Photoisomerization of "Partially Embedded Dihydropyridazine" with a Helical Structure.

Herein, we report the synthesis of two "partially embedded fused-dihydropyridazine N-aryl aza[5]helicene derivatives" (PDHs) and the demonstration of their intrinsic photo-triggered multi-functional properties based on a Kekulé biradical structure. Introducing bulky electron-withdrawing trifluoromethyl or pentafluoroethyl groups into the aza[5]helicene framework (PDH-CF3 and -C2 F5 ) gives PDH axial chirality based on the helicity of the P and M forms, even at room temperature. Upon photo-irradiation of PDH-CF3 in a frozen solution, an ESR signal from the triplet biradical with zero-field splitting values, generated by N-N bond dissociation, was observed. However, when the irradiation was turned off, the ESR signal became silent, thus indicating the existence of two equilibria: between the biradical and quinoidal forms based on the Kekulé structure, and between N-N bond cleavage and recombination. The observed photo- and thermally induced behaviors indicate that T-type photochromic molecules are involved in the photoisomerization mechanism involving the two equilibria. Inspired by the photoisomerization, chirality control of PDH by photoracemization was achieved. Multiple functionalities, such as T-type photochromism, photo-excitation-mediated triplet biradical formation, and photoracemization, which are attributed to the "partially embedded dihydropyridazine" structure, are demonstrated.

Photoisomerization of "Partially Embedded Dihydropyridazine" with a Helical Structure.

Invited for the cover of this issue are the groups of Kazuteru Usui and Satoru Karasawa at Showa Pharmaceutical University and Yasuhiro Kobori of Kobe University. The image depicts chirality control of helical compounds through cycles of photocleavage and recombination under sunlight with a "Jack and the Beanstalk" motif. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/chem.202302413.

Solvent-Dependent Conformational Switching of N-Methyl-N,N'-diarylsquaramide.

N,N'-Diarylsquaramide and N,N'-dialkylsquaramide are conformationally stable linkers with extended (trans, trans) and folded (cis, cis) structures, respectively, independently of external conditions. Here, we show that N-monomethylated N,N'-diarylsquaramides generally take a (trans, cis) structure in the crystal but show a solvent-dependent conformational equilibrium in solution. In particular, the stable conformer of N-methyl-N,N'-bis(1-naphthyl)squaramide (1f) changes depending upon the solvent. Thus, aromatic N-monomethylated squaramides could find application as components of environment-responsive molecular switches.

Conformational Properties of Aromatic Amides Bearing Imidazole Ring and Acid-Induced Trans-Cis Amide Switching.

Aromatic amides bearing secondary amide bond exist in trans conformation both in the crystal and in solution, whereas the conformation of the N-methylated derivatives is cis in the crystal and predominantly cis in various solvents. The cis conformational preference of N-alkylated benzanilide provides access to aromatic foldamers such as oligo(N-alkyl-p-benzamide)s, which adopt dynamic helical structures. Here, the conformational properties of imidazole-substituted amide in the crystal and in solution were examined. Imidazole-substituted amides 2a and 4a existed mainly in the cis conformation in solution. The ratio of the cis conformer of N-methyl-N-(1-methyl-1H-imidazol-4-yl)benzamide (4a) was smaller than that of N,1-dimethyl-N-phenyl-1H-imidazole-2-carboxamide (2a) or N-methylbenzanilide, but the introduction of a substituent strongly affected the conformer ratio. Compounds 6a and 7a bearing an electron-withdrawing group on the imidazole ring existed predominantly in trans form. On the other hand, the introduction of an electron-withdrawing group on the phenyl ring or a bulky substituent on the amide nitrogen of 4a increased the ratio of cis conformer. Further, the major conformer of N-alkylated N-imidazolylamides was switched from cis to trans by the addition of acid. These results suggest that imidazole-substituted amides might be applicable as conformational switches in aromatic foldamers to enable environment-dependent structural change.

Accessing Improbable Foldamer Shapes with Strained Macrocycles.

The alkylation of some secondary amide functions with a dimethoxybenzyl (DMB) group in oligomers of 8-amino-2-quinolinecarboxylic acid destabilizes the otherwise favored helical conformations, and allows for cyclization to take place. A cyclic hexamer and a cyclic heptamer were produced in this manner. After DMB removal, X-ray crystallography and NMR show that the macrocycles adopt strained conformations that would be improbable in noncyclic species. The high helix folding propensity of the main chain is partly expressed in these conformations, but it remains frustrated by macrocyclization. Despite being homomeric, the macrocycles possess inequivalent monomer units. Experimental and computational studies highlight specific fluxional pathways within these structures. Extensive simulated annealing molecular dynamics allow for the prediction of the conformations for larger macrocycles with up to sixteen monomers.

Synthesis, Structural Characterization, and Optical Properties of Benzene-Fused Tetracyclic and Pentacyclic Stiboles.

The expectation that antimony (Sb) compounds should display phosphorescence emissions based on the "heavy element effect" prompted our interest in the introduction of antimony to a biaryl as the bridging atom in a fused heterole system. Herein, the synthesis, molecular structures, and optical properties of novel benzene-fused heteroacenes containing antimony or arsenic atoms are described. The stiboles and arsole were prepared by the condensation of dibromo(phenyl)stibane or dichloro(phenyl)arsine with dilithium intermediates derived from the corresponding dibromo compounds. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and X-ray crystal analysis revealed that the linear pentacyclic stibole was highly symmetric in both the solution and crystal states. In contrast, the curved pentacyclic stibole adopted a helical structure in solution, and surprisingly, only M helical molecules were crystallized from the racemate. All synthesized compounds produced very weak or no emissions at room temperature or in the solid state. In contrast, the linear penta- and tetracyclic stiboles exhibited clear phosphorescence emissions in the CHCl3 frozen matrix at 77 K under aerobic conditions.

Synthesis, structural characterization, and optical properties of benzo[f]naphtho[2,3-b]phosphoindoles.

Phosphole-fused π-conjugated acenes have been attracting interest because of the attractive features of the phosphole moiety, such as fluorescence and chemically modifiable properties. Herein, 6-phenyl-6H-benzo[f]naphtho[2,3-b]phosphoindole was prepared by reacting dichlorophenylphosphine with a dilithium intermediate derived from 3,3'-dibromo-2,2'-binaphthyl. Various derivatives, such as a phospholium salt and a borane-phosphole complex with functional groups on the phosphorus atom were synthesized using the obtained phosphole as a common starting material. Single-crystal X-ray analysis of the parent benzo[f]naphtho[2,3-b]phosphoindole revealed that the pentacyclic ring is almost planar. Fluorescence spectroscopy data showed that the phosphole derivatives, such as phosphine oxide and the phospholium salt and borane complex exhibited photoluminescence in chloroform.

One-Step Synthesis of Cyclophanes as Crystalline Sponge and Their [2]Catenanes through SN Ar Reactions.

This work reports that cyclophanes and their [2]catenanes were synthesized by the SN Ar reactions of disubstituted adamantanes bearing halophenol units and 3,6-dichlorotetrazine in moderate yields. In the crystalline state, the cyclophanes had hexagonal structures with a cavity. The [2]catenanes were composed of two macrocycles that were singly interlocked and orthogonally arranged, indicating the construction from eight component molecules through eight C-O bonds in a one-step reaction in up to 33 % yield. The cyclophanes were assembled to afford a supramolecular organic framework in the solid state, which exhibited permanent intrinsic porosity and adsorption of leaf alcohol or aldehyde in a single-crystal to single-crystal fashion. The molecular structures of the liquid guests were determined by single-crystal X-ray analysis. The formation of catenanes and the use of cyclophane-based porous crystals in the crystalline sponge method may be largely ascribed to the solvophobic effects and the van der Waals interactions that originate in the aliphatic and bulky nature of the adamantane units.

Preparation of cage-shaped hexakis(spiroborate)s.

In previous research studies, various types of prismatic cage-shaped molecular containers have been prepared and evaluated in terms of their guest inclusion properties. Basically, most of these molecular cages have a cationic or electron-deficient nature, and exhibit strong affinity mainly toward electron-rich aromatic guests. On the other hand, there is no report concerning anionic prismatic cages that are expected to recognize cationic polyaromatic guests with various structures and functions. In this manuscript, we present the preparation of hexakis(spiroborate)-type molecular cages, which was achieved by the reaction of phenylene- or biphenylenebis(dihydroxynaphthalene), hexahydroxytriphenylene, and boric acid in N,N-dimethylformamide. Their triangular prismatic hollow structures were confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis, and it was found that both phenylene- and biphenylene-bridged spiroborate cages have internal cavities of the corresponding size. It was also revealed that tetra(n-butylammonium) cations located inside the cavity and between the two adjacent spiroborate cages resulted in the formation of a one-dimensional columnar array. The molecular recognition behavior of the spiroborate cages was evaluated using tris(pyridinium)triazines as tricationic aromatic guests. 1H NMR measurement implied that a discrete 1 : 1 host-guest complex was formed when 1 equiv. of guest was added to the cage, whereas infinite one-dimensional aromatic stacks were constructed by the addition of 2 equiv. of guest.

Hollow and Solid Spheres Assembled from Functionalized Macrocycles Containing Adamantane.

An adamantane-based macrocycle possessing eight hydroxyl groups (1) was synthesized, in which the macrocyclic framework comprises two disubstituted adamantane molecules bearing phenyl derivatives connected to two biphenylene spacers by oxygen atoms. Furthermore, functionalized macrocycles containing methyl (2) and methoxycarbonylmethyl (3) groups were prepared. From the X-ray crystallographic analysis, the backbone of the macrocycles in all crystals had a nearly hexagonal shape with a cavity and these macrocycles could be arranged into different tubular structures dependent on the substituents. In acetone, macrocycle (1) formed stable hollow spherical aggregates with multilayer membranes. In contrast, macrocycle (3) exhibited no production of self-assembled materials in chloroform. The addition of hexane into the solution caused the generation of solid spheres and their fused network aggregates, which were finally transformed into crystals owing to the solvent effects.

Comparison of the relative stability of pharmaceutical cocrystals consisting of paracetamol and dicarboxylic acids.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the relative stability of pharmaceutical cocrystals consisting of paracetamol (APAP) and oxalic acid (OXA) or maleic acid (MLA). SIGNIFICANCE: These observations of cocrystal stability under various conditions are useful coformer criteria when cocrystals are selected as the active pharmaceutical ingredient in drug development. METHOD: The relative stability was determined from the preferentially formed cocrystals under various conditions. RESULT: Cocrystal of APAP-OXA was more stable than that of APAP-MLA in a ternary cogrinding system and possessed thermodynamical stability. On the other hand, when grinding with moisture or maintaining at high temperatures and relative humidity conditions, APAP-MLA was more stable, and OXA converted to OXA dihydrate. In the slurry method, APAP-OXA was more stable in aprotic solvents because the APAP-OXA with low-solubility product precipitated. CONCLUSIONS: The relative stability order was affected by preparing conditions of presence of moisture. This order might attribute to the small difference of crystal structure in the extension of the hydrogen bond network.

Revisiting secondary interactions in neighboring group participation, exemplified by reactivity changes of iminylium intermediates.

Neighboring group participation is defined as the action of a substituent to stabilize a transition state or an intermediate by forming a bond or a partial bond with the reaction center. In addition to the primary interaction with the nearest neighboring group, secondary interactions involving another neighboring group(s) could also occur in principle. Here, we revisit this issue by examining the influence of secondary interactions on the stability and reactivity of the putative iminylium cation intermediates, formed by N-O bond cleavage of 1-tetralone oxime systems. A direct observation of a peri-bromo-iminylium intermediate in solution supported the involvement of iminylium cations and the stabilizing effect of secondary interactions arising from a distal tandem substituent. Both experimental and computational findings support the idea that secondary interactions of a tandem-neighboring group on the primary peri-heteroatom (Br, Cl, and O(Me))-iminylium bonding interaction, i.e., a weak halogen bonding interaction (ester (nitro) oxygen-halogen bonding) and an unprecedented hydrogen bonding interaction between a nitro oxygen atom and a CH3O hydrogen atom, are crucial determinants of the reaction pathway, leading to either overwhelmingly selective syn-migration of the oxime functionality or covalent bond formation under acid-catalyzed Beckmann rearrangement conditions.

Microtropins Q-W, ent-Labdane Glucosides: Microtropiosides G-I, Ursane-Type Triterpene Diglucoside and Flavonol Glycoside from the Leaves of Microtropis japonica.

Microtropins Q-W, (2S,3R)-2-ethyl-2,3-dihydroxybutyrate of various glucosides and glucose, as well as three ent-labdane diterpenoid glucosides, named microtropiosides G, H and I, an ursane-type triterpene diglucoside and a flavonoid glycoside were isolated from the MeOH extract of the leaves of Microtropis japonica. The structure of microtropioside A, also isolated from the branches of M. japonica, was elucidated spectroscopically in a previous experiment and was found to possess a rare seven-membered oxyrane ring. Its structure was confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis of its pentaacetate.

Crotofolane-Type Diterpenoids, Crotocascarins L-Q, and a Rearranged Crotofolane-Type Diterpenoid, Neocrotocascarin, from the Stems of Croton cascarilloides.

From the stems of Croton cascarilloides, further crotofolane-type diterpenoids, named crotocascarins L-Q (1-6), and a rearranged one (7), named neocrotocascarin were isolated. Their structures were elucidated from spectroscopic evidence. Also, the structures of crotocascarin O (4) and neocrotocascarin (7) were determined by X-ray crystallographic analyses. As a result, neocrotocascarin (7) was found to possess a new carbon framework. A plausible mechanism for the formation of neocrotocascarin (7) is also discussed.

Copper-catalyzed [3 + 2] cycloaddition of (phenylethynyl)di-p-tolylstibane with organic azides.

Trisubstituted 5-stibano-1H-1,2,3-triazoles were synthesized in moderate to excellent yields by the Cu-catalyzed [3 + 2] cycloaddition of a ethynylstibane with organic azides in the presence of CuBr (5 mol %) under aerobic conditions. The reaction of 5-stibanotriazole with HCl, I2, and NOBF4 afforded 1-benzyl-4-phenyltriazole, 1-benzyl-5-iodo-4-phenyltriazole, and a pentavalent organoantimony compound, respectively.

Stereochemical Course of Deprotonation-Acylation of N-Boc- and N-Carbamoyl-2-cyano-6-methylpiperidines.

The stereochemical course of electrophilic substitution of α-nitrile metallocarbanions generated by deprotonation from N-Boc- and N-carbamoyl-2-cyano-6-methylpiperidines was investigated. Deprotonation in the presence of an electrophile taking advantage of the high acidity of α-nitrile protons allowed examination of the effects of a chelating group on the nitrogen atom, a countercation, and the reactivity of an electrophile on the steric course. Analyses of reactions using aroyl chlorides and methyl iodide revealed the following: (1) the substitution reactions basically proceed with retention of configuration, (2) the extent of an inversion product increases with decreasing chelating ability of the N-substituent and with increasing leaving ability (ionic character) of a countercation (Li, Na, K) of the anionic species, and (3) the use of a more reactive electrophile results in an increase of the retention product.

A mechanistic investigation of anti-elimination in (Z)-1,2-bis(arylseleno)-1-alkenes and their sulfur analogs.

The oxidation of (Z)-1,2-bis(arylseleno)-1-alkenes is known to afford alkynyl selenoxides via a unique selenoxide anti-elimination mechanism; however, to date, there have been no mechanistic studies of this reaction. During our studies of this transformation, monoselenoxides 6 and 7 were unexpectedly isolated as stable reaction intermediates. In addition, (77)Se NMR studies of the reaction mixture revealed the presence of an intramolecular Se···O interaction and the formation of alkynyl selenoxides. Meanwhile, even at higher temperatures, the reaction of a (Z)-1,2-bis(arylsulfinyl)-1-alkene, the sulfur analog of (Z)-1,2-bis(arylseleninyl)-1-alkenes, did not proceed via sulfoxide elimination but proceeded via isomerization and disproportionation. Therefore, the intramolecular Se···O interaction can be concluded to play a pivotal role in the anti-elimination reaction.

Crotocascarins I-K: Crotofolane-Type Diterpenoids, Crotocascarin γ, Isocrotofolane Glucoside and Phenolic Glycoside from the Leaves of Croton cascarilloides.

From the 1-BuOH-soluble fraction of a methanol (MeOH) extract of the leaves of Croton cascarilloides, crotofolanes: crotocascarins I-K, nor-crotofolane: crotocascarin γ, isocrotofolane glucoside and phenolic glycoside were isolated by a combination of various separation techniques. Their structures were elucidated mainly from the NMR spectroscopic evidence. The structure of crotocascarin K was first elucidated by spectroscopic analysis and then was confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Its absolute structure was finally determined by the modified Mosher's method. Isocrotofolane glucoside was found to possess a new skeleton, however, its absolute structure remains to be determined.

Megastigmane Glucosides and Megastigmanes from the Leaves of Meliosma lepidota ssp. squamulata.

From the leaves of Meliosma lepidota ssp. squamulata, megastigmane glucosides with spiro-structures and megastigmanes were isolated. Their structures were determined by X-ray crystallographic analyses and spectroscopic investigation. The absolute structures of the megastigmanes were determined by the modified Mosher's method.

Enantioselective synthesis of α-silylamines by Meerwein-Ponndorf-Verley-type reduction of α-silylimines by a chiral lithium amide.

Meerwein-Ponndorf-Verley-type reduction of N-tosylsilylimines with chiral lithium amide 2 affords α-silylamines in high enantioselectivity. Since the enantioselectivity observed was inconsistent with our previously proposed chairlike six-membered transition structure, we performed density functional theory (DFT) calculations on transition states leading to (S)- and (R)-7a and (S)- and (R)-7e using an N-phenylsulfonyl derivatives 12 and 13 as model systems. Results of the calculations showed that the structures are considerably deformed from the chairlike form with steric repulsions between the 1'-methylene group and the imine-carbon substituents playing an important role in the control of the enantioselectivity.