Well-defined hydrocarbon soluble strontium fluoride and chloride complexes of composition [LSr(thf)(micro-F)2Sr(thf)2L] and [LSr(thf)(micro-Cl)2Sr(thf)2L].

Reaction of LSrN(SiMe(3))(2)(thf) (L = CH(CMe-2,6-i-Pr(2)C(6)H(3)N)(2)) with Me(3)SnF and LAlCl(Me), respectively, gave the first example of a strontium mono fluoride complex [LSr(thf)(mu-F)(2)Sr(thf)(2)L] and the corresponding chloride derivative [LSr(thf)(mu-Cl)(2)Sr(thf)(2)L] .

On the track of novel triel-stabilised silylaminoiminoborenes.

Borenes and boranes: Silylaminoiminoborenes, such as depicted, were isolated after treatment of halogen triels with silylaminofluoroboranes. In addition, novel aryl- and silyl-substituted diaminofluoroboranes were also prepared in order to substantiate this reaction route.Reactions between the halogen triels AlClMe(2), AlBr(3), GaCl(3) and the silylaminofluoroboranes (Me(3)Si)(2)NB(F)NRSiMe(3) (R=SiMe(3), CMe(3)) afforded the silylaminoiminoborenes, which were isolated as the triel adducts, such as Me(3)Si(Cl(3)Ga)NBNRSiMe(3) (6). In order to extent this reaction path to other fluoroboranes, novel aryl- and silyl-substituted diaminofluoroboranes were synthesised. Because almost no open-chain diaminofluoroboranes had been structurally characterised previously, corresponding fluoroboranes containing no silyl groups were crystallised for purposes of comparison. In complex reactions with the arylsilylaminofluoroboranes [(2,6-(iPr)(2)C(6)H(3))(Me(3)Si)NB(F)NR(2), R=iPr, iBu], amine adducts of borenium salts such as [(iPr)(2)NH-->B(Bu)NH-2,6-(iPr)(2)C(6)H(3)](+)AlCl(4) (-) (13) were obtained.

A reactivity change of a strontium monohydroxide by umpolung to an acid.

Controlled hydrolysis of strontium amide LSrN(SiMe 3) 2(thf) (L = CH(CMe2,6- i-Pr 2C 6H 3N) 2) ( 1) gave an unprecedented example of a hydrocarbon-soluble strontium hydroxide, [LSr(thf)(mu-OH) 2Sr(thf) 2L] ( 2). In compound 2, the tetrahydrofuran (THF) molecules can easily replaced by benzophenone and triphenylphosphine oxide to yield [LSr(mu-OH)(OCPh 2)] 2 ( 3) and [LSr(mu-OH)(OPPh 3)] 2 ( 4) compounds. Among the two strontium atoms of 2, one is coordinated to a single THF molecule, while the other is coordinated to two THF molecules. Interestingly, strontium hydroxide complex 2 behaves as an acid in its reaction with Zr(NMe 2) 4 and results in a heterobimetallic oxide, [LSr(mu-O)Zr(NMe 2) 3] 2 ( 5). Compound 5 is dimeric in the solid state and contains a Sr 2Zr 2O 2 core.

Synthesis, characterization, and reaction of aluminum halide amides supported by a bulky beta-diketiminato ligand.

Monomeric aluminum chloride amides with the general formula LAl(Cl)NR2 (1, R = Me; 2, R = iPr; 3, R = SiMe 3; L = HC[C(Me)N(Ar)]2; Ar = 2,6- iPr2C6H3) were prepared by selected routes. Treatment of LAlBr 2 (4) and LAlI2 with LiNMe2 yielded LAl(Br)NMe2 (5) and LAl(I)NMe2 (6), respectively. The alkylation of 1 and 2 with MeLi gave the corresponding methylated compounds LAl(Me)NR2 (7, R = Me; 8, R = iPr); however, no reaction of 3 with MeLi was observed because of steric hindrance. Subsequent fluorination of 1- 3 afforded LAl(F)NR2 (9, R = Me; 10, R = iPr; 11, R = SiMe3). Compounds 1-11 were characterized by multinuclear NMR, electron impact mass spectrometry, and IR. The constitution of compounds 1-3 was confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies.

Preparation of Ti(IV) fluoride N-heterocyclic carbene complexes.

1,3,4,5-Tetramethylimidazol-2-ylidene (L(Me)) and 1,3-diisopropyl-4,5-dimethylimidazol-2-ylidene (L(iPr )) readily form complexes of trans-TiF4(L(Me))2 (1) and of trans-TiF4(L(iPr))2 (4) with TiF4 in THF, respectively. Complex 1 has been used as a precursor for preparing the Ti(IV) fluoride carbene complexes [{TiF2(L(Me))(NEt 2)}2(mu-F)2] (2) and (TiF4(L(Me))2)(NacNacLi) (3) (NacNac = HC(CMeN(2,6- iPr2C6H3))2). Complex 2 was prepared from the reaction of 1-3 equiv of 1 and 1 equiv of Ti(NEt2)4 or by reacting TiF4 with Ti(NEt2)4 and L(Me) in toluene. Complex 3 has been prepared from 1 and NacNacLi in toluene. Reaction of 1 and AlMe3 in toluene results in ligand transfer and formation of AlMe3(L(Me)). Complex 4 is unstable in solution at room temperature and degrades with formation of [HL(iPr)][TiF5(L(iPr))] (5). Complexes 1, 2.2CH2Cl2, 4, and 5 were characterized by single crystal X-ray structural analysis, elemental analysis, IR and NMR spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry. The relative basicities of L(Me), L (iPr), and the donor ligands THF, pyridine, DMSO, and H2O as well as [Cl](-) and [F](-) toward the Ti(IV) pentafluoride anion were established by NMR and confirmed by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. L(Me) and L(iPr ) are more basic than the mentioned molecular donors and more basic than chloride, however less basic than fluoride.

GaCl(3)-catalyzed insertion of diazene derivatives into the cyclopropane ring.

GaCl3 has been found to efficiently catalyze the formal cycloadditions of diazene derivatives 6 onto 2-arylcyclopropane-1,1-dicarboxylates 5, giving rise to the pyrazolidine derivatives 7. The insertion into the cyclopropane ring proceeds with complete regioselectivity to furnish 5-arylpyrazolidine-1,2,3,3-tetracarboxylates exclusively; however, the cis-configured azo compound N-phenyltriazolinedione gave the two possible regioisomeric pyrazolidine derivatives in ratios varying from 1:1.5 to 1:3. Conceivable mechanisms of these transformations are being discussed.

Synthesis, structural characterization, and theoretical investigation of compounds containing an Al-O-M-O-Al (M=Ti, Zr) core.

We report a facile route to the first molecular compounds with the Al-O-M-O-Al (M=Ti, Zr) structural motif. Synthesis of L(Me)Al(mu-O)M(NMe2)2(mu-O)Al(Me)L [L=CH{N(Ar)(CMe)}2, Ar=2,6-iPr2C6H3; M=Ti (7), Zr (8)] was accomplished by reacting the monometallic hydroxide precursor L(Me)Al(OH) (1) with Ti(NMe2)4 or Zr(NMe2)4 under elimination of Me2NH in good yield. The crystal structural data confirm the trimetallic Al-O-M-O-Al core in both 7 and 8. Preliminary investigation on catalytic activity of these complexes reveals low activity of these complexes in ethylene polymerization as compared to the related oxygen-bridged metallocene-based heterobimetallic complexes L(Me)Al(mu-O)M(Me)Cp2 (M=Ti, Zr) which could be attributed to the relatively lower stability of the supposed cationic intermediate as revealed by DFT calculations.

Rhenium(V) oxo complexes with acetylacetone derived Schiff bases: structure and catalytic epoxidation.

Substitution reactions of rhenium(V) oxo precursors [ReOCl3(PPh3)2] or [NBu4][ReOCl4] with the bidentate acetylacetone-derived ketoamine ligands APOH = 4-anilino-3-penten-2-one, DPOH = 4-[2,6-dimethylanilino]-3-penten-2-one, and MTPOH = 4-[2-(methylthio)anilino]-3-penten-2-one gave the complexes [ReO(APO)Cl2(PPh3)] (1), [ReO(DPO)Cl2(PPh3)] (2), and [NBu4][ReOLCl3] (3, L = APO; 4, L = DPO; 5, L = MTPO), respectively. All complexes exhibit only one ketoamino chelate, independent of the amount of ligand added to the rhenium precursors. The complexes were characterized by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. X-ray crystal structures of the complexes 1, 2, 4, and 5, including that of MTPOH, were determined, revealing the trans position of the two oxygen atoms and the trans-Cl,Cl conformation in 1 and 2, in contrast to most other rhenium complexes of this type where the cis-Cl,Cl conformation is observed. Coordination of the potentially tridentate ligand MTPOH in 5 is bidentate with a dangling thioether substituent. Compound 2 shows catalytic activity in the oxidation of cis-cyclooctene with tert-butylhydroperoxide.

Synthesis and characterization of well-defined aluminum-containing heterobimetallic selenides.

A series of novel aluminum heterobimetallic selenides were reported. The reaction of LAl(SeH)2 (1) with LiN(SiMe3)2 resulted in the formation of [LAl(SeLi)2(THF)2] (2) (L = HC(CMeNAr)2, Ar = 2,6-iPr2C6H3). Compound 2 reacted with Me2GeCl2, Ph2GeCl2, Cp2TiCl2, and Cp2ZrCl2, respectively, to produce LAl(mu-Se)2GeMe2 (3), LAl(mu-Se)2GePh2 (4), LAl(mu-Se)2TiCp2 (5), and LAl(mu-Se)2ZrCp2 (6) in moderate yields. Compounds 2-6 were characterized by elemental analysis, NMR, and electron impact-MS. The X-ray single-crystal structure of 3 is reported and confirms the spirocyclic arrangement of the aluminum atom within the six-membered AlN2C3 and four-membered AlSe2Ge rings.

Spirodionic acid, a novel metabolite from Streptomyces sp., part 1: structure elucidation and Diels-Alder-type biosynthesis.

Spirodionic acid (1), a novel microbial metabolite with a spiro[4.5]decene skeleton, the 6-ethyl-2H-pyrone 5, dihydrosarkomycin (6), and other metabolites were isolated from the strain Streptomyces sp. Tü 6077. Structural elucidation was accomplished by NMR spectroscopic and mass-spectrometric studies, and the biosyntheses of compounds 1, 5, and 6 were investigated by feeding experiments with (13)C-labeled precursors. All results indicate a biogenetic sequence with metabolite 5 and sarkomycin (7) as precursors in the formation of spirocyclus 1 through an intermolecular Diels-Alder-type reaction.

Selective treatment of cancer: synthesis, biological evaluation and structural elucidation of novel analogues of the antibiotic CC-1065 and the duocarmycins.

Novel diastereomerically pure beta-D-galactosidic prodrugs (+)-12 a-e of the cytotoxic antibiotics CC-1065 and the duocarmycins were prepared for an antibody directed enzyme prodrug therapy (ADEPT) using 4 as a substrate via a radical cyclization to give rac-5 and rac-6 followed by a chromatographic resolution of the enantiomers of rac-5, glycosidation and linkage to the DNA-binding units 10 a-e. These only slightly toxic compounds can be toxified enzymatically by an antibody-beta-D-galactosidase conjugate at the surface of malignant cells to give the cytotoxic drugs, which then alkylate DNA. The new prodrugs were tested in in vitro cytotoxicity assays showing excellent QIC(50) values of 4800 and 4300 for (+)-12 a and (+)-12 b, respectively. The absolute configuration of precursor (+)-5 was determined by comparison of the experimental CD spectrum with the theoretically predicted CD spectra and by X-ray structure analysis.

Stille-Heck coupling sequences applied in a versatile new access to steroid skeletons.

A variety of enantiomerically pure steroidal compounds was synthesized utilizing a sequence of Stille and Heck cross-coupling reactions and subsequent thermal 6pi-electrocyclizations. Highly chemoselective Stille couplings on the triflate moiety of several 2-bromocyclohex-1-enyl triflates with cis- and trans-fused bicyclo[4.3.0]nonenylstannanes furnished the corresponding tricyclic bromobutadienes in good to excellent yields (70-97%). These were subjected to Heck reactions with tert-butyl acrylate to provide pentasubstituted tricyclic 1,3,5-hexatrienes. A significant increase in efficiency could be achieved by applying a novel protocol with a precatalyst on the basis of the palladacycle prepared from Pd(OAc)2 and P(o-Tol)3 with added triarylphosphines as co-ligands (73-90% yield). Upon heating to 205-215 degrees C in decalin or to 140 degrees C in toluene (for certain cases), these hexatrienes yielded (78-90%) various unsaturated steroid analogues as single diastereomers. A particular oxohexatriene, obtained after deprotection of an adjacent carbonyl group, underwent 6pi-electrocyclization at the unusually low temperature of 140 degrees C to yield (75%) an interesting 7-carboxyl-substituted steroidal dienone. Attempts to remove the remaining protecting groups from some of the other new steroidal compounds under acidic conditions furnished a novel 3-oxo-7-carboxyl steroid analogue and a 3-hydroxy-substituted steroidal diene. A novel estradiol derivative could be obtained in 69% yield from the synthesized steroidal dienone. Deprotection furnished the corresponding unprotected 7-carboxylestradiol in 81% yield.

Stille/Diels-Alder reaction sequences: diversity-oriented access to novel steroids.

[reaction: see text] An efficient, diversity-oriented approach to novel steroid analogues possessing a C-5beta configuration begins with the Stille cross-coupling of enantiomerically pure cycloalkenylstannane trans-2 and enol triflate 3. The resulting diene trans-4 engages in Diels-Alder cycloaddition reactions with a range of dienophiles to give, after removal of protecting groups, biologically interesting 6,7-disubstituted steroid analogues.

A well-defined hydrocarbon-soluble calcium hydroxide: synthesis, structure, and reactivity.

Controlled hydrolysis of a (beta-diketiminate)calcium-amide gave a heteroleptic (beta-diketiminate)calcium-hydroxide complex that is remarkably stable against ligand exchange and formation of Ca(OH)2. The structure of this dimeric complex shows OH- units that symmetrically bridge the Ca2+ ions. This hydrocarbon-soluble calcium hydroxide reacted rapidly with CO2 to produce a gel from which amorphous CaCO3 slowly separated. This reaction behavior allows for sol-gel coating with CaCO3 from an organic solvent. Reaction with benzophenone did not lead to nucleophilic attack of OH- to the carbonyl but gave a red benzophenone adduct instead.

An efficient access to novel enantiomerically pure steroidal delta-amino acids.

A highly chemoselective sequence of Stille and Heck couplings on the heterocyclic bromoenol triflates 2 a-c with the bicycloalkenylstannanes cis-3 and trans-3 furnished the intermediate bromobutadienes 4 a-c in good yields ranging from 73-94 %. A modified Heck coupling protocol employing the palladacycle 8 and an additional bidentate ligand such as 1,4-bis(diphenylphosphinyl)butane allowed a significant reduction in catalyst loading while still obtaining the heterocyclic 1,3,5-hexatrienes 5 a-c in good yields (71-94 %). The unsymmetrically substituted 1,3,5-hexatrienes 5 a-c in solution underwent 6pi-electrocyclizations following an optimized microwave-heating protocol to yield the steroidal tetracycles cis-7 a-c and trans-7 b (59-69 %). Tetracycles cis-7 a-c are the products of a subsequent 1,5-hydrogen shift to the thermodynamically more stable, more highly substituted diene units. Removal of the tert-butyl groups provided the novel steroidal delta-amino acid 9 a and the delta-amino acid derivatives 9 b, c in good yields (76-86 %).

Comprehensive study of okaspirodiol: characterization, total synthesis, and biosynthesis of a new metabolite from Streptomyces.

The new spiro[4.5]acetal okaspirodiol (4) was isolated from Streptomyces sp. Gö TS 19 as a secondary metabolite in yields up to 380 mg/L. The structure of this cryptic ketotetrol was elucidated by different methods including X-ray analysis, and its equilibration under mildly acidic conditions furnishing three additional isomers was thoroughly studied. Although metabolite 4 is not the thermodynamically favored isomer, a high-yielding total synthesis was accomplished comprising a stereoselective spiroacetalization under equilibrium conditions. This approach benefits from the important influence of an intramolecular hydrogen bond on the stabilization of the spiro[4.5]acetal moiety. The biosynthesis of 4 was investigated by feeding experiments with 13C-labeled precursors proving its origin from a new type of the rare mixed acetate-glycerol biosynthetic pathway. All results are discussed on the basis of the structural diversity of spiroacetals in nature and their chemical properties.