Greener Dye Synthesis: Continuous,Solvent-Free Synthesis of Commodity Perylene Diimides by Twin-Screw Extrusion

A continuous, scalable, and solvent-free method for the synthesis of various naphthalic imides and perylene diimides (PDIs) using twin-screw extrusion (TSE) is reported. Using TSE, naphthalic imides were obtained quantitatively without the need for excess amine reactant or product purification. With good functional-group tolerance, alkyl and benzyl amine derived PDIs (incl. commercial dyes) were obtained in 50–99 % yield. Use of K₂CO₃, enabled synthesis of more difficult aniline-derived PDIs. Furthermore, an automated continuous TSE process for Pigments Black 31 and 32 is demonstrated, with a throughput rate of about 1500 g day⁻¹, corresponding to a space time yield of about 30×10³ kg m⁻³ day⁻¹, which is 1–2 orders of magnitude greater than for solvent-based batch methods. These methods provide substantial waste reductions and improved efficiency compared to conventional solvent-based methods.     

A Three‐Minute Synthesis and Purification of Ibuprofen: Pushing the Limits of Continuous‐Flow Processing

In a total residence time of three minutes, ibuprofen was assembled from its elementary building blocks with an average yield of above 90 % for each step. A scale‐up of this five‐stage process (3 bond‐forming steps, one work‐up, and one in‐line liquid–liquid separation) provided ibuprofen at a rate of 8.09 g h^?1 (equivalent to 70.8 kg y^?1) using a system with an overall footprint of half the size of a standard laboratory fume hood. Aside from the high throughput, several other aspects of this synthesis expand the capabilities of continuous‐flow processing, including a Friedel–Crafts acylation run under neat conditions and promoted by AlCl₃, an exothermic in‐line quench of high concentrations of precipitation‐prone AlCl₃, liquid–liquid separations run at or above 200 psi to provide solvent‐free product, and the use of highly aggressive oxidants, such as iodine monochloride. The use of simple, inexpensive, and readily available reagents thus affords a practical synthesis of this important generic pharmaceutical.     

Stereocontrolled Total Synthesis of (−)‐Stemaphylline

Homologation of readily available α‐boryl pyrrolidines with metal carbenoids is especially challenging even when good leaving groups (Cl⁻) are employed. By performing a solvent switch from Et₂O to CHCl₃, efficient 1,2‐metalate rearrangement of the intermediate boronate occurs with both halide and ester leaving groups. The methodology was used in the total synthesis of the Stemona alkaloid (−)‐stemaphylline in just 11 steps (longest linear sequence), with high stereocontrol (>20:1 d.r.) and 11 % overall yield. The synthesis also features a late‐stage lithiation–borylation reaction with a tertiary amine containing carbenoid.     

A Methylthio‐Functionalized‐MOF Photocatalyst with High Performance for Visible‐Light‐Driven H2 Evolution

Recently, the emergence of photoactive metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) has given great prospects for their applications as photocatalytic materials in visible‐light‐driven hydrogen evolution. Herein, a highly photoactive visible‐light‐driven material for H₂ evolution was prepared by introducing methylthio terephthalate into a MOF lattice via solvent‐assisted ligand‐exchange method. Accordingly, a first methylthio‐functionalized porous MOF decorated with Pt co‐catalyst for efficient photocatalytic H₂ evolution was achieved, which exhibited a high quantum yield (8.90 %) at 420 nm by use sacrificial triethanolamine. This hybrid material exhibited perfect H₂ production rate as high as 3814.0 μmol g^?1 h^?1, which even is one order of magnitude higher than that of the state‐of‐the‐art Pt/MOF photocatalyst derived from aminoterephthalate.     

Total Synthesis of the Anti‐inflammatory and Pro‐resolving Lipid Mediator MaR1n−3 DPA Utilizing an sp3–sp3 Negishi Cross‐Coupling Reaction

The first total synthesis of the lipid mediator MaR1_{n?3 DPA} ( 5 ) has been achieved in 12 % overall yield over 11 steps. The stereoselective preparation of 5 was based on a Pd‐catalyzed sp³–sp³ Negishi cross‐coupling reaction and a stereocontrolled Evans–Nagao acetate aldol reaction. LC‐MS/MS results with synthetic material matched the biologically produced 5 . This novel lipid mediator displayed potent pro‐resolving properties stimulating macrophage efferocytosis of apoptotic neutrophils.     

Synthesis and properties of carbamate‐ and amine‐containing poly(phenylacetylenes)

The 3‐ and 4‐aminophenylacetylenes protected by t‐butoxycarbonyl (t‐Boc) and 9‐fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (Fmoc) groups ( 3a – 6a ) were synthesized and polymerized using [(nbd)RhCl]₂ ( 1 ) and [(nbd)Rh⁺‐η⁶‐PhB^?Ph₃] ( 2 ) catalysts. The t‐Boc‐containing polymers [poly( 3a ) and poly( 4a )] were obtained in high yield (82–91%). Among the Fmoc‐protected monomers, the para‐derivative polymerized well [poly( 6a ); yield = 85–94%], whereas its meta‐substituted analogue did not afford high molecular weight polymer in good yield [poly( 5a ); yield = 10–15%]. The use of KN(SiMe₃)₂ as a cocatalyst in conjunction with 1 led to a dramatic increase in the molecular weight of the polymers. The acid‐ and base‐catalyzed removal of the t‐Boc and the Fmoc groups, respectively, generated primary amine‐containing polymers [poly( 3b )–poly( 6b )] which cannot be obtained directly by the polymerization of the corresponding monomers. The solubility characteristics of the polymers bearing protected amino groups were quite different from those of the unprotected ones, the former being soluble in polar solvents, whereas the latter displayed poor solubility even in polar protic or highly polar aprotic solvents. The attempts to accomplish the free‐standing membrane fabrication by solution casting were successful only for poly( 3a ), and an augmentation in the gas permeability and CO₂/N₂ permselectivity was discerned in comparison with the unsubstituted poly(phenylacetylene) and poly(m‐t‐butyldimethylsiloxyphenylacetylene). © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 1853–1863, 2009     

Kinetics and mechanism of the aminolysis of O‐phenyl 4‐nitrophenyl dithiocarbonate in aqueous ethanol

The reactions of the title substrate (1) with a series of secondary alicyclic amines are subjected to a kinetic investigation in 44 wt% ethanol‐water, at 25.0°C, ionic strength 0.2 M (KCl). Under amine excess over the substrate, pseudo‐first‐order rate coefficients (k_obs) are obtained. Plots of k_obs against [NH], where NH is the free amine, are nonlinear upwards, except the reactions of piperidine, which show linear plots. According to the kinetic results and the analysis of products, a reaction scheme is proposed with two tetrahedral intermediates, one zwitterionic (T^±) and another anionic (T⁻), with a kinetically significant proton transfer from T^± to an amine to yield T⁻ (k₃ step). By nonlinear least‐squares fitting of an equation derived from the scheme to the experimental points, the rate microcoefficients involved in the reactions are determined. Comparison of the kinetics of the title reactions with the linear k_obs vs. [NH] plots found in the same aminolysis of O‐ethyl 4‐nitrophenyl dithiocarbonate (2) in the same solvent shows that the rate coefficient for leaving group expulsion from T^± (k₂) is larger for 2 due to a stronger push by EtO than PhO. The k₃ value is the same for both reactions since both proton transfers are diffusion controlled. Comparison of the title reactions with the same aminolysis of phenyl 4‐nitrophenyl thionocarbonate (3) in water indicates that (i) the k₂ value is larger for the aminolysis of 1 due to the less basic nucleofuge involved and the small solvent effect on k₂, (ii) the k₃ value is smaller for the reactions of 1 due to the more viscous solvent, (iii) the rate coefficient for amine expulsion from T^± (k₋₁) is larger for the aminolysis of 1 than that of 3 due to a solvent effect, and (iv) the value of the rate coefficient for amine attack (k₁) is smaller for the aminolysis of 1 in aqueous ethanol, which can be explained by a predominant solvent effect relative to the electron‐withdrawing effect from the nucleofuge. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 31: 839–845, 1999     

Electrocatalytically Active Fe‐(O‐C2)4 Single‐Atom Sites for Efficient Reduction of Nitrogen to Ammonia

Single‐atom catalysts have demonstrated their superiority over other types of catalysts for various reactions. However, the reported nitrogen reduction reaction single‐atom electrocatalysts for the nitrogen reduction reaction exclusively utilize metal–nitrogen or metal–carbon coordination configurations as catalytic active sites. Here, we report a Fe single‐atom electrocatalyst supported on low‐cost, nitrogen‐free lignocellulose‐derived carbon. The extended X‐ray absorption fine structure spectra confirm that Fe atoms are anchored to the support via the Fe‐(O‐C₂)₄ coordination configuration. Density functional theory calculations identify Fe‐(O‐C₂)₄ as the active site for the nitrogen reduction reaction. An electrode consisting of the electrocatalyst loaded on carbon cloth can afford a NH₃ yield rate and faradaic efficiency of 32.1 μg h^?1 mg_cat.^?1 (5350 μg h^?1 mg_Fe^?1) and 29.3 %, respectively. An exceptional NH₃ yield rate of 307.7 μg h^?1 mg_cat.^?1 (51 283 μg h^?1 mg_Fe^?1) with a near record faradaic efficiency of 51.0 % can be achieved with the electrocatalyst immobilized on a glassy carbon electrode.     

New P‐type of poly(4‐methoxy‐triphenylamine)s derived by coupling reactions: Synthesis,electrochromic behaviors,and hole mobility

Methoxy‐substituted poly(triphenylamine)s, poly‐4‐methoxytriphenylamine ( PMOTPA ), and poly‐N,N‐bis(4‐methoxyphenyl)‐N′,N′‐diphenyl‐p‐phenylenediamine ( PMOPD ), were synthesized from the nickel‐catalyzed Yamamoto and oxidative coupling reaction with FeCl₃. All synthesized polymers could be well characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. These polymers possess good solubility in common organic solvent, thermal stability with relatively high glass‐transition temperatures (T_gs) in the range of 152–273 °C, 10% weight‐loss temperature in excess of 480 °C, and char yield at 800 °C higher than 79% under a nitrogen atmosphere. They were amorphous and showed bluish green light (430–487 nm) fluorescence with quantum efficiency up to 45–62% in NMP solution. The hole‐transporting and electrochromic properties are examined by electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical methods. All polymers exhibited reversible oxidation redox peaks and E_onset around 0.44–0.69 V versus Ag/AgCl and electrochromic characteristics with a color change under various applied potentials. The series of PMOTPA and PMOPD also showed p‐type characteristics, and the estimated hole mobility of O ‐ PMOTPA and Y ‐ PMOPD were up to 1.5 × 10^?4 and 5.6 × 10^?5 cm² V^?1 s^?1, respectively. The FET results indicate that the molecular weight, annealing temperature, and polymer structure could crucially affect the charge transporting ability. This study suggests that triphenylamine‐containing conjugated polymer is a multifunctional material for various optoelectronic device applications. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 4037–4050, 2009     

Accessing the Triplet State in Heavy‐Atom‐Free Perylene Diimides

Previous studies of perylenediimides (PDIs) mostly utilized the lowest singlet excited state S₁. Generation of a triplet excited state (T₁) in PDIs is important for applications ranging from photodynamic therapy to photovoltaics; however, it remains a formidable task. Herein, we developed a heavy‐atom‐free strategy to prompt the T₁←S₁ intersystem crossing (ISC) by introducing electron‐donating aryl (Ar) groups at the head positions of an electron‐deficient perylenediimide (PDI) core. We found that the ISC efficiency increases from 8 to 54 % and then to 86 % by increasing the electron‐donating ability of head‐substituted aryl groups from phenyl (p‐PDI) to methoxyphenyl (MeO‐PDI) and then to methylthioxyphenyl (MeS‐PDI). By enhancing the intramolecular charge‐transfer (ICT) interaction from p‐PDI to MeO‐PDI, and then to MeS‐PDI, singlet oxygen generation via energy‐transfer reactions from T₁ of PDIs to ³O₂ was demonstrated with the highest yield of up to 80 %. These results provide guidelines for developing new triplet‐generating PDIs and related rylene diimides for optoelectronic applications.     

5,5′‐Hydrazinebistetrazole: An Oxidation‐stable Nitrogen‐rich Compound and Starting Material for the Synthesis of 5,5′‐Azobistetrazolates

All 5,5′‐hydrazinebistetrazoles reported in the literature are sensitive to oxidation and react with atmospheric oxygen to yield the corresponding 5,5′‐azobistetrazolates on time. Herewith, we report on the synthesis of the free acid 5,5′‐hydrazinebistetrazole (HBT) which showed to be stable on air for extended periods of time. The compound was fully characterized by analytical and spectroscopic methods and its X‐ray structure was determined by diffraction techniques. Besides, we determined its explosive properties by BAM methods and calculated its heat of formation (+414 kJ mol^?1), detonation velocity (8523 m s^?1) and detonation pressure (27.7 GPa). HBT proved to be very safe to handle (impact sensitivity: >30 J, friction sensitivity: ～108 N) and was used as a starting material for the synthesis of some already reported 5,5′‐azobistetrazolates: NH₄⁺, NH₂NH₃⁺, Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺, Cs⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺ and Ba²⁺.     

Large Porphyrin Squares from the Self‐Assembly of meso‐Triazole‐Appended L‐Shaped meso–meso‐Linked ZnII–Triporphyrins: Synthesis and Efficient Energy Transfer

meso‐Triazolyl‐appended Zn^II–porphyrins were readily prepared by Cu^I‐catalyzed 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition of benzyl azide to meso‐ethynylated Zn^II–porphyrin (click chemistry). In noncoordinating CHCl₃ solvent, spontaneous assembly occurred to form tetrameric array ( 3 )₂ from meso–meso‐linked diporphyrins 3 , and dodecameric porphyrin squares ( 4 )₄ and ( 5 )₄ from the L ‐shaped meso–meso‐linked triporphyrins 4 and 5 . The structures of these assemblies were examined by ¹H NMR spectra, absorption spectra, and their gel permeation chromatography (GPC) retention time. Furthermore, the structures of the dodecameric porphyrin squares ( 4 )₄ and ( 5 )₄ were probed by small‐ and wide‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS/WAXS) measurements in solution using a synchrotron source. Excitation‐energy migration processes in these assemblies were also investigated in detail by using both steady‐state and time‐resolved spectroscopic methods, which revealed efficient excited‐energy transfer (EET) between the meso–meso‐linked Zn^II–porphyrin units that occurred with time constants of 1.5 ps^?1 for ( 3 )₂ and 8.8 ps^?1 for ( 5 )₄.     

Synthesis of sugar‐based macromolecules via sono‐ATRP in miniemulsion

Ultrasound‐mediated atom transfer radical polymerization (sono‐ATRP) in miniemulsion media is used for the first time for the preparation of complex macromolecular architectures by a facile two‐step synthetic route. Initially, esterification reaction of sucrose or lactulose with α‐bromoisobutyryl bromide (BriBBr) is conducted to receive multifunctional ATRP macroinitiators with 8 initiation sites, followed by polymerization of n‐butyl acrylate (BA) forming arms of the star‐like polymers. The brominated lactulose‐based molecule was examined as an ATRP initiator by determining the activation rate constant (k_a) of the catalytic process in the presence of a copper(II) bromide/tris(2‐pyridylmethyl)amine (Cu^IIBr₂/TPMA) catalyst in both organic solvent and for the first time in miniemulsion media, resulting in k_a = (1.03 ± 0.01) × 10⁴ M^?1 s^?1 and k_a = (1.16 ± 0.56) × 10³ M^?1 s^?1, respectively. Star‐like macromolecules with a sucrose or lactulose core and poly(n‐butyl acrylate) (PBA) arms were successfully received using different catalyst concentration. Linear kinetics and a well‐defined structure of synthesized polymers reflected by narrow molecular weight distribution (M_w/M_n = 1.46) indicated 105 ppm wt of catalyst loading as concentration to maintain controlled manner of polymerization process. ¹H NMR analysis confirms the formation of new sugar‐inspired star‐shaped polymers.     

Synthesis and biological testing of 3‐phenyloctahydro‐pyrimido[1,2‐a]‐s‐triazine derivatives

A series of 46 3‐phenyloctahydropyrimido[1,2‐a]‐s–triazine derivatives were synthesized. This synthesis was performed via iminodimethylation of dialkylated 2‐aminopyrimidinedione synthons by substituted primary arylamines. In vitro pharmacological evaluation of these compounds is reported. One of them exhibited antifungal activity against Microsporum canis (10^?6₅₀10^?5 mol/L), and another showed affinity for serotoninergic 5‐HT_1A and 5‐HT_2b receptors (10^?8₅₀10^?7 mol/L).     

Synthesis and Cytotoxic Activity of 1‐{3‐[1‐(5‐Organylsilylfuran‐2‐yl)silinan‐1‐yl]propyl}amines and Some Trimethylgermyl Analogues

New highly cytotoxic 1‐{3‐[1‐(5‐organylsilyl‐furan‐2‐yl)silinan‐1‐yl]propyl}amines and some trimethylgermyl analogues (IC₅₀ 1–7 μg mL^?1) have been synthesized by a hydrosilylation reaction of aliphatic and heterocyclic N‐allylamines in the presence of Speier’s catalyst. The effects of the silacycle, the element‐organic substituent in position 5 of the furan ring, and the structure of the amine on the cytotoxicity of the new compounds have been studied.     

Magnetic Nanoparticle Supported Ionic Liquid Assisted Green Synthesis of Pyrazolopyranopyrimidines and 1,6‐diamino‐2‐oxo‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydropyridine‐3,5‐ dicarbonitriles

A simple and eco‐friendly green protocol was used for synthesis of pyrazolopyranopyrimidines via four‐component reaction of hydrazine hydrate, ethyl acetoacetate, barbituric acid or dimethyl barbituric acid, and aromatic aldehydes under thermal and solvent‐free conditions in the presence of magnetic nanoparticle supported silica bonded n‐propyl‐4‐aza‐1‐azoniabicyclo[2.2.2]octane chloride (MNPs@DABCO⁺Cl^?) as an efficient, recyclable heterogeneous catalyst. MNPs@DABCO⁺Cl^? also catalyzed the synthesis of 1,6‐diamino‐2‐oxo‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydropyridine‐3,5‐dicarbonitrile derivatives by four‐component reaction of hydrazine hydrate, malononitrile, ethyl cyanoacetate and ketones under thermal and solvent‐free conditions at 80 °C. These methods are practical and offer many advantages, such as high yields, short reaction times, and simple work‐up.     

Solid‐Phase Synthesis and Characterization of N‐Terminally Elongated Aβ−3–x‐Peptides

In addition to the prototypic amyloid‐β (Aβ) peptides Aβ_1–40 and Aβ_1–42, several Aβ variants differing in their amino and carboxy termini have been described. Synthetic availability of an Aβ variant is often the key to study its role under physiological or pathological conditions. Herein, we report a protocol for the efficient solid‐phase peptide synthesis of the N‐terminally elongated Aβ‐peptides Aβ_?3–38, Aβ_?3–40, and Aβ_?3–42. Biophysical characterization by NMR spectroscopy, CD spectroscopy, an aggregation assay, and electron microscopy revealed that all three peptides were prone to aggregation into amyloid fibrils. Immunoprecipitation, followed by mass spectrometry, indicated that Aβ_?3–38 and Aβ_?3–40 are generated by transfected cells even in the presence of a tripartite β‐site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) inhibitor. The elongated Aβ peptides starting at Val(?3) can be separated from N‐terminally‐truncated Aβ forms by high‐resolution isoelectric‐focusing techniques, despite virtually identical isoelectric points. The synthetic Aβ variants and the methods presented here are providing tools to advance our understanding of the potential roles of N‐terminally elongated Aβ variants in Alzheimer's disease.     

Transition‐Metal‐Free Borylation of Allylic and Propargylic Alcohols

The base‐catalyzed allylic borylation of tertiary allylic alcohols allows the synthesis of 1,1‐disubstituted allyl boronates, in moderate to high yield. The unexpected tandem performance of the Lewis acid–base adduct, [Hbase]⁺[MeO‐B₂pin₂]^? favored the formation of 1,2,3‐triborylated species from the tertiary allylic alcohols and 1‐propargylic cyclohexanol at 90 °C.     

N‐Silylaminotitanium Chlorides — Synthesis,Structures, Multinuclear Magnetic Resonance,and some Applications

N‐Silylaminotitanium trichlorides, Me₃S(R)N‐TiCl₃ ( 18 ) [R = ^tBu ( a ), SiMe₃ ( b ), 9‐borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonyl (9‐BBN)( c )], and (CH₂SiMe₂)₂N‐TiCl₃ ( 18d ) were obtained in high yield and high purity from the reaction of the respective bis(silylamino)plumbylene with an excess of titanium tetrachloride. The crystal structure of 18a was determined by X‐ray analysis. The reactions of the analogous stannylenes with an excess of TiCl₄ did not lead to 18 . N‐Lithio‐trimethylsilyl[9‐(9‐borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonyl)]amine ( 8 ) was prepared, structurally characterized and used for the synthesis of a new bis(amino)stannylene 10 and a plumbylene 11 . The compounds 18a—d served as ideal starting materials for the synthesis of bis(silylamino)titanium dichlorides, where the silylamino groups can be identical ( 19 ) or different ( 20 ). This was achieved either by the reaction of 18 again with bis(amino)plumbylenes or with lithium N‐silylamides. In contrast to the direct synthesis starting from titanium tetrachloride and two equivalents of the respective lithium amide, which in general affords 19 with identical amino groups only in low yield, the procedure starting from 18 is much more versatile and gave the pure compounds 19 or 20 in almost quantitative yield. Further treatment of the dichlorides 19 or 20 with lithium amides led to tris(amino)titanium chlorides 21 . The dichlorides 19 or 20 reacted with two equivalents of alkynyllithium reagents to give the first well characterized examples of di(alkyn‐1‐yl)bis(N‐silylamino)titanium compounds 22 — 27 . These compounds reacted with trialkylboranes (triethyl or tripropylborane) by 1, 1‐organoboration. In some cases, the extremely reactive reaction products could be identified as novel 1, 1‐bis(silylamino)titana‐2, 4‐cyclopentadienes 28 — 31 bearing a dialkylboryl group in 3‐position. In solution, the proposed structures of all products were deduced from a consistent set of data derived from multinuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H, ¹¹B, ¹³C, ¹⁴N, ¹⁵N, ²⁹Si, ³⁵Cl NMR).     

New Synthesis and Reactions of Ethyl 5‐amino‐4‐cyano‐1‐phenyl‐1H‐pyrazole‐3‐carboxylate

Synthesis of ethyl 5‐amino‐4‐cyano‐1‐phenyl‐1H‐pyrazole‐3‐carboxylate 5 has been achieved via abnormal Beckmann rearrangement of o‐chloroaldehyde 1 . Reaction of o‐aminocarbonitrile 5 with concentrated H₂SO₄ furnished expected o‐aminocarboxamide pyrazole 6 . Key intermediates o‐aminocarbonitrile 5 and o‐aminocarboxamide 6 were successfully utilized for the synthesis of pyrazolopyrimidine derivatives. The replacement of Cl in o‐chlorocarbonitrile 3 with secondary amine furnished new synthon 13 , which was further used for the synthesis of polysubstituted heterocycles. The obtained new products were well characterized by IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR, and mass spectra.