Mechanism of phthalic anhydride formation in the oxidation of n-pentane on a vanadium-phosphorus oxide catalyst

The reaction paths of product formation in the partial oxidation of n-pentane on vanadium-phosphorus oxide (VPO) and VPO-Bi catalysts are considered. The condensed products of n-pentane oxidation were analyzed by chromatography-mass spectrometry, and the presence of C₄ rather than C₅ unsaturated hydrocarbons was detected. It was found that the concentration of phthalic anhydride in the products increased upon the addition of C₄ olefins and butadiene to the n-pentane-air reaction mixture. With the use of a system with two in-series reactors, it was found that the addition of butadiene to a flow of n-butane oxidation products (maleic anhydride, CO, and CO₂) resulted in the formation of phthalic anhydride. The oxidation of 1-butanol was studied, and butene and butadiene were found to be the primary products of reaction; at a higher temperature, maleic anhydride and then phthalic anhydride were formed. The experimental results supported the reaction scheme according to which the activation of n-pentane occurred with the elimination of a methyl group and the formation of C₄ unsaturated hydrocarbons. The oxidation of these latter led to the formation of maleic anhydride. The Diels-Alder reaction between maleic anhydride and C₄ unsaturated hydrocarbons is the main path of phthalic anhydride formation.     

Regioselective synthesis of 2-carbonyl furans in a one pot three component reaction

Regioselective synthesis of 2-benzoyl-6,6-dimethyl-6,7-dihydrobenzofuran-4(5H)-ones have been accomplished through a novel protocol involving β-amino enone, N-chlorosuccinimide and dimedone in a one pot catalyst-free reaction at an ambient temperature. On the other hand, the same reaction when conducted with two equivalents of N-chlorosuccinimide under similar reaction conditions, exclusive formation of 2-benzoyl-3-(dimethylamino)-6,6-dimethyl-6,7-dihydrobenzofuran-4(5H)-ones were observed. Simple and metal-free reaction conditions, selective product formation and excellent yields are the advantages of this protocol.     

Electron donor-acceptor interaction of 3,4-dimethylaniline with 2,3-dicyano-1,4-naphthoquinone

The electron donor–acceptor (EDA) interaction between 2,3-dicyano-1,4-naphthoquinone (DCNQ) and 3,4-dimethylaniline (3,4-DMA) is studied in chloroform, dichloromethane and 1:1 (v/v) mixture of chloroform and dichloromethane. The rate of formation of the product was measured as a function of time using UV–vis spectrophotometer. The formation constant (K) and molar extinction coefficient (?) values for the formation of EDA complex were evaluated in the temperature range of 20–35 °C. The pseudo-first-order rate constant (k₁) and the second-order rate constant (k₂) for the disappearance of EDA complex and for the formation of product were evaluated. The activation parameters (ΔH^#, ΔS^# and ΔG^#) of the reaction were determined by temperature dependence of rate constants using the Arrhenius plots. The effect of relative permittivity of the medium on the reaction is discussed. The observed results indicate that formation of final product proceeds through initial formation of EDA complex as an intermediate. The product of the reaction was purified by column chromatography method and identified as 3-(N-3,4-dimethyl-phenylamino)-2-cyano-1,4-naphthoquinone by elemental analysis, IR and NMR spectroscopy. On the basis of kinetic, analytical and spectroscopic results, a plausible mechanism for the formation of EDA complex and its transformation into product is proposed.     

An investigation into the mechanism of the imidazolidinone catalyzed cascade reaction

The cascade reaction of α,β-unsaturated butyric aldehydes with 2-methyl furan and chlorinated quinone catalyzed by a (2S,5S)-5-benzyl-2-tert-butyl-3-methylimidazolidin-4-one·TFA was investigated by using density functional theory (DFT) calculations at the PCM(EtOAc)/B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p)//B3LYP/6-31G(d) level to (a) confirm the detailed reaction mechanism and key factors controlling the enantioselectivity; and (b) check the models of the iminium ion formation and hydrolysis process that were carried out in another reaction. Two favorable reaction channels, corresponding to the enantioselectivity of the (2R,3S)-product and (2S,3S)-product, have been characterized. The enantioselectivity is controlled by the steps involved in the formation of the C–C bond and the C–Cl bond in the iminium catalysis and the enamine catalysis, respectively. The calculated results explain the reaction mechanism and the enantioselectivity, which are in agreement with experimental observations, and may be helpful for understanding the reaction mechanism of similar cascade reactions.     

The kinetics and mechanism of mechanochemical dissolution of chromium in nickel

The regularities of the formation of a solid solution in a Ni-Cr(20 at %) system are studied using X-ray diffraction, optical microscopy, and particle-size distribution analysis within the framework of an energetical approach to the analysis of the kinetics of mechanochemical synthesis. It is established that the curves of the consumption of chromium atoms and the formation of the reaction product (a solid solution of chromium in nickel) coincide with each other. The rate-limiting step of the reaction is the formation of a contact surface between chromium and nickel, while the “stirring” of chromium atoms in nickel matrix has a very high rate. The rate of the formation of the contact surface in the mixture of brittle chromium and plastic nickel is determined by the rate of chromium particle disintegration. To a conversion of about 60%, the reaction kinetics is described by a quadratic dependence on the dose (D) of the mechanical treatment (N ～ D ₂).     

Selective synthesis of (E)-triethyl(2-arylethenyl)silane derivatives by reaction of aryl bromides with triethyl vinylsilane catalysed by a palladium-tetraphosphine complex

Cis, cis, cis-1,2,3,4-tetrakis(diphenylphosphinomethyl)cyclopentane / 0.5 [PdCl(C₃H₅)]₂ system catalyses the Heck reaction of vinylsilane derivatives with a range of aryl bromides with high ratio substrate/catalyst in good yields. The formation of mixtures of styrene, (E)-triethyl(2-arylethenyl)silane and triethyl(1-arylethenyl)silane derivatives was observed in some cases. Very high selectivities (up to 100%) in favour of the formation of (E)-triethyl(2-arylethenyl)silane derivatives were obtained in the presence of sodium acetate as base. With other bases such as potassium carbonate, the formation of large amounts of styrene derivatives was observed. The reaction tolerates several functions such as fluoro, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, dimethylamino, acetyl, formyl, benzoyl, carboxylate, nitro or nitrile. Moreover, turnover numbers up to 10,000 can be obtained for this reaction.     

A novel three-component reaction of N-fluoropyridinium salts: a facile approach to imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines

The reaction of N-fluoropyridinium triflate with isonitriles in acetonitrile and propionitrile in the presence of NaBH(OAc)₃ led to the formation of the corresponding imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines in 44-73% yields. The proposed reaction mechanism involves the intermediate formation of a highly reactive carbene species and apparent reduction of the pyridinium intermediate with NaBH(OAc)₃ to yield the targeted heterocycles.     

C-N bond formation followed by N-Cl bond breaking. One more and unexpected case of the formation of a hydroxamic group via heterolytic bond cleavage

An unexpected and previously unknown reaction sequence in the interactions of the acyl halides with nitrosobenzenes, which involves carbon-nitrogen bond formation followed by heterolytic nitrogen-chlorine bond cleavage giving the corresponding unsubstituted N-phenylalkylhydroxamic acids (or N-phenylarylhydroxamic acids) and chlorine as the products has been observed. The kinetic and other evidence obtained suggest that the carbon-nitrogen bond formation is the consequence of a nucleophilic interaction of an N-phenylchlorohydroxylamine intermediate, formed in the first reaction step, with the acyl halide in the second step of the complex sequence, which leads to an N-acyl-N-chlorophenylhydroxylamine cation intermediate. The key reaction step involves the interaction of an N-acyl-N-chlorophenylhydroxylamine cation intermediate with chloride ion, which leads to the N-Cl heterolytic bond cleavage and the final formation of the hydroxamic group and a molecule of chlorine.     

Formation of the cage-like phosphoranes with the P-C and P-N bonds in the reactions of 2-(2-benzylidenamino)phenoxy-4-tert-butylbenzo-1,3,2-dioxaphosphol with ethyl mesoxalate and ethyl trifluoropyruvate

The reaction of 2-(2-benzylidenamino)phenoxy-4-tert-butylbenzo-1,3,2-dioxaphosphol with ethyl mesoxalate and ethyl trifluoropyruvate resulted in the formation of tricyclic phosphoranes with the P-C and P-N bonds. The adduct emerged from the initial reaction of the P^III derivative with the activated ketone (1: 1), further underwent the transformation via the intramolecular reaction involving the benzylideniminoaryl substituent, which resulted in the formation of the cage-like phosphoranes.     

Stereospecific stilbene formation from β-hydroxy-α,β-diphenylethylphosphoranes. Mechanistic proposals based upon stereochemistry

All four diastereomers of β-hydroxy-α,β-diphenylethylspirophosphoranes bearing two Martin ligands were prepared from a P-H (equatorial) spirophosphorane. Treatment of these phosphoranes with t-BuOK or t-BuONa at low temperature (ca. −40°C) led to the formation of stilbene with complete stereospecificity. In half of the cases the reaction proceeded quantitatively, whereas the other half gave rise to retro-aldol reaction with the formation of varying amounts of benzaldehyde and benzylphosphorane. A kinetic examination revealed that of the four the quantitatively proceeding reaction that gives cis-stilbene was the fastest. Based on the experimental observations, a mechanistic rationale for the previously reported Wittig-type reaction of exceptionally high Z-selectivity using an ethoxycarbonylmethylspirophosphorane is presented.     

A mild, expedient, one-pot trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride mediated synthesis of N-arylimidates

The direct transformation of various secondary amides into N-arylimidates via mild electrophilic amide activation with trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride (Tf₂O) in the presence of 2-chloropyridine (2-ClPyr) is described. Low-temperature amide activation followed by C-O bond formation with 2-naphthol provides the desired N-arylimidates in short overall reaction times. In contrast, reaction with oxindole proceeds via formation of a C-C bond to give 1-(1H-indol-2-yl)naphthalene-2-ol.     

Molecular complexation of some amino acids and triglycine with 18-crown-6 ether in H2O-EtOH solvents at 298.15 K

The influence of composition of H₂O-EtOH solvent on the reaction of formation of a molecular complex of 18-crown-6 ether (18C6) with triglycine (3Gly) has been studied at 298.15 K by a thermochemical method. The standard thermodynamic parameters (Δ_r G°, Δ_r H°, and TΔ_r S°) of the reaction of [3Gly18C6] complex formation in water-ethanol (H₂O-EtOH) solvents having an EtOH mole fraction of 0.0, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.30, and 0.50 have been calculated from the data of calorimetric measurements performed on a TAM III titration microcalorimeter. It has been found that an increase in EtOH concentration in the mixed solvent results in an increase in stability of [3Gly18C6] and in an enhancement in exothermicity of its formation reaction. The water-ethanol solvent has an analogous effect on the stability and energetics of the reactions of formation of molecular complexes of 18C6 with glycine, D,L-alanine, and L-phenylalanine.     

Kinetic model for formation of DMPO-OH in water under ultrasonic irradiation using EPR spin trapping method

The rate of the formation of the 2-hydroxy-5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrrolidinyloxy (DMPO-OH) radical in water during ultrasonic irradiation was evaluated both experimentally and theoretically. The hydroxyl radical (OH radical) was indirectly detected using 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO) as the spin trapping compound, and the generated DMPO-OH by the reaction between the OH radical and DMPO was measured by an electron paramagnetic resonance. The rate of change in the concentration of the DMPO-OH decreased with time, suggesting that not only the formation reaction of DMPO-OH but also the degradation reaction would take place by ultrasonic irradiation. The formation rate of the DMPO-OH was higher with ultrasonic power intensity and lower with reaction temperature. Based on the experimental results, a kinetic model for the formation of the DMPO-OH was proposed by considering the formation reaction, the ultrasonic degradation, and spontaneous degradation of DMPO-OH. The model well described the effect of the ultrasonic power intensity and the reaction temperature on the formation rate of DMPO-OH. The rate of the formation of the DMPO-OH was evaluated with the aid of the kinetic model.     

The intramolecular Diels-Alder vinylthiophen (IMDAV) reaction: An easy approach to thieno[2,3-f]isoindole-4-carboxylic acids

The reaction of readily accessible 3-(thien-2-yl)allylamines with maleic anhydride, followed by a domino sequence involving successive acylation/[4+2] cycloaddition steps, leads to the formation of the thieno[2,3-f]isoindole core. The key step, the intramolecular Diels-Alder vinylaren (IMDAV) reaction, proceeds with high level of diastereoselectivity and with formation of a single diastereoisomer of the target product 4,4a,5,6,7,7a-hexahydro-3aH-thieno[2,3-f]isoindole-4-carboxylic acids in excellent yields. If the reaction is carried out at room temperature, it occurs in 2–3 days and the proton migration (H-shift) does not take place at the last stage. In boiling benzene, the reaction is complete after three hours, but in this case a slight impurity of byproducts bearing aromatic thiophene ring – 4a,5,6,7,7a,8-hexahydro-4H-thieno[2,3-f]isoindole-4-carboxylic acids is formed.     

Thiol-ene coupling of 1,2-disubstituted alkene monomers: The kinetic effect of cis/trans-isomer structures

The free-radical induced reaction between a tri-functional thiol (2-ethyl-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-propanediol trimercapto propionate) and two 1,2-disubstituted alkenes (methyl oleate and methyl elaidate) has been investigated under photochemical conditions. The photoreaction was monitored via time-resolved FTIR, Raman and NMR spectroscopy to provide insights about the kinetics and efficiency in end-product formation. The information collected was subjected to numerical modelling using the GEPASI software using pre-established literature values for the rate coefficients in order to verify the proposed reaction scheme. The results confirm the thiol-ene reaction mechanism showing a very fast cis/trans-isomerization (<1.0 min) when compared with the total disappearance of unsaturations, indicating that the rate-limiting step controlling the reaction is the hydrogen transfer from the thiol involved in the formation of product. High thiol-ene conversions can be obtained at reasonable rates without major influence of side-reactions when performed in bulk indicating that this reaction is suitable for network forming purposes with monounsaturated fatty acid methyl esters derivatives. The kinetic and mechanistic information collected provides a basis for the design of new thiol-ene systems aiming at material and coating applications.     

Synthesis of pyrazine-2,3-dicarbonitrile and 1,2,4-triazine-5（4H）-one derivatives from furan-2,3-diones

The reaction of furan-2,3-diones with S-methylisothiosemicarbazide hydroiodide yielded novel 1,2,4- triazine-5（4H）-ones, and reaction of furan-2,3-diones with diaminomaleonitrile led to the formation of pyrazine-2,3-dicarbonitrile derivatives, and the hydrolysis of these products led to the formation of more new pyrazine-2,3-dicarbonitrile derivatives. These compounds are potential herbicides and pesticides.     

Cyanamide: a convenient building block to synthesize 4-aryl-2-cyanoimino-3,4-dihydro-1H-pyrimidine systems via a multicomponent reaction

4-Aryl-2-cyanoimino-3,4-dihydro-1H-pyrimidine derivatives were prepared using a multicomponent reaction by reacting a mixture of arene or heteroarenecarbaldehyde, 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds, and cyanamide under acidic conditions. The novelty of this approach derives from its use of cyanamide as a building block in a four-component Biginelli-type reaction. Varying the reaction conditions led to the formation of either N-(2-imino-6-phenyl-1,3,5-oxadiazinan-4-ylidene) cyanamide or 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-one. The type of heterocycle skeleton synthesized depends on the nature of the acid catalyst as well as the reaction conditions employed.     

Studies on kinetics and thermodynamics of oxidation of 3,4,5-trimethoxy benzaldehyde,benzaldehyde and N,N-dimethylamino benzaldehyde by tetraethylammonium bromochromate in dimethyl formamide and acetic acid mixture

The oxidation of 3,4,5-trimethoxy benzaldehyde (TMBA), benzaldehyde (BA) and dimethylamino benzaldehyde (DMABA) in N,N-dimethyl formamide (DMF) by tetraethylammonium bromochromate (TEABC) resulted in the formation of the corresponding acids. The reaction is first order with respect to both TEABC and the aldehydes. The reaction is catalyzed by toluene-p-sulfonic acid (p-TsOH). The hydrogen ion dependence has the form: k_obs = a + b [H⁺]. The reaction has been studied in different percentage of DMF–acetic acid mixture. The effect of dielectric constant of the medium indicates the reaction to be of ion–dipole type. Various thermodynamic parameters for the oxidation have been reported and discussed along with the validity of isokinetic relationship. Reason for high rate in the case of oxidation of N,N-dimethylamino benzaldehyde is also described. A mechanism involving formation of a chromate ester intermediate in the slow step has been proposed.     

Palladium-catalysed aminocarbonylation of iodoarenes and iodoalkenes with aminophosphonate as N-nucleophile

The high-yielding synthesis of novel N-acyl phosphonates with unprecedented structure was carried out by a homogeneous carbonylation reaction under mild reaction conditions. The palladium-catalysed aminocarbonylation of iodoalkenes (1-iodo-cyclohexene, 1-iodo-4-tert-butyl-cyclohexene, 1-iodo-2-methyl-cyclohexene and α-iodostyrene) with diethyl α-aminobenzyl-phosphonate as N-nucleophile resulted in the exclusive formation of carboxamides. The same reaction with iodoaromatics (iodobenzene, 2-iodothiophene) provided the corresponding carboxamide in high yields and some 2-keto-carboxamides as side products due to single and double carbon monoxide insertion, respectively.     

Competitive thermal ene reaction and Diels-Alder reactions of 2-[N-(alk-2-enyl)benzylamino]-3-vinylpyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidin-4(4H)-ones

Thermal reaction of 2-[N-(alk-2-enyl)benzylamino]-3-(2-substituted and 2,2-disubstituted)vinylpyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidin-4(4H)-ones gave azepine, the desired ene products, and/or pyran derivatives. The formation of the latter was responsible for the [4+2] cycloaddition reaction between the α,β-unsaturated ester carbonyl moiety as a diene part and the alkenylamino moiety as an ene one. The reaction features depended upon the kinds of substituents both on the vinyl and alkenyl counterparts; strongly electron-withdrawing substituents on the vinyl moiety or an electron-donating substituent on the alkenyl one changed the reaction feature from the ene reaction to the hetero Diels-Alder reaction.