Monomeric Homoleptic (2‐Pyridylmethyl)(tert‐butyldimethylsilyl)amido Complexes of the Divalent Metals Mg,Mn, Fe,Co, and Zn

The transamination reaction of M[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂ with (2‐pyridylmethyl)(tert‐butyldimethylsilyl)amine yields the corresponding homoleptic metal bis[(2‐pyridylmethyl)(tert‐butyldimethylsilyl)amides] of Mg ( 1 ), Mn ( 2 ), Fe ( 3 ), Co ( 4 ) and Zn ( 5 ). All these compounds crystallize from hexane isotypic in the space group C2/c. From toluene the zinc derivative precipitates as toluene solvate 5 ·toluene. The molecular structures of these compounds are very similar with large NMN angles to the amide nitrogen atoms with NMN values of 148° ( 1 ) and 150° ( 5 ) for the diamagnetic compounds and 156° for the paramagnetic derivatives 2 and 3 . The Co derivative 4 displays a rather small NCoN angle of 142°. Different synthetic routes have been explored for compound 3 which is also available via the metallation reaction of bis(2,4,6‐trimethylphenyl)iron with (2‐pyridylmethyl)(tert‐butyldimethylsilyl)amine and via the metathesis reaction of lithium (2‐pyridylmethyl)(tert‐butyldimethylsilyl)amide with [(thf)₂FeCl₂]. In course of the metathesis reaction, an equimolar amount of lithium (2‐pyridylmethyl)(tert‐butyldimethylsilyl)amide and [(thf)₂FeCl₂] yields heteroleptic (2‐pyridylmethyl)(tert‐butyldimethylsilyl)amido iron(II) chloride ( 6 ) which crystallizes as a centrosymmetric dimeric molecule. The oxidative C‐C coupling reaction of 5 with Sn[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂ leads to the formation of tin(II) 1,2‐bis(2‐pyridyl)‐1,2‐bis(tert‐butyldimethylsilylamido)ethane, tin metal and Zn[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂.     

One-pot, three-component, sequential Michael-Michael-ring-closure reactions. Annulation of meta-dicarboxylated aromatic rings. Total synthesis of juncunol

The preparative value of one-pot, multicomponent, sequential Michael-Michael-ring-closure reactions followed by aromatization is illustrated in two ways: (1) by a multi-gram example, and (2) by a total synthesis of juncunol, an unusual vinyldihydrophenanthrene.     

Theoretical study on the substitution and insertion reactions of silylenoid H2SiLiF with CH3XHn−1 (X = F, Cl, Br, O, N; n = 1, 1, 1, 2, 3)

The substitution and insertion reactions of H₂SiLiF (A) with CH₃XH_n−1 (X = F, Cl, Br, O, N; n = 1, 1, 1, 2, 3) have been studied using density functional theory. The results indicate that the substitution reactions of A with CH₃XH_n−1 proceed via two reaction paths, I and II, forming the same product H₂SiFCH₃. The insertion reactions of A with CH₃XH_n−1 form H₂SiXH_n−1CH₃. The following conclusions emerge from this work. (i) The substitution reactions of A with CH₃XH_n−1 occur in a concerted manner. The substitution barriers of A with CH₃XH_n−1 for both pathways decrease with the increase of the atomic number of the element X for the same family systems or for the same row systems. Path I is more favorable than path II. (ii) A inserts into a C-X bond via a concerted manner, and the reaction barriers increase for the same-row element X from right to left in the periodic table, whereas change very little for the systems of the same-family element X. (iii) The substitution reactions occur more readily than the insertion reactions for A with CH₃XH_n−1 systems. (iv) All substitution and insertion reactions of A with CH₃XH_n−1 are exothermic. (v) In solvents, the substitution reaction process of A with CH₃XH_n−1 is similar to that in vacuum. The barrier heights in solvents increase in the order CH₃F < CH₃Cl < CH₃Br < CH₃OH < CH₃NH₂. The solvent polarity has little effects on the substitution barriers. The calculations are in agreement with experiments.     

Towards organo-click chemistry: development of organocatalytic multicomponent reactions through combinations of aldol, Wittig, Knoevenagel, Michael, Diels-Alder and Huisgen cycloaddition reactions

Here we report on our studies on combinations of amino acids and copper(I) for catalyzing multicomponent reactions (MCRs). We aimed to prepare both diene and dienophiles simultaneously, under very mild and environmentally friendly conditions, thus giving the constituents for a stereocontrolled Diels-Alder reaction, which in turn yields compounds 4 to 8. A diversity-oriented synthesis of polysubstituted spirotriones 4 to 6 were assembled from simple substrates like 1-(triphenylphosphanylidene)-propan-2-one, two aldehydes, and cyclic-1,3-diketones through Wittig/Knoevenagel/Diels-Alder and aldol/Knoevenagel/Diels-Alder reaction sequences in one pot under stereospecific organocatalysis. Chemical diversity libraries of polysubstituted spirotrione-1,2,3-traizoles 8 were assembled from simple substrates by means of Wittig/Knoevenagel/Diels-Alder/Huisgen cycloaddition reaction sequences in one pot under stereospecific organo/Cu(I) catalysis. Functionalized dispirolactones such as 6 are biologically active antioxidants and radical scavengers, and spirotrione-1,2,3-traizoles 8 have found wide applications in chemistry, biology, and materials science. Experimentally simple and environmentally friendly, organocatalytic, asymmetric four-component Diels-Alder (AFCDA) reactions of 1-(triphenylphosphanylidene)- propan-2-one, two different aldehydes, and cyclic-1,3-diketones produced diastereospecific and highly enantioselective substituted spirotriones 4 by means of a Wittig/Knoevenagel/Diels-Alder reaction sequence in one pot. Additionally we have developed an organocatalytic, asymmetric three-component Michael (ATCM) reaction of 1-(triphenylphosphanylidene)-propan-2-one, aldehyde, and cyclic-1,3-diketones that produced Michael adducts 15, 16 through a Wittig/Michael reaction sequence in a highly enantioselective one-pot process.     

A Domino Fusion of an Organic Ligand Depended on Metal-Induced and Oxygen Insertion,Unraveled by Crystallography,Mass Spectrometry,and DFT Calculations

Herein, the reaction of (1-methyl-1 H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)methanamine ( L1 ) with Co(H₂O)₆Cl₂, in CH₃CN at 120 °C, leading to the 2,3,5,6-tetrakis(1-methyl-1 H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)pyrazine ( 3 ), isolated as a dimeric cluster {[Co^II₂( 3 )Cl₄] ⋅ 2 CH₃CN} ( 2 ), is reported. When O₂ and H₂O are present, (1-methyl-1 H-benzo[d]imidazole-2-carbonyl)amide (H L1′ ) is first formed and crystallized as [Co^III( L1 )₂( L1′ )]Cl₂ ⋅ 2 H₂O ( 4 ) before fusion of H L1′ with L1 , giving 1-methyl-N-(1-methyl-1 H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-carbonyl)-1 H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-carboxamide (H L2′′ ) forming a one-dimensional (1D) chain of [Co^II₃( L2′′ )₂Cl₄]_n ( 5 ). The combination of crystallography and mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) of isolated crystals and the solutions taken from the reaction as a function time reveal seven intermediate steps leading to 2 , but six steps for 5 , for which a different sequence takes place. Control and isotope labeling experiments confirm the two carbonyl oxygen atoms in 5 originate from both air and water. The dependence on the metals, compared with FeCl₃ ⋅ 6 H₂O leading to a stable triheteroarylmethyl radical, is quite astounding, which could be attributed to the different oxidation states of the metals and coordination modes confirmed by DFT calculations. This metal and valence dependent process is a very useful way for selectively obtaining these large molecules, which are unachievable by common organic synthesis.     

Derailed Ohira-Bestmann Reaction of γ,δ-Unsaturated Aldehydes for the Stereoselective Synthesis of Cyclopenta[c]pyrazoles

The synthesis of cyclopenta[c]pyrazoles from γ,δ-unsaturated aldehydes by a domino sequence involving one-carbon homologation and intramolecular azomethine imine 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition is disclosed. The fused pyrazoles bearing aromatic and aliphatic substituents are obtained in good yields and excellent diastereomeric purity. Additionally, the synthetic utility of the pyrazole products generated by this method has been highlighted in a series of functionalization reactions. The method presented opens strategic opportunities for the synthesis of pyrazole-containing biologically active compounds.     

New one-pot, efficient, and regioselective method for the synthesis of 3-Trifluoromethyl-1H-1-phenylpyrazoles and alkyl 3-carboxylate analogs

An efficient and regioselective procedure for the synthesis of a series of alkyl(aryl/heteroaryl) substituted 3-trifluoromethyl-1H-1-phenylpyrazoles and alkyl 3-carboxylate analogs, from the cyclocondensation reactions of 4-alkoxy-1,1,1-trihaloalk-3-en-2-ones [CX₃C(O)CR²=CR¹(OMe/OEt), where R¹ = H, Me, Ph, 2-Furyl; R² = H; R¹-R² = -C₄H₈- and X = F, Cl] and 1-phenylsemicarbazide in an acidified alcoholic medium (R³OH/H₂SO₄), where R³ = Me, Et, Prⁱ was successfully applied and is described here in detail.     

A convenient route to 1,4-monoprotected dialdehydes, 1,4-ketoaldehydes, γ-lactols and γ-lactones through radical alkylation of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes in organic and organic-aqueous media

α,β-Unsaturated aldehydes were smoothly alkylated by radicals generated through photosensitised hydrogen abstraction of benzophenone. In this way, and by using 1,3-dioxolane as radical precursor, monoprotected 1,4-dialdehydes were obtained from crotonaldehyde, 2-hexenal, 4-methyl-2-pentenal and cyclohexencarboxyaldehyde in a moderate yield, and in a low yield from β-aryl-α,β-unsaturated aldehydes. With 2-alkyl-1,3-dioxolanes, monoprotected 1,4-ketoaldehydes were analogously prepared. By using methanol, ethanol and isopropanol as radical precursors γ-lactols were likewise obtained from the above aliphatic aldehydes. These single-step syntheses compared favorably with multi-step approaches previously proposed for some of these compounds. The lactols were conveniently oxidized to the corresponding γ-lactones. An alternative to the photosensitisation in organic medium was the use of mixed aqueous-organic solvent and a hydrosoluble photosensitiser (benzophenone disodium disulfonate was prepared for this purpose and successfully used), which allowed a more convenient work up.     

Synthesis of mono-, di-, tri-, and tetraethyl-o-carboranes by electrophilic alkylation ofo-carborane with ethyl bromide in the presence of AICl3 and their transformations

Optimal conditions for the preparation of 9-ethyl-, 9,12-diethyl, 8,9,12-triethyl-, and 8,9,10,12-tetraethyl-o-carboranes under the action of EtBr on o-carborane in the presence of AICl₃ were determined. The behavior of these o-carborane derivatives towards electrophilic and nucleophilic reagents was studied. The presence of four ethyl groups in positions 8, 9, 10, and 12 of the carborane polyhedron increases the electron density on the boron atoms in positions 4, 5, 7, and II to the point where they are able to enter into reactions of electrophilic substitution, and in positions 3 and 6 to the point that they become resistant to the action of nucleophilic reagents. Reactions of 1,2-dilithium-8,9,10,12-tetraethyl-o-carborane with various electrophilic reagents were studied.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 11, pp 2755–2763, November, 1996.     

The First One‐Pot,Solvent‐Free,Microwave‐Accelerated,Three‐Component Synthesis of Spirothiazolidin‐4‐ones via Staudinger/Aza‐Wittig Coupling/Cyclization

An efficient and rapid, solvent‐free, microwave‐accelerated, one‐pot, three‐component protocol for the synthesis of spirothiazolidin‐4‐ones from organic azides is reported for the first time via Staudinger/aza‐Wittig coupling/cyclization. The solvent‐free approach overcomes the limitations associated with the prevailing solution‐phase methodologies in the case of amines. In particular, its novelty is that it eradicates the vital limitation, i.e., the accumulation of H₂O (by‐product), which is known to affect the yield and rate of the reaction, thus affording the spirothiazolidin‐4‐ones in short reaction times in excellent yields.     

Rate-limiting steps, rate-determining parameters, and apparent activation energy of stepwise reactions, 2. Simple stepwise consecutive catalytic reactions linear in respect to intermediates

The paper considers the application of a recently suggested mathematically correct approach for determining the rate-limiting steps, rate-determining parameters as well as the apparent activation energy for the steady occurrence of simple stepwise consecutive catalytic reactions which are linear in respect to catalytic intermediates. Under consideration are situations of both the small and large coverage of the surface with catalytic intermediates. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.