Unsubstituted Phenyl Groups Research Articles

Poly(iminoborane)s with Aromatic Side Groups: Insights into the Microstructure from Monodisperse Model Oligomers

AbstractWhile certain inorganic main‐group polymers such as silicones (polysiloxanes) are ubiquitous in our everyday life, poly(iminoborane)s have been elusive for a long time. Incorporation of heterocyclic building blocks into their backbone has recently enabled access to the first derivatives of this inorganic‐polymer class, as this approach effectively prevents undesired side‐reactions to borazines. Information about the microstructure of these cyclolinear macromolecules, however, has been scarce. Herein, we present the synthesis of a series of monodisperse oligomers with up to 7 boron and 8 nitrogen atoms, representing the longest well‐defined molecular [>B=N<]x chain to date. We accomplished to characterize six of them structurally in the solid state by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, thus providing valuable insight into the microstructure of poly(iminoborane)s. In addition, we report on the synthesis of new poly(iminoborane) derivatives featuring aryl side groups, with an increased content of unsubstituted phenyl groups. The p‐(n‐butyl)phenyl‐substituted species 13 represents the highest‐molecular‐weight sample of this class of inorganic polymers to date.

Wang-OSO3H catalyzed green synthesis of 2-arylamino-3-cyanopyridine derivatives under ultrasound: Their assessment as potential inhibitors of SIRT1

New approaches / strategies to develop potential anticancer agents are necessary not only to address the increasing incidences of cancer worldwide but also to overcome the multifaceted problem of drug resistance. SIRT1, the most widely studied among all the sirtuins plays an important role in cancer and is considered as a promising pharmacological target for this disease. A new framework based on 2-arylamino-3-cyanopyridine was designed and assessed in silico for the identification of new and potential inhibitors of SIRT1. Initially, docking of a series of representative molecules in silico not only indicated their encouraging interactions with SIRT1 but also suggested their potential selectivity towards this protein over SIRT2. The study also suggested that H-bonding with residues ASN346 and ALA262 and other interactions with residues PHE273, PHE297, ILE411, ILE347, HIS363, GLN345 etc were common for several of these molecules. Thus, a library of molecules based on the designed framework was constructed for further pharmacological studies. These molecules were accessed conveniently via the ultrasound assisted 4-component reaction of appropriate ketone, aldehyde, aromatic amine and malononitrile in aqueous media under open air. The sulphonic acid-functionalized Wang resin (Wang-OSO3H) was explored as a polymeric and recoverable acidic catalyst for this purpose. The catalyst was recovered and recycled for a number of times without significant loss of its catalytic activity. A range of 2-arylamino-3-cyanopyridine derivatives were prepared in good (82–91%) yields using this green reaction. In vitro evaluation of these pyridine derivatives against SIRT1 revealed encouraging inhibitory activities (> 50% inhibition) thereby corroborating the outcome of docking studies. Indeed, the compounds 5a, 5g and 5j identified as most promising in the in silico docking studies were also found to be the most active pyridine derivatives in this in vitro assay. The Structure-Activity-Relationship (SAR) study revealed that an aryl group at C-4 position of the central pyridine ring was preferred over the heteroaryl or alkyl moiety whereas an unsubstituted benzene ring was favored over a substituted one at the C-6 position. Similarly, an unsubstituted phenyl group appeared to be better than the substituted one for the arylamino moiety at C-2 position. The reason for lower activity for a particular molecule was also investigated via in silico studies. Overall, according to the in silico as well as in vitro studies the pyridine derivatives 5a, 5g and 5j appeared as most potent among the compounds tested that were found to be several fold more potent than the known pyridine based inhibitor nicotinamide.

Structure-activity relationship of the aromatic moiety of 6-substituted 5,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-2-one to find the novel compound showing higher plant growth inhibitory activity.

In the course of our research on the structure-activity relationship of 5,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-2-one, (S)-6-[(R)-2-hydroxy-6-(4-fluorophenyl)hexyl]-5,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-2-one was found to show 2-3-fold more potent plant growth inhibitory activity against Italian ryegrass shoots (IC50=95 µm) and roots (IC50=17 µm) than compound bearing unsubstituted phenyl group. The small and electron withdrawing atom at 4-position of the benzene ring caused the higher activity.

Synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of pyrazolo[4,3-c]quinolinones as high affinity GABAA-R ligands and potential anxiolytics

The synthesis, in vitro ligand binding study and in vivo Elevated Plus Maze test (EPM) of a series of pyrazolo[4,3-c]quinolin-3-ones (PQs) are reported. Multistep synthesis of PQs started from anilines and diethyl 2-(ethoxymethylene)malonate to give the quinolin-4-one nucleus, via the Gould-Jacobs reaction. These quinolinones were transformed to 4-chloroquinolines, which react with aryl-hydrazines affording the final compounds. PQs exhibited different potency in displacing specific [3H]Flunitrazepam binding from the benzodiazepine binding site at the γ-aminobutyric acid receptor (GABAA-R) depending on the substitution of the pyrazoloquinolone nucleus. PCA helped determine how different substituents contributed to the differential behavior of the PQs studied. Compounds with high affinity for the GABAA-R were tested regarding their anxiolytic properties in Wistar adult male rats using the Elevated Plus Maze (EPM). Thus, PQs with a p-methoxy phenyl group at N-1 (7b-ii and 7c-ii) displayed a remarkable anxiolytic activity at low doses (0.5–1.0 mg/kg). Meanwhile, PQs featuring an unsubstituted phenyl (7b-i) or p-fluoro phenyl group (7b-iii) at the N-1 showed anxiogenic effects in the EPM test.

A comprehensive study of the optoelectronic properties of donor-acceptor based derivatives of 1,3,4-oxadiazole

A variety of 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives based on electron- donor pyrrole and -acceptor nitro groups are modelled. Various isomers of pyrole-oxadiazole-nitro unit and its dimer linked to substituted and unsubstituted phenyl group are studied using the dispersion corrected density functional theoretical method. The electron density distribution in frontier orbitals of the phenyl-spacer compounds bearing amino and phenylamino groups indicates the possibility of intramolecular charge transfer. The isomers of phenyl-spacer compounds absorb in visible region of electromagnetic spectrum. The compounds show high values of light harvesting efficiency, despite the weak anchoring nature of nitro groups.

Synthesis of methoxycarbonylpyrazolylandrostene derivatives, and their potential inhibitory effect on androgen biosynthesis and cell proliferation

The Claisen condensations of 3β-acetoxypregn-5-en-20-one (1) and 3β-acetoxypregna-5,16-diene (7) with dimethyl oxalate are known to lead to 3β-hydroxy-21-methoxalylpregn-5-en-20-one (2) and 3β-hydroxy-21-methoxalylpregna-5,16-dien-20-one (8), respectively. The reactions of 2 with p-substituted phenylhydrazines afford pyrazol-5-yl derivatives (5) as main, and 3-yl regioisomers (4) as minor products. The corresponding reactions of 16-ene analogue 8 afford only pyrazol-5-yl regioisomer 9. Oppenauer oxidation of the pyrazolyl compounds yields the corresponding Δ4-3-ketosteroids. We investigated the antiandrogenic effects of new methoxycarbonylpyrazolyl compounds through determination of their in vitro inhibition of the activities of rat testicular C17,20-lyase, Δ5-3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (Δ5-3β-HSD) and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 3 (17β-HSD3). A Δ5-3β-hydroxy compound in the D-ring-saturated androst-5-ene series bearing an unsubstituted phenyl group on the pyrazolyl heterocycle (5a) proved to be a potent inhibitor of Δ5-3β-HSD. The 4-methoxyphenyl derivative (5e) and the 3-oxo counterpart (6a) of 5a also displayed substantial inhibition. The other tested compounds exerted only weak inhibitory action against the enzymes investigated. The newly synthetized compounds were evaluated in vitro by means of MTT assays for antiproliferative activity against Hela (cervical carcinoma), A431 (skin epidermoid carcinoma) and MCF7 (breast adenocarcinoma) cells. In all four groups (3β-hydroxy- and 3-ketosteroids with saturated or unsaturated ring D), the most potent analogs contain a 4-tolyl or 4-methoxyphenyl group. Compound 5d exhibited substantial antiproliferative action against the three cell lines investigated, whereas 9d inhibited the growth of Hela cells markedly. The most noteworthy inhibition was exerted by 6a against A431 cells.

Squaramide-based tripodal ionophores for potentiometric sulfate-selective sensors with high selectivity.

A class of squaramide-based tripodal molecules was employed as new ionophores for highly sensitive and selective sulfate-selective sensors. Compared with the reported tripodal ionophore with urea, squaramide groups as superior hydrogen bonding donor were introduced into the tripodal structure to obtain new ionophores leading to better electrode performance. Three derivatives with unsubstituted (I), p-carbon trifluoride (II), and p-nitro (III) phenyl groups were attached to squaramide groups for the optimization of ionophore based sensors. Electron withdrawing p-nitrophenyl groups gave a greater enhancement of the hydrogen bond donor ability of squaramide so that Ionophore III was chosen as the best candidate for sulfate ion recognition. Such a membrane with 30 mol% TDMACl exhibited a Nernstian slope of -30.2 mV per decade to sulfate ions with a linear range from 1 μM to 100 mM in potentiometric measurement. The selectivity coefficients of the proposed sensor over H2PO4(-), Cl(-), Br(-), NO3(-), SCN(-), I(-) and ClO4(-) were -4.3, -3.4, -2.5, -0.6, +3.1, +3.4 and +5.9, respectively, which were much better than the existing sulfate-selective sensors. The new sensors with high selectivity were successfully applied for the quantification of sulfate in cell lysates and drinking water with good recoveries.

3-(4-Chloro-phen-yl)-5-phenyl-4,5-di-hydro-1,3-oxazole.

In the title compound, C15H12ClNO, the isoxazoline ring adopts an envelope conformation with the C atom bearing an unsubstituted phenyl ring as the flap atom. The chlorinated phenyl group is nearly in-plane with the four coplanar atoms of the heterocycle and the corresponding mean planes enclosing an angle of 1.16 (7)°. The unsubstituted phenyl group attached to the envelope flap atom approaches a nearly perpendicular orientation relative to the isoxazoline ring with a dihedral angle of 74.93 (7)°. In the crystal, weak C—H⋯O, C—H⋯N and C—H⋯π inter­actions connect the mol­ecules into layers perpendicular to the a axis.

Effect of substituents at phenyl group of 7,7′-dioxo-9,9′-epoxylignane on antifungal activity

Using 21 newly synthesized 7,7′-dioxo-9,9′-epoxylignane derivatives having a modified 7-phenyl group, we examined the relationship between their structure and antifungal activity against plant pathogens such as Bipolaris oryzae to determine the effects of various substituents on the antifungal activity. Compared with the lead compound having a 4-OH-3-CH3O-phenyl moiety, several analogs showed higher antifungal activity against B. oryzae, including the compound having an unsubstituted phenyl group and those having either of the following phenyl substituents: 2-OH, 4-CH3O, 4-C2H5O, 4-n-C3H7O, 4-n-C4H9O, 4-CF3O, 4-C2H5, or 4-Cl. On the other hand, the activity of compounds having a branched substituent, such as 4-i-C3H7O or 4-i-C3H7, on the 7-phenyl group or a multi-substituted phenyl group was equipotent or inferior to that of the lead compound. These results as well as correlations between the antifungal activity of the test compounds and the physicochemical parameters of the varied substituents suggest that the position of substitution on the 7-phenyl group and the incorporation of substituents with optimal physicochemical properties are important for exerting the antifungal activity.

In Vitro Anti-Trypanosoma cruzi Activity of Dronedarone, a Novel Amiodarone Derivative with an Improved Safety Profile

Amiodarone, a commonly used antiarrhythmic, is also a potent and selective anti-Trypanosoma cruzi agent. Dronedarone is an amiodarone derivative in which the 2,5-diiodophenyl moiety of the parental drug has been replaced with an unsubstituted phenyl group aiming to eliminate the thyroid toxicity frequently observed with amiodarone treatment. Dronedarone has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and its use as a safe antiarrhythmic has been extensively documented. We show here that dronedarone also has potent anti-T. cruzi activity, against both extracellular epimastigotes and intracellular amastigotes, the clinically relevant form of the parasite. The 50% inhibitory concentrations against both proliferative stages are lower than those previously reported for amiodarone. The mechanism of action of dronedarone resembles that of amiodarone, as it induces a large increase in the intracellular Ca(2+) concentration of the parasite, which results from the release of this ion from intracellular storage sites, including a direct effect of the drug on the mitochondrial electrochemical potential, and through alkalinization of the acidocalcisomes. Our results suggest a possible future repurposed use of dronedarone for the treatment of Chagas' disease.

Regioselective, Stereoselective, and Conformationally Controlled Synthesis of (η4-Tetraarylcyclobutadiene)(η5-carbomethoxycyclopentadienyl)cobalt Metallocenes

The Friedel-Crafts reaction of (η(4)-tetraphenylcyclobutadiene)(η(5)-carbomethoxycyclopentadienyl)cobalt with acid chlorides/aluminum chloride resulted exclusively in para-phenyl acylation. Both monoacylated (1.1 equiv of RCOCl/AlCl(3)) and tetraacylated products (>4 equiv of RCOCl/AlCl(3)) were synthesized. Reaction of PhCC(o-RC(6)H(4)) (R = Me, i-Pr) with Na(C(5)H(4)CO(2)Me) and CoCl(PPh(3))(3) gave predominantly (η(4)-1,3-diaryl-2,4-diphenylcyclobutadiene)(η(5)-carbomethoxycyclopentadienyl)cobalt metallocenes (1,3-[trans] vs 1,2-[cis] selectivity up to 6:1). Conformational control of Friedel-Crafts reactions on the major isomers gave exclusively para-acylation of the unsubstituted phenyl groups.

Disk Lubricants for Spontaneous Adsorption and Grafting to Carbon Overcoat by UV Irradiation

A molecular orbital study was performed to elucidate the π–π charge transfer interaction between perfluoropolyether (PFPE) lubricants possessing phenylic end-groups and the carbon overcoat of magnetic hard disks. It is revealed that the phenylic unit and the graphitic segment of the carbon attract each other leading to spontaneous adsorption. The strength of this interaction increases in the order of: an unsubstituted phenyl group < a phenoxy unit < a p-methoxy-phenoxy unit. A molecular dynamics calculation revealed that alkyl-phenyl ether, on capture of an electron, would dissociate to yield the phenoxide anion and the alkyl radical. It is thus predicted that PFPE lubricants with an end-group possessing a phenoxy unit would spontaneously adsorb on the carbon overcoat, and that irradiation of disks coated with such lubricant with short UV (185 nm), thus generating photo-electrons, would result in facile detachment of phenoxy groups and grafting of PFPE molecular chains to the carbon surface at the chain terminus. Four new PFPE lubricants, Z-SA1 and Z-SA2 based on the Fomblin Z type backbone, and D-SA1 and D-SA2 based on the Demnum backbone were synthesized, where SA1 and SA2 indicate end-groups possessing a phenoxy unit and a p-methoxy-pheoxy unit at the ω-position, respectively. Disks coated with these lubricants were tested for (1) spin-off rate, (2) diffusion over the disk surface, (3) facility for photo-grafting by UV, (4) water contact angle (before and after UV exposure), (5) the catalytic degradation, and (6) the on-track time-to-failure test. A TOF-SIMS study of disks coated with D-SA1 and D-SA2 was performed to elucidate the disposition of lubricant molecular chains due to spontaneous adsorption and the effect of UV irradiation. All the experimental results were found to be in good accord with predictions given by the molecular orbital study. In the time-to-failure test, disks coated with Z-tetraol, Z-SA1, and Z-SA2 were compared. The durability was found to increase in the order of Z-tetraol < Z-SA1 < Z-SA2.

Synthesis and characterization of triphenylamine derivatives by oxidative polymerization

Hole transport polymers consisting of 4-methoxytriphenylamine (P-MOTPA) and 4- n-butyltriphenylamine (P-BTPA) were synthesized by oxidative coupling reaction using FeCl 3 as an oxidant. These polymers had good solubility and their thin films showed sufficient morphological stability. 1H NMR and 13C NMR revealed that the monomers were exclusively connected at the p-positions of unsubstituted phenyl groups. Polymers had UV absorption maximum around 370 nm. Cyclic voltammograms of polymers showed well-defined pairs of reduction and oxidation peaks at 1.1 V versus Ag/AgCl, indicating that the polymers are electrochemically active. P-MOTPA and P-BTPA had hole drift mobility of being 4.04 × 10 −5 and 2.98 × 10 −5 cm 2/V s at the electric field of 50 V/μm, respectively.

Engineering Hydrogen-Bonded Molecular Crystals Built from Derivatives of Hexaphenylbenzene and Related Compounds

Hexakis[4-(2,4-diamino-1,3,5-triazin-6-yl)phenyl]benzene (4) incorporates a disc-shaped hexaphenylbenzene core and six peripheral diaminotriazine groups that can engage in hydrogen bonding according to established motifs. Under all conditions examined, compound 4 crystallizes as planned to give closely related noninterpenetrated three-dimensional networks built from sheets in which each molecule has six hydrogen-bonded neighbors. In the structure of compound 4, the number of hydrogen bonds per molecule and the percentage of volume accessible to guests approach the highest values so far observed in molecular networks. Analogue 5 (which has the same hexaphenylbenzene core but only four diaminotriazine groups at the 1,2,4,5-positions) and analogue 7 (in which the two unsubstituted phenyl groups of compound 5 are replaced by methyl groups) crystallize according to a closely similar pattern. Analogues with flatter pentaphenylbenzene or tetraphenylbenzene cores crystallize differently, underscoring the importance of maintaining a consistent molecular shape in attempts to engineer crystals with predetermined properties.

1H and 13C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Studies of the Hindered Phencyclone Adducts of Some Smaller Branched N-Alkyl Maleimides: Rigorous Aryl Proton Assignments with High-Resolution Two-Dimensional (COSY45) Spectroscopy, and Anisotropic Shielding Effects and Ab Initio Geometry Optimizations

Phencyclone, 1, a potent Diels-Alder diene, reacts with a series of N-alkylmaleimides, 2, to form hindered adducts, 3. The 300 MHz 1H and 75 MHz 13C NMR studies of these adducts at ambient temperatures have demonstrated slow rotations on the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) timescales for the unsubstituted bridgehead phenyl groups, and have revealed substantial magnetic anisotropic shielding effects in the 1H spectra of the N-alkyl groups of the adducts. The selected N-alkyl groups for the target compounds emphasized smaller branched alkyls, including C3 (isopropyl, a); C4 (isobutyl, b; and t-butyl, c); C5 (n-pentyl, d; isopentyl [isoamyl], e; 1-ethylpropyl, f; t-amyl, g;) and a related C8 isomer (1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl ["t-octyl"], h). The straight-chain n-pentyl analog was included as a reference. This present work on the branched N-alkylmaleimide adducts appreciably extends our earlier compilation on the N-n-alkylmaleimide adducts. Key methods for proton assignments included "high-resolution" 1H-1H chemical shift correlation spectroscopy, COSY45. 13C NMR of the adducts, 3, verified the expected number of aryl carbons for slow exchange limit (SEL) spectra of the bridgehead phenyl groups. The synthetic routes involved reaction of the corresponding amines, 4, with maleic anhydride to give the N-alkylmaleamic acids, 5, which underwent cyclodehydration to form the maleimides, 2. Magnetic anisotropic shielding magnitudes for alkyl group protons in the adducts were calculated relative to corresponding proton chemical shifts in the maleimides. Geometry optimizations for the above adducts (and for the N-n-butylmaleimide adduct) were performed at the Hartree-Fock level with the 6-31G* basis set. The existence of different contributing conformers for the adducts is discussed with respect to their calculated energies and implications regarding experimentally observed anisotropic shielding magnitudes.

Diels-Alder Adducts of 3,6-Dibromophencyclone with Short-Chain N-n-Alkylmaleimides: 1H and 13C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Studies of Hindered Rotations and Magnetic Anisotropy, and Ab Initio Calculations for Optimized Structures

3,6-Dibromophencyclone, 2, reacted with N-ethylmaleimide, 3a; N-n-propylmaleimide, 3b; and N-n-butylmaleimide, 3c; to form the corresponding Diels-Alder adducts, 4a, 4b, and 4c. The nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of the adducts were studied at ambient temperatures at 300 MHz for proton and 75 MHz for carbon-13. Full proton assignments were achieved by high-resolution COSY45 spectra for the aryl proton regions. Rigorous assignments for protonated carbons were obtained with the heteronuclear chemical shift correlation spectra (HETCOR). Slow exchange limit (SEL) spectra were observed for both proton and carbon-13 NMR for each adduct, with slow rotation on the NMR timescales for the unsubstituted bridgehead phenyl groups. Endo Diels-Alder adduct stereochemistry was supported by substantial magnetic anisotropic shielding effects in the 1H NMR spectra of the alkyl groups. Proton NMR shifts are compared with those previously reported for the corresponding adducts, 5b and 5c, obtained from 3b and 3c, respectively, with the parent compound, phencyclone, 1. Results of ab initio molecular modeling calculations at the Hartree-Fock level using the LACVP* basis set for conformers of the dibrominated adducts, 4a-4c, are presented, together with HF/6-31G* results for the non-brominated adducts, 5a, 5b, and 5c. Novel aspects of this present work include: (a) attempts to quantitatively evaluate alkyl proton NMR shielding magnitudes in the adducts, relative to maleimide precursors, and (b) use of ab initio Hartree-Fock level calculations to try to reconcile adduct geometries with the observed shielding magnitudes. Our results here complement and extend studies of: (a) adducts of the parent phencyclone with straight-chain N-n-alkylmaleimides, and (b) adducts of 3,6-dibromophencyclone with other symmetrical dienophiles.

NMR Studies of Crowded Diels–Alder Adducts of 3,6‐Dibromophencyclone with N‐(2,6‐Dialkylphenyl)maleimides. Hindered Rotations and Magnetic Anisotropy. Ab Initio Calculations for Optimized Structures of the Precursor Maleimides and Their Adducts with Phencyclone and 3,6‐Dibromophencyclone

6,9‐Dibromo‐1,3‐diphenyl‐2H‐cyclopenta[l]phenanthren‐2‐one (commonly known as 3,6‐dibromophencyclone), 1b, reacted with N‐(2,6‐dimethylphenyl)maleimide, 2a; with N‐(2,6‐diethylphenyl)maleimide, 2b; and with N‐(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)maleimide, 2c, respectively, to yield the corresponding Diels–Alder adducts, 4a–c. The adducts were extensively characterized by NMR (7 T) at ambient temperatures using one‐ and two‐dimensional (1D and 2D) proton and carbon‐13 techniques for assignments. Slow exchange limit (SEL) spectra were observed, demonstrating slow rotations on the NMR timescales, for the unsubstituted bridgehead phenyl groups [C(sp3)–C(aryl sp2) bond rotations] and for the 2,6‐dialkylphenyl groups [N(sp2)–C(aryl sp2) bond rotations]. Substantial magnetic anisotropic shifts were seen in the adducts. For example, in the N‐(2,6‐dialkylphenyl) moieties of the adducts, one of the alkyl groups is directed “into” the adduct cavity, toward the phenanthrenoid portion, and these “inner” alkyl proton NMR signals were shifted upfield. Thus, in CDCl3, the inner methyl of adduct 4a exhibits a proton resonance at −0.05 ppm, upfield of tetramethylsilane (TMS); the inner ethyl group signals from 4b appear at 0.09 ppm (CH2, quartet) and −0.11 ppm (CH3, triplet); and the inner isopropyl group from 4c is seen at −0.10 ppm (methine, approx. septet) and, −0.28 ppm (CH3, doublet). Ab initio molecular modeling results are presented for the precursor maleimides, 2, and their adducts, 3, from the parent phencyclone, 1a, at the restricted Hartree–Fock level using the 6‐31G* basis set. Results for the dibromoadducts, 4, used the LAV3P* basis set.

Proton and Carbon‐13 NMR Studies of the Phencyclone Adducts of Medium Alkyl Chain‐Length N‐n‐Alkylmaleimides. Hindered Rotations and Magnetic Anisotropic Effects. Ab initio Calculations for Optimized Structures

The Diels–Alder adducts, 3a–e, of phencyclone, 1, have been prepared from a series of N‐n‐alkylmaleimides, 2, with medium chain‐length n‐alkyl groups. The maleimides were obtained by cyclodehydration of the N‐n‐alkylmaleamic acids, 4, formed from reaction of maleic anhydride with the corresponding n‐alkylamines. The five adducts prepared included derivatives from n‐heptyl, 3a; n‐octyl, 3b; n‐nonyl, 3c; n‐decyl, 3d; and n‐dodecyl, 3e. The NMR spectra of the adducts were studied in CDCl3 at ambient temperatures at 300 MHz for proton and 75 MHz for carbon‐13, with full proton assignments achieved by high‐resolution COSY45 spectra for the aryl and the alkyl regions. Slow exchange limit (SEL) spectra were observed for both 1H and 13C spectra showing slow rotation on the NMR timescales of the unsubstituted bridgehead phenyl groups. Endo Diels–Alder adduct stereochemistry was supported by striking magnetic anisotropic shielding effects in the 1H spectra of the alkyl groups, with the NCH2 CH 2 signal of each adduct appearing upfield of tetramethylsilane (TMS) at ca. −0.32 ppm. Proton NMR spectra for precursor maleamic acids and maleimides are reported, with some solvent effects found (CDCl3 vs. d 6‐acetone) for the carbon‐bound HC˭CH protons of 4. Ab initio molecular modeling calculations at the Hartree‐Fock level using the 6‐31G* basis set have been performed for two key conformers of the phencyclone adduct of N‐n‐octylmaleimide, as a representative structure for these hindered adducts, to estimate geometric parameters for the adduct. A syn conformer, with the alkyl chain directed into the adduct cavity, was found to be ca. 0.23 kcal/mol lower energy than an anti conformer (in which the alkyl chain was directed away from the phenanthrenoid moiety).

NMR Studies of Crowded Diels–Alder Adducts of Phencyclone with N‐(2,6‐Dialkylphenyl)maleimides. Hindered Rotations and Magnetic Anisotropy

Phencyclone, 1, reacted with N‐(2,6‐dimethylphenyl)maleimide, 2a; with N‐(2,6‐diethylphenyl)maleimide, 2b; and with N‐(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)maleimide, 2c, respectively, to yield the corresponding Diels–Alder adducts, 3a–c. The adducts were extensively characterized by NMR (7 T) at ambient temperatures using one‐ and two‐dimensional (1D and 2D) proton and carbon‐13 techniques for assignments. Slow exchange limit (SEL) spectra were observed, demonstrating slow rotations on the NMR timescales, for the unsubstituted bridgehead phenyl groups [C(sp3)–C(aryl sp2) bond rotations] and for the 2,6‐dialkylphenyl groups [N(sp2)–C(aryl sp2) bond rotations]. Substantial magnetic anisotropic shifts were seen in the adducts. For example, in the N‐(2,6‐dialkylphenyl) moieties of the adducts, one of the alkyl groups is directed “into” the adduct cavity, toward the phenanthrenoid portion, and these “inner” alkyl proton NMR signals were shifted upfield. Thus, in CDCl3, the “inner” methyl of adduct 3a exhibits a proton resonance at −0.13 ppm, upfield of tetramethylsilane (TMS); the “inner” ethyl group signals from 3b appear at 0.026 ppm (CH2, quartet), and −0.21 ppm (CH3, triplet); and the “inner” isopropyl group from 3c is seen at −0.06 ppm (methine, approx. septet) and −0.39 ppm (CH3, doublet). Proton NMR of the crude N‐(2,6‐dialkylphenyl)maleamic acids (used as precursors of the maleimides, 2a–c) exhibited two sets of AB quartet signals, suggesting possible conformers from hindered rotation in the amide groups about the HN–C˭O bonds.

NMR Studies of Hindered Rotation and Magnetic Anisotropy: The Diels–Alder Adducts of Phencyclone with N‐Phenylmaleimide and N‐(2‐Trifluoromethylphenyl)maleimide. Ab Initio Calculations for Optimized Structures

N‐Phenylmaleimide, 2, and N‐(2‐trifluoromethylphenyl)maleimide, 3, were separately added to phencyclone, 1, to yield the corresponding phencyclone Diels–Alder adducts, 4 and 5. The resulting adducts (and some precursors) have been characterized by one‐ and two‐dimensional 1H and 13C NMR at 300 and 75 MHz, and by 19F NMR at 282 MHz, at ambient temperatures. The NMR data are consistent, for both adducts, with: (a) hindered rotation of the bridgehead unsubstituted phenyl groups about the C(sp2)–C(sp3) bonds, based on slow exchange limit (SEL) spectra and (b) endo adduct configuration based on magnetic anisotropic effects in the 1H NMR. The NMR spectra of the phencyclone adduct, 4, of N‐phenylmaleimide, indicate free rotation on the NMR timescales (fast exchange limit, FEL spectra) about the N‐phenyl bond. The spectra for the adduct, 5, of N‐(2‐trifluoromethylphenyl)maleimide are interpreted as consistent with SEL regimes, for the N‐aryl rotations, with a single rotamer present in which the trifluoromethyl group is directed “out of” the adduct cavity, and away from the phenanthrenoid moiety. This conclusion is based, in part, on NMR data suggesting the apparent slow N‐aryl bond rotation in a pair of atropisomers corresponding to the acetic acid addition products from the N‐(2‐trifluoromethylphenyl)maleimide. Evidence of magnetic anisotropic effects due to the phenanthrenoid moiety and proximal carbonyls is discussed. 1H, 13C, and 19F assignments are presented and interpreted. Molecular modeling calculations at the Hartree–Fock level, 6‐31G* basis set, were performed to provide geometry optimizations for energy‐minimized structures of selected compounds.