A convergent paired electrochemical synthesis of new heterocyclic compounds. Reaction of benzoquinones with 3-Amino-4-hydroxycoumarin

Electrochemical oxidation of catechols (1) has been studied in the presence of cathodically generated 3-amino-4-hydroxycoumarin (3a) as a nucleophile in aqueous solutions, using cyclic voltammetry and controlled-potential coulometry. The results indicate that the o-benzoquinones derived from catechols (1) participate in Michael addition reaction with 3-amino-4-hydroxycoumarin (3a) to form the corresponding new heterocyclic compounds (7) (oxidized form of coumestan derivatives). The electrochemical process consists of a multi-step including (a) cathodic reduction of 4-hydroxy-3-nitrocoumarin (3) to 3-amino-4-hydroxycoumarin (3a), (b) anodic oxidation of catechols (1) to related o-benzoquinone (2), (c) the Michael addition reaction of 3-amino-4-hydroxycoumarin (3a) to o-benzoquinone (2), and (d) anodic oxidation of formed adduct. The paired electrochemical synthesis of compounds 7a and 7b has been successfully performed in a one-pot process at carbon rods as working and counter electrodes in an undivided cell.     

Catecholase activity investigation for pyridazinone- and thiopyridazinone-based ligands

A series of seven heterocyclic compounds based on pyridazinone and thiopyridazinone moieties: 5-(2-chlorobenzyl)-6-methylpyridazin-3-one L1; 5-[(2-chlorobenzyl)hydroxyl)methyl]6-methylpyridazin-3-one L2; 5-(2-chlorobenzyl)-2,6-dimethylpyridazin-3-one L3; 5-(2-chlorobenzyl)-2-(hydroxyethyl)-6-methylpyridazin-3-one L4; ethyl-4-(2-chloro-benzyl)-3-methyl-6-oxopyridazin-1(6H)-yl)acetate L5; 5-(2-chlorobenzyl)-2-(hydroxyethyl)-6-methylpyridazin-3-thione L6, and ethyl-4-(2-chloro-benzyl)-3-methyl-6-thioxopyridazin-1(6H)-yl)acetate L7 were tested for the oxidation of catechol to o-quinone for miming microorganism in the O₂ activation for electrophilic non substituted aromatic. The in situ generated Cu(II), Fe(II) and Zn(II) complexes of these ligands (L1–L7) were examined for such catalytic activities. We found that all these substrates catalyze the oxidation reaction of catechol to o-quinone with the presence of atmospheric dioxygen. The rates of this oxidation depend on two parameters: the nature of the ligand and the nature of ion salts. We found that the combination of L7 [Cu(CH ₃ COO) ₂ ] leads to the fastest catalytic processes.     

Kinetics study of electrochemically induced michael reaction of benzoquinones with triphenylphosphine

The electrochemical oxidation of 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde (1), 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (2) and 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (3) were studied in the presence of triphenylphosphine (4) as a nucleophile using cyclic voltammetry and controlled-potential coulometry. The results indicate that the quinones derived from oxidation of 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde, 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid and 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid participate in Michael addition reaction with triphenylphosphine (4). In this work, based on an EC mechanism, the observed homogeneous rate constants (k _obs) of the reaction of produced benzoquinones with triphenylphosphine (4) were estimated by comparing the experimental cyclic voltammograms with the digitally simulated results.     

An efficient electrochemical method for a unique synthesis of new derivatives of 7H-thiazolo[3,2-b]-1,2,4-triazin-7-one

The electrochemical oxidation of catechols (1a-c) has been studied in the presence of 6-methyl-1,2,4-triazine-3-thion-5-one 3 in aqueous sodium acetate, using cyclic voltammetry and controlled-potential coulometry. A plausible mechanism for the oxidation of catechols and their reaction with 3 is presented. All the catechol derivatives (1a-c) were converted into 7H-thiazolo[3,2-b]-1,2,4-triazin-7-one derivatives (6a-c) through a Michael-type addition reaction of 3 to anodically generated o-quinones. The electrochemical syntheses of 6a-c were successfully performed in one pot in an undivided cell using an environmentally friendly method with high atomic economy.     

Catechol oxidation: activity studies using electron-rich nitrogen-based ligands

We have studied the oxidation of catechol to o-quinone with atmospheric dioxygen at ambient conditions by in situ generated copper (II) complexes of five electron-rich nitrogen ligands: (3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl)-methanol L1; 3-benzylamino-propionitrile L2; 3-[benzyl-(3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-ylmethyl)-amino]-propionitrile L3; {3-[(2-cyano-ethyl)-(1,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-3-ylmethyl)-amino]-propyl}-(1,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-3-ylmethyl)-amino]-propionitrile L4 and 3-[{2-[(2-cyano-ethyl)-(1,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-3-ylmethyl)-amino]-ethyl}-(1,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-3-ylmethyl)-amino]-propionitrile L5. We found that all complexes catalyze the oxidation reaction with different rates depending on three parameters: the nature of the ligand, the nature of ion salts, and the concentration of the complex. The combination of L3(CuSO₄) gave the highest rate of this activity about 8.71 μmol¹/L¹/min¹.     

Evaluation of catalytic activity of imidazolo[1,2-a]pyridine derivatives: oxidation of catechol

A series of heterocyclic compounds possessing imidazolo[1,2-a]pyridine moiety, namely, ethyl 7-methylimidazolo[1,2-a] pyridine-2-carboxylate L1; 2-(3-nitrophenyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine L2; 3-(imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-2-yl)aniline L3; 2-phenylimidazolo[1,2-a]pyridine-3carbaldehyde L4; and 2-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridine L5 were synthesized. The in situ generated copper (II), iron (II), and zinc (II) complexes of these compounds (L1–L5) were examined for their catalytic activities and were found to be effective catalysts for the oxidation of catechol to o-quinone with the atmospheric oxygen. The present study reveals that the rate of oxidation depends on four parameters: the nature of the ligand, transition metals, ion salts, and the concentration of the complex. The combination L2(Cu(CH ₃ COO) ₂ ) gives the highest rate.     

Photometric determination of sulfanilic amide derivatives in drug formulaions and blood plasma

2,3,5,6-Tetrachloro-p-benzoquinone (TCPBQ) generated in the oxidation of sulfanilic acid amide derivatives was found to form a colored product with sodium diethyldithiocarbamate (DEDTC). The optimal conditions for the formation of this compound are determined. A possibility of using the oxidation reaction to TCPBQ followed by interaction with DEDTC as a versatile scheme for the photometric determination of sulfanilic amide derivatives in drug formulations and blood plasma was demonstrated.     

Trialkylantimony(V) o-amidophenolates: Electrochemical transformations and antiradical activity

The electrochemical transformations and antiradical activity of trialkylantimony(V) o-amidophenolate derivatives, (AP)SbR₃ (AP = 4,6-di-tert-butyl-N-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-o-amidophenolate); R = CH₃ (I), C₂H₅ (II), and C₆H₁₁ (III), are studied. The electrochemical oxidation of compounds I–III proceeds successively to form mono- and dicationic forms of the complexes. The presence of the donor hydrocarbon groups at the antimony(V) atom shifts the oxidation potentials to the cathodic range and decreases the stability of the monocationic complexes formed in electrochemical oxidation. The second anodic process is irreversible and accompanied by o-iminoquinone decoordination. The antiradical activity of compounds I–III is studied in the reaction with the diphenylpicrylhydrazyl radical and oleic acid autooxidation. The values obtained for indices EC₅₀ and IC₅₀ indicate the antiradical activity of the studied compounds. Complexes I–III were found to be the efficient inhibitors of oleic acid oxidation and act as efficient destructors of hydroperoxides.     

One-pot electrochemical synthesis of highly symmetric and conjugated coumarin derivative

A facile and one pot electrochemical synthesis of disubstituted hydroquinone generated from the electrochemical oxidation of 4-1-(4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)piperazin-1-yl)ethanone (1) in the presence of 4-hydroxy-6,7-dimethylcoumarin (3) has been reported. The results revealed that p-quinone imine derived from oxidation of (1) participate in Michael addition reactions with 3 and followed by a hydrolysis reaction attain to the highly symmetric and conjugated coumarin derivative. We derived a new product in good yield based on controlled potential electrochemical oxidation at carbon electrode in a divided cell.     

The first total synthesis and structural determination of epi-cochlioquinone A

The first total synthesis of epi-cochlioquinone A has been achieved in a highly convergent manner via [3+3] cycloaddition of catechol 2 and oxadecalin 3 as the key reaction. The synthesis of the catechol segment, possessing the side chain with multi stereogenic centers, features the asymmetric vinylogous Mukaiyama aldol reaction, the stereoselective conjugate addition to the nitroalkene, the stereospecific nitro-Dieckmann condensation, and the transformation of 6-nitrocyclohex-2-enone into catechol 2, using two new methodologies, such as (i) the hydrogen-transfer reaction to o-aminophenol and the subsequent auto-redox-catalysis to catechol and (ii) the direct oxidation of 6-nitrocyclohex-2-enone to o-quinone and the subsequent reduction. The oxadecalin segment was synthesized from a glycosyl cyanide by the [3+3] annulation with a ketone and an acetoacetate. These segments were connected by the [3+3] cyclization, and the resulting tetracyclic compound was subjected to a specific oxidation of the protected hydroquinone to provide epi-cochlioquinone A.     

Electrochemical oxidation of catechol and 4-tert-butylcatechol in the presence of 1-Methyl-1H-imidazole-2-thiol: Synthesis and kinetic study

Electrochemical oxidation of catechol 1a and 4-tert-butylcatechol 1b has been studied in the presence of 1-methyl-1Himidazole- 2-thiol 3 as nucleophile in aqueous solution, using cyclic voltammetry and controlled-potential coulometry. The results indicate the participation of catechol 1a and 4-tert-butylcatechol 1b in Michael reaction with 3 to form the corresponding catechol thioethers 6a and 4b. Based on the observed EC mechanism, the homogeneous rate constants were estimated by comparing the experimental cyclic voltammetric responses with digital simulated results.     

An unexpected oxidative decarboxylation reaction of 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid in the synthesis of new dibenzyltetrahydroquinoxalinediones

Chemical and electrochemical oxidation of different catechols were carried out in the presence of N,N′-dibenzylethylenediamine (DBEDA) in a phosphate buffer/acetonitrile solution for the synthesis of different new dibenzyltetrahydroquinoxalinedione derivatives. The oxidation of catechol (1a), 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid (1e), and 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (1d) led to the same product, probably due to the decarboxylation reaction of intermediates. An oxidative decarboxylation reaction of 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (1d) has been reported before, while an unexpected oxidative decarboxylation reaction of 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid (1e) in the presence of DBEDA is reported for the first time.     

Stabilization of ortho-quinone methides by a bis(sulfonium ylide) derived from 2,5-dihydroxy-[1,4]benzoquinone

The zwitterionic intermediates (2a) in the oxidation of ortho-alkylphenols (1) and bis(sulfonium ylide) 3 form reasonably stable 2:1-complexes (4), in which the ortho-quinone methide (oQM) moieties are not present in quinoid form with the exocyclic in-plane methylene group, but as zwitterionic, aromatic conformer having an out-of-plane exocyclic methylene group. The complex 7 derived from the α-tocopherol model compound PMC (5) was comprehensively characterized. As exemplarily demonstrated, the adducts can be advantageously employed in organic synthesis as ‘stabilized oQMs’.     

The first example of asymmetric Michael reaction catalyzed by chiral alkali metal alkoxides

Some chiral sodium alkoxides can be used as catalysts in the asymmetric Michael reaction as exemplified by the 1,4-addition of an achiral Ni^II complex of the Schiff base derived from glycine andN-(2-pyridylcarbonyl)-o-aminobenzophenone (1) to methyl methacrylate (2) or methyl acrylate (14). The products of the reaction of1 with2,viz., the corresponding diastereomeric complexes of 4-methylglutamic acid, are formed in dissimilar amounts (de 26–85%); theee value for the major diastereomer (2S,4R)-3a is 28%. After recrystallization, the enantiomeric purity of complex3a increases toee>85%. Acidcatalyzed hydrolysis of the enantiomerically enriched complex3a affords (2S,4R)-4-methylglutamic acid (ee>85%). The complex of glutamic acid15 resulting from the reaction of1 with14 is formed with anee of 45%. After recrystallization, the enantiomeric purities of complex15 and glutamic acid increase toee>90%.     

Redox reactions involving the indium(III) catecholate complexes

Indium catecholate complexes 3,6-CatInR (3,6-Cat is the 3,6-di-tert-butyl-o-benzoquinone dianion (3,6-Q), R = Me (I) and Et (II)) are synthesized by the exchange reaction between RInI₂ and thallium catecholate 3,6-CatTl₂. Compounds I and II are trimeric in both the solution and crystalline state. The oxidation of compound I and earlier described complex [3,6-CatInI(THF)]₂ (THF is tetrahydrofuran) by various substrates (iodine, 3,6-Q, and tetramethylthiuram disulfide) is studied. Different indium(III) o-semiquinone complexes are the reaction products, depending on the reaction conditions.     

Oxidative chemistry of the natural antioxidant hydroxytyrosol: hydrogen peroxide-dependent hydroxylation and hydroxyquinone/o-quinone coupling pathways

Oxidation of the natural antioxidant hydroxytyrosol (1) with peroxidase/H₂O₂ in phosphate buffer at pH 7.4 led to the formation of two main ethyl acetate-extractable products. These could be isolated by preparative TLC after reduction and acetylation, and were identified as the tetraacetyl derivative of 2-(2,4,5-trihydroxyphenyl)ethanol (3) and the heptaacetyl derivative of the pentahydroxybiphenyl 4 by 2D NMR and MS analysis. Similar oxidation of 4-methylcatechol gave, after the same work-up, the acetylated derivatives of 1,2,4-trihydroxy-5-methylbenzene (5) and the pentahydroxybiphenyl 6. Mechanistic experiments suggested that hydrogen peroxide affects the course of the oxidation of 1 by adding to the first formed o-quinone to give a hydroxyquinone intermediate. This could bring nucleophilic attack to the o-quinone of 1 to give the dimer 4. These results disclose novel oxidative pathways of 4-alkylcatechols and provide an improved chemical basis to enquire into the mechanism of the antioxidant action of 1.     

Copper complexes of two isomeric NS2-macrocycles

Two isomeric NS₂-macrocycles incorporating a xylyl group at ortho (o -L) and meta (m -L) positions were employed and their copper complexes (1?C5) were prepared and structurally characterized. The copper(II) nitrate complexes [Cu(L)(NO₃)₂] (1: L = o -L, 2: L = m -L) for both ligands were isolated. In each case, the copper center is five-coordinated with a distorted square pyramidal geometry. Despite the overall geometrical similarity, 1 and 2 show the different ligand conformation due to the discriminated packing pattern. Reaction of o -L with copper(II) perchlorate afforded complex 3 containing two independent complex cations [Cu(o -L)(H₂O)(DMF)(ClO₄)]⁺ and [Cu(o -L)(H₂O)(DMF)]²⁺; the coordination geometry of the former is a distorted octahedron while the latter shows a distorted square pyramidal arrangement. In the reactions of copper(I) halides (I or Br), o -L gave a mononuclear complex [Cu(o-L)I] (4) with a distorted tetrahedral geometry, while m -L afforded a unique exodentate 2:1 (ligand-to-metal) complex [trans-Br₂Cu(m-L)₂] (5) adopting a trans-type square-planar arrangement.     

(±)-Diinsininone: made nature's way

We report the synthesis of diinsininone (33), the aglycone of (±)-diinsinin (2). Thereby, we complete the first construction of a proanthocyanidin (PA) type-A compound incorporating a [3.3.1]-bicyclic ketal as its characteristic core. Our strategy utilizes a coupling between a benzopyrilium salt and a flavanone that proves applicable to other PA type-A compounds. During this undertaking, treatment of naringenin (9) with 2-iodoxybenzoic acid (IBX) followed by reductive work-up affords eriodictyol (10). This reactivity mirrors that of catechol hydroxylase (F3H) found in the flavonoid pathway. Other interesting transformations include the formation of flavonoids through an ortho-quinone methide (o-QM) cycloaddition-oxidation sequence and regioselective β-glycosidations of several unprotected flavanones suggesting a likely synthesis of 2 from the aglycone 33.     

Investigation of the electro-oxidation and oxidation of catechol in the presence of sulfanilic acid

The electrochemical oxidation of catechol (1) in the presence of sulfanilic acid (2) was investigated. Some electrochemical (EC) techniques such as cyclic voltammetry and controlled-potential coulometry were used. The oxidation reaction of catechol (1) with periodate in the presence of sulfanilic acid (2) was also investigated spectrophotometrically. The results indicate that the o-quinone derived from catechol participate in Michael addition reaction with sulfanilic acid (2). In addition, according to the ECE mechanism, the observed homogeneous rate constant (k_obs) for the reaction of o-quinone derived from catechol (1) with sulfanilic acid (2) has been estimated by digital simulation of cyclic voltammograms.     

Crystal structures and electrochemical properties of two Mn(II) 2-sulfoterephthalate complexes with N-donor ligands

Two Mn(II) sulfoterephthalate complexes, [Mn(HStp)(o-Phen)₂] (I) and [Mn(HStp)(2,2′-Bipy)₂] (II) (H₃Stp = 2-sulfoterephthalic acid, o-Phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, 2,2′-Bipy = 2,2′-bipyridine), were synthesized under hydrothermal condition. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses reveal that complexes I and II possess similar structure, in which the center Mn²⁺ ions are hexa-coordinated with one Hstpanion and two N-donor ligands. For both of them, the formation of 3D supramolecular structures are based on both H-bonds and π...π/C-H...π stacking interactions. Electrochemical properties of complexes I and II have been investigated by means of cyclic voltmetry, which shows that electron transfer between Mn(III) and Mn(II) in electrolysis is quasi-reversible process.