Asymmetric Synthesis of Bicyclic Pyrazolidinones through Alkaloid-Catalyzed [3+2]-Cycloadditions of Ketenes and Azomethine Imines.

A versatile asymmetric synthesis of bicyclic pyrazolidinones through alkaloid-catalyzed formal [3+2]- and [3+2+2]-cycloadditions of ketenes with azomethine imines is described. The methodology was found to be tolerant of ketene and a variety of monosubstituted ketenes (R=alkyl, OAc). The products were formed in good to excellent yields (71-99 % for 24 examples, 39 examples in all), with good to excellent diastereoselectivity in many cases (dr 3 : 1 to 27 : 1 for 22 examples), and with excellent enantioselectivity for most examples (≥93 % ee for 34 products). In the case of most disubstituted ketenes, the reaction proceeded through a [3+2+2]-cycloaddition to form structurally interesting bicyclic pyrazolo-oxadiazepinediones with moderate diastereoselectivity (dr up to 3.7 : 1) and as racemic mixtures (3 examples). The method represents the first unambiguous example of an enantioselective reaction between ketenes and a 1,3-dipole.

Asymmetric synthesis of cyclopentanones through dual Lewis acid-catalysed [3+2]-cycloaddition of donor-acceptor cyclopropanes with ketenes.

When InBr3-EtAlCl2 (15-30 mol%) was used as a dual Lewis acid system to promote the formal [3+2]-cycloaddition of enantioenriched donor-acceptor cyclopropanes with ketenes, cyclopentanones were formed in good to excellent yields (84-99%, 18 examples), and with excellent transfer of chirality (15 examples, 90% ee to >99% ee).

Asymmetric Synthesis of Tetrahydrofurans through Palladium(0)-Catalyzed [3 + 2]-Cycloaddition of Vinylcyclopropanes with Ketenes.

In this article we describe a new asymmetric synthesis of highly substituted tetrahydrofurans through a Pd(PPh3)4-catalyzed formal [3 + 2]-cycloaddition of donor-acceptor cyclopropanes and ketenes. The desired structural motif was formed in moderate to excellent yields (42-84% for 16 examples), with excellent Z:E isomer diastereoselectivity (≥19:1 for 16 examples), and with good to excellent enantioselectivity in all cases examined (83-97% ee for 6 examples). The synthetic utility of the products was illustrated by a number of diastereoselective transformations into reduced tetrahydrofurans and spirocyclic tetrahydrofuran-barbiturate derivatives.

New binuclear Mn(II) and Fe(II) complexes supported by 1,4,8-triazacycloundecane.

Two new binuclear metal complexes supported by 1,4,8-triazacycloundecane (tacud) are reported. [Fe(2)(tacud)(2)(µ-Cl)(2)Cl(2)] (1) and [Mn(2)(tacud)(2)(µ-Cl)(2)Cl(2)] (2) are isomorphs consisting of bis(µ-chloro) bridged metal centers along with terminal chloro groups and tacud ligands. Both compounds 1 and 2 crystallize in the P1 space group. For 1, a = 7.7321(12) Å, b = 7.8896(12) Å, c = 11.4945(17) Å, α = 107.832(2)°, ß = 107.827(2)°, γ = 92.642(2)°, V = 627.85(17) Å(3) and Z = 1. For 2, a = 7.7607(12) Å, b = 7.9068(12) Å, c = 11.6111(18) Å, α = 108.201(2)°, ß = 108.041(2)°, γ = 92.118(3)°, V = 636.47(17) Å(3) and Z = 1. Variable-temperature and variable-field magnetic susceptibility studies on 1 indicate the presence of weak ferromagnetic interactions between the high-spin iron(ii) centers in the dimer (J = + 1.6 cm(-1)) and the crystalline field anisotropy of the ferrous ion (D = - 2.8, E = - 0.1 cm(-1)). Variable temperature magnetic susceptometry studies on 2 indicate that weak antiferromagnetic coupling exists between the manganese(ii) centers (J = - 1.8 cm(-1)). Compounds 1 and 2 retain their dinuclearity in weakly coordinating or low polarity solvents, while both become mononuclear in solvents such as methanol.

Synthesis of azoaromatic dyes via redox driven C-N bond fusion.

Two novel organic azo-dyes (2(+)) that feature an intense intramolecular charge transfer transition with end absorption reaching into the NIR region are introduced. Syntheses of these compounds were achieved by an unusual redox-driven C-N bond fusion of the tricyclo azo-aromatic compounds (1(+)). The compounds show reversible electro- as well as proton chromism. The results have generated further scope of research in the area of designed syntheses of functional azoaromatics.

Platinum complexes of diazo ligands. Studies of regioselective aromatic ring amination, oxidative halogen addition and reductive halogen elimination reactions.

2-(Arylazo)pyridine ligands, L1a-1c react with the salt K2[PtCl4] to give the mononuclear complexes [PtCl2(L1)](1), which readily react with ArNH2 to yield the monochloro complexes of type [PtCl(L2)](HL2= 2-[(2-(arylamino)phenyl)azo]pyridine)(2) via regioselective ortho-amine fusion at the pendent aryl ring of coordinated L1. Oxidative addition of the electrophiles Y2(Y = Cl, Br, I) to the square-planar platinum(II) complex, has led to syntheses of the corresponding octahedral platinum(IV) complexes, [PtY3(L2)](3) in high yields. Ascorbate ion reductions of the platinum(IV) complexes, , resulted in reductive halogen elimination to revert to the platinum(II) complexes almost quantitatively. Isolation of products and X-ray structure determination of the representative complexes followed all these chemical reactions. In crystal packing, the compound [PtCl2(L1c)](1c) forms dimeric units with a Pt...Pt distance of 3.699(1) A. In contrast, the crystal packing of 2b revealed that the molecules are arranged in an antiparallel fashion to form a noncovalent 1D chain to accommodate pi(aryl)-pi(pyridyl) and Pt-pi(aryl) interactions. Notably, the oxidation of [Pt(II)Cl(L2a)](2a) by I2 produced a mixed halide complex [Pt(IV)ClI2(L2a)](5), which, in turn, is reduced by ascorbate ion to produce [Pt(II)I(L2a)] with the elimination of ClI. All the platinum(II) complexes are brown, the platinum(IV) complexes, on the other hand, are green. Low-energy visible range transitions in the complexes of the extended ligand [L2]- are ascribed to ligand basedpi-pi* transitions. Cyclic voltammetric behaviour of the complexes is reported.

Isolation and characterization of iridium(III) and iridium(V) complexes of 2-(arylazo)pyridine and studies of amine fusion reactions at the coordinated diazo-ligand.

The reaction of IrCl3.3H2O with 2-(arylazo)pyridine (HL1) in boiling methanol has afforded [Ir(III)Cl2(L1)(HL1)](1) and [Ir(V)Cl4(HL1)]Cl (2). In complex , one of the two ligands [L1]- is orthometallated via coordination of an ortho-carbon of the aryl ring of [L1]- and one of the two azo nitrogens to form a five-membered chelate. X-Ray crystal structures of the two representative complexes, viz. 1a and 2a, have been solved. Notably, the Ir-N length (2.140(3) A)trans to the Ir-C bond in 1a is appreciably longer than the other three Ir-N lengths present in the same molecule. The N-N lengths in these two compounds lie close to that observed in the uncoordinated ligand. Thorough NMR studies were made to authenticate the carbon-bonded structure of compound 1a. In its 13C NMR spectrum, the resonance near delta 148 is assigned to the carbon bonded to the iridium metal center. UV-visible spectra along with the redox properties of these complexes are reported. The iridium(V) complex, 2 showed a reversible response near 1.40 V, presumably due to the iridium(V)-iridium(VI) couple. Several reductive responses at cathodic potentials, due to ligand reductions, were also observed. Metal promoted aromatic ring amination reactions at the coordinated HL1 ligand in complexes 1 and 2 were investigated. The products were characterized using X-ray diffraction.