Synthesis, optical, electrochemical, and thermal properties of α,α′-bis(9,9-bis-n-hexylfluorenyl)-substituted oligothiophenes

A series of new α,α′-bis(9,9-bis-n-hexylfluorenyl)-substituted oligothiophenes with 2-, 4-, and 6-thiophene rings have been synthesized via a nickel-catalyzed reductive dimerization and their optical, electrochemical, and thermal properties investigated. The fluorene substituents have shown electronic interactions with the oligothiophene chains, enhanced the solubility of these materials and stabilized the radical cation and dication by blocking the reactive α-positions of the thiophene moieties. The absorption, fluorescence, electrochemical, and thermal properties of these materials can be tuned by varying the conjugation length of the oligothiophene segment.     

α‐Oligofurans: A Computational Study

Recently, α‐oligofurans have emerged as interesting and promising organic electronic materials that have certain advantages over α‐oligothiophenes. In this work, α‐oligofurans were studied computationally, and their properties were compared systematically with those of the corresponding oligothiophenes. Although the two materials share similar electronic structures, overall, this study revealed important differences between α‐oligofurans and α‐oligothiophenes. Twisting studies on oligofurans revealed them to be significantly more rigid than oligothiophenes in the ground state and first excited state. Neutral α‐oligofurans have more quinoid character, higher frontier orbital energies, and higher HOMO–LUMO gaps than their α‐oligothiophene counterparts. The theoretical results suggest that oligofurans (and subsequently polyfuran) have lower ionization potentials than the corresponding oligothiophenes (and polythiophene), which in turn predicts that oligofurans can be lightly doped more easily than oligothiophenes. Oligofuran dications (8 F²⁺–14 F²⁺) of medium‐sized and longer chain lengths show a polaron‐pair character, and the polycations of α‐oligofurans cannot accommodate high positive charges as easily as their thiophene analogues.     

Synthesis and langmuir‐blodgett (LB) film properties of functional α,ω‐diamine amphiphilic materials

We have investigated the synthesis and ultrathin film forming properties of α,ω‐diamine derivatives. The amphiphiles were synthesized as precursors to the formation of ionene polymers. Two materials were investigated: oligothiophene and azobenzene functional groups. These type of materials are of great interest for the preparation of ultrathin film layers with applications for photochemical regulation of liquid crystal (LC) orientation, optical storage media, and electroluminescent displays. Azobenzene and its derivatives are well known photochemical systems exhibiting the reversible cis‐trans photoisomerization. Conjugated oligothiophene derivatives, exhibit interesting optical and electronic properties for applications such as light emitting diodes (LED)s, Schottky diodes, and thin film field‐effect transistors (TFT). The two amphiphiles behaved very differently as Langmuir monolayers and LB films. Dye aggregation was observed with the azobenzene derivatives compared with the oligothiophenes.     

Polyenaminoesters from α,α′-bis(carbomethoxy)diacetylbenzenes and phenylene diamines

Polyenaminoesters are prepared by condensation of α,α′-bis(carbomethoxy)diacetylbenzenes with phenylene diamines in the presence of N,N-dimethylaniline hydrochloride. Thermogravimetric analysis allowed the determination of the optimum temperature at which to conduct cyclization of the polymers to form thermally stable polypyridoquinolones. The structures of the polymers were assigned by spectroscopic comparisons with appropriate model compounds.     

Palladium(0)catalyzed reactions of propargylic carbonates and dialkyl cycloalkanone-α,α-dicarboxylates

Propargylic carbonates reacted with dialkyl cycloalkanone-α,α′-dicarboxylates under thecatalysis of Pd(0)complex to give bicyclic compounds in high yields.The two electron-withdrawinggroups at α and α′positions of cycloalkanone rings are essential for the annulation reaction.     

Synthesis and photophysical properties of α,ω-bis(terpyridine)oligothiophenes

Four novel fully π-conjugated α,ω-bis(terpyridine)oligothiophenes characterized by NMR, IR, and HR-mass spectroscopy are presented and their electronic absorption/emission and redox properties are described based on both experiments and theoretical calculations. These compounds can be potentially utilized as building blocks for preparation of conjugated metallo-supramolecular polymers or dynamers and related functional materials.     

Interplay of α,α‐ versus α,β‐Conjugation in the Excited States and Charged Defects of Branched Oligothiophenes as Models for Dendrimeric Materials

This article investigates the excited and charged states of three branched oligothiophenes with methyl–thienyl side groups as models to promote 3D arrangements. A comparison with the properties of the parent systems, linear all‐α,α‐oligothiophenes, is proposed. A wide variety of spectroscopic methods (i.e., absorption, emission, triplet–triplet transient absorption, and spectroelectrochemistry) in combination with DFT calculations have been used for this purpose. Whereas the absorption spectra are slightly blueshifted upon branching, both the emission spectra and triplet–triplet absorption spectra are moderately redshifted; this indicates a larger contribution of the β‐linked thienyl groups in the delocalization of the S₁ and T₁ states rather than into the S₀ state. The delocalization through the α,β‐conjugated path was found to be crucial for the stabilization of the trication species in the larger branched systems, whereas the linear sexithiophene homologue can only be stabilized up to the dication species.     

Über einen neuartigen synthetischen Zugang zu β,γ-ungesättigten α-Aminocarbonsäuren

A New Synthetic Route to β,α-Unsaturated α-Amino Acids A versatile new synthetic pathway for the preparation of βγ-unsaturated α-amino acids ( 1 ) is presented. Cu(I)-catalyzed addition of ethyl isocyanoacetate ( 2 ) to α-chloro carbonyl compounds ( 3 ) gives 5-chloroalkyl-2-oxazolin-4-carboxylates ( 4 ) in high yields. A reductive elimination on 4 by means of zinc yields the N-formyl derivatives of βγ-unsaturated α-amino carboxylates ( 5 ), which on acid hydrolysis lead to the free amino acids 1 . The five different βγ-dehydro-α-amono acids 1b-1f have been prepared by this method.     

Studies on furan derivatives IV. A simple preparation of α-substituted β-(5-nitro-2-furyl)ethynyls from α-substituted β-(5-nitro-2-furyl)vinylamines

α-Substituted β-(5-nitro-2-furyl)ethynyls were conveniently prepared by the deamination of α-substituted β-(5-nitro-2-furyl)vinylamines. Also the application of this reaction toward α,β-bis(p-nitrophenyl)vinylamine was examined and afforded α,β-bis(p-nitrophenyl)ethynyl as the main product.     

Synthesis of Aryl α,α-Difluoroalkyl Ketones as Potent Inhibitors of Cholesterol Esterase

Aryl α,α-difluoroalkyl ketones were synthesized from the reaction of ethyl α,α-difluoroacylate with aryl lithium at ?78°C or from the coupling of aryl iododifluoromethyl ketone with 1-alkene in the presence of tetcrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(0). These compounds were potent inhibitors of pancreatic cholesterol esterase with K_i values in the range 15 μM-20 nM.     

Reaction of 1-Methylindole with Dimethyl-Acetylenedicarboxylate an 2:1 Adduct-Dimethyl α, α-Bis(1-Methylindol-3-YL)-Succinate

The structure of 2:1 adduct of 1-methylindole and dimethyl acetylenedicar-boxylate was elucidated as dimethyl α, α-bis(1-methylindol-3-yl)-succinate. Some of its derivatives were prepared.     

α-Diimin-Komplexe des Pentamethylcyclopentadienylrhodiums in verschiedenen Oxidationsstufen

Complexes of α-Diimines with Pentamethylcyclopentadienylrhodium in Different Oxidation States Cationic complexes [Cp*RhCl(α-diimine)]⁺ of trivalent rhodium and heterocyclic α-diimines or 1,4-disubstituted 1,4-diazabutadienes were isolated as hexafluorophosphates und subjected to electrochemical studies. Chemical or electrochemical two electron reduction yields intensely coloured and highly reactive neutral complexes Cp*Rh(α-diimine) which are very easily oxidized and which can be reduced further at negative potentials. The electronic structure of these compounds was studied using ¹H-NMR and UV/Vis spectroscopy. Comparisons of charge transfer (CT) transition energies with redox potentials suggest very variable geometrical changes between ground and CT excited states.     

Synthese und Eigenschaften von 2-(α-Hydroxyalkyl)-und 2-(α-alkoxycarbonyl)-substituierten 4-Methyl-5-(β-hydroxyäthyl)-thiazolen und -thiazoliumsalzen

Condensation of the tetrahydropyranyl ether of the α-hydroxyalkyl-thioamides with 3-bromo-4-hydroxy-2-pentanones yields DL -2-(α-hydroxyalkyl)-4-methyl-5-(β-hydroxyethyl)-thiazoles. By oxidation with chromic anhydride 2-hydroxymethyl-4-methyl-5-(β-acetoxyethyl)-thiazole yields the corresponding 2-formyl derivative. The latter compound reacted with GRIGNARD complexes gives the homologous DL -2-(α-hydroxyalkyl)-4-methyl-5-(β-hydroxyethyl)-thiazoles. This is a general method for the synthesis of the thiazole part of the «active aldehydes». 2-Acetyl-4-methyl-5-(β-hydroxyethyl)-thiazole is also obtained by chromic oxidation of the suitable methylthiazol-2-yl-carbinol. The condensation of the thioamides obtained from the α-ethoxycarbonyl-nitriles with 3-bromo-5-acetoxy-2-pentanone results in the DL -2-(α-ethoxycarbonyl-alkyl)-4-methyl-5-(β-acetoxyethyl)-thiazoles. The α-hydroxyl function is introduced into the 2-(α-ethoxycarbonyl-alkyl) group by chlorination with sulfuryl chloride and replacement of the introduced chlorine by acetate. The latter compounds are the esters of the thiazole part of the «active α-oxo-carboxylic acids» (e.g. active pyruvate, etc.). The reaction of 2-(α-hydroxyalkyl)-4-methyl-5-(β-hydroxyethyl)-thiazoles and 2-(α-ethoxycarbonyl-α-acetoxy-alkyl)-4-methyl-5-(β-acetoxyethyl)-thiazoles, respectively, with alkyl, alkenyl and aralkyl haloids, or with 2-methyl-4-amino-5-bromomethyl-pyrimidine hydrobromide results in the quaternary thiazolium compounds belonging to the group of the active aldehydes, active α-oxo-carboxylic acids, etc. According to this method 2-hydroxymethyl-thiamine bromide hydro-bromide has been synthesized, which can be considered as the pyrophosphate-free «active formal-dehyde». The 2-α-hydrogen atom in 2-(α-hydroxyalkyl)-thiazolium compounds cannot be replaced by deuterium under conditions similar to those used for the H → D exchange in thiamine. The main peaks in the mass spectra of 2-(α-hydroxyalkyl) substituted thiazoles and thiazolium quaternary salts are listed.     

Mass spectra of some α-substituted phenyl-α,α′-dimethoxyl ketones and their derivatives

The mass spectra of some α-substituted phenyl-α,α′-dimethoxyl ketones (compounds 1) and their 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazones (compounds 2) and semicarbazones (compounds 3) have been studied. The characteristic fragments at m/z (M ? 73) from compounds 1, m/z (M ? 253) from compounds 2 and m/z (M ? 130) from compounds 3 are abundant and proposed to be [ArCROCH₃]⁺. Fragmentations yielding [M⁺ ? 49] from compounds 2 are abnormal and probably involve the methoxyl and nitro groups. The intense peak at m/z 130 due to [CH₃OCH₂CNNHCONH₂]⁺ from compounds 3 corresponds to α-cleavage of the molecular ion. Some other fragments from these new compounds are interpreted in this paper.     

Solid-state photopolymerization of α,α′-bis(4-acetoxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)-p-benzenediacetonitrile

One crystalline form of α,α′-bis(4-acetoxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)-p-benzenediacetonitrile is photopolymerized by a four-center reaction to give a polymer containing alternating benzene and cyclobutane rings. The polymer is highly crystalline and insoluble in most solvents. Location of groups around the cyclobutane ring is deduced from the products obtained on thermal decomposition. Chain contained benzene rings are located in positions 1 and 3; aromatic groups alternate sides of the cyclobutane ring. Special characterization and quantum yield of the polymerization are reported, as well as polymer solution viscosity and alkaline depolymerization of the polymer.     

The cyclization of N,N′-bis[2-(dialkoxy)ethyl]-p-xylene-α,α′-diamine dihydrochloride to pyrido[3,4-g]isoquinoline and 3,8-phenanthroline

The ring closure of N,N′-bis[2-(dialkoxy)ethyl]-p-xylene-α,α′-diamine dihydrochloride in fuming sulfuric acid has been investigated and the cyclization products have been identified as the linear pyrido[3,4-g]isoquinoline as well as the previously reported angular 3,8-phenanthroline.     

α,ω-Dihydroxyalkan-α,α-diphosphonsäuren durch Desaminierung von ω-Aminoalkandiphosphonsäuren

α,ω-Dihydroxyalkane-α,α-diphosphonic Acids by Desamination of ω-Aminoalkanediphosphonic Acids The title compounds represent a new group of complexing diphosphonic acids which are synthesized by desamination of ω-amino-α-hydroxyalkane-α,α-diphosphonic acids. In case of α,ω-dihydroxypropane-α,α-diphosphonic acid ( 1 ) a phosphonylated phostone is formed by dehydration. In contrast, the ω-phenyl drivative of ( 1 ) yields in a smooth reaction under the same conditions 2-hydroxy-5-phenyl-3-phosphono-1.2-oxaphosphol-3-en-2-oxide ( 6 ).     

Synthesis of 2-hydroxy-2-phenylethylamino derivatives as potential α-adrenergic blocking agents

The synthesis of N,N'-bis[6-(2-hydroxy-2-phenylethylamino)hexyl] cystamines 4 , and N-(2-hydroxy-2-phenylethyl)-1,6-hexanediamines 6 are described. Compounds 4 were obtained by condensation of the requisite epoxide 2 with 3-(6-aminohexyl)-1,3-thiazolidine followed by dimerization with opening of the thiazolidine ring. A similar method was used for the preparation of compounds 6. In order to prepare 4j (N,N'-bis{6-[2-hydroxy-2(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethylamino]hexyl}cystamine), several procedures were tested; the method of choice involved the use of 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde with both hydroxy groups protected as methoxymethyl ethers.     

Theoretical investigation of the tunable behavior of p-n copolymers based on oligothiophenes and 1,4-bis(oxadiazolyl)-benzene

Semiempirical calculations were carried out on several model oligomers to investigate the tunable behavior of p-n copolymers with the repeating units constructed by oligothiophenes as the pi-excessive type blocks and 1,4-bis(oxadiazolyl) benzene as the pi-deficient type block. The calculated evolutions of the HOMO and LUMO of the model oligomers were in good agreement with the experimental oxidation and reduction potentials of the corresponding polymers. The effect of the length of the oligothiophene on the electronic structures and optical properties was elucidated by analyzing the HOMO and LUMO spatial distribution patterns of the model oligomers. When the number of thiophene rings increases, the HOMO and LUMO are contributed mostly from the oligothiophene segments and either the introduced single positive or negative charge focuses on the oligothiophene segments. The absorption spectra of polymers were also simulated by performing calculations on the corresponding oligomers. Good matches were observed between the calculated absorption spectra and the experimental UV-vis spectra of the corresponding polymers. The study shows that the backbone modification of the p-n copolymer, that is, changing the number of thiophene unit in the p-n diblock copolymer, greatly modifies the optical properties of the polymer.     

Cyclodextrin chemistry. Selective modification of all primary hydroxyl groups of α- and β-cyclodextrins

Two efficient methods are described for the selective modification of all six primary hydroxyl groups of α-cyclodextrin (α-CD, 1 1 ). One, using an indirect strategy, involves protection of all 18 hydroxyl functions as benzoate esters, followed by selective deprotection of the six primary alcohol groups. The other, using a direct strategy, involves selective activation of the primary hydroxyl groups via a bulky triphenylphosphonium salt, which is then substituted by azide anion as the reaction proceeds. A number of modified α-cyclodextrin derivatives have been prepared and fully characterized, among which are: the useful intermediate α-cyclodextrin-dodeca (2, 3) benzoate ( 3 ); hexakis (6-amino-6-deoxy)-α-cyclodextrin hexahydrochloride ( 7 ); hexakis (6-amino-6-deoxy)-dodeca (2, 3)-O-methyl-α-cyclodextrin hexahydrochloride ( 9 ), hexa (6)-O-methyl-α-cyclodextrin ( 13 ). The direct substitution is shown to be even more efficient for β-cyclodextrin ( 16 ), giving the heptakis (6-azido-6-deoxy)-β-CD-tetradeca (2, 3)acetate ( 17 ), while the indirect strategy fails. The compounds are characterized by extensive use of ¹³C- and ¹H-NMR. spectroscopy. The steric and statistical problems of selective polysubstitution reactions for the cyclodextrins are discussed, and possible reasons for the observed differences in reactivity between α- and β-cyclodextrins are examined. The dodecabenzoate 3 presents a very marked solvent effect on physical properties (IR. and NMR. spectra, optical rotation); the effects observed may be ascribed to an unusually strong intramolecular network of hydrogen bonds which severely distorts the α-cyclodextrin ring and lowers the symmetry from six-fold to three-fold.