ADDITION OF SULFENYL CHLORIDES TO OLEFINS: GENERAL MECHANISM,SYNTHETIC DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

A generally accepted mechanism of sulfenyl chloride addition to the double bond which included the intermediate of episulfonium type was revised^1–3. It was shown that (1) episulfonium ions are certainly NOT intermediates in usual conditions of the addition, and (2) various types of intermediates with various degrees of dissociation of S-C1 bond actually take part in the process, depending on the conditions. Starting from this point, a new method for increasing the effective electrophilicity of weak electrophiles through the addition of strong electrolytes has been developed. For example, the addition of the LiClO₄ leads to the strong increase of effective electrophilicity of these reagents which, in turn, leads to (1) formation of rearranged products, and (2) incorporation of external nucleophile and new reactions of mixed 1,2-addition. Examples of homoallylic, trans-annular and Wagner-Meerwein rearrangements are discussed, as well as the scope and limitation of this method, its synthetic utility, and extension to other classes of sulfur-containing electrophiles and substrates (aromatic and cyclopropane hydrocarbons, etc.).     

Theoretical studies on the methylsulfenyl chloride addition to propene

Thiiranium heterocycles play an important role in biocatalytic processes of cells. Usually formation of thiiranium ions is known to proceed by the electrophilic additions of sulfenylhalides to substituted olefins, subsequently undergoing the regioselective and stereoselective nucleophilic attack of the halide atom on either C‐1 or C‐2 carbon atom of the thiiranium intermediate to gave two isomeric adducts. The detailed sequence of the reaction mechanism, the nature of intermediates, and transition states that occur in this electrophilic addition reaction are not well understood. In our work, this reaction has been modeled using Ab initio methods at the MP2/6‐31+G(d,f) level of theory to look into the mechanism of the reaction and to explain how the regioselectivity of the reaction is controlled. We focused on the electrophilic addition reaction of the methylsulfenyl chloride to propene. Our calculations show that the reaction is predicted to proceed via two distinct directions. The first direction proceeds when the starting reacting molecules formed the cis‐methyl‐oriented thiiranium intermediate, and the second direction is when the starting reactants resulted in the trans‐methyl‐oriented thiiranium intermediate. The calculated reaction potential energy surface profile suggests that the minimum energy pathway via the first direction is energetically more preferred than that via trans one. Moreover, calculation of the intrinsic reaction coordinate on the minimum energy pathway revealed the stepwise mechanism for the addition reaction. Thus the energetically preferred first reaction direction consists of the addition of methylsulfenyl chloride to the double bond of propene undergoing synchronous concerted transition state leading to the thiiranium intermediate formation (the rate‐limiting step in the electrophilic addition reaction); regioselective thiiranium intermediate ring‐opening process by the chloride anion attack on the C‐2 carbon of the thiiranium intermediate forming 2‐chloro adduct of kinetically controlled addition reaction; the isomerization reaction of 2‐chloro adduct to more energetically favorable thermodynamically stable 1‐chloro product. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 21:1–13, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/hc.20571     

A one-pot synthesis of beta-C-glucopyranosides from exo-glucal,p-tolylsulfenyl chloride,an alpha-methoxyalkene,and an external nucleophile

[formula: see text] beta-C-Glycosides were synthesized in one-pot experiments using the following sequence of four reactions: (i) addition of p-TolSCl to an alpha-methoxyalkene, (ii) generation of the episulfonium ion from a beta-(arylsulfanyl)alkyl chloride, (iii) reaction of the episulfonium intermediate with benzylated exo-D-glucal to form a cyclic five-membered sulfonium salt, and (iv) quenching of the sulfonium salt with the external nucleophile: H2O, CH3OH, or NaCNBH3.     

The addition of 2, 4-dinitrobenzenesulfenyl chloride to some alkyl-substituted vinylferrocenes

The addition of 2, 4-dinitrobenzenesulfenyl chloride to alkyl-substituted vinylferrocenes has been investigated in CH₂Cl₂, 1, 1, 2, 2-tetrachloroethane and acetic acid solutions. Product analyses were carried out by VPC and PMR techniques and reaction rates measured by a spectrophotometric method.The orientation appears to be determined by the structural features of the intermediate episulfonium ion rather than by the site of the primary attack of the electrophile on the starting substrate. A comparison with the results previously obtained with the methoxymercuration reaction has a bearing on the mechanism of the latter reaction.     

A theoretical study on the mechanism of the baeyer–villiger type oxidation of 7‐phosphanorbornene 7‐Oxides

DFT computations have been performed on selected stationary points of the reaction path (reactants, intermediates, and products) of the Baeyer–Villiger type oxidation of 7‐phosphanorbornene 7‐oxide derivatives. Our computations justified the relevance of a Criegee‐type intermediate forming in the first step, analogously to the Baeyer–Villiger oxidation of ketones. The energy profile indicated a high‐energy barrier from the side of the products, supporting the kinetic character of the mechanism. The computations revealed that the mechanism does not include a previously assumed Berry‐pseudorotation step in the Criegee‐type intermediate. On the basis of the present results, we suggest that the regioselectivity of the Baeyer–Villiger type oxidation of the 7‐phosphanorbornene 7‐oxide derivatives may be determined by steric interactions between the leaving meta‐chlorobenzoate group and substituents on the 7‐phosphanorbornene skeleton in the Criegee‐type intermediate. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 18:759–766, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/hc.20366     

3,4‐Dithiaphosphole and 3,3′,4,4′‐Tetrathia‐1,1′‐Biphosphole π‐Conjugated Systems: S Makes the Impact

Conjugated systems based on phospholes and 1,1′‐biphospholes bearing 3,4‐ethylenedithia bridges have been prepared using the Fagan–Nugent route. The mechanism of this organometallic route leading to intermediate zirconacyclopentadienes has been investigated by using theoretical calculations. This study revealed that the oxidative coupling leading to zirconacyclopentadienes is favored over oxidative addition within the S? C≡C bond both thermodynamically and kinetically. The impact of the presence of the S atoms on the optical and electrochemical behavior of the phospholes and 1,1′‐biphospholes has been systematically evaluated both experimentally and theoretically. A comparison with their “all‐carbon” analogues is provided. Of particular interest, this comparative study revealed that the introduction of S atoms has an impact on the electronic properties of phosphole‐based conjugated systems. A decrease of the HOMO–LUMO separation and a stabilization of the LUMO level were observed. These general trends are also observed with 1,1′‐biphospholes exhibiting σ–π conjugation. The P atom of the 3,4‐ethylenedithiaphospholes can be selectively oxidized by S₈ or O₂. These P modifications result in a lowering of the HOMO–LUMO separation as well as an increase of the reduction and oxidation potentials. The S atoms of the 3,4‐ethylenedithia bridge of the 2,5‐phosphole have been oxidized using m‐chloroperoxybenzoic acid. The resulting 3,4‐ethylenesulfoxide oxophosphole was characterized by an X‐ray diffraction study. Experimental and theoretical studies show that this novel chemical manipulation results in an increase of the HOMO–LUMO separation and an important decrease of the LUMO level. The electropolymerization of 2‐thienyl‐capped 3,4‐ethylenedithiathioxophosphole and 1,1′‐biphosphole is reported. The impact of the S substituents on the polymer properties is discussed.     

MO calculations of episulfonium ion intermediates and regiospecificity in the additions of Cl−

The calculations were carried out for the ethylene, propylene, iso-butylene and butadiene episulfonium ion intermediates by CNDO/2 method to optimize the geometric parameters and investigate the electronic states of the intermediates, resulting that the p-form intermediates were unexpectedly most stable. It was shown that the differences in extension of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals on ethylenic carbon atoms in the intermediates have an important role on the regiospecificity of the ring-opening additions of Cl^? to the intermediates.     

Acyl chloride‐facilitated condensation polymerization for the synthesis of heat‐sensitive poly(anhydride‐ester)s

We succeeded in developing the acyl chloride‐facilitated condensation polymerization method for the synthesis of new poly(anhydride‐ester)s with aromatic side groups, which cannot be polymerized by the classic melt condensation polymerization method. Using chlorinated and acylated carboxylic acids as the intermediates, the polymerization was carried out at low temperatures of 120 or 135 °C to yield pure poly(anhydride‐ester)s of molecular weights as high as 1.55 × 10⁵ with minimal side‐reactions. A homogeneous route of preparation was developed and optimized, using butyric anhydride as the acylating reagent and oxalyl chloride as the chlorinating reagent. A comparison of the mechanisms of the classic method and the new method indicates that the effects of transacylation—cyclization and oligomer formation—were greatly reduced due to the high reactivity of carboxylic acid chloride and the steric effect of bulky acyl groups. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 5899–5915, 2007     

Indigo Carmine degradation by hypochlorite in aqueous medium monitored by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

The degradation of the dye Indigo Carmine by hypochlorite in aqueous solution was monitored by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry in the negative ion mode (ESI(—)‐MS). Hypochlorite was highly efficient in removing the color of aqueous solutions of the dye. ESI(—)‐MS monitoring showed that concomitant with the Indigo Carmine consumption two transient species appeared (detected as doubly charged anions) probably formed via a net insertion of two hydroxyl groups at the exocyclic C?C bond followed by the incorporation of two (mainly) or one oxygen atoms at the indolic rings of the dye. Structures of these products were proposed based on the ESI(—)‐MS/MS data and high accuracy mass measurements. These two transient intermediates quickly decomposed, both in the condensed and in the gas phase, to yield mono‐charged anions. Based on these results, a route for the Indigo Carmine degradation by hypochlorite in aqueous solution has been proposed. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Catalytic Enantioselective Synthesis of α‐Chiral Azaheteroaryl Ethylamines by Asymmetric Protonation

The direct enantioselective synthesis of chiral azaheteroaryl ethylamines from vinyl‐substituted N‐heterocycles and anilines is reported. A chiral phosphoric acid (CPA) catalyst promotes dearomatizing aza‐Michael addition to give a prochiral exocyclic aryl enamine, which undergoes asymmetric protonation upon rearomatization. The reaction accommodates a broad range of N‐heterocycles, nucleophiles, and substituents on the prochiral centre, generating the products in high enantioselectivity. DFT studies support a facile nucleophilic addition based on catalyst‐induced LUMO lowering, with site‐selective, rate‐limiting, intramolecular asymmetric proton transfer from the ion‐paired prochiral intermediate.     

Synthesis and anti‐HIV activity of substituted 1,2,4‐triazolo‐thiophene derivatives

A new series of substituted 1,2,4‐triazoles bearing thiophene molecules 8 and 10 has been synthesized from cycloaddition of thiophene 3‐and 2‐carbonitriles 5 and 9 , respectively, with the reactive cumulene intermediates 4 . The newly synthesized products have been evaluated for their anti‐HIV activity. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 18:443–448, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/hc.20319     

N‐ and C‐acyclic thionuleoside analogues of 1,2,3‐triazole

Cycloaddition of the azide derivative 5 with 1,4‐dihydroxybutyne afforded the N‐thio‐acyclic nucleoside 6 , which prepared alternatively from coupling of the bromo derivative 8 with 2‐acetoxy‐ethylmercaptan. Deblocking of 6 gave the free nucleoside 7 . Mesylation of 6 furnished the dimesylate 9 , which gave three rearranged products 14–16 on treatment with chloride anion. These compounds might be obtained via the episulfonium ion 10 , which is subjected to nucleophilic displacement and further sulfur participation. Deblocking of 14–16 afforded the free nucleoside analogues 17–19 , and their structures were confirmed by COSY, ROESY, HMQC, and HMBC NMR techniques. Compound 16 was prepared alternatively from chlorination of alcohol 6 with Ph₃P‐CCl₄. Carbomoylation of 6 led to the carbamate 20 , which gave the free nucleoside analogue 21 on deblocking. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 15:380–387, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/hc.20030     

Entering the leinamycin rearrangement via 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl sulfoxides

Attack of cellular thiols on the antitumor natural product leinamycin is believed to generate a sulfenate intermediate that undergoes subsequent rearrangement to a DNA-alkylating episulfonium ion. Here, 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl sulfoxides were employed in a fluoride-triggered generation of sulfenate anions related to the putative leinamycin-sulfenate. The resulting sulfenates enter smoothly into a leinamycin-type rearrangement reaction to afford an episulfonium ion alkylating agent. The results provide evidence that the sulfenate ion is, indeed, a competent intermediate in the leinamycin rearrangement. Further, the molecules examined here may provide a foundation for the design of functional leinamycin analogues that bypass the unstable and synthetically challenging 1,2-dithiolan-3-one 1-oxide moiety found in the natural product.     

Synthesis of novel hyperbranched poly(ester‐amide)s based on neutral α‐amino acids via “AD + CBB′” couple‐monomer approach

A series of novel hyperbranched poly(ester‐amide)s (HBPEAs) based on neutral α‐amino acids have been synthesized via the “AD + CBB′” couple‐monomer approach. The ABB′ intermediates were stoichiometrically formed through thio‐Michael addition reaction because of reactivity differences between functional groups. Without any purification, in situ self‐polycondensations of the intermediates at elevated temperature in the presence of a catalyst afforded HBPEAs with multihydroxyl end groups. The degrees of branching (DBs) of the HBPEAs were estimated to be 0.40–0.58 and 0.24–0.54 by quantitative ¹³C NMR with two different calculation methods, respectively, depending on polymerization conditions and structure of monomers. The influences of catalyst, temperature, and intermediate structure on the polymerization process and molecular weights as well as properties of the resultant polymers were investigated. FTIR, NMR, and DEPT‐135 NMR analyses revealed the branched structure of the resultant polymers. The HBPEAs possess moderately high molecular weights with broad distributions, glass transition temperatures in the range of ?25.5 to 36.5 °C, and decomposition temperatures at 10% weight loss under nitrogen and air in the regions of 243.4–289.1 °C and 231.4–265.6 °C, respectively. Among them, those derived from D ,L ‐phenylalanine display the lowest degree of branching, whereas the highest glass transition temperature and the best thermal stability. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2010     

Kinetic study of oxidation of N‐(α‐methylbenzylidene) anilines by dimethyldioxirane

A kinetic study of the oxidation of substituted N‐(α‐methylbenzylidene) anilines by dimethyldioxirane was investigated using a UV/VIS spectrophotometer. Oxaziridines and nitrones were formed as intermediates, and in the excess of dimethyldioxirane corresponding carbonyl compounds, nitrosobenzene or nitrobenzene, were formed quantitatively. The kinetic data were used in the equation for the formation of oxaziridines and nitrones as an intermediate and further oxidation to the corresponding acetophenones and nitrosobenzene. Hammett ρ values were determined for compounds p‐substituted on the aromatic ring attached to the carbon atom of the imino group, and it was found that these substituents have very little effect on the oxidation reaction. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 39: 492–497, 2007     

Electrophilic Addition Reaction of Ethene with Hydrogen Chloride on Cold Molecular Films: Evidence of Ethyl Cationic Intermediate

We studied the initial‐stage mechanism of the electrophilic addition reaction of ethene with HCl by examining the interactions between ethene and HCl on water‐ice and frozen molecular films at temperatures of 80–140 K. Cs⁺ reactive ion scattering (RIS) and low‐energy sputtering (LES) techniques were used to probe the reaction intermediates that were kinetically trapped on the surface, in conjunction with temperature‐programmed desorption (TPD) mass spectrometry to monitor the desorbing species. The reaction initially produced the π complex of HCl and ethene at temperatures below about 93 K and an “ethyl cationic species” at temperatures below about 100 K. The ethyl cationic species was formed via direct proton transfer from the HCl molecule to ethene with the assistance of water solvation, rather than via the interaction of hydronium ions and ethene. At high temperatures, this species dissociated into ethene and hydronium and chloride ions. The reaction did not, however, complete the final transition state on the ice surface to produce ethyl chloride. The observation gives evidence that the electrophilic addition reaction of ethene occurs through an ethyl‐like intermediate with an ionic character.     

Polymer electrolyte membranes by in situ polymerization of poly(ethylene carbonate‐co‐ethylene oxide) macromonomers in blends with poly(vinylidene fluoride‐co‐hexafluoropropylene)

Salt‐containing membranes based on polymethacrylates having poly(ethylene carbonate‐co‐ethylene oxide) side chains, as well as their blends with poly(vinylidene fluoride‐co‐hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF‐HFP), have been studied. Self‐supportive ion conductive membranes were prepared by casting films of methacrylate functional poly(ethylene carbonate‐co‐ethylene oxide) macromonomers containing lithium bis(trifluorosulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) salt, followed by irradiation with UV‐light to polymerize the methacrylate units in situ. Homogenous electrolyte membranes based on the polymerized macromonomers showed a conductivity of 6.3 × 10^?6 S cm^?1 at 20 °C. The preparation of polymer blends, by the addition of PVDF‐HFP to the electrolytes, was found to greatly improve the mechanical properties. However, the addition led to an increase of the glass transition temperature (T_g) of the ion conductive phase by ～5 °C. The conductivity of the blend membranes was thus lower in relation to the corresponding homogeneous polymer electrolytes, and 2.5 × 10^?6 S cm^?1 was recorded for a membrane containing 10 wt % PVDF‐HFP at 20 °C. Increasing the salt concentration in the blend membranes was found to increase the T_g of the ion conductive component and decrease the propensity for the crystallization of the PVDF‐HFP component. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 45: 79–90, 2007     

Activation of leinamycin by thiols: a theoretical study

Reaction of thiols with the 1,2-dithiolan-3-one 1-oxide heterocycle found in leinamycin (1) results in the conversion of this antitumor antibiotic to a DNA-alkylating episulfonium ion (5). While the products formed in this reaction have been rationalized by a mechanism involving initial attack of thiol on the central sulfenyl sulfur (S2') of the 1,2-dithiolan-3-one 1-oxide ring, the carbonyl carbon (C3') and the sulfinyl sulfur (S1') of this heterocycle are also expected to be electrophilic. Therefore, it is important to consider whether nucleophilic attack of thiol at these sites might contribute either to destruction of the antibiotic or conversion to its episulfonium ion form. To address this question, we have used computational methods to examine the attack of methyl thiolate on each of the three electrophilic centers in a simple analogue of the 1,2-dithiolan-3-one 1-oxide heterocycle found in leinamycin. Calculations were performed at the MP2/6-311+G(3df,p)//B3LYP/6-31G level of theory with inclusion of solvent effects. The results indicate that the most reasonable mechanism for thiol-mediated activation of leinamycin involves initial attack of thiolate at the S2'-position of the antibiotic's 1,2-dithiolan-3-one 1-oxide heterocycle, followed by conversion to the 1,2-oxathiolan-5-one intermediate (3).     

Molecular level understanding of the role of aldehyde in vegetable‐aldehyde–collagen cross‐linking reaction

The role of formaldehyde (HCHO) in vegetable‐aldehyde–collagen cross‐linking reaction was investigated at the B3LYP/6‐31+G(d) level, where lysine (LYS) was used as model of collagen and catechin (EC) as model of condensed vegetable tannin. Atomic charge and Frontier molecular orbital analysis show that intermediates formed by HCHO reacting with LYS or EC, that is, M_LYS, M_EC‐6, and M_EC‐8, still have both nucleophilic and electrophilic sites, which are elements to form ternary cross‐linking in vegetable‐aldehyde–collagen system. The analysis of energy gap between HOMO (highest occupied molecular orbit) and LUMO (lowest unoccupied molecular orbit) indicate that the intermediate of HCHO–LYS residues (M_LYS) can further react with free HCHO to form product P‐N(CH₂OH)₂ (P‐N‐represents amino acid residue; N represents nitrogen atom on side chain), but the reaction of intermediate M_LYS with free EC is difficult to take place. So, the probability of forming ternary cross‐linking structure of amino acid residue–HCHO–EC is small, if HCHO is added before vegetable tannin in vegetable‐aldehyde–collagen system. However, the reactions of EC–HCHO intermediates (M_EC‐6 and M_EC‐8) with free amino acids, HCHO–amino acid residue intermediate (M_LYS), as well as with other EC–HCHO intermediates (M_EC‐6 and M_EC‐8), are very easy to take place. The reaction enthalpy also shows that the cross‐linking tendency is favorable in thermodynamics. So, it can be deduced that covalent cross‐linking among amino side chain of collagen and vegetable tannin may take place when aldehyde is added after vegetable tannin. In this way, a multiple point cross‐linking reaction occurs to create a high stabilization of collagen. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Involvement of excited triplet state in the photodissociation of cyclobutane

The potential energy curves (PECs) of the ground state and the low‐lying excited states for the photodissociation of cyclobutane have been calculated at the multi‐reference configuration interaction with singlet and doublet excitation (MRCISD) and the multi‐reference second order perturbation theory (MRPT2). Firstly, the PECs are constructed following a reaction path determined by semiclassical dynamics simulation, which suggests that the lowest triplet state of tetramethylene is involved in the photodissociation of cyclobutane. Then, the adiabatic PECs are calculated for the breaking processes of C1? C3 and C2? C4 bond respectively. The singlet‐triplet PECs' intersections have been found in the two breaking C? C bond processes. During the breaking process of the second C2? C4 bond, a local minimum has been found on the PEC of the lowest triplet state, which gives us some insight to reinterpret the experimental observed diradical intermediate as being trapped in its triplet state. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2008