Mechanism for the reduction of ketones to the corresponding alcohols using supercritical 2-propanol

The mechanism for the reduction of ketones into the corresponding alcohols using supercritical 2-propanol under non-catalytic conditions was investigated. The studies of the kinetic-isotope effect and isotopic-labeling for the reduction of benzophenone and acetophenone were carried out using (CH₃)₂CD(OH), (CH₃)₂CH(OD), (CD₃)₂CH(OH), and (CD₃)₂CD(OD). It was clarified that the α- and hydroxyl hydrogens on 2-propanol, respectively, transfer to the carbonyl C and O in the rate-determining step. These isotope studies also suggested that this reaction proceeds via a six-membered cyclic transition state analogous to that of the Meerwein-Ponndorf-Verley reduction. The fact that Hammett's reaction constant for this reaction was low, i.e., ρ=0.33, and that the reduction of the prochiral ketones using optically active alcohols at supercritical or high temperature provided optically active products also supported the existence of a six-membered cyclic transition state.     

Transformation of benzonitrile into benzyl alcohol and benzoate esters in supercritical alcohols

The reactions of benzonitrile in supercritical methanol, ethanol, and 2-propanol were investigated under non-catalytic conditions. In supercritical methanol, benzonitrile was converted to methyl benzoate in high yield. The esterification reaction also occurred in supercritical ethanol to afford ethyl benzoate in moderate yield. The esterification could occur via a route analogous to the Pinner reaction. On the other hand, benzonitrile in supercritical 2-propanol yielded no ester. Benzyl alcohol was the major product in supercritical 2-propanol. We investigated the reaction of the CN bond in supercritical 2-propanol. In supercritical 2-propanol, N-benzylideneaniline was transferred to the reduction product (N-benzylaniline) and hydrolysis products (benzyl alcohol and aniline). The hydrolysis reaction was restricted when the reaction was carried out in supercritical 2-propanol with a low water content. This indicates that the water in the 2-propanol acts as a reagent for the hydrolysis of the CN bond. These results suggested the following reaction process: C₆H₅CN→C₆H₅CHNH→C₆H₅CHO→C₆H₅CH₂OH.     

Unusual reductive cleavage of 3-aryl-2,3-epoxyamides by using samarium diiodide. Synthesis of 3-aryl-3-deuterio-2-hydroxyamides with total regioselectivity

Ring-opening of 3-aryl-2,3-epoxyamides 1 was achieved by using samarium diiodide and D₂O, yielding 3-aryl-3-deuterio-2-hydroxyamides 2 with total regioselectivity. The starting compounds 1 were easily prepared by reaction of the corresponding lithium or potassium enolates of α-chloroamides with aldehydes or ketones. When the reaction was carried out in the presence of H₂O instead of D₂O, the corresponding 3-aryl-2-hydroxyamides were isolated. The treatment of enantiopure 3-aryl-2,3-epoxyamides afforded optically active 3-aryl-2-hydroxyamides.     

Photochemical deuterium effect on the rearrangement of triptycene

Triptycene monodeuterated at the bridgehead position shows in direct and sensitized irradiation a photochemical isotope effect k_H/k_D=2.2–2.4. From quantum yield of undeuterated, φ_H,H=0.33 and monodeuterated triptycene, φ_H,D=0.24 was concluded that the effect stems from differences in the reaction rates and not from differences in the radiationless deactivations.     

In alkaline media,Fremy’s salt oxidizes alkanols by a hydrogen atom transfer mechanism

In aqueous alkali, Fremy’s salt (potassium nitrosodisulfonate dimer), homolyses nearly exclusively to the monomer radical anion, nitrosodisulfonate (NDS). In this media, NDS almost quantitatively oxidizes benzyl alcohol (PhCH₂OH) to benzaldehyde (PhCHO), itself being reduced to hydroxylamine disulfonate (HNDS). The reaction is very nearly first-order in [NDS], [alkanol] and in [OH⁻]. However, with progressive addition of HNDS, decay kinetics of NDS gradually deviates from first-order. Ultimately, with sufficient excess of HNDS, the reaction becomes second-order in [NDS]. The consumption ratio, (ΔPhCH₂OH]/Δ[NDS]), is ∼2. PhCD₂OH manifests a large primary kinetic isotope effect (k_H/k_D = 11.6). Substituted benzyl alcohols (RBzCH₂OH) with R-groups withdrawing electron density from the O–H bond accelerated the reaction; those with R-groups donating electron density to the O–H bond retarded the reaction. The conversion of 2-propanol to 2-propanone is much slower compared to that of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde. An alpha-H atom transfer mechanism seems logical.     

Pulse radiolysis of pentacyanonitrosylferrate/II/ ions in aqueous solutions

Pulse radiolysis of aqueous solutions of sodium pentacyanonitrosylferrate/II/ Na₂[Fe/CN/₅NO] /sodium nitroprusside/ was studied in the presence of ethylene glycol as an OH radical scavenger. The rate constants of the one-electron reduction of nitroprusside ion were measured with e _q ^– and with radicals derived from some alcohols /ethylene glycol, ethanol, 2-propanol/ as reducing species. The results show that the transition state for the reduction by alcohol radicals is polar. The only observed product of reduction is the Fe/CN/₅NO^3– ion, which then undergoes a slow dissociation to form Fe/CN/₄NO^2–. Only a small isotope effect k_H/k_D=1.08 was observed in D₂O solutions for the dissociation reaction. This suggests an intramolecular electron transfer as rate-determining step for the dissociation reaction.Dedicated to Professor Schulte-Frohlinde on the occasion of his 60th birthday.     

PCET in the oxidation of ascorbate. Dramatic change of the kinetic isotope effect on the change in solvent polarity

The first step in the oxidation of ascorbate with substituted nitrosobenzenes is a proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) reaction and the observed kinetic isotope effects in the reaction, k_H2O/k_D2O, change dramatically with a change in solvent polarity, in line with known theoretical predictions.     

Rotating ring-disk electrode theory and method to correct quasi-four-electron oxygen reduction over Fe/N/C and N/C cathode catalysts

Understanding the mechanism of the oxygen reduction reaction over nonprecious metal catalysts is important for green and sustainable electrochemical energy conversion. This article presents our recent progress in kinetic studies using rotating ring-disk electrodes. We have established a mathematically and experimentally modified rotating ring-disk electrode approach to calculate the corresponding kinetic rate constants of the 4-e reduction of O₂ to H₂O (k₁), the 2-e reduction of O₂ to H₂O₂ (k₂), and the 2-e reduction of H₂O₂ to H₂O (k₃). Furthermore, the overestimation of the 4-e reduction process, which derives from the (2 + 2)-e pathway in the catalyst layer matrix, was corrected by studying the effect of catalyst loading density. The established method has been successfully applied to the oxygen reduction reaction over Fe/N/C and N/C catalysts in acidic and alkaline media.     

Reaction of o-carboxyphenyl sulfoxides with acetic anhydride : Kinetic studies on the neighboring group effect of ortho-carboxyl group in the oxygen exchange and Pummerer reactions

Kinetic studies on the concurrent oxygen exchange and racemization reactions and Pummerer reaction of o-carboxyphenyl sulfoxides with acetic anhydride were carried out. In the reaction of o-carboxyphenyl phenyl sulfoxide, ortho-carboxyl group was found to enhance the rates of both oxygen exchange and racemization about 180 times, and the rate of racemization was nearly twice that of oxygen exchange. In the reaction of alkyl o-carboxyphenyl sulfoxides, an intramolecular Pummerer reaction took place to give 3,1-benzoxathian-4-one derivatives, and the Pummerer reaction was accelerated about 140 times that of the usual unassisted Pummerer reaction of aryl methyl sulfoxide. A very small deuterium kinetic isotope effect (k_H/k_D = 1.07 with trideuterated-methyl o-carboxyphenyl sulfoxide) and the rate-enhancing effect of α-alkyl group were also noticed. The markedly large rate-enhancement of both oxygen exchange and the Pummerer reactions is undoubtedly caused by the neighboring group participation of carboxyl group in the rate-determining intramolecular acylation of sulfinyl O atom.     

Solvent isotope effects upon the kinetics of some simple electrode reactions

The effects of replacing H₂O with D₂O solvent upon the electrochemical kinetics of simple transition-metal redox couples containing aquo, ammine or ethylenediamine ligands have been investigated at mercury electrodes as a means of exploring the possible contribution of ligand-aqueous solvent interactions to the activation barrier to outer-sphere electron transfer. The general interpretation of solvent isotope effects upon electrode kinetics is discussed; it is concluded that double-layer corrected isotopic rate ratios (k^H/k^D)^E determined at a constant electrode potential vs. an aqueous reference electrode, as well as those determined at the respective standard potentials in H₂O and D₂O (k_S^H/k_S^D), have particular significance since the solvent liquid-junction potential can be arranged to be essentially zero. For aquo redox couples, values of (k_S^H/k_S^D) were observed that are substantially greater than unity and appear to be at least partly due to a greater solvent-reorganization barrier in D₂O arising from ligand-solvent hydrogen bonding. For ammine and ethylenediamine complexes values of (k^H/k^D)^E substantially greater than, and smaller than, unity were observed upon the separate deuteration of the ligands and the surrounding solvent respectively. Comparison of isotope rate ratios for corresponding electrochemical and homogeneous outer-sphere reactions involving cationic ammine and aquo complexes yields values of (k^H/k^D) for the former processes that are typically markedly larger than those predicted by the Marcus model from the homogeneous rate ratios. These discrepancies appear to arise from differences in the solvent environments in the transition states for electrochemical and homogeneous reactions.     

Formation of different products during photo-catalytic reaction on TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> suspension in water with and without 2-propanol under diverse ambient conditions

Studies on photo-catalytic reduction of CO₂ using TiO₂ photo-catalyst (0.1%, w/v) as a suspension in water was carried out at 350 nm light. CO₂ from both commercially available source, as well as generated in situ through 2-propanol oxidation, was used for this study. The photolytic products such as hydrogen (H₂), carbon monoxide (CO) andmethane (CH₄) generated were monitored in TiO₂ suspended aqueous solution with and without a hole scavenger, viz., 2-propanol. Similar photolytic experiments were also carried out with varying ambient such as air, O₂, N₂ and N₂O. The yields of CO and CH₄ in all these systems under the present experimental conditions were found to be increasing with light exposure time. H₂ yield in N₂-purged systems containing 2-propanol was found to be more as compared to the without 2-propanol system. The rate of H₂ production in N₂-purged aqueous solutions containing 0.1% TiO₂ suspension were evaluated to be 0.226 and 5.8 μl/h, without and with 0.5 M 2-propanol, respectively. This confirmed that 2-propanol was an efficient hole scavenger and it scavenged photo-generated holes (h⁺), allowing its counter ion, viz., e⁻, to react with water molecule/H⁺ to yield more H₂. The formation of both CO and CH₄ in the photolysis of CO₂-purged aqueous solutions containing suspended TiO₂ in absence of 2-propanol reveal that the generation of CH₄ is taking place mainly through CO intermediate. In presence of air/O₂, the yield of H₂ in the system without 2-propanol was observed to be negligible as compared to the system containing 2-propanol in which low yield of H₂ was obtained with a formation rate of approx. 0.5 μl/h.     

Isotope effect in the formation of hydrogen peroxide by the sonolysis of light and heavy water

The kinetics of the formation of hydrogen peroxide by the sonolysis of light and heavy water in argon and oxygen atmospheres was investigated. The sonochemical reaction has a zero order with respect to hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂, D₂O₂, or DHO₂). The measurement of the kinetic isotope effect (α), defined as the ratio of the reaction rates in H₂O and D₂O, carried out under argon gave a value of 2.2±0.3. The observed isotope effect decreases with an increase in the concentration of light water in H₂O−D₂O mixtures. No isotope effect is displayed in the oxygen atmosphere (α=1.05±0.10). The isotope effect is determined presumably by the mechanism of sonochemical decomposition of water molecules, which includes the H₂O−Ar^* and D₂O−Ar^* energy exchange (where Ar^* are argon atoms in the³P_2.0 excited state) in the nonequilibrium plasma generated by a shock wave, arising upon a cavitation collapse. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 4, pp. 645–649, April, 2000.     

Hydrogen transfer from ketyl radicals to nitroxyl radicals

The transfer of an H atom from a ketyl radical (KR) to a nitroxyl radical is the sole reaction occurring between benzophenone or acetone KR and nitroxyl radicals (NR). The rate constants (k_H) of the reaction of the KR of substituted benzophenones with the NR-4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1oxyl and 4-oxo-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl in various solvents were measured by the pulse photolysis method. In low-viscosity solvents (up to 1-2 cP), the values of k_H are not limited by the diffusion of the reagents. The k_H values decrease with increase in the Hammet's -constants of the substituents in the KR and with decrease in the reduction potential of the NR, which indicates a charge transfer from the KR to NR in the transition state of the reaction. A cyclic structure was proposed for the transition state. The reaction is characterized by a low isotopic effect (k_H/k_D=1.4–1.5). The dependence of log k_H on the solvation parameter of the solvent E_t(30) is V-shaped in character.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 5, pp. 999–1003, May, 1990.     

Vibrational analysis of a rate-slowing conformational kinetic isotope effect

An enthalpy-entropy approach to analyzing a rate-slowing conformational kinetic isotope effect (CKIE) in a deuterated doubly-bridged biaryl system is described. The computed isotope effect (k_H/k_D?=?1.075, 368?K) agrees well with the measured value (k_H/k_D?=?1.06, 368?K). The rate-slowing (normal isotope effect) nature of the computed CKIE is shown to originate from a vibrational entropy contribution defined by the twenty lowest frequency normal modes in the ground state and transition state structures. This normal entropy contribution is offset by an inverse vibrational enthalpy contribution, which also arises from the twenty lowest frequency normal modes. Zero point vibrational energy contributions are found to be relatively small when all normal modes are considered. Analysis of the H_ZPE, H_vib, and S_vib energy terms arising from the low frequency vibrational modes reveals their signs and magnitudes are determined by larger vibrational energy differences in the labeled and unlabeled ground state structures.     

Kinetics of the Reduction of Cupric Ion in Ammonia Solution by Sulfur Dioxide

The reduction of cupric ion in ammonia solution by aqueous sulfur dioxide was studied. Each run was carried out at constant initial cupric concentration, stirred rate and total mixed gas flow rate. The effect of temperature, partial pressure of sulfur dioxide in gas phase and cupric ion concentration of the solution was investigated. The reaction of Cu³⁺+SO₂(aq.)→Cu⁺+SO₄^2? was carried out by bubbling mixed gas (SO₂/N₂) through the aqueous ammonia complex of copper (II). The color change for the system was from deep blue, green, yellow to white. The pH values in the system changed from 10 to 4. The product of the reaction was identified by the analyses of IR spectrum and X-ray diffraction, having the formula of 7Cu₂SO₃· 2CuSO₃·3(NH₄)₂SO₃·24H₂O. The kinetic model of the reduction was proposed as: –d[Cu²⁺]/dt = k exp(–E/RT)[Cu²⁺]α[SO₂%] According to the experiments, the parameters were determined as: α=1.64±0.03, þ=1.20, E=13.7 Kcal/mol and k = (1.77±0.20)×10¹⁰ (g-equ./?)^?0.64min^?2.     

Mechanism of the reduction of molecular nitrogen to hydrazine by niobium (iii) hydroxide

The effect of the concentration of water on the rate of reduction of molecular nitrogen to hydrazine by niobium(iii) hydroxide in alkaline H₂O−MeOH and D₂O−MeOD mixtures was studied. In both cases, the reaction rate is maximum when [H₂O]=4 mol L⁻¹, and the inverse isotopic effect (K ^D/k ^H>1) is observed when [H₂O]<20 mol L⁻¹. Similar regularity was observed for the reaction of hydrogen elimination. It was found that HD is formed in the H₂O−MeOH system in the presence of D₂. The conclusion was made that the ratedetermining stage in hydrazine formation is the transfer of a hydride ion to the dinitrogen molecule coordinated to the binuclear Nb^III center. A kinetic scheme satisfactorily explaining the effect of the concentration of water ([H₂O]=1.5−49.0 mol L⁻¹) on the reaction rate constant was proposed. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 9, pp. 1600–1604, September, 1997.     

The effects of isotopic substitution and competitive adsorption on the oxidation of aldehydes and alcohols at gold electrodes

The nature of the mechanism of the anodic oxidation of aldehydes in aqueous base on gold electrodes has been probed using isotopic substitution and competitive adsorption studies. A primary kinetic isotope effect of k_H/k_D=3?4 was observed upon substitution of deuterium for protium on the formyl group of benzaldehyde and cyclohexanecarboxaldehyde on gold in aqueous base using the techniques of cyclic voltammetry, rotating disc electrode voltammetry and chronoamperometry. Similar results are reported for the same aldehydes on a silver electrode, and also for the anodic oxidation of 2-propanol and 2-propanol-2-d on gold under similar conditions. Inhibition of the anodic cyclic voltammetric peak for benzaldehyde on gold by a variety of adsorbed species including CN^?, I^?, Br^?, (C₂H₅)₄N⁺ and diethylenetriamine is also described. These observations are used to propose a mechanism for the low potential oxidations of aldehydes and alcohols on gold involving a rate limiting dissociative adsorption step with cleavage of the α-carbon-hydrogen bond.     

Studies on the mechanism for stereoisomerization of 1-zirconacyclopent-3-yne compounds

The stereoisomerization of 2,5-disubstituted 1-zirconacyclopent-3-yne compounds, stable five-membered cycloalkynes, has been studied with regard to the mechanism. The bimetallic complex of 1,4-bis(trimethylsilyl)butatriene was synthesized and structurally characterized, although it seems unimportant for the stereoisomerization reactions. The isomerization of trans-1,1-bis(η⁵-cyclopentadienyl)-2,5-bis(trimethylsilyl)-1-zirconacyclopent-3-yne 2a into the cis-form in benzene-d₆ solution were observed using ¹H NMR spectroscopy at 50 °C in various concentrations. The reaction was first order with respect to trans-2a. This ruled out the possibility that a bimetallic complex was responsible for the isomerization. A kinetic isotope effect was observed (k_H/k_D = 1.8), suggesting that C–H activation is involved in the rate-determining step. A mechanism via hydrogen elimination from the complex of η⁴-π,π-coordination mode is proposed.     

Studies on the mechanism for stereoisomerization of 1-zirconacyclopent-3-yne compounds

The stereoisomerization of 2,5-disubstituted 1-zirconacyclopent-3-yne compounds, stable five-membered cycloalkynes, has been studied with regard to the mechanism. The bimetallic complex of 1,4-bis(trimethylsilyl)butatriene was synthesized and structurally characterized, although it seems unimportant for the stereoisomerization reactions. The isomerization of trans-1,1-bis(η⁵-cyclopentadienyl)-2,5-bis(trimethylsilyl)-1-zirconacyclopent-3-yne 2a into the cis-form in benzene-d₆ solution were observed using ¹H NMR spectroscopy at 50 °C in various concentrations. The reaction was first order with respect to trans-2a. This ruled out the possibility that a bimetallic complex was responsible for the isomerization. A kinetic isotope effect was observed (k_H/k_D = 1.8), suggesting that C–H activation is involved in the rate-determining step. A mechanism via hydrogen elimination from the complex of η⁴-π,π-coordination mode is proposed.     

Enantioselective reduction of aromatic ketones catalysed by chiral ruthenium(II) complexes

The catalytic enantioselective reduction of aromatic ketones in 2-propanol is carried out by using ruthenium(II) complexes prepared from [Ru(p-cymene)Cl₂]₂ and a variety of chiral diamines and β-aminoalcohols derived from α-amino acids. Good conversions (>99%) and enantioselectivities (=96%) are observed under mild reaction conditions.