Aktivierung von Schwefelkohlenstoff an Trirutheniumclustern: Synthese und Kristallstruktur von [Ru3(CO)5(μ‐H)2(μ‐PCy2)(μ‐Ph2PCH2PPh2){μ‐η2‐PCy2C(S)}(μ3‐S)] und [Ru3(CO)5(CS)(μ‐H)(μ‐PtBu2)(μ‐PCy2)2(μ3‐S)]

Activation of Carbon Disulfide on Triruthenium Clusters: Synthesis and X‐Ray Crystal Structure Analysis of [Ru₃(CO)₅(μ‐H)₂(μ‐PCy₂)(μ‐Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂){μ‐η²‐PCy₂C(S)}(μ₃‐S)] and [Ru₃(CO)₅(CS)(μ‐H)(μ‐P^tBu₂)(μ‐PCy₂)₂(μ₃‐S)] [Ru₃(CO)₆(μ‐H)₂(μ‐PCy₂)₂(μ‐dppm)] ( 1 ) (dppm = Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂) reacts under mild conditions with CS₂ and yields by oxidative decarbonylation and insertion of CS into one phosphido bridge the opened 50 VE‐cluster [Ru₃(CO)₅(μ‐H)₂(μ‐PCy₂)(μ‐dppm){μ‐η²‐PCy₂C(S)}(μ₃‐S)] ( 2 ) with only two M–M bonds. The compound 2 crystallizes in the triclinic space group P 1 with a = 19.093(3), b = 12.2883(12), c = 20.098(3) Å; α = 84.65(3), β = 77.21(3), γ = 81.87(3)° and V = 2790.7(11) ų. The reaction of [Ru₃(CO)₇(μ‐H)(μ‐P^tBu₂)(μ‐PCy₂)₂] ( 3 ) with CS₂ in refluxing toluene affords the 50 VE‐cluster [Ru₃(CO)₅(CS)(μ‐H)(μ‐P^tBu₂)(μ‐PCy₂)₂(μ₃‐S)] ( 4 ). The compound cristallizes in the monoclinic space group P 2₁/a with a = 19.093(3), b = 12.2883(12), c = 20.098(3) Å; β = 104.223(16)° and V = 4570.9(10) ų. Although in the solid state structure one elongated Ru–Ru bond has been found the complex 4 can be considered by means of the ³¹P‐NMR data as an electron‐rich metal cluster.     

Aktivierung von Schwefelkohlenstoff an Trirutheniumclustern: Synthese und Kristallstruktur von [Ru3(CO)4(μ‐PCy2)2(μ‐Ph2PCH2PPh2)(μ3‐S){μ3‐η2‐CSC(S)S}]

Activation of Carbon Disulfide on Triruthenium Clusters: Synthesis and X‐Ray Crystal Structure Analysis of [Ru₃(CO)₄(μ‐PCy₂)₂(μ‐Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂)(μ₃‐S){μ₃‐η²‐CSC(S)S}] [Ru₃(CO)₄(μ‐H)₃(μ‐PCy₂)₃(μ‐dppm)] ( 2 ) (dppm = Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂) reacts with CS₂ at room temperature and yields the open 50 valence electron cluster [Ru₃(CO)₄(μ‐PCy₂)₂(μ‐dppm)(μ₃‐S){μ₃‐η²‐CSC(S)S}] ( 3 ) containing the unusual μ₃‐η²‐C₂S₃ mercaptocarbyne ligand. Compound 3 was characterized by single crystal X‐ray structure analysis.     

Preparation of the β2‐Homoselenocysteine Derivatives Fmoc‐(S)‐β2hSec(PMB)‐OH and Boc‐(S)‐β2hSec(PMB)‐OH for Solution and Solid‐Phase Peptide Synthesis

Fmoc‐β²hSer(^tBu)‐OH was converted to Fmoc‐β²hSec(PMB)‐OH in five steps. To avoid elimination of HSeR, the selenyl group was introduced in the second last step (Fmoc‐β²hSer(Ts)‐OAll→Fmoc‐β²hSec(PMB)‐OAll). In a similar way, the N‐Boc‐protected compound was prepared. With the β²hSe‐derivatives, 21 β²‐amino‐acid building blocks with proteinogenic side chains are now available for peptide synthesis.     

The Synthesis of 2‐(Chromon‐2/3‐yl)‐3‐(5‐thione‐4‐hydro‐1,3,4‐thiadiazol‐2‐yl)‐4‐oxo‐thiazolidine

2‐Formylchromones and 3‐formylchromones as the first materials singly reacted with 2‐amino‐5‐mercapto‐1,3,4‐thiadiazole to give the corresponding Schiff bases, which on cyclocondensation with mercapto‐acetic acid in 1,4‐dioxane yielded target compounds named 4‐oxo‐thiazolidines. The structures of all the synthetic compounds were confirmed by elemental analysis and IR, ¹H NMR, LC‐MS (ESI) spectral data.     

A Novel and Efficient Synthesis of 3‐[(4,5‐Dihydro‐1H‐pyrrol‐3‐yl)carbonyl]‐2H‐chromen‐2‐ones (=3‐[(4,5‐Dihydro‐1H‐pyrrol‐3‐yl)carbonyl]‐2H‐1‐benzopyran‐2‐ones)

An efficient one‐pot synthesis of 3‐[(4,5‐dihydro‐1H‐pyrrol‐3‐yl)carbonyl]‐2H‐chromen‐2‐one (=3‐[(4,5‐dihydro‐1H‐pyrrol‐3yl)carbonyl]‐2H‐1‐benzopyran‐2‐one) derivatives 4 by a four‐component reaction of a salicylaldehyde 1 , 4‐hydroxy‐6‐methyl‐2H‐pyran‐2‐one, a benzylamine 2 , and a diaroylacetylene (=1,4‐diarylbut‐2‐yne‐1,4‐dione) 3 in EtOH is reported. This new protocol has the advantages of high yields (Table), and convenient operation. The structures of these coumarin (=2H‐1‐benzopyran‐2‐one) derivatives, which are important compounds in organic chemistry, were confirmed spectroscopically (IR, ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR, and EI‐MS) and by elemental analyses. A plausible mechanism for this reaction is proposed (Scheme 2).     

Novel and Stereospecific Synthesis of (2S)‐3‐(2,4,5‐Trifluorophenyl)propane‐1,2‐diol from D‐Mannitol

A stereospecific synthesis of (2S)‐3‐(2,4,5‐trifluorophenyl)propane‐1,2‐diol from D ‐mannitol has been developed. The reaction of 2,3‐O‐isopropylidene‐D ‐glyceraldehyde with 2,4,5‐trifluorophenylmagnesium bromide gave [(4R)‐2,2‐dimethyl‐1,3‐dioxolan‐4‐yl](2,4,5‐trifluorophenyl)methanol in 65% yield as a mixture of diastereoisomers (1 : 1). The Ph₃P catalyzed reaction of the latter with C₂Cl₆ followed by reduction with Pd/C‐catalyzed hydrogenation gave (2S)‐3‐(2,4,5‐trifluorophenyl)propane‐1,2‐diol with >99% ee and 65% yield.     

Efficient Synthesis of Dialkyl (2Z)‐2‐[(E)‐1‐Aryl‐2‐(3‐arylquinoxalin‐2‐yl)ethenyl]but‐2‐enedioates

The reaction of dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates 4 with 1‐aryl‐2‐[(3‐arylquinoxalin‐2(1H)‐ylidene)ethanones 3 in the presence of Ph₃P leads to dialkyl (2Z)‐2‐[(E)‐1‐aryl‐2‐(3‐arylquinoxalin‐2‐yl)ethenyl]but‐2‐enedioates 1 in good yields.     

Synthesis of 3‐(ω‐Hydroxyalkoxy)isobenzofuran‐1(3H)‐ones by Trifluoroacetic Acid‐Mediated Lactonization of tert‐Butyl 2‐(1,3‐Dioxol‐2‐yl)‐ or 2‐(1,3‐Dioxan‐2‐yl)benzoates

An efficient two‐step method for the preparation of 3‐(2‐hydroxyethoxy)‐ or 3‐(3‐hydroxypropoxy)isobenzofuran‐1(3H)‐ones 3 has been developed. Thus, the reaction of 1‐(1,3‐dioxol‐2‐yl)‐ or 1‐(1,3‐dioxan‐2‐yl)‐2‐lithiobenzenes, generated in situ by the treatment of 1‐bromo‐2‐(1,3‐dioxol‐2‐yl)‐ or 1‐bromo‐2‐(1,3‐dioxan‐2‐yl)benzenes 1 with BuLi in THF at ?78°, with (Boc)₂O afforded tert‐butyl 2‐(1,3‐dioxol‐2‐yl)‐ or 2‐(1,3‐dioxan‐2‐yl)benzoates 2 , which can subsequently undergo facile lactonization on treatment with CF₃COOH (TFA) in CH₂Cl₂ at 0° to give the desired products in reasonable yields.     

Synthesis of （S）-2-Ethoxy-3-Phenylpropanoic Acid Derivatives and Their Insulin-Sensitizing Activity

A series of （S）-2-ethoxy-3-phenylpropanoic acid derivatives were synthesized and their insulin-sensitizing activities were evaluated in 3T3-L1 cells. Compounds 1b, 1d, 1e and 1f exhibited more potent insulin-sensitizing activity than rosiglitazone.     

Ring Opening of 2‐(Benzylamino)‐2H‐1,4‐benzoxazin‐3(4H)‐ones and 2‐Bromo‐2H‐1,4‐benzoxazin‐3(4H)‐ones

Substituted 2‐(benzylamino)‐2H‐1,4‐benzoxazin‐3(4H)‐ones are unstable under alkaline and acidic conditions, undergoing opening of the benzoxazinone ring. 2‐Bromo‐2H‐1,4‐benzoxazin‐3(4H)‐ones show similar degradation under alkaline conditions, while replacement of Br at C(2) to give 2‐hydroxy‐2H‐1,4‐benzoxazin‐3(4H)‐ones was observed only under mild alkaline conditions. Mechanisms of ring opening and degradation to 2‐aminophenol derivatives are proposed.     

Analogues of α‐Campholenal (= (1R)‐2,2,3‐Trimethylcyclopent‐3‐ene‐1‐acetaldehyde) as Building Blocks for (+)‐β‐Necrodol (= (1S,3S)‐2,2,3‐Trimethyl‐4‐methylenecyclopentanemethanol) and Sandalwood‐like Alcohols

To complete our panorama in structure–activity relationships (SARs) of sandalwood‐like alcohols derived from analogues of α‐campholenal (= (1R)‐2,2,3‐trimethylcyclopent‐3‐ene‐1‐acetaldehyde), we isomerized the epoxy‐isopropyl‐apopinene (?)‐ 2d to the corresponding unreported α‐campholenal analogue (+)‐ 4d (Scheme 1). Derived from the known 3‐demethyl‐α‐campholenal (+)‐ 4a , we prepared the saturated analogue (+)‐ 5a by hydrogenation, while the heterocyclic aldehyde (+)‐ 5b was obtained via a Bayer‐Villiger reaction from the known methyl ketone (+)‐ 6 . Oxidative hydroboration of the known α‐campholenal acetal (?)‐ 8b allowed, after subsequent oxidation of alcohol (+)‐ 9b to ketone (+)‐ 10 , and appropriate alkyl Grignard reaction, access to the 3,4‐disubstituted analogues (+)‐ 4f,g following dehydration and deprotection. (Scheme 2). Epoxidation of either (+)‐ 4b or its methyl ketone (+)‐ 4h , afforded stereoselectively the trans‐epoxy derivatives 11a,b , while the minor cis‐stereoisomer (+)‐ 12a was isolated by chromatography (trans/cis of the epoxy moiety relative to the C₂ or C₃ side chain). Alternatively, the corresponding trans‐epoxy alcohol or acetate 13a,b was obtained either by reduction/esterification from trans‐epoxy aldehyde (+)‐ 11a or by stereoselective epoxidation of the α‐campholenol (+)‐ 15a or of its acetate (?)‐ 15b , respectively. Their cis‐analogues were prepared starting from (+)‐ 12a . Either (+)‐ 4h or (?)‐ 11b , was submitted to a Bayer‐Villiger oxidation to afford acetate (?)‐ 16a . Since isomerizations of (?)‐ 16 lead preferentially to β‐campholene isomers, we followed a known procedure for the isomerization of (?)‐epoxyverbenone (?)‐ 2e to the norcampholenal analogue (+)‐ 19a . Reduction and subsequent protection afforded the silyl ether (?)‐ 19c , which was stereoselectively hydroborated under oxidative condition to afford the secondary alcohol (+)‐ 20c . Further oxidation and epimerization furnished the trans‐ketone (?)‐ 17a , a known intermediate of either (+)‐β‐necrodol (= (+)‐(1S,3S)‐2,2,3‐trimethyl‐4‐methylenecyclopentanemethanol; 17c ) or (+)‐(Z)‐lancifolol (= (1S,3R,4Z)‐2,2,3‐trimethyl‐4‐(4‐methylpent‐3‐enylidene)cyclopentanemethanol). Finally, hydrogenation of (+)‐ 4b gave the saturated cis‐aldehyde (+)‐ 21 , readily reduced to its corresponding alcohol (+)‐ 22a . Similarly, hydrogenation of β‐campholenol (= 2,3,3‐trimethylcyclopent‐1‐ene‐1‐ethanol) gave access via the cis‐alcohol rac‐ 23a , to the cis‐aldehyde rac‐ 24 .     

Photocycloaddition Reactions of 2‐(Alk‐3‐en‐1‐ynyl)cyclohex‐2‐enones

The newly synthesized 2‐(alk‐3‐en‐1‐ynyl)cyclohex‐2‐enones 4 undergo photodimerization (chemo‐ and regio‐)selectively at the exocyclic C?C bond to give diastereoisomeric mixtures of 1,2‐dialkynyl‐1,2‐dimethylcyclobutanes. On irradiation of 4 in the presence of 2‐chloroacrylonitrile, cyclobutane formation occurs again (chemo‐ and regio‐)selectively at the exocyclic C?C bond to afford diastereoisomeric mixtures of 2‐alkynyl‐1‐chloro‐2‐methylcyclobutanecarbonitriles. Similarly, compounds 4 undergo photoaddition to 2,3‐dimethylbuta‐1,3‐diene exclusively at the exocyclic C?C bond to afford mixtures of [2+2] and [4+2] cycloadducts.     

Photocycloaddition Reactions of 5,5‐Dimethyl‐3‐(3‐methylbut‐3‐en‐1‐ynyl)cyclohex‐2‐en‐1‐one

The title cyclohexenone 1d undergoes photodimerization selectively at the exocyclic C?C bond to give a 1 : 1 mixture of 1,2‐dialkynyl‐1,2‐dimethylcyclobutanes 6 and 7 . On irradiation in the presence of 2,3‐dimethylbuta‐1,3‐diene, 1d affords bicyclo[8.4.0]tetradeca‐1,2,3,7‐tetraen‐11‐one 9 . This – formal – (6+4)‐cycloadduct undergoes quantitative isomerization to 3‐cycloheptadienyl‐2,5,5‐trimethylcyclohex‐2‐enone 11 on treatment with basic silica gel.     

Facile Synthesis of Substituted Ethyl 2‐(Chloromethyl)‐2‐hydroxy‐2H‐1‐benzopyran‐3‐carboxylates

Ethyl 2‐(chloromethyl)‐2‐hydroxy‐2H‐chromene‐3‐carboxylates 2a – 2j have been synthesized by reaction of substituted salicylaldehydes with ethyl 4‐chloro‐3‐oxobutanoate, in the presence of piperidine in CH₂Cl₂ at room temperature, in good yields.     

Synthesis of (4Z)‐4‐(Arylmethylidene)‐5‐ethoxy‐1,3‐oxazolidine‐2‐thiones by the Reaction of Ethyl (2Z)‐3‐Aryl‐2‐isothiocyanatoprop‐2‐enoates with Organolithium Compounds

A convenient one‐pot method for the preparation of (4Z)‐4‐(arylmethylidene)‐5‐ethoxy‐1,3‐oxazolidine‐2‐thiones 2 and 3 from ethyl (2Z)‐3‐aryl‐2‐isothiocyanatoprop‐2‐enoates 1 , which can be easily prepared from ethyl 2‐azidoacetate and aromatic aldehydes, has been developed. Thus, these α‐isothiocyanato α,β‐unsaturated esters were treated with organolithium compounds, including lithium enolates of acetates, to provide 5‐substituted (4Z)‐4‐(arylmethylidene)‐5‐ethoxy‐1,3‐oxazolidine‐2‐thiones, 2 , and 2‐[(4Z)‐(4‐arylmethylidene)‐5‐ethoxy‐2‐thioxo‐1,3‐oxazolidin‐5‐yl]acetates, 3 .     

Stereo‐Inversion in the (4R)‐γ‐Decanolactone Synthesis by Saccharomyces cerevisiae: (2E,4S)‐4‐Hydroxydec‐2‐enoic Acid Acts as a Key Intermediate

Methyl (2E,4R)‐4‐hydroxydec‐2‐enoate, methyl (2E,4S)‐4‐hydroxydec‐2‐enoate, and ethyl (±)‐(2E)‐4‐hydroxy[4‐²H]dec‐2‐enoate were chemically synthesized and incubated in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Initial C‐chain elongation of these substrates to C₁₂ and, to a lesser extent, C₁₄ fatty acids was observed, followed by γ‐decanolactone formation. Metabolic conversion of methyl (2E,4R)‐4‐hydroxydec‐2‐enoate and methyl (2E,4S)‐4‐hydroxydec‐2‐enoate both led to (4R)‐γ‐decanolactone with >99% ee and 80% ee, respectively. Biotransformation of ethyl (±)‐(2E)‐4‐hydroxy(4‐²H)dec‐2‐enoate yielded (4R)‐γ‐[²H]decanolactone with 61% of the ²H label maintained and in 90% ee indicating a stereoinversion pathway. Electron‐impact mass spectrometry analysis (Fig. 4) of 4‐hydroxydecanoic acid indicated a partial C(4)→C(2) ²H shift. The formation of erythro‐3,4‐dihydroxydecanoic acid and erythro‐3‐hydroxy‐γ‐decanolactone from methyl (2E,4S)‐4‐hydroxydec‐2‐enoate supports a net inversion to (4R)‐γ‐decanolactone via 4‐oxodecanoic acid. As postulated in a previous work, (2E,4S)‐4‐hydroxydec‐2‐enoic acid was shown to be a key intermediate during (4R)‐γ‐decanolactone formation via degradation of (3S,4S)‐dihydroxy fatty acids and precursors by Saccharomyces cerevisiae.     

Preparation of (S,S)‐Fmoc‐β2hIle‐OH, (S)‐Fmoc‐β2hMet‐OH,and (S)‐Fmoc‐β2hTyr(tBu)‐OH for Solid‐Phase Syntheses of β2‐ and β2/β3‐Peptides

The preparation of three new N‐Fmoc‐protected (Fmoc=[(9H‐fluoren‐9‐yl)methoxy]carbonyl) β²‐homoamino acids with proteinogenic side chains (from Ile, Tyr, and Met) is described, the key step being a diastereoselective amidomethylation of the corresponding Ti‐enolates of 3‐acyl‐4‐isopropyl‐5,5‐diphenyloxazolidin‐2‐ones with CbzNHCH₂OMe/TiCl₄ (Cbz=(benzyloxy)carbonyl) in yields of 60–70% and with diastereoselectivities of >90%. Removal of the chiral auxiliary with LiOH or NaOH gives the N‐Cbz‐protected β‐amino acids, which were subjected to an N‐Cbz/N‐Fmoc (Fmoc=[(9H‐fluoren‐9‐yl)methoxy]carbonyl) protective‐group exchange. The method is suitable for large‐scale preparation of Fmoc‐β²hXaa‐OH for solid‐phase syntheses of β‐peptides. The Fmoc‐amino acids and all compounds leading to them have been fully characterized by melting points, optical rotations, IR, ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR, and mass spectra, as well as by elemental analyses.     

Polymorphism of 3‐(5‐phenyl‐1,3,4‐oxadiazol‐2‐yl)‐ and 3‐[5‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)‐1,3,4‐oxadiazol‐2‐yl]‐2H‐chromen‐2‐ones

This study of 3‐(5‐phenyl‐1,3,4‐oxadiazol‐2‐yl)‐2H‐chromen‐2‐one, C₁₇H₁₀N₂O₃, 1 , and 3‐[5‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)‐1,3,4‐oxadiazol‐2‐yl]‐2H‐chromen‐2‐one, C₁₆H₉N₃O₃, 2 , was performed on the assumption of the potential anticancer activity of the compounds. Three polymorphic structures for 1 and two polymorphic structures for 2 have been studied thoroughly. The strongest intermolecular interaction is stacking of the `head‐to‐head' type in all the studied crystals. The polymorphic structures of 1 differ with respect to the intermolecular interactions between stacked columns. Two of the polymorphs have a columnar or double columnar type of crystal organization, while the third polymorphic structure can be classified as columnar‐layered. The difference between the two structures of 2 is less pronounced. Both crystals can be considered as having very similar arrangements of neighbouring columns. The formation of polymorphic modifications is caused by a subtle balance of very weak intermolecular interactions and packing differences can be identified only using an analysis based on a study of the pairwise interaction energies.     

Transformations of Methyl 2‐[(E)‐2‐(Dimethylamino)‐1‐(methoxycarbonyl)ethenyl]‐1‐methyl‐1H‐indole‐3‐carboxylate

A simple and efficient synthesis of novel 2‐heteroaryl‐substituted 1H‐indole‐2‐carboxylates and γ‐carbolines, compounds 1 – 3 , from methyl 2‐(2‐methoxy‐2‐oxoethyl)‐1‐methyl‐1H‐indole‐3‐carboxylate ( 4 ) by the enaminone methodology is presented.     

Synthesis of 3‐Aryl‐2‐methoxyinden‐1‐one (Z)‐Phenylhydrazones via Hydrobromic Acid‐Mediated Cyclization of 2‐(1‐Aryl‐2‐methoxyethenyl)benzaldehyde Phenylhydrazones

2‐(1‐Aryl‐2‐methoxyethenyl)benzaldehydes 2 , obtained by successive treatment of 1‐(1‐aryl‐2‐methoxyethenyl)‐2‐bromobenzenes 1 with BuLi and 1‐formylpiperidine, were transformed to the corresponding phenylhydrazones 3 on treatment with PhNHNH₂. When these hydrazones were allowed to react with conc. HBr, cyclization, followed by dehydrogenation with air occurred, furnished 3‐aryl‐2‐methoxyinden‐1‐one (Z)‐phenylhydrazones 4 .