Synthesis of trans/cis 4-substituted 3-furyl-2-phenethyltetrahydroisoquinolin-1-ones: conformation of the trans-4-(pyrrolidinylcarbonyl) derivative

The title compounds were synthesized starting from homophthalic anhydride and an imine. The amides obtained showed unexpected values for ³J_3,4 that cannot be used to deduce their configuration and conformation. This problem was resolved for one representative compound (the 4-(pyrrolidinylcarbonyl) derivative) by means of detailed NMR studies, X-ray diffraction and theoretical calculations. The compound has the trans configuration. In the solid state, its conformation is with dipseudoaxial (aa) oriented substituents at positions 3 and 4. In different solvents and in the gas-phase, the majority of the data reveal that the observed value of ³J_3,4 results from an equilibrium of the ee and aa conformers.     

Improved total synthesis of (±)-trans-dihydronarciclasine, devised for large-scale preparation

New synthetic route to (±)-trans-dihydronarciclasine, more suitable for a large-scale preparation, has been devised with the early stage incorporation of ester functionality for direct assembly of the B-ring lactam.     

Syntheses, crystal structures and luminescent properties of two novel lanthanide/4-pya complexes: [Ln(4-pya)3(H2O)2]2 (Ln = Eu, La; 4-pya = trans-4-pyridylacrylate)

Reactions of Ln₂O₃ and trans-4-pyridylacrylic acid (4-Hpya) in EtOH/H₂O or MeOH/H₂O produced two new lanthanide/4-pya complexes [Ln(4-pya)₃(H₂O)₂]₂ (1: Ln = Eu; 2: Ln = La) in low yields. However, reactions of LnCl₃ · 6H₂O with 4-Hpya/aqueous ammonia in EtOH/H₂O or MeOH/H₂O gave rise to 1 or 2 in higher yields. Both compounds were structurally characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy and X-ray analysis. Compounds 1 · 2EtOH · 2H₂O and 2 · 2MeOH · 2H₂O were confirmed to possess one-dimensional polymeric chain structures. In the structure of 1, each Eu(III) adopts a monocapped square-antiprism coordination geometry and each dimer [Eu(4-pya)₃(H₂O)₂]₂ within the chain is interconnected by two pairs of different bridging 4-pya ligands. On the other hand, each La(III) of 2 takes a bicapped square-antiprism coordination geometry and each dimer [La(4-pya)₃(H₂O)₂]₂ within the chain is linked by two pairs of tridentate bridging 4-pya ligands. The luminescent properties of 1 and 2 in the solid state were investigated.     

Synthesis and spectroscopic characterization of enantiopure protected trans-4-amino-1-oxyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl piperidine-3-carboxylic acid (trans β-TOAC)

Enantiomerically pure (3R,4S) and (3S,4R) protected 4-amino-1-oxyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-3-carboxylic acids were synthesized by reduction of the enamines resulting from the condensation of 3-carboxymethyl-1-oxyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidone with (R) or (S)-α-methylbenzylamine. While NaBH₃CN/CH₃COOH reduction gave predominantly a mixture of the two possible cis-diastereomers, the use of NaBH₄/(CH₃)₂CHCOOH resulted in a mixture of only one trans- and one cis-diastereomer. Removal of the chiral auxiliary from the separated diastereoisomers by hydrogenolysis and regeneration of the nitroxide radical gave the desired β-amino esters. The ESR spectrum of the (3R,4S)-enantiomer is also reported.     

Total syntheses of (±)-cis- and (±)-trans-neocnidilides

Total syntheses of two antimicrobial natural products (±)-cis-neocnidilide and (±)-trans-neocnidilide starting from a readily preparable cyclohexa[b]-fused 5-oxabicyclo[2.1.1]hexane derivative are presented. The diastereomeric tetrahydrofuran tricarboxylate epimers obtained from a BF₃·OEt₂ promoted Grob-type fragmentation of the oxa-bicycle derivative were converted into title natural products by employing pyridinium dichromate/acetic anhydride mediated bis-oxidative cleavage reaction.     

Crystal structure and conformational analysis of 1-[N-(2-bromophenyl)]naphthaldimine

1-[N-(2-bromophenyl)]naphthaldimine (C₁₇H₁₂NOBr) (1) was synthesised and its crystal structure was determined. The compound 1 is orthorhombic, space group P2₁2₁2₁ with a=12.653(2), b=13.7311(14), Z=4, R=0.032 for 499 reflections I>2σ(I)]. There is an intramolecular hydrogen bond of distance 2.473(3) Å between the hydroxyl oxygen atom and imine nitrogen atom, the hydrogen atom essentially being bonded to the oxygen atom. Minimum energy conformation was calculated as a function of torsion angle θ (C10-C11-N1-C12) varied every 5 degrees. The optimized geometry of the crystal structure corresponding to the non-planar conformation is the most stable conformation in all calculations. The results strongly indicate that the minimum energy conformation is primarily determined by hydrogen-hydrogen repulsions between the ortho-hydrogen atoms on the aldehyde rings. Complementary IR, ¹H NMR and UV measurements in solution and in the solid state were carried out.     

Synthesis, stereochemical and conformational properties of trans-2,3-dihydro-2-methyl-3-(1,2,4-triazolyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one oxime ethers

A convenient synthesis and structural characterization of (Z)- and (E)-trans-2,3-dihydro-2-methyl-3-(1,2,4-triazolyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one oxime ethers has been achieved. By analysis of vicinal interproton coupling constants, it is believed that trans-2,3-dihydro-2-methyl-3-(1,2,4-triazolyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-ones which exist predominantly in the diequatorial half-chair or sofa conformation was found to exist predominantly in the diaxial orientation upon conversion to the corresponding oxime ether derivatives.     

Efficient one-pot trans-dihydroxylation of 2H-pyrans using dimethyldioxirane (DMD): synthesis of trans-3,4-dihydroxy-3,4-dihydro-O-methyloctandreolones, orixalone D, and trans-3,4-dihydroxy-3,4-dihydromollugin natural products

An efficient one-pot formation of trans-diols on 2H-pyranyl rings was achieved by dimethyldioxirane in wet acetone. This new methodology was applied to the synthesis of natural products containing trans-diol on the pyranyl rings such as trans-3,4-dihydroxy-3,4-dihydro-O-methyloctandreolones, orixalone D, and trans-3,4-dihydroxy-3,4-dihydromollugin.     

Crystallographic and ab initio theoretical studies of (2R,3R)-1-methyl-5-oxo-2-phenyltetrahydro-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxylic acid. The comparison of chiral (I) and racemic (II) structure

Crystal and molecular structures of (2R,3R)-1-methyl-5-oxo-2-phenyltetrahydro-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxylic acid (I) and (2R^*,3R^*)-1-methyl-5-oxo-2-phenyltetrahydro-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxylic acid (II) are presented. The alternative packings were studied using ab initio quantum-chemical methods. Energies of hydrogen bonds for real and model cases are discussed. Infinite chains of molecules instead of carboxylic acid dimers were observed.     

Improved enantioselective synthesis of natural striatenic acid and its methyl ester

This letter describes the improved and efficient enantioselective synthesis of natural striatenic acid, isolated from Cheilolejeunea serpentina, and its methyl ester starting from a readily available enantiopure building block.     

Imidazole-based bifunctional chelates for the “fac-[Re(CO)3]” core

Three monocationic rhenium(I) complexes of the type [Re(CO)₃(L)]Br, containing the bis-imidazole tridentate ligands bis-(2-(1-methylimidazolyl)methyl)amine (L¹), bis-(2-(1-methylimidazolyl)methyl)aminoethanol (L²) and bis-(2-(benzimidazolyl)ethyl)sulfide (L³), were prepared and characterized by ¹H NMR and IR spectroscopy. The complex salt [Re(CO)₃(L²)]Br (2) was also characterized by X-ray crystallography. The structure consists of discrete monocationic monomers with a fac-[Re(CO)₃]⁺ coordination unit, and the remaining three sites are occupied by one amine and two imidazolyl nitrogen donor atoms.     

Facile stereoselective synthesis of cis- and trans-3-alkoxyazetidin-2-ones

A highly stereoselective synthesis of cis- and trans-3-alkoxy-3-phenyl/benzylthioazetidin-2-ones is described. The reaction of α-chlorosulfide-β-lactams with various alcohols catalyzed by a Lewis acid such as ZnCl₂ in the presence of molecular sieves (3-4 Å) leads to cis-3-alkoxy-3-phenyl/benzylthio-β-lactams whereas treatment of potassium 2-alkoxy-2-phenylthioethanoate with appropriate Schiff's base using POCl₃ in the presence of triethylamine leads to the formation of trans-3-alkoxy-3-phenylthioazetidin-2-ones as major products.     

Applications of NHC-mediated O- to C-carboxyl transfer: synthesis of (±)-N-benzyl-coerulescine and (±)-horsfiline

NHC-promoted O- to C-carboxyl transfer of 3-allyl indolyl phenyl carbonates generates 3-allyl-3-phenoxycarbonyl-oxindoles with good catalytic efficiency, which are readily converted into (±)-N-benzyl-coerulescine and (±)-horsfiline.     

Total synthesis of (±)-camphorataimides and (±)-himanimides by NaBH4/Ni(OAc)2 or Zn/AcOH stereoselective reduction

Maleic anhydride 1 of Antrodia camphorate, which can be isolated from Chinese herbal medicine, is achieved in which the longest linear sequence is only five steps, in 40% overall yield from commercially available succinic anhydride. The crucial antrodimides 3 and 2 can be readily transformed by the chemoselective reduction with Zn/AcOH and NaBH₄/Ni(OAc)₂·4H₂O to afford the naturally occurring camphorataimides, 4 and 5, in high yields as well, respectively. This synthetic strategy can also be modified to give access to a variety of different maleic acid derivatives, himanimides 6-8.     

Gold(I)-catalyzed [4+2] cycloaddition of N-(hex-5-enynyl) tert-butyloxycarbamates

A study concerning the gold(I)-catalyzed transformation of N-(hex-5-enynyl) tert-butyloxycarbamates is described. The mild conditions employed allow the moderately efficient but stereoselective synthesis of a range of bicyclic carbamates following a formal [4+2] cycloaddition process.     

Cyclopalladated complexes with N-(benzoyl)-N-(2,4-dimethoxybenzylidene)hydrazine: syntheses, characterization and structural studies

Cyclopalladated complexes with the Schiff base N-(benzoyl)-N^′-(2,4-dimethoxybenzylidene)hydrazine (H₂L, 1) have been described. The reaction of 1 with Li₂[PdCl₄] in methanol yields the complex [Pd(HL)Cl] (2). [Pd(HL)(CH₃CN)Cl] (3) has been prepared by dissolving 2 in acetonitrile. In methanol-acetonitrile mixture, treatment of 2 with two mole equivalents of PPh₃ produces [PdL(PPh₃)] (4) and that with one mole equivalent of PPh₃ produces [Pd(HL)(PPh₃)Cl] (5). Crystallization of 2 from dmso-d₆ results into isolation of [Pd(HL)((CD₃)₂SO)Cl] (6). In 2, the monoanionic ligand (HL⁻) is C,N,O-donor and the Cl-atom is trans to the azomethine N-atom. In 3, 5 and 6, HL⁻ is C,N-donor and the Cl-atom is trans to the metallated C-atom. The remaining fourth coordination site is occupied by the N-atom of CH₃CN, the P-atom of PPh₃ and the S-atom of (CD₃)₂SO in 3, 5 and 6, respectively. Thus on dissolution in acetonitrile and dmso and in reaction with stoichiometric PPh₃ the incoming ligand imposes a rearrangement of the coordinating atoms on the palladium centre. On the other hand, in presence of excess PPh₃ deprotonation of the amide functionality in 2 occurs and the Cl-atom is replaced by the P-atom of PPh₃ to form 4. Here the dianionic ligand (L²⁻) remains C,N,O-donor as in 2. The compounds have been characterized with the help of elemental analysis (C, H, N), infrared, ¹H NMR and electronic absorption spectroscopy. Molecular structures of 3, 4, and 6 have been determined by X-ray crystallography.     

Preparation, spectroscopic properties of 1,4-di (N,N-diisopropylacetamido)-2,3(1H,4H)-quinoxalinedione (L) lanthanide complexes and the supramolecular structure of [Nd2L2(NO3)6(H2O)2]·H2O

The reaction of lanthanide nitrate with 1,4-di (N,N-diisopropylacetamido)-2,3(1H,4H)-quinoxalinedione (L) yields six novel Ln(III) complexes ([Ln₂L₂(NO₃)₆(H₂O)₂]·H₂O) which are characterized by elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), conductivity measurements, IR, electronic and ¹H NMR spectroscopies. A new quinoxalinedione-based ligand is used as antenna ligand to sensitize the emission of lanthanide cations. The lowest triplet state energy level of the ligand in the nitrate complex matches better to the resonance level of Eu(III) and Sm(III) than Tb(III) and Dy(III) ion. The f-f fluorescence is induced in the Eu³⁺ and Sm³⁺ complexes by exciting into the π-π* absorptions of the ligand in the UV. Furthermore, the crystal structures of a novel binuclear complex [Nd₂L₂(NO₃)₆(H₂O)₂]·H₂O has been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The binuclear [Nd₂L₂(NO₃)₆(H₂O)₂]·H₂O complex units are linked by the intermolecular hydrogen bonds and π-π interactions to form a two-dimensional (2-D) layer supramolecule.     

Synthesis of 1-methyl-3-oxo-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene-2-carboxylic acid methyl ester

A simple and efficient method for the preparation of 1-methyl-3-oxo-7- oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-2-carboxylic acid methyl ester (1) is described. The first step is a highly regioselective Diels-Alder reaction between 2-methylfuran and methyl-3-bromo- propiolate. A remarkably difficult ketal hydrolysis reaction was effected by treatment with HCl, a simple reagent that was shown to be more efficient, in this case, than commonly used more elaborate methods.