Efficient [4+1]/[3+2+1] bis-cyclizations stereoselectively yielding unprecedented polyacyclic indeno-fused xanthenes

Concise and efficient [4+1]/[3+2+1] bis-cyclizations of o-phthalaldehyde with cyclic 1,3-dicarbonyls have been established for the stereoselective synthesis of unprecedented polycyclic indeno[2,1-l]xanthene derivatives. The multicomponent domino reaction (MDR, AB₂ type) is easy to perform by mixing inexpensive substrates in HOAc at room temperature. The present synthesis shows attractive properties such as the simple one-pot fashion, high bond-forming efficiency, and easy purifications. Up to two new rings and four sigma-bonds were achieved in these MDRs without using any metal catalysts.     

Stereoselective synthesis of highly oxygenated cyclohexanes through a [3+3] annulation approach

The synthesis of highly oxygenated cyclohexanes has been achieved through a Michael–Wittig protocol via a [3+3] annulation of the enal that is derived from 2,3-O-isopropylidene-(R)-glyceraldehyde. The γ-alkoxy enal system is responsible for the stereoselectivity.     

A highly diastereoselective [3+3] annulation reaction of aza-oxyallyl cations and nitrones

An efficient synthesis of 1,2,4-oxadiazinan-5-ones via [3+3] cycloaddition of in situ generated aza-oxyallyl cations with nitrones has been developed. The protocol features easy operation, excellent yields, excellent diastereo-control, broad substrate scope and good functional group tolerance.     

Sensitization of Tb3+ luminescence with Ce3+ in LaOBr: Tb3+, Ce3+

Luminescence emission and uv-excitation properties of LaOBr: Tb³⁺, LaOBr: Ce³⁺, and LaOBr: Tb³⁺, Ce³⁺ phosphors were studied. The visible emission spectra of La_0.995Tb_0.005OBr consists of⁵D_3,4 →⁷F_3–6 transitions in the wavelength range of 410–630 nm. The excitation of the Tb³⁺ ion gives a broad 4f → 5d transition band at 254 nm and weaker4f → 4f transition lines above 300 nm. The uv-excitation and emission of La_0.995Ce_0.005OBr at 290, 315, 355 (excitation), and 440 nm (emission) originate from transitions between the 4f-ground state and the four crystal field components of the5d²D excited state. The sensitization of Tb³⁺ luminescence in LaOBr with Ce³⁺ at varying concentrations is described and discussed. With increasing Ce³⁺ concentration the ⁵D₃ →⁷F transitions of Tb³⁺ quench totally and the⁵D₄ →⁷F transitions begin to quench gradually. The excitation spectrum of the⁵D₄ →⁷F₅ transition of Tb³⁺ consists of four bands due to Tb³⁺ and Ce³⁺, of which the three Ce³⁺ bands increase in intensity and the Tb³⁺ band decreases as the Ce³⁺ concentration is increased.     

Convenient and efficient access to tri- and tetra-substituted 4-fluoropyridines via a [3 + 2]/[2 + 1] cyclization reaction

A [3 + 2]/[2 + 1] cycloaddition reaction of gem?difluorocyclopropenes is presented, offering a mild and efficient approach to accessing tri- and tetra-substituted 4-fluoropyridines in moderate to good yields with excellent regioselectivity. Multiple synthetic applications, including process-scale reactions, modification of bioactive molecules, derivatization reactions and synthesis of the analogue of the PKM2 modulator, are subsequently described.     

Luminescent properties of SrBPO5:Dy3+ and effect of Co-doping with Tm3+

A series of phosphors SrBPO₅:Dy³⁺ and SrBPO₅:Dy³⁺,Tm³⁺ was synthesized by traditional solid-state high-temperature method and was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and fluorescence spectrophotometry. For SrBPO₅:Dy³⁺ material, the f-f transitions of Dy³⁺ ions were assigned and discussed, and the optimal doping concentration of Dy³⁺ was found. As a result of co-doping SrBPO₅:Dy³⁺ with Tm³⁺, the phosphors SrBPO₅:Dy³⁺,Tm³⁺ can be effectively excited by 360 nm ultraviolet (UV), and exhibit color-tunable emission from blue to yellowish-white region with different doping concentration. The present study can pave the way for the creation of efficient UV phosphors using Dy³⁺,Tm³⁺ co-doped systems for near-UV InGaN-based light emitting diodes (LEDs).     

Synthesis of psudoheliotridane via formal [3+2] annulation and ring-closing metathesis

Base-induced coupling/cyclization stepwise [3+2] annulation of α-sulfonylacetamide with (Z)-2-bromoacrylates yielded polysubstituted pyroglutamates with three contiguous chiral centers with trans-trans orientation in a one-pot synthesis. The pyrrolizidine skeleton was obtained via the ring-closing metathesis (RCM) method. This facile strategy was used to synthesize psudoheliotridane.     

Synthesis of substituted imidazolines via [3+2]-cycloaddition of aziridines with nitriles

An efficient synthesis of 2,4-disubstituted 1H-imidazolines from aziridines and nitriles in the presence of BF₃-Et₂O or triethyloxonium tetrafluoroborate has been described. The reaction proceeds via a [3+2]-cycloaddition reaction. Most of the nitriles successfully underwent cycloaddition reactions with aziridines even at room temperature in a very short time.     

Photo-modulated wide-spectrum chromism in Eu3+ and Eu3+/Tb3+ photochromic coordination polymer gels: application in decoding secret information

Photo-switching emission of photochromic materials has paramount importance in the field of optoelectronics. Here, we report synthesis and characterization of a dithienylethene (DTE) based photochromic low molecular weight gelator (LMWG) and self-assembly with lanthanide (Eu³⁺ and Tb³⁺) ions to form a photochromic coordination polymer gel (pcCPG). Based on DTE ring opening and closing, the TPY-DTE gel shuttles from pale-yellow coloured TPY-DTE-O to dark blue coloured TPY-DTE-C and vice versa upon irradiating with UV and visible light, respectively, and both the photoisomers show distinct optical properties. Furthermore, integration of Eu³⁺ and Tb³⁺ lanthanides with TPY-DTE resulted in red and green emissive Eu-pcCPG (Q.Y. = 18.7% for the open state) and Tb-pcCPG (Q.Y. = 23.4% for the open state), respectively. The photoisomers of Eu-pcCPG exhibit photo-switchable spherical to fibrous reversible morphology transformation. Importantly, an excellent spectral overlap of the Eu³⁺ centred emission and absorption of DTE in the closed form offered photo-switchable emission properties in Eu-pcCPG based on pcFRET (energy transfer efficiency >94%). Further, owing to the high processability and photo-switchable emission, the Eu-pcCPG has been utilized as invisible security ink for protecting confidential information. Interestingly, mixed Eu³⁺/Tb³⁺ pcCPG exhibited photo-modulated multi-spectrum chromism reversibly where the colour changes from yellow, blue, and red to green and vice versa under suitable light irradiation.

A lanthanide based photochromic coordination polymer gel (pcCPG) material has been developed which showed photomodulated colour change based on pcFRET and has the potential to be employed for decoding secret information.     

Nickel-catalyzed [4+3] cycloaddition of ethyl cyclopropylideneacetate and 1,3-dienes

The [4+3] cycloaddition of ethyl cyclopropylideneacetate (1) with 1,3-dienes proceeded in the presence of Ni(cod)₂-TOPP (tri-o-biphenylyl phosphite). The reaction provided a new method for the synthesis of cycloheptene derivatives. The mechanism of the reaction was proposed.     

Fine tuning bifunctional properties of Y0.5Gd0.5BO3 by doping with Ce3+ and co-doping with Li+,Ca2+ and Al3+ following an epoxide mediated gel approach

Realizing the ubiquitous presence of rare-earth orthoborates in various applications involving their optical properties, the current investigation is directed towards the exploration of epoxide mediated rapid synthesis to make YBO₃. Highly crystalline orthoborate with disordered vaterite structure resulted on calcining xerogel from the reaction of yttrium chloride, boric acid and propylene oxide at 900 °C as verified from diffraction, vibration spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. Following this approach, orthoborate containing 50 mol% of Y and Gd was obtained and characterized. Dissolution limit of Ce³⁺ in Y_0.50Gd_0.50BO₃ has been determined. Cerium doping resulted in the reduction in the optical band gap of these samples and appended photocatalytic ability in terms of degradation of aqueous rhodamine-6G (Rh-6G) dye solution. The intensity of 4f → 5d transition of Ce³⁺ increased monotonously with increase in cerium content. The role of distortion on the blue emission from Ce³⁺ and photocatalytic properties of these samples were comprehended by characterizing Li⁺, Ca²⁺ and Al³⁺-doped samples (up to 10 mol%) for yttrium. The distortion of Y_0.50?xM_xGd_0.45Ce_0.05BO₃ lattice decreased in the order, R_Ca2+ > R_Y3+ > R_Li+ > R_Al3+, with the emission intensity (5d → 4f transitions) from Ce³⁺ increasing in the reverse order. Optical band gap was found to decrease for the Li⁺, Ca²⁺ and Al³⁺ doped samples as compared to undoped one. These doped samples retained their catalytic ability as verified from their use in the photo degradation of rhodamine-B (Rh-B) dye. An insight in to possible mechanism operative in the present photo catalytic degradation experiments has been attempted by carrying out trapping experiments.     

K3PO4 promoted dipolar [3+3] cyclization: Direct synthesis of pyrazino[2,1-a]isoquinoline derivatives

A K₃PO₄ promoted dipolar [3+3] cyclization of dihydroisoquinoline imines and arylacyl bromides has been developed. This process realized the direct synthesis of pyrazino[2,1-a]isoquinoline derivatives in 44–69% yields. A head to tail dimerization was proposed as key step for this procedure.     

[3+2] Cycloaddition of metal-containing azomethine ylides for highly efficient synthesis of mitosene skeleton

Efficient synthesis of tricyclic indole derivatives bearing a substituent at the 3-position of the indole nucleus was achieved by the [3+2] cycloaddition reaction of transition metal-containing azomethine ylides derived from N-(o-alkynylphenyl)imines with vinyl ethers. Third-row transition metal complexes, especially PtCl₂, turned out to be highly efficient for the reaction of internal alkynes and imidate substrates with wide generality. Moreover, as strong support for the reaction mechanism, the intermediate Pt-carbene complex was found to undergo intramolecular C-H bond insertion reaction to give tetracyclic indoline derivatives when benzyl vinyl ether was employed as a dipolarophile. This protocol provided a facile synthesis of highly functionalized tricyclic indole derivatives found as the basic skeleton of the mitosene family, such as mitomycin C.     

Electrooxidative palladium- and enantioselective rhodium-catalyzed [3 + 2] spiroannulations

Despite indisputable progress in the development of electrochemical transformations, electrocatalytic annulations for the synthesis of biologically relevant three-dimensional spirocyclic compounds has as of yet not been accomplished. In sharp contrast, herein, we describe the palladaelectro-catalyzed C–H activation/[3 + 2] spiroannulation of alkynes by 1-aryl-2-naphthols. Likewise, a cationic rhodium(iii) catalyst was shown to enable electrooxidative [3 + 2] spiroannulations via formal C(sp³)–H activations. The versatile spiroannulations featured a broad substrate scope, employing electricity as a green oxidant in lieu of stoichiometric chemical oxidants under mild conditions. An array of spirocyclic enones and diverse spiropyrazolones, bearing all-carbon quaternary stereogenic centers were thereby accessed in a user-friendly undivided cell setup, with molecular hydrogen as the sole byproduct.

Despite indisputable progress in the development of electrochemical transformations, electrocatalytic annulations for the synthesis of biologically relevant three-dimensional spirocyclic compounds has as of yet not been accomplished.     

A reinvestigation of the reaction of allylsilanes with N-phenyltriazolinedione: stereoselective synthesis of substituted urazoles by [3+2] cycloaddition

A stereoselective synthesis of hydroxy substituted urazoles of potential biological significance has been developed via the [3+2] annulation of α-substituted allylic silanes with N-phenyltriazolinedione. The need for complete blocking of the α-CH₂ group of allylsilanes for successful [3+2] annulation, as reported previously, is found to be unnecessary.     

Stereoselective synthesis of novel glyco-pyrano pyrrolidines/pyrrolizidines/indolizidines through intramolecular [3+2] cycloaddition approach

An efficient and stereoselective synthesis of novel furo-pyrano pyrrolidine/pyrrolizidine/indolizidine derivatives has been achieved by intramolecular [3+2] cycloaddition reaction of azomethine ylide generated in situ from O-allyl sugar-derived aldehyde and different secondary amino acids.     

Synthesis of Cyclic N-Acyl Amidines by [3 + 2] Cycloaddition of N-Silyl Enamines and Activated Acyl Azides

In this study, we describe the synthesis of cyclic N-acyl amidines from readily available N-heteroarenes. The synthetic methodology utilized the versatile N-silyl enamine intermediates from the hydrosilylation of N-heteroarenes for the [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction step. We evaluated various acyl azides and selected an electronically activated acyl azide, thereby achieving a reasonable yield of cyclic N-acyl amidines. We analyzed the relationship between the reactivity of each step and the electronic nature of substrates using in situ nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. In addition, we demonstrated gram-scale synthesis using the proposed methodology.     

Reactivity of allenoates toward aziridines: [3+2] and formal [3+2] cycloadditions

The reactivity of buta-2,3-dienoates toward aziridines is reported. Allenoates react as 2π-component in the [3+2] cycloaddition with the azomethine ylide generated from cis-1-benzyl-2-benzoyl-3-phenylaziridine affording 4-methylenepyrrolidines in a site-, regio-, and stereoselective fashion. Under conventional thermolysis, cis- and trans-2-benzoyl-1-cyclohexyl-3-phenylaziridines showed a different reactivity. These aziridines participate in formal [3+2] cycloadditions with allenes via C-N bond cleavage of the three-membered ring leading to functionalized pyrroles.     

Phosphine-catalyzed annulations of azomethine imines: allene-dependent [3 + 2], [3 + 3], [4 + 3], and [3 + 2 + 3] pathways

In this paper we describe the phosphine-catalyzed [3 + 2], [3 + 3], [4 + 3], and [3 + 2 + 3] annulations of azomethine imines and allenoates. These processes mark the first use of azomethine imines in nucleophilic phosphine catalysis, producing dinitrogen-fused heterocycles, including tetrahydropyrazolo-pyrazolones, -pyridazinones, -diazepinones, and -diazocinones. Counting the two different reaction modes in the [3 + 3] cyclizations, there are five distinct reaction pathways-the choice of which depends on the structure and chemical properties of the allenoate. All reactions are operationally simple and proceed smoothly under mild reaction conditions, affording a broad range of 1,2-dinitrogen-containing heterocycles in moderate to excellent yields. A zwitterionic intermediate formed from a phosphine and two molecules of ethyl 2,3-butadienoate acted as a 1,5-dipole in the annulations of azomethine imines, leading to the [3 + 2 + 3] tetrahydropyrazolo-diazocinone products. The incorporation of two molecules of an allenoate into an eight-membered-ring product represents a new application of this versatile class of molecules in nucleophilic phosphine catalysis. The salient features of this protocol--the facile access to a diverse range of nitrogen-containing heterocycles and the simple preparation of azomethine imine substrates--suggest that it might find extensive applications in heterocycle synthesis.     

Itinerant electron ferromagnetism in Sr2+-, Ca2+-, and Ba2+-doped rare-earth orthocobaltites (Ln3+1−xM2+xCoO3)

Electronic and magnetic properties of Ln_1?xSr_xCoO₃ (Ln = Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, and Gd) systems show that above a critical value of x, the d electrons become itinerant while the materials become ferromagnetic at low temperatures. The ferromagnetic component increases with increase in x and decrease in temperature. The Curie temperature increases with x and decreases with decrease in the size of the rare-earth ion. Incorporation of Ba²⁺ in LaCoO₃ favors itinerant electron ferromagnetism relative to Sr²⁺ while Ca²⁺ is less favorable than Sr²⁺.