trans-Hydroboration–oxidation products in Δ5-steroids via a hydroboration-retro-hydroboration mechanism

Herein, we report for the first time a “trans-hydroboration–oxidation product” isolated and characterized under traditional hydroboration–oxidation conditions using cholesterol and diosgenin as substrates. These substrates are excellent starting materials because of the rigidity and different structural environments around the double bond. Further investigations based on experimental evidence, in conjunction with theoretical studies, indicate that the formation of this trans-species occurs via a retro-hydroboration of the major product to generate the corresponding Δ⁶-structure and the subsequent hydroboration by the β-face. Besides, the corresponding Markovnikov type products have been isolated in synthetically useful yields. The behavior of the reaction under a range of temperatures is also investigated.

A trans-product is isolated and characterized under traditional hydroboration–oxidation conditions using Δ⁵-steroids as substrates. Experimental and theoretical studies indicate that the trans-species occurs via a retro-hydroboration mechanism.     

The di-π-methane rearrangement of systems with simple vinyl moieties : Mechanistic and exploratory organic photochemistry

3,3-Dimethyl-1,1-diphenyl-1,4-pentadiene and two 5-substituted derivatives were synthesized and studied. The regioselectivity, stereochemistry, quantum efficiency, multiplicity, and excited state reaction rates were studied in each case. The parent hydrocarbon, 5-MeO-derivative, and 5-cyano-diene—all rearranged on direct irradiation to give vinylcyclopropanes. The first compound led to 3,3-dimethyl-2,2-diphenyl-1-vinylcyclopropane. The second afforded 3,3-dimethyl-2,2-diphenyl-1-(2'-methoxyvinyl)cyclopropane. The last gave 1-cyano-3,3-dimethyl-2-(2',2'-diphenylvinyl)cyclopropane. Thus, the vinyl and methoxyvinyl groups survive in the products intact, while the cyanovinyl group is incorporated in the three-ring. In the two substituted dienes, cis-reactant gave cis-product and trans-reactant gave trans-product, both where the substituent was on the vinyl group of the product and where it became a ring substituent. The substituted di-π-methane systems underwent only cis-trans isomerization on sensitization, while the parent, unsubstituted diene led to di-π-methane product on sensitized as well as direct photolysis. While the quantum yields for the hydrocarbon diene were the same at room temperature for the direct and sensitized runs, only the sensitized runs showed a temperature dependence of efficiency with a dramatic, 5-fold increase on a 46° temperature increase. Thus, evidence was obtained for a singlet rearrangement in all cases and a triplet process only in the case of the unsubstituted diene. A sizable activation energy was seen for the triplet but not for the singlet. The room temperature quantum yields in the direct irradiations were: φ(parent diene)=0.011, φ(trans-methoxydiene)=0.051, φ(cis-methoxy-diene)= 0.050, φ(trans-cyanodiene)=0.36, and φ(cis-cyano-diene) = 0.20. A competing side reaction was cis-trans isomerization but these quantum yields were lower. Single photon counting was employed to obtain excited singlet reaction and decay rates at low temperature (i.e. 77°K) and the method of magic multipliers was used to obtain room temperature rates. These were: k_r(parent diene) = 4.7 × 10⁸ sec^?1, k_r(trans-cyano-diene)= 1.5 ×10¹⁰ sec^?1, k_r(cis-cyano-diene)= 8.0 × 10⁹sec^?1, and k_r(trans-methoxy-diene) = 1.9 × 10⁹ sec^?1. The results are discussed in terms of excited state molecular structure.An SCF-CI molecular orbital treatment of the reaction was developed. This used a cyclopropyldicarbinyl diradical species, with Walsh cyclopropane basis orbitals, as representing the half-reacted species. The energy of formation of this species from vertical excited state reactant was calculated for all three dienes and an excellent correlation with observed excited singlet rates was obtained. Similarly, dissection of the excited diradical energy into bond components led to a correlation between regioselectivity and weakness of the three-ring bond broken in the regioselectivity-determining step. Evidence was adduced for localization of the excitation energy in S₁ of reactant in the diphenylvinyl chromophore with migration of electronic excitation into the cyclopropyldicarbinyl diradical moiety during the vinyl-vinyl bridging process. A general method for quantitatively partitioning excitation energy was developed and applied to the case in hand. Finally, there was predicted a greater probability of di-π-methane three-ring fission in the excited state compared to the diradical ground state where Grob fragmentation proved energetically more favorable.     

Quantum chemical model of dehydration of 2-butanol catalyzed by zeolite X

The CNDO/2 method was used for quantum chemical calculations of the 2-butanol interaction with zeolite X modelled by the cluster Si₃AlO₁₂H₉. Two-site adsorption on a pair consisting of an acidic and a basic catalytic site promotes dehydration of the alcohol. The activation energy of trans-2-butene formation was estimated to be much higher than those of cis-2-butene and 1-butene formation, in agreement with experimental findings.     

The reaction of n-butyllithium and potassium t-amyloxide with butenes

1-Butene, cis/trans-2-butene and 2-methylpropene were polymetalated by treatment with the product obtained by combination of n-butyllithium and potassium t-amyloxide. Polymetalation was determined by quenching with deuterium oxide and analysis by gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer combination. The rate of metalation was followed by n-butane evolution. Approximately 20% of cis-2-butene exclusively was realized after H₂O quench of the reaction of 1-butene/n-butyllithium/ potassium t-amyloxide for 1.0 h at room temperature. A small amount (7%) of a cis/trans-2-butene mixture was isomerized to 1-butene and the remaining 2-butene was enriched in the cis-isomer. The assumption that n-butylpotassium was the active metalating species was confirmed by the dependency on lithium/potassium ratio, relative ease of organometallic decomposition at 70°, rapid reaction with monochlorostyrene at room temperature, and the similarity to organosodium and organopotassium isomerization of olefins.     

Reaction de metathese des olefines induite photochimiquement en presence d'un complexe de metal de transition : V. Intervention d'un complexe dinucleaire du tungstene

The photoinduced metathesis [W(CO)₆CCl₄hν] of cis- and trans-RCH=CHMe gives 2-butene in a very high trans but low cis stereoselectivity. Propene behaves like a cis olefin. These results are consistent with the proposal of a dinuclear tungsten intermediate, which requires high steric constraints in the transalkylidenation step.     

Stabilization and isomerization of radical cations generated by fast electron irradiation of unsaturated organic molecules in a solid argon matrix

Matrix isolation EPR spectroscopy was used to study the fate of “hot” unsaturated radical cations produced by fast electron irradiation in solid argon. It was found that the radical cations of cis-2-butene, trans-2-butene and ethyl vinyl ether resulting from highly exothermic hole transfer (excess energy>6 eV) underwent effective relaxation in an argon matrix. 1-Butene radical cation exhibits isomerization to cis-2-butene radical cation. The role of molecular structure of organic radical cations in excess energy relaxation is discussed.     

Theoretical study of the complex reaction of O(3P) with cis-2-butene

The complex triplet potential energy surface for the reaction of the triplet oxygen atom O(³P) with cis-2-butene is investigated at the CBS-QB3 level of theory. The different possible isomerization and dissociation pathways, including both O-additions and H-abstractions, are thoroughly studied. Our calculations show that as found for the trans-2-butene reaction, in the high-pressure limit, the major product is CH₃CHC(O)H + CH₃ (P1), whereas in the low-pressure limit the most thermodynamically stable product forms CH₃CO + CH₃CH₂ (P4). The experimental negative activation energy reported for the addition step is very well reproduced at the CBS-QB3 level of theory. Various thermodynamic and kinetic values of interest for these reactions are predicted for the first time. A discussion on the negative activation energy for the addition step of the trans- and cis-2-butene reactions with O(³P) focussing on the addition reactant complexes is presented.     

Spatial confinement alters the ultrafast photoisomerization dynamics of azobenzenes

Ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy reveals new excited-state dynamics following excitation of trans-azobenzene (t-Az) and several alkyl-substituted t-Az derivatives encapsulated in a water-soluble supramolecular host–guest complex. Encapsulation increases the excited-state lifetimes and alters the yields of the trans → cis photoisomerization reaction compared with solution. Kinetic modeling of the transient spectra for unsubstituted t-Az following nπ* and ππ* excitation reveals steric trapping of excited-state species, as well as an adiabatic excited-state trans → cis isomerization pathway for confined molecules that is not observed in solution. Analysis of the transient spectra following ππ* excitation for a series of 4-alkyl and 4,4′-dialkyl substituted t-Az molecules suggests that additional crowding due to lengthening of the alkyl tails results in deeper trapping of the excited-state species, including distorted trans and cis structures. The variation of the dynamics due to crowding in the confined environment provides new evidence to explain the violation of Kasha''s rule for nπ* and ππ* excitation of azobenzenes based on competition between in-plane inversion and out-of-plane rotation channels.

Ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy reveals new excited-state dynamics following excitation of trans-azobenzene (t-Az) and several alkyl-substituted t-Az derivatives encapsulated in a water-soluble supramolecular host–guest complex.     

Influence of the cavity size of cyclodextrins on the photochromism of azoimidazoles

1-Alkyl-2-(arylazo)imidazole (RaaiR^/) exists in trans configuration about the –NN- bond. Upon optical excitation in UV region the trans-configuration isomerises to cis-RaaiR^/. The photochromism is very susceptible to internal substituents and external environment like solvent polarity, viscosity and presence of innocent foreign species. In this work, the trans-to-cis photoisomerisation of RaaiR^/has been studied in DMF solution of cyclodextrin (α/β/γ-CD). The rate of trans-to-cis isomerisation is decreased in presence of CD compared to native form of RaaiR^/. The quantum yield of the photoisomerisation is decreased by 35–55% in inclusion phase, [email protected]^/, than free photochrome and follows the rate sequence: free state > γ-cyclodextrin > β-cyclodextrin > α-cyclodextrin. The cis-to-trans isomerisation proceeds slowly in visible light irradiation while it is appreciably fast with increasing temperature. The activation energy (E_a) of cis → trans thermal isomerisation is also diminished compared to free state of photochrome. The absorption spectral studies have been used in case of Pai-C₁₈H₃₇ with β-CD and inclusion constant is K_b ?= ?0. 121 M^?1. The ¹H NMR spectral measurement also suggests interaction of aryl protons with cavity protons of β-CD. DFT computation is also attempted to examine the inclusion of RaaiR^/with CD and the negative values of binding energy show that the process of inclusion is spontaneous and complexes formed are stable.     

Evidence for π-allylic nickel complexes as intermediates in the reactions of nickelocene with allylic chlorides

Reactions of trans-1-chloro-2-butene and of 3-chloro-1-butene with nickelocene give mixtures of (1-methyl-2-propenyl)-, (trans-2-butenyl)-, and (cis-2-butenyl)-cyclopentadienes. The reaction between π-crotyl-π-cyclopentadienylnickel and 5-chlorocyclopentadiene yields identical products. In the presence of tetrahcloromethane, 5-(trichloromethyl)cyclopentadiene is formed. Mechanisms involving oxidative addition and π-allylic nickel complexes are discussed.     

Stereoselective synthesis of thiaerythrinanes based on an α-amidoalkylation/RCM approach

Parham cyclisation-intermolecular α-amidoalkylation and nucleophilic addition-intramolecular α-amidoalkylation sequences constitute diastereocomplementary routes to 1,10b-cis and trans thiazolo[4,3-a]isoquinolinones. These thiazolidinediones, that incorporate allyl groups at C-1 and C-10b, are efficient precursors of thiaerythrinanes by ring-closing metathesis reactions.     

Thermodynamic properties of simple alkenes

Employing low temperature thermal measurements, heat capacities (C_s) in the crystal and liquid states, and phase transition data, T_m and ΔH_m, the condensed phase thermodynamic properties, (G_s -H°₀)/T, H_s -H°₀, S_s and C_s, in the temperature range 0–360 K were evaluated for the following eleven alkenes: ethylene, propylene, 1-butene, cis-2-butene, trans-2-butene, 1-pentene, cis-2-pentene, trans-2-pentene, 2-methyl-1-butene, 3-methyl-1-butene and 2-methyl-2-butene. The sources of experimental data, methods of evaluation, and the calculated results are described in detail.     

Experimental determination of dissociation pressures for hydrates of the cis- and trans-isomers of 2-butene below the ice temperature

The three-phase (vapor + ice + hydrate) (VIH) hydrate equilibrium was determined for cis- and trans-2-butene using a new and a simple experimental technique. The equilibrium measurements were done at temperatures between 248 to 272 K and pressures between 16.7 to 67.6 kPa for cis-2-butene, and for trans-2-butene between 245 to 272 K and 15.4 to 70.4 kPa. The accuracy of the experimental technique was verified by measuring hydrate dissociation pressures for pure propane below the ice temperature; the results obtained were in good agreement with those in the literature for pure propane.     

Electrochemical reduction of 1,4-dihalobutanes at carbon cathodes in dimethylformamide

Cyclic voltammetry and controlled-potential electrolysis have been employed to investigate the electrochemical behavior of 1,4-dibromo-, 1,4-diiodo-, 1-bromo-4-chloro- and 1-chloro-4-iodobutane at glassy carbon cathodes in dimethylformamide containing tetramethylammonium perchlorate. Depending on the identity of the 1,4-dihalobutane electrolyzed and the choice of potential, reduction of these compounds leads to a myriad of products including cyclobutane, n-butane, n-octane, 1-butene, cis-and trans-2-butene, 1,3-butadiene, ethylene, 1-chlorobutane, 1-bromobutane, 1-iodobutane, 1-iodooctane, 1,4-dichlorobutane, 1,8-dichlorooctane, and 1,8-diiodooctane. Experiments involving the use of proton donors (phenol and 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol), a radical trap (norbornylene), and several deuterium ion or atom donors have been utilized to elucidate the mechanisms by which the various electrolysis products are formed.     

Stereoretention in styrene heterodimerisation promoted by one-electron oxidants

Radical cations generated from the oxidation of C C π-bonds are synthetically useful reactive intermediates for C–C and C–X bond formation. Radical cation formation, induced by sub-stoichiometric amounts of external oxidant, are important intermediates in the Woodward–Hoffmann thermally disallowed [2 + 2] cycloaddition of electron-rich alkenes. Using density functional theory (DFT), we report the detailed mechanisms underlying the intermolecular heterodimerisation of anethole and β-methylstyrene to give unsymmetrical, tetra-substituted cyclobutanes. Reactions between trans-alkenes favour the all-trans adduct, resulting from a kinetic preference for anti-addition reinforced by reversibility at ambient temperatures since this is also the thermodynamic product; on the other hand, reactions between a trans-alkene and a cis-alkene favour syn-addition, while exocyclic rotation in the acyclic radical cation intermediate is also possible since C–C forming barriers are higher. Computations are consistent with the experimental observation that hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) is a better solvent than acetonitrile, in part due to its ability to stabilise the reduced form of the hypervalent iodine initiator by hydrogen bonding, but also through the stabilisation of radical cationic intermediates along the reaction coordinate.

A computational study details the mechanism, catalytic cycle and origins of stereoselectivity underlying hole-catalyzed intermolecular alkene heterodimerisation to give unsymmetrical, tetra-substituted cyclobutanes.     

Palladium-catalyzed tandem allylation of 1,2-phenylenediamines with cis-1,4-diacetoxy-2-butene

The activation of C-O bonds in cis-1,4-diacetoxy-2-butene has been accelerated by carrying out the reactions in the presence of palladium complexes associated with ligands. Palladium-catalyzed tandem allylation of 1,2-phenylenediamines with cis-1,4-diacetoxy-2-butene leads to 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-2-vinylquinoxalines in good yields.     

Efficient synthesis of enantiomerically pure dihydropyrans

cis- and trans-2-Substituted-3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-3-ols have been prepared via an aldol condensation/ring-closing metathesis/enzymatic resolution sequence. The process can be scaled up to yield gram quantities of enantiomerically pure material.     

Oxidising properties of MgO formed by thermal decomposition of Mg(OH)2

To clarify whether trans-cis photoisomerization can be induced by an infrared laser in low temperature matrices, argon matrices of trans-2-butene and rans-1,2-dichloroethylene were irradiated with a TEA CO₂ laser. The results were negative, indicating that the multiple-photon absorption is suppressed in low-temperature matrices.     

Synthesis of eleven-membered carbocycles via a homo-Cope type of five-carbon ring expansion reaction utilized β-(hydroxymethyl)allylsilane

Eleven-membered carbocycles were synthesized from six-membered compounds fitted with a β-(hydroxymethyl)allylsilane unit via the title reaction. Namely, trans- and cis-(E)-2-(trimethylsilylmethyl)-3-(2-vinylcyclohex-1-yl)prop-2-en-1-ol were treated with Tf₂O in CH₂Cl₂ in the presence of 2,6-lutidine to afford (1E)-3-methylenecycloundeca-1,6-diene in good yield. The geometry of the product was shown to depend upon the trans- and cis-substitution pattern on the cyclohexane ring of the substrates; i.e. trans-isomer afforded (6E)-product exclusively and cis-isomer afforded the mixture of (6E)- and (6Z)-product in 1:2 ratio. The (Z)-substrate with respect to allylsilane moiety afforded the same ring expansion product, however, the yield was lower than the reaction with the (E)-substrate. The substrates bearing t-butyl or benzyloxy substituents on the cyclohexane ring also afforded the product analogously, indicating that the reaction depends upon the conformation of the substrate. On the other hand, the substrate bearing isopropenyl group instead of a simple vinyl group did not afford the ring expansion product but produced bicyclo[5.4.0]undecane via the ene reaction.     

A kinetic study of the chemistry of the SO2 (3B1) reactions with cis- and trans-2-butene

The chemical reactions of SO₂(³B₁) molecules with cis- and trans-2-butene have been studied in gaseous mixtures at 25°C by excitation of SO₂ within the SO₂(³B₁) → SO₂(+, ¹A₁) ‘forbidden’ band using 3500–4100-Å light. The initial quatum yields of olefin isomerization were determined as a function of the [SO₂]/[2-butene] ratio and added gases, He and O₂. The kinetic treatment of these data suggests that there is formed in the SO₂(³B₁) quenching step with either cis- or trans-2-butene, some common intermediate, probably a triplet addition complex between SO- and olefin. It decomposes very rapidly to form the 2-butene isomers in the ratio [trans-2-butene]/[cis-2-butene] = 1.8. In another series of experiments SO₂ was excited using a 3630 ± 1-Å laser pulse of short duration, and the SO₂(³B₁) quenching rate constants with the 2-butenes were determined from the SO₂(³B₁) lifetime measurements. The rate constants at 21°C are (1.29 ± 0.18) × 10¹¹ and (1.22 ± 0.15) × 10¹¹ l/mole·sec with cis-2-butene and trans-2-butene, respectively, as the quencher molecule. Within the experimental error these quenching constants equal those derived from the quantum yield data. Thus the rate-determining step in the isomerization reaction is suggested to be the quenching reaction, presumably the formation of the triplet SO₂-2-butene addition complex. In a third series of experiments using light scattering measurements, it was found that the aerosol formation probably originates largely from SO₃ and H₂SO₄ mist formed following the reaction SO₂(³B₁) + SO₂ → SO₃ + SO(³Σ^?). Aerosol formation from photochemically excited SO₂-olefin interaction is probably unimportant in these systems and must be unimportant in the atmosphere.