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A family of inherently chiral electroactive selectors based on the 2,2’‐biindole atropisomeric scaffold, of easy synthesis and modulable functional properties, is studied in cascade in two enantioselection contexts. They are at first investigated as probes in enantioselective HPLC, studying molecular structure and temperature effects, and achieving very efficient semipreparative enantioseparation. The enantiomers thus obtained, of remarkable chiroptical features (optical rotation as well as circular dichroism), are successfully applied as selectors in chiral voltammetry in different media for discrimination of the enantiomers of chiral electroactive probes, either by conversion into enantiopure electroactive electrode surfaces by electrooligomerization on glassy carbon substrate (the two monomers with shorter alkyl chains), or as chiral additive in achiral ionic liquid (the monomer with longest alkyl chains). Discrimination is conveniently and reproducibly achieved in terms of significant potential differences for the two enantiomers, specularly inverting either probe or selector configuration. In one case successful discrimination is also observed with the two probe enantiomers concurrently present, either as racemate or with enantiomeric excesses, neatly accounted for by the peak current ratios., A series of inherently chiral electroactive selectors based on the 2,2’‐biindole atropisomeric scaffold is studied in two enantiodiscrimination contests: as probes in enantioselective HPLC and as selectors in chiral voltammetry for successful discrimination of the enantiomers of chiral electroactive probes, either by conversion into enantiopure electroactive electrode surfaces or as chiral additive in achiral ionic liquid.

A series of 2,2’-biindole-based inherently chiral electroactive monomers are comparatively investigated with their 3,3’ analogues as an excellent study case of two equivalent redox centres interacting through a torsional barrier. The twin peak potential splitting observed in voltammetry for the first oxidation of the biheteroaromatic core accounts for the energy barrier height: the lower the barrier, the larger the peak potential splitting, with modulation by solvent and temperature. The height of the energy barrier is determining for the electrochemical and spectroscopic features of the monomers as well as for their configurational stability and applicability for enantioselection purposes. The 3,3’ monomers, featuring large twin peak splittings in CV, are “trópos” systems with a low torsional barrier, so they cannot exist as stable enantiomers at room temperature. Instead their 2,2’ isomers, with much smaller twin peak splittings, are “átropos” systems and can be separated by enantioselective HPLC into stable enantiomers, providing powerful “inherently chiral” selectors with outstanding enantioselection properties in chiral electroanalysis and electrochemistry as well as in chiroptical spectroscopy, with fascinating reciprocal correlations.

The first binuclear Gd‐complex of the 12‐membered pyridine‐based polyaminocarboxylate macrocyclic ligand PCTA was synthesized by C−C connection of the pyridine units through two different synthetic procedures. A dimeric AAZTA‐ligand was also synthesized with the aim to compare the relaxometric results or the two ditopic Gd‐complexes. Thus, the 1H relaxometric study on [Gd2PCTA2(H2O)4] and on [Gd2AAZTA2(H2O)4]2− highlighted the remarkable rigidity and compactness of the two binuclear complexes, which results in molar relaxivities (per Gd), at 1.5 T and 298 K of ca. 12–12.6 mM−1 s−1 with an increase of ca. 80 % at 1.5 T and 298 K (+70 % at 310 K) with respect to the corresponding mononuclear complexes., Two novel binuclear PCTA2 and AAZTA2 ligands were synthesized with a multistep process. Their GdIII‐complexes results in molecular relaxivities at 1.5 T and 298 K of ca. 24–25 mM−1 s−1 thanks to the rigidity and compactness of the ligands. These values are remarkably higher that those found for the corresponding mononuclear complexes.

Bis-dehydroxycurcumin tert-butyl ester (K2T23) is a derivative of the natural spice curcumin. Curcumin is widely studied for its multiple therapeutic properties, including photosensitized cytotoxicity. However, the full exploitation of curcumin phototoxic potential is hindered by the extreme instability of its excited state, caused by very efficient non radiative decay by means of transfer of the enolic proton to the nearby keto oxygen. K2T23 is designed to exhibit a tautomeric equilibrium shifted toward the diketo conformers with respect to natural curcumin. This property should endow K2T23 with superior excited-state stability when excited in the UVB band, i.e., in correspondence of the diketo conformers absorption peaks, making this compound an interesting candidate for topical photodynamic therapy of, e.g., skin tumors or oral infections. In this work, the tautomeric equilibrium of K2T23 between the keto-enolic and diketo conformers is assessed in the ground state in several organic solvents by UV-visible absorption and by nuclear magnetic resonance. The same tautomeric equilibrium is also probed in the excited-state in the same environments by means of steady-state fluorescence and time-correlated single-photon counting measurements. These techniques are also exploited to elucidate the excited state dynamics and excited-state deactivation pathways of K2T23, which are compared to those determined for several other curcuminoids characterized in previous works of ours. The ability of K2T23 in photosensitizing the production of singlet oxygen is compared with that of curcumin. © 2017 Nardo et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited

Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of simvastatin on mechanical properties of muscle and bone in hypercholesterolemic rats submitted to physical exercise. Methods: Ten male Wistar rats were submitted to a high-fat diet rich in cholesterol for 90 days. The animals were then divided into two groups: animals treated with physical exercise (EG) and animals treated with physical exercise and simvastatin (ESG). Protocols for physical exercise in water and simvastatin administration were performed for eight weeks. After this period, the animals were euthanized; the left tibia and right gastrocnemius muscle were dissected for mechanical analysis, and the right tibia for densitometry. The data were analyzed using Student's t-test, considering a level of significance of 5%. Results: The comparison of maximum load and stiffness revealed no significant differences between the groups for both the tibia (p = 0.851 and p = 0.259) and the gastrocnemius (p = 0.911 and p = 0.083). The tibia BMD also showed no significant difference between the groups (p = 0.803). Conclusion: Simvastatin had no negative effects on mechanical properties in tibia and gastrocnemius of hypercholesterolemic rats submitted to physical exercise. RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a influência da sinvastatina nas propriedades mecânicas de ossos e músculos de ratos hipercolesterolêmicos submetidos a exercício físico. Métodos: Foram usados dez ratos machos da raça Wistar, submetidos a dieta hiperlipídica rica em colesterol por 90 dias. Os animais foram então distribuídos em dois grupos: submetidos a tratamento com exercício físico (GE) e submetidos a tratamento com exercício físico e sinvastatina (GE+S). Foi aplicado um protocolo de exercício físico na água e administração de sinvastatina por oito semanas. Após esse período, os animais foram eutanasiados e dissecados a tíbia esquerda e o músculo gastrocnêmio direito de cada animal para análise mecânica e a tíbia direita para densitometria. Para análise dos dados foi aplicado o teste t de Student, considerou-se nível de significância de 5%. Resultados: A comparação da força máxima e rigidez não revelou diferença significativa entre os grupos tanto para a tíbia (p = 0,851 e p = 0,259) quanto para o músculo gastrocnêmio (p = 0,911 e p = 0,083). A DMO das tíbias também não apresentou diferença significativa entre os grupos (p = 0,803). Conclusão: A sinvastatina não teve efeitos deletérios nas propriedades mecânicas da tíbia e do músculo gastrocnêmio de ratos hipercolesterolêmicos submetidos a exercício físico aeróbio.

Exemestane, a 3rd-generation aromatase inhibitor, is clinically used in the treatment of breast cancer in postmenopausal women. The key step of the industrial synthetic process, i.e., a dehydrogenation to introduce the Δ1-unsaturation, is normally performed with quinones such as p-chloranil or DDQ. We observed the formation of two different hexacyclic by-products, depending on the quinone used in the oxidation step. These compounds arise from an initial [4+2] cycloaddition between the precursor 6-methylenandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione and the quinone reagent, followed by a twofold dehydrohalogenation (with p-chloranil) or dehydrogenation (with DDQ). The structures of these unprecedented hexacyclic adducts were determined by a combination of mass spectrometry, NMR techniques and crystallographic analysis.

A fast and efficient protocol for the synthesis of N,N'-disubstituted urea derivatives from alkyl halides and primary or secondary amines has been developed. The synthetic pathway combines nucleophilic substitutions and a Staudinger–aza-Wittig reaction in the presence of polymer-bound diphenylphosphine under 14 bar of CO2 pressure and has been performed in a one-pot two-step process. The protocol has been optimized under microwave irradiation and the scale-up experiment has been conducted under conventional conditions in a Parr reactor. The final compounds were isolated after simple filtration in almost quantitative overall yields which makes this procedure facile and rapid to execute.

An ultrasound-assisted three-component, one-pot domino reaction with ferrocenecarboxaldehyde is herein reported. The sequence of reactions entails the allylindation and dehydrative alkylation of stabilized C-nucleophiles (e.g. electron-rich – (hetero)aromatics and stabilized enols) and N-nucleophiles (e.g. azoles). Sonochemical reactions have been performed in three different high-intensity reactors: a bath (20.3 kHz, 60 W), as well as two cup horns working at 19.9 kHz (75 W) and 300.5 kHz (70 W) giving a library of 18 new ferrocenyl derivatives.

The title compound was easily prepared by a nitrosoarene-alkyne cycloaddition reaction carried out in toluene at 80 °C. The product is a highly functionalized compound that can be further derivatized through various functional group interconversion procedures. © 2014 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

A novel centrosymmetric porphyrazine (Pz) 1 decorated with pyrazino-dibenzo[ b,f ]azepine units have been prepared via Linstead macrocyclization re action of a dinitrile precursor. Accordingly, the peripheral azepine nitrogen offers a chemical h andle for subsequent functionalizations. Characterization of the metal complexes (MPzs = Metal Porphyrazines) of 1 was accomplished and good catalytic performances were achieved in th e Cu(II)- and Co(II)- catalyzed cyclopropanation with ethyl diazoacetate as a test reaction.

Pyrazoles represent important building blocks for the preparation of bioactive compounds and a large variety of materials, due to their rich coordination chemistry. Unusual and interesting properties may be imparted to molecules embodying highly fluorinated pyrazoles, but to date only few examples of polyfluorinated pyrazoles have been described. In this work we report an improved preparation of 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazole, the subsequent transformation into hitherto unknown 4-functionalized (F, Cl, Br, I, NO2, NH2) derivatives and the evaluation of selected chemical and physical properties of these compounds.

(Pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)iridium di- I chloride dimer {[IrCp*Cl2]2}-catalyzed hydroalkoxylation of bis-homopropargylic alcohols provides an efficient access to dioxabicyclo[2.2.1]ketals. The cycloisomerizations proceed under mild conditions, with low catalytic loadings and short reaction times. This new protocol involving an Ir(III) catalyst also promoted the cycloisomerization of nitrogen-tethered 1,6-enynes to give azabicyclo[4.1.0]heptenes, enhancing the synthetic potential of our method.

3-(Aryl)methyl-4-hydroxycoumarins were produced in good to excellent yields by reaction between 4-hydroxycoumarin and (hetero)aromatic aldehydes in the presence of Hantzsch 1,4-dihydropyridine (HEH) which works as an hydride donor (i.e., in a sequential Knoevenagel–reductive Michael addition). The sonochemical-assisted procedure (method B) provides an improved and accelerated conversion when compared to conventional silent reactions (method A). Experiments carried out according to method B showed that the reaction could be more efficiently run in the absence of organic solvents, at 30–40 °C in open vessel, without the need of an excess HEH and with simplified work-up and separation procedures.

The gold(I)-catalyzed cycloisomerization of β-allenylhydrazones provides an efficient access to multisubstituted N-aminopyrroles, which are obtained in good to excellent yields. This new intramolecular cyclization method can be applied either to alkyl- or aryl-substituted allenes. The reaction proceeds under mild conditions with short reaction times through a selective intramolecular 1,2-alkyl or -aryl migration extending the general scope of the reaction.

A new recyclable catalytic system based on Pd(II) embedded in cross-linked cyclodextrin is found to be very efficient in aminocarbonylation reactions of aryl iodides (I).

Catalysis in aqueous systems under sonochemical conditions has become an irreplaceable method in green synthetic chemistry after more than two decades of studies in this domain. The present review has the aim of describing the state-of-the-art with a comprehensive view of advantages and limitations as well as new potential applications. Catalytic procedures in water assisted by ultrasound and/or hydrodynamic cavitation are environmentally friendly with milder conditions, shorter reaction times and higher yields. Sonochemical processes can reduce the formation of hazardous by-products, the generation of waste and also produce energy savings. Cavitational implosion generates mechanical and chemical effects such as cleaning of catalyst surface and formation of free radicals by sonolysis of water. The present overview of sonochemical reactions in water (oxidation, bromination, aza-Michael, C–C couplings, MCR and aldol reactions) should provide useful models for furthering the progress of organic synthesis using harmless and greener sound energy.

Catalysis in aqueous systems under sonochemical conditions has become an irreplaceable method in green synthetic chemistry after more than two decades of studies in this domain. The present review has the aim of describing the state-of-the-art with a comprehensive view of advantages and limitations as well as new potential applications. Catalytic procedures in water assisted by ultrasound and/or hydrodynamic cavitation are environmentally friendly with milder conditions, shorter reaction times and higher yields. Sonochemical processes can reduce the formation of hazardous by-products, the generation of waste and also produce energy savings. Cavitational implosion generates mechanical and chemical effects such as cleaning of catalyst surface and formation of free radicals by sonolysis of water. The present overview of sonochemical reactions in water (oxidation, bromination, aza-Michael, C–C couplings, MCR and aldol reactions) should provide useful models for furthering the progress of organic synthesis using harmless and greener sound energy.

The incorporation of the carbonyl moiety into organic molecules using a three-component matrix, including carbon monoxide, an organic halide, and a nucleophilic component, offers a simple and versatile approach to the formation of carboxylic acids, anhydrides, esters, amides, and ketones. The design of a sustainable synthetic protocol for aminocarbonylation can be efficiently accomplished using a multifaceted strategy that combines solid green catalysts and suitable enabling techniques. The safe and synergistic use of carbon monoxide in a microwave reactor under pressure may be able to create a technological breakthrough in aminocarbonylation reactions. Moreover, a new recyclable catalytic system “CβCAT” based on Pd(II)-triphenylphosphine embedded in cross-linked β-cyclodextrin (hexamethylene diisocyanate) has been found to be very efficient in aryl iodide aminocarbonylation reactions.

There is currently a significant increase in the use of glycerol as a renewable solvent for catalytic reactions. Glycerol has often been the solvent of choice in both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalyses, despite its high viscosity at ambient temperature and the low solubility of highly hydrophobic reagents found in glycerol. Its biodegradability and non-toxicity have led to reports of improved reaction performance and selectivity, as well as easier product separation and effective catalyst recycling. All relevant advances in this emerging field of “green” catalysis are thoroughly reviewed below.

The allylindation of 1 H -indole-3-carboxaldehyde in the presence of azoles (e.g., pyrazoles and imidazole) under aqueous Barbier-like conditions was reinvestigated and improved. Some of the results were at variance with a previous report ( Tetrahedron Lett. 2003 , 44 , 2101).

3-Aryl-4-hydroxycoumarins have been obtained in satisfactory yields and selectivity through a Rh(II)-mediated arylation of diazocoumarin. The utility of this approach is demonstrated by synthesis of the natural product derrusnin.

The structure and stereochemistry of the crystalline 2 : 2 condensation product ("glytham") of glyoxal and tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane was conclusively determined by X-ray diffractometric analysis. The singular disposition of the heteroatoms suggests the employment of glytham as starting material for the synthesis of ditopic ligands for metal ions. Some derivatives of glytham were prepared and their binding properties towards alkaline metal ions were preliminarily investigated by ESI-MS and NMR.

The synthesis is described of several aminoalkyl derivatives of coumarin, obtained in good yields under microwave or high-intensity ultrasound irradiation. These compounds proved uniformly active as inhibitors of squalene-hopene cyclase (SHC) from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius . Their design stemmed from our recent finding that the umbelliferone nucleus acquires inhibitory properties towards SHC when functionalized with a suitable chain such as the ω-epoxyfarnesyl group. Under our experimental conditions the most active ones, such as 7-(4′-allylmethylamino-but-2-ynyloxy)chromen-2-one (IC 50 0.75 mM), approached the potency of anticholesteremic drug Ro 48-8071 (IC 50 0.35 mM), an effective inhibitor of both squalene- and oxidosqualene-cyclases (OSC). Tests are in progress to determine their efficacy on different eukaryotic OSCs.

The reaction of [Cu(CH3CN)4](BF4) with racemic pyrazole-3,5-dicarboxylic acid di-sec-butyl ester (3,5-dicarbo-sec-butoxypyrazole, Hdcsbpz) or with pyrazole-3,5-di-ter-butyl (3,5-di-ter-butylpyrazole, Hdtbpz) quantitatively yields the new [Cu(dcsbpz)]4 and [Cu(dtbpz)]4 complexes, respectively. Crystals of [Cu(dcsbpz)]4 are triclinic, P 1 , a=10.9748(7), b=11.8399(8), c=26.5575(17) A, α=100.605(2), β=90.783(2), γ=105.362(2)°; [Cu(dtbpz)]4·CH2Cl2 is monoclinic, P21/n, a=10.902(3), b=19.200(3), c=25.772(4) A, β=93.86(2)°. Both species contain cyclic tetrameric molecules, with the heterocyclic ligands binding in the common N,N′-exo-bidentate mode; however, the shape and geometry of the inner Cu4 moiety is remarkably different, as highlighted, for example, by the absolute values of the 1,2 and 1,3 (non-bonding) Cu⋯Cu interactions. These polynuclear copper(I) pyrazolate complexes catalyse the conversion of alkenes into the corresponding cyclopropane derivatives with interesting diastereomeric excesses. Aiming at the evaluation of their catalytic activities, a systematic study of the cyclopropanation reactions in the presence of ethyl diazoacetate has been performed.

Cobalt(II) porphyrin complexes catalyze reactions between ethyl diazoacetate (EDA) and styrenes to give the corresponding cyclopropanes with trans selectivity. The reactions of other diazoalkanes and other olefins have also been carried out, and the mechanism of the reaction has been investigated. Kinetic data and stoichiometric reactions support the formation of a diazoalkane cobalt-porphyrin complex that reacts with the olefins to generate the cyclopropane. Diethyl maleate and fumarate are not formed in the presence of an excess of olefin. On treatment of EDA with CoII(TPP) (TPP = dianion of meso-tetraphenylporphyrin) in the absence of the olefin, an alkyl cobalt(III) complex CoIII(TPP)(CH2CO2Et) was isolated, and its structure has been solved by X-ray diffraction. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2003)

Co I I -porphyrin complexes catalyze the reaction of aromatic azides (ArN 3 ) with hydrocarbons that contain a benzylic group (ArR 1 R 2 CH) to give the corresponding amines (ArR 1 R 2 C-N-HAr). When at least one of the R substituents is hydrogen, the catalytic reaction proceeds further to give the imine ArRC=NAr in good yields. The reaction mechanism has been investigated. The reaction proceeds through a reversible coordination of the arylazide to the Co I I - porphyrin complex. This unstable adduct can either react with the hydrocarbon in the rate-determining step or decompose by a unimolecular mechanism to afford a putative "nitrene" complex, which reacts with more azide, but not with the hydrocarbon, to afford the byproduct diaryldiazene. The kinetics of the catalytic reaction have been investigated for a range of azides and substituted toluenes. Arylazides with electron-withdrawing substituents react at a faster rate and a good correlation is found between the log(k) and the Taft parameters. On the other hand, an excellent correlation between the logarithm of the rate for substituted toluenes relative to that of toluene and a radical parameter (σ . J J ) alone was found, with no significant contribution by polar parameters. An explanation has been proposed for this anomalous effect and for the very high isotopic effect (k H /k D = 14) found.

In the presence of 3 mol% of [Ru(OAc) 2 ] 2 at 90°C in hexafluorobenzene or alcohols as solvents the highly stabilized diazocoumarin 1 undergoes insertion into the OH bond of alcohols (and phenols) regio- and chemoselectively, affording the corresponding 3-alkoxy-4-hydroxycoumarin in moderate to excellent yields.

Structurally diverse aniline derivatives or analogous benzylamines and benzamides are subjected to ring-closing metathesis according to conditions A).

The thermal reaction between nitrosoarenes and alkynes under alkylating conditions produces N-alkoxyindoles as the major products in moderate to good yields and excellent regioselectivity. Various electrophiles are used affording different N–O-protected hydroxyindoles in a multi-component fashion. Privileged acetylenic substrates used in reactions with substituted nitrosoarenes are arylalkynes or propiolates. Potentially bioactive compounds and other classes of highly functionalizable indole products were prepared. Reactions between o-carbomethoxy-nitrosoarenes and arylacetylenes provided tricyclic compounds containing an acylaziridine indoline skeleton.

International audience; Novel regioselective ring closing ene-yne metathesis provided an efficient access to different substituted 1-benzazepine scaffolds. The reported synthetic approach could also be used as a powerful tool for the selective formation of a highly functionalizable 2-benzazepine core. This synthetic protocol was even proved to be an efficient way to obtain a functionalizable benzazocine derivative. By modifying the structure of the starting materials, the optimized cyclization finally proved to be a suitable technique to obtain five-and six-membered lactams, enhancing the synthetic application of our method. Five-and six-membered lactams were efficiently prepared by ring-closing metathesis involving the loss of ethylene moiety and affording highly functionalizable compounds showing both electron-withdrawing substituents and electron-donor groups.

[reaction: see text] Indoles are produced regioselectively and in moderate yields by two new processes: (a) from the [CpRu(CO)2]2-catalyzed reaction of nitrosoaromatics (ArNO) with alkynes under carbon monoxide and (b) in a two-step sequence involving the (uncatalyzed) reaction of ArNO with alkynes, followed by reduction of the intermediate adduct.

A novel Ir-catalyst for the straightforward cycloisomerization of different functionalized 1,6-enynes is found.

The gold(I)-catalyzed cycloisomerization of β-allenylhydrazones provides an efficient access to multisubstituted N-aminopyrroles, which are obtained in good to excellent yields. This new intramolecular cyclization method can be applied either to alkyl- or aryl-substituted allenes. The reaction proceeds under mild conditions with short reaction times through a selective intramolecular 1,2-alkyl or -aryl migration extending the general scope of the reaction.

Indoles are produced regioselectively and in moderate yields from the reactions of nitroaromatics with alkynes catalyzed by [CpM(CO)2]2 (1; [(η5-C5H5)Fe(CO)2]2; [(η5-C5Me5)Fe(CO)2]2; [(η5-C5Me5)Ru(CO)2]2) under carbon monoxide.

[reaction: see text] Indoles are produced regioselectively and in moderate yields by two new processes: (a) from the [CpRu(CO)2]2-catalyzed reaction of nitrosoaromatics (ArNO) with alkynes under carbon monoxide and (b) in a two-step sequence involving the (uncatalyzed) reaction of ArNO with alkynes, followed by reduction of the intermediate adduct.

The thermal reaction between nitrosoarenes and alkynes produces N-hydroxyindoles as the major products. The mechanism of these novel reactions has been probed using a combination of experimental and computational methods. The reaction of nitrosobenzene (NB) with an excess of phenyl acetylene (PA) is determined to be first order in each reactant in benzene at 75 degrees C. The reaction rates have been determined for reactions between phenyl acetylene with a set of p-substituted nitrosoarenes, 4-X-C(6)H(4)NO, and of 4-O(2)N-C(6)H(4)NO with a set of p-substituted arylalkynes, 4-Y-C(6)H(4)C[triple bond]CH. The former reactions are accelerated by electron-withdrawing X groups (rho = +0.4), while the latter are faster with electron-donating Y groups (rho = -0.9). The kinetic isotope effect for the reaction of C(6)H(5)NO/C(6)D(5)NO with PhC[triple bond]CH is found to be 1.1 (+/-0.1) while that between PhC[triple bond]CH/PhC[triple bond]CD with PhNO is also 1.1 (+/-0.1). The reaction between nitrosobenzene and the radical clock probe cyclopropylacetylene affords 3-cyclopropyl indole in low yield. In addition to 3-carbomethoxy-N-hydroxyindole, the reaction between PA and o-carbomethoxy-nitrosobenzene also affords a tricyclic indole derivative, 3, likely derived from trapping of an intermediate indoline nitrone with PA and subsequent rearrangement. Computational studies of the reaction mechanism were carried out with density functional theory at the (U)B3LYP/6-31+G(d) level. The lowest energy pathway of the reaction of PhNO with alkynes was found to be stepwise; the N-C bond between nitrosoarene and acetylene is formed first, the resulting vinyl diradical undergoes cis-trans isomerization, and then the C-C bond forms. Conjugating substituents Z on the alkyne, Z-C[triple bond]CH, lower the calculated (and observed) activation barrier, Z = -H (19 kcal/mol), -Ph (15.8 kcal/mol), and -C(O)H (13 kcal/mol). The regioselectivity of the reaction, with formation of the 3-substituted indole, was reproduced by the calculations of PhNO + PhC[triple bond]CH; the rate-limiting step for formation of the 2-substituted indole is higher in energy by 11.6 kcal/mol. The effects of -NO(2), -CN, -Cl, -Br, -Me, and -OMe substituents were computed for the reactions of p-X-C(6)H(4)NO with PhC[triple bond]CH and of PhNO and/or p-NO(2)-C(6)H(4)NO with p-Y-C(6)H(4)C[triple bond]CH. The activation energies for the set of p-X-C(6)H(4)NO vary by 4.3 kcal/mol and follow the trend found experimentally, with electron-withdrawing X groups accelerating the reactions. The range of barriers for the p-Y-C(6)H(4)C[triple bond]CH reactions is smaller, about 1.5 and 1.8 kcal/mol in the cases of PhNO and p-NO(2)-PhNO, respectively. In agreement with the experiments, electron-donating Y groups on the alkyne accelerate the reactions with p-NO(2)-C(6)H(4)NO, while both ED and EW groups are predicted to facilitate the reaction. The calculated kinetic isotope effect for the reaction of C(6)H(5)NO/C(6)D(5)NO with PhC[triple bond]CH is negligible (as found experimentally) while that for PhC[triple bond]CH/PhC[triple bond]CD with PhNO (0.7) differs somewhat from the experiment (1.1). Taken together the experimental and computational results point to the operation of a stepwise diradical cycloaddition, with rate-limiting N-C bond formation and rapid C-C connection to form a bicyclic cyclohexadienyl-N-oxyl diradical, followed by fast tautomerization to the N-hydroxyindole product.

Pd-catalyzed homo- and cross-couplings of boronic acids and aryl halides were successfully carried out both in aqueous media under high-intensity ultrasound (US) and in DME under microwave (MW). Heterogeneous catalysis with Pd/C was employed, avoiding phosphine ligands and phase-transfer catalysts. In a trial series involving 15 different iodo- and bromoaryls and 7 boronic acids, both energy sources drastically reduced reaction times affording biaryls in acceptable to good yields. With palladium(II) acetate as catalyst, electron-deficient aryl chlorides also reacted, affording a few biaryls in acceptable yields. Ullmann-type zinc-mediated homocoupling of iodo- and bromoaryls in the presence of Pd/C under CO2 atmosphere was achieved in aqueous media under US, though not under MW. Suzuki homo- and cross-couplings were also carried out in a new reactor developed in our laboratory, featuring combined US and MW irradiation, further improving a green synthetic method.

The nitroarene p-nitrotoluene is converted with a selectivity higher than 85% to the corresponding carbamate at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, using photoexcited particles of TiO2 as catalyst and EtOH as carbonylating species.

Several palladacycle and platinacycle complexes have been prepared from easily available or naturally occurring indole derivatives, such as gramine and related compounds. Dimeric complexes were obtained with Pd(OAc) 2 , while Pt(DMSO) 2 Cl 2 mainly afforded monomeric structures. A notable feature of these reactions was the formation of new M–C bonds between Pd or Pt and C-2 and C-3 of the indole ring. With ligands like 2-(2′-pyridyl)-1 H -indoles, N–N metallacycles were generated instead: in fact new C–M bonds with the C-3 position could only form if N -substituted indoles were used. The reactivity of Pd dimeric complexes with PPh 3 , sym -collidine and DMAP was explored to obtain monomeric complexes. Three such compounds were prepared, one of which was characterized by X-ray diffraction. Metathetical reactions were carried out to effect a ligand exchange replacing OAc with halide ions, with the aim to synthesize μ-Cl and μ-Br bridged structures. Turning to the synthesis of hetaryl complexes, functionalization of the C-2 position on the indole ring was achieved. These complexes were prepared by substitution reactions starting from gramine and/or its alkylammonium salts.

We have employed high-intensity ultrasound (HIU) to reinvestigate the aldol reaction (AR) in water. A number of aldols that under usual conditions would undergo elimination were isolated in acceptable to good yields. Within 15−30 min, acetophenone reacted with non-enolizable aldehydes to afford the aldol exclusively, while under conventional conditions (stirring or heating under reflux) the same compounds either failed to react or gave, after several hours, the enone, often in complex product mixtures. A library of polyols was obtained starting from a series of acetophenones and excess formaldehyde. Benzaldehyde reacted with a series of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds to afford the corresponding bis(benzylidene) adducts. The results proved to be highly reproducible because the relevant sonochemical parameters were rigorously controlled. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2003)

The Pd-catalysed Suzuki homocoupling of boronic acids was successfully carried out in water under high-intensity ultrasound (HIU). Heterogeneous catalysis with Pd/C, facilitating work up and purification, could be used without adding phosphine ligands. Reaction rates and yields were strongly influenced by the oxidant employed; excellent results were obtained using either molecular oxygen or 3-bromo-4-hydroxycoumarin. 3-Arylation of the latter with the Suzuki procedure had failed, exclusively affording the homocoupling products, symmetric biaryls. Besides offering a number of operational advantages, the use of HIU broadens the field of application for the Suzuki reaction.

Irradiation with light of wavelength higher than 350 nm of deaerated mixtures of nitrobenzene and cyclohexene leads to the reduction of the nitro-compound, with the formation of C 6 H 5 N(O)NC 6 H 5 (32%), C 6 H 5 NNC 6 H 5 (21%), C 6 H 5 NH 2 (15%), C 6 H 5 N(H)C 6 H 9 (32%). The same stable reduction products are obtained when the photochemical experiments are carried out in the presence of powder dispersions of TiO 2 or WO 3 or CdS. On the other hand, the photocatalytic contribution of these semiconductors plays an important role in the relative product distribution, which is observed to depend on both competitive adsorption–desorption equilibria of the involved reagents and intermediates on the solid surface and the different reducing power of the photoexcited semiconductors. Cyclohexene participates in the photoinduced reduction of nitrobenzene, undergoing oxidation, and producing the required electrons and protons. Experimental evidence for the formation of radical species deriving from the oxidation of this alkene is obtained by ESR spin trapping investigation. We report here for the first time, the photoinduced allylic amination of cyclohexene with nitrobenzene to give the important building block of synthetic interest C 6 H 5 N(H)C 6 H 9 .

Porphyrin derivatives of transition metals such as Ru(TPP)CO, Ru(OEP)CO and Co(OEP)(TPP=dianion of 5, 10, 15, 20-tetraphenylporphyrin, OEP=dianion of 2, 3, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18-octaetylporphyrin) catalyse the reaction of p-nitrophenylazide with cyclohexene to give the corresponding allylamine in good yields. With other olefins such as cyclooctene, 1-octene, styrene and substituted styrenes the main product becomes the corresponding aziridine. The reaction of p-nitrophenylazide with Ru(TPP)CO has been investigated and the mechanism of the catalytic reactions is discussed.

The alkylammonium salt of chloramine-T has been used as aminating agent of olefins in the presence of M(TPP)Cl (M = Fe, Mn; TPP = tetraphenylporphyrin) as catalyst. Main products were the corresponding allylamine, the aziridine, the α-chloro-amine derived by attack of chloride ion on the less substituted carbon of the aziridine, and toluene-p-sulfonamide. The reaction gave reasonable yields of the products with unsubstituted cyclic olefins, while poor results have been obtained with norbornene and 1-hexene.