Bis- and tetracalix[4]arenes in the partial cone conformation: synthesis, structure and RCM reactions

The synthesis, structure and ring-closing metathesis (RCM) reactions of polyether bridged biscalix[4]arenes 6 in the partial cone conformation with upper rim allyl substituents are reported. The RCM reaction modes depend on the length of polyether chain. Diethylene glycolic chain produced the dimer 7a and linear oligomer 7a′ with multi-cavities, whereas triethylene and tetraethylene glycolic chains allowed direct cyclization through intramolecular head-to-tail pattern to yield novel bridged biscalix[4]arenes 7b-c.     

An approach to the synthesis of chemically modified bisazocalix[4]arenes and their extraction properties

Bisazocalix[4]arenes [N,N′-bis(5-azo-25,26,27-tribenzoyloxy-28-hydroxycalix[4]arene)benzene (1), N,N′-bis(5-azo-25,26,27-tribenzoyloxy-28-hydroxycalix[4]arene)biphenyl (2) and N,N′-bis(5-azo-25,26,27-tribenzoyloxy-28-hydroxycalix[4]arene)-2,2′-dinitro biphenyl (3)] have been synthesized from 25,26,27-tribenzoyloxy-28-hydroxycalix[4]arene by diazocoupling with the corresponding aromatic diamines (p-phenylenediamine, 4,4′-diamino biphenyl and 4,4′-diamino-2,2′-dinitrobiphenyl). Extraction studies of bisazocalix[4]arenes 1, 2, and 3 show no difference in their extraction behavior and selectivity, whereas azocalix[4]arenes are a poor extractant for heavy metal cations. The absorption spectra of the prepared bisazocalix[4]arenes are discussed, both the effect of varying pH and solvent upon the absorption ability of bisazocalix[4]arenes.     

Capping the upper and lower rims of calix[4]arenes by aryl dinitrile oxide reactions

1,3-Dipolar cycloadditions of upper- and lower-rim diallylcalix[4]arenes (1 and 3) with aryl dinitrile oxides provide a unique and efficient way of capping the calix[4]arenes. When dinitrile oxides reacted with 5-allylcalix[4]arene 7, they underwent a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition on one side and an electrophilic substitution on the other side, which led to a novel type of asymmetric calix[4]arenes (9 and 12).     

Synthesis of di-substituted calix[4]arene-based receptors for extraction of chromate and arsenate anions

The article describes the synthesis of a family of novel calix[4]arene ionophores, 25,27-bis-(2-aminomethylpyridine-propoxy)-26,28-dihydroxycalix[4]arene (5a), 25,27-bis-(3-aminomethylpyridine-propoxy)-26,28-dihydroxycalix[4]arene (5b) and two chromogenic calix[4]arenes, 5,17-dinitro-25,27-bis-(2-aminomethylpyridine-propoxy)-26,28-dihydroxycalix[4]arene (5c), 5,17-dinitro-25,27-bis-(3-aminomethylpyridine-propoxy)-26,28-dihydroxycalix[4]arene (5d) bearing pyridinium units. In the synthesis, the upper and lower rims of p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene were modified in order to acquire binding sites for the recognition of arsenate and dichromate anions. It has been observed that protonated alkylammonium forms of the ionophores showed high affinity toward dichromate and arsenate anions.     

Synthesis of new calix[4]arenes containing nucleoside bases

A family of novel calix[4]arene derivatives containing nucleoside bases were designed and synthesized. Coupling reaction between para mono- or bis-amino calix[4]arenes 5, 6 or 7 and thymin-1-ylacetic acid in the presence of DCC afforded mono- or bis-thymine-substituted calix[4]arenes 8, 9 or 10 in over 70% yield. Owing to the low solubility of adenine-N⁹-ylacetic acid in DMF and DMSO and the weak nucleophilicity of aminocalix[4]arene derivatives, alternatively, the substitution reaction of bromoacetylated aminocalix[4]arenes derivatives 11, 12, 13 with adenine in the presence of sodium hydride was carried out to synthesize mono- or bis-adenine-substituted calix[4]arenes. Two kinds of isomers 15 and 16 or 17 and 18 were obtained due to the non-regiospecific alkylation of adenine, and their structures have been confirmed by ¹³C NMR and ¹H NMR spectra.     

Synthesis and X-ray structures of iodothiacalix[4]arenes

Mono-, di-, and tetraiodothiacalix[4]arenes 13-16 have been successfully synthesized for the first time by the Griess reaction of diazonium salts of the corresponding aminothiacalix[4]arenes 4-7. X-ray crystallography reveals that monoiodinated compound 13 adopts a distorted pinched cone conformation, in which the three hydroxy groups and the iodine atom form a pseudo-cyclic hydrogen bonding. On the other hand, tetraiodinated compound 16 adopts a 1,3-alternate conformation presumably due to the steric hindrance and dipole repulsion between the iodine atoms.     

Intramolecular rearrangement of 1,3-bistriflate ester of thiacalix[4]arene to 1,2-counterpart: an efficient di-O-protection method for the stereoselective synthesis of anti-1,2-diethers

A net anti-selective dialkylation of the proximal hydroxy groups of thiacalix[4]arene 2 is achieved for the first time via the initial protection of the two proximal hydroxy groups of compound 2 with Tf moieties by intramolecular rearrangement of easily preparable 1,3-bistriflate ester 3 to 1,2-counterpart 4, followed by anti-selective dialkylation of the remaining hydroxy groups with alkyl halides or under the Mitsunobu conditions and subsequent removal of the Tf moieties.     

Dioxamethylene intramolecular bridging of p-tert-butylcalix[8]arene

The first examples of dioxamethylene bridged calix[8]arenes 2-6 have been obtained by Cs₂CO₃-promoted direct O-alkylation of p-tert-butylcalix[8]arene with BrCH₂Cl. Assignment of the 1,2-, 1,2:3,4-, 1,2:3,4:6,7-, 1,4:2,3:5,6:7,8-, and 1,2:3,4:5,6:7,8-bridging pattern of 2-6, respectively, was mainly based on chemical shift of OH groups and chemical correlations. Dynamic ¹H NMR studies and MM3 calculations indicated that in these compounds the dioxocine subunit adopts a boat-chair conformation.     

Total chemical synthesis of 2-ethenyl-3,5-dimethylpyrazine and 3-ethenyl-2,5-dimethylpyrazine

The aroma compounds 2-ethenyl-3,5-dimethylpyrazine 1 and 3-ethenyl-2,5-dimethylpyrazine 2 were synthesized via a new chemical route. The key steps of the synthesis involve cyclocondenzation of 1-[bicyclo[2.2.1]5-hepten-2-yl]-1,2-propanedione and 1,2-propanediamine, aromatization of the resulting 5,6-dihydropyrazines, and subsequent Retro-Diels-Alder reaction to generate pyrazines 1 and 2. Pyrazine 1, a powerful odorant, was obtained in large excess (8:2) when endo-1-[bicyclo[2.2.1]5-hepten-2-yl]-1,2-propanedione was used as intermediate substrate.     

Reactions of azulenes with 1,2-diaryl-1,2-ethanediols in methanol in the presence of hydrochloric acid: comparative studies on products, crystal structures, and spectroscopic and electrochemical properties

Although reaction of guaiazulene (1a) with 1,2-diphenyl-1,2-ethanediol (2a) in methanol in the presence of hydrochloric acid at 60 °C for 3 h under aerobic conditions gives no product, reaction of 1a with 1,2-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,2-ethanediol (2b) under the same reaction conditions as 2a gives a new ethylene derivative, 2-(3-guaiazulenyl)-1,1-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)ethylene (3), in 97% yield. Similarly, reaction of methyl azulene-1-carboxylate (1b) with 2b under the same reaction conditions as 1a gives no product; however, reactions of 1-chloroazulene (1c) and the parent azulene (1d) with 2b under the same reaction conditions as 1a give 2-[3-(1-chloroazulenyl)]-1,1-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)ethylene (4) (81% yield) and 2-azulenyl-1,1-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)ethylene (5) (15% yield), respectively. Along with the above reactions, reactions of 1a with 1,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1,2-ethanediol (2c) and 1-[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]-2-phenyl-1,2-ethanediol (2d) under the same reaction conditions as 2b give 2-(3-guaiazulenyl)-1,1-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethylene (6) (73% yield) and (Z)-2-[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]-1-(3-guaiazulenyl)-1-phenylethylene (7) (17% yield), respectively. Comparative studies of the above reaction products and their yields, crystal structures, spectroscopic and electrochemical properties are reported and, further, a plausible reaction pathway for the formation of the products 3-7 is described.     

Reaction of azulene with 1,2-bis[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]-1,2-ethanediol in a mixed solvent of methanol and acetonitrile in the presence of hydrochloric acid: a facile one-pot synthesis and properties of new triarylethylenes possessing an azulen-1-yl group

Reaction of azulene (1) with 1,2-bis[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]-1,2-ethanediol (2) in a mixed solvent of methanol and acetonitrile in the presence of 36% hydrochloric acid at 60 °C for 3 h gives 2-(azulen-1-yl)-1,1-bis[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]ethylene (3) (8% yield), 1-(azulen-1-yl)-(E)-1,2-bis[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]ethylene (4) (28% yield), and 1,3-bis{2,2-bis[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]ethenyl}azulene (5) (9% yield). Besides the above products, this reaction affords 1,1-di(azulen-1-yl)-2,2-bis[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]ethane (6) (15% yield), a meso form (1R,2S)-1,2-di(azulen-1-yl)-1,2-bis[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]ethane (7) (6% yield), and the two enantiomeric forms (1R,2R)- and (1S,2S)-1,2-di(azulen-1-yl)-1,2-bis[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]ethanes (8) (6% yield). Furthermore, addition reaction of 3 with 1 under the same reaction conditions as the above provides 6, in 46% yield, which upon oxidation with DDQ (=2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone) in dichloromethane at 25 °C for 24 h yields 1,1-di(azulen-1-yl)-2,2-bis[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]ethylene (9) in 48% yield. Interestingly, reaction of 1,1-bis[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]-2-(3-guaiazulenyl)ethylene (11) with 1 in a mixed solvent of methanol and acetonitrile in the presence of 36% hydrochloric acid at 60 °C for 3 h gives guaiazulene (10) and 3, owing to the replacement of a guaiazulen-3-yl group by an azulen-1-yl group, in 91 and 46% yields together with 5 (19% yield) and 6 (13% yield). Similarly, reactions of 2-(3-guaiazulenyl)-1,1-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)ethylene (12) and 1,1-bis{4-[2-(dimethylamino)ethoxy]phenyl}-2-(3-guaiazulenyl)ethylene (13) with 1 under the same reaction conditions as the above provide 10, 2-(azulen-1-yl)-1,1-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)ethylene (16), and 1,3-bis[2,2-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)ethenyl]azulene (17) (93, 34, and 19% yields) from 12 and 10 and 2-(azulen-1-yl)-1,1-bis{4-[2-(dimethylamino)ethoxy]phenyl}ethylene (18) (97 and 58% yields) from 13.     

Syntheses and optoelectronic properties of four photochromic dithienylethenes

Four photochromic dithienylethene compounds, 1,2-bis(2-methyl-5-naphthalene-3-thienyl)perfluorocyclopentene 1a, 1,2-bis[2-methyl-5(p-fluorophenyl)-3-thienyl]perfluorocyclopentene 2a, 1,2-bis[2-methyl-5(p-ethoxyphenyl)-3-thienyl]perfluorocyclopentene 3a, and 1,2-bis[2-methyl-5(p-N,N-dimethylaminophenyl)-3-thienyl]perfluorocyclopentene 4a were synthesized, and their optoelectronic properties, such as photochromism in solution as well as in poly-methylmethacrylate (PMMA) amorphous films, fluorescences and electrochemical properties were investigated in detail. These dithienylethenes have shown good photochromic behavior both in solution and in PMMA amorphous film. All of them exhibited relatively strong fluorescence and gave a bathochromic shift upon increasing concentration in THF. The irreversible anodic oxidation of 1a, 2a and 4a was observed by performing cyclic voltammetry experiments.     

Quinoxaline-annelated Z-shaped quadruple-bridged orthocyclophanes: synthesis and crystal structures

A three-step synthesis of nineteen Z-shaped quadruple-bridged [6,6] and [6,4]orthocyclophanes comprising two quinoxaline-based sidewalls are described. The synthesis began from the bis-Diels−Alder adducts B1-B3 followed by ruthenium-promoted oxidation of dichloroetheno-bridges in the adducts to generate a bis-α-diketones, which were then condensed with various arene-1,2-diamines (9a-g) to construct sidewalls (phane parts) of Z-shaped quadruple-bridged orthocyclophanes D1-3, D2g, and D3g. Single-crystal structures of six orthocyclophanes (D1a, D2a, D2f, D3f, D2g-α, and D3g-α) were obtained and revealed that the C_Ar−H?π and π?π stacking interactions between N-containing arene rings are the major driving force for molecular assembly and crystal packing, in addition to the interactions involving the polar OCH₃ groups and the solvate molecules.     

Diacenaphtho[1,2-c:1,2-e]-1,2-dithiin: synthesis, structure and reactivity

Diacenaphtho[1,2-c:1^′,2^′-e]-1,2-dithiin 2 was synthesized in 23% yield by the reaction of acenaphthylene with elemental sulfur at 120 °C. This reaction also afforded either diacenaphtho[1,2-b:1^′,2^′-d]thiophene 1 or diacenaphtho[1,2-b:1^′,2^′-e]-dihydro[e]-1,4-dithiin 3 depending on the reaction time. Compound 2 was desulfurized and converted to 1 under UV-vis irradiation in a benzene solution. Reaction of 2 with Pt(COD)₂ yielded the complex Pt(COD)(C₂₄H₁₂S₂) 4 (COD=1,5-cyclooctadiene) by insertion of a Pt(COD) group into the S-S bond of 2. When heated, 4 was desulfurized and converted to 1 by elimination of a (COD)PtS grouping. Compounds 1-4 were characterized crystallographically.     

Multiple catenanes based on tetraloop derivatives of calix[4]arenes

Four novel tetraarylurea calix[4]arenes (4a-d) have been synthesized, substituted by ω-alkenyloxy residues in 3,5-positions of the arylurea residues. The eight alkenyl groups were pairwise connected by olefin metathesis and subsequent hydrogenation. The ring-closure reaction was carried out with heterodimers exclusively formed by 4 with a tetratosylurea calix[4]arene 1, which serves as a template in this reaction step. The potential trans-cavity bridging is entirely suppressed in this way. Bis- and tetraloop calix[4]arenes cannot form dimers due to overlapping loops. However, they readily form heterodimers with open-chain tetraureas, as long as their urea residues can pass through the loops. Thus, five heterodimeric capsules 8a-e with bis[3]catenane structure were synthesized using again the olefin metathesis followed by hydrogenation. Two different strategies were compared for this reaction sequence, starting with heterodimers formed either by tetraloop derivatives 5 with tetraalkenyl tetraureas 6 (pathway A) or by bisloop derivatives 7 with octaalkenyl tetraureas 4 (pathway B). A distinct advantage of one of these pathways was not observed; the bis[3]catenanes were obtained with yields of 20-60%. Heterodimers formed by tetraloop derivatives 5b-d and octaalkenyl ureas 4b-d were converted analogous to three novel cyclic [8]catenanes 9a-c in 30-42% yield. The structure of the novel catenanes was unambiguously proved by ¹H NMR and ESI MS, and for 8a and 9a additionally by single crystal X-ray analysis.     

Synthesis of the first examples of p-bromodienone and transannular spirodienone calixarene derivatives

The first examples of p-bromodienone calixarene derivatives (6-7 and 9-10) have been obtained by treatment of 1,5-dihydroxy-hexaalkoxycalix[8]arenes 5 or tripropoxycalix[4]arene 8 with trimethylphenylammonium tribromide and a saturated solution of NaHCO₃. The first transannular spirodienone derivative 11 was only obtained in the presence of NaOH or using the KOH/I₂/PEG-200 oxidizing system.     

New silatranes possessing urea functionality: Synthesis, characterization and their structural aspects

The present work aims at the synthesis of various novel silatranes bearing substituted urea functionality. Nucleophilic addition of various amines (morpholine, aniline, ethylenediamine and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane) to 3-isocyanatopropyltriethoxysilane resulted in the four triethoxysilanes; N-[3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl]morpholine-4-carboxylic acid amide (1), 1-[3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl]-3-phenylurea (2), 1,2-bis{N′-[3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl]ureido}-ethane (3) and N-[3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl]-N′-[3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl]urea (4), respectively. In the presence of a base the resulting silanes undergo transesterification reaction with triethanolamine, thus forming the corresponding silatranes, N-(3-silatranylpropyl)morpholine-4-carboxylic acid amide (5), 1-(3-silatranylpropyl)-3-phenylurea (6), 1,2-Bis[N′-(3-silatranylpropyl)ureido]-ethane (7) and N-(3-silatranylpropyl)-N′-(3-silatranylpropyl)urea (8), respectively. Among these are four novel compounds (5-8), which were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, multinuclear (¹H, ¹³C and ²⁹Si) NMR and mass spectroscopy. Structures of compounds 5 and 6 were deduced by X-ray crystallography. Single crystal X-ray studies revealed distorted trigonal bipyramidal coordination about Si in 5 and 6 with Si-N bond distance of 2.121(1) Å and 2.189(2) Å, respectively.     

Efficient synthesis of novel dipyridoimidazoles and pyrido[1′,2′;1,2]imidazo[4,5-d]pyridazine derivatives

Novel dipyrido[1,2-a;3′,4′-d]imidazoles 7a-d, dipyrido[1,2-a;4′,3′-d]imidazoles 8a,c and pyrido[1′,2′;1,2]imidazo[4,5-d]pyridazine derivatives 9a-d were synthesized by two pathways: thermal electrocyclic reaction of 3-alkenylimidazopyridine-2-oximes 10 and direct condensation of ethyl glycinate (or hydrazine) with 2,3-dicarbonylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridines 11.     

Novel annulated products from aminonaphthyridinones

2-(4-Methoxyphenyl)-1-oxo-1,2-dihydro-1,6-naphthyridine-4-carboxamide (4c) underwent Hofmann rearrangement with iodobenzene diacetate in methanol to give the corresponding 4-amino compound (6c). This, when reacted with 2,4-pentanedione and then hot phosphoryl chloride (attempted Combes synthesis) gave a new heterocyclic system, 6-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-methylpyrido[3,2-c]pyrrolo[2,3-e]azocin-7(6H)-one (9c). This showed typical pyrrole-type reactivity at the 3-position. Alternatively, an attempt to convert the 4-NH₂ in 6c to 4-OH by diazotization gave, instead, a [1,2,3]triazolo[1,5-a]pyridine-3-carboxaldehyde (16c). The same series of reactions on a benzo analog, 2-methyl-1-oxo-1,2-dihydrobenzo[b][1,6]naphthyridine-4-carboxamide (4a), gave the same results.     

Selective synthesis of bis[1,2]dithiolo[1,4]thiazines from 4-isopropylamino-5-chloro-1,2-dithiole-3-ones

Reaction of 4-isopropylamino-5-chloro-1,2-dithiole-3-ones 3 and S₂Cl₂ in acetonitrile gave selectively 3-oxo-bis[1,2]dithiolo[1,4]thiazine-5-thiones 1 by the addition of triethylamine and bis[1,2]dithiolo[1,4]thiazine-3,5-diones 5 under the action of formic acid. 3,5-Diones 5 were also obtained by intramolecular cyclization of N,N-bis(5-chloro-3-oxo[1,2]dithiol-4-yl)amines 6 with S₂Cl₂ in the presence of Et₃N.