Synthesis of N-(iodophenyl)-amides via an unprecedented Ullmann-Finkelstein tandem reaction

Using a new Ullmann-Finkelstein tandem reaction, N-(iodophenyl)-amides were synthesized from the corresponding amides and iodo-bromobenzenes. The catalyst/ligand couple CuI/N,N′-dimethyl-cyclohexane-1,2-diamine was used for this reaction in dioxane with K₃PO₄ as base.     

New Grafted Copolymers Carrying Betaine Units Based on Gellan and N-Vinylimidazole as Precursors for Design of Drug Delivery Systems

New grafted copolymers possessing structural units of 1-vinyl-3-(1-carboxymethyl) imidazolium betaine were obtained by graft copolymerization of N-vinylimidazole onto gellan gum followed by the polymer-analogous reactions on grafted polymer with the highest grafting percentage using sodium chloroacetate as the betainization agent. The grafted copolymers were prepared using ammonium persulfate/N,N,N′,N′ tetramethylethylenediamine in a nitrogen atmosphere. The grafting reaction conditions were optimized by changing one of the following reaction parameters: initiator concentration, monomer concentration, polymer concentration, reaction time or temperature, while the other parameters remained constant. The highest grafting yield was obtained under the following reaction conditions: c_i = 0.08 mol/L, c_m = 0.8 mol/L, c_p = 8 g/L, t_r = 4 h and T = 50 °C. The kinetics of the graft copolymerization of N-vinylimidazole onto gellan was discussed and a suitable reaction mechanism was proposed. The evidence of the grafting reaction was confirmed through FTIR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, ¹H-NMR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The grafted copolymer with betaine structure was obtained by a nucleophilic substitution reaction where the betainization agent was sodium chloroacetate. Preliminary results prove the ability of the grafted copolymers to bind amphoteric drugs (cefotaxime) and, therefore, the possibility of developing the new sustained drug release systems.     

Synthesis and reactivity of subvalent compounds. Part 13: Reaction of triethyl orthoformate with amines and selenium—a convenient one-step three-component synthesis for selenoureas

Selenoureas are obtained by a novel three-component condensation reaction from metallic selenium, triethyl orthoformate and a primary or secondary amine. The reaction is carried out as solvent-free one pot-procedure at 180-190°C under inert gas with a reaction time of 8 h. The reaction was tested for piperidine, isopropylamine, N,N′-dimethylpropylenediamine (Me-NH-CH₂-CH₂-CH₂-NH-Me) and N,N′-disubstituted ethylenediamines (R-NH-CH₂-CH₂-NH-R, R=Me, Et, ⁱPr, ^tBu, Ph).     

Tuning the reactivity of mononuclear nonheme manganese(iv)-oxo complexes by triflic acid

Triflic acid (HOTf)-bound nonheme Mn(iv)-oxo complexes, [(L)Mn^IV(O)]²⁺–(HOTf)₂ (L = N4Py and Bn-TPEN; N4Py = N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-N-bis(2-pyridyl)methylamine and Bn-TPEN = N-benzyl-N,N′,N′-tris(2-pyridylmethyl)ethane-1,2-diamine), were synthesized by adding HOTf to the solutions of the [(L)Mn^IV(O)]²⁺ complexes and were characterized by various spectroscopies. The one-electron reduction potentials of the Mn^IV(O) complexes exhibited a significant positive shift upon binding of HOTf. The driving force dependences of electron transfer (ET) from electron donors to the Mn^IV(O) and Mn^IV(O)–(HOTf)₂ complexes were examined and evaluated in light of the Marcus theory of ET to determine the reorganization energies of ET. The smaller reorganization energies and much more positive reduction potentials of the [(L)Mn^IV(O)]²⁺–(HOTf)₂ complexes resulted in greatly enhanced oxidation capacity towards one-electron reductants and para-X-substituted-thioanisoles. The reactivities of the Mn(iv)-oxo complexes were markedly enhanced by binding of HOTf, such as a 6.4 × 10⁵-fold increase in the oxygen atom transfer (OAT) reaction (i.e., sulfoxidation). Such a remarkable acceleration in the OAT reaction results from the enhancement of ET from para-X-substituted-thioanisoles to the Mn^IV(O) complexes as revealed by the unified ET driving force dependence of the rate constants of OAT and ET reactions of [(L)Mn^IV(O)]²⁺–(HOTf)₂. In contrast, deceleration was observed in the rate of H-atom transfer (HAT) reaction of [(L)Mn^IV(O)]²⁺–(HOTf)₂ complexes with 1,4-cyclohexadiene as compared with those of the [(L)Mn^IV(O)]²⁺ complexes. Thus, the binding of two HOTf molecules to the Mn^IV(O) moiety resulted in remarkable acceleration of the ET rate when the ET is thermodynamically feasible. When the ET reaction is highly endergonic, the rate of the HAT reaction is decelerated due to the steric effect of the counter anion of HOTf.     

A novel stereoselective tin-free radical protocol for the enantioselective synthesis of pyrrolidinones and its application to the synthesis of biologically active GABA-derivatives

Optically pure 4-alkyl-pyrrolin-2-ones were synthesized from chiral N-allyl-α-bromoacetamides in high selective and stereo-controlled fashion, via a sequential 5-exo-trig radical cyclization-hydrogen or bromine atom-transfer process, under non-tin conditions. Interestingly, when N-allyl-α-bromoacetamides were treated with triethylborane/MeOH(excess)/BF₃·OEt₂ in toluene at −78 °C, a tandem 5-exo-trig radical cyclization-hydrogen atom-transfer reaction operated, on the other hand, a tandem 5-exo-trig radical cyclization-bromine atom-transfer reaction proceeded in good yield and high stereoselectivity when the reaction was carried out with equimolar amounts of MeOH in THF at −78 °C. Thus, optically pure 4-alkyl-pyrrolin-2-ones were synthesized via this tin-free radical pathway and transformed to their corresponding biologically active GABA-derivatives, Pregabalin and CAMP.     

Mutual functionalization of dinitrogen and methane mediated by heteronuclear metal cluster anions CoTaC2−

The direct coupling of dinitrogen (N₂) and methane (CH₄) to construct the N–C bond is a fascinating but challenging approach for the energy-saving synthesis of N-containing organic compounds. Herein we identified a likely reaction pathway for N–C coupling from N₂ and CH₄ mediated by heteronuclear metal cluster anions CoTaC₂⁻, which starts with the dissociative adsorption of N₂ on CoTaC₂⁻ to generate a Ta^δ+–N_t^δ− (terminal-nitrogen) Lewis acid–base pair (LABP), followed by the further activation of CH₄ by CoTaC₂N₂⁻ to construct the N–C bond. The N N cleavage by CoTaC₂⁻ affording two N atoms with strong charge buffering ability plays a key part, which facilitates the H₃C–H cleavage via the LABP mechanism and the N–C formation via a CH₃ migration mechanism. A novel N_t triggering strategy to couple N₂ and CH₄ molecules using metal clusters was accordingly proposed, which provides a new idea for the direct synthesis of N-containing compounds.

A possible N–C bond formation directly from N₂ and CH₄ mediated by heteronuclear metal cluster anions CoTaC₂⁻ at room temperature was identified.     

The combination of TsNBr2/TsNH2 as the nitrogen/halo source for the aminobromination of β-methyl-β-nitrostyrenes catalyzed by Mn(OAc)2

The combination of N,N-dibromo-p-tolunesulfonamide (4-TsNBr₂) and TsNH₂ was found to be an efficient halogen/nitrogen source for the aminohalogenation of β-methyl-β-nitrostyrenes with manganese (II) acetate as the catalyst in the presence of 4 Å molecular sieves. The reaction results in vicinal bromoamino nitroalkanes with the opposite regioselectivity comparing with those reported, which was also confirmed by X-ray structural analysis.     

A new series of potentially hexadentate ligands derived from 2,2′-bipyridine

Reaction of 2,2′-bipyridine-6-carboxaldehyde with the appropriate aliphatic diamine in MeOH and subsequent reduction with NaBH₄ gives the new, potentially hexadentate, ligands N,N′-bis(2,2′-bipyridin-6-ylmethyl)ethane-1,2-diamine (bmet), N,N′-bis(2,2′-bipyridin-6-ylmethyl)propane-1,3-diamine (bmpp) and N,N′-bis(2,2′-bipyridin-6-ylmethyl)hexane-1,6-diamine (bmhx). The syntheses and characterisation of these ligands are reported; the ligands are isolated as the hydrochloride salts, with purification effected by either recrystallisation or cation exchange chromatography. [Co(bmet)](ClO₄)₃ · H₂O is obtained on reaction of bmet · 4.25HCl · 2.5H₂O with Na₃[Co(O₂CO)₃] · 3H₂O, and X-ray structural analysis shows this to have a pair of very short Co–N bonds. The synthesis and characterisation of the first coordination complex containing 6-(aminomethyl)-2,2′-bipyridine (amb) is also described.     

Chiral N,N′-dioxide-iron(II) complexes catalyzed enantioselective oxa-Michael addition of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes

The enantioselective oxa-Michael addition reaction of 1-(4-methoxyphenyl) ethanone oxime to various α,β-unsaturated aldehydes was accomplished by using chiral N,N′-dioxide-FeSO₄·7H₂O (1:1) complex. Aromatic acid was employed as additive to increase the yield of the reaction. The corresponding adducts were obtained in moderate yields with up to 76% ee under mild conditions.     

Synthesis of N,N-difluoroboryl complexes of 3,3′-diarylazadiisoindolylmethenes

N,N-Difluoroboryl complexes of 3,3′-diarylazadiisoindolylmethenes were synthesized by the reaction of BF₃·OEt₂ and 3,3′-diarylazadiisoindolylmethenes, which were easily prepared from a reaction between phthalonitrile and aryl Grignard reagents. These novel dyes exhibit strong absorption in the visible region and intense fluorescence in the vis/NIR region. Their synthesis, characterization, and optical properties are reported in this Letter.     

Facile synthesis of 2′-O-cyanoethyluridine by ring-opening reaction of 2,2′-anhydrouridine with cyanoethyl trimethylsilyl ether in the presence of BF3·Et2O

In this Letter, a facile method for the synthesis of 2′-O-cyanoethyluridine, which is a key intermediate in the synthesis of fully and partially 2′-O-cyanoethylated oligoribonucleotides as well as unmodified oligoribonucleotides, was developed by the ring-opening reaction of 2,2′-anhydrouridine with 2-cyanoethyl trimethylsilyl ether in the presence of BF₃·Et₂O in dimethylacetamide. The 2′-O-cyanoethyluridine 3′-phosphoramidite derivative was converted into the 2′-O-cyanoethyl-4-N-acetylcytidine 3′-phosphoramidite derivative by a series of reactions involving displacement of the 4-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)uridine derivative with ammonia followed by acetylation.     

Development of radical addition-cyclization-elimination reaction of oxime ether and its application to formal synthesis of (±)-martinelline

Radical addition-cyclization-elimination (RACE) reaction of oxime ether carrying unsaturated ester provides a novel method for the construction of pyrroloquinoline. Treatment of oxime ethers with Bu₃SnH and AIBN gave N-norpyrroloquinoline as a major product, which was also obtained by the radical reaction of the corresponding hydrazone and imine. The radical reaction of aldehyde and ketone carrying unsaturated ester proceeded stereoselectively to give cis-furoquinolines and cis-hydroxyesters. The RACE reactions by using each of Bu₃SnNMe₂, Bu₃SnD, and/or D₂O were also examined in order to propose a reaction pathway to N-norpyrroloquinoline. Furthermore, the synthetic utility of RACE reaction is demonstrated by preparation of a key intermediate for the synthesis of (±)-martinelline.     

Synthesis and evaluation of some variants of the Nefkens’ reagent

A series of N-substituted phthalimides have been prepared in an effort to explore synthetic variants of the Nefkens’ reagent. Three N-acylphthalimides [R = –CH₃, –CH₂CH₃, and –C(CH₃)₃] were prepared and employed for the protection of a series of representative amines. In addition, an N-methanesulfonylphthalimide and N-(diethylphosphoryl)phthalimide were also prepared. It was determined that among the phthalimides that were prepared N-propanoylphthalimide was the most effective reagent for the protection reaction.     

A quantum chemical study on the mechanism of chiral N-oxides-catalyzed Strecker reaction

The mechanism for the Strecker reaction of silyl cyanide (H₃SiCN) and benzaldehyde N-methylimine (PhCHNCH₃) catalyzed by chiral 3,3′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine N,N′-dioxide was investigated using the density functional theory (DFT) at the B3LYP/6-31G* level. The calculations revealed that the non-catalyzed reaction proceeded in a concerted way via a five-membered ring transition state, while the catalytic one occurred stepwisely via a hexacoordinate hypervalent silicate intermediate. It was predicted that both non-catalyzed and catalytic Strecker reactions involved two competitive reaction pathways, that is, addition followed by isomerization or isomerization followed by addition. The calculations indicated that two reaction pathways were comparable for both non-catalyzed and catalytic Strecker reactions. In the catalytic reaction, the strong electron donor (N-O) of chiral N-oxide played an important role in enhancing the reactivity and nucleophilicity of H₃SiCN by coordinating O atom to the Si atom of H₃SiCN. Chiral N-oxide could be used as a good catalyst for the reaction, which was in agreement with the experimental observations.     

Reactions of arylsulfinyl chlorides and <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-(arylsulfonyl)arylsulfinimidoyl chlorides with <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-aminophenols

In reactions of arylsulfinyl chlorides and N-(arylsulfonyl)arylsulfinimidoyl chlorides with p-aminophenols formed N-arylthio-1,4-benzoquinone imines, evidently through a stage of N-arylsulfinyl-4-aminophenols and N-(N-arylsulfonyl)arylsulfinylimidoyl-4-aminophenols that under the reaction conditions eliminate respectively H₂O and ArSO₂NH₂.     

Dirhodium catalyzed intramolecular enantioselective C–H insertion reaction of N-cumyl-N-(2-p-anisylethyl)diazoacetamide: synthesis of (−)-Rolipram

Cumyl(2,2-dimethyl-benzyl) was used as an N-protecting group for intramolecular C–H insertion reaction of α-diazoacetamide. Excellent chemoselectivity (>98:2) in C–H insertion over the aromatic addition of N-cumyl-N-(2-p-anisylethyl)diazoacetamide was obtained with Rh₂[(4S)-MEOX)]₄ catalyst in moderate enantioselectivity (53% ee). The reaction was successfully applied in the synthesis of (−)-Rolipram in 15% total yield.     

Chelation-controlled asymmetric aminohalogenation reaction

The chelation-controlled asymmetric aminohalogenation of α,β-unsaturated 3-aryl-N-acyl-N-4-phenyl-2-oxazolidinones have been established by using palladium(II) acetate as the catalyst and as the chelation metal. The reaction is very convenient to perform by simply mixing the three reactants, cinnamates, N,N-dichloro-p-toluenesulfonamide and catalyst together with 4 Å molecular sieves at rt in any convenient vial of appropriate size without special protection from inert gases. Unlike the previous asymmetric aminohalogenation, the ionic liquid, [BMIM][NTf₂], was found to be superior to [BMIM][BF₄] as the reaction media. It was also found that palladium(II) acetate has to be used together with 1 equiv of MeCN to achieve the opposite chelation control. The resulting absolute stereochemistry of the product was unambiguously determined by X-ray structural analysis.     

Efficient synthesis of N,N′-dialkyl-N″-dialkylaminocarbothioyl thioureas from cyclic secondary amines, CS2, and N,N′-dialkyl carbodiimides in water

A mild, convenient, and practical one-pot procedure for direct synthesis of N,N′-dialkyl-N″-dialkylaminocarbothioyl thioureas is described via three-component reaction of cyclic secondary amines, CS₂, and N,N′-dialkyl carbodiimides in water at room temperature.     

Uranyl(VI) complexes of [O,N,O,N′]-type diaminobis(phenolate) ligands: Syntheses,structures and extraction studies

The syntheses and crystal structures of four new uranyl complexes with [O,N,O,N′]-type ligands are described. The reaction between uranyl nitrate hexahydrate and the phenolic ligand [(N,N-bis(2-hydroxy-3,5-dimethylbenzyl)-N′,N′-dimethylethylenediamine)], H₂L1 in a 1:2 molar ratio (M to L), yields a uranyl complex with the formula [UO₂(HL1)(NO₃)] · CH₃CN (1). In the presence of a base (triethylamine, one mole per ligand mole) with the same molar ratio, the uranyl complex [UO₂(HL1)₂] (2) is formed. The reaction between uranyl nitrate hexahydrate and the ligand [(N,N-bis(2-hydroxy-3,5-di-t-butylbenzyl)-N′,N′-dimethylethylenediamine)], H₂L2, yields a uranyl complex with the formula [UO₂(HL2)(NO₃)] · 2CH₃CN (3) and the ligand [N-(2-pyridylmethyl)-N,N-bis(2-hydroxy-3,5-dimethylbenzyl)amine], H₂L3, in the presence of a base yields a uranyl complex with the formula [UO₂(HL3)₂] · 2CH₃CN (4). The molecular structures of 1–4 were verified by X-ray crystallography. The complexes 1–4 are zwitter ions with a neutral net charge. Compounds 1 and 3 are rare neutral mononuclear [UO₂(HLn)(NO₃)] complexes with the nitrate bonded in η²-fashion to the uranyl ion. Furthermore, the ability of the ligands H₂L1–H₂L4 to extract the uranyl ion from water to dichloromethane, and the selectivity of extraction with ligands H₂L1, H₃L5 (N,N-bis(2-hydroxy-3,5-dimethylbenzyl)-3-amino-1-propanol), H₂L6 · HCl (N,N-bis(2-hydroxy-5-tert-butyl-3-methylbenzyl)-1-aminobutane · HCl) and H₃L7 · HCl (N,N-bis(2-hydroxy-5-tert-butyl-3-methylbenzyl)-6-amino-1-hexanol · HCl) under varied chemical conditions were studied. As a result, the most efficient and selective ligand for uranyl ion extraction proved to be H₃L7 · HCl.     

N,N,N′,N′-Tetrakis(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine palladium(II) complex as efficient catalyst for the Suzuki/Miyaura reaction in water

A new water soluble palladium(II) complex (2) derived from N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine (edteH₄) (1) was synthesized in high yield and characterized by ¹H, ¹³C, HMQC and COSY NMR spectroscopy. X-ray diffraction studies on a single crystal of 2 confirmed the cis square planar geometry; the edteH₄ ligand (1) is κ² (N,N)-coordinated with four pendant CH₂CH₂OH groups. This new complex [PdCl₂(edteH₄)] (2) and the previously synthesized triethanolamine complex [Pd(OCH₂CH₂N(CH₂CH₂OH)₂)₂] (3) were tested as catalysts for the Suzuki/Miyaura cross-coupling reaction of various aryl bromides with phenylboronic acid in water. Electronically activated aryl bromides, such as 4-bromoacetophenone and 4-bromobenzaldehyde undergo the cross-coupling with extremely high turnover numbers (TON) of up to 1,00,000 without organic solvent.