Kinetic and NMR spectroscopic studies of chiral mixed sodium/lithium amides used for the deprotonation of cyclohexene oxide

The mixed-metal complex formed from n-butylsodium, n-butyllithium, and a chiral amino ether has been studied by NMR spectroscopy. Three different mixed-metal amides were used as chiral bases for the deprotonation of cyclohexene oxide. The selectivity and initial rate of reaction were compared for sodium-amido ethers, lithium-amido ethers, and mixtures of sodium and lithiumamido ethers in diethyl ether and tetrahydrofuran, respectively. The mixed sodium/lithium amides are more reactive than the single sodium and lithium amides, whereas the stereoselectivities are higher when lithium amides are used. The alkali-metal/gamma-amido ethers exhibit both higher initial reaction rates and stereoselectivities than their beta-amido ether analogues. NMR spectroscopic studies of mixtures of n-butylsodium (nBuNa), n-butyllithium (nBuLi), and the gamma-amino ethers in diethyl ether show the exclusive formation of dimeric mixed-metal amides. In diethyl ether, the lithium atom of the mixed-metal amide is internally coordinated and the sodium atom is exposed to solvent; however, in tetrahydrofuran, both metals are internally coordinated.     

Homo- and heterocomplexes of sodium and lithium amides--structures in solution

Addition of the chiral amine (S)-methyl(1-phenyl-2-pyrrolidinoethyl)[15N]amine (1) to a large excess of nBuNa resulted in the formation of a mixed sodium amide/nBuNa complex. This is the first observation of such a complex. Addition of nBuLi to the chiral sodium amide dimer 3 gave a new mixed lithium/sodium amide 5. The use of 15N,6Li coupling constants showed that the lithium in 5 occupied the tetracoordinated site. The use of chiral sodium amide 3 in the desymmetrization of cyclohexene oxide gave a modest enantiomeric excess (ee) of 37%. The corresponding lithium amide gave an ee of 70% of the same enantiomer. This is the first example of the comparison of asymmetric induction by sodium as cation with that of lithium.     

Solvent-dependent mixed complex formation-NMR studies and asymmetric addition reactions of lithioacetonitrile to benzaldehyde mediated by chiral lithium amides

Lithioacetonitrile and a chiral lithium amide with an internally coordinating methoxy group form mixed dimers in diethyl ether (DEE) and in tetrahydrofuran (THF) according to NMR studies. Based on the observed (6)Li,(1)H heteronuclear Overhauser effects, in THF lithioacetonitrile is present in a mixed complex with the chiral lithium amide, and this complex has a central N-Li-N-Li core. In DEE, on the other hand, the acetonitrile anion bridges two lithiums of the dimer to form a central six-membered Li-N-C-C-Li-N ring. Gauge individual atomic orbital DFT calculations of the (13)C NMR chemical shifts of the DEE- and THF-solvated mixed dimers show good agreement with those obtained experimentally. Lithioacetonitrile complexed to the chiral lithium amide has been employed in asymmetric addition to benzaldehyde in both DEE and THF. In THF the product, (S)-3-phenyl-3-hydroxy propionitrile, is formed in 55 % ee and in DEE the R enantiomer is formed in 45 % ee. This change in stereoselectivity between solutions in DEE and THF was found to be general among a number of different chiral lithium amides, all with an internal chelating methoxy group.     

Mixed complexes formed by lithioacetonitrile and chiral lithium amides: observation of (6)li,(15)N and (6)Li,(13)C couplings due to both C-Li and N-Li contacts

NMR spectroscopic studies have been performed on the mixed complexes formed by the lithium salt of acetonitrile (LiCH(2)CN) and the chiral lithium amides Li-(S)-N-(2-methoxybenzyl)-1-amino-1-phenyl-2-ethoxyethane (Li-1) and Li-(S)-N-isopropyl-2-amino-1-phenyl-3-methoxypropane (Li-2) in diethyl ether and tetrahydrofuran solvent. In diethyl ether Li-1 and LiCH(2)CN form a mixed dimeric (1:1) complex, while Li-2 and LiCH(2)CN form a mixed trimeric (2:1) complex. The dimer undergoes fast exchange between ketenimine and bridged structures. Both (1)J((15)N,(6)Li) and (1)J((13)C,(6)Li) couplings were observed for the respectively isotopically labeled compounds. In the trimeric complex the CH(2)CN anion also undergoes fast degenerate exchange between ketenimine and bridged structures, and the complex appears C(2)-symmetric on the NMR spectroscopy time scale. Both the dimer and trimer complexes have the bridged acetonitrile anion in common, as indicated by the highly shielded alpha-carbon (13)C NMR shifts (delta -6.1 and -7.4, respectively). In tetrahydrofuran only N-metalated mixed LiCH(2)CN dimers were observed for both Li-1 and Li-2 with the less shielded (13)C NMR shifts of delta -2.5 and -2.2 for the alpha-carbon of LiCH(2)CN of the complexes.     

Mixed dimer and mixed trimer complexes of nBuLi and a chiral lithium amide

Multinuclear and multidimensional NMR spectroscopy have shown that lithium (S)-N-isopropyl-O-methyl-valinol (1-[6Li]) exists in a mixed 2:1 complex with nBu[6Li], (1-[6Li])2/nBu[6Li], in non-coordinating solvents such as hexane or toluene. A 6Li,1H-HOESY NMR spectrum indicates that the complex is a cyclic trimer with a large distance between the di-coordinated lithium and the carbanion of nBu[6Li]. Such arrangements are present in the solid state as previously reported by Williard and Sun. The exchange of lithium atoms within the trimer is slow at -33 degrees C. The exchange barrier (deltaG++) was determined to be 14.7 kcal x mol(-1) from quantitative 6Li,6Li-EXSY spectra. Addition of diethyl ether results in the formation of mixed dimers of (1-[6Li])/nBu[6Li], tetramers of nBu[6Li], and homodimers (1-[6Li])2. The apparent equilibrium constant of the mixed dimer was determined from the 6Li NMR integrals as K = 7.     

Amine- and ether-chelated aryllithium reagents-structure and dynamics

Chelation and aggregation in phenyllithium reagents with potential 6- and 7-ring chelating amine (2, 3) and 5-, 6-, and 7-ring chelating ether (4, 5, 6) ortho substituents have been examined utilizing variable temperature (6)Li and (13)C NMR spectroscopy, (6)Li and (15)N isotope labeling, and the effects of solvent additives. The 5- and 6-ring ether chelates (4, 5) compete well with THF, but the 6-ring amine chelate (2) barely does, and 7-ring amine chelate (3) does not. Compared to model compounds (e.g., 2-ethylphenyllithium 7), which are largely monomeric in THF, the chelated compounds all show enhanced dimerization (as measured by K = [D]/[M](2)) by factors ranging from 40 (for 6) to more than 200 000 (for 4 and 5). Chelation isomers are seen for the dimers of 5 and 6, but a chelate structure could be assigned only for 2-(2-dimethylaminoethyl)phenyllithium (2), which has an A-type structure (both amino groups chelated to the same lithium in the dimer) based on NMR coupling in the (15)N, (6)Li labeled compound. Unlike the dimer, the monomer of 2 is not detectably chelated. With the exception of 2-(methoxymethyl)phenyllithium (4), which forms an open dimer (12) and a pentacoordinate monomer (13), the lithium reagents all form monomeric nonchelated adducts with PMDTA.     

Computational insight into the electronic structure and absorption spectra of lithium complexes of N-confused tetraphenylporphyrin

The present work is a theoretical investigation on lithium complexes of N-confused tetraphenylporphyrins (aka inverted) employing density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT, using the B3LYP, CAM-B3LYP, and M06-2X functionals in conjunction with the 6-31G(d,p) basis set. The purpose of the present study is to calculate the electronic structure and the bonding of the complexes to explain the unusual coordination environment in which Li is found experimentally and how the Li binding affects the Q and the Soret bands. The calculations show that, unlike a typical tetrahedral Li(+) cation, this Li forms a typical bond with one N and interacts with the remaining two N atoms, and it is located in the right place to form an agostic-like interaction with the internal C atom. The reaction energy, the enthalpy for the formation of the lithium complexes of N-confused porphyrins, and the effect of solvation are also calculated. The insertion of Li into N-confused porphyrin, in the presence of tetrahydrofuran, is exothermic with a reaction energy calculated to be as high as -72.4 kcal/mol using the lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide reagent. Finally, there is agreement in the general shape among the vis-UV spectra determined with different functionals and the experimentally available ones. The calculated geometries are in agreement with crystallographic data, where available.     

Synthetic and structural investigations of alkali metal diamine bis(phenolate) complexes

Two lithium and one sodium diamine bis(phenolate) complexes have been prepared and characterised by X-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy. Two parent diamine bis(phenol) ligands were utilised in the study (1-H2 and 2-H2). Dimeric (1-Li2)(2) was prepared by treating 1-H2 with two molar equivalents of n-butyllithium in hydrocarbon solvent. It adopts a ladder-like structure in the solid state, which appears to deaggregate in C6D6 solution. The monomeric (hence, dinuclear) TMEDA-solvated species [2-Li(2).(TMEDA)] has two chemically unique Li atoms in the solid state and is prepared by reacting 2-H2 with two molar equivalents of n-butyllithium in hydrocarbon solvent, in the presence of N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA). Finally, the dimeric sodium-based [2-Na(2) x (OEt2](2) was prepared by reacting 1-H2 with two molar equivalents of freshly prepared n-butylsodium in a hydrocarbon-diethyl ether medium. The complex adopts a Na4O4) cuboidal structure in the solid state, which appears to remain intact in C6D6 solution.     

The role of amide ligands in the stabilization of Pd(II) tricoordinated complexes: is the Pd–NR2 bond order single or higher?

The existence of tricoordinated Pd(II) complexes has been a matter of controversy for a long time. The recent X-ray characterization of a family of Pd complexes [PdArXL] allowed to certify the existence of true tricoordinated Pd(II) species. The unique role played by the amido ligand (X = NR₂), among a family of X ligands, was noticed in a previous computational work. Here, the influence of the R substituents at the amide and the nature of the Pd–N_amido bond are theoretically analyzed. The relative stability of d ⁸ tricoordinated [PdLAr(NR₂)] complexes versus d ⁸ tetracoordinated derivatives as a function of the R substituents is studied by analyzing the two most common ways to fill the vacant coordination site in a tricoordinated complex: solvent coordination (with tetrahydrofuran as solvent), or dimerization giving [(μ-NR₂)₂Pd₂L₂Ar₂]) complexes. The nature of the Pd–N bonding interaction is analyzed using several theoretical schemes as molecular orbitals, QTAIM, ELF and NBO. Each of these schemes suggests that the order of the Pd–N bond in this family of complexes is higher than one. An asymmetric π interaction between the nitrogen lone pair and the LUMO over the tricoordinated Pd center is proposed as an important source of additional stabilization of tricoordinated species provided by amido ligands.     

Trigonal prismatic vs octahedral coordination geometry: syntheses and structural characterization of hexakis(arylthiolato) zirconate complexes

Treating [Li(tmeda)]2[Zr(CH3)6] with aryl thiols, HSC6H4-4-R, in a 1:6 stoichiometry in diethyl ether affords excellent yields of [Li(tmeda)]2[Zr(SC6H4-4-R)6], where R = CH3 (1(2-)) or OCH3 (2(2-)) and tmeda denotes N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine. These complexes are air-sensitive canary-yellow solids, soluble in hexane, diethyl ether, THF, and acetonitrile, that form yellow single crystals of [Li(tmeda)](2)1 (diethyl ether solution) or [Li(THF)3](2)2 (THF solution) from saturated solutions at -20 degrees C. Both complexes were characterized by X-ray crystallography and consist of a zirconium atom coordinated solely by the sulfur atoms of six aryl thiolate ligands in a nonoctahedral geometry. In each structure the lithium cation coordinates to the three sulfur atoms on the triangular faces of the S6 pseudotrigonal prism. These lithium-sulfur interactions appear to play a role in determining the coordination geometry about the metal center by orienting the sulfur lone pairs of electrons slightly out of the plane defined by the S3 triangular face and tilted away from the zirconium atoms. A likely consequence is the positioning of the sulfur lone pairs of electrons away from orthogonality with the zirconium-sulfur vector, and hence, they are poorly arranged to pi-interact with zirconium. Complex 1(2-) with a twist angle of ca. 9.18 degrees (trigonal prism, 0 degree; octahedron, 60 degrees) agrees with the interpretations of computational studies on d degree complexes, which suggest that a nearly trigonal prismatic geometry is favored when the interaction between metal and ligand is primarily through sigma-bonds. The intrinsically weak pi-donor thiolate ligand is probably converted to a primarily sigma-bonding system by the lithium-sulfur interaction. On the other hand complex 2(2-) with a twist angle of ca. 30.38 degrees is trigonally twisted to the midpoint of the trigonal prismatic-to-octahedral reaction coordinate. In complex 2(2-) the 4-OCH3 group is an electron donor by resonance effects that possibly may lead to the movement away from the expected trigonal prismatic geometry due to either pi-interactions or electrostatics repulsion.     

Solvent effects on the mixed aggregates of chiral 3-aminopyrrolidine lithium amides and alkyllithiums

The condensation of n-butyllithium on o-tolualdehyde in the presence of a chiral 3-aminopyrrolidine lithium amide led to the expected alcohol with ee strongly dependent on the solvent (THF, diethylether and toluene). A NMR and theoretical study of this effect was undertaken to rationalize these results. The addition of two equivalents of methyllithium to a 3-aminopyrrolidine [benzhydryl-(1-benzylpyrrolidin-3-yl)-amine] led, in THF-d₈ and at −90 °C, to an exo aza-norbornyl-type mixed aggregate, similar to that characterized previously between the lithium amide and n-butyllithium in the same solvent. In diethyl ether, a non-covalent complex presenting a comparable exo topology was obtained despite a ∼1 ppm high-field drift of the chemical shift of one of its two ⁶Li nuclei (Li²). The progressive addition of THF to the medium brought the Li² signal back to its original value, suggesting that this atom could also be the target of the incoming aldehyde. When reacting the same aminopyrrolidine with MeLi and BuLi in toluene, the expected lithium amide was recovered, apparently under two forms, which did not aggregate with the excess MeLi or BuLi until THF was added to the medium. Reacting the aminopyrrolidine with n-butyllithium, which is more soluble in toluene, led to a comparable complex. Finally, a discussion on the interaction between a mixed aggregate and the aldehyde, based on a theoretical analysis of the solvation energies of the two lithium atoms by three different ethers, is proposed.     

NMR spectroscopy of organolithium compounds. XXVI--The aggregation behaviour of methyllithium in the presence of LiBr and LiI in diethyl ether and tetrahydrofuran

1H, 6Li and 13C NMR spectroscopy were used to determine the structure of aggregates formed in mixtures of methyllithium, H3CLi, and lithium bromide and iodide in diethyl ether and tetrahydrofuran. From the chemical shifts, the signal intensity distribution and the isotope shifts observed for partially deuterated systems, it was shown that generally tetrameric structures with different halogen contents dominate. For methyllithium-lithium bromide (1:1) in THF a considerable concentration of an H3CLi-LiBr dimer was found. For the first time, deuterium-induced 6Li isotope shifts over four bonds were observed.     

Enantioselective butylation of aliphatic aldehydes by mixed chiral lithium amide/n-BuLi dimers

The enantioselective butylation of aliphatic aldehydes with mixtures of n-butyllithium and chiral lithium amides in a diethyl ether–dimethoxymethane solvent mixture is described. Enantiomeric excesses ranging from 91 to 98.5% were observed for several aliphatic alcohols. The asymmetric butylation of the prochiral aldehydes proceeds much faster by the mixed lithium amide/n-BuLi complexes than by tetrameric n-BuLi.     

Solution phase structures of enantiopure and racemic lithium N-benzyl-N-(α-methylbenzyl)amide in THF: low temperature 6Li and 15N NMR spectroscopic studies

The antipodes of lithium N-benzyl-N-(α-methylbenzyl)amide are highly efficient enantiopure ammonia equivalents for the asymmetric synthesis of β-amino acid derivatives via conjugate addition to α,β-unsaturated esters. ⁶Li and ¹⁵N NMR spectroscopic studies of doubly labelled ⁶lithium (S)-¹⁵N-benzyl-¹⁵N-(α-methylbenzyl)amide in THF at low temperature reveal the presence of lithium amide dimers as the only observable species. Either a monomeric or dimeric lithium amide reactive species can be accommodated within the transition state mnemonic for this class of conjugate addition reaction. This enantiopure lithium amide offers unique opportunities over achiral (e.g., lithium dibenzylamide) and C₂-symmetric (e.g., lithium bis-N,N-α-methylbenzylamide) counterparts for further mechanistic study owing to the ready distinction of the various dimers formed.     

Lithium enolates of simple ketones: structure determination using the method of continuous variation

The method of continuous variation in conjunction with 6Li NMR spectroscopy was used to characterize lithium enolates derived from 1-indanone, cyclohexanone, and cyclopentanone in solution. The strategy relies on forming ensembles of homo- and heteroaggregated enolates. The enolates form exclusively chelated dimers in N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine and cubic tetramers in tetrahydrofuran and 1,2-dimethoxyethane.     

Mixed Aggregates of the Dilithiated Koga Tetraamine: NMR Spectroscopic and Computational Studies

A combination of ¹H, ⁶Li, ¹³C, and ¹⁵N NMR spectroscopies and density functional theory computations explores the formation of mixed aggregates by a dilithium salt of a C₂‐symmetric chiral tetraamine (Koga's base). Lithium halides, acetylides, alkoxides, and monoalkylamides form isostructural trilithiated mixed aggregates with few exceptions. ⁶Li–¹³C and ⁶Li–¹⁵N couplings reveal heretofore undetected transannular contacts (laddering) with lithium acetylides and lithium monoalkylamides. Marked temperature‐dependent ¹⁵N chemical shifts seem to be associated with this laddering. Computational studies shed light on the general structures of the aggregates, their penchant for laddering, and the stereochemical consequences of aggregation.     

Synthesis and structures of the [benzamidinato]3- complexes Li3(tmeda)(L1)]2 and [Li(thf)4][Li5(L2)(OEt2)2] [L1 = N(SiMe3)C(Ph)N(SiMe3) and L2 = N(SiMe3)C(C6H4-4)NPh

Reduction at ambient temperature of each of the lithium benzamidinates [Li(L(1))(tmeda)] or [{Li(L(2))(OEt(2))(2)}(2)] with four equivalents of lithium metal in diethyl ether or thf furnished the brown crystalline [Li(3)(L(1))(tmeda)] (1) or [Li(thf)(4)][Li(5)(L(2))(2)(OEt(2))(2)] (2), respectively. Their structures show that in each the [N(R(1))C(R(3))NR(2)](3-) moiety has the three negative charges largely localised on each of N, N' and R = Aryl); a consequence is that the "aromatic" 2,3- and 5,6-CC bonds of R(3) approximate to being double bonds. Multinuclear NMR spectra in C(6)D(6) and C(7)D(8) show that 1 and 2 exhibit dynamic behaviour. [The following abbreviations are used: L(1) = N(SiMe(3))C(Ph)N(SiMe(3)); L(2) = N(SiMe(3))C(C(6)H(4)Me-4)N(Ph); tmeda = (Me(2)NCH(2)-)(2); thf = tetrahydrofuran.] This reduction is further supported by a DFT analysis.     

Polylithiated tetraaminosilanes: synthesis and characterization of (Et2O.Li)4[Si(Nnaph)4] and X-ray structure of (THF.Li3[Si(NiPr)3(NHiPr)])2

The treatment of SiCl4 with 4 equiv of Li2(Nnaph) (naph = 1-naphthyl) in diethyl ether gives (Et2O.Li)4[Si(Nnaph)4] (4), which, upon reaction with excess tBuNH3Cl or MeO3SCF3, generates Si[N(H)naph]4 (5) or Si[N(Me)naph]4 (6), respectively. The centrosymmetric dimer (THF.Li3[Si(NiPr)3(NHiPr)])2 (7), formed via trilithiation of Si[N(H)iPr]4 with n-butyllithium, consists of a bis-THF-solvated Li6(NiPr)6 cyclic ladder bicapped by two SiN(H)iPr units. Crystal data for 7: C32H74Li6N8O2Si2, monoclinic, P2(1)/n, a = 10.661(7) A, b = 16.964(5) A, c = 12.405(4) A, beta = 93.22(4) degrees, V = 2239.9(15) A3, and Z = 2.     

An ab initio study of 15N-11B spin-spin coupling constants for borazine and selected derivatives

Ab initio equation-of-motion coupled-cluster singles and doubles (EOM-CCSD) calculations have been performed to investigate substituent effects on coupling constants for borazine and selected substituted borazines. For molecules in which F atoms are not bonded to adjacent atoms in the ring, F substitution increases the one-bond (11)B-(15)N coupling constants involving the atom at which substitution occurs but leaves the remaining one-bond B-N coupling constants essentially unchanged. For these molecules, the magnitudes of one-bond B-N coupling constants are only slightly dependent on the number of F atoms present. Fluorine substitution at adjacent B and N atoms in the borazine ring further increases the one-bond B-N coupling constant involving the substituted atoms and has the same effect on the other one-bond coupling constants as observed for corresponding molecules in which substitution occurs at alternate sites. In contrast to the effect of F substitution, substitution of Li at either N or B decreases one-bond B-N coupling constants relative to borazine. The effects of F and Li substitution on one-bond B-N coupling constants for borazine are similar to F and Li substitution effects on (13)C-(13)C coupling constants for benzene.     

Metallderivate von Molekülverbindungen. VI. Lithium- und (Tetrahydrofuran)lithium-cyantrimethylsilylamid — Synthese und Struktur

Metal Derivatives of Molecular Compounds. VI. Lithium and (Tetrahydrofuran)lithium Cyanotrimethylsilylamide — Syntheses and Structures At different temperatures N,N′-bis(trimethylsilyl)carbodiimide ( 1 ) and lithium methanide react either under addition or substitution. When compound 1 , however, is treated at ?40°C with an equimolar amount of (1,2-dimethoxyethane-O,O′)lithium phosphanide ( 2 ) in 1,2-dimethoxyethane, only exchange of one trimethylsilyl group versus lithium is observed and in addition to phosphane and tris(trimethylsilyl)phosphane a very pure lithium derivative insoluble in n-pentane can be isolated. The vibrational spectra prove the compound to be lithium cyanotrimethylsilylamide ( 3 ). Recrystallization from tetrahydrofuran (+40/+20°C) yields (tetrahydrofuran)lithium cyanotrimethylsilylamide ( 3 ′). As shown by an X-ray structure analysis {C2/c; a = 2 261.1(5); b = 1 106.4(2); c = 1 045.9(2) pm; β = 113.63(1)°; Z = 8 formula units}, compound 3 ′ is polymeric in the solid state. Coordinative Li? N2′ bonds allow a head-to-tail addition of two monomeric units each to give an eight-membered heterocycle with two linear N1? C2≡N2 fragments (N1? C2 126.1; C2≡N2 117.5; N1? Si 171.4; Li? N1 203.2; Li? N2′ 206.1 pm; C2? N1? Li 109.0; N1? Li? N2′ 115.9; N2≡C2? N1 177.2°). Forming planar four-membered Li? N2? Li? N2 rings (Li? N2″″ 198.3 pm; Li′? N2? Li″ 80.3; N2′? Li? N2″″ 99.5°) these heterocycles polymerize to slightly folded tapes.