Copper-catalysed photoinduced decarboxylative alkynylation: a combined experimental and computational study

Redox-active esters (RAEs) as alkyl radical precursors have demonstrated great advantages for C–C bond formation. A decarboxylative cross-coupling method is described to afford substituted alkynes from various carboxylic acids using copper catalysts CuCl and Cu(acac)₂. The photoexcitation of copper acetylides with electron-rich NEt₃ as a ligand provides a general strategy to generate a range of alkyl radicals from RAEs of carboxylic acids, which can be readily coupled with a variety of aromatic alkynes. The scope of this cross-coupling reaction can be further expanded to aliphatic alkynes and alkynyl silanes using a catalytic amount of preformed copper-phenylacetylide. In addition, DFT calculations revealed the favorable reaction pathway and that the bidentate acetylacetonate ligand of the copper intermediate plays an important role in inhibiting the homo-coupling of the alkyne.

Redox-active esters (RAEs) as alkyl radical precursors have demonstrated great advantages for Cu-catalysed C–C bond formation.     

The elusive benzocyclobutenylidene: a combined computational and experimental attempt.

Ab initio and density functional theory calculations predict that benzocyclobutenylidene (1) has a singlet ground state in contrast to the parent phenylcarbene and many other simply substituted arylcarbenes. Calculations also predict that 1 should lie in a relatively deep potential well, while its triplet state is 14.5 kcal mol(-)(1) higher in energy. However, attempts to observe 1 directly by photolysis of two different nitrogenous precursors were not successful. Irradiation of diazobenzocyclobutene (7) (lambda > 534 nm or lambda > 300 nm) or azibenzocyclobutene (10) (lambda > 328 nm) in Ar matrixes at 10 K leads to the formation of the strained cycloalkyne 7-methylenecyclohepta-3,5-dien-1-yne (3). (13)C-Labeled 3 was also prepared in a similar manner. There is very good agreement between experimental IR spectra and computationally derived harmonic vibrational frequencies for 3 and [(13)C]-3 and excellent agreement between observed and calculated isotopic shifts. Prolonged short-wavelength irradiation converts 3 into benzocyclobutadiene (5). Phenylacetylene (6) and benzocyclobutadiene dimer (11) were identified as products arising from flash vacuum pyrolysis of diazirine 10 at 500 degrees C.     

Oxidation of cyclohexane by a high-valent iron bispidine complex: a combined experimental and computational mechanistic study

Experimental data suggest that there are various competing pathways for the catalytic and stoichiometric oxygenation of cyclohexane, assisted by iron-bispidine complexes and using various oxidants (H(2)O(2), O(2), PhIO). Density functional theory calculations indicate that both Fe(IV)=O and Fe(V)=O species are accessible and efficiently transfer their oxygen atoms to cyclohexane. The reactivities of the two isomers each and the two possible spin states for the Fe(IV)=O and Fe(V)=O species are sufficiently different to allow an interpretation of the experimental data.     

o-Phenylene halocarbenonitrenes and o-phenylene chlorocarbenocarbene: a combined experimental and computational approach

[reaction: see text] Computations find that o-phenylene(halo)carbenonitrenes 2-XN, X = F, Cl, Br, have quinoidal singlet biradical ground states such as the parent o-phenylenecarbenonitrene (2-HN). Compared to the parent 2-HN, halogen substitution stabilizes the A' states relative to the A' ones. Halogen substitution also affects the barrier and exothermicity of the ring-opening reaction (to form unsaturated nitriles 4-XN, X = F, Cl, Br), but it has a smaller effect on the ring-closing reaction (to form benzo(aza)cyclobutadiene 3-XN, X = F, Cl, Br). Attempts to generate and observe the o-phenylene(halo)carbenonitrenes 2-XN, X = F, Cl, Br, using matrix isolation spectroscopy under conditions similar to those of the successful observation of 2-HN failed. Instead, the observed photoproducts were a mixture of 3-XN and 4-XN. In each case, the major product of the mixture appears to be the thermodynamically more stable one. In the case of X = Br, the observed mixture contains an additional component that is postulated to be Z-6-BrN. o-Phenylenechlorocarbenocarbene is also computed to have a quinoidal singlet biradical ground state and relatively stabilized A' excited states. Attempts to generate the biscarbene under matrix isolation conditions led to the detection of benzochlorocyclobutadiene (3-ClC), small amounts of the ring-open product (dienediyne 4-ClC), and cycloalkyne 5-ClC. Computations suggest that the formation of 5-ClC implies the generation of Z-6-ClC, which is analogous to the formation of Z-6-BrN from 2-BrN.     

Towards the rational design of palladium-N-heterocyclic carbene catalysts by a combined experimental and computational approach

A combined experimental and computational approach towards the development of Pd-NHC catalysts is described. A range of benzimidazolylidinium ligands incorporating electron-rich and electron-poor substituents were prepared and evaluated in the Suzuki reaction. The most electron-rich ligand showed the highest catalytic activity. Based on this information, the first alkyl-alkyl Negishi cross-coupling reaction protocol was developed. Evaluation of N,N′-diaryl-(4,5-dihydro)imidazolylilidinium ligands showed a strong dependence on the steric topography around the metal centre. A computational study of the most active ligand in the Negishi reaction, its Pd(0) and PdCl₂-complexes and related structures were modelled at the B3LYP/DZVP and HF/3-21G levels of theory. The potential energy hypersurfaces flattened with increase in ligand size. Binding energies were computed for carbene/Pd(0) adducts (in the range ∼31-40 kcal mol⁻¹), roughly double that for PH₃ (∼16 kcal mol⁻¹). Weak intramolecular interactions were found using AIM analyses.     

Revisiting the reduction of indoles by hydroboranes: A combined experimental and computational study

A combined experimental and density functional computational study was used to probe the mechanism for the reduction of indoles using simple borane BH₃·DMS (DMS?=?dimethyl sulfide). Experimental and computational studies all steer to the formation of the reduced species 1-BH₂-indolines as the resting state for this reaction, as opposed to the historically presumed formation of the unreduced 1-BH₂-indoles, before the addition of a proton source to form the final product indolines. Furthermore, it was observed that molecular H₂ was generated and consumed in the reaction. Computations put forward hydroboration followed by protodeborylation as the very reasonable mechanistic route for the formation of experimentally observed major intermediate 1-BH₂ indolines. For the H₂ consumption in the reaction, computations suggest the frustrated Lewis pair-type heterolytic splitting of H₂ by a bis(3-indolinyl)borane intermediate.     

Thermodynamic properties of quinoxaline-1,4-dioxide derivatives: a combined experimental and computational study

The mean (N-O) bond dissociation enthalpies were derived for three 2-methyl-3-(R)-quinoxaline 1,4-dioxide (1) derivatives, with R = methyl (1a), ethoxycarbonyl (1b), and benzyl (1c). The standard molar enthalpies of formation in the gaseous state at T = 298.15 K for the three 1 derivatives were determined from the enthalpies of combustion of the crystalline solids and their enthalpies of sublimation. In parallel, accurate density functional theory-based calculations were carried out in order to estimate the gas-phase enthalpies of formation for the corresponding quinoxaline derivatives. Also, theoretical calculations were used to obtain the first and second N-O dissociation enthalpies. These dissociation enthalpies are in excellent agreement with the experimental results herewith reported.     

A combined experimental and computational study on the sulfoxidation by high-valent iron bispidine complexes

Iron-bispidine complexes are efficient catalysts for the oxidation of thioanisole to phenylmethylsulfoxide with iodosylbenzene as oxidant. With the tetradentate bispidine ligand L(1) (L(1) = 2,4-pyridyl-3,7-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane)) the catalytic efficiency is smaller than with the pentadentate bispidine ligand L(2) (L(2) = 2,4-pyridyl-7-(pyridine-2-ylmethyl)-3,7-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane)). Based on the redox potentials (iron complexes with L(1) are stronger oxidants than with L(2)) and known efficiencies in catalytic olefin oxidation and C-H activation reactions, the expectations were different. A DFT-based analysis is used to explain the apparent contradiction, and this is based on differences in the electronic ground states of the ferryl complexes as well as in the oxygen transfer transition states.     

Structure of reduced and oxidized manganese superoxide dismutase: a combined computational and experimental approach

Manganese superoxide dismutases catalyze the disproportionation of the superoxide radical anion to molecular oxygen and hydrogen peroxide. Recently, atomic-resolution crystal structures of the reduced and oxidized enzymes have been reported. They show an active site with the manganese ion bound to one aspartate, three histidine residues, and a solvent molecule. In this paper, we combine crystallographic refinement with quantum mechanical methods to show that the solvent ligand is undoubtedly a water molecule in the reduced state. However, the putative oxidized structure is to a large extent reduced during data collection, so that it contains a mixture of the Mn2+ and Mn3+ structure. The crystal structures show that the Mn-bound solvent molecule accepts a hydrogen bond from the side chain of the conserved Gln-146 residue. If the solvent ligand is water, then this could lead to a steric clash, but it is avoided by the plane of water molecule forming an angle of 72 degrees to the Mn-O bond. Such a conformation is also found outside the enzyme, giving a minimal destabilization of the reduced state. We show by molecular dynamics simulations that the suggested Mn2+-H2O and Mn3+-OH- structures are stable. Moreover, we show that the superoxide substrate may bind both in the first coordination sphere of the Mn ion, opposite to the aspartate ligand, or in the second sphere, close to the conserved Tyr-34 and His-30 residues, approximately 5 A from Mn. However, the second-sphere structures are not stable in long molecular dynamics simulations. We see no difference in the coordination between the reduced and the oxidized states of the enzyme.     

The isolation of a metastable conglomerate using a combined computational and controlled crystallization approach

While the use of additives to control the crystallization of polymorphs is well known, similar methodology to promote the crystallization of a metastable conglomerate over a stable racemic compound in enantiomeric systems has not been reported. Here we demonstrate this phenomenon in the case of 2-chloromandelic acid.     

反向流动注射化学发光法测定姜黄素

铁氰化钾氧化鲁米诺在碱性介质中产生化学发光,姜黄素对该体系化学发光具有强烈的抑制作用。因此,利用该化学发光的抑制体系,结合反向流动注射技术,建立了测定大黄类药物姜黄素含量的新方法。在优化的条件下,化学发光抑制信号强度ΔI与姜黄素的浓度分别在1×10-7~1×10-6和1×10-6~1×10-5mol/L范围内呈良好的线性关系,检出限为1×10-9mol/L。对2.0×10-6mol/L的姜黄素进行平行测定10次,得相对标准偏差(RSD)为1.8%。方法应用于中药姜黄中姜黄素(总姜黄素计)的含量测定。     

Predicting reactivity and stereoselectivity in the Nazarov reaction: a combined computational and experimental study

The Nazarov reaction of pentadienyl cations generated by protonation of either dienones or alkoxytrienes has been examined in detail both experimentally and by DFT calculations. In particular, calculations at the B3LYP/6‐311G** level of theory accurately predicted, and accounted for, the outcome of the Brønsted acid catalyzed electrocyclization of 4π‐electron systems in which one of the double bonds involved in the process was embedded in N‐ and S‐heterocyclic rings. Calculations showed that both heteroatoms are capable of accelerating the ring closure by stabilizing the partial positive charge which develops at C‐6 (C‐2) in the transition state, with S‐heterocyclic derivatives being more reactive than the corresponding N‐containing compounds. In general, pentadienyl cations generated by protonation of alkoxytrienes were expected to react faster than those obtained by protonation of the corresponding dienones, as the latter were stabilized by a hydrogen bond. The presence of a substituent on the heterocyclic ring significantly affects the stereoselectivity (torquoselectivity) only in the case of the N‐heterocyclic derivatives, in which a 2‐alkyl group is axially oriented, providing the cis‐2,5‐disubstituted isomer only. Instead, with substituted S‐heterocyclic compounds, the anticipated torquoselectivity was very low and, in fact, a 3:1 diastereomeric mixture between the trans and cis products was experimentally found after ring closure. For this study, the synthesis of the appropriate N‐ and S‐containing dienones and alkoxytrienes was realized to evaluate the predictivity power of the DFT computations, which was very good in all of the cases examined, both in terms of reactivity and stereoselectivity. The consistency observed between computational and experimental results, therefore, shows the usefulness of DFT calculations at the B3LYP/6‐311G** level of theory as a robust instrument for the prediction of reactivity and stereoselectivity in the Nazarov electrocyclic reaction.     

New insights into the polymerization of methyl methacrylate initiated by rare-earth borohydride complexes: a combined experimental and computational approach

Polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) initiated by the rare-earth borohydride complexes [Ln(BH(4))(3)(thf)(3)] (Ln=Nd, Sm) or [Sm(BH(4))(Cp*)(2)(thf)] (Cp*=eta-C(5)Me(5)) proceeds at ambient temperature to give rather syndiotactic poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) with molar masses M(n) higher than expected and quite broad molar mass distributions, which is consistent with a poor initiation efficiency. The polymerization of MMA was investigated by performing density functional theory (DFT) calculations on an eta-C(5)H(5) model metallocene and showed that in the reaction of [Eu(BH(4))(Cp)(2)] with MMA the borate [Eu(Cp)(2){(OBH(3))(OMe)C=C(Me)(2)}] (e-2) complex, which forms via the enolate [Eu(Cp)(2){O(OMe)C=C(Me)(2)}] (e), is calculated to be exergonic and is the most likely of all of the possible products. This product is favored because the reaction that leads to the formation of carboxylate [Eu(Cp)(2){OOC-C(Me)(=CH(2))}] (f) is thermodynamically favorable, but kinetically disfavored, and both of the potential products from a Markovnikov [Eu(Cp)(2){O(OMe)C-CH(Me)(CH(2)BH(3))}] (g) or anti-Markovnikov [Eu(Cp)(2){O(OMe)C-C(Me(2))(BH(3))}] (h) hydroboration reaction are also kinetically inaccessible. Similar computational results were obtained for the reaction of [Eu(BH(4))(3)] and MMA with all of the products showing extra stabilization. The DFT calculations performed by using [Eu(Cp)(2)(H)] to model the mechanism previously reported for the polymerization of MMA initiated by [Sm(Cp*)(2)(H)](2) confirmed the favorable exergonic formation of the intermediate [Eu(Cp)(2){O(OMe)C=C(Me)(2)}] (e') as the kinetic product, this enolate species ultimately leads to the formation of PMMA as experimentally observed. Replacing H by BH(4) thus prevents the 1,4-addition of the [Eu(BH(4))(Cp)(2)] borohydride ligand to the first incoming MMA molecule and instead favors the formation of the borate complex e-2. This intermediate is the somewhat active species in the polymerization of MMA initiated by the borohydride precursors [Ln(BH(4))(3)(thf)(3)] or [Sm(BH(4))(Cp*)(2)(thf)].     

A combined experimental and computational strategy in the assignment of absolute configurations of 4-methyl-5-oxo-tetrahydrofuran-3-carboxylic acids and their esters

Enantiopure cis- and trans-4-methylparaconic acids and their alkyl esters were synthesized by a procedure involving the kinetic enzymatic resolution of diastereomeric lactonic esters. Thus, ethyl cis- and trans-4-methyl-5-oxo-tetrahydrofuran-3-carboxylates were isolated, at high conversion values, with 99% ee from the hydrolyses with HLAP and α-CT, respectively. The corresponding enantiopure cis- and trans-lactonic acids were also obtained. The absolute configurations of the products were assigned by chemical correlation, by analysis of their circular dichroism spectra and by electronic structure calculations. All three methodologies lead to the same assignment for the species considered, another example of successful interplay between experiment and theory.     

Effect of strain on the photoisomerization and stability of a congested azobenzenophane: a combined experimental and computational study

The stability and trans-cis photoisomerization properties of a macrocycle constituted of two para-aminoazobenzene units connected by two methylene bridges have been investigated by a combination of experimental and computational techniques. Irradiation at 365 nm leads to a photostationary state in which only 50% of the azobenzene units have isomerized, in contrast with the behavior of para-aminoazobenzene, whose photoconversion is larger than 80%. In the case of the macrocycle, a faster cis --> trans thermal back-reaction is observed. To assist the interpretation of the experimental results, molecular mechanics and quantum chemical calculations have been carried out. Of the possible conformers, the most stable trans-trans geometric isomer has been identified along with the more plausible trans-cis and cis-cis isomers. Ground-state energy barriers along the NN torsional coordinates were also computed, along with excitation energies and intensities for the species that can contribute to the photostationary state. The calculations point to a sequential photoisomerization mechanism and support a predominance of the trans-cis photoproduct with minor contributions from the cis-cis species. The thermal and photochemical reactivity of the examined macrocycle is compared to that of previously investigated azobenzenophanes and explained in terms of strain and substituent effects both concurring to favor the thermal cis --> trans back-reaction.     

A combined experimental and computational study of dihydrido(phosphinooxazoline)iridium complexes

The reaction of a [(PHOX)Ir(COD)](+) complex (COD = 1,5-cyclooctadiene) with dihydrogen was studied by NMR spectroscopy (PHOX = chiral phosphinooxazoline ligand). A single [(PHOX)Ir(H)(2)(COD)](+) isomer was formed as the primary product at -40 degrees C in THF. Subsequent reaction with H(2) at -40 to 0 degrees C led to a mixture of two diastereomeric [(PHOX)Ir(H)(2)(solvent)(2)](+) complexes with concomitant loss of cyclooctane. The stereochemistry of the three hydride complexes could be assigned from the NMR data. The structures and energies of the observed hydride complexes and the possible stereoisomers were calculated using density functional theory. The substantial energy differences (up to 39 kcal/mol) between the various stereoisomers demonstrate the strong influence of the chiral ligand. The observed stereoselective formation of dihydride complexes can be explained by steric effects of the PHOX ligand combined with a strong electronic influence of the coordinating N and P atoms, favoring addition of a hydride trans to the Ir-N bond.     

A combined computational and experimental study of the hydrogen-bonded dimers of xanthine and hypoxanthine

In addition to uracil, the noncanonical nucleobases xanthine and hypoxanthine are important lesions that are formed from the canonical bases when a cell is under oxidative stress. It is known that they lead to point mutations; however, more detailed information about their ability to form hydrogen-bonded complexes is not available. In the present paper such information is obtained by a combined experimental and theoretical approach. Accurate association constants of xanthosine and inosine dimers are determined by concentration dependent 1H NMR experiments, and a structural characterization of individual complexes formed in solution is performed through measurements under slow exchange conditions at very low temperatures. An interpretation of the experimental data concerning complex geometries becomes possible through a comparison of measured and computed NMR chemical shifts. Further qualitative insights into the hydrogen bonding abilities of xanthine and hypoxanthine are obtained by a theoretical characterization of all possible pairing modes of xanthine and hypoxanthine dimers and by a comparison with simplified model systems. The influence of a polar medium on the bonding properties is also estimated and the importance of the various effects is discussed. Our analysis shows to what extent secondary electronic and electrostatic effects influence the hydrogen bonding properties of xanthine and hypoxanthine in the gas phase and in polar solvents.     

Gas-phase reactions of cationic molybdenum and tungsten monoxide with ethanol: a combined experimental/computational exercise

The ion/molecule reactions of molybdenum and tungsten monoxide cations MO⁺ (M═Mo, W) with ethanol have been studied by Fourier transform ion-cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. As observed in the previously reported reactions of MO₂ ⁺ (M═Mo, W) towards ethanol, the dehydration of ethanol to give rise to the elimination of neutral C₂H₄ constitutes also the dominating reaction channel for the monoxides. Likewise, both systems result in a combined dehydrogenation/dehydration process, thus forming the ionic product MOC₂H₂ ⁺; moreover, the tungsten system presents two additional reaction channels: double dehydrogenation of ethanol with concomitant formation of the ionic product WO₂C₂H₂ ⁺ and the generation of C₂H₅ ⁺ which takes place by OH^? transfer from ethanol to the tungsten atom. This combined experimental/computational study of gas-phase ion molecule reactions may shed some new light on the mechanisms that occur in complex catalytic systems.