 2-(2-phenyl-5-fluoroalkyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl) benzoic acids (7). Further treatment of 7 with PPA gave 1-phenyl-4,9-dihydro-3-fluoroalkyl-1H-pyrozolo[3,4-b]quinolin-4-ones (4) in 65-80% overall yields.     

Enantioselective synthesis of axially chiral 1-(1-naphthyl)isoquinolines and 2-(1-naphthyl)pyridines through sulfoxide ligand coupling reactions

Racemic 1-(1′-isoquinolinyl)-2-naphthalenemethanol rac-12 was prepared through a ligand coupling reaction of racemic 1-(tert-butylsulfinyl)isoquinoline rac-7 with the 1-naphthyl Grignard reagent 10. Resolution of rac-12 was achieved through chromatographic separation of the Noe-lactol derivatives 14 and 15, providing (R)-(−)-12 of >99% ee and (S)-(+)-12 of 90% ee. The ligand coupling reaction of optically enriched sulfoxide (S)-(−)-7 (62% ee) with Grignard reagent 10 furnished rac-12, with the absence of stereoinduction resulting from competing rapid racemisation of the sulfoxide 7. Reaction of optically enriched (S)-(−)-7 with 2-methoxy-1-naphthylmagnesium bromide was also accompanied by racemisation of the sulfoxide 7, and furnished optically active (+)-1-(2′-methoxy-1′-naphthyl)isoquinoline (+)-3b in low enantiomeric purity (14% ee). The absolute configuration of (+)-3b was assigned as R using circular dichroism spectroscopy, correcting an earlier assignment based on the Bijvoet method, but in the absence of heavy atoms. Optically active 2-pyridyl sulfoxides were found not to undergo racemisation analogous to the 1-isoquinolinyl sulfoxide 7, with the ligand coupling reactions of (R)-(+)- and (S)-(−)-2-[(4′-methylphenyl)sulfinyl]-3-methylpyridines, (R)-(+)-17 and (S)-(−)-17, with 2-methoxy-1-naphthylmagnesium bromide providing (−)- and (+)-2-(2′-methoxy-1′-naphthyl)-3-methylpyridines, (−)-18 and (+)-18, in 53 and 60% ee, respectively. The free energy barriers to internal rotation in 3b and 18 have been determined, and the isoquinoline (R)-(−)-12 examined as a ligand in the enantioselectively catalysed addition of diethylzinc to benzaldehyde; (R)-(−)-12 was also converted to (R)-(−)-N,N-dimethyl-1-(1′-isoquinolinyl)-2-naphthalenemethanamine (R)-(−)-19, and this examined as a ligand in the enantioselective Pd-catalysed allylic substitution of 1,3-diphenylprop-2-enyl acetate with dimethyl malonate.     

Preparation and structures of 6- and 7-coordinate salen-type zirconium complexes and their catalytic properties for oligomerization of ethylene

A series of salen-type zirconium complexes of the general formula LZrCl₂ (L = N,N′-ethylenebis(salicylideneiminate), 3a; N,N′-ethylenebis(3,5-di-tert-butylsalicylideneiminate), 3b; N,N′-ethylenebis(5-methoxysalicylideneiminate), 3c; N,N′-ethylenebis(5-chlorosalicylideneiminate), 3d; N,N′-ethylenebis(5-nitrosalicylideneiminate), 3e; N,N′-o-phenylenebis(salicylideneiminate), 4a; N,N′-o-phenylenebis(3,5-di-tert-butylsalicylideneiminate), 4b; N,N′-o-phenylenebis(5-methoxysalicylideneiminate), 4c; N,N′-o-phenylenebis(5-chloro-salicylideneiminate), 4d) were prepared. The crystal structures of 6- and 7-coordinate zirconium complexes 4b and [4b · OCMe₂] were determined by X-ray crystallography, which reveals that a salen-type zirconium complex possesses a labile coordination site on the Zr center with a relatively stable framework and that the coordination and the dissociation of O-donor molecules occur readily at this site. The catalytic properties of 3(a-e) and 4(a-d) were studied for ethylene oligomerization in combination with Et₂AlCl as co-catalyst. Complex 3c featuring a methoxy-substituted salen ligand displayed higher activity than its analogous precursors having chloro and nitro groups as substituents. The catalytic reactions by 3(a-e) and 4(a-d) gave C₄-C₁₀ olefins and low-carbon linear α-olefins in good selectivity.     

Synthesis of pyrido and pyrazinodithienodipyrimidine-4,8(3H,9H)-dione derivatives by the aza-Wittig methodology

A one-pot synthesis of the hitherto unreported pyrido[5″,6″:4,5;3″2″:4′,5′]dithieno[3,2-d:3′,2′-d′]dipyrimidine-4,8(3H,9H)-dione 6a-o and pyrazino[5″,6″:4,5;3″2″:4′,5′]dithieno[3,2-d:3′,2′-d′]dipyrimidine-4,8(3H,9H)-dione 6p-y pentaheterocyclic systems, based on the tandem aza-Wittig heterocumulene-mediated annulation strategy is described.     

Asymmetric synthesis of the 6-cyanoindole derivatives as non-steroidal glucocorticoid receptor modulators using (+)- and (−)-tert-butyl 6-cyano-3-[3-ethoxy-1,1,1-trifluoro-2-hydroxy-3-oxopropan-2-yl]-1H-indole-1-carboxylate

We have successfully synthesized enantiomerically pure (+)- and (−)-tert-butyl 6-cyano-3-[3-ethoxy-1,1,1-trifluoro-2-hydroxy-3-oxopropan-2-yl]-1H-indole-1-carboxylate (+)-1 and (−)-1, which are key intermediates of non-steroidal glucocorticoid receptor modulators, by employing a cinchona alkaloid catalyzed addition of 6-cyanoindole to ethyl trifluoropyruvate. The optimized method can be applied to large-scale synthesis. Furthermore, using the key intermediates (+)-1 and (−)-1, enantiomerically pure glucocorticoid receptor modulators (+)-3 and (−)-3 can be synthesized (>99% ee for both compounds). The glucocorticoid receptor binding affinity was influenced by the stereogenic center at the trifluoromethyl alcohol moiety; compound (−)-3 showed a higher binding affinity compared to (+)-3.     

Synthesis, characterisation and solid state structures of α-diimine cobalt(II) complexes: Ethylene polymerisation tests

A series of cobalt(II) compounds of the type [CoX₂(α-diimine)] were synthesised by direct reaction of anhydrous CoCl₂ or CoI₂ and the corresponding α-diimine ligand, in CH₂Cl₂: [CoI₂(o,o′,p-Me₃C₆H₂-DAB)] (1), [CoI₂(o,o′-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃-DAB)] (2), (where Ar-DAB = 1,4-bis(aryl)-2,3-dimethyl-1,4-diaza-1,3-butadiene), and [CoCl₂(o,o′,p-Me₃C₆H₂-BIAN)] (3), [CoCl₂(o,o′-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃-BIAN)] (4), and [CoI₂(o,o′-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃-BIAN)] (5) (where Ar-BIAN = bis(aryl)acenaphthenequinonediimine). All compounds were characterised by elemental analyses, IR, mass spectrometry, and X-ray diffraction whenever possible. The crystal structures of compounds 2-4 showed, in all cases, distorted tetrahedral geometries about the Co, built by two halogen atoms and two nitrogen atoms of the α-diimine ligand. Compounds 3 and 4, as well as [CoCl₂(o,o′,p-Me₃C₆H₂-DAB)] (1a), and [CoCl₂(o,o′-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃-DAB)] (2a), were activated by methylaluminoxane (MAO) and tested as catalysts for ethylene polymerisation, showing low catalytic activities. Selected polyethylene (PE) samples were characterised by ¹H and ¹³C NMR and FT-IR spectroscopies, and by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), revealing branching microstructures (2.5-5.5%).     

Facile synthesis of regio-isomeric naphthofurans and benzodifurans

Naphtho[1,2-b]furans 1a-f, naphtho[2,1-b]furans 2a-f, benzo[1,2-b:5,4-b′]difurans 3a-b, benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b′]difurans 4a-b, and benzo[1,2-b:4,3-b′]difurans 5a-b were synthesized by base-catalyzed cyclization reaction of the corresponding o-alkoxybenzoylarene derivatives. The o-alkoxybenzoylarenes were obtained from the etherification reaction of the o-hydroxybenzoylarenes, which were prepared either by the reaction of methoxyarenes with benzoyl chloride in the presence of aluminum chloride or by photo-Fries rearrangement of aryl benzoates.     

3-Oxyanthranilic acid derivatives from Actinomadura sp. BCC27169

Eight new compounds including 9′-[2-amino-3-(4″-O-methyl-α-rhamnopyranosyloxy) phenyl]nonanoic acid (1), 9′-[2-amino-3-(4″-O-methyl-α-ribopyranosyloxy)phenyl] nonanoic acid (2), 11′-[2-amino-3-(4″-O-methyl-α-rhamnopyranosyloxy)phenyl]undecanoic acid (3), 11′-[2-amino-3-(4″-O-methyl-α-ribopyranosyloxy)phenyl]undecanoic acid (4), 8-(4′-O-methyl-α-rhamnopyranosyloxy)-3,4-dihydroquinolin-2(1H)-one (5), 8-(4′-O-methyl-α-ribopyranosyloxy)-3,4-dihydroquinolin-2(1H)-one (6), 8-(4′-O-methyl-α-rhamnopyranosyloxy)-2-methyquinoline (7), and 8-(4′-O-methyl-α-ribopyranosyloxy)-2-methylquinoline (8) were isolated from Actinomadura sp. BCC27169. The chemical structures of these compounds were determined based on NMR and high-resolution mass spectroscopy. The absolute configurations of these monosaccharides were revealed by the hydrolysis of compounds 7 and 8. Compounds 3 and 8 exhibited antitubercular activity at MIC 50 μg/mL. Only compound 3 showed cytotoxicity against KB cell at IC₅₀ 18.63 μg/mL, while other isolated compounds were inactive at tested maximum concentration (50 μg/mL).     

Synthesis and properties of novel 5-(cyclohepta-2′,4′,6′-trienylidene)pyrimidine-2(1H),4(3H),6(5H)-triones: methodology for synthesizing cyclohepta[b]pyrimido[5,4-d]furan-8(7H),10(9H)-dionylium tetrafluoroborates

Novel condensation reaction of tropone with N-substituted and N,N′-disubstitued barbituric acids in Ac₂O afforded 5-(cyclohepta-2′,4′,6′-trienylidene)pyrimidine-2(1H),4(3H),6(5H)-trione derivatives (8a-f) in moderate to good yields. The ¹³C NMR spectral study of 8a-f revealed that the contribution of zwitterionic resonance structures is less important as compared with that of 8,8-dicyanoheptafulvene. The rotational barriers (ΔG^‡) around the exocyclic double bond of mono-substituted derivatives 8a-c were obtained to be 14.51-15.03 kcal mol⁻¹ by the variable temperature ¹H NMR measurements. The electrochemical properties of 8a-f were also studied by CV measurement. Upon treatment with DDQ, 8a-c underwent oxidative cyclization to give two products, 7 and 9-substituted cyclohepta[b]pyrimido[5,4-d]furan-8(7H),10(9H)-dionylium tetrafluoroborates (11a-c·BF₄⁻ and 12a-c·BF₄⁻) in various ratios, while that of disubstituted derivatives 8d-f afforded 7,9-disubstituted cyclohepta[b]pyrimido[5,4-d]furan-8(7H),10(9H)-dionylium tetrafluoroborate (11d-f·BF₄⁻) in good yields. Similarly, preparation of known 5-(1′-oxocycloheptatrien-2′-yl)-pyrimidine-2(1H),4(3H),6(5H)-trione derivatives (14a-d) and novel derivatives 14e,f was carried out. Treatment of 14a-c with aq. HBF₄/Ac₂O afforded two kinds of novel products 11a-c·BF₄⁻ and 12a,c·BF₄⁻ in various ratios, respectively, while that of 14d-f afforded 11d-f. The product ratios of 11a-c·BF₄⁻ and 12a-c·BF₄⁻ observed in two kinds of cyclization reactions were rationalized on the basis of MO calculations of model compounds 20a and 21a. The spectroscopic and electrochemical properties of 11a-f·BF₄⁻ and 12a-c·BF₄⁻ were studied, and structural characterization of 11c·BF₄⁻ based on the X-ray crystal analysis and MO calculation was also performed.     

Microwave-assisted synthesis of novel bis(2-thioxothiazolidin-4-one) derivatives as potential GSK-3 inhibitors

(5Z,5′Z)-3,3′-(1,4-Phenylenebis(methylene)-bis-(5-arylidene-2-thioxothiazolidin-4-one) derivatives (5a-r) have been synthesized by the condensation reaction of 3,3′-(1,4- or 1,3-phenylenebis(methylene))bis(2-thioxothiazolidin-4-ones) (3a,b) with suitably substituted aldehydes (4a-f) or 2-(1H-indol-3-yl)2-oxoacetaldehydes (8a-c) under microwave conditions. The bis(2-thioxothiazolidin-4-ones) were prepared from the corresponding primary alkyl amines (1a,b) and di-(carboxymethyl)-trithiocarbonyl (2). The 2-(1H-indol-3-yl)-2-oxoacetaldehydes (8a-c) were synthesized from the corresponding acid chlorides (7a-c) using HSnBu₃.     

Gas-phase pyrolysis of benzimidazole derivatives: novel route to condensed heterocycles

Gas-phase pyrolysis of N-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)-N′-arylidenehydrazines 1a-e gave the corresponding arylnitriles 2a-e, 2-aminobenzimidazole 3, 2,4,5-triphenylimidazole 4, 1,3-diphenyl-8H-2,3a,8-triazacyclopenta[a]indene 5, and 5,11-diphenyl-6H,12H-dibenzimidazo[1,2-a];1’,2’-d]pyrazine 6. The kinetics and analysis of the products of reaction are reported and used to elucidate the mechanism of the elimination process.     

Emission of 2-phenylethanol from its β-d-glucopyranoside and the biogenesis of these compounds from [H8] l-phenylalanine in rose flowers

The hydrolysis of 2-phenylethyl β-d-glucopyranoside (3) was found to be partially inhibited by feeding with 2-phenyl-N-glucosyl-acetamidiumbromide (8), a β-glucosidase inhibitor, resulting in a decrease in the diurnal emission of 2-phenylethanol (2) from Rosa damascena Mill. flowers. Detection of [1,1,2,2′,3′,4′,5′,6′-²H₈]-2 and [1,2,2′,3′,4′,5′,6′-²H₇]-2 from R. ‘Hoh-Jun’ flowers fed with [1,1,2,2′,3′,4′,5′,6′-²H₈]-3 suggested that β-glucosidase, alcohol dehydrogenase, and reductase might be involved in scent emission. Comprehensive GC-SIM analyses revealed that [1,2,2,2′,3′,4′,5′,6′-²H₈]-2 and [1,2,2,2′,3′,4′,5′,6′-²H₈]-3 must be biosynthesized from [1,2,2,2′,3′,4′,5′6′-²H₈] l-phenylalanine ([²H₈]-1) with a retention of the deuterium atom at α-position of [²H₈]-1.     

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress protecting compounds from the mushroom Mycoleptodonoides aitchisonii

Two novel compounds, 3-(hydroxymethyl)-4-methylfuran-2(5H)-one (1) and (3R,4S,1′R)-3-(1′-hydroxyethyl)-4-methyldihydrofuran-2(3H)-one (2), were isolated along with two known ones (3 and 4) from an edible mushroom Mycoleptodonoides aitchisonii. The structures of 1-4 were determined by the interpretation of spectroscopic data. Compounds 1-4 showed protective activity against endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-dependent cell death.     

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.     

Effect of ortho-substituents on the stereochemistry of 2-(o-substituted phenyl)-1H-imidazoline-palladium complexes

Palladium complexes composed of [Pd(Ln)₂Cl₂] (n = 1, 2, 3, 4, 6), [L5a]₂[PdCl₄] and [Pd(L5b)₂], where L1 = 4,5-dihydro-2-phenyl-1H-imidazole (=2-phenyl-1H-imidazoline), L2 = 2-(o-fluorophenyl)-1H-imidazoline, L3 = 2-(o-methylphenyl)-1H-imidazoline, L4 = 2-(o-tert-butylphenyl)-1H-imidazoline, L5a = 2-(o-hydroxyphenyl)-1H-imidazolinium, L5b = 2-(1H-imidazolin-2-yl)phenolate, and L6 = 2-(o-methylphenyl)-1H-imidazole, were synthesized. Molecular structures of the isolated palladium complexes were characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The effect of ortho-substituents on the phenyl ring on trans-chlorine geometry was noted for complexes [Pd(L1)₂Cl₂] 1a and 1b, [Pd(L2)₂Cl₂] 2 and [Pd(L6)₂Cl₂] 6, whereas cis-chlorine geometry was observed for [Pd(L3)₂Cl₂] 3 and [Pd(L4)₂Cl₂] 4. PdCl₂ reacts with 2-(o-hydroxyphenyl)-1H-imidazoline in DMF to give [L5a]⁺ and [L5b]^- so that [L5a]₂[PdCl₄] 5a and [Pd(L5b)₂] 5b were obtained. In complex 5b, as an N,O-bidentate ligand, two ligands L5b coordinated with the central Pd(II) ion in the trans-form. The coordination of PdCl₂ with 2-(o-hydroxyphenyl)-1H-imidazolines in solution was investigated by NMR spectroscopy.     

Synthesis and stereochemical studies of 1- and 2-phenyl-substituted 1,3-oxazino[4,3-a]isoquinoline derivatives

Starting from the 1′- or 2′-phenyl-substituted 1-(2′-hydroxyethyl)-6,7-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline diastereomers 3 and 6, 4-unsubstituted and 4-(p-nitrophenyl)- and 4-oxo-substituted 1-phenyl- and 2-phenyl-9,10-dimethoxy-2H,4H-1,6,7,11b-tetrahydro-1,3-oxazino[4,3-a]isoquinolines (7-12) were prepared. The relative configurations and the predominant conformations of the products were determined by NMR spectroscopy, by quantum chemical calculations and, for (2R^∗,4S^∗,11bR^∗)-9,10-dimethoxy-4-(p-nitrophenyl)-2-phenyl-2H,4H-1,6,7,11b-tetrahydro-1,3-oxazino[4,3-a]isoquinoline (11), by X-ray diffraction.