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Anthony C Willis

Publications and source records attributed to Anthony C Willis.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2005

Mixed-metal cluster chemistry. 28. Core enlargement of tungsten-iridium clusters with alkynyl, ethyndiyl, and butadiyndiyl reagents.

Reaction of [WIr3(mu-CO)3(CO)8(eta-C5Me5)] (1c) with [W(C[triple bond]CPh)(CO)3(eta-C5H5)] afforded the edge-bridged tetrahedral cluster [W2Ir3(mu4-eta2-C2Ph)(mu-CO)(CO)9(eta-C5H5)(eta-C5Me5)] (3) and the edge-bridged trigonal-bipyramidal cluster [W3Ir3(mu4-eta2-C2Ph)(mu-eta2-C=CHPh)(Cl)(CO)8(eta-C5Me5)(eta-C5H5)2] (4) in poor to fair yield. Cluster 3 forms by insertion of [W(C[triple bond]CPh)(CO)3(eta-C5H5)] into Ir-Ir and W-Ir bonds, accompanied by a change in coordination mode from a terminally bonded alkynyl to a mu4-eta2 alkynyl ligand. Cluster 4 contains an alkynyl ligand interacting with two iridium atoms and two tungsten atoms in a mu4-eta2 fashion, as well as a vinylidene ligand bridging a W-W bond. Reaction of [WIr3(CO)11(eta-C5H5)] (1a) or 1c with [(eta-C5H5)(CO)2 Ru(C[triple bond]C)Ru(CO)2(eta-C5H5)] afforded [Ru2WIr3(mu5-eta2-C2)(mu-CO)3(CO)7(eta-C5H5)2(eta-C5R5)] [R = H (5a), Me (5c)] in low yield, a structural study of 5a revealing a WIr3 butterfly core capped and spiked by Ru atoms; the diruthenium ethyndiyl precursor has undergone Ru-C scission, with insertion of the C2 unit into a W-Ir bond of the cluster precursor. Reaction of [W2Ir2(CO)10(eta-C5H5)2] with the diruthenium ethyndiyl reagent gave [RuW2Ir2{mu4-eta2-(C2C[triple bond]C)Ru(CO)2(eta-C5H5)}(mu-CO)2(CO)6(eta-C5H5)3] (6) in low yield, a structural study of 6 revealing a butterfly W2Ir2 unit capped by a Ru(eta-C5H5) group resulting from Ru-C scission; the terminal C2 of a new ruthenium-bound butadiyndiyl ligand has been inserted into the W-Ir bond. Reaction between 1a, [WIr3(CO)11(eta-C5H4Me)] (1b), or 1c and [(eta-C5H5)(CO)3W(C[triple bond]CC[triple bond]C)W(CO)3(eta-C5H5)] afforded [W2Ir3{mu4-eta2-(C2C[triple bond]C)W(CO)3(eta-C5H5)}(mu-CO)2(CO)2(eta-C5H5)(eta-C5R5)] [R = H (7a), Me (7c); R5 = H4Me (7b)] in good yield, a structural study of 7c revealing it to be a metallaethynyl analogue of 3.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

Allylic stereocontrol of the intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction.

The stereochemical outcome of the intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction of ester-linked 1,3,8-nonatrienes can be controlled by substituents about a stereogenic center attached to C1. The scope and limitations of this approach have been investigated, with variation in substrate structure about the allylic stereocenter and the dienophile. The stereochemical outcomes of these reactions are explained by reference to B3 LYP/6-31G(d) transition structures. New insights into the conformational preferences of allylic alcohol derivatives are reported, results which allow an explanation of the differing levels of pi-diastereofacial selectivity and cis/trans (i.e. endo/exo) selectivity from the reaction.

Ascorbic Acid↗
PubMed2005

Selenoaroyl complexes of molybdenum.

The reaction of mesityl isoselenocyanate with molybdenum alkylidynes provides the first structurally characterised examples of mononuclear selenoaroyl complexes, which may also be obtained directly from elemental selenium in the presence of a catalytic amount of mesityl isocyanide.

Catalysis↗
PubMed2005

Double diels-alder reactions of linear conjugated tetraenes.

[reaction: see text] Linear conjugated tetraenes are shown to participate effectively as bis-dienes in sequences involving either two intermolecular Diels-Alder reactions or an intramolecular followed by an intermolecular Diels-Alder reaction. Thus, simple tetraenol 1 is transformed into tetracyclic products 5, 6, and 9 in high yielding and highly stereoselective sequences with maleic anhydride involving the formation of three rings, four C-C bonds and one C-O bond, and eight stereocenters. In the latter case, the one-pot reaction protocol is very simple, and furnishes a single diastereoisomeric product in essentially quantitative yield. Linear conjugated tetraenes exhibit complete terminal site selectivity in reactions with dienophiles and computational investigations reveal that two discrete pi-conjugative interactions are the origin of this unexpected reactivity. B3LYP/6-31G(d) transition structures also allow an explanation of unexpectedly high pi-diastereofacial selectivities witnessed during these transformations, through the identification of preferred C1-C diene conformations and nonbonded interactions. These new experimental and computational findings encourage the use of linear conjugated polyenes in domino sequences.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

A chemoenzymatic total synthesis of the undecenolide (-)-cladospolide B via a mid-stage ring-closing metathesis and a late-stage photo-rearrangement of the E-isomer.

A sixteen-step synthesis of the twelve-membered macrolide (-)-cladospolide B(2) from the microbially-derived cis-1,2-dihydrocatechol 5 is described. Pivotal steps include the ring-closing metathesis (RCM) of diene 12 to give the ten-membered lactone 13 together with small amounts of the head-to-tail and head-to-head dimers 14 and 15, respectively. The saturated lactol 19 derived from compounds 13 and 14 readily participates in a Wadsworth-Horner-Emmons reaction to give the E-configured alpha,beta-unsaturated ester 20. This last compound is then converted, through application of a Yamaguchi lactonisation reaction on the derived acid 22, into the macrolide 23 which, upon removal of the bis-acetal protecting group, affords compound 24, the E-isomer of target 2. Irradiation of a benzene solution of compound 24 results in its partial photoisomerisation to (-)-cladospolide B(2).

Cladosporium↗
PubMed2005

Complement inhibitor of C5 activation from the soft tick Ornithodoros moubata.

Blood-feeding ticks must control C activation or be damaged by the host inflammatory response. We report the characterization and expression of a novel, relatively small, broad-acting C inhibitory protein (termed OmCI) from the soft tick Ornithodoros moubata. The native 17-kDa nonglycosylated protein inhibits both human and guinea pig classical and alternative C activation pathways. The IC50 values for each pathway were 12 and 27 nM, respectively, in hemolytic assays using human serum diluted 40-fold. The cDNA encodes a protein of 168 aa, including an 18-aa secretion signal sequence that is absent in the mature form. The inhibitor has 46% amino acid identity with moubatin, a platelet aggregation inhibitor also from O. moubata that is an outlying member of the lipocalin family. Native OmCI had no inhibitory effect on the addition of C8 and C9 to preformed C5b-C7 and C5b-C8 to form the membrane attack complex and no effect on the rate of C3a production by the C3 convertase enzymes C4bC2a, C3(H2O)Bb, or C3bBb. Both recombinant and native OmCI abolish production of C5a by human classical (C4bC3bC2a) and alternative (C3bC3bBb) C5 convertases. Addition of excess C5 but not C3 competes away the inhibitory activity of OmCI, indicating that OmCI targets C5 itself rather than inhibiting the C5 convertase C4bC3bC2a itself. Direct binding of OmCI to C5 was demonstrated by Western blotting and gel filtration chromatography using 125I-labeled proteins. OmCI is the first lipocalin family member shown to inhibit C and also the first natural inhibitor that specifically targets the C5 activation step.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2005

Facile C-H bond activation: synthesis of the N4C donor set pentadentate ligand 1,4-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,4-diazacyclononane (dmpdacn) and a structural study of its alkyl-cobalt(III) complex [Co(dmpdacn-C)(OH2)](ClO4)2.H2O and its hydroxylated derivative [Co(dmpdacnOH-O)Cl](ClO4)2.C3H6O.

The 1,4-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,4-diazacyclononane (dmpdacn) ligand with a N(4)C donor set deprotonates at a CH(2) gamma to an amine under extraordinarily mild conditions (pH 7) and binds as a pentadentate ligand to Co(III) as the [Co(dmpdacn-C)(OH(2))](2+) complex. This complex was characterized by 1D and 2D NMR techniques, and a single-crystal X-ray structure is reported. In an alternative synthesis from Co(II), dmpdacn, and air, the same C-bonded complex is obtained along with a novel hydroxylated Co(III) complex [Co(dmpdacnOH-O)Cl](2+) which has been similarly characterized. Here the carbanion has been oxidized, a C- to O-bonded rearrangement has taken place, and the bound aqua group is replaced by Cl(-). The base hydrolysis kinetics of the hydroxylated Co(III) complex are reported, and mechanisms for this and the unusually facile C-H cleavage and CH(2) oxidation reactions are discussed.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

Synthesis, structure, and kinetics and stereochemistry of base-catalyzed hydrolysis of meso- and rac-[Co2(tmpdtne)Cl2]4+, bis(pentaamine) complexes devoid of deprotonatable NH centers.

The bis(pentadentate) ligand tmpdtne binds two Co(II) centers, and the entity is readily oxidized to the dicobalt(III) derivative [Co(2)(tmpdtne)Cl(2)](4+) which has been separated into two isomeric forms. NMR studies establish these as meso and rac isomers arising from the different or same absolute configurations for the asym configuration about each Co(III) center. Each dinuclear ion base hydrolyses to the dihydroxo derivative [Co(2)(tmpdtne)(OH)(2)](4+) with retained asym configurations about each metal ion and also retained rac or meso configurations. The kinetics for the stepwise loss of the two Cl(-) ligands is uniphasic, and data are presented to show that the loss of the first chloride is rate determining and is followed by very rapid intramolecular and loss of the second Cl(-) via a hydroxo-bridged species to yield the observed dihydroxo derivative. Meso and rac forms of the latter have been crystallized. The X-ray crystal structure of the rac-dihydroxo complex is reported, and it establishes the configurations of all the complexes reported. The (1)H NMR spectra for the hydroxo ions show very high field Co-OH resonances (ca. delta-0.5 ppm) not observed previously for such ions, and this result is discussed in the context of published (1)H NMR data for bridged Co-OH-Co species. The base hydrolysis kinetics for the dichloro ions are first order in [OH(-)], and deprotonation at an alpha-CH(2) center (alpha to a pyridyl) is identified as the source of the catalysis, since there is no NH center available for deprotonation on the ligand. These data further support the new pseudoaminate base hydrolysis mechanism first reported in 2003. The values of k(OH) for the second-order base-catalyzed reaction are ca. 4.0 M(-1) s(-1) for both the rac and meso isomers, and these results are discussed in terms of the increased acidities of these 4+ cations compared to their 2+ ion counterparts.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

The first sideways-bonded peroxo complex for a tetraaminecobalt(III) species.

Cobalt(II) salts react with H2O2 in the presence of 2 equiv of tetramethylethylenediamine (tmen) to produce a stable sideways bonded mononuclear peroxo complex [Co(tmen)2O2]ClO4 which has been characterized chemically and by a single crystal X-ray determination. This is the first such tetraaminecobalt(III) complex, indeed, the first for any tetraaminemetal ion complex. The mononuclear peroxo complex can also be synthesized by O2 2- anation of cis-[Co(tmen)2(OH2)2]3+. This reaction is reversed in acid, and this offers the potential to develop Co(III) catalyzed oxidation reactions.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

Synthesis, characterization, and electrochemical relationships of dinuclear complexes of platinum(II) and platinum(III) containing ortho-metalated tertiary arsine ligands.

Reaction of 2-Li-4-MeC6H3AsPh2 with [PtCl2(SEt2)2] gives two isomeric dinuclear platinum(II) complexes, one containing a half-lantern structure with two chelating and two bridging C6H3-5-Me-2-AsPh2 ligands, [Pt2(kappa2As,C-C6H3-5-Me-2-AsPh2)2(mu-kappaAs,kappaC-C6H3-5-Me-2-AsPh2)2], and the other, a full-lantern with four bridging C6H3-5-Me-2-AsPh2 ligands, [Pt2(mu-kappaAs,kappaC-C6H3-5-Me-2-AsPh2)4]. The lantern structure of the latter is retained in the dihalodiplatinum(III) complexes that are formed by oxidative addition of chlorine, bromine, or iodine to the isomeric mixture. The dichloro derivative undergoes metathesis reactions with silver or sodium salts, yielding the corresponding cyano, thiocyanato, cyanato, and fluoro species. The structures of all complexes have been determined by single-crystal X-ray analysis. The oxidative addition products have Pt-Pt distances in the range 2.65-2.79 A (cf. 2.89 A in the lantern diplatinum(II) structure), consistent with the presence of a Pt-Pt bond. Electrochemical data lead to the conclusion that an initial rapid one-electron process and subsequent chemical reactions produce the dihalodiplatinum(III) lantern structure when mixtures of the lantern and half-lantern complexes are oxidized by halogens. The electrochemical data also explain why chemical reduction of the dihalodiplatinum(III) complex produces only the lantern diplatinum(II) complex.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

Pyridyl-based pentadentate ligands: base-catalyzed hydrolysis of asym-[Co(dmptacn)Cl]2+.

The [Co(dmptacn)Cl](2+) (dmptacn = 1,4-bis(pyridylmethyl)-1,4,7-triazacyclononane) complex has been shown to be the asym isomer through 1D and 2D NMR studies, its optical resolution, and the single-crystal X-ray structure of its perchlorate salt. The kinetics of base-catalyzed hydrolysis establishes the usual [OH(-)] dependence (k(OH) = 0.040 M(-1) s(-1), 25 degrees C, I = 1.0 M, NaCl), but D-exchange experiments reveal that substantial if not complete reaction proceeds via the new pseudoaminate mechanism, i.e., via deprotonation at an alpha-CH(2) center rather than the NH. The significant kinetic isotope effect (k(H)/k(D) = 2.1) is interpreted in terms of rate-limiting deprotonation followed by reprotonation of the conjugate base at a rate competitive with loss of Cl(-). NMR and polarimetric studies establish geometric and optical retention for the hydrolysis reaction and exclude even the transient formation of a sym isomer intermediate.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

Caveats for poly(methimazolyl)borate chemistry: the novel inorganic heterocycles [H2C(mt)2BR2]Cl (mt = methimazolyl; BR2 = BH2, BH(mt), 9-BBN).

Whilst frequently used for reactions of poly(methimazolyl)borates, dichloromethane is not an innocent solvent, but rather slowly forms heterocyclic salts [H(2)C(mt)(2)BR(2)]Cl, three examples of which (BR(2) = BH(2), BH(mt), 9-borabicyclononyl) have been structurally characterised to confirm the unprecedented B(NCS)(2)C connectivity.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

Multicomponent coupling approach to (+/-)-frondosin B and a ring-expanded analogue.

[reaction: see text] A recently discovered multicomponent coupling reaction is used to give direct access to a late intermediate in the synthesis of frondosin B. This intermediate can also be efficiently converted to a ring-expanded analogue of frondosin B by sustained heating of the reaction mixture. An unprecedented tandem 1,7-hydrogen shift, 8pi-electrocyclization is proposed to explain the formation of this ring-expanded species.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Diastereoselectivity and molecular recognition in the self-assembly of double-stranded dinuclear metal complexes of the type [M2[(R,S)-tetraphos]2](PF6)2 (M = Ag and Au).

The ligand (R,S)-Ph(2)PCH(2)CH(2)P(Ph)CH(2)CH(2)P(Ph)CH(2)CH(2)PPh(2), (R,S)-tetraphos, combines with silver(I) and gold(I) ions in the presence of hexafluorophosphate to diastereoselectively self-assemble the head-to-head (H,H) diastereomers of the double-stranded, dinuclear metal complexes [M(2)[(R,S)-tetraphos](2)](PF(6))(2) in which the two chiral metal centers in the complexes have M (R end of phosphine) and P (S end of phosphine) configurations. The crystal and molecular structures of the compounds have been determined: (H,H)-(M,P) -[Ag(2)[(R,S)-tetraphos](2)](PF(6))(2), monoclinic, P2(1)/c, a = 10.3784(2), b = 47.320(1), c = 17.3385(4) A, beta = 103.8963(5) degrees, Z = 4; (H,H)-(M,P)-[Au(2)[(R,S)-tetraphos](2)](PF(6))(2), monoclinic, P.2(1) (No. 4, c unique axis), a = 24.385(4), b = 46.175(3), c = 14.820(4) A, Z = 8. The complexes crystallize as racemic compounds in which the unit cell in each case contains equal numbers of enantiomorphic molecules of the cation and associated anions. The cations in both structures have similar side-by-side structures of idealized C(2) symmetry, the bulk helicity of each molecule in the solid state being due solely to the twist of the central ten-membered ring containing the two metal ions of opposite configuration, which has the chiral twist-boat-chair-boat conformation. When 1 equiv each of (R,S)-tetraphos, (R,R)-(+/-)-tetraphos, (S,S)-(+)-tetraphos, 2 equiv of Ph(2)PCH(2)CH(2)PPh(2) (dppe), and 7 equiv of [AuCl(SMe(2))] in dichloromethane are allowed to react for several minutes in the presence of an excess of ammonium hexafluorophosphate in water (two phases), the products are the double-stranded digold(I) complexes in which each ligand strand has recognized itself by stereoselective self-assembly, together with [Au(dppe)(2)]PF(6).

Journal Article↗
PubMed2003

Allylic halogenation of unsaturated amino acids.

A range of dehydro amino acid derivatives has been prepared and subjected to halogenation using either molecular bromine or chlorine, or NBS. Allylic halogenation of the unsaturated amino acid side chains occurs through radical bromination with NBS. The procedure is complementary to treatment with chlorine, which also affords allyl halides. This latter and unusual reaction is shown through a deuterium labelling study to proceed via an ionic mechanism. The choice of NBS or chlorine for allyl halide synthesis is shown to depend on the potential to avoid competing reactions, such as halolactonization of leucine derivatives with chlorine, and hydrogen abstraction and bromine incorporation at multiple sites on treatment of isoleucine derivatives with NBS. The synthetic utility of the allyl halides prepared in this study is indicated through the synthesis of a cyclopropyl amino acid derivative and the extension of the carbon skeleton of an amino acid side chain.

Allyl Compounds↗