A New Chiral P,N‐Ligand Derived from 1‐Phenylphospholane‐2‐carboxylic Acid (Phenyl‐P‐proline) for Palladium‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Allylic Substitution Reactions

New types of P,N‐ligands, cis‐ and trans‐ 3 , containing a tetrahydroisoquinoline skeleton as an N‐donor were synthesized from (1R,2S)‐1‐phenylphospholane‐2‐carboxylic acid (phenyl‐P‐proline, 1 ). The cis isomer, cis‐ 3 , was found to act as an excellent ligand in palladium‐catalyzed asymmetric allylic substitution reactions. The reactions of 1,3‐diphenyl‐2‐propenyl acetate ( 5 ) with several nucleophiles in the presence of [Pd(π‐allyl)Cl]₂, cis‐ 3 (Pd : ligand=1 : 2), and a base afforded the desired products in high yields with high enantioselectivity. It was suggested that these ligands did not serve as P,N‐bidentate ligands but as P‐monodentate ligands in these reactions.     

Styrene–substituted‐styrene copolymerization using diphenylzinc–metallocene–methylaluminoxane systems

Homopolymerization of disubstituted styrenes (2,4‐ and 2,5‐dimethylstyrene) and trisubstituted styrene (2,4,6‐trimethylstyrene) and their copolymerization with styrene were carried out using diphenylzinc–metallocene–methylaluminoxane initiator systems for metallocene (n‐BuCp)₂TiCl₂ and for half‐metallocene CpTiCl₃. The studied comonomers were found to be less reactive than p‐tertbutylstyrene, p‐methylstyrene and styrene. The results indicate that, even though the methyl group has I+ inductive effect, di‐ and tri‐methylstyrenes are reluctant to undergo either homopolymerization or copolymerization. This behavior suggests that the reactivity is regulated not only by the inductive effect of the alkyl group but also by the steric impediment caused by the crowding of the substituents on the benzene ring. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry     

On the Enantioselective Rhodium‐Catalyzed Enyne Cyclization

Several chiral ligands were tested in the enantioselective rhodium‐catalyzed enyne cyclization, but none gave results comparable to the BINAP ligand. Among the tested catalyst precursors the soon to be commercially available [(COD)Rh(H₂O)₂]CF₃SO₃ complex is an interesting alternative to the [(COD)RhCl]₂ because it did not need the activation with silver ions. A new stereogenic and 1,2‐disubstituted double bond was formed in the product 12 , the latter was proved to have an (E)‐configuration. A new product, the 1,3‐diene 16 was observed at higher temperatures. In the presence of an (E)‐configurated double bond in the starting material, the reaction completely failed.     

Unique Versatility of Ionic Liquids as Clean Decarboxylation Catalyst Cum Solvent: A Metal‐ and Quinoline‐Free Paradigm towards Synthesis of Indoles,Styrenes, Stilbenes and Arene Derivatives under Microwave Irradiation in Aqueous Conditions

Ionic liquids have been found to provide a new platform for metal‐ and quinoline‐free decarboxylation of various N‐heteroaryl and aryl carboxylic acids under microwave irradiation in aqueous condition. The method was found to possess a wide substrate scope towards the synthesis of various pharmacologically and industrially important aromatic compounds including indoles, styrenes, stilbenes, and nitro‐ or hydroxyarene derivatives. The decarboxylation of indole and α‐phenylcinnamic acids proceeded well without addition of any catalyst in neat 1‐hexyl‐3‐methylimidazolium bromide ([hmim]Br) and 1‐methylimidazolium p‐toluenesulfonic acid ([Hmim]PTSA), respectively, while addition of a mild base like aqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate (NaHCO₃) to [hmim]Br further improved the decarboxylation of hydroxylated cinnamic and aromatic acid substrates. The developed methodology not only precludes the usage of toxic metal/quinoline and harsh organic bases but also offers several inherent benefits like recyclability of reagent system, reduction in waste and hazards, short reaction time besides ease of product recovery.     

Synthesis and Highly Stereoselective Hydrogenation of the Statin Precursor Ethyl (5S)‐5,6‐Isopropylidenedioxy‐3‐oxohexanoate

A search for the large‐scale preparation of (5S)‐5,6‐(isopropylidenedioxy)‐3‐oxohexanoates ( 2 ) – a key intermediate in the synthesis of pharmacologially important statins – starting from (S)‐malic acid is described. The synthesis of the required initial compound methyl (3S)‐3,4‐(isopropylidenedioxy)butanoate ( 1 ) by Moriwake’s reduction of dimethyl (S)‐malate ( 3 ) has been improved. Direct 2‐C chain elongation of ester 1 using the lithium enolate of tert‐butyl acetate has been shown to be successful at a 3‐ to 5‐fold excess of the enolate. Unfortunately, the product, tert‐butyl (5S)‐5,6‐(isopropylidenedioxy)‐3‐oxohexanoate ( 2a ) is unstable during distillation. Ethyl (5S)‐5,6‐(isopropylidenedioxy)‐3‐oxohexanoate ( 2b ) was prepared alternatively on a multigram scale from (3S)‐3,4‐(isopropylidenedioxy)butanoic acid ( 7 ) by activation with N,N′‐carbonyldiimidazole and subsequent reaction with Mg(OOCCH₂COOEt)₂. A convenient pathway for the in situ preparation of the latter is also described. Ethyl ester ( 2b ) can be advantageously purified by distillation. The stereochemistry of the catalytic hydrogenation of β‐keto ester ( 2b ) to ethyl (5S)‐5,6‐(isopropylidenedioxy)‐3‐hydrohyhexanoate (syn‐ 6 and anti‐ 6 ) has been studied using a number of homogeneous achiral and chiral Rh(I) and Ru(II) complexes with phosphine ligands. A comparison of Rh(I) and Ru(II) catalysts with (S)‐ and (R)‐BINAP as chiral ligands revealed opposite activity in dependence on the polarity of the solvent. No influence of the chiral backbone of substrate 2b on the enantioselectivity was noted. A ratio of syn‐ 6 /anti‐ 6 =2.3 was observed with an achiral (Ph₃P)₃RuCl₂ catalyst. Ru[(R)‐Tol‐BINAP]Cl₂ neutralized with one equivalent of AcONa afforded the most efficient catalytic system for the production of optically pure syn‐(5S)‐5,6‐isopropylidenedioxy‐3‐hydroxyhexanoate (syn‐ 6 ) at a preparative substrate/catalyst ratio of 1000:1.     

Highly Enantioselective Phase‐Transfer Catalytic α‐Alkylation of α‐tert‐Butoxycarbonyllactams: Construction of β‐Quaternary Chiral Pyrrolidine and Piperidine Systems

A new enantioselective α‐alkylation of α‐tert‐butoxycarbonyllactams for the construction of β‐quaternary chiral pyrrolidine and piperidine core systems is reported. α‐Alkylations of N‐methyl‐α‐tert‐butoxycarbonylbutyrolactam and N‐diphenylmethyl‐α‐tert‐butoxycarbonylvalerolactam under phase‐transfer catalytic conditions (solid potassium hydroxide, toluene, −40 °C) in the presence of (S,S)‐3,4,5‐trifluorophenyl‐3,3′,5,5′‐tetrahydro‐2,6‐bis(3,4,5‐trifluorophenyl)‐4,4′‐spirobi[4H‐dinaphth[2,1‐c:1′,2′‐e]azepinium] bromide [(S,S)‐NAS Br] (5 mol%) afforded the corresponding α‐alkyl‐α‐tert‐butoxycarbonyllactams in very high chemical (up to 99%) and optical yields (up to 98% ee). Our new catalytic systems provide attractive synthetic methods for pyrrolidine‐ and piperidine‐based alkaloids and chiral intermediates with β‐quaternary carbon centers.     

Highly Selective Copper‐Catalyzed Monoarylation of Aniline

A series of mono‐, bi‐ and tridendate ligands was investigated in the copper‐catalyzed monoarylation of aniline with p‐chloronitrobenzene. Excellent selectivities at high conversions were observed when bridged bisimidazolidenes as well as biphenyl‐bisalkylphosphines were employed. The X‐ray crystal structure of bis(tert‐butyl)biphenylphosphine‐copper complex indicates a significant binding of the metal center to the aryl moiety and, thus, an almost bidendate coordination mode. Chelating bisphosphines, glycol, phenanthroline or other mono‐ to tridendate ligands led to less selective or productive catalysts.     

Synthesis and evaluation of micellar properties and antimicrobial activities of imidazole‐based surfactants

The synthesis of two types of imidazole‐based surfactants, [(ROCOCH₂MIm)Br] and [(RNHCOCH₂MIm)Br], of varying chain lengths (C₁₀, C₁₂ and C₁₆), was conducted in the present work. The synthesis involves an initial reaction of bromoacetic acid with fatty alcohols or fatty amines, followed by quaternization with N‐methyl imidazole. The micellar properties of all the synthesized compounds were determined using surface tensiometry and compared with [(RMIm)Br], a well‐studied alkyl‐substituted imidazole‐based surfactant. Within the same homologous series, a decrease in critical micelle concentration (cmc) was observed with increasing alkyl chain length in all three types of cationic surfactants. Introduction of an ester [(ROCOCH₂MIm)Br] or an amide group [(RNHCOCH₂MIm)Br] in the alkyl chain lowers the cmc when compared to a cationic surfactant without functional group, [(RMIm)Br]. The synthesized surfactants were also assayed for antimicrobial activities and found to possess good activities against selected strains.     

Calixarene‐Derived Mono‐Iminophosphoranes: Highly Efficient Ligands for Palladium‐ and Nickel‐Catalysed Cross‐Coupling

The first mono‐iminophosphoranes based on a calix[4]arene skeleton have been synthesised and tested in the arylation of aryl bromides and aryl chlorides. Combining these ligands with [Pd(OAc)₂] or [Ni(cod)₂] resulted in highly active Suzuki–Miyaura and Kumada–Tamao–Corriu cross‐coupling catalysts, respectively. TOFs up to ca. 4×10⁵ mol(ArBr)⋅mol(M)⁻¹⋅h⁻¹ were obtained in each case. The remarkable activities observed probably arise from the ligands’ ability to form complexes with cavity‐entrapped “MArX” moieties (endo‐complexes), their highly crowded metal environment favouring formation of mono‐ligated intermediates over that of less reactive bis‐ligated ones. Possible supramolecular interactions within the cavity involving the receptor wall and the aromatic substrate may also significantly influence the reaction rates, notably by increasing the proportion of endo‐complexes.     

Synthesis and Characterization of the Nitrogen‐Rich Hyperbranched Polymers – Poly([1,2,3]‐Triazole‐[1,3,5]‐Triazine)s

Novel hyperbranched poly([1,2,3]‐triazole‐[1,3,5]‐triazine)s (HBP TT) were synthesized by a 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition reaction from AB₂ monomer – 2‐azido‐4,6‐bis‐prop‐2‐yn‐1‐yloxy‐ [1,3,5]‐triazine (ABPOT). The monomer contains one azide group A and two terminal alkyne units B. Thermal polymerization of ABPOT in bulk or in DMF solution leads to hyperbranched polymers containing both 1,4‐ and 1,5‐disubstituted [1,2,3]‐triazoles. The monomer was also polymerized catalytically in the presence of Cu(I) salts under mild reaction conditions in DMSO solution and in bulk affording hyperbranched poly‐[1,2,3]‐triazoles 1,4‐disubstituted only. The reactions lead to the products soluble in aprotic polar solvents like DMSO or DMF. Side reactions can proceed in a few cases, particularly: (i) homocoupling of alkyne groups, leading to the formation of insoluble products as a result of cross‐linking, (ii) isomerization of propynyloxytriazine fragments to propynyl‐ or propadienyltriazinone ones, and (iii) hydrolysis of triple bonds without the loss of solubility. Heats of formation of monomer and synthesized polymers were calculated from their combustion heats. All products were characterized by NMR‐, IR‐spectroscopy, and size exclusion chromatography (SEC) data. The obtained results open the prospect for the use of HBP TT as the high‐enthalpy modifiers for energetic and non‐energetic binders.     

Modular Furanoside Phosphite‐Phosphoroamidites,a Readily Available Ligand Library for Asymmetric Palladium‐Catalyzed Allylic Substitution Reactions. Origin of Enantioselectivity

A library of furanoside phosphite‐phosphoroamidite ligands has been synthesized and screened in the palladium‐catalyzed allylic substitution reactions of several substrate types. These series of ligands can be prepared efficiently from easily accessible D ‐xylose and D ‐glucose. Their modular nature enables the position of the phosphoroamidite group, configuration of C‐3 of the furanoside backbone and the substituents/configurations in the biaryl phosphite/phosphoroamidite moieties to be easily and systematically varied. By carefully selecting the ligand components, therefore, high regio‐ and enantioselectivities (ees up to 98%) and good activities have been achieved in a broad range of mono‐ and disubstituted hindered and unhindered linear and cyclic substrates. The NMR studies on the palladium‐π‐allyl intermediates provide a deeper understanding about the effect of the ligand parameters on the origin of enantioselectivity. They also indicate that the nucleophilic attack takes place predominantly at the allylic terminal carbon atom located trans to the phosphoroamidite moiety.     

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.     

Bis‐(1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroisoquinolinium): A Chiral Scaffold for Developing High‐Affinity Ligands for SK Channels

N‐Methyl‐bis‐(1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroisoquinolinium) analogues derived from AG525 (1,1′‐(propane‐1,3‐diyl)‐bis‐(6,7‐dimethoxy‐2‐methyl‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroisoquinoline)) stereoisomers and tetrandrine, a rigid bis‐(1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroisoquinoline) analogue with an S,S configuration, were synthesized and tested for their affinity for small‐conductance calcium‐activated potassium channel (SK/K_Ca2) subtypes using radioligand binding assays. A significant increase in affinity was observed for the quaternized analogues over the parent 1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroisoquinoline compounds. Interestingly, the impact of stereochemistry was not the same in the two groups of compounds. For quaternized analogues, affinities of S,S and R,R isomers for SK2 and SK3 channels were similar and in both cases higher than that of the meso derivative. Among the bis‐tetrahydroisoquinoline compounds, the S,S isomers exhibited high affinity, while the R,R and meso isomers had similarly lower affinities. Furthermore, the SK2/SK3 selectivity ratio was slightly increased for quaternized analogues. Bis‐(1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroisoquinolinium) represents a new scaffold for the development of high‐affinity ligands for SK channel subtypes.     

Recognition and Excision Properties of 8‐Halogenated‐7‐Deaza‐2′‐Deoxyguanosine as 8‐Oxo‐2′‐Deoxyguanosine Analogues and Fpg and hOGG1 Inhibitors

Cellular DNA continuously suffers various types of damage, and unrepaired damage increases disease progression risk. 8‐Oxo‐2′‐deoxyguanine (8‐oxo‐dG) is excised by repair enzymes, and their analogues are of interest as inhibitors and as bioprobes for study of these enzymes. We have developed 8‐halogenated‐7‐deaza‐2′‐deoxyguanosine derivatives that resemble 8‐oxo‐dG in that they adopt the syn conformation. In this study, we investigated their effects on Fpg (formamidopyrimidine DNA glycosylase) and hOGG1 (human 8‐oxoguanine DNA N‐glycosylase 1). Relative to 8‐oxo‐dG, Cl‐ and Br‐deaza‐dG were good substrates for Fpg, whereas they were less efficient substrates for hOGG1. Kinetics and binding experiments indicated that, although hOGG1 effectively binds Cl‐ and Br‐deaza‐dG analogues with low K_m values, their lower k_cat values result in low glycosylase activities. The benefits of the high binding affinities and low reactivities of 8‐oxo‐dG analogues with hOGG1 have been successfully applied to the competitive inhibition of the excision of 8‐oxoguanine from duplex DNA by hOGG1.     

Rhodium‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydroformylation of 1,1‐Disubstituted Allylphthalimides: A Catalytic Route to β3‐Amino Acids

The high enantioselective rhodium‐catalyzed hydroformylation of 1,1‐disubstituted allylphthalimides has been developed. By employing chiral ligand 1,2‐bis[(2S,5S)‐2,5‐diphenylphospholano]ethane [(S,S)‐Ph‐BPE], a series of β³‐aminoaldehydes can be prepared with up to 95% enantioselectivity. This asymmetric procedure provides an efficient alternative route to prepare chiral β³‐amino acids and alcohols.     

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 .     

Enantioselective Additions of Aryltitanium Tris(isopropoxide) to Ketones: Structure of [(i‐PrO)2Ti{μ‐(S)‐BINOLate}(μ‐O‐i‐Pr)TiPh(O‐i‐Pr)2], Study of Mechanistic and Stereochemical Insights

Aryl addition reactions of ArTi(O‐i‐Pr)₃ to aromatic, heteroaromatic, or α,β‐unsaturated ketones are described, producing tertiary alcohols in good to excellent enantioselectivities of up to 97% ee. The structure of the dititanium complex [(i‐PrO)₂Ti{μ‐(S)‐BINOLate}(μ‐O‐i‐Pr)TiPh(O‐i‐Pr)₂] [(S)‐ 4 ] that simultaneously bears a chiral directing ligand and a nucleophile is reported. Complex (S)‐ 4 possesses a pocket structure and has been illustrated as the key active species for addition reactions of both aldehydes and ketones. Mechanistic and stereochemical insights concerning addition reactions of organometallic reagents to organic carbonyls are rationalized based on the pocket structure and pocket size of (S)‐ 4 .     

Synthesis of 2,4‐ and 2,5‐Disubstituted Oxazoles via Metal‐ Catalyzed Cross‐Coupling Reactions

The rapid synthesis of 2,4‐ and 2,5‐disubstituted oxazoles via metal‐catalyzed cross‐coupling reactions is reported. The 4‐ or 5‐position of the corresponding 4‐ or 5‐halogenated 2‐butylthiooxazoles was successfully functionalized via Suzuki–Miyaura, Sonogashira and Stille cross‐coupling reactions. The 2‐position of the 2‐butylthiooxazoles obtained was further coupled to various organozinc reagents through palladium‐ or nickel‐mediated cross‐coupling reactions.     

Use of polymeric nitrosation reagents for the N‐nitrosation of secondary amines under mild and heterogeneous conditions

A combination of crosslinked poly(4‐vinylpyridinium)chloride [P₄‐H]Cl ( I ) and sodium nitrite or quaternized crosslinked poly(N‐methyl‐4‐vinylpyridinium)nitrite [P₄‐Me]NO₂ ( II ) was used as effective nitrosating agents for the N‐nitrosation of secondary amines under mild and heterogeneous conditions in moderate to excellent yields. The spent polymeric reagents can usually be removed quantitatively and regenerated. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 104: 1064–1067, 2007     

Asymmetric [4+2] Annulations of Isatins with But‐3‐yn‐2‐one

The catalytic asymmetric [4+2] annulations of isatins with but‐3‐yn‐2‐one catalyzed by the Cinchona alkaloids‐derived oragnocatalyst (DHQD)₂PHAL have been developed in the presence of 3.0 equivalents of D ‐diethyl tartrate in the mixed solvent (diphenyl ether/diethyl ether=1/1) or a slightly modified one, affording the corresponding substituted spiro[indoline‐3,2′‐pyran]‐2,4′(3′H)‐diones in good to excellent yields with high enantioselectivities under mild conditions.