A versatile synthesis of substituted benzimidazolium salts by an amination/ring closure sequence

A Facile Preparation of N-Heterocyclic Olefins: Ring-Opening Polymerization of β-Butyrolactone and Frustrated Lewis Pair Reactivity

A direct synthesis of N-heterocyclic olefins (NHOs) and their mesoionic congeners (mNHOs) from N-heterocyclic carbenes and N-aziridinylimines is reported. The reaction provided diverse functionalized (m)NHOs and π-extended analogues. The prepared NHOs initiated the ring-opening polymerization of β-butyrolactone, and insertion of aldehyde and nitrile into an NHO-B(C6 F5 )3 adduct was demonstrated.

Benzimidazolium quaternary ammonium salts: synthesis, single crystal and Hirshfeld surface exploration supported by theoretical analysis

Owing to the broad applications of quaternary ammonium salts (QAS), we present the synthesis of benzimidazolium-based analogues with variation in the alkyl and alkoxy group at N-1 and N-3 positions. All the compounds were characterized by spectroscopic techniques and found stable to air and moisture both in the solid and solution state. Moreover, molecular structures were established through single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The crystal packing of the compounds was stabilized by numerous intermolecular interactions explored by Hirshfeld surface analysis. The enrichment ratio was calculated for the pairs of chemical species to acquire the highest propensity to form contacts. Void analysis was carried out to check the mechanical response of the compounds. Furthermore, theoretical investigations were also performed to explore the optoelectronic properties of compounds. Natural population analysis (NPA) has been conducted to evaluate the distribution of charges on the synthesized compounds, whereas high band gaps of the synthesized compounds by frontier molecular orbital (FMO) analysis indicated their stability. Nonlinear optical (NLO) analysis revealed that the synthesized QAS demonstrates significantly improved NLO behaviour than the standard urea.

Catalytic Direct α-Amination of Arylacetic Acid Synthons with Anilines

A unique α-amination approach using various anilines has been developed for arylacetic acids via adaptation as benzazoles. The reaction proceeds through a single electron transfer mechanism utilizing an iron-based catalyst system to access α-(N-arylamino)acetic acid equivalents. Modification of approved drugs, facile cleavage of the benzazole auxiliary, and tolerance of amide linkage forming conditions constitute the potential applicability of this strategy.

Iodine-catalyzed synthesis of N,N′-diaryl-o-phenylenediamines from cyclohexanones and anilines using DMSO and O2 as oxidants

An I₂/DMSO system has been successfully applied to synthesize N,N′-diaryl-o-phenylenediamines from cyclohexanones for the first time.

Synthesis of C₂-Symmetric Benzimidazolium Salts and Their Application in Palladium-Catalyzed Enantioselective Intramolecular α-Arylation of Amides

A series of C₂-symmetric chiral benzimidazolium salts, the precursor of N-heterocyclic carbene ligands, were designed and synthesized from 1,2-dibromobenzene. In situ prepared corresponding carbenes were tested in the asymmetric palladium-catalyzed intramolecular α-arylation of amides, affording chiral diarylmethanols with high yields and moderate enantioselectivities.

Ruthenium catalysts bearing a benzimidazolylidene ligand for the metathetical ring-closure of tetrasubstituted cycloolefins

Deprotonation of 1,3-di(2-tolyl)benzimidazolium tetrafluoroborate with a strong base afforded 1,3-di(2-tolyl)benzimidazol-2-ylidene (BTol), which dimerized progressively into the corresponding dibenzotetraazafulvalene. The complexes [RhCl(COD)(BTol)] (COD is 1,5-cyclooctadiene) and cis-[RhCl(CO)2(BTol)] were synthesized to probe the steric and electronic parameters of BTol. Comparison of the percentage of buried volume (%VBur) and of the Tolman electronic parameter (TEP) of BTol with those determined previously for 1,3-dimesitylbenzimidazol-2-ylidene (BMes) revealed that the two N-heterocyclic carbenes displayed similar electron donicities, yet the 2-tolyl substituents took a slightly greater share of the rhodium coordination sphere than the mesityl groups, due to a more pronounced tilt. The anti,anti conformation adopted by BTol in the molecular structure of [RhCl(COD)(BTol)] ensured nonetheless a remarkably unhindered access to the metal center, as evidenced by steric maps. Second-generation ruthenium-benzylidene and isopropoxybenzylidene complexes featuring the BTol ligand were obtained via phosphine exchange from the first generation Grubbs and Hoveyda-Grubbs catalysts, respectively. The atropisomerism of the 2-tolyl substituents within [RuCl2(=CHPh)(PCy3)(BTol)] was investigated by using variable temperature NMR spectroscopy, and the molecular structures of all four possible rotamers of [RuCl2(=CH-o-O(i)PrC6H4)(BTol)] were determined by X-ray crystallography. Both complexes were highly active at promoting the ring-closing metathesis (RCM) of model α,ω-dienes. The replacement of BMes with BTol was particularly beneficial to achieve the ring-closure of tetrasubstituted cycloalkenes. More specifically, the stable isopropoxybenzylidene chelate enabled an almost quantitative RCM of two challenging substrates, viz., diethyl 2,2-bis(2-methylallyl)malonate and N,N-bis(2-methylallyl)tosylamide, within a few hours at 60 °C.

2-(Furan-2-yl)-1,3-bis(furan-2-ylmeth-yl)-1H-benzimidazol-3-ium chloride monohydrate

The title hydrated salt, C₂₁H₁₇N₂O₃⁺·Cl⁻·H₂O, exhibits disorder in one of the furan rings. The major and minor components have a refined occupancy ratio of 0.844 (19):0.156 (19). The structure displays intermolecular hydrogen bonding involving the water molecule and the chloride anion. Close intermolecular C—H⋯Cl and C—H⋯(furan ring) inter­actions complete the hydrogen bonding.

Copper-catalyzed synthesis of purine-fused polycyclics

A novel protocol for a Cu-catalyzed direct C((sp(2)))-H activation/intramolecular amination reaction of 6-anilinopurine nucleosides has been developed. This approach provides a new access to a variety of multiheterocyclic compounds from purine compounds via Cu-catalyzed intramolecular N-H bond tautomerism which are endowed with fluorescence.

Catalyst-Free Microwave-Assisted Amination of 2-Chloro-5-nitrobenzoic Acid

The synthesis of N-substituted 5-nitroanthranilic acid derivatives 3a-w was achieved by a new, mild, microwave-assisted, regioselective amination reaction of 5-nitro-2-chlorobenzoic acid (1a) with a diverse range of aliphatic and aromatic amines 2a-w without added solvent or catalyst. Up to >99% isolated yield was obtained within 5-30 min at 80-120 degrees C. The reaction, which is suitable for upscaling, yielded new compounds that are of considerable interest as useful building blocks and as potential drugs.

Intramolecular "hydroiminiumation and -amidiniumation" of alkenes: a convenient, flexible, and scalable route to cyclic iminium and imidazolinium salts

Addition of a stoichiometric amount of HCl to alkenylaldimines, -formamidines, and -amidines results in the protonation of the sp2-nitrogen atom. The resulting alkenylaldiminium, -formamidinium, and -amidinium salts can be isolated and fully characterized, including single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Heating solutions of these salts induces ring closure cleanly and regioselectively via formal "exo" addition of the nitrogen-hydrogen bond to the pendent carbon-carbon double bond, affording the corresponding cyclic aldiminium, dihydroisoquinolinium, and imidazolinium salts. Of special interest, novel 4,4-disubstituted imidazolinium salts are accessible via this synthetic route. Similarly, addition of phosgene to alkenyl ureas and alkenyl amides, followed by gentle heating, cleanly affords C-chloro imidazolinium, and cyclic C-chloro iminium salts, respectively. Treatment of the latter with tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium allows for the preparation of the first transition-metal complex bearing a cyclic arylaminocarbene as ligand. Deuterium labeling experiments suggest that the mechanism of the hydroiminiumation and -amidiniumation reactions involves an intramolecular proton transfer to the double bond in the rate-determining step. This novel synthetic methodology gives access to a variety of N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) and cyclic alkyl- and arylaminocarbene (CAAC) precursors.

Highly Efficient Synthesis and Solid-State Characterization of 1,2,4,5-Tetrakis(alkyl- and arylamino)benzenes and Cyclization to Their Respective Benzobis(imidazolium) Salts

[reaction: see text] New synthetic methodology to a variety of 1,2,4,5-tetraaminobenzenes and their corresponding benzobis(imidazolium) salts has been accomplished. Palladium-catalyzed coupling of various 1,2,4,5-tetrabromo- or 1,2,4,5-tetrachlorobenzenes with aryl- or tert-alkylamines afforded the respective tetrakis(N-substituted)aminobenzenes in excellent yields. This enabled comparative solid-state structural analyses of this elusive class of electron-rich arenes with their oxidized derivatives. The tetraamines were found to undergo formylative cyclization to the corresponding benzobis(imidazolium) salts in good to excellent yields.

Anellated N-Heterocyclic Carbenes: 1,3-Dineopentylnaphtho[2,3-d]imidazol-2-ylidene: Synthesis, KOH Addition Product, Transition-Metal Complexes, and Anellation Effects

Two novel anellated N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHC), 1,3-dineopentylnaphtho[2,3-d]imidazol-2-ylidene, and 1,3-dineopentyl-2-ylido-imidazolo[4,5-b]pyridine were obtained by reduction of the respective thiones with potassium, the former also by deprotonation of the corresponding naphthimidazolium hexafluorophosphate by using excess KH in THF. The use of equimolar amounts of KH provided an unexpected formal addition product of this NHC with KOH. X-ray crystal structure analysis of the adduct provided evidence for a distorted tetrameric N-heterocyclic alkoxide, stabilized by two THF molecules. In C(6)D(6) the compound undergoes disproportionation. Transition-metal complexes [(NHC)AgCl], [(NHC)Rh(cod)Cl], and (E)-[(NHC)(2)PdCl(2)] of the novel naphthimidazol-2-ylidene were synthesized. X-ray crystal structures and (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopic data provided detailed structural information. Comparing characteristic data with those of nonanellated and differently anellated NHCs or their complexes provides information on the influence of the extended anellation.

Convenient, scalable and flexible method for the preparation of imidazolium salts with previously inaccessible substitution patterns

A high yielding and modular approach to N,N'-disubstituted imidazolium salts is described, providing access to substitution patterns that are beyond the reach of established methodology.

Influence of anellation in N-heterocyclic carbenes: Novel quinoxaline-anellated NHCs trapped as transition metal complexes

The synthesis, NMR-, and crystal structure data of novel electron-deficient quinoxaline anellated imidazol-2-ylidene precursors and complexes thereof are reported and compared with related less electron-withdrawing or non-anellated N-heterocyclic carbenes and complexes to illustrate anellation effects.

Bis(imidazolylidene)s as modular building blocks for monomeric and macromolecular organometallic materials

The synthetic and structural progression surrounding N-heterocyclic carbenes has given rise to great functional and architectural diversity in organometallic chemistry, catalysis, and materials science. The development of new, modular scaffolds for bridging transition metals is essential in order to expand the boundaries of these scientific areas. This Frontier article summarizes recent advances in the synthesis and study of ditopic ligands displaying two linearly opposed carbene moieties and emphasizes their versatility in the preparation of new organometallic and macromolecular materials. The conclusion previews their utility in conjugated organic/inorganic hybrid materials with potential applications in the emerging fields of molecular- and nanoelectronics.