Reactive iron carbonyl reagents via reaction of metal alkoxides with Fe(CO)5 or Fe2(CO)9: synthesis of cyclobutenediones via double carbonylation of alkynes

Alkoxy bases such as t-BuOK react with Fe(CO)(5) to give reactive iron carbonyl intermediates that in turn react with alkynes at 70 °C in THF to give 1,2-cyclobutenediones in 70-93% yields after CuCl(2)·2H(2)O oxidation. A novel 1,2-diacyloxyferrole derivative was isolated in the reaction of diphenylacetylene with Fe(CO)(5)/t-BuOK in the presence of acetyl chloride in contrast to the formation of a 1,4-diacyloxyferrole complex formed in the reaction using Fe(CO)(5)/Me(3)NO. The Fe(2)(CO)(9)/t-BuOK reagent system also converts the alkynes to corresponding cyclobutenediones in 63-90% yields under similar reaction conditions.     

A chelation-assisted transformation: synthesis of maleimides by the Rh-catalyzed carbonylation of alkynes with pyridin-2-ylmethylamine

The reaction of alkynes 1 with CO and pyridin-2-ylmethylamine (2) in the presence of Rh4(CO)12/P(OEt)3 results in the incorporation of two molecules of CO leading to maleimide derivatives 3. The coordination of the pyridine nitrogen in 2 to a rhodium center is essential for the reaction to proceed.     

Rhodium-catalyzed nondecarbonylative addition reaction of ClCOCOOC2H5 to alkynes

Addition of ethoxalyl chloride (ClCOCOOEt) to terminal alkynes at 60 degrees C in the presence of a rhodium(I)-phosphine complex catalyst chosen from a wide range affords 4-chloro-2-oxo-3-alkenoates regio- and stereoselectively. Functional groups such as chloro, cyano, alkoxy, siloxy, and hydroxy are tolerated. The oxidative addition of ethoxalyl chloride to [RhCl(CO)(PR(3))(2)] proceeds readily at 60 degrees C or room temperature and gives [RhCl(2)(COCOOEt)(CO)(PR(3))(2)] (PR(3) = PPh(2)Me, PPhMe(2), PMe(3)) complexes in high yields. The structure of [RhCl(2)(COCOOEt)(CO)(PPh(2)Me)(2)] was confirmed by X-ray crystallography. Thermolysis of these ethoxalyl complexes has revealed that those ligated by more electron-donating phosphines are fairly stable against decarbonylation and reductive elimination. [RhCl(2)(COCOOEt)(CO)(PPh(2)Me)(2)] reacts with 1-octyne at 60 degrees C to form ethyl 4-chloro-2-oxo-3-decenoate. The catalysis is therefore proposed to proceed by oxidative addition of ethoxalyl chloride, insertion of an alkyne into the Cl--Rh bond of the resulting intermediate, and reductive elimination of alkenyl-COCOOEt.     

Catalytic synthesis of tricyclic quinoline derivatives from the regioselective hydroamination and C-H bond activation reaction of benzocyclic amines and alkynes

The cationic ruthenium-hydride complex [(PCy3)2(CO)(CH3CN)2RuH]+BF4- (1) was found to be an effective catalyst for the regioselective coupling reaction of benzocyclic amines and terminal alkynes to form the tricyclic quinoline derivatives. The scope of the reaction was explored by using the catalytic system Ru3(CO)12/NH4PF6. The catalytically active cationic ruthenium-acetylide complex [(PCy3)2(CO)(CH3CN)2RuCCPh]+BF4- was isolated from the reaction of 1 with phenylacetylene.     

A mechanistic study of the utilization of arachno-diruthenaborane [(Cp*RuCO)2B2H6] as an active alkyne-cyclotrimerization catalyst

The reaction of nido-[1,2-(Cp*RuH)(2)B(3)H(7)] (1a, Cp*=η(5)-C(5)Me(5)) with [Mo(CO)(3)(CH(3)CN)(3)] under mild conditions yields the new metallaborane arachno-[(Cp*RuCO)(2)B(2)H(6)] (2). Compound 2 catalyzes the cyclotrimerization of a variety of internal- and terminal alkynes to yield mixtures of 1,3,5- and 1,2,4-substituted benzenes. The reactivities of nido-1a and arachno-2 with alkynes demonstrates that a change in geometry from nido to arachno drives a change in the reaction from alkyne-insertion to catalytic cyclotrimerization, respectively. Density functional calculations have been used to evaluate the reaction pathways of the cyclotrimerization of alkynes catalyzed by compound 2. The reaction involves the formation of a ruthenacyclic intermediate and the subsequent alkyne-insertion step is initiated by a [2+2] cycloaddition between this intermediate and an alkyne. The experimental and quantum-chemical results also show that the stability of the metallacyclic intermediate is strongly dependent on the nature of the substituents that are present on the alkyne.     

Scope and mechanistic study of the ruthenium-catalyzed ortho-C-H bond activation and cyclization reactions of arylamines with terminal alkynes

The cationic ruthenium hydride complex [(PCy(3))(2)(CO)(CH(3)CN)(2)RuH](+)BF(4)(-) was found to be a highly effective catalyst for the C-H bond activation reaction of arylamines and terminal alkynes. The regioselective catalytic synthesis of substituted quinoline and quinoxaline derivatives was achieved from the ortho-C-H bond activation reaction of arylamines and terminal alkynes by using the catalyst Ru(3)(CO)(12)/HBF(4).OEt(2). The normal isotope effect (k(CH)/k(CD) = 2.5) was observed for the reaction of C(6)H(5)NH(2) and C(6)D(5)NH(2) with propyne. A highly negative Hammett value (rho = -4.4) was obtained from the correlation of the relative rates from a series of meta-substituted anilines, m-XC(6)H(4)NH(2), with sigma(p) in the presence of Ru(3)(CO)(12)/HBF(4).OEt(2) (3 mol % Ru, 1:3 molar ratio). The deuterium labeling studies from the reactions of both indoline and acyclic arylamines with DCCPh showed that the alkyne C-H bond activation step is reversible. The crossover experiment from the reaction of 1-(2-amino-1-phenyl)pyrrole with DCCPh and HCCC(6)H(4)-p-OMe led to preferential deuterium incorporation to the phenyl-substituted quinoline product. A mechanism involving rate-determining ortho-C-H bond activation and intramolecular C-N bond formation steps via an unsaturated cationic ruthenium acetylide complex has been proposed.     

A study of [Co2(alkyne)(binap)(CO)4] complexes (BINAP=(1,1'-binaphthalene)-2,2'-diylbis(diphenylphosphine))

Understanding the interaction of chiral ligands, alkynes, and alkenes with cobaltcarbonyl sources is critical to learning more about the mechanism of the catalytic, asymmetric Pauson-Khand reaction. We have successfully characterized complexes of the type [Co2(alkyne)(binap)(CO)4] (BINAP=(1,1'-binaphthalene)-2,2'-diylbis(diphenylphosphine)) and shown that diastereomer interconversion occurs under Pauson-Khand reaction conditions when alkyne=HC[triple bond]CCO2Me. Attempts to isolate [Co2(alkyne)(binap)(CO)x] complexes with coordinated alkenes led to the formation of cobaltacyclopentadiene species.     

Rhodium-complex-catalyzed addition reactions of chloroacetyl chlorides to alkynes

The addition reaction of chloroacetyl chloride derivatives with terminal alkynes was found to be catalyzed by Rh(acac)(CO)(AsPh(3)) to afford (Z)-1,4-dichloro-3-buten-2-one derivatives, which displayed diverse reactivities in synthetic elaboration.     

Ruthenium-catalyzed regioselective [2 + 2 + 2] cyclotrimerization of trifluoromethyl group substituted internal alkynes

It found that the Ru(3)(CO)(12) coordinated with 2-(diphenylphosphino)benzonitrile (2-DPPBN) to effectively catalyze the [2 + 2 + 2] cyclotrimerization of the trifluoromethyl group substituted internal alkynes in high yields with up to >98% regioselectivity. Isolation of a ruthenacyclopentadiene was successful and confirmed that the complex is a reaction intermediate.     

RuH2(CO)(PPh3)3 catalyzed selective formation of 1,4-disubstituted triazoles from cycloaddition of alkynes and organic azides

The ruthenium hydride complex RuH(2)(CO)(PPh(3))(3) was found to be an effective catalyst for the cycloaddition reactions of terminal alkynes and azides. In the presence of RuH(2)(CO)(PPh(3))(3), various azides reacted with a range of terminal alkynes to produce 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles with 100% selectivity and moderate to excellent yields.     

Lewis acid-catalyzed benzannulation via unprecedented [4+2] cycloaddition of o-alkynyl(oxo)benzenes and enynals with alkynes

The reaction of o-alkynyl(oxo)benzenes 1 with alkynes 2 in the presence of a catalytic amount of AuCl(3) in (CH(2)Cl)(2) at 80 degrees C gave the [4+2] benzannulation products, naphthyl ketone derivatives 3 and 4, in high yields. When the reaction was carried out using AuBr(3) instead of AuCl(3), the reaction speed was enhanced and the chemical yield was increased. On the other hand, when the reaction was carried out in the presence of a catalytic amount of Cu(OTf)(2) and 1 equiv of a Br?nsted acid, such as CF(2)HCO(2)H, in (CH(2)Cl)(2) at 100 degrees C, the decarbonylated naphthalene products 5 were obtained in high yields. Similarly, the Cu(OTf)(2)-H(2)O-promoted reaction of the enynals 7 with an alkyne 2 afforded the corresponding [4+2] benzannulation products, decarbonylated benzene derivatives 8, in good yields. Both AuX(3)- and Cu(OTf)(2)-catalyzed benzannulations proceed most probably through the formation of the benzo[c]pyrylium ate complex 10, the Diels-Alder addition of alkynes 2 to the ate complex, and the resulting bicyclic pyrylium ion intermediate 12. The mechanistic difference between the AuX(3) and Cu(OTf)(2)-HA system is discussed.     

Preparative and structural studies on the carbonyl cyanides of iron, manganese, and ruthenium: fundamentals relevant to the hydrogenases

The reaction of cyanide, carbon monoxide, and ferrous derivatives led to the isolation of three products, trans- and cis-[Fe(CN)(4)(CO)(2)](2)(-) and [Fe(CN)(5)(CO)](3)(-), the first two of which were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The new compounds show self-consistent IR, (13)C NMR, and mass spectroscopic properties. The reaction of trans-[Fe(CN)(4)(CO)(2)](2)(-) with Et(4)NCN gives [Fe(CN)(5)(CO)](3)(-) via a first-order (dissociative) pathway. The corresponding cyanation of cis-[Fe(CN)(4)(CO)(2)](2)(-), which is a minor product of the Fe(II)/CN(-)/CO reaction, does not proceed at measurable rates. Methylation of [Fe(CN)(5)(CO)](3)(-) gave exclusively cis-[Fe(CN)(4)(CNMe)(CO)](2)(-), demonstrating the enhanced nucleophilicity of CN(-) trans to CN(-) vs. CN(-) trans to CO. Methylation has an electronic effect similar to that of protonation as determined electrochemically. We also characterized [M(CN)(3)(CO)(3)](n)(-) for Ru (n = 1) and Mn (n = 2) derivatives. The Ru complex, which is new, was prepared by cyanation of a [RuCl(2)(CO)(3)](2) solution.     

Palladium-catalyzed carbonylative annulation of internal alkynes: synthesis of 3,4-disubstituted coumarins

The palladium-catalyzed annulation of internal alkynes by o-iodophenols in the presence of CO results in exclusive formation of coumarins. No isomeric chromones have been observed. The best reaction conditions utilize the 2-iodophenol, 5 equiv of alkyne, 1 atm of CO, 5 mol % Pd(OAc)2, 2 equiv of pyridine, and 1 equiv of n-Bu4NCl in DMF at 120 degrees C. The use of a sterically unhindered pyridine base is essential to achieve high yields. A wide variety of 3,4-disubstituted coumarins containing alkyl, aryl, silyl, alkoxy, acyl, and ester groups have been prepared in moderate to good yields. Mixtures of regioisomers have been obtained when unsymmetrical alkynes are employed. 2-iodophenols with electron-withdrawing and electron-donating substituents and 3-iodo-2-pyridone are effective in this annulation process. The reaction is believed to proceed via (1) oxidative addition of the 2-iodophenol to Pd(0), (2) insertion of the alkyne triple bond into the aryl-palladium bond, (3) CO insertion into the resulting vinylic carbon-palladium bond, and (4) nucleophilic attack of the phenolic oxygen on the carbonyl carbon of the acylpalladium complex with simultaneous regeneration of the Pd(0) catalyst. This annulation process is the first example of intermolecular insertion of an alkyne occurring in preference to CO insertion.     

Rhenium-catalyzed regioselective synthesis of multisubstituted pyridines from β-enamino ketones and alkynes via C-C bond cleavage

A new method is described for the regioselective synthesis of multisubstituted pyridine derivatives. Treatment of N-acetyl β-enamino ketones with alkynes in the presence of the rhenium catalyst, Re(2)(CO)(10), gives multisubstituted pyridines regioselectively. In this reaction, the N-acetyl moieties are important for the selective formation of the multisubstituted pyridines. This reaction proceeds via insertion of alkynes into a carbon-carbon single bond of β-enamino ketones, intramolecular nucleophilic cyclization, and elimination of acetic acid.     

Rhodium-catalyzed 1,4-addition of terminal alkynes to vinyl ketones

The metal complex Rh(acac)(CO)₂ in the presence of an eqimolar amount of tris(o-methoxyphenyl)phosphine provides a useful catalyst system for the 1,4-addition of alkynes to unsubstituted vinyl ketones. Best yields are obtained when the transformation is performed in benzene at reflux with an excess of vinyl ketone. Both aryl and alkyl substituted alkynes participate in the reaction. Primary alcohols and alkyl chlorides are well tolerated under these reaction conditions. The reaction also proceeds in aqueous solvent mixtures, unlike most organometallic addition reactions.     

Novel approach for catalytic cyclopropanation of alkenes via (2-furyl)carbene complexes from 1-benzoyl-cis-1-buten-3-yne

The reaction of conjugated ene-yne-ketones 3 with a variety of alkenes in the presence of a catalytic amount of Cr(CO)(5)(THF) at room temperature gives (2-furyl)cyclopropanes in good yields. These cyclopropanation reactions proceed via (2-furyl)carbene-chromium intermediates 4 formed in situ from ene-yne-ketones 3. Late transition metals, such as [RuCl(2)(CO)(3)](2), [RhCl(cod)](2), PdCl(2), and PtCl(2), also catalyze effectively the cyclopropanation of styrene with 3.     

A remarkably efficient coupling of acid chlorides with alkynes in water

[reaction: see text] A highly effective direct coupling of acid chloride with terminal alkynes catalyzed by PdCl(2)(PPh(3))(2)/CuI together with a catalytic amount of sodium lauryl sulfate as the surfactant and K(2)CO(3) as the base provided ynones in high yields in water.     

A density functional theory study of rhodium-catalyzed hetero-[5+2]-cycloaddition of cyclopropyl imine derivatives and alkynes

The intermolecular [5+2]-cycloaddition mechanism of cyclopropyl imines and alkynes catalyzed by [Rh(CO)2Cl]2 has been studied using density functional theory, comparing this multistep process with the two-step reaction in the absence of catalyst. Calculations show that a similar mechanism to that found for dihydroazepines could also lead to the formation of oxepines by replacing the imine nitrogen by oxygen. The results indicate that the formation of the oxepine can proceed with smaller barriers than those found for dihydroazepines. In fact, energy barriers are even smaller than those for other reactions employed for oxepine production, exhibiting values similar to those obtained for the reactions between acetilene and vinylcyclopropanes. Several substituted alkynes were tested for the reaction leading to no significant differences among them.     

Ruthenium-catalyzed regio- and stereoselective addition of carboxylic acids to aryl and trifluoromethyl group substituted unsymmetrical internal alkynes

The regio- and stereoselective addition of carboxylic acids to aryl and trifluoromethyl group substituted unsymmetrical internal alkynes has been accomplished: the Ru(3)(CO)(12)/3PPh(3) catalyst system has effectively catalyzed the reaction to afford the trifluoromethyl group substituted (E)-enol esters with high regio- and stereoselectivities.     

Switch in stereoselectivity caused by the isocyanide structure in the rhodium-catalyzed silylimination of alkynes

The reaction of terminal alkynes with hydrosilanes and tert-alkyl isocyanides in the presence of Rh(4)(CO)(12) gives (Z)-β-silyl-α,β-unsaturated imines in good yields. On the other hand, the use of aryl isocyanides in place of tert-alkyl isocyanides leads to the formation of E isomers.