The Aza‐Morita–Baylis–Hillman Reaction: A Mechanistic and Kinetic Study

The aza‐Morita‐Baylis–Hillman (aza‐MBH) reaction has been studied in a variety of solvents, a selection of imine substrates and with various combinations of PPh₃ and para‐nitrophenol as the catalyst system. The measured kinetic data indicates that the effects of solvent and protic co‐catalyst are strongly interdependent. These results are most easily reconciled with a mechanistic model involving the reversible protonation of zwitterionic intermediates in the catalytic cycle, which is also supported by ³¹P NMR spectroscopy and quantum chemical studies.     

Radical Cyclization/β-Elimination Tandem Reactions: Enantiopure Sulfoxides as Temporary Chiral Auxiliaries

Alkylidene-substituted cyclopentane derivatives are formed in high enantiomeric purity by the reaction shown below. A highly diastereoselective radical cyclization is followed by elimination of a β-sulfinyl radical. Interestingly, the addition of the Lewis acid methylaluminum bis(2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenoxide) (MAD) totally reverses the stereochemical outcome of the reaction. E=CO₂Me.     

Isothiourea‐Mediated Asymmetric O‐ to C‐Carboxyl Transfer of Oxazolyl Carbonates: Structure–Selectivity Profiles and Mechanistic Studies

The structural motif within a series of tetrahydropyrimidine‐based isothioureas necessary for generating high asymmetric induction in the asymmetric Steglich rearrangement of oxazolyl carbonates is fully explored, with crossover and dynamic ¹⁹F NMR experiments used to develop a mechanistic understanding of this transformation.     

Using Me3Si–F–Al(ORF)3 and Me3Si–Cl as Methylating Agents – Synthesis and Characterization of SeMeCl2[F{Al(ORF)3}2]

Upon reacting SeCl₄ with Me₃Si–F–Al(OR^F)₃, the selenonium salt SeMeCl₂[al‐f‐al] ( 1 ) {[al‐f‐al]^– = [F[Al(OC(CF₃)₃)₃]₂]^–} was obtained and characterized by NMR, IR, and Raman spectroscopy as well as single crystal XRD experiments. Despite the [SeX₃]⁺ (X = F, Cl, Br, I) and [SeR₃]⁺ salts (R = aliphatic organic residue) being well known and thoroughly studied, the mixed cations are scarce. The only previous example of a salt with the [SeMeCl₂]⁺ cation is SeMeCl₂[SbCl₆], which was never structurally characterized and is unstable in solution over hours. Only ¹H‐NMR studies and IR spectra of this compound are known. The unexpected use of Me₃Si–F–Al(OR^F)₃ as a methylating agent was investigated via DFT calculations and NMR experiments of the reaction solution. The reaction of SeCl₃[al‐f‐al] with Me₃Si‐Cl at room temperature in CH₂Cl₂ proved to yield the same product with Me₃Si–Cl acting as a methylating agent.     

From Axial Chirality to Central Chiralities: Pinacol Cyclization of 2,2′-Biaryldicarbaldehyde to trans-9,10-Dihydrophenanthrene-9,10-diol

Two salient features —the stereoselectivity to give only the trans-diol, and the stereospecificity to transmit the axial chirality (in case the starting biphenyl is configurationally stable) onto two stereogenic centers of the product—characterize the pinacol cyclization of 2,2′-biaryldicarbaldehydes (see reaction). The accessibility of trans-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene-9,10-diols provides the new enantiopure C₂-symmetric diol 1 , which shows potential utility in asymmetric synthesis.     

Tridentate Lewis Acids Based on 1,3,5‐Trisilacyclohexane Backbones and an Example of Their Host–Guest Chemistry

Directed tridentate Lewis acids based on the 1,3,5‐trisilacyclohexane skeleton with three ethynyl groups [CH₂Si(Me)(C₂H)]₃ were synthesised and functionalised by hydroboration with HB(C₆F₅)₂, yielding the ethenylborane {CH₂Si(Me)[C₂H₂B(C₆F₅)₂]}₃, and by metalation with gallium and indium organyls affording {CH₂Si(Me)[C₂M(R)₂]}₃ (M=Ga, In, R=Me, Et). In the synthesis of the backbone the influence of substituents (MeO, EtO and iPrO groups at Si) on the orientation of the methyl group was studied with the aim to increase the abundance of the all‐cis isomer. New compounds were identified by elemental analyses, multi‐nuclear NMR spectroscopy and in some cases by IR spectroscopy. Crystal structures were obtained for cis‐trans‐[CH₂Si(Me)(Cl)]₃, all‐cis‐[CH₂Si(Me)(H)]₃, all‐cis‐[CH₂Si(Me)(C₂H)]₃, cis‐trans‐[CH₂Si(Me)(C₂H)]₃ and all‐cis‐[CH₂Si(Me)(C₂SiMe₃)]₃. A gas‐phase electron diffraction experiment for all‐cis‐[CH₂Si(Me)(C₂H)]₃ provides information on the relative stabilities of the all‐equatorial and all‐axial form; the first is preferred in both solid and gas phase. The gallium‐based Lewis acid {CH₂Si(Me)[C₂Ga(Et)₂]}₃ was reacted with a tridentate Lewis base (1,3,5‐trimethyl‐1,3,5‐triazacyclohexane) in an NMR titration experiment. The generated host–guest complexes involved in the equilibria during this reaction were identified by DOSY NMR spectroscopy by comparing measured diffusion coefficients with those of the suitable reference compounds of same size and shape.     

Slow Reactant–Water Exchange and High Catalytic Performance of Water‐Tolerant Lewis Acids

³¹P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic measurement with trimethylphosphine oxide (TMPO) was applied to evaluate the Lewis acid catalysis of various metal triflates in water. The original ³¹P NMR chemical shift and line width of TMPO is changed by the direct interaction of TMPO molecules with the Lewis acid sites of metal triflates. [Sc(OTf)₃] and [In(OTf)₃] had larger changes in ³¹P chemical shift and line width by formation of the Lewis acid–TMPO complex than other metal triflates. It originates from the strong interaction between the Lewis acid and TMPO, which results in higher stability of [Sc(OTf)₃TMPO] and [In(OTf)₃TMPO] complexes than other metal triflate–TMPO complexes. The catalytic activities of [Sc(OTf)₃] and [In(OTf)₃] for Lewis acid‐catalyzed reactions with carbonyl compounds in water were far superior to the other metal triflates, which indicates that the high stability of metal triflate–carbonyl compound complexes cause high catalytic performance for these reactions. Density functional theory (DFT) calculation suggests that low LUMO levels of [Sc(OTf)₃] and [In(OTf)₃] would be responsible for the formation of stable coordination intermediate with nucleophilic reactant in water.     

Bare Histidine–Serine Models: Implication and Impact of Hydrogen Bonding on Nucleophilicity

A new family of 2‐hydroxyalk(en/yn)ylimidazoles has been evaluated as serine–histidine bare dyad models for the ring‐opening reaction of L ‐lacOCA, a cyclic O‐carboxyanhydride. These models were selected to unravel the implication of intramolecular hydrogen bonding and to substantiate its influence on the nucleophilicity of the alcohol moiety, as it is suspected to occur in enzyme active sites. Although designed to exclusively facilitate the preliminary step of proton transfer during the studied ring‐opening reaction, these minimalistic models depicted a measureable increase in reactivity relative to the isolated fragments. A couple of reliable experimental and theoretical methods have been developed to readily monitor the strength of the intramolecular hydrogen bond in dilute solution. Results show that the folded conformers are the most nucleophilic species because of the intramolecular hydrogen bond.     

Aryl–Phenyl Scrambling in Intermediate Organopalladium Complexes: A Gas‐Phase Study of the Mizoroki–Heck Reaction

The intramolecular aryl–phenyl scrambling reaction within palladium–DPPP–aryl complex (DPPP=1,3‐bis(diphenylphosphino)propane) ions was analyzed by state‐of‐the‐art tandem MS, including gas‐phase ion/molecule reactions. The Mizoroki–Heck cross‐coupling reaction was performed in the gas phase, and the intrinsic reactivity of important intermediates could be examined. Moreover, linear free‐energy correlations were applied, and a mechanism for the scrambling reaction proceeding via phosphonium cations was assumed.     

Visible Light-Mediated Cyclisation Reaction for the Synthesis of Highly-Substituted Tetrahydroquinolines and Quinolines

Condensation of 2-vinylanilines and conjugated aldehydes followed by an efficient light-mediated cyclisation selectively yields either substituted tetrahydroquinolines with typically high dr, or in the presence of an iridium photocatalyst the synthesis of quinoline derivatives is demonstrated. These atom economical processes require mild conditions, with the substrate scope demonstrating excellent site selectivity and functional group tolerance, including azaarene-bearing substrates. A thorough experimental mechanistic investigation explores multiple pathways and the key role that imine and iminium intermediates play in the absorption of visible light to generate reactive excited states. The synthetic utility of the reactions is demonstrated on gram scale quantities in both batch and flow, alongside further manipulation of the medicinally relevant products.     

A New Look at the Diels–Alder Transition State

The chronology of π-orbital mixing in the Diels–Alder cycloaddition of butadiene and ethylene differs for the two main interactions, the HOMO_diene–LUMO_dieneophile and HOMO_dienophile–LUMO_diene interactions. The C2−C3 π bond of the cycloadduct is already well developed at the level of the transition state, which is reminiscent of a late transition state.     

Density Functional Theory Mechanistic Study of Boron‐Catalyzed N‐Alkylation of Amines with Formic Acid: Formic Acid Activation by Silylation Reaction

New methodology for the alkylation of amines is an intriguing issue in both academia and industry. Recently, several groups reported the metal‐free B(C₆F₅)₃‐catalyzed N‐alkylation of amines, but the mechanistic details of these important reactions are unclear. Herein, a computational study was performed to elucidate the mechanism of the N‐alkylation of amines with formic acid catalyzed by the Lewis acid B(C₆F₅)₃ in the presence of hydrosilane. We found that the reaction started with the activation of formic acid through a novel model. Then, the high electrophilicity of the C center of the formic acid unit and the nucleophilic character of the amine resulted in a C?N coupling reaction. Finally, two sequential silyl‐group and H^? transfer steps occurred to generate the final product. Upon comparing the reaction barrier and the hydrogenation of indole, our mechanism is more favorable than that proposed by the group of Yu and Fu.     

开环茂金属成环及氢分子消除反应机理的理论研究

采用密度泛函方法(DFT)在M06-2X/def2-TZVPP//B3LYP/def2-TZVPP+ZPE水平下, 对以开环的(η⁵-C₅H₇)₂Ru为前驱体生成闭环(η⁵-C₅H₅)₂Ru的各种可能的反应路径进行了详细的研究. 最终确定其反应机理为: (η⁵-C₅H₇)₂Ru的一个η⁵-C₅H₇发生端碳成键的成环反应形成(η³-C₅H₇)Ru(η⁵-C₅H₇), 经过两步氢原子迁移到Ru原子上, 之后脱掉一个氢气分子形成(η⁵-C₅H₅)Ru(η⁵-C₅H₇), 而后另一个η⁵-C₅H₇再重复成环并进行两步氢迁移以及氢气分子消除而得到最终的产物(η⁵-C₅H₅)₂Ru.     

Structures and Biosynthesis of Corvol Ethers—Sesquiterpenes from the Actinomycete Kitasatospora setae

Here we present the functional characterization of a sesquiterpene cyclase from Kitasatospora setae. The enzyme converts the sesquiterpene precursor farnesyl diphosphate (FPP) into two previously unknown and unstable sesquiterpene ethers for which we propose the trivial names corvol ethers A and B. Both compounds were purified and their structures were determined by one‐ and two‐dimensional NMR spectroscopy. A biosynthetic mechanism for the FPP cyclization by the corvol ether synthase was proposed. The results from the incubation experiments of the corvol ether synthase with isotopically labeled precursors were in line with this mechanism, while alternative mechanisms could clearly be ruled out.     

Development of the Vinylogous Pictet–Spengler Cyclization and Total Synthesis of (±)‐Lundurine A

A novel vinylogous Pictet–Spengler cyclization has been developed for the generation of indole‐annulated medium‐sized rings. The method enables the synthesis of tetrahydroazocinoindoles with a fully substituted carbon center, a prevalent structural motif in many biologically active alkaloids. The strategy has been applied to the total synthesis of (±)‐lundurine A.     

Organotin perfluorooctanesulfonates as air-stable Lewis acid catalysts: synthesis, characterization, and catalysis

The reactions of 1,3-dichloro-1,1,3,3-tetrabutyldistannoxane and dialkyltin dihalides with silver perfluorooctanesulfonate provided the corresponding sulfonates as hydrates. The number of water molecules (n) of hydration was dependent on the conditions. The distannoxane derivative was identified as n from 0.5 to 6, while in the hydrated mononuclear species and DMSO complexes n varied widely from 4 to 13. 119Sn NMR spectroscopy and conductivity measurements indicated the ionic dissociation of these compounds in solution. These compounds exhibited unusually high solubility in polar organic solvents. The ionic dissociation together with facile hydration probably causes the unusual solubility. The Lewis acidity of these compounds was found to be high among organotin derivatives on the basis of ESR spectra of superoxide/metal-ion complexes. In contrast to well-known organotin triflates, these compounds suffered no hydrolysis upon storage in open air. The high catalytic activity of the distannoxane 1 was exemplified for various carbon-carbon bond-forming reactions, such as Mukaiyama-aldol as well as -Michael reactions and allylation of aldehydes.     

Silicon‐ and Tin‐Containing Open‐Chain and Eight‐Membered‐Ring Compounds as Bicentric Lewis Acids toward Anions

Herein, we report the syntheses of silicon‐ and tin‐containing open‐chain and eight‐membered‐ring compounds Me₂Si(CH₂SnMe₂X)₂ ( 2 , X=Me; 3 , X=Cl; 4 , X=F), CH₂(SnMe₂CH₂I)₂ ( 7 ), CH₂(SnMe₂CH₂Cl)₂ ( 8 ), cyclo‐Me₂Sn(CH₂SnMe₂CH₂)₂SiMe₂ ( 6 ), cyclo‐(Me₂SnCH₂)₄ ( 9 ), cyclo‐Me_(2?n)X_nSn(CH₂SiMe₂CH₂)₂SnX_nMe_(2?n) ( 5 , n=0; 10 , n = 1, X= Cl; 11 , n=1, X= F; 12 , n=2, X= Cl), and the chloride and fluoride complexes NEt₄[cyclo‐ Me(Cl)Sn(CH₂SiMe₂CH₂)₂Sn(Cl)Me?F] ( 13 ), PPh₄[cyclo‐Me(Cl)Sn(CH₂SiMe₂CH₂)₂Sn(Cl)Me?Cl] ( 14 ), NEt₄[cyclo‐Me(F)Sn(CH₂SiMe₂CH₂)₂Sn(F)Me?F] ( 15 ), [NEt₄]₂[cyclo‐Cl₂Sn(CH₂SiMe₂CH₂)₂SnCl₂?2 Cl] ( 16 ), M[Me₂Si(CH₂Sn(Cl)Me₂)₂?Cl] ( 17 a , M=PPh₄; 17 b , M=NEt₄), NEt₄[Me₂Si(CH₂Sn(Cl)Me₂)₂?F] ( 18 ), NEt₄[Me₂Si(CH₂Sn(F)Me₂)₂?F] ( 19 ), and PPh₄[Me₂Si(CH₂Sn(Cl)Me₂)₂?Br] ( 20 ). The compounds were characterised by electrospray mass‐spectrometric, IR and ¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁹F, ²⁹Si, and ¹¹⁹Sn NMR spectroscopic analysis, and, except for 15 and 18 , single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies.