Synthesis of Bis(Carboranyl)amides 1,1′-μ-(CH2NH(O)C(CH2)n-1,2-C2B10H11)2 (n = 0, 1) and Attempt of Synthesis of Gadolinium Bis(Dicarbollide)

Bis(carboranyl)amides 1,1′-μ-(CH2NH(O)C(CH2)n-1,2-C2B10H11)2 (n = 0, 1) were prepared by the reactions of the corresponding carboranyl acyl chlorides with ethylenediamine. Crystal molecular structure of 1,1′-μ-(CH2NH(O)C-1,2-C2B10H11)2 was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Treatment of bis(carboranyl)amides 1,1′-μ-(CH2NH(O)C(CH2)n-1,2-C2B10H11)2 with ammonium or cesium fluoride results in partial deboronation of the ortho-carborane cages to the nido-carborane ones with formation of [7,7′(8′)-μ-(CH2NH(O)C(CH2)n-7,8-C2B9H11)2]2−. The attempted reaction of [7,7′(8′)-μ-(CH2NH(O)CCH2-7,8-C2B9H11)2]2− with GdCl3 in 1,2-dimethoxy- ethane did not give the expected metallacarborane. The stability of different conformations of Gd-containing metallacarboranes has been estimated by quantum-chemical calculations using [3,3-μ-DME-3,3′-Gd(1,2-C2B9H11)2]− as a model. It was found that in the most stable conformation the CH groups of the dicarbollide ligands are in anti,anti-orientation with respect to the DME ligand, while any rotation of the dicarbollide ligand reduces the stability of the system. This makes it possible to rationalize the design of carborane ligands for the synthesis of gadolinium metallacarboranes on their base.

The Fluoride Anion-Catalyzed Sulfurization of Thioketones with Elemental Sulfur Leading to Sulfur-Rich Heterocycles: First Sulfurization of Thiochalcones

Fluoride anion was demonstrated as a superior activator of elemental sulfur (S8) to perform sulfurization of thioketones leading to diverse sulfur-rich heterocycles. Due to solubility problems, reactions must be carried out either in THF using tetrabutylammonium fluoride (TBAF) or in DMF using cesium fluoride (CsF), respectively. The reactive sulfurizing reagents are in situ generated, nucleophilic fluoropolysulfide anions FS(8−x)−, which react with the C=S bond according to the carbophilic addition mode. Dithiiranes formed thereby, existing in an equilibrium with the ring-opened form (diradicals/zwitterions) are key-intermediates, which undergo either a step-wise dimerization to afford 1,2,4,5-tetrathianes or an intramolecular insertion, leading in the case of thioxo derivatives of 2,2,4,4-tetramethylcyclobutane-1,3-dione to ring enlarged products. In reactions catalyzed by TBAF, water bounded to fluoride anion via H-bridges and forming thereby its stable hydrates is involved in secondary reactions leading, e.g., in the case of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-3-thioxocyclobutanone to the formation of some unexpected products such as the ring enlarged dithiolactone and ring-opened dithiocarboxylate. In contrast to thioketones, the fluoride anion catalyzed sulfurization of their α,β-unsaturated analogues, i.e., thiochalcones is slow and inefficient. However, an alternative protocol with triphenylphosphine (PPh3) applied as a catalyst, offers an attractive approach to the synthesis of 3H-1,2-dithioles via 1,5-dipolar electrocyclization of the in situ-generated α,β-unsaturated thiocabonyl S-sulfides. All reactions occur under mild conditions and can be considered as attractive methods for the preparation of sulfur rich heterocycles with diverse ring-size.

An efficient synthesis of 4-phenoxy-quinazoline, 2-phenoxy-quinoxaline, and 2-phenoxy-pyridine derivatives using aryne chemistry

Efficient synthesis of 4-phenoxyquinazoline, 2-phenoxyquinoxaline, 2-phenoxypyridine derivatives were generated of aryne from 2-(trimethylsilyl)phenyltrifluoromethanesulfonate with cesium fluoride.