Stereocomplementary Routes to Hydroxylated Nitrogen Heterocycles: Total Syntheses of Casuarine,Australine, and 7‐epi‐Australine

Addition of lithiated 1‐benzyloxyallene to a D ‐arabinose‐derived cyclic nitrone occurred with perfect diastereoselectivity furnishing a bicyclic 1,2‐oxazine derivative, which is an excellent precursor for pyrrolizidine alkaloids hydroxylated at C‐7 with optional configuration at this stereogenic center. Depending on the stage of the N? O bond cleavage and ring re‐closure, 7‐hydroxypyrrolizidines with 7R or 7S configuration were obtained, as a result of completely selective addition reactions occurring complementarily at the bottom or top face of the endocyclic C? C double bond in six‐ and five‐membered B rings, respectively. Applicability of these stereodivergent routes to obtain polyhydroxy pyrrolizidine alkaloids is demonstrated by the efficient syntheses of casuarine and australine as examples of the two classes of diversely configured 7‐hydroxypyrrolizidine alkaloids. An alternative synthesis of australine and two strategies for the preparation of 7‐epi‐australine are also reported, which demonstrate that the stereoselectivity of hydride reduction of an exocyclic C? O double bond is independent of the ring size, occurring preferentially from the top face either in a six‐ or five‐membered ring.     

(Cyclopentadienone)iron Complexes: Synthesis,Mechanism and Applications in Organic Synthesis

(Cyclopentadienone)iron tricarbonyl complexes are catalytically active, inexpensive, easily accessible and air-stable that are extensively studied as an active pre-catalyst in homogeneous catalysis. Its versatile catalytic activity arises exclusively due to the presence of a non-innocent ligand, which can trigger its unique redox properties effectively. These complexes have been employed widely in (transfer)hydrogenation (e. g., reduction of polar multiple bonds, Oppenauer-type oxidation of alcohols), C−C and C−N bond formation (e. g., reductive aminations, α-alkylation of ketones) and other synthetic transformations. In this review, we discuss the remarkable advancement of its various synthetic applications along with synthesis and mechanistic studies, until February 2021.     

Cycloaddition of benzothiete and electron-deficient nitriles

The o-quinoid 8π electron system 2 , generated by thermal ring opening of benzothiete ( 1 ), enters regio-specific [8π + 2π] cycloaddition reactions with electron-deficient nitriles 3a-d , yielding the 4H-1,3-benzothiazines 4a-d. A competitive dimerization of 1 leads to 1,5-dibenzo[b,f]dithiocin (5). Depending on the nitrile further competitive or subsequent reactions (2 + 3b → 7b, 2 + 3d → 4d → 8d) can occur. The cycloadducts 10e and 11e gained from 3e anticipate a primary cleavage of 3e to methylisothiocyanate 9e which reacts at the C?N double bond as well as at the C?S double bond.     

Synthesis of Pyrrolophenanthridine Alkaloids Based on C(sp3)H and C(sp2)H Functionalization Reactions

Assoanine, pratosine, hippadine, and dehydroanhydrolycorine belong to the pyrrolophenanthridine family of alkaloids, which are isolated from plants of the Amaryllidaceae species. Structurally, these alkaloids are characterized by a tetracyclic skeleton that contains a biaryl moiety and an indole core, and compounds belonging to this class have received considerable interest from researchers in a number of fields because of their biological properties and the challenges associated with their synthesis. Herein, a strategy for the total synthesis of these alkaloids by using C? H activation chemistry is described. The tetracyclic skeleton was constructed in a stepwise manner by C(sp³)? H functionalization followed by a Catellani reaction, including C(sp²)? H functionalization. A one‐pot reaction involving both C(sp³)? H and C(sp²)? H functionalization was also attempted. This newly developed strategy is suitable for the facile preparation of various analogues because it uses simple starting materials and does not require protecting groups.     

Stereochemistry of the Robinson Anellation: Studies on the Mode of Formation of the Intermediate Hydroxy Ketones

The stereochemical outcome of the base-catalyzed cyclization of diketones 5 – 8 has been investigated under protic conditions (Scheme 3). The more stable trans-fused ketols are preferentially formed in kinetically controlled aldol reactions, when the incipient angular substituent R = H (6 → 10a ) or CN ( 7 → 11a , 8a → 12a ). For R = Me (as in 5 ), axial attack of the side-chain enolate double bond on the ring C?O group results in the rather selective formation of cis- 9b. It is assumed that these cyclizations are controlled by relative product stabilities (product-like transition state) and steric effects. The competition between fused (e.g. 9 ) and bridged ketol (e.g. 13 ) formation in these cyclizations is discussed. The cis-fused (‘steroid’) ketols were readily equilibrated with their trans-counterparts (9b ? 9a, 10b ? 10a, 11b ? 11a) under aprotic conditions (5 mol-% of LDA, THF, 0°), thus, allowing assessments of relative stabilities.     

Formation of interstellar vinyl alcohol via simple radical processes: Theoretical study

Density functional theory calculations at the B3LYP/6‐31++G(d,p) level of theory were employed to verify whether the formation of vinyl alcohol (VA) in the interstellar medium can be explained by reactions of common and abundant interstellar species such as acetylene, radicals C₂, HC? C · , · OH, and H · . Several reaction sequences are possible. They include radical combinations, which proceed without activation barriers and are highly exothermic. The reactions of closed‐shell species acetylene and HC?C‐OH with hydrogen atoms, as well as H‐transfer and OH‐rotation processes, might require activation energy. Nevertheless, either the corresponding transition states lay below the reactant level or there are alternative routes that involve no transition states at all, such as the reaction sequences C₂ → HC?C · → HC?CH → trans‐syn‐HC( · )?CH‐OH → syn‐VA; C₂ → HC?C · → syn‐?C?CH‐OH → (trans or cis)‐syn‐HC( · )?CH‐OH → syn‐VA; and C₂ → · C?C‐OH → syn‐:C?CH‐OH → (trans or cis)‐syn‐HC( · )?CH‐OH → syn‐VA. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2004     

Reaction Mechanism of the Hydrogermylation/Hydrostannylation of Unactivated Alkenes with Two‐Coordinate EII Hydrides (E=Ge,Sn): A Theoretical Study

Quantum chemical calculations using density functional theory with the TPSS+D3(BJ) and M06‐2X+D3(ABC) functionals have been carried out to understand the mechanisms of catalyst‐free hydrogermylation/hydrostannylation reactions between the two‐coordinate hydrido‐tetrylenes :E(H)(L⁺) (E=Ge or Sn, L⁺=N(Ar⁺)(SiiPr₃); Ar⁺=C₆H₂{C(H)Ph₂}₂iPr‐2,6,4) and a range of unactivated terminal (C₂H₃R, R=H, Ph, or tBu) and cyclic [(CH)₂(CH₂)₂(CH₂)_n, n=1, 2, or 4] alkenes. The calculations suggest that the addition reactions of the germylenes and stannylenes to the cyclic and acyclic alkenes occur as one‐step processes through formal [2+2] addition of the E?H fragment across the C?C π bond. The reactions have moderate barriers and are weakly exergonic. The steric bulk of the tetrylene amido groups has little influence on the activation barriers and on the reaction energies of the anti‐Markovnikov pathway, but the Markovnikov addition is clearly disfavored by the size of the substituents. The addition of the tetrylenes to the cyclic alkenes is less exergonic than the addition to the terminal alkenes, which agrees with the experimentally observed reversibility of the former reactions. The hydrogermylation reactions have lower activation energies and are more exergonic than the stannylene addition. An energy decomposition analysis of the transition state for the hydrogermylation of cyclohexene shows that the reaction takes place with simultaneous formation of the Ge?C and (Ge)H?C′ bonds. The dominant orbitals of the germylene are the σ‐type lone pair MO of Ge, which serves as a donor orbital, and the vacant p(π) MO of Ge, which acts as acceptor orbital for the π* and π MOs of the olefin. Inspection of the transition states of some selected reactions suggests that the differences between the activation energies come from a delicate balance between the deformation energies of the interacting species and their interaction energies.     

Three-Component,Four-Molecule,Ru-Catalyzed Cascade Reactions of Indoles and Alkyl Bromides with Sodium Nitrite

Abstract

An operationally simple domino approach for the ruthenium-catalyzed synthesis of (E)-2,3′-bi(3H-indol)-3-one O-alkyl oximes by the region- and stereoselective three-component, four-molecule reactions of indoles with sodium nitrite and alkyl bromides under mild reaction condition in dimethylformamide is described. Remarkably, multiple bonds including C?C, C=N, and C?O bonds were conveniently formed in one pot. The reaction is tolerant to air and is atom economical, in accordance with the concept of modern green chemistry.     

Theoretical studies of the geometries of H2GeNaF and its insertion reaction with R?H (RF,OH, NH2, CH3)

The geometries and insertion reactions of germylene H₂GeNaF with R? H (R?F, OH, NH₂, CH₃) have been investigated at the B3LYP/6‐311+G level of theory. The potential barriers of the four reactions are ～52, 120, 184, and 257 kJ/mol, including the ZPVE corrections, respectively. Here, all the mechanisms of the four reactions are identical to each other; i.e., an intermediate has been located during the insertion reaction. The intermediate could dissociate into substituted germylane and NaF with the barrier corresponding to the dissociation energy. Correspondingly, the reaction energies for the four reactions are ?43, ?4, 21, and 51 kJ/mol, respectively. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2006     

Acylation of Cellulose with N,N′‐Carbonyldiimidazole‐Activated Acids in the Novel Solvent Dimethyl Sulfoxide/Tetrabutylammonium Fluoride

Summary: Carboxylic acids were efficiently activated with N,N′‐carbonyldiimidazole (CDI) and applied for the acylation of cellulose under homogeneous conditions using dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)/tetrabutylammonium fluoride trihydrate (TBAF) as solvent. The simple and elegant method is a very mild and easily applicable tool for the synthesis of pure aliphatic, alicyclic, bulky, and unsaturated cellulose esters with degrees of substitution of up to 1.9. Products are soluble in organic solvents, e.g., DMSO or N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF). The cellulose esters were characterized by elemental analysis, FT‐IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and show no impurities or substructures resulting from side reactions.

The esterification of cellulose using carboxylic acids activated in situ with N,N′‐carbonyldiimidazole.     

Recent Progress in the Synthesis of the Monocarba-closo-dodecaborate(−) Anions

This Concept article focuses on the rapid growth in studies of the chemistry of the monocarba-closo-dodecaborate(−) anion (C1 carborane anion). As one of the most stable anions known, the C1 carborane anion has been useful for exploring the chemistry of highly reactive cations. On the other hand, development of novel functional molecules utilizing the unique properties of C1 carborane anion (e.g., σ-aromaticity, rigid spherical skeleton) has progressed more slowly. The main reason for this is the relatively undeveloped state of synthetic chemistry in this area. Recent advances in the synthetic chemistry of C1 carborane anion are highlighted in this Concept article, focusing on cross-coupling reactions at the carbon vertex, direct conversion of B−H bonds, and the synthesis of multivalent weakly coordinating anions. These progressions move this species beyond its well-established role of highly stable “counter” monocharged anion.     

New telechelic polymers and sequential copolymers by polyfunctional initiator-transfer agents (inifers) LVII. Chlorine telechelic poly(p-chlorostyrene)

The polymerization of p-chlorostyrene (pClSt) under carbocationic conditions has been investigated. The use of binifers 1,4-di(2-chloro-2-propyl) benzene (pDCC) and 1,3-di(2-chloro-2-propyl)-5-tert-butylbenzene (m-tBuDCC) in conjunction with BCl₃ coinitiator in CH₃Cl diluent at ?60 and ?35°C give α,ω-di-benzylic chlorine-capped polymer ^sCl? PpClSt? Cl^s. According to kinetic investigations the inifer mechanism is operative and both binifers are efficient in controlling the end structures, molecular weights, and to a certain extent molecular weight distributions (MWD). Strong circumstantial evidences have been generated to demonstrate the satisfactory synthesis of ^sCl? PpClSt? Cl^s and the absence of indanyl end-groups, i.e., structural considerations, linearity of inifer plots, quantitative Cl end-group microanalysis, FTIR spectroscopy, and blocking experiments. The latter involved the blocking of THF from the sec-benzylic chlorine end-groups by AgPF₆ and thus led to the synthesis of a new triblock copolymer PTHF-b-PpClSt-b-PTHF. Interestingly, the isotactic content (mm triads and mmmm pentads) of PpClSt is significantly higher than that of polymer prepared by free-radical induced polymerization. The T_g of a PpClSt of M?_n = 5700 g/mol was 123°C.     

Totalsynthese von natürlichem α-Tocopherol. 2. Mitteilung. Aufbau der Seitenkette aus (−)-(S)-3-Methyl-γ-butyrolacton

Total Synthesis of Natural α-Tocopherol A short and efficient route to optically pure (+)-(3 R, 7 R)-trimethyldodecanol ( 14 ) is demonstrated, 14 serving as side chain unit in the preparation of natural vitamin E. The synthesis of 14 is based on the concept of using a single optically active C₅-synthon of suitable configuration and functionalization to introduce both asymmetric centres in 14 . (?)-(S)-3-Methyl-γ-butyrolacton ( 1 ) and ethyl (?)-(S)-4-bromo-3-methylbutyrate ( 2 ), respectively, is used in a sequence of either two Grignard C,C-coupling reactions 5 → 8 and 12 → 13 or two Wittig reactions 17a → 18 and 20 → 21 to achieve this goal. 14 is converted to (2 R, 4′R, 8′R)-α-tocopherol (= vitamin E) by coupling with a chroman unit in known manner. Optical purity of products and intermediates is established.     

Recent Advances in Ring‐Opening Functionalization of Cycloalkanols by C–C σ‐Bond Cleavage

Cycloalkanols prove to be privileged precursors for the synthesis of distally substituted alkyl ketones and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) by virtue of cleavage of their cyclic C−C bonds. Direct functionalization of cyclobutanols to build up other chemical bonds (e. g., C−F, C−Cl, C−Br, C−N, C−S, C−Se, C−C, etc.) has been achieved by using the ring‐opening strategy. Mechanistically, the C−C cleavage of cyclobutanols can be involved in two pathways: (a) transition‐metal catalyzed β‐carbon elimination; (b) radical‐mediated ‘radical clock’‐type ring opening. The recent advances of our group for the ring‐opening functionalization of tertiary cycloalkanols are described in this account.     

Metal‐Free Cross‐Dehydrogenative Coupling (CDC): Molecular Iodine as a Versatile Catalyst/Reagent for CDC Reactions

The development of ecofriendly methods for carbon–carbon (C?C) and carbon–heteroatom (C?Het) bond formation is of great significance in modern‐day research. Metal‐free cross‐dehydrogenative coupling (CDC) has emerged as an important tool for organic and medicinal chemists as a means to form C?C and C?Het bonds, as it is atom economical and more efficient and greener than transition‐metal catalyzed CDC reactions. Molecular iodine (I₂) is recognized as an inexpensive, environmentally benign, and easy‐to‐handle catalyst or reagent to pursue CDCs under mild reaction conditions, with good regioselectivities and broad substrate compatibility. This review presents the recent developments of I₂‐catalyzed C?C, C?N, C?O, and C?S/C?Se bond‐forming reactions for the synthesis of various important organic molecules by cross‐dehydrogenative coupling.     

Synthesis,characterization and catalytic studies of iron(III), cobalt(II), nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes containing triphenylphosphine and β-diketones

A series of new β-diketonato complexes have been synthesized from the reactions of iron(III), cobalt(II), nickel(II) and copper(II) Ph₃P complexes with β-diketones (acetylacetone, benzoylacetone and dibenzoylmethane). All the complexes have been characterized by elemental analyses, spectral studies (i.r., electronic., magnetic., e.p.r., ¹H-n.m.r.) and cyclic voltammetry. The new complexes have been used as catalysts for aromatic coupling and oxidation reactions. Higher catalytic activity has been observed for the nickel(II) complexes compared to the other complexes.     

Renaissance of Topotactic Ion-Exchange for Functional Solids with Close Packed Structures

Recently, many new, complex, functional oxides have been discovered with the surprising use of topotactic ion-exchange reactions on close-packed structures, such as found for wurtzite, rutile, perovskite, and other structure types. Despite a lack of apparent cation-diffusion pathways in these structure types, synthetic low-temperature transformations are possible with the interdiffusion and exchange of functional cations possessing ns² stereoactive lone pairs (e. g., Sn(II)) or unpaired nd^x electrons (e. g., Co(II)), targeting new and favorable modulations of their electronic, magnetic, or catalytic properties. This enables a synergistic blending of new functionality to an underlying three-dimensional connectivity, i. e., [-M−O-M-O-]_n, that is maintained during the transformation. In many cases, this tactic represents the only known pathway to prepare thermodynamically unstable solids that otherwise would commonly decompose by phase segregation, such as that recently applied to the discovery of many new small bandgap semiconductors.     

Electrophilic substitution of organosilicon compounds. II. Synthesis of allyl-terminated polyisobutylenes by quantitative allylation of tert-chloro-polyisobutylenes with allyltrimethylsilane

Essentially quantitative allylation of linear and three-arm star tert-chloro capped polyisobutylenes [^tCl–PIB–Cl^t and PIB(Cl^t)₃] has been achieved by the use of allyltrimethylsilane (AllylSiMe₃) and Friedel–Crafts acids. Quantitative allylation occurs under suitable conditions, e.g., slight molar excess of TiCl₄ and AllySiMe₃ polar media, ?70°C. These conditions have been developed from quantitative model allylation experiments using 2,4,4-trimethyl-2-chloropentane. Essentially quantitative allylation occurs with long-chain or “once fired” tert-chloro-end groups. Complete allylation can also be effected in a “one-pot two-step” synthesis, i.e., by first preparing the tert-chloro-ended PIB by the inifer method and without isolating the product, completing the synthesis by allylation in the same reactor. Extensive but not quantitative allylation can also be obtained in situ, i. e., during polymerization, by the use of the AllylSiMe₃/cumyl chloride/BCI₃/isobutylene combination. While allylation proceeds with great ease under the mildest conditions, e.g., ?70°C, vinylation with vinyltrimethylsilane could not be achieved even under more forcing conditions.     

Mononuclear Nonheme High‐Spin (S=2) versus Intermediate‐Spin (S=1) Iron(IV)–Oxo Complexes in Oxidation Reactions

Mononuclear nonheme high‐spin (S=2) iron(IV)–oxo species have been identified as the key intermediates responsible for the C?H bond activation of organic substrates in nonheme iron enzymatic reactions. Herein we report that the C?H bond activation of hydrocarbons by a synthetic mononuclear nonheme high‐spin (S=2) iron(IV)–oxo complex occurs through an oxygen non‐rebound mechanism, as previously demonstrated in the C?H bond activation by nonheme intermediate (S=1) iron(IV)–oxo complexes. We also report that C?H bond activation is preferred over C=C epoxidation in the oxidation of cyclohexene by the nonheme high‐spin (HS) and intermediate‐spin (IS) iron(IV)–oxo complexes, whereas the C=C double bond epoxidation becomes a preferred pathway in the oxidation of deuterated cyclohexene by the nonheme HS and IS iron(IV)–oxo complexes. In the epoxidation of styrene derivatives, the HS and IS iron(IV) oxo complexes are found to have similar electrophilic characters.     

Predicting Nitrogen‐Based Families of Compounds: Transition‐Metal Guanidinates TCN3 (T=V,Nb, Ta) and Ortho‐Nitrido Carbonates T′2CN4 (T′=Ti,Zr, Hf)

Due to its unsurpassed capability to engage in various sp hybridizations or orbital mixings, carbon may contribute in expanding solid‐state nitrogen chemistry by allowing for different complex anions, such as the known NCN^2? carbodiimide unit, the so far unknown CN₃^5? guanidinate anion, and the likewise unknown CN₄^8? ortho‐nitrido carbonate (onc) entity. Because the latter two complex anions have never been observed before, we have chemically designed them using first‐principles structural searches, and we here predict the first hydrogen‐free guanidinates TCN₃ (T=V, Nb, Ta) and ortho‐nitrido carbonates T′₂CN₄ (T′=Ti, Zr, Hf) being mechanically stable at normal pressure; the latter should coexist as solid solutions with the stoichiometrically identical nitride carbodiimides and nitride guanidinates. We also suggest favorable exothermic reactions as useful signposts for eventual synthesis, and we trust that the decay of the novel compounds is unlikely due to presumably large kinetic activation barriers (C?N bond breaking) and quite substantial Madelung energies stabilizing the highly charged complex anions. While chemical‐bonding analysis reveals the novel CN₄^8? to be more covalent compared to NCN^2? and CN₃^5? within related compounds, further electronic‐structure data of onc phases hint at their physicochemical potential in terms of photoelectrochemical water splitting and nonlinear optics.