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We have synthesized a range of novel cyclometallated organoruthenium(II) complexes through ortho-C-H activation of the aryl group in 2-aryl-substituted quinazolines with [RuX2(p-cymene)]2. The beneficial effect of the carboxylate ligand on both the cyclometallation and further arylation reaction step was demonstrated. Mechanistic studies reveal that bromide and iodide anions decelerates the arylation process via in situ ligand exchange reaction. Additionally, a detailed NMR investigation explains some elementary steps in the arylation of 2-(aryl)quinazoline-halido-ruthenacycles.

Physicochemical evaluation of polyethylene oxide (PEO) polymers with various molecular weights was performed at molecular (polymeric dispersion) and bulk level (powders, polymeric films, and tablets) with the aim of specifying polymer critical material attributes with the main contribution to drug release from prolonged-release tablets (PRTs). For this purpose, grades of PEO with low, medium, and high viscosity were used for formulating PRTs with a good soluble drug substance (dose solubility volume 15 ml). The results revealed a good correlation (r2=0.88) between in vivo data (pharmacokinetic parameters: Cmax and AUC) and the elastic property of PEO films determined with the nanoindentation method, demonstrating that film level can also be used for the in vivo prediction of drug dissolution. The study confirmed that polymer molecular weight and its viscosity are the most important critical material attributes affecting drug dissolution (in vitro) and in vivo bioavailability (e.g. Cmax and AUC). Our research revealed that the nanoindentation technique can distinguish well between various types of polymers, classifying PEO as the most ductile and polyvinyl alcohol as the most brittle. Finally, our study provides an approach for the determination of exact physical attributes of PEO as a critical material attribute from clinically relevant data, and it therefore fulfills the basic principles of product development by Quality by Design.

By the condensation of malononitrile (1) with dialkyl acetone-1,3-dicarboxylates 2a, b alkyl (3- cyano-6-alkoxy-2-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridin-4-yl)acetates 6a, b are formed in contrast to an earlier report according to which diethyl 3-(dicyanomethylene)glutarate 3b was obtained in the reaction of 1 and 2a. Compounds 6a, b were transformed with DMFDMA into the corresponding (E)-alkyl 2-(3- cyano-6-alkoxy-2-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridin-4-yl)-3-(dimethylamino)propenoates 7a, b. The structures of 6a and 7a were confirmed by X-ray structural analysis.

Microwave-assisted [2+2] cycloaddition of (E)-3-dimethylamino-1-heteroaryl-prop-2-en-1-ones to dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylates gives (2E,3E)-dimethyl-2-[(dimethylamino)methylene]-3-(substituted)succinates in 8–91% yield. In the case of a 4,5-dihydrothiazoline derivative, cycloaddition also took place at the endocyclic CN double bond.

A seven-step synthesis of 1-substituted 5-(2-acylaminoethyl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamides 20 as the pyrazole analogues of histamine was developed. The synthesis starts with a three-step preparation of N(1)-substituted methyl 5-(2-tert-butoxycarbonylaminoethyl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylates 7 from commercially available Boc-β-alanine (1). Subsequent four-step transformation of the key-intermediates 7 into the final products 20 was performed following two complementary reaction sequences comprising acidolytic removal of the Boc group, hydrolysis of the COOMe group, amidations of the COOH group, and acylations of the NH2 group. The structures of pyrazole derivatives were determined by spectroscopic methods and by X-ray diffraction.

Methyl ( Z)-2-(benzoylamino)-3-(dimethylamino)propenoate( 1) reacted with trimethylenemethane ( 2) to produce methyl ( Z)-2-[benzoyl(2-methylallyl)amino]-3-(dimethylamino)propeno-ate( 3), which was then converted into pyrazolederivatives 11A- H bya consecutive exchange of the dimethylamino group with hydrazinederivates 9A- H andcyclization to the ester group. Reactions of pyrazoles 11A- G withdimethyl 1,2,4,5-tetrazine-3,6-dicarboxylate ( 6)resulted in the diastereoselective formation of 1-aryl-6′-benzoyl-4a′-methyl-5-oxo-1,4′,4a′,5,5′,6′-hexahydrospiro[pyrazole-4,7′-pyrrolo[3,4- C]pyridazine]-3′,7a′(1′ H)-dicarboxylates 12A- G. This represents a simple new pathwayto novel heterocyclic systems. On the other hand, when (dimethylamino)propenoate 3 reacted with aniline hydrochloride ( 4), followed by the cycloaddition of 1,2,4,5-tetrazine 6, dimethyl ( E)-and ( Z)-4-({benzoyl[1-(methoxycarbonyl)-2-(phenylamino)vinyl]amino}methyl)-4-methyl-1,4-dihydropyridazine-3,6-dicarboxylates( 7) and ( 8) wereformed, respectively.

Microwave-assisted [2+2] cycloaddition reactions of 2-amino-3-dimethylaminopropenoates with acetylenecarboxylates furnished highly functionalised 1-amino-4-(dimethylamino)buta-1,3-dienes in 40–94% yields. All reactions were observed to consistently produce single geometrical isomers, and in cases where non-symmetrical acetylenes were employed the reactions proceeded in a regiospecific manner.

A series of racemic and enantiopure (S,Z)-3-[(1H-indol-3-yl)methylidene]hexahydropyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazin-4(1H)-one (cyclic Pro–ΔTrp) dipeptide analogues were prepared. Racemic analogues 6a–c were prepared by direct coupling of racemic cyclodipeptide enaminone (R,S)-5 with various indole derivatives. On the other hand, enantiopure analogues were prepared through a copper(I) catalyzed vinyl amidation reaction in which acyclic (S)-Pro–ΔTrp dipeptide analogues 20 and 21 were formed. Acyclic dipeptides were cyclized to enantiopure (S)-Pro–ΔTrp dipeptide analogues 24 and 25. For coupling reactions, vinyl bromides were prepared in several steps. From ethyl acetate (7), enaminone 8 was prepared and coupled with 2-methylindole and 2-phenylindole to give 9 and 10. Direct bromination of 3-(indole-3-yl)propenoates 9 and 10 at position 2 results in vinyl bromides 11 and 12. The Boc protecting group on the indole nitrogen 1′ in vinyl bromides 11 and 12 was introduced, before the copper(I) catalyzed coupling with N-Boc prolinamide 18 was performed. Enantiomeric purity of chiral intermediates and final products was determined mostly by HPLC or 1H NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction.

Two new C 2 -symmetric benzoimidazolium tetrafluoroborates 19 and 20 were prepared from (1 S )-(+)-camphorquinone 1 in seven and eight steps, respectively. Thus, N 1 -((1 S ,2 R ,3 S ,4 R )-1,7,7-trimethyl-4′-methylenedihydro-3′ H -spiro[bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2,2′-furan]-3-yl)benzene-1,2-diamine 11 , available in three steps from 1 , was first condensed with 1 to afford amino imines 12 and 13 / 13′ . [3 + 2] Cycloaddition of trimethylenemethane (TMM) to 12 or 13 / 13′ gave cycloadduct 17 , which was successfully reduced to diamine 4 using NaCNBH 3 . Catalytic hydrogenation of methylene groups of 4 gave the methyl analogue 18 . Finally, cyclization of diamines 4 and 18 with triethyl orthoformate furnished the desired C 2 -symmetric benzoimidazolium tetrafluoroborates 19 and 20 , respectively. The structures were determined by NMR techniques, NOESY spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction.

1,3-Dipolar cycloadditions of azomethine imines 3a and 3b, available by acid-catalyzed treatment of 3-pyrazolidinone 1 with acetone (2a) and butyraldehyde (2b), respectively, were studied. Reactions of 3a with DMAD (4) afforded a mixture of products 9 and 10a, whilst treatment of 3b with DMAD (4) gave a mixture of compound 9 and epimeric cycloadducts 10/10′b. On the other hand, cycloadducts 13a,b-16a,b were isolated as single diastereomers in 9–37% yields upon reactions of 3a,b with olefinic dipolarophiles 5–8. The structures of cycloadducts 9, 10a, 10/10′b, and 13a,b-16a,b were determined by 1H nmr and NOESY spectroscopy. The structure of compound 13a was confirmed by X-ray diffraction.

Stereoselective inverse-demand [4+2] cycloadditions of 3,6-bis(pyridin-2-yl)-1,2,4,5-tetrazine and dimethyl 1,2,4,5-tetrazine-3,6-dicarboxylate to 4′-methylenedihydro-3′ H -spiro[bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2,2′-furans] and 4′-methylene-1′-(4-nitrophenyl)spiro[bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-3,2′-pyrrolidine] were studied. Cycloadditions took place stereoselectively at the exocyclic C C double bonds to give novel 11:14-isopropylidene-14-methyl-2,3-diaza-8-oxadispiro[5.1.5.2]pentadecane and 11:14-isopropylidene-11-methyl-2,3,8-triazadispiro[5.1.5.2]pentadecane derivatives in 50–98% de. The structures of the novel dispiro compounds were determined by NMR techniques, NOESY spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction.

A simple four-step synthesis of 4-(2-aminoethyl)-5-hydroxy-1H-pyrazoles 8 (or their 1H-pyrazol-3(2H)-one tautomers 8′) as the pyrazole analogues of histamine was developed. First, enamino lactam 3 was prepared as the key intermediate in two steps from 2-pyrrolidinone (1). Next, acid-catalysed ‘ring switching’ transformations of 3 with monosubstituted hydrazines 4 gave N-[(1-substituted 5-hydroxy-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)ethyl]benzamides 7a–k and N-[2-(2-heteroaryl-3-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)ethyl]benzamides 7′l–o. Benzamides 7a–k and 7′l–o were finally hydrolysed by heating in 6 M hydrochloric acid to furnish 1-substituted 4-(2-aminoethyl)-5-hydroxy-1H-pyrazoles 8a–k and 4-(2-aminoethyl)-2-heteroaryl-1H-pyrazol-3(2H)-ones 8′l–o in good overall yields.

A simple and efficient synthesis of four new substituted pyrimidines, compounds 9a–d, from the title compound 3 is described. Conversion of 3 to methyl (E)-3-(dimethylamino)-2-(6-methoxy-2-phenylpyrimidin-4-yl)prop-2-enoate (4), followed by condensation with various dinucleophiles according to the ‘enaminone methodology’, afforded the target compounds 9 in medium-to-good yields.

Stereoselective [3+2] cycloadditions of trimethylenemethane (TMM) to the exocyclic C O and C N double bonds of (1S,3EZ,4R)-3-arylimino-1,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-ones gave the corresponding spiro[bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2,2′-furan] and spiro[bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-3,2′-pyrrolidine] derivatives. Further stereoselective reductions of the C N or C O bond in these cycloadducts furnished new chiral amines, diamines, and a new aminoalcohol. All cycloadditions and reductions of the C N double bonds took place from the less hindered endo-face of the (1S,3EZ,4R)-3-arylimino-1,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-ones, exclusively, thus giving the corresponding products in 100% de. The structures were determined by NMR, NOESY spectroscopy, and by X-ray diffraction.

Treatment of (1Z,4R∗,5R∗)-1-arylmethylidene-4-benzamido-5-phenylpyrazolidin-3-one 1-azomethine imines 4a–d with potassium cyanide in the presence of acetic acid resulted in addition of HCN to the exocyclic C N double bond followed by β-eliminative N–N single bond cleavage (ring opening) to give the N-[(1R∗,2R∗)-3-amino-2-benzamido-3-oxo-1-phenylpropyl]benzimidoyl cyanides 6a–d in 28–85% yields. Reaction of dipole 4e with HCN furnished stable intermediate, (1′S∗,4R∗,5R∗)-4-benzamido-1-[cyano(mesityl)methyl]-5-phenylpyrazolidin-3-one (5e), in 76% yield. The structure of compound 6c was determined by X-ray diffraction.

In CDCl 3 solution, enantiopure ( S )-1-benzyl-6-methylpiperazine-2,5-dione ( S )- 1a formed diastereomeric C O ⋯ H –N hydrogen-bonded associates with racemic ( RS , Z )-1-benzyl-3-[(dimethylamino)methylidene]piperazine-2,5-diones 2a and 2b , ( RS )- tert -butyl pyroglutamate ( RS )- 2c and ( RS )- N -benzoylalanine methyl ester ( RS )- 2d . This resulted in splitting (doubling) of the characteristic signals in the 1 H NMR and 13 C spectra of racemic compounds 2a – d in the presence of 1 equiv of ( S )- 1a . The formation of hydrogen-bonded dimers in CDCl 3 solution was studied by 1 H NMR, 13 C NMR and 2D NMR and confirmed by the intermolecular NOE observed between the hydrogen-bonded amide protons from each of the monomeric units, ( S )- 1a and 2a – c . On the other hand, a slightly different binding mode was proposed for association of ( S )- 1a with alaninamide ( RS )- 2d . Enantiomer compositions of known (weighed) mixtures of both enantiomers of tert -butyl pyroglutamate 2c were re-determined by 1 H NMR in the presence of ( S )- 1a in CDCl 3 . The experimental values were in good agreement with the theoretical values, thus indicating the potential applicability of ( S )- 1a and related diketopiperazines as chiral solvating agents in NMR spectroscopy.

A simple and efficient synthesis of novel 2-heteroaryl-substituted 1H-indole-2-carboxylates and γ-carbolines, compounds 1–3, from methyl 2-(2-methoxy-2-oxoethyl)-1-methyl-1H-indole-3-carboxylate (4) by the enaminone methodology is presented.

The reaction of xenon difluoride with enamino lactone 3 furnished the new α-fluoro aldehyde 7, whereas reaction of 3 with anhydrous HF led to racemic dihydro-β-campholenolactone 6. Acid-catalysed rearrangement of α-ethylidenelactone 4 proceeded with retention of configuration to give β-campholenolactone 8. Nitrosation of the novel bicyclic enamino lactone 6 afforded the corresponding oxime 9, while acid-catalysed treatment with primary amines, 2-methyl-1H-indole, potassium cyanide and hydrazine hydrochloride, furnished the dimethylamine substitution products 11–13 and the ‘ring switched’ product 14. The structures were determined by 2D NMR techniques, NOESY spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction.

Stereoselective additions to the exocyclic C C double bond of some (1R,3E,4S)-3-alkylidene-1,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-ones and (1R,4E,5S)-4-alkylidene-1,8,8-trimethyl-2-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-ones were studied. All additions took place predominantly from the less hindered endo-face of the methylidene compounds to give the corresponding exo-adducts as the major isomers. Thus, catalytic hydrogenations afforded the α-alkylated (1R,3R,4R)-1,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-ones and (1R,4R,5R)-1,8,8-trimethyl-2-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-ones in 28–100% de. Similarly, 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions of 2,4,6-trisubstituted benzonitrile oxides gave the corresponding spiro cycloadducts in 66–100% de. The structures were determined by 2D NMR techniques, NOESY spectroscopy and X–ray diffraction.

A series of racemic dipodazine analogues 9 were prepared in 22–80% yield from (3Z,6RS)-3-[(dimethylamino)methylidene]-6-methyl-1-(phenylmethyl)piperazine-2,5-dione (7) (Scheme 1), which was prepared in four steps from (RS)-alanine methyl ester hydrochloride. The preparation of nonracemic 7 from (S)-alanine methyl ester hydrochloride failed, since the introduction of the enamino functionality at position 3 of the precursor 6 was accompanied by almost complete racemization.

Reductions of (1R,3R,4R)-3-([1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-x]azin-3-yl)-1,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-ones and their lactone analogues, prepared from (1R)-(+)-camphor, were studied. Catalytic hydrogenation selectively led to partial saturation of the [1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-x]azine residue, while in reactions with borane–methylsulfide coordination of borane to the 1-position of [1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-x]azine system took place. On the other hand, activation of the carbonyl group in (1R,3R,4R)-3-([1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-x]azin-3-yl)-1,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-ones with boron trifluoride etherate followed by reaction with borane–methylsulfide furnished the corresponding isoborneols, stereoselectively. The structures of all representative compounds were confirmed by X-ray diffraction.

4-[(Heteroaryldiazenyl)methylidene] and 4-([1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-x]azin-3-yl) substituted (1R,5R)-4-1,8,8-trimethyl-2-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-ones 6/6′ and 7/7′ were obtained in a one-pot transformation of the enamino lactone 2 with hydrazinoazines 3a–g followed by oxidation of the intermediate mixture of isomeric enehydrazines 4/4′ and hydrazones 5/5′ with lead tetraacetate. The oxidation selectivity was dependent on the ratio of isomeric intermediates 4/4′ and 5/5′. Treatment of 7b with lead tetraacetate led to α-acetoxylated compound 11, while bromination of 9b afforded a 1:1 mixture of α-bromination products 12 and 12′, which were separated by medium pressure liquid chromatography (MPLC). The structures of intermediates and products were confirmed by NMR and X-ray diffraction.

(1R,4E,5S)-4-Oximino-1,8,8-trimethyl-2-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-one 9 was prepared in three steps from (1R)-(+)-camphor 1 via nitrosation of (1R,4E,5S)-4-[(dimethylamino)methylidene]-1,8,8-trimethyl-2-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-one 8. Catalytic hydrogenation of 9 under various reaction conditions afforded (1R,4S,5S)-4-amino-1,8,8-trimethyl-2-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-one derivatives 11, 13, and 15b. On the other hand, reduction of 9 with Grignard reagents led to two types of products, (1R,4S,5S)-4-dialkylamino-1,8,8-trimethyl-2-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-ones 15b and 15c and/or 2-substituted (1E)-1-[(1S,3R)-3-hydroxy-2,2,3-trimethylcyclopentyl]ethane-1,2-dione 1-oximes 16a,b and 15d–f. The structures of compounds 9, 10′, 15b, and 16b were determined by X-ray diffraction.

Reactions of 3-[(E)-(dimethylamino)methylidene]-(+)-camphor and (1R,5S)-4-[(E)-(dimethylamino)methylidene]-1,8,8-trimethyl-2-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-one with hydrazine derivatives were studied. Treatment of 3-[(E)-(dimethylamino)methylidene]-(+)-camphor with hydrazines afforded the corresponding fused pyrazoles. Similarly, fused pyrazoles were obtained upon reaction of (1R,5S)-4-[(E)-(dimethylamino)methylidene]-1,8,8-trimethyl-2-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-one with ortho-unsubstituted phenylhydrazines, while reactions with ortho-substituted phenylhydrazines and with hydrazine hydrochloride resulted in ‘ring switching’ type of transformation to furnish 2-aryl-4-[(1S,3R)-3-hydroxy-2,2,3-trimethylcyclopentyl]-1,2-dihydro-3H-pyrazol-3-ones.

Cycloadditions of (1 Z ,4 R *,5 R *)-4-benzoylamino-5-phenylpyrazolidin-3-on-1-azomethine imines to olefinic dipolarophiles were studied. Stereochemistry of cycloadditions to azomethine imines 3 was found to be controlled by stereodirecting phenyl group at position 3, as well as by the ortho -substituents at the aromatic ring at position 1′. The structures of dipoles and products were confirmed by NMR and X-ray diffraction.

Various (1R,5S)-4-[(E)-alkylidene]-1,8,8-trimethyl-2-oxabicyclo[3.2. 1]octan-3-ones were prepared, stereoselectively, via coupling of (1R,5S)-4-[(E)-(dimethylamino)methylidene]-1,8,8-tri-methyl-2-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-one with Grignard reagents, potassium cyanide, and 2-methyl-lH-indole.

N-Substituted (1R,5S)-4-aminomethylidene-1,8,8-trimethyl-2-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-ones were prepared in three steps from (1R)-(+)-camphor via coupling of (1R,4E,5S)-3-[(dimethylamino)methylidene]-1,8,8-trimethyl-2-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-one with primary amines. N,N′-Bis-{[(1R,5S)-1,8,8-trimethyl-3-oxo-2-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-4-ylidene]methyl}benzene-1,2-diamine was used as the ligand in the preparation of the corresponding coordination compounds with palladium(II), copper(II) and nickel(II). The structures were determined by 2D NMR techniques, NOESY spectroscopy and X–ray diffraction.

Reaction of (Z)-2-Benzoylamino-4-dimethylamino-2-oxo-3-butene 1 with amidines 2a–e afforded pyrimidines 3a–e. Acid-catalysed treatment of 1 with potassium cyanide gave (E)-3benzoylamino-4-cyano-2-oxo-3-butene 4. 1,3-Dipolar cycloadditions of nitrile imines and 2,4,6trimethoxybenzonitrile oxide 7a to compound 4 afforded the corresponding pyrazole derivatives 6a–d and the isoxazole-4-carbonitrile 8a. In the reaction of 4 with 2,4,6-trimethylbenzonitrile oxide 7b, bis-cycloadduct 9 was formed and its structure was also determined by X-Ray analysis.

(1R,3R,4R)-3-(1,2,4-Triazolo[4,3-x]azin-3-yl)-1,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-ones were prepared in 68–94% d.e. in three steps from (1R)-(+)-camphor via coupling of (1R,4R)-3-[(E)-(dimethylamino)methylidene]-1,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one with hydrazinoazines followed by oxidative cyclisation of the intermediate hydrazones with methanolic bromine. The structures were determined by 2D NMR techniques and NOESY spectroscopy as well as by X-ray diffraction.

Dedicated to Professor Emeritus Miha Tisler on the occasion of his 75th birthday Treatment of methyl (S)-5-[(E)-(dimethylamino)methylidene]-2-oxotetrahydrofuran-5-carboxylate (2) with potassium cyanide in acetic acid gave (S)-5-[(E)-cyanomethylidene]-2-oxotetrahydrofuran-5-car-boxylate (3), which was used as chiral dipolarophile in 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions. Reactions of 3 with diazomethane (4) and nitrile oxides 5a-c afforded spirolactones 6–8 in 24-34% diastereomeric excess, while with diazomethane (4) in the presence of triethylamine, methyl 3-cyanomethyl-2-methoxyfuran-5-carboxylate (12) was obtained.

The solid-state structures of three stereoisomer, 1–3, of the cyclic tetramer of 3-aminobutanoic acid are presented. These cyclo-β-peptides were found to be highly insoluble materials, and it proved to be impossible to grow crystals of sufficient quality for X-ray single-crystal analysis. The samples of 1–3 were, however, suitable candidates for structure determination from powder diffraction data (Fig. 1), and the application of this method is described. All three isomers have been found to adopt tubular structures (Figs. 2–4) in a fashion similar to those already observed for certain cyclo-α-peptides. The stacks of 16-membered rings are held together by four nonlinear CO…HN H-bonds between pairs of molecules (Fig.5).

Substrates (I) undergo a microwave-promoted cycloaddition with DMAD to give cyclobutene intermediates which afford the desired functionalized 1,3-dienones after ring opening.

Dedicated to Professor Emeritus Miha Tisler on the occasion of his 75th birthday Treatment of methyl (S)-5-[(E)-(dimethylamino)methylidene]-2-oxotetrahydrofuran-5-carboxylate (2) with potassium cyanide in acetic acid gave (S)-5-[(E)-cyanomethylidene]-2-oxotetrahydrofuran-5-car-boxylate (3), which was used as chiral dipolarophile in 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions. Reactions of 3 with diazomethane (4) and nitrile oxides 5a-c afforded spirolactones 6–8 in 24-34% diastereomeric excess, while with diazomethane (4) in the presence of triethylamine, methyl 3-cyanomethyl-2-methoxyfuran-5-carboxylate (12) was obtained.

Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) provide a simple route to functionalize electrode surfaces with organic molecules. Herein we use cavity-containing derivatives of calix[4]arenes in SAMs. Bound to noble metal surface, the assembled molecules are candidates to serve as molecular sieves for H 2 molecules and H (+) ions, which could have relevance for fuel cell applications. Tetra- O-alkylated calix[4]arenes with thiolacetate and thiolamide wide-rim anchoring groups in cone and partial-cone conformations were designed, synthesized and self-assembled onto Au, Pt, and Pd surfaces. The resulting SAMs were systematically examined. Single crystal X-ray diffraction of 5,11,17,23-tetrakis(thioacetyl)-25,26,27,28-tetra- i-propoxycalix[4]arene confirmed the cone conformation and revealed the cavity dimensions of the SAMs that were formed by immersing noble metal substrates (Au, Pt and Pd deposited on Si-wafers) in solutions of calix[4]arenes. Surface characterization techniques including ellipsometry, cyclic voltammetry (CV) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used, indicating that the metal surface is terminated with a monomolecular layer. Experimental thicknesses obtained from the ellipsometry are consistent with the calculated values. CV results showed 50 to 80% physical passivation against the Fe(CN) 6 (3-/4-) couple, implying an overall relatively low concentration of defects and pinholes in the films. The binding energies of the S2p core level in the XPS were consistent with the literature values and revealed that up to 3.2 out of four anchoring groups were bonded to the noble metal surface.

Two variations of enaminone-based parallel solution-phase synthesis of 1-substituted 4-(2-aminoethyl)-1 H-pyrazol-5-ols 8 and their NH-tautomers 8' were developed. The synthetic strategy comprises a two step preparation of the N-protected alpha-enamino lactams 3a and 3b from 2-pyrrolidinone (1), "ring switching" transformation of 3a, b with monosubstituted hydrazines 4a-u, and acidolytic removal of the N-protecting group. In order to ensure a clean and fast conversion, reactions of Cbz-enaminone 3a with hydrazines 4a-k were carried out under microwave irradiation to afford the "ring-switched" intermediates 7a-k. Deprotection of 7a-k with HBr-AcOH at 50 degrees C gave a library of 11 analytically pure 4-(2-aminoethyl)-1 H-pyrazol-5-ols (di)hydrobromides 8/ 8'a-k in 16-75% yields over two steps. The other reagent, Boc-enaminone 3b, was more reactive and ring switching transformations with hydrazines 4b, d, k proceeded smoothly and cleanly under conventional heating. Finally, a parallel one-pot transformation of the Boc-enaminone 3b with hydrazines 4a-u followed by subsequent deprotection of the intermediates 9a-u with HCl-EtOAc furnished a library of 21 analytically pure 4-(2-aminoethyl)-1 H-pyrazol-5-ols (di)hydrochlorides 8/ 8'a-u in 40-100% yields.

1,3-Dipolar cycloadditions of azomethine imines 3a and 3b, available by acid-catalyzed treatment of 3-pyrazolidinone 1 with acetone (2a) and butyraldehyde (2b), respectively, were studied. Reactions of 3a with DMAD (4) afforded a mixture of products 9 and 10a, whilst treatment of 3b with DMAD (4) gave a mixture of compound 9 and epimeric cycloadducts 10/10′b. On the other hand, cycloadducts 13a,b-16a,b were isolated as single diastereomers in 9–37% yields upon reactions of 3a,b with olefinic dipolarophiles 5–8. The structures of cycloadducts 9, 10a, 10/10′b, and 13a,b-16a,b were determined by 1H nmr and NOESY spectroscopy. The structure of compound 13a was confirmed by X-ray diffraction.

A simple and efficient synthesis of four new substituted pyrimidines, compounds 9a–d, from the title compound 3 is described. Conversion of 3 to methyl (E)-3-(dimethylamino)-2-(6-methoxy-2-phenylpyrimidin-4-yl)prop-2-enoate (4), followed by condensation with various dinucleophiles according to the ‘enaminone methodology’, afforded the target compounds 9 in medium-to-good yields.

Solution-phase combinatorial synthesis of (2S,4S)-4-acylamino-5-oxopyrrolidine-2-carboxamides was studied. First, di-tert-butyl (2S,4S)-4-amino-5-oxopyrrolidine-1,2-dicarboxylate hydrochloride was prepared as the key intermediate in five steps from (S)-pyroglutamic acid. Acylation of the amino group followed by acidolytic deprotection gave (2S,4S)-4-acylamino-5-oxopyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acids, which were then coupled with amines to furnish a library of (2S,4S)-4-acylamino-5-oxopyrrolidine-2-carboxamides. Four coupling reagents, BPC, EEDQ, TBTU, and PFTU, were tested for the amidation reactions in the final step. Amidations with EEDQ and TBTU led to the desired carboxamides. On the other hand, BPC and PFTU were not suited, since diketopiperazines were sometimes obtained instead of the desired carboxamides.

Substituted 2,3,5,6,7,8-hexahydropyrazolo[4,3-d][1,2]diazepine-8-carboxylates were prepared in good to excellent yields from ethyl (2E)-3-(dimethylamino)-2-{(4Z)-4-[(dimethylamino)methylidene]-5-oxo-1-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-3-yl}propenoate with 1,2-disubstituted hydrazines by heating in an alcohol.

Stable triethylammonium triazenide salts were obtained on treatment of the appropriate triazenes with triethylamine. Those salts are described and fully characterized for the first time and are used for the preparation of alkoxycarbonylvinyltriethylammonium triazenides, which are prone to transesterification.

(S)-3-(Dimethylamino)methylidene-5-benzyltetramic acid derivatives 4a and 4b were prepared in three steps from N-protected (S)-3-phenylalanines la and 1b, respectively. Similarly, N-[N-(benzyloxycarbonyl)glycyl]glycine (1c) was transformed into the enaminone 4c. Acid-catalysed coupling of enaminones 4a-c with aliphatic, aromatic, and heteroaromatic primary amines 5-34 afforded the corresponding N(3')-substituted 3-aminomethylidenetetramic acid derivatives 35-64 in 29-96% yields.