Iridium‐Catalyzed Formyl‐Selective Deuteration of Aldehydes

We report the first direct catalytic method for formyl‐selective deuterium labeling of aromatic aldehydes under mild conditions, using an iridium‐based catalyst designed to favor formyl over aromatic C−H activation. A good range of aromatic aldehydes is selectively labeled, and a one‐pot labeling/olefination method is also described. Computational studies support kinetic product control over competing aromatic labeling and decarbonylation pathways.     

First Magnesium-mediated Carbonyl Benzylation in Water

Catalyzed by AgNO3, Mg was found for the first time to be able to mediate the coupling reaction between aromatic aldehydes and benzyl bromide or chloride in water. The yields were slightly higher than the recent results for Mg-mediated allylation despite the fact that aqueous benzylation is intrinsically much harder than allylation. It was also found that the coupling reaction was chemoselective for aromatic aldehydes over aliphatic aldehydes, and chemoselective for aromatic aldehydes over aromatic ketones.     

Rare earth triflates/chlorotrimethylsilane induced activation of triethylamine as a latent acetaldehyde anion: a new synthesis of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes

A synthetic methodology for α,β-unsaturated aldehydes employing rare earth triflate is reported. Activated triethylamine reacts with aldehydes to form two carbon extended aldehydes, which is promoted by a catalytic amount of Yb, Sc, Y, and In(OTf)₃, in the presence of chlorotrimethylsilane. We investigated the conditions applicable to aromatic aldehydes as well as heterocyclic compounds as substrates. A deuterium labeling experiment supported our proposed reaction mechanism.     

N-Heterocyclic carbene-mediated oxidative esterification of aldehydes: ester formation and mechanistic studies

An unexpected N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed esterification of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes including aromatic aldehydes with reactive cinnamyl bromides in the presence of air oxygen or MnO(2) as an oxidant is described. In the presence of oxygen, halogenated and electron-deficient aldehydes react smoothly to furnish esters in good yields. Great efforts have been made on mechanistic studies to deduce a plausible mechanism, based on the experimental results and isotopic labeling experiment.     

Preparation of 5-hydroxy-1-alkenyboronates from 1-alkynylboronates, Cp2ZrCl2/2EtMgBr, and aldehydes

1-Alkynylboronates form five-membered zirconacycles with Cp(2)ZrCl(2)/2-EtMgBr as indicated by deuterium labeling. The zirconacycles add aldehydes to form seven-membered zirconacycles. Hydrolysis of the latter provides 5-hydroxy-1-alkenylboronates in fair to good isolated yields. Both aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes undergo insertion.     

A general and efficient reduction of acyl chlorides to aldehydes by Sm(0)/Bu3P

A facile and efficient reduction of aromatic and aliphatic acyl chlorides to their corresponding aldehydes in the presence of Sm(0)/Bu₃P has been developed with broad scope. This method prevents over reduction of products, that is, the over-reduction of aldehydes to alcohols.     

Formation of [M + 15](+) ions from aromatic aldehydes by use of methanol: in-source aldolization reaction in electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Unexpected [M + 15]⁺ ions were formed during the analysis of aromatic aldehydes by use of methanol in positive‐ion electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Aromatic aldehydes with electron‐withdrawing groups or electron‐donating groups were all tested to make sure the universality. All the aromatic aldehydes studied with methanol as the solvent could generate [M + 15]⁺ ion, and for most of them, the [M + 15]⁺ ion was more intense than the [M + H]⁺ ion. Deuterium‐labeling experiment, high‐performance liquid chromatography–MS experiment, collision‐induced dissociation experiment, and theoretical calculations were performed to identify the formation of [M + 15]⁺ ion. The proposed reaction mechanism is a gas‐phase aldol reaction between protonated aromatic aldehydes and methanol occurring in electrospray source. Understanding and using this unique gas‐phase ion/molecule reaction can indeed offer a novel and fast approach for the direct identification of aromatic aldehydes. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Silica Phosphoric Acid: An Efficient and Recyclable Catalyst for the Solvent-Free Synthesis of Acylals and Their Deprotection in MeOH

Silica phosphoric acid was used as an efficient, mild, and recyclable solid catalyst for the synthesis of acylals from various structurally diverse aldehydes and acetic anhydride under solvent-free conditions. The acylation of aldehydes was highly chemoselective, and no ketone was acylated, which provided a method for the synthesis of acylals from aldehydes in the presence of ketones. Silica phosphoric acid–catalyzed deprotection of acylals to the corresponding aldehydes in MeOH has also been developed with excellent yield. The deprotection of the acylals of aromatic aldehydes took priority over those of aliphatic aldehydes.     

Dirhodium(II)-Catalyzed C(sp2)−H Azidation of Benzaldehydes

Multiple steps are needed to achieve the C−H functional of aromatic aldehyde, since the C−H functional reaction usually occurs preferentially at the aldehydic C−H bond over the aryl C−H bond. We report an efficient azidation method mediated by dirhodium(II) catalysts to achieve the direct aryl azidation of aromatic aldehydes avoiding the simultaneous use of protected aldehydes and prefunctionalized arenes. The regioselectivity of this method is similar to those of typical aromatic electrophilic substitution reactions. The resulting azidobenzaldehyde products are versatile building blocks or precursors for the synthesis of many biologically active compounds. The mechanism studies indicate that the one-electron oxidative intermediate Rh₂^(II,III)N₃ is responsible for the azide transfer.     

Mass spectrometry in structural and stereochemical problems—CLXIV. Electron impact promoted fragmentation of some thiosemicarbazones

The mass spectral fragmentation of thiosemicarbazone derivatives of some typical aliphatic, alicyclic and aromatic aldehydes and ketones has been rationalized using high resolution mass spectrometry supplemented by deuterium labeling. Thiosemicarbazone derivatives of carbonyl compounds yield mass spectra which have little in common with those generated by their semicarbazone analogs.     

The NHCs-mediated cross-coupling of aromatic aldehydes with benzyl halides: synthesis of α-aryl ketones

A new NHCs-mediated synthetic method was found to produce α-aryl ketones in 22-63% yields in one-pot process from the corresponding aromatic aldehydes and benzyl halides. This method is the first example of the NHCs-mediated intermolecular nucleophilic acylation of aromatic aldehydes with benzyl halides.     

Nickel-catalyzed 1,2-addition of arylboroxines to aromatic aldehydes

Development of Ni-Et-Duphos-catalyzed 1,2-addition of arylboroxines to aromatic aldehydes is described. The dramatic effect of boron reagent and phosphine ligand is observed. This method with a phosphine ligand allows asymmetric arylation of aromatic aldehydes (up to 78% ee).     

A mild titanium-based system for the reduction of amides to aldehydes

A mild method for the reduction of amides to aldehydes using 1,1,3,3-tetramethyldisiloxane/titanium(IV) isopropoxide reducing system is described. The reaction occurs under mild conditions and allows the reduction of aromatic as well as aliphatic, tertiary amides to the corresponding aldehydes, in good yields. This methodology was extended to the reduction of aromatic secondary and primary amides to the corresponding aldehydes.     

Fluorimetric determination of aromatic aldehydes with 4,5-dimethoxy-1,2-diaminobenzene

A sensitive fluorimetric method for the determination of aromatic aldehydes is described based on their reaction in dilute acid with 4,5-dimethoxy-1,2-diaminobenzene to give a compound which fluoresces intensely in alkaline solution. The fluorescence is stabilized by β-mercaptoethanol. The method is simple, selective for aromatic and arylaliphatic aldehydes, and sensitive; almost all the aldehydes can be determined at concentrations of 10^-8–10^-7 M.     

Evaluation of solid-phase microextraction methods for determination of trace concentration aldehydes in aqueous solution

A method for trace analysis of a wide range of aldehydes (saturated/unsaturated aliphatic, aromatic aldehydes, including hydroxylated species, and dialdehydes) in an aqueous solution was optimized. An evaluation of three solid-phase microextraction (SPME) techniques (headspace, liquid-phase, and on-fiber derivatization) with o-(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorobenzyl)hydroxylamine hydrochloride (PFBHA) aldehyde derivatization was performed focusing on the optimization of the main extraction parameters (temperature and time). The optimized method employed the liquid-phase SPME (D-L-SPME) of derivatized aldehydes at 80 degrees C for 30 min. Limits of detection (LODs) using this optimal method were in the range of 0.1-4.4 microg/L for the majority of aliphatic (saturated, unsaturated), aromatic aldehydes and dialdehydes. Formaldehyde LODs and those of some hydroxylated aromatic aldehydes were between 32 and 55 microg/L. Headspace SPME using an on-fiber derivatization generally showed a lower sensitivity and several compounds were not detected. Another technique, the optimized headspace SPME of aldehydes derivatized in aqueous solution, was not as sensitive as D-L-SPME for hydroxylated aromatic aldehydes. The developed method was used to analyze aqueous particulate matter extracts; this method achieved higher sensitivities than those obtained with US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Method 556.     

5-Amino-4-sulfanylphthalhydrazide as a chemiluminescence derivatization reagent for aromatic aldehydes in liquid chromatography

5-Amino-4-sulfanylphthalhydrazide (ASPH) was synthesized as a chemiluminescence derivatization reagent for aromatic aldehydes in liquid chromatography (LC). Benzaldehyde, 4-tolualdehyde, 4-chlorobenzaldehyde, 4-formylbenzoic acid, 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde and vanillin were used as model compounds to optimize the derivatization conditions. This reagent, ASPH, reacts selectively with aromatic aldehydes in the presence of sodium sulfite and disodium hydrogenphoshite in acidic medium at 100 degrees C to give the corresponding highly chemiluminescent 2-arylbenzothiazole derivatives. The resulting derivatives generated intense chemiluminescence by reaction with hydrogen peroxide and potassium hexacyanoferrate(III) in alkaline solution. The ASPH derivatives of aromatic aldehydes were separated by reversed-phase liquid chromatography with isocratic elution, and detected chemiluminometrically after mixing with oxidizing agents. The detection limits (signal-to-noise ratio = 3) for aromatic aldehydes are in the range 0.2-4.0 fmol for a 20-microl injection volume. Currently, the method is not effective for aliphatic aldehydes because of interfering LC peaks.     

2-Styryl-4H-1,3-benzoxazin-4-onium salts

A method was developed for the synthesis of 2-styryl-4H-1,3-benzoxazin-4-onium salts by condensation of 2-alkylbenzoxazinonium salts with aromatic aldehydes. It is shown that these same compounds are formed by acid condensation of salicylamides, salicylnitrile, or salicylaldoxime with aromatic aldehydes in acetic anhydride. The hydrolysis and alcoholysis of the synthesized salts were studied.     

ZrOC12·8H2O catalyzed one-pot synthesis of 2,4,5-triaryl-1H-imidazoles and substituted 1,4-di(4,5-diphenylimidazolyl)benzene

A simple one-pot synthetic method for the preparation of 2,4,5-triaryl-lH-imidazoles from benzoin or benzil,ammonium acetate,aromatic aldehydes,and ZrOCl 2·8H 2O catalyst is described.The ZrOCl2-8H2O catalyst was found to be equally effective for aromatic and heteroaromatic aldehydes and also for the preparation of substituted 1,4-di(4,5-diphenylimidazol-yl) benzene.     

Willgerodt-Kindler reaction at room temperature: Synthesis of thioamides from aromatic aldehydes and cyclic secondary amines

A simple method for the synthesis of thioamide derivatives in DMSO at room temperature and at 120 °C has been developed. Total 27 compounds were prepared under both conditions via a one-pot, three component reaction between substituted aromatic aldehydes, elemental sulfur powder, and cyclic secondary amines. By optimizing the mole ratio of sulfur powder and amines, we have successfully carried out Willgerodt-Kindler reaction of aromatic aldehydes at room temperature. At 120 °C, it is catalyst free reaction with lower reaction time whereas at room temperature, due to the additional amine molecule, Willgerodt-Kindler reaction of aromatic aldehydes is successfully carried out at room temperature. On gram-scale, the reaction is successfully attempted under both conditions with good yields.     

Fluorometric determination of aromatic aldehydes with 1,2-Diaminonaphthalene

A new fluorometric method for the determination of aldehydes is presented. 1,2-Diaminonaphthalene reacts with aldehyde in dilute sulphuric acid to give a compound which fluoresces intensely in alkaline medium. The fluorescences produced from aromatic aldehydes in this method are fairly characteristic of individual aldehydes and their intensities are generally higher than those of fluorescences from aliphatic aldehydes. The only interference is from 2-oxo acids. The method may be suitable for the determination of aldehyde in complex samples.