Ring opening of 2-(cyanomethyl)aziridines by acid chlorides: synthesis of novel 4-amino-2-butenenitrile derivatives through intermediate aziridinium salts

1-Arylmethyl-2-(cyanomethyl)aziridines were transformed into novel N-arylmethyl-N-(2-chloro-3-cyanopropyl)amides as the major reaction products upon treatment with acid chlorides in CH₂Cl₂ through the ring opening of intermediate aziridinium salts. Subsequently, N-arylmethyl-N-(2-chloro-3-cyanopropyl)amides were converted into stable N-arylmethyl-N-(3-cyano-2-propenyl)amides for the first time by means of a dehydrochlorination mediated by Et₃N in CH₂Cl₂.     

Use of Stille-type cross-coupling as a route to oligopyridylimines

The new tin reagents, 2-(n-Bu₃Sn)-6-{C(R)OCH₂CH₂O}-C₅H₃N, (R=H a, Me b), have been employed in Stille-type cross-coupling reactions with a range of oligopyridylbromides generating, following a facile deprotection step, a series of formyl- and acetyl-functionalised oligopyridines. Condensation reactions with 2,6-diisopropylaniline has allowed access to families of novel sterically bulky multidentate N,N,N,N (tetradentate), N,N,N,N,N (pentadentate), N,N,N,N,N,N (sexidentate) and N,N,N,N,N,N,N (heptadentate) nitrogen donor ligands. This work represents a straightforward and rapid synthetic route for the preparation of oligopyridylimines, which are expected to act as useful components for the self-assembly of polymetallic complexes.     

Synthesis of symmetrical and unsymmetrical 3,3-di(indolyl)indolin-2-ones under controlled catalysis of ionic liquids

Three ionic liquids, [BMIM][BF₄] doped with 60 mol % of LiCl ([BMIM][BF₄]-LiCl), N,N,N,N-tetramethylguanidinium trifluoroacetate (TMGT), and N,N,N,N-tetramethylguanidinium triflate (TMGT_f) were found useful as catalyst solvents for controlled 3-indolylation of isatins. Our investigation revealed that the reaction between isatin and indoles in [BMIM][BF₄]-LiCl or TMGT_f media stops at the step of addition of the two components providing 3-indolyl-3-hydroxyindolin-2-ones while the ionic liquid TMGT runs the reaction further through accompanying Friedel-Crafts substitution to afford symmetrical 3,3-di(indol-3-yl)indolin-2-ones. To take advantage of the difference between the effects of these ionic liquids on the reaction progress, we planned a two-step protocol for the efficient synthesis of unsymmetrical 3,3-di(indol-3-yl)indolin-2-ones.     

The effect of substitution on protonation sites: evidence for protonation at N(3) in N(7)-substituted adenine

Several experimental and theoretical studies have shown that N(1) is the first site for protonation in adenine and N(9)-substituted adenine derivatives. N(7) is considered the site for the second protonation to yield dipositive cations. Results are reported here which indicate that this protonation pattern is altered in N(7)-substituted adenine derivatives. In particular, an X-ray diffraction analysis of the structure of 7-methyladenine dihydrochloride, [C₆N₅H₇]Cl₂, definitively shows that the sites for protonation are N(3), as opposed to N(1), and N(9). Theoretical calculations of the molecular electrostatic potential in various systems suggest that such changes in preferred protonation sites should be expected, in general, when a modification of the molecular structure creates adjacent sites with similar reactivity, such as the N(3) and N(9) sites in 7-methyladenine.     

Synthesis and fluorescence properties of covalently linked homo- and hetero-porphyrin dyads containing meso-tolyl porphyrin and meso-furyl porphyrin sub-units

Three porphyrin building blocks with N₄, N₃S and N₂S₂ cores having three meso-furyl groups and one meso-iodophenyl group were synthesized and characterized. The porphyrin building blocks were used to synthesize six porphyrin dyads such as N₄-N₄, N₃S-N₃S, N₂S₂-N₂S₂, N₄-N₃S, N₄-N₂S₂ and N₃S-N₂S₂ containing meso-tolyl and meso-furyl porphyrin sub-units under mild Pd(0) mediated coupling conditions. Steady state fluorescence studies indicated an efficient energy transfer from the meso-tolyl porphyrin sub-unit to the meso-furyl porphyrin sub-unit in all six dyads. This study supported the argument that the meso-furyl porphyrins can be used as good energy acceptors when meso-aryl porphyrins act as energy donors in their metal free form.     

Indole 3-alkylation/vinylation under catalysis of the guanidinium ionic liquids

Two ionic liquids, N,N,N,N-tetramethylguanidinium trifluoroacetate (TMGT) and the unprecedented N,N,N,N-tetramethylguanidinium triflate (TMGT_f), were used as catalyst solvents in condensations between indoles and arylaldehydes or 1,3-diketones providing a simple and efficient method for synthesis of bis(3-indolyl)methanes or casually 3-alkenylindoles due to stereoelectronic concerns of reactants. The ionic liquids are easily separated and reused for several times.     

Electrocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide by a polymeric film of rhenium tricarbonyl dipyridylamine

A dipyridylamine ligand with a pendant pyrrole (N-(3-N,N′-bis(2-pyridyl)propylamino)pyrrole, PPP) and its corresponding rhenium(I) complex, Re(CO)₃(κ²-N,N-PPP)Cl, were synthesized. The structure of Re(CO)₃(κ²-N,N-PPP)Cl was determined by X-ray crystallography. Electrochemical polymerization of the pyrrole moiety resulted in the immobilization of poly[Re(CO)₃(κ²-N,N-PPP)Cl] film onto a glassy carbon electrode, which exhibited electrocatalytic activity for the reduction of CO₂ to CO.     

Palladium-catalyzed selective N-(hetero)arylation or N,N′-di(hetero)arylation of 1-aminoindoles

The selective synthesis of N-(hetero)aryl-1-aminoindoles 3 from the corresponding N-aminoindoles and (hetero)aryl halides using a catalyst combination of Pd₂(dba)₃ associated to Josiphos is described. By switching to Xantphos as the ligand, the alternate catalytic system allows the coupling to proceed efficiently for the preparation of symmetrical and unsymmetrical N,N′-diaryl-1-aminoindole derivatives in good yields.     

Selective functionalization at the small rim of calix[6]arene. Synthesis of novel non-symmetrical N3, N4 and N3ArO biomimetic ligands

Eight novel calix[6]arene-based biomimetic ligands for transition metal ions have been synthesized. They display a non-symmetrical N₃, N₄ or N₃ArO binding core that mimics enzyme active sites presenting histidine and tyrosine residues. The key step for their synthesis is the mono-alkylation at the small rim of the C_3v symmetrical trimethyl ether derivative of tBu-calix[6]arene with N-Boc-2-chloroethylamine to yield a novel calix[6]arene synthon. Its combined O-alkylation with a chloromethyl aromatic amine and N-deprotection or alkylation or reductive alkylation with a salicylaldehyde derivative yielded the calix[6]arene-based ligands with mixed N/O donors.     

Lithium-doped,organic ionic plastic crystal electrolytes exhibiting high ambient-temperature conductivities

Film-forming, ionic plastic crystal—N,N-diethyl-N-methyl-N-(n-propyl)ammonium trifluoromethyltrifluoroborate (N₁₂₂₃[CF₃BF₃])—has been doped with Li[CF₃BF₃] salt to prepare stable Li-ion conducting plastic crystal electrolytes. Solid-state conductivities as high as 10⁻⁴–10⁻³ S cm⁻¹ have been obtained within the ambient-temperature plastic crystalline phase of the Li-doped materials. Solid-state Li deposition/dissolution based on these materials has been realized at 25 °C. The outstanding properties of these materials make them attractive candidates for all-solid-state Li batteries.     

The relevancy of the [B2N4] substructure in the electronic structure of the metal-rich lanthanum nitridoborate La3(B2N4)

Lanthanoide nitridoborates of the general formula Ln₃(B₂N₄) with Ln=La, Ce, Pr, and Nd occur as black crystalline materials. Their structures contain oxalate-like [B₂N₄]⁸⁻ ions being stacked in an eclipsed formation along one crystallographic direction. Electronic structures were calculated for a molecular [B₂N₄]⁸⁻, for the [B₂N₄] partial structure, and for the complete La₃(B₂N₄) structure with the extended Hückel algorithm to analyze the bonding characteristics and to trace the necessity and properties of one surplus electron of (La³⁺)₃(B₂N₄⁸⁻)(e⁻). The HOMO of a [B₂N₄]⁸⁻ is B-B σ bonding, and the LUMO is B-B π bonding but B-N antibonding. The energy band of the solid state [B₂N₄] partial structure corresponding to the LUMO is broadened as a result of intermolecular B?B interactions between adjacent [B₂N₄] units along the stacking direction. Due to bonding interactions with La d orbitals, this band is significantly lowered in energy and occupied with one electron in the band structure of La₃(B₂N₄). This singly occupied band exhibits no band crossings but creates a semimetal-like band structure situation.     

Copper-catalyzed cross-coupling of sulfonamides with aryl iodides and bromides facilitated by amino acid ligands

A highly general, convenient, and inexpensive catalyst system was developed for the N-arylation of sulfonamides with aryl iodides or bromides by using 5-20 mol % of CuI as catalyst, 20 mol % of N-methylglycine (for aryl iodides) or N,N-dimethylglycine (for aryl bromides) as ligand, and K₃PO₄ as base.     

Synthesis of B-trisubstituted borazines via the rhodium-catalyzed hydroboration of alkenes with N,N′,N″-trimethyl or N,N′,N″-triethylborazine

Hydroboration of terminal and internal alkenes with N,N′,N″-trimethyl- and N,N′,N″-triethylborazine was carried out at 50 °C in the presence of a rhodium(I) catalyst. Addition of dppb or DPEphos (1 equiv.) to RhH(CO)(PPh₃)₃ gave the best catalyst for hydroboration of ethylene at 50 °C, resulting in a quantitative yield of B,B′,B″-triethyl-N,N′,N″-trimethylborazine. On the other hand, a complex prepared from (t-Bu)₃P (4 equiv.) and [Rh(coe)₂Cl]₂ gave the best yield for hydroboration of terminal or internal alkenes.     

Sodium borohydride-iodine mediated reduction of γ-lactam carboxylic acids followed by DDQ mediated oxidative aromatisation: a simple approach towards N-aryl-formylpyrroles and 1,3-diaryl-formylpyrroles

A simple methodology for the conversion of substituted N-aryl-γ-lactam 2/3-carboxylic acids to substituted N-aryl-2/3-formyl-pyrroles has been developed. Several N-aryl-γ-lactam 2/3-carboxylic acids were reduced to substituted (N-aryl-pyrroliden-2/3-yl)-methanols in good yields by using the NaBH₄-I₂ system. Aromatisation and in situ oxidation of these alcohols using DDQ produced N-aryl-2/3-formyl-pyrroles, which act as key starting material and intermediates in the synthesis of several bioactive compounds.     

Alkyne activation by half-sandwich ruthenium(II) complexes bearing the water-soluble phosphane 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane (PTA)

Complex [RuCl{κ³(N,N,N)-Tp}(PPh₃)(PTA)] (κ³(N,N,N)-Tp = hydridotris(pyrazolyl)borate) containing the water-soluble phosphane 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphatricyclo[3.3.1.1^3,7]decane (PTA) reacts with terminal alkynes producing to the corresponding neutral alkynyl complexes [Ru(CCR){κ³(N,N,N)-Tp}(PPh₃)(PTA)] (R = Ph (1a), ⁿBu (1b), 1-cyclopentenyl (1c), p-methoxyphenyl (1d), 6-methoxynaft-2-yl (1e)). When halide is extracted from complex [RuCl{κ³(N,N,N)-Tp}(PPh₃)(PTA)] followed by treatment with propargyl alcohols, the corresponding allenylidene complexes [Ru{κ³(N,N,N)-Tp}(PPh₃)(PTA)(CCCPh₂)][X] (X = PF₆ (2a), CF₃SO₃ (2b)) and [Ru{κ³(N,N,N)-Tp}(PPh₃)(PTA)(CCCC₁₂H₈)][PF₆] (3) result. Electrophilic attack on the complexes thus obtained leads chemoselectively to the alkynyl complexes [Ru(CCR){κ³(N,N,N)-Tp}(PPh₃)(1-CH₃-PTA)][CF₃SO₃] (R = Ph (4a), ⁿBu (4b), and 1-cyclopentenyl (4c)) and to the dicationic allenylidene complexes [Ru{κ³(N,N,N)-Tp}(PPh₃)(1-H-PTA)(CCCC₁₂H₈)][PF₆]₂ (5) and [Ru{κ³(N,N,N)-Tp}(PPh₃)(1-CH₃-PTA)(CCCPh₂)][CF₃SO₃]₂ (6).     

Synthesis and structural characterization of three copper coordination polymers with pyridine derivatives from hydro(solvo)thermal in situ decarboxylation reactions of 2,5-dicarboxylpyridine

The hydro(solvo)thermal self-assembles of CuI, KI and 2,5-dicarboxylpyridine [2,5-(COOH)₂py] in different molar ratios in H₂O/alcohol solutions produced three Cu coordination polymers as 2-D [N-C₂H₅py][Cu₃I₄] 1, 1-D [N-CH₃py][Cu₂I₃] 2 as well as 1-D [Cu(2-COOpy)₂]H₂O 3 (N-C₂H₅py=N-ethylpyridine, N-CH₃py=N-methylpyridine, 2-COOpy=2-carboxylpyridine). N-C₂H₅py in 1 and N-CH₃py in 2 derived from the solvothermal in situ simultaneous decarboxylation and N-alkylation reactions of 2,5-(COOH)₂py. The semi-decarboxylation reaction of 2,5-(COOH)₂py into 2-COOpy occurred in the preparation of 3. X-ray single-crystal analysis revealed that CuI is transformed into a 2-D [Cu₃I₄]⁻ layer in compound 1 and a 1-D chain in compound 2, templated by [N-C₂H₅py]⁺ and [N-CH₃py]⁺, respectively. Compound 3 is a divalent Cu compound. The Cu(II) centers with a 4+2 geometry are coordinated by μ₃-mode 2-COOpy ligands. All of the title compounds were characterized by CHN analysis, IR spectrum analysis and TG analysis. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibit fluorescence properties with the maximum emissions at 581 nm for 1 and 537 nm for 2.     

Highly efficient synthesis of aryl ketones by PEPPSI-palladium catalyzed acylative Suzuki coupling of amides with diarylborinic acids

An improved acylative cross-coupling of various N-methyl-N-tosyl amides with diarylborinic acids for synthesis of aryl ketones is developed. In most cases, aryl ketones could be obtained in excellent yields by using 1?mol% 2,6-diisopropylphenylimidazolylidene and 3-chloropyridine co-supported palladium chloride as catalyst in the presence of 3 equiv. K₂CO₃ as base in refluxing THF. The readily prepared and cost-effective substrates, N-methyl-N-tosylamides and diarylborinic acids, and the commercially available catalyst system promise a practical and efficient access to aryl ketones.     

Honeycomb-like g-C3N4/CeO2-x nanosheets obtained via one step hydrothermal-roasting for efficient and stable Cr(VI) photo-reduction

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄)-based materials are regarded as one of the most potential photocatalysts for utilizing solar energy. In this work, we reported a facile one step in-situ hydrothermal-roasting method for preparing honeycomb-like g-C₃N₄/CeO₂ nanosheets with abundant oxygen vacancies (g-C₃N₄/CeO_2-x). The hydrothermal-roasting and incomplete-sealed state can (i) generate an in-situ reducing atmosphere (CO, N₂, NH₃) to tune the concentration of oxygen vacancies in CeO₂; (ii) beneficial to prevent continuous growth of g-C₃N₄ and results in honeycomb-like g-C₃N₄/CeO_2-x hybrid nanosheets. What is more, the g-C₃N₄/CeO_2-x photocatalyst exhibited extended photoresponse range, increased specific surface area and obviously enhanced separation efficiency of photogenerated electron-hole pairs. As a proof-of-concept application, the optimized g-C₃N₄/CeO_2-x nanosheets could achieve 98% removal efficiency for Cr(VI) under visible light irradiation (λ ≥ 420 nm) within 2.5 h, which is significantly better than those of pure g-C₃N₄ and CeO₂. This work provides a new idea for more rationally designing and constructing g-C₃N₄-based catalysts for efficient extended photochemical application.     

Pressure-induced transformations in α- and β-Ge3N4: in situ studies by synchrotron X-ray diffraction

Metastable high-pressure transformations in germanium nitride (α- and β-Ge₃N₄ polymorphs) have been studied by energy- and angle-dispersive synchrotron X-ray diffraction at high pressures in a diamond anvil cell. Between P=22 and 25 GPa, the phenacite-structured β-Ge₃N₄ phase (P6₃/m) undergoes a 7% reduction in unit-cell volume. The densification is primarily concerned with the a-axis parameter, in a plane normal to the hexagonal c-axis. Based on results of previous LDA calculations and Raman spectroscopic studies, we propose that the structural collapse is due to transformation into a new metastable polymorph (δ-Ge₃N₄) that has a unit-cell symmetry based upon P3, that is related to the low-pressure β-Ge₃N₄ phase by concerted displacements of N atoms away from special symmetry sites in the plane normal to the c-axis. No such transformation occurs for α-Ge₃N₄, due to the different stacking of linked GeN₄ layers. All three polymorphs (α-, β- and δ-Ge₃N₄) are based on tetrahedrally coordinated Ge atoms, unlike the spinel-structured γ-Ge₃N₄ phase, that contains octahedrally coordinated Ge⁴⁺. Experimentally determined bulk modulus values for α-Ge₃N₄ (K₀=165(10) GPa, K₀′=3.7(4)) and β-Ge₃N₄ (K₀=185(7) GPa, K₀′=4.4(5)) are in excellent agreement with theoretical predictions. The bulk modulus for the new δ-Ge₃N₄ polymorph is only determined above the β-δ transition pressure (P=24 GPa); K=161(20) GPa, assuming K′=4. Above 45 GPa, both α- and δ-Ge₃N₄ polymorphs become amorphous, as determined by X-ray diffraction and Raman scattering.     

Novel synthesis of Z-scheme α-Bi2O3/g-C3N4 composite photocatalyst and its enhanced visible light photocatalytic performance: Influence of calcination temperature

In this study, α-Bi₂O₃/g-C₃N₄ nanocomposite with direct Z-scheme was successfully prepared through calcination of BiOCOOH/g-C₃N₄ precursor at different temperature. Meanwhile, the effect of calcination temperature on the physicochemical properties of α-Bi₂O₃/g-C₃N₄ was studied. All results confirmed that calcination temperature greatly influences structural, morphology, surface states, photoelectrochemical property and photocatalytic (PC) performance of α-Bi₂O₃/g-C₃N₄ composite. Furthermore, the α-Bi₂O₃/g-C₃N₄ composite was applied as photocatalyst to degrade amido black 10B dye under visible light irradiation. It was found that the composite synthesized at 400 °C exhibited the highest PC performance due to the intense visible light absorbance and high separation efficiency of electron and hole pairs. Besides, the possible PC mechanism was proposed that the photo-generated charge carrier migration in α-Bi₂O₃/g-C₃N₄ photocatalyst followed a Z-scheme structure. Finally, the stability test also manifest that the α-Bi₂O₃/g-C₃N₄ composite photocatalyst has good stability and reusability, which was a promising candidate for wastewater treatment.