One-pot three-component reaction of C60, amino acid and fluorinated benzaldehyde to C60-pyrrolidine derivatives

A series of fluorinated 2,5-disubstituted C₆₀-pyrrolidine derivatives were synthesized via one-pot three-component reaction of C₆₀, amino acid and fluorinated benzaldehyde under reflux in toluene or microwave irradiation. The cis- and trans-isomers could be isolated by chromatography and fully confirmed by ¹H NMR.     

Solubilization and applications of single-walled carbon nanotubes into aqueous and organic media by the use of nanometer size-controlled fluoroalkyl end-capped oligomeric aggregates

We have studied on the solubilization of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SW-CNTs) into aqueous and organic media by the use of a variety of nanometer size-controlled fluorinated self-assemblies, which were formed by the aggregations of end-capped fluoroalkyl segments in fluoroalkyl end-capped acrylic acid oligomers [R_F-(ACA)_n-R_F], N,N-dimethylacrylamide oligomers [R_F-(DMAA)_n-R_F], acryloylmorpholine oligomers [R_F-(ACMO)_n-R_F], and N-(1,1-dimethyl-3-oxobutyl)acrylamide oligomers [R_F-(DOBAA)_n-R_F]. Fluorinated self assemblies formed in organic media (colorless solutions) could solubilize SW-CNTs into organic media to afford the transparent pale yellow solutions. The dynamic light scattering measurements showed that the size of fluorinated self-assemblies increased after the solubilization of SW-CNTs into organic media. It was suggested that the solubilization of SW-CNTs into organic media is due to the encapsulation of SW-CNTs into fluorinated assemblies. Fluorinated assemblies were also able to solubilize SW-CNTs into water to give the transparent gray solutions. Among a variety of fluorinated assemblies, fluorinated assemblies formed by R_F-(ACMO)_n-R_F [R_F = CF(CF₃)OC₆F₁₃] oligomer was more effective for the solubilization of SW-CNTs into both aqueous and organic media. Contact angle measurements of dodecane and the fluorescence spectra for poly(methyl methacrylate) cast film modified by fluorinated self-assemblies—SW-CNTs complexes showed that SW-CNTs are dispersed above the PMMA surface.     

Synthesis of gemini surfactants with twelve symmetric fluorine atoms and one singlet F MR signal as novel F MRI agents

A family of fluorinated gemini surfactants derived from perfluoropinacol has been synthesized as novel ¹⁹F magnetic resonance imaging (¹⁹F MRI) agents. These fluorinated surfactants with 12 symmetric fluorine atoms and one singlet ¹⁹F MR peak can be conveniently prepared from perfluoropinacol and oligo(ethylene glycols) on multi-gram scales. Solubility, hydrophilicity (log P), and critical micelle concentration (CMC) measurements of these fluorinated surfactants indicated that high aqueous solubility can be achieved by introducing oligo(ethylene glycols) with appropriate length into perfluoropinacol, i.e., manipulating the fluorine content (F%). One of these fluorinated surfactants with high aqueous solubility and excellent ¹⁹F MR properties has been identified by ¹⁹F MRI phantom experiments as a promising ¹⁹F MRI agent.     

Novel fluorinated amphiphilic cyclodextrin derivatives: Synthesis of mono-, di- and heptakis-(6-deoxy-6-perfluoroalkylthio)-β-cyclodextrins

A new series of fluorinated amphiphilic β-cyclodextrin derivatives has been synthesized. The strategy is based on the modification of the C-6 position of the mono-6-deoxy-6^A-para-tolylsulfonyl, di-6^A, 6^D-deoxy-6^A, 6^D-(para-tolylsulfonyl) and heptakis-(6-deoxy-6-iodo)-β-cyclodextrin precursors. The synthesis lead to mono-perfluoroalkylthio-, di-perfluoroalkylthio- and heptakis-perfluoroalkylthio-β-cyclodextrin in excellent yields (90-99%).     

Polyimides from 1,5-bis(4-amino-2-trifluoromethylphenoxy)naphthalene and aromatic tetracarboxylic dianhydrides

A new trifluoromethylated bis(ether amine), 1,5-bis(4-amino-2-trifluoromethylphenoxy)naphthalene, was synthesized in two steps starting from 1,5-dihydroxynaphthalene and 2-chloro-5-nitrobenzotrifluoride via nucleophilic aromatic substitution and catalytic reduction. A series of novel fluorinated polyimides with moderate to high molecular weights were synthesized from the diamine with various aromatic tetracarboxylic dianhydrides using a conventional two-stage process. All polyimides could afford flexible and tough films and most of them were soluble in strong polar solvents such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) and N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc). The polyimides showed glass-transition temperatures (T_g) in the range of 253-315 °C (by DSC) and softening temperatures (T_s) in the range of 250-300 °C (by TMA). Decomposition temperatures for 5% weight loss all occurred above 500 °C in both air and nitrogen atmospheres. The dielectric constants of these polymers ranged from 3.17 to 3.64 at 1 MHz. The properties of these fluorinated polyimides were also compared with those of polyimides prepared from 1,5-bis(4-aminophenoxy)naphthalene with the same dianhydrides.     

Synthesis and comparative behaviour study of fluorocarbon and hydrocarbon cationic surfactants in aqueous media

A series of perfluorinated cationic surfactants and their corresponding hydrocarbon ones whose general formula is C_nX_2n+1-C(O)NH-(CH₂)₃-N⁺Me₃, I⁻, with X = F, H and n = 9, 11, have been synthesized via two steps. Their aggregative and surface-active properties were studied in aqueous solution using tensiometry and conductimetry. The critical micelle concentrations and the molecular areas at the air/water interface of fluorinated surfactants are lower than those of their hydrocarbon homologues. Micellar aggregation numbers and geometric packing parameters have been investigated. The results indicated that fluorocarbon surfactants tend to form lamellar aggregates while the hydrocarbon ones associate into spherical aggregates.     

Investigation of the reactions of fluorinated isatins and N-acetylisatins with thiocarbohydrazide: Synthesis of a novel spiro system: 2-oxo-1′,2′,4′,5′-tetrahydrospiro[3H-indole-3,3′-1,2,4,5-tetrazine]-6′-thione

A novel system 2-oxo-1′,2′,4′,5′-tetrahydrospiro[3H-indole-3,3′-1,2,4,5-tetrazine]-6′-thione has been synthesized by the treatment of fluorinated isatins with thiocarbohydrazide in aqueous ethanolic medium. Under exactly similar conditions, N-acetylisatin gave exclusively thiocarbohydrazone. The spiro product, on treatment with acetic acid, gave fluorinated isoindigo. Characterization of these products have been done by elemental analyses, ir, pmr and mass spectral studies.     

UV-curable low-surface-energy fluorinated poly(urethane-acrylate)s for biomedical applications

Novel UV-curable fluorinated poly(urethane-acrylate) (FPUA) oligomers have been synthesized from 1H,1H,12H,12H-perfluoro-1,12-dodecanediol (PFDDOL), either 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) or 4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI), and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) for end-capping with photo-crosslinkable methacrylate groups. The fluorine content and the nature of the isocyanate were investigated to determine their effects on the physical properties, surface properties, and blood compatibilities of the polymers. The introduction of hydrophobic fluorocarbon chains led to phase separation and a low total surface energy, which reduced the adhesion of blood platelets onto the materials. The HDI-type UV-curable, fluorinated poly(urethane-acrylate) exhibited a low-surface-energy and superior blood compatibility (as determined from RIPA values).     

Preparation of trifluoromethylated ynamines and their reactions with some electrophilic reagents

N,N-Dialkyl(3,3,3-trifluoro-1-propynyl)amines were prepared by a three-step procedure starting from commercially available 2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropanol. The reactions of these trifluoromethylated ynamines with some electrophiles, such as aldehydes, halogens or N-halosuccinimides (NXS), were investigated. The fluorinated ynamines reacted with aldehydes in the presence of a catalytic amount of Lewis acid to provide the corresponding α-(trifluoromethyl)-α,β-unsaturated amides in good to excellent yields with high Z-stereoselectivity. These ynamines reacted with molecular bomine to give, after treatment with sodium hydrogen carbonate, N,N-dialkyl-2-bromo-3,3,3-trifluoropropanamides in good yields. The reaction with an equimolecular amount of NXS in aqueous acetonitrile also gave the corresponding 2-halo-3,3,3-trifluoropropanamides in good to excellent yields. On the other hand, the reaction of the ynamine with NXS in anhydrous acetonitrile led to the formation of the addition products in high yields. Upon treating the addition products with an equimolecular amount of NX′S in aqueous acetonitrile, the corresponding 2,2-dihalo(X,X′)-3,3,3-trifluoropropanamides were produced in nearly quantitative yields.     

Synthesis and surface properties of a series of surfactants based on O-alkyl and O-perfluoro-N,N′-diisopropylisoureas

O-Dodecyl-N,N′-diisopropylisourea and O-tridecafluorooctyl-N,N′-diisopropylisourea were synthesized by reaction of hydrogenated or fluorinated alcohols onto diisopropylcarbodiimide in quasi-quantitative yields. Adding various hydrogen halides (HCl, HBr, or HI) onto these isoureas enabled one to obtain isoureas hydrohalides with tensioactive properties. The surface properties of both series of hydrogenated and fluorinated surfactants were studied and compared. The influence of the counter-ions onto the surface properties showed that the tensioactive properties were improved in the following increasing order: I < Cl < Br. Fluorinated isourea hydrohalides exhibited better surfactant properties than their hydrogenated homologues.     

Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of some novel 2-(substituted fluorobenzoylimino)-3-(substituted fluorophenyl)-4-methyl-1,3-thiazolines

The synthesis of several 2-(substituted fluorobenzoylimino)-3-(substituted fluorophenyl)-4-methyl-1,3-thiazolines (2a-t) was carried out by base-catalyzed cyclization of corresponding 1-(fluorobenzoyl)-3-(fluorophenyl)thioureas (1a-t) with 2-bromoacetone in aqueous medium. The structures of the synthesized compounds were confirmed by spectral and elemental analysis. All synthesized compounds were evaluated for in vitro antibacterial activity using Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis) and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined for the most active compounds. In vitro antifungal activity was also determined against the five fungal species (Rhizopus oryzae, Fusarium oxysporum, Aspergillus terreus, A. niger and A. fumigatus).     

Synthesis, reactions and structural features of monofluorinated cyclopropanecarboxylates

Monofluorinated cyclopropanecarboxylates are available in racemic or optically active form by transition metal-catalyzed reactions of vinylfluorides with diazoacetates. From α-fluorostyrene and tert-butyl diazoacetate in the presence of 2 mol% of an enantiopure bis(oxazoline) copper complex, a 81:19 mixture of tert-butyl trans- and cis-2-fluoro-2-phenylcyclopropanecarboxylates was obtained with high enantiomeric excess (ee) of 93 or 89%, respectively. The corresponding racemic ethylesters were used as starting materials for the synthesis of carboxamides, of the cis- and trans-isomers of analogues of tranylcypromine, an anti-depressive drug and several of its homologous fluorinated cyclopropylmethyl and cyclopropylethyl amines. Corresponding enantiopure cyclopropylmethanols and several of their derivatives were synthesized also. Solid state structures of a selection of these compounds were examined by X-ray crystallography. Particularly, the cis-configurated fluorinated phenylcyclopropane derivatives showed extremely close intermolecular CH?FC contacts. The shortest of such distances (2.17 Å) was found in the N-(4-bromophenyl)carbamate of (1S,2R)-(2-fluoro-2-phenylcyclopropyl)methanol.     

Domino condensation/aza-Michael/O→N acyl migration of carbodiimides with activated α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids to form hydantoins

Activated α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids undergo an unexpected domino condensation/aza-Michael/O→N acyl migration with carbodiimides, producing N,N-disubstituted hydantoins in good yields. An array of structurally varied aspartic acid-derived hydantoins, including some fluorinated derivatives, have been synthesized by this method, whose scope and limits are discussed.     

Preparation of novel cross-linked fluoroalkyl end-capped cooligomeric nanoparticles–encapsulated cytochrome c in water and ionic liquids

Cross-linked fluoroalkyl end-capped acrylic acid cooligomer containing poly(oxyethylene) units can form the nanometer size-controlled fine particles in aqueous solutions, and these cross-linked nanoparticles interact with cytochrome c (Cyto-c) to afford the corresponding cooligomeric nanoparticles–encapsulated Cyto-c effectively. Interestingly, we can easily isolate the fluorinated nanoparticles–encapsulated Cyto-c powder by the simple centrifugal separation of the corresponding aqueous solutions. The cross-linked fluorinated cooligomer also enables an effective transfer of Cyto-c from aqueous solution to ionic liquids such as 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide to afford the immobilized Cyto-c with the corresponding fluorinated cooligomer in quantitatively immobilized ratio (～100%). The immobilized Cyto-c exhibited a good dispersibility in the parent ionic liquid to afford the nanometer size-controlled fluorinated particles–encapsulated Cyto-c. Similarly, the cross-linked fluorinated cooligomer in ionic liquids such as 3-methylpyrazolium tetrafluoroborate (3MP-BF4) interacted with Cyto-c to afford the corresponding nanoparticles–encapsulated Cyto-c in quantitatively encapsulated ratio (～100%). These cross-linked fluorinated nanoparticles–encapsulated Cyto-c in water and ionic liquids were applied to the oxidation of guaiacol with hydrogen peroxide, and an extremely higher catalytic activity for this oxidation was observed in the ionic liquid (3MP-BF4).     

N-(Benzoyloxy)amines: an investigation of their thermal stability, synthesis, and incorporation into novel peptide constructs

A series of N-benzoyloxyamines were pyrolyzed and their decomposition temperatures correlated well with the amine architecture's ability to stabilize a N-centered radical. A variety of amine substrates were treated with a biphasic mixture of benzoyl peroxide (BPO), CH₂Cl₂ and an aqueous carbonate buffer (at pH 10.5). Primary and secondary amines were successfully N-benzoyloxylated in good yield. Tertiary amines and BPO gave low yields of the corresponding N-oxide and complex product mixtures, presumably via radical decomposition. Electron deficient amines (such as fluorinated aliphatic amines, α-aminoacids, α-aminoesters, and α-aminoamides) were not N-benzoyloxylated under these conditions. Instead, N-benzoylation was observed with the fluorinated amines and the reaction was sensitive to temperature and the pH of the aqueous medium. A one-pot-two-step synthesis of N^α-FMOC-l-Leu-N^β-(benzoyloxy)-β-alanine ethyl ester, a peptide containing both an α- and a novel β-amino acid framework, was also developed.     

Synthesis, characterization, and derivatization of some novel types of fluorinated mono- and bis-imidazolidineiminothiones with antitumor, antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal activities

A series of thirty eight novel imidazolidineiminothiones (6a-g, 10a-h, 13a,b, 15a-d, and 16a), 5-thioxoimidazolidine-2,4-diones (7a-d, 11a-e, 14a,b, and 16b), and bis-imidazolidineiminothiones (17-20) with various fluorinated aromatic substituents at N-(1) and N-(3) were prepared in 75-85% yields. The imidazolidineiminothiones were synthesized from fluorinated N-arylcyanothioformanilides and substituted aromatic isocyanates, and by the reactions of fluorinated aromatic isocyanates with fluorinated and non-fluorinated aromatic N-arylcyanothioformanilides. Subsequent hydrolysis of selected products produced the corresponding 5-thioxoimidazolidine-2,4-diones. Preliminary screening of several compounds against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cells indicated that 6f and 16a were the most active (90% and 80% inhibition, respectively). Further evaluation for cytotoxicity against other tumor cell lines gave IC₅₀ values ranging from 0.67 to 3.83 μg/mL, where compounds 15a and 16a were markedly active against all cell lines. This highlights the synergistic effect of the suitably positioned fluorinated substituents on N-(1) and N-(3) of the imidazolidineiminothiones. Compounds 6a,e-g, 10a-c, 13b, 15a-d, and 17-20 were tested against microbial organisms (Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, and Sarcina lutea), and fungal strains (Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, and Aspergillus flavus). Whereas compound 6a exhibited the highest antibacterial activity against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria, 13b displayed the strongest antifungal activity against all fungal strains, reaching as high as 30 mm. Finally, 15a,b,d were subjected to in vitro testing of antiviral activity against hepatitis A virus (HAV), human herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV1), and Coxsackie B4 (COxB4) viral strain, where 15b was the most effective, reducing virus plaque count of HSV1 and COxB4 by 50% and 60%, respectively.     

The first example of fluoro-Meinwald rearrangement

Novel fluorinated norbornadienes were synthesized in up to 95% yield by the base-induced elimination of HNO₂ from 5-fluoro-5-nitro-6-arylbicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-enes prepared, in turn, by the Diels–Alder reaction of β-fluoro-β-nitrostyrenes with cyclopentadiene. The subsequent epoxidation initiated the Meinwald type rearrangement affording 6-aryl-bicyclo[3.1.0]hex-2-ene-6-carboxylic acid fluorides as individual (1SR,5RS,6RS)-diastereomers. The transformation is the first example of fluoro-Meinwald rearrangement to form the corresponding acyl fluorides.     

Synthesis of polyfluorodibenz[b,f][1,4]oxazepines by the cyclization of 2-[(polyfluorobenzylidene)amino]phenols

Thermolysis of 2-[(polyfluorobenzylidene)amino]phenols in ethanol in the presence of triethylamine affords the corresponding fluorinated dibenz[b,f][1,4]oxazepines in moderate to high yields. The structures of 2-[(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorobenzylidene)amino]phenol and 1,2,3,4-tetrafluorodibenzo[b,f][1,4]oxazepine have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel fluorinated polyimides derived from 1,1′-bis(4-aminophenyl)-1-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-2,2,2-trifluoroethane and aromatic dianhydrides

A novel fluorinated aromatic diamine 1,1′-bis(4-aminophenyl)-1-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-2,2,2-trifluoroethane (6FDAM) was synthesized in a simple procedure, which was then employed to prepare a series of fluorinated polyimides with commercial aromatic dianhydrides, such as pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA), 2,2-bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenyl)hexafluoropropane (6FDA), 3,3′,4,4′-benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA) and 4,4′-oxydiphthalic anhydride (ODPA). The polyimides exhibited good solubility in strong dipolar solvents such as NMP, DMAc, DMF and m-cresol as well as some of low boiling point organic solvents of THF and CHCl₃, etc. Experimental results indicated the polyimides possessed low moisture adsorptions of 0.42-0.95%, low dielectric constant of 2.71-2.95 at 1 MHz, high dielectric strength of 92.0-122.6 kV/mm and good optical transparency with cutoff wavelengths of UV-vis at 330-375 nm. The polyimides also exhibited good mechanical properties as well as excellent thermal and thermo-oxidative stability. The fluorinated polyimides possessed better solubility, lower dielectric constant and water adsorption as well as higher optical transparency than the representative non-fluorinated polyimide derived from PMDA and 4,4′-oxydianiline (ODA).     

Regiospecific photoisomerization of fluorinated (E,E)-1,4-diphenyl-1,3-butadienes

Photoisomerization of five fluorinated E,E-1-(R-phenyl)-4-phenyl-1,3-butadienes in solution (R = 1: p-monofluoro, 2: m,m′-difluoro, 3: m,m′,p-trifluoro, 4: o,o′,m,m′-tetrafluoro, 5: o,o′,m,m′,p-pentafluoro) was investigated via direct irradiation. Our results indicated that cis-trans photoisomerization of the fluorinated 1,4-diphenyl-1,3-butadienes in the excited singlet state took place exclusively at the CC bonds closer to the fluorine substituents.