Troubleshooting a molecular motor: a remarkably stable N-acyl pyridinium salt

With the objective of establishing why reaction of the proposed molecular motors 7 and 22 with carbonyldiimidazole and phosgene does not result in unidirectional rotation, N-ethyl-2-[4-(N,N-dimethylamino)-2-pyridinyl]benzenamine [28, 2-(2-(ethylamino)phenyl)DMAP] was examined as a model substrate. The synthesis of 28 is described. Compound 28 was found to react with phosgene to give the unexpectedly stable N-acyl pyridinium salt 30. The latter (30) is so stable that it is effectively inert to reaction with methanol. At room temperature the two methyls in the Me₂N-group of 30 are nonequivalent (NMR) and the barrier to rotation around the Me₂N-pyridinium bond is 18.5 kcal/mol. To the authors' knowledge, that is the first quantitative determination of the barrier to rotation around the bond between a 4-(N,N-dimethylamino) group and an N-acyl pyridinium unit. The implications of the findings regarding 30 as to troubleshooting the proposed molecular motor 7, and possible strategies to follow, are discussed.     

Two-photon induced fluorescence of novel dyes

Three novel compounds, trans-2-[p-(N-ethyl-N-(hydroxyethyl)amino)styryl]-N-methylbenzothiazolium iodide (1), trans-2-[p-(N-ethyl-N-(hydroxyethyl)amino)styryl]-1′,3′,3′-trimethylindolium iodide (2), and trans-2-[p-(N,N-dimethylamino)styryl]-1′,3′,3′-trimethylindolium iodide (3), were synthesized and their two-photon induced fluorescence behavior was studied. Under excitation by 1064 nm laser irradiation, the solutions of these compounds exhibit two-photon induced fluorescence with λ_max at 639, 666 and 665 nm for 1, 2 and 3 respectively.     

Cytotoxicity evaluation of coumarin derivatives containing 4-bromophenyl or anthracene moieties

The cytotoxic properties of four synthesized coumarin derivatives containing 4-bromophenyl or anthracene moieties against the human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines (HepG-2) were investigated in vitro by use of the sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay. The four coumarin derivatives are 3-(4-bromophenyl)-benzo[5,6]coumarin (1a), 3-(4-bromophenyl)-7-(N,N-diethylamino)coumarin (1b), 3-(4-(anthracen-10-yl)phenyl)-benzo[5,6]coumarin (2a), and 3-(4-(anthracen-10-yl)phenyl)-7-(N,N-diethylamino)coumarin (2b). The preliminary results indicate that 1a, 2a, and 2b have significant cytotoxicity against HepG-2 whereas 1b has a growth-promotion effect.     

Synthesis and intramolecular magnetic interaction of triphenylamine derivatives with nitronyl nitroxide radicals

Two triphenylamine derivatives bearing nitronyl nitroxide radicals, tris[4-(1-oxyl-3-oxide-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazolin-2-yl)phenyl]amine (1) and N,N-bis[4-(1-oxyl-3-oxide-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazolin-2-yl)phenyl]-4-methoxyphenylamine (2) were synthesized. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements showed the weak antiferromagnetic interactions in the powder samples of 1 and 2. The electrochemical and ESR measurements revealed that the first oxidation process of 1 and 2 corresponds to the oxidation of nitronyl nitroxide moieties.     

A general method for the preparation of 2,3,5-trisubstituted-furo[3,2-b]pyridines

The preparation of 2,3,5-trisubstituted-furo[3,2-b]pyridines via a Pd(0)-catalyzed intramolecular cyclization of methyl 4-(6-chloro-2-iodopyridin-3-yloxy)-substituted-butenoates 9a-f is described. This approach was both efficient and general, and provided the highly functionalized heterocyclic ring system in high yield. Among the several examples provided is the preparation of 3-[2-(N,N-dimethylamino)ethyl]-5-(4-fluorobenzoyl)amino-2-methylfuro[3,2-b]pyridine 4, a selective 5-HT_1F receptor agonist.     

A novel lutetium(III) acetate phthalocyanine directly substituted with N,N’-dimethylaminophenyl groups via CC bonds and its water-soluble derivative for photodynamic therapy

In this study, the novel 4-(N,N′-dimethylamino)phenyl substituted lutetium(III) acetate phthalocyanine (2) and its quaternized derivative (3) were synthesized via a Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reaction between tetrakis(iodo) lutetium(III)acetate phthalocyanine (1) and 4-(N,N-dimethylamino)phenylboronic acid, and subsequent quaternization using dimethyl sulfate, respectively. The obtained phthalocyanine 3 exhibited excellent solubility in water which is important for photodynamic therapy applications. Photophysical properties such as fluorescence quantum yield and fluorescence lifetime, and photochemical properties such as singlet oxygen generation and photostability were investigated to determine their suitability for photodynamic therapy. The lutetium(III) phthalocyanines, especially quaternized derivative 3, showed promising properties as potential photosensitizers for the treatment of cancer, producing higher singlet oxygen (Φ_Δ = 0.59) than motexafin lutetium (Φ_Δ = 0.31) which is a clinically used lutetium texaphyrin photosensitizer.     

A short and efficient synthesis of N-aryl- and N-heteroaryl-N-(arylalkyl)piperazines

A new synthesis of N-aryl- and N-heteroaryl-N^′-(arylalkyl)piperazines using palladium-catalyzed amination of aryl bromides and heteroaryl chlorides with mono N-benzyl- or N-(arylethyl)piperazines is reported. Most coupling processes proceed in high yield and good selectivity using either diadamantyl-n-butylphosphine (1), 2-(dicyclohexylphosphino)-2^′-(N,N-dimethylamino)biphenyl (2), or 2-(di-tert-butylphosphino)biphenyl (3) as ligand. Applying an automated parallel synthesizer the preparation of a small library of potentially bioactive compounds is easily achieved.     

Synthesis,studies and in vitro antibacterial activity of some 5-(thiophene-2-yl)-phenyl pyrazoline derivatives

In the present investigation, a novel series of pyrazolines 2a–2d were synthesized by the cyclization of various -1-[2-(alkoxy) phenyl]-3-(thiophen-2-yl) prop-2-en-1-one 1a–1d with N-substituted phenyl hydrazine and thiosemicarbazide in the presence of CH₃COOH and NaOH in ethanol which lead to the formation of new pyrazolines. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by, IR, ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, ESI-MS spectral data and their purities were confirmed by elemental analyes. The in vitro antibacterial activity of these compounds was evaluated against two Gram-positive and two Gram-negative bacteria Aeromonas hydrophila, Yersinia enterocolitica, Listeria monocytogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus by microdilution method and then the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of these compounds was determined. The results showed that compounds 1-[2-(benzyloxy) phenyl]-5-(thiophen-2-yl)-1-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-4-yl (2b) and 1-[2-(naphthalen-2-ylmethoxy) phenyl]-5-(thiophene-2-yl)-1-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazole-4-yl (2d) showed most promising antibacterial activity as compared to the antibiotics gentamicin and tetracycline in (Table 1, Table 2).     

Preparation and application of air-stable P,N-bidentate ligands for the selective synthesis of δ-lactone via the palladium-catalyzed telomerization of 1,3-butadiene with carbon dioxide

Air-stable P,N-bidentate ligands L1–L7 with cyclic secondary amine moieties linked to the benzene rings of triphenylphosphine were designed and prepared. The chelating coordination mode of the P,N-bidentate ligands to the Pd(II) center was confirmed by determining the X-ray structures of the Pd(II) complexes C1 and C2 derived from ligands L1 and L2, respectively. The ligands were used for the selective synthesis of δ-lactone through the palladium (Pd)-catalyzed telomerization of 1,3-butadiene with carbon dioxide. The highest yield (60% with 79% selectivity) was observed using the Pd₂(dba)₃/4-(2-(diphenylphosphino)phenyl)morpholine (L2) catalyst system.     

Preparation and application of air-stable P,N-bidentate ligands for the selective synthesis of δ-lactone via the palladium-catalyzed telomerization of 1,3-butadiene with carbon dioxide

Air-stable P,N-bidentate ligands L1–L7 with cyclic secondary amine moieties linked to the benzene rings of triphenylphosphine were designed and prepared. The chelating coordination mode of the P,N-bidentate ligands to the Pd(II) center was confirmed by determining the X-ray structures of the Pd(II) complexes C1 and C2 derived from ligands L1 and L2, respectively. The ligands were used for the selective synthesis of δ-lactone through the palladium (Pd)-catalyzed telomerization of 1,3-butadiene with carbon dioxide. The highest yield (60% with 79% selectivity) was observed using the Pd₂(dba)₃/4-(2-(diphenylphosphino)phenyl)morpholine (L2) catalyst system.     

Syntheses,structures, and solid-state phosphorescence characteristics of <Emphasis Type="Italic">trans</Emphasis>-bis(salicylaldiminato)Pt(II) complexes bearing perpendicular <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-aryl functionalities

The syntheses, structures, and solid-state emission characteristics of trans-bis(salicylaldiminato)Pt(II) complexes bearing N-aromatic functionalities are described herein. A series of Pt complexes bearing various N-phenyl (1) and N-(1-naphthyl) (2) groups on the salicylaldiminato ligands were prepared by reacting PtCl₂(CH₃CN)₂ with the corresponding N-salicylidene aromatic amines, and the trans-coordination and crystal packing of these complexes were unequivocally established based on X-ray diffraction (XRD). Complexes with 2,6-dimethylphenyl (1c), 2,6-diisopropylphenyl (1d), 1-naphthyl (2a), and 1-(2-methylnaphthyl) (2b) groups on the N atoms exhibited intense phosphorescent emission at ambient temperature in the crystalline state, while those with phenyl (1a), 2,6-dibromophenyl (1b), and 2,6-bis(N,N-dimethylamino)phenyl (1e) functionalities were either less emissive or non-emissive under the same conditions. XRD analyses identified significant intramolecular interactions between Pt and H atoms of the N-aryl functionalities in the emissive crystals of 1c, 1d, and 2a. These interactions were evidently an important factor associated with intense emission at ambient temperature.     

Asymmetric synthesis via aziridinium ions: exploring the stereospecificity of the ring opening of aziridinium ions and a formal synthesis of (−)-swainsonine

The use of aziridinium ions in two different projects is described. First, the stereospecificity of the ring opening of aziridinium ions with MeNH₂ as a route to chiral diamines has been explored. When the aziridinium ion contained a phenyl or para-methoxyphenyl substituent, stereospecific ring opening occurred. In contrast, switching the para-methoxy group to a para-N,N-dimethylamino group gave a racemic diamine product. Second, starting from N-Boc pyrrolidine, asymmetric lithiation-trapping-ring expansion (via an aziridinium ion) was used to synthesise a piperidine alcohol. In this way, a formal synthesis of (?)-swainsonine was completed.     

New chiral phosphine-phosphonites derived from (2R,3R)-dimethyl tartrate, (S)-binaphthol and (1R,2S)-ephedrine

The reaction of 2-lithiophenyldiphenylphosphine with phosphorus trichloride afforded the new unsymmetric phosphine, dichloro(2-diphenylphosphinophenyl)phosphine (4). Condensation of 4 with (a) (2R,3R)-dimethyl tartrate or (b) (S)-binaphthol in the presence of triethylamine gave new chiral phosphine-phosphonite ligands, (2R,3R)-[2-(2′-(diphenylphosphino)phenyl)-4,5-bis(carbomethoxy)-1,3,2-dioxaphospholane] ((2R,3R)-5) and (S)-[2-(diphenylphosphino)benzene][1,1′-binaphthalen-2,2′-diyl]phosphonite] ((S)-6). The analogous reaction of 4 with (1R,2S)-ephedrine using N-methylmorpholine as the base, gave [2-(2′-(diphenylphosphino)phenyl)-3,4-dimethyl-5-phenyl-1,3,2-oxazaphospholidine] (7) as a 95:5 mixture of diastereoisomers.     

Synthesis and oxoanions (dichromate/arsenate) sorption study of N-methylglucamine derivative of calix[4]arene immobilized onto poly[(phenyl glycidyl ether)-co-formaldehyde]

The article describes synthesis as well as the evaluation of sorption properties of new N-methylglucamine substituted calix[4]arene and its poly[(phenyl glycidyl ether)-co-formaldehyde] immobilized product. Firstly, 5,17-bis-[(N-methylglucamine)methyl]-25,26,27,28-tetrahydroxy-calix[4]arene (3) was synthesized by the treatment of calix[4]arene with a secondary amine N-methylglucamine and formaldehyde via Mannich reaction. The immobilization of 3 onto poly[(phenyl glycidyl ether)-co-formaldehyde] to form calixarene based polymer (4) was carried out under suitable reaction conditions via nucleophilic substitution reaction. All the new compounds were characterized by a combination of FT-IR, ¹H-NMR spectroscopic and elemental analysis techniques. The sorption studies of 4 reveal that it is an excellent material for the removal of toxic oxoanions especially arsenate from aqueous environment. To understand the selectivity of 4, we also examined the retention of dichromate anions in the presence of Cl^?, NO₃ ^? and SO₄ ^2? anions at pH 1.5.     

Reinvestigating the synthesis of N-arylbenzamidines from benzonitriles and anilines in the presence of AlCl3

The preparation of N-phenylbenzamidine 3a from the reaction between benzonitrile 1a and aniline in the presence of AlCl₃ is reinvestigated with respect to mode of reagent addition, reaction temperature and Lewis acid catalysis. Pre-forming the nitrile-Lewis acid complex prior to the addition of aniline allows for milder reaction conditions, allowing for the higher yielding synthesis of N-phenylbenzamidine 3a (83%). Using these modified conditions several N-(4-substituted phenyl)benzamidines can be prepared including the N-(4-methoxyphenyl)benzamidine 3b (93%) and the previously unobtainable 2-amino-N-(4-methoxyphenyl)benzamidine 3l (56%). All new compounds are fully characterised.     

Synthesis of 2,3-disubstituted benzofurans and indoles by π-Lewis acidic transition metal-catalyzed cyclization of ortho-alkynylphenyl O,O- and N,O-acetals

The PtCl₂-catalyzed cyclization reaction of ortho-alkynylphenyl acetals 1 in the presence of COD (1,5-cyclooctadiene) produces 3-(α-alkoxyalkyl)benzofurans 2 in good to high yields. For example, the reaction of acetaldehyde ethyl 2-(1-octynyl)phenyl acetal (1a), acetaldehyde ethyl 2-(cyclohexylethynyl)phenyl acetal (1c), and acetaldehyde ethyl 2-(phenylethynyl)phenyl acetal (1f) in the presence of 2 mol % of platinum(II) chloride and 8 mol % of 1,5-cycloocatadiene in toluene at 30 °C gave the corresponding 2,3-disubstituted benzofurans 2a, 2c, and 2f in 91, 94, and 88% yields, respectively. Moreover, the reaction of N-methoxymethyl-2-alkynylanilines 3 was catalyzed by PdBr₂, affording the corresponding 2,3-disubstituted indoles 4 in moderate yields. For example, the reaction of N-methoxymethyl-2-(1-pentynyl)-N-tosylaniline (3a) and N-methoxymethyl-2-(phenylethynyl)-N-tosylaniline (3b) in the presence of 10 mol % of PdBr₂ in toluene at 80 °C gave 3-methoxymethyl-2-propyl-1-tosylindole (4a) and 3-methoxymethyl-2-phenyl-1-tosylindole (4b) in 33 and 33% yields, respectively.     

Carbon dendron nano-chains with π-extended conjugation based on end-capped N,N-dimethylamino in linear 1,4-phenylethynyl or in 1,5-naphthylethynyl subunits: fluorescence analysis

The synthesis of dendrons with the end-capped 5-(N,N-dimethylamino)naphthyl-1-ethynyl unit connected to conjugated naphthylethynyl or p-phenylethynyl chains, as the branches of the 1,3,5-substituted benzene core, have been undertaken by heterocoupling reaction between 1,3,5-triiodobenzene and the convenient end-capped 5-(N,N-dimethylamino)naphthylacetylene or 5-(N,N-dimethylamino)naphthylethynylphenylacetylene in the presence of the palladium-copper catalyst system, in excellent yields. The influence of the alternating naphthylethynyl-phenylethynyl chains on the fluorescence emission radiation, in the dendron structures, has been analyzed.     

A cationic tetrahedral chromophore for amplified DNA detection

The tetrahedral cationic chromophore, tetrakis [4-(9,9-bis(6′-(N,N,N-trimethylammonium)hexyl)-2-fluorenyl)phenyl]methane (1) shows better fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) to the fluorescein (Fl) attached to the 5′-terminus of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA-Fl) as compared to the linear oligomers 2 and 3 and also provides efficient DNA hybridization detection.     

New bicyclic organylboronic esters derived from iminodiacetic acids

The reactions of phenylboronic acid or dinethylthexyboronic ester with iminodiacetic- or N-methyliminodiacetic acids lead to high yield to the air-stable bicyclic esters (N-B)phenyl[iminodiacete-O,N]borane (1), (N-B)phenyl[N-methyliminodiacetate-O,N]borane (2), (N-B)thexy[iminodiacetate[O,N]borane (3) and (N-B)thexyl[N-methyliminodiacetate-O,N]borane (4). These are shown by ¹H, ¹¹B and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy to have rigid bicyclic structures of strong intramolecular N-B coordination.     

Synthesis of 1,5-naphthylethynyl nanostructure networks with extended π-conjugation. Effective heterocoupling catalyzed by palladium under a compatible CO2 atmosphere

The synthesis of a new extended π-conjugated 5-N,N-dimethylaminonaphthyl family was undertaken by palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction between a protected 5-iodonaphthylethynyl and 1-ethynyl-5-(N,N-dimethylamino)naphthalene. Under an argon atmosphere, only the homocoupling product 1,4-(N,N-dimethylamino)naphthyl-1,3-butadiyne was isolated, in excellent yield. However, under a compatible and pure carbon dioxide atmosphere, the cross-coupling product was obtained in excellent yield.