Enantioselective PCCP Brønsted acid-catalyzed aminalization of aldehydes

Here we present an enantioselective aminalization of aldehydes catalyzed by Brønsted acids based on pentacarboxycyclopentadienes (PCCPs). The cyclization reaction using readily available anthranilamides as building blocks provides access to valuable 2,3-dihydroquinazolinones containing one stereogenic carbon center with good enantioselectivity (ee up to 80%) and excellent yields (up to 97%).

Asymmetric synthesis of heterocyclic chloroamines and aziridines by enantioselective protonation of catalytically generated enamines

We report a method for the synthesis of chiral vicinal chlo-roamines via asymmetric protonation of catalytically gener-ated prochiral chloroenamines using chiral Brønsted acids. The process is highly enantioselective, with the origin of asymmetry and catalyst substituent effects elucidated by DFT calculations. We show the utility of the method as an approach to the synthesis of a broad range of heterocycle-substituted aziridines by treatment of the chloroamines with base in a one-pot process, as well as the utility of the process to allow access to vicinal diamines.

Regio- and stereoselective addition of Brønsted acids to yndiamides: Synthesis of N,O,N- and N,S,N-trisubstituted ketene acetals

Yndiamides, N,N-disubstituted alkynes, are versatile building blocks for the synthesis of nitrogen-containing organic molecules. Unlike ynamides, relatives that are inherently polarized by a single nitrogen substituent, their pseudo-symmetric nature renders regioselective reactions challenging. Here we report investigations into the regioselective addition of Brønsted acids to non-symmetric yndiamides, a reaction that delivers N,O,N- and N,S,N-trisubstituted ketene acetals with excellent regio- and stereoselectivity.

Synthesis and Characterization of Caprolactam- based Ionic Liquids as Green Solvents

Aims: To synthesize and characterize six caprolactam-based ionic liquids (CPILs) by combination of caprolactam with different organic and inorganic Brønsted acids that can be utilized for lipid extraction from microalgae. Study design: Experimental design include quantitative and qualitative. Place and duration of study: The study was done at Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, School of Sciences and Aerospace Studies, Moi University (Kenya) between November 2020 and May 2021. Methodology: Six CPILs were prepared through a simple neutralization reaction between Caprolactam and Brønsted acids such as Hydrochloric acid (HCl), Methane sulphonic acid (CH3SO3H), Trifluoromethanesulphonic acid (CF3SO3H), Acetic acid (CH3CO2H), Trifluoroacetic acid (CF3CO2H), and Sulfuric acid (H2SO4). The first three acids were used in the synthesis of CPILs for the first time. The chemical structures of the synthesized CPILs were characterized by Fourier transform infrared and Raman spectroscopy. The densities and viscosities were measured at 20 oC using the weight (pycnometer) and capillary viscometer (Oswald) methods, respectively. Results: All the CPILs were insoluble in hexane and had high miscibility with water and methanol. Fourier transform infrared and Raman spectra of the CPILs were compared with that of free Caprolactam. The characteristic absorption bands of the synthesized compounds showed a big shift in position and/or intensity (compared to caprolactam), indicating the formation of the CPILs. The results showed that both the density and viscosity increased with the molecular weight of the anion - except in Caprolactamium hydrogen sulphate (CPSA)- which could be due to the strong interactions between the cation and anion resulting from the dimerization between hydrogen sulphate anions. Conclusion: The hydrophilic nature of the CPILs indicated by high miscibility with polar solvents (water and methanol) indicates that they are suitable for the dissolution of cellulose of microalgae cell wall and thus could result in high lipid extraction efficiency. Further studies should therefore utilize the synthesized CPILs in lipid extraction from microalgae.