Synthesis and characterization of a tetraruthenium butterfly cluster containing a quadruply-bridging ligand derived from an N,N′-dipyrid-2-ylurea

The tetraruthenium cluster complex [Ru₄(μ₄-κ⁴-dmpu)(CO)₁₀], H₂dmpu = N,N′-bis(6-methylpyrid-2-yl)urea, has been prepared by treating [Ru₃(CO)₁₂] with H₂dmpu in toluene at reflux temperature. An X-ray diffraction study has determined that this cluster has a butterfly metallic skeleton hold up by a doubly-deprotonated N,N′-bis(6-methylpyrid-2-yl)urea ligand (dmpu). This ligand has the pyridine N atoms attached to the wing-tip Ru atoms and the amido N atoms spanning Ru-Ru wing-edges, in such a way that the cluster has C₂ symmetry. The donor atoms of doubly-deprotonated N,N′-dipyrid-2-ylureas seem to be appropriately arranged to hold butterfly tetranuclear clusters.     

Synthesis and optical properties of conjugated N,N-dimethyl and thienyl end-capped 2,5-(arylethynyl)thiophene oligomer structures

End-capped (N,N-dimethylaminophenyl) and 2′-thienylethynyl 2,5-thiophene oligomer structures were synthesized by heterocoupling between the terminal acetylenes such as: p-(N,N-dimethylaminophenyl)ethyne (3) [or 1-(p-(N,N-dimethylaminophenyl)-2-p-(ethynylphenyl)ethyne, 4]; p-(β-ethenyl-2′-thienyl)phenylethyne (E-9) [or p-(β-ethynyl-2′-thienyl)phenylethyne, 11], and 2,5-diiodothiophene, catalyzed by the Cl₂Pd(PPh₃)₂/CuI system, in good to excellent yields. The 2,5-di[(3′,5′-di(trimethylsilylethynyl)phenyl]_x-1-ethynyl]thiophene oligomers were prepared by heterocoupling between 3′,5′-di[(trimethylsilylethynyl)phenyl]_x-1-ethyne (n = 0-2) terminal acetylenes and 2,5-diiodothiophene, in excellent yields. The terminal acetylenes were efficiently prepared by a specific protection-deprotection methodology. All the ethynylphenyl compounds obtained show fluorescence radiation emission, with a bathochromic shift of the wavelength that increases with the chain conjugation.     

An efficient synthesis of highly substituted pyrroles from β-oxodithiocarboxylates

α-Oxoketene-N,S-acetals, prepared by the reaction of alkyl glycinate hydrochlorides with β-oxodithiocarboxylates followed by alkylation, underwent cyclization in presence of chloromethyleneiminium salt derived from POCl₃/DMF to afford alkyl-3-aryl-4-formyl-5-(alkylsulfanyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carboxylates in excellent yields. Alkyl-3-aryl-5-(alkylsulfanyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carboxylates were formed in moderate yields when the same N,S-acetals were treated with DBU.     

A one-pot synthesis and mild cleavage of 2-[2- or 5-(alkylsulfanyl)pyrrol-1-yl]ethyl vinyl ethers by t-BuOK/DMSO: a novel and facile approach to N-vinylpyrroles

Substituted N-[2-(vinyloxy)ethyl]pyrroles, prepared in good yield through an allenic or acetylenic carbanion/isothiocyanate one-pot methodology from 2-(vinyloxy)ethyl isothiocyanate and allyloxyallene, methoxyallene, N,N-dimethyl-2-propyn-1-amine, and 3-methoxy-1-(methylsulfanyl)-1-propyne, are smoothly converted into the corresponding N-vinylpyrroles using t-BuOK/DMSO (room temperature). The reaction proceeds via elimination of vinyl alcohol from the N-[2-(vinyloxy)ethyl] substituent and represents a novel approach to N-vinylpyrroles.     

Unexpected course of rearrangement of substituted S-(1(3H)-isobenzofuranone-3-yl)isothiuronium bromides

Three series of S-(1(3H)-isobenzofuranone-3-yl)isothiuronium bromides differing in substitution at the isothiuronium moiety (none, one or two methyl groups) and at the benzene ring were prepared and characterized. These salts were then treated with various bases (acetate, triethylamine, Na₂CO₃) to give either 1-hydroxy-3-oxo-1,3-dihydro-2H-isoindol-2-carbothioamides or the product of S to N isobenzofuranone-3-yl migration, i.e., 1,3-dimethyl-1-(3-oxo-1,3-dihydro-2-benzofuran-1-yl)thioureas. If ammonia was used in reaction with N,N′-dimethyl isothiuronium salts then 3-hydroxy-2,3-dihydro-1H-isoindol-1-ones were formed together with 1,3-dimethyl-1-(3-oxo-1,3-dihydro-2-benzofuran-1-yl)thioureas in parallel reaction with the yields increasing with ammonia concentration. The formation of isoindolones takes place in two steps with an aldehyde intermediate, which can be trapped with N,N-dimethylhydrazine.     

Syntheses and structures of iron carbonyl complexes derived from N-(5-methyl-2-thienylmethylidene)-2-thiolethylamine and N-(6-methyl-2-pyridylmethylidene)-2-thiolethylamine

The reaction of N-(5-methyl-2-thienylmethylidene)-2-thiolethylamine (1) with Fe₂(CO)₉ in refluxing acetonitrile yielded di-(μ₃-thia)nonacarbonyltriiron (2), μ-[N-(5-methyl-2-thienylmethyl)-η¹:η¹(N);η¹:η¹(S)-2-thiolatoethylamido]hexacarbonyldiiron (3), and N-(5-methyl-2-thienylmethylidene)amine (4). If the reaction was carried out at 45 °C, di-μ-[N-(5-methyl-2-thienylmethylidene)-η¹(N);η¹(S)-2-thiolethylamino]-μ-carbonyl-tetracarbonyldiiron (5) and trace amount of 4 were obtained. Stirring 5 in refluxing acetonitrile led to the thermal decomposition of 5, and ligand 1 was recovered quantitatively. However, in the presence of excess amount of Fe₂(CO)₉ in refluxing acetonitrile, complex 5 was converted into 2-4. On the other hand, the reaction of N-(6-methyl-2-pyridylmethylidene)-2-thiolethylamine (6) with Fe₂(CO)₉ in refluxing acetonitrile produced 2, μ-[N-(6-methyl-2-pyridylmethyl)-η¹ (N_py);η¹:η¹(N); η¹:η¹(S)-2-thiolatoethylamido]pentacarbonyldiiron (7), and μ-[N-(6-methyl-2-pyridylmethylidene)-η²(C,N);η¹:η¹(S)-2- thiolethylamino]hexacarbonyldiiron (8). Reactions of both complex 7 and 8 with NOBF₄ gave μ-[(6-methyl-2-pyridylmethyl)-η¹(N_py);η¹:η¹(N);η¹:η¹(S)-2-thiolatoethylamido](acetonitrile)tricarbonylnitrosyldiiron (9). These reaction products were well characterized spectrally. The molecular structures of complexes 3, 7-9 have been determined by means of X-ray diffraction. Intramolecular 1,5-hydrogen shift from the thiol to the methine carbon was observed in complexes 3, 7, and 9.     

New N-heterocyclic carbene mercury(II) complexes: Close mercury-arene interaction

Mononuclear mercury complexes (1, 2, and 3) bearing bis-N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands of the form [(NHC)₂-μ-Hg]⁺² have been prepared and structurally characterised. The complexes were derived from three bis-imidazolium salts as precursors to NHC; either 1,3-bis(N-methylimidazolium-1-ylmethyl)benzene bis(hexafluorophosphate) (I·2PF₆), 1,3-bis(N-butylimidazolium-1-ylmethyl)benzene bis(hexafluorophosphate) (II·2PF₆) or 3,5-bis(N-butylimidazolium-1-ylmethyl)toluene bis(hexafluorophosphate) (III·2PF₆) treated with mercury(II) acetate. Interestingly X-ray crystal structure analysis revealed a close interaction between the Hg metal centre with one carbon atom of the aryl linker in addition to coordination with two NHCs.     

N-Phenanthroline glycosylamines: synthesis and copper(II) complexes

A series of novel N-(1,10-phenanthrolin-5-yl)-β-glycopyranosylamines was obtained with excellent stereoselectivity and synthetically useful yields by treatment of 5-amino-1,10-phenanthroline with different unprotected monosaccharides, using (NH₄)₂SO₄ as an efficient promoter. Copper(II) complexes having a 2:1 mole ratio of the bidentate ligand phenanthroline N-glycoside and the metal were also prepared.     

Synthesis of rhodium N-heterocyclic carbene complexes and their catalytic activity in the hydrosilylation of alkenes in ionic liquid medium

Rhodium complexes bearing N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands were prepared from bis(η⁴-1,5-cyclooctadiene) dichlorodirhodium and 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium-2-carboxylate, and the catalytic properties of rhodium complexes prepared in the hydrosilylation of alkenes in ionic liquid media were investigated. It was found that both the catalytic activity and selectivity of the rhodium complexes bearing NHC ligands were influenced by the attached substituents of the imidazolium cation. Additionally, rhodium complexes bearing NHC ligands in ionic liquid BMimPF₆ could be reused without noticeable loss of catalytic activity and selectivity.     

Reductive allylation of 1H-pyridine-2-(thio)ones by means of the novel lithium allyldibutylmagnesate reagent

A new, highly efficient allylation reagent—lithium allyldibutylmagnesate (allylBu₂MgLi)—was obtained by mixing allyl-magnesium chloride (1 equiv) and n-BuLi (2 equiv). N-Lithiated and N-methyl substituted 1H-pyridine-2-thiones and -ones were successfully and regioselectively allylated by treatment with allylBu₂MgLi yielding 6-allyl-3,6-dihydro-1H-pyridine-2-(thio)ones and 4-allyl-3,4-di-hydro-1H-pyridine-2-(thio)ones. The latter were formed by a 3,3-sigmatropic Cope rearrangement of the former.     

Fluorination of alcohols and diols with a novel fluorous deoxy-fluorination reagent

We prepared a novel fluorous deoxy-fluorination reagent N,N-diethyl-α,α-difluoro-[3,5-bis(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecyl)benzyl]amine (1b) from 3,5-diiodobenzoic acid (3b) via N,N-diethyl-3,5-bis(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecyl)benzamide (2b) in four steps and used it for the fluorination of alcohols and diols. After the fluorination reactions, the isolation of the products and recovery of 2b was performed by extraction with a fluorous/organic solvent system.     

Rational use of substituted N-allyl and N,N-diallylanilines in the stereoselective synthesis of novel 2-alkenyltetrahydro-1-benzazepines

Two new series of 1,4-epoxy-2-exo-vinyl(isopropenyl)tetrahydro-1-benzazepines and cis-2-vinyl(isopropenyl)-4-hydroxytetrahydro-1-benzazepines were prepared by an efficient three/four-step route from available substituted N,N-diallylanilines and mono N-allylanilines. The amino-Claisen rearrangement and the sequential oxidation/intramolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions were used as the key steps in this synthesis. All the synthesized compounds were fully characterized by IR, GC-MS and NMR techniques.     

Cascade synthesis of pyrido[3,2-a]indolizines by reaction of Kröhnke–Mukaiyama salts with malononitrile dimer

An efficient protocol for the synthesis of highly functionalized 2-aminoindolizines and pyrido[3,2-a]indolizines has been achieved via the reaction of N-RC(O)CH₂-2-chloropyridinium bromides with 2-amino-1,1,3-tricyanopropene in the presence of Et₃N. The reaction of N-allyl-2-chloropyridinium bromide with 2-amino-1,1,3-tricyanopropene in the presence of Et₃N gives 3-[1-allylpyridin-2(1Н)-ylidene]-2-aminoprop-1-ene-1,1,3-tricarbonitrile, which could be cyclized to give [2-amino-(2-amino-3-vinylindolizin-1-yl)methylene]malononitrile upon treatment with KOH–DMF.     

A facile synthesis of 2-[1-(dialkylamino)alkyl]-4H-3,1-benzoxazin-4-ones by the reaction of 1,1-dimethylethyl 2-isocyanobenzoates with N,N-dialkyliminium iodides

A convenient synthetic approach to 2-[1-(dialkylamino)alkyl]-4H-3,1-benzoxazin-4-ones has been developed. Thus, 1,1-dimethylethyl 2-isocyanobenzoates, which can be readily prepared from 2-nitrobenzoic acids by a simple four-step sequence, react with N,N-dialkyliminium iodides without using any catalysts under mild conditions to give the desired products in generally fair-to-good yields.     

New synthesis of excellent visible-light TiO2−xNx photocatalyst using a very simple method

An excellent visible-light-responsive (from 400 to 550 nm) TiO_2−xN_x photocatalyst was prepared by a simple wet method. Hydrazine was used as a new nitrogen resource in this paper. Self-made amorphous titanium dioxide precursor powders were dipped into hydrazine hydrate, and calcined at low temperature (110 °C) in the air. The TiO_2−xN_x was successfully synthesized, following by spontaneous combustion. The photocatalyst was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), transmission electron microscope (TEM), UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectrometer (DRS), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Analysis of XPS indicated that N atoms were incorporated into the lattice of the titania crystal during the combustion of hydrazine on the surface of TiO₂. Ethylene was selected as a target pollutant under visible-light excitation to evaluate the activity of this photocatalyst. The newly prepared TiO_2−xN_x photocatalyst with strong photocatalytic activity and high photochemical stability under visible-light irradiation was firstly demonstrated in the experiment.     

N-[1-(Benzotriazol-1-yl)alkyl]amides from N-acyl-α-amino acids or N-alkylamides

A variety of N-(1-methoxyalkyl)amides react with benzotriazole in the presence of PPh₃·HBF₄ and organic bases (Hünig's base, DBU or DABCO) or solid-state-supported bases (SiO₂-Pip or IRA-67) in CHCl₃ to give N-[1-(benzotriazol-1-yl)alkyl]amides in good yields. The most convenient and efficient procedure for obtaining N-[1-(benzotriazol-1-yl)alkyl]amides consists, however, of the addition of benzotriazole sodium salt to a solution of crude 1-(N-acylamino)alkyltriphenylphosphonium salt, obtained in situ from N-(1-methoxyalkyl)amides and PPh₃·HBF₄. A combination of these reactions with the recently described electrochemical decarboxylative α-methoxylation of N-acyl-α-amino acids in the presence of SiO₂-Pip enables an effective two-pot transformation of N-acyl-α-amino acids to N-[1-(benzotriazol-1-yl)alkyl]amides.     

Selective permeation of CO2 through poly 2-(N,N-dimethyl)aminoethyl methacrylate membrane prepared by plasma-graft polymerization technique

A membrane having an amine moiety was prepared by plasma-grafting 2-(N,N-dimethyl)aminoethyl methacrylate (DAMA) onto a microporous polyethylene substrate. Permselectivity of the membrane for CO₂ over N₂ was achieved in both dry and water swollen conditions. When the CO₂ partial pressure in the feed gas was 0.047 atm, the selectivity of CO₂ over N₂ reached 130 for the highly swollen water containing membrane. This value was found to agree with that obtained with a mobile carrier membrane (supported liquid membrane) using DAMA as the carrier. The effects of several experimental conditions such as degree of grafting, feed partial pressure and temperature on the membrane performance were studied. It was suggested that the membrane acted as a fixed carrier membrane for CO₂ facilitated transport in under the dry condition and acted as a fixed reaction site membrane in the water swollen condition. The carrier transport mechanism is discussed for dry and aqueous membranes.     

Synthesis and characterization of copper(II) and cobalt(II) complexes with two new potentially hexadentate Schiff base ligands. X-ray crystal structure determination of one copper(II) complex

Two new potentially hexadentate N₂O₄ Schiff base ligands 2-((z)-(2-(2-(2-((z)-3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxybenzylideneamino) phenoxy) phenoxy) phenylimino) methyl)-4,6-di-tert-butylphenol [H₂L¹] and 2-((z)-(2-(2-(2-((z)-3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxybenzylideneamino) phenoxy)-5-tert-butylphenoxy) phenylimino) methyl)-4,6-di-tert-butylphenol [H₂L²] were prepared from the reaction of 3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxy benzaldehyde with 1,2-bis(2′-aminophenoxy)benzene or 1,2-bis(2′-aminophenoxy)-4-t-butylbenzene, respectively. From the direct reaction of ligands [H₂L¹] and [H₂L²] with copper(II) and cobalt(II) salts in methanolic solution and in the presence of N(Et)₃ the neutral [CuL¹], [CuL²], [CoL¹] and [CoL²] complexes were prepared. All complexes were characterized by IR spectra, elemental analysis, magnetic susceptibility, mass spectra, molar conductance (Λ_m), UV-Vis spectra and in the case of [CuL²] with X-ray diffraction. X-ray crystal structure of [CuL²] showed that the complex contains copper(II) in a distorted square planar environment of N₂O₂ donors. Three CH/π interactions were observed in the molecular structure of latter complex.     

Synthesis of 1H-pyrrolo[3,2-c]quinoline derivatives via palladium-catalyzed heteroannulation of 2-aryl-3-iodo-4-(phenylamino)quinolines and 4-(N,N-allylphenylamino)-2-aryl-3-iodoquinolines

Palladium(0)/copper iodide catalyzed Sonogashira cross-coupling of 2-aryl-3-iodo-4-(phenylamino)quinolines with terminal alkynes afforded series of 1,2,4-trisubstituted 1H-pyrrolo[3,2-c]quinolines in a single-step operation. Conversely, the 4-(N,N-allylphenylamino)-2-aryl-3-iodoquinoline derivatives were found to undergo PdCl₂(PPh₃)₂/CuI catalyzed intramolecular Heck reaction to yield the corresponding 1,3,4-trisubstituted 1H-pyrrolo[3,2-c]quinolines.     

Highly enantioselective copper-catalyzed allylic alkylation with atropos phosphoramidites bearing a D2-symmetric biphenyl backbone

A novel class of atropos dibridged biphenyl phosphoramidites bearing a D₂-symmetric biphenyl backbone was prepared and applied as chiral ligands in the copper-catalyzed allylic alkylation with Grignard reagent. The alkylation products were obtained in quantitative yields with high regioselectivities up to 94:6 of S_N2′/S_N2 ratio and enantiomeric excesses up to 91.1% for S_N2′ products. The unique D₂-symmetric backbone ligands have the advantages of easy preparation and sufficient reusability of their key intermediates from the undesired isomers.