Rhodium-catalyzed direct C-H addition of 3,4-dihydroquinazolines to alkenes and their use in the total synthesis of vasicoline

The inter- and intramolecular couplings of unactivated alkenes to 3,4-dihydroquinazolines with a Rh(I) catalyst are reported. Coupling between olefins and NH-3,4-dihydroquinazoline was found to occur consecutively with heterocycle dehydrogenation in the presence of a Rh(I)/PCy3/HCl catalyst. The reaction was used to develop an effective method for the synthesis of 2-substituted quinazolines through an oxidative workup step. The regiocontrolled synthesis and Rh-catalyzed cyclization of alkene-tethered 3,4-dihydroquinazolines are also described. Applying this method, the second total synthesis of vasicoline was achieved. The key Rh-catalyzed cyclization step was made possible by the use of a rigid bicyclic phosphine ligand. The synthesis further demonstrates a challenging Cu-catalyzed amidation of an ortho-substituted aryl chloride.     

Calculating the jet quenching parameter

Models of medium-induced radiative parton energy loss account for the strong suppression of high-p(T) hadron spectra in square root of (S)NN=200 GeV Au-Au collisions at BNL RHIC in terms of a single "jet quenching parameter" q. We observe that q can be given a model-independent, nonperturbative, quantum field theoretic definition in terms of the short-distance behavior of a particular lightlike Wilson loop. We then use the anti-de Sitter/conformal-field-theory correspondence to obtain a strong-coupling calculation of q in hot N=4 supersymmetric QCD, finding q(SYM)=26.69 square root of alpha(SYM)N(c)T(3) in the limit in which both N(c) and 4pialpha(SYM)N(c) are large. Thus, at strong coupling q is not proportional to the entropy density s, or to some "number density of scatterers" since, unlike the number of degrees of freedom, q does not grow like N(c)(2).     

Determination of 4-nonylphenol in water samples using 4-(2,6-dimethylhept-3-yl)phenol as new internal standard

A new method for determining the endocrine disrupting substance 4-nonylphenol (technical grade = mixture of isomers, 4-NP) from water samples has been developed by using 4-(2,6-dimethylhept-3-yl)phenol (4-sec-NP) as model compound. This branched monoalkylphenol is shown to serve as internal standard (IS) for the determination of technical 4-nonylphenol. To the best of our knowledge, 4-(2,6-dimethylhept-3-yl)phenol (racemic mixture) is a newly synthesized 4-nonylphenol isomer and has not been described elsewhere. Recoveries have been determined by analyzing spiked water samples from distilled water, river water and wastewater. Following acetylation, the compounds were enriched via solid phase extraction (SPE). Analyses of the compounds were performed by capillary column gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), operating in selected ion-monitoring (SIM) mode. The recovery of technical 4-NP using either the newly prepared 4-sec-NP or 4-n-nonylphenol (4-n-NP) as IS have been compared. 4-sec-NP showed slightly better results. However, in the first series of experiments using wastewater, the yields for the derivatization of the two standard compounds were remarkably different. The yield for derivatization of 4-n-NP was approximately 20%, probably due to the difficult matrix of the wastewater. In contrast, the yield for the derivatization of 4-sec-NP was considerably higher (approximately 63%). This problem can be solved by increasing the concentration of the reagent used for derivatization. For better control of the clean-up process, we recommend application of 4-sec-NP as internal standard, at least in water samples with complex matrices (e.g., high content of hydroxylated compounds).     

Primary 1-arylcyclopropylamines from aryl cyanides with diethylzinc and titanium alkoxides

1-Aryl-substituted primary cyclopropylamines are conveniently prepared from aromatic nitriles and diethylzinc. The yields range from 40 to 56% for donor-substituted (five examples) to 62-82% for non- and acceptor-substituted substrates (nine examples).     

Thermal decomposition processes and their nucleation characteristics

Die Bildung und das Wachstum von Keimen während thermischer Zersetzungsreaktionen wurde mit Hilfe der Thermomikroskopie untersucht. Diese Methode erlaubt eine kontinuierliche Beobachtung der verschiedenen Vorgänge und Effekte, welche für die Kinetik der Zersetzungsreaktionen maßgebend sind. Von besonderer Bedeutung sind die Geschwindigkeit der Keimbildung und die des Wachstums in Abhängigkeit von den kristallographischen Richtungen und in bezug auf die Oberflächendefekte. Weitere wichtige Faktoren für die Probe sind die umgebende Atmosphäre, die Bildung von Sprüngen und Rissen, welche auf die Diffusion der gasförmigen Zersetzungsprodukte und das Ausmaß des strukturellen Umbaus zurückzuführen sind.Keimbildungserscheinungen von: Gips, CuSO₄ · 5 H₂O, NiSO₄ · 6 H₂O, Hydrozinkit und Diamant werden diskutiert. Die Ergebnisse der thermooptischen Untersuchungen werden u. a. zu TG-Messungen und Röntgenuntersuchungen in Beziehung gesetzt. Die Aktivierungsenergie der Keimbildung von Selenit (Marienglas) wurde zu 16±3 kcal/Mol gefunden.     

Kinetics of the formation of whewellite and weddelite by displacement reactions

The nucleation and crystallization of whewellite and weddelite during displacement reactions has been investigated by means of thermomicroscopy, thermogravimetry, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. Gypsum cleavage plates were immersed at different temperatures in solutions of oxalic acid and alkali oxalates. The reaction product (whewellite and/or weddelite) formed on the gypsum crystal surface. Depending on the concentration of the solution and on the time and temperature, different degrees of reaction, which means varying amounts and crystal forms or Ca-oxalate were found. An evaluation of the growth rate was possible by means of thermogravimetry. Conditions for the preparation of pure weddelite by precipitation from solutions have been established.

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Zusammenfassung Keimbildung und Kristallisation von Whewellit und Weddelit bei Verdrängungsreaktionen wurden durch Thermomikroskopie, Thermogravimetrie, Röntgenbeugung und Rasterelektronenmikroskopie untersucht. Gipsspaltplättchen wurden bei verschiedenen Temperaturen in Oxalsäure- und Natriumoxalatlösungen eingetaucht. Das Reaktionsprodukt (Whewellit oder Weddelit) bildete sich auf der Oberfläche des Gipskristalls. In Abhängigkeit von der Konzentration der Lösung, der Zeit und der Temperatur wurden verschiedene Umsetzungen, d. h. verschiedene Menge und Kristallformen von Calciumoxalat gefunden. Die Wachstumsgeschwindigkeit ließ sich aus thermogravimetrischen Messungen ermitteln. Die Bedingungen zur Herstellung reinen Weddelits durch Fällung aus der Lösung wurden ermittelt.

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We are grateful to Mr. R. Wessicken, Laboratorium für Festkörperphysik, ETH Zürich, Zürich-Hönggerberg, for taking the SEM-Photographs. Also, the kind help of Dr. A. Reller, Institute of Inorganic Chemisty, University of Zürich, for running the X-ray heating photographs is acknowledged.     

Unusual pathways for metal-assisted C[bond]C and C[bond]P coupling reactions using allenylidenerhodium complexes as precursors

The rhodium allenylidenes trans-[RhCl[[double bond]C[double bond]C[double bond]C(Ph)R](PiPr(3))(2)] [R = Ph (1), p-Tol (2)] react with NaC(5)H(5) to give the half-sandwich type complexes [(eta(5)-C(5)H(5))Rh[[double bond]C[double bond]C[double bond]C(Ph)R](PiPr(3))] (3, 4). The reaction of 1 with the Grignard reagent CH(2)[double bond]CHMgBr affords the eta(3)-pentatrienyl compound [Rh(eta(3)-CH(2)CHC[double bond]C[double bond]CPh(2))(PiPr(3))(2)] (6), which in the presence of CO rearranges to the eta(1)-pentatrienyl derivative trans-[Rh[eta(1)-C(CH[double bond]CH(2))[double bond]C[double bond]CPh(2)](CO)(PiPr(3))(2)] (7). Treatment of 7 with acetic acid generates the vinylallene CH(2)[double bond]CH[bond]CH[double bond]=C=CPh(2) (8). Compounds 1 and 2 react with HCl to give the five-coordinate allenylrhodium(III) complexes [RhCl(2)[CH[double bond]C[double bond]C(Ph)R](PiPr(3))(2)] (10, 11). An unusual [C(3) + C(2) + P] coupling process takes place upon treatment of 1 with terminal alkynes HC[triple bond]CR', leading to the formation of the eta(3)-allylic compounds [RhCl[eta(3)-anti-CH(PiPr(3))C(R')C[double bond]C[double bond]CPh(2)](PiPr(3))] [R' = Ph (12), p-Tol (13), SiMe(3) (14)]. From 12 and RMgBr the corresponding phenyl and vinyl rhodium(I) derivatives 15 and 16 have been obtained. The previously unknown unsaturated ylide iPr(3)PCHC(Ph)[double bond]C[double bond]C[double bond]CPh(2) (17) was generated from 12 and CO. A [C(3) + P] coupling process occurs on treatment of the rhodium allenylidenes 1, 2, and trans-[RhCl[[double bond]C[double bond]C[double bond]C(p-Anis)(2)](PiPr(3))(2)] (20) with either Cl(2) or PhICl(2), affording the ylide-rhodium(III) complexes [RhCl(3)[C(PiPr(3))C[double bond]C(R)R'](PiPr(3))] (21-23). The butatrienerhodium(I) compounds trans-[RhCl[eta(2)-H(2)C[double bond]C[double bond]C[double bond]C(R)R'](PiPr(3))(2)] (28-31) were prepared from 1, 20, and trans-[RhCl[[double bond]C[double bond]C[double bond]C(Ph)R](PiPr(3))(2)] [R = CF(3) (26), tBu (27)] and diazomethane; with the exception of 30 (R = CF(3), R' = Ph), they thermally rearrange to the isomers trans-[RhCl[eta(2)-H(2)C[double bond]C[double bond]C[double bond]C(R)R'](PiPr(3))(2)] (32, 33, and syn/anti-34). The new 1,1-disubstituted butatriene H(2)C[double bond]C[double bond]C[double bond]C(tBu)Ph (35) was generated either from 31 or 34 and CO. The iodo derivatives trans-[RhI(eta(2)-H(2)C[double bond]C[double bond]C[double bond]CR(2))(PiPr(3))(2)] [R = Ph (38), p-Anis (39)] were obtained by an unusual route from 1 or 20 and CH(3)I in the presence of KI. While the hydrogenation of 1 and 26 leads to the allenerhodium(I) complexes trans-[RhCl[eta(2)-H(2)C[double bond]C[double bond]C(Ph)R](PiPr(3))(2)] (40, 41), the thermolysis of 1 and 20 produces the rhodium(I) hexapentaenes trans-[RhCl(eta(2)-R(2)C[double bond]C[double bond]C[double bond]C[double bond]C[double bond]CR(2))(PiPr(3))(2)] (44, 45) via C-C coupling. The molecular structures of 3, 7, 12, 21, and 28 have been determined by X-ray crystallography.     

MOVPE growth of ternary and quaternary tensile strained MQW structures for polarization insensitive devices

Devices for future all-optical network systems will have a strong requirement for polarization independent operation, which can be achieved by introducing biaxially tensile strain into MQW active regions. We report on InP based low pressure MOVPE growth of MQW structures for 1.55 μm wavelength with tensile strained InGaAs and InGaAsP wells and lattice matched InGaAsP barrier layers. Taking into account measurement results from X-ray and PL together with theoretical evaluations we were able to grow polarization insensitive device structures. For all-optical wavelength converters we used MQW stacks with 5 tensile strained ternary wells and achieved λ conversion with a polarization dependence of less than 1 dB. Using quaternary wells a polarization insensitive electroabsorption modulator was realized. The residual polarization dependence is < 0.4 dB for 1550 nm and < 1 dB in the wavelength range from 1540 to 1560 nm (extinction ratio 10 dB).