Asymmetric cyano-ethoxycarbonylation of aldehydes catalyzed by self-assembled titanium catalyst

A new self-assembled catalyst based on titanium complex has been developed for the effective enantioselective cyano-ethoxycarbonylation of aldehydes. The self-assembled catalyst was readily prepared from (R)-3,3′-bis((methyl((S)-1-phenylethyl)amino)methyl)-1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diol (1h), N-((1S,2R)-2-hydroxy-1,2-diphenylethyl)acetamide (2b), and tetraisopropyl titanate (Ti(OiPr)₄). A variety of aromatic aldehydes, aliphatic aldehydes, and α,β-unsaturated aldehydes were found to be suitable substrates in the presence of the self-assembled titanium catalyst (5 mol % 1h, 5 mol % 2b, and 5 mol % Ti(OiPr)₄). The desired cyanohydrin ethyl carbonates were afforded with high isolated yields (up to 95%) and moderate to good enantioselectivities (up to 92% ee) under mild conditions (at −15 °C). A possible catalytic cycle based on the experimental observation was proposed.     

Enantioselective addition of diethylzinc to aromatic aldehydes catalyzed by Ti(IV) complexes of C2-symmetrical chiral BINOL derivatives

Enantioselective addition of diethylzinc to a series of aromatic aldehydes is developed using new chiral C₂-symmetric ligand (S)-2,2′-(1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diylbis(oxy))bis(methylene)bis(4-nitrophenol) (S)-2b. The catalytic system employing 10 mol % of (S)-2b and 120 mol % of Ti(OiPr)₄ was found to promote the addition of diethylzinc to a wide range of aromatic aldehydes with electron-donating and electron-withdrawing substituents, giving up to 89% ee and up to 95% yield of the corresponding secondary alcohol under mild conditions.     

Direct Mannich reaction mediated by Fe(Cp)2PF6 under solvent-free conditions

Fe(Cp)₂PF₆ (5 mol %) efficiently catalyzed Mannich reaction of aldehydes, anilines, and ketones under solvent-free condition to give β-amino-ketones in high yield (up to 94%) within 30 min with anti-isomer in excess. Simple experimental conditions and product isolation procedure makes this protocol potential for the development of clean and environment-friendly strategy for the synthesis of β-amino-ketones.     

Platinum(II) complex-catalyzed enantioselective aldol reaction with ketene silyl acetals in DMF at room temperature

[{(R)-binap}Pt(μ-OH)]₂2X is a weak Lewis acid, which can catalyze the enantioselective aldol reaction of aldehydes with ketene silyl acetals in DMF at room temperature. The platinum(II) complex-catalyzed the enantioselective aldol reaction of aldehydes with 1-methoxy-2-methyl-(1-trimethylsilyloxy)propene gave the corresponding aldols in high yields with enantioselectivity up to 92%. With 5 mol % loading of the complexes, the enantioselective aldol reaction of aldehydes with 1-benzyloxy-1-(trimethylsilyloxy)propene smoothly proceeded in DMF containing 10% HMPA as to predominantly give anti-propionates with enantioselectivity up to 89%, irrespective of the silyl nucleophile geometry.     

Enantioselective Henry reaction catalyzed by copper(II)—Cinchona alkaloid complexes

An enantioselective Henry reaction was efficiently carried out under mild reaction conditions in the presence of catalytic 9-epi and natural Cinchona alkaloids and copper (II) acetate. The best catalytic performance was observed for native quinine (12 mol %) and Cu(OAc)₂ (10 mol %). Aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes with nitromethane and its α-substituted derivatives provided the corresponding β-nitroalcohols in good to reasonable yields, high syn-diastereoselectivity, and (S)-enantioselectivity of up to 94% ee.     

An efficient and simple Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction based on the N-methylpyrrolidine-Ba(OH)2 catalytic system

By using of precise catalytic amount of N-methylpyrrolidine (5 mol %) and Ba(OH)₂ (1.5 mol %) in H₂O/CH₃OH 5/1 or CH₃OH/CH₂Cl₂ 3/1 solvent mixtures at T=0 °C a Morita-Baylis-Hillman derivatives could be obtained in good to excellent yield from 2-cyclopenten-1-one, 2-cyclohexen-1-one and formaldehyde and diverse aryl aldehydes after suitable reaction time.     

Zinc oxide nanoparticles-chitosan composite film for cholesterol biosensor

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (NanoZnO) uniformly dispersed in chitosan (CHIT) have been used to fabricate a hybrid nanocomposite film onto indium-tin-oxide (ITO) glass plate. Cholesterol oxidase (ChOx) has been immobilized onto this NanoZnO-CHIT composite film using physiosorption technique. Both NanoZnO-CHIT/ITO electrode and ChOx/NanoZnO-CHIT/ITO bioelectrode have been characterized using Fourier transform-infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), cyclic voltammetry (CV), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques, respectively. The ChOx/NanoZnO-CHIT/ITO bioelectrode exhibits linearity from 5 to 300 mg dl⁻¹ of cholesterol with detection limit as 5 mg dl⁻¹, sensitivity as 1.41 × 10⁻⁴ A mg dl⁻¹ and the value of Michaelis-Menten constant (K_m) as 8.63 mg dl⁻¹. This cholesterol biosensor can be used to estimate cholesterol in serum samples.     

[Cd2(tren)2(dl-alaninato)](ClO4)3: an efficient water-compatible Lewis acid catalyst for chemo-, regio-, and diastereo-selective allylation of various aldehydes

The use of [Cd₂(tren)₂(dl-alaninato)](ClO₄)₃·H₂O (I) (tren = tris(2-aminoethyl)amine) as an efficient water-compatible Lewis acid catalyst for the allylation of aldehydes in aqueous media was described. The reaction proceeded smoothly to afford the corresponding homoallyl alcohols in up to 96% yield. Additionally, cinnamyltributylstannane was selected as the allylation reagent, the regio- and diastereoselectivity of the reaction favors the formation of the γ-product and the anti isomers, respectively.     

A sensitive fluorescence reagent for the determination of aldehydes from alcoholic beverage using high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection and mass spectrometric identification

A pre-column derivatization method for the sensitive determination of aldehydes using the tagging reagent 2-[2-(7H-dibenzo[a,g] carbazol-7-yl)-ethoxy] ethyl carbonylhydrazine (DBCEEC) followed by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection and APCI-MS identification has been developed. The chromophore of fluoren-9-methoxy-carbonylhydrazine (Fmoc-hydrazine) reagent was replaced by 2-[2-(7H-dibenzo[a,g] carbazol-7-yl)-ethoxy] ethyl functional group, which resulted in a sensitive fluorescence tagging reagent DBCEEC. DBCEEC could easily and quickly labeled aldehydes. The maximum excitation (300 nm) and emission (400 nm) wavelengths did not essentially change for all the aldehyde derivatives. Derivatives were sufficiently stable to be efficiently analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. The derivatives showed an intense protonated molecular ion corresponding m/z [M + (CH₂)_n]⁺ in positive-ion mode (M: molecular weight of DBCEEC, n: corresponding aldehyde carbon atom numbers). The collision-induced dissociation of protonated molecular ion formed fragment ions at m/z 294.6, m/z 338.6 and m/z 356.5. Studies on derivatization demonstrated excellent derivative yields in the presence of trichloroacetic acid (TCA) catalyst. Maximal yields close to 100% were observed with a 10 to 15-fold molar reagent excess. Separation of the derivatized aldehydes had been optimized on ZORBAX Eclipse XDB-C₈ column with aqueous acetonitrile as mobile phase in conjunction with a binary gradient elution. Excellent linear responses were observed at the concentration range of 0.01-10 nmol mL⁻¹ with coefficients of >0.9991. Detection limits obtained by the analysis of a derivatized standard containing 0.01 nmol mL⁻¹ of each aldehyde, were from 0.2 to 1.78 nmol L⁻¹ (at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3).     

Characteristics of subtractive anodic stripping voltammetry of Pb and Cd at silver and gold electrodes

Silver and gold electrodes are useful for the quantitative determination of lead and cadmium with subtractive anodic stripping voltammetry (SASV). The use of SASV is essential for achieving good separation between the two peaks, to eliminate the interference of nitrates when cadmium is present and to allow analysis at very low concentrations without the removal of oxygen. The deposition and dissolution of Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺ proceed at underpotential (UPD) on both electrodes. The UPD properties of the deposits are the main factor determining the analytical characteristics of the ASV method and are strongly affected by the type and concentration of the electrolyte. The effects of anions (Cl⁻, Br⁻, SO₄²⁻, NO₃⁻) and acids (HNO₃, HClO₄, H₂SO₄, HCl) are shown. The two electrodes complement each other and, in addition, enable the qualitative identification of Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺, since the peaks appear in opposite order on the two electrodes. Analysis of mixtures of the two analytes is restricted on gold but not on silver. At gold the two peaks overlap: (i) at concentrations of cadmium higher than 250 nM at deposition times greater than 30 s, (ii) in the presence of copper at concentrations higher than 1 μM, and (iii) in the presence of Triton X-100 at concentrations above 10 mg/l. The repeatability at 10 nM analyte is better than 2.5%. The detection limits for Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺ at 120 s deposition time and 3500 rpm rotation rate are: dl_Pb/Ag=0.04 nM; dl_Cd/Ag=0.7 nM; dl_Pb/Au=0.1 nM; dl_Cd/Au=0.3 nM. The analysis of lead and cadmium in natural waters has been performed.     

Ru3(CO)12-catalyzed intramolecular allylic transfer reaction of tethered carbonyl group and allylic acetate moiety

A ruthenium catalyzed intramolecular allylic transfer reaction of allylic acetates containing aldehydes or ketones to form cis-homoallylic cyclopentanols and cyclohexanols as a major component is described. The use of Ru₃(CO)₁₂ (1 mol %) to promote reaction results in a convenient procedure for intramolecular allylation of carbonyl functionalities.     

Highly enantioselective hetero-Diels-Alder reaction between trans-1-methoxy-2-methyl-3-trimethylsiloxybuta-1,3-diene and aldehydes catalyzed by (R)-BINOL-Ti(IV) complex

An efficient enantioselective approach to 2,5-disubstituted dihydropyrones was developed. Some easily accessible inexpensive diol ligand metal complexes were employed, and [(R)-BINOL]₂-Ti(OiPr)₄ complex was found to be the most effective catalyst (up to 99% yield and 99% ee in the presence of 5 mol% catalyst) for the hetero-Diels-Alder reaction between trans-1-methoxy-2-methyl-3-trimethylsiloxybuta-1,3-diene (1) and aldehydes. The potential and generality of this catalyst were evaluated by a variety of aldehydes including aromatic, heteroaromatic, α,β-unsaturated and aliphatic aldehydes. Based on the isolated intermediate from the reaction of benzaldehyde being confirmed by ¹H, ¹³C NMR and HRMS data, the mechanism was proposed as a Mukaiyama aldol pathway.     

Development of a sensitive fluorescent derivatization reagent 1,2-benzo-3,4-dihydrocarbazole-9-ethoxy-carbonylhydrazine and its application for determination of aldehydes from alcoholic beverage using high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection and enhance mass spectrometric identification

A pre-column derivatization method for the sensitive determination of aldehydes using the tagging reagent 1,2-benzo-3,4-dihydrocarbazole-9-ethoxy-carbonylhydazine (BCEC) followed by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection and enhance mass spectrometric identification has been developed. The chromophore of fluoren-9-methoxy-carbonylhydrazine (Fmoc-hydrazine) reagent was replaced by 1,2-benzo-3,4-dihydrocarbazole functional group, which resulted in a sensitive fluorescence derivatizing agent BCEC. BCEC can easily and quickly label aldehydes. The maximum excitation (333 nm) and emission (390 nm) wavelengths were essential no change for all the aldehyde derivatives. The fluorescence intensity was substantially affected by the solvents, being higher in organic than protic solvents. Derivatives are sufficiently stable to be efficiently analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. The derivatives showed an intense protonated molecular ion corresponding m/z [M + (CH₂)_n − 1]⁺ (M: molecular mass of BCEC, n: corresponding aldehyde carbon atom numbers) under positive-ion mode. The collision-induced dissociation of protonated molecular ion formed products at m/z = 245.7.0, m/z = 263.7 and m/z = 217.7, and corresponding the cleavage of CH₂OCO, CH₂OCO and NCH₂CH₂ bonds, respectively. Studies on derivatization demonstrated excellent derivative yields in the presence of trichloroacetic acid (TCA) catalyst. Maximal yields close to 100% were observed with a 10- to 15-fold molar reagent excess. Separation of the derivatized aldehydes has been optimized on ZORBAX Eclipse XDB-C₈ column with aqueous acetonitrile in conjunction with a binary gradient elution. Excellent linear responses were observed at the concentration range of 0.08-16.65 μmol/L with coefficients of >0.9999. Estimated detection limits for the aldehydes, obtained by successive dilution of a derivatized standard solution containing 16.65 μmol/L of each aldehyde (at a signal-to-noise ratio = 3:1), are from 3.75 to 16.65 fmol.     

Asymmetric allylation of aldehydes with allyltrichlorosilane using aza-paracyclophane-oxazoline-N-oxide catalysts

Novel aza-paracyclophane-oxazoline catalysts 4, 5 were produced from Vögtle’s R_p-2-cyano-aza-paraclycophane and amino alcohols reacted with zinc chloride followed by m-chloroperbenzoic acid. 4′-Benzyl and tert-butyl-S and R-oxazoline variants were produced and explored as catalysts for asymmetric allylation of aldehydes using trichloroallylsilane. With R_p,S-4a (R = tert-butyl) (1.5 mol %) aromatic aldehydes reacted with high yields and selectivities, as with benzaldehyde (95%, 93% ee). R_p,S-4b (R = benzyl) was superior with dihydrocinnamaldehyde (77%, 85% ee).     

Asymmetric addition of KCN and Ac2O to aldehydes catalyzed by recyclable polymeric salen-Ti(IV) complexes

Polymeric salen-Ti(IV) complexes were employed in the enantioselective O-acetyl cyanation of aldehydes with KCN and Ac₂O. The polymeric catalysts with appropriate crosslinking degree exhibited good activities and enantioselectivities, up to 94% yield and 91% ee were obtained at −20 °C with 1 mol % of catalyst (based on bimetallic catalytic unit). Moreover, the crosslinked polymeric catalyst could be easily recovered and reused for six consecutive runs without obvious decrease in activity and enantioselectivity.     

Highly enantioselective addition of linear alkyl alkynes to linear aldehydes

It is discovered that the use of biscyclohexylamine (Cy₂NH) as an additive can greatly enhance the enantioselectivity for the reaction of linear alkyl alkynes with linear aldehydes. The combination of (S)-BINOL (20 mol %), Cy₂NH (5 mol %), ZnEt₂ (2 equiv), and Ti(OⁱPr)₄ (0.5 equiv) catalyzes the reaction at room temperature in diethyl ether solution with 81-89% ee and 57-77% yield.     

Preconcentration of trace elements from water samples on a minicolumn of yeast (Yamadazyma spartinae) immobilized TiO2 nanoparticles for determination by ICP-AES

A trace element preconcentration procedure is described utilizing a minicolumn of yeast (Yamadazyma spartinae) immobilized TiO₂ nanoparticles for determination of Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni and Zn from water samples by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. The elements were quantitatively retained on the column between pH 6 and 8. Elution was made with 5% (v/v) HNO₃ solution. Recoveries ranged from 98 ± 2 (Cr) to 100 ± 4 (Zn) for preconcentration of 50 mL multielement solution (50 μg L⁻¹). The column made up of 100 mg sorbent (yeast immobilized TiO₂ NP) offers a capacity to preconcentrate up to 500 mL of sample solution to achieve an enrichment factor of 250 with 2 mL of 5% (v/v) HNO₃ eluent. The detection limits obtained from preconcentration of 50 mL blank solutions (5%, v/v, HNO₃, n = 11) were 0.17, 0.45, 0.25, 0.15, 0.33 and 0.10 μg L⁻¹ for Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni and Zn, respectively. Relative standard deviation (RSD) for five replicate analyses was better than 5%. The retention of the elements was not affected from up to 500 μg L⁻¹ Na⁺ and K⁺ (as chlorides), 100 μg L⁻¹ Ca²⁺ (as nitrate) and 50 μg L⁻¹ Mg²⁺ (as sulfate). The method was validated by analysis of freshwater standard reference material (SRM 1643e) and applied to the determination of the elements from tap water and lake water samples.     

Organo-catalyzed highly diastereo- and enantio-selective direct aldol reactions in water

The asymmetric direct aldol reactions of a wide scope of aromatic aldehydes, with unmodified ketones in the presence of 1 mol % of organocatalyst prepared from (2R,3R)-diethyl 2-amino-3-hydroxysuccinate and trans-4-hydroxy-l-proline, were performed in water, affording aldol products in high yields with excellent diastereoselectivities of up to >99:1 and enantioselectivities of up to 98%.     

Gold-catalyzed efficient preparation of linear α-haloenones from propargylic acetates

Versatile linear α-iodo- and α-bromoenones are prepared efficiently from readily accessible propargylic acetates using 2 mol % of Au(PPh₃)NTf₂. This reaction is easy to execute and has broad substrate scope. Good to excellent Z-selectivities are observed in the cases of propargylic acetates derived from aliphatic aldehydes.     

Comparison of several sorbents for continuous in situ derivatization and preconcentration of low-molecular mass aldehydes prior to liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometric determination in water samples

A comparative study of six SPE conventional and non-conventional sorbent materials (silica RP-C₁₈, LiChrolut EN, Amberlite XAD-2, C₆₀ fullerene, multiwall carbon nanotubes and graphitized carbon black) was carried out for the in situ derivatization/preconcentration of eight aldehydes with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine. Although two of the sorbents, LiChrolut EN and RP-C₁₈, turned out to be the most suitable for ultratrace analysis of the aldehydes, LiChrolut EN showed higher capacity for 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine trapping (higher efficiency for the in situ derivatization reaction) and superior performance in terms of sensitivity (likely a result of its increased sample breakthrough volume). The LiChrolut EN-based method combined with LC–MS/MS allowed the determination of aldehydes over the linear range of 0.02–15 μg l⁻¹, with limits of detection at 6–24 ng l⁻¹ and precision of 3.2–7.2%. The method was applied to determine low-molecular mass aldehydes in water samples. These results indicate that the method proposed is a straightforward and sensitive tool for the determination of these aldehydes in water samples providing better results than those LC–MS/MS reported alternatives in terms of the limit of detection, sample requirements for analysis and cost.