A highly pyramidalized cage alkene formed via the double Diels-Alder cycloaddition of syn-4,5,13,14-bis(dehydro)octafluoroparacyclophane to anthracene

[reaction: see text] A double Diels-Alder reaction of the formal syn-bis(dehydro)octafluoroparacyclophane with anthracene leads to formation of a novel cage compound that contains a highly pyramidal double bond. The measures of pyramidality of this double bond constitute what appear to be the highest combined values of psi and phi (34.3 degrees and 33.5 degrees, respectively) yet reported to have been determined by X-ray crystallography. This cage compound, although stable indefinitely as a crystalline compound in air, exhibits the high reactivity with both triplet and singlet O2 in solution that is characteristic of such highly pyramidal pi systems.     

Orthogonene redux: a nearly orthogonal alkene predicted to exhibit considerable stability. A computational study

A strongly twisted, as yet unknown, alkene, orthogonene (tetracyclo[8,2,2,0(2,7),0(3,10)]tetradecene-2(3)), was computationally reinvestigated: earlier work had indicated that the stereoisomer with the pair of bridgehead hydrogens on the methine group at one end of the double bond syn to the pair at the other end (C-H/C-H "up-up/up-up", C(2) symmetry, B3LYP/6-31G double bond angle 83 degrees) is at best of low stability, rearranging with a very small barrier to a carbene or possibly a cyclopropane. Here it is shown that the anti ("up-up/down-down") stereoisomer (ideally D(2) symmetry, CASSCF(4,4)/6-31G* double bond torsional dihedral angle 88 degrees) is much more stable: the barrier to rearrangement to a carbene is calculated to be ca. 200 kJ mol(-1) (CASSCF(4,4)/6-31G*), indicating this compound to be a realistic synthetic objective. The vertical ionization energy of this molecule is predicted to be ca. 5.3 eV, comparable to that of the alkali metals and similar to that predicted by others for a hypothetical planar tetracoordinate carbon molecule.     

A detailed experimental and computational study of monocarbohydrazones

The substituent and solvent effect on intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) of twelve monocarbohydrazones (mCHs) were studied using experimental and theoretical methodology. The effects of specific and non-specific solvent–solute interactions on the UV–Vis absorption maxima shifts were evaluated using linear free energy relationships (LFERs) principles, i.e. using the Kamlet-Taft and Catalán models. Linear free energy relationships in the form of single substituent parameter equation (SSP) was used to analyze substituent effect on UV–Vis, NMR and pK_a change. According to crystallographic data and quantum chemical calculations, the trans (E) form was found to be more stable. A photochromism of compounds with 2-hydroxyphenyl and 2-pyridylimino groups substituted at imine carbon atom results in E/Z isomerization due to creation of intermolecular hydrogen bond in E and Z form, respectively. Multiple stage mass spectrometry (MS-MSⁿ) analysis was applied to define main fragmentation pathways. Furthermore, the experimental findings were interpreted with the aid of ab initio MP2/6–311 G(d,p) and time-dependent density functional (TD-DFT) methods. TD-DFT calculations were performed to quantify the efficiency of intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) with the aid of the charge-transfer distance (D_CT) and the amount of transferred charge (Q_CT) calculation. It was found that both substituents and solvents influence electron density shift i.e. extent of conjugation, and affect ICT character in the course of excitation.     

Cross-coupling of highly pyramidalized alkenes: A straightforward access to functionalized tetrasecododecahedradienes

The synthesis and chemical trapping of a highly pyramidalized pentacyclo[6.4.0.0(2,10).0(3,7).0(4,9)]dodec-8-ene containing ketal functions is reported. Its cross-coupling reaction with 3, 7-dimethyltricyclo[3.3.0.0(3,7)]oct-1(5)-ene followed by a [2 + 2] retrocycloaddition reaction gives a straightforward access to functionalized tetrasecododecahedradienes.     

Well-dispersed catalysts of supported chromium,molybdenum and tungsten carbonyls which are highly active for alkene hydrogenation

Traditional catalysts (prepared by the reduction of a salt) of supported Cr, Mo, and W compounds have low activities for the hydrogenation of alkenes. This low activity is partly due to the difficulty in fully reducing these catalysts. The use of the zero-valent complexes Cr(CO)₆, Mo(CO)₆, and W(CO)₆ for catalyst synthesis is described. Proper activation can yield well-dispersed and low-valent catalysts primarily containing subcarbonyl complexes which are far more active than traditional catalysts of these elements for the hydrogenation of alkenes.     

Pyranoside phosphite-oxazoline ligands for the highly versatile and enantioselective ir-catalyzed hydrogenation of minimally functionalized olefins. A combined theoretical and experimental study

A modular set of phosphite-oxazoline (P,N) ligands has been applied to the title reaction. Excellent ligands have been identified for a range of substrates, including previously challenging terminally disubstituted olefins, where we now have reached enantioselectivities of 99% for a range of substrates. The selectivity is best for minimally functionalized substrates with at least a moderate size difference between geminal groups. A DFT study has allowed identification of the preferred pathway. Computational prediction of enantioselectivities gave very good accuracy.     

Sulfoxide-induced stereoselection in [1,5]-sigmatropic hydrogen shifts of vinylallenes. A computational study

The sulfoxide-induced preference for a migrating trajectory in the vinylallene [1,5]-H sigmatropic shift (resulting in stereodefined trienes in the conceptual equivalent of torquoselectivity in electrocyclizations), originally reported by Okamura, has been computationally studied at the B3LYP/6-311++G(3df,2p)//B3LYP/6-31++G(d,p) level. The face selectivity this group induces in the [1,5]-H shift is enhanced by bulky geminal substituents and is not reproduced by any of the other (more than 20) substituents tested. Analysis of transition-state geometries or charges and evaluation of steric effects did not show any correlation with the preferences. The origin of this selectivity is thought to lie in a secondary orbital interaction (SOI) involving the termini of the pericyclic array and the sulfinyl group which is only observed for this substituent. This secondary orbital interaction, arising from the favorable energies of the orbitals involved, is enhanced in the transition structure due to a better orbital overlap (piC2-C3-->sigma*C1-S), which correlates with a piC2-C3-->sigma*C6-H SOI, which is more important in the transition structure, that weakens the C-H bond, thus lowering the energy of the corresponding transition structure.     

Structures and energies of 10-azatriquinacene and its hydrogenation products: a computational study

Enthalpies of formation and hydrogenation, vertical ionization potentials, and proton affinities of 10-azatriquinacene and its hydrogenation products have been computed at the B3LYP/6-311+G level of density functional theory. Like the parent triquinacene, 10-azatriquinacene is not homoaromatic on the basis of the energetic, geometric, and magnetic criteria. The hyperfine coupling constants of the nitrogen-centered cation radicals are also calculated.     

The aromaticity of pyracylene: an experimental and computational study of the energetics of the hydrogenation of acenaphthylene and pyracylene

In this work, the aromaticity of pyracylene (2) was investigated from an energetic point of view. The standard enthalpy of hydrogenation of acenaphthylene (1) to acenaphthene (3) at 298.15 K was determined to be minus sign(114.5 +/- 4.2) kJ x mol(-1) in toluene solution and minus sign(107.9 +/- 4.2) kJ x mol(-1) in the gas phase, by combining results of combustion and reaction-solution calorimetry. A direct calorimetric measurement of the standard enthalpy of hydrogenation of pyracylene (2) to pyracene (4) in toluene at 298.15 K gave -(249.9 plus minus 4.6) kJ x mol(-1). The corresponding enthalpy of hydrogenation in the gas phase, computed from the Delta(f)H(o)m(cr) and DeltaH(o)m(sub) values obtained in this work for 2 and 4, was -(236.0 +/- 7.0) kJ x mol(-1). Molecular mechanics calculations (MM3) led to Delta(hyd)H(o)m(1,g) = -110.9 kJ x mol(-1) and Delta(hyd)H(o)m(2,g) = -249.3 kJ x mol(-1) at 298.15 K. Density functional theory calculations [B3LYP/6-311+G(3d,2p)//B3LYP/6-31G(d)] provided Delta(hyd)H(o)m(2,g) = -(244.6 +/- 8.9) kJ x mol(-1) at 298.15 K. The results are put in perspective with discussions concerning the "aromaticity" of pyracylene. It is concluded that, on energetic grounds, pyracylene is a borderline case in terms of aromaticity/antiaromaticity character.     

2-Pyridinethiol/2-pyridinethione tautomeric equilibrium. A comparative experimental and computational study

The gas phase and solvent dependent preference of the tautomerization between 2-pyridinethiol (2SH) and 2-pyridinethione (2S) has been assessed using variable temperature Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) experiments, as well as ab initio and density functional theory computations. No spectroscopic evidence (nu(S)(-)(H) stretch) for 2SH was observed in toluene, C(6)D(6), heptane, or methylene chloride solutions. Although, C(s)() 2SH is 2.61 kcal/mol more stable than C(s)() 2S (CCSD(T)/cc-pVTZ//B3LYP/6-311+G(3df,2p)+ZPE), cyclohexane solvent-field relative energies (IPCM-MP2/6-311+G(3df,2p)) favor 2S by 1.96 kcal/mol. This is in accord with the FTIR observations and in quantitative agreement with the -2.6 kcal/mol solution (toluene or C(6)D(6)) calorimetric enthalpy for the 2S/2SH tautomerization favoring the thione. As the intramolecular transition state for the 2S, 2SH tautomerization (2TS) lies 25 (CBS-Q) to 30 kcal/mol (CCSD/cc-pVTZ) higher in energy than either tautomer, tautomerization probably occurs in the hydrogen bonded dimer. The B3LYP/6-311+G(3df,2p) optimized C(2) 2SH dimer is 10.23 kcal/mol + ZPE higher in energy than the C(2)(h)() 2S dimer and is only 2.95 kcal/mol + ZPE lower in energy than the C(2) 2TS dimer transition state. Dimerization equilibrium measurements (FTIR, C(6)D(6)) over the temperature range 22-63 degrees C agree: K(eq)(298) = 165 +/- 40 M(-)(1), DeltaH = -7.0 +/- 0.7 kcal/mol, and DeltaS = -13.4 +/- 3.0 cal/(mol deg). The difference between experimental and B3LYP/6-311+G(3df,2p) [-34.62 cal/(mol deg)] entropy changes is due to solvent effects. The B3LYP/6-311+G(3df,2p) nucleus independent chemical shifts (NICS) are -8.8 and -3.5 ppm 1 A above the 2SH and 2S ring centers, respectively, and the thiol is aromatic. Although the thione is not aromatic, it is stabilized by the thioamide resonance. In solvent, the large 2S dipole, 2-3 times greater than 2SH, favors the thione tautomer and, in conclusion, 2S is thermodynamically more stable than 2SH in solution.     

Azo-hydrazo conversion via [1,5]-hydrogen shifts. A combined experimental and theoretical study

Azoalkenes 6e, 6g, 6h, and 8c underwent an easy azo-hydrazo conversion via a [1,5]-hydrogen shift yielding α,β-unsaturated hydrazones. The isomerization products were characterized through spectroscopic and spectrometric techniques. In order to understand the nature of the mechanism of these [1,5]-hydrogen shifts, the transition state structures of the reactions were theoretically studied at the B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level. Substitution effects in the propenylazo system on the kinetic and thermodynamic parameters were analyzed. An electron localization function (ELF) analysis of the electronic structure of the transition state structure associated with the azo-hydrazo conversion of the simplest 1-azopropene 6a indicates that these [1,5]-hydrogen shifts have a two-stage one-step mechanism via pseudodiradical transition states, in which a formal hydrogen atom is transferred. This finding allows us to reject the pericyclic reaction model for these [1,5]-hydrogen shift reactions.     

Conformational analysis of 2-substituted cyclobutane-alpha-amino acid derivatives. A synergistic experimental and computational study

An extensive conformational study of different 2-substituted cyclobutane-alpha-amino acid derivatives in the solid state, in the gas phase, and in solution has been carried out. The study combines experimental techniques, such as X-ray diffraction and NMR spectroscopy, and computational methods, such as DFT calculations and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, in a set solvent. The study reveals that the substituent at C2 in the cyclobutane ring, when fixed in an equatorial position, modulates the conformational preference of the ring-puckering.     

Catalytic asymmetric synthesis of a tertiary benzylic carbon center via phenol-directed alkene hydrogenation

An expeditious synthetic approach to chiral phenol 1, a key building block in the preparation of a series of drug candidates, is reported. The strategy includes a cost-effective and readily scalable route to cyclopentanone 3 from isobutyronitrile (10). The sterically hindered and enolizable ketone 3 was subsequently employed in a challenging Grignard addition mediated by LaCl(3)·2LiCl. A novel preparation of the lanthanide reagent required for this transformation is described. To complete the process, a highly enantioselective hydrogenation step afforded the target (1). The importance of the phenol group to the success of this asymmetric transformation is discussed.     

Acidity of adenine and adenine derivatives and biological implications. A computational and experimental gas-phase study

The gas-phase acidities of adenine, 9-ethyladenine, and 3-methyladenine have been investigated for the first time, using computational and experimental methods to provide an understanding of the intrinsic reactivity of adenine. Adenine is found to have two acidic sites, with the N9 site being 19 kcal mol(-1) more acidic than the N10 site; the bracketed acidities are 333 +/- 2 and 352 +/- 4 kcal mol(-1), respectively. Because measurement of the less acidic site can be problematic, we benchmarked the adenine N10 measurement by bracketing the acidity of 9-ethyladenine, which has the N9 site blocked and allows for exclusive measurement of the N10 site. The acidity of 9-ethyladenine brackets to 352 +/- 4 kcal mol(-1), comparable to that of the N10 site of the parent adenine. Calculations and experiments with 3-methyladenine, a harmful mutagenic nucleobase, uncovered the surprising result that the most commonly written tautomer of 3-methyladenine is not the most stable in the gas phase. We have found that the most stable tautomer is the "N10 tautomer" 10, as opposed to the imine tautomer 3. The bracketed acidity of 10 is 347 +/- 4 kcal mol(-1). Since 10 is not a viable species in DNA, 3 is a likely tautomer; calculations indicate that this form has an extremely high acidity (320-323 kcal mol(-1)). The biological implications of these results, particularly with respect to enzymes that cleave alkylated bases from DNA, are discussed.     

Leishmanicidal activity of withajardins and acnistins. An experimental and computational study

Several acnistins and withajardins were studied in their action against Leishmania (V) panamensis amastigotes; leishmanicidal activity and high toxicity were found. The 3D-QSAR analysis reveals certain correlation between bioactivity and some steric and electrostatic characteristics around the A and B rings of the steroidal skeleton; however, the models predict the same effects for both leishmanicidal and toxicity activities.     

An efficient and highly stereoselective synthesis of new P-chiral 1,5-diphosphanylferrocene ligands and their use in enantioselective hydrogenation

An efficient and highly stereoselective synthesis of P-chiral 1,5-diphosphanylferrocene ligands has been developed, and the introduction of P-chirality in ferrocene-based phosphine ligands enhances the enantioselective discrimination produced by the corresponding catalyst when matching of the planar chirality, the chirality at carbon and the chirality at phosphorus occurs.     

A highly stereoselective route to substituted bis-tetrahydrofurans from 1,5-dienes.

Bis-tetrahydrofurans $\text{1a}$ and $\text{1b}$, containing four chiral centers, are obtained with a 90 % isomeric purity from geranyl and neryl chlorides in four steps including two stereoselective cyclizations.     

Copper-catalysed photoinduced decarboxylative alkynylation: a combined experimental and computational study

Redox-active esters (RAEs) as alkyl radical precursors have demonstrated great advantages for C–C bond formation. A decarboxylative cross-coupling method is described to afford substituted alkynes from various carboxylic acids using copper catalysts CuCl and Cu(acac)₂. The photoexcitation of copper acetylides with electron-rich NEt₃ as a ligand provides a general strategy to generate a range of alkyl radicals from RAEs of carboxylic acids, which can be readily coupled with a variety of aromatic alkynes. The scope of this cross-coupling reaction can be further expanded to aliphatic alkynes and alkynyl silanes using a catalytic amount of preformed copper-phenylacetylide. In addition, DFT calculations revealed the favorable reaction pathway and that the bidentate acetylacetonate ligand of the copper intermediate plays an important role in inhibiting the homo-coupling of the alkyne.

Redox-active esters (RAEs) as alkyl radical precursors have demonstrated great advantages for Cu-catalysed C–C bond formation.     

Stereoselective synthesis of the obscure mealybug pheromone by hydrogenation of a tetrasubstituted alkene precursor

An improved diastereoselective synthesis of (1R^∗,2R^∗,3S^∗)-1-acetoxymethyl-2,3,4,4-tetramethylcyclopentane 1, the sex pheromone of the obscure mealybug, Pseudococcus viburni, is described. The key step was diastereoselective catalytic hydrogenation of the tetrasubstituted double bond in 2,3,4,4-tetramethyl-cyclopent-2-enone 4 to give the thermodynamically less favored cis-2,3,4,4-tetramethyl-cyclopentanone 3a.     

Elucidating the intermolecular interactions within a desolvated protein-ligand complex. An experimental and computational study

The first detailed study of the intermolecular hydrogens bonds (H-bonds) within a desolvated, noncovalent protein-ligand complex is reported. Using both experimental and computational methods, the intermolecular H-bonds stabilizing protonated and deprotonated ions of a complex composed of a single chain fragment (scFv) of a monoclonal antibody and its native trisaccharide ligand, alphaGal[alphaAbe] alphaMan (1), are characterized. Using the blackbody infrared radiative dissociation-functional group replacement (BIRD/FGR) technique, three H-bond donor-acceptor pairs within the gaseous (scFv + 1)n+ ions are identified and quantified. Additional sites of interaction on the protein and ligand, for which the binding partner could not be elucidated, are also identified. Comparison of the gas-phase interaction maps with the crystal structure suggests that at least two of the specific H-bonds are conserved upon transfer of the complex from solution to the gas phase by electrospray ionization. However, new (nonspecific) interactions can also form in the gas phase. Notably, the nature and strength of the intermolecular interactions can vary significantly with charge state, and striking differences in the structures of the (scFv + 1)n+ and (scFv + 1)n- ions are evident. Intermolecular H-bonds are also identified from molecular dynamics (MD) simulations performed at the +8 and -8 charge states. Agreement is found for a majority of intermolecular interactions predicted for the (scFv + 1)8+ ion by the MD simulation and BIRD/FGR method; the agreement is less favorable in the case of the (scFv + 1)8- ion. However, both the computational and experimental results point to structural differences between the +8 and -8 ions. The computational results also provide insights into the structural changes that accompany the loss of interfacial waters from the complex.