Verbanone in the synthesis of amidoketones from o-menthane series

A verbanone reaction with acetonitrile under Ritter reaction conditions led to a selective formation of o-menthane derivatives, a mixture of stereoisomeric cis-and trans-8-acetamido-o-menthones. The streoisomers ratio depends on the reaction conditions and the character of acid catalyst used.     

Investigation of m-nitroaniline formation during the Zimmermann reaction

The Zimmermann reaction for the determination of 17-ketosteroids was tested under both room-temperature and steam-distillation reaction conditions. meta-Nitroaniline was isolated from the residue of the steam distillation by ether extraction and thin-layer chromatography. Conclusive identification was by infrared spectroscopy. In contrast, m-nitroaniline was not formed under room-temperature reaction conditions, even when allowed to react for 24 hr. Similar results were also obtained for the reaction between acetone and m-dinitrobenzene under alkaline conditions. In conclusion, the results indicate that m-nitroaniline formation cannot account for the conversion of structure I to structure II under room-temperature reaction conditions as investigated herein.     

An investigation into the mechanism of the imidazolidinone catalyzed cascade reaction

The cascade reaction of α,β-unsaturated butyric aldehydes with 2-methyl furan and chlorinated quinone catalyzed by a (2S,5S)-5-benzyl-2-tert-butyl-3-methylimidazolidin-4-one·TFA was investigated by using density functional theory (DFT) calculations at the PCM(EtOAc)/B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p)//B3LYP/6-31G(d) level to (a) confirm the detailed reaction mechanism and key factors controlling the enantioselectivity; and (b) check the models of the iminium ion formation and hydrolysis process that were carried out in another reaction. Two favorable reaction channels, corresponding to the enantioselectivity of the (2R,3S)-product and (2S,3S)-product, have been characterized. The enantioselectivity is controlled by the steps involved in the formation of the C–C bond and the C–Cl bond in the iminium catalysis and the enamine catalysis, respectively. The calculated results explain the reaction mechanism and the enantioselectivity, which are in agreement with experimental observations, and may be helpful for understanding the reaction mechanism of similar cascade reactions.     

Assessment of the regioselectivity in the condensation reaction of unsymmetrical o-phthaldialdehydes with alanine

One approach for the synthesis of isoindolinones, a privileged bioactive heterocyclic core structure, involves a condensation reaction of o-phthaldialdehydes with a suitable nitrogen-containing nucleophile. This fascinating reaction is revisited here in the context of the use of o-phthaldialdehydes that contain additional substituents in the aromatic ring leading to a detailed analysis of the regioselectivity of the reaction. Eleven monosubstituted o-phthaldialdehydes were synthesised and reacted with alanine. The regioselectivity observed across the eleven substrates led to the design of a disubstituted substrate that reacted with very high control. A gram-scale reaction followed by esterification gave one major regioisomer in high yield. In addition, the regioselectivity observed on reaction of two novel monodeuterated substrates led to an increased mechanistic understanding.     

A new synthesis of cyanocyclopropanes by the intramolecular alkylation of magnesium carbenoids as the key reaction

Addition reaction of 1-chlorovinyl p-tolyl sulfoxides, derived from ketones and chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide, with cyanomethyllithium gave adducts in quantitative yields. Treatment of the adducts with i-PrMgCl in THF resulted in the formation of cyanocyclopropanes via the intramolecular alkylation of the generated magnesium carbenoids. The intermediate of this reaction was proved to be a cyclopropylmagnesium chloride, and it was found to be reactive with electrophiles to give multi-substituted cyanocyclopropanes. The key reaction, intramolecular alkylation of magnesium carbenoid, is the first example for the reaction of the magnesium carbenoids with nitrile-stabilized carbanions.     

Rheological study on the cure kinetics of two-component addition cured silicone rubber

The cure kinetics for two-component silicone rubber formed by addition reaction was studied by the rheological method. The influence of reaction temperature (T) on the cure kinetics was explored in detail. It was observed that the data of gel time (t _gel, i.e. the time when the reaction reaches the gel point) or a specific reaction time (t _nc) (defined as the reaction time before which time the influence of confinement of network on the diffusion of reaction components can be neglected) versus T obey certain functional relationship, which was well explained by the cure kinetics model of thermoset network. The cure kinetics for the two-component silicone rubber can be well fitted by the Kamal-Sourour(autocatalyst) reaction model rather than Kissinger model. When the reaction time was before or equal to t _nc, the reaction order obtained by the Kamal-Sourour reaction model was 2, which was consistent with the reaction order inferred from the two components chemical reaction when the diffusion of reaction components was not influenced by the formed cross-linked polymer network. When the reaction time was larger than t _nc, such as to the end of reaction (t _e), the influence of confinement of network on the diffusion of reaction components cannot be neglected, and the reaction order obtained by the Kamal-Sourour reaction model was larger than 2. It was concluded that the confinement effect of network had a greater influence on the cure kinetics of the silicone rubber. The reaction rate constants (k _r) under different temperatures were also determined by Kamal-Sourour reaction model. The activation energy (E) for the two-component silicone rubber was also calculated from the results of lnt _gel, lnt _nc, and lnk _r versus 1/T, respectively. The three values of E were close, which indicated that above analyses were self-consistent.     

Prins and RCM protocols for the synthesis of the pheromones of the giant white butterfly Idea leuconoe

The total syntheses of (6R)-6-[(2R)-2-hydroxyhexyl]tetrahydro-2H-2-pyranone and 7-hydroxy-5-dodecanolide are described utilizing a Prins reaction and ring closing metathesis reaction sequence.     

New opinions on the amidoalkylation of hydrophosphorylic compounds

A new and milder version of the procedure for the synthesis of N-protected α-aminoalkylphosphorylic compounds by reaction of alkyl carbamates, aldehydes and hydrophosphorylic compounds in acetic anhydride/acetyl chloride and a new mechanism for this type of reaction are described. The isolation, for the first time, of N,N′-benzylidene- and N,N′-alkylidenebiscarbamates as intermediates from the reaction medium and studies of the direct reaction of pre-obtained biscarbamates and hydrophosphorylic compounds in acetic anhydride are reported. A new version of the mechanism for this reaction which includes an Arbuzov-type reaction is proposed.     

Use of the Mitsunobu reaction in the synthesis of orthogonally protected α,β-diaminopropionic acids

Orthogonally protected α,β-diaminopropionic acids have been synthesised in good yields by the reaction of N-trityl l-serine esters with N-substituted sulfonamides under Mitsunobu reaction conditions (DEAD, PPh₃, THF). The best isolated yields were obtained when N-Boc p-toluenesulfonamide was used as the nitrogen nucleophile precursor in the Mitsunobu reaction. Subsequently, the N-trityl group was efficiently replaced with the more stable allyloxycarbonyl (alloc) group.     

Hydrogenolysis of the cyclopropyl group into an isopropyl group in the presence of a platinum catalyst and hydrobromic acid

Reduction of cyclopropylmethylamines proceeded under mild reaction conditions in the presence of platinum (IV) oxide catalyst and hydrobromic acid at rt, providing isobutylamines and no linear butylamines. The ring cleavage reaction was widely applicable to cyclopropane rings in various compounds such as N-cyclopropylalkyl, O-cyclopropylalkyl, and C-cyclopropylalkyl derivatives. Although unactivated cyclopropane rings were also cleaved, the cyclobutane ring was tolerated under the same reaction conditions.     

A method for the synthesis of cyclopropanes by regiospecific and regioselective magnesium carbenoid 1,3-CH insertion as the key reactions

Addition reaction of two geometrical isomers of 1-chlorovinyl p-tolyl sulfoxides, derived from unsymmetrical ketones and chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide, with lithium enolate of tert-butyl acetate gave single diastereomers of the adduct, respectively. Treatment of each diastereomer with i-PrMgCl resulted in the formation of magnesium carbenoid. Highly regiospecific 1,3-CH insertion reaction was found to take place from each magnesium carbenoid to afford cyclopropanes. On the other hand, when the unsymmetrical ketones bearing an oxygen- or a nitrogen-functional group on the α-carbon were used in this procedure, the regioselective 1,3-CH insertion reaction proceeded mainly. Stereochemistry of the adducts, reaction mechanism, and essence of the specificity and the selectivity are discussed.     

Investigation of the regioselectivity of the Hurd-Mori reaction for the formation of bicyclic 1,2,3-thiadiazoles

A series of new pyrrolo[d][1,2,3]thiadiazole carboxylates and 5,6-dihydro-4H-cyclopenta[d][1,2,3]thiadiazoles has been synthesized via the Hurd-Mori reaction. The regioselectivity of the cyclization has been studied and trends were established to predict the cyclization direction to afford bicyclic 1,2,3-thiadiazoles. Effects promoting and disfavoring the reaction have also been investigated to guide the synthesis of scaffolds of this type.     

Reaction of o-carboxyphenyl sulfoxides with acetic anhydride : Kinetic studies on the neighboring group effect of ortho-carboxyl group in the oxygen exchange and Pummerer reactions

Kinetic studies on the concurrent oxygen exchange and racemization reactions and Pummerer reaction of o-carboxyphenyl sulfoxides with acetic anhydride were carried out. In the reaction of o-carboxyphenyl phenyl sulfoxide, ortho-carboxyl group was found to enhance the rates of both oxygen exchange and racemization about 180 times, and the rate of racemization was nearly twice that of oxygen exchange. In the reaction of alkyl o-carboxyphenyl sulfoxides, an intramolecular Pummerer reaction took place to give 3,1-benzoxathian-4-one derivatives, and the Pummerer reaction was accelerated about 140 times that of the usual unassisted Pummerer reaction of aryl methyl sulfoxide. A very small deuterium kinetic isotope effect (k_H/k_D = 1.07 with trideuterated-methyl o-carboxyphenyl sulfoxide) and the rate-enhancing effect of α-alkyl group were also noticed. The markedly large rate-enhancement of both oxygen exchange and the Pummerer reactions is undoubtedly caused by the neighboring group participation of carboxyl group in the rate-determining intramolecular acylation of sulfinyl O atom.     

Concise route to defined stereoisomers of the hydroxy acid of the chondramides

The use of Kobayashi vinylogous aldol reaction in the reaction with acetaldehyde led to anti-aldol product 11. After reductive removal of the chiral auxiliary, the primary alcohol was converted to the allyliodide 14. This compound could be engaged in an Evans alkylation reaction, leading eventually to hydroxy acid 19. Inclusion of a Mitsunobu inversion reaction on the sequence starting with ent-11 led to hydroxy ester 30, featuring a 6,7-syn-configuration. These hydroxy acids should help to elucidate the correct stereostructure of the chondramide depsipeptides.     

A theoretical investigation on the mechanism of the α,α-diphenylprolinol trimethylsilyl ether-catalyzed oxyamination reaction

A theoretical investigation on the reaction mechanism of a chiral prolinol silyl ether-catalyzed oxyamination reaction strongly suggests that the reaction proceeds via an enol intermediate and not via an enamine intermediate. The catalyst generates the enol and forms an enol-catalyst complex. Nitrosobenzene subsequently reacts with the enol-catalyst complex to afford the (S)-N-nitroso aldol product. The proposed mechanism is able to account for the experimentally observed enantioselectivity.     

Experimental and DFT study of the aza-Diels-Alder reaction between cyclopentadiene and protonated benzylimine derivated from glyoxylates

The Diels-Alder reaction of protonated N-benzyl imine of methyl glyoxylate with cyclopentadiene in different solvents gave mixtures of exo/endo adducts. The exo/endo selectivity of the reaction was elucidated by NMR experiments. Theoretical calculations by means of density functional theory (DFT) at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level have also been performed to elucidate the molecular mechanism of this reaction. The DFT results suggest a highly asynchronous concerted mechanism, which in turn can explain the preferred exo stereoselectivity of the reaction. Inclusion of solvent effects enhances the exo selectivity, and this effect increases with the polarity of the solvent, in good agreement with the experimental findings.     

Synthesis of monohalocyclopropane derivatives from olefins by the reaction with trihalomethanes and copper

Fluoro-, chloro-, bromo-, and iodocyclopropane derivatives were obtained in 10–80% yields by the reaction of FCHI₂, ClCHI₂, BrCHI₂, and CHI₃, respectively, with Cu in the presence of olefins. The reaction was electrophilic, and proceeded stereospecifically, i.e., cis and trans olefins afforded cyclopropane derivatives whose configurations with respect to the substituents from original olefins were cis and trans, respectively. Since isomeric olefins were not detected in the reaction mixture which would be expected from the insertion of the corresponding free monohalocarbenes into C—H bonds, the reaction seemed to proceed via organocopper intermediates rather than free monohalocarbenes. With respect to the configuration of the halogen introduced by the new reaction, the cis or endo isomers were generally obtained predominantly over the corresponding trans or exo isomers.     

Thermal epimerization of inositol 1,3-benzylidene acetals in the molten state

1,3-O-Benzylidene-2,4,5,6-tetra-O-substituted-myo-inositol derivatives obtained by the DIBAL-H reduction of the corresponding myo-inositol 1,3,5-orthobenzoate derivatives undergo epimerization at the acetal carbon on heating, in the molten state, just above their melting point. The same epimerization reaction does not proceed either in the crystalline state or in solution. DFT calculations suggest that the epimeric acetal obtained by this thermal process is relatively more stable than the starting acetal. Either of these acetals could not be obtained by the reaction of the corresponding inositol derived diol with benzaldehyde. These observations constitute a novel reaction solely in the molten state, which are rarely encountered in the literature. X-ray crystal structures of the epimeric acetals as well as their radical deoxygenation reaction are also reported.     

Chemoselective coupling of peptide fragments using the Staudinger ligation

Here we report the first Staudinger ligations which yield tetra- and pentapeptides starting from N-terminal α-azido peptides and C-terminal peptideo-(diphenylphosphine)phenyl esters. Mass spectrometric analysis of the reaction mixture provided a better insight into the mechanism of the Staudinger ligation and has been used to explain the observed intermediates and to optimize the ligation reaction. As a result, the optimized reaction enables the chemoselective coupling of peptides containing amino acids other than glycine at the ligation site.     

New synthesis of multisubstituted cyanocyclopropanes by the intramolecular SN2 alkylation and 1,3-CC insertion reaction of magnesium carbenoids as the key reactions

Addition reaction of 1-chlorovinyl p-tolyl sulfoxides derived from ketones and aldehydes with lithium α-cyano carbanions gave nitrile adducts in high to quantitative yields. Treatment of the nitrile adducts derived from acetonitrile with excess i-PrMgCl in THF resulted in the formation of cyanocyclopropanes via the intramolecular S_N2 alkylation of the generated magnesium carbenoids. The intermediate of this reaction was proved to be a cyclopropylmagnesium chloride and was reactive with electrophiles to give multisubstituted cyanocyclopropanes. On the other hand, the reaction of the nitrile adducts derived from arylacetonitriles with i-PrMgCl resulted in the formation of 2-arylcyanocyclopropanes by the 1,3-carbon–carbon (1,3-CC) insertion reaction of the generated magnesium carbenoid intermediates. This reaction was found to proceed in a highly stereospecific manner. The key reactions, intramolecular S_N2 alkylation and 1,3-CC insertion reaction of the magnesium carbenoids, are the first examples for the reaction of the magnesium carbenoids bearing a nitrile functional group.