Synthesis of 1,2,3,4,8,9,10,11‐Octasubstituted Pentacenequinone Derivatives and their Conversion into Substituted Pentacenes

A series of 1,2,3,4,8,9,10,11‐octasubstituted pentacenequinone derivatives were prepared by the oxidation of 1,2,3,4,8,9,10,11‐octasubstituted pentacenes, which were synthesized by the double homologation method. Oxidation of the pentacenes was carried out with H₅IO₆ or air and DDQ. These octasubstituted pentacenequinones were converted into 1,2,3,4,6,8,9,10,11,13‐decasubstituted or 2,3,6,9,10,13‐hexasubstituted pentacene derivatives by the introduction of aryl or alkynyl groups at the carbonyl carbons. The photophysical properties of these new pentacenes have been measured in solution, and the substituent effects are discussed.     

Combining Electronic and Steric Effects for Highly Stable Unsymmetric Pentacenes

This paper describes the reactivity of unsymmetrically substituted pentacenes to photochemical oxidation. Acenes in general, and pentacenes in particular, are a key family of compounds for a variety of organic electronics applications. The instability of many pentacene derivatives, particularly to oxidation, is an important restriction in their applicability. Several substitution strategies for decreasing the reactivity of pentacene exist, but these almost always involve symmetrically substituted derivatives, restricting the chemical space of structures from which to choose. In this paper, we demonstrate that combining electronic and steric effects yields highly stable unsymmetrically substituted pentacenes.     

Synthesis of Functionalized 4-Methylenetetrahydropyrans by Oxidative Activation of Cinnamyl or Benzyl Ethers

Oxidative activation of benzyl or cinnamyl ether bearing allylsilane derivatives using a catalytic amount of DDQ and 2 equivalents of CAN in the presence of PPTS provided functionalized 4-methylenetetrahydropyrans in good yields and excellent diastereoselectivity. The reaction could be applied to the synthesis of a variety of substituted tetrahydropyran derivatives.     

Three-step synthesis of end-substituted pentacenes

A concise, three-step synthesis of 1,4,8,11-substituted 2,3,9,10-tetrakis(methoxycarbonyl)pentacenes from commercially available 1,2,4,5-tetrakis(bromomethyl)benzene was established. Efficient alkynylation, followed by formation of four fused rings via a zirconacyclopentadiene intermediate, and then oxidation with DDQ gave pentacenes 1a-c. The process was compatible with methyl, phenyl, and trimethylsilyl substituents, which have good solubility in various organic solvents.     

The synthesis of sericetin and related flavonols

Galangin when reacted with prenyl bromide in the presence of methanolic sodium methoxide yields 6-C-prenyl-(minor) and 6,8-di-CC-prenyl (major) derivatives. The latter on cyclodehydrogenation with DDQ yields natural sericetin along with isosericetin, and the former affords desprenyl sericetin.     

Cinnamylation studies of 5,7-dihydroxy-2-methylisoflavone and chromone

Cinnamylation of 5,7-dihydroxy-2-methyl-isoflavone and chromone with cinnamyl alcohol in the presence of aqueous acetic acid yields 6,8-dicinnamyl- and 8-cinnamyl- derivatives, respectively. On the other hand, cinnamylation with cinnamyl bromide in the presence of methanolic sodium methoxide affords the corresponding 6-cinnamyl derivatives along with the same dicinnamyl derivatives. Cyclodehydrogenation of the monocinnamyl derivatives with DDQ is sluggish and gives the corresponding flavenes only in small yields.     

Regioselective Alkylative Carboxylation of Allenamides with Carbon Dioxide and Dialkylzinc Reagents Catalyzed by an N‐Heterocyclic Carbene–Copper Complex

The alkylative carboxylation of allenamide catalyzed by an N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC)–copper(I) complex [(IPr)CuCl] with CO₂ and dialkylzinc reagents was investigated. The reaction of allenamides with dialkylzinc reagents (1.5 equiv) and CO₂ (1 atm.) proceeded smoothly in the presence of a catalytic quantity of [(IPr)CuCl] to afford (Z)‐α,β‐dehydro‐β‐amino acid esters in good yields. The reaction is regioselective, with the alkyl group introduced onto the less hindered γ‐carbon, and the carboxyl group introduced onto the β‐carbon atom of the allenamides. The first step of the reaction was alkylative zincation of the allenamides to give an alkenylzinc intermediate followed by nucleophilic addition to CO₂. A variety of cyclic and acyclic allenamides were found to be applicable to this transformation. Dialkylzinc reagents bearing β‐hydrogen atoms, such as Et₂Zn or Bu₂Zn, also gave the corresponding alkylative carboxylation products without β‐hydride elimination. The present methodology provides an easy route to alkyl‐substituted α,β‐dehydro‐β‐amino acid ester derivatives under mild reaction conditions with high regio‐ and stereoselectivtiy.     

A Mild and Simple One‐pot Synthesis of 2‐Substituted Benzimidazole Derivatives Using DDQ as an Efficient Oxidant at Room Temperature

A series of 2‐substituted benzimidazoles were prepared through one‐pot reaction of o‐phenylenediamine with various aryl aldehydes in the presence of 2,3‐dichloro‐5,6‐dicyano‐1,4‐benzoquinone (DDQ) in acetonitrile as solvent at room temperature. The reactions were smoothly preceded in excellent yields and short reaction times with an easy work‐up. The pure benzimidazoles as products were confirmed and characterized by physical and spectral data.     

Solvent‐Free One‐Step Photochemical Hydroxylation of Benzene Derivatives by the Singlet Excited State of 2,3‐Dichloro‐5,6‐dicyano‐p‐benzoquinone Acting as a Super Oxidant

Photoinduced hydroxylation of neat deaerated benzene to phenol occurred under visible‐light irradiation of 2,3‐dichloro‐5,6‐dicyano‐p‐benzoquinone (DDQ), which acts as a super photooxidant in the presence of water. Photocatalytic solvent‐free hydroxylation of benzene derivatives with electron‐withdrawing substituents such as benzonitrile, nitrobenzene, and trifluoromethylbenzene used as neat solvents has been achieved for the first time by using DDQ as a super photooxidant to yield the corresponding phenol derivatives and 2,3‐dichloro‐5,6‐dicyanohydroquinone (DDQH₂) in the presence of water under deaerated conditions. In the presence of dioxygen and tert‐butyl nitrite, the photocatalytic hydroxylation of neat benzene occurred with DDQ as a photocatalyst to produce phenol. The photocatalytic reactions are initiated by oxidation of benzene derivatives with the singlet and triplet excited states of DDQ to form the corresponding radical cations, which associate with benzene derivatives to produce the dimer radical cations, which were detected by the femto‐ and nanosecond laser flash photolysis measurements to clarify the photocatalytic reaction mechanisms. Radical cations of benzene derivatives react with water to yield the OH‐adduct radicals. On the other hand, DDQ ^{. ?} produced by the photoinduced electron transfer from benzene derivatives reacts with the OH‐adduct radicals to yield the corresponding phenol derivatives and DDQH₂. DDQ is recovered by the reaction of DDQH₂ with tert‐butyl nitrite when DDQ acts as a photocatalyst for the hydroxylation of benzene derivatives by dioxygen.     

Synthesis of 4-Alkenylated Pyrazolinones by 2,3-Dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (DDQ)-Mediated Oxidative Coupling Reaction

1,3-Diarylpropenes firstly serve as efficient alkenylated reagents for the functionalization of pyrazolinones. In the presence of 2,3-Dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (DDQ), it undergoes oxidative coupling and final dehydrogenation to give the highly substituted E,E-α,β,γ,δ-dienpyrazolinones in moderate to excellent yields.     

Homologation method for preparation of substituted pentacenes and naphthacenes

Multi-substituted pentacenes, such as 1,2,3,4,6,8,9,10,11,13-decasubstituted pentacenes (Type I), 1,2,3,4,6,13-hexasubstituted pentacenes (Type II), 1,2,3,4-tetrasubstituted pentacenes (Type III), and 2,3-disubstituted pentacenes (Type IV), 1,2,3,4,6,11-hexasubstituted naphthacenes (Type V), 1,2,3,4-tetrasubstituted naphthacenes (Type VI), and 2,3-disubstituted naphthacenes (Type VII), were prepared by a homologation method. The homologation method involved the conversion of phthalic acid ester derivatives to two ring extended phthalic acid ester derivatives via diynes and metallacyclopentadienes using transition metals, such as Zr and Rh. For the formation of pentacenes of Type III and Type IV and naphthacenes of Type VII, trimethylsilyl-substituted diynes were used for zirconocene-mediated cyclization. Elimination of the trimethylsilyl groups after the cyclization afforded nonsubstituted position on pentacenes or naphthacenes. Structures of 1,4,6,8,9,10,11,13-octaethyl-2,3-bis(methoxycarbonyl)pentacene (9a) and 8,9,10,11-tetraethyl-2,3-bis(methoxycarbonyl)-1,4,6,13-tetrapropylpentacene (9b) were determined by X-ray analysis. The structure of 9a had the herringbone packing system in the crystal like nonsubstituted pentacene. However, 9b, whose substituents at 1,4,6,13-positions were changed from Et to Pr at 1,4,6,13-positions of 9a, had the face parallel plane system in the crystal.     

Ene reaction of arynes with alkynes

Arynes, generated in situ from ortho-silylaryl triflates, undergo ene reaction with alkynes possessing propargylic hydrogen in the presence of KF/18-crown-6 in THF at room temperature to give substituted phenylallenes. Various terminal and internal alkynes as well as different arynes can be used to give the corresponding phenylallenes in good to moderate yields. The reaction of alkyne without propargylic hydrogen gave an acetylenic C-H addition product (a phenylalkyne) and a dehydro Diels-Alder product (a phenanthrene).     

Facile N-derivatization of alpha-amino esters and amides via benzotriazolylmethyl derivatives

Alpha-(N-substituted amino)esters were prepared in a two-step procedure from available unsubstituted alpha-amino esters. alpha-Amino esters are first converted into the corresponding N-benzotriazolylmethyl derivatives; in the second step, the benzotriazole group is substituted by various nucleophiles with or without the presence of a Lewis acid to give substituted alpha-amino esters in high overall yield under mild conditions with no signs of racemization. Boc-protected amino acids were converted into alpha-amino amides; subsequent deprotection allowed the conversion into N-substituted derivatives analogously to the alpha-amino esters, without racemization in high yields under mild conditions.     

From Homoconjugated Push–Pull Chromophores to Donor–Acceptor‐Substituted Spiro Systems by Thermal Rearrangement

Series of homoconjugated push–pull chromophores and donor–acceptor (D–A)‐functionalized spiro compounds were synthesized, in which the electron‐donating strength of the anilino donor groups was systematically varied. The structural and optoelectronic properties of the compounds were investigated by X‐ray analysis, UV/Vis spectroscopy, electrochemistry, and computational analysis. The homoconjugated push–pull chromophores with a central bicyclo[4.2.0]octane scaffold were obtained in high yield by [2+2] cycloaddition of 2,3‐dichloro‐5,6‐dicyano‐p‐benzoquinone (DDQ) to N,N‐dialkylanilino‐ or N,N‐diarylanilino‐substituted activated alkynes. The spirocyclic compounds were formed by thermal rearrangement of the homoconjugated adducts. They also can be prepared in a one‐pot reaction starting from DDQ and anilino‐substituted alkynes. Spiro products with N,N‐diphenylanilino and N,N‐diisopropylanilino groups were isolated in high yields whereas compounds with pyrrolidino, didodecylamino, and dimethylamino substituents gave poor yields, with formation of insoluble side products. It was shown by in situ trapping experiments with TCNE that cycloreversion is possible during the thermal rearrangement, thereby liberating DDQ. In the low‐yielding transformations, DDQ oxidizes the anilino species present, presumably via an intermediate iminium ion pathway. Such a pathway is not available for the N,N‐diphenylanilino derivative and, in the case of the N,N‐diisopropylanilino derivative, would generate a strained iminium ion (A1,3 strain). The mechanism of the thermal rearrangement was investigated by EPR spectroscopy, which provides good evidence for a proposed biradical pathway starting with the homolytic cleavage of the most strained (CN)C?C(CN) bond between the fused four‐ and six‐membered rings in the homoconjugated adducts.     

Cobalt‐Catalyzed Cyclization of N‐Methoxy Benzamides with Alkynes using an Internal Oxidant through C−H/N−O Bond Activation

The cyclization of substituted N‐methoxy benzamides with alkynes in the presence of an easily affordable cobalt complex and NaOAc provides isoquinolone derivatives in good to excellent yields. The cyclization reaction is compatible with a range of functional group‐substituted benzamides, as well as ester‐ and alcohol‐substituted alkynes. The cobalt complex [Co^IIICp*(OR)₂] (R=Me or Ac) serves as an efficient catalyst for the cyclization reaction. Later, isoquinolone derivatives were converted into 1‐chloro and 1‐bromo substituted isoquinoline derivatives in excellent yields in the presence of POCl₃ or PBr₃.     

水溶剂中取代肉桂腈与β-萘酚的反应

以水作溶剂在三乙基苄基氯化铵（TEBA）存在下，取代肉桂腈与β-萘酚发生 加成缩合反应，通过简单的抽滤即可得到萘并吡喃衍生物，与其他的方法相比该方 法具有产率高、价廉、环境友好等优点。     

Sequential oxidative transformation of tetraarylethylenes to 9,10-diarylphenanthrenes and dibenzo[g,p]chrysenes using DDQ as an oxidant

Tetraarylethylenes can be sequentially transformed into 9,10-diarylphenanthrenes and dibenzo[g,p]chrysenes using 1 and 2 equiv of DDQ, respectively, in CH(2)Cl(2) containing methanesulfonic acid, in excellent yields. Efficient access to substituted dibenzochrysenes from tetraarylethylenes establishes the versatility of this procedure over the existing multistep syntheses of dibenzochrysenes. Moreover, the ready regeneration of DDQ from easily recovered reduced DDQ-H(2) continues to advance the use of DDQ/H(+) for the oxidative C-C bond forming reactions.     

Aza-Diels–Alder Reactions with Lanthanide Triflates: Syntheses of Quinoline and Phenanthridine Derivatives

The aza-Diels–Alder reactions of cyclopentadiene and cyclo-1,3-hexadiene with various substituted N-arylimines in the presence of Yb/Sc triflates as catalyst in MeCN at room temperature gave quinoline and phenanthridine derivatives in moderate to high yields. Some of the cycloaddition reactions were carried out in ionic liquid.     

7‐Decarboxymethyl‐cobyrinates: Vitamin B12‐Derivatives that Lack the c‐Side Chain

The synthesis of cobyrinic acid derivatives by reduction of dehydrocobyrinates is largely unexplored. It is, however, a rational path to B₁₂ analogues that lack specific substituents of the corrin moiety of natural B₁₂ derivatives. The partial syntheses of four epimeric 7‐decarboxymethyl‐cobyrinates is described, which is achieved by reduction of Δ7‐dehydro‐7‐de[carboxymethyl]‐cobyrinate with zinc or with the ‘prebiotic’ reducing agent formic acid. A direct and remarkably efficient route was found to 7‐decarboxymethyl‐cobyrinates, which are cobyrinic acid derivatives in which the c‐side chain at ring B of vitamin B₁₂ is missing. The structures of the hexamethyl‐7‐decarboxymethyl‐cobyrinates were characterized and the stereochemical and conformational properties at their newly saturated ring B were analyzed. The stereochemical outcome of the reduction was found to depend strongly on the reaction conditions. In 7‐decarboxymethyl‐cobyrinates, both peripheral carbon centres of ring B carry a hydrogen atom, and the characteristic quaternary carbon centre at C7 of the cobyrinic acid moiety of vitamin B₁₂ is lacking. The still highly substituted 7‐decarboxymethyl‐cobyrinates are readily dehydrogenated in the presence of dioxygen, furnishing 7‐de[carboxymethyl]‐Δ⁷‐dehydro‐cobyrinate as the common, unsaturated oxidation product. The noted stability of vitamin B₁₂ and of other Co^III‐cobyrinates in the presence of air is a consequence of their highly substituted corrin macrocycle, a finding of interest in the context of chemical rationalizations of the B₁₂ structure.     

Synthesis and Characterization of 6,13‐Diamino‐Substituted Pentacenes

A series of 6,13‐diamino‐substituted pentacenes 1 a – d has been prepared and characterized as a new class of pentacene derivatives with strong donor ability and enhanced solubility in common organic solvents. The spectroelectrochemical and DFT studies revealed that the two‐electron oxidation process was accompanied by the substantial structural change into a butterfly‐like conformation of the pentacene moiety. More importantly, the extent of deformation from the planar pentacene moiety in the dications of 6,13‐diaminopentacene is tunable by varying the N‐substituents.