Total synthesis of lycopene-5,6-diol and γ-carotene-5′,6′-diol stereoisomers and their HPLC separation

Lycopene-5,6-diol stereoisomers (1a,b) and (2a,b) and γ-carotene-5′,6′-diol stereoisomers (3a,b) and (4a,b) were synthesized by a stepwise C₁₅ + C₁₀ + C₁₅ double Wittig reaction strategy. The key compounds erythro(anti)-C₁₅-dihydroxy aldehydes 17a,b and their threo(syn)-stereoisomers 23a,b were prepared via Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation of geraniol and nerol followed by acidic hydrolysis of the epoxides in a stereospecific manner. The enantiomerically enriched anti-isomers were obtained by way of recrystallization of 2,3-epoxygeranyl 3,5-dinitrobenzoates 9a,b, whereas syn-isomers were obtained as enantiomerically pure forms via recrystallization of dihydroxyneryl 3,5-dinitrobenzoates 21a,b. In order to determine the absolute stereochemistry of natural products, HPLC separation methods for each enantiomers 1a,b–4a,b were established by using a column carrying a chiral stationary phase.     

Novel 2,4-disubstituted quinazolines as cytotoxic agents and JAK2 inhibitors: Synthesis,in vitro evaluation and molecular dynamics studies

Recent studies reported the involvement of JAK2/STAT3 pathway in various solid tumours including breast, ovarian, prostate and lung cancers. Clinical literature also reported the lowered burden in breast and ovarian cancers by targeting JAK2 pathway. In this study, a series of novel 2,4-disubstituted quinazolines (2a-2 j and 3a-3 j) were synthesized and were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against human breast cancer (MDA-MB-231) and ovarian cancer (SK-O-V3) cell lines using MTT assay. Moderate to good in vitro cytotoxic potentials of the newly synthesized molecules were reported against selected human cancer cell lines. Among the tested molecules, compound 3b has shown better cytotoxic activity against MD-MB-231 (10.1 ± 0.51 μM). in vitro JAK2 inhibition assay elucidated the mechanistic profile of the derivatives with moderate percentage of inhibition. Compounds 3b and 3d were reported with 35.4% and 34.2% inhibition of JAK2 protein. SAR studies suggest that the larger hydrophobic aromatic nucleus with hydrophilic linkage could probably increase the cytotoxic and JAK2 potentials and hydroxyl or nitro substitution could be more beneficial. Molecular dynamics simulation studies with JAK2-3b, and JAK2-3d complexes elucidated the conformational changes. With the reported bioactivities of these derivatives, further studies on the derivatization could elucidate the broader cytotoxic potentials.     

Design and synthesis of some novel pyridothienopyrimidine derivatives and their biological evaluation as antimicrobial and anticancer agents targeting EGFR enzyme

A new series of pyridothienopyrimidine derivatives was designed and evaluated as antimicrobial and anticancer agents. The target compounds were synthesized starting with 3-aminothieno[2,3-b]pyridine-2-carboxamide derivative 1 which underwent cyclocondensation reaction with aromatic aldehydes to give the key intermediates 2a,b. By further treatment of 2a,b with various reagents, the target 2,4-disubstituted-pyrido[3′,2′:4,5]thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidines 3a,b–11a,b were obtained. To evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the new compounds, they were tested against five bacterial and five fungal strains. Compounds 6c, 8b, 9a and 9b revealed the most significant antimicrobial activity against the tested microorganisms with MIC values range (4–16 μg/mL). Also, compounds 2a,b–11a,b were screened for their in vitro cytotoxic activity against HepG-2 and MCF-7 cancer cell lines compared with doxorubicin and cisplatin as references drugs. Moreover, compounds (2b, 4a, 6a, 7b, 7c and 9a) which exhibited the most potent anticancer activity, were further subjected to EGFR^WT enzyme inhibition assay utilizing erlotinib as a standard drug. The compounds 6a, 7b, 7c and 9a which showed the most promising suppression effects were also evaluated as inhibitors against the mutant forms EGFR^L858R and EGFR^T790M. The 4-aminopyrazolone analogue 9a showed superior anticancer activity against both HepG-2 and MCF-7 cell lines (IC50 = 1.27, 10.80 μM, respectively) and more potent enzymatic inhibition activity against EGFR^WT and its mutant forms EGFR^L858R and EGFR^T790M than that obtained by erlotinib (IC₅₀ = 0.021, 0.053, 0.081 µM, respectively, IC_50erlotinib; 0.027, 0.069, 0.550 µM, respectively). Finally, the molecular docking study showed good binding patterns of the most active compounds with the prospective target EGFR^WT.     

Novel aromatic carboxamides from dehydroabietylamine as potential fungicides: Design,synthesis and antifungal evaluation

The present study was carried out to design and synthesize a number of novel aromatic carboxamide derivatives of dehydroabietylamine. The preliminary antifungal assay indicated that most of title compounds displayed moderate to good antifungal activity toward the six fungal strains in vitro. Compounds 3i, 3q, 4b and 4d showed significant antifungal activity against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, with EC₅₀ values ranging from 0.067 ～ 0.393 mg/L. Compounds 3i, 4b and 4d also showed pronounced mycelial growth inhibition activities against B. cinerea and A. solani. Furthermore, in the in vivo assay, compound 4b exhibited brilliant protective activity against S. sclerotiorum-infected rape leaves. Meanwhile, the in vivo bioassay on tomato plants infected by B. cinerea showed that compound 3i and 4d displayed excellent protective activity at 200 mg/L, which were near to boscalid. Primary mechanistic study revealed that 4b could inhibit sclerotia formation as well as reduce the exopolysaccharide level. SEM and TEM analysis indicated that 4b possessed a strong ability to destroy the surface morphology of mycelia, cell structure and seriously interfere with the growth of the fungal pathogen. In addition, 4b exhibited good inhibitory activity (IC₅₀ = 23.3 ± 1.6 μM) toward succinate dehydrogenase (SDH). Molecular modeling study confirmed the binding modes between compound 4b and SDH. The above antifungal results and fungicidal mechanism study revealed that this class of dehydroabietylamine derivatives could be potential SDH inhibitors and lead compounds for novel fungicides development.     

Chelating diamide complexes of titanium: new catalyst precursors for the highly active and living polymerization of α-olefins

The reaction of RHN(CH₂)₃NHR (1a,b) (a, R=2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃; b, R=2,6-Me₂C₆H₃) with 2 equiv of BuLi followed by 2 equiv of ClSiMe₃ yields the silylated diamines R(Me₃Si)N(CH₂)₃N(SiMe₃)R (3a,b). The reaction of 3a,b with TiCl₄ yields the dichloride complexes [RN(CH₂)₃NR]TiCl₂ (4a,b) and two equiv of ClSiMe₃. An X-ray study of 4a (P2₁/n, a=9.771(1) Å, b=14.189(1) Å, c=21.081(2) Å, β=96.27(1)°, V=2905.2(5) ų, Z=4, T=25°C, R=0.0701, R_w=0.1495) revealed a distorted tetrahedral geometry about titanium with the aryl groups lying perpendicular to the TiN₂-plane. Compounds 4a,b react with 2 equiv of MeMgBr to give the dimethyl derivatives [RN(CH₂)₃NR]TiMe₂ (5a,b). An X-ray study of 5b (P2₁2₁2₁, a=8.0955(10) Å, b=15.288(4) Å, c=16.909(3) Å, V=2092.8(7) ų, Z=4, T=23°C, R=0.0759, R_w=0.1458) again revealed a distorted tetrahedral geometry about titanium with titanium–methyl bond lengths of 2.100(9) Å and 2.077(9) Å. These titanium dimethyl complexes are active catalysts for the polymerization of 1-hexene, when activated with methylaluminoxane (MAO). Activities up to 350,000 g of poly(1-hexene)/mmol catalyst·h were obtained in neat 1-hexene. These systems actively engage in chain transfer to aluminum. Equimolar amounts of 5a or 5b and B(C₆F₅)₃ catalyze the living aspecific polymerization 1-hexene. Polydispersities (M_w/M_n) as low as 1.05 were measured. Highly active living systems are obtained when 5a is activated with {Ph₃C}⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]⁻. A primary insertion mode (1,2 insertion) has been assigned based on both the initiation of the polymer chain and its purposeful termination with iodine.     

Preparation of (1R,8S)- and (1S,8R)-9-azabicyclo[6.2.0]dec-4-en-10-one: potential starting compounds for the synthesis of anatoxin-a

9-Azabicyclo[6.2.0]dec-4-en-10-one (±)-2, obtained from cyclooctadiene by addition of chlorosulfonyl isocyanate, was N-hydroxymethylated to (±)-3 and then resolved by lipase-catalysed asymmetric acylation of the primary OH group at the (S)-stereogenic centre. High enantioselectivity (E=94) was observed when lipase PS and vinyl butyrate were used in di-iso-propyl ether at −15°C, resulting in the enantiomerically enriched ester 3a and alcohol 3b (e.e. ≥92%). Treatment of 3a and 3b with NH₄OH/MeOH afforded the corresponding β-lactams (1R,8S)-2a and (1S,8R)-2b (e.e. ≥93%), potential starting compounds in anatoxin-a synthesis. The ring opening of lactams (±)-2, (±)-7, 3a and 3b, followed by reduction, resulted in racemic 4–6 and 8 and enantiomeric 4a, 4b, 5a and 5b eight-membered cyclic β-amino acid derivatives.     

Valeriaquinone A,a unique anthraquinone–coumarin hybrid with selective inhibition of PTP1B from Knoxia valerianoides

Valeriaquinone A（1）, an unprecedented anthraquinone–coumarin hybrid, was isolated from the roots of Knoxia valerianoides. Its structure was determined by extensive spectroscopic analyses and X-ray diffraction. The plausible biosynthetic pathways for 1 were proposed. Compound 1 exhibited strong protein tyrosine phosphatase 1 B（PTP1 B） inhibition with high selectivity（> 30 fold） over homologous T cell protein tyrosine phosphatase（TCPTP） potentially by binding to an allosteric site predicted by ...     

Synthesis,evaluation and docking studies of some 4-thiazolone derivatives as effective lipoxygenase inhibitors

Some promising 4-thiazolone derivatives as lipoxygenase inhibitors were designed, synthesized, characterized and evaluated for anti-inflammatory activity and respective ulcerogenic liabilities. Compounds (1b, 1e, 3b, and 3e) exhibited considerable in vivo anti-inflammatory activity (57.61, 79.35, 75.00, and 79.35%) against carrageenan-induced rat paw edema model, whereas compounds (1e, 3b, and 3e) were found active against the arachidonic acid-induced paw edema model (55.38, 55.38, and 58.46%). The most potent compound (3e) exhibited lesser ulcerogenic liability compared to the standard diclofenac and zileuton. Further, the promising compounds (1e and 3e) were evaluated for in vitro lipoxygenase (LOX; IC₅₀?=?12.98 µM and IC₅₀?=?12.67 µM) and cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibition assay (COX-1; IC₅₀?>?50 µM and, COX-2; IC₅₀?>?50 µM). The enzyme kinetics of compound 3e was evaluated against LOX enzyme and supported by in silico molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations studies. Overall, the results substantiated that 5-benzylidene-2-phenyl-4-thiazolones are promising pharmacophore for anti-inflammatory activity.     

Antimycobacterial and anticancer activity of newly designed cinnamic acid hydrazides with favorable toxicity profile

A series of twelve novel hybrids of cinnamic acid and thiocarbohydrazones were designed, synthesized in high yield using a simple coupling strategy via acid chlorides, and evaluated for their impact against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) and cancer cells survival. Among them, compound 3 demonstrated strong anti-Mtb activity by reducing bacilli survival for>90 % in all three treated Mtb isolates, whereas isoniazid and rifampicin did not. Moreover, compound 3 didn’t affect vitality of HepG-2 cells, implying on advantageous hepatotoxicity profile compared to current therapeutic options for tuberculosis. Compounds 2a and 3b displayed as strong inducers of apoptosis in A549 cells, both activating intrinsic caspase pathway and cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase. Subsequent analyses disclosed differences in their activities, where 3b has ability to induce production of mitochondrial superoxide anions, while 2a significantly inhibited cellular mobility. More importantly, 3b considerably affected viability of HepG-2 and HaCaT cells, whereas 2a had moderate impact only on the later. Molecular modeling studies indicated high permeability and good absorption through the human intestine, and moderate aqueous solubility with poor blood–brain barrier permeability. In summary, our results reveal that novel compounds 3 and 2a represent promising agents for tuberculosis and cancer treatment, respectively, indicating that further investigation needs to be performed to clarify the mechanisms of their anti-Mtb and anticancer activity.     

Photochemical reactions—XXXV: Topochemical and nontopochemical control in the crystalline state photodimerization of a gibberellin enone.Crystal and molecular structure of 3-dehydro gibberellin A3 methyl ester

In connection with studies concerning the solid state photochemistry of the 3-dehydro gibberellin A₃ system 1, the crystal and molecular structure of the methylester 1b has been determined by X-ray analysis. The lattice parameters are a = b = 9.848 Å and c = 35.955 Å: the space group is P4₁2₁2. The final discrepancy factor R is 0. 081. The photoreactivity of 1b has been correlated with the molecular packing arrangement allowing to predict the constitution and stereochemistry of the formed main topodimer as 4. A mechanism for the simultaneous formation of the nontopochemical minor dimer as 3 is proposed.In earlier investigations² we showed the high photoreactivity of the 3-dehydro gibberellin A₃ type 1 in the crystalline state³ and the striking dependence of the photochemical reaction pathway on the kind of the substituent R. Whereas the free enone acid 1a upon n →π^* excitation of the enone chromophor undergoes intramolecular decarboxylation to the phenolic acid 2⁴ in high yield, the corresponding methylester 1b gives two primary dimers both arising from an intermolecular [2 + 2 ] photocycloaddition of the excited Δ¹ enone double bond to the terminal olefine function of an adjacent second molecule. From a multitude of regio- and stereoisomers the structures 3 and 4 have been proposed for the two dimers on the basis of physical data and stereochemical considerations.²     

Design,synthesis and SAR study of 2-aminopyridine derivatives as potent and selective JAK2 inhibitors

The abnormal activation of JAK2 kinase is closely related to the occurrence and progression of myeloproliferative neoplasms（MPNs）. At present, there is still an obvious unmet medical need for selective JAK2 inhibitors in clinic. In this paper, a class of 2-aminopyridine derivatives as potent and selective JAK2 inhibitors was obtained by combining drug design, synthesis and structure-activity relationship studies based on the previously identified lead Crizotinib. Among them, 21 b exhibited high ...     

New naphthalene derivative for cost-effective AChE inhibitors for Alzheimer’s treatment: In silico identification,in vitro and in vivo validation

Neurodegenerative diseases have complex etiology and pose a challenge to scientists to develop simple and cost-effective synthetic compounds as potential drug candidates for such diseases. Here, we report an extension of our previously published in silico screening, where we selected four new compounds as AChE inhibitors. Further, based on favorable binding possess, MD simulation and MMGBSA, two most promising compounds (3a and 3b) were selected, keeping in view the ease of synthesis and cost-effectiveness. Due to the critical role of BChE, LOX and α-glucosidase in neurodegeneration, the selected compounds were also screened against these enzymes.The IC₅₀ values of 3a against AChE and BChE found to be 12.53 and 352.42 μM, respectively. Moderate to slight inhibitions of 45.26 % and 28.68 % were presented by 3a against LOX and α-glucosidase, respectively, at 0.5 mM. Insignificant inhibitions were observed with 3b against the four selected enzymes. Further, in vivo trial demonstrated that 3a could significantly diminish AChE levels in the mice brain as compared to the control. These findings were in agreement with the histopathological analysis of the brain tissues. The results corroborate that selected compounds could serve as a potential lead for further development and optimization as AChE inhibitors to achieve cost-effective anti-Alzheimer’s drugs.     

Formation and isomerization of cis,cis-Ir(H)2(--Ph)(CO)(PPh3)2 and cis,cis-Ir(H)(--Ph)2(CO)(PPh3)2 in oxidative addition of hydrogen and phenylacetylene to trans-Ir(CO)(--Ph)(PPh3)2

Oxidative addition of H–R (H--Ph and H₂) to trans-Ir(--Ph)(CO)(PPh₃)₂ (2) gives the initial products, cis, cis-Ir(H)(--Ph)₂(CO)(PPh₃)₂ (3a) and cis, cis-Ir(H)₂(--Ph)(CO)(PPh₃)₂ (3b), respectively. Both cis-bis(PPh₃) complexes, 3a and 3b undergo isomerization to give the trans-bis(PPh₃) complexes, trans, trans-Ir(H)(--Ph)₂(CO)(PPh₃)₂ (4a) and cis, trans-Ir(H)₂(--Ph)(CO)(PPh₃)₂ (4b). The isomerization, 3b→4b is first order with respect to 3b with k₁=6.37×10⁻⁴ s⁻¹ at 25°C under N₂ in CDCl₃. The reaction rate (k₁) seems independent of the concentration of H₂. A large negative entropy of activation (ΔS^≠=−24.9±5.7 cal deg⁻¹ mol⁻¹) and a relatively small enthalpy of activation (ΔH^≠=14.5±3.3 kcal mol⁻¹) were obtained in the temperature range 15∼35°C for the isomerization, 3b→4b under 1 atm of H₂.     

Cobalt metallocycles: XIII. Preparation and x-ray crystallography of cobaltacyclopentadiene and dinuclear cobalt complexes

(η-Cyclopentadienyl)(triphenylphosphine)cobaltacyclopentadienes having an electron withdrawing substituent on the cyclopentadienyl ring, (η-C₅H₄R)(PPh₃)($\text{CoCHCHC}$H) (1b: R = COOMe; 1c: R = COMe), were prepared in reasonable yields by treatment of a solution of (η-C₅H₄R)(PPh₃)₂Co with acetylene. A non-substituted cyclopentadienyl analog (1a: R = H) was also isolated in low yield according to a similar procedure. Novel dinuclear complexes were also formed as by-products and the structure of (η-C₅H₄R)Co(PPh₂$\text{C}{}_6\text{H}{}_4\text{)(μ-C}$Me)Co(η-C₅H₄R) (2b: R = COOMe), having a μ₂,η³-benzyl moiety, was determined by an X-ray crystallographic analysis. The X-ray analyses of 1a and 1b were also carried out. Crystals of 1a are monoclinic, space group Pa, a 8.529(3), b 16.010(6), c 8.028(4) Å, β 100.31(3)°, Z = 2; crystals of 1b are monoclinic, space group P2₁/a, a 8.327(2), b 36.468(7), c 8.021(1) Å, β 98.75(2)°, Z = 4; and crystals of 2b are monoclinic, space group P2₁/c, a 10.681(2), b 30.722(7), c 8.912(1) Å, β 93.55(1)°, Z = 4. They have been refined to R = 0.034, 0.047 and 0.050, respectively.     

Phosphorus–nitrogen compounds: Part 19. Syntheses,structural and electrochemical investigations,biological activities,and DNA interactions of new spirocyclic monoferrocenylcyclotriphosphazenes

The reactions of hexachlorocyclotriphosphazatriene, N₃P₃Cl₆, with N-alkyl-N-ferrocenylmethylethylene diamines, FcCH₂NH(CH₂)₂NHR₁ [R₁ = Me (1) and Et (2)], and sodium [3-(N-ferrocenylmethylamino)-1-propanoxide] (3) produce spirocyclic monoferrocenyl tetrachlorophosphazenes (1a–3a). The tetrapyrrolidinophosphazenes (1b–3b) are prepared from the reactions of corresponding phosphazenes (1a–3a) with excess pyrrolidine. The reaction of 1a with excess morpholine affords geminal-morpholino phosphazene (1c), whilst the reactions of 2a and 3a give diethylaminotrimorpholino (2c) and fully substituted morpholino products (3c), respectively. The structural investigations of the compounds are examined by Fourier transform IR, MS, ¹H, ¹³C, ³¹P NMR, DEPT, HETCOR, and HMBC techniques. The crystal structures of 3b and 3c are determined using X-ray crystallography. Cyclic voltammetric and chronoamperometric data show that compounds 1a–3a, 1b–3b, and 1c–3c exhibit electrochemically reversible one-electron oxidation of Fc redox centers which are hardly affected by the substituents on the phosphazene ring. The compounds 1b, 2b, 3b, and 3c are screened for antibacterial activities against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and for antifungal activities against yeast strains. In addition, the antituberculosis activities (in vitro) of these compounds are evaluated against INH-susceptible reference strain M. tuberculosis H37Rv, and six multi-drug resistant clinical M. tuberculosis isolates. Compound 2b is found to be the most active against the susceptible the reference strain. In addition, 1b, 2b, and 3c are active against all the multidrug-resistant clinical isolates at the highest concentrations. Gel electrophoresis data indicate that the compounds promote the formation of strand breaks in plasmid DNA. Almost all the concentrations lost of supercoiled DNA suggests that the compound 3b is very efficient plasmid-modifier. The compounds inhibit BamHI cleavage of pUC18 DNA while restricting HindIII.     

2-methylindole analogs as cholinesterases and glutathione S-transferase inhibitors: Synthesis,biological evaluation,molecular docking,and pharmacokinetic studies

In this study, we aimed to (i) synthesize new 2-methylindole analogs containing various amino structures, pyrrolidine, piperidine, morpholine, and substituted phenyl groups through structural and molecular modifications, (ii) evaluate the pharmaceutical potential of 2-methylindole analogs via assessing enzyme inhibitory activity against glutathione S-transferase (GST), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), (iii) predict ADMET and pharmacokinetic properties of the synthesized 2-methylindole analogs, (iv) reveal the possible interactions between the synthesized 2-methylindole analogs with GST, AChE, and BChE enzymes using several molecular docking software. In vitro enzyme inhibition assays showed that the synthesized indole analogs exhibited moderate to good inhibitory activities against GST, AChE, and BChE enzymes. Briefly, the inhibitory activities of the analogs 4b and 4i against AChE, 4a and 4b against BChE, and analogs 1 and 4i against GST were detected to be higher or close to the standard inhibitor compounds. The analog 4b was detected to have the best inhibitory activity against both AChE and BChE enzymes with the lowest IC₅₀ values as 0.648 µM for AChE and 0.745 µM for BChE. The analyses of enzyme inhibition relationship with the synthesized analogs could help to design new analogs for the inhibitors of cholinergic and glutathione pathways based on the indole derivatives.     

Sarcophine,a new epoxy cembranolide from marine origin

From the soft bodied coral Sarcophytum glaucum a crystalline compound-sarcophine (1), which is believed to be one of the repellents protecting the coral against predators, was isolated. The functional groups of 1 have been deduced from detailed NMR study and the whole molecular structure has been determined by a single-crystal 3-dimensional X-ray diffraction study proceeding from direct methods. The compound crystallizes in orthorhombic crystals, space group P2₁2₁2₁, and there are four molecules in each unit cell of dimensions a = 12·429(3), b = 13·766(3) and c = 10·750(1). The structure was found to be a new epoxy cembranolide. The mass spectrum and CD of 1 and several simple derivatives as well as the conformation of 1 in solution are discussed.     

A simple and efficient synthesis of substituted 2H-1-benzopyran-2-ones using natural acids and their bio evaluation

A simple and efficient route for the synthesis of coumarin derivatives (3a-3g) from reaction between substituted phenols (1a-1g) and methyl acetoacetate (2b) in presence of Citrus limon L. juice, Vitis vinifera L. juice and banana peels extract has been carried out. The homogeneity of the compounds were routinely checked by thin layer chromatography and melting points reported are uncorrected. The compounds (3a-3g) were characterized by using ¹HNMR and FTIR spectral techniques and evaluated for in vitro herbicidal activity against Raphanus sativus L. (Radish seeds). The compounds (3a-3g) were also screened for their fungicidal activity against Rhizoctonia solani and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides by poisoned food techniques. Antibacterial activity was also determined against Erwinia cartovora and Xanthomonas citri by inhibition zone method. From activity data, it was found that compounds 3a and 3b were most active against Raphanus sativus L. (root) and Raphanus sativus L. (shoot) respectively. Compound 3b was found most active against R. solani fungus and Xanthomonas citri bacterium at highest concentration. Compound 3e has shown maximum percentage inhibition i.e. 83.17 against C. gloeosporioides at 2000 µg/mL concentration. Erwinia cartovora bacterium was most susceptible to compound 3 g giving 8.00 mm inhibition zone at 2000 µg/mL concentration. Less reaction time, excellent yields, simple work-up, cost effective and mild reaction conditions are some merits of present protocol.     

The effect of the C-methyl substitution on the molecular geometry of the silatrane skeleton: The crystal structures of 1-(4′-tolyl)-silatrane and 1-(4′-tolyl)-3,7,10-trimethylsilatrane

Unsubstituted (1) and 3,7,10-trimethyl substituted (2) 1-(4′-tolyl)-silatranes were synthesized. ¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁵N and ²⁹Si NMR spectra were recorded and assigned. The conformation of the 2 stereoisomers in solution were characterized by the NMR spectra. 1 is monoclinic, P2₁/c, with a = 13.454(2), b = 13.888(2), c = 14.345(2) Å, β = 99.10(2)°. The major stereoisomer fraction of 2 is orthorhombic, Pbca, with a = 12.168(2), b = 13.754(4), c = 20.260(3) Å. The structures were solved by direct methods and were refined by least squares to R values of 0.039 and 0.066 for 3523 and 2158 reflexions. The N→Si distances are 1: 2.169(2) (mean) and 2: 2.236(3) Å. The solid state conformation of the 2 major stereoisomer fraction is different from that in solution and this is the first example of a silatrane crystal structure where the silatrane moiety lacks C₃ symmetry.     

Parallel or classical kinetic resolution of a planar chiral ferrocenylketone through asymmetric reductions

Racemic 1-acetyl-2-methoxymethylferrocene, (±)-1 was subjected to asymmetric reduction with two different methodologies and complementary results were obtained. When the reduction of (±)-1 was carried out in the presence of CBS-oxazaborolidine catalyst and BH₃·Me₂S as the hydrogen source, both enantiomers of the substrate were converted with comparable reaction rates and selectivities. The corresponding diastereoisomeric ferrocenylalcohols 3a and 3b were obtained in a 1:1 ratio and >90% enantiomeric excess; this reaction profile being related with a parallel kinetic resolution with high ds₁ and ds₂ diastereofacial selectivities. On the contrary, the transfer hydrogenation of (±)-1 with HCOOH/triethylamine in the presence of (R,R)-Noyori’s catalyst proceeded via classical kinetic resolution, so that the formed (?)-3b or unreacted (+)-1 could be obtained in highly enantiopure form before or beyond 50% of the substrate conversion, respectively. Alcohol 3b with an (1R_p,S)- or (1S_p,R)-configuration is not easily accessible by the diastereoselective metallation/electrophilic quenching sequence routinely applied in the synthesis of planar chiral ferrocenes. As a result, the described procedures provide a valuable access to this useful starting material for the synthesis of homochiral related derivatives.