Synthesis,structure and catalysis/applications of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-heterocyclic carbene based on macrocycles

It is well-recognized that N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) ligands have provided a new dimension to the design of catalysts. Macrocyclic molecules are a class of material chemistry and have served as the synthetic hosts, and molecular recognition. In recent years, researchers have moved toward fabricating interlocking molecules with specific structures and properties. Therefore, researchers have developed more macrocycles complex based NHCs with multi-complexation modes that provide more diverse host–guest systems. In this account, this review highlights recent advances on synthesis, structure and applications of NHC based on macrocycles. According to the structure of different macrocycles, the complexes can be divided into four parts: (i) complexes of NHC based on crown ether; (ii) complexes of NHC based on porphyrin; (iii) complexes of NHC based on calixarene; (iv) complexes of NHC based on the other macrocycles. The complexes showed good coordination ability with different metal ions and showed excellent catalyst activity and optical ability.     

Molecular properties of the copolymers of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-diallyl-<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-dimethylammonium chloride and maleic acid

The hydrodynamic and conformational properties of molecules of poly(N,N-diallyl-N,N-dimethylammonium chloride) and N,N-diallyl-N,N-dimethylammonium chloride-maleic acid copolymers of different compositions in solutions with various ionic-strength and pH values, as well as of the polyelectrolyte complex based on the copolymer with dodecyl sulfate anions in chloroform, are studied. For poly(N,N-diallyl-N,N-dimethylammonium chloride) molecules in a 1 M NaCl solution, the Kuhn segment length and the hydrodynamic diameter of the chain are estimated as A = 3.9 nm and d = 0.48 nm, respectively. In acidic solutions with pH 3.5, the copolymers demonstrate behavior typical for polyelectrolytes. In an alkaline solution with pH 13, when 1 M NaCl is added to the solution of the copolymer containing 29 mol % maleic acid units, there is an antipolyelectrolyte effect that manifests itself as an increase in the intrinsic viscosity of the copolymer and in the hydrodynamic radius of its molecules. It is found that an increase in the fraction of maleic acid units in the copolymer from 12 to 42 mol % brings about a reduction in the equilibrium rigidity of its macromolecules from 4.1 to 2.2 nm. The equilibrium rigidity of polyelectrolyte-complex molecules is higher than that of initial copolymer molecules owing to steric interactions arising between the aliphatic chains of dodecyl sulfate anions. In an electric field, the molecules of the complex are oriented owing to the induced dipole moment resulting from the displacement of dodecyl sulfate anions along the chain contour.     

Copolymer of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-diallyl-<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-dimethylammonium chloride with maleic acid as drug carrier

A copolymer of N,N-diallyl-N,N-dimethylammonium chloride with maleic acid of constant composition was prepared under the conditions of radical initiation. The possibility of the functionalization of the copolymer with drugs containing amino groups by polymer-analogous transformations was examined. Conditions were found for preparing conjugates of the copolymer with isoniazid. The structures and the quantitative compositions of the conjugates were determined by ¹³С NMR spectroscopy, and the possibility of preparing conjugates with controlled drug content was demonstrated.     

Mechanochemical synthesis of platinum(<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">IV</Emphasis>) complexes with <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-heterocyclic carbenes

A new method for the synthesis of complexes Pt^IV(NHC)X₄L (NHC is N-heterocyclic carbene of imidazole or benzimidazole series; X = Cl, Br; L is N-coordinated pyridine or NHC) based on mechanochemical oxidation of complexes Pt^II(NHC)X₂L with dichloroiodobenzene (PhICl₂) or pyridinium hydrobromide perbromide (PyHBr₃) was proposed. Mechanochemical activation led to reduction in the synthesis time and increase in the selectivity of halogenation and yields of the target Pt^IV complexes (74–98%) as compared to the reaction in solutions.     

Synthesis of amino acid conjugates of glycyrrhizic acid using <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-hydroxyphthalimide and <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide

Synthesis of amino acid conjugates of glycyrrhizic acid with the use of N-hydroxyphthalimide, N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, and tert-butyl esters of L-amino acids (valine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, and methionine) was performed followed by deprotection with trifluoroacetic acid. The target amino acid conjugates were isolated by column chromatography on silica gel in 40–45% yield. The structure of the prepared compounds was confirmed by IR and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy.     

Deactivation of a ruthenium(II) <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-heterocyclic carbene <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-cymene complex during transfer hydrogenation catalysis

A ruthenium (II) N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complex was synthesized to investigate ligand dissociation as a possible deactivation pathway for the catalytic cycle of a transfer hydrogenation reaction. Diiodo(1,3-dimethylbenzimidazole-2-ylidene)(p-cymene)ruthenium(II) was synthesized for use as the catalytic species and characterized using physico-chemical, spectroscopic methods, and single crystal X-ray diffraction. The transfer of hydrogen from isopropanol to acetophenone was followed using ¹H NMR. We observed 94% conversion of the substrate to the alcohol product after 1 h. We also found that the p-cymene complex decomposed during the catalytic reaction to the extent of 80% deactivation after 1 h, based on ¹H NMR spectrometry. From Gaussian calculations, an ultraviolet–visible spectrum that is in excellent agreement with the actual spectrum was computed, giving insight into the nature of the absorptions observed experimentally.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-chelate ruthenium carbene complexes in olefin metathesis and isomerization

The catalytic activity of N-chelate ruthenium carbene complexes in the metathesis of hex-1-ene has been studied in comparison to the second generation Grubbs catalyst.     

Nitrile functionalized silver(I) <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-heterocyclic carbene complexes: DFT calculations and antitumor studies

A series of aliphatic nitrile functionalized benzimidazolium salts and their respective mononuclear N-heterocyclic carbene Ag(I)-NHC complexes are reported. The benzimidazolium salts were synthesized by N-alkylation of 1H-benzimidazole with an appropriate alkyl bromide, followed by reaction with either 5-bromovaleronitrile or 6-bromohexanenitrile. The respective mononuclear Ag(I)-NHC complexes were prepared by the reaction of the benzimidazolium salts with Ag₂O. All the synthesized compounds were characterized by physico-chemical and spectroscopic techniques. The molecular structures of the two complexes were elucidated through single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. Density functional theory was used to model the structures of the other complexes. The benzimidazolium salts and their complexes were screened for cytotoxicity against a breast cancer cell line (MCF-7), using the MTT assay. All the Ag(I)-NHC complexes gave IC₅₀ values ranging from 7.0 ± 1.06 to 12.9 ± 1.55 µM which are comparable to the standard drug, tamoxifen (IC₅₀ = 11.2 ± 1.84 µM), while all of the benzimidazolium salts proved to be inactive.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-allyl and <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-propargyl trifluoromethanesulfonimides. Theoretical analysis

Tautomers of N-allyl- and N-propargyl-substituted trifluoromethanesulfonimides (CF₃SO₂)₂NR (R = CH₂CH=CH₂, Z/E-CH=CHMe, CH₂C≡CH, CH=CH=CH₂, C≡CCH₂) were calculated by the DFT (B3LYP, wB97XD, PBE1PBE), MP2, and CBS-QB3 methods. The results were compared with the theoretical data for the corresponding amines and amides NHRR¹ (R¹ = H, CF₃SO₂). It was shown that there is no conjugation between the nitrogen atom and C=C bond and that conjugation exists with the C≡C bond with electron density displacement toward the nitrogen atom. The calculations of anions derived from N-allyl- and N-propargyl-trifluoromethanesulfonimides revealed the possibility of their rearrangement with elimination of trifluoromethanesulfinate anion and formation of its H-complex with N-(prop-2-en-1-ylidene)trifluoromethanesulfonamide or N-(prop-2-yn-1-ylidene)trifluoromethanesulfonamide.     

Synthesis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-and <Emphasis Type="Italic">C</Emphasis>-trimethylsilyl-substituded anililes

N-Metallation of bromoanilines with ethylmagnesium bromide followed by a reaction with trimethylchlorosilane provided N-mono and N-bis(trimethylsilyl)bromoanilines depending on the structure of substrate. The metallation of bissilylated bromoanilines with butyllithium permitted the introduction of a trimethylsilyl substituent in the aromatic ring. Previously unknown 2-bromo-N,N-bis(trimethylsilyl)aniline, 2,6-dibromo-N-trimethylsilylaniline, 2,6-dibromo-N,N-bis(trimethylsilyl)aniline, 2-bromo-6-trimethylsilylaniline, 2-bromo-6-trimethylsilyl-N,N-bis(trimethylsilyl)aniline, 2-bromo-6-trimethylsilyl-N-trimethylsilylaniline, 2,4,6-tribromo-N-trimethylsilylaniline, and 2,4,6-tribromo-N,N-bis(trimethylsilyl)aniline were prepared. The structures of the compounds obtained were established by the chromato-mass spectrometry and ¹H, ¹³C, and ²⁹Si NMR spectroscopy.     

Thiocyanation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-arylsulfonyl-, <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-aroyl-, and <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-[(<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-arylsulfonyl)benzimidoyl]-1,4-benzoquinone imines

Reactions of thiocyanate ion with N-aroyl-, N-arylsulfonyl-, and N-(N-arylsulfonylbenzimidoyl)-1,4-benzoquinone imines follow the 1,4-addition pattern, and the adducts undergo intramolecular cyclization to give the corresponding N-substituted 5-amino-1,3-benzoxathiol-2-ones as final products.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Z</Emphasis>-and <Emphasis Type="Italic">E</Emphasis>-conformers of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-chloroacetylcytisine

N-Chloroacetylcytisine was synthesized by acylation of (–)-cytisine. Stable Z- and E-conformers with respect to rotational isomerism around the N-12–CO bond were found in PMR spectra at room temperature. The point at which PMR resonances of the Z- and E-conformers coalesced upon heating was measured. The transition barrier between the conformers was estimated.     

Reactions of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-Allyl- and <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-Diallyltrifluoromethanesulfonamides with Carboxylic Acid Amides under Oxidizing Conditions

Reactions of acetamide and benzamide with N-allyltrifluoromethanesulfonamide in the presence of t-BuOCl–NaI afforded exclusively 2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-1,4-bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)piperazine. Analogous reaction with N,N-diallyltrifluoromethanesulfonamide gave mixed halogenation product at only one C=C double bond of the substrate.     

Reactions of 1-nitrocyclohexene with <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-binucleophiles

A modification of 1-nitrocyclohexene synthesis is proposed; its reaction with phenylhydrazine and benzoic acid hydrazide is shown to afford monoadducts, and with hydrazine hydrate, bisaduct. With diphenylguanidine occurs heterocyclization to 1-phenyl-2-N-phenylamino-4,5,6,7-tetrahydrobenzimidazole, whose structure is confirmed by the X-ray diffraction data. The analysis performed for this compound of the electron density distribution function in the crystal made it possible to estimate the charge distribution, π-electrons delocalization nature, and the role of N-H…N, C-H…H-C and C-H…C interactions in the formation of the crystal packing.     

Synthesis and structure of silicon-containing <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-methyland <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-benzoylamides of diisopropylphosphoric acid

Diisopropyl N-benzoyl-N-(trimethylsilyl)phosphoramidate reacts with ClCH₂SiMe₂Cl under mild conditions to form diisopropyl N-benzoyl-N-[(chlorodimethylsilyl)methyl]phosphoramidate (III). Diisopropyl N-methyl-N-(trimethylsilyl)phosphoramidate with ClCH₂SiMe₂Cl affords an N-transsilylation product which does not rearrange into diisopropyl N-[(chlorodimethylsilyl)methyl]-N-methylphosphoramidate (XV) even under severe conditions (4 h, 130°C). Compound XV was prepared by the reaction of diisopropyl phosphorochloridate with N-[(methoxydimethylsilyl)methyl]-N-methylamine followed by treatment of diisopropyl N-[(methoxydimethylsilyl)methyl]-N-methylphosphoramidate with boron trichloride. Analysis of experimental and calculated ²⁹Si chemical shifts points to a five-coordinate silicon atom in compound III and a fourcoordinate silicon atom in compound XV. According to B3LYP calculations with due regard to solvent effects, compound III is an isomer with a C=O→Si bond. By variation of substituents at silicon, phosphorus, and carbonyl carbon atoms, chelate structures with either C=O→Si or P=O→Si dative bonds can be obtained.     

Synthesis and structure of Pt(II) acetamidate complexes containing <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-dimethyl-substituted ethylenediamine and trimethylenediamine

Reactions of acetamide with platinum(II) diamines [Pt(N,N-DimeEn)Cl₂], [Pt(Tm)Cl₂], and [Pt(N,N-DimeTm)Cl₂] (N,N-DimeEn = (CH₃)₂N(CH₂)₂NH₂, Tm = NH₂(CH₂)₃NH₂, N,N-DimeTm = (CH₃)₂N(CH₂)₃NH₂) with preliminary precipitation of chlorine ions by silver salts gave binuclear Pt(II) acetamidates [Pt₂(CH₃)₂N(CH₂)₂NH₂)₂(μ-NHCOCH₃)₂](NO₃)₂ · H₂O (I), [Pt₂(NH₂(CH₂)₃NH₂)₂)(μ-NHCOCH₃)₂](NO₃)₂ · H₂O (II), and [Pt₂(CH₃)₂N(CH₂)₃NH₂)₂(μ-NHCOCH₃)₂](HSO₄)₂ (III), whose crystal structures were determined. Crystals of I are monoclinic: a = 14.459(2) Å, b = 17.197(3) Å, c = 9.822(2) Å, β = 105.923(10)°, V = 3348.6(8) ų, space group P2(1)/c, Z = 4, R _hkl = 0.0419 for 6663 reflections. Complex I is a binuclear acetamidate with bridging (NHCOCH₃)^? ligands, one of which is bound to two Pt atoms through the N and O atoms, and the other ligand is bound only through the N atom. The Pt-Pt distance is 2.987(1) Å. Crystals of II are monoclinic: a = 10.213(7) Å, b = 13.373(9) Å, c = 16.533(11) Å, β = 97.971(9)°, V = 2236(3) ų, space group P2(1)/n, Z = 4, R _hkl = 0.557 for 6462 reflections. The Pt-Pt distance is 3.057(1) Å. Crystals of III are monoclinic: a = 10.557(12) Å, b = 18.531(2) Å, c = 14.4744(17) Å, β = 108.705(2)°, V = 2682(5) ų, space group P2(1)/n, Z = 4, R _hkl = 0.569 for 8506 reflections. The Pt-Pt distance is 3.202(1) Å. Complexes II and III are binuclear acetamidates, in which two chelating Pt(Tm) or Pt(N,N-DimeTm) moieties are coordinated through the N and O atoms of (NHCOCH₃)^? cis-bridges.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-halohexamethyldisilazanes

The review is devoted to N-halohexamethyldisilazanes, perspective but scantily studied halogenating agents. Methods of preparation, physiochemical characteristics, and synthetic potential are considered. Mechanisms of a number of reactions are presented.     

Equilibrium Compositions of HF Solutions in <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-Dimethylformamide

For HF solutions in DMF, concentration-dependent fractions of DMF molecules (α(DMF)) that remain unassociated and that enter heteroassociates (HAs) of 1 : 1, 4 : 1, and 12 : 1 molecular stoichiometries were obtained by two independent methods, namely, from an analysis of IR spectra and by calculating the material balance. The experimental way was shown to be enough exact in determining the ratio between the solvent molecules in four different states up to ~83 mol % HF. The equilibrium compositions of HF–DMF solutions were estimated over the entire range of concentrations. Starting with [HF] of ~25 mol %, more than one-half HF molecules are associated, and at [HF] of ~50–92 mol %, at least 90% of the HF molecules are associated. The equilibrium composition of HF–organic solvent (Solv) solutions in which HAs of 1 : 1, 1 : 4, and 1 : 12 molecular stoichiometries are formed, can be described by a single set of α(HF–Solv) versus concentration plots.