Modular chiral selenium-containing oxazolines: synthesis and application in the palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation

A new series of modular chiral selenium-containing oxazolines has been synthesized from inexpensive and commercially available l-serine and l-aspartic acid. These new compounds were evaluated as chiral ligands in the palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation reaction, furnishing the product in high enantiomeric excess, using Cs₂CO₃/CH₂Cl₂ as the base/solvent system.     

Structure-Property Relationships in the Basicity and Lipophilicity of Arylalkylamine Oxides

Homologous N,N-dimethyl-phenylalkylamine oxides and N,N-dimethyl-diphenylalkylamine oxides were prepared. Their basicity and lipophilicity (octan-1-ol/H₂O) were compared to those of the parent amines. In contrast to the amines, the basicity of all N,N-dimethyl-arylalkylamine oxides showed very limited pK_a variations (range 4.65 – 5.01) with increasing chain length and number of Ph groups. The N-oxides in their neutral form had a log P^N value lower by 2.77±0.34 (n=9) units than that of the parent amine. The log P^C of the cationic N,N-dimethyl-diphenylalkylamines was lower than that of their neutral form, with a decrement diff(log P^N−C) that increased from 3.25 to 4.21 in the homologous series. Unexpectedly, the decrement diff(log P^N−C) for the N-oxides was much smaller than for the tertiary amines, being 0.23 for the aliphatic N,N-dimethyl-pentylamine oxide, 0.47±0.13 for the phenylalkylamine oxides, and 0.80±0.07 for the diphenylalkylamine oxides. In fact, the protonated N-oxides had log P^C values that were quite comparable to those of the protonated parent amines. Because of the differences in basicity, the difference in distribution coefficients at physiological pH (log D^7.4) between a tertiary arylalkylamine and its N-oxide was 0.82±0.66 (n=9). The pharmacokinetic implication is that N-oxygenation may have a smaller effect on the urinary excretion of tertiary amines than usually assumed.     

Reaction of sulfenes with heterocyclic N,N-disubstituted α-aminomethyleneketones. XII. Synthesis of [1]benzothiepino[4,5-e][1,2]oxathiin derivatives

The 1,4-cycloaddition of sulfene to N,N-disubstituted (E)-4-aminomethylene-3,4-dihydro[1]benzothiepin-5(2H)-ones I occurred only in the case of aliphatic N,N-disubstitution to give in good yield 4-dialkylamino-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro[1]benzothiepino[4,5-e][1,2]oxathiin 2,2-dioxides, which are derivatives of the new heterocyclic system [1]benzothiepino[4,5-e][1,2]oxathiin. Also the reaction of I with chlorosulfene occurred only in the case of aliphatic N,N-disubstitution to afford chiefly trans-4-dialkylamino-3-chloro-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-[1]benzothiepino[4,5-e][1,2]oxathiin 2,2-dioxides III in satisfactory yield. Adducts III were dehydrochlorinated with DBN to 4-dialkylamino-5,6-dihydro[1]benzothiepino[4,5-e][1,2]oxathiin 2,2-dioxides in good yield.     

Determination of Phenolic Endocrine Disruptors in Cosmetics by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry

An analytical method for the simultaneous determination of bisphenol A, 4-t-octylphenol, 4-n-octylphenol, and 4-n-nonylphenol in cosmetic samples has been developed. These compounds have toxic effects on human health as they have shown to produce endocrine disrupting properties. Therefore, their presence in cosmetics should be avoided according to the current European Regulations on cosmetic products. The method is based on high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) detection. Standard addition calibration was used to avoid matrix effects. The limits of detection values ranged between 7 and 15?ng?mL^?1 (threefold of the residual standard deviation of regression lines). The proposed method was validated, and good recovery (90–106%) and repeatability values (2.7–8.2%) were obtained. Finally, the method was successfully applied to ten commercially available cosmetic samples. The good analytical features of the proposed method make it useful to carry out the quality control of cosmetic products and raw materials to assure the safety of users.     

Novel structures of cyclometallated complexes of palladium(II) derived from terdentate ligands. Crystal and molecular structure of [Pd{C6H4C(H)=NCH2CH2CH2NMe2}(X)] (X=Cl, Br, I)

Treatment of N-(2-chlorobenzylidene)-N,N-dimethyl-1,3-propanediamine (1) and N-(2-bromo-3,4-(MeO)₂-benzylidene)-N,N-dimethyl-1,3-propanediamine (20) with tris(dibenzylideneacetone)dipalladium(0) in toluene gave the mononuclear cyclometallated complexes [Pd{C₆H₄C(H)=NCH₂CH₂CH₂NMe₂}(Cl)] (2) and [Pd{3,4-(MeO)₂C₆H₂C(H)=NCH₂CH₂CH₂NMe₂}(Br)] (21), respectively, via oxidative addition reaction with the ligand as a C,N,N terdentate ligand. Reaction of 2 with sodium bromide or iodide in an acetone–water mixture gave the cyclometallated analogues of 2, [Pd{C₆H₄C(H)=NCH₂CH₂CH₂NMe₂}(Br)] (3) and [Pd{C₆H₄C(H)=NCH₂CH₂CH₂NMe₂}(I)] (4), by halogen exchange. The X-ray crystal structures of 2, 3 and 4 were determined and discussed. Treatment of 2, 3, 4 and 21 with tertiary monophosphines in acetone gave the mononuclear cyclometallated complexes [Pd{C₆H₄C(H)=NCH₂CH₂CH₂NMe₂}(L)(X)] (6: L=PPh₃, X=Cl; 7: L=PPh₃, X=Br; 8: L=PPh₃, X=I; 9: L=PMePh₂, X=Cl; 10: L=PMe₂Ph, X=Cl) and [Pd{3,4-(MeO)₂C₆H₂C(H)=NCH₂CH₂CH₂NMe₂}(L)(Br)] (22: L=PPh₃; 23: L=PMePh₂; 24: L=PMe₂Ph). A fluxional behaviour due to an uncoordinated CH₂CH₂CH₂NMe₂ could be determined by variable temperature NMR spectroscopy. Treatment of 2, 3 and 4 with silver trifluoromethanesulfonate followed by reaction with triphenylphosphine gave the mononuclear complex [Pd{C₆H₄C(H)=NCH₂CH₂CH₂NMe₂}(PPh₃)][F₃CSO₃] (11) where the Pd–NMe₂ bond was retained. Reaction of 2, 3 and 4 with ditertiary diphosphines in a cyclometallated complex–diphosphine 2:1 molar ratio gave the binuclear complexes [{Pd[C₆H₄C(H)=NCH₂CH₂CH₂NMe₂](X)}₂(μ-L–L)][L–L=PPh₂(CH₂)₄PPh₂(dppb) (13, X=Cl; 14, X=Br; 15, X=I; L–L=PPh₂(CH₂)₅PPh₂(dpppe): 16, X=Cl; 17, X=Br; 18, X=I) with palladium–NMe₂ bond cleavage. Treatment of 2, 3 and 4 with ditertiary diphosphines, in a cyclometallated complex–diphosphine 2:1, molar ratio and AgSO₃CF₃ gave the binuclear cyclometallated complexes [{Pd[C₆H₄C(H)=NCH₂CH₂CH₂NMe₂]}₂(μ-L–L)][F₃CSO₃]₂ (11: L–L=PPh₂(CH₂)₄PPh₂(dppb), X=Cl; 12: L–L=PPh₂(CH₂)₅PPh₂ (dpppe), X=Cl). Reaction of 2 with the ditertiary diphosphine cis-dppe in a cyclometallated complex–diphosphine 1:1 molar ratio followed by treatment with sodium perchlorate gave the mononuclear cyclometallated complex [Pd{C₆H₄C(H)=NCH₂CH₂CH₂NMe₂}(cis-PPh₂CH=CHPPh₂–P,P)][ClO₄] (19).     

2,6-Bis[(o-hydroxy)phenyliminomethyl]-1-hydroxybenzene as a reagent for the selective spectrofluorimetric determination of aluminium

A spectrofluorimetric method for the determination of aluminium at ng/ml level has been developed. The method is based on the formation of a fluorescent 11 complex between Al(III) and 2,6-bis[(o-hydroxy)phenyliminomethyl]-1-hydroxybenzene at an apparent pH of 5.0 in an aqueous-ethanol medium (70% v/v ethanol). The influence of reaction variables is discussed. The range of concentration of the method is 1.0–10.0 ng/ml aluminium, the relative standard deviation 1.5% and the limit of detection 0.1 ng/ml. The advantages of the proposed method include high sensitivity and selectivity. The method has been applied to the determination of aluminium in natural waters.     

Reaction of ketenes with N,N-disubstituted α-aminomethyleneketones. XII. Synthesis of N,N-disubstituted 4-amino-3-chloro-6-(2-methyl-l-propenyl) (2-phenylethenyl)-2H-pyran-2-ones

Cycloaddition of dichloroketene to N,N-disubstituted (E)-amino-5-methyl-1,4-hexadien-3-ones IV and (E,E)-1-amino-5-phenyl-1,4-pentadien-3-ones V occurred in moderate to good yield only in the case of aromatic N-substitution to give N,N-disubstituted 4-amino-3,3-dichloro-3,4-dihydro-6-(2-methyl-l-propenyl) (2-phenylethenyl)-2H-pyran-2-ones, which were dehydrochlorinated with DBN to afford in good yield N,N-disubstituted 4-amino-3-chloro-6-(2-methyl-propenyl)(2-phenylethenyl)-2H-pyran-2-ones. In the case of aliphatic N,N-disubstitution (dimethylamino group) of enaminones IV and V, the Cycloaddition led directly in low yield to 3-chloro-4-dimethylamino-6-(2-methyl-l-propenyl)(2-phenylethenyl)-2H-pyran-2-ones.     

Scopine Isolated in the Gas Phase

The rotational spectrum of the tropane alkaloid scopine is detected by Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy in a pulsed supersonic jet. A nonconventional method for bringing the molecules intact into the gas phase is used in which scopine syrup is mixed with glycine powder and the solid mixture is vaporized with an ultrafast UV laser beam. Laser vaporization prevents the easy isomerization to scopoline previously observed with conventional heating methods. A single conformer is unambiguously observed in the supersonic jet and corresponds to the energetically most stable species according to quantum chemical calculations. Rotational and centrifugal distortion constants are accurately determined. The spectrum shows fine and hyperfine structure due to the hindered rotation of the methyl group and the presence of a quadrupolar nucleus (¹⁴N), respectively. This additional information allows the angle of N‐methyl inversion between the N?CH₃ bond and the bicyclic C‐N‐C plane to be determined (131.8–137.8°), as well as the internal rotation barrier of the methyl group (6.235(1) kJ mol^?1).     

Electrochemical Determination of Sulphur‐containing Pharmaceuticals Using Boron‐doped Diamond Electrodes

N‐acetylcysteine (NAC) and gentamicin sulfate (GS) are biologically and pharmaceutically relevant thiol‐containing compounds. NAC is well known for its antioxidant properties, whereas GS is an aminoglycoside that is used as a broadband antibiotic. Both pharmaceuticals play a significant role in the treatment of bacterial infections by suppressing the formation of biofilms. According to the European Pharmacopeia protocol, GS is analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using gold electrodes for electrochemical detection. Here, we report the electrochemical detection of these compounds at NH₂‐terminated boron‐doped diamond electrodes, which show significantly reduced electrode passivation, an issue commonly known for gold electrodes. Cyclic voltammetry experiments performed for a period of 70 minutes showed that the peak current decreased only by 1.6 %/7.4 % for the two peak currents recorded for GS, and 6.6 % for the oxidation peak of NAC, whereas at gold electrodes a decrease in peak current of 14.2 % was observed for GS, and of 64 %/30 % for the two peak currents of NAC. For their quantitative determination, differential pulse voltammetry was performed in a concentration range of 2–49 µg/mL of NAC with a limit of detection (LOD) of 1.527 µg/mL, and a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 3.624 µg/mL, respectively. The quantification of GS in a concentration range of 0.2–50 µg/mL resulted in a LOD of 1.714 µg/mL, and a LOQ of 6.420 µg/mL, respectively.     

Sensitive determination of free benzophenone-3 in human urine samples based on an ionic liquid as extractant phase in single-drop microextraction prior to liquid chromatography analysis

Benzophenone-3 (BZ3), one of the compounds most commonly used as UV filter in cosmetic products, can be absorbed through the skin into the human body, since it can be found at trace levels in urine from users of cosmetic products that contain BZ3. Moreover, different undesirable effects have been attributed to this compound. Thus, sensitive analytical methods to monitor urinary excretion of this compound should be developed. This paper presents a selective and sensitive methodology for BZ3 determination at ultratrace levels in human urine samples. The methodology is based on a novel microextraction technique, known as single-drop microextraction (SDME). An ionic liquid (IL) has been used as extractant phase instead of an organic solvent. After the microextraction process, the extractant phase was injected into a liquid chromatography system. The variables of interest in the SDME process were optimized using a multivariate optimization approach. A Plackett-Burman design for screening and a circumscribed central composite design for optimizing the significant variables were applied. Ionic strength, extraction time, stirring speed, pH, ionic liquid type, drop volume and sample volume were the variables studied. The optimum experimental conditions found were: sodium chloride concentration, 13% (w/v); extraction time, 25 min; stirring speed, 900 rpm; pH, 2; ionic liquid type, 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([C(6)MIM][PF(6)]); drop volume, 5 microL; and sample volume, 10 mL. The proposed method requires a standard addition calibration approach, and it has been successfully employed to determine free BZ3 in urine samples coming from human volunteers who applied a sunscreen cosmetic containing this UV filter. The limit of detection was in the order of 1.3 ng mL(-1) and repeatability of the method, expressed as relative standard deviation, was 6% (n=8).