Copper‐Catalyzed Domino SN2′/Coupling Reaction: A Versatile and Facile Synthesis of Cyclic Compounds from Baylis–Hillman Acetates

A variety of substituted quinoline/pyridine, thiochromene and naphthalene derivatives, which might be of biological and medicinal value, were synthesized by copper‐catalyzed domino S_N2′/coupling, S_N2′/deacylation/coupling and S_N2′/coupling/elimination reactions. The method provides a general and convenient approach to the synthesis of various substituted cyclic compounds from the corresponding Baylis–Hillman (B‐H) acetates and N‐/S‐/C‐nucleophiles.     

Copper‐Catalyzed Cycloaddition between Secondary Phosphine Oxides and Alkynes: Synthesis of Benzophosphole Oxides

Benzophosphole derivatives have attracted significant attention as promising organic optoelectronic materials. We have successfully developed a copper (2 mol%)/tert‐butyl hydroperoxide (2 equiv.) catalyst system for reaction of readily available secondary phosphine oxides and alkynes in acetonitrile at 60 °C under air, which provides a rapid access to a structurally diverse array of benzophosphole oxides in moderate to good yields within 30 min. The method can be easily used for a large‐scale preparation. Preliminary mechanistic studies revealed that the addition of a phosphoryl radical onto a triple bond followed by cyclization on the phenyl moiety of the secondary phosphine oxide might occur to form the benzophosphole oxide.

     

A Simple and Efficient Access to New Functionalized 4‐Phenacylideneflavenes#

An innovative and efficient approach towards diversity‐oriented synthesis of 4‐phenacylideneflavenes has been developed from substituted salicylaldehydes and acetophenones using iodine under solvent‐free conditions. Both symmetrical and unsymmetrical functionalized 4‐phenacylideneflavenes were synthesized in good to excellent yields and their mechanism of formation is discussed.     

Design,Synthesis, and Evaluation of ω‐(Isothiocyanato)alkylphosphinates and Phosphine Oxides as Antiproliferative Agents

A series of 21 novel, structurally diverse ω‐(isothiocyanato)alkylphosphinates and phosphine oxides (ITCs) were designed and synthesized in moderate to good yields. The synthesized compounds were evaluated for in vitro antiproliferative activity using LoVo and LoVo/DX cancer cell lines. The biological activity of the synthesized compounds was higher than that of natural isothiocyanates such as benzyl isothiocyanate or sulforaphane. The antiproliferative activity of selected ITCs was also tested on selected cancer cell lines: A549, MESSA and MESSA/DX‐5, HL60 and HL60MX2, BALB/3T3, and 4T1. These compounds were assessed for their mechanism of action as inducers of cell‐cycle arrest and apoptosis. Ethyl (6‐isothiocyanatohexyl)(phenyl)phosphinate ( 71 ) was tested in vivo on the 4T1 cell line and demonstrated moderate antitumor activity, similar to that benzyl isothiocyanate and cyclophosphamide.     

(−)‐Sparteine‐Mediated Directed ortho‐Metalation of N‐Cumyl‐N‐ethylferrocenecarboxamide. Versatile Routes to Functionalized Planar Chiral Ferrocenecarboxamides,Amines, Esters and Phosphines

N‐Cumyl‐N‐ethylferrocenecarboxamide 5 provides planar chiral carboxamides 6 in high yield and % ee via (−)‐sparteine‐mediated directed ortho‐metalation. Mild decumylation affords secondary amides 7 , which serve as intermediates for a convenient and general route to the venerable Ugi planar chiral ferrocenylamines 13 and as versatile precursors for the preparation of novel chiral ferrocenes 15 and 20 . The chiral TMS‐ferrocenyl derivative 7c is used to prepare the enantiomeric (S)‐ 7f , circumventing the lack of availability of (+)‐sparteine.     

Synthesis and Reactions of Enantiopure Substituted Benzene cis‐Hexahydro‐1,2‐diols

Enantiopure cis‐dihydro‐1,2‐diol metabolites, obtained from toluene dioxygenase‐catalysed cis‐dihydroxylation of six monosubstituted benzene substrates, have been converted to their corresponding cis‐hexahydro‐1,2‐diol derivatives by catalytic hydrogenation via their cis‐tetrahydro‐1,2‐diol intermediates. Optimal reaction conditions for total catalytic hydrogenation of the cis‐dihydro‐1,2‐diols have been established using six heterogeneous catalysts. The relative and absolute configurations of the resulting benzene cis‐hexahydro‐1,2‐diol products have been unequivocally established by X‐ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy. Methods have been developed to obtain enantiopure cis‐hexahydro‐1,2‐diol diastereoisomers, to desymmetrise a meso‐cis‐hexahydro‐1,2‐diol and to synthesise 2‐substituted cyclohexanols. The potential of these enantiopure cyclohexanols as chiral reagents was briefly evaluated through their application in the synthesis of two enantiomerically enriched phosphine oxides from the corresponding racemic phosphine precursors.     

Catalytic Oxidation of CO over Nanocrystalline La1–xCexNiO3 Perovskite‐Type Oxides

Nanocrystalline La_1–xCe_xNiO₃ (x = 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 0.9) perovskite‐type oxide catalysts prepared by the Pechini method were employed in catalytic CO oxidation and the effect of substitution of La by Ce on CO conversion was evaluated. The results indicated the remarkable effect of La substitution with Ce on the catalytic performance at low temperatures. The reaction temperature had a significant influence on the stability of the catalysts. The La_0.1Ce_0.9NiO₃ sample exhibited the highest activity among the prepared catalysts in CO oxidation reaction. In addition, the influence of different parameters including pretreatment condition, feed ratio, and gas hourly space velocity (GHSV) on the catalytic performance was examined. The optimum catalyst proved high stability under severe reaction conditions in the presence of water vapor and CO₂ in the feed stream.     

Synthesis of oligo‐ortho‐azomethinephenol and its oligomer–metal complexes: Characterization and application as anti‐microbial agents

The oxidative polycondensation reaction conditions and optimum parameters of o‐phenylazomethinephenol (PAP) with oxygen (air) and NaOCl were determined in an aqueous alkaline solution at 60–98°C. The properties of oligo‐o‐phenylazomethinephenol (OPAP) were studied by chemical and spectra analyses. PAP was converted to dimers and trimers (25–60%) by oxidation in an aqueous alkaline medium. The number average molecular weight (M_n), mass average molecular weight (M_w), and polydispersity index (PDI) values were 1180 g mol^?1, 1930 g mol^?1, and 1.64, respectively. According to these values, 20–33% of PAP turned into OPAP. During the polycondensation reaction, a part of the azomethine (? CH?N? ) groups oxidized to carboxylic (? COOH) group. Thus, a water‐soluble fraction of OPAP was incorporated in the carboxylic (? COOH); (2–20%) group. Also, the structure and properties of oligomer–metal complexes of OPAP with Cu(II), Ni(II), Zn(II), and Co(II) were studied. Antimicrobial activites of the oligomer and its oligomer–metal complexes were tested against B. cereus, L. monocytogenes, B. megaterium, B. subtilis, E. coli, Str. thermophilus, M. smegmatis, B. brevis, E. aeroginesa, P. vulgaris, M. luteus, S. aureus, and B. jeoreseens. Also, according to differential thermal analysis and thermogravimetric analysis, OPAP and its oligomer–metal complexes were stable throughout to temperature and thermo‐oxidative decomposition. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 85: 2004–2013, 2002     

Simple and Efficient Copper(I)‐Catalyzed Access to Three Versatile Aminocoumarin‐Based Scaffolds using Isocyanoacetate

An efficient method has been developed for the one‐pot copper(I)‐catalyzed synthesis of 3‐aminocoumarin and its derivatives, such as 3‐substituted methylideneaminocoumarins and chromeno[3,4‐d]imidazol‐4(1H)‐ones. Significantly, the strategy presents a straightforward and efficient approach to constructing biologically useful molecular scaffolds.     

Base‐Catalyzed Condensation of 2‐Hydroxybenzaldehydes with α,β‐Unsaturated Aldehydes – Scope and Limitations

The base‐catalyzed condensation of α,β‐unsaturated carbonyl compounds with 2‐hydroxybenzaldehydes yielding tetrahydroxanthones and dihydrobenzopyrans has been investigated. A novel access to highly functionalized dihydrobenzopyrans via a mild generation of the dienol of senecialdehyde and subsequent conjugated aldol reaction has been reported.     

A DFT Study on the Structures and Energies of Isomers of 4‐Amino‐1,3‐dinitro‐1,2,4‐triazol‐5‐one‐2‐oxide: New High Energy Density Compounds

Isomers of 4‐amino‐1,3‐dinitrotriazol‐5‐one‐2‐oxide (ADNTONO) are of interest in the contest of insensitive explosives and were found to have true local energy minima at the DFT‐B3LYP/aug‐cc‐pVDZ level. The optimized structures, vibrational frequencies and thermodynamic values for triazol‐5‐one N‐oxides were obtained in their ground state. Kamlet‐Jacob equations were used to evaluate the performance properties. The detonation properties of ADNTONO (D=10.15 to 10.46 km s⁻¹, P=50.86 to 54.25 GPa) are higher compared with those of 1,1‐diamino‐2,2‐dinitroethylene (D=8.87 km s⁻¹, P=32.75 GPa), 5‐nitro‐1,2,4‐triazol‐3‐one (D=8.56 km s⁻¹, P=31.12 GPa), 1,2,4,5‐tetrazine‐3,6‐diamine‐1,4‐dioxide (D=8.78 km s⁻¹, P=31.0 GPa), 1‐amino‐3,4,5‐trinitropyrazole (D=9.31 km s⁻¹, P=40.13 GPa), 4,4′‐dinitro‐3,3′‐bifurazan (D=8.80 km s⁻¹, P=35.60 GPa) and 3,4‐bis(3‐nitrofurazan‐4‐yl)furoxan (D=9.25 km s⁻¹, P=39.54 GPa). The  NH₂ group(s) appears to be particularly promising area for investigation since it may lead to two desirable consequences of higher stability (insensitivity), higher density, and thus detonation velocity and pressure.     

A Mild and Versatile Method for the Synthesis of Alkyl Ethers from Methoxymethyl Ethers and Application to the Preparation of Sterically Crowded Ethers

A mild and divergent route for the synthesis of alkyl ethers from methoxymethyl (MOM) and methoxyethyl (ME) ether derivatives via pyridinium‐type salt intermediates has been developed. The addition of organocuprates to the salts afforded the corresponding alkyl ethers, including highly crowded ones, in high yields even in the presence of acid‐ or base‐sensitive functional groups.     

Suzuki–Miyaura Cross‐Coupling of 2‐Nitroarenediazonium Tetrafluoroborates: Synthesis of Unsymmetrical 2‐Nitrobiphenyls and Highly Functionalized Carbazoles

The Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling of 2‐nitrodiazonium tetrafluoroborate salts with substituted boronic acids is an effective and efficient means of preparing highly functionalized 2‐nitrobiphenyls in modest to excellent yield under extremely mild reaction conditions. Cross‐coupling of 2‐nitrodiazonium tetrafluoroborate salts with ortho‐methoxy‐ and benzyloxyphenylboronic acids was also demonstrated leading to the ortho‐ortho‐2‐nitrobiphenyls. Reductive cyclization of the 2‐nitrobiphenyl products allows for the overall three‐step synthesis of uniquely substituted carbazoles from readily available 2‐nitroanilines. The methodology was further highlighted by the short total synthesis of the carbazole alkaloids clausine V, N, C, and glycoborine.     

Stereoselective Synthesis of (E)‐ and (Z)‐Allylphosphonium Salts by Palladium‐Catalyzed Addition of Phosphine to Allene

The palladium‐catalyzed addition of phosphine to allene in the presence of methanesulfonic acid stereoselectively gives the (E)‐ or (Z)‐allylphosphonium salt. The (E)‐allylphosphonium salt is formed by performing the reaction in THF under reflux and the (Z)‐allylphosphonium salt is obtained at –10 °C. The (E)‐ and (Z)‐allylphosphonium salts are used in the Wittig olefination reaction, and their diastereoselectivities are compared.     

Synthesis of Functionalized trans‐A2B2‐Porphyrins Using Donor–Acceptor Cyclopropane‐Derived Dipyrromethanes

meso‐Substituted trans‐A₂B₂‐porphyrins bearing specific patterns of substituents are crucial building blocks in porphyrin‐based biomimetic systems and molecular materials and can be used for the construction of well‐defined porphyrin‐based architectures. A new stepwise and rational synthesis of functionalized trans‐A₂B₂‐porphyrins is reported in which for the first time donor–acceptor‐substituted cyclopropane precursors (d–a cyclopropanes) are exploited. The three presented d–a cyclopropanes are readily accessible in a multi‐gram scale and serve as aldehyde equivalents in the reaction with an excess of pyrrole to afford the corresponding dipyrromethanes (DPMs). The three DPMs were synthesized in yields of 60–74%. They are stable in purified form in the absence of light and air and were subsequently condensed with a wide range of aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes bearing electron‐donating or electron‐withdrawing substituents followed by oxidation to form the corresponding trans‐A₂B₂‐porphyrins. Fourteen functionalized porphyrins were synthesized in yields of 14–31%, indicating the broad scope of the synthetic procedure. The possibility to introduce key functional groups is emphasized, which enables subsequent modification of these porphyrins with moieties inducing biological activity. Modification of the tetrapyrroles may occur by addition to one of the porphyrin peripheral double bonds, the use of substituents of the aryl groups or via the methoxycarbonyl group at two of the meso‐substituents. Three examples of porphyrins were converted into the corresponding 7,8‐dihydroxychlorins by osmium‐mediated dihydroxylation and one of the resulting chlorins was subjected to saponification to give a highly polar chlorin dicarboxylic acid. A 4‐bromophenyl‐substituted d–a cyclopropane was prepared by rhodium‐catalyzed cyclopropanation and then transformed into a DPM which was subsequently condensed to a porphyrin. Its Zn complex allowed a Heck reaction to afford the functionalized bis(alkenyl)‐substituted trans‐A₂B₂‐Zn‐porphyrin.     

A Simple and Rapid Evaluation of Explosive Performance – The Disc Acceleration Experiment

It is crucial in the development of a new explosive to obtain an evaluation of performance early in the process when the availability of material is limited. Evaluation requires dynamic measurements of detonation velocity, pressure, and expansion energy – typically in separate experiments that require large amounts of material, time, and expense. There is also a need for evaluation of the total available thermodynamic energy. The dynamic evaluations, in particular, have been a major hindrance to development of new explosives. The new experimental testing method to be described here requires small charges and obtains accurate measurement of all three of the detonation performance characteristics in a single test. The design, a Disc Acceleration eXperiment (DAX), provides an initial condition of steady detonation and a charge‐geometry amenable to 2D hydrodynamic simulations. The velocity history of a metal disk attached to the end of the explosive charge is measured with Photonic Doppler Velocimetry (PDV). This disc velocity data is analyzed to give both CJ pressure and expansion energy. The detonation velocity is obtained with probes along the charge length. The experiments and subsequent analyses are concentrated on LX‐16, a known PETN based explosive, for the purpose of establishing the accuracy of the method and to provide a standard for comparison with other explosives. We present details of the experimental design and also detonation velocity and PDV results from a number of experiments. The total available internal energy for the explosive was obtained from published detonation calorimetry measurements by Ornellas [1], and from thermodynamic equilibrium calculations. An equation‐of‐state (EOS) for LX‐16 was derived from hydrodynamic simulations of thin plate‐push velocity‐time data. We will show a successful comparison with a previously published Jones‐Wilkins‐Lee (JWL) EOS for PETN by Green and Lee [2–4].     

Structure‐Reactivity Studies of Simple 4‐Hydroxyprolinamide Organocatalysts in the Asymmetric Michael Addition Reaction of Aldehydes to Nitroolefins

A series of simple 4‐hydroxyprolinamides was synthesised and they were found to act as organocatalysts for the asymmetric conjugate addition of aldehydes to nitroolefins in excellent yields (98%), with complete diastereoselectivity (99:1, syn:anti) and enantioselectivity (98% ee for syn). Furthermore, the use of low catalyst loadings (5 mol%) and a low aldehyde molar excess (1.5 equivalents) were achieved.     

Iodine‐Promoted Domino Reactions of 1‐Cyanocyclopropane 1‐Esters: A Straightforward Approach to Fully Substituted 2‐Aminofurans

A straightforward and efficient iodine‐promoted ring‐opening/cyclization domino reaction of 1‐cyanocyclopropane 1‐esters for the synthesis of fully substituted 2‐aminofurans is reported. This reaction involves the sequential ring‐opening/intramolecular cyclization reaction of 1‐cyanocyclopropane 1‐esters to give the corresponding 2‐amino‐4,5‐dihydrofurans, which were oxidized with I₂ and Et₃N in refluxing toluene to give the corresponding 2‐amino‐3‐furancarboxylates.

     

A New One‐Pot Synthesis of Polysubstituted Indoles from Pyrroles and β‐Nitroacrylates

The reaction of β‐nitroacrylates with pyrroles, under solvent‐ and catalyst‐free conditions, allows the formation of Friedel–Crafts adducts which, after in situ treatment with Amberlyst 15 in isopropyl alcohol under reflux, provide polysubstituted indoles, via a benzannulation reaction, in a one‐pot process.