Probing the Mechanism of the Asymmetric Aminolysis of meso‐Epoxides Catalyzed by a Proline‐Based N,N′‐Dioxide‐Indium Tris(triflate) Complex

An exploration of the mechanism of the aminolysis of meso‐epoxides catalyzed by the proline‐based N,N′‐dioxide‐indium tris(triflate) complex was performed using control experiments, UV‐Vis spectroscopy, ¹H NMR, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Control experiments disclosed that the ligand‐to‐indium tris(triflate) ratio, the catalyst loading, the concentration, and the presence of 4 Å MS have dramatic effects on this reaction with regard to both the yield and the enantioselectivity. Combined with control experiments, UV‐Vis spectroscopy, ¹H NMR, ESI‐MS and SEM analyses revealed that molecular sieves perform multiple functions in the catalysis. A plausible molecular sieves‐assisted reaction pathway was proposed. In this pathway, molecular sieves perform (i) as desiccant to in situ dry the reaction system, (ii) as proton transfer agent to accelerate the catalysis, and (iii) as counter ion source to preserve the electroneutrality of the transition states. Besides, the generality of the substrate scope was further explored; excellent yields (up to 99%) and enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee) were obtained.     

An Efficient and Recyclable Catalyst for N‐Alkylation of Amines and β‐Alkylation of Secondary Alcohols with Primary Alcohols: SBA‐15 Supported N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Iridium Complex

A mesoporous silica (SBA‐15)‐supported pyrimidine‐substituted N‐heterocyclic carbene iridium complex was prepared and used as a catalyst for both environmentally friendly N‐alkylation of amines and β‐alkylation of secondary alcohols with primary alcohols. The structure of the supported iridium catalyst was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR), ¹³C and ²⁹Si solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), iridium K‐edge X‐ray absorption near‐edge structure (XANES) and extended X‐ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopic analyses which demonstrated that the coordination environment of the iridium centre and the 3‐dimensional‐hexagonal pore structure of SBA‐15 were retained after the immobilization. The catalyst was found to be highly efficient for both kinds of reaction on a wide range of substrates under mild conditions. Moreover, the supported iridium catalyst was obviously superior to the unsupported one in the N‐alkylation of aniline and β‐alkylation of 1‐phenylethanol with benzyl alcohol as substrate, which indicated that not only the iridium complex moiety but also the support material contributed to the catalytic activity of the supported iridium catalyst in these reactions. The supported iridium catalyst can be easily recycled by simple washing without chemical treatment, and exhibited excellent recycling performance without notable decrease in catalytic efficiency even after twelve test cycles for N‐alkylation of aniline with benzyl alcohol, nine cycles for N‐alkylation of different amines with different alcohols, and eight cycles for β‐alkylation of 1‐phenylethanol with benzyl alcohol, respectively.     

Direct and Transfer Hydrogenation of Ketones and Imines with a Ruthenium N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Complex

The dihydride ruthenium N‐heterocyclic carbene complex Ru(IMes)(PPh₃)₂CO(H)₂ ( 1 ) (IMes=1,3‐dimesityl‐1,3‐dihydro‐2H‐imidazol‐2‐ylidene) is an efficient catalyst for both direct hydrogenation and transfer hydrogenation of ketones and imines, in the absence of base.     

An Efficient Method for the Selective Iridium‐Catalyzed Monoalkylation of (Hetero)aromatic Amines with Primary Alcohols

An efficient multi‐gram scale synthesis protocol of a variety of P,N ligands is described. The synthesis is achieved in a two‐step reaction. First, the amine is deprotonated and subsequently the chlorophosphine is added to yield the corresponding P,N ligand. Deprotonation of the amine is normally achieved with n‐BuLi at low temperature, but for the preparation of ligands with a 2,2′‐dipyridylamino backbone and phosphines with a high steric demand KH has to be employed in combination with reaction temperatures of 110 °C for the salt metathesis step. The reaction of two equivalents of a selected P,N ligand with one equivalent of the iridium complex [IrCl(cod)]₂ (cod=1,5‐cyclooctadiene) affords P,N ligand‐coordinated iridium complexes in quantitative yield. X‐Ray single crystal structure analysis of one of these complexes reveals a monomeric five‐coordinated structure in the solid state. The iridium complexes were used to form catalysts for the N‐alkylation of aromatic amines with alcohols. The catalyst system was optimized by studying 8 different P,N ligands, 9 different solvents and 14 different bases. Systematic variation of the substrate to base and the amine to alcohol ratios as well as the catalyst loading led to optimized catalytic reaction conditions. The substrate scope of the developed catalytic protocol was shown by synthesizing 20 different amines of which 12 could be obtained in isolated yields higher than 90%. A new efficient catalyst system for the selective monoalkylation of primary aromatic and heteroaromatic amines with primary aromatic, heteroaromatic as well as aliphatic alcohols has been established. The reaction proceeds with rather moderate catalyst loadings.     

A new di-μ-oxo bis[oxovanadium(V)] complex containing Schiff base ligand derived from 1,2-diaminopropane and 2′-hydroxy-4′-methoxyacetophenone: Synthesis, structure and catalytic properties

New dioxovanadium(V) complex bearing tridentate ligand of 1:1 condensation of 1,2-propylenediamine and 2′-hydroxy-4′-methoxyacetophenone has been synthesized and characterized by IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The single-crystal structure of the complex shows that each vanadium(V) ion is six-coordinate through three bonds to oxo groups and through bonds to the tridentate Schiff base ligand. The title complex is used as catalyst for the selective epoxidation of cyclooctene. The catalytic system described here is an efficient and inexpensive method for the oxidation of olefins, with the advantages of high activity, selectivity, and short reaction time.     

Vinyl polymerization of norbornene with dinuclear diimine nickel dichloride/MAO

Vinyl‐addition polymerization of norbornene was accomplished by two novel dinuclear diimine nickel dichloride complexes in combination with methylaluminoxane (MAO). The activities were moderate. The catalyst structure, Al/Ni molar ratio, solvents, and polymerization temperature all affected the catalytic activities. The obtained polynorbornenes were characterized by ¹H‐NMR, ¹³C‐NMR, FTIR, DSC, WAXD, and intrinsic viscosity measurements. The vinyl‐addition polymers were amorphous but with a short‐range order and high packing density. The polynorbornenes showed glass transition temperatures (T_g) above 240°C and decomposed above 400°C. The catalyst structure and polymerization conditions have effects on the molecular weight and the microstructure of the polymers. The nickel complex with bulkier substituents in the ligand produced polynorbornene with a higher packing density and higher regularity and, therefore, with higher T_g. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 88: 3273–3278, 2003     

New molybdenum(VI) complex with ONS-donor thiosemicarbazone ligand: Preparation,structural characterization,and catalytic applications in olefin epoxidation

New dioxomolybdenum(VI) complex was prepared by reacting 1-(2,4-dihydroxybenzylidene)-N-methyl-N-phenylthiosemicarbazone (H₂L) as ligand and [MoO₂(acac)₂] in acetonitrile solution. The doubly deprotonated ligand is coordinated to molybdenum through sulfur atom, hydrazinic nitrogen atom and phenolic oxygen atom. The resulting complex with the formula [MoO₂L(CH₃CN)] which contains an acetonitrile molecule in sixth site of coordination, was characterized by elemental analyses, ¹H NMR, IR and electronic spectroscopic studies and single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. This complex was tested as a catalyst for the homogeneous epoxidation of olefins using tert-butyl hydrogen peroxide (TBHP) as an oxidant. The catalyst shows efficient reactivity in the olefins epoxidation reactions giving high yield and selectivity under atmospheric conditions, in most cases.     

Solid state polymerization of bis(trichlorophenoxo) cobalt(ii) complex to give poly(dichlorophenylene oxide)

Synthesis of four-coordinated (tetrahedral) trichlorophenol cobalt(II) complex with neutral ligand pyridine was achieved from the aqueous solution and its characterization was performed by UV-visible, IR spectral and CHN analysis. Solid state thermal polymerization of the complex was accomplished first at constant temperature employing different time intervals and secondly at constant decomposition time. The poly(dichlorophenylene oxide)s so synthesized were characterized by IR, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectral analysis, T_g determination, as well as measurement of molecular weight by a viscometric method.     

Asymmetric 1,4‐Addition of Diethylzinc to Cyclic Enones Catalyzed by Cu(I)‐Chiral Sulfonamide‐Thiophosphoramide Ligands and Lithium Salts

The chiral sulfonamide‐thiophosphoramide ligand L1 , prepared from the reaction of (1R,2R)‐(−)‐1,2‐cyclohexanediamine with diphenylthiophosphoryl chloride and p‐toluenesulfonyl chloride, was used as a chiral ligand in Cu(MeCN)₄ClO₄‐promoted catalytic asymmetric addition of diethylzinc to cyclic enones using LiCl as an additive in which up to 90% ee can be realized under mild conditions within 0.5 h. This chiral ligand is stable and recoverable after usual work‐up and can be reused in the same catalytic asymmetric reaction. Moreover, it was found that this series of chiral ligands represents a type of S,O‐bidentate ligands on the basis of ¹H NMR, ³¹P NMR and ¹³C NMR spectroscopic investigations. The linear effect of ligand ee and product ee further revealed that the active species is a monomeric Cu(I) complex bearing a single ligand.     

Selenoglycosides as Lectin Ligands: 77Se-Edited CPMG-HSQMBC NMR Spectroscopy To Monitor Biomedically Relevant Interactions

The fundamental importance of protein–glycan recognition calls for specific and sensitive high-resolution techniques for their detailed analysis. After the introduction of ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopy to study the recognition of fluorinated glycans, a new ⁷⁷Se NMR spectroscopy method is presented for complementary studies of selenoglycans with optimised resolution and sensitivity, in which direct NMR spectroscopy detection on ⁷⁷Se is replaced by its indirect observation in a 2D ¹H,⁷⁷Se HSQMBC spectrum. In contrast to OH/F substitution, O/Se exchange allows the glycosidic bond to be targeted. As an example, selenodigalactoside recognition by three human galectins and a plant toxin is readily indicated by signal attenuation and line broadening in the 2D ¹H,⁷⁷Se HSQMBC spectrum, in which CPMG-INEPT long-range transfer ensures maximal detection sensitivity, clean signal phases, and reliable ligand ranking. By monitoring competitive displacement of a selenated spy ligand, the selective ⁷⁷Se NMR spectroscopy approach may also be used to screen non-selenated compounds. Finally, ¹H,⁷⁷Se CPMG-INEPT transfer allows further NMR sensors of molecular interaction to be combined with the specificity and resolution of ⁷⁷Se NMR spectroscopy.     

Homogeneous polymerization of ethylene using an iron‐based metal catalyst system

An iron‐based catalyst of 2,6‐bis‐[1‐(2‐methylphenylimino)ethyl]pyridine iron dichloride was prepared. The ligand was prepared using 2,6‐diacetylpyridine as the starting chemical under controlled conditions. The preparation procedure was followed using ¹³C‐NMR, ¹H‐NMR, FT‐IR, MS (mass spectroscopy), and elemental analysis methods. The homogeneous polymerization of ethylene was carried out using the prepared catalyst in toluene media. Methyl aluminoxane (MAO) was used as a cocatalyst. The effect of the [Al] : [Fe] molar ratio, polymerization temperature, and monomer pressure of 202,000 to 454,500 Pa on the polymerization behavior were studied. The highest activity of the catalyst was obtained at 30°C, the activity decreased with increasing temperature, while increasing pressure linearly increased its activity. The molecular weight distribution of the polyethylene obtained was 1.25 to 1.72. A weight average molecular weight of 7.1 × 10⁴ and 1.5 × 10³ were obtained. The crystallinity of the polymer was about 19% and its melting point was about 65°C. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 1517–1522, 2007     

CuBr2/Me6TREN-mediated living radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate at ambient temperature

A universal nitrogen based ligand, tris[2-(dimethylamino) ethyl] amine (Me₆TREN), was firstly employed as both reducing agent and ligand for atom transfer radical polymerization with activators regenerated by electron transfer (ARGET ATRP) of methyl methacrylate (MMA) in bulk and solution, using CuBr₂ as the catalyst and 2-bromoisobutyrate as the initiator. Remarkably high activity catalytic system (CuBr₂/Me₆TREN) enabled the ambient temperature polymerization and thus biradical termination reactions were low. The polymerization exhibited typical living radical polymerization features, including pseudo first-order kinetics of polymerization, linear increase in the molecular weight versus monomer conversion, and low polydispersity index values. Moreover, effects of solvent and reaction temperature on the polymerization were investigated in detail. The rate of polymerization increased with reaction temperature and the apparent activation energy of the polymerization was calculated to be 51.11 kJ/mol. Gel permeation chromatography and ¹H NMR analyses as well as chain extension experiment confirmed the living chain-end functionality.     

Blends of Poly(hydroxybutyrate) and Poly(ethylene succinate) Prepared in the Presence of Samarium

Blends of the commercial biodegradable polymer poly(hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) with the oligomeric polyester poly(ethylene succinate) (PES) were prepared by melt processing in the presence of Sm(acac)₃. The occurrence of transesterification reactions during blend processing using the samarium catalyst was investigated. ¹H NMR analyses showed no evidence of transreactions, even using high content of catalyst (4 wt%), long reaction times and high temperatures (200°C). Under the drastic reaction conditions employed, chain degradation characterized by a significant decrease in the molecular weight (MW) of PHB has taken place. PHB/PES blends form immiscible systems in which the PHB crystallizes as large spherulites, but its crystallization is significantly influenced by the presence of PES, which does not crystallize at conditions in which the poly(hydroxyalkanoate) is crystallized.     

Synthesis,characterization and catalytic study of a novel iron(III)-tridentate Schiff base complex in sulfide oxidation by UHP

An hydrazone Schiff base-iron(III) complex using salicylidene benzoyl hydrazine (L) as ligand has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR and UV–Vis spectroscopy. Oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides in one-step was conducted by this complex catalyst using urea hydrogen peroxide (UHP) in mixture of CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH (1:1) under air at room temperature. The effect of the reaction conditions on the oxidation of methylphenylsulfide was studied by varying the amount of the catalyst, reaction temperature, reaction time and the amount of UHP. The results showed that using this system in the oxidation of sulfides, sulfoxides were obtained as the main products, together with variable amounts of sulfones (?9%), depending on the nature of the substrate.     

Application of high-resolution, two-dimensional 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance techniques to the characterization of lipid oxidation products in autoxidized linoleoyl/linolenoylglycerols

Subjection of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)-rich culinary oils to standard frying episodes generates a range of lipid oxidation products (LOP), including saturated and α,β-unsaturated aldehydes which arise from the thermally induced fragmentation of conjugated hydroperoxydiene precursors. Since such LOP are damaging to human health, we have employed high-resolution, two-dimensional ¹H-¹H relayed coherence transfer, ¹H-¹H total correlation, ¹H-¹³C heteronuclear multiple quantum correlation, and ¹H-¹H J-resolved nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic techniques to further elucidate the molecular structures of these components present in (i) a model linoleoylglycerol compound (1,3-dilinolein) allowed to autoxidize at ambient temperature and (ii) PUFA-rich culinary oils subjected to repeated frying episodes. The above techniques readily facilitate the resolution of selected vinylic and aldehydic resonances of LOP which appear as complex overlapping patterns in conventional one-dimensional spectra, particularly when employed in combination with solvent-induced spectral shift modifications. Hence, much useful multi-component information regarding the identity and/or classification of glycerol-bound conjugated hydroperoxydiene and hydroxydiene adducts, and saturated and α,β-unsaturated aldehydes, present in autoxidized PUFA matrices is provided by these NMR methods. Such molecular information is of much value to researchers investigating the deleterious health effects of LOP available in the diet.     

Synthesis,spectral characterization,properties and structure of dinuclear rhenium complex containing bis[4-(2-pyridylmethyleneamino)phenyl]methane ligand

The synthesis, characterization, properties and crystal structure of {(bis[4-(2-pyridylmethyleneamino)phenyl]methane)[Re(CO)₃Br]₂} complex are reported. The ¹H NMR data for this complex shows downfield shift of the bis-diimine ligand protons upon coordination to the Re center. The molecular structure of the dinuclear rhenium(I) complex exhibits distorted octahedral geometries around the each metal center with one Br and facial arrangement of three CO and a cis-bonded diimine ligands. The bis-diimine ligand, twists via a half-turn around the metal–metal axis. Electrochemical investigation reveals two oxidation waves and two irreversible reduction waves.     

Synthesis and characterization of four-armed star mesogen-jacketed liquid crystal polymer

The synthesis of four-armed star mesogen-jacketed liquid crystal polymer was achieved by atom transfer radical polymerization in chlorobenzene solution using pentaerythritol terakis(2-bromoisobutyrate) (PT-Br) as an initiator and CuBr/sparteine complex as a catalyst. The results show that the number average molecular weigh is creased linearly vs. monomer conversion, and that the polydispersities were quite narrow (<1.19), which is the character of controlled polymerization. The structure was experimentally confirmed by ¹H NMR. The liquid-crystalline behavior of the four-armed star polymer was studied using DSC and POM. Only the polymer with a M_n,GPC beyond 3.68×10⁴ g/mol formed a liquid crystalline phase which was quite stable with a high clearing point.     

A novel functionalized P,C,P pincer ligand complex

Reaction of 3,5-di(bromomethyl)nitrobenzene with di-t-butylphosphine and subsequent treatment with sodium acetate gives the novel functionalized P,C,P pincer ligand 2. Heating an isopropanol/water solution of 2 with iridium(III)chloride results in the iridium hydrochloride complex 3. This complex was characterized by X-ray structure analysis in the solid state, NMR spectroscopy in solution, and density functional calculations in the gas phase.     

Synthesis and photocatalytic properties of iron(II)tetramethyl- tetra(1,4-dithiin)porphyrazine

The titled complex has been synthesized according to the template method from the prepared intermediate of 2,3-dicyano-5-methyl-1,4-dithiin in the presence of iron(II)sulfate heptahydrate and characterized by UV–vis, FT-IR , ¹H NMR, XPS and elemental analysis. The complex was supported on an Amberlite CG-400 resin to form a biomimetic catalyst, the ability of which for activating molecular oxygen was estimated from the degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) under visible light irradiation in an aerated suspension. About 78% of the RhB was degraded in 27 h with a rate constant of 1.84 × 10⁻¹⁰ mol L⁻¹ s⁻¹. Aggregation between the dimer and monomer for the titled complex in DMSO or in DMF solution was observed from the concentration dependence in the UV–vis spectra. The effect of the aggregation was also demonstrated by the diffuse reflectance spectral measurement for the catalyst supported on the resin in saturated and supersaturated adsorption conditions. The monomer of catalyst has a higher capability to activate molecular oxygen for the degradation of organic pollutants than that of an aggregation form.     

Discovery, structure-activity relationship studies, and crystal structure of nonpeptide inhibitors bound to the Shank3 PDZ domain

Shank is the central scaffolding protein of the postsynaptic density (PSD) protein complex found in cells of the central nervous system. Cellular studies indicate a prominent role of the protein in the organization of the PSD, in the development of neuronal morphology, in neuronal signaling, and in synaptic plasticity, thus linking Shank functions to the molecular basis of learning and memory. Mutations in the Shank gene have been found in several neuronal disorders including mental retardation, typical autism, and Asperger syndrome. Shank is linked to the PSD complex via its PDZ domain that binds to the C‐terminus of guanylate‐kinase‐associated protein (GKAP). Here, small‐molecule inhibitors of Shank3 PDZ domain are developed. A fluorescence polarization assay based on an identified high‐affinity peptide is established, and tetrahydroquinoline carboxylates are identified as inhibitors of this protein–protein interaction. Chemical synthesis via a hetero‐Diels–Alder strategy is employed for hit optimization, and structure–activity relationship studies are performed. Best hits possess K_i values in the 10 μM range, and binding to the PDZ domain is confirmed by ¹H,¹⁵N HSQC NMR experiments. One of the hits crystallizes with the Shank3 PDZ domain. The structure, analyzed at a resolution of 1.85 Å, reveals details of the binding mode. Finally, binding to PDZ domains of PSD‐95, syntrophin, and DVL3 was studied using ¹H,¹⁵N HSQC NMR spectroscopy.