Stereoselective synthesis of 2-C-methylene glycosides and disaccharides via direct allylic substitution of hydroxy group in benzylated glycals

InCl₃ efficiently catalyzes allylic substitution of the hydroxy group of 2-C-hydroxymethyl glycals to afford a diversity of 2-C-methylene alkyl and aryl glycosides as well as disaccharides in high yields. This protocol surpasses the existing methods for the synthesis of 2-C-methylene glycosides as it obviates the need for functionalizing the allylic hydroxy group of glycals. The interest of this methodology relies on the extremely mild conditions required even with a free hydroxyl group at the allylic position of the glycals and that too only with a catalytic amount of InCl₃. The reaction is fast (30 min.), stereoselective and is compatible with a variety of oxygenated nucleophiles including those possessing acid-labile groups. A mechanistic investigation on the direct formation of an α,α-(1→1)linked disaccharide derivative from 2-C-hydroxymethyl galactal reveals that the reaction proceeds through a domino Ferrier rearrangement followed by a facile 1,3-alkoxy migration.     

Highly selective palladium catalyzed kinetic resolution and enantioselective substitution of racemic allylic carbonates with sulfur nucleophiles: asymmetric synthesis of allylic sulfides,allylic sulfones,and allylic alcohols

We describe the highly selective palladium catalyzed kinetic resolutions of the racemic cyclic allylic carbonates rac-1 a-c and racemic acyclic allylic carbonates rac-3 aa and rac-3 ba through reaction with tert-butylsulfinate, tolylsulfinate, phenylsulfinate anions and 2-pyrimidinethiol by using N,N'-(1R,2R)-1,2-cyclohexanediylbis[2-(diphenylphosphino)-benzamide] (BPA) as ligand. Selectivities are expressed in yields and ee values of recovered substrate and product and in selectivity factors S. The reaction of the cyclohexenyl carbonate 1 a (>/=99 % ee) with 2-pyrimidinethiol in the presence of BPA was shown to exhibit, under the conditions used, an overall pseudo-zero order kinetics in regard to the allylic substrate. Also described are the highly selective palladium catalyzed asymmetric syntheses of the cyclic and acyclic allylic tert-butylsulfones 2 aa, 2 b, 2 c, 2 d and 4 a-c, respectively, and of the cyclic and acyclic allylic 2-pyrimidyl-, 2-pyridyl-, and 4-chlorophenylsulfides 5 aa, 5 b, 5 ab, 6 aa-ac, 6 ba and 6 bb, respectively, from the corresponding racemic carbonates and sulfinate anions and thiols, respectively, in the presence of BPA. Synthesis of the E-configured allylic sulfides 6 aa, 6 ab, 6 ac and 6 bb was accompanied by the formation of minor amounts of the corresponding Z isomers. The analogous synthesis of allylic tert-butylsulfides from allylic carbonates and tert-butylthiol by using BPA could not be achieved. Reaction of the cyclopentenyl esters rac-1 da and rac-1 db with 2-pyrimidinethiol gave the allylic sulfide 5 c having only a low ee value. Similar results were obtained in the case of the reaction of the cyclohexenyl carbonate rac-1 a and of the acyclic carbonates rac-3 aa and rac-3 ba with 2-pyridinethiol and lead to the formation of the sulfides 5 ab, 6 ab, and 6 bb, respectively. The low ee values may be ascribed to the operating of a "memory effect", that is, both enantiomers of the substrate give the substitution product with different enantioselectivities. However, in the reaction of the racemic carbonate rac-1 a as well as of the highly enriched enantiomers 1 a (>/=99 % ee) and ent-1 a (>/=99 % ee) with 2-pyrimidinethiol the ee values of the substrates and the substitution product remained constant until complete conversion. Similar results were obtained in the reaction of the cyclic carbonates rac-1 a, ent-1 a (>/=99 % ee) and ent-1 c (>/=99 % ee) with lithium tert-butylsulfinate. Thus, in the case of rac-1 a and 2-pyrimidinthiol and tert-butylsulfinate anion as nucleophiles the enantioselectivity of the substitution step is, under the conditions used, independent of the chirality of the substrate; this shows that no "memory effect" is operating in this case. Hydrolysis of the carbonates ent-1 a-c, ent-3 aa and ent-3 ba, which were obtained through kinetic resolution, afforded the enantiomerically highly enriched cyclic allylic alcohols 9 a-c (>/=99 % ee) and acyclic allylic alcohols 10 a (>/=99 % ee) and 10 b (99 % ee), respectively.     

Synthesis of substituted uracils by the reactions of halouracils with selenium, sulfur, oxygen and nitrogen nucleophiles under focused microwave irradiation

Under microwave irradiation, the nucleophilic substitution reactions of halouracils with selenium, sulfur, oxygen and nitrogen nucleophiles was complete within several minutes with yields up to 99%. The method using microwave irradiation is superior to those conducted under conventional heating processes.     

Ortho-selectivity in the nucleophilic aromatic substitution (SNAr) reactions of 3-substituted, 2,6-dichloropyridines with alkali metal alkoxides

3-Substituted, 2,6-dichloropyridines have featured in the syntheses of small molecule inhibitors of a wide variety of biological targets. Hence, the regioselective displacement of the chlorines is of significant interest. Through conducting an extensive solvent study, we have found that non-polar, aprotic solvents of low hydrogen bond basicities favour substitution of the chlorine ortho to the 3-substituent by alkali metal alkoxides. We present convincing evidence that coordination of the alkali metal counter-ion to the 3-substituent (nitro, ester, amide) is the origin of the ortho-selectivity to give a cyclic, six-membered transition state. Excellent ortho-selectivities (?98:2) for secondary and tertiary alkoxides were realized with the sodium counter-ion, whereas the more reactive primary alkoxides required the harder, more Lewis acidic lithium counter-ion.     

Electronic effects in the regioselectivity of the singlet oxygen and 4-methyl-1,2,4-triazoline-3,5-dione ene reactions with isobutenylarenes

The regioselectivity of the ene pathway in the photooxidation of several 1-aryl-2-methylpropenes, as probed by stereoselective deuterium-labeling, depends on the electronic nature of the para phenyl-substituents. The reaction of the same array of alkenylarenes with 4-methyl-1,2,4-triazoline-3,5-dione (MTAD) gives ene products with an impressive >97% allylic hydrogen abstraction from the more substituted side of the alkene.     

Organocatalyzed highly enantioselective direct aldol reactions of aldehydes with hydroxyacetone and fluoroacetone in aqueous media: the use of water to control regioselectivity

An organocatalyst prepared from (2R,3R)-diethyl 2-amino-3-hydroxysuccinate and L-proline exhibited high regio- and enantioselectivities for the direct aldol reactions of hydroxyacetone and fluoroacetone with aldehydes in aqueous media. It was found that water could be used to control the regioselectivity. The presence of 20-30 mol% of the catalyst afforded the direct aldol reactions of a wide range of aldehydes with hydroxyacetone to give the otherwise disfavored products with excellent enantioselectivities, ranging from 91 to 99% ee, and high regioselectivities. Aldolizations of fluoroacetone with aldehydes mediated by 30 mol% of the organocatalyst in aqueous media preferentially occurred at the methyl group, yielding products with high enantioselectivities (up to 91% ee); however, these additions took place dominantly at the fluoromethyl group in THF. Optically active 3,5-disubstituted tetrahydrofurans and (2S,4R)-dihydroxy-4-biphenylbutyric acid were prepared by starting from the aldol reaction of hydroxyacetone. Theoretical studies on the role of water in controlling the regioselectivity revealed that the hydrogen bonds formed between the amide oxygen of proline amide, the hydroxy of hydroxyacetone, and water are responsible for the regioselectivity by microsolvation with explicit one water molecule as a hydrogen-bond donor and/or an acceptor.     

Selective synthesis of monoorganotin trihalides: the direct reaction of allylic halides with tin(II) halides catalyzed by platinum and palladium complexes

The reaction of 3-haloalkenes (3-chloropropene, 3-bromopropene, 3-chloro-2-methylpropene, 1-chloro-2-butene) with SnX₂ (X=Cl, Br) to form mono-allyltin trihalides, was catalyzed by several platinum and palladium complexes of the type MZ₂L (M=Pt, Pd; Z=Me, Cl; L=2,2′-bipyridine, 1,10-phenanthroline or dppe). The highest yield of allyltin trichloride was obtained for the reaction of 3-chloropropene with SnCl₂ catalyzed by PdMe₂(phen) (83%) while the yield obtained with the other catalysts decreased in the order PdCl₂(phen), PdCl₂(bipy)>PdMe₂(bipy)>PtCl₂(phen)>PtMe₂(bipy)>PtMe₂(phen)>PtCl₂(bipy). Interestingly, PdCl₂(PhCN)₂ and Pd(PPh₃)₄ had no activity at all. The yield of allyltin trichloride was not only dependent on the activity of the catalyst but also on the decomposition rate of the product in the presence of the catalyst. 3-Bromopropene gave 19% of allyltin tribromide when reacted with SnBr₂. The other 3-haloalkenes did react but the resulting monoallylictin trihalides were not stable enough to produce significant yields. Reaction of both, benzyl chloride and chlorobenzene, led to catalyst decomposition. In addition, SnCl₂ catalyzed formation of polybenzyl was observed in the case of benzyl chloride.     

Ugi amine-derived P,N- and P,P-ligands with N-alkyltriethoxysilyl tethers: synthesis and evaluation of mesoporous silica-supported Pd complexes in asymmetric allylic substitution reactions

A facile approach to the synthesis of several types of chiral P,N- and P,P-ligands bearing triethoxysilyl groups starting from N,N-diemthyl-1-ferrocenylethylamine (Ugi amine) has been developed. Allyl palladium complexes of these ligands have been prepared, characterized, and grafted on mesoporous silica. The resulting silica-supported complexes have been shown to catalyze asymmetric allylic alkylation and aminations reactions with moderate enantioselectivities.     

Multicomponent reactions of allenes, diaryl diselenides, and nucleophiles in the presence of iodosobenzene diacetate: direct synthesis of 3-functionalized-2-arylselenyl substituted allyl derivatives

A multicomponent reaction of allenes, diaryl diselenides, and nucleophiles in the presence of iodosobenzene diacetate has been developed, providing a novel method for the preparation of synthetically useful 3-functionalized-2-arylselenyl substituted allyl derivatives.     

Vicarious nucleophilic substitution of hydrogen versus vinylic substitution of halogen in the reactions of carbanions of halomethyl aryl sulfones with dialkyl halofumarates and halomaleates

Reaction of halomethyl aryl sulfone carbanions with dialkyl halofumarates and halomaleates results in nucleophilic substitution of hydrogen and/or of the halogen. The reaction with halofumarates proceeds via addition of the carbanions to the vinylic carbon atom connected with hydrogen, followed by base promoted β-elimination of hydrogen halide in which the halogen originates from the carbanion moiety or from the alkene. In the case of halomaleates the reaction proceeds via an elimination-addition sequence.     

Efficient and direct synthesis of saccharidic 1,2-ethylidenes, orthoesters, and glycals from peracetylated sugars via the in situ generation of glycosyl iodides with I2/Et3SiH

Peracetylated sugars can be efficiently converted into the corresponding 1,2-ethylidenes, -orthoesters, and -glycals via the in situ generation of glycosyl iodides promoted by I₂/Et₃SiH. The approach is straightforward and avoids isolation of the sensitive iodinated intermediates.     

Theoretical investigation on regioselectivity of aromatic ketones in the addition with olefin catalyzed by RuH2(CO)(PPh3)3

Ab initio method is employed to study the structures of twelve aromatic ketones at HF/3-21G, HF/6-31G and HF/6-31G* levels, respectively. A theoretical analysis is also carried out to study the regioselectivity and reactivity of aromatic ketones in the addition with olefin catalyzed by RuH₂(CO)(PPh₃)₃. The results indicate that a U shape LUMO conjugation of aromatic ketones in a plane plays an important role in regioselectivity on the cleavage of β C-H bond and is a necessary factor to success of addition with olefin, and that steric effect is an indispensable factor in forming additional ortho-product. Meanwhile, electronic effect may influence the rate of addition for the structures alike which only have different replacements in the same site of aromatic ring, such as furan, thiophene and pyrole. A possible catalytic reaction mechanism is proposed that the addition of C-H bond may be carried out by a coordination of aromatic ketones with Ru complex.     

Dopant substitution and oxygen migration in the complex perovskite oxide Ba3CaNb2O9: A computational study

Atomistic simulation methods have been used to study the defect chemistry of the complex perovskite oxide Ba₃CaNb₂O₉. Calculations were carried out for the hexagonal (P-3m1) phase and the cubic (Fm-3m) phase. The hexagonal structure is predicted to be energetically more stable at room temperature. In both structures the most favourable dopant for Nb⁵⁺ is found to be Ca²⁺ rather than Mg²⁺, in contrast to the generally accepted rule that size similarities govern such processes. The diffusion of oxygen vacancies in the hexagonal and cubic phases occurs within different networks of corner-sharing NbO₆ and CaO₆ octahedra. Irrespective of the arrangement of octahedra, however, migration of oxygen vacancies around NbO₆ octahedra takes place with lower activation energies than around the CaO₆ octahedra.     

Al(OTf)3: an efficient recyclable catalyst for direct nucleophilic substitution of the hydroxy group of propargylic alcohols with carbon- and heteroatom-centered nucleophiles to construct C-C, C-O, C-N and C-S bonds

A general and highly efficient Al(OTf)₃-catalyzed methodology has been developed for the direct nucleophilic substitution of the hydroxy group in propargylic alcohols with a variety of carbon- and heteroatom-centered nucleophiles such as alcohols, aromatic compounds, amides, and thiols, leading to the construction of C-C, C-O, C-N and C-S bonds.     

Ab initio direct dynamics studies on the hydrogen abstraction reactions of CF2H2 and CF3H with F atom

The dynamic properties of the hydrogen abstraction reactions of CF₂H₂ and CF₃H with F atom are investigated in the temperature range of 182–2000 K. The minimum-energy path (MEP) is optimized at MP2/6-311 G(d, p) level, then the energy profiles are refined at the CCSD(T)/6-311++G(3df, 2pd) level (single-point). The theoretical rate constants, which are calculated by the variational transition state theory (VTST) including the small curvature tunneling (SCT) correction, are in good agreement with the experimental ones. It is found that the rate constant of the CF₂H₂ + F reaction are larger than that of the CF₃H + F reaction and the activation energies exhibit in the just opposite order. This phenomenon can be rationalized by the hardness η of the halomethane molecules. The comparison of the two reactions with the CFH₃ + F reaction is made. It is found that the rate constants decrease in the order of CFH₃ + F > CF₂H₂ + F > CF₃H + F. The effect of fluorine substitution leads to a dramatic increase in the activation energy and a decrease in the preexponential factor. We hope that present theoretical studies for these compounds can give further information concerning how fluorine substitution affects the rate constants of hydrogen abstraction reactions.     

Selectivity in the addition reactions of organometallic reagents to aziridine-2-carboxaldehydes: the effects of protecting groups and substitution patterns

Good to excellent stereoselectivity has been found in the addition reactions of Grignard and organozinc reagents to N-protected aziridine-2-carboxaldehydes. Specifically, high syn selectivity was obtained with benzyl-protected cis, tert-butyloxycarbonyl-protected trans, and tosyl-protected 2,3-disubstituted aziridine-2-carboxaldehydes. Furthermore, rate and selectivity effects of ring substituents, temperature, solvent, and Lewis acid and base modifiers were studied. The diastereomeric preference of addition is dominated by the substrate aziridines' substitution pattern and especially the electronic character and conformational preferences of the nitrogen protecting groups. To help rationalize the observed stereochemical outcomes, conformational and electronic structural analyses of a series of model systems representing the various substitution patterns have been explored by density functional calculations at the B3LYP/6-31G* level of theory with the SM8 solvation model to account for solvent effects.     

Effects of hydroxyl radicals and oxygen species on the 4-chlorophenol degradation by photoelectrocatalytic reactions with TiO2-film electrodes

The supported nano-TiO₂ electrode was prepared by sol–gel and hydrothermal method, and the photoelectrocatalytic degradation of 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) under UV irradiation has been investigated to reveal the roles of hydroxyl radicals and dissolved oxygen species for TiO₂-assisted photocatalytic reactions. The degradation kinetics, the formation and decay of intermediates, the isotopic tracer experiments with H₂O¹⁸, the removal yield of total organic carbon and the formation of active radical species in the presence of oxygen or not were examined by HPLC, GC–MS, TOC and spin-trap ESR spectrometry. It was found that most of OH radicals in the primary hydroxylated intermediates derived from the oxidation of adsorbed H₂O or HO⁻ by photo-holes in the electrochemically assisted TiO₂ photocatalytic system. It also indicates that the enhancement in the separation efficiency of photogenerated charges by applying a positive bias (+0.5 V vs SCE) has little role in the following decomposition and mineralization of these hydroxylated intermediates in the absence of oxygen. According to above experimental results, the pathway of 4-CP photocatalytic degradation was deduced initially. Due to the combined effect of OH radicals and dissolved oxygen species, the hydroxylated 4-chlorphenol, via cis, cis-3-chloromuconic acid, was decomposed into low molecular weight acid and CO₂.     

Replacement of SO2Ar in tricarbonyl-5α-(arylsulphonyl)cyclohexa-1,3-dieneiron complexes: regio- and stereocontrol in reactions of dienyliron cations with some nucleophiles

Regio- and enantiocontrolled bond formation in tricarbonylcyclohexadieneiron complexes is available the reaction of their derived cations with sodium p-tolylsulphinate followed by nucleophilic displacement of SO₂Ar.     

Simple preparation of 7-alkylamino-2-methylquinoline-5,8-diones: regiochemistry in nucleophilic substitution reactions of the 6- or 7-bromo-2-methylquinoline-5,8-dione with amines

7-Alkylamino-2-methylquinoline-5,8-diones (7) were prepared from 6-bromo-2-methylquinoline-5,8-dione (2) not from 7-bromo-2-methylquinoline-5,8-dione (1). The chemistry of the transformation of 6-bromo-2-methylquinoline-5,8-dione (2) and various alkylamines, such as piperidine, 2-methylaziridine, benzylamine, n-butylamine, cyclohexylamine, t-butylamine, and ammonia, to 7-alkylamino compounds 7 as well as the transformation of 7-bromo compound 1 and the alkylamines to 6-alkylamino-2-methylquinoline-5,8-diones 11 was studied. The efficient and simple synthetic routes of the key intermediates, 6- and 7-bromo-2-methylquinoline-5,8-diones (2 and 1), from 5,8-dihydroxy-2-methylquinoline (15) and 5,7-dibromo-8-hydroxy-2-methylquinoline (9), respectively, were developed. We also proposed the mechanism for the unusual regioselectivity on the nucleophilic amination of 6- and 7-bromo-2-methylquinoline-5,8-diones (2 and 1).     

InCl3-CH3CN-H2O: an efficient catalyst-solvent combination for the synthesis of Perlin aldehydes and related compounds. Application in the synthesis of unnatural l-azasugars

InCl₃-CH₃CN-H₂O has been found to be an efficient catalyst-solvent combination for the synthesis of Perlin aldehydes and related compounds. While acetylated glycals afforded the Perlin aldehydes directly with InCl₃ and water, benzylated glycals on the other hand provided the hemiacetals under identical condition. The methodology reports a non-mercurial approach to Perlin aldehydes. Noteworthy is that this reaction is more facile as well as highly selective with glycals possessing a hydroxyl as a leaving group than with a benzyloxy group. Extension of this reaction to 2-C-hydroxymethyl glycals resulted in the formation of the corresponding hemiacetals, which were further transformed in to unsaturated azasugars with an exo-methylene group at C-2 position. Glycosidase inhibition studies reveal that these compounds display selectivity in inhibiting glucosidases rather than galactosidases.