Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons , synthesis

R.G.Harvey, Synthesis of Oxidized Metabolites of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, Synthesis, 1986, 605. 

Feng X, Feng X, Pisula W et al (2009) Large polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons synthesis and discotic organization. Pure Appl Chem 81 2203-2224. doi 10.1351/PAC-CON-09-07-07... 

Wu J, Mullen K (2006) All-benzenoid polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons synthesis, self-assembly and applications in organic electronics. In Haley MM, Tykwinski RR (eds) Carbon-rich compounds. WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH Co. KGaA, Weinheim... 

For many years applications of the Bradsher reaction were restricted due to its limited substrate scope and requirement for harsh reaction conditions. However, after the advancement of the arene oxide concept concerning the metabolism of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, synthesis of all the nuclear monohydroxylated derivatives of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]-anthracene (DMBA), diol epoxide metabolites of DMBA, and fluoro derivatives of DMBA was undertaken for carcinogenicity and mutagenicity determination studies. " Interest in the Bradsher reaction has increased greatly as a consequence of the need to construct these polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Development of fluoroanthracenylmethyl cinchonidine as an efficient phase-transfer catalyst for asymmetric glycine alkylation also expanded the scope of the Bradsher reaction. ... 

All-benzenoid Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Synthesis, Self-assembly and Applications in Organic Electronics... 

Unbumed Hydrocarbons Various unburned hydrocarbon species may be emitted from hydrocarbon flames. In general, there are two classes of unburned hydrocarbons (1) small molecules that are the intermediate products of combustion (for example, formaldehyde) and (2) larger molecules that are formed by pyro-synthesis in hot, fuel-rich zones within flames, e.g., benzene, toluene, xylene, and various polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Many of these species are listed as Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs) in Title III of the Clean Air Act Amendment of 1990 and are therefore of particular concern. In a well-adjusted combustion system, emission or HAPs is extremely low (typically, parts per trillion to parts per billion). However, emission of certain HAPs may be of concern in poorly designed or maladjusted systems. 

Epoxides are often encountered in nature, both as intermediates in key biosynthetic pathways and as secondary metabolites. The selective epoxidation of squa-lene, resulting in 2,3-squalene oxide, for example, is the prelude to the remarkable olefin oligomerization cascade that creates the steroid nucleus [7]. Tetrahydrodiols, the ultimate products of metabolism of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, bind to the nucleic acids of mammalian cells and are implicated in carcinogenesis [8], In organic synthesis, epoxides are invaluable building blocks for introduction of diverse functionality into the hydrocarbon backbone in a 1,2-fashion. It is therefore not surprising that chemistry of epoxides has received much attention [9]. 

The synthesis of toxic organic compounds by humans, and their release into the natural environment began to assume significant proportions during the 20th century, especially after the Second World War. Prior to 1900, the chemical industry was relatively small, and the largest chemical impact of humans on the environment was probably dne to the release of hydrocarbons, especially polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), with the combnstion of coal and other fuels. 

Methods for the synthesis of the biologically active dihydrodiol and diol epoxide metabolites of both carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are reviewed. Four general synthetic routes to the trans-dihydrodiol precursors of the bay region anti and syn diol epoxide derivatives have been developed. Syntheses of the oxidized metabolites of the following hydrocarbons via these methods are described benzo(a)pyrene, benz(a)anthracene, benzo-(e)pyrene, dibenz(a,h)anthracene, triphenylene, phen-anthrene, anthracene, chrysene, benzo(c)phenanthrene, dibenzo(a,i)pyrene, dibenzo(a,h)pyrene, 7-methyl-benz(a)anthracene, 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene, 3-methylcholanthrene, 5-methylchrysene, fluoranthene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(j)fluoranthene, benzo(k)-fluoranthene, and dibenzo(a,e)fluoranthene. 

By the end of the nineteenth century around 600 fluorescent compounds had been identified [3], including fluorescein (A. von Baeyer, 1871), eosine (H. Garo, 1874), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (C. Liebermann, 1880) [5], Although it is generally accepted that fluorescence markers are relatively new analytical benefits, it is surprising to note that their chemical synthesis is rather old, such as the fluorescein reported by Baeyer, the 2,5-diphenyloxazole by Fisher in 1896, and the fluorene by Berthelot in 1867 [18],... 

All 60 C-atoms of Cjq are incorporated in the CgoHjo polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) 6, for which an efficient synthesis was developed [153], Laser irradiation of 6 at 337 nm induces hydrogen loss and the formation of CgQ, as detected by mass spectrometry (Scheme 1.6). Control experiments with C-labeled material and with the C48H24 homologue of 6 verified that the C50 is formed by a molecular transformation directly from the C50H30 PAH and not by fragmentation and recombination in the gas phase. 

We earlier recalled that one can build a huge number of molecules by simply assembling CeH rings, a scheme that was summarized in Table 1.4, and that a solid such as graphite can be obtained in this gedanken synthesis. Let us briefly discuss the case of linear acenes, which are linear polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) composed of laterally fused CeHe rings. 

Ruehle, P. H., L. C. Bosch, and W. P. Duncan, Synthesis of Nitrated Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, in Nitrated Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (C. M. White, Ed.), pp. 169-235, Hiithig, Heidelberg, 1985. 

In the aromatic-ring-annelated oxepin series the resonance effect is clearly the major influence dominating other factors (e.g. temperature, solvent, etc.) which affect the oxepin-arene oxide equilibrium. It is however very difficult to exclude the presence of a minor (spectroscopically undetectable) contribution from either tautomer at equilibrium. This problem has been investigated by the synthesis of chiral arene oxides from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The presence of oxepin (26) in equilibrium with naphthalene 1,2-oxide has been excluded by the synthesis of the optically active arene oxide which showed no evidence of racemization in solution at ambient temperature via the achiral oxepin (26) <79JCS(Pl)2437>. 

Environmental chemicals and pollutants are also capable of inducing P450 enzymes. As previously noted, exposure to benzo[a]pyrene and other polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which are present in tobacco smoke, charcoal-broiled meat, and other organic pyrolysis products, is known to induce CYP1A enzymes and to alter the rates of drug metabolism. Other environmental chemicals known to induce specific P450s include the polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which were once used widely in industry as insulating materials and plasticizers, and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (dioxin, TCDD), a trace byproduct of the chemical synthesis of the defoliant 2,4,5-T (see Chapter 56). 

LC Sander, SA Wise. Synthesis and characterization of C18 stationary phases for the liquid chromatographic separation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. In MW Cooke, AJ Dennis, eds. Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons Eighth International Symposium on Mechanisms, Methods and Metabolism. Columbus, OH Battelle Press, 1983, pp 1133-1144. 

In studies related to the stepwise synthesis of Cgo, Plater has developed pyrolytic dehydrochlorination methods for preparation of fused polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The reactions, which are thought to involve electrocyclization followed by loss of HC1, require high FVP temperatures of 950 °C. Thus 72 and 74 are converted to the products 73 and 75 at this temperature44, while benzo[g/z/]fluoranthene 77 is formed from 76 on FVP at 1030 °C45. At the even higher temperature of 1175°C this product isomerizes to 78. 

Reaction of succinic anhydride with benzene in the presence of anhydrous aluminium chloride (slightly over two equivalents see above) yields 3-benzoylpropanoic acid. This may be reduced by the Clemmensen method in the presence of a solvent (toluene) immiscible with the hydrochloric acid to 4-phenylbutanoic acid. Cyclisation to a-tetralone (Expt 6.123) is then effected smoothly by treatment with hot polyphosphoric acid. This reaction sequence represents the first stages in the Haworth procedure for the synthesis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (see Section 6.1.4, p. 839). 

Increased P450 synthesis requires enhanced transcription and translation. A cytoplasmic receptor (termed AhR) for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (eg, benzo[a]pyrene, dioxin) has been identified, and the translocation of the inducer-receptor complex into the nucleus and subsequent activation of regulatory elements of genes have been documented. A pregnane X receptor (PXR), a member of the steroid-retinoid-thyroid hormone receptor family, has recently been shown to mediate CYP3 A induction by various chemicals (dexamethasone, rifampin) in the liver and intestinal mucosa. A similar receptor, the constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) has been identified for the phenobarbital class of inducers (Sueyoshi, 2001 Willson, 2002). 

---