Christopher J. Douglas

Catalytic Carbon−Carbon σ Bond Activation: An Intramolecular Carbo-Acylation Reaction with Acylquinolines

Carbon-carbon sigma-bond activation is a contemporary challenge for organometallic chemistry and catalysis. Herein, we disclose a new alkene carboacylation reaction initiated by quinoline-directed, rhodium-catalyzed C-C sigma bond activation. The alkene carboacylation allows for the construction of all-carbon quaternary centers, with a broad substrate scope, providing access to carbocyclic and heterocyclic ring systems in good to excellent yields.

Increased efficiency in cross-metathesis reactions of sterically hindered olefins

Efficiency in olefin cross-metathesis reactions is affected upon reducing the steric bulk of N-heterocyclic carbene ligands of ruthenium-based catalysts. For the formation of disubstituted olefins containing one or more allylic substituents, the catalyst bearing N-tolyl groups is more efficient than the corresponding N-mesityl catalyst. In contrast, the formation of trisubstituted olefins is more efficient using the N-mesityl-containing catalyst. A hypothesis to explain this dichotomy is described.

Efficient preparations of novel ynamides and allenamides

Abstract Practical syntheses of a series of novel ynamides and allenamides are described here. While a base-induced isomerization protocol of propargyl amides leads to an array of chiral and achiral allenamides, ynamides are prepared from enamides via bromination followed by base-induced elimination of the Z -bromoenamides. These ynamides and allenamides possess improved thermal stability compared to ynamines and allenamines. They can be isolated, purified, and handled with ease, and thus, should be synthetically more useful than traditional ynamines and allenamines.

Connecting Molecular Structure and Exciton Diffusion Length in Rubrene Derivatives

Connecting molecular structure and exciton diffusion length in rubrene derivatives demonstrates how the diffusion length of rubrene can be enhanced through targeted functionalization aiming to enhance self-Förster energy transfer. Functionalization adds steric bulk, forcing the molecules farther apart on average, and leading to increased photoluminescence efficiency. A diffusion length enhancement greater than 50% is realized over unsubstituted rubrene.

Highly enantioselective intramolecular cyanoamidation: (+)-horsfiline, (-)-coerulescine, and (-)-esermethole.

The first asymmetric cyanoamidation with synthetically useful enantioselectivity (ee up to 99%) to produce 3,3-disubstituted oxindoles is reported. Palladium catalysts with chiral phosphoramidite ligands activate the cyanoformamide C-CN bond, which is subsequently functionalized with a tethered alkene to give all-carbon quaternary stereocenters. The use of the N,N-(i-Pr)(2) derivative of octahydro-MonoPhos allowed the production of oxindoles with high enantioselectivities. Cyanoformamides bearing free N-H groups are now tolerated, potentially allowing protecting-group-free synthesis. Oxindole products of cyanoamidation are rapidly transformed into (+)-horsfiline, (-)-coerulescine, and (-)-esermethole.

Synthesis and UV Studies of A Small Library of 6-Aryl-4-hydroxy-2-pyrones. A Relevant Structural Feature for the Inhibitory Property of Arisugacin Against Acetylcholinesterase

Abstract 4-Hydroxypyrones belong to an important class of compounds not only because of their medicinal significance, but also because they represent a common structural feature among natural products that are biologically relevant. We describe here preparations of a small library of 6-aryl-4-hydroxy-pyrones which represent structural analogs of the DE-ring of arisugacin, a potent and selective inhibitor against acetylcholinesterasc. Given the structural significance of the DE-ring in the inhibitory activity of arisugacin chemical shifts of relevant protons on the pyrone ring are compared and distinct features in UV absorptions of these 6-aryl-4-hydroxy-pyrones are described.

Palladium-catalyzed C-CN activation for intramolecular cyanoesterification of alkynes.

Conditions for the C-CN activation and intramolecular cyanoesterification of alkynes to provide butenolides in good to excellent yields are presented. Pd catalysts, high temperatures/short reaction times (microwave irradiation), and Lewis basic solvents minimized competitive decarbonylation. Less sterically encumbered, electron-rich alkynes underwent cyanoesterification with greater ease compared to sterically encumbered, electron-deficient alkynes. The results led to the hypothesis that migratory insertion of the alkyne, rather than C-CN activation, might be the product-determining step.

Cooperative Catalysis Approach to Intramolecular Hydroacylation

Prior examples of hydroacylation to form six- and seven-membered ring ketones require either embedded chelating groups or other substrate design strategies to circumvent competitive aldehyde decarbonylation. A cooperative catalysis strategy enabled intramolecular hydroacylation of disubstituted alkenes to form seven- and six-membered rings without requiring substrate-embedded chelating groups.

Inverse demand [4+2] cycloaddition reactions of allenamides: Reactivity scopes of an electron deficient variant of allenamines

Abstract The synthesis and reactivity of a series of new allenamides are described. These electron deficient variants of allenamines are more stable than allenamines but possess comparable reactivity. Particularly, oxazolidinone and imidazolidinone substituted allenamides undergo efficient inverse demand [4+2] cycloaddition reactions with heterodienes, leading to unique pyranyl heterocycles. The reactivity differences between various allenamides containing different substitution patterns around the nitrogen atom are illustrated.

Utilizing carbon nanotube electrodes to improve charge injection and transport in bis(trifluoromethyl)-dimethyl-rubrene ambipolar single crystal transistors

We have examined the significant enhancement of ambipolar charge injection and transport properties of bottom-contact single crystal field-effect transistors (SC-FETs) based on a new rubrene derivative, bis(trifluoromethyl)-dimethyl-rubrene (fm-rubrene), by employing carbon nanotube (CNT) electrodes. The fundamental challenge associated with fm-rubrene crystals is their deep-lying HOMO and LUMO energy levels, resulting in inefficient hole injection and suboptimal electron injection from conventional Au electrodes due to large Schottky barriers. Applying thin layers of CNT network at the charge injection interface of fm-rubrene crystals substantially reduces the contact resistance for both holes and electrons; consequently, benchmark ambipolar mobilities have been achieved, reaching 4.8 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1) for hole transport and 4.2 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1) for electron transport. We find that such improved injection efficiency in fm-rubrene is beneficial for ultimately unveiling its intrinsic charge transport properties so as to exceed those of its parent molecule, rubrene, in the current device architecture. Our studies suggest that CNT electrodes may provide a universal approach to ameliorate the charge injection obstacles in organic electronic devices regardless of charge carrier type, likely due to the electric field enhancement along the nanotube located at the crystal/electrode interface.