Rapid synthesis of new discotic liquid crystals based on diquinoxalino[2,3-a:2′,3′-c]phenazine containing hexakis(alkoxy) side arms

The condensation of 1,2-bisalkoxy-4,5-diaminobenzene 2a-e derivatives with freshly prepared hexaketocyclohexane give hexakis(alkoxy)diquinoxalino[2,3-a:2′,3′-c]phenazines in good yield. DSC and polarization microscopy showed HATOC6 has both the crystalline (K) to mesophase (M) and the mesophase (M) to isotropic (I) phase transitions. Importantly, the alkoxy substituted compound synthesized showed an M-I transition because of greater stability, whereas the reported alkyl-thiol decomposes after the mesophase.     

Syntheses and properties of complexes with bis(2,2′-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) moieties coordinated to 4,4′:2′,2′′:4′′,4′′′-quaterpyridinium ligands

Eleven new complexes of the form cis-[Ru^II(bpy)₂(L^A)]⁴⁺ (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridyl; L^A = a pyridinium-substituted bpy derivative) have been prepared and isolated as their PF₆⁻ salts. Characterisation involved various techniques including ¹H NMR spectroscopy and MALDI mass spectrometry. The UV-Vis spectra show intense intraligand π → π^∗ absorptions and metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) bands with two distinct maxima in the visible region. Small shifts in the MLCT bands correlate with the electron-withdrawing strength of the ligand L^A. Cyclic voltammograms show quasi-reversible or reversible Ru^III/II oxidation waves, and two or more ligand-based reductions with varying degrees of reversibility. The variations in the redox potentials correlate with changes in the structure of L^A, and also with the MLCT energies. Differential pulse voltammetry allows the first reduction process for two of the complex salts to be resolved into two peaks. Single-crystal X-ray structures have been solved for three of the new complex salts and also for a pro-ligand salt. Two carboxylate-functionalised compounds have been tested as photosensitizers on TiO₂-coated electrodes, but show only negligible efficiencies, in accord with expectations.     

Synthesis of substituted dipyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c]phenazines and a new heterocyclic dipyrido[3,2-f:2′,3′-h]quinoxalino[2,3-b]quinoxaline

Three new α,α′-diimine ligands were synthesized based on condensation of 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione with 1,2-phenylenediamine derivatives using different approaches. All compounds were fully characterized by IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR, UV-visible, and MS spectroscopies. We report the first example of a dipyrido[3,2-f:2′,3′-h]quinoxalino[2,3-b]quinoxaline, which exhibits a strong absorption at 430 nm and an interesting electrochemical behavior. These new molecules may have biological potential and are of synthetic and technological importance.     

Synthesis of pyrrolo[3,4-b]pyrroles and perhydrothiazolo[3′,4′-2,3]pyrrolo[4,5-c]pyrroles

The 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions of various N-tethered alkenyl aldehydes with some cyclic and acyclic amino acids have been studied. Some key sulfonamides having strategically positioned aldehyde and olefinic tether have been synthesized and effectively subjected to intramolecular azomethine ylide cycloaddition reaction resulting in a series of pyrrolo[3,4-b]pyrrole and its N-1-C-2 derivatives, and a series of novel heterotricyclic compounds, perhydrothiazolo[3′,4′-2,3]pyrrolo[4,5-c]pyrroles, in good yields. The intramolecular cycloaddition reaction was found to be highly stereoselective to form only cis-fused cycloadducts in all cases.     

A facile synthesis of pyrrolo[1,2-a]benzimidazoles and pyrazolo[3,4:4′,3′]pyrrolo[1,2-a]benzimidazole derivatives

Reaction of 2-cyanomethylbenzimidazole 1 with hydrazonoyl halides 2 led to formation of pyrrolo[1,2-a]benzimidazole derivatives 7. Similar reaction of 1 with halides 3 afforded 5-amino-4-(benzimidazol-2-yl)pyrazole derivatives 11 or 1-amino-2-arylpyrazolo[3,4:4′,3′]pyrrolo[1,2-a]benzimidazol-4-one 14 depending on the reaction conditions. The mechanisms of the studied reactions are discussed.     

Synthesis, single crystal X-ray structure and optical properties of 3,4-dimethyl-dithieno[2,3-b:3′,2′-d]thiophene-7,7-dioxide

The synthesis of the title compound (4), starting from commercial 3-bromo-4-methylthiophene, is described. The single crystal packing mode of 4, as well as the absorption and photoluminescence properties in solution and in the solid state are reported and analyzed in relation to those of the isomeric 3,5-dimethyl-dithieno[3,2-b:2′,3′-d]thiophene-4,4-dioxide (7). The different reactivities of 4 and 7 towards bromination are analyzed in the light of the results of ab initio B3LYP/6-31G^∗ calculations on both compounds.     

Structural,spectroscopic and redox properties of transition metal complexes of dipyrido[3,2-f:2′,3′-h]-quinoxaline (dpq)

The chemistry of first row transition metal complexes obtained from the ligand dipyrido[3,2-f:2′,3′-h]-quinoxaline (dpq) have been reported. The reaction between Cu(ClO₄)₂ · 6H₂O with dpq under different reaction conditions led to the isolation of three polymorphic copper(II) complexes [Cu(dpq)₂(H₂O)](ClO₄)₂ · H₂O (2), [Cu(dpq)₂(ClO₄)](ClO₄) (3) and [{Cu(dpq)₂(H₂O)}{Cu(dpq)₂(ClO₄)}](ClO₄)₃ (4). The bluish-green compound 2, obtained by reacting Cu(ClO₄)₂ · 6H₂O with dpq in methanol, has a distorted trigonal bipyramidal structure with τ = 0.55. The reaction between Cu(ClO₄)₂ · 6H₂O and dpq in dry acetonitrile produced the blue compound 3 in which the copper(II) centre has a distorted square planar geometry. When the condensation reaction between 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione and 1,2-diaminoethane was carried out in the presence of Cu(ClO₄)₂ · 6H₂O in methanol, the green copper(II) complex 4 was isolated along with 1. The structure determination of 4 has established the presence of two different complex cations in the asymmetric unit and they are considered as co-crystals. In the zinc(II) compound [Zn(dpq)₂(ClO₄)₂] (5), the two perchlorates are unidentately coordinated to the metal centre, providing a distorted octahedral geometry. The quinoxaline ring in 5 is involved in intermolecular π–π interactions, leading to the generation of a sinusoidal chain. The proton NMR spectra, especially those of the paramagnetic complexes [Ni(dpq)₃](ClO₄)₂ (6) and [Co(dpq)₃](ClO₄)₂ (7), have been studied in detail. The electronic absorption spectra and the redox behaviour of the copper(I), copper(II), cobalt(II) and cobalt(III) complexes have been studied. The three copper(II) compounds 2–4 show identical absorption spectra and redox properties when measured in acetonitrile, although in nitromethane they show small but definite differences in their spectral and redox features.     

Synthesis and electropolymerization of 5,12-dihydrothieno[3′,4′:2,3][1,4]dioxocino[6,7-b]quinoxaline and its electrochromic properties

Synthesis of a new thiophene-based monomer; 5,12-dihydrothieno[3′,4′:2,3][1,4]dioxocino[6,7-b]quinoxaline (DDQ), was realized. The chemical structure of the monomer was characterized by ¹H NMR, FTIR and mass spectroscopy techniques. Electrochemical polymerization of DDQ and characterization of the resulting polymer [P(DDQ)] was performed. Moreover, the spectroelectrochemical and electrochromic properties of the polymer film were investigated. P(DDQ) has a low oxidation potential (0.9 V) and low band gap (1.73 eV) compared to polythiophene. In addition, dual-type polymer electrochromic device (ECD) based on P(DDQ) with poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) was constructed. Spectroelectrochemistry, electrochromic switching, stability and open-circuit stability of the device were studied. It was observed that polymer have good switching time, reasonable contrast and optical memory.     

Synthesis, spectrophotometric pH titrations and DNA binding properties of a cyclometalated iridium(III) complex of tetrapyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c:3″,2″-h:2?,3?-j]phenazine

A new cyclometalated iridium(III) complex [Ir(ppy)₂(tpphz)]Cl {Hppy = 2-phenylpyridine and tpphz = tetrapyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c:3″,2″-h:2?,3?-j]phenazine} has been synthesized and characterized. The pH effects on UV-vis absorption spectra have been studied, and three ground-state acidity ionization constant values have been derived. The calf thymus (ct) DNA binding properties of the complex have also been investigated with UV-vis absorption spectrophotometric titrations, DNA competitive binding with ethidium bromide, DNA melting experiments, viscosity measurements, and density functional theory calculations. The complex was demonstrated to act as a DNA intercalator with a binding constant of (9.29 ± 1.26) × 10⁵ M⁻¹ more than one order of magnitude greater than that previously reported for DNA intercalator of [Ir(ppy)₂(dppz)]⁺.     

Synthesis of pyrido[2′,1′:2,3]imidazo[4,5-c]isoquinolines via a one-pot,three-component reaction

A one-pot, three-component reaction for the synthesis of pyrido[2′,1′:2,3]imidazo[4,5-c]isoquinolines starting from 2-aminopyridines, phthalaldehyde, and trimethylsilyl cyanide in good to high yields is described.     

Electrochemical, EPR and computational results on [Fe2Cp2(CO)2]-based complexes with a bridging hydrocarbyl ligand

The dimetallacyclopentenone complexes [Fe₂Cp₂(CO)(μ−CO){μ−η¹:η³−C_αHC_β(R)C(O)}] (R = CH₂OH, 1a; R = CMe₂OH, 1b; R = Ph, 1c) were prepared by photolytic reaction of [Fe₂Cp₂(CO)₄] with alkyne according to the literature procedure. The X-ray and the electrochemical characterization of 1c are presented. The μ-allenyl compound [Fe₂Cp₂(CO)₂(μ−CO){μ−η¹:η²_α,β−C_αHC_βCMe₂][BF₄] ([2][BF₄]), obtained by reaction of 1b with HBF₄, underwent monoelectron reduction to give a radical species which was detected by EPR at room temperature. The EPR signal has been assigned to [Fe₂Cp₂(CO)₂(μ−CO){μ−η¹:η²_α,β-C_αHC_βCMe₂}], [2]^•. The molecular structures of [2]⁺ and [2]^• were optimized by DFT calculations. The unpaired electron in [2]^• is localized mainly at the metal centers and, coherently, [2]^• does not undergo carbon-carbon dimerization, by contrast with what previously observed for the μ-vinyl radical complex [Fe₂Cp₂(CO)₂(μ−CO){μ−η¹:η²-CHCH(Ph)}]^•, [3]^•. Electron spin density distributions similar to the one of [2]^• were found for the μ-allenyl radical complexes [Fe₂Cp₂(CO)₂(μ-CO){μ-η¹:η²_α,β-C_αHC_βC(R¹)(R²)}]^• (R¹ = R² = H, [4]^•; R¹ = H, R² = Ph, [5]^•; R¹ = R² = Ph, [6]^•).     

Hydrosilylation vs. [2 + 2]-cycloaddition: A theoretical study with iron and ruthenium complexes

Recently an exciting new mechanism of hydrosilylation had been found in experiments with the ruthenium-silylene complex [Cp^∗(i-Pr₃P)Ru(H)₂Si(H)Ph · OEt₂][B(C₆F₅)₄] by Glaser and Tilley. The mechanism of the hydrosilylation and possible alternative pathways are investigated with quantum chemical methods utilizing the B3LYP method, a double zeta pseudopotential basis set for iron and ruthenium and the 6-31G^∗ basis set for all other elements. Starting from the model complex [Cp(H₃P)Ru(H)₂Si(H)Ph]⁺ the coordination of ethene at the silicon atom leads preferably to the hydrosilylation of a terminal Si-H-bond. The analysis of the electron density distribution of the catalytic active complex shows surprising bond features between Ru and Si. The Ru-Si bond is bridged by two hydrogen atoms.The [2 + 2]-cycloaddition of the alkene to the Ru-Si-bond, which would be a reasonable alternative reaction pathway, was not observed. It is necessary to make drastic changes in the ligand environment of the transition metal-silicone complex to observe cycloaddition reactions. With complexes of the type (OC)₄MSi(H)Ph (M = Ru, Fe) the cycloaddition could be a serious alternative to the hydrosilylation.     

Cycloalkano[1″,2″:4,5;4″,3″:4′,5′]bis(pyrrolo[2,3-c]pyrimido[5,4-e]pyridazines): synthesis, structure and mechanism of their formation

Reactions of 3-alkylamino-6,8-dimethylpyrimido[4,5-c]pyridazine-5,7(6H,8H)-diones with cyclohexyl- and cycloheptylamines in the presence of AgPy₂MnO₄ produce novel cycloalkano[1″,2″:4,5;4″,3″:4′,5′]bis(pyrrolo[2,3-c]pyrimido[5,4-e]pyridazines). Detailed information concerning the scope and mechanism of these transformations is discussed.     

Synthesis of pyridino[3′,2′:4,5]pyrrolo[3,2-g]pyrrolo[3,4-e]indolizin-1,3-dione and pyrrolo[3,2-c]pyrazole skeletons

A three step synthesis of an isogranulatimide analogue, in which the imidazole moiety is replaced by a pyrrole unit and the indole heterocycle is replaced by a 7-azaindole moiety is described. Moreover, a novel synthetic pathway to the pyrrolo[3,2-c]pyrazole skeleton is reported.     

Improved synthesis of N-alkyl substituted dithieno[3,2-b:2′,3′-d]pyrroles

A new, convergent and improved synthetic method to prepare N-alkyl substituted dithienopyrroles is described. The procedure consists of a Pd-catalyzed amination of 3,3′-dibromo-2,2′-bithiophene. The reaction conditions were optimized, which makes this method applicable to prepare these molecules easily in high yields and on a large scale.     

An efficient one-pot three-step domino synthesis of substituted bis(pyrazino[2′,3′:4,5]thieno[3,2-d]pyrimidin-4(3H)-ones)

A convenient and efficient one-pot three-step domino approach to bis(pyrazinothienopyrimidinones) from ethyl 3-(triphenylphosphoranylideneamino)-thieno[2,3-b]pyrazine-6-carboxylate 1 has been developed. In this method, treatment of phosphazene 1 with a mixture of isocyanates, nitrogen, sulfur, and oxygen bis(nucleophiles) and K₂CO₃ in refluxing THF regioselectively furnishes the corresponding bis(pyrazino[2′,3′:4,5]thieno[3,2-d]pyrimidin-4(3H)-ones) in satisfactory to good yields. This methodology is highly versatile and efficient for the generation of these functionalized bis(triheterocyclic) compounds that are not readily available by other synthetic methods.     

First synthesis of 4-aminopyrido[2′,3′:4,5]furo[3,2-d]pyrimidines

This Letter describes for the first time the synthesis of pyrido[2′,3′:4,5]furo[3,2-d]pyrimidines substituted by a primary or secondary amino group on position 4 of the pyrimidine ring. Application of microwave irradiation technology allowed fast and convenient procedures.     

The preparation of substituted bithiophenyl aldehydes via the ring opening of dithieno[2,3-b:3′,2′-d]thiophene in the presence of n-BuLi

In the presence of n-BuLi in THF at low temperature, the phenomena of ring opening of symmetric substituted dithieno[2,3-b:3′,2′-d]thiophenes were observed. After quenching the organolithium intermediates with dry DMF, a series of substituted novel bithiophenyl aldehydes were prepared in good to excellent yields. The mechanism shows the key step for the ring opening of dithieno[2,3-b:3′,2′-d]thiophene is the nucleophilic attack of butyl anion onto the sulfur atom of the central ring. Total ten samples of symmetric substituted dithieno[2,3-b:3′,2′-d]thiophenes and their ring-opened products, the substituted bithiophenyl aldehydes were characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and HRMS. Two ring-opened products were confirmed by X-ray single crystal analysis.     

From N,N-diphenyl-N-naphtho[2,1-b]thieno[2,3-b:3′,2′-d]dithiophene-5-yl-amine to propeller-shaped N,N,N-tri(naphtho[2,1-b]thieno[2,3-b:3′,2′-d]dithiophene-5-yl)-amine: syntheses and structures

Three unique propeller-shaped helicenyl amines compounds: N,N-diphenyl-N-naphtho[2,1-b]thieno[2,3-b:3′,2′-d]dithiophene-5-yl-amine (1), N-phenyl-N,N-di(naphtho[2,1-b]thieno[2,3-b:3′,2′-d]dithiophene-5-yl)amine (2), and N,N,N-tri(naphtho[2,1-b]thieno[2,3-b:3′,2′-d]dithiophene-5-yl)amine (3) were efficiently synthesized by Wittig reaction and oxidative photocyclization. The crystal structures of 1, 2 and molecular configuration optimization (DFT-B3LYP/6-31+G(d)) of 3 reveal that the steric hindrance from the moiety of trithia[5]helicene effectively forces the nitrogen atom and the three bonded carbon atoms to coplanar and the interplanar angles of the facing terminal thiophene ring and benzene ring becoming larger when the helical arm increased from 1 to 3. Electrochemical properties and UV–vis absorption behaviors of 1, 2, 3 were primarily determined by the moiety of trithia[5]helicene.     

The reactions of 2-benzoylpyridine with [RuHCl(CO)(PPh3)3] and [(C6H6)RuCl2]2

The reactions of [RuHCl(CO)(PPh₃)₃] and [(C₆H₆)RuCl₂]₂ with 2-benzoylpyridine have been examined, and two novel ruthenium(II) complexes – [RuCl(CO)(PPh₃)₂(C₅H₄NCOO)] and [RuCl₂(C₁₂H₉NO)₂] – have been obtained. The compounds have been studied by IR and UV–Vis spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography. The molecular orbital diagrams of the complexes have been calculated with the density functional theory (DFT) method. The spin-allowed singlet–singlet electronic transitions of the compounds have been calculated with the time-dependent DFT method, and the UV–Vis spectra of the compounds have been discussed on this basis.