Showing papers in "Angewandte Chemie in 1994"

Thermal and Optical Switching of Iron(II) Complexes

Abstract: Transition metal chemistry contains a class of complex compounds for which the spin state of the central atom changes from high spin to low spin when the temperature is lowered. This is accompanied by changes of the magnetic and optical properties that make the thermally induced spin transition (also called spin crossover) easy to follow. The phenomenon is found in the solid state as well as in solution. Amongst this class, iron(II) spin crossover compounds are distinguished for their great variety of spin transition behavior; it can be anything from gradual to abrupt, stepwise, or with hysteresis effects. Many examples have been thoroughly studied by Mossbauer and optical spectroscopy, measurements of the magnetic susceptibilities and the heat capacities, as well as crystal structure analysis. Cooperative interactions between the complex molecules can be satisfactorily explained from changes in the elastic properties during the spin transition, that is, from changes in molecular structure and volume. Our investigations of iron(II) spin crossover compounds have shown that green light will switch the low spin state to the high spin state, which then can have a virtually unlimited lifetime at low temperatures (this phenomenom is termed light-induced excited spin state trapping - acronym: LIESST). Red light will switch the metastable high spin state back to the low spin state. We have elucidated the mechanism of the LIESST effect and studied the deactivation kinetics in detail. It is now well understood within the theoretical context of radiationless transitions. Applications of the LIESST effect in optical information technology can be envisaged.

Cyclodextrins as Building Blocks for Supramolecular Structures and Functional Units

Abstract: Cyclodextrins are frequently used as building blocks, because they can be linked both covalently and noncovalently with specificity. Thus one, two, three, seven, fourteen, eighteen, or twenty substituents have been linked to one β-cyclodextrin molecule in a regioselective manner. Furthermore, Cyclodextrins may serve as organic host molecules. Their internal cavity is able to accommodate one or two guest molecules. Conversely, suitable guest molecules can be used to thread one, two, or many (one hundred or more) cyclodextrin rings. The resulting supramolecular structures are often formed in solution, which allows characterization by high-resolution spectroscopic methods. Chemical conversion of these structures provides molecular architectures such as catenanes, rotaxanes, polyrotaxanes, and tubes, which are not readily prepared by other methods. The particular properties of Cyclodextrins can also be employed, for example, for the chromatographic separation of complex mixtures of substances, even racemates, by molecular recognition. Cyclodextrins and their derivatives have been found to be remarkably active catalysts as well. Finally, since Cyclodextrins can favorably influence the release of drugs, many new applications will certainly be developed in the near future.

Organic and Organometallic Molecular Magnetic Materials—Designer Magnets

Abstract: Magnets composed of molecular species or polymers and prepared by relatively low-temperature organic synthetic methodologies are a focus of contemporary materials science research. The anticipated properties of such molecular-species-based magnetic materials, particularly in combination with other properties associated with molecules and polymers, may enable their use in future generations of electronic, magnetic, and/or photonic/photronic devices ranging from information storage and magnetic imaging to static and low-frequency magnetic shielding. A tutorial of typical magnetic behavior of molecular materials is presented. The three distinct models (intramolecular spin coupling through orthogonal orbitals in the same spatial region within a molecule/ion, intermolecular spin coupling through pairwise “configuration interaction” between spin-containing moieties, and dipole—dipole, through-space interactions) which enable the design of new molecular-based magnetic materials are discussed. To achieve the required spin couplings for bulk ferro- or ferrimagnetic behavior it is crucial to prepare materials with the necessary primary, secondary, and tertiary structures akin to proteins. Selected results from the worldwide effort aimed at preparing molecular-based magnetic materials by these mechanisms are described. Some organometallic solids comprised of linear chains of alternating metallocenium donors (D) and cyanocarbon acceptors (A) that is, …D•+ A•− D•+ A•−…, exhibit cooperative magnetic phenomena. Bulk ferromagnetic behavior was first observed below the critical (Curie) temperature Tc of 4.8 K for [FeIII(C5Me5)2]•+ [TCNE]•− (Me = methyl; TCNE = tetracyanoethylene). Replacement of FeIII with MnIII leads to a ferromagnet with a Tc of 8.8 K in agreement with mean-field models developed for this class of materials. Replacement with CrIII, however, leads to a ferromagnet with a Tc lowered to 3.65 K which is at variance with this model. Extension to the reaction of a vanadium(o) complex with TCNE leads to the isolation of a magnet with a Tc ≈ 400 K, which exceeds the thermal decomposition temperature of the material. This demonstrates that a magnetic material with a Tc substantially above room temperature is achievable in a molecule/organic/polymeric material. Finally, a new class of one-dimensional ferrimagnetic materials based on metalloporphins is discussed.

Chiral Aziridines—Their Synthesis and Use in Stereoselective Transformations

Abstract: The preparation of enantiomerically pure compounds is one of the major areas of organic chemistry. Much emphasis is placed on the elaboration of naturally occurring starting materials and on the development of techniques for enantio-selective transformations of achiral substrates. In this field, chiral aziridines form an attractive class of compounds, since they are available in enantiomerically pure (or highly enriched) form by a variety of procedures and can be used for asymmetric synthesis in a number of different ways. The chemistry of aziridines is dominated by ring-opening reactions, the driving force for which is relief of ring strain. By suitable choice of sub-stituents on the carbon and nitrogen atoms, excellent stereo- and regiocontrol can be attained in ring-opening reactions with a wide variety of nucleophiles, including organometallic reagents; this makes chiral aziridines useful as substrates for the synthesis of important biologically active species including alkaloids, amino acids, and /Mactam antibiotics. Substrate-controlled diastereo-selective synthesis is also possible by use of aziridines as removable chiral auxiliaries, while metalation at a ring carbon atom allows aziridines to be used as chiral reagents for asymmetric synthesis. Chiral bisaziridines can act as ligands for transition metals, and applications in the challenging field of enantioselective catalysis can be envisioned. Today, the exclusion of three-membered carbo- and heterocycles from the arsenal of the organic chemist is inconceivable.

Peptidomimetics—Tailored Enzyme Inhibitors†

Abstract: Peptides and proteins (there is no clear boundary between the two classes of compounds) are absolutely essential components of organisms in many ways. While proteins have biocatalytic functions and are important components of tissues, peptides play an important role in the organism as hormones, neurotransmitters, and neuromodulators. Peptides and their analogues have long been used in medicinal chemistry as therapeutic agents for pathological conditions generally characterized by a disruption of the interplay between messenger molecules or enzyme substrates and their targets, the receptors and enzymes. For various biochemical and biophysical reasons there is an increasing tendency towards the use of chemical “Trojan horses” known as peptidomimetics. The chances that such agents are active generally increase with the magnitude of the “deceptive effect”, in other words in proportion to the degree of conversion of a peptide into a non-peptide. Rational design has become a catchphrase which is at present applied frequently to the development of peptidomimetics. New computer programs are invaluable tools in such design processes. However, in spite of the many advances already made, we are still far from the final goal, the de novo design of peptidomimetics. Rational design is nonetheless advancing rapidly, and it is already clear that developments in the area of peptidomimetics have given a great boost to peptide chemistry as a whole. This can be expected to continue, so that in future peptide chemistry may be characterized by a type of symbiotic alliance between peptides and non-peptides.

Nitrogen donors in organometallic chemistry and homogeneous catalysis

Abstract: Homogeneous catalysis has been responsible for many major recent developments in synthetic organic chemistry. The combined use of organometallic and coordination chemistry has produced a number of new and powerful synthetic methods for important classes of compounds in general and for optically active substances in particular. For this purpose, complexes with optically active ligands have been used, most of them coordinating through phosphorus. More recent developments have highlighted the use of “nitrogen-donors”, particularly as they are easily obtained from the “chiral pool”. However, the remarkable achievements in this area have been based on an empirical approach. This article attempts to bridge the gap between the synthetic and the coordination chemist. The first section discusses the rates of formation and dissociation of complexes with nitrogen donors, their relationship to the rates of product formation, and presents the factors which induce homolytic cleavage of MC bonds. It also provides a summary of the main types of organometallic complexes formed by metal centers coordinated to nitrogen donors and their reactivity patterns. The second section highlights the most significant, homogeneously catalyzed reactions involving complexes with nitrogen ligands. Foremost among them are the asymmetric aspects of hydrogenation (particularly those involving boranes as reducing agents), hydrosilylation, cyclopropanations, Diels-Alder reactions, aldol condensations, alkylation of aldehydes, conjugate addition reactions, Grignard cross-coupling reactions, allylic alkylations, oxidation reactions, olefin epoxidations, and di-hydroxylation of olefins.

Scales of Nucleophilicity and Electrophilicity: A System for Ordering Polar Organic and Organometallic Reactions

Abstract: Contrary to widely held opinion, for many reactions in organic and organometallic chemistry it is possible to define nucleophilicity and electrophilicity parameters that are independent of the reaction partners. This phenomenon, discovered by Ritchie during the early 1970s for reactions of highly stabilized carbenium and diazonium ions with n-nucleophiles, also occurs with reactions of carbenium ions with aliphatic and aromatic π-electron systems and in hydride transfer reactions. With the aid of the scales of nucleophilicity and electrophilicity set out here, which extend over eighteen orders of magnitude, forecasts can be made about the feasibility and rate of a given CC bond formation, ionic reduction, or diazo coupling. Linkage with the reactivity scales of Ritchie and Sweigart/Kane-Maguire enables a unified treatment of a large number of polar reactions.

Chemistry and Biology of Taxol

Abstract: One can view plants as a reference library of compounds waiting to be searched by a chemist who is looking for a particular property. Taxol, a complex polyoxygenated diterpene isolated from the Pacific Yew, Taxus brevifolia, was discovered during extensive screening of plant materials for antineoplastic agents during the late 1960s. Over the last two decades, interest in and research related to taxol has slowly grown to the point that the popular press now seems poised to scoop each new development. What was once an obscure compound, of interest only to the most masochistic of synthetic chemists and an equally small number of cellular biologists, has become one of the few organic compounds, which, like benzene and aspirin, is recognizable by name to the average citizen. In parallel, the scientific study of taxol has blossomed. Physicians are currently studying its effects on nearly every known neoplasm. Biologists are using taxol to study the mechanisms of cell function by observing the effects of its interactions with the cellular skeletal systems. Synthetic chemists, absorbed by the molecule's unique and sensitive structure and functionality, are exploring seemingly every available pathway for its synthesis. Indeed, the demand for taxol has risen so in the last five years that alternative sources to the extraction of T. brevifolia are being vigorously pursued. Because of the rapidly expanding scope of research in the multifaceted study of taxol, those who are interested in the field may find acquisition of a reasonable base of knowledge an arduous task. For this reason, this account attempts to bring together, for the first time, in a cogent overview the chemistry and biology of this unique molecule.

Chemical Analysis of Inorganic and Organic Surfaces and Thin Films by Static Time‐of‐Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (TOF‐SIMS)

Abstract: By using mass spectrometry to analyze the atomic and molecular secondary ions that are emitted from a solid surface when bombarded with ions, one obtains detailed information about the chemical composition of the surface. A time-of-flight mass spectrometer is especially suitable for the analysis of secondary ions because of its high transmission, high mass resolution, and ability to detect ions of different masses simultaneously. By using a finely focused primary ion beam it is also possible to analyze microareas and generate surface images with a lateral resolution of 0.1 μm or less. Static time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) allows monolayer imaging and local analysis of monolayers with high sensitivity, a wide mass range, high mass resolution, and high lateral resolution. Besides information on elements and isotopes, the technique yields direct information on the molecular level and can also be used to analyze surface species of high molecular mass that are thermally unstable and cannot be vaporized. The method can be applied to practically all types of materials and sample forms, including insulators in particular. In this article the basic principles of TOF-SIMS are explained, and its analytical capabilities for both large area and imaging applications are illustrated by examples. These include silicon surfaces (both uniform and structured), thermally unstable organic molecules on surfaces, synthetic polymers, and synthetically prepared molecular surface films, particles, and fibers. Emitted neutral particles can also be analyzed by postionization with a laser, and the possibilities of this technique are discussed.

Interpenetrating Polymer Networks

Abstract: Interpenetrating polymer networks (IPN’s) are a unique type of polyblend, synthesized by swelling a crosslinked polymer (I) with a second monomer (II), together with crosslinking and activating agents, and polymerizing monomer II in situ (Sperling, 1974–1975 ; Sperling and Friedman, 1969). The term IPN was adopted because, in the limiting case of high compatibility between crosslinked polymers I and II, both networks could be visualized as being interpenetrating and continuous throughout the entire macroscopic sample.* As with other types of polyblends, if components I and II consist of chemically distinct polymers, incompatibility and some degree of phase separation usually result (Sperling, 1974–1975; Sperling and Friedman, 1969; Sperling et al., 1970a,b,c; 1971). Even under these conditions, the two components remain intimately mixed, the phase domain dimensions being on the order of hundreds of angstroms. If one polymer is elastomeric and one polymer is plastic at the use temperature, the combination tends to behave synergistically, and either reinforced rubber or impact-resistant plastics result, depending upon which phase predominates (Curtius et al., 1972; Sperling and Mihalakis, 1973; Sperling et al., 1971; Huelck et al., 1972). Among the other kinds of polymer blends discussed in this monograph, the graft-type copolymers are the ones most closely related to the IPN’s.

Molecular Catalysts for Multielectron Redox Reactions of Small Molecules: The “Cofacial Metallodiporphyrin” Approach

Abstract: The role of metalloenzymes in important biological transformations has attracted increasing attention over the past several decades. Of the many chemical transformations mediated by enzymes, few are as challenging as multielectron redox reactions. Recent studies have revealed a partial structural and mechanistic description of these redox-active metalloenzymes, but there is much still to be learned regarding the mechanisms of substrate transformation. Due to the complexity of the metalloenzyme systems, simplified model systems are employed to mimic structural or functional features of the enzyme. In multielectron redox enzymes, several metals are probably in-volved in both substrate binding and the subsequent redox reactions. Thus, functional mimics of multielectron redox enzymes might also need two or more metal centers to be efficacious. The roles of multiple metal centers are to (1) increase the substrate's affinity for the catalyst, (2) increase the rate of electron transfer to the bound substrate, (3) increase the reactivity of the bound substrate, and (4) inhibit deleterious side reactions. Deter-mining the importance of each factor may help in the development of these catalysts. Cofacial metallodiporphyrins, because of the control they provide over the geometric and electronic properties of the synthetic reaction center, are ideal bimetallic model complexes. The knowledge gained from model studies will help in understanding the mechanisms of metalloenzymes and can be used to design new homogeneous catalysts to effect multielectron transformations.

Thermisch und optisch schaltbare Eisen(II)‐Komplexe

Abstract: In der Ubergangsmetallchemie gibt es eine Klasse von Komplexverbindungen, bei denen eine Temperaturerniedrigung einen Wechsel im Spinzustand des Zentralatoms vom High-Spin- in den Low-Spin-Zustand bewirkt. Dabei andern sich die magnetischen und optischen Eigenschaften, uber die der thermische Spinubergang (auch Spincrossover genannt) sehr gut verfolgt werden kann. Dieses Phanomen tritt sowohl in flussiger Phase als auch im Festkorper auf. Eine herausragende Stellung nehmen Eisen(II) - Spincrossover - Verbindungen ein, in denen der Spinubergang im Festkorper auf sehr unterschiedliche Weise - graduell, abrupt, mit Hysterese oder stufenweise - verlaufen kann und mit Mosbauer- und optischer Spektroskopie, mit magnetischen Suszeptibilitats- und Warmekapazitatsmessungen sowie durch Kristallstrukturanalyse intensiv untersucht worden ist. Die kooperative Wechselwirkung zwischen den einzelnen Komplexmolekulen kann befriedigend durch elastische Eigenschaften und durch die Anderung von Gestalt und Volumen der Komplexmolekule beim Spinubergang erklart werden. Bei Untersuchungen an Eisen(II)-Spincrossover-Verbindungen konnte man beobachten, das sich der Low-Spin-Zustand mit grunem Licht in den High-Spin-Zustand umschalten last, der bei tiefen Temperaturen eine nahezu unendlich lange Lebensdauer haben kann (LIESST = Light-Induced Excited Spin State Trapping). Mit rotem Licht last sich der metastabile High-Spin- wieder in den Low-Spin-Zustand zuruckschalten. Der Mechanismus des LIESST-Effekts ist aufgeklart, die Zerfallskinetik im Detail untersucht und im Rahmen der Theorie strahlungsloser Ubergange verstanden. Anwendungen des LIESST-Effekts in der optischen Informationstechnik sind denkbar.

A Glucose-Selective Molecular Fluorescence Sensor†

Abstract: Low concentrations of D-fructose and D-galactose do not hinder the detection of D-glucose with the fluorescence sensor 1. The diboronic acid 1 is easy to synthesize and forms a cleft structure in which monosaccharides bind with differing selectivity. The saccharide-diboronic acid 1:1 complexes are readily detected by their fluorescence.

Synthesis and Reactions of Optically Active Cyanohydrins

Abstract: Cyanohydrins have always held a place of importance both as technical products and as reagents in organic chemistry. It is surprising, therefore, that optically active Cyanohydrins have been extensively investigated and employed for syntheses relatively recently. This can be explained by the fact that only in the past few years have enzymatic methods made chiral Cyanohydrins readily available in high optical purity. Chiral Cyanohydrins are widespread in nature in the form of the respective glycosides and serve roughly 3000 plants and many insects as antifeedants. For the preparative organic chemist, this class of compounds offers an enormous synthetic potential for making other chiral compounds accessible. In a few instances, the pharmacological principle of a drug also incorporates a chiral cyanohydrin as constitutive structural element. In the development of novel, physiologically active compounds all possible stereo-isomers must be synthesized and investigated with respect to their activity range and the pathway of their metabolic transformations and/or degradation. The development of simple synthetic procedures for such compounds, which also entail a high degree of stereoselectivity, therefore has prime importance. To this end chiral Cyanohydrins may serve as stereochemically pure starting materials. In the present review, the following topics will be addressed: enantioselective addition of hydrogen cyanide (HCN), catalysed by the enzymes (R)-and (S)-oxynitrilase, to aldehydes and Ketones yielding (R) and (S) cyanohydrins, respectivity; enantioselective addition of HCN to aldehydes catalyzed by cyclic dipeptides; enantioselective esterification of racemic ocyanohydrins and enantioselective hydrolysis of cyanohydrin esters caytalyzed by lipases and esterases, reprectively; transformation of the nitrile groups of chiral cyanohydrins to provide optically active -hydroxycarboxylic acids, aldehydes, and ketones, as well as 2-amino alcohols; sulfonylation of the OH group of chiral cyanohydrins to furnish optically active -sulfonyloxynitriles which undergo SN2 displacement of the activated OH group yielding α-azido-,α -amino, and α-fluoronitriles with inverted configuration.

Kleider machen Leute: Heck-Reaktion im neuen Gewand†

Abstract: Die von Richard F. Heck Ende der sechziger Jahre entdeckte Palladium-katalysierte Kupplung von Aryl- und Alkenylhalogeniden mit Alkenen hat sich nach gelegentlichem Auf- und Abschwellen des darauf gerichteten Interesses in den letzten sechs Jahren nachhaltig gemausert. Durch geschickte Auswahl der Substrate und sorgfaltige Anpassung der Reaktionsbedingungen gelingen beeindruckende Sequenzen auch unterschiedlicher Reaktionstypen nicht nur nacheinander, sondern vielfach in einem einzigen Verfahrensschritt. Die mittlerweile etablierte Heck-Reaktion – und eine Reihe mit ihr mechanistisch verwandter Palladium-katalysierter Umwandlungen an Aren-, Alken- und Alkinderivaten – bietet ungezahlte Moglichkeiten, elegant und hochkonvergent komplexe Molekule aufzubauen; dabei bereiten Sauerstoff- und Stickstoffatome (mit Einschrankungen auch Schwefel- und Phosphoratome) in den Reaktionen keine Probleme. Das Spektrum der neueren Erfolge beginnt mit den chemo- und regioselektiven Einfachkupplungen hochfunktionalisierter Substrate mit unsymmetrisch mehrfach substituierten Reaktionspartnern. Es reicht allerdings viel weiter uber Kaskadenreaktionen mit Knupfung von drei, vier, funf oder gar acht neuen CC-Bindungen unter Bildung von oligofunktionellen und oligocyclischen Produkten von beeindruckender Molekulkomplexitat bis hin zum enantioselektiven Aufbau von anspruchsvollen Naturstoffmolekulen mit quartaren stereogenen Zentren, wie die Beispiele Crinan, Picrotoxinin, Morphin und viele mehr belegen. Zweifellos last sich schon heute die Heck-Reaktion aus dem Methodenarsenal der praparativen Organischen Chemie nicht mehr wegdenken; abzuwarten bleibt lediglich, wann sie Einzug in ein industrielles Produktionsverfahren halten wird.

Ligand Effects on the Chemoselectivity of Transition Metal Catalyzed Reactions of α‐Diazo Carbonyl Compounds

Abstract: The transition metal catalyzed reaction of α-diazo carbonyl compounds has found numerous applications in organic synthesis, and its use in either heterocyclic or carbocyclic ring formation is well precedented. Early work in this area made use of insoluble copper catalysts. Although these catalysts are still employed today, their use has decreased significantly with the advent of homogeneous copper catalysts and catalysts based on other metals. The discovery that RhII carboxylates facilitate nitrogen loss from diazo compounds rekindled significant interest in the field of diazo/carbenoid chemistry. Since the realization that RhII carboxylates are superior catalysts for the generation of transient electrophilic metal carbenoids from α-diazo carbonyl compounds, intramolecular carbenoid addition and insertion reactions have assumed strategic importance in CC bond-forming reactions in organic synthesis. In contrast to other catalysts that are suitable for carbenoid reactions of diazo compounds, those constructed with the dirhodium(II) framework are most amenable to ligand modifications that, in turn, can influence reaction selectivity. This article will emphasize the chemical behavior of transition metal carbenoid complexes that are greatly affected by the nature of the ligand groups attached to the metal center. Much of the discussion will center on the ability of the dirhodium(II) ligands to determine reaction preference toward different functional groups on the same molecule.