Enantioselective Cytotoxicity of Chiral Diphosphine Ruthenium(II) Complexes Against Cancer Cells

The chiral cationic complex [Ru(η¹-OAc)(CO)((R,R)-Skewphos)(phen)]OAc ( 2 ^R ), isolated from reaction of [Ru(η¹-OAc)(η²-OAc)(R,R)-Skewphos)(CO)] ( 1 ^R ) with phen, reacts with NaOPiv and KSAc affording [RuX(CO)((R,R)-Skewphos)(phen)]Y (X=Y=OPiv 3 ^R ; X=SAc, Y=OAc 4 ^R ). The corresponding enantiomers 2 ^S - 4 ^S have been obtained from 1 ^S containing (S,S)-Skewphos. Reaction of 2 ^R and 2 ^S with (S)-cysteine and NaPF₆ at pH=9 gives the diastereoisomers [Ru((S)-Cys)(CO)(PP)(phen)]PF₆ (PP=(R,R)-Skewphos 2 ^R -Cys; (S,S)-Skewphos 2 ^S -Cys). The DFT energetic profile for 2 ^R with (S)-cysteine in H₂O indicates that aquo and hydroxo species are involved in formation of 2 ^R -Cys. The stability of the ruthenium complexes in 0.9 % w/v NaCl solution, PBS and complete DMEM medium, as well as their n-octanol/water partition coefficient (logP), have been evaluated. The chiral complexes show high cytotoxic activity against SW1736, 8505 C, HCT-116 and A549 cell lines with EC₅₀ values of 2.8–0.04 μM. The (R,R)-Skewphos derivatives show higher cytotoxicity compared to their enantiomers, 4 ^R (EC₅₀=0.04 μM) being 14 times more cytotoxic than 4 ^S against the anaplastic thyroid cancer 8505 C cell line.     

Synthesis of (R)- and (S)-4-hydroxyisophorone by ruthenium-catalyzed asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of ketoisophorone

The first synthesis of (R)- and (S)-4-hydroxyisophorone by catalytic transfer hydrogenation of ketoisophorone is reported. Ruthenium catalysts containing commercially available chiral amino alcohols afforded 4-hydroxyisophorone in up to 97% selectivity and 97% ee. (R)- or (S)-4-Hydroxyisophorones with >99% ee were isolated by crystallization. The catalyst precursors [RuCl₂((S,R)-ADPE)(η⁶-p-cymene)] ((S,R)-ADPE=(1S,2R)-amino-1,2-diphenylethanol-N) and (R_Ru)-[RuCl((S,R)-ADPE⁻¹)(η⁶-p-cymene)] (ADPE⁻¹=amino-1,2-diphenylethanolato-N,O) were isolated for the first time and the X-ray crystal structure of the latter determined.     

BINAP: rhodium–diolefin complexes in asymmetric hydrogenation

The complexes [Rh((S)-BINAP)(COD)]BF₄ 1, [Rh((S)-BINAP)(NBD)]BF₄ 2, [Rh((R)-BINAP)(COD)]OTf 3, [Rh((R)-BINAP)(NBD)]OTf 4, and [Rh((R)-BINAP)(COD)]BArF 5 were synthesized, and 1–4 were analyzed by single crystal X-ray crystallography. The transformation of these precatalysts into hydrogenation-active species was investigated as well as the hydrogenation of prochiral olefins. In particular, this series of transformations was investigated with regard to solvent and counterions.     

Monohydride-Dichloro Rhodium(III) Complexes with Chiral Diphosphine Ligands as Catalysts for Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Olefinic Substrates

We report full details of the synthesis and characterization of monohydride-dichloro rhodium(III) complexes bearing chiral diphosphine ligands, such as (S)-BINAP, (S)-DM-SEGPHOS, and (S)-DTBM-SEGPHOS, producing cationic triply chloride bridged dinuclear rhodium(III) complexes ( 1 a : (S)-BINAP; 1 b : (S)-DM-SEGPHOS) and a neutral mononuclear monohydride-dichloro rhodium(III) complex ( 1 c : (S)-DTBM-SEGPHOS) in high yield and high purity. Their solid state structure and solution behavior were determined by crystallographic studies as well as full spectral data, including DOSY NMR spectroscopy. Among these three complexes, 1 c has a rigid pocket surrounded by two chloride atoms bound to the rhodium atom together with one tBu group of (S)-DTBM-SEGPHOS for fitting to simple olefins without any coordinating functional groups. Complex 1 c exhibited superior catalytic activity and enantioselectivity for asymmetric hydrogenation of exo-olefins and olefinic substrates. The catalytic activity of 1 c was compared with that of well-demonstrated dihydride species derived in situ from rhodium(I) precursors such as [Rh(cod)Cl]₂ and [Rh(cod)₂]⁺[BF₄]⁻ upon mixing with (S)-DTBM-SEGPHOS under dihydrogen.     

Highly Productive CNN Pincer Ruthenium Catalysts for the Asymmetric Reduction of Alkyl Aryl Ketones

Chiral pincer ruthenium complexes of formula [RuCl(CNN)(Josiphos)] ( 2 – 7 ; Josiphos=1‐[1‐(dicyclohexylphosphano)ethyl]‐2‐(diarylphosphano)ferrocene) have been prepared by treating [RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃] with (S,R)‐Josiphos diphosphanes and 1‐substituted‐1‐(6‐arylpyridin‐2‐yl)methanamines (HCNN; substituent=H ( 1 a ), Me ( 1 b ), and tBu ( 1 c )) with NEt₃. By using 1 b and 1 c as a racemic mixture, complexes 4 – 7 were obtained through a diastereoselective synthesis promoted by acetic acid. These pincer complexes, which display correctly matched chiral PP and CNN ligands, are remarkably active catalysts for the asymmetric reduction of alkyl aryl ketones in basic alcohol media by both transfer hydrogenation (TH) and hydrogenation (HY), achieving enantioselectivities of up to 99 %. In 2‐propanol, the enantioselective TH of ketones was accomplished by using a catalyst loading as low as 0.002 mol % and afforded a turnover frequency (TOF) of 10⁵–10⁶ h^?1 (60 and 82 °C). In methanol/ethanol mixtures, the CNN pincer complexes catalyzed the asymmetric HY of ketones with H₂ (5 atm) at 0.01 mol % relative to the complex with a TOF of ≈10⁴ h^?1 at 40 °C.     

Triple Helicates with Golden Strands: Self‐Assembly of M2Au6 Complexes from Gold(I) Metallaligands and Iron(II), Cobalt(II) or Zinc(II) Cations

Alkynyl gold(I) metallaligands [(AuC≡Cbpyl)₂(μ‐diphosphine)] (bpyl=2,2′‐bipyridin‐5‐yl; diphosphine=Ph₂P(CH₂)_nPPh₂, [n=3 (L^Pr), 4 (L^Bu), 5 (L^Pent), 6 (L^Hex)], dppf (L^Fc), Binap (L^Binap) and Diop (L^Diop)) react with MX₂ (M=Fe, Zn, X=ClO₄; M=Co, X=BF₄) to give triple helicates [M₂(L^R)₃]X₄. These complexes, except those containing the semirigid L^Binap metallaligand, present similar hydrodynamic radii (determined by diffusion NMR spectroscopy measurements) and a similar pattern in the aromatic region of their ¹H NMR spectra, which suggests that in solution they adopt a compact structure where the long and flexible organometallic strands are folded. The diastereoselectivity of the self‐assembly process was studied by using chiral metallaligands, and the absolute configuration of the iron(II) complexes with L^Binap and L^Diop was determined by circular dichroism spectroscopy (CD). Thus, (R)‐L^Binap or (S)‐L^Binap specifically induce the formation of (Δ,Δ)‐[Fe₂((R)‐L^Binap)₃](ClO₄)₄ or (Λ,Λ)‐[Fe₂((S)‐L^Binap)₃](ClO₄)₄, respectively, whereas (R,R)‐ or (S,S)‐L^Diop give mixtures of the ΔΔ‐ and ΛΛ‐diastereomers. The ΔΔ helicate diastereomer is dominant in the reaction of Fe^II with (R,R)‐L^Diop, whereas the ΛΛ isomer predominates in the analogous reaction with (S,S)‐L^Diop. The photophysical properties of the new dinuclear alkynyl complexes and the helicates have been studied. The new metallaligands and the [Zn₂(L^R)₃]⁴⁺ helicates present luminescence from [π→π*] excited states mainly located in the C≡Cbpyl units.     

Novel P‐Stereogenic PCP Pincer‐Aryl Ruthenium(II) Complexes and Their Use in the Asymmetric Hydrogen Transfer Reaction of Acetophenone

Achiral P‐donor pincer‐aryl ruthenium complexes ([RuCl(PCP)(PPh₃)]) 4c , d were synthesized via transcyclometalation reactions by mixing equivalent amounts of [1,3‐phenylenebis(methylene)]bis[diisopropylphosphine] ( 2c ) or [1,3‐phenylenebis(methylene)]bis[diphenylphosphine] ( 2d ) and the N‐donor pincer‐aryl complex [RuCl{2,6‐(Me₂NCH₂)₂C₆H₃}(PPh₃)], ( 3 ; Scheme 2). The same synthetic procedure was successfully applied for the preparation of novel chiral P‐donor pincer‐aryl ruthenium complexes [RuCl(P*CP*)(PPh₃)] 4a , b by reacting P‐stereogenic pincer‐arenes (S,S)‐[1,3‐phenylenebis(methylene)]bis[(alkyl)(phenyl)phosphines] 2a , b (alkyl=ⁱPr or ^tBu, P*CHP*) and the complex [RuCl{2,6‐(Me₂NCH₂)₂C₆H₃}(PPh₃)], ( 3 ; Scheme 3). The crystal structures of achiral [RuCl(equation/tex2gif-sup-3.gifPCP)(PPh₃)] 4c and of chiral (S,S)‐[RuCl(equation/tex2gif-sup-6.gifPCP)(PPh₃)] 4a were determined by X‐ray diffraction (Fig. 3). Achiral [RuCl(PCP)(PPh₃)] complexes and chiral [RuCl(P*CP*)(PPh₃)] complexes were tested as catalyst in the H‐transfer reduction of acetophenone with propan‐2‐ol. With the chiral complexes, a modest enantioselectivity was obtained.     

Insertion of ethyl diazoacetate into the platinum–carbon bond of Pt(diphosphine)(halide)(aryl) complexes. X-ray structure of the Pt{(2<Emphasis Type="BoldItalic">S</Emphasis>,4<Emphasis Type="BoldItalic">S</Emphasis>)-bdpp)}I(Ph) complex

Pt(diphosphine)X(aryl) complexes [diphosphine = 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane (dppp), 2,4-bis(diphenylphos phino)pentane (bdpp); aryl = phenyl, 2-thiophenyl; X = Cl, I] have been reacted with ethyl diazoacetate in chloroform. It has been revealed by in␣situ n.m.r. studies that the starting compounds insert the carbene, formed from ethyl diazoacetate, into the Pt–aryl group resulting in Pt(diphosphine)X{CH(aryl)COOC₂H₅}. Depending on the reaction conditions (reaction time, ratio of the reactants) and the ligands various side-reactions have been observed: (i) the formation of Pt(diphosphine)X₂ in chloroform, (ii) the insertion of the :CHCOOC₂H₅ fragment into the Pt–halide bond of the dihalogeno complexes Pt(diphosphine)X₂ resulting in the exclusive formation of Pt(diphosphine)X(CHXCOOC₂H₅). Diastereoselective insertion reactions have been observed in the presence of (S,S)-bdpp as diphosphine. The Pt{(S,S)-bdpp)}I(Ph) complex has been characterized by X-ray crystallography.     

Novel chiral PEDOTs for selective recognition of 3,4‐dihydroxyphenylalanine enantiomers: Synthesis and characterization

Two new 3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) derivatives, (2R)‐(2,3‐dihydrothieno[3,4‐b][1,4]dioxin‐2‐yl)methyl 2‐phenylpropanoate ((R)‐EDTM‐PP) and (2S)‐(2,3‐dihydrothieno[3,4‐b][1,4]dioxin‐2‐yl)methyl 2‐phenylpropanoate ((S)‐EDTM‐PP), were synthesized and electropolymerized in dichloromethane (CH₂Cl₂) and terabutylammonium hexafluorophosphate (Bu₄NPF₆) system. As chiral electrodes, poly((2R)‐(2,3‐dihydrothieno[3,4‐b][1,4]dioxin‐2‐yl)methyl 2‐phenylpropanoate) ((R)‐PEDTM‐PP) and poly((2S)‐(2,3‐dihydrothieno[3,4‐b][1,4]dioxin‐2‐yl)methyl 2‐phenylpropanoate) ((S)‐PEDTM‐PP)‐modified glassy carbon electrodes (GCEs) were employed to successfully recognize 3,4‐dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) enantiomers. Cyclic voltammetry presents that (R)‐PEDTM‐PP and (S)‐PEDTM‐PP had good redox activity and stability. Spectroelectrochemistry studies revealed (R)‐PEDTM‐PP and (S)‐PEDTM‐PP polymers have electronic bandgap of 1.68 and 1.66 eV, and could be reversibly oxidized and reduced accompanying with obvious color changes from dark blue to light purple. In addition, the electrochemical behavior, structural characterization, thermal stability, morphology and circular dichroism of (R)‐PEDTM‐PP and (S)‐PEDTM‐PP films were investigated in detail. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53, 2238–2251     

The First C 3-Symmetric P-Stereogenic Diphosphinomethane Trinuclear Palladium Clusters: Synthesis and Characterization

The enantiomeric ligands (R,R)- and (S,S)-bis(o-anisylphenylphosphino)methane (R,R-14 and S,S-14, respectively) were used to prepare the C ₃-point group clusters [Pd₃(dppm*)₃(CO)(O₂CCF₃)](CF₃CO₂) with dppm* = (R,R)-14 or (S,S)-14. The chiral structure of an enantiomeric clusters (with the chiral R,R-ligand (R,R)-14) was unambiguously demonstrated by both X-ray structure determination and by circular dichroism spectroscopy. This paper is dedicated to Professor C.N.R. Rao.     

Chiral cyclohexene block from <Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>-(−)-carvone

The oxidation with SeO₂ of a methyl group linked to an sp²-hybridized carbon in the product of the intramolecular iodoetherification of cis-carveol afforded (1R,5R,7S)-7-iodomethyl-7-methyl-6-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]-oct-3-en-4-carbaldehyde and [(1R,5R,7S)-7-iodomethyl-7-methyl-6-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-en-4-yl]methanol that were oxidized to methyl (1R,5R,7S)-7-iodomethyl-7-methyl-6-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-en-4-carboxylate. The latter by the Zn-promoted opening of the γ-oxide ring was converted into the target chiral block, methyl (4R,6R)-6-hydroxy-4-(prop-1-en-2-yl)cyclohex-1-encarboxylate.     

Chiral imines and amines based on 2-hydroxypinan-3-one

The new chiral derivatives of benzylamine and 2α-hydroxypinan-3-one (1R,2R,5R)-3-[(1S)-α-methylbenzylamino]-2,6,6-trimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]heptan-2-ol (2), (1S,2S,3S,5S)-3-(benzylamino)-2,6,6-trimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]heptan-2-ol (3), and (1R,2R,3R,5R)-3-[(1S)-α-methylbenzylamino]-2,6,6-trimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]heptan-2-ol (4) were synthesized and characterized. It was shown that reduction of the benzylimines by sodium triacetoxyborohydride formed stereoselectively 3β-substituted pinanamines.     

Synthesis of electron-deficient (Sa,R,R)-(CF3)2-C3-TunePhos and its applications in asymmetric hydrogenation of α-iminophosphonates

A novel electron-deficient chiral diphosphine ligand bearing trifluoromethyl groups at the 6- and 6′-positions of the biphenyl backbone, (S_a,R,R)-(CF₃)₂-C₃-TunePhos, has been synthesized from the commercially available chiral 2,4-pentanediol. The above ligand was successfully applied to palladium-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of linear and cyclic α-iminophosphonates with up to 99%?ee.     

New benzo[h]quinoline-based ligands and their pincer Ru and Os complexes for efficient catalytic transfer hydrogenation of carbonyl compounds

New benzo[h]quinoline ligands (HCN'N) containing a CHRNH2 (R=H (a), Me (b), tBu (c)) function in the 2-position were prepared starting from benzo[h]quinoline N-oxide (in the case of ligand a) and 2-chlorobenzo[h]quinoline (for ligands b and c). These compounds were used to prepare ruthenium and osmium complexes, which are excellent catalysts for the transfer hydrogenation (TH) of ketones. The reaction of a with [RuCl2(PPh3)3] in 2-propanol at reflux afforded the terdentate CN'N complex [RuCl(CN'N)(PPh3)2] (1), whereas the complexes [RuCl(CN'N)(dppb)] (2-4; dppb=Ph2P(CH2)4PPh2) were obtained from [RuCl2(PPh3)(dppb)] with a-c, respectively. Employment of (R,S)-Josiphos, (S,R)-Josiphos*, (S,S)-Skewphos, and (S)-MeO-Biphep in combination with [RuCl2(PPh3)3] and ligand a gave the chiral derivatives [RuCl(CN'N)(PP)] (5-8). The osmium complex [OsCl(CN'N)(dppb)] (12) was prepared by treatment of [OsCl2(PPh3)3] with dppb and ligand a. Reaction of the chloride 2 and 12 with NaOiPr in 2-propanol/toluene afforded the hydride complexes [MH(CN'N)(dppb)] (M=Ru 10, Os 14), through elimination of acetone from [M(OiPr)(CN'N)(dppb)] (M=Ru 9, Os 13). The species 9 and 13 easily reacted with 4,4'-difluorobenzophenone, via 10 and 14, respectively, affording the corresponding isolable alkoxides [M(OR)(CN'N)(dppb)] (M=Ru 11, Os 15). The complexes [MX(CN'N)(P2)] (1-15) (M=Ru, Os; X=Cl, H, OR; P=PPh3 and P2=diphosphane) are efficient catalysts for the TH of carbonyl compounds with 2-propanol in the presence of NaOiPr (2 mol %). Turnover frequency (TOF) values up to 1.8x10(6) h(-1) have been achieved using 0.02-0.001 mol % of catalyst. Much the same activity has been observed for the Ru--Cl, --H, --OR, and the Os--Cl derivatives, whereas the Os--H and Os--OR derivatives display significantly lower activity on account of their high oxygen sensitivity. The chiral Ru complexes 5-8 catalyze the asymmetric TH of methyl-aryl ketones with TOF approximately 10(5) h(-1) at 60 degrees C, up to 97 % enatiomeric excess (ee) and remarkably high productivity (0.005 mol % catalyst loading). High catalytic activity (TOF up to 2.2x10(5) h(-1)) and enantioselectivity (up to 98 % ee) have also been achieved with the in-situ-generated catalysts prepared from [MCl2(PPh3)3], (S,R)-Josiphos or (S,R)-Josiphos*, and the benzo[h]quinoline ligands a-c.     

The Diastereoselective Formation of 1,2,4-Trioxanes and 1,3-Dioxolanes by the reaction of endoperoxides with chiral cyclohexanones

1,4-Diphenyl-2,3-dioxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene ( 2 ), on treatment with a catalytic amount of trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate (Me₃SiOTf) in CH₂Cl₂ at ?78°, reacts with excess (?)-menthone ( 10 ) to give (1S,2S,4′aS,5R,7′aS)-4′a,7′a-dihydro-2-isopropyl-5-methyl-6′,7′-diphenylspiro[cyclohexane-1,3′-[7′H]cyclopenta-[1,2,4]trioxine] ( 11 ) and its (1R,2S,4′aR,5R,7′aR)-diastereoisomer 12 in a 1:1 ratio and in 21% yield. Repeating the reaction with 1.1 equiv. of Me₃SiOTf with respect to 2 affords 11 , 12 , and (1S,2S,3′a.R,5R,6′aS)-3′a,6′a-dihydro-2-isopropyl-5-methyl-3′a-phenoxy-5′-phenylspiro[cyclohexane-l,2′-[4′H]cyclopenta[1,3]dioxole] ( 13 ) together with its(1R,2S,3′aS,5R,6′aR)-diastereoisomer 14 in a ratio of 3:3:3:1 and in 56% yield. (+)-Nopinone( 15 ) in excess reacts with 2 in the presence of 1.1 equiv. of Me₃SiOTf to give a pair of 1,2,4-trioxanes ( 16 and 17 ) analogous to 11 and 12 , and a pair of 1,3-dioxolanes ( 18 and 19 ) analogous to 13 and 14 , in a ratio of 8:2:3:3 and in 85% yield. (?)-Carvone and racemic 2-(tert-butyl)cyclohexanone under the same conditions behave like 15 and deliver pairs of diastereoisomeric trioxanes and dioxolanes. In general, catalytic amounts of Me₃SiOTf give rise to trioxanes, whereas 1.5 equiv. overwhelmingly engender dioxolanes. Adamantan-2-one combines with 2 giving only (4′aRS,7′aRS)-4′a,7′a-dihydro-6′.7′a-diphenylspiro[adamantane-2,3′-[7′H]cyclopenta[1,2,4]trioxine] in 98% yield regardless of the amount of Me3SiOTf used. The reaction of 1,4-dipheny 1-2,3-dioxabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-5-ene ( 32 ) with 10 and 1.1 equiv. of Me3SiOTf produces only the pair of trioxanes 33 and 34 homologous to 11 and 12 . Treatment of the (S,S)-diastereoisomer 33 with Zn and AcOH furnishes (1S,2S)-1,4-diphenylcyclohex-3-ene-1,2-diol. The crystal structures of 11 – 13 and 16 are obtained by X-ray analysis. The reaction courses of 10 and the other chiral cyclohexanones with prochiral endoperoxides 2 and 32 to give trioxanes are rationalized in terms of the respective enantiomeric silylperoxy cations which are completely differentiated by the si and re faces of the ketone function. The origin of the 1,3-dioxolanes is ascribed to 1,2 rearrangement of the corresponding trioxanes, which occurs with retention of configuration of the angular substituent.     

Preparation of C2‐Symmetric Bis[2‐(diphenylphosphino)ferrocen‐1‐yl]‐ methane and Its Use in Rhodium‐ and Ruthenium‐Catalyzed Hydrogenation

The two diphosphine ligands (R_p,R_p)‐ and (S_p,S_p)‐bis[2‐(diphenylphospino)ferrocenyl]methane, (R_p,R_p)‐ and (S_p,S_p)‐ 1 , resp., were prepared in six steps from (S)‐ and (R)‐ferrocenyl tolyl sulfoxide, respectively (Scheme). In the solid state, both the diborane complex (R_p,R_p)‐ 1 ? (BH₃)₂ and the palladium dichloride complex [PdCl₂((R_p,R_p)‐ 1 )] were found to adopt C₂‐pseudosymmetric structures according to X‐ray analyses (Figs. 2 and 3). In the Rh‐ and Ru‐catalyzed hydrogenation of selected alkenes and ketones in the presence of the new ligands, enantioselectivities of up to 55% ee were obtained.     

A comparison of ferroelectric liquid crystals containing diastereomeric propionic acids derived from natural ethyl lactate

Two diastereomeric carboxylic acids, 2(S)-[2(R)-methylhexyloxy]propionic acid and 2(S)[2(S)-methylhexyloxy]propionic acid, were prepared from ethyl (S)-lactate and (R)-1-iodo2-methylhexane or (S)-1-iodo-2-methylhexane in the presence of Ag₂O. From these acids two liquid crystals, 2 and 3, whose configurations are (S, R) and (S, S) were synthesized and their liquid crystal properties investigated. Although both LCs have the same phase sequence Cr-SmC*-N*-I as well as a wide SmC* phase range, the influence of the relative stereochemistry on their physical properties is clear. The liquid crystal with (S, S)-configuration possesses better properties: lower SmC* phase transition temperature, wider SmC* phase range and higher P_s value. The P_s value difference between the ferroelectric LCs 2 and 3 (97 and 131nCcm^-2, respectively, at T_c - T = 10°C) is unexpectedly large. The consideration, alone, of a zigzag conformation at the chiral molecular part of 2 and 3 is insufficient to explain such a difference.     

Breaking the Mirror: pH‐Controlled Chirality Generation from a meso Ligand to a Racemic Ligand

To study the conversion from a meso form to a racemic form of tetrahydrofurantetracarboxylic acid (H₄L), seven novel coordination polymers were synthesized by the hydrothermal reaction of Zn(NO₃)₂ ? 6 H₂O with (2S,3S,4R,5R)‐H₄L in the presence of 1,10‐phenanthroline (phen), 2,2′‐bipyridine (2,2′‐bpy), or 4,4′‐bipyridine (4,4′‐bpy): [Zn₂{(2S,3S,4R,5R)‐L}(phen)₂(H₂O)] ? 2 H₂O ( 1 ), [Zn₄{(2S,3R,4R,5R)‐L}{(2S,3S,4S,5R)‐L}(phen)₂(H₂O)₂] ( 2 ), [Zn₂{(2S,3S,4R,5R)‐L}(H₂O)₂] ? H₂O ( 3 ), [Zn₄{(2S,3R,4R,5R)‐L}{(2S,3S,4S,5R)‐L} (2,2′‐bpy)₂(H₂O)₂] ? 2 H₂O ( 4 ), [Zn₂ {(2S,3S,4R,5R)‐L}(2,2′‐bpy)(H₂O)] ( 5 ), [Zn₄{(2S,3R,4R,5R)‐L}{(2S,3S,4S,5R)‐L} (4,4′‐bpy)₂(H₂O)₂] ( 6 ), and [Zn₂ {(2S,3S,4R,5R)‐L}(4,4′‐bpy)(H₂O)] ? 2 H₂O ( 7 ). These complexes were obtained by control of the pH values of reaction mixtures, with an initial of pH 2.0 for 1 , 2.5 for 2 , 4 , and 6 , and 4.5 for 3 , 5 , and 7 , respectively. The expected configuration conversion has been successfully realized during the formation of 2 , 4 , and 6 , and the enantiomers of L, (2S,3R,4R,5R)‐L and (2S,3S,4S,5R)‐L, are trapped in them, whereas L ligands in the other four complexes retain the original meso form, which indicates that such a conversion is possibly pH controlled. Acid‐catalyzed enol–keto tautomerism has been introduced to explain the mechanism of this conversion. Complex 1 features a simple 1D metal–L chain that is extended into a 3D supramolecular structure by π–π packing interactions between phen ligands and hydrogen bonds. Complex 2 has 2D racemic layers that consist of centrosymmetric bimetallic units, and a final 3D supramolecular framework is formed by the interlinking of these layers through π–π packing interactions of phen. Complex 3 is a 3D metal–organic framework (MOF) involving meso‐L ligands, which can be regarded as (4,6)‐connected nets with vertex symbol (4⁵.6)(4⁷.6⁸). Complexes 4 and 5 contain 2D racemic layers and (6,3)‐honeycomb layers, respectively, both of which are combined into 3D supramolecular structures through π–π packing interactions of 2,2′‐bpy. The structure of complex 6 is a 2D network formed by 4,4′‐bpy bridging 1D tubes, which consist of metal atoms and enantiomers of L. These layers are connected through hydrogen bonds to give the final 3D porous supramolecular framework of 6 . Complex 7 is a 3D MOF with novel (3,4,5)‐connected (6³)(4².6⁴)(4².6⁶.8²) topology. The thermal stability of these compounds was also investigated.     

Synthesis of Enantiomerically Pure Bis‐Sulfinyl Substituted Phenylene Ethynylenes

The stereoselective and efficient monoaddition of transient [(1S,2R,4R)‐2‐hydroxy‐7,7‐dimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]hept‐1‐yl]methanesulfenic (=(1S)‐isoborneol‐10‐sulfenic) acid to isomeric diethynylbenzenes affords {1‐[(1S)‐isoborneol‐10‐sulfinyl]ethenyl}ethynylbenzenes. Their enantiomerically pure (R_S)‐epimers are involved in a Cu‐free Sonogashira coupling with 1,4‐diiodo‐2,5‐dimethoxybenzene to give C₂‐symmetric bis‐sulfinyl phenylene ethynylenes, stimulating prototypes of new sulfurated chiral architectures that can find application as chelating agents.     

Characterization,crystal structure and cytotoxic activity of a rare iridoid glycoside from Lonicera saccata

A new iridoid glycoside, methyl (3R,4R,4aS,7S,7aR)‐3‐hydroxy‐7‐methyl‐5‐oxooctahydrocyclopenta[c]pyran‐4‐carboxylate‐3‐O‐β‐d ‐(1′S,2′R,3′S,4′S,5′R)‐glucopyranoside, named loniceroside A, C₁₇H₂₆O₁₀, ( 1 ), was obtained from the aerial parts of Lonicera saccata. Its structure was established based on an analysis of spectroscopic data, including 1D NMR, 2D NMR and HRESIMS, and the configurations of the chiral C atoms were determined by X‐ray crystallographic analysis. The single‐crystal structure reveals that the cyclopenta[c]pyran scaffold is formed from a five‐membered ring and a chair‐like six‐membered ring connected through two bridgehead chiral C atoms. In the solid state, the glucose group of ( 1 ) plays an important role in constructing an unusual supramolecular motif. The structure analysis revealed adjacent molecules linked together through intermolecular O—H…O hydrogen bonds to generate a banded structure. Furthermore, the banded structures are linked into a three‐dimensional network by interesting hydrogen bonds. Biogenetically, compound ( 1 ) carries a glucopyranosyloxy moiety at the C‐3 position, representing a rare structural feature for naturally occurring iridoid glycosides. The growth inhibitory effects against human cervical carcinoma cells (Hela), human lung adenocarcinoma cells (A549), human acute mononuclear granulocyte leukaemia (THP‐1) and the human liver hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HepG2) were evaluated by the MTT method.