Organolanthanide-mediated intramolecular hydroamination/cyclization of conjugated aminodienes: a computational exploration of diverse mechanistic pathways for the regioselective generation of functionalized azacycles supported by a lanthanocene-based catalyst complex

The complete catalytic reaction course for the organolanthanide-mediated intramolecular hydroamination/cyclization (IHC) of (4E,6)-heptadien-1-amine by a prototypical achiral Cp*(2)LaCH(TMS)(2) precatalyst is critically scrutinized by employing a gradient-corrected DFT method. The condensed free-energy profile for the overall reaction, comprised of thermodynamic and kinetic aspects of individual elementary steps, is presented. A computationally verified, revised mechanistic scenario has been proposed, which is consistent with the empirical rate law, accounts for crucial experimental observations, and provides a first understanding of the origin of the measured negative DeltaS(++). It involves rapid substrate association/dissociation equilibria and facile intramolecular diene insertion, linked to turnover-limiting protonolysis of the eta(3)-butenyl-Ln functionality, with the amine-amidodiene-Ln adduct complex representing the catalyst's resting state. The thermodynamic and kinetic factors that determine the high regio- and stereoselectivity of the mechanistically diverse IHC of aminodienes have been elucidated. These achievements allow a deeper understanding and a consistent rationalization of the experimental results for aminodiene IHC and furthermore enhance the insights into general mechanistic aspects of the organolanthanide-mediated cycloamination.     

Mechanism and exo-regioselectivity of organolanthanide-mediated intramolecular hydroamination/cyclization of 1,3-disubstituted aminoallenes: a computational study

The complete catalytic reaction course for the organolanthanide-assisted intramolecular hydroamination/cyclization (IHC) of 4,5-heptadien-1-ylamine by a prototypical [(eta(5)-Me5C5)2LuCH(SiMe3)2] precatalyst has been critically scrutinized by employing a reliable DFT method. A computationally verified mechanistic scenario for the IHC of 1,3-disubstituted aminoallene substrates has been proposed that is consistent with the empirical rate law determined by experiment and accounts for crucial experimental observations. It involves kinetically rapid substrate association and dissociation equilibria, facile and reversible intramolecular allenic C=C insertion into the Ln-N bond, and turnover-limiting protonation of the azacycle's tether functionality, with the amine-amidoallene-Ln adduct complex representing the catalyst's resting state. This mechanistic scenario bears resemblance to the mechanism that has been recently proposed in a computational exploration of aminodiene IHC. The unique features of the IHC of the two substrate classes are discussed. Furthermore, the thermodynamic and kinetic factors that control the regio- and stereoselectivity of aminoallene IHC have been elucidated. These achievements have provided a deeper insight into the catalytic structure-reactivity relationships in organolanthanide-assisted cyclohydroamination of unsaturated C-C functionalities.     

Organolathanide-catalyzed regioselective intermolecular hydroamination of alkenes, alkynes, vinylarenes, di- and trivinylarenes, and methylenecyclopropanes. Scope and mechanistic comparison to intramolecular cyclohydroaminations

Organolanthanide complexes of the type Cp'(2)LnCH(SiMe(3))(2) (Cp' = eta(5)-Me(5)C(5); Ln = La, Nd, Sm, Lu) and Me(2)SiCp' '(2)LnCH(SiMe(3))(2) (Cp' ' = eta(5)-Me(4)C(5); Ln = Nd, Sm, Lu) serve as efficient precatalysts for the regioselective intermolecular hydroamination of alkynes R'Ctbd1;CMe (R' = SiMe(3), C(6)H(5), Me), alkenes RCH=CH(2) (R = SiMe(3), CH(3)CH(2)CH(2)), butadiene, vinylarenes ArCH=CH(2) (Ar = phenyl, 4-methylbenzene, naphthyl, 4-fluorobenzene, 4-(trifluoromethyl)benzene, 4-methoxybenzene, 4-(dimethylamino)benzene, 4-(methylthio)benzene), di- and trivinylarenes, and methylenecyclopropanes with primary amines R' 'NH(2) (R' ' = n-propyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, phenyl, 4-methylphenyl, 4-(dimethylamino)phenyl) to yield the corresponding amines and imines. For R = SiMe(3), R = CH(2)=CH lanthanide-mediated intermolecular hydroamination regioselectively generates the anti-Markovnikov addition products (Me(3)SiCH(2)CH(2)NHR' ', (E)-CH(3)CH=CHCH(2)NHR' '). However, for R = CH(3)CH(2)CH(2), the Markovnikov addition product is observed (CH(3)CH(2)CH(2)CHNHR' 'CH(3)). For internal alkynes, it appears that these regioselective transformations occur under significant stereoelectronic control, and for R' = SiMe(3), rearrangement of the product enamines occurs via tautomerization to imines, followed by a 1,3-trimethylsilyl group shift to stable N-SiMe(3)-bonded CH(2)=CMeN(SiMe(3))R' ' structures. For vinylarenes, intermolecular hydroamination with n-propylamine affords the anti-Markovnikov addition product beta-phenylethylamine. In addition, hydroamination of divinylarenes provides a concise synthesis of tetrahydroisoquinoline structures via coupled intermolecular hydroamination/subsequent intramolecular cyclohydroamination sequences. Intermolecular hydroamination of methylenecyclopropane proceeds via highly regioselective exo-methylene C=C insertion into Ln-N bonds, followed by regioselective cyclopropane ring opening to afford the corresponding imine. For the Me(2)SiCp' '(2)Nd-catalyzed reaction of Me(3)SiCtbd1;CMe and H(2)NCH(2)CH(2)CH(2)CH(3), DeltaH() = 17.2 (1.1) kcal mol(-)(1) and DeltaS() = -25.9 (9.7) eu, while the reaction kinetics are zero-order in [amine] and first-order in both [catalyst] and [alkyne]. For the same substrate pair, catalytic turnover frequencies under identical conditions decrease in the order Me(2)SiCp' '(2)NdCH(SiMe(3))(2) > Me(2)SiCp' '(2)SmCH(SiMe(3))(2) > Me(2)SiCp' '(2)LuCH(SiMe(3))(2) > Cp'(2)SmCH(SiMe(3))(2), in accord with documented steric requirements for the insertion of olefinic functionalities into lanthanide-alkyl and -heteroatom sigma-bonds. Kinetic and mechanistic evidence argues that the turnover-limiting step is intermolecular C=C/Ctbd1;C bond insertion into the Ln-N bond followed by rapid protonolysis of the resulting Ln-C bond.     

Mechanistic Studies of Ruthenium-Catalyzed Anti-Markovnikov Hydroamination of Vinylarenes: Intermediates and Evidence for Catalysis through pi-Arene Complexes

Studies are described that reveal the steps of the anti-Markovnikov hydroamination of vinylarenes with alkylamines catalyzed by Ru(COD)(2-methylallyl)2, bis(diphenylphosphino)pentane, and TfOH. Treatment of the catalyst components with an excess of styrene under the catalytic reaction conditions afforded a new ruthenium eta6-styrene complex with an ancillary tridentate PCP ligand. This ruthenium complex was active as catalyst for the hydroamination of styrene with morpholine to give the anti-Markovnikov adduct as a single regioisomer in high yield. Studies of the reactivity of the eta6-styrene complex revealed two reactions that comprise a catalytic cycle for anti-Markovnikov hydroamination: nucleophilic addition of morpholine to the ruthenium eta6-styrene complex to afford a ruthenium eta6-(2-aminoethyl)benzene complex and arene exchange of the ruthenium eta6-(2-aminoethyl)benzene complex with styrene to regenerate the ruthenium eta6-styrene complex. The addition of morpholine and the exchange of arene occurred with comparable rates. These results strongly suggest that the ruthenium-catalyzed anti-Markovnikov addition of alkylamines to vinylarenes occurs by a new reaction mechanism for hydroamination involving nucleophilic attack on the eta6-vinylarene complex and exchange of the aminoalkylarene complex product with free vinylarene. This mechanism is a rare example of catalytic chemistry through pi-arene complexes. These mechanistic data were used to select derivatives of the DPPP ligand that improve the rates of the catalytic process.     

Ruthenium-catalyzed anti-Markovnikov hydroamination of vinylarenes

A ruthenium-catalyzed intermolecular, anti-Markovnikov hydroamination of vinylarenes with secondary aliphatic and benzylic amines is reported. The combination of Ru(cod)(2-methylallyl)2, 1,5-bis(diphenylphosphino)pentane, and triflic acid was the most effective catalyst of those tested. Control reactions conducted without ligand or acid did not form the amine. The reaction of morpholine, piperidine, 4-phenylpiperazine, 4-BOC-piperazine, 4-piperidone ethylene ketal, and tetrahydroisoquinoline with styrene in the presence of 5 mol % of this catalyst formed the corresponding beta-phenethylamine products in 64-96% yield, with 99% regioselectivity, and without enamine side products. Acyclic amines such as n-hexylmethylamine and N-benzylmethylamine reacted with styrene in 63 and 50% yields, respectively. Alkyl-, methoxy-, and trifluoromethyl-substituted styrenes reacted with morpholine in the presence of this catalyst or a related one containing 1,1'-bis(diisopropylphosphino)ferrocene as ligand to give the products in 51-91%. Further, the hydroamination of alpha-methyl styrene was observed for the first time with a homogeneous transition metal catalyst. Preliminary mechanistic studies showed that the reaction occurred by direct, irreversible, anti-Markovnikov hydroamination and that the mechanism of the ruthenium-catalyzed hydroamination is likely to be distinct from that of the recently reported rhodium-catalyzed reaction.     

TiCl4-catalyzed intermolecular hydroamination reactions of norbornene

[reaction: see text] An intermolecular hydroamination reaction of norbornene is presented that uses catalytic amounts of user-friendly TiCl(4) and tolerates a variety of functional groups. In addition, a secondary amine is converted using this methodology.     

Intramolecular hydroamination/cyclisation of aminoallenes mediated by a cationic zirconocene catalyst: a computational mechanistic study

The complete sequence of steps of a tentative catalytic cycle for intramolecular hydroamination/cyclisation (IHC) of 4,5-hexadien-1-ylamine (1) by a prototypical cationic [Cp(2)ZrCH(3)](+) zirconocene precatalyst (2) has been examined by employing a gradient-corrected DFT method. The predicted smooth overall reaction energy profile is consistent with the available experimental data, thereby providing further confidence in the proposed mechanism. Following activation of the precatalyst by protonolytic cleavage of the Zr-Me bond, the catalytically active amidoallene-Zr complex undergoes addition of an allenic C[double bond, length as m-dash]C linkage across the Zr-N sigma-bond. The alternative exo- and endocyclic pathways show similar probabilities for the sterically less encumbered reactants {1 + 2} investigated herein. However, steric factors are expected to exert control on the regioselectivity of ring closure. On the other hand, the metathesis-type transition states for subsequent protonolysis are indicated to be less sensitive to steric demands. Formation of the six-membered azacycle-Zr intermediate through intramolecular C[double bond, length as m-dash]C insertion into the Zr-N sigma-bond is predicted to be turnover limiting. The factors that govern the regioselectivity of the aminoallene IHC have been elucidated.     

Intramolecular hydroamination/cyclisation of aminoallenes mediated by a neutral zirconocene catalyst: a computational mechanistic study

The complete catalytic cycle for the intramolecular hydroamination/cyclisation (IHC) of 4,5-hexadien-1-ylamine (1) by a prototypical [ZrCp(2)Me(2)] precatalyst (2) has been scrutinized by employing a reliable DFT method. The present study conducted by means of a detailed computational characterisation of structural and energetic aspects of alternative pathways for all of the relevant elementary steps complements the mechanistic insights revealed from experimental results. The operative mechanism entails an initial transformation of precatalyst 2 into the thermodynamically prevalent, but dormant, bis(amido)-Zr compound in the presence of aminoallene 1. This complex undergoes a reversible, rate-determining alpha-elimination of 1 to form the imidoallene-Zr complex. The substrate-free form, which contains a chelating imidoallene functionality, is the catalytically active species and is rapidly transformed into azazirconacyclobutane intermediates through a [2+2] cycloaddition reaction. This highly facile process does not proceed regioselectively because the alternative pathways for the formation of five- and six-membered azacycles have comparable probabilities. Degradation of cyclobutane intermediates by following the most feasible pathway occurs through protonolysis of the metallacycle moiety and subsequent proton transfer from the Zr-NHR moiety onto the azacycle. The five-membered allylamine is generated through protonation at carbon atom C(6) followed by alpha-hydrogen elimination, whereas protonolysis of the cyclobutane moiety at the Zr-N bond followed by proton transfer onto carbon atom C(5) is the dominant route for the six-membered product. Of the two consecutive proton transfer steps, the second one determines the overall kinetics of the entire protonation sequence. This process is predicted to be substantially slower than the cycloaddition reaction. The factors that regulate the composition of the cycloamine products have been elucidated.     

Bismuth-catalyzed intermolecular hydroamination of 1,3-dienes with carbamates, sulfonamides, and carboxamides

A Bi(OTf)(3)/Cu(CH(3)CN)(4)PF(6) system efficiently promoted intermolecular 1:1 hydroamination of 1,3-dienes with various carbamates, sulfonamides, and carboxamides to afford allylic amines in good yield (up to 96%). Reaction proceeded with 0.5-10 mol % catalyst loading at 25-100 degrees C (generally at 50 degrees C) in 1,4-dioxane within 24 h. The Bi(OTf)(3)/Cu(CH(3)CN)(4)PF(6) system constitutes a new entry into series of intermolecular hydroamination catalysis. Mechanistic studies and the postulated reaction mechanism are also discussed.     

A general nickel-catalyzed hydroamination of 1,3-dienes by alkylamines: catalyst selection, scope, and mechanism

A simple colorimetric assay of various transition-metal catalysts showed that the combination of DPPF, Ni(COD)(2), and acid is a highly active catalyst system for the hydroamination of dienes by alkylamines to form allylic amines. The scope of the reaction is broad; various primary and secondary alkylamines react with 1,3-dienes in the presence of these catalysts. Detailed mechanistic studies revealed the individual steps involved in the catalytic process. These studies uncovered unexpected thermodynamics for the addition of amines to pi-allyl nickel complexes: instead of the thermodynamics favoring the reaction of a nickel allyl with an amine to form an allylic amine, the thermodynamics favored reaction of a nickel(0) complex with allylic amine in the presence of acid to form a Ni(II) allyl. The realization of these thermodynamics led us to the discovery that nickel and some palladium complexes in the presence or absence of acid catalyze the exchange of the amino groups of allylic amines with free amines. This exchange process was used to reveal the relative thermodynamic stabilities of various allylic amines. In addition, this exchange reaction leads to racemization of allylic amines. Therefore, the relative rate for C-N bond formation and cleavage influences the enantioselectivity of diene hydroaminations.     

Phenalenyl-based organozinc catalysts for intramolecular hydroamination reactions: a combined catalytic, kinetic, and mechanistic investigation of the catalytic cycle

Herein, we report the synthesis and characterization of two organozinc complexes that contain symmetrical phenalenyl (PLY)-based N,N-ligands. The reactions of phenalenyl-based ligands with ZnMe(2) led to the formation of organozinc complexes [N(Me),N(Me)-PLY]ZnMe (1) and [N(iPr),N(iPr)-PLY]ZnMe (2) under the evolution of methane. Both complexes (1 and 2) were characterized by NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The solid-state structures of complexes 1 and 2 were determined by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. Complexes 1 and 2 were used as catalysts for the intramolecular hydroamination of unactivated primary and secondary aminoalkenes. A combined approach of NMR spectroscopy and DFT calculations was utilized to obtain better insight into the mechanistic features of the zinc-catalyzed hydroamination reactions. The progress of the catalysis for primary and secondary aminoalkene substrates with catalyst 2 was investigated by detailed kinetic studies, including kinetic isotope effect measurements. These results suggested pseudo-first-order kinetics for both primary and secondary aminoalkene activation processes. Eyring and Arrhenius analyses for the cyclization of a model secondary aminoalkene substrate afforded ΔH(≠) =11.3?kcal?mol(-1) , ΔS(≠) =-35.75?cal?K(-1) mol(-1) , and E(a) =11.68?kcal?mol(-1) . Complex 2 exhibited much-higher catalytic activity than complex 1 under identical reaction conditions. The in situ NMR experiments supported the formation of a catalytically active zinc cation and the DFT calculations showed that more active catalyst 2 generated a more stable cation. The stability of the catalytically active zinc cation was further supported by an in situ recycling procedure, thereby confirming the retention of catalytic activity of compound 2 for successive catalytic cycles. The DFT calculations showed that the preferred pathway for the zinc-catalyzed hydroamination reactions is alkene activation rather than the alternative amine-activation pathway. A detailed investigation with DFT methods emphasized that the remarkably higher catalytic efficiency of catalyst 2 originated from its superior stability and the facile formation of its cation compared to that derived from catalyst 1.     

Gold(I)-catalyzed intramolecular hydroamination of alkyne with trichloroacetimidates

[reaction: see text] A study on the gold (I)-catalyzed intramolecular hydroamination of trichloroacetimidates derived from propargyl and homopropargyl alcohols is described. In the presence of 2-5 mol % of cationic Au(I) complex, a variety of trichloroacetimidates undergo efficient hydroamination under an exceptionally mild condition. An orthogonality of the current catalytic protocol with those using a stoichiometric electrophile as well as a preliminary synthetic application as a stable precursor of 2-acylamino-1,3-diene has been demonstrated.     

Intermolecular, markovnikov hydroamination of vinylarenes with alkylamines

A transition metal-catalyzed intermolecular hydroamination of vinylarenes with alkylamines is reported. The combination of Pd(O2CCF3)4, DPPF, and TfOH was the most effective catalyst of those tested. Control experiments without palladium, acid, or ligand all occurred in low yield. The reaction of various vinylarenes with cyclic and acyclic alkylamines in the presence of 5 mol % of this catalyst formed the corresponding arylethylamine products in moderate to high yields. For example, reactions of morpholine, 4-phenylpiperazine, 4-Boc-piperazine, isoindoline, and tetrahydroisoquinoline with styrene all occurred in 58-75% yield. Acyclic amines such as N-benzylmethylamine and n-hexylmethylamine reacted with 2-vinylnaphthalene in 63% and 53% yields, respectively. Mechanistic investigations showed that the reaction occurred through an eta3-arylethyl palladium complex. The reactions of this complex with alkylamines generated product in combination with regenerating free vinylarene, Pd(0), and ammonium salt. Thus, one hurdle to developing hydroamination of vinylarenes with palladium complexes is the faster elimination of free vinylarene from the eta3-arylethyl complex than addition to form the C-N bond. The feasibility of conducting enantioselective hydroaminations with alkylamines was also examined. The product from addition of N-benzylmethylamine to 2-vinylnaphthalene was generated in 63% ee and 36% yield in the presence of Pd(OCOCF3)2, a ferrotane ligand, and TfOH cocatalyst.     

Intramolecular hydrophosphination/cyclization of phosphinoalkenes and phosphinoalkynes catalyzed by organolanthanides: scope, selectivity, and mechanism

Organolanthanide complexes of the general type Cp'(2)LnE(TMS)(2) (Cp' = eta(5)-Me(5)C(5); Ln = La, Sm, Y, Lu; E = CH, N; TMS = SiMe(3)) serve as effective precatalysts for the rapid intramolecular hydrophosphination/cyclization of the phosphinoalkenes and phosphinoalkynes RHP(CH(2))(n)()CH=CH(2) (R = Ph, H; n = 3, 4) and H(2)P(CH(2))(n)C triple bond C-Ph (n = 3, 4) to afford the corresponding heterocycles and respectively. Kinetic and mechanistic data for these processes exhibit parallels to, as well as distinct differences from, organolanthanide-mediated intramolecular hydroamination/cyclizations. The turnover-limiting step of the present catalytic cycle is insertion of the carbon-carbon unsaturation into the Ln-P bond, followed by rapid protonolysis of the resulting Ln-C linkage. The rate law is first-order in [catalyst] and zero-order in [substrate] over approximately one half-life, with inhibition by heterocyclic product intruding at higher conversions. The catalyst resting state is likely a lanthanocene phosphine-phosphido complex, and dimeric [Cp'(2)YP(H)Ph](2) was isolated and cystallographically characterized. Lanthanide identity and ancillary ligand structure effects on rate and selectivity vary with substrate unsaturation: larger metal ions and more open ligand systems lead to higher turnover frequencies for phosphinoalkynes, and intermediate-sized metal ions with Cp'(2) ligands lead to maximum turnover frequencies for phosphinoalkenes. Diastereoselectivity patterns also vary with substrate, lanthanide ion, and ancillary ligands. Similarities and differences in hydrophosphination vis-à-vis analogous organolanthanide-mediated hydroamination are enumerated.     

Computational insight into a gold(I) N-heterocyclic carbene mediated alkyne hydroamination reaction

A gold(I) N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complex mediated hydroamination of an alkyne has been modeled using density functional theory (DFT) study. In this regard, alkyne and amine coordination pathways have been investigated for the hydroamination reaction between two representative substrates, namely, MeC≡CH and PhNH(2), catalyzed by a gold(I) NHC based (NHC)AuCl-type precatalyst, namely, [1,3-dimethylimidazol-2-ylidene]gold chloride. The amine coordination pathway displayed a lower activation barrier than the alkyne coordination pathway. The catalytic cycle is proposed to proceed via a crucial proton-transfer step occurring between the intermediates [(NHC)AuCH═CMeNH(2)Ph](+) (D) and [(NHC)Au(PhNHMeC═CH(2))](+) (E), the activation barrier of which was found to be significantly reduced by a proton relay mechanism process assisted by the presence of any adventitious H(2)O molecule or even by any of the reacting PhNH(2) substrates. The final hydroaminated enamine product, PhNHMeC═CH(2), was further seen to be stabilized in its tautomeric imine form PhN═CMe(2).     

The reaction mechanism of the hydroamination of alkenes catalyzed by gold(I)-phosphine: the role of the counterion and the N-nucleophile substituents in the proton-transfer step

The reaction mechanism of the gold(I)-phosphine-catalyzed hydroamination of 1,3-dienes was analyzed by means of density functional methods combined with polarizable continuum models. Several mechanistic pathways for the reaction were considered and evaluated. It was found that the most favorable series of reaction steps include the ligand substitution reaction in the catalytically active Ph3PAuOTf species between the triflate and the substrate, subsequent nucleophile attack of the N-nucleophile (benzyl carbamate) on the activated double bond, which is followed by proton transfer from the NH2 group to the unsaturated carbon atom. The latter step, the most striking one, was analyzed in detail, and a novel pathway involving tautomerization of benzyl carbamate nucleophile assisted by triflate anion acting as a proton shuttle was characterized by the lowest barrier, which is consistent with experimental findings.     

Calciate-mediated intermolecular hydroamination of diphenylbutadiyne with secondary anilines

Calciate-mediated intermolecular hydroamination of diphenylbutadiyne with N-phenyl and N-isopropyl-substituted anilines yields E- and Z-isomers of the corresponding 1-anilino-1,4-diphenylbut-1-ene-3-yne. In the case of HNPh(2) solely heterobimetallic K(2)Ca(NPh(2))(4) is able to effectively catalyze this hydroamination reaction in tetrahydrofuran at elevated temperatures.     

Ind(2)TiMe(2)]: a general catalyst for the intermolecular hydroamination of alkynes

[Ind(2)TiMe(2)] (Ind=indenyl) is a highly active and general catalyst for the intermolecular hydroamination of alkynes. It catalyzes the reaction of primary aryl-, tert-alkyl-, sec-alkyl-, and n-alkylamines with internal and terminal alkynes. In the case of unsymmetrically substituted 1-phenyl-2-alkylalkynes, the reactions occur with modest to excellent regioselectivities, whereby formation of the anti-Markovnikov regioisomers is favored. While the major product of hydroamination reactions of terminal arylalkynes is always the anti-Markovnikov isomer, alkylalkynes react with arylamines to preferably give the Markovnikov products. To achieve reasonable rates for the addition of sterically less hindered n-alkyl- and benzylamines to alkynes, these amines must be added slowly to the reaction mixtures. This behavior is explained by the fact that the catalytic cycle proposed on the basis of an initial kinetic investigation includes the possibility that the rate of the reaction increases with decreasing concentration of the employed amine. Furthermore, no dimerization of the catalytically active imido complex is observed in the hydroamination of 1-phenylpropyne with 4-methylaniline in the presence of [Ind(2)TiMe(2)] as catalyst. In general, a combination of [Ind(2)TiMe(2)]-catalyzed hydroamination of alkynes with subsequent reduction leads to the formation of secondary amines with good to excellent yields. Particularly impressive is that [Ind(2)TiMe(2)] makes it possible for the first time to perform the reactions of n-alkyl- and benzylamines with 1-phenylpropyne in a highly regioselective fashion.     

Anti-Markovnikov hydroamination and hydrothiolation of electron-deficient vinylarenes catalyzed by well-defined monomeric copper(I) amido and thiolate complexes

Monomeric Cu(I) amido and thiolate complexes that are supported by the N-heterocyclic carbene ligand 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene (IPr) catalyze the hydroamination and hydrothiolation of electron-deficient vinylarenes with reactivity patterns that are consistent with an intermolecular nucleophilic addition of the amido/thiolate ligand of (IPr)Cu(XR) (X = NH or S; R = Ph, CH2Ph) to free vinylarene.     

A new pathway for hydroamination. Mechanism of palladium-catalyzed addition of anilines to vinylarenes

The mechanism of the hydroamination of vinylarenes with anilines catalyzed by phosphine-ligated palladium triflates was uncovered. eta3-Arylethyl diphosphine palladium triflate complexes, which result from migratory insertion of vinylarene into a palladium hydride triflate, were shown to be the resting state of the catalytic cycle. A series of these complexes has been isolated and fully characterized. The [(R)-Tol-BINAP][1-(2-naphthyl)ethyl]palladium triflate derivative 1a was crystallographically characterized. This complex reacted with aniline to form the N-phenethylaniline product in 83% yield. Reaction of the benzylic derivative [(R)-Tol-BINAP](eta3-benzyl)palladium triflate with aniline also formed the N-benzylaniline product in a high 87% yield. Predominant inversion of configuration from the reaction between 1a, which is enantiopure, and aniline showed that external attack of the amine on the eta3-arylethyl ligand occurred to form the product. This product from reaction of aniline with 1a is the opposite enantiomer to that obtained from the catalytic process. Thus, a minor diastereomer gives the major enantiomer in the catalytic cycle, and the major diastereomer gives the minor enantiomer. Consistent with this assertion, kinetic studies showed that the major diastereomer formed product with a rate constant roughly 3.5 times slower than the rate constant for the catalytic process that contains all diastereomers.