Rhodium-catalyzed isomerization of alpha-arylpropargyl alcohols to indanones: involvement of an unexpected reaction cascade

A rhodium-catalyzed isomerization of alpha-arylpropargyl alcohols to indanones has been developed under mild conditions. Considering the ease of preparation of these propargyl alcohols (terminal alkynes + aromatic aldehydes), this method provides a new way of constructing indanones with high efficiency. By the mechanistic investigations using deuterium-labeled substrates, it has also been demonstrated that the reaction goes through an unexpected cascade, with a 1,4-hydrogen shift being the turnover-limiting step of the catalytic cycle.     

Highly active, immobilized ruthenium catalysts for oxidation of alcohols to aldehydes and ketones. Preparation and use in both batch and flow systems

A novel, highly active immobilized ruthenium catalyst, which can be successfully used in oxidation of alcohols to aldehydes and ketones, has been developed. In contrast to most immobilized catalysts, the Ru catalyst has activity that is higher than that of the original non-immobilized catalyst. In a batch system, the Ru catalyst was recovered and reused several times without loss of activity. The catalyst was also applied to a flow system, in which excellent conversions and yields were demonstrated. No leaching of Ru was observed in both cases.     

Catalytic asymmetric Michael reaction of beta-keto esters: effects of the linker heteroatom in linked-BINOL

We describe the development of a general catalytic asymmetric Michael reaction of acyclic beta-keto esters to cyclic enones, in which asymmetric induction occurs at the beta-position of the acceptors. Among the various asymmetric catalyst systems examined, the newly developed La-NR-linked-BINOL complexes (R = H or Me) afforded the best results in terms of reactivity and selectivity. In general, the NMe ligand 2 was suitable for the combination of small enones and small beta-keto esters, and the NH ligand 1 was suitable for bulkier substrates (steric tuning of the catalyst). Using the La-NMe-linked-BINOL complex, the Michael reaction of methyl acetoacetate (8a) to 2-cyclohexen-1-one (7b) gave the corresponding Michael adduct 9ba in 82% yield and 92% ee. The linker heteroatom in linked-BINOL is crucial for achieving high reactivity and selectivity in the Michael reaction of beta-keto esters. The amine moiety in the NR-linked-BINOL can also tune the Lewis acidity of the central metal (electronic tuning of the catalyst), which was supported by density functional studies and experimental results. Another advantage of the NR-linked-BINOL ligand as compared with O-linked-BINOL is the ease of modifying a substituent on the amine moiety, making it possible to synthesize a variety of NR-linked-BINOL ligands for further improvement or development of new asymmetric catalyses by introducing additional functionality on the linker with the amine moiety. The efficiency of the present asymmetric catalysis was demonstrated by the synthesis of the key intermediate of (-)-tubifolidine and (-)-19,20-dihydroakuammicine in only five steps compared to the nine steps required by the original process from the Michael product of malonate. This strategy is much more atom economical. On the basis of the results of mechanistic studies, we propose that a beta-keto ester serves as a ligand as well as a substrate and at least one beta-keto ester should be included in the active catalyst complex. Further improvement of the reaction by maintaining an appropriate ratio of the La-NMe-linked-BINOL complex and beta-keto esters is also described.     

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.     

Synthesis of functionalized hydroquinones via [Cp*RuCl2]2-catalyzed cocyclization of alkynes, alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl compounds, and carbon monoxide

[reaction: see text] Catalytic [2 + 2 + 1 + 1] cocyclization reaction of an alkyne, an alkene, and two molecules of carbon monoxide, leading to functionalized hydroquinones, was studied. Using [Cp*RuCl2]2 as a catalyst, we found that a variety of electron-deficient alkenes, such as alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones, esters, amides, and nitriles, can be employed as an alkene coupling partner to give the corresponding hydroquinones.     

Metal-complex assemblies constructed from the flexible hinge-like ligand H2bhnq: structural versatility and dynamic behavior in the solid state

Novel metal-complex assemblies constructed from the flexible hinge-like ligand H(2)bhnq (H(2)bhnq=2,2'-bi(3-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone)) have been synthesized. The X-ray crystal structures of these compounds reveal that four types of architectures are accessible by variation of the metal ions. In copper(II) compounds 1-3, the chelating bhnq(2-) ions bridge copper(II) centers to form one-dimensional zigzag chains. The chains of 1-3 are arranged by hydrogen-bonding interactions and stacking interactions to produce porous structures. Cobalt(II) and zinc(II) compounds 4 and 5 form one-dimensional helical chains. In 4 and 5, the crystal packing induces spontaneous resolution of the helical chains with chiral cavities formed perpendicular to the helices. Nickel(II) compounds 6 and 7 form cyclic tetramers. The fourth architecture, a dimer (compound 8), is obtained by the reaction of zinc(II) and bhnq(2-) in MeOH. In these compounds, changes of the dihedral angles and the metal-coordination mode of the bhnq(2-) ion induce the structural versatility. The assemblies of the zigzag chains of the copper(II) compounds exhibit reversible vapochromic behavior. UV/Vis, powder X-ray diffraction, EPR, and adsorption isotherm measurements indicate that this vapochromic behavior is based on the hinge-like flexibility of the bhnq(2-) ion.     

Preparation and Crystal Structures of 4-(4′-Pyridylthio)-1-methylpyridinium Salts: Assembly of a Donor-Acceptor-Type Molecule Containing a Sulfide Bridge

A series of ionic 4-(4′-pyridylthio)-1-methylpyridinium salts with different counteranions (1, I⁻; 2, BF⁻₄; 3, PF⁻₆; and 4, OTf⁻, where OTf=trifluoromethanesulfonate) have been prepared. Structural analysis reveals that the cation exhibits a variety of stacking structures dependent on the anion. Compound 1 crystallizes in space group P2_1/n (#14), with a=10.764(3) Å, b=9.601(5) Å, c=13.105(3) Å, β=108.35(2), V=1285.4(8) ų, and Z=4. In this compound, each cation moiety is stacked in a helical arrangement along the c-axis. Compound 2, which is isomorphous to 1, has space group P2_1/n (#14), with a=11.647(2) Å, b=9.203(3) Å, c=13.232(2) Å, β=108.42(2), V=1345.6(5) ų, and Z=4. Compound 3 crystallizes in space group P2_1/n (#14), with a=8.06(1) Å, b=17.43(1) Å, c=10.30(1) Å, β=103.0(1), V=1410(3) ų, and Z=4. In this salt, the cation molecules assume a head-to-tail stacking arrangement, forming a polar pseudo 1-D chain. Compound 4 crystallizes in space group Pb? (#2), with a=7.585(4) Å, b=15.443(7) Å, c=6.775(4) Å, α=99.33(4), β=108.35(2)^o, γ=98.37(4), V=756.6(7) ų, and Z=2. The structure of 4 consists of a columnar stacking of pyridine moieties, with the cation moieties surrounded by the counteranions. Calculations show that the 4-(4′-pyridylthio)-1-methylpyridinium cation may be a good building block for second harmonic generation (SHG) materials, even though salts 1-4 crystallized in centrosymmetric structures and were SHG inactive.     

Modes of conformational changes of proteins adsorbed on a planar hydrophobic polymer surface reflecting their adsorption behaviors

Infrared spectra of hen egg white lysozyme and bovine serum albumin (BSA) adsorbed on a solid poly tris(trimethylsiloxy)silylstyrene (pTSS) surface in D2O solution were measured using attenuated total reflection (ATR) Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. From the area and shape of the amide I' band of each spectrum, the adsorption amount and the secondary structure were determined simultaneously, as a function of adsorption time. We could show that the average conformation for all the adsorbed lysozyme molecules was solely determined by the adsorption time, and independent of the bulk concentration, while the adsorption amount increased with the bulk concentration as well as the adsorption time. These results suggest that lysozyme molecules form discrete assemblies on the surface, and that the surface assemblies grow over several hours to have a definite architecture independent of the adsorption amount. As for BSA, the extent of the conformational change was solely determined by the adsorption amount, regardless of the bulk concentration and the adsorption time. These differences in the adsorption properties of lysozyme and BSA may reflect differences in their conformational stabilities.     

The resonant secondary emission of the F center in alkali halides

The secondary radiation after resonant excitation of F center and its linear polarization P correlated to the polarization of resonant light have been measured for five alkali halides at low temperatures. In KC1, the spectrum of P over the whole Stokes region is divided into three successive regions, the depolarization range at the one-phonon Raman scattering, the near plateau range, and the depolarization range down to vanishing. The former two have common relevance to resonant energy and symmetries of coupled phonons. These relevances are interpreted adopting a configuration coordinate model for 2s- and 2p-like excited states.