Synthesis of novel diphosphite ligands derived from d-mannitol and their application in Cu-catalyzed enantioselective conjugate addition of organozinc to enones

A series of novel chiral diphosphite ligands have been synthesized from d-mannitol derivatives and chlorophosphoric acid diary ester, and were successfully employed in the copper catalyzed enantioselective conjugate addition of organozinc reagents diethylzinc and dimethylzinc to cyclic and acyclic enones. The stereochemically matched combination of d-mannitol and (R)-H₈-binaphthyl in ligand 1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-3,4-bis[(R)-1,1′-H₈-binaphthyl-2,2′-diyl] phosphite-d-mannitol was essential to afford 93% ee for 3-ethylcyclohexanone, 92% ee for 3-ethylcyclopentanone, and 90% ee for 3-ethylcycloheptanone in toluene, using Cu(OTf)₂ as a catalytic precursor. The results clearly indicated that the chiral organocopper reagent exhibited high enantioselectivies for cyclic enones bearing different ring sizes. As for the backbone of this type of ligand, it has been demonstrated that 1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-d-mannitol was more efficient than 1,2:5,6-di-O-cyclohexylidene-d-mannitol. The sense of the enantiodiscrimination was mainly determined by the configuration of the diaryl phosphite moieties in the 1,4-addition of cyclic enones.     

Palladium-catalyzed double cross-coupling reaction of 1,2-bis(pinacolatoboryl)alkenes and -arenes with 2,2′-dibromobiaryls: annulative approach to functionalized polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

This study demonstrates that the double cross-coupling reaction of 1,2-bis(pinacolatoboryl)alkenes and -arenes with 2,2′-dibromobiaryls proceeds smoothly with the aid of a catalytic amount of Pd(PPh₃)₄ in the presence of excess base to give a variety of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, such as phenanthrenes, [5]helicene, dithienobenzenes, triphenylenes, dibenzo[g,p]chrysenes, and triphenyleno[1,2-b:4,3-b′]dithiophenes in good to high yields. It is noteworthy that the annulations using 2,2′-dibromooctafluorobiphenyl as an electrophile furnish the otherwise difficult to synthesize octafluorophenanthrenes and semi-fluorinated dibenzo[g,p]chrysenes in high yields.     

Allylic alkylation and amination using mixed (NHC)(phosphine) palladium complexes under biphasic conditions

A dramatic improvement of the catalytic activity was observed when a phosphine was added in allylic alkylation reactions catalyzed by (NHC)Pd(η³-C₃H₅)Cl complexes. Consequently, several palladium complexes, generated in situ from different NHC-silver complexes, [Pd(η³-C₃H₅)Cl]₂ and PPh₃, were tested in this reaction to evaluate their potential. High reaction rates and conversions could be obtained with this catalytic system in the alkylation of allylic acetates with dimethylmalonate, particularly under biphasic conditions using water/dichloromethane and KOH 1 M as the base. These conditions are experimentally more convenient and gave higher reaction rates than the classical anhydrous conditions (NaH/THF). In this system, the phosphine is essential since no conversion was obtained when it is not present. The steric hindrance of the carbene ligand has a great influence on the activity and the stability of the catalytic system. The best NHC ligands for this reaction are either 1-mesityl-3-methyl-imidazol-2-ylidene or 1-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-3-methyl-imidazol-2-ylidene which are less bulky among the NHC tested. These two ligands led in 5 min to a complete conversion at 20 °C. The Pd-catalyzed allylic amination reaction using (E)-1,3-diphenylprop-3-en-yl acetate and benzylamine was also tested with (NHC)(PPh₃)Pd complexes and under the biphasic conditions. This reaction was found to be slower than the alkylation with dimethylmalonate but a complete conversion could be reached in 6 h at 20 °C using K₂CO₃ 1 M as the base. NMR experiments indicated that mixed (NHC)(PPh₃)Pd complexes are formed in situ but their structure could not be established exactly.     

Stereoselective synthesis of substituted 2,5-diazabicyclo[2.2.1]heptanes by iodine-mediated cyclization of optically pure compounds containing the 4,5-diamino-1,7-octadiene and 1,2-diamino-4-alkene moieties

3,7-endo-Disubstituted 2,5-diazabicyclo[2.2.1]heptanes were obtained by iodo-cyclization of N,N′-di[(S)-1-phenylethyl]-(E,E)-4,5-diamino-1,8-diphenyl-1,7-octadiene and substituted N,N′-di[(S)-1-phenylethyl]-1,2-diamino-4-alkenes. Removal of only one N-substituent of the bridged piperazines was achieved by reduction with ammonium formate and Pd/C. Unexpected cleavage of the skeleton of vinyl-substituted bridged piperazines was observed using hydrogen, leading to substituted 3-aminopyrrolidines.     

N-Heterocyclic carbenes as ligands in palladium-catalyzed Tsuji–Trost allylic substitution

A Pd(0)-catalyzed allylic substitution (i.e., Tsuji–Trost reaction) using N-heterocyclic carbene as a ligand was investigated. It has been proven that an imidazolium salt 2d having bulky aromatic rings attached to the nitrogens in its imidazol-2-ylidene skeleton is suitable as a ligand precursor and that a Pd₂dba₃–imidazolium salt 2d–Cs₂CO₃ system is highly efficient for producing a Pd–NHC catalyst in this reaction. Allylic substitution using a Pd–NHC complex differed from that using a Pd–phosphine complex as follows: (1) the reaction using a Pd–NHC complex required elevated temperature (50 °C or reflux in THF), (2) allylic carbonates were inert to a Pd–NHC complex, and (3) nitrogen nucleophiles such as sulfonamide and amine did not react with allylic acetate. It was also found that allylic substitution with a soft nucleophile using a Pd–NHC catalyst proceeds via overall retention of configuration to give the product in a stereospecific manner, the stereochemical reaction course obviously being the same as that of the reaction using a Pd–phosphine complex.     

Effect of the rigidity and flexibility features of 2-pyridinyl or 8-quinolinyl based N-N chiral ligands on the stereochemical properties of [Pd(N-N)Cl2] complexes

The [Pd(N-N^∗)Cl₂] complexes have been obtained, as yellow solids, in almost quantitative yields; N-N^∗ indicate bidentate chiral ligands (S_a)-1, (S_a)-2, (S,S)-3, (R,R)-4, containing the rigid 2-pyridinyl or 8-quinolinyl building block skeleton and the C₂-symmetric chiral framework trans-2,5-dimethylpyrrolidinyl or (S)-(+)-2,2′-(2-azapropane-1,3-diyl)-1,1′-binaphthalene. The ligands pairs have the same C₂-symmetric chiral framework but different building block skeleton, beyond that for the basicity in the N-donor atoms, for rigidity and flexibility features. The N-N^∗ ligands act as chelating ligands leading a square planar geometry. The compounds [Pd(S,S-3)Cl₂] and [Pd(R,R-4)Cl₂] have been also characterised by X-ray diffraction. The rigidity and flexibility features of (S,S)-3 and (R,R)-4 ligands induce a different orientation of the trans-2,5-dimethylpyrrolidinyl moiety with respect to the pyridinyl and quinolinyl plane. This work shows that intrinsic rigidity and flexibility are not enough to define the ligand properties and to preview the effects that they induce on the reactivity of the metal complex.     

Synthesis of novel chiral bidentatephosphite ligands derived from the pyranoside backbone of monosaccharides and their application in the Cu-catalyzed conjugate addition of dialkylzinc to enones

A series of novel bidentatephosphite ligands, derived from methyl 3,6-anhydro-α-d-glucopyranoside and chlorophosphoric acid diaryl ester, were easily synthesized. These ligands were successfully employed in the Cu-catalyzed asymmetric conjugate 1,4-addition of the organozinc reagents diethylzinc and/or dimethylzinc to enones. The stereochemically matched combination of glucopyranoside and (R)-H₈-binaphthyl in ligand 2,4-bis{[(R)-1,1′-H₈-binaphthyl-2,2′-diyl] phosphite}-methyl 3,6-anhydro-α-d-glucopyranoside was essential to afford 85% ee for 3-ethylcyclohexanone with an (S)-configuration in THF, using Cu(OTf)₂ as a catalytic precursor. When the reaction was carried out at lower temperatures, changing from ?10 to ?80 °C, a marginal influence of the temperature on the enantioselectivity of the reaction was observed. The presence of the methyl substituent at the 1-position of the glucopyranoside skeleton had a negative effect on the enantioselectivity in the 1,4-addition of ZnEt₂ to acyclic enones.     

γ-Selective allylic substitution reaction with Grignard reagents catalyzed by copper N-heterocyclic carbene complexes and its application to enantioselective synthesis

The reaction of allylic compounds with alkyl Grignard reagents in the presence of a catalytic amount of copper N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes proceeded predominantly in an S_N2′ reaction pathway to give γ-substituted product in excellent yield. The method was applied to asymmetric reaction by using optically active NHC ligands.     

Carbohydrate-derived spiroketals: stereoselective synthesis of di-d-fructose dianhydrides

A one-pot synthesis of di-d-fructose dianhydrides (DFAs) having the 1,6,9,13-tetraoxadispiro[4.2.4.2]tetradecane and 1,7,10,15-tetraoxadispiro[5.2.5.2]hexadecane skeleton has been accomplished. The methodology relies on the ability of per-O-protected 1,2-O-isopropylidene β-d-fructofuranose and β-d-fructopyranose derivatives to undergo a tandem acetal cleavage-intermolecular glycosylation-intramolecular spiroketalization process by reaction with suitable acid promoters, such as boron trifluoride etherate or trifluoromethanesulfonic acid, in apolar organic solvents. Spirocyclization proceeds then under irreversible reaction conditions to give binary mixtures of di-d-fructofuranose (α,α and α,β diastereomers) or di-d-fructopyranose 1,2′:2,1′ dianhydrides (β,β and α,β), respectively, the stereochemical outcome being dependent on the non-participating or participating character of the protecting groups. Thus, benzylated and allylated derivatives afford, preferentially, the non-symmetric DFAs (α,β), with diastereomeric excess up to 92%. In contrast, the use of participating benzoyl groups favours the C₂-symmetric diastereomer in both series.     

Facile and catalytic degradation method of DDT using Pd/C-Et3N system under ambient pressure and temperature

The catalytic degradation method of p,p′-DDT [1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane] and its regioisomer o,p′-DDT [1,1,1-trichloro-2-(o-chlorophenyl)-2-(p-chlorophenyl)ethane] using the Pd/C-Et₃N system under ambient hydrogen pressure and temperature was established. The presence of Et₃N was necessary for the quick and complete breakdown of DDT. The independent degradation study of two intermediates, p,p′-DDD [2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-1,1-dichloroethane] and p,p′-DDE [2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-1,1-dichloroethylene] using GC-MS let us to speculate the degradation pathway of p,p′-DDT. In the initial phase of the reaction, p,p′-DDT degradation splits into two ways: a dehydrochlorination pathway and a hydrodechlorination pathway. In each pathway, reaction starts from an aliphatic moiety and subsequent hydrodechlorination from the benzene moieties takes place in a stepwise manner. The former pathway leads to the formation of 1,1-diphenylethane and the latter leads to the formation of 1,1-dichloro-2,2-diphenylethane. These diphenylethane analogs, which are less toxic compared with p,p′-DDT, are terminal degradation products in our system. The distinctive features of our catalytic degradation method of DDTs are reliability, simplicity, efficiency, and inexpensiveness.     

Copolymerization of 7‐Methylenebicyclo[4.1.0]heptane with Carbon Monoxide Initiated by Optically Active Palladium Complexes

Seven Pd‐complexes with optically active bis[dihydroxazole]‐type ligands promote asymmetric alternating copolymerization of 7‐methylenebicyclo[4.1.0]heptane with CO, which produces an optically active polyketone, ? [C(?CH₂)? CO? C₆H₁₀]_n? . The reaction under increased CO pressure (> 5 atm) affords a polymer that contains monomer units with the cis‐cyclohexane‐1,2‐diyl group almost exclusively. The polyketone exhibits positive or negative optical rotation depending on the Pd‐complex. The highest and lowest [α] of the polymer obtained are + 68.9 and ? 76.1, respectively. Addition of dibutylcuprate to a solution of the polymer in the presence of Me₃SiCl transforms the enone groups of the polymer to silyl enol ether groups, which are ozonized to (silyloxy)oxirane moieties.     

Glucose ferrocenyl-oxazolines: Coordination behavior toward [Pd(η-allyl)Cl]2 studied by ESI-MS

Several new oxazolin-2-yl-substituted ferrocenes based on 2-amino-2-deoxy-α-d-glucose were synthesized via the corresponding amides followed by closing the oxazoline-ring with SnCl₄.Coordination properties of representatives of the group of mono- and bis-oxazolinyl ferrocenes, 2-ferrocenyl-4,5-(3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-1,2-dideoxy-d-glucopyrano)-[2,1-d]-oxazoline and 1,1′-bis{4,5-(3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-1,2-dideoxy-d-glucopyrano)-[2,1-d]-oxazolin-2-yl}ferrocene, respectively, toward [Pd(η³-allyl)Cl]₂ were investigated by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry in positive ion mode and by MS/MS technique.With the monooxazoline derivative mainly a 1:1 complex with the Pd-moiety was found in the mass spectrum while the bisoxazoline yields a stoichiometry of 2:1 (oxazoline:Pd). The latter result is attributed to steric hindrance of the coordination of a second Pd-moiety to the bulky bisoxazolinyl-ferrocene.In the case of 1,1′-bis{4,5-(3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-1,2-dideoxy-d-glucopyrano)-[2,1-d]-oxazolin-2-yl}ferrocene 9 overlapping of two signals in the m/z range from 955-965 was found which can be assigned to the singly charged adduct [C₃₆H₄₀FeN₂O₁₆ + Pd(η³-C₃H₅)]⁺ and a doubly charged Pd-ligand cluster with the general formula Pd₂[L(9)]₂.In addition, the molecular structure of 1,1′-bis{4,5-(3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-1,2-dideoxy-d-glucopyrano)-[2,1-d]-oxazolin-2-yl}ferrocene was determined by X-ray diffraction analysis.     

New strategy for the synthesis of ladybird beetle azaphenalene alkaloids using a combination of allylboration and intramolecular metathesis. Total synthesis of (±)-Hippocasine and (±)-epi-Hippodamine

A new strategy for assembly a tricyclic skeleton of ladybirds azaphenalene alkaloids (coccinellides) was developed based on the combination of allylboration reaction and intramolecular metathesis. The first key step is the 1,2-organolithiation of 4-picoline with (4,4-dieth-oxybutyl)lithium with subsequent reductive allylation with triallylborane leading to trans-2-allyl-6-(4,4-diethoxybutyl)-4-methyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine. The 4,4-diethoxybutyl substituent was further converted to 4-acetoxy-5-hexenyl in four steps, then, the product obtained was involved in the second key step, the intramolecular allylic amination upon treatment with a [Pd] or an [Ir] catalyst giving diastereomeric bicyclic terminal dienes (～1: 1), which were separated by chromatography. The stereochemistry of one of the dienes is the same as that in alkaloid Hippocasine. The third key step (the intramolecular metathesis reaction) includes the final assembly of the azaphenalene system. The tricyclic derivative obtained contains two differently substituted C=C bonds, selective hydrogenation of one of which (Pd/C) leads to (±)-Hippocasine, whereas exhaustive hydrogenation gives (±)-epi-Hippodamine.     

Isoquinolone derivatives via a furan recyclization reaction

A new approach to the synthesis of isoquinolone derivatives has been developed. It is based on the protolytic recyclization of amides of 2-carboxybenzylfurans. It was shown that the reaction proceeds via formation of allylic alcohols of isoquinolone series, which under acidic conditions undergo isomerization into the corresponding ketones. A new condensed heterocyclic system of furo[2′,3′:3,4]cyclohepta[1,2-c]isoquinolin-8(6H)-one has been synthesized.     

Trifluoroethanol: key solvent for palladium-catalyzed polymerization reactions

A series of cationic palladium complexes of general formula [Pd(CH₃)(NCCH₃)(N-N)][X] (N-N = phen 1, 3-sec-butyl-1,10-phenanthroline (3-sBu-phen) 2, bpy 3, (−)-(S,S)-3,3′-(1,2-dimethylethylenedioxy)-2,2′-bipyridine (bbpy) 4, (+)-(R)-3,3′-(1-methylethylenedioxy)-2,2′-bipyridine (pbpy) 5, N,N′-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-2,3-butanediimine (iso-DAB) 6; , OTf (OTf = triflate) b) containing different nitrogen-donor ligands were prepared from the corresponding neutral chloro derivatives [Pd(CH₃)(Cl)(N-N)] (1c-6c). They were characterized by ¹H NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Single crystals suitable for X-ray determination were obtained for complexes [Pd(CH₃)(NCCH₃)(bbpy)][PF₆] (4a), [Pd(CH₃)(NCCH₃)(iso-DAB)][PF₆] (6a) and [Pd(Cl)₂(bbpy)] (4c′). The latter is the result of an exchange reaction of the methyl group, present in complex 4c, with a chloride, that occurred after dissolution of 4c in CDCl₃, for 1 week at 0 °C. The catalytic behavior of complexes 1a-5a and 1b-5b in the CO/styrene copolymerization was studied in CH₂Cl₂ and 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (TFE) evidencing the positive effect of the fluorinated alcohol both in terms of productivity and molecular weight values of the polymers obtained. Influence of the nitrogen ligand, the anion and the reaction time in both solvents were investigated and is discussed in detail. Encouraging preliminary results were also obtained in the synthesis of polyethylene, in TFE, catalyzed by [Pd(CH₃)(NCCH₃)(iso-DAB)][PF₆] (6a).     

Rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric hydroformylation of vinylarenes with novel chiral P,N-ligands derived from 1,2:5,6-di-O-cyclohexylidene-d-mannitol

Several new chiral P,N-ligands were prepared from 1,2:5,6-di-O-cyclohexylidene-d-mannitol, 1,1′-binaphthol, and phenyl isocyanate derivatives. Their Rh(I) complexes were applied as catalyst precursors in the asymmetric hydroformylation of vinylarenes. The steric and electronic properties of the phenylcarbamate substituents and the chiral binaphthyl moiety showed remarkable effects on the enantioselectivity and regioselectivity of the reaction. The matching combination of phenylcarbamate and the binaphthyl moiety of the ligand 1,2:5,6-di-O-cyclohexylidene-3-phenylcarbamate-4-[(S)-1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diyl]phosphite-d-mannitol gave 50% ee and an 89/11 b/n ratio (branch-to-normal ratio). A synergic effect between the chiralities of mannitol and the binaphthol moieties was observed. Hydroformylation of the styrene gave the product in 75% ee when 1,2:5,6-di-O-cyclohexylidene-3,4-bis[(R)-1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diyl]phosphite-d-mannitol was used as the chiral ligand.     

Synthesis of substituted dipyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c]phenazines and a new heterocyclic dipyrido[3,2-f:2′,3′-h]quinoxalino[2,3-b]quinoxaline

Three new α,α′-diimine ligands were synthesized based on condensation of 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione with 1,2-phenylenediamine derivatives using different approaches. All compounds were fully characterized by IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR, UV-visible, and MS spectroscopies. We report the first example of a dipyrido[3,2-f:2′,3′-h]quinoxalino[2,3-b]quinoxaline, which exhibits a strong absorption at 430 nm and an interesting electrochemical behavior. These new molecules may have biological potential and are of synthetic and technological importance.     

Phosphite ligands derived from distally and proximally substituted dipropyloxy calix[4]arenes and their palladium complexes: Solution dynamics, solid-state structures and catalysis

Two bisphosphite ligands, 25,27-bis-(2,2′-biphenyldioxyphosphinoxy)-26,28-dipropyloxy-p-tert-butyl calix[4]arene (3) and 25,26-bis-(2,2′-biphenyldioxyphosphinoxy)-27,28-dipropyloxy-p-tert-butyl calix[4]arene (4) and two monophosphite ligands, 25-hydroxy-27-(2,2′-biphenyldioxyphosphinoxy)-26,28-dipropyloxy-p-tert-butyl calix[4]arene (5) and 25-hydroxy-26-(2,2′-biphenyldioxyphosphinoxy)-27,28-dipropyloxy- p-tert-butyl calix[4]arene (6) have been synthesized. Treatment of (allyl) palladium precursors [(η³-1,3-R,R′-C₃H₄)Pd(Cl)]₂ with ligand 3 in the presence of NH₄PF₆ gives a series of cationic allyl palladium complexes (3a-3d). Neutral allyl complexes (3e-3g) are obtained by the treatment of the allyl palladium precursors with ligand 3 in the absence of NH₄PF₆. The cationic allyl complexes [(η³-C₃H₅)Pd(4)]PF₆ (4a) and [(η³-Ph₂C₃H₃)Pd(4)]PF₆ (4b) have been synthesized from the proximally (1,2-) substituted bisphosphite ligand 4. Treatment of ligand 4 with [Pd(COD)Cl₂] gives the palladium dichloride complex, [PdCl₂(4)] (4c). The solid-state structures of [{(η³-1-CH₃-C₃H₄)Pd(Cl)}₂(3)] (3f) and [PdCl₂(4)] (4c) have been determined by X-ray crystallography; the calixarene framework in 3f adopts the pinched cone conformation whereas in 4c, the conformation is in between that of cone and pinched cone. Solution dynamics of 3f has been studied in detail with the help of two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy.The solid-state structures of the monophosphite ligands 5 and 6 have also been determined; the calix[4]arene framework in both molecules adopts the cone conformation. Reaction of the monophosphite ligands (5, 6) with (allyl) palladium precursors, in the absence of NH₄PF₆, yield a series of neutral allyl palladium complexes (5a-5c; 6a-6d). Allyl palladium complexes of proximally substituted ligand 6 showed two diastereomers in solution owing to the inherently chiral calix[4]arene framework. Ligands 3, 6 and the allyl palladium complex 3f have been tested for catalytic activity in allylic alkylation reactions.     

Stereoselective synthesis of substituted 1,2-ethylenediaziridines and their use as ligands in palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation

The double addition of organometallic reagents to fused oxazino-oxazines prepared from glyoxal and (S)-phenylglycinol afforded C₂- or C₁-symmetric 1,2-ethylenebis(β-aminoalcohols), depending on the nature of the organometallic reagent. This route was modified by the use of (S)-valinol and phenylglyoxal as starting materials, and by reduction of the oxazino-oxazines by diborane. Cyclization of the β-aminoalcohol moieties gave 1,2-ethylenediaziridines bearing one substituent/stereocenter on the ring carbon and one, two or no substituents/stereocenters in the ethylene tether. These bis(aziridines) were used as ligands in the Pd-catalyzed allylic alkylation of dimethyl malonate. It was established that the substituent(s) in the carbon tether and the configuration of the corresponding stereocenters have limited influence on the enantioselectivity.     

Synthesis and crystal structures of three novel coordination polymers constructed from Ag(I) thiocyanate and nitrogen donor ligands

Three supramolecular coordination polymers (SCPs) [(AgSCN)₂L] {L = 4,4′-bipyridine (bpy) (1), trans-1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene (tbpe) (2) and phenazine (phenz) (3)} have been synthesized and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Synthesis was affected in H₂O/acetonitrile/NH₃ media at room temperature. The bpy, tbpe and phenz bipodal ligands adopt different conformations which would affect the skeleton of the (AgSCN)_n building blocks that allow the interconnection of the (AgSCN)_n fragments and propagation of the network structure in three dimensions. Supramolecular interactions such as hydrogen-bonding, argentophilic interaction and π–π stacking play an important role in the assembly of these coordination polymers.