Quantum-chemical study of the Lewis acid influence on the cycloaddition of benzonitrile oxide to acetonitrile, propyne and propene

Quantum chemical methods (MP2 and B3LYP) together with a topological analysis of the charge density have been used to study the BH₃- or BF₃-mediated reaction of benzonitrile oxide with acetonitrile, propyne and propene. In the reaction with propene or propyne, addition of Lewis acids has only little influence on the outcome of the reactions. The cycloaddition of nitrile oxides with nitriles, however, is generally promoted by strong Lewis acids. When the Lewis acid coordination takes place at the nitrile oxide the reactant is activated and the product binds weakly to the Lewis acid so that the reaction is expected to be catalytic. In the case of coordination to the nitrile the reaction is Lewis acid mediated. Here the reactant is not much influenced by addition of Lewis acid, but the transition state and the product are stabilised and consequently such processes require a stoichiometric amount of Lewis acid and form a stable Lewis acid-product complex.It has also been demonstrated that the different activation routes for these reactions involve different reaction mechanisms. Whereas the reaction of a Lewis acid coordinated nitrile oxide is of ‘inverse electron demand’, the Lewis acid coordinated nitrile reacts through a ‘normal electron demand’ cycloaddition.     

A photo Lewis acid generator (PhLAG): controlled photorelease of B(C6F5)3

A molecule that releases the strong organometallic Lewis acid B(C(6)F(5))(3) upon irradiation with 254 nm light has been developed. This photo Lewis acid generator (PhLAG) now enables the photocontrolled initiation of several reactions catalyzed by this important Lewis acid. Herein is described the synthesis of the triphenylsulfonium salt of a carbamato borate based on a carbazole function, its establishment as a PhLAG, and the application of the photorelease of B(C(6)F(5))(3) to the fabrication of thin films of a polysiloxane material.     

Nb2O5·nH2O as a heterogeneous catalyst with water-tolerant Lewis acid sites

Niobic acid, Nb(2)O(5)·nH(2)O, has been studied as a heterogeneous Lewis acid catalyst. NbO(4) tetrahedra, Lewis acid sites, on Nb(2)O(5)·nH(2)O surface immediately form NbO(4)-H(2)O adducts in the presence of water. However, a part of the adducts can still function as effective Lewis acid sites, catalyzing the allylation of benzaldehyde with tetraallyl tin and the conversion of glucose into 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural in water.     

Infrared Spectroscopy Evidence of Weak Interactions in Frustrated Lewis Pairs Formed by Tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane

Frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs) have been widely investigated as promising catalysts due to their metal-free feature and ability to activate small molecules. Since their discovery, many works have been investigating how these Lewis pairs (intermolecular pairs) are held together in an encounter complex. This prompted several studies based on theoretical investigations, but experimental ones are limited yet. In this communication we show evidence of weak intermolecular interactions between Lewis acids and Lewis bases, distinguishing the Lewis adduct from FLPs, by probing fluorine-carbon vibrational modes using infrared spectroscopy. The main evidence is based on the band shifts occurring in FLPs due to weak hydrogen bonds between the hydrogen atoms of the Lewis base and the fluorine atoms of Lewis acid.     

Design of chiral tin(IV) aryloxide as a mild Lewis acid catalyst for enantioselective Diels-Alder reaction

A novel Sn(IV) aryloxide Lewis acid has been designed and prepared from SnCl₄ and (S)-3,3′-bis(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-1,1′-bi-2-naphthol. The chiral Sn(IV) Lewis acid has been successfully applied to the enantioselective Diels-Alder reaction.     

New entries to water-compatible Lewis acids

Lewis acid catalysis has attracted much attention in organic synthesis as it often affords access to unique reactivity and selectivity under mild conditions. Although various kinds of Lewis acids have been developed and applied in industry, these Lewis acids must be generally used under strictly anhydrous conditions, as the presence of even a small amount of water interferes with the reactions due to preferential reaction of the Lewis acids with water rather than the substrates. In contrast to this, rare earth and other metal complexes have been found to be water-compatible. Furthermore, Bi(OTf)(3)- and Ga(OTf)(3)-basic ligand complexes have also been found to be stable in water, and have been used as water-compatible Lewis acids. This application is particularly significant, as Bi(OTf)(3) and Ga(OTf)(3) themselves are unstable in the presence of water, but are stabilized by the basic ligands. This observation has led to the development of a new approach to Lewis acid catalysis in which Lewis acids that are generally unstable in the presence of water are rendered amenable to aqueous systems when combined with basic ligands. In particular, the use of chiral basic ligands leading to new types of water-compatible chiral Lewis acids may enable a wide range of asymmetric catalysis in aqueous media.     

Molecular Bismuth Cations: Assessment of Soft Lewis Acidity

Three-coordinate cationic bismuth compounds [Bi(diaryl)(EPMe₃)][SbF₆] have been isolated and fully characterized (diaryl=[(C₆H₄)₂C₂H₂]²⁻, E=S, Se). They represent rare examples of molecular complexes with Bi⋅⋅⋅EPR₃ interactions (R=monoanionic substituent). The ³¹P NMR chemical shift of EPMe₃ has been found to be sensitive to the formation of LA⋅⋅⋅EPMe₃ Lewis acid/base interactions (LA=Lewis acid). This corresponds to a modification of the Gutmann–Beckett method and reveals information about the hardness/softness of the Lewis acid under investigation. A series of organobismuth compounds, bismuth halides, and cationic bismuth species have been investigated with this approach and compared to traditional group 13 and cationic group 14 Lewis acids. Especially cationic bismuth species have been shown to be potent soft Lewis acids that may prefer Lewis pair formation with a soft (S/Se-based) rather than a hard (O/N-based) donor. Analytical techniques applied in this work include (heteronuclear) NMR spectroscopy, single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, and DFT calculations.     

Brønsted/Lewis acid synergy in dealuminated HY zeolite: a combined solid-state NMR and theoretical calculation study

The Br?nsted/Lewis acid synergy in dealuminated HY zeolite has been studied using solid-state NMR and density function theory (DFT) calculation. The 1H double quantum magic-angle spinning (DQ-MAS) NMR results have revealed, for the first time, the detailed spatial proximities of Lewis and Br?nsted acid sites. The results from 13C NMR of adsorbed acetone as well as DFT calculation demonstrated that the Br?nsted/Lewis acid synergy considerably enhanced the Br?nsted acid strength of dealuminated HY zeolite. Two types of Br?nsted acid sites (with enhanced acidity) in close proximity to extra-framework aluminum (EFAL) species were identified in the dealuminated HY zeolite. The NMR and DFT calculation results further revealed the detailed structures of EFAL species and the mechanism of Br?nsted/Lewis acid synergy. Extra-framework Al(OH)3 and Al(OH)2+ species in the supercage cage and Al(OH)2+ species in the sodalite cage are the preferred Lewis acid sites. Moreover, it is the coordination of the EFAL species to the oxygen atom nearest the framework aluminum that leads to the enhanced acidity of dealuminated HY zeolite though there is no direct interaction (such as the hydrogen-bonding) between the EFAL species and the Br?nsted acid sites. All these findings are expected to be important in understanding the roles of Lewis acid and its synergy with the Br?nsted acid in numerous zeolite-mediated hydrocarbon reactions.     

Interaction of Metal Oxido Compounds with B(C6F5)3

Lewis acid–base pair chemistry has been placed on a new level with the discovery that adduct formation between an electron donor (Lewis base) and acceptor (Lewis acid) can be inhibited by the introduction of steric demand, thus preserving the reactivity of both Lewis centers, resulting in highly unusual chemistry. Some of these highly versatile frustrated Lewis pairs (FLP) are capable of splitting a variety of small molecules, such as dihydrogen, in a heterolytic and even catalytic manner. This is in sharp contrast to classical reactions where the inert substrate must be activated by a metal-based catalyst. Very recently, research has emerged combining the two concepts, namely the formation of FLPs in which a metal compound represents the Lewis base, allowing for novel chemistry by using the heterolytic splitting power of both together with the redox reactivity of the metal. Such reactivity is not restricted to the metal center itself being a Lewis acid or base, also ancillary ligands can be used as part of the Lewis pair, still with the benefit of the redox-active metal center nearby. This Minireview is designed to highlight the novel reactions arising from the combination of metal oxido transition-metal or rare-earth-metal compounds with the Lewis acid B(C₆F₅)₃. It covers a wide area of chemistry including small molecule activation, hydrogenation and hydrosilylation catalysis, and olefin metathesis, substantiating the broad influence of the novel concept. Future goals of this young and exciting area are briefly discussed.     

Ytterbium(III) triflate: An efficient and simple catalyst for isomerization of 2′‐hydroxychalcone and 2′‐aminochalcones in ionic liquid

Isomerization of 2′‐hydroxychalcone and 2′‐aminochalcone have been investigated using ytterbium(III) trifluromethanesulfonate {Yb(OTf)₃} (30 mol %) as Lewis acid catalyst in [bmim][BF₄] ionic liquid. The effect of different metal triflates as Lewis acid, catalyst loading and reaction media was studied for this isomerization reaction. Advantages of the methodology include short reaction time, excellent yields, catalytic use of Lewis acid, and recovery and reuse of the catalyst. J. Heterocyclic Chem., (2011).     

Quantitative evaluation of Lewis acidity of metal ions with different ligands and counterions in relation to the promoting effects of Lewis acids on electron transfer reduction of oxygen

The g(zz) values of ESR spectra of superoxide (O(2)(.-) complexes of metal ion salts acting as Lewis acids with different ligands and counterions were determined in acetonitrile at 143 K. The binding energies (DeltaE) of (O(2)(.-)/Lewis acid complexes have been evaluated from deviation of the g(zz) values from the free spin value. The DeltaE value is quite sensitive to the difference in the counterions and ligands of metal ion salts acting as Lewis acids. On the other hand, the fluorescence maxima of the singlet excited states of 10-methylacridone/Lewis acid complexes are red-shifted as compared with that of 10-methylacridone, and the relative emission energies (Deltahnu(f)) vary significantly depending on the Lewis acidity of metal ion salts with different counterions and ligands. The promoting effects of Lewis acids were also examined on electron transfer from cobalt(II) tetraphenylporphyrin to oxygen in acetonitrile at 298 K, which does not occur in the absence of Lewis acids under otherwise the same experimental conditions. Both DeltaE and Deltahnu(f) values are well correlated with the promoting effects of Lewis acids on the electron transfer reduction of oxygen. Such correlations indicate that DeltaE and Deltahnu(f) values can be used as quantitative measures of Lewis acidity of metal ion salts with different ligands and counterions. The Lewis acidity thus determined can also be applied to predict the promoting effects of Lewis acids on organic synthesis.     

ZnHZSM－5上脱氢环化芳构化过程的探讨

以正己烷、环己烷、甲基环戊烷、１－己烯和环己烯等分子探针反应，考察了单Ｂ酸型ＨＺＳＭ－５、Ｚｎ－Ｌ酸型ＺｎＮａＺＳＭ－５和双中心型ＺｎＨＺＳＭ－５（Ｂ酸和Ｚｎ－Ｌ酸）催化剂的性能，探讨了Ｂ酸中心和Ｚｎ－Ｌ酸中心在芳构化过程中的作用．实验结果表明，Ｂ酸中心有利于环化，Ｌ酸中心有利于脱氢芳构化．单具Ｂ酸或Ｚｎ－Ｌ酸中心催化剂上，直链烃分子的芳构化性能较差，当两种中心同时存在时，双功能互相促进，加快芳构化过程．文中还对Ｃ６分子脱氢环化芳构化过程进行了讨论     

Toluene disproportionation and coking on zeolites Y modified with Lewis-connected InO acid sites

The effect of introduction of Lewis acid sites on the reactions of toluene transformation and catalysts coking has been studied over parent (Si/Al = 2.5) and dealuminated (Si/Al = 3.7) Y zeolites modified with Lewis connected InO⁺ cationic acid sites. The catalysts with prevalent amount of Brönsted acid sites (less than 40% of protons exchanged by InO⁺) possess the typical for the proton directed reaction of methyl transfer upon toluene disproportionation long period of activation, the longer the higher the concentration of bridging protons. In contrast, at predominant Lewis sites concentration, the activation period disappear, an enhanced initial activity is observed, followed by deactivation on the expense of a rapid process of accumulation of strongly held reaction products and intermediates. Their further condensation leads to catalysts aging, the faster the higher the concentration of electron acceptor Lewis acid sites. A relation has been found between the initially accelerated processes of alkyl transfer and the reinforced formation of carbonaceous deposits over the In-modified catalysts.     

B(C6F5)3在有机化学及高分子化学中的应用研究进展

B(C6F5)3与传统的Lewis酸相比,具有化学性质稳定、酸性强、使用方便等优点,被称为非传统的Lewis酸。B(C6F5)3的应用领域已经从最初的烯烃聚合共催化剂向有机化学及高分子化学的其它各个领域发展。B(C6F5)3催化的反应与传统Lewis酸催化的反应在反应机理及反应结果上均有很大的不同。本文主要综述B(C6F5)3近年来在有机化学及高分子化学中的应用研究成果。     

Lewis base activation of Lewis acids: development of a Lewis base catalyzed selenolactonization

The concept of Lewis base activation of Lewis acids has been applied to the selenolactonization reaction. Through the use of substoichiometric amounts of Lewis bases with "soft" donor atoms (S, Se, P) significant rate enhancements over the background reaction are seen. Preliminary mechanistic investigations have revealed the resting state of the catalyst as well as the significance of a weak Br?nsted acid promoter.     

光学活性(甲基)丙烯酰胺的立体定向自由基聚合——立体控制机理探讨

利用Lewis酸三氟甲磺酸镱(Yb(OTf)3)调控(S)-N-(2-羟基-1-苯乙基)甲基丙烯酰胺((S)-HPEMA)和(S)-N-(2-羟基-1-苯乙基)丙烯酰胺((S)-HPEA)的自由基聚合,得到相应的光学活性聚合物;研究了反应条件对聚合物立体结构的影响,发现以甲醇和正丁醇为溶剂时,Yb(OTf)3的存在可显著提高聚合物的mm三元组的含量,而以DMSO为溶剂时,Yb(OTf)3对聚合物的立构规整性没有明显改变;通过1H-NMR研究了Yb(OTf)3与单体之间的相互作用,结果表明单体的酰胺基团与Lewis酸的稀土金属离子间的配位以及单体的羟基与Lewis酸的三氟甲磺酸根间的氢键影响了单体的加成方向和聚合物的立体结构.     

Enantioselective Diels-Alder reactions of 3-(acyloxy)acrylates

Diels-Alder reactions with 3-(acyloxy)acrylates using chiral Lewis acid catalysts have been successfully carried out. These reactions proceed with high enantioselectivity when a chiral Lewis acid derived from Cu(OTf)₂ and a bisoxazoline is used. The facility of the reaction is dependent on the nature of the acyloxy group in the dienophile.     

全氟烷基磺酸盐和全氟烷基磺酰亚胺盐的多相化催化研究

传统的Lewis酸催化剂在环境的压力下受到挑战,全氟烷基磺酸盐和全氟烷基磺酰亚胺盐作为均相、高效的Lewis酸催化剂在有机合成中受到人们的关注.为了简化分离操作,人们对全氟烷基磺酸盐和全氟烷基磺酰亚胺盐的多相化进行了研究,并已取得巨大进展.本文综述了全氟烷基磺酸盐和全氟烷基磺酰亚胺盐分别负载在有机载体、无机载体以及离子液体上的多相化催化最新研究进展,简要概括了其制备方法和催化活性,并对其催化应用前景进行了展望.     

The effects of Lewis acid on the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of C-arylaldonitrones with alkenes

The regio- and stereoselectivity of the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions of C-aryl-N-alkylaldonitrones (1a-e) with some alkenes were found to be affected significantly by the addition of Lewis acid. The rate of the reaction was also affected by adding the Lewis acid. In the reactions using allyl alcohol as a dipolarophile an addition of Lewis acid caused a remarkable acceleration of the reaction and a great change in the stereoselectivity. In the reactions using ethyl acrylate as a dipolarophile the regioselectivity was reversed whether the reaction was performed in the presence or the absence of Lewis acid; i.e. isoxazolidine-5-carboxylates were obtained mainly in the absence of Lewis acid although isoxazolidine-4-carboxylates were obtained mainly in the presence of Lewis acid. When the reaction of C,N-diarylaldonitrones (1k, 1m, 1n) with ethyl acrylate was carried out in the presence of Lewis acid, the cleavage of the N-O bond of the cycloadducts giving gamma-aminoalcohols was also observed besides a reverse phenomenon of regioselectivity.