Carbon-13 spin–lattice relaxation in strongly associated molecules: Carboxylic acids

¹³C spin–lattice relaxation times determined for the protonated carbons of carboxylic acids and methyl esters give indications of solution dimerization with the free acids. Since isopthalic and fumaric acids have two carboxyl functions they are able to polymerize in solution. Unlike the case for molecular aggregation due to weak hydrogen bonding in solution (e.g. alcohols, phenols), the ¹³C T₁ values of mono carboxylic acids are not significantly affected by dilution to c. 10^?2 M. Variable temperature T₁ measurements of both the mono and dibasic acids gave activation energies for molecular reorientation of the order of 2 kcal mol^?1, considerably lower than E_a for hydrogen bonded alcohols and comparable with E_a for the unassociated methyl esters of propionic and benzoic acids.     

The kinetics of cerium(IV) sulfate reaction with citrate and the thermodynamic characteristics of formation of intermediate complexes

Intermediate cerium(IV)-citrate complexes formed at the first stage of the oxidation of citric acid (Citr) with cerium(IV) were studied spectrophotometrically and pH-potentiometrically at ionic strength I = 2 (sulfate medium). Their composition and the form of the organic ligand present in them, the thermodynamic parameters of their formation, and the kinetic parameters of intramolecular redox decomposition were determined. A detailed scheme of the initial stages of the redox process in the Ce⁴⁺-SO ₄ ^2? -Citr system was considered, and the law of its initial rate and intermediate mechanism were determined. The results were compared with the corresponding data on several oxycarboxylic acids and polyhydric alcohols. The inverse linear correlation was found between the logarithms of stability constants and the logarithms of rate constants for intramolecular redox decomposition of [(CeOH)H_?2R]⁺ complexes with dibasic ligands of the type R = H₂L, H(OH)L, and L(OH)₂. The stabilizing role played by ligand oxy groups in these complexes was demonstrated.     

Transition metal free oxidative esterification of alcohols with toluene

Using Bu₄NI as the catalyst and tert-butyl hydroperoxide as the oxidant, direct esterification of alcohols with toluene derivatives was achieved. Mechanistic investigations indicate that the alcohols are sequentially oxidized to aldehydes, carboxylic acids, and then to benzyl esters. Bu₄N⁺ functions as a phasetransfer reagent and iodide catalyzes the reaction.     

The group identification of organic compounds by means of thin-layer chromatography

The group identification method was presented based on the constant differences ΔR_f and ΔR_M, calculated from the chromatographic parameters obtained in two different mobile phases. The applicability of this method was proved with higher aliphatic alcohols, acids, and esters.     

Effective synthesis of novel O-acetylated compounds over ZrO2-Al2O3 solid acid

The solid acids such as ZrO₂, Al₂O₃ and ZrO₂-Al₂O₃ containing different ZrO₂ loadings (10–80 mol%) were prepared by solution combustion method (SCM) and characterized for their total surface acidity by NH₃-TPD/n-butylamine back titration method and crystallinity by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) technique. These solid acids were evaluated for their catalytic activity in the synthesis of novel O-acetylated products from substituted phenols, pyridine alcohols and aryl alcohols with acetic anhydride (AA) as an acetylating agent. The reaction conditions were optimized by varying the catalyst, molar ratio of the reactants, reaction temperature and amount of the catalyst. All the solid acids used in this study exhibited good catalytic activity in the reaction. In particular, ZrO₂-Al₂O₃ containing 80 mol% of ZrO₂ was found to be highly active in the acetylation reaction with high yield of acetylated products. Triangular correlation between the surface acidity, crystallinity and catalytic activity of solid acids was observed. These solid acids were found to be reactivable and reusable.     

Synthesis of noval chiral tridentate amino alcohols as chiral solvating agents under ball-milling conditions

A new family of chiral solvating agents based on chiral didentate amino alcohols and chloromethyl pyridine derivatives were synthesized by ball milling in solvent free condition. The new chiral tridentate amino alcohols were tested as chiral NMR solvating agents for the Ts-derivatives of amino acids, other several acids and pyrazole drugs. For the Ts-derivatives of amino acids studied herein, chiral tridentate amino alcohol 3a could be used for the assignment of the absolute configurations of their racemes through the chemical shift non-equivalences of their CH₃ (Ts) protons with certain confidence.     

Efficient and selective oxidation of alcohols with <Emphasis Type="Italic">tert</Emphasis>-BuOOH catalyzed by a dioxomolybdenum(VI) Schiff base complex under organic solvent-free conditions

The catalytic activity of dioxidobis{2-[(E)-p-tolyliminomethyl]phenolato}molybdenum(VI) complex was studied, for the first time, in the selective oxidation of various primary and secondary alcohols using tert-BuOOH as oxidant under organic solvent-free conditions at room temperature. The effect of different solvents was studied in the oxidation of benzyl alcohol in this catalytic system. It was found that, under organic solvent-free conditions, the catalyst oxidized various primary and secondary alcohols to their corresponding aldehyde or ketone derivatives with high yield. The effects of other parameters such as oxidant and amount of catalyst were also investigated. Among different oxidants such as H₂O₂, NaIO₄, tert-BuOOH, and H₂O₂/urea, tert-BuOOH was selected as oxygen donor in the oxidation of benzyl alcohol. Also, it was found that oxidation of benzyl alcohol required 0.02 mmol catalyst for completion. Dioxomolybdenum(VI) Schiff base complex exhibited good catalytic activity in the oxidation of alcohols with tert-BuOOH under mild conditions. In this catalytic system, different primary alcohols gave the corresponding aldehydes in good yields without further oxidation to carboxylic acids.     

Solubility of selected dibasic carboxylic acids in water,in ionic liquid of [Bmim][BF4], and in aqueous [Bmim][BF4] solutions

The solubilities of three dibasic carboxylic acids (adipic acid, glutaric acid, and succinic acid) in water, in the ionic liquid of 1-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolim tetrafluoroborate ([Bmim][BF₄]), and in the aqueous [Bmim][BF₄] solutions have been measured by a solid-disapperance method. The binodal curve of water + [Bmim][BF₄] was also determined experimentally from solid–liquid–liquid coexistence temperature up to near the upper critical solution temperature. Experimental results showed that each acid-containing binary behaved as a simple eutectic system. The solid–liquid equilibrium (SLE) data were correlated with the NRTL model for each binary system. The NRTL model with these determined binary parameters predicted the solid-disappearance temperatures of the aqueous ternary mixtures containing [Bmim][BF₄] and the dibasic acids to within an average absolute deviation of 2.0%.     

A simple and mild derivatization method for hydroxyl compounds using condensation agent carbazole-9-N-(2-methyl)-acetyl-benzene-disulfonate and its application for the determination of volatile alcohols from plasma by HPLC with fluorescence detection

A simple and sensitive HPLC method for the determination of hydroxyl compounds including volatile alcohols from spiked plasma, using a fluorescent condensation agent, namely carbazole-9-N-(2-methyl)-acetyl-benzene-disulfonate (CMABS), has been developed. A mixture of alcohols and pyridine in dichloromethane was treated with CMABS to give a quantitative yield of esters. The maximum fluorescence emissions for the derivatized alcohols are at 365 nm (λ_ex 335 nm). Studies on derivatization conditions indicate that alcohols react very fast with CMABS in presence of pyridine in dichloromethane to give the corresponding fluorescent derivatives. The method, in conjunction with a multi-step gradient, offers a baseline resolution of the common alcohol derivatives on a reversed-phase C₁₈ column, which is more convenient and more efficient than previous methods which require the prior conversion of the carboxylic acids to the acyl chlorides. The application of this method to the analysis of volatile alcohols in plasma was also investigated. The LC separation shows good selectivity and reproducibility for alcohol derivatives. The relative standard deviations ¶(n = 5) for 100 pmol of each alcohol are < 4%. The detection limits are at the fmol level for C₁–C₃ alcohols and pmol level for C₄–C₉ alcohols.     

Reversible stereocontrol in the Lewis acid promoted reaction of alkoxyaldehydes toward various allyltins

In the reactions of variously substituted allyltin reagents toward achiral alkoxyaldehydes, one of the diastereomeric homoallyl alcohols was stereoselectively obtained by the help of BF₃, while TiCl₄ preferentially gave the other diastereomer, though (E)- and (Z)-3-monoalkylallyltin reagents were exceptional. This reversible diastereoselectivity can be explained by the coordination geometry (anti or syn) of the Lewis acids toward alkoxyaldehydes.     

Sodium borohydride-iodine mediated reduction of γ-lactam carboxylic acids followed by DDQ mediated oxidative aromatisation: a simple approach towards N-aryl-formylpyrroles and 1,3-diaryl-formylpyrroles

A simple methodology for the conversion of substituted N-aryl-γ-lactam 2/3-carboxylic acids to substituted N-aryl-2/3-formyl-pyrroles has been developed. Several N-aryl-γ-lactam 2/3-carboxylic acids were reduced to substituted (N-aryl-pyrroliden-2/3-yl)-methanols in good yields by using the NaBH₄-I₂ system. Aromatisation and in situ oxidation of these alcohols using DDQ produced N-aryl-2/3-formyl-pyrroles, which act as key starting material and intermediates in the synthesis of several bioactive compounds.     

Ferric sulfate hydrate-catalyzed O-glycosylation using glycals with or without microwave irradiation

We have developed a novel glycal-based O-glycosylation reaction, in which the substrates are not only peracetyl glycals but also perbenzyl glucals to afford the corresponding 2,3-unsaturated-O-glycosides via Ferrier rearrangement. The reaction of the perbenzyl glucal with various alcohols catalyzed by ferric sulfate hydrate (Fe₂(SO₄)₃·xH₂O) was successfully carried out to give 2,3-unsaturated d-O-glucosides with exclusive α-selectivity and no formation of addition products 2-deoxy hexopyranosides was observed. It is the first report on peralkyl glycal efficiently undergoing Ferrier rearrangement instead of addition of alcohols catalyzed by Lewis acids. Fe₂(SO₄)₃·xH₂O is an effective, convenient, and environmentally benign heterogeneous catalyst. It has low catalytic loading and recyclable without significant loss of activity.     

Synthesis of supports for reforming catalysts

The formation of surface defects in γ-Al₂O₃ obtained by pseudoboehmite calcination and plasticized with monobasic, dibasic, and tribasic organic acids is reported. The efficiency of catalysts in reforming reactions depends on the defectivity of the support.     

A general synthesis of 2-alkoxy-2-phenylpropanoic acids

A preparation of a variety of 2-alkoxy-2-phenylpropanoic acids in two steps is described. Epoxidation of α-methylstyrene with mCPBA in methanol or primary alcohol solvents proceeded with an acid-catalyzed in situ ring opening reaction to give the corresponding 2-alkoxy-2-phenyl-1-propanols in 28-91% yield. Lower yields were realized with secondary (22-58%) and tertiary (14%) alcohols. These alcohols were cleanly oxidized to the corresponding carboxylic acids using a mild Heyns' oxidation (O₂, Pt/C) in generally good to excellent yields (25-92%). The derived (S)-α-methylbenzylamide diastereomers are nearly all well separated by capillary GC, and the use of this method to determine the enantiomeric purity of brucine-resolved 2-methoxy-2-phenylpropanoic acid was demonstrated.     

Synthesis of optically active 2-fluoroalk-1-en-3-yl esters and chirality transfer in their Claisen-type rearrangements

A series of enantioenriched long chain 2-fluoroalk-1-en-3-ols 1 has been prepared by lipase-catalyzed resolution of the racemic compounds synthesized from terminal alkenes. The lipase of Candida antarctica was shown to be the most efficient one in terms of enantioselectivity. Transesterification of the fluorinated allylic alcohols 1 was superior over the hydrolysis in a phosphate buffer of the corresponding acetates 2. Lipase-catalyzed acetylation of allylic alcohols 1 in organic medium gave (S)-(−)-3-acetoxy-2-fluoroalk-1-enes of chain lengths C₁₀, C₁₆ and C₁₈ with 68-89% yield and 92-96% ee, while the remaining (R)-(+)-2-fluoroalk-1-en-3-ols were isolated with 54-96% yield and 72-86% ee. The absolute configuration was assigned by comparison of measured and calculated CD-spectra, and unambiguously by ¹H and ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopy using a modified Mosher's method. From the optically active fluorinated allylic alcohols 1 corresponding esters 2 such as propionates, 3,3,3-trifluoropropionates and Boc-glycinates were synthesized. These compounds were rearranged to 2-substituted 4-fluoroalk-4-enecarboxylic acids 3 applying modified conditions of the [3,3]-sigmatropic Ireland-Claisen rearrangement. While a complete chirality transfer from C-3 of the allylic esters to C-2 of the carboxylic acids or 2-amino acids, respectively, occurred in rearrangements of the propionates and Boc-glycinates, racemic 2-(trifluoromethyl)alk-4-enecarboxylic acids were formed from the allylic trifluoropropionates. The configurational lability of the latter products is caused by the strongly acidic proton in α-position to the trifluoromethyl and the carboxyl groups under the basic rearrangement conditions.     

A practical and efficient procedure for reduction of carboxylic acids and their derivatives: use of KBH4-MgCl2

The use of KBH₄-MgCl₂ to reduce carboxylic acids and their derivatives to the corresponding alcohols or the respective reduced products is described. Methyl (S)-3,4-O-isopropylidene-3,4-dihydroxy butanoate 2 used as a reference substrate was reduced with KBH₄ and MgCl₂ in 1:1 mol ratio to (S)-1,2-O-isopropylidene-1,2,4-butanetriol 1.     

The first stereoselective Pd-catalyzed addition of boronic acids onto aldehydes

The coupling reaction between 2-p-tolylsulfinyl benzaldehyde and substituted boronic acids catalyzed by Pd₂(dba)₃·CHCl₃ proceeds in a stereoselective manner, demonstrating the efficiency of the sulfinyl group as a chiral inductor. Enantiopure secondary diaryl alcohols become easily accessible by subsequent sulfoxide–lithium exchange.     

Novel and efficient method for esterification, amidation between carboxylic acids and equimolar amounts of alcohols, and amines utilizing Me2NSO2Cl and N,N-dimethylamines; its application to the synthesis of coumaperine, a natural chemopreventive dieneamide

Various carboxylic esters or amides were prepared in good to excellent yield between carboxylic acids and equimolar amounts of alcohols or amines under very mild conditions (0-45°C; within 3 h) using dimethylsulfamoyl chloride (Me₂NSO₂Cl; 1) combined with N,N-dimethylamines (Me₂NR: 2a; R=Me, 2b; R=Bu). The choice of the sulfamoyl chloride and the amine is crucial for the reaction; that is, sterically uncrowded amines accelerated the present esterification and amidation. This agent had some advantages over methanesulfonyl chloride (3)/amines as for the atom-economy, avoidance of side reactions, and had very high chemoselectivity toward the carboxyl group vs the hydroxyl group; the experiment was performed by the addition of 1 to the mixture of carboxylic acids and alcohols. Application of this method to the synthesis of coumaperine, a chemopreventive natural product, was performed using the present amidation as a key step.     

Superposition-additive approach in the description of thermodynamic parameters of formation and clusterization of substituted alkanes at the air/water interface

The superposition-additive approach developed previously was shown to be applicable for the calculations of the thermodynamic parameters of formation and atomization of conjugate systems, their dipole polarizability, molecular diamagnetic susceptibility, π-electronic ring currents, etc. In the present work, the applicability of this approach for the calculation of the thermodynamic parameters of formation and clusterization at the water/air interface of alkanes, fatty alcohols, thioalcohols, amines, nitriles, fatty acids (C_nH_2n+1X, X is the functional group) and cis-unsaturated carboxylic acids (C_nH_2n−1COOH) is studied.Using the proposed approach the thermodynamic quantities determined agree well with the available data, either calculated using the semiempirical (PM3) quantum chemical method, or obtained in experiments. In particular, for enthalpy and Gibbs’ energy of the formation of substituted alkane monomers from the elementary substances, and their absolute entropy, the standard deviations of the values calculated according to the superposition-additive scheme with the mutual superimposition domain C_n−2H_2n−4 (n is the number of carbon atoms in the alkyl chain) from the results of PM3 calculations for alkanes, alcohols, thioalcohols, amines, fatty acids, nitriles and cis-unsaturated carboxylic acids are respectively: 0.05, 0.004, 2.87, 0.02, 0.01, 0.77, and 0.01 kJ/mol for enthalpy; 2.32, 5.26, 4.49, 0.53, 1.22, 1.02, 5.30 J/(mol K) for absolute entropy; 0.69, 1.56, 3.82, 0.15, 0.37, 0.69, 1.58 kJ/mol for Gibbs’ energy, whereas the deviations from the experimental data are: 0.52, 5.75, 1.40, 1.00, 4.86 kJ/mol; 0.52, 0.63, 1.40, 6.11, 2.21 J/(mol K); 2.52, 5.76, 1.58, 1.78, 4.86 kJ/mol, respectively (for nitriles and cis-unsaturated carboxylic acids experimental data are not available). The proposed approach provides also quite accurate estimates of enthalpy, entropy and Gibbs’ energy of boiling and melting, critical temperatures and standard heat capacities for several classes of substituted alkanes.For the calculation of thermodynamic functions of clusterization of dimers, trimers and tetramers of fatty alcohols, thioalcohols, amines, carboxylic acids and cis-unsaturated carboxylic acids two superposition-additive schemes are proposed which ensure the correct superimposition of the molecular graphs, including intermolecular hydrogen-hydrogen interactions in the clusters. The calculations involve the thermodynamic parameters of clusterization obtained earlier by the PM3 method. It is shown that the proposed approach reproduces quite accurately the values calculated earlier and is applicable for the prediction of the thermodynamic parameters of the formation of surfactant monolayers.     

Lewis acid catalyzed regioselective ring opening of azetidines with alcohols and thiols

An efficient synthesis of amino ethers and amino thioethers has been achieved via the ring cleavage of N-tosylazetidines with alcohols or thiols. The reactions were studied in the presence of various Lewis acids and BF₃·OEt₂ was found to be the most efficient. The products were obtained in modest to good yields under very mild conditions in 5-15 min.