Monoprotection of diols as a key step for the selective synthesis of unequally disubstituted diamondoids (nanodiamonds).
The monoprotection (desymmetrization) of diamondoid, benzylic, and ethynyl diols has been achieved using fluorinated alcohols such as 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (TFE) under acidic conditions. This practical acid-catalyzed S(N)1 reaction opens the door for the synthesis of novel bifunctional diamondoids. With diamantane as an example, we show that the resulting monoethers can be used to prepare selectively, for instance, amino or nitro alcohols and unnatural amino acids. These are important compounds in terms of the exploration of electronic, pharmacological, and material properties of functionalized nanodiamonds.
Schwertfeger
Hartmut
H
Institut für Organische Chemie, Justus-Liebig-Universität, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 58, 35392 Giessen, Germany.
Würtele
Christian
C
Serafin
Michael
M
Hausmann
Heike
H
Carlson
Robert M K
RM
Dahl
Jeremy E P
JE
Schreiner
Peter R
PR