Showing papers in "Journal of Organic Chemistry in 2001"
TL;DR: The addition of sodium azide to nitriles to give 1H-tetrazoles is shown to proceed readily in water with zinc salts as catalysts.
Abstract: The addition of sodium azide to nitriles to give 1H-tetrazoles is shown to proceed readily in water with zinc salts as catalysts. The scope of the reaction is quite broad; a variety of aromatic nitriles, activated and unactivated alkyl nitriles, substituted vinyl nitriles, thiocyanates, and cyanamides have all been shown to be viable substrates for this reaction.
899 citations
TL;DR: A wide range of reaction conditions are examined that include the effects of acid type, acid concentration, reactant concentrations, and temperature to both probe the mechanism and optimize the yields of isolated cucurbit[n]urils, where n = 5-10.
Abstract: The acid-catalyzed synthesis of cucurbit[n]urils from formaldehyde and glycoluril is poorly understood. In this paper, we examine a wide range of reaction conditions that include the effects of acid type, acid concentration, reactant concentrations, and temperature to both probe the mechanism and optimize the yields of isolated cucurbit[n]urils, where n = 5−10. A mechanism for the formation of these cucurbit[n]urils is presented. Individual cucurbit[n]urils were unambiguously identified in reaction mixtures using ESMS and 13C NMR.
860 citations
750 citations
TL;DR: Ionic liquids permit reactions in a more polar solvent than previously possible, and lipase-catalyzed reactions that previously did not occur in untreated ionic liquids now occur at rates comparable to those in nonpolar organic solvents such as toluene.
Abstract: Polar organic solvents such as methanol or N-methylformamide inactivate lipases. Although ionic liquids such as 3-alkyl-1-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborates have polarities similar to these polar organic solvents, they do not inactivate lipases. To get reliable lipase-catalyzed reactions in ionic liquids, we modified their preparation by adding a wash with aqueous sodium carbonate. Lipase-catalyzed reactions that previously did not occur in untreated ionic liquids now occur at rates comparable to those in nonpolar organic solvents such as toluene. Acetylation of 1-phenylethanol catalyzed by lipase from Pseudomonas cepacia (PCL) was as fast and as enantioselective in ionic liquids as in toluene. Ionic liquids permit reactions in a more polar solvent than previously possible. Acetylation of glucose catalyzed by lipase B from Candida antarctica (CAL-B) was more regioselective in ionic liquids because glucose is up to one hundred times more soluble in ionic liquids. Acetylation of insoluble glucose in organ...
547 citations
TL;DR: Mechanistic studies showed that the reaction involves rate-limiting oxidative addition of aryl halide, and use of new, optically active heterocyclic carbene ligands gave substantial enantioselectivity in formation of an alpha,alpha-disubstituted oxindole.
Abstract: Catalysts comprised Pd(OAc)2 and either PCy3 or sterically hindered N-heterocyclic carbene ligands provide fast rates for a palladium-catalyzed synthesis of oxindoles by amide α-arylation. This catalyst system allowed for room-temperature reactions in some cases and reactions of aryl chlorides at 70 °C. Most important, reactions occurred in high yields under mild conditions to form the quaternary carbon in α,α-disubstituted oxindoles. The combined inter- and intramolecular reaction afforded an efficient synthetic method for formation of α-aryloxindole derivatives. Surprisingly, catalysts containing tert-butylphosphine ligands, which have been most reactive for ketone arylations, were less active than those containing PCy3. Use of new, optically active heterocyclic carbene ligands gave substantial enantioselectivity in formation of an α,α-disubstituted oxindole. In contrast, a variety of optically active phosphine ligands that were tested gave poor enantioselectivity. Mechanistic studies showed that the re...
483 citations
TL;DR: The change in facial selectivity in the aldol additions is proposed to be a result of switching of mechanistic pathways between chelated and nonchelated transition states.
Abstract: Asymmetric aldol additions using chlorotitanium enolates of N-acyloxazolidinone, oxazolidinethione, and thiazolidinethione propionates proceed with high diastereoselectivity for the Evans or non-Evans syn product depending on the nature and amount of the base used. With 1 equiv of titanium tetrachloride and 2 equiv of (−)-sparteine as the base or 1 equiv of (−)-sparteine and 1 equiv of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone, selectivities of 97:3 to >99:1 were obtained for the Evans syn aldol products using N-propionyl oxazolidinones, oxazolidinethiones, and thiazolidinethiones. The non-Evans syn aldol adducts are available with the oxazolidinethione and thiazolidinethiones by altering the Lewis acid/amine base ratios. The change in facial selectivity in the aldol additions is proposed to be a result of switching of mechanistic pathways between chelated and nonchelated transition states. The auxiliaries can be reductively removed or cleaved by nucleophilic acyl substitution. Iterative aldol sequences with high diastere...
343 citations
TL;DR: Mechanistically, palladium-to-ligand ratio studies strongly support an active species bearing one nucleophilic carbene ligand in the synthesis of an important new antibiotic.
Abstract: Nucleophilic N-heterocyclic carbenes have been conveniently used as catalyst modifiers in amination reactions involving aryl chlorides, aryl bromides, and aryl iodides with various nitrogen-containing substrates. The scope of a coupling process using a Pd(0) or Pd(II) source and an imidazolium salt in the presence of a base, KO(t)Bu or NaOH, was tested using various substrates. The Pd(2)(dba)(3)/IPr.HCl (1, IPr = 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene) system presents the highest activity with respect to electron-neutral and electron-rich aryl chlorides. The ligand is also effective for the synthesis of benzophenone imines, which can be easily converted to the corresponding primary amines by acid hydrolysis. Less reactive indoles were converted to N-aryl-substituted indoles using as supporting ligand the more donating SIPr.HCl (5, SIPr = 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-4,5-dihydroimidazol-2-ylidene). The Pd(OAc)(2)/SIPr.HCl/NaOH system is efficient for the N-arylation of diverse indoles with aryl bromides. The general protocol developed has been applied successfully to the synthesis of a key intermediate in the synthesis of an important new antibiotic. Mechanistically, palladium-to-ligand ratio studies strongly support an active species bearing one nucleophilic carbene ligand.
317 citations
TL;DR: The ground-state geometries and excited singlet and lowest triplet energies of polyacenes from benzene through nonacene are predicted with B3LYP/6-31G* calculations and compared to experimental data where available, and predictions about the electronic structure of analogues containing polyacene units are made.
Abstract: The ground-state geometries and excited singlet and lowest triplet energies of polyacenes from benzene through nonacene are predicted with B3LYP/6-31G* calculations and compared to experimental data where available. The results are compared to these data for cyclacenes and polyenes. The polyacenes and cyclacenes have geometries consisting of two fully delocalized nonalternating ribbons joined by relatively long bonds. Polyacenes are predicted to have smaller band gaps than the corresponding polyenes and triplet ground states for nine or more benzene rings. The fully delocalized nonalternating nature of polyacenes differs from the bond alternation resulting from Peierls distortion in polyenes. The differences are rationalized in terms of a simple MO model, and the results are compared to extensive prior theoretical work in the literature. Predictions about the electronic structure of analogues containing polyacene units are made.
297 citations
295 citations
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that the dimolybdenum tetraacetate method can be applied on samples with low chemical and optical purity, and that it may lend itself as a means to estimate the ee.
Abstract: The method employing dimolybdenum tetraacetate for the assignment of the absolute configuration of optically active 1,2-diols is thoroughly revisited and applied to several compounds, some of which were synthesized by asymmetric cis-dihydroxylation No exceptions were found to the empirical rule relating the sign of the induced CD spectrum and the configuration of the substrate, whatever its structure and sterical requirements To broaden the scope of the method, its applicability to critical situations commonly encountered with synthetic products is tested It is demonstrated that the method can be applied on samples with low chemical and optical purity, and that it may lend itself as a means to estimate the ee The roles of the water content of the sample and of the diol-to-dimolybdenum ratio are investigated
290 citations
TL;DR: Five unique metabolites, xyloketals A, B, C, C (3), D (4), and E (5), and the known 6 were isolated from mangrove fungus Xylaria sp.
Abstract: Five unique metabolites, xyloketals A (1), B (2), C (3), D (4), and E (5), and the known 6 were isolated from mangrove fungus Xylaria sp. (no. 2508), obtained from the South China Sea. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic and X-ray diffraction experiments. Xyloketal A is a ketal compound with a C3 symmetry and xyloketals B−E are its analogues. It was found that xytoketal C slowly rearranged to xytoketal B in DMSO-d6 solution at room temperature. Xyloketal A exhibited the activity of inhibiting acetylcholine esterase.
TL;DR: It is noteworthy that terminal aliphatic olefins were cleaved to the corresponding aldehydes in excellent yields by using RuCl3-NaIO4 in CH3CN-H2O (6:1).
Abstract: Three oxidation protocols have been developed to cleave olefins to carbonyl compounds with ruthenium trichloride as catalyst (3.5 mol %). These methods convert olefins that are not fully substituted to aldehydes rather than carboxylic acids. While aryl olefins were cleaved to aromatic aldehydes in excellent yields by using the system of RuCl3−Oxone−NaHCO3 in CH3CN−H2O (1.5:1), aliphatic olefins were converted into alkyl aldehydes with RuCl3−NaIO4 in 1,2-dichloroethane−H2O (1:1) in good to excellent yields. It is noteworthy that terminal aliphatic olefins were cleaved to the corresponding aldehydes in excellent yields by using RuCl3−NaIO4 in CH3CN−H2O (6:1).
TL;DR: The relative ease of introducing carbon-carbon bonds into peptide secondary structures by RCM and the predicted metabolic stability of these bonds renders olefin metathesis an exceptional methodology for the synthesis of rigidified peptide architectures.
Abstract: Heptapeptides containing residues with terminal olefin-derivatized side chains (3 and 4) have been treated with ruthenium alkylidene 1 and undergone facile ring-closing olefin metathesis (RCM) to give 21- and 23-membered macrocyclic peptides (5 and 6). The primary structures of peptides 3 and 4 were based upon a previously studied heptapeptide (2), which was shown to adopt a predominantly 310-helical conformation in CDCl3 solution and an α-helical conformation in the solid state. Circular dichroism, IR, and solution-phase 1H NMR studies strongly suggested that acyclic precursors 3 and 4 and the fully saturated macrocyclic products 7 and 8 also adopted helical conformations in apolar organic solvents. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction of cyclic peptide 8 showed it to exist as a right-handed 310-helix up to the fifth residue. Solution-phase NMR structures of both acyclic peptide 4 and cyclic peptide 8 in CD2Cl2 indicated that the acyclic diene assumes a loosely 310-helical conformation, which is considerably...
TL;DR: It is shown that those derived from overall hydrogen bond constants are the more useful in analyses of physicochemical and biochemical properties.
Abstract: The ability of functional groups to act as hydrogen bond acids and bases can be obtained from either equilibrium constants for 1:1 hydrogen bonding or overall hydrogen bond constants. Either method leads to structural constants for hydrogen bonding that in some way are analogous to substituent constants. Extensive lists of these functional group constants are reported. It is shown that those derived from overall hydrogen bond constants are the more useful in analyses of physicochemical and biochemical properties.
TL;DR: Deuterium-exchange experiments suggest that the Michael addition adduct formed between DABCO and methyl acrylate is the active intermediate for the Baylis--Hillman reaction in aqueous conditions, and its hydrolysis, a nonproductive side reaction facilitated by the quaternary ammonium ion.
Abstract: A practical and efficient set of conditions were developed using stoichiometric base catalyst, 1,4-diazabicyclo[2,2,2]octane (DABCO), and an aqueous medium to overcome problems commonly associated with the Baylis−Hillman reaction, such as low reaction yields and long reaction time. These simple modifications to the classical conditions, using more base catalyst and an aqueous medium, proved to be successful in converting a variety of aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes to their corresponding Baylis−Hillman products. The inclusion of environmentally friendly water in the reaction solvent was critical for achieving the high yield of Baylis−Hillman adducts. Our deuterium-exchange experiments suggest that the Michael addition adduct formed between DABCO and methyl acrylate is the active intermediate for the Baylis−Hillman reaction in aqueous conditions, and its hydrolysis, a nonproductive side reaction facilitated by the quaternary ammonium ion, leading to the formation of a stable betaine product, consumes both...
TL;DR: In the presence of an excess of pyrrole, this modified Rothemund approach leads to the synthesis of meso-triaryl-substituted corroles.
Abstract: The Rothemund condensation reaction of pyrrole and aldehydes is an extensively used route to meso-tetraarylporphyrins, but simple modifications of the reaction conditions allow the formation of different macrocycles other than the expected porphyrin. In the presence of an excess of pyrrole, this modified Rothemund approach leads to the synthesis of meso-triaryl-substituted corroles. This methodology allows the preparation of a wide range of substituted corroles starting from commercially available products. Higher yields have been obtained in the case of benzaldehydes bearing electron-withdrawing substituents, while the reaction fails in the presence of 2,6-disubstituted benzaldehydes. Although if not isolated, some experimental evidences indicate that the linear 5,10,15-triphenylbilane 4 is the precursor of the final corrole ring. Reaction of 5,10,15-triphenylcorrole 2 with an excess of NBS leads to the complete bromination of the macrocycle. Spectroscopic characterization seems to indicate the formation...
TL;DR: The application of silica-supported TEMPO as a recyclable catalyst in the Anelli oxidation of alcohols is reported and its stability has been studied.
Abstract: The application of silica-supported TEMPO as a recyclable catalyst in the Anelli oxidation of alcohols is reported. The catalyst is easily obtained in a one-step reductive amination procedure starting from a commercially available aminopropyl-functionalized silica. Details of the synthesis of the supported catalyst and its analysis by MAS NMR are presented. Various alcohol oxidations according to the Anelli protocol have been carried out and the stability of the applied silica-supported TEMPO has been studied.
TL;DR: This procedure is utilized for the preparation of various polyfunctionalized arylmagnesium species and the exchange of alkenyl halides using this method proceeds with retention of configuration of the double bond.
Abstract: Halogen-magnesium exchange of various aryl halides is achieved with a magnesium ate complex at low temperatures. Tributylmagnesate (nBu3MgLi) induces facile iodine-magnesium exchange at -78 degrees C. Dibutylisopropylmagnesate (iPr(n)Bu2MgLi) is more reactive than nBu3MgLi, and this reagent accomplishes selective bromine-magnesium exchange at -78 degrees C. This procedure is utilized for the preparation of various polyfunctionalized arylmagnesium species. The exchange of alkenyl halides using this method proceeds with retention of configuration of the double bond.
TL;DR: A heterogenized Pd catalyst, Pd(II)-hydrotalcite (palladium(II) acetate-pyridine complex supported by hydrotalCite) catalyzes the aerobic oxidation in toluene of a variety of primary and secondary alcohols into the corresponding aldehydes and ketones in high yields using atmospheric pressure of air as a sole oxidant under mild conditions.
Abstract: A heterogenized Pd catalyst, Pd(II)−hydrotalcite (palladium(II) acetate−pyridine complex supported by hydrotalcite) catalyzes the aerobic oxidation in toluene of a variety of primary and secondary alcohols into the corresponding aldehydes and ketones in high yields using atmospheric pressure of air as a sole oxidant under mild conditions. This catalyst is also effective for the oxidation of allylic alcohols, especially such as geraniol and nerol, without any isomerization of an alkenic part. The catalyst can be easily prepared from all commercially available reagents and reused several times.
TL;DR: Binary mixtures of DMSO with nine different cosolvents were characterized in light of the pure solvent scales, using suitable probe/homomorph couples to establish their potential physical significance.
Abstract: Binary mixtures of DMSO with nine different cosolvents were characterized in light of the pure solvent scales, using suitable probe/homomorph couples. Various physical (vapor pressure, surface tension, viscosity, and enthalpy of mixing) and spectroscopic (IR and NMR) properties of the DMSO/water mixtures are described in terms of their polarity, acidity, and basicity, and the descriptions are examined with a view to establishing their potential physical significance.
TL;DR: This annulation methodology is particularly effective for aryl- or alkenyl-substituted alkynes and when electron-rich imines are employed, this chemistry can be extended to alkyl- substituting alkynes.
Abstract: A wide variety of substituted isoquinoline, tetrahydroisoquinoline, 5,6-dihydrobenz[f]isoquinoline, pyrindine, and pyridine heterocycles have been prepared in good to excellent yields via annulation of internal acetylenes with the tert-butylimines of o-iodobenzaldehydes and 3-halo-2-alkenals in the presence of a palladium catalyst. The best results are obtained by employing 5 mol % of Pd(OAc)2, an excess of the alkyne, 1 equiv of Na2CO3 as a base, and 10 mol % of PPh3 in DMF as the solvent. This annulation methodology is particularly effective for aryl- or alkenyl-substituted alkynes. When electron-rich imines are employed, this chemistry can be extended to alkyl-substituted alkynes. Trimethylsilyl-substituted alkynes also undergo this annulation process to afford monosubstituted heterocyclic products absent the silyl group.
TL;DR: No significant dependence of antifungal activity against the fungus Bipolaris leersiae was revealed and absolute configuration of the stereogenic center in natural (S)-(-)-4 was derived from the exciton, calculated via CD methods, and unequivocally confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analyses.
Abstract: Stereochemical studies of a cruciferous oxindole phytoalexin, (S)-(-)-spirobrassinin [(-)-4], and its oxazoline analogue, spirooxazoline (11), were carried out. Racemic spirobrassinin [(+/-)-4] was synthesized by SOCl(2)- or MsCl-mediated cyclization of dioxibrassinin [(+/-)-8]. Treatment of (3-hydroxyoxindol-3-yl)methylammonium chloride [(+/-)-9] with CSCl(2) and subsequent methylation of the obtained spirooxazolidinethione (+/-)-10 afforded spirooxazoline [(+/-)-11]. Enantioresolution of (+/-)-4 and (+/-)-11 was achieved by derivatization with (S)-(-)-1-phenylethyl isocyanate (12), chromatographic separation of diastereomeric amides 13, 14 or 15, 16, and their cleavage with CH(3)ONa. Absolute configuration of the stereogenic center in natural (S)-(-)-4 was derived from the exciton, calculated via CD methods, and unequivocally confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analyses of 1-[1'S,4'R-(-)-camphanoyl] derivatives [(-)-19 and (-)-20] of (+)- and (-)-4. Novel enantiomeric enrichment phenomena of 4 and 11 were discovered during their chromatographic separations under achiral HPLC conditions. Screening of antifungal activity against the fungus Bipolaris leersiae revealed no significant dependence of this activity on absolute configuration.
TL;DR: Prodrugs in which the novel spacer systems were incorporated between a specific tripeptide specifier and the parent drug doxorubicin or paclitaxel proved to be significantly faster activated by plasmin in comparison with prodrugs containing conventional spacer Systems.
Abstract: The design and synthesis of several novel elongated self-elimination spacer systems for application in prodrugs is described. These elongated spacer systems can be incorporated between a cleavable specifier and the parent drug. Naphthalene- and biphenyl-containing spacers were synthesized but did not eliminate. Prodrugs of the anticancer agents doxorubicin and paclitaxel are reported that contain two or three electronic cascade spacers. A novel catalytic application of HOBt was found for the synthesis of N-aryl carbamates through reacting a 4-nitrophenyl carbonate with an aniline derivative, to connect the 1,6-elimination spacers via a carbamate linkage. In addition, a double spacer-containing paclitaxel prodrug was synthesized, comprising a 1,6-elimination spacer and a bis-amine linker connected to paclitaxel via a 2'-carbamate linkage. Prodrugs in which the novel spacer systems were incorporated between a specific tripeptide specifier and the parent drug doxorubicin or paclitaxel proved to be significantly faster activated by plasmin in comparison with prodrugs containing conventional spacer systems. It is expected that the generally applicable novel spacer systems reported herein will contribute to future development of improved enzymatically activated prodrugs.
TL;DR: A high-yielding, two-step stereoselective synthesis of the anticancer drug (Z)-combretastatin A-4 has been devised and both methods are far superior to the current five-step Wittig synthesis in which both isomers are produced nonstereoselectively.
Abstract: A high-yielding, two-step stereoselective synthesis of the anticancer drug (Z)-combretastatin A-4 (1) has been devised. The method uses the Perkin condensation of 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenylacetic acid and 3-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde followed by decarboxylation of the cinnamic acid intermediate using copper and quinoline. The iodine-catalyzed isomerization of the Z isomer 1 results in complete conversion to the E isomer. The Suzuki cross-coupling of an aryl boronic acid and vinyl bromide has also been successfully employed to produce both Z and E isomers of combretastatin A-4 stereoselectively. Both methods are far superior to the current five-step Wittig synthesis in which both isomers are produced nonstereoselectively.
TL;DR: A microwave-enhanced, rapid and efficient homogeneous-phase version of the Sonogashira reaction is presented and excellent yields for substrates containing a large variety of substituents in different positions are obtained.
Abstract: A microwave-enhanced, rapid and efficient homogeneous-phase version of the Sonogashira reaction is presented. It has been applied to the coupling of aryl iodides, bromides, triflates, and aryl chloride, as well as pyridine and thiophene derivatives with trimethylsilylacetylene. Excellent yields (80−95%) for substrates containing a large variety of substituents in different positions are obtained in 5−25 min.
TL;DR: These are the first direct reaction rate measurements of nucleophilic addition to the parent o-quinone methide, and a thermal and photochemical reversibility of the alkylation process opens a new perspective for the use and application of such adducts as o-QM molecular carriers.
Abstract: o-Quinone methide (1) has been produced in water both thermally and photochemically from (2-hydroxybenzyl)trimethylammonium iodide (2). Michael addition reactions of 1 to various amines, and sulfides, including amino acids and glutathione have been carried out, obtaining alkylated adducts (3-16) in fairly good to quantitative yields. The reaction rate and selectivity of 1 toward nitrogen and sulfur nucleophiles, in competition with the hydration reaction, have been investigated at different pH by laser flash photolysis technique. The observed reactivity spans 7 orders of magnitude on passing from water (kNu = 5.8 M-1 s-1) to the most reactive nucleophile (2.8 x 10(8) M-1 s-1, 2-mercaptoethanol under alkaline conditions). These are the first direct reaction rate measurements of nucleophilic addition to the parent o-quinone methide (1). Competition experiments provided strong kinetic support to the involvement of free 1 as an intermediate in both thermal and photochemical reactions. Furthermore, several alkylation adducts regenerate 1 either by heating (9, 10, 13, and 14) or by irradiation (9, 11-13, 16). Such a thermal and photochemical reversibility of the alkylation process opens a new perspective for the use and application of such adducts as o-QM molecular carriers.
TL;DR: A new catalytic enantioselective synthetic method for the formation of optically active aromatic and heteroaromatic hydroxy-trifluoromethyl ethyl esters is presented, which proceeds in good yield and with high enantiomeric excess.
Abstract: A new catalytic enantioselective synthetic method for the formation of optically active aromatic and heteroaromatic hydroxy-trifluoromethyl ethyl esters is presented. This catalytic enantioselective Friedel-Crafts reaction of trifluoromethyl pyruvate with aromatic and heteroaromatic compounds is catalyzed by a chiral bisoxazoline copper(II) complex and proceeds in good yield and with high enantiomeric excess. For a series of substituted indoles, the corresponding 3-substituted hydroxy-trifluoromethyl ethyl esters are formed in up to 93% yield and 94% ee. Pyrrole and 2-substituted pyrroles also react with trifluoromethyl pyruvate in a highly enantioselective aromatic electrophilic reaction and up to 93% ee and good yields are obtained. Furanes and thiophenes give the corresponding 2-hydroxy-trifluoromethyl ethyl esters in high enantiomeric excess; however, the yields of the products are only moderate. Various types of aromatic compounds react in this catalytic reaction with trifluoromethyl pyruvate to give the aromatic electrophilic addition product in good yield. To obtain high enantiomeric excess (> 80% ee) it is necessary that aromatic amines are protected with sterically demanding protecting groups such as benzyl or allyl. This prevents coordination of the amine nitrogen atom to the catalyst, as aromatic amines having a N,N-dimethyl group probably coordinate to the catalyst, leading to a significant reduction of the enantioselective properties of the catalyst. On the basis of the experimental results and the absolute configuration of the formed chiral center, the mechanism for the catalytic enantioselective Friedel-Crafts reaction is discussed.