PQS-2: ring-closing- and cross-metathesis reactions on lipophilic substrates; in water only at room temperature, with in-flask catalyst recycling

A ubiquinol side-chain hydrogenated version (PQS-2) of the recently introduced PQS is described. It forms catalytic nanomicellar reactors in water that provide the medium for highly reactive Ru carbene catalysts to effect both ring closing metathesis to trisubstituted olefins and cross-metathesis reactions at room temperature. The catalyst can be recycled without removal from the reaction vessel.     

Allene cross-metathesis: synthesis of 1,3-disubstituted allenes

[reaction: see text] Grubbs catalyst, Cl2(Cy3P)2Ru=CHPh, was found to catalyze the cross-metathesis of monosubstituted allenes to 1,3-disubstituted allenes in varying yields.     

Nitro-substituted Hoveyda-Grubbs ruthenium carbenes: enhancement of catalyst activity through electronic activation

The design, synthesis, stability, and catalytic activity of nitro-substituted Hoveyda-Grubbs metathesis catalysts are described. The highly active and stable meta- and para-substituted complexes are attractive from a practical point of view. These catalysts operate in very mild conditions and can be successfully applied in various types of metathesis [ring-closing metathesis, cross-metathesis (CM), and enyne metathesis]. Although the presence of a NO(2) group leads to catalysts that are dramatically more active than both the second-generation Grubbs's catalyst and the phosphine-free Hoveyda's carbene, enhancement of reactivity is somewhat lower than that observed for a sterically activated Hoveyda-Grubbs catalyst. Attempts to combine two modes of activation, steric and electronic, result in severely decreasing a catalyst's stability. The present findings illustrate that different Ru catalysts turned out to be optimal for different applications. Whereas phosphine-free carbenes are catalysts of choice for CM of various electron-deficient substrates, they exhibit lower reactivity in the formation of tetrasubstituted double bonds. This demonstrates that no single catalyst outperforms all others in all possible applications.     

Use of olefin cross-metathesis to release azide-containing sugars from solid support

[reaction: see text] The octenediol linker used during automated oligosaccharide assembly is cleaved by olefin cross-metathesis. Until now, this linker could not be applied to sugars containing azides. A detailed study of the cleavage reaction served as basis for the development of a new protocol using the [(H(2)Imes)(3-Br-py)(2)(Cl)(2)Ru=CHPh] catalyst and 1-pentene. Efficient release of azide-protected carbohydrates from solid support can be readily achieved.     

Enantioselective total synthesis of erogorgiaene: applications of asymmetric Cu-catalyzed conjugate additions of alkylzincs to acyclic enones

The first enantioselective synthesis of erogorgiaene (1), an inhibitor of mycobacterium tuberculosis, is disclosed. The total synthesis highlights the utility of asymmetric conjugate additions (ACA) of alkylzincs to acyclic alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones catalyzed by peptidic phosphine ligands and (CuOTf)(2).C(6)H(6). Moreover, several critical attributes of this catalytic C-C bond-forming reaction are illustrated in the context of the total synthesis; these include the significance of various structural features of the amino acid-based chiral ligands and the chiral ligand's effectiveness in reactions involving achiral and chiral substrates. In addition, the total synthesis showcases some of the special properties of nonphosphine Ru complex 3 as a highly effective catalyst for olefin cross-metathesis.     

Stability of the first-generation Grubbs metathesis catalyst in a continuous flow reactor

Ethylene pretreatment of the (PCy₃)₂Cl₂RuCHPh catalyst (1) prior to cross-metathesis of ethylene and cis-2-butene to form propylene in the continuous flow reactor produced a direct effect on catalyst deactivation. Similar cis-2-butene pretreatment of the same catalyst exhibited far less change in the catalyst activity. These results support the assumption that the ruthenium methylidene intermediate generated from ethylene and 1 is unstable and promotes catalyst loss while ruthenium alkylidenes, e.g. derived from 2-butene, exhibit significantly enhanced stability and sustained catalyst integrity. Continuous removal of products in the continuous flow reactor was important for separating the catalyst decay and the catalyst deactivation caused by a terminal olefin, in this case propylene.The amount of produced propylene during the 1 lifespan was determined in a series of tests using identical catalyst concentrations ([Ru] = 60 ppm) in pentadecane while varying the olefin pretreatment times from 0 to 420 min. The catalyst turnover numbers in the cross-metathesis experiments proved inversely proportional to the duration of ethylene treatment prior to the reaction. The activity of 1 pre-exposed to ethylene closely matched with the activity of the catalyst that decayed in the reaction mixture containing ethylene and cis-2-butene for the same period of time. A significant contribution of the Ru-methylidene decay to the activity losses in metathesis reactions was demonstrated directly in the cross-metathesis reaction environment. The catalyst proved to be less sensitive to cis-2-butene pretreatment and showed turnover numbers for subsequent cross-metathesis essentially similar to the reference cross-metathesis test.     

Large-Scale Synthesis of a Niche Olefin Metathesis Catalyst Bearing an Unsymmetrical N-Heterocyclic Carbene (NHC) Ligand and its Application in a Green Pharmaceutical Context

A large-scale synthesis of known Ru olefin metathesis catalyst VII featuring an unsymmetrical N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand with one 2,5-diisopropylphenyl (DIPP) and one thiophenylmethylene N-substituent is reported. The optimised procedure does not require column chromatography in any step and allows for preparation of up to 0.5 kg batches of the catalyst from simple precursors. The application profile of the obtained catalyst was studied in environmentally friendly dimethyl carbonate (DMC). Although VII exhibited low efficiency in cross-metathesis (CM) with electron-deficient partners, good to excellent results were noted for substrates featuring easy to isomerise C−C double bonds. This includes polyfunctional substrates of medicinal chemistry interest, such as analogues of psychoactive 5F-PB-22 and NM-2201 and two PDE5 inhibitors—Sildenafil and Vardenafil. Finally, a larger scale ring-closing metathesis (RCM) of a Vardenafil derivative was conducted in DMC, allowing for straightforward isolation of the expected product (23 g) in high yield and with low Ru contamination level (7.7 ppm).     

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.     

Libraries via Metathesis of Internal Olefins

The cross-metathesis of internal olefins is applied for the combinatorial synthesis of small organic molecules; this reaction is conveniently carried out in neat olefin (oleic-acid derivatives) and requires only 0.001 equiv. of [Ru(CHPh)Cl₂(PCy₃)₂] as catalyst (Cy = cyclohexyl).     

Highly selective ruthenium metathesis catalysts for ethenolysis

N-Aryl,N-alkyl N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ruthenium metathesis catalysts are highly selective toward the ethenolysis of methyl oleate, giving selectivity as high as 95% for the kinetic ethenolysis products over the thermodynamic self-metathesis products. The examples described herein represent some of the most selective NHC-based ruthenium catalysts for ethenolysis reactions to date. Furthermore, many of these catalysts show unusual preference and stability toward propagation as a methylidene species and provide good yields and turnover numbers at relatively low catalyst loading (<500 ppm). A catalyst comparison showed that ruthenium complexes bearing sterically hindered NHC substituents afforded greater selectivity and stability and exhibited longer catalyst lifetime during reactions. Comparative analysis of the catalyst preference for kinetic versus thermodynamic product formation was achieved via evaluation of their steady-state conversion in the cross-metathesis reaction of terminal olefins. These results coincided with the observed ethenolysis selectivities, in which the more selective catalysts reach a steady state characterized by lower conversion to cross-metathesis products compared to less selective catalysts, which show higher conversion to cross-metathesis products.     

Highly active, immobilized ruthenium catalysts for oxidation of alcohols to aldehydes and ketones. Preparation and use in both batch and flow systems

A novel, highly active immobilized ruthenium catalyst, which can be successfully used in oxidation of alcohols to aldehydes and ketones, has been developed. In contrast to most immobilized catalysts, the Ru catalyst has activity that is higher than that of the original non-immobilized catalyst. In a batch system, the Ru catalyst was recovered and reused several times without loss of activity. The catalyst was also applied to a flow system, in which excellent conversions and yields were demonstrated. No leaching of Ru was observed in both cases.     

Synthesis of dipeptide isosteres by cross-metathesis

This work describes the attachment of two amino acid derivatives by olefin cross-metathesis using Grubbs' second generation catalyst. They were connected at the carboxyl termini. In addition, a cyclic dilactam scaffold was used, which reacted with only a fraction of the amino acid derivatives. The remaining fraction coupled directly coupled with no scaffold. This highly trans-selective double attachment resulted in the cross-metathesis of a variety of amino acids in a single reaction.     

Evaluation of Fe and Ru Pincer‐Type Complexes as Catalysts for the Racemization of Secondary Benzylic Alcohols

Fe and Ru pincer‐type catalysts are used for the racemization of benzylic alcohols. Racemization with the Fe catalyst was achieved within 30 minutes under mild reaction conditions, with a catalyst loading as low as 2 mol %. This reaction constitutes the first example of an iron‐catalyzed racemization of an alcohol. The efficiency for racemization of the Fe catalyst and its Ru analogue was evaluated for a wide range of sec‐benzylic alcohols. The commercially available Ru complex proved to be highly robust and even tolerated the presence of water in the reaction mixture.     

Metathesis transformations of natural products: cross-metathesis of natural rubber and mandarin oil by Ru-alkylidene catalysts

This study reports on the degradation of natural rubber (NR) via crossmetathesis with mandarin oil and d-limonene, an abundant compound in essential oils; that were used as chain transfer agents (CTAs) and green solvents. Reactions were performed in the presence of the ruthenium-alkylidene catalysts (PCy?)?(Cl)?Ru=CHPh (I) and (1,3-dimesityl-4,5-dihydroimidazol-2-ylidene) (PCy?)Cl?Ru=CHPh (II), respectively. Catalyst II bears an N-heterocyclic carbene ligand (NHC) bounded to the ruthenium atom, which has a strong basic character; therefore it is more active toward trisubstituted olefins in comparison with catalyst I. In both cases, isolated monoterpene-terminated isoprene oligomers were obtained as products of the cross-metathesis degradation of NR. In the presence of catalyst II molecular weight values around M(n) × 102 and yields of 80% were obtained; whereas with catalyst I, the molecular weights of products were about M(n) × 10? with yields ranging 70 to 74%. The composition and yield of NR degradation products were determined by GC/MS (EI) analysis and it was found that the oligomers obtained have primarily one vinyl group and one terpene-monocyclic group at the chain end, with isoprene units A(m) = 2, 3 y 4.     

Re-based heterogeneous catalysts for olefin metathesis prepared by surface organometallic chemistry: reactivity and selectivity

Herein we describe the catalytic activity of 1, a well-defined Re alkylidene complex supported silica, in the reaction of olefin metathesis. This system is highly active for terminal and internal olefins with initial rates up to 0.7 mol per mol Re per s. It also catalyses the self-metathesis of methyl oleate (MO) without the need of co-catalysts. The turnover numbers can reach up to 900 for MO, which is unprecedented for a heterogeneous Re-based catalyst. Moreover the use of silica as a support can bring major advantages, such as the possibility to use branched olefins like isobutene, which are usually incompatible with alumina-based supports; therefore, the formation of isoamylene from the cross-metathesis of propene and isobutene can be performed. All these results are in sharp contrast to what has been found for other silica- or alumina-supported rhenium oxide systems, which are either completely inactive (silica system) or typically need co-catalysts when functionalised olefins are used. Finally the initiation step corresponds to a cross-metathesis reaction to give a 3:1 mixture of 3,3-dimethylbutene and trans-4,4-dimethylpent-2-ene, and make this catalyst the first generation of well-defined Re-based heterogeneous catalysts.     

Synthesis of new multiblock copolymers via cross-metathesis reaction of polytrimethylsilylnorbornene and polycyclooctene

The cross-metathesis reaction between polytrimethylsilylnorbornene and polycyclooctene is investigated for the first time. Using the Grubbs Ru-carbene complex of the first generation, the synthesis of random multiblock copolymers of trimethylsilylnorbornene and cyclooctene is carried out. The effect of the reaction conditions on the block length and thermal and crystalline properties of new copolymers is studied by NMR, GPC, and DSC methods. With the use of in situ ¹Н NMR spectroscopy, the kinetics of the crossmetathesis reaction is investigated. As for unsubstituted polynorbornene (Polym. Sci., Ser. B 58, 292 (2016)), the catalyst interacts initially with polycyclooctene, giving a polymer carbene complex [Ru]=PCO. Further, this complex attacks the polytrimethylsilylnorbornene chain via cross reaction with formation of complex [Ru]=PNB-Si and a diblock copolymer of trimethylsilylnorbornene and cyclooctene as reaction products. The subsequent cross reactions form a multiblock copolymer with gradually increasing block length. Throughout the entire process, the concentration of [Ru]=PCO exceeds the concentration of [Ru]=PNB-Si by more than two orders of magnitude. Simultaneously, the total concentration of carbene complexes decreases in time through their decay. The reaction kinetics is satisfactorily described by a model proposed previously for interaction between polycyclooctene and polynorbornene.     

Direct asymmetric Zn-aldol reaction of methyl vinyl ketone and its synthetic applications

A direct catalytic asymmetric aldol reaction of methyl vinyl ketone is described using our dinuclear zinc catalyst. The obtained aldol adduct functions as a bifunctional building block by utilization of the vinyl functionality. For example, convergent fragment coupling methods have been demonstrated via highly diastereoselective cycloaddition of nitrile oxide after reduction into 1,3-diol or via cross-metathesis reaction.     

非均相催化烯烃交叉复分解反应

烯烃交叉复分解反应作为石油化工领域一种重要过程,为各种单烯烃间的互相转化提供了一条有效的途径。特别是在利用正丁烯生产丙烯和其它重要单烯烃方面,复分解反应受到越来越多的重视。本文对烯烃交叉复分解反应(CM)的进展进行了综述,讨论了CM各种工艺的技术特点及反应机理,重点介绍了WO₃/SiO₂、Re₂O₇/Al₂O₃、MoO₃/Al₂O₃3类催化剂的最新改进及相应的理论分析,试图理清催化剂今后发展的思路,为进一步改进催化剂的性能提供相关的依据。     

Allyl sulfides are privileged substrates in aqueous cross-metathesis: application to site-selective protein modification

Allyl sulfides undergo efficient cross-metathesis in aqueous media with Hoveyda-Grubbs second generation catalyst 1. The high reactivity of allyl sulfides in cross-metathesis was exploited in the first examples of cross-metathesis on a protein surface. S-Allylcysteine was incorporated chemically into the protein, providing the requisite allyl sulfide handle. Preliminary efforts to genetically incorporate S-allylcysteine into proteins are also reported.