Enumeration of Isomers of Alkylcyclobutadienes by Means of Alkyl 1,1,1-Triradicals

Previous studies have shown that alkyl 1,1-biradicals could be used to enumerate the constitutional isomers of alkenes [1] and cyclopropanes [2]. In this study, an algorithm of using alkyl 1,1,1-triradicals to enumerate the constitutional isomers of alkylcyclobutadienes is described. An alkylcyclobutadiene molecule is considered to be formed by four alkyl 1,1,1-triradicals by pairing two of the electrons with two of the adjacent alkyl 1,1,1-triradicals, and the remaining unpaired electron with one of the other adjacent alkyl 1,1,1-triradical. This enumeration algorithm showed that the constitutional isomers of the methanol series enumerated by Henze and Blair [3] can be used for enumerating the constitutional isomer of unsaturated cyclic compounds.     

Efficient synthesis of trisubstituted alkenes in an aqueous-organic system using a versatile and recyclable Rh/m-TPPTC catalyst

We have found that the use of [Rh(cod)OH]₂ associated with the water-soluble ligand m-TPPTC was highly efficient for the Rh-catalyzed arylation of alkynes. Aryl and alkyl alkynes were transformed to alkenes using 3 mol % rhodium catalyst and 2.5 equiv of boronic acid at 100 °C in a biphasic water/toluene system in 80-99% yield. The reaction was found to be totally regioselective for alkyl arylalkynes and alkyl silylated alkynes. The Rh/m-TPPTC system was for the first time recycled with no loss of the activity and with excellent purity of the desired alkene.     

Monomeric Magnesium Catalyzed Alkene and Alkyne Hydroboration

In this work, two monomeric magnesium alkyl complexes ( 1 and 2 ) were prepared using bis(phosphino)carbazole framework and among them 1 has been used as a catalyst for hydroboration of alkenes and alkynes with pinacolborane (HBpin). A broad variety of aromatic and aliphatic alkenes and alkynes were efficiently reduced. Anti-Markovnikov regioselective hydroboration of alkenes and alkynes was achieved, which was confirmed by deuterium-labelling experiments. The work represents the first example of the use of magnesium in homogeneous catalytic hydroboration of alkene with broad substrate scope. Experimental mechanistic investigations and DFT calculations provided insights into the reaction mechanism. Finally, the hydroboration protocol was extended to terpenes.     

Rh-catalyzed addition of boronic acids to alkynes for the synthesis of trisubstituted alkenes in a biphasic system - Mechanistic study and recycling of the Rh/m-TPPTC catalyst

The versatile preparation of trisubstituted alkenes via selective Rh-catalyzed arylation of alkynes is described in water and in a water/toluene biphasic system. For hydrophobic alkyl alkynes, the reaction afforded either alkenes or dienes depending on the temperature and the solvent conditions. Aryl, heteroaryl, silylated and alkyl substituted alkynes reacted equally well with various boronic acids, leading regioselectively to functionalized alkenyl derivatives in high yields (65-99%). The mechanism was investigated in toluene/water mixture or water and involves a vinylrhodium complex. The efficient recycling of the Rh/m-TPPTC system is disclosed with excellent yield (92-96%) and purity of the alkene.     

Enumeration of isomers of alkylcyclopropanes by means of alkyl 1,1‐biradicals

Henze and Blair [2] have successfully derived algorithms for enumerating the number of constitutional isomers of aliphatic compounds using alkyl radicals; however, the algorithms cannot be extended to enumerate constitutional isomers of cyclic compounds. Similarly, Read [4] has advocated the use of alkyl biradicals to enumerate constitutional isomers of aliphatic compounds, but not cyclic compounds. Apparently, the use of alkyl biradicals in the enumeration of constitutional isomers of cyclic compounds has been neglected. In this communication, an algorithm using alkyl biradicals to enumerate the number of constitutional isomers of cyclic compounds, namely alkylcyclopropanes, is described. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Cobalt- and nickel-catalyzed regio- and stereoselective reductive coupling of alkynes, allenes, and alkenes with alkenes

Transition-metal-catalyzed coupling of two different C-C pi components through a metallacycle intermediate is a highly atom economical method to construct C-C bonds in organic synthesis. The metal-catalyzed coupling of an alkene and alkyne generally gives an Alder-ene or reductive coupling product. In this article, we focus on the cobalt- and nickel-catalyzed reductive coupling of alkynes, allenes, and alkenes with alkenes. These reductive coupling reactions provide convenient methods for the synthesis of various alkenes, dienes, functionalized alkanes, lactones, lactams, and cyclic alcohols in a highly regio- and stereoselective manner. A chemselective formation of metallacyclopentene intermediate from the two different C-C pi components and a low-valence metal species plays a key role for the high regio- and stereoselectivity of the catalytic reaction.     

Cationic carbohydroxylation of alkenes and alkynes using the cation pool method

The reactions of an N-acyliminium ion pool with alkenes and alkynes gave gamma-amino alcohols and beta-amino carbonyl compounds, respectively, after treatment with H(2)O/Et(3)N. The present reaction serves as an efficient method for cationic carbohydroxylation of alkenes and alkynes. When vinyltrimethylsilane was used as an alkene, the reaction was highly diastereoselective and served as an access to an enantiomerically pure alpha-silyl-gamma-amino alcohol. [reaction: see text]     

An Easily Accessed Nickel Nanoparticle Catalyst for Alkene Hydrosilylation with Tertiary Silanes

The first efficient and non‐precious nanoparticle catalyst for alkene hydrosilylation with commercially relevant tertiary silanes has been developed. The nickel nanoparticle catalyst was prepared in situ from a simple nickel alkoxide precatalyst Ni(O^tBu)₂?x KCl. The catalyst exhibits high activity for anti‐Markovnikov hydrosilylation of unactivated terminal alkenes and isomerizing hydrosilylation of internal alkenes. The catalyst can be applied to synthesize a single terminal alkyl silane from a mixture of internal and terminal alkene isomers, and to remotely functionalize an internal alkene derived from a fatty acid.     

Ready access to organoiodides: Practical hydroiodination and double-iodination of carbon-carbon unsaturated bonds with I2

By using I₂ or I₂/H₃PO₃ system, various alkenes and alkynes were converted to the corresponding alkyl and alkenyl iodides in good yields. In the presence of I₂, alkynes could be di-iodinated using H₂O as the solvent in air at room temperature. This method also features the simple work-up procedure since the pure product could be obtained by extraction. Additionally, for the first time, combining with the non-toxic and cheap phosphonic acid H₃PO₃, alkenes and alkynes were also hydroiodinated successfully, which provides a simple and practical approach for synthesis of organoiodides.     

Reverse cope elimination of hydroxylamines and alkenes or alkynes: theoretical investigation of tether length and substituent effects

Quantum mechanical calculations have been used to study the intramolecular additions of hydroxylamines to alkenes and alkynes ("reverse Cope eliminations"). In intermolecular reverse Cope eliminations, alkynes are more reactive than alkenes. However, competition experiments have shown that tethering the hydroxylamine to the alkene or alkyne can reverse the reactivity order from that normally observed. The exact outcome depends on the length of the tether. In agreement with experiment, a range of density functional theory methods and CBS-QB3 calculations predict that the activation energies for intramolecular reverse Cope eliminations follow the order 6-exo-dig < 5-exo-trig < 5-exo-dig ≈ 7-exo-dig. The order of the barriers for the 5-, 6-, and 7-exo-dig reactions of alkynes arises mainly from differences in tether strain in the transition states (TSs), but is also influenced by the TS interaction between the hydroxylamine and alkyne. Cyclization onto an alkene in the 5-exo-trig fashion incurs slightly less tether strain than a 6-exo-dig alkyne cyclization, but its activation energy is higher because the hydroxylamine fragment must distort more before the TS is reached. If the alkene terminus is substituted with two methyl groups, the barrier becomes so much higher that it is also disfavored compared to the 5- and 7-exo-dig cyclizations.     

Non-stabilized transition metal carbenes as intermediates in intramolecular reactions of alkynes with alkenes

In this tutorial review we summarize the two major pathways followed in the reaction of alkenes with alkynes catalysed by electrophilic transition metals. If the metal coordinates simultaneously to the alkyne and the alkene, an oxidative cyclometallation can ensue to give a metallacyclopentene, which usually evolves by [small beta]-hydrogen elimination to give Alder-ene cycloisomerisation derivatives. On the other hand, coordination of the metal to the alkyne promotes the attack of the alkene to give metal cyclopropyl carbenes.     

Synthesis of tertiary alkyl amines from terminal alkenes: copper-catalyzed amination of alkyl boranes

A method for highly selective anti-Markovnikov hydroamination of terminal alkenes is reported. The one-pot procedure involves hydroboration of the alkene followed by a novel electrophilic amination of the alkyl borane catalyzed by an NHC-Cu complex. Terminal alkenes are successfully transformed into tertiary alkyl amines in the presence of a variety of functional groups in yields ranging from 80 to 97% with excellent regioselectivity. Results of a preliminary study of the reaction mechanism are also described.     

Oxidative diamination of alkenes with ureas as nitrogen sources: mechanistic pathways in the presence of a high oxidation state palladium catalyst

A first palladium-catalyzed intramolecular diamination of unfunctionalized terminal alkenes has recently been reported. This study investigates the details of its mechanistic course based on NMR titration, kinetic measurements competition experiments, and deuterium labeling. It concludes a two-step procedure consisting of syn-aminopalladation with an unligated palladium(II) catalyst state followed by oxidation to palladium(IV) and subsequent C-N bond formation to give the final products as cyclic diamines. Related reactions employing sulfamides give rise to aminoalkoxy-functionalization of alkenes. This process was investigated employing deuterated alkenes and found to follow an identical mechanism where stereochemistry is concerned. It exemplifies the importance of cationic palladium(IV) intermediates prior to the final reductive elimination from palladium and proves that the nucelophile for this step stems from the immediate coordination sphere of the palladium(IV) precursor. These results have important implications for the general development of alkene 1,2-difunctionalization and for the individual processes of aminopalladation and palladium-catalyzed C(alkyl)-N bond formation.     

4-Methylpyrimidinium ylides. Part 7: 3+2 Dipolar cycloadditions to non-symmetrical substituted alkenes and alkynes

The ability of 4-methylpyrimidinium ylides (as 1,3-dipoles) to react with activated non-symmetrical substituted dipolarophiles (alkenes and alkynes) is presented. 4-Methylpyrimidinium ylides did not react with alkenes. With alkynes the reactions are regiospecific, a single regioisomer being obtained. A possible mechanism for the reaction pathway is proposed. For the first time in the pyrimidinium ylides series both isomers resulting from bonding to the 2-and 6-positions of the heterocycle ring were obtained. The appropriate conditions in order to increase the selectivity of one of the isomers were determined.     

Critical influence of adsorption geometry in the heterogeneous epoxidation of "allylic" alkenes: structure and reactivity of three phenylpropene isomers on Cu(111)

It has long been conjectured that the difficulty of heterogeneously epoxidizing higher alkenes such as propene is due to the presence in the molecule of "allylic" H atoms that are readily stripped off by the oxygenated surface of the metal catalyst resulting in combustion. Here, taking advantage of the intrinsically higher epoxidation selectivity of Cu over Ag under vacuum conditions, we have used three phenylpropene structural isomers to examine the correlation between adsorption geometry and oxidation chemistry. It is found that under comparable conditions alpha-methylstyrene, trans-methylstyrene, and allylbenzene behave very differently on the oxygenated Cu(111) surface: the first undergoes extensive epoxidation accompanied by relatively little decomposition of the alkene; the second leads to some epoxide formation and extensive alkene decomposition; and the third is almost inert with respect to both reaction pathways. This reactive behavior is understandable in terms of the corresponding molecular conformations determined by near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations. The proximity to the surface of the C=C function and of the allylic H atoms is critically important in determining reaction selectivity. This demonstrates the importance of adsorption geometry and confirms that allylic H stripping is indeed a key process that limits epoxidation selectivity in such cases.     

Stereodivergent zinc-mediated three-component synthesis of tri- and tetrasubstituted alkenes

Zinc simple: The loading-dependent zinc-mediated addition of benzyl bromides to alkynes is the key step for the formation of vinyl bromides. In combination with a palladium-catalyzed Suzuki cross-coupling reaction with boronic acids, tri- and tetrasubstituted alkenes were obtained in good yields and stereoselectivities in a one-pot protocol.     

Azidosulfonylation of alkenes, dienes, and enynes

The radical mediated azidosulfonylation of various alkenes and alkynes that are able to undergo a rapid radical rearrangement is reported. For instance, treatment of 1,6-dienes or 1-en-6-ynes with benzenesulfonyl azide affords cyclic azidosulfones. High yields are observed when tertiary alkyl radicals are azidated in the last step of the cascade process. The azidosulfonylation of β-pinene involving ring opening of the bicyclic skeleton is also reported.     

Cationic palladium-catalyzed hydrosilylative cross-coupling of alkynes with alkenes

A cationic palladium complex-catalyzed cross-coupling of alkynes with alkenes is presented, which occurs selectively under the hydrosilylation conditions using trichlorosilane. The unique reaction might be well understood in terms of an initial hydropalladation of a given 1-alkyne to form regioselectively a 1-alkenylpalladium species, which, in turn, undergoes easily and specifically an alkene insertion. The resulting homoallylic organopalladium species terminates one catalytic cycle by substituting the palladium center with a trichlorosilyl group to give product(s).     

Silylmetalation of alkenes

Silylmetalation of alkenes is challenging due to the low reactivity of the substrates. In contrast, carbometalation of alkenes has been realized through several innovative methods, including activation of the reagent and the substrate. A similar approach could be applicable to silylmetalation of alkenes, and we have recently developed a bimetal activation method using zincate complexes for this purpose. Here, we describe how the silylzincation of alkenes was achieved. First, the strategies for carbometalation of alkenes will be summarized. Secondly, the history and development of silylzincation chemistry are briefly described. Then the details of our findings related to two types of silylzincation of alkenes, as well as recent progress in mechanistic studies, are discussed. The key point in the silylzincation of alkenes proved to be the bimetal activation of the substrate. One metal (copper or titanium) strongly coordinates and activates the alkene moiety, and the other metal (zinc) acts as the electron acceptor from the silyl group by way of the alkene moiety. This dual activation concept is expected to be applicable to other combinations of metals, as well as to new types of reactions.     

Synthesis, stereochemistry, and photochemical and thermal behaviour of bis-tert-butyl substituted overcrowded alkenes

In order to study the structural limits in the design of molecular motors, a tert-butyl substituted analogue was prepared. The unexpected photochemical and thermal isomerisation processes and the stereochemistry of new overcrowded alkene are described. The bis tert-butyl substituted alkenes were synthesised in a five-step sequence with an overall yield of 7.5%. Structural assignments of the isomers based on experimental data were supported by calculations of all four isomers of the alkene. X-Ray crystal analysis showed a strongly twisted alkene (torsion angle 39 degrees ) for a less stable photochemically generated cis-isomer.