Influence of P‐Bonded Bulky Substituents on Electronic Interactions in Ferrocenyl‐Substituted Phospholes

2,5‐Diferrocenyl‐1‐Ar‐1H‐phospholes 3 a – e (Ar=phenyl ( a ), ferrocenyl ( b ), mesityl ( c ), 2,4,6‐triphenylphenyl ( d ), and 2,4,6‐tri‐tert‐butylphenyl ( e )) have been prepared by reactions of ArPH₂ ( 1 a – e ) with 1,4‐diferrocenyl butadiyne. Compounds 3 b – e have been structurally characterized by single‐crystal XRD analysis. Application of the sterically demanding 2,4,6‐tri‐tert‐butylphenyl group led to an increased flattening of the pyramidal phosphorus environment. The ferrocenyl units could be oxidized separately, with redox separations of 265 ( 3 b ), 295 ( 3 c ), 340 ( 3 d ), and 315 mV ( 3 e ) in [NnBu₄][B(C₆F₅)₄]; these values indicate substantial thermodynamic stability of the mixed‐valence radical cations. Monocationic [ 3 b ]⁺–[ 3 e ]⁺ show intervalence charge‐transfer absorptions between 4650 and 5050 cm^?1 of moderate intensity and half‐height bandwidth. Compounds 3 c – e with bulky, electron‐rich substituents reveal a significant increase in electronic interactions compared with less demanding groups in 3 a and 3 b .     

First Synthesis of Ferrocenyl‐Substituted 1,2‐Dihydro‐2‐oxopyridine‐3‐carbonitriles

In the present investigation, the first incorporation of both ferrocene scaffold and 1,2‐dihydro‐2‐oxopyridine‐3‐carbonitrile pharmacophore leading to a series of structurally novel ferrocene‐based hybrids has been achieved, involving the condensation reaction of ferrocenyl substituted chalcones with 2‐cyanoacetamide in a freshly prepared EtONa solution at 70°. The molecular structures of these newly synthesized products were confirmed by IR, and ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR analyses.     

Novel Bisthienylethene Containing Ferrocenyl‐Substituted Naphthalimide: A Photo‐ and Redox Multi‐Addressable Molecular Switch

A new photochromic bisthienylethene system (BTE? NAFc) is reported in which the ferrocene unit (Fc) is incorporated into a naphthalimide chromophore as the central ethene bridging unit. The incorporated Fc unit in the photochromic system of BTE? NAFc has several effects on optical properties, such as fluorescence‐modulation through photoinduced electron transfer (PET), a decrease in the photochromic cyclization quantum yield, and a selective two‐step oxidation process. The ability to drive ring‐opening and ring‐closing reactions with a secondary redox‐modulation provides increased functionality to the photochromic system. Based on these meaningful photo‐ and redox‐modulation properties, five unprecedented multi‐addressable states (BTE? NAFc, BTE? NAFc⁺, c‐BTE? NAFc, c‐BTE? NAFc⁺, and BTE⁺? NAFc⁺) and gated photochromism are successfully obtained within the unimolecular BTE platform, thus providing deeper insight into photochromic systems as multifunctional outputs.     

Ferrocenyl‐functionalized long chain branched polydienes

A convenient two‐step approach for the synthesis of ferrocenyl‐functionalized long chain branched polydienes, based on both butadiene and isoprene, respectively, is presented. Classical living anionic polymerization was used to synthesize different AB_n type poly(diene) macromonomers with moderate molecular weights between 1700 and 3200 g/mol and narrow polydispersity. Quantitative end‐capping with chlorodimethylsilane resulted in the desired AB_n macromonomer structures. In the ensuing Pt‐catalyzed hydrosilylation polyaddition, branched, functionalized polydienes were obtained by a concurrent AB_n + AR type of copolymerization with mono‐ and difunctional ferrocenyl silanes (fcSiMe₂H or fc₂SiMeH). Molecular weights of the branched polymers were in the range of 10,000 to 44,000 g/mol (SEC/MALLS). Because of the large number of functional end groups, high loading with ferrocene units up to 63 wt % of ferrocene was achieved. Detailed studies showed full conversion of the functional silanes and incorporation into the branched polymer. Further studies using DSC, TGA, and cyclovoltammetry (CV) measurements have been performed. Electrochemical studies demonstrated different electrochemical properties for fcSiMe₂‐ and fc₂SiMe‐units. The CVs of polymers modified with diferrocenylsilane units exhibit the pattern of communicating ferrocenyl sites with two distinct, separate oxidation waves. The polymers were also deposited on an electrode surface and the electrodes investigated via CV, showing formation of electroactive films with promising results for the use of the materials in biosensors. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 2518–2529, 2009     

Two New 11‐Hydroxy‐Substituted Gelsedine‐Type Indole Alkaloids from the Stems of Gelsemium elegans

Two new 11‐hydroxy‐substituted gelsedine‐type indole alkaloids, named 11,14‐dihydroxygelsenicine ( 1 ) and 11‐hydroxygelsenicine ( 2 ), together with six known alkaloids, i.e., koumine, gelsemine, 14‐hydroxygelsenicine, 11‐hydroxyhumantenine, gelsenicine, and (19Z)‐akuammidine, were isolated from the EtOH extract of the stems of Gelsemium elegans Benth. Their structures were determined mainly by means of spectroscopic analyses including HR‐ESI‐MS and 2D‐NMR (HSQC, HMBC, ¹H,¹H‐COSY). The configuration of 1 was confirmed by X‐ray‐diffraction analysis.     

Synthesis and Antiproliferative Activity of 6‐Ferrocenyl‐3‐Substituted 7H‐1,2,4‐Triazolo[3, 4‐b]‐1,3,4‐Thiadiazines

Five new 6‐ferrocenyl‐3‐substituted 7H‐1,2,4‐triazolo[3, 4‐b]‐1,3,4‐thiadiazines ( 3a‐e ) have been synthesized and characterized on the basis of elemental analyses and spectral data. The antiproliferative activities were examined in two human cell lines (BJ and HT 1080) with the acid phosphatase assay. The results showed that all compounds could reduce cell viability. The significant difference between the two cell lines was that fibrosarcoma HT 1080 cells could indeed be more susceptible to the compounds than the normal fibroblast BJ cells.     

A Convenient Synthesis of Aryl‐Substituted N‐Carbamoyl/N‐Thiocarbamoyl Narcotine and Related Compounds

The reaction of nornarcotine and 5‐bromonornarcotine, synthesized from noscapine, with suitable aromatic isocyanates or isothiocyanates provides a general method for the synthesis of aryl‐substituted N‐carbamoyl or N‐thiocarbamoylnarcotine and related compounds. Similarly, 15a has been prepared via the reduction of the lactone ring moiety of noscapine. Also, an improved procedure, which utilizes narcotine N‐oxide⋅HCl for generation of nornarcotine, is described.     

Redox Control of a Dendritic Ferrocenyl‐Based Homogeneous Catalyst

The application of a dendrimer in a redox‐switchable catalytic process is reported. A monomeric and the corresponding dendritic ferrocenylphosphane ligand were used to develop well‐defined controllable catalysts with distinct redox states. The corresponding ruthenium(II) complexes catalyze the isomerization of the allylic alcohol 1‐octen‐3‐ol. By adding a chemical oxidant or reductant, it was possible to reversibly switch the catalytic activity of the complexes. On oxidation, the ferrocenium moiety withdraws electron density from the phosphane, thereby lowering its basicity. The resulting electron‐poor ruthenium center shows much lower activity for the redox isomerization and the reaction rate is markedly reduced.     

Stepwise Encapsulation of Sulfate Ions by Ferrocenyl‐Functionalized Tripodal Hexaurea Receptors

Three ferrocenyl‐functionalized tripodal hexaurea anion receptors with ortho‐ ( L² ), meta‐ ( L³ ), and para‐phenylene ( L⁴ ) bridges, which showed strong binding affinities toward sulfate ions, have been designed and synthesized. In particular, meta‐phenylene‐bridged ligand L³ , owing to its trigonal bipyramidal structure, can encapsulate two SO₄^2? ions in its “inner” and “outer” tripodal clefts, respectively, as supported by their clearly distinct NMR resonances and by molecular modeling. The sulfate complex of ortho‐ligand L² , (TBA)₂[SO₄? L² ] ? 2 H₂O ( 1 ), displays a caged tetrahedral structure with an encapsulated sulfate ion that is hydrogen bonded by the six urea groups of ligand L² . CV studies showed two types of electrochemical response of the ferrocene/ferrocenium redox couple upon anion binding, that is, a shift of the wave and the appearance of a new peak. Quantitative binding data were obtained from the NMR and CV titrations.     

Synthesis,Structure, and Reactivity of Ferrocenyl‐NHC ­Palladium Complexes

palladium complexes of ferrocenyl‐functionalized N‐heterocyclic carbenes with different substituents were synthesized. The molecular structures of selected complexes were determined by X‐ray diffraction and show a pseudo‐square‐planar structure with a central palladium atom surrounded by carbene, pyridine, and two chloride ligands. The influence of the different substituents on the structure and reactivity of the complexes was studied. The catalytic properties of the complexes were investigated in the Larock indolization reactions of 2‐bromoanilines with diphenylacetylene. Their performances slightly varied in this reaction, but the complex with mesityl substituent showed the best activity.     

Regio‐ and Enantioselective Iridium‐Catalyzed N‐Allylation of Indoles and Related Azoles with Racemic Branched Alkyl‐Substituted Allylic Acetates

Cyclometallated π‐allyliridium C,O‐benzoates modified with (S)‐tol‐BINAP, which are stable to air, water, and SiO₂, catalyze highly enantioselective N‐allylations of indoles and related azoles. This reaction complements previously reported metal‐catalyzed indole allylations in that complete levels of N versus C3 and branched versus linear regioselectivity are observed.     

Synthesis of Prenyl‐ and Geranyl‐Substituted Carbazole Alkaloids by DIBAL‐H Promoted Reductive Pyran Ring Opening of Dialkylpyrano[3,2‐a]carbazoles

The DIBAL‐H promoted reductive pyran ring opening of dialkylpyrano[3,2‐a]carbazoles provides a direct access to a broad range of prenyl‐ and geranyl‐substituted carbazoles. Formation of a pyran ring followed by reductive ring opening represents a new method for the introduction of prenyl and geranyl groups. In the course of the present work, we achieved the first total syntheses of the following eight carbazole alkaloids: clauraila‐E, 7‐hydroxyheptaphylline, 7‐methoxyheptaphylline, mukoenine‐B (clausenatine‐A), mukoenine‐A (girinimbilol), mahanimbinol (mahanimbilol), euchrestine‐A, and isomurrayafoline‐B.