Synthesis and structural, spectroscopic, and electrochemical characterization of benzo[c]quinolizinium and its 5-aza-, 6-aza, and 5,6-diaza analogues

Four heterocyclic salts 1a-d were prepared by Ca²⁺-assisted cyclization of fluoro derivatives 3, and investigated by spectroscopic (NMR and UV), electrochemical, and computational (DFT and MP2) methods. The mechanism for the formation of the cations was investigated at the DFT level of theory. 2-D NMR spectroscopy for 1[ClO₄] in DMSO­d₆ aided with DFT results permitted the assignment of ¹H and ¹³C NMR signals in cations 1. The molecular and crystal structures for 1a[ClO₄] [C₁₃H₁₀ClNO₄ triclinic, P−1, a=9.6517(12) Å, b=11.0470(13) Å, c=12.2373(15) Å, α=67.615(1)°, β=78.845(2)°, γ=87.559(2)°; V=1183.0(2) Å³, Z=4] and 1d[ClO₄] [C₁₂H₉ClN₂O₄ triclinic, P−1, a=5.9525(6) Å, b=8.3141(9) Å, c=12.2591(13) Å, α=73.487(1)°, β=83.814(1)°, γ=83.456(1)°; V=576.07(10) Å³, Z=2] were determined by X-ray crystallography and compared with results of DFT and MP2 calculations. Electrochemical analysis gave the reduction potential order (1b>1c∼1d>1a), which is consistent with computational results.     

Three-component conformational equilibria of some flexible pyrrolidin-2-(thi)ones in solution by NMR data (δC, δH, and JHH) and their DFT predictions: a confrontation of different approaches

Three standard gas-phase B3LYP/6-31G(d) methods of the analysis of δ_C, δ_H, and J_HH NMR data for solutions initially used for the title γ-lactams 1a-c led to conflicting findings on fractional populations ηs of their fast interconverting conformers A-C, which were also inconsistent with energy data. In order to find the source(s) of these discrepancies, several additional DFT computations were carried out at the double- and triple-zeta theory level with simultaneous modeling of the solutions in explicit solvents with the COSMO or IEF-PCM technique. The WC04/WP04 functionals and IGLO-II (or IGLO-III) basis set were applied for predicting δ_C/δ_H, and J_HH data, respectively. The limits of efficiency and accuracy of a few current NMR-oriented computational protocols were determined by their specific use to the main forms of 1a-c treated as test cases. Thus, an unreliability of the modified Karplus-type equation for this purpose was shown. In turn, only the use of DFT-D3 corrections for the attractive van der Waals dispersion interactions (London forces) not present in conventional DFT, to Gibbs free energies (ΔG) estimated for the forms A-C of 1a-c in solution, yielded energetics and so populations (η_Gs) compatible within ±15% (only ±2%, for 1a) with the best results found by considering the ¹H NMR data. These η_Hs were found by a linear regression of GIAO-predicted δ_H sets reproducing experiment in the best way (r²>0.9996, for 1a and 1b, r²=0.9970, for 1c with strongly degenerated δ_Hs). As for η_Js, they permitted only for evaluations of the ratios (A+B)/C, excepting sufficiently differentiated J_HHs (1b in acetone). In contrast, an application of δ_Cs for assessing η_Cs was unsuccessful. Selected findings were finally compared with the DP4-probability results (η_DP4s) and fairly good agreement was found. The greatest divergence in ηs exists for the CS bond-containing object 1b, what suggests a large effect of the intramolecular London forces on its structure and properties. The present results should be useful guidelines for NMR studies on the other multi-conformer systems in rapid equilibrium between more than two energetically feasible forms.     

Phosphorus-nitrogen compounds part 22. Syntheses, structural investigations, biological activities and DNA interactions of new mono and bis (4-fluorobenzyl) spirocyclophosphazenes

The reactions of hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene, N₃P₃Cl₆, with mono (1 and 2) and bis(4-fluorobenzyl) diamines (3-5), FPhCH₂NH(CH₂)_nNHR (RH or FPhCH₂-), produce mono (1a and 2a) and bis(4-fluorobenzyl) monospirocyclophosphazenes (3a-5a). The tetraaminomonospirocyclophosphazenes (1b-2d) are obtained from the reactions of the partly substituted phosphazenes (1a and 2a) with excess pyrrolidine, morpholine and 1,4-dioxa-8-azaspiro[4,5]decane (DASD), respectively. The tetrachlorobis(4-fluorobenzyl) monospirocyclophosphazenes (4a and 5a) with excess pyrrolidine, morpholine and DASD afford the fully substituted bis(4-fluorobenzyl) monospirocyclophosphazenes (4b, 4d-5d) in boiling THF. In addition, monochlorobis(4-fluorobenzyl) monospirocyclophosphazenes (4e and 4f) have also been isolated from the reactions with excess morpholine and DASD in boiling THF. The structural investigations of the compounds have been verified by elemental analyses, MS, FTIR, ¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁹F (for 1d and 2d), ³¹P NMR, HSQC and HMBC techniques. The crystal structures of 3a, 4a, 5a and 2b have been determined by X-ray crystallography. The compounds 2a-5a, 1b-2d, 4b, 4d-5d, 4e and 4f have been screened for antibacterial effects on bacteria and for antifungal activity against yeast strains. The compounds 1b and 4b showed antimicrobial activity against three species of bacteria, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus, and two fungi, Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were determined for 1b and 4b. The MIC values were found to be 5000 μM for each bacteria. The most effective compound, 4b has exhibited activity with a MIC of 312 μM for C. albicans and 625 μM for C. tropicalis. DNA-binding and the nature of the interaction with pBR322 plasmid DNA are studied. All of the compounds induce changes on the DNA mobility and intensity. Prevention of HindIII digestion with the compounds indicates that the compounds bind with AT nucleotides in DNA.     

Aluminum and zinc complexes supported by functionalized phenolate ligands: Synthesis, characterization and catalysis in the ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone and rac-lactide

A series of aluminum and zinc complexes supported by functionalized phenolate ligands were synthesized and characterized. Reaction of 2-(3,5-R₂C₃N₂)C₆H₄NH₂ (R = Me, Ph) with salicylaldehyde or 3,5-di-tert-butylsalicylaldehyde afforded 2-((2-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)phenylimino)methyl)phenol derivatives 2a-2d. Treatment of 2a-2d with an equiv. of AlR²₃ (R² = Me, Et) gave corresponding aluminum aryloxides 3a-3e, while reaction with an equiv. of ZnEt₂ afforded zinc aryloxides 4a-4d. Treatment of 2c with 0.5 equiv. of ZnEt₂ formed diphenolato zinc complex 5. All new compounds were characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and elemental analyses. The structures of complexes 3a, 4a and 5 were further characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. The catalytic activity of complexes 3-5 toward the ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone was studied. The zinc complexes (4a-4d) exhibited higher catalytic activity than the aluminum complexes (3a-3e). The diphenolato zinc complex 5 showed lower catalytic activity than the ethylzinc complexes 4a-4d. The aluminum complex (3b) is inactive to initiate the ROP of rac-lactide, while the zinc complex (4d) is active initiator for the ROP of rac-lactide, giving atactic polylactide.     

Synthesis and dynamics of atropisomeric (S)-N-(α-phenylethyl)benzamides

The synthesis of atropisomeric 2-substituted benzamides 2a-e, 3a-e, and 4a-e, and characterization by X-ray structure analysis of 2d, 2e, 3c, 3e, 4c, and 4e are reported. Dynamic ¹H NMR spectroscopic studies of benzamides 2b-d, 3b-d, and 4b-d indicate that only two of the four possible rotamers are present in solution, with population ratios ranging between 1.5:1 and 4.1:1. The measured free energy of activation to interconversion of the rotamers ranged from 12.4 to 18.9 kcal mol⁻¹. Benzamides ArCON[(S)-phenethyl]₂ (2e, 3e, and 4e), exhibited atropisomer ratios between 1.7:1 and 1:1, and free energies of interconversion of the rotamers ranged from 11.5 to 17.6 kcal mol⁻¹. The highest rotation barriers were observed for the ortho-nitro derivatives 2a-e. Molecular calculations at the semiempirical level (PM3MM) gave free energies of activation for benzamides 2e and 3e of 23.6 and 12.4 kcal mol⁻¹, respectively, which are comparable to the experimental values.     

Synthesis and properties of novel 5-(cyclohepta-2′,4′,6′-trienylidene)pyrimidine-2(1H),4(3H),6(5H)-triones: methodology for synthesizing cyclohepta[b]pyrimido[5,4-d]furan-8(7H),10(9H)-dionylium tetrafluoroborates

Novel condensation reaction of tropone with N-substituted and N,N′-disubstitued barbituric acids in Ac₂O afforded 5-(cyclohepta-2′,4′,6′-trienylidene)pyrimidine-2(1H),4(3H),6(5H)-trione derivatives (8a-f) in moderate to good yields. The ¹³C NMR spectral study of 8a-f revealed that the contribution of zwitterionic resonance structures is less important as compared with that of 8,8-dicyanoheptafulvene. The rotational barriers (ΔG^‡) around the exocyclic double bond of mono-substituted derivatives 8a-c were obtained to be 14.51-15.03 kcal mol⁻¹ by the variable temperature ¹H NMR measurements. The electrochemical properties of 8a-f were also studied by CV measurement. Upon treatment with DDQ, 8a-c underwent oxidative cyclization to give two products, 7 and 9-substituted cyclohepta[b]pyrimido[5,4-d]furan-8(7H),10(9H)-dionylium tetrafluoroborates (11a-c·BF₄⁻ and 12a-c·BF₄⁻) in various ratios, while that of disubstituted derivatives 8d-f afforded 7,9-disubstituted cyclohepta[b]pyrimido[5,4-d]furan-8(7H),10(9H)-dionylium tetrafluoroborate (11d-f·BF₄⁻) in good yields. Similarly, preparation of known 5-(1′-oxocycloheptatrien-2′-yl)-pyrimidine-2(1H),4(3H),6(5H)-trione derivatives (14a-d) and novel derivatives 14e,f was carried out. Treatment of 14a-c with aq. HBF₄/Ac₂O afforded two kinds of novel products 11a-c·BF₄⁻ and 12a,c·BF₄⁻ in various ratios, respectively, while that of 14d-f afforded 11d-f. The product ratios of 11a-c·BF₄⁻ and 12a-c·BF₄⁻ observed in two kinds of cyclization reactions were rationalized on the basis of MO calculations of model compounds 20a and 21a. The spectroscopic and electrochemical properties of 11a-f·BF₄⁻ and 12a-c·BF₄⁻ were studied, and structural characterization of 11c·BF₄⁻ based on the X-ray crystal analysis and MO calculation was also performed.     

Synthesis and structure of {{amino(triorganosilyl)carbene}pentacarbonyltungsten(0)} complexes and attempted synthesis of {[2-bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl-3-triorganosilyl-2H-azaphosphirene-κP]pentacarbonyltungsten(0)}

First examples of tungsten aminocarbene complexes [(OC₅)W{C(SiR¹_nR²_3-n)NH₂}] 2a-d (R¹ = Ph, R² = Me) were synthesized via ammonolysis of the corresponding methoxycarbene complexes 1a-d. They were characterized by NMR spectroscopy, MS, IR, UV/Vis and elemental analysis, and in the case of the C-triphenylsilyl derivative 2a by single-crystal X-ray structure analysis. The reaction of P-chloro alkylidenephosphane 3 with complexes 2a-d, meant to give 2H-azaphosphirene complexes, was monitored by ³¹P NMR spectroscopy to reveal the formation of the products 4-7, which were presumably formed via decomposition of the transient complexes 10a-d.     

A facile approach for the synthesis of novel substituted 4H-chromenes and condensation reactions of 4H-chromenes leading to chromenopyrrolones and triazolylchromenopyrrolones

A facile method has been developed for the synthesis of 4H-chromene-3-carboxylates 3a–d by the nucleophilic substitution reaction of 2-hydroxy-2H-chromene-3-carboxylates 2a–d with triethylsilane in the presence of BF₃·O(C₂H₅)₂. Cyclocondensation of 4H-chromene-3-carboxylates 3a–d with benzylamines 4a–d afforded a series of 2,3-dihydrochromenopyrrolones 5a–p and with propargylamine afforded 2-propynyl-2,3-dihydrochromenopyrrolones 6a–d. Click reaction of 6a–d with benzyl azides 7a–d provided a series of 1H-1,2,3-triazolylmethyl-2,3-dihydrochromenopyrrolones 8a–p. Thus synthesized compounds 3a–d, 5a–p, 6a–d, and 8a–p are novel heterocyclic compounds and being reported for the first time.     

Microwave-assisted and conventional synthesis and stereogenic properties of monospirocyclotriphosphazene derivatives

The reactions of hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene, N₃P₃Cl₆, with N/O donor type N-alkyl or (aryl)-o-hydroxybenzylamines HO(C₆H₄)CH₂NHR(Ar), [R(Ar) = C(CH₃)₃ (1), Ph (2)] produce monospirocyclic tetrachlorocyclotriphosphazenes (1a and 2a). The geminal substituted cyclotriphosphazenes (1b, 1d, 2b and 2d) are obtained from the reactions of 1 equiv. of 1a and 2a with 2 equiv. of pyrrolidine or morpholine in THF, while the fully substituted phosphazenes (1c, 1e, 2c and 2e) are formed from the reactions of 1a and 2a with the excess pyrrolidine or morpholine in toluene, between 24 and 48 h. The microwave-assisted reactions of 1a and 2a with excess pyrrolidine or morpholine in toluene afford the fully substituted products with higher yields than those which were obtained by conventional methods. The structural investigations of the compounds have been verified by elemental analyses, ESI-MS, FTIR, ¹H, ¹³C, ³¹P NMR and HETCOR techniques. The crystal structure of 2a is determined by X-ray crystallography and the phosphazene ring is in the flattened boat form. Compounds 1b, 1d, 2b and 2d in which the spiro aryloxy moiety provides the one centre of chirality exist as racemates and the chirality has been confirmed by ³¹P NMR spectroscopy on addition of a chiral solvating agent (CSA), (S)-(+)-2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(9′-anthryl)ethanol.     

Synthesis, characterization, and applications in Heck and Suzuki coupling reactions of amphiphilic cyclopalladated ferrocenylimines

A series of novel amphiphilic ferrocenylimines and their cyclopalladated complexes of general formula [Fe(η⁵-C₅H₅)(η⁵-C₅H₄CR₁NR₂)] (R₁=H, R₂=C₁₂H₂₅-n4a, R₁=H, R₂=C₁₆H₃₃-n4b, R₁=CH₃, R₂=C₁₂H₂₅-n4c, R₁=CH₃, R₂=C₁₆H₃₃-n4d), [PdCl{[(η⁵-C₅H₅)]Fe[(η⁵-C₅H₃)CR₁NR₂]}]₂ (5a-d), [PdCl{[(η⁵-C₅H₅)]Fe[(η⁵-C₅H₃)-CR₁NR₂]}(PPh₃)] (6a-d), were prepared and characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, ³¹P NMR, IR, HRMS, and elemental analysis. The crystal structures of 5c,d were determined by X-ray crystallography. These amphiphilic cyclopalladated complexes are thermally stable and insensitive to oxygen and moisture. The redox properties of 4a-d, 5a-d, 6a-d were also investigated using cyclic voltammetric technique. Compounds 5a-d, 6a-d displayed good activity in the Heck reaction of a variety of aryl halides with ethyl acrylate or styrene and the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction of aryl bromides with phenylboronic acid in bulk solution. They are also suitable for formation of Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films.     

Synthesis and reactivity of new functionalized Pd(II) cyclometallated complexes with boronic esters

Treatment of the functionalized Schiff base ligands with boronic esters 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d with palladium (II) acetate in toluene gave the polynuclear cyclometallated complexes 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d, respectively, as air-stable solids, with the ligand as a terdentate [C,N,O] moiety after deprotonation of the -OH group. Reaction of 1j with palladium (II) acetate in toluene gave the dinuclear cyclometallated complex 5j. Reaction of the cyclometallated complexes with triphenylphosphine gave the mononuclear species 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d and 6j with cleavage of the polynuclear structure. Treatment of 2c with the diphosphine Ph₂PC₅H₄FeC₅H₄PPh₂ (dppf) in 1:2 molar ratio gave the dinuclear cyclometallated complex 4c as an air-stable solid.Deprotection of the boronic ester can be easily achieved; thus, by stirring the cyclometallated complex 3a in a mixture of acetone/water, 3e is obtained in good yield. Reaction of the tetrameric complex 2a with cis-1,2-cyclopentanediol in chloroform gave complex 2c after a transesterification reaction. Under similar conditions complexes 3a and 3d behaved similarly: with cis-1,2-cyclopentanediol, pinacol or diethanolamine complexes 3c, 3b, 3g and 3f, were obtained. The pinacol derivatives 3b and 3g experiment the Petasis reaction with glyoxylic acid and morpholine in dichloromethane to give complexes 3h, and 3i, respectively.     

Synthesis and characterization of half-sandwich Rh, Ir complexes containing mono-thiolate-ortho-carborane ligand

Two binuclear complexes [Cp^∗M(Cl)Carb^S]₂ (Cp^∗ = η⁵-C₅Me₅, M = Rh (1a), Carb^S = SC₂(H)B₁₀H₁₀, Ir (1b)) were synthesized by the reaction of LiCarb^S with the dimeric metal complexes [Cp^∗MCl(μ-Cl)]₂ (M = Rh, Ir). Four mononuclear complexes Cp^∗M(Cl)(L)Carb^S (L = BuⁿPPh₂, M = Rh (2a), Ir (2b); L = PPh₃, M = Rh (4a), Ir (4b)) were synthesized by reactions of 1a or 1b with L (L = BuⁿPPh₂ (2); PPh₃ (4)) in moderate yields, respectively. Complexes 3a, 3b, 5a, 5b were obtained by treatment of 2a, 2b, 4a, 4b with AgPF₆ in high yields, respectively. All of these compounds were fully characterized by IR, NMR, and elemental analysis, and the crystal structures of 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 4a, 4b were also confirmed by X-ray crystallography. Their structures showed 3a, 3b and 5a, 5b could be expected as good candidates for heterolytic dihydrogen activation. Preliminary experiments on the dihydrogen activation driven by these half-sandwich Rh, Ir complexes were done under mild conditions.     

Regioselectivity in the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of adamantylidenefulvene and its modification by inclusion in cyclodextrins' solutions

The 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of adamantylidenefulvene (1) with 2 equiv of nitrile oxides 2a-d gave 1/1 cycloadducts, 3a-d and 4a-d, as the major products, and four other 1/2 minor cycloadducts 5-8a,b. The ratios of 1/1 cycloadducts 3a-d to 4a-d in THF solution were about 1/1 in the four different nitrile oxides 2a-d studied and microwave was found to accelerate the reactions and enhance their yields. It is noteworthy that the regioselectivity of 3a/4a was enhanced to 71/29 in β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) aqueous solution compared to that of 40/60 in the absence of β-CD. The regioselectivity of 3b/4b was further enhanced to 99/1 when 4-tert-butylphenyl hydroximinoyl chloride (9b) was complexed with β-CD and then proceeded to react with 1; this is in sharp contrast with that of 33/67 in the absence of β-CD. The binding constant of 1·β-CD in acetone-d₆/D₂O (1/1) was determined to be 188±9 M⁻¹ by ¹H NMR titration experiments. The binding mode of 1·β-CD was further determined by ROESY experiment. Furthermore, molecular dynamic simulations were carried out to provide information of the complexation modes of 1·β-CD, 3a·β-CD, 4a·β-CD, 9a·β-CD, and 9b·β-CD. It was found that both steric and electrostatic effects play important roles in determining the regio- and stereochemistry of 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of 1. Finally, β-CD is shown to serve as a chiral shift reagent to differentiate the enantiomers of 4a in ¹H NMR.     

Preference of di-n-butyltin compounds to build O?Sn bonds in fused rings with five-six members

The reaction of salicylaldehyde (1), o-aminophenols (2a-2f), and di-n-butyltin^IV oxide (3) to give six di-n-butyltin^IV compounds (4a-4f) was achieved in good yields. All compounds were characterized by ¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁵N, ¹¹⁹Sn NMR, mass spectrometry, IR, elemental analysis and in the case of compounds 4a, 4b, 4d and 4e by X-ray diffraction analysis. Compound 4a crystallized with trigonal bipiramidal (TPB) geometry surrounding the tin atom while 4b and 4e crystallized as dimeric molecules joined by two O?Sn bonds with distorted octahedron (DOC) geometry. The X-ray structure of 4d presents one cocrystallized monomeric TBP with one dimeric DOC molecule. Correlations of σ_Hammett vs. spectroscopic values were found for 4a-4b and 4d-4f, indicating the substituents in the aromatic ring derived from o-aminophenol serve as modulators of the O?Sn supramolecular interaction. The O?Sn bond formation is selective for the five-membered ring oxygen atom.     

Preparation of cobalt-containing bulky monodentate phosphines with electron-withdrawing/donating substituents on bridged arylethynyl and their applications in Suzuki coupling reactions

Several cobalt-containing bulky monodentate phosphines (μ-PPh₂CH₂PPh₂)Co₂(CO)₄(μ,η-(^tBu)₂PCC(C₆H₄R)) (4a: R=H; 4b: R=p-F; 4cp: R=p-CF₃; 4cm: R=m-CF₃; 4d: R=p-OMe) were prepared from the reactions of (^tBu)₂PCC(R-C₆H₄) (2a: R=H; 2b: R=p-F; 2cp: R=p-CF₃; 2cm: R=m-CF₃; 2d: R=p-OMe) with Co₂(CO)₆(μ-PPh₂CH₂PPh₂) 3. Further reactions of 4a, 4b, 4cp, 4cm, and 4d with Pd(OAc)₂ yielded unique palladium complexes (μ-PPh₂CH₂PPh₂)Co₂(CO)₄(μ,η-(^tBu)₂PCC(C₆H₃R)-κC¹)Pd(μ-OAc) (5a: R=H; 5b: R=p-F; 5cp: R=p-CF₃; 5cm: R=m-CF₃; 5d: R=p-OMe, respectively). The strong electron-withdrawing substituents, -F and -CF₃, assist the ortho-metalation process during the formation of 5b, 5cp, and 5cm. The more positively charged palladium center in 5b (or 5cp, 5cm) enhances the probability for PhB(OH)₃⁻ to attack the metal center and the rate of reduction thereafter. DFT studies on the charges of these palladium centers support this assumption. The enhancement of the reaction rates of the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reactions using 5b, 5cp, and 5cm is thereby attributed to this effect.     

Normal and abnormal carbene complexes derived from thiazole: Preparation and a preliminary investigation of their relative catalytic performance

Readily prepared 2-, 4- and 5-bromo-3-methyl thiazolium triflates react by oxidative substitution with M(PPh₃)₄ (M = Ni or Pd) to furnish five of the expected normal and abnormal cationic thiazolylidene complexes (1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, and 3b). Carbene complex formation is accompanied by a ca. 40 ppm downfield shift of the α-N carbene carbons in Pd complexes 1 and 2 in their ¹³C NMR spectra but the chemical shift of C(carbene) in the abnormal3b (δ 135.7) is particularly low. Crystal and molecular structures of complexes 1a, 2b, and 3b all indicate a square planar arrangement of the ligands around the central metal atoms. The new complexes catalyse Suzuki-Miyaura aryl coupling.     

From bis(silylamino)tin dichlorides via di(1-alkynyl)-bis(silylamino)tin to new heterocycles by 1,1-organoboration

Bis(silylamino)tin dichlorides 1 [X₂SnCl₂ with X=N(Me₃Si)₂ (a), N(9-BBN)SiMe₃ (b), N(^tBu)SiMe₃ (c), and N(SiMe₂CH₂)₂ (d)] were prepared from the reaction of two equivalents of the respective lithium amides (Li-a-d) with tin tetrachloride, SnCl₄, or from the 1:1 reaction of the respective bis(amino)stannylene with SnCl₄. The compounds 1 react with two equivalents of lithium alkynides LiCCR¹ to give the di(1-alkynyl)-bis(silylamino)tin compounds X₂Sn(CCR¹)₂, 2 (R¹=Me), 3 (R¹=^tBu), and 4 (R¹=SiMe₃). Problems were encountered, mainly with LiCC^tBu as well as with 1b, since side reactions also led to the formation of 1-alkynyl-bis(silylamino)tin chlorides 5-7 and tri(1-alkynyl)(silylamino)tin compounds 8 and 9. 1,1-Ethylboration of compounds 2-4 led to stannoles 10, 11, and in the case of propynides, also to 1,4-stannabora-2,5-cyclohexadiene derivatives 12. The molecular structure of the stannole 11b (R¹=SiMe₃) was determined by X-ray analysis. The reaction of 2a and d with triallylborane afforded novel heterocycles, the 1,3-stannabora-2-ethylidene-4-cyclopentenes 14. These reactions proceed via intermolecular 1,1-allylboration, followed by an intramolecular 1,2-allylboration to give 14, and a second intramolecular 1,2-allylboration leads to the bicyclic compounds 15.     

A new class of azobenzene chelators for Mg and Ca in buffer at physiological pH

A new class of azobenzene-based chelators, trans-3a and trans-3b (3a and 3b), were designed and synthesized in two steps. Both 3a and 3b were readily dissolved in a buffer solution at physiological pH. The values of the dissociation constant of 3a and 3b for Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ were determined by the Hills plot; K_d^Mg=1.12 mM and K_d^Ca=660 μM for 3a and K_d^Mg=158 μM and K_d^Ca=200 μM for 3b, respectively. On irradiation at 489 nm light, 3a isomerized to give cis-form, which underwent cis-to-trans thermal isomerization in darkness at room temperature. The change in the absorption spectrum of the irradiated solution of 3a in the presence of Mg²⁺, showing the cis-to-trans thermal isomerization, indicates that the affinity of cis-3a for Mg²⁺ is lower than that of 3a.     

The first entry to 5,6-dihydroxy-3-mercaptoindole, 5-hydroxy-3-mercaptoindole and their 2-carbomethoxy derivatives by a mild thiocyanation/reduction methodology

The hitherto unknown 5,6-dihydroxy-3-mercaptoindole (4a) and its 2-carbomethoxy derivative (4b), as well as the analogous 5-hydroxy 3-mercaptoindoles, have been conveniently obtained as O,S-acetyl derivatives 3a-d by thiocyanation of the corresponding acetoxyindoles 1a-d with the NH₄SCN/oxone system followed by SmI₂ reduction and acetylation.     

Synthesis and properties of bis(heteroazulen-3-yl)methyl cations and bis(heteroazulen-3-yl)ketones

The synthesis and properties of a novel type of bis(heteroazulen-3-yl)methyl cations, bis(2-oxo-2H-cyclohepta[b]furan-3-yl)methyl cation salt and nitrogen analogues, (9a-c·PF₆⁻) and (9a-c·BF₄⁻), as well as bis(heteroazulen-3-yl)ketones (12a-d) are studied. The synthetic method was based on a TFA-catalyzed electrophilic aromatic substitution on the heteroazulenes (6a-d) with paraformaldehyde to afford the corresponding disubstituted methane derivatives 7a-d, followed by oxidative hydrogen abstraction with DDQ, and subsequent exchange of the counter-anion by using aq. HPF₆ or aq. HBF₄. In addition, the reaction of 7a-d with 2.2 equiv. amounts of DDQ afforded carbonyl compounds 12a-d. The delocalization of the positive charge of 9a-c was evaluated by the ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectral data. The thermodynamic stability of cations 9a-c was evaluated to be in the order 9a<9b<9c on the basis of their reduction potentials measured by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and pK_R+ values (2.6-10.3) obtained spectrophotometrically. The reduction waves of cations 9a-c were irreversible, suggesting the dimerization of the radical species generated by one-electron reduction. This was demonstrated by the reduction of 9a·BF₄⁻ with Zn powder to give dimerized product 14a. In addition, the quenching of 9a·BF₄⁻ with MeOH/NaHCO₃ gives ether derivative 15a, which is proposed for the precursor for synthesizing tris(heteroazulene)-substituted methyl cations bearing two different heteroazulene-units.