Pyrrolide-imine benzyl complexes of zirconium and hafnium: synthesis, structures, and efficient ethylene polymerization catalysis

A series of pyrrolyl-imines HL^1-6 was prepared by the condensation of pyrrole-2-carboxyaldehyde with different amines. The reaction of 2 equiv of pyrrolyl-imine with tetrabenzyl complexes of hafnium and zirconium M(CH₂Ph)₄ (M=Hf or Zr) gave dibenzyl complexes (L^3-6)₂M(CH₂Ph)₂, which were characterized by NMR spectroscopy and crystal structure analysis. NMR spectra of the complexes with secondary alkyl substituents at the imine nitrogen (isopropyl: 3a, 4-tert-butylcyclohexyl: 4a and 4b) suggest that rapid racemization between Δ and Λ configurations occurs in solution on the NMR time scale. The complexes with pyrrolide-imine ligands with a tertiary alkyl group such as tert-butyl (5a and 5b) or 1-adamantyl (6a and 6b) at the imine nitrogen possess cis-configured benzyl groups. Hafnium complexes 5a and 6a react with B(C₆F₅)₃ in bromobenzene-d₅ to give the corresponding cationic benzyl complexes, which exhibit high activity for ethylene polymerization (5a: 2242 kg-polymer/ mol-Hf h bar, 6a: 2096 kg-polymer/ mol-Hf h bar). Zirconium complexes 5b and 6b display a remarkably high ethylene polymerization activity when activated with methylaluminoxane (5b: 17,952 kg-polymer/mol-Zr h bar, 6b: 22,944 kg-polymer/mol-Zr h bar).     

Photochemistry of benzene and quinoxaline fused Δ-1,2,3-triazolines and their trapping products

The benzene and quinoxaline fused Δ²-1,2,3-triazolines 1a and 1b were synthesized in good yields using Knoevenagel condensation and intramolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition as two of the key reactions. Photolysis (254 nm) of Δ²-1,2,3-triazoline 1a or 1b in acetonitrile led to the homolytic cleavage of nitrogen that generated diethyl diazomalonate 7, highly reactive intermediates aziridines 8a,b, and isoindoles B. The latter two species subsequently underwent rearrangement to give the nitrogen extrusion products 9a,b, and polymers. Furthermore, the reactive intermediates were trapped by dienophiles to give the corresponding cycloadducts. Subsequent rearrangement of the N-bridged cycloadducts gave N-substituted pyrrolo[3,4-b]quinoxalines 12b and 15b in 6% and 9% yields, respectively. Irradiation of 1a in the presence of fumaronitrile led to the isolation of cycloadduct 16a with retention of stereochemistry. Thermal reaction of 1b gave more nitrogen extruded product 9b (58-63% yield) than that by photolysis (5-23% yield), which implied that zwitterionic intermediate might be involved in the former.     

Solvent-free reactions of N,N′-thiocarbonyldiimidazole with ferrocenylcarbinols

The efficient and simple routes for the synthesis of various ferrocenyl derivatives from ferrocenylcarbinols and N,N′-thiocarbonyldiimidazole (TCDI) are described. It involves grinding the two substrates in a Pyrex tube with a glass rod at room temperature. The reaction of ferrocenylmethanol (1a) provided S,S-bis(ferrocenylmethyl)dithiocarbonate (1b), whose crystal structure and a plausible mechanism for its formation are also reported. The reaction of 1-ferrocenyl-1-phenylmethanol (2a) and 1-ferrocenylbutanol (2b) gave the products 2c and 2d, respectively. The reaction of ω-ferrocenyl alcohols 4-ferrocenylphenol (3a) and 6-ferrocenylhexan-1-ol (3b) yielded the products 3c and 3d, respectively. Reaction of 1,1′-ferrocenedimethanol (3e) afforded 3f in moderate yield, and by contrast, it was not similar to 1b. Reaction of [4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]methanol (4a) provided the thiocarbonate 4b in good yield.     

Phosphorus-nitrogen compounds part 22. Syntheses, structural investigations, biological activities and DNA interactions of new mono and bis (4-fluorobenzyl) spirocyclophosphazenes

The reactions of hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene, N₃P₃Cl₆, with mono (1 and 2) and bis(4-fluorobenzyl) diamines (3-5), FPhCH₂NH(CH₂)_nNHR (RH or FPhCH₂-), produce mono (1a and 2a) and bis(4-fluorobenzyl) monospirocyclophosphazenes (3a-5a). The tetraaminomonospirocyclophosphazenes (1b-2d) are obtained from the reactions of the partly substituted phosphazenes (1a and 2a) with excess pyrrolidine, morpholine and 1,4-dioxa-8-azaspiro[4,5]decane (DASD), respectively. The tetrachlorobis(4-fluorobenzyl) monospirocyclophosphazenes (4a and 5a) with excess pyrrolidine, morpholine and DASD afford the fully substituted bis(4-fluorobenzyl) monospirocyclophosphazenes (4b, 4d-5d) in boiling THF. In addition, monochlorobis(4-fluorobenzyl) monospirocyclophosphazenes (4e and 4f) have also been isolated from the reactions with excess morpholine and DASD in boiling THF. The structural investigations of the compounds have been verified by elemental analyses, MS, FTIR, ¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁹F (for 1d and 2d), ³¹P NMR, HSQC and HMBC techniques. The crystal structures of 3a, 4a, 5a and 2b have been determined by X-ray crystallography. The compounds 2a-5a, 1b-2d, 4b, 4d-5d, 4e and 4f have been screened for antibacterial effects on bacteria and for antifungal activity against yeast strains. The compounds 1b and 4b showed antimicrobial activity against three species of bacteria, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus, and two fungi, Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were determined for 1b and 4b. The MIC values were found to be 5000 μM for each bacteria. The most effective compound, 4b has exhibited activity with a MIC of 312 μM for C. albicans and 625 μM for C. tropicalis. DNA-binding and the nature of the interaction with pBR322 plasmid DNA are studied. All of the compounds induce changes on the DNA mobility and intensity. Prevention of HindIII digestion with the compounds indicates that the compounds bind with AT nucleotides in DNA.     

Synthesis and properties of 4,9-methanoundecafulvenes and their transformation to 3-substituted 7,12-methanocycloundeca[4,5]furo[2,3-d]pyrimidine-2,4(1H,3H)-diones: photo-induced autorecycling oxidizing reaction toward amines

The synthesis and properties of 4,9-methanoundecafulvene [5-(4,9-methanocycloundeca-2′,4′,6′,8′,10′-pentaenylidene)pyrimidine-2,4,6(1,3,5H)-trione] derivatives 8a,b were studied. Their structural characteristics were investigated on the basis of the ¹H and ¹³C NMR and UV-vis spectra. The rotational barrier (ΔG^‡) around the exocyclic double bond of 8a was found to be 12.55 kcal mol⁻¹ by the variable temperature ¹H NMR measurement. The electrochemical properties of 8a,b were also studied by CV measurement. Furthermore, the transformation of 8a,b to 3-substituted 7,12-methanocycloundeca[4,5]furo[2,3-d]pyrimidine-2,4(1H,3H)-diones 16a,b was accomplished by oxidative cyclization using DDQ and subsequent ring-opening and ring-closure. The structural details and chemical properties of 16a,b were clarified. Reaction of 16a with deuteride afforded C13-adduct 19 as the single product, and thus, the methano-bridge controls the nucleophilic attack to prefer endo-selectivity. The photo-induced oxidation reaction of 16a and a vinylogous compound, 3-methylcyclohepta[4,5]furo[2,3-d]pyrimidine-2,4(3H)-dione 2a, toward some amines under aerobic conditions were carried out to give the corresponding imines (isolated by converting to the corresponding 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazones) with the recycling number of 6.1-64.0 (for 16a) and 2.7-17.2 (for 2a), respectively.     

Tetracyclic 1,6-methano-[10]annulenes a novel class of steroidal annulenes

Reaction of 19-hydroxyandrosta-4,6-diene-3,17-dione (8b) and the corresponding Δ⁷-compound (8c) with diethyl-(2-chloro-1,1,2-trifluoroethyl)-amine affords 5β,19-cyclo-Δ^1,6- and 5β,19-cyclo-Δ^1,7-3-ketones (4b) and (4c) respectively. Solvolysis experiments with the 19-tosylates of the 19-hydroxy-Δ^4,6- and Δ^4,7-3-ketones (8b) and 8c) are described as alternate approaches to (4b) and (4c). Exposure of 5β,19-cyclo compounds (4b) and (4c) to acetic anhydride-acetic acid-p-toluenesulfonic acid yields the respective 3-acetoxycycloheptatrienes (5a) and (6a). The latter substance (6a) is converted into the novel tetracyclic 1,6-methano-[10]annulene (2a) on exposure to N-bromosuccinimide in boiling carbon tetrachloride. Synthesis of the corresponding 3-methoxy- and 3-desoxy-1,6-methano-[10]annulenes (2b) and (2c) are also described. The NMR spectra of (2a), (2b) and (2c) and related intermediates are discussed.     

Stereoselective synthesis of (−)-diospongins A and B and their stereoisomers at C-5

Antiosteoporotic diarylheptanoids (−)-diospongins A (1) and B (2) were synthesized stereoselectively. The key steps in the synthesis include a stereospecific Pd^II-catalyzed cyclization of chiral 1,5,7-trihydroxy-2-heptenes, 6a and 6b, to form cis and trans tetrahydropyran rings and a regioselective Wacker oxidation of β-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)styrenes, 5a and 5b. Their C-5 epimers 3 and 4 were also synthesized.     

Asymmetric addition of diethylzinc to aromatic aldehydes by chiral ferrocene-based catalysts

A series of chiral C₁- and C₂-symmetric ferrocenyl Schiff bases (1a-c), ferrocenyl aminoalcohols (2a), ferrocenylphosphinamides (2b-c), 1,1′-ferrocenyl-diol (3), and 1,1′-ferrocenyl-disulfonamide (4) were prepared and employed as base catalysts or as ligand for titanium(IV) complexes in the asymmetric addition of diethylzinc to aromatic aldehydes. High enantioselectivity up to almost 100% ee was achieved for the alkylation of benzaldehyde and p-methoxybenzaldehyde with 1 or 3. In contrast, however, the β-aminoalcohol (2a) and phosphinamides (2b and c) that are ubiquitous classes of base catalysts for this reaction proved inefficient in our hands, regardless of the types of substrates or reaction conditions. Comparative studies show that there exist various reaction parameters governing not only chemical yields but also optical yields. These include steric and electronic environment of the substrate, the solvent, the reaction temperature, and the nature of the ferrocene moieties.     

Synthesis of enantiomerically pure Sb-chirogenic organoantimony compounds and their crystal structures

Sb-chirogenic organoantimony compounds (±)-5a-c bearing heteroatom moieties such as 4,4-dimethyl-2-oxazolinyl, methoxymethyl, and diphenylphosphanyl substituents on the o-position of an aryl group have been prepared by nucleophilic displacement of the ethynyl moiety on (1-naphthyl)(phenylethynyl)(p-tolyl)stibane (3) with aryllithium reagents (2a-c). The optical resolution of the racemic (±)-5a,b was attained via separation of a diastereomeric mixture of their palladium complexes (S)-7 formed from the reactions of (±)-5a,b with di-μ-chlorobis[(S)-dimethyl(1-ethyl-α-naphthyl)aminato-C²,N]dipalladium(II) (6). The enantiomerically pure Sb-chirogenic stibanes isolated here were optically stable, and no racemization on the chiral antimony center was observed even when they were allowed to stand at room temperature for over 72 h in chloroform. The structure of 5a,b including the absolute configuration was determined by single crystal X-ray analyses of (+)-5aB and antimony-palladium complex (7bB), respectively. The analyses also revealed the presence of intramolecular interaction between the antimony and sp²-nitrogen atoms in the molecule Sb(S)-(+)-5aB.     

Monosubstituted thermotropic ferrocenomesogens containing heterocyclic pyrazole

The synthesis and mesomorphic properties of two series of ferrocenyl derivatives, 5-[4-(4-alkoxylbenzyloxy)phenyl]-3-(4-ferrocenylphenyl)-1H-pyrazoles 1a and 3-[4-(4-ferrocenylbenzyloxy)phenyl]-5-(4-alkoxylphenyl)-1H-pyrazoles 1b are reported. Compounds 1a exhibited either nematic (N) or smectic A (SmA) phases, whereas compounds 1b formed N/SmC or SmA/SmC phases depending on the terminal carbon length. The formation of SmC phases in compounds 1b was attributed to better molecular interaction between layers since the ferrocenyl unit was remotely located one phenyl ring away from pyrazole core. In contrast, their precursors, ferrocenyl β-diketonates, were in fact non-mesogenic. A less bent shape formed by ferrocenyl pyrazoles than ferrocenyl β-diketones was believed to be responsible for the formation of observed mesophases. The crystal and molecular structure of 3-[4-(4-ferrocenylbenzyloxy)phenyl]-5-(4-hexyloxyphenyl)-1H-pyrazole (1b; n=6) was determined by means of X-ray structural analysis. It crystallizes in the triclinic space group p-1, with a=11.0725(5) Å, b=12.5514(5) Å, c=14.2085(6) Å, and Z=2. The molecular arrangement was quite consistent with the layer structure observed by powder X-ray diffractometer. The cyclic voltammogram measured for 1 and 2 (n=16) indicated that incorporation of pyrazole group hardly influenced the electrochemical behavior of the ferrocenyl moiety.     

Synthesis and characterization of half-sandwich Rh, Ir complexes containing mono-thiolate-ortho-carborane ligand

Two binuclear complexes [Cp^∗M(Cl)Carb^S]₂ (Cp^∗ = η⁵-C₅Me₅, M = Rh (1a), Carb^S = SC₂(H)B₁₀H₁₀, Ir (1b)) were synthesized by the reaction of LiCarb^S with the dimeric metal complexes [Cp^∗MCl(μ-Cl)]₂ (M = Rh, Ir). Four mononuclear complexes Cp^∗M(Cl)(L)Carb^S (L = BuⁿPPh₂, M = Rh (2a), Ir (2b); L = PPh₃, M = Rh (4a), Ir (4b)) were synthesized by reactions of 1a or 1b with L (L = BuⁿPPh₂ (2); PPh₃ (4)) in moderate yields, respectively. Complexes 3a, 3b, 5a, 5b were obtained by treatment of 2a, 2b, 4a, 4b with AgPF₆ in high yields, respectively. All of these compounds were fully characterized by IR, NMR, and elemental analysis, and the crystal structures of 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 4a, 4b were also confirmed by X-ray crystallography. Their structures showed 3a, 3b and 5a, 5b could be expected as good candidates for heterolytic dihydrogen activation. Preliminary experiments on the dihydrogen activation driven by these half-sandwich Rh, Ir complexes were done under mild conditions.     

Hydrogen-bonded networks from η-semiquinone complexes of manganese tricarbonyl

The cationic manganese tricarbonyl complexes containing η⁶-2-methylhydroquinone (2a), η⁶-2,3-dimethylhydroquinone (3a), η⁶-2-t-butylhydroquinone (4a), η⁶-tetramethylhydroquinone (5a) and η⁶-4,4′-biphenol (6a) are readily deprotonated to the corresponding neutral (η⁵-semiquinone)Mn(CO)₃ (2b-6b) and anionic (η⁴-quinone)Mn(CO)₃⁻ (2c-5c) complexes. The X-ray structures of 2b-6b feature strong intermolecular hydrogen bonding interactions that result in the formation of supramolecular organometallic networks. Significantly, the substitution pattern at the semiquinone ring affects the stereochemistry of the hydrogen bonding interactions. NMR spectra of 2b, 3b and 5b reveal dynamic hydrogen bonding in solution.     

Microwave assisted synthesis of novel imidazo [2,1-b]thiazole derivative attached to quinoxalinones

3-(6-Phenylimidazo[2,1-b]thiazol-5-yl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones (qunoxalinone) (6a-q) have been synthesized by the reaction of ethyl 2-oxo-2-(6-phenylimidazo[2,1-b]thiazol-5-yl)acetates (4a-e) with suitably substituted o-phenylenediamines (5a-f) under microwave heating. The ethyl 2-oxo-2-(6-phenylimidazo[2,1-b]thiazol-5-yl)acetates (4a-e) were prepared by the reaction of 6-phenylimidazo[2,1-b]thiazoles (3a-e) with ethyl chlorooxoacetate in refluxing 1,4-dioxane whereas the thiazoles (3a-e) were synthesized by the reaction of 2-bromo-1-phenylethanones (2a-e) with thiazol-2-amine in refluxing acetone.     

Palladiumdichloride (ferrocenylethynyl)phosphanes and their use in Pd-catalyzed Heck-Mizoroki- and Suzuki-Miyaura carbon-carbon cross-coupling reactions

In this work the synthesis of phosphane selenides (FcCC)_nPh_3−nPSe (2a, n = 1; 2b, n = 2; 2c, n = 3; Fc = ferrocenyl, (η⁵-C₅H₄)(η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe) from (FcCC)_nPh_3−nP (1a, n = 1; 1b, n = 2; 1c, n = 3) and selenium is described to estimate the σ-donor properties of these systems by ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectroscopy. Progressive replacement of phenyl by ferrocenylethynyl causes a shielding of the phosphorus atom with increasing of the ¹J(³¹P-⁷⁷Se) coupling constants.The palladiumdichloride metal-organic complexes [((FcCC)_nPh_3−nP)₂PdCl₂] (3a, n = 1; 3b, n = 2; 3c, n = 3) have been used as (pre)catalysts in the Suzuki-Miyaura (reaction of 2-bromo-toluene (4a) and 4-bromo-acetophenone (4b), respectively, with phenyl boronic acid (5) to give 2-methyl biphenyl (6a) and 4-acetyl biphenyl (6b)) and in the Heck-Mizoroki reaction (treatment of iodobenzene (7) with tert-butyl acrylate (8) to give E-tert-butyl cinnamate (9)).The structures of molecules 1a, 1c, 2c, and 3c in the solid state were determined by single X-ray structure analysis showing that the structural parameters of these systems are unexceptional and correspond to those of related phosphanes, seleno phosphanes, and palladium dichloride complexes.     

Phosphorus–nitrogen compounds: Part 19. Syntheses,structural and electrochemical investigations,biological activities,and DNA interactions of new spirocyclic monoferrocenylcyclotriphosphazenes

The reactions of hexachlorocyclotriphosphazatriene, N₃P₃Cl₆, with N-alkyl-N-ferrocenylmethylethylene diamines, FcCH₂NH(CH₂)₂NHR₁ [R₁ = Me (1) and Et (2)], and sodium [3-(N-ferrocenylmethylamino)-1-propanoxide] (3) produce spirocyclic monoferrocenyl tetrachlorophosphazenes (1a–3a). The tetrapyrrolidinophosphazenes (1b–3b) are prepared from the reactions of corresponding phosphazenes (1a–3a) with excess pyrrolidine. The reaction of 1a with excess morpholine affords geminal-morpholino phosphazene (1c), whilst the reactions of 2a and 3a give diethylaminotrimorpholino (2c) and fully substituted morpholino products (3c), respectively. The structural investigations of the compounds are examined by Fourier transform IR, MS, ¹H, ¹³C, ³¹P NMR, DEPT, HETCOR, and HMBC techniques. The crystal structures of 3b and 3c are determined using X-ray crystallography. Cyclic voltammetric and chronoamperometric data show that compounds 1a–3a, 1b–3b, and 1c–3c exhibit electrochemically reversible one-electron oxidation of Fc redox centers which are hardly affected by the substituents on the phosphazene ring. The compounds 1b, 2b, 3b, and 3c are screened for antibacterial activities against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and for antifungal activities against yeast strains. In addition, the antituberculosis activities (in vitro) of these compounds are evaluated against INH-susceptible reference strain M. tuberculosis H37Rv, and six multi-drug resistant clinical M. tuberculosis isolates. Compound 2b is found to be the most active against the susceptible the reference strain. In addition, 1b, 2b, and 3c are active against all the multidrug-resistant clinical isolates at the highest concentrations. Gel electrophoresis data indicate that the compounds promote the formation of strand breaks in plasmid DNA. Almost all the concentrations lost of supercoiled DNA suggests that the compound 3b is very efficient plasmid-modifier. The compounds inhibit BamHI cleavage of pUC18 DNA while restricting HindIII.     

Synthesis of arylated highly congested indans using a domino sequence

A novel and efficient regioselective synthesis of various arylated highly congested 7-aryl-5-methylsulfanylindan-4-carbonitriles (3a-f), methyl 7-aryl-5-methylsulfanylindan-4-carboxylates (10a-e) and 7-aryl-5-methylsulfanylindan-4-carboxylic acids (11a-e) through base-catalyzed reaction of 6-aryl-4-methylsulfanyl-2-oxo-2H-pyran-3-carbonitriles (1a-f) and methyl 6-aryl-4-methylsulfanyl-2-oxo-2H-pyran-3-carboxylates (9a-e) by cyclopentanone (2) has been delineated. The synthetic potential of 2-pyranone was explored further to generate molecular diversity using 6-aryl-4-sec-amino-2-oxo-2H-pyran-3-carbonitriles (7a-h), 5,6-diaryl-4-methylsulfanyl-2-oxo-2H-pyran-3-carbonitriles (5a,b) and methyl 5,6-diaryl-4-methylsulfanyl-2-oxo-2H-pyran-3-carboxylates (12a,b) as precursors for the ring transformation by cyclopentanone to assess the effects of substituents on the course of the reaction to obtain highly congested indans, 6,7-diaryl-5-methylsulfanylindan-4-carbonitriles (6a,b), 7-aryl-5-(piperidin-1-yl)indan-4-carbonitriles (8a-h) and methyl 6,7-diaryl-5-methylsulfanylindan-4-carboxylates (13a,b).     

Nucleophilic substitution reactions at the Si-Cl bonds of the dichloro(methyl)silyl ligand in five- and six-coordinate complexes of ruthenium(II) and osmium(II)

Treatment of either RuHCl(CO)(PPh₃)₃ or MPhCl(CO)(PPh₃)₂ with HSiMeCl₂ produces the five-coordinate dichloro(methyl)silyl complexes, M(SiMeCl₂)Cl(CO)(PPh₃)₂ (1a, M = Ru; 1b, M = Os). 1a and 1b react readily with hydroxide ions and with ethanol to give M(SiMe[OH]₂)Cl(CO)(PPh₃)₂ (2a, M = Ru; 2b, M = Os) and M(SiMe[OEt]₂)Cl(CO)(PPh₃)₂ (3a, M = Ru; 3b, M = Os), respectively. 3b adds CO to form the six-coordinate complex, Os(SiMe[OEt]₂)Cl(CO)₂(PPh₃)₂ (4b) and crystal structure determinations of 3b and 4b reveal very different Os-Si distances in the five-coordinate complex (2.3196(11) Å) and in the six-coordinate complex (2.4901(8) Å). Reaction between 1a and 1b and 8-aminoquinoline results in displacement of a triphenylphosphine ligand and formation of the six-coordinate chelate complexes M(SiMeCl₂)Cl(CO)(PPh₃)(κ²(N,N)-NC₉H₆NH₂-8) (5a, M = Ru; 5b, M = Os), respectively. Crystal structure determination of 5a reveals that the amino function of the chelating 8-aminoquinoline ligand is located adjacent to the reactive Si-Cl bonds of the dichloro(methyl)silyl ligand but no reaction between these functions is observed. However, 5a and 5b react readily with ethanol to give ultimately M(SiMe[OEt]₂)Cl(CO)(PPh₃)(κ²(N,N-NC₉H₆NH₂-8) (6a, M = Ru; 6b, M = Os). In the case of ruthenium only, the intermediate ethanolysis product Ru(SiMeCl[OEt])Cl(CO)(PPh₃)(κ²(N,N-NC₉H₆NH₂-8) (6c) was also isolated. The crystal structure of 6c was determined. Reaction between 1b and excess 2-aminopyridine results in condensation between the Si-Cl bonds and the N-H bonds with formation of a novel tridentate “NSiN” ligand in the complex Os(κ³(Si,N,N)-SiMe[NH(2-C₅H₄N)]₂)Cl(CO)(PPh₃) (7b). Crystal structure determination of 7b shows that the “NSiN” ligand coordinates to osmium with a “facial” arrangement and with chloride trans to the silyl ligand.     

Stereocontrolled conversion of some optically active (4S,5R)-dihydroisoxazoles into acyclic 3-acetamido-1,2-diols

Optically active (4S,5R)-dihydroisoxazoles 5a-c (90-91% ee) have been prepared by reaction of the epoxyketones 4a-c with hydroxylamine. Reduction of compounds 5a and 5b using lithium aluminium hydride took place exclusively from the Re face to give (1R,2S,3S)-1,3-disubstituted-3-aminopropane-1,2-diols 6a and 6b. These amino-diols were characterised by N-acetylation and the stereochemical sense of the hydride reduction was confirmed by conversion of amides 7a and 7b into α-amino acid derivatives 10a and 10b.     

Reactivity of 1-boraadamantanes towards bis(trialkylstannyl)ethynes. First examples of 3-boratricyclo[5.3.1.1]dodecanes, and the molecular structure of a tetraalkyldiboroxane

1-Boraadamantane (1) and 2-ethyl-1-boraadamantane (1(2-Et)) react with bis(trialkylstannyl)ethynes (3), R₃Sn-CC-SnR₃ with R=Me (a), Et (b), in a 1:1 molar ratio by 1,1-organoboration under very mild conditions to give the 4-methylene-3-borahomoadamantane derivatives 4a,b and 7a,b, respectively, which are dynamic at room temperature with respect to deorganoboration. The compounds 4a,b react further with 3a,b by 1,1-organoboration to the tricyclic butadiene derivatives 5a,b. Attempts to crystallise 4a afforded the product of hydrolysis, the diboroxane 6a which was characterised by X-ray structural analysis. All products were characterised in solution by ¹H-, ¹¹B-, ¹³C- and ¹¹⁹Sn-NMR spectroscopy.     

Heterolytic CH-bond activation in the synthesis of Ni{(2-aryl-κC)pyridine-κN}2 and derivatives

Thermolysis of Ni(OTf)₂ in 2-phenyl-pyridine or 2-tolyl-pyridine afforded the cationic chelate derivatives, [bis(2-aryl-pyridine)Ni{(2-aryl-κC²)pyridine-κN}]OTf (aryl = phenyl, 1a; tolyl, 1b). Addition of KBr to 1a and LiBr to 1b provided the bromides, (2-aryl-pyridine)BrNi{(2-aryl-κC²)pyridine-κN} (aryl = phenyl, 2a; tolyl, 2b). When subjected to KO^tBu in Et₂O, the bromides generated the entitled bis-cyclometalated compounds, Ni{(2-aryl-κC²)pyridine-κN}₂ (aryl = phenyl, 3a; tolyl, 3b). These compounds insert diphenylacetylene into one cyclometalate arm to produce [(2-aryl-κC²)pyridine-κN]Ni[2-(2-(1,2-diphenylethenyl-κC²)aryl)pyridine-κN] (aryl = phenyl, 4a; p-tolyl, 4b). X-ray crystallographic studies were conducted on 1a, 2a, 3a and 4a, and a brief DFT study of 3a confirmed its low spin configuration and rippled geometry.