Reactivity of 1-boraadamantanes towards bis(trialkylstannyl)ethynes. First examples of 3-boratricyclo[5.3.1.1]dodecanes, and the molecular structure of a tetraalkyldiboroxane

1-Boraadamantane (1) and 2-ethyl-1-boraadamantane (1(2-Et)) react with bis(trialkylstannyl)ethynes (3), R₃Sn-CC-SnR₃ with R=Me (a), Et (b), in a 1:1 molar ratio by 1,1-organoboration under very mild conditions to give the 4-methylene-3-borahomoadamantane derivatives 4a,b and 7a,b, respectively, which are dynamic at room temperature with respect to deorganoboration. The compounds 4a,b react further with 3a,b by 1,1-organoboration to the tricyclic butadiene derivatives 5a,b. Attempts to crystallise 4a afforded the product of hydrolysis, the diboroxane 6a which was characterised by X-ray structural analysis. All products were characterised in solution by ¹H-, ¹¹B-, ¹³C- and ¹¹⁹Sn-NMR spectroscopy.     

A new class of azobenzene chelators for Mg and Ca in buffer at physiological pH

A new class of azobenzene-based chelators, trans-3a and trans-3b (3a and 3b), were designed and synthesized in two steps. Both 3a and 3b were readily dissolved in a buffer solution at physiological pH. The values of the dissociation constant of 3a and 3b for Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ were determined by the Hills plot; K_d^Mg=1.12 mM and K_d^Ca=660 μM for 3a and K_d^Mg=158 μM and K_d^Ca=200 μM for 3b, respectively. On irradiation at 489 nm light, 3a isomerized to give cis-form, which underwent cis-to-trans thermal isomerization in darkness at room temperature. The change in the absorption spectrum of the irradiated solution of 3a in the presence of Mg²⁺, showing the cis-to-trans thermal isomerization, indicates that the affinity of cis-3a for Mg²⁺ is lower than that of 3a.     

Selective radical cyclisation of propargyl bromoethers to tetrahydrofuran derivatives via electrogenerated nickel(I) tetramethylcyclam

The controlled-potential reduction of [1-bromo-2-methoxy-2-(prop-2′-ynyloxy)ethyl]benzene (1a), 1-[2-bromo-2-phenyl-1-(prop-2′-ynyloxy)ethyl]-4-methoxybenzene (1b) and 2-bromo-3-(3′,4′-dimethoxyphenyl)-3-propargyloxypropanamide (1c) catalysed by (1,4,8,11-tetramethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane)nickel(I), [Ni(tmc)]⁺, at a vitreous carbon cathode in DMF/Et₄NBF₄ leads to 2-methoxy-4-methylene-3-phenyl-tetrahydrofuran (2a), 2-(4′-methoxyphenyl)-4-methylene-3-phenyl-tetrahydrofuran (2b) and 2-(3′,4′-dimethoxyphenyl)-3-carbamoyl-4-methylenetetrahydrofuran (2c), respectively, in very high yields.     

1,1-(1-Propene-1,3-diyl)-ferrocene: modified synthesis, crystal structure, and polymerisation behaviour

The dehydro[3](1,1^′)ferrocenophanes, 1,1^′-(1-propene-1,3-diyl)-ferrocene (3a), and 1,1^′-(3-phenyl-1-propene-1,3-diyl)-ferrocene (3b) were synthesised under Shapiro conditions from the tosylhydrazones of the corresponding α-oxo-[3](1,1^′)ferrocenophanes. Electrochemistry shows 3a is oxidised at smilar potential to ferrocene; according 3a can be chemically oxidised using silver trifluoromethanesulfonate. The structure of 3a shows a ring tilt of 11.3°. Attempts to polymerise 3a using the ROMP initiator Mo(CHCMe₂Ph)[N(2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃)][OCMe(CF₃)₂]₂ led to a mixture of insoluble material and a soluble mixture of apparently cyclic oligomers ([3a]_n).     

Solvent-free reactions of N,N′-thiocarbonyldiimidazole with ferrocenylcarbinols

The efficient and simple routes for the synthesis of various ferrocenyl derivatives from ferrocenylcarbinols and N,N′-thiocarbonyldiimidazole (TCDI) are described. It involves grinding the two substrates in a Pyrex tube with a glass rod at room temperature. The reaction of ferrocenylmethanol (1a) provided S,S-bis(ferrocenylmethyl)dithiocarbonate (1b), whose crystal structure and a plausible mechanism for its formation are also reported. The reaction of 1-ferrocenyl-1-phenylmethanol (2a) and 1-ferrocenylbutanol (2b) gave the products 2c and 2d, respectively. The reaction of ω-ferrocenyl alcohols 4-ferrocenylphenol (3a) and 6-ferrocenylhexan-1-ol (3b) yielded the products 3c and 3d, respectively. Reaction of 1,1′-ferrocenedimethanol (3e) afforded 3f in moderate yield, and by contrast, it was not similar to 1b. Reaction of [4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]methanol (4a) provided the thiocarbonate 4b in good yield.     

Hydrogen-bonded networks from η-semiquinone complexes of manganese tricarbonyl

The cationic manganese tricarbonyl complexes containing η⁶-2-methylhydroquinone (2a), η⁶-2,3-dimethylhydroquinone (3a), η⁶-2-t-butylhydroquinone (4a), η⁶-tetramethylhydroquinone (5a) and η⁶-4,4′-biphenol (6a) are readily deprotonated to the corresponding neutral (η⁵-semiquinone)Mn(CO)₃ (2b-6b) and anionic (η⁴-quinone)Mn(CO)₃⁻ (2c-5c) complexes. The X-ray structures of 2b-6b feature strong intermolecular hydrogen bonding interactions that result in the formation of supramolecular organometallic networks. Significantly, the substitution pattern at the semiquinone ring affects the stereochemistry of the hydrogen bonding interactions. NMR spectra of 2b, 3b and 5b reveal dynamic hydrogen bonding in solution.     

Synthesis and properties of 4,9-methanoundecafulvenes and their transformation to 3-substituted 7,12-methanocycloundeca[4,5]furo[2,3-d]pyrimidine-2,4(1H,3H)-diones: photo-induced autorecycling oxidizing reaction toward amines

The synthesis and properties of 4,9-methanoundecafulvene [5-(4,9-methanocycloundeca-2′,4′,6′,8′,10′-pentaenylidene)pyrimidine-2,4,6(1,3,5H)-trione] derivatives 8a,b were studied. Their structural characteristics were investigated on the basis of the ¹H and ¹³C NMR and UV-vis spectra. The rotational barrier (ΔG^‡) around the exocyclic double bond of 8a was found to be 12.55 kcal mol⁻¹ by the variable temperature ¹H NMR measurement. The electrochemical properties of 8a,b were also studied by CV measurement. Furthermore, the transformation of 8a,b to 3-substituted 7,12-methanocycloundeca[4,5]furo[2,3-d]pyrimidine-2,4(1H,3H)-diones 16a,b was accomplished by oxidative cyclization using DDQ and subsequent ring-opening and ring-closure. The structural details and chemical properties of 16a,b were clarified. Reaction of 16a with deuteride afforded C13-adduct 19 as the single product, and thus, the methano-bridge controls the nucleophilic attack to prefer endo-selectivity. The photo-induced oxidation reaction of 16a and a vinylogous compound, 3-methylcyclohepta[4,5]furo[2,3-d]pyrimidine-2,4(3H)-dione 2a, toward some amines under aerobic conditions were carried out to give the corresponding imines (isolated by converting to the corresponding 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazones) with the recycling number of 6.1-64.0 (for 16a) and 2.7-17.2 (for 2a), respectively.     

Cyclisation of benzo[b]thiophen-3(2H)-one 1,1-dioxide and 1,3-indanedione into novel methylene bridged polycyclic diazocines and their rearrangement into spirocyclic compounds

Methylene bridged polycyclic diazocines 2a and 2b were obtained in reactions of 1,3-indanedione, or benzo[b]thiophen-3(2H)one-1,1-dioxide, or 2,2′-methylene derivatives 3a,b with paraformaldehyde and ammonia or hexamethylenetetramine in acidic medium. A structural revision of methylene bridged benzothieno-diazocine 2b based on results of X-ray diffraction analysis is presented. Internal rearrangement of methylene bridged polycyclic diazocines into spiroheterocycles 4a,b is also described.     

New strained ferrocenophane-based receptors for the selective electrochemical recognition of Mg in the presence of Ca cations

Ferrocenophane derivatives 3 act as electrochemical sensors of Mg²⁺ ions: a new redox peak appears in the CVs anodically shifted compared to the E_1/2 of the free receptors by 268-382 mV. Receptors 3a, 3c and 3d are selective for Mg²⁺, whilst 3b is also responsive to Ca²⁺ ion (302 mV shift). Receptor 3c also gave a highly visual output response in the presence of Mg²⁺ consisting of a deep purple colour.     

Bioactive meroditerpenes and indole alkaloids from the soil fungus Neosartorya fischeri (KUFC 6344), and the marine-derived fungi Neosartorya laciniosa (KUFC 7896) and Neosartorya tsunodae (KUFC 9213)

Two new metabolites including a new aszonalenin analogue (1c) and a new meroditerpene (3) were isolated, together with aszonalenin (1a), acetylaszonalenin (1b), 13-oxofumitremorgin B (2), aszonapyrone A (4b) and helvolic acid, from the culture of the soil fungus Neosartorya fischeri (KUFC 6344). While the ethyl acetate extract of the culture of the diseased coral-derived fungus Neosartorya laciniosa (KUFC 7896) furnished aszonapyrone B (4a), aszonapyrone A (4b), tryptoquivaline L and 3′-(4-oxoquinazolin-3-yl) spiro[1H-indole-3,5′-oxolane]-2,2′-dione, the ethyl acetate extract of the culture of the marine sponge-associated fungus Neosartorya tsunodae (KUFC 9213) yielded a new analogue of chevalone C (5) and helvolic acid. The structures of the new compounds were established based on 1D and 2D NMR spectral analysis as well as HR-ESIMS. Compounds 1a–c, 2, 3, 4a, 4b and 5 were evaluated for their in vitro growth inhibitory activity on the MCF-7 (breast adenocarcinoma), NCI-H460 (non-small cell lung cancer) and A375-C5 (melanoma) cell lines by the protein binding dye SRB method.     

Ferrocenoyl peptides with sulfur-containing side chains: synthesis, solid state and solution structures

The synthesis and full characterization of a number of amino acid and dipeptide derivatives with sulfur-containing side chains derived from ferrocene carboxylic acid and ferrocene-1,1′-dicarboxylic acid is presented. In particular, compounds Fc-CO-(Aaa)_n-OMe (4) and Fe[C₅H₄-CO-(Aaa)_n-OMe]₂ (3) with (Aaa)_n = Cys(Bzl) (a), Cys(Bzl)-Cys(Bzl) (b), Cys(p-OMe-Bzl) (c), Cys(p-OMe-Bzl)-Cys(p-OMe-Bzl) (d), Met (e), and Met-Met (f) were prepared. Also, the free acid derivatives Fe[C₅H₄-CO-Met-OH]₂ (6e) and Fc-CO-Met-OH (7e) were prepared and characterized. The solid state structures of 3a, 4b, and 4e were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 3a shows a 1,3′ substitution pattern on the Cp rings in the solid state. Structures in solution were determined by NMR, IR and CD spectroscopy, with particular emphasis on the question of hydrogen bonding and helical chirality of the metallocene. As an example, the full assignment for the Cp signals in the disubstituted derivative 3a was achieved by simulation of the ¹H NMR signals from the cyclopentadienyl ring in combination with 2D-NOESY spectra. In solution, 3a has the known 1,2′ substitution pattern, which is stabilized by intramolecular hydrogen bonds.     

Asymmetric addition of diethylzinc to aromatic aldehydes by chiral ferrocene-based catalysts

A series of chiral C₁- and C₂-symmetric ferrocenyl Schiff bases (1a-c), ferrocenyl aminoalcohols (2a), ferrocenylphosphinamides (2b-c), 1,1′-ferrocenyl-diol (3), and 1,1′-ferrocenyl-disulfonamide (4) were prepared and employed as base catalysts or as ligand for titanium(IV) complexes in the asymmetric addition of diethylzinc to aromatic aldehydes. High enantioselectivity up to almost 100% ee was achieved for the alkylation of benzaldehyde and p-methoxybenzaldehyde with 1 or 3. In contrast, however, the β-aminoalcohol (2a) and phosphinamides (2b and c) that are ubiquitous classes of base catalysts for this reaction proved inefficient in our hands, regardless of the types of substrates or reaction conditions. Comparative studies show that there exist various reaction parameters governing not only chemical yields but also optical yields. These include steric and electronic environment of the substrate, the solvent, the reaction temperature, and the nature of the ferrocene moieties.     

A new type of chiral porphyrin: Organopalladium porphyrins with chiral chelating diphosphine ligands

Peripherally palladated Ni(II) porphyrins have been prepared using enantiopure chiral chelating diphosphines as supporting ligands on the attached Pd(II) fragment. Both enantiomers of the following complexes have been obtained in good yields, using oxidative addition of the bromoporphyrin starting material 5-bromo-10,20-diphenylporphyrinatonickel(II) (NiDPPBr (1)) to the [Pd⁰L] complex generated in situ from Pd₂dba₃ and the chiral ligand L: [PdBr(NiDPP)(CHIRAPHOS)] (2a,b) [CHIRAPHOS = 2,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)butane], [PdBr(NiDPP)(Tol-BINAP)] (3a,b) [Tol-BINAP) = 2,2′-bis(di-p-tolylphosphino)-1,1′-binaphthyl] and [PdBr(NiDPP)(diphos)] [diphos = 1,2-bis(methylphenylphosphino)benzene] (4a,b). The induced asymmetry in the porphyrin was readily detected by ¹H NMR and CD spectroscopy. The porphyrin chiroptical properties are strongly dependent upon the structure of the chiral ligand, such that a monosignate CD signal, and symmetric and asymmetric exciton couplets were observed for 4a, 2b, and 3a,b, respectively.     

Synthesis and characterization of half-sandwich Rh, Ir complexes containing mono-thiolate-ortho-carborane ligand

Two binuclear complexes [Cp^∗M(Cl)Carb^S]₂ (Cp^∗ = η⁵-C₅Me₅, M = Rh (1a), Carb^S = SC₂(H)B₁₀H₁₀, Ir (1b)) were synthesized by the reaction of LiCarb^S with the dimeric metal complexes [Cp^∗MCl(μ-Cl)]₂ (M = Rh, Ir). Four mononuclear complexes Cp^∗M(Cl)(L)Carb^S (L = BuⁿPPh₂, M = Rh (2a), Ir (2b); L = PPh₃, M = Rh (4a), Ir (4b)) were synthesized by reactions of 1a or 1b with L (L = BuⁿPPh₂ (2); PPh₃ (4)) in moderate yields, respectively. Complexes 3a, 3b, 5a, 5b were obtained by treatment of 2a, 2b, 4a, 4b with AgPF₆ in high yields, respectively. All of these compounds were fully characterized by IR, NMR, and elemental analysis, and the crystal structures of 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 4a, 4b were also confirmed by X-ray crystallography. Their structures showed 3a, 3b and 5a, 5b could be expected as good candidates for heterolytic dihydrogen activation. Preliminary experiments on the dihydrogen activation driven by these half-sandwich Rh, Ir complexes were done under mild conditions.     

Synthesis and characterization of ferrocenyl-acridine dyads and their multiresponse to proton and metal cations

Two new π-conjugated linked ferrocenyl-acridine dyads, (9-ethynylferrocenyl)acridine (3a) and (1-(ferrocenylethynyl)-4-ethynylbenzenyl)-acridine (3b), have been synthesized and investigated. UV-Vis spectroscopic and electrochemical studies reveal that 3a offers stronger electronic communication between terminal subunits than the extended system 3b, as shown by a stronger and lower-energy metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) transition and a more positive redox potential. Both of 3a and 3b show multiresponse to protons and selected metal ions (M = Zn²⁺, Pb²⁺, Hg²⁺, Fe³⁺, Cr³⁺), with a MLCT transition shift to the lower-energy, a redox potential shift to anode, and a luminescence increasing.     

S-Transalkylation/ring closing metathesis as a route to azathiamacrocycles incorporating 2,2′-bipyridine subunits

A new route to cyclophanes 6a,b incorporating 2,2′-bipyridine subunits has been elaborated using as the key steps (1) S-transalkylation of 6,6′-bis(methylsulfanyl)-2,2′-bipyridines 2a,b with ethyl bromoacetate resulting in the formation of 6,6′-bis[(ethoxycarbonyl)methylsulfanyl]-2,2′-bipyridines 3a,b and (2) ring-closing metathesis of the corresponding alkenyl ethers 5a,b.     

A new protecting group ‘3,5-O-sulfinyl’ for xylo-nucleosides. A simple and efficient synthesis of 3-amino-3-deoxyadenosine (a puromycin intermediate), 2,2-anhydro-pyrimidine nucleosides and 2,3-anhydro-adenosine

We developed a new protecting group, the cyclic sulfite for the protection of the 3^′,5^′-dihydroxy group of nucleosides. Seven cyclic sulfites, 4a-c, 5a-b, and 6a-b were prepared in high yields from the corresponding xylo-uridines 1 and 2, and xylo-adenosines 3 with thionyl chloride, respectively. Synthesis of the puromycin intermediate 8 was carried out by deprotection of the sulfite moiety through an intramolecular cyclization of the 2^′-α-carbamate 7.     

Preparation and some chemistry of ferrocenylethynyl ketones

Reactions of Fc′(CHO)₂1 (Fc′ = 1,1′-ferrocenediyl) with LiCCR gave substituted propargylic alcohols Fc′{CH(OH)CCR}₂ (R = SiMe₃2, Fc 9). Oxidation (MnO₂) of these alcohols afforded the bis(alkynyl ketone)s Fc′{C(O)CCR}₂ (R = SiMe₃3, Fc 10), the former being accompanied by the partially desilylated Fc′{C(O)CCH}-1-{C(O)CCSiMe₃}-1′ 4. The reaction between 4 and RuCl(dppe)Cp in the presence of Na[BPh₄] gave the cyclic vinylidene complex [Ru{CC[C(O)Fc′C(O)CHCH]}(dppe)Cp]BPh₄5. The diastereomers were separated by flash chromatography (2) or preparative t.l.c. (9) to give the cis (2a, 9a) and trans (2b, 9b) isomers. Cyclisation of each isomer to the corresponding ferrocenophane was catalysed by pTSA to give Fc′{[CH(CCR)]₂O} (R = SiMe₃6a, 6b; Fc 11a, 11b), of which 6a, 6b could be desilylated to Fc′{[CH(CCH)]₂O} 7a, 7b, and further transformed into the bis(η²-alkyne-dicobalt) complexes Fc′{[CH(η²-C₂H[Co₂(μ-dppm)(CO)₄])]₂O} 8a, 8b with Co₂(μ-dppm)(CO)₆. Molecular structures of 3, 5, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b and 10 were determined by single-crystal XRD methods.     

Synthesis and electrochemical studies of ferrocene-dithiafulvalenes (Fc-DTF) and 1,1′-bis(dithiafulvalenyl)ferrocene (DTF-Fc-DTF). An approach towards new conducting organic materials

Novel π-conjugated donor compounds based on the strong electron-donating ferrocene moiety and dithiafulvalene donors exhibited increased electron donor ability. The ferrocenylketones 4a,b, 5, 8 and 9 were synthesized via described methods, and allowed to react with 2-dimethoxyphosphinyl-1,3-benzodithiole (13) in the presence of n-BuLi at −78°C in dry THF to afford the corresponding ferrocene-dithiafulvalenes 14a,b, 18, 19 and 1,1′-bis(benzo-1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene)ethyl]ferrocene (15). Electrochemical properties of these new donor compounds were studied using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and UV-Vis spectra. CV and absorption spectra of the new compounds were studied in comparison with ferrocene (6) and dibenzo-tetrathiafulvalene DB-TTF 3. Two-electron and three-electron redox behaviors were observed as two waves. The absorption spectra showed a red-shift with a slight increase in the absorption intensities.     

Total synthesis of apigenin 7,4′-di-O-β-glucopyranoside, a component of blue flower pigment of Salvia patens, and seven chiral analogues

We have succeeded in the first total synthesis of apigenin 7,4′-di-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (1a), a component of blue pigment, protodelphin, from naringenin (2). Glycosylation of 2 according to Koenigs-Knorr reaction provided a monoglucoside 4a in 80% yield, and this was followed by DDQ oxidation to give apigenin 7-O-glucoside (12a). Further glycosylation of 4′-OH of 12a with 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-d-glucopyranosyl fluoride (5a) was achieved using a Lewis acid-and-base promotion system (BF₃·Et₂O, 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylpyridine, and 1,1,3,3-tetramethylguanidine) in 70% yield, and subsequent deprotection produced 1a. Synthesis of three other chiral isomers of 1a, with replacement of d-glucose at 7 and/or 4′-OH by l-glucose (1b-d), and four chiral isomers of apigenin 7-O-β-glucosides (6a,b) and 4′-O-β-glucosides (7a,b) also proved possible.