PSEUDOHALOGEN CHEMISTRY. PART IV. HETEROLYTIC ADDITION OF THIOCYANOGEN TO ALKENES

Abstract

Thiocyanogen reacts slowly with alkenes, in the presence of a radical inhibitor in benzene or acetic acid in the dark at 25°, to yield α,β-dithiocyanates, α-isothiocyanates-β-thiocyanates and, in acetic acid, α-acetoxy-β-thiocyanates in varying proportions. The additions to alkyl alkenes are trans-stereospecific, and, in the case of the α-isothiocyanato-β-thiocyanates, non-regiospecific. The additions to aryl alkenes are trans-stereoselective and regiospecific, yielding the Markownikov-orientated α-isothiocyanato-β-thiocyanates. A heterolytic mechanism involving a two-step, kinetically controlled addition, with the formation of a cyano-sulfonium ion intermediate, e.g., 35, in the case of alkyl alkenes and an open carbonium ion, e.g., 36, in the case of aryl alkenes, is suggested. The diothiocyanate: isothiocyanato-thiocyanate ratios are discussed in terms of kinetic and steric control of reaction.     

Observation of Na(+)-bound oligomers of quercetin in the gas phase

While developing a liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry method for the analysis of the flavonoid quercitin, it was observed that quercetin (3,3',4',5,7-pentahydroxyflavone) exhibited clustering in both the positive and negative ion mode. Two series of positive ion clusters were observed; the first series corresponds to singly charged [2M + Na](+) at m/z 627.2 to [13M + Na](+) at m/z 3947.5, while the second series corresponds to doubly charged [7M + 2Na](2+) at m/z 1080.4 to [25M + 2Na](2+) at m/z 3798.5. In the negative ion mode, the behavior of quercetin parallels that of apigenin (4',5,7-trihydroxyflavone) in that [M + NO(3)](-), [2M + NO(3)](-), and [3M + NO(3)](-) were observed at m/z 364.1, 666.0, and 968.9, respectively; in addition, quercitin clusters with chloride ions ([2M + Cl](-) at m/z 638.9 and [3M + Cl](-) at m/z 940. 9) were observed. The results of tandem mass spectrometric examination of several cluster ions are reported.     

Isomerism in rhodium(I) N,S-donor heteroscorpionates: ring substituent and ancillary ligand effects

The heteroscorpionate ligands [HB(taz)(2)(pz(R))](-) (pz(R) = pz, pz(Me2), pz(Ph)) and [HB(taz)(pz)(2)](-), synthesised from the appropriate potassium hydrotris(pyrazolyl)borate salt and 4-ethyl-3-methyl-5-thioxo-1,2,4-triazole (Htaz), react with [{Rh(cod)(μ-Cl)}(2)] to give [Rh(cod)Tx] {Tx = HB(taz)(2)(pz), HB(taz)(2)(pz(Me2)), HB(taz)(2)(pz(Ph)), HB(taz)(pz)(2)}; the heteroscorpionate rhodaboratrane [Rh{B(taz)(2)(pz(Me2))}{HB(taz)(2)(pz(Me2))}] is the only isolable product from the reaction of [{Rh(nbd)(μ-Cl)}(2)] with K[HB(taz)(2)(pz(Me2))]. Carbonylation of the cod complexes gave a mixture of [Rh(CO)(2)Tx] and [(RhTx)(2)(μ-CO)(3)] which reacts with PR(3) to give [Rh(CO)(PR(3))Tx] (R = Cy, NMe(2), Ph, OPh). In the solid state the complexes are square planar with the particular structure dependent on the steric and/or electronic properties of the scorpionate and ancillary ligands. The complex [Rh(cod){HB(taz)(pz)(2)}] has the heteroscorpionate κ(2)[N(2)]-coordinated to rhodium with the B-H bond directed away from the rhodium square plane while [Rh(cod){HB(taz)(2)(pz(Me2))}] is κ(2)[SN]-coordinated, with the B-H bond directed towards the metal. The complexes [Rh(CO)(PPh(3)){HB(taz)(2)(pz)}] and [Rh(CO)(PPh(3)){HB(taz)(2)(pz(Me2))}] are also κ(2)[SN]-coordinated but with the pyrazolyl ring cis to PPh(3); in the former the B-H bond is directed towards rhodium while in the latter the ring is pseudo-parallel to the rhodium square plane, as also found for [Rh(CO)(2){HB(taz)(2)(pz(Me2))}]. The analogues [Rh(CO)(PR(3)){HB(taz)(2)(pz(Me2))}] (R = Cy, NMe(2)) have the phosphines trans to the pyrazolyl ring. Uniquely, [Rh(CO)(PPh(3)){HB(taz)(2)(pz(Ph))}] is κ(2)[S(2)]-coordinated. A qualitative mechanism is given for the rapid ring-exchange, and hence isomerisation, observed in solution.     

Thermodynamic property values of selected polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons measured by differential scanning calorimetry

In this study, the use of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is demonstrated as a powerful technique that can provide accurate thermodynamic property values of environmental contaminants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). In total, 47 high purity PAH certified reference materials were selected and analysed by DSC. Their onset melting temperature, enthalpy of fusion and eutectic purity were calculated from the obtained melting endotherms. In addition, the entropy of fusion, which was calculated from the onset melting temperature and enthalpy of fusion, is presented. All measurements were evaluated in a metrologically rigorous manner, including measurement uncertainties.     

Large‐Scale Synthesis of Enantiopure Molecular Cages: Chiroptical and Recognition Properties

A convenient and efficient gram‐scale synthesis for enantiopure hemicryptophane–tren (tren=tris(2‐aminoethyl)amine) derivatives has been developed. The four‐step synthesis is based on the optical resolution of a key intermediate, cyclotriveratrylene, for which the energy barrier for racemization has been measured to ensure that no racemization occurs during the two last steps of the synthetic pathway. The assignments of the absolute configurations have been performed by electronic circular dichroism and the enantiopurity was determined by NMR spectroscopy in the presence of enantiopure camphor sulfonic acid. To highlight the interest of such compounds, the recognition of norephedrine neurotransmitter was investigated and showed a remarkable enantioselectivity towards the C₃ symmetrical hosts. Finally, this highly modular synthetic pathway was used to provide eight enantiopure hemicryptophanes with different sizes, shapes, and functionalities. These results underline the high potential of this approach, which could lead to many applications in chiral recognition or asymmetric supramolecular catalysis.     

Large‐Scale Synthesis of Helicene‐Like Molecules for the Design of Enantiopure Thin Films with Strong Chiroptical Activity

Helicenes are fascinating molecules owing to their unusual properties and applications in many fields from catalysis to organic electronics. Herein, we report a straightforward pathway for the synthesis of helicene‐like molecules on a gram scale in an enantiopure form. Thin‐film materials with good propagating optical properties and very high chiroptical responses have been grown by using pulsed laser ablation without altering the structure or the enantiopurity of the molecules. Moreover, electronic and vibrational circular dichroism spectroscopies coupled with theoretical calculations enabled some dependences of the chiroptical properties with the structure to be highlighted, for example, effects of rigidification, aromatization, or the state of matter (liquid versus solid).     

NHC‐CAAC Heterodimers with Three Stable Oxidation States

The synthesis of N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC)–cyclic (alkyl)(amino) carbene (CAAC) heterodimers is presented. As the free carbenes do not react together in solution, the synthetic approach involves the addition of a free NHC to a cyclic iminium salt, which results in the formation of the protonated heterodimer. Subsequent deprotonation leads to the isolation of the corresponding mixed Wanzlick dimers. One‐ and two‐electron oxidations of these triazaolefins result in the formation of stable cationic radicals and bis(cations), respectively, which have been isolated and fully characterized. Cyclic voltammetry, UV/Vis spectroscopy, spin density, and DFT calculations suggest that these heterodimers feature complementary electronic properties to tetrathiafulvalenes (TTFs).