Cross-Linked Metathesis Polynorbornenes Based on Nadimides Bearing Hydrocarbon Substituents: Synthesis and Physicochemical Properties

Metathesis homo- and copolymerization of bifunctional monomers bearing two norbornene moieties was studied. The monomers were synthesized from cis-5-norbornene-exo-2,3-dicarboxylic anhydride and various diamines (hexamethylenediamine, decamethylenediamine, 1R,3S-isophoronediamine). The metathesis homopolymerization of these bis(nadimides) in the presence of the second-generation Grubbs catalyst afforded glassy cross-linked polymers in more than 90% yields. The metathesis copolymerization of the bis(nadimides) and a monofunctional norbornene derivative containing the β-pinene fragment also resulted in insoluble cross-linked polymers in nearly quantitative yields. The structures and purity of the synthesized polymers were confirmed via IR spectroscopy and CP/MAS NMR spectroscopy. Conditions for the fabrication of mechanically strong solution-cast thin films based on copolymers synthesized from the comonomers mentioned above were determined by varying the content of the cross-linking agent. It was shown that the films made in this way are stable in a range of organic solvents and could be useful as semipermeable or membrane materials for use in liquid organic media. The permeability of the polymer films in question to 1-phenylethanol and mandelic acid was studied. The results obtained are discussed along with the data from the DSC, TGA, and powder X-ray diffraction studies of the properties of the synthesized metathesis homo- and copolymers.

Quantum Chemical Study of the Cycloaddition Reaction of Tropone with 1,1-Diethoxyethene Catalyzed by B(C6F5)3 or BPh3

Cycloaddition reaction of tropone with 1,1-diethoxyethene catalyzed by Lewis acid (LA), B(C6F5)3 or BPh3, was examined by using ωB97X-D-level density functional theory (DFT) calculations. In the absence of LA, the reaction proceeds in a stepwise fashion to form two chemical bonds, first between the C2 atom in tropone and the C2 atom in ethene and then between the C5 atom in the former and the C1 atom in the latter. When B(C6F5)3 is attached to the O atom in tropone, the C5 atom in tropone is attacked preferentially by the C1 atom in ethene in the second stage. The attack of the O atom in tropone is shown to be less likely; thus, the [4 + 2] addition is favored in the B(C6F5)3-catalyzed reaction. In contrast, the attack of the O atom in the BPh3-attached tropone to the C1 atom in ethene is preferred over the attack of the C5 atom, indicating that the [8 + 2] cycloaddition instead of the [4 + 2] cycloaddition proceeds in the BPh3-catalyzed reaction. Whether the C1 atom in ethene is attacked by C5 or by O in the second bond formation step is shown in this study to be governed mainly by the nucleophilicity of σ-lone pair electrons of the carbonyl O atom of tropone in the presence of LA. These results are consistent with the experiments reported by Li and Yamamoto.

Highly Selective N-Alkylation of Pyrazoles: Crystal Structure Evidence for Attractive Interactions

Inspired by crystal structures, we designed and achieved a catalyst-free Michael reaction for the preparation of an N1-alkyl pyrazole in a high yield (>90%) with excellent regioselectivity (N1/N2 > 99.9:1). The scope of this protocol has been extended to accomplish the first general regioselective N1-alkylation of 1H-pyrazoles to give di-, tri-, and tetra-substituted pyrazoles in a single step. The resulting pyrazoles bear versatile functional groups such as bromo, ester, nitro, and nitrile, offering opportunities for late-stage functionalization. This efficient methodology will have an impact on drug discovery, as several Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs are pyrazole derivatives. A working hypothesis for the regioselectivity is proposed. X-ray crystal structures of the products that highlight the attractive interactions are discussed. This report provides a rare source for the further elucidation of the attractive interactions because the isomeric ratios and the crystal structures are directly related.

Highly selective Diels-Alder and Heck arylation reactions in a divergent synthesis of isoindolo- and pyrrolo-fused polycyclic indoles from 2-formylpyrrole

A highly regio-, chemo- and stereoselective divergent synthesis of isoindolo- and pyrrolo-fused polycyclic indoles is herein described, starting from 2-formylpyrrole and employing Diels-Alder and Heck arylation reactions. 3-(N-Benzyl-2-pyrrolyl)acrylates and 4-(pyrrol-2-yl)butenones underwent a highly endo-Diels-Alder cycloaddition with maleimides to furnish octahydropyrrolo[3,4-e]indoles, which served as precursors in the regioselective synthesis of aza-polycyclic skeletons via an intramolecular Heck arylation reaction. Through the latter reaction, the 3-(N-benzyl-2-pyrrolyl)acrylates give rise to 3-(pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoindol-3-yl)acrylates. A further oxidative aromatization of the polycyclic intermediates provides the corresponding polycyclic pyrrolo-isoindoles and isoindolo-pyrrolo-indoles. A theoretical study on the stereoselective Diels-Alder reactions, carried out by calculating the endo/exo transition states, revealed the assistance of non-covalent interactions in governing the endo stereocontrol.

Influence of Non-Covalent Interactions in the Exo- and Regioselectivity of Aza-Diels-Alder Reactions: Experimental and DFT Calculations

A systematic experimental and theoretical study of the intermolecular Aza-Diels-Alder reaction using 5-aminopyrrole as a building block shows that the commonly accepted endo selectivity, ruled by controversial secondary orbital interactions, are overcome by non-covalent interactions affording to the unusual exo adduct. Additionally, the regioselectivity is also influenced for such interactions. The starting materials are easily prepared, and the use of water as the solvent is a great achievement for the development of cleaner synthetic methodologies.

Effect of an α-Methyl Substituent on the Dienophile on Diels-Alder endo:exo Selectivity

A detailed computational study of the Diels‐Alder reaction of cyclopentadiene with acrylonitrile, methylacrylate and their α‐methylated counterparts methacrylonitrile and methyl methacrylate at the M06‐2X(PCM)/TZVP level of theory has been performed. We want to understand the excellent exo‐selectivities observed experimentally due the presence of this substituent. To this end, analysis of the reaction coordinate by means of activation strain model of chemical reactivity (ASM‐distortion interaction model) including solvation effects and NBO second order perturbation energy have been carried out.