A new germanium-based linker for solid phase synthesis of aromatics: synthesis of a pyrazole library

An efficient synthesis of chlorogermane linker 12 is described. Economic introduction of germanium into this linker is accomplished by insertion of dichlorogermylene [from germanium(IV) chloride] into the homobenzylic C-Cl bond of 4-(2-chloroethyl)phenol 1. Using linker 12, transmetalation with lithiated 4-acetophenone, 3-acetophenone, and 4-(4'methoxy)biphenyl followed by Mitsunobu-type coupling to Argogel gives functionalized resins 14, 16, and 18, respectively. Treatment of resin 18 with TFA, ICl, Br2, or NCS effects clean ipso-degermylation releasing biphenyls 19-22, respectively. Resins 14 and 16 are employed for the parallel synthesis of a library of pyrazoles by enaminone formation (using Bredereck's reagent), condensative ring-closure (using a series of monosubstituted hydrazines), and cleavage (using TFA and Br2). Analysis of this library reveals the influence of the hydrazine substituent on both the regioselectivity of ring-closure and the propensity for electrophilic substitution at the 4-position of the pyrazoles during ipso-degermylative cleavage.     

Solution phase studies towards the synthesis of triarylamine oligomers using a germanium linker on a solid support

In this letter, we describe the iterative solution phase synthesis of a triarylamine trimer as proof of concept towards the synthesis of oligomeric materials by solid-phase synthesis. Our model system utilises the stability of germanium linkers to nucleophilic conditions to develop efficient steps towards oligomer synthesis via (i) selective deprotection of tert-butyl-dimethyl-silyl ether (OTBDMS) functionality, (ii) conversion to reactive trifluoromethanesulfonate (triflate) functionality and (iii) Suzuki cross-coupling reactions.     

Novel organic dye sensitizers containing fluorenyl and biphenyl moieties for solar cells

Three novel triarylamine dyes(AFL1-AFL3) containing fluorenyl and the biphenyl moieties have been designed and synthesized for application in dye-sensitized solar cells.The light-harvesting capabilities and photovoltaic performance of these dyes were investigated systematically through comparison of different π-bridges.The dye with a furan linker exhibited a higher open-circuit voltage(V_(OC)) and monochromatic incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency(IPCE) compared to thiophene and benzene linker.Thus,AFL3 containing a furan linker exhibited the maximum overall conversion efficiency of 5.81%(V_(OC) = 760 mV,J_(SC) = 11.36 mA cm~2 and ff=0.68) under standard global AM 1.5 G solar condition.     

Molecular engineering in symmetric end-substituted oligothiophene derivatives: analysis of condensed-phase photoemission spectra using semiempirical Hartree-Fock calculations

The electronic structures of two series of end-capped thiophene oligomers, one set containing the electron-deficient dimesitylboryl end-cap and one containing the electron-rich triaryl amine end-cap, have been modeled using semiempirical quantum chemical calculations and the results used to assign features in the photoemission spectra of the materials in the condensed phase. For the thiophene oligomers end-capped with the electron-deficient dimesitylboryl moieties, the energy of the occupied frontier orbitals is largely governed by pi-type orbitals of the thiophene repeat units in the oligothiophene main chain. Conversely, in oligomers end-capped with electron-rich triarylamine moieties, the occupied frontier orbital energies are largely governed by orbital states of heavily mixed character associated with thiophene pi-type systems and the low-lying nitrogen lone pairs of end capping groups.     

Chemical synthesis of linear and cyclic unnatural oligosaccharides by iterative glycosidation of ketoses

The development of an efficient method for the stereoselective synthesis of alpha-D-(2-->1)-linked ketoside oligomers is described. The method is based on an iterative protocol composed of two key steps: a) the coupling of a thiazolylketosyl phosphite donor with an hydroxymethylketoside acceptor; and b) the introduction of the hydroxy-methyl group at the anomeric carbon atom of the resulting oligomer. To highlight its efficiency, the protocol was used in the assembly of D-galacto-2-heptulopyranose-containing oligoketosides through alpha-(2-->1) linkages up to the pentameric stage. The yield of the isolated oligomers ranged from 48 % in the first cycle to 29% in the fourth cycle. Having employed a pentenyl-substituted hydroxymethylketoside acceptor in the first cycle, all the derived oligomers contained the pentenyl group at their reducing end. This group was exploited to transform the linear oligomers into cyclic products through intramolecular glycosidation. The major product derived from the linear trisaccharide was confirmed by X-ray crystallography to be the cyclotris-(2-->1)-(alpha-D-galacto-2-heptulopyranosyl). The structure of this compound was essentially that of a [9]crown-3 ether bearing three galactopyranose rings spiroanellated in a propellerlike fashion. This arrangement of carbohydrate units linked to the crown ether created a densely alkoxylated cavity suitable for the encapsulation of alkali-metal cations (Li, Na, K, Ca, Mg).     

Design and synthesis of a dual linker for solid phase synthesis of oleanolic acid derivatives

A hydrophilic amino-terminated poly(ethylene glycol)-type dual linker for solid phase synthesis of oleanolic acid derivatives using trityl chloride resin was designed and synthesized for the first time. Model reactions in both liquid and solid phase were performed to show the feasibility of its selective cleavage at two different sites. The biological assay results indicated that the long and flexible alkyl ether functionality in the linker is less likely to be critical for the binding event. Following the successful solid-phase synthesis of model compounds, the potential of this dual linker in reaction monitoring and target identification is deemed worthy of further study.     

Thiophene backbone amide linkers, a new class of easily prepared and highly acid-labile linkers for solid-phase synthesis

Solid-phase synthesis is of tremendous importance for small-molecule and biopolymer synthesis. Linkers (handles) that release amide-containing products after completion of solid-phase synthesis are widely used. Here we present a new class of highly acid-labile backbone amide linkers (BAL handles) based on 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT), which we have termed T-BAL. These thiophene linkers are synthesized in three convenient steps from commercially available EDOT. In the linker design, the spacer was introduced to the EDOT core either via a carbon-carbon bond or via a thioether linkage. Introduction of the spacer via a C-C bond was performed by a chemoselective Negishi coupling without transient protection of the aldehyde group to provide the T-BAL1 handle. Introduction via a thioether linkage was performed by a facile nucleophilic aromatic substitution between the brominated EDOT aldehyde and unprotected mercapto acids to provide T-BAL2 and T-BAL3 handles. The minimal use of protecting groups gave the corresponding linker molecules in few synthetic steps and in good yields. After anchoring of the linker to a polymeric support, introduction of the first amino acid was achieved by reductive amination, giving a secondary amine. A following acylation of the secondary amine with a symmetrical amino acid anhydride resulted in a backbone amide linkage between the handle and the growing substrate (e.g., peptide chain). After solid-phase synthesis, the substrates could be released from the resin by either low acid conditions using 1% TFA in CH2Cl2 or high acid conditions such as 50% TFA in CH2Cl2. Peptide thioesters could be released from the T-BAL1 handle under very mild conditions using aqueous acetic acid. Tert-butyl based protecting groups, tert-butyl esters, tert-butyl ethers, and Boc groups, as well as dimethyl acetals were relatively stable to these mild conditions for release of the peptides.     

Titanium reagents for the synthesis of 2-substituted benzo[b]thiophenes on the solid phase

Titanium(IV) benzylidenes (Schrock carbenes) bearing a masked sulfur nucleophile in the ortho position were generated from thioacetals with use of low-valent titanocene complex Cp(2)Ti[P(OEt)(3)](2) and alkylidenated Merrifield resin-bound esters to give enol ethers. Treatment of the resin-bound enol ethers with a 5:5:90 mixture of TFA, TFAA, and dichloromethane led to cleavage from resin, removal of the tert-butyldimethylsilyl (TBDMS) protecting group, and concomitant cyclization to complete the traceless solid-phase synthesis (SPS) of benzothiophenes. Switching the nature of the linker from acid-stable to acid-sensitive ensured good purity.     

Photochemical synthesis of aldehydes in the solid phase

A substituted anthraquinone (AQ), previously shown to photochemically generate benzaldehyde in methanol solution, was attached to a commercially available resin via an 11 carbon tether and an amide bond. Photolysis of the polymer-bound AQ with visible or 350 nm UV light resulted in the formation of benzaldehyde in yields of 50-55% as determined by HPLC. The phenolic positions in the polymer were then alkylated using benzyl bromide and 1-iodo-3-(4-nitrophenyl)propane in a coupling reaction with K(2)CO(3) as a base and a solution-phase proton shuttle. Photolysis of these alkylated polymers resulted in the formation of benzaldehyde (54-89%) and 3-(4-nitrophenyl)-propanal (58-67%). The yields of both aldehydes dropped considerably with subsequent realkylation and photolysis, and the polymer beads began to show signs of deterioration. This is the first time that aldehydes have been made photochemically on a solid-supported phase.     

Parallel synthesis of 2,4,5-trisubstituted thiophene-3-carbonitrile derivatives on traceless solid support

A parallel solid-phase synthesis of 2,4,5-trisubstituted thiophene-3-carbonitrile derivatives was developed. The polymer-supported synthetic route progressed using the sulfide linker via a traceless strategy. The initial synthesis utilized the Thorpe–Ziegler type cyclization of α-haloketone and polymer-supported 2,2-dicyanoethene-1,1-bis(thiolate), which was derived from the Merrifield resin. The resulting thiophene resin was introduced to one substitution by N-arylation. After oxidation of sulfides to sulfones in the thiophene resins for subsequent cleavage, nucleophilic desulfonative substitution with amines and thiols afforded the desired thiophene-3-carbonitrile derivatives in good overall yields.     

Regioregular head-to-tail oligothiophene-functionalized 9,9'-spirobifluorene derivatives. 2. NMR characterization,thermal behaviors,and electrochemical properties

Oligothiophene-functionalized 9,9'-spirobifluorene derivatives exhibit good solubility in polar organic solvents, especially compounds 5a-d to 7a-d due to the introduction of the flexible n-hexyl chain. The structures of all compounds studied are characterized and verified by (1)H and (13)C NMR spectra. The results not only show that these organic conjugated materials with no substituents or n-hexyl substituents are successfully synthesized through the corresponding synthetic methodologies, but also prove that chemical shifts of protons and carbons in the aromatic range change with the attachment and the increase of the thiophene ring at the 9,9'-spirobifluorene fragment. The thermal analysis results demonstrate that these compounds are quite stable, and evaporate from 300 to 700 degrees C. Most of these compounds exhibit a stable amorphous state in the solid state. The electrochemical properties of all compounds studied are also investigated. The results indicate that radical cation behaviors of oligothiophene-modified 9,9'-spirobifluorene derivatives are more stable than those of normal oligothiophenes, that oxidative and reductive peak potentials shift cathodically or anodically, and that the HOMO and LUMO energy levels are also tuned with the increase of the thiophene ring owing to the enhanced pi-electron delocalization and the increasing conjugation length. Oxidative potentials of nonsubstituted oligothiophene-functionalized 9,9'-spirobifluorene derivatives are more sensitive to the increase of thiophene rings than those of 9,9'-spirobifluorene derivatives with n-hexyl groups. The energy levels and band gaps of all compounds studied are also calculated from the onset potentials of n-doping and p-doping and are adjusted by varying thiophene oligomers and their attachment patterns to the 9,9'-spirobifluorene ring to make them suitable for the work functions of the electrodes.     

An improved aldehyde linker for the solid phase synthesis of hindered amides

A novel aldehyde dual-linker system has been developed for the solid phase synthesis of sterically hindered amides. The linker [5-(4-formyl-3-hydroxyphenoxy)pentanoic acid] exploits an intramolecular oxygen-nitrogen acyl transfer mechanism to prepare compounds that are unattainable with current commercially available linkers. A dual linker system, exploiting the hyper-acid labile Sieber amide linker as part of the construct, enabled the initial reductive alkylation reactions of hindered amines and their subsequent acylation with a range of carboxylic acids with varying stereoelectronic properties to be monitored. Simple acylation conditions (HBTU/HOBt/NMM) sufficed to provide near quantitative reaction of test acids with support-bound hindered amines, reaction conditions which failed when commercial linkers were used.     

A concise modular synthesis of 2,5-diethynyl-3,4-dibutyl-thiophene-bridged back-to-back terpyridine ligands

The efficient synthesis of soluble and rigid terpyridine-based ditopic ligands bearing an increasing number of 2,5-diethynyl-3,4-dibutylthiophene (DEDBT) modules has demonstrated the advantages of a single convergent strategy based on a double coupling in a final step of monoterpyridine building blocks carrying the adequate number of thiophene modules with a diiodo-substituted thiophene subunit. This protocol enjoys the advantages of both efficiency and versatility and requires pivotal intermediates, which were produced by a step-by-step implementation of monoterpyridine fragments with a key thiophene intermediate carrying an iodo function, a propargylic-protecting group, and two butyl-solubilizing fragments. One set of experimental conditions is required to produce all the intermediates and the final ligands. Oxidative dimerization of monosubstituted terpyridine skeletons bearing one or two thiophene substituents and a terminal alkyne function, in the presence of cupric salts and oxygen, afforded the homotopic ligands with a central dithienylbutadiyne spacer. Optical properties for the new oligomers have been investigated and are discussed in terms of effective conjugation length and pi-electron conjugation. Upon increasing the number of interspersed DEDBT units, a significant lowering in energy of absorption and fluorescence transitions as well as of the quantum yields is observed.     

3-(4-Hydroxymethylphenylsulfanyl)propanoic acid (HMPPA) as a new safety catch linker in solid phase peptide synthesis

A new safety catch linker, 3-(4-hydroxymethylphenylsulfanyl)propanoic acid (HMPPA), is described for use in solid phase peptide synthesis. The linker is readily synthesized from commercially available chemicals in a more cost efficient way compared to similar reported linkers. The HMPPA linker is easily attached to an amino derivatized solid support followed by on-resin oxidation of the thioether to sulfoxide, thereby making the linker very stable towards strong acid treatment. Final resin cleavage is performed by reductive acidolysis.     

Speciation of selenium (IV) in natural waters by solid phase spectrophotometry

A method for the speciation of selenium (IV) based on solid-phase spectrophotometry (SPS), has been developed. In acidic conditions selenium (IV) oxidizes potassium iodide and the I(3)(-) forms an ionic association with Rhodamine B (RB) which is fixed on a dextran type lipophilic gel. The gel phase absorbances at 590 and 800 nm are measured directly, and allows for the determination of selenium (IV) in the range of 0.7-18.0 microg l(-1), with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 2.8%. The method has been applied to the determination of Se(IV) in natural waters.     

Charge transfer properties of Tröger base derivatives

Two triarylamine centers bridged through an aliphatic bridge feature unexpected charge transfer properties, bearing an important electronic coupling between them in the absence of a π linker; EPR, electrochemistry, electronic spectroscopy and first principles molecular calculations are combined to study the electronic structure of this compound.     

Electron-rich tetrathiafulvalene-triarylamine conjugates: synthesis and redox properties

By combining tetrathiafulvalenes (TTFs) and triarylamines, four TTF-triarylamine conjugates bridged by an annulated pyrrole ring were designed and synthesized by an N-arylation reaction. Electrochemical and photophysical investigations suggest that these novel conjugates possess very strong electron-donating ability with very high HOMO energy levels of around -4.70 eV; the HOMOs are mainly located on the TTF moiety. We observed significant electronic coupling between the TTF moieties and the triarylamine groups. However, no evidence for such electronic communication between end-capping TTF units (conjugates 5 and 7) or between two terminal triarylamine groups (conjugate 9) could be found. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements together with PM3-optimized geometries suggest that conjugates 5 and 7, which adopt three-dimensional propeller-shaped structures, may easily pack and crystallize in the solid state because of the large rigid planar blades consisting of TTF and one of the phenyl rings of the triarylamine moiety. However, conjugate 9, with two bulky end-capping triarylamine groups, forms an amorphous material with a glass transition at 74.5 degrees C.     

Fukuyama-Mitsunobu alkylation in amine synthesis on solid phase revisited: N-alkylation with secondary alcohols and synthesis of curtatoxins

The Fukuyama-Mitsunobu amination strategy has emerged as an efficient means of N-alkylation of peptides and sulfonamides, as well as a method for synthesis of polyamines on solid phase. Here, an array of reagent combinations for solid-phase alkylation with secondary alcohols was examined in various solvents. The classical reagents DEAD-PPh₃ as well as DEAD-PEt₃ proved applicable for a single alkylation step. Sharply dropping yields in successive alkylation steps were identified as the most serious limitation of the use of Fukuyama-Mitsunobu reaction in SPS of polyamines using primary and in particular secondary alcohols.     

Oligothiophene catenanes and knots: a theoretical study

Oligothiophene [2]catenanes and knots containing up to 28 thiophene units have been studied at the BHandHLYP/3-21G level of theory. Small knots (less than 22 thiophene units) and [2]catenanes (less than 18 thiophene units) are strained molecules. Larger knots and [2]catenanes are almost strain-free. [2]Catenanes and knots having less than 18 and 24 units, respectively, show transversal electronic coupling destroying one-dimensionality of molecules reflecting in smaller band gaps compared to larger knots and catenanes. Ionization potentials of knots and catenanes are always higher compared to that of lineal oligomers due to less effective conjugation. Polaron formation in catenanes is delocalized only over one ring, leaving another intact. In the case of a knot containing 22 thiophene units, estimated polaron delocalization is 8 to 9 repeating units.     

A concise total synthesis of (-)-maoecrystal Z

The first total synthesis of (-)-maoecrystal Z is described. The key steps of the synthesis include a diastereoselective Ti(III)-mediated reductive epoxide coupling reaction and a diastereoselective Sm(II)-mediated reductive cascade cyclization reaction. These transformations enabled the preparation of (-)-maoecrystal Z in only 12 steps from (-)-γ-cyclogeraniol.