Synthesis of multi‐functionalized quinolines and 1,2‐dihydroquinolines through FeCl3‐mediated reactions of carbonyl compounds with 2‐vinylanilines

A facile and efficient approach toward the synthesis of functionalized quinolines and 1,2‐dihydroquinolines from carbonyl compounds and 2‐vinylanilines is described. The protocol utilizes the nonhazardous and less expensive FeCl₃ as catalyst with wide functional group tolerance and avoiding heavy metal impurities in the products.     

Synthesis of an 4‐oxo‐1,4‐dihydropyridinomethylidene substituted 2‐indolinone

The (Z)‐3‐substituted 2‐indolinone 6 was prepared using the aldehydes 4 and 8 unknown up to now and 2‐indolinone.     

Selective Metal‐Cation Recognition by [2.2]Ferrocenophanes: The Cases of Zinc‐ and Lithium‐Sensing

The synthesis, electrochemical, optical, and cation‐sensing properties of [2.2]ferrocenophanes, in which the two ferrocene subunits are linked through two aldiminic or iminophosphorane moieties, are reported. The new compounds show remarkably selective cation‐sensing properties due to the presence of redox‐active units (ferrocene) and aza‐unsaturated functionalities that are able to act as putative cation‐binding sites. In this structural motif, the aldimine groups act as a highly selective binding site for Zn²⁺ cations, whereas the iminophosphorane bridges display an unusually strong binding affinity towards Li⁺ cations, which could be explained by an additional Li???Fe interaction. The X‐ray structure of the complex 4? Li⁺ as well as detailed NMR spectroscopic studies, both in solution and in the solid state, support this assessment. Experimental data and conclusions about the cation‐sensing capabilities of this family of compounds are supported by DFT calculations.     

Two polymorphs of N‐(2‐methoxyphenyl)‐4‐oxo‐4H‐chromone‐3‐carboxamide

The title compound, C₁₇H₁₃NO₄, crystallizes in two polymorphic forms, each with two molecules in the asymmetric unit and in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c. All of the molecules have intramolecular hydrogen bonds involving the amide group. The amide N atoms act as donors to the carbonyl group of the pyrone and also to the methoxy group of the benzene ring. The carbonyl O atom of the amide group acts as an acceptor of the β and β′ C atoms belonging to the aromatic rings. These intramolecular hydrogen bonds have a profound effect on the molecular conformation. In one polymorph, the molecules in the asymmetric unit are linked to form dimers by weak C—H...O interactions. In the other, the molecules in the asymmetric unit are linked by a single weak C—H...O hydrogen bond. Two of these units are linked to form centrosymmetric tetramers by a second weak C—H...O interaction. Further interactions of this type link the molecules into chains, so forming a three‐dimensional network. These interactions in both polymorphs are supplemented by π–π interactions between the chromone rings and between the chromone and methoxyphenyl rings.     

Facile Construction of Quinoline‐2‐carboxylate Esters through Aerobic Oxidation of Alkyl 4‐Anilinocrotonates Induced by a Radical Cation Salt

A facile construction of quinoline‐2‐carboxylate esters through an aerobic oxidation of alkyl 4‐anilinocrotonates is described. In the presence of dioxygen, sp³ C−H bonds in 4‐anilinocrotonates can easily be oxidized by using a catalytic amount of a radical cation salt, providing a radical intermediate. After further oxidation and domino cyclization, the desired quinoline derivatives were afforded in high yields. This reaction provides a new way to construct the pharmaceutically relevant quinoline skeleton, avoiding harsh reaction conditions and tedious starting material synthesis.     

Insights into the Origin of Solid‐State Photochromism and Thermochromism of N‐Salicylideneanils: The Intriguing Case of Aminopyridines

All light and no heat? Structure–property relationships for photochromic and thermochromic N‐salicylideneanils have been revised (see picture). One derivative has a packed crystal structure, is photochromic and exhibits an infinitely slow thermal back relaxation of technological interest. Complexation of the anils to transition metals has also been studied.

     

Multicomponent Assembly of Fluorescent‐Tag Functionalized Ligands in Metal–Organic Frameworks for Sensing Explosives

Detection of trace amounts of explosive materials is significantly important for security concerns and pollution control. Four multicomponent metal–organic frameworks ( MOFs‐12 , 13 , 23 , and 123 ) have been synthesized by employing ligands embedded with fluorescent tags. The multicomponent assembly of the ligands was utilized to acquire a diverse electronic behavior of the MOFs and the fluorescent tags were strategically chosen to enhance the electron density in the MOFs. The phase purity of the MOFs was established by PXRD, NMR spectroscopy, and finally by single‐crystal XRD. Single‐crystal structures of the MOFs‐12 and 13 showed the formation of three‐dimensional porous networks with the aromatic tags projecting inwardly into the pores. These electron‐rich MOFs were utilized for detection of explosive nitroaromatic compounds (NACs) through fluorescence quenching with high selectivity and sensitivity. The rate of fluorescence quenching for all the MOFs follows the order of electron deficiency of the NACs. We also showed the detection of picric acid (PA) by luminescent MOFs is not always reliable and can be misleading. This attracts our attention to explore these MOFs for sensing picryl chloride (PC), which is as explosive as picric acid and used widely to prepare more stable explosives like 2,4,6‐trinitroaniline from PA. Moreover, the recyclability and sensitivity studies indicated that these MOFs can be reused several times with parts per billion (ppb) levels of sensitivity towards PC and 2,4,6‐trinitrotoluene (TNT).     

Tautomerization‐Mediated Molecular Switching Between Six‐ and Seven‐Membered Rings Stabilized by Hydrogen Bonding

1,3,4,6‐Tetraketones typically undergo keto–enol tautomerism forming bis‐enols stabilized by intramolecular hydrogen bonding in two six‐membered rings. However, 1,3,4,6‐tetraketones derived from the terpene ketone camphor and norcamphor exist as isomers with two distinguishable modes of intramolecular hydrogen bonding, namely, the formation of six‐ or seven‐membered rings. The structural requirements for this so far unknown behavior were investigated in detail by synthesis and comparison of structural analogues. Both isomers of such 1,3,4,6‐tetraketones were fully characterized in solution and in the solid state. Intriguingly, they slowly interconvert in solution by means of tautomerism–rotation cascades, as was corroborated by DFT calculations. The influence of temperature and complexation with the transition metals Pd, Rh, and Ir on the interconversion process was investigated.     

Zinc(II)‐Dipicolylamine‐Functionalized Polydiacetylene–Liposome Microarray: A Selective and Sensitive Sensing Platform for Pyrophosphate Ions

A microarray‐chip assay system for the fluorescence detection of phosphate‐containing analytes in aqueous media has been constructed from stimuli‐responsive polymerized poly(diacetylene)‐liposomes for the first time. Proper combination of the liposome components (Zn^II‐dipicolylamine for phosphate binding and an amine‐terminated component for anchoring the liposome onto an aldehyde‐derivatized glass plate), has led to a microarray chip that selectively detects pyrophosphate, an important biomarker, over competing anions, such as phosphate and adenosine triphosphate, with nanomolar sensitivity. The chip‐based assay shows advantages, such as high specificity and sensitivity, over solution‐based assays that use the same liposomes, and over known homogeneous molecular sensing systems.     

Metal‐Free‐Mediated Oxidation Aromatization of 1,4‐Dihydropyridines to Pyridines Using Visible Light and Air

A metal‐free and environmentally friendly aerobic aromatization photosensitized by organic dye eosin Y bis(tetrabutyl ammonium salt) (TBA‐eosinY) has been developed. With the aid of K₂CO₃, the aerobic catalytic system converts 1,4‐dihydropyridines to their corresponding pyridine derivatives efficiently under visible light irradiation (λ=450 nm) at room temperature.     

Polymorph‐Dependent Solid‐State Fluorescence and Selective Metal‐Ion‐Sensor Properties of 2‐(2‐Hydroxyphenyl)‐4(3H)‐quinazolinone

2‐(2‐Hydroxy‐phenyl)‐4(3H)‐quinazolinone (HPQ), an organic fluorescent material that exhibits fluorescence by the excited‐state intramolecular proton‐transfer (ESIPT) mechanism, forms two different polymorphs in tetrahydrofuran. The conformational twist between the phenyl and quinazolinone rings of HPQ leads to different molecular packing in the solid state, giving structures that show solid‐state fluorescence at 497 and 511 nm. HPQ also shows intense fluorescence in dimethyl formamide (DMF) solution and selectively detects Zn²⁺ and Cd²⁺ ions at micromolar concentrations in DMF. Importantly, HPQ not only detects Zn²⁺ and Cd²⁺ ions selectively, but it also distinguishes between the metal ions with a fluorescence λ_max that is blue‐shifted from 497 to 420 and 426 nm for Zn²⁺ and Cd²⁺ ions, respectively. Hence, tunable solid‐state fluorescence and selective metal‐ion‐sensor properties were demonstrated in a single organic material.     

Single‐Molecule Sensing of Environmental pH—an STM Break Junction and NEGF‐DFT Approach

Sensors play a significant role in the detection of toxic species and explosives, and in the remote control of chemical processes. In this work, we report a single‐molecule‐based pH switch/sensor that exploits the sensitivity of dye molecules to environmental pH to build metal–molecule–metal (m‐M‐m) devices using the scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) break junction technique. Dyes undergo pH‐induced electronic modulation due to reversible structural transformation between a conjugated and a nonconjugated form, resulting in a change in the HOMO–LUMO gap. The dye‐mediated m‐M‐m devices react to environmental pH with a high on/off ratio (≈100:1) of device conductivity. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations, carried out under the non‐equilibrium Green’s function (NEGF) framework, model charge transport through these molecules in the two possible forms and confirm that the HOMO–LUMO gap of dyes is nearly twice as large in the nonconjugated form as in the conjugated form.     

First Coordination Polymer of 1,4‐Dihydro‐2,3‐Quinoxalinedione in Ketoamine Tautomeric Form

The first coordination compound of 1,4‐dihydro‐2,3‐quinoxalinedione in ketoamine tautomeric form (denoted as H₂qdione) was reported. H₂qdione was obtained by a solid‐state reaction of o‐phenylenediamine and oxalic acid. Reaction of this ligand with CdCl₂ solvothermally yielded a coordination polymer [Cd(H₂qdione)Cl₂]_n, which was structurally characterized by X‐ray diffraction and IR spectroscopy. Continuous Cd₂Cl₂ diamonds form a double‐sided comb with terminal H₂qdione‐κ²O,O′ as the comb teeth. Interaction of these combs through very extensive π–π stacking, C–H ··· Cl, and N–H ··· Cl hydrogen bonds leads to a novel 3D architecture and significant enhancement of solid‐state luminescence of about 10 times compared to the free H₂qdione ligand.     

The Richest Collection of Tautomeric Polymorphs: The Case of 2‐Thiobarbituric Acid

Five new polymorphs and one hydrated form of 2‐thiobarbituric acid have been isolated and characterised by solid‐state methods. In both the crystalline form II and in the hydrate form, the 2‐thiobarbituric molecules are present in the enol form, whereas only the keto isomer is present in crystalline forms I (reported in 1967 by Calas and Martinex), III , V and VI . In form IV , on the other hand, a 50:50 ordered mixture of enol/keto molecules is present. All new forms have been characterised by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, 1D and 2D (¹H, ¹³C, and ¹⁵N) solid‐state NMR spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and X‐ray powder diffraction at variable temperature. It has been possible to induce keto–enol conversion between the forms by mechanical methods. The role of hydrogen‐bond interactions in determining the relative stability of the polymorphs and as a driving force in the conversions has been ascertained. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the 2‐thiobarbituric family of crystal forms represents the richest collection of examples of tautomeric polymorphism so far reported in the literature.     

Hierarchically Self‐Assembled Star‐Shaped ZnO Microparticles for Electrochemical Sensing of Amines

Novel, hierarchically nanostructured, star‐shaped ZnO (SSZ) microparticles are synthesized by a hydrothermal synthetic route. The SSZ microparticles serve as effective platforms for electrochemical detection of amines in solution. The morphology and structure of the materials are characterized by X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and UV/Vis spectroscopy. The as‐synthesized SSZ microparticles comprise self‐assembled hexagonal prisms that possess nanometer and micrometer pores in their structure and on their surfaces—structural features that are conducive to sensing applications. An electrode fabricated by using the hierarchically nanostructured SSZ materials serve as a sensitive electrochemical sensor for detection of low concentrations of ethylenediamine, with a sensitivity of 2.98×10^?2 mA cm^?2 mm ^?1, a detection limit of 2.36×10^?2 mm , and a short response time of 8 s.     

Synthesis of 2‐Hydroxy‐1,4‐oxazin‐3‐ones through Ring Transformation of 3‐Hydroxy‐4‐(1,2‐dihydroxyethyl)‐β‐lactams and a Study of Their Reactivity

The reactivity of 3‐hydroxy‐4‐(1,2‐dihydroxyethyl)‐β‐lactams with regard to the oxidant sodium periodate was evaluated, unexpectedly resulting in the exclusive formation of new 2‐hydroxy‐1,4‐oxazin‐3‐ones through a C3? C4 bond cleavage of the intermediate 4‐formyl‐3‐hydroxy‐β‐lactams followed by a ring expansion. This peculiar transformation stands in sharp contrast with the known NaIO₄‐mediated oxidation of 3‐alkoxy‐ and 3‐phenoxy‐4‐(1,2‐dihydroxyethyl)‐β‐lactams, which exclusively leads to the corresponding 4‐formyl‐β‐lactams without a subsequent ring enlargement. In addition, this new class of functionalized oxazin‐3‐ones was further evaluated for its potential use as building blocks in the synthesis of a variety of differently substituted oxazin‐3‐ones, morpholin‐3‐ones and pyrazinones. Furthermore, additional insights into the mechanism and the factors governing this new ring‐expansion reaction were provided by means of density functional theory calculations.     

Formation of Fluorinated Amido Esters through Unexpected C3−C4 Bond Fission in 4‐Trifluoromethyl‐3‐oxo‐β‐lactams

4‐Trifluoromethyl‐3‐oxo‐β‐lactams were unexpectedly transformed into 2‐[(2,2‐difluorovinyl)amino]‐2‐oxoacetates as major products, accompanied by minor amounts of 2‐oxo‐2‐[(2,2,2‐trifluoroethyl)amino]acetates, upon treatment with alkyl halides and triethylamine in DMSO. This peculiar C3?C4 bond fission reactivity was investigated in‐depth, from both an experimental and a computational point of view, in order to shed light on the underlying reaction mechanism.     

Chemistry and application of 4‐oxo‐4H‐1‐benzopyran‐3‐carboxaldehyde

The Chemistry and application of the title aldehyde and some simple derivatives thereof are reviewed.     

New and Practical Synthesis of N‐(3‐Cyano‐7‐ethoxy‐4‐oxo‐1,4‐dihydroquinolin‐6‐yl)acetamide

New and practical synthetic route of N‐(3‐cyano‐7‐ethoxy‐4‐oxo‐1,4‐dihydroquinolin‐6‐yl)acetamide ( 1 ) is described, through the cyclization of 2‐aminophenyl‐ethanone ( 12 ) with N,N‐dimethylformamide dimethylacetal. The overall yield of 1 obtained from this process is 46% (five steps) with a purity of >99% (HPLC).