Evidence of conformational equilibrium of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium in its ionic liquid salts: Raman spectroscopic study and quantum chemical calculations

Raman spectra of liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium (EMI+) salts, EMI(+)BF4-, EMI(+)PF6-, EMI(+)CF3SO3-, and EMI(+)N(CF3SO2)2-, were measured over the frequency range 200-1600 cm(-1). In the range 200-500 cm(-1), we found five bands originating from the EMI+ ion at 241, 297, 387, 430, and 448 cm(-1). However, the 448 cm(-1) band could hardly be reproduced by theoretical calculations in terms of a given EMI+ conformer, implying that the band originates from another conformer. This is expected because the EMI+ involves an ethyl group bound to the N atom of the imidazolium ring, and the ethyl group can rotate along the C-N bond to yield conformers. The torsion energy for the rotation was then theoretically calculated. Two local minima with an energy difference of ca. 2 kJ mol(-1) were found, suggesting that two conformers are present in equilibrium. Full geometry optimizations followed by normal frequency analyses indicate that the two conformers are those with planar and nonplanar ethyl groups against the imidazolium ring plane, and the nonplanar conformer is favorable. It elucidates that bands at 241, 297, 387, and 430 cm(-1) mainly originate from the nonplanar conformer, whereas the 448 cm(-1) band does originate from the planar conformer. Indeed, the enthalpy for conformational change from nonplanar to planar EMI+ experimentally obtained by analyzing band intensities of the conformers at varying temperatures is practically the same as that evaluated by theoretical calculations. We thus conclude that the EMI+ ion exists as either a nonplanar or planar conformer in equilibrium in its liquid salts.     

Ethenesulfonamide derivatives, a novel class of orally active endothelin-A receptor antagonists

In the present article we wish to report the discovery of a novel class of ET(A)-selective endothelin (ET) receptor antagonists through the modification of the ET(A)/ET(B) non-selective antagonist, Ro47-0203 (Bosentan, 1). Replacement of the benzenesulfonamide group of 1 with a 2-phenylethenesulfonamide group gave compound 5a and resulted in improvement in ET(A)-selectivity. Optimization of the alkoxy side chain attached to the core pyrimidine ring yielded the 2-fluoroethoxy derivative (5n) with further improvement of ET(A)-selectivity. [IC50=2.1 nM for ET(A) receptor, ET(B)/ET(A) ratio=1200]. After oral administration, compound 5n inhibited the big ET-1 induced pressor response in pithed rats with a DR2 value of 2.6 mg/kg and also exhibited a potent antagonistic activity in conscious rats.     

Highly chemo- and regioselective phosphitylation of unprotected 2′-deoxyribonucleosides

We have developed the chemo- and regioselective phosphitylation of unprotected 2′-deoxyribonucleosides by the use of di-tert-butyl N,N-diethylphosphoramidite, a sterically hindered phosphoramidite. Both N/O- and primary hydroxy group-selectivities were simultaneously achieved, and the selectivity for the 5′-hydroxy groups was up to 97% regardless of the base moiety of the 2′-deoxyribonucleosides. The 3′-O-isomers and the 5′-O-isomers were easily separated by silica gel column chromatography or crystallization to give the pure 2′-deoxyribonucleoside 5′-phosphites in moderate to good yields.     

Reaction of α-haloester having internal double bond with the low-valent metal complex

The α-haloester having an internal double bond was allowed to react with a catalytic amount of Pd(PPh₃)₄ to afford a cyclized product in a fairly good yield and the same product was obtained by treatment with Pd(OAc)₂ to ketene silyl acetal.     

Stereoblock poly(lactic acid): synthesis via solid-state polycondensation of a stereocomplexed mixture of poly(L-lactic acid) and poly(D-lactic acid)

Stereoblock poly(lactic acid) consisting of D- and L-lactate stereosequences can be successfully synthesized by solid-state polycondensation of a 1:1 mixture of poly(L-lactic acid) and poly(D-lactic acid). In the first step, melt-polycondensation of L- and D-lactic acids is conducted to synthesize poly(L-lactic acid) and poly(D-lactic acid) with a medium-molecular-weight, respectively. In the next step, these poly(L-lactic acid) and poly(D-lactic acid) are melt-blended in 1:1 ratio to allow formation of their stereocomplex. In the last step, this melt-blend is subjected to solid-state polycondensation at temperature where the dehydrative condensation is allowed to promote chain extension in the amorphous phase with the stereocomplex crystals preserved. Finally, stereoblock poly(lactic acid) having high-molecular-weight is obtained. The stereoblock poly(lactic acid) synthesized by this way shows a higher melting temperature in consequence of the controlled block lengths and the resulting higher-molecular-weight. The product characterization as well as the optimization of the polymerization conditions is described. Changes in M(w) of stereoblock poly(lactic acid) (sb-PLA) as a function of the reaction time.     

Exploiting Transient Radical Cations as Brønsted Acids for Allylic C–H Heteroarylation of Enol Silyl Ethers

Intermediary radical cations, generated through single-electron oxidation of enol silyl ethers by excited Ir-based photocatalysts, can be exploited as Brønsted acids for the activation of heteroarylcyanides. This strategy enables the direct allylic C−H heteroarylation of enol silyl ethers under visible-light irradiation.