Catalytic Friedel–Crafts allylation using Zn(II) triflimidate

The activity of various metallic triflates and triflimidates in the Friedel–Crafts allylation of activated aromatic rings was examined. Zinc bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide was proved to be a good catalyst in the model reaction with anisole and prenyl acetate. The Friedel–Crafts allylation reaction of various aryl derivatives with allyl acetates was efficiently catalysed under mild conditions, using 3 mol% of Zn(NTf₂)₂ as the catalyst, without solvent, at 100 °C. The desired ortho and para mono-allylated products were selectively obtained in good yields. The para isomer was always favoured.     

Influence of the solvent and of the reaction concentration for palladium-catalysed direct arylation of heteroaromatics with 4-bromoacetophenone

The solvent is certainly one of the main sources of wastes during palladium-catalysed direct arylation reactions. We found that such direct arylations of heteroaromatics can be performed using very high concentrations of reactants (0.5 M–5 M). However, the Pd catalyst precursor used must be adapted to both the solvent nature and the concentration of reactants. The reactions performed in DMA, NMP or DMF can be carried out in very concentrated reaction mixtures using 0.1 mol% Pd(OAc)₂ catalyst without phosphine ligand. On the other hand, the reactions in CPME, pentan-1-ol or diethylcarbonate should be performed with a palladium catalyst associated with a phosphine ligand. These reaction conditions allow us to reduce the amount of wastes formed in the course of these couplings.     

Thermodynamic properties of metal amides determined by ammonia pressure-composition isotherms

Thermodynamic properties of Mg(NH₂)₂ and LiNH₂ were investigated by measurements of NH₃ pressure-composition isotherms (PCI). Van’t Hoff plot of plateau pressures of PCI for decomposition of Mg(NH₂)₂ indicated the standard enthalpy and entropy change of the reactions were ΔH° = (120 ± 11) kJ · mol^?1 (per unit amount of NH₃) and ΔS° = (182 ± 19) J · mol^?1 · K^?1 for the reaction: Mg(NH₂)₂ → MgNH + NH₃, and ΔH° = 112 kJ · mol^?1 and ΔS^o = 157 J · mol^?1 · K^?1 for the reaction: MgNH → (1/3)Mg₃N₂ + (1/3)NH₃. PCI measurements for formation of LiNH₂ were carried out, and temperature dependence of plateau pressures indicated ΔH° = (?108 ± 15) kJ · mol^?1 and ΔS° = (?143 ± 25) J · mol^?1 · K^?1 for the reaction: Li₂NH + NH₃ → 2LiNH₂.     

Ruthenium-catalyzed intramolecular cyclization of hetero-functionalized allylbenzenes

Intramolecular addition of heterofunctionalities to CC double bonds without β-hydride elimination was investigated and catalyzed by ruthenium complexes. The combination of RuCl₃ · nH₂O (10 mol%) and 3 equiv. of AgOTf acted as a catalyst for cyclization of 2-allylphenol (1a) to 2,3-dihydro-2-methylbenzofuran (2a) in good yield in the presence of Cu(OTf)₂ as a co-catalyst and PPh₃ as a ligand. This catalyst system also catalyzed the cyclization of 2-allylbenzoic acid to lactone in 91% yield. Then, a new catalyst system (RuCp¹Cl₂)₂ (1.0 mol%)/4AgOTf/4PPh₃, was found to be more active even in the absence of Cu(OTf)₂. Furthermore, this catalysis was applied to asymmetric reaction of 2-allylphenol (1a). When using TolBINAP as a ligand, over 60% e.e. was achieved.     

Bulky diarylammonium arenesulfonates as mild and extremely active dehydrative ester condensation catalysts

More environmentally benign alternatives to current chemical processes, especially large-scale, fundamental reactions like ester condensations, are highly desirable for many reactions. Bulky diarylammonium pentafluorobenzenesulfonates and tosylates serve as extremely active dehydration catalysts for the ester condensation reaction of carboxylic acids with equimolar amounts of sterically demanding alcohols and acid-sensitive alcohols. Typically, the esterification reaction is performed in heptane by heating at 80 °C in the presence of 1 mol% of the catalyst without removing water. Esterification with primary alcohols proceeds without solvents even at room temperature. Furthermore, 4-(N-mesitylamino)polystyrene resin-bound pentafluorobenzenesulfonate can be recycled more than 10 times without a loss of activity.     

N-Benzyl-l-prolinol: an efficient catalyst for the enantioselective addition of dialkylzinc reagents to N-(diphenylphosphinoyl)imines

Commercially available N-benzyl-l-prolinol has shown to be a very efficient catalyst for the enantioselective addition of dialkylzinc reagents to N-(diphenylphosphinoyl)imines. The use of 0.5 equiv of this β-aminoalcohol as a catalyst leads to the expected addition products in good yields and with ees up to 92% in a reaction time of only 4 h at room temperature. This ee is almost equal to the highest value reported so far using 0.5 equiv of an aminoalcohol as promoter, although the reaction time is much shorter in our case. The amount of the catalyst can be reduced to 0.25 equiv with a slight decrease in the ee. An interesting effect of the addition rate and temperature on the enantioselectivity has been observed.     

Enantioselective construction of all-carbon quaternary spirocenters through a Pd-catalyzed asymmetric intramolecular ipso-Friedel–Crafts allylic alkylation of phenols

A novel catalytic asymmetric synthetic method for making spirocyclohexadienones with an all-carbon quaternary spirocenter was developed based on the Pd-catalyzed intramolecular ipso-Friedel–Crafts allylic alkylation of phenols. When 5 mol % of the Pd catalyst and 12 mol % of (?)-9-NapBN (?)-3e were used, the spirocyclic adduct was obtained with up to 93% ee, albeit with low chemical yield. On the other hand, when using 6 mol% of the Trost ligand (R,R)-3k, the spirocyclic adducts were obtained in good yields with up to 89% ee (diastereoselectivity = 9.2:1).     

Nanoflow microreactor for dramatic increase not only in reactivity but also in selectivity: Baeyer–Villiger oxidation by aqueous hydrogen peroxide using lowest concentration of a fluorous lanthanide catalyst

Not only the reaction rate but also the regioselectivity in the scandium bis(perfluorooctanesulfonyl)amide-catalyzed Baeyer–Villiger reaction is remarkably increased by the development of the fluorous nanoflow microreactor system continuously controlled by the nanofeeder DiNaS (Direct Nanoflow System) even in the lowest concentration of the catalyst (≪0.1 mol%). The Baeyer–Villiger reaction completes within few seconds as a contact time in the nanoflow microreactor to give the lactone products with high regioselectivity without hydrolysis.     

Effective synthesis of novel O-acetylated compounds over ZrO2-Al2O3 solid acid

The solid acids such as ZrO₂, Al₂O₃ and ZrO₂-Al₂O₃ containing different ZrO₂ loadings (10–80 mol%) were prepared by solution combustion method (SCM) and characterized for their total surface acidity by NH₃-TPD/n-butylamine back titration method and crystallinity by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) technique. These solid acids were evaluated for their catalytic activity in the synthesis of novel O-acetylated products from substituted phenols, pyridine alcohols and aryl alcohols with acetic anhydride (AA) as an acetylating agent. The reaction conditions were optimized by varying the catalyst, molar ratio of the reactants, reaction temperature and amount of the catalyst. All the solid acids used in this study exhibited good catalytic activity in the reaction. In particular, ZrO₂-Al₂O₃ containing 80 mol% of ZrO₂ was found to be highly active in the acetylation reaction with high yield of acetylated products. Triangular correlation between the surface acidity, crystallinity and catalytic activity of solid acids was observed. These solid acids were found to be reactivable and reusable.     

Thermodynamic quantities for the different steps involved in the mechanism of osmium(VIII) catalysed oxidation of l-lysine by a new oxidant,diperiodatoargentate(III) (stopped flow technique)

The kinetics of Os(VIII) catalysed oxidation of l-lysine by diperiodatoargentate(III) (DPA) in alkaline medium at T = 298 K and a constant ionic strength of 0.50 mol · dm^?3 was studied spectrophotometrically. The oxidation products are aldehyde (5-aminopentanal) and Ag(I). The stoichiometry is i.e. [l-lysine]:[DPA] = 1:1. The reaction is of first order in [Os(VIII)] and [DPA] and is less than unit order in both [l-lys] and [alkali]. Addition of periodate has no effect on the reaction. Effect of added products, ionic strength, and dielectric constant of the reaction medium have been investigated. The oxidation reaction in alkaline medium has been shown to proceed via a Os(VIII)-l-lysine complex, which further reacts with one molecule of deprotonated DPA in a rate determining step followed by other fast steps to give the products. The main products were identified by spot test, IR, and GC-MS. The reaction constants involved in the different steps of the mechanism are calculated at different temperatures. The catalytic constant (K_C) was also calculated at different temperatures. From the plots of lg K_C versus 1/T, values of activation parameters with respect to the catalyst have been evaluated. The activation parameters with respect to slow step of the mechanism are computed and discussed and thermodynamic quantities are also determined. The active species of catalyst and oxidant have been identified.     

Copper-catalyzed cross-coupling of amides and potassium alkenyltrifluoroborate salts: a general approach to the synthesis of enamides

Potassium alkenyltrifluoroborate salts undergo coupling with amides to give enamides using a catalytic amount of Cu(OAc)₂ under mild oxidative conditions. The air and water stable alkenyltrifluoroborate salts offer a practical alternative to the use of alkenyl halides and alkenylboronic acids as cross-coupling partners. A range of amides participate in the cross-coupling, including heterocyclic amides, imides, carbamates, benzamides, and acetamides. Optimization studies established two sets of conditions, best suited to either high pK_a or low pK_a amide substrates. Lower pK_a amide substrates worked best using a dichloromethane solvent system in the presence of 4 Å molecular sieves, 10 mol % Cu(OAc)₂, and 20 mol % N-methylimidazole. Higher pK_a amide substrates worked best using a ‘ligandless’ protocol using a 1:1 dichloromethane/DMSO solvent system in the presence of 4 Å molecular sieves and 10 mol % Cu(OAc)₂. The cross-coupling reactions occur stereospecifically with retention of alkene configuration from the alkenyltrifluoroborate salt. The mild reaction conditions employed are tolerant of various functionalities, including nitro, acetals, alkyl and aryl halides, and α,β-unsaturated carbonyls. Finally, the importance of copper sources and the presence of minor impurities were investigated.     

Kinetic spectrophotometric method for trace determination of thiocyanate based on its inhibitory effect

A kinetic spectrophotometric method for the determination of thiocyanate, based on its inhibitory effect on silver(I) catalyzed substitution of cyanide ion, by phenylhydrazine in hexacyanoferrate(II) is described. Thiocyanate ions form strong complexes with silver(I) catalyst which is used as the basis for its determination at trace level. The progress of reaction was monitored, spectrophotometrically, at 488 nm (λ_max of [Fe(CN)₅PhNHNH₂]^3?, complex) under the optimum reaction conditions at: 2.5 × 10^?3 M [Fe(CN)₆]^4?, 1.0 × 10^?3 M [PhNHNH₂], 8.0 × 10^?7 M [Ag⁺], pH 2.8 ± 0.02, ionic strength (μ) 0.02 M (KNO₃) and temperature 30 ± 0.1 °C. A linear relationship obtained between absorbance (measured at 488 nm at different times) and inhibitor concentration, under specified conditions, has been used for the determination of [thiocyanate] in the range of 0.8–8.0 × 10^?8 M with a detection limit of 2 × 10^?9 M. The standard deviation and percentage error have been calculated and reported with each datum. A most plausible mechanistic scheme has been proposed for the reaction. The values of equilibrium constants for complex formation between catalyst–inhibitor (K_CI), catalyst–substrate (K_s) and Michaelis–Menten constant (K_m) have been computed from the kinetic data. The influence of possible interference by major cations and anions on the determination of thiocyanate and their limits has been investigated.     

Studying the oxygen reduction and hydrogen oxidation reactions under realistic fuel cell conditions

A new approach to test fuel cell catalysts under conditions of high mass transport and variable temperature is described. This approach relies upon utilising a 5 μm thick gold grid to act as a catalyst support in contact with a perfluorsulfonic acid (PFSA) membrane in a true three electrode electrochemical configuration. The gold grid has 20 μm × 20 μm sized holes in it which allow the reactant gas to reach the catalyst layer. The high electrical conductivity and low profile of the grid ensure that electrical and mass transport losses are minimal. We have used this configuration to look at the oxygen reduction reaction (orr) and the hydrogen oxidation reaction (hor) on a platinum-black and platinum on carbon catalyst at a loading of about 10 μg cm⁻². We find that for the orr we can measure kinetic currents over the entire range of relevant fuel cell operating potentials (0.55–1 V). Although platinum-black shows higher specific catalytic activity towards the orr than platinum on carbon at high potentials, this performance benefit is reduced at lower potentials. For the hor we measure exchange current densities of 0.022 A cm⁻² and 0.026 A cm⁻² respectively on the Pt-Black and Pt/C. These values indicate that there does not appear to be a size effect for the hor, unlike the orr.     

Glass transition behaviour of the quaternary ammonium type ionic liquid, {[DEME][I] + H2O} mixtures

By a simple DTA system, the glass transition temperatures of the quaternary ammonium type ionic liquid, {N,N-diethyl-N-methyl-N-(2-methoxyethyl) ammonium iodide, [DEME][I] + H₂O} mixtures after quick pre-cooling were measured as a function of water concentration (x mol% H₂O). Results were compared with the previous results of {[DEME][BF₄] + H₂O} mixtures in which double glass transitions were observed in the water concentration region of (16.5 to 30.0) mol% H₂O. Remarkably, we observed the double glass transition phenomenon in {[DEME][I] + H₂O} mixtures too, but the two-T_gs regions lie towards the water-rich side of (77.5 to 85.0) mol% H₂O. These clearly reflect the difference in the anionic effect between ${\text{BF}}_4^{-}$ and I^? on the water structure. The end of the glass-formation region of {[DEME][I] + H₂O} mixtures is around x = 95.0 mol% H₂O, and this is comparable to that of {[DEME][BF₄] + H₂O} mixtures (x = 96.0 mol% H₂O).     

Hydrogen production by catalytic steam reforming of acetic acid,a model compound of biomass pyrolysis liquids

An environmentally friendly and cost-competitive way of producing hydrogen is the catalytic steam reforming of biomass pyrolysis liquids, known as bio-oil, which can be separated into two fractions: ligninic and aqueous. Acetic acid has been identified as one of the major organic acids present in the latter, and catalytic steam reforming has been studied for this model compound. Three different Ni coprecipitated catalysts have been prepared with varying nickel content (23, 28 and 33% expressed as a Ni/(Ni + Al) relative at.% of nickel). Several parameters have been analysed using a microscale fixed-bed facility: the effect of the catalyst reduction time, the reaction temperature, the catalyst weight/acetic acid flow rate (W/m_HAc) ratio, and the effect of the nickel content. The catalyst with 33% Ni content at 650 °C showed no significant enhancement of the hydrogen yield after 2 h of reduction compared to 1 h under the same experimental conditions. Its performance was poorer when reduced for just 0.5 h. For W/m_HAc ratios greater than 2.29 g catalyst min/g acetic acid (650 °C, 33% Ni content) no improvement was observed, whereas for values lower than 2.18 g catalyst min/g acetic acid a decrease in product gas yields occurred rapidly. The temperatures studied were 550, 650 and 750 °C. No decrease in product gas yields was observed at 750 °C under the established experimental conditions. Below this temperature, the aforementioned decrease became more important with decreasing temperatures. The catalyst with 28% Ni content performed better than the other two.     

Investigation of steam reforming of acetic acid to hydrogen over Ni–Co metal catalyst

Catalytic generation of hydrogen by steam reforming of acetic acid over a series of Ni–Co catalysts have been studied. The catalyst with the molar ratio of 0.25:1 between Ni and Co was superior to other catalysts. The effects of reaction temperature, liquid hourly space velocity (LHSV) and molar ratios of steam-to-carbon (S/C) were studied in detail over this catalyst. At T = 673 K, LHSV = 5.1 h⁻¹, S/C = 7.5:1, the catalyst exhibited the best performances. Acetic acid was converted completely to hydrogen, while H₂ selectivity reached up to 96.3% and CO₂ selectivity up to 98.1% was obtained, respectively. Ni–Co catalyst showed rather stable performances for the 70 h time-on-stream without any deactivation.     

Chiral linear polymers bonded alternatively with salen and 1,4-dialkoxybenzene: synthesis and application for Ti-catalyzed asymmetric TMSCN addition to aldehydes

The synthesis of chiral linear polymers 1a–b having salen and 1,4-dioctyloxybenzene as alternate segments has been accomplished. The GPC analysis showed the molecular weights corresponding to ca. 15 (M_w = 10,999, M_n = 9165 and PDI = 1.20) repeating units for 1a and ca. 8 (M_w = 8547, M_n = 7883 and PDI = 1.08) repeating units for 1b. Polymers 1a–b have been studied with Ti(OⁱPr)₄ as a recyclable catalyst for the asymmetric addition of TMSCN to aldehydes while the selectivity of the polymer catalyst is identical to that of the monomer. The reactions are efficient affording the cyanohydrins with up to 88% ee. The selectivity of the polymer based catalyst 9a is found to be the same to that of the monomer 10a. The reaction provides the advantages of simplified product isolation and easy recovery and recyclability of polymer catalyst 9a without any loss of activity or selectivity.     

Surface modified Pt/C as a methanol tolerant oxygen reduction catalyst for direct methanol fuel cells

A new procedure has been successfully developed by which PtN_x/C is synthesized to enhance methanol tolerance while maintaining a high catalytic activity for the oxygen-reduction reaction (ORR). The nitrogen-modified Pt surface, which is prepared using a chelating agent followed by heat treatment, exhibits considerable selectivity toward the ORR in the presence of methanol. The high methanol tolerance could be attributed to the suppression of methanol adsorption resulting from the modification of the Pt surface with nitrogen. A direct methanol fuel-cell (DMFC) test showed that a power density of up to 120 m W cm⁻² was generated when PtN_x/C was used as the cathode catalyst (1 mg cm⁻²) in 6 M methanol and oxygen at 70 °C.     

Development of novel reactions using ruthenium carbene catalyst and its application to novel methods for preparing nitrogen-containing heterocycles

The reaction of N-allyl-ortho-vinylaniline with ruthenium carbene catalyst at 50 °C gives substituted 1,2-dihydroquinoline through ring-closing metathesis (RCM), which is easily converted to the corresponding quinoline after deprotection. In sharp contrast, when vinyloxytrimethylsilane is added to this reaction mixture, 1,2-dihydroquinoline is not formed and selective isomerization of N-allyl-ortho-vinylaniline is observed at 50 °C to give corresponding enamide, which is successfully converted to indole derivative by RCM. The same catalyst system provide indoline derivative at 160 °C by cycloisomerization. Based on a detailed mechanistic study, it becomes clear that a ruthenium carbene catalyst, which is highly effective for RCM, reacts with an electron-rich terminal olefin selectively, and another ruthenium species, which effectively catalyzes the isomerization of terminal olefin and cycloisomerization of alpha, omega-diene, is generated.     

Efficient dynamic kinetic resolution of secondary alcohols with a novel tetrafluorosuccinato ruthenium complex

Dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) of a series of secondary alcohols has been conducted with a novel dinuclear ruthenium complex, bearing tetrafluorosuccinate and (rac)-BINAP ligands as the racemization catalyst. Novozym 435 has been used as the enzyme, and isopropyl butyrate as the acyl donor. Five substrates underwent DKR successfully: an aliphatic and an aromatic secondary alcohol, an aromatic alcohol with an electron-withdrawing substituent on the phenyl ring, an aromatic alcohol bearing an electron-donating substituent on the ring and a heteroaromatic secondary alcohol. The catalyst performed optimally at 70 °C. Typically the reaction reached complete conversion within 1 day with 0.1 mol % of racemization catalyst relative to the substrate. The addition of the ketone corresponding to the substrate stabilizes the active Ru complex and, therefore, increases the rate of the reaction.