Catalytic asymmetric intermolecular Stetter reaction of enals with nitroalkenes: enhancement of catalytic efficiency through bifunctional additives

An asymmetric intermolecular Stetter reaction of enals with nitroalkenes catalyzed by chiral N-heterocyclic carbenes has been developed. The reaction rate and efficiency are profoundly impacted by the presence of catechol. The reaction proceeds with high selectivities and affords good yields of the Stetter product. Internal redox products were not observed despite of the protic conditions. The impact of catechol has been found to be general, facilitating far lower catalyst loadings than were previously achievable.     

Catalytic intermolecular C-alkylation of 1,2-diketones with simple olefins: a recyclable directing group strategy

We describe the first example of Rh-catalyzed intermolecular C-alkylation of cyclic 1,2-diketones using simple terminal olefins as alkylating agents. Aminopyridine is employed as a recyclable directing group. First, it reacts with ketones to give enamines and delivers Rh to activate the vinyl C-H bonds in the same pot; second, it can be cleaved off and recovered via hydrolysis. A broad range of olefins can be utilized as substrates, including aliphatic, aromatic olefins and vinyl esters. The efficiency of this method is also demonstrated in the synthesis of a natural flavoring compound, 3-ethyl-5-methyl-1,2-cyclopentadione (one-pot 53% yield vs a previous four-step route 16% yield from the same starting material). This work is expected to serve as a seminal study toward catalytic ketone α-alkylation with unactivated olefins.     

Structural determination of ruthenium-porphyrin complexes relevant to catalytic epoxidation of olefins

A reproducible synthesis of a competent epoxidation catalyst, [Ru(VI)(TPP)(O)2)] (TPP = tetraphenylporphyrin dianion), starting from [Ru(II)(TPP)(CO)L] (L = none or CH3OH), is described. The molecular structure of the complex was determined by using ab initio X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) methods, and its solution behavior was in detail investigated by NMR techniques such as PGSE (pulsed field gradient spin-echo) measurements. [Ru(IV)(TPP)(OH)]2O, a reported byproduct in the synthesis of [Ru(VI)(TPP)(O)2], was synthesized in a pure form by oxidation of [Ru(II)(TPP)(CO)L] or by a coproportionation reaction of [Ru(VI)(TPP)(O)2] and [Ru(II)(TPP)(CO)L], and its molecular structure was then determined by XRPD analysis. [Ru(VI)(TPP)(O)2] can be reduced by dimethyl sulfoxide or by carbon monoxide to yield [Ru(II)(TPP)(S-DMSO)2] or [Ru(II)(TPP)(CO)(H2O)], respectively. These two species were characterized by conventional single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Studies relevant to catalytic reduction of dinitrogen to ammonia by molybdenum triamidoamine complexes

In this paper we explore several issues surrounding the catalytic reduction of dinitrogen by molybdenum compounds that contain the [(HIPTNCH2CH2)3N]3- ligand (where HIPT = 3,5-(2,4,6-i-Pr3C6H2)2C6H3). Four additional plausible intermediates in the catalytic dinitrogen reduction have now been crystallographically characterized; they are MoN= NH (Mo = [(HIPTNCH2CH2)3N]Mo), [Mo=NNH2][BAr'4] (Ar' = 3,5-(CF3)2C6H3), [Mo=NH][BAr'4], and Mo(NH3). We also have crystallographically characterized a 2,6-lutidine complex, Mo(2,6-Lut)+, which is formed upon treatment of MoH with [2,6-LutH][B(C6F5)4]. We focus on the synthesis of compounds that have not yet been isolated, which include Mo=NNH2, Mo=NH, and Mo(NH2). Mo=NNH2, formed by reduction of [Mo=NNH2]+, has not been observed. It decomposes to give mixtures that contain two or more of the following: MoN=NH, Mo triple bond N, Mo(NH3)+, Mo(NH3), and ammonia. Mo=NH, which can be prepared by reduction of [Mo=NH]+, is stable for long periods in the presence of a small amount of CrCp*2, but in the absence of CrCp*2, and in the presence of Mo=NH+ as a catalyst, Mo=NH is slowly converted into a mixture of Mo triple bond N and Mo(NH2). Mo(NH2) can be produced independently by deprotonation of Mo(NH3)+ with LiN(SiMe3)2 in THF, but it decomposes to Mo triple bond N upon attempted isolation. Although catalytic reduction of dinitrogen could involve up to 14 intermediates in a "linear" sequence that involves addition of "external" protons and/or electrons, it seems likely now that several of these intermediates, along with ammonia and/or dihydrogen, can be produced in several reactions between intermediates that themselves behave as proton and/or electron sources.     

Catalytic effect of hydroxy groups on reaction of polyamine with tert-butyl acrylate

The reaction of N-cyclohexyl-1,3-propanediamine with tert-butyl acrylate and the catalytic effect of hydroxy groups on the reaction course was investigated by Near Infrared spectroscopy. The reaction was found to be bimolecular and of second order. The dependence of rate constant on catalyst concentration (diols) is linear and the structure of diol used has no effect.

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N--1,3- -. . . () , .

     

Fluxional behavior of platinum(0) complexes: intra vs intermolecular reaction pathways

The fluxional behavior of two analogous platinum complexes has been studied in solution by NMR spectroscopy to elucidate the reaction mechanism and to determine the activation parameters. This includes variable temperature NMR spectroscopy, 2D (1)H- (1)H exchange spectroscopy, and spin saturation transfer measurements. A platinum moiety, Pt(PEt 3) 2, translocates between two carbon-carbon double bonds of two vinylpyridine moieties bridged by an arene (i.e., phenyl, anthracene) at elevated temperatures. Magnetization transfer NMR experiments in the presence of free ligands unambiguously revealed an intramolecular pathway for the "phenyl" system. An intermolecular pathway is proposed for the "anthracene" complex.     

Cationic NHC-gold(I) complexes: Synthesis, isolation, and catalytic activity

The reaction of [(NHC)AuCl] complexes (NHC = N-heterocyclic carbene) with a chloride abstractor of the type AgX, where X is a non-coordinating anion, led, in the presence of a neutral coordinating solvent S, to a series of cationic gold(I) complexes of formulae [(NHC)Au(S)]X. Hence, different cationic NHC-gold(I) species bound to acetonitrile, pyridine, 2-Br-pyridine, 3-Br-pyridine, norbornadiene, and THF could be synthesized and characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopies. Among these, the results of X-ray diffraction studies for [(IPr)Au(NCMe)]SbF₆, [(IAd)Au(NCMe)]PF₆, [(IPr)Au(pyr)]PF₆, [(IPr)Au(2-Br-pyr)]PF₆, [(IPr)Au(3-Br-pyr)]PF₆ are discussed. As special feature, the structure of [(IPr)Au(2-Br-pyr)]PF₆ presented a secondary interaction between the gold and bromine atoms. Additionally, while attempting to obtain crystals of [(IPr)Au(nbd)]PF₆, we crystallized a decomposition product featuring a very rare anion as bridging ligand with formulae [(μ-PF₄)((IPr)Au)₂]PF₄. The observation of a possible P-F bond activation has important implications for cationic Au-based homogeneous catalysis. Finally, we compared the catalytic activities of the different cationic [(NHC)Au(S)]X complexes in the allylic acetate rearrangement reaction and notably observed the inertness of pyridine-based catalysts.     

Spectrometric,catalytic, and antimicrobial studies of mononuclear Ru(III) Schiff-base complexes

A series of air stable low spin Ru(III) complexes, [RuX₂(EPh₃)(L)] (where X = Cl or Br; E = P or As; L = monobasic tridentate Schiff-base ligand), have been synthesized by reacting [RuCl₃(PPh₃)₃], [RuCl₃(AsPh₃)₃], and [RuBr₃(PPh₃)₃] with the Schiff base in 1 : 1 molar ratio in benzene. These complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, UV-Vis, and EPR spectroscopy together with magnetic susceptibility. The redox behaviors of the complexes have been investigated by cyclic voltammetric technique. Catalytic efficiency of the ruthenium complexes was determined for aryl–aryl coupling and the oxidation of primary and secondary alcohols into their corresponding aldehydes and ketones in the presence of molecular oxygen as co-oxidant. All complexes were screened for antibacterial activity.     

Intra- and intermolecular hydrogen bonding in formohydroxamic acid complexes with water and ammonia: infrared matrix isolation and theoretical study

The complexes of formohydroxamic acid with water and ammonia have been studied using FTIR matrix isolation spectroscopy and MP2 calculations with a 6-311++G(2d,2p) basis set. The analysis of the experimental spectra of the HCONHOH/H₂O(NH₃)/Ar matrixes indicates formation of strongly hydrogen-bonded complexes in which the NH group of formohydroxamic acid acts as a proton donor toward the oxygen atom of water or the nitrogen atom of ammonia. The NH stretching vibration of formohydroxamic acid exhibits 150 cm⁻¹ red shift in the complex with water and 443 cm⁻¹ red shift in the complex with ammonia as compared to the NH stretch of the HCONHOH monomer. The theoretical calculations indicate stability of five isomers for the water complex and three isomers for the ammonia complex. The most stable are the cyclic structures in which the water or ammonia molecules are inserted within the intramolecular hydrogen bond of the formohydroxamic acid molecule and act as proton donors for the CO group and proton acceptors for the OH group of the formohydroxamic acid molecule. In spite of their stability the cyclic structures have not been observed in the matrixes which indicates high energy barrier for their formation, the reaction of complex formation is under kinetic and not thermodynamic control.     

An allenic Pauson-Khand-type reaction: a reversal in pi-bond selectivity and the formation of seven-membered rings

[reaction: see text] Treatment of alkynyl allenes with [Rh(CO)(2)Cl](2) results in a formal [2 + 2 + 1] cycloaddition reaction. This reaction occurs with complete regioselectivity for a variety of substrates affording only 4-alkylidene cyclopentenones in good yields. Moreover, seven-membered rings have been prepared in high yields.     

Dicarbonylrhodium(I) complexes of aminophenols and their catalytic carbonylation reaction

The complexes [Rh(CO)₂ClL]( 1 ), where L = 2‐aminophenol ( a ), 3‐aminophenol ( b ) and 4‐aminophenol ( c ), have been synthesized and characterized. The ligands are coordinated to the metal centre through an N‐donor site. The complexes 1 undergo oxidative addition ( OA ) reactions with various alkyl halides ( RX ) like CH₃I, C₂H₅I and C₆H₅CH₂Cl to produce Rh(III) complexes of the type [Rh(CO)(COR)XClL], where R = ? CH₃( 2 ), ? C₂H₅( 3 ), X = I; R = C₆H₅CH₂? and X = Cl ( 4 ). The OA reaction with CH₃I follows a two‐stage kinetics and shows the order of reactivity as 1b > 1c > 1a . The minimum energy structure and Fukui function values of the complexes 1a–1c were calculated theoretically using a DND basis set with the help of Dmol³ program to substantiate the observed local reactivity trend. The catalytic activity of the complexes 1 in carbonylation of methanol, in general, is higher (TON 1189–1456) than the species [Rh(CO)₂I₂]^? (TON 1159). Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis,spectral characterization and catalytic applications of Ru(II) complexes with amide ligands

Ruthenium(II) complexes of the type, RuCl₂(NO)(PPh₃)(L₂) (where L = amide ligand) have been synthesized and characterized on the basis of their elemental analysis IR, ¹H-, ¹³C-, ³¹P-NMR spectra. Amide ligand behaved as a bidentate ligand. The probable structures of these complexes have been discussed. They were used as catalysts for the hydrolysis of drugs viz. rivastigmine tartrate and neostigmine bromide. The percent yields of hydrolyzed products of these drugs were determined spectrophotometrically.     

Palladium-catalyzed aminocarbonylation of aryl iodides with amines: efficient access to bidentate amide directing groups

Transition Metal Chemistry - A new route to bidentate amide directing groups has been developed via the palladium(II)-catalyzed aminocarbonylation. Under atmospheric carbon monoxide pressure, using...     

Studies of reaction heats and structure of complexes formed between strong N-bases and phenols

The heats of reactions between various phenols and two strong N-bases of guanidine-like character in acetonitrile, are determined. The values can be used as a measure of self-assembly abilities of the phenol molecules in the interactions with strong N-bases, playing a very important role in biological systems. In the case of TBD complexes with corresponding nitrophenols, the protonated N-base is hydrogen-bonded to the nitro group excluding the self-assembly process of the phenols. In the case of other phenols, the self-assembly abilities are dependent on pK_a values of phenols. With increasing acidity of phenols their ability to form the hydrogen-bonded chains decreases. The maximum of length of the chains is observed for 4-methylphenol, which has a similar pK_a value to that in the tyrosine residue in biological systems.     

Phase-transfer catalytic reaction of 2,4,6-tribromophenol and dibromomethane: effect of potassium hydroxide

The reaction of 2,4,6-tribromophenol with dibromomethane in an alkaline solution of KOH/dibromomethane two-phase medium, catalyzed by tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBAB or QBr), was carried out. Both mono-substituted as well as bi-substituted products were found to have formed during or after the reaction, when dibromomethane was used both as organic solvent as well as organic-phase reactant. The active catalyst tetrabutylammonium 2,4,6-tribromophenoxide (ArOQ) was identified during the reaction, from which the organic-phase reaction was inferred to be the rate controlling step. The mass transfer of both the catalysts viz. QBr and ArOQ between the two phases was found to be fast. A peculiar phenomenon was observed while investigating the effect of KOH on the reaction rate, viz. the reaction rate does not monotonously increase or decrease with increase in the amount of KOH. This phenomenon is attributed to the activity of ArOQ, the distribution of active catalyst (ArOQ) between the two phases and the hydration of active catalyst in the organic phase, both of which are affected by the amount of KOH. An effective method is proposed to determine the two intrinsic rate constants of the organic-phase reaction, based on the reaction carried out at high KOH concentration.     

Kinetics and mechanism of indigo carmine-acidic iodate reaction. An indicator reaction for catalytic determination of Ru(III) ion

A kinetic study of uncatalyzed and Ru(III) catalyzed oxidation of indigo carmine(IC) (disodium 3,3′-dioxobi-indolin-2,2′-ylidene-5,5′-disulphonate) by iodate ion in aqueous sulphuric acid solution is reported. The uncatalyzed reaction order was found to be four; one each with respect to IC and iodate ion and second order with H⁺ ion. The Ru(III) catalyzed reaction was of fifth order, second order with respect to H⁺ and first order with respect to reductant, oxidant, and catalyst. Stoichiometric ratios of both reactions were the same with a 3:2 reductant-oxidant ratio. In both uncatalyzed and catalyzed reactions isatin-5-monosulphonic acid (2,3-dioxoindoline-5-sulphonic acid) was observed as the oxidation product. Rate constants for both the reactions are reported. Reaction mechanisms consistent with the experimental data are suggested. Further, a fixed time method is described for the determination of Ru(III), based on its ability to catalyze the oxidation of IC by acidic iodate. Using [H⁺] 2.25M, [iodate] 1.00 × 10^?3M and [IC] 5.0 × 10^?5M, in presence of Ru(III), the reaction followed first order kinetics with respect to IC. The interference of various cations, neutral salts, and potassium iodide on the determination of Ru(III) was studied using synthetic mixtures. The selectivity of the method and the recommended procedure are described.     

Hydrogen-substituted osmium silylene complexes: effect of charge localization on catalytic hydrosilation

Addition of bulky primary silanes to the osmium benzyl compound, Cp*(iPr3P)OsCH2Ph, afforded two neutral hydrogen-substituted silylene complexes via activation of two Si-H bonds. These species have been structurally characterized, and their reactivity has been examined experimentally and computationally. Comparison of these neutral silylene complexes with their cationic analogue highlights the dramatic influence of charge distribution on the reaction chemistry of metal silylene complexes.     

Bimetallic complexes with ruthenium and tantalocene moieties: Synthesis and use in a catalytic cyclopropanation reaction

The reaction of the tantalocene dichloride monophosphines (1-2) with the binuclear complex [(p-cymene)RuCl₂]₂ gives the heterobimetallic compounds (p-cymene)[(η⁵-C₅H₅)(μ-η⁵:η¹-C₅H₄(CH₂)₂PR₂)TaCl₂]RuCl₂ (3-4). The air oxidation of these bimetallic species 3-4, leads to the cationic hydroxo tantalum ruthenium derivatives 5-6. The last ones are easily deprotonated by a base to afford the oxo analogues 7-8. A preliminary assessment in catalytic cyclopropanation of styrene with tantalum ruthenium bimetallic complexes 3-8 as precatalysts revealed a cooperative effect with a subtle role of the early metal fragment.