Synthesis of 1,2-dihydroisoquinolines via the reaction of ortho-alkynylarylimines with bis-π-allylpalladium

The reaction of the ortho-alkynylarylimines 1 with allyltributylstannane and allyl chloride in the presence of allylpalladium chloride dimer (5 mol %) and Cu(OAc)₂ (20 mol %) in CH₃CN at 50 °C gave the 1,4-diallyl-1,2-dihydroisoquinolines 2 in good yields. Most probably, the reaction proceeds through tandem bis-allylation of the imine-alkyne functional groups with bis-π-allylpalladium.     

Aerobic oxidation of trimethylbenzenes catalyzed by N,N′,N″-trihydroxyisocyanuric acid (THICA) as a key catalyst

The oxidation of trimethylbenzenes was examined with air or O₂ using N,N′,N″-trihydroxyisocyanuric acid (THICA) as a key catalyst. Thus, 1,2,3-, 1,2,4-, and 1,3,5-trimethylbenzenes under air (20 atm) in the presence of THICA (5 mol %), Co(OAc)₂ (0.5 mol %), Mn(OAc)₂, and ZrO(OAc)₂ at 150 °C were oxidized to the corresponding benzenetricarboxylic acids in good yields (81-97%). In the aerobic oxidation of 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene by the THICA/Co(II)/Mn(II) system, remarkable acceleration was observed by adding a very small amount of ZrO(OAc)₂ to the reaction system to form 1,2,4-benzenetricarboxylic acid in excellent yield (97%). In contrast, no considerable addition effect was observed in the oxidation of 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene. This aerobic oxidation by the present catalytic system provides an economical and environmentally benign direct method to benzenetricarboxylic acids, which are very important polymer materials.     

Efficient double bond migration of allylbenzenes catalyzed by Pd(OAc)2-HFIP system with unique substituent effect

A novel catalyst system of Pd(OAc)₂-HFIP induces double-bond migration of allylbenzenes under mild conditions with low catalytic loading to afford 1-propenylbenzenes. The reaction shows a unique substituent effect that is highly dependent on the distance of substituents from the allylic moiety. Thus, the reactivity of substrates bearing a methyl group is ordered in para > meta > ortho, whereas it is entirely reversed as ortho > meta > para for methoxy and chloro substituents.     

GaCl3-Catalyzed ortho-ethynylation reaction of N-benzylanilines

Lithiated N-benzylanilines were ethynylated at the ortho-position with silylchloroethyne at 120 °C in the presence of a catalytic amount of GaCl₃. Trimethylsilylated N-methylaniline could also be used for this transformation.     

Substitution effects on the catalytic activity of Mn(III)-porphyrins in epoxidation of alkenes with iodosylbenzene: A comparison between the electron-rich and electron-deficient porphyrins

Oxidation of different olefins with iodosylbenzene in the presence of Mn(III) complexes of meso-tetra(para-tolyl)porphyrin, meso-tetra(ortho-tolyl)porphyrin, meso-tetra(thien-2-yl)porphyrin and β-hexaboromo-meso-tetra(thien-2-yl)porphyrin as catalyst has been studied. Oxidation of cis- and trans-stilbene in a competitive reaction strongly suggests the involvement of a high valent (porphyrin)MnO as the active oxidant intermediate, in the case of each catalyst. Clear observation of the band relevant to a (porphyrin)Mn(IV)O species in the presence of excess amounts of styrene shows the stability of this moiety towards reaction with olefins. Although, the stability of metalloporphyrins towards oxidative degradation decreases in the order MnT(o-tolyl)P(OAc) > MnT(thien-2-yl)PBr₆(OAc) > MnT(p-tolyl)P(OAc) ? MnT(thien-2-yl)P(OAc), a complex pattern of catalytic activity and product (epoxide) selectivity has been found for the Mn-porphyrins in oxidation of various alkenes.     

Mononuclear ruthenium complexes containing two different phosphines in trans position: II. Catalytic hydrogenation of CC and CO bonds

Bis(acetate) ruthenium(II) complexes of the general formula Ru(CO)₂(OAc)₂(PⁿBu₃)[P(p-XC₆H₄)₃] (OAc = acetate, X = CH₃O, CH₃, H, F or Cl), containing different phosphine ligands trans to PⁿBu₃, have been employed as catalyst precursors for the hydrogenation of 1-hexene, acetophenone, 2-butanone and benzylideneacetone. For comparative purposes, analogous reactions have been performed using the homodiphosphine precursors Ru(CO)₂(OAc)₂(PⁿBu₃)₂ and Ru(CO)₂(OAc)₂(PPh₃)₂. The catalytic activity of the heterodiphosphine complexes depends on the basicity of the triarylphosphine trans to PⁿBu₃ as this factor controls, inter alia, the rate of formation of hydride(acetate), Ru(CO)₂(H)(OAc)(PⁿBu₃)[P(p-XC₆H₄)₃], or dihydride, Ru(CO)₂(H)₂(PⁿBu₃)[(p-XC₆H₄)₃], complexes, by hydrogenation of the bis(OAc) precursors. The catalytic hydrogenation of the CC double bond is best accomplished by homodiphosphine dihydride catalysts, while heterodiphosphine monohydrides are more efficient catalysts than the homo- and heterodiphosphine dihydrides for the reduction of the keto CO bond.     

Expedient synthesis of 4-O-methylhonokiol via Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling

Concise and practical synthesis of 4-O-methylhonokiol was achieved in 34% overall yield. The key features of our synthesis include chemoselective ortho-mono bromination of phenol as well as biaryl formation via Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling, in which bromophenol was reacted with potassium aryltrifluoroborate using Pd(OAc)₂ and RuPhos under microwave conditions.     

Chemoselective hydrogenation of α,β-unsaturated ketones to allylic alcohols, catalyzed by a mononuclear ruthenium complex containing trans PBu3 and PPh3 ligands

The ruthenium(II) bis(acetate) complex Ru(CO)₂(OAc)₂(PⁿBu₃)(PPh₃) (OAc = acetate) containing two different trans phosphine ligands, has been employed as pre-catalyst for the chemoselective hydrogenation of α,β-unsaturated ketones to allylic alcohols. Analogous catalytic reactions with the homodiphosphine pre-catalysts Ru(CO)₂(OAc)₂(PⁿBu₃)₂ and Ru(CO)₂(OAc)₂(PPh₃)₂ gave lower conversions and selectivities. Batch catalytic reactions and operando high-pressure NMR experiments have contributed to establish that the hydrogenation of the CO group is performed by the heterodiphosphine monohydride RuH(CO)₂(OAc)(PⁿBu₃)(PPh₃) generated in situ by hydrogenation of the bis(OAc) precursor. PPh₃ unfastening from this monohydride complex is an essential condition for the occurrence of catalytic activity.     

Cu(OTf)2-catalyzed synthesis of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines from α-diazoketones and 2-aminopyridines

α-Diazoketones undergo smooth coupling with 2-aminopyridines in the presence of 10 mol % of copper(II) triflate to produce the corresponding 2-substituted imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines (IPs) in excellent yields with high selectivity. Rh₂(OAc)₄ is also found to be an equally effective catalyst for this transformation.     

Meso-tetracinnamylporphyrin: Synthesis,characterization and the catalytic activity of its Mn(III) complex in olefin epoxidation with tetra-n-butylammonium hydrogen monopersulfate

Meso-tetracinnamylporphyrin (H₂tcp) has been synthesized and characterized by UV–Vis, ¹H NMR and IR spectroscopies. Protonation of H₂tcp with HCl is accompanied by a blue shift (77 cm⁻¹) of the Q(0,0) band, probably indicating a decrease in the efficiency of the π-electron donation from the meso-substituents to the a_2u orbital in comparison with the corresponding dication of meso-tetraphenylporphyrin (H₂tpp). The unusual NH signal multiplicity observed in ¹H NMR spectrum of H₂tcp shows evidence of a long distance coupling between the vinyl protons and NH ones. This long range coupling can occur between the remote centers using the a_2u orbital as a connector. Mntcp(OAc) shows higher catalytic activity (ca. 1.2-fold higher) than Mntpp(OAc) in olefin epoxidation with tetra-n-butylammonium hydrogen monopersulfate (TBAO). The low ratio (∼1.5) of cis- to trans-stilbene oxide, in competitive oxidation of cis- and trans-stilbene with TBAO, strongly suggests the involvement a common high-valent manganese oxo complex as the reactive intermediate responsible for oxygen atom transfer.     

Catalytic activity of Mn(III) and Fe(III) complexes of meso-tetra(n-propyl)porphyrin in oxidation of olefins: Meso-alkyl substituent in comparison with the alkenyl and aryl ones

Catalytic activity of Mn(III) and Fe(III) complexes of meso-tetra(n-propyl)porphyrin, MnT(n-Pr)P(X) and FeT(n-Pr)P(X) (X = Cl, SCN, OAc) in oxidation of olefins with tetra-n-butylammonium periodate at room temperature has been studied. The influence of different parameters including the molar ratio of catalyst to imidazole, type of counter ion (X) and oxidative stability of metalloporphyrins on the efficiency of the catalysts was investigated. The results of competitive oxidation of cis- and trans-stilbene suggest the presence of a high-valent Mn-oxo as the predominant oxidant species in equilibrium with a six coordinate complex, MnT(n-Pr)P(ImH)(IO₄) in the case of MnT(n-Pr)P(OAc). An unusual preference for trans-stilbene over cis-stilbene was observed in the reaction catalyzed by FeT(n-Pr)P(OAc). Control reaction indicated a significant cis- to trans-isomerization (81%) in oxidation of cis-stilbene catalyzed by FeT(n-Pr)P(OAc) which may explain the observed unusual cis to trans-stilbene oxide ratio. While oxidation of cyclooctene and styrene led to the exclusive formation of the corresponding epoxides, oxidation of cyclohexene gave 2-cyclohexe-1-ol and cyclohexene oxide as the products. However, the results of this study clearly demonstrate the key role played by the group substituted at the meso positions of metalloporphyrins on their catalytic activity, apart from the electron-donating or electron-withdrawing properties of the substituents.     

Preparation and properties of new ortho-linked polyamide-imides bearing ether, sulfur, and trifluoromethyl linkages

A CF₃-containing diamine, 2,2′-thiobis-[4-methyl(2-trifluoromethyl)4-aminophenoxy) phenyl ether] (DA), was successfully synthesized from 2-2′-sulfide-bis-(4-methyl phenol) and 2-chloro-5-nitrobenzotrifluoride. The sulfur containing diimide-diacid (DIDA) was prepared by condensation reaction of diamine DA and trimellitic anhydride. A series of novel organic-soluble polyamide-imides (PAIs) bearing flexible ether and sulfide links, electron-withdrawing trifluoromethyl groups and ortho-phenylene units were synthesized from DIDA, by direct polycondensation with various aromatic diamines in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone using triphenyl phosphite and pyridine as a condensing agent in the presence of dehydrating agent (LiCl). The polyamide-imides were obtained in high yields and possessed inherent viscosities in the range of 0.42-0.95 dL g⁻¹. All of the polymers were amorphous in nature, showed outstanding solubility and could be easily dissolved in amide-type polar aprotic solvents (e.g., N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, N,N-dimethylacetamide, and N,N-dimethylformamide) and even dissolved in less polar solvents (e.g., pyridine and tetrahydrofuran). They showed good thermal stability with glass transition temperatures between 195-245 °C, 10% weight loss temperatures in excess of 485 °C, and char yields more than 50% at 700 °C in nitrogen atmosphere. Moreover, these PAIs possessed low refractive indexes (n = 1.57-1.59) and low birefringence (Δ ≈ 0.02) due to the trifluoromethyl pendent groups and thioether bridged ortho-catenated aromatic rings that interrupt chain packing and increase free volume.     

Asymmetric Michael addition promoted by (R,R)-trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane in ionic liquids

In tetrafluoroborate based ionic liquids fair yields and enantiomeric excesses up to 91% were obtained in the Michael addition of ethyl cyclohexanone-2-carboxylate to methyl vinyl ketone, using (R,R)-trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane as chiral auxiliary (37% mol/mol with respect to the donor). The presence of catalytic amounts of metal sources [Ni(OAc)₂ · 4H₂O, Co(acac)₂, FeCl₃ · 6H₂O, LaCl₃, Cu(OAc)₂ · H₂O] did not improve the activity, and, in some instances, caused a drop of enantioselectivity. Reactions carried out in the absence of any metal and with a Michael donor/diamine molar ratio of 20 allowed us to ascertain that the reaction can be performed catalytically.     

Investigation on isobaric vapor liquid equilibrium for acetic acid + water + (n-propyl acetate or iso-butyl acetate)

Isobaric vapor-liquid equilibrium (VLE) data for acetic acid + water, acetic acid + n-propyl acetate, acetic acid + iso-butyl acetate, acetic acid + water + n-propyl acetate, acetic acid + water + iso-butyl acetate are measured at 101.33 kPa with a modified Rose still. The nonideal behavior in vapor phase caused by the association of acetic acid are corrected by the chemical theory and Hayden-O’Connell method, and analyzed by calculating the second virial coefficients and apparent fugacity coefficients. The VLE data for acetic acid + water, acetic acid + n-propyl acetate, and acetic acid + iso-butyl acetate are correlated through the NRTL and UNIQUAC models using the nonlinear least square method. The obtained NRTL model parameters are used to predict the ternary VLE data. The ternary predicted values obtained in this way agree well with the experimental values.     

An efficient and simple Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction based on the N-methylpyrrolidine-Ba(OH)2 catalytic system

By using of precise catalytic amount of N-methylpyrrolidine (5 mol %) and Ba(OH)₂ (1.5 mol %) in H₂O/CH₃OH 5/1 or CH₃OH/CH₂Cl₂ 3/1 solvent mixtures at T=0 °C a Morita-Baylis-Hillman derivatives could be obtained in good to excellent yield from 2-cyclopenten-1-one, 2-cyclohexen-1-one and formaldehyde and diverse aryl aldehydes after suitable reaction time.     

Reactivity of M(en)Cl2 (M = Pd/Pt,en = 1,2-diaminoethane) with N,N′-bis(salicylidene)-p-phenylenediamine: Binding with hexafluorobenzene

Schiff base N,N′-bis(salicylidene)-p-phenylenediamine (LH₂) complexed with Pt(en)Cl₂ and Pd(en)Cl₂ provided [Pt(en)L]₂ · 4PF₆ (1) and Pd(Salen) (2) (Salen = N,N′-bis(salicylidene)-ethylenediamine), respectively, which were characterized by their elemental analysis, spectroscopic data and X-ray data. A solid complex obtained by the reaction of hexafluorobenzene (hfb) with the representative complex 1 has been isolated and characterized as 3 (1 · hfb) using UV–Vis, NMR (¹H, ¹³C and ¹⁹F) data. A solid complex of hfb with a reported Zn-cyclophane 4 has also been prepared and characterized 5 (4 · hfb) for comparison with complex 3. The association of hfb with 1 and 4 has also been monitored using UV–Vis and luminescence data.     

An efficient catalyst for the synthesis of ortho-substituted biaryls by the Suzuki cross-coupling: Triphenylphosphine adduct of cyclopalladated ferrocenylimine

The air and moisture stable triphenylphosphine adduct of cyclopalladated ferrocenylimine 2 has been successfully used in palladium-catalyzed Suzuki cross-coupling for the synthesis of ortho-substituted biaryls in air. In the presence of 0.05 mol% of 2 as catalyst and 3 equivalent of CsF as base in dioxane at 100 °C, ortho-substituted biaryls were synthesized with moderate to high yields in the reactions of 2-methoxy-1-naphthylboronic acid with aryl halides, and 14 new ortho-substituted biaryls were obtained and characterized.     

New N,N-amino-diphosphonate-containing methacrylic derivatives, their syntheses and radical copolymerizations with MMA

Hydroxy-amino-diphosphonates HO-C_n-NH₂, with 2 ? n ? 11, have been successfully synthesized via the Kabachnick-Field reaction at 70 °C with high yields. These hydroxy compounds are then reacted with methacryloyl chloride to lead to novel amino-diphosphonate methacrylates MAC_nNP₂ (with 2 ? n ? 11). These highly pure methacrylate monomers were obtained with yields higher than 75%. Radical copolymerizations of MAC_nNP₂ (with 2 ? n ? 11) with MMA have been conducted and the r₁ values (related to MAC_nNP₂) are in the range of 1.1-1.3, and r₂ values (related to MMA) about 0.8; this shows that the diphosphonate groups are statistically bonded to the methacrylic backbone.     

Aerobic oxidation of 1,3,5-triisopropylbenzene using N-hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI) as key catalyst

The first systematic study on the aerobic oxidation of 1,3,5-triisopropylbenzene was examined by the use of N-hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI) as a key catalyst. It was found that 1,3,5-triisopropylbenzene was efficiently oxidized with O₂ in the presence of a catalytic amount of NHPI and azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) at 75 °C. Upon treatment of the resulting products with sulfuric acid followed by acetic anhydride led to 5-acetoxy-1,3-diisopropylbenzene and 3,5-diacetoxy-1-isopropylbenzene as major products and a small amount of 1,3,5-triacetoxybenzene. When t-butylperoxypivalate (BPP) was employed as a radical initiator, the oxidation could be achieved in good yield even at 50 °C. This oxidation provides a facile method for preparing phenol derivatives bearing an isopropyl moiety, which can be used as pharmaceutical starting materials.