Inductive Charge Dispersal in Quinuclidinium Ions. Polar Effects,Part 13

Inductive charge dispersal to the α- β- and γ-positions of the solvated quinuclidinium ion has been examined by comparing the pK_a and the derived inductivities ρ_I of several 2- 3- and 4-substituted quinuclidinium perchlorates 4, 5 , and 6 , respectively. The same inductivity is observed at the practically equidistant β- and γ-positions. It, therefore, appears that polar substituent effects are transmitted directly through the molecule. As expected, inductivity is considerably higher at the α-positions where through-bond and direct induction coincide. The fact that the pK_a of all three series of salts correlate linearly with each other points to the common nature of these inductive electron displacements.     

Chiral salen ligands designed to form polymetallic complexes

Chiral salen ligands capable of forming polymetallic complexes have been designed. The ligands possess substituents in the 4,4′-positions, but have no substituent in the 3,3′-positions to allow a second metal ion access to the salen oxygen atoms. Ligands in which a polyether chain links the 4,4′-positions were prepared and complexed to copper. In addition, acyclic ligands with potential metal coordinating substituents in the 4,4′-positions were prepared and complexed to copper and cobalt. The crystal structure of one of the cobalt complexes shows it to be a trimetallic complex in which a Co(II)(OAc)₂ group coordinates to the salen oxygen atoms of two Co(III)(salen)(OAc) units. In contrast, the crystal structure of a Co(salen) complex with tert-butyl groups attached to the 3,3′-positions is found to be mononuclear. All of the complexes were tested as asymmetric phase transfer catalysts for the asymmetric alkylation of an alanine methyl ester, forming (R)-α-methyl phenylalanine methyl ester with up to 85% ee.     

Specificity of an Aspergillus Niger Esterase Deacetylating Cellulose Acetate

A purified acetyl esterase (AE), isolated from a commercial enzyme preparation, released acetic acid from water-soluble and water-insoluble cellulose acetates (CAs), native and chemically acetylated xylan as well as acetylated starch. The AE specifically cleaved off the acetyl substituents from the C₂- and C₃-positions from CAs of DS <1.8 and left the acetyl substituents at the C₆-positions intact without degrading the polysaccharide. The activity of endoglucanase was enhanced by the presence of acetyl esterase, while the acetyl esterase derived no advantage from the presence of the endoglucanase; it was able to function independently.     

Diiodinated Mono- and Dipyridylvinyl BODIPY Dyes: Photophysicochemical Properties,in vitro Antibacterial Studies,Molecular Docking and Theoretical Calculations

In this study, novel mono- and dipyridylvinyl boron dipyrromethene dyes are prepared to compare their photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy (PACT) activities against Staphylococcus aureus to the corresponding core dyes. Pyridylvinyl substitution at the 3- or 3,5-positions of a meso-4-bromophenylBODIPY core dye via a Knoevenagel reaction with an aromatic 2-bromopyridinecarboxaldehyde shifts the major BODIPY spectral band to longer wavelength. The extended π-conjugation red shifts the main spectral band into the 602–618 nm region in CHCl₃, THF, ethanol and DMSO after monopyridylvinyl substitution and to 685–704 nm after dipyridylvinyl substitution. An enhancement of the population of the T₁ state through the incorporation of iodine atoms at the 2,6-positions results in moderately high singlet oxygen quantum yields in DMSO. The π-extended dyes were found to have significantly lower PACT activities than the diiodinated core dye.     

Preparatively useful transformations of steroids and morphine alkaloids by Mucor piriformis

A versatile fungus isolated in our laboratory and identified asMucor piriformis has been shown to effect novel and preparatively useful transformations in steroids and morphine alkaloids. The organism very effectively carries out hydroxylation of various C₁₉ and C₂₁ steroids at 7 and 14-positions. Although the organism is capable of catalysing hydroxylation at 6β and 1lα-positions, these are not the major activities. The 14α-hydroxylase appears to have a broad substrate specificity. However, steroids with a bulky substitution at C-17 α-position or without the 4-en-3-one group are not accepted as substrates by the 14α-hydroxylase system. Studies have demonstrated how various C₁₉ and C₂₁ steroids can be modified to yield new structures which are either difficult to prepare by traditional methods or hitherto unknown. The organism also very efficiently and selectively carries out the N-dealkylation of thebaine and its N-variants. Interestingly, the nor-compound formed does not get further metabolized. Since thebaine is very often used as a starting material to synthesize various morphine agonists as well as antagonists, and one of the steps involved in their preparation is the N-dealkylation reaction, the microbial process could certainly offer an alternative approach.     

An Enantiopure Propeller-Like Trityl-Brominated Radical: Bringing Together a High Racemization Barrier and an Efficient Circularly Polarized Luminescent Magnetic Emitter

A new persistent organic free radical has been synthetized with Br atoms occupying the ortho- and para-positions of a trityl core. After the isolation of its two propeller-like atropisomers, Plus (P) and minus (M), their absolute configurations were assigned by a combination of theoretical and experimental data. Remarkably, no hints of racemization were observed up to 60 °C for more than two hours, due to the higher steric hindrance imposed by the bulky Br atoms. Therefore, when compared to its chlorinated homologue (t_1/2=18 s at 60 °C), an outstanding stability against racemization was achieved. A circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) response of both enantiomers was detected. This free radical shows a satisfactory luminescent dissymmetry factor (|g_lum(592 nm)|≈0.7×10⁻³) despite its pure organic nature and low luminescence quantum yield (LQY). Improved organic magnetic CPL emitters derived from the reported structure can be envisaged thanks to the wide possibilities that Br atoms at para-positions offer for further functionalization.     

Synthesis of some heterocyclic systems from nucleophilic substitution reactions with η6-o-dichlorobenzene-η5-cyclopentadienyliron hexafluorophosphate

A method for the synthesis of heterocylic systems related to 9,10-dihydroanthracene with two hetero-atoms at the 9,10-positions is described. It involves the nucleophilic substitution reaction of η⁶-o-dichlorobenzene-η⁵-cyclopentadienyliron hexafluorophosphate with two nucleophilic groups (OH, SH and/or NH₂) located in the 1,2-positions of a benzene ring to give a cyclopentadienyliron complexed heterocycle. Upon pyrolytic sublimation of the complex, the free heterocyclic compound is then obtained.     

Taming the beast: fluoromesityl groups induce a dramatic stability enhancement in boroles

The electron-deficient pentaarylborole 1-(2′,4′,6′-tris(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-2,3,4,5-tetraphenylborole (1) has been synthesised with the long-term aim of developing borole-based optoelectronic materials. The bulky 2,4,6-tris(trifluoromethyl)phenyl (FMes) group on the boron atom of 1 significantly improves (>600 times) its air stability relative to its mesityl analogue. Moreover, 1 shows good thermal stability without undergoing the dimerisation or isomerisation reactions reported for some other boroles. A triarylborole analogue (2), belonging to a new class of borole with the 3- and 4-positions of the BC₄ ring linked by a –(CH₂)₃– group, has also been synthesised to elucidate the influence of carbon-bonded substituents on the stability of boroles. Both boroles were prepared through the reaction of Li[FMesBF₃] and divinyldilithium reagents, a new and general method for borole syntheses. Compound 2 was found to isomerise through a [1,3]-H shift and double-bond rearrangement to an s-trans-butadienylborane species under highly basic (NaOH) conditions. The increased steric crowding at the boron centre through incorporation of the FMes group does not preclude binding of Lewis bases to either 1 or 2, as demonstrated by their fully reversible binding of pyridine. Interestingly, 1 exhibits a blue-shifted absorption spectrum, as compared with its mesityl analogue, a result contrary to previous understanding of the influence of substituent electronics on the absorption spectra of boroles. Most importantly, these boroles exhibit much greater air-stability than previously reported analogues without sacrificing the strong electron-accepting ability that makes boroles so attractive; indeed, 1 and 2 have very low reduction potentials of –1.52 and –1.69 eV vs. Fc/Fc⁺, respectively.     

Effect of bulky substitution on catalytic activity of a manganese salen complex used in biomimetic alkene epoxidation and alkane hydroxylation with sodium periodate

The catalytic activity of Mn(salen)Cl containing tert-pentyl groups at the 3,5-positions of the salen ligand in the epoxidation of alkenes and hydroxylation of alkanes was studied at room temperature, using sodium periodate as an oxygen source. The effects of various axial ligands were investigated in the epoxidation of cyclooctene. Imidazole, as a strong π-donor ligand, was the best axial ligand. The effect of different solvents was studied in the epoxidation of cyclooctene in CH₃CN/H₂O solvent mixture. The epoxidation reactions of cyclooctene by different oxygen donors including NaIO₄, Bu₄NIO₄, KHSO₅, H₂O₂, H₂O₂/urea, NaOCl and tert-BuOOH were also studied and NaIO₄ was selected as oxygen source. The presence of bulky substituents in the 3,5-positions of the salen ligand was found to increase the catalytic activity of this complex.     

Synthesis,characterization and interaction of mixed polypyridyl ruthenium(II) complexes with calf thymus DNA

New mixed polypyridyl {HPIP = 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, dmp = 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline, dmb = 4,4-dimethyl-2,2-bipyridine} ruthenium(II) complexes [Ru(phen)₂(HPIP)]²⁺, [Ru(dmp)₂(HPIP)]²⁺ and [Ru(dmb)₂(HPIP)]²⁺ were synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses ¹H-n.m.r., u.v.–vis. spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. Their DNA-binding properties were demonstrated by absorption, luminescence titrations, steady-state emission quenching and viscosity measurements. The results suggested that all the examined complexes bind with CT-DNA intercalatively. Methyl groups substituted at the 4,4-positions of bpy has no obvious effect on its DNA binding, whereas substituents at the 2- and 9-positions of phen have an impressive effect on its DNA-binding, as revealed by the decreased binding affinity.     

Palladium-catalyzed direct arylation of thiazoles with aryl bromides

Thiazole, 2-phenyl or -alkyl substituted one and benzothiazole are efficiently arylated with aryl bromides at the 2- and/or 5-position(s) in the presence of Pd(OAc)₂ and a bulky phosphine ligand using Cs₂CO₃ as base. 2-Phenyl-5-thiazolecarboxanilide undergoes successive diarylation at the 4- and 5-positions accompanied by decarbamoylation.     

A multi-receptor fluorescence signaling system exhibiting enhancement selectively in presence of Na(I) and Tl(I) ions

A PET fluorescence signaling system L₁ has been synthesized in the ‘Receptor1-Spacer-Fluorophore-Spacer-Receptor2’ format through attachment of a laterally non-symmetric heteroditopic cryptand and a 4,7,10,13-tetraoxa-1-azacyclopentadecane macrocycle at the 9- and 10-positions of anthracene. The cryptand receptor is derivatized with two 2,4-dinitrobenzene groups to impart structural rigidity. This system exhibits selective fluorescence enhancement in presence of Na(I) and Tl(I) ions simultaneously and mimics the AND logic function. The cryptand receptor also binds a Cu(II) ion outside the cavity and allows L₁ to perform as an INHIBIT chemical logic in presence of H⁺ and Cu(II) ions.     

Spectroscopic properties of meso-thienylporphyrins with different porphyrin cores

The absorption and fluorescence properties of a series of meso-thienylporphyrins with different porphyrin cores (N₄, N₃O, N₃S and N₂S₂ cores) were studied and compared with the corresponding meso-tetraarylporphyrins. The replacement of six-membered phenyl groups with five-membered thienyl groups at meso-positions resulted in red shifts and broadening of absorption and emission bands, low quantum yields and decreased S₁ state lifetimes and the maximum effects were observed for meso-tetrathienylporphyrin with N₂S₂ porphyrin core. Similar observations were noted for the dications of meso-thienylporphyrins compared to the dications of the corresponding meso-tetraarylporphyrins. These results suggest that the replacement of six-membered aryl group with five-membered thienyl groups at meso-positions, the electronic properties of the porphyrin were altered significantly.     

Synthesis of 8,12-Dibromocorrole and Its Transformation to Antiaromatic 8,10-Fused Iminoisocorrole with a Polarized Resonance Contribution

8,12-Dibromo-5,15-bis(pentafluorophenyl)corrole and its Ag(III) complex were prepared via intramolecular oxidative coupling of a 8,12-dibromobilane precursor. The Ag(III) complex was allowed for further transformation via Suzuki coupling reaction. Thus, 2-aminophenyl group was coupled at one of the β-positions, and subsequent demetalation followed by oxidation with MnO₂ afforded 8,10-fused iminoisocorrole in good yields. The iminoisocorrole exhibited weak antiaromaticity due to the C(+)−N(−) polarized resonance contribution as evidenced by ¹H NMR spectrum, UV/vis absorption spectra, cyclic voltammetry, and theoretical calculations.     

Nitrations of acylamino- and nitrodibenzo-p-dioxins

Nitrations of 1- or 2-acylamino (and nitro) dibenzo-p-dioxins were employed to achieve regioselective further functionalization of these compounds. The choice of nitrating conditions and/or acyl substituent (CH₃CO vs. CF₃CO) often dictated into which ring the first nitro goroup was directed. In almost all cases, nitrations at the 2,3,7,8-positions were highly favored over nitrations at the 1,4,6,9-positions; with ammonium nitrate/trifluoroacetic anhydride in tetrahydrofuran, however, nitration of 1-(trifluoroacetylamino)dibenzo-p-dioxin proceeded predominantly at the 4-position.     

Effect of methoxy groups in a 1,3-diazaphenalenyl π-system: Electronic-spin structure of 4,9-dimethoxy-1,3-diazaphenalenyl

Recently our synthesis and isolation of tert-butylated 1,3-diazaphenalenyl radical has demonstrated heteroatomic effects of nitrogen atoms introduced into parent phenalenyl π-system on its stability, π-electronic and crystal structure. For further development of electronically-modified new azaphenalenyl systems, we have designed 4,9-dimethoxy-substituted 1,3-diazaphenalenyl radical as the first example of azaphenalenyl system having alkoxy substituents. Generation of the radical was accomplished by treatment of the corresponding 1,3-diazaphenalene derivative with an excess amount of p-chloranil or PbO₂ in degassed toluene solution. The stability of the radical in the solution and solid state was found to be lower than that of the parent tert-butylated 1,3-diazaphenalenyl. The electronic-spin structure of the 4,9-dimethoxy-substituted 1,3-diazaphenalenyl radical has been determined by ESR/ENDOR/TRIPLE spectroscopies and density functional theory calculations. By comparing the spin densities of the radical with those of the parent 1,3-diazaphenalenyl radical, it has turned out that the spin densities of 6- and 7-positions decrease and conversely the spin densities at 1- and 3-positions (on nitrogen atoms) increase.     

Correlation between Absorption and Substitution of Photochromic 1,2-Bis(thienyl)ethenes (BTEs) Using Modified Spectroscopic Hammett Equations

Series of photochromic 1,2-bis(thienyl)ethenes possessing perfluorocyclopentene backbones, either hydrogen or methyl groups at the β-positions of the thiophenes, and a variety of substituents in their α'-positions were prepared, which cover the range from electron-donating to electron-withdrawing (Me, −CH₂OH, −OTBS, −TMS, −Br, 1,3-dioxan-2-yl, pyridin-4-yl, −CH₂OH, −COOH). As a linear free energy relationship the spectroscopic Hammett equation gives fair to excellent fits to the excitation energy of the absorption maxima of the ring-opened as well as the ring-closed forms of the BTEs, when Hammett substituent constants σ_p were replaced by Brown's modified substituent constants σ_p⁺ and σ_p⁻. Vice versa, hitherto unknown Hammett-Brown substituent constants can be estimated from the UV spectra. Furthermore, we compared the experimentally measured absorption maxima with values which we calculated by three different methods (DFT STEOM-DLPNO-CCSD/def2-TZVPP, TD-DFT ωB97X-D3/6-31G*, TD-DFT ωB97X-D3/6-311++G**).     

An efficient synthesis of a rationally designed 1,5 disubstituted imidazole AT<Subscript>1</Subscript> Angiotensin II receptor antagonist: reorientation of imidazole pharmacophore groups in losartan reserves high receptor affinity and confirms docking studies

A new 1,5 disubstituted imidazole AT₁ Angiotensin II (AII) receptor antagonist related to losartan with reversion of butyl and hydroxymethyl groups at the 2-, 5-positions of the imidazole ring was synthesized and evaluated for its antagonist activity (V8). In vitro results indicated that the reorientation of butyl and hydroxymethyl groups on the imidazole template of losartan retained high binding affinity to the AT₁ receptor concluding that the spacing of the substituents at the 2,5- positions is of primary importance. The docking studies are confirmed by binding assay results which clearly show a comparable binding score of the designed compound V8 with that of the prototype losartan. An efficient, regioselective and cost effective synthesis renders the new compound as an attractive candidate for advanced toxicological evaluation and a drug against hypertension.     

Synthesis of chloropolyfluoroarenes from polyfluoroarenethiols and PCl<Subscript>5</Subscript>

Replacement of the thiol group in polyfluoroarenethiols with chlorine was performed by treating with PCl₅ as chlorinating agent. By heating in ampules at 200–220°C polyfluoro- and polyfluorochloroarenethiols with PCl₅ mono- and dichloropolyfluoroarenes and also 1,2,4-trifluorotrichlorobenzene were synthesized. Dichloropolyfluoroarenes contain chlorine atoms in ortho- and para-positions.     

Facile synthesis of 1-bromo-7-alkoxyl perylene diimide dyes: toward unsymmetrical functionalizations at the 1,7-positions

In this Letter, we report a facile approach to synthesize unsymmetrical 1-bromo-7-alkoxyl perylene diimides by the nucleophilic substitution of one of the two 1,7-dibromo units with an alkyl alcohol using K₂CO₃ as the base. A further replacement of another bromo, for example, by using 4-hydroxylpyridine resulted in unsymmetrical functionalizations at the 1,7-positions. The optical properties of the unsymmetrical PDI derivative were reported and compared with those of the symmetrical derivative.