Polyvinylpolypyrrolidone-supported boron trifluoride: a high-loaded,polymer-supported Lewis acid for the Ritter reaction

Abstract  A Mild and efficient method for preparing amides by reaction of nitriles with benzhydrol and tertiary alcohols is described using polyvinylpolypyrrolidone-supported boron trifluoride. Selective amidation of benzhydrol in the presence of primary benzyl alcohols was also achieved. Graphical abstract        

Hydrogenation of Diaryl and Arylalkyl Ketones by Sodium Borohydride and Aluminum Chloride

Diaryl and arylalkyl ketones such as acetophe-none, p-methylacetophenone, propiophenone, and benzophe-none as well as diaryl and arylalkyl secondary alcohols such as 1-phenylethanol and benzhydrol were effectively hydrogenated to hydrocarbons (methylene) by NaBH₄, in combination with A1C1₃.     

Chemoselective trimethylsilylation of alcohols catalyzed by saccharin sulfonic acid

Abstract  

Saccharin sulfonic acid was easily prepared by the reaction of saccharin with neat chlorosulfonic acid at room temperature. This reagent is efficiently able to catalyze the chemoselective trimethylsilylation of alcohols with hexamethyldisilazane in the presence of amines and thiols.     

Synthesis of β-amino alcohols catalyzed by poly(vinyl chloride)-supported Schiff base metal complexes

Abstract  

Eight transition metal complexes of various Schiff bases supported on poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) were prepared and characterized. These metal complexes were screened as heterogeneous catalysts in the synthesis of β-amino alcohols by ring opening of epoxides with amines. The best catalyst was identified as a Ni(II) complex of PVC-supported 2-[(2-aminoethylimino)methyl]phenol and it was used in the synthesis of a number of different β-amino alcohols. The catalyst was found to be reusable for up to five cycles.     

Catalytic hypervalent iodine oxidation of alcohols to corresponding aldehydes or ketones using 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyl-1-oxy and potassium peroxodisulfate

Abstract  

An efficient, facile, and mild oxidation of alcohols to the corresponding aldehydes or ketones with potassium peroxodisulfate and 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyl-1-oxy in the presence of a catalytic amount of iodobenzene is reported. The oxidation proceeded in a mixed solvent to afford carbonyl compounds in moderate to excellent yields. A possible mechanism for the oxidation is proposed.     

Microwave-assisted rapid and efficient deprotection and direct esterification and silylation of MOM and EOM ethers catalyzed by [Hmim][HSO4] as a Br?nsted acidic ionic liquid

Abstract  

1-Methylimidazolium hydrogensulfate, [Hmim][HSO₄], a Br?nsted acidic room temperature ionic liquid, is used as a catalyst and reaction medium for facile and eco-friendly deprotection of methoxymethyl (MOM) and ethoxymethyl (EOM) ethers to their corresponding alcohols under thermal conditions (Δ) and microwave irradiation (MW). Furthermore, one-pot interconversion to the respective acetates and trimethylsilyl (TMS) ethers was also achieved.     

Mechanism of acetaldehyde-induced deactivation of microbial lipases

Background  

Microbial lipases represent the most important class of biocatalysts used for a wealth of applications in organic synthesis. An often applied reaction is the lipase-catalyzed transesterification of vinyl esters and alcohols resulting in the formation of acetaldehyde which is known to deactivate microbial lipases, presumably by structural changes caused by initial Schiff-base formation at solvent accessible lysine residues. Previous studies showed that several lipases were sensitive toward acetaldehyde deactivation whereas others were insensitive; however, a general explanation of the acetaldehyde-induced inactivation mechanism is missing.     

Novel and chemoselective one-pot synthesis of 4-arylidene-2-phenyl-5(4H)-oxazolones starting from benzyl alcohols promoted by [(C14H24N4)2W10O32]-[bmim]NO3

Abstract  

A new and practical promoter system for one-pot, efficient, chemoselective synthesis of 4-arylidene-2-phenyl-5(4H)-oxazolones using [(C₁₄H₂₄N₄)₂W₁₀O₃₂]-[bmim]NO₃ under solvent-free conditions is described. The present work opens up a new and ecofriendly synthetic route to Erlenmeyer–Pl?chl adducts from primary benzyl alcohols in a one-pot operation.     

Immobilized metalloporphyrins on 3-aminopropyl-functionalized silica support as heterogeneous catalysts for selective oxidation of primary and secondary alcohols

Abstract  

Iron(III), manganese(III), and cobalt(II) complexes of meso-tetrakis(p-chlorophenyl)porphyrin (Fe(TClPP)X, Mn(TClPP)X, and Co(TClPP)X, X = Cl or OAc) were immobilized onto 3-aminopropyl-functionalized silica (SF-3-APTS). SF-3-APTS acts as both axial base and support for immobilization of these metalloporphyrins. The obtained heterogeneous catalysts were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), UV–Vis, and inductively coupled plasma (ICP) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) techniques. Their catalytic activity as biomimetic catalysts was investigated for the selective oxidation of primary and secondary benzylic alcohols to the corresponding carbonyl compounds with t-butylhydroperoxide as oxidant. SF-3-APTS–Fe(TClPP)Cl demonstrated higher catalytic activity than SF-3-APTS–Mn(TClPP)Cl and SF-3-APTS–Co(TClPP)OAc. The presence of electron-withdrawing substituents on benzylic alcohols enhances the rate of catalytic oxidation. SF-3-APTS–Fe(TClPP)Cl could be reused at least four times without significant loss of its catalytic activity.     

Synthesis of unsymmetrical alkyl acetals via addition of primary alcohols to allyl ethers mediated by ruthenium complexes

Abstract  

Ru-catalyzed synthesis of mixed alkyl–alkyl acetals via addition of primary alcohols to allyl ethers has been extended to include long-chain and/or functionalized substrates. The catalytic systems for these reactions were generated from RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃ and [RuCl₂(1,5-COD)]_x and phosphines [PPh₃ or P(p-chlorophenyl)₃] or SbPh₃. Of particular importance is the almost quantitative elimination of transacetalization. The addition proceeds through allyl complexes, not via isomerization of allyl ethers––subsequent addition of ROH to vinyl ethers.     

Ferric perchlorate as an efficient and useful catalyst for the selective benzylation and methylation of alcohols with benzyl chloride and methyl iodide

Abstract  A mild and efficient method was developed for selective benzylation and methylation of hydroxyl compounds in the presence of a catalytic amount of ferric perchlorate. We showed that ferric perchlorate was very effective in selectively promoting the benzylation and methylation of primary aliphatic and benzylic alcohols versus secondary aliphatic alcohols and phenolic hydroxy groups. Graphical abstract        

Hydrogenation of benzophenone by carbon-supported Pd catalysts

Catalytic activity of palladium catalysts with two different types of carbon support, Norit (an activated carbon), and bamboo-shaped carbon nanotubes (BCNT) have been tested for benzophenone hydrogenation. The selectivity toward the two possible reaction products (benzhydrol and diphenylmethane) can be directed by the catalyst support. It has been found that the Norit support preferred the over-hydrogenation of benzhydrol to diphenylmethane. The BCNT support proved to be much more selective and resulted as much as 99.3% benzhydrol selectivity at 96.3% benzophenone conversion. The high benzhydrol selectivity might be explained by the presence of covalently bonded nitrogen atoms in the catalyst (BCNT: 6.19 w/w%, Norit 0.54 w/w%) that can inhibit the over-hydrogenation process, thereby BCNTs are better catalyst supports for benzhydrol production than the commonly used activated carbon–supported catalysts.     

Allylic lithiation of methylenecyclobutanes

Methylenecyclobutanes undergo a lithiation reaction in the presence of n-BuLi or n-BuLi/KO^tBu from −78 °C to room temperature or to 40 °C in THF within 3 h and then quenching with a variety of electrophiles to give the corresponding addition products (alcohols) in moderate to good yields within 2 h. The alcohols can be easily oxidized to the ketones, which can be transformed to the substituted cyclopentenes in the presence of AlCl₃ within short reaction time.     

Direct alkylation of aromatics using alcohols in the presence of NaHSO4/SiO2

Simple and efficient procedure for alkylation of aromatics from alcohols in the presence of NaHSO₄/SiO₂ was developed. Various triaryl methanes were obtained in good yields in short reaction time. For instance the reaction of mesitylene with benzhydrol in the presence of NaHSO₄/SiO₂ gave the corresponding triaryl methane in a quantitative yield. NaHSO₄/SiO₂ was regenerated by simple treatment and could be recycled eight times without activity loss.     

Copper nitrate/acetic acid as an efficient synergistic catalytic system for the chemoselective tetrahydropyranylation of alcohols and phenols

Abstract  Tetrahydropyranylation of alcohols and phenols was accomplished successfully using copper nitrate and acetic acid as a synergistic catalyst at room temperature under solvent-free condition. Compared with other synergistic catalytic systems, copper nitrate/acetic acid proved to be the most efficient. Both alcohols (primary, secondary, tertiary, benzylic, cyclic, allyl, cinnamyl, and furyl) and phenols reacted smoothly in high yields. Graphical abstract        

A new rearrangement of spiro[indane-1,3′-thiophene] and spiro[naphthalene-1,3′-thiophene] derivatives accompanied by opening of the cycloalkane ring

Abstract  

The new thioamides 2-oxoindane-1-carbothioamides and 2-oxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene-1-carbothioamides underwent conjugated addition to (E)-β-nitrostyrenes followed by cyclization to give products containing 5-hydroxyimino-2-aryliminothiophene rings spiro-annulated to the 2-indanone or 2-tetralone system. On treatment with hydrochloric acid in boiling methanol the compounds underwent a new rearrangement, involving transformation of the 2-aryliminothiophene ring to a pyrrole and an opening of the alicyclic ring in the proximity of the carbonyl group, affording 2-(1,3-diaryl-2-oxo-5-thioxopyrrol-4-yl)benzeneacetic or 2-(1,3-diaryl-2-oxo-5-thioxopyrrol-4-yl)benzenepropanoic acid methyl esters. The structures of two selected pyrrole derivatives were determined by X-ray crystal analyses. The thioamides derived from 2-indanone showed unexpected reactivity towards primary alcohols and underwent conversion to 2-hydroxy-1H-indene-3-thiocarboxylic acid O-esters.     

The Mg-oppenauer oxidation as a mild method for the synthesis of aryl and metallocenyl ketones

Magnesium alkoxides undergo a hydride-transfer oxidation with benzaldehyde as the oxidant. This magnesium variant of the Oppenauer oxidation was used for the synthesis of polyfunctional biaryl ketones. LiCl was found to promote this reaction by enhancing the solubility of magnesium alkoxides. This mild oxidation method was especially useful for preparing ketones bearing a metallocenyl unit as well as various new ferrocenyl ketones and tricarbonylchromium complexes. This last class of ketones was reduced with the CBS catalyst (CBS=Corey-Bakshi-Shibata, diphenyl oxazaborolidine) to chiral benzhydrol complexes with high enantioselectivity enabling an asymmetric synthesis of electron-rich or -poor benzhydryl alcohols (up to 94 % ee).     

The evolution of farnesoid X,vitamin D,and pregnane X receptors: insights from the green-spotted pufferfish (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Tetraodon nigriviridis</Emphasis>) and other non-mammalian species

Background  

The farnesoid X receptor (FXR), pregnane X receptor (PXR), and vitamin D receptor (VDR) are three closely related nuclear hormone receptors in the NR1H and 1I subfamilies that share the property of being activated by bile salts. Bile salts vary significantly in structure across vertebrate species, suggesting that receptors binding these molecules may show adaptive evolutionary changes in response. We have previously shown that FXRs from the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) and zebrafish (Danio rerio) are activated by planar bile alcohols found in these two species. In this report, we characterize FXR, PXR, and VDR from the green-spotted pufferfish (Tetraodon nigriviridis), an actinopterygian fish that unlike the zebrafish has a bile salt profile similar to humans. We utilize homology modelling, docking, and pharmacophore studies to understand the structural features of the Tetraodon receptors.