Dearomative Cascade Photocatalysis: Divergent Synthesis through Catalyst Selective Energy Transfer.

The discovery and application of dearomative cascade photocatalysis as a strategy in complex molecule synthesis is described. Visible-light-absorbing photosensitizers were used to (sequentially) activate a 1-naphthol derived arene precursor to divergently form two different polycyclic molecular scaffolds through catalyst selective energy transfer.

CO-Reduction Chemistry: Reaction of a CO-Derived Formylhydridoborate with Carbon Monoxide, with Carbon Dioxide, and with Dihydrogen.

Treatment of the bulky metallocene hydride Cp*2Zr(H)OMes (Cp* = pentamethylcyclopentadienyl, Mes = mesityl) with Piers' borane [HB(C6F5)2] and carbon monoxide (CO) gave the formylhydridoborate complex [Zr]-O═CH-BH(C6F5)2 ([Zr] = Cp*2Zr-OMes). From the dynamic NMR behavior, its endergonic equilibration with the [Zr]-O-CH2-B(C6F5)2 isomer was deduced, which showed typical reactions of an oxygen/boron frustrated Lewis pair. It was trapped with CO to give an O-[Zr] bonded borata-ß-lactone. Trapping with carbon dioxide (CO2) gave the respective O-[Zr] bonded cyclic boratacarbonate product. These reaction pathways were analyzed by density functional theory calculation. The formylhydridoborate complex was further reduced by dihydrogen via two steps; it reacted rapidly with H2 to give Cp*2Zr(OH)OMes and H3C-B(C6F5)2, which then slowly reacted further with H2 to eventually give [Zr]-O(H)-B(H)(C6F5)2 and methane (CH4). Most complexes were characterized by X-ray diffraction.

Trichloromethylthiolation of N-Heterocycles: Practical and Completely Regioselective.

The first trichloromethylthiolation of a broad range of indoles and pyrroles is reported employing bench-stable N-trichloromethylthiosaccharin as reagent. This methodology is highly regioselective, exhibits high functional group tolerance, and provides access to two previously unknown classes of potentially bioactive compounds.

Frustrated Lewis Pair Chemistry Derived from Bulky Allenyl and Propargyl Phosphanes.

The dimesitylpropargylphosphanes mes2 P-CH2 -C≡C-R 6 a (R=H), 6 b (R=CH3 ), 6 c (R=SiMe3 ) and the allene mes2 P-C(CH3 )=C=CH2 (8) were reacted with Piers' borane, HB(C6 F5 )2 . Compound 6 a gave mes2 PCH2 CH=CH(B(C6 F5 )2 ] (9 a). In contrast, addition of HB(C6 F5 )2 to 6 b and 6 c gave mixtures of 9 b (R=CH3 ) and 9 c (R=SiMe3 ) with the regioisomers mes2 P-CH2 -C[B(C6 F5 )2 ]=CRH 2 b (R=CH3 ) and 2 c (R=SiMe3 ), respectively. Compounds 2 b,c underwent rapid phosphane/borane (P/B) frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) reactions under mild conditions. Compound 2 c reacted with nitric oxide (NO) to give the persistent FLP NO radical 11. The systems 2 b,c cleaved dihydrogen at room temperature to give the respective phosphonium/hydridoborate products 13 b,c. Compound 13 c transferred the H(+) /H(-) pair to a small series of enamines. Compound 13 c was also a metal-free catalyst (5 mol %) for the hydrogenation of the enamines. The allene 8 reacted with B(C6 F5 )3 to give the zwitterionic phosphonium/borate 17. The -PPh2 -substituted mes2 P-propargyl system 6 d underwent a typical 1,2-P/B-addition reaction to the C≡C triple bond to form the phosphetium/borate zwitterion 20. Several products were characterized by X-ray diffraction.

Why Does the Intramolecular Trimethylene-Bridged Frustrated Lewis Pair Mes2 PCH2 CH2 CH2 B(C6 F5 )2 Not Activate Dihydrogen?

The methyl labelled C3 -bridged frustrated phosphane borane Lewis pair (P/B FLP) 2 b was prepared by treatment of Mes2 PCl with a methallyl Grignard reagent followed by anti-Markovnikov hydroboration with Piers' borane [HB(C6 F5 )2 )]. The FLP 2 b is inactive toward dihydrogen under typical ambient conditions, in contrast to the C2 - and C4 -bridged FLP analogues. Dynamic NMR spectroscopy showed that this was not due to kinetically hindered P⋅⋅⋅B dissociation of 2 b. DFT calculations showed that the hydrogen-splitting reaction of the parent compound 2 a is markedly endergonic. The PH(+) /BH(-) H2 -splitting product of 2 b was indirectly synthesized by a sequence of H(+) /H(-) addition. It lost H2 at ambient conditions and confirmed the result of the DFT analysis.

Insertion Reactions of Neutral Phosphidozirconocene Complexes as a Convenient Entry into Frustrated Lewis Pair Territory.

Neutral phosphidozirconocene complexes [Cp2Zr(PR2)Me] (Cp=cyclopentadienyl; 1a: R=cyclohexyl (Cy); 1b: R=mesityl (Mes); 1c: R=tBu) undergo insertion into the Zr-P bond by non-enolisable carbonyl building blocks (O=CR'R''), such as benzophenone, aldehydes, paraformaldehyde or CO2, to give [Cp2Zr(OCR'R''PR2)Me] (3-7). Depending on the steric bulk around P, complexes 3-7 react with B(C6F5)3 to give O-bridged cationic zirconocene dimers that display typical frustrated Lewis pair (FLP)/ambiphilic ligand behaviour. Thus, the reaction of {[Cp2Zr(µ-OCHPhPCy2)][MeB(C6F5)3]}2 (10a) with chalcone results in 1,4 addition of the Zr(+)/P FLP, whereas the reaction of {[Cp2Zr(µ-OCHFcPCy2)][MeB(C6F5)3]}2 (11a; Fc=(C5H4)CpFe) with [Pd(η(3)C3H5)Cl]2 yields the unique Zr-Fe-Pd trimetallic complex 13a, which has been characterised by XRD analysis.

1,3,5-Triazapentadienes by Nucleophilic Addition to 1,3- and 1,4-Dinitriles-Sterically Constrained Examples by Incorporation into Cyclic Peripheries: Synthesis, Aggregation, and Photophysical Properties.

1,3,5-Triazapentadienes usually show U- or twisted S-shaped conformations along the N-C-N-C-N skeleton due to dominating n/π* interactions. If, however, the 1,3,5-triazapentadiene unit is part of a ring, its W conformation might be restricted to the plane. Here, we describe the synthesis of 13 new 1,3,5-triazapentadienes 10-12, which are sterically restrained by incorporation into six- or seven-membered ring systems, by addition of a lithiated primary amine or hydrazine 5 to a dinitrile 7, 8, or 9 with the two cyano groups in 1,3 or 1,4 distance. These novel compounds show very strong tendency for aggregation due to hydrogen bonding, especially to form homodimers as seen from X-ray data in the solid state. Additional hydrogen bonding generates also linear chains in the crystal. Several of the new compounds show fluorescence in solution. Quantum chemical DFT calculations were used for evaluation of the dimerization energies and for interpretation of the photophysical properties.

Phosphido- and Amidozirconocene Cation-Based Frustrated Lewis Pair Chemistry.

Methyl abstraction from neutral [Cp2ZrMe(ERR')] complexes 1 (E = N, P; R, R' = alkyl, aryl) with either B(C6F5)3 or [Ph3C][B(C6F5)4] results in the formation of [Cp2Zr(ERR')][X] complexes 2 (X(-) = MeB(C6F5)3(-), B(C6F5)4(-)). The X-ray structure of amido complexes [Cp2Zr(NPh2)][MeB(C6F5)3] (2d) and [Cp2Zr(N(t)BuAr)][B(C6F5)4] (2e', Ar = 3,5-C6H3(CH3)2) is reported, showing a sterically dependent Zr/N-π interaction. Complexes 2 catalyze the hydrogenation of electron-rich olefins and alkynes under mild conditions (room temperature, 1.5 bar H2). Complex 2e binds CO2, giving [Cp2Zr(CO2)(N(t)BuAr)]2[MeB(C6F5)3]2 (3e). Amido complex 2d reacts with benzaldehyde yielding [Cp2Zr(OCH2Ph)((OC)PhNPh2)][MeB(C6F5)3] (7d). Phosphido complex [Cp2Zr(PCy2)][MeB(C6F5)3] (2a) reacts with diphenylacetylene to yield frustrated Lewis pair [Cp2Zr(PhCCPh)(PCy2)][MeB(C6F5)3] (8a) which further reacts with a range of carbonyl substrates.

Bifunctional Behavior of Unsaturated Intramolecular Phosphane-Borane Frustrated Lewis Pairs Derived from Uncatalyzed 1,4-Hydrophosphination of a Dienylborane.

Three unsaturated C4 -bridged phospane/borane frustrated Lewis pairs (P/B FLPs) are prepared by uncatalyzed hydrophosphination of a dienylborane. The systems are bifunctional. Consequently, two examples undergo clean hydroboration reactions with HB(C6F5)2 to yield B/B/P systems. The 1,4-P/B system (C6F5)2B-CH2CH=CMeCH2PMes2 reacts with benzaldehyde initially by allylborane addition, followed by internal P/B FLP addition to the pendant C=C double bond, to yield a bicyclic product. The corresponding reaction of (C6F5)2B-CH2CH=CMeCH2PtBu2 stops at the allylborane/benzaldehyde addition product. The related system (C6F5)2B-CH2CH=CMeCH2PPh2 shows a similar bifunctional reaction pattern, whereby allylborane addition to benzaldehyde is combined with P/B addition to a second aldehyde equivalent to form the eight-membered heterocyclic 1:2 addition product.

Hydroalumination of Ketenimines and Subsequent Reactions with Heterocumulenes: Synthesis of Unsaturated Amide Derivatives and 1,3-Diimines.

The series of differently substituted ketenimines 1 was hydroluminated using di-iso-butyl aluminum hydride. For the sterically congested ketenimine 1a, preferred hydroalumination of the C═N-bond was proven by X-ray crystallography (compound 5a). In situ treatment of the hydroaluminated ketenimines 5 with various heterocumulenes like carbodiimides, isocycanates, isothiocyanates and ketenimines as electrophiles and subsequent hydrolytic workup resulted in novel enamine derived amide species in case of N-attack (sterically less hindered ketenimines) under formation of a new C-N-bond or in 1,3-diimines by C-C-bond-formation in case of bulky substituents at the ketenimine-nitrogen atom. Furthermore, domino reactions with more than 1 equiv of the electrophile or by subsequent addition of two different electrophiles are possible and lead to polyfunctional amide derivatives of the biuret type which are otherwise not easily accessible.

Stereospecific formal [3+2] dipolar cycloaddition of cyclopropanes with nitrosoarenes: an approach to isoxazolidines.

The MgBr2-catalyzed formal [3+2] cycloaddition of donor-acceptor activated cyclopropanes with nitrosoarenes offers a novel approach to various structurally diverse isoxazolidines. The reactions, which are experimentally easy to conduct, occur with complete stereospecificity and perfect control of regioselectivity. Product isoxazolidines can be readily transformed into α-amino lactones by reductive or decarboxylative N-O cleavage and subsequent lactonisation, and the N-aryl bond cleavage is also possible under oxidative conditions.

Activation of isocyanates and carbon dioxide by a monomeric aluminium hydrazide as an active Lewis pair.

The monomeric aluminium hydrazide H10 C5 NN(AltBu2 )Ad (4; Ad=adamantyl, NC5 H10 =piperidinyl) was obtained in high yield by hydroalumination of the corresponding hydrazone derivative 1. Compound 4 has a strained AlN2 heterocycle formed by a donor-acceptor bond between the ß-nitrogen atom of the hydrazide group and the aluminium atom. Opening of this bond resulted in the formation of an active Lewis pair that was able to cooperatively activate carbon dioxide or isocyanates. Insertion of the heterocumulenes into the AlN bond selectively afforded a carbamate and two urea derivatives in high yield. In the first step, phenyl isocyanate gave the adduct 6, which has the oxygen atom coordinated to the aluminium atom and its central carbon atom bound to the nitrogen atom of the piperidine moiety. Adduct 6 represents a reasonable intermediate state for these activation processes. The applicability of hydroaluminated compounds, such as 4, in organic synthesis was demonstrated by the reaction with an imidoyl chloride, which gave the corresponding amidrazone derivative 9.

Modification and unexpected reactivity of 2-borylbenzaldimines: acylated and silylated derivatives as well as dimeric compounds.

Various novel N-alkyl and N-benzyl 2-borylbenzaldimines 3 were prepared by condensation of 2-(dimesitylboryl)benzaldehyde (1) with amines. Further functionalization of compound 3e was possible by deprotonation and subsequent regioselective reaction with electrophiles to give compounds 4. Applying similar conditions to 3a led to the unexpected formation of hitherto unknown dimeric compounds (5 and 6). All structural types were fully characterized, including by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Furthermore, quantum chemical calculations on the SCS-MP2 and DFT levels gave insights into the reaction mechanisms and the stereoselectivity. The B/N bonding situation in these molecules was analyzed using Wiberg bond indices. Preliminary UV-vis and fluorescence measurements indicate that the substitution reaction leading to compounds 4 can be utilized to tune the photophysical properties of these compounds.

Synthesis and photophysical properties of aryl-substituted 2-borylbenzaldimines and their extended π-conjugated congeners.

Novel N-aryl-substituted 2-borylbenzaldimines 6 and related systems with extended π-framework 7 based on two borylbenzaldimine units linked by a spacer moiety were synthesized by condensation reactions of 2-(dimesitylboryl)benzaldehyde 3 with various amines 4 and diamines 5. All compounds were completely characterized including X-ray diffraction, especially in view of Lewis acid-base B-O and B-N interactions. The electronic as well as the photophysical properties of bisimines 7 were determined using cyclic voltammetry, UV/vis, and fluorescence spectroscopy and quantum chemistry. These compounds feature large Stokes shifts and reversible reduction waves. Interestingly, UV irradiation experiments unfold enhanced photostability for compounds 7 with an extended π-skeleton. By use of 1,8-diaminonaphthalene we observed the formation of a hitherto unknown BN-heterocyclic compound 9 fused with a perimidine skeleton. Structural and energetic aspects were evaluated by high level quantum chemical methods (DFT and SCS-MP2-calculations).

Nanodiamonds in sugar rings: an experimental and theoretical investigation of cyclodextrin-nanodiamond inclusion complexes.

We report on the noncovalent interactions of nanodiamond carboxylic acids derived from adamantane, diamantane, and triamantane with ß- and γ-cyclodextrins. The water solubility of the nanodiamonds was increased by attaching an aromatic dicarboxylic acid via peptide coupling. Isothermal titration calorimetry experiments were performed to determine the thermodynamic parameters (K(a), ΔH, ΔG and ΔS) for the host-guest inclusion. The stoichiometry of the complexes is invariably 1:1. It was found that K(a), ΔG and ΔH of inclusion increase for larger nanodiamonds. ΔS is generally positive, in particular for the largest nanodiamonds. ß-Cyclodextrin binds all nanodiamonds, γ-cyclodextrin clearly prefers the most bulky nanodiamonds. The interaction of 9-triamantane carboxylic acid shows one of the strongest complexation constants towards γ-cyclodextrin ever reported, K(a) = 5.0 × 10(5) M(-1). In order to gain some insight into the possible structural basis of these inclusion complexes we performed density functional calculations at the B97-D3/def2-TZVPP level of theory.

Cyclization reactions of 3,4-diazaheptatrienyl metal compounds. Pyridines from an anionic analogue of the Fischer indole synthesis: experiment and theory.

Unsymmetrical N,N'-bisalkylidene hydrazines 7a,b, 10a-c and 13, which are accessible in good to excellent yields from hydrazones 6, 9, and 12 and commercially available α,ß-unsaturated carbonyl compounds, are converted into 3,4-diazaheptatrienyl anions 14a,b, 16a-c, and 18 by treatment with KO-t-Bu as base. These anionic species form pyridines 15a,b, 5,6-dihydrobenzo[h]quinolones 17a-c, and bipyridine 19 in moderate yields. We interpret thermodynamics and kinetics of these reactions by quantum chemical calculations and discuss this multistep anionic rearrangement, based on an electrocyclic ring formation with a Möbius aromatic transition structure 22, the N-N bond fission (25), and the 6-exo-trig cyclization (27) as key steps, considering the results of NICS and NBO-charge calculations. This novel anionic reaction sequence bears an interesting analogy to the mechanism of the (cationic) Fischer indole synthesis. Precursor 10c and product 16c could be characterized by X-ray diffraction.

3-(Hetero)aryl-4-indolylamino-α-tetralones by diastereoselective internal redox cyclization: an "azaenamine" conjugate addition.

(E)-3-(hetero)aryl-1-(2-((E)-(indolin-1-ylimino)methyl)phenyl)prop-2-en-1-ones 1 undergo 6-exo-trig cyclization reactions upon treatment with BF(3)·Me(2)S in dichloromethane at low temperature to give the tetralones 10 in good yield. This cyclization process can be considered to be an intramolecular Michael-type addition which is accompanied by an internal redox reaction as the indoline fragment is oxidized to indole with simultaneous hydrogen shift to nitrogen atom N1 and the α-carbon atom of the Michael system. The reactions at the iminic centers take place via umpolung of the classical carbonyl reactivity. The reaction is diastereoselective and affords exclusively 3,4-disubstituted α-tetralones 10 as trans-diastereomers. According to quantum chemical calculations the reactions take place under kinetic control with the trans-diastereomer being the kinetically favored product as it has the lower activation barrier compared to the cis-diastereomer.

Ring-closure reactions of 1,2-diaza-4,5-benzoheptatrienyl metal compounds: experiment and theory.

2-Alkenylbenzylidene hydrazones 5a-m, which are accessible in good to excellent yields in a four-step synthesis, are converted into 1,2-diaza-4,5-benzoheptatrienyl metal compounds 1a-m by treatment with KO-t-Bu as base. These metal compounds undergo the various types of reactions in good yields and exclusively depending on the nature of substituents R(1) and R(3). Thus, metal compounds 1a-c carrying alkyl substituents R(1) and R(3) form 3H-benzodiazepines 6a-c after electrophilic quench of the intermediate cyclic anion 7 in a 7-endo-trig electrocyclic reaction with a möbius aromatic transition structure 1(-)-TS. Similarly, a benzothienyl derivative 5n is converted into diazepine 6d. Potassium compounds 1d-h, which are N-methyl and aryl substituted at R(3), form 1,2-dihydrophthalazines 8a-e in a predominantly charge-controlled 6-exo-trig cyclization reaction. In contrast, aryl-aryl-substituted systems 5i-m did not lead to cyclic products upon deprotonation, but the intermediate open-chain metal compounds 1i-m were trapped by acid chlorides at N1 to yield the hydrazides 10a-e. We interpret thermodynamics and kinetics of these reactions in the context of the Baldwin rules on the basis of quantum chemical calculations and discuss the transition structures considering the results of NICS and NBO-charge calculations. Examples of the products 6, 8, and 10 could be characterized by X-ray diffraction.

Ring closure reactions of 2,6-diazaheptatrienyl metal compounds: synthesis of 3-aminoindole derivatives and 14-membered macrocyclic dimers.

2,6-Diazaheptatrienyl metal compounds 6(-)K(+) are easily accessible from the corresponding diimines 6 by deprotonation using KO-t-Bu as base. According to quantum chemical calculations, they are, in comparison to other isomeric species with nitrogen atoms in other positions, highly reactive intermediates, which undergo in dilute solution at 50 °C ring closure reactions to form 3-aminoindole derivatives 8/10. In contrast, in more concentrated solution at room temperature, the formation of 14-membered macrocyclces 13 as a result of formal dimerization is observed. The 3-aminoindole derivatives obtained in this work possess rare substitution patterns, and the macrocyclic compounds are essentially unknown. Two-fold vinylogous derivatives 7 give rise to tricyclic systems with δ-carboline backbone 12. The experimental results are interpreted using high-level DFT calculations with regard to the possible reaction mechanism and the nature of the transition state of the five-membered ring formation. The molecular structures in the solid state of all types of compounds were elucidated by X-ray diffraction.

Molecular recognition of vesicles: host-guest interactions combined with specific dimerization of zwitterions.

The aggregation of beta-cyclodextrin vesicles can be induced by an adamantyl-substituted zwitterionic guanidiniocarbonylpyrrole carboxylate guest molecule (1). Upon addition of 1 to the cyclodextrin vesicles at neutral pH, the vesicles aggregate (but do not fuse), as shown by using UV/Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, zeta-potential measurements, cryogenic transmission electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. Aggregation of the vesicles is induced by a twofold supramolecular interaction. First, the adamantyl group of 1 forms an inclusion complex with beta-cyclodextrin. Second, at neutral pH the guanidiniocarbonylpyrrole carboxylate zwitterion dimerizes through the formation of hydrogen-bonded ion pairs. Because the dimerization of 1 depends on the zwitterionic protonation state of 1, the aggregation of the cyclodextrin vesicles is also pH dependent; the cyclodextrin vesicles do not interact at pH 5 or 9, at which 1 is either cationic or anionic and, therefore, not self-complementary. These observations are consistent with molecular recognition of the vesicles through a combination of two different supramolecular interactions, that is, host-guest inclusion and dimerization of zwitterions, at the bilayer membrane surface.