Metalloradical approach to 2H-chromenes

Palladium carbene complexes as persistent radicals

A series of palladium(ii) radical carbene complexes, [PC˙(sp2)P]PdI, [PC˙(sp2)P]PdBr, and [PC˙(sp2)P]PdCl (PC(sp3)H2P = bis[2-(di-iso-propylphosphino)-phenyl]methane), is described. Compound [PC˙(sp2)P]PdI dimerizes to {[PC(sp2)P]PdI}2 in the solid state, akin to the formation of Gomberg's dimer. While the bromo and the iodo derivatives could be obtained from the oxidation of [PC(sp2)P]Pd(PMe3) by the respective dihalogens, a halogen transfer reaction from CH2Cl2 was used for the formation of [PC˙(sp2)P]PdCl. The halogen transfer from CH2X2 (X = Cl, Br, I) could be used to obtain all three radical carbene palladium complexes and also allowed the isolation of [PC(CH2)P]Pd(PMe3), which is the result of methylene group transfer from CH2X2. Compound [PC(CH2)P]Pd(PMe3) was independently synthesized from [PC(CH3)HP]PdCl2, which contains a supporting ligand analogous to that of the radical carbene complexes but has one of the hydrogen atoms replaced by a methyl group. All three carbene radical species abstract a hydrogen from 9,10-dihydroanthracene or n Bu3SnH.

Flexible self-supporting nanofibers thin films showing reversible photochromic fluorescence

Highly sensitive stimuli-responsive fluorescent films play an important role in smart sensors and readable optical devices. However, systems involving light-driven fluorescence changes are still limited compared with photochromic materials that simply change color upon photostimulation. Herein, by incorporation of stilbene-based molecules into a poly(vinyl alcohol) host, we have developed new flexible self-supporting nanofiber films that exhibited fast and obvious photochromic fluorescence (PCF). The reversible transfer between two fluorescent states can be easily recycled. Fluorescence microscopy and atomic force microscopy images supplied in situ evidence of changes in fluorescence and surface morphology, respectively. Density functional theoretical calculations showed that the PCF can be attributed to photoisomerization of the stilbene-based molecules. Therefore, based on the combination of experimental and theoretical studies, this work not only supplies new stilbene-based systems with light-induced fluorescence change, but also gives detailed understanding on the photoisomerization and PCF processes of the nanofibers systems. We anticipate that these PCF films can be applied in erasable memory devices and antiforgery materials, and that our strategy may be extended to other systems to fabricate multistimuli-responsive fluorescent materials.

Rhodium-catalyzed (5+1) annulations between 2-alkenylphenols and allenes: a practical entry to 2,2-disubstituted 2H-chromenes

Readily available alkenylphenols react with allenes under rhodium catalysis to provide valuable 2,2-disubstituted 2H-chromenes. The whole process, which involves the cleavage of one C-H bond of the alkenyl moiety and the participation of the allene as a one-carbon cycloaddition partner, can be considered a simple, versatile, and atom-economical (5+1) heteroannulation. The reaction tolerates a broad range of substituents both in the alkenylphenol and in the allene, and most probably proceeds through a mechanism involving a rhodium-catalyzed C-C coupling followed by two sequential pericyclic processes.

Rhodium catalysed conversion of carbenes into ketenes and ketene imines using PNN pincer complexes

PNN pincer-type rhodium complexes catalyze ketene and ketene imine synthesis, using CO or an isocyanide and a carbene precursor.

AgNO2-mediated cleavage of the N–N bond of sulfonylhydrazones and oxygen transfer: access to fulleroisoxazolines via radical cyclization with [60]fullerene

The first example involving cleavage of the N–N bond of sulfonylhydrazones is presented, and a new methodology for the synthesis of fulleroisoxazolines is developed.

Rhodium(III)-catalyzed transannulation of cyclopropenes with N-phenoxyacetamides through C-H activation

An efficient rhodium(III)-catalyzed synthesis of 2H-chromene from N-phenoxyacetamides and cyclopropenes has been developed. The reaction represents the first example of using cyclopropenes as a three-carbon unit in rhodium(III)-catalyzed C(sp(2))-H activations.

A copper(ii) perchlorate-promoted tandem reaction of internal alkynol and salicyl N-tosylhydrazone: direct access to isochromeno[3,4-b]chromene

A copper(ii) perchlorate-promoted tandem reaction of internal alkynol and salicyl N-tosylhydrazone provides a novel, concise method for constructing isochromeno[3,4-b]chromene in 35–94% yields.