Preparation of 2,6-dimethyl-4-arylpyridine- 3,5-dicarbonitrile: a paired electrosynthesis

Organic Electrochemistry: Expanding the Scope of Paired Reactions

Paired electrochemical reactions allow the optimization of both atom and energy economy of oxidation and reduction reactions. While many paired electrochemical reactions take advantage of perfectly matched reactions at the anode and cathode, this matching of substrates is not necessary. In constant current electrolysis, the potential at both electrodes adjusts to the substrates in solution. In principle, any oxidation reaction can be paired with any reduction reaction. Various oxidation reactions conducted on the anodic side of the electrolysis were paired with the generation and use of hydrogen gas at the cathode, showing the generality of the anodic process in a paired electrolysis and how the auxiliary reaction required for the oxidation could be used to generate a substrate for a non-electrolysis reaction. This is combined with variations on the cathodic side of the electrolysis to complete the picture and illustrate how oxidation and reduction reactions can be combined.

Organic Electrosynthesis Towards Sustainability: Fundamentals and Greener Methodologies

The adoption of new measures that preserve our environment, on which our survival depends, is a necessity. Electro-organic processes are sustainable per se, by producing the activation of a substrate by electron transfer at normal pressure and room temperature. In the recent years, a highly crescent number of works on organic electrosynthesis are available. Novel strategies at the electrode are being developed enabling the construction of a great variety of complex organic molecules. However, the possibility of being scaled-up is mandatory in terms of sustainability. Thus, some electrochemical methodologies have demonstrated to report the best results in reducing pollution and saving energy. In this personal account, these methods have been compiled, being organized as follows: • Direct discharge electrosynthesis • Paired electrochemical reactions. and • Organic transformations utilizing electrocatalysis (in absence of heavy metals). Selected protocols are herein presented and discussed with representative recent examples. Final perspectives and reflections are also considered.

Electrochemical reduction of acetonitrile to ethylamine

Electrifying chemical manufacturing using renewable energy is an attractive approach to reduce the dependence on fossil energy sources in chemical industries. Primary amines are important organic building blocks; however, the synthesis is often hindered by the poor selectivity because of the formation of secondary and tertiary amine byproducts. Herein, we report an electrocatalytic route to produce ethylamine selectively through an electroreduction of acetonitrile at ambient temperature and pressure. Among all the electrocatalysts, Cu nanoparticles exhibit the highest ethylamine Faradaic efficiency (~96%) at -0.29 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode. Under optimal conditions, we achieve an ethylamine partial current density of 846 mA cm-2. A 20-hour stable performance is demonstrated on Cu at 100 mA cm-2 with an 86% ethylamine Faradaic efficiency. Moreover, the reaction mechanism is investigated by computational study, which suggests the high ethylamine selectivity on Cu is due to the moderate binding affinity for the reaction intermediates.

Thiocyanation and 2-Amino-1,3-thiazole Formation in Water Using Recoverable and Reusable Glycosylated Resorcin[4]arene Cavitands

A family of three spatially directional resorcin[4]arene cavitand glycoconjugates (RCGs) have been applied as efficient recoverable and reusable inverse phase transfer catalysts for eco- and environmentally friendly thiocyanation and 2-amino-1,3-thiazole formation reactions in water. The results show that RCGs (1 mol %) were capable of hosting and catalyzing various water-insoluble bromo/thiocyanato substrates in water without the use of any co-organic solvents. The recoverability and reusability of RCG catalytic systems, that is, RCG1 and RCG3, were also examined upon a simple extraction of the desired products using DCM or ethyl acetate, followed by subjecting the recovered aqueous solution containing the RCG catalysts to the next reaction cycles.

Cobalt-based molecular electrocatalysis of nitrile reduction: evolving sustainability beyond hydrogen

Two new cobalt bis-iminopyridines, [Co(DDP)(H2O)2](NO3)2 (1, DDP = cis-[1,3-bis(2-pyridinylenamine)] cyclohexane) and [Co(cis-DDOP)(NO3)](NO3) (2, cis-DDOP = cis-3,5-bis[(2-Pyridinyleneamin]-trans-hydroxycyclohexane) electrocatalyse the 4-proton, 4-electron reduction of acetonitrile to ethylamine. For 1, this reduction occurs in preference to reduction of protons to H2. A coordinating hydroxyl proton relay in 2 reduces the yield of ethylamine and biases the catalytic system back towards H2.

Efficient synthetic procedure to new 2-imino-1,3-thiazolines and thiazolidin-4-ones promoted by acetonitrile electrogenerated base

Regioselective sulfur–carbon bond formation from disubstituted thioureas and 1,2-dielectrophiles.

(2E)-3-Phenylprop-2-en-1-yl thiocyanate

In the title compound, C10H9NS, the C—S—C bond angle is 99.41 (9)° and the dihedral angle between thetrans-alkene fragment and the benzene ring is 16.49 (19)°. In the crystal, inversion dimers linked by pairs of extremely weak C—H...N interactions occur, as does a short S...N contact [3.2258 (19) Å].

A Simple, One-Pot and Phosphine-Free Procedure for Thiocyanation of Alcohols Using N-(p-toluenesulfonyl) Imidazole (TsIm)

An efficient, one -pot, phosphine-free thiocyanation of alcohols has been achieved utilising potassium thiocyanate and N-(p-toluene sulfonyl) imidazole (TsIm) as a coupling agent in the presence of triethylamine in anhydrous DMF at 70 °C. This method converts primary alcohols into the corresponding thiocyanates, without isomerisation to isothiocyanates, in good to excellent yields. A total of 17 thiocyananates were prepared, five of which are novel. Using one equivalent of KSCN, the method shows good selectivity in the thiocyanation of a primary alcohol in the presence of a secondary alcohol.

Oxidative nucleophilic strategy for synthesis of thiocyanates and trifluoromethyl sulfides from thiols

In the presence of a 2 × 2 manganese oxide-based octahedral molecular sieve (OMS-2) and potassium fluoride (KF), various thiocyanates and trifluoromethyl sulfides could be synthesized from thiols in almost quantitative yields.

Biodegradable PLGA Particles for Improved Systemic and Mucosal Treatment of Type I Allergy

Although allergen immunotherapy is basically a story of success, it still needs improvement. The goal of this study was to optimize parenteral and oral allergen formulations through using the biocompatible polymer of lactic and glycolic acid (PLGA). Subcutaneous application of birch pollen allergen Bet v 1 encapsulated in nanoparticles biased the immune response toward Th1 in allergic mice and did not elicit granuloma formation in mice and in human volunteers. When oral immunotherapy of mice was tried with birch pollen-filled PLGA microparticles, mucosal targeting was indispensable for achieving any immune response, and targeting of M-cells was necessary for modulating an ongoing allergic response toward Th1. The authors suggest that biocompatible PLGA nano- or microparticles can be useful tools for upgrading therapy of type I allergy.

Paired electrosynthesis of cyanoacetic acid

Cyanoacetic acid is formed by cathodic reduction of CO(2) and anodic oxidation of the tetraalkylammonium salt anion; the process is conduced in acetonitrile using a divided cell with a medium porosity glass-frit diaphragm. A mechanism for this paired electrochemical reaction is proposed.

Allergen-loaded biodegradable poly(d,l-lactic-co-glycolic) acid nanoparticles down-regulate an ongoing Th2 response in the BALB/c mouse model

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Biocompatible and biodegradable microparticles have gained interest as antigen delivery systems during the recent years. We investigated whether biodegradable poly(d,l-lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) nanospheres could be used as allergen vehicles for few-shot therapy of type I allergy.

METHODS

The major birch pollen allergen Bet v 1 was encapsulated in PLGA nanospheres (PLGA-Bet v 1). We examined the antigenicity and the immune response to PLGA-Bet v 1 in a BALB/c mouse model.

RESULTS

The antigenicity of Bet v 1 was largely unaffected by PLGA entrapment. When BALB/c mice were immunized subcutaneously with PLGA-Bet v 1, they formed allergen-specific IgG antibodies, but did not develop hypersensitivity to Bet v 1, as shown by type I skin tests. To evaluate their therapeutic potential, PLGA-Bet v 1 with or without Al(OH)3 or non-entrapped Bet v 1 with Al(OH)3 were used for single-shot treatment of sensitized mice. Both groups treated with PLGA-Bet v 1 developed high levels of Bet v 1-specific IgG2a antibodies (P<0.01), whereas IgG1 levels decreased significantly (P<0.01). Moreover, T cells from mice treated with PLGA-Bet v 1 showed IFN-gamma and IL-10 production. The synthesis of these cytokines was enhanced in the groups where Al(OH)3 had been added to the vaccine formulation.

CONCLUSION

Allergen-loaded PLGA nanoparticles modulate an ongoing Th2 response in the BALB/c mouse model, as demonstrated by down-regulation of IgG1 and production of IFN-gamma and IL-10. Our data strongly suggest that PLGA nanospheres can advantageously be used for formulations of allergen extracts or allergen derivatives for the few-shot treatment of type I allergy.

Cyanomethyl anion/carbon dioxide system: an electrogenerated carboxylating reagent. Synthesis of carbamates under mild and safe conditions

A new carboxylating reagent ((-)CH(2)CN/CO(2)) was obtained by bubbling CO(2) in a CH(3)CN-TEAP (tetraethylammonium perchlorate) solution previously electrolyzed under galvanostatic control. Organic carbamates were isolated from these solutions after addition of amines and an alkylating agent. In this paper, we describe the optimized conditions for the electrochemical synthesis of carbamates from amines and CO(2), in mild and safe conditions, without any addition of bases, probases, or catalysts. Carbamates were isolated from primary and secondary aliphatic amines in high to excellent yields and from aromatic amines in moderate yields (dependent on the nucleophilicity of the nitrogen atom).