A new synthesis of α-substituted δ-carbolines

The paper describes a new general synthesis of α-substituted δ-carbolines based on key steps such as metalation, cross-coupling and cyclization.     

Amine-induced rearrangements of 2-bromo-1-(1H-indol-3-yl)-2-methyl-1-propanones: A new route to α-substituted indole-3-acetamides, β-substituted tryptamines, α-substituted indole-3-acetic acids and indole β-aminoketones

The reaction of 2-bromo-1-(1H-indol-3-yl)-2-methyl-1-propanone ( 1 ) and 2-bromo-1-(1-methyl-1H-indol-3-yl)-2-methyl-1-propanone ( 2 ) with primary amines proceeds in good yields to produce rearranged amides by a proposed pseudo-Favorskii mechanism. These amides in turn can either be reduced to produce β-substituted tryptamines or hydrolyzed to produce substituted indole-3-acetic acids. When the reaction is carried out using bulky primary or secondary amines, β-aminoketones are produced by elimination of hydrogen bromide followed by Michael addition. When hindered secondary amines or tertiary amines are used, elimination to the α,β-unsaturated ketones occurs.     

Mass spectra of some α-substituted phenyl-α,α′-dimethoxyl ketones and their derivatives

The mass spectra of some α-substituted phenyl-α,α′-dimethoxyl ketones (compounds 1) and their 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazones (compounds 2) and semicarbazones (compounds 3) have been studied. The characteristic fragments at m/z (M ? 73) from compounds 1, m/z (M ? 253) from compounds 2 and m/z (M ? 130) from compounds 3 are abundant and proposed to be [ArCROCH₃]⁺. Fragmentations yielding [M⁺ ? 49] from compounds 2 are abnormal and probably involve the methoxyl and nitro groups. The intense peak at m/z 130 due to [CH₃OCH₂CNNHCONH₂]⁺ from compounds 3 corresponds to α-cleavage of the molecular ion. Some other fragments from these new compounds are interpreted in this paper.     

The preparation of α-substituted acrylic esters

Treatment of the lithium enolates of cyclopentadiene-blocked acrylates with various electrophilic reagents, such as alkyl chloroformates, α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds, epoxides, episulfides, and α-halocarbonyl compounds, has led to a convenient synthetic method for the preparation of α-substituted acrylic esters.     

Polymers of α- and β-substituted acrylates with controlled structures

Isotactic and syndiotactic living polymerizations of methacrylates with t-C₄H₉MgBr and t-C₄H₉Li-R₃Al (Al/Li≥2), respectively, were utilized to prepare highly stereoregular block and random copolymers, stereoblock PMMAs, highly branched star polymers with stereoregular arms, stereoregular PMMA macromonomers with methacryloyl functions and stereoregular comblike and graft polymers derived therefrom. A combination of t-C₄H₉Li and bis(2,6-di-t-butylphenoxy) methylaluminum was found to be an efficient initiator for heterotactic living polymerization of methacrylates in toluene at −78°C; e.g. ethyl methacrylate gave a polymer with mr content of 87%. Polymerization of triphenylmefhyl crotonate (TrC) with fluorenyllithium (FILi)/N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine in toluene at −78°C gave a threodiisotactic polymer with narrow MWD, whose stereochemistry was confirmed from the x-ray analysis of the pentamer of methyl crotonate (MeC) derived from the TrC pentamer and ¹H NMR spectral comparison of the pentamer and the poly(MeC). The poly(TrC) prepared with FILi/(S,S)-(+)-2,3-dimethoxy-1,4-bis(dimethylamino) butane also gave a threodiisotactic polymer which showed optical activity due to the one-handed helix. Polymerization of t-butyl crotonate was also discussed in some detail.     

α,α-Disubstituted Allyl Sulfones: An approach to the synthesis of vinyl-branched pheromone analogues

The two-step alkylation of phenyl prop-2-enyl sulfone ( 1 ) with protected ω-bromoalkanols and 1-iodoalkanes (→ 3 ; see Scheme 1) followed by a Pd-catalyzed desulfonylation with LiBH₄ affords a 96:4 mixture of vinylbranched, protected alcohols and corresponding ethylidene-branched isomers (see Scheme 2; 4 and 5 , respectively). By utilizing the large difference in reactivity of mono- and trisubstituted C?C bonds towards singlet oxygen, the ethylidene derivatives are easily removed from the mixture by photo-oxygenation. The vinyl-branched compounds are inert to this reaction and can be conveniently isolated in highly pure form (99.5%) and ca. 45% overall yield.     

Relative free radical stabilities from α-cleavage of β-substituted N-ethylanilines

This paper describes a direct appearance potential difference method, which is employed to determine, qualitatively, relative free radical stabilities. The method appears to be of general value since the starting materials (β-substituted N-ethylanilines) are relatively simple to prepare and because the dominant electron-impact reaction is the one which releases the free radical under investigation.     

Synthesis of 3-substituted 5-arylisoxazoles from α,β-unsaturated oximes

The synthesis of 3-substituted 5-arylisoxazoles from oximes of α,β-unsaturated ketones is studied. The formation of the isoxazole derivatives takes place by cyclization of oximes in the presence of iodine and potassium iodide. The presence of isoxazoline is detected. On the basis of the results a plausible mechanism is suggested.     

Polymerization photoinitiated by carbonyl compounds. IV. α-diketones and α-substituted alkanones

The photoinitiation efficiency of the free-radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate and styrene by several carbonly compounds has been determined. The compounds considered were α-substituted ketones and α-dicarbonyl compounds. For the ketones, the initiation efficiency employing methyl methacrylate depends on the α substitution; the values obtained change from less than 10^?3 (acetone) to 0.65 (3-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-butanone). All ketones are more efficient towards methyl methacrylate than styrene. This result can be explained in terms of triplet quenching by the last monomer. The results obtained employing α-dicarbonyl compounds do not conform to a simple pattern. In particular, benzil shows a considerably larger efficiency towards styrene than for methyl methacrylate. Since benzil is efficiently quenched by styrene, the initiation must involve the interaction of an excited benzil molecule and the monomer.     

Stereoselective reduction of α-substituted β-keto esters by hydrostannane/organotin triflate

Stereoselective reduction of α-substituted β-keto esters is achieved by the combined use of hydrostannane/organotin triflate. syn-Aldols are obtained with more than 90% selectivities.     

Synthesis of α-alkyl-α-aminosilanes by rhodium-catalyzed hydrosilylation of Boc-protected vinyl amines

α-Aminosilanes can be readily prepared by rhodium-catalyzed hydrosilylation of Boc-substituted enamines, followed by acidic removal of the Boc group. This convergent approach allows for the rapid synthesis of new aminosilane structures, useful for their bioactivity and unique reactivity.     

Regioselective SN′ allylic substitution versus 1,4-addition: Synthesis of α-substituted β,γ-unsaturated esters

The reaction of the higher order organocuprate reagents R₂Cu(CN)Li₂-BF₃ with γ-bromo α,β-unsaturated esters gives with very high selectivity α-substituted β,γ-unsaturated esters arising from a SN′ allylic substitution. This reaction allows an easy access to α-silyl β,γ-unsaturated esters.     

Studies on furan derivatives IV. A simple preparation of α-substituted β-(5-nitro-2-furyl)ethynyls from α-substituted β-(5-nitro-2-furyl)vinylamines

α-Substituted β-(5-nitro-2-furyl)ethynyls were conveniently prepared by the deamination of α-substituted β-(5-nitro-2-furyl)vinylamines. Also the application of this reaction toward α,β-bis(p-nitrophenyl)vinylamine was examined and afforded α,β-bis(p-nitrophenyl)ethynyl as the main product.