Towards configurationally stable [4]helicenes: enantioselective synthesis of 12-substituted 7,8-dihydro[4]helicene quinones

The synthesis of enantiopure C-12 methoxy- or alkyl-substituted 5,7,8,12b-tetrahydro[4]helicene quinones 16 and 17 and the 7,8-dihydroaromatic analogues 4 and 5 has been achieved from (SS)-2-(p-tolylsulfinyl)-1,4-benzoquinone. In the first series, with a structure containing both central and helical chiralities, the R absolute configuration of the stereogenic carbon atom was defined after the asymmetric cycloaddition step, whereas the P or M helicity was shown to be dependent on the nature of the C-12 substituent. The size of this group was also defining the configurational stability of the final (P)-7,8-dihydro[4]helicene quinones 4 and 5. The interconversion barriers between the P and M helimers in the latter, computed with a DFT B3LYP method, matched well with the experimentally observed stability. Our study provided evidence that, in addition to steric effects, a small but significant role of electronic effects is governing the configurational stability of such helical quinones.     

Resolution of seven-coordinate complexes

The crystal structures of [Pr(dbm)3H2O] (1), [Sm(dbm)3H2O] (2), and [Er(dbm)3H2O] (3) have been determined (dbm=dibenzoylmethane). They display seven-coordinate propeller-shaped molecules, which are chiral and crystallize as conglomerates in space group R3. Analysis of the crystal structures reveals supramolecular interactions, including formation of a quadruple helix, which explain how stereochemical information can be transferred between stacks of molecules. A method to quantify the ee in bulk samples of stereochemically labile compounds by using solid-state CD spectroscopy is described. Using this method, it has been shown that compounds 1-3 undergo total spontaneous resolution directly after synthesis, forming a microcrystalline reaction product that is essentially enantiopure. The resolution of bulk quantities of seven-coordinate complexes (without chiral or polydentate ligands) is thus reported for the first time. Because the crystallization starts without seeding, the overall preparation may be regarded as absolute asymmetric synthesis.     

Enantioselective synthesis of [7]helicene: dramatic effects of olefin additives and aromatic solvents in asymmetric olefin metathesis

The asymmetric synthesis of [7]helicene was accomplished in good ee (80%) by kinetic resolution by means of asymmetric olefin metathesis. Three key factors contributed to the success of the kinetic resolution: the use of new Ru-based olefin metathesis catalysts bearing C1-symmetric N-heterocyclic carbene ligands, simple olefins as additives to control the nature of the propagating alkylidene and hexafluorobenzene as a solvent.     

The Preparation of Enantiopure [6]‐ and [7]Helicenes from Binaphthanol

A general and efficient synthetic methodology for the preparation of enantio‐ and diastereopure [6]‐, and [7]helicenes is developed. Commercially available chiral binaphthanols are utilized to generate the arylene‐vinylene precursors, which undergo helical folding via photocyclization to give enantio‐ and diastereopure [6]‐, and [7]helicenes. These optically pure helicenes could be easily obtained via silica gel column chromatography without the use of expensive HPLC or chiral resolution reagents. The configurations and structures of these helicenes are confirmed by CD spectra and X‐ray crystallographic analysis. This work provides a new method for preparation of enantiopure helicenes.     

Calix[4]arene-based bis[2]catenanes: synthesis and chiral resolution

The exclusive formation of hydrogen-bonded dimers between tetraaryl and tetratosylurea calix[4]arenes has been used to prepare a series of ten "bisloop" tetraurea calix[4]arenes 3, in which adjacent phenylurea groups are covalently linked through alpha,omega-dioxyalkane chains. This dimerization with tetratosylurea 2 as template preorganizes the alkenyl residues of tetra(m-alkenyloxyphenyl) ureas 1 and enables their selective connection in high yield (up to 95 %) by olefin metathesis followed by hydrogenation. The "bisloop" calixarenes 3 also exclusively form heterodimers with 1. Thus, in a separated metathesis/hydrogenation sequence, a series of 14 cyclic bis[2]catenanes 4, in which two calix[4]arenes are connected through their wide rims by two pairs of interlocked rings (total size 29 to 41 atoms), were prepared in yields of up to 97 %. Optical resolution of these chiral bis[2]catenanes was studied by HPLC on chiral stationary phases. The single-crystal X-ray structure of one example (4(P,10)) confirmed the interlocking rings and revealed that the hydrogen-bonded dimeric capsule of the calix[4]arene can be "completely" opened.     

Absolute Asymmetric Synthesis: Viedma Ripening of [Co(bpy)3]2+ and Solvent‐Free Oxidation to [Co(bpy)3]3+

Syntheses of [Co(bpy)₃]²⁺ yield racemic solutions because the Δ‐ and Λ‐enantiomers are stereochemically labile. However, crystallization and attrition‐enhanced deracemization can give homochiral crystal batches of either handedness in quantitative yield. Subsequently, solvent‐free oxidation with bromine vapour fixes the chirality because [Co(bipy)₃]³⁺ does not enantiomerize in solution at ambient temperature. This combination of Viedma ripening and the labile/inert Co^II/Co^III couple constitutes a convenient method of absolute asymmetric synthesis.     

Vanadium‐Controlled Crystallization of Stereoisomers of NBu4[VO2(N‐Salicylidene‐isoleucinato)] through Epimerization

Reported herein is a simple synthetic and crystallization procedure for sequential isolation of two stereoisomers of isoleucine‐derived vanadium(V) complexes from a racemic mixture with three stereogenic centers and therefore eight hypothetical species. The products of this crystallization were characterized by electronic and vibrational circular dichroism, NMR spectroscopy, and polarimetry to compare the chiroptic properties of the enantiomerically pure analogues prepared from L ‐isoleucine and D ‐allo‐isoleucine. NMR studies pointed to the yet unobserved phenomenon of vanadium‐catalyzed epimerization of isoleucine.     

Enantioselective Synthesis of 1,12‐Disubstituted [4]Helicenes

A highly enantioselective synthesis of 1,12‐disubstituted [4]carbohelicenes is reported. The key step for the developed synthetic route is a Au‐catalyzed intramolecular alkyne hydroarylation, which is achieved with good to excellent regio‐ and enantioselectivity by employing TADDOL‐derived (TADDOL=α,α,α,α‐tetraaryl‐1,3‐dioxolane‐4,5‐dimethanol) α‐cationic phosphonites as ancillary ligands. Moreover, an appropriate design of the substrate makes the assembly of [4]helicenes of different substitution patterns possible, thus demonstrating the synthetic utility of the method. The absolute stereochemistry of the newly prepared structures was determined by X‐ray crystallography and characterization of their photophysical properties is also reported.     

The First Five‐Membered‐Heterocycle‐Fused Subphthalocyanine Analogues: Chiral Tri(benzo[b]thiopheno)subporphyrazines

Two tri(benzo[b]thiopheno)subporphyrazine regioisomers with C₃ and C₁ molecular symmetry have been isolated from the cyclotrimerization of benzo[b]thiophene‐2,3‐dicarbonitrile as the first five‐membered‐heterocycle‐fused subphthalocyanine analogues. Optical resolution of both regioisomers was achieved by using a chiral HPLC technique, affording the first chiral subphthalocyanine analogues.     

Diazadithia[7]helicenes: Synthetic Exploration,Solid‐State Structure,and Properties

Diazadithia[7]helicenes were synthesized from the readily available building block ethyl 7‐chloro‐8‐formylthieno[3,2‐f]quinoline‐2‐carboxylate by a Wittig reaction–photocyclization strategy. The helicene core was functionalized by nucleophilic aromatic substitution with a variety of nucleophiles (e.g., O‐, N‐, and C‐centered) and palladium‐catalyzed reactions such as Suzuki coupling and Buchwald–Hartwig amination. Racemization studies confirmed that the enantiopure forms of these [7]helicenes are conformationally stable compared to their lower analogues. The solid‐state structures of the novel diazadithia[7]helicenes were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The crystal structures of these azathia[7]helicenes show columnar stacking in antiparallel fashion. The HOMO–LUMO gaps of the new compounds were determined on the basis of electrochemical and optical measurements.     

Synthesis of [7]Helicene Enantiomers and Exploratory Study of Their Conversion into Helically Chiral Iodoarenes and Iodanes

The facile and convenient preparation of both enantiomers of a [7]helicene scaffold from inexpensive (l )-(+)-tartaric acid and 4-methylstyrene is described. These helical structures were transformed into bis-iodinated ether derivatives in order to explore their potential as precursors of novel chiral organoiodane reagents or as iodoarene pre-catalysts. Promising results were obtained in hydroxylative phenol dearomatization/[4+2] cycloaddition cascade and dearomative spirolactonization reactions with encouraging enantiomeric excesses.     

Novel Asymmetric Formylation of Aromatic Compounds: Enantioselective Synthesis of Formyl 7,8‐Dipropyltetrathia[7]helicenes

Asymmetric formylation of aromatic compounds is virtually unexplored. We report the synthesis and evaluation of a library including 20 new chiral formamides in the kinetic resolution of 7,8‐dipropyltetrathia[7]helicene, affording the corresponding formyl‐ or diformylhelicenes in up to 73 % ee, making enantiopure compounds available by recrystallisation. With the N,N‐disubstituted formamides used in this study, the best enantioselectivity has been achieved with R¹=iPr, R²=Me, R³=H, R⁴=1‐naphthyl or its 1‐pyrenyl equivalent.     

Dioxygen‐Triggered Transannular Dearomatization of Benzo[5]helicene Diols: Highly Efficient Synthesis of Chiral π‐Extended Diones

Oxidative dearomatization is a powerful strategy in organic synthesis. However, reports on using dioxygen as the oxidant, as it is environmentally friendly, readily available (air), and easy to handle, are rather limited. Helicene diols can undergo transannular dearomatization triggered by dioxygen to give diones in quantitative yields within several minutes. By virtue of this, the chirality is successfully transferred from helicity to central chirality to form distorted π‐extended diones having two all‐carbon quaternary stereocenters. The optical resolution was achieved by column chromatography, and the structures and the absolute configurations of the chiral diones were determined by X‐ray analysis.     

1-[4-(二甲氨基)苯亚甲基氨基]-4-苯基硫脲的合成及手性晶体结构

对二甲氨基苯甲醛和苯基氨基硫脲缩合反应生成对二甲氨基苯甲醛缩氨基苯硫脲{1-[4-(dimethylamino)ben- zylidene]-4-phenylthiosemicarbazide}, 并从溶液中析出手性晶体. 元素分析、红外光谱、紫外光谱、核磁谱、质谱和X射线衍射测定其组成和结构. 晶体属正交晶系, P2₁2₁2₁空间群, a＝0.77038(14) nm, b＝1.1428(2) nm, c＝1.6726(3) nm, V＝1.4726(5) nm³, Z＝4, D_c＝1.346 g/cm³, F(000)＝632, μ＝0.219 mm^－1, 可观测点精修最终偏离因子: R＝0.0407, wR＝0.1157. 化合物的晶体结构和固态圆二色谱表明化合物在结晶过程中发生单一对映体的手性堆积.     

手性化合物[Co（L/D-thr）3]·4.5H2O的合成、结构以及圆二色性

合成了2个基于手性配体L-和D-苏氨酸（L/D-thr）的Co（Ⅲ）配合物的对应异构体[Co（L-thr）3]·4.5H₂O（L-1）和[Co（L-thr）₃]·4.5H₂O（D-1）,并对2个化合物进行了单晶X射线衍射、红外、热重、紫外可见光谱以及CD谱性质研究。晶体结构分析表明,2个化合物分别结晶在四方晶系P4₃2₁2和P4₁2₁2手性空间群。固体CD谱测试进一步证实2个化合物具有手性。     

手性化合物[Co(L/D-thr)3]·4.5H2O的合成、结构以及圆二色性

合成了2个基于手性配体L-和D-苏氨酸（L/D-thr）的Co（III）配合物的对应异构体[Co（L-thr）₃]·4.5H₂O（L-1）和[Co（L-thr）₃]·4.5H₂O（D-1）,并对2个化合物进行了单晶X射线衍射、红外、热重、紫外可见光谱以及CD谱性质研究。晶体结构分析表明,2个化合物分别结晶在四方晶系P4₃2₁2和P4₁2₁2手性空间群。固体CD谱测试进一步证实2个化合物具有手性。