Catalytic enantioselective [2 + 4] and [2 + 2] cycloaddition reactions with propiolamides

We report here the catalytic and highly enantioselective [2 + 4] and [2 + 2] cycloaddition reactions of electron-rich dienes or silyl enol ethers with electron-deficient propiolamide derivatives induced by copper(II).3-(2-naphthyl)-L-alanine amide complex.     

A neutral redox-switchable [2]rotaxane

A limited range of redox-active, rotaxane-based, molecular switches exist, despite numerous potential applications for them as components of nanoscale devices. We have designed and synthesised a neutral, redox-active [2]rotaxane, which incorporates an electron-deficient pyromellitic diimide (PmI)-containing ring encircling two electron-rich recognition sites in the form of dioxynaphthalene (DNP) and tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) units positioned along the rod section of its dumbbell component. Molecular modeling using MacroModel guided the design of the mechanically interlocked molecular switch. The binding affinities in CH(2)Cl(2) at 298 K between the free ring and two electron-rich guests--one (K(a) = 5.8 × 10(2) M(-1)) containing a DNP unit and the other (K(a) = 6.3 × 10(3) M(-1)) containing a TTF unit--are strong: the one order of magnitude difference in their affinities favouring the TTF unit suggested to us the feasibility of integrating these three building blocks into a bistable [2]rotaxane switch. The [2]rotaxane was obtained in 34% yield by relying on neutral donor-acceptor templation and a double copper-catalysed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC). Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and spectroelectrochemistry (SEC) were employed to stimulate and observe switching by this neutral bistable rotaxane in solution at 298 K, while (1)H NMR spectroscopy was enlisted to investigate switching upon chemical oxidation. The neutral [2]rotaxane is a chemically robust and functional switch with potential for applications in device settings.     

Donor–Acceptor [2]- and [3]Catenanes Assembled from Versatile Pre-Organized Cp*Rh/Ir-Directed Pseudorotaxane Tectons

A stepwise self-assembly protocol has been used to synthesize [2]- and [3]catenanes. Firstly, binuclear Cp*Rh/Ir-directed (Cp*=pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) pseudorotaxanes were prepared through self-assembly, driven by donor–acceptor interactions between electron-deficient naphthalenediimide (NDI) units and an electron-rich crown ether. Subsequently, the pre-organized pseudorotaxanes were applied as tectons for self-assembly of [2]- and [3]catenanes by combination with very simple linkers. The structures of the catenanes were confirmed by NMR spectroscopy, ESI mass spectrometry, single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, and elemental analysis.     

Quantitative conformational study of redox-active [2]rotaxanes, part 1: Methodology and application to a model [2]rotaxane

This paper reports a novel methodology for the conformational analysis of [2]rotaxanes. It combines NMR spectroscopic (COSY, NOESY and the recently reported paramagnetic line-broadening and suppression technique) and electrochemical techniques to enable a quantitative analysis of the co-conformations of interlocked molecules and the conformations of their components. This methodology was used to study a model [2]rotaxane in solution. This [2]rotaxane consists of an axle that incorporates an electron-poor, doubly positively charged viologen that threads an electron-rich crown ether. It has been shown that the axle of the [2]rotaxane in its dicationic state adopts a folded conformation in solution and the crown ether is localised at the viologen moiety. Following a one-electron reduction of viologen, the paramagnetic radical cation of the [2]rotaxane retains its folded conformation in solution. The data also demonstrate that in the radical cation the crown ether remains localised at the viologen, despite its reduced affinity for the singly reduced viologen. The combined quantitative NMR spectroscopic and electrochemical characterisation of the electromechanical function of the model [2]rotaxane in solution provides an important reference point for the study of switching in structurally related bistable [2]rotaxanes, which is the subject of the second part of this work.     

Intermolecular [4 + 2] cycloaddition of o-quinodimethanes derived from ene-bis(sulfinylallenes)

Intermolecular [4 + 2] cycloaddition of o-quinodimethanes, prepared in situ from ene-bis(propargyl alcohols) and benzenesulfenyl chloride via ene-bis(sulfinylallene) formation, was investigated. Benzene-bridged bis(propargyl alcohols) reacted with both electron-deficient and electron-rich olefins to give the corresponding [4 + 2] cycloadducts. Ethylene-bridged bis(propargyl alcohols) underwent similar cycloaddition with electron-deficient olefins. Construction of some heterocycles based on the newly developed sequential reaction is also described.     

Interconversion between [5]pseudorotaxane and [3]pseudorotaxane by pasting/detaching two axle molecules

An acceptor-donor-acceptor-type linear molecule 1(2+) containing one electron-rich naphthoxy (NP) unit and two monocharged viologen (MCV) units was synthesized. Through the noncovalent interaction of cucurbit[8]uril (CB[8]) with one NP and one MCV in 1(2+), we first obtained a [2]pseudorotaxane ([1(2+)]?CB[8]), and the excess CB[8] included simultaneously the two bare MCV units of two [2]pseudorotaxanes to form a [5]pseudorotaxane ([1(2+)](2)?[CB[8]](3)). Its transformation to [3]pseudorotaxane was achieved through detaching the two axle molecules in the presence of acid, and then the addition of base may result in a reversible switch between two different pseudorotaxanes. This novel methodology elongating reversibly linear molecules by noncovalent interactions will benefit the development of stimuli-responsive functional molecular devices.     

Au-containing all-carbon 1,3-dipoles: generation and [3+2] cycloaddition reactions

A novel approach to generate Au-containing all-carbon 1,3-dipoles is developed via an unprecedented migration-fragmentation of ketals/acetals. These in situ generated dipoles undergo rapid [3+2] cycloaddition under mild conditions with various enones/enals, electron-rich aromatic aldehydes, and N-benzylindole, leading to flexible formation of highly functionalized dihydrofurans and cyclopentenes.     

[2 + 2] Cycloaddition reactions of unsymmetrically substituted carbodiimides

N-Alkyl-N′-arylcarbodiimides add alkyl and aryl isocyanates to the N-alkyl substituted CN double bond to yield 4-arylimino-1,3-diazetidine-2-ones 3. In the case of bulky alkyl substituents the reaction still proceeds across the sterically hindered CN double bond. N-Aryl-N′-[(4-dimethylamino)phenyl]carbodiimides form [2 + 2] cycloadducts with aryl isocyanates preferentially across the CN double bond not attached to the electron-rich aryl groups. However, steric crowding on this CN double bond directs the reaction to the adjacent double bond of the heterocumulative system. The rate of the [2 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of N'-methyl-N′-phenylcarbodiimide with 4-nitrophenylisocyanate is about 2.5 times faster in acetonitrile than in benzene.     

Synthesis of functionalized arylpyridines and -pyrimidines by domino [4+2]/retro [4+2] cycloadditions of electron-rich dienes with alkynylpyridines and -pyrimidines

Aryl-substituted pyridines and pyrimidines were prepared by [4+2] cycloadditions of alkynyl-substituted pyridines and -pyrimidines with electron-rich dienes. The reactions proceed by formation of a bridged cycloadduct and subsequent thermal extrusion of ethylene. The pyridine moiety plays a crucial role for the success of the reaction.     

Gold(I)-Catalyzed [8+2]-Cycloaddition of 8-Aryl-8-azaheptafulvenes with Allenamides and Ynamides: Regioselective Synthesis of Dihydrocycloheptapyrrole Derivatives

Gold(I)-catalyzed higher-order [8+2] cycloadditions of 8-aryl-8-azaheptafulvenes 1 with allenamides 2 and ynamides 3 were studied. 1,8-Dihydrocycloheptapyrroles 4 were achieved by a regioselective [8+2] cycloaddition of azaheptafulvenes 1 and allenamides 2 in the presence of (2,4-ditBuC₆H₃O)₃PAuNTf₂ as catalyst. Besides, ynamides 3 and 8-aryl-8-azaheptafulvenes 1 , undergo a regioselective [8+2] cycloaddition, to give 2-amido-1,4-dihydrocycloheptapyrroles 7 in the presence of JohnPhosAuNTf₂ as catalyst. Both reactions take place with good yields and with a variety of substituents. A plausible mechanism hypothesis suggests a nucleophilic attack of the 8-azaheptafulvene to the gold activated electron rich allene or alkyne moieties of the allenamide and ynamide, respectively.     

Functionalized dibenzo[g,p]chrysenes: variable photophysical and electronic properties and liquid-crystal chemistry

The photophysical and electronic properties of dibenzo[ g, p]chrysenes bearing electron-rich and -deficient substituents vary markedly with these substituents. The chemistry of the first liquid-crystalline dibenzo[ g, p]chrysene is also described.     

P[N(i-Bu)CH2CH2]3N: a versatile ligand for the Pd-catalyzed amination of aryl chlorides

[reaction: see text] Palladium-catalyzed amination reactions of aryl chlorides with amines proceeded in the presence of the bicyclic triaminophosphine P[N(i-Bu)CH(2)CH(2)](3)N to afford the corresponding arylamines in good to excellent yields. Electron-poor, electron-neutral, and electron-rich aryl chlorides all participated with equal ease.     

Highly regioselective Lewis acid-catalyzed [3+2] cycloaddition of alkynes with donor-acceptor oxiranes by selective carbon-carbon bond cleavage of epoxides

A novel, efficient, highly regioselective Sc(OTf)(3)-catalyzed [3+2] cycloaddition of electron-rich alkynes with donor-acceptor oxiranes via highly chemoselective C-C bond cleavage under mild conditions was developed.     

Ireland-Claisen rearrangement of ynamides: stereocontrolled synthesis of 2-amidodienes

The Ireland-Claisen rearrangement of propargyl ynamido ester substrates is reported. The expected allenamide carboxylic acid products from [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement are not isolated, with 2-amidodienes alternatively formed in good yield with high levels of stereocontrol after decarboxylation.     

Synthesis of [1]benzothieno[3,2-d]pyrimidines substituted with electron donating substituents on the benzene ring

Various 2-fluorobenzonitriles were converted to the corresponding 3-amino[1]benzothiophenecarboxylic acid esters, which in turn were annulated with formamidine or various equivalents to produce the desired tricyclic benzothienopyrimidines. Various methoxy and nitro/amino substituents were placed on the phenyl ring, requiring several different strategies to prepare the desired benzothiophenes. Several different pyrimidone annulations were also required. The use of an electron rich 2-bromobenzonitrile in a four-step one-pot low temperature lithiation sequence to produce highly electron-rich amino[1]benzothiophenecarboxylate esters is also described. The synthesis of 7-amino-8-fluoro[1]benzothieno[3,2-d]pyriinid-4(3H)-one was relatively straightforward, but synthesis of the corresponding 7-amino-8-protio analogue proved to be very difficult, and required several approaches before a successful one was found.     

Povarov reactions involving 3-aminocoumarins: synthesis of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrido[2,3-c]coumarins and pyrido[2,3-c]coumarins

Condensation of 3-aminocoumarin (5) with 4-nitrobenzaldehyde (8) afforded a 2-azadiene (9), which reacted with various electron-rich alkenes (10 examples) in the presence of Yb(OTf)3 to afford 1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrido[2,3-c]coumarins. Yields were generally good, but the diastereomeric ratios were highly variable. The products arose through a formal [4 + 2] cycloaddition (inverse electron demand Diels-Alder reaction) followed by tautomerization. As such, these are examples of the Povarov reaction. A range of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrido[2,3-c]coumarins was then synthesized using a three-component version of this reaction, which involves in situ formation of the 2-azadiene component. Some of these products were converted into the corresponding pyrido[2,3-c]coumarins upon treatment with various oxidants, the most effective of which proved to be nitrous gases.     

Lewis acid-catalyzed formal [3+2] cycloadditions of N-tosyl aziridines with electron-rich alkenes via selective carbon-carbon bond cleavage

A novel, mild, robust catalyst Y(OTf)(3) for C-C bond heterolysis of N-tosyl aziridines was developed and the resulting metallo-azomethine ylides may readily undergo [3+2] dipolar cycloaddition with an electron-rich olefin via a stepwise reaction pathway with high regio- and diastereoselectivity leading to substituted pyrrolidines.     

PHOTOCHEMISTRY OF CONJUGATED POLYACETYLENES: [2+2] PHOTOCYCLOADDITION OF l-PHENYL-l,3,5-HEXATRIYNES WITH SOME OLEFINS

Abstract— Irradiation of 1-phenyl-1,3,5-hexatriynes with various olefins in methylene chloride yields [2 + 2] type 1:1 photoadducts. The photoreaction proceeds through a triplet excited state and shows site selectivity and regioselectivity. Olefins with electron-withdrawing substituents, such as dimethyl fumarate, fumaronitrile, acrylonitrile, methyl acrylatc, and styrene, are more reactive than electron-rich olefins, suggesting that the triplet excited states of 1-phenyl-1,3,5-hexatriynes have a nucleophilic radical character.     

Comparison of pillar[5]arene and calix[4]arene anion receptor ability in aqueous media

Abstract

Recognition ability of both cationic pillar[5]arene and calix[4]arene has been studied in aqueous media. Anion complexation can be evaluated from their ability to complex their counterions as well as an added external organic anion. DOSY NMR experiments and fluorescence quenching show that pillararenes have a larger ability for including their own counterions than calixarenes irrespective of the anion (tetrafluoroborate or chloride or bromide) and the structure of the cationic moiety (trimethylammonium or methylimidazolium). Counterion complexation shows a picture where four to five positive charges of the pillar[5]arene are neutralised, meanwhile only one positive charge of the calixarene is neutralised for a 1 mM solution of the macrocycle. Irrespective of the smaller net positive charge in the pillar[5]arene, its binding ability for organic anions (toluenesulfonate or hydroxybenzoate) is larger than for calix[4]arene allowing a better accommodation of the guest in its cavity. The larger separation between the cationic groups of the receptor and its electron-rich aromatic region improves the anion recognition ability for pillar[5]arene.     

Hetero [4 + 2] cycloadditions of (trialkylsilyl)vinylketenes. Synthesis of alpha,beta-unsaturated delta-valerolactones and -lactams

[formula: see text] Hetero Diels-Alder reactions of (trialkylsilyl)vinylketenes (TAS-vinylketenes) with carbonyl and imino dienophiles are described. TAS-vinylketenes participate as electron-rich dienes in [4 + 2] cycloadditions with diethyl ketomalonate to afford alpha,beta-unsaturated delta-valerolactones in good yield. Nonenolizable N-alkyl- and N-(trimethylsilyl)imines combine with TAS-vinylketenes to furnish alpha,beta-unsaturated delta-valerolactams. In contrast to most Diels-Alder reactions involving unactivated imines, these cycloadditions do not require promotion by Lewis acids and in general proceed with a high degree of stereoselectivity.