Reverse photochromic behavior of an iron-magnesium complex

We have obtained a novel heterobimetallic iron-magnesium complex, (THF)4Mg(mu-Br)2FeBr2 (THF = tetrahydrofuran), which showed reverse photochromism in THF. The response exhibited in this system is associated with d-orbital splitting of the Fe atom and a change in the molecular aggregation state (dimerization).     

Total synthesis of borrelidin

The total synthesis of borrelidin has been achieved. The best feature of our synthetic route is macrocyclization at C11-C12 for the construction of an 18-membered ring after esterification between two segments. A detailed examination of the macrocyclization led us to the samarium(II) iodide-mediated intramolecular Reformatsky-type reaction as the most efficient synthetic approach. The two key segments were synthesized through regioselective methylation, directed hydrogenation, stereoselective Reformatsky-type reaction, and MgBr2.Et2O-mediated chelation-controlled allylation.     

Orientational isomerism controlled by the difference in electronic environments of a self-assembling heterodimeric capsule

Tetrakis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-cavitand 1 and tetra(4-pyridyl)-cavitand 2 self-assemble into a heterodimeric capsule 1.2 via four ArOH...pyridyl hydrogen bonds in CDCl3. The 1.2 expresses the orientational isomerism of an encapsulated unsymmetrical guest with high orientational selectivity because the electronic environment of the 1 unit is different from that of the 2 unit. For p-ethoxyiodobenzene and 2-iodo-6-methoxynaphthalene encapsulated in 1.2, the iodo group is specifically oriented to the cavity of the 2 unit. The orientational isomeric selectivity for methyl p-acetoxybenzoate and methyl p-ethoxybenzoate within 1.2 is 1:0.11 and 1:<0.05, respectively, wherein the methyl ester group is preferentially oriented to the cavity of the 2 unit. The delicate balance among electrostatic potential repulsion, CH-pi interaction, or CH-halogen (halogen-pi) interaction, in 1.2-guest assembly influences the orientational isomeric selectivity of unsymmetrical guests within 1.2.     

New synthetic method to 1,2-benzisothiazoline-3-one- 1,1-dioxides and 1,2-benzisothiazoline-3-one-1-oxides from N-alkyl(o-methyl) arenesulfonamides

Various N-alkylsaccharins were easily prepared in moderate to good yields by the reaction of N-alkyl(o-methyl)arenesulfonamides with (diacetoxyiodo)benzene in the presence of iodine under irradiation with a tungsten lamp (W-hν). On the other hand, irradiation of N-alkyl(o- methyl)arenesulfonamide derivatives bearing various subslituents on the aromatic ring with a high- pressure mercury lamp (Hg-hν), in the presence of (diacetoxyiodo)benzene and iodine gave the corresponding N-alkyl-1,2-benzisothiazoline-3-one-1-oxide derivatives in moderate yields, together with N-alkyl-1,2-benzisothiazoline-3-one-1,1-dioxide (saccharin) derivatives.     

Synthesis of polymers in aqueous solutions: Synthesis of polysulfide by reaction of bis(4‐mercaptophenyl) sulfide with bis(4‐chloro‐3‐nitrophenyl) sulfone using various bases in aqueous solutions

The polycondensation of bis(4‐mercaptophenyl) sulfide (BMPS) with bis(4‐chloro‐3‐nitrophenyl) sulfone (BCNPS) was examined using various organic or inorganic bases in mixed solvents of N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone (NMP) with water or in plain water. The reaction of BMPS with BCNPS proceeded smoothly to give the corresponding polysulfide in mixed solvents of NMP with water at 60 °C using 1,8‐diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undecene‐7 as a base, although the rate of the reaction decreased gradually as the water in the solvent increased. Polysulfide can also be obtained by reaction in plain water using appropriate organic bases such as tripropylamine (TPA) or quinoline. The polysulfide with a number‐average molecular weight of 45,100 was synthesized in 62% yield when the reaction of BMPS with BCNPS was performed using TPA as a base at 60 °C for 48 h in plain water. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 3399–3404, 2000     

A Facile Generation of a Cyclopropylzinc Compound from an Alkenylzinc Derivative and Its Reaction with Electrophiles

The one-pot synthesis of cyclopropyl compounds from 1-alkynes has been achieved by direct cyclopropanation of a 1-alkenylzinc species upon treatment with iodomethylzinc and trapping of the cyclopropylzinc intermediate with allyl bromide in the presence of CuCN⋅2 LiCl (see reaction scheme). This method proceeds under mild conditions and in good yield.