Free Radical Cyclization of 1,3‐Dicarbonyl Compounds Mediated by Manganese(III) Acetate with Alkynes and Synthesis of Tetrahydrobenzofurans,Naphthalene, and Trifluoroacetyl Substituted Aromatic Compounds

Furan derivatives were obtained from radical cyclizations of 1,3‐dicarbonyl compounds mediated by Mn(OAc)₃ with phenyl acetylene 2a (14–66% yields). Naphthalene derivates 4a and 4b were produced in the treatments with 2a. In addition to these, trifluoroacetyl substituted naphthalene 4c, benzofuran 4d, and benzothien 4e were obtained in the reactions of trifluoromethyl‐1,3‐dicarbonyls (1 g–i) with 2a.     

Exploring Supramolecular Self‐Assembly of Tetraarylporphyrins by Halogen Bonding: Crystal Engineering with Diversely Functionalized Six‐Coordinate Tin(L)2–Porphyrin Tectons

This study targets the construction of porphyrin assemblies directed by halogen bonds, by utilizing a series of purposely synthesized Sn(axial ligand)₂–(5,10,15,20‐tetraarylporphyrin) [Sn(L)₂‐TArP] complexes as building units. The porphyrin moiety and the axial ligands in these compounds contain different combinations of complimentary molecular recognition functions. The former bears p‐iodophenyl, p‐bromophenyl, 4′‐pyridyl, or 3′‐pyridyl substituents at the meso positions of the porphyrin ring. The latter comprises either a carboxylate or hydroxy anchor for attachment to the porphyrin‐inserted tin ion and a pyridyl‐, benzotriazole‐, or halophenyl‐type aromatic residue as the potential binding site. The various complexes were structurally analyzed by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, accompanied by computational modeling evaluations. Halogen‐bonding interactions between the lateral aryl substituents of one unit of the porphyrin complex and the axial ligands of neighboring moieties was successfully expressed in several of the resulting samples. Their occurrence is affected by structural (for example, specific geometry of the six‐coordinate complexes) and electronic effects (for example, charge densities and electrostatic potentials). The shortest intermolecular I???N halogen‐bonding distance of 2.991 Å was observed between iodophenyl (porphyrin) and benzotriazole (axial ligand) moieties. Manifestation of halogen bonds in these relatively bulky compounds without further activation of the halophenyl donor groups by electron‐withdrawing substituents is particularly remarkable.     

Synthesis of 4‐(Indol‐1‐yl)butanals via Rhodium‐Catalyzed Hydroformylation of 1‐Allylindoles

The rhodium‐catalyzed hydroformylation of new 1‐(β‐methallyl) indoles 1a–e carried out with Rh₄ (CO)₁₂ as the catalyst precursor, at 100 atm total pressure and 100°C, produces the 4-(indol‐1‐yl)‐3‐methylbutanals 2a–e as the sole products in high yields. The synthesized 4‐indolylbutanals are stable under the adopted conditions and are isolated and characterized here for the first time. The preparation of the starting 1‐allylindoles is described too.     

4‐Hydroxy‐7‐methoxy‐2‐methyl‐5H‐1‐benzopyrano[4,3‐b]pyridin‐5‐one

The title compound, C₁₄H₁₁NO₄, consists of a methoxy‐substituted coumarin skeleton fused to a 2‐methyl‐4‐pyridone ring. The ring system of the mol­ecule is approximately planar and the methoxy group is roughly coplanar with the ring plane. The 4‐pyridone ring exists in a 4‐hydroxy tautomeric form and is stabilized by an intramolecular hydrogen bond between the O—H and C=O groups. Comparison of the results with those found for other structures containing the 4‐pyridone substructure reveals a substantial effect of the nature of the substituents bonded to the pyridine ring on the keto–enol tautomerism.     

Synthetic Access to New Pyridone Derivatives through the Alkylation Reactions of Hydroxypyridines with Epoxides

General methods for the preparation of a variety of pyridone and oxypyridine derivatives are described. 2‐,3‐,4‐Hydroxy pyridine and 2‐pyridinemethanol were alkylated with ethylene‐, propylene‐, and stryrene‐oxide and epichlorohydrin in the presence of different Lewis acids as a catalyst. The best yield of 3a was achieved in the presence of CdI₂/BF₃ · OEt₂. The corresponding pyridone derivatives (3a–d, 7a–d) were obtained from the reaction of 2‐and 4‐hydroxypyridine with oxiranes in good yields, whereas oxypyridine derivatives (5a–d, 9a,b) were obtained from reactions of 3‐hydroxypyridine and 2‐pyridinemethanol with oxiranes. Chlorohydrines (3d, 5d, 7d) were easily converted to corresponding epoxy derivatives (10, 11, 12) in basic medium; then amino alcohols (13–17) were obtained from the reaction of these epoxy derivatives with amines.     

The synthesis and liquid crystalline behaviour of alkoxy‐substituted derivatives of 1,4‐bis(phenylethynyl)benzene

Despite the prevalence of organised 1,4‐bis(phenylethynyl)benzene derivatives in molecular electronics, the interest in the photophysics of these systems and the common occurrence of phenylethynyl moeties in molecules that exhibit liquid crystalline phases, the phase behaviour of simple alkoxy‐substituted 1,4‐bis(phenylethynyl)benzene derivatives has not yet been described. Two series of 1,4‐bis(phenylethynyl)benzene derivatives, i.e. 1‐[(4′‐alkoxy)phenylethynyl]‐4‐(phenylethynyl)benzenes (5a–5f) and methyl 4‐[(4″‐alkoxy)phenylethynyl‐4′‐(phenylethynyl)] benzoates (18a–18f) [alkoxy = n‐C₄H₉ (a), n‐C₆H₁₃ (b), n‐C₉H₁₉ (c), n‐C₁₂H₂₅ (d), n‐C₁₄H₂₉ (e), n‐C₁₆H₃₃ (f)] have been prepared and characterised. Both series have good chemical stability at temperatures up to 210°C, the derivatives featuring the methyl ester head‐group (18a–18f) offering rather higher melting points and generally stabilising a more diverse range of mesophases at higher temperatures than those found for the simpler compounds (5a–5f). Smectic phases are stabilised by the longer alkoxy substituents, whereas for short and intermediate chain lengths of the simpler system (5a–5c) nematic phases dominate. Diffraction analysis was used to identify the SmB_hex phase in (5d–5f) that is stable within a temperature range of approximately 120–140°C. The relationships between the organisation of molecules within these moderate temperature liquid crystalline phases and other self‐organised states (e.g. Langmuir‐Blodgett films) remain to be explored.     

Structure of the Complex of [Ru(tpm)(dppz)py]2+ with a B‐DNA Oligonucleotide—A Single‐Substituent Binding Switch for a Metallo‐Intercalator

We report the synthesis of three new complexes related to the achiral [Ru(tpm)(dppz)py]²⁺ cation (tpm=tripyridazole methane, dppz=dipyrido[3,2‐a:2′,3′‐c]phenazine, py=pyridine) that contain an additional single functional group on the monodentate ancillary pyridyl ligand. Computational calculations indicate that the coordinated pyridyl rings are in a fixed orientation parallel to the dppz axis, and that the electrostatic properties of the complexes are very similar. DNA binding studies on the new complexes reveal that the nature and positioning of the functional group has a profound effect on the binding mode and affinity of these complexes. To explore the molecular and structural basis of these effects, circular dichroism and NMR studies on [Ru(tpm)(dppz)py]Cl₂ with the octanucleotides d(AGAGCTCT)₂ and d(CGAGCTCG)₂, were carried out. These studies demonstrate that the dppz ligand intercalates into the G²–A³ step, with {Ru(tpm)py} in the minor groove. They also reveal that the complex intercalates into the binding site in two possible orientations with the pyridyl ligand of the major conformer making close contact with terminal base pairs. We conclude that substitution at the 2‐ or 3‐position of the pyridine ring has little effect on binding, but that substitution at the 4‐position drastically disrupts intercalative binding, particularly with a 4‐amino substituent, because of steric and electronic interactions with the DNA. These results indicate that complexes derived from these systems have the potential to function as sequence‐specific light‐switch systems.     

Palladium-catalysed direct arylation of heteroaromatics with functionalised bromopyridines

The regioselective 5-arylation of a variety of heteroaromatics with functionalised pyridyl bromides using palladium catalyst gives a simple access to functionalised heteroarylated pyridines. The target products were obtained in moderate to good yields using only 1 mol % PdCl(C₃H₅)(dppb) as the catalyst. Substituents, such as fluoro, acetyl, nitrile, nitro, methoxy or amino on the pyridyl bromide are tolerated. However, the nature of the substituents has an important influence on the yields. Electron-withdrawing substituent favours the reaction; whereas electron-donating are unfavourable.     

Junjappa–Ila (JI) Heteroaromatic Annulation: A New General α‐Oxoketene Dithioacetals Mediated Inverse Method for Synthesis of Substituted Benzothiazoles

3‐(Methylthio)‐5‐oxo‐2‐(2‐phenyl‐1,3‐thiazol‐4‐yl)‐4,5‐substituted‐pent‐2‐enenitriles 3a–j were obtained in good yields by condensation of (2‐phenyl‐1,3‐thiazol‐4‐yl)‐acetonitrile (1) with various α‐oxoketene dithioacetals 2a–j in the presence of sodium hydride. The intermediates 3a–j underwent smooth cyclization in the presence of PTSA to afford the corresponding benzothiazoles 4a–j in moderate yields.     

Flat vs. Folded Chelate Rings in cis‐PtIIa2 (a = NH3, a2 = en,a2 = 2, 2′‐bpy) Complexes of Twofold Substituted Diazine Ligands

Acid‐base and ligating properties of three bis(substituted)pyrazine (pz) and pyrimidine (pym) ligands (pyrazine‐2, 5‐dicarboxylic acid, 2, 5‐pzdcH2, 2, 3‐bis(pyridine‐2‐yl)pyrazine, 2, 3‐bppz, pyrimidine‐4, 6‐dicarboxylic acid, 4, 6‐pmdcH₂) toward cis‐Pt^IIa₂ (a = NH₃, a₂ = en, a₂ = 2, 2′‐bpy) have been studied. Combinations of pz‐N/pym‐N with donor atoms of the substituents lead to 5‐membered platinum chelates, but exclusive N, N‐coordination through the pyridyl substituents of 2, 3‐bppz can lead to a 7‐membered platinum chelate with a characteristic L‐shape of the resulting cation. It is observed for Pt^II(2, 2′‐bpy), yet not for Pt^II(en), and is a consequence of differences in sterical interactions between the 2, 3‐bppz ligand and the coligands of Pt^II.     

Synthesis of 2,3‐Dihydro‐4H‐furo[3,2‐c] chromen‐4‐ones and 2,3‐Dihydronaphtho[2,3‐b]furan‐4,9‐diones by the Radical Cyclizations of Hydroxyenones with Electron-Rich Alkenes using Manganese(III) Acetate

We have obtained dihydrofurans 3a–j in the radical cyclization of 4‐hydroxycoumarin 1a and 2‐hydroxy‐1,4‐naphtoquinone 1b with electron rich alkenes 2a–i by manganese(III) acetate. Methods A and B, which have different molar ratios were studied comparatively in these reactions, and we observed that method B (molar ratio 2:1:3) gave the best results. Treatment of 4‐hydroxycoumarin 1a and electron rich alkenes 2a–e gave 2,3‐dihydro‐4H‐furo[3,2‐c]chromen‐4‐ones 3a–e in 36–86% yields by the method B. Under the same conditions, the reactions of 2‐hydroxy‐1,4‐naphtaquinone 1b with conjugated alkenes 2b and 2f–i afforded 2,3‐dihydronaphtho[2,3‐b]furan‐4,9‐diones 3f–j in an excellent yields.     

Porous Coordination Polymers of Diverse Topologies Based on a Twisted Tetrapyridylbiaryl: Application as Nucleophilic Catalysts for Acetylation of Phenols

Porous coordination polymers (CPs) with partially uncoordinated pyridyl rings based on rationally designed polypyridyl linkers are appealing from the point of view of their application as nucleophilic catalysts. A D_2d‐symmetric tetradentate organic linker L , that is, 2,2′,6,6′‐tetramethoxy‐3,3′,5,5′‐tetrakis(4‐pyridyl)biphenyl, was designed and synthesized for metal‐assisted self‐assembly aimed at porous CPs. Depending on the nature of the metal ion and the counter anion, the ligand L is found to function as a 3‐ or 4‐connecting building block leading to porous CPs of diverse topologies. The reaction of L with Zn(NO₃)₂ and Cd(NO₃)₂ yields porous 2 D CPs of “ fes ” topology, in which the tetrapyridyl linker L serves as a 3‐connecting unit with its free pyridyl rings well exposed into the pores. The functional utility of these porous CPs containing uncoordinated pyridyl rings is demonstrated by employing them as efficient heterogeneous nucleophilic catalysts for acetylation of a number of phenols with varying electronic properties and reactivities.     

Synthesis and liquid crystal properties of a new class of calamitic mesogens based on substituted 2,5‐diaryl‐1,3,4‐thiadiazole derivatives with wide mesomorphic temperature ranges

Liquid crystals based on substituted 2,5‐diaryl‐1,3,4‐thiadiazole derivatives (1a–1f, 3a and 3b) and 1,3,4‐oxadiazole analogues (2a–2f, 4a and 4b) were synthesised and characterised by ¹H, ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance, Fourier transform infrared, mass spectrometry, high‐resolution mass spectrometry techniques and elemental analyses. The X‐ray crystal structure of 1e revealed that it contains tilted lamellar arrangement of molecules in the crystalline solid. The liquid crystal properties have been investigated by polarised‐light optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and in‐situ variable‐temperature X‐ray diffraction. All compounds (except 2e and 2f) exhibited thermotropic liquid crystal behaviours with various mesophases (smectic A and C, nematic N or soft crystal E phases). Notably, the 1,3,4‐thiadiazole derivatives consistently have wider mesomorphic temperature ranges than those of the respective 1,3,4‐oxadiazole analogues. The solutions of all compounds in CH₂Cl₂ individually displayed one or two absorption bands with λ _max values at 297–355 nm and emitted with λ _max values at 363–545 nm and quantum yields of 0.12–0.73. Structure–property relationships of these compounds are discussed in the contexts of their molecular structures and weak intermolecular interactions.     

One‐Pot Synthesis of Highly Emissive Dipyridinium Dihydrohelicenes

Condensation of a pyridyl‐2‐carbaldehyde derivative with 2‐(bromoethyl)amine hydrobromide gave tetracyclic pyrido[1,2‐a]pyrido[1′,2′:3,4]imidazo‐[2,1‐c]‐6,7‐dihydropyrazinium dications in excellent yields. Crystal structures and NOE data demonstrated the helical character of the dications, the dihedral angles between the two pyrido groups ranging from 28–45°. An intermediate in the synthesis was also characterized. A much brighter emission compared to literature helicenes has been found, with quantum yields as high as 60 % in the range of λ=460–600 nm. Preliminary cytotoxicity studies against HT‐29 cancer cells demonstrated moderate‐to‐good activity, with IC₅₀ values 12–30× that of cisplatin.     

A Facile Route for the One‐Step Synthesis of New Fully Aromatic Poly(urea‐imide)s

The direct preparation of various aromatic poly(urea‐imide)s (5a₁ –5b₄ ) from N‐[3,5‐bis(trimellitimido)phenyl]phthalimide (1) using diphenylphosphoryl azide (DPPA) was investigated. The polymers were obtained by the conversion of imide ring‐containing diacid 1 to corresponding di(carbonyl azide) 2 with DPPA and then to diisocyanate 3 through the Curtius rearrangement of compound 2. This was followed by polyaddition of 3 with two aromatic diamines (4a and 4b). In order to compensate the diisocyanate shortage against the diamines, some excess amounts of the initial triimide‐dicarboxylic acid 1 were used. The molecular weights of the resulting poly(urea‐imide)s were evaluated viscometrically. The poly(urea‐imide)s exhibited an excellent solubility in a variety of polar solvents. The crystallinity nature of the polymers was estimated by means of WXRD. The glass transition temperatures and the 10% wt loss temperatures of the polymers 5a₃ and 5b₃ were determined by DSC and TGA/DTG methods in nitrogen atmosphere, respectively. The transparent films of the resulting polymers were also prepared by casting the solution.     

Different Coordinative (N,N) and (N,O) Bidentate Behaviour of N‐2‐Pyridyl‐Sulfonamides. Electrochemical Synthesis and Characterization of Cadmium(II) Complexes

Electrochemical oxidation of cadmium in an acetonitrile solution of N‐2‐pyridyl‐sulfonamides (HL) afforded cadmium coordination compounds of composition [CdL₂]. Heteroleptic complexes of composition [CdL₂L′] (L′ = 2, 2′‐bipyridine or 1, 10‐phenanthroline) were obtained when the coligand L′ was added to the electrolytic phase. The crystal structures of several compounds have been determined by X‐ray diffraction. In all cases the cadmium atom is hexacoordinated, but the coordinative behaviour of the N‐2‐pyridyl‐sulfonamide ligand depends on the location of the substituents in the pyridyl ring. When the substituent is in position 3, the ligands act as N, O‐donors. In all other cases, the ligands act as N, N′‐bidentate systems.     

An Ab Initio Study of the Relative Stabilities and Molecular Structures of 3-Substituted 2,5-Dihydrofurans and 4-Substituted 2,3-Dihydrofurans

The geometry optimized structures and total energies of 3-substituted (R) 2,5-dihydrofurans (a) and their isomers, 4-substituted 2,3-dihydrofurans (b), have been determined by ab initio calculations at the MP2/6-31G^*//HF/6-31G^* level. The nature of the moiety R has a marked effect on the relative total energies of the isomeric forms: at the calculation level cited, the reaction enthalpies for the a b isomerization range from +4.7 kJ mol^–1 for R = MeO to –30.5 kJ mol^–1 for both R = COOMe and R = NO₂. The reaction enthalpies appear to be controlled by the electronic effect of R on the strength of p- conjugation in b. The a isomer has a planar ring, independent of R (excluding NH₂), whereas the planarity of b depends on the electronic nature of R: the 2,3-dihydrofuran ring is planar for both R = COOMe and R = NO₂, but nonplanar for less conjugation-enhancing substituents.     

Iridium‐Catalyzed Silylation of Five‐Membered Heteroarenes: High Sterically Derived Selectivity from a Pyridyl‐Imidazoline Ligand

The steric effects of substituents on five‐membered rings are less pronounced than those on six‐membered rings because of the difference in bond angles. Thus, the regioselectivities of reactions of five‐membered heteroarenes that occur with selectivities dictated by steric effects, such as the borylation of C?H bonds, have been poor in many cases. We report that the silylation of five‐membered‐ring heteroarenes occurs with high sterically derived regioselectivity when catalyzed by the combination of [Ir(cod)(OMe)]₂ (cod=1,5‐cyclooctadiene) and a phenanthroline ligand or a new pyridyl‐imidazoline ligand that further increases the regioselectivity. The silylation reactions with these catalysts produce high yields of heteroarylsilanes from functionalization at the most sterically accessible C?H bonds of these rings under conditions that the borylation of C?H bonds with previously reported catalysts formed mixtures of products or products that are unstable. The heteroarylsilane products undergo cross‐coupling reactions and substitution reactions with ipso selectivity to generate heteroarenes that bear halogen, aryl, and perfluoroalkyl substituents.     

Crystal‐smectic E mesophases in a series of 2‐(4‐n‐alkylphenyl)indenes

A series of 2‐(4‐n‐alkylphenyl)indenes (3) with different alkyl substituents (CH₃ to C₁₀H₂₁) were synthesized and systematically characterized using differential scanning calorimetry, polarizing optical microscopy and X‐ray diffraction compared with 2‐phenylindene (3a). Depending on the alkyl chain length, highly ordered crystal‐smectic E mesophases were observed and confirmed by X‐ray diffraction for the derivatives 3h–3k with heptyl to decyl chains (n = 6?9). For 3f with a pentyl side chain (n = 4), an X‐ray crystal structure analysis was carried out.     

Thallium(III) Nitrate Mediated Ring Contraction of 2‐Aryl‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydro‐4‐quinolones: Stereoselective Synthesis of trans Methyl 2‐Aryl‐2,3‐dihydroindol‐3‐carboxylates

The ring contraction of N‐acetyl‐2‐aryl‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydro‐4‐quinolones 1a–d with thallium(III) nitrate in trimethyl orthoformate afforded stereoselectively trans methyl N‐acetyl‐2‐aryl‐2,3‐dihydroindol‐3‐carboxylates 5a–d by oxidative rearrangement of aryl ring A.