Iron-mediated and -catalyzed metalative cyclization of electron-withdrawing-group-substituted alkynes and alkenes with Grignard reagents

Treatment of ethyl (E)‐5,5‐bis[(benzyloxy)methyl]‐8‐(N,N‐diethylcarbamoyl)‐2‐octen‐7‐ynoate with an iron reagent generated from FeCl₂ and tBuMgCl in a ratio of 1:4 (abbreviated as FeCl₂/4 tBuMgCl) afforded ethyl [4,4‐bis[(benzyloxy)methyl]‐2‐[(E)‐(N,N‐diethylcarbamoyl)methylene]cyclopent‐1‐yl]acetate in good yield. Deuteriolysis of an identical reaction mixture afforded the bis‐deuterated product ethyl [4,4‐bis[(benzyloxy)methyl]‐2‐[(E)‐(N,N‐diethylcarbamoyl)deuteriomethylene]cyclopent‐1‐yl]deuterioacetate, thus confirming the existence of the corresponding dimetalated intermediate. The latter intermediate can react with halogens or aldehydes to facilitate further synthetic transformations. The amount of FeCl₂ was reduced to catalytic levels (10 mol % relative to enyne), and catalytic cyclizations of this sort proceeded with yields comparable to those of the aforementioned stoichiometric reactions. The cyclization of diethyl (E,E)‐2,7‐nonadienedioate with a stoichiometric amount of FeCl₂/4 tBuMgCl, followed by the addition of sBuOH as a proton source, afforded a mixture of 2‐(ethoxycarbonyl)‐3‐bicyclo[3.3.0]octanone and its enol form in good yield. The use of aldehyde or ketone in place of sBuOH afforded 2‐(ethoxycarbonyl)‐3‐bicyclo[3.3.0]octanone, which has an additional hydroxyalkyl side chain. Additionally, the metalation of a carbon–carbon unsaturated bond in N,N‐diethyl‐5,5‐bis[(benzyloxy)methyl]‐7,8‐epoxy‐2‐octynamide or (E)‐3,3‐dimethyl‐6‐(N,N‐diethylcarbamoyl)‐5‐hexenyl p‐toluenesulfonate with FeCl₂/4 tBuMgCl or FeCl₂/4 PhMgBr was followed by an intramolecular alkylation with an epoxide or alkyl p‐toluenesulfonate to afford 5,5‐bis[(benzyloxy)methyl]‐3‐[(E)‐(N,N‐diethylcarbamoyl)methylene]‐1‐cyclohexanol or N,N‐diethyl(3,3‐dimethylcyclopentyl)acetamide after hydrolysis. In both cases, the remaining metalated portion α to the amide group was confirmed by deuteriolysis and could be utilized for an alkylation with methyl iodide.     

Chiral nickel(II) and palladium(II) catalysts bearing strong electron‐withdrawing fluorine groups: synthesis,characterization and their application in catalytic polymerization for ethylene and styrene

A series of new chiral and achiral nickel(II) and palladium(II) complexes, {bis[N,N′‐(2,6‐diethyl‐4‐naphthylphenyl)imino]‐1,2‐dimethylethane}dibromonickel 3a , {bis[N,N′‐(4‐fluoro‐2‐methyl‐6‐sec‐phenethylphenyl)imino]‐1,2‐dimethylethane}dibromonickel rac‐(RS)‐ 3b , {bis[N,N′‐(4‐fluoro‐6‐sec‐phenethylphenyl)imino]‐1,2‐dimethylethane}dibromonickel rac‐(RR/SS)‐ 3c and {bis[N,N′‐(4‐fluoro‐6‐sec‐phenethylphenyl)imino]‐1,2‐dimethylethane}dichloropalladium rac‐(RR/SS)‐ 3d were successfully synthesized and characterized. The molecular structures of representative ligand rac‐(RS)‐ 2b , nickel complex 3a , rac‐(RR/SS)‐ 3c and palladium complex rac‐(RR/SS)‐ 3d were determined by X‐ray crystallography. The structures of complexes 3a and rac‐(RR/SS)‐ 3c have pseudo‐tetrahedral geometry about the nickel center, showing C₂ molecular symmetry. However, the structure of palladium complex rac‐(RR/SS)‐ 3d has pseudo‐square planar geometry about the palladium center, showing C₂ molecular symmetry. Complex 3e {bis[N,N′‐(2,6‐dimethylphenyl)imino]‐1,2‐dimethylethane}dibromonickel was also synthesized for comparison. Nickel complex rac‐(RS)‐ 3b bearing strong electron‐withdrawing fluorine group in the para‐aryl position and a chiral sec‐phenethyl group in the ortho‐aryl position of the ligand (one methyl group in the ortho‐aryl position) displays the highest catalytic activity for ethylene and styrene polymerization, and produced highly branched polyethylene and syndiotactic‐rich polystyrene. However, palladium complex rac‐(RR/SS)‐ 3d shows low catalytic activity for ethylene and styrene polymerization due to the poor leaving group, Cl, attached to palladium and the unfavorable molecular structure. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The Influence of σ and π Acceptors on Two‐Photon Absorption and Solvatochromism of Dipolar and Quadrupolar Unsaturated Organic Compounds

Two‐photon absorption cross sections δ and solvatochromic properties were determined for a series of quadrupolar and dipolar compounds by using femtosecond excitation in the spectral range between 710 and 960 nm. The compounds investigated were distyrylbenzenes and polyenes bearing appropriate π or σ acceptors. The δ values for the centrosymmetric compounds trans,trans‐1,4‐bis[2‐(2′,5′‐dihexyloxy)phenylethenyl]‐2,3,5,6‐tetrafluorobenzene ( 6 ), trans,trans‐1,4‐bis[2‐(4′‐dibutylamino)phenylethenyl]‐2,3,5,6‐tetrafluorobenzene ( 2 ), trans,trans‐1,4‐bis[2‐(4′dimethylamino)phenylbutadienyl]‐2,3,5,6‐tetrafluorobenzene ( 7 ), trans,trans‐1,4‐bis[2‐(4′‐dimethylamino)phenylethenyl]‐2,5‐dicyanobenzene ( 4 ) and trans,trans‐1,4‐bis[2‐(4′‐dimethylamino)phenylethenyl]‐2‐propylsulfonyl‐5‐(2‐ethylhexyl)sulfonylbenzene ( 3 ) are on the order of 600, 1400, 1700, 3000, and 4100×10^?50 cm⁴ s photon^?1, respectively. The corresponding dipolar compounds trans‐2‐(4′‐dimethylaminophenyl)ethenyl‐2,3,4,5,6‐pentafluorobenzene ( 8 ), trans‐4‐(4′‐dimethylaminophenyl)butadienyl‐2,3,4,5,6‐pentafluorobenzene ( 9 ), trans‐6‐(4′‐dimethylaminophenyl)hexatrienyl‐2,3,4,5,6‐pentafluorobenzene ( 10 ) were additionally investigated. All centrosymmtric compounds are good fluorescent materials, while the dipolar chromophores 8 – 10 exhibit low fluorescence quantum yields. Solvatochromism was also observed for the fluorophores 2 – 10 as a result of intramolecular charge transfer (ICT). Furthermore, a reasonable correlation was obtained between measured and calculated δ. Quantum chemical calculations were performed by using the INDO Hamiltonian with a MRDCI scheme. The results show that the sum over states (SOS) expression for the second hyperpolarizability γ is appropriate to describe the mechanism of two‐photon absorption. Mechanistic investigations of quadrupolar compounds showed that the energy of the two‐photon excited state is higher than S₁.     

Extensive hydrogen and halogen bonding,and absence of intramolecular hydrogen bonding between alcohol and nitro groups in a series of endo‐nitronorbornanol compounds

The influence of the substituent at the C2 position on the hydrogen‐bonding patterns is compared for a series of five related compounds, namely (±)‐3‐exo,6‐exo‐dibromo‐5‐endo‐hydroxy‐3‐endo‐nitrobicyclo[2.2.1]heptane‐2‐exo‐carbonitrile, C₈H₈Br₂N₂O₃, (II), (±)‐3‐exo,6‐exo‐dibromo‐6‐endo‐nitro‐5‐exo‐phenylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan‐2‐endo‐ol, C₁₃H₁₃Br₂NO₃, (III), (±)‐methyl 3‐exo,6‐exo‐dibromo‐5‐endo‐hydroxy‐3‐endo‐nitrobicyclo[2.2.1]heptane‐2‐exo‐carboxylate, C₉H₁₁Br₂NO₅, (IV), (±)‐methyl 3‐exo,6‐exo‐dibromo‐7‐diphenylmethylidene‐5‐endo‐hydroxy‐3‐endo‐nitrobicyclo[2.2.1]heptane‐2‐exo‐carboxylate, C₂₂H₁₉Br₂NO₅, (V), and (±)‐methyl 3‐exo,6‐exo‐dibromo‐5‐endo‐hydroxy‐3‐endo‐nitro‐7‐oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane‐2‐exo‐carboxylate, C₈H₉Br₂NO₆, (VI). The hydrogen‐bonding motif in all five compounds is a chain, formed by O—H...O hydrogen bonds in (III), (IV), (V) and (VI), and by O—H...N hydrogen bonds in (II). All compounds except (III) contain a number of Br...Br and Br...O halogen bonds that connect the chains to each other to form two‐dimensional sheets or three‐dimensional networks. None of the compounds features intramolecular hydrogen bonding between the alcohol and nitro functional groups, as was found in the related compound (±)‐methyl 3‐exo,6‐exo‐dichloro‐5‐endo‐hydroxy‐3‐endo‐nitrobicyclo[2.2.1]heptane‐2‐exo‐carboxylate, (I) [Boeyens, Denner & Michael (1984b). J. Chem. Soc. Perkin Trans. 2, pp. 767–770]. The crystal structure of (V) exhibits whole‐molecule disorder.     

Tri‐ and Bicyclic Taxoids from the Taiwanese Yew Taxus sumatrana

Five new taxoids, including a new 2(3→20)‐abeo‐taxane with a 6/10/6‐membered ring system and four 3,8‐seco‐taxanes having a 6/12‐membered ring system, were isolated from an acetone extract of the leaves and twigs of the Taiwanese yew (Taxus sumatrana, Taxaceae). The structures were established as 2α,7β,10α‐triacetoxy‐5α‐hydroxy‐2(3→20)‐abeo‐taxa‐4(20),11‐dien‐9,13‐dione ( 1 ), (3E,8E)‐2α,9,10β, 13α,20‐pentaacetoxy‐7β‐hydroxy‐3,8‐secotaxa‐3,8,11‐trien‐5‐one ( 2 ), (3E,8E)‐2α,9,10β,13α,20‐pentaacetoxy‐5α,7β‐dihydroxy‐3,8‐secotaxa‐3,8,11‐triene ( 3 ), (3E,8E)‐9,10β,13α‐triacetoxy‐2α,7β,20‐trihydroxy‐5α‐[(2E)‐cinnamoyloxy]‐3,8‐secotaxa‐3,8,11‐triene ( 4 ), and (3E,8E)‐2α,5α,7β,9,10β,13α‐hexaacetoxy‐20‐hydroxy‐3,8‐secotaxa‐3,8,11‐triene ( 5 ), respectively, on the basis 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR spectral analyses. The in vitro cytotoxic activity of compounds 1 – 5 against four human tumor cell lines, including HeLa (cervical epitheloid), WiDr (colon), Daoy (medulloblastoma), and Hep2 (liver carcinoma) tumor cells was evaluated. Whereas compounds 1 – 3 were inactive, the novel taxanes 4 and 5 showed significant cytotoxicity.     

Characterization of novel isobenzofuranones by DFT calculations and 2D NMR analysis

Phthalides are frequently found in naturally occurring substances and exhibit a broad spectrum of biological activities. In the search for compounds with insecticidal activity, phthalides have been used as versatile building blocks for the syntheses of novel potential agrochemicals. In our work, the Diels–Alder reaction between furan‐2(5H)‐one and cyclopentadiene was used successfully to obtain (3aR,4S,7R,7aS)‐3a,4,7,7a‐tetrahydro‐4,7‐methanoisobenzofuran‐1(3H)‐one and (3aS,4R,7S,7aR)‐3a,4,7,7a‐tetrahydro‐4,7‐methanoisobenzofuran‐1(3H)‐one ( 2 ) and (3aS,4S,7R,7aR)‐3a,4,7,7a‐tetrahydro‐4,7‐methanoisobenzofuran‐1(3H)‐one and (3aR,4R,7S,7aS)‐3a,4,7,7a‐tetrahydro‐4,7‐methanoisobenzofuran‐1(3H)‐one ( 3 ). The endo adduct ( 2 ) was brominated to afford (3aR,4R,5R,7R,7aS,8R)‐5,8‐dibromohexahydro‐4,7‐methanoisobenzofuran‐1(3H)‐one and (3aS,4S,5S,7S,7aR,8S)‐5,8‐dibromohexahydro‐4,7‐methanoisobenzofuran‐1(3H)‐one ( 4 ) and (3aS,4R,5R,6S,7S,7aR)‐5,6‐dibromohexahydro‐4,7‐methanoisobenzofuran‐1(3H)‐one and (3aR,4S,5S,6R,7R,7aS)‐5,6‐dibromohexahydro‐4,7‐methanoisobenzofuran‐1(3H)‐one ( 5 ). Following the initial analysis of the NMR spectra and the proposed two novel unforeseen products, we have decided to fully analyze the classical and non‐classical assay structures with the aid of computational calculations. Computation to predict the ¹³C and ¹H chemical shifts for mean absolute error analyses have been carried out by gauge‐including atomic orbital method at M06‐2X/6‐31+G(d,p) and B3LYP/6‐311+G(2d,p) levels of theory for all viable conformers. Characterization of the novel unforeseen compounds ( 4 ) and ( 5 ) were not possible by employing only the experimental NMR data; however, a more conclusive structural identification was performed by comparing the experimental and theoretical ¹H and ¹³C chemical shifts by mean absolute error and DP4 probability analyses. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Sesquiterpenoids and Lactone Derivatives from Ligularia dentata

Seven new compounds were isolated from the roots of Ligularia dentata, including five bisabolane‐type sesquiterpenoids (bisabolane=1‐(1,5‐dimethylhexyl)‐4‐methylcyclohexane), namely (8β,10α)‐8‐(angeloyloxy)‐5,10‐epoxybisabola‐1,3,5,7(14)‐tetraene‐2,4,11‐triol ( 1 ), (8β,10α)‐8‐(angeloyloxy)‐5,10‐epoxythiazolo[5,4‐a]bisabola‐1,3,5,7(14)‐tetraene‐4,11‐diol ( 2 ), (1α,2α,3β,5α,6β)‐1,5,8‐tris(angeloyloxy)‐10,11‐epoxy‐2,3‐dihydroxybisabol‐7(14)‐en‐4‐one ( 3 ), (1α,2α,3β,5α,6β)‐2,5,8‐tris(angeloyloxy)‐10,11‐epoxy‐1,3‐dihydroxybisabol‐7(14)‐en‐4‐one ( 4 ), and (1α,2β,3β,5α,6β)‐1,8‐bis(angeloyloxy)‐2,3‐epoxy‐5,10‐dihydroxy‐11‐methoxybisabol‐7(14)‐en‐4‐one ( 5 ) (angeloyloxy=[(2Z)‐2‐methyl‐1‐oxobut‐2‐enyl]oxy), and two lactone derivatives, (2α,3β,5α)‐2‐(acetyloxy)‐9‐methoxy‐5‐(methoxycarbonyl)‐2,3‐dimethylheptano‐5‐lactone ( 6 ), and (2β,4β)‐2‐ethyl‐5‐hydroxy‐5‐(methoxycarbonyl)‐4,5‐dimethylpentano‐4‐lactone ( 7 ) (α/β denote relative configurations), together with (2E,4R,5S)‐2‐ethylidene‐5‐(methoxycarbonyl)‐4‐methylhexano‐5‐lactone ( 8 ), a known synthetic compound. Compound 2 is the first sesquiterpenoid derivative containing the uncommon benzothiazole moiety. The structures of 1 – 8 were established by spectroscopic methods, especially 2D‐NMR and MS analyses.     

Synthesis and characterization of alkylated N‐vinylformamide monomers and their polymers

N‐alkyl‐N‐vinylformamide monomers (alkyl: n‐butyl, hexyl, decyl, and dodecyl) are synthesized in two steps: first, preparation of N‐vinylformamide potassium salt by the reaction of N‐vinylformamide (NVF) with potassium t‐butoxide, then reaction with alkyl bromide. All four monomers are liquid and are characterized by IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and mass spectra. They exist as rotomers in solution and a 2D NOE experiment on the N‐hexyl containing polymer shows the E isomer to be favored. The polymerizability of the four monomers is from good to fair, depending upon the length of alkyl chain on the N‐atom‐‐the longer the chain length, the lower lower the polymerizability of monomer. The hydrolysis of poly(N‐hexyl‐N‐vinylformamide) and poly(N‐dodecyl‐N‐vinylformamide) under acidic and basic conditions was examined. Studies show that hydrolytic cleavage of formyl groups of poly (N‐alkylated‐N‐vinylformamide) depends on the hydrophobicity of the alkyl substituent on the N‐atom under acidic conditions; both polymers were hydrolyzed to only a minor extent under alkaline conditions. The N‐alkylated monomers can copolymerize with NVF and demonstrate amphiphilic properties. The copolymers demonstrate a critical aggregation concentration above which they can solubilize a water insoluble dye; the N‐hexyl containing copolymer stabilizes a castor oil‐in‐water emulsion. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 4994–5004, 2004     

New Lignan,Benzofuran, and Sesquiterpene Derivatives from the Roots of Leontopodium alpinum and L. leontopodioides

Three new compounds, including a benzofuran, 1‐{(2R*,3S*)‐3‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyloxy)‐2,3‐dihydro‐2‐[1‐(hydroxymethyl)vinyl]‐1‐benzofuran‐5‐yl}ethanone ( 1 ), a lignan, [(2S,3R,4R)‐4‐(3,4‐dimethoxybenzyl)‐2‐(3,4‐dimethoxyphenyl)tetrahydrofuran‐3‐yl]methyl (2E)‐2‐methylbut‐2‐enoate ( 2 ), and a silphiperfolene‐type sesquiterpene, [(1S,2Z,3aS,5aS,6R,8aR)‐1,3a,4,5,5a,6,7,8‐octahydro‐1,3a,6‐trimethylcyclopenta[c]pentalen‐2‐yl]methyl acetate ( 3 ), together with the known coumarins obliquin ( 4 ) and its 5‐methoxy derivative 5 were isolated from the roots of Leontopodium alpinum. Another known coumarin derivative, 5‐hydroxyobliquin ( 6 ), was isolated from the roots of L. leontopodioides. The structures of these compounds were established by spectroscopic studies.     

Three Terpenoids and a Tocopherol‐Related Compound from Ricinus communis

Four new compounds named (3E,7Z,11E)‐19‐hydroxycasba‐3,7,11‐trien‐5‐one ( 1 ), 6α‐hydroxy‐10β‐methoxy‐7α,8α‐epoxy‐5‐oxocasbane‐20,10‐olide ( 2 ), 15α‐hydroxylup‐20(29)‐en‐3‐one ( 3 ), and (2R,4aR, 8aR)‐3,4,4a,8a‐tetrahydro‐4a‐hydroxy‐2,6,7,8a‐tetramethyl‐2‐(4,8,12‐trimethyltridecyl)‐2H‐chromene‐5,8‐dione ( 4 ) were isolated from the MeOH extracts of the aerial parts of Ricinus communis L. by chromatographic methods. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic experiments.     

Revised structures of avenacosides A and B and a new sulfated saponin from Avena sativa L.

The revised structures of avenacosides A and B and a new sulfated steroidal saponin isolated from grains of Avena sativa L. were elucidated. Their structures and complete NMR assignments are based on 1D and 2D NMR studies and identified as nuatigenin 3‐O‐{α‐l ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐[β‐D‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→4)]‐β‐d ‐glucopyranoside}‐26‐O‐β‐d ‐glucopyranoside (1), nuatigenin 3‐O‐{α‐l ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐[β‐d ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐β‐d ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→4)]‐β‐d ‐glucopyranoside}‐26‐O‐β‐d ‐glucopyranoside (2), and nuatigenin 3‐O‐{α‐l ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐[β‐d ‐6‐O‐sulfoglucopyranosyl‐(1→4)]‐β‐d ‐glucopyranoside}‐26‐O‐β‐d ‐glucopyranoside (3). Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Heterobimetallic Tantalum–Rhodium and Tantalum–Iridium Complexes Connected by a Tantalacyclopentadiene Fragment

We report the synthesis of heterobimetallic Ta–Rh and Ta–Ir complexes bridged by a 2,5‐di‐tert‐butyltantalacyclopentadiene fragment. A mononuclear 2,5‐di‐tert‐butyltantalacyclopentadiene complex 2 was prepared by the reaction of (η²‐Me₃SiC≡CSiMe₃)TaCl₃(dme) ( 1 ) with excess amounts of 3,3‐dimethylbut‐1‐yne in the presence of AlCl₃. The tantalacyclopentadiene moiety of complex 2 served as a η⁴‐diene unit for coordinating the Rh and Ir centers; treatment of 2 with [M(μ‐Cl)(cod)]₂ (M = Rh and Ir; cod = cycloocta‐1,5‐diene) in toluene gave TaRh(μ‐C₄H₂^tBu₂)Cl₄(cod) ( 3 ) and [TaIr(μ‐C₄H₂^tBu₂)Cl₄]₂ ( 5 ), respectively. The X‐Ray diffraction study of 3 revealed a dative bond from an electron‐rich Rh toward an electron‐deficient Ta. Upon dissolving 3 in THF, [(thf)TaRh(μ‐C₄H₂^tBu₂)Cl₃]₂(μ‐Cl)₂ ( 4 ) was isolated together with free cycloocta‐1,5‐diene. When complex 5 was treated with 1,2‐bis‐(diphenylphosphino)ethane (dppe), a monomeric Ta–Ir complex, TaIr(μ‐C₄H₂^tBu₂)Cl₄(dppe) ( 6 ), was isolated. Ta–Rh and Ta–Ir heterobimetallic complexes 3 and 6 were reduced by a two‐electron process upon reaction with 2,3,5,6‐tetramethyl‐1,4‐bis(trimethylsilyl)‐1,4‐dihydropyrazine ( 7a : Si‐Me₄‐DHP) or 2,5‐dimethyl‐1,4‐bis(trimethylsilyl)‐1,4‐dihydropyrazine ( 7b : Si‐Me₂‐DHP) to afford the corresponding complexes TaM(μ‐C₄H₂^tBu₂)Cl₂(L) ( 8 : M = Rh, L = cod; 9 : M = Ir, L = dppe), where the metallacycle moiety was assigned to have a tantalacyclopentadiene fragment with a large contribution of a tantalacyclopentatriene canonical form.     

Stilbenoids and Phenols in Acanthopanax brachypus

Three new stilbenoids, including α‐(3′‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐5′‐methoxyphenyl)‐2‐methoxy‐3‐methylbenzofuran ( 1 ), 4‐methyl‐(E)‐resveratrol 3‐(2″‐p‐hydroxybenzoyl)‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 2 ), and 5‐O‐methyl‐(E)‐resveratrol 3‐(6″‐acetyl)‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 3 ), together with six known stilbenoids and phenols, acetovanillone 1‐(6′‐vanilloyl)‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside, eugenyl‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside, α‐(3′‐hydroxy‐5′‐methoxy‐2′‐methylphenyl)‐2‐hydroxybenzofuran, α‐(3′‐hydroxy‐5′‐methoxyphenyl)‐2‐hydroxybenzofuran, pinosilvin 3‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside, and (E)‐resveratrol 3‐(6″‐galloyl)‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside were isolated from the EtOH extract of the stem bark of Acanthopanax brachypus. Their structures were determined by spectral analysis including extensive 2D‐NMR spectral analyses. Compounds 2 and 3 exhibited weak cytotoxicity against human tumor A549 cell line (IC₅₀ values of 4.87 and 5.63 μM , resp.).     

Synthesis and Antimicrobial Activity of Novel Iminophosphocin Derivatives

Iminophosphocins 8a – 8e and 9a – 9e were synthesized in four‐step reactions via Staudinger reaction. 3‐(Bromomethyl)‐1,2,3,4,5‐pentahydro‐3λ⁵‐naphtho[1,8‐f,g][1,5,3]diazaphosphocin‐3‐one ( 3 ) was prepared by reacting tris(bromomethyl)phosphineoxide ( 1 ) with 1,8‐diaminonaphthalene ( 2 ) in the presence of triethylamine (TEA) in dry tetrahydrofuran (THF), and treated with L‐valine methyl ester ( 4 ) and bis(2‐chloroethyl)amine ( 5 ) in the presence of TEA in dry THF to get 3‐methyl‐2‐[(3‐oxo‐1,2,3,4,5‐pentahydro‐3λ⁵‐naphtho[1,8‐f,g][1,5,3]diazaphosphocin‐3‐yl)methylamino]butanoate ( 6 ) and 3‐[di(2‐chloroethyl)aminomethyl]‐1,2,3,4,5‐pentahydro‐3λ⁵‐ naphtho[1,8‐f,g][1,5,3]diazaphosphocin‐3‐one ( 7 ). The compounds 6 and 7 were treated with trichlorosilane (SiCl₃H) in dry tetrahydrofuran (THF) to form the trivalent P(III) intermediates 8 and 9 , which were further treated with various alkyl azides in dry THF in 55–60°C to afford the title compounds 8a – 8e and 9a – 9e . Their structures were established by multi‐nuclear NMR and mass spectra. All the newly synthesized compounds were found to possess moderate anti‐microbial activity.     

Synthesis of azide end‐functionalized isotactic polypropylene building block and renewed modular synthesis of diblock copolymers of isotactic polypropylene and poly(ε‐caprolactone)

This article details a synthesis of azide end‐functionalized isotactic polypropylene (i‐PP), a unique polymeric building block that can engage in Huisgen's 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition of azide and alkyne (click reaction) to construct well‐defined i‐PP‐based polymer architecture. Controlled, consecutive chain transfer reaction to 1,2‐bis(4‐vinylphenyl)ethane and hydrogen in metallocene‐mediated propylene polymerization catalyzed by rac‐Me₂Si(2‐Me‐4‐Ph‐Ind)₂ZrCl₂/MAO resulted in styryl‐terminated i‐PP (i‐PP‐t‐St) of controlled molecular weight. Following a regioselective hydrochlorination reaction, the terminal styryl groups were quantatively transformed to 1‐chloroethylbenzene groups, which was further reacted with NaN₃ to give i‐PP terminated with an azide group (i‐PP‐t‐N₃). Structural monitoring of the polymers through the whole transformation process using ¹H NMR and FTIR as well as GPC and DSC reveals a clean and clear formation of i‐PP‐t‐N₃ (M_n in between 10,000 and 40,000 g/mol). This clickable i‐PP building block was applied to a renewed, modular synthesis of amphiphilic i‐PP‐b‐PCL (poly(ε‐caprolactone)) diblock copolymers. Composition‐diversified, structure‐well defined diblock copolymers were obtained in high yields, confirming both the high end group selectivity as well as high reactivity of azide the clickable moiety in the i‐PP building block and the effectiveness of azide‐alkyne click reaction in constructing new i‐PP architecture. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

Flavonol Glycosides and Iridoids from Asperula lilaciflora

A new flavonol glycoside, quercetin 3‐O‐[6′′′‐O‐3,5‐dihydroxycinnamoyl‐β‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→2)]‐β‐galactopyranoside (named lilacifloroside; 1 ) and a new iridoid 2 (named asperulogenin), were isolated from the aerial parts of Asperula lilaciflora in addition to eight known secondary metabolites, i.e., quercetin, kaempferol, quercetin 3‐O‐β‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐β‐galactopyranoside, quercetin 3‐O‐β‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐arabinopyranoside, asperuloside, deacetylasperulosidic acid, asperulosidic acid methyl ester, and chlorogenic acid. The structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR experiments as well as MS data. Compound 1 contains the rare 3,5‐dihydroxycinnamoyl moiety in its structure. This work constitutes the first phytochemical study of the title plant.     

Anthraquinones and Lignans from Cassia occidentalis

One new anthraquinone glycoside, 6‐O‐(α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→6)‐β‐d‐ glucopyranosyl)emodin ( 1 ), and two new sesquilignans, seslignanoccidentaliols A ( 2 ) and B ( 3 ), were isolated from the whole plant of Cassia occidentalis. The structures of the new compounds were established by means of spectroscopic methods, especially 2D‐NMR data (¹H,¹H‐COSY, HMQC, HMBC, and ROESY), as well as HR‐ESI‐MS analysis. One previously reported sesquilignan, erythro‐guaiacylglycerol‐β‐O‐4′‐(5′)‐methoxylariciresinol, was revised to be seslignanoccidentaliol A ( 2 ). The 6‐O‐(α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→6)‐β‐d‐ glucopyranosyl)emodin ( 1 ) exhibited moderate anti‐HIV‐1 activity with an EC₅₀ value of 2.90 μg/ml and a therapeutic‐index (TI) value of 260.     

Novel block–comb/graft copolymers with the macromonomer strategy and anionic polymerization

The following block–comb/graft copolymers of styrene (S), isoprene (I), and butadiene (B)—PS‐b‐(PB‐g‐PB), PS‐b‐(PB‐g‐PB)‐b‐PS, (PB‐g‐PB)‐b‐P2VP, (PS‐g‐PB)‐b‐(PI‐g‐PS), (PS‐g‐PB)‐b‐(PI‐g‐PS)‐b‐(PB‐g‐PI), (PS‐g‐PB)‐b‐(PI‐g‐PS)‐b‐(PB‐g‐PI)‐b‐(PI‐g‐PS)‐b‐(PS‐g‐PB), and (PS)₂(PB‐g‐PB) [where PS is polystyrene, PB is polybutadiene, P2VP is poly(2‐vinylpyridine) (2VP), and PI is polyisoprene]—were synthesized with the macromonomer strategy and anionic polymerization high‐vacuum techniques. The synthetic approach involves the synthesis and block copolymerization of styrenic macromonomers in situ without isolation. The prepared samples were characterized by size exclusion chromatography with a differential refractometer detector, size exclusion chromatography with a two‐angle laser light scattering detector, and NMR spectroscopy. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 4040–4049, 2005     

Crotofolane‐ and Casbane‐Type Diterpenes from Croton argyrophyllus

Phytochemical analysis of Croton argyrophyllus led to the isolation of five new diterpenes named (5β,6β)‐5,6 : 13,16‐diepoxycrotofola‐4(9),10(18),13,15‐tetraen‐1‐one ( 1 ), (5β,6β)‐5,6 : 13,16‐diepoxy‐2‐epicrotofola‐4(9),10(18),13,15‐tetraen‐1‐one ( 2 ), (5β,6β)‐5,6 : 13,16‐diepoxy‐16‐hydroxy‐2‐epicrotofola‐4(9),10(18),13,15‐tetraen‐1‐one ( 3 ), (5β,6β)‐5,6 : 13,16‐diepoxy‐16‐hydroxy‐2‐epicrotofola‐4(9), 10(18),13,15‐tetraen‐1‐one ( 4 ) and (2E,5β,6E,12E)‐5‐hydroxycasba‐2,6,12‐trien‐4‐one ( 5 ), in addition to the known diterpenes crotonepetin and depressin, and acetylaleuritolic acid and spinasterol. The structures of the isolated compounds were established by a combination of spectroscopic methods, including HR‐ESI‐MS, 2D‐NMR, and X‐ray crystallography.     

Nonclassical Pschorr and Sandmeyer Reactions in Pyrazole Series

The diazonium salt derived from 4‐amino‐N,1,3‐trimethyl‐N‐(3‐methyl‐1‐phenyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐5‐yl)‐1H‐pyrazole‐5‐carboxamide ( 14 ) was reacted with a mixture of CuSO₄ and NaCl, with ascorbic acid as an initiator to afford the planar derivative 4,6‐dihydro‐1,4,6,8‐tetramethyl‐3‐phenyldipyrazolo[3,4‐b:4′,3′‐d]pyridin‐5(3H)‐one ( 16 ) and its unexpected isomer 4,6‐dihydro‐3,4,6,8‐tetramethyl‐1‐phenyldipyrazolo[4,3‐b:4′,3′‐d]pyridin‐5(1H)‐one ( 17 ), as well as the epimers (3S,4S)‐ (or (3S,4R)‐) and (3S,4R)‐ (or (3S,4S)‐) 4‐chloro‐2,4‐dihydro‐1′,3′,5,5′‐tetramethyl‐2‐phenylspiro[pyrazole‐3,4′(1′H)‐pyrrolo[3,4‐c]pyrazol]‐6′(5′H)‐one ( 18a and b , respectively). Epimers 18a and b were converted under basic conditions to 4′‐chloro‐N,1,3,3′‐tetramethyl‐1′‐phenyl‐[4,5′‐bi‐1H‐pyrazole]‐5‐carboxamide ( 19 ). The structures of isomers 16 and 17 determined by single‐crystal X‐ray analysis are also reported. Linear dichroism (LD) measurements for the above isomers suggest that 17 intercalates into DNA, and 17 exhibited antiproliferation activity against human NCI‐H460 pulmonary carcinoma cells.