Five new nortropane alkaloids and six new amino acids from the fruit of Morus alba LINNE growing in Turkey

Investigation of the constituents of the fruits of Morus alba LINNE (Moraceae) afforded five new nortropane alkaloids (1-5) along with nor-psi-tropine (6) and six new amino acids, morusimic acids A-F (7-12). The structures of the new compounds were determined to be 2alpha,3beta-dihydroxynortropane (1), 2beta,3beta-dihydroxynortropane (2), 2alpha,3beta,6exo-trihydroxynortropane (3), 2alpha,3beta,4alpha-rihydroxynortropane (4), 3beta,6exo-dihydroxynortropane (5), (3R)-3-hydroxy-12-[(1S,4S)-4-[(1S)-1-hydroxyethyl]-pyrrolidin-1-yll-dodecanoic acid-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (7), (3R)-3-hydroxy-12-[(1S,4S)-4-[(1S)-1-hydroxyethyl]-pyrrolidin-1-yll-dodecanoic acid (8), (3R)-3-hydroxy-12-1(1R,4R,5S)-4-hydroxy-5-methyl-piperidin-1-yll-dodecanoic acid-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (9), (3R)-3-hydroxy-12-[(1R,4R,5S)-4-hydroxy-5-methyl-piperidin-1-yll-dodecanoic acid (10), (3R)-3-hydroxy-12-[(1R,4R,5S)-4-hydroxy-5-hydroxymethyl-piperidin-1-yl]-dodecanoic acid-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (11), and (3R)-3-hydroxy-12-[(1R,4S,5S)-4-hydroxy-5-methyl-piperidin-1-yl]-dodecanoic acid (12) on the basis of spectral and chemical data.     

Studies on the constituents of Broussonetia species X. Six new alkaloids from Broussonetia kazinoki Sieb.

Six new alkaloids, broussonetines W, X, M1, U1, J3, and J2 (1-6) were isolated from the branches of Broussonetia kazinoki SIEB. (Moraceae) as minor constituents. They were formulated as (2R,3R,4R,5R)-2-hydroxy-methyl-3,4-dihydroxy-5-17-(cyclohexy-2-on-1(6)-enyl)heptyllpyrrolidine (1), (2R,3S,4R,5R)-2-hydroxymethyl-3,4-dihydroxy-5-17-(cyclohexy-2-on-1(6)-enyl)heptyl]pyrrolidine-4-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2), (2R,3R,4R,5R)-2-hydroxymethyl-3,4-dihydroxy-5-[(9R)-9,13-dihydroxytridecyl]- pyrrolidine (3), (2S,3S,4S)-2-hydroxymethyl-3,4-dihydroxy-5-(10-oxo-13-hydroxytridecyl)-5- pyrroline (4), (2R)-2-[(IS,2S)-1,2-dihydroxy-8-1(2R,3R,4R,5R)-5-(2-hydroxymethyl-3,4-dihydroxy-1-acetylpyrrolidinyl)loctyl]piperidine (5), (2R)-2-[(1S,2S)-1,2-dihydroxy-8-[(2R,3R, 4R,5R)-5-(2-hydroxymethy]-3,4-dihydroxypyrrolidinyl)]octyl]piperidine (6).     

Studies on the constituents of Broussonetia species VIII. Four new pyrrolidine alkaloids, broussonetines R, S, T, and V and a new pyrroline alkaloid, broussonetine U, from Broussonetia kazinoki Sieb

Four new pyrrolidine alkaloids, broussonetines R, S, T, and V and a new pyrroline alkaloid, broussonetine U were isolated from the branches of Broussonetia kazinoki SIEB. (Moraceae) in low yield. Broussonetines R, S and T were formulated as (2R,3R,4R,5R)-2-hydroxymethyl-3,4-dihydroxy-5-[(1R)-1-hydroxy-3-[6-(4-hydroxybutyl)-cyclohexy-2-on-1(6)-enyllpropyl] pyrrolidine (1), (2R,3R,4R,5R)-2-hydroxymethyl-3,4-dihydroxy-5-[(1R,10S)-1,10,13-trihydroxytridecyl] pyrrolidine (2), (2R,3R,4R,5R)-2-hydroxymethyl-3,4-dihydroxy-5-[(1R,5S)-1,5, 13-trihydroxy-10-oxo-tridecyl] pyrrolidine (3). And broussonetines U and V were proposed to be (2S,3S,4S)-2-hydroxymethyl-3, 4-dihydroxy-5-(9-oxo-13-hydroxytridecyl)-5-pyrroline (4), (2R,3S,4R,5R)-2-hydroxymethyl-3,4-dihydroxy-5-[(E)-9-oxo-13-hydroxy-3-tridecenyl] pyrrolidine (5), respectively, by spectroscopic and chemical methods.     

Synthetic studies of carbapenem and penem antibiotics. III. A synthesis of a key intermediate for 1 beta-methylcarbapenem.

We synthesized useful intermediates 5 and 6 for 1 beta- and 1 alpha-methylcarbapenems from 4-carboxy-3-[(R)-1-hydroxyethyl]-2-azetidinone 4 as a starting material by using stereoselective hydrogenation and hydroboration, respectively. A practical synthetic route from 4 to the (3S,4S)-4-[(R)-1-carboxyethyl]-3-[(R)-1-hydroxyethyl]-2-azetidinone derivative 1, a useful intermediate for the synthesis of 1 beta-methylcarbapenem antibiotics, was established.     

Nitrosylated iron-thiolate-sulfinate complexes with {Fe(NO)}6/7 electronic cores: relevance to the transformation between the active and inactive NO-bound forms of iron-containing nitrile hydratases

The five-coordinated iron-thiolate nitrosyl complexes [(NO)Fe(S,S-C6H3R)2]- (R = H (1), m-CH3 (2)), [(NO)Fe(S,S-C6H2-3,6-Cl2)2]- (3), [(NO)Fe(S,S-C6H3R)2]2- (R = H (10), m-CH3 (11)), and [(NO)Fe(S,S-C6H2-3,6-Cl2)2]2- (12) have been isolated and structurally characterized. Sulfur oxygenation of iron-thiolate nitrosyl complexes 1-3 containing the {Fe(NO)}6 core was triggered by O2 to yield the S-bonded monosulfinate iron species [(NO)Fe(S,SO2-C6H3R)(S,S-C6H3R)]- (R = H (4), m-CH3 (5)) and [(NO)Fe(S,SO2-C6H2-3,6-Cl2)(S,S-C6H2-3,6-Cl2)]2(2-) (6), respectively. In contrast, attack of O2 on the {Fe(NO)}7 complex 10 led to the formation of complex 1 accompanied by the minor products, [Fe(S,S-C6H4)2]2(2-) and [NO3]- (yield 9%). Reduction of complexes 4-6 by [EtS]- in CH3CN-THF yielded [(NO)Fe(S,SO2-C6H3R)(S,S-C6H3R)]2- (R = H (7), m-CH3 (8)) and [(NO)Fe(S,SO2-C6H2-3,6-Cl2)(S,S-C6H2-3,6-Cl2)]2- (9) along with (EtS)2 identified by 1H NMR. Compared to complex 10, complexes 7-9 with the less electron-donating sulfinate ligand coordinated to the {Fe(NO)}7 core were oxidized by O2 to yield complexes 4-6. Obviously, the electronic perturbation of the {Fe(NO)}7 core caused by the coordinated sulfinate in complexes 7-9 may serve to regulate the reactivity of complexes 7-9 toward O2. The iron-sulfinate nitrosyl species with the {Fe(NO)}6/7 core exhibit the photolabilization of sulfur-bound [O] moiety. Complexes 1-4-7-10 (or 2-5-8-11 and 3-6-9-12) are interconvertible under sulfur oxygenation, redox processes, and photolysis, respectively.     

Thermal decomposition products of dihydroahtemisinin (dihydroqinghaous)

Dihydroartemisinin (2), a sodium borohydride reduction produot of artemisinin (1), undergoes themolysis at 190 °C to give desoxyartemisinin (3) and a preponderant decomposition product (4) consisting of 2 epimers 4a, (2S, 3R, 6S)-2-(3-oxobutyl)-3-methyl-6-[(R)2-propanal]-cyclohexanone, and 4b, (2S, 3R, 6R)-2-(3-oxobutyl)-3-methyl-6-[(R)2-propanal]-cyclohexanone.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of Rhizobium sin-1 lipid A derivatives

A highly convergent strategy for the synthesis of several derivatives of the lipid A of Rhizobium sin-1 has been developed. The approach employed the advanced intermediate 3-O-acetyl-6-O-(3-O-acetyl-4,6-O-benzylidene-2-deoxy-2-phthalimido-beta-d-glucopyrano-syl)-2-azido-4-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-1-thio-alpha-d-glucopyranoside (5), which is protected in such a way that the anomeric center, the C-2 and C-2' amino groups, and the C-3 and C-3' hydroxyls can be selectively functionalized. The synthetic strategy was used for the preparation of 2-deoxy-6-O-[2-deoxy-3-O-[(R)-3-hydroxy-hexadecanoyl]-2-[(R)-3-octacosanoyloxy-hexadecan]amido-beta-d-glucopyranosyl]-2-[(R)-3-hydroxy-hexadecan]amido-3-O-[(R)-3-hydroxy-hexadecanoyl]-alpha-d-glucopyranose (11) and 2-deoxy-6-O-[2-deoxy-3-O-[(R)-3-hydroxy-hexadecanoyl]-2-[(R)-3-octacosanoyloxy-hexadecan]amido-beta-d-glucopyranosyl]-2-[(R)-3-hydroxy-hexadecan]amido-3-O-[(R)-3-hydroxy-hexadecanoyl]-d-glucono-1,5-lactone (13), which contain an unusual octacosanoic acid moiety and differ in the oxidation state of the anomeric center. The results of biological studies indicate that 11 and 13 lack the proinflammatory effects of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Furthermore, 13 emulated the ability of heterogeneous R. sin-1 LPS to antagonize enteric LPS, providing evidence for the critical role of the gluconolactone moiety of R. sin-1 LPS in mediating this antagonistic effect. Compound 13 is the first example of a lipid A derivative that is devoid of phosphate but possesses antagonistic properties, making it an attractive lead compound for development of a drug to use in the treatment of Gram-negative septicemia.     

Chiral Cyclopentane-Based Mimics of D-myo-Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate from D-Glucose

Two routes from D-glucose to chiral, ring-contracted analogs of the second messenger D-myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate are described. Methyl alpha-D-glucopyranoside was converted by an improved procedure into methyl 4,6-O-(p-methoxybenzylidene)-alpha-D-glucopyranoside (6) and thence into methyl 2-O-benzyl-3,4-bis-O-(p-methoxybenzyl)-alpha-D-gluco-hexodialdopyranoside (1,5) (14) in four steps. In the first ring-contraction method 14 was converted into methyl 2-O-benzyl-6,7-dideoxy-3,4-bis-O-(p-methoxybenzyl)-alpha-D-gluco-hept-6-enopyranoside (1,5) (15), which on sequential treatment with Cp(2)Zr(n-Bu)(2) followed by BF(3).Et(2)O afforded a mixture of (1R,2S,3S,4R,5S)-3-(benzyloxy)-4-hydroxy-1,2-bis[(p-methoxybenzyl)oxy]-5-vinylcyclopentane (16) and its 4S,5R diastereoisomer 17. Removal of the p-methoxybenzyl groups of 16 and subsequent phosphorylation and deprotection afforded the first target compound, (1R,2R,3S,4R,5S)-3-hydroxy-1,2,4-tris(phosphonooxy)-5-vinylcyclopentane (3). In the second route, intermediate 14 was subjected to SmI(2)-mediated ring contraction to give (1R,2S,3S,4R,5S)-3-(benzyloxy)-4-hydroxy-5-(hydroxymethyl)-1,2-bis[(p-methoxybenzyl)oxy]cyclopentane (20). Benzylation of 20 provided (1R,2S,3S,4R,5S)-3-(benzyloxy)-6-[(benzyloxy)methyl]-4-hydroxy-1,2-bis[(p-methoxybenzyl)oxy]cyclopentane (22) and (1R,2S,3S,4R,5S)-3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-5-(hydroxymethyl)-1,2-bis[(p-methoxybenzyl)oxy]cyclopentane (21), which were elaborated to the target trisphosphates (1R,2R,3S,4R,5S)-3-hydroxy-5-(hydroxymethyl)-1,2,4-tris(phosphonooxy)cyclopentane (4) and (1R,2S,3R,4R,5S)-1,2-dihydroxy-3,4-bis(phosphonooxy)-5-[(phosphonooxy)methyl]cyclopentane (5), respectively. Both 3 and 4 mobilized intracellular Ca(2+), but 4 was only a few fold less potent than D-myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate, demonstrating that effective mimics can be designed that do not bear a six-membered ring.     

A new, non-iterative asymmetric synthesis of long-chain 1,3-polyols

A new approach to the asymmetric synthesis of pentadeca-1,3,5,7,9,11,13,15-octols and their derivatives is presented. It is based on the Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation (AD) of 4,4'-methylene[(1R,1'S,6R,6'S)-6-acetoxycyclohept-3-en-1-yl]bis(4-methoxybenzoate) (9), derived from a double [3+4] cycloaddition of the 1,1,3-trichloro-2-oxyallyl cation with 2,2'-methylenedifuran (1). The diol (-)-10, obtained in 98.4% ee from 9 with "AD-mix-beta(5x), was oxidised into (2R and 2S,4S,6R)-tetrahydro-2-hydroxy-6-((4S,6S)-(6-hydroxy-4-[(4-methoxybenzoyl)oxy]cyclohept-1-en-1-yl)-2-oxopropyl)-2H-pyran-4-yl 4-methoxybenzoates ((-)-18). By the combinations of Evans' anti and Nasaraka's syn reductions of aldol (-)-18 with the double Mitsunobu reaction, 16 diastereomeric pentadeca-1,3,5,7,9,11,13,15-octols and analogues can be obtained, in principle, with high enantio- and diastereoselectivities.     

Scope and limitations of the double [4+3]-cycloadditions of 2-oxyallyl cations to 2,2'-methylenedifuran and derivatives

The reactivity of various 2-oxyallyl cations toward 2,2'-methylenedifuran (1b), 2,2'-(hydroxymethyl)difuran (1c), 2,2'-(trimethylsilylmethylene)difuran (1d), and di(2-furyl)methanone (1e) has been explored. Difuryl derivatives 1c, 1d, and 1e refused to undergo formal double [4+3]-cycloadditions. Conditions have been found to convert 1b into meso-1,1'-methylenedi[(1R,1'S,5S,5'R)- (3) and (+/-)-1,1'-methylenedi[(1RS,1'SR,5SR,5'RS)-8-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-6-en-3-one] (4) that do not require CF(3)CH(OH)CF(3) as solvent. High yields of meso-1,1'-methylenedi[(1R,1'S,2S,2'R,4R,4'S,5S,5'R)- (5) and (+/-)-1,1'-methylenedi[(1RS,1'RS,2SR,2'SR,4RS,4'RS,5SR,5'SR)-2,4-dimethyl-8-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-6-en-3-one] (6) have been obtained when 1b was reacted with 2,4-dibromopentan-3-one (7h) and NaI/Cu.     

Four new 3,5-cyclosteroidal saponins from Dracaena surculosa

Further search for steroidal compounds contained in Dracaena surculosa (Agavaceae) led to the isolation of two new 3,5-cyclospirostanol saponins (1, 2) and two new 3,5-cyclofurostanol saponins (3, 4). Their structural assignment was established by spectroscopic analysis and a few chemical transformations as (24S,25R)-1beta-[(beta-D-fucopyranosyl)oxy]-6beta-hydroxy-3alpha,5alpha-cyclospirostan-24-yl beta-D-glucopyranoside (1), (24S,25R)-1beta-[(beta-D-glucopyranosyl)oxy]-6beta-hydroxy-3alpha,5alpha-cyclospirostan-24-yl beta-D-glucopyranoside (2), (25S)-1beta-[(beta-D-glucopyranosyl)oxy]-6beta-hydroxy-22alpha-methoxy-3alpha,5alpha-cyclofurostan-26-yl beta-D-glucopyranoside (3), and (25S)-1beta-[(beta-D-fucopyranosyl)oxy]-6beta-hydroxy-22alpha-methoxy-3alpha,5alpha-cyclofurostan-26-yl beta-D-glucopyranoside (4), respectively.     

Acyclic stereochemical control using hexacarbonyldicobalt stabilized propargyl cation. A highly stereoselective route to 1β-methylcarbapenem precursors.

A highly stereoselective route to precursors of 1β-methylcarbapenems is described. Hydride reduction of a hexacarbonyldicobalt stabilized propargyl cation derived from a 4-acyl-2-azetidinone prepared using the Weinreb ketone synthesis proceeds with complete stereochemical control to a 1β-methylcarbapenem precursor bearing an alkynyl unit. The alkyne is readily elaborated to (3S,4R)-3-[(1R)-1-t-butyldimethylsilyloxyethyl]-4-[(1R)-1-methyl-3-methoxycarbonyl-2-oxopropyl]-2-azetidin-2-one or hydrogenated and oxidatively cleaved to (3S,4S)-3-[(1R)-1-t-butyldimethylsilyloxyethyl]-4-[(1R)-1-carboxyethyl]-azetidin-2-one.     

Insights into the making of a stable silylene

Reduction of Cl2Si[(NR)2C6H4-1,2] (R = CH2Bu(t)) with potassium is known to lead to the stable silylene Si[(NR)2C6H4-1,2] (1). However, silylene is now shown to react further with an alkali metal (Na or K) to yield the (1)(2)2-, c-(1)(3)-*, c-(1)(3)2- or c-(1)(4)2- derivatives. Reduction of Cl2Si[(NR)2C6H4-1,2] (R = CH2CH3 or CH2CHMe2) with potassium does not lead to an isolable silylene, but such a silylene is proposed to be an intermediate and, as for 1, reacts further to afford the potassium salts of c-[Si{(NR)2C6H4-1,2}]4-* and c-[Si{(NR)2C6H4-1,2}](4)2-. The pathways leading to the anionic cyclotri- and cyclotetrasilanes are discussed and supported experimentally; including by X-ray structures of relevant intermediates.     

Synthesis of Enantiomerically Pure Bis(hydroxymethyl)-Branched Cyclohexenyl and Cyclohexyl Purines as Potential Inhibitors of HIV

The synthesis of the enantiomerically pure bis(hydroxymethyl)-branched cyclohexenyl and cyclohexyl purines is described. Racemic trans-4,5-bis(methoxycarbonyl)cyclohexene [(+/-)-6] was reduced with lithium aluminum hydride to give the racemic diol (+/-)-7. Resolution of (+/-)-7 via a transesterification process using lipase from Pseudomonas sp. (SAM-II) gave both diols in enantiomerically pure form. The enantiomerically pure diol (S,S)-7was benzoylated and epoxidized to give the epoxide 9. Treatment of the epoxide 9 with trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate and 1,5-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-5-ene followed by dilute hydrochloric acid gave (1R,4S,5R)-4,5-bis[(benzoyloxy)methyl]-1-hydroxycyclohex-2-ene (10). Acetylation of 10 gave (1R,4S,5R)-1-acetoxy-4,5-bis[(benzoyloxy)methyl]cyclohex-2-ene (11). (1R,4S,5R)-1-Acetoxy-4,5-bis[(benzoyloxy)methyl]cyclohex-2-ene (11) was converted to the adenine derivative 12 and guanine derivative 13 via palladium(0)-catalyzed coupling with adenine and 2-amino-6-chloropurine, respectively. Hydrogenation of 12 and 13 gave the correspondning saturated adenine derivative 14 and guanine derivative 15. (1R,4S,5R)-4,5-Bis[(benzoyloxy)methyl]-1-hydroxycyclohex-2-ene (10) was converted to the adenine derivative 16 and guanine derivative 17 via coupling with 6-chloropurine and 2-amino-6-chloropurine, respectively, using a modified Mitsunobu procedure. Hydrogenation of 16 and 17 gave the corresponding saturated adenine derivative 18 and guanine derivative 19. Compounds 12-19 were evaluated for activity against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), but were found to be inactive. Further biological testings are underway.     

Homodinuclear iron thiolate nitrosyl compounds [(ON)Fe(S,S-C6H4)2 Fe(NO)2]- and [(ON)Fe(SO2,S-C6H4)(S,S-C6H4)Fe(NO)2]- with {Fe(NO)}7-{Fe(NO)2}9 electronic coupling: new members of a class of dinitrosyl iron complexes

Reaction of Fe(CO)2(NO)2 and [(ON)Fe(S,S-C6H3R)2]- (R = H (1), CH3 (1-Me))/[(ON)Fe(SO2,S-C6H4)(S,S-C6H4)]- (4) in THF afforded the diiron thiolate/sulfinate nitrosyl complexes [(ON)Fe(S,S-C6H3R)2 Fe(NO)2]- (R = H (2), CH3 (2-Me)) and [(ON)Fe(S,SO2-C6H4)(S,S-C6H4)Fe(NO)2]- (3), respectively. The average N-O bond lengths ([Fe(NO)2] unit) of 1.167(3) and 1.162(4) A in complexes 2 and 3 are consistent with the average N-O bond length of 1.165 A observed in the other structurally characterized dinitrosyl iron complexes with an {Fe(NO)2}9 core. The lower nu(15NO) value (1682 cm(-1) (KBr)) of the [(15NO)FeS4] fragment of [(15NO)Fe(S,S-C6H3CH3)2 Fe(NO)2]- (2-Me-15N), compared to that of [(15NO)Fe(S,S-C6H3CH3)2]- (1-Me-15N) (1727 cm(-1) (KBr)), implicates the electron transfer from {Fe(NO)2}10 Fe(CO)2(NO)2 to complex 1-Me/1 may occur in the process of formation of complex 2-Me/2. Then, the electronic structures of the [(NO)FeS4] and [S2Fe(NO)2] cores of complexes 2, 2-Me, and 3 were best assigned according to the Feltham-Enemark notation as the {Fe(NO)}7-{Fe(NO)2}9 coupling (antiferromagnetic interaction with a J value of -182 cm(-1) for complex 2) to account for the absence of paramagnetism (SQUID) and the EPR signal. On the basis of Fe-N(O) and N-O bond distances, the dinitrosyliron {L2Fe(NO)2} derivatives having an Fe-N(O) distance of approximately 1.670 A and a N-O distance of approximately 1.165 A are best assigned as {Fe(NO)2}9 electronic structures, whereas the Fe-N(O) distance of approximately 1.650 A and N-O distance of approximately 1.190 A probably imply an {Fe(NO)2}10 electronic structure.     

Design, synthesis, and 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of (5R)- [and (5S)]-5,6-dihydro-5-phenyl-2H-1,4-oxazin-2-one N-oxides as chiral (E)-geometry-fixed alpha-alkoxycarbonylnitrones

Optically pure (5R)- [and (5S)]-5,6-dihydro-5-phenyl-2H-1, 4-oxazin-2-one N-oxides [(5R)- and (5S)-2] were designed as chiral (E)-geometry-fixed alpha-alkoxycarbonylnitrones 1. The nitrones (5R)- and (5S)-2 were synthesized by three-step oxidation of (R)- and (S)-phenylglycinols [(R)- and (S)-3], condensation of the resulting (R)- and (S)-2-hydroxylamino-2-phenylethanols [(R)- and (S)-5] with glyoxylic acid, and cyclization of the intermediary nitrones (R)- and (S)-6b. The nitrone (5R)-2reacted with olefins 7-14 under mild conditions to afford the corresponding cycloadducts 15-22 as the main products via the least sterically demanding exo modes. Cycloadduct 30 obtained from (5S)-2 and cyclopentadiene was effectively elaborated to (1S,4S, 5R)-4-benzyloxycarbonylamino-2-oxabicyclo[3.3.0]oct-7-en-3-one (28), the key synthetic intermediate of carbocyclic polyoxin C.     

Hafnocene catalysts for selective propylene oligomerization: efficient synthesis of 4-methyl-1-pentene by beta-methyl transfer

A series of hafnocene complexes (eta5-C5Me4R1)(eta5-C5Me4R2)HfCl2 with [R1, R2] = [H, H] (1), [Me, H] (2), [Me, Me] (3), [Et, Me] (4), [(i)Pr, Me] (5), [SiMe(3), Me] (6), [(t)Bu, Me] (7), [(n)Bu, Me] (8), [(i)Bu, Me] (9), [Et, Et] (10), [(n)Bu, (n)Bu] (11), [(i)Bu, (i)Bu] (12) was tested as catalyst precursors for propylene oligomerization. Upon activation with methylaluminoxane or [Ph(3)C][B(C(6)F(5))(4)]/Al(i)Bu(3), complexes 2-4 and 8-12 catalyzed the dimerization of propylene to produce 4-methyl-1-pentene with selectivities ranging from 23.9 to 61.6 wt % in the product mixture. The selectivity was dependent on the nature of the substituents R(1) and R(2), with the highest value found for (eta5-C5Me4(i)Bu)2HfCl2 (12). Rapid deactivation was observed for 5-7, whereas (eta5-C5Me4H)2HfCl2 (1) polymerized propylene. 4-Methyl-1-pentene is proposed to form by repeated 1,2-insertion of propylene into the hafnocene methyl cation, followed by selective beta-methyl elimination. Detailed analysis of the byproduct distribution (isobutene, 1-pentene, 2-methyl-1-pentene, 2,4-dimethyl-1-pentene, 4-methyl-1-heptene, 4,6-dimethyl-1-heptene), determined by gas chromatography, was performed with the aid of a stochastic simulation involving rate constants for the propagation by insertion, beta-hydride elimination, and beta-methyl elimination. The rate of termination is dependent on the structure of the growing chain of the active species as well as on the bulkiness of the cyclopentadienyl ligands. The selectivity highly depends on the reaction conditions (pressure, temperature, concentration of methylaluminoxane). The rates of beta-methyl elimination leading to 4-methyl-1-pentene were proportional to propylene pressure for 2-4 and 8-10 but practically independent from propylene pressure for the sterically bulkier derivatives 11-12.     

Stereoselective Synthesis of Ferrocenylamino Acids

Enantiopure ferrocenyl-β, and bis-β-amino acids [(R)-(+)-1 and (R, R)-(+)-2] were prepared from (S)-(+)-sulfinimine (3) and (S, S)-(+)-bis-sulfinimine (4) respectively. The desired sulfinimines [(S)-(+)-3 and (S, S)-(+)-4] were prepared from (S)-Andersen reagent (5) and ferrocenecarboxaldehyde (6) and 1, 1 -ferrocenedicarboxaldehyde (7).     

Synthesis and pharmacological effects of optically active 2-[4-(4-benzhydryl-1-piperazinyl)phenyl]-ethyl methyl 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-4-(3-nitrophenyl)-3,5-pyridinedicarboxylate hydrochloride

Optically active 2-[4-(4-benzhydryl-1-piperazinyl)phenyl]ethyl methyl 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-4-(3-nitrophenyl)-3,5-pyridinedicarboxylate [(S)-(+)-1 and (R)-(-)-1] hydrochlorides were synthesized with high optical purities from (R)-(-)- and (S)-(+)-1,4-dihydro-5-methoxycarbonyl-2,6-dimethyl-4-(3-nitrophenyl)- 3-pyridinecarboxylic acids [(R)-(-)-6 and (S)-(+)-6], which are available from (+/-)-6 by optical resolution using quinidine and cinchonidine, respectively. From pharmacological investigations of (S)-(+)-1 and (R)-(-)-1 such as the antihypertensive effect on spontaneously hypertensive rats and inhibition of [3H]nimodipine binding to rat cardiac membrane homogenate, the active form of 1 was defined to be the (4S)-(+)-enantiomer of 1.     

Unsymmetrical platinum(II) phosphido derivatives: oxidation and reductive coupling processes involving platinum(III) complexes as intermediates

Reaction of the trinuclear [NBu 4] 2[(R F) 2Pt(mu-PPh 2) 2Pt(mu-PPh 2) 2Pt(R F) 2] ( 1, R F = C 6F 5) with HCl results in the formation of the unusual anionic hexanuclear derivative [NBu 4] 2[{(R F) 2Pt(mu-PPh 2) 2Pt(mu-PPh 2) 2Pt(mu-Cl)} 2] ( 4, 96 e (-) skeleton) through the cleavage of two Pt-C 6F 5 bonds. The reaction of 4 with Tl(acac) yields the trinuclear [NBu 4][(R F) 2Pt(mu-PPh 2) 2Pt(mu-PPh 2) 2Pt(acac)] ( 5, 48 e (-) skeleton), which is oxidized by Ag (+) to form the trinuclear compound [(R F) 2Pt(mu-PPh 2) 2Pt(mu-PPh 2) 2Pt(acac)][ClO 4] ( 6, 46 e (-) skeleton) in mixed oxidation state Pt(III)-Pt(III)-Pt(II), which displays a Pt-Pt bond. The reduction of 6 by [NBu 4][BH 4] gives back 5. The treatment of 6 with Br (-) (1:1 molar ratio) at room temperature gives a mixture of the isomers [(PPh 2R F)(R F)Pt(mu-PPh 2)(mu-Br)Pt(mu-PPh 2) 2Pt(acac)], having Br trans to R F ( 7a) or Br cis to R F ( 7b), which are the result of PPh 2/C 6F 5 reductive coupling. The treatment of 5 with I 2 (1:1 molar ratio) yields the hexanuclear [{(PPh 2R F)(R F)Pt(mu-PPh 2)(mu-I)Pt(mu-PPh 2) 2Pt(mu-I)} 2] ( 8, 96 e (-) skeleton), which is easily transformed into the trinuclear compound [(PPh 2R F)(R F)Pt(mu-PPh 2)(mu-I)Pt(mu-PPh 2) 2Pt(I)(PPh 3)] ( 9, 48 e (-) skeleton). Reaction of [(R F) 2Pt(mu-PPh 2) 2Pt(mu-PPh 2) 2Pt(NCMe) 2] ( 10) with I 2 at 213 K for short reaction times gives the trinuclear platinum derivative [(R F) 2Pt(mu-PPh 2) 2Pt(mu-PPh 2) 2Pt(I) 2] ( 11, 46e skeleton) in mixed oxidation state Pt(III)-Pt(III)-Pt(II) and with a Pt-Pt bond, while the reaction at room temperature and longer reactions times gives 8. The structures of the complexes have been established by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy. In particular, the (195)Pt NMR analysis, carried out also by (19)F- (195)Pt heteronuclear multiple-quantum coherence, revealed an unprecedented shielding of the (195)Pt nuclei upon passing from Pt(II) to Pt(III). The X-ray diffraction structures of complexes 4, 5, 6, 9, and 11 have been studied. A detailed study of the relationship between the complexes has been carried out.