Unique Bora[1]ferrocenophanes with Sterically Protected Boron: A Potential Gateway to Helical Polyferrocenes

Silicon‐bridged [1]ferrocenophanes are a versatile class of monomers to obtain well‐defined metallopolymers, however, their boron‐bridged analogues are far less utilized despite being significantly higher strained. We assumed that the reactivity of known bora[1]ferrocenophanes towards ring‐opening polymerization is hampered by π‐donating R₂N groups at the bridging boron atom and therefore prepared the first bora[1]ferrocenophanes lacking such electronic stabilization. The new, isolated ferrocenophane with a 2,4,6‐triisopropylphenyl group attached to the bridging boron atom exhibits the most tilted Cp rings among all isolated strained sandwich compounds [α(DFT)=33.3°] with a measured record value of the bathochromic shift (λ_max=516 nm). Attempts to purify the mesityl analogue by vacuum sublimation transformed this monomer to a purple‐colored polymer that resulted in Cotton effects in circular dichroism spectroscopy. DFT calculations revealed a left‐handed helical structure for this polymer. This is the first evidence for a polyferrocene with a chiral secondary structure.     

Recent Advances in Radical‐Mediated C—C Bond Fragmentation of Non‐Strained Molecules

The carbon‐carbon (C—C) σ‐bonds construct the fundamental frameworks of organic molecules. The direct functionalization of C—C bonds represents one of the most efficient and step‐economical transformations in synthetic chemistry. The past few decades have witnessed the fast development of transition‐metal mediated C—C bond activation. In contrast, the radical‐promoted C—C bond cleavage has received relatively less attention. As the occurrence of ring strain significantly facilitates the fission of cyclic C—C bonds via radical approaches, the strain relief‐driven C—C bond activation mostly relies on the three‐ and four‐membered rings. The C—C activation of non‐strained molecules such as medium‐ or large‐sized rings and linear alkanes remains challenging. In this review, we will focus on the recent advances in radical‐mediated C—C bond activation of non‐strained molecules. Herein, the alkoxy‐ and iminyl‐radical triggered scission of non‐strained C—C bonds and C—C cleavage via the strategy of remote functional group migration is summarized.     

Electrochemical-Induced Ring Transformation of Cyclic α-(ortho-Iodophenyl)-β-oxoesters

Cyclic α-(ortho-iodophenyl)-β-oxoesters were converted in a ring-expanding transformation to furnish benzannulated cycloalkanone carboxylic esters. The reaction sequence started by electrochemical reduction of the iodoarene moiety. In a mechanistic rationale, the resulting carbanionic species was adding to the carbonyl group under formation of a strained, tricyclic benzocyclobutene intermediate, which underwent carbon–carbon bond cleavage and rearrangement of the carbon skeleton by retro-aldol reaction. The scope of the reaction sequence was investigated by converting cyclic oxoesters with different ring sizes yielding benzocycloheptanone, -nonanone and -decanone derivatives in moderate to good yields. Furthermore, acyclic starting materials and cyclic compounds carrying additional substituents on the iodophenyl ring were submitted to this reaction sequence. The starting materials for this transformation are straightforwardly obtained by conversion of β-oxoesters with phenyliodobis(trifluoroacetate).     

A Highly Efficient Near‐Infrared‐Emissive Copolymer with a N=N Double‐Bond π‐Conjugated System Based on a Fused Azobenzene–Boron Complex

Fused azobenzene–boron complexes (BAzs) show highly efficient near‐infrared (NIR) emission from the nitrogen–nitrogen double bond (N=N) containing π‐conjugated copolymer. Optical measurements showed that BAz worked as a strong electron acceptor because of the intrinsic electron deficiency of the N=N double bond and the boron–nitrogen (B?N) coordination which dramatically lowered the energy of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) of the azobenzene ligand. The simple donor–acceptor (D–A) type copolymer of bithiophene (BT) and BAz exhibited intense photoluminescence (PL) in the NIR region both in the dilute solution (λ_PL=751 nm, Φ_PL=0.25) and in the film (λ_PL=821 nm, Φ_PL=0.038). The BAz monomer showed slight PL in the dilute solution, and aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) was detected. We proposed that N=N double bonds should be attractive and functional building blocks for designing π‐conjugated materials.     

2-[4-Alkenyloxy)phenyl]-5-alkylpyrimidines The relationship between position and nature (E/Z) of the double bond and transition temperatures

Abstract

The 5-n-alkyl-2-[4-(n-alkoxy)phenyl]pyrimidmes are essential components of most commercial chiral smectic C mixtures for electrooptic display devices based on ferroelectric effects. This is due to their generally relatively low melting points, enantiotropic, relatively wide range smectic C mesophases, low viscosity and ease of preparation. An unsaturated carbon–carbon double bond has now been introduced into the terminal alkoxy chain of the 5-n-alkyl-2-[4-(alkoxy)phenyl]pyrimidines to produce the corresponding alkenyloxy substituted derivatives. The position and nature (E/Z) of the double bond has been varied systematically and the effect on the liquid crystal transition temperatures studied. A number of homologous series of the most interesting alkenyloxy substituted materials has been prepared and evaluated. The position and nature (E/Z) of the double bond changes the conformation of the alkenyloxy chain substantially. This can result in significantly higher smectic C transition temperatures for compounds with a trans double bond (E) at an even number of carbon atoms from the molecular core. Significantly lower transition temperatures (including the melting point) are observed for materials with a cis double bond (Z) at an odd number of carbon atoms from the molecular core. Comparisons with the corresponding alkoxy substituted materials (i.e. without a double bond) are made.     

Iridium‐Catalyzed Intramolecular Methoxy C−H Addition to Carbon–Carbon Triple Bonds: Direct Synthesis of 3‐Substituted Benzofurans from o‐Methoxyphenylalkynes

Catalytic hydroalkylation of an alkyne with methyl ether was accomplished. Intramolecular addition of the C?H bond of a methoxy group in 1‐methoxy‐2‐(arylethynyl)benzenes across a carbon–carbon triple bond took place efficiently either in toluene at 110 °C or in p‐xylene at 135 °C in the presence of an iridium catalyst. The initial 5‐exo cyclization products underwent double‐bond migration during the reaction to give 3‐(arylmethyl)benzofurans in high yields.     

Photoinduced Fe-Cp bond cleavage and insertion reactions of strained silicon- and sulphur-bridged [1]ferrocenophanes in the presence of transition-metal carbonyls

The photochemical reactions of the moderately strained sila[1]ferrocenophane [Fe(eta-C(5)H(4))(2)SiPh(2)] (1) and the highly strained thia[1]ferrocenophane [Fe(eta-C(5)H(4))(2)S] (8) with transition-metal carbonyls ([Fe(CO)(5)], [Fe(2)(CO)(9)] and [Co(2)(CO)(8)]) have been studied. The use of metal carbonyls has allowed the products of photochemically induced Fe-cyclopentadienyl (Cp) bond cleavage reactions in the [1]ferrocenophanes to be trapped as stable, characterisable products. During the course of these studies the synthesis of 8 from [Fe(eta-C(5)H(4)Li)(2)TMEDA] (TMEDA=N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine) and S(SO(2)Ph)(2) has been significantly improved by a change of reaction solvent and temperature. Photochemical reaction of 1 with excess [Fe(CO)(5)] in THF gave the dinuclear complex [Fe(2)(CO)(2)(mu-CO)(2)(eta-C(5)H(4))(2)SiPh(2)] (9). The analogous photolytic reaction of 8 with [Fe(CO)(5)] in THF gave cyclic dimer [Fe(eta-C(5)H(4))(2)S](2) (10) and [Fe(2)(CO)(2)(mu-CO)(2)(eta-C(5)H(4))(2)S] (11), with the former being the major product. Photolysis of 1 with [Co(2)(CO)(8)] afforded the remarkable tetrametallic dimer [(CO)(2)Co(eta-C(5)H(4))SiPh(2)(eta-C(5)H(4))Fe(CO)(2)](2) (13). The corresponding photochemical reaction of 8 with [Co(2)(CO)(8)] gave a trimetallic insertion product in high conversion, [Co(CO)(4)(CO)(2)Fe(eta-C(5)H(4))S(eta-C(5)H(4))Co(CO)(2)] (14). These reactivity studies show that UV light promotes Fe-Cp bond cleavage reactions of both of the [1]ferrocenophanes 1 and 8. We have found that, whereas the less strained sila[1]ferrocenophane 1 requires photoactivation for Fe-Cp bond insertions to occur, the highly strained thia[1]ferrocenophane 8 undergoes both irradiative and non-irradiative insertions, although the latter occur at a slower rate. Our results suggest that such photoinduced bond cleavage reactions may be general and applicable to other related strained organometallic rings with pi-hydrocarbon ligands.     

Complexes of 2,2′,2″-Nitrilotriphenol. Part 1. A Study of Bimolecular Nucleophilic Substitution at the Boron Atom

The tetradentate ligand 2,2′,2″-nitrilotriphenol forms a boron complex III with an intramolecular, transannular N→B dative bond of 1.68 Å in a strained tricyclo[3.3.3.0]undecane chelating system. The complex reacts with nitrogen bases L, such as pyridine, quinuclidine and others, to form complexes III-L , in which the intramolecular B–N bond is replaced by one between B and the external nucleophile. In solution, this displacement reaction is reversible. It was studied by temperature-dependent NMR spectroscopy. The resulting reaction and activation parameters suggest that the reaction is a bimolecular nucleophilic substitution (S_N2).     

Synthesis,hole mobility,and photovoltaic properties of two alternating poly[3‐(hex‐1‐enyl)thiophene‐co‐thiophene]s

Two alternating poly[3‐(hex‐1‐enyl)thiophene‐co‐thiophene]s, Pa (with 77% trans‐isomer and 23% cis‐isomer) and Pb (with 100% trans‐isomer), were synthesized by the coupling of 2,5‐dibromo‐3‐hex‐1‐enyl‐thiophene to 2,5‐bis(tributylstannyl)thiophene via a Stille reaction and compared with poly(3‐hexylthiophene‐co‐thiophene) ( P1 ) to study the effect of changing the carbon(α)–carbon(β) single bond into a carbon–carbon double bond on the properties of the polymers. From P1 to Pb and to Pa , the ultraviolet–visible absorption peaks of the polymers were slightly redshifted, and their electrochemical bandgaps decreased by 0.05–0.1 eV. X‐ray diffraction analysis indicated that Pa had a better lamellar structure than Pb . The hole mobilities of the three polymers, determined with the space‐charge‐limited current model, were 5.23 × 10^?6 ( P1 ), 2.34 × 10^?4 ( Pb ), and 7.02 × 10^?4 cm²/V s ( Pa ). The power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of polymer solar cells based on the three polymers were 0.87 ( P1 ), 1.16 ( Pb ), and 1.70% ( Pa ). The increase in the hole mobility and PCE revealed the important effect of changing the carbon(α)–carbon(β) single bond into a carbon–carbon double bond on the properties of polythiophene derivatives containing 3‐alkylthiophene. The strategy used in this work enlarges the thinking to obtain novel, efficient donor polymers for optoelectronic applications. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 629–638, 2007     

Synthesis and thermal studies of heterocyclic siloxanes containing boron

Eight- and six-membered cycloborasiloxanes containing two and one boron atoms respectively are strained ring compounds which undergo ring opening polymerization and ring–ring transformation reactions on thermolysis. Prolonged heating at 200°C results in volatilization of the cyclic boroxine (PhBO)₃, whereas rapid heating of either compound to 1500°C in an inert atmosphere does not result in loss of boron, but affords instead an amorphous residue containing silicon carbide, boron oxide and carbon. Upon further pyrolysis at 1700°C the final product consists of microcrystalline silicon carbide in which are embedded large crystals of boron carbide.     

One‐pot Annulation for Biaryl‐fused Monocarba‐closo‐dodecaborate through Aromatic B−H Bond Disconnection

We have developed a one‐pot annulation reaction of monocarba‐closo‐dodecaborate with cyclic diaryliodonium salts to afford biaryl‐fused derivatives. Aryl functionalities are introduced at both the 1‐carbon and unreactive ortho‐boron vertices of the “σ‐aromatic” carborane cage without the need for pre‐functionalization. DFT calculations revealed that the palladium‐catalyzed C?B bond‐formation step in this process proceeds through a concerted metalation–deprotonation (CMD)‐type pathway for the B?H bond disconnection on the aromatic cage, though such bonds are generally regarded as hydridic.     

Stereoselective Synthesis of Novel Diels–Alder Adducts of p-Substituted Methyl Thiocinnamates and Cyclopentadiene

This article describes the Diels–Alder reaction between methyl thiocinnamates, substituted at the para position by electron-donating and electron-withdrawing groups, with cyclopentadiene in the presence of catechol boron bromide (CBB) as a Lewis acid catalyst. The adduct configuration was confirmed by ¹H NMR coupling constants and single-crystal x-ray diffraction. Total endo stereoselectivity was observed in all reactions and was attributed to the effective secondary interaction between the boron atom and the incipient double bond in the norbonene resulting from the planar geometry of the catalyst. ¹³C NMR chemical shifts of the coordinated dienophile carbonyl carbons with CBB compared to those of the non coordinated thiocinammates suggest a strong complexation with the catalyst.     

Synthesis,photophysics, structure‐tunable photoluminescence,and electrochemical properties of soluble poly(p‐phenylenevinylene)‐based polymers with adjacent 1,3,4‐oxadiazoles in the backbone

Three new poly(p‐phenylenevinylene)‐based polymers containing two 1,3,4‐oxadiazole moieties in the main chain per repeat unit were synthesized by Heck coupling. A single, double, or triple bond was introduced between the oxadiazoles to provide a means for modifying the polymer properties. The polymers were readily soluble in common organic solvents and showed T_g values lower than 50 °C. The color of the emissive light in both the solid state and the solution could be tuned by a change in the nature of the bond between the oxadiazole rings. The polymers emitted ultraviolet‐green light in solution with a photoluminescence (PL) emission maximum at 345–483 nm and blue‐green light at 458–542 nm in thin films. The PL quantum yields in solution were 0.36–0.43. The electrochemical properties are affected by the nature of the bond between the oxadiazoles as well. In polymers with a single bond between the oxadiazoles, a lower ionization potential was observed than in polymers with a double or triple bond. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 3079–3090, 2005     

An Isolable Potassium Salt of a Borasilene–Chloride Adduct

Among the variety of isolable compounds with multiple bonds involving silicon, examples of compounds that contain silicon–boron double bonds (borasilenes) still remain relatively rare. Herein, we report the synthesis of the potassium salt of a chloride adduct of borasilene 1 ([ 2 ]⁻), which was obtained as an orange crystalline solid. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis and reactivity studies on [ 2 ]⁻ confirmed the double‐bond character of the Si=B bond as well as the reduced Lewis acidity, which is due to the coordination of Cl⁻ to the boron center. A thermal reaction of [ 2 ]⁻ afforded a bicyclic product by formal intramolecular C−H insertion across the Si=B bond of 1 , which was corroborated by a theoretical study.     

Effect of Polymerizable Photoinitiators on the UV‐polymerization behaviors of photosensitive polysiloxane

In this contribution, three polymerizable benzophenone photoinitiators containing maleimide group including 4‐maleimidebenzophenone (MBP), 4‐chlorine‐4′‐maleimide benzophenone (CMBP), and 4‐maleimide‐4′‐[(4‐maleimide)thiophenyl]benzophenone (MMTBP) were designed and synthesized to enhance the polymerization degree of photosensitive polysiloxane containing methacryloxy active groups (MAPSO). The polymerization behaviors of the MAPSO cured by different photoinitiators were investigated using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). It was noted that the MAPSO initiated by MMTBP showed a high carbon–carbon double bond conversion above 80% because of the existence of thiophenyl group which could generate more radicals from the photolysis reaction at the C? S bond. In addition, the thermal stability of the UV‐cured MAPSO were studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), the result showed that the initial 5% mass loss (T _5%) and residual weight percent at 800 °C in nitrogen of the UV‐cured MAPSO initiated by MMTBP systems was 200 °C and 33.8%. Thus, this work provides a new perspective and efficient strategy to improve the polymerization degree of UV‐curable polysiloxanes with carbon–carbon double bonds. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55 , 1696–1705     

Defluoroalkylation of sp3 C−F Bonds of Industrially Relevant Hydrofluoroolefins

A simple, one-pot procedure is reported for the selective defluoroalkylation of trifluoromethyl alkene derivatives with aldehydes and ketones. The reaction sequence allows construction of a new C−C bond in a highly selective manner from a single sp³ C−F bond of a CF₃ group in the presence of sp² C−F bonds. The scope incorporates industrially relevant fluorocarbons including HFO-1234yf and HFO-1234ze. No catalyst, additives or transition metals are required, rather the methodology relies on a recently developed boron reagent. Remarkably, the boron site of this reagent plays a dual role in the reaction sequence, being nucleophilic at boron in the C−F cleavage step (S_N2’) but electrophilic at boron en route to the carbon–carbon bond-forming step (S_E2’). The duplicitous behaviour is underpinned by a hydrogen atom migration from boron to the carbon atom of a carbene ligand.     

Electrochemical Characteristics of Discrete,Uniform, and Monodispersed Hollow Mesoporous Carbon Spheres in Double‐Layered Supercapacitors

Core–shell‐structured mesoporous silica spheres were prepared by using n‐octadecyltrimethoxysilane (C18TMS) as the surfactant. Hollow mesoporous carbon spheres with controllable diameters were fabricated from core–shell‐structured mesoporous silica sphere templates by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). By controlling the thickness of the silica shell, hollow carbon spheres (HCSs) with different diameters can be obtained. The use of ethylene as the carbon precursor in the CVD process produces the materials in a single step without the need to remove the surfactant. The mechanism of formation and the role played by the surfactant, C18TMS, are investigated. The materials have large potential in double‐layer supercapacitors, and their electrochemical properties were determined. HCSs with thicker mesoporous shells possess a larger surface area, which in turn increases their electrochemical capacitance. The samples prepared at a lower temperature also exhibit increased capacitance as a result of the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) area and larger pore size.     

Ring‐Closing Metathesis and Photo‐Fries Reaction for the Construction of the Ansamycin Antibiotic Kendomycin: Development of a Protecting Group Free Oxidative Endgame

Two convergent total syntheses of the ansa‐polyketide (?)‐kendomycin ( 1 ) are described. The syntheses benefit from the use of readily available and cheap starting materials. Highly complex diastereoselective Claisen–Ireland rearrangements were used to introduce the (E)‐double bond and the C16‐Me group. The ring closure of the strained ansa macrocycle was achieved by ring‐closing metathesis and a highly efficient combination of macrolactonization and photo‐Fries reaction. A protecting group free endgame via an unstable o‐quinone is presented. Additionally some unsuccessful synthetic efforts towards the total synthesis of 1 are described.     

Copper‐Catalyzed Three‐Component Borylstannylation of Alkynes

Regio‐ and stereoselective installation of boryl and stannyl moieties into a carbon–carbon triple bond of various alkynes has been achieved based on a three‐component coupling reaction by using a diboron and a tin alkoxide with the aid of a copper(II) acetate–tricyclohexylphosphine complex, giving diverse vic‐borylstannylalkenes in a straightforward manner. Carbon–tin and carbon–boron bonds of the resulting borylstannylation product are successively transformed into carbon–carbon bonds by a Migita–Kosugi–Stille and a Suzuki–Miyaura coupling, leading to the formation of (Z)‐tamoxifen with anti‐breast cancer activity.     

Trapping of the highly strained [5](2,4)quinolinophane system

The highly strained [5](2,4)quinolinophane system can be generated as an intermediate (2b), which is extremely susceptible towards the attack of both nucleophilic and electrophilic species. Addition of water at the carbon bridgehead C2 occurs rapidly and is followed by rearrangements to give a strain free product 10. An unusual carbene addition at the N1C2 bond of 2b is proposed to explain the formation of the strained ‘anti-Bredt’ type olefin 11.