First Synthesis of 1,3-Alternate 25,27-Dialkyloxy-5,17-diarylcalix[4]arenes-crown-6 as New Cesium Selective Extractants by Suzuki Cross-coupling Reaction

The synthesis of new 25,27-dialkyloxy-5,17-diarylcalix[4]arenes-crown-6 1a–f in 1,3-alternate conformation by Suzuki cross-coupling reaction is reported. Their conformation was determined using ¹H, ¹³C, 2D NMR and ROESY analysis, and X-ray crystallography. Extraction experiments using a two-phase solvent method involving sodium, potassium or cesium picrate showed good extraction of the cesium cation. The X-ray crystal structures of 1,3-alternate 25,27-dipropoxy-5,17-diphenylcalix[4]arene-crown-6 ether 1a and its cesium picrate complex were established. Solid-state data were used to determine the complexation behavior of these new ligands. The efficiency of calixarenes 1a–f for cesium ion extraction could be ascribed to the rigidity and flatness linkages caused by the aryl groups at the lower rim of the aromatic moieties in the calixarene skeleton. In addition, the introduction of these aromatic moieties in positions 5 and 17 enhanced the solubility of the metal complexes in organic media.     

α‐Halogenoacetanilides as Hydrogen‐Bonding Organocatalysts that Activate Carbonyl Bonds: Fluorine versus Chlorine and Bromine

α‐Halogenoacetanilides (X=F, Cl, Br) were examined as H‐bonding organocatalysts designed for the double activation of C?O bonds through NH and CH donor groups. Depending on the halide substituents, the double H‐bond involved a nonconventional C?H???O interaction with either a H?CX_n (n=1–2, X=Cl, Br) or a H?C_Ar bond (X=F), as shown in the solid‐state crystal structures and by molecular modeling. In addition, the catalytic properties of α‐halogenoacetanilides were evaluated in the ring‐opening polymerization of lactide, in the presence of a tertiary amine as cocatalyst. The α‐dichloro‐ and α‐dibromoacetanilides containing electron‐deficient aromatic groups afforded the most attractive double H‐bonding properties towards C?O bonds, with a N?H???O???H?CX₂ interaction.     

Study of 5-azidomethyl-8-hydroxyquinoline structure by X-ray diffraction and HF–DFT computational methods

5-Azidomethyl-8-hydroxyquinoline has been synthesized and characterized using IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopic methods. Thermal analysis revealed no solid-solid phase transitions. The crystal structure of this compound was refined by Rietveld method from powder X-ray diffraction data at 295 K. The single- crystal structure of the compound at 260 K was solved and refined using SHELX 97 program. According to the data obtained by both methods, the structure of the compound is monoclinic, space group P2₁/c, with Z = 4 and Z' = 1. For the single crystal at 260 K, a = 12.2879 (9) Å, b = 4.8782 (3) Å, c = 15.7423 (12) Å, β=100.807(14)°. Mechanisms of deformation resulting from intra- and intermolecular interactions, such as hydrogen bonding, induced slight torsions in the crystal structure. The optimized molecular geometry of 5-azidomethyl-8-hydroxyquinoline in the ground state is calculated using density functional theory (B3LYP) and Hartree-Fock (HF) methods with the 6-311G(d,p) basis set. The calculated results show good agreement with experimental values. Energy gap of the molecule was found using HOMO and LUMO calculation which reveals that charge transfer occurs within the molecule.

     

(Thio)Amidoindoles and (Thio)Amidobenzimidazoles: An Investigation of Their Hydrogen‐Bonding and Organocatalytic Properties in the Ring‐Opening Polymerization of Lactide

The mechanism of the ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of lactide catalyzed by two partner hydrogen‐bonding organocatalysts was explored. New amidoindoles 4 a , c , thioamidoindoles 4 b , d , amidobenzimidazoles 5 a , c , and thioamidobenzimidazoles 5 b , c were synthesized and used as activators of the monomer. In the solid state and in solution, compounds 4 and 5 showed a propensity for self‐association, which was evaluated. (Thio)Amides 4 and 5 do catalyze the ROP of lactide in the presence of a cocatalyst, tertiary amine 3 a or 3 b , which activates the growing polymer chain through hydrogen‐bonding. Reactions were conducted in 2–24 h at 20 °C; conversion yields ranged between 22 and 100 %. A detailed study of the intermolecular interactions undertaken between the participating species showed that, as expected, simultaneous weak hydrogen bonds do exist to activate the reagents. Moreover, interactions have been revealed between the partner catalysts 4 / 5 + 3 . ROP catalyzed by these partner activators is thus governed by multiple dynamic equilibria. The latter should be judiciously adjusted to fine‐tune the catalytic properties of (thio)amides and organocatalysts, more generally.     

An easy route to 2‐substituted‐2,3‐dihydro‐5(7)H‐oxazolo[3,2‐a]pyrimidin‐5‐ones and 7‐ones starting from the corresponding 2‐amino‐2‐oxazolines

The isomeric 2‐substituted‐7(5)‐methyl‐2,3‐dihydro‐5(7)H‐oxazolo[3,2‐a]pyrimidin‐5‐ones 3a‐b and 7‐ones 2a‐b,7a were synthesized by cyclocondensation from the 5‐substituted‐2‐amino‐2‐oxazolines 1a‐b with biselectrophiles. In boiling ethanol, the reaction of 1a‐b with acetylenic esters led to a mixture of 2a‐b,7a with a small amount of (E)‐2‐N‐(2‐ethoxycarbonylethylene)‐5‐substituted‐2‐iminooxazolines 5a‐b . The ring annulation between 1a‐b and diketene gave the 2‐substituted‐7‐hydroxy‐7‐methyl‐2,3,6,7‐tetrahydro‐5H‐oxazolo[3,2‐ a ]pyrimidin‐5‐ones 4a‐b which can be easily dehydrated to provide the 2‐substituted‐7‐methyl‐2,3‐dihydro‐5H‐oxazolo[3,2‐a]pyrimidin‐5‐ones 3a‐b .     

Tuning the electronic coupling in a low-bandgap donor-acceptor copolymer via the placement of side-chains

We present a spectroscopic and theoretical investigation of the effect of the presence and position of hexyl side-chains in the novel low-bandgap alternating donor-acceptor copolymer poly[bis-N,N-(4-octylphenyl)-bis-N,N-phenyl-1,4-phenylenediamine-alt-5,5'-4',7',-di-2-thienyl-2',1',3'-benzothiadiazole] (T8TBT). We use electronic absorption and Raman spectroscopic measurements supported by calculations of chain conformation, electronic transitions, and Raman modes. Using these tools, we find that sterically demanding side-chain configurations induce twisting in the electronic acceptor unit and reduce the electronic interaction with the donor. This leads to a blue-shifted and weakened (partial) charge-transfer absorption band together with a higher photoluminescence efficiency. On the other hand, sterically relaxed side-chain configurations promote coupling between donor and acceptor units and exhibit enhanced absorption at the expense of luminescence efficiency. The possibility of tuning the donor-acceptor character of conjugated polymers by varying the placement of side-chains has very important ramifications for light emitting diode, Laser, display, and photovoltaic device optimization.     

Efficient and selective synthesis of alkoxy substituted di(pyridin-2-yl)amines and N-arylpyridin-2-ylamines

The formation of alkoxy substituted di(pyridin-2-yl)amines and N-arylpyridin-2-ylamines by nitro group reduction is described. Unexpected substitution of ortho with the amino at C-6 was observed during the reduction using SnCl₂·2H₂O in different alcohols. The influence of the nature of the atom at the 3- and 5-positions of nitro-substituted di(pyridin-2-yl)amines and N-arylpyridin-2-ylamines was investigated.     

Convenient synthesis of 2,4-disubstituted pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidines via regioselective palladium-catalyzed reactions

A novel and effective route for the synthesis of 2,4-disubstituted pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidines III is reported starting from the corresponding 2,4-dichloropyridopyrimidine 1 through regioselective functionalization palladium-catalyzed C–C coupling reactions, by two successive palladium-catalyzed reactions involving an original regioselective chlorine discrimination. Alternatively, type III compounds were elaborated from 2 by C-2 chlorine further displacement of the C-4 isopropylsulfanyl group, which acted as a temporary C-4 protecting group. Further Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reactions led to C-2 and C-4 disubstituted compounds.