Synthesis and structural characterization of a dichloro zinc complex of N,N′-bis-(2,6-dichloro-benzyl)-(R,R)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane: Application to ring opening polymerization of rac-lactide

A novel dichloro zinc complex (L¹)ZnCl₂, where L¹ is N,N′-bis-(2,6-dichloro-benzyl)-(R,R)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane, has been synthesized and characterized. The dimethyl derivatives, generated in situ from the well characterized dichloro zinc complexes (L¹)ZnCl₂ and (L²)ZnCl₂, where L² is N,N′-bis-(benzyl)-(R,R)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane, were employed as initiators for the ring opening polymerization (ROP) of rac-lactide (rac-LA). The complexes were found to be highly efficient initiators yielding the polylactide (PLA) with a narrow molecular weight distribution. The catalytic activity and heterotactic selectivity of the Zn(II) complexes were affected by the substituents on the phenyl groups of benzyl moieties in (R,R)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane. The dimethyl derivative of (L²)ZnCl₂ produced highly stereocontrolled PLA with P_r = 0.75 at −25 °C.     

Novel generation ponytails in fluorous chemistry: Syntheses of primary, secondary, and tertiary (nonafluoro-tert-butyloxy)ethyl amines

(Nonafluoro-tert-butyloxy)ethyl tosylate 4 was prepared in 65% yield from nonafluoro-tert-butanol 1 using commercially available reagents. Further reaction of 4 with HNR¹R² (R¹ = R² = H, CH₃; R¹ = H, R² = CH₃, (CH₂)₃C₈F₁₇, CH₂CH₂OC(CF₃)₃) affords the appropriate (CF₃)₃COCH₂CH₂NR¹R² amines in 20-69% yields. Improved overall yields of [(CF₃)₃COCH₂CH₂]_3−nNR_n to 1 were obtained by the reaction of (CF₃)₃CONa 2 and (XCH₂CH₂)_3−nNR_n (X = Cl, n = 0, 1, 2, R = CH₃; X = CH₃SO₂O, n = 1, R = CH₃SO₂) nitrogen mustards and a similar reactive β-substituted ethyl amine. The title amines are mobile colorless liquids and volatile with steam. The bulky fluorous ponytail (CF₃)₃CO(CH₂)₂ displays high acidic stability and increases fluorous character almost as much as the classical straight-chain C₈F₁₇(CH₂)₃ ponytail.     

Stereospecific preparation of symmetrical (1Z, 3Z)- and (1E, 3E)-2,3-difluoro-1,4-disubstituted-buta-1,3-dienes from 1-bromo-1-fluoroalkenes

A straightforward method to prepare symmetrical (1Z, 3Z)- and (1E, 3E)-2,3-difluoro-1,4-disubstituted-buta-1,3-dienes is described. High E/Z ratio 1-bromo-1-fluoroalkenes, prepared by isomerization from the E/Z ≈ 1:1 isomeric mixtures, reacted with Bu₃SnSnBu₃ and Pd(PPh₃)₄ to afford (1Z, 3Z)-2,3-difluoro-1,4-disubstituted-buta-1,3-dienes in good yield. (Z)-1-Bromo-1-fluoroalkenes, which were prepared by kinetic reduction from 1-bromo-1-fluoroalkenes (E/Z ≈ 1:1), can undergo similar reaction with Bu₃SnSnBu₃ and Pd(PPh₃)₄/CuI to prepare (1E, 3E)-2,3-difluoro-1,4-disubstituted-buta-1,3-dienes.     

Synthesis and characterization of fluorous (S)- and (R)-1-phenylethylamines that effect heat facilitated resolution of (±)-2-(8-carboxy-1-naphthylsulfinyl)benzoic acid via diastereomeric salt formation and study of their circular dichroism

Perfluoroalkyl- or nonafluoro-tert-butoxy-alkyl-substituted enantiopure amines having the structure PhCHCH₃(NR¹R²) [R¹ = H, CH₃; R² = (CH₂)₃C₈F₁₇, (CH₂)₂OC(CF₃)₃; R¹ = R² = (CH₂)₃C₈F₁₇, (CH₂)₂OC(CF₃)₃] are obtained in high yields, when (S)-(−)-1-phenylethylamine is reacted with readily accessible alkylating reagents or fluorous 2° amines (R¹ = H; R² = (CH₂)₃C₈F₁₇, (CH₂)₂OC(CF₃)₃) are methylated in a Leuckart-Wallach reaction. The solubility patterns of these novel chiral amines and their hydrochlorides are qualitatively described for a broad spectrum of solvents and the fluorous partition coefficients of the free bases are determined by GC. A novel method for the resolution of enantiomers is disclosed here, which involves the use a half-equivalent of the selected resolving agent in solvent water that displays low solubility for the crystalline diastereomeric salt(s) formed even at temperatures near to its boiling point. Compound (S)-(−)-PhCHCH₃[NH(CH₂)₃C₈F₁₇] is found to satisfy all the latter conditions and successfully used for the heat facilitated resolution of the title racemic acid. The circular dichroism (CD) spectra of six novel fluorous (S)-(−)-1-phenylethylamine derivatives are measured in ethanol, trifluoroethanol and hexafluoropropan-2-ol and discussed in detail.     

Synthesis and characterization of cyclopentadienyl/alkoxo titanium dichlorides: structural analysis of monocyclopentadienyl titanium dichlorides with ligands derived from menthol and borneol

A variety of monocyclopentadienyl alkoxo titanium dichloride and bisalkoxo titanium dichloride complexes have been prepared and characterized by spectroscopic techniques. The titanium derivatives containing both cyclopentadienyl and various alkoxo ligands [Ti(η⁵-C₅H₅)(OR)Cl₂] (1-5) have been synthesized from the reaction of [Ti(η⁵-C₅H₅)Cl₃] with 1 equivalent of the corresponding alcohol in THF in the presence of triethylamine (ROH = Adamantanol, 1R,2S,5R-(−)-menthol, 1S-endo-(−)-borneol, cis-1,3-(−)-benzylideneglycerol, 1,2:3,4-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-galactopyranose). The bisalkoxo titanium dichloride derivatives [TiCl₂(OR)₂] (6-10) have been prepared by a redistribution reaction between Ti(OR)₄ and TiCl₄ compounds 6-8 (OR = Adamantanoxy, (1R,2S,5R)-(−)menthoxy, (1S-endo)-(−)-borneoxy) and by reaction of [Ti(OR)₂(OPrⁱ)₂]₂ with CH₃COCl compounds 9 and 10 (OR = 1,2:3,4-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-galactopyranoxy, and 1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-glucofuranoxy). The molecular structures of 2 and 3 have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies.     

Study of ferrocenyl-substituted Co2(CO)6-bispropargylic alcohol complexes as substrates for the formation of chains and macrocycles

Treatment of [Fc-1-R¹-1′-R²] (R¹ = H, R² = CH(O); R¹ = H, R² = CMe(O); R¹ = R² = CMe(O)) with LiCCCH₂OLi (prepared in situ from HCCCH₂OH and n-BuLi) affords the ferrocenyl-substituted but-2-yne-1,4-diol compounds of general formula [Fc-1-R¹-1′-{CR(OH)CCCH₂OH}] (R¹ = R = H (1a); R¹ = H, R = Me (1b); R¹ = CMe(O), R = Me (1c)) in low to high yields, respectively (where Fc = Fe(η⁵-C₅H₄)₂). In the case of the reactions of [Fc-1-R¹-1′-R²] (R¹ = H, R² = CH(O); R¹ = R² = CMe(O)), the by-products [Fc-1-R¹-1′-{CR(OH)(CH₂)₃CH₃}] (R¹ = R = H (2a); R¹ = CMe(O), R = Me (2c)) along with minor quantities of [Fc-1,1′-{CMe(OH)(CH₂)₃CH₃}₂] (3) are also isolated; a hydrazide derivative of dehydrated 2c, [1-(CMeCHCH₂CH₂CH₃)-1′-(CMeNNH-2,4-(NO₂)₂C₆H₃)] (2c′), has been crystallographically characterised. Interaction of 1 with Co₂(CO)₈ smoothly generates the alkyne-bridged complexes [Fc-1-R¹-1′-{Co₂(CO)₆-μ-η²-CR(OH)CCCH₂OH}] (R¹ = R = H (4a); R¹ = H, R = Me(4b); R¹ = CMe(O), R = Me (4c)) in good yield. Reaction of 4a with PhSH, in the presence of catalytic quantities of HBF₄ · OEt₂, gives the mono- [Fc-1-H-1′-{Co₂(CO)₆-μ-η²-CH(SPh)CCCH₂OH}] (5) and bis-substituted [Fc-1-H-1′-{Co₂(CO)₆-μ-η²-CH(SPh)CCCH₂SPh}] (6) straight chain species, while with HS(CH₂)_nSH (n = 2,3) the eight- and nine-membered dithiomacrocylic complexes [Fc-1-H-1′-{cyclo-Co₂(CO)₆-μ-η²-CH(S(CH₂)_n-)CCCH₂S-}] [n = 2 (7a), n = 3 (7b)] are afforded. By contrast, during attempted macrocyclic formation using 4b and HSCH₂CH₂OCH₂CH₂SH dehydration occurs to give [Fc-1-H-1′-{Co₂(CO)₆-μ-η²-C(CH₂)CCCH₂OH}] (8). Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies have been reported on 2c′, 4b, 4c, 7b and 8.     

Crystal structure, thermal expansion and conductivity of anisotropic La1−xSrxGa1−2xMg2xO3−y (x=0.05, 0.1) single crystals

Crystal structure and anisotropy of the thermal expansion of single crystals of La_1−xSr_xGa_1−2xMg_2xO_3−y (x=0.05 and 0.1) were measured in the temperature range 300-1270 K. High-resolution X-ray powder diffraction data obtained by synchrotron experiments have been used to determine the crystal structure and thermal expansion. The room temperature structure of the crystal with x=0.05 was found to be orthorhombic (Imma, Z=4, a=7.79423(3) Å, b=5.49896(2) Å, c=5.53806(2) Å), whereas the symmetry of the x=0.1 crystal is monoclinic (I2/a, Z=4, a=7.82129(5) Å, b=5.54361(3) Å, c=5.51654(4) Å, β=90.040(1)°). The conductivity in two orthogonal directions of the crystals has been studied. Both, the conductivity and the structural data indicate three phase transitions in La_0.95Sr_0.05Ga_0.9Mg_0.1O_2.92 at 520-570 K (Imma-I2/a), 770 K (I2/a-R3c) and at 870 K (R3c-R-3c), respectively. Two transitions at 770 K (I2/a-R3c) and in the range 870-970 K (R3c-R-3c) occur in La_0.9Sr_0.1Ga_0.8Mg_0.2O_2.85.     

Chiral self-assembly of triorganotin complexes: Syntheses, characterization, crystal structures and antitumor activity of organotin(IV) complexes containing (R)-(+)-methylsuccinic acid, (S)-(+)-methylglutaric acid and l-(−)-malic acid ligands

Six new chiral triorganotin(IV) complexes, {(R₃Sn)₂[C₃H₆(COO)₂]}_n (R = Me: 1; Bu: 2), {(R₃Sn)₂[C₄H₈(COO)₂]}_n (R = Me: 3; Bu: 4), and {(R₃Sn)₂[C₂H₄O(COO)₂]}_n (R = Me: 5; Bu: 6) have been prepared by treatment of (R)-(+)-methylsuccinic acid, (S)-(+)-methylglutaric acid and l-(−)-malic acid, with the corresponding R₃SnCl (R = Me, Bu) and sodium ethoxide in methanol. All the complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, NMR (¹H, ¹³C, ¹¹⁹Sn) spectroscopy and TGA. Except for 3, all of the complexes were also characterized by X-ray crystallography. The structural analyses reveal that complexes 1 and 5 have 2D network structures in which (R)-(+)-methylsuccinic acid and l-(−)-malic acid act as tetradentate ligands coordinated to trimethyltin(IV) ions. Complexes 2 and 4 have 3D metal-organic framework structures in which the deprotoned acids serve as tetradentate ligands. Complex 6 adopts a 1D zigzag chain structure and forms a 2D supramolecular framework through intermolecular C-H?O interactions. In addition, the antitumor activities of complexes 1-6 have been studied. We also have measured the specific rotation of the chiral dicarboxylic acids and the organotin derivatives.     

Enantioselective alkynylation to aldimines catalyzed by chiral 2,2′-di(2-aminoaryloxy)-1,1′-binaphthyl-copper(I) complexes

The enantioselective alkynylation of aldimines with terminal acetylenes catalyzed by chiral Cu(I) complexes with (R)-2,2′-di(2-aminoaryloxy)-1,1′-binaphthyl ligands (7) was examined. Chiral C₂-symmetric N,N-ligands 7, which have primary aniline moieties, were readily prepared from inexpensive (R)-1,1′-binaphthol (BINOL) as a chiral source. In particular, the reaction of N-benzylidenebenzeneamine 1a with phenylacetylene 2a proceeded smoothly in the presence of 5 mol % of (CuOTf)₂·C₆H₅CH₃ and 10 mol % of (R)-7d at room temperature for 24 h, and the corresponding propargylamine 3a was obtained with up to 82% ee.     

Chiral organotin complexes stabilized by C,N-chelating oxazolinyl-o-carboranes

A series of chiral organotin halides containing 2-(4-R)-oxazolinyl-o-carboranes (R = i-propyl 1, t-butyl 2; Cab^Oxa) was prepared from o-carborane with a chiral oxazoline auxiliary. X-ray structural analysis of the representative chiral organotin halide, [2-(4-i-propyl)-oxazolinyl-o-carboranyl]SnMe₂Br (4), revealed the formation of a stable penta-coordinated tin center due to a N → Sn interaction. Similar O → Sn assisted intramolecular penta-coordinated tin complexes (9 and 10) were prepared from methoxy-o-carborane ligands, MeOCH(Z)-o-carborane (Z = H 7, Ph 8; Cab^OMe), respectively, and a rigid o-carboranyl backbone provided the basic skeleton for the facile formation of organotin complexes.     

Transition-metal complexes of phenoxy-imine ligands modified with pendant imidazolium salts: Synthesis, characterisation and testing as ethylene polymerisation catalysts

Reaction between 3-((1R,2R)-2-{[1-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxy-phenyl)-meth-(E)-ylidene]-amino}-cyclohexyl)-1-isopropyl-4-phenyl-3H-imidazol-1-ium bromide (1a) or the derivative 3-((1R,2R)-2-{[1-(2-hydroxy-5-nitro-phenyl)-meth-(E)-ylidene]-amino}-cyclohexyl)-1-isopropyl-4-phenyl-3H-imidazol-1-ium bromide (1b) and metal halides MCl_x.yTHF (M = Zr, x = 4, y = 2; M = V, x = y = 3; M = Cr, x = y = 3), in THF, at −78 °C gives the metal complexes of general formula [MCl_x(κ²-N,O-OC₆H₂R¹R²C(H)N-C₆H₁₀-Im)₂][Br]₂ (where M = Zr, x = 2, R¹ = R² = ^tBu, 2; M = Zr, x = 2, R¹ = H, R² = NO₂, 3; M = V, x = 1, R¹ = R² = ^tBu, 4; M = Cr, x = 1, R¹ = R² = ^tBu, 5; M = Fe, x = 0, R¹ = R² = ^tBu, 6; Im = 1-isopropyl-4-phenyl-3H-imidazol-1-ium-3-yl). ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy of 2 and 3 indicate κ²-N,O-ligand coordination via the phenoxy-imine moiety with pendant imidazolium salt that is corroborated by a single crystal structure of 6. Compounds 2, 3, 4 and 5 were tested as precatalysts for ethylene polymerisation in the presence of methylaluminoxane (MAO) cocatalyst, showing low activity. Selected polymer samples were characterised by GPC showing multimodal molecular weight distributions.     

(C6H17N3)[Zn4(PO4)2(HPO3)2]: a new layered zinc phosphate-phosphite templated by 1-(2-Aminoethyl) piperazine

Employing 1-(2-Aminoethyl) piperazine as a template, a new organically templated layered zinc phosphate-phosphite (C₆H₁₇N₃)[Zn₄(PO₄)₂(HPO₃)₂] has been prepared hydrothermally. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis shows that it crystallizes in the monoclinic space group Cc with a=5.3272(11) Å, b=17.146(3) Å, c=22.071(4) Å, β=94.58(3)°, V=2009.5(7) Å³, Z=4, R₁=0.0201 (I>2σ(I)) and wR₂=0.0812 (all data). The inorganic network is based on strictly alternating ZnO₄ tetrahedral units and P-centered units including PO₄ tetrahedra and HPO₃ pseudo-pyramids forming a double layered structure that contains columns of double six-membered rings. The diprotonated 1-(2-Aminoethyl) piperazine molecules reside in the interlayer region and interact with the inorganic network through H-bonds.     

Jahn-Teller-distorted dimeric anions in (cat)[Mn2F8(H2O)2]·2H2O (cat = pipzH2, dabcoH2) and (dabcoH2)2[Mn2F8(H2PO4)2]

Using biprotonated dabco (1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane) or pipz (piperazine) as counter cations, mixed-ligand fluoromanganates(III) with dimeric anions could be prepared from hydrofluoric acid solutions. The crystal structures were determined by X-ray diffraction on single crystals: dabcoH₂[Mn₂F₈(H₂O)₂]·2H₂O (1), space group P2₁, Z = 2, a = 6.944(1), b = 14.689(3), c = 7.307(1) Å, β = 93.75(3)°, R₁ = 0.0240; pipzH₂[Mn₂F₈(H₂O)₂]·2H₂O (2), space group , Z = 2, a = 6.977(1), b = 8.760(2), c = 12.584(3) Å, α = 83.79(3), β = 74.25(3), γ = 71.20(3)°, R₁ = 0.0451; (dabcoH₂)₂[Mn₂F₈(H₂PO₄)₂] (3), space group P2₁/n, Z = 4, a = 9.3447(4), b = 12.5208(4), c = 9.7591(6) Å, β = 94.392(8)°, R₁ = 0.0280. All three compounds show dimeric anions formed by [MnF₅O] octahedra (O from oxo ligands) sharing a common edge, with strongly asymmetric double fluorine bridges. In contrast to analogous dimeric anions of Al or Fe(III), the oxo ligands (H₂O (1,2) or phosphate (3)) are in equatorial trans-positions within the bridging plane. The strong pseudo-Jahn-Teller effect of octahedral Mn(III) complexes is documented in a huge elongation of an octahedral axis, namely that including the long bridging Mn-F bond and the Mn-O bond. In spite of different charge of the anion in the fluoride phosphate, the octahedral geometry is almost the same as in the aqua-fluoro compounds. The strong distortion is reflected also in the ligand field spectra.     

Synthesis and structural investigation of the compounds containing HF2 anions: Ca(HF2)2, Ba4F4(HF2)(PF6)3 and Pb2F2(HF2)(PF6)

Three new compounds Ca(HF₂)₂, Ba₄F₄(HF₂)(PF₆)₃ and Pb₂F₂(HF₂)(PF₆) were obtained in the system metal(II) fluoride and anhydrous HF (aHF) acidified with excessive PF₅. The obtained polymeric solids are slightly soluble in aHF and they crystallize out of their aHF solutions. Ca(HF₂)₂ was prepared by simply dissolving CaF₂ in a neutral aHF. It represents the second known compound with homoleptic HF environment of the central atom besides Ba(H₃F₄)₂. The compounds Ba₄F₄(HF₂)(PF₆)₃ and Pb₂F₂(HF₂)(PF₆) represent two additional examples of the formation of a polymeric zigzag ladder or ribbon composed of metal cation and fluoride anion (MF⁺)_n besides PbF(AsF₆), the first isolated compound with such zigzag ladder. The obtained new compounds were characterized by X-ray single crystal diffraction method and partly by Raman spectroscopy. Ba₄F₄(HF₂)(PF₆)₃ crystallizes in a triclinic space group P1¯ with a=4.5870(2) Å, b=8.8327(3) Å, c=11.2489(3) Å, α=67.758(9)°, β=84.722(12), γ=78.283(12)°, V=413.00(3) Å³ at 200 K, Z=1 and R=0.0588. Pb₂F₂(HF₂)(PF₆) at 200 K: space group P1¯, a=4.5722(19) Å, b=4.763(2) Å, c=8.818(4) Å, α=86.967(10)°, β=76.774(10)°, γ=83.230(12)°, V=185.55(14) ų, Z=1 and R=0.0937. Pb₂F₂(HF₂)(PF₆) at 293 K: space group P1¯, a=4.586(2) Å, b=4.781(3) Å, c=8.831(5) Å, α=87.106(13)°, β=76.830(13)°, γ=83.531(11)°, V=187.27(18) Å³, Z=1 and R=0.072. Ca(HF₂)₂ crystallizes in an orthorhombic Fddd space group with a=5.5709(6) Å, b=10.1111(9) Å, c=10.5945(10) Å, V=596.77(10) Å³ at 200 K, Z=8 and R=0.028.     

Cyclometalated N,N-dimethylbenzylamine ruthenium(II) complexes [Ru(C6HRRR-o-CH2NMe2)(bpy)(RCN)2]PF6 for bioapplications: synthesis, characterization, crystal structures, redox properties, and reactivity toward PQQ-dependent glucose dehydrogenase

Cyclometalated derivatives of ring-substituted N,N-dimethylbenzylamines with controlled redox potentials as potent mediators of bioelectrochemical electron transport are reported. The cycloruthenation of R¹R²R³C₆H₂CH₂NMe₂ (R¹, R², R³ = H, Me, ^tBuO, MeO, NMe₂, F, CF₃, CN, NO₂) by [(η⁶-C₆H₆)RuCl(μ-Cl)]₂ in the presence of NaOH/KPF₆ in acetonitrile or pivalonitrile affords cyclometalated complexes [(η⁶-C₆H₆)Ru(C₆HR¹R²R³-o-CH₂NMe₂)(RCN)]PF₆ [R = Me (1) and R = CMe₃ (2)] in good yields. Reactions of complexes 1 and 2 with 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy) in acetonitrile or pivalonitrile result in dissociation of η⁶-bound benzene and the formation of [Ru(C₆HR¹R²R³-o-CH₂NMe₂)(bpy)(RCN)₂]PF₆ [R = Me (3) and R = CMe₃ (4)]. All new compounds have been fully characterized by mass spectrometry, ¹H/¹³C NMR, and IR spectroscopy. An X-ray crystal structural investigation of complex 1 (R¹/R²/R³ = H/H/H) and two complexes of type 3 (R¹/R²/R³ = MeO/H/H, MeO/MeO/H) has been performed. Acetonitrile ligands of 3 are mutually cis and the σ-bound carbon is trans to one of the bpy nitrogens. Measured by the cyclic voltammetry in MeOH as solvent, the redox potentials of complexes 3 for the Ru^II/III feature cover the range 320-720 mV (versus Ag/AgCl) and correlate linearly with the Hammett constants. Complexes 3 mediate efficiently the electron transport between the active site of PQQ-dependent glucose dehydrogenase (PQQ = pyrroloquinoline quinone) and a glassy carbon electrode. Determined by cyclic voltammetry the second order rate constant for the oxidation of the reduced (by d-glucose) enzyme active site by Ru^III derivative of 3 (R¹/R²/R³ = H) (generated electrochemically) is as high as 4.8 × 10⁷ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ at 25 °C and pH 7.     

Solid-state conformation of diastereomeric -Pro-Pro-(Aib)4 sequences

The crystal structures of two diastereomeric -Pro-Pro-(Aib)₄- sequences, Cbz-l-Pro-l-Pro-(Aib)₄-OMe (1) and Cbz-d-Pro-l-Pro-(Aib)₄-OMe (2), have been determined by X-ray crystallographic analysis. The crystals of the two compounds were characterized by the following parameters: (1) monoclinic, P2₁, a=10.543 Å, b=8.103 Å, c=22.642 Å, β=97.679, Z=2, R₁=0.104, and R_w=0.327; (2) orthorhombic, P2₁2₁2₁, a=10.470 Å, b=10.953 Å, c=32.405 Å, Z=4, R₁=0.040, and R_w=0.046. In the asymmetric unit of 1, the homochiral l-Pro¹-l-Pro² adopts a polyproline II structure, which induces a left-handed (M) 3₁₀-helical structure in the following -(Aib)₄- sequence. The preferred conformation of diastereomeric 2, which contains heterochiral d-Pro¹-l-Pro² segments, was similar to that of 1 with differences at the N-terminal d-Pro residue.     

Achiral β-amino alcohols as efficient ligands for the ruthenium-catalysed asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of sulfinylimines

Some achiral β-amino alcohols have been shown as efficient ligands for the ruthenium-catalysed asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of N-(tert-butylsulfinyl)imines in isopropanol. The ruthenium complex prepared from [RuCl₂(p-cymene)]₂ (2.5 mol %) and 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol (5 mol %) leads to α-branched chiral primary amines with very high optical purities (up to 98% ee) by the diastereoselective reduction of the imines followed by removal of the sulfinyl group under mild acidic conditions. Short reaction times (2-3 h) were needed to complete the reduction reactions when they were performed at 50 °C.     

A linear Cu-Gd-Cu-Gd complex derived from the assembly reaction of [NaCuH3L] and [Gd(thd)3(H2O)2] (H3L = meso-1,2-diphenyl-1-(2-oxybenzamido)-2-(2-oxy-3-ethoxybenzylideneamino)ethane and Hthd = 2,2,6,6-tetra-methyl-3,5-heptanedione)

A linear tetranuclear Cu^II-Gd^III-Cu^II-Gd^III complex [Cu^IIL^dpen(meso)Gd^III(thd)₂(H₂O)]₂ was synthesized from the reaction of [NaCu^IIL^dpen(meso)(DMF)] with [Gd^III(thd)₃(H₂O)₂], and the structures and magnetic properties were investigated, where H₃L^dpen(meso) = meso-1,2-diphenyl-1-(2-hydroxybenzamido)-2-(2-hydroxy-3-ethoxybenzylideneamino)ethane and Hthd = 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptanedione. The Cu^II complex component [NaCu^IIL^dpen(meso)(DMF)] has a one-dimensional (1D) chain structure, in which the Na⁺ ion is coordinated by two phenoxo and an ethoxy oxygen atoms of a Cu^II complex and an amido oxygen atom of the adjacent Cu^II unit to produce the 1D structure, in which the diphenylethylenediamine moieties have the array of {(1R,2S)-Na-(1S,2R)}_1∞. The assembly reaction of the Cu^II and Gd^III components gave a linear complex with the array of Cu(1)-Gd(1)-Cu(2)-Gd(2), in which two diphenylethylenediamine moieties have the same chirality of (1R,2S)-(1R,2S) or (1S,2R)-(1S,2R). Two linear Cu(1)-Gd(1)-Cu(2)-Gd(2) units are linked by hydrogen bonds through two water molecules to give a cyclic structure with a center of symmetry. The temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibilities and field-dependent magnetization revealed the ferromagnetic interaction between the Cu^II and Gd^III ions within the linear chain.     

Asymmetric cyano-ethoxycarbonylation of aldehydes catalyzed by self-assembled titanium catalyst

A new self-assembled catalyst based on titanium complex has been developed for the effective enantioselective cyano-ethoxycarbonylation of aldehydes. The self-assembled catalyst was readily prepared from (R)-3,3′-bis((methyl((S)-1-phenylethyl)amino)methyl)-1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diol (1h), N-((1S,2R)-2-hydroxy-1,2-diphenylethyl)acetamide (2b), and tetraisopropyl titanate (Ti(OiPr)₄). A variety of aromatic aldehydes, aliphatic aldehydes, and α,β-unsaturated aldehydes were found to be suitable substrates in the presence of the self-assembled titanium catalyst (5 mol % 1h, 5 mol % 2b, and 5 mol % Ti(OiPr)₄). The desired cyanohydrin ethyl carbonates were afforded with high isolated yields (up to 95%) and moderate to good enantioselectivities (up to 92% ee) under mild conditions (at −15 °C). A possible catalytic cycle based on the experimental observation was proposed.     

Fluorinated phosphorus compounds: Part 10. Bis(fluoroalkyl) S-alkyl phosphorothiolates and tris(fluoroalkyl) phosphorothionates

Treatment of bis(fluoroalkyl) phosphites (R_FCH₂O)₂P(O)H, where R_F was CF₃ or C₂F₅ with sulfur in pyridine at 80 °C gave salts of structure [(R_FCH₂O)₂P(O)SH]NC₅H₅ in 90 and 88% yield, respectively. The salts reacted with alkyl iodides in acetonitrile at 50 °C to furnish bis(fluoroalkyl) S-alkyl phosphorothiolates (R_FCH₂O)₂P(O)SR, where R was Me, Et, n- and i-Pr (when R_F = CF₃) and Me (when R_F = C₂F₅). Yields ranged from 21 to 57%. Bis(trifluoroethyl) S-methyl phosphorothiolate (CF₃CH₂O)₂P(O)SMe underwent fluorination by silver(I) fluoride in acetonitrile at room temperature to yield the phosphorofluoridate (CF₃CH₂O)₂P(O)F in 75% yield. Tris(fluoroalkyl) phosphorothionates (R_FCH₂O)₃P = S, where R_F was CF₃, C₂F₅ and C₃F₇, were prepared in 30-34% yield by heating the tris(fluoroalkyl) phosphites (R_FCH₂O)₃P and sulfur to 200 °C in a sealed tube for 8 h.