Search

The heteroaromatic fused diazabicyclic "bimane" ring system, discovered four decades ago, is endowed with remarkable chemical and photophysical properties. No carbohydrate derivatives of bimanes have, however, been described thus far. Here we report on the syntheses of a range of bimanes decorated with various glycosyl residues. Mono- and disaccharide residues were attached to syn- or anti-bimane central cores via thio-, disulfido- or selenoglycosidic linkages to obtain novel fluorescent or nonfluorescent glycoconjugates. Cu(I)-catalyzed cycloaddition of glycosyl azides to a bimane diethynyl derivative furnished further bivalent glycoconjugates with sugar residues linked to the central bimane core via 1,2,3-triazole rings. We have determined the crystal and molecular structures of several glycosylated and non-glycosylated bimanes and report fluorescence data for the new compounds.

Copper(II) complexes of a polydentate tripodal ligand L × 3HCl (L = N,N′,N′′-tris(5-pyrazolylmethyl)-cis,cis-1,3,5-triaminocyclohexane) were characterized in both solution and solid states. Combined evaluation of potentiometric, UV-VIS, and EPR data indicated the formation of two mononuclear (CuHL, CuL) and three trinuclear (Cu3H−xL2, x = 2, 3, 4) complexes. The high stability and spectroscopic properties of the CuL species indicate a coordination of two pyrazole rings in addition to the three secondary amino groups of L in a square pyramidal geometry. In parallel with the formation of trinuclear species, intense charge transfer bands appear at around 400–500 nm, which indicate the formation of pyrazolate-bridged complexes. The crystal structure of [Cu3H−4L2](ClO4)2·5H2O (1) reveals the formation of a unique trinuclear complex that features a tetra(pyrazolate)-bridged linear tricopper(II) core. The Cu⋯Cu interatomic distances are around 3.8 A. The two peripheral copper(II) ions have a slightly distorted square pyramidal geometry. The four pyrazole rings bound to the peripheral copper(II) ions are deprotonated and create a flattened tetrahedral environment for the central copper(II), i.e. the formation of the trinuclear complexes is under the allosteric control of the two peripheral copper(II) ions. The triply deprotonated trinuclear complex is an efficient catechol oxidase mimic with a surprisingly low pH optimum at pH = 5.6. Since the mononuclear CuL species is not able to promote the oxidation of 3,5-di-tert-butylcatechol, we assume that the central copper(II) ion of the trinuclear complex with an unsaturated coordination sphere has a fundamental role in the binding and oxidation of the substrate. The experimental and structural details were further elaborated by a series of hybrid density functional theory calculations that support the presence of an antiferromagnetically coupled ground state. However, the magnitude and the pattern of spin coupling are dependent on the composition of the functionals. The optimized theoretical structures highlight the role of the crystal packing effects in inducing asymmetry between the two peripheral copper(II) sites.

Complex formation between [Pd(en/pic)(H2O)2]2+ (en = ethylenediamine, pic = pyridine-2-methylamine) and primary hydroxamic acids (ahaH = acetohydroxamic, bhaH = benzohydroxamic acid) or secondary hydroxamic acids (meahaH = N-methyl-acetohydroxamic, pheahaH = N-phenylacetohydroxamic and phebhaH = N-phenylbenzohydroxamic acid) was studied in aqueous solution by pH-potentiometry, 1H NMR and ESI-TOF-MS. Secondary hydroxamates form 1:1 species with the [Pd(N,N)(H2O)2]2+ ions via the [O,O] chelating sets. Unexpectedly, in the primary ligands deprotonation and coordination of the hydroxamate-NH starts as low as pH

A new technology was developed to form extended release hard gelatin capsules, based on the lipid matrix formation of Gelucire 50/13 and cetostearyl alcohol. Matrices were formed in situ by filling pulverised lipids, ethylcellulose and active ingredients such as diclofenac sodium, acetaminophen and metronidazol into capsules and heating at 63°C for 11 min. Effects of heating were investigated also on the brittleness of capsule shells. Inhibition of the evaporation of water reduced capsule damage. Dissolution tests and texture analysis were performed to discover the release and mechanical profiles of the matrices. Tests were repeated after 1 month storage and results were compared. Gelucire 50/13 alone prolonged drug release but cetostearyl alcohol slowed drug liberation even further. Drug release from all compositions was found to follow first-order kinetic. Significant softening of the matrices was detected during storage in composition containing only Gelucire 50/13, ethylcellulose and diclofenac sodium. Thermal analysis and IR tests were also performed to discover physicochemical interactions between active pharmaceutical ingredients and excipients. Thermal analysis confirmed a notable interaction between diclofenac sodium and Gelucire 50/13 which could be the cause of the observed softening. In conclusion, modified release hard gelatin capsules were developed by a simple and fast monolithic lipid matrix formation method.

The catalytic application of novel six-membered zwitterionic palladacycles with formal negative charge on the metal center and positive charge on the ancillary ligand is reported in the aqueous phase Suzuki-Miyaura coupling. The novel catalysts provide excellent activities with high functional group tolerance in the carbon-carbon bond forming reaction yielding substituted biaryls in high yields.

Six-membered chelate complexes [Pd(1a-b)Cl2], (2a-b) and [Pd(1a-b)(η(3)-PhCHCHCHPh)]BF4, (3a-b) of P,N-type ligands 1a, ((2S,4S)-2-diphenyl-phosphino-4-isopropylamino-pentane) and 1b, ((2S,4S)-2-diphenyl-phosphino-4-methylamino-pentane) have been prepared. The Pd-complexes have been characterized in solution by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. The observed structures were confirmed by DFT calculations and in the case of 2a also by X-ray crystallography. Unexpectedly, the coordination of the all-carbon-backbone aminophosphine 1a resulted in not only a stereospecific locking of the donor nitrogen atom into one of the two possible configurations but also the conformation of the six-membered chelate rings containing three alkyl substituents was forced into the same single chair structure showing the axially placed isopropyl group on the coordinated N-atom. The stereodiscriminative complexation of 1a led to the formation of a palladium catalyst with a conformationally rigid chelate having a configurationally fixed nitrogen and electronically different coordination sites due to the presence of P and N donors. The stereochemically fixed catalyst provided excellent ee's (up to 96%) and activities in asymmetric allylic alkylation reactions. In contrast, the chelate rings formed by 1b exist in two different chair conformations, both containing axial methyl groups, but with the opposite configurations of the coordinated N-atom. Pd-complexes of 1b provided low enantioselectivities in similar alkylations, therefore emphasizing the importance of the stereoselective coordination of N-atoms in analogous P-N chelates. The factors determining the coordination of the ligands were also studied with respect to the chelate ring conformation and the nitrogen configuration.

[(η6-p-cym)Ru(H2O)3]2+ binding strength of the thioether ligands DL-methionine (H2met+) or S-methyl-L-cysteine (H2mecys+) was studied with the combined use of pH-potentiometry, NMR and mass spectrometry in aqueous solution. Both ligands were found to form stable [(η6-p-cym)RuA]+ complexes with [S, NH2, COO−] coordination of the amino acids over a wide pH-range. A log βRuA value of 17.2(2) was obtained from NMR titrations for the met system by a competition reaction with hydroxide ions. Comparison of the [(η6-p-cym)Ru(H2O)3]2+ binding strength of the [O, O, O] (citrate), [O, N, O] (isoserine) and [S, N, O] (met) donor sets at pH = 7.4 reveals the exclusive formation of a [S, N, O] chelated metal complex. Synthesis and characterisation of [(η6-p-cym)Ru(L)]X, [(η6-p-cym)Os(L)]Cl or [(η5-Cp*)M′(L)]Cl (L = mecys, DL-met, L-met; X = Cl, NO3, CF3SO3; M′ = Rh, Ir) complexes together with the molecular structures of the [(η6-p-cym)Ru(mecys)]NO3 (10) and [(η6-p-cym)Ru(met)]NO3 (11) obtained by the X-ray diffraction method are reported. Both tridentate ligands form chiral-at-metal complexes in which the configuration of the metal centre is determined by the ligands containing a stereogenic centre (αC) as well. Diffraction data indicate that 10 contains the RRuRαCSS stereoisomer while 11 consists of the RRuSαCRS and SRuRαCSS enantiomers in the lattice. Owing to the labile configuration of the thioether sulfurs epimerisation in both systems was detected and the ratio of the diastereomers was estimated. 11 together with [(η6-p-cym)Ru(L-met)]Cl (3), [(η5-Cp*)Rh(DL-met)]Cl (7) and [(η5-Cp*)Ir(DL-met)]Cl (9) were tested for their in vitro cytotoxicity using human-derived ovarian cancer lines (A2780) and showed no anti-proliferative activity in the concentration range (0–50 μM) studied.

A novel type of nucleoside analogue in which the sugar part is replaced by a new tricycle, 3,7,10-trioxa-11-azatricyclo[5.3.1.05,11]undecane has been prepared by substrate-controlled asymmetric synthesis. 1,5-Dialdehydes obtained from properly protected or unprotected uridine, ribothymidine, cytidine, inosine, adenosine and guanosine by metaperiodate oxidation reacted readily with tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane to provide the corresponding tricyclic derivatives with three new stereogenic centers. Through a double cyclisation cascade process the tricyclic compounds were obtained in good to high yields, with very high diastereoselectivity. Formation of one stereoisomer, out of the eight possible, was observed in all cases. The absolute configuration of the new stereotriad-containing tricyclic systems was aided by conventional NMR experiments followed by chemical shift calculations using an X-ray crystal structure as reference that was in good agreement with H–H distances obtained from a new ROESY NMR method. The synthesis was compatible with silyl, trityl and dimethoxytrityl protecting groups. A new reagent mixture containing ZnCl2, Et3SiH and hexafluoroisopropanol was developed for detritylation of the acid-sensitive tricyclano nucleosides.

Manganese(II), copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes of four polydentate tripodal ligands (tachpyr (N,N′,N′′-tris(2-pyridylmethyl)-cis,cis-1,3,5-triaminocyclohexane), trenpyr (tris[2-(2-pyridylmethyl)aminoethyl]amine, tach3pyr (N,N′,N′′-tris(3-pyridylmethyl)-cis,cis-1,3,5-triaminocyclohexane) and tren3pyr (tris[2-(2-pyridylmethyl)aminoethyl]amine)) were characterized in both solution and solid states. A combined evaluation of potentiometric, UV-VIS, NMR and EPR data allowed the conclusion of both thermodynamic and structural information about the complexes formed in solution. The four tailored polydentate tripodal ligands studied here exhibit a high thermodynamic stability, and a variety of coordination environments/geometries for the studied transition metal ions. Our data indicate that tachpyr is a more efficient zinc(II) chelator and a similar copper(II) chelator compared to trenpyr. Considering the higher number of N-donors and conformational flexibility of trenpyr, as well as the energy demanding switch to the triaxial conformation required for metal ion binding of tachpyr, the above observation is surprising and is very likely due to the encapsulating effect of the more rigid tachpyr skeleton. This relative binding preference of tachpyr for zinc(II) may be related to the observation that zinc(II) is one of the principal metals targeted by tachpyr in cells. In contrast, trenpyr is a considerably more efficient manganese(II) chelator, since it acts as a heptadentate ligand in the aqueous Mn(trenpyr) complex. The crystal structures of copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes of tachpyr indicated important differences in the ligand conformation, induced by the position of counter ions, as compared to earlier reports. The closely related new ligands, tach3pyr and tren3pyr, have been designed to form oligonuclear complexes. Indeed, we obtained a three dimensional polymer with a copper(II)/tren3pyr ratio of 11/6. Within this metal–organic framework, three distinctly different copper geometries can be identified: square pyramidal, trigonal bipyramidal and tetrahedral. Two square pyramidal and four trigonal bipyramidal copper centres create a hexanuclear subunit with a large inside cavity. These moieties are linked by tetrahedral copper(II) centres, constructing the three-dimensional polymer structure. The formation of such polynuclear complexes was not detected in solution. Both tach3pyr and tren3pyr form only mononuclear complexes with square pyramidal and trigonal bipyramidal geometries, respectively.

The interactions between [(η6-p-cymene)Ru(H2O)3]2+ and L-malic acid (H2mal), L-tartaric acid (H2tart), and their sulfur-containing analogues dl-thiomalic acid (H3thiomal) and meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (H4dmsa) were studied by pH potentiometry, NMR spectroscopy, and ESI-MS. The hydroxycarboxylates are potent metal ion binders and prevent hydrolysis at pH 7.4 in aqueous solution. Although H2mal forms mononuclear complexes with different degrees of protonation by the involvement of the alcohol/alkoxide group in addition to the carboxylate groups, the presence of binding isomers is detected for the H2tart system. The replacement of the alcohol group by a thiolate group results in the formation of dinuclear [Ru2A2] complexes as the single species over a wide pH range. Complexes with identical binding modes with H3thiomal or polymeric species with H4dmsa are identified, and the X-ray structure of [{(η6-p-cym)Ru}2(Hthiomal)2] is reported. The stereochemistry of the chiral-at-metal complexes was explored by NMR spectroscopy and is also discussed.

Several articles were published about the vanadate–3-hydroxy-1,2-dimethyl-pyridinone (Hdhp) system, however, the results are contradictory and not complete: pH-potentiometry and 51V NMR spectroscopy were used to clarify this complicated system. The eleven peaks in the spectra at different chemical shifts were assigned to ten stoichiometrically different compounds; four of them are new, never identified or assigned before. Besides the simple mono (in two different protonation states) and bis complexes (in three different protonation states) a tris complex, three dinuclear and a trinuclear complex were found based on the 51V NMR spectra measured at different pH values and various metal ion concentrations and metal-to-ligand ratios. As a joint evaluation of the two methods, overall stability constants were calculated for all species. X-ray structure of the potassium salt of the bis complex, [V(V)O2(dhp)2]− was also determined. The trans effect of the oxido-oxygens results in maltolato-type coordination of the ligand instead of the catecholate-like chelation. The redox properties of [V(V)O2(dhp)2]− and some other prodrug vanadium(V) bis complexes were investigated by spectrophotometry in aqueous solution via their reduction by glutathione (GSH) and l -ascorbic acid (ASC) under strictly anaerobic conditions and by cyclic voltammetry at physiological pH. The reduction was found to be much faster by ASC in all cases as compared with GSH and the reaction rate of the reduction of [V(V)O2(dhp)2]− was prominently high most probably due to the formation of the significantly higher stability of the corresponding vanadium(IV) complex.

Carbanions generated from various acyclic and cyclic α-azido ketones in the presence of bases were reacted with ethyl 3-[(carbamoylimino)amino]but-2-enoate as a Michael acceptor to give the corresponding adducts. The adducts of acyclic azides were unstable and eliminated hydrazoic acid to give the corresponding ethyl 2-[1-[(carbamoylamino)imino]ethyl]-4-oxo-4-phenylbut-2-enoates as (E,E/Z,E)-diastereomeric mixtures. The relative configuration of these diastereomers was determined by X-ray analysis. Adducts of cyclic α-azido ketones were obtained in diastereomerically pure form, with the exception of 2-azidobenzosuberone.

New sulfonated tetrahydrosalen-type ligands and their water-soluble palladium(II) complexes have been synthesized. The palladium(II) complexes catalyze the Sonogashira coupling (23 examples) of various aryl halides (including chloroarenes) with terminal alkynes, with good to excellent conversions under mild conditions (80°C, air, no Cu(I) cocatalyst) in aqueous-organic mixtures and turnover frequencies of up to 2790 h(-1) . Under optimized reaction conditions to minimize environmental contamination, diphenylacetylenes can be isolated in 76-98% yield. The aqueous catalyst solution can be recycled four times with decreasing activity; however, yields between 93 and 98% can still be achieved with extended reaction times. Several water-insoluble products can be isolated in excellent yield by simple filtration and purification by washing with water; this method is used, for the first time, for this type of C-C coupling procedure.

The Gd(3+)-DO3A-arylsulphonamide (DO3A-SA) complex is a promising pH-sensitive MRI agent. The stability constants of the DO3A-SA and DO3A complexes formed with Mg(2+), Ca(2+), Mn(2+), Zn(2+), and Cu(2+) ions are similar, whereas the logKLnL values of Ln(DO3A-SA) complexes are 2 orders of magnitude higher than those of the Ln(DO3A) complexes. The protonation constant (log KMHL) of the sulphonamide nitrogen in the Mg(2+), Ca(2+), Mn(2+), Zn(2+), and Cu(2+) complexes is very similar to that of the free ligand, whereas the logKLnHL values of the Ln(DO3A-SA) complexes are lower by about 4 logK units, indicating a strong interaction between the Ln(3+) ions and the sulphonamide N atom. The Ln(HDO3A-SA) complexes are formed via triprotonated *Ln(H3DO3A-SA) intermediates which rearrange to the final complex in an OH(-)-assisted deprotonation process. The transmetalation reaction of Gd(HDO3A-SA) with Cu(2+) is very slow (t1/2 = 5.6 × 10(3) h at pH = 7.4), and it mainly occurs through proton-assisted dissociation of the complex. The (1)H and (13)C NMR spectra of the La-, Eu-, Y-, and Lu(DO3A-SA) complexes have been assigned using 2D correlation spectroscopy (COSY, EXSY, HSQC). Two sets of signals are observed for Eu-, Y-, and Lu(DO3A-SA), showing two coordination isomers in solution, that is, square antiprismatic (SAP) and twisted square antiprismatic (TSAP) geometries with ratios of 86-14, 93-7, and 94-6%, respectively. Line shape analysis of the (13)C NMR spectra of La-, Y- , and Lu(DO3A-SA) gives higher rates and lower activation entropy values compared to Ln(DOTA) for the arm rotation, which indicates that the Ln(DO3A-SA) complexes are less rigid due to the larger flexibility of the ethylene group in the sulphonamide pendant arm. The fast isomerization and the lower activation parameters of Ln(DO3A-SA) have been confirmed by theoretical calculations in vacuo and by using the polarizable continuum model. The solid state X-ray structure of Cu(H2DO3A-SA) shows distorted octahedral coordination. The coordination sites of Cu(2+) are occupied by two ring N- and two carboxylate O-atoms in equatorial position. The other two ring N-atoms complete the coordination sphere in axial positions. The solid state structure also indicates that a carboxylate O atom and the sulphonamide nitrogen are protonated and noncoordinated.

Detailed structural and computational investigations have been carried out to elucidate the unprecedented structural properties of NHC-derived tetrazinones. The provocative structural contradictions featured by this class of molecules as emerged from single crystal X-ray diffraction studies include the non-coplanar core ring system with an inter-ring C–C single bond indicating aromaticity but a pattern of bond alteration consistent with an overall quinoidal structure. Combination of periodic and gas-phase calculations identified two key factors affecting the overall structure. The first is a strong tendency to avoid cross-conjugation resulting in a coupled aromatic–quinoidal system whereas the second is the steric demand of the substituents determining the conformational behaviour of the rings. The peculiar electron distribution yields remarkably large polarizations and dipole moments for these molecules which can be key in their potential applications.

The synthesis of 3-deoxyoripavine (7) was realized as a novel and promising intermediate towards the synthesis of the important class of dopaminergic and/or serotonergic 10-deoxyaporphines and the special pharmacological tool µ opioid antagonist cyprodime. Generally, the preparation of these valuable biologically active compounds was achieved in remarkable yields.

For applications in aqueous media, sulfonated tetrahydrosalen (sulfosalan, HSS) was synthesized by sulfonation of tetrahydrosalen in fuming sulfuric acid. The Pd(II) complex of this ligand, [Pd(HSS)], showed outstanding activity in hydrogenation and redox isomerization of allylic alcohols in homogeneous aqueous solutions or in aqueous–organic biphasic systems (for oct-1-en-3-ol TOF(hydrogenation) = 1580 h–1, TOF(redox isomerization) = 400 h–1). DFT calculations revealed that H2 is activated heterolytically, resulting in a Pd(II)–hydride complex, [Pd(H)(HSS-Hphen)], in which one of the phenolate oxygens is protonated. Both hydrogenation and redox isomerization take place via concerted transfer of a proton and a hydride from the hydrogenated catalyst to the allylic alcohol.

The coordination properties toward the lanthanide ions of two macrocyclic ligands based on a cyclam platform containing picolinate pendant arms have been investigated. The synthesis of the ligands was achieved by using the well-known bis-aminal chemistry. One of the cyclam derivatives (cb-tedpa(2-)) is reinforced with a cross-bridge unit, which results in exceptionally inert [Ln(cb-tedpa)](+) complexes. The X-ray structures of the [La(cb-tedpa)Cl], [Gd(cb-tedpa)](+), and [Lu(Me2tedpa)](+) complexes indicate octadentate binding of the ligands to the metal ions. The analysis of the Yb(3+)-induced shifts in [Yb(Me2tedpa)](+) indicates that this complex presents a solution structure very similar to that observed in the solid state for the Lu(3+) analogue. The X-ray structures of [La(H2Me2tedpa)2](3+) and [Yb(H2Me2tedpa)2](3+) complexes confirm the exocyclic coordination of the metal ions, which gives rise to coordination polymers with the metal coordination environment being fulfilled by oxygen atoms of the picolinate groups and water molecules. The X-ray structure of [Gd(Hcb-tedpa)2](+) also indicates exocyclic coordination that in this case results in a discrete structure with an eight-coordinated metal ion. The nonreinforced complexes [Ln(Me2tedpa)](+) were prepared and isolated as chloride salts in nonaqueous media. However, these complexes were found to undergo dissociation in aqueous solution, except in the case of the complexes with the smallest Ln(3+) ions (Ln(3+) = Yb(3+) and Lu(3+)). A DFT investigation shows that the increased stability of the [Ln(Me2tedpa)](+) complexes in solution across the lanthanide series is the result of an increased binding energy of the ligand due to the increased charge density of the Ln(3+) ion.

A detailed study of the structures, thermodynamic stabilities and kinetics of the dissociation of Ga3+, In3+ and Cu2+ complexes formed with the heptadentate ligand AAZTA is reported. The stability constants (log KML) of the AAZTA complexes of Ga3+, In3+ and Cu2+ are 22.18, 29.58 and 22.27, respectively, which suggests that the seven-membered-ring skeleton is suited to the accommodation of these metal ions. The solid-state structure of [Cu(H2AAZTA)]·H2O shows a distorted octahedral coordination. The equatorial coordination sites of Cu2+ are occupied by one of the ring N atoms, a water O atom, one of the carboxylate O atoms and the N atom of the iminodiacetate moiety. The other ring N atom and the carboxylate O atom of the iminodiacetate moiety coordinate to the Cu2+ in the axial positions. In the pH range 4.5–8.5, Ga3+ is present in the form of the highly stable [Ga(AAZTA)OH]2– (log βGaLH–1 = 17.69) The exchange reactions of [Ga(AAZTA)OH]2– with Cu2+ and transferrin are very slow and mainly occur through the spontaneous dissociation of the complex close to physiological conditions. The half-life for the dissociation of [Ga(AAZTA)OH]2– is t1/2 = 23 h at pH = 7.5 and 25 °C in 0.025 M NaHCO3 and 0.15 M NaCl. The high conditional stability, fast formation and sufficiently slow dissociation of [Ga(AAZTA)OH]2– represent promising properties for the complexation and diagnostic applications of radioactive Ga isotopes.

New air-stable, water-soluble Ru(II)–phosphane complexes were synthesized in high purity by the reaction of cis-[RuCl2(dmso)4] with 2 equivalents of 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane (pta) and its N-methyl and N-benzyl derivatives (pta-Me and pta-Bn, respectively). All new complexes were characterized by elementary analysis and spectroscopic methods (NMR, ESI-MS) and the molecular structures of cis-cis-trans-[RuCl2(dmso)2(pta)2], cis-cis-trans-[RuCl2(dmso)2(pta-H)2]Cl2 (obtained in acidic solutions) and that of cis-cis-trans-[RuCl2(dmso)2(pta-Me)2](CF3SO3)2 were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Under mild conditions, cis-[RuCl2(dmso)4] actively catalyzed the transformation of allylic alcohols into the corresponding ketones with 100% selectivity while in the same reaction the new Ru(II)–pta complexes showed moderate activity and selectivity.

Novel fused azecine ring systems were synthesized via the microwave-assisted thermal isomerization of terphenyl or biphenyl-pyridazine compounds possessing a vinyl and a tert-amino group, through application of a new extension of the tert-amino effect. Substrates for the ring closure were prepared from ortho-dihalobenzene or pyridazinone by consecutive Suzuki couplings with ortho-sec-amino- and formylphenylboronic acids, followed by Knoevenagel condensation of the aldehydes obtained.

The tendency of acylhydrazones to undergo a spontaneous cyclization into 1,3,4-oxadiazolines has been investigated. Contrary to the literature data, an attempted transformation of isatin cyanoacetylhydrazone in solution generates stereoisomers and not the reported structural isomer oxadiazoline. A similar behavior of the corresponding l-methyl- and l-acetylisatin derivatives even under acetylation conditions has been found. The crystal structure of the Z isomer of 3-cyanoacetylhydrazono-2-indolinone monohydrate is reported. It contains strong intramolecular hydrogen bond between the hydrazone NH and oxygen atom of the indolinone carbonyl, and in this way the Z isomer over the CN bond is stabilized. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 20:183–193, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/hc.20531

Phenanthridines and azocines fused to two benzene rings or one benzene and one pyridazinone ring, which are otherwise difficult to access, were prepared via two new extensions of the tert- ' amino effect. The synthetic pathway includes three steps:i) Suzuki ] reaction of an ortho-functionalized phenylboronic acid with ortho- ] disubstituted benzenes or pyridazinones; ii) the Knoevenagel condensation reaction of the biaryl aldehydes formed with active methylene compounds to obtain vinyl derivatives or, through their cyclization, phenanthridines via a tert-amino effect; and iii) thermal isomerization of vinyl or phenanthridinium compounds to fused azocines via another type of tert-amino effect.

We have investigated resolution of the enantiomers of each member of a group of five pipecoloxylidides. A standard TLC method was used for testing the chemical purity of the diastereomeric salts of the pipecoloxylidides. Evaluation of the chromatograms also revealed properties of the materials related to those which affected their behavior during optical resolution via diastereomeric salt formation. In further steps we used TLC not only for quantitative analysis but also for qualitative tests. After several laboratory trials we developed a new, efficient TLC method which has been used to investigate the diastereomeric salt-forming behavior of the compounds.

1,3-Dioxolane- and dioxane-type (1- and 2-naphthyl)ethylidene ketals of p-methoxyphenyl α- l -rhamnopyranoside and β- d -glucopyranoside were prepared and their stereochemistry studied by solution and solid-state circular dichroism, X-ray diffraction, and coupled-oscillator CD calculations on the solid-state and MMFF-calculated geometries. Intermolecular exciton-coupled interactions between the nearby aromatic chromophores in the solid state and different conformers in solution and solid state could be identified as the main reason for the difference between solution and solid-state CDs.

KA

The structure of tris(2,4-xylyl)phosphane (1) is reported and supramolecular assembly of gua+ salt of tris(2,4-dimethyl-5-sulfonatophenyl)phosphane co-crystal with guanidine chloride (2) is analyzed in detail. Weaving hydrogen bond ribbons with polar and apolar stabilizing pillars as well as stacking interaction of phenyl rings resulting sixfold phenyl embraces interpenetrating with the polar networks were found. Both compounds are racemate, show propeller chirality and 2 crystallizes in non-centrosymmetric space group (C3 symmetry) with the ortho-methyl groups outside of the molecular cone. According to the DFT calculations on the anion of 2, the high barrier of concerted ring rotation opens the possibility of resolving the enantiomers through hydrogen bonds to chiral donors.

Homogeneous catalytic carbonylation of some representative steroidal substrates (alkenyl iodides/enol triflates 1–5) has been carried out in the presence of (E)-1-(4′-aminophenyl)-3-ferrocenyl-prop-2-en-1-one (6) as the nucleophile. The products 1a–4a were obtained in moderate to good yield (43–75%) and were characterised with various spectroscopic methods (1H-, 13C NMR, IR, MS). The solid state structure of 17-(N-(4′-((2-ferrocenyl-ethenyl)-carbonyl)-phenyl)-carbamoyl)-5α-androst-16-ene (1a) has also been determined by X-ray crystallography.

Four ligands, which can be considered as di- [both symmetric (L1) and asymmetric (L2)], tri- (L3), and tetraacetate (L4) derivatives of bis(aminomethyl)phosphinic acid (L0) have been synthesized and their complexation equilibria involving Mg2+, Ca2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Cd2+, and Pb2+ have been studied by pH potentiometry. The first two protonation constants of the ligands are lower than those of the analogous diaminopolycarboxylates due to the electron-withdrawing effect of the phosphinate group. The asymmetric ligands L2 and L3 and their complexes are protonated first at the primary (NH2) and secondary (NH) amine groups, respectively. The ligands L0, L1, L2, and L3 form the species ML, MLH, ML2, and ML2H whereas heptadentate L4 forms very stable ML complexes, protonated (MLH and MLH2) species and, unlike the other ligands, it also forms dinuclear M2L complexes. The stability constants of the complexes of L0, L1, L2, and L3 are generally lower, while those of the L4 are similar or higher, than those of the analogous diaminocarboxylate derivatives. The phosphinate group is not directly coordinated to the metal ions but may contribute to the stability by increasing the electrostatic interaction, which is significant for the complexes of L4. The 1H NMR spectra of complexes ZnL2, ZnL3, and ZnL4 show an AB multiplet pattern for the protons of the iminodiacetate moiety of the ligands, which indicates the long half-life of the Zn2+–N bond and the rigid structure of this segment of the complexes. The solid-state structure of the ligand [H5L3]Cl and complex K[CuL1]·H2O have been determined by X-ray diffraction techniques. The arrangement of the ligand L1 is square planar around Cu2+ with two nitrogen and carboxylate oxygen donor atoms, although the axial proximity of a carboxylate and a phosphinate oxygen atom in two neighboring molecules results in a distorted octahedral coordination.(© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)

Complex forming capabilities of [(η(6)-p-cymene)Ru(H2O)3](2+) with aminohydroxamates (2-amino-N-hydroxyacetamide (α-alahaH), 3-amino-N-hydroxypropanamide (β-alahaH) and 4-amino-N-hydroxybutanamide (γ-abhaH)) having the primary amino group in different chelatable position to the hydroxamic function were studied by pH-potentiometry, NMR and MS methods. Formation of stable [O,O] and mixed [O,O][N,N] chelated mono- and dinuclear species is detected in partially slow with α-alahaH and β-alahaH or in fast processes with γ-abhaH and the formation constants of the complexes present in aqueous solution are reported. Synthesis, spectral (NMR, IR) and ESI mass spectrometric characterization of novel dinuclear α-alaninehydroximato complexes containing the half-sandwich type Ru(II) core is described. The crystal and molecular structure of [{(η(6)-p-cymene)Ru}2(μ(2)-α-alahaH-1)(H2O)Br]Br∙H2O (1) and [{(η(6)-p-cymene)Ru}2(μ(2)-α-alahaH-1)(H2O)Cl]BF4∙H2O (2) was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction method. In the complexes one half-sandwich core is coordinated by a hydroxamate [O,O] chelate while the other one by [Namino,Nhydroxamate] fashion of the bridging ligand. In both cases the remaining coordination sites of one of the Ru cores are taken by a halide ion whiles the other one by a water molecule. Reaction of 2 with 9-methylguanine indicates the N7 coordination of this simple DNA model. Complexes 1 and 2 were tested for their in vitro cytotoxicity using human-derived cancer cell lines (A2780, MCF-7, SKOV-3, HCT-116, HeLa) and showed no anti-proliferative activity in the micromolar concentration range.

The X-ray structure of {C(NH2)3}[Tl(dota)]·H2O shows that the Tl(3+) ion is deeply buried in the macrocyclic cavity of the dota(4-) ligand (1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetate) with average Tl-N and Tl-O distances of 2.464 and 2.365 Å, respectively. The metal ion is directly coordinated to the eight donor atoms of the ligand, which results in a twisted square antiprismatic (TSAP') coordination around Tl(3+). A multinuclear (1)H, (13)C, and (205)Tl NMR study combined with DFT calculations confirmed the TSAP' structure of the complex in aqueous solution, which exists as the Λ(λλλλ)/Δ(δδδδ) enantiomeric pair. (205)Tl NMR spectroscopy allowed the protonation constant associated with the protonation of the complex according to [Tl(dota)](-) + H(+) ⇆ [Tl(Hdota)] to be determined, which turned out to be pK(H)Tl(dota) = 1.4 ± 0.1. [Tl(dota)](-) does not react with Br(-), even when using an excess of the anion, but it forms a weak mixed complex with cyanide, [Tl(dota)](-) + CN(-) ⇆ [Tl(dota)(CN)](2-), with an equilibrium constant of Kmix = 6.0 ± 0.8. The dissociation of the [Tl(dota)](-) complex was determined by UV-vis spectrophotometry under acidic conditions using a large excess of Br(-), and it was found to follow proton-assisted kinetics and to take place very slowly (∼10 days), even in 1 M HClO4, with the estimated half-life of the process being in the 10(9) h range at neutral pH. The solution dynamics of [Tl(dota)](-) were investigated using (13)C NMR spectroscopy and DFT calculations. The (13)C NMR spectra recorded at low temperature (272 K) point to C4 symmetry of the complex in solution, which averages to C4v as the temperature increases. This dynamic behavior was attributed to the Λ(λλλλ) ↔ Δ(δδδδ) enantiomerization process, which involves both the inversion of the macrocyclic unit and the rotation of the pendant arms. According to our calculations, the arm-rotation process limits the Λ(λλλλ) ↔ Δ(δδδδ) interconversion.

The crystal and molecular structures of S-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β- d -glucopyranosyl)-S′-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β- d -galactopyranosyl)disulfide (1) and the mono-sulfoxide (3) of bis(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β- d -glucopyranosyl)disulfide (2) are described. Comparison of 2 and 3, containing –S–S– and –S–S(O)– bonds, respectively, allows to delineate structural differences brought about by the different oxidation states of one of the sulfur atoms in carbohydrate disulfides.

Various unsymmetrically substituted ferrocene 1,1′-diamides have been synthesized via homogeneous catalytic carbonylation starting from 1,1′-diiodoferrocene. The unique features observed in the 1H NMR and IR spectra of the compounds bearing a secondary and a tertiary amido group are explained by the formation of an internal hydrogen bond between the substituents. Addition of chloride ions (as a tetrabutylammonium salt) into the solutions of these compounds results in spectroscopic changes due to the formation of intermolecular hydrogen bonds between the ferrocene diamide and the anion. The solid state structure of 1′-(N′-butyl-carbamoyl)-morpholino ferrocenecarboxamide (1a) has also been determined by X-ray crystallography. A strong intramolecular H-bond between the NH group of the N′-butyl-carbamoyl moiety and the CO of the tertiary amido group was observed.

The self-assembly of small molecular modules interacting through noncovalent forces is increasingly being used to generate functional structures and materials for electronic, catalytic, and biomedical applications. The greatest control over the geometry in H-bond supramolecular architectures, especially in H-bonded supramolecular polymers, can be achieved by exploiting the rich programmability of artificial nucleobases undergoing self-assembly through strong H bonds. Here N(3)-functionalized xanthine modules are described, which are capable of self-associating through self-complementary H-bonding patterns to form H-bonded supramolecular ribbons. The self-association of xanthines through directional H bonding between neighboring molecules allows the controlled generation of highly compact 1D supramolecular polymeric ribbons on graphite. These architectures have been characterized by scanning tunneling microscopy at the solid-liquid interface, corroborated by dispersion-corrected density functional theory (DFT) studies and X-ray diffraction.

The crystal structure of the ReOCl3(PPh3)(NCP) (PPh3 = triphenylphosphine and NCP = N-cyclohexyl-2pyrrolidone) complex was determined by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction method. It was found that NCP coordinates to the trans-position of the oxo group, Re = O, and that the Re(V) center is in a distorted octahedral geometry. The equilibrium reaction of ReOCl3(PPh3)2 + NCP ↔ ReOCl3(PPh3)(NCP) + PPh3 was examined, and its equilibrium constant was determined as 0.33 ± 0.1 in CH2Cl2 at 25 ˚C. Kinetic studies were carried out for the forward and backward reactions, and revealed that the rate determining steps for the both reactions are dissociation of the coordinated ligand from the Re center. Taking into account of geometrical isomers of the ReOCl3(PPh3)2 complex, a reaction mechanism was proposed.

The first representatives of chiral boron atom-containing amine-cyanomethoxycarbonyl boranes (A · BH(CN)COOMe) have been synthesized either from the corresponding amine-bromocyanomethoxycarbonylborane complexes with [Bu4N]CN or from Me3N · BH(CN)COOMe and an amine in a base-exchange reaction. Acid hydrolyses of methyl esters generated the free acids (A · BH(CN)COOH), which are isoelectronic to the α-cyano carboxylic acids. Their pKa values and hydrolysis half-lives in acidic medium (that is rate of proton reduction) have been determined. Similarly to the alpha cyano carboxylic acids, the cyano group attached to the boron (in alpha position to the COOH group) increased the acid strength of carboxy boranes with 2.0–2.5 orders of magnitude. Independently from the type of the amine, pKa values of the amine-cyanocarboxyboranes (6.34–5.82) decrease consistently with the increase of pKb values of the amines. Hydrolytic decomposition rate of the alkylamine complexes increases with increasing pKb values of the amines while the opposite was found for pyridine base complexes. When considering both types of the amines, hydrolysis half-lives of the complexes range over several orders of magnitude from 0.005 to 400 h. Based on these observations protonation of the amine nitrogen atom appears to be the rate determining step in the hydrolysis process. With loss of methanol, 2-NH2-py · BH(CN)COOMe transformed into a five membered lactam derivative. X-ray diffraction revealed that the pyridine ring is coplanar with the five membered lactam ring. In the crystal two molecules are connected in a head to tail arrangement by strong intermolecular H-bonds between N(2)–H and the carbonyl oxygen (O1) with a donor and acceptor distance of 2.867(3) A. Three new cyanomethoxycarbonylborates having the composition of K[BHn(CN)3−nCOOMe] (n = 1, 2) and K[B(OH)(CN)2COOMe] have also been synthesized and their properties examined.

Rhodium and iridium complexes of trisulfonated triarylphosphanes, TPPTS (tris(3-sulfonatophenyl)phosphane), T(p-A)PTS (tris(3-sulfonato-4-methoxyphenyl)phosphane), T(2,4-X)TS (tris(2,4-dimethyl-5-sulfonatophenyl)phosphane), have been tested in biphasic hydrogenation of aldehydes. T(2,4-X)TS could not stabilize the rhodium complex under the applied conditions. Guanidium salt of T(2,4-X)TS has been characterized by X-ray crystallography, and Tolman cone angle of the phosphane has been determined from crystallographic data. The large cone angle (196°, 210°) explains the instability of the rhodium complex. Contrary to the T(2,4-X)TS/rhodium system, the T(2,4-X)TS/iridium catalyst has been found to be stable and effective in hydrogenation of benzaldehyde and caproaldehyde.

In aqueous solutions under mild conditions, [Ru(H(2)O)(6)](2+) was reacted with various water-soluble tertiary phosphines. As determined by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, reactions with the sulfonated arylphosphines L =mtppms, ptppms and mtppts yielded only the mono- and bisphosphine complexes, [Ru(H(2)O)(5)L](2+), cis-[Ru(H(2)O)(4)L(2)](2+), and trans-[Ru(H(2)O)(4)L(2)](2+) even in a high ligand excess. With the small aliphatic phosphine L = 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphatricyclo-[3.3.1.1(3,7)]decane (pta) at [L]:[Ru]= 12:1, the tris- and tetrakisphosphino species, [Ru(H(2)O)(3)(pta)(3)](2+), [Ru(H(2)O)(2)(pta)(4)](2+), [Ru(H(2)O)(OH)(pta)(4)](+), and [Ru(OH)(2)(pta)(4)] were also detected, albeit in minor quantities. These results have significance for the in situ preparation of Ru(II)-tertiary phosphine catalysts. The structures of the complexes trans-[Ru(H(2)O)(4)(ptaMe)(2)](tos)(4)x2H(2)O, trans-[Ru(H(2)O)(4)(ptaH)(2)](tos)(4)[middle dot]2H(2)O, and trans-mer-[RuI(2)(H(2)O)(ptaMe)(3)]I(3)x2H(2)O, containing protonated or methylated pta ligands (ptaH and ptaMe, respectively) were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction.

The CD spectra are reported for a series of 1,3-dioxane-type 4,6-O-(2′-naphthyl)methylene acetals of carbohydrates with and without interacting aromatic protective groups on the C-1, C-2, and C-3 hydroxy groups. In the absence of interacting chromophores, the signs of the 1B transitions are not sensitive to the configuration of C-4, while the signs of the weak 1La bands are opposite in the galacto and gluco derivatives. The equatorial parallel conformation is found to be the preferred conformation of the 2-naphthyl group in the solid state by X-ray diffraction. The intense 1Ba and 1Bb transitions of the naphthalene chromophore allowed a safe configurational assignment by exciton coupled interaction with the aromatic protective groups in para-methoxyphenyl-β-D-glycosides. The origin of the observed CEs were deduced and the additivity of the interactions was studied. The direction of the hydrogenolytic cleavage of 4,6-O-(2′-naphthyl)methylene acetal of carbohydrates could also be detected by the 1Bb transition of the 2-naphthyl chromophore. Chirality 16:244–250, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

The complex formation between oxovanadium(IV) and 3-hydroxypicolinic acid (3HPA) was studied in aqueous solution and in the solid state. The ligand displays ambidentate binding properties [Polyhedron 19 (2000) 55]: it forms picolinate-type (N, COO−), salicylate-type (COO−, O−) and mixed-type complexes involving bidentate coordination of the ligand. It can also coordinate in a tridentate way, via the (N, COO−, O−) donor set, forming a tetrameric species. Two of complexes formed in equilibrium in solution were isolated in the solid state too: VOH2(3HPA)2 and [VO(3HPA)]4. The latter was characterized crystallographically; the binding mode was found to be identical in solution and in the solid state. The binding properties of the ligand were compared with those of other substituted picolinic acid derivatives. A possible relationship between the insulin-mimetic activity and the structure of these complexes is discussed.

The first enantioselective synthesis of trans-(6aS,11aR)-pterocarpan [(+)-2] and its conversion to cis-(6aS,11aS)-pterocarpan [(+)-1] was achieved starting from racemic 2′-benzyloxyflavanone (rac-3). Their stereochemistry was deduced by X-ray analysis of the ketal intermediate (–)-5a. The CD study of (+)-1 and (+)-2 allows the configurational assignment of similar pterocarpan derivatives by CD spectroscopy. Chirality 15:558–563, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Bis( N -cyclohexyl-2-pyrrolidone)dioxouranium(VI) nitrate, UO 2 (NO 3 ) 2 (NCP) 2 , has been prepared by mixing UO 2 (NO 3 ) 2 ·6H 2 O and N -cyclohexyl-2-pyrrolidone (NCP) in an aqueous nitric acid solution and characterized by NMR, IR spectroscopy, and single crystal X-ray diffractometry. The IR spectrum is consistent with typical absorption bands observed in other UO 2 (NO 3 ) 2 ·2L complexes (L=unidentate oxygen donor ligand), and supports that NCP molecule coordinates to uranium through carbonyl oxygen. The 15 N NMR spectrum shows that two structural isomers of the complex exist in inert solvents such as CD 2 Cl 2 . X-ray diffraction study reveals that average distances between uranium atom and uranyl-, nitrate-, and carbonyl- oxygen atoms are 1.748, 2.527, and 2.347 A, respectively.

The reaction is performed with equimolar amounts of aryl iodide and terminal alkyne leading to full conversion upon sufficiently long reaction times and without a copper catalyst.

Two new pyridine-containing limonoids, xylogranatopyridines A (I) and B (II) and their formal precursor, prexylogranatopyridine (III), are isolated and evaluated for their protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) activity.

α-, β- d -Gluco-, galacto-, 2-deoxy-2-phthalimido-β- d -glucopyranosides with different aglycons (methyl, allyl, p-methoxyphenyl, thioethyl) reacted with 2-naphthaldehyde dimethyl acetal to give rise to 4,6-O-(2-naphthyl)methylene acetals. The acetals were converted into fully protected compounds bearing benzoyl, benzyl, allyl, p-methoxybenzyl groups. The fully alkylated dioxane-type acetals were hydrogenolysed with AlH3 (3LiAlH4–AlCl3) reagent to furnish 4-O-NAP/6-OH derivatives. All acetals were treated with BH3·Me3N–AlCl3 in THF and a reverse regioselectivity was observed, producing 6-O-NAP/4-OH derivatives. Similar regioselectivity was also observed by using NaCNBH3–HCl reagent. In all reactions very mild reaction conditions were required, regioselectivity was better than 93:7, and the isolated yields were between 83–92%. All compounds were characterised by 1H and 13C NMR spectra. Solid-state and solution conformation of methyl 2,3-di-O-acetyl-4,6-O-(2-naphthyl)methylene-α- d -galactopyranoside were elucidated by X-ray and NMR measurements.

Formation of highly crystalline guanidinium salts of sulfonated triphenylphosphane derivatives is demonstrated as a general method for obtaining samples suitable for single crystal X-ray structural characterization. The structures of sulfonated phosphane ligands 1 – 5 have been determined. Extensive hydrogen bond networks between guanidinium N-H donors and -SO3 oxygens as acceptors and/or π-π interactions stabilize the structures.

An improved synthesis of α-azido ketones under phase-transfer conditions has been developed. The transformation of α-azido ketones into acyclic and heterocyclic 2-azido-3-hydroxy ketones has been demonstrated and the relative configurations of the chromanone derivatives have been determined by X-ray analysis. Treatment of the aldol-type products with triphenylphosphane afforded 2-acylaziridines and the hitherto unknown spiro[chroman-3,2′-aziridin]-4-ones. The relative configuration of the spiroaziridines was determined by NOE measurements.