Crystal structures of three substituted pentacyclo[5.4.0.02,6.03,10.05,9]undecanes

The crystal structures of three compounds formed via ultimate nucleophilic attack of unsaturated hydrocarbon fragments are reported. Geometries of the bis(vinyl)-, mono(vinyl), and bis(ethynyl)-substituted PCU species are unexceptional. The crystal structures are dictated by the availability of intermolecular hydrogen bonding.     

Synthesis, NMR and X-ray structure analysis of macrolide aglycons

Macrolide aglycons (E)-9-hydroxyimino-6-O-methylerythronolide A (4), 9a-aza-9-deoxo-9,9-dihydro-9a,11-O-dimethyl-9a-homoerythronolide A (5) and 9a-aza-9-deoxo-9,9-dihydro-9a-homoerythronolide A (6) were prepared by multistep syntheses. A conformational study of these new macrolide aglycons was performed using single crystal X-ray crystallography to gain information about the solid state, while a combination of NMR spectroscopy and molecular modelling was employed to study the solution structures. The crystal structures were found to be stabilised by a complex network of hydrogen bonds and van der Waals interactions. To some extent, the same building motif of infinite molecular chains held together by O?CH···O hydrogen bonds was present in the crystal structure of all three compounds. Thorough analysis and comparison of the obtained solid state structures with their solution counterparts showed no significant differences between them, confirming the constrained flexibility of the macrocyclic ring. Moreover, in all three compounds, in both solution and solid state, the macrolactone ring adopts energetically more favoured folded-out conformations.     

A Simple Procedure for Preparing Annulated p-Benzoquinones. Improved Synthesis of 1,4-Dihydro-1,4-methanonaphthalene-5,8-dione

A simple and efficient two-step, one-pot synthesis of substituted 1,4-dihydro-1,4-methanonaphthalene-5,8-diones is reported. This synthesis, which utilizes readily available starting materials and inexpensive reagents, can be used to prepare 1a-1c in 70–90% overall yield. This procedure was extended successfully to prepare a more highly complex annulated p-benzoquinone i.e., 8.     

New Method for the Generation and Trapping of 1-Azabicyclo[1.1.0]butane. Application to the Synthesis of 1,3-Dinitroazetidine

1-Azabicyclo[1.1.0]butane (1) has been prepared via a two-step, one-pot procedure that involves (i) reaction of a heptane solution of allylamine with N-chlorosuccinimide at 0 °C followed by (ii) codistillation of the product from basic solution along with heptane-octane. Compound 1 thereby obtained was extracted from the distillate by using cold aqueous NaNO₂. Subsequent treatment of the aqueous extract with cold concentrated aqueous HCl afforded N-nitroso-3-nitro-azetidine (4) in 5.5% yield. Oxidation of 4 with 100% HNO3 produced N,3-dinitroazetidine (5, 90%). This reaction sequence constitutes a formal synthesis of 1,3,3-trinitroazetidine (TNAZ), an important energetic material.     

Stereoelectronic Control of Additions of Vinylmagnesium Bromide to 1-Methyland 3-Methylpentacyclo[5.4.0.02,6.03,10.05.9]undecane-8,11-diones and to 1-Methylhexacyclo[10.2.1.0.02,11.04,9.04,14.09,13]pentadeca-5,7-diene-3,10-dione

Grignard addition of excess vinylmagnesium bromide to 1-methyland 3-methylpentacyclo[5.4.0.0^2,6.0^3,10.0^5,9]undecane-8,11-diones (1a and 1b, respectively) and to 1-methylhexacyclo[10.2.1.0^2,11.0^4,9.0^4,14.0^9,13]pentadeca-5,7-diene-3,10-dione (4) each proceed regiospecifically to afford a single hemiketal adduct (i.e., 2a, 3a, and 5a, respectively). The structure of each of the three reaction products was established unequivocally via application of X-ray crystallographic methods. Relative energies for the model transition states obtained from geometry optimizations at the Hartree–Fock level of theory in basis set 3-21G(d) indicate that these reactions are kinetically controlled.     

Evaluation of alkali metal binding selectivities of caged aza-crown ether ligands by microelectrospray ionization/quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometry

Microelectrospray ionization mass spectrometry (MESI-MS) is used to evaluate alkali metal binding selectivities of a variety of macrocyclic compounds. Well-studied crown ethers are used to validate the MESI-MS method. A quantitative correlation between MESI mass spectral ion intensities and solution equilibrium distributions of complexes is obtained for the mixtures containing a single host and different alkali metal guest ions. The MESI-MS method is successfully applied for the determination of the alkali metal binding selectivities of a series of cage-functionalized aza-crown ethers and relevant model compounds in methanol and chloroform solutions. The binding selectivities parallel previous results obtained using conventional spectrophotometric extraction methods. Structural differences in the host compounds, such as the presence of a cage functionality, binding cavity size, and overall flexibility, cause significant changes in the binding selectivities.     

New Bicyclic Azalide Macrolides Obtained by Tandem Palladium Catalyzed Allylic Alkylation/Conjugated Addition Reaction

Unprecedented tandem allylic alkylation/intermolecular Michael addition was used in the preparation of novel bicyclic azalides. NMR spectroscopy was used not only to unambiguously determine and characterize the structures of these unexpected products of chemical reaction but also to investigate the effect the rigid bicyclic modification has on the conformation of the whole molecule. Thus, some of the macrolides prepared showed antibacterial activity in the range of well-known antibiotic drug azithromycin.     

Crystal structures of four dibromomethylene-functionalized cage compounds

Crystal structures of four dibromomethylene-functionalized hexa- and heptacyclotetradecane cages are reported. 7-(Dibromomethylene)heptacyclo[6.6.0.0^2,6.0^3,13.0^4,11.0^5,9.0^10,14]tetradecane (3): orthorhombic, Pnma, a = 14.744(1), b = 11.237(1), c = 7.4625(7) Å Z = 4; R = 0.0531 for 504 observed reflections. 7,12-Bis(dibromomethylene)heptacyclo[6.6.0.0^2,6.0^3,13-0^4,11 .0^5,9.0^10,14]tetradecane (4): monoclinic, I2/a, a = 11.257(1), b = 9.5844(8), c = 13.884(2) Å, = 92.254(8)° Z = 4; R = 0.0413 for 663 observed reflections. 10,14-bis(dibromomethylene)hexacyclo[6.6.0.0^2,6.0^3,13.0^4,11.0^5,9]tetradecane (6): monoclinic, P2₁/n, a = 8.118(1), b = 15.273(4), c = 12.826(3) Å, = 104.20(1)° Z = 4; R = 0.0384 for 1392 observed reflections. 14-(dibromomethylene)hexacyclo[6.6.0.0^2,6.0^3,13.0^4,11.0^5,9]tetradecan-10-one (7): monoclinic, P2₁/n, a = 8.2879(7), b = 15.273(1), c = 10.0565(9) Å, = 92.271(8)° Z = 4; R = 0.0320 for 1402 observed reflections. The functional groups lead to slight shortening of bond lengths.