DABCO-promoted photocatalytic C–H functionalization of aldehydes

Herein we present a direct application of DABCO, an inexpensive and broadly accessible organic base, as a hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) abstractor in a photocatalytic strategy for aldehyde C–H activation. The acyl radicals generated in this step were arylated with aryl bromides through a well stablished nickel cross-coupling methodology, leading to a variety of interesting aryl ketones in good yields. We also performed computational calculations to shine light in the HAT step energetics and determined an optimized geometry for the transition state, showing that the hydrogen atom transfer between aldehydes and DABCO is a mildly endergonic, yet sufficiently fast step. The same calculations were performed with quinuclidine, for comparison of both catalysts and the differences are discussed.

Tandem Triphosgene-Assisted Metal-Free One-pot Preparation of Nitriles and Amides from Aldehydes and Ketones

Here we report a facile and efficient triphosgene-assisted one-pot conversion of aldehydes/ketones into nitriles/amides. The triphosgene, a kind of phosgene alternative, containing both ester linkage and chloromethyl units, easily reacts with oximes for the preparation of nitriles/amides. However, the reaction of oximes with triphosgene can’t fully convert corresponding nitriles/amides due to hydrolysis of oximes to aldehydes or ketones. Our protocol tandem proceeds smoothly without the use of organic base and metal catalysts. Diverse functionalized aromatic, aliphatic, and allylic aldehydes/ketones incorporating biomass-derived platform compounds were successfully converted to nitriles and amides in excellent yields. Compared to step-by-step reaction, this tandem strategy is characterized by multi-step reaction in one pot, mild reaction conditions, and fewer by-products.

Synthesis of Aryl Sulfides by Metal-Free Arylation of Thiols with Diaryliodonium Salts

Metal-free arylation of thiols with diaryliodonium salts has been developed. The application of a strong organic base ena-bles the C–S bond formation under mild and experimentally simple conditions. The method allows for the synthesis of aryl sulfides containing a broad range of aryl groups from an array of thiols, including aryl, heteroaryl, and alkyl ones. The mechanism of the reaction was studied by DFT calculations, demonstrating that is follows the inner sphere pathway involv-ing the incipient formation of Ar2I(SR) intermediate, followed by the reductive elimination.

Mechanisms of Tebuconazole Adsorption in Profiles of Mineral Soils

The study attempted to identify the soil components and the principal adsorption mechanisms that bind tebuconazole in mineral soils. The KF values of the Freundlich isotherm determined in 18 soils from six soil profiles in batch experiments after 96 h of shaking ranged from 1.11 to 16.85 μg1–1/n (mL)1/n g–1, and the exponent 1/n values from 0.74 to 1.04. The adsorption of tebuconazole was inversely correlated with the soil pH. Both neutral and protonated forms of this organic base were adsorbed mainly on the fraction of humins. The adsorption of the protonated form increased in the presence of hydrogen cations adsorbed in the soil sorption sites. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy coupled with the molecular modeling studies and partial least squares regression analysis indicated that the tebuconazole molecule is bound in the organic matter through the formation of hydrogen bonds as well as hydrophobic and π–π interactions. Ion exchange was one of the adsorption mechanisms of the protonated form of this fungicide. The created mathematical model, assuming that both forms of tebuconazole are adsorbed on the organic matter and adsorption of the protonated form is affected by the potential acidity, described its adsorption in soils well.

Synthesis of 1-indolyl-3,5,8-substituted γ-carbolines: one-pot solvent-free protocol and biological evaluation

1,5-Disubstituted indole-2-carboxaldehyde derivatives 1a–h and glycine alkyl esters 2a–c are shown to undergo a novel cascade imination-heterocylization in the presence of the organic base DIPEA to provide 1-indolyl-3,5,8-substituted γ-carbolines 3aa–ea in good yields. The γ-carbolines are fluorescent and exhibit anticancer activities against cervical, lung, breast, skin, and kidney cancer cells.