Competing reaction pathways from α-halo-α-protioalkyl aryl sulfoxides initiated by organometallic reagents

The reactions of syn-1-haloethyl p-chlorophenyl sulfoxides (halogen = Cl, Br) with main-group organometallic reagents (n-BuMgCl, MeLi, n-BuLi, s-BuLi, and t-BuLi) in THF and PhMe solvents were examined. Product distributions were analyzed to determine the extent of competing sulfoxide ligand exchange, halogen-metal exchange, and deprotonation reaction pathways. A combination of t-BuLi in PhMe was optimal for initiation of sulfoxide ligand exchange from syn-1-chloroethyl p-chlorophenyl sulfoxide.     

Reactions of some 2H-Chromenes and 2H-Thiochromenes with triazolinediones

Simple 2H-chromenes and 2H-thiochromenes form the [2+2]-adducts, tetrahydro[1]benzo(thio)pyrano[3,4-c] [1,2]diazeto[1,2-a][1,2,4]triazoles, with triazolinediones, whereas their 3- and 4-bromo and the corresponding cycloalkylamino derivatives undergo an overall etectrophilic substitution sequence.     

An unusual dichotomy in the regioselectivity of a metal catalyzed versus thermal ene reaction

A Pd(+2) catalyzed cyclization of a 1,6-enyne complements a thermal Alder ene reaction; a rationale invoking a remote binding site is proposed.     

A reinvestigation of asymmetric induction in diels-alder reactions to chiral acrylates.

The chiral induction in the Diels-Alder addition $\text{1}$ → $\text{2}$, assessed reliably by ¹⁹F-NMR-spectroscopy of the endo-esters $\text{4}$, varied between 47 - 93% in favor of the 2-(R)-adducts $\text{2}$ depending on the auxiliary chiral group and the Lewis-acid catalyst.     

Synthesis of the ladybug alkaloids (±)-propyleine and (±)-isopropyleine. Modification of the published structure of propyleine

The total syntheses of the ladybug alkaloids (±)-propyleine and (±)-isopropyleine are described. Evidence that the alkaloid propyleine is actually a rapidly interconverting mixture of propyleine and a previously unknown isomer isopropyleine is presented.     

Adhesive transfer of thin viscoelastic films

Micellar suspensions of acrylic diblock copolymers are excellent model materials for studying the adhesive transfer of viscoelastic solids. The micellar structure is maintained in films with a variety of thicknesses, giving films with a well-defined structure and viscoelastic character. Thin films were cast onto elastomeric silicone substrates from micellar suspensions in butanol, and the adhesive interactions between these coated elastomeric substrates and a rigid indenter were quantified. By controlling the adhesive properties of the film/indenter and film/substrate interfaces we were able to obtain very clean transfer of the film from the substrate to the portion of the glass indenter with which the film was in contact. Adhesive failure at the film/substrate interface occurs when the film/indenter interface is able to support an applied energy release rate that is sufficient to result in cavity nucleation at the film/substrate interface. Cavity formation is rapidly followed by delamination of the entire region under the indenter. The final stage in the transfer process involves the failure of the film that bridges the indenter and the elastomeric substrate. This film is remarkably robust and is extended to three times its original width prior to failure. Failure of this film occurs at the periphery of the indenter, giving a transferred film that conforms to the original contact area between the indenter and the coated substrate.     

Kinetics of the interconversion of parahydrogen and orthohydrogen catalyzed by paramagnetic complex ions

The rate constants of para-/orthohydrogen (p-/o-H2) nuclear spin isomerization have been measured by means of 1H NMR in deuterated solvents at 298.2 K. The indicated reaction is catalyzed by paramagnetic complex ions giving rate constants that are proportional to the concentrations of the catalysts. The second-order rate constants are directly proportional to the squares of the magnetic moments for the solvated metal complexes for two classifications: M(solv)m2+, M = 3d transition metals; Ln(solv)n3+, where in 1:9 D2O-CD3CN the aqua complexes are the predominant species, Ln = lanthanides. The other 3d transition metal complexes with different ligands show rate constants that also depend on the sizes of ligands. Whereas the correlation between the second-order rate constants and magnetic moments is consistent with Wigner's theory, the size of catalyst shows a more modest effect on the rate constants than expected. The effective collision radii of the complexes, calculated from the rate constants, proved to be approximately constant for each series of solvated metal complexes.     

Structural and rate studies of the 1,2-additions of lithium phenylacetylide to lithiated quinazolinones: influence of mixed aggregates on the reaction mechanism

The 1,2-addition of lithium phenylacetylide (PhCCLi) to quinazolinones was investigated using a combination of structural and rate studies. (6)Li, (13)C, and (19)F NMR spectroscopies show that deprotonation of quinazolinones and phenylacetylene in THF/pentane solutions with lithium hexamethyldisilazide affords a mixture of lithium quinazolinide/PhCCLi mixed dimer and mixed tetramer along with PhCCLi dimer. Although the mixed tetramer dominates at high mixed aggregate concentrations and low temperatures used for the structural studies, the mixed dimer is the dominant form at the low total mixed aggregate concentrations, high THF concentrations, and ambient temperatures used to investigate the 1,2-addition. Monitoring the reaction rates using (19)F NMR spectroscopy revealed a first-order dependence on mixed dimer, a zeroth-order dependence on THF, and a half-order dependence on the PhCCLi concentration. The rate law is consistent with the addition of a disolvated PhCCLi monomer to the mixed dimer. Investigation of the 1,2-addition of PhCCLi to an O-protected quinazolinone implicates reaction via trisolvated PhCCLi monomers.     

A novel anthracenyl tagged protecting group for "phase-switching" applications in parallel synthesis

A new "phase-switching" protecting group 1 that facilitates the parallel synthesis of carboxylic acids, esters, and carboxamides is described. Its use permits chemistries to be performed in solution, which may be conveniently monitored with conventional analytical techniques, followed by subsequent immobilization onto a solid-phase support to aid compound purification. Carboxylic acids, esters, and carboxamides are then cleaved from the solid support following activation of the "safety-catch" and treatment with the desired nucleophile.     

One-carbon chain extension of esters to alpha-chloroketones: a safer route without diazomethane

The reaction of a variety of methyl esters with dimethylsulfoxonium methylide at 0-25 degrees C affords the chain-extended beta-keto dimethylsulfoxonium ylides. Subsequent treatment with hydrogen chloride in THF proceeds with loss of DMSO to afford the corresponding alpha-chloroketones. This sequence has been utilized to convert the methyl esters of CBZ-protected alanine and valine to the anti N-protected alpha-amino epoxides, which are important pharmaceutical intermediates. When the same protocol is applied to BOC-protected phenylalanine methyl ester, epimerization occurs so that the use of a more reactive aryl ester is required. This chemistry provides a practical route to alpha-chloroketones that avoids the use of toxic and explosive diazomethane.