Polystyrene-supported phosphine oxide-catalysed Beckmann rearrangement of ketoximes in 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol

A polystyrene-supported phosphine oxide-catalysed Beckmann rearrangement of ketoximes in 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFIP) has been developed. Good substrate compatibility, mild reaction conditions, good yields as well as the reusability of the catalyst/solvent made this procedure more environmentally benign.     

Synthesis of Bridged Tetrahydrobenzo[b]azepines and Derivatives through an Aza‐Piancatelli Cyclization/Michael Addition Sequence

Herein, we report the preparation of bridged tetrahydrobenzo[b]azepines, which was accomplished through an aza‐Piancatelli cyclization/Michael addition sequence in a one‐pot fashion from readily available precursors. It is noteworthy that a general method to access these scaffolds was hitherto unprecedented. Additionally, the multifaceted aspects of this process have been exemplified through its application to the synthesis of 2‐azabicyclo[3.2.1]octanes and bridged tetrahydrobenzo[b]oxepines, along with post‐derivatizations.     

Fluorinated Alcohols: Magic Reaction Medium and Promoters for Organic Synthesis

Fluorinated alcohols have been widely used in the synthetic organic chemistry over the past decades. The unique properties such as the strong hydrogen‐bonding donor ability and low nucleophilicity allow them to promote organic reactions in the absence of any catalyst. These approaches have distinct advantages in terms of operational simplicity, practicability and environmental friendliness. Reactions promoted by fluorinated alcohols, including nucleophilic substitution reactions, annulation reactions, electrophilic reactions, dearomatization reactions, functionalization of multiple bond, epoxidation reactions and miscellaneous reactions have been summarized in this account.     

HFIP-Functionalized Co3O4 Micro-Nano-Octahedra/rGO as a Double-Layer Sensing Material for Chemical Warfare Agents

Semiconductor metal oxides (SMO)-based gas-sensing materials suffer from insufficient detection of a specific target gas. Reliable selectivity, high sensitivity, and rapid response–recovery times under various working conditions are the main requirements for optimal gas sensors. Chemical warfare agents (CWA) such as sarin are fatal inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase in the nerve system. So, sensing materials with high sensitivity and selectivity toward CWA are urgently needed. Herein, micro-nano octahedral Co₃O₄ functionalized with hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) were deposited on a layer of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) as a double-layer sensing materials. The Co₃O₄ micro-nano octahedra were synthesized by direct growth from electrospun fiber templates calcined in ambient air. The double-layer rGO/Co₃O₄-HFIP sensing materials presented high selectivity toward DMMP (sarin agent simulant, dimethyl methyl phosphonate) versus rGO/Co₃O₄ and Co₃O₄ sensors after the exposure to various gases owing to hydrogen bonding between the DMMP molecules and Co₃O₄-HFIP. The rGO/Co₃O₄-HFIP sensors showed high stability with a response signal around 11.8 toward 0.5 ppm DMMP at 125 °C, and more than 75 % of the initial response was maintained under a saturated humid environment (85 % relative humidity). These results prove that these double-layer inorganic–organic composite sensing materials are excellent candidates to serve as optimal gas-sensing materials.     

2-(氨基苯基)六氟异丙醇衍生物的合成

以六氟丙酮三水合物和芳香胺为原料,合成了一系列2-芳胺基六氟异丙醇化合物。研究了反应中原料配比、催化剂种类及用量、溶剂种类、反应时间及取代基对反应的影响。结果表明,在六氟丙酮三水合物用量为90 mmol,芳香胺用量为30 mmol,对甲基苯磺酸为催化剂,其用量为苯胺物质量的6%时,回流反应5～35h,反应的转化率和收率分别高达40.1%～100.0%,39.0%～99.0%。同时本文对六氟丙酮三水合物和无水六氟丙酮与苯胺的反应机理进行了比较,推测了六氟丙酮三水合物与苯胺的反应历程,并通过对其中间产物结构的表征进一步确认了该历程。     

Highly Z-Selective Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons Olefination Using Modified Still–Gennari-Type Reagents

In this report, new, easily accessible reagents for highly Z-selective HWE reactions are presented. Alkyl di-(1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoroisopropyl)phosphonoacetates, structurally similar to Still–Gennari type reagents, were tested in HWE reactions with a series of various aldehydes. Very good Z-selectivity (up to a 98:2 Z:E ratio) was achieved in most cases along with high yields. Application of the new reagents may be a valuable, practical alternative to the well-established Still–Gennari or Ando Z-selective carbonyl group olefination protocols.     

The influence of substituted alcohols on the temperature of maximum density of water

The influence of various substituted (including halogenated) alcohols on the temperature of maximum density (TMD) of water has been investigated. Evaluation of the structural contribution to the shift in the TMD demonstrates that trifluoroethanol, hexafluoroisopropanol, and neopentyl alcohol are structure makers, whereas trichloroethanol and tribromoethanol are structure breakers. The results are discussed in terms of an excluded volume model.     

Hydrogen Bonding and Vaporization Thermodynamics in Hexafluoroisopropanol-Acetone and -Methanol Mixtures. A Joined Cluster Analysis and Molecular Dynamic Study

Binary mixtures of hexafluoroisopropanol with either methanol or acetone are analyzed via classical molecular dynamics simulations and quantum cluster equilibrium calculations. In particular, their populations and thermodynamic properties are investigated with the binary quantum cluster equilibrium method, using our in-house code Peacemaker 2.8, upgraded with temperature-dependent parameters. A novel approach, where the final density from classical molecular dynamics, has been used to generate the necessary reference isobars. The hydrogen bond network in both type of mixtures at molar fraction of hexafluoroisopropanol of 0.2, 0.5, and 0.8 respectively is investigated via the molecular dynamics trajectories and the cluster results. In particular, the populations show that mixed clusters are preferred in both systems even at 0.2 molar fractions of hexafluoroisopropanol. Enthalpies and entropies of vaporization are calculated for the neat and mixed systems and found to be in good agreement with experimental values.     

Experimental and Theoretical Investigation of an Azaoxyallyl Cation-Templated Intramolecular Aryl Amination Leading to Oxindole Derivatives

Herein, development and detailed investigation of a S_N′-type intramolecular aromatic substitution reaction involving α-arylazaoxyallyl cation intermediate, is disclosed. The study showcased that while α-aryl-α-chlorohydroxamate could be activated by a combination of base and 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFIP) into the corresponding azaoxyallyl cations, it could further emerge into a π-extended species involving the adjacent α-aryl moiety, and this transition is contingent on electronic effects of the aromatic ring as well as on α-substituents. An effective activation of the α-aromatic ring could pave the path for intramolecular Ar(Csp²)-N bond formation towards oxindoles. Control experiments and DFT calculations suggested that a non-pericyclic nucleophilic amination pathway is most likely operative and precluded the possibility of concerted or electrophilic amination mechanism. HFIP as the reaction solvent plays pivotal roles in the transformation.