Conformational Control of [2]Rotaxane by Hydrogen Bond.

A series of [2]rotaxanes with various functional groups in the axle component was synthesized by the oxidative dimerization of alkynes, which is mediated by a macrocyclic phenanthroline-Cu complex. The rotaxanes were fully characterized by spectroscopic methods, and the structure of a rotaxane was determined by X-ray crystallographic analysis. The interaction between the ring component and the axle component was studied in detail to understand the conformation of the rotaxanes. The presence of the hydrogen bond between the phenanthroline moiety in the macrocyclic component and the acidic proton in the axle component influenced the conformation of rotaxane.

(Z)-Selective Hydrosilylation and Hydroboration of Terminal Alkynes Enabled by Ruthenium Complexes with an N-Heterocyclic Carbene Ligand.

Metal-catalyzed trans-1,2-hydrosilylations and hydroborations of terminal alkynes that generate synthetically valuable (Z)-alkenylsilanes and (Z)-alkenylboranes remain challenging due to the (E)-selective nature of the reactions and the formation of the thermodynamically unfavorable (Z)-isomer. The development of new, efficient catalytic systems for the (Z)-selective hydrosilylation and hydroboration of terminal alkynes is thus highly desirable from a fundamental perspective as it would deepen our understanding of the metal-catalyzed (Z)-selective hydrosilylation and hydroboration of terminal alkynes. This personal account describes our research for developing a ruthenium complex that can efficiently catalyze the hydrosilylation and hydroboration of terminal alkynes, and for exploring the factors controlling (Z)-selectivity of the reactions. Our effort into the activation of B-protected boronic acids, R-B(dan) (dan=naphthalene-1,8-diaminato), that was believed not to participate in Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling, is also discussed.

The Aza-Prins Reaction of 1,2-Dicarbonyl Compounds with 3-Vinyltetrahydroquinolines: Application to the Synthesis of Polycyclic Spirooxindole Derivatives.

The aza-Prins reaction of 6,7-dimethoxy-3-vinyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline (1) with 1,2-dicarbonyl compounds proceeded smoothly in the presence of HCl, and the corresponding tricyclic benzazocines were isolated in yields of 20-86%. The reaction proceeded in a stereoselective manner, and the formation of the 2,4-trans isomer was observed. The reaction of 1 with an enantiopure ketoester gave the corresponding tricyclic benzazocine as a mixture of diastereomers. The diastereomers were easily separated and converted to enantiopure tricyclic benzazocines. The synthesis of spirooxindole derivatives was achieved by the reaction of 1 with isatin derivatives.

Synthesis and Systematic Structural Analysis of Cationic Half-Sandwich Ruthenium Chalcogenocarbonyl Complexes.

Although the chemistry of transition-metal complexes with carbonyl (CO) and thiocarbonyl (CS) ligands has been well developed, their heavier analogues, namely selenocarbonyl (CSe) and tellurocarbonyl (CTe) complexes remain scarce. The limited availability of such CSe and CTe complexes has so far hampered our understanding of the differences between such chalcogenocarbonyl (CE: E=O, S, Se, Te) ligands. Herein, we report the synthesis and properties of a series of cationic half-sandwich ruthenium CE complexes of the type [CpRu(CE)(H2 IMes)(CNCH2 Ts)][BArF 4 ] (Cp=η5 -C5 H5 - ; H2 IMes=1,3-dimesitylimidazolin-2-ylidene; ArF =3,5-(CF3 )2 C6 H3 ). A combination of X-ray diffraction analyses, NMR spectroscopic analyses, and DFT calculations revealed an increasing π-accepting ability of the CE ligands in the order O

Ruthenium-Catalyzed (Z)-Selective Hydroboration of Terminal Alkynes with Naphthalene-1,8-diaminatoborane.

The metal-catalyzed (Z)-selective hydroboration of terminal alkynes is synthetically challenging due to the usually (E)-selective nature of the hydroboration and the formation of the thermodynamically unstable (Z)-isomer. Herein, we report that N-heterocyclic-carbene-ligated ruthenium complexes catalyze the (Z)-selective hydroboration of terminal alkynes with H-B(dan) (dan = naphthalene-1,8-diaminato), which generates a diverse range of synthetically valuable (Z)-alkenylboranes. Mechanistic studies, particularly the isolation of a catalytically relevant borylruthenium complex, revealed a mechanism that involves the insertion of the alkyne into a Ru-B bond, which provides a catalytic cycle that is distinctly different from that of previously reported (Z)-selective hydroborations. The direct cross-coupling of the obtained (Z)-alkenyl-B(dan) enables the rapid synthesis of biologically active Combretastatin A-4 analogues.

Synthesis of lactone-fused pyrroles by ruthenium-catalyzed 1,2-carbon migration-cycloisomerization.

A ruthenium-catalyzed cycloisomerization of 3-amino-4-alkynyl-2H-chromen-2-ones via 1,2-carbon migration was developed. Various 1-arylchromeno[3,4-b]pyrrol-4(3H)-ones were synthesized in good to excellent yields. The reaction was applied to the formal total synthesis of marine natural products Ningalin B and Lamellarin H. The efficient synthesis of γ-butyrolactone-fused pyrrole derivatives was also achieved.

Ruthenium-Catalyzed Cycloisomerization of 2-Alkynylstyrenes via 1,2-Carbon Migration That Leads to Substituted Naphthalenes.

A ruthenium-catalyzed carbocyclization of 2-alkynylstyrenes that involves a very rare 1,2-carbon migration of internal alkynes is reported. Various 1,2-di -and 1,4,7-trisubstituted naphthalenes are synthesized. Mechanistic studies revealed that this reaction proceeds via a disubstituted vinylidene complex as the key intermediate by 1,2-carbon migration of the 2-alkynylstyrenes.

Ruthenium-Catalyzed Cycloisomerization of 2-Alkynylanilides: Synthesis of 3-Substituted Indoles by 1,2-Carbon Migration.

We developed ruthenium-catalyzed cycloisomerization of alkynylanilides that gave 3-substituted indoles in high yields. The reaction proceeded via the disubstituted vinylidene ruthenium complex that was formed by the 1,2-carbon migration.

Synthesis of [2]Catenanes by Intramolecular Sonogashira-Type Reaction.

The catalytic activity of macrocyclic phenanthroline-CuI complexes was utilized to synthesize [2]catenanes by intramolecular Sonogashira-type reaction. The high reactivity of the acyclic starting material was critical to synthesize the [2]catenane in acceptable yields. The relationship between the yield of the [2]catenane and the structure of the starting materials was disclosed.

Sequence-Selective Synthesis of Rotacatenane Isomers.

Rotacatenane is an interlocked compound composed of two mechanically interlocked macrocyclic components, i.e., a [2]catenane, and one axle component. In this paper we describe the selective synthesis of isomeric rotacatenanes. Two [2]rotaxanes with different phenanthroline moieties were synthesized by the oxidative coupling of an alkyne with a bulky blocking group, which proceeded in the cavity of the macrocyclic phenanthroline-Cu complex. The metal template method was used to install another cyclic component: the tetrahedral Cu(I) complex, which was composed of a [2]rotaxane and an acyclic phenanthroline derivative, was synthesized, and the cyclization of the phenanthroline derivative gave the rotacatenane. The sequential isomers of rotacatenanes were distinguished by (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy.

Synthesis and Shuttling Behavior of [2]Rotaxanes with a Pyrrole Moiety.

We synthesized [2]rotaxanes with a pyrrole moiety from a [2]rotaxane with a 1,3-diynyl moiety. The conversion of the 1,3-diynyl moiety of the axle component to the pyrrole moiety was accomplished by a Cu-mediated cycloaddition of anilines. The cycloaddition reaction was accelerated when the [2]rotaxane was used as the substrate. The effect of the structure of the pyrrole moiety on the rate of the shuttling was studied.

Synthesis of [3]rotaxanes that utilize the catalytic activity of a macrocyclic phenanthroline-Cu Complex: remarkable effect of the length of the axle precursor.

[3]Rotaxanes, which consist of one macrocyclic phenanthroline compound and two axle components, were prepared by the oxidative dimerization of an alkyne compound with bulky tris[4'-cyclohexyl-(1,1'-biphenyl)-4-yl]methyl blocking group. The catalytic activity of a macrocyclic phenanthroline-Cu complex was utilized to thread the two axle components inside the ring. The alkyne compound with chain of 15 or 20 methylene groups gave [3]rotaxanes in high yields, whereas the axle with a chain of six methylene groups afforded a [3]rotaxane in very poor yield. We also examined the effect of the ring size on the synthesis of [3]rotaxanes. [3]Rotaxanes were not isolated when a macrocyclic phenanthroline compound with a smaller ring size was used.

Synthesis of [3]Rotaxanes by the Combination of Copper-Mediated Coupling Reaction and Metal-Template Approach.

[3]Rotaxanes with two axle components and one ring component were synthesized by the combination of a coupling reaction using a transition-metal catalyst and a metal-template approach. Thus, [2]rotaxanes were prepared by the oxidative dimerization of alkyne promoted by macrocyclic phenanthroline-CuI complexes. The [2]rotaxane was reacted with a Cu(I) salt and an acyclic ligand to generate a tetrahedral Cu(I) complex. Metal-free [3]rotaxane was isolated by the end-capping reaction of the acyclic ligand, followed by the removal of Cu(I) ion. The stability of the tetrahedral Cu(I) complexes depended on the size of both the ring component and the acyclic ligand, which was correlated with the yield of the corresponding [3]rotaxane.

Acid-mediated ring-expansion reaction of N-aryl-2-vinylazetidines: synthesis and unanticipated reactivity of tetrahydrobenzazocines.

The aza-Clasen rearrangement of N-aryl-2-vinylazetidines has been explored. N-Aryl-2-vinylazetidines were transformed to corresponding tetrahydrobenzazocines in good yields. Unexpectedly, the tetrahydrobenzazocine was unstable and readily isomerized to vinyltetrahydroquinoline in the presence of acid. The mechanism of this ring contraction was studied in detail.

Synthesis of large [2]rotaxanes. The relationship between the size of the blocking group and the stability of the rotaxane.

[2]Rotaxanes with large macrocyclic phenanthrolines were prepared by the template method, and the stability of the rotaxanes was examined. Compared to the tris(biphenyl)methyl group, the tris(4-cyclohexylbiphenyl)methyl group was a larger blocking group, and the rate of the dissociation of the components decreased significantly when the thermal stability of a rotaxane with a 41-memebered ring was examined. We also succeeded in the synthesis of larger rotaxanes by the oxidative dimerization of alkynes with these bulky blocking groups, utilizing the catalytic activity of the macrocyclic phenanthroline-Cu complex.

DFT study of internal alkyne-to-disubstituted vinylidene isomerization in [CpRu(PhC≡CAr)(dppe)]+.

Internal alkyne-to-vinylidene isomerization in the Ru complexes ([CpRu(η(2)-PhC≡CC(6)H(4)R-p)(dppe)](+) (Cp = η(5)-C(5)H(5); dppe = Ph(2)PCH(2)CH(2)PPh(2); R = OMe, Cl, CO(2)Et)) has been investigated using a combination of quantum mechanics and molecular mechanics methods (QM/MM), such as ONIOM(B3PW91:UFF), and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Three kinds of model systems (I-III), each having a different QM region for the ONIOM method, revealed that considering both the quantum effect of the substituent of the aryl group in the η(2)-alkyne ligand and that of the phenyl groups in the dppe ligand is essential for a correct understanding of this reaction. Several plausible mechanisms have been analyzed by using DFT calculations with the B3PW91 functional. It was found that the isomerization of three complexes (R = OMe, CO(2)Et, and Cl) proceeds via a direct 1,2-shift in all cases. The most favorable process in energy was path 3, which involves the orientation change of the alkyne ligand in the transition state. The activation energies were calculated to be 13.7, 15.0, and 16.4 kcal/mol, respectively, for the three complexes. Donor-acceptor analysis demonstrated that the aryl 1,2-shift is a nucleophilic reaction. Furthermore, our calculation results indicated that an electron-donating substituent on the aryl group stabilizes the positive charge on the accepting carbon rather than that on the migrating aryl group itself at the transition state. Therefore, unlike the general nucleophilic reaction, the less-electron-donating aryl group has an advantage in the migration.

Stimulus-Responsive Supercooled π-Conjugated Liquid and Its Application in Rewritable Media.

Herein, we report a stimulus-responsive supercooled π-conjugated liquid and the possibility of its application in rewritable media. Supercooled liquid 1 showed a dramatic change in its photoluminescent color upon the transformation from liquid 1l (yellow emission) to solid 1s (green emission). These phenomena were revealed by fluorescence spectra as well as lifetime decay profiles.

Synthesis and properties of anionic ruthenium thionitrosyl and selenonitrosyl complexes that contain tetraanionic 2-hydroxybenzamidobenzene ligands.

Although transition-metal complexes that contain thiocarbonyl (CS) and selenocarbonyl (CSe) ligands have been well studied, only three neutral or cationic selenonitrosyl (NSe) complexes have been reported, while anionic NSe complexes remain elusive. Herein, we report the first examples of anionic NSe-ligated ruthenium complexes, which were obtained from the reaction of anionic ruthenium nitrido complexes, elemental selenium, and 4-(N,N-dimethylamino)pyridine (DMAP). The structures of one of these ruthenium NSe complexes, as well as of the corresponding thionitrosyl (NS) and nitrosyl (NO) complexes, were systematically examined by X-ray diffraction analyses and theoretical calculations. In contrast to previous reportes, the NSe ligand in these complexes is a better π-acceptor than the NO and NS ligands and exhibits a stronger trans influence.

Core expansion reactions of cyanamido/carbodiimido-bridged polynuclear iridium complexes.

Core expansion reactions of di- and tetrairidium complexes [Cp*Ir(mu(2)-NCN-N,N)](2) (1; Cp* = eta(5)-C(5)Me(5)), [Cp*Ir(mu(3)-NCN-N,N,N)](4) (2), and phosphine derivatives of 1 have been investigated, and it has been revealed that cyanamido ligands in these complexes can change their coordination modes flexibly on reactions with a second transition metal complex. Treatment of diiridium complex 1 with [Cp*IrCl(2)](2) gives the tetrairidium complex [(Cp*Ir)(2)(mu(3)-NCN-N,N,N')(2)(IrCp*Cl(2))(2)] (6) with mu(3)-kappaN,kappaN,kappaN' cyanoimido(2-) ligands. On the other hand, the reaction of 1 with [PdCl(eta(3)-C(3)H(5))](2) affords the NCN-bridged Ir(2)Pd(4) hexanuclear complex [(Cp*IrCl)(2)(mu(4)-NCN-N,N,N',N')(2){Pd(2)(mu-Cl)(eta(3)-C(3)H(5))(2)}(2)] (7) and Ir(4)Pd(4) octanuclear complex [(Cp*Ir)(4)(mu(4)-NCN-N,N,N,N')(4){PdCl(eta(3)-C(3)H(5))}(4)] (8). The NCN-bridges in 7 provide the first example of the crystallographically determined mu(4)-kappaN,kappaN,kappaN',kappaN' carbodiimido(2-) ligand. Complex 8 with mu(4)-kappaN,kappaN,kappaN,kappaN' cyanoimido(2-) ligands can also be synthesized selectively by the reaction of the parent cubane complex 2 with [PdCl(eta(3)-C(3)H(5))](2). Diphosphine derivative of 1, [{Cp*Ir(mu(2)-NCN)}(2)(mu-dppm)] (4; dppm = Ph(2)PCH(2)PPh(2)), behaves differently on reactions with [PdCl(eta(3)-C(3)H(5))](2) and [MCl(cod)](2) (cod = cycloocta-1,5-diene) to form the NCN-bridged Ir(2)M(2) (M = Pd, Rh, Ir) tetranuclear complexes [(Cp*Ir)(2)(mu(3)-NCN-N,N,N')(2){PdCl(eta(3)-C(3)H(5))}(2)(mu-dppm)] (9) and [(Cp*Ir)(2)(mu(3)-NCN-N,N,N')(2){MCl(cod)}(2)(mu-dppm)] (11a, M = Rh; 11b, M = Ir), respectively. The molecular structures for 6, 7, 8, 11a, and 11b have been determined by single-crystal X-ray analyses.

Stimuli-Responsive Room-Temperature N-Heteroacene Liquid: In Situ Observation of the Self-Assembling Process and Its Multiple Properties.

A novel stimuli-responsive room-temperature photoluminescent liquid 1 based on the N-heteroacene framework is developed and analyzed by several experiments such as differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, dynamic viscoelasticity measurement, in situ observation by optical and polarized optical microscopes, UV-vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy, and by theoretical methods such as ab initio calculation and molecular dynamics (MD) computer simulation techniques. In contrast to stimuli-responsive solid materials reported previously, liquid 1 in response to HCl vapor as a single stimulus can involve dramatically multiple changes in physical properties such as rheological behavior, morphology, as well as photoluminescence. The present ab initio calculation and microsecond-timescale MD simulations reveal that the complexation of 1 and HCl molecules induces a large dipole moment, leading to the formation of stacking structures because of their dipole-dipole interaction. Upon exposure to HCl vapor, in situ microscopic observation of the stimuli-responsive liquid elucidates a self-assembling process involving the formation of the wrinkle structure in a micrometer scale, indicating disorder-order phase transition. Further exposure of 1 to HCl vapor from seconds to hours has an influence on the macroscopic physical properties such as viscosity, viscoelasticity, and photoluminescent colors. The synergy between the experimental and theoretical investigations opens a new strategy to develop a novel class of stimuli-responsive materials showing multiple changes in physical properties.