CO2 Conversion with Alcohols and Amines into Carbonates,Ureas, and Carbamates over CeO2 Catalyst in the Presence and Absence of 2‐Cyanopyridine

Recent progress on the CeO₂ catalyzed synthesis of organic carbonates, ureas, and carbamates from CO₂+alcohols, CO₂+amines, and CO₂+alcohols+amines, respectively, is reviewed. The reactions of CO₂ with alcohols and amines are reversible ones and the degree of the equilibrium limitation of the synthesis reactions is strongly dependent on the properties of alcohols and amines as the substrates. When the equilibrium limitation of the reaction is serious, the equilibrium conversion of the substrate and the yield of the target product is very low, therefore, the shift of the equilibrium reaction to the product side by the removal of H₂O is essential in order to get the target product in high yield. One of the effective method of the H₂O removal from the related reaction systems is the combination with the hydration of 2‐cyanopyridine to 2‐picolinamide, which is also catalyzed by CeO₂.     

Effective Formylation of Amines with Carbon Dioxide and Diphenylsilane Catalyzed by Chelating bis(tzNHC) Rhodium Complexes

The reductive formylation of amines using CO₂ and hydrosilanes is an attractive method for incorporating CO₂ into valuable organic compounds. However, previous systems required either high catalyst loadings or high temperatures to achieve high efficiency, and the substrate scope was mostly limited to simple amines. To address these problems, a series of alkyl bridged chelating bis(NHC) rhodium complexes (NHC=N‐heterocyclic carbene) have been synthesized and applied to the reductive formylation of amines using CO₂ and Ph₂SiH₂. A rhodium‐based bis(tzNHC) complex (tz=1,2,3‐triazol‐5‐ylidene) was identified to be highly effective at a low catalyst loading and ambient temperature, and a wide substrate scope, including amines with reducible functional groups, were compatible.     

Catalytic Thermometric Titrations of Various Mixtures of Nitrogen Bases

The reactions of acetylation of hydroquinone and quinhydrone with acetic anhydride, catalysed by perchloric acid, were used to determine the end point of catalytic thermometric titrations of a number of different amines and amides dissolved either in acetic anhydride or in acetic acid-acetic anhydride (10+1) mixture. In the majority of cases primary and secondary amines could be successfully determined if pKb_b≤9.3, tertiary amines if pK_b≤14, and amides if pK_b≤l5. Thanks to the difference in behaviour of organic bases in acety lation reaction, it was possible in some instances to determine selectively the individual bases in their mixtures. Catalytic titrations appeared to be especially suitable for the determination of extremely weak bases, even in the case of using mixtures of organic solvents, when Potentiometrie titrations could not be employed. Amounts of 2.5·10^?6-8·10^?5 mole of bases were determined with a maximal relative standard deviation less then 2%.     

Efficient synthesis of 2‐substituted thieno[2,3‐d]pyrimidin‐4(3H)‐ones via an iminophosphorane

The carbodiimides 4 , obtained from reactions of iminophosphorane 3 with aromatic isocyanates, were reacted with secondary amines to give 2‐dialkylamino‐5‐ethyl‐6‐methyl‐thieno[2,3‐d]pyrimidin‐4(3H)‐ones 6 in the presence of catalytic amount of EtONa. Reactions of 4 with phenols or ROH in the presence of the catalytic amount of K2CO₃ or RONa gave 2‐aryloxy‐ or 2‐alkoxy‐5‐ethyl‐6‐methyl‐thieno[2,3‐d]pyrimidin‐4(3H)‐ones 6 in satisfactory yields. The effects of the nucleophiles on cyclization have been investigated. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 19:266–270, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/hc.20424     

Efficient Iminophosphorane‐Mediated Preparation of Benzofuro[3,2‐d]pyrimidin‐4(3H)‐ones and Unexpected Ring Opening Products

The carbodiimides 4 , obtained from aza‐Wittig reactions of iminophosphorane 3 with aromatic isocyanates, reacted with secondary amines, phenols or alcohols in the presence of catalytic amounts of K₂CO₃ or sodium alkoxide to give 2‐substituted benzofuro[3,2‐d]pyrimidin‐4(3H)‐ones 6 . However, when 2,2′‐iminobis[ethanol] was used, the unexpected ring opening product 7 was formed instead of 6 . Reaction of 4 with primary amines RNH₂ (R=Et, Pr, Bu, etc.) gave guanidine intermediates 8 , which were further treated with EtONa to give only one regioisomer 9 via a base catalyzed cyclization. However, another regioisomer 11 was obtained when NH₃ or ‘small’ amines RNH₂ (R=Me, NH₂) were used in the absence of EtONa via a spontaneous cyclization of 8 .     

Fluoride‐Catalyzed Methylation of Amines by Reductive Functionalization of CO2 with Hydrosilanes

An effective and inexpensive organocatalyst tetrabutylammonium fluoride (TBAF) was developed for the reductive functionalization of CO₂ with amines to selectively afford formamides or methylamines by employing hydrosilanes. Hydrosilanes with different substituents show discriminatory reducing activity. Thus, the formation of formamides and further reduction products, that is, methylamines could be controlled by elegantly tuning hydrosilane types. Formamides were obtained exclusively under an atmospheric pressure of CO₂ with triethoxysilane. Using phenylsilane as a reductant, methylamines were attained with up to 99 % yield at 50 °C coupled to a complete deoxygenation of CO₂. The crucial intermediate silyl formate in the formylation step was identified and thereby a tentative mechanism involving the fluoride‐promoted hydride transfer from the hydrosilane to CO₂/formamide was proposed. Striking features of this metal‐free protocol are formylation and methylation of amines by reductive functionalization of CO₂ with hydrosilanes and mild reaction conditions.     

Hydrophosphination of CO2 and Subsequent Formate Transfer in the 1,3,2‐Diazaphospholene‐Catalyzed N‐Formylation of Amines

Hydrophosphination of CO₂ with 1,3,2‐Diazaphospholene (NHP‐H; 1 ) afforded phosphorus formate (NHP‐OCOH; 2 ) through the formation of a bond between the electrophilic phosphorus atom in 1 and the oxygen atom from CO₂, along with hydride transfer to the carbon atom of CO₂. Transfer of the formate from 2 to Ph₂SiH₂ produced Ph₂Si(OCHO)₂ ( 3 ) in a reaction that could be carried out in a catalytic manner by using 5 mol % of 1 . These elementary reactions were applied to the metal‐free catalytic N‐formylation of amine derivatives with CO₂ in one pot under ambient conditions.     

Topotactic Synthesis of Phosphabenzene‐Functionalized Porous Organic Polymers: Efficient Ligands in CO2 Conversion

Progress toward the preparation of porous organic polymers (POPs) with task‐specific functionalities has been exceedingly slow—especially where polymers containing low‐oxidation phosphorus in the structure are concerned. A two‐step topotactic pathway for the preparation of phosphabenzene‐based POPs (Phos‐POPs) under metal‐free conditions is reported, without the use of unstable phosphorus‐based monomers. The synthetic route allows additional functionalities to be introduced into the porous polymer framework with ease. As an example, partially fluorinated Phos‐POPs (F‐Phos‐POPs) were obtained with a surface area of up to 591 m² g^?1. After coordination with Ru species, a Ru/F‐Phos‐POPs catalyst exhibited high catalytic efficiency in the formylation of amines (turnover frequency up to 204 h^?1) using a CO₂/H₂ mixture, in comparison with the non‐fluorinated analogue (43 h^?1) and a Au/TiO₂ heterogeneous catalysts reported previously (<44 h^?1). This work describes a practical method for synthesis of porous organic phosphorus‐based polymers with applications in transition‐metal‐based heterogeneous catalysis.     

Bifunctional Heterogeneous Catalysis of Silica–Alumina‐Supported Tertiary Amines with Controlled Acid–Base Interactions for Efficient 1,4‐Addition Reactions

We report the first tunable bifunctional surface of silica–alumina‐supported tertiary amines (SA–NEt₂) active for catalytic 1,4‐addition reactions of nitroalkanes and thiols to electron‐deficient alkenes. The 1,4‐addition reaction of nitroalkanes to electron‐deficient alkenes is one of the most useful carbon–carbon bond‐forming reactions and applicable toward a wide range of organic syntheses. The reaction between nitroethane and methyl vinyl ketone scarcely proceeded with either SA or homogeneous amines, and a mixture of SA and amines showed very low catalytic activity. In addition, undesirable side reactions occurred in the case of a strong base like sodium ethoxide employed as a catalytic reagent. Only the present SA‐supported amine (SA–NEt₂) catalyst enabled selective formation of a double‐alkylated product without promotions of side reactions such as an intramolecular cyclization reaction. The heterogeneous SA–NEt₂ catalyst was easily recovered from the reaction mixture by simple filtration and reusable with retention of its catalytic activity and selectivity. Furthermore, the SA–NEt₂ catalyst system was applicable to the addition reaction of other nitroalkanes and thiols to various electron‐deficient alkenes. The solid‐state magic‐angle spinning (MAS) NMR spectroscopic analyses, including variable‐contact‐time ¹³C cross‐polarization (CP)/MAS NMR spectroscopy, revealed that acid–base interactions between surface acid sites and immobilized amines can be controlled by pretreatment of SA at different temperatures. The catalytic activities for these addition reactions were strongly affected by the surface acid–base interactions.     

Preparation of polystyrene-supported Lewis acidic Fe(III) ionic liquid and its application in catalytic conversion of carbon dioxide

A polystyrene-supported Lewis acidic iron-containing ionic liquid was proved to be recyclable and efficient heterogeneous catalyst for converting CO₂ into cyclic carbonate without utilization of any organic solvent or additive. Excellent yields and selectivity were obtained under mild reaction conditions. Notably, the catalyst could be readily recovered and reused over five times without appreciable loss of catalytic activity. A possible catalytic cycle was proposed. The present protocol has successfully been applied to reactions of aziridines/propargyl amines with CO₂. This kind of the catalyst presented herein would have great potential in industrial application thanks to its featured advantages.     

Unexpected Macrocyclic Multinuclear Zinc and Nickel Complexes that Function as Multitasking Catalysts for CO2 Fixations

Unique self‐assembled macrocyclic multinuclear Zn^II and Ni^II complexes with binaphthyl‐bipyridyl ligands (L) were synthesized. X‐ray analysis revealed that these complexes consisted of an outer ring (Zn₃L₃ or Ni₃L₃) and an inner core (Zn₂ or Ni). In the Zn^II complex, the inner Zn₂ part rotated rapidly inside the outer ring in solution on an NMR timescale. These complexes exhibited dual catalytic activities for CO₂ fixations: synthesis of cyclic carbonates from epoxides and CO₂ and temperature‐switched N‐formylation/N‐methylation of amines with CO₂ and hydrosilane.     

Concise preparation of azenes by oxidation of aromatic amines with molecular oxygen in subcritical water

Abstract  

Reaction of organic substrates with molecular oxygen, the most abundant and accessible oxidant, has always been an attractive method for preparation of target molecules. In terms of green chemistry, non-metal-catalyzed oxidation of organic substrates is very attractive. This paper describes a general procedure for synthesis of azenes by oxidation of primary aromatic amines with molecular oxygen (³O₂) in subcritical water. The reactions afforded the corresponding azenes in moderate to good yield.     

Solvent- and catalyst-free N-formylations of amines at ambient condition: Exploring the usability of aromatic formates as N-formylating agents

A solvent- and catalyst-free N-formylation protocol has been developed for amines (1s–21s) where aromatic formates (1r–6r) were used as the N-formylating agents. The amine substrates include both primary and secondary aromatic amines (1s–19s) as well as aliphatic amine (20s) and a primary amide (21s). Structures of both the aromatic formate and amine components strongly influenced the rate of the reaction and yield of the N-formamide products. The reaction condition is mild and easy to operate. This protocol can be done smoothly under ambient conditions and gives high yield of formamide products. Furthermore, the present method cannot be applied for the formylation of thiol group (22s). This signifies its possible use for the chemoselective N-formylation of amine in the presence of thiol functionality.     

Mesoionic N-heterocyclic olefin catalysed reductive functionalization of CO2 for consecutive N-methylation of amines

A mesoionic N-heterocyclic olefin (mNHO) was introduced as a metal-free catalyst for the reductive functionalization of CO₂ leading to consecutive double N-methylation of primary amines in the presence of 9-borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane (9-BBN). A wide range of secondary amines and primary amines were successfully methylated under mild conditions. The catalyst sustained over six successive cycles of N-methylation of secondary amines without compromising its activity, which encouraged us to check its efficacy towards double N-methylation of primary amines. Moreover, this method was utilized for the synthesis of two commercially available drug molecules. A detailed mechanistic cycle was proposed by performing a series of control reactions along with the successful characterisation of active catalytic intermediates either by single-crystal X-ray study or by NMR spectroscopic studies in association with DFT calculations.

Mesoionic N-heterocyclic olefin (mNHO) catalysed consecutive N-methylation of primary and secondary amines was accomplished under 1 atm CO₂ pressure in the presence of 9-BBN as a reducing agent nearly at room temperature.     

Functionalized SBA-15 and its Catalytic Applications in Selective Organic Transformations

Ordered, mesoporous SBA-15 functionalized with organic and inorganic moieties exhibits efficient catalytic activity in a variety of organic transformations. In this account, reviewing our own work, three-sets of surface-modified SBA-15 materials have been investigated. The first-set of materials consists of SBA-15 modified with organo-acidic (propyl thiol and propyl sulfonic acid) and basic (propyl amine and propyl adenine) moieties. The second-set of materials was prepared by grafting Mn complexes to the organo-functionalized SBA-15. The third-set composes of nanocrystalline metal oxides supported on SBA-15. All these catalysts have been characterized by structural and spectroscopic techniques. Catalytic activities of the first-set of solid materials have been investigated in acid/base-catalyzed reactions viz., ring-opening of epoxides with amines (producing β-amino alcohols), esterification, three-component-Mannich reactions and cycloaddition of CO₂ to epoxides. The Mn complexes grafted on organofunctionalized SBA-15 are efficient catalysts for the chemo-, regio- and stereoselective aerial oxidation of monoterpenes at ambient conditions. TiO_x, VO_x, MoO_x and WO_x supported on SBA-15 catalyzed biomimetic oxyhalogenation of aromatic compounds. In all these reactions, the functionalized SBA-15 showed high selectivity.     

Understanding the efficacy of N,N-dimethylformamide and oxalyl chloride combination as chemoselective O-formylating agent: An unified experimental and theoretical study

We have developed a simple but efficient synthetic protocol for the O-formylation of a wide range of aromatic hydroxyl/phenolic substrates using an N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) and oxalyl chloride [(COCl)₂] combination in dichloromethane (DCM) as solvent at ambient temperature. The DMF/(COCl)₂ combination was found to be highly chemoselective for the aromatic/phenolic hydroxyl group over aliphatic hydroxyl or aromatic amine/thiol groups. This chemoselectivity of DMF/(COCl)₂ combination towards O-formylation of aromatic alcohols was explained on the basis of outcomes of both experimental and density functional theory–based theoretical studies.     

Cu(I) metal organic framework catalyzed C–C and C–N coupling reactions

DABCO (1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane) based Cu(I) metal organic framework (here after represented as Cu(I)-MOF) catalyzed Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction of iodobenzene and phenylacetylene was conducted smoothly to afford diphenylacetylene in excellent yield under N₂ atmosphere. For comparative study, piperidine based Cu(I) clusters were also investigated. Among these catalysts, Cu(I)-MOF exhibited higher activity with good selectivity for the C–C cross-coupled product. Cu(I) catalysts investigated in this study exhibited similar activity in the C–C homo-coupling reaction of phenylacetylene in O₂ atmosphere. Application of these catalysts was extended in the C–N coupling reactions between phenylboronic acid and aromatic/aliphatic/heterocyclic amines. Cu(I)-MOF can be readily recovered from the reaction mixture and reused for several cycles without loss in the catalytic activity.     

N-Aryl and N-Alkyl Carbamates from 1 Atmosphere of CO2

We have successfully isolated and characterized the zinc carbamate complex (phen)Zn(OAc)(OC(=O)NHPh) ( 1 ; phen=1,10-phenanthroline), formed as an intermediate during the Zn(OAc)₂/phen-catalyzed synthesis of organic carbamates from CO₂, amines, and the reusable reactant Si(OMe)₄. Density functional theory calculations revealed that the direct reaction of 1 with Si(OMe)₄ proceeds via a five-coordinate silicon intermediate, forming organic carbamates. Based on these results, the catalytic system was improved by using Si(OMe)₄ as the reaction solvent and additives like KOMe and KF, which promote the formation of the five-coordinated silicon species. This sustainable and effective method can be used to synthesize various N-aryl and N-alkyl carbamates, including industrially important polyurethane raw materials, starting from CO₂ under atmospheric pressure.     

Direct reductive amination of aldehydes using lithium-arene(cat.) as reducing system. A simple one-pot procedure for the synthesis of secondary amines

A simple one-pot procedure for the direct reductive amination of aldehydes using lithium powder and a catalytic amount of 4,4′-di-tert-butylbiphenyl (DTBB) or a polymer supported naphthalene as reducing system is described. The direct reductive amination of a variety of aldehydes with primary amines was achieved simply by adding a mixture of the corresponding carbonyl compound and the amine, over a solution of the lithium arenide in THF at room temperature. For most of the substrates tested the main reaction products were the secondary amines along with variable amounts of the corresponding alcohol and/or imine products. Theoretical DFT calculations have been applied in order to explain the differences in reactivity observed for aromatic substrates.     

A Practical and General Base‐Catalyzed Carbonylation of Amines for the Synthesis of N‐Formamides

A highly practical and general base‐catalyzed carbonylation of amines to the corresponding N‐formamides has been realized. Cheap inorganic bases, including Group IA and IIA metal hydroxides, alkoxides, carbonates, and phosphates, were effective catalysts for the transformation. In the presence of 10–40 mol % of KOH or K₂CO₃, various amines were converted into the corresponding N‐formamides in good‐to‐excellent yields using CO as the formylation reagents.