Re-Evaluation of a Fulvene-Based Self-Replicating Diels–Alder Reaction System

We re-evaluate our claim of a high diastereoselectivity in the self-relicating Diels–Alder reaction between maleimide 1 and fulvene 3 . It was shown that the system has a diastereoselectivity of 1.8:1 for NN-4 : NX-4 , which is contrary to the 16:1 ratio claimed by Dieckmann et al. The analysis of ¹H NMR monitoring of the reaction revealed that both replicators show sigmoidal growth which is typical for auto-catalytic systems.     

Tungstophosphoric Acid–Catalyzed Imino-Diels–Alder Reaction: An Efficient One-Pot Synthesis of Pyrano- and Furanoquinoline Derivatives

Tungstophosphoric acid has been found to be an efficient catalyst for the synthesis of pyranos- and furanoquinolines through the Imino-Diels–Alder reaction involving one-pot coupling of benzaldehydes, anilines, and 3,4-dihydro-2 H-pyran or 2,3-dihydrofuran. The products are formed at room temperature in excellent yields in a short period of time.     

Self-Accelerating Diels–Alder Reaction for Preparing Polymers of Intrinsic Microporosity

It is a formidable challenge in polycondensation to simultaneously construct multiple covalent bonds to prepare double-stranded polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIMs) with fused multicyclic linkages. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to develop a self-accelerating Diels–Alder reaction for successfully preparing double-stranded PIMs with fused multicyclic backbone structures. A self-accelerating Diels–Alder reaction was developed based on the [4+2] cycloaddition of sym-dibenzo-1,5-cyclooctadiene-3,7-diyne (DIBOD) and ortho-quinone compounds. In this reaction, the cycloaddition of ortho-quinone with the first alkyne of DIBOD activates the second alkyne, which reacts with ortho-quinone at a rate constant 192 times larger than that of the original alkyne. Using this self-accelerating reaction to polymerize DIBOD and spirocyclic/cyclic difunctional ortho-quinone monomers, a novel stoichiometric imbalance-promoted step-growth polymerization method was developed to prepare PIMs. The resultant PIMs possess intrinsic ultramicropores with pore sizes between 0.45 to 0.7 nm, high specific surface areas above 646 m² g⁻¹, and good H₂ separation performance.     

Task-Specific Ionic Liquid as Reagent and Reaction Medium for the One-Pot Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons–Type Reaction Under Microwave Irradiation

A task-specific imidazolium-based phosphinite ionic liquid (IL-OPPh₂) was used as the dual solvent–reagent for the synthesis of E-cinamates and coumarin derivatives via the one-pot Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons–type reaction. The ionic liquid containing its corresponding phosphinite moiety was reacted with α-chloro esters and benzaldehyde or salicylaldehyde derivatives in the presence of sodium methoxide under microwave irradiation to produce the related E-cinamates or coumarins, respectively. The satisfactory results were obtained with good yields, short reaction time, and simple experimental procedure.     

Elucidating Zeolite Channel Geometry–Reaction Intermediate Relationships for the Methanol-to-Hydrocarbon Process

The chemical industry has exploited zeolite shape selectivity for more than 50 years, yet our fundamental understanding remains incomplete. Herein, the zeolite channel geometry–reactive intermediate relationships are studied in detail using anisotropic zeolite ZSM-5 crystals for the methanol-to-hydrocarbon (MTH) process, and advanced magic-angle spinning solid-state NMR (ssNMR) spectroscopy. The utilization of anisotropic ZSM-5 crystals enabled the preferential formation of reaction intermediates in single-orientation zeolite channels, as revealed by molecular dynamics simulations and in situ UV/Vis diffuse-reflectance spectroscopy. The ssNMR results show that the slightly more constrained sinusoidal zeolite channels favor the olefin cycle by promoting the homologation of alkanes, whereas the more extended straight zeolite channels facilitate the aromatic cycle with a higher degree of alkylation of aromatics. Dynamic nuclear polarization experiments further indicate the preferential formation of heavy aromatics at the zeolite surface dominated by the sinusoidal channels, providing further insight into catalyst deactivation.     

Green chemistry for the synthesis of methacrylate-based hydrogels crosslinked through Diels–Alder reaction

This study describes an environmentally friendly and green synthetic approach for the preparation of poly(aminoethylmethacrylate)-based hydrogels crosslinked through Diels–Alder (DA) reaction in water. This “click” reaction offers the possibility of preparing chemically crosslinked hydrogels in the absence of any catalyst, initiator or coupling agent, thus preserving the biocompatibility of the material. The suitable furan diene was obtained by modifying a methacrylate polymer by its reaction with furfural, a first generation compound derived from renewable resources. Methacrylate-based complementary polymeric dienophiles were also prepared by introducing maleimide groups into the structure. The products obtained at different steps were characterized by FTIR, NMR and TGA techniques. The study of the rheological properties of the hydrogels proved the success of this green “click” synthetic strategy confirming the formation of chemically crosslinked networks by the use of the Diels–Alder reaction. Furthermore, SEM studies revealed promising morphological properties of the ensuing hydrogels in terms of biomedical applications.     

CuI–Ionic Liquids as Efficient Reaction Media for the Synthesis of Pyran Skeleton via Domino Knoevenagel–Hetero–Diels–Alder Reaction with Unactivated Alkynes

The article describes ionic liquids [bmim][NO₃] in the presence of 30% mol CuI as efficient media for the domino Knoevenagel–hetero–Diels–Alder reaction of o-propargyloxy benzaldehydes as unactivated terminal alkynes with some active methylene compounds. Short reaction time, easy workup, good to excellent yields, and mild conditions are advantages of this new media.

Supplemental materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Synthetic Communications® to view the free supplemental file.     

Enantioselective Total Syntheses of Lyconadins A–E through a Palladium-Catalyzed Heck-Type Reaction

A novel palladium-catalyzed Heck-type reaction of thiocarbamates has been designed to construct bridged seven-membered-ring systems that are otherwise challenging to prepare. Taking advantage of this newly developed method, enantioselective syntheses of lyconadins A–E ( 1 – 5 ), lycopecurine ( 6 ), and dehydrolycopecurine ( 7 ) have been realized in a divergent fashion. Our synthetic strategy also features an intramolecular cyclization of a N-chloroamine to forge the C6−N bond, a transannular Mannich-type reaction of a cyclic nitrone to stitch the C4 and C13 together, and a cyclocondensation to deliver the (dihydro-)pyridone motif.     

Total Synthesis of (−)-Lepadin F based on a Stereoselective Diels–Alder Reaction Controlled by a Ketolactone-type Dienophile

An efficient approach to the type III lepadin alkaloids (lepadins F and G) has been developed through a key Diels–Alder reaction, in which a novel ketolactone-type dienophile with chiral diol unit is employed to generate the desirable all-cis-trisubstituted cyclohexene with excellent regio- and stereoselectivity control. The subsequent selective sulfonylation of the diol unit followed by S_N2 cyclization under hydrogenation conditions could construct the substituted piperidine ring. By using this approach, (−)-lepadin F is synthesized from ethyl l -lactate for the first time.     

Dearomatizing and Derivatizing a Mesityl Group on Boron by One-Pot Photoisomerization and [4+2] Diels–Alder Addition

Boron compounds having a conjugated chelate backbone (N,C-chelate or C,C-chelate) and two mesityl substituents on boron have been found to undergo a facile one-pot transformation/reaction with dienophiles, which leads to the dearomatization of one mesityl ring and its [4+2] Diels–Alder addition with the dienophile. Photochemical activation is the key in this transformation of the aryl ring.     

Rhodium–Iodide Complex on a Catalytically Active SiO2 Surface for One-Pot Hydrosilylation–CO2 Cycloaddition

In this study, a novel Rh–iodide complex was synthesized through a surface reaction between an immobilized Rh cyclooctadiene complex and alkylammonium iodide (N⁺I⁻) on SiO₂. In the presence of ammonium cations, the SiO₂-supported Rh–iodide complex could be effectively used for the one-pot synthesis of various silylcarbonate derivatives starting from epoxy olefins, hydrosilanes, and CO₂. The maximum turnover numbers (TONs) for the hydrosilylation reaction and the CO₂ cycloaddition were 7600 (Rh) and 130 (N⁺I⁻), respectively. The catalyst exhibited much higher performance for hydrosilylation than solely the Rh complex on SiO₂. The mechanism of the Rh-catalyzed hydrosilylation reaction and the local structure of Rh, which is affected by the co-immobilized N⁺I⁻, were investigated by using Rh and I K-edge XAFS and XPS. Analysis of the XAFS profiles indicated the presence of a Rh−I bond. The Rh unit was in its electron-rich state. Curve-fitting analysis of the Rh K-edge EXAFS profiles suggests dissociation of the cycloocta-1,5-diene (COD) ligand from the Rh center. Results from spectroscopic and kinetic analyses revealed that the high activity of the catalyst (during hydrosilylation) could be attributed to a decrease in steric hindrance and the electron-rich state of the Rh. The decrease in the steric hindrance could be attributed to the absence of COD, and the electron-rich state promoted the oxidative addition of Si−H. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example of a one-pot silylcarbonate synthesis as well as a determination of a novel surface Rh–iodide complex and its catalysis.     

One-Pot Synthesis of 2,5-Furandicarboxylic Acid from 2-Furoic Acid by a Pd-catalyzed Bromination–Hydroxycarbonylation Tandem Reaction in Acetate Buffer

The one-pot synthesis of 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid from 2-furoic acid with a yield of 57 % was achieved for the first time using a Pd-catalyzed bromination-hydroxycarbonylation tandem reaction in HOAc-NaOAc buffer. This synthetic protocol shows major improvements compared to previously reported methods, such as using biomass-based 2-furoic acid as low-cost raw material, one-pot synthesis without isolation of intermediate products, and no need for an acidification procedure. Experiments indicate that the involved Xantphos-modified Pd-catalyst and the buffer solution play significant promoting roles for each individual reaction whereas Br₂ (as the brominating reagent) had a negative effect on the second hydroxycarbonylation step, while CO was deleterious for the first bromination step. Hence, in this practical one-pot synthesis, Br₂ should be consumed in the first bromination step as fully as possible, and CO is introduced after the first bromination step has been completed.     

Samarium Triflate as Mild and Efficient Catalyst for Aza-Diels–Alder Reaction: A Facile Synthesis of cis-Fused Pyrano- and Furanoquinolines

Three-component coupling reactions of aldehydes, amines, and cyclic enol ethers have been carried out in the presence of samarium triflate to afford the corresponding pyrano and furanoquinolines in excellent yields with high endo-selectivity. The reaction conditions are mild and amenable to scale-up.     

Aqueous ethanol: a suitable medium for the diastereoselective Diels–Alder reaction mediated by chiral bases

Abstract

The effect of aqueous ethanol medium on the outcome of a Diels–Alder (DA) reaction with regard to yields, reaction time, and the stereoselectivity observed has been studied. When the reaction between anthrone and (R)-(+)-N-α-methylbenzylmaleimide was carried out in aqueous ethanol in presence of achiral base no diastereoselectivity could be obtained. Moderate diastereoselectivity could be achieved in presence of chiral bases. Use of biodegradable aqueous ethanol solvent for the reaction and stereoselective nature of the reactions studied provide a greener approach.     

Asymmetric Inverse-Electron-Demand Hetero-Diels–Alder Reaction for the Construction of Bicyclic Skeletons with Multiple Stereocenters by Using a Bifunctional Organocatalytic Strategy: An Efficient Approach to Chiral Macrolides

We have performed the first bifunctional organocatalytic highly enantioselective inverse-electron-demand hetero-Diels–Alder reaction of cyclic ketones with enones to afford densely functionalized bicyclic skeletons that contain three stereocenters (up 82 % yield, 10:1 d.r., and 97 % ee). Unlike the previous IEDDAR catalytic strategy, this method features a double HOMO_dienophile/ LUMO_diene-activated pathway. Moreover, this process provides a promising method for the construction of enantioenriched macrolides.     

A Porous Sulfonated 2D Zirconium Metal–Organic Framework as a Robust Platform for Proton Conduction

By using the strategy of pre-assembly chlorosulfonation applied to a linker precursor, the first sulfonated zirconium metal–organic framework ( JUK-14 ) with two-dimensional (2D) structure, was synthesized. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction reveals that the material is built of Zr₆O₄(OH)₄(COO)₈ oxoclusters, doubly 4-connected by angular dicarboxylates, and stacked in layers spaced 1.5 nm apart by the presence of sulfonic groups. JUK-14 exhibits excellent hydrothermal stability, permanent porosity confirmed by gas adsorption studies, and shows high (>10⁻⁴ S/cm) and low (<10⁻⁸ S/cm) proton conductivity under humidified and anhydrous conditions, respectively. Post-synthesis inclusion of imidazole improves the overall conductivity increasing it to 1.7×10⁻³ S/cm at 60 °C and 90 % relative humidity, and by 3 orders of magnitude at 160 °C. The combination of 2D porous nature with robustness of zirconium MOFs offers new opportunities for exploration of the material towards energy and environmental applications.     

Application of D‐chiro‐Inositol as a Chiral Template for the Diels?Alder Reaction

The Diels? Alder reaction can reliably provide the expected endo‐product in the presence of secondary orbital overlap. It can be considerably more difficult to access a single enantiomer of the exo‐product. In this paper, a D ‐chiro‐inositol derivative is used as a chiral tether to facilitate the regio‐, diastereo‐, and enatioselective cycloaddition between cinnamic acid and hexa‐3,5‐dienoic acid. The Diels? Alder reaction between these two substrates, or their respective esters, does not occur under thermal conditions. Because of the ease of removal of the chiral tether from the resulting cyclohexene, this approach could provide a viable technique to access otherwise unavailable systems.     

A Hexavalent Basket for Bottom-Up Construction of Functional Soft Materials and Polyvalent Drugs through a “Click” Reaction

Inspired by polyvalency and its prevalence in nature, we developed an efficient synthetic route for accessing a large variety of multivalent and dual-cavity baskets from inexpensive and abundant starting materials. First, the cycloaddition of vinyl acetate to anthracene was optimized to, upon hydrolysis, give dibenzobarrelene derivative 6 , which after five functional group transformations and then cyclotrimerization gave heptiptycene dodecaester 4 in an overall 17 % yield. Following that, compound 4 was converted into D_3h symmetric 1 , composed of two fused cavitands each holding three terminal alkynes at the rim for conjugation to functional molecules using the highly efficient CuAAC reaction. To survey the reactivity of hexavalent 1 , we “clicked” 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-d -glucopyranosyl azide 3,4,6-triacetate (carbohydrate), methoxypolyethylene glycol azide (PEG, M_n=2000; polymer) and benzyl azide (aromatic) to obtain hexavalent conjugates 12 – 14 in 50–79 % yields. In summary, dual-cavity 1 is an accessible, structurally-unique and hexavalent host that can be “clicked” to a variety of functional molecules for (a) combinatorial lead identification of drugs, (b) preparation of hierarchical soft materials and (c) design of selective chemosensors, scavengers, or supramolecular catalysts.     

RhB-Embedded Zirconium–Naphthalene-Based Metal–Organic Framework Composite as a Luminescent Self-Calibrating Platform for the Selective Detection of Inorganic Ions

A series of dye@MOF composites were synthesized through in situ encapsulation of luminous rhodamine B (RhB) molecules into a blue-emissive zirconium–naphthalene-based metal–organic framework (Zr-MOF). The fabricated RhB@Zr-MOF composites exhibit tunable dual-emissive characteristics due to the process of resonant energy transfer from Zr-MOF to RhB. Notably, one of the RhB@Zr-MOF composites (R@D3) exhibited a weak emission at 420 nm and a strong emission at 607 nm, for which the two emissions possess large distinctions in location and intensity and can be referenced with each other in sensing analytes. By using relative fluorescence intensity instead of their absolute fluorescence intensity as the detection signals, R@D3 served as a built-in self-calibrated platform to selectively detect Fe³⁺ and Cr₂O₇²⁻ ions in water. Compared with the pristine Zr-MOF, the R@D3 composite shows enhanced sensing selectivity to Fe³⁺ and higher sensibility to Cr₂O₇²⁻. This study displays the advantages of combining organic dyes with robust Zr-MOFs in tuning fluorescence and sensing performance.     

Mild and Simple Access to Diverse 4-Amino-substituted 2-Phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolines and 2-Phenylquinolines Based on a Multicomponent Imino Diels–Alder Reaction

A straightforward synthesis of new 1-(2-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolin-4-yl) pyrrolidin-2-ones/azepan-2-one from N-vinyl caprolactam/N-vinylpyrrolidin-2-one and N-benzylideneaniline via the imino Diels–Alder reaction has been reported for the first time. Antimony(III) chloride has been shown to effectively catalyze imino-Diels–Alder reaction to afford both 2-phenylquinoline and 2-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolin derivatives in excellent yields at ambient temperature. The cis diastereoselectivity to give cis 2-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolines is also highlighted in this reaction.