Highly Luminescent and Thermally Stable Lanthanide Coordination Polymers Designed from 4-(Dipyridin-2-yl)aminobenzoate: Efficient Energy Transfer from Tb(3+) to Eu(3+) in a Mixed Lanthanide Coordination Compound

Herein, a new aromatic carboxylate ligand, namely, 4-(dipyridin-2-yl)aminobenzoic acid (HL), has been designed and employed for the construction of a series of lanthanide complexes (Eu(3+) = 1, Tb(3+) = 2, and Gd(3+) = 3). Complexes of 1 and 2 were structurally authenticated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and were found to exist as infinite 1D coordination polymers with the general formulas {[Eu(L)(3)(H(2)O)(2)]}(n) (1) and {[Tb(L)(3)(H(2)O)].(H(2)O)}(n) (2). Both compounds crystallize in monoclinic space group C2/c. The photophysical properties demonstrated that the developed 4-(dipyridin-2-yl)aminobenzoate ligand is well suited for the sensitization of Tb(3+) emission (Φ(overall) = 64%) thanks to the favorable position of the triplet state ((3)ππ*) of the ligand [the energy difference between the triplet state of the ligand and the excited state of Tb(3+) (ΔE) = (3)ππ* - (5)D(4) = 3197 cm(-1)], as investigated in the Gd(3+) complex. On the other hand, the corresponding Eu(3+) complex shows weak luminescence efficiency (Φ(overall) = 7%) due to poor matching of the triplet state of the ligand with that of the emissive excited states of the metal ion (ΔE = (3)ππ* - (5)D(0) = 6447 cm(-1)). Furthermore, in the present work, a mixed lanthanide system featuring Eu(3+) and Tb(3+) ions with the general formula {[Eu(0.5)Tb(0.5)(L)(3)(H(2)O)(2)]}(n) (4) was also synthesized, and the luminescent properties were evaluated and compared with those of the analogous single-lanthanide-ion systems (1 and 2). The lifetime measurements for 4 strongly support the premise that efficient energy transfer occurs between Tb(3+) and Eu(3+) in a mixed lanthanide system (η = 86%).     

Transformations of lignans. Part 11: Oxidation of diphyllin with hypervalent iodine reagents and reductive reactions of a resulting 1-methoxy-1-aryl-4-oxonaphthalene lactone

Treatment of diphyllin 4 with phenyliodonium diacetate (PIDA) in methanol affords a 1-methoxy-1-aryl-4-oxonaphthalene lactone 6. Reduction of 6 with lithium aluminium hydride yields, inter alia, 3,4-dihydrodiphyllin 13, while reaction with sodium in ethanol yields 8 as a major product. These reactions illustrate that selective oxidation followed by reduction provides a facile route for the conversion of a 1-arylnaphthalene lactone to novel functionalised naphthalene and dihydronaphthalene derivatives. Of particular interest is that the oxidation indirectly activates the methylene position (C-10) of the γ-lactone, which may then potentially be substituted to give a new series of lignans. Reaction of 6 with hydroxylamine and benzyloxyamine also proceeds by way of initial attack at C-10.     

Stereoselective synthesis of polyketide precursors containing an anti-1,3-diol system via a Prins cyclisation and reductive cleavage sequence

A new approach for the stereoselective synthesis of polyketide precursors containing anti-1,3-diol units flanked by a variety of alkyl branches and functional groups through a Prins cyclisation and reductive cleavage sequence is described.     

Proline catalyzed two-component, three-component and self-asymmetric Mannich reactions promoted by ultrasonic conditions

The proline catalyzed two-component and three-component asymmetric Mannich reaction with hydroxyacetone and self-Mannich reaction with propanal were performed successfully under ultrasonic conditions in 1 h to afford Mannich products in 90-98% isolated yields and 81-99% ees with excellent diastereoselectivities.     

Highly Dispersed Ce x Zr1−x O2 Nano-Oxides Over Alumina, Silica and Titania Supports for Catalytic Applications

We have been exploring the utilization of supported ceria and ceria–zirconia nano-oxides for different catalytic applications. In this comprehensive investigation, a series of Ce _x Zr_1−x O₂/Al₂O₃, Ce _x Zr_1−x O₂/SiO₂ and Ce _x Zr_1−x O₂/TiO₂ composite oxide catalysts were synthesized and subjected to thermal treatments from 773 to 1073 K to examine the influence of support on thermal stability, textural properties and catalytic activity of the ceria–zirconia solid solutions. The physicochemical characterization studies were performed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy (RS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HREM), thermogravimetry and BET surface area methods. To evaluate the catalytic properties, oxygen storage/release capacity (OSC) and CO oxidation activity measurements were carried out. The XRD analyses revealed the formation of Ce_0.75Zr_0.25O₂, Ce_0.6Zr_0.4O₂, Ce_0.16Zr_0.84O₂ and Ce_0.5Zr_0.5O₂ phases depending on the nature of support and calcination temperature employed. Raman spectroscopy measurements in corroboration with XRD results suggested enrichment of zirconium in the Ce _x Zr_1−x O₂ solid solutions with increasing calcination temperature thereby resulting in the formation of oxygen vacancies, lattice defects and oxygen ion displacement from the ideal cubic lattice positions. The HREM results indicated a well-dispersed cubic Ce _x Zr_1−x O₂ phase of the size around 5 nm over all supports at 773 K and there was no appreciable increase in the size after treatment at 1073 K. The XPS studies revealed the presence of cerium in both Ce⁴⁺ and Ce³⁺ oxidation states in different proportions depending on the nature of support and the treatment temperature applied. All characterization techniques indicated absence of pure ZrO₂ and crystalline inactive phases between Ce–Al, Ce–Si and Ce–Ti oxides. Among the three supports employed, silica was found to stabilize more effectively the nanosized Ce _x Zr_1−x O₂ oxides by retarding the sintering phenomenon during high temperature treatments, followed by alumina and titania. Interestingly, the alumina supported samples exhibited highest OSC and CO oxidation activity followed by titania and silica. Details of these findings are consolidated in this review.     

Synthesis,Characterization, and DGAT1 Inhibition of New 5‐Piperazinethiazole and 5‐Piperidinethiazole Analogs

In this study, a novel series of 5‐piperazinethiazole 2,2‐dimethylbutanoic acid and 5‐piperidinethiazole 2,2‐dimethylbutanoic acid derivatives have been synthesized. Structures of the newly synthesized compounds have been elucidated using ¹H‐NMR, ¹³C‐NMR, high‐resolution mass spectroscopy, and high‐performance liquid chromatographic analysis. The synthesized derivatives have been evaluated in vitro for their ability to inhibit the enzyme diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 responsible for triglyceride biosynthesis.     

Three structures of dispirooxindole derivatives generated in situ through a three‐component one‐pot strategy with complete regio‐ and stereoselectivity

The challenging molecular architecture of spirooxindoles is appealing to chemists because it evokes novel synthetic strategies that address configurational demands and provides platforms for further reaction development. The [3+2] cycloaddition of the carbonyl ylide with arylideneoxindole via a five‐membered cyclic transition state gave a novel class of dispirooxindole derivatives, namely tert‐butyl 4′‐(4‐bromophenyl)‐1′′‐methyl‐2,2′′‐dioxo‐5′‐phenyl‐4′,5′‐dihydrodispiro[indoline‐3,2′‐furan‐3′,3′′‐indoline]‐1‐carboxylate, C₃₆H₃₁BrN₂O, (Ia), 5′‐(4‐bromophenyl)‐1,1′′‐dimethyl‐4′‐phenyl‐4′,5′‐dihydrodispiro[indoline‐3,2′‐furan‐3′,3′′‐indoline]‐2,2′′‐dione, C₃₂H₂₅BrN₂O₃, (Ib), and tert‐butyl 1′′‐methyl‐2,2′′‐dioxo‐4′‐phenyl‐5′‐(p‐tolyl)‐4′,5′‐dihydrodispiro[indoline‐3,2′‐furan‐3′,3′′‐indoline]‐1‐carboxylate, C₃₇H₃₄N₂O₅, (Ic). Crystal structure analyses of these dispirooxindoles revealed the formation of two diastereoisomers selectively and confirmed their relative stereochemistry (SSSR and RRRS). In all three structures, intramolecular C—H...O and π–π interactions between oxindole and dihydrofuran rings are the key factors governing the regio‐ and stereoselectivity, and in the absence of conventional hydrogen bonds, their crystal packings are strengthened by intermolecular C—H...π interactions.     

Dehydrogenation of Ethylbenzene to Styrene with Carbon Dioxide Over ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-based Composite Oxide Catalysts

We have been exploring various new catalyst systems for the utilization of carbon dioxide as a soft oxidant in the catalytic dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene (EB) to styrene. The utilization of CO₂ as a soft oxidant for the commercially important catalytic dehydrogenation of EB to styrene has received enormous attention recently due to its several attractive features. This review summarizes the results of our most recent findings on zirconia-based composite oxide catalyst systems exploited for this reaction. Under this systematic and comprehensive investigation various zirconia-based composite oxide catalysts namely, TiO₂-ZrO₂, MnO₂-ZrO₂, CeO₂-ZrO₂, K₂O/TiO₂-ZrO₂, B₂O₃/TiO₂-ZrO₂ and CeO₂-ZrO₂/SBA-15 have been synthesized, characterized by various techniques and evaluated for the title reaction. Most of these composite oxide catalysts were found to exhibit very interesting physicochemical characteristics and exceptionally better catalytic properties for this reaction. As revealed by characterization results, a large number of acid–base sites with moderate strength are essential for a high conversion and product selectivity of this reaction with CO₂ as the soft oxidant.     

Benzimidazole bearing Pd–PEPPSI complexes catalyzed direct C2-arylation/heteroarylation of N-substituted benzimidazoles

A convenient and highly efficient palladium-catalyzed direct C2-arylation/heteroarylation of N-substituted benzimidazole derivatives such as N-benzyl/3-chlorobenzyl/2,4,6-trimethylbenzyl/2,4,6-triisopropylbenzyl/aryl benzimidazoles with various aryl/heteroaryl bromides in the presence of Pd–PEPPSI (palladium-pyridine enhanced pre-catalyst preparation stabilization and initiation) complexes is reported. In order to that we have prepared a series of different symmetrical and unsymmetrical N,N′-diaralkyl benzimidazole-bearing Pd–PEPPSI complexes. Among all of the the prepared complexes, Pd–PEPPSI- 3 effectively tuned the reaction at a relatively higher rate under mild reaction conditions in an ethanol–water system. In addition, the catalytic process avoids the use of external ligand and additives. Further the reactivity was compared with commercially available copper-N-heterocyclic carbene catalyst, but the reaction was less successful. With the optimized reaction conditions, a wide range of 2-aryl/heteroaryl-N-substituted benzimidazoles were synthesized in good to excellent yields via Csp²-H/Csp²-X biaryl cross-coupling.