Photochemical formation of [4.4.4](1,3,5)cyclophanes from 1,3,5-tris(3-phenylpropenoyl)benzenes

Irradiation of 1,3,5-tris(3-phenylpropenoyl)benzene (1a) yields in solution a dimer 2a by a threefold head-to-head/anti [2π+2π]cycloaddition. The stereochemistry of this [4.4.4](1,3,5)cyclophane was determined by ¹H and ¹³C NMR studies including NOE measurements and a calculation of the AA′MM′ spin pattern of the methine protons. In contrast to the solution photochemistry, which is presumably controlled by the arrangement of an excimer, the irradiation in the crystalline state leads by a topochemical control to a dimer 3a, which contains a single four-membered ring.     

Synthesis and properties of 5-[bis(1-heteroazulen-3-yl)methylidene]pyrimidine-2,4,6(1,3,5H)-triones

The synthesis and properties of a novel type of 5-[bis(1-heteroazulen-3-yl)methylidene]pyrimidine-2,4,6(1,3,5H)-triones (13a-c) and (14a-c) are studied. The synthetic procedure is based on addition of bis(1-heteroazulen-3-yl)methyl cations with barbituric acid and subsequent oxidation by o-chloranil. Structural characteristics of 13a-c and 14a-c were clarified on inspection of the ¹³C NMR spectral data and X-ray crystal analysis. Based on the investigation of the UV-vis spectra of 13a-c and 14a-c and their protonated cations, conformational change of the heteroazulene-moiety and the barbituric acid-moiety is suggested. In the CV measurements of 13a-c and 14a-c, two reversible reduction waves are observed, indicating the stabilizing ability of heteroazulenes toward the corresponding radical and anion species. Furthermore, 13a-c and 14a-c exhibit one irreversible oxidation wave and the corresponding reduction wave appearing in a far negative region, which suggested a conformational change in the radical cation during the redox process. The conformational change is rationalized on the basis of the MO calculations.     

Oxa-bridged cyclophanes featuring thieno[2,3-b]thiophene and C2-symmetric binol or bis-naphthol rings: synthesis, structures, and conformational studies

Oxa-bridged cyclophanes 4/6 and 8/10 featuring thieno[2,3-b]thiophene ring and binol or bis-naphthol have been synthesized. The structures are assigned by 2D NMR data and the identity of 4 is also independently established by a single X-ray crystallography. From dynamic NMR analysis, the Arrhenius energy of activation ΔG^# for bridge inversions in 4 and 6 was calculated to be 15.3 and 12.9 kcal/mol, respectively. A higher ΔG^# for 4, relative to the ester free 6 is attributable to the steric compression stemming from C2/C5 ester substituents to the bridge inversion processes. While the methylene bridges undergo inversion in 4 and 6, the naphthyl-naphthyl pseudo-rotation appears to be restricted even at higher temperatures. This is supported by retention of the optical purity of the chiral (−) 4 under thermal condition. For the case of bis-naphthol cyclophane 8, we observed the flipping of both the -OCH₂- and the naphthyl-CH₂-naphthyl bridges with ΔG^# of ca. 11.4 kcal/mol. However, the ester free cyclophane 10 remained conformationally mobile even at −55 °C and its ΔG^# was assumed to be <11.4 kcal/mol. The presence of an extra -CH₂- linker in bis-naphthol cyclophanes 8/10 renders them relatively more conformationally mobile compared to binol cyclophanes 4/6, possessing a rigid naphthyl-naphthyl geometry.     

Synthesis of bridged nicotinates having [n](2,5)pyridinophane skeletons (n=8-14)

Synthesis of various bridged nicotinates 6 having [n](2,5)pyridinophane skeletons (n=8-14) was accomplished by the unique pyridine-formation reaction of methyl propiolate with a series of formyl-substituted (vinylimino)phosphoranes 5, which were prepared from the corresponding cycloalkanones 1 via Vilsmeier-Haack formylation giving chloro-substituted cycloalkenals 2, their thermal and photochemical transformation to formyl azirines 4, and the following ring-opening reactions with triphenylphosphine. The HPLC analysis of [11](2,5)pyridinophane derivatives, (S_p,S)-14 and (R_p,S)-14, showed that these diastereomers rapidly epimerize themselves at room temperature and that their planar-chirality was thermodynamically less stable as compared to the corresponding [11](2,5)cyclophane systems.     

Design and synthesis of ninhydrin-based cyclophanes as potential neutral receptors for quaternary ammonium cations

Four ninhydrin-based cyclophanes 4a, 4b, 6a, and 6b were designed and synthesized. Two rectangular type cyclophanes (4a and 4b) and two square type cyclophanes (6a and 6b) were prepared in 8-43% yields.     

Synthesis and reactivity of [(η-[32](1,3)Cyclophane)Mn(CO)3][BF4]

The manganese cyclophane complex, [(η⁶-[3₂](1,3)cyclophane)Mn(CO)₃][BF₄] 2, was prepared by the reaction of [[3₂](1,3)cyclophane] 1 with Mn(CO)₅FBF₃. Reaction of 2 with NaBH₃CN yielded the cyclohexadienyl manganese complex [(η⁵-6H-[3₂](1,3)cyclophane)Mn(CO)₃] 3. Interestingly, treatment of 3 with Mn(CO)₅FBF₃ gave the bis-manganese complex (η⁶,η⁵-6H-[3₂](1,3)cyclophane)[Mn(CO)₃]₂[BF₄] 4. When NaBH₃CN was treated with 4, [(η⁵,η⁵-6H,6^′H-[3₂](1,3)cyclophane)Mn(CO)₃] 5 was isolated as yellow crystals. The structure of compounds 2 and 3 were determined by single-crystal X-ray crystallography.     

Synthesis of novel indole based cyclophanes and cylindrical cyclophanes by tandem alkylation methodology using NaH

Treatment of 1 equiv of 1,3-bis(bromomethyl)benzene and 2,6-bis(bromomethyl)pyridine with 1 equiv of indole in the presence of NaH in THF afforded the symmetrical cyclophanes 1 and 2. Using similar methodology, cylindrical cyclophanes 3 and 4 were obtained from 2 equiv of 1,3,5-trimethyl-2,4,6-tris(bromomethyl)benzene and 1,3,5-tris(bromomethyl)benzene with 3 equiv of indole.     

Synthesis, X-ray crystallographic, and dynamic H NMR studies of crown-tetrathia[3.3.3.3]metacyclophanes—conformational control by cooperative intramolecular C-H?π interaction both in solid state and in solution

Crown-tetrathia[3.3.3.3]metacyclophanes 3a-c were synthesized via intermolcular coupling reaction in 22-30% yields. X-ray crystal analysis of 3b revealed that it adopted a perpendicular conformation (3b-B or 3b-C) in which two aromatic rings were inclined to be perpendicular to the opposite aromatic rings, driving two internal methyl groups into the π-cloud of the corresponding benzene rings. Furthermore, this perpendicular structural feature led to benzylic protons of thia-bridges being in close proximity to the adjacent aromatic rings. As a result, the induced upfield shifts for the two internal methyl protons and four benzylic protons were clearly observed in dynamic ¹H NMR spectra at low temperature, indicating that the intramolecular C-H?π interaction became increasingly important at low temperature. The energy barrier for inter-conversion between 3b-B and 3b-C was estimated to be 12.1 kcal mol⁻¹ by using a coalescence method. The total stabilization enthalpy of the C-H?π interactions was quantitatively calculated to be 7.9±0.8 kcal mol⁻¹ by the dynamic NMR spectroscopy. In contrast, 3a showed two non-interconvertible conformers at room temperature, which tended to interconvert at elevated temperature, however, many conformers co-existed at low temperature.     

Regioselective synthesis of novel 4-aryl-2-ethylthio-7-methyl pyrazolo[1,5-a]-[1,3,5]-triazines

Pyrazolo[1,5-a]-[1,3,5]-triazines 6a-d were obtained by an efficient one-step reaction from S,S-diethyl aroyliminodithiocarbonates 4a-d and 5-amino-3-methylpyrazole 5 or by an alternative two-step reaction from 5 and aroyl isothiocyanates 8a-d to give initially the thiourea derivatives 9a-d, which after S-ethylation and cyclization afforded compounds 6a-d. The intermediate 7a isolated from reaction between 4a and 5 permitted us to establish the orientation.     

Synthesis and properties of bis(heteroazulen-3-yl)methyl cations and bis(heteroazulen-3-yl)ketones

The synthesis and properties of a novel type of bis(heteroazulen-3-yl)methyl cations, bis(2-oxo-2H-cyclohepta[b]furan-3-yl)methyl cation salt and nitrogen analogues, (9a-c·PF₆⁻) and (9a-c·BF₄⁻), as well as bis(heteroazulen-3-yl)ketones (12a-d) are studied. The synthetic method was based on a TFA-catalyzed electrophilic aromatic substitution on the heteroazulenes (6a-d) with paraformaldehyde to afford the corresponding disubstituted methane derivatives 7a-d, followed by oxidative hydrogen abstraction with DDQ, and subsequent exchange of the counter-anion by using aq. HPF₆ or aq. HBF₄. In addition, the reaction of 7a-d with 2.2 equiv. amounts of DDQ afforded carbonyl compounds 12a-d. The delocalization of the positive charge of 9a-c was evaluated by the ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectral data. The thermodynamic stability of cations 9a-c was evaluated to be in the order 9a<9b<9c on the basis of their reduction potentials measured by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and pK_R+ values (2.6-10.3) obtained spectrophotometrically. The reduction waves of cations 9a-c were irreversible, suggesting the dimerization of the radical species generated by one-electron reduction. This was demonstrated by the reduction of 9a·BF₄⁻ with Zn powder to give dimerized product 14a. In addition, the quenching of 9a·BF₄⁻ with MeOH/NaHCO₃ gives ether derivative 15a, which is proposed for the precursor for synthesizing tris(heteroazulene)-substituted methyl cations bearing two different heteroazulene-units.     

Synthesis, characterization and ion transportation studies of some novel cyclophane amides

Various novel cyclophane amides with a large cavity have been synthesized. The structures of cyclophane amides 14 and 15 were resolved using XRD studies. Cyclophane amide 28 shows a shift in λ_max in the UV/Vis. spectra when treated with Cu (II) ion as well as with Pb (II) ion. Ion transportation studies were carried out with cyclophane amide 14 which proved that the Na⁺ ion passes through the cavity while K⁺ ions are retained.     

9,21,22-Triaza-2,11-dithia[3.3](2,6)pyridino(2,9)phenanthrolinophane: a five-donor macrocycle functioning as a bidentate ligand

9,21,22-Triaza-2,11-dithia[3.3](2,6)pyridino(2,9)phenanthrolinophane 4 was prepared from a cyclization reaction of 2,6-bis(mercaptomethyl)pyridine 5 and 2,9-bis(bromomethyl)phenanthroline 6. Results from ¹H NMR analysis are inconclusive but those derived from semi-empirical molecular orbital PM3 calculations support a preference for a syn conformation for 4. The conformation barrier for interconversion between two syn isomers of 4 was estimated to be 36.5 kJ mol⁻¹ on the basis of a dynamic ¹H NMR study. The manganese(II) and zinc(II) complexes of 4 were prepared and the metal to ligand ratios were found to be 1:1 and 2:1, respectively, by elemental analyses. Results from an ¹H NMR analysis of the zinc(II) complex of 4 suggest that only the two nitrogen atoms of the phenanthroline moiety participate in the co-ordination.     

Synthesis and properties of 3-arylcyclohepta[4,5]imidazo[1,2-a]-1,3,5-triazine-2,4(3H)-diones and related compounds: photo-induced autorecycling oxidation of some amines

Novel 3-phenyl- and 3-(4-nitrophenyl)cyclohepta[4,5]imidazo[1,2-a]-1,3,5-triazine-2,4(3H)-diones and the corresponding imino derivatives 5a,b and 6a,b were synthesized in modest to moderate yields by the abnormal and normal aza-Wittig reaction of 2-(1,3-diazaazulen-2-ylimino)triphenylphosphorane with aryl isocyanates and subsequent heterocyclization reaction with a second isocyanate. The related cationic compound, 1-methyl-3-phenylcyclohepta[4,5]imidazo[1,2-a]-1,3,5-triazine-2,4(3H)-dionylium tetrafluoroborate 7a, was also prepared. The electrochemical reduction of these compounds exhibited more positive reduction potentials as compared with those of the related compounds of 3,10-disubstituted cyclohepta[4,5]pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine-2,4(1H,3H)-dione systems. In a search of the oxidizing ability, compounds 5a, 6a, and 7a were demonstrated to oxidize some amines to give the corresponding imines in more than 100% yield under aerobic and photo-irradiation conditions, while even benzylamine was not oxidized under aerobic and thermal conditions at 100 °C. The oxidation reactions by cation 7a are more efficient than that by 5a and 6a. Quenching of the fluorescence of 5a was observed, and thus, the oxidation reaction by 5a probably proceeds via electron-transfer from amine to the excited singlet state of 5a. In the case of cation 7a, the oxidation reaction is proposed to proceed via formation of an amine-adduct of 7a and subsequent photo-induced radical cleavage reaction.     

Triply bridged (1,3,5) cyclophanes from cystine and lanthionine linkers—a comparison

The condensation of benzene 1,3,5-tricarbonylchloride with cystine-di-Me [H₂N-CH(COOMe)-CH₂-S-S-CH₂-CH(COOMe)-NH₂] yielded triply bridged (1,3,5) cyclophane 1, which was shown by detailed spectral studies and molecular orbital calculations to have a D₃ symmetry with conformationally identical linkers and a spherical topology. In sharp contrast, the (1,3,5) cyclophane 2 from the rarely studied lanthionine di-Me [H₂N-CH(COOMe)-CH₂-S-CH₂-CH(COOMe)-NH₂], showed only a equatorial twofold symmetry. This work highlights the special properties of the -S-S- bridge in cystine, which makes it an exceptional synthon in nature and organic synthesis.     

Microwave assisted synthesis of novel imidazo [2,1-b]thiazole derivative attached to quinoxalinones

3-(6-Phenylimidazo[2,1-b]thiazol-5-yl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones (qunoxalinone) (6a-q) have been synthesized by the reaction of ethyl 2-oxo-2-(6-phenylimidazo[2,1-b]thiazol-5-yl)acetates (4a-e) with suitably substituted o-phenylenediamines (5a-f) under microwave heating. The ethyl 2-oxo-2-(6-phenylimidazo[2,1-b]thiazol-5-yl)acetates (4a-e) were prepared by the reaction of 6-phenylimidazo[2,1-b]thiazoles (3a-e) with ethyl chlorooxoacetate in refluxing 1,4-dioxane whereas the thiazoles (3a-e) were synthesized by the reaction of 2-bromo-1-phenylethanones (2a-e) with thiazol-2-amine in refluxing acetone.     

Synthesis and structures of thieno[2,3-b]thiophene incorporated [3.3]dithiacyclophanes. Enhanced first hyperpolarizability in an unsymmetrically polarized cyclophane

Dithiacyclophanes incorporating thieno[2,3-b]thiophene have been synthesized, in order to investigate the nonlinear optical properties of donor-acceptor cyclophane 7. Cyclophane 7 displayed significantly higher first hyperpolarizability β (21.6 × 10⁻³⁰ esu) compared to model 10 (9.58 × 10⁻³⁰esu). Relatively higher β in 7 presumably arises from an extra electron redistribution arising from through-space charge transfer, a feature lacking in 10. Moreover, the thermal decomposition temperature of 7 (300 °C) is higher than that reported for the NLO prototype DANS (295 °C).     

Structural properties of charge-transfer complexes of four- and five-layered [3.3]metacyclophanes

In the solid state, the cyclophane (CP) moieties of the charge-transfer (CT) complexes of four- and five-layered [3.3]metacyclophanes (MCPs) 1 and 2 with tetracyanoethylene (TCNE) take different conformations from those in the solid state of the free MCPs. In the four-layered [3.3]MCP 1-TCNE complex, the CP moiety takes an s-shaped syn-anti-syn geometry, whereas the inner three benzene rings take the all-syn geometry and the two outer [3.3]MCP moieties have deformed anti-conformations in the five-layered [3.3]MCP 2-TCNE complex. In the crystal-packing diagrams of each complex, intermolecular CH/π-type interactions are observed between adjacent molecules.     

Synthesis of N,N-di(arylmethylidene)arylmethanediamines by flash vacuum pyrolysis of arylmethylazides

Flash vacuum pyrolysis of arylmethylazides 7a-d gave 2,4-diazapentadienes 5a-d in high yield (76-92%). The thermal cyclization of 5a-d gave cis-imidazolines 1a-d, further heating or Swern oxidation of 1a-d gave dehydrogenated products, imidazoles 2a-d.     

Efficient synthesis of various acycloalkenyl derivatives of pyrimidine using cross-metathesis and Pd(0) methodologies

Novel acyclonucleosides (9a-d, 10a-d, 18a,b and 19a,b) have been prepared using Pd(0) and cross-metathesis methodologies. The allylic N-alkylation under Tsuji-Trost conditions was used to introduce the nucleobase, while the Suzuki-Miyaura reaction afforded C-5 substituted uracil analogues. The cross-metathesis performed with a ruthenium catalyst was used to provide new acycloalkenyl nucleosides. The antiviral activities of all final compounds have been evaluated.     

Syntheses and structure of 2,11-dithia[3.3](2,6)pyrazinophane and its coordination complexes of Cu(I) and Co(II)

The cyclophane ligand, 2,11-dithia[3.3](2,6)pyrazinophane (L), was synthesized by a simpler method and characterized by ¹H NMR, which was used to synthesize coordination complexes by reactions with Cu⁺ (I) and Co²⁺ (II) cations. Single-crystal X-ray analysis revealed that the conformation of the ligand L is syn(boat-chair), while in I and II it adopts syn(boat-chair) and syn(chair-chair), respectively. In the former coordination compound, Cu(I) is coordinated with two nitrogen and one sulfur atom of the ligand. In the latter one, Co(II) is coordinated with two nitrogen and two sulfur atoms of the ligand. In complexes I and II, the formation of three-dimensional structure depends on π-π-stacking and hydrogen bonds.