Mercury(II) iodide coordination polymers generated from polyimine ligands

A series of new HgI₂ organic polymeric complexes, [Hg₂(L1)I₄]_n (1), [Hg(L2)I₂]_n (2), [Hg(L3)I₂]_n (3), [Hg₂(L4)I₄]_n (4), [Hg(L5)I₂]_n (5), [Hg(L6)I₃](HL6) (6) {L1 = 1,4-bis(2-pyridyl)-2,3-diaza-1,3-butadiene, L2 = 1,4-bis(3-pyridyl)-2,3-diaza-1,3-butadiene, L3 = 1,4-bis(4-pyridyl)-2,3-diaza-1,3-butadiene, L4 = 2,5-bis(2-pyridyl)-3,4-diaza-2,4-hexadiene, L5 = 2,5-bis(3-pyridyl)-3,4-diaza-2,4-hexadiene and L6 = 2,5-bis(4-pyridyl)-3,4-diaza-2,4-hexadiene} was prepared from reactions of mercury(II) iodide with six organic nitrogen donor-based ligands under thermal gradient conditions using the branched tube method. All these compounds were structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The HgI₂ coordination polymers obtained with the ligands L2, L3 and L5 show one-dimensional zig-zag motifs and in these compounds the HgI₂ units are connected to each other by the ligands L2, L3 and L5 through the pyridyl nitrogen atoms. The L1 and L4 ligands in the compounds 1 and 4 act as both a chelating and bridging group. In the compound 6 the ligand L6 acts as a monodentate ligand, resulting form a discrete compound. The thermal stabilities of compounds 1–6 were studied by thermal gravimetric (TG) and differential thermal analyses (DTA).     

Stereoselective Synthesis and Diels-Alder Reactions of (Z)- and (E)-1,2-bis(Phenylthio)-1,3-Butadiene

Bromination of 3-phenylthio-2-sulfolene (2) with N-bromosuccinimide gave 2-bromo-3-phenylthio-2-sulfolene (3) which was converted mainly to 2,3-bis(phenylthio)-2-sulfolene (4) by treatment with sodium phenylthiolate. Thermal desulfonylation of 4 at different temperatures in the presence of a base (DBU) yielded stereoselectively the (Z)- and (E)-1,2-bis(phenylthio)-1,3-butadiene (6). These two geometric isomers could be thermally interconverted. The Diels-Alder reactions of 6 were also investigated. Only the (Z)-diene 6a could undergo the Diels-Alder reaction; the (E)-diene 6b was in situ converted to the Z isomer before undergoing (he Diels-Alder reaction. The reaction of 6a with N-phenylmaleimide gave the cycloaddition product 7 with complete endo selectivity, but under daylight or during chromatography it readily underwent a thioallylic rearrangement to yield 8 with inversion of configuration. The cycloaddition of 6a with methyl acrylate proceeded regiospecifically, but generating a mixture of endo and exo isomers. The endo/exo ratio could be increased by using ZnCl₂ as the catalyst.     

Formal and total synthesis of (±)-cycloclavine

A ring fragmentation and intramolecular azomethine ylide 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition sequence of reactions was successfully used in the preparation of a known (±)-cycloclavine precursor in good overall yield. Results of efforts to incorporate the tetrasubstituted cyclopropane ring present in cycloclavine are also discussed.     

Step-economic synthesis of (±)-debromoflustramine A using indole C3 activation strategy

A concise and practical strategy to obtain C3 reverse-prenylated pyrrolidinoindoline scaffold has been executed in 28.8% overall yield. The key conjugative step involved a Booker-Milburn-Feudoloff reaction involving an NCS-mediated activation of indole, followed by coupling to C₅ dimethylallylalcohol. This linchpin step proceeded in 74% yield. The overall sequence proceeded in five steps from commercially available N-methyltryptamine with a single protection-deprotection operation and a single redox manipulation. Mechanistic insights of NCS activation, and an ensuing rearrangement of the isoprene unit were gained by rationally varying the C3 substituent.     

Copper(I) and palladium nanoparticles supported on ethylenediamine‐functionalized cellulose as an efficient catalyst for the 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition/direct arylation sequence

Cu(I) and nanoparticles of Pd supported on ethylenediamine‐functionalized cellulose as a novel bio‐supported catalyst was synthesized and characterized. The synthesized catalyst was found to be a highly efficient heterogeneous catalyst for the synthesis of 1,4,5‐trisubstituted 1,2,3‐triazoles through a sustainable 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition/direct arylation sequence. The catalyst could be easily recovered by simple filtration and reused for at least five cycles without losing its activity. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

First synthesis of naturally occurring (±)-epi-conocarpan

(±)-epi-Conocarpan 1 was synthesized via the key intermediate 5-bromo-cis-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3-methyl-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran 6 which was synthesized by a ruthenium(II) porphyrin-catalyzed intramolecular C-H insertion reaction using aryl tosylhydrazone salt 5 as the carbene source, starting from the commercially available 5-bromo-2-hydroxyacetophenone.     

A stereoselective total synthesis of (±)-tormesol

A general strategy for the synthesis of both trans/syn- and trans/anti-sphenolobane diterpenes has been developed, which utilizes an intramolecular ester enolate alkylation (IEEA) as a key step. A stereoselective total synthesis of (±)-tormesol (1), an unusual trans/syn-sphenolobane diterpene, was accomplished in 18 steps in 4.1% overall yield from readily available aldehyde 16.     

Sonochemical syntheses of a straw-like nano-structure two-dimensional mixed-ligand zinc(II) coordination polymer as precursor for preparation of nano-sized ZnO

Straw-like nano-structure of a new mixed-ligand Zn(II) two-dimensional coordination polymer, {[Zn(μ-4,4′-bipy)(μ-3-bpdb)(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₂·4,4′-bipy·3-bpdb·H₂O}_n (1) {4,4′-bipy = 4,4′-bipyridine and 3-bpdb = 1,4-bis(3-pyridyl)-2,3-diaza-1,3-butadiene}, was synthesized by a sonochemical method. The new nano-structure was characterised by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, IR spectroscopy and elemental analyses. Compound 1 was structurally characterised by single crystal X-ray diffraction and consists of two-dimensional polymeric units. ZnO nanoparticles were obtained by calcination of compound 1 at 500 °C under air atmosphere and were characterised by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).     

Total synthesis of (±)-hibiscone C

A total synthesis of (±)-hibiscone C, one member of the furanosteroid family of natural products that also includes viridin and wortmannin, is reported. Two new pathways for formation of the key diacyl furan subunit are described.     

Catalyst free three-component synthesis of (±)-pyrazolylpyrrolopyrroles by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction

Novel pyrazolylpyrrolopyrroles were prepared by the three-component reaction of pyrazole-4-carbaldehydes, α-amino acid esters and 1-arylmaleimides in toluene and in the absence of a catalyst. This protocol provided a simple one-step procedure for the synthesis of the title compounds with the advantage of an easy work-up, mild reaction conditions and endo-selectivity.     

The total synthesis of (±)-arisugacin A

A 20-step total synthesis of (±)-arisugacin A with an overall yield of 2.1% is described here in detail. This synthesis features a formal [3+3] cycloaddition reaction of α,β-unsaturated iminium salts with 6-aryl-4-hydroxy-2-pyrones through a highly stereoselective 6π-electron electrocyclic ring-closure of 1-oxatriene. A strategic dihydroxylation-deoxygenation protocol leading to the desired angular C12a-OH was developed to serve as a critical step in leading to the final total syntheses of arisugacin A. This synthetic endeavor also led to an interesting and unexpected retro-aldol-aldol sequence in the AB-ring.     

Convenient synthesis of epimeric indolizidines by the intramolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of a sugar derived N-(3-alkenyl)nitrone

The stereoselective synthesis of two epimeric penta-hydroxylated indolizidines was accomplished from 2,3:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-mannofuranose and N-(2-methylpent-4-en-2-yl)hydroxylamine. The transformation of these substrates into the corresponding 7-oxa-1-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane by the intramolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition was the key step of the synthesis. The adduct was transformed into the tricyclic ammonium salt by intramolecular N-alkylation. The tricyclic ammonium salt was converted to the target compounds by: (route 1) the catalytic hydrogenation; or (route 2) the reaction with sodium azide, followed by the enantioselective reduction of the resulting indolizidinone.     

A diastereoselective total synthesis of the sesquiterpene (±)-mutisianthol

The total synthesis of the phenolic sesquiterpene mutisianthol has been accomplished in 12 steps from the readily available 2-methylanisole. The required trans-1,3-disubstituted indan intermediate was obtained through a diastereoselective thallium(III) mediated ring contraction of a 1-methyl-1,2-dihydronaphthalene derivative.     

Synthesis of (±)-camptothecin using a [3+2] nitrone cycloaddition to construct the CDE ring moiety

A novel synthesis to camptothecin is described. A Friedlander condensation of o-aminobenzaldehye 2 with tricylclic ketone 3 affords camptothecin after further elaboration. Tricyclic ketone 3 is prepared via a route employing a [3+2] nitrone cycloaddition and an intramolecular Knoevenagel condensation.     

Total synthesis and structural confirmation of (±)-cuevaene A

The total synthesis and structural reassignment of cuevaene A have been completed. The key synthetic steps in the total synthesis included a base-promoted double conjugate addition and further elaboration to generate the tricyclic core structure, followed by construction of the trienoic acid side chain. Detailed comparison of proton and carbon NMR data with published values enabled the connectivity of the natural product, which had been debated in earlier publications, to be confirmed.     

A new and efficient method for the synthesis of 3-(2-nitrophenyl)pyruvic acid derivatives and indoles based on the Reissert reaction

The formation of 3-(2-nitrophenyl)pyruvic acid and its amide and ester derivatives – key compounds for the Reissert indole synthesis – was achieved under various reaction conditions via the acid catalyzed hydrolysis of 5-(2-nitrobenzyliden)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-oxazolidin-4-one, which is readily available from 3-(2-nitrophenyl)oxirane-2-carboxamide. A new and highly efficient method for the synthesis of indole-2-carboxylic acid derivatives via the intramolecular reductive cyclization of o-nitrophenylpyruvic acid and its amide and ester derivatives was developed using Na₂S₂O₄ in dioxane/water at reflux.     

Remarkable effect of metal fluoride catalyst on reaction of hexafluoropropene, sulfur and vinyl ethers. Convenient synthesis of 2,2-bis(trifluoromethyl)-4-R-thietanes, 3,3-bis(trifluoromethyl)-5-R-1,2-dithiolanes and 2,2-bis(trifluoromethyl)-4-R-1,3-dithiolanes

It was demonstrated that the outcome of the reaction of hexafluoropropene, sulfur and vinyl ether strongly depends on the catalyst and reaction conditions. The reaction of HFP and S_x leading to the formation of 2,2,4,4-tetrakis(trifluoromethyl)-1,3-dithietane (1) when it is catalyzed by CsF, proceeds under milder conditions and is easier to control compared to KF catalyzed process. The order of addition of reagents plays a crucial role on the outcome of the reaction. For example, the addition of vinyl ether to pregenerated solution of 1 in DMF solvent results in slow reaction, leading to the corresponding 2,2-bis(trifluoromethyl)-4-R-thietanes in 8-91% yield, and it is catalyzed by either by KF or CsF. The addition of second mole of sulfur to the solution of 2,2-bis(trifluoromethyl)-4-R-thietanes in the presence MF catalyst leads to insertion of sulfur into thietane ring with the formation of the corresponding cyclic disulfides—3,3-bis(trifluoromethyl)-5-R-1,2-dithietanes. On the other hand, the addition of second mole of sulfur to the solution of 1 in DMF in the presence of CsF catalyst, followed by addition of vinyl ether results in exothermic reaction, and it produces the corresponding 2,2-bis(trifluoromethyl)-4-alkoxy-1,3-dithiolanes in good yield.It was also demonstrated that 2,2-bis(trifluoromethyl)-4-R-thietanes can undergo disproportionation under action of fluoride anion, producing a mixture of the corresponding 1,2-dithiolane and CF₂C(CF₃)CH₂CFHOR. The nucleophilic attack of fluoride anion in this case proceeds selectively on the carbon of the thietane ring, bearing alkoxy group.The structure of 2,2-bis(trifluoromethyl)-4-R-thietanes forming as the result of 2 + 2 cycloaddition reaction between hexafluorothioacetone generated “in situ” from dimer 1 and vinyl ether was firmly supported by single crystal X-ray diffraction data, obtained for thietane bearing t-BuO-group.