Anilinolysis of nitro‐substituted diphenyl ethers in acetonitrile: The effect of some ortho‐substituents on the mechanism of SNAr reactions

Rate data are reported for the reactions of a series of X‐phenyl 2,4,6‐trinitrophenyl ethers 1a–e [X = H, 4‐NO₂, 2‐NO₂, 2,4‐(NO₂)₂, or 2,6‐(NO₂)₂] with substituted anilines 2a–e [Y = H, 2‐CH₃, 2,4‐(CH₃)₂, 2,6‐(CH₃)₂, or N‐CH₃] in acetonitrile as solvent. For individual amine, kinetic data show that there is little steric hindrance to attack at the 1‐position of the parent molecules, even in the presence of di‐ortho substitution. With each substrate, however, there is evidence for significant steric interactions; such effects leading to rate retardation were very severe for 2,6‐dimethylaniline 2d (2,6‐(CH₃)₂) and N‐methylaniline 2e (Y = N‐CH₃), the deactivating effect of N‐CH₃ in most cases is slightly higher than that of 2,6‐(CH₃)₂. However, the reactions with 2e are base catalyzed whereas those of 2d are not. The corresponding reactions with aniline 2a (Y = H) and mono‐ortho methyl‐substituted aniline 2b (Y = CH₃) are wholly base catalyzed. Only with the dinitro substrates, an uncatalyzed reaction is observed and when X = 2,6‐(NO₂)₂ this pathway takes all the reaction flux. A rationale is provided for the dichotomy of amine effects observed in this investigation. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 42: 37–49, 2010     

Synthesis of novel 5‐aryl‐1H‐tetrazoles

In this study phenylselenocyanate and some of its derivatives (o‐Cl, p‐Cl, p‐Br, o‐NO₂, p‐NO₂, o‐CH₃, p‐CH₃, o‐COOH, p‐COOH, p‐OCH₃ substituted) were synthesized ( 3a–3j ). The synthesized compounds were converted to 5‐aryl‐1H‐tetrazole ( 4a–4j ), by Et₃N ċ HCl‐NaN₃ in toluene, which are a new series of phenylselanyl‐1H‐tetrazoles. The structure of all the presently synthesized compounds were confirmed using spectroscopic methods (FTIR, ¹H NMR, MS). © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 18:255–258, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/hc.20293     

Regiospecific one‐pot synthesis of new trifluoromethyl substituted heteroaryl pyrazolyl ketones

A convenient and general method for the regiospecific synthesis of three novel series of 1‐(2‐thenoyl)‐, 1‐(2‐furoyl)‐ and 1‐(isonicotinoyl)‐3‐alkyl(aryl)‐5‐hydroxy‐5‐trifluoromethyl‐4,5‐dihydro‐1H‐pyrazoles, in good yields (53 – 91 %), from the cyclocondensation reactions of 1,1,1‐trifluoro‐4‐alkoxy‐4‐alkyl(aryl)‐but‐3‐en‐2‐ones, where alkyl = H and Me; aryl = ‐C₆H₅, 4‐CH₃C₆H₄, 4‐CH₃OC₆H₄, 4‐FC₆H₄, 4‐ClC₆H₄, 4‐BrC₆H₄, 4‐NO₂CgH₄ with 2‐thiophenecarboxylic hydrazide, furoic hydrazide and isonicotinic acid hydrazide, respectively, is reported. Subsequently dehydration reaction of phenyl substituted 2‐pyrazolines with P₂O₅ furnished the corresponding 1H‐pyrazoles as mixture of regioisomers and in low yields (35 – 36 %).     

Mono‐ and heterodi‐nuclear complexes of aluminium: synthesis,characterization and antifungal activity

Some new types of mononuclear derivatives, AlL(1–4)L(1–4)H ( 1a–1d ) of aluminium were synthesized by the reaction of Al(OPrⁱ)₃ and LH₂ [XC(NYOH)CHC(R)OH], X = CH₃, Y = (CH₂)₂, R = CH₃(L1H₂); X = C₆H₅, Y = (CH₂)₂, R = CH₃(L2H₂); X = CH₃, Y = (CH₂)₃, R = CH₃(L3H₂); X = C₆H₅, Y = (CH₂)₃, R = CH₃(L4H₂) in 1:2 molar ratio in refluxing benzene. Reactions of AlL(1–4)L(1–4)H with hexamethyldisilazane in 2:1 molar ratio yielded some new ligand bridged heterodinuclear derivatives AlL(1–4)L(1–4)SiMe₃ ( 2a – 2d ). All these newly synthesized derivatives were characterized by elemental analysis and molecular weight measurements. Tentative structures were proposed on the basis of IR and NMR spectra (¹H, ¹³C, 27 Al and ²⁹Si) and FAB‐mass studies. Schiff base ligands and their mono‐ and heterodi‐nuclear derivatives with aluminium have been screened for fungicidal activities. These compounds showed significant antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger and A. flavus. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Selenoquinones Stabilized by Ruthenium(II) Arene Complexes: Synthesis,Structure, and Cytotoxicity

A new series of monoselenoquinone and diselenoquinone π complexes, [(η⁶‐p‐cymene)Ru(η⁴‐C₆R₄SeE)] (R=H, E=Se ( 6 ); R=CH₃, E=Se ( 7 ); R=H, E=O ( 8 )), as well as selenolate π complexes [(η⁶‐p‐cymene)Ru(η⁵‐C₆H₃R₂Se)][SbF₆] (R=H ( 9 ); R=CH₃ ( 10 )), stabilized by arene ruthenium moieties were prepared in good yields through nucleophilic substitution reactions from dichlorinated‐arene and hydroxymonochlorinated‐arene ruthenium complexes [(η⁶‐p‐cymene)Ru(C₆R₄XCl)][SbF₆]₂ (R=H, X=Cl ( 1 ); R=CH₃, X=Cl ( 2 ); R=H, X=OH ( 3 )) as well as the monochlorinated π complexes [(η⁶‐p‐cymene)Ru(η⁵‐C₆H₃R₂Cl)][SbF₆]₂ (R=H ( 4 ); R=CH₃ ( 5 )). The X‐ray crystallographic structures of two of the compounds, [(η⁶‐p‐cymene)Ru(η⁴‐C₆Me₄Se₂)] ( 7 ) and [(η⁶‐p‐cymene)Ru(η⁴‐C₆H₄SeO)] ( 8 ), were determined. The structures confirm the identity of the target compounds and ascertain the coordination mode of these unprecedented ruthenium π complexes of selenoquinones. Furthermore, these new compounds display relevant cytotoxic properties towards human ovarian cancer cells.     

Luminescent Amphiphilic 2,6‐Bis(1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)pyridine?Platinum(II) Complexes: Synthesis,Characterization, Electrochemical,Photophysical, and Langmuir–Blodgett Film‐Formation Studies

A new series of platinum(II) complexes with tridentate ligands 2,6‐bis(1‐alkyl‐1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)pyridine and 2,6‐bis(1‐aryl‐1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)pyridine (N7R), [Pt(N7R)Cl]X ( 1 – 7 ) and [Pt(N7R)(C?CR′)]X ( 8 – 17 ; R=n‐C₄H₉, n‐C₈H₁₇, n‐C₁₂H₂₅, n‐C₁₄H₂₉, n‐C₁₈H₃₇, C₆H₅, and CH₂‐C₆H₅; R′=C₆H₅, C₆H₄‐CH₃‐p_, C₆H₄‐CF₃‐p, C₆H₄‐N(CH₃)₂‐p, and cholesteryl 2‐propyn‐1‐yl carbonate; X=OTf^?, PF₆^?, and Cl^?), has been synthesized and characterized. Their electrochemical and photophysical properties have also been studied. Two amphiphilic platinum(II)? 2,6‐bis(1‐dodecyl‐1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)pyridine complexes ( 3‐Cl and 8 ) were found to form stable and reproducible Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) films at the air/water interface. These LB films were characterized by the study of their surface‐pressure–molecular‐area (π–A) isotherms, XRD, and IR and polarized‐IR spectroscopy.     

Ion Pairing and Salt Structure in Organic Salts through Diffusion,Overhauser, DFT and X‐ray Methods

Pulsed gradient spin‐echo (PGSE) diffusion characteristics for a) the new [brucinium][X] salts 6 a – f [ a : X=BF₄^?; b : X=PF₆^?; c : X=MeSO₃^?, d : X=CF₃SO₃^?; e : X=BArF^?; f : X=PtCl₃(C₂H₄)^?], b) 4‐tert‐butyl‐N‐benzyl analogue, 7 and c) the aryl carbocations (p‐R‐C₆H₄)₂CH 9 a (R=CH₃O) and 9 b (R=(CH₃)₂N), (p‐CH₃O‐C₆H₄)_xCPh_3?x⁺ 10 a – c (x=1–3, respectively) and (p‐R‐C₆H₄)₃C⁺ 11 (R=(CH₃)₂N) and 12 (R=H) all in several different solvents, are reported. The solvent dependence suggests strong ion pairing in CDCl₃, intermediate ion pairing in CD₂Cl₂ and little ion pairing in [D₆]acetone. ¹H, ¹⁹F HOESY NMR spectra (HOESY: heteronuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy) for 6 and 7 reveal a specific approach of the anion with respect to the brucinium cation plus subtle changes, which are related to the anion itself. Further, for carbocations 9 – 12 , (all as BF₄^? salts) based on the NOE results, one finds marked changes in the relative positions of the BF₄^? anion. In these aryl cationic species the anion can be located either a) very close to the carbonium ion carbon b) in an intermediate position or c) proximate to the N or O atom of the p‐substituent and remote from the formally positive C atom. This represents the first example of such a positional dependence of an anion on the structure of the carbocation. DFT calculations support the experimental HOESY results. The solid‐state structures for 6 c and the novel Zeise's salt derivative, [brucinium][PtCl₃(C₂H₄)], 6 f , are reported. Analysis of ¹⁹⁵Pt NMR and other NMR measurements suggest that the η²‐C₂H₄ bonding to the platinum centre in 6 f is very similar to that found in K[PtCl₃(C₂H₄)]. Field dependent T₁ measurements on [brucinium][PtCl₃(C₂H₄)] and K[PtCl₃(C₂H₄)], are reported and suggested to be useful in recognizing aggregation effects.     

Enol-enolic equilibrium of nuclear-substituted formylbenzoylmethanes

The enol-enolic equilibrium position of nuclear-substituted formylbenzoylmethanes [p-X = H, CH₃, CH₃O, Br, N(CH₃)₂, NO₂] is estimated. With an increase in the electron-donating property of the substituent X the equilibrium shifts to the hydroxymethyleneketone from. These results support the previous conclusions¹ about the existence of the same dependence for nuclear-substituted benzoylacetones and throw serious doubts on the idea of dominant enolization of benzoylacetones at the benzoyl group.     

One‐Step Synthesis of 2‐Aminothiazoline Derivatives Free of Lachrymatory Intermediates

A convenient one‐step condensation of p‐R‐acetophenones, dioxane dibromide, and N,N′ dialkylthioureas was developed as a synthetic access to derivatives of 2‐amino‐1,3‐thiazoline, such as N‐[4‐(4‐R‐phenyl)‐3‐R1‐2,3‐dihydro‐1,3‐thiazol‐2‐yliden]‐N‐(R1)amine, where R=H, Br, NO₂, or CH₃O, and R1=CH₃, CH₃CH₂, CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂, or Ph. Unlike the routine syntheses of similar compounds based on lachrymatory ω‐halogenated acetophenones, the one‐step approach escapes the preparation and dealing with inconvenient starting materials. The yields based on the starting p‐R‐acetophenones were in the range of 57–70%.     

An efficient and regiospecific preparation of trifluoromethyl substituted 4‐( 1H‐pyrazol‐1 ‐yl)‐7‐chloroquinolines

A new series of 4‐[3‐alkyl(aryl)(heteroaryl)‐5‐hydroxy‐5‐trifluoromethyl‐4,5‐dihydro‐1H‐pyrazol‐1‐yl]‐7‐chloroquinolines, where [alkyl = CH₃; aryl = C₆H₅, 4‐CH₃C₆H₄, 4‐FC₆H₄, 4‐ClC₆H₄, 4‐BrC₆H₄, 4‐CH₃OCgH₄, 4‐NO₂CgH₄, 4‐biphenyl, 1‐naphthyl; heteroaryl = 2‐furyl and 2‐thienyl] has been regiospecifi‐caly obtained from the reaction of 7‐chloro‐4‐hydrazinoquinoline with 4‐substituted‐l,1,1‐trifluoro‐4‐methoxybut‐3‐en‐2‐ones in 61 ‐ 96 % yield. Subsequently, dehydration reaction of 4,5‐dihydropyra‐zolylquinolines under acid conditions furnished a new series of 4‐(3‐substituted‐5‐trifluoromethyl‐1H‐pyra‐zol‐1‐yl)‐7‐chloroquinolines in 73 ‐ 96 % yield.     

N‐phosphinyl ureas: Synthesis,characterization, X‐ray structure,and in vitro evaluation of antitumor activity

A new series of N‐phosphinylureas 5b, 6a–7c was synthesized and characterized by ¹H, ¹³C, ³¹P NMR, IR, and elemental analysis. The three‐dimensional structure of 5b has been determined by X‐ray crystallography. The crystal structure revealed the existence of four independent molecules. All structures form two chains with different arrangements and connect to each other via hydrogen bonds to produce two‐dimensional polymeric chains. The cytotoxicity of cyclophosphamide (a standard antitumor compound) and its nine analogues with formula R¹C₆H₄ NHC(O)NHP(O)XCH₂C(R²)₂ CH₂Y(X = Y = NH, R² = CH₃, R¹ = H ( 5a ), CH₃ ( 5b ), NO₂ ( 5c ), X = O, Y = NH, R² = H, R¹ = H ( 6a , CH₃ ( 6b ), NO₂ ( 6c ), and X = Y = O, R² = CH₃, R¹ = H ( 7a ), CH₃ ( 7b ), NO₂ ( 7c )) as well as phenyl urea were evaluated in vitro against three human tumor cell lines K562, MDA‐MB‐231, and HepG2. The results showed that most of the compounds have significant activity against the selected cell lines. Also, HepG2 cells were more sensitive to all the tested compounds than other cell lines. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 23:74–83, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com . DOI 10.1002/hc.20754     

The psuedo‐michael reaction of 2‐aminoimidazolines 2. Part 1. Synthesis and structure assignment of isomeric 5(1H)‐Oxo and 7(1H)‐Oxo‐2,3‐dihydroimidazo[1,2‐a]pyrimidine‐6‐carboxylates

The pseudo‐Michael reaction of 1‐aryl‐2‐aminoimidazolines‐2 with diethyl ethoxymethylenemalonate (DEEM) was investigated. Extensive structural studies were performed to confirm the reaction course. For derivatives with N1 aromatic substituents, it was found that the reaction course was temperature dependent. When the reaction temperature was held at ?10 °C only the formation of 1‐aryl‐7(1H)‐oxo‐2,3‐dihydroimi‐dazo[1,2‐a]pyrimidine‐6‐carboxylates ( 4 ) was observed in contrast to earlier suggestions. Under the room temperature conditions, the same reaction yielded mixtures, with varying ratio, of isomeric 1‐aryl‐7(1H)‐oxo‐ ( 4a‐4f ) and 1‐aryl‐5(1H)‐oxo‐2,3‐dihydroimidazo[1,2‐a]pyrimidine‐6‐carboxylates ( 5a‐5f ). The molecular structure of selected isomers, 4b and 5c , was confirmed by X‐ray crystallography. Frontal chro‐matography with delivery from the edge was applied for the separation of the isomeric esters. The isomer ratio of the reaction products depended on the character of the substituents on the phenyl ring. The 1‐aryl‐7(1H)‐oxo‐carboxylates ( 4a‐4f ) were preferably when the phenyl ring contained H, 4‐CH₃, 4‐OCH₃ and 3,4‐Cl₂ substituents. Chloro substitution at either position 3 or 4 in the phenyl ring favored the formation of isomers 5a‐5f . The isomer ratios were confirmed both by ¹H NMR and chromatography. The reaction of the respective hydrobromides of 1‐aryl‐2‐aminoimidazoline‐2 with DEEM, in the presence of triethylamine, gave selectively 5(1H)‐oxo‐esters ( 5a‐5f ).     

Syndiotactic polymerization of styrene in the presence of CpTiCl2(OC6H4X)/MAO catalytic systems

CpTiCl₂(OC₆H₄X‐p) complexes (where X =­CH₃, Cl, NO₂,; Cp = cyclopentadienyl) activated with methylaluminoxane (MAO) were used in syndiotactic polymerization of styrene. High activity and selectivity for all catalysts were found. The styrene conversion and reaction selectivity depend on the catalyst ageing time and temperature, polymerization temperature and the nature of the substituent in the phenoxy ring. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Long‐range π‐type hydrogen bond in dimers CH2?HF,CH2O?H2O,and CH2O?NH3

Using four basis bets, (6‐311G(d,p), 6‐31+G(d,p), 6‐31++G(2d,2p), and 6‐311++G(3df,3pd), the optimized structures with all real frequencies were obtained at the MP2 level for the dimers CH₂O? HF, CH₂O? H₂O, CH₂O? NH₃, and CH₂O? CH₄. The structures of CH₂O? HF, CH₂O? H₂O, and CH₂O? NH₃ are cycle‐shaped, which result from the larger bend of σ‐type hydrogen bonds. The bend of σ‐type H‐bond O…H? Y (Y?F, O, N) is illustrated and interpreted by an attractive interaction of a chemically intuitive π‐type hydrogen bond. The π‐type hydrogen bond is the interaction between one of the H atoms of CH₂O and lone pair(s) on the F atom in HF, the O atom in H₂O, or the N atom in NH₃. In contrast with the above three dimers, for CH₂O? CH₄, because there is not a π‐type hydrogen bond to bend its linear hydrogen bond, the structure of CH₂O? CH₄ is noncyclic shaped. The interaction energy of hydrogen bonds and the π‐type H‐bond are calculated and discussed at the CCSD (T)/6‐311++G(3df,3pd) level. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2005     

Tautomerism of monochalcogenosilanoic acids CH3Si(O)XH (X = S,Se, Te) in the gas phase and in the polar and aprotic solution: An ab initio computational investigation

Computational investigations by an ab initio molecular orbital method (HF and MP2) with the 6‐311+G(d,p) and 6‐311++G(2df, 2pd) basis sets on the tautomerism of three monochalcogenosilanoic acids CH₃Si(?O)XH (X = S, Se, and Te) in the gas phase and a polar and aprotic solution tetrahydrofuran (THF) was undertaken. Calculated results show that the silanol forms CH₃Si(?X)OH are much more stable than the silanone forms CH₃Si(?O)XH in the gas‐phase, which is different from the monochalcogenocarboxylic acids, where the keto forms CH₃C(?O)XH are dominant. This situation may be attributed to the fact that the Si? O and O? H single bonds in the silanol forms are stronger than the Si? X and X? H single bonds in the silanone forms, respectively, even though the Si?X (X = S, Se, and Te) double bonds are much weaker than the Si?O double bond. These results indicate that the stability of the monochalcogenosilanoic acid tautomers is not determined by the double bond energies, contrary to the earlier explanation based on the incorrect assumption that the Si?S double bond is stronger than the S?O double bond for the tautomeric equilibrium of RSi(?O)SH (R?H, F, Cl, CH₃, OH, NH₂) to shift towards the thione forms [RSi(?S)OH]. The binding with CH₃OCH₃ enhances the preference of the silanol form in the tautomeric equilibrium, and meanwhile significantly lowers the tautomeric barriers by more than 34 kJ/mol in THF solution. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2008     

Correlated one‐electron wave functions

Using four basis sets, 6‐311G(d,p), 6‐31+G(d,p), 6‐311++G(2d,2p), and 6‐311++G(3df,3pd), the optimized structures with all real frequencies were obtained at the MP2 level for dimers CH₂O? HF, CH₂O? H₂O, CH₂O? NH₃, and CH₂O? CH₄. The structures of CH₂O? HF, CH₂O? H₂O, and CH₂O? NH₃ are cycle‐shaped, which result from the larger bend of σ‐type hydrogen bonds. The bend of σ‐type H‐bond O…H? Y (Y?F, O, N) is illustrated and interpreted by an attractive interaction of a chemically intuitive π‐type hydrogen bond. The π‐type hydrogen bond is the interaction between one of the acidic H atoms of CH₂O and lone pair(s) on the F atom in HF, the O atom in H₂O, or the N atom in NH₃. By contrast with above the three dimers, for CH₂O? CH₄, because there is not a π‐type hydrogen‐bond to bend its linear hydrogen bond, the structure of CH₂O? CH₄ is a noncyclic shaped. The interaction energy of hydrogen bonds and the π‐type H‐bond are calculated and discussed at the CCSD(T)/6‐311++G(3df,3pd) level. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2005     

An Efficient and Highly Stereoselective Synthesis of CIS-1-Acetyl-2-Aryl-6,6-Dimethyl-5,7-Dioxo-Spiro-[2,5]-4,8-Octadiones and β,γ-Trans-β-Acetyl-γ-Aryl-Butyrolactones

Acetylmethyltriphenylarsonium bromide 6 in the presence of potassium carbonate and trace water reacted with 2,2-dimethyl-l,3-dioxa-5-substituted-benzylidene-4,6-dione 2 at room temperature to give cyclopropane derivatives cis-l-acetyl-2-aryl-6,6-dimethyl-5,7-dioxospiro-[2,5]-4,8-octadiones 7 (X=p-CH₃, p-Cl, H, p-NO₂) or β,γ-trans-β-acetyl-γ-aryl-γ-butyrolactones 8 (X=p-CH₃O, p-N(CH₃)₂, 3′,4′-OCH₂O-) with good yield and high stereoselectivity.     

A series of novel 2,6-bis(imino)pyridyl iron catalysts: synthesis, characterization and ethylene oligomerization

A series of novel 2,6-bis(imino)pyridyl iron complexes {2,6-(2-X-4-Y-5-ZC₆H₂NCCH₃)₂C₅H₃N}FeCl₂ (X = Cl, Y = CH₃, Z = H (2); X = Br, Y = CH₃, Z = H (3); X = F, Y = H, Z = CH₃ (4); X = Cl, Y = H, Z = CH₃ (5); X = Cl, Y = F (7)) have been synthesized and characterized with elemental analysis and IR. These iron coordinative complexes, activated with methylaluminoxane (MAO), lead to highly active ethylene oligomerization (>10⁷ g/mol Fe h) and the products are mostly linear α-olefins (>90%). The catalytic activities and product properties depend on the substituents on aryl rings and the reaction conditions. As reaction temperature increases, the catalytic activities decrease rapidly and more low-molar-mass products are produced. The product distributions are almost independent of the Al/Fe molar ratio, but the catalytic activities change in different trends when the ortho-substituents on the aryl rings are different. The other three complexes have also been synthesized for comparison to investigate the steric hindrance and electronic effect on the properties of complexes. The complex with adaptable steric hindrance and electronic properties exhibits the highest catalytic activities.     

Transition metal catalyzed alternating copolymerizations of olefins and co

Well defined Pd(II) catalysts of the type (N′N)Pd(CH₃)(Solv.)⁺ B(Ar_f)₄- (Ar_f = −3, 5-(CF₃)₂C₆H₃) have been prepared for living alternating copolymerizations of olefins with CO. This talk will focus on the mechanistic details of chain growth as elucidated by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, model studies of key migratory insertion steps and synthesis and properties of various copolymers and block copolymers based on styrenes, CH₂=CHC₆H₄X [X = p-C(CH₃)₃, p-OC(O)CH₃, p-OC(O)C-t-Bu), p-NHC(O)(C-t-Bu)]. Use of the catalysts based on the C₂ symmetric, homochiral ligand 2, 2'-bis[2-[4(S)-(Alkyl)-1, 3-oxazolinyl]]propane [Alkyl = CH₃, CH(CH₃)₂] produces a copolymer, 1, with a highly isotactic microstructure and high optical activity in contrast to achiral ligands such as 1,10-phenanthroline which produce copolymers with predominantly syndiotactic microstructure.     

Conformational analysis of some 1R,4S‐2‐arylidene‐p‐menthan‐3‐ones by 1H NMR spectroscopy and molecular simulation

Based on ¹H NMR spectral analysis combined with molecular simulation, conformational states of the cyclohexanone ring were studied for some 1R,4S‐2‐(4‐X‐benzylidene)‐p‐menthan‐3‐ones (X = COOCH₃ or C₆H₅) in CDCl₃ and C₆D₆. The co‐existence of chair conformers with an axial orientation of both alkyl substituents and twist‐boat forms was established for the compounds studied at room temperature (22–23° C). The substituent X does not influence appreciably the ratio of these conformers, but the fraction of twist‐boat forms increases noticeably in benzene solutions as compared with CDCl₃ solutions. Rotameric states of the isopropyl fragment were also characterised for the compounds studied. Distinctions in conformational states for the 1R,4S‐2‐arylidene‐p‐menthan‐3‐ones and (?)‐menthone were revealed and are discussed. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.