Reactions of 1,4-bis(tetrazole)benzenes: formation of long chain alkyl halides

The reactions of 1,4-bis[2-(tributylstannyl)tetrazol-5-yl]benzene with α,ω-dibromoalkanes were carried out in order to synthesise pendant alkyl halide derivatives of the parent bis-tetrazole. This led to the formation of several alkyl halide derivatives, substituted variously at N1 or N2 on the tetrazole ring. The crystal structures of 1,4-bis[(2-(4-bromobutyl)tetrazol-5-yl)]benzene (2-N,2-N′), 1,4-bis[(2-(4-bromobutyl)tetrazol-5-yl)]benzene (1-N,2-N′) and 1,4-bis[(2-(8-bromooctyl)tetrazol-5-yl)]benzene (2-N,2-N′) are reported. Further discussion involves the structure of 1,4-bis[2-(6-bromohexyl)-2H-tetrazol-5-yl]benzene (2-N,2-N′) previously reported.     

Asymmetric syntheses of dihydroxyhomoprolines via doubly diastereoselective lithium amide conjugate addition reactions

The asymmetric syntheses of novel dihydroxyhomoprolines have been achieved using the doubly diastereoselective conjugate additions of the antipodes of lithium N-benzyl-N-(α-methylbenzyl)amide to a set of four chiral α,β-unsaturated esters (derived from d-pentoses) as one of the key steps. A full account of the diastereoselectivity observed in these conjugate additions is presented and the stereochemical outcomes of these reactions have been established unambiguously via a combination of hydrogenolytic chemical correlation and single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. A tandem hydrogenolysis/intramolecular reductive amination reaction was then used to create the corresponding enantiopure pyrrolidines, providing access to (2′S,3′S,4′R)-dihydroxyhomoproline and (2′S,3′R,4′S)-dihydroxyhomoproline after deprotection.     

2′,3′,4′,5′-Tetraacetyl-N(3)-carboxymethylriboflavin derivatives: synthesis and fluorescence studies

The hitherto not described 2′,3′,4′,5′-tetraacetyl-N(3)-carboxymethylriboflavin (1) could be prepared starting from 2′,3′,4′,5′-tetraacetylriboflavin by alkylation with tert-butyl α-bromoacetate and benzyl α-bromoacetate, followed by deprotection reaction. The results of fluorescence studies are described.     

Synthesis and liquid crystal properties of a novel family of oligothiophene derivatives

In order to develop novel oligothiophene-based liquid crystals capable of hydrogen bonding, new terthiophene derivatives containing an alkylamide group, N,N′-dialkyl-5,5″-dichloro-2,2′:5′,2″-terthiophene-4,4″-dicarboxamide (DNC_nDCl3T, n=8, 18), N,N′-dialkyl-5,5″-dibromo-2,2′:5′,2″-terthiophene-4,4″-dicarboxamide (DNC_nDBr3T, n=5, 8, 16, 18), or N,N′-dialkyl-5,5″-diiodo-2,2′:5′,2″-terthiophene-4,4″-dica-rboxamide (DNC_nDI3T, n=8, 18), were designed and synthesized, and their thermal behaviour was examined. It was found that DNC₁₈DCl3T, DNC₁₈DI3T and DNC_nDBr3T (n=8, 16, 18) form a smectic A phase and that the alkyl chain length greatly affects liquid crystal phase formation. The absence of liquid crystallinity in the corresponding ester derivatives suggests that intermolecular hydrogen bonding also plays a role in the formation of a liquid crystal phases in the DNC_nDBr3T system.     

Adamantane-retropeptides, new building blocks for molecular channels

Novel adamantane-oxalamide derivatives, N,N′-bis(1-adamantylglycine methyl ester)oxalamide (meso-1 and rac-1), N,N′-bis(3-aminoadamantane-1-carboxylic acid methyl ester)oxalamide (2) and N,N′-bis(3-aminoadamantane-1-carboxylic acid)oxalamide (3) were prepared and structurally characterized by spectroscopic methods and X-ray analysis. Crystal packing of the structures meso-1 and rac-1 is defined by one-dimensional α-networks of hydrogen-bonded chains. The crystal structures of 2 and 3 are characterized by two-dimensional β-networks of hydrogen bonds. The oxalamide 3 crystallizes as the solvates only. In the crystal structure of 3 the protic solvent participates in hydrogen bonding with the oxalamide moieties. However, in non-protic solvents 3 crystallizes as a solvate but the solvent does not participate in hydrogen bonding. The two-dimensional network of hydrogen bonds connecting molecules of 3 generates channels, which are filled by discrete solvent molecules.     

Mesityltriphenylbismuthonium tetrafluoroborate as an efficient bismuth(V) oxidant: remarkable steric effects on reaction rates and chemoselectivities in alcohol oxidation

In the presence of N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylguanidine, mesityltriphenylbismuthonium tetrafluoroborate oxidizes primary and secondary alcohols to aldehydes and ketones, respectively, under mild conditions. In this reaction, the mesityl ligand exclusively abstracts an α-hydrogen to afford mesitylene and triphenylbismuthane as side products. A remarkable steric effect has also been exhibited in the chemoselective oxidation between primary and secondary alcohols.     

Influence of crystal polymorphism on mechanical and barrier properties of poly(l-lactic acid)

The effect of crystal polymorphism on barrier and mechanical properties of PLLA is detailed in this contribution. PLLA films containing different amounts of α and α′ crystal forms were prepared by annealing quenched PLLA at different temperatures. The polymorphic structure of the films was analyzed by X-ray diffraction. Mechanical properties and permeability to water vapor were investigated as a function of degree of crystallinity (w_C) and related to crystal polymorphism developed during annealing. The polymorphic structure of PLLA significantly affects mechanical and barrier properties. The α crystal modification provides a better barrier to water vapor and a higher Young’s modulus, compared to films containing the α′ modification, but a lower elongation at break. The varied barrier and mechanical properties were correlated to the different packing of PLLA chains in the two analyzed polymorphs. The conformational disorder of the α′ form makes this structure a mesophase (condis crystal), with remarkable effects on material properties.     

N,N-Dimethylethylenediamine in direct and direct template syntheses of Cu(II)/Cr(III) complexes

Four new heterometallic Cu(II)/Cr(III) complexes with N,N-dimethylethylenediamine (dmen) and its novel Schiff-base derivatives, N′-[(1Z)-3-amino-1,3-dimethylbutylidene]-N,N-dimethylethane-1,2-diamine (dmenac) and N′-((1Z)-3-{[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]amino}-1,3-dimethylbutylidene)-N,N-dimethylethane-1,2-diamine (dmen₂ac), have been easily prepared by self-assembly and characterized by spectroscopic methods and single crystal X-ray analysis. The structures of all the complexes are assisted by numerous hydrogen bonds that provide a web of interactions and mould the supramolecular architectures of the compounds. Variable-temperature (1.8–300 K) magnetic susceptibility measurements reveal Curie-Weiss paramagnetic behavior of all the compounds, supported by EPR studies.     

Intermolecular interactions of punicin derivatives

The 2- and 4-methyl derivates of punicin [N-(2′,5′-dihydroxyphenyl)-pyridinium chloride] were subjected to Knoevenagel reactions. Starting materials as well as reaction products were examined with respect to homo and hetero-intermolecular interactions. It was found that N-(2′,5′-dihydroxyphenyl)-2-methylpyridinium chloride forms a stable 2:1 complex to hydroquinone. Decomplexation can be accomplished by anion exchange to tetraphenylborate, or by competing complexation with p-benzoquinone. Results of three single crystal X-ray analyses as well as NMR titrations and dilution experiments are presented.     

Model reactions for preparing poly(imino-tetrafluoro-1,4-phenylene)

2,3,4,5,6-Pentafluoroformanilide was prepared giving, in addition, two new compounds 4,5,6,7-tetrafluoro-1-pentafluorophenyl-benzimidazole and 2,3,4,5-tetrafluoro-6-[(pentafluorophenyl)amino]formanilide. Sodium 2,3,4,5,6-pentafluoro-formanilide was reacted with hexafluorobenzene in a molar ratio of 1:4 to give oligomers of α-pentafluorophenyl-ω-fluoro-poly(imino-tetrafluoro-1,4-phenylene). Some of the oligomers were isolated. The results indicate that poly(imino-tetrafluoro-1,4-phenylene) could be formed. Model reaction on hexafluorobenzene with sodium acetanilide, molar ratio 1:2, gave a low yield of N,N′-diacetyl-diphenyl-tetrafluoro-1,4-phenylenediamine.     

Regularly alternating poly(amideimide)s containing pendent pentadecyl chains: Synthesis and characterization

Two new aromatic diamines containing preformed amide linkages, viz., N,N′-(4-pentadecyl-1,3-phenylene)bis(4-aminobenzamide) I and N,N′-(4-pentadecyl-1,3-phenylene)bis(3-aminobenzamide) II, were synthesized by reaction of 4-pentadecylbenzene-1,3-diamine with 4-nitrobenzoylchloride and 3-nitrobenzoylchloride, followed by reduction of the respective dinitro derivatives. A series of new poly(amideimide)s was synthesized by polycondensation of I and II with four commercially available aromatic dianhydrides, viz., pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA), 4,4′-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride (BPDA), 4,4′-oxydiphthalic anhydride (ODPA), and 4,4′-(hexafluoroisopropylidene)diphthalic anhydride (6-FDA) in N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc) employing conventional two step method via poly(amic acid) intermediate followed by thermal imidization. Reference poly(amideimide)s were synthesized by polycondensation of N,N′-(1,3-phenylene)bis(4-aminobenzamide) and N,N′-(1,3-phenylene)bis(3-aminobenzamide) with the same aromatic dianhydrides. Inherent viscosities of poly(amideimide)s containing pendent pentadecyl chains were in the range 0.37-1.23 dL/g in N,N-dimethylacetamide at 30 ± 0.1 °C indicating the formation of medium to high molecular weight polymers. The poly(amideimide)s containing pendent pentadecyl chains were found to be soluble in N,N-dimethylacetamide, N,N-dimethylformamide, 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone and pyridine and could be cast into transparent, flexible and tough films from their N,N-dimethylacetamide solution. Wide angle X-ray diffraction patterns exhibited broad halo indicating that the polymers were essentially amorphous in nature. X-ray diffractograms also displayed sharp reflection in the small angle region (2θ ≈ 3°) for poly(amideimide)s containing pentadecyl chains indicating the formation of layered structure arising from packing of flexible pentadecyl chains. The glass transition temperatures observed for reference poly(amideimide)s were in the range 331-275 °C and those for poly(amideimide)s containing pendent pentadecyl chains were in the range 185-286 °C indicating a large drop in T_g owing to the “internal plasticization” effect of pentadecyl chains. The temperature at 10% weight loss (T₁₀), determined by TGA in nitrogen atmosphere, were in the range 460-480 °C indicating their good thermal stability.     

New titanium and zirconium initiators for the production of polylactide

Two new group 4 initiators based on N,N′-Bis(2-hydroxybenzyl)ethylenediamine have been prepared and fully characterised via multi-nuclear NMR spectroscopy and single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The complexes have been tested for the production of polylactide. The phenolate ligand complexes to Ti(IV) to generate the β-cis isomer in the solid-state. Whereas for Zr(IV) the isolated species (regardless of stoichiometery) is a diligated complex.     

One-pot synthesis of macrocyclic compounds possessing two cyclobutane rings by sequential inter- and intramolecular [2+2] photocycloaddition reactions

Sensitized photocycloaddition reactions of 6,6′-dimethyl-4,4′-[1,3-bis(methylenoxy)phenylene]-di-2-pyrone (1) with electron-poor α,ω-diolefins such as ethylene diacrylate (2a) and polyoxyethylene dimethacrylates (2b-d) afforded site- and stereoselective macrocyclic dioxatetralactones (3a-d) and (4b) having 18- to 25-membered rings across the C5-C6 and C5′-C6′ double bonds, or C5-C6 and C3′-C4′ double bonds in 1, respectively. Similar photoreactions of 1 with electron-rich α,ω-diolefins such as poly(ethylene glycol)divinyl ether (2e and 2f) afforded crown ether-type macrocyclic compounds (5e and 5f) having 18- and 21-membered rings across the C3-C4 and C3′-C4′ double bonds in 1, respectively. The stereochemical features of 3b, 5e-xx, and 5e-nn were determined by the X-ray crystal analysis. The reaction mechanism was inferred by MO methods.     

Controlling electron delocalisation in constrained N,N′-dimethyl-4,4′-bipyridinium dications

The synthesis is described of two N,N′-dimethyl-4,4′-bipyridinium salts for which the two pyridinium rings are connected via varying length alkoxy chains attached at the 3,3′-locations.     

Synthesis, characterization and thermal properties of new aromatic quaternary ammonium bromides: precursors for ionic liquids and complexation studies

Series of new aromatic R₂R′₂N⁺Br⁻ (R=benzyl, 4-methylbenzyl, 2-phenylethyl, 3-phenylpropyl; R′=ethyl, methyl, isopropyl) or RR′₂NH⁺Br⁻-type (R=benzyl, R′=isopropyl) quaternary ammonium bromides were prepared by using novel synthetic route in which a formamide (N,N-diethylformamide, N,N-dimethylformamide, N,N-diisopropylformamide) is treated with aralkyl halide in presence of a weak base. The compounds were characterized by ¹H-NMR and ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Structures of the crystalline compounds were determined by X-ray single crystal diffraction, and in addition the powder diffraction method was used to study the structural similarities between the single crystal and microcrystalline bulk material. Three of the compounds crystallized in monoclinic, two in orthorhombic and one in triclinic crystal system, showing ion pairs, which are interconnected by weak hydrogen bonds and weak π-π interactions between the phenyl rings. Three of the compounds appeared as viscous oil or waxes. Finally, TG/DTA and DSC methods were used to analyze thermal properties of the prepared compounds. The lowest melting points were obtained for diethyldi-(2-phenylethyl)ammonium bromide (122.2 °C) and for diethyldi-(3-phenylpropyl)-ammonium bromide (109.1 °C). In general, decomposition of the compounds started at 170-190 °C without identifiable cleavages, thus liquid ranges of 30-70 °C were observed for some of the compounds.     

Efficient guanylation of N,N-difunctionalized polyamines at the secondary amino functions

Treatment of N^α,N^ω-ditritylated linear and aromatic polyamines and of polyamine conjugates of the alkaloid kukoamine A (KukA) type with N,N′-bis(tert-butoxycarbonyl)thiourea in the presence of Mukaiyama’s reagent produced high yields of derivatives guanylated at the secondary amino functions.     

A series of metal-organic frameworks constructed with arenesulfonates and 4,4′-bipy ligands

Five transition metal compounds containing arenesulfonates and 4,4′-bipy ligands, namely [Zn₂(N,N′-4,4′-bipy)(N-4,4′-bipy)₂(H₂O)₈](bpds)₂ · 5H₂O (1), [Ag₂(N,N′-4,4′-bipy)₂(bpds)] (2), [Cd(N,N′-4,4′-bipy)(H₂O)₄]₂(4-abs)₄ · 5H₂O (3), [Cu(N,N′-4,4′-bipy) (O-bs)₂(H₂O)₂] · 4H₂O (4), and [Zn(N,N′-4,4′-bipy)₂(H₂O)₂](4,4′-bipy)(bs)₂ · 4H₂O (5) (4,4′-bipy = 4,4′-bipyridine, bpds = 4,4′-biphenyldisulfonate, 4-abs = 4-aminobenzenesulfonate, bs = benzenesulfonate), have been synthesized and characterized by X-ray single crystal diffraction, elemental analyses and TG analyses, in order to investigate the coordination chemistry of arenesulfonates and 4,4-bipy, as well as to construct novel coordination frameworks via mixed-ligand strategy. Compounds 2, 4 and 5 could be obtained via hydrothermal or aqueous reactions. Compound 1 forms a binuclear octahedral metal complex. Compounds 2–4 form polymeric chains. Compound 5 consists of 2D square grids with one intercalated 4,4′-bipy molecule. Weak Ag–Ag interactions are observed in compound 2. These complexes show great structural varieties and there are three different coordination modes observed for both the 4,4′-bipy and the sulfonate ligands.     

Convenient preparation of highly active phase-transfer catalyst for catalytic asymmetric synthesis of α-alkyl- and α,α-dialkyl-α-amino acids: application to the short asymmetric synthesis of BIRT-377

A highly active phase-transfer catalyst was conveniently prepared from the known, easily available (S)-4,5,6,4′,5′,6′-hexamethoxybiphenyldicarboxylic acid. This catalyst exhibited the high catalytic performance (0.01-1 mol %) in the asymmetric alkylation of N-(diphenylmethylene)glycine tert-butyl ester and N-(p-chlorophenylmethylene)alanine tert-butyl ester compared to the existing chiral phase-transfer catalysts, thereby allowing to realize a general and useful procedure for highly practical enantioselective synthesis of structurally diverse natural and unnatural α-alkyl-α-amino acids as well as α,α-dialkyl-α-amino acids.     

Chelating ionic versus bridged molecular structures of group 13 metal complexes with bidentate ligands

Complexes of aluminum and gallium trihalides with ethylenediamine (en) and N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine (tmen) of 2:1 composition have been synthesized and structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. In contrast to known molecular complexes of hydrido and methyl-substituted analogs, these solid complexes adopt ionic structures of the general type [M¹X₂LL]⁺[M²X₄]⁻ (X = Br, I; M¹, M² = Al or Ga; LL = en, tmen).     

Heavier alkali metal complexes of the bulky alkyl ligand 2-(bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl)-6-methylpyridine: Crystal structures of [{6-Me(2 Pyr)}(Me3Si)2CNa(pmdta)] and [{6-Me(2-Pyr)}(Me3Si)2CK]∞

Reaction of the bulky pyridyl based ligand 6-Me(2-Pyr)(Me₃Si)₂CH with ⁿBuM (M = Na, K) in the presence of the N donors pmdta (N,N′,N′,N″,N″ pentamethyldiethylenetriamine) and tmeda (N,N,N′,N′ tetramethylethylenediamine) resulted in the formation and crystallisation of the heavy alkali metal complexes, [{6-Me(2-Pyr)}(Me₃Si)₂CNa(pmdta)], 1, and [{6-Me(2-Pyr)}(Me₃Si)₂CK]_∞, 2. Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies show the sodium complex, 1, to be monomeric with a six coordinate metal centre, while the unsolvated potassium complex, 2, is polymeric, involving repeating η³ 1-aza-allyl and allylic interactions of the pyridyl moiety with the potassium cation.