Tetrazo[1,2-b]indazoles: Straightforward Access to Nitrogen-Rich Polyaromatics from s-Tetrazines

The straightforward access to a new class of aza-polyaromatics is reported. Starting from readily available fluorinated s-tetrazine, a cyclization process with azide leads to the formation of an unprecedented tetrazo[1,2-b]indazole or a bis-tetrazo[1,2-b]indazole (cis and trans conformers). Based on the new nitrogen core, further N-directed palladium-catalyzed ortho-C−H bond functionalization allows the introduction of halides or acetates. The physicochemical properties of these compounds were studied by a joint experimental/theoretical approach. The tetrazo[1,2-b]indazoles display solid-state π-stacking, low reduction potential, absorption in the visible range up to the near-infrared, and intense fluorescence, depending on the molecular structure.     

Allyl ansa-lanthanidocenes: single-component, single-site catalysts for controlled syndiospecific styrene and styrene-ethylene (Co)polymerization

A series of new neutral allyl Group 3 metal complexes bearing ansa-bridged fluorenyl/cyclopentadienyl ligands [[Flu-EMe(2)-(3-R-Cp)]Ln(eta(3)-C(3)H(5))(THF)] (E=C, R=H, Ln=Y (2), La (3), Nd (4), Sm (5); R=tBu, Ln=Y (8), Nd (9); E=Si, R=H, Ln=Y (12), Nd (13)) were synthesized in good yields via salt metathesis protocols. The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, NMR spectroscopy for diamagnetic complexes, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies for 2, 4, 9 and 12. Some of the allyl ansa-lanthanidocenes, especially 4, are effective single-component catalysts for the polymerization of styrene, giving pure syndiotactic polystyrenes (rrrr > 99 %) with low to high molecular weights (M(n)=6000-135,000 g mol(-1)) and narrow polydispersities (M(w)/M(n)=1.2-2.6). The catalyst systems are remarkably stable, capable of polymerizing styrene up to 120 degrees C with high activities, while maintaining high syndiotacticity via chain-end control as established by a Bernoullian analysis. Highly effective copolymerization of styrene with ethylene was achieved using neodymium complex 4 (activity up to 2530 kg PS-PE mol(-1) h(-1)) to give true copolymers void of homopolymers with M(n)=9000-152,000 g mol(-1) and narrow polydispersities (M(w)/M(n)=1.2-2.5). The nature of the resultant P(S-co-E) copolymers was ascertained by NMR, size-exclusion chromatography/refractive index/UV, temperature rising elusion fractionation, and differential scanning calorimetry. It is shown that, regardless the amount of ethylene incorporated (1-50 mol %), P(S-co-E) copolymers have a microstructure predominantly made of long highly syndiotactic PS sequences separated by single or few ethylene units. Co-monomers feed and polymerization temperature can be used straightforwardly to manipulate with the physical and mechanical characteristics of the P(S-co-E) copolymers (molecular weights and distributions, co-monomer content, microstructure, T(m), T(g), T(c)).     

Ring-expanded iridium and rhodium N-heterocyclic carbene complexes: a comparative DFT study of heterocycle ring size and metal center diversity

A new series of ring-expanded six- and seven-membered N-heterocyclic carbene precursors (re-NHCs) and their transition metal complexes were synthesized. The basic properties of the synthesized materials were investigated by density functional theory (DFT). The six- and seven-membered re-NHCs were synthesized in good yield via reaction of the corresponding alkyldibromides or alkyldiiodides with N,N′-bis-(2-phenylbenzene)formamidine in the presence of K₂CO₃ under aerobic conditions. Complexes, represented by the formula [ML_1,2(COD)Cl] (where M = Ir or Rh and L is a ring-expanded N-heterocyclic carbene ligand), were synthesized in the presence of the corresponding free carbene and iridium or rhodium metal precursors in tetrahydrofuran. All new re-NHC complexes were characterized by different analytical techniques, including NMR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, UV spectroscopy and elemental analysis. According to molecular electrostatic potential calculations, the electrophilic properties of the complexes were aligned, from highest to lowest, as Ir-6-DiPh, Rh-6-DiPh and Ir-7-DiPh. The HOMO, LUMO and energy gaps of the complexes were calculated by DFT. On the basis of the DFT analysis, it can be predicted that Rh-6-DiPh is the most stable complex and Ir-7-DiPh is more reactive than Ir-6-DiPh.     

Z/E isomerism in Nα-Nα-disubstituted hydrazides and the amidoxy bond: application to the conformational analysis of pseudopeptides built of hydrazinoacids and α-aminoxyacids

We have investigated the Z/E isomerism of the hydrazide link (CO-NH-N) and amidoxy link (CO-NH-O). The study was first focused on small molecular models using NMR and X-ray diffraction. It allowed determination of simple NMR criterions to differentiate easily the Z and E forms, which were then applied to investigate the behavior of these links inside the corresponding oligomers. Our results concerning the hydrazide link corroborate pioneering work that had been done in the 1970s except in the case were it is located inside aza-β(3)-cyclopeptides, where the old empirical rules failed to predict the right geometry of the link. The geometrical preference of the amidoxy bond is also unambiguously established and differs clearly from recent theoretical calculations. Our findings help rationalize the close self-organization ability of aza-β(3)-peptides and α-aminoxypeptides, two recently described foldamers.     

A combined experimental and theoretical study of the thermal cycloaddition of aryl azides with activated alkenes

Reactions were performed from aryl azides on the one hand, and activated alkenes coming from β-dicarbonyl compounds or malonodinitrile on the other hand, either with recourse to conventional heating or to microwave activation, to afford 1-aryl-1H-1,2,3-triazoles. The mechanism and the regioselectivity of the reactions involving β-dicarbonyl compounds have been theoretically studied using DFT methods at the B3LYP/6-31G* level: they are domino processes comprising a tautomeric equilibrium of the β-dicarbonyl compounds with their enol forms, a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of the enol forms with the aryl azides (high activation energy), and a dehydration process (lower activation energy). The effect of non-conventional activation methods on the degradation of 1,2,3-triazolines was next studied experimentally. Finally, some of the 1,2,3-triazoles such synthesized were evaluated for their bactericidal and cytotoxic activities.     

N-aryl pyrazoles: DFT calculations of CH acidity and deprotonative metallation using a combination of lithium and zinc amides

A series of N-aryl and N-heteroaryl pyrazoles have been deproto-metallated using a 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidino-based mixed lithium-zinc combination. Mono-, di-, and tri-iodides have been obtained after subsequent trapping with iodine, depending on the substrate and on the quantity of base used. The results have been discussed in the light of the CH acidities of the substrates, determined both in the gas phase and in THF solution using the DFT B3LYP method.     

Zinc and magnesium complexes supported by bulky multidentate amino-ether phenolate ligands: potent pre-catalysts for the immortal ring-opening polymerisation of cyclic esters

A family of heteroleptic complexes of zinc and magnesium supported by bulky multidentate amino-ether phenolate ligands has been developed; in combination with external chain transfer agents, they constitute efficient binary catalytic systems for the immortal ring-opening polymerisation of cyclic esters.     

Synthesis of substituted 1,4-diazepines and 1,5-benzodiazepines using an efficient heteropolyacid-catalyzed procedure

An efficient and improved procedure for the synthesis of 1,4-diazepine and 1,5-benzodiazepine derivatives via the reaction of ketimine intermediates with aldehydes in the presence of Keggin-type heteropolyacids (HPAs) was developed. High yields and short reaction times were obtained for both electron-releasing and electron-withdrawing substituted 1,4-diazepine and 1,5-benzodiazepines derivatives.     

Ruthenium-catalysed synthesis of fluorinated bicyclic amino esters through tandem carbene addition/cyclopropanation of enynes

The reaction of fluorinated 1,6- and 1,7-enynes, containing the moiety N(PG)C(CF(3))(CO(2)R), with diazo compounds in the presence of [RuCl(cod)(Cp*)] (cod=cycloocta-1,5-diene, Cp*=C(5)Me(5) , PG=protecting group) as the catalyst precursor leads to the formation of fluorinated 3-azabicyclo[3.1.0]hexane-2-carboxylates and 4-azabicyclo-[4.1.0]heptane-3-carboxylates. This catalytic transformation was applied to various protecting groups and has proved to be a selective and a general synthetic tool to form constrained proline or homoproline derivatives in good yields. Z stereoselectivity of the created alkenyl group is obtained with N(2)CHSiMe(3), whereas N(2)CHCO(2)Et favours selectively the E configuration for the same double bond. The diastereoselectivity exo/endo depends on the size of the created ring. The X-ray structures of two products have been determined, showing the stereochemistry of the compounds. The reaction can be understood by initial [2+2] addition of the Ru=CHY bond, generated from diazoalkane, with the C≡CH bond of the enyne leading to a key bicyclic ruthenacyclobutane, which promotes the cyclopropanation, rather than metathesis. This selective formation of bicyclic [n.1.0] compounds results from the ruthenium-catalysed creation of three carbon-carbon bonds in a single step under mild conditions.     

Translocation-coupled transmetalation at the origin of a dinuclear lead porphyrin complex: implication of a hanging-atop coordination mode

Translocation of a lead cation from the N-core of a porphyrin to a hanging carboxylate group is coupled to a transmetalation process with a second lead cation, leading to a dinuclear species. A novel hanging-atop coordination mode is responsible for the dynamic and stereocontrolled binding of lead to the porphyrin core.