Isoprene-catalysed lithiation: deprotection and functionalisation of imidazole derivatives

The isoprene-catalysed lithiation of different 1-substituted imidazoles (1) (such as trityl, allyl, benzyl, vinyl, N,N-dimethylsulfamoyl, para-toluenesulfonyl, tert-butoxycarbonyl, acetyl, trimethylsilyl, tert-butyldimethylsilyl derivatives) leads to the cleavage of the protecting group producing 1H-imidazole. The use of 1-(diethoxymethyl)imidazole (3) in the same lithiation reaction allows the preparation of the corresponding 2-lithio intermediate, which by reacting with different electrophiles leads to 2-functionalised imidazoles 4.     

Reductions of (1R,3R,4R)-3-([1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-x]azin-3-yl)-1,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-ones and their analogues

Reductions of (1R,3R,4R)-3-([1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-x]azin-3-yl)-1,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-ones and their lactone analogues, prepared from (1R)-(+)-camphor, were studied. Catalytic hydrogenation selectively led to partial saturation of the [1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-x]azine residue, while in reactions with borane–methylsulfide coordination of borane to the 1-position of [1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-x]azine system took place. On the other hand, activation of the carbonyl group in (1R,3R,4R)-3-([1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-x]azin-3-yl)-1,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-ones with boron trifluoride etherate followed by reaction with borane–methylsulfide furnished the corresponding isoborneols, stereoselectively. The structures of all representative compounds were confirmed by X-ray diffraction.     

Synthesis of chiral 2-(anilinophenylmethyl)pyrrolidines and 2-(anilinodiphenylmethyl)pyrrolidine and their application to enantioselective borane reduction of prochiral ketones as chiral catalysts

Chiral diamines, 2-(anilinophenylmethyl)pyrrolidines and 2-(anilinodiphenylmethyl)pyrrolidine, were prepared from N-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)pyrrolidine or (S)-proline as a starting material, respectively. These chiral diamines were efficient for the catalytic enantioselective borane reduction of acetophenone. Using (S)-2-(anilinodiphenylmethyl)pyrrolidine, chiral secondary alcohols were obtained from prochiral ketones with good to excellent enantiomeric excesses (up to 98% ee).     

Improved synthetic routes to methylene-bridged P-chiral diphosphine ligands via secondary phosphine–boranes

Improved methods for the preparation of methylene-bridged diphosphine ligands are described. Both enantiomers of the key intermediate tert-butylmethylphosphine–borane were prepared via resolution or by the conversion of one enantiomer into the opposite enantiomer. The precursor borane complexes of bis(tert-butylmethylphosphino)methane (t-Bu-MiniPHOS), bis((1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)methylphosphino)methane (t-Oct-MiniPHOS), and (tert-butylmethylphosphino)(di-tert-butylphosphino)methane (trichickenfootphos) were prepared in good yields and enantiopure form.     

Asymmetric oxazaborolidine-catalyzed reduction of prochiral ketones with N-tert-butyl-N-trimethylsilylamine-borane

Employing N-tert-butyl-N-trimethylsilylamine-borane (1) as the borane source and 5-10% (R)-Me-CBS (2), the oxazaborolidine-catalyzed reduction of representative aryl and aliphatic ketones was carried out obtaining the corresponding alcohols (3) in 83-89% isolated yields and 69-98% ee.     

Synthesis of 3,4,5-trisubstituted indoles via iterative directed lithiation of 1-(triisopropylsilyl)gramines

Directed lithiation of 1-(triisopropylsilyl)gramines 1 with tert-butyllithium followed by reaction with trimethylsilylmethyl azide produced 4-amino-1-(triisopropylsilyl)gramines 7. The N-tert-butoxycarbonyl derivatives 8 were lithiated selectively at C-5 with tert-butyllithium and the lithiated species were reacted with a variety of electrophiles to give 5-functionalized compounds, 9 and 10. A facile method to produce 3,4,5-trisubstituted indoles from readily available gramine derivatives is thereby established.     

Synthesis and characterization of an unsymmetric salicylaldimine ligand derived from 1-(2-Aminoethyl) piperazine and investigation of its analytical properties for the extraction and preconcentratoion of some divalent cations

The synthetic, structural, spectroscopic and analytical properties of steric hindered Schiff-base ligand [N-(3,5-di-tert-butylsalicylaldimine)-1-(2-Aminoethyl) piperazine (HL)] and its mononuclear Cu(II), Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes are described. The new unsymmetric steric hindered Schiff base ligand containing a donor set of NONO was prepared by the reaction of 1-(2-Aminoethyl) piperazine with 3,5-di-tert-butylsalicylaldehyde. Certain metal complexes of this ligand were synthesized by treating an ethanolic solution of the ligand with an equimolar amount of metal salts. The ligand and its metal complexes were characterized by FT-IR, UV-Vis, ¹H NMR, elemental analysis, molar conductivity and magnetic susceptibility techniques. The reaction of this ligand in a 1:2 mole ratio with metal acetate afforded mononuclear metal complexes. The molar conductivity (??_M) values of the metal complexes of Ni(II), Co(II) and Cu(II) were in the range of 6.4 to 9.8 ??^?1 cm² mol^?1 at room temperature. Preconcentration and separation of Cu²⁺ from aqueous solution using N-(3,5-di-tert-butylsalicylaldimine)-1-(2-Aminoethyl) piperazine (HL) as a new extractant were studied. The extraction experiments were carried out at various pHs. While Cu²⁺ showed the highest extractability and selectivity at pH 7.0, extractions of Co²⁺ and Ni²⁺ were unsuccessful due to precipitate formation.     

Stereochemical course of the reductive spiroannulations of N-Boc and N-benzyl 2-cyanopiperidines

The stereochemical outcome of spiroannulations of N-protected 2-lithiopiperidines (generated by lithium di-tert-butyl biphenylide (LiDBB) mediated reductive lithiation of 2-cyanopiperidines) was investigated using deuterium labeled side-chains containing phosphate leaving groups. High stereoselectivity was observed when benzyl (Bn) protected 2-cyanopiperidines were employed, while tert-butoxycarbonyl (Boc) protected 2-cyanopiperidines afforded lower selectivity. Models are proposed to rationalize the results of this study.     

Generation of oxodiazonium ions 6. Unexpected formation of tetrazole 1-oxides

(E)-2-[2,2-Bis(tert-butyl-NNO-azoxy)-1-(methylsulfinyl)vinyl]-1-isopropoxydiazene 1-oxide reacts with boron trifluoride etherate (BF₃?Et₂O) producing 2-tert-butyl-N-nitro-2H-tetrazolo-5-carboxamide 4-oxide and 2-tert-butyl-2H-tetrazolo-5-carbonitrile 4-oxide but not the expected 1,2,3,4-tetrazine 1,3-dioxide derivative. This reaction direction can be explained by cationic domino cyclization, the key stage of which is coupling of the oxodiazonium ion with the geminal MeS(O) group. Structure of N-nitrocarboxamide was confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Regioselective silylation of 5-(2′-hydroxyethyl)cyclopent-2-en-1-ol and 6-(2′-hydroxyethyl)cyclohex-2-en-1-ol

Herein we report regioselective and mild reactions for the tert-butyldimethylsilyl mono-protection of 5-(2′-hydroxyethyl)cyclopent-2-en-1-ol (2) and 6-(2′-hydroxyethyl)cycohex-2-en-1-ol (5) at the primary hydroxyl group or at the secondary allylic hydroxyl group. The different steric environment surrounding the secondary allylic and saturated primary alcohols is mainly invoked to rationalize the observed regioselectivity.     

On the Use of Amine–Borane Complexes To Synthesize Iron Nanoparticles

The effectiveness of amine–borane as reducing agent for the synthesis of iron nanoparticles has been investigated. Large (2–4 nm) Fe nanoparticles were obtained from [Fe{N(SiMe₃)₂}₂]. Inclusion of boron in the nanoparticles is clearly evidenced by extended X‐ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy and Mössbauer spectrometry. Furthermore, the reactivity of amine–borane and amino–borane complexes in the presence of pure Fe nanoparticles has been investigated. Dihydrogen evolution was observed in both cases, which suggests the potential of Fe nanoparticles to promote the release of dihydrogen from amine–borane and amino–borane moieties.     

Synthetic approaches towards new polymer systems by the combination of living carbocationic and anionic polymerizations

This study summarizes recent efforts to obtain by combination of living carbocationic and anionic polymerizations block copolymers which are potential precursors for building new well-defined polymeric architectures with microphase separated morphology. Living carbocationic polymerization (LCCP) yields telechelic polyisobutylene (PIB) chains with a variety of useful endgroups, such as tert-chlorine, isopropenyl, primary hydroxyl, tolyl etc. When tolyl-ended PIB was used as precursor for macroinitiator of living anionic polymerization of 2-(tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy)ethyl methacrylate (tBuMe₂SiOEMA), mixtures of homopolymers and block copolymers were formed due to incomplete lithiation of this chain end. In another approach a new functionalization method was developed by end-quenching living PIB chains with 1,1-diphenylethylene (DPE). In the presence of BCl₃ a new telechelic PIB with 2,2-diphenylvinyl (DPV) endgroups was formed. A corresponding DPV model compound was synthesized from 2-chloro-2,4,4-trimethylpentane (TMPCl). Because of steric hindrance less than quantitative lithiation of this material occurred. Controlled deprotection of PtBuMe₂SiOEMA obtained by living anionic polymerization (LAP) was utilized to prepare a precursor network composed of partially deprotected PtBuM₂SiOEMA and hydroxyl-telechelic PIB by using a diisocyanate crosslinker. After network formation deprotection with HCl was completed and a new amphiphilic network (APN) containing PIB and poly(2-hydroxyethyl) methacrylate) (PHEMA) segments crosslinked by urethane linkages was obtained.     

N-substituted-2-carboxamidophenylboronic acid anhydrides

N-Substituted-2-carboxamidophenylboronic acid anhydrides were prepared by lithiation of 2-phenyl-2-oxazolines and subsequent reaction with trimethyl borate or borane, followed by hydrolysis. The hydrolysis is very rapid owing to a strong neighbouring group effect.     

Boron‐Based Catalysts for C−C Bond‐Formation Reactions

Because the construction of the C?C bond is one of the most significant reactions in organic chemistry, the development of an efficient strategy has attracted much attention throughout the synthetic community. Among various protocols to form C?C bonds, organoboron compounds are not just limited to stoichiometric reagents, but have also made great achievements as catalysts because of the easy modification of the electronic and steric impacts on the boron center. This review presents recent developments of boron‐based catalysts applied in the field of C?C bond‐formation reactions, which are classified into four kinds on the basis of the type of boron catalyst: 1) highly Lewis acidic borane, B(C₆F₅)₃; 2) organoboron acids, RB(OH)₂, and their ester derivatives; 3) borenium ions, (R₂BL)X; and 4) other miscellaneous kinds.     

Synthesis of C2-symmetrical bis-β-amino alcohols from (R)-cysteine and their application in enantioselective catalysis

Six new sulfur-containing C₂-symmetrical bis-β-primary and sec-amino-tert-alcohols have been synthesized from (R)-cysteine and applied successfully in the enantiocontrolled catalytic addition of diethylzinc to benzaldehyde. The resulting 1-phenyl-1-propanol could be obtained in good enantiomeric excess of up to 94%. Using the same chiral auxiliaries in the enantioselective borane reduction of acetophenone afforded 1-phenyl-1-ethanol in enantiomeric excesses of up to 82%.     

An Intramolecular Silylene Borane Capable of Facile Activation of Small Molecules,Including Metal‐Free Dehydrogenation of Water

The first single‐component N‐heterocyclic silylene borane 1 (LSi‐R‐BMes₂; L=PhC(N^t Bu)₂; R=1,12‐xanthendiyl spacer; Mes=2,4,6‐Me₃C₆H₂), acting as a frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) in small‐molecule activation, can be synthesized in 65 % yields. Its HOMO is largely localized at the silicon(II) atom and the LUMO has mainly boron 2p character. In small‐molecule activation 1 allows access to the intramolecular silanone–borane 3 featuring a Si=O→B interaction through reaction with O₂, N₂O, or CO₂, and formation of silanethione borane 4 from reaction with S₈. The Si^II center in 1 undergoes immediate hydrogenation if exposed to H₂ at 1 atm pressure in benzene, affording the silane borane 5‐H₂ , L(H₂)Si‐R‐BMes₂. Remarkably, no H₂ activation occurs if the single silylene LSiPh and Mes₃B intermolecularly separated are exposed to dihydrogen. Unexpectedly, the pre‐organized Si–B separation in 1 enables a metal‐free dehydrogenation of H₂O to give the silanone–borane 3 as reactive intermediate.     

An Intramolecular Silylene Borane Capable of Facile Activation of Small Molecules,Including Metal‐Free Dehydrogenation of Water

The first single‐component N‐heterocyclic silylene borane 1 (LSi‐R‐BMes₂; L=PhC(N^t Bu)₂; R=1,12‐xanthendiyl spacer; Mes=2,4,6‐Me₃C₆H₂), acting as a frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) in small‐molecule activation, can be synthesized in 65 % yields. Its HOMO is largely localized at the silicon(II) atom and the LUMO has mainly boron 2p character. In small‐molecule activation 1 allows access to the intramolecular silanone–borane 3 featuring a Si=O→B interaction through reaction with O₂, N₂O, or CO₂, and formation of silanethione borane 4 from reaction with S₈. The Si^II center in 1 undergoes immediate hydrogenation if exposed to H₂ at 1 atm pressure in benzene, affording the silane borane 5‐H₂ , L(H₂)Si‐R‐BMes₂. Remarkably, no H₂ activation occurs if the single silylene LSiPh and Mes₃B intermolecularly separated are exposed to dihydrogen. Unexpectedly, the pre‐organized Si–B separation in 1 enables a metal‐free dehydrogenation of H₂O to give the silanone–borane 3 as reactive intermediate.     

Direct observation of aziridinium ions in a 2-(N,N-dibenzylamino)- to 1-(N,N-dibenzylamino)phosphonate rearrangement

Aziridinium mesylates stable in the reaction medium for several hours to over a week were observed in a rearrangement of dimethyl (1R,2S)-2-(N,N-dibenzylamino)-1-mesyloxyethylphosphonates substituted at C2 with Bn, i-Pr and t-Bu to the respective 1-(N,N-dibenzylamino)-2-mesyloxyethylphosphonates. Rates of formation of these aziridinium mesylates and rates of their reactions with poorly nucleophilic mesylate anion were governed by steric and electronic factors. The conformation of (2S,3S)-1,1-dibenzyl-2-(tert-butyl)-3-(dimethoxyphosphoryl)aziridinium mesylate in solution was established based on ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopic studies including a NOESY experiment.     

Conformational effects on lipase-mediated acylations of 2-substituted cyclohexanols

Lipase-mediated acetylations of trans- and cis-2-substituted cyclohexanols gave the corresponding (1R)-cyclohexyl acetates and (1S)-cyclohexanols in high yields and ee, but c-4-tert-butyl-c-2-ethenyl-r-1-cyclohexanol was unreactive owing to the steric interaction between the axial OH group and the axial H atoms at the 3- and 5-positions. In the cis-isomer the OH group occupies an equatorial position to bind to the lipase, and less bulky axial alkenyl and alkynyl groups might not so much prevent acetylations than an alkyl group.     

Manganese‐σ‐Borane Complexes from Dihaloboranes

The hydride complex K[(η⁵‐C₅H₅)Mn(CO)₂H] reacted with a range of dihalo(organyl)boranes X₂BR (X = Cl, Br; R = tBu,Mes, Ferrocenyl) to give the corresponding borane complexes[(η⁵‐C₅H₅)Mn(CO)₂(HB(X)R)]., The presence of a hydride in bridging position between manganese and boron was deduced from ¹¹B decoupled ¹H NMR spectra. Additionally, the structure of the tert‐butyl borane complex was confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction.