A novel one‐pot oxidative deformylation of N‐formyldihydroquinolines employing ferric chloride hexahydrate. Synthesis of 4‐chloro‐2‐phenylquinolines and 4‐chloro‐2‐(1,3‐diphenyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐4‐yl)quinolines

A novel versatile one‐pot oxidative deformylation approach has been developed to synthesize 4‐chloro‐2‐phenylquinolines and 4‐chloro‐2‐(1,3‐diphenyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐4‐yl)quinolines from the corresponding N‐formyldihydroquinolines.     

Ligand‐Stabilized Chalcogen Dications

Chalcogen‐transfer reagents? The bonding in the dicationic rings C₂N₂E²⁺ (see picture) differs from that in N‐heterocyclic carbenes and their isovalent p‐block analogues in accommodating a lone pair of electrons with π symmetry, as well as σ symmetry, on the chalcogen center. The labile electrophilic chalcogenium dications (E²⁺) are potentially versatile chalcogen‐transfer reagents in reactions with a variety of inorganic and organic substrates.

     

Synthetic Lectins

Improving on Mother Nature? The carbohydrate recognition demonstrated by supramolecular systems in water can now compete with that of natural systems, both in terms of affinity and selectivity. A synthetic carbohydrate receptor displays similar affinity for N‐acetyl‐D ‐glucosamine derivatives as the lectin wheat germ agglutinin and even greater selectivity (see picture: gray C, white H, blue N, red O).

     

Total Synthesis of (−)‐ and (+)‐Decarbamoyloxysaxitoxin and (+)‐Saxitoxin

Playing the sax : The enantioselective total syntheses of (?)‐ and (+)‐decarbamoyloxysaxitoxin (doSTX) and (+)‐saxitoxin (STX) are reported. A new methodology was developed for the synthesis of STXs, featuring discriminative reduction of the nitro group and N? O bond in nitroisoxazolidine.

     

LiCl‐Mediated Preparation of Functionalized Benzylic Indium(III) Halides and Highly Chemoselective Palladium‐Catalyzed Cross‐Coupling in a Protic Cosolvent

Sensitive functional groups such as COR, CHO, or CH₂OH can be present in benzylic indium reagents prepared by the direct insertion of indium in the presence of LiCl. These reagents undergo palladium‐catalyzed cross‐coupling reactions in the presence of a protic cosolvent after activation with iPrMgCl⋅LiCl (see scheme). Remarkable chemoselectivities are achieved by using various electrophiles containing NH or OH groups.

     

Double Layer of Au(100)/Ionic Liquid Interface and Its Stability in Imidazolium‐Based Ionic Liquids

Ring any bells? The differential capacitance curve of Au(100) in neat [BMI]BF₄ (BMI=1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium) ionic liquid has a bell‐shaped feature (see picture). The adsorption of BMI⁺ shows a disorder–order transition and depends on the structure of the surface. Ordered adsorption in a micelle‐like structure stabilizes the underlying Au surface.

     

A Dinuclear Nickel(I) Dinitrogen Complex and its Reduction in Single‐Electron Steps

Electron by electron : β‐Diketiminato nickel(I) complex fragments are capable of activating N₂ through coordination. The resulting complex can be reduced in two single‐electron steps, which further activates the N? N bond. The picture shows the structure of the singly reduced complex with μ‐η¹:η¹‐bound N₂.

     

Computer‐Aided Design of a Sulfate‐Encapsulating Receptor

Custom built : A promising new approach towards more efficient self‐assembled cage receptors through computer‐aided design is demonstrated. The resulting M₄L₆ tetrahedral cage, internally functionalized with accurately positioned urea hydrogen‐bonding groups (see structure; yellow: predicted, blue: experimental, space‐filling: SO₄^2?), proved to be a remarkably strong sulfate receptor in water.

     

Total Synthesis of (−)‐FR182877 through Tandem IMDA–IMHDA Reactions and Stereoselective Transition‐Metal‐Mediated Transformations

Intelligent design : The total synthesis of the cytotoxic (?)‐FR182877 relies on 1) tandem Diels–Alder reactions to close rings A–D (see scheme), 2) a palladium‐mediated 7‐exo‐trig reaction, and 3) an iridium‐mediated isomerization followed by epimerization and stereoselective reduction.

     

Is Cyanide Really a Strong‐Field Ligand?

Iron man or weakling? Ligand‐field strengths are conveniently expressed by the empirical spectrochemical series. Although cyanide has been deeply entrenched as a strong‐field ligand, a couple of recent examples cast doubt toward the position of this ligand, namely the high‐spin (S=2) states of [Cr^II(CN)₅]^3? and [Fe^II(tpp)(CN)]^?. tpp=meso‐tetraphenylporphinate.

     

Photolysis of the Sulfonamide Bond of Metal Complexes of N‐Dansyl‐1,4,7,10‐Tetraazacyclododecane in Aqueous Solution: A Mechanistic Study and Application to the Photorepair of cis,syn‐Cyclobutane Thymine Photodimer

Conditional cleavage : Photochemical S? N bond cleavage of the Zn²⁺ complex of N‐dansylcyclen (ZnL²) in aqueous solution was investigated. Moreover, photolysis of ZnL² (see scheme) facilitated photoreversion of cis,syn‐thymine photodimer (T[c,s]T).

     

Constructing π‐Electron‐Conjugated Diarylbutadiyne‐Based Polydiacetylene under Molecular Framework Controlled by Hydrogen Bond and Side‐Chain Substituent Position

Diarylbutadiyne derivatives are ideal monomers for providing the π‐electron‐conjugated system of polydiacetylenes (PDAs). The geometrical parameters for diacetylene topochemical polymerization are known. However, control of the molecules under these parameters is yet to be addressed. This work shows that by simply tailoring diarylbutadiyne with amide side‐chain substituents, the arrangement of the substituents and the resulting hydrogen bond framework allows formation of π‐electron‐conjugated PDA.

     

Synthesis of 2‐alkyl‐4,5‐aryl‐2H‐[1λ6,2,3,6]‐thiatriazine‐1,1‐dioxides

Sulphamoyl chlorides and chlorosulphonyl isocyanate react with monosubstituted hydrazones and alkylhydrazonates to sulphamoyl hydrazones and sulphamoyl hydrazonates respectively. Reaction of benzil monoalkylhydrazones with chlorosulphonyl isocyanate results in formation of 2‐alkyl‐4,5‐aryl‐2H‐ [1λ⁶,2,3,6]‐thiatriazine‐1,1‐dioxides.     

Allosteric Switches: Remote Controls for Proteins

Long‐distance service : Finding a selective small‐molecule modulator for every domain of every human protein is a Herculean task. Wouldn't it be much easier to control the activity of any protein of choice by simply fusing it with a generally adaptable switch protein and controlling protein activity indirectly?

     

Computational Investigations of a Peptide‐Modified Dendrimer Interacting with Lipid Membranes

Understanding the interactions of dendrimers as delivery vectors with biomembranes is important for functional optimization. Here, coarse‐grained molecular dynamics simulations are employed to study the interactions between a surface‐modified dendrimer with short peptides and lipid bilayers under physiological and low pH conditions. The peptide consists of three histidines (H) with the pH‐sensitive property and an arginine (R). It is found that the peptide‐dendrimer conjugate either adheres to or penetrates through the negatively charged, asymmetrical bilayer, dependent on the pH value. Calculation of the potential of mean force shows that the penetration is energy favorable at low pH. The conjugate can lead to membrane thinning with enhanced permeability. Inspired by the results, a possible route is proposed for gene delivery using the non‐specific electrostatic interaction adjusted by the pH environment.

     

Crystal Engineering Approach To Design Colorimetric Indicator Array To Discriminate Positional Isomers of Aromatic Organic Molecules

Discriminating by color : A 2D colorimetric indicator array has been designed by a crystal engineering approach (N???H? O hydrogen bonding and charge‐transfer complexation) involving solid‐state co‐grinding for the visual discrimination of positional isomers of dihydroxynaphthalene. Factors governing the close packing of π planes, and hence color of the complex, were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray analysis, allowing fine tuning by crystal engineering.

     

Facile Synthesis and Systematic Investigations of a Series of Novel Bent‐Shaped Two‐Photon Absorption Chromophores Based on Pyrimidine

Mark us bent! The synthesis, structure, and single‐ and two‐photon spectroscopic properties of a series of pyrimidine‐based (bent‐shaped) molecules are reported. These allow structure‐property relationships and guidelines for both the development and application of TPA compounds to be derived.

     

Self‐Assembled Organic Microtubes from Amphiphilic Molecules

Getting the sizes sorted out : In recent years, there have been increasing numbers of reports about self‐assembled nano‐ or microtubular structures because of their potential uses in a variety of technical applications, which are largely determined by the tube sizes. This Focus Review highlights microsized self‐assembled organic tubular structures formed in aqueous solutions and organic solvents.