Search

Highlighted on the cover of this issue is a collaboration between the groups of Jan Weigand and Michael Ruck at TU Dresden, Hellmut Eckert and Thomas Wiegand at Westfälische Wilhelms-University Münster, and Christian Ochsenfeld and Konstantin Karaghiosoff at Ludwig Maximilians University Munich (all Germany), who teamed up to uncover the novel selenium cation, [P3Se4]+. Three distinct syntheses and detailed information on its structural, electronic and dynamic properties resulted from the combination of the groups' different perspectives (cover design by Dr. Kai-Oliver Feldmann from the Weigand group). Read the full text of the article at . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanosized AlPO4-18 is synthesized from clear precursor solutions; a complete transformation from amorphous to crystalline colloidal particles is observed after 60, 20 and 18 h at 100, 150, and 170 °C, respectively. The evaluation of the long-range ordering of nanocrystals as a function of crystallization time was followed by X-ray diffraction and dynamic light scattering. The time-dependent 27Al NMR measurements in the liquid phase before and after purifications with different crystallization times show that the tetrahedrally coordinated Al is formed at RT prior to hydrothermal treatment indicating the formation of crystalline phase. The mean hydrodynamic radius of the amorphous aluminophosphate entities and the crystalline AlPO4-18 particles does not change during the entire process of crystal growth. Further these AlPO4-18 nanocrystals were employed for the preparation of thin films on silicon wafers via spin coating of stable AlPO4-18/EtOH solutions, and additional crystal growth of the seeded layers at elevated temperature was carried out. The structural evolution of the thin films was studied with grazing incidence diffraction using synchrotron X-ray radiation. The orientation of growing crystals is governed by the preferred orientation of the seeded particles deposited by spin coating approach. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Fluoromethyl triflate (superfluoromethyl, SFM, FCH2OSO2CF3) and fluoromethyl fluorosulfonate (magic fluoromethyl, MFM, FCH2OSO2F) are two easily synthesized, highly effective and non-ozone depleting fluoromethylation reagents. They are analogous to the well-known and widely used methylation re-agents CH3OSO2CF3 and CH3OSO2F. Both SFM and MFM have been fully characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy (1H, 13C, 17O, 19F, 33S). Their structures have been determined in the solid state on in situ grown crystals by X-ray diff-raction and in the gas phase by electron diffraction. The fluoromethylation efficiency of SFM and MFM was shown by reaction with chalcogen nucleophiles of differing nucleophilicity. All fluoromethylated products were isolated as pure com-pounds and charac-terized by NMR and vibrational spec-troscopy, as well as in some cases by single crystal X-ray diffraction., (© 2024 Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Achieving the goal of generating all of the world's energy via renewable sources and significantly reducing the energy usage will require the development of novel, abundant, nontoxic energy conversion materials. Here, a cost-efficient and scalable continuous flow synthesis of Cs 3 Cu 2 I 5 nanocrystals is developed as a basis for the rapid advancement of novel nanomaterials. Ideal precursor solutions are obtained through a novel batch synthesis, whose product served as a benchmark for the subsequent flow synthesis. Realizing this setup enabled a reproducible fabrication of Cs 3 Cu 2 I 5 nanocrystals. The effect of volumetric flow rate and temperature on the final product's morphology and optical properties are determined, obtaining 21% quantum yield with the optimal configuration. Consequently, the size and morphology of the nanocrystals can be tuned with far more precision and in a much broader range than previously achievable. The flow setup is readily applicable to other relevant nanomaterials. It should enable a rapid determination of a material's potential and subsequently optimize its desired properties for renewable energy generation or efficient optoelectronics., (© 2024 The Author(s). Small published by Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

A palladium-catalyzed highly C-S-selective Stille cross-coupling between aryl thianthrenium salts and tri- or tetrasubstituted alkenyl stannanes is described. Herein, critical challenges including site- and chemoselectivity control are well addressed through C-H thianthrenation and C-S alkenylation, thereby providing an expedient access to stereodefined tri- and tetrasubstituted alkenes in a stereoretentive fashion. Indeed, the palladium-catalyzed Stille-alkenylation of poly(pseudo)halogenated arenes displays privileged capability to differentiate C-S over C-I, C-Br, C-Cl bonds, as well as oxygen-based triflates (C-OTf), tosylates (C-OTs), carbamates and sulfamates under mild reaction conditions. Sequential and multiple cross-couplings via selective C-X functionalization should be widely applicable for increasing functional molecular complexity. Modular installation of stereospecific alkene motifs into pharmaceuticals illustrated the synthetic application of the present protocol in drug discovery., (© 2024 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

α-Hydroxyphosphonates and their acylated and phosphorylated derivatives may be of significant biological activity including cytotoxic effects. To extend the pool of the potentially bioactive species, new methane- and arenesulfonyloxyphosphonates were synthesized by the sulfonylation of differently substituted α-hydroxy-benzylphosphonates using methanesulfonyl chloride or p -toluenesulfonyl chloride at 25 °C in the presence of triethylamine in toluene. The new sulfonyl derivatives were obtained in 54-80% yields. In the case of the 4- or 2-methoxy substituent in the aromatic ring, surprisingly the corresponding α-chlorophosphonates were the exclusive products, whose formation was explained assuming a quinoid intermediate and supported by theoretical calculations. With a 3-methoxyphenyl substituent, the expected mesylation of the hydroxy group took place. Attempted alcoholyses of the diethyl α-methanesulfonyloxy-benzylphosphonates with different substituents in the benzyl ring at ∼140 °C in the presence of triethylamine under microwave irradiation left the P-function intact under the conditions applied, instead, the mesyloxy group was substituted by an alkoxy unit in a selective new reaction. The α-alkoxy-benzylphosphonates were isolated in 60-77% yields. While α-chloro- or α-bromo-benzylphosphonates proved to be rather inefficient in the Michaelis-Arbuzov reaction with triethyl phosphite, according to a new possibility, the α-methansulfonyloxy-benzylphosphonates underwent an efficient Arbuzov fission using the phosphite in excess at 135 °C. The arylmethylenebisphosphonates were obtained in yields of 76-81%. Bioactivity studies with the members of the phosphonate library revealed pronounced in vitro cytostatic effect of the α-hydroxy- and α-mesyloxy-3,5-di- tert -butylbenzylphosphonates on human breast carcinoma cell culture with IC 50 values of 16.4 and 28.0 μM, respectively. The mesyloxy species was also cytostatic on melanoma cells (IC 50 = 34.9)., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2024 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.)

The importance of halogen bonds (XBs) in the regulation of material properties through a variation in the electrostatic potential of the halogen atom is not attracted much attention. Herein, this study utilizes in situ single crystal X-ray diffraction and synchrotron-based X-ray techniques to investigate the cooling-triggered irreversible single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformation of the DMF solvated iodo-substituted squaraine dye (SQD-I). Transformation is observed to be mediated by solvent-involved XB formation and strengthening of electrostatic interaction between adjacent SQD-I molecules. By immersing a DMF solvate in acetonitrile a solvent exchange without loss of long-range ordering is observed. This is attributed to conservation of the molecular charge distribution of SQD-I molecules during the process. The different solvates can be used in combination for temperature-dependent image encryption. This work emphasizes the changes caused by XB formation to the electrostatic potentials of halogen containing molecules and their influence on material properties and presents the potential utility of XBs in the design of soft-porous crystals and luminescent materials., (© 2024 The Authors. Advanced Science published by Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

β-Aminophosphonates obtained by the Michael addition of primary amines to the double bond of diethyl vinylphosphonate proved to be suitable starting materials (amine components) in the Kabachnik-Fields reaction with formaldehyde and dialkyl phosphites or secondary phosphine oxides to afford N -phosphonylmethyl- and N -phosphinoylmethyl-β-aminophosphonates. On the other hand, the starting aminophosphonates were modified by N -acylation using acid chlorides. The N -acyl products were found to exist in a dynamic equilibrium of two conformers as suggested by the broad NMR signals. At 26 °C, there may be rotation around the N-C axis of the acylamide function. At the same time, low-temperature NMR measurements at -5 °C revealed the presence of two distinct rotamers that could be characterized by 31 P, 13 C and 1 H NMR data. The modified β-aminophosphonic derivatives were subjected to a comparative structure-activity analysis on MDA-MB-231, PC-3, A431 and Ebc-1 tumor cell lines, and in a few cases, significant activity was detected.

A literature survey showed that different derivatives with the 9-phenyl-9H-carbazole or the dihydroindoline scaffold may be of biological activity including cytotoxic effect. Driven by this experience, P-functionalized derivatives of these N-heterocycles were synthesized. Three N-heterocycles, 9-(4-bromophenyl)-9H-carbazole, 3-bromo-9-phenyl-9H-carbazole and 1-(5-bromoindolin-1-yl)ethan-1-one, were coupled with dialkyl phosphites and diarylphosphine oxides using Pd(OAc) 2 (10 %) as the catalyst precursor and triethylamine as the base in ethanol under microwave irradiation. The excess of the Y 2 P(O)H reagent (Y=alkoxy, aryl) (30 %) served as the P-ligand in its trivalent tautomeric form (Y 2 POH), hence there was no need for the usual P-ligands meaning cost and environmental burden. Hence, the presented method is a "green" approach that proved to be more efficient than the preparation by the traditional method. The products, dialkyl phosphonates and tertiary phosphine oxides obtained in 58-84 % yields were characterized, one of them also by single crystal X-ray analysis, and were subjected to in vitro biological activity evaluation. A (carbazol)yl-phenylphosphonate, an N-phenyl-(carbazol)yl-phosphonate, a (carbazol)yl-phenylphosphine oxide and an N-phenyl-(carbazol)ylphosphine oxide revealed a significant cytotoxic activity on A549 human non-small-cell lung carcinoma and MonoMac-6 acute monocytic leukemia cancer cells. The cytotoxic effect was significant as compared to that of the reference compounds., (© 2023 The Authors. Chemistry - A European Journal published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

We described a regioselective tri- and tetra-functionalization of the pyridazine scaffold using two readily available building blocks: 3-alkylthio-6-chloropyridazine and 3,4-bis(methylthio)-6-chloropyridazine by performing selective metalations with TMPMgCl ⋅ LiCl and catalyst-tuned cross-coupling reactions with arylzinc halides. Several of the resulting pyridazines were converted into more elaborated N-heterocycles such as thieno[2,3-c]pyridazines and 1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridazines., (© 2023 The Authors. Chemistry - A European Journal published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Straightforward calculations such as determinations of p K a values and N-basicities have allowed the development of a set of organometallic reactions for the regioselective functionalization of the underexplored fused N-heterocycle imidazo[1,2- a ]pyrazine. Thus, regioselective metalations of 6-chloroimidazo[1,2- a ]pyrazine using TMP-bases (TMP = 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidyl) such as TMPMgCl·LiCl and TMP 2 Zn·2MgCl 2 ·2LiCl provided Zn- and Mg-intermediates, that after quenching with various electrophiles gave access to polyfunctionalized imidazopyrazine heterocycles. Additionally, the use of TMP 2 Zn·2MgCl 2 ·2LiCl as base for the first metalation allowed an alternative regioselective metalation. Nucleophilic additions at position 8 as well as selective Negishi cross-couplings complete the set of methods for selectively decorating this heterocycle of the future., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts to declare., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

New hydroxy-methylenebisphosphonic derivatives were prepared with different P-functions. The outcome of the reaction of α-oxophosphonates (YC(O)P(O)(OR) 2 ) and dialkyl phosphites or diarylphosphine oxides depended on the Y substituent of the oxo-compound, the nature of the P-reagent and the amount of the diethylamine catalyst. Starting from dimethyl α-oxoethylphosphonate, in the presence of 5% of diethylamine, the corresponding Pudovik adduct was the single product. While using 40% of the catalyst, the rearranged species with the >P(O)-O-CH-P(O)< skeleton was the exclusive component. A similar reaction of α-oxobenzylphosphonate followed the rearrangement protocol. X-ray crystallography revealed not only the spatial structures of the three products, but also an intricate pattern evolving from the interplay of slight chemical differences, solvent inclusion and disorder as well as H -bridge patterns, which invite further investigation. In vitro activity of the compounds was assessed on different tumor cell cultures using end-point-type cell tetrazolium-based measurements. These structure-activity studies revealed a cytostatic effect for four rearranged derivatives containing aromatic units. One of them had a pronounced effect on MDA-MB 231 and Ebc-1 cells, showing IC 50 = 37.8 and 25.9 µM, respectively.

The use of organic peroxides for the preparation of homemade explosives (HMEs) is common among terrorists due to inexpensive precursor chemicals and simple synthetic procedures. Triacetone triperoxide (TATP) is the most notable peroxide explosive, and has been deployed in several terrorist attacks as explosive filling of improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Forensic identification of TATP in pre-blast and post-blast residues, including on-site analysis, poses significant analytical challenges and induces demand for practicable and sensitive detection techniques. This work presents a concept suitable for laboratory and on-site identification of TATP residues in liquid samples (aqueous TATP synthetic waste) and in gas phase. It is based on TATP enrichment from the aqueous or gas phase using different types of passive samplers (polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) sampling rods and activated carbon sampling tubes (ACST)) and subsequent identification of the explosive by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) or GC with positive chemical ionization and tandem MS (GC-PCI-MS/MS) analytical techniques. Additionally, investigation of the stability of TATP in aqueous solutions and of the stability of enriched TATP in passive samplers under different storage conditions, as well as development of TATP re-extraction procedures from passive samplers have been performed in this study. The practical use of passive samplers was demonstrated during and after TATP production processes. Moreover, post-blast sampling of TATP under different conditions of controlled blasting events was investigated using the passive sampling concept., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

A series of complexes [Cu 2 X 2 (Pic 3 PO) 2 ] (X = Cl, Br, I) based on tris(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)phosphine oxide (Pic 3 PO) has been synthesized. At 298 K, these compounds exhibit thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) of 1 (M+X)LCT type with λ max varying from 485 to 545 nm, and quantum efficiency up to 54%. In the TADF process, the halide effect appears as the emission intensification and bathochromic shift of λ max in the following order X = I < Br < Cl. Upon X-ray irradiation, the title compounds emit radioluminescence, the emission bands of which have the same shape as those at TADF, thereby meaning a similar radiative excited state. By contrast to TADF, the halide effect in the radioluminescence is reversed: its intensity grows in the order X = Cl < Br < I, since heavier atoms absorb X-rays more efficiently. These findings essentially contribute to our knowledge about the halide effect in the photo- and radioluminescent Cu(I) halide emitters.

Diethyl α-benzylamino- and α-amino-benzylphosphonates obtained by the Kabachnik-Fields reaction were useful intermediates in the synthesis of other derivatives. Acylation of α-aminophosphonates with acyl chlorides led to the corresponding N -acyl species existing under a dynamic equilibrium of two conformers. Judging from the broad NMR signals, the sterically most crowded N -benzoyl- N -benzyl derivative suffered a hindered rotation around the N-C axis to the acyl carbon atom at 26 °C. Low temperature NMR measurements at -10 °C showed the presence of two distinct rotamers that were characterized. The other acylated α-amino-benzylphosphonates prepared revealed a less hindered rotation. Single crystal X-ray diffraction of the NH-propionyl species showed a dimer, in which the two molecules were held together by rare intermolecular PO⋯HN bonds. On the other hand, substituted α-benzylamino-benzylphosphonates prepared by phospha-Mannich reactions were employed, as a new approach, in a second Kabachnik-Fields condensation by reaction with formaldehyde and dialkyl phosphites or secondary phosphine oxides to afford novel N -phosphonoylmethyl- and N -phosphinoylmethyl-α-amino-benzylphosphonates. The structure of the new products was confirmed by two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy. A symmetrical bis derivative was prepared in a diastereoselective manner. A related tris(phosphonoylmethyl)amine species was also synthesized.

We report the use of a hyphenated HPLC-DAD(diode array detector)-HRMS/SPE NMR system for the separation and isolation of a complex mixture of esters, containing substances with very similar LC retention times. The literature known mono- and diesters of the drug Flurbiprofen and polyethylene glycol, which form a large number of substances with varying chain lengths, were chosen for this study. We demonstrate the use of this hyphenated system to quickly and effectively isolate sixteen of these highly similar individual esters in an automated fashion, demonstrating its applicability in standard pharmaceutical analysis and quality control of drugs. Both, synthetic solutions of these esters and extracts from Flurbiprofen lozenges were used for this purpose. By the sole use of this system, the individual compounds were isolated and UV, HRMS and 1D and 2 D NMR data could be collected, enabling the identification and differentiation of the individual esters., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Philipp Schmidt reports financial support and equipment, drugs, and supplies were provided by Hexal AG., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

We report a new convenient preparation of dicarbamoylzincs of type (R 1 R 2 NCO) 2 Zn by the treatment of ZnCl 2 and formamides R 1 R 2 NCHO with LiTMP in THF (15 °C, 15 min) or by the reaction of formamides R 1 R 2 NCHO with TMP 2 Zn (25 °C, 16 h). This second method tolerates sensitive groups such as an ester, ketone or nitro function. Reaction of these dicarbamoylzincs with allylic, benzylic, aryl, alkenyl bromides, acid chlorides, aldehydes or enones provided various polyfunctional amides in 47-97 % yields. 13 C NMR characterization of these new carbamoylzinc derivatives is reported., (© 2022 The Authors. Angewandte Chemie International Edition published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

We report a lateral sodiation of alkyl(hetero)arenes using on-demand generated hexane-soluble (2-ethylhexyl)sodium (1) in the presence of TMEDA. (2-Ethylhexyl)sodium (1) is prepared via a sodium packed-bed reactor and used for metalations at ambient temperature in batch as well as in continuous flow. The resulting benzylic sodium species are subsequently trapped with various electrophiles including carbonyl compounds, epoxides, oxetane, allyl/benzyl chlorides, alkyl halides and alkyl tosylates. Wurtz-type couplings with secondary alkyl halides and tosylates proceed under complete inversion of stereochemistry. Furthermore, the utility of this lateral sodiation is demonstrated in the synthesis of pharmaceutical relevant compounds. Thus, fingolimod is prepared from p-xylene applying the lateral sodiation twice. In addition, 7-fold isotopically labeled salmeterol-d 7 and fenpiprane as well as precursors to super linear alkylbenzene (SLAB) surfactants are prepared., (© 2022 The Authors. Angewandte Chemie International Edition published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

The growing reservations against the use of any kind of chlorine source in pyrotechnic items revolutionize the predominantly empirical development of strobe formulations in two ways. First, a conventionally applied ammonium perchlorate oxidizer needs to be replaced. Second, visible light emissions should no longer be generated by metastable monochloride species. Moreover, until now, toxic substances such as potassium dichromate have been added in order to achieve a more pronounced strobe effect. This work evaluates the potential of stearic acid-treated ceric ammonium nitrate to serve as an oxidizing agent in next-generation strobe compositions. For this purpose, its microscopic structure, energetic properties, and stability under ambient conditions were assessed. A two-component mixture with a magnesium-aluminum alloy was investigated, which should allow for the introduction of copper-based colorants. This potentially paves the way for the first environmentally friendly blue strobe formulations.

DFT-calculations allow prediction of the reactivity of uncommon N-heterocyclic scaffolds of pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines and imidazo[1,2-b]pyridazines and considerably facilitate their functionalization. The derivatization of these N-heterocycles was realized using Grignard reagents for nucleophilic additions to 5-chloropyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines and TMP 2 Zn ⋅ 2 MgCl 2  ⋅ 2 LiCl allowed regioselective zincations. In the case of 6-chloroimidazo[1,2-b]pyridazine, bases such as TMP 2 Zn ⋅ MgCl 2  ⋅ 2 LiCl, in the presence or absence of BF 3  ⋅ OEt 2 , led to regioselective metalations at positions 3 or 8. Subsequent functionalizations were achieved with TMPMgCl ⋅ LiCl, producing various polysubstituted derivatives (up to penta-substitution). X-ray analysis confirmed the regioselectivity for key functional heterocycles., (© 2022 The Authors. Chemistry - A European Journal published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

We report the isolation and characterization of a methylene bridged "dimer" of the opioid antagonist Naloxone, previously detected in experimental Buprenorphine-Naloxone oral films. This compound was found to form via an aldol addition followed by a condensation reaction under acidic conditions between two units of Naloxone and one unit of formaldehyde. HPLC-UV-HRMS analysis revealed the formation of three individual stereoisomers during this reaction, which were separately isolated using solid-phase extraction. These isomers were shown to freely react into one another in solvent, forming an equilibrium. The structure of the unknown compound was determined via HRMS spectrometry and 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interests The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2021 American Pharmacists Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

3-Bromomethyl-3-hydroxymethyloxetane represents an inexpensive and versatile precursor for the synthesis of 3,3-disubstituted oxetane derivatives. In the present work, its synthesis was improved and energetic oxetanes based on the explosive LLM-116 (4-amino-3,5-dinitro-1H-pyrazole) prepared. Reaching detonation velocities and pressures of up to 7335 ms -1 and 20.9 GPa in combination with a high thermostability and insensitivity, these surpass the prior art by far. Next to a symmetric LLM-116 derivative, three asymmetric compounds were prepared using azido-, nitrato- and tetrazolyl-moieties. All compounds were intensively characterized by vibrational-, mass- and multinuclear ( 1 H, 13 C, 14 N) NMR spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and elemental analysis. The molecular structures were elucidated by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Hirshfeld analysis allowed to estimate their sensitivity next to a practical evaluation using BAM standard procedures. Their performance was calculated using the EXPLO5 V6.04 code and a small-scale shock reactivity test and initiation test demonstrated their insensitivity and performance., (© 2022 The Authors. ChemPlusChem published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

The different coordination behavior of the flexible yet sterically demanding, hemilabile P,N ligand bis(quinoline-2-ylmethyl)phenylphosphine (bqmpp) towards selected Cu I , Ag I and Au I species is described. The resulting X-ray crystal structures reveal interesting coordination geometries. With [Cu(MeCN) 4 ]BF 4 , compound 1 [Cu 2 (bqmpp) 2 ](BF 4 ) 2 is obtained, wherein the copper(I) atoms display a distorted square planar and square pyramidal geometry. The steric demand and π-stacking of the ligand allow for a short Cu⋅⋅⋅Cu distance (2.588(9) Å). Cu I complex 2 [Cu 4 Cl 3 (bqmpp) 2 ]BF 4 contains a rarely observed Cu 4 Cl 3 cluster, probably enabled by dichloromethane as the chloride source. In the cluster, even shorter Cu⋅⋅⋅Cu distances (2.447(1) Å) are present. The reaction of Ag[SbF 6 ] with the ligand leads to a dinuclear compound (3) in solution as confirmed by 31 P{ 1 H} NMR spectroscopy. During crystallization, instead of the expected phosphine complex 3, a tris(quinoline-2-ylmethyl)bisphenyl-phosphine (tqmbp) compound [Ag 2 (tqmbp) 2 ](SbF 6 ) 2 4 is formed by elimination of quinaldine. The Au(I) compound [Au 2 (bqmpp) 2 ]PF 6 (5) is prepared as expected and shows a linear arrangement of two phosphine ligands around Au I ., (© 2022 The Authors. Published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Aryl- and heteroaryl-dichlorophosphines are mildly and selectively made in a one-pot synthesis in moderate to good yields starting from the respective aryl bromides or five-membered heterocycles, following lithiation with n BuLi, transmetalation with ZnCl 2 , and subsequently the reaction with PCl 3 . Selected aryl- and heteroaryl-dichlorophosphines were successfully synthesized using this reaction method and could easily be purified after isolation. The intermediate formation of the organozinc species is essential, as it prevents the formation of multiple substitution products. Important are also the reaction conditions: the usage of the proper solvent for the respective aromatic precursors and removal of the remaining salts by addition of a dioxane/pentane mixture. Depending on the solvent and steric demand of the substituent, mono- and bis-substitution products can be formed but formation also prevented. Hereby, different organozinc species might play an important role.

A general preparation of enantiomerically and diastereomerically enriched secondary alkylmagnesium reagents was reported as well as their use for performing highly stereoselective transition-metal free electrophilic aminations leading to α-chiral amines in up to 97% ee. Thus, the reaction of t -BuLi (2.2 equiv.) with a mixture of chiral secondary alkyl iodides and the commercially available magnesium reagent Me 3 SiCH 2 MgCl in a 2 : 1 mixture of pentane and diethyl ether at up to -50 °C provided optically enriched secondary mixed alkylmagnesium species of the type alkyl(Me)CHMgCH 2 SiMe 3 with high retention of configuration (up to 99% ee). The resulting enantiomerically enriched dialkylmagnesium reagents were trapped with electrophiles such as non-enolizable ketones, aldehydes, acid chlorides, isocyanates, chlorophosphines and O -benzoyl hydroxylamines providing α-chiral tertiary alcohols, ketones, amides, phosphines and tertiary amines in up to 89% yield (over three reaction steps) and up to 99% ee., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts to declare., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

In the field of energetic binders, only hydroxy-terminated glycidyl azide polymer (GAP) has found widespread application and prevailed in the market. However, oxiranes such as glycidyl azide (GA) allow two ring-opening modes during polymerization and thus lead to polymers of different termination causing inhomogeneous curing results. An elegant solution is the polymerization of 3-azidooxetane as only terminating primary hydroxyl groups are formed. Beyond this, poly(3-azidooxetane) and GAP are equal in other aspects due to the similar repetition unit. Since literature methods for the preparation of 3-azidooxetane either employed toxic solvents, gave low yields or impurified product, or could not be reproduced, a new synthesis method was developed to afford pure material and satisfying yields. The syntheses of toluene- and methanesulfonic acid esters of oxetan-3-ol as precursors were also significantly improved in comparison to the literature and their molecular structures elucidated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The aforementioned compounds and poly(3-azidooxetane) were intensively studied by vibrational and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy ( 1 H, 13 C, 14 N), differential scanning calorimetry, and elemental analysis. The key compound, 3-azidooxetane, was compared to glycidyl azide regarding performance using the EXPLO5 V6.04 thermochemical code and their sensitivity toward external stimuli like shock and friction assessed according to BAM standard procedures.

Terminally acylated terthiophenes, in particular, the bis-pivaloyl derivative, were synthesized by Friedel-Crafts acylation with sub-stoichiometric amounts of standard zinc oxide and exhibit strong fluorescence and an ultrafast fluorescence decay of 400 ps. Their high photostability and large Stokes' shifts are good prerequisites for applications in optical GBit fast data systems such as fiber optics in slip rings., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2021 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.)

We report the selective functionalization of the 1 H -imidazo[1,2- b ]pyrazole scaffold using a Br/Mg-exchange, as well as regioselective magnesiations and zincations with TMP-bases (TMP = 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidyl), followed by trapping reactions with various electrophiles. In addition, we report a fragmentation of the pyrazole ring, giving access to push-pull dyes with a proaromatic (1,3-dihydro-2 H -imidazol-2-ylidene)malononitrile core. These functionalization methods were used in the synthesis of an isostere of the indolyl drug pruvanserin. Comparative assays between the original drug and the isostere showed that a substitution of the indole ring with a 1 H -imidazo[1,2- b ]pyrazole results in a significantly improved solubility in aqueous media., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts to declare., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

A set of rhenium-catalyzed arylation-acyl cyclizations between (hetero)arylmagnesium halides and enol lactones through a cascade C(sp 2 )-C(sp 2 )/C(sp 2 )-C(sp 2 ) bond formation under mild reaction conditions has been developed. Indeed, a wide range of functional groups on both organomagnesium halides and enol lactones is well tolerated by the simple rhenium catalysis, thus furnishing polyfunctionalized indenones in one-pot fashion and with complete control of the regioselectivity. Moreover, this approach also provides a straightforward synthetic route to neolignan and (iso)pauciflorol F. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that the reaction involves a sequence of syn-carborhenation and intramolecular nucleophilic addition., (© 2021 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Aryl azoles are ubiquitous as bioactive compounds and their regioselective functionalization is of utmost synthetic importance. Here, we report the development of a toluene-soluble dialkylmagnesium base s Bu 2 Mg. This new reagent allows mild and regioselective ortho -magnesiations of various N -arylated pyrazoles and 1,2,3-triazoles as well as arenes bearing oxazoline, phosphorodiamidate or amide directing groups. The resulting diarylmagnesium reagents were further functionalized either by Pd-catalyzed arylation or by trapping reactions with a broad range of electrophiles (aldehydes, ketones, allylic halides, acyl chlorides, Weinreb amides, aryl halides, hydroxylamine benzoates, terminal alkynes). Furthermore, several double ortho , ortho '-magnesiations were realized in the case of aryl oxazolines, N -aryl pyrazoles as well as 2-aryl-2 H -1,2,3-triazoles by simply repeating the magnesiation/electrophile trapping sequence allowing the preparation of valuable 1,2,3-functionalized arenes., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts to declare., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

A new regioselective 3,4-difunctionalization of 3-chloropyridines via 3,4-pyridyne intermediates is reported. Regioselective lithiation of 3-chloro-2-ethoxypyridine and a related 2-thio-derivative followed by treatment with aryl- and alkylmagnesium halides as well as magnesium thiolates at -78 °C produced 3,4-pyridynes during heating to 75 °C. Regioselective addition of the Grignard moiety in position 4 followed by an electrophilic quench in position 3 led to various 2,3,4-trisubstituted pyridines. This method was adapted into a continuous flow set-up. As an application, we have prepared a key intermediate for (±)-paroxetine., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts to declare., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

Fluoromethyl-2,4,6-trinitrophenylsulfonate has been prepared for the first time and qualified as a simple to use monofluoromethylating reagent. Its molecular structure in the solid state has been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. This reagent proves to be effective for the electrophilic introduction of a CH 2 F group into selected chalcogen and nitrogen nucleophiles. Monofluoromethyl derivatives of various bifunctional N,O-nucleophiles have been synthesized using fluoromethyl-2,4,6-trinitrophenylsulfonate. Due to the good crystallizing properties of the anion, the fluoromethylated products as well as side products that are difficult to identify by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy can readily be characterized by X-ray crystallographic techniques.

The syntheses of a sterically demanding, multidentate bis(quinaldinyl)phenylphosphine oxide ligand and some Cu(I) and Ag(I) complexes thereof are described. By introducing a methylene group between the quinoline unit and phosphorus, the phosphine oxide ligand gains additional flexibility. This specific ligand design induces not only a versatile coordination chemistry but also a rarely observed and investigated behavior in solution. The flexibility of the birdlike ligand offers the unexpected opportunity of open-wing and closed-wing coordination to the metal. In fact, the determined crystal structures of these complexes show both orientations. Investigations of the ligand in solution show a strong dependency of the chemical shift of the CH 2 protons on the solvent used. Variable-temperature, multinuclear NMR spectroscopy was carried out, and an interesting dynamic behavior of the complexes is observed. Due to the introduced flexibility, the quinaldinyl substituents change their arrangements from open-wing to closed-wing upon cooling, while still staying coordinated to the metal. This change in conformation is completely reversible when warming up the sample. Based on 2D NMR spectra measured at -80 °C, an assignment of the signals corresponding to the different arrangements was possible. Additionally, the copper(I) complex shows reversible redox activity in solution. The combination of structural flexibility of a multidentate ligand and the positive redox properties of the resulting complexes comprises key factors for a possible application of such compounds in transition-metal catalysis. Via a reorganization of the ligand, occurring transition states could be stabilized, and selectivity might be enhanced.

The sodiation of substituted acrylonitriles and alkenyl sulfides in a continuous flow set-up using NaDA (sodium diisopropylamide) in EtNMe 2 or NaTMP (sodium 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidide)⋅TMEDA in n-hexane provides sodiated acrylonitriles and alkenyl sulfides, which are subsequently trapped in batch with various electrophiles such as aldehydes, ketones, disulfides and allylic bromides affording functionalized acrylonitriles and alkenyl sulfides. This flow-procedure was successfully extended to other acrylates by using Barbier-type conditions., (© 2020 The Authors. Angewandte Chemie International Edition published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

We report the formation and characterization of two diastereomeric thiol-ene addition products of the asthma medication Montelukast within chewing tablets. Widespread tin-based thermal stabilizers dioctyltin bis(2-ethylhexyl thioglycolate) and monooctyltin tris(2-ethylhexyl thioglycolate), used in the manufacturing process of the medication's forming foil, were identified as the source of the thiol reactant, showing that these stabilizers may play a part in the degradation of Montelukast and APIs with functionalities similar to those of Montelukast, which should be considered during development of medication. The isolation and analysis of these impurities was performed by HPLC and UV-vis spectroscopy. HRMS and NMR data were collected to characterize and determine the structures of these compounds.