In Pursuit of the PO2+ Cation. The Reaction of KPO2F2 and SbF5 leads to an Eight‐membered Antimony‐Oxygen‐Phosphorus‐bridged Ring

The reaction of KPO₂F₂ with the strong Lewis acid SbF₅ was studied as a potential pathway to the unknown PO₂⁺ cation. The resulting product has the desired PO₂SbF₆ composition but consists of an eight‐membered, antimony‐oxygen‐phosphorus‐bridged ring that was characterized by vibrational and NMR spectroscopy, ab initio methods, and a single crystal x‐ray diffraction study. The preferred formation of the ring and its mechanism are discussed.     

Catalytic Synthesis of 8‐Membered Ring Compounds via Cobalt(III)‐Carbene Radicals

The metalloradical activation of o‐aryl aldehydes with tosylhydrazide and a cobalt(II) porphyrin catalyst produces cobalt(III)‐carbene radical intermediates, providing a new and powerful strategy for the synthesis of medium‐sized ring structures. Herein we make use of the intrinsic radical‐type reactivity of cobalt(III)‐carbene radical intermediates in the [Co^II(TPP)]‐catalyzed (TPP=tetraphenylporphyrin) synthesis of two types of 8‐membered ring compounds; novel dibenzocyclooctenes and unprecedented monobenzocyclooctadienes. The method was successfully applied to afford a variety of 8‐membered ring compounds in good yields and with excellent substituent tolerance. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations and experimental results suggest that the reactions proceed via hydrogen atom transfer from the bis‐allylic/benzallylic C?H bond to the carbene radical, followed by two divergent processes for ring‐closure to the two different types of 8‐membered ring products. While the dibenzocyclooctenes are most likely formed by dissociation of o‐quinodimethanes (o‐QDMs) which undergo a non‐catalyzed 8π‐cyclization, DFT calculations suggest that ring‐closure to the monobenzocyclooctadienes involves a radical‐rebound step in the coordination sphere of cobalt. The latter mechanism implies that unprecedented enantioselective ring‐closure reactions to chiral monobenzocyclooctadienes should be possible, as was confirmed for reactions mediated by a chiral cobalt‐porphyrin catalyst.     

Organometallic Diaza‐dimetalla‐Norbornanes and ‐Cyclohexanes of Aluminium,Gallium and Indium

Selective formation of 1,3,3,4,6,6‐hexamethyl‐1,4‐diaza‐3,6‐diinda‐norborane was achieved by the reaction of bis(lithiomethyl‐methylamino)methane with dimethylindium chloride by simultaneous formation of two dative metal‐carbon and two metal‐nitrogen bonds accompanied by two ring closures. The synthesis of heterometallic compounds of this type, namely 1,3,3,4,6,6‐hexamethyl‐3‐alumina‐1,4‐diaza‐6‐galla‐norborane [Me₂AlCH₂N(Me)]CH₂[N(Me)CH₂GaMe₂], was also attempted by the reaction of bis(lithiomethyl‐methylamino)methane with dimethylaluminium and ‐gallium chloride. This compound is formed, but cannot be separated from the simultaneously formed homometallic compounds [Me₂MCH₂N(Me)]₂CH₂(M = Al, Ga). The compounds were identified by elemental analyses, mass spectra, NMR spectroscopy (¹H, ¹³C), and by determination of their crystal structures in which they are present as monomers. The norbornane‐like structure is favoured over potential isomers containing three‐membered rings and over polymeric aggregation in both compounds. In addition, the crystal structure of dimethyl(dimethylaminomethyl)indium was determined by single crystal X‐ray diffraction, which shows an intermolecular aggregation into a six‐membered ring dimer.     

Conformations of the Nine‐Membered Ring in the B‐Nor‐5,10‐secosteroids. X‐Ray and NMR Analysis

The conformations of (Z)‐ and (E)‐5‐oxo‐B‐nor‐5,10‐secocholest‐1(10)‐en‐3β‐yl acetates ( 2 and 3 , resp.) were examined by a combination of X‐ray crystallographic analysis and NMR spectroscopy, with emphasis on the geometry of the cyclononenone moiety. The ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR spectra showed that the unsaturated nine‐membered ring of (E)‐isomer 3 in C₆D₆ and (D₆)acetone solution exists in a sole conformation of type B ₁ , which is similar to its solid‐state conformation. The (Z)‐isomer 2 in C₆D₆, CDCl₃, and (D₆)acetone solution, however, exists in two conformational forms of different families, with different orientation of the carbonyl group, the predominant form (85%) corresponding to the conformation of type A ₁ and the minor (15%) to the conformation A ₂ present also in the crystalline state. In this solid‐state conformations of the nine‐membered ring of both compounds, the 19‐Me and 5‐oxo groups are ‘β’‐oriented. The NMR analysis suggests that the nine‐membered ring of 4 has a conformation of type C ₁ in CDCl₃ solution.     

2,3‐Dihydro‐3,3‐dimethylspiro[1H‐4‐oxanthracene‐5,2′‐oxiran]‐10(5H)‐one

The central six‐membered ring in the title compound, C₁₆H₁₆O₃, is almost planar (and almost coplanar with the aromatic ring), despite one of its C atoms being formally sp³ hybridized. The planarity is a consequence of the C atom at the centre of the spiro­cyclic system also being part of the three‐membered epoxide ring. The mol­ecules are linked by π–­π and C—H?π interactions.     

Catalytic Dibenzocyclooctene Synthesis via Cobalt(III)–Carbene Radical and ortho‐Quinodimethane Intermediates

The metalloradical activation of ortho‐benzallylaryl N‐tosyl hydrazones with [Co(TPP)] (TPP=tetraphenylporphyrin) as the catalyst enabled the controlled exploitation of the single‐electron reactivity of the redox non‐innocent carbene intermediate. This method offers a novel route to prepare eight‐membered rings, using base metal catalysis to construct a series of unique dibenzocyclooctenes through selective C_carbene?C_aryl cyclization. The desired eight‐membered‐ring products were obtained in good to excellent yields. A large variety of aromatic substituents are tolerated. The proposed reaction mechanism involves intramolecular hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) to Co^III–carbene radical intermediates followed by dissociation of an ortho‐quinodimethane that undergoes 8π cyclization. The mechanism is supported by DFT calculations, and the presence of radical‐type intermediates was confirmed by trapping experiments.     

Large‐ring P/O chelate nickel complex catalyzed oligomerization of ethylene to linear α‐olefins

1,1‐(Bicyclononyl‐9‐phosphino)hendecanoic acid and potassium 1,1‐(biscyclohexylphosphino)­hendecylate were synthesized. A model nickel complex [η³−C₈H₁₃]Ni[(C₈H₁₄)P(CH₂)₁₀COO] containing a 14‐membered chelate ring was also synthesized. The catalytic activity of this large chelate ring nickel complex for the oligomerization of ethylene was studied and compared with that of six‐membered ring chelate nickel complexes. The influence of the chelate ring was rationalized in terms of intramolecular rotation. The 14‐membered ring P/O chelate nickel complex was shown to have efficient catalytic activity for the oligomerization of ethylene to α‐olefins. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Base‐Selective Five‐ versus Six‐Membered Ring Annulation in Palladium‐Catalyzed C–C Coupling Cascade Reactions: New Access to Electron‐Poor Polycyclic Aromatic Dicarboximides

Palladium‐catalyzed base‐selective annulation of dibromonaphthalimide to different aryl boronate esters by combined Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling and direct C−H arylation afforded a series of new five‐ and six‐membered ring annulated electron‐poor polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Cesium carbonate (Cs₂CO₃) as auxiliary base in these C−C coupling cascade reactions led exclusively to six‐membered ring annulation, while the use of organic base diazabicycloundecene (DBU) afforded the corresponding five‐membered ring annulated products. This base‐dependent selective mode of annulation is attributed to different mechanistic pathways directed by the applied base. The selective annulation was revealed by single crystal X‐ray analysis of the respective five‐ and six‐membered ring annulated products. The optical and redox properties of the new polycyclic aromatic dicarboximides were characterized by UV/Vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry.     

Bis[N‐(2‐hydroxy­ethyl)‐β‐alaninato]copper(II)

The Cu^II ion in the title complex, [Cu(C₅H₁₀NO₃)₂] or [Cu(He‐ala)₂] [He‐ala = N‐(2‐hydroxy­ethyl)‐β‐alaninate], resides at the inversion centre of a square bipyramid comprised of two facially arranged tridentate He‐ala ligands. Each He‐ala ligand binds to a Cu^II ion by forming one six‐membered β‐alaninate chelate ring in a twist conformation and one five‐membered ethanol­amine ring in an envelope conformation, with Cu—N = 2.017 (2) Å, Cu—O_COO = 1.968 (1) Å and Cu—O_OH = 2.473 (2) Å. The [Cu(He‐ala)₂] mol­ecules are involved in a network of O—H⋯O and N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming layers parallel to the (10) plane. The layers are connected into a three‐dimensional structure by van der Waals inter­actions, so that the mol­ecular centres form pseudo‐face‐centered close packing.     

Poly[(μ4‐biphenyl‐3,3′,4,4′‐tetracarboxylato)bis[μ2‐1,4‐bis(imidazol‐1‐ylmethyl)benzene]dicobalt(II)]

The asymmetric unit of the title two‐dimensional coordination polymer, [Co₂(C₁₆H₆O₈)(C₁₄H₁₄N₄)₂]_n, contains one Co²⁺ ion, half of a biphenyl‐3,3′,4,4′‐tetracarboxylate (bptc) anion lying about an inversion centre and one 1,4‐bis(imidazol‐1‐ylmethyl)benzene (bix) ligand. The Co^II atom is coordinated by three carboxylate O atoms from two different bptc ligands and two N atoms from two bix ligands constructing a distorted square pyramid. Each Co²⁺ ion is interlinked by two bptc anions, while each bptc anion coordinates to four Co atoms as a hexadentate ligand so that four Co^II atoms and four bptc anions afford a larger 38‐membered ring. These inorganic rings are further extended into a two‐dimensional undulated network in the (10) plane. Two Co^II atoms in adjacent 38‐membered rings are joined together by pairs of bix ligands forming a 26‐membered [Co₂(bix)₂] ring that is penetrated by a bptc anion; these components share a common inversion centre.     

[N‐(Carboxyl­ato­methyl)­aspartato(3–)](ethyl­enedi­amine)­cobalt(III) trihydrate

The mononuclear title complex, [Co(C₆H₆NO₆)(C₂H₈N₂)]·3H₂O, contains an octahedrally coordinated Co^III atom. The N‐(carboxy­methyl)­aspartate moiety is coordinated as a tetradentate ligand, providing an OONO‐donor set and forming two trans five‐membered chelate rings and one six‐membered chelate ring. A seven‐membered chelate ring is also formed, which consists of part of the six‐membered chelate ring and part of one of the five‐membered chelate rings. The crystal structure of the complex is stabilized by hydrogen bonds with three water mol­ecules.     

SN2P2: A Neutral Five‐Membered Sulfur–Pnictogen(III) Ring

The novel aromatic ring compound 2,4‐diphospha‐3,5‐diaza‐thiole (cyclo‐SNPNP) was synthesized via flash pyrolysis of SP(N₃)₃ and characterized by IR spectroscopy and ¹⁵N isotope labeling. Quantum chemical computations indicate its formation by head‐to‐tail dimerization of SNP and subsequent elimination of a sulfur atom from the highly unstable boatlike six‐membered‐ring compound cyclo‐SNPSNP.     

Total Synthesis of (−)‐Pepluanol B: Conformational Control of the Eight‐Membered‐Ring System

The first total synthesis of the Euphorbia diterpenoid pepluanol B in both racemic and enantioenriched form involves 20 steps from a known bicyclic diol. This synthesis features an unprecedented bromo‐epoxidation to control the eight‐membered‐ring conformation. In addition, salient reactions for the construction of the tetracyclic backbone include a sterically challenging aldol reaction to establish the quaternary center, a ring closing metathesis (RCM) to forge the eight‐membered ring, and a diastereoselective cyclopropanation to assemble the embedded cyclopropane motif.     

Kinetic and Mechanistic Insights into the Pathway Leading to Cyclic Crystalline Phosphorus Ylide Formation in the Presence of 3‐Chloropentane‐2,4‐dione: Theoretical and Stopped‐Flow Approaches

In this work, three speculative mechanisms of the reaction between triphenylphosphine and dimethyl acetylendicarboxylate in the presence of 3‐chloropentane‐2,4‐dione were energetically and thermodynamically developed using quantum mechanical calculations and were profoundly compared with stopped‐flow and UV spectrophotometry approaches. The third speculative mechanism that led to the five‐membered ring structure was experimentally and theoretically favorable. The five‐membered ring structure of product was characterized by X‐ray crystallographic data. Also, steps 1 and 2 of the third mechanism were determined as fast and rate‐determining steps, respectively. The experimental kinetic evidence of the formation and decay of intermediate in steps 1 and 2 (fast and rate‐determining steps, respectively) was compatible with theoretical data. Experimental kinetic data were recognized for overall reaction along with activation parameters for fast and rate‐determining steps of the reaction. Theoretical kinetic data (k and E_a) and activation parameters (ΔG^≠, ΔS,^≠ and ΔH^≠) were calculated for each step and overall reactions.     

2,2′‐Anhydro‐1‐(3′,5′‐di‐O‐acetyl‐β‐D‐arabinofuranosyl)uracil,a cyclouridine nucleoside with a C4′‐endo furanosyl conformation

2,2′‐Anhydro‐1‐(3′,5′‐di‐O‐acetyl‐β‐D‐arabinofuranosyl)uracil, C₁₃H₁₄N₂O₇, was obtained by refluxing 2′,3′‐O‐(methoxymethylene)uridine in acetic anhydride. The structure exhibits a nearly perfect C4′‐endo (⁴E) conformation. The best four‐atom plane of the five‐membered furanose ring is O—C—C—C, involving the C atoms of the fused five‐membered oxazolidine ring, and the torsion angle is only −0.4 (2)°. The oxazolidine ring is essentially coplanar with the six‐membered uracil ring [r.m.s. deviation = 0.012 (5) Å and dihedral angle = −3.2 (3)°]. The conformation at the exocyclic C—C bond is gauche–trans which is stabilized by various C—H...π and C—O...π interactions.     

2,3:4,6‐Di‐O‐isopropylidene‐α‐l‐sorbofuranose and 2,3‐O‐isopropylidene‐α‐l‐sorbofuranose

In the title compounds, C₁₂H₂₀O₆, (I), and C₉H₁₆O₆, (II), the five‐membered furanose ring adopts a ⁴T₃ conformation and the five‐membered 1,3‐dioxolane ring adopts an E₃ conformation. The six‐membered 1,3‐dioxane ring in (I) adopts an almost ideal ^OC₃ conformation. The hydrogen‐bonding patterns for these compounds differ substantially: (I) features just one intramolecular O—H...O hydrogen bond [O...O = 2.933 (3) Å], whereas (II) exhibits, apart from the corresponding intramolecular O—H...O hydrogen bond [O...O = 2.7638 (13) Å], two intermolecular bonds of this type [O...O = 2.7708 (13) and 2.7730 (12) Å]. This study illustrates both the similarity between the conformations of furanose, 1,3‐dioxolane and 1,3‐dioxane rings in analogous isopropylidene‐substituted carbohydrate structures and the only negligible influence of the presence of a 1,3‐dioxane ring on the conformations of furanose and 1,3‐dioxolane rings. In addition, in comparison with reported analogs, replacement of the –CH₂OH group at the C1‐furanose position by another group can considerably affect the conformation of the 1,3‐dioxolane ring.     

Expanded‐Ring N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes Efficiently Stabilize Gold(I) Cations,Leading to High Activity in π‐Acid‐Catalyzed Cyclizations

A series of six‐ and seven‐membered expanded‐ring N‐heterocyclic carbene (er‐NHC) gold(I) complexes has been synthesized using different synthetic approaches. Complexes with weakly coordinating anions [(er‐NHC)AuX] (X^?=BF₄^?, NTf₂^?, OTf^?) were generated in solution. According to their ¹³C NMR spectra, the ionic character of the complexes increases in the order X^?=Cl^?<NTf₂^?<OTf^?<BF₄^?. Additional factors for stabilization of the cationic complexes are expansion of the NHC ring and the attachment of bulky substituents at the nitrogen atoms. These er‐NHCs are bulkier ligands and stronger electron donors than conventional NHCs as well as phosphines and sulfides and provide more stabilization of [(L)Au⁺] cations. A comparative study has been carried out of the catalytic activities of five‐, six‐, and seven‐membered carbene complexes [(NHC)AuX], [(Ph₃P)AuX], [(Me₂S)AuX], and inorganic compounds of gold in model reactions of indole and benzofuran synthesis. It was found that increased ionic character of the complexes was correlated with increased catalytic activity in the cyclization reactions. As a result, we developed an unprecedentedly active monoligand cationic [(THD‐Dipp)Au]BF₄ (1,3‐bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)‐3,4,5,6‐tetrahydrodiazepin‐2‐ylidene gold(I) tetrafluoroborate) catalyst bearing seven‐membered‐ring carbene and bulky Dipp substituents. Quantitative yields of cyclized products were attained in several minutes at room temperature at 1 mol % catalyst loadings. The experimental observations were rationalized and fully supported by DFT calculations.     

Mixed Boron(III) and Phosphorous(V) Complexes of meso‐Triaryl 25‐Oxasmaragdyrins

Two unprecedented mixed B^III/P^V complexes of meso‐triaryl 25‐oxasmaragdyrins were synthesized in appreciable yields under mild reaction conditions. These unusual 25‐oxasmaragdyrin complexes containing one or two seven‐membered heterocyclic rings comprised of five different atoms (B, C, N, O, and P) were prepared by reacting B(OH)(Ph)‐smaragdyrin and B(OH)₂‐smaragdyrin complexes, respectively, with POCl₃ in toluene at reflux temperature. The products were characterized by HRMS and 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR spectroscopy. X‐ray crystallography of one of the mixed B^III/P^V smaragdyrin complexes indicated that the macrocycle is significantly distorted and contains a stable seven‐membered heterocyclic ring within the macrocycle. The bands in the absorption and emission spectra were bathochromically shifted with reduced quantum yields and singlet‐state lifetimes relative to the free base, meso‐triaryl 25‐oxasmaragdyrin. The mixed B^III/P^V complexes were difficult to oxidize but easier to reduce than the free base. The DFT‐optimized structure of the 25‐oxasmaragdyrin complex with two seven‐membered heterocycles indicated that it was a bicyclic spiro compound with two half‐chair‐like conformers. This was in contrast to the chair‐like conformation of the complex with a single seven‐membered heterocyclic ring. Moreover, incorporation of a second phosphate group in the former case stabilized the bonding geometry and resulted in higher stability, which was reflected in the bathochromic shift of the absorption spectra, more‐positive oxidation potential, and less‐negative reduction potential.     

Thermochemistry of N‐heterocyclic carbenes with 5‐, 4‐, 3‐, and 2‐membered rings

N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) based on imidazole‐2‐ylidene ( 1 ) or the saturated imidazolidine‐2‐ylidene ( 2 ) scaffolds are long‐lived singlet carbenes. Both benefit from inductive stabilization of the sigma lone pair on carbon by neighboring N atoms and delocalization of the N pi lone pairs into the nominally vacant p‐pi atomic orbital at the carbene carbon. With thermochemical schemes G4 and CBS‐QB3, we estimate the relative thermodynamic stabilization of smaller ring carbenes and acyclic species which may share the keys to NHC stability. These include four‐membered ring systems incorporating the carbene center, two trivalent N centers, and either a boron or a phosphorus atom to complete the ring. Amino‐substituted cyclopropenylidenes have been reported but three‐membered rings containing the carbene center and two N atoms are not known. Our calculations suggest that amino‐substituted cyclopropenylidenes are comparable in stability to the four‐membered NHCs but that diazacyclopropanylidenes would be substantially less effectively stabilized. Concluding the series are acyclic carbenes with and without neighboring N atoms and a series of “two‐membered ring” azapropadienenylidene cations of form :C?N?W with W = an electron‐withdrawing agent. We have studied W = NO₂, CH₂(+), CF₂(+), and (CN)₂C(+). Although these systems display a degree of stabilization and carbene‐like electronic structure, the stability of the NHCs is unsurpassed. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

(24R)‐24,25‐Dihydroxycyclo­artan‐3‐one

In the title compound, C₃₀H₅₀O₃, the three six‐membered rings adopt chair, twist and twist‐boat conformations. The five‐membered ring is in a slightly distorted envelope conformation. The substituent on the five‐membered ring is in an extended conformation, with its two hydroxyl O atoms forming an intramolecular hydrogen bond. One of these O atoms also forms an intermolecular hydrogen bond with the oxy­gen of the carbonyl group in a neighbouring mol­ecule.