Aniline‐Promoted Cyclization–Replacement Cascade Reactions of 2‐Hydroxycinnamaldehydes with Various Carbonic Nucleophiles through In Situ Formed N,O‐Acetals

In this study, we report the harnessing of new reactivity of N,O‐acetals in an aminocatalytic fashion for organic synthesis. Unlike widely used strategies requiring the use of acids and/or elevated temperatures, direct replacement of the amine component of the N,O‐acetals by carbon‐centered nucleophiles for C?C bond formation is realized under mild reaction conditions. Furthermore, without necessary preformation of the N,O‐acetals, an amine‐catalyzed in situ formation of N,O‐acetals is developed. Coupling both reactions into a one‐pot operation enables the achievement of a catalytic process. We demonstrate the employment of simple anilines as promoters for the cyclization–substitution cascade reactions of trans‐2‐hydroxycinnamaldehydes with various carbonic nucleophiles including indoles, pyrroles, naphthols, phenols, and silyl enol ethers. The process offers an alternative approach to structurally diverse, “privileged” 2‐substituted 2H‐chromenes. The synthetic power of the new process is furthermore shown by its application in a 2‐step synthesis of the natural product candenatenin E and for the facile installation of 2‐substituted 2H‐chromene moieties into biologically active indoles.     

Enantiomer-selective radical cyclopolymerization of rac-2,4-pentanediyl dimethacrylate using a ruthenium-mediated chiral atom transfer radical polymerization initiating system

The enantiomer-selective radical polymerization of rac-2,4-pentanediyl dimethacrylate, an equimolar mixture of (2S,4S)-2,4-pentanediyl dimethacrylate (SS- 1 ) and (2R,4R)-2,4-pentanediyl dimethacrylate (RR- 1 ), was carried out with a chiral atom transfer radical polymerization initiating system consisting of methyl 2-bromoisobutyrate ( 3 ), dichlorotris(triphenylphosphine)ruthenium [RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃], and a chiral additive in anisole at 60 °C. When (S)-1,1′-bi-2-naphthol ( a-3 ) was used as the chiral additive, the recovered monomer was enriched in SS- 1 , and the enantiomeric excess was 16.9% at a 22.6% monomer conversion. The specific rotation ([α]₄₃₅, c 0.3, CHCl₃) of the resulting polymer was +40.3° at a 22.6% monomer conversion. For the copolymerization of SS- 1 and RR- 1 with 3 /RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃/ a-3 in anisole at 60 °C, the monomer reactivity ratio for RR- 1 (r_R) was determined to be 4.94, and that for SS- 1 (r_S) was 0.27. For the homopolymerizations of SS- 1 and RR- 1 with 3 /RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃/ a-3 in anisole at 60 °C, the polymerization rate of RR- 1 was considerably faster than that of SS- 1 , and the rate constants for the homopolymerizations were determined to be k_SS = 2.0 × 10⁻³ h⁻¹ and k_RR = 8.2 × 10⁻³ h⁻¹, respectively. With the values of k_SS, k_RR, r_R, and r_S, the relative ratio k_SS/k_RR/k_SR/k_RS was determined to be 1.2:4.9:4.5:1, which indicated that both the growing end of SS- 1 and that of RR- 1 preferentially reacted with RR- 1 . © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 4563–4569, 2004     

Persistent Mixed‐Valence [(TTF)2]+. Dyad of a Chiral Bis(binaphthol)–tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) Derivative

Mixed‐valence dyadic [(TTF)₂]^+. (TTF=tetrathiafulvalene) species—the elementary building blocks of organic conductors—are usually too weakly associated to be observed in solution, unless covalently bound in dimers or physically constrained into a cage structure. We demonstrate here that a novel chiral tetrathiafulvalene functionalised with two 1,1′‐binaphthol units ( 1 ) is able to associate in solution into persistent mixed‐valence [(TTF)₂]^+. dyadic moieties through a stereospecific recognition pattern. This redox active molecule exhibits different electrochemical and spectroscopic responses, as enantiopure RR, SS or meso isomers, a rare example of a chiral system in which different diastereoisomers do not exhibit the same electrochemical features, with a selective formation of the mixed‐valence species in the enantiopure (RR)‐ 1 or (SS)‐ 1 isomers only, whereas the meso form does not show this association ability. A rationale for the selective self‐association of the RR and SS enantiomers upon oxidation is provided, based on the different molecular geometries and accessibility of the TTF core toward the formation of the mixed‐valence species.     

Novel Bis(2‐cyanoketene‐S,S‐/S,N‐acetals): Versatile Precursors for Novel Bis(aminopyrazole) Derivatives

A synthesis of novel bis(aminopyrazoles) by the reaction of hydrazine hydrate with the appropriate bis(2‐cyanoketene‐S,N‐acetals) was reported. The latter compounds were prepared by treatment of bis(cyanoacetamides) with phenyl isothiocyanate in KOH/EtOH and subsequent alkylation with methyl iodide. The utility of bis(2‐cyanoketene‐S,S‐acetals) as building blocks for novel bis(aminopyrazoles) was also investigated.     

Significant enhancement of catalytic properties in mononuclear yttrium complexes by nitrophenolate‐type ligands: Synthesis,structure, and catalysis for lactide polymerization

The syntheses, structures, and catalytic properties for lactones polymerization of eight novel yttrium complexes containing an amine‐bis(benzotriazole phenolate) ( ^C1NN BiBTP ) ligand are reported. A series of nitrophenolate (NP)‐type of ligands possessing R substituents with variable electronic properties (R = NO₂, Cl, H, CH₃) on ortho and/or para position attached to the phenolate rings have been selected and further reacted with ^C1NN BiBTP ‐H₂ proligand and YCl₃·6H₂O. Two series of complexes, [Y( ^C1NN BiBTP )(TNP)(MeOH)₂] ( 3 ), [Y( ^C1NN BiBTP )(2,4‐DNP)(MeOH)₂] ( 4 ) and [Y( ^C1NN BiBTP )(2,5‐DNP)(MeOH)₂] ( 5 ) with two MeOH molecules as initiators as well as [Y( ^C1NN BiBTP ‐H)(CNP)₂] ( 6 ), [Y( ^C1NN BiBTP ‐H)(2‐NP)₂] ( 7 ) and [Y( ^C1NN BiBTP ‐H)(MNP)₂] ( 8 ) with two NP derivatives, were synthesized. Their ring‐opening polymerizations of L‐ lactide (L‐ LA) were investigated for all complexes in order to further understand the correlations between the inductive effect of substitutions and catalytic properties. Particularly, the activity and controllability of yttrium complexes 3 and 5 were improved dramatically comparing with the literature complex with the similar coordination environment, [Y( ^C1NN BiBTP )(NO₃)(MeOH)₂], which can be a successful example to enhance the catalytic properties by exchanging coordinate molecules. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019, 57, 2038–2047     

Direct sp3 C?H Amination of Nitrogen‐Containing Benzoheterocycles Mediated by Visible‐Light‐Photoredox Catalysts

Visible‐light‐mediated direct sp³ C? H amination of benzocyclic amines via α‐aminoalkyl radicals by using photoredox catalysts is described here. The obtained N,N‐acetals were also successfully applied for carbon–carbon bond forming reactions with carbon nucleophiles. The procedure is suitable for a late‐stage modification of C? H bonds to C? C bonds.     

Chiral nickel(II) and palladium(II) catalysts bearing strong electron‐withdrawing fluorine groups: synthesis,characterization and their application in catalytic polymerization for ethylene and styrene

A series of new chiral and achiral nickel(II) and palladium(II) complexes, {bis[N,N′‐(2,6‐diethyl‐4‐naphthylphenyl)imino]‐1,2‐dimethylethane}dibromonickel 3a , {bis[N,N′‐(4‐fluoro‐2‐methyl‐6‐sec‐phenethylphenyl)imino]‐1,2‐dimethylethane}dibromonickel rac‐(RS)‐ 3b , {bis[N,N′‐(4‐fluoro‐6‐sec‐phenethylphenyl)imino]‐1,2‐dimethylethane}dibromonickel rac‐(RR/SS)‐ 3c and {bis[N,N′‐(4‐fluoro‐6‐sec‐phenethylphenyl)imino]‐1,2‐dimethylethane}dichloropalladium rac‐(RR/SS)‐ 3d were successfully synthesized and characterized. The molecular structures of representative ligand rac‐(RS)‐ 2b , nickel complex 3a , rac‐(RR/SS)‐ 3c and palladium complex rac‐(RR/SS)‐ 3d were determined by X‐ray crystallography. The structures of complexes 3a and rac‐(RR/SS)‐ 3c have pseudo‐tetrahedral geometry about the nickel center, showing C₂ molecular symmetry. However, the structure of palladium complex rac‐(RR/SS)‐ 3d has pseudo‐square planar geometry about the palladium center, showing C₂ molecular symmetry. Complex 3e {bis[N,N′‐(2,6‐dimethylphenyl)imino]‐1,2‐dimethylethane}dibromonickel was also synthesized for comparison. Nickel complex rac‐(RS)‐ 3b bearing strong electron‐withdrawing fluorine group in the para‐aryl position and a chiral sec‐phenethyl group in the ortho‐aryl position of the ligand (one methyl group in the ortho‐aryl position) displays the highest catalytic activity for ethylene and styrene polymerization, and produced highly branched polyethylene and syndiotactic‐rich polystyrene. However, palladium complex rac‐(RR/SS)‐ 3d shows low catalytic activity for ethylene and styrene polymerization due to the poor leaving group, Cl, attached to palladium and the unfavorable molecular structure. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

2,4,6-Trichloro-1,3,5-triazine Catalyzed Chemoselective Transthioacetalization of Aldehyde Acetals and Oxathioacetals

Summary. A mild and efficient transthioacetalization of aldehyde acetals and oxathioacetals was carried out using 2,4,6-trichloro-1,3,5-triazine as a mild and inexpensive catalyst. Chemoselective transacetalization is impressive as aldehyde O,O- and O,S-acetals are converted into the corresponding S,S-acetals in the presence of ketones or their acetals and oxathiocetals in nearly quantitative yields.     

2,4,6-Trichloro-1,3,5-triazine Catalyzed Chemoselective Transthioacetalization of Aldehyde Acetals and Oxathioacetals

A mild and efficient transthioacetalization of aldehyde acetals and oxathioacetals was carried out using 2,4,6-trichloro-1,3,5-triazine as a mild and inexpensive catalyst. Chemoselective transacetalization is impressive as aldehyde O,O- and O,S-acetals are converted into the corresponding S,S-acetals in the presence of ketones or their acetals and oxathiocetals in nearly quantitative yields.     

Trends in the Structural and Vibrational Properties of the Disulfanes S2X2 (X = H,Halogen, CH3, CF3)

The geometrical parameters and associated force constants for the molecules XSSX (X = H, halogen, CH₃, CF₃) were studied using DFT quantum chemistry calculations. The study showed rather monotonic trends in these properties related to the SS bonds, although an anomalous behavior is noted when the substituent is CF₃. The calculated vibrational frequencies allowed a confirmation of published band assignments, but corrections were necessary for S₂F₂ and S₂H₂.     

Coupling Reaction of Enol Derivatives with Silyl Ketene Acetals Catalyzed by Gallium Trihalides

A cross‐coupling reaction between enol derivatives and silyl ketene acetals catalyzed by GaBr₃ took place to give the corresponding α‐alkenyl esters. GaBr₃ showed the most effective catalytic ability, whereas other metal salts such as BF₃?OEt₂, AlCl₃, PdCl₂, and lanthanide triflates were not effective. Various types of enol ethers and vinyl carboxylates as enol derivatives are amenable to this coupling. The scope of the reaction with silyl ketene acetals was also broad. We successfully observed an alkylgallium intermediate by using NMR spectroscopy, suggesting a mechanism involving anti‐carbogallation among GaBr₃, an enol derivative, and a silyl ketene acetal, followed by syn‐β‐alkoxy elimination from the alkylgallium. Based on kinetic studies, the turnover‐limiting step of the reaction using a vinyl ether and a vinyl carboxylate involved syn‐β‐alkoxy elimination and anti‐carbogallation, respectively. Therefore, the leaving group had a significant effect on the progress of the reaction. Theoretical calculations analysis suggest that the moderate Lewis acidity of gallium would contribute to a flexible conformational change of the alkylgallium intermediate and to the cleavage of the carbon?oxygen bond in the β‐alkoxy elimination process, which is the turnover‐limiting step in the reaction between a vinyl ether and a silyl ketene acetal.     

Solvent-switchable Acetalization by Yb（OTf）3-Catalyzed Procedures

O,O＇Diethyl acetals were prepared in high yields under mild conditions via the reaction of triethyl orthoformate with aldehydes and ketones in absolute ethanol in the presence of as low as 0.1 tool% of Yb（OTf）3. Using the same catalyst in THF-H2O, these O,O＇-diethyl acetals could be converted to the corresponding carbonyl compounds efficiently. This new protection-deprotection protocol presents the advantages of ease of execution, high efficiency and good chemoselectivity.     

Ru(II)-PBTNNXN complex bearing functional 2-(pyridin-2-yl)benzo[d]thiazole ligand catalyzed α-alkylation of nitriles with alcohols

Six tridentate NNN ligand precursors derived from 2-(pyridin-2-yl)benzo[d]thiazole(PBT) with different linkers, ^PBTNN^XN (X = NH, NMe, O, S) ( 1a – 1f ), have been successfully prepared. The electronic properties of ^PBTNN^XN ligands are well tunable by differing linkers between PBT skeleton and the pyridine ring, and/or by introducing electron-donating/withdrawing groups on the pyridine ring (R = OMe or F). The ligand precursors and representative complexes Ru (^PBTNN^NHN)Cl₂(PPh₃) ( 2a ), Ru (^PBTNN^NMeN)Cl₂(PPh₃) ( 2b ), and Ru (^PBTNN^SN)Cl₂(PPh₃) ( 2f ) have been characterized by NMR spectroscopy, high-resolution mass spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR). The molecular structures of 1f , 2a , and 2f have been determined by X-ray diffraction study. The results indicate that ^PBTNN^NHN ligand in the complex presented coplanar with two five-membered chelating rings. It should be noted that 2a featuring a NH group exhibits superior performance compared to those with other linkers (such as NMe, O, or S). A variety of heterocyclic and aromatic nitriles with aromatic and aliphatic alcohols have been explored in α-alkylation for good to excellent yields. Based on kinetic experiments and mechanistic studies, a proposed mechanism was put forward. Ru-H species and benzaldehyde, which was oxidized from benzyl alcohol, were detected in the catalytic cycle.     

Molecular self-induced configuration for improving dissymmetry factors in tetradentate platinum(II) enantiomers cycloaddition

Two pairs of Pt(II) enantiomers ((RR)/(SS)-PyPt, ((RR)/(SS)-Py: N,N'-(1,2-diphenylethane-1,2-diyl)dipicolinamide; (RR)-P/M-QPt, ((RR)/(SS)-Q: N,N'-((1R,2R)-1,2-diphenylethane-1,2-diyl)bis(quinoline-2-carboxamide)) were synthesized, respectively, with good circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) and tunable dissymmetry factors (g) by molecular self-induction with (RR)/(SS)-1,2-diphenylethane-1,2-diamine as carbon chiral sources. In the (RR)-P-QPt and (SS)-M-QPt, specific P- and M-configurations were effectively induced from intrinsic chiral carbon centres (R or S), ingeniously avoiding the racemic mixture formation and chiral separation. Furthermore, the chirality originating from both chiral carbon centres and helicene-like structure improves the g factor significantly, which provides a new molecular design strategy for chiral Pt(II) enantiomers with good CPL properties.     

Synthesis of 2,3‐dihydro‐6H‐1‐oxa‐3a‐aza‐phenalene and its benzo/hetero‐fused analog

A simple and efficient method for the synthesis of highly substituted benzo‐ and hetero‐fused analog of 2, 3‐dihydro‐6H‐oxa‐3a‐aza‐phenalene was developed using 2H‐1, 4‐benzoxazine and α‐oxoketene dithio‐acetals. J. Heterocyclic Chem., (2011).     

Synthesis,crystal structure and antimicrobial properties of a copper(II) complex of an unsymmetrical tripodal ligand

A new copper(II) complex of an unsymmetrical tripodal ligand (NN₂O222) derived from tris(2-aminoethylamine)amine (tren) by substitution of one aminoethyl group by an hydroxyethyl group has been synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystallographic methods as [(NN₂O222)Cu(ImH)](ClO₄)₂·0.5H₂O (NN₂O222?=?2-[bis(2-aminoethyl)amino]ethanol; ImH?=?imidazole). Crystals of the complex are orthorhombic, space group Pna2₁, with a?=?29.983(10), b?=?15.568(5), c?=?8.127(3)?Å. Two similar monometallic cations exist in the asymmetric unit and in each case the Cu(II) ion is five-coordinate with tetragonally distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry. Variable-temperature magnetic measurements show that there is very weak antiferromagnetic interaction between the metal ions. Cyclic voltammetry indicates quasi-reversible Cu^II/Cu^I redox behavior at +44?mV vs SCE. An antimicrobial activity study found that the complex is active against Candida albican, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus pumilus, Klebosiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli, but to no greater extent than Cu(ClO₄)₂·6H₂O.     

Theoretical investigation of the relative stabilities of XSSX and X2SS isomers (X = F,Cl, H,and CH3)

The structures and relative stabilities of a series of disulfide (XSSX) and thiosulfoxide (X₂SS) isomers have been studied for X = F, Cl, CH₃, and H, using various levels of conventional ab initio and density functional theory (DFT). The XSSX isomers are more stable than the X₂SS isomers for all substituents. The energy gap ΔE(X) between the two isomers increases (i.e., XSSX becomes more stable with respect to X₂SS), and the S? S bond contracts in the series for X = F, Cl, CH₃, H. The results are interpreted by means of natural population analysis (NPA) (e.g., the interaction between the disulfide moiety S and the two substituents X·). The bonding in the hypervalent X₂SS species is similar to the bonding in the nonhypervalent XSSX and does not involve a special role for sulfur-3d orbitals. These orbitals acquire only minimal populations and are not to be conceived as valence orbitals. The DFT and conventional ab initio results, Xα/DZP and MP2/6-31G** optimized structures and isomerization energies (at the highest levels of both methods), agree well. © 1995 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Palladium-Catalyzed Aminocarbonylation of Aryl Halides with N,N-Dialkylformamide Acetals

We developed a protocol for the palladium-catalyzed aminocarbonylation of aryl halides using less-toxic formamide acetals as bench-stable aminocarbonyl sources under neutral conditions. Various aryl (including heteroaryl) halides reacted with N,N-dialkylformamide acetals in the presence of a catalytic amount of tris(dibenzylideneacetone)dipalladium(0)-chloroform adduct and xantphos to give the corresponding aromatic carboxamides at 90–140 °C without any activating agents or bases in up to quantitative chemical yield. This protocol was applied to aryl bromides, aryl iodides, and trifluoromethanesulfonic acid, as well as to relatively less-reactive aryl chlorides. A wide range of functionalities on the aromatic ring of the substrates were tolerated under the aminocarbonylation conditions. The catalytic aminocarbonylation was used to prepare the insect repellent N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide as well as a synthetic intermediate of the dihydrofolate reductase inhibitor triazinate.     

Multifaceted Studies of the DNA Interactions and In Vitro Cytotoxicity of Anticancer Polyaromatic Platinum(II) Complexes

This study reports a detailed biophysical analysis of the DNA binding and cytotoxicity of six platinum complexes (PCs). They are of the type [Pt(P_L)(SS‐dach)]Cl₂, where P_L is a polyaromatic ligand and SS‐dach is 1S,2S‐diaminocyclohexane. The DNA binding of these complexes was investigated using six techniques including ultraviolet and fluorescence spectroscopy, linear dichroism, synchrotron radiation circular dichroism, isothermal titration calorimetry and mass spectrometry. This portfolio of techniques has not been extensively used to study the interactions of such complexes previously; each assay provided unique insight. The in vitro cytotoxicity of these compounds was studied in ten cell lines and compared to the effects of their R,R enantiomers; activity was very high in Du145 and SJ‐G2 cells, with some submicromolar IC₅₀ values. In terms of both DNA affinity and cytotoxicity, complexes of 5,6‐dimethyl‐1,10‐phenanthroline and 2,2′‐bipyridine exhibited the greatest and least activity, respectively, suggesting that there is some correlation between DNA binding and cytotoxicity.     

Multifunctionality in Bimetallic LnIII[WV(CN)8]3− (Ln=Gd,Nd) Coordination Helices: Optical Activity,Luminescence, and Magnetic Coupling

Two chiral luminescent derivatives of pyridine bis(oxazoline) (Pybox), (SS/RR)‐iPr‐Pybox (2,6‐bis[4‐isopropyl‐2‐oxazolin‐2‐yl]pyridine) and (SRSR/RSRS)‐Ind‐Pybox (2,6‐bis[8H‐indeno[1,2‐d]oxazolin‐2‐yl]pyridine), have been combined with lanthanide ions (Gd³⁺, Nd³⁺) and octacyanotungstate(V) metalloligand to afford a remarkable series of eight bimetallic CN^?‐bridged coordination chains: {[Ln^III(SS/RR‐iPr‐Pybox)(dmf)₄]₃[W^V(CN)₈]₃}_n ? dmf ? 4 H₂O (Ln=Gd, 1 ‐SS and 1 ‐RR; Ln=Nd, 2 ‐SS and 2 ‐RR) and {[Ln^III(SRSR/RSRS‐Ind‐Pybox)(dmf)₄][W^V(CN)₈]}_n ? 5 MeCN ? 4 MeOH (Ln=Gd, 3 ‐SRSR and 3 ‐RSRS; Ln=Nd, 4 ‐SRSR and 4 ‐RSRS). These materials display enantiopure structural helicity, which results in strong optical activity in the range 200–450 nm, as confirmed by natural circular dichroism (NCD) spectra and the corresponding UV/Vis absorption spectra. Under irradiation with UV light, the Gd^III‐W^V chains show dominant ligand‐based red phosphorescence, with λ_max≈660 nm for 1 ‐(SS/RR) and 680 nm for 3 ‐(SRSR/RSRS). The Nd^III‐W^V chains, 2 ‐(SS/RR) and 4 ‐(SRSR/RSRS), exhibit near‐infrared luminescence with sharp lines at 986, 1066, and 1340 nm derived from intra‐f ⁴F_3/2→⁴I_{9/2,11/2,13/2} transitions of the Nd^III centers. This emission is realized through efficient ligand‐to‐metal energy transfer from the Pybox derivative to the lanthanide ion. Due to the presence of paramagnetic lanthanide(III) and [W^V(CN)₈]^3? moieties connected by cyanide bridges, 1 ‐(SS/RR) and 3 ‐(SRSR/RSRS) are ferrimagnetic spin chains originating from antiferromagnetic coupling between Gd^III (S_Gd=7/2) and W^V (S_W=1/2) centers with J _{1 ‐(SS)}=?0.96(1) cm^?1, J _{1 ‐(RR)}=?0.95(1) cm^?1, J _{3 ‐(SRSR)}=?0.91(1) cm^?1, and J _{3 ‐(RSRS)}=?0.94(1) cm^?1. 2 ‐(SS/RR) and 4 ‐(SRSR/RSRS) display ferromagnetic coupling within their Nd^III‐NC‐W^V linkages.