Control of chirality by cations in confined spaces: Photooxidation of enecarbamates inside zeolite supercages

On photooxygenation of the optically active Z/E enecarbamates 1 (X = i-Pr) and 2 (X = Me) equipped with the oxazolidinone chiral auxiliary in methylene-blue (MB)-incorporated, alkali-metal (M = Li, Na, K, Cs, Rb), exchanged Y-type zeolites (MY-MB), oxidative cleavage of the alkenyl functionality releases the enantiomerically enriched methyldesoxybenzoin (MDB) product. The extent (%ee) and/or the sense (R or S) of the stereoselectivity in the formation of the MDB product depends on the choice of the alkyl substiuent (i-Pr or Me) at the C-4 position of the oxazolidinone chiral auxiliary, the Z/E configuration of the alkene functionality in the enecarbamates, and the type of alkali metal in the zeolite. Most significantly-the highlight of this study-is the reversed sense (R or S) in the stereoselection when the photooxygenation is run in CDCl3 solution versus inside the MY-MB zeolite. As a mechanistic rationale for this novel stereochemical behavior, we propose the combined action of spatial confinement and metal-ion coordination (assessed by density-functional calculations) of the substrate within the zeolite supercage, both of which greatly reduce the freedom of the substrate and entropically manipulate the stereochemical outcome.     

Fluorescence studies of pyrenealdehyde adsorbed within zeolite supercages

The absorption and fluorescence of pyrenealdehyde have been utilized to probe the nature of sites in solid zeolites that adsorb aromatic molecules. In addition to substantial spectral shifts, excimer formation is found for pyrenealdehyde adsorbed on type Na⁺Y zeolites. A similar enhancement of excimer formation is noted for γ-cyclodextrins in aqueous solutions of pyrenealdehyde.     

Stereoselective photooxidation of enecarbamates: reactivity of ozone vs singlet oxygen

[reaction: see text]. Oxazolidinone-functionalized enecarbamates show contrasting behavior upon oxidation by singlet oxygen and by ozone. The observed stereoselectivity difference indicates that the oxidation with ozone is subject to classic steric effects, whereas the very high selectivity in the photooxidation with singlet oxygen is derived from vibrational deactivation.     

Asymmetric induction in an intramolecular [2+2] photocycloaddition within chirally modified zeolite supercages

Photoirradiation of 1-cyano-2-(5-methyl-2-oxa-4-hexenyl)naphthalene, included in NaY zeolites along with chiral inductors, such as diethyl tartrate or phenylalaninol, gives an intramolecular [2+2] photocycloadduct with a maximum 15% ee. The degree of enantioselectivity was found to depend on the Si/Al ratio, the nature of the cations in the zeolites, the structure of the chiral inductors, and the molar ratio of substrate and chiral inductors.     

Polymerization of ethylene over metallocenes confined inside the supercage of a NaY zeolite

Metallocene catalysts entrapped inside the supercages of NaY zeolite were prepared by reacting NaY with methylaluminoxane (MAO) or trimethylaluminium (TMA) and then with Cp₂ZrCl₂ (Cp: cyclopentadienyl) or Cp₂TiCl₂. NaY/MAO/Cp₂ZrCl₂ and NaY/MAO/Cp₂TiCl₂ catalysts could polymerize ethylene. The amount of additional MAO for the polymerization was lowered to a mole ratio of Al/Zr of 186. Molecular weights and melting points of polyethylene polymerized with NaY-supported catalysts were higher than those of polyethylene obtained with homogeneous metallocene catalysts. It could be confirmed by extraction experiments that the metallocene catalyst was confined securely inside the supercage of the NaY zeolite.     

FTIR studies of zeolite matrix effects on the properties of palladium clusters confined in the supercages of NaX and NaY

Palladium clusters have been synthesized by the "ship-in-a-bottle" approach in the supercages of NaX and NaY faujasite zeolites. In comparison with CO adsorbed on a bulk Pd electrode, the same molecule adsorbed on the Pd clusters electrodes evoked an enhanced IR absorption (EIRA). The enhancement factors have been determined to be about 38 and 51 in NaX and NaY, respectively. IR band centers of linear-bonded CO, bridge-bonded CO, and multi-bonded CO in NaX are measured, respectively, 12, 14, and 11 cm(-1) lower than those of the corresponding adsorption modes in NaY. The adsorption of CO and the oxidation of adsorbed CO in NaX matrix are faster than that in NaY matrix. These results suggest that part of the Pd2+ ions in NaX are located in sites III and III' that are near the 12-ring window of the supercage of zeolite, which lead to the formation of small Pd clusters. The present study is of significant importance in exploring the dependence of catalyst properties on structures, as well as in understanding and predicting the locations and properties of metal clusters in zeolites.     

Self-assembly of amphiphilic alkyloligosiloxanes within cylindrically and spherically confined spaces

The self-assembly of amphiphilic alkyloligosiloxane molecules within cylindrically and spherically confined spaces has been investigated. Hydrolyzed solutions of the precursors consisting of an alkylsiloxane core and three branching trimethoxysilyl groups (C n H 2 n+1 Si(OSi(OMe) 3) 3, n = 10 and 16) were impregnated into the cylindrical pores of porous anodic alumina membranes (PAAMs), leading to the formation of rod- and tubelike hybrids. A two-dimensional (2D) hexagonal mesostructure with a circular orientation and a lamellar mesostructure with a multitubular orientation were confirmed for n = 10 and 16, respectively. The pore diameters of PAAMs ranging from 30 to 400 nm did not significantly affect the mesostructures of the hybrids. The self-assembly in the spherical droplets was also performed by spray-drying of the hydrolyzed solutions. At high temperature, vesicular lamellar mesostructures were formed, independent of the alkyl chain length of the precursors ( n = 10 or 16). Spherical hybrids with a core-shell structure (a 2D hexagonal core and a lamellar shell) were also prepared by lowering the drying temperature in the case of n = 10. These are the first findings on the confined assembly of single siloxane-based amphiphiles that will lead to the fabrication of novel hierarchically ordered hybrid materials having Si-C covalent bonds at the interfaces.     

Time-resolved photoluminescence spectra of Si species encapsulated in zeolite supercages

Photoluminescence (PL) spectra of Si species encapsulated in zeolite supercages are studied. It is reported that the chained Si species terminated partially with phenyl groups and with some unsaturated bonds are formed in zeolite supercages by the reaction with phenylsilane and they show PL around 4 eV (J. Phys. Chem. 2004, 108, 2501-2508). In the present paper they are reduced with hydrogen to prepare Si chained species terminated and saturated with hydrogen atoms. The PL spectra are deconvoluted to be four components at 1.9, 2.2, 2.6, and 3.7 eV, which can tentatively be assigned to Si nanocrystals and Si quantum wires in addition to defects in SiO2 and uncontrolled organic impurities in zeolite, respectively. At elevated temperatures the Si quantum wires in zeolite pores seem to change the Si nanocrystals with the size larger than that of the zeolite pore diameter. It is the first case in which the PL decay lifetime of oxygen vacancies in zeolite can be detected to be quite short to be about 16 ns. The detected lifetimes of Si quantum wires are significantly very short, about 12 ns. The Si species encapsulated zeolite is solvated with hydrofluoric acid solution to separate the Si quantum wires by dissolving zeolite lattice. The Si quantum wires in the HF solution show intense PL spectra peaked at 2.33 eV and broad UV spectra around 2.8-3.5 eV. They will have different shapes and lengths. The HF solvated zeolite shows still PL spectra characteristic of oxygen vacancies and the absorption edge at 3.6 eV. The result means that zeolite lattice is solvated in HF solution as clusters with a band gap of 3.6 eV and they can still have some oxygen vacancies. Oxygen vacancies situate about 1.0 eV below the zeolite conduction band minimum, and the absorbed energy can be dissipated as PL between the valence band maximum and the oxygen vacancies. It is concluded that the excitation photon energy can be absorbed in zeolite and the Si quantum wires and then the absorbed energies are competitively relaxed in zeolite and the Si quantum wires.     

Highly diastereo- and enantioselective reactions of enecarbamates with an aldehyde

Catalytic asymmetric addition reactions of enecarbamates with ethyl glyoxylate have been developed using CuClO₄·4CH₃CN and a diimine ligand as the catalyst. Highly diastereo- and enantioselective addition reactions of α-mono-substituted enecarbamates have been also achieved. These reactions afforded the corresponding adducts with high selectivity; that is, syn adducts from Z-enecarbamates and anti adducts from E-enecarbamates. The proposed reaction mechanism is an aza-ene type pathway, where the proton of an enecarbamate's N-H group plays an important role, not only for accelerating the reaction but also for providing a transition state suitable for the highly selective chiral induction.     

MFI分子筛限域空间内Pd催化剂上甲烷燃烧

甲烷是一种重要的温室气体,其开发利用过程中不完全燃烧所残留的气体排放到大气中会造成严重的环境问题,因此提高甲烷燃烧效率显得尤为重要.与传统燃烧方式相比,催化燃烧在低温区表现出高的燃烧效率,成为甲烷燃烧理想的选择.在实际应用时,甲烷燃烧催化剂应在低温区具备高的催化活性,同时在过量水蒸气存在下具备好的稳定性.负载型Pd基催化剂是当前研究最多的甲烷燃烧催化剂,Pd粒子尺寸、载体类型、酸性位点以及金属与载体的相互作用是影响甲烷燃烧活性与稳定性的关键因素.本文设计了原位水热合成路线将孤立的Pd离子稳定封装于MFI分子筛孔道内(Pd@MFI),以期获得高活性、高稳定性的甲烷燃烧催化剂,并揭示其反应机理与构效关系.通过X射线粉末衍射、高分辨透射电子显微镜以及球差校正扫描透射电子显微镜分析了Pd@MFI催化剂的基本结构,并直接观测了Pd物种在分子筛晶体中的分布;进而利用氨气程序升温脱附、固体核磁共振、氢气程序升温还原、X射线光电子能谱(XPS)和CO吸附红外光谱等表征技术研究了催化剂的酸性以及Pd在分子筛中的存在状态.表征结果证实,通过原位水热合成方法可将Pd物种以pd2+和Pd(OH)+的形式封装在MFI分子筛孔道内,孤立的Pd离子与分子筛骨架之间存在着强相互作用,有效稳定Pd离子并实现贵金属Pd的最大化利用.在甲烷燃烧反应中,Pd@H-ZSM-5在高空速下表现出较好的催化活性与较低的表观活化能(70.7 kJ/mol).热稳定性及耐水性测试结果表明,Pd@H-ZSM-5在400℃下连续反应100 h后甲烷燃烧活性无明显下降,且反应后Pd物种在分子筛孔道内仍保持高度分散,说明该催化剂在甲烷燃烧过程中具备优异的稳定性和抗烧结性能.通过反应动力学、程序升温脱附以及原位红外光谱等技术手段研究了甲烷催化氧化机理,结果表明,Brφnsted酸性位点的存在有利于甲烷吸附并促进其在相邻Pd位点上活化,在MFI分子筛限域空间内形成Pd位点和Brφnsted酸性位点的有效协同.原位近常压XPS分析结果表明,Pd@H-ZSM-5催化的甲烷燃烧过程中存在着pd2+-pdn+-pd2+的可逆氧化还原循环.综合分析上述结果,最终可阐明Pd@H-ZSM-5模型催化剂上甲烷燃烧的反应机理.     

Chiral phosphoric acid-catalyzed enantioselective three-component Povarov reaction using enecarbamates as dienophiles: highly diastereo- and enantioselective synthesis of substituted 4-aminotetrahydroquinolines

A chiral phosphoric acid (5)-catalyzed three-component Povarov reaction of aldehydes 2, anilines 3, and enecarbamates 4 afforded cis-4-amino-2-aryl(alkyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolines 1 in high yields with excellent diastereoselectivities (>95%) and almost complete enantioselectivities (up to >99% ee). The reaction was applicable to a wide range of anilines bearing electron-donating (OMe) and electron-withdrawing groups (e.g., Cl, CF(3), NO(2)) and allowed, for the first time, aliphatic aldehydes to be employed in the enantioselective Povarov reaction. With β-substituted acyclic enecarbamates, 2,3,4-trisubstituted 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolines with three contiguous stereogenic centers were produced in excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivities (87 to >99% ee). A detailed study of the active catalytic species allowed us to reduce the catalyst loading from 10% to 0.5% with no deterioration of enantiomeric excess. In addition, mechanistic studies allowed us to conclude unequivocally that the Povarov reaction involving enecarbamate as dienophile proceeded via a stepwise mechanism. The key role of the free NH function of the enecarbamate in the success of this transformation was demonstrated. NMR experiments indicating the catalyst-substrate interaction as well as a linear correlation between catalyst and product ee's were also documented.     

Generation of active site confined inside supercage of NaY zeolite on a nano-scale and its ethylene polymerization

To generate an active site that consisted of one Cp₂ZrCl₂ molecule and 1-2 MAO molecules inside supercage of NaY zeolite, two preparation ways for supported catalyst were estimated. First, higher concentration of MAO and Cp₂ZrCl₂, and long reaction time were introduced during the preparation of supported catalyst. It showed activity in ethylene polymerization without any additional MAO. It indicates that Cp₂ZrCl₂ coordinated with only 1-2 MAO molecules could be an active site due to the fact that supercage has nano-scaled diameter of supercage, 1.2 nm, and it could contain only 1-2 MAO molecules inside it theoretically. In situ generation of active site between NaY/MAO and homogeneous Cp₂ZrCl₂ also showed experimental evidence that an active site was generated inside the supercage of NaY zeolite. It showed low activity with long activation time, suggesting the presence of a diffusion effect of Cp₂ZrCl₂ in the pore of NaY. However, NaY/Cp₂ZrCl₂ and homogeneous MAO system showed the characteristic PE polymerization with homogeneous catalyst, indicating that active site was not generated inside the supercage of NaY.     

High turnover frequency observed in catalytic enantioselective additions of enecarbamates and enamides to iminophosphonates

[Structure: see text] In addition reactions of enecarbamates and enamides, extremely high turnover frequency of the catalyst was observed in comparison with that of silicon enolate addition reactions. This is presumably due to fast transfer of the proton that locates on the nucleophiles.     

Ship-in-a-bottle synthesis of triphenylamine inside faujasite supercages and generation of the triphenylamminium radical ion

The ship-in-a-bottle synthesis of triphenylamine encapsulated within basic X zeolite has been accomplished by reacting sodium diphenylamide with bromobenzene in the presence of a bifunctional palladium (Hartwig-Buchwald conditions). The presence of incarcerated triphenylamine was demonstrated by dissolving the zeolite with concentrated HF and analyzing the organic material in the dichloromethane extract. Laser flash photolysis (266 nm) gives rise to the generation of triphenylamminium radical cation detected as a transient species decaying in hundreds of microseconds. Upon repetitive cyclic voltammograms, zeolite encapsulated triphenylamine shows a reversible oxidation-reduction process. In contrast, in solution triphenylamine undergoes irreversible oxidation with the formation of coupling dimers.     

A mononuclear cyclopentadiene-iron complex grafted in the supercages of HY zeolite: synthesis, structure, and reactivity

The reaction of ferrocene with the acidic hydroxy groups in the supercages of zeolite HY dehydrated at 673 K and the reactivity of the resultant surface species towards CO and O(2) were investigated by temperature-programmed decomposition (TPD) and reduction (TPR) and IR, X-ray absorption fine structure analysis (XAFS), and X-ray photoelectron (XP) spectroscopy. In situ FTIR, TPD, TPR, and chemical analysis reveal that the Cp(2)Fe molecule adsorbed on the zeolite surface loses one cyclopentadienyl group under vacuum at 423 K, which leads to the formation of a well-defined mononuclear surface Fe-C(5)H(6) complex grafted to two acidic sites and one ([triple bond]Si-O-Si[triple bond]) unit, as confirmed by the lack of Fe-Fe contributions in the EXAFS spectra. Each iron atom is coordinated, on average, to three oxygen atoms of the zeolite surface with a Fe--O distance of 2.00 A and to five carbon atoms with a Fe--C distance of 2.09 A. IR spectra indicate that the cyclopentadiene-iron species grafted on the surface of the zeolite is quite stable in vacuo or under an inert or hydrogen atmosphere below 423 K, and is also relatively stable under oxygen at room temperature. However, the cyclopentadiene ligand readily reacts with CO to form a compound containing carbonyl at 323 K, and even at room temperature. The single carbonyl band in the IR spectra provides evidence for the nearly uniform formation of a cyclopentadiene-iron species on the surface of the zeolite.     

Urea photosynthesis inside polyelectrolyte capsules: effect of confined media

The influence of the restricted volume of poly(styrene sulfonate)/poly(allylamine hydrochloride) capsules of different size (2.2, 4.2, and 8.1 microm) on the TiO2-assisted photosynthesis of urea from inorganic precursors (CO2 and NO(3-)) in aqueous solution was demonstrated. Poly(vinyl alcohol) was employed as electron donor to facilitate the photosynthetic process. Decreasing the size of the confined microvolume of polyelectrolyte capsules accelerates the NO(3-) photoreduction, which is a limiting stage of the urea photosynthesis and, correspondingly, increases the efficiency of urea production. The highest yield of urea photosynthesis (37%) was achieved for Cu-modified TiO2 nanoparticles encapsulated inside 2.2 microm poly(styrene sulfonate)/poly(allylamine hydrochloride) capsules.     

Proton activity inside the channels of zeolite L

The proton activity inside the channels of zeolite L has been studied by investigating dye-loaded zeolite L crystals under different conditions, such as water content, nature of the counterions, and nature of the solvent. The discussion is made within the frame of three types of dye-loaded zeolite L systems, classified according to their ability to exchange matter (dyes, cations, solvent, and other small molecules) with the environment. The classification refers to dye-loaded zeolites. The term "closed" and "semi-open" characterize different possibilities of the channels to exchange small molecules, cations, and solvent molecules with the environment, but not dyes. The "open" systems also allow for dye exchange. UV-visible and fluorescence spectroscopy have been used to observe the proton activity inside the zeolite L channels. The influence of the proton activity on the luminescence of encapsulated dyes is discussed, special attention being given to luminescence quenching by excited-state protonation. Partially proton-exchanged zeolite L can be a superacid, whereas for the M-exchanged form (M: K(+), Li(+), Cs(+), Mg(2+), Ca(2+)) the pH ranges from about 2.5 to 3.5. For these last forms, the differences in pH are due to the acid-base reactions of the respective metal cations with water inside the zeolite. Finally, we describe an easy experimental procedure that can be used to tune the proton activity inside the zeolite L to a considerable extent.     

A novel role of zeolite NaY in the thermal reaction of alkyl aryl selenoxides in its supercages

Thermal reaction of alkyl aryl selenoxides in the presence of water or methanol in the supercage of zeolite NaY gave beta-hydroxy- or beta-methoxyalkyl aryl selenides, respectively, and NaY played a novel role to stabilize reactive ArSeOH and to separate an anion of -OH from a carbonium ion which was simultaneously present with the -OH in a supercage.