Development of an organo- and enzyme-catalysed one-pot,sequential three-component reaction

A one-pot, three-component process is described which involves both organo- and enzyme-catalysed carbon–carbon bond-forming steps. In the first step, an organocatalyst catalyses the aldol reaction between acetaldehyde and a glyoxylamide. After dilution with additional aqueous buffer, and addition of pyruvate and an aldolase enzyme variant, a second aldol reaction occurs to yield a final product. Crucially, it was possible to develop a reaction in which both the organo- and enzyme-catalysed reactions could be performed in the same aqueous buffer system. The reaction described is the first example of a one-pot, three-component reaction in which the two carbon–carbon bond-forming processes are catalysed using the combination of an organocatalyst and an enzyme.     

Polymerization of bis(2-oxazoline) compounds with dicarboxylic acids

A side reaction was found in the reaction of a 2-oxazoline compound with a carboxylic acid. It is an oxazoline ring opening addition to an amide group formed by the main reaction. In addition, certain phosphites were found to act as catalyst for the side reaction. The rate constants of the main and side reactions in the system of 2-phenyl-2-oxazoline and n-octanoic acid were obtained through simulation of the reactions on an analog computer. The side reaction makes it impossible for a very high molecular weight polymer to form in the reaction of a bis-2-oxazoline with a dicarboxylic acid, but makes it possible for a new crosslinked polymer to form when excess bis-2-oxazoline and a dicarboxylic acid are heated in the presence of a certain phosphite.     

Theoretical study of the reaction mechanisms involved in the thermal intramolecular reactions of 1,6-fullerenynes

Substitution of a H atom by an alkyl group on the terminal carbon of the alkyne moiety of 1,6-fullerenynes has a strong impact on the products of the reaction undergone by this species after thermal treatment. While the reaction of 1,6-fullerenynes bearing an unsubstituted alkyne moiety results in the cycloaddition of the alkyne group to the fullerene double bond leading to cyclobutene-fused derivatives, the presence of an alkyl substituent leads to the formation of allenes. In the present work, we have performed an exhaustive theoretical analysis of all possible reaction mechanisms leading to cyclobutene-fused derivatives and allenes to offer an explanation of the reactivity differences observed. The results obtained show that formation of cyclobutene-fused derivatives occurs through a stepwise diradical reaction mechanism, while allene formation proceeds through a concerted way involving an uncommon intramolecular ene process. For the 1,6-fullerenynes bearing a substituted alkyne, the ene reaction path leading to allenes has an energy barrier somewhat lower than the stepwise diradical mechanism for the cyclobutene-fused derivative formation, thus explaining the outcome of the reaction.     

Ugi反应在环肽生物碱和小肽衍生物抗生素及细胞毒素类等天然产物合成中的应用

Ugi反应是由1分子醛或酮、1分子胺、1分子异腈和1分子羧酸4个组分通过缩聚反应生成α- 酰氨基酰胺类化合物的反应。 具有反应条件温和、产率高和原子经济性好等特点。 该反应还可与Suzuki、Heck和Smiles等经典反应偶联,使得其在天然产物合成方面得到越来越多的关注。 本文概括总结了近几十年来Ugi反应在一些天然产物合成中的应用。     

An extremely efficient three-component reaction of aldehydes/ketones, amines, and phosphites (Kabachnik-Fields reaction) for the synthesis of alpha-aminophosphonates catalyzed by magnesium perchlorate

Commercially available magnesium perchlorate is reported as an extremely efficient catalyst for the synthesis of alpha-aminophosphonates. A three-component reaction (3-CR) of an amine, an aldehyde or a ketone, and a di-/trialkyl phosphite (Kabachnik-Fields reaction) took place in one pot under solvent-free conditions to afford the corresponding alpha-aminophosphonates in high yields and short times. The use of solvent retards the rate of the reaction and requires a much longer reaction time than that for neat conditions. The reactions involving an aldehyde, an aromatic amine without any electron-withdrawing substituent, and a phosphite are carried out at rt. The reactions involving cyclic ketones, aromatic amines with an electron-withdrawing substituent, and aryl alkyl ketone (e.g., acetophenone) require longer reaction times at rt or heating. Magnesium perchlorate was found to be superior to other metal perchlorates and metal triflates during the reaction of 4-methoxybenzaldehyde, 2,4-dinitroaniline, and dimethyl phosphite. The catalytic activity of various magnesium compounds was influenced by the counteranion, and magnesium perchlorate was found to be the most effective. The reaction was found to be general with di-/trialkyl phosphites and diaryl phosphite. The Mg(ClO4)2-catalyzed alpha-aminophosphonate synthesis in the present study perhaps represents a true three-component reaction as no intermediate formation of either an imine or alpha-hydroxy phosphonate was observed that indicated the simultaneous involvement of the carbonyl compound, the amine, and the phosphite in the transition state.     

A Simple Model for Barrier Frequencies for Enzymatic Reactions

We present a simple model to rationalize the effects of environment on the reaction barrier frequencies derived from free energy profiles. These frequencies are relevant in deviations of a rate constant from its transition state theory value and in determining which environmental dynamics participate in the reaction. In particular, this simple model can be used to understand the changes in the reaction barrier frequencies of an enzymatic catalyzed reaction and the corresponding uncatalyzed process in aqueous solution, a change which has implications for dynamical environmental effects on the enzymatic reaction. Two possible cases are analyzed, in which the polarity (charge separation/localization) of the reacting system increases or decreases as the reaction advances. A simple modeling of the environment′s effects allows the explanation of an unusual “inverse” effect on the reaction frequencies, that is, a free energy barrier lowering accompanied by an increase of the reaction frequency, a behavior observed in some enzymes. The model predictions are successfully compared with results from full simulations for four different enzyme reactions.     

Enzymatic Ugi Reaction with Amines and Cyclic Imines

The application of the Ugi reaction to the construction of new peptide scaffolds is an important goal of organic chemistry. To date, there are no examples of the Ugi reaction being performed with a cyclic imine and amine simultaneously. The application of 2‐substituted cyclic imines in an enzymatic three‐component Ugi‐type reaction provides an elegant and attractive synthesis of substituted pyrrolidine and piperidine derivatives in up to 60 % yield. Results on studies of the selection of an enzyme, amount of water, and solvent used in a novel three‐component Ugi reaction and the limitations thereof are reported herein. The presented methodology exploiting enzyme promiscuity in the multicomponent reaction fulfills the requirements associated with green chemistry. Several methods, such as isotope labeling and enzyme inhibition, were used to probe the possible mechanism of this complex synthesis. This research is the first example of an enzyme‐catalyzed Ugi‐type reaction with an imine, amine, and isocyanide.     

Characterization of the switch in the mechanism of an intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction

Changing the dienophile moiety of an intramolecular Diels-Alder (IMDA) cycloaddition from an allyl ether to an allenyl ether can dramatically change the regioselectivity. We hereby show by density functional theory computations that such unprecedented divergence is produced by an underlying change in the mechanism of the reaction. The allyl ether yields a fused tetrahydrofuran through a classical Diels-Alder reaction, whereas the allenyl ether yields a (methylidene)tetrahydropyran through a stepwise process. The latter reaction involves an extreme asynchronism in the bond-forming events with a diradicaloid intermediate that is stabilized by conjugation and synergistic (captodative) effects. Comparison with intermolecular model D-A reactions, which are concerted processes with various degrees of asynchrony, helps explain the change in regioselectivity for the IMDA reaction of allyl systems and the shift in mechanism for the IMDA reaction of the allenyl derivatives studied.     

Synthesis of CuTCNQ/Au Microrods by Galvanic Replacement of Semiconducting Phase I CuTCNQ with KAuBr(4) in Aqueous Medium

The spontaneous reaction between microrods of an organic semiconductor molecule, copper 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (CuTCNQ) with [AuBr(4)](-) ions in an aqueous environment is reported. The reaction is found to be redox in nature which proceeds via a complex galvanic replacement mechanism, wherein the surface of the CuTCNQ microrods is replaced with metallic gold nanoparticles. Unlike previous reactions reported in acetonitrile, the galvanic replacement reaction in aqueous solution proceeds via an entirely different reaction mechanism, wherein a cyclical reaction mechanism involving continuous regeneration of CuTCNQ consumed during the galvanic replacement reaction occurs in parallel with the galvanic replacement reaction. This results in the driving force of the galvanic replacement reaction in aqueous medium being largely dependent on the availability of [AuBr(4)](-) ions during the reaction. Therefore, this study highlights the importance of the choice of an appropriate solvent during galvanic replacement reactions, which can significantly impact upon the reaction mechanism. The reaction progress with respect to different gold salt concentration was monitored using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), Raman, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), as well as XRD and EDX analysis, and SEM imaging. The CuTCNQ/Au nanocomposites were also investigated for their potential photocatalytic properties, wherein the destruction of the organic dye, Congo red, in a simulated solar light environment was found to be largely dependent on the degree of gold nanoparticle surface coverage. The approach reported here opens up new possibilities of decorating metal-organic charge transfer complexes with a host of metals, leading to potentially novel applications in catalysis and sensing.     

Iron‐Catalyzed C?H Bond Activation for the ortho‐Arylation of Aryl Pyridines and Imines with Grignard Reagents

Direct arylation of the ortho‐C? H bond of an aryl pyridine or an aryl imine with an aryl Grignard reagent has been achieved by using an iron‐diamine catalyst and a dichloroalkane as an oxidant in a short reaction time (e.g., 5 min) under mild conditions (0 °C). The use of an aromatic co‐solvent, such as chlorobenzene and benzene, and slow addition of the Grignard reagent are essential for the high efficiency of the reaction. The present arylation reaction has distinct merits over the previously developed reaction that used an arylzinc reagent, such as its reaction rate and atom economy. Selective C? H bond activation occurs in the presence of a leaving group, such as a tosyloxy, chloro, and bromo group. Studies on a stoichiometric reaction and kinetic isotope effects shed light on the reaction intermediate and the C? H bond‐activation step.     

离子液体中磺化无定形炭催化菊糖制备5-羟甲基糠醛

研究了以1-丁基-3-甲基咪唑氯盐([Bmim]Cl)离子液体作溶剂,磺化无定形炭为催化剂催化菊糖脱水制5-羟甲基糠醛(HMF)的反应.考察了溶剂、水量、反应温度、反应时间和催化剂用量对HMF收率的影响.实验结果表明,反应温度为100°C,反应时间60min,R=5(R为水的物质的量与菊糖中所含果糖单位的物质的量的比值),m(催化剂):m(菊糖)=1:3时,HMF的收率可达50%.     

Regioselective allylzincation of alkenylboronate

[reaction: see text] Boryl substitution on an olefin activates the olefinic double bond toward addition of an organozinc reagent. Addition of an allylic zinc reagent to an alkenylboronate thus takes place smoothly to afford a variety of gem-zincio/boryl species. Theoretical studies with density functional calculations on the reaction pathway revealed that the reaction proceeds via a zincio-ene reaction rather than a bora-Claisen rearrangement.     

Stoichiometric Photochemical Carbene Transfer by Bamford–Stevens Reaction

The photolysis of diazoalkanes is a timely strategy to conduct carbene-transfer reactions under mild and metal-free reaction conditions, and has developed as an important alternative to conventional metal-catalyzed carbene-transfer reactions. One of the major limitations lies within the rapidly occurring side reaction of the carbene intermediate with remaining diazoalkane molecules that result in the use of an excess of the reaction partner and thus impacts on the reaction efficiency. Herein, we describe a protocol that takes advantage of the in situ generation of donor–acceptor diazoalkanes by Bamford–Stevens reaction. Following this strategy, the concentration of the diazoalkane reaction partner can be minimized to reduce unwanted side reactions and to now conduct photochemical carbene transfer reactions under stoichiometric reaction conditions. We have explored this approach in the C−H and N−H functionalization and cyclopropanation reaction of N-heterocycles and could demonstrate the applicability of this method in 51 examples.     

Determining optimum conditions for lipase-catalyzed synthesis of triethanolamine (TEA)-based esterquat cationic surfactant by a Taguchi robust design method

A Taguchi robust design method with an L? orthogonal array was implemented to optimize experimental conditions for the biosynthesis of triethanolamine (TEA)-based esterquat cationic surfactants using an enzymatic reaction method. The esterification reaction conversion% was considered as the response. Enzyme amount, reaction time, reaction temperature and molar ratio of substrates, [oleic acid: triethanolamine (OA:TEA)] were chosen as main parameters. As a result of the Taguchi analysis in this study, the molar ratio of substrates was found to be the most influential parameter on the esterification reaction conversion%. The amount of enzyme in the reaction had also a significant effect on reaction conversion%.     

Total synthesis of cruentaren B

A convergent total synthesis of the cytotoxic natural product cruentaren B is completed in 26 steps (longest linear sequence) with an overall yield of 7.1%. For the construction of the C1-C11 benzolactone fragment of the molecule, the key steps used were O-methylation, using a Mitsunobu reaction, a Stille coupling method to construct the C7-C8 bond, and a Brown's asymmetric crotylboration reaction for the direct enantioselective installation of the two chiral centers present in this fragment. For diastereoselective installation of the chiral centers in the C12-C20 polyketide fragment, an Evans syn aldol reaction on a chiral aldehyde, derived from methyl (R)-3-hydroxyl-2-methylpropionate, and subsequently a Mukaiyama aldol reaction were employed. For the construction of the C21-C28 tail, a "non-Evans" syn aldol reaction was used. The three fragments were coupled by an SN2 reaction and a Wittig olefination reaction followed by standard functional group manipulations to furnish the target molecule.     

Total Synthesis of (−)‐Nakadomarin A

A highly efficient 12‐step synthesis of the marine alkaloid (?)‐nakadomarin A has been accomplished. The key advanced intermediate, a tetracyclic ketone derivative, was constructed in just seven steps using a sequence that includes an asymmetric Pauson–Khand reaction, an Overman rearrangement reaction, a ring‐closing metathesis reaction, and an amination reaction. Late introduction of the furan ring during the synthesis of (?)‐nakadomarin A means that the key tetracyclic ketone derivative has the potential to serve as an advanced intermediate for the synthesis of related marine alkaloids.     

Domino reactions that combine an azido-Schmidt ring expansion with the Diels-Alder reaction

[reaction: see text] The combination of the intramolecular Schmidt reaction with the Diels-Alder reaction provides expedient access to a variety of heterocycles. Two different modes of reaction planning are presented. In one, the azide and ketone moieties necessary for the intramolecular Schmidt reaction originate on different molecules that are reacted and subsequently undergo a ring-adjustment step. Alternatively, an azido ketone can be used provided the ketone is deactivated by its presence in an enone.     

Temperature vs. time sequences to palliate deactivation in parallel and in series-parallel with the main reaction: parametric study

The calculation of temperature vs. time sequences to palliate catalyst deactivation in an integral reactor has been studied either by maintaining constant the conversion at the reactor outlet in a simple reaction or by maintaining constant the concentration of a given component at the outlet in a complex reaction system. The experimental systems studied, which are a simple one (dehydration of 2-ethylhexanol) and a complex one (isomerization of cis-butene), have kinetic models of the Langmuir-Hinshelwood-Hougen-Watson type for the main reaction and deactivation, with deactivation by coke dependent on the concentration of the reaction components. In the reaction of dehydration of 2-ethylhexanol deactivation occurs in parallel with the main reaction and in the isomerization of cis-butene deactivation occurs in series-parallel with the main reaction. A parametric study has been carried out for both reaction systems. The sequences calculated have been experimentally proven in an automated reaction apparatus.     

Organocatalytic kinetic resolution cascade reactions: new mechanistic and stereochemical manifold in diphenyl prolinol silyl ether catalysis

A new cascade reaction involving an iminium-catalyzed intramolecular oxa-Michael addition followed by an enamine-catalyzed intermolecular Michael addition is reported herein. This cascade reaction generates enantiopure, highly functionalized tetrahydropyrans and tetrahydrofurans in a one-pot reaction and in up to 89?% combined yield and up to 99?% ee. This cascade reaction is catalyzed by diaryl prolinol silyl ethers, which are a privileged class of catalysts. The stereochemical outcome of these cascade reactions is unprecedented. Computational studies indicate that this stereochemical outcome arises from nonclassical hydrogen-bonding interactions between the electrophile and the substrate, and from entropic considerations of preorganization. The unprecedented configurations of the cascade products, combined with the computational models, reveal for the first time that asymmetric induction by diaryl prolinol silyl ether catalysts is not always exclusively reagent controlled. The stereochemical outcome also arises from a kinetic resolution or dynamic kinetic resolution of the β-stereocenter through an enamine-catalyzed intermolecular reaction. This unprecedented organocascade reaction mechanism may be adaptable to diaryl prolinol silyl ether-catalyzed cascade reactions, in which both the iminium- and enamine-catalyzed steps are intermolecular, an underdeveloped type of cascade reaction.     

Palladium-catalyzed preparation of vinylallenes from 2-bromo-1,3,5-trienes via an alkylidene-pi-allylpalladium-mediated formal SN2" pathway

[Structure: see text] A novel Pd-catalyzed reaction to prepare conjugated vinylallenes from 2-bromo-1,3,5-triene and a soft nucleophile via a formal SN2" pathway was developed. The reaction proceeds via alkylidene-pi-allylpalladium and allenyl-pi-allylpalladium intermediates, and a dynamic process involving the two palladium intermediates played important roles in determining the selectivity of the Pd-catalyzed reaction. The reaction was extended to an asymmetric counterpart, and an axially chiral vinylallene was obtained with up to 81% ee.