A Tetrameric Cage with D2h Symmetry through Alkyne Metathesis

Shape‐persistent covalent organic polyhedrons (COPs) with ethynylene linkers are usually prepared through kinetically controlled cross‐coupling reactions. The high‐yielding synthesis of ethynylene‐linked rigid tetrameric cages via one‐step alkyne metathesis from readily accessible triyne precursors is presented. The tetrameric cage contains two macrocyclic panels and exhibits D_2h symmetry. The assembly of such a COP is a thermodynamically controlled process, which involves the initial formation of macrocycles as key intermediates followed by the connection of two macrocycles with ethynylene linkages. With a large internal cavity, the cage exhibits a high binding selectivity toward C₇₀ (K=3.9×10³ L mol^?1) over C₆₀ (no noticeable binding).     

Diastereoselective Synthesis of Functionalized Tetrahydropyrimidin‐2‐thiones via ZnCl2 Promoted One‐pot Reactions

In the presence of zinc chloride, the in situ generated β‐enamino ester from the reaction of morpholine, piperidine and pyrrolidine with methyl propiolate reacted, with aromatic aldehydes and thiourea in ethanol resulting in the functionalized tetrahydropyrimidin‐2‐thiones in satisfactory yields and with good diastereoselectivity. When aromatic aldehydes bearing electron‐withdrawing group were used in the reaction, the 4‐hydroxytetrahydropyrimidin‐2‐thione derivatives were obtained as the main product.     

Synthesis of Functionalized 1‐Benzamido‐1,4‐dihydropyridines via a One‐Pot Two‐Step Four‐Component Reaction

The one‐pot four‐component reaction of benzohydrazide, acetylenedicarboxylate, aromatic aldehydes and malononitrile in ethanol with triethylamine as base catalyst afforded functionalized 1‐benzamido‐1,4‐dihydropyridines in satisfactory yields. Under similar conditions, picolinohydrazide or nicotinohydrazide can also be successfully utilized in the reactions to give corresponding functionalized 1,4‐dihydropyridines. ¹H NMR data indicated that an equilibrium of cis/trans‐conformations exist in 1‐benzamido‐1,4‐dihydropyridines.     

A Facile and Practical Process for the Synthesis of Polysubstituted Furans from Alkynes Using Atmospheric Oxygen as a Terminal Oxidant

We present here a facile and practical procedure for the synthesis of tetrasubstituted furans from alkynes catalyzed by palladium acetate together with cupric acetate in acetic acid, using atmospheric oxygen as a terminal oxidant. Various internal aromatic alkynes afforded the target furans in satisfactory yield.     

Terminal Alkyne Coupling Reactions Through a Ring: Effect of Ring Size on Rate and Regioselectivity

Terminal alkyne coupling reactions promoted by rhodium(I) complexes of macrocyclic NHC-based pincer ligands—which feature dodecamethylene, tetradecamethylene or hexadecamethylene wingtip linkers viz. [Rh(CNC-n)(C₂H₄)][BAr^F₄] (n=12, 14, 16; Ar^F=3,5-(CF₃)₂C₆H₃)—have been investigated, using the bulky alkynes HC≡CtBu and HC≡CAr’ (Ar’=3,5-tBu₂C₆H₃) as substrates. These stoichiometric reactions proceed with formation of rhodium(III) alkynyl alkenyl derivatives and produce rhodium(I) complexes of conjugated 1,3-enynes by C−C bond reductive elimination through the annulus of the ancillary ligand. The intermediates are formed with orthogonal regioselectivity, with E-alkenyl complexes derived from HC≡CtBu and gem-alkenyl complexes derived from HC≡CAr’, and the reductive elimination step is appreciably affected by the ring size of the macrocycle. For the homocoupling of HC≡CtBu, E-tBuC≡CCH=CHtBu is produced via direct reductive elimination from the corresponding rhodium(III) alkynyl E-alkenyl derivatives with increasing efficacy as the ring is expanded. In contrast, direct reductive elimination of Ar'C≡CC(=CH₂)Ar’ is encumbered relative to head-to-head coupling of HC≡CAr’ and it is only with the largest macrocyclic ligand studied that the two processes are competitive. These results showcase how macrocyclic ligands can be used to interrogate the mechanism and tune the outcome of terminal alkyne coupling reactions, and are discussed with reference to catalytic reactions mediated by the acyclic homologue [Rh(CNC-Me)(C₂H₄)][BAr^F₄] and solvent effects.     

Metal/Metal Redox Isomerism Governed by Configuration

A pair of diastereomeric dinuclear complexes, [Tp′(CO)BrW{μ-η²-C,C′-κ²-S,P-C₂(PPh₂)S}Ru(η⁵-C₅H₅)(PPh₃)], in which W and Ru are bridged by a phosphinyl(thiolato)alkyne in a side-on carbon P,S-chelate coordination mode, were synthesized, separated and fully characterized. Even though the isomers are similar in their spectroscopic properties and redox potentials, the like-isomer is oxidized at W while the unlike-isomer is oxidized at Ru, which is proven by IR, NIR and EPR-spectroscopy supported by spectro-electrochemistry and computational methods. The second oxidation of the complexes was shown to take place at the metal left unaffected in the first redox step. Finally, the tipping point could be realized in the unlike isomer of the electronically tuned thiophenolate congener [Tp′(CO)(PhS)W{μ-η²-C,C′-κ²-S,P-C₂(PPh₂)S}Ru(η⁵-C₅H₅)-(PPh₃)], in which valence trapped W^III/Ru^II and W^II/Ru^III cationic species are at equilibrium.     

α-Amidoaldehydes as Substrates in Rhodium-Catalyzed Intermolecular Alkyne Hydroacylation: The Synthesis of α-Amidoketones

We show that readily available α-amidoaldehydes are effective substrates for intermolecular Rh-catalyzed alkyne hydroacylation reactions. The catalyst [Rh(dppe)(C₆H₅F)][BAr^F₄] provides good reactivity, and allows a broad range of aldehydes and alkynes to be used as substrates, delivering α-amidoketone products. High yields and high levels of regioselectivity are achieved. The use of α-amidoaldehydes as substrates establishes that 1,4-dicarbonyl motifs can be used as controlling groups in Rh-catalyzed hydroacylation reactions.     

Structure Determination of Alkynyl‐Protected Gold Nanocluster Au22(tBuC≡C)18 and Its Thermochromic Luminescence

An alkynyl‐protected gold nanocluster, Au₂₂(^tBuC≡C)₁₈ ( 1 ), has been synthesized and its structure has been determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The molecular structure consists of a Au₁₃ cuboctahedron kernel and three [Au₃(^tBuC≡C)₄] trimeric staples. The cluster 1 has strong luminescence in the solid state with a 15 % quantum yield, and it displays interesting thermochromic luminescence as revealed by temperature‐dependent emission spectra. The enhanced room‐temperature emission is characterized as thermally activated delayed fluorescence.     

Residual Dipolar-Coupling-Based Conformational Comparison of Noncovalent Ubiquitin Homodimer with Covalently Linked Diubiquitin

Although the conformation of the polymer chain of Ubiquitin (Ub) mainly depends on the type of isopeptide linkage connecting two Ub molecules, the non-covalent (noncovalent) interaction between two Ub molecules within the chain could also tune their conformational preference. Here, we studied the conformation of noncovalently formed Ub dimers in solution using residual dipolar couplings (RDCs). Comparing the RDC derived alignment tensor of the noncovalently formed dimer with the two most abundant (K11 and K48) covalent linked Ub dimers revealed that the conformation of K11 linked and noncovalent Ub dimers were similar. Between the various NMR and crystal structures of K11 linked Ub dimers, RDC tensor analysis showed that the structure of K11 linked dimer crystalized at neutral pH is similar to noncovalent dimer. Analogous to the experimental study, the comparison of predicted order matrix of various covalent Ub dimers with that of the experimentally determined order matrix of noncovalent Ub dimer also suggests that the conformation of K11 linked dimers crystalized at neutral pH is similar to the noncovalent dimer.     

Dimerization of Acetylene to Monovinylacetylene (MVA) by Bimetallic Zr/Cu Catalyst in Nieuwland Catalytic System

Nieuwland catalyst is a key step in the dimerization of acetylene. Various zirconium metal additives incorporating Nieuwland catalysts were prepared, and their catalytic performances were assessed in acetylene dimerization. Different characterization techniques (i.e., thermogravimetric analysis, temperature-programmed reduction, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, hydrogen ion concentration measurement and transmission electron microscopy) were employed in this study. The best catalytic performance was obtained over zirconium-acetylacetonate-incorporated Nieuwland catalysts, with an acetylene conversion of 53.3% and a monovinylacetylene selectivity of 87.4%. Based on these results, the zirconium acetylacetonate additive could reduce the types of transition state complexes, and it could also change the morphology of the catalyst. In addition, the additives could significantly inhibit the occurrence of trimerization products and polymers. Hence, the conversion of acetylene, monovinylacetylene selectivity, and stability of the Nieuwland catalysts were enhanced.