Synthesis of (r)- and (s)-1-formyl-6,7,8,9-tetrahydro- N,N-(dipropyl)-3H-benz[e]indol-8-amines: Potent and orally active 5-ht1a receptor agonists

An efficient synthesis of the potent and orally active 5-HT_1A agonists, (R)-(+)- and (S)-(-)-1-formyl-6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-N,N-dipropyl-3H-benz[e]indol-8-amines 1a and 1b , is described. This synthesis was accomplished in twelve steps from commercially available 1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-4H-indol-4-one ( 5 ). The key step involved a regio-controlled Friedel-Crafts acylation of 1-(p-toluenesulfonyl)indol-4-acetyl chloride with ethylene to yield a versatile synthon, 3-(p-toluenesulfonyl)-6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-3H-benz[e]indol-8-one ( 10 ). Subsequent coupling of this ketone with chiral α-methylbenzylamine under reductive amination conditions yielded a mixture of diastereomers. These diastereomers were efficiently separated by either chromatography or fractional recrystallization of the derived hydrochloride salts. Debenzylation of the pure diastereomers was followed by alkylation and formylation to yield (R)-(+)- and (S)-(-)-enantiomers 1a and 1b with >99% purity.     

Stabilisation of [Fe2(CO)9] and [Ru2(CO)9] bu substitution with bridging diphosphorus ligands

Reaction of [Fe₂(CO)₉] with a half molar amount of R₂PYPR₂ (Y = CH₂, R = Ph, Me, OMe or OPrⁱ; Y = N(Et), R = OPh, OMe or OCH₂; Y = N(Me), R = OPrⁱ or OEt) leads to the ready formation of a product which on irradiation with ultraviolet light rapidly decarbonylates to the heptacarbonyl derivative [Fe₂(μ-CO)(CO)₆{μ-R₂PYPR₂}]. Treatment of the latter with a slight excess of the appropriate ligand results, under photochemical conditions, in the formation of the dinuclear pentacarbonyl complex [Fe₂(μ-CO)(C))₄{μ-R₂PYPR₂}₂] but under thermal conditions in the formation of the mononuclear species [Fe(CO)₃{R₂PYPR₂}]. Reaction of [Ru₃(CO)₁₂] with an equimolar amount of (RO)₂PN(R′)P(OR)₂ (R′ = Me, R = Prⁱ or Et; R′ = Et, R = Ph or Me) under either thermal or photochemical conditions produces [Ru₃(CO)₁₀{μ-(RO)₂PN(OR)₂}] which reacts further with excess (RO)₂PN(R′)P(OR)₂ on irradiation with ultraviolet light to afford the dinuclear compound [Ru₂(μ-CO)(CO₄{μ-(RO)₂PN(R′)P(OR)₂}₂]. The molecular structure of [Ru₂(μ-CO)(CO)₄{μ-(MeO)₂PN(Et)P(OMe)₂}₂], which has been determined by X-ray crystallography, is described.     

Synthesis and characterisation of transition metal halide complexes of the xylyl-distibine, 1,2-bis(dimethylstibanylmethyl)benzene

Complexes of the title ligand with Cu(I), Ag(I), Au(I), Pd(II), Pt(II), Rh(III), and rare examples with Ni(II) and Co(III) have been prepared and characterised by analysis, IR, UV-vis, 1H, 63Cu and 59Co NMR spectroscopy and ES+ mass spectrometry as appropriate. The structures of [Cu[1,2-C6H4(CH2SbMe2)2]2]BF4, [PtCl2[1,2-C6H4(CH2SbMe2)2]], [M[1,2-C6H4(CH2SbMe2)2]2][PF6]2 (M = Pd or Pt), and [NiI[1,2-C6H4(CH2SbMe2)2]2]ClO4 have been determined, and the varying chelate bite and conformations of the xylyl backbone in these structures are discussed. Despite the unfavourable seven-membered chelate ring and the large soft antimony donors, 1,2-C6H4(CH2SbMe2)2 proves to be a surprisingly good ligand for late transition metals in medium oxidation states.     

Morphology of adsorbed polymers and solid surface wettability

The adsorption of a polyacrylamide (MW 14600) and two polysaccharides (MW 9260 and 706 x 10(3)) onto model silica surfaces of different hydrophobicities was investigated. In all cases, adsorption adhered to the Freundlich isotherm, reflecting the heterogeneous character of the solid substrates. The latter strongly influenced the character of the adsorbed polymer, with morphologies from chainlike structures to thin films and patches being observed. Surface roughness, polymer type, and molecular weight also play roles in controlling adsorbed polymer morphology. Surface wettability is strongly influenced by the thickness of the adsorbed layer.     

Rearrangement of epoxynitriles: a convenient homologation of acyclic and cyclic ketones to carboxylic acids

A convenient two-step homologation of both aliphatic and aromatic ketones to the corresponding carboxylic acid has been developed. First ketones were converted to epoxynitriles with the Darzens reaction. Second, a Lewis acid mediated rearrangement of these epoxynitriles with lithium bromide was achieved to give homologated secondary alkanoic acids (as well as aryl-alkanoic) in good yields. The mechanism and the scope of the rearrangement reaction were investigated. This strategy constitutes a two-step homologation of ketones to secondary carboxylic acids.     

1,4-Difluoro-2,5-dimethoxybenzene as a precursor for iterative double benzyne-furan Diels-Alder reactions

[reaction: see text] The use of 1,4-difluoro-2,5-dimethoxybenzene as a novel precursor for iterative two-directional benzyne-furan Diels-Alder reactions, using a range of 2- and 3-substituted furans, is reported. Substituted oxabenzonorbornadienes were synthesized following the initial Diels-Alder reaction, which upon ring opening under acidic conditions gave substituted naphthol derivatives. Highly substituted anthracenols were generated in the second benzyne-furan Diels-Alder reaction following acid-catalyzed isomerization of the cycloadducts.     

Chromium(V) Oxide Trichloride,and some Pentachlorido‐­oxido‐chromate(V) Salts: Structures and Spectroscopic ­Characterization

Crystalline CrOCl₃ contains [Cl₂OCr(μ‐Cl)₂CrOCl₂] molecules with two square pyramidal CrOCl₄ units sharing a common edge and with the Cr–O arranged anti, a new structure type for transition metal MOX₃ compounds. Crystals are monoclinic with space group P2₁/c, Z = 4, with a = 5.735(5), b = 13.738(7), c = 11.318(4) Å, α = 90°, β = 98.346(6)°, γ = 90°. Its IR and UV/Vis spectra are reported and compared with those of the C_3v monomer found in the gas phase. Structures are also reported for M₂[CrOCl₅] (M = Cs or Rb) and show a pseudo‐octahedral anion. Cs₂[CrOCl₅] adopts a K₂PtCl₆‐type structure with [CrOCl₅]^2– ions randomly orientated, but Rb₂[CrOCl₅] is orthorhombic with space group Pnma with a = 13.6471(7), b = 9.9175(5), and c = 6.9562(4) Å. Rietveld refinement of the data on the rubidium salt gave Cr–O = 1.628(1), Cr–Cl_transO = 2.652(7), Cr–Cl_transCl = 2.239(8)–2.342(3) Å. Corresponding Cr^V oxide bromide species do not form.     

Diagnosis of suspicious breast lesions using an empirical mathematical model for dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI

The purpose of this study was to test whether an empirical mathematical model (EMM) of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) can distinguish between benign and malignant breast lesions. A modified clinical protocol was used to improve the sampling of contrast medium uptake and washout. T(1)-weighted DCE magnetic resonance images were acquired at 1.5 T for 22 patients before and after injection of Gd-DTPA. Contrast medium concentration as a function of time was calculated over a small region of interest containing the most rapidly enhancing pixels. Then the curves were fitted with the EMM, which accurately described contrast agent uptake and washout. Results demonstrate that benign lesions had uptake (P<2.0 x 10(-5)) and washout (P<.01) rates of contrast agent significantly slower than those of malignant lesions. In addition, secondary diagnostic parameters, such as time to peak of enhancement, enhancement slope at the peak and curvature at the peak of enhancement, were derived mathematically from the EMM and expressed in terms of primary parameters. These diagnostic parameters also effectively differentiated benign from malignant lesions (P<.03). Conventional analysis of contrast medium dynamics, using a subjective classification of contrast medium kinetics in lesions as "washout," "plateau" or "persistent" (sensitivity=83%, specificity=50% and diagnostic accuracy=72%), was less effective than the EMM (sensitivity=100%, specificity=83% and diagnostic accuracy=94%) for the separation of benign and malignant lesions. In summary, the present research suggests that the EMM is a promising alternative method for evaluating DCE-MRI data with improved diagnostic accuracy.     

The Origin of Shape Sensitivity in Palladium‐Catalyzed Suzuki–Miyaura Cross Coupling Reactions

The shape sensitivity of Pd catalysts in Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reactions is studied using nanocrystals enclosed by well‐defined surface facets. The catalytic performance of Pd nanocrystals with cubic, cuboctahedral and octahedral morphologies are compared. Superior catalytic reactivity is observed for Pd NCs with {100} surface facets compared to {111} facets. The origin of the enhanced reactivity associated with a cubic morphology is related to the leaching susceptibility of the nanocrystals. Molecular oxygen plays a key role in facilitating the leaching of Pd atoms from the surface of the nanocrystals. The interaction of O₂ with Pd is itself facet‐dependent, which in turn gives rise to more efficient leaching from {100} facets, compared to {111} facets under the reaction conditions.