New Optically Active 2H‐Azirin‐3‐amines as Synthons for Enantiomerically Pure 2,2‐Disubstituted Glycines

The synthesis of novel 2,2‐disubstituted 2H‐azirin‐3‐amines with a chiral amino group is described. Chromatographic separation of the diastereoisomer mixture yielded the pure diastereoisomers (1′R,2R)‐ 4a – e and (1′R,2S)‐ 4a – e (Scheme 1, Table 1), which are synthons for the (R)‐ and (S)‐isomers of isovaline, 2‐methylvaline, 2‐cyclopentylalanine, 2‐methylleucine, and 2‐(methyl)phenylalanine, respectively. The configuration at C(2) of the synthons was determined by X‐ray crystallography relative to the known configuration of the chiral auxiliary group. The reaction of 4 with thiobenzoic acid, benzoic acid, and the dipeptide Z‐Leu‐Aib‐OH ( 12 ) yielded the monothiodiamides 10 , the diamides 11 (Scheme 2, Table 3), and the tripeptides 13 (Scheme 3, Table 4), respectively.     

Synthesis of penta- and hexasaccharide fragments corresponding to the O-antigen of Escherichia coli O150

The chemical synthesis of a pentasaccharide and a hexasaccharide corresponding to the O-antigen of Escherichia coli O150 has been achieved using sequential glycosylation and [3+3] block glycosylation strategies. Suitably protected monosaccharide synthons have been prepared from the commercially available reducing sugars and then stereoselectively coupled to give the pentasaccharide and a hexasaccharide in excellent yields. 4-Methoxyphenyl and 2-(4-methoxyphenoxy) ethyl groups have been used as the anomeric-protecting groups in the target pentasaccharide and a hexasaccharide, respectively.     

Synthesis of Biologically Active[4-(4-Bromophenyl)-2-thiazolyl]hydrazones and their D-Galactose Derivatives

Benzaldehyde [4‐(4‐bromophenyl)thiazol‐2‐yl]hydrazones 5a – 5d were prepared by reacting the thiosemicarbazones 2a – 2d with 2,4′‐dibromoacetophenone ( 1 ) in absolute ethanol. Acetylation of 5a and 5b with Ac₂O/Py at room temperature gave the N‐acetyl derivatives 6a and 6b . 4‐Methyl‐2‐pentanone/cyclopentanone [4‐(4‐bromo‐phenyl)thiazol‐2‐yl]hydrazones ( 8a ) and ( 8b ) were similarly obtained from the reaction of 1 with the thiosemicarbazones 7a and 7b , respectively. Cyclization of D‐galactose thiosemicarbazone ( 9 ) and its tautomers 10 and 11 with 1 afforded an equilibrium mixture of the acyclic 2‐thiazolylhydrazone 12 , together with its respective cyclic galactosyl derivatives 13 and 14 , whose structures were studied by using ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra. The antimicrobial activity of the synthesized thiazole derivatives was evaluated in vitro by using an agar diffusion technique, and some of these compounds showed potential activity against Candida albicans.     

Synthesis of Monosaccharide‐Derived Spirocyclic Cyclopropylamines and Their Evaluation as Glycosidase Inhibitors

The glucose‐, mannose‐, and galactose‐derived spirocyclic cyclopropylammonium chlorides 1a – 1d, 2a – 2d and 3a – 3d were prepared as potential glycosidase inhibitors. Cyclopropanation of the diazirine 5 with ethyl acrylate led in 71% yield to a 4 : 5 : 1 : 20 mixture of the ethyl cyclopropanecarboxylates 7a – 7d , while the Cu‐catalysed cycloaddition of ethyl diazoacetate to the exo‐glycal 6 afforded 7a – 7d (6 : 2 : 5 : 3) in 93–98% yield (Scheme 1). Saponification, Curtius degradation, and subsequent addition of BnOH or t‐BuOH led in 60–80% overall yield to the Z‐ or Boc‐carbamates 11a – 11d and 12a – 12d , respectively. Hydrogenolysis of 11a – 11d afforded 1a – 1d , while 12a – 12d was debenzylated to 13a – 13d prior to acidic cleavage of the N‐Boc group. The manno‐ and galacto‐isomers 2a – 2d and 3a – 3d , respectively, were similarly obtained in comparable yields (Schemes 2 and 4). Also prepared were the differentially protected manno‐configured esters 24a – 24d ; they are intermediates for the synthesis of analogous N‐acetylglucosamine‐derived cyclopropanes (Scheme 3). The cyclopropylammonium chlorides 1a – 1d, 2a – 2d and 3a – 3d are very weak inhibitors of several glycosidases (Tables 1 and 2). Traces of Pd compounds, however, generated upon catalytic debenzylation, proved to be strong inhibitors. PdCl is, indeed, a reversible, micromolar inhibitor for the β‐glucosidases from C. saccharolyticum and sweet almonds (non‐competitive), the β‐galactosidases from bovine liver and from E. coli (both non‐competitive), the α‐galactosidase from Aspergillus niger (competitive), and an irreversible inhibitor of the α‐glucosidase from yeast and the α‐galactosidase from coffee beans. The cyclopropylamines derived from 1a – 1d or 3a – 3d significantly enhance the inhibition of the β‐glucosidase from C. saccharolyticum by PdCl , lowering the K_i value from 40 μM (PdCl ) to 0.5 μM for a 1 : 1 mixture of PdCl and 1d . A similar effect is shown by cyclopropylamine, but not by several other amines.     

New Approach for the Construction of the Coumarin Frame and Application in the Total Synthesis of Natural Products

A new synthetic approach is described for building the coumarin scaffold through the Lewis acid‐promoted cyclization of novel aryl 3‐(dimethylamino)prop‐2‐enoates 2a – 2f . The latter precursors were prepared via aminomethylenation of the corresponding aryl acetates 4a – 4f with the Bredereck reagent. This approach was used for the synthesis of biologically active natural compounds 1a – 1f , through a three‐step procedure starting from the corresponding phenols.     

Total Synthesis of a Hyperbranched N‐Linked Hexasaccharide Attached to ATCV‐1 Major Capsid Protein without Precedent

The N‐glycans attached to some chloroviruses comprise a hyperbranched core structure without precedent. We are interested in the chemical synthesis of the hexasaccharide attached to ATCV‐1 (Acanthocystis turfacea Chlorella virus 1) for its distinct structure. After exploring four routes, the target hexasaccharide 2 was successfully synthesized for the first time in overall 10% yield over 8 steps from thioglycoside building blocks. This synthetic protocol is characterized by the three‐component one‐pot glycosylation and the regioselective glycosylation reactions. The disclosed synthetic approach to this new type of N‐glycans will facilitate the in‐depth understanding of their biological functions.     

Synthesis of aminoethyl glycoside of the oligosaccharide chain of ganglioside Fuc-GM1

2-Aminoethyl glycoside of the hexasaccharide chain of ganglioside Fuc-GM₁ was synthesized by a [3+3] synthetic scheme. At the key step of the synthetic route, glycosylation of the only hydroxyl group at C(4) of the galactose residue in an α-(N-acetylneuraminyl)-(2→3)-β-D-galactopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-D-glucopyranoside derivative with a peracetylated thioglycoside of α-L-fucopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-D-galactopyranosyl-(1→3)-2-trichloroacetamido-2-deoxy-β-D-galactopyranose gave a protected hexasaccharide in high yield. Subsequent removal of the protecting groups gave the target 2-aminoethyl glycoside of the oligosaccharide chain of gan-glioside Fuc-GM₁. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 1, pp. 148–153, January, 2006.     

Synthesis and Antimicrobial Evaluation of (1‐(2‐(Benzyloxy)‐2‐oxoethyl)‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)methyl Benzoate Analogues

A convenient one pot synthesis of 20 (1‐(2‐(benzyloxy)‐2‐oxoethyl)‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)methyl benzoate analogues ( 5a – 5t ) with ester functionality was carried out via Cu(I) catalyzed click reaction between prop‐2‐yn‐1‐yl benzoates and benzyl 2‐azidoacetates. The structure of synthesized triazoles were explicated by various spectral techniques like FT‐IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and high‐resolution mass spectrometry and evaluated for in vitro antimicrobial potential against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter aerogenes, Candida albicans, and Aspergillus niger. Most of synthesized triazole derivatives exhibited average to excellent activity against tested microbial strains.     

Assigning glucose or galactose as the primary glycosidic sugar in 3‐O‐mono‐, di‐ and triglycosides of kaempferol using negative ion electrospray and serial mass spectrometry

Kaempferol 3‐O‐β‐glucopyranoside, kaempferol 3‐O‐β‐galactopyranoside and higher glycosides of these two flavonoids with α‐rhamnose at C‐2 and/or C‐6 of the primary sugar were studied by negative ion electrospray ionisation and serial mass spectrometry in a three‐dimensional (3D) ion trap mass spectrometer. Kaempferol 3‐O‐β‐glucopyranoside and kaempferol 3‐O‐α‐rhamnopyranosyl(1→6)‐β‐glucopyranoside could be distinguished from their respective galactose analogues by differences in the ratio of the radical aglycone ion [Y₀ – H]^?? to the rearrangement aglycone ion Y following MS/MS of the deprotonated molecules. Kaempferol 3‐O‐rhamnopyranosyl(1→2)‐β‐glucopyranoside and kaempferol 3‐O‐α‐rhamnopyranosyl(1→2)[α‐rhamnopyranosyl(1→6)]‐β‐glucopyranoside could be distinguished from their respective galactose analogues by differences in the product ion spectra of the [(M – H) – rhamnose]^? ion following serial mass spectrometry. In the triglycoside, it was deduced that this ion resulted from the loss of the rhamnose substituted at 2‐OH of the primary sugar by observing that MS/MS of deprotonated kaempferol 3‐O‐β‐glucopyranosyl(1→2)[α‐rhamnopyranosyl(1→6)]‐β‐glucopyranoside showed the loss of glucose and not rhamnose. Thus the class of sugar (hexose, deoxyhexose, pentose) at C‐2 and C‐6 of the primary sugar can be determined. These observations aid the assignment of kaempferol 3‐O‐glycosides, having glucose or galactose as the primary glycosidic sugar, in LC/MS analyses of plant extracts, and this can be done with reference to only a few standards. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A Semi‐Synthetic Glycoconjugate Vaccine Candidate for Carbapenem‐Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae

Hospital‐acquired infections are an increasingly serious health concern. Infections caused by carpabenem‐resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CR‐Kp ) are especially problematic, with a 50 % average survival rate. CR‐Kp are isolated from patients with ever greater frequency, 7 % within the EU but 62 % in Greece. At a time when antibiotics are becoming less effective, no vaccines to protect from this severe bacterial infection exist. Herein, we describe the convergent [3+3] synthesis of the hexasaccharide repeating unit from its capsular polysaccharide and related sequences. Immunization with the synthetic hexasaccharide 1 glycoconjugate resulted in high titers of cross‐reactive antibodies against CR‐Kp CPS in mice and rabbits. Whole‐cell ELISA was used to establish the surface staining of CR‐Kp strains. The antibodies raised were found to promote phagocytosis. Thus, this semi‐synthetic glycoconjugate is a lead for the development of a vaccine against a rapidly progressing, deadly bacterium.     

Synthesis and Cytotoxicity Evaluation of Metal‐Chelator‐Bearing Flavone,Carbazole, Dibenzofuran,Xanthone, and Anthraquinone

2‐(Aryloxymethyl)‐5‐benzyloxy‐1‐methyl‐1H‐pyridin‐4‐ones 8a – 8g , 2‐(aryloxymethyl)‐5‐hydroxy‐4H‐pyran‐4‐ones 9a – 9g , and 2‐(aryloxymethyl)‐5‐hydroxy‐1‐methyl‐1H‐pyridin‐4‐ones 10a – 10g were prepared from the known 5‐benzyloxy‐2‐(hydroxymethyl)pyran‐4‐one ( 3 ) in a good overall yield. These compounds were evaluated in vitro against a three‐cell lines panel consisting of MCF7 (breast), NCI‐H460 (lung), and SF‐268 (CNS), and the active compounds passed on for evaluation in the full panel of 60 human tumor cell lines derived from nine cancer cell types. The results indicated that 5‐hydroxy derivatives are more favorable than their corresponding 5‐benzyloxy precursors ( 10a – 10g vs. 8a – 8g ), and 1‐methyl‐1H‐pyridin‐4‐ones are more favorable than their corresponding pyran‐4(1H)‐ones ( 10a – 10g vs. 9a – 9g ). Among these three types of compounds, 2‐(aryloxymethyl)‐5‐hydroxy‐1‐methyl‐1H‐pyridin‐4‐ones 10a – 10g were the most cytotoxic; they inhibited the growth of almost all the cancer cells tested. On the contrary, compound 8a (a mean GI₅₀=27.8 μM ), 8b (38.5), 8d (11.0), and 8e (30.5) are especially active against the growth of SK‐MEL‐5 (a melanoma cancer cell) with a GI₅₀ of <0.01, 5.65, 0.55, and 0.03 μM , respectively (cf. Table 2).     

Direct Amination and Synthesis of Fused N‐Substituted Isothiochromene Derivatives

Isothiochromene[3,4‐d] pyrimidine derivatives 2 , 3 , and 4a , b were synthesized from the reaction of 3‐amino‐1‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)‐5‐(pyridin‐4‐ylmethylene)‐5,6,7,8‐tetrahydro‐1H‐isothiochromene‐4‐carbonitrile 1 with acetic anhydride, formamide, urea, or thiourea in appropriate experimental conditions. Combination of 1 with carbon acid derivatives afforded isothiochromene [3,4‐b]pyridine 6 – 8 in good yield. A simple approach for N‐substituted fused isothiochromene derivatives has been explored. A POCl₃‐mediated direct amination of isothiochromene amide 2 with NH₂‐heterocycles, secondary amines, and carbohydrazides is described and compared with classical method, yielding 10 – 14 . The structures of the newly synthesized compounds were elucidated on the basis of elemental analysis, and spectral data.     

Synthesis and Antimicrobial Studies of Novel Billogical Heterocycles

The synthetic route of sildenafil promoted us to synthesize new object molecules. New analogues containing a 4-thiazolidinone ring bonded to the phenyl moiety at the 2-position, 7-(substituted anilino)-6-fluoro-2-(p-meth- oxy-m-{[2-(p-hydroxyphenyl)-4-oxo-1,3-thiazolidin-3-yl]aminocarbonyl}phenylsulfonamido)benzothiazoles (4a—4l) have been synthesized by cyclization with thioglycollic acid of Schiff bases 3a—3l from corresponding 7-(substituted anilino)-6-fluoro-2-(p-methoxy-m-hydrazinocarbonyl phenylsulfonamido)benzothiazoles (2a—2l). Compounds 2a—2l in turn were prepared by dehydroxyhalogenation followed by condensation with hydrazine hydrates of acids 1a—1l. Compounds 1a—1l in turn were prepared by chlorosulfonation of o-methoxy benzoic acid followed by condensation with 6-fluoro-7-(substituted anilino)-2-aminobenzothiazoles. Final compounds have been characterized by their elemental analysis, IR, NMR and mass spectra. All the synthesized compounds have been screened for their antimicrobial activities. Some of them showed good activities.     

Pteridines. Part CXVIII

Our approach to achieve a partial synthesis of methanopterin ( 1 ) started from 6‐acetyl‐O⁴‐isopropyl‐7‐methylpterin ( 20 ) which was obtained either by condensation from 6‐isopropoxypyrimidine‐2,4,5‐triamine ( 19 ) and pentane‐2,3,4‐trione ( 6 ) or from 6‐isopropoxy‐5‐nitrosopyrimidine‐2,4‐diamine ( 21 ) and pentane‐2,4‐dione (=acetylacetone; 22 ) (Scheme 2). NaBH₄ reduction of 20 led to 6‐(1‐hydroxyethyl)‐O⁴‐isopropyl‐7‐methylpterin ( 23 ) which was converted into the corresponding 6‐(1‐chloroethyl) and 6‐(1‐bromoethyl) derivatives 24 and 25 . A series of nucleophilic displacement reactions in the side chain and at position 4 were performed as model reactions to give 26 – 29, 32 – 35 , and 39 – 41 . Hydrolysis of the substituents at C(4) led to the corresponding pterin derivatives 30, 31, 36 – 38 , and 42 . Analogously, 25 reacted with 1‐(4‐aminophenyl)‐1‐deoxy‐2,3: 4,5‐di‐O‐isopropylidene‐D ‐ribitol ( 43 ), prepared from N‐(4‐bromophenyl)benzamide ( 47 ) via 49 and 50 to give 1‐{4‐{{1‐[2‐amino‐7‐methyl‐4‐(1‐methylethoxy)pteridin‐6‐yl]ethyl}amino}phenyl}‐1‐deoxy‐D ‐ribitol ( 44 ) in 62% yield (Scheme 3). Acid cleavage of the isopropylidene groups at room temperature led to 45 and on boiling to 1‐{4‐{[1‐(2‐amino‐3,4‐dihydro‐7‐methyl‐4‐oxopteridin‐6‐yl)ethyl]amino}phenyl}‐1‐deoxy‐D ‐ribitol ( 46 ). The next step, however, attachment of the ribofuranosyl moiety with 55 or 56 to the terminal 1‐deoxy‐D ‐ribitol OH group could not been achieved. The second component, bis(4‐nitrobenzyl) 2‐{[(2‐cyanoethoxy)(diisopropylamino)phosphino]oxy}pentanedioate ( 61 ), to built‐up methanopterin ( 1 ) was synthesized from 2‐hydroxypentanedioic acid ( 59 ) and worked well in another model reaction on phosphitylation with N⁶‐benzoyl‐2′,3′‐O‐isopropylideneadenosine and oxidation to give 62 (Scheme 6).     

Discovery of New S‐Glycosides and N‐Glycosides of Pyridine‐biphenyl System with Antiviral Activity and Induction of Apoptosis in MCF7 Cells

Glycosylation of small molecule‐based drugs can dramatically improve the biological activities of the parent scaffold. In the current study, S‐glycosides and N‐glycosides of polyfunctionalized pyridine‐biphenyl system tethered with benzotriazole moiety were designed and synthesized. S‐Glycosides of pyridine‐2‐thione derivatives 5a – h and N‐glycosides of pyridine‐2‐one derivatives 9a , b were synthesized by a facile, convenient, and high‐yielding procedure. The epimers glucose and galactose, acetylated or deacetylated, were used to form the glycone part. The structures of these compounds were confirmed by microanalysis and spectroscopic data (IR, ¹ H–NMR, and ¹³C‐NMR). The anticancer activities of the target compounds, in comparison with standard cisplatin, were assessed by MTT assay against MCF7 cell line. Compounds 4f , 4g , 5f , and 5h exhibited the highest cytotoxic effect on MCF7. The anticancer effect of these four compounds induced the apoptosis as evident by the up‐regulated expression of the apoptotic genes Bax and p53 and down‐regulated expression of the anti‐apoptotic gene BCl₂. S‐Glycoside derivatives are more active than N‐glycosides. Moreover, the nontoxic doses of the tested compounds were evaluated in MA104, FRHK4, BGM, Hep2, and Vero cells. Compounds 4a – d and 5a – d were also evaluated for their antiviral effect against HSV‐1, HAV, and rotavirus Wa strain. The compounds' results showed less, moderated, and high antiviral activities. The docking study for these compounds with MDM2 revealed that deacetylated galactose is important for binding with the receptor as it facilitates the formation of hydrogen bond in the receptor. Rapid overlay of chemical structures analysis was employed to understand the compounds' similarity on the basis of their shape structure using the Tanimoto scores.     

Synthesis and Microbial Studies of New Pyridine Derivatives-Ill

2-Amino substituted benzothiazole 4a--4I and p-acetamidobenzenesulfonyl chloride 2 were used to prepare 2-（p-aminophenylsulfonamido） substituted benzothiazole 6a--6I using mixture of pyridine and acetic anhydride which formed an electrophilic complex （N-acetyl pyridinium） to facilitate condensation to give desired product by removal of HC1. 2-{p-[（3-Carboxypyrid-2-y1）amino]phenylsulfonamido}benzothiazoles 8a--81 were synthesized from 2-chloropyridine-3-carboxylic acid 7 and 6a--6I in 2-ethoxy ethanol using Cu-powder and K2CO3. Acid chlorides 9a--91 were condensed with 2-hydroxyethyl piperazine 10 and 2,3-dichloropiperazine 11 for amide deriva- tives 2-（p-（（3-（4-（2-hydroxyethy1）piperazin-1-ylcarbonyl）pyrid-2-y1）amino）phenylsulfonamido）benzothiazoes 12a -121 and 2-{p-[3-（2,3-dichloropiperazin-l-ylcarbonyl）pyrid-2-ylamino]phenylsulfonamido}benzothiazoles 13a- 131 respectively. The structures of the new compounds have been established on the basis of their chemical analysis and spectral data （IR, 1↑H NMR and mass）. All the compounds have been screened for their antibacterial and antifungal activities.     

Photochemical Reactions of N‐(2‐Halogenoalkanoyl) Derivatives of Anilines

The photochemical reactions of 2‐substituted N‐(2‐halogenoalkanoyl) derivatives 1 of anilines and 5 of cyclic amines are described. Under irradiation, 2‐bromo‐2‐methylpropananilides 1a – e undergo exclusively dehydrobromination to give N‐aryl‐2‐methylprop‐2‐enamides (=methacrylanilides) 3a – e (Scheme 1 and Table 1). On irradiation of N‐alkyl‐ and N‐phenyl‐substituted 2‐bromo‐2‐methylpropananilides 1f – m , cyclization products, i.e. 1,3‐dihydro‐2H‐indol‐2‐ones (=oxindoles) 2f – m and 3,4‐dihydroquinolin‐2(1H)‐ones (=dihydrocarbostyrils) 4f – m , are obtained, besides 3f – m . On the other hand, irradiation of N‐methyl‐substituted 2‐chloro‐2‐phenylacetanilides 1o – q and 2‐chloroacetanilide 1r gives oxindoles 2o – r as the sole product, but in low yields (Scheme 3 and Table 2). The photocyclization of the corresponding N‐phenyl derivatives 1s – v to oxindoles 2s – v proceeds smoothly. A plausible mechanism for the formation of the photoproducts is proposed (Scheme 4). Irradiation of N‐(2‐halogenoalkanoyl) derivatives of cyclic amines 5a – c yields the cyclization products, i.e. five‐membered lactams 6a , b , and/or dehydrohalogenation products 7a , c and their cyclization products 8a , c , depending on the ring size of the amines (Scheme 5 and Table 3).     

Tuning Magnetic Anisotropy in a Class of Co(II) Bis(hexafluoroacetylacetonate) Complexes

Tuning the magnetic anisotropy of metal ions remains highly interesting in the design of improved single‐molecule magnets (SMMs). We herein report synthetic, structural, magnetic, and computational studies of four mononuclear Co^II complexes, namely [Co(hfac)₂(MeCN)₂] ( 1 ), [Co(hfac)₂(Spy)₂] ( 2 ), [Co(hfac)₂(MBIm)₂] ( 3 ), and [Co(hfac)₂(DMF)₂] ( 4 ) (MeCN=acetonitrile, hfac=hexafluoroacetylacetone, Spy=4‐styrylpyridine, MbIm=5,6‐dimethylbenzimidazole, DMF=N,N‐dimethylformamide), with distorted octahedral geometry constructed from hexafluoroacetylacetone (hfac) and various axial ligands. By a building block approach, complexes 2 – 4 were synthesized by recrystallization of the starting material of 1 from various ligands containing solution. Magnetic and theoretical studies reveal that 1 – 4 possess large positive D values and relative small E parameters, indicating easy‐plane magnetic anisotropy with significant rhombic anisotropy in 1 – 4 . Dynamic alternative current (ac) magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate that these complexes exhibit slow magnetic relaxation under external fields, suggesting field‐induced single‐ion magnets (SIMs) of 1 – 4 . These results provide a promising platform to achieve fine tuning of magnetic anisotropy through varying the axial ligands based on Co(II) bis(hexafluoroacetylacetonate) complexes.     

Synthesis of Racemic Δ3‐2‐Hydroxybakuchiol and Its Analogues

The first synthetic approach to (±)‐Δ³‐2‐hydroxybakuchiol (=4‐[(1E,5E)‐3‐ethenyl‐7‐hydroxy‐3,7‐dimethylocta‐1,5‐dien‐1‐yl]phenol; 14 ) and its analogues 13a – 13f was developed by 12 steps (Schemes 2 and 3). The key features of the approach are the construction of the quaternary C‐center bearing the ethenyl group by a Johnson–Claisen rearrangement (→ 6 ); and of an (E)‐alkenyl iodide via a Takai–Utimoto reaction (→ 11 ); and an arylation via a Negishi cross‐coupling reaction (→ 12e – 12f ).     

Alkali-metal-ion catalysis and inhibition in the nucleophilic displacement reaction of y-substituted phenyl diphenylphosphinates and diphenylphosphinothioates with alkali-metal ethoxides: effect of changing the electrophilic center from P=O to P=S

A kinetic study of the nucleophilic substitution reaction of Y‐substituted phenyl diphenylphosphinothioates 2 a – g with alkali‐metal ethoxides (MOEt; M=Li, Na, K) in anhydrous ethanol at (25.0±0.1) °C is reported. Plots of pseudo‐first‐order rate constants (k_obsd) versus [MOEt], the alkali ethoxide concentration, show distinct upward (KOEt) and downward (LiOEt) curvatures, respectively, pointing to the importance of ion‐pairing phenomena and a differential reactivity of dissociated EtO^? and ion‐paired MOEt. Based on ion‐pairing treatment of the kinetic data, the k_obsd values were dissected into k and k_MOEt, the second‐order rate constants for the reaction with the dissociated EtO^? and ion‐paired MOEt, respectively. The reactivity of MOEt toward 2 b (Y=4‐NO₂) increases in the order LiOEt?NaOEt>KOEt>EtO^?. The current study based on Yukawa–Tsuno analysis has revealed that the reactions of 2 a – g (P?S) and Y‐substituted phenyl diphenylphosphinates 1 a – g (P?O) with MOEt proceed through the same concerted mechanism, which indicates that the contrasting selectivity patterns are not due to a difference in reaction mechanism. The P?O compounds 1 a – g are approximately 80‐fold more reactive than the P?S compounds 2 a – g toward the dissociated EtO^? (regardless of the electronic nature of substituent Y) but are up to 3.1×10³‐fold more reactive toward ion‐paired LiOEt. The origin of the contrasting selectivity patterns is further discussed on the basis of competing electrostatic effects and solvational requirements as a function of anionic electric field strength and cation size (Eisenman’s theory).