Manipulation of an intramolecular NH...O hydrogen bond by photoswitching between stable E/Z isomers of the cinnamate framework

pH-Dependent Photoinduced Interconversion of Furocoumaric and Furocoumarinic Acids

Photo-controlled or photo-regulated molecules, especially biologically active and operating in physiological conditions, are in steady demand. Herein, furocoumaric and furocoumarinic acids being (Z/E)-isomers relative to each other were obtained in two stages starting from psoralen: the alkaline solvolysis of psoralen led to furocoumaric acid, which was further Z → E photoisomerized (365 nm) to furocoumarinic acid. The kinetics of Z → E photoisomerization was monitored by HPLC and UV-vis spectrophotometry. Photophysical characteristics in the aqueous phase for both acids, as well as the reversibility of (Z/E) photoisomerization process, were also assessed. Furocoumarinic acid was found to be visibly fluorescent at pH 2.0-12.0, with the maxima of fluorescence emission spectra being pH-dependent. The reverse E → Z photoisomerization predicted by quantum chemistry calculations as energetically favorable for the monoanionic form of furocoumarinic acid was proved in the experiment while being complicated by pyrone ring closure back to psoralen in acidic and neutral conditions. The preparative synthesis of furocoumarinic acid outlined in this work is particularly valuable in view of a wide range of pharmacological effects previously predicted for this compound.

Nickel(II)- and Silver(I)-Catalyzed C–H Bond Halogenation of Anilides and Carbamates

ortho-C–H bond halogenation of anilides and N-aryl carbamates using easily available N-halosuccinimides (NXS) as the active halogenation reagent in the presence of nickel or silver catalyst has been developed. This method provides a new approach to 2-haloanilides and carbamates, which may serve as starting materials for the synthesis of pharmaceutically and biologically active compounds.

Conformational change in the association of a heterocyclic urea derivative forming two intramolecular hydrogen bonds in polar solvent

Competition of two urea moieties for the same counterpart including change of conformation upon binding in polar solvent.