Synthesis of Canthin-4-ones and Isocanthin-4-ones via B Ring Construction.

Canthin-4-one is synthesized via a six-step procedure starting from commercially available 3-amino-4-bromopyridine in 26% overall yield. 3-Amino-4-bromopyridine is initially converted to 8-bromo-1,5-naphthyridin-4(1H)-one. O-Methylation, intermolecular Pd-catalyzed C-C coupling, and demethylation afford the key intermediate, 8-(2-chlorophenyl)-1,5-naphthyridin-4(1H)-one, for which intramolecular C-N coupling completes the synthesis of the canthin-4-one skeleton. Ten canthin-4-one analogues were prepared in addition to the parent compound. With minor modifications, the synthesis also applies to the synthesis of two series of isocanthin-4-ones.

Catalysis of a Diels-Alder Reaction between Azachalcones and Cyclopentadiene by a Recyclable Copper(II)-PEIP Metal-Organic Framework.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have attracted considerable interest as emerging heterogeneous catalysts for organic transformations of synthetic utility. Herein, a Lewis-acidic MOF, {[Cu3(PEIP)2(5-NH2-mBDC)(DMF)]·7DMF}∞, denoted as Cu(ΙΙ)-PEIP, has been synthesized via a one-pot process and deployed as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for a Diels-Alder cycloaddition. Specifically, the [4 + 2] cycloaddition of 13 substituted azachalcone dienophiles with cyclopentadiene has been investigated. MOF-catalyzed reaction conditions were optimized, leading to the selection of water as the solvent, in the presence of 10% mol sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) to address substrate solubility. The Cu(II)-PEIP catalyst showed excellent activity under these green and mild conditions, exhibiting comparable or, in some cases, superior efficiency to a homogeneous catalyst often employed in Diels-Alder reactions, namely, Cu(OTf)2. The nature of the azachalcone substituent played a significant role in the reactivity of the dienophiles, with electron-withdrawing (EW) substituents enhancing conversion and electron-donating (ED) ones exhibiting the opposite effect. Coordinating substituents appeared to enhance the endo selectivity. Importantly, the Cu(II)-PEIP catalyst can be readily isolated from the reaction mixture and recycled up to four times without any significant reduction in conversion or selectivity.

Deciphering the ground state of a C3-symmetrical Blatter-type triradical by CW and pulse EPR spectroscopy.

3,3',3''-(Benzene-1,3,5-triyl)tris(1-phenyl-1H-benzo[e][1,2,4]triazin-4-yl) (1) is a C3-symmetrical triradical comprised of three Blatter radical units connected at the 1, 3, 5 positions of a central trimethylenebenzene core. This triradical has an excellent air, moisture, and thermal stability. Single-crystal XRD indicates that triradical 1 adopts a propeller-like geometry with the benzotriazinyl moieties twisted by 174.1(2)° and packs in 1D chains along the c axis to form an extensive network of weak intermolecular interactions. Frozen solution continuous wave (CW) EPR spectra and variable-temperature field-sweep echo-detected (FSED) spectra revealed an intramolecular ferromagnetic exchange within the spin system, supporting a quartet S = 3/2 ground state. DFT calculations further supported these experimental findings.

Novel Co5 and Ni4 Metal Complexes and Ferromagnets by the Combination of 2-Pyridyl Oximes with Polycarboxylic Ligands.

The use of 2-pyridyl oximes in metal complexes chemistry has been extensively investigated in the last few decades as a fruitful source of species with interesting magnetic properties. In this work, the initial combination of pyridine-2-amidoxime (pyaoxH2) and 2-methyl pyridyl ketoxime (mpkoH) with isonicotinic acid (HINA) and 3,5-pyrazole dicarboxylic acid (H3pdc) has provided access to three new compounds, [Ni4(INA)2(pyaox)2(pyaoxH)2(DMF)2] (1), [Co5(mpko)6(mpkoH)2(OMe)2(H2O)](ClO4)6 (2), and [Co5(OH)(Hpdc)5(H2pdc)] (3). 1 displays a square-planar metal topology, being the first example that bears simultaneously HINA and pyaoxH2 in their neutral or ionic form. The neighbouring Ni4 units in 1 are held together through strong intermolecular hydrogen bonding interactions, forming a three-dimensional supramolecular framework. 2 and 3 are mixed-valent Co4IIICoII and Co2IIICoII3 compounds with a bowtie and trigonal bipyramidal metal topology, accordingly. Direct current and alternate current magnetic susceptibility studies revealed that the exchange interactions between the NiII ions in 1 are ferromagnetic (J = 1.79(4) cm-1), while 2 exhibits weak AC signals in the presence of a magnetic field. The syntheses, crystal structures, and magnetic properties of 1-3 are discussed in detail.

First Synthesis of the Inherently Chiral Trans-4' Bisadduct of C59 N Azafullerene by Using Cyclo-[2]-dodecylmalonate as a Tether.

The multiaddition chemistry of azafullerene C59 N has been scarcely explored, and the isolation of pure bisadducts is in its infancy. Encouraged by the recent regioselective synthesis of the inherently chiral equatorialface bisadduct of C59 N, we focused on the isolation of the first trans-4 bisadduct in a simple two-step approach. The first regioselective synthesis of the trans-4 bisadduct of C59 N by using cyclo-[2]-dodecylmalonate as a tether is now reported. The newly synthesized bisadduct has C1 symmetry, as evidenced by 13 C NMR, while X-ray crystallography validated the trans-4' addition pattern. Furthermore, the inherently chiral trans-4' C59 N bisadduct was enantiomerically resolved, and the mirror-image relation of the two enantiomers was probed by circular dichroism spectroscopy. Finally, UV-Vis and redox assays suggested that the addition pattern has a reflection in the light-harvesting and redox properties of the bisadduct.

Synthesis and Chemistry of Benzo[e][1,2,6]thiadiazino[3,4-b][1,4]diazepin-10(11H)-ones and Related Ring Transformations.

2-[(3,5-Dichloro-4H-1,2,6-thiadiazin-4-ylidene)amino]benzamides are cyclized to benzo[e][1,2,6]thiadiazino[3,4-b][1,4]diazepin-10(11H)-ones via (i) treatment with NaH and via (ii) Pd-catalyzed C-N coupling. The behavior of the latter toward nucleophiles and thermal, oxidative, and reductive conditions revealed unexpected transformations to 3,5-dioxo-4,5-dihydro-3H-benzo[e][1,4]diazepine-2-carbonitrile and 2-(4-substituted-1,2,5-thiadiazol-3-yl)quinazolin-4(3H)-ones.

8,8'-(Benzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazole-4,7-diyl)bis(quinolin-4(1H)-one): a twisted photosensitizer with AIE properties.

A new benzothiadiazole (BTZ) luminogen is prepared via the Suzuki-Miyaura Pd-catalysed C-C cross-coupling of 8-iodoquinolin-4(1H)-one and a BTZ bispinacol boronic ester. The rapid reaction (5 min) affords the air-, thermo-, and photostable product in 97% yield as a yellow precipitate that can be isolated by filtration. The luminogen exhibits aggregated-induced emission (AIE) properties, which are attributed to its photoactive BTZ core and nonplanar geometry. It also behaves as a molecular heterogeneous photosensitizer for the production of singlet oxygen under continuous flow conditions.

Tether-Directed Regioselective Synthesis of an Equatorialface Bisadduct of Azafullerene Using Cyclo-[2]-octylmalonate.

Bisazafullerene (C59 N)2 has been functionalized under aerobic conditions with cyclo-[2]-octylmalonate through a Mannich-type reaction, furnishing the corresponding monoadduct. A regioselective tether-directed Bingel cyclopropanation reaction was then carried out on the azafullerene core to yield a single bisadduct. Spectroscopic analysis of the formed bisadduct showed it to have a C1 symmetrical structure, making it inherently chiral. Single-crystal X-ray analysis revealed the addition pattern of the azafullerene bisadduct to be equatorialface . Examination of the optical properties showed the evolution of new absorption bands, which can be used as signatures for the characterization of equatorialface bisadducts of C59 N. Finally, redox assays showed that the LUMO level of the equatorialface bisadduct was increased compared to that of the parent (C59 N)2 .

Redox Active Quinoidal 1,2,4-Benzotriazines.

Modifying the para-quinonimine 1,3-diphenyl-1,2,4-benzotriazin-7(1 H)-one (2a) ( E1/2-1/0 -1.20 V), by replacing the N1-phenyl by pentafluorophenyl, the C3-phenyl by trifluoromethyl, or the C7 carbonyl by ylidenemalononitrile, led to improved electron affinities as determined by cyclic voltammetry and computational studies. Combining structural changes further improved electron accepting abilities: the most electron deficient analogues ( E1/2-1/0 ∼ -0.65 V) involved combining the ylidenemalononitrile groups at C7 with the trifluoromethyl groups at C3. 1,2,5-Thiadiazolo fusion at C5-C6 did not affect the redox behavior but did enhance the UV-vis absorption profile. During the synthesis of the thiadiazolo analogues, 1,4-thiazino-fused analogues 6 were obtained in low yield, which thermally ring contract to the triazafluoranthenones 7. Compounds are fully characterized, and X-ray data are provided for selected analogues.

Synthesis and Characterization of Isodiphenylfluorindone and Isodiphenylfluorindinone.

Isodiphenylfluorindone 6 and isodiphenylfluorindinone 7 are synthesized. The former reacts with NaOMe to give the 13-methoxyisodiphenylfluorindone 22 (95%), while the latter reacts with 70% perchloric acid to give the bisperchlorate 21 (87%) and with MnO2 dimerizes to give 13,13'-bi(isodiphenylfluorindone) 4 (60%). UV-vis, NMR, CV, and DFT computational studies support the structural assignments of all products. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies are reported for isodiphenylfluorindinone 7.

Stepwise synthesis, characterization, DNA binding properties and cytotoxicity of diruthenium oligopyridine compounds conjugated with peptides.

Although the interactions of oligopyridine ruthenium complexes with DNA have been widely studied, the biological activity of similar diruthenium oligopyridine complexes conjugated with peptides has not been investigated. Herein, we report the stepwise synthesis and characterization of diruthenium complexes with the general formula [(La)Ru(tppz)Ru(Lb)]n+ (tppz = 2,3,5,6-tetra(2-pyridyl)pyrazine, La = 2,2':6',2''-terpyridine or 4-phenyl-2,2':6',2''-terpyridine and Lb = 2,2':6',2''-terpyridine-4'-CO(Gly1-Gly2-Gly3-LysCONH2) (5), (6), n = 5; 2,2':6',2''-terpyridine-4'-CO(Gly1-Gly2-Lys1-Lys2CONH2) (7), (8), n = 6; 2,2':6',2''-terpyridine-4'-CO(Ahx-Lys1Lys2CONH2) (9), (10), n = 5, Ahx = 6-aminohexanoic acid). The compounds [(trpy)Ru(tppz)Ru(trpy-CO2H)](PF6)4, (2)(PF6)4, [(ptrpy)Ru(tppz)Ru(trpy-CO2H)](PF6)4, (3)(PF6)4 and [(ptrpy)Ru(tppz)Ru(trpy)](PF6)4, (4)(PF6)4 were also characterized by single crystal X-ray methods. Moreover, the interactions of the chloride salts (5), (6) and (4) with the self-complementary dodecanucleotide duplex d(5'-CGCGAATTCGCG-3')2 were studied by NMR spectroscopic techniques. The results show that complex (4) binds in the central part of the oligonucleotide, from the minor groove through the ligand ptrpy, while the ligand trpy, which was located on the other side of the diruthenium core, does not contribute to the binding. Complex (5) binds similarly, through the ligand ptrpy. However, the induced upfield shifts of the ptrpy proton signals are significantly lower than the corresponding ones in the case of (4), indicating much lower binding affinity. This is clear evidence that the tethered peptide Gly1-Gly2-Gly3-Lys1CONH2 hinders the complex binding, even though it contains groups that are able to assist it (e.g., the positively charged amino group of lysine, the peptidic backbone, the terminal amide). Complex (6) shows a non-specific binding, interacting through electrostatic forces. The chloride salts of (4), (5) and (6) had insignificant effects on the cell cycle distribution and marginal cytotoxicity (IC50 > 750 µM) against human lung cancer cell lines H1299 and H1437, indicating that their binding to the oligonucleotide is not a sufficient condition for their cytotoxicity.

Oxidation of Isodiphenylfluorindine: Routes to 13-Oxoisodiphenylfluorindinium Perchlorate and Fluorindine Cruciform Dimers.

Isodiphenylfluorindine (5) reacts with K2Cr2O7/H+ to give 13-oxoisodiphenylfluorindinium perchlorate (7) (75%), but with phenyliodine bis(trifluoroacetate) (PIFA) or MnO2 it gives the zwitterionic and quinoidal cruciform 13,13'-dimers 11 (85%) and 12 (89%), respectively. The zwitterionic 13,13'-dimer 11 can be rapidly converted with MnO2 into the quinoidal 13,13'-dimer 12 (100%). UV-vis, NMR, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and density functional theory studies support the structural assignments of all products. The electrochemical behavior of the compounds is also presented.

Reticular Chemistry and the Discovery of a New Family of Rare Earth (4, 8)-Connected Metal-Organic Frameworks with csq Topology Based on RE4(µ3-O)2(COO)8 Clusters.

In recent years, the design and discovery of new metal-organic framework (MOF) platforms with distinct structural features and tunable chemical composition has remarkably enhanced by applying reticular chemistry rules and the molecular building block (MBB) approach. We targeted the synthesis of new rare earth (RE)-MOF platforms based on a rectangular-shaped 4-c linker, acting as a rigid organic MBB. Accordingly, we designed and synthesized the organic ligand 1,2,4,5-tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl)-3,6-dimethyl-benzene (H4L), in which the two methyl groups attached to the central phenyl ring lock the four peripheral carboxyphenyl groups to an orthogonal/vertical position. We report here a new family of RE-MOFs featuring the novel inorganic building unit, RE4(µ3-O)2 (RE: Y3+, Tb3+, Dy3+, Ho3+, Er3+, and Yb3+), with planar D2h symmetry. The rigid 4-c linker, H4L, directs the in situ assembly of the unique 8-c RE4(µ3-O)2(COO)8 cluster, resulting in the formation of the first (4, 8)-c RE-MOFs with csq topology, RE-csq-MOF-1. The structures of the yttrium (Y-csq-MOF-1) and holmium (Ho-csq-MOF-1) analogues were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Y-csq-MOF-1 was successfully activated and tested for Xe/Kr separation. The results show that Y-csq-MOF-1 has high isosteric heat of adsorption for Xe (33.8 kJ mol-1), with high Xe/Kr selectivity (IAST 12.1, Henry 12.9) and good Xe uptake (1.94 mmol g-1 at 298 K and 1 bar), placing this MOF among the top-performing adsorbents for Xe/Kr separation.

Preparation of Blatter Radicals via Aza-Wittig Chemistry: The Reaction of N-Aryliminophosphoranes with 1-(Het)aroyl-2-aryldiazenes.

Reacting N-aryliminophosphoranes with 1-(het)aroyl-2-aryldiazenes in preheated diphenyl ether at ca. 150-250 °C for 5-25 min affords in most cases the 1,3-diaryl-1,4-dihydrobenzo[e][1,2,4]triazin-4-yls (aka Blatter radicals) in moderate to good yields. All new compounds are fully characterized, including EPR and CV studies for the radicals. Single-crystal X-ray structures of 1-benzoyl-2-(perfluorophenyl)diazene and 1-(perfluorophenyl)-3-phenyl-1,4-dihydrobenzo[e][1,2,4]triazinyl are also presented.

Synthesis, reactivity and characterization of Pt(ii) complexes with N,N' chelating ligands; structure and dimethylsulfoxide reactivity relationship.

Platinum(ii) complexes of the formula PtLCl2 [L = 2-(2'-pyridyl)quinoxaline, (pqx) (1), 2,(2'-pyridyl)benzo[g]quinoxaline, (pbqx) (3) and 2,(2'-pyridyl)quinoline, (pqn) (5)] were synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic and X-ray diffraction methods. Also, monodentate coordination of the ligands pqx and pbqx formed the complexes trans-Pt(DMSO)pqxCl2 (2) and trans-Pt(DMSO)pbqxCl2 (4) as it is indicated from X-ray crystal structure and NMR studies. The reaction of the complexes (1), (3) and (5) with DMSO-d6 revealed a ligand-release solvolysis, which was studied by means of NMR techniques. Correlation between the crystal structures of (1), (3), and (5) and the kinetic or thermodynamic parameters of the solvolysis reactions showed that the tendency of the ligands pqx, pbqx, and pqn to return to the anti-configuration in addition to their ability to form non-classical H-bonds are crucial factors for the ligand-release solvolysis. Instantaneous DMSO-d6 solvolysis for the complexes (1) and (3) and slow kinetics solvolysis for (5) (k = 10-4 ± 6.4 × 10-6 s-1) reflect their structural differences in ligand planarity. Based on NMR techniques a two-step mechanism of the chelate ring opening was suggested with equilibrium constants of the overall reaction at 298 K, Keq = 4.1 ± 0.2 × 10-4 M-1 (1) and Keq = 1.7 ± 0.2 × 10-4 M-1 (2).

The Acid and/or Thermal Mediated Ring Contraction of 4H-1,2,6-Thiadiazines To Afford 1,2,5-Thiadiazoles.

A near-quantitative acid and/or thermal mediated ring contraction of 3',5'-diarylspiro(benzo[d][1,3]dioxole-2,4'-[1,2,6]thiadiazines) affords 3-aryl-4-(2-arylbenzo[d][1,3]dioxol-2-yl)-1,2,5-thiadiazoles. The reaction scope was studied providing 11 examples of this ring contraction. A double Wagner-Meerwein reaction mechanism is proposed.