Synthesis of substituted 2-pyridyl-4-phenylquinolines

Article abstract of DOI:10.3390/70800618

The acid-catalyzed condensation of o-aminobenzophenones with aromatic acetyl derivatives, in a basic methanol/tetrahydrofuran medium, has been used to prepare a series of substituted 2-pyridyl-4-phenylquinolines. Derivatives having two aza binding sites can act as asymmetric bidendate ligands to complex transition metals such as ruthenium, osmium or iridium. All the compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, Ei or FAB (+) MS, ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR spectroscopies. Complete assignments of the (1)H spectra were accomplished by using a combination of one- and two-dimensional NMR techniques.

Full text of DOI:10.3390/70800618

Molecules, 2002, 7, 618-627
molecules
ISSN 1420-3049
http://www.mdpi.org
Synthesis of Substituted 2-Pyridyl-4-phenylquinolines
Antonino Mamo*, Salvatore Nicoletti and N. Cam Tat
Department of Physical and Chemical Methodologies for Engineering, Engineering Faculty, University
of Catania, V.le Andrea Doria 6, I-95125 Catania, Italy. Tel. +39-95-7382756, Fax +39-95-333231.
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; e-mail: mamo@dmfci.ing.unict.it
Received: 21 June 2002; in revised form: 2 August 2002 / Accepted: 3 August 2002 / Published: 31
August 2002
____________________________________________________________________
Abstract: The acid-catalyzed condensation of o-aminobenzophenones with aromatic
acetyl derivatives, in a basic methanol/tetrahydrofuran medium, has been used to prepare a
series of substituted 2-pyridyl-4-phenylquinolines. Derivatives having two aza binding
sites can act as asymmetric bidendate ligands to complex transition metals such as
ruthenium, osmium or iridium. All the compounds were characterized by elemental
1
13
analysis, Ei or FAB (+) MS, H- and C-NMR spectroscopies. Complete assignments of
1
the H spectra were accomplished by using a combination of one- and two-dimensional
NMR techniques.
Keywords: Quinoline derivatives, asymmetric bidentate aza-ligands, 2D-NMR.
____________________________________________________________________
Introduction
In the past few decades luminescent transition metal complexes based on polypyridine ligands,
owing to their long-lived metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) excited states, have already been
used in various fields such as solar energy conversion [1], information storage [2], photocleavage of
DNA [3], and oxygen sensors [4]. Although the photophysics and photochemistry of [Ru(bpy)3]2+ (bpy
= 2,2’ bipiridine) have been the subject of extensive research [1–4], few other bidentate ligands, i.e.
having two aza binding sites, have been prepared and the photophysical and/or photochemical

Molecules, 2002, 7
619
properties of their complexes with transition metals studied [5]. As a continuation of previous studies
in this field [6], we now report the synthesis and characterization of the ligands shown in Scheme 1,
with the aim of studing the photochemical properties of their complexes with transition metals such as
ruthenium, osmium or iridium. Three of these asymmetric bidendate ligands (L2 – L4) are new. All the
1
compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, EI or FAB mass, H and 13C NMR
spectroscopies. Complete assignments of the 1H spectra of the various compounds were accomplished
by using a combination of one- and two-dimensional NMR techniques.
Scheme 1
R2
R3
N
R1
N
Ligands
R1
H
R2
R3
H
Initials
ph-pq
H
H
L1
L2
L3
L4
CH3
CH3
H
H
mph-pq
mph-mpq
brph-mpq
H
CH3
CH3
Br
Results and discussion
The literature describes numerous different ways to prepare substituted quinoline rings: i.e., by
exploiting quinoline carboxamides [7], acid-catalyzed condensation of o-aminobenzophenones [8] with
ketones [9], sequential vinylic substitution/annelation processes [10], reactions of N-arylnitrilium salts
with acetylenes [11], cyclodehydration of o-vinyl anilides [12], intramolecular Wittig reactions [13],
and cyclization of oximes [14]. Using o-isocyanostyrenes only symmetric biquinoline may be prepared
[15]. Following the synthetic pathway previously used for the preparation of the unsubstituted ligand
4-phenyl-2-(2’-pyridyl)quinoline (L1, ph-pq) [16], namely the acid-catalyzed condensation of o-
amino-benzophenone with 2- acetylpyridine derivatives, as shown in Scheme 2, we have now
synthetized the ligands 4-phenyl-7-methyl-2-(2’-pyridyl)quinoline (L2, mph-pq) and 4-phenyl-7-
methyl-2-[2’-(6’-methyl)pyridyl]-quinoline (L3, mph-mpq).

Molecules, 2002, 7
620
Scheme 2
"
4
O
N
5
8
3
6
N
6'
5'
N
3'
4'
L2
m-cresol/P2O5
O
135 °C
"
4
NH2
O
5
N
6
3
N
N
8
3'
5'
4'
L3
The ligand 4-phenyl-6-bromo-2-[2’-(6’-methyl)-pyridyl]quinoline (L4, brph-mpq) was obtained in
a three synthetic steps (Scheme 3) starting from p-nitrobromobenzene.
Scheme 3
'
5
'
'
3
6
Br
CH2CN
'
2
4
7
KOH
Br
+
O
6
MeOH / THF
N
NO2
1

Molecules, 2002, 7
621
Scheme 3 (cont.)
"
4'
4
'
'
5
3
N
'
'
6
2
Fe
O
5
8
1
6
Br
Br
3
CH3COOH
m-cresol / P2O5
O
N
7
4
N
NH2
3
3'
5'
4'
2
L4
2-Amino-5-bromobenzophenone (2) was obtained by condensation of p-nitrobromobenzene with
phenylacetonitrile in a basic methanol/tetrahydrofuran medium to give 3-phenyl-5-bromo-2,1-
benzisoxazole (1) (66%), which upon reductive cleavage (Fe/CH3COOH) of the benzisoxazole ring
was converted to the desired aminoketone 2 (70 %). A subsequent Friedlander reaction [17] of the o-
aminobenzophenone 2 with 2-acetyl-6-methylpyridine, using a mixture of m-cresol and phosphorous
pentoxide gave ligand L4 (71%). Table I reports the results of a complete 1H-NMR analysis of ligands
L1–L4. Proton chemical shifts and J(H,H) values were measured at 500 MHz.
Table I. 1H NMR parameters of ligands L1 – L4
Proton
L1
L2
L3
L4
8.53 s
8.47 s
8.48 s
8.57 s
3
5
6
7
8
7.96 d
7.85 d
7.22 d
8.06 d
J=8.0
J=9.0
J=7.5
J=2.0
7.56-7.50
m
7.34 bd
7.34 dd
-
J=6.0
J=8.5, 1.5
7.75 dt
7.79 dd
-
-
J=7.0, 1.5
J=7.0, 2.0
8.26 d
7.23 d
8.05 bs
8.04 bs
J=8.5
J=7.5

Molecules, 2002, 7
622
8.71 d
8.69 d
7.83 d
8.45 d
3’
4’
J=7.5
J=8.0
J=8.5
J=8.0
7.90 dt
7.88 dt
7.77 t
7.77 t
J=8.0, 2.0
J=8.0, 1.5
J=7.5
J=8.0
7.37 bt
7.36 dt
8.47 d
8.10 d
5’
J=6.5
J=7.5, 1.5
J=7.5
J=8.5
8.74 d
8.73 dd
-
-
6’
J=4.5
J=4.5, 1.0
7.62-7.50
m
7.61-7.49
m
7.61-7.50
m
7.57-7.51
m
Ph
-
-
-
2.65 s
2.59 s
2.64 s
-
Py-CH3
q-CH3
2.60 s
Notes: The spectra were obtained in deuterated chloroform (CDCl3), chemical shifts in
ppm, and coupling constants in Hz. Numbering pattern as shown in Schemes 2 and 3.
Abbreviations used: bs = broad singlet, s = singlet, d = doublet, dd = double doublet, m =
multiplet, t = triplet, dt =double triplet.
Assignments were aided by the use of 2D homonuclear chemical shift correlated 1H-NMR (COSY)
[18]. As an example, Figure 1 shows the COSY–45 experiment of L1 and includes as the upper and left
1
traces the related H-NMR spectrum, both run in deuterated chloroform (CDCl3). The 1H singlet at
8.53 ppm was easily assigned by the integration ratio to the quinoline proton H3. A four-spin system is
identified, through the COSY spectrum, as connecting the 1H signals at 8.26, 7.96, 7.75, and 7.57-7.50
ppm. The doublet (ortho coupling) at 8.26 ppm and the double triplet at 7.75 ppm have been assigned
to H8 and H7, respectively, by comparison with the literature 1H data for L1 in deuterated acetone [16].
The resonances for H5 and H6 could be assigned to the signals at 7.96 and 7.57-7.50 ppm,
1
respectively. The H double triplet at 7.90 ppm, diagnostic for a γ-pyridine [19], and involved in
1
another four spin system connecting the H signals at 8.74, 8.71, 7.90, and 7.37 ppm, was assigned to
the pyridine proton H4’. As a consequence of the meta and ortho couplings showed by H4’, the
doublets at 8.74, 8.71, and the broad triplet at 7.37 ppm, that in turn are correlated themselves, were
easily assigned at H6’, H3’, and H5’, respectively. It is worth noting that ortho, meta, and para cross-
peaks are observable in the COSY-45 spectrum and can be distinguished from the number and/or the
intensity of the spots.

Molecules, 2002, 7
Figure 1: 500 MHz 1H/H1 COSY-45 spectrum of L1 in deuterated chloroform. The upper
623
and left traces are 1D proton spectrum of L1.
The highest downfield shift experienced by the H3’ protons, due to deshielding by the non-
bonding electrons of the nitrogen on the pyridine ring, is indicative of an anti conformation for
the ligands, in agreement with the conformation considered the most probable for bipyridine [5].
1
According to literature data [19], confirmed by our H-NMR analyses, these uncomplexed
molecules show an anti conformation (as depicted in Schemes 1 - 3) that changes to a syn one

Molecules, 2002, 7
624
when they act as ligands by using the nitrogen of the pyridine and quinoline rings as binding
sites. According to the inductive and/or mesomeric effects of the substituents, their introduction
onto the skeleton of the N-N bidendate ligand L1 influence the upfield and/or downfield chemical
shift of the nearest protons, and the reactivity of these molecules as well. The structures of
13
ligands L1-L4 was further confirmed by their C-NMR spectra (see Table II), which displayed
the expected patterns.
Table II. 13C NMR parameters of ligandsf L1 – L4
Carbon
L1
L2
L3
L4
2
156.40
119.24
149.23
125.82
128.30
129.39
130.21
148.51
126.78
155.64
121.87
136.94
124.03
149.17
138.40
128.44
129.67
126.78
-
156.54
118.48
149.02
125.47
129.03
139.62
129.20
148.74
124.78
155.59
121.78
136.87
123.92
149.11
138.55
128.41
129.63
128.21
-
155.97
118.62
148.88
125.45
128.90
139.55
129.16
148.70
124.76
155.88
118.82
137.05
123.48
157.90
138.74
128.43
129.64
128.17
24.64
156.35
118.85
148.24
128.55
120.80
132.79
131.87
147.08
123.80
155.31
120.11
137.11
123.79
158.04
137.88
128.69
129.55
127.93
24.61
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
2’
3’
4’
5’
6’
1”
2”/6”
3”5”
4”
Py-CH3
q-CH3
-
21.66
21.67
-
Notes: [a] The spectra were obtained in deuterated chloroform (CDCl3),
(chemical shifts in ppm); [b] Numbering patterns as shown in Schemes 2 and 3.
Conclusions
We report the synthesis of a series of bidentate aza chelating molecules, based on a substituted
2-pyridyl-4-phenylquinoline skeleton, that may be useful for the complexation of metal cations such as
Ru, Os, and Ir. These complexes, owing to their asymmetry, may display new and interesting
photophysical properties.

Molecules, 2002, 7
625
Acknowledgements
The research was financially supported by the University of Catania (PRA funds).
Experimental
General
The starting materials 2-acetylpyridine, 2-aminobenzophenone, 2-amino-4-methylbenzophenone, p-
nitrobromobenzene, and phenylacetonitrile were purchased from Aldrich. All other chemicals were
reagent grade. 6-Methyl-2-acetylpyridine [20] and the ligand 4-phenyl-2-(2’-pyridyl)pyridine (L1)
[16], were prepared as described in the literature. All reactions were performed under an inert
atmosphere of nitrogen except when otherwise stated and the solvents were dried and stored under
nitrogen and over 4Å molecular sieves. Melting points are uncorrected. Elemental analyses were
1
determined by a commercial laboratory. H- and 13C-NMR spectra were performed in deuterated
chloroform (CDCl3) with a Varian INOVA 500 instrument. Chemical shifts were calibrated relative to
the solvent resonance considered at 7.26 ppm for residual CHCl3 and at 77.0 ppm for CDCl3. The
analysis of the proton spectra was carried out according to the rules for the first-order splitting with the
help of integral intensities. The 13C-NMR spectra were measured with full decoupling from the
protons, and the signals were assigned with the help of SCS. The quaternary carbon atoms and CH
groups were differentiated by means of the APT pulse sequence. Positive ion FAB mass spectra were
obtained on a Kratos MS 50 S double-focusing mass spectrometer equipped with a standard FAB
source, using 3-nitrobenzyl alcohol as a matrix. The yields, melting points and elemental analyses of
1
the ligands synthetized are presented in Table III. The H- and 13C-NMR spectra with signal
assignments are given in Tables I and II, respectively.
3-phenyl-5-bromo-2,1-benzisoxazole (1): Phenylacetonitrile (1.75 g, 15 mmol) was slowly added to a
vigorously stirred solution of potassium hydroxide (17.76 g, 310 mmol) in methanol (35 mL) at room
temperature. After dissolution was complete, 36 mL of a methanol/tetrahydrofuran (2 : 1 v/v) solution
containing p-nitrobromobenzene (3.0 g, 15 mmol) was added dropwise at 0 °C. The resulting dark
mixture was stirred at 0 °C for 3 hours, at room temperature for 4 hours, refluxed overnight, and then
poured into ice-water (300 mL), filtered, washed successively with cold water and methanol and
recrystallized from methanol to afford compound 1 as yellow crystals; 2.22 g (66%); m.p. 112 °C; 1H-
NMR (CDCl3) δ: 8.05 (bs, 1H, benzisoxazole H4); 7.99 (d, 2H, J = 7.0 Hz, phenyl H2’/H6’), 7.58 (m,
3H, phenyl H4’ and H3’/H5’); 7.53 (dd, 1H, J = 10.0, 2.5 Hz, benzisoxazole H6); 7.38 (dd, 1H, J = 10.0,
1.5 Hz, benzisoxazole H7); MS, m/z 274 (MH+). Anal. Calcd. for C13H8BrNO: C, 56.95; H, 2.92; N,
5.11. Found: C, 57.19; H, 3.03; N, 4.86.

Molecules, 2002, 7
626
2 Amino-5-bromo-benzophenone (2): Following the procedure of Simpson and Stephenson [21], a
solution, containing 0.44 g (1.6 mmol) of 1 in acetic acid (70 mL), was heated on a water-bath, and 1.0
g (18 mmol) of iron powder was added over 2.5 hours, during which time, 12 ml of water was also
added. The mixture was filtered while hot and then 100 ml of water was added. The yellow precipitate
was collected by filtration, washed with cold water until the water washings were clear and dried. The
product was purified by column chromatography (silica; cyclohexane / ethyl acetate 9:1) followed by
recrystallization from ethanol-water to afford 2 as a yellow powder; 0.31 g (70 %); m.p. 105 °C;
1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ: 7.63 (d, 2H, J = 8.5 Hz, phenyl H2’/H6’); 7.55 (m, 2H, benzene H6 and phenyl
H4); 7.49 (d, 2H, J = 8.5 Hz, phenyl H3’/H5’); 7.36 (dd, 1H, J = 9.0, 2.0 Hz, benzene H4); 6.65 (d, 1H, J
= 8.5 Hz, benzene H3); 6.05 (bs, 2H, NH2), MS, m/z 276 (MH+). Anal. Calcd. for C13H10BrNO: C,
56.54; H, 3.62; N, 5.07. Found: C, 56.28; H, 3.59; N, 4.95
The synthesis of L4 is given below as a general procedure for the synthesis of ligands.
4-phenyl-6-bromo-2-(2’-(6’-methyl)-pyridyl)quinoline (L4): A mixture of m-cresol (25 mL) and
phosphorus pentoxide (0.81 g, 5.7 mmol) was stirred at 145 °C for 2.5 hours to afford a homogeneous
solution. After cooling, 2-amino-5-bromobenzophenone (4.08 g, 15 mmol) and 2-acetyl-6-methyl-
pyridine (2.03 g, 15 mmol) were added, followed by additional m-cresol (20 mL) to rinse the powder
funnel. The reaction mixture was heated at 135 °C overnight. After cooling, the dark solution was
poured into ethanol (200 mL) containing triethylamine (20mL). The resulting light grey precipitate was
collected by filtration, continuosly extracted with a solution of ethanol/triethylamine for 24 hours, and
recrystallized from n-hexane/methylene chloride to give L4 as an off white powder; 3.96 g (71%); m.p.
;
+
= 212 °C. MS, m/z 375 (MH ).
Table III. Melting points, yield and elemental analyses of ligands L1 – L4
Elemental Analysis
Recrystallization
Solvent(s)
M.p:
(° C)
Yield
(%)
Formula /
M. w.
Ligand
Calculated/Found (%)
C
H
N
C20H14N2
296.35
85.05
85.00
85.10
85.02
85.13
85.11
67.21
67.33
5.00
5.05
5.44
5.63
5.84
5.93
4.03
4.34
9.90
10.00
9.45
9.32
9.02
9.12
7.46
7.33
EtOH
152
138
194
212
70
62
60
71
L1
L2
L3
L4
C21H16N2
296.35
EtOH / CHCl3
EtOH / H2O
C22H18N2
310.38
C21H15BrN2
375.26
n-C6H12 / CH2Cl2

Molecules, 2002, 7
627
References
1. (a) Bignozzi, C.A.; Schoonover, J.R.; Scandola, F. Prog. Inorg. Chem., 1997, 44, 1; (b) Balzani,
V.; Campagna, S.; Denti, S.; Juris, A.; Serroni, S.; Venturi, M. Acc. Chem. Res., 1998, 31, 26.
2.
Lehn, J.M. Supramolecular Chemistry, VCH: Weilheim, 1995. (b) Collin, J.P.; Gavina, P.; Heitz,
V.; Sauvage, J.P. Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 1998, 1.
3. Arounaguiry, A.; Maiya, B.G. Inorg. Chem. 2000, 39, 4256
4.
Di Marco, G.; Lanza, M.; Mamo, A.; Stefio, I.; Di Pietro, C.; Romeo, G.; Campagna, S. Anal.
Chem. 1998, 70, 5019
5.
Juris, A.; Balzani, V.; Barigeletti, F.; Campagna, S.; Belser, P.; von Zelewsky, A. Coord. Chem.
Rev. 1988, 84, 85.
6. (a) Mamo, A. J. Heterocyclic. Chem., 2000, 37, 1225. (b) Mamo, A.; Stefio, I.; Parisi, M.F.;
Credi, A.; Venturi, M.; Di Pietro, C.; Campagna, S. Inorg. Chem. 1997, 36, 5947. (c) Mamo, A.;
Stefio, I.; Poggi, A.; Tringali, C.; Di Pietro, C.; Campagna, S. New. J. Chem. 1997, 21, 1173.
7. Dubroeucq, M.C.; Renault, C.; Le Fur, G. (Pharmuka Laboratories, Fr.), 1985, U.S. Pat.
4499094.
8. Walsh, D.A. Synthesis, 1980, 677.
9. Ubeda, J.I.; Villacampa, M.; Avendano, C. Synthesis, 1999, 8, 1335.
10. Arcadi, A.; Cacchi, S.; Fabrizi, G.; Marinelli, F.; Pace, P. Synlett. 1996, 6, 568.
11. Mahmoud, A.; Johannes, J.C.; Quanrui, W.; Atef, H.; Abd El Hamid, I. Synthesis, 1992, 9, 875.
12. Curran, D.P.; Kuo, S.C. J. Org. Chem. 1984, 49, 2063.
13. Schweizer,E.E.; Goff, S.D.; Murray, W.P. J. Org. Chem. 1977, 42, 200.
14. Goszczynshi, S.; Kucherenko, A.I. Zh. Org. Khim. 1972, 8, 2586.
15. Kobayashi, K.; Yonemori, J.; Matsunaga, A.; Kitamura, T.; Tanmatsu, M.; Morikawa, O.;
Konishi, H. Heterocycles, 2001, 55, 33
16. Campagna, S.; Mamo, A.; Stille, J.K. J. Chem. Soc. Dal ton Trans. 1991, 2545
17. Riego, E. C.; Jin, X.; Thummel, R.P. J. Org. Chem. 1966, 61, 3017.
18. Aue, W. P.; Bartholdi, E.; Ernst, R. R. J. Chem. Phys. 1964, 64, 2229.
19. Finocchiaro, P.; Mamo, A.; Tringali, C., Magn. Res. Chem. 1991, 29, 1165.
20. Parks, J. E.; Wagner, B. E.; Holm, R. H. J. Organomet. Chem. 1973, 56, 53.
21. Simpson, J.; Stephenson, O. J. Chem. Soc. 1942, 353.
Sample Availability: Available from the authors.
© 2002 by MDPI (http://www.mdpi.org). Reproduction is permitted for noncommercial purposes.