Reversing the Stereoselectivity of a Palladium‐Catalyzed O‐Glycosylation through an Inner‐Sphere or Outer‐Sphere Pathway

An efficient and concise method for the construction of various O‐glycosidic bonds by a palladium‐catalyzed reaction with a 3‐O‐picoloyl glucal has been developed. The stereochemistry of the anomeric center derives from either an inner‐sphere or outer‐sphere pathway. Harder nucleophiles, such as aliphatic alcohols and sodium phenoxides give β‐products, and α products result from using softer nucleophiles, such as phenol.     

Mechanistic Insights into the Rhenium‐Catalyzed Alcohol‐To‐Olefin Dehydration Reaction

Rhenium‐based complexes are powerful catalysts for the dehydration of various alcohols to the corresponding olefins. Here, we report on both experimental and theoretical (DFT) studies into the mechanism of the rhenium‐catalyzed dehydration of alcohols to olefins in general, and the methyltrioxorhenium‐catalyzed dehydration of 1‐phenylethanol to styrene in particular. The experimental and theoretical studies are in good agreement, both showing the involvement of several proton transfers, and of a carbenium ion intermediate in the catalytic cycle.     

Pentacoordinated Carboxylate π‐Allyl Nickel Complexes as Key Intermediates for the Ni‐Catalyzed Direct Amination of Allylic Alcohols

Direct amination of allylic alcohols with primary and secondary amines catalyzed by a system made of [Ni(1,5‐cyclooctadiene)₂] and 1,1′‐bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene was effectively enhanced by adding nBu₄NOAc and molecular sieves, affording the corresponding allyl amines in high yield with high monoallylation selectivity for primary amines and high regioselectivity for monosubstituted allylic alcohols. Such remarkable additive effects of nBu₄NOAc were elucidated by isolating and characterizing some nickel complexes, manifesting the key role of a charge neutral pentacoordinated η³‐allyl acetate complex in the present system, in contrast to usual cationic tetracoordinated complexes earlier reported in allylic substitution reactions.     

Mechanistic Studies on the SCS‐Pincer Palladium(II)‐Catalyzed Tandem Stannylation/Electrophilic Allylic Substitution of Allyl Chlorides with Hexamethylditin and Benzaldehydes

This paper describes a mechanistic study of the SCS‐pincer Pd^II‐catalyzed auto‐tandem reaction consisting of the stannylation of cinnamyl chloride with hexamethylditin, followed by an electrophilic allylic substitution of the primary tandem‐reaction product with 4‐nitrobenzaldehyde to yield homoallylic alcohols as the secondary tandem products. As it turned out, the anticipated stannylation product, cinnamyl trimethylstannane, is not a substrate for the second part of the tandem reaction. These studies have provided insight in the catalytic behavior of SCS‐pincer Pd^II complexes in the auto‐tandem reaction and on the formation and possible involvement of Pd⁰ species during prolonged reaction times. This has led to optimized reaction conditions in which the overall tandem reaction proceeds through SCS‐pincer Pd^II‐mediated catalysis, that is, true auto‐tandem catalysis. Accordingly, this study has provided the appropriate reaction conditions that allow the pincer catalysts to be recycled and reused.     

Pd‐Catalyzed Carbonylative α‐Arylation of Aryl Bromides: Scope and Mechanistic Studies

Reaction conditions for the three‐component synthesis of aryl 1,3‐diketones are reported applying the palladium‐catalyzed carbonylative α‐arylation of ketones with aryl bromides. The optimal conditions were found by using a catalytic system derived from [Pd(dba)₂] (dba=dibenzylideneacetone) as the palladium source and 1,3‐bis(diphenylphosphino)propane (DPPP) as the bidentate ligand. These transformations were run in the two‐chamber reactor, COware, applying only 1.5 equivalents of carbon monoxide generated from the CO‐releasing compound, 9‐methylfluorene‐9‐carbonyl chloride (COgen). The methodology proved adaptable to a wide variety of aryl and heteroaryl bromides leading to a diverse range of aryl 1,3‐diketones. A mechanistic investigation of this transformation relying on ³¹P and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy was undertaken to determine the possible catalytic pathway. Our results revealed that the combination of [Pd(dba)₂] and DPPP was only reactive towards 4‐bromoanisole in the presence of the sodium enolate of propiophenone suggesting that a [Pd(dppp)(enolate)] anion was initially generated before the oxidative‐addition step. Subsequent CO insertion into an [Pd(Ar)(dppp)(enolate)] species provided the 1,3‐diketone. These results indicate that a catalytic cycle, different from the classical carbonylation mechanism proposed by Heck, is operating. To investigate the effect of the dba ligand, the Pd⁰ precursor, [Pd(η³‐1‐PhC₃H₄)(η⁵‐C₅H₅)], was examined. In the presence of DPPP, and in contrast to [Pd(dba)₂], its oxidative addition with 4‐bromoanisole occurred smoothly providing the [PdBr(Ar)(dppp)] complex. After treatment with CO, the acyl complex [Pd(CO)Br(Ar)(dppp)] was generated, however, its treatment with the sodium enolate led exclusively to the acylated enol in high yield. Nevertheless, the carbonylative α‐arylation of 4‐bromoanisole with either catalytic or stoichiometric [Pd(η³‐1‐PhC₃H₄)(η⁵‐C₅H₅)] over a short reaction time, led to the 1,3‐diketone product. Because none of the acylated enol was detected, this implied that a similar mechanistic pathway is operating as that observed for the same transformation with [Pd(dba)₂] as the Pd source.     

Insight into the Mechanism of Hydrogenation of Amino Acids to Amino Alcohols Catalyzed by a Heterogeneous MoOx‐Modified Rh Catalyst

Hydrogenation of amino acids to amino alcohols is a promising utilization of natural amino acids. We found that MoO_x‐modified Rh/SiO₂ (Rh–MoO_x/SiO₂) is an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for the reaction at low temperature (323 K) and the addition of a small amount of MoO_x drastically increases the activity and selectivity. Here, we report the catalytic potential of Rh–MoO_x/SiO₂ and the results of kinetic and spectroscopic studies to elucidate the reaction mechanism of Rh–MoO_x/SiO₂ catalyzed hydrogenation of amino acids to amino alcohols. Rh–MoO_x/SiO₂ is superior to previously reported catalysts in terms of activity and substrate scope. This reaction proceeds by direct formation of an aldehyde intermediate from the carboxylic acid moiety, which is different from the reported reaction mechanism. This mechanism can be attributed to the reactive hydride species and substrate adsorption caused by MoO_x modification of Rh metal, which results in high activity, selectivity, and enantioselectivity.     

Efficient Pd‐Catalyzed Allene Synthesis from Alkynes and Aryl Bromides through an Intramolecular Base‐Assisted Deprotonation (iBAD) Mechanism

An optimized ligand‐controlled palladium‐catalyzed allene synthesis starting from alkynes and aryl bromides giving rise to allene products in a simple and direct manner is described. The methodology is performed in an inter‐ and intramolecular fashion with unprecedented scope and excellent yields. Based on mechanistic investigations and on DFT calculations, the role played by the carboxylic additive (i.e., PivOH) in controlling the selectivity of the reaction is discussed, allowing us to propose an intramolecular base‐assisted deprotonation (iBAD) mechanism for this process.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Substitution of Allylic Fluorides

As unusual substrates for the Tsuji–Trost allylation reaction, allylic fluorides are responsive to palladium‐catalyzed substitution. Their activity towards this reaction fits in the series OCO₂Me>OBz? F ?OAc. The classic stereoretention mechanism that involves sequential inversions does not operate in this case. Several distinct cases are considered.

     

A Single‐Molecule‐Level Mechanistic Study of Pd‐Catalyzed and Cu‐Catalyzed Homocoupling of Aryl Bromide on an Au(111) Surface

On‐surface Pd‐ and Cu‐catalyzed C?C coupling reactions between phenyl bromide functionalized porphyrin derivatives on an Au(111) surface have been investigated under ultra‐high vacuum conditions by using scanning tunneling microscopy and kinetic Monte Carlo simulations. We monitored the isothermal reaction kinetics by allowing the reaction to proceed at different temperatures. We discovered that the reactions catalyzed by Pd or Cu can be described as a two‐phase process that involves an initial activation followed by C?C bond formation. However, the distinctive reaction kinetics and the C?C bond‐formation yield associated with the two catalysts account for the different reaction mechanisms: the initial activation phase is the rate‐limiting step for the Cu‐catalyzed reaction at all temperatures tested, whereas the later phase of C?C formation is the rate‐limiting step for the Pd‐catalyzed reaction at high temperature. Analysis of rate constants of the Pd‐catalyzed reactions allowed us to determine its activation energy as (0.41±0.03) eV.     

Formal anti‐Carbopalladation Reactions of Non‐Activated Alkynes: Requirements,Mechanistic Insights,and Applications

Formal anti‐carbopalladation reactions of C? C triple bonds are uncommon, but highly useful transformations. Alkynes can be designed to give anti‐carbopalladation products. Prerequisite is the exclusion of other reaction pathways to provoke the cis–trans isomerization of the syn‐carbopalladation intermediate. Detailed mechanistic studies of this crucial step by experimental and computational means were performed. Application of an intramolecular version for the synthesis of oligocyclic compounds and substituted dibenzofurans is also described.     

Simple and Efficient Ruthenium‐Catalyzed Oxidation of Primary Alcohols with Molecular Oxygen

Oxidative transformations utilizing molecular oxygen (O₂) as the stoichiometric oxidant are of paramount importance in organic synthesis from ecological and economical perspectives. Alcohol oxidation reactions that employ O₂ are scarce in homogeneous catalysis and the efficacy of such systems has been constrained by limited substrate scope (most involve secondary alcohol oxidation) or practical factors, such as the need for an excess of base or an additive. Catalytic systems employing O₂ as the “primary” oxidant, in the absence of any additive, are rare. A solution to this longstanding issue is offered by the development of an efficient ruthenium‐catalyzed oxidation protocol, which enables smooth oxidation of a wide variety of primary, as well as secondary benzylic, allylic, heterocyclic, and aliphatic, alcohols with molecular oxygen as the primary oxidant and without any base or hydrogen‐ or electron‐transfer agents. Most importantly, a high degree of selectivity during alcohol oxidation has been predicted for complex settings. Preliminary mechanistic studies including ¹⁸O labeling established the in situ formation of an oxo–ruthenium intermediate as the active catalytic species in the cycle and involvement of a two‐electron hydride transfer in the rate‐limiting step.     

Cooperative Catalysis by Palladium and a Chiral Phosphoric Acid: Enantioselective Amination of Racemic Allylic Alcohols

Cooperative catalysis by [Pd(dba)₂] and the chiral phosphoric acid BA1 in combination with the phosphoramidite ligand L8 enabled the efficient enantioselective amination of racemic allylic alcohols with a variety of functionalized amines. This catalytic protocol is highly regio‐ and stereoselective (up to e.r. 96:4) and furnishes valuable chiral amines in almost quantitative yield.     

Studies on the Amination of Aryl Chlorides with a Monoligated Palladium Catalyst: Kinetic Evidence for a Cooperative Mechanism

Combined spectroscopic, crystallographic, and kinetic studies of the mechanism of aromatic amination with the efficient dinuclear Pd precatalyst [Pd₂Cl(μ‐Cl)PtBu₂(Bph‐Me)] (Bph‐Me=2′‐methyl‐[1,1′‐biphenyl]‐2‐yl) have revealed overlapping, yet cooperative, mechanistic scenarios, the relative weights of which are strongly influenced by the products formed as the reaction proceeds. The stability and evolution of the precatalyst in solution has been studied and several metalation pathways that point to a single monoligated intermediate have been identified. Our work sheds light on the nature of the catalytic species involved in the process and on the structure of the corresponding catalytic network.     

Mechanistic Study on the Palladium(II)‐Catalyzed Synthesis of 2,3‐Disubstituted Indoles Under Aerobic Conditions: Anion Effects and the Development of a Low‐Catalyst‐Loading Process

As a result of detailed mechanistic and kinetic studies, we have proposed that PdX₂‐catalyzed oxidative coupling of o‐alkynylanilines 1 with terminal alkynes 2 under aerobic conditions is initiated by aminopalladation of 1 followed by ligand exchange of the resulting σ‐indolylpalladium(II) complex with 2 , reductive elimination and N‐demethylation. Side reactions associated with intermediates on the way to 2,3‐disubstituted indoles 3 were identified, and the roles of acetate and iodide in channeling the reaction towards the desired product were established. Based on kinetic and spectroscopic studies, the soluble iodide‐ligated Pd⁰ species was proposed to be the resting state of the catalyst and its oxidation to active Pd^II species was the turnover‐limiting step. Catalytic conditions with low loading of Pd(OAc)₂ (0.0005 to 0.001 equiv) were subsequently developed.     

Gold(I)‐Catalysed Direct Thioetherifications Using Allylic Alcohols: an Experimental and Computational Study

A gold(I)‐catalysed direct thioetherification reaction between allylic alcohols and thiols is presented. The reaction is generally highly regioselective (S_N2′). This dehydrative allylation procedure is very mild and atom economical, producing only water as the by‐product and avoiding any unnecessary waste/steps associated with installing a leaving or activating group on the substrate. Computational studies are presented to gain insight into the mechanism of the reaction. Calculations indicate that the regioselectivity is under equilibrium control and is ultimately dictated by the thermodynamic stability of the products.     

Product‐Derived Bimetallic Palladium Complex Catalyzes Direct Carbonylation of Sulfonylazides

A novel product‐derived bimetallic palladium complex catalyzes a sulfonylazide‐transfer reaction with the σ‐donor/π‐acceptor ligand CO, and is advantageous given its broad substrate scope, high efficiency, and mild reaction conditions (atmospheric pressure of CO at room temperature). This methodology provides a new approach to sulfonylureas, which are present in both pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. The synthesis of Glibenclamide on a gram scale further revealed the practical utility of this procedure. Mechanistically, the generation of a bridged bimetallic palladium species derived from the product sulfonylurea is disclosed as the crucial step for this catalytic cycle.