NaBH4/DOWEX(R)50WX4: A Convenient Reducing System for Fast and Efficient Reduction of Carbonyl Compounds to Their Corresponding Alcohols

The reduction of a variety of carbonyl compounds was efficiently carried out with NaBH₄/DOWEX(R)50WX4 system. The reactions were performed to give the corresponding alcohols derivatives in perfect yields in THF at room temperature. Reduction of acyloins and a‐diketones by this reducing system produced efficiently the corresponding vicinal diols. Also, the reduction of aldehydes over ketones has been accomplished successfully by this system. Regioselectivity of this system was also investigated with exclusive 1,2‐reduction of conjugated carbonyl compounds to their corresponding allylic alcohols in high to excellent yields.     

Synthesis of Oximes with NH2OH.HCl/DOWEX(R)50WX4 System

The oximation of a variety of carbonyl compounds was efficiently carried out with DOWEX(R)50WX4/NH₂OH·HCl system. The reactions were performed in ethanol to give Z‐aldoximation isomers of aldehydes and E‐oximaton of acetophenone derivatives in a perfect selectively. The oximation of compounds with two carbonyl groups was carried out selectively on one carbonyl moiety. Also, the oximation of aldehydes over ketones has been accomplished successfully by this system.     

NaBH4/Charcoal: A New Synthetic Method for Mild and Convenient Reduction of Nitroarenes

NaBH₄ in the presence of charcoal (0.4–0.8 g) reduces varieties of nitroarenes to their corresponding amines. Reduction reactions were carried out in a mixture of H₂O‐THF (1:0.5 mL) at 50–60°C with high to excellent yields of products.     

Fast and Efficient Reductive Amination of Aldehydes by NaBH4/B(OH)3 and NaBH4/Al(OH)3

Reductive amination a variety of aldehydes and anilines to their corresponding secondary amines were carried out with NaBH₄/B(OH)₃ and NaBH₄/Al(OH)₃ as new reducing systems in CH₃CN at room temperature in high to excellent yields of products (90‐96%).     

The immobilized Ni(II)‐thiourea complex on silica‐layered copper ferrite: A novel and reusable nanocatalyst for one‐pot reductive‐acetylation of nitroarenes

In this study, magnetically nanoparticles of CuFe₂O₄@SiO₂@PTMS@Tu@Ni(II) as novel and reusable catalyst were prepared. Synthesis of the Ni (II)‐nanocatalyst was carried out through the complexation of Ni(OAc)₂·4H₂O with the immobilized thiourea on silica‐layered CuFe₂O₄. The prepared nanocomposite system was then characterized using SEM, EDX, XRD, VSM, ICP‐OES, Raman, UV–Vis and FT‐IR analyses. Catalytic activity of the Ni(II)‐CuFe₂O₄ system was investigated towards rapid reduction of aromatic nitro compounds to arylamines with sodium borohydride as well as one‐pot reductive‐acetylation of nitroarenes to acetanilides with NaBH₄/Ac₂O system without the isolation of intermediate arylamines. All reactions were carried out in H₂O within 3–7 min to afford the products arylamines/acetanilides in high to excellent yields. Reusability of the Ni(II)‐nanocatalyst was examined for seven consecutive cycles without the significant loss of the catalytic activity.     

Alternate Method for the Synthesis of N‐Alkyl/aralkyl‐2‐(α‐hydroxy Alkyl/aralkyl)benzimidazoles via Regiospecific Acetylation

Acetylation of 1H‐2‐(α‐hydroxyalkyl/aryl)benzimidazoles 2 with Ac₂O results in the regiospecific formation of O‐acetoxy derivative 3, which on alkylation with alkylating agents in nonaqueous media under phase‐transfer catalytic conditions affords N‐alkyl derivatives 4. The latter, on hydrolysis in an aqueous basic medium, results in the title compounds 5 in good yields in high purity. Alternatively, 5 can also be obtained by reduction of 1‐substituted‐2‐acetyl/benzoylbenzimidazoles 8 using NaBH₄.     

Ultrasound‐Promoted Catalyst‐Free Synthesis of 2,2′‐(1,4‐Phenylene)bis[1‐acetyl‐1,2‐dihydro‐4H‐3,1‐benzoxazin‐4‐one] Derivatives

A convenient approach to 2,2′‐(1,4‐phenylene)bis[1‐acetyl‐1,2‐dihydro‐4H‐3,1‐benzoxazin‐4‐one] derivatives 4 was explored employing the one‐pot condensation of anthranilic acids (=2‐aminobenzoic acids) 1 with terephthalaldehyde (=benzene‐1,4‐dicarboxaldehyde; 2 ) under ultrasound‐irradiation conditions (Scheme 1). The reactions proceeded smoothly in the presence of excess Ac₂O in the absence of any other catalyst and solvent to afford the respective products in high yields.     

Direct reductive amination and selective 1,2-reduction of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes and ketones by NaBH4 using H3PW12O40 as catalyst

A simple and convenient procedure for direct reductive amination of aldehydes and ketones with sodium borohydride is described. The reaction has been carried out in methanol in the presence of a catalytic amount of H₃PW₁₂O₄₀ (0.5 mol %). α,β-Unsaturated aldehydes and ketones can be easily converted into the corresponding allyl alcohols by reaction with H₃PW₁₂O₄₀ (0.5 mol %)/NaBH₄.     

Synthesis of α‐Benzylthiobenzimidazoleacetonitriles and Their Chemoselective Reduction of the Double Bond with NaBH4

Condensation of 2‐((1H‐benzimidazol‐2‐yl)thio)acetonitre 1 with aromatic aldehydes in methanol containing piperidine gave the corresponding 2‐((1H‐benzimidazol‐2‐yl)thio)‐3‐arylacrylonitrile 2 , which on treatment with NaBH₄ in ethanol unexpectedly and chemoselectively gave 2‐((1H‐benzimidazol‐2‐yl)thio)‐3‐arylpropanenitrile 3 by the reduction of the double bond of 2 . 3 on methylation with dimethyl sulfate containing K₂CO₃ as a base and tetrabutylammonium bromide as PTC gave 2‐((1‐methylbenzimidazol‐2‐yl)thio)‐3‐arylpropanenitrile 6 . The latter could also be prepared in an alternative way by reaction of 1 with dimethyl sulfate giving the intermediary 2‐((1‐methylbenzimidazol‐2‐yl)thio)acetonitrile 4 , followed by condensation with aromatic aldehydes yielding 5 and subsequent reduction of 5 with NaBH₄ in methanol. 6 could be directly synthesized by treatment of 4 with benzyl chloride in DMF and triethylamine as a base at 60°C for 5 h.     

Cobalt Carbonate Hydroxide Nanowire Array on Ti Mesh: An Efficient and Robust 3D Catalyst for On‐Demand Hydrogen Generation from Alkaline NaBH4 Solution

In this work, for the first time, a cobalt carbonate hydroxide (Co(CO₃)_0.5(OH)?0.11 H₂O) nanowire array on Ti mesh (CHNA/Ti) was applied to drive the dehydrogenation of alkaline NaBH₄ solution for on‐demand hydrogen production. Compared with other nanostructured Co‐based catalyst systems, CHNA/Ti can be activated more quickly and separated easily from fuel solutions. This self‐supported cobalt salt nanowire array catalyst works as an efficient and robust 3D catalyst for the hydrolysis reaction of NaBH₄ with a hydrogen generation rate of 4000 mL min^?1 g_Co^?1 and a low apparent activation energy of 39.78 kJ mol^?1 and offers an attractive system for on‐demand hydrogen generation.     

Säurekatalysierte Umlagerung von 4-Allyl-cyclohex-2-en-1-olen; Beispiele für ladungskontrollierte [3s, 4s]-Umlagerungen von cyclischen Allylkationen

The acid-catalysed rearrangement of the cyclohex-2-en-1-ols 15 , d₃- 15 , 16 , 17 and 19 , the cyclohexa-2,5-dien-1-ols 20 and 21 , and also the allyl alcohols 22 and 23 (Scheme 3), using 98-percent sulfuric acid/acetic anhydride 1:99 at room temperature, was investigated. From the rearrangement of 4-allyl-4-phenyl-cyclohex-2-en-1-ol ( 15 ), with reaction times greater than 2 hours a single product is obtained, 4-allyl-biphenyl ( 50 ) in 33% yield (Scheme 9). With reaction times below 2 hours the acetate 53 from 15 was isolated, and this could be converted into 50 . The reaction of 2′,3′,3′-d₃-15 in Ac₂O/H₂SO₄ lead to 1′,1′,2′-d₃-50 (Scheme 11). The rearrangement of 4-allyl-4-methyl-cyclohex-2-en-1-ol (16) (Scheme 14) yielded 39% of the corresponding acetate 60 and 30% of 4-allyl-toluene ( 6 ), which also resulted by a rearrangement of 60 under the reaction conditions. These rearrangements are all [3s,4s]-sigmatropic reactions, which proceed via the cyclohexenyl cation a (Scheme 12, R = C₆H₅, CH₃). In Ac₂O/H₂SO₄ the allyl-cyclohexadienes primarely formed subsequently undergo dehydrogenation to yield the benzene derivatives 6 , 50 and d₃- 50 . From the rearrangement of 4,4-diphenyl-cyclohex-2-en-1-ol ( 19 ) at 0° a reaction mixture is obtained which consists of the acetate 55 , 2,3-diphenyl-cyclohexa-1,4-diene ( 57 ) and o-terphenyl ( 56 ) (Scheme 10). Both 55 and 57 are converted under the reaction conditions to o-terphenyl ( 56 ). No 4-(1′-methylallyl)-biphenyl is obtained from the rearrangement of 4-crotyl-4-phenyl-cyclohex-2-en-1-ol ( 17 ). In this case, apart from the corresponding acetate 64 , a single product 5-(1′-acetoxyethyl)-1-phenyl-bicyclo[2.2.2]oct-2-ene ( 65 ) (Scheme 16) was obtained; under the reaction conditions the acetate 64 rearranges to 65 . The rearrangement of 4-allyl-4-phenyl-cyclohexa-2,5-dien-1-ol ( 20 ) gives, as expected, not only 4-allyl-biphenyl ( 50 ) but also 2- and 3-allyl-biphenyl ( 51 and 52 ) and biphenyl (Scheme 13). 4-Benzyl-4-methyl-cyclohexa-2,5-dien-1-ol (syn- and anti- 21 ) gave in Ac₂O/H₂SO₄ at 10° as rearrangement products 93% of 2-benzyltoluene ( 97 ) and 7% of 4-benzyl-toluene ( 98 ) (Scheme 21). Hence [1,4]-rearrangements in cyclohexadienyl cations, seems to occur only to a limited extent. The alicyclic alcohols 22 and 23 (Scheme 18) gave, in Ac₂O/H₂SO₄, as main product the corresponding acetates 73 and 75 , as well as small amounts of olefins 74 and 76 formed by dehydration i.e. [3,4]-rearrangements occur in these systems. Also no [3,4]-rearrangements were observed in solvents reactions of either 4,4-dimethyl-hepta-1, 6-dien-3-yl tosulate (79; see Scheme 19) or its corresponding alcohol 24.     

A Flexible Pro‐porous Coordination Polymer: Non‐conventional Synthesis and Separation Properties Towards CO2/CH4 Mixtures

The novel coordination polymers [Cu(Hoxonic)(H₂O)]_n ( 1 ) and [Cu(Hoxonic)(bpy)_0.5]_n ? 1.5 n H₂O ( 2?H₂O ) (H₃oxonic: 4,6‐dihydroxy‐1,3,5‐triazine‐2‐carboxylic acid; bpy: 4,4′‐bipyridine) have been isolated and structurally characterised by ab initio X‐ray powder diffraction. The dense phase 1 contains 1D zig‐zag chains in which Hoxonic dianions bridge square‐pyramidal copper(II) ions, apically coordinated by water molecules. On the contrary, 2?H₂O , prepared by solution and solventless methods, is based on 2D layers of octahedral copper(II) ions bridged by Hoxonic ligands, further pillared by bpy spacers. The resulting pro‐porous 3D network possesses small hydrated cavities. The reactivity, thermal, magnetic and adsorptive properties of these materials have been investigated. Notably, the adsorption studies on 2 show that this material possesses unusual adsorption behaviour. Indeed, guest uptake is facilitated by increasing the thermal energy of both the guest and the framework. Thus, neither N₂ at 77 K nor CO₂ at 195 K are incorporated, and CH₄ is only minimally adsorbed at 273 K and high pressures (0.5 mmol g^?1 at 2500 kPa). By contrast, CO₂ is readily incorporated at 273 K (up to 2.5 mmol g^?1 at 2500 kPa). The selectivity of 2 towards CO₂ over CH₄ has been investigated by means of variable‐temperature zero coverage adsorption experiments and measurement of breakthrough curves of CO₂/CH₄ mixtures. The results show the highly selective incorporation of CO₂ in 2 , which can be rationalised on the basis of the framework flexibility and polar nature of its voids.     

Solvent-free catalytic preparation of 1,1-diacetates from aldehydes using a Wells-Dawson acid (H6P2W18O62·24H2O)

Aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes are transformed in 1,1-diacetates (acylals) in mild conditions, by a treatment with acetic anhydride and a Wells-Dawson acid (H₆P₂W₁₈O₆₂·24H₂O). gem-Diacetylation proceeds in Ac₂O with a little as 1% mol Wells-Dawson acid at room temperature and under solventless conditions, obtaining very good to excellent yields (88-98%) of 1,1-diacetates (19 examples). Neither 4-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde nor ketones react under the same conditions.     

Closing the Loop for Hydrogen Storage: Facile Regeneration of NaBH4 from its Hydrolytic Product

Sodium borohydride (NaBH₄) is among the most studied hydrogen storage materials because it is able to deliver high‐purity H₂ at room temperature with controllable kinetics via hydrolysis; however, its regeneration from the hydrolytic product has been challenging. Now, a facile method is reported to regenerate NaBH₄ with high yield and low costs. The hydrolytic product NaBO₂ in aqueous solution reacts with CO₂, forming Na₂B₄O₇?10 H₂O and Na₂CO₃, both of which are ball‐milled with Mg under ambient conditions to form NaBH₄ in high yield (close to 80 %). Compared with previous studies, this approach avoids expensive reducing agents such as MgH₂, bypasses the energy‐intensive dehydration procedure to remove water from Na₂B₄O₇?10 H₂O, and does not require high‐pressure H₂ gas, therefore leading to much reduced costs. This method is expected to effectively close the loop of NaBH₄ regeneration and hydrolysis, enabling a wide deployment of NaBH₄ for hydrogen storage.     

Catalytic Asymmetric Synthesis of O‐Acetylcyanohydrins from Potassium Cyanide,Acetic Anhydride,and Aldehydes,Promoted by Chiral Salen Complexes of Titanium(IV) and Vanadium(V)

The utility of the chiral [Ti(μ‐O)(salen)]₂ complexes (R)‐ and (S)‐ 1 (H₂salen was prepared from (R,R)‐ or (S,S)‐cyclohexane‐1,2‐diamine and 3,5‐di(tert‐butyl)‐2‐hydroxybenzaldehyde) as catalysts for the asymmetric addition of KCN and Ac₂O to aldehydes to produce O‐acetylcyanohydrins was investigated. It was shown that the complexes were active at a substrate/catalyst ratio of 100 : 1 and produced the O‐protected cyanohydrins with ee in the range of 60–92% at −40°. Other complexes, [Ti₂(AcO)₂(μ‐O)(salen)₂] ((R)‐ 4 ) and [Ti(CF₃COO)₂(salen)] ((R)‐ 5 ), were prepared from (R)‐ 1 by treatment with different amounts of Ac₂O and (CF₃CO)₂O, and their catalytic activities were tested under the same conditions. The efficiency of (R)‐ 4 was found to be even greater than that of (R)‐ 1 , whereas (R)‐ 5 was inactive. The synthesis of the corresponding salen complexes of V^IV and V^V, [V(O)(salen)] ((R)‐ 2 ) and [V(O)(salen)(H₂O)] [S(O)₃OEt] ((R)‐ 3 ), was elaborated, and their X‐ray crystal structures were determined. The efficiency of (R)‐ 3 was sufficient to produce O‐acetyl derivatives of aromatic cyanohydrins with ee in the range of 80–91% at −40°.     

Asymmetric Hydroformylation of Vinylfurans Catalyzed by {(11bS)‐4‐{[(1R)‐2′‐Phosphino[1,1′‐binaphthalen]‐2‐yl]oxy}dinaphtho[2,1‐d:1′,2′‐f]‐ [1,3,2]dioxaphosphepin}rhodium(I) [RhI{(R,S)‐binaphos}] Derivatives

The asymmetric hydroformylation of 2‐ and 3‐vinylfurans ( 2a and 2b , resp.) was investigated by using [Rh{(R,S)‐binaphos}] complexes as catalysts ((R,S)‐binaphos = (11bS)‐4‐{[1R)‐2′‐phosphino[1,1′‐binaphthalen]‐2‐yl]oxy}dinaphtho[2,1‐d:1′,2′‐f][1,3,2]dioxaphosphepin; 1 ). Hydroformylation of 2 gave isoaldehydes 3 in high regio‐ and enantioselectivities (Scheme 2 and Table). Reduction of the aldehydes 3 with NaBH₄ successfully afforded the corresponding alcohols 5 without loss of enantiomeric purity (Scheme 3).     

Practical ways from aldehydes to 2-chloro-1,1,1-trifluoro-2-alkenes and 2-chloro-1,1-difluoro-1-alken-3-ols

A reagent system CF₃CCl₃/Zn(>2 mol)/Ac₂O transformed aldehydes to 2-chloro-1,1,1-trifluoro-2-alkenes exclusively, whereas CF₃CCl₃/Zn(>2 mol)/AlCl₃(cat.) converted aldehydes into 2-chloro-1,1-difluoro-1-alken-3-ols.     

Synthesis of 1,2,3,4-tetrazine 1,3-dioxides annulated with 1,2,3-triazoles and 1,2,3-triazole 1-oxides

1,2,3,4-Tetrazine 1,3-dioxides annulated with 1,2,3-triazoles and 1,2,3-triazole 1-oxides have been synthesized by the reaction of 4-amino-5-(tert-butyl-NNO-azoxy)-2-R-2H-1,2,3-triazoles (R=Me, i-Pr, t-Bu) and their 1-oxides (R=H, Me, Et, i-Pr) with the HNO₃/H₂SO₄/Ac₂O system. Their thermal stability, spectroscopic, and X-ray properties have been studied.     

Synthesis of 4-(2-hydroxyaryl)-3-nitro-4H-chromenes

A combinatorial library of 4-(2-hydroxyaryl)-3-nitro-4H-chromenes was synthesized in high yield by C4-SMe substitution in N-alkyl/phenyl 4-(methylthio)-3-nitro-4H-chromen-2-amines with a variety of phenols. The reaction always provided C2 substitution in the phenol ring, dictated by hydrogen bond interactions between the phenolic hydroxyl group and the nitro group in 3-nitro-4H-chromenes. Reduction of the nitro group with concomitant hydrolysis of the enamine in 4-(2-hydroxyaryl)-3-nitro-4H-chromenes with Zn, Ac₂O in AcOH furnished hybrid amino-acid lactone incorporating ortho-tyrosine and phenyl alanine moieties.     

Unusual mode of reactivity of 2-alkylidene-4-oxothiazolidine S-oxides under the Pummerer reaction conditions

The reactivity of 2-alkylidene-4-oxothiazolidine S-oxides under the Pummerer reaction conditions, using Ac₂O, TFAA, SOCl₂ and SOBr₂ as initiators, has been examined. Almost all reactions proceeded with absolute regioselectivity yielding α-substituted sulfides or vinyl-chloro derivatives. The mechanism for the formation of the latter products was postulated and proved experimentally.