Enantioselective Phase Transfer Catalytic Reactions. A Comparative Study on the Use of Cinchonidine Salts and Glucose-Based Lariat Ethers Including Phosphinoxidomethyl Derivatives

Five model reactions including an epoxidation by alkylhydroperoxide or Darzens condensation, as well as Michael additions were accomplished under phase transfer catalytic conditions using cinchonidine salts or lariat ethers with side arms having HO or Ph₂P(O) endgroups as the catalysts. In almost all cases, the use of lariat ethers with either hydroxyalkyl- or phosphinoxido N-substituents led to better enantioselectivities than that of the three cinchonidine derivatives studied.     

Synthesis and complexing properties of double armed diaza‐15‐crown‐5 and diaza‐18‐crown‐6 ethers having 4′‐hydroxy‐3′,5′‐disubstituted benzyl groups

A series of double armed diaza‐15‐crown‐5 ethers (9a ‐ 16a) and diaza‐18‐crown‐6 ethers (9b ‐ 16b) have been prepared by the Mannich reaction of 2,6‐disubstituted phenols with the corresponding N,N'‐dimethoxymethyldiaza‐crown ethers in benzene. The crystal structures of the diaza‐18‐crown‐6 ethers having iso‐propyl (10b) , tert‐butyl (11b) , and mixed methyl and tert‐butyl groups (12b) at positions 3′ and 5′ of the phenolic side arms were determined using X‐ray diffraction methods. Competitive transport by these ligands for sodium, potassium and cesium cations were measured under basic‐source phase and acidic‐receiving phase conditions.     

Synthesis of dibenzo‐16‐crown‐5 compounds with pendant ester and ether groups

Structurally related dibenzo‐16‐crown‐5 lariat ethers with pendant ester and ether groups are prepared. Structural variations within the series of alkyl lariat ether esters include changes in the O‐alkyl group, attachment site and nature of the lipophilic group, and length of the spacer, which connects the ester group to the polyether framework. Also synthesized are bis(crown ether) diesters with two dibenzo‐16‐crown‐5 or two dicyclohexano‐16‐crown‐5 units and two ester groups connected to each other by a linker of varying length. Synthetic strategies for the preparation of these lariat ethers with pendant ester‐ and ether‐containing side arms are described.     

Enantioselective Michael addition of malonates to aromatic nitroalkenes catalyzed by monosaccharide-based chiral crown ethers

The asymmetric Michael addition of diethyl malonate and α-substituted diethyl malonates to aromatic nitroalkenes was carried out under mild reaction conditions in a solid–liquid phase transfer reaction in the presence of α-d-glucopyranoside- and α-d-mannopyranoside-based crown ethers as the catalysts. The use of d-glucose-based lariat ether 1 gave the best results. The substituents of the β-nitrostyrene and the diethyl malonate had a significant impact on the chemical yields and enantioselectivity. The addition of diethyl-2-acetamidomalonate to aromatic nitroalkenes afforded the corresponding Michael adducts in moderate to high enantiomeric excess (ee up to 99%). The reaction of diethyl-2-methylmalonate with 2-nitro-β-nitrostyrene gave the adduct with 93% enantiomeric excess in the presence of crown catalyst 1.     

Complexing properties of 3′,5′‐disubstituted‐4′‐hydroxybenzyl armed monoaza‐12‐crown‐4 and armed monoaza‐15‐crown‐5 ethers and crystal structures of the alkali metal ion complexes

A series of monoaza‐15‐crown‐5 ethers (2b‐2h) having 4′‐hydroxy‐3′,5′‐disubstituted benzyl groups have been prepared by the Mannich reaction of 2,6‐disubstituted phenols with the corresponding N‐methoxymethylmonoaza‐crown ethers. Competitive transport through a chloroform membrane by 12‐crown‐4 derivatives (lithium, potassium and cesium) and 15‐crown‐5 derivatives (sodium, potassium and cesium) were measured under basic‐source phase and acidic‐receiving phase conditions. All ligands transported size‐matched alkali‐metal cations. Ligands 1h and 2h with two fluorine atoms in the side arm gave higher metal ion transport rates than those of dimethyl‐ (1a and 2a), diisopropyl‐ (1b and 2b), and butylmethyl‐ (1d and 2d) derivatives. X‐ray crystal structures of six alkali metal complexes with monoaza‐12‐crown‐4‐derivatives ( 1b‐LiSCN, 1b‐KSCN, 1c‐NaSCN, 1d‐LiSCN, 1f‐RbSCN and 1h‐LiSCN ) and three alkali metal complexes with 15‐crown‐5 derivatives ( 2b‐KSCN, 2c‐KSCN , and 2e‐KSCN ) along with crystal structures of some new ligands (1b, 1c, 1d, 1f, and 2c) are also reported. These X‐ray analyses indicate that the crystal structures of the alkali metal ion complexes of these new armed‐crown ethers changed depending on the substituents at the 3′‐ and 5′‐positions of the appended hydroxybenzyl arms.     

Fine‐tuning of electromembrane extraction selectivity using 18‐crown‐6 ethers as supported liquid membrane modifiers

Selectivity of electromembrane extractions (EMEs) was fine‐tuned by modifications of supported liquid membrane (SLM) composition using additions of various 18‐crown‐6 ethers into 1‐ethyl‐2‐nitrobenzene. Gradually increased transfer of K⁺, the cation that perfectly fits the cavity of 18‐crown‐6 ethers, was observed for EMEs across SLMs modified with increasing concentrations of 18‐crown‐6 ethers. A SLM containing 1% w/v of dibenzo‐18‐crown‐6 in 1‐ethyl‐2‐nitrobenzene exhibited excellent selectivity for EMEs of K⁺. The established host–guest interactions between crown ether cavities in the SLM and potassium ions in donor solution ensured their almost exhaustive transfer into acceptor solution (extraction recovery ～92%) within 30 min of EME at 50 V. Other inorganic cations were not transferred across the SLM (Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺) or were transferred negligibly (NH₄⁺, Na⁺; extraction recovery < 2%) and had only subtle effect on EMEs of K⁺. The high selectivity of the tailor‐made SLM holds a great promise for future applications in EMEs since the range of similar selective modifiers is very broad and may be applied in various fields of analytical chemistry.     

Synthesis of 4‐(trihalomethyl)dipyrimidin‐2‐ylamines from β‐alkoxy‐α,β‐unsaturated trihalomethyl ketones

The synthesis of a novel series of twelve 4‐(trihalomethyl)dipyrimidin‐2‐ylamines, from the cyclo‐condensation reaction of 4‐(trichloromethyl)‐2‐guanidinopyrimidine, with β‐alkoxyvinyl trihalomethyl ketones, of general formula: X₃C‐C(O)‐C(R²)=C(R¹)‐OR, where: X = F, Cl; R = Me, Et, ‐(CH₂)₂‐, ‐(CH₂)₃‐; R¹ = H, Me; R² = H, Me, ‐(CH₂)₂‐, ‐(CH₂)₃‐, is reported. The reactions were carried out in acetonitrile under reflux for 16 hours, leading to the dipyrimidin‐2‐ylamines in 65‐90% yield. Depending on the substituents of the vinyl ketone, tetrahydropyrimidines or aromatic pyrimidine rings were obtained from the cyclization reaction. When X = Cl, elimination of the trichloromethyl group was observed during the cyclization step. The structure of 4‐(trihalomethyl)dipyrimidin‐2‐ylamines was studied in detail by ¹H‐, ¹³C‐ and 2D‐nmr spectroscopy.     

Rhodium‐Catalyzed Intramolecular Hydroarylation of 1‐Halo‐1‐alkynes: Regioselective Synthesis of Semihydrogenated Aromatic Heterocycles

The regioselective intramolecular hydroarylation of (3‐halo‐2‐propynyl)anilines, (3‐halo‐2‐propynyl) aryl ethers, or (4‐halo‐3‐butynyl) aryl ethers was efficiently catalyzed by Rh₂(OCOCF₃)₄ to give semihydrogenated aromatic heterocycles, such as 4‐halo‐1,2‐dihydroquinolines, 4‐halo‐3‐chromenes, or 4‐(halomethylene)chromans, in good to excellent yields. Some synthetic applications taking advantage of the halo‐substituents of the products are also illustrated.     

The psuedo‐michael reaction of 2‐aminoimidazolines 2. Part 1. Synthesis and structure assignment of isomeric 5(1H)‐Oxo and 7(1H)‐Oxo‐2,3‐dihydroimidazo[1,2‐a]pyrimidine‐6‐carboxylates

The pseudo‐Michael reaction of 1‐aryl‐2‐aminoimidazolines‐2 with diethyl ethoxymethylenemalonate (DEEM) was investigated. Extensive structural studies were performed to confirm the reaction course. For derivatives with N1 aromatic substituents, it was found that the reaction course was temperature dependent. When the reaction temperature was held at ?10 °C only the formation of 1‐aryl‐7(1H)‐oxo‐2,3‐dihydroimi‐dazo[1,2‐a]pyrimidine‐6‐carboxylates ( 4 ) was observed in contrast to earlier suggestions. Under the room temperature conditions, the same reaction yielded mixtures, with varying ratio, of isomeric 1‐aryl‐7(1H)‐oxo‐ ( 4a‐4f ) and 1‐aryl‐5(1H)‐oxo‐2,3‐dihydroimidazo[1,2‐a]pyrimidine‐6‐carboxylates ( 5a‐5f ). The molecular structure of selected isomers, 4b and 5c , was confirmed by X‐ray crystallography. Frontal chro‐matography with delivery from the edge was applied for the separation of the isomeric esters. The isomer ratio of the reaction products depended on the character of the substituents on the phenyl ring. The 1‐aryl‐7(1H)‐oxo‐carboxylates ( 4a‐4f ) were preferably when the phenyl ring contained H, 4‐CH₃, 4‐OCH₃ and 3,4‐Cl₂ substituents. Chloro substitution at either position 3 or 4 in the phenyl ring favored the formation of isomers 5a‐5f . The isomer ratios were confirmed both by ¹H NMR and chromatography. The reaction of the respective hydrobromides of 1‐aryl‐2‐aminoimidazoline‐2 with DEEM, in the presence of triethylamine, gave selectively 5(1H)‐oxo‐esters ( 5a‐5f ).     

Preparation of N‐(4′,6′‐difluoro‐2′‐hydroxybenzyl)‐monoaza‐15‐crown‐5 and x‐ray crystal structure of potassium thiocyanate complex: A molecular partition wall

Armed monoaza‐15‐crown‐5 having a 4′,6′‐difluoro‐2′‐hydroxybenzyl group as an additional binding site ( 2 ) has been prepared by the Mannich reaction of N‐methoxymethylmonoaza‐15‐crown‐5 with 3,5‐difluorophenol. The reactive site on 3,5‐difluorophenol for the Mannich reaction was predicted by an electrostatic potential calculation (density functional calculation, SVWN/DN* method). Ligand 2 is interesting, because it has two possible binding sites (phenolic OH group and fluorine atom) in the side arm. An X‐ray crystal structure of the potassium thiocyanate complex of ligand 2 revealed that the oxygen atom of the phenolic OH group binds to the potassium cation incorporated in the crown ether ring, and two water molecules are enclosed by two armed crown ethers with the crown ethers forming partition walls.     

One‐Pot Synthesis of (−)‐Oseltamivir and Mechanistic Insights into the Organocatalyzed Michael Reaction

The one‐pot sequential synthesis of (?)‐oseltamivir has been achieved without evaporation or solvent exchange in 36 % yield over seven reactions. The key step was the asymmetric Michael reaction of pentan‐3‐yloxyacetaldehyde with (Z)‐N‐2‐nitroethenylacetamide, catalyzed by a diphenylprolinol silyl ether. The use of a bulky O‐silyl‐substituted diphenylprolinol catalyst, chlorobenzene as a solvent, and HCO₂H as an acid additive, were key to produce the first Michael adduct in both excellent yield and excellent diastereo‐ and enantioselectivity. Investigation into the effect of acid demonstrated that an acid additive accelerates not only the E–Z isomerization of the enamines derived from pentan‐3‐yloxyacetaldehyde with diphenylprolinol silyl ether, but also ring opening of the cyclobutane intermediate and the addition reaction of the enamine to (Z)‐N‐2‐nitroethenylacetamide. The transition‐state model for the Michael reaction of pentan‐3‐yloxyacetaldehyde with (Z)‐N‐2‐nitroethenylacetamide was proposed by consideration of the absolute configuration of the major and minor isomers of the Michael product with the results of the Michael reaction of pentan‐3‐yloxyacetaldehyde with phenylmaleimide and naphthoquinone.     

Factors Influence Complexing Selectivity of Lariat Crown Ethers Toward Alkali Metal Ions in Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry

The selectivity of eight lariat crown ethers in the sym‐dibenzo‐16‐crown‐5 series toward alkali metal ions was studied with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry under different conditions. With the exception of 2g , which is equally selective toward Na⁺ and Li⁺, all other lariat crown ethers show the best selectivity toward Li⁺ in methanol. Factors that influence the selectivity include the water content, counterions, nature of the side arms, and the externally added cations. Iodide gives the best Na⁺ selectivity with R_I > R_Br > R_Cl. Increased water content profoundly increases the Na⁺ selectivity when the side arm is hydrophilic and the steric hindrance is small. Externally added cations (Cs⁺ and/or Rb⁺) enhance the Na⁺ selectivity by exchanging the smaller Li⁺ from the cavity.     

Anionic ring opening polymerization of cyclotetrasiloxanes with large substituents

Cyclotetrasiloxanes with large substituents were synthesized by hydrosilylation of 1,3,5,7-tetramethylcyclotetrasiloxane with CH₂=CHCH₂X, X being (CH₂)₂CH₃, O(CH₂CH₂O)₃CH₃, OCH₂epoxy and OCH₂- benzo-18-crown-6. The tetrasubstituted cycles were homo-polymerized or copolymerized with octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane in the presence of potassium silanolate to yield polysiloxanes with side chains containing oxirane rings, crown ethers or oxyethylene ligands. In addition to a complex mixture of cycles, about 50 to 80% polymer can be recovered. The copolymer generally contains less of the substituted monomer than the starting monomer feed, but the bulky substituents do not appear to prevent formation of homo- or copolymer.     

Ruthenium‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation of 3‐Oxoglutaric Acid Derivatives: A Study of Unconventional Solvent and Substituent Effects

A series of 3‐oxoglutaric acid derivatives have been hydrogenated in different solvents in the presence of [RuCl(benzene)(S)‐SunPhos]Cl (SunPhos=(2,2,2′,2′‐tetramethyl‐[4,4′‐bibenzo[d][1,3]dioxole]‐5,5′‐diyl)bis(diphenylphosphine)). Unlike simple β‐keto acid derivatives, these advanced analogues can be readily hydrogenated in uncommon solvents such as THF, CH₂Cl₂, acetone, and dioxane with high enantioselectivities. Two possible catalytic cycles have been proposed to explain the different reactivities of these 1,3,5‐tricarbonyl substrates in the tested solvents. The C‐2 and C‐4 substituents had notable but irregular influence on the reactivity and enantioselectivity of the reactions. More pronounced solvent effects were observed: the ee values increased from around 20 % in EtOH or THF to 90 % in acetone. Inversion of the product configuration was observed when the solvent was changed from EtOH to THF or acetone, and a mixed solvent system can lead to better enantioselectivity than a single solvent.     

A Highly K+‐Selective Phenylaza‐[18]crown‐6‐Lariat‐Ether‐Based Fluoroionophore and Its Application in the Sensing of K+ Ions with an Optical Sensor Film and in Cells

Herein, we report the synthesis of two phenylaza‐[18]crown‐6 lariat ethers with a coumarin fluorophore ( 1 and 2 ) and we reveal that compound 1 is an excellent probe for K⁺ ions under simulated physiological conditions. The presence of a 2‐methoxyethoxy lariat group at the ortho position of the anilino moiety is crucial to the substantially increased stability of compounds 1 and 2 over their lariat‐free phenylaza‐[18]crown‐6 ether analogues. Probe 1 shows a high K⁺/Na⁺ selectivity and a 2.5‐fold fluorescence enhancement was observed in the presence of 100 mM K⁺ ions. A fluorescent membrane sensor, which was prepared by incorporating probe 1 into a hydrogel, showed a fully reversible response, a response time of 150 s, and a signal change of 7.8 % per 1 mM K⁺ within the range 1–10 mM K⁺. The membrane was easily fabricated (only a single sensing layer on a solid polyester support), yet no leaching was observed. Moreover, compound 1 rapidly permeated into cells, was cytocompatible, and was suitable for the fluorescent imaging of K⁺ ions on both the extracellular and intracellular levels.     

Chromatographic Resolution of α‐Amino Acids by (R)‐(3,3'‐Halogen Substituted‐1,1'‐binaphthyl)‐20‐crown‐6 Stationary Phase in HPLC

Three new chiral stationary phases (CSPs ) for high‐performance liquid chromatography were prepared from R ‐(3,3'‐halogen substituted‐1,1'‐binaphthyl)‐20‐crown‐6 (halogen = Cl, Br and I). The experimental results showed that R ‐(3,3'‐dibromo‐1,1'‐binaphthyl)‐20‐crown‐6 ( CSP ‐1 ) possesses more prominent enantioselectivity than the two other halogen‐substituted crown ether derivatives. All twenty‐one α ‐amino acids have different degrees of separation on R ‐(3,3'‐dibromo‐1,1'‐binaphthyl)‐20‐crown‐6‐based CSP ‐1 at room temperature. The enantioselectivity of CSP ‐1 is also better than those of some commercial R ‐(1,1'‐binaphthyl)‐20‐crown‐6 derivatives. Both the separation factors (α ) and the resolution (R _s) are better than those of commercial crown ether‐based CSPs [CROWNPAK CR (+) from Daicel] under the same conditions for asparagine, threonine, proline, arginine, serine, histidine and valine, which cannot be separated by commercial CR (+). This study proves the commercial usefulness of the R ‐(3,3'‐dibromo‐1,1'‐binaphthyl)‐20‐crown‐6 chiral stationary phase.     

Highly Efficient Proline Ester‐based Nickel Catalysts for Michael Addition of Thiophenols to α,β‐Enones

Two N₃O₂ pentadentate ligands, BMPP and BPPP, were prepared for synthesizing highly efficient nickel catalysts, [Ni(BMPP)(CH₃CN)](ClO₄)₂ ( 1 ) and [Ni(BPPP)(CH₃CN)](BPh₄)(ClO₄) ( 2 ), for thia‐Michael addition of thiophenols to α,β‐enones. X‐ray structures of 1 and 2 revealed that a labile CH₃CN molecule was bound to the nickel center of the catalysts. ESI‐MS spectroscopy indicated that thiolate replaced the bound CH₃CN molecule and coordinated to the nickel center during the catalytic cycle.     

Copper‐Complex‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Aerobic Oxidative Cross‐Coupling of 2‐Naphthols: Enantioselective Synthesis of 3,3′‐Substituted C1‐Symmetric BINOLs

A novel chiral 1,5‐N,N‐bidentate ligand based on a spirocyclic pyrrolidine oxazoline backbone was designed and prepared, and it coordinates CuBr in situ to form an unprecedented catalyst that enables efficient oxidative cross‐coupling of 2‐naphthols. Air serves as an external oxidant and generates a series of C₁‐symmetric chiral BINOL derivatives with high enantioselectivity (up to 99 % ee) and good yield (up to 87 %). This approach is tolerant of a broader substrates scope, particularly substrates bearing various 3‐ and 3′‐substituents. A preliminary investigation using one of the obtained C₁‐symmetric BINOL products was used as an organocatalyst, exhibiting better enantioselectivity than the previously reported organocatalyst, for the asymmetric α‐alkylation of amino esters.     

The synthesis of novel crown ethers,part X, 4‐propyl‐and 3‐ethyl‐4‐methylchromenone‐crown ethers

Starting from ethyl propionylacetate, and ethyl 2‐ethylacetoacetate we prepared 4‐propyl‐7,8‐, 4‐propyl‐6,7‐, 3‐ethyl‐4‐methyl‐7,8‐ and 3‐ethyl‐4‐methyl‐6,7‐dihydroxy‐2H‐chromenones which were allowed to react with the bis‐dihalides or ditosylates of glycols in DMF/Na₂CO₃ to afford the 6,7‐ and 7,8‐chromenone derivatives of 12‐crown‐4, 15‐crown‐4 and 18‐crown‐6. The products were identified using ir, ¹³C and ¹H nmr, ms and high resolution mass spectroscopy. The cation selectivities of chromenone crown ethers with Li⁺, Na⁺ and K⁺ cations were estimated from the steady state emission fluorescence spectra of free and cation complexed chromenone macrocyclic ethers in acetonitrile.     

Kinetic Study of the Oxidation of Catechols in the Presence of Some Aza‐crown Ethers by Digital Simulation of Cyclic Voltammograms

The electrochemical oxidation of catechols ( 1 ) have been studied in the presence of diaza‐18‐crown‐6 (DA18C6) ( 3a ), diaza‐15‐crown‐5 (DA15C5) ( 3b ), and aza‐15‐crown‐5 (A15C5) ( 3c ) as nucleophiles in aqueous solution, by means of cyclic voltammetry and controlled‐potential coulometry. The results indicate the participation of electrochemically generated o‐benzoquinones ( 2 ) in Michael‐type reaction with aza‐crown ethers ( 3 ) to form the corresponding new o‐benzoquinone‐aza‐crown ether adducts ( 5 ). Based on ECE mechanism, the observed homogeneous rate constants (k_obs) of the reaction of o‐bezoquinones ( 2 ) with aza‐crown ethers ( 3 ) were estimated by comparing the experimental cyclic voltammograms with the digital simulated results. The calculated observed homogeneous rate constants (k_obs) was found to vary in the order DA18C6>DA15C5>A15C5.