Novel products from C6H5 + C6H6/C6H5 reactions

To date only one product, biphenyl, has been reported to be produced from C(6)H(5) + C(6)H(6)/C(6)H(5) reactions. In this study, we have investigated some unique products of C(6)H(5) + C(6)H(6)/C(6)H(5) reactions via both experimental observation and theoretical modeling. In the experimental study, gas-phase reaction products produced from the pyrolysis of selected aromatics and aromatic/acetylene mixtures were detected by an in situ technique, vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) single photon ionization (SPI) time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOFMS). The mass spectra revealed a remarkable correlation in mass peaks at m/z = 154 {C(12)H(10) (biphenyl)} and m/z = 152 {C(12)H(8) (?)}. It also demonstrated an unexpected correlation among the HACA (hydrogen abstraction and acetylene addition) products at m/z = 78, 102, 128, 152, and 176. The analysis of formation routes of products suggested the contribution of some other isomers in addition to a well-known candidate, acenaphthylene, in the mass peak at m/z = 152 (C(12)H(8)). Considering the difficulties of identifying the contributing isomers from an observed mass number peak, quantum chemical calculations for the above-mentioned reactions were performed. As a result, cyclopenta[a]indene, as-indacene, s-indacene, biphenylene, acenaphthylene, and naphthalene appeared as novel products, produced from the possible channels of C(6)H(5) + C(6)H(6)/C(6)H(5) reactions rather than from their previously reported formation pathways. The most notable point is the production of acenaphthylene and naphthalene from C(6)H(5) + C(6)H(6)/C(6)H(5) reactions via the PAC (phenyl addition-cyclization) mechanism because, until now, both of them have been thought to be formed via the HACA routes. In this way, this study has paved the way for exploring alternative paths for other inefficient HACA routes using the PAC mechanism.     

C60NH5/6, 6/6异构体的理论研究

用半经验的AM1, PM3及ab initio方法对C60NH两种异构体的结构及光谱进行了理论计算。结果表明, 具有开环结构的C60NH的5/6异构体稳定性要高于具有闭环结构的6/6异构体。计算了两种异构体开环与闭环过程的反应坐标, 发现6/6开环异构体是势能面上的一局部最小点, 而5/6闭环异构体不存在6/6异构体的H可以在两种镜面异构体之间快速翻转, 使其核磁共振谱呈现C2v对称性。通过振动分析确认了所优化的构型确实为势能面的能量最低点, 并得到了C60NH各异构体的红外光谱。     

Diverged Plant Terpene Synthases Reroute the Carbocation Cyclization Path towards the Formation of Unprecedented 6/11/5 and 6/6/7/5 Sesterterpene Scaffolds

Sesterterpenoids are a relatively rare class of plant terpenes. Sesterterpene synthase (STS)‐mediated cyclization of the linear C₂₅ isoprenoid precursor geranylfarnesyl diphosphate (GFPP) defines sesterterpene scaffolds. So far only a very limited number of STSs have been characterized. The discovery of three new plant STSs is reported that produce a suite of sesterterpenes with unprecedented 6/11/5 and 6/6/7/5 fused ring systems when transiently co‐expressed with a GFPP synthase in Nicotiana benthamiana. Structural elucidation, feeding experiments, and quantum chemical calculations suggest that these STSs catalyze an unusual cyclization path involving reprotonation, intramolecular 1,6 proton transfer, and concerted but asynchronous bicyclization events. The cyclization is diverted from those catalyzed by the characterized plant STSs by forming unified 15/5 bicyclic sesterterpene intermediates. Mutagenesis further revealed a conserved amino acid residue implicated in reprotonation.     

Comparison of 6Mo/MCM-22 and 6Mo/ZSM-5 in the MDA process

A comparison of methane dehydroaromatization (MDA) on 6Mo/MCM-22 and 6Mo/ZSM-5 was carried out using a gas mixture of 90%CH₄, 2%CO₂ and 8%Ar as the feed. The results indicate that the stability of 6Mo/MCM-22 is better than that of 6Mo/ZSM-5. A detailed study reveals that the ability for coke accommodation and the retention of the shape selectivity for aromatics formation is responsible for the stability of a MDA catalyst. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Assembly of the 6/3/5/6 tetracyclic core of rearranged-type C19-diterpenoid alkaloids

A synthetic study toward the structurally complex rearranged-type C₁₉-diterpenoid alkaloids leading to construction of the strained 6/3/5/6 tetracyclic core is presented. The synthesis features an intramolecular Diels–Alder cycloaddition reaction to assemble the highly substituted central cyclopropane motif, which may serve as a key strategy for the total synthesis of relevant natural product molecules.     

Palcernuine,the first [5/6/6/6]-cernuane-type alkaloid from Palhinhaea cernua f. sikkimensis

One novel(named palcernuine, 1) and five known cernuane-type(2–6) alkaloids were isolated from the whole plant of Palhinhaea cernua f. sikkimensis. The structure of 1, possessing an unprecedented [5/6/6/6]-tetracyclic ring system containing two nitrogen atoms, was established on the basis of spectroscopic methods, and its absolute configuration was determined by comparison of the experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism(ECD) spectra. A plausible biosynthetic pathway to 1 is proposed.     

Aromatic H／D Exchange Reaction Catalyzed by Groups 5 and 6 Metal Chlorides

Groups 5 and 6 metal chlorides such as MoCl5, WCI6, NbCl5 and TaCl5 were found to be simple and very efficientcatalysts for the aromatic H/D exchange reactions. Compared with other metal chlorides such as ZnCl2, SnCl4 and TiCl4, groups 5 and 6 metal chlorides showed better catalytic activity in the H/D exchange reaction of naphthalene with C6D6. Deuteration of anthracene using MoC15 as a catalyst proceeded within 24 h at room temperature. Other aromatic compounds such as toluene, diphenylmethane and 1,1,2-triphenylethane were also deuterated smoothly in C6D6 within 24 h at room temperature.     

Importance of the methyl group at C10 of squalene for hopene biosynthesis and novel carbocyclic skeletons with 6/5 + 5/5 + (6) ring system(s)

[reaction: see text] Incubation of (6E,10E,14E,18E)-2,6,10,19,23-pentamethyl-tetracosa-2,6,10,14,18,22-hexaene with Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius hopene cyclase afforded four products having two types of carbocyclic skeletons, i.e., two hopane products and two products having an unprecedented carbocyclic skeleton of 6/5 + 5/5 +6 pentacyclic and 6/5 + 5/5 tetracyclic ring systems. The former two hopane skeletons were formed from the bioconversion of C15-desmethylsqualene and the latter two skeletons from that of C10-desmethylsqualene.     

Electronic structures of dihedral (D5h, D5d, D6h, D6d) fullerenes

By means of our proposed method for Hückel theory calculation, we have calculated the electronic structures of dihedral (D_5h, D_5d, D_6h, D_6d) fullerences, which are generated from icosahedral C₂₀, C₆₀, C₈₀, C₁₈₀, C₂₄₀ and C₅₄₀, respectively. From the calculated results of 1224 fullerence molecules, certain rules on the stability and chemical reactivity have been drawn for such types of dihedral fullerenes.     

Synthesis and characterization of hydroxo, pyrazolato and carboxylato derivatives of the PdR(PPh3)moiety (R = C6F5 or C6Cl5)

The hydroxo-complexes [{PdR(PPh₃)(μ-OH)}₂] (R = C₆F₅ or C₆Cl₅) have been obtained by reaction of the corresponding [{PdR(PPh₃)(μ-Cl)}2] complexes with NBu₄OH in acetone. In this solvent, the reaction of the hydroxo-bridged complexes with pyrazole (Hpz) and 3,5-dimethylpyrazole (Hdmpz) in 1:2 molar ratio leads to the formation of the new complexes [{Pd(C₅F₅)(PPh₃)(μ-azolate)}2] and [{Pd(C₆Cl₅)(PPh₃)}₂(μ-OH)(μ-azolate)] (azolate = pz or dmpz). The reaction of the bis(μ-hydroxo) complexes with Hpz and Hdmpz in acetone in 1:1 molar ratio has also been studied, and the resulting product depends on the organic radical (C₆F₅ or C₆Cl₅) as well as the azolate (pz or dmpz). The identity of the isomer obtained has been established in every case by NMR (¹H, ¹⁹F and ³¹P) spectroscopy. The reaction of the bis(μ-hydroxo) complexes with oxalic (H₂Ox) and acetic (HOAc) acids yields the binucle ar complexes [{PdR(PPh₃)}2(μ-Ox)] (R = C₆F₅ or C₆Cl₅) and [{Pd(C₆F₅)(PPh₃)(μ-OAc)}2], respectively. [{Pd(C₆F₅)(PPh₃)(μ-OH)}₂] reacts with PPh₃ in acetone in 1:2 ratio giving the mononuclear complex trans-[Pd(C₆F₅) (OH)(PPh₃)₂], whereas the pentachlorophenylhydroxo complex does not react with PPh₃, even under forcing conditions.     

Reactions of pentafluorophenylxenon(II) hexafluoroarsenate [C6F5Ze] [AsF6] with halide anions in acetonitrile

Reactions of [C₆F₅Xe]⁺ [AsF₆]⁻ in acetonitrile with halide anions X⁻ show different results depending on X. If X = I, Br or Cl, then C₆F₅X is obtained. If X = F, then C₆F₅H and C₆F₅---C₆F₅ are produced, and if X = HF₂, then C₆F₆, C₆F₅H and C₆F₅---C₆F₅ are formed.     

What is the structure of FeC5H6?

Calculations performed using both density functional theory (DFT) and the modified coupled-pair functional (MCPF) approach show that FeC₅H₆⁺ is more stable than HFeC₅H₅⁺ by about 10 kcal/mol. The ground state of FeC₅H₆⁺ is a quartet state derived from the 3d⁷ occupation of Fe⁺. For HFeC₅H₅⁺, the MCPF approach yields a sextet ground state while DFT yields a quartet; however, these two states are close in energy at both levels of theory.     

An enyne metathesis/Diels-Alder reaction sequence towards the synthesis of cup-shaped 5/5/6-tricyclic architectures

A strategy to synthesize the 5/5/6-tricyclic framework of presilphiperfolane natural products is described, involving a model dienyne compound (I). The key steps are an enyne metathesis reaction to introduce the diene part and a Diels-Alder cycloaddition to reveal the tricyclic architecture.     

Neutron scattering study of the reorientational motions in Cr(CO)3(η6C6H6) and Mn(CO)3(η5C5H5)

Incoherent quasi-eleastic neutron scattering experiments: using different resolutions and a wide Q range, have been performed on polycrystalline samples of Cr(CO)₃(η⁶C₆H₆) and Mn(CO)₃(η⁵C₅H₅) in the 280–320 K temperature range. It is shown that aromatic rings are involved into a reorientational process characterized by an activation energy of ≈ 16 kJ mol^?1 and by correlation times of the order of 2 × 10^?11 s and 5 × 10^?11 s at 300 K for C₆H₆ and C₅H₅ rings respectively. Experimental elastic incoherent structure factors are in agreement with the 2π/6 and 2π/5 jump models and the fitted spectra confirm these models. From a comparison with heat-capacity results we conclude that M(CO)₃ groups are fixed during the reorientational process. Finally a comparison with literature data is presented.     

Synthesis of 5-endo-, 5-exo-, 6-endo- and 6-exo-hydroxylated analogues of epibatidine

A convenient, high-yield synthesis of N-Boc-7-azabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-2-one (7) was developed by SmI₂-mediated desulfonylation of 6. Thus, 5-endo-, 5-exo-, 6-endo-, and 6-exo-hydroxylated epibatidine analogues 2a,b and 3a,b were synthesized from 7 by using a Pd(PPh₃)₄-catalyzed reductive Heck coupling reaction and SmI₂-mediated reduction of the carbonyl group as the key steps. Other reaction conditions for the reductive Heck procedure and the reduction step were also investigated.     

6(5H)-phenanthridinones. III. halo-6(5H)phenanthridinones

Halogenation of 6(5H)-phenanthridinone or its 3,8-dihalo derivatives with N-bromo or N-chlorosuccinimide in dimethylformamide gives the corresponding 2-halophenanthridinones (I,V,XI-XIV). Further halogenation of 2-halo-6(5H)-phenanthridinone with the appropriate N-halosuccinimide, in the same medium, gives the corresponding 2,4-dihalo derivatives (II,VI). NXS/DMF is found to be a very convenient halogenating system in these preparations. 1,3,8-Trihalo-6(5H)-phenanthridinones (XIX,XX) are prepared from the 1-nitro derivatives which are obtained by a Schmidt rearrangement of 2,7-dihalo-4-nitro-9-oxofluorenes. Similarly, rearrangement and further reaction of 2-nitro-5-chloro-9-oxofluorene (XXI) leads to 3,10-dichloro-6(5H)-phenanthridinone (XXIV). UV absorptions as well as selected IR absorptions of these 6(5H)-phenanthridinones are described.     

Study on fragmentation behavior of 5/7/6-type taxoids by tandem mass spectrometry

The mass spectrometric behaviors of seven compounds, namely four 4beta(20),5-oxetane 5/7/6-type taxoids (i.e. taxayuntin A, taxayuntin B, taxayuntin and taxayuntin C) and three 4(20)-methylene 5/7/6-type taxoids (i.e. brevifoliol, taxchinin A and 7-acetyl-10-deacetyl-7-debenzoylbrevifoliol) have been investigated by the positive ion FAB-MS/MS technique. The fragmentation has been correlated with the types and positions of substituents of these compounds. It has been found that with the OH group at the C-10 position, taxayuntin A, taxayuntin B and 7-acetyl-10-deacetyl-7-debenzoylbrevifoliol are dominated by the loss of H2O, while with the BzO group at the C-10 position, taxayuntin, taxayuntin C, brevifoliol and taxchinin A preferentially eliminate the BzO group. In addition, C-2 is an active site, and neutral loss from the C-2 position readily occurs. The four 4beta(20),5-oxetane 5/7/6-type taxoids produce the terminal product ion with a stable conjugated system at m/z 311, while the 4(20)-methylene 5/7/6-type taxoids brevifoliol and 7-acetyl-10-deacetyl-7-debenzoylbrevifoliol produce this ion at m/z 237, and taxchinin A at m/z 253. Interestingly, characteristic fragment ions involving the loss of a 118 u group were observed for taxayuntin, and a possible fragmentation mechanism is given. The major fragmentation pathways and mechanisms of ion formation for the compounds are proposed on the basis of CID spectra and accurate mass measurements. The results of this paper will be helpful for structural analysis of analogs.     

Norcrocrassinone: A novel tetranorditerpenoid possessing a 6/6/5 fused ring system from Croton crassifolius

Norcrocrassinone (1), a novel tetranorditerpenoid possessing a fused 6/6/5 ring system, was isolated from the roots of Croton crassifolius. The structure of 1 was elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods and confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The anti-Alzheimer’s disease (AD) activity of 1 was evaluated using humanized Caenorhabditis elegans AD pathological model.     

A Synthetic Approach for Constructing the 3/6/6/5‐Fused Tetracyclic Skeleton of Tenuipesine A

An efficient approach toward the 3/6/6/5‐fused tetracyclic skeleton of tenuipesine A has been accomplished. The strategy featured 1) a tandem Mitsunobu and 3,3‐rearrangement reaction yielding the key intermediate 7 with two adjacent all‐carbon quaternary centers with high d.r.; and 2) a tandem DBDMH‐mediated semipinacol rearrangement via a 1,2‐oxygen migration of an allylic hemiketal to construct the highly substituted tetrahydropyran ring.     

Novel routes to chiral 2-alkoxy-5-/6- methoxycarbonylmethylidenepyrrolidines/-piperidines

We report the results of a study aimed at the diastereoselective synthesis of chiral 2-alkoxy-5-/6-methoxycarbonylmethylidenepyrrolidines/-piperidines by condensation of chiral amines onto omega-oxo alkynoates and omega-oxo beta-keto esters.