A DFT study of the ambiphilic nature of arylpalladium species in intramolecular cyclization reactions

The remarkable structure-dependent reactivity observed in the cyclization of (2-haloanilino)-ketones with Pd-catalysts has been studied computationally within the density functional theory framework. The experimental reaction products ratio may be explained through the formation of a common palladaaminocyclobutane intermediate which can undergo a nucleophilic addition reaction and/or an enolate α-arilation process. The evolution of this metallacycle to the final products depends on two factors, the length of the tether joining the amino and the carbonyl groups, and the electronic nature of the substituent directly attached to the nitrogen atom. Thus, shorter chains (2 CH(2)) facilitate the nucleophic addition reaction by approximating the reactive aryl and Pd-coordinated carbonyl groups whereas longer chains (3 CH(2)) favor the enolate α-arylation proccess. For electron-withdrawing groups attached to the aniline nitrogen atom, the nucleophilic addition pathway becomes slightly disfavored, mainly due to the electron-withdrawing effect of the CO(2)Me group which avoids the delocation of the LP in the π-system, thus decreasing the nucleophilicity of the reactive arylic carbon atom. In contrast, the enolate α-arylation reaction is facilitated by the CO(2)Me group. This is translated into a small computed barrier energy difference of these competitive reaction pathways which should lead to a mixture of reaction products as experimentally found.     

Coupling of cyclopropylcarbene-chromium complex with ferrocenyl alkynes: synthesis of 5-ferrocenyl-5-hydroxy-2-cyclopentenones and 4-ferrocenyl-4-cyclopentene-1,3-diones

The coupling of ferrocenyl alkynes with cyclopropylcarbene-chromium complex leads to ferrocenyl-substituted 2-cyclopentenones with or without a hydroxy substituent, namely 4-cyclopentene-1,3-diones, 2-cyclobutenones, and α,β-unsaturated aldehydes in varying amounts. The reaction initially produces a cyclopentadienone intermediate, then to the double bond of which, bearing a ferrocenyl group, addition of water occurs to afford hydroxy-substituted 2-cyclopentenones. In all the products, the hydroxy group ends up α to the ferrocenyl moiety. In contrast, where no addition of water occurs, the alkenic bond is reduced to give 2-cyclopentenones. A secondary reaction product, namely 4-cyclopentene-1,3-dione, is formed by hydrolysis of the cyclopentadienone intermediates.     

The cyclization reaction of ortho-ethynylbenzaldehyde derivatives into isoquinoline derivatives

In order to elucidate the reaction mechanism of the cyclization between an ethynyl group and an imino group at the ortho-position on an aromatic ring to afford isoquinolines, reaction of 2-ethynylbenzaldehydes under various conditions was examined. It is concluded that reaction proceeds via an ionic process and the isoquinoline 4-hydrogen atom derives from the solvent. In addition, it was found that 2-ethynylbenzaldehyde O-methyloximes underwent cyclization in the presence of primary and secondary alcohols to give 3-substituted isoquinolines.     

Polymerization of bis(2-oxazoline) compounds with dicarboxylic acids

A side reaction was found in the reaction of a 2-oxazoline compound with a carboxylic acid. It is an oxazoline ring opening addition to an amide group formed by the main reaction. In addition, certain phosphites were found to act as catalyst for the side reaction. The rate constants of the main and side reactions in the system of 2-phenyl-2-oxazoline and n-octanoic acid were obtained through simulation of the reactions on an analog computer. The side reaction makes it impossible for a very high molecular weight polymer to form in the reaction of a bis-2-oxazoline with a dicarboxylic acid, but makes it possible for a new crosslinked polymer to form when excess bis-2-oxazoline and a dicarboxylic acid are heated in the presence of a certain phosphite.     

Nucleophilic addition of benzenethiol to 1',2'-unsaturated nucleosides: 1'-C-phenylthio-2'-deoxynucleosides as anomeric radical precursors

The addition reaction of benzenethiol to the glycal portion of 1',2'-unsaturated uridine proceeds efficiently in the presence of Et(3)N. The mechanism involves nucleophilic attack of thiolate at the anomeric position in the rate-determining step, wherein conjugation between the nucleobase and the glycal portion is crucial. The derivative having a methyl group either at the 2'- or 6-position did not undergo this addition reaction, due to their sterically prohibited coplanarity. The 1',2'-unsaturated derivatives of thymine and adenine can also be used as substrates for this addition reaction. It was also shown that the resulting 1'-C-phenylthio-2'-deoxynucleosides serve as precursors for radical-mediated C-C bond formation at the anomeric position.     

Cobalt-catalyzed reductive coupling of saturated alkyl halides with activated alkenes

[reaction: see text] An efficient cobalt-catalyzed reductive coupling reaction of alkyl halides with electron-withdrawing alkenes (CH(2)=CR(1)EWG, EWG = electron-withdrawing group) in the presence of water and zinc powder in acetonitrile to give the corresponding Michael-type addition product (RCH(2)CR(1)EWG) was described. The methodology is versatile such that unactivated primary, secondary, and tertiary alkyl bromides and iodides and various conjugated alkenes including acrylates, acrylonitrile, methyl vinyl ketone, and vinyl sulfone all successfully participate in this coupling reaction. For the alkyl halides used in the reaction, the iodides generally gave better yields compared to those of the corresponding bromides. It is a unique method employing CoI(2)dppe, zinc, and alkyl halides, affording conjugate addition products in high yields. Mechanistically, the reaction appears to follow an oxidative addition driven route rather than the previously reported radical route.     

Theoretical study on the mechanism for the addition reaction of SiH(3) with propylene and acetic acid

To explore the reactivities of alkene (-CH=CH(2)) and carboxy (-COOH) group with H-Si under UV irradiation, the addition mechanism for the reactions of SiH(3) radical with propylene and acetic acid was studied by using the B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) method. Based on the surface energy profiles, the dominant reaction pathways can be established; i.e., SiH(3) adds to the terminal carbon atom of the alkene (-CH=CH(2)) to form an anti-Markovnikov addition product, or adds to the oxygen atom of the carboxy group (-COOH) to form silyl acetate (CH(3)-COOSiH(3)). Because the barrier in the reaction of the carboxy group (39.9 kJ/mol) is much larger than that of alkene (11.97 kJ/mol), we conclude that the reaction of bifunctional molecules (e.g., omega-alkenoic acid) with H-Si under irradiation condition is highly selective; i.e., the alkene group (-CH=CH(2)) reacts with SiH(3) substantially faster than the carboxyl group (-COOH), which agrees well with the experimental results. This provides the possibility of preparing carboxy-terminated monolayers on silicon surface from omega-alkenoic acids via direct photochemical reaction.     

Investigations on reactions of cyclene α-oxides

The reaction of 1-vinyl-3-cyclohexene dioxide with sodioacetoacetic ester and hydrogen halides (HCl, HBr) is described. On the basis of IR absorption spectra, it has been established that the addition of acetoacetic ester takes place to the oxide ring of the vinyl group with the formation of 1-acety]-2(3)-(3′,4′-epoxycyclohexyl)butyrolactone. The addition of HCl depends on the reaction conditions: under mild conditions addition takes place predominantly at the epoxycyclohexane group (85%), and under more severe conditions a mixture of products of addition both to the oxide ring attached to the six-membered carbon ring and to the oxide ring of the ethylene grouping is formed in a ratio of 55∶45. The ratio of the isomers with epoxyethyl and epoxycyclohexane groups in the product of the addition of HBr is 60∶40.     

Visible Light‐Induced,Metal‐Free Denitrative [3+2] Cycloaddition for Trisubstituted Pyrrole Synthesis

A metal‐free, regioselective synthesis of trisubstituted pyrroles has been developed through a formal [3+2] cycloaddition reaction between 2H‐azirines and nitroalkenes under visible light/photoredox‐catalyzed conditions. The reaction proceeds through 2H‐azaallenyl radical addition on β‐nitrostyrenes in a Michael fashion followed by a base‐mediated denitration reaction. The directive group influence of the nitro group controls the regiochemistry of the reaction.     

A facile synthesis of enantiopure 2-aziridinesulfinimines and their highly diastereoselective reactions with phosphite anions

Two novel enantiopure 1-benzyl-2-aziridinesulfinimines bearing a chiral group on both sides of the carbon-nitrogen double bond were synthesized from the condensation of racemic 1-benzyl-2-aziridinecarboxaldehyde and enantiopure p-toluenesulfinamide. The addition reaction with phosphite anion followed by the ring-opening reaction with thiophenol provided chiral alpha,beta-diamino-phosphonic acid derivatives. The addition reactions showed the operation of a double-stereodifferentiation effect. The possible transition states of the reaction were proposed, and high diastereoselectivities of the addition reactions of phosphite anions to both aziridinesulfinimines were realized in the presence or absence of zinc bromide.     

Stereoselectivity control in the Rh(I)-catalyzed conjugate additions of aryl and alkenylboronic acids to unprotected hydroxycyclopentenones

[reaction: see text] The stereoselective Rh(I)-catalyzed conjugate addition reaction of aryl and alkenylboronic acids to unprotected 2-phenyl-4-hydroxycyclopentenone is presented. The free OH group on the substrate is responsible for the stereochemistry, which is cis for arylboronic derivatives. In the case of the alkenylboronic compounds, the stereochemistry can be tuned to either a cis (bases as additives) or trans addition (CsF as additive) without the need of protecting groups.     

The first total synthesis of 15-deoxy-Delta12,14-prostaglandin J2 and the unambiguous assignment of the C14 stereochemistry

[reaction: see text] The first total synthesis of 15-deoxy-Delta12,14-prostaglandin J2 is reported. The highly unsaturated cyclopentenone prostaglandin was obtained via a silicon-tethered allenic [2 + 2 + 1] cycloaddition reaction developed in our group. In addition, the stereochemistry at C14 has been assigned unambiguously.     

Samarium(II)-mediated spirocyclization by intramolecular aryl radical addition onto an aromatic ring

Samarium(II)-mediated spirocyclization by intramolecular addition of aryl radicals onto an aromatic ring was achieved by the reaction of N-(2-iodophenyl)-N-alkylbenzamides with SmI2 in the presence of HMPA, yielding spirocyclic indolin-2-one derivatives. The ether congeners afford spirocyclic benzofuran derivatives in moderate yields by aryl radical addition onto a benzene ring without having an electron-withdrawing group. The reaction with other aryl groups such as naphthalene and indole rings is also described.     

Theoretical studies of the hydrolysis reaction of 5′‐AMP

The hydrolysis reaction mechanisms of the phosphate group, with and without an adenosine connected to it, have been theoretically investigated at the B3LYP/6‐31G** level. It is found that each reaction is single‐channel with a two‐step process. When H₂O approaches the phosphate group, a penta‐coordinated intermediate (IM1‐a) is formed first, followed by the H transfer reaction with P? O broken at the same time. This process belongs to the addition‐elimination process, similar to the carboxylate. In addition, the solvent effect has been studied by the polarizable continuum model (PCM). Our present calculations have rationalized and verified all the possible reaction channels. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2006     

Copper-catalyzed enantioselective conjugate addition of dialkylzinc reagents to (2-pyridyl)sulfonyl imines of chalcones

[reaction: see text] The enantioselective catalytic 1,4-addition to alpha,beta-unsaturated ketimines is an unprecedented process. Herein, we document the copper-catalyzed addition of dialkylzinc reagents to (2-pyridylsulfonyl)imines of chalcones. This process occurs rapidly in the presence of a chiral phosphoramidite ligand to afford exclusively the 1,4-addition product. In the case of addition of dimethylzinc, enantioselectivities in the range 70-80% ee are obtained. The presence of the metal-coordinating 2-pyridylsulfonyl group proved to be essential for this reaction to proceed.     

Asymmetric Michael Addition of Activated Alkenes to Nitro Alkenes Catalyzed by Organic Catalyst

Enantioselective Michael addition is one of the most powerfulbond-forming reaction in organic synthesis. [1] A mong the Michael acceptors, nitro alkenes are very attractive, because the nitro group is the most electron-withdrawing group known and it can serve as masked functionality to be further transformed after the addition has taken place. [2] Recently, asymmetric Michael reactions catalyzed by organic catalyst have draw much attention.[3]     

Features of the reaction of 2,3-dihalopropanoic acids with pyridines and nucleophilic addition to <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-vinylpyridinium salts

The example of vinylpyridinium salts to establish for the first time the possibility of nucleophilic addition to the vinyl group in quaternary ammonium salts, which provides evidence against the concept that such reactions involve d orbitals. The nucleophilic addition reaction was accomplished with triphenylphosphine and pyridine. In the latter case, the suggested reaction scheme was confirmed by the observation of the Wittig reaction under the action of carbon dioxide and the Stevens reaggangement involving the double bond of the pyridinium ring and migrating 2-phosphonioethyl group. Procedures for preparing the starting vinylpyridinium salts. Reaction schemes were siggested.     

Remarkable behaviour in acid hydrolysis of the cycloadducts formed between allyl bromide and 1,2,4-trichloro-3,5,5-trimethoxycyclopentadiene

Two isomeric compounds (2a and 2b) are formed on addition of allyl bromide to 1,2,4-trichloro-3,5,5-trimethoxycyclopentadiene (1). The striking difference in behaviour of these two isomers on acid catalysed solvent addition can be explained by assuming a stabilization of the intermediate carbenium ion by the near endo-CH₂Br group in 2a. The stabilization of this cation from the endo-side forces subsequent nucleophiles to attack from the exo-direction, resulting in an overall cis-exo addition to 2a. trans-Additions on the contrary are observed for 2b. Screening by the bromomethyl grouping of the intermediate cation formed from 2a gives a satisfactory explanation for the formation of the observed reaction products and for the sigmatropic rearrangement observed in poorly nucleophilic media. The structures of parent compounds 2a and 2b are confirmed from the different reaction products. The structure 4a, as previously reported⁴ to be formed under similar reaction circumstances, is revised and an alternative structure 4'a is proposed.     

Scope and limitations of HClO4-SiO2 as an extremely efficient, inexpensive, and reusable catalyst for chemoselective carbon-sulfur bond formation

The scope and limitations of perchloric acid adsorbed on silica gel (HClO₄-SiO₂) as a highly efficient, inexpensive, and reusable catalyst for chemoselective carbon-sulfur bond formation by conjugate addition of thiols to α,β-unsaturated ketones under solvent-free conditions and at rt are reported. In the case of 1,3-diphenylpropenone, the reactions were best carried out either at 80 °C under solvent-free conditions or at rt in MeOH. The reaction of aryl, arylalkyl, alkyl thiols, and alkane dithiols with cyclic and acyclic α,β-unsaturated ketones afforded excellent yields of the corresponding β-sulfidocarbonyls after 2 min to 2 h. In the case of dithiols, the bis-thia-Michael adducts were formed. The rate of the reaction was found to be dependent on the electronic and steric factors of the α,β-unsaturated ketones and the thiols. A substituent at the β-carbon of the α,β-unsaturated ketone offered steric hindrance for conjugate addition and such substrates required longer times. In case of aromatic thiols, the presence of the nitro group reduced the nucleophilicity of the sulfhydryl sulfur atom resulting in slower rate of reaction for 4-nitrothiophenol compared to that of thiophenol and 4-methylthiophenol. For alkane thiol, the reaction rate was influenced by the steric crowding of the alkyl group attached to the sulfhydryl moiety. The rate of reaction for alkane thiols was sluggish compared to that of aryl thiols. The influence of the β-substituent on the rate of thia-Michael addition was utilized for selective reaction during inter-molecular competitions of cyclohexen-2-one versus 3-methyl-2-cyclohexenone, cyclohexen-2-one versus 4-methyl-3-penten-2-one, and 4-phenyl-3-buten-2-one versus 4-methyl-3-penten-2-one with thiophenol with 100:0, 91:9, and 70:30 selectivities, respectively. The difference in the rate of reaction of thiophenol and 4-nitrothiophenol was also reflected during the inter-molecular competition for the reaction with cyclohexen-2-one with an excellent selectivity of 100:0. The influence of the steric factor of the alkyl group in alkane thiol resulted in 62:38 selectivity during the inter-molecular competition of ethane thiol and tert-butanethiol with cyclohexen-2-one. During inter- and intra-molecular competitions of thia- versus aza- and thia- versus oxa-Michael addition reactions, chemoselective thia-Michael addition took place. The chemoselective thia-Michael addition over aza-Michael addition during intra-molecular competion reactions with 2-aminothiophenol was utilized for an efficient one-pot synthesis of benzothiazepines.     

Regioselective synthesis of 2,8-disubstituted 4-aminopyrido[3,2-d]pyrimidine-6-carboxylic acid methyl ester compounds

We report herein the synthesis of 4-amino-2,8-dichloropyrido[3,2-d]pyrimidine derivatives 2 and their regioselective diversification through S(N)Ar and metal-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions. While amination of 2 took place selectively at C-2, the regioselectivity of thiol or thiolate addition depended on the reaction conditions. Selective C-8 addition was obtained in DMF with Hünig's base and C-2 addition in (i)PrOH. These C-2 or C-8 regioselective thiolations provided an opportunistic way to selectively activate either of the two positions toward the metal-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction. The chloride could be efficiently substituted by Suzuki-Miyaura reaction and the sulfanyl group by Liebeskind-Srogl cross-coupling reaction, demonstrating the orthogonality of both reactive centers. The development of regioselective conditions for these different transformations yielded the synthesis of 4-amino-2,6,8-trisubstituted pyrido[3,2-d]pyrimidine derivatives, with various substituents.