Simple and convenient one-pot synthesis of cyclooctatetraene

Cyclooctatetraene is readily synthesized by the oxidation of in situ generated [Li(TMEDA)]₂[C₈H₈] with 1,2-dibromoethane. The product is readily isolated and produced without the use of hazardous or toxic reagents.     

Cycloaddition reactions of nitrones to cyclooctatetraene and its derivatives

The cycloaddition of acyclic nitrones to the Diels-Alder adduct cyclooctatetraene-acetylenedicarboxylate yields three different monoadducts, whose structures are assured through NMR spectroscopy and chemical transformations. Thermolysis of these monoadducts to the new heterocyclic system of 2,3-oxazabicyclo[3.2.0]hepta-6-ene is described. Depending on the nature of the substituents on the N atom and on the stereochemistry of the isoxazolidine C-3, variable amounts of pyrrole aldehydes are also obtained.     

Remarkable reactions of cyclooctatetraene diiron-bridging carbyne complexes with amino and amido compounds: nucleophilic addition to and breaking of the cyclooctatetraene ring

The reactions of the cationic, diiron-bridging carbyne complexes [Fe(2)(mu-CAr)(CO)(4)(eta(8)-C(8)H(8))]BF(4) (1, Ar=C(6)H(5); 2, Ar=p-CH(3)C(6)H(4); 3, Ar=p-CF(3)C(6)H(4)) with LiN(C(6)H(5))(2) in THF at low temperature gave novel N-nucleophilic-addition products, namely, the neutral, diiron-bridging carbyne complexes [Fe(2)(mu-CAr)(CO)(4)(eta(7)-C(8)H(8)N(C(6)H(5))(2))] (4, Ar=C(6)H(5); 5, Ar=p-CH(3)C(6)H(4); 6, Ar=p-CF(3)C(6)H(4))). Cationic bridging carbyne complexes 1-3 react with (C(2)H(5))(2)NH, (iC(3)H(7))(2)NH, and (C(6)H(11))(2)NH under the same conditions with ring cleavage of the COT ligand to produce the novel diiron-bridging carbene inner salts [Fe(2)[mu-C(Ar)C(8)H(8)NR(2)](CO)(4)] (7, Ar=C(6)H(5), R=C(2)H(5); 8, Ar=p-CH(3)C(6)H(4), R=C(2)H(5); 9, Ar=p-CF(3)C(6)H(4), R=C(2)H(5); 10, Ar=C(6)H(5), R=iC(3)H(7); 11, Ar=p-CH(3)C(6)H(4), R=iC(3)H(7); 12, Ar=p-CF(3)C(6)H(4), R=iC(3)H(7); 13, Ar=C(6)H(5), R=C(6)H(11); 14, Ar=p-CH(3)C(6)H(4), R=C(6)H(11), 15, Ar=p-CF(3)C(6)H(4), R=C(6)H(11)). Piperidine reacts similarly with cationic carbyne complex 3 to afford the corresponding bridging carbene inner salt [Fe(2)[mu-C(Ar)C(8)H(8)N(CH(2))(5)](CO)(4)] (16). Compound 9 was transformed into a new diiron-bridging carbene inner salt 17, the trans isomer of 9, by heating in benzene. Unexpectedly, the reaction of C(6)H(5)NH(2) with 2 gave a novel COT iron-carbene complex [Fe(2)[=C(C(6)H(4)CH(3)-p)NHC(6)H(5)](mu-CO)(CO)(3)(eta(8)-C(8)H(8))] (18). However, the analogous reactions of 2-naphthylamine with 2 and of p-CF(3)C(6)H(4)NH(2) with 3 produce novel chelated iron-carbene complexes [Fe(2)[=C(C(6)H(4)CH(3)-p)NC(10)H(7)](CO)(4)(eta(2):eta(3):eta(2)-C(8)H(9))] (19) and [Fe(2)[=C(C(6)H(4)CF(3)-p)NC(6)H(4)CF(3)-p](CO)(4)(eta(2):eta(3):eta(2)-C(8)H(9))] (20), respectively. Compound 18 can also be transformed into the analogous chelated iron-carbene complex [Fe(2)[=C(C(6)H(4)CH(3)-p)NC(6)H(5)](CO)(4)(eta(2):eta(3):eta(2)-C(8)H(9))] (21). The structures of complexes 6, 9, 15, 17, 18, and 21 have been established by X-ray diffraction studies.     

Photoelectron spectroscopy of mono and binuclear iron and chromium cyclooctatetraene complexes

The ultraviolet photoelectron spectra of mono and binuclear cyclooctatetraene (COT) complexes (CO)₃FeCOT (I) [(CO)₃Fe]₂COT (II), CpCrCOT (Cp: 1,3 cyclopentadienyl) (III) and (CpCr)₂COT (IV) are reported. The interpretation of the low energy part of the spectra is followed by a discussion concerning the metal–ligand (COT) and metal–metal interactions. The calculated gas phase structure of CpCrCOT is presented and its main features are discussed.     

Energetics and Electronic Properties of a Neutral Diuranium Molecule Encapsulated in C90 Fullerene

Scientists have found that the size of the cavity of endohedral metallofullerenes (EMFs) can influence the properties of the inner molecule. In this work, the neutral diuranium molecule was encapsulated into the C90 fullerene. The neutral U-U dissociation potential energy surfaces of different electronic states confined in the C90 fullerene were scanned and the quintuple and the septuplet of these states were found to be low-lying. In the fullerene cage, the U2 molecule easily disintegrates along the axis of the fullerene, and then is chemically adsorbed on the both ends of the fullerene. The charge distribution and the molecular orbit properties of the complex were also uncovered.     

Role of bifurcation in the bond shifting of cyclooctatetraene

The present study of the cyclooctatetraene potential energy surface shows the presence of a bifurcation (valley ridge inflection point) in the intrinsic reaction coordinate path between the two transition states of D(8h) and D(4h) symmetries. This result is of capital importance for the correct understanding of the bond shifting and ring inversion processes in this compound.     

Kinetics of hydroperoxyde-dependent naphthalene hydroxylation involving cytochrome P-450 of the intact and induced enzyme systems of rat liver microsomes

Hydroperoxide-dependent naphthalene hydroxylation involving rat liver microsomes has been studied. The direct interaction between cytochrome p-450 and cumyl hydroperoxide (CHP) has been demonstrated. K_m values with respect to both the substrate and CHP have been determined using intact and induced enzyme systems. The nature of the hydroxylating agent and the possible role of high-valence iron in the processes of hydroxylation by microsomal systems is discussed.

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Moderate-resolution two-photon spectrum of the naphthalene crystal and naphthalene in durene

The two-photon absorption spectra at ～ 5 cm^?1 resolution are presented for the naphthalene crystal and naphthalene in durene at 2°K in polarized light. A rich vibronic spectrum of the ¹B_2u(3200 Å) naphthalene state is observed and some of the strongest vibronic origins are from in-plane vibrations.     

Synthesis and structure of dipalladium complexes containing cyclooctatetraene and bicyclooctatrienyl ligands

The reaction of a substitutionally labile dipalladium(I) complex [Pd₂(CH₃CN)₆][BF₄]₂ (1) with 1,3,5,7-cyclooctatetraene (COT) in acetonitrile afforded [Pd₂(μ-η³:η³-C₈H₈)(CH₃CN)₄][BF₄]₂ (2). The reaction of 2 with COT in acetonitrile yielded [Pd₂(μ-η³:η³-C₁₆H₁₆)(CH₃CN)₄][BF₄]₂ (4), where COT is dimerized via C-C bond formation. Complexes 2 and 4 were structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction analyses. In dichloromethane, COT isomerized to styrene at room temperature in the presence of catalytic amount of 1, 2, or 4.     

Multireference calculations for ring inversion and double bond shifting in cyclooctatetraene

We present multireference calculations for the characterization of ring inversion and double bond shifting in cyclooctatetraene. The results show that it is necessary to treat the dynamical correlation very accurately to obtain correct values for the barrier heights. This can be done, for example, with multireference configuration interaction or with perturbation theory of third order. However, detailed analysis also shows that already a complete active space self‐consistent field treatment describes the processes surprisingly well. Thus, this method could be used as a computationally cheap method, for example, for dynamics simulations. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

A reinvestigation of the vibrational spectra of cyclooctatetraene and cyclooctatetraene-d8

Band shapes in the gas phase infrared spectrum of cyclooctatetraene (COT) have been recorded in the 3500–250 cm⁻¹ range. With these and the existing vibrational data for COT and COT-d₈, revised assignments of the fundamental modes have been made for both compounds. A normal coordinate analysis based on D_2d symmetry has been carried out and used to support the vibrational assignments.     

Electronic states and metal-ligand bonding of gadolinium complexes of benzene and cyclooctatetraene

Gadolinium (Gd) complexes of benzene (C(6)H(6)) and (1,3,5,7-cyclooctatetraene) (C(8)H(8)) were produced in a laser-vaporization supersonic molecular beam source and studied by single-photon pulsed-field ionization zero electron kinetic energy (ZEKE) spectroscopy. Adiabatic ionization energies and metal-ligand stretching frequencies were measured for the first time from the ZEKE spectra. Metal-ligand bonding and electronic states of the neutral and cationic complexes were analyzed by combining the spectroscopic measurements with ab initio calculations. The ground states of Gd(C(6)H(6)) and [Gd(C(6)H(6))](+) were determined as (11)A(2) and (10)A(2), respectively, with C(6v) molecular symmetry. The ground states of Gd(C(8)H(8)) and [Gd(C(8)H(8))](+) were identified as (9)A(2) and (8)A(2), respectively, with C(8v) molecular symmetry. Although the metal-ligand bonding in Gd(C(6)H(6)) is dominated by the covalent interaction, the bonding in Gd(C(8)H(8)) is largely electrostatic. The bonding in the benzene complex is much weaker than that in the cyclooctatetraene species. The strong bonding in Gd(C(8)H(8)) arises from two-electron transfer from Gd to C(8)H(8), which creates a strong charge-charge interaction and converts the tub-shaped ligand into a planar form. In both systems, Gd 4f orbitals are localized and play little role in the bonding, but they contribute to the high electron spin multiplicities.     

Ring contraction reactions in cyclooctatetraene oxide catalyzed by transition metals

The ring contraction of cyclooctatetraene oxide (COTEO) catalyzed by transition metal compounds is reported. The organic intermediates have been characterized and stabilization of the liable cycloheptatrienealdehyde in the presence of a copper salt is reported.     

Total synthesis of endiandric acid J and beilcyclone A from cyclooctatetraene

The endiandric acids are classic targets in natural product synthesis. The spectacular 8π/6π-electrocylisation/intramolecular Diels–Alder (8π/6π/IMDA) reaction cascade at the heart of their biosynthesis has inspired practitioners and students of pericyclic chemistry for nearly forty years. All previous synthetic approaches have sought to prepare a linear tetraene and thereby initiate the cascade. In this communication we demonstrate the use of cyclooctatetraene to rapidly intercept the 8π/6π/IMDA cascade at the cyclooctatriene stage. Endiandric acid J and beilcyclone A are prepared for the first time in six and five steps, respectively. The strategy features a tactical overall anti-vicinal difunctionalisation of cyclooctatetraene through S_N2′ alkylation of cyclooctatetraene oxide followed by an intriguing tandem Claisen rearrangement/6π-electrocyclisation from the corresponding vinyl ether. This rapidly constructs an advanced bicyclo[4.2.0]octadiene aldehyde intermediate. Olefinations and intramolecular Diels–Alder cycloadditions complete the syntheses. This establishes a short and efficient new path to the endiandric acid natural products. DFT modelling predicts thermal racemisation of bicyclo[4.2.0]octadiene intermediates, dashing hopes of enantioselective synthesis.

A new strategy to the endiandric acid natural products is demonstrated by intercepting the 8π/6π/IMDA pericyclic cascade through a tactical anti-vicinal difunctionalisation of cyclooctatetraene.     

Generation of molecular complexity from cyclooctatetraene using dienyliron and olefin metathesis methodology

Transformation of the simple hydrocarbon cyclooctatetraene into a variety of polycyclic skeletons was achieved by sequential coordination to iron, reaction with electrophiles followed by allylated nucleophiles, decomplexation and olefin metathesis.     

Octahapto cyclooctatetraene rings and metal-metal multiple bonds in binuclear niobium carbonyl chemistry

Theoretical studies on (C₈H₈)₂Nb₂(CO)_n (n = 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1) predict structures mainly with octahapto and tetrahapto C₈H₈ rings. In all cases, the lowest energy singlet spin state structures lie below the corresponding lowest energy triplet spin state structures. Thus the lowest energy (C₈H₈)₂Nb₂(CO)₄ structure has two η⁸-C₈H₈ rings and an unbridged Nb-Nb single bond of length ∼3.15 Å. The lowest energy (C₈H₈)₂Nb₂(CO)₂ structure has two η⁸-C₈H₈ rings but a doubly bridged NbNb triple bond of length ∼2.64 Å. The lowest energy structure of (C₈H₈)₂Nb₂(CO)₃ also has a formal NbNb triple bond of similar length (2.66 Å) but with only one of the rings fully coordinated as an octahapto η⁸-C₈H₈ ligand. The other C₈H₈ ring in this tricarbonyl has “slipped” to form a hexahapto η⁶-C₈H₈ ligand. The lowest energy structure of the monocarbonyl (C₈H₈)₂Nb₂(CO) again has two octahapto η⁸-C₈H₈ rings and an extremely short NbNb distance of 2.45 Å, suggesting a formal quadruple bond. The lowest energy structures for the carbonyl-richer species (C₈H₈)₂Nb₂(CO)_n (n = 6, 5) have one η⁸-C₈H₈ and one η⁴-C₈H₈ ring (n = 5) and two η⁴-C₈H₈ rings (n = 6). The qualitatively assigned Nb-Nb bond orders are consistent with the Wiberg bond indices obtained from the Weinhold natural bond orbital analysis. Comparison of the (C₈H₈)₂Nb₂(CO)_n (n = 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1) derivatives with the isovalent (C₇H₇)₂Mo₂(CO)_n is made.     

Synthesis,characterisation and liquid crystalline properties of some Schiff base-ester central linkage involving 2, 6- disubstituted naphthalene ring system

Four new mesogenic homologous series, each containing a 6-alkoxy 2-naphthoic acid and Schiff base-ester as central linkage, have been synthesised by esterification of 4-{[(4-hydroxyphenyl) imino] methyl} phenyl 4-propoxy benzoate, 4-{[(4-hydroxyphenyl) imino] methyl} phenyl 4- (pentyloxy) benzoate, 4-{[(4-hydroxyphenyl)imino]methyl}-2-methoxyphenyl 4- nitrobenzoate and 4-{[(4-hydroxyphenyl)imino]methyl}-2-methoxyphenyl 4- chlorobenzoate with different 6-alkoxy 2-naphthoic acid to give Series-A, -B, -C and -D, respectively. These compounds were characterised by elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared, ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance, ultraviolet-visible and mass spectral studies. Their mesomorphic behaviour was studied by polarising optical microscope (POM) with a heating stage. POM data were compared with differential scanning calorimetry thermograms. In Series-A and -B all compounds exhibit mesomorphism. Series-A compounds exhibit a enantiotropic nematic mesophase, while a smectic A mesophase is observed from the butoxy derivative and persists up to the last member of the homologou series. Series-B compounds also exhibit the enantiotropic nematic mesophase, while the smectic A mesophase is observed from the ethoxy derivative and persists up to the last member of the homologou series. The mesomorphic properties of both series are compared with each other and the other structurally related Series-C and –D compounds. In Series-C and -D all compounds exhibit the only nematic mesophase; no smectic mesophase is observed even for higher members of the homologous.

The aim of the research was to synthesise and characterise novel liquid crystalline compounds containing 2,6-disubstituted naphthalene and to study their mesomorphic properties.