Surprising fenchone induced cyclization: synthesis of the new chiral diol biphenyl-2,2′-sulfone-3,3′-bisfenchol (BISFOL)

The new chiral diol BISFOL (biphenyl-2,2′-sulfone-3,3′-bisfenchol) is surprisingly formed by cyclization of diphenylsulfone after treatment with n-buthyllithium at −78 °C and subsequent addition of (−)-fenchone. Formation of fenchyl alcohol as byproduct points to a Meisenheimer intermediate as primary cyclization product, which transfers lithium hydride yielding the cyclic sulfone. As a chiral and chelating ligand, BISFOL catalyzes enantioselective diorganozinc additions to aldehydes and forms with dimethylzinc an unprecedented, macrocyclic, dimeric methylzinc complex.     

A new series of potentially hexadentate ligands derived from 2,2′-bipyridine

Reaction of 2,2′-bipyridine-6-carboxaldehyde with the appropriate aliphatic diamine in MeOH and subsequent reduction with NaBH₄ gives the new, potentially hexadentate, ligands N,N′-bis(2,2′-bipyridin-6-ylmethyl)ethane-1,2-diamine (bmet), N,N′-bis(2,2′-bipyridin-6-ylmethyl)propane-1,3-diamine (bmpp) and N,N′-bis(2,2′-bipyridin-6-ylmethyl)hexane-1,6-diamine (bmhx). The syntheses and characterisation of these ligands are reported; the ligands are isolated as the hydrochloride salts, with purification effected by either recrystallisation or cation exchange chromatography. [Co(bmet)](ClO₄)₃ · H₂O is obtained on reaction of bmet · 4.25HCl · 2.5H₂O with Na₃[Co(O₂CO)₃] · 3H₂O, and X-ray structural analysis shows this to have a pair of very short Co–N bonds. The synthesis and characterisation of the first coordination complex containing 6-(aminomethyl)-2,2′-bipyridine (amb) is also described.     

Sandwich-type polyoxotungstate hybrids decorated by nickel-aromatic amine complexes

Three new sandwich-type polyoxotungstates (POTs) decorated by nickel-2,2′-bpy complexes [{Ni(2,2′-bpy)₂(H₂O)}₂{Ni(2,2′-bpy)}₂ {Ni₄(H₂O)₂(B-α-XW₉O₃₄)₂}]ⁿ⁻ (X=P^V, n=4 for 1; X=As^V, n=4 for 2; X=Ge^IV, n=4 for 3) (2,2′-bpy=2,2′-bipyridine) were successfully synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and structurally characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectroscopy, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and magnetic properties. Single-crystal structural analyses indicate that 1 and 2 are isostructural and both crystallize in the monoclinic space group C2/c, whereas 3 belongs to the triclinic space group . To our knowledge, 1, 2 and 3 represent rare examples of the organic-inorganic hybrid sandwich-type polyoxometalates functionalized by multiple nickel-aromatic amine complexes. Magnetic measurements of 1 exhibit the presence of ferromagnetic interactions within the rhombic tetranuclear-Ni^II cluster.     

Hydrothermal synthesis, characterization and fluorescence property of a novel layered fluorinated gallium phosphite with heptameric building unit

A new fluorinated gallium phosphite, Ga₃F₂(2,2′-bipy)₂(HPO₃)₂(H_1.5PO₃)₂1, which is the first layered gallium phosphite with neutral framework, has been hydrothermally synthesized in the presence of 2,2′-bipyridine (2,2′-bipy) acting as a ligand. The as-synthesized product was characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, powder X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), ICP-AES and elemental analyses and fluorescent spectrum. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that compound 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c (No. 15) with cell parameters a=17.633(3) Å, b=9.883(2) Å, c=16.793(3) Å, β=109.88(3)°, V=2752.1(9) Å³ and Z=4. The construction of two-dimensional (2D)-layered structure in compound 1 may be viewed as the assembly of heptameric building unit, which is the first to be found in gallium phosphate/phosphite. The heptameric building unit exists in two types of configuration, which alternately connect through oxygen atoms from HPO₃ pseudo-pyramids to form a layer with 10-membered ring windows viewed along the a-axis. The adjacent layers are stably packed together and exhibit interesting three-dimensional (3D) supramolecular array via π-π interactions of the 2,2′-bipy groups. Additionally, compound 1 shows strong fluorescent property in solid state at room temperature.     

SYNPHOS®, a new chiral diphosphine ligand: synthesis, molecular modeling and application in asymmetric hydrogenation

A new optically active diphosphine ligand, [(5,6),(5′,6′)-bis(ethylenedioxy)biphenyl-2,2′-diyl]bis(diphenylphosphine) (SYNPHOS®) has been synthesized and used in ruthenium-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation. This new ligand has been compared to other diphosphines (BINAP and MeO-BIPHEP), regarding their dihedral angles and the enantioselectivity in the ruthenium mediated hydrogenation reaction.     

Synthesis and liquid crystal properties of a novel family of oligothiophene derivatives

In order to develop novel oligothiophene-based liquid crystals capable of hydrogen bonding, new terthiophene derivatives containing an alkylamide group, N,N′-dialkyl-5,5″-dichloro-2,2′:5′,2″-terthiophene-4,4″-dicarboxamide (DNC_nDCl3T, n=8, 18), N,N′-dialkyl-5,5″-dibromo-2,2′:5′,2″-terthiophene-4,4″-dicarboxamide (DNC_nDBr3T, n=5, 8, 16, 18), or N,N′-dialkyl-5,5″-diiodo-2,2′:5′,2″-terthiophene-4,4″-dica-rboxamide (DNC_nDI3T, n=8, 18), were designed and synthesized, and their thermal behaviour was examined. It was found that DNC₁₈DCl3T, DNC₁₈DI3T and DNC_nDBr3T (n=8, 16, 18) form a smectic A phase and that the alkyl chain length greatly affects liquid crystal phase formation. The absence of liquid crystallinity in the corresponding ester derivatives suggests that intermolecular hydrogen bonding also plays a role in the formation of a liquid crystal phases in the DNC_nDBr3T system.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of two five coordinate aluminum alkyl and bis(trimethylsilyl)amino complexes bearing acyclic tetradentate Schiff bases

Two acyclic Schiff-base ligands, bis-5,5′-(1,3-propanediyldiimino)-2,2-dimethyl-4-hexene-3-one and bis-5,5′-(1,3-ethanediyldiimino)-2,2-dimethyl-4-hexene-3-one, were used to complex homoleptic triethylaluminum and tris[bis(trimethylsilyl)amino]aluminum, respectively. The acid–base reactions proceeded in excellent yields with elimination of ethane or bis(trimethylsilyl)amine during in situ deprotonation of the protio Schiff-base. The colorless aluminum complexes crystallized from n-pentane and were characterized by standard methods including single crystal X-ray diffraction. Polymerization of racemic lactide, with addition of alcohol, yielded PLA with narrow polydispersities but low molecular weights.     

(2,2′-bipy)[In2(OH)2(H2O)](SO4)2: The first indium sulfate with a layer structure

The first indium sulfate coordination complex, (2,2′-bipy)[In₂(OH)₂(H₂O)](SO₄)₂ (2,2′-bipy=2,2′-bipyridyl) was hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD), the powder XRD, elemental analysis, inductively coupled plasma (ICP) analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), IR spectroscopy and fluorescent spectroscopy. It is noteworthy that this compound exhibits a novel two-dimensional layer structure, which is built up from two distinct motifs, a butlerite-type chain and a single 4-ring (S4R) unit. The adjacent layers are stably packed together and extended into three-dimensional supramolecular arrays via π-π stacking interactions of the 2,2′-bipy ligands. Additionally, this compound shows strong fluorescent property at room temperature, which may be assigned to ligand-centered π*-π transitions.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of mixed carbene-carboxylate complexes of palladium(II)

Mixed carbene-carboxylate complexes of Palladium(II) have been prepared by reacting {1,1^′-dimethyl-3,3^′-methylenediimidazoline-2,2^′-diylidene} palladium(II) diiodide (1) [Angew. Chem. 107 (1995) 2602; Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl. 34 (1995) 2371; J. Organomet. Chem. 557 (1998) 93] with AgO₂CR, where R=CF₃, CF₂CF₃ and CF₂CF₂CF₃. In this manner, {1,1^′-dimethyl-3,3^′-methylenediimidazoline-2,2^′-diylidene} palladium(II) bis(trifluo-roacetate) (2), {1,1^′-dimethyl-3,3^′-methylenediimidazoline-2,2^′-diylidene} palladium(II) bis(pentafluoropropionate) (3) and {1,1^′-dimethyl-3,3^′-methylenediimidazoline-2,2^′-diylidene} palladium(II) bis(heptafluorobutyrate) (4) were obtained. All three complexes were fully characterized by ¹H-, ¹³C- and ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopy as well as ESI mass spectrometry. X-ray crystal structure analyses of complexes 3 and 4 reveal mononuclear species with a square planar metal center coordinated by a cis-chelating dicarbene and two monodentate carboxylate ligands. The results show that the introduction of a cis-chelating N,N-heterocyclic carbene ligand stabilizes the palladium-carboxylate moiety effectively.     

Synthesis and characterization of difunctional blue light-emitting molecules containing hole-transporting triphenylamino units

The synthesis of new difunctional (i.e., light-emitting and hole-transporting) fluorophore molecules, 2,2′-difuryl-4,4′-(N,N,N′,N′-tetraphenyl)diaminobiphenyl and 5,5′-bis(4-N,N′-diphenylaminophenyl)-2,2′-bifuryl, which contain hole-transporting triphenylamino units, are reported. These difunctional molecules emit intense blue photoluminescence and further reveal high HOMO energy values as well as high glass transition temperatures.     

Synthesis, crystal and molecular structure of gold(I) thiophenolate with 4′-ferrocenyl[1,1′]biphenylisocyanides

The syntheses of ferrocenylbiphenylisocyanide gold(I) thiophenolato complexes are described. The preparative route starts from ferrocenylphenylbromide and proceeds in six steps to yield the desired gold(I) complexes, (thiophenolato)gold{(4′-ferrocenyl[1,1′]biphenyl-4-yl)isocyanide} (11) and (thiophenolato)gold{(4′-ferrocenyl-3,5-dimethyl[1,1′]biphenyl-4-yl)isocyanide} (12) in good yields. The synthetic pathways were developed as a first step toward realizing the goal of preparing metallomesogens based on ferrocenyl-polyphenylenes coordinated to gold(I) thiophenolates, in which long chain alkoxy groups are substituted para to sulfur on the phenyl ring. The crystal structures of (chloro)gold{(4^′-ferrocenyl[1,1′]biphenyl-4-yl)isocyanide} (9) and 12 are reported. Complex 9 crystallizes in the space group P2₁/c and 12 crystallizes in P2₁/n. Complexes 9 and 12 show short intermolecular Au-Au contacts of 3.3765(7) Å and 3.3334(3) Å, respectively.     

Suzuki arylation at positions 2 and 2 of 1,1-binaphthyls: stereochemical result depending on the sense of polarity of substrates

The first preparation of enantiomerically pure 1,1^′-binaphthyl-2,2^′-diboronic acid (by resolution) is reported. Optimization of the cross-coupling conditions was found to be crucial to achieve good yields in Suzuki arylation in approaches from both 2,2^′-diiodide or 2,2^′-diboronic acid (52-56%, with model p-tolyl reagents). Stereochemical results in these reactions were dramatically different: almost complete racemization starting from the 2,2^′-diiodide versus complete conservation of stereogenic information from the 2,2^′-diboronic acid. This novel synthetic approach, a stereoconservative Suzuki arylation of the diboronic acid, should be a valuable method for the synthesis of a new group of 2,2^′-diarylated (including functionalized) binaphthyl derivatives.     

Atom transfer radical polymerization of (meth)acrylates and their novel block copolymers with vinyl acetate

Homopolymerization of methyl acrylate (MA) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) were carried out at 90 °C using methyl-2-bromopropionate (MBP) as initiator, copper halide (CuX, X=Cl, Br) as catalyst, 2,2^′-bipyridine (bpy) or N,N,N^′,N^′,N^″-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PMDETA) as ligand in 1-butanol (less polar and containing OH) and acetonitrile (more polar) solvents. It was found that with CuCl/bpy catalyst ATRP of MA and MMA in 1-butanol proceeded faster than that in acetonitrile. The rate of ATRP of MA and MMA in acetonitrile and 1-butanol was comparable when CuCl/PMDETA used as catalyst system. The number-average molecular weights increased with conversion and polydispersities were low . The ATRP of MA and MMA with vinyl acetate telomer having trichloromethyl end group (PVAc-CCl₃) were also used to synthesize new block copolymers. The structures and molecular weight of synthesized PVAc-b-PMA and PVAc-b-PMMA were characterized by ¹H NMR, FTIR spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and shown that the block copolymers were novel.     

Synthesis of terpyridine-substituted calix[n]arenes

Calix[n]arenes (n = 4,5) comprising 4-(2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridyl)-phenyl substituents at the upper rim were synthesized for the first time, employing Suzuki-type coupling reactions. All calix[n]arene derivatives were prepared as cone conformers. The single crystal X-ray structure of cone-5,11,17,23-tetra{4-(2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridyl)-phenyl}-25,26,27,28-tetrabutoxycalix[4]arene 4 is analyzed in terms of structural rigidity and potential use of these ligands as novel synthons of cage-type metallosupramolecular assemblies.     

Synthesis and X-ray structures of new chiral Ag(I) complexes with biaryl-based N4-donor ligands

Condensation of (R)-2,2′-diamino-1,1′-binaphthyl or (R)-6,6′-dimethylbiphenyl-2,2′-diamine with 2 equiv of 2-pyridine carboxaldehyde in toluene in the presence of molecular sieves at 70 °C gives (R)-N,N′-bis(pyridin-2-ylmethylene)-1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diimine (1), and (R)-N,N′-bis(pyridin-2-ylmethylene)-6,6′-dimethylbiphenyl-2,2′-diimine (3), respectively, in good yields. Reduction of 1 with an excess of NaBH₄ in a solvent mixture of MeOH and toluene (1:1) at 50 °C gives (R)-N,N′-bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)-1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diamine (2) in 95% yield. Rigidity plays an important role in the formation of helicate silver(I) complexes. Treatment of 1, or 3 with 1 equiv of AgNO₃ in mixed solvents of MeOH and CH₂Cl₂ (1:4) gives the chiral, dinuclear double helicate Ag(I) complexes [Ag₂(1)₂][NO₃]₂ (4) and [Ag₂(3)₂][NO₃]₂ · 2H₂O (6), respectively, in good yields. While under the similar reaction conditions, reaction of 2 with 1 equiv of AgNO₃ affords the chiral, mononuclear single helicate Ag(I) complex [Ag(2)][NO₃] (5) in 90% yield. [Ag₂(1)₂][NO₃]₂ (4) can further react with excess AgNO₃ to give [Ag₂(1)₂]₃[NO₃]₂[Ag(CH₃OH)(NO₃)₃]₂ · 2CH₃OH (7) in 75% yield. All compounds have been fully characterized by various spectroscopic techniques and elemental analyses. Compounds 1 and 5-7 have been further subjected to single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses.     

Synthesis,structural characterization and properties of one-dimensional coordination polymers of cobalt(II)- and nickel(II)-phosphonate complexes with 2,2′-bipyridine as a secondary ligand component: Observation of both cis and trans conformations of a diphosphonic acid

Two new isomorphous cobalt and nickel phosphonates [M^II(2,2′-bipy)₂LH₄]_n[LH₂]_n, M = Co (compound 1), M = Ni (compound 2) were hydrothermally synthesized from p-xylylenediphosphonic acid (LH₄) and the corresponding metal salts with 2,2′-bipyridine as secondary ligand component. Both the compounds 1 and 2 are characterized by routine elemental analyses, IR-, electronic-spectral analyses, thermogravimetric studies and unambiguously characterized by single crystal X-ray crystallography. The structures were refined in monoclinic space group C2/c. The crystal structure consists of 1D [M(2,2′-bipy)₂LH₄]²⁺ chains and [LH₂]²⁻ anions. The flexibility of non-rigid ligand p-xylylenediphosphonic acid (LH₄) tends to adopt a rare cis conformation in the crystal structure to meet the coordination requirement of the metal center from the usual trans conformation. The hydrogen bonding in the crystal structure leads to cylindrical tubes that extend via p-xylylenediphosphonic acid resulting in a 2D supramolecular sheet throughout the crystal. Compounds 1 and 2 are additionally characterized by thermogravimetric studies.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of two polymorphs of Fe(2,2′-bpy)(HPO4)(H2PO4)

Two polymorphs of an organic-inorganic hybrid compound, Fe(2,2′-bpy)(HPO₄)(H₂PO₄) (1 and 2) (2,2′-bpy=2,2′-bipyridine), have been synthesized by hydrothermal methods and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and magnetic susceptibility. Crystal data are as follows: Polymorph 1, monoclinic, space group P2₁/n (No. 14), a=10.904(2) Å, b=6.423(1) Å, c=19.314(3) Å, β=101.161(3)°, and Z=4; Polymorph 2, monoclinic, space group P2₁/c (No. 14), a=11.014(1) Å, b=15.872(2) Å, c=8.444(1) Å, β=109.085(3)°, and Z=4. Polymorph 1 adopts a chain structure in which each iron atom is coordinated by two nitrogen atoms from 2,2′-bpy ligand and four phosphate oxygen atoms. These infinite chains are extended into a 3-D supramolecular array via π-π stacking interactions of the lateral 2,2′-bpy ligands. The structure of polymorph 2 consists of the same building units, namely FeO₄N₂ octahedron, HPO₄ and H₂PO₄ tetrahedra, and 2,2′-bpy ligand, which are linked through their vertices forming an undulated sheetlike structure with 4,12 network. Adjacent layers are extended into a 3-D array via π-π stacking interactions of the aromatic groups. Magnetic susceptibility measurement results confirm that the iron atoms in both compounds are present in the +3 oxidation state.     

Synthetic, spectral and catalytic activity studies of ruthenium bipyridine and terpyridine complexes: Implications in the mechanism of the ruthenium(pyridine-2,6-bisoxazoline)(pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylate)-catalyzed asymmetric epoxidation of olefins utilizing H2O2

Various Ru(L₁)(L₂) (1) complexes (L₁ = 2,2′-bipyridines, 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridines, 6-(4S)-4-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-oxazol-2-yl-2,2′-bipyridinyl or 2,2′-bipyridinyl-6-carboxylate; L₂ = pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylate, pyridine-2-carboxylate or 2,2′-bipyridinyl-6-carboxylate) have been synthesized (or in situ generated) and tested on epoxidation of olefins utilizing 30% aqueous H₂O₂. The complexes containing pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylate show extraordinarily high catalytic activity. Based on the stereoselective performance of chiral ruthenium complexes containing non-racemic 2,2′-bipyridines including 6-[(4S)-4-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-oxazol-2-yl]-[2,2′]bipyridinyl new insights on the reaction intermediates and reaction pathway of the ruthenium-catalyzed enantioselective epoxidation are proposed. In addition, a simplified protocol for epoxidation of olefins using urea hydrogen peroxide complex as oxidizing agent has been developed.     

Syntheses, topological analyses and photoelectric properties of Ag(I)/Cu(I) metal-organic frameworks based on a tetradentate imidazolate ligand

A new tetradentate imidazolate ligand 1,1′,1″,1′′′-(2,2′,4,4′,6,6′-hexamethylbiphenyl-3,3′,5,5′-tetrayl)tetrakis(methylene)(1H-imidazole) (L) and four Ag(I)/Cu(I) coordination polymers, namely [(MCN)₃L]_n (1: M=Ag; 2: M=Cu), and [(MSCN)₂L]_n (3: M=Ag; 4: M=Cu) are described. All four new coordination polymers were fully characterized by infrared spectroscopy, elemental analysis and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 1 features a 3D supramolecular framework constructed by 1D chains through inter-chain Ag-N(CN) and inter-layer Ag-N(L) weak interactions with an uninodal 6⁶ topology. Complex 2 presents a 3D framework characterized by a tetranodal (3,4)-connected (3·4·5·10²·11)(3·4·5·6·7·9)(3·6·7)(6·10²) topology. Complexes 3 and 4 are isostructural, and both have a 3D network of trinodal 4-connected (4·8⁵)₂(4²·8²·10²)(4²·8⁴)₂ topology. The luminescent properties for these compounds in the solid state as well as the possible ferroelectric behavior of 1 are discussed.     

Dimeric samarium(III) alkoxides bearing N2O2 tetradentate Schiff bases and their utility for the catalytic epoxidation of trans-chalcone

Two anhydrous, dimeric samarium(III) complexes bearing a bulky μ-alkoxide (diphenylmethoxide) ligand and different “saturated” tetradentate Schiff bases {bis-5,5′-(1,3-propanediyldiimino)-2,2-dimethyl-4-hexene-3-onato and bis-5,5′-(2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediyldiimino)-2,2-dimethyl-4-hexene-3-onato} were synthesized and fully characterized. The complexes differ only in alkyl substitution at the three-carbon amino linker between the ketoiminato halves, with one having a CH₂ group and the other a C(CH₃)₂ substituent along the free-ligand idealized mirror plane. Both metal-containing molecules were isolated in high-yields from direct alcoholysis of the corresponding 5-coordinate, mononuclear complexes and their catalytic activity for the epoxidation of 1,3-diphenyl propenone (trans-chalcone), an α,β-unsaturated ketone, investigated.