Copper‐Free Sonogashira Coupling of Acid Chlorides with Terminal Alkynes in the Presence of a Reusable Palladium Catalyst: An Improved Synthesis of 3‐Iodochromenones (=3‐Iodo‐4H‐1‐benzopyran‐4‐ones)

Pd/C is used as an efficient catalyst for the copper‐free Sonogashira coupling of acid chlorides and terminal alkynes to afford ynones in high yields (Tables 1 and 3). Cyclization of (2‐methoxyaryl)‐substituted ynones induced by I₂/ammonium cerium(IV) nitrate (CAN) at room temperature gave 3‐iodochromenones (=3‐iodo‐4H‐1‐benzopyran‐4‐ones) in excellent yield (Table 4).     

One‐Pot Synthesis of Functionalized 3‐Aryl‐1‐phenyl‐1H‐pyrazoles from Hydrazonoyl Chlorides and Acetylenic Esters in the Presence of Ph3P

The zwitterionic 1 : 1 intermediates generated by addition of Ph₃P to acetylenic esters is trapped by 1‐[(aryl)chloromethylene]‐2‐phenylhydrazines (=N‐phenylarenecarbohydrazonoyl chlorides) to yield functionalized 3‐aryl‐1‐phenyl‐1H‐pyrazoles in good yields.     

One‐Pot Synthesis of 2‐Substituted 4‐Aryl‐4,5‐dihydro‐3,1‐benzoxazepines from 2‐(2‐Aminophenyl)‐1‐arylethanols via Dehydration of the Corresponding Amides

An efficient method for the preparation of 2‐substituted 4‐aryl‐4,5‐dihydro‐3,1‐benzoxazepine derivatives under mild conditions has been developed. The reaction of 2‐(2‐aminophenyl)ethanols 1 with acid chlorides in the presence of excess Et₃N in THF at room temperature gave the corresponding N‐acylated intermediates 2 , which were dehydrated by treatment with POCl₃ to give 2‐substituted 4‐aryl‐4,5‐dihydro‐3,1‐benzoxazepines 3 in a one‐pot reaction.     

Synthesis and Reactions of 3‐Methylthiazolo[3,2‐a]Benzimidazole‐2‐Carboxylic Acid Hydrazide: Synthesis of Some New Pyrazole, 1,3‐Thiazoline, 1,2,4‐Triazole and 1,2,4‐Triazolo[3,4‐b]‐1,3,4‐Thiadiazine Derivatives Pendant to Thiazolo[3,2‐a]Benzimidazole Moiety

The reaction of 3‐methylthiazolo[3,2‐a]benzimidazole‐2‐carboxylic acid ethyl ester (1) with hydrazine hydrate gives the hydrazide 2 which reacts with CS₂/KOH to afford the potassium salt 3. Treatment of 3 with l‐aryl‐2‐bromoethanones 4a,b afforded the 1,3‐thiazoline derivatives 6a,b, respectively, while the reaction of 3 with hydrazine hydrate afforded 1,2,4‐triazole‐3‐thione derivative 9. The reaction of 9 with l‐aryl‐2‐bromoethanones 4a,b and with hydrazonyl chlorides 11a,b gave the 1,2,4‐triazolo[3,4‐b]‐1,3,4‐thiadiazine derivatives 10a,b and 12a,b, respectively. Treatment of hydrazide 2 with phenyl isothiocyanate in refluxing benzene gave the thiosemicarbazide derivative 16. The latter reaction gave 1,3,4‐oxadiazole derivative 17 when benzene was replaced by DMF. Cyclization of the thiosemicarbazide derivative 16 with NaOH resulted in the formation of the 1,2,4‐triazole‐3‐thione derivative 18.     

15N NMR spectroscopy of 3‐substituted 5‐trichloromethyl‐1,2‐dimethyl‐1H‐pyrazolium chlorides

¹⁵N NMR data of a series of 3‐alkyl[aryl] substituted 5‐trichloromethyl‐1,2‐dimethyl‐1H‐pyrazolium chlorides (where the 3‐substituents are H, Me, Et, n‐Pr, n‐Bu, n‐Pe, n‐Hex, (CH₂)₅CO₂Et, CH₂Br, Ph and 4‐Br‐C₆H₄), are reported. The ¹⁵N substituent chemical shifts (SCS) parameters are determined and these data are compared with the ¹³C SCS values and data obtained by MO calculations. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Formation of Dialkyl 2‐[3‐Alkoxy‐1‐(alkylimino)‐1‐chloro‐3‐oxopropan‐2‐ylidene]hydrazine‐1,1‐dicarboxylates of α‐(Alkoxycarbonyl)imidoyl Chlorides from PhosphineDiazo Ester Zwitterions and Nef‐Isocyanide Adducts

A novel transformation involving phosphine? diazo ester zwitterions (generated from dialkyl azodicarboxylates with Ph₃P) and α‐(alkoxycarbonyl)imidoyl chlorides (prepared from α‐addition of acyl chlorides to alkyl isocyanides) to afford dialkyl 2‐[3‐alkoxy‐1‐(alkylimino)‐1‐chloro‐3‐oxopropan‐2‐ylidene]hydrazine‐1,1‐dicarboxylates in moderate yields, is described.     

On Alkylideneamidosulfenyl Chlorides and 1‐Thia‐2‐azoniaallene Salts

X‐Ray‐diffraction analysis of ^tBu₂CN SCl ( 4b ) revealed an almost linear CNS unit with an SN bond order of ca. 1.9 (Fig. 1), in agreement with the structure of a 1‐thia‐2‐azoniaallene chloride. With SCl₂ and SbCl₅, compound 4b was transformed into the imidosulfurous dichloride 6 (Scheme 2). With morpholine, compounds 4b and 6 afforded the sulfenamide 7 and the aminosulfonium salt 8 , respectively. The (diarylmethylene)amidosulfenyl chlorides 4g , h , i reacted with SbCl₅ to give SbCl salts of the 1,2‐benzisothiazoles 9a , b , d , most likely via 1‐thia‐2‐azoniaallene intermediates 2 (Scheme 3).     

Syntheses of 5‐(3‐Arylsydnon‐4‐yl)Tetrazole Derivatives

3‐Arylsydnone‐4‐carbohydroximic acid chlorides ( 1 ) could react with sodium azide to produce the corresponding 3‐arylsydnone‐4‐carbazidoximes ( 2 ), but not 1‐hydroxytetrazoles 3 . Treatment of 3‐arylsydnone‐4‐carbazidoximes ( 2 ) with acid chlorides such as acetyl chloride ( 4a ), propionyl chloride ( 4b ) and benzoyl chloride ( 4c ) in the presence of excess triethylamine generated the derivatives of the azidoximes 5 . To obtain the desired tetrazoles, the azidoximes 2 should first cyclize directly with acetyl chloride ( 4a ) or propionyl chloride ( 4b ) to afford the acetyl or propionyl derivatives 6 . The cyclized tetrazole derivatives 6 underwent deacylation upon heating in ethanol to give 1‐hydroxy‐5‐(3‐arylsydnon‐4‐yl)tetrazoles ( 3 ).     

Studies on the Reaction of α‐Chloroformylarylhydrazine Hydrochloride with Imidazole and 1,2,4‐Triazole

α‐Imidazolformylarylhydrazine 2 and α‐[1,2,4]triazolformylarylhydrazine 3 have been synthesized through the nucleophilic substitution reaction of 1 with imidazole and 1,2,4‐triazole, respectively. 2,2′‐Diaryl‐2H,2′H‐[4,4′]bi[[1,2,4]‐triazolyl]‐3,3′‐dione 4 was obtained from the cycloaddition of α‐chloroformylarylhydrazine hydrochloride 1 with 1,2,4‐triazole at 60 °C and in absence of n‐Bu₃N. The inducing factor for cycloaddition of 1 with 1,2,4‐triazole was ascertained as hydrogen ion by the formation of 4 from the reaction of 3 with hydrochloric acid. 4 was also acquired from the reaction of 3 with 1 and this could confirm the reaction route for cycloaddition of 1 with 1,2,4‐triazole. Some acylation reagents were applied to induce the cyclization reaction of 2 and 3.1 possessing chloroformyl group could induce the cyclization of 2 to give 2‐aryl‐4‐(2‐aryl‐4‐vinyl‐semicarbazide‐4‐yl)‐2,4‐dihydro‐[1,2,4]‐triazol‐3‐one 6. 7 was obtained from the cyclization of 2 induced by some acyl chlorides. Acetic acid anhydride like acetyl chloride also could react with 2 to produce 7D . 5‐Substituted‐3‐aryl‐3H‐[1,3,4]oxadiazol‐2‐one 8 was produced from the cyclization reaction of 3 induced by some acyl chlorides or acetic acid anhydride. The 1,2,4‐triazole group of 3 played a role as a leaving group in the course of cyclization reaction. This was confirmed by the same product 8 which was acquired from the reaction of 1 , possessing a better leaving group: Cl, with some acyl chlorides or acetic acid anhydride.     

Synthesis and properties of phosphorus containing polyester‐amides derived from 1,4‐bis(3‐aminobenzoyloxy)‐2‐(6‐oxido‐6H‐dibenz〈c,e〉〈1,2〉oxaphosphorin‐6‐yl) phenylene

A series of polyester‐amides that contain phosphorus were synthesized by low temperature solution condensation of 1,4‐bis(3‐aminobenzoyloxy)‐2‐(6‐oxido‐6H‐dibenz〈c,e〉〈1,2〉oxaphosphorin‐6‐yl) phenylene (III) with various aromatic acid chlorides in N‐methyl pyrrolidone (NMP). All polyester‐amides are amorphous and readily soluble in many organic solvents such as dimethylacetamide (DMAc), NMP, dimethylsulfoxide, and dimethylformamide at room temperature or on heating. Light yellow and flexible films of these polyester‐amides could be cast from the DMAc solutions. The polymers with an inherent viscosity of 0.26–0.72 dL/g were obtained in quantitative yields. These polyester‐amides have good mechanical properties (G′ of ∼ 10⁹ Pa up to 200°C) and good thermal and flame retardant properties. The glass transition temperatures of these polyester‐amides ranged from 250 to 273°C. The degradation temperatures (T_d 5%) in nitrogen ranged from 466 to 478°C and the char yields at 800°C were 59.6–65.2%. The limiting oxygen indexes of these polyester‐amides ranged from 35 to 43. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 891–899, 1999     

Investigation of Some Functionalization Reactions of 4‐Benzoyl‐5‐phenyl‐1‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)‐1H‐pyrazole‐3‐carbonyl Chloride and Their Antimicrobial Activity

The 1H‐pyrazole‐3‐carboxylic acid 1 was converted via reactions of its acid chloride 3 with various asymmetrical disubstituted urea and alcohol derivatives into the corresponding novel 4‐benzoyl‐N‐(N′,N′‐dialkylcarbamyl)‐1‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)‐5‐phenyl‐1H‐pyrazole‐3‐carboxamide 4a , b and alkyl 4‐benzoyl‐1‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)‐5‐phenyl‐1H‐pyrazole‐3‐carboxylate 7a‐c , respectively, in good yields (57%‐78%). Friedel‐Crafts reactions of 3 with aromatic compouns for 15 min.‐2 h led to the formation of the 4‐3‐diaroyl‐1‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐5‐phenyl‐1H‐pyrazoles 9a‐c , 4‐benzoyl‐1‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)‐3‐aroyl‐5‐phenyl‐1H‐pyrazoles 10a , b and than from the acylation reactions of 9a‐c were obtained the 3,4‐diaroyl‐1‐(4‐acyloxyphenyl)‐5‐phenyl‐1H‐pyrazoles 13a‐d . The structures of all new synthesized compounds were established by NMR experiments such as ¹H, and ¹³C, as well as 2D COSY and IR spectroscopic data, and elemental analyses. All the compounds were evaluated for their antimicrobial activities (agar diffusion method) against eight bacteria and two yeasts.     

Difunctionalized {closo‐1‐CB11} Clusters: 1‐ and 2‐Amino‐12‐ethynylcarba‐closo‐dodecaborates

Carba‐closo‐dodecaborate anions with two functional groups have been synthesized via a simple two‐step procedure starting from monoamino‐functionalized {closo‐1‐CB₁₁} clusters. Iodination at the antipodal boron atom provided access to [1‐H₂N‐12‐I‐closo‐1‐CB₁₁H₁₀]^? ( 1 a ) and [2‐H₂N‐12‐I‐closo‐1‐CB₁₁H₁₀]^? ( 2 a ), which have been transformed into the anions [1‐H₂N‐12‐RC?C‐closo‐1‐CB₁₁H₁₀]^? (R=H ( 1 b ), Ph ( 1 c ), Et₃Si ( 1 d )) and [2‐H₂N‐12‐RC?C‐closo‐1‐CB₁₁H₁₀]^? (R=H ( 2 b ), Ph ( 2 c ), Et₃Si ( 2 d )) by microwave‐assisted Kumada‐type cross‐coupling reactions. The syntheses of the inner salts 1‐Me₃N‐12‐RC?C‐closo‐1‐CB₁₁H₁₀ (R=H ( 1 e ), Et₃Si ( 1 f )) and 2‐Me₃N‐12‐RC?C‐closo‐1‐CB₁₁H₁₀ (R=H ( 2 e ), Et₃Si ( 2 f )) are the first examples for a further derivatization of the new anions. All {closo‐1‐CB₁₁} clusters have been characterized by multinuclear NMR and vibrational spectroscopy as well as by mass spectrometry. The crystal structures of Cs 1 a , [Et₄N] 2 a , K 1 b , [Et₄N] 1 c , [Et₄N] 2 c , 1 e , and [Et₄N][1‐H₂N‐2‐F‐12‐I‐closo‐1‐CB₁₁H₉]?0.5 H₂O ([Et₄N ]4 a ?0.5 H₂O) have been determined. Experimental spectroscopic data and especially spectroscopic data and bond properties derived from DFT calculations provide some information on the importance of inductive and resonance‐type effects for the transfer of electronic effects through the {closo‐1‐CB₁₁} cage.     

Synthesis of Novel 1,2,4‐oxadiazoline Derivatives Containing Quinoline Moiety by 1,3‐Dipolar Cycloaddition

A series of novel 1,2,4‐oxadiazoline derivatives containing 2‐(1,2,4‐triazol‐1‐yl)quinoline were synthesized by the reaction of imines with benzohydroximinoyl chlorides in the presence of Et₃N via 1,3‐diplolar cycloaddition reaction. The structures of the target compounds were confirmed by IR, ¹H NMR, MS, elemental, and X‐ray crystallographic analysis.     

One‐Pot Syntheses of 2‐(2‐Sulfanyl‐4H‐3,1‐benzothiazin‐4‐yl)acetic Acid Derivatives via Reactions of 3‐(2‐Isothiocyanatophenyl)prop‐2‐enoic Acid Derivatives with Thiols or Sodium Sulfide

Two efficient methods for the preparation of 2‐(2‐sulfanyl‐4H‐3,1‐benzothiazin‐4‐yl)acetic acid derivatives 3 under mild conditions have been developed. The first method is based on the reaction of 3‐(2‐isothiocyanatophenyl)prop‐2‐enoates 1a – 1c with thiols in the presence of Et₃N in THF at room temperature, leading to the corresponding dithiocarbamate intermediates 2 , which underwent spontaneous cyclization at the same temperature by an attack of the S‐atom at the prop‐2‐enoyl moiety in a 1,4‐addition manner (Michael addition) to give 2‐(2‐sulfanyl‐4H‐3,1‐benzothiazin‐4‐yl)acetates in one pot. The second method involves treatment of 3‐(2‐isothiocyanatophenyl)prop‐2‐enoic acid derivatives 1b – 1d with Na₂S leading to the formation of 2‐(2‐sodiosulfanyl‐4H‐3,1‐benzothiazin‐4‐yl)acetic acid intermediates 5 by a similar addition/cyclization sequence, which are then allowed to react with alkyl or aryl halides to afford derivatives 3 . 2‐(2‐Thioxo‐4H‐3,1‐benzothiazin‐4‐yl)acetic acid derivatives 6 can be obtained by omitting the addition of halides.     

Stereoselective Synthesis of [5‐[4,4,4,4′,4′,4′‐Hexafluoro‐N‐(2‐hydroxyethoxy)‐D‐valine]]‐ and [5‐[4,4,4,4′,4′,4′‐Hexafluoro‐N‐(2‐hydroxyethoxy)‐L‐valine]cyclosporin A

Addition of various amines to the 3,3‐bis(trifluoromethyl)acrylamides 10a and 10b gave the tripeptides 11a – 11f , mostly as mixtures of epimers (Scheme 3). The crystalline tripeptide 11f ₂ was found to be the N‐terminal (2‐hydroxyethoxy)‐substituted (R,S,S)‐ester HOCH₂CH₂O‐D ‐Val(F₆)‐MeLeu‐Ala‐O^tBu by X‐ray crystallography. The C‐terminal‐protected tripeptide 11f ₂ was condensed with the N‐terminus octapeptide 2b to the depsipeptide 12a which was thermally rearranged to the undecapeptide 13a (Scheme 4). The condensation of the epimeric tripeptide 11f ₁ with the octapeptide 2b gave the undecapeptide 13b directly. The undecapeptides 13a and 13b were fully deprotected and cyclized to the [5‐[4,4,4,4′,4′,4′‐hexafluoro‐N‐(2‐hydroxyethoxy)‐D ‐valine]]‐ and [5‐[4,4,4,4′,4′,4′‐hexafluoro‐N‐(2‐hydroxyethoxy)‐L ‐valine]]cyclosporins 14a and 14b , respectively (Scheme 5). Rate differences observed for the thermal rearrangements of 12a to 13a and of 12b to 13b are discussed.     

An Efficient Synthesis of Optically Active trans‐(3R,4R)‐3‐Acetoxy‐4‐aryl‐1‐(chrysen‐6‐yl)azetidin‐2‐ones Using (+)‐Car‐3‐ene as a Chiral Auxiliary

An efficient enantioselective synthesis of 3‐acetoxy trans‐β‐lactams 7a and 7b via [2+2] cycloaddition reactions of imines 4a and 4b , derived from a polycyclic aromatic amine and bicyclic chiral acid obtained from (+)‐car‐3‐ene, is described. The cycloaddition was found to be highly enantioselective, producing only trans‐(3R,4R)‐N‐azetidin‐2‐one in very good yields. This is the first report of the synthesis of enantiomerically pure trans‐β‐lactams 7a and 7b with a polycyclic aromatic substituent at N(1) of the azetidin ring.     

Kristallstrukturen und spektroskopische Eigenschaften von 2λ3‐Phospha‐1, 3‐dionaten und 1, 3‐Dionaten des Calciums ‐ ein Vergleich am Beispiel der 1, 3‐Diphenyl‐ und 1, 3‐Di(tert‐butyl)‐Derivate

Crystal Structures and Spectroscopic Properties of 2λ³‐Phospha‐1, 3‐dionates and 1, 3‐Dionates of Calcium ‐ Comparative Studies on the 1, 3‐Diphenyl and 1, 3‐Di(tert‐butyl) Derivatives A hydrogen‐metal exchange between dibenzoylphosphane and calcium carbide in tetrahydrofuran (THF) followed by addition of the ligand 1, 3, 5‐trimethyl‐1, 3, 5‐triazinane (TMTA) furnishes the binuclear complex bis[(tmta‐N, N′, N″)calcium bis(dibenzoylphosphanide)] ( 1a ) co‐crystallizing with benzene. Similarly, reaction of bis(2, 2‐dimethylpropionyl)phosphane with bis(thf‐O)calcium bis[bis(trimethylsilyl)amide] in 1, 2‐dimethoxyethane (DME) gives bis(dme‐O, O′)calcium bis[bis(2, 2‐dimethylpropionyl)phosphanide] ( 1b ) in high yield. The carbon analogues 1, 3‐diphenylpropane‐1, 3‐dione (dibenzoylmethane) or 2, 2, 6, 6‐tetramethylheptane‐3, 5‐dione (dipivaloylmethane) and bis(thf‐O)calcium bis[tris(trimethylsilylmethyl)zincate] in DME afford bis(dme‐O, O′)calcium bis(dibenzoylmethanide) ( 2a ) and the binuclear complex (μ‐dme‐O, O′)bis[(dme‐O, O′)calcium bis(dipivaloylmethanide)] ( 2b ), respectively. Dialkylzinc formed during the metalation reaction shows no reactivity towards the 1, 3‐dionates 2a and 2b . Finally, from the reaction of the unsymmetrically substituted ligand 2‐(methoxycarbonyl)cyclopentanone and bis(thf‐O)calcium bis[bis(trimethylsilyl)amide] in toluene, the trinuclear complex 3 is obtained, co‐crystallizing with THF. The β‐ketoester anion bridges solely via the cyclopentanone unit.     

Synthesis and Reactivity of 2‐(6,7‐Diethoxy‐3,4‐dihydroisoquinolin‐ 1‐yl)acetonitrile towards Hydrazonoyl Halides

The synthesis of 2‐(6,7‐diethoxy‐3,4‐dihydroisoquinolin‐1‐yl)acetonitrile ( 1 ) has been performed by ring closure of the corresponding amide according to the Bischler‐Napieralski method (Scheme 1). Based on spectroscopic data, the tautomeric 2‐(tetrahydroisoquinolin‐1‐ylidene)acetonitrile is the actual compound. The reactions of 1 with α‐oxohydrazonoyl halides 4 in the presence of Et₃N led to 2‐(aryldiazenyl)pyrrolo[2,1‐a]isoquinoline derivatives 8 (Scheme 2), whereas with C‐(ethoxycarbonyl)hydrazonoyl chlorides 14 , 2‐(arylhydrazono)pyrrolo[2,1‐a]isoquinoline‐1‐carbonitriles 16 were formed (Scheme 4). The structures of the products were established from their analytical and spectroscopic data and, in the case of 8b , by X‐ray crystallography.     

SN1‐SN2 and SN2‐SN3 mechanistic changes revealed by transition states of the hydrolyses of benzyl chlorides and benzenesulfonyl chlorides

Hydrolysis reactions of benzyl chlorides and benzenesulfonyl chlorides were theoretically investigated with the density functional theory method, where the water molecules are explicitly considered. For the hydrolysis of benzyl chlorides (para‐Z? C₆H₄? CH₂? Cl), the number of water molecules (n) slightly influences the transition‐state (TS) structure. However, the para‐substituent (Z) of the phenyl group significantly changes the reaction process from the stepwise (S_N1) to the concerted (S_N2) pathway when it changes from the typical electron‐donating group (EDG) to the typical electron‐withdrawing one (EWG). The EDG stabilizes the carbocation (MeO? C₆H₄? CH₂⁺), which in turn makes the S_N1 mechanism more favorable and vice versa. For the hydrolysis of benzenesulfonyl chlorides (para‐Z? C₆H₄? SO₂? Cl), both the Z group and n influence the TS structure. For the combination of the large n value (n > 9) and EDG, the S_N2 mechanism was preferred. Conversely, for the combination of the small n value and EWG, the S_N3 one was more favorable. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

N,O‐chelate aluminum and zinc complexes: synthesis and catalysis in the ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone

Reaction between 2‐(1H‐pyrrol‐1‐yl)benzenamine and 2‐hydroxybenzaldehyde or 3,5‐di‐tert‐butyl‐2‐hydroxybenzaldehyde afforded 2‐(4,5‐dihydropyrrolo[1,2‐a]quinoxalin‐4‐yl)phenol (HOL¹NH, 1a) or 2,4‐di‐tert‐butyl‐6‐(4,5‐dihydropyrrolo[1,2‐a]quinoxalin‐4‐yl)phenol (HOL²NH, 1b). Both 1a and 1b can be converted to 2‐(H‐pyrrolo[1,2‐a]quinoxalin‐4‐yl)phenol (HOL³N, 2a) and 2,4‐di‐tert‐butyl‐6‐(H‐pyrrolo[1,2‐a]quinoxalin‐4‐yl)phenol (HOL⁴N, 2b), respectively, by heating 1a and 1b in toluene. Treatment of 1b with an equivalent of AlEt₃ afforded [Al(Et₂)(OL²NH)] (3). Reaction of 1b with two equivalents of AlR₃ (R = Me, Et) gave dinuclear aluminum complexes [(AlR₂)₂(OL²N)] (R = Me, 4a; R = Et, 4b). Refluxing the toluene solution of 4a and 4b, respectively, generated [Al(R₂)(OL⁴N)] (R = Me, 5a; R = Et, 5b). Complexes 5a and 5b were also obtained either by refluxing a mixture of 1b and two equivalents of AlR₃ (R = Me, Et) in toluene or by treatment of 2b with an equivalent of AlR₃ (R = Me, Et). Reaction of 2a with an equivalent of AlMe₃ afforded [Al(Me₂)(OL³N)] (5c). Treatment of 1b with an equivalent of ZnEt₂ at room temperature gave [Zn(Et)(OL²NH)] (6), while reaction of 1b with 0.5 equivalent of ZnEt₂ at 40 °C afforded [Zn(OL²NH)₂] (7). Reaction of 1b with two equivalents of ZnEt₂ from room temperature to 60 °C yielded [Zn(Et)(OL⁴N)] (8). Compound 8 was also obtained either by reaction between 6 and an equivalent of ZnEt₂ from room temperature to 60 °C or by treatment of 2b with an equivalent of ZnEt₂ at room temperature. Reaction of 2b with 0.5 equivalent of ZnEt₂ at room temperature gave [Zn(OL⁴N)₂] (9), which was also formed by heating the toluene solution of 6. All novel compounds were characterized by NMR spectroscopy and elemental analyses. The structures of complexes 3, 5c and 6 were additionally characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction techniques. The catalysis of complexes 3, 4a, 5a–c, 6 and 8 toward the ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone was evaluated. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.