Reactivity of 1-allylsilatrane in ruthenium-catalyzed silylative coupling with olefins – mechanistic considerations

We have developed a new effective route for obtaining (E)-vinyl-substituted silatranes via ruthenium-catalyzed silylative coupling of 1-allylsilatrane with olefins. Experimental research allowed us also to propose the mechanism of the process based on stoichiometric reactions.

Tricyclic tin(iv) cages: synthetic aspects and intriguing features of stannatranes and pseudostannatranes

This perspective summarizes various synthetic routes of stannatranes and pseudostannatranes along with their interesting features, such as appearance of satellites in their NMR spectra, cluster formation upon hydrolysis and exchange reactions.

Control of Λ- and Δ-Isomerization of the Atrane Cages in Group XIV Metallatranes by Chiral Axial Substituents

The syntheses of the novel stannatranes N(CH₂CMe₂O)₃Sn-(1 S)-(-)-OC(O)C(OMe)(CF₃)(C₆H₅), 1( S, Δ), and N(CH₂CMe₂O)₃Sn-(1 R)-(+)-OC(O)C(OMe)(CF₃)(C₆H₅), 2( R, Λ), and germatranes N(CH₂CMe₂O)₃Ge-(1 S)-(-)-OC(O)C(OMe)(CF₃)(C₆H₅), 3( S, Δ), and N(CH₂CMe₂O)₃Ge-(1 R)-(+)-OC(O)C(OMe)(CF₃)(C₆H₅), 4( R, Λ) (with 1, S, Δ-configured/2, R, Λ-configured and 3, S, Δ-configured/4, R, Λ-configured being pairs of enantiomers) are reported. The compounds were characterized by NMR and IR spectroscopy, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, and single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The epimerization via Λ ⇌ Δ ring flip of the enantiomeric stannatrane pair 1( S, Δ)/2( R, Λ) was investigated by NMR experiments at variable temperatures and density functional theory (DFT) calculations.

Silatrane Anchors for Metal Oxide Surfaces: Optimization for Potential Photocatalytic and Electrocatalytic Applications

Silatrane surface anchors are protected siloxanes that are known to bond firmly (from pH 2-11) to metal oxide electrodes under heating. However, these conditions are not always compatible with the other functionality present. A silatrane-containing porphyrin molecule and a silatrane-containing ruthenium complex have now been designed, synthesized and optimized conditions have been identified for surface binding. Two mild, room-temperature surface binding methods were explored: binding with or without an acidic pretreatment; these methods were compared to the traditional, harsher binding conditions involving strong heating. We find that a preacidified electrode gave comparable surface loadings at room temperature compared to sensitization by using the previous strong heating method. This was also true on TiO₂, SnO₂, and nanoITO electrodes and thus may be generalizable. The new, milder binding methods also resulted in excellent aqueous and electrochemical stability from pH 2-11. Using a water-insoluble porphyrin with a silatrane anchor further increased the aqueous stability of the deposit, aided by the insolubility of the porphyrin. Finally, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) data confirmed for the first time that the triethanolamine released from the silatrane on deprotection/binding in turn binds to TiO₂, SnO₂, and nanoITO electrodes. This undesired triethanolamine deposit was easily removed from the surface by electrochemical voltage cycling or with an aqueous acidic wash for 1 h.

Controlled Silanization Using Functional Silatrane for Thin and Homogeneous Antifouling Coatings

Organosilicons for surface modification are gaining prominence because of their easy and rapid preparation, high availability, and effective modification for varying interfacial properties. However, their implementation has been humbled by poor control of the packing density, thickness, and molecular structures due to the uncontrollable hydrolysis and condensation. This study reports for the first time new functional silatrane chemistry for the precision deposition of a thin and homogeneous zwitterionic coating. Sulfobetaine silatrane (SBSiT) has a tricyclic caged structure and a transannular N → Si dative bond, which shows excellent chemical stability in the presence of water and an acid-modulated hydrolysis characteristic. Results from X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicate the progressive deposition of SBSiT on a silicon surface. Characterization using atomic force microscopy and ellipsometry shows the uniform and thin SBSiT films on silicon surfaces. The superior antifouling properties of SBSiT coatings were demonstrated by resisting bacterial and protein adsorption. More importantly, the stable and complete formation of the SBSiT coatings allows an accurate interpretation of the interfacial phenomena for sensing and nanomaterial applications.

“Like–like” tetrel bonding interactions between Sn centres: a combinedab initioand CSD study

In this manuscript, we combine a search in the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD) andab initiocalculations (RI-MP2/def2-TZVP level of theory) to analyse the ability of Sn to establish ‘like–like’ tetrel bonding interactions.

A strategic approach to the synthesis of ferrocene appended chalcone linked triazole allied organosilatranes: Antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic and antioxidant studies

A series of ferrocene appended chalcone allied triazole coupled organosilatranes (FCTSa 7-FCTSa 12) were synthesised with the aim of amalgamating the pharmacological action of the constituting moieties into a single molecular scaffold. All the synthesised silatranes were well characterized by various spectroscopic techniques like IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and elemental analysis. Organosilatranes were then evaluated for their biological alacrity against bacterial and fungal strains compared with the standard drugs Rifampicin and Amphotericin B respectively. The ferrocene conjugates were found to be only moderately effective against the tested microbes. However, the organosilatranes conceded excellent efficacy against parasite G. lamblia with FCTSa 11 arraying the leading results. On the other hand against another parasite T. vaginalis, FCTSa 8 has emerged as an outstanding composite. Further, Total Antioxidant Assay (TAA) with 2,2'-azino-bis-3-(ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) revealed FCTSa 10 to be the best claimant for radical scavenging activity. Along these lines, introducing some different substituents in the synthesised hybrids may act as a useful strategy for increasing the biological profile of the drugs.

Hypercoordinated Oligosilanes Based on Aminotrisphenols

The hypercoordinated silicon chlorides ClSi[(o-OC₆H₄)₃N] (3) and ClSi[(OC₆H₂Me₂CH₂)₃N] (5) were used for the synthesis of catenated derivatives (Me₃Si)₃SiSi[(o-OC₆H₄)₃N] (9), (Me₃Si)₃SiSiMe₂SiMe₂Si(SiMe₃)₂Si[(o-OC₆H₄)₃N] (11), and (Me₃Si)₃SiSi[(OC₆H₂Me₂CH₂)₃N] (13) in reactions with (Me₃Si)₃SiK·THF (7) or (Me₃Si)₃SiK·[18-crown-6] (8). It was found that the nature of the (Me₃Si)₃SiK solvate determines the product of interaction, resulting in the formation of (Me₃Si)₃Si(CH₂)₄OSi[(OC₆H₂Me₂CH₂)₃N] (12) or 13. Compounds obtained were characterized using multinuclear NMR and UV-vis spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The molecular structures of 3, 9, and 11-13 were investigated by single-crystal X-ray analysis, featuring hypercoordinated Si atoms in a trigonal-bipyramidal coordination environment with O atoms in the equatorial plane. The structure of the side product [N(CH₂C₆H₂Me₂O)₃Si]₂O (6) was also studied, indicating highly tetrahedrally distorted trigonal-bipyramidal environment at the Si atoms, which was confirmed by crystal density functional theory calculations indicating the very weak Si ← N interaction. The Si···N interatomic distances span a broad range (2.23-2.78 Å). The dependence of structural and NMR parameters for hypercoordinated catenated compounds from the type of the ligand was established.

Oxa-Michael Addition to α,β-Unsaturated Nitriles: An Expedient Route to γ-Amino Alcohols and Derivatives

Water addition to α,β-unsaturated nitriles would give facile access to the β-hydroxy-nitriles, which in turn can be hydrogenated to the γ-amino alcohols. We have previously shown that alcohols readily add in 1,4-fashion to these substrates using Milstein's Ru(PNN) pincer complex as catalyst. However, attempted water addition to α,β-unsaturated nitriles gave the 3-hydroxynitriles in mediocre yields. On the other hand, addition of benzyl alcohol proceeded in excellent yields for a variety of β-substituted unsaturated nitriles. Subsequent treatment of the benzyl alcohol addition products with TMSCl/FeCl3 resulted in the formation of 3-hydroxy-alkylnitriles. The 3-benzyloxy-alkylnitriles obtained from oxa-Michael addition also could be hydrogenated directly in the presence of acid to give the amino alcohols as their HCl salts in excellent yields. Hydrogenation under neutral conditions gave a mixture of the secondary and tertiary amines. Hydrogenation in the presence of base and Boc-anhydride gave the orthogonally bis-protected amino alcohols, in which the benzyl ether can subsequently be cleaved to yield Boc-protected amino alcohols. Thus, a variety of molecular scaffolds with a 1,3-relationship between O- and N-functional group is accessible starting from oxa-Michael addition of benzyl alcohol to α,β-unsaturated nitriles.

Dipole-Bound Anions of Intramolecular Complexes

Dipole-bound molecular anions are often envisioned as unperturbed neutral, polar molecules with single excess electrons. We report the observation of intramolecular structural distortions within silatrane molecules due to the formation of their dipole-bound anions. The combination of Rydberg electron transfer-anion photoelectron spectroscopy (RET-PES) and ab initio computational methodologies (CCSD and MP2) was used to study 1-hydro- (HS) and 1-fluoro- (FS) silatranes and their dipole bound anions, HS^- and FS^-. The vertical detachment energies (VDEs) of HS^- and FS^- were measured to be 48 and 93 meV, respectively. Ab initio calculations accurately reproduced these VDE values as well as their photoelectron spectral profiles. This work revealed significant shortening (by ∼0.1 Å) of dative Si ← N bond lengths when HS and FS formed dipole-bound anions, HS^- and FS^-. Detailed computational (Franck-Condon) analyses explained the absence of vibrational features in the photoelectron spectra of HS^- and FS^-.

Assignment of photoelectron spectra of intramolecular silicon complexes: 1-vinyl- and 1-phenylsilatranes

The problematic photoelectron spectra of 1-vinyl- and 1-phenylsilatranes were theoretically studied and the correlation between the VIE and thed_SiNwas proposed to be used for the identification of orbitals in the Si←N coordination bond in XSi[OCH₂CH₂]₃N.

Multivalent polyrotaxane vectors as adaptive cargo complexes for gene therapy

The philosophy to design and construct polyrotaxane carriers, as efficient gene delivery systems.

Visible Light-Induced Room-Temperature Heck Reaction of Functionalized Alkyl Halides with Vinyl Arenes/Heteroarenes

The first visible light-induced Pd-catalyzed Heck reaction of α-heteroatom substituted alkyl iodides and -bromides with vinyl arenes/heteroarenes has been developed. This transformation efficiently proceeds at room temperature and enables synthesis of valuable functionalized allylic systems, such as allylic silanes, boronates, germanes, stannanes, pivalates, phosphonates, phthalimides, and tosylates from the corresponding α-substituted methyl iodides. Notably, synthesis of the latter substrates failed under existing thermally induced Pd-catalyzed conditions, which highlights the importance of visible light for this transformation.

Field-effect transition sensor for KI detection based on self-assembled calixtube monolayers

A series of novel calixarene-based tubes comprising different numbers of silatrane anchoring groups was synthesized. For the first time, a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) derived from calixtubes was formed on a SiO₂ surface. The formation of the SAM was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray analysis, and contact angle measurements. Modification of the sensitive surface of a conventional ion-selective field effect transistor (ISFET) with the afforded SAM resulted in the production of a KI-sensitive sensor. This sensor selectively determined KI compare to different alkali metal iodides: NaI, RbI, CsI; also investigation of different potassium salts (acetate, iodide, nitrate, chloride, dihydrophosphate, perchlorate) showed the highest response to KI. This sensor was successfully employed to determine the presence of KI in artificial saliva with a limit of detection of ~3 × 10^-8 М. In addition, it was found that the detection limit of the sensor could be increased by combining the sensor with a microfluidic system. Due to the obtained sensor sensitivity and its ability to detect KI in artificial saliva, we could conclude that this sensor shows great potential for application in the determination of KI in different media, such as the human body and in biological liquids, such as saliva or urine.

Introducing Stereogenic Centers to Group XIV Metallatranes

The syntheses of the novel amino alcohols NH(CH₂CMe₂OH)₂(CMe₂CH₂OH) (1) and N(CH₂CMe₂OH)(CMe₂CH₂OH)(CH₂CH₂OH) (2) as well as the stannatranes N(CH₂CMe₂O)(CMe₂CH₂O)(CH₂CH₂O)SnX (3, X = Ot-Bu), N(CH₂CMe₂O)₃SnOC(O)C₉H₁₃O₂, 4, and germatranes N(CH₂CMe₂O)(CMe₂CH₂O)(CH₂CH₂O)GeX (5, X = OEt; 6, X = Br) are reported. The compounds were characterized by ¹H, ¹³C (1-6), ¹¹⁹Sn (3, 4), and ¹⁵N (2, 3, 5) NMR and IR spectroscopy, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, and single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Graphset analyses were performed for compounds 1 and 2. Detailed NMR spectroscopic studies including variable temperature ¹H (3, 5, 6) and ¹¹⁹Sn (3, 4) DOSY experiments reveal the stannatrane 3 being involved in a monomer-dimer equilibrium. Both the stannatranes 3 and 4 as well as the germatranes 5 and 6 show Λ ⇌ Δ isomerization of the atrane cages in solution.

Highly selective synthesis of substituted (E)-alkenylsilatranes via catalytic trans-silylation and mechanistic implications

A new route for the synthesis of functionalized alkenylsilatranes has been developed based on ruthenium-catalyzed trans-silylation with olefins. This transformation allowed for the synthesis of new (E)-alkenylsilatranes in good yields and excellent selectivity. Experimental studies concerning the reaction mechanism were carried out and the intermediate ruthenium-silatranyl complex was isolated and characterized. Moreover, detailed DFT calculations regarding the mechanism of the silylative coupling catalytic cycle of silatranes catalyzed by [Ru]-H complexes were also performed.

Tuning the Si-N Interaction in Metalated Oligosilanylsilatranes

Most known silatrane chemistry is concerned with examples where the attached silatrane substituent atom is that of an element more electronegative than silicon. The current study features silylated silatranes with a range of electropositive elements attached to the silyl group. The resulting compounds show different degrees of electron density on the silatrane-substituted silicon atom. This directly affects the Si-N interaction of the silatrane which can be monitored either by 29Si NMR spectroscopy or directly by single crystal XRD analysis of the Si-N distance. Within the sample of study the Si-N distance is increased from 2.153 to 3.13 Å. Moreover, the bis(trimethylsilyl)silatranylsilyl unit was studied as a substituent for disilylated germylene adducts.

Progress in the medicinal chemistry of silicon: C/Si exchange and beyond

Application of silyl functionalities is one of the most promising strategies among various ‘elements chemistry’ approaches for the development of novel and distinctive drug candidates. Replacement of one or more carbon atoms of various biologically active compounds with silicon (so-called sila-substitution) has been intensively studied for decades, and is often effective for alteration of activity profile and improvement of metabolic profile. In addition to simple C/Si exchange, several novel approaches for utilizing silicon in medicinal chemistry have been suggested in recent years, focusing on the intrinsic differences between silicon and carbon. Sila-substitution offers great potential for enlarging the chemical space of medicinal chemistry, and provides many options for structural development of drug candidates.