3,5-Bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl sulfones in the modified Julia olefination: application to the synthesis of resveratrol

The reaction between carbanions derived from alkyl 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl sulfones and aldehydes, affords with good yields and stereoselectivities the corresponding 1,2-disubstituted alkenes through the Julia-Kocienski olefination reaction. This one-pot protocol can be performed using KOH at room temperature or the phosphazene base P4-t-Bu at −78 °C, and has been successfully used in a high yielding and stereoselective synthesis of various stilbenes such as resveratrol.     

An improved preparation of 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)acetophenone and safety considerations in the preparation of 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl Grignard reagent

An improved and efficient bromination of 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzene was developed. A safe and reliable preparation of the potentially explosive 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl Grignard and 3-trifluoromethylphenyl Grignard reagents, from the precursor bromides, is described. Reaction System Screening Tool (RSST) and Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA) studies suggest these trifluoromethylphenyl Grignard reagents can detonate on loss of solvent contact or upon moderate heating. When prepared and handled according to the methods described herein, these Grignard reagents can be safely prepared and carried on to advanced intermediates.     

1-Methyl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl (MT) sulfones in the Julia-Kocienski olefination: Comparison with the PT and the TBT sulfones

The stability and the stereoselectivity of newly prepared n-pentyl 1-methyl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl (MT) sulfone 1a in the Julia-Kocienski reactions were compared with those of the PT sulfone 1b and the TBT sulfone 1c. The improved stability of the anion derived from the n-pentyl MT sulfone 1a enhanced the efficiency of the olefination reactions and gave higher yields of the product alkenes 3 compared with the PT sulfone 1b. Especially high E-selectivity and high yields were obtained from the reaction with aromatic aldehydes and α,β-unsaturated aldehydes. The selectivity of 1a was not so sensitive to the change of base counter ion compared with the PT sulfone 1b. The reaction of the MT sulfones having either ethyl or a longer alkyl chain also gave E-alkenes selectively in high yields.     

Solvent-dependent resonance Raman spectra of high-valent oxomolybdenum(V) tris[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]corrolate

UV-visible, infrared (IR), and resonance Raman (RR) spectra were measured and analyzed for a high-valent molybdenum(V)-oxo complex of 5,10,15-tris[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]corrole (1) at room temperature. The strength of the metal-oxo bond in 1 was found to be strongly solvent-dependent. Solid-state IR and RR spectra of 1 exhibited the MoVO stretching vibration at nu(MoVO)=969 cm(-1). It shifted up by 6 cm(-1) to 975 cm(-1) in n-hexane and then gradually shifted to lower frequencies in more polar solvents, down to 960 cm(-1) in dimethyl sulfoxide. The results imply that stronger acceptor solvents weaken the MoVO bond. The 45-cm(-1) frequency downshifts displayed by 1 containing an 18O label in the molybdenum(V)-oxo unit confirmed the assignments for the observed IR and RR nu(MoVO) bands. The solvent-induced frequency shift for the nu(MoVO) RR band, measured in a series of 25 organic solvents ranging from n-hexane (AN=0.0) to N-methylformamide (AN=32.1), did not decrease in direct proportion to Gutmann's solvent acceptor numbers (ANs). However, a good linear correlation of the nu(MoVO) frequency was found against an empirical "solvent polarity" scale (A+B) of Swain et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1983, 105, 502-513. A molecular association was observed between chloroform and oxomolybdenum(V) corrole 1 through MoO...H/CCl3 hydrogen-bonding interactions. This association manifested itself as a shift of the nu(MoVO) RR band of 1 in CDCl3 to a higher frequency compared to that in CHCl3.     

Microbial and homogenous asymmetric catalysis in the reduction of 1-[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethanone

Two complementary approaches for the enantioselective reduction of 1-[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethanone 1 are described and compared: microbial versus asymmetric reduction of ketones through asymmetric hydrogen transfer. Among the various microorganisms screened, Lactobacillus kefir and Aspergillus niger reduced ketone 1 to the corresponding (R)-alcohol (R)-2. The (S)-alcohol (S)-2 was obtained by reduction of 1 using homogenous asymmetric catalysis. The configuration of the alcohol in both the biocatalysis and hydrogen transfer approaches was controlled by the choice of the enzyme and by the configuration of ligands, respectively. Both enantiomers were obtained in high yield and ee.     

Novel H2 activation by a tris[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borane frustrated Lewis pair

Tris[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borane (1, BArF(18)), has been synthesised on a practical scale for the first time. According to the Gutmann-Beckett method it is a more powerful Lewis acid than B(C(6)F(5))(3). It forms a 'frustrated Lewis pair' with 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine which cleaves H(2) to form a salt containing the novel anion [μ-H(BArF(18))(2)](-).     

Rhodium-tris(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)phosphine catalyzed hydroformylation of dienes to dialdehydes in supercritical carbon dioxide with high activity

Rhodium-catalyzed hydroformylation of 1,5-hexadiene and 1,7-octadiene to corresponding dialdehydes was investigated in compressed CO₂ and in toluene using different fluorinated phosphine compounds as ligands. A rhodium complex using tris(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)phosphine is highly effective in compressed CO₂ for double hydroformylation of 1,5-hexadiene, whose TOF value is much larger than those reported so far. It has been shown that this ligand is effective also for the hydroformylation of 1,7-octadiene and scCO₂ is a better solvent than a conventional organic solvent of toluene for the title reaction.     

Synthesis, structural characterization, and initial electroluminescent properties of bis-cycloiridiated complexes of 2-(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-4-methylpyridine

A series of bis-cyclometalated Ir(III) complexes (8-10, 12, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 28, 29 and 33) bearing two chromophoric N^∧C cyclometalated ligands derived from 2-(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-4-methylpyridine (1) and a third nonchromophoric ligand has been synthesized. A palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction between 2-chloro-4-methylpyridine (2) and 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenylboronic acid (3) was used to prepare 2-(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-4-methylpyridine (1). Cyclometalation of (1) by IrCl₃ was carried out in (MeO)₃PO, with the formation of chloro-bridged dimer [N^∧C]₂Ir(μ-Cl)₂Ir[C^∧N]₂ (8). Reaction of (8) with lithium 2,4-pentanedionate, lithium 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-heptane-3,5-dionate (13), dipivaloyltrimethylsilylphosphine (14), 2,2-dimethyl-6,6,7,7,8,8,8-heptafluoro-3,5-octadione (16), 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-pyridin-2-yl-propan-2-ol (18), 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-pyrazol-1-ylmethyl-propan-2-ol (20), 2-diphenylphosphanylethanol (22), and 1-diphenylphosphanylpropan-2-ol (24), afforded octahedral iridium complexes 9, 12, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23 and 25, respectively. Complex 10, which contains three different ligands (L₁ = N^∧C of 1; L₂ = N^∧C of 4,4′-dimethyl-[2,2′]bipyridinyl 4; L₃ = O^∧O of 2,4-pentanedione), and complex 11, which contains no cyclometalated ligands (L₁ = 4; L₂ = L₃ = Cl; L₄ = O^∧O of 2,4-pentanedione) were also isolated as minor products in a one-pot reaction between a 94:5 mixture of 1 and 4, IrCl₃ and lithium 2,4-pentanedionate. Reaction of 8 with diphenylphosphanylmethanol (27) in 1,2-dichloroethane unexpectedly led to complexes 28 and 29. The reactions of 8 with benzoylformic acid resulted in the formation of hydroxyl-bridged dimer [N^∧C]₂Ir(μ-OH)₂Ir[C^∧N]₂ (33). According to X-ray analyses, Ir-to-Ir distances in the crystal cell increase from 6.86 Å for 10 to 13.31 Å for 33. The angle theta, which represents the twisting of two cyclometalated C-Ir-N planes relative to each other, varies from 97.5° for 21 to 90.76 for complex 28. OLED devices were fabricated from several Ir complexes and preliminary results are discussed.     

Determination of accessible amino groups on surfaces by chemical derivatization with 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl isothiocyanate and XPS/NEXAFS analysis

The determination of amino groups on surfaces capable of binding biomolecules is important for the understanding and optimization of technologically relevant coupling processes. In this study, three different types of amino-functionalized model surfaces, amino thiolate on Au, amino siloxane on Si, and polyethylene (PE) foils and films reacted with 1,2-diaminoethane (DAE) were derivatized with 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl isothiocyanate. Subsequently, these samples were analyzed by chemical derivatization X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (CD-XPS) and near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (NEXAFS). The determination of amino groups by this analytical approach allows gaining insight into the availability of groups on surfaces that can actually serve as attachment sites for biomolecules in technical applications. In the case of the amino thiolate on Au, almost 90% of the expected amino groups were detected by CD-XPS. Investigation of the amino siloxane films revealed lower yields for the derivatization reaction in the order of 30%. The lowered reaction yields are thought to be due to interactions between the amino siloxane’s amino and silanol groups or the underlying substrate, making them inaccessible to the derivatization agent. The aminated PE samples are characterized by a complex surface chemistry and structure, and reaction yields of the derivatization reaction cannot be unequivocally derived. However, 1–3% of the total carbon atoms in the surface layer were found to be bound to amino groups accessible to the derivatization agent. It can be concluded that, depending on the detailed character of the investigated amino-terminated surface, the amount of amino groups accessible to CD-XPS can be substantially lower than the total amount of amino groups present at the surface.     

Synthesis,structures and photophysical properties of phosphorus-containing silver 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)pyrazolates

Reaction of a trinuclear silver pyrazolate {[3,5-(CF₃)₂Pz]Ag}₃ complex with tricyclohexylphosphine at different reagent ratios leads to the formation of heteroleptic dinuclear or tetranuclear complexes. According to the single crystal X-ray analysis of the dinuclear complex, hexane molecules are incorporated into the cavities formed as the result of supramolecular packing. Coordination of a phosphine ligand makes dinuclear silver pyrazolate to exhibit blue emission at room temperature.     

Reaction of 2,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole with primary amines. Synthesis of 4-substituted-3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazoles

Reaction of 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole ( 1a ) with primary amines under a variety of conditions conveniently produced 4-substituted-3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)-4H-1.2,4-triazoles 4a in 26-85% yield. Alkyl amines reacted with 1a in methanol at ?42° to provide hydrogen-bonded monoadduct-methanol complexes 5a , as determined by X-ray. The reaction of 1a with sterically hindered or strongly electron deficient anilines required high temperatures in the absence of solvent.     

Persistent phosphinyl radicals featuring a bulky amino substituent and the 2,6-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl group

Persistent phosphinyl radicals featuring the 2,6-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl group were prepared and characterized. Their electronic structure was theoretically investigated, and their low-temperature dimerization into the corresponding diphosphines was found to be strongly inhibited when the sterically very demanding (tert-butyl)(trimethylsilyl)amino substituent was used.     

Complexation of trimeric copper(i) and silver(i) 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)pyrazolates with amine-borane

A complexation of trimeric copper(i) and silver(i) 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)pyrazolates ((ML)₃) with BH₃NEt₃ was studied by IR spectroscopy in hexane and dichloromethane solutions. In hexane, two complexes [(ML)₃][BH₃NEt₃]₂ (1) and [(ML)₃][BH₃NEt₃] (2) were formed depending on the ratio of reagents. In dichloromethane, only one complex [(ML)₃][BH₃NEt₃] (2) was found. The thermodynamic parameters (ΔH ^○, ΔS ^○) of complex 1 in hexane and complex 2 in dichloromethane were obtained. The complex [(AgL)₃][BH₃NEt₃] was isolated in the solid state, its structure was established by X-ray diffraction. The complex is formed due to two bridges B-H-Ag, one BH group is not involved in the complexation. In crystal, molecules 2 form supramolecular dimers due to the intermolecular interactions between metals of two macrocycles.     

High-Yield Syntheses of Sodium,Potassium, and Thallium Hydrotris[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)pyrazolyl]borates and the X-ray crystal structure of {hydrotris[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)pyrazolyl]borato} thallium(I)

An improved synthesis of 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)pyrazole ( 1 ) is described. This compound was used for the high-yield syntheses of the tris(pyrazoly1)borates Nd[HB(3,5-(CF₃),-pz)₃] ( 2a ) and the corresponding potassium salt, 2b , starting from 1 and NaBH₄ and KBH₄, respectively. A convenient route to the corresponding thallium(I) salt, 2c , using thallium(I) acetate and either 2a or 2b in CHCI₃, is also described. The sodium ( 3a ), potassium ( 3b ), and thallium ( 3c ) salts of bis(pyrazolyl)borate [H₂B(3,5-(CF₃)₂-pz)₂]^? were also prepared. The above pyrazolylborates were characterized by ¹H-, ¹³C-, ¹⁹F-, and ¹¹B-NMR spectroscopy. The X-ray crystal structure of the thallium derivative 2c was determined. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/m with a = 8.248(9) Å, b = 15.034(12) Å c = 9.243(8) Å, β = 100.10(7)°, Z = 2. The Tl-atom adopts a pyramidal geometry with respect to the three N-atoms. However, two TI–N distances (2.725(7) Å) are longer than the third (2.675(10) Å).     

First synthesis of liquid crystalline 2,3-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl derivatives exhibiting large negative dielectric anisotropy

A series of liquid crystalline 2,3-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl derivatives has been synthesized and their physical properties, namely the dielectric anisotropy, the birefringence, the rotational viscosity and the phase sequences have been measured. This novel class of compound showed an extremely large negative dielectric anisotropy (-6.1 to-11.4), exceeding that of currently used 2,3-difluorophenyl derivatives. On the other hand, the compounds synthesized were found to have poorer mesogenic potential and larger viscosities than those of the 2,3-difluorophenyl derivatives. Molecular modelling using molecular orbital calculations has been performed and the calculation results have been compared with experimentally evaluated physical properties.     

Synthesis, structural characterization and the first electroluminescent properties of tris- and bis-cycloiridiated complexes of sterically hindered electron-poor 2-(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-4-trifluoromethylpyridine

An application of the new sterically hindered electron-poor 2-(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-4-trifluoromethylpyridine [HC--N] (1) in the one-step high temperature cyclometalation by Ir(III)Cl3 in the presence of Ag(I)OC(O)CF3 resulted in the synthesis of tris-cyclometalated complexes [C--N]2Ir[C--C] (3) and [C--N]3Ir (5). A neutral silver cluster with a repeating unit of hexa-silver groups in an infinite chain of (2) was isolated from the above reaction as well. When this cyclometalation was carried out in trimethylphosphate at lower temperature, bis-cyclometalated derivatives [C--N]2Ir(mu-Cl)2Ir[CN]2 (6), [C--N]2Ir[eta2-(O(C((t)Bu))2CH] (7), and [C--N]2Ir(mu-O-P(OMe)2-O)2Ir[C--N]2 (8) were synthesized. According to X-ray analyses complex (3), while trivalent, contains four cyclometalated single Ir-C bonds. One of the Ir-C bonds, next to the nitrogen atom of the CC pyridinium ligand, was found to be the shortest to date (1.977(4) angstroms) for a single bond between iridium and carbon atoms. The coordination of the C--C ligand in (3) to iridium has a decidedly interesting bonding pattern and can be explained by various formulations. The first one is considering this ligand as a monoanionic chelating ligand, in which the second coordination site arises from a carbene or azomethine ylide. Overall the best single picture may be a dianionic ligand making two normal Ir-C bonds, in which the ligand just happens to contain a pyridinium function that compensates for one negative charge on the iridium. LEDs constructed with compounds (7) and (8) give blue-green emission with peak electroluminescent efficiency of 15 and 2 cd A(-1), respectively. An LED constructed with compound (5) gives a yellowish emission with peak electroluminescent efficiency of 5.5 cd A(-1).