1,2,4-Triazolo[1,2-a]benzotriazoles: first examples of a novel ring system

-Benzotriazolylamides 6a–d afforded N-(benzotriazol-1-ylmethyl)arylimidoyl chlorides (4a–d), which reacted in situ with potassium tert-butoxide to form 3-aryl-1,2,4-triazolo[1,2-a]benzotriazoles (7a–d) (44–68%), representatives of a novel heterocyclic system. The structure of 7a was confirmed by single crystal X-ray analysis.     

Studies on the syntheses of heterocycles from 3-arylsydnone-4-carbohydroximic acid chlorides with N-arylmaleimides, [1,4]naphthoquinone and aromatic amines

3-Arylsydnone-4-carbohydroximic acid chlorides (1) could react with N-arylmaleimides (3a–b) or 2-methyl-N-phenylmale-imide (3c) to give 3-(3-arylsydnon-4-yl)-5-aryl-3a,6a-dihydro-pyrrolo[3,4-d]isoxazole-4,6-diones (4a–h) or 6a-methyl-3-(3-arylsydnon-4-yl)-5-phenyl-3a,6a-dihydro-pyrrolo[3,4-d]isoxazole-4,6-diones (4i–l), respectively. However, 3-(arylsydnon-4-yl)-naphtho[2,3-d]isoxazole-4,9-diones (6a–d) were obtained in good yield by the reaction of carbohydroximic acid chlorides 1 with [1,4]naphthoquinone. Furthermore, 2-(3-arylsydnon-4-yl)benzoxazoles (9a–d) and 2-(3-arylsydnon-4-yl)benzothiazoles (9e–h) were obtained via the reaction of carbohydroximic acid chlorides 1 with ortho-substituted aromatic amines 7a and b.     

A highly efficient regioselective one-pot synthesis of 2,3,6-trisubstituted pyridines and 2,7,7-trisubstituted tetrahydroquinolin-5-ones using K5CoW12O40·3H2O as a heterogeneous recyclable catalyst

A systematic investigation into the regioselective one-pot, three-component condensation of enaminones 1a–g, β-dicarbonyl compounds 2a–c, and ammonium acetate in the presence of a catalytic amount of K₅CoW₁₂O₄₀·3H₂O (0.01 equiv or 1.0 mol %) under solvent free conditions, as well as in refluxing isopropanol, has been reported. The reaction was highly efficient to produce 2,3,6-trisubstituted pyridines 3a–g, 4a–g, and novel 2,7,7-trisubstituted-5,6,7,8-tetrahydroquinoline-5-ones 5a–g in excellent yields. The present procedure offers advantages of short reaction time, simple work-up, and the catalyst exhibited remarkable reusable activity.     

Synthesis and properties of halogen- or methyl-containing poly(diphenylacetylene) membranes

Novel diphenylacetylenes with both trimethylsilyl groups and other substituents (R₂C₆H₃CCC₆H₄-p-SiMe₃, R = m,p-Cl,Cl, m,m-Cl,Cl, m,p-Br,Br, m,m-Br,Br, m,p-Me,Me, m,m-Me,Me, 1a–f, respectively) were polymerized with TaCl₅–n-Bu₄Sn to produce solvent-soluble polymers (2a–f). Most polymers (2a–e) had high molecular weight over 1 × 10⁶, and gave free-standing membranes by the solution casting method. Desilylation of these Si-containing polymer membranes was carried out with trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), which afforded solvent-insoluble desilylated polymer membranes (3a–e). According to thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), both Si-containing and desilylated polymers showed high thermal stability (T₀ ≥ 420 °C). The fractional free volume (FFV) of both Si-containing and desilylated polymer membranes (2a–d, 3a–d) were fairly large (ca. 0.27–0.32), while the FFVs of membranes (2e, 3e) were rather small (0.28 and 0.24). The oxygen permeability coefficients (P_O2) of 2a was as high as 5400 barrers, which is the largest among all the poly(diphenylacetylene) derivatives. Polymers 2b–d also exhibited high oxygen permeability, and their desilylated ones 3b–d retained similar high oxygen permeability. On the other hand, the P_O2 values of 2e and 3e were 1200 and 530 barrers, respectively, which are smaller than those of the halogen-containing polymers (2a–d and 3a–d).     

General route to the total synthesis of sempervirine analogues containing modified E rings, potential cytostatics

Sempervirine analogues 13a–c with different E rings have been obtained via inverse electron demand Diels–Alder reactions of 5-acetyl-3-(methylsulfanyl)-1,2,4-triazine with cyclic enamines (formation of D and E rings) followed by Fischer indole synthesis under microwave irradiation on solid support (formation of A and B rings) and subsequent annulation of indole derivatives 10a–c via a directed metallation route (formation of C rings).     

Synthesis of chiral lithium carbamates from (S)-2-(N,N-dialkyl-aminomethyl)pyrrolidines and (S)-methoxymethylpyrrolidine

A convenient synthesis of chiral lithium N-alkyl carbamates 1a–4a from chiral pyrrolidines 1–4, LiH and CO₂ is described. The yields are good to excellent. A combined experimental (¹H, ⁶Li-HOESY, cryoscopy) and theoretical study (B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p)) succeeded in assigning the predominant solution state structure of 1a.     

Photolysis of benzoyl esters of 2,2′-dinitrodiphenylcarbinols in neutral and basic media

The photolysis of 2,2′-dinitrodiphenylmethylbenzoates (1a–1d) in 2-propanol gives dibenzo-[c, f]-[1,2]diazepin-11-one-oxides (5a–5d) as the major product. Dibenzo[c, f]-[1,2]diazepin-11-ones (2a–2d), 2,2′-dinitrobenzophenones (3a–3d), 2-amino-2′-nitrobenzophenones (4a–4d) and N-hydroxyacridones (6a–6d) are also formed in the reaction. When the irradiation is carried out in benzene, 3-(2′-nitrophenyl)-2,1-benzisoxazoles (7a–7d) are also obtained together with the above products.     

Site-recognition of one of the two alkoxy carbonyl groups present in the dienophile for Diels–Alder reaction

Recognition of one alkoxy carbonyl group from the two in a molecule by a Lewis acid was investigated using 1a–e in the Diels–Alder reaction with diene 6. Combination of 1a and BF₃·OEt₂ provided the highest efficiency to afford 7a, thus showing evidence for the site-selective coordination of BF₃·OEt₂ to the MOM-oxy carbonyl group in 1a. Furthermore, the generality and high reactivity of this combination were confirmed with dienes 11–14.     

New enantiopure C2 symmetric bis(2-oxazolinyl)cage (Cage-Box) ligands from 4,5-dicyanopyridazine

7,8-Dicyanotetracyclo[7.3.0.0^2,60^5,10]dodec-7-ene 3, obtained from 4,5-dicyanopyridazine 1 and cycloocta-1,5-diene 2 through a three-step pericyclic homodomino process, was found to react with optically active β-amino alcohols 4a–d, under zinc chloride catalysis, to afford a new class of enantiopure C₂ symmetric bis(oxazolinyl)cage (Cage-Box) ligands 6a–d, along with the corresponding mono(oxazolinyl) derivatives 5a–d.     

A ring-fission/C–C bond cleavage reaction with an N-alkyl-N-methyl-N-[(5-phenyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)methyl]amine

The reaction of N-(3,4-dichlorophenethyl)-N-methylamine (1) with 3-chloromethyl-5-phenyl-1,2,4-oxadiazole (2) was investigated. Employment of an equimolar amount of 1 and 2 in the presence of potassium carbonate led to the expected tertiary amine 3 (N-[(3,4-dichlorophenyl)ethyl]-N-methyl-N-[(5-phenyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)methyl]amine), whereas an excess of 1 and prolonged reaction time resulted in ring fission of the oxadiazole system in 3 and finally in the formation of N′-benzoyl-N-[(3,4-dichlorophenyl)ethyl]-N-methylguanidine (4) and N,N′-bis[(3,4-dichlorophenyl)ethyl]-N,N′-dimethylmethanediamine (5). The structures of products 3–5 were determined by means of ¹H and ¹³C NMR-spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and IR-spectroscopy, for 3 (as picrate) and 4 also X-ray structure analysis was employed. A possible mechanism of the reaction pathway leading to compounds 4 and 5 is proposed.     

Synthesis of novel water-soluble linear and heterocyclic phosphino amino acids from 2-phosphinophenols or 2-phosphinophenolethers, formaldehyde and amino acids

Acyclic and cyclic amino acid derivatives of 2-phosphinophenols have been synthesised by reaction of primary phosphinophenols (4-R-2-H₂PC₆H₃OH; R=H, Me, OMe) 1a–c with formaldehyde and amino acids (o- and p-aminobenzoic acid, -lysine) via in situ formed hydroxymethyl species 2a–c. Condensation reactions with glycine did not afford defined products except when the methoxymethyl and tetrahydropyranyl ethers of 1d,e were used instead of the hydroxy compounds. o-Aminobenzoic acid gives rise to linear bis(o-carboxyphenylaminomethyl)phosphines 3a–e. p-Aminobenzoic acid, dependent on the molar ratio, affords bis(p-carboxyphenylaminomethyl)phosphines 4a,d as well as eight-membered heterocyclic 1,5,3,7-diazadiphosphacyclooctanes 5a–e. The aliphatic amino acids glycine and -lysine form six-membered heterocyclic 1,3,5-diazaphosphorinanes 6d and 7a–e, respectively, in presence of excess formaldehyde. -lysine differs from glycine by reaction at the terminal amino group. The structures of the compounds have been elucidated by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy. The salts of the phosphino amino acids are soluble in water. Water solubility increases with the number of hydrophilic groups, i.e. free phenols are more soluble than their ethers. Ligand concentrations in water from 0.1 to 1 M were observed.     

Convenient synthesis of selectively substituted tribenzo[a,d,g]cyclononatrienes

Convenient laboratory procedures for obtaining selectively substituted dihydro-5H-tribenzo[a,d,g]cyclononatrienes have been achieved. X-ray structure determination indicates that 2d is present in the solid state in the crown conformation to yield H-bonded columns and pillars with a hydrophilic interior and hydrophobic exterior that can be used for the design of specific sensor materials.     

Synthesis and characterisation of new 2-bromovinyl selenides and their platinum group metal complexes

The synthesis of the 2-bromocyclooctenyl selenides, C₈H₁₂(Br)SeR (3a: R = Me; 3b: R = Et; 3c: R = CH₂Ph), and the 2-bromocyclohexenyl selenides, C₆H₈(Br)SeR (4a: R = Me; 4b: R = Et; 4c: R = CH₂Ph), is described. Compounds 3a–e and 4a, b react with K₂PtCl₄ to yield square planar platinum (II) complexes of the form trans-PtL₂Cl₂ (5a: L = 3a; 5b: L = 3b; 5c: L = 3c; 6a: L = 4a; 6b: L = 4b). The analogous palladium(II) complex trans-PdL₂Cl₂ (7c: L = 4c) has been prepared from Pd(C₆H₅CN)₂Cl₂. All new compounds have been characterised by NMR, infrared and mass spectroscope and microanalysts. Complexes 5a–c, 6a, b and 7c exist as a racemic mixture of two diastereoisomers related by inversion at selenium. NMR spectroscope shows that interconversion between these two isomers is slow for 5a–e, but faster for 6a, b and 7c.     

Dicyanovinyl- and dicyanoalkyl-dihydro-furobenzodioxins and analogous substances of potential cytostatic activity

The selective uncatalysed addition of tetrahalo-o-benzoquinones to the furyl residue of 2-vinylfurans to give the dihydrofurobenzodioxin adducts (3a–e), is described. In contrast to other 2-vinyl-furans, ethyl furfurylidene cyanoacetate reacts with tetrachloro-o-benzoquinone (1) to give a diadduct 8. The dihydrofurobenzodioxins (7a–g) are obtained by the action of 1 on the 2-alkylfurans (6a–g). The UV spectra of all the halogenated benzodioxin adducts are characterized by the presence of strong absorption in the 215 mμ region which is presumably the red shifted band I of benzene. The IR spectra of the dicyanovinyl- and dicyanoalkylfurans and their benzodioxin adducts are discussed.     

A novel, versatile synthetic approach to linearly fused tricyclopentanoids via photo-thermal olefin metathesis

Fifteen examples of a new, speedy and general approach to linearly fused tricyclopentanoids bearing the tricyclo[6.3.0.0^2,6]undecane (triquinane) frame of high contemporary interest is delineated. The key concept in our synthetic sequence to triquinanes is the novel photo-thermal olefin metathesis of cheap, abundantly available Diels-Alder adducts of 1,3 cyclopentadienes and p-benzoquinones. Thus photolysis of endo-tricyclo[6.2.1.0^2,7] undeca-4,9-dien-3,6-diones (9a–9j, 13a,b) furnished pentacyclo [5.4.0.0^2,6.0^3,10.0^5,9]undecan-8,11-diones (10a–10j, 14a,b), which on thermal fragmentation of the cyclobutane ring gave cis, syn, cis-tricyclo [6.3.0.0^2,6]undeca-4,9-dien-3,11-diones (11a–11j, 15a,b in just three steps and in exceptionally good yields. A few interesting transformations of the readily available parent bis-enone 11a which indicates its wider uses in syntheses, are described. Finally, a smooth thermal isomerisation of cis, syn, cis-bis-enones to cis, anti, cis-bis-enones is reported, which further enhances the scope and versatility of our synthetic theme.     

Multiple ligand transfer reaction between [CpRu(L)(AN)2][PF6] (L=AN, CO, P(OMe)3; AN=acetonitrile) and CpFe(CO)L′X (L′=CO, PMe3, PMe2Ph, PMePh2, PPh3, P(OPh)3; X=Cl, Br, I)

Treatment of ruthenium complexes [CpRu(AN)₃][PF₆] (1a) (AN=acetonitrile) with iron complexes CpFe(CO)₂X (2a–2c) (X=Cl, Br, I) and CpFe(CO)L′X (6a–6g) (L′=PMe₃, PMe₂Ph, PMePh₂, PPh₃, P(OPh)₃; X=Cl, Br, I) in refluxing CH₂Cl₂ for 3 h results in a triple ligand transfer reaction from iron to ruthenium to give stable ruthenium complexes CpRu(CO)₂X (3a–3c) (X=Cl, Br, I) and CpRu(CO)L′X (7a–7g) (L′=PMe₃, PMe₂Ph, PMePh₂, PPh₃, P(OPh)₃; X=Br, I), respectively. Similar reaction of [CpRu(L)(AN)₂][PF₆] (1b: L=CO, 1c: P(OMe)₃) causes double ligand transfer to yield complexes 3a–3c and 7a–7h. Halide on iron, CO on iron or ruthenium, and two acetonitrile ligands on ruthenium are essential for the present ligand transfer reaction. The dinuclear ruthenium complex 11a [CpRu(CO)(μ-I)]₂ was isolated from the reaction of 1a with 6a at 0°C. Complex 11a slowly decomposes in CH₂Cl₂ at room temperature to give 3a, and transforms into 7a by the reaction with PMe₃.     

Pyrazole-tethered arylphosphine ligands for Suzuki reactions of aryl chlorides: how important is chelation?

Pyrazole-derived bidentate ligands (P,N-donor) with bulky substituents at the 3-position of the pyrazole, 1b–d, were used with Pd₂(dba)₃ to carry out efficient Suzuki coupling reactions with both aryl bromides and chlorides. Enhanced catalytic activity on account of steric crowding in the metal complex suggested participation of a chelated structure in the intermediate catalytic steps.     

Semi-empirical (PM3 and AM1) and ab initio molecular orbital calculations of 1,2,4-oxadiazoles, 4,5-dihydro-1,2,4-oxadiazoles and 4,4-di-n-butyl-2-phenylbenzo-1,3-oxazine

Molecular orbital calculations using semi-empirical (PM3 and AM1) and ab initio (HF/6-31G) types have been carried out on several 3,5-disubstituted 1,2,4-oxadiazoles 1a–d, 5-n-butyl-3,5-diaryl-4,5-dihydro-1,2,4-oxadiazoles 2a–d, and 4,4-di-n-butyl-2-phenylbenzo-1,3-oxazine 3. A comparison of the results by the two computational procedures has been made. Transformation of the oxadiazole ring to 4,5-dihydro-1,2,4-oxadiazole having both aryl and n-butyl groups at C-5 exhibited interesting conformational features. Also, examination of 1,3-oxazine 3 gave an idea about the structure of this compound. The rotational barrier of each phenyl group in 1a and 1d has been calculated using the ab initio method HF/6-31G(d).     

Addition of a Reformatsky reagent to N-anthracene-9-sulfonyl and related imines: Synthesis of protected β-amino acids

The Reformatsky reagent tert-butoxycarbonylmethylzinc bromide adds in high yields to N-sulfonylimines, e.g. 1a–1d, derived by condensation of benzaldehyde dimethyl acetal with methanesulfonamide, toluene-4-sulfonamide, 4-(methoxycarbonyl)benzenesulfonamide and sulfamide: the products are protected β-amino acids 2a–2d. N-Deprotection occurs reductively (Na-naphthalene; low yields) for 2b and 2c or hydrolytically (refluxing aq. pyridine; 76% yield of amino acid 3a after acid hydrolysis of the t-butyl ester) for the sulfamide derivatives 2d. Anthracene-9-sulfonamide (6) is readily available by sulfonation and chlorination of anthracene, and condenses with aldehydes [RCHO; R = Ph, 4-FC₆H₄, 4-MeOC₆H₄, 4-NCC₆H₄, 2-furyl, (E)-styryl], e.g. in the presence of TiCl₄/Et₃N, to yield imines 7a–7f, which after addition of tert-butoxycarbonylmethylzinc bromide give protected amino acids 8a–8f; however, 8f cyclizes to the sultam 9 via a spontaneous intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction. Reductive cleavage of the N-anthracene-9-sulfonyl group is much easier than for traditional N-sulfonyl protecting groups, as demonstrated by the deprotection of 8a and 8c using aluminium amalgam.     

Cationic ring opening of functionalized diphosphiranes

The functionalized diphosphiranes 1 a–c, in presence of Lewis acid, undergo two kinds of reaction:the ring opening leading to the phosphenium-phosphonium ion 2a–c obtained according to an electrocyclic reaction and the fragmentation giving phosphaalkene 3a–c and phosphonium ion 4. The deprotonation reaction of 2a–c in hexane leads to phosphino-phosphaalkenes 6a–c.