Novel hyperbranched polymers synthesized via A3 + B(B′) approach by radical addition‐coupling polymerization

In this study, a novel application of radical addition‐coupling polymerization (RACP) for synthesis of hyperbranched polymers is reported. By Cu/PMDETA‐mediated RACP of 2‐methyl‐2‐nitrosopropane with trimethylolpropane tris(2‐bromopropionate) or a bromo‐ended 3‐arm PS macromonomer, two types of hyperbranched polymers with high degree of polymerization are synthesized under mild conditions, respectively. The chemical structures of the hyperbranched polymers are carefully characterized. By selective degradations of the ester groups and weak bonds of NO? C in the polymers, high degree of alternative connection of the two monomers in the synthesized polymers have been identified. Based on the experimental results, mechanism of formation of the hyperbranched polymer is proposed, which includes formation of carbon radicals from the tribromo monomer through single electron transfer, its capture by 2‐methyl‐2‐nitrosopropane that results in nitroxide radical, and cross‐coupling reaction of the nitroxide radical with other carbon radicals. Hyperbranched polymer can be formed in a step‐growth mode after multiple steps of such reactions. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53, 904–913     

“(Diphosphine)Nickel”‐Catalyzed Negishi Cross‐Coupling: An Experimental and Theoretical Study

The use of a strongly donating “(bis‐dialkylphosphine)Ni” fragment promotes the catalytic coupling of a large range of ArCl and ArZnCl derivatives under mild conditions. Stoichiometric mechanistic investigations and DFT calculations prove that a Ni⁰/Ni^II cycle is operative in this system.     

Nucleophilic and Electrophilic Activation of Non‐Heteroaromatic Amides in Atom‐Economical Asymmetric Catalysis

Recent advances in catalytic asymmetric carbon–carbon bond‐forming reactions of non‐heteroaromatic amide substrates are highlighted. Among carbonyl compounds, amides have received limited attention in catalytic asymmetric transformations mainly owing to their lower reactivity. Amides are reluctant to form enolates for nucleophilic addition, and α,β‐unsaturated amides exhibit diminished electrophilicity at the β‐carbon. Recent advances in asymmetric catalysis rendered these amides amenable to enantioselective reactions with perfect atom economy, producing synthetically useful chiral building blocks. This Minireview summarizes recent developments in the field.     

A new class of stereoregular vinylene‐arylene copolymers with double‐decker silsesquioxane in the main chain

A synthesis of a new macromolecular class of vinylene‐arylene copolymers with double‐decker silsesquioxane in the main chain is presented. Two transition‐metal‐catalyzed processes, which is silylative‐coupling copolycondensation (SCC) and ADMET copolymerization of divinyl‐substituted double‐decker silsesquioxanes (DDSQ‐2SiVi) with selected diolefins, are reported to be highly efficient tools for the formation of stereoregular copolymers containing DDSQ‐silylene‐vinylene‐arylene units. The copolymeric products are studied in terms of their structural, thermal, and mechanical properties. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 1044–1055     

A Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Domino Coupling of Alcohols with Allenes Enables the Synthesis of Highly Substituted Indenes

The reaction of aryl‐substituted allenes with alcohols under gold catalysis led to highly substituted indenes in good yields, with low catalyst loading and under mild conditions. During this domino transformation, two C?C bonds are formed with water as the only byproduct.     

Electronic Structure Modulation in an Exceptionally Stable Non‐Heme Nitrosyl Iron(II) Spin‐Crossover Complex

The highly stable nitrosyl iron(II) mononuclear complex [Fe(bztpen)(NO)](PF₆)₂ (bztpen=N‐benzyl‐N,N′,N′‐tris(2‐pyridylmethyl)ethylenediamine) displays an S=1/2?S=3/2 spin crossover (SCO) behavior (T_1/2=370 K, ΔH=12.48 kJ mol^?1, ΔS=33 J K^?1 mol^?1) stemming from strong magnetic coupling between the NO radical (S=1/2) and thermally interconverted (S=0?S=2) ferrous spin states. The crystal structure of this robust complex has been investigated in the temperature range 120–420 K affording a detailed picture of how the electronic distribution of the t_2g–e_g orbitals modulates the structure of the {FeNO}⁷ bond, providing valuable magneto–structural and spectroscopic correlations and DFT analysis.     

Highly Chemoselective Synthesis of Indolizidine Lactams by SmI2‐Induced Umpolung of the Amide Bond via Aminoketyl Radicals: Efficient Entry to Alkaloid Scaffolds

Samarium(II) iodide enables a wide range of highly chemoselective umpolung radical transformations proceeding by electron transfer to carbonyl groups; however, cyclizations of important nitrogen‐containing precursors have proven limited due to their prohibitive redox potential. Herein, we report the first reductive cyclizations of unactivated cyclic imides onto N‐tethered olefins using SmI₂/H₂O. This new umpolung protocol leads to the rapid synthesis of nitrogen‐containing heterocycles that are of particular significance as precursors to pharmaceutical pharmacophores and numerous classes of alkaloids. The reaction conditions tolerate a wide range of functional groups. Excellent chemoselectivity is observed in the cyclization over amide and ester functional groups. Such unconventional reactivity has important implications for the design and optimization of new bond‐forming reactions by umpolung radical processes. The reaction advances the SmI₂ cyclization platform to the challenging unactivated N‐tethered acyl‐type radical precursors to access nitrogen‐containing architectures.     

From Minutes to Years: Predicting Organotrifluoroborate Solvolysis Rates

Organotrifluoroborates solvolyze in water at rates that vary over five orders of magnitude. The negative logarithm of the solvolytic rate constant, pk_(B?F), correlates exceptionally well with the pK_a of the analogous carboxylic acid (R²=0.984). This unforeseen correlation may be of predictive value for several applications including Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling reactions and the design of ¹⁸F‐organotrifluoroborate radioprosthetic groups.     

Catalytic Activity of Cationic and Neutral Silver(I)–XPhos Complexes with Nitrogen Ligands or Tolylsulfonate for Mannich and Aza‐Diels–Alder Coupling Reactions

Cationic and neutral silver(I)–L complexes (L=Buchwald‐type biaryl phosphanes) with nitrogen co‐ligands or organosulfonate counter ions have been synthesised and characterised through their structural and spectroscopic properties. At room temperature, both cationic and neutral silver(I)–L complexes are extremely active catalysts in the promotion of the single and double A³ coupling of terminal (di)alkynes, pyrrolidine and formaldehyde. In addition, the aza‐Diels–Alder two‐ and three‐component coupling reactions of Danishefsky’s diene with an imine or amine and aldehyde are efficiently catalysed by these cationic or neutral silver(I)–L complexes. The solvent influences the catalytic performance due to limited complex solubility or solvent decomposition and reactivity. The isolation of new silver(I)–L complexes with reagents as ligands lends support to mechanistic proposals for such catalytic processes. The activity, stability and metal–distal arene interaction of these silver(I)–L catalysts have been compared with those of analogous cationic gold(I) and copper(I) complexes.     

Non‐coordinating‐Anion‐Directed Reversal of Activation Site: Selective C−H Bond Activation of N‐Aryl Rings

An Rh‐catalyzed selective C?H bond activation of diaryl‐substituted anilides is described. In an attempt to achieve C?H activation of C‐aryl rings, we unexpectedly obtained an N‐aryl ring product under non‐coordinating anion conditions, whereas the C‐aryl ring product was obtained in the absence of a non‐coordinating anion. This methodology has proved to be an excellent means of tuning and adjusting selective C?H bond activation of C‐aryl and N‐aryl rings. The approach has been rationalized by mechanistic studies and theoretical calculations. In addition, it has been found and verified that the catalytic activity of the rhodium catalyst is obviously improved by non‐coordinating anions, which provides an efficient strategy for obtaining a highly chemoselective catalyst. Mechanistic experiments also unequivocally ruled out the possibility of a so‐called “silver effect” in this transformation involving silver.