Synthesis of 3-Alkyl Oxazolidines, Derived from 2-Hydroxymethyl Piperidine, as Analytical Standards for the Analysis of Volatile Aldehydes in the Workplace.

Hexahydro-3-alkyl-3H-oxazolo[3,4-a]pyridines 4-15 for the quantitative analysis of various aldehydes were obtained in good yield via the condensation reaction of 2-hydroxymethylpiperidine (2-HMP) with aldehydes under mild conditions. When acrolein was used, the bicyclic 17 was obtained. This novel compound has suitable physical characteristics for an analytical standard. The hexahydro-3-vinyl-3H-oxazolo[3,4-a]pyridine 16 can be obtained at higher temperatures using an excess of acrolein (3 equiv). Following the same procedure as for 16, but with an excess of 2-HMP (2 equiv), a diastereomeric mixture of 18/19, which are both bisadducts of 2-HMP with acrolein, was obtained. The latter mixture can be easily converted into pure 18. Mechanistically, a thorough 1H-NMR study did not show any evidence that the condensation reaction proceeded via an enamine. The reaction probably proceeded through an elusive hemiaminal and fleeting iminium ion, which underwent subsequent cyclization to give hexahydro-3-alkyl-3H-oxazolo[3,4-a]pyridines 4-16. The reaction pathways for the preparation of 4-18 are described.

Bis(Iminophosphorano)-Substituted Pyridinium Ions and their Corresponding Bispyridinylidene Organic Electron Donors.

Optimized synthetic procedures for pyridinium ions featuring iminophosphorano (-N=PR3 ; R=Ph, Cy) π-donor substituents in the 2- and 4- positions are described. Crystallographic and theoretical studies reveal that the strongly donating substituents severely polarize the π-electrons of the pyridyl ring at the expense of aromaticity. Moreover, the pyridinium ions are readily deprotonated to generate powerful bispyridinylidene (BPY) organic electron donors. Electrochemical studies show exceptionally low redox potentials for the two-electron BPY/BPY2+ couples, ranging from -1.71 V vs the saturated calomel electrode for 3PhPh (with four Ph3 P=N- groups) to -1.85 V for 3CyCy (with four Cy3 P=N- groups). These new compounds represent the most reducing neutral organic electron donors (OEDs) currently known. Some preliminary reductions involving 3CyCy showed enhanced capability owing to its low redox potential, such as the thermally activated reduction of an aryl chloride, but purification challenges were often encountered.

Iminophosphorano-Substituted Bispyridinylidenes: Redox Potentials and Substituent Constants from Tolman Electronic Parameters.

Bispyridinylidenes (BPYs) have emerged as an important class of neutral organic electron donors, with redox potentials that vary widely with choice of substituent. Methods to predict the effect of substitution on the redox potential are therefore highly desirable. Here we show that the redox potential of BPYs featuring iminophosphorano substituents (R3 P=N-), which represent the most reducing class of BPYs, can be predicted based on the well-known Tolman electronic parameter (TEP) for the respective phosphine fragment (R3 P). Moreover, building on earlier work relating redox potentials to Hammett-type substituent constants, it is now possible to quantitatively predict σp + values for iminophosphorano substituents from TEP values. These results provide a path for precisely tailoring redox potentials of iminophosphorano-substituted BPYs, but also give quantitative descriptors for how these highly versatile iminophosphorano substituents can impact the properties of any molecular scaffold.

Accessing the Ene-Imine Motif in 1H-Isoindole, Thienopyrrole, and Thienopyridine Building Blocks.

A pathway to a range of diverse heterocycles was developed using a nucleophilic cyclization strategy. Lactams and ene-imines are accessed in a few steps from a common precursor, and these moieties are further elaborated to directly provide pyrroles or pyridines with extended conjugation. Reaction conditions are mild, and a broad range of structural types are available within a few steps.

Guanahanolide A, a Meroterpenoid with a Sesterterpene Skeleton from Coral-Derived Streptomyces sp.

A meroterpenoid, guanahanolide A (1), was purified from a fermentation extract of Streptomyces sp. RKBH-B7. The planar structure of guanahanolide A (1) was elucidated by NMR spectroscopy, revealing a meroterpenoid comprised of an unprecedented sesterterpene skeleton. Upon determination of the relative configuration of 1 through X-ray crystallography, its absolute configuration was unambiguously assigned using Mosher ester analysis. Guanahanolide A (1) showed moderate cytotoxicity against human cancer cell lines MCF-7, HTB-26, and HCT-116.

A strong organic electron donor incorporating highly π-donating triphenylphosphonium ylidyl substituents.

The π-electron donor strength of a triphenylphosphonium ylidyl group (Ph3P[double bond, length as m-dash]CH-) was explored through its substitution onto a bispyridinylidene (BPY) scaffold. Electrochemical studies revealed that the new triphenylphosphonium ylidyl-substituted BPY is the most reducing di-substituted derivative reported to date (E1/2 = -1.55 V vs. SCE). By using a previously established correlation between the redox potential of the substituted BPYs and the corresponding substituent, a Hammett constant for the Ph3P[double bond, length as m-dash]CH- group was determined (σp+ = -2.33), establishing it as the most donating neutral substituent currently quantified. The BPY is readily oxidized by hexachloroethane to produce the corresponding dicationic bipyridinium salt as a mixture of isomers owing to hindered Cylidyl-Cpyridyl bond rotation. In preliminary tests of the BPY as a reductant, dichlorotricyclohexylphosphorane and chlorodiphenylphosphine were reduced to the corresponding phosphine and diphosphine, respectively.

Thioarylmaleimides: accessible, tunable, and strongly emissive building blocks.

A series of thioarylmaleimides was synthesized to investigate how variation of the thioaryl group can be used to control absorption and emission properties in solution and in the solid-state. Fine-tuning of the photochemical properties was found to be possible using this strategy, and a rainbow of colours and emission wavelengths are accessible in a single step from commercially available compounds.

Terrosamycins A and B, Bioactive Polyether Ionophores from Streptomyces sp. RKND004 from Prince Edward Island Sediment.

Terrosamycins A (1) and B (2), two polycyclic polyether natural products, were purified from the fermentation broth of Streptomyces sp. RKND004 isolated from Prince Edward Island sediment. The one strain-many compounds (OSMAC) approach coupled with UPLC-HRMS-based metabolomics screening led to the identification of these compounds. The structure of 1 was determined from analysis of NMR, HRMS, and X-ray diffraction data. NMR experiments performed on 2 revealed the presence of two methoxy groups replacing two hydroxy groups in 1. Like other polyether ionophores, 1 and 2 exhibited excellent antibiotic activity against Gram-positive pathogens. Interestingly, the terrosamycins also exhibited activity against two breast cancer cell lines.

Complexes of Stiboranium Mono-, Di-, and Trications.

Reaction of Ph2 SbCl3 with 2,2'-bipyridine and Me3 SiOSO2 CF3 releases chlorobenzene, which is interpreted as a reductive (SbV /SbIII ) elimination from a complex of a stiboranium cation. Conversely, reactions of Ph2 SbCl3 with 4-methylpyridine-N-oxide and AgOSO2 CF3 give redox-resistant complexes with the generic formulae [Ph2 SbCl3-x Lx+1 ][OTf]x , including a compound containing a pnictogen(V) trication.

The Phosphinoboration of N-Heterocycles.

The addition of phosphinoboronate ester Ph2 PBpin (pin=1,2-O2 C2 Me4 ) (1) to a number of different N-heterocycles has been investigated. Reaction of 1 with pyridine resulted in highly selective formation of the corresponding 1,4-addition product, with addition of the electron-deficient Bpin group to the pyridine nitrogen atom and the phosphido group to the para carbon atom. Conversely, reactions of para-substituted pyridine derivatives occurred predominately to afford 1,2-addition products while quinoline reacted to afford the 1,2-adduct which ultimately isomerized to afford the corresponding 1,4-addition product. Preliminary computational studies have been undertaken to explore possible pathways for these transformations including transfer of the PPh2- anion from [B(PPh2 )2 pin]- to the 4-position of a borenium/boronium activated pyridine and concerted pathways for 1,2-addition via intramolecular nucleophilic attack of PPh2 at C2 of a Ph2 PBpin-coordinated pyridine via a four-centered transition state and intramolecular transfer of PPh2 to the 2-position of a boron-activated pyridine in a phosphido-bridged dimer involving a six-centered transition state.

Synthesis and crystal structure of bis-(µ-2-methyl-benzene-thiol-ato-κ2S:S)bis-[meth-yl(2-methyl-benzene-thiol-ato-κS)indium(III)].

The dinuclear title compound, [In2(CH3)2(C7H7S)4] or [Me(2-MeC6H4S)In-µ-(2-MeC6H4S)2InMe(2-MeC6H4S)], was prepared from the 1:2 reaction of Me3In and 2-MeC6H4SH in toluene. Its crystal structure exhibits a four-membered In2S2 ring core via bridging (2-MeC6H4S) groups. The dimeric units are further associated into a one-dimensional polymeric structure extending parallel to the a axis via inter-molecular In⋯S contacts. The In atoms are then in distorted trigonal-bipyramidal CS4 bonding environments.

Synthesis, Characterization, and Properties of Weakly Coordinating Anions Based on tris-Perfluoro-tert-Butoxyborane.

A convenient method for the preparation of strongly Lewis acidic tris-perfluoro-tert-butoxyborane B(ORF)3 (1), (ORF = OC(CF3)3) was developed, and its X-ray structure was determined. 1 was used as a precursor, guided by density functional theory (DFT) calculations and volume-based thermodynamics, for the synthesis of [NEt4][NCB(ORF)3] (3) and [NMe4][FB(ORF)3] (5) and the novel large and weakly coordinating anion salts [Li 15-Crown-5][B(ORF)4] (2) and [NEt4][CN{B(ORF)3}2] (4). The stability of [B(ORF)4]- was compared with that of some related known weakly coordinating anions by appropriate DFT calculations.

Absorption of SO2(g) by TDAE[O2SSO2](s) to Give TDAE[O2SS(O)2SO2](s): Related Reactions of [NR4]2[O2SSO2](s) (R = CH3, C2H5).

One mole equivalent of gaseous SO2 is absorbed by purple TDAE[O2SSO2](s), producing red, essentially spectroscopically pure TDAE[O2SS(O)2SO2](s); under prolonged evacuation, the product loses SO2(g), regenerating TDAE[O2SSO2](s). Similarly, [NR4]2[O2SS(O)2SO2](s) (R = Et, Me) can be prepared, albeit at lower purity, from the corresponding tetraalkylammonium dithionites (prepared by a modification of the known [NEt4]2[O2SSO2](s) preparation). While the [NEt4](+) salt is stable at rt; the [NMe4](+) salt has only limited stability at -78 °C. Vibrational spectra assignments for the anion in these salts were distinctly different from those for the anion in salts containing the long-known [O3SSSO3](2-) dianion, the most thermodynamically stable form of [S3O6](2-) (we prepared TDAE[O3SSSO3]·H2O(s) and obtained its structure by X-ray diffraction and vibrational analyses). The best fit between the calculated ((B3PW91/6-311+G(3df) and PBE0/6-311G(d)) and experimental vibrational spectra were obtained with the dianion having the [O2SS(O)2SO2](2-) structure. Vibrational analyses of the three [O2SS(O)2SO2](2-) salts prepared in this work showed that the corresponding [O3SSO2](2-) salts were present as a ubiquitous decomposition product. The formation of these new [O2SS(O)2SO2](2-) dianion salts was predicted to be favorable for [NMe4](+) and larger cations using a combination of theoretical calculations (B3PW91/6-311+G(3df)) and volume based thermodynamics (VBT). Similar methods accounted for the greater stabilities of the TDAE(2+) and [NEt4](+) salts of [O2SS(O)2SO2](2-) compared to [NMe4]2[O2SS(O)2SO2](s) toward irreversible decomposition to the corresponding [O3SSO2](2-) salts. These salts represent the first known examples of a new class of poly(sulfur dioxide) dianion, [SO2]n(2-) in which n > 2.

A 1,2,3-dithiazolyl-o-naphthoquinone: a neutral radical with isolable cation and anion oxidation states.

Under aprotic conditions, the reaction of 4-amino-1,2-naphthoquinone with excess S2Cl2 generates 4,5-dioxo-naphtho[1,2-d][1,2,3]dithiazol-2-ium chloride in a typical Herz condensation. By contrast, prior literature reports an imine (NH) product, 4,5-dioxo-1H-naphtho[1,2-d][1,2,3]dithiazole, for the same reaction performed in acetic acid. Herein, the cation product is isolated with four different counter-anions (Cl(-), GaCl4(-), FeCl4(-) and OTf(-)). Reduction of the cation generates a neutral radical 1,2,3-dithiazolyl-o-naphthoquinone, with potential ligand properties. Further reduction generates a closed shell anion, isolated as a water-stable Li(+) complex and exhibiting O,O-bidentate chelation. The hydroxy (OH) isomer of the original imine (NH) product is reported, and this can be readily deprotonated and acylated (OAc). All species are structurally characterized. Solution redox behaviour and EPR are discussed where appropriate.

Metal-Free, Acid-Catalyzed ortho-Directed Synthesis of Anthranilic Acid Derivatives Using Carbodiimides.

One-pot syntheses of fluorescent o-aminobenzoates, o-aminopyridine carboxylates, and a 2'-amino-[1,1'-biphenyl]-2-carboxylic acid are described. Carbodiimides are used as the source of the 2-amino function which inserts onto an aromatic ring using S(N)Ar reaction conditions. This method proceeds regiospecifically with a range of 2-fluoroaromatic acids or esters bearing further aryl fluorine, trifluoromethyl, and cyano substituents.

The phosphinoboration reaction.

The synthesis of phosphinoboronate esters containing a single P-B bond is reported, together with preliminary reactivity studies towards a range of organic substrates. These compounds add readily to aldehydes, ketones, aldimines, and α,ß-unsaturated enones to give primarily the corresponding 1,2-addition products containing a new P-C bond. The first examples of transition-metal-catalyzed phosphinoborations of C-C multiple bonds in which P-C and B-C bonds are formed in a single step are also disclosed; allenes react by a highly regioselective 1,2-addition whereas terminal alkynes undergo a formal 1,1-addition.

Thioboration of α,ß-unsaturated ketones and aldehydes toward the synthesis of ß-sulfido carbonyl compounds.

Herein a direct ß-sulfido carbonyl compound synthesis by the easy activation of RS-Bpin reagents with α,ß-unsaturated ketones and aldehydes is reported. This convenient methodology can be performed at room temperature with no other additives. The key point of this reactivity is based on the Lewis acidic properties of the boryl unit of the RS-Bpin reagent interacting with the C═O oxygen. Consequently, the SR unit becomes more nucleophilic and promotes the 1,4- versus the 1,2-addition, as a function of the involved substrate. The thioborated products can be further transformed into ß-sulfido carbonyl compounds by addition of MeOH.

Crystallographic snapshot of an arrested intermediate in the biomimetic activation of CO2.

The design of molecular catalysts that mimic the behavior of enzymes is a topical field of activity in emerging technologies, and can lead to an improved understanding of biological systems. Herein, we report how the bulky arms of the cations in [(n C4 H9 )4 N](+) [HCO3 ](-) give rise to a host scaffold that emulates the substrate binding sites in carbonic anhydrase enzymes, affording a unique glimpse of an arrested intermediate in the base-mediated binding and activation of CO2 .

Crystal structure of dimethyl-1κ(2) C-bis(µ-4-methylphenolato-1:2κ(2) O:O)(N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine-2κ(2) N,N')indium(III)lithium(I).

The mixed bimetallic title compound, [InLi(CH3)2(C7H7O)2(C6H16N2)] or [(tmeda)Li-µ-(4-MeC6H4O)2InMe2] (tmeda is N,N,N',N'-tetra-methyl-ethylenedi-amine), exhibits a four-membered LiO2In ring core via bridging 4-methyl-phenolate groups. The Li and In atoms are in distorted tetra-hedral N2O2 and C2O2 bonding environments, respectively. The Li atom is further chelated by a tmeda group, yielding a spiro-cyclic structure.