The preparation and chemistry of α-nitroepoxides

Synthesis of bisnitroepoxides and their applications in the synthesis of bis(thiazolidine-2-thiones), bis(dithiocarbamates), bis(xanthates) and bis(thiazoles)

Novel bis(nitroepoxides) were prepared based on terephthaldehyde and isophthaladehyde and their reactions with diversities of nucleophiles such as primary and secondary amine-based dithiocarbamic acids, xanthates, and ammonia-based dithiocarbmamates were investigated for the synthesis of bis(thiazolidine-2-thiones), bis(dithiocarbamates), bis(xanthates) and bis(thiazoles), respectively. It provides simple access to complex molecules in one step in high to excellent yields.

Catalyst free one pot three components synthesis of 2-iminothiazoles from nitroepoxides and thiourea

Nitroepoxides were introduced as efficient substrates for the one-pot three-component synthesis of 2-iminothiazoles under catalyst-free conditions. Reaction of amines, isothiocyanates, and nitroepoxides in THF at 10-15 °C afforded corresponding 2-iminothiazoles in high to excellent yields. The reaction proceeds via the in situ formation of thiourea from an amine and an isothiocyanate, followed by nitroepoxide ring opening with the sulfur of thiourea, cyclization reaction, and dehydration cascade. The structures of products were confirmed by IR, NMR, HRMS analyses and X-ray crystallography.

Substrate-Specific Coupling of O2 Activation to Hydroxylations of Aromatic Compounds by Rieske Non-heme Iron Dioxygenases

Rieske dioxygenases catalyze the initial steps in the hydroxylation of aromatic compounds and are critical for the metabolism of xenobiotic substances. Because substrates do not bind to the mononuclear non-heme Fe^II center, elementary steps leading to O₂ activation and substrate hydroxylation are difficult to delineate, thus making it challenging to rationalize divergent observations on enzyme mechanisms, reactivity, and substrate specificity. Here, we show for nitrobenzene dioxygenase, a Rieske dioxygenase capable of transforming nitroarenes to nitrite and substituted catechols, that unproductive O₂ activation with the release of the unreacted substrate and reactive oxygen species represents an important path in the catalytic cycle. Through correlation of O₂ uncoupling for a series of substituted nitroaromatic compounds with ¹⁸O and ¹³C kinetic isotope effects of dissolved O₂ and aromatic substrates, respectively, we show that O₂ uncoupling occurs after the rate-limiting formation of Fe^III-(hydro)peroxo species from which substrates are hydroxylated. Substituent effects on the extent of O₂ uncoupling suggest that the positioning of the substrate in the active site rather than the susceptibility of the substrate for attack by electrophilic oxygen species is responsible for unproductive O₂ uncoupling. The proposed catalytic cycle provides a mechanistic basis for assessing the very different efficiencies of substrate hydroxylation vs unproductive O₂ activation and generation of reactive oxygen species in reactions catalyzed by Rieske dioxygenases.

Catalyst-Free Synthesis of Benzofuran Derivatives from Cascade Reactions between Nitroepoxides and Salicylaldehydes

Different benzofuran derivatives are synthesized via a catalyst-free reaction between nitroepoxides and salicylaldehydes. In the employed methodology, K₂CO₃ and DMF have been used at 110 °C, and the reactions were completed after 12 h in 33-84% yields. The highest yields were obtained using 3-nitrosalicylaldehyde. Finally, a plausible mechanism was proposed for the reaction, and some evidence was provided for this mechanism such as the detection of released acetate anion (using FTIR) and isolation and structure determination of the critical intermediate.

Unravelling the mechanism of the organocatalyzed aminolytic kinetic resolution of α-nitroepoxides: a theoretical study

The mechanism of the aminolytic kinetic resolution of 2-methyl-2-nitro-3-phenyl oxirane with aniline in the presence of Takemoto's catalyst is disclosed by way of DFT calculations.

Synthesis of N,S-Heterocycles and Dithiocarbamates by the Reaction of Dithiocarbamic Acids and S-Alkyl Dithiocarbamates with Nitroepoxides

A facile and efficient procedure for the synthesis of substituted thiazole-2(3H)-thiones and thiazolidine-2-thiones by the reaction of primary amines, carbon disulfide, and nitroepoxides is described. By using secondary amines in this protocol, the corresponding dithiocarbamate-substituted phenyl-2-propanones were prepared in excellent yields. In addition, substituted thiazoles and 1-(alkylthio)-1-phenylpropan-2-ones were prepared in reactions of S-alkyl dithiocarbamates and nitroepoxides.

Catalytic enantioselective epoxidation of nitroalkenes

Nitroepoxides are potentially exploitable as synthons with vicinal electrophilic centers.

Catalytic enantioselective synthesis of α-nitroepoxides via aminolytic kinetic resolution

The first enantioselective synthesis of β-aryl-substituted α-nitroepoxides, exploiting an organocatalyzed aminolytic kinetic resolution (AKR), has been developed.

Metabolic N- and alpha-C-oxidation of norephedrine by rabbit liver microsomal fractions and synthesis of the metabolic pdocuts

The products of metabolism of norephedrine by 10 000 g fractions of rabbit liver microsomes have been shown to be norephedrine hydroxylamine, l-hydroxy-2-oxo-l-phenylpropane oxime, 1-hydroxy-2-oxo-1-phenylpropane, 1,2-dihydroxy-l-phenylpropane (erythro). N-Oxidation was at least as important as α-C-oxidation. The synthesis and properties of the metabolic products are described.