C–O,C–S,C–N,and C–C Bond Formation at the Periphery of the Macrocycle during Chemical Modification of Phytochlorins: Key Methods and Synthetic Applications

Russian Journal of General Chemistry - The main methods of C-O, C-S, C-N, and C-C bond formation at the periphery of the macocrocycle during chemical modification of phytochlorins in the synthesis...     

Efficient Synthesis of Cyclic Sulfoximines from N-Propargylsulfinamides through Sulfur–Carbon Bond Formation

Cyclic sulfoximines were readily synthesized by the cyclization of N-propargylsulfinamides without using expensive and toxic metal catalysts. This cyclization proceeded without loss of optical purity of chiral sulfinamides through the unusual sulfur–carbon bond formation promoted by an inexpensive inorganic base. This stereospecific cyclization offers a general approach to the asymmetric synthesis of chiral cyclic sulfoximines as an emerging heterocycle in medicinal chemistry.     

Aerobic C−N Bond Formation through Enzymatic Nitroso-Ene-Type Reactions**

The biocatalytic oxidation of acylated hydroxylamines enables the direct and selective introduction of nitrogen functionalities by activation of allylic C−H bonds. Utilizing either laccases or an oxidase/peroxidase couple for the formal dehydrogenation of N-hydroxycarbamates and hydroxamic acids with air as the terminal oxidant, acylnitroso species are generated under particularly mild aqueous conditions. The reactive intermediates undergo C−N bond formation through an ene-type mechanism and provide high yields both in intramolecular and intermolecular enzymatic aminations. Investigations on different pathways of the two biocatalytic systems and labelling studies provide more insight into this unprecedented promiscuity of classical oxidoreductases as catalysts for nitroso-based transformations.     

Exploiting a C–N Bond Forming Cytochrome P450 Monooxygenase for C–S Bond Formation

C–S bond formation reactions are widely distributed in the biosynthesis of biologically active molecules, and thus have received much attention over the past decades. Herein, we report intramolecular C–S bond formation by a P450 monooxygenase, TleB, which normally catalyzes a C−N bond formation in teleocidin biosynthesis. Based on the proposed reaction mechanism of TleB, a thiol-substituted substrate analogue was synthesized and tested in the enzyme reaction, which afforded the unprecedented sulfur-containing thio-indolactam V, in addition to an unusual indole-fused 6/5/8-tricyclic product whose structure was determined by the crystalline sponge method. Interestingly, conformational analysis revealed that the SOFA conformation is stable in thio-indolactam V, in sharp contrast to the major TWIST form in indolactam V, resulting in differences in their biological activities.     

Transition-Metal-Free Coupling of 1,3-Dipoles and Boronic Acids as a Sustainable Approach to C−C Bond Formation

The need for alternative, complementary approaches to enable C−C bond formation within organic chemistry is an on-going challenge in the area. Of particular relevance are transformations that proceed in the absence of transition-metal reagents. In the current study, we report a comprehensive investigation of the coupling of nitrile imines and aryl boronic acids as an approach towards sustainable C−C bond formation. In situ generation of the highly reactive 1,3-dipole facilitates a Petasis–Mannich-type coupling via a nucleophilic boronate complex. The introduction of hydrazonyl chlorides as a complementary nitrile imine source to the 2,5-tetrazoles previously reported by our laboratory further broadens the scope of the approach. Additionally, we exemplify for the first time the extension of this protocol into another 1,3-dipole, through the synthesis of aryl ketone oximes from aryl boronic acids and nitrile N-oxides.     

Direct Mechanism of the First Carbon–Carbon Bond Formation in the Methanol-to-Hydrocarbons Process

In the past two decades, the reaction mechanism of C−C bond formation from either methanol or dimethyl ether (DME) in the methanol-to-hydrocarbons (MTH) process has been a highly controversial issue. Described here is the first observation of a surface methyleneoxy analogue, originating from the surface-activated DME, by in situ solid-state NMR spectroscopy, a species crucial to the first C−C bond formation in the MTH process. New insights into the first C−C bond formation were provided, thus suggesting DME/methanol activation and direct C−C bond formation by an interesting synergetic mechanism, involving C−H bond breakage and C−C bond coupling during the initial methanol reaction within the chemical environment of the zeolite catalyst.     

Tailoring Diindenochrysene through Intramolecular Multi-Assemblies by C−F Bond Activation on Aluminum Oxide

The unique nature of the alumina-mediated cyclodehydrofluorination gives the opportunity to execute the preprogrammed algorithm of the C−C couplings rationally built into a precursor. Such multi-assemblies facilitate the construction of the carbon-skeleton, superseding the conventional step-by-step by the one-pot intramolecular assembly. In this work, the feasibility of the alumina-mediated C−F bond activation approach for multi-assembly is demonstrated on the example of a fundamental bowl-shaped polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (diindenochrysene) through the formation of all “missing” C−C bonds at the last step. Beside valuable insights into the reaction mechanism and the design of the precursors, a facile pathway enabling the two-step synthesis of diindenochrysene was elaborated, in which five C−C bonds form in a single synthetic step. It is shown that the relative positions of fluorine atoms play a crucial role in the outcome of the assembly and that governing the substituent positions enables the design of effective precursor molecules “programmed” for the consecutive C−C bond formations. In general, these findings push the state of the field towards the facile synthesis of sophisticated bowl-shaped carbon-based nanostructures through multi-assembly of fluoroarenes.     

Efficient Selective Formation of C‐C Single Bonds and C˭C Double Bonds by NBS‐Promoted Oxidative Coupling of β‐Keto Esters

Abstract

A new application of NBS, which results in the oxidative coupling of β‐keto esters to selectively form C‐C single and C?C double bonds, can be controlled by the amount of NBS and t‐BuOK employed. This methodology adds a new entry to C‐C single and C?C double‐bond formation between active methylene groups under mild conditions with high selectivity.     

Towards Nonalternant Nanographenes through Self-Promoted Intramolecular Indenoannulation Cascade by C−F Bond Activation

Large polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) containing pentagons represent an important class of compounds that are considered to be superior materials in future nano-electronic applications. From this perspective, the development of synthetic approaches to large PAHs and nanographenes (NGs) is a matter of great importance. In this context indenoannulation appears to be the most practical way to introduce pentagons into NGs. Here we report that alumina-mediated C−F bond activation is an attractive tool for the synthesis of non-alternant NGs bearing several pentagons. The unique nature of the reaction leads to a rather counter-intuitive outcome and allows considering each previous aryl–aryl coupling as a promoter of the following one, despite the continuous increase in the strain energy. Thus, the presented strategy combines both facile synthesis and significant yields for large nonalternant PAHs and NGs.     

Unexpected C–C Bond Formation with a Ferrocenyl Fischer Carbene Complex

Thermolysis of (OC)₅Cr(C(OEt)(Fc)) ( 1 ) gives 2,N-diferrocenyl acetamide Fc–CH₂–CO–NH–Fc ( 2 ) in the presence of amino ferrocene Fc-NH₂. In the absence of a nucleophile, 4-ethoxy-2,3,4-triferrocenyl-cyclobut-2-enone ( 3 ) forms from 1 under thermal activation. Single crystal X-ray diffraction, NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry unambiguously confirm the structure of both unexpected products. Quantum chemical calculations and kinetic experiments by mass spectrometry and IR spectroscopy help to propose conceivable pathways to their formation.     

Intramolecular C(sp3)–H Bond Oxygenation by Transition-Metal Acylnitrenoids

This study demonstrates for the first time that easily accessible transition-metal acylnitrenoids can be used for controlled direct C(sp³)-H oxygenations. Specifically, a ruthenium catalyst activates N-benzoyloxycarbamates as nitrene precursors towards regioselective intramolecular C−H oxygenations to provide cyclic carbonates, hydroxylated carbamates, or 1,2-diols. The method can be applied to the chemoselective C−H oxygenation of benzylic, allylic, and propargylic C(sp³)−H bonds. The reaction can be performed in an enantioselective fashion and switched in a catalyst-controlled fashion between C−H oxygenation and C−H amination. This work provides a new reaction mode for the regiocontrolled and stereocontrolled conversion of C(sp³)-H into C(sp³)−O bonds.     

Mutability-Landscape-Guided Engineering of l-Threonine Aldolase Revealing the Prelog Rule in Mediating Diastereoselectivity of C−C Bond Formation

l -threonine aldolase (LTA) catalyzes C−C bond synthesis with moderate diastereoselectivity. In this study, with LTA from Cellulosilyticum sp (CpLTA) as an object, a mutability landscape was first constructed by performing saturation mutagenesis at substrate access tunnel amino acids. The combinatorial active-site saturation test/iterative saturation mutation (CAST/ISM) strategy was then used to tune diastereoselectivity. As a result, the diastereoselectivity of mutant H305L/Y8H/V143R was improved from 37.2 %_syn to 99.4 %_syn. Furthermore, the diastereoselectivity of mutant H305Y/Y8I/W307E was inverted to 97.2 %_anti. Based on insight provided by molecular dynamics simulations and coevolution analysis, the Prelog rule was employed to illustrate the diastereoselectivity regulation mechanism of LTA, holding that the asymmetric formation of the C−C bond was caused by electrons attacking the carbonyl carbon atom of the substrate aldehyde from the re or si face. The study would be useful to expand LTA applications and guide engineering of other C−C bond-forming enzymes.     

C-H Bond Functionalization via Hydride Transfer: Formation of α-Arylated Piperidines and 1,2,3,4-Tetrahydroisoquinolines via Stereoselective Intramolecular Amination of Benzylic C-H Bonds

We here report a study of the intramolecular amination of sp(3) C-H bonds via the hydride transfer cyclization of N-tosylimines (HT-amination). In this transformation, 5-aryl aldehydes are subjected to N-toluenesulfonamide in the presence of BF(3)·OEt(2) to effect imine formation and HT-cyclization, leading to 2-arylpiperidines and 3-aryl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines in a one-pot procedure. We examined the reactivity of a range of aldehyde substrates as a function of their conformational flexibility. Substrates of higher conformational rigidity were more reactive, giving higher yields of the desired products. However, a single substituent on the alkyl chain linking the N-tosylimine and the benzylic sp(3) C-H bonds was sufficient for HT-cyclization to occur. In addition, an examination of various arenes revealed that the electronic character of the hydridic C-H bonds dramatically affects the efficiency of the reaction. We also found that this transformation is highly stereoselective; 2-substituted aldehydes yield cis-2,5-disubstituted piperidines, while 3-substituted aldehydes afford trans-2,4-disubstituted piperidines. The stereoselectivity is a consequence of thermodynamic control. The pseudoallylic strain between the arene and tosyl group on the piperidine ring is proposed to rationalize the greater stability of the isomer with the aryl ring in the axial position. This preferential placement of the arene is proposed to affect the observed stereoselectivity.     

A Heteroleptic Dirhodium Catalyst for Asymmetric Cyclopropanation with α-Stannyl α-Diazoacetate. “Stereoretentive” Stille Coupling with Formation of Chiral Quarternary Carbon Centers

The heteroleptic dirhodium paddlewheel catalyst 7 with a chiral carboxylate/acetamidate ligand sphere is uniquely effective in asymmetric [2+1] cycloadditions with α-diazo-α-trimethylstannyl (silyl, germyl) acetate. Originally discovered as a trace impurity in a sample of the homoleptic parent complex [Rh₂((R)-TPCP)₄] ( 5 ), it is shown that the protic acetamidate ligand is quintessential for rendering 7 highly enantioselective. The -NH group is thought to lock the ensuing metal carbene in place via interligand hydrogen bonding. The resulting stannylated cyclopropanes undergo “stereoretentive” cross coupling, which shows for the first time that even chiral quarternary carbon centers can be made by the Stille–Migita reaction.     

Reductive Coupling of (Fluoro)pyridines by Linear 3d-Metal(I) Silylamides of Cr–Co: A Tale of C−C Bond Formation,C−F Bond Cleavage and a Pyridyl Radical Anion

Herein, we disclose the facile reduction of pyridine (and its derivatives) by linear 3d-metal(I) silylamides (M=Cr–Co). This reaction resulted in intermolecular C−C coupling to give dinuclear metal(II) complexes bearing a bridging 4,4′-dihydrobipyridyl ligand. For iron, we demonstrated that the C−C coupling is reversible in solution, either directly or by reaction with substrates, via a presumed monomeric metal(II) complex bearing a pyridyl radical anion. In the course of this investigation, we also observed that the dinuclear metal(II) complex incorporating iron facilitated the isomerisation of 1,4-cyclohexadiene to 1,3-cyclohexadiene as well as equimolar amounts of benzene and cyclohexene. Furthermore, we synthesised and structurally characterised a non-3d-metal-bound pyridyl radical anion. The reactions of the silylamides with perfluoropyridine led to C−F bond cleavage with the formation of metal(II) fluoride complexes of manganese, iron and cobalt along with the homocoupling or reductive degradation of the substrate. In the case of cobalt, the use of lesser fluorinated pyridines led to C−F bond cleavage but no homocoupling. Overall, in this paper we provide insights into the multifaceted behaviour of simple (fluoro)pyridines in the presence of moderately to highly reducing metal complexes.     

Thiol Functionalised Supports for Controlled Metal Nanoparticle Formation for Improved C–C Coupling

The myriad applications of metal nanoparticle systems have individual demands on their size, shape and electronic states, demanding novel synthetic methods to optimise these properties. Herein we report our method of exploiting strong thiol-Pd binding as a precursor for forming small, uniform Pd nanoparticles on activation. We validate our approach with a range of characterisation techniques and contrast our design strategy with an analogous wetness impregnation method, showing the drastic improvements for catalytic C−C coupling. The presence of the thiol groups offers greater control over nanoparticle formation, particularly temperature resolution on activation, potentially allowing more targeted nanoparticle formation procedures.     

Efficient Synthesis of Phenoxathiines via the Cascade C–H Hydroxylation–C–S Coupling–C–O Cyclization Reaction

Russian Journal of General Chemistry - The ligand-free and simple cascade C–H hydroxylation–C–S coupling–C–O cyclization reaction has been used as the synthetic...     

Diffusion coefficients of the system α-cyclodextrin-n-butylurea-water at 25°C

Diffusion coefficients were measured for the ternary system -cyclodextrin(I)-n-butylurea(2)-water at three average concentrations. The cross coefficient D₁₂ was found to be almost zero and D₂₁ large and negative. These results are in agreement with the presence of an inclusion complex whose mobility is close to that of the host cyclodextrin molecules. The values of the four experimental diffusion coefficients are used to compute a value of the inclusion constant which is in reasonably good agreement with the calorimetric value.     

Nickel‐Catalyzed Enantioselective C?C Bond Formation through C?O Cleavage in Aryl Esters

We report the first enantioselective C C bond formation through C O bond cleavage using aryl ester counterparts. This method is characterized by its wide substrate scope and results in the formation of quaternary stereogenic centers with high yields and asymmetric induction.