Bis(sulfonylimide)ruthenium(VI) Porphyrins: X‐ray Crystal Structure and Mechanism of C?H Bond Amination by Density Functional Theory Calculations

The X‐ray crystal structure of [Ru^VI(NMs)₂(tmp)] (Ms=SO₂‐ p‐MeOC₆H₄; tmp=5,10,15,20‐tetramesitylporphyrinato(2?)), a metal sulfonylimide complex that can undergo alkene aziridination and C? H bond amination reactions, shows a Ru?N distance of 1.79(3) Å and Ru‐N‐S angle of 162.5(3)°. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations on the electronic structures of [Ru^VI(NMs)₂(tmp)] and model complex [Ru^VI(NMs)₂(por⁰)] (por⁰=unsubstituted porphyrinato(2?)) using the M06L functional gave results in agreement with experimental observations. For the amination of ethylbenzene by the singlet ground state of [Ru^VI(NMs)₂(por⁰)], DFT calculations using the M06L functional revealed an effectively concerted pathway involving rate‐limiting hydrogen atom abstraction without a distinct radical rebound step. The substituent effect on the amination reactivity of ethylbenzene by [Ru^VI(NX)₂(por⁰)] (X=SO₂‐p‐YC₆H₄ with Y=MeO, Me, H, Cl, NO₂) was examined. Electron‐withdrawing Y groups lower the energy of the LUMOs of [Ru^VI(NX)₂(por⁰)], thus facilitating their interaction with the low‐lying HOMO of the ethylbenzene C? H bond and hence increasing the reactivity of [Ru^VI(NX)₂(por⁰)]. DFT calculations on the amination/aziridination reactions of [Ru^VI(NSO₂C₆H₅)₂(por⁰)] with pent‐4‐enal, an aldehyde substrate bearing acyl, homoallylic, and allylic C? H bonds and a C?C bond, revealed a lower reaction barrier for the amination of the acyl C? H bond than for both the amination of the other C? H bonds and aziridination of the C?C bond in this substrate.     

Chiral Lithiated Allylic α‐Sulfonyl Carbanions: Experimental and Computational Study of Their Structure,Configurational Stability,and Enantioselective Synthesis

X‐ray crystal structure analysis of the lithiated allylic α‐sulfonyl carbanions [CH₂?CHC(Me)SO₂Ph]Li ? diglyme, [cC₆H₈SO₂tBu]Li ? PMDETA and [cC₇H₁₀SO₂tBu]Li ? PMDETA showed dimeric and monomeric CIPs, having nearly planar anionic C atoms, only O?Li bonds, almost planar allylic units with strong C?C bond length alternation and the s‐trans conformation around C1?C2. They adopt a C1?S conformation, which is similar to the one generally found for alkyl and aryl substituted α‐sulfonyl carbanions. Cryoscopy of [EtCH?CHC(Et)SO₂tBu]Li in THF at 164 K revealed an equilibrium between monomers and dimers in a ratio of 83:17, which is similar to the one found by low temperature NMR spectroscopy. According to NMR spectroscopy the lone‐pair orbital at C1 strongly interacts with the C?C double bond. Low temperature ⁶Li,¹H NOE experiments of [EtCH?CHC(Et)SO₂tBu]Li in THF point to an equilibrium between monomeric CIPs having only O?Li bonds and CIPs having both O?Li and C1?Li bonds. Ab initio calculation of [MeCH?CHC(Me)SO₂Me]Li ? (Me₂O)₂ gave three isomeric CIPs having the s‐trans conformation and three isomeric CIPs having the s‐cis conformation around the C1?C2 bond. All s‐trans isomers are more stable than the s‐cis isomers. At all levels of theory the s‐trans isomer having O?Li and C1?Li bonds is the most stable one followed by the isomer which has two O?Li bonds. The allylic unit of the C,O,Li isomer shows strong bond length alternation and the C1 atom is in contrast to the O,Li isomer significantly pyramidalized. According to NBO analysis of the s‐trans and s‐cis isomers, the interaction of the lone pair at C1 with the π* orbital of the CC double bond is energetically much more favorable than that with the “empty” orbitals at the Li atom. The C1?S and C1?C2 conformations are determined by the stereoelectronic effects n_C–σ_SR* interaction and allylic conjugation. ¹H DNMR spectroscopy of racemic [EtCH?CHC(Et)SO₂tBu]Li, [iPrCH?CHC(iPr)SO₂tBu]Li and [EtCH?C(Me)C(Et)SO₂tBu]Li in [D₈]THF gave estimated barriers of enantiomerization of ΔG^≠=13.2 kcal mol^?1 (270 K), 14.2 kcal mol^?1 (291 K) and 14.2 kcal mol^?1 (295 K), respectively. Deprotonation of sulfone (R)‐EtCH?CHCH(Et)SO₂tBu (94 % ee) with nBuLi in THF at ?105 °C occurred with a calculated enantioselectivity of 93 % ee and gave carbanion (M)‐[EtCH?CHC(Et)SO₂tBu]Li, the deuteration and alkylation of which with CF₃CO₂D and MeOCH₂I, respectively, proceeded with high enantioselectivities. Time‐dependent deuteration of the enantioenriched carbanion (M)‐[EtCH?CHC(Et)SO₂tBu]Li in THF gave a racemization barrier of ΔG^≠=12.5 kcal mol^?1 (168 K), which translates to a calculated half‐time of racemization of t_1/2=12 min at ?105 °C.     

Enantioselective Copper(I)/Chiral Phosphoric Acid Catalyzed Intramolecular Amination of Allylic and Benzylic C−H Bonds

Radical‐involved enantioselective oxidative C?H bond functionalization by a hydrogen‐atom transfer (HAT) process has emerged as a promising method for accessing functionally diverse enantioenriched products, while asymmetric C(sp³)?H bond amination remains a formidable challenge. To address this problem, described herein is a dual Cu^I/chiral phosphoric acid (CPA) catalytic system for radical‐involved enantioselective intramolecular C(sp³)?H amination of not only allylic positions but also benzylic positions with broad substrate scope. The use of 4‐methoxy‐NHPI (NHPI=N‐hydroxyphthalimide) as a stable and chemoselective HAT mediator precursor is crucial for the fulfillment of this transformation. Preliminary mechanistic studies indicate that a crucial allylic or benzylic radical intermediate resulting from a HAT process is involved.     

Kinetico‐Mechanistic Insights on the Assembling Dynamics of Allyl‐Cornered Metallacycles: The PtNpy Bond is the Keystone

The square‐like homo‐ and heterometallamacrocycles [{Pd(η³‐2‐Me‐C₃H₄)( L ⁿ )₂}₂{M(dppp)}₂](CF₃SO₃)₆ (dppp=1,3‐bis(diphenylphosphino)propane) and [{Pd(η³‐2‐Me‐C₃H₄)( L¹ )₂}₂{M(PPh₃)₂}₂](CF₃SO₃)₆ [py=pyridine, M=Pd, Pt, L ^{n =}4‐PPh₂py ( L¹ ), 4‐C₆F₄PPh₂py ( L² )] containing allyl corners were synthesised by antisymbiotic self‐assembly of the different palladium and platinum metallic corners and the ambidentate N,P ligands. All the synthesised assemblies displayed a complex dynamic behaviour in solution, the rate of which is found to be dependent on the electronic and/or steric nature of the different building blocks. A kinetico‐mechanistic study by NMR line shape analysis of the dynamics of some of these assemblies was undertaken in order to determine the corresponding thermal activation parameters. Both an enhanced thermodynamic stability and slower dynamics were observed for platinum‐pyridine‐containing species when compared with their palladium analogues. Time‐dependent NMR spectroscopy in combination with ESI mass spectrometry was used to study the exchange between the assemblies and their building blocks, as well as that occurring between different metallamacrocycles. Preliminary studies were carried out on the activity of some of the metallamacrocyclic compounds as catalytic precursors in the allylic substitution reaction, and the results compared with that of the monometallic allylic corner [Pd(η³‐2‐Me‐C₃H₄)( L¹ )₂]⁺.     

Darstellung von Organylquecksilber(II)‐di(methansulfonyl)amiden und Kristallstruktur von Ph–Hg–N(SO2Me)2

Polysulfonylamines. CXXIV. Preparation of Organylmercury(II) Di(methanesulfonyl)amides and Crystal Structure of Ph–Hg–N(SO₂Me)₂ Four N,N‐disulfonylated organylmercury(II) amides R–Hg–N(SO₂Me)₂, where R is Me, ⁱPr, Me₃SiCH₂ or Ph, were obtained on treating the appropriate chlorides RHgCl with AgN(SO₂Me)₂, and characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra. In the crystal structure of the phenyl compound (orthorhombic, space group Pbca, Z = 8, X‐ray diffraction at –95 °C), the molecule exhibits a covalent and significantly bent C–Hg–N grouping [bond angle 172.7(3)°; Hg–C 204.0(8), Hg–N 209.1(7) pm]. One sulfonyl oxygen atom forms a short intramolecular Hg…O contact [296.1(5) pm] and simultaneously catenates glide‐plane related molecules via a second Hg…O interaction 297.6(5) pm], thus conferring upon Hg^II the effective coordination number 4 and a geometrically irregular coordination polyhedron (bond angles from 173 to 54°).     

Chiral Brønsted Acid Catalyzed Dynamic Kinetic Asymmetric Hydroamination of Racemic Allenes and Asymmetric Hydroamination of Dienes

The first highly efficient and practical chiral Brønsted acid catalyzed dynamic kinetic asymmetric hydroamination (DyKAH) of racemic allenes and asymmetric hydroamination of unactivated dienes with both high E/Z selectivity and enantioselectivity are described herein. The transformation proceeds through a new catalytic asymmetric model involving a highly reactive π‐allylic carbocationic intermediate, generated from racemic allenes or dienes through a proton transfer mediated by an activating/directing thiourea group. This method affords expedient access to structurally diverse enantioenriched, potentially bioactive alkenyl‐containing aza‐heterocycles and bicyclic aza‐heterocycles.     

New Insights on the Mechanism of Thermal Cleavage of Unsaturated Bicyclic Diaziridines: A DFT Study

A DFT calculations are carried out at UB3LYP/6‐311++G (3df, 2p) levels of theory to study electrocyclic thermal cleavage of four (R) derivatives of unsaturated bicyclic diaziridines, 1_X‐R , to produce corresponding (Z) and (E) azomethine imides ( 2_X‐Z , 2_X‐E , 3_X‐Z and 3_X‐E ), where X=H, Me, t‐Bu and Ph. Cleavage of 1_X‐R series to form the most stable 3_X‐Z product, (path 2) is found the favored procedure because of delocalized negative charge on five atoms and lower steric effect in related transition state. According to IRC calculations in paths 1 and 2, C⁶ N¹ bond is cleaved before the rate determinating step (transition state). The stability of unsaturated bicyclic diaziridines and their corresponding (Z) and (E) azomethine imides is in the following order in gas phase and chloroform, tetrahydrofuran, and acetone solvents: 3_X‐Z < 3_X‐E < 2_X‐Z < 2_X‐E < 1_X‐R < 1_X‐S .     

Asymmetric Synthesis of Allylic Sulfonic Acids: Enantio‐ and Regioselective Iridium‐Catalyzed Allylations of Na2SO3

An enantioselective allylation reaction of allylic carbonates with sodium sulfite (Na₂SO₃) catalyzed by Ir complex was accomplished, providing allylic sulfonic acids in good to excellent yields with a high level of enantio‐ and regioselectivities. (R)‐2‐Phenyl‐2‐sulfoacetic acid, a key intermediate for the synthesis of Cefsulodin and Sulbenicillin, was synthesized as well.     

[FeIII(F20‐tpp)Cl] Is an Effective Catalyst for Nitrene Transfer Reactions and Amination of Saturated Hydrocarbons with Sulfonyl and Aryl Azides as Nitrogen Source under Thermal and Microwave‐Assisted Conditions

[Fe^III(F₂₀‐tpp)Cl] (F₂₀‐tpp=meso‐tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)porphyrinato dianion) is an effective catalyst for imido/nitrene insertion reactions using sulfonyl and aryl azides as nitrogen source. Under thermal conditions, aziridination of aryl and alkyl alkenes (16 examples, 60–95 % yields), sulfimidation of sulfides (11 examples, 76–96 % yields), allylic amidation/amination of α‐methylstyrenes (15 examples, 68–83 % yields), and amination of saturated C? H bonds including that of cycloalkanes and adamantane (eight examples, 64–80 % yields) can be accomplished by using 2 mol % [Fe^III(F₂₀‐tpp)Cl] as catalyst. Under microwave irradiation conditions, the reaction time of aziridination (four examples), allylic amination (five examples), sulfimidation (two examples), and amination of saturated C? H bonds (three examples) can be reduced by up to 16‐fold (24–48 versus 1.5–6 h) without significantly affecting the product yield and substrate conversion.     

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.     

Z and E rotamers of N‐formyl‐1‐bromo‐4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxymorphinan‐6‐one and their interconversion as studied by 1H/13C NMR spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations

N‐Formyl‐1‐bromo‐4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxymorphinan‐6‐one (compound 2 ), an important intermediate in the NIH Opiate Total Synthesis, presumably exists as a mixture of two rotamers (Z and E) in both CHCl₃ and DMSO at room temperature due to the hindered rotation of its N‐C18 bond in the amide moiety. By comparing the experimental ¹H and ¹³C chemical shifts of a single rotamer and the mixture of compound 2 in CDCl₃ with the calculated chemical shifts of the geometry optimized Z and E rotamers utilizing density functional theory, the crystalline rotamer of compound 2 was characterized as having the E configuration. The energy barrier between the two rotamers was also determined with the temperature dependence of ¹H and ¹³C NMR coalescence experiments, and then compared with that from the reaction path for the interconversion of the two rotamers calculated at the level of B3LYP/6‐31G*. Detailed geometry of the ground state and the transition states of both rotamers are given and discussed. Copyright © 2012 This article is a US Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.     

Enantioselective Copper(I)/Chiral Phosphoric Acid Catalyzed Intramolecular Amination of Allylic and Benzylic C−H Bonds

Radical-involved enantioselective oxidative C−H bond functionalization by a hydrogen-atom transfer (HAT) process has emerged as a promising method for accessing functionally diverse enantioenriched products, while asymmetric C(sp³)−H bond amination remains a formidable challenge. To address this problem, described herein is a dual Cu^I/chiral phosphoric acid (CPA) catalytic system for radical-involved enantioselective intramolecular C(sp³)−H amination of not only allylic positions but also benzylic positions with broad substrate scope. The use of 4-methoxy-NHPI (NHPI=N-hydroxyphthalimide) as a stable and chemoselective HAT mediator precursor is crucial for the fulfillment of this transformation. Preliminary mechanistic studies indicate that a crucial allylic or benzylic radical intermediate resulting from a HAT process is involved.     

Study on the Degradation of the Highly Reactive Hypervalent Trifluoromethylation Iodine Reagent PhI(OAc)(CF3)

Degradation of the highly reactive hypervalent trifluoromethylation iodine reagent PhI(OAc)(CF₃), which can only be generated in situ with mixing PhI(OAc)₂ and TMSCF₃ in the presence of CsF, was studied by ESI‐MS and GC‐MS combined with ¹⁹F‐NMR. The important transient intermediate PhICF₃⁺ was determined by ESI‐MS, and the major volatile products containing CF₃ were identified with the authentic compounds by using GC‐MS, such as trifluoromethylbenzene, 2‐iodobenzotrifluoride, 3‐iodobenzotrifluoride, 4‐iodobenzotrifluoride. Meanwhile, more evidences obtained with ¹⁹F‐NMR were given for such degradation reaction. A possible rapid CF₃ radical transfer reaction pathway was proposed to clarify such degradation progress based on the experimental results. Therefore, this study may be helpful in elucidating the intrinsic reactivity of PhI(OAc)(CF₃) and the possible competing side reactions caused by such self‐degradation pathway.     

Darstellung,Charakterisierung und Struktur funktionalisierter Fluorphosphaalkene des Typs R3E–P=C(F)NEt2 (R/E = Me/Si,Me/Ge,CF3/Ge,Me/Sn)

Preparation, Characterization, and Structure of Functionalized Fluorophosphaalkenes of the Type R₃E–P=C(F)NEt₂ (R/E = Me/Si, Me/Ge, CF₃/Ge, Me/Sn) P‐functionalized 1‐diethylamino‐1‐fluoro‐2‐phosphaalkenes of the type R₃E–P=C(F)NEt₂ [R/E = Me/Si ( 2 ), Me/Ge ( 3 ), CF₃/Ge ( 4 ), Me/Sn ( 5 )] are prepared by reaction of HP=C(F)NEt₂ ( 1 , E/Z = 18/82) with R₃EX (X = I, Cl) in the presence of triethylamine as base, exclusively as Z‐Isomers. 2–5 are thermolabile, so that only the more stable representatives 2 and 4 can be isolated in pure form and fully characterized. 3 and 5 decompose already at temperatures above –10 °C, but are clearly identified by ¹⁹F and ³¹P NMR‐measurements. The Z configuration is established on the basis of typical NMR data, an X‐ray diffraction analysis of 4 and ab initio calculations for E and Z configurations of the model compound Me₃Si–P=C(F)NMe₂. The relatively stable derivative 2 is used as an educt for reactions with pivaloyl‐, adamantoyl‐, and benzoylchloride, respectively, which by cleavage of the Si–P bond yield the push/pull phosphaalkenes RC(O)–P=C(F)NEt₂ [R = tBu ( 6 ), Ad ( 7 ), Ph ( 8 )], in which π‐delocalization with the P=C double bond occurs both with the lone pair on nitrogen and with the carbonyl group.     

Chiral Fluorinated α‐Sulfonyl Carbanions: Enantioselective Synthesis and Electrophilic Capture,Racemization Dynamics,and Structure

Enantiomerically pure triflones R¹CH(R²)SO₂CF₃ have been synthesized starting from the corresponding chiral alcohols via thiols and trifluoromethylsulfanes. Key steps of the syntheses of the sulfanes are the photochemical trifluoromethylation of the thiols with CF₃Hal (Hal=halide) or substitution of alkoxyphosphinediamines with CF₃SSCF₃. The deprotonation of RCH(Me)SO₂CF₃ (R=CH₂Ph, iHex) with nBuLi with the formation of salts [RC(Me)? SO₂CF₃]Li and their electrophilic capture both occurred with high enantioselectivities. Displacement of the SO₂CF₃ group of (S)‐MeOCH₂C(Me)(CH₂Ph)SO₂CF₃ (95 % ee) by an ethyl group through the reaction with AlEt₃ gave alkane MeOCH₂C(Me)(CH₂Ph)Et of 96 % ee. Racemization of salts [R¹C(R²)SO₂CF₃]Li follows first‐order kinetics and is mainly an enthalpic process with small negative activation entropy as revealed by polarimetry and dynamic NMR (DNMR) spectroscopy. This is in accordance with a C_α? S bond rotation as the rate‐determining step. Lithium α‐(S)‐trifluoromethyl‐ and α‐(S)‐nonafluorobutylsulfonyl carbanion salts have a much higher racemization barrier than the corresponding α‐(S)‐tert‐butylsulfonyl carbanion salts. Whereas [PhCH₂C(Me)SO₂tBu]Li/DMPU (DMPU = dimethylpropylurea) has a half‐life of racemization at ?105 °C of 2.4 h, that of [PhCH₂C(Me)SO₂CF₃]Li at ?78 °C is 30 d. DNMR spectroscopy of amides (PhCH₂)₂NSO₂CF₃ and (PhCH₂)N(Ph)SO₂CF₃ gave N? S rotational barriers that seem to be distinctly higher than those of nonfluorinated sulfonamides. NMR spectroscopy of [PhCH₂C(Ph)SO₂R]M (M=Li, K, NBu₄; R=CF₃, tBu) shows for both salts a confinement of the negative charge mainly to the C_α atom and a significant benzylic stabilization that is weaker in the trifluoromethylsulfonyl carbanion. According to crystal structure analyses, the carbanions of salts {[PhCH₂C(Ph)SO₂CF₃]Li? L }₂ ( L =2 THF, tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA)) and [PhCH₂C(Ph)SO₂CF₃]NBu₄ have the typical chiral C_α? S conformation of α‐sulfonyl carbanions, planar C_α atoms, and short C_α? S bonds. Ab initio calculations of [MeC(Ph)SO₂tBu]^? and [MeC(Ph)SO₂CF₃]^? showed for the fluorinated carbanion stronger n_C→σ* and n_O→σ* interactions and a weaker benzylic stabilization. According to natural bond orbital (NBO) calculations of [R¹C(R²)SO₂R]^? (R=tBu, CF₃) the n_C→σ*_{S? R} interaction is much stronger for R=CF₃. Ab initio calculations gave for [MeC(Ph)SO₂tBu]Li ? 2 Me₂O an O,Li,C_α contact ion pair (CIP) and for [MeC(Ph)SO₂CF₃]Li ? 2 Me₂O an O,Li,O CIP. According to cryoscopy, [PhCH₂C(Ph)SO₂CF₃]Li, [iHexC(Me)SO₂CF₃]Li, and [PhCH₂C(Ph)SO₂CF₃]NBu₄ predominantly form monomers in tetrahydrofuran (THF) at ?108 °C. The NMR spectroscopic data of salts [R¹(R²)SO₂R³]Li (R³=tBu, CF₃) indicate that the dominating monomeric CIPs are devoid of C_α? Li bonds.     

Exceedingly Facile Ph?X Activation (X=Cl,Br, I) with Ruthenium(II): Arresting Kinetics,Autocatalysis, and Mechanisms

[(Ph₃P)₃Ru(L)(H)₂] (where L=H₂ ( 1 ) in the presence of styrene, Ph₃P ( 3 ), and N₂ ( 4 )) cleave the Ph X bond (X=Cl, Br, I) at RT to give [(Ph₃P)₃RuH(X)] ( 2 ) and PhH. A combined experimental and DFT study points to [(Ph₃P)₃Ru(H)₂] as the reactive species generated upon spontaneous loss of L from 3 and 4 . The reaction of 3 with excess PhI displays striking kinetics which initially appears zeroth order in Ru. However mechanistic studies reveal that this is due to autocatalysis comprising two factors: 1) complex 2 , originating from the initial PhI activation with 3 , is roughly as reactive toward PhI as 3 itself; and 2) the Ph I bond cleavage with the just‐produced 2 gives rise to [(Ph₃P)₂RuI₂], which quickly comproportionates with the still‐present 3 to recover 2 . Both the initial and onward activation reactions involve PPh₃ dissociation, PhI coordination to Ru through I, rearrangement to a η²‐PhI intermediate, and Ph I oxidative addition.     

Exceedingly Facile PhX Activation (X=Cl,Br, I) with Ruthenium(II): Arresting Kinetics,Autocatalysis, and Mechanisms

[(Ph₃P)₃Ru(L)(H)₂] (where L=H₂ ( 1 ) in the presence of styrene, Ph₃P ( 3 ), and N₂ ( 4 )) cleave the Ph? X bond (X=Cl, Br, I) at RT to give [(Ph₃P)₃RuH(X)] ( 2 ) and PhH. A combined experimental and DFT study points to [(Ph₃P)₃Ru(H)₂] as the reactive species generated upon spontaneous loss of L from 3 and 4 . The reaction of 3 with excess PhI displays striking kinetics which initially appears zeroth order in Ru. However mechanistic studies reveal that this is due to autocatalysis comprising two factors: 1) complex 2 , originating from the initial PhI activation with 3 , is roughly as reactive toward PhI as 3 itself; and 2) the Ph? I bond cleavage with the just‐produced 2 gives rise to [(Ph₃P)₂RuI₂], which quickly comproportionates with the still‐present 3 to recover 2 . Both the initial and onward activation reactions involve PPh₃ dissociation, PhI coordination to Ru through I, rearrangement to a η²‐PhI intermediate, and Ph? I oxidative addition.     

Simple palladium‐catalyzed C–N bond formation for poor nucleophilicity of aminonaphthalenes

Aromatic amines is not used commonly in allylic amination, presumably because of their less nucleophilic nature compared with the more extensively used benzylamine or relatively stable anionic nitrogen nucleophiles. An eco‐friendly method for C–O bond activation of allylic acetates using palladium associated with ligands in water leading to N‐allylation was described in this study. The palladium‐catalyzed allylic amination of allylic acetate with aminonaphthalenes gave 34–95% yields to the corresponding N‐allylic aminonaphthalenes. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Regio‐ and Enantioselective Synthesis of N‐Allylindoles by Iridium‐Catalyzed Allylic Amination/Transition‐Metal‐Catalyzed Cyclization Reactions

Regio‐ and enantioselective synthesis of N‐allylindoles was realized through an iridium‐catalyzed asymmetric allylic amination reaction with 2‐alkynylanilines and subsequent transition‐metal‐catalyzed cyclization reactions. The highly enantioenriched allylic amines prepared from Ir‐catalysis were treated with catalytic amount of NaAuCl₄ ? 2 H₂O or PdCl₂ providing various substituted N‐allylindoles in excellent yields and enantioselectivities.     

Reactions of Di(tert‐butyl)diazomethane with Acceptor‐Substituted Ethylenes

Di(tert‐butyl)diazomethane ( 4 ) is a nucleophilic 1,3‐dipole with strong steric hindrance at one terminus. In its reaction with 2,3‐bis(trifluoromethyl)fumaronitrile ((E)‐ BTE ), a highly electrophilic tetra‐acceptor‐substituted ethene, an imino‐substituted cyclopentene 9 is formed as a 1 : 2 product. The open‐chain zwitterion 10 , assumed as intermediate, adds the second molecule of (E)‐ BTE . The ¹⁹F‐ and ¹³C‐NMR spectra allow the structural assignment of two diastereoisomers, 9A and 9B . The zwitterion 10 can also be intercepted by dimethyl 2,3‐dicyanofumarate ( 11 ) and furnishes diastereoisomeric cyclopentenes 12A and 12B ; an X‐ray‐analysis of 12B confirms the ‘mixed’ 1 : 1 : 1 product. Competing is an (E)‐ BTE ‐catalyzed decomposition of 4 to give 2,3,4,4‐tetramethylpent‐1‐ene ( 7 )+N₂; the reaction of (E)‐ BTE with a trace of water appears to be responsible for the chain initiation. The H₂SO₄‐catalyzed decomposition of diazoalkane 4 , indeed, produced the alkene 7 in high yield. The attack on the hindered diazoalkane 4 by 11 is slower than that by (E)‐ BTE ; the zwitterionic intermediate 21 undergoes cyclization and furnishes the tetrasubstituted furan 22 . In fumaronitrile, electrophilicity and steric demand are diminished, and a 1,3‐cycloaddition produces the 4,5‐dihydro‐1H‐pyrazole derivative 25 . The reaction of 4 with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate leads to pyrazole 29 +isobutene.