Computational Study of the Substitution Effect on the Mechanism for the Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Ring Expansions of Unactivated Alkynylcyclopropanes

The ring expansion reactions of unactivated alkynylcyclopropanes X‐C≡C‐C₃H₅ → X‐C=C₄H₅ (X = H, F, Cl, Me, OMe, NMe₂, CMe₃) were examined using the density functional theory calculations. All of the structures were completely optimized at the B3LYP/6‐311++G** level of theory. For clarify the effect of the cationic gold(I), we also added AuPH₃⁺ as the catalyst into the system and the structures for Au were calculated at the B3LYP/LANL2DZ level of theory. The main finding of this work is that the singlet‐triplet splitting of X‐C≡C‐C₃H₅ play an important role in determining the kinetic and thermodynamic stability of the unactivated ring expansion reactions. When X‐C≡C‐C₃H₅ with a smaller singlet‐triplet splitting is utilized, the reaction has a smaller activation energy and a larger exothermicity.     

(Δ)[Fe(II)(phen)3]2+ Filled in the Chiral Cavitiy Constituted by {(Δ)[Fe(III)(C2O4)3](NH42+)(DMF)(H2O)32−}n

A chiral coordination compound {(Δ)[Fe(II)(phen)₃][(Δ)Fe(III)(C₂O₄)₃](NH₄)(H₂O)₃(DMF)}_n (phen = 1,10‐phenanthroline), (DMF = N,N'‐Dimethylformamide), has been synthesized, and the structure has been revealed by infrared spectroscopy and X‐ray single‐crystal diffraction. The framework consists of two chiral subunits. One subunit (Δ)[(Fe(III)(C₂O₄)₃]^3? which as host anion forms a chiral porous three‐dimensional supermolecular network with lattice water, lattice DMF and lattice ammonium cation through hydrogen bonds. And then the other is Δ[Fe(II)(phen)₃]²⁺ which as guest cation fills in the chiral cavity located in the previously mentioned host porous network.     

Theoretical Study on Hydrogen Bonding of Mono‐ and Dihydrated Complexes of 7‐(3′‐Pyridyl)indole in Excited States

The intermolecular hydrogen bonds of mono‐ and dihydrated complexes of 7‐(3′‐Pyridyl)indole (7‐3′PI) have been investigated using the time‐dependent density functional theory (TD‐DFT) method. The electrostatic potential analysis of monomer 7‐3′PI and 7‐(3′‐Pyridyl)indole‐water (7‐3′PI‐W) indicates that an intermolecular hydrogen bond between two waters can be formed for 7‐(3′‐Pyridyl)indole‐2water (7‐3′PI‐2W) complex. The calculated bond lengths of the intermolecular hydrogen bonds of 7‐3′PI‐W and 7‐3′PI‐2W in the S₁ state (the first excited singlet state) are all shortened compared to the ground state. By the analysis of bond length, charge population and infrared spectra, it is demonstrated that the intermolecular hydrogen bonds of 7‐3′PI‐W and 7‐3′PI‐2W are all strengthened upon electronic excitation to the S1 state. Moreover, the fluorescence of 7‐3′PI‐W and 7‐3′PI‐2W are all red‐shifted to larger wavelength compared to monomer 7‐3′PI. The red‐shift of fluorescence peak of 7‐3′PI‐W and 7‐3′PI‐2W should be attributed to the change of hydrogen bond interaction before and after photoexcitation. Therefore, it can be concluded that the intermolecular hydrogen bonding strengthening in the excited S₁ state induces the fluorescence weakening of 7‐3′PI.     

Euphorbiane: A Novel Triterpenoid with an Unprecedented Skeleton from Euphorbia tirucalli

Euphorbiane ( 1 ), a novel triterpenoid exhibiting a unique skeleton, together with seven known compounds were isolated from the 95% EtOH extract of the fresh stems of Euphorbia tirucalli. The structure of 1 and relative stereochemistry were elucidated by extensive NMR and a single‐crystal X‐ray crystallographic analysis.     

Two New Abietane Diterpenoids from the Roots of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f.

Two new abietane‐type diterpenoids, named triptobenzene R ( 1 ) and triptobenzene S ( 2 ), together with three known abietane‐type diterpenoids, triptophenolide ( 3 ), triptonodiol ( 4 ), and triptonoterpene methyl ether ( 5 ), were isolated from the roots of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook . f. Their structures and relative configurations were established by detailed spectral studies, including 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR (HSQC, HMBC, and NOESY), and HR‐ESI‐TOF‐MS, and by comparison with published data. Their absolute configurations were assigned by the CD technique, applied for the first time to abietane diterpenes from Tripterygium wilfordii. Compound 2 is the first abietane‐type norditerpenoid isolated from the genus Tripterygium.     

Torreyanoxane,a New 3,4‐Secoglutinane Triterpenoid Isolated from the Pulp of Torreya nucifera

Torreyanoxane, a novel 3,4‐secoglutinane triterpenoid, was isolated from the pulp of Torreya nucifera. The structure was determined on the basis of spectroscopic methods.     

Organic Reactions in Ionic Liquids: Ionic Liquid Ethylammonium Nitrate–Promoted Knoevenagel Condensation of Meldrum's Acid With Aromatic Aldehydes

The Knoevenagel condensation of Meldrum's acid with aromatic aldehydes proceeded efficiently in a reusable ionic liquid, ethylammonium nitrate, at room temperature in the absence of any catalyst with high yields.     

Effect of metal cations [Li+, Na+, K+, Be2+, Mg2+, and Ca2+] on the structure of 2‐(3′‐hydroxy‐2′‐pyridyl)benzoxazole: A theoretical investigation

Density functional theory calculations were performed at the B3LYP/6‐311++G(d,p) level to systematically explore the geometrical multiplicity and binding strength for the complexes formed by alkaline and alkaline earth metal cations, viz. Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Be²⁺, Mg²⁺, and Ca²⁺ (Mⁿ⁺, hereinafter), with 2‐(3′‐hydroxy‐2′‐pyridyl)benzoxazole. A total of 60 initial structures were designed and optimized, of which 51 optimized structures were found, which could be divided into two different types: monodentate complexes and bidentate complexes. In the cation‐heteroatom complex, bidentate binding is generally stronger than monodentate binding, and of which the bidentate binding with five‐membered ring structure has the strongest interaction. Energy decomposition revealed that the total binding energies mainly come from electrostatic interaction for alkaline metal ion complexes and orbital interaction energy for alkaline earth metal ion complex. In addition, the electron localization function analysis show that only the Be? O and Be? N bond are covalent character, and others are ionic character. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.