Efficient cluster-based catalysts for asymmetric hydrogenation of α-unsaturated carboxylic acids.

The new clusters [H(4)Ru(4)(CO)(10)(µ-1,2-P-P)], [H(4)Ru(4)(CO)(10) (1,1-P-P)] and [H(4)Ru(4)(CO)(11)(P-P)] (P-P=chiral diphosphine of the ferrocene-based Josiphos or Walphos ligand families) have been synthesised and characterised. The crystal and molecular structures of eleven clusters reveal that the coordination modes of the diphosphine in the [H(4)Ru(4)(CO)(10)(µ-1,2-P-P)] clusters are different for the Josiphos and the Walphos ligands. The Josiphos ligands bridge a metal-metal bond of the ruthenium tetrahedron in the "conventional" manner, that is, with both phosphine moieties coordinated in equatorial positions relative to a triangular face of the tetrahedron, whereas the phosphine moieties of the Walphos ligands coordinate in one axial and one equatorial position. The differences in the ligand size and the coordination mode between the two types of ligands appear to be reflected in a relative propensity for isomerisation; in solution, the [H(4)Ru(4)(CO)(10)(1,1-Walphos)] clusters isomerise to the corresponding [H(4)Ru(4)(CO)(10)(µ-1,2-Walphos)] clusters, whereas the Josiphos-containing clusters show no tendency to isomerisation in solution. The clusters have been tested as catalysts for asymmetric hydrogenation of four prochiral α-unsaturated carboxylic acids and the prochiral methyl ester (E)-methyl 2-methylbut-2-enoate. High conversion rates (>94%) and selectivities of product formation were observed for almost all catalysts/catalyst precursors. The observed enantioselectivities were low or nonexistent for the Josiphos-containing clusters and catalyst (cluster) recovery was low, suggesting that cluster fragmentation takes place. On the other hand, excellent conversion rates (99-100%), product selectivities (99-100% in most cases) and good enantioselectivities, reaching 90% enantiomeric excess (ee) in certain cases, were observed for the Walphos-containing clusters, and the clusters could be recovered in good yield after completed catalysis. Results from high-pressure NMR and IR studies, catalyst poisoning tests and comparison of catalytic properties of two [H(4)Ru(4)(CO)(10)(µ-1,2-P-P)] clusters (P-P=Walphos ligands) with the analogous mononuclear catalysts [Ru(P-P)(carboxylato)(2)] suggest that these clusters may be the active catalytic species, or direct precursors of an active catalytic cluster species.

Relevance of the leaving group for antitumor activity of new platinum(II) compounds containing anthracene derivatives as a carrier ligand.

A new anticancer-active platinum(II) compound [Pt(A9pyp)(dmso)(cbdca)], containing the E-1-(9-anthryl)-3-(2-pyridyl)-2-propenone ligand (abbreviated as A9pyp) has been synthesized by the replacement of the anionic chloride ligands in cis-[Pt(A9pyp)(dmso)Cl(2)] by the dianionic chelating cyclobutanedicarboxylate ligand (abbreviated as cbdca). The in vitro relevance of the leaving group of these new platinum(II) compounds has been investigated. Measurements of the time-dependent intracellular accumulation of both compounds in human ovarian carcinoma cell lines show that the leaving group affects their cellular uptake. In addition, the leaving group also influences DNA platination, and, therefore, has an effect on the biological activity against a pair of human ovarian carcinoma cell lines, i.e. sensitive and resistant to cisplatin.

New coordination polymers based on the triangular [Cu3(mu3-OH)(mu-pz)3]2+ unit and unsaturated carboxylates.

By reacting copper(II) acrylate with pyrazole (Hpz), two trinuclear copper derivatives [Cu3(mu3-OH)(mu-pz)3(CH2CHCOO)2(H2O)2(Hpz)], 1, and [Cu3(mu3-OH)(mu-pz)3(CH2CHCOO)2(CH3OH)], 2, are obtained, in water and methanol respectively, while copper(II) methacrylate affords [Cu3(mu3-OH)(mu-pz)3(CH2C(CH3)COO)2], 3, independently from the solvent used. In 1 and 2 two triangular trinuclear units are connected through acrylate bridges forming hexanuclear clusters that, in the case of 2 are further connected through double syn-syn carboxylate bridges, generating a 1-D coordination polymer. In the case of 3 a different 1-D coordination polymer is obtained by alternating syn-syn and syn-anti double carboxylate bridges connecting the trinuclear clusters. In all cases H-bonds contribute both to the stabilization of these arrangements and to the formation of more extended supramolecular networks. Compounds 1-3 are valuable catalysts in the peroxidative oxidation with aqueous H2O2, in MeCN at 25 degrees C, of cycloalkanes (i.e. cyclohexane and cyclopentane) to the corresponding ketones and alcohols (overall yield up to 36%, TON = 36), following a radical mechanism as shown by radical trap experiments, and the effects of various factors are studied. Electrochemical experiments show that the copper(II) centres are reduced to copper(I) and copper(0).

Synthesis of imidazolidin-2-one-4-carboxylate and of (tetrahydro)pyrimidin-2-one-5-carboxylate via an efficient modification of the Hofmann rearrangement.

A mild and efficient methodology for the rearrangement of protected asparagine and protected glutamine is reported; good results are obtained with a wide selection of protecting groups.