Efficient and regioselective chromium(0)-catalyzed reaction of 2-substituted furans with diazo compounds: stereoselective synthesis of (2E,4Z)-2-aryl-hexadienedioic acid diesters

Pentacarbonyl(η²-cis-cyclooctene)chromium(0) (1) catalyzes efficiently reactions of diazo compounds with electron-rich furans. The reaction of 2-methoxyfuran (2) with alkyl α-diazoarylacetate (3a-g) furnishes the (2E,4Z)-2-aryl-hexadienedioic acid diesters (4a-g) in excellent yields. These reactions are highly regioselective. The cyclopropanation intermediates formed from 1 and diazo compounds 3a-g always arise from a carbene addition to the less substituted CC bond of 2. The resulting cyclopropanation product undergoes a ring opening reaction to form the corresponding (2E,4Z)-2-aryl-hexadienedioic acid diesters (4a-g). The pentacarbonylchromium(0)-catalyzed reactions of 2-alkylfuran (5a-b) with ethyl α-diazophenylacetate (3a) and 9-diazo-9H-fluorene (3h) produce the 1(E),3(E)-butadienes (6a-d) in very good yields.     

(E)-1,2-Difluoro-1-iodo-2-trialkylsilanes—A useful synthon for the addition of the [IFCCF] unit to activated electrophiles

Fluoride ion catalyzed reaction of (E)-IFCCFSiR₃ with activated aromatic aldehydes and ketones and activated perfluoroaromatics, such as pentafluoropyridine and perfluorotoluenes, transfers the [IFCCF] unit to the activated electrophiles to stereospecifically provide (E)-1,2-difluoro-1-iodosubstituted derivatives. Aluminum chloride catalyzed reaction of (E)-1,2-difluoro-1-iodo-2-trialkylsilanes with alkyl or aryl acyl halides gives the corresponding (E)-1,2-difluoro-1-iodoketones stereospecifically in excellent yield. The vinyl iodide product formed via this methodology could be coupled (with Pd(0)) catalysis to provide an entry to a polyfunctionalized derivative.     

Synthesis, structure and benzannulation of chalcogen-tethered Fischer carbene complexes

Addition of PhSH-NEt₃ or PhSeNa to PhCCC(OC₂H₅)M(CO)₅ [M = Cr or W] afforded stable, β-chalcogenide tethered conjugated carbene complexes 3-6 as a mixture of E,Z-isomers. The Z-configuration was ascribed to those isomers that readily yield cyclometallated complexes. Aminolysis with methylamine yielded corresponding amino carbene complexes as mixtures of E,Z-isomers. Alkylation by methyl iodide afforded separable E,Z-isomers of dimethylamino complexes. One-step aminolysis of ethoxy carbene complexes with dimethylamine furnished only the Z-isomer of the dimethylamino complex. The Z-isomer of dimethylamino carbene complexes yielded cyclometallated products on warming. Representative crystal structures of these complexes confirm isomer assignments. Only E-isomers of the S or Se-tethered ethoxy complexes undergo benzannulation reaction with alkynes, with loss of chalcogenide atom.     

H NMR Dynamic study of thermal Z/E isomerization of 5-substituted 2-alkylidene-4-oxothiazolidine derivatives: Barriers to rotation about CC bond

The rotational barriers between the configurational isomers of two structurally related push–pull 4-oxothiazolidines, differing in the number of exocyclic CC bonds, have been determined by dynamic ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The equilibrium mixture of (5-ethoxycarbonylmethyl-4-oxothiazolidin-2-ylidene)-1-phenylethanone (1a) in CDCl₃ at room temperature to 333 K consists of the E- and Z-isomers which are separated by an energy barrier ΔG^# 98.5 kJ/mol (at 298 K). The variable-temperature ¹H NMR data for the isomerization of ethyl (5-ethoxycarbonylmethylidene-4-oxothiazolidin-2-ylidene)ethanoate (2b) in DMSO-d₆, possessing the two exocyclic CC bonds at the C(2)- and C(5)-positions, indicate that the rotational barrier ΔG^# separating the (2E,5Z)-2b and (2Z,5Z)-2b isomers is 100.2 kJ/mol (at 298 K). In a polar solvent-dependent equilibrium the major (2Z,5Z)-form (>90%) is stabilized by the intermolecular resonance-assisted hydrogen bonding and strong 1,5-type S · · · O interactions within the SCCCO entity. The ¹³C NMR Δδ_C(2)C(2′) values, ranging from 58 to 69 ppm in 1a–d and 49-58 ppm in 2a–d, correlate with the degree of the push-pull character of the exocyclic C(2)C(2′) bond, which increases with the electron withdrawing ability of the substituents at the vinylic C(2′) position in the following order: COPh COEt > CONHPh > CONHCH₂CH₂Ph. The decrease of the Δδ_C(2)C(2′) values in 2a–d has been discussed for the first time in terms of an estimation of the electron donor capacity of the S fragment on the polarization of the CC bonds.     

Stereoselective synthesis of 2-iodo-1-perfluoroalkyl-2(Z)-alkenes and E or Z-4-perfluoroalkylmethyl-4-en-2-ynol via Na2S2O4-promoted radical addition reaction of perfluoroalkyl iodides with allenes and the palladium-catalyzed kinetic resolution with Sonogashira coupling reaction

A Na₂S₂O₄-promoted radical addition reaction of perfluoroalkyl iodides with allenes has been studied in which a Z/E mixture of 2-iodo-1-perfluoroalkyl-2-alkenes 3 were afforded in 52-69% yields. A kinetic resolution using Sonogashira coupling reaction in MeCN using Et₂NH as the base was developed to synthesize the 2-iodo-1-perfluoroalkyl-2(Z)-alkenes (Z-3) and E-4-perfluoroalkylmethylalk-4-en-2-ynols (E-5) stereoselectively. A complete Sonogashira coupling procedure in Et₂NH at 40 °C was also developed affording a mixture of E and Z-4-perfluoroalkylmethyl-4-en-2-ynols (E-5 and Z-5), which may be easily separated by chromatography on silica gel.     

The synthesis, structure and photochromism of mercury(II)-iodide complexes of 1-CnH2n+1-2-(arylazo)imidazoles (n = 4, 6, 8)

The reaction of HgI₂ with 1-C_nH_2n+1-2-(arylazo)imidazole (Raai-C_nH_2n+1 where n = 4, 6, 8) has isolated iodide bridging dimeric complexes, [Hg(RaaiC_nH_2n+1)(μ-I)(I)]₂. The structures of the ligand and the complexes have been established by spectral (UV-Vis, IR, ¹H NMR) data. One of these complexes [Hg(1-hexyl-2-(p-tolylazo)imidazole)(μ-I)(I)]₂ has been structurally confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction study. The ligand, Raai-C_nH_2n+1 exists at ambient condition in trans geometry about azo (-NN-) group; the UV light irradiation in MeOH solution shows E-to-Z isomerisation. The reverse transformation, Z-to-E, is very slow with visible light irradiation while isomerises rapidly on heating. The coordinated ligand, Raai-C_nH_2n+1 in the complexes exhibit similar behaviour in DMF solution. Quantum yields (?_E→Z) of E-to-Z isomerisation are higher for free ligands than that of their metal complexes. The Z-to-E isomerisation is a thermally induced process. The activation energy (E_a) is calculated by controlled temperature experiment.     

Fluoroalkene chemistry: Part 3. Reactions of arylthiols with perfluoroisobutene, perfluoropropene and chlorotrifluoroethene

Reactions of perfluoroisobutene (PFIB), perfluoropropene (PFP) and chlorotrifluoroethene (CTFE) with benzenethiol and 2-methoxybenzenethiol in acetonitrile, with potassium carbonate as base, were compared. PFIB reacted with benzenethiol to give ketene thioacetal (CF₃)₂CC(SAr)₂ and with 2-methoxybenzenethiol to give mono- and bis-vinyl species (CF₃)₂CCFSAr and (CF₃)₂CC(SAr)₂. PFP reacted with both thiols to give the addition product CF₃CFHCF₂SAr and vinyl isomers CF₃CFCFSAr (6:1 E/Z ratio). CTFE reacted with several methoxy-substituted arylthiols to give addition products of structure CFClHCF₂SAr. The arylthiols used throughout the study imitate biological thiols. Inhalation toxicities of the fluoroalkenes decrease in the order PFIB > PFP > CTFE and correlate with their reactivities towards the model thiols, supporting the current view that their toxicity relates to their ability to react with biological thiols.     

The stereoselective synthesis of (Z)-HFCCFZnI and stereospecific preparation of (E)-1,2-difluorostyrenes from (Z)-HFCCFZnI via an unusual Pd(PPh3)4-Cu(I)Br co-catalysis approach or (Z)-HFCCFSnBu3

(Z)-HFCCFZnI was stereoselectively synthesized from activated zinc dust and (Z)-HFCCFI that was synthesized from chlorotrifluoroethene in a sequential manner. Compared to (E)-HFCCFZnI, (Z)-HFCCFZnI was more challenging to prepare in terms of sluggish metallation and formation of by-products, and underwent slower and incomplete Negishi coupling with aryl iodides. In a modification of Negishi coupling, (E)-α,β-difluorostyrenes were stereospecifically prepared in good to excellent yields under mild conditions from aryl iodides and (Z)-HFCCFZnI with the co-catalysis of Pd(PPh₃)₄/Cu(I)Br. Experimental investigation and mechanistic rationalization suggested that Cu(I)Br would be a scavenger of free ligands for the facilitation of Pd(PPh₃)₂ formation, and a supplier of ligand for the metathesis process. Alternatively, (Z)-HFCCFSnBu₃ and aryl iodides with an electron-withdrawing group underwent Stille-Liebiskind coupling to afford (E)-α,β-difluorostyrenes.     

The stereoselective synthesis of (E)-octafluoro-1,3,5-hexatriene and (3E,5E,7E)-dodecafluoro-1,3,5,7,9-decapentaene

(E)-(1,2-Difluoro-1,2-ethenediyl)bis[tributylstannane], 3, readily undergoes a Pd(PPh₃)₄/CuI-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction with iodotrifluoroethene to yield (E)-octafluoro-1,3,5-hexatriene, 4, in high isomeric purity. (1Z,3E,5Z)-(1,2,3,4,5,6-Hexafluoro-1,3,5-hexenetriyl)bis[tributylstannane], 7, was sequentially prepared from (1Z,3E,5Z)-(1,2,3,4,5,6-hexafluoro-1,3,5-hexenetriyl)bis[triethylsilane], 5, which was prepared via a Pd(PPh₃)₄/CuI-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of 3 with (E)-1,2-difluoro-1-iodo-2-triethylsilylethene, 6. Pd(PPh₃)₄/CuI cross-coupling of 7 with iodotrifluoroethene gave (3E,5E,7E)-dodecafluoro-1,3,5,7,9-decapentaene, 8.     

The first definitive example of oxidative addition of acyclic vinyl selenide to M(0) complex

The principle of C-S bond activation of acyclic vinlyl sulfide by platinum(0)-complex was applied to the C-Se bond fission of vinyl selenide. The substrate possessing Ph and ArSe (Ar = C₆H₄Cl-p) substituents at the β-carbon successfully reacted with Pt(0)-complex at 25 °C to produce the vinyl platinum in good yield and its structure was unambiguously determined by X-ray crystallographic analysis. When (Z)-(Me₃Si)(ArSe)C(H)(SeAr) was employed as a reaction substrate, following β-Se elimination took place to liberate Me₃SiCCH with the production of [trans-Pt(SeAr)₂(PPh₃)₂]. The oxidative addition of C-Se bond of (E)-(Ph)(H)CC(H)(SeAr) to Pt(0) was also confirmed at 25 °C, while no C-S bond-breaking occurred when the corresponding vinyl sulfide was exposed to the same reaction conditions, demonstrating that the cleavage of C-Se bond was more facile than that of C-S bond.     

Rearrangements of tetrahydroimidazo[1,5-b]isoxazole-2,3-dicarboxylates to pyrrolo[1,2-e]imidazol-6-ols, precursors of 2,5-dihydro-1H-pyrrole derivatives

Isoxazolines 2 from the cycloaddition of imidazoline 3-oxides 1 with DMAD rearrange in the presence of methoxide to give cis-3-methoxy-7-(methoxycarbonyl)-2,7a-diaryl-5-oxo-2,3,5,7a-tetrahydro-1H-pyrrolo[1,2-e]imidazol-6-olates 3 with 100% de. The acidic hydrolysis of 3 led to kinetically controlled formation of methyl 1-formyl-4-hydroxy-5-oxo-2-phenyl-2-((arylamino)methyl)-2,5-dihydro-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxylates 6a-e. The intramolecular transformylations of the latter to the corresponding (E)- and (Z)-methyl 4-hydroxy-2-((N-(aryl)formamido)methyl)-5-oxo-2-phenyl-2,5-dihydro-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxylates 7a-e were shown to be substituent dependent (correlate with σ) and characterized by Hammett type equations. The effect of temperature was investigated and the ρ constants determined for the same reaction series at 50, 60 and 70 °C. The amide diastereomeric ratio [(E)-7]/[(Z)-7] is substituent dependent and can be described by the equation log[(E)]/[(Z)]_x=−ρσ_I+log[(E)]/[(Z)]_x=H.     

Ytterbium-catalyzed dual intermolecular hydrophosphination: synthesis of bis(phosphinyl)dienes and bis(alkenyl)phosphine oxides

Dual intermolecular hydrophosphination of conjugated diynes with 2 equiv of diphenylphosphine was catalyzed by ytterbium complexes, Yb(η²-Ph₂CNPh)(hmpa)₃ (1) and Yb[N(SiMe₃)₂]₃(hmpa)₂ (2), to give the corresponding 1,4-bis(diphenylphosphinyl)buta-1,3-dienes in high yields after oxidative work-up. Distribution of the four possible stereoisomers sharply depended on substituents of the substrates. (Z,Z)-Isomers were predominantly obtained from the disubstituted diynes, together with minor (Z,E)-isomers. On the other hand, the reaction of the terminal diynes provided major (E,Z) and minor (E,E)-butadienes. 1,4-Di-tert-butylbuta-1,3-diyne was exclusively converted to an allenic compound. Moreover, the dual hydrophosphination using phenyphosphine was also performed with 1 and 2. Thus, the reaction of 2 equiv of aromatic alkynes with PhPH₂ and subsequent oxidation gave bis(alkenyl)phosphine oxides in preference of the (Z,Z)-stereoisomers.     

Preparation of stereochemically pure <Emphasis Type="Italic">E</Emphasis>- and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Z</Emphasis>-alkenoic acids and their methyl esters from bicyclo[<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>.1.0]alkan-1-ols. Application in the synthesis of insect pheromones

Oxidative cleavage of exo- and endo-alkyl- and hydroxyalkyl-substituted bicyclo[n.1.0]alkan-1-ols with (diacetoxy-λ³-iodanyl)benzene gave the corresponding methyl alkenoates exclusively with E or Z configuration of the double bond. This reaction was used as the key stage in the syntheses of stereoisomerically pure components of pest insect pheromones: (E)-dodec-9-en-1-yl acetate (European pine shoot moth Rhyacionia buoliana), (Z)-tetradec-11-en-1-yl acetate (European oak leafroller Tortrix viridana), and (3E,8Z,11Z)-tetradeca-3,8,11-trien-1-yl acetate (tomato leafminer Tuta absoluta).     

The Staudinger reaction of platinum(II)- and palladium(II)-coordinated 2-(azidomethyl)phenyl isocyanide. X-ray structure of trans-[PtCl{(H)}(PPh3)2][BF4] · CDCl3 · H2O

2-(Azidomethyl)phenyl isocyanide, 2-(CH₂N₃)C₆H₄NC (AziNC), coordinates to some cationic Pt(II) and Pd(II) species to afford isocyanide complexes of the type trans-[MCl(AziNC)(PPh₃)₂][BF₄] (M=Pt, l; Pd, 2). AziNC is coordinated also in some neutral Pt(II) and Pd(II) species such as [MCl₂(AziNC)₂] (M=Pt, 3; Pd, 4) derived from the reactions of 2 equiv. of AziNC with [PtCl₂(COD)] and [PdCl₂(MeCN)₂], respectively. Complexes 1 and 2 react with 1 equiv. of PPh₃ affording the heterocyclic carbene complexes trans-[MCl{(H)}(PPh₃)₂][BF₄] (M=Pt, 5; Pd, 6). Complexes 3 and 4 react with 1 equiv. of PPh₃ displacing the isocyanide with the formation of the complexes cis-[MCl₂(AziNC)(PPh₃)] (M=Pt, 7; Pd, 8). These latter ones react with 2 equiv. of PPh₃ affording as the final products the cationic carbene species trans-[MCl{(H)}(PPh₃)₂][Cl] (M=Pt, 9; Pd, 10). Complex 5 was also characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The carbene complex is square-planar and the angle formed between the platinum square plane and the heterocyclic carbene ligand is 87.9(2)°. The C(1)-N(1) and C(1)-N(2) bond distances in the latter of 1.32(2) and 1.30(2) Å, respectively, are short for a single bond and indicate extensive π-bonding between the nitrogen atoms and the carbene carbon.     

Stereospecific preparation of symmetrical (1Z, 3Z)- and (1E, 3E)-2,3-difluoro-1,4-disubstituted-buta-1,3-dienes from 1-bromo-1-fluoroalkenes

A straightforward method to prepare symmetrical (1Z, 3Z)- and (1E, 3E)-2,3-difluoro-1,4-disubstituted-buta-1,3-dienes is described. High E/Z ratio 1-bromo-1-fluoroalkenes, prepared by isomerization from the E/Z ≈ 1:1 isomeric mixtures, reacted with Bu₃SnSnBu₃ and Pd(PPh₃)₄ to afford (1Z, 3Z)-2,3-difluoro-1,4-disubstituted-buta-1,3-dienes in good yield. (Z)-1-Bromo-1-fluoroalkenes, which were prepared by kinetic reduction from 1-bromo-1-fluoroalkenes (E/Z ≈ 1:1), can undergo similar reaction with Bu₃SnSnBu₃ and Pd(PPh₃)₄/CuI to prepare (1E, 3E)-2,3-difluoro-1,4-disubstituted-buta-1,3-dienes.     

The stereospecific preparation of two perfluoro-1,3-butadiene synthons; (E)-1-trimethylsilyl-1,2,3,4,4-pentafluoro-1,3-butadiene and (E)-1-tributylstannyl-1,2,3,4,4-pentafluoro-1,3-butadiene

(E)-1-Trimethylsilyl-1,2,3,4,4-pentafluoro-1,3-butadiene (1) can be stereospecifically prepared by Pd(0)/CuI catalyzed cross-coupling of (Z)-1-tributylstannyl-1,2-difluoro-2-trimethylsilylethene with iodotrifluoroethene. The corresponding (E)-1-tributylstannyl-1,2,3,4,4-pentafluoro-1,3-butadiene can be prepared via the stereospecific conversion of 1 with Bu₃SnOSnBu₃/KF (catalysis) to the corresponding vinylstannane.     

Theoretical study of the influence of para- and meta-substituents on X-pyridineHF hydrogen bonding

The effects of O⁻, N (CH₃)₂, NH (CH₃), NH₂, C₂H₅, CH₃, OH, F, Cl, OF, Br, NO₂ and substituents in para- and meta-positions on X-pyridineHF hydrogen bond has been studied by HF, B3LYP and MP2 methods using 6-311++G(d,p) basis set. The relationship between hydrogen bond formation energy ΔE and electron donating (or withdrawing) of substituents has been investigated. In this respect, population analysis has been performed by atoms in molecules (AIM) and natural bond orbital (NBO) theories. The results of AIM and NBO analyses are in good agreement with calculated energy values. The relationship between Hammett coefficient and complexation energy has been established and the ρ constant has been calculated for hydrogen bonding. There is a relationship between σ and ΔE with a correlation coefficient equal to 0.94.     

Synthesis of naturally occurring diene and trienes by Te/Li exchange on (1Z,3Z)-butyltelluro-4-methoxy-1,3-butadiene

(1Z,3Z)-Butyltelluro-4-methoxy-1,3-butadiene 2 was obtained by the hydrotelluration of (Z)-1-methoxy-but-1-en-3-ynes 1. The butadienyllithium 3 obtained by the Te/Li exchange reaction in the (1Z,3Z)-1-butyltelluro-4-methoxy-1,3-butadiene 2 reacted with aldehydes to form the corresponding alcohols 4a-d with total retention of configuration. The alcohols formed undergo hydrolysis, resulting in the α,β,γ,δ-unsaturated aldehydes of (E,E) configuration, which are precursors of trienes obtained from natural sources. The products of this reaction were employed in the synthesis of methyl-(2E,4E)-decadienoate 7, which is a component of the flavor principles of ripe Bartlett pears. Performing the Wittig reaction of the methyl triphenylphosphorane with the deca-(2E,4E)-dienal 5a, we were able to synthesize the undeca-(1,3E,5E)-triene 6a. This compound is a sex-pheromone component of the marine brown algae Fucus serratus, Dictyopteris plagiograma, and Dictyopteris australis. Performing the Wittig reaction of methyl triphenylphosphorane with the octa-(2E,4E)-dienal 5c, the nona-(1,3E,5E)-triene 6b was synthesized. The compound obtained is a sex-pheromone component of the marine brown alga Sargassum horneri. The octa-(1,3E,5E)-triene 6c was easily obtained from hepta-(2E,4E)-dienal 5d by the Wittig reaction with methyl triphenylphophorane. This compound is a sex-pheromone component of the marine brown alga Fucus serratus.     

Z-Selective intramolecular Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reaction for the synthesis of macrocyclic alkenes

The Z-selective intramolecular Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reaction of the substrates 7-12 (RO)₂P(O)CHR′CO₂Et (R′ = (CH₂)_nCHO) (R = Ph or o-tBuC₆H₄) gives the 13-18-membered cyclic alkenes selectively (up to Z:E = 97:3) in good yields using NaH in THF under high dilution conditions.     

Convenient synthesis of 3-fluoro-4,5-diphenylfuran-2(5H)-one from benzoin ethers : Novel and efficient Z-E isomerisation and cyclisation of 2-fluoroalkenoate precursors, substitution of vinylic fluorine

Mixtures of ethyl (E)- and (Z)-4-alkoxy-2-fluoro-3,4-diphenylbut-2-enoates (6-8) prepared from benzoin ethers and ethyl 2-(diethoxyphosphoryl)-2-fluoroacetate were transformed in high yields to the target 3-fluoro-4,5-diphenylfuran-2(5H)-one (14) using bromine in tetrachloromethane at room temperature. The non-cyclisable Z-isomers 6b-8b were gradually isomerised to the cyclisable E-isomers 6a-8a during the process. The reaction of the (E)-butenoates 6a-8a with boron trifluoride led to furanone 14, while in Z-isomers 6b-8b both alkoxy group and vinylic fluorine were substituted with bromine during the reaction. Mechanisms for both complex reactions have been proposed. Furanone 14 was transformed to 2-[tert-butyl(dimethyl)silyloxy]-3-fluoro-4,5-diphenylfuran (18) as a novel building block.