Synthesis of Polysubstituted Ferrocenesulfoxides

The purpose of the study is to design synthetic methodologies, especially directed deprotometalation using polar organometallic reagents, to access polysubstituted ferrocenesulfoxides. From enantiopure 2-substituted (SiMe₃, PPh₂) S-tert-butylferrocenesulfoxides, a third substituent was first introduced at the 5 position (SiMe₃, I, D, C(OH)Ph₂, Me, PPh₂, CH₂NMe₂, F) and removal of the trimethylsilyl group then afforded 2-substituted ferrocenesulfoxides unreachable otherwise. Attempts to apply the “halogen dance” reaction to the ferrocenesulfoxide series led to unexpected results although rationalized in light of calculated pK_a values. Further functionalizations were also possible. Thus, new enantiopure, planar chiral di- and trisubstituted ferrocenes have been obtained, in addition to several original 2-substituted, 2,3- and 2,5-disubstituted, 2,3,5-trisubstituted and even 2,3,4,5-tetrasubstituted ferrocenesulfoxides, also enantiopure.     

1,5-Diamino-1H-1,2,3,4-tetrazolium picrate: X-ray molecular and crystal structures and ab initio MO calculations

The crystal and molecular structures of 1,5-diamino-1H-1,2,3,4-tetrazolium picrate (DATP) were determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. The tetrazolium cation in DATP has a structure with protonated N4 atom of the ring. Two amino groups in the cation are found to be rather different. The 5-amino group lies in the plane of the tetrazole ring and valence angles around the N atom are close to 120°, which indicates sp² hybridization of atomic orbital of the nitrogen atom. In contrast, valence angles around the N atom of the 1-amino group are close to tetrahedral angle, which suggests sp³ hybridization. The exocyclic C-N bond in the cation is substantially shorter than that in 1,5-diaminotetrazole. The obtained results indicate a conjugation between the π-system of the tetrazole ring and the 5-amino group. The results of ab initio calculations of electronic structure and relative stability for various tautomeric forms of protonated 1,5-diaminotetrazole using MP2/6-31G* and B3LYP/6-31G* levels of theory are in a good agreement with X-ray data and show that there are differences in σ-electron overlap populations for the C-N bonds in the cation in DATP, while π-electrons are delocalized.     

Carboranylphosphites—new effective ligands for rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of dimethyl itaconate

Novel monodentate phosphites containing ortho- and meta-closo-dodecarboranyl groups have been synthesized and applied in the asymmetric Rh-catalyzed hydrogenation of dimethyl itaconate, providing excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99.8% ee in CH₂Cl₂ and up to 93% ee in supercritical CO₂).     

New insight in the role of modifying ligands in the sol-gel processing of metal alkoxide precursors: A possibility to approach new classes of materials

This paper summarizes recent literature data and presents new experimental data on the mechanisms of chemical modification, hydrolysis and polycondensation of the alkoxides and demonstrates possibilities to approach new classes of materials, exploiting these mechanisms. Low reactivity of silicon alkoxides is improved by either basic catalysis exploiting an S_N2 mechanism or acidic catalysis facilitating a proton-assisted S_N1 mechanism as well as by modification with chelating ligands. Metal alkoxides are much stronger Lewis bases compared to silicon alkoxides and the acidity of water is strong enough to achieve their rapid hydrolysis via proton-assisted S_N1 pathway even in the absence of additional catalysts. Introduction of the modifying chelating ligands is leading generally to increased charge distribution in the precursor molecules. Modifying chelating ligands are also appreciably smaller than the alkoxide ligands they replace. The modification with chelating ligands is thus facilitating the kinetics of hydrolysis and polycondensation. The size and shape of the primary particles formed in sol-gel treatment of metal alkoxides are defined not by kinetic factors in their hydrolysis and polycondensation but by the interactions on the phase boundary, which is in its turn directed by the ligand properties. The products of the fast hydrolysis and condensation sequence consist of micelles templated by self-assembly of ligands (mainly oxo-species). This concept provides explanations for commonly observed material properties and allows for the development of new strategies for the preparation of materials. We discuss the formation of inverted micelles, obtained by the appropriate choice of solvents, which allows for the formation of hollow spheres. The modifying β-diketonate ligands act as the surfactant and form an interface between the hollow sphere and the solvent. Retention of ligands inside the gel particles is possible only if ligands possessing both chelating and bridging properties are applied. Application of such ligands, for example, diethanolamine, permits to prepare new transition metal oxide based microporous membranes.