Iron-catalyzed intramolecular cyclotrimerization of triynes to annulated benzenes

An iron species derived from FeCl₂ or FeCl₃ by in situ reduction with zinc powder in the presence of imidazol-2-ylidene or bidentate nitrogen ligand could effectively catalyze intramolecular cycloisomerization of triynes to annulated benzenes. With a 2-iminomethylpyridine ligand, hydrates of FeCl₂ and FeCl₃ as well as their anhydrous ones could be used.     

Synthesis and structural characterisation of rhodium hydride complexes bearing N-heterocyclic carbene ligands

Addition of excesses of N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) IEt₂Me₂, IⁱPr₂Me₂ or ICy (IEt₂Me₂ = 1,3-diethyl-4,5-dimethylimidazol-2-ylidene; IⁱPr₂Me₂ = 1,3-diisopropyl-4,5-dimethylimidazol-2-ylidene; ICy = 1,3-dicyclohexylimidazol-2-ylidene) to [HRh(PPh₃)₄] (1) affords an isomeric mixture of [HRh(NHC)(PPh₃)₂] (NHC = IEt₂Me₂ (cis-/trans-2), IⁱPr₂Me₂ (cis-/trans-3), ICy (cis-/trans-4) and [HRh(NHC)₂(PPh₃)] (IEt₂Me₂(cis-/trans-5), IⁱPr₂Me₂ (cis-/trans-6), ICy (cis-/trans-7)). Thermolysis of 1 with the aryl substituted NHC, 1,3-dimesityl-4,5-dihydroimidazol-2-ylidene (IMesH₂), affords the bridging hydrido phosphido dimer, [{(PPh₃)₂Rh}₂(μ-H)(μ-PPh₂)] (8), which is also the reaction product formed in the absence of carbene. When the rhodium precursor was changed from 1 to [HRh(CO)(PPh₃)₃] (9) and treated with either IMes (=1,3-dimesitylimidazol-2-ylidene) or ICy, the bis-NHC complexes trans-[HRh(CO)(IMes)₂] (10) and trans-[HRh(CO)(ICy)₂] (11) were formed. In contrast, the reaction of 9 with IⁱPr₂Me₂ gave [HRh(CO)(IⁱPr₂Me₂)₂] (cis-/trans-12) and the unusual unsymmetrical dimer, [(PPh₃)₂Rh(μ-CO)₂Rh(IⁱPr₂Me₂)₂] (13). The complexes trans-3, 8, 10 and 13 have been structurally characterised.     

Synthesis of oxa-aza spirobicycles by intramolecular hydrogen atom transfer promoted by N-radicals in carbohydrate systems

The nitrogen-centred radical generated by reaction of an N-phosphoramidate or N-cyanamide, attached to a tri- or tetramethylene tether extended from the C-1 of a carbohydrate, with (diacetoxyiodo)benzene (DIB) and iodine can undergo a regio- and stereoselective intramolecular hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) reaction to furnish four different oxa-azaspirobicyclic systems: 1-oxa-6-azaspiro[4.4]nonane, 1-oxa-6-azaspiro[4.5]decane, 6-oxa-1-azaspiro[4.5]decane and 1-oxa-7-azaspiro[5.5]undecane. A tandem 1,5- or 1,6-HAT-oxidation-nucleophilic cyclisation mechanism is proposed.     

Stereoselective synthesis of 2-methylenepyrrolizidines by tandem cyclization of N-propargylaminyl radicals

Tandem cyclization of N-propargylaminyl radicals, generated by N-chlorination of (E)-alk-4-enylamines 2a-d and 2f followed by treatment with tributyltin radical, afforded 2-methylenepyrrolizidines 3a-d and 3f in a highly stereoselective manner. A similar radical cyclization of (Z)-N-propargyl-1-methyl-5-phenylpent-4-enylamine (2e) gave pyrrolizidine 3b having the same stereochemistry as that obtained from the E isomer 2b.     

Synthesis and structures of cyclopentadienyl N-heterocyclic carbene copper(I) complexes

A series of cyclopentadienyl N-heterocyclic carbene copper complexes CpCu(NHC) were synthesized and structurally characterized. The effect of the substituents at the nitrogen atom of the NHC ligands on the structures and thermally stability was discussed.     

Butylene linked palladium N-heterocyclic carbene complexes: Synthesis and catalytic properties

New bis(NHC)-Pd complexes were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and IR spectroscopy. The reaction of Pd(OAc)₂ and bis(benzimidazolium) salts in DMSO gave the monomeric palladium complex in which the N-heterocyclic carbene was bound to the metal centre. The crystal and molecular structure of the cis-dibromo{1,1′-di[2,3,4,5,6-pentamethylbenzyl]-3,3′-butylenedibenzimidazol-2,2′-diylidene}-palladium(II) complex was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The activity of the Pd(II) complexes in the direct arylation of benzothiazole with arylbromides was investigated. A preliminary catalytic study showed that these bis(NHC)-Pd complexes were highly active in the direct arylation of benzothiazole with arylbromides.     

Synthesis of new thieno[3,2-b]pyridine derivatives by palladium-catalyzed couplings and intramolecular cyclizations

Two methyl 3-aminothieno[3,2-b]pyridine-2-carboxylates were prepared from 3-fluoro or 3-nitropicolinonitriles and methyl thioglycolate in DMF/KOH(aq). From the unsubstituted precursor in the pyridine ring, di(hetero)arylamines were obtained by C-N Buchwald-Hartwig coupling with bromonitrobenzenes and with 2-bromopyridine. In the latter case a tetracyclic compound was formed by intramolecular cyclization. Using a brominated derivative in the pyridine ring as a coupling component, it was possible to synthesize C-C (Suzuki and Sonogashira) and C-N (Buchwald-Hartwig) coupling products and a tetracyclic compound obtained by bifunctionalization of the thienopyridine system.     

Synthesis of a new zwitterionic cyclopentadienyl-imidazolium compound and isolation of the 3,3′-(trans-3,5-cyclopentenyl)di(1-tert-butylimidazolium)bromide intermediate

The new zwitterionic compound 1-tert-butylimidazolium-cyclopentadienylide, shown to have a polar ground state and a non-polar fulvene-like excited state, has been synthesised and the intermediate 3,3′-(trans-3,5-cyclopentenyl)di(1-tert-butylimidazolium)bromide isolated and structurally characterised.     

Synthesis of new iminocoumarins and their transformations into N-chloro and hydrazono compounds

The Knoevenagel reaction between 2-hydroxybenzaldehydes and active methylene compounds (malononitrile and ethyl cyanoacetate) produces iminocoumarins and/or coumarins. In order to study the reactivity of the prepared iminocoumarins, chlorination and reaction with N-nucleophiles were studied.     

Synthesis of N-trinitroethyl derivatives of linear and heterocyclic nitrogen-containing compounds

Earlier unknown N-trinitroethyl derivatives of acetylhydrazine, 4-amino-1,2,4-triazole, and 2,4,6-triamino-1,3,5-triazine, which are potential components for gas-generating formulations, were synthesized. Dedicated to Academician N. K. Kochetkov on the occasion of his 90th birthday. __________ Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 5, pp. 1306–1309, May, 2005.     

Regioselective intramolecular N1-C3 cyclizations on pyrrole-proline to ABC tricycles of dibromophakellin and ugibohlin

Pyrrole N1-C and C3-C regioselective linkage to the fused tricycle ABC system present in the marine metabolites ugibohlin and dibromoisophakellin is described. The cyclization is closely dependent on the electrophilic function, bromination degree of the pyrrole moiety and pH conditions. The mechanism of the functionalization of the ABC olefin by oxidative agents was found to occur through an N-acyliminium intermediate as showed by the natural chemical connection between ugibohlin and dibromoisophakellin.     

Synthesis and structural chemistry of arene-ruthenium half-sandwich complexes bearing an oxazolinyl-carbene ligand

Reaction of a series of directly connected oxazoline-imidazolium salts with silver(I) oxide and subsequent transmetallation with [Ru(p-cymene)Cl₂]₂ and anion exchange with KPF₆ cleanly gave the corresponding 2-oxazolinyl-(N-mesityl)imidazolidene(chloro)ruthenium(II) half-sandwich complexes [RuCl(oxcarb)(p-cymene)]PF₆, two derivatives of which were characterized by X-ray diffraction. Abstraction of the chloro ligand furnished the dicationic aqua complexes [Ru(H₂O)(oxcarb)(p-cymene)](PF₆)₂ which possess a similar coordination geometry. The syntheses were found to be highly diastereoselective, since only one diastereoisomer could be observed in all ruthenium complexes upon reaction of the chiral enantiopure oxazoline-imidazolium salts. Their potential as transfer hydrogenation and Lewis acid catalysts has been probed.     

Synthesis,characterization and ethylene polymerization activity of titanium,zirconium and hafnium compounds derivatives from symmetric oxamide

New non-metallocene polymerization catalysts derived from 1,2-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxiphenyl)oxamide (L) and transition metals (Ti, Zr, Hf) were synthesized and tested for ethylene polymerization reactions. The syntheses were carried out from various bases and solvents (triethylamine/toluene, NaH/THF and NaOH/methanol). The zirconium compound (5) showed the highest catalytic activity (the polyethylene molecular weight was 98,000 Da) and polydispersity index (1.8–2.0) when n-heptane was used as solvent. In terms of T_m and crystallinity, this catalyst produced the highest density linear polyethylene.     

N-Alkoxymethylation of heterocyclic compounds with diethyl phosphite via cleavage of P-O bond

N-Alkoxymethylation of heterocyclic compounds with diethyl phosphite via cleavage of P-O bond was investigated and a series of N3-ethoxymethylated heterocyclic compounds were synthesized. A mechanism in which diethyl phosphite acts as an efficient surrogate of ethanol was proposed and supported by several evidences.     

Synthesis of new N-aryl oxindoles as intermediates for pharmacologically active compounds

Various new N-aryl oxindoles were synthesized as intermediates for the preparation of pharmacologically active 2-(N-arylamino)-phenylacetic acids. Two novel approaches were explored for the construction of diarylamine and N-aryl oxindole core structures, in addition to Buchwald-arylamination and Smiles rearrangement. Condensation of anilines with 2-oxo-cyclohexylidene-acetic acid derivatives and subsequent dehydrogenation is a new and viable method for the preparation of N-aryl oxindoles.     

Synthesis of chromium N-heterocyclic carbene complexes using chromium Fischer carbenes as a source of chromium carbonyls

Chromium Fischer carbene complexes, [Cr{OMe(R)}(CO)₅] have been utilized as a source of chromium carbonyls in the synthesis of chromium NHC complexes. Using the synthetic method, chromium complexes of various NHC ligands were isolated in reasonable yields. Moreover, the method can be employed for the synthesis of molybdenum and tungsten NHC compounds.     

Synthesis of substituted pyrrolidines and piperidines from endocyclic enamine derivatives. Synthesis of (±)-laburnamine

Functionalization of the α- and β-positions of readily available endocyclic enamine derivatives provides a convenient method for the formation of substituted pyrrolidines and piperidines. α-Alkoxy-β-iodopyrrolidines are formed by the electrophilic addition of iodine to the endocyclic enamine double bond of an N-substituted 2-pyrroline, and nucleophillic attack by an alcohol on the intermediate iodonium ion. The resultant α-alkoxy-β-iodopyrrolidines can be used in radical cyclization reactions to give bicyclic hemiaminal compounds, which can be further elaborated using N-acyliminium chemistry to form α,β-cis-dialkylsubstituted pyrrolidines. A strategy for the incorporation of amino functionality at the β-position was also established by using iodoamination of the enamine double bond, followed by migration of the amine functionality through an aziridination/methanolysis protocol. An alternative method uses an azidomethoxylation protocol using ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN) in the presence of NaN₃ and methanol. Formation and trapping of the N-acyliminium ions derived from these substrates, afforded the 3-carbamate and 3-azido-2-substituted products with good diastereoselectivity, with the preferential formation of the trans and cis stereoisomers, respectively. Using the sequential iodoamination, aziridination in methanol and N-acyliminium transformation, trans-3-NHCO₂Me-2-allyl-pyrrolidine was prepared, which was used as the key precursor in a synthesis of the natural 1-amidopyrrolizidine alkaloid, (±)-laburnamine.     

Rotamers of palladium complexes bearing IR active N-heterocyclic carbene ligands: Synthesis, structural characterization and catalytic activities

The preparation and properties of mono- versus bis(carbene) Pd(II) complexes bearing unsymmetrical cyano- and ester-functionalized NHC ligands as potential IR probes were studied in detail. Direct reaction of Pd(OAc)₂ with functionalized imidazolium salts afforded either bis(carbene) (3a, c) or monocarbene complexes (5, 6) with a N-coordinated imidazole co-ligand. The latter were exclusively obtained with N-ethylene substituted salts, which were found to undergo N-C cleavage reaction. The milder Ag-carbene transfer reaction on the other hand was tolerable to the length of the substituents and the nature of the functional groups. All bis(carbene) complexes (3a-c, 4a-c) were obtained as a inseparable mixture of square-planar trans-anti and trans-syn rotamers. The identity, ratio and dynamic equilibrium of these rotamers have been investigated and the relatively high rotational barrier for rotamers of 3a was estimated to be about 74 kJ mol⁻¹ at 380 K. All eight complexes were fully characterized by NMR and IR spectroscopies, ESI mass spectrometry and X-ray single crystal and powder diffraction. A preliminary catalytic study showed that ester-functionalized complexes 4a and 4b gave rise to highly active catalyst in the double Mizoroki-Heck coupling of aryl dibromides, while the in situ ester-hydrolyzed complexes were also active in the coupling of activated aryl chlorides.     

Synthesis and characterization of bidentate NHC-Pd complexes and their role in amination reactions

The new well-defined and air-stable ortho-xylyl-linked N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) Pd complexes (2a-d) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, IR spectroscopy, and single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The palladium atom in the complex 2a lies on a crystallographic mirror plane and can be described as having a square-planar coordination environment with the carbene atoms of the benzimidazole rings of the ligand occupying two coordination sites in cis positions. Two further coordination sites are occupied by chloride ligands. The benzimidazole rings are connected to each other by an ortho-xylyl bridge. The catalytic activity of these palladium complexes has been tested in the coupling reactions of various N-containing substrates with bromobenzene. A preliminary catalytic study shows that the bis(NHC)-Pd complexes are highly active in the Buchwald-Hartwig amination reaction.     

First Kumada reaction of alkyl chlorides using N-heterocyclic carbene/palladium catalyst systems

For the first time it is shown that N-heterocyclic carbenes are suitable ligands for the palladium-catalyzed coupling of alkyl chlorides with aryl Grignard reagents. A variety of simple as well as functionalized primary alkyl chlorides provide the corresponding alkyl benzenes in general in good to very good yield. By comparing the 1,3-dimesitylimidazol-2-ylidene (IMes) palladium(0) naphthoquinone complex with the previously known palladium phosphine catalyst for the model coupling reaction of 1-chlorohexane with phenylmagnesium bromide it is demonstrated that the new catalyst system is superior.