DBU-assisted 1,3,2-oxathiaphospholane ring-opening condensation with selected O-, S-, N- and C-nucleophiles

The reactivity of protected thymidine 3′-O- and 5′-O-(2-thio-1,3,2-oxathiaphospholanes) towards various nucleophiles in the presence of DBU is presented and mechanistic implications are discussed.     

Synthesis of homologously pure bacteriochlorophyll-e and f analogues from BChls-c/d via transformation of the 7-methyl to formyl group and self-aggregation of synthetic zinc methyl bacteriopheophorbides-c/d/e/f in non-polar organic solvent

Homologously pure methyl bacteriopheophorbides-e and f (BPhes-e/f_M) were prepared from modification of naturally occurring bacteriochlorophylls-c and d (BChls-c/d), respectively, by transformation of the methyl to formyl group at the 7-position. The absolute configuration of the 1-hydroxyethyl group at the 3-position of (Zn-)BPhes-e/f_M was determined from comparison with structurally known BChl-c/d epimers. Visible spectra of synthetic (Zn-)BPhe-c/d/e/f_M showed that the 7¹-oxidation and the 8²/12¹/20-methylation affected Soret, Q_x and Q_y bands of both the monomeric (in a polar organic solvent) and oligomeric species (in a non-polar solvent).     

PdCl2/CuCl2-catalysed chlorocyclisation of sugar-derived aminoalkenitols in the synthesis of new iminohexitols

The total synthesis of two novel l-ido and l-altro configured 6-chloro-1,5,6-trideoxyiminohexitols featuring a highly diastereoselective Pd(II)/CuCl₂-catalysed chlorocyclisation of sugar-derived aminoalkenitols has been accomplished. The requisite substrates were, in turn, prepared from chiral pool materials starting from the cheap and commercially available methyl-α-d-gluco- and methyl-α-d-galactopyranoside.     

Kinetics of oxidation of cysteine and captopril via Cs3[Mo(CN)8] and Cs3[W(CN)8]

The kinetics of the oxidation of cysteine and captopril via octacyanomolybdate(V) and octacyanotungstate(V) in a buffered acidic media (pH range 2.20–4.80) have been studied spectrophotometrically. The rate law for the oxidation is: Rate = k [RSH] [Ox] [H⁺]⁻¹, where RSH is cysteine or captopril and Ox is Cs₃[Mo(CN)₈] or Cs₃[W(CN)₈]. The activation parameters (E_a, ΔH^#, ΔG^#, ΔS^#) for the oxidation of cysteine and captopril via Cs₃[Mo(CN)₈] or Cs₃[W(CN)₈] have been determined. The results indicate that Cs₃[Mo(CN)₈] is more reactive than Cs₃[W(CN)₈] as an oxidizing agent. Effects of pH, ionic strength, temperature, dielectric constant of the reaction medium and copper(II) ions on the oxidation rate have been studied. Mechanisms for the oxidation of cysteine to cystine and captopril to the corresponding disulfide have been proposed.     

Studies on the aza-Claisen rearrangement of 4,5-dihydroxylated allylic trichloroacetimidates: the stereoselective synthesis of (2R,3S)- and (2S,3S)-2-amino-3,4-dihydroxybutyric acids

Two new synthetic approaches, involving substrate directed aza-Claisen rearrangements and aza-Claisen rearrangements mediated by chiral Pd(II) catalysts, have been developed for the stereoselective synthesis of (2R,3S)-2-amino-3,4-dihydroxybutyric acid, a dihydroxylated α-amino acid from the edible mushroom, Lyophyllum ulmarium and its (2S,3S)-unnatural diastereomer.     

New synthetic method of 1,2-diaryl-1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaboranes employing aromatic nucleophilic substitution (SNAr) reaction

Aromatic nucleophilic substitution (S_NAr) reaction of 1-phenyl-o-carborane with 4-nitrofluorobenzene in the presence of NaH or KO^tBu proceeded smoothly to give 1-(4-nitrophenyl)-2-phenyl-o-carborane; similar reaction affords various 1,2-diaryl-o-carboranes, which are useful precursors for macromolecular construction and drug design.     

Nucleophilic (phenylsulfonyl)difluoromethylation of alkyl halides using PhSO2CF2SiMe3: preparation of gem-difluoroalkenes and trifluoromethyl compounds

Nucleophilic (phenylsulfonyl)difluoromethylation of both alkyl iodides and bromides was successfully accomplished by using CsF/15-crown-5 as an initiating system in DME, and the amount of 15-crown-5 was found to be critical to the yield of the product. The prepared (phenylsulfonyl)difluoromethylated alkanes were converted into gem-difluoroalkenes by a base-mediated 1,2-elimination reaction, and the latter species could be further transformed into trifluoromethyl compounds in the presence of KF/18-crown-6 or TBAF.     

Effects of magnesium substitution on the magnetic properties of Nd0.7Sr0.3MnO3

Effects of magnesium substitution on the magnetic properties of Nd_0.7Sr_0.3MnO₃ have been investigated by neutron powder diffraction and magnetization measurements on polycrystalline samples of composition Nd_0.7Sr_0.3MnO₃, Nd_0.6Mg_0.1Sr_0.3MnO₃, Nd_0.6Mg_0.1Sr_0.3Mn_0.9Mg_0.1O₃, and Nd_0.6Mg_0.1Sr_0.3Mn_0.8Mg_0.2O₃. The pristine compound Nd_0.7Sr_0.3MnO₃ is ferromagnetic with a transition temperature occurring at about 210 K. Increasing the Mg-substitution causes weakened ferromagnetic interaction and a great reduction in the magnetic moment of Mn. The Rietveld analyses of the neutron powder diffraction (NPD) data at 1.5 K for the samples with Mg concentration, y=0.0 and 0.1, show ferromagnetic Mn moments of 3.44(4) and 3.14(4) μ_B, respectively, which order along the [001] direction. Below 20 K the Mn moments of these samples become canted giving an antiferromagnetic component along the [010] direction of about 0.4 μ_B at 1.5 K. The analyses also show ferromagnetic polarization along [001] of the Nd moments below 50 K, with a magnitude of almost 1 μ_B at 1.5 K for both samples. In the samples with Mg substitution of 0.2 and 0.3 only short range magnetic order occurs and the magnitude of the ferromagnetic Mn moments is about 1.6 μ_B at 1.5 K for both samples. Furthermore, the low-temperature NPD patterns show an additional very broad and diffuse feature resulting from short range antiferromagnetic ordering of the Nd moments.     

EPR spectroscopic studies in (30 − x) Li2O-xK2O-10CdO-59B2O3-1MnO2 multi-component glass system

EPR studies were carried out in (30 - x) Li₂O-xK₂O-10CdO-59B₂O₃-1MnO₂ multi-component glass system to understand the effect of the variation in the alkali ratios on the EPR parameters. The observed EPR spectra of Mn²⁺ ion exhibits resonances at g = 2.0, 3.3 and 4.3. The resonance at g = 2.0 is due to Mn²⁺ ions in an environment close to the octahedral symmetry, where as the resonances at g = 3.3 & 4.3 are due to the rhombic surroundings of Mn²⁺ ions. Hyperfine splitting constant values at g = 2.0 and number of paramagnetic centers & paramagnetic susceptibility at different observed resonances were evaluated. These parameters show non linear variation with progressive substitution of Li⁺ ion with K⁺ ions may be due to the changes in cation field strengths and local structural variation due to the variation in mixed alkali ion ratios.     

Gold versus silver-catalyzed amination of allylic alcohols

Direct substitution of the hydroxy group in allylic alcohols by different nitrogenated nucleophiles is performed using low loadings of cationic gold(I) or silver salts as catalysts. Sulfonamides, carbamates and aromatic amines can be used as nucleophiles. Comparative studies between the best catalysts, cationic (triphenylphosphite)gold(I) complex and silver triflate, demonstrate that the former catalyst shows, in general, better performance than silver, working at lower loadings, in shorter reaction times and at lower temperatures. Representative allylic alcohols are used giving good γ-regioselectivity, specially in the case of penta-1,4-dien-3-ol and (E)-1-phenylbut-2-en-1-ol affording the corresponding allylic sulfonamides with total regio and stereoselectivity by a hydroamination mechanism. In the case of crotyl alcohol and (E)-4-phenylbut-3-en-2-ol mainly and exclusively α-substituted sulfonamides were obtained, respectively, by a cationic mechanism.     

A catalytic asymmetric anti-selective nitroaldol reaction with a neodymium-sodium heterobimetallic complex

A catalytic asymmetric anti-selective nitroaldol reaction with a neodymium-sodium heterobimetallic catalyst is described. A readily accessible amide ligand works efficiently as a chiral platform for the Nd/Na heterobimetallic catalyst in the reaction of various aldehydes and nitroethane, affording anti-1,2-nitro alkanols in good diastereo- and enantioselectivity.     

(N,N) vs. (N,S) chelation of palladium in asymmetric allylic substitution using bis(thiazoline) ligands: A theoretical and experimental study

New thiazoline-containing ligands including non-symmetric bis(thiazolines) and oxazoline-thiazolines were synthesized and then compared to C₂-symmetric bis(thiazolines) in the palladium-catalyzed allylic substitution. The experimental results obtained in this study support the hypothesis of a competition between the (N,N) and the (N,S) palladium chelation, when sterically hindered bis(thiazolines) are used as ligands. A quantum chemical study performed on the Pd-complexes derived from three selected ligands, two C₂-symmetric bis(thiazolines) and one oxazoline-thiazoline, also supports this hypothesis.     

Highly enantioselective hetero-Diels-Alder reaction between trans-1-methoxy-2-methyl-3-trimethylsiloxybuta-1,3-diene and aldehydes catalyzed by (R)-BINOL-Ti(IV) complex

An efficient enantioselective approach to 2,5-disubstituted dihydropyrones was developed. Some easily accessible inexpensive diol ligand metal complexes were employed, and [(R)-BINOL]₂-Ti(OiPr)₄ complex was found to be the most effective catalyst (up to 99% yield and 99% ee in the presence of 5 mol% catalyst) for the hetero-Diels-Alder reaction between trans-1-methoxy-2-methyl-3-trimethylsiloxybuta-1,3-diene (1) and aldehydes. The potential and generality of this catalyst were evaluated by a variety of aldehydes including aromatic, heteroaromatic, α,β-unsaturated and aliphatic aldehydes. Based on the isolated intermediate from the reaction of benzaldehyde being confirmed by ¹H, ¹³C NMR and HRMS data, the mechanism was proposed as a Mukaiyama aldol pathway.     

Use of heterogeneous catalyst KG-60-NEt2 in Michael and Henry reactions involving nitroalkanes

The N,N-diethylpropylamine supported on amorphous silica (KG-60-NEt₂) catalyses the formation of carboncarbon bonds by nitroalkanes through both the nitroaldol (Henry) and Michael reactions. The catalyst shows general utility with a variety of electrophilic acceptors. Moreover, the catalyst can be reused for two further cycles without loss of the activity.     

U(IV)/Ln(III) unexpected mixed site in polymetallic oxalato complexes. Part I. Substitution of Ln(III) for U(IV) from the new oxalate (NH4)2U2(C2O4)5·0.7H2O

A new ammonium uranium (IV) oxalate (NH₄)₂U₂(C₂O₄)₅·0.7H₂O (1) and three mixed uranium (IV)-lanthanide (III) oxalates, (N₂H₅)_2.6U_1.4M_0.6(C₂O₄)₅·xH₂O (M=Nd (2) and M=Sm (3)), Na_2.56U_1.44Nd_0.56(C₂O₄)₅·7.6H₂O (4) and Na₃UCe(C₂O₄)₅·10.4H₂O (5), have been prepared. The crystal structures of compounds 1, 4 and 5 have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The crystal structures were solved by the direct methods and Fourier difference techniques, and refined by a least square method on the basis of F² for all unique reflections. Compounds 2 and 3 are isotypic with 1. Crystallographic data: 1, hexagonal, space group P6₃/mmc, a=19.177(3), c=12.728(4) Å, Z=6, R₁=0.0575 for 52 parameters with 1360 reflections with I?2σ(I); 2, hexagonal, space group P6₃/mmc, a=19.243(4), c=12.760(5) Å, Z=6; 3, hexagonal, space group P6₃/mmc, a=19.211(3), c=12.274(4) Å, Z=6; 4, orthorhombic, space group Pbcn, a=18.79(3), b=11.46(1), c=12.77(2) Å, Z=4, R₁=0.0511 for 183 parameters with 3026 reflections with I?2σ(I); 5, monoclinic, space group C2/c, a=18.878(6), b=11.684(4), c=12.932(4) Å, β=95.97(1)°, Z=4, R₁=0.0416 for 213 parameters with 4060 reflections with I?2σ(I). The honeycomb-like structure of the five compounds is built from the same three-dimensional arrangement of metallic and oxalate ions. Similar hexagonal rings of alternating metallic and oxalate ions form layers parallel to the (001) plane that are pillared by another oxalate ion. Indeed, some torsions or rotations of the bridging oxalate ligands led to modifications of the network symmetry. The monovalent cations and the water molecules occupy the hexagonal tunnels running down the [001] direction. Starting from the uranium (IV) compound A₂U₂(C₂O₄)₅·0.7H₂O with A=NH₄⁺ (1), the mixed U(IV)/Ln(III) oxalates are obtained by partial substitution of U(IV) by Ln(III) in a ten-coordinated site, the charge deficit being compensated by intercalation of supplementary monovalent ions within the tunnels. The distortion of the arrangement in the [001] direction for the Na-containing compounds allows the accommodation of a greater number of water molecules that insure an octahedral coordination of the Na atoms.     

General-buffer catalysis of the reaction of N-(hydroxymethyl)benzamide: a new pathway for the aqueous reaction of carbinolamides

The second-order rate constants for the general-buffer catalyzed breakdown of N-(hydroxymethyl)benzamide (1) in water at 25 °C, I = 1.0 (KCl) by pivalic, acetic, chloroacetic, and dichloroacetic acid were determined by initial rates. The observed rate increased with increasing amounts of the acidic form of the buffer and a Brønsted correlation of α = 0.35 was determined. The results presented here, represent the first evidence for a general-buffer catalytic mechanism for the aqueous reaction of 1 and for carbinolamides in general.     

Mechanisms of reactions of halogenated compounds: Part 7. Effects of fluorine and other groups as substituents on nucleophilic aromatic substitution

The effect of fluorine as a substituent group on nucleophilic aromatic substitution is discussed, where a fluorine atom located ortho to the point of substitution may be of variable activating influence, whereas fluorine located para is slightly deactivating and meta is activating. A rationale of these effects is presented and evidence to support polar influences by ortho fluorine is advanced. The influence of CN, CF₃, CF₂H and CFH₂ is also established by comparison of appropriate measured rate constants and compared with the activation effects of ring nitrogen.     

Ruthenium(III) catalysed oxidation of l-leucine by a new oxidant,diperiodatoargentate(III) in aqueous alkaline medium

The kinetics of Ru(III) catalysed oxidation of l-leucine by diperiodatoargentate(III) (DPA) in alkaline medium at 298 K and a constant ionic strength of 0.60 mol dm⁻³ was studied spectrophotometrically. The oxidation products are pentanoic acid and Ag(I). The stoichiometry is [l-leucine]:[DPA] = 1:2. The reaction is of first order in Ru(III) and [DPA] and has less than unit order in both [l-leu] and [alkali]. The oxidation reaction in alkaline medium has been shown to proceed via a Ru(III)–l-leucine complex, which further reacts with one molecule of monoperiodatoargentate(III) (MPA) in a rate determining step followed by other fast steps to give the products. The main products were identified by spot test and spectral studies. The reaction constants involved in the different steps of the mechanism are calculated. The catalytic constant (K_c) was also calculated for the Ru(III) catalysed reaction at different temperatures. From the plots of log K_c versus 1/T, values of activation parameters with respect to the catalyst have been evaluated. The activation parameters with respect to the slow step of the mechanism are computed and discussed, and thermodynamic quantities are also determined. The active species of catalyst and oxidant have been identified.     

U(IV)/LN(III) unexpected mixed site in polymetallic oxalato complexes. Part II. Substitution of U(IV) for Ln(III) in the new oxalates (N2H5)Ln(C2O4)2·nH2O (Ln=Nd, Gd)

Two new hydrazinium lanthanide(III) oxalates, (N₂H₅)[Nd(C₂O₄)₂(H₂O)]·4H₂O (1) and (N₂H₅)[Gd(C₂O₄)₂(H₂O)]·4.5H₂O (2) have been prepared and their crystal structures determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The crystal structures were solved by the direct methods and Fourier difference techniques, and refined by a least-squares method on the basis of F² for all unique reflections. Crystallographic data: 1, triclinic, space group , , b=9.762(4), , α=62.378(5), β=76.681(5), γ=73.858(5), Z=2, R₁=0.0335 for 172 parameters with 3430 reflections with I?2σ(I); 2, triclinic, space group , , b=9.51(3), , α=62.11(4), β=76.15(5), γ=73.73(5), Z=2, R₁=0.0325 for 172 parameters with 1742 reflections with I?2σ(I). The two isotypic structures are built from a three-dimensional (3D) arrangement of lanthanide and oxalate ions. The lanthanide atom is coordinated by eight oxygen atoms from four tetradentate oxalate ions and one aqua oxygen. Alternating lanthanide and oxalate ions form six-membered rings that delimit tunnels running down three directions and occupied by hydrazinium and water molecules. Starting from these lanthanide(III) compounds two isotypic mixed Ln(III)/U(IV) oxalates, (N₂H₅)_0.75[Nd_0.75U_0.25(C₂O₄)₂(H₂O)]·4.5H₂O (3) and (N₂H₅)_0.75[Gd_0.75U_0.25(C₂O₄)₂(H₂O)]·4H₂O (4), are obtained by partial substitution of Ln(III) by U(IV) in the nine-coordinated site, the charge excess being compensated by removal of monovalent ions from the tunnels. Finally, using Na⁺ gel, two mixed Ln(III)/U(IV) sodium oxalates, Na_0.5[Nd_0.5U_0.5(C₂O₄)₂(H₂O)]·3H₂O (5) and Na_0.65[Gd_0.65U_0.35(C₂O₄)₂(H₂O)]·4.5H₂O (6) have been obtained without any change in the 3D framework.     

Screening of ligands in the asymmetric metallocenethiolatocopper(I)-catalyzed allylic substitution with Grignard reagents

Screening of metallocenethiolate ligands for copper(I)-catalyzed substitution of allylic acetates with Grignard reagents has been carried out. The previously used ligand, lithium (R,S_p)-2-(1-dimethylaminoethyl)ferrocenylthiolate (4a), possessing both central and planar chirality, was the starting point for the screening. It was found that the diastereomeric ligand lithium (R,R_p)-2-(1-dimethylaminoethyl)ferrocenylthiolate (4b) exhibiting reversed planar chirality gave increased enantioselectivity in the allylic substitution, at least when cinnamyl acetate was used as a substrate. The ruthenocene-based ligand lithium (R,S_p)-2-(1-dimethylaminoethyl)ruthenocenylthiolate (4c) gave an enhanced reaction rate, but lower chiral induction. The use of disulfide bis[(R,S_p)-2-(1-dimethylaminoethyl)ferrocenyl]disulfide (7a) as a ligand precursor worked well but resulted in lower enantioselectivity.