Ortho-Quinone Methide Driven Synthesis of New O,N- or N,N-Heterocycles

To synthesize functionalized Mannich bases that can serve two different types of ortho-quinone methide (o-QM) intermediates, 2-naphthol and 6-hydroxyquinoline were reacted with salicylic aldehyde in the presence of morpholine. The Mannich bases that can form o-QM and aza-o-QM were also synthesized by mixing 2-naphthol, 2-nitrobenzaldehyde, and morpholine followed by reduction of the nitro group. The highly functionalized aminonaphthol derivatives were then tested in [4+2] cycloaddition with different cyclic imines. The reaction proved to be both regio- and diastereoselective. In all cases, only one reaction product was obtained. Detailed structural analyses of the new polyheterocycles as well as conformational studies including DFT modelling were performed. The relative stability of o-QMs/aza-o-QM were also calculated, and the regioselectivity of the reactions could be explained only when the cycloaddition started from aminodiol 4 . It was summarized that starting from diaminonaphthol 25 , the regioselectivity of the reaction is driven by the higher nucleophilicity of the amino group compared with the hydroxy group. 12H-benzo[a]xanthen-12-one ( 11 ), formed via o-QM formation, was isolated as a side product. The proton NMR spectrum of 11 proved to be very unique from NMR point of view. The reason for the extreme low-field position of proton H-1 could be accounted for by theoretical calculation of structure and spatial magnetic properties of the compound in combination of ring current effects of the aromatic moieties and steric compression within the heavily hindered H(1)-C(1)-C(12b)-C(12a)-C(12)=O structural fragment.     

Aza-Ortho-Quinone Methides as Reactive Intermediates: Generation and Utility in Contemporary Asymmetric Synthesis

The aza-ortho-quinone methide (aza-o-QM) chemistry has overwhelmingly progressed in the past few decades. This review aims to integrate various transition metal-catalyzed and organocatalytic strategies in taming aza-o-QM intermediates, including the aza-ortho-vinylidene quinone methide (aza-o-VQM), aza-ortho-alkynyl quinone methide (aza-o-AQM), aza-para-quinone methide (aza-p-QM), and indole-based aza-o-QM analog. These transient species are often utilized for the direct and enantioselective synthesis of complex (hetero)polycyclic or fused-ring molecular scaffolds such as tetrahydroquinoline and indoline, among others, which are abundant in many natural products, bioactive compounds, and pharmaceuticals.     

Concise Biosynthesis of Phenylfuropyridones in Fungi

Phenylfuropyridone natural products from fungi exhibit a range of antibacterial and cytotoxicity activities, and can potentiate azole antifungal compounds. We elucidated the biosynthetic pathway of compounds in the citridone family through heterologous reconstitution of the pfp pathway. We demonstrate that multiple members of this family can be accessed from a reactive ortho-quinone methide (o-QM) intermediate through electrocyclization, cycloisomerization, or conjugate addition. Formation of the quaternary carbon center in citridone B is catalyzed by an epoxide-forming P450 enzyme, followed by carbon skeletal rearrangement. Our results showcase how nature harvests the reactivities of an o-QM intermediate to biosynthesize complex natural products.     

An ortho-Quinone Methide Mediates Disulfide Migration in the Biosynthesis of Epidithiodiketopiperazines

The transannular disulfide functions as a key structural element imparting diverse biological activities to epidithiodiketopiperazines (ETPs). Although mechanisms were proposed in previous studies, α,β′-disulfide formation in ETPs is not well-determined owing to the failure to identify the hypothetical intermediate. Herein, we characterize the key ortho-quinone methide (o-QM) intermediate and prove its involvement in the carbon-sulfur migration from an α,α′- to an α,β′-disulfide by elucidating pretrichodermamide A biosynthesis, which is catalyzed by a FAD-dependent thioredoxin oxygenase TdaE harboring a noncanonical CXXQ motif. Biochemical investigations of recombinant TdaE and mutants demonstrated that the construction of the α,β′-disulfide was initiated by Gln140 triggering proton abstraction for generation of the essential o-QM intermediate, accompanied by β′-acetoxy elimination. Subsequent attack on the α,α′-disulfide by Cys137 led to disulfide migration and spirofuran formation. This study expands the biocatalytic toolbox for transannular disulfide formation and sets the stage for the targeted discovery of bioactive ETPs.     

o-Quinone methide with overcrowded olefin component as a dehydridation catalyst under aerobic photoirradiation conditions

An o-quinone methide (o-QM) featuring an overcrowded olefinic framework is introduced, which exhibits dehydridation activity owing to its enhanced zwitterionic character, particularly through photoexcitation. The characteristics of this o-QM enable the operation of dehydridative catalysis in the oxidation of benzylic secondary alcohols under aerobic photoirradiation conditions. An experimental analysis and density functional theory calculations provide mechanistic insights; the ground-state zwitterionic intermediate abstracts a hydride and proton simultaneously, and the active oxygen species facilitate catalyst regeneration.

An o-quinone methide (o-QM) featuring an overcrowded olefinic framework is introduced, which exhibits dehydridation activity owing to its enhanced zwitterionic character, particularly through photoexcitation.     

Steric impediment of alkyl groups in the nitrosation of alkylureas

The oxygenation constants and thermodynamic parameters (ΔH^o, ΔS^o) of a series of novel Co(II) dihydroxamic acids containing a central functional group (-OCH₃) CoL¹∼CoL⁶ were measured, their catalytic performance in the oxidation of p-xylene to p-toluic acid (PTA) were examined. The influence of` ligand structure, the substituents (X = Cl, OCH₃ and Y = H, CH₃, Cl) of the aromatic rings and added alkaline cations on the O₂-binding capabilities and catalytic oxidation activities were investigated.     

Synthesis and nonlinear optical properties of hyperbranched polytriazole containing second‐order nonlinear optical chromophore

The hyperbranched polytriazole (hb‐PTA) containing second‐order nonlinear optical chromophore was synthesized through “A₂ + B₃” approach based on “click reaction.” Its corresponding linear analogue (l‐PTA) was prepared for comparison. The hb‐PTA has better solubility in common organic solvents than the l‐PTA. Both the polymers exhibit good thermal stability with 5% weight loss temperatures over 260 °C. The poled film of hb‐PTA exhibits much higher second‐harmonic coefficient (96.8 pm/V) than that of l‐PTA (23.5 pm/V). The three‐dimensional spatial isolation effect resulting from the highly branched structure and the crosslinking of the terminal acetylene groups at moderate temperature play important roles in the enhancement of optical nonlinearity. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 46: 1140–1148, 2008     

Synthesis of the 3-methyl and 4-methyl derivatives of 3-amino-3,4-dihydro-1-hydroxycarbostyril and related compounds

The 3-methyl and 4-methyl derivatives of 3-amino-3,4-dihydro-1-hydroxycarbostyril were synthesized by the reductive cyclization of α-methyl-β-(o-nitrophenyl)alanine and α-amino-β-(o-nitrophenyl)butyric acid hydrohalides, respectively, under conditions of catalytic hydrogenation in acidic solution. The free bases of the latter two o-nitroaromatic amino acids were also catalytically hydrogenated under neutral conditions to yield the respective α-methyl-β-(o-aminophenyl)alanine and α-amino-β-(o-aminophenyl)butyric acid which were converted to the corresponding lactams, 3-methyl- and 4-methyl-3-amino-3,4-dihydrocarbostyrils. α-Methyl-β-(o-nitrophenyl)alanine was obtained by acid hydrolysis of 5-methy)-5-(o-nitrobenzyl)hydantoin which was prepared by treatment of o-nitrophenylacetone with potassium cyanide and ammonium carbonate. α-Amino-β-(o-nitrophenyl)butyric acid was synthesized by condensation of α-bromo-o-nitroethylbenzene with diethyl acetamidomalonate, followed by acid hydrolysis of the condensation product. The 4-methylated compounds were obtained as synthetic mixtures of two diasteromeric racemates in nearly the same amounts as shown by nmr spectral analysis. Unlike the demethylated parent compound, 3-amino-3,4-dihydro-1-hydroxycarbostyril, neither the 3-methyl nor 4-methyl analog was found to possess any antibacterial activity.     

Enthalpies of the formation of aliphatic carbonyl-containing radicals

A collection of data on enthalpies of the formation(Δ_f H ^o) of aliphatic carbonyl-containing radicals is analyzed and expanded. The Δ_f H ^o values for 29 carbonyl-containing radicals are determined for the first time, and are strongly revised for 17 carbonyl-containing radicals using the literature data on the dissociation energies of the bonds in molecules. The data is analyzed on the basis of the structureproperty (enthalpy of formation) relation within the additive-group approach, with the determination and specification of the parameters. It is concluded that the Δ_f H ^o values of carbonyl-containing radicals calculated from the obtained parameters (a total of 96 compounds was considered) agree well with the experimental data.     

(±)-Diinsininone: made nature's way

We report the synthesis of diinsininone (33), the aglycone of (±)-diinsinin (2). Thereby, we complete the first construction of a proanthocyanidin (PA) type-A compound incorporating a [3.3.1]-bicyclic ketal as its characteristic core. Our strategy utilizes a coupling between a benzopyrilium salt and a flavanone that proves applicable to other PA type-A compounds. During this undertaking, treatment of naringenin (9) with 2-iodoxybenzoic acid (IBX) followed by reductive work-up affords eriodictyol (10). This reactivity mirrors that of catechol hydroxylase (F3H) found in the flavonoid pathway. Other interesting transformations include the formation of flavonoids through an ortho-quinone methide (o-QM) cycloaddition-oxidation sequence and regioselective β-glycosidations of several unprotected flavanones suggesting a likely synthesis of 2 from the aglycone 33.     

Determination of the geometric structure of three substituted polyacetylenes: Polymethylacetylene,polypentylacetylene, and poly(tbutylacetylene)

The geometric structure of polymethylacetylene (PMA), polypentylacetylene (PPA), and poly(t-butylacetylene) (PTA) was investigated by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and IR spectroscopies. It was shown that both NMR techniques can be used to determine the trans isomer content of PPA and PTA, whereas the ¹H NMR and IR methods can be used for PMA. A calibration curve was constructed by using the 965- and 720-cm^?1 bands of the IR spectrum of PPA, and could be used in future work for the same purpose if the samples had molecular weights similar to that of the one used in this study. The isomerization kinetics of PTA was investigated and cis^→ trans activation energies of 88 and 121 kJ/mol were calculated in solution and in the solid state, respectively. Heat treatment of the PMA and PPA samples always leads to a cis^→ trans isomerization with a 100% trans content under extreme conditions. Moreover, a cis^→ trans isomerization of PTA was induced in CCl₄, CDCl₃, toluene, and benzene, but a trans^→ cis isomerization was induced in decalin. The reversible isomerization of PTA covered a trans isomer concentration ranging form 25 to 60%.     

Heterocyclic compounds from 3,3-dimercapto-1 -aryl-2-propen-1-ones. Note 2. Condensation with o-aminothophenol and o-aminophenol

The condensation of 3,3-dimercapto-1-phenyl-2-propen-1-one with o-aminothiophenol and o-aminophenol in hot xylene gave 2-phenacylbenzothiazole ( 3 ) and 2-phenacylbenzoxazole ( 5 ). When the reaction with o-aminophenol was carried out in hot benzene, 2-beuzoylthioacctamidophenol ( 4 ) was obtained, which, heated in hot xylene gave 5. Ethyl benzoylacetale by reaction with o-aminothiophenol gave 3 , whereas by reaction with o-aminophenol gave no heterocyclic compound. However, we were able to isolate 2-benzoylacetamidophenol ( 6 ), ethyl β-phenyl-β-(o-hydroxy)phenyliminopropionate ( 7 ), and 2-[β-(o-hydroxy)anilino] cinnamoylamidophenol ( 8 ). Ir and nmr spectra of synthesized compounds point out the existence of tautomers.     

1,2,3-benzotriazines. I. The synthesis of some benzimidazo [1,2-c][1,2,3]-benzotriazines and naphth[1′,2,(2′,1′):4,5]imidazo[1,2-c][1,2,3]benzotriazine

A number of substituted benzimidazo[1, 2-c][1,2,3]benzotriazines were prepared by the diazotization of the appropriate 2-(o-aminophenyl)benzimidazoles. Diazotization of 2-(o-aminophenyl)naphth[1,2-d]imidazole yielded a new heterocyclic ring system. Various methods of preparation of 2 - (o-aminophenyl)benzimidazoles were investigated. The condensation of o-phenylenediamines with anthranilic acids, in the presence of polyphosphoric acid, provided a convenient route to 2-(o-aminophenyl)benzimidazoles but in several cases the products were contaminated with considerable amounts of 6-(o-aminophenyl)benzimidazo[1,2 -c]quinazolines. 2 - (o-Aminophenyl)benzimidazoles were also obtained by the catalytic hydrogenation of 2-(o-nitrophenyl)benzimidazoles which resulted from the condensation of an o-phenylenediamine with an o-nitrobenzaldehyde in ethanol, nitrobenzene or acetic acid. When the condensation was carried out in nitrobenzene, small amounts of 2-(o-aminophenyl)benzimidazoles were also formed. The Weidenhagen synthesis, which involves the reaction of an aromatic diamine with an aldehyde in the presence of copper acetate and subsequent decomposition of the cuprous salt of the benzimidazole, yielded 2-(o-aminophenyl)benzimidazoles instead of the expected 2-(o-nitrophenyl)benzimidazoles when the decomposition was carried out in ethanol. When the cuprous salt was treated with hydrogen sulfide in dilute hydrochloric acid, a mixture of amino- and nitrobenzimidazoles resulted. The ultraviolet and infrared spectra of all the compounds prepared were examined.     

o-Acetylaminophenylglyoxylic Acid Anil and Its Derivatives

1-Acetyl- and 1-benzoyl-2- and -3-phenyliminooxoindolines were synthesized. o-(Acetylamino)phenylglyoxylic acid anil was prepared from 1-acetyl-3-phenylimino-2-oxoindoline. More stable o-(acetylamino)phenylglyoxylanilide anil can be prepared not only from o-(acetylamino)phenylglyoxylanilide but also from an ester or chloride of o-(acetylamino)phenylglyoxylic acid anil. o-(Acetylamino)phenylglyoxylothiosemicarbazide was prepared from o-(acetylamino)phenylglyoxylic acid anil and from the corresponding anilide.     

Spectroscopic and magnetic properties of Cu(II) complexes with selected biologically important ligands

The aim of this work was to study the spectroscopic and magnetic properties of copper(II) o-, m-, p-aminobenzoates, o-, m-, p-methoxybenzoates and o-, m- and p-nitrobenzoates. The complexes were synthesized and their compositions were evaluated by elementary analysis. The infrared and Raman spectra for Cu(II) aminobenzoates, methoxybenzoates and nitrobenzoates were recorded and assigned. The obtained data were compared with those previously published for aminobenzoic, methoxybenzoic and nitrobenzoic acids and their sodium salts. The structures of Cu(II) o-, m-, p-aminobenzoates, o-, m-, p-methoxybenzoates and o-, m- and p-nitrobenzoates as well as the change in the electronic charges distribution caused by Cu(II) complex formation were discussed.     

The molecular structure and chemical reactivities of the condensation products of o-substituted benzylidenacetylacetone with hydrazine dihydrochloride

Reaction of o-nitrobenzylideneacetylacetone ( 1a ) with hydrazine dihydrochloride in methanol gave 4-(α-methoxy-o-nitrobenzyl)-3,5-dimethylpyrazole hydrochloride ( 4a ), whose structure was unambigously confirmed by an X-ray crystallographic analysis, via 4-(o-nitrobenzylidene)-3,5-dimethylisopyrazole ( 2a ). Compound 2a was synthesized by condensation of 1a with hydrazine dihydrochloride in acetonitrile. Analogously the corresponding o-chloro derivatives ( 2b, 4b ) were obtained. These were converted to N-methyl ( 6b ) and N-acetyl ( 7a,b ) derivatives and the behaviors on bromination and pyrolysis were investigated.     

Microwave‐Assisted Synthesis of Substituted Dibenzo[b,f][1,4]thiazepines,Dibenzo[b,f][1,4]oxazepines,Benzothiazoles, and Benzimidazoles

A highly efficient synthesis for possessing 7‐membered rings with two heteroatoms is described, using efficient microwave‐assisted one‐pot method to synthesize (substituted) dibenzo[b,f][1,4]thiazepines [1] and dibenzo[b,f][1,4]oxazepines [2] in high yields (up to 99%) by cyclocondensations of o‐aminothiophenol or o‐aminophenol with o‐halobenzaldehydes, o‐fluoroacetophenone, and o‐fluorobenzophenone. In the absence of base, o‐aminothiophenol reacted with o‐halobenzaldehydes to afford benzothiazoles.     

The hydrogen‐bonded dimers of N,N′,N′′‐tricyclohexylphosphoric triamide in new tin(IV) and copper(II) complexes

In the new tin(IV) and copper(II) complexes, cis‐dichlorido‐trans‐dimethyl‐cis‐bis(N,N′,N′′‐tricyclohexylphosphoric triamide‐κO)tin(IV), [Sn(CH₃)₂Cl₂(C₁₈H₃₆N₃OP)₂], (I), and trans‐diaquabis(N,N′,N′′‐tricyclohexylphosphoric triamide‐κO)copper(II) dinitrate–N,N′,N′′‐tricyclohexylphosphoric triamide (1/2), [Cu(C₁₈H₃₆N₃OP)₂(H₂O)₂](NO₃)₂·2C₁₈H₃₆N₃OP, (II), the N,N′,N′′‐tricyclohexylphosphoric triamide (PTA) ligands exist as hydrogen‐bonded dimers via P=O...H—N interactions around the metal center. The asymmetric unit in (I) consists of one complete complex molecule located on a general position. The Sn^IV coordination geometry is octahedral with two cis hydrogen‐bonded PTA ligands, two cis chloride ligands and two trans methyl groups. The asymmetric unit in (II) contains one half of a [Cu(PTA)₂(H₂O)₂]²⁺ dication on a special position (site symmetry for the Cu atom), one nitrate anion and one free PTA molecule, both on general positions. The complex adopts a square‐planar trans‐[CuO₂O₂] coordination geometry, with the Cu^II ion coordinated by two PTA ligands and two water molecules. Each of the noncoordinated PTA molecules is hydrogen bonded to a neighboring coordinated PTA molecule and an adjacent water molecule; the phosphoryl O atom acts as a double‐H‐atom acceptor. The P atoms in the PTA ligands of both complexes and in the noncoordinated hydrogen‐bonded molecules in (II) adopt a slightly distorted tetrahedral environment.     

Influence of temperature on thermodynamic properties of substituted aromatic compounds

This work presents experimental liquid densities and ultrasonic velocities for a collection of substituted aromatic compounds (isobutylbenzene, 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene, butylbenzene, isopropylbenzene, p-xylene, m-xylene and o-xylene) at the range of temperature 278.15–323.15 K and atmospheric pressure of a collection of halogenated and aromatic hydrocarbons. Fitting equations were applied to data in order to correlate for later computer-based design. The estimation of the studied properties was made by the application of different theoretical procedures. An equation of state based on the generalised Van der Waals theory which combines the Staverman–Guggenheim combinatorial term of lattice statistics with an attractive lattice gas expression and the free length theory (FLT) showed a good response at the studied conditions.     

Thermal stability of para- and ortho-isomers of tris-decyl-(ethyl-benzyl)-ammonium chloride

Thermal stability of para (p--) and ortho (o-) isomers was investigated by CRTG and reaction kinetic analysis. The temperature started the mass decrease of o-isomer was about 20°C lower than that of p-isomer by CRTG. The activation energies of thermal decomposition of o- and p-isomers were 136.9 and 153.4 kJ mol^–1, respectively. The effect of steric hindrance on heat of formation was calculated by AM1 method using Win MOPAC3.0 for the model compound of p- and o-isomers. The lower stability of o-isomer was the results of the steric hindrance between the ethylene unit of aromatic ring and three alkyl chains.