Antonio Salomone

Direct observation of a lithiated oxirane: a synergistic study using spectroscopic, crystallographic, and theoretical methods on the structure and stereodynamics of lithiated ortho-trifluoromethyl styrene oxide

α-Lithiated epoxides, long considered “fleeting” intermediates in the reactions of epoxides with strong bases, have nowadays proven to be key synthons for asymmetric synthesis. In this study, the solution and the solid state structure of an α-lithiated aryloxirane, namely α-lithiated ortho-trifluoromethyl styrene oxide (1-Li), were determined. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of 1-Li performed at 100 K applying the X-TEMP-2 device revealed a self-assembled heterochiral dimeric structure with a rare central six-membered (O–Li–C)2 planar core, which is unprecedented in Li/oxygen carbenoids. Multinuclear magnetic resonance (1H, 13C, 19F, 7Li) studies suggested that 1-Li exists in THF solution as a mixture of two interconverting diastereomeric dimeric aggregates, each one featuring a single σ-contact between lithium and a carbon atom. Line shape analysis provided activation parameters for both the dynamic interconversion of the two dimers and the enantiomerisation of 1-Li, which proved to be mostly entropy controlled. The structural assignment in solution was supported by density functional theory computations through the investigation of conformers of monomeric and dimeric complexes of 1-Li featuring different degrees of specific solvation. A mechanism based on the equilibration of six-membered homo- and heterochiral dimers was proposed to explain the configurational instability exhibited by 1-Li in THF.

2-Lithiated-2-phenyloxetane: a new attractive synthon for the preparation of oxetane derivatives

A valuable and direct method to access 2-substituted-2-phenyloxetanes by electrophilic quenching of the corresponding 2-lithiated derivative has, for the first time, been described. 2-Lithiated-2-phenyloxetane was found to be configurationally unstable. Evidence is presented to show that electron-transfer processes are also operative in the coupling reactions with electrophiles.

Exploiting the Lithiation‐Directing Ability of Oxetane for the Regioselective Preparation of Functionalized 2‐Aryloxetane Scaffolds under Mild Conditions

inde-pendently observed that the lithiation of an aromatic ringcouldbeachievedorthotoasubstituent,andhenceopenedupnew horizons for obtaining differently functionalized organo-lithium derivatives through what is today known as thedirected ortho metalation (DoM) reaction. Since then, andparticularly thanks to seminal contributions from the groupsof Hauser, Meyers, Gschwend, Beak, Snieckus, and others,

Lithiated Fluorinated Styrene Oxides: Configurational Stability, Synthetic Applications, and Mechanistic Insight

The configurational stability of some lithiated fluorinated styrene oxides has been investigated. Chemical studies have shown that in ethereal solvents alpha-lithiated ortho-, meta-, and para-fluorostyrene oxides (2-Li, alpha-5-Li, and alpha-6-Li) are all configurationally stable in the reaction time scale, whereas alpha-lithiated ortho-, meta-, and para-trifluoromethylstyrene oxides (9-Li, 13-Li, and 14-Li) are configurationally unstable. Optically active oxiranyllithiums 2-Li and 9-Li, could be stereospecifically generated and quenched with electrophiles. The corresponding derivatives were then successfully subjected to regiospecific ring-opening reactions with amines to give fluorinated beta-amino alcohols with a stereodefined quaternary carbinol center, which are useful synthons in medicinal chemistry. The barriers of inversion have been calculated (Eyring equation) for oxiranyllithiums 9-Li, 13-Li, and 14-Li by determining the enantiomeric ratios after electrophilic quenching on aging the enantioenriched organolithium for different times in THF; in the case of 9-Li, activation parameters have also been determined. Mechanisms that may be responsible of the racemization oxiranyllithiums 9-Li, 13-Li, and 14-Li undergo once generated are also discussed.

Preparation of Polysubstituted Isochromanes by Addition of ortho-Lithiated Aryloxiranes to Enaminones

The reaction of ortho-lithiated aryloxiranes with various enaminones straightforwardly affords new functionalized isochromanes as mixtures of two epimeric stereoisomers in reasonable to very good yields (50-90%). The two diastereomers, which show a high structural variability, can be easily separated by column chromatography.

Michael Addition of Ortho-Lithiated Aryloxiranes to α,β-Unsaturated Malonates: Synthesis of Tetrahydroindenofuranones

A short and efficient synthesis of tetrahydroindenofuranones based on the Michael addition of ortho-lithiated aryloxiranes to alkylidene malonates followed by the nucleophilic oxirane ring-opening and subsequent lactonization is described. The methodology has been applied to the synthesis of a structural analogue of epipodophyllotoxins.

An Expeditious and Greener Synthesis of 2-Aminoimidazoles in Deep Eutectic Solvents

A high-yield one-pot two-step synthesis of 2-aminoimidazoles (2-AI), exploiting an under-air heterocyclodehydration process between α-chloroketones and guanidine derivatives, and using deep eutectic solvents (DESs) as nonconventional, “green” and “innocent” reaction media, has been accomplished successfully. The combination of either glycerol or urea with choline chloride (ChCl) proved to be effective for decreasing the reaction time to about 4–6 h in contrast to the 10–12 h usually required for the same reaction run in toxic and volatile organic solvents and under an argon atmosphere. In addition, the use of the ChCl–urea as a DES also enables the direct isolation of triaryl-substituted 2-AI derivatives by means of a simple work-up procedure consisting in filtration and crystallization, and allows the recycle of the DES mixture. A plausible mechanism highlighting the potential role played by hydrogen bonding catalysis has also been illustrated.

Oxiranyllithium based synthesis of α-keto-2-oxazolines

Abstract α-Keto-2-oxazolines 5a–j have been efficiently prepared by lithiation [sec-(or n-)BuLi/TMEDA, Et2O, −100°C] and rearrangement of oxiranyl oxazolines 2a–j.

Asymmetric chemoenzymatic synthesis of 1,3-diols and 2,4-disubstituted aryloxetanes by using whole cell biocatalysts

Regio- and stereo-selective reduction of substituted 1,3-aryldiketones, investigated in the presence of different whole cell microorganisms, was found to afford β-hydroxyketones or 1,3-diols in very good yields (up to 95%) and enantiomeric excesses (up to 96%). The enantiomerically enriched aldols, obtained with the opposite stereo-preference by bakers yeast and Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 20016 bioreduction, could then be diastereoselectively transformed into optically active syn- or anti-1,3-diols by a careful choice of the chemical reducing agent (diastereomeric ratio up to 98 : 2). The latter, in turn, were stereospecifically cyclized into the corresponding oxetanes in 43-98% yields and in up to 94% ee, thereby giving a diverse selection of stereo-defined 2,4-disubstituted aryloxetanes.

Enhanced solubility and antibacterial activity of lipophilic fluoro-substituted N-benzoyl-2-aminobenzothiazoles by complexation with β-cyclodextrins

Some lipophilic fluoro-substituted N-benzoyl-2-aminobenzothiazole antibacterial agents have been evaluated for their activity in the presence of cyclodextrins (CDs) containing aqueous solutions where CDs are adopted as solubilizing excipients for improving the poor water solubility of these compounds. For such purpose both the natural β-CD and one of FDA/EMA approved CDs for parenteral use (i.e. HP-β-CD) have been employed. The solubility rank order observed was accounted for by thermal analysis (Differential Scanning Calorimetry) and FT-IR spectroscopy. The most promising compound was subjected to further NMR spectroscopic studies and molecular modelling simulations to verify the interactions between the guest molecule and the CD cavity. The assessment of the antibacterial activity of such compounds against selected Gram positive and Gram negative bacterial strains clearly showed that their antimicrobial effectiveness may, quite in all instances, be positively affected by complexation with β-CD and HP-β-CD. These results, which are in some ways in contrast with those already reported in the literature, are herein discussed on the basis of plausible mechanisms. Moreover, this investigation also reveals that the described methodology of complexing both lipophilic and hydrophilic antimicrobial agents with CDs may be an useful approach to enhance their effectiveness as well as a promising strategy to overcome even the microbial resistance problem.