Eight-vertex tetrametallic structures derived from cubanes: a close relationship between bisdisphenoidal metallaborane and organometallic clusters

The metallaborane Cp4Co4B4H4 and the organometallic cluster Cp4Fe4C4H4 (Cp = eta5-cyclopentadienyl) not only are isoelectronic but also exhibit completely analogous eight-vertex bisdisphenoidal structures. Such structures, as well as the tetracapped tetrahedral structure of the Cp4Fe4(mu3-CO)4 precursor to Cp4Fe4C4H4, can be derived from a cube by insertion of diagonals in each of the six faces. Furthermore, the formation of Cp4Fe4C4H4 from Cp4Fe4(mu3-CO)4 can be described as a double diamond-square-diamond process preserving D2d symmetry throughout the process.     

Ring transformation of 5-acylpyrimidines into 4-acylpyrazoles with hydrazine and phenylhydrazine in acidic medium

5-Benzoyl-4-methylpyrimidines 4a,b and 5-acetyl-4-phenylpyrimidines 5a,b reacted with hydrazines in alcoholic acidic medium to give respectively 4-acetyl-3-phenylpyrazoles 7, 9 and 10 and 4-benzoyl-3-methylpyrazoles 6, 8 and 11 . In the reaction with phenylhydrazine, 5-benzoyl-4-methyl-2-methylthiopyrimidine ( 4a ) led exclusively to 4-acetyl-1,3-diphenylpyrazole ( 10 ) as 5-acetyl4-phenyl-2-methylthiopyrimidine ( 5a ) led to 4-benzoyl-3-methyl-1-phenylpyrazole ( 11 ) via the initial formation of phenylhydrazones of pyrimidines 4a and 5a . However, 5-benzoyl-4-methyl-2-phenylpyrimidine ( 4b ) and 5-acetyl-2,4-diphenylpyrimidine ( 5b ) reacted with phenylhydrazine to afford, each of them, a mixture of two isomeric pyrazoles. The mechanism of these ring contraction reactions is discussed.     

1-脱氢松香酰基-3-取代硫脲以及5-(脱羧脱氢松香-4-基)-3-芳氨基- 1H-1,2,4-三唑化合物的合成与生物活性

以广西的优势资源松香为原料, 脱氢松香酸与亚硫酰氯、硫氰化钾分别在回流条件下反应6 h和1.5 h, 得到脱氢松香酰异硫氰酸酯, 产率52%; 然后与胺在加热回流条件下反应1.5 h, 得到11种1-脱氢松香酰基-3-取代硫脲4, 产率63%～94%; 4a～4f 分别与水合肼在搅拌下回流反应3～6 h, 得到6种5-(脱羧脱氢松香-4-基)-3-芳氨基-1H-1,2,4-三唑化合物5, 产率70%～94%; 所有化合物的结构均经IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR和元素分析确认. 初步生物活性测试表明, 4e, 4f, 4j, 5b对枯草杆菌抑菌率较高, 特别是4j在浓度为50 mg/L时就达到较好效果; 4b, 4h, 4i, 5e在100 mg/L时对大肠杆菌的抑菌效果较好.     

超分子螯合树脂--杯[4]芳烃接枝纤维素的设计、合成与吸附性能

通过纤维素多乙烯多胺衍生物2a~2c与1,3-二环氧丙基杯[4]芳烃3反应,合成了螯合树脂杯芳烃接枝纤维素4a~4c,用红外、元素分析和SEM等对其结构和形貌进行了表征.通过含氮量推算出新螯合树脂4a~4c中每个纤维素单元的杯芳烃接枝取代度分别为0.75、0.82和0.87.金属阳离子吸附性能实验表明,杯芳烃单元的引入在吸附过程中有重要作用,该螯合树脂结合了杯芳烃和纤维素的各自吸附性能优势,不仅吸附容量较高,而且表现出高的选择性吸附能力.树脂4b和4c对Ni2+离子表现出很高的吸附选择性,4a~4c的Ni2+饱和吸附容量分别达到2.96 mmol/g、2.93 mmol/g和2.66 mmol/g.在pH<4的强酸性条件下树脂的吸附能力迅速下降.该树脂用10%的氨水解吸附后有较好的重复使用性.     

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Novel Chalcone and Pyrazoline Derivatives Bearing Substituted Vanillin Nucleus

A series of novel chalcone 4a , 4b , 4c , 4d , 4e , 4f , 4g , 4h , 4i , 4j , 4k , 4l and pyrazoline 5a , 5b , 5c , 5d , 5e , 5f , 5g , 5h , 5i , 5j , 5k , 5l derivatives have been synthesized as potential antibacterial agents. The pyrazoline derivatives 5a , 5b , 5c , 5d , 5e , 5f , 5g , 5h , 5i , 5j , 5k , 5l have been synthesized by reaction of various chalcones 4a , 4b , 4c , 4d , 4e , 4f , 4g , 4h , 4i , 4j , 4k , 4l with hydrazine hydrate in the presence of acetic acid. The chalcones 4a , 4b , 4c , 4d , 4e , 4f , 4g , 4h , 4i , 4j , 4k , 4l were prepared by the condensation of key aldehyde 3 with appropriate acetophenone using basic condition and ethanol as a solvent. The key aldehyde 3 has been synthesized by reacting 2‐(chloromethyl)‐3‐methyl‐4‐(2,2,2‐trifluoroethoxy)pyridine hydrochloride and vanillin. The structures of the new compounds were established on the basis of ¹H‐NMR, mass, IR, and elemental analysis data. All the newly synthesized compounds were screened for their antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi (Gram‐negative bacteria), Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus luteus (Gram‐positive bacteria) and antifungal activity against Candida albicans (fungi).     

Self-assembly and redox modulation of the cavity size of an unusual rectangular iron thiolate aryldiisocyanide metallocyclophane

The decarbonylation reaction of ferric carbonyl dicationic [Cp(2)Fe(2)(μ-SEt)(2)(CO)(2)](BF(4))(2) [1(BF(4))(2)] carried out in refluxing acetonitrile affords a binuclear iron-sulfur core complex [Cp(2)Fe(2)(μ-SEt)(2)(CH(3)CN)(2)](BF(4))(2) [2(BF(4))(2)] containing two acetonitrile coordinated ligands. The treatment of 2(BF(4))(2) with 2 equiv of the 1,4-diisocyanobenzene (1,4-CNC(6)H(4)NC) results in the formation of the diisocyanide complex [Cp(2)Fe(2)(μ-SEt)(2)(1,4-CNC(6)H(4)NC)(2)](BF(4))(2) [3(BF(4))(2)]. The rectangular tetranuclear iron thiolate aryldiisocyanide metallocyclophane complex [Cp(4)Fe(4)(μ-SEt)(4)(μ-1,4-CNC(6)H(4)NC)(2)](BF(4))(4) [4(BF(4))(4)] has been synthesized by a self-assembly reaction between equimolar amounts of 2(BF(4))(2) and 1,4-diisocyanobenzene or by a stepwise route involving mixing of a 1:1 molar ratio of complexes 2(BF(4))(2) and 3(BF(4))(2). Chemical reduction of 4(BF(4))(4) by KC(8) was observed to produce the reduction product 4(BF(4))(2). The spectroscopic and electrochemical properties of the iron-sulfur core complexes 1(PF(6))(2), 3(BF(4))(2), 4(BF(4))(4), and 4(BF(4))(2) were determined. Finally, differences between the redox control cavities of rectangular tetranuclear iron thiolate aryldiisocyanide complexes are revealed by a comparison of the X-ray crystallographically determined structures of complexes 4(BF(4))(4) and 4(BF(4))(2).     

Synthesis and Antiproliferative Evaluation of New Pyrimido[1,6‐a]Thieno[2,3‐d]Pyrimidine Derivatives

A facile one‐pot synthesis of new pyrimido[1,6‐a ]thieno[2,3‐d ]pyrimidin‐4‐ones 3a , 3b is reported via base‐catalyzed reaction of 2‐amino‐3‐cyanothiophenes 1a , 1b with 2,4‐dichloro‐5‐bromo‐6‐methylpyrimidine 2 . Subsequent treatment of the products with several amines under a mild condition gave a host of the new amino derivatives 4a , 4b , 4c , 4d , 4e , 4f , 4g , 4h , 4i , 4j , 4k , 4l . The target compounds were evaluated for antiproliferative activity by an 3‐(4, 5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyl tetrazolium assay on human breast cancer (MCF‐7) and mouse fibroblast nonmalignant (L929) cell lines. The activation was structural, concentration, and time dependent. Doses inducing 50% cell‐growth inhibition (IC₅₀) for compounds 3a , 3b and 4a , 4b , 4c , 4d , 4e , 4f , 4g , 4h , 4i , 4j , 4k , 4l against MCF‐7 cells were explored. Compounds 4f and 4l as the two most potent analogs induced a sub‐G1 peak in the flow‐cytometry histogram of treated cells, compared with control, indicating that apoptotic cell death is involved in compound 4f ‐induced and compound 4l ‐induced toxicity. Compounds 4f and 4l exerted cytotoxic and proapototic effects on MCF‐7 cell line.     

Generation and collision-induced dissociation of ammonium tetrafluoroborate cluster ions

Singly and doubly charged cluster ions of ammonium tetrafluoroborate (NH4BF4) with general formula [(NH4BF4)nNH4]+ and [(NH4BF4)m(NH4)2]2+, respectively, were generated by electrospray ionization (ESI) and their fragmentation examined using collision-induced dissociation (CID) and ion-trap tandem mass spectrometry. CID of [(NH4BF4)nNH4]+ caused the loss of one or more neutral NH4BF4 units. The n = 2 cluster, [(NH4BF4)2NH4]+, was unique in that it also exhibited a dissociation pathway in which HBF4 was eliminated to create [(NH4BF4)(NH3)NH4]+. Dissociation of [(NH4BF4)m(NH4)2]2+ occurred through two general pathways: (a) 'fission' to produce singly charged cluster ions and (b) elimination of one or more neutral NH4BF4 units to leave doubly charged product ions. CID profiles, and measurements of changing precursor and product ion signal intensity as a function of applied collision voltage, were collected for [(NH4BF4)nNH4]+ and compared with those for analogous [(NaBF4)nNa]+ and [(KBF4)nK]+ ions to determine the influence of the cation on the relative stability of cluster ions. In general, the [(NH4BF4)nNH4]+ clusters were found to be easier to dissociate than both the sodium and potassium clusters of comparable size, with [(KBF4)nK]+ ions the most difficult to dissociate.     

Supramolecular Phthalocyanine Assemblies for Improved Photoacoustic Imaging and Photothermal Therapy

Phototheranostic nanoplatforms are of particular interest for cancer diagnosis and imaging‐guided therapy. Herein, we develop a supramolecular approach to fabricate a nanostructured phototheranostic agent through the direct self‐assembly of two water‐soluble phthalocyanine derivatives, PcS4 and PcN4. The nature of the molecular recognition between PcS4 and PcN4 facilitates the formation of nanostructure (PcS4‐PcN4) and consequently enables the fabrication of PcS4‐PcN4 with completely quenched fluorescence and reduced singlet oxygen generation, leading to the high photoacoustic and photothermal activity of PcS4‐PcN4. In vivo evaluations suggest that PcS4‐PcN4 could not only efficiently visualize a tumor with high contrast through whole‐body photoacoustic imaging but also enable excellent photothermal therapy for cancer.     

Accurate-mass identification of chlorinated and brominated products of 4-nonylphenol, nonylphenol dimers, and other endocrine disrupters

LC/ToF-MS was used to identify new chlorination and bromination products of 4-nonylphenol (4-NP), such as 4-NPBr2, 4-NPBrCl, 4-NP dimer (2 isomers), 4-NPCl dimer (2 isomers), 4-NPBr dimer, and a series of methoxy bromo and chloro 4-NPs from a laboratory study of nonylphenol chlorination. The identification procedure used the exact mass, exact mass of the isotope cluster, and their relative intensities, at an average mass accuracy of approximately 1 ppm. The products were produced by a simulated study of industrial cleaning procedures where 4-NP, nonylphenol ethoxylate (NPEO-1 and 2), and nonylphenol carboxylate (NPEC-1) were in contact with sodium hypochlorite solutions (with and without bromide) of various strengths (possible environmental scenarios) at neutral pH. The formation of the products was measured as a function of chlorine concentration, and it was found that 4-NP was the most reactive, producing 4-NPCl, 4-NPCl2, 4-NP (dimers), and the 4-NPCl (dimers). In the presence of bromide ions, a mixture results with products of 4-NPBr2, 4-NPCl, 4-NPCl2, 4-NPBrCl, 4-NPBr, and a 4-NPBr dimer. Less reactive to halogenation was NPEO, which formed only the monochloro and monobromo products, and the least reactive was NPEC. A simple stereochemical model is used to explain halogenation reactivity for the family of 4-NPs and NPEOs at neutral pH. The presence of halogenated 4-NP dimers (bromo and chloro diphenyl ethers) is discussed as a possible source of new endocrine disrupters.     

Comproportionation reaction and hindered rotation of coordinated pyridine rings in an acetate-bridged tetraplatinum(II) cluster with pyridine-based ligands in the cluster plane

A series of pyridine-substituted derivatives of octaacetatotetraplatinum(II), [Pt4(CH3COO)8-n(L)2n]n+ (L= 4-dimethylaminopyridine (dmap), pyridine (py), 4-cyanopyridine (cpy); n = 1-4) were prepared, and the tetra- and octasubstituted forms (n = 2 and 4) were isolated. 1HNMR spectra showed that this type of cluster undergoes a comproportionation reaction. Reactions between clusters in which n = 0 and 2, n = 0 and 4, and n = 2 and 4 afforded Pt4 clusters with n = 1, 2, and 3, respectively, as a main product in acetonitrile. The dmap-substituted clusters, trans-[Pt4(CH3COO)6(dmap)4](ClO4)2 x 3CH3NO2 (3a(ClO4)2 x 3CH3NO2) and [Pt4(CH3COO)4(dmap)8](ClO4)4 x 4 H2O (5a(ClO4)4-4H2O), have been structurally characterized. Both 3a and 5a have a square-planar cluster core comprised of four PtII ions, and all eight out-of-plane coordination sites are occupied by acetate ligands in a bridging mode. In 5a, all of the in-plane sites are occupied by dmap ligands. In 3a, four dmap ligands occupy the coordination sites at the two mutually opposite edges of the square planar cluster skeleton, giving a trans tetrasubstituted form of [Pt4(CH3COO)8-] (1). In octasubstituted 5a, adjacent dmap ligands are so closely arranged that the Pt-N distances (2.20(3), 2.30(3) A) are longer than those in tetrasubstituted 3a (2.13(1), 2.15(1) A) and related Pt4 clusters. Furthermore, rotation of the dmap ligand about the Pt-N bond in 5a was restricted, and the rate constant of the rotation was 4.5s(-1) at 20 degrees C from dynamic NMR study. Cluster [Pt4(CH3COO)5(dmap)6]3+ (4a) also exhibited similar hindered rotation with the rate constants of 2.0s(-1), 12s(-1) and approximately 10(4)s(-1) at 20 degrees C depending on the coordination sites of the dmap ligands in 4a.     

Tetracyanoborate salts M[b(CN)4] with M = singly charged cations: properties and structures

A series of tetracyanoborate salts M[B(CN)4] with the singly charged cations of Li+, Na+, Rb+, Cs+, [NH4]+, Tl+, and Cu+ as well as the THF solvate tetracyanoborates Na[B(CN)4] x THF and [NH4][B(CN)4] x THF were synthesized and their X-ray structures, vibrational spectra, solubilities in water, and thermal stabilities determined and compared with already known M[B(CN)4] salts. Crystallographic data for these compounds are as follows: Na[B(CN)4], cubic, Fd3m, a = 11.680(1) A, Z= 8; Li[B(CN)4], cubic, P43m, a = 5.4815(1) A, Z= 1; Cu[B(CN)4], cubic, P43m, a = 5.4314(7) A, Z= 1; Rb[B(CN)4], tetragonal, /4(1)/a, a = 7.1354(2) A, c= 14.8197(6) A, Z= 4; Cs[B(CN)4], tetragonal, /4(1)/a, a = 7.300(2) A, c = 15.340(5) A, Z= 4; [NH4][B(CN)4], tetragonal, /4(1)/a, a = 7.132(1) A, c = 14.745(4) A, Z= 4; Tl[B(CN)4], tetragonal, /4(1)/a, a = 7.0655(2) A, c = 14.6791(4) A, Z= 4; Na[B(CN)4] x THF, orthorhombic, Pnma, a = 13.908(3) A, b = 9.288(1) A, c = 8.738(1) A, Z= 4; [NH4][B(CN)4] x THF, orthorhombic, Pnma, a = 8.831(1) A, b = 9.366(2) A, c = 15.061(3) A, Z= 4. The cubic Li+, Na+, and Cu+ salts crystallize in a structure consisting of two interpenetrating independent tetrahedral networks of M cations and [B(CN)4]- ions. The compounds with the larger countercations (Rb+, Cs+, Tl+, and [NH4]+) crystallize as tetragonal, also with a network arrangement. The sodium and ammonium salts with the cocrystallized THF molecules are both orthorhombic but are not isostructural. In the vibrational spectra the two CN stretching modes A1 and T2 coincide in general and the band positions are a measure for the strength of the interionic interaction. An interesting feature in the Raman spectrum of the copper salt is the first appearance of two CN stretching modes.     

C-F or C-H bond activation and C-C coupling reactions of fluorinated pyridines at rhodium: synthesis, structure and reactivity of a variety of tetrafluoropyridyl complexes

Reactions of [RhH(PEt3)3] (1) or [RhH(PEt3)4] (2) with pentafluoropyridine or 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoropyridine afford the activation product [Rh(4-C5NF4)(PEt3)3] (3). Treatment of 3 with CO, 13CO or CNtBu effects the formation of trans-[Rh(4-C5NF4)(CO)(PEt3)2] (4a), trans-[Rh(4-C5NF4)(13CO)(PEt3)2] (4b) and trans-[Rh(4-C5NF4)(CNtBu)(PEt3)2] (5). The rhodium(III) compounds trans-[RhI(CH3)(4-C5NF4)(PEt3)2] (6a) and trans-[RhI(13CH3)(4-C5NF4)(PEt3)2] (6b) are accessible on reaction of 3 with CH3I or 13CH3I. In the presence of CO or 13CO these complexes convert into trans-[RhI(CH3)(4-C5NF4)(CO)(PEt3)2] (7a), trans-[RhI(13CH3)(4-C5NF4)(CO)(PEt3)2] (7b) and trans-[RhI(13CH3)(4-C5NF4)(13CO)(PEt3)2] (7c). The trans arrangement of the carbonyl and methyl ligand in 7a-7c has been confirmed by the 13C-13C coupling constant in the 13C NMR spectrum of 7c. A reaction of 4a or 4b with CH3I or 13CH3I yields the acyl compounds trans-[RhI(COCH3)(4-C5NF4)(PEt3)2] (8a) and trans-[RhI(13CO13CH3)(4-C5NF4)(PEt3)2] (8b), respectively. Complex 8a slowly reacts with more CH3I to give [PEt3Me][Rh(I)2(COCH3)(4-C5NF4)(PEt3)](9). On heating a solution of 7a, the complex trans-[RhI(CO)(PEt3)2] (10) and the C-C coupled product 4-methyltetrafluoropyridine (11) have been obtained. Complex 8a also forms 10 at elevated temperatures in the presence of CO together with the new ketone 4-acetyltetrafluoropyridine (12). The structures of the complexes 3, 4a, 5, 6a, 8a and 9 have been determined by X-ray crystallography. 19F-1H HMQC NMR solution spectra of 6a and 8a reveal a close contact of the methyl groups in the phosphine to the methyl or acyl ligand bound at rhodium.     

TiCl4-n-Bu4NX (X = I, Br, and Cl) combination-induced coupling of alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones with aldehydes.

A three-component coupling reaction between vinyl ketones, aldehydes, and halides has been developed with TiCl(4)-n-Bu(4)NX combined reagents. Treatment of vinyl ketones with a TiCl(4)-n-Bu(4)NI combination followed by an addition of a variety of aldehydes provides syn-alpha-iodomethyl-beta-hydroxy ketones with high stereoselectivity. Methyltriphenylphosphonium iodide as well as n-Bu(4)NI acts efficiently as a halide source. The combination of TiCl(4)-n-Bu(4)NBr provides the corresponding bromo compounds in good yields. syn-alpha-Chloromethyl-beta-hydroxy ketones are obtained with the TiCl(4)-n-Bu(4)NCl combination. A competitive experiment reveals that the order of relative reactivity of the combinations is TiCl(4)-n-Bu(4)NI > TiCl(4)-n-Bu(4)NBr > TiCl(4)-n-Bu(4)NCl.     

Synthesis and Antimicrobial Activity of 4‐(10H‐Phenothiazin‐2‐yl)‐pyrimidin‐2(1H)‐one/thione Derivatives

A series of chalcones 3a , 3b , 3c , 3d containing phenothiazine nucleus were prepared by Claisen–Schmidt condensation. The chalcones on treatment with urea, thiourea, phenyl urea, and phenyl thiourea in alcoholic KOH yielded compounds 4a , 4b , 4c , 4d , 4e , 4f , 4g , 4h , 4i , 4j , 4k , 4l , 4m , 4n , 4o , 4p , and the structures of these compounds were confirmed by spectral and elemental analyses. The newly synthesized compounds were evaluated for antimicrobial activity.     

One‐Pot Multicomponent Synthesis of Novel Substituted Imidazo[1,2‐a]Pyridine Incorporated Thiazolyl Coumarins and their Antimicrobial Activity

A series of novel substituted imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridine incorporated thiazolyl coumarin derivatives ( 4a , 4b , 4c , 4d , 4e , 4f , 4g , 4h , 4i , 4j , 4k , 4l , 4m , 4n , 4o , 4p , 4q , 4r , 4s , 4t ) were synthesized in good yields via one‐pot multicomponent condensation of substituted imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridine‐3‐carbaldehyde ( 3a , 3b , 3c , 3d , 3e ), thiosemicarbazide ( 2 ), and substituted 3‐(2‐bromoacetyl)‐2H‐chromen‐2‐ones ( 1a , 1b , 1c , 1d )/2‐(2‐bromoacetyl)‐3H‐benzo[f]chromen‐3‐one ( 1e ) in refluxing ethanol with catalytic amount of acetic acid. All the synthesized compounds ( 4a , 4b , 4c , 4d , 4e , 4f , 4g , 4h , 4i , 4j , 4k , 4l , 4m , 4n , 4o , 4p , 4q , 4r , 4s , 4t ) have been characterized by IR, NMR, and mass spectral studies as well as elemental analyses and evaluated for their in vitro antimicrobial activity against different bacterial and fungal strains. All the compounds displayed moderate antibacterial activity with minimum inhibitory concentration 150 µg/mL, but none of the compounds have shown any antifungal activity.     

Synthesis and α‐glucosidase inhibitory,DPPH scavenging activity of substituted 2‐oxo‐2H‐chromen‐7‐yl‐dihydrogen phosphate derivatives

Series of phosphorylated coumarin derivatives ( 4a , 4b , 4c , 4d , 4e , 4f , 4g , 4h , 4i , 4j ) were synthesized by Pechmann condensation, phosphorylation, and debenzylation reactions in very good yields. Thus, synthesized compounds ( 4a , 4b , 4c , 4d , 4e , 4f , 4g , 4h , 4i , 4j ) were evaluated for their α‐glucosidase and 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl scavenging activities; few compounds showed moderate to good activity. J. Heterocyclic Chem., 00 , 00 (2011).     

Substitution of hydroxide by fluoride at the boron center of a BODIPY dye

4-Chloro-4-phenyl-1,3,5,7,8-pentamethyl-3a,4a-diaza-4-bora-s-indacene (2) has been synthesized, structurally characterized and converted into the corresponding hydroxide derivative 4-hydroxo-4-phenyl-1,3,5,7,8-pentamethyl-3a,4a-diaza-4-bora-s-indacene (3). This boron hydroxide derivative reacts with fluoride anions under acidic conditions to afford the corresponding fluoride derivative 4-fluoro-4-phenyl-1,3,5,7,8-pentamethyl-3a,4a-diaza-4-bora-s-indacene (4). This simple reaction may become useful for the incorporation of [¹⁸F]-fluoride and may serve for the preparation of radiolabeled BODIPY derivatives.     

Peculiar transformation of a nonaromatic Al(4)Cl(4)(NH(3))(4) into an aromatic Na(2)Al(4)Cl(4)(NH(3))(4)

We analyzed the molecular orbitals for a Al(4)Cl(4)(NH(3))(4) compound, which is a model of the (AlBr x NEt(3))(4) crystal structure recently reported by Schn?ckel and co-workers. We found that even though Al(4)Cl(4)(NH(3))(4) contains a planar square Al(4) cluster it is not an aromatic compound. However, the addition of two sodium atoms to Al(4)Cl(4)(NH(3))(4) yields a new Na(2)Al(4)Cl(4)(NH(3))(4) compound which is a pi-aromatic molecule. We hope that prediction of this new compound will facilitate a synthesis of aluminum aromatic solids.     

Nucleophilic substitution at the 4'-position of nucleosides: new access to a promising anti-HIV agent 2',3'-didehydro-3'-deoxy-4'-ethynylthymidine

For the synthesis of 2',3'-didehydro-3'-deoxy-4'-ethynylthymidine (8: 4'-Ed4T), a recently reported promising anti-HIV agent, a new approach was developed. Since treatment of 1-(2,5-dideoxy-beta-L-glycero-pent-4-enofuranosyl)thymine with Pb(OBz)4 allowed the introduction of the 4'-benzoyloxy leaving group, nucleophilic substitution at the 4'-position became feasible for the first time. Thus, reaction between the 4'-benzoyloxy derivative (14) and Me3SiCCAl(Et)Cl as a nucleophile led to the isolation of the desired 4'-"down"-ethynyl derivative (18) stereoselectively in 62% yield. As an application of this approach, other 4'-substituted nucleosides, such as the 4'-allyl (24a) and 4'-cyano (26a) derivatives, were synthesized using organosilicon reagents. In these instances, pretreatment of 14 with MeAlCl2 was necessary.