Palladium(II) Complexes of C2‐Bridged Chiral Diphosphines: Application to Enantioselective Carbonyl‐Ene Reactions

(11bR,11′bR)‐4,4′‐(1,2‐Phenylene)bis[4,5‐dihydro‐3H‐dinaphtho[2,1‐c:1′,2′‐e]phosphepin] [abbreviated as (R)‐BINAPHANE], (3R,3′R,4S,4′S,11bS,11′bS)‐4,4′‐bis(1,1‐dimethylethyl)‐4,4′,5,5′‐tetrahydro‐3,3′‐bi‐3H‐dinaphtho[2,1‐c:1′,2′‐e]phosphepin [(S)‐BINAPINE], (1S,1′S,2R,2′R)‐1,1′‐bis(1,1‐dimethylethyl)‐2,2′‐biphospholane [(S,S,R,R)‐TANGPHOS] and (2R,2′R,5R,5′R)‐1,1′‐(1,2‐phenylene)bis[2,5‐bis(1‐methylethyl)phospholane] [(R,R)‐i‐Pr‐DUPHOS] are C₂‐bridged chiral diphosphines that form stable complexes with palladium(II) and platinum(II) containing a five‐membered chelate ring. The Pd(II)‐BINAPHANE catalyst displayed good to excellent enantioselectivities with ee values as high as 99.0% albeit in low yields for the carbonyl‐ene reaction between phenylglyoxal and alkenes. Its Pt(II) counterpart afforded improved yields while retaining satisfactory enantioselectivity. For the carbonyl‐ene reaction between ethyl trifluoropyruvate and alkenes, the Pd(II)‐BINAPHANE catalyst afforded both good yields and extremely high enantioselectivities with ees as high as 99.6%. A comparative study on the Pd(II) catalysts of the four C₂‐bridged chiral diphosphines revealed that Pd(II)‐BINAPHANE afforded the best enantioselectivity. The ee values derived from Pd(II)‐BINAPHANE are much higher than those derived from the other three Pd(II) catalysts. A comparison of the catalyst structures shows that the Pd(II)‐BINAPHANE catalyst is the only one that has two bulky (R)‐binaphthyl groups close to the reaction site. Hence it creates a deep chiral space that can efficiently control the reaction behavior in the carbonyl‐ene reactions resulting in excellent enantioselectivity.     

Highly Efficient and Enantioselective Iridium‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation of N‐Arylimines

A catalytic method employing the cationic iridium‐(S_c,R_p)‐DuanPhos [(1R,1′R,2S,2′S)‐2,2′‐di‐tert‐butyl‐2,2′,3,3′‐tetrahydro‐1H,1′H‐1,1′‐biisophosphindole] complex and BARF {tetrakis[3,5‐bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borate} counterion effectively catalyzes the enantioselective hydrogenation of acyclic N‐arylimines with high turnover numbers (up to 10,000 TON) and excellent enantioselectivities (up to 98% ee), achieving the practical synthesis of chiral secondary amines.     

A New Class of 3′‐Sulfonyl BINAPHOS Ligands: Modulation of Activity and Selectivity in Asymmetric Palladium‐Catalysed Hydrophosphorylation of Styrene

Palladium‐catalysed monophosphorylation of (R)‐2,2′‐bisperfluoroalkanesulfonates of BINOL (R^F=CF₃ or C₄F₉) by a diaryl phosphinate [Ar₂P(O)H] followed by phosphine oxide reduction (Cl₃SiH) then lithium diisopropylamide‐mediated anionic thia‐Fries rearrangement furnishes enantiomerically‐pure (R)‐2′‐diarylphosphino‐2′‐hydroxy‐3′‐perfluoralkanesulfonyl‐1,1′‐binaphthalenes [(R)‐ 8ab and (R)‐ 8g–j ], which can be further diversified by Grignard reagent (RMgX)‐mediated CF₃‐displacement [→(R)‐ 8c–f ]. Coupling of (R)‐ 8a–j with (S)‐1,1′‐binaphthalene‐2,2′‐dioxychlorophosphine (S)‐ 9 generates 3′‐sulfonyl BINAPHOS ligands (R,S)‐ 10a–j in good yields (43–82%). These new ligands are of utlility in the asymmetric hydrophosphonylation of styrene ( 1 ) by 4,4,5,5‐tetramethyl‐1,3,2‐dioxaphospholane 2‐oxide ( 2 ), for which a combination of the chiral ligands with either [Pd(Cp)(allyl)] or [Pd(allyl)(MeCN)₂]⁺/NaCH(CO₂Me)₂ proves to be a convenient and active pre‐catalyst system. A combination of an electron‐rich phosphine moiety and an electron‐deficient 3′‐sulfone moiety provides the best enantioselectivity to date for this process, affording the branched 2‐phenethenephosphonate, (−)‐iso‐ 3 , in up to 74% ee with ligand (R,S)‐ 10i , where Ar=p‐anisyl and the 3′‐SO₂R group is triflone.     

Enantioselective Synthesis of Chiral β‐Aryloxy Alcohols by Ruthenium‐Catalyzed Ketone Hydrogenation via Dynamic Kinetic Resolution (DKR)

A highly efficient enantioselective synthesis of chiral β‐aryloxy alcohols by the {RuCl₂[(S)‐SDP][(R,R)‐DPEN]} [(S_a,R,R)‐ 1a ; SDP=7,7′‐bis(diarylphosphino)‐1,1′‐spirobiindane; DPEN=trans‐1,2‐diphenylethylenediamine] complex‐catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of racemic α‐aryloxydialkyl ketones via dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) has been developed. Enantioselectivities of up to 99% ee with good to high cis/anti‐selectivities (up to>99:1) were achieved.     

Ruthenium‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation of β‐Keto‐ enamines: An Efficient Approach to Chiral γ‐Amino Alcohols

A highly efficient and enantioselective hydrogenation of unprotected β‐ketoenamines catalyzed with ruthenium(II) dichloro{(S)‐(−)‐2,2′‐bis[di(3,5‐xylyl)phosphino]‐1,1′‐binaphthyl}[(2S)‐(+)‐1,1‐bis(4‐methoxyphenyl)‐3‐methyl‐1,2‐butanediamine] {Ru[(S)‐xylbinap][(S)‐daipen]Cl₂} has been successfully developed. This methodology provides a straightforward access to free γ‐secondary amino alcohols, which are key building blocks for a variety of pharmaceuticals and natural products, with high yields (>99%) and excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee) in all cases.     

Highly Active and Enantioselective Rhodium‐Catalyzed Asymmetric 1,4‐Addition of Arylboronic Acid to α,β‐ Unsaturated Ketone by using Electron‐Poor MeO‐F12‐BIPHEP

The asymmetric 1,4‐addition of phenylboronic acid to cyclohexenone were performed by using a low amount of rhodium/(R)‐(6,6′‐dimethoxybiphenyl‐2,2′‐diyl)bis[bis(3,4,5‐trifluorophenyl)phosphine] (MeO‐F₁₂‐BIPHEP) catalyst. Because the catalyst shows thermal resistance at 100 °C, up to 0.00025 mol% Rh catalyst showed good catalytic activity. The highest turnover frequency (TOF) and turnover number (TON) observed were 53,000 h⁻¹ and 320,000, respectively. The enantioselectivities of the products were maintained at a high level of 98% ee in these reactions. The Eyring plots gave the following kinetic parameters (ΔΔH^≠=−4.0±0.1 kcal mol⁻¹ and ΔΔS^≠=−1.3±0.3 cal mol⁻¹ K⁻¹), indicating that the entropy contribution is relatively small. Both the result and consideration of the transition state in the insertion step at the B3LYP/6‐31G(d) [LANL2DZ for rhodium] levels indicated that the less σ‐donating electron‐poor (R)‐MeO‐F₁₂‐BIPHEP could be creating a rigid chiral environment around the rhodium catalyst even at high temperature.     

Synthesis of biphenylated cyanate esters: Thermomechanical resin comparisons within two isomeric series

Three isomeric tetraaryl cyanate esters containing biphenyl moieties {bis‐[4‐(4′‐cyanatophenyl)phenyl]propane, 2,2‐bis‐[4‐(3′‐cyanatophenyl)phenyl]propane, and 2,2‐bis‐[4‐(2′‐cyanatophenyl)phenyl]propane} and three isomeric triaryl cyanate esters {2‐(4′‐hydroxyphenyl)‐2‐[4′‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)phenyl]propane, 2‐(4′‐hydroxyphenyl)‐2‐[4′‐(3‐hydroxyphenyl)phenyl]propane, and 2‐(4′‐hydroxyphenyl)‐2‐[4′‐(2‐hydroxyphenyl)phenyl]propane} were synthesized from their corresponding bisphenols. The structures of the monomers were confirmed with IR and ¹H‐NMR spectroscopy. The curing behavior was investigated with differential scanning calorimetry. Cyanate esters were cured thermally in the absence of a catalyst and were characterized by dynamic mechanical analysis. The results were compared to the properties of commercial bisphenol A polycyanurate. Of the three tetraaryl isomers, 2,2‐bis‐[4‐(2′‐cyanatophenyl)phenyl]propane had the highest melting point, and its corresponding resin had the lowest glass‐transition temperature (T_g). The para isomer displayed the highest T_g value of the three novel tetraaryl resins. The triaryl dicyanate isomers were low‐melting solids, with the ortho and meta isomers existing as liquids at room temperature. The T_g value of the para‐triaryl isomer was the highest of the three triaryl isomers and was about the same as that of bisphenol A polycyanurate. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Kinetics of azo‐initiated 1‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone polymerizations at low conversions in aqueous media

The free‐radical polymerization behavior of 1‐vinyl,2‐pyrrolidone (NVP) was studied at low conversions, using capillary dilatometry. The aqueous media were kept at neutral pH and the studies were conducted isothermally, at 40 or 45°C. The azo‐type initiators used were 4,4′‐azobis‐4‐cyanopentanoic acid (ACPA), 2,2′‐azobisisobutyronitrile (AZBN), and 2,2′‐azobis[2‐(2‐imidazolin‐2‐yl)propane dihydrochloride] (ABDH). The monomer concentration and initiator concentration ranges were 1.17–2.34 mol L⁻¹ and 1–8 mmol L⁻¹, respectively. The rates of polymerization (R_p) and orders of reaction with respect to NVP and the initiator were evaluated and the kinetic equations were found to be R_p ∝ [NVP] [ACPA]^1.2; R_p ∝ [NVP] [AZBN]^1.1; and R_p ∝ [NVP]^2.2 [ABDH]^1.1. The polymers obtained were characterized by their viscosity numbers and correlation of the viscosity average molecular weights made with the type and amount of the azo initiator. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 75: 239–246, 2000     

Asymmetric Aza‐Morita?Baylis?Hillman Reaction of N‐Sulfonated Imines with Methyl Vinyl Ketone Catalyzed by Chiral Phosphine Lewis Bases Bearing Perfluoroalkanes as “Pony Tails”

In the aza‐Morita–Baylis Hillman reaction of N‐sulfonated imines (N‐arylmethylidene‐4‐methylbenzenesulfonamides and others) with methyl vinyl ketone (MVK), we found that in the presence of a catalytic amount of the chiral phosphine Lewis bases (R)‐(−)‐6,6′‐bis[tris(3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,8‐tridecafluorooctyl)silyl]‐2′‐(diphenylphosphanyl)‐[1,1′]binaphthalenyl‐2‐ol LB2 and (R)‐(−)‐6,6′‐(3,3,4,4,5, 5,6,6,7,7,8,8,8‐tridecafluorooctyl) ‐2′‐(diphenylphosphanyl)‐[1,1′]binaphthalenyl‐2‐ol LB3 bearing two perfluoroalkane chains at 6,6′‐positions of the naphthalene framework, the corresponding adducts could be obtained in good yields with good to high ee (52–95% ee) at room temperature (15 °C) or low temperature (−20 °C) in THF, respectively. LB3 is more effective in this reaction than the previously reported original chiral phosphine Lewis base (R)‐(−)‐2′‐diphenylphosphanyl‐[1,1′]binaphthalenyl‐2‐ol LB1 .     

Synthesis and spectroelectrochemistry of dithieno(3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d)pyrrole derivatives

New π‐conjugated polymers containing dithieno(3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d)pyrrole (DTP) were successfully synthesized via electropolymerization. The effect of structural differences on the electrochemical and optoelectronic properties of the 4‐[4H‐dithieno(3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d)pyrrol‐4‐yl]aniline (DTP–aryl–NH₂), 10‐[4H‐dithiyeno(3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d)pirol‐4‐il]dekan‐1‐amine (DTP–alkyl–NH₂), and 1,10‐bis[4H‐dithieno(3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d)pyrrol‐4‐yl] decane (DTP–alkyl–DTP) were investigated. The corresponding polymers were characterized by cyclic voltammetry, NMR (¹H‐NMR and ¹³C‐NMR), and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy. Changes in the electronic nature of the functional groups led to variations in the electrochemical properties of the π‐conjugated systems. The electroactive polymer films revealed redox couples and exhibited electrochromic behavior. The replacement of the DTP–alkyl–DTP unit with DTP–aryl–NH₂ and DTP–alkyl–NH₂ resulted in a lower oxidation potential. Both the poly(10‐(4H‐Dithiyeno[3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d]pirol‐4‐il)dekan‐1‐amin) (poly(DTP–alkyl–NH₂)) and poly(1,10‐bis(4H‐dithieno[3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d]pyrrol‐4‐yl) decane) (poly(DTP–alkyl–DTP)) films showed multicolor electrochromism and also fast switching times (<1 s) in the visible and near infrared regions. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40701.     

Recent Developments in Enantioselective Metal‐Catalyzed Domino Reactions

Since the first definition of domino reactions by Tietze in 1993, an explosive number of these fascinating reactions has been developed, allowing the easily building of complex chiral molecular architectures from simple materials to be achieved in a single step. Even more interesting, the possibility to join two or more reactions in one asymmetric domino process catalyzed by chiral metal catalysts has rapidly become one challenging goal for chemists, due to economical advantages, such as avoiding costly protecting groups and time‐consuming purification procedures after each step. The explosive development of enantioselective metal‐catalyzed domino including multicomponent reactions is a consequence of the considerable impact of the advent of asymmetric transition metal catalysis. This review aims to update the last developments of enantioselective one‐, two‐ and multicomponent domino reactions mediated by chiral metal catalysts, covering the literature since the beginning of 2006. Abbreviations: Ac: acetyl; AQN: anthraquinone; Ar: aryl; bdpp: 2,4‐bis(diphenylphosphino)pentane; BINAP: 2,2′‐bis(diphenylphosphino)‐1,1′‐binaphthyl; BINEPINE: phenylbinaphthophosphepine; BINIM: binapthyldiimine; BINOL: 1,1′‐bi‐2‐naphthol; BIPHEP: 2,2′‐bis(diphenylphosphino)‐1,1′‐biphenyl; Bn: benzyl; Boc: tert‐butoxycarbonyl; Box: bisoxazoline; BOXAX: 2,2′‐bis(oxazolyl)‐1,1′‐binaphthyl; BPTV: N‐benzene‐fused phthaloyl‐valine; Bu: butyl; Bz: benzoyl; Cat: catechol; Chiraphos: 2,3‐bis(diphenylphosphine)butane; cod: cyclooctadiene; Cy: cyclohexyl; DABCO: 1,4‐diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane; dba: (E,E)‐dibenzylideneacetone; DBU: 1,8‐diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec‐7‐ene; DCE: dichloroethane; de: diastereomeric excess; DHQ: hydroquinine; DHQD: dihydroquinidine; DIFLUORPHOS: 5,5′‐bis(diphenylphosphino)‐2,2,2′,2′‐tetrafluoro‐4,4′‐bi‐1,3‐benzodioxole; DIPEA: diisopropylethylamine; DMF: dimethylformamide; DMSO: dimethyl sulfoxide; DOSP: N‐p‐dodecylbenzenesulfonylprolinate; DPEN: 1,2‐diphenylethylenediamine; dtb: di‐tert‐butyl; dtbm: di‐tert‐butylmethoxy; E: electrophile; ee: enantiomeric excess; Et: ethyl; FBIP: ferrocene bis‐imidazoline bis‐palladacycle; Fc: ferrocenyl; FOXAP: ferrocenyloxazolinylphosphine; Hex: hexyl; HFIP: hexafluoroisopropyl alcohol; HMPA: hexamethylphosphoramide; iPr‐DuPhos: 1,2‐bis(2,5‐diisopropylphospholano)benzene; Josiphos: 1‐[2‐(diphenylphosphino)ferrocenyl]ethyldicyclohexylphosphine ethanol adduct; L: ligand; MCPBA: 3‐chloroperoxybenzoic acid; Me: methyl; Me‐DuPhos: 1,2‐bis(2,5‐dimethylphospholano)benzene; MEDAM: bis(dimethylanisyl)methyl; MOM: methoxymethyl; Naph: naphthyl; NMI: N‐methylimidazole; MWI: microwave irradiation; Norphos: 2,3‐bis(diphenylphosphino)‐bicyclo[2.2.1]hept‐5‐ene; Ns: nosyl (4‐nitrobenzene sulfonyl); Nu: nucleophile; Oct: octyl; Pent: pentyl; Ph: phenyl; PHAL: 1,4‐phthalazinediyl; Pin: pinacolato; PINAP: 4‐[2‐(diphenylphosphino)‐1‐naphthalenyl]‐N‐[1‐phenylethyl]‐1‐phthalazinamine; Pr: propyl; Py: pyridyl; PYBOX: 2,6‐bis(2‐oxazolyl)pyridine; QUINAP: 1‐(2‐diphenylphosphino‐1‐naphthyl)isoquinoline; QUOX: quinoline‐oxazoline; Segphos: 5,5′‐bis(diphenylphosphino)‐4,4′‐bi‐1,3‐benzodioxole; Solphos: 7,7′‐bis(diphenylphosphino)‐3,3′,4,4′‐tetrahydro‐4,4′‐dimethyl‐8,8′‐bis‐2H‐1,4‐benzoxazine; SPRIX: spirobis(isoxazoline); SYNPHOS: 6,6′‐bis(diphenylphosphino)‐2,2′,3,3′‐tetrahydro‐5,5′‐bi‐1,4‐benzodioxin; Taniaphos: [2‐diphenylphosphinoferrocenyl](N,N‐dimethylamino)(2‐diphenylphosphinophenyl)methane; TBS: tert‐butyldimethylsilyl; TC: thiophene carboxylate; TCPTTL: N‐tetrachlorophthaloyl‐tert‐leucinate; TEA: triethylamine; Tf: trifluoromethanesulfonyl; TFA: trifluoroacetic acid; THF: tetrahydrofuran; TMS: trimethylsilyl; Tol: tolyl; Ts: 4‐toluenesulfonyl (tosyl); C₃‐Tunephos: 1,13‐bis(diphenylphosphino)‐7,8‐dihydro‐6H‐dibenzo[f,h][1,5]dioxonin; VAPOL: 2,2′‐diphenyl‐[3,3′‐biphenanthrene]‐4,4′‐diol     

The Catalytic Asymmetric Addition of Diethylzinc to N‐(Diphenylphosphinoyl) Imines Catalyzed by Cu(OTf)2‐Chiral N‐(Binaphthyl‐2‐yl)thiophosphoramide Ligands

Chiral N‐(binaphthyl‐2‐yl)thiophosphoramide L7 [O,O‐diethyl 2′‐(ethylamino)‐1,1′‐binaphthyl‐2‐ylamidothiophosphate] prepared from the reaction of diethyl chlorothiophosphate with (R)‐(+)‐N‐ethyl‐1,1′‐binaphthyl‐2,2′‐diamine was used as a catalytic chiral ligand in the first Cu(OTf)₂‐promoted catalytic asymmetric addition of diethylzinc to N‐(diphenylphosphinoyl) imines in which ~85% ee can be realized.     

Synthesis and properties of fluorinated bis‐benzocyclobutene‐terminated arylene ether monomers

Four novel bis‐benzocyclobutene‐endcapped arylene ether monomers, 1,1′‐bis[4‐(4′‐benzocyclobutenyloxy)phenyl]‐1‐phenyl‐2,2,2‐trifluoroethane (BOPP3FE), 1,1′‐bis[4‐(4′‐benzocyclobutenyloxy)phenyl]‐1‐(3′,5′‐ditrifluoromethyl)phenyl‐2,2,2‐trifluoroethane(BOPP9FE), 2,2′‐bis[4‐(4′‐benzocyclobutenyloxy)phenyl]‐1,1,1,3,3,3‐hexfluoropropane (BOP6FP), and 2,2′‐bis[4‐(4′‐benzocyclobutenyloxy)phenyl]‐propane (BOPP) were prepared and characterized. All the four monomers showed similar curing behaviors under N₂ (Differential scanning calorimetry: extrapolated onset and peak temperatures at 225–229°C and 261–263°C) and demonstrated low and steady melt viscosities between 110 and 200°C, indicating their good processability. After cure, the resulting BCB resins exhibited high T_g (232–282°C) and excellent thermal stability (T_5% > 433°C). The resins also showed good mechanical properties with the flexural strengths of 68–88 MPa and the flexural modulus of 2.52–3.15 GPa. Moreover, the resins also exhibited low dielectric constants (2.58–2.88), low dissipation factors (2.7 to 8.4 × 10?4) and low water absorptions in boiling water for 24 h (0.29–0.59%). © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

New Pathway to C2‐Symmetric Atropoisomeric Bipyridine N,N′‐Dioxides and Solvent Effect in Enantioselective Allylation of Aldehydes

The [2+2+2] cyclotrimerization of 1,7,9,15‐hexadecatetrayne with nitriles catalyzed by dicarbonylcyclopentadienylcobalt(I) opened a new pathway for the synthesis of C₂‐symmetrical bis(tetrahydroisoquinolines) that were used as starting material for the preparation of axially chiral bipyridine N,N′‐dioxides. The N,N′‐dioxides (1 mol%) were found to be highly catalytically active and enantioselective (up to 83% ee) for the asymmetric allylation of aldehydes with allyl(trichloro)silane in various solvents. In addition, a dramatic solvent effect was observed where the use of different solvents induced opposite chiralities of the product with the same enantiomer of the catalyst, e.g., 65% ee (S) in acetonitrile (MeCN) vs. 82% ee (R) in chlorobenzene.     

New fluorous bipyridine ligands for copper‐catalyzed atom transfer radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate in the thermomorphic mode

The atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of methyl methacrylate (MMA) is often carried out under homogeneous conditions, so the residual metal catalyst in the polymer often influences the quality of the polymer and causes environmental pollution in the long run. Novel CuBr/4,4′‐bis(R_fCH₂OCH₂)‐2,2′‐bpy complexes (R_f = n‐C₉F₁₉, n‐C₁₀F₂₁, or n‐C₁₁F₂₃; 2,2′‐bpy = 2,2′‐bipyridine) are insoluble in toluene at room temperature yet readily dissolve in toluene at elevated temperatures to form homogeneous phases for use as catalysts in the ATRP reaction, and the Cu complexes precipitate again upon cooling. The CuBr/4,4′‐bis(n‐C₉F₁₉CH₂OCH₂)‐2,2′‐bpy system produced the best results (e.g., polydispersity index by gel permeation chromatography = 1.26–1.41), in that the residual Cu content in the polymer was as low as 19.3 ppm when the ATRP of MMA was carried out in the thermomorphic mode. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Highly Enantioselective Hydrogenation of Quinoline and Pyridine Derivatives with Iridium‐(P‐Phos) Catalyst

The use of a chiral iridium catalyst generated in situ from the (cyclooctadiene)iridium chloride dimer, [Ir(COD)Cl]₂, the P‐Phos ligand [4,4′‐bis(diphenylphosphino)‐2,2′,6,6′‐tetramethoxy‐3,3′‐bipyridine] and iodine (I₂) for the asymmetric hydrogenation of 2,6‐substituted quinolines and trisubstituted pyridines [2‐substituted 7,8‐dihydroquinolin‐5(6H)‐one derivatives] is reported. The catalyst worked efficiently to hydrogenate a series of quinoline derivatives to provide chiral 1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroquinolines in high yields and up to 96% ee. The hydrogenation was carried out at high S/C (substrate to catalyst) ratios of 2000–50000, reaching up to 4000 h⁻¹ TOF (turnover frequency) and up to 43000 TON (turnover number). The catalytic activity is found to be additive‐controlled. At low catalyst loadings, decreasing the amount of additive I₂ was necessary to maintain the good conversion. The same catalyst system could also enantioselectively hydrogenate trisubstituted pyridines, affording the chiral hexahydroquinolinone derivatives in nearly quantitative yields and up to 99% ee. Interestingly, increasing the amount of I₂ favored high reactivity and enantioselectivity in this case. The high efficacy and enantioselectivity enable the present catalyst system of high practical potential.     

Enantioselective Cobalt‐Catalyzed [6+2] Cycloadditions of Cycloheptatriene with Alkynes

The enantioselective cobalt‐catalyzed [6+2] cycloadditions of cycloheptatriene 1 with alkynes 2 is reported. Chiral phosphoramidites based on 3,3′‐disubstituted (R)‐BINOL appeared to be efficient ligands, affording the corresponding cycloadducts with good yields and up to 92 % ee. A vibrational circular dichroism study afforded the absolute configuration of new chiral (+)‐(1S,6R)‐7‐phenyl[4.2.1]bicyclo‐ nonatriene 3a and (−)‐(1S,6R)‐7‐trimethylsilyl[4.2.1]bicyclononatriene 3c .     

Progress towards the Stereoselective Synthesis of 3,6‐Disubstituted 1,2‐Diamino‐4‐cyclohexenes by Ring Closing Metathesis Reaction

The ring closing metathesis of 4(R),5(R)‐bis[1(S)‐phenylethylamino]‐3,6‐diethenyl‐1,7‐octadiene required the preliminary formation of the cyclic formaldehyde aminal, then the use of the Grubbs' ruthenium benzylidene complex (10 mol %) in refluxing toluene in the presence of 2 equivalents of trifluoroacetic acid. The cyclic aminal was cleaved in situ after the cyclisation step, so that the final product was the 1,2‐diamino‐3,6‐diethenylcyclohex‐4‐ene derivative. The predominant C₁‐symmetric diastereomer was isolated with 48% yield.     

Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Tandem Alkoxylation/Lactonization of γ‐Hydroxy‐α,β‐Acetylenic Esters

The formation of 4‐alkoxy‐2(5H)‐furanones was achieved via tandem alkoxylation/lactonization of γ‐hydroxy‐α,β‐acetylenic esters catalyzed by 2 mol% of [2,6‐bis(diisopropylphenyl)imidazol‐2‐ylidine]gold bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imidate [Au(IPr)(NTf₂)]. The economic and simple procedure was applied to a series of various secondary propargylic alcohols allowing for yields of desired product of up to 95%. In addition, tertiary propargylic alcohols bearing mostly cyclic substituents were converted into the corresponding spiro derivatives. Both primary and secondary alcohols reacted with propargylic alcohols at moderate temperatures (65–80 °C) in either neat reactions or using 1,2‐dichloroethane as a reaction medium allowing for yields of 23–95%. In contrast to [Au(IPr)(NTf₂)], reactions with cationic complexes such as [2,6‐bis(diisopropylphenyl)imidazol‐2‐ylidine](acetonitrile)gold tetrafluoroborate [Au(IPr)(CH₃CN)][BF₄] or (μ‐hydroxy)bis{[2,6‐bis(diisopropylphenyl)imidazol‐2‐ylidine]gold} tetrafluoroborate or bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imidate – [{Au(IPr)}₂(μ‐OH)][X] (X=BF₄, NTf₂) – mostly stop after the alkoxylation. Analysis of the intermediate proved the exclusive formation of the E‐isomer which allows for the subsequent lactonization.     

Synthesis and characterization of a novel siloxane‐imide‐containing polybenzoxazine

A novel siloxane‐imide‐containing polybenzoxazine based on N,N′‐bis(N‐phenyl‐3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐benzo[1,3]oxazine)‐5, 5′‐bis(1,1′,3,3′‐tetramethyldisiloxane‐1,3‐diyl)‐bis(norborane‐2,3‐dicarboximide) (BZ‐A1) was successfully synthesized. The thermal properties of BZ‐A1 are superior to those of conventional polybenzoxazines lacking siloxane groups. Polymerized BZ‐A1 possesses extremely low surface free energy (γ_s = 15.1 mJ m^?2) after curing at 230 °C for 1 h. Moreover, the surface free energy of polymerized BZ‐A1 is more stable than conventional bisphenol A‐type polybenzoxazine during thermal curing and annealing processes, indicating that polymerized BZ‐A1 is more suitable for applications requiring low surface free energy materials for high temperatures over long periods of time. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry