Here we report an efficient synthesis of optically active ladder-type molecules and polymers through intramolecular cyclization of chiral triptycenes containing bis[2-(4-alkoxyphenyl)ethynyl]phenylene units. The electrophile-induced cyclization reactions are directed away from the bridgehead carbon atoms of triptycene by steric factors, thereby producing one-handed twisted ladder units without any detectable byproducts. Moreover, the quantitative and regioselective nature of this intramolecular cyclization allowed us to synthesize optically active ladder polymers with a welldefined one-handed helical geometry in which homoconjugated dibenzo[a,h]anthracene units are helically arranged along the main chain. This synthesis route enables the construction of a variety of nanoscale helical ladder architectures and provides an entry into new chiroptical materials.
Hydroboration of internal alkynes with N-heterocyclic carbene boranes (NHC-boranes) occurs to provide stable NHC (E)-alkenylboranes upon thermolysis in the presence of di-tert-butyl peroxide. The E isomer results from an unusual trans-hydroboration, and the E/Z selectivity is typically high (90:10 or greater). Evidence suggests that this hydroboration occurs by a radical-chain reaction involving addition of an NHC-boryl radical to an alkyne to give a β-NHC-borylalkenyl radical. Ensuing hydrogen abstraction from the starting NHC-borane provides the product and returns the starting NHC-boryl radical. Experiments suggest that the observed trans-selectivity results from kinetic control in the hydrogen-transfer reaction.
Generation of sulfonyl radicals from sulfonylhydrazides has been achieved in the presence of a non-toxic iron catalyst and oxygen. The intermolecular addition of resultant sulfonyl radicals to alkenes affords β-hydroxysulfone compounds.
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