Oxidative cyclization of 3-oxopropanenitriles with α,β-unsaturated amides by manganese(III) acetate. Regio- and stereoselective synthesis of 4-cyano-2,3-dihydrofuran-3-carboxamides

4-Cyano-2,3-dihydrofuran-3-carboxamides were obtained from the oxidative cyclization of 3-oxopropanenitriles with unsaturated amides using manganese(III) acetate. Treatment of 3-oxopropanenitriles with (2E)-3-(5-methyl-2-furyl)acrylamide and (2E)-3-(2-thienyl)acrylamide gave 2-(5-methyl-2-furyl) and 2-(2-thienyl) substituted 4-cyano-2,3-dihydrofuran-3-carboxamides in moderate yields, respectively. However, (2E)-3-(2-furyl)acrylamide and (2E)-3-phenylacrylamide did not produce any product under the same conditions. On the other hand, reaction of a dienamide such as (2E,4E)-5-phenylpenta-2,4-dienamide with 3-oxopropanenitriles gave diastereomeric mixtures of 2-(2-vinylphenyl)-4-cyano-2,3-dihydrofuran-3-carboxamides. Mechanisms are proposed for the formation of all of these compounds.     

Highly regio- and stereoselective PdCl2(MeCN)2-catalyzed cross coupling of 1,2-allenylic sulfoxides with allyl bromide

2-Allyl-1(E),3(E)-dienyl sulfoxides were prepared highly stereoselectively via the PdCl₂(MeCN)₂-catalyzed coupling reaction of 1,2-allenylic sulfoxides and allyl bromide. A rationale was proposed for this transformation.     

Derivative-extremum analysis of current-potential curves showing electrochemical kinetics in the full reversibility range

Derivative-extremum analysis (DEA) of j-E curves is a newly proposed method of half wave potential (E_1/2) and activation feature extraction from steady-state voltammetry. Here, the DEA is demonstrated to be valid in the full range of reversibility using numerical simulations with a derived universal electrode equation, providing a novel perspective of electrochemical kinetics in the reversibility domain. The results reveal that E_1/2 is a better choice of the reference potential instead of equilibrium potential (E_eq) in electrode equations, especially since E_eq is meaningless in an irreversible case. The equations referenced with standard potential, E_1/2 and E_eq, are summarized in three tables, and their applications in parameter determinations are specified. Finally, reversibility is proved to be a relative measure between kinetic slowness and mass transport of electroactive species, and the reversibility classifications are proposed according to the DEA feature in the reversibility domain. This work, based on the DEA principle, refines the electrode equation forms and generalizes their applicability in the full range of reversibility.     

A highly diastereoselective Tandem radical reaction. Facile three-component routes to protected (E)-polysubstituted homoallylic alcohols

A facile synthesis of geometrically pure (E)-1,2,4-trisubstituted and (E)-1,2,4-tetrasubstituted homoallylic benzoates was developed. Various Lewis acids were subsequently evaluated in the diastereoselective radical substitution of (E)-β-nitrostyrene, and Titanium (IV) 2-ethylhexoxide emerged as the best Lewis acid in terms of yield and diastereoselectivity (up to 98% de). These reactions occurred with high regio-, diastereo- and stereoselectivity, and a possible mechanism to explain this transformation was proposed.     

Palladium(II) and palladium(0)-cocatalyzed ring opening and oxidation reactions of 2-(arylmethylene)cyclopropylcarbinols

In the presence of Pd(II) acetate and triethylamine as well as triphenylphosphine, 2-(arylmethylene)cyclopropylcarbinols 1 underwent ring opening and oxidation reactions smoothly to deliver (2E,4E)-5-arylpenta-2,4-dienals 2 in toluene at 60 °C in moderate to good yields under ambient atmosphere. Mechanisms involved with an in situ generated Pd(0) species from Pd(II) and Et₃N or PPh₃ catalyzed isomerization of 1 to provide (E,E)-5-arylpenta-2,4-dien-1-ols 3 and following a Pd(II) catalyzed aerobic oxidation of 3 have been proposed on the basis of control and deuterium labeling experiments.     

Preparation of (2E,4E)-2-(2-benzyloxyethyl)-5-(3-methoxy-4-chlorophenyl)penta-2,4-dienal as a key intermediate in the synthesis of strobilurin B

(2E,4E)-2-(2-Benzyloxyethyl)-5-(4-chloro-3-methoxyphenyl)penta-2,4-dienal was obtained by the condensation of 4-benzyloxybutanal N-tert-butylimine with 4-chloro-3-methoxycinnamic aldehyde with ≥98% configurational purity and 40% yield. When 4-benzyloxy-2-triethylsilylbutanal imine was used, a 7: 3 mixture of the target (2E,4E)-dienal with its (2Z,4E)-isomer was obtained in 60% yield; the latter quantitatively isomerized to the thermodynamically preferable target (2E,4E)-dienal.     

Oxidation of (E,E,Z)-1,5,9-cyclododecatriene catalysed by palladium(II) acetate in the presence of copper(II) acetate and air: A kinetic study

The oxidation of (E,E,Z)-1,5,9-cyclododecatriene catalysed by Pd(OAc)₂/Cu(OAc)₂ was studied in methyl alcohol solutions at 2.5 MPa air pressure and temperature range of 358 to 383 K. The selectivity of ketones and ethers at conversion of cyclododecatriene up to 32.7% ranged within 87.5–96.0%. The reaction network and kinetic equations proposed suggested a significant inhibition effect of the ketones and ethers and gave the best agreement with the experimental data.     

Synthesis and protein reactivity of 2E,4E,6E-dodecatrienal

An efficient approach for synthesis of the food odorant 2E,4E,6E-dodecatrienal (DTE) by extension of 2E,4E-decadienal (DDE) is reported. DTE shows higher protein crosslinking ability than the lipid peroxidation products DDE and 4-hydroxy-2E-nonenal.     

Pyrolysis of polypropylene: II. Kinetics of degradation

The kinetic law dα/dr=k(1-α)[1-(1-α)^2b]^1,2 proposed for the pyrolysis of polystyrene is shown to be valid for the pyrolysis of polypropylene taking into account only the percentage of isotactic polymer.As the experimental activation energy of 265 kJ mol^?1 is of the same order of magnitude the as the theoretical energy calculated by the equation E = 1 2 (E_ir-E_r)-E_r it can be concluded that the decomposition mechanism is governed by a depolymerization reaction as the principal products obtained are compounds with 3n carbon atoms.     

Excess Molar Volumes, Excess Molar Enthalpies and Excess Isentropic Compressibilities of 1-Methyl Pyrrolidin-2-one with Water and Propanols

Excess molar volumes V ^E, excess molar enthalpies H ^E, and speeds of sound u for 1-methyl pyrrolidin-2-one (1) + water or propan-1-ol or propan-2-ol (2) binary mixtures have been measured over the entire composition range (at 308.15 K) using a dilatometer, calorimeter and interferometer. Speeds of sound data, u, of (1 + 2) binary mixtures have been utilized to determine excess isentropic compressibilities, $ \kappa_{S}^{\text{E}} $ . The observed V ^E, H ^E and $ \kappa_{S}^{\text{E}} $ data have been analyzed in terms of (1) Graph theory (which involves the topology of the constituents of mixture), and (2) the Prigogine–Flory–Patterson theory. Analysis of V ^E data in terms of Graph theory suggests that 1-methyl pyrrolidin-2-one, water, propan-1-ol, and propan-2-ol exist as associated molecular entities. IR studies lend additional support to the proposed molecular entities in (1 + 2) mixtures. It has been observed that V ^E, H ^E and $ \kappa_{S}^{\text{E}} $ values predicted by Graph theory compare well with their corresponding experimental values.     

Stereospecific preparation of (1E,3E,5E)-3.4-difluoro-1,6-diphenylhexatriene and (2E,4E,6E)-diethyl-4,5-difluoroocta-2,4,6-trienedioate

Palladium(0) catalyzed coupling of β-bromostyrene (E/Z = 89/11) with (E)-(1,2-difluoro-1,2-ethenediyl)bis[tributylstannane], 1, in DMF at room temperature stereospecifically gave only (1E,3E,5E)-3,4-difluoro-1,6-diphenylhexatriene. Similarly, palladium(0) catalyzed coupling of (E)-ethyl 3-bromoacrylate as the vinyl halide precursor stereospecifically gave (2E,4E,6E)-diethyl-4,5-difluoroocta-2,4,6-trienedioate. This work demonstrates that a non-fluorine-containing vinyl bromide will selectively undergo coupling with 1 and enable the stereospecific preparation of a mixed polyene system. The (E)-ethyl 3-bromoacrylate coupling with 1 illustrates that mixed functionalized hexatriene systems can be easily accessed via this methodology. The X-ray structure of (2E,4E,6E)-diethyl-4,5-difluoroocta-2,4,6-trienedioate confirmed its structure.     

Power-gap law and the dynamical constraints on angular momentum transfer in rotationally inelastic molecular collisions

The model proposed by Dexheimer, Durand, Brunner and Pritchard has been developed and tested on CO₂H₂, CO₂He, Na₂He, Na₂Ne and N₂Ar. This model explains the rapid decrease in the rotationally inelastic integral cross sections with increase in the amount of rotational energy transfer (∣ΔE∣) in the region ∣ΔE∣ > ∣ΔE∣^*, ∣ΔE∣^* is foun to depend on the reduced mass of the system, the moment of inertia of the molecule, the initial rotational state, and the interaction potential. Data for the systems studied show quantitative agreement with the predictions of the model.     

Synthesis and oxidation of (E)-1,2-diphenyl-2-(arylimino) ethanol derivatives

The compounds (E)-1,2-diphenyl-2-(phenylimino)ethanol, (E)-1,2-diphenyl-2-(p-tolylimino)ethanol, and (E)-2-((4-chlorophenyl)imino)-1,2-diphenylethanol) were synthesized by reaction of a p-substituted aniline with benzoin then oxidized with chromium trioxide–triethylamine in chloroform to give (E)-1,2-diphenyl-2-(phenylimino)ethanone, (E)-1,2-diphenyl-2-(p-tolylimino)ethanone, and (E)-2-((4-chlorophenyl)imino)-1,2-diphenylethanone in very high yield. The products were characterized by IR and NMR spectral analysis.     

Regioselective biocatalytic hydrolysis of (E,Z)-2-methyl-2-butenenitrile for production of (E)-2-methyl-2-butenoic acid

Acidovorax facilis 72W nitrilase catalyzed the regioselective hydrolysis of (E,Z)-2-methyl-2-butenenitrile, producing only (E)-2-methyl-2-butenoic acid with no detectable conversion of (Z)-2-methyl-2-butenenitrile. (E)-2-Methyl-2-butenoic acid, produced in aqueous solution as the ammonium salt, was readily separated from (Z)-2-methyl-2-butenenitrile, and isolated in high yield and purity. The combination of nitrile hydratase and amidase activities of several Comamonas testosteroni strains were also highly regioselective for the production of (E)-2-methyl-2-butenoic acid from (E,Z)-2-methyl-2-butenenitrile.     

Stereochimie d'heterocycles du groupe IVB—II : Syntheses stereoselectives d'hydrogeno-1 et d'alkyl-1 sila-1 cyclobutanes

The reaction between n-butyllithium and 1,2 (or 1,3)-dimethyl-1-t-butoxy-1-silacyclobutanes proceeds with retention of configuration at silicon, and yields 10/90 (or 80/20) Z/E mixture of 1,2 (or 1,3)-dimethyl-1-n-butyl-1-silacyclobutanes. Methylation of 2 (or 3)-methyl-1-t-butoxy-1-silacyclobutanes (Z/E = 15/85 or 65/35) by methylmagnesium iodide gives 15/85 (or 65/35) Z/E mixture of 1,2 (or 1,3)-dimethyl-1-silacyclobutanes. The proposed configurations for substituted silacyclobutanes are supported by spectroscopic data (RMN) and chemical results (correlation of configuration and stereomutation of hydrogenosilacyclobutanes).     

Synthesis of macrocyclic precursors of lankacidins using Stille reactions of 4-(2-iodo-alkenyl)azetidinones and related compounds for ring closure

In the context of a proposed total synthesis of lankacidins, the synthesis of 4-(2-iodo-alkenyl)azetidinones and their participation in Stille coupling reactions have been investigated. 1-tert-Butyldimethylsilyl-4-(2-iodoethenyl)azetidinone was found to undergo a Stille coupling reaction with a 3-hydroxy-1-tributylstannylhepta-1,5-diene to give an acceptable yield of the corresponding conjugated diene but the analogous reaction with a 3-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy-1-tributylstannylhepta-1,5-diene was unsuccessful. A series of 4-[(E)-2-iodoprop-1-enyl]azetidinones, a ring-opened ester and a lactone were also found to undergo Stille reactions with 3-tributylstannylprop-2-enol albeit with variable yields. Asymmetric syntheses of methyl (2R,3R,5S)-3-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy-2-methyl-5-(2-trimethylsilylethoxy)methoxy-6-oxohexanoate, (3R,4S)-1-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-4-[(E)-2-iodoprop-1-enyl]-3-methylazetidin-2-one, and (5S,2E,6E)-5-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy-2-methyl-1-phenylsulfonyl-7-tributylstannylhepta-2,6-diene and their incorporation into macrocyclic precursors of the lankacidins were then investigated. Key reactions were a Julia reaction between the aldehyde and the sulfone to form the 12,13-double-bond, a stereoselective acylation of the azetidinone, and formation of macrocycles using intramolecular Stille reactions in the presence of a free hydroxyl group at C(8) (lankacidin numbering).     

(E)-Selective hydrolysis of (E,Z)-α,β-unsaturated nitriles by the recombinant nitrilase AtNIT1 from Arabidopsis thaliana

From stereoisomeric α,β-unsaturated nitriles (E,Z)-1, the recombinant nitrilase AtNIT1 from Arabidopsis thaliana hydrolyses the (E)-isomers exclusively to the corresponding (E)-carboxylic acids (E)-2 with high specificity. The (E)-selectivity can also be utilised for the preparation of the isomerically pure nitriles (Z)-1. From (E,Z)-2-hydroxycinnamonitrile (E,Z)-3, the otherwise difficult obtainable (Z)-3 was prepared in 66% isolated yield. With β,γ-unsaturated (E,Z)-3-heptenenitrile (E,Z)-4, however, (E)-selectivity was not observed. AtNIT1 exhibits not only diastereoselectivity but also regioselectivity. From a mixture of the four isomers A–D of 3-(2-cyanocyclohex-3-enyl)propenenitrile 6, exclusively isomer D ((E)-cis-6) was hydrolysed to 3-(2-cyanocyclohex-3-enyl)propenoic acid (E)-cis-7, as stated by X-ray crystal structure. Only after complete conversion of D and high enzyme concentrations, isomer C ((E)-trans-6) was hydrolysed to a small extent.     

Reactions of azulene and guaiazulene with all-trans-retinal and trans-cinnamaldehyde: comparative studies on spectroscopic, chemical, and electrochemical properties of monocarbenium-ions stabilized by expanded π-electron systems with an azulenyl or 3-guaiazulenyl group

Reaction of azulene (1) with all-trans-retinal in diethyl ether in the presence of hexafluorophosphoric acid at −10 °C for 1 h in a dark room gives the corresponding monocarbenium-ion compound, (2E,4E,6E,8E)-1-azulenyl-3,7-dimethyl-9-(2,6,6-trimethyl-1-cyclohexen-1-yl)-2,4,6,8-nonatetraen-1-ylium hexafluorophosphate (3), in 74% isolated yield. The spectroscopic, chemical, and electrochemical properties of 3 compared with those of the previously-documented (2E,4E,6E,8E)-1-(3-guaiazulenyl)-3,7-dimethyl-9-(2,6,6-trimethyl-1-cyclohexen-1-yl)-2,4,6,8-nonatetraen-1-ylium hexafluorophosphate (4) are reported. Along with the above delocalized monocarbenium-ion compounds 3 and 4, stabilized by the expanded π-electron systems possessing an azulenyl (or 3-guaiazulenyl) group, an efficient preparation as well as the spectroscopic, chemical, and electrochemical properties of (2E)-1-azulenyl-3-phenyl-2-propen-1-ylium and (2E)-1-(3-guaiazulenyl)-3-phenyl-2-propen-1-ylium hexafluorophosphates (5 and 6) (90 and 96% isolated yields), having a similar partial structure [i.e., the (2E)-1-azulenyl-2-propen-1-ylium-ion or (2E)-1-(3-guaiazulenyl)-2-propen-1-ylium-ion part] to those of 3 and 4, is documented. Moreover, the crystal structure of 6, whose carbenium-ion framework is planar, is shown.     

Synthesis of lithium,sodium, cesium,and calcium salts of (E)-4- or (E,S)-3-methyl-2-(5-arylisoxazol-3-yl)-methyleneaminobutanoic, (E,S)-4-methyl-2- or (E,2S,3S)-3-methyl-2-(5-arylisoxazol-3-yl)methyleneaminopentanoic,and (E)-6-(5-arylisoxazol-3-yl)methyleneaminohexanoic acids

Preparative method for the synthesis of lithium, sodium, cesium, and calcium salts of (E)-4-(5-arylisoxazol-3-yl)methyleneaminobutanoic, (E)-6-(5-arylisoxazol-3-yl)methyleneaminohexanoic, (E,S)-3-methyl-2-(5-arylisoxazol-3-yl)methyleneaminobutanoic, (E,S)-4-methyl-2-(5-arylisoxazol-3-yl)methyleneaminopentanoic and (E,2S,3S)-3-methyl-2-(5-arylisoxazol-3-yl)methyleneaminopentanoic acids was developed by reacting 5-phenyl(4-tolyl)isoxazole-3-carbaldehydes with amino acids like 4-aminobutyric and 6-aminocaproic acids, L-valine, L-leucine or L-isoleucine in the presence of lithium hydride, sodium methoxide, cesium carbonate or calcium hydride in boiling methanol.     

Highly stereoselective synthesis of N-substituted π-conjugated phthalimides

A new regio- and stereoselective synthesis of (E)-N-(2-arylvinyl)phthalimides as well as phthalimide-containing (E,E)-buta-1,3-dienes and (E)-but-1-en-3-ynes has been developed. The one-pot ruthenium-catalyzed silylative coupling/iododesilylation sequence provides (E)-N-(2-iodovinyl)phthalimide 1, which undergoes palladium-catalyzed Suzuki–Miyaura or Sonogashira cross-coupling to afford stereodefined highly π-conjugated phthalimides and functionalized dienimides containing phthalimide groups.