Highly efficient asymmetric epoxidation of alkenes with a D(4)-symmetric chiral dichlororuthenium(IV) porphyrin catalyst.

A dichlororuthenium(IV) complex of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis[(1S,4R,5R,8S)-1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octahydro-1,2:5,8-dimethanoanthrance-9-yl]porphyrin, [Ru(IV)(D(4)-Por)Cl(2)] (1), was prepared by heating [Ru(II)(D(4)-Por)(CO)(MeOH)] (2) in refluxing CCl(4). Complex 1 is characterized by (1)H NMR (paramagnetically shifted pyrrolic protons at delta(H) = -52.3 ppm), FAB-mass spectroscopies, and magnetic susceptibility measurement (mu(eff) = 3.1 mu(B)). The ruthenium complex exhibits remarkable catalytic activity toward enantioselective alkene epoxidation using 2,6-dichloropyridine N-oxide (Cl(2)pyNO) as terminal oxidant. The Ru(IV)-catalyzed styrene epoxidation is achieved within 2 h (versus 48 h for the 2-catalyzed reaction), and optically active styrene oxide was obtained in 69% ee and 84% yield (875 turnovers). Likewise, substituted styrenes and some conjugated cis-disubstituted alkenes (e.g., cis-beta-methylstyrene, cis-1-phenyl-3-penten-1-yne, 1,2-dihydronaphthalene, and 2,2-dimethylchromenes) are converted effectively to their organic epoxides in 50-80% ee under the Ru(IV)-catalyzed conditions, and more than 850 turnovers of epoxides have been attained. When subjecting 1 to four repetitive uses by recharging the reaction mixture with Cl(2)pyNO and styrene, styrene oxide was obtained in a total of 2190 turnovers and 69% ee. UV-vis and ESI-mass spectral analysis of the final reaction mixture revealed that a ruthenium-carbonyl species could have been formed during the catalytic reaction, leading to the apparent catalyst deactivation. We prepared a heterogeneous chiral ruthenium porphyrin catalyst by immobilizing 1 into sol-gel matrix. The heterogeneous catalyst is highly active toward asymmetric styrene epoxidation producing styrene oxide in 69% ee with up to 10,800 turnovers being achieved. The loss of activity of the Ru/sol-gel catalyst is ascribed to catalyst leaching and/or deactivation. On the basis of Hammett correlation (rho(+) = -1.62, R = 0.99) and product analysis, a dioxoruthenium(VI) porphyrin intermediate is not favored.     

Highly efficient and selective epoxidation of alkenes by photochemical oxygenation sensitized by a ruthenium(II) porphyrin with water as both electron and oxygen donor

Visible light irradiation of a reaction mixture of carbonyl-coordinated tetra(2,4,6-trimethyl)phenylporphyrinatoruthenium(II) (Ru(II)TMP(CO)) as a photosensitizer, hexachloroplatinate(IV) as an electron acceptor, and an alkene in alkaline aqueous acetonitrile induces selective epoxidation of the alkene with high quantum yield (Phi = 0.6, selectivity = 94.4% for cyclohexene and Phi = 0.4, selectivity = 99.7% for norbornene) under degassed conditions. The oxygen atom of the epoxide was confirmed to come from a water molecule by an experiment with H(2)(18)O. cis-Stilbene was converted into its epoxide, cis-stilbeneoxide, without forming trans-stilbeneoxide. trans-Stilbene, however, did not exhibit any reactivity. Under neutral conditions, an efficient buildup of the cation radical of Ru(II)TMP(CO) was observed at the early stage of the photoreaction, while an addition of hydroxide ion caused a rapid reaction with the cation radical to promote the reaction with reversion to the starting Ru(II)TMP(CO). A possible involvement of a higher oxidized state of Ru such as Ru(IV), Ru(V), Ru(VI) through a dismutation of the Ru(III) species was excluded by an experiment with Ru(VI)TMP(O)(2). Decarbonylation of the Ru complex was also proven to be invalid. A reaction mechanism involving an electron transfer from the excited triplet state of Ru(II)TMP(CO) to hexachloroplatinate(IV) and subsequent formation of OH(-)-coordinated Ru(III) species, leading to an oxo-ruthenium complex as the key intermediate of the photochemical epoxidation, was postulated.     

Cyclizations of enynes catalyzed by PtCl2 or other transition metal chlorides: divergent reaction pathways.

1-en-6-ynes react with alcohols or water in the presence of PtCl2 as catalyst to give carbocycles with alkoxy or hydroxy functional groups at the side chain. The reaction proceeds by anti attack of the alkene onto the (eta2-alkyne)platinum complex. The formation of the C-C and C-O bonds takes place stereoselectively by trans addition of the electrophile derived from the alkyne and the nucleophile to the double bond of the enyne. Formation of five- or six-membered carbo- or heterocycles could be obtained from 1-en-6-ynes depending on the substituents on the alkene or at the tether. Although more limited in scope, Ru(II) and Au(III) chlorides also give rise to alkoxy- or hydroxycyclization of enynes. On the basis of density functional theory (DFT) calculations, a cyclopropyl platinacarbene complex was found as the key intermediate in the process. In the presence of polar, nonnucleophilic solvents, 1-en-6-ynes are cycloisomerized with PtCl2 as catalyst. Formation of a platinacyclopentene intermediate is supported by DFT calculations. The reaction takes place by selective hydrogen abstraction of the trans-allylic substituent. Cycloisomerization of enynes containing disubstituted alkenes could be carried out using RuCl3 or Ru(AsPh3)4Cl2 in MeOH.     

New polydentate ligand and catalytic properties of the corresponding ruthenium complex during sulfoxidation and alkene epoxidation

Bis(diimine)-ruthenium complexes constitute a class of catalysts with good activity for oxidation reactions, such as sulfoxidation and epoxidation. The synthesis and the full characterization of a new ruthenium complex bearing an original pentadentate ligand (L5pyr for 2,6-bis-(6-ethyl-2,2'-bipyridyl)-pyridine) is reported. Comparison of its activity with regard to[Ru(bpy)2(CH3CN)2](2+) and [Ru(bpy)2(py)(CH3CN)](2+) during alkene and sulfide oxidation allowed us to conclude that the addition of a fifth pyridine ligand in the coordination sphere improves the efficiency of the catalyst. Moreover, under these oxidation conditions a hydroxylation of the ligand L5pyr led to a better activity than its analogue [Ru(bpy)2(py)(CH3CN)](2+), especially during epoxidation of alkenes by PhI(OAc)2.     

A silica gel-supported ruthenium complex of 1,4,7-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane as recyclable catalyst for chemoselective oxidation of alcohols and alkenes by tert-butyl hydroperoxide

A silica gel-immobilized [(Me(3)tacn)Ru(III)(CF(3)COO)(2)(H(2)O)]CF(3)CO(2) complex (1-SiO(2), Me(3)tacn = 1,4,7-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane) was prepared by simple impregnation, and the catalyst was characterized by powdered X-ray diffraction, nitrogen adsorption/desorption, Raman, and diffuse reflectance UV-vis spectroscopies. The supported Ru catalyst can effect facile oxidation of alcohols by tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP). Primary and secondary benzyl, allylic, and propargylic alcohols were transformed to their corresponding aldehydes and ketones in excellent yields; no oxidation of the C=C and Ctbd1;C bonds was observed for the allylic and propargylic alcohol oxidations. Likewise alkene epoxidation by TBHP can be achieved by 1-SiO(2); cycloalkenes such as norbornene and cyclooctene were oxidized to their exo-epoxides exclusively in excellent yields (>95%). The 1-SiO(2) catalyst can be recycled and reused for consecutive alcohol and alkene oxidations without significant loss of catalytic activity and selectivity; over 9000 turnovers have been attained for the oxidation of 1-phenyl-1-propanol to 1-phenyl-1-propanone. 4-Substituted phenols were oxidized by the "1 + TBHP" protocol to give exclusively ruthenium-catecholate complexes, which were characterized by UV-vis and ESI-MS spectroscopies. No (tert-butyldioxy)cyclohexadienone and other radical coupling/overoxidation products were produced using the "1 + TBHP" protocol. The formation of ruthenium-catecholate is proposed to proceed via ortho-hydroxylation of phenol.     

Nanocluster polyoxomolybdate supported on natural zeolite: a green and recyclable catalyst for epoxidation of alkenes

A heterogeneous catalyst for epoxidation of alkenes has been synthesized by introducing polyoxomolybdate into a natural zeolite as a solid and green support. The prepared catalyst was characterized by FT-IR, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), N₂ absorption–desorption, field emission scanning electron micrograph (FE-SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The catalytic investigations disclosed that nanocluster polyoxomolybdate supported on the surface is an active and recyclable catalyst in liquid phase alkene epoxidation in dichloroethane at 80 °C.     

埃洛石表面修饰并负载salen钼高效催化烯烃环氧化反应

采用温和的化学表面改性和自组装方法成功制备了埃洛石纳米管负载salen钼(HNTs-SL-Mo)催化剂,运用透射电镜、X射线衍射、红外光谱、诱导偶合等离子体谱和X射线光电子能谱表征了催化剂的形态、大小和分散性等性质。结果证明了salen结构的存在和埃洛石配位钼催化剂的成功制备。制备的催化剂在各种烯烃的环氧化反应中均有很好的活性,且活性高于均相催化剂。对比实验表明,在固定MoO(O2)2(DMF)2时, salen结构发挥了重要作用,不能用N原子作为单一配体来代替。本文还推测了钼和salen配体可能的连接方式和该催化剂催化烯烃环氧化反应的机理。该催化剂在重复使用8次后其活性未见明显下降,表现出优异的重复使用性能。由于埃洛石是一种廉价易得的材料,因此它可为设计效果独特的催化剂提供一个选择。     

Peracid dependent stereoselectivity and functional group contribution to the stereocontrol of epoxidation of (E)-alkene dipeptide isosteres

Twelve Boc-protected phenylalanyl-phenylalanine and phenylalanyl-glycine trans-vinyl isosteres were epoxidised with magnesium monoperoxyphtalate hexahydrate (MMPP) and trifluoroperacetic acid, and the results have been compared with those from earlier studies on epoxidations with m-CPBA. The alkenes were synthesised in high yields with high E/Z-selectivities using either the Julia or Schlosser reactions. The formation of threo isomers was favoured in all epoxidation reactions except with CF₃CO₃H on substrates containing two allylic/homoallylic functional groups directing the peracid to opposite faces of the alkene. The switch to erythro selectivity observed with CF₃CO₃H is suggested to emanate from coordination to the allylic ester functionalities via hydrogen bond donation from the peracid. The other peracid reagents seem to be preferentially coordinated to the allylic carbamate function. The contribution of individual functional groups to the stereopreference was also investigated.     

MANGANESE(III) PORPHYRIN SUPPORTED ON POLYSTYRENE AS A HETEROGENEOUS ALKENE EPOXIDATION AND ALKANE HYDROXYLATION CATALYST

ABSTRACT

Carboxymethylated crosslinked polystyrene resin [poly(4-styrylmethylacylchloride) (PSA)] support have been used to covalently attach manganese(III) tetrakis(4-aminophenyl)porphyrin. This catalyst was found to be efficient for alkene epoxidation and alkane hydroxylation by sodium periodate. This new hydrogenised catalyst is of high stability and reusability.     

New ru(II) complexes containing oxazoline ligands as epoxidation catalysts. Influence of the substituents on the catalytic performance

The synthesis of a family of new Ru complexes containing the facial tridentate ligand with general formula [Ru(II)(T)(D)(X)](n+) (T = trispyrazolylmethane (tpm); D = ((4S,4'S)-(-)-4,4',5,5'-tetrahydro-4,4'-bis(1-methylethyl)-2,2'-bioxazole) (iPr-box-C) or N-(1-hydroxy-3-methylbutan-(2S)-(-)-2-yl)-(4S)-(-)-4-isopropyl-4,5-dihydrooxazole-2-carbimidate (iPr-box-O); X = Cl, H(2)O) has been described. All complexes have been spectroscopically characterized in solution through (1)H NMR and UV-vis techniques, and the redox properties of complexes have also been studied by means of cyclic voltammetry (CV). Furthermore, the chloro complexes presented here have been characterized in the solid state through monocrystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The oxazolinic iPr-box-C ligand undergoes a Ru-assisted hydrolysis reaction generating the corresponding amidate anionic ligand iPr-box-O, that keeps coordinated to the Ru metal center and that produces a strong σ-donation effect over it. The reactivity of the Ru-OH(2) complexes described in this paper together with other similar ones, previously synthesized by us, has been tested with regard to the epoxidation of different olefins. Complexes [Ru(II)(R-box-C)(tpm)OH(2)](BF(4))(2), R = Bz, 3'c/iPr, 3c, show high stereoselectivity in the epoxidation of cis-β-methylstyrene, with the exclusive formation of the cis-epoxide. However, there is a significant difference in regioselectivity between the two catalysts in the epoxidation of 4-vinylcyclohexene; complex 3'c leads to the regioselective oxidation at the ring alkene position, whereas complex 3c leads to the oxidation at the terminal position. Computational calculations indicate only small energy differences between the two possible products of 4-vinylcyclohexene epoxidation, but the energy barriers for the interaction of the catalytic systems with the alkene groups of 4-vinylcyclohexene agree with the reactivity differences found for the two catalysts having isopropyl or benzyl as substituent of the oxazole ligand. Computed local Fukui functions help to explain the observed reactivity trends.     

A computational study of the hydroxy-group directivity in the peroxyformic acid epoxidation of the chiral allylic alcohol (Z)-3-methyl-3-penten-2-ol: control of threo diastereoselectivity through allylic strain and hydrogen bonding

Eight transition structures for the epoxidation of the chiral allylic alcohol (Z)-3-methyl-3-penten-2-ol (1) with peroxyformic acid have been computed by the B3LYP density functional method with 6-31G(d) and 6-31G(d,p) basis sets. The four lowest-energy transition structures and their respective pre-reaction clusters were fully re-optimized by employing 6-311+G(d,p) and correlation-consistent polarized valence triple-zeta cc-pZTV basis sets. The relative energies of the transition structures were found to be highly sensitive to the basis set applied. The transition state for threo product formation, anti-(2S,3R,4S)-TS-3f, with the lowest total energy (at B3LYP/611+G(d,p) and B3LYP/AUG-cc-pZTV) of all the TSs examined, has a planar peracid moiety and is a precursor for the 1,4 migration of the peracid hydrogen atom Ha to the peroxy oxygen atom O4. The use of different basis sets does not affect markedly the geometry of the anti-(2S,3R,4S)-TS-3f transition structure. The transition state for erythro epoxidation, syn-(2R,3R,4S)-TS-3a, is 0.9 kcal/mol higher in energy and possesses a nonplanar peracid approaching the C=C bond in a manner intermediate between spiro and planar. The relative energy and nonplanarity of this syn transition structure is highly sensitive to the basis set applied. With the smaller basis set, 6-31G(d,p), it is actually the lowest-energy TS and the peracid moiety is significantly skewed. The contribution of the four lowest energy transition stuctures 3a, 3b, 3e, and 3f to the threo/erythro product ratio has been assessed through an extended Curtin-Hammet principle analysis of this multi-transition state reaction. It has been found that this approach agrees well with the experimental threo/erythro product ratio, in particular when the corrections for a solvent effect are made within the self-consistent isodensity polarized continuum model (SCI-PCM).     

利用原位红外光谱确证Ru/SBA-15的加氢活性位点

Ru/SBA-15催化剂具有高的氢气活化能力,因此被广泛应用在加氢和氢解反应中.一般认为Ru/SBA-15催化剂的高活性与金属Ru的高分散有关,然而有研究发现在氧化硅载体上还存在溢流的氢,这部分溢流氢也很可能参与加氢和氢解反应.这就产生了两个关键性的问题:(1)Ru/SBA-15的催化加氢活性中心是什么,是金属Ru还是载体SBA-15;(2)在金属Ru上解离的H是如何迁移到载体上的.因此,加氢活性位点及其形成机理的确认对理解Ru/SBA-15催化剂的高活性至关重要.原位红外光谱可从分子层面研究在工作状态的催化剂表面活性位点的状态,进而推测可能的反应机理.通过与催化剂Pd/SBA-15,Ru/Al2O3和SBA-15比较发现,在氢气氛围中Ru/SBA-15催化剂的原位红外谱图中存在一个独特的位于1996 cm?1的峰.由于在Pd/SBA-15,Ru/Al2O3和SBA-15上都不存在这个峰,因此该峰的形成是金属Ru和SBA-15相互作用的结果.此外,Si–O键在位于1866 cm?1的合频峰不随氢气氛围变化而变化,因此可排除这个峰属于Si–O键振动的倍频峰.为了排除该峰的产生是由于CO的吸附,我们采用脉冲引入CO的方法,发现在低的CO覆盖率下,红外谱图中位于2068 cm?1处出现了一个CO在Ruδ+上的线性吸附峰.随着CO覆盖率增加,该峰逐渐蓝移至2075 cm?1,同时位于2132 cm?1处的峰强度增强了,这两个峰都归属于Run+(CO)x物种的振动峰.这些CO的化学吸附强度都很高,即使在He气中吹扫1 h后仍然存在,而1996 cm?1峰的形成是可逆的.此外,低CO覆盖率下生成的吸附峰(2068 cm?1)的强度低于1996 cm?1峰的强度,因此可以排除1996 cm?1峰属于CO吸附峰的可能.既然1996 cm?1峰的形成是可逆的,将这个峰归属于载体上氢的可能性也可排除,因为形成载体上氢的过程是不可逆的.另外,形成1996 cm?1峰的速率还证明了这个峰不属于金属Ru上吸附的氢,因为金属Ru上氢的吸附是很快的.通过以上分析,我们推断1996 cm?1峰应该指认为在Ru和SBA-15界面处位点的红外峰.为了证明这一点,我们制备了不同Ru负载量的Ru/SBA-15催化剂,发现这个界面处位点峰的峰面积与金属Ru颗粒在载体上形成交界面的周长成正比,而峰达到稳态所需时间与Ru颗粒大小成反比.这说明H2在金属Ru上发生解离吸附后迁移到Ru和SBA-15界面处,形成了Ru–H–Si物种.当金属Ru的颗粒比较小时,与载体形成交界面的周长小,Ru–H–Si物种的数量少,体现在红外谱图上峰的峰面积小,但解离的氢迁移到该界面所需时间变短了.当金属Ru的颗粒比较大时,与载体形成交界面的周长大,Ru–H–Si物种的数量多,1996 cm?1峰的峰面积大,但解离氢的迁移慢了.此外,H-D交换实验还证明这个界面处的位点具有加氢活性.与文献报道的孤立Si–H物种的红外峰位置比较发现,Ru–H–Si物种具有明显的峰红移现象,说明该物种中的Si–H键活性很高,这可能是由于金属Ru将电子转移至Si–H键的结果.总之,以上结果清晰地表明这个1996 cm?1峰归属为结构是Ru–H–Si的活性位点.     

Convenient method for epoxidation of alkenes using aqueous hydrogen peroxide

[reaction: see text] The complex [Ru(tpy)(pydic)] (1a) is an active catalyst for epoxidation of alkenes by aqueous 30% hydrogen peroxide in tertiary alcohols. The protocol is simple to operate and gives the corresponding epoxides in good to excellent yields. Chiral enantiopure [Ru(tpy)(pydic)] complexes have been synthesized and successfully applied in this procedure.     

Highly efficient alkene epoxidation and aziridination catalyzed by iron(II) salt + 4,4',4'-trichloro-2,2':6',2'-terpyridine/4,4'-dichloro-4'-O-PEG-OCH3-2,2':6',2'-terpyridine

"Iron(II) salt + 4,4',4'-trichloro-2,2':6',2'-terpyridine" is an effective catalyst for epoxidation and aziridination of alkenes and intramolecular amidation of sulfamate esters. The epoxidation of allylic-substituted cycloalkenes achieved excellent diastereoselectivities up to 90%. ESI-MS results supported the formation of iron-oxo and -imido intermediates. Derivitization of Cl 3terpy to O-PEG-OCH 3-Cl 2terpy renders the terpyridine unit to be recyclable, and the "iron(II) salt + 4,4'-dichloro-4'- O-PEG-OCH 3-2,2':6',2'-terpyridine" protocol can be reused without a significant loss of catalytic activity in the alkene epoxidation.     

Dichlororuthenium(IV) complex of meso-tetrakis(2,6-dichlorophenyl)porphyrin: active and robust catalyst for highly selective oxidation of arenes, unsaturated steroids, and electron-deficient alkenes by using 2,6-dichloropyridine N-oxide

[Ru(IV)(2,6-Cl2tpp)Cl2], prepared in 90 % yield from the reaction of [Ru(VI)(2,6-Cl2tpp)O2] with Me3SiCl and structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography, is markedly superior to [Ru(IV)(tmp)Cl2], [Ru(IV)(ttp)Cl2], and [Ru(II)(por)(CO)] (por=2,6-Cl2tpp, F20-tpp, F28-tpp) as a catalyst for alkene epoxidation with 2,6-Cl2pyNO (2,6-Cl2tpp=meso-tetrakis(2,6-dichlorophenyl)porphyrinato dianion; tmp=meso-tetramesitylporphyrinato dianion; ttp=meso-tetrakis(p-tolyl)porphyrinato dianion; F20-tpp=meso-tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)porphyrinato dianion; F28-tpp=2,3,7,8,12,13,17,18-octafluoro-5,10,15,20-tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)porphyrinato dianion). The "[Ru(IV)(2,6-Cl2tpp)Cl2]+2,6-Cl2pyNO" protocol oxidized, under acid-free conditions, a wide variety of hydrocarbons including 1) cycloalkenes, conjugated enynes, electron-deficient alkenes (to afford epoxides), 2) arenes (to afford quinones), and 3) Delta5-unsaturated steroids, Delta4-3-ketosteroids, and estratetraene derivatives (to afford epoxide/ketone derivatives of steroids) in up to 99 % product yield within several hours with up to 100 % substrate conversion and excellent regio- or diastereoselectivity. Catalyst [Ru(IV)(2,6-Cl2tpp)Cl2] is remarkably active and robust toward the above oxidation reactions, and turnover numbers of up to 6.4x10(3), 2.0x10(4), and 1.6x10(4) were obtained for the oxidation of alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones, arenes, and Delta5-unsaturated steroids, respectively.     

Mono-lacunary PrIII-Polyoxotungstate： Epoxidation of Alkenes with Unusual Selectivity

The utilization of polyoxometalates (POMs) or their derivatives as homogeneous or heterogeneous catalysts in alkene epoxidation is a subject of considerable research activity[1]. The limitation to the use of POMs in these catalytic reactions is either their relatively low selectivity in epoxide formation or applicability for a rather limited type of alkenes. Therefore, it would be beneficial if the catalysts bear high selectivity for epoxidation and are applicable for a rather wide variety of alkenes, which is desirable in industrial processes and also vital for the selection of an ideal catalyst[2]. In search for an efficient and practical epoxidation method to utilize aqueous H2O2 as terminal oxidant, we focus on the rare-earth complexes with lacunary POM ligands.     

Chemoenzymatic epoxidation of alkenes based on peracid formation by a Rhizomucor miehei lipase-catalyzed perhydrolysis reaction

A chemoenzymatic and selective method for the epoxidation of a series of cyclic and linear alkenes is described. Epoxides have been obtained in moderate to excellent conversions under mild reaction conditions through a two-step sequence, carried out in one-pot. This chemoenzymatic approach is based on a Rhizomucor miehei lipase-catalyzed perhydrolysis reaction to form the corresponding peracid, and subsequent epoxidation of the corresponding alkenes. Reaction parameters with influence in the biotransformation have been optimized specially focusing in the efficient enzymatic peracid formation by means of the correct choice of solvent, oxidant, and peracid precursor. This chemoenzymatic approach has been efficiently applied for the first time, in the regioselective chemical oxidation of (S)-carvone and limonene, both showing an opposite behavior for the oxidation of the internal and external C–C double bond, respectively.     

Epoxidation of alkenes and oxidation of alcohols with hydrogen peroxide catalyzed by a manganese(V) nitrido complex

The manganese(V) nitrido complex (PPh(4))(2)[Mn(N)(CN)(4)] is an active catalyst for alkene epoxidation and alcohol oxidation using H(2)O(2) as an oxidant. The catalytic oxidation is greatly enhanced by the addition of just one equivalent of acetic acid. The oxidation of ethene by this system has been studied computationally by the DFT method.     

In situ Generated Ruthenium Catalyst Systems Bearing Diverse N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Precursors for Atom‐Economic Amide Synthesis from Alcohols and Amines

The transition‐metal‐catalyzed direct synthesis of amides from alcohols and amines is herein demonstrated as a highly environmentally benign and atom‐economic process. Among various catalyst systems, in situ generated N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC)‐based ruthenium (Ru) halide catalyst systems have been proven to be active for this transformation. However, these existing catalyst systems usually require an additional ligand to achieve satisfactory results. In this work, through extensive screening of a diverse variety of NHC precursors, we discovered an active in situ catalyst system for efficient amide synthesis without any additional ligand. Notably, this catalyst system was found to be insensitive to the electronic effects of the substrates, and various electron‐deficient substrates, which were not highly reactive with our previous catalyst systems, could be employed to afford the corresponding amides efficiently. Furthermore, mechanistic investigations were performed to provide a rationale for the high activity of the optimized catalyst system. NMR‐scale reactions indicated that the rapid formation of a Ru hydride intermediate (signal at δ=?7.8 ppm in the ¹H NMR spectrum) after the addition of the alcohol substrate should be pivotal in establishing the high catalyst activity. Besides, HRMS analysis provided possible structures of the in situ generated catalyst system.     

Critical influence of adsorption geometry in the heterogeneous epoxidation of "allylic" alkenes: structure and reactivity of three phenylpropene isomers on Cu(111)

It has long been conjectured that the difficulty of heterogeneously epoxidizing higher alkenes such as propene is due to the presence in the molecule of "allylic" H atoms that are readily stripped off by the oxygenated surface of the metal catalyst resulting in combustion. Here, taking advantage of the intrinsically higher epoxidation selectivity of Cu over Ag under vacuum conditions, we have used three phenylpropene structural isomers to examine the correlation between adsorption geometry and oxidation chemistry. It is found that under comparable conditions alpha-methylstyrene, trans-methylstyrene, and allylbenzene behave very differently on the oxygenated Cu(111) surface: the first undergoes extensive epoxidation accompanied by relatively little decomposition of the alkene; the second leads to some epoxide formation and extensive alkene decomposition; and the third is almost inert with respect to both reaction pathways. This reactive behavior is understandable in terms of the corresponding molecular conformations determined by near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations. The proximity to the surface of the C=C function and of the allylic H atoms is critically important in determining reaction selectivity. This demonstrates the importance of adsorption geometry and confirms that allylic H stripping is indeed a key process that limits epoxidation selectivity in such cases.