Synthesis and Mesomorphic Behavior of 3‐Alkyl‐2,5‐ bis[p‐(hexa‐2,4‐dienoyloxy)phenyl]‐Thiophene Derivatives

3‐Alkyl‐2,5‐bis[p‐(hexa‐2,4‐dienoyloxy)phenyl]‐thiophene derivatives were synthesized by using Kumada coupling and Suzuki coupling reactions as key steps. The thermotropic liquid crystalline behavior of these compounds was investigated by optical polarized microscopy, monotropic nematic mesophases were observed in such compounds.     

Systematic Modulation of the Fluorescence Brightness in Boron‐Dipyrromethene (BODIPY)‐Tagged N‐Heterocyclic Carbene (NHC)–Gold–Thiolates

Five different highly fluorescent boron‐dipyrromethene (BODIPY)‐tagged N‐heterocyclic carbene NHC–gold halide complexes were synthesized. The substitution of the halogeno ligand by 4‐substituted aryl thiolates leads to a decrease in the brightness of the complexes. This decrease depends on the electronic nature of the thiols, being most pronounced with highly electron‐rich thiols (4‐R=NMe₂). The brightness of the gold thiolates also depends on the distance between the sulfur atom and the BODIPY moiety. The systematic variation of the electron density of [(NHC–bodipy)Au(SC₆H₄R)] (via different R groups) enables the systematic variation of the fluorescence brightness of an appended BODIPY fluorophore. Based on this and supported by DFT calculations, a photoinduced electron‐transfer quenching appears to be the dominant mechanism controlling the brightness of the appended BODIPY dye.     

Synthesis of 6‐Alkylidene‐5,6‐dihydro‐4H‐1,3‐thiazine Derivatives via the Cyclization of N‐3‐Bromo‐3‐alkenylthioamides

By the treatment of N‐3‐bromo‐3‐alkenylthioamides with sodium hydroxide in DMF‐H₂O in the presence of tetra‐butylammonium bromide, series of 6‐alkylidene‐5,6‐dihydro‐4H‐1,3‐thiazine derivatives were prepared in moderate to good yields. The cyclization is supposed to proceed via both the intramolecular vinylic nucleophilic substitution and the elimination‐addition mechanisms (formation of acetylenic intermediates) in a competitive manner.     

Light‐Harvesting Ytterbium(III)–Porphyrinate–BODIPY Conjugates: Synthesis,Excitation‐Energy Transfer,and Two‐Photon‐Induced Near‐Infrared‐Emission Studies

Based on a donor–acceptor framework, several conjugates have been designed and prepared in which an electron‐donor moiety, ytterbium(III) porphyrinate (YbPor), was linked through an ethynyl bridge to an electron‐acceptor moiety, boron dipyrromethene (BODIPY). Photoluminescence studies demonstrated efficient energy transfer from the BODIPY moiety to the YbPor counterpart. When conjugated with the YbPor moiety, the BODIPY moiety served as an antenna to harvest the lower‐energy visible light, subsequently transferring its energy to the YbPor counterpart, and, consequently, sensitizing the Yb^III emission in the near‐infrared (NIR) region with a quantum efficiency of up to 0.73 % and a lifetime of around 40 μs. Moreover, these conjugates exhibited large two‐photon‐absorption cross‐sections that ranged from 1048–2226 GM and strong two‐photon‐induced NIR emission.     

Thermoresponsive fluorescent water‐soluble copolymers containing BODIPY dye: Inhibition of H‐aggregation of the BODIPY units in their copolymers by LCST

Novel water‐soluble copolymers containing 4‐difluoro‐4‐bora‐3a,4a‐diaza‐s‐indacene (BODIPY) dyes were synthesized by reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. The copolymers with both number‐average molecular weight between 5.0 × 10³ and 5.8 × 10³ and narrow molecular weight distribution (M_w/M_n < 1.19) were obtained by the copolymerization of (2‐dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) and BODIPY‐based methyl methacrylate ( 1 ) with 2,2′‐azobis(isobutyronitrile) (AIBN) as an initiator in the presence of cumyl dithiobenzoate (CDB) as a chain transfer agent (CTA). The structures of the resulting copolymers were characterized by ¹H, ¹³C, and ¹¹B NMR spectroscopies, and the comonomer compositions were good consistent with the feed ratio. Characteristic optical properties of the obtained copolymers were investigated by UV‐vis and PL spectroscopic methods. The copolymers composed of [DMAEMA]: [1] = 98.0:2.0 and 99.4:1.4 led to thermoresponsive polymers having phase separation temperatures at 32 °C and 40 °C, respectively, depending on the compositions of hydrophilic/hydrophobic balances. Further, the effective reversible decrease/increase of the emission intensity of the copolymers led to the reversible formation/inhibition of the H‐aggregation between two BODIPY planes in the copolymers on heating and cooling across the border of LCST. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 627–634, 2010     

Ligand‐free Pd/Cu‐catalyzed decarboxylative coupling of aryl iodides with α‐oxocarboxylates

This paper describes a palladium/copper‐catalyzed decarboxylative coupling of aryl iodides with α‐oxocarboxylates. The cross‐coupling reaction gives high chemical yields of aryl ketones and has wide functional group tolerance, making the transformation an attractive alternative to the traditional cross‐coupling approaches for aryl ketones. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Tuning the Photophysical Properties of BODIPY Molecules by π‐Conjugation with Fischer Carbene Complexes

The synthesis, structure, and photophysical properties of novel BODIPY–Fischer alkoxy‐, thio‐, and aminocarbene dyads are reported. The BODIPY chromophore is directly attached to the carbene ligand by an ethylenic spacer, thus forming donor–bridge–acceptor π‐extended systems. The extension of the π‐conjugation is decisive in the equilibrium geometries of the dyads and is clearly reflected in the corresponding absorption and emission spectra. Whereas the BODIPY fragment is mainly isolated in aminocarbene complexes, it is fully conjugated in alkoxycarbene derivatives. The former thus exhibit the characteristic photophysical properties of BODIPY units, whereas complete suppression of the BODIPY fluorescence emission is observed in the latter, as a direct consequence of the strong electron‐accepting character of the (CO)₅M?C moiety. As the π‐acceptor character of the metal–carbene group can be modified, the electronic properties of the conjugated BODIPY can be tuned. Density functional calculations have been carried out to gain insight into the photophysical properties.     

Asymmetric Donor–π‐Acceptor‐Type Benzo‐Fused Aza‐BODIPYs: Facile Synthesis and Colorimetric Properties

Novel aza‐diisoindolylmethene and their BF₂‐chelating complexes (benzo‐fused aza‐BODIPYs) were synthesized on a large scale and in a facile manner from phthalonitrile in tBuOK‐DMF solution. The unique asymmetric donor–π‐acceptor structure facilitates B? N bond detachment in the presence of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) in dichloromethane, resulting in sharp color change from red to colorless, with over 250 nm hypsochromic shift in the absorption maximum. This colorimetric process can be reversed by adding a very small amount of proton‐accepting solvents or compounds. A ¹H and ¹¹B NMR spectroscopy study and also density functional theory (DFT) calculations suggest that TFA‐induced B? N bond cleavage may disrupt the whole π‐conjugation of the BODIPY molecule, resulting in significant colorimetric behavior.     

meso‐Pyrrole‐Substituted 22‐Oxacorroles: Building Blocks for the Synthesis of BODIPY‐Bridged 22‐Oxacorrole Dyads

Novel boron‐dipyrromethene (BODIPY)‐bridged 22‐oxacorrole dyads, using meso‐pyrrolyl 22‐oxacorrole as a key synthon, have been synthesized. The reactivity of the meso‐pyrrolyl group of 22‐oxacorrole was exploited to synthesize the first examples of BODIPY‐bridged 22‐oxacorrole dyads in ≈40 % yield. The dyads are stable and exhibited interesting spectral and electrochemical properties.     

Electro‐Oxidation of 3,4‐Dihydroxybenzoic Acid in the Presence of 6‐Methyl‐1,2,4‐Triazine‐3‐Thione‐5‐One: Unique Synthesis of 7H‐Thiazolo[3,2‐b]‐1,2,4‐Triazin‐7‐One Derivative in Aqueous Media

The electrochemical oxidation of 3,4‐dihydroxy benzoic acid ( 1 ) has been studied in the presence of 6‐methyl‐1,2,4‐triazine‐3‐thione‐5‐one ( 2 ) in aqueous solution. The oxidation mechanism of 1 and its reaction in the presence of 2 was offered. It was confirmed that 1 is converted to 7H‐thiazolo[3,2‐b]‐1,2,4‐triazin‐7‐one derivative 5 through Michael addition reaction of 2 to anodically generated o‐benzoquinone. The results of the research were used for electrochemical synthesis of 5 in an undivided cell in good yield and purity.     

Synthesis and Asymmetric Oxidation of (Caranylsulfanyl)‐1H‐imidazoles

For the first time 2‐(cis‐caran‐4‐ylsulfanyl)‐1H‐imidazole, 1‐methyl‐2‐(cis‐caran‐4‐ylsulfanyl)‐1H‐imidazole, and 2‐(cis‐caran‐4‐ylsulfanyl)‐1H‐benzimidazole (carane=3,7,7‐trimethylbicyclo[4.1.0]heptane) were synthesized, and the asymmetric oxidation of these compounds was also carried out. It was shown that oxidation by the Bolm system and the modified system of Sharpless lead to corresponding sulfoxides with de values of 91–100%.     

The use of Cr (CO)6 as an alternative CO source in Pd‐catalyzed C‐N bond formation: Synthesis of benzamides

An efficient strategy for the synthesis of benzamides from acetamides and aryl iodides using 1 mol% Pd (OAc)₂ as catalyst and Cr (CO)₆ as CO‐precursor is described. This new synthetic methodology displays high functional group tolerance on both substrates and avoids the need for ligands, reducing agents, or other additives. The corresponding products were obtained in good to excellent yields at atmospheric pressure under mild reaction conditions.     

Synthesis of palladium concave Nanocubes with high‐index facets and their catalytic properties

Palladium nanocrystals with a variety of shapes have received particular interest in recent years due to their unique properties in catalysis. Herein, Pd concave nanocubes with high‐index facets (Pd‐CNs) was synthesized by a simple water‐based route without seeds using L‐ascorbic acid (AA) as the reduction agent in the presence of CTAB. X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy were employed to demonstrate the formation of concave structures with high‐index facets of the Pd‐CNs with an average size of 17.5 nm. The as‐prepared Pd‐CNs presented significantly higher catalytic activity than commercial Pd/C (an average particle size of 4.7 nm) in the electro‐oxidation of methanol, but exhibited weaker property in Suzuki coupling reaction, which provided an evidence for the effect of shape and size on different reactions.     

Selenophen‐2‐yl‐Substituted Thiocarbonyl Ylides – at the Borderline of Dipolar and Biradical Reactivity

The reactions of aryl (selenophen‐2‐yl) thioketones with CH₂N₂ occur with spontaneous elimination of N₂, even at low temperature (?65°), to give regioselectively sterically crowded 4,4,5,5‐tetrasubstituted 1,3‐dithiolanes and/or a novel type of twelve‐membered dithia‐diselena heterocycles as dimers of the transient thiocarbonyl S‐methanides. The ratio of these products depends on the type of substituent located at C(4) of the phenyl ring. Whereas the formation of the 1,3‐dithiolanes corresponds to a [3+2] cycloaddition of an intermediate thiocarbonyl ylide with the starting thioketone, the twelve‐memberd ring has to be formed via dimerization of the ‘thiocarbonyl ylide’ with an extended biradical structure.     

Synthesis of 11‐cis‐Retinoids by Hydrosilylation–Protodesilylation of an 11,12‐Didehydro Precursor: Easy Access to 11‐ and 12‐Mono‐ and 11,12‐Dideuteroretinoids

An expeditious, highly efficient approach to 11‐cis‐retinoids was achieved by semihydrogenation of a readily available 11‐yne precursor through a hydrosilylation–protodesilylation protocol. The complete chemo‐, regio‐, and syn‐stereoselectivity of the method also allowed direct access to 11‐ and 12‐monodeutero‐, and 11,12‐dideutero‐11‐cis‐retinoids. The analogous trans series was not accessible by this route, and was synthesized by means of Hiyama coupling.     

Synthesis of a Library of Fluorescent 2‐Aryl‐3‐trifluoromethylnaphthofurans from Naphthols by Using a Sequential Pummerer‐Annulation/Cross‐Coupling Strategy and their Photophysical Properties

A library of 2‐aryl‐3‐trifluoromethylnaphthofurans was synthesized with high efficiency from simple naphthols. In this synthesis, the Pummerer‐type annulation of naphthols with 3‐(2,2,2‐trifluoroethylidene)‐2,4‐dithiapentane 2‐oxide was followed by a cross‐coupling of the resulting 2‐methylthio‐3‐trifluoromethylnaphthofurans with a variety of arylzinc reagents. A palladium complex, Pd‐PEPPSI‐IPr, was the most efficient catalyst for the arylation step, which represents the first cross‐coupling of aryl sulfides by using an N‐heterocyclic‐carbene‐ligated palladium complex. This library consists of new π‐expanded molecules, all of which are fluorescent in the solid state as well as in solution. Their photophysical properties, such as absorption and emission, fluorescence quantum yields, and fluorescence lifetimes, were thoroughly investigated. This library was also useful to identify acidochromic molecules.     

Synthesis and Properties of Chiral Pyrazolidines Derived from (+)‐Pulegone

Several enantiomerically pure N(2)‐substituted octahydroindazoles were prepared as bicyclic pyrazolidine derivatives of (+)‐pulegone. Condensation of pulegone with hydrazine delivered a hexahydroindazole intermediate, which underwent N(2)‐substitution with various electrophiles (alkyl halides, acyl chlorides, phenyl isocyanate). The resulting N(2)‐substituted hexahydroindazoles could be reduced with LiBEt₃H in THF to the target compounds. In addition, a N(2)‐thiobenzoyl and some N(2)‐carbamoyl derivatives as well as a N(1)‐substituted octahydroindazole were synthesized. The compounds showed medium activity as iminium ion catalysts promoting quantitatively the Michael addition of nitroethane to cinnamaldehyde in up to 82 % ee for the resulting syn‐diastereoisomer and 78 % ee for the anti‐diastereoisomer. Unexpectedly, the N(2)‐acyloctahydroindazoles were readily oxidized under aerobic conditions. Moreover, it was shown that an oxidation of methyl phenyl sulfide to the corresponding sulfoxide is promoted by an N(2)‐acyloctahydroindazole in deuterochloroform as solvent. It is proposed that the oxidation of N(2)‐acyloctahydroindazoles proceeds by in situ generation of hydrogen peroxide, which in turn can act as an oxidant.