Synthesis of Aminomethylene-gem-bisphosphonates Containing an Aziridine Motif: Studies of the Reaction Scope and Insight into the Mechanism

One-Pot Synthesis of α-Amino Bisphosphonates from Nitriles via Tf2O/HC(OR)3-Mediated Interrupted Ritter-Type Reaction

A versatile synthesis of α-amino bisphosphonates has been achieved through one-pot interrupted Ritter-type reaction under mild conditions. The reactive Ritter intermediate nitrilium is in situ generated by treatment of nitrile with readily accessible Tf₂O/HC(OR¹)₃, which is trapped by phosphite ester to deliver the desired product. This protocol is efficient, scalable, and well compatible with a broad scope of substrates. In addition, plentiful characteristic J_P-C couplings including unusual five-bond long-range ⁵J_P-C and ³J_P-C across quaternary carbon and hetero (N) atoms were observed in ¹³C NMR spectra.

A Discrete 3d-4f Metallacage as an Efficient Catalytic Nanoreactor for a Three-Component Aza-Darzens Reaction

The exploration and development of coordination nanocages can provide an approach to control chemical reactions beyond the bounds of the flask, which has aroused great interest due to their significant applications in the field of molecular recognition, supramolecular catalysis, and molecular self-assembly. Herein, we take the advantage of a semirigid and nonsymmetric bridging ligand (H₅L) with rich metal-chelating sites to construct an unusual and discrete 3d-4f metallacage, [Zn₂Er₄(H₂L)₄(NO₃)Cl₂(H₂O)]·NO₃·xCH₃OH·yH₂O (Zn₂Er₄). The 3d-4f Zn₂Er₄ cage possesses a quadruple-stranded structure, and all of the ligands wrap around an open spherical cavity within the core. The self-assembly of the unique cage not only ensures the structural stability of the Zn₂Er₄ cage as a nanoreactor in solution but also makes the bimetallic lanthanide cluster units active sites that are exposed in the medium-sized cavity. It is important to note that the Zn₂Er₄ cage as a homogeneous catalyst has been successfully applied to catalyze three-component aza-Darzens reactions of formaldehyde, anilines, and α-diazo esters without another additive under mild conditions, displaying better catalytic activity, higher specificity, short reaction time, and low catalyst loadings. A possible mechanism for this three-component aza-Darzens reaction catalyzed by the Zn₂Er₄ cage has been proposed. These experimental results have demonstrated the great potential of the discrete 3d-4f metallacage as a host nanoreactor for the development of supramolecular or molecular catalysis.

Synthesis of N-methylene phosphonate aziridines: reaction scope and mechanistic insights

Treatment of N-carbamoyl aziridines by the diethyl phosphite anion affords either α-methylene-phosphonate or gem-bisphosphonate derivatives containing an aziridine motif depending on the nature of the base used.