A novel [4+2] annulation between activated terminal alkynes and aza-dienes or oxo-dienes has been developed with the use of triphenylphosphine catalyst (20 mol %), which provides a facile method for synthesis of the corresponding highly functionalized dihydropyridines or dihydropyrans in good to excellent yields. The reaction mechanism has also been established, consisting formal hetero-Diels–Alder reaction catalyzed by PPh₃ and [1,3]-proton transfer, which exhibits a large isotopic effect.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tet.2010.07.043

The natural antioxidant (−)-gloeosporiol, isolated as a peracetylated derivative from a culture of the fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, has been enantioselectively prepared from 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde by means of a chemoenzymatic synthesis. The key intermediate was obtained by resolution with a lipase from Pseudomonas cepacia. Its stereochemistry, initially assigned as R, according to the Kazlaukas empirical rule for secondary alcohols, was independently confirmed by NMR and chirooptic methods. This, in turn, allowed the assignment of compound (−)-1 as (−)-(2S,3R,4R)-2-(3′,4′dihydroxyphenyl)tetrahydrofuran-3,4-diol.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tet.2010.07.074

The arylation of thiazoles in 4- and 5-position was investigated in detail. Suzuki–Miyaura and Stille cross-coupling reactions were tested using thiazoles either as halide or organometal species. The obtained results were critically compared to develop helpful guidelines for selection of the cross-coupling methodology with the best potential for good and reliable results for a given synthetic problem without the need for tedious optimization of reaction parameters.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tet.2010.07.081

Although originally designed for anion recognition, bis(N′-p-nitrophenylureido)calix[4]arenes immobilised in the 1,3-alternate conformation can act as receptors for small neutral molecules, such as sulfoxides and ketones. Their binding ability was studied both in solution and in the solid state using the combination of UV/vis, NMR, and X-ray crystallography.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tet.2010.08.006

The synthesis of the putative prion-associated heparan sulfate tetrasaccharide containing two d-glucuronic acid units is reported. Key to the synthesis were the differentiation of the N-acetylated and N-unsubstituted glucosamine units, the high-yielding glucosylation at O-4 of an N-acetyl-d-glucosamine derivative and the α-selective glycosylation of the 4′-OH group of a β-d-GlcpA-(1→4)-d-GlcpNAc disaccharide building block with a disaccharide thioglycoside donor.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tet.2010.08.004

Two approaches to the synthesis of the plant-derived biaryl neolignan honokiol are described. The second approach provided the natural product in either four steps with 34% overall yield or five steps and 55% overall yield.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tet.2010.08.005

Proline-catalysed aldol reactions are central to the development of organocatalysis, and have been the subjects of many studies. List’s results on the effect of fluorine substitution on proline catalysts for an intramolecular aldol condensation provide a perfect test set for computational analysis, as subtle changes in the catalyst structure lead to clear changes in the product ratios. The results show that the carbon–carbon bond forming transition states for the Hajos–Parrish–Wiechart reaction do not account for the observed selectivity in all cases. However, if an analysis of post transition-state epimerization pathways is also included, together with the effect of water, it is possible to account for all of the experimental data.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tet.2010.08.003

The optical and electronic properties of novel siloxane-bridged cyclic dimers with naphthylene (CD1) or pyrenylene (CD2) moieties are described. CD1 and CD2 were obtained by the cyclic dimerization of 1,4-bis(dimethylhydroxysilyl)naphthalene (M1) and 1,6-bis(dimethylhydroxysilyl)pyrene (M2), respectively. CD1 and CD2 mainly exhibited the emission from their excimers owing to their short distances between aryl moieties in CD1 and CD2, which were determined to be 3.44 Å and 3.41 Å by the X-ray crystallographic analysis, respectively. The absorption spectra of CD2 in the presence of 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) revealed that CD2 has the ability to form 1:1 charge-transfer complex with TCNQ, indicating the existence of the transannular π–π interaction between closely located pyrene components in CD2.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tet.2010.08.010

The complexation of the potent olive oil antioxidant hydroxytyrosol (HT) with commercial β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) and hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) in aqueous solutions has been studied for the first time. The 1:1 stoichiometries of the complexes were evidenced by Job’s plot and the association constants were determined by linear regressions from Scott’s method. The geometry of the HT/β-CD complex was elucidated by 2D-ROESY experiments, suggesting insertion of the catechol moiety with the hydroxyalkyl chain directed to the primary rim. The antioxidant activity of encapsulated HT was also evaluated by scavenging of the stable DPPH radical, observing an improvement of the scavenging activity upon increase of the cyclodextrin concentration. Complexation of HT with β-CD also provided a strong photoprotection of the polyphenolic compound upon irradiation with UV (λ=254 nm).

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tet.2010.08.009

One-pot reaction for the synthesis of novel phenylpyridyl derivatives and mixed quater phenylpyridyl compounds is described by using the Garlanding approach. The reactions proceed with moderate to good yields in mild conditions and good reaction times. This work represents a second application of the simplicity and versatility of Garlanding concept for the construction of new phenylpyridyl scaffolds, which can be considered as non-peptidic foldamer α-helix mimetics.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tet.2010.08.008

We herein report several highly active catalyst systems with thiadiazolidine 1-oxides as ligands for palladium in the Mizoroki–Heck reaction. Excellent yields of stilbenes derived from aryl iodides and bromides have been achieved using as little as 0.00002 mol % catalyst. The ligand/palladium system can be stored as a stock solution open to air at room temperature with no observable loss of activity for a period of several months.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tet.2010.08.018

Pd(II)–N-heterocyclic carbene complexes derived from proline have been successfully synthesized in good yields and their structures have been characterized by X-ray single crystal diffraction. It was found that the substituents on the N-atom of the pyrrolidine skeleton dramatically affect on the coordination pattern of the palladium complexes. In a word, when an electron-rich group as benzyl group was attached on the N-atom, both of the N-atom and NHC were coordinated to the Pd(II) center; while when an electron-poor group as Ts group was attached, a dimeric mono-coordinated Pd(II)–NHC was obtained exclusively.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tet.2010.08.021

We synthesized a novel receptor with a unique combination of sp² nitrogen (–CHN–) and carbonyl groups from amide linkages. These two moieties are judiciously incorporated into the receptor design such that these sites simultaneous binding a metal ion may generate a stable five-member ring. The receptor has been used to selectively detect Zn²⁺ through changes in the fluorescence spectra. Upon Zn²⁺ binding with the receptor, the fluorescence band shifted to enhance fluorescence intensity, allowing ratiometric determination of Zn²⁺ concentration.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tet.2010.08.024

Three heterocyclic quinol-type fluorophores with benzo[c]carbazol-6-one skeleton or benzo[b]naphtho[1,2-d]furan-6-one skeleton, 9-dibutylamino-5-hydroxy-5-phenyl-5,7-dihydro-benzo[c]carbazol-6-one (5a), 7-butyl-9-dibutylamino-5-hydroxy-5-phenyl-5,7-dihydro-benzo[c]carbazol-6-one (5b) and 9-dibutylamino-5-hydroxy-5-phenyl-5H-benzo[b]naphtho[1,2-d]furan-6-one (6c) have been synthesized and their photophysical properties have been investigated in solution and in the solid state. The fluorescence quantum yield (Φ) increases in the order of 5b (0.35)<5a (0.41)<6c (0.74) in 1,4-dioxane. On the other hand, the Φ value in the solid state increases in the order of 5a<<6C (0.03)<5b (0.07), which are much smaller than those in 1,4-dioxane. To elucidate the effects of molecular and crystal structures on the solid-state fluorescence properties, we have performed the semi-empirical molecular orbital calculations (AM1 and INDO/S) and X-ray crystallographic analysis. It was found that the formation of a continuous intermolecular hydrogen bonding between adjacent fluorophores is observed in the crystal of 5a, which is considered to cause a drastic fluorescence quenching in the solid state.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tet.2010.08.026

In the reaction of N,N-diethyl-α,α-difluorobenzylamine (DFBA) with 1,2- or 1,3-diols, selective mono-benzoylation occurs to afford mono-esters of the diols in good yield. The reaction is completed under mild conditions in a short reaction time. Further, prim-, sec-, and tert-diols and catechol can be converted to the corresponding mono-benzoates. DFBA is used for the protection of the hydroxy group in sugars. The selective mono-nicotinylation, formylation and pivaloylation of diols are also performed by using the corresponding difluoroalkylamines.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tet.2010.08.029

The influence of electron-donating and electron-accepting properties of three pentadentate ligands was determined in connection with the aerobic oxidation ability of the corresponding binuclear copper(II) complexes for benzyl and allyl alcohols; additionally, the catalytic performance of their palladium and platinum analogs was characterized under comparable conditions. Quantitative aerobic oxidation of benzyl alcohol at 40 °C was achieved with a binuclear copper(II) complex—TEMPO catalyst in 2.5 h, while the regioselective aerobic oxidation of underivatized methyl-β-d-glucopyranoside was accomplished in about 35% yield at 60 °C after 24 h.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tet.2010.07.077

The combination of PdCl₂[CH₃CN]₂ with XPhos is an efficient catalytic system for the Sonogashira-type cross-coupling of 2′-deoxyguanosine O⁶-arylsulfonates with terminal alkynes. The reactions generally proceed under mild conditions requiring no Cu co-catalyst to give the corresponding C-6-alkynylated deoxynucleosides in moderate to good yields.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tet.2010.08.032

The diastereomeric isomerization of the ZE isomers of (2Z, 2′E)-2,2′-(2-phenyl propane-1,3-diylidene) bis(1,3,3-trimethylindoline) derivatives were examined by ¹H NMR spectroscopy in various organic solvents. In non-polar solvents, such as benzene, THF, and chloroform, the ZE isomers of these molecules equilibrated into a mixture of ZE/EE or ZE/EE/ZZ isomers with time, whereas the isomers were inert in polar organic solvents, such as acetone and DMSO. Theoretical calculations of the energies and dipole moments of the diastereomers in different media were performed using the Jaguar program.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tet.2010.07.030

An efficient synthesis of enantiomerically pure aromatic-fused N-containing heterocycles was successfully achieved via Pd-catalyzed intramolecular C–N bond formation between the nitrogen originated from the aziridine and the halogen containing aromatic carbon. This reaction has a broad substrate scope to provide various enantiomerically pure (3,4-dihydro-2H-benzo[b][1,4]oxazin-3-yl)methanols, 2-hydroxymethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolines and (1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoxalin-2-yl)methanols from common chiral aziridines in good yields.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tet.2010.07.027

A skeletal carbenoid rearrangement of the gem-bromochlorospiropentanes in the presence of methyllithium has been studied. The synthetic and mechanistic aspects of this rearrangement as well as the influence of the halogen atom nature on the reaction pathway are discussed.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tet.2010.07.054

The use of the (S)-α-methylbenzyl group as a chiral auxiliary has allowed the diastereoselective ortho-deprotonation of a chromium tricarbonyl complexed phenoxy ring. When the resultant ortho-anion is treated with an aldehyde two diastereoisomeric complexes are formed, in relatively poor dr, which differ in the configuration of the newly formed benzylic stereogenic centre. However, both ortho-formylation followed by treatment with Grignard reagents and ortho-acylation followed by reduction with Super-Hydride^® were found to be completely diastereoselective, giving access to either epimer of the corresponding benzylic alcohol complexes in >99:1 dr. Subsequent oxidative removal of the chromium tricarbonyl unit, followed by cleavage of the O-α-methylbenzyl chiral auxiliary gives enantiopure 2-(1′-hydroxyalkyl)phenols. Following this stereodivergent procedure, either enantiomer of the product may be accessed from a single antipode of [(α-methylbenzyloxy)benzene]Cr(CO)₃.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tet.2010.07.058

The enzyme-mediated enantioselective hydrolysis of water-soluble polymer-supported carboxylates is disclosed. The representative monomethoxy poly(ethylene glycol) (MPEG, av MW 5000)-supported substrate was synthesized by immobilization of (±)-1-phenylethanol onto the modified MPEG (MPEG/NH₂) through an carboxylate linker with a succinate spacer. For the screening of the hydrolytic enzymes, the substrate was enantioselectively hydrolyzed by lipase from Candida antarctica (Novozym 435) in a mixed solvent (hexane/buffer=9/1) at 30 °C to afford the remaining (S)-substrate and the resulting (R)-alcohol (E value>200). The products were easily separated by a simple procedure without any laborious column chromatography. The substrate was hydrolyzed with NaOH in MeOH/H₂O to afford the corresponding (S)-alcohol. We also found that the structure of the spacer between the MPEG moiety and the carboxylate linker strongly affected both the reactivity and enantioselectivity, and the substrate bearing a glutarate spacer gave the best result. Our procedure was applicable for the preparation of several optically active alcohols.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tet.2010.07.076

Treatment of epoxyisophorone (1) with ethyl acetoacetate under basic conditions resulted in the stereoselective formation of dihydroxybenzofuran 2 in moderate yield. This result is in contradiction to previous work where similar conditions were reported to afford a bicyclo [4.3.0]nonadienone via a putative Robinson annulation reaction.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tet.2010.08.007

A novel one-pot isocyanide-based cascade four-component reaction between primary alkylamines, acetylenic esters, and alkyl isocyanides led to tetraalkyl 1-alkyl(aryl)-4-alkylamino-1,2-dihydropyridine-2,3,5,6-tetracarbxylates in good yields.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tet.2010.08.016

Complete details of thiazole syntheses by scandium-catalyzed cycloaddition reactions of 1-aryl- and 1,1-bisaryl-3-phenylsulfanylpropargyl alcohols with thioamides are described. Reactions of 1,1-bisarylpropargyl alcohols with thioamides and selenamide in MeNO₂/H₂O resulted in 4-bisarylmethyl-1,3-thiazoles 4aa–ic and 4H-4,4-bisaryl-1,3-thiazines 5ea–ga in high yields. Reactions in MeNO₂/D₂O resulted in 4-bisaryldeuteriomethyl-1,3-thiazoles 10ca–ia with high deuterium purity. Reactions of dialkyl and alkyl aryl propargyl alcohols are also described.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tet.2010.08.015

A facile method for the synthesis of 3-substituted 3H-indol-3-ols has been developed. Thus, 2-isocyanophenyl ketones are allowed to react with various Grignard reagents to give the corresponding desired indolol derivatives in generally fair to good yields. The formation of 3-aryl-2,3-dimethylindolin-3-ols by the reaction of 2-isocyanobenzophenones with 2 M amounts of methylmagnesium bromide is also reported.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tet.2010.08.023

The total synthesis of mono-THF acetogenins, cis-solamin A and B, and reticulatacin, was accomplished starting with muricatacin. The backbone of the mono-THF acetogenins was constructed by olefin cross-metathesis between the tetrahydrofuran moiety and γ-lactone moiety. An enzymatic kinetic transesterification procedure was successfully applied to the synthesis of an optically pure γ-lactone moiety. Notably, cis-THF compounds were obtained without using protective groups.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tet.2010.08.028

The thermal reaction of phencyclone (2) with a 1:1 mixture of 1,8-pyrenequinone (4) and 1,6-pyrenequinone (5) yields 2:1 adducts only of compounds 2 and 4. The observed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon 8 is formed via double Diels–Alder addition of 2 to 4, and the polycyclic ketone 9 arises from a combination of Diels–Alder and hetero-Diels–Alder reactions of 2 and 4. In contrast, Lewis acid-catalyzed reactions of 2, 4, and 5 give 2:1 adducts only of 2 and 5. The chief product, polycyclic diketone 10, is derived from a double hetero-Diels–Alder addition of 2 to 5. X-ray analysis of compound 8 shows it to be an exceptionally large polycyclic aromatic arch, and the X-ray structure of 10 reveals it to be a chiral molecular tweezer.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tet.2010.07.046

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tet.2010.07.001

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0040-4020(10)01289-5