Ring transformation of 6H-cyclopropa[e]pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine. IV (1). Reduction and reaction of 5a-acetyl-6a-ethoxycarbonyl-5a,6a-dihydro-6H-cyclopropa[e]pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carbonitriles with primary amines

The reaction of 5a-acetyl-6-ethoxycarbonyl-5a,6a-dihydro-6H-cyclopropa[e]pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carbonitrile ( 1a ) with benzylamine gave ethyl l-benzyl-5-cyano-8a,9-dihydro-2-methyl-1H-pyrrolo[3,4-e]-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-8a-carboxylate ( 2a ), in addition to 5-acetyl-3-benzylamino-1-(4-cyanopyrazol-3-yl)- 2-pyridone ( 3 ). Reaction of 1a with aniline gave ethyl 6-acetyl-8-anilino-3-cyano-7,8-dihydro-4H-pyrazolo-[1,5-a][1,3]diazepine-8-carboxylate ( 4 ), in addition to ethyl 3-cyano-7-methyl-6-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-acrylate ( 5 ). On the other hand, the same reactions of 1b with benzylamine or aniline gave 2b or 8b , respectively. Though catalytic hydrogenation of 1a over 5% palladium-carbon proceeded by ring fission of cyclopropane ring to give 9 , 1a (or 1b ) afforded 4,5-dihydro derivatives ( 13 or 15 ) by catalytic hydrogenation over platinum oxide. The reactivity of 5-methoxy-4,5,5a,6a-tetrahydro-6H-cyclopropa[e]pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine ( 16 ), which are related analogs of 1a,b , is also described.     

Reaction products of methyl tricyclo[4.1.0.02,7]heptane-1-carboxylate and tricyclo[4.1.0.02,7]hept-1-yl phenyl sulfone with dinitrogen tetraoxide

The reaction of methyl tricyclo[4.1.0.0^2,7]hepatne-1-carboxylate with dinitrogen tetraoxide in diethyl ether at ?10 to 0°C, followed by treatment of the reaction mixture with methanol, gave approximately equal amounts of methyl exo,syn-6,7-dinitro-and exo-6-hydroxy-syn-7-nitrobicyclo[3.1.1]heptane-endo-6-carboxylates. Tricyclo[4.1.0.0^2,7]hept-1-yl phenyl sulfone reacted with dinitrogen tetraoxide under analogous conditions to produce a mixture of diastereoisomeric exo,syn-and endo,syn-6,7-dinitro-6-phenylsulfonylbicyclo-[3.1.1]heptanes and 6,6-dimethoxy-endo-7-nitrobicyclo[3.1.1]heptane at a ratio of 4.5:2:1. Probable factors responsible for the different stereoselectivities in the addition of N₂O₄ at the central C¹-C⁷ bond of the initial tricycloheptane compounds were discussed. The structural parameters of the dinitro ester and related dinitro sulfone were compared on the basis of the X-ray diffraction data.     

Stereoselective synthesis of bicyclo[3.1.1]heptane derivatives via intramolecular photocycloaddition reaction

Optically active 1,3-bridged cyclobutanes 10 of the bicyclo[3.1.1]heptane ring system and 1,2-bridged cyclobutanes 11 of the bicyclo[3.2.0]heptane ring system were produced by UV irradiation of alpha,beta,gamma,delta-unsaturated esters 9a and 9c-f. The preference of endo-stereochemistry at C-6 bridged head was observed in cross-adducts 10. On the other hand, irradiation of conjugated dienol 9b led via only parallel cycloaddition to 1,2-bridged cyclobutane 11.     

A novel synthetic route to 6-oxabicyclo[3.1.1]heptane skeleton

6-Oxabicyclo[3.1.1]heptane skeleton is synthesized starting from bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane skeleton, in which as a key reaction, Baeyer-Villiger oxidation of the tricyclic oxetane (19) is involved.     

Synthesis and electrophilic substitutions of novel pyrazolo[1,5-c]-1,2,4-triazolo[4,3-a]pyrimidines

5-Aryl-7-hydrazino-2-phenylpyrazolo[1,5-c]pyrimidines 1 were used as precursors for the preparation of a new series of 5-aryl-8-phenylpyrazolo[1,5-c]-1,2,4- triazolo[4,3-a]pyrimidines 2. The reactions of 2 with certain electrophilic reagents gave the respective 6-substituted derivatives 3-5 rather than the 7-isomeric products. Formylation of the key compounds 1 with ethyl formate yielded the formyl derivatives 6. Furthermore, boiling of compounds 1 with acetic acid afforded 7-acetylhydrazino-5-aryl-2-phenylpyrazolo[1,5-c]pyrimidines 7. Bromination of 7 yielded the dibromo- derivatives 8, while their iodination and nitration gave the monosubstituted derivatives 9 and 10, respectively. Also, treatment of 1 with boiling acetic anhydride yielded the triacetyl derivatives 11. The structure of synthesized products was confirmed by elemental analyses, IR, 1H NMR and MS spectra.     

Synthesis and antibacterial activities of novel 2,5-diphenylindolo[2,3-e] pyrazolo[1',5':3",4"]pyrimido[2",1"-c] [1,2,4]triazines

The formation of (E)-3-{2-(2,5-diphenylpyrazolo[1,5-c]pyrimidin-7-yl)hydrazono}indolin-2-ones 3 has been achieved by condensation of equimolar amounts of 7-hydrazino-2,5-diphenylpyrazolo[1,5-c]pyrimidine (1) and isatin (or isatin derivatives) 2 at room temperature. The (E)-products could be isomerized into corresponding the (Z)-3 isomers. Reactions of the latter fused heterocyclic hydrazones towards different electro-philic reagents yielded the corresponding 3-substituted derivatives 4-7. Dehydrative cyclisation of the hydrazones 3 using phosphorus oxychloride afforded the 2,5-diphenyl- indolo[2,3-e]pyrazolo[1',5':3",4"]pyrimido[2",1"-c][1,2,4] triazines 13. The polyfused heterocyclic ring system 13 underwent electrophilic substitution reactions at position 4 rather than at position 3. The 3-bromo isomer of 17 was prepared by a sequence of reactions starting from 2,5-diphenylpyrazolo[1,5-c]pyrimidine-7(6H)-thione (11). The orientation of the electrophilic attack was supported by spectroscopic and chemical evidence. Some of the synthesized compounds were found to possess slight to moderate activity against the microorganisms Bacillus subtilis, Micrococcus luteus, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.     

Ring transformation of 1,5-benzoxazepines into spirobenzoxazoles. Synthesis of pyrazolo[1′,5′:3,4][1,2,4]triazino-[5,6-b][1,5]benzoxazepines and spiro[benzoxazole-2′(3′H),4(1H)-pyrazolo[5,1-c][1,2,4]triazines]

The reactions of the 3-substituted 4-amino-8-ethoxycarbonyl[5,1-c][1,2,4]triazines 1 and 2 with o-amino-phenol hydrochloride gave the pyrazolo[1′,5′:3,4][1,2,4]triazino[5,6-b][1,5]benzoxazepines 5 and 8 . The alkylation of 5 with methyl iodide and isopropyl iodide afforded the 6-alkoxylpyrazolo[1′,5′:3,4][1,2,4]triazino-[5,6-b][1,5]benzoxazepines 6a and 6b , respectively. Refluxing of 5, 6a, 6b and 8 in hydrochloric acid/acetic acid resulted in ring transformation to produce the spiro[benzoxazole-2′(3′H),4(1H)pyrazolo[5,1-c][1,2,4]-triazines] 7a, 7b and 9 . The screening data of the above compounds was described.     

Inhibitors of platelet aggregation. 4. [1,2,5]Thiadiazolo[3,4-c]acridines, 7,8,9,10-Tetrahydro[1,2,5] thiadiazolo[3,4-c]acridities,and 8,9-Dihydro-7H-cyclopenta[b][1,2,5] thiadiazolo[3,4-H]quinolines

The condensation of 4-amino-2,1,3-benzothiadiazole (IV) with diphenyliodonium-2-earboxylate gave N-(2,1,3-benzothiadiazoI-4-yl)anthranilic acid (V) (28%), which was cyclized with phosphorus oxychloride to 6-chloro[1,2,5]thiadiazolo[3,4-c]acridine (VI) (84%). Treatment of VI with 3-(dimethylamino)-1-propanethiol hydrochloride in phenol afforded 6-[ [3-(dimethylamino)-propyl]thio] [1,2,5]thiadiazolo[3,4-c]acridine (VII) (65%). The reaction of IV with a mixture of methyl and ethyl 2-oxocyclohexanecarboxylate gave the adduct, which was ring closed in Dowtherm to 7,9,10,1 1-tetrahydro[1,2,5] thiadiazolo[3,4-c]acridin-6(8H)one (VIII) (70%). Chlorination of VIII with phosphorus oxychloride gave 6-chloro-7,8,9,10-tetrahydro[1,2,5]thiadiazolo[3,4-c]acridine (IX) (84%), which was condensed with 3-(dimethylamino)-1-propanethiol hydrochloride in phenol yielding 6-[ [3-(dimethylamino)propyl]thio]-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrof 1,2,5]-thiadiazolo[3,4-c]acridine (X) (27%). 6-[ [3(1)imethylamino)propyl]thio]-8,9-dihydro-7H-cyclopenta[b] [1,2,5]thiadiazolo[3,4-h]quinoline (XIII) (25%) was prepared similarly from IV and a mixture of methyl and ethyl 2-oxocyclopentanecarboxylate via 7,8,9,10-tetrahydro-6H-cyclopenta[b][1,2,5]thiadiazolo[3,4-h]quinolin-6-one (XI) (85%) and 6-chloro-8,9-dihydro-7H-cyclopenta[b][1,2,5]thiadiazolof3,4-h]quinoline (XII) (56%). The effects of compounds VII-XIII as inhibitors of platelet aggregation are discussed.     

Synthesis and cytotoxic activity of benzo[a]pyrano[3,2-h] and [2,3-i]xanthone analogues of psorospermine, acronycine, and benzo[a]acronycine

Condensation of 2-hydroxy-1-naphthalenecarboxylic acid with phloroglucinol afforded 9,11-dihydroxy-12H-benzo[a]xanthen-12-one (6). Construction of an additional dimethylpyran ring onto this skeleton, by alkylation with 3-chloro-3-methyl-1-butyne followed by Claisen rearrangement, gave access to 6-hydroxy-3,3-dimethyl-3H,7H-benzo[a]pyrano[3,2-h]xanthen-7-one (12) and 5-hydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-2H,6H-benzo[a]pyrano[2,3-i]xanthen-6-one (13), which were methylated into 6-methoxy-3,3-dimethyl-3H,7H-benzo[a]pyrano[3,2-h]xanthen-7-one (14) and 5-methoxy-2,2-dimethyl-2H,6H-benzo[a]pyrano[2,3-i]xanthen-6-one (15), respectively. Osmium tetroxide oxidation of 14 and 15 gave the corresponding (+/-)-cis-diols 16 and 17, which afforded the corresponding esters 18-21 upon acylation. Similarly, condensation of 2-hydroxy-1-naphthalenecarboxylic acid with 3,5-dimethoxyaniline gave 11-amino-9-methoxy-12H-benzo[a]xanthen-12-one (23) which was converted into 11-amino-9-hydroxy-12H-benzo[a]xanthen-12-one (24) upon treatment with hydrogen bromide in acetic acid. Alkylation with 3-chloro-3-methyl-1-butyne followed by Claisen rearrangement afforded 6-amino-3,3-dimethyl-3H,7H-benzo[a]pyrano[3,2-h]xanthen-7-one (25) and 5-amino-2,2-dimethyl-2H,6H-benzo[a]pyrano[2,3-i]xanthen-6-one (26). The new benzopyranoxanthone derivatives only displayed marginal antiproliferative activity when tested against L1210 and KB-3-1 cell lines. The only compounds found significantly active against L1210 cell line, 16 and 20, belong to the benzo[a]pyrano[3,2-h]xanthen-7-one series, which possess a pyran ring fused angularly onto the xanthone basic core.     

Stereoselective synthesis of substituted bicyclo[3.1.1]heptanes: II.* Synthesis of all diastereoisomers of 7-methyl-and 7-phenylbicyclo[3.1.1]hept-6-yl phenyl sulfones from tricyclo[4.1.0.02,7]heptane precursors

All four possible diastereoisomers of 7-methyl-and 7-phenylbicyclo[3.1.1]hept-6-yl phenyl sulfones were intentionally synthesized from tricyclo[4.1.0.0^2,7]heptane and 1-phenyltricyclo[4.1.0.0^2,7]heptane, respectively. The key stage in the synthesis was regio-and stereoselective cleavage of the central bicyclobutane C¹-C⁷ bond in the tricycloheptane precursors by the action of radical, nucleophilic, and electrophilic reagents. The NMR spectra of the diastereoisomers were compared.     

The chemistry of 4-hydrazino-7-phenylpyrazolo[1,5-a] -1,3,5-triazines

The reaction of 4-hydrazino-7-phenylpyrazolo[1,5-a]-1,3,5-triazine ( 4 ) with nitrous acid gave 8-phenyltetrazolo[1,5-e]pyrazolo[1,5-a]-1,3,5-triazine ( 5b ), which was determined by pmr and ir spectra to be in equilibrium with 4-azido-7-phenylpyrazolo[1,5-a]-1,3,5-triazine ( 5a ). The equilibrium between the tetrazolo ( 5b ) and azido ( 5a ) forms was studied by pmr and an attempt was made to determine if substituents in the pyrazole nucleus could sufficiently stabilize the tricyclic tetrazolo form ( 5b ) over the bicyclic azido form ( 5a ). Thermal degradation of 5 (a ? b) in an aprotic solvent gave 4-amino-7-phenylpyrazolo[1,5-a]-1,3,5-triazine ( 7 ), indicating the probability of a nitrene mechanism involved in the decomposition. Heating 5 in aqueous base gave both 7 and the “hydroxy” analog, 7-phenylpyrazolo[1,5-a]-1,3,5-triazin-4(3H)one ( 6 ), further substantiating the existence of a nitrene intermediate with a competing nucleophilic displacement of the azido group by a hydroxyl group. Cyclization of 4 with diethoxymethylacetate (DEMA) gave 8-phenyl-s-triazolo[4,3-e]pyrazolo[1,5-a]-1,3,5-triazine ( 8 ), which underwent thermal rearrangement to 8-phenyl-s-triazolo[2,3-e]pyrazolo[1,5-a]-1,3,5-triazine ( 9 ). Acid catalyzed ring opening of 9 with formic acid gave 3-N-formamido-5-phenyl-2(2-s-triazolyl)pyrazole ( 10 ). The failure of 10 to recyclize to 9 with the resultant loss of water, supported the theory that the rearrangement of 8 to 9 might occur simply as a concerted, thermally induced “anhydrous” rearrangement rather than via a covalently hydrated intermediate or a Dimroth type mechanism (in the base catalyzed rearrangement).     

Intramolecular 2+2 addition of a difluorovinyl ether aldehyde yields [3.2.0] And no [3.1.1] products

Irradiation of the difluorovinyl ether aldehyde 6 yields the tricyclic products 7 and 8 and the bicyclic dioxepene 9. There was no evidence for the formation of the isomeric [3.1.1] structure 1 containing the ring system of thromboxane A₂.     

Synthesis and isomerization of epoxides derived from 7-phenylsulfonyl-and 7-methylsulfonyl-6-methylidenebicyclo[3.1.1]heptanes

Oxidation of exo-7-phenylsulfonyl-and exo-7-methylsulfonyl-6-methylidenebicyclo[3.1.1]heptanes with m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid gave the corresponding epoxy derivatives, anti-7-phenylsulfonyl-and anti-7-methylsulfonyl-endo-2′-oxaspiro[bicyclo[3.1.1]heptane-6,2′-cyclopropanes]. Treatment of the phenylsulfonyl-substituted epoxide with potassium tert-butoxide in THF led to the 1,3-cyclization product, 7-phenylsulfonyltricyclo[4.1.0.0^2,7]hept-1-ylmethanol. anti-7-Methylsulfonyl-endo-2′-oxaspiro[bicyclo[3.1.1]heptane-6,2′-cyclopropane] under analogous conditions underwent 1,6-cyclization, being converted into 6-hydroxy-3λ⁶-thiatricyclo[4.4.0.0^2,7]decane 3,3-dioxide.     

Synthesis of imidazo[1,5-c]pyrimidine derivatives

Two complementary procedures, each starting from 6-aminomethyluracil ( 2 ), have been used to prepare imidazo[1,5-c]pyrimidines with a variety of substituents at positions 3, 5, 6, and 7. The starting material, 2 , can be readily prepared from commercially available 6-chloromethyluracil by reaction with anhydrous ammonia. In the first procedure, 2 is acylated and then cyclodehydrated by reaction with phosphorus oxychloride to give a separable mixture of a 3-substituted 5,7-dichloroimidazo[1,5-c]pyrimidine and a 3-substituted 7-chloroimidazo[1,5-c]pyrimidin-5(6H)-one. The relative product distribution is subject to some control by the choice of the acyl substituent on the starting uracil. The resulting dichloro compounds were derivatized by reaction at the 5-position with various nucleophiles, although the 7-chloro substituent is unreactive. An alternative synthetic method proceeds from 2 in six efficient steps (protection as the phthalimide, chlorination, nucleophilic substitution, deprotection, acylation, and cyclodehydration) to 3-substituted-5,7-bis(methylthio)imidazo[1,5-c]pyrimidines. These compounds may also be derivatized by nucleophilic substitution at the 5-position.     

Preparation and crystal structure of 1,1-tetramethylethylenedioxy-3,4-diphenyl-6-trichloromethyl-2,5,7,1-trioxaphosphabicyclo[2.2.1<Superscript>1,4</Superscript>]heptane and 2-(1-hydroxy-2,2,2-trichloroethoxy)-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl- 2-oxo-1,3,2-dioxaphospholane

The state of the art of chloral applications in the chemistry of tricoordinate phosphorus derivatives has been analyzed. The highly stereoselective reaction of 4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-2-(2-oxo-1,2-diphenylethoxy)-1,3,2-dioxaphospholane with chloral has been shown to afford a caged phosphorane with the phosphorus–carbon bond, 1,1-tetramethylethylenedioxy-3,4-diphenyl-6-trichloromethyl-2,5,7,1-trioxaphosphabicyclo- [2.2.1^1,4]heptane. Structure of the phosphorane and its hydrolysis product, 2-(1-hydroxy-2,2,2-trichloroethoxy)- 4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-2-oxo-1,3,2-dioxaphospholane, has been elucidated by X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Synthesis and Structure of Derivatives of 9-(2-Oxopropyl)-1,5-dinitro-7,8-benzo-3-azabicylo[3.3.1]non-7-en-6-ones

A number of 3-R-9-(2-oxopropyl)-1,5-dinitro-7,8-benzo-3-azsbicyclo[3.3.1]non-7-en-6-ones was synthesized by Mannich reaction involving Yanovsky adduct of 2,4-dinitronaphthol. It was established by molecular spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis that the piperidine ring in these compounds was in the chairconformation with a diequatorial position of the substituent attached to the heteroatom and 2-oxo-propyl group, and the cyclohexenone fragment was in sofaform. By an example of 3-methyl-9-(2-oxopropyl)-1,5-dinitro-7,8-benzo-3-azsbicyclo[3.3.1]non-7-en-6-one the dissociative ionization of bicyclononanes under the electron impact was investigated.     

Products of Reaction of Tricyclo[4.1.0.02,7]heptane and 1-Bromotricyclo[4.1.0.02,7]heptane with Hydrogen Sulfide,and Syntheses Based Thereon

By reactions of 1-R-tricyclo[4.1.0.02,7]heptanes (R = H, Br) with hydrogen sulfide initiated by UV irradiation endo-6-bicyclo[3.1.1]heptanethiols and bis(endo-6-bicyclo[3.1.1]heptyl) sulfides were synthesized. The sulfides were oxidized to the corresponding sulfoxides and sulfones. The results of HBr elimination from the bromine-substituted sulfoxides and sulfones effected by potassium tert-butylate are discussed. The latter reaction results in the recovery of the system of 1-substituted tricyclo[4.1.0.02,7]heptane.     

Synthesis and antimalarial effects of 2-(3,4-dichloroanilino)-7-[[[(dialkylamino)alkyl]amino]]-5-methyl-s-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines

3,4-Dichlorophenylisothioeyanate ( 10 ) was allowed to react with 2-methy1-2-thiopseudourea to give methyl 4-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)(dithioaltophanimidate ( 11 ) (41%), which upon treatment with hydrazine afforded 3-amino-5-(3,4-dichloroanilino)-s-triazole ( 12 ) (54-91%). Ring-closure with ethyl acetoacetale in acetic acid afforded 2-(3,4-dichloroanilino)-5-methyl-s-triazolo[ 1,5-α ]-pyrimidin-7-ol ( 13 ) (81%). Chlorination with phosphorus oxychloride gave 7-chloro-2-(3,4-dichloroanilino)-5-methyl-s-triazolo[1,5-α ]pyrimidine ( 14 ) (98%), which was condensed with various amines to yield the desired 2-(3,4-diehloroanilino)-7-¶[(dialkylamino)alkyl]arnino¶-5-methyl-s-triazolo[ 1,5-α]pyrimidines ( 6 a-d). The structures of the s-triazolo[ 1,5-α ]pyrimidines were based on nmr spectroscopy and ring stability considerations. Several of the amino-s-triazolo[ 1,5-α ]pyrimidines possessed antimalarial activity against P. berghei in mice.     

On the bromination of thieno[c]-fused 1,5-naphthyridines and their isomeric N-oxides using dibromoisocyanuric acid in fuming sulfuric acid

Thieno[2,3-c]-1,5-naphthyridine ( 3 ), thieno[2,3-c]1,5-naphthyridine 5-oxide ( 7 ), thieno[3,2-c]-1,5-naphthyridine ( 5 ) and thieno[3,2-c]-1,5-naphthyridine 5-oxide ( 9 ) could conveniently be brominated at room temperature using dibromoisocyanuric acid in fuming sulfuric acid. Bromination occurred in good to moderate yields at the β position in the thiophene ring. Thieno[2,3-c]-1,5-naphthyridine 9-oxide ( 12 ) and thieno[3,2-c]-1,5-naphthyridine 9-oxide ( 13 ) also gave substitution in the thiophene ring at 95°. It was also found that 12 was deoxygenated under these reaction conditions. Direct oxidation of the brominated thieno[c]naphthyridines with m-chloroperbenzoic acid gave the 5-oxides in high yield.     

Bulky 4-phosphacyclohexanones: diastereoselective complexations, orthometallations and unprecedented [3.1.1]metallabicycles

The 4-phosphacyclohexanones, 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-phenyl-4-phosphorinanone (La), 1,2,6-triphenyl-4-phosphorinanone ((Ph)Lb), 1-cyclohexyl-2,6-diphenyl-4-phosphorinanone ((Cy)Lb) and 1-tert-butyl-2,6-diphenyl-4-phosphorinanone ((Bu)Lb) have been made by modifications of literature methods. Phosphines (R)Lb are each formed as mixtures of meso- and rac-diastereoisomers. Isomerically pure rac-(Ph)Lb, rac-(Cy)Lb and meso-(Bu)Lb can be isolated by recrystallisation from MeCN. Heating mixtures of isomers of (R)Lb with TsOH leads to isomerisations to give predominantly the meso-(R)Lb. The complex trans-[PdCl2(La)2] (1) is readily made from [PdCl2(NCPh)2] but the analogous platinum complex 2 has not been detected and instead, cyclometallation at the 3-position (alpha to the ketone) in the phosphacycle occurs to give trans-[PtCl(La)(La-3H)] (3) (where La-3H = La deprotonated at the 3-position) featuring a [3.1.1]metallabicycle as confirmed by X-ray crystallography. The analogous palladabicycle 4 has been detected upon treatment of 1 with Et3N in refluxing toluene. The type of complex formed by (R)Lb depends on which diastereoisomer (meso or rac) is involved. rac-(Ph)Lb (a mixture of R,R- and S,S-enantiomers, labelled alpha and beta) forms trans-[MCl2(rac-(Ph)Lb)2], M = Pd (5) or Pt (6), as mixtures of diastereoisomers (alphaalpha/betabeta and alphabeta forms). The structure of alphaalpha-6 has been determined by X-ray crystallography. Ligand competition experiments monitored by 31P NMR showed that Pd(II) and Pt(II) have a significant preference to bind rac-(Ph)Lb over meso-(Ph)Lb. meso-(Bu)Lb reacts with [PtCl2(NCBu(t))2] under ambient conditions to give the binuclear complex [Pt2Cl2(meso-(Bu)Lb-2'H)2] (7) where orthometallation has occurred on one of the exocyclic phenyl substituents as confirmed by X-ray crystallography. rac-(Bu)Lb reacts with [PtCl2(NCBu(t))2] to give a mononuclear cyclometallated species assigned the structure trans-[PtCl(rac-(Bu)Lb-2'H)((Bu)Lb)] (8) on the basis of its 31P NMR spectrum. rac-(Cy)Lb reacts with [PtCl2(NCBu(t))2] in refluxing toluene to give trans-[PtCl2(rac-(Cy)Lb)2] (9) and the crystal structure of alphabeta-9 has been determined.