Intramolecular Cyclization of Azido-Isocyanides Triggered by the Azide Anion: An Experimental and Computational Study.

This work describes the unprecedented intramolecular cyclization occurring in a set of α-azido-ω-isocyanides in the presence of catalytic amounts of sodium azide. These species yield the tricyclic cyanamides [1,2,3]triazolo[1,5-a]quinoxaline-5(4H)-carbonitriles, whereas in the presence of an excess of the same reagent, the azido-isocyanides convert into the respective C-substituted tetrazoles through a [3 + 2] cycloaddition between the cyano group of the intermediate cyanamides and the azide anion. The formation of tricyclic cyanamides has been examined by experimental and computational means. The computational study discloses the intermediacy of a long-lived N-cyanoamide anion, detected by NMR monitoring of the experiments, subsequently converting into the final cyanamide in the rate-determining step. The chemical behavior of these azido-isocyanides endowed with an aryl-triazolyl linker has been compared with that of a structurally identical azido-cyanide isomer, experiencing a conventional intramolecular [3 + 2] cycloaddition between its azido and cyanide functionalities. The synthetic procedures described herein constitute metal-free approaches to novel complex heterocyclic systems, such as [1,2,3]triazolo[1,5-a]quinoxalines and 9H-benzo[f]tetrazolo[1,5-d][1,2,3]triazolo[1,5-a][1,4]diazepines.

Lewis Acid-Mediated Formation of 1,3-Disubstituted Spiro[cyclopropane-1,2'-indanes]: The Activating Effect of the Cyclopropane Walsh Orbital.

By virtue of its alkylidenecyclopropane moiety, 2-(cyclopropylidenemethyl)benzaldehyde reacts with a range of amines and thiols under Lewis acid catalysis. These reactions yield 1,3-bis(arylamino) and 1,3-bis(arylthio and alkylthio)indanes, respectively, which are spirolinked to the cyclopropane ring at carbon 2. The reaction mechanism, and the peculiar contribution of the cyclopropane ring, have been scrutinized via DFT calculations.

Exploring the Conversion of Macrocyclic 2,2'-Biaryl Bis(thioureas) into Cyclic Monothioureas: An Experimental and Computational Investigation.

Macrocyclic bis(thioureas) derived from 2,2'-biphenyl and binaphthyl skeletons have been synthesized by reaction of 2,2'-diaminobiaryl and 2,2'-bis(isothiocyanato)biaryl derivatives. The splitting of these bis(thioureas) into two units of the respective cyclic monothioureas has been monitored by NMR, shedding some light on the factors that control these processes. Additionally, a computational study revealed up to three mechanistic paths for the conversion of the 2,2'-biphenyl-derived bis(thiourea) into the corresponding monothiourea. The proposed mechanisms account for the participation of a molecule of water as an efficient proton-switch as well as for different classes of putative intermediates. The computational study also supports the ability of the thiourea group to participate in a plethora of processes, such as prototropic equilibria, sigmatropic shifts, heteroene and retro-heteroene reactions, and cis ⇆ trans isomerizations.

Co-conformational Exchange Triggered by Molecular Recognition in a Di(acylamino)pyridine-Based Molecular Shuttle Containing Two Pyridine Rings at the Macrocycle.

We describe the incorporation of endo-pyridine units into the tetralactam ring of di(acylamino)pyridine-based rotaxanes. This macrocycle strongly associates with the linear interlocked component as confirmed by X-ray diffraction studies of rotaxane 2 b. Dynamic NMR studies of 2 b in solution revealed a rotational energy barrier that was higher than that of the related rotaxane 2 a, which lacks of pyridine rings in the macrocycle. The macrocycle distribution of the molecular shuttle 4 b, containing two endo-pyridine rings, shows that the major co-conformer is that with the cyclic component sitting over the di(acylamino)pyridine station. DFT calculations also support the marked preference of the ring for occupying the heterocyclic binding site. The association of N-hexylthymine with the di(acylamino)pyridine binding site of 4 b led to the formation of a rare 'S'-shaped co-conformer in which the tetralactam ring interacts simultaneously with both stations of the thread.

Lewis acid catalyzed [3 + 2] annulation of ketenimines with donor-acceptor cyclopropanes: an approach to 2-alkylidenepyrrolidine derivatives.

The [3 + 2] annulation reaction of C,C,N-trisubstituted ketenimines with donor-acceptor cyclopropanes bearing aryl, styryl and vinyl substituents at the C2 position, triggered by the Lewis acid Sc(OTf)3, supplies highly substituted pyrrolidines. Activated cyclopropanes fused to naphthalene and [1]benzopyrane nuclei are also suitable substrates in similar transformations, yielding partially saturated benz[g]indoles and [1]benzopyran[4,3-b]pyrroles. An intramolecular version of this ketenimine/cyclopropane [3 + 2] annulation has also been developed leading to the pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoindole framework.

Acid-promoted cycloisomerizations of phenylallenes bearing acetalic functions at the ortho position: a stereocontrolled entry to indeno-fused dioxepanes, dioxocanes and thioanalogues.

The cycloisomerization reactions of allenes bearing cyclic acetal, thioacetal and dithioacetal subunits, when triggered either by the catalytic action of AgSbF6 or by one equiv. of CF3COOH, gave rise to four different classes of indeno-fused 1,4-dioxa, oxathia and dithia heterocycles, in most cases as a single diastereomer. Acyclic acetals and dithioacetals are also suitable starting materials in similar transformations yielding 1,2-disubstituted indenes and 1,3-disubstituted 2-alkylideneindanes.

Small-molecule recognition for controlling molecular motion in hydrogen-bond-assembled rotaxanes.

Di(acylamino)pyridines successfully template the formation of hydrogen-bonded rotaxanes through five-component clipping reactions. A solid-state study showed the participation of the pyridine nitrogen atom in the stabilization of the mechanical bond between the thread and the benzylic amide macrocycle. The addition of external complementary binders to a series of interlocked bis(2,6-di(acylamino)pyridines) promoted restraint of the back and forward ring motion. The original translation can be restored through a competitive recognition event by the addition of a preorganized bis(di(acylamino)pyridine) that forms stronger ADA-DAD complexes with the external binders.

Novel capsular aggregates from flexible tripodal triureas with C(s) symmetry.

Tris(2- and 3-ureidobenzyl)amines with C(s) symmetry self-assemble in solution forming mixtures of regioisomeric capsular aggregates, one of which is chiral and the other centrosymmetric. Under certain conditions, a predominance of the centrosymmetric regioisomer is found before equilibrium, that is, a mixture close to the statistical ratio of the two species is reached. In the solid state, there is a preference for the centrosymmetric capsules. Molecular models of both regioisomeric aggregates have been built and analyzed for comparison. Guests inside capsules formed by self-assembly of desymmetrized tris(3-ureidobenzyl)amines feel different magnetic environments, depending on whether they are inside a chiral or an achiral regioisomeric container. Of special significance are the experiments with a more flexible triurea endowed with an ureidopropylic arm, which self-assembles with the same efficiency as the more rigid tris(ureidobenzyl)amines.

1,5-(H, RO, RS) shift/6π-electrocyclic ring closure tandem processes on N-[(α-heterosubstituted)-2-tolyl]ketenimines: a case study of relative migratory aptitudes and activating effects.

A number of N-aryl ketenimines, substituted at the ortho position either with different non-cyclic acetalic functions (acetals, monothioacetals, dithioacetals) or with only one alkoxymethyl or (alkylthio)methyl group, have been prepared and submitted to thermal treatment in toluene solution. Under smooth heating the ketenimines bearing non-cyclic acetals converted into 3,4-dihydroquinolines following two competitive tandem sequences that involve the alternative 1,5 migration of a hydride or alkoxy group as the first mechanistic step, followed by subsequent 6π electrocyclic ring closure. The heterocumulenes bearing acyclic monothioacetal and dithioacetal functions converted via a unique consecutive process involving the selective migration of the alkanethiolate group. Ketenimines bearing only one ether or thioether group transformed exclusively by the tandem sequence initiated by a 1,5 hydride shift. All these transformations provided as final reaction products a variety of quinoline derivatives with a range of substitution patterns. From these experiments the following order of propensity to migration can be extracted: RS > RO > H. It was also possible to estimate the following order of relative activating activities: RO > RS > H.

Unprecedented intramolecular [3 + 2] cycloadditions of azido-ketenimines and azido-carbodiimides. Synthesis of indolo[1,2-a]quinazolines and tetrazolo[5,1-b]quinazolines.

N-(2-azidomethyl)phenyl ketenimines and N-(2-azidomethyl)phenyl-N'-alkyl(aryl) carbodiimides undergo, under mild thermal conditions, intramolecular [3 + 2] cycloaddition reactions between the azido group and either the C=C or the distal C=N double bonds of the ketenimine and carbodiimide functions respectively. The reaction products are indolo[1,2-a]quinazolines and/or indolo[2,1-b]quinazolines in the case of azido-ketenimines, and tetrazolo[5,1-b]quinazolines in the case of azido-carbodiimides. The formation of the two classes of indoloquinazolines implies the ulterior dinitrogen extrusion from the non-isolated, putative [3 + 2] cycloadducts between the azide and ketenimine functions, whereas in the case of azido-carbodiimides the initial cycloadducts, tetrazoloquinazolines, were cleanly isolated and further converted into 2-aminoquinazolines by thermally induced dinitrogen extrusion.

Azodicarboxamides as template binding motifs for the building of hydrogen-bonded molecular shuttles.

Azodicarboxamides (R(2)NCON=NCONR(2)) are shown to act as new templates for the assembly of unprecedented azo-functionalized hydrogen-bond-assembled [2]rotaxanes. Moreover, these binding sites can be reversibly and efficiently interconverted with their hydrazo forms through a hydrogenation-dehydrogenation strategy of the nitrogen-nitrogen bond. This novel chemically switchable control element has been implemented in stimuli-responsive molecular shuttles that work through a reversible azo/hydrazo interconversion, producing large amplitude net positional changes with a good discrimination between the binding sites of the macrocycle in both states of the shuttle. These molecular shuttles are able to operate by two different mechanisms: in a discrete mode through two reversible and independent chemical events and, importantly, in a continuous regime through a catalyzed ester bond formation reaction in which the shuttle acts as an organocatalyst. In this latter, the incorporation of both states of the shuttle into this simple chemical reaction network promotes a dynamic translocation of the macrocycle between two nitrogen and carbon-based stations of the thread allowing an energetically uphill esterification process to take place.

Domino reactions initiated by intramolecular hydride transfers from tri(di)arylmethane fragments to ketenimine and carbodiimide functions.

The ability of triarylmethane and diarylmethane fragments to behave as hydride donors participating in thermal [1,5]-H shift/6π-ERC tandem processes involving ketenimine and carbodiimide functions is disclosed. C-Alkyl-C-phenyl ketenimines N-substituted by a triarylmethane substructure convert into a variety of 3,3,4,4-tetrasubstituted-3,4-dihydroquinolines, as structurally related carbodiimides transform into 3,4,4-trisubstituted-3,4-dihydroquinazolines via transient ortho-azaxylylenes. The first step of these one-pot conversions, the [1,5]-H shift, is considered to be a hydride migration on the basis of the known hydricity of the tri(di)arylmethane fragment and the electrophilicity of the central heterocumulenic carbon atom, whereas the final electrocyclization involves the formation of a sterically congested C-C or C-N bond. In the cases of C,C-diphenyl substituted triarylmethane-ketenimines the usual 6π-ERC becomes prohibited by the presence of two phenyl rings at each end of the azatrienic system. This situation opens new reaction channels: (a) following the initial hydride shift, the tandem sequence continues with an alternative electrocyclization mode to give 9,10-dihydroacridines, (b) the full sequence is initiated by a rare 1,5 migration of an electron-rich aryl group, followed by a 6π-ERC which leads to 2-aryl-3,4-dihydroquinolines, or (c) a different [1,5]-H shift/6π-ERC sequence involving the initial migration of a hydrogen atom from a methyl group at the ortho position to the nitrogen atom of the ketenimine function. Diarylmethane-ketenimines bearing a methyl group at the benzylic carbon atom experience a tandem double [1,5]-H shift, the first one being the usual benzylic hydride transfer whereas the second one involves the methyl group at the initial benzylic carbon atom, the reaction products being 2-aminostyrenes. Diarylmethane-ketenimines lacking such a methyl group convert into 3,4-dihydroquinolines by the habitual tandem [1,5]-H shift/6π-ERC processes.

[4 + 2] Cycloaddition reaction of C-aryl ketenimines with PTAD as a synthetic equivalent of dinitrogen. Synthesis of triazolocinnolines and cinnolines.

C,C,N-Triaryl ketenimines and C-alkyl-C,N-diaryl ketenimines react with 2 equiv of PTAD to provide 1,2,4-triazolo[1,2-a]cinnolines with a pendant triazolidindione group by means of a Diels-Alder/ene sequence. The treatment of such adducts with potassium hydroxide affords 3-aminocinnolines.

Highly diastereoselective self-assembly of chiral tris(m-ureidobenzyl)amino capsules.

The self-assembly of chiral tris(m-ureidobenzyl)amines to give dimeric capsules is a highly diastereoselective process in solution, while in the solid state, the formation of the corresponding capsules is not only diastereoselective but also regioselective.

Photoswitchable interlocked thiodiglycolamide as a cocatalyst of a chalcogeno-Baylis-Hillman reaction.

En route to a photoswitchable interlocked catalyst we have proved the ability of thiodiglycolamide to act as a template in the formation of hydrogen-bonded [2]rotaxanes. X-ray diffraction studies reveal the shielding of the sulfide atom by the macrocycle. A series of molecular shuttles are described as having an isomerizable fumaramide and thiodiglycolamide binding sites for controlling the relative ring position at will. By employing these systems as photoregulated catalysts, the TiCl4-mediated chalcogeno-Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction is tested. In the presence of the maleamide shuttle, in which the sulfide function is encapsulated by the macrocycle, a complete loss in control of the geometry of the produced aldol is observed. The E-aldol adduct is predominantly obtained when the photoisomerized fumaramide shuttle, in which the sulfide function is exposed, is used.

Versatile control of the submolecular motion of di(acylamino)pyridine-based [2]rotaxanes.

A cyclic network of chemical reactions has been conceived for exchanging the dynamic behaviour of di(acylamino)pyridine-based rotaxanes and surrogates. X-ray diffraction studies revealed the intercomponent interactions in these interlocked compounds and were consistent with those found in solution by dynamic NMR experiments. This particular binding site was incorporated into a molecular shuttle enabled for accessing two states with an outstanding positional discrimination through chemical manipulation. Furthermore, the ability of the di(acylamino)pyridine domain to associate with external binders with a complementary array of HB donor and acceptor sites was exploited for the advance of an unprecedented electrochemical switch operating through a reversible anion radical recognition process.

Palladium complexes derived from N,N-bidentate NH-iminophosphorane ligands: synthesis and use as catalysts in the Sonogashira reaction.

The addition of primary amines to the C=C bond of diphenylalkenyl iminophosphoranes yielded a new subtype of N,N-bidentate ligands bearing N=P(V)-C-C-NH backbones. These donor ligands reacted with PdCl(2)(COD) to give the corresponding σN,σN-palladium complexes containing secondary amino groups, bearing an intrinsically chiral nitrogen atom, and iminophosphorane units. These new complexes have been fully characterized by the use of spectroscopic techniques and X-ray crystallography. The comparison of the data extracted from their solution NMR spectra with their solid state structures demonstrated the conformational stability of their six-membered chelate ring and also the configurational stability of the chiral nitrogen atom, thus ruling out an arm-off racemization process. The addition of the chiral, racemic α-methylbenzylamine to the prochiral P-alkenyl iminophosphoranes yielded mixtures of the two expected diasteroisomeric ligands in low diastereoisomeric ratios. One of these mixtures was resolved into their components, each one in turn giving rise to a pair of diasteromeric palladium complexes epimeric at the amino nitrogen atom. One selected example of the new complexes efficiently catalyzes the copper- and amine-free Sonogashira reaction of aryl halides with acetylenes.

Dampened circumrotation by CH···π interactions in hydrogen bonded [2]rotaxanes.

Establishment of CH···π interactions between the aliphatic axis and the benzylic amide macrocycle of hydrogen-bonded [2]rotaxanes causes a measurable interference in the pirouetting submolecular motion of these interlocked molecules.

Insertion of benzynes into the P═N Bond of P-alkenyl(alkynyl)-λ5-phosphazenes.

Benzynes, generated from 2-(trimethylsilyl)phenyl triflates, have been found to react with P-Alkenyl-λ(5)-phosphazenes via a formal π-insertion into the P═N bond. A subsequent retro [2 + 2] cycloaddition/6π electrocyclization/protonation cascade explains the formation of the resulting 1,4-benzazaphosphorinium triflates. P-Alkynyl λ(5)-phosphazenes and phosphane sulfides undergo similar transformations.

Self-assembly of tris(ureidobenzyl)amines: flexible bricks for robust architectures.

Despite their high degree of flexibility, tribenzylamine molecules endowed with one ureido group in every arm are avid self-assemblers with a high capacity for self-recognition. Narcissistic self-sorting or chiral self-discrimination events take place when two modules associate giving capsular aggregates. The size of the cavity may be modulated by the relative position of the ureido group and the amino function works as a pH switch of the rupture-reassembly process. When chiral racemic triureas are present the self-assembly is highly diastereoselective.