Grignard 1,4‐Additions to para‐Substituted (2R)‐N‐Cinnamoylbornane‐10,2‐sultam Derivatives: Revised Configuration for the N,OAc‐Keteneacetal Formation in the Presence of Cu(I)

Using a ¹⁹F‐NMR analytical method, we have corrected and improved the linear correlation initially found between the diastereoselectivity observed during the EtMgBr conjugated addition to Michael acceptors of type 1 , as a function of their σ_para Hammett electronic parameters. Based on ¹H‐NMR analyses, we have also discovered that the original configuration of the acetylated intermediate, obtained by either hydride, Grignard, or cuprate conjugate additions to α‐substituted N‐enoyl bornane‐10,2‐sultams was initially erroneously attributed by Oppolzer et al. A new, much simpler rationalization for these 1,4‐additions has now been proposed.     

X‐Ray Structure Analyses of syn/anti‐Conformers of N‐Furfuroyl‐, N‐Benzoyl‐, and N‐Picolinoyl‐Substituted (2R)‐Bornane‐10,2‐sultam Derivatives

The synthesis and the X‐ray structure of the three new N‐(arylcarbonyl)‐substituted derivatives 2a – 2c of (2R)‐bornane‐10,2‐sultam are presented and discussed. Direct comparison of the solid‐state analyses shows that the dipole‐directed SO₂/C?O anti‐/syn‐conformations may be very sensitive to weak electronic/electrostatic repulsions of the heteroatom lone pairs. The optimum interactions are reached when the lone pair of the β‐positioned heteroatom is oriented in the O(3)?C(11)? N(1) plane. Such rare syn‐conformations may be observed with at least up to 1.8 kcal/mol higher energy as compared to their ground states. Additionally, these anti/syn‐conformations are also very sensitive to external influences such as, for example, the crystal‐packing forces.     

Diastereoselective 1,3‐Dipolar Cycloadditions of Chiral Derivatives of 2‐Oxoethanenitrile Oxide to Noncyclic Conjugated Symmetrical Alkenes

Asymmetric 1,3‐dipolar cycloadditions of chiral derivatives of the nitrile oxides 3a – 3c derived from (2R)‐bornane‐10,2‐sultam, (2R)‐10‐(dicyclohexylsulfamoyl)isoborneol, and (1R)‐8‐phenylmenthol, to either (E)‐stilbene 4 or dimethyl fumarate 5 , leading to the corresponding 4,5‐dihydroisoxazoles 6a – 6c and 7a – 7c in both moderate yields and diastereoselectivities, are presented. All cycloadducts were converted into the corresponding methyl esters 8 and 9 , which were used for determination of their enantiomeric purities via chiral HPLC analyses. In the case of both stilbene cycloadducts 6a and 6b , their absolute configurations were determined by X‐ray crystal‐structure analyses. These [3+2] cycloadditions suggest the participation of the thermodynamically less stable SO₂/CO syn‐conformer in the π_y approach along the C?O bond of the linear nitrile oxide 3a .     

1,2‐Oxazine N‐Oxides as Catalyst Resting States in Michael Additions of Aldehydes to Nitro Olefins Organocatalyzed by α,α‐Diphenylprolinol Trimethylsilyl Ether

By combining enamines, derived from aldehydes and diphenylprolinol trimethylsilyl ether (the Hayashi catalyst), with nitroethenes ((D₆)benzene, 4‐Å molecular sieves, room temperature) intermediates of the corresponding catalytic Michael‐addition cycles were formed and characterized (IR, NMR, X‐ray analysis; Schemes 3–6 and Fig. 1–3). Besides cyclobutanes 2 , 1,2‐oxazine N‐oxide derivatives 3 – 6 and 8 have been identified for the first time, some of which are very stable compounds. It may not be a lack of reactivity (between the intermediate enamines and nitro olefins) that leads to failure of the catalytic reactions (Schemes 3–5) but the high stability of catalyst resting states. The central role zwitterions play in these processes is discussed (Schemes 1 and 2).     

Formation of Dimers of Some 2‐Substituted Indan‐1‐one Derivatives during Base‐Mediated Cross‐Aldol Condensation

Unexpected dimers of some 2‐substituted indan‐1‐one derivatives were isolated during aldol condensation of indan‐1‐one with various aldehydes in the presence of KOH (see Scheme). Monomeric products, usually expected from aldol condensation, further underwent a base‐catalyzed nucleophilic addition reaction to their dimeric form in some cases. The structures of these dimers were characterized by using various spectral techniques and in one case, structural details were determined from a high‐resolution crystallographic analysis.     

A New Germanium Complex Containing Chelating Pyridinecarboxylate Ligands: cis‐Dihydroxybis(pyridine‐2‐carboxylato‐κN1,κO2)germanium Hydrate (1 : 2) (cis‐[Ge(pyca)2(OH)2]⋅2 H2O)

A new germanium complex, cis‐[Ge(pyca)₂(OH)₂]?2 H₂O ( 1 ; pyca=pyridine‐2‐carboxylato), was synthesized by the reaction of [Ge(acac)₂Cl₂] (acac=acetylacetonato=pentane‐2,4‐dionato) with potassium pyridine‐2‐carboxylate (Kpyca) in H₂O/THF. According to the single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis, each Ge‐atom of 1 is coordinated by two pyca ligands and two OH^? groups (Fig. 1). These molecules are bonded to each other via a system of H‐bonds resulting in a sheet‐like structure (Fig. 2). The complex is decomposed during heating with stepwise mass loss and formation of GeO₂ as final product (Fig. 3).     

Sensitized Lanthanide‐Ion Luminescence with Aryl‐Substituted N‐(2‐Nitrophenyl)acetamide‐Derived Chromophores

The syntheses of the two tetraazamacrocyclic ligands L1 and L2 bearing a [(methoxy‐2‐nitrophenyl)amino]carbonyl chromophore, i.e., an N‐(methoxy‐2‐nitrophenyl)acetamide moiety, together with their corresponding lanthanide‐ion complexes are described. A combined spectroscopic (UV/VIS, ¹H‐NMR), structural (X‐ray), and theoretical (DFT) investigation revealed that the absorption properties of the chromophores were dictated by the extent of electronic delocalisation, which in turn was determined by the position of the MeO substituent at the aromatic ring. X‐Ray crystallographic studies showed that when attached to the macrocycle, both isomeric forms of the N‐(methoxy‐2‐nitrophenyl)acetamide unit can participate in coordination, via the C?O, to an encapsulated potassium cation. Luminescence measurements confirmed that such a binding mode also exists in solution for the corresponding lanthanide complexes (q ca. ≤1), with the para‐MeO derivative allowing longer wavelength sensitization (λ_ex 330 nm).     

Synthesis and Structure of O,O‐Diethyl N‐[(trans‐4‐Aryl‐5,5‐dimethyl‐2‐oxido‐2λ5‐1,3,2‐dioxaphosphorinan‐2‐yl)methyl]phosphoramidothioates

A study on the synthesis of the novel N‐(cyclic phosphonate)‐substituted phosphoramidothioates, i.e., O,O‐diethyl N‐[(trans‐4‐aryl‐5,5‐dimethyl‐2‐oxido‐2λ⁵‐1,3,2‐dioxaphosphorinan‐2‐yl)methyl]phosphoramidothioates 4a – l , from O,O‐diethyl phosphoramidothioate ( 1 ), a benzaldehyde or ketone 2 , and a 1,3,2‐dioxaphosphorinane 2‐oxide 3 was carried out (Scheme 1 and Table 1). Some of their stereoisomers were isolated, and their structure was established. The presence of acetyl chloride was essential for this reaction and accelerated the process of intramolecular dehydration of intermediate 5 forming the corresponding Schiff base 7 (Scheme 2).     

Synthesis and Crystal Structures of Two 9‐(2‐Bromoethyl)‐Substituted 7‐Deazapurines

The 7‐(2‐bromoethyl) derivatives, 2a and 2b , of 4‐chloro‐7H‐pyrrolo[2,3‐d]pyrimidine ( 1a ) and 4‐chloro‐7H‐pyrrolo[2,3‐d]pyrimidin‐2‐amine ( 1b ) were synthesized by nucleobase anion alkylation (NaH, DMF) and crystallized. X‐Ray analyses of both compounds were performed, and they revealed significantly different positioning of the side chain relative to the heterocyclic ring, depending on the substituent (H or NH₂) at C(2).     

To be or not to be butterfly: New mechanistic insights in the Aza‐Michael asymmetric addition of lithium (R)‐N‐benzyl‐N‐(α‐methylbenzyl)amide

The asymmetric Aza‐Michael addition of homochiral lithium benzylamides to α,β‐unsaturated esters represents an extended protocol to obtain enantioenriched β‐amino esters. An exhaustive mechanistic revision of the originally proposed mechanism is reported, developing a quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics protocol for the asymmetric Aza‐Michael reaction of homochiral lithium benzylamides. Explicit and implicit solvent schemes were considered, together with a proper account of long‐range dispersion forces, evaluated through a density functional theory benchmark of different functionals. Theoretical results showed that the diastereoselectivity is mainly controlled by the N‐α‐methylbenzyl moiety placing, deriving a Si/Re 99:1 diastereoselective ratio, in good agreement with reported experimental results. The main transition state geometries are two transition state conformers in a “V‐stacked” orientation of the amide's phenyl rings, differing in the tetrahydrofuran molecule arrangement coordinated to the metal center. Extensive conformational sampling and quantum‐level refinement give reasonable good speed/accuracy results, allowing this protocol to be extended to other similar Aza‐Michael reaction systems. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

A New Alkylation Method for Heptalene‐4,5‐dicarboxylates and of One of Their Pseudoester Forms

Dimethyl heptalene‐4,5‐dicarboxylates

1 The locants of heptalene itself are maintained throughout the whole work. See footnote 4 in [1] for reasoning.

undergo preferentially a Michael addition reaction at C(3) with α‐lithiated alkyl phenyl sulfones at temperatures below ?50°, leading to corresponding cis‐configured 3,4‐dihydroheptalene‐4,5‐dicarboxylates (cf. Table 1, Schemes 3 and 4). The corresponding heptalenofuran‐1‐one‐type pseudoesters of dimethyl heptalene‐4,5‐dicarboxylates (Scheme 5) react with [(phenylsulfonyl)methyl]lithium almost exclusively at C(1) of the furanone group (Scheme 6). In contrast to this expected behavior, the uptake of 1‐[phenylsulfonyl)ethyl]lithium occurs at C(5) of the heptalenofuran‐1‐ones as long as they carry a Me group at C(11) (Schemes 6 and 7). The 1,4‐ as well as the 1,6‐addition products eliminate, on treatment with MeONa/MeOH in THF, benzenesulfinate, thus leading to 3‐ and 4‐alkylated dimethyl heptalene‐4,5‐dicarboxylates, respectively (Schemes 8–13). The configuration of the addition reaction of the nucleophiles to the inherently chiral heptalenes is discussed in detail (cf. Schemes 14–19) on the basis of a number of X‐ray crystal‐structure determinations as well as by studies of the temperature‐dependence of the ¹H‐NMR spectra of the addition products.     

Reactions of Acid Chlorides/Ketenes with 2‐Substituted 4,5‐Dihydro‐4,4‐dimethyl‐1,3‐thiazoles: Formation of Penam Derivatives

Addition reactions of acid chlorides with various 2‐substituted 4,5‐dihydro‐4,4‐dimethyl‐5‐(methylsulfanyl)‐1,3‐thiazoles under basic conditions were studied. Two kinds of products were obtained from these additions, β‐lactams and non‐β‐lactam adducts. When the reaction was carried out with 4,5‐dihydro‐1,3‐thiazoles with a Ph substituent at C(2), the reaction proceeded via formal [2+2] cycloaddition and led to the correspoding β‐lactam. On the other hand, acid chlorides and 4,5‐dihydro‐1,3‐thiazoles bearing an α‐H‐atom at the C(2)‐substituent underwent C(α)‐ and/or N‐addition reactions and furnished non‐β‐lactam adducts, i.e., C(α)‐ and/or N‐acylated 1,3‐thiazolidines. The attempted transformations of sulfonyl esters of exo‐6‐hydroxy penams to endo‐6‐azido penams failed, although they were successful with mono‐β‐lactams under the same conditions.     

1,2‐Bis(trifluoromethyl)ethene‐1,2‐dicarbonitrile: (2+2) Cycloadditions with Vinyl Ethers

The title compound (short version: BTE) occurs in (E)‐ and (Z)‐isomers (both with b.p. of ca. 100°) which equilibrate with nucleophilic catalysts. Both undergo (2+2) cycloadditions with methyl vinyl ether at 25°. Three stereogenic centers in the cyclobutanes led to four rac‐diastereoisomers, which were obtained in pure and crystalline state. The structures were elucidated by ¹⁹F‐NMR spectroscopy and confirmed by two X‐ray analyses. The cycloadditions were not stereospecific: e.g., (E)‐BTE furnished 73% trans‐adducts (with respect to the CF₃ groups) and 27% cis‐adducts. The loss of stereochemical integrity occurs in the intermediate gauche‐zwitterions which can cyclize or rotate, but not dissociate. Under extreme conditions (2M LiClO₄ in Et₂O, 70°, 3 months), the thermodynamic equilibrium of the four cyclobutanes was achieved. Considerations of Coulombic attraction and conformational strain in the zwitterionic intermediates allow us to rationalize the observed proportions of diastereoisomeric cyclobutanes. Ethyl vinyl ether and butyl vinyl ether furnished cyclobutanes in similar diastereoisomer ratios.     

A Novel Route to 1‐Substituted 3‐(Dialkylamino)‐9‐oxo‐9H‐indeno[2,1‐c]pyridine‐4‐carbonitriles

Heptalenecarbaldehydes 1 / 1′ as well as aromatic aldehydes react with 3‐(dicyanomethylidene)‐indan‐1‐one in boiling EtOH and in the presence of secondary amines to yield 3‐(dialkylamino)‐1,2‐dihydro‐9‐oxo‐9H‐indeno[2,1‐c]pyridine‐4‐carbonitriles (Schemes 2 and 4, and Fig. 1). The 1,2‐dihydro forms can be dehydrogenated easily with KMnO₄ in acetone at 0° (Scheme 3) or chloranil (=2,3,5,6‐tetrachlorocyclohexa‐2,5‐diene‐1,4‐dione) in a ‘one‐pot’ reaction in dioxane at ambient temperature (Table 1). The structures of the indeno[2,1‐c]pyridine‐4‐carbonitriles 5′ and 6a have been verified by X‐ray crystal‐structure analyses (Fig. 2 and 4). The inherent merocyanine system of the dihydro forms results in a broad absorption band in the range of 515–530 nm in their UV/VIS spectra (Table 2 and Fig. 3). The dehydrogenated compounds 5, 5′ , and 7a – 7f exhibit their longest‐wavelength absorption maximum at ca. 380 nm (Table 2). In contrast to 5 and 5′, 7a – 7f in solution exhibit a blue‐green fluorescence with emission bands at around 460 and 480 nm (Table 4 and Fig. 5).     

Sequential One‐Pot Addition of Excess Aryl‐Grignard Reagents and Electrophiles to O‐Alkyl Thioformates

The sequential addition of aromatic Grignard reagents to O‐alkyl thioformates proceeded to completion within 30 s to give aryl benzylic sulfanes in good yields. This reaction may begin with the nucleophilic attack of the Grignard reagent onto the carbon atom of the O‐alkyl thioformates, followed by the elimination of ROMgBr to generate aromatic thioaldehydes, which then react with a second molecule of the Grignard reagent at the sulfur atom to form arylsulfanyl benzylic Grignard reagents. To confirm the generation of aromatic thioaldehydes, the reaction between O‐alkyl thioformates and phenyl Grignard reagent was carried out in the presence of cyclopentadiene. As a result, hetero‐Diels–Alder adducts of the thioaldehyde and the diene were formed. The treatment of a mixture of the thioformate and phenyl Grignard reagent with iodine gave 1,2‐bis(phenylsulfanyl)‐1,2‐diphenyl ethane as a product, which indicated the formation of arylsulfanyl benzylic Grignard reagents in the reaction mixture. When electrophiles were added to the Grignard reagents that were generated in situ, four‐component coupling products, that is, O‐alkyl thioformates, two molecules of Grignard reagents, and electrophiles, were obtained in moderate‐to‐good yields. The use of silyl chloride or allylic bromides gave the adducts within 5 min, whereas the reaction with benzylic halides required more than 30 min. The addition to carbonyl compounds was complete within 1 min and the use of lithium bromide as an additive enhanced the yields of the four‐component coupling products. Finally, oxiranes and imines also participated in the coupling reaction.     

Palladium(II) Complexes of the Thiosemicarbazone and N‐Ethylthiosemicarbazone of 3‐Hydroxypyridine‐2‐carbaldehyde: Synthesis,Properties, and X‐Ray Crystal Structure

Two novel, stable Pd^II complexes, compounds 3 and 4 , of two 3‐hydroxypyridine‐2‐carbaldehyde thiosemicarbazones, 1 and 2 , resp., were prepared from Li₂PdCl₄. The single‐crystal X‐ray structure of complex 3 (= [Pd( 2 )Cl]) shows that the ligand monoanion coordinates in a planar conformation to the metal via the pyridyl N‐, the imine N‐, and the thiolato S‐atoms. Intermolecular H‐bonds, π–π, and CH ? ? ? π interactions lead to a two‐dimensional supramolecular assembly. The electronic, IR, UV/VIS, and NMR spectroscopic data of the two complexes are reported, together with their electrochemical properties. A sophisticated experimental procedure was used to determine the multiple dissociation constants of the ligands 1 and 2 by UV/VIS titration.     

2‐Amino‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydro‐6‐oxocyclopenta[c]fluorene‐2‐carboxylic Acid (FlAib), a Completely Rigidified,Fluoren‐9‐one‐Based α‐Amino Acid

The synthesis, optical resolution, determination of absolute configuration and conformational preference, and spectroscopic characteristics of terminally protected (blocked) derivatives and short peptides of 2‐amino‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydro‐6‐oxocyclopenta[c]fluorene‐2‐carboxylic acid (FlAib), a novel, rigid, chiral, cyclized C^α,α‐disubstituted glycine are described.     

Synthesis,Characterization, Crystal and Molecular Structure of 1,5‐Dihydro‐2H‐cyclopenta[1,2‐b:5,4‐b′]dipyridin‐2‐imine

The reaction of 1,5‐dihydro‐2H‐cyclopenta[1,2‐b:5,4‐b′]dipyridin‐2‐one ( 3 ) with an alkylamine (butylamine, hexylamine or ethylenediamine) yields, quite unexpectedly and in the absence of catalyst, the novel compound 1,5‐dihydro‐2H‐cyclopenta[1,2‐b:5,4‐b′]dipyridin‐2‐imine ( 4 ) as the sole, analytically pure, solid product, which was fully characterized. The structure of 4 was unequivocally solved by single‐crystal X‐ray‐diffraction analysis. The compound crystallizes in a monoclinic cell (space group P 2₁/c), with two molecules in the asymmetric unit, held together by intermolecular H‐bonds. Compound 4 could be interesting as a bi‐ or even tridentate ligand, and exhibits a strong fluorescence upon excitation at 310 nm. A mechanism, based on the observed C? N bond cleavage, is proposed.     

Synthesis of Derivatives of the Optically Active β‐Amino Acids from (+)‐Car‐2‐ene

The reaction of (+)‐car‐2‐ene ( 4 ) with chlorosulfonyl isocyanate (=sulfuryl chloride isocyanate; ClSO₂NCO) led to the tricyclic lactams 6 and 8 corresponding to the initial formation both of the tertiary carbenium and α‐cyclopropylcarbenium ions (Scheme 2). A number of optically active derivatives of β‐amino acids which are promising compounds for further use in asymmetric synthesis were synthesized from the lactams (see 16, 17 , and 19 – 21 in Scheme 3).