Decarboxylative C(sp3)−O Cross‐Coupling

Alkyl aryl ethers are an important class of compounds in medicinal and agricultural chemistry. Catalytic C(sp³)?O cross‐coupling of alkyl electrophiles with phenols is an unexplored disconnection strategy to the synthesis of alkyl aryl ethers, with the potential to overcome some of the major limitations of existing methods such as C(sp²)?O cross‐coupling and S_N2 reactions. Reported here is a tandem photoredox and copper catalysis to achieve decarboxylative C(sp³)?O coupling of alkyl N‐hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI) esters with phenols under mild reaction conditions. This method was used to synthesize a diverse set of alkyl aryl ethers using readily available alkyl carboxylic acids, including many natural products and drug molecules. Complementarity in scope and functional‐group tolerance to existing methods was demonstrated.     

The elimination kinetics and mechanisms of ethyl piperidine‐3‐carboxylate,ethyl 1‐methylpiperidine‐3‐carboxylate,and ethyl 3‐(piperidin‐1‐yl)propionate in the gas phase

The gas‐phase elimination kinetics of the above‐mentioned compounds were determined in a static reaction system over the temperature range of 369–450.3°C and pressure range of 29–103.5 Torr. The reactions are homogeneous, unimolecular, and obey a first‐order rate law. The rate coefficients are given by the following Arrhenius expressions: ethyl 3‐(piperidin‐1‐yl) propionate, log k₁(s^?1) = (12.79 ± 0.16) ? (199.7 ± 2.0) kJ mol^?1 (2.303 RT)^?1; ethyl 1‐methylpiperidine‐3‐carboxylate, log k₁(s^?1) = (13.07 ± 0.12)–(212.8 ± 1.6) kJ mol^?1 (2.303 RT)^?1; ethyl piperidine‐3‐carboxylate, log k₁(s^?1) = (13.12 ± 0.13) ? (210.4 ± 1.7) kJ mol^?1 (2.303 RT)^?1; and 3‐piperidine carboxylic acid, log k₁(s^?1) = (14.24 ± 0.17) ? (234.4 ± 2.2) kJ mol^?1 (2.303 RT)^?1. The first step of decomposition of these esters is the formation of the corresponding carboxylic acids and ethylene through a concerted six‐membered cyclic transition state type of mechanism. The intermediate β‐amino acids decarboxylate as the α‐amino acids but in terms of a semipolar six‐membered cyclic transition state mechanism. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 38: 106–114, 2006     

Template‐free anion‐controlled synthesis of Pd (II) nano‐aggregates for the antifouling polymerization of CO and ethylene

The reaction of [(domppp) Pd (OAc)₂] [domppp = 1,3‐bis (di‐o‐methoxyphenylphosphino)propane] and imidazolium‐functionalized carboxylic acids containing various anions (Br^?, PF₆^?, SbF₆^? and BF₄^?) resulted in the formation of nano‐sized Pd (II) aggregates under template‐free conditions. The rate of formation of aggregates can be modulated by changing the anion, affecting the rate of polymerization of CO and olefins without fouling. Herein, we describe the analysis of Pd (II) catalysts by dynamic light scattering, atomic force microscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X‐ray crystallography, and co‐ and terpolymerization results including the catalytic activity, and bulk density and molecular weight of polymers.     

Quinolone analogues 1. A convenient synthesis of 1‐alkyl‐4‐oxo‐1,4‐dihydropyridazino[3,4‐b]quinoxaline‐3‐carboxylic acids

The reaction of the alkylhydrazinoquinoxaline N‐oxides 2a‐d with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate gave the dimethyl 1‐alkyl‐1,5‐dihydropyridazino[3,4‐b]qumoxaline‐3,4‐dicarboxylates 3a‐d , whose reaction with nitrous acid effected the C₄‐oxidation to afford the dimethyl 1‐alkyl‐4‐hydroxy‐1,4‐dihydropyridazino‐[3,4‐b]quinoxaline‐3,4‐dicarboxylates 4a‐d , respectively. The reaction of compounds 4a‐d with 1,8‐diazabicyclo[5.4.0]‐7‐undecene in ethanol provided the ethyl 1‐alkyl‐4‐oxo‐1,4‐dihydropyridazino[3,4‐b]quinoxa‐line‐3‐carboxylates 5a‐d , while the reaction of compounds 4a‐d with potassium hydroxide furnished the 1‐alkyl‐4‐oxo‐1,4‐dihydropyridazino[3,4‐b]quinoxaline‐3‐carboxylic acids 6a‐d , respectively. Compounds 6c,d were also obtained by the reaction of compounds 5c,d with potassium hydroxide, respectively.     

The gas‐phase elimination kinetics of ethyl 2‐furoate and ethyl 2‐thiophenecarboxylate

The gas‐phase elimination kinetics of ethyl 2‐furoate and 2‐ethyl 2‐thiophenecarboxylate was carried out in a static reaction system over the temperature range of 623.15–683.15 K (350–410°C) and pressure range of 30–113 Torr. The reactions proved to be homogeneous, unimolecular, and obey a first‐order rate law. The rate coefficients are expressed by the following Arrhenius equations: ethyl 2‐furoate, log k₁ (s^?1) = (11.51 ± 0.17)–(185.6 ± 2.2) kJ mol^?1 (2.303 RT)^?1; ethyl 2‐thiophenecarboxylate, log k₁ (s^?1) = (11.59 ± 0.19)–(183.8 ± 2.4) kJ mol^?1 (2.303 RT)^?1. The elimination products are ethylene and the corresponding heteroaromatic 2‐carboxylic acid. However, as the reaction temperature increases, the intermediate heteroaromatic carboxylic acid products slowly decarboxylate to give the corresponding heteroaromatic furan and thiophene, respectively. The mechanisms of these reactions are suggested and described. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 41: 145–152, 2009     

An efficient FeCl3‐promoted O‐alkyl cleavage of esters to carboxylic acids

A reliable and practical procedure for FeCl₃‐promoted ester cleavage has been developed. Lewis acids including TiCl₄, ZnO and FeCl₃ etc. were investigated as promoters for O‐alkyl cleavage of carboxylic acid ester. Under optimal reaction conditions, FeCl₃ (1.5 equiv.) was found to possess the highest activity and efficiently enhanced dealkylation of aryl esters, alkyl esters and aromatic heterocyclic esters to give their corresponding carboxylic acids in 54–98% yield, the method provides a complementary access to dealkylation of ester under neutral condition. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Ketones from Nickel‐Catalyzed Decarboxylative,Non‐Symmetric Cross‐Electrophile Coupling of Carboxylic Acid Esters

Synthesis of the C?C bonds of ketones relies upon one high‐availability reagent (carboxylic acids) and one low‐availability reagent (organometallic reagents or alkyl iodides). We demonstrate here a ketone synthesis that couples two different carboxylic acid esters, N‐hydroxyphthalimide esters and S‐2‐pyridyl thioesters, to form aryl alkyl and dialkyl ketones in high yields. The keys to this approach are the use of a nickel catalyst with an electron‐poor bipyridine or terpyridine ligand, a THF/DMA mixed solvent system, and ZnCl₂ to enhance the reactivity of the NHP ester. The resulting reaction can be used to form ketones that have previously been difficult to access, such as hindered tertiary/tertiary ketones with strained rings and ketones with α‐heteroatoms. The conditions can be employed in the coupling of complex fragments, including a 20‐mer peptide fragment analog of Exendin(9–39) on solid support.     

Ketones from Nickel‐Catalyzed Decarboxylative,Non‐Symmetric Cross‐Electrophile Coupling of Carboxylic Acid Esters

Synthesis of the C?C bonds of ketones relies upon one high‐availability reagent (carboxylic acids) and one low‐availability reagent (organometallic reagents or alkyl iodides). We demonstrate here a ketone synthesis that couples two different carboxylic acid esters, N‐hydroxyphthalimide esters and S‐2‐pyridyl thioesters, to form aryl alkyl and dialkyl ketones in high yields. The keys to this approach are the use of a nickel catalyst with an electron‐poor bipyridine or terpyridine ligand, a THF/DMA mixed solvent system, and ZnCl₂ to enhance the reactivity of the NHP ester. The resulting reaction can be used to form ketones that have previously been difficult to access, such as hindered tertiary/tertiary ketones with strained rings and ketones with α‐heteroatoms. The conditions can be employed in the coupling of complex fragments, including a 20‐mer peptide fragment analog of Exendin(9–39) on solid support.     

Decarboxylative Palladium(II)‐Catalyzed Synthesis of Aryl Amidines from Aryl Carboxylic Acids: Development and Mechanistic Investigation

A fast and convenient synthesis of aryl amidines starting from carboxylic acids and cyanamides is reported. The reaction was achieved by palladium(II)‐catalysis in a one‐step microwave protocol using [Pd(O₂CCF₃)₂], 6‐methyl‐2,2′‐bipyridyl and trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) in N‐methylpyrrolidinone (NMP), providing the corresponding aryl amidines in moderate to excellent yields. The protocol is very robust with regards to the cyanamide coupling partner but requires electron‐rich ortho‐substituted aryl carboxylic acids. Mechanistic insight was provided by a DFT investigation and direct ESI‐MS studies of the reaction. The results of the DFT study correlated well with the experimental findings and, together with the ESI‐MS study, support the suggested mechanism. Furthermore, a scale‐out (scale‐up) was performed with a non‐resonant microwave continuous‐flow system, achieving a maximum throughput of 11 mmol h^?1 by using a glass reactor with an inner diameter of 3 mm at a flow rate of 1 mL min^?1.     

Synthesis of Isoindolo[2,1‐a]quinazoline‐5,11‐dione Derivatives via the Reductive One‐Pot Reaction of N‐Substituted 2‐Nitrobenzamides and 2‐Formylbenzoic Acids

Various isoindolo[2,1‐a]quinazoline‐5,11‐dione derivatives 3 were synthesized in good yields by means of the reductive reaction of N‐substituted 2‐nitrobenzamides 1 and 2‐formylbenzoic acids 2 in the presence of SnCl₂?2 H₂O under reflux in EtOH (Scheme, Table). The procedure needed two steps, the reduction of the nitro group of the 2‐nitrobenzamide and ring closure by nucleophilic addition of the NH₂ group to both the formyl and carboxylic acid C?O groups.     

Dicarboxylic Acid Separation by Dynamic and Size‐Matched Recognition in Solution and in the Solid State

Bis(trimethylammonium) alkane diiodides dynamically encapsulate dicarboxylic acids through intermolecular hydrogen bonds between the I^? anions of the hosts and the carboxylic OH groups of the guests. A selective recognition is realized when the size of the I^????HOOC(CH₂/CF₂)_nCOOH???I^? superanion matches the dication alkyl chain length. Dynamic recognition is also demonstrated in solution, where the presence of the size‐matching organic salt boosts the acid solubility profile, thus allowing efficient mixture separation.     

Esterification‐nitration of Ortho‐hydroxyphenyl Carboxylic Acids and Benzoic Acids with Cerium(IV) Ammonium Nitrate (CAN)

A convenient and useful esterification was realized, and this reaction proceeded without a dehydrating reagent or water removal equipment. A series of ortho‐hydroxyphenyl carboxylic acids and benzoic acids were transformed to their corresponding methyl esters under CAN/CH₃OH reaction conditions. Whereas in an aprotic solvent, acetonitrile, sp³‐C tethered ortho‐hydroxyphenyl carboxylic acids undergo simultaneous o,p‐dinitration and intramolecular esterification reactions in good yields. Also, 2‐((1 E)‐2‐nitrovinyl)‐4‐nitro‐phenol ( 3e ) showed selective cytotoxicities toward MCF‐7, HEP G2, and HEP 3B cell lines with IC₅₀ values of 23.50, 7.33, and 7.59 ug/mL, respectively.     

Synthesis of alkyl 6‐methyl‐4‐(2‐trifluoromethylphenyl)‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydro‐2H‐pyrimidine‐2‐one‐5‐carboxylates possessing a N‐3 nitro substituent to determine calcium channel modulation structure‐activity relationships

The Bigenelli acid catalyzed condensation of 2‐trifluoromethylbenzaldehyde ( 1 ), urea ( 2 ) and an alkyl acetoacetate ( 3 ) afforded the respective alkyl (Me, Et, i‐Pr, i‐Bu) 6‐methyl‐4‐(2‐trifluoromethylphenyl)‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydro‐2H‐pyrimidine‐2‐one‐5‐carboxylate ( 4‐7 ). Subsequent N³‐nitration of the alkyl esters ( 4‐7 ) using Cu(NO₃)₂ 3H₂O and Ac₂O furnished the target alkyl 6‐methyl‐3‐nitro‐4‐(2‐trifluoromethylphenyl)‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydro‐2H‐pyrimidine‐2‐one‐5‐carboxylates ( 8‐11 ). The N³‐nitro compounds ( 8‐11 ) were less potent calcium channel antagonists (IC₅₀ values in the 1.9 × 10^?7 to 3.9 × 10^?6 M range) on guinea pig ileal longitudinal smooth muscle than the reference drug nifedipine (Adalat®, IC₅₀ = 1.4 × 10^?8 M). In vitro calcium channel modulation studies on guinea pig left atrium (GPLA) showed that the methyl and ethyl esters ( 8‐9 ) induced a weak‐to‐modest positive inotropic (agonist) effect, and that the inactive isopropyl ( 10 ) and isobutyl ( 11 ) esters did not alter the cardiac contractile force of GPLA.     

Cationic palladium complex‐catalyzed carbonylation of 2,3‐dien‐1‐ols to 1,3‐diene‐2‐carboxylic acids and esters under mild conditions

A cationic palladium complex, [Pd(PPh₃)₂(MeCN)₂](BF₄)₂, catalyzed the carbonylation of 2,3‐dien‐1‐ols under mild conditions. The dienols bearing two or more alkyl substituents on the diene part afforded 1,3‐diene‐2‐carboxylic acids successfully in tetrahydrofuran (THF), while those possessing one or no alkyl substituent gave polymers of the products exclusively. The former afforded the corresponding methyl esters in good yields when the reactions were carried out in methanol, while the latter afforded mainly the Diels–Alder reaction products of the resulting esters. An alkylidene group‐substituted π‐allylpalladium species has been presumed to be an intermediate. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Efficient Synthesis of Novel Coumarin‐3‐carboxamides (=2‐Oxo‐2H‐1‐benzopyran‐3‐carboxamides) Containing Lipophilic Spacers

The novel coumarin‐3‐carboxamides (=2‐oxo‐2H‐1‐benzopyran‐3‐carboxamides) 5a – 5g containing lipophilic spacers were synthesized through the Ugi‐four‐component reaction (Scheme 1). The reactions of aromatic aldehydes 1 , 4,4′‐oxybis[benzenamine] or 4,4′‐methylenebis[benzenamine] as diamine 2 , coumarin‐3‐carboxylic acid (=2‐oxo‐2H‐benzopyran‐3‐carboxylic acid; 3 ), and alkyl isocyanides 4 lead to the desired substituted coumarin‐3‐carboxamides 5a – 5g at room temperature with high bond‐forming efficiency. These novel coumarin derivatives exhibit brilliant fluorescence at 544 nm in CHCl₃.     

Visible Light‐Promoted Decarboxylative Di‐ and Trifluoromethylthiolation of Alkyl Carboxylic Acids

Described herein is a new and straightforward decarboxylative di‐ and trifluoromethylthiolation of alkyl carboxylic acids promoted by visible light. This approach enables the synthesis of biologically relevant alkyl SCF₂H and SCF₃ compounds from cheap and abundant carboxylic acids. The method is operationally simple, using irradiation from household light sources, and its mild reaction conditions make it tolerant of a range of functional groups. The strategy employs electrophilic phthalimide‐derived di‐ and trifluoromethylthiolation reagents and exploits the ability of the imidyl radical to carry a radical chain.     

Theoretical Study on the Mechanism of Ni‐Catalyzed Alkyl–Alkyl Suzuki Cross‐Coupling

Ni‐catalyzed cross‐coupling of unactivated secondary alkyl halides with alkylboranes provides an efficient way to construct alkyl–alkyl bonds. The mechanism of this reaction with the Ni/ L1 ( L1 =trans‐N,N′‐dimethyl‐1,2‐cyclohexanediamine) system was examined for the first time by using theoretical calculations. The feasible mechanism was found to involve a Ni^I–Ni^III catalytic cycle with three main steps: transmetalation of [Ni^I( L1 )X] (X=Cl, Br) with 9‐borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane (9‐BBN)R₁ to produce [Ni^I( L1 )(R₁)], oxidative addition of R₂X with [Ni^I( L1 )(R₁)] to produce [Ni^III( L1 )(R₁)(R₂)X] through a radical pathway, and C? C reductive elimination to generate the product and [Ni^I( L1 )X]. The transmetalation step is rate‐determining for both primary and secondary alkyl bromides. KOiBu decreases the activation barrier of the transmetalation step by forming a potassium alkyl boronate salt with alkyl borane. Tertiary alkyl halides are not reactive because the activation barrier of reductive elimination is too high (+34.7 kcal mol^?1). On the other hand, the cross‐coupling of alkyl chlorides can be catalyzed by Ni/ L2 ( L2 =trans‐N,N′‐dimethyl‐1,2‐diphenylethane‐1,2‐diamine) because the activation barrier of transmetalation with L2 is lower than that with L1 . Importantly, the Ni⁰–Ni^II catalytic cycle is not favored in the present systems because reductive elimination from both singlet and triplet [Ni^II( L1 )(R₁)(R₂)] is very difficult.     

Comparative metabolite profiling of carboxylic acids in rat urine by CE‐ESI MS/MS through positively pre‐charged and 2H‐coded derivatization

A new approach to the selective comparative metabolite profiling of carboxylic acids in rat urine was established using CE‐MS and a method for positively pre‐charged and ²H‐coded derivatization. Novel derivatizing reagents, N‐alkyl‐4‐aminomethyl‐pyridinum iodide (alkyl=butyl, butyl‐d9 or hexyl), containing quaternary amine and stable‐isotope atoms (deuterium), were introduced for the derivatization of carboxylic acids. CE separation in positive polarity showed high reproducibility (0.99–1.32% RSD of migration time) and eliminated problems with capillary coating known in CE‐MS anion analyses. Essentially complete ionization and increased hydrophobicity after the derivatization also enhanced MS detection sensitivity (e.g. formic acid was detected at 0.5 pg). Simultaneous derivatization of one sample using two structurally similar reagents, N‐butyl‐4‐aminomethyl‐pyridinum iodide (BAMP) and N‐hexyl‐4‐aminomethyl‐pyridinum iodide, provided additional information for recognizing a carboxylic acid in an unknown sample. Moreover, characteristic fragmentation acquired by online CE‐MS/MS allowed for identification and categorization of carboxylic acids. Applying this method on rat urine, we found 59 ions matching the characteristic patterns of carboxylic acids. From these 59, 32 ions were positively identified and confirmed with standards. For comparative analysis, 24 standard carboxylic acids were derivatized by chemically identical but isotopically distinct BAMP and N‐butyl‐d9‐4‐aminomethyl‐pyridinium iodide, and their derivatization limits and linearity ranges were determined. Comparative analysis was also performed on two individual urine samples derivatized with BAMP and N‐butyl‐d9‐4‐aminomethyl‐pyridinium iodide. The metabolite profiling variation between these two samples was clearly visualized.     

The mechanism of neutral amino acid decomposition in the gas phase. The elimination kinetics of N,N‐dimethylglycine ethyl ester,ethyl 1‐piperidineacetate,and N,N‐dimethylglycine

The gas‐phase elimination kinetics of the ethyl ester of two α‐amino acid type of molecules have been determined over the temperature range of 360–430°C and pressure range of 26–86 Torr. The reactions, in a static reaction system, are homogeneous and unimolecular and obey a first‐order rate law. The rate coefficients are given by the following equations. For N,N‐dimethylglycine ethyl ester: log k₁(s^?1) = (13.01 ± 3.70) ? (202.3 ± 0.3)kJ mol^?1 (2.303 RT)^?1 For ethyl 1‐piperidineacetate: log k₁(s^?1) = (12.91 ± 0.31) ? (204.4 ± 0.1)kJ mol^?1 (2.303 RT)^?1 The decompositon of these esters leads to the formation of the corresponding α‐amino acid type of compound and ethylene. However, the amino acid intermediate, under the condition of the experiments, undergoes an extremely rapid decarboxylation process. Attempts to pyrolyze pure N,N‐dimethylglycine, which is the intermediate of dimethylglycine ethyl ester pyrolysis, was possible at only two temperatures, 300 and 310°C. The products are trimethylamine and CO₂. Assuming log A = 13.0 for a five‐centered cyclic transition‐state type of mechanism in gas‐phase reactions, it gives the following expression: log k₁(s^?1) = (13.0) ? (176.6)kJ mol^?1 (2.303 RT)^?1. The mechanism of these α‐amino acids differs from the decarbonylation elimination of 2‐substituted halo, hydroxy, alkoxy, phenoxy, and acetoxy carboxylic acids in the gas phase. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 33:465–471, 2001     

Scavenging activity of C4‐hydroxyphenyl‐ and polyhydroxyphenyl‐1,4‐dihydropyridines toward free radicals

The radical‐scavenging ability of synthesized C4‐phenolic‐substituted 1,4‐dihydropyridines (1,4‐DHPs) toward 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH^?) and alkyl/alkylperoxyl ABAP‐derived radicals at pH 7.4 was assessed by UV–visible spectroscopy. Reactivity of 1,4‐DHPs toward DPPH^? was measured by following the decay of the absorption corresponding to the radical λ_max at 525 nm, permitting the calculation of EC₅₀, t_EC50, and antiradical efficiency values. Pseudo–first‐order kinetic rate constants for the reactivity between the C4‐phenolic‐substituted 1,4‐DHP compounds and alkyl/alkylperoxyl ABAP‐derived radicals were followed by the decrease in λ_max at 356 nm corresponding to 1,4‐DHP moiety. C4‐phenolic‐substituted 1,4‐DHPs were more reactive toward alkyl free radicals than the other tested radicals. The 3,4,5‐trihydroxyphenyl‐1,4‐DHP was the most reactive derivative toward this radical with a kinetic rate constant value of 513.2 s^?1. Also, this derivative was the most effective toward the DPPH^? radical with the lowest EC₅₀ value (5.08 µM). Comparative studies revealed that synthesized 1,4‐DHPs were more reactive than commercial 1,4‐DHPs. The scavenging mechanism involves the contribution of both pharmacophores, that is, hydroxyphenyl and 1,4‐DHP rings, which was supported by the identification of the reaction products. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 44: 810–820, 2012