Mechanistic Study of the Rhodium‐Catalyzed [3+2+2] Carbocyclization of Alkenylidenecyclopropanes with Alkynes

A systematic theoretical study has been performed on the recently reported Rh^I‐catalyzed [3+2+2] carbocyclization reactions between alkenylidenecyclopropanes (ACPs) and alkynes. With the aid of theoretical calculations, two possible mechanisms, that is, alkene‐carbometalation‐first and alkyne‐carbometalation‐first mechanisms, are examined in this study. In the oxidative addition step, the possibility of reaction on either the distal or proximal C? C bond of the cyclopropane group has been evaluated. The calculations indicate that the alkene‐activation‐first mechanism is more favored for the overall catalytic cycle. This mechanism involves four steps, that is, oxidative addition of the distal (rather than the proximal) C? C bond of cyclopropane group, alkene carbometalation, alkyne carbometalation, and reductive elimination. The rate‐determining step in the overall catalytic cycle is the carbometalation of the alkyne (i.e., the alkyne‐insertion step) and this step also determines the regioselectivity. Finally, the origin of the regioselectivity is determined by the steric effect (i.e., the steric crowding between the electron‐withdrawing group on alkyne and other ligands on the rhodium center) in the alkyne‐insertion step.     

Rhodium‐Catalyzed Intramolecular [5+2] Cycloaddition of Inverted 3‐Acyloxy‐1,4‐enyne and Alkyne: Experimental and Theoretical Studies

By switching the position of the alkene and alkyne, a new type of 3‐acyloxy‐1,4‐enyne (ACE) five‐carbon building block was developed for Rh‐catalyzed intramolecular [5+2] cycloaddition. An electron‐withdrawing acyl group on the alkyne termini of the ACE was essential for a regioselective 1,2‐acyloxy migration. This new method provided bicyclic [5.3.0]decatrienes that are different from previous methods because of the positions of the alkenes and the acyloxy group. Multiple mechanistic pathways become possible for this new [5+2] cycloaddition and they are investigated by computational studies.     

Cross‐Metathesis of Terminal Alkynes

Terminal acetylenes are amongst the most problematic substrates for alkyne metathesis because they tend to undergo rapid polymerization on contact with a metal alkylidyne. The molybdenum complex 3 endowed with triphenylsilanolate ligands, however, is capable of inducing surprisingly effective cross‐metathesis reactions of terminal alkyl acetylenes with propynyl(trimethyl)silane to give products of type R¹?C?CSiMe . This unconventional way of introducing a silyl substituent onto an alkyne terminus complements the conventional tactics of deprotonation/silylation and excels as an orthogonal way of alkyne protecting group chemistry for substrates bearing base‐sensitive functionalities. Moreover, it is shown that even terminal aryl acetylenes can be cross‐metathesized with internal alkyne partners. These unprecedented transformations are compatible with various functional groups. The need to suppress acetylene formation, which seems to be a particularly effective catalyst poison, is also discussed.     

Living cationic polymerization of a vinyl ether with an unprotected pendant alkynyl group and their use for the protecting group‐free synthesis of macromonomer‐type glycopolymers via CuAAC with maltosyl azides

An asymmetric bifunctional monomer having both an unprotected alkynyl group and a vinyl ether (VE) group (3‐[2‐(2‐vinyloxyethoxy)‐ethoxy]‐propyne [VEEP]) was newly designed and found that the polymerization of VEEP smoothly proceeded in a controlled manner under a living cationic polymerization condition to give alkyne‐substituted polyVE (polyVEEP) without any protection of the pendant alkynyl function. Next, the use of an initiator with a methacryloyl moiety for the living cationic polymerization of VEEP afforded macromonomer‐type polyVE (MA‐PVEEP) carrying pendant alkynyl groups. The potential ability of the resultant macromonomer as an alkyne‐substituted polymer for the copper(I)‐catalyzed alkyne‐azide cycloaddition (CuAAC) was also confirmed. A novel macromonomer‐type glycopolymer [MA‐P(VE‐Mal)] having pendant maltose residues and a terminal methacryloyl group was successfully synthesized by CuAAC of MA‐PVEEP with maltosyl azide. Thus, a new pathway to the controlled synthesis of macromonomer‐type glycopolymers of free from any protecting/deprotecting processes was demonstrated. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019 , 57, 681–688     

In‐situ Generated and Premade 1‐Copper(I) Alkynes in Cycloadditions

The copper(I)‐catalyzed azide‐alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) was discovered in 2002, which has become the most remarkable example for “click chemistry” to date. In CuAAC reaction, 1‐copper(I) alkyne has been recognized to be a key intermediate. However, many contradictory experimental results for this intermediate were reported in literature. For example, only the in‐situ generated 1‐copper(I) alkyne was used, while the premade 1‐copper(I) alkyne proved to be inefficient under the standard conditions. The kinetic studies indicated that CuAAC reaction had a strict second‐order dependence on Cu(I) and the DFT studies demonstrated that 1‐copper(I) alkyne intermediate should be a dinuclear copper(I) complex. But these results were inconsistent with the structure of the premade 1‐copper(I) alkyne. Although hundreds of structurally different ligands were reported to significantly enhance the efficiency of CuAAC reaction, their functions were assigned to prevent the oxidation and the disproportionation of Cu(I) ion. Based on the investigation of the references and our works, we proposed that the in‐situ generated 1‐copper(I) alkyne in CuAAC reaction is not identical with the premade 1‐copper(I) alkyne. The ligands may play dual roles to activate the 1‐copper(I) alkyne by blocking the polymerization of the in‐situ formed 1‐copper(I) alkynes and dissociating the polymeric structures of the premade 1‐copper(I) alkynes. As a result, we first disclosed that carboxylic acids can function as such activators and a novel carboxylic acid‐catalyzed CuAAC strategy was developed, which has been proven to be the most convenient and highly efficient CuAAC method to date. Furthermore, highly efficient and regioselective methods for the syntheses of 1,4,5‐trisubstituted 1,2,3‐triazoles were developed by using the premade 1‐copper(I) alkynes as substrates, in which the novel function of the premade 1‐copper(I) alkynes as excellent dipolarophiles was first disclosed and applied. In this article, a series of works reported by our group for the in‐situ generated and the premade 1‐copper(I) alkynes in cycloadditions are reviewed.     

Electrode Modification Using Alkynyl Substituted Fe(II) Phthalocyanine via Electrografting and Click Chemistry for Electrocatalysis

In this work, tetrakis(5‐hexyn‐oxy)Fe(II) phthalocyanine was synthesised in order to perform a click reaction between the terminal alkyne groups and an azide group on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) surface. An azide group was formed on the electrode surface following electrografting using 4‐azidobenzene diazonium tetrafluoroborate by electrochemical reduction. The Cu(I) catalyzed alkyne‐azide Huisgen cycloaddition reaction was then employed in order to react the terminal alkyne groups on the phthalocyanine with the azide groups on the GCE surface. The modified electrode was employed to catalyse the oxidation of hydrazine. The electrode showed good electrocatalytic ability towards the detection of hydrazine with a sensitivity of 15.38 µA mM^?1 and a limit of detection of 1.09 µM.     

Ruthenium‐catalyzed cyclizations of enynes via a ruthenacyclopentene intermediate: Development of three novel cyclizations controlled by a substituent on alkyne of enyne

Three novel ruthenium‐catalyzed cyclizations of enynes were developed. In each cyclization, a ruthenacyclopentene derived from enyne and Cp*RuCl(cod) is a common intermediate. When an enyne having an alkyl, an ester, or a formyl group on an alkyne was reacted with Cp*RuCl(cod) under ethylene gas, ethylene was inserted into the ruthenium‐sp² carbon bond of ruthenacyclopentene to afford ruthenacycloheptene, and β‐hydrogen elimination followed by reductive elimination occurred to give a cyclic compound having a 1,3‐diene moiety. When an acyl group was placed on the alkyne, the carbonyl oxygen coordinated to the ruthenium metal of ruthenacyclopentene to produce a ruthenium carbene complex, which reacted with ethylene to give a cyclic compound having a cyclopropane ring on the substituent. On the other hand, when the substituent on the alkyne was pent‐4‐enyl, insertion of an alkene part into ruthenacyclopentene followed by reductive elimination gave a tricyclic compound by a ruthenium‐catalyzed [2 + 2 + 2] cyclization of diene and an alkyne. DOI 10.1002/tcr.201100003     

A conjugated alkyne functional bicyclic polybenzoxazine with superior heat resistance

A difunctional benzoxazine (coPh‐apa) with a conjugated alkyne group is synthesized by the oxidative coupling reaction from a monocycle‐benzoxazine (Ph‐apa) containing an alkyne group. A model compound, 1,4‐diphenylbutadiyne (coPa), is used to study the curing reaction process of coPh‐apa by DSC, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and ¹³C NMR, and the results suggest that the conjugated alkyne groups are involved in the crosslinking reaction via the trimerization reaction of the conjugated alkynyl groups and the Diels–Alder reaction. Furthermore, thermal properties of the polybenzoxazine are studied by dynamic thermomechanical analysis and thermogravimetric analysis. A glass‐transition temperature (T_gs) of as high as 412 °C and a char yield of 75.6% at 800 °C under nitrogen are obtained with the aid of the conjugated alkyne groups. Its excellent heat resistance dominates most thermosetting resins and will serve for heat shields. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019, 57, 1587–1592     

Surface‐Dependent Chemoselectivity in C−C Coupling Reactions

Surface‐confined covalent coupling reactions of the linear compound 4‐(but‐3‐en‐1‐ynyl)‐4′‐ethynyl‐1,1′‐biphenyl ( 1 ), which contains one alkyne and one enyne group on opposing ends, have been investigated using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The reactions show a surface‐dependent chemoselectivity: on Au(111), compound 1 preferentially yields cyclotrimerization products, while on Cu(111), a selective coupling between the enyne and alkyne groups is observed. Linear, V‐shaped string formations combined with Y‐shaped bifurcation motifs result in a random reticulation on the entire surface. DFT calculations show that the C?H???π^δ? transition state of the reaction between the deprotonated alkyne group and a nearby H‐donor of the alkene group plays a key role in the mechanism and high chemoselectivity. This study highlights a concept that opens new avenues to the surface‐confined synthesis of covalent carbon‐based sp–sp² polymers.     

Controllable glycosylation of polyphosphazene via radical thiol–yne click chemistry

We describe a versatile approach to synthesize glycosylated polyphosphazenes with controllable density of glycosyl groups. These glycopolymers have been synthesized by the nucleophilic substitution of poly(dichlorophosphazene) with propargylamine and subsequent “thiol–yne” click reaction between poly[di(propargylamine)phosphazene] and 2,3,4,6‐tetra‐O‐acetyl‐1‐thio‐β‐D ‐glucopyranose (SH‐GlcAc₄). The polymers were characterized with FTIR and ¹H NMR. We found that the high steric hindrance of SH‐GlcAc₄ plays a key role in the overall reaction process, and ～55% of the alkyne groups participate in the “thiol–yne” click reaction. About 8% of the alkyne groups convert to alkene groups at the end of click reaction. The substitution of alkyne/alkane mixture was conducted to reduce the alkyne density in the side groups of polyphosphazenes and minimize the influences of this steric effect. Mixed‐substituent polyphosphazene was synthesized with 2:3 ratio of alkyne and alkane. In this case, almost no alkyne group remains after the “thiol–yne” click reaction, and thus the glycosylated polyphosphazene is able to form into micelles through self‐assembly process. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Rhodium(III)‐Catalyzed Atroposelective Synthesis of Biaryls by C−H Activation and Intermolecular Coupling with Sterically Hindered Alkynes

Reported herein is the atroposelective synthesis of biaryl NH isoquinolones by Rh^III‐catalyzed C?H activation of benzamides and intermolecular [4+2] annulation for a broad scope of 2‐substituted 1‐alkynylnaphthalenes, as well as sterically hindered, symmetric diarylacetylenes. The axial chirality is constructed based on dynamic kinetic transformation of the alkyne in redox‐neutral annulation with benzamides, with alkyne insertion being stereodetermining. The reaction accommodates both benzamides and heteroaryl carboxamides and proceeds in excellent regioselectivity (if applicable) and enantioselectivities (average 91.8 % ee). An enantiomerically and diastereomerically pure rhodacyclic complex was prepared and offers insight into enantiomeric control of the coupling system, wherein the steric interactions between the amide directing group and the alkyne substrate dictate both the regio‐ and enantioselectivity.     

Conjugated Polymer with Intrinsic Alkyne Units for Synergistically Enhanced Raman Imaging in Living Cells

Development of Raman‐active materials with enhanced and distinctive Raman vibrations in the Raman‐silent region (1800–2800 cm⁻¹) is highly required for specific molecular imaging of living cells with high spatial resolution. Herein, water‐soluble cationic conjugated polymers (CCPs), poly(phenylene ethynylene) (PPE) derivatives, are explored for use as alkyne‐state‐dependent Raman probes for living cell imaging due to synergetic enhancement effect of alkyne vibrations in Raman‐silent region compared to alkyne‐containing small molecules. The enhanced alkyne signals result from the integration of alkyne groups into the rigid backbone and the delocalized π‐conjugated structure. PPE‐based conjugated polymer nanoparticles (CPNs) were also prepared as Raman‐responsive nanomaterials for distinct imaging application. This work opens a new way into the development of conjugated polymer materials for enhanced Raman imaging.     

Reversible Assembly of a Supramolecular Cage Linked by Boron–Nitrogen Dative Bonds

Boron–nitrogen dative bonds provide a suitable motif for reversible, yet strong and directed interactions, leading to the highly efficient self‐assembly of small organic building blocks into supramolecular cage structures. A bipyramidal [2+3] assembly, as the first example of a supramolecular cage mediated by B?N dative bonds that exists as a discrete species in solution, is quantitatively obtained from a tribenzotriquinacene‐based trisboronate ester and 1,4‐diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane. Thermodynamic equilibria of cage formation are investigated by isothermal titration calorimetry and fully reversible cage opening can be observed at elevated temperatures.     

A Novel Pd‐Catalysed Annulation Reaction for the Syntheses of Pyrroloindoles and Pyrroloquinolines

Pd‐catalysed annulation reactions between indole derivatives and internal alkyne esters leading to various pyrrolo[1,2‐a]indoles and pyrroloquinolines have been developed. The strategy involves an intermolecular addition of the indole nitrogen on to the internal alkyne ester followed by an intramolecular insertion of a vinyl–palladium complex into the carbonyl group. This method offers a facile and practical approach to pyrrolo[1,2‐a]indoles and pyrroloquinolines.     

Chelation‐Assisted Nickel‐Catalyzed Oxidative Annulation via Double C−H Activation/Alkyne Insertion Reaction

A nickel/NHC system for regioselective oxidative annulation by double C?H bond activation and concomitant alkyne insertion is described. The catalytic reaction requires a bidentate directing group, such as an 8‐aminoquinoline, embedded in the substrate. Various 5,6,7,8‐tetrasubstituted‐N‐(quinolin‐8‐yl)‐1‐naphthamides can be prepared as well as phenanthrene and benzo[h]quinoline amide derivatives. Diarylalkynes, dialkylalkynes, and arylalkylalkynes can be used in the system. A Ni⁰/Ni^II catalytic cycle is proposed as the main catalytic cycle. The alkyne plays a double role as a two‐component coupling partner and as a hydrogen acceptor.     

Gold(I)/Chiral Brønsted Acid Catalyzed Enantioselective Hydroamination–Hydroarylation of Alkynes: The Effect of a Remote Hydroxyl Group on the Reactivity and Enantioselectivity

The catalytic enantioselective hydroamination–hydroarylation of alkynes under the catalysis of (R₃P)AuMe/(S)‐3,3′‐bis(2,4,6‐triisopropylphenyl)‐1,1′‐binaphthyl‐2,2′‐diyl hydrogenphosphate ((S)‐TRIP) is reported. The alkyne was reacted with a range of pyrrole‐based aromatic amines to give pyrrole‐embedded aza‐heterocyclic scaffolds bearing a quaternary carbon center. The presence of a hydroxyl group in the alkyne tether turned out to be very crucial for obtaining products in high yields and enantioselectivities. The mechanism of enantioinduction was established by carefully performing experimental and computational studies.     

Ethylene glycol‐based ionic liquids via azide/alkyne click chemistry

A facile synthetic route for the preparation of dicationic ethylene glycol based‐ionic liquids (ILs) via the azide/alkyne “click” reaction is presented. The copper(I) catalyzed, microwave‐assisted azide/alkyne “click” reaction between diazido‐ethylene glycols and the corresponding alkyne containing IL‐head group enables a simple preparation of different sets of poly(ethylene glycol)‐based ILs. Beside tetra‐ and hexa(ethylene glycol)‐based ILs, also oligomeric (M_n = 400 g/mol) and polymeric ILs (M_n up to 1550 g/mol) could be prepared in good yield and with full conversion of the ionic head group. The prepared ILs were extensively characterized via NMR spectroscopy and ESI‐time‐of‐flight (TOF) mass spectroscopy, revealing the formation of multiply charged ions in the negative mode. Thermal stability proved to be exceptionally high (up to 300 °C) together with low glass‐transition temperatures. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013     

Oligonucleosides with a Nucleobase‐Including Backbone,Part 3, Synthesis of Acetyleno‐Linked Adenosine Dimers

The adenosine‐derived dimers 14a – d and 15b – d have been prepared by coupling the protected 8‐iodoadenosines 3 and 13 with the C(5′)‐ethynylated adenosine derivatives 5 , 6 , 11 , and 12 (Scheme 4). Similarly, the 5′‐epimeric dimer 16 was prepared by coupling 3 with the alkyne 8 (Scheme 5). The propargylic alcohol 4 was transformed into the N‐benzoylated alkyne 5 and into the amine 6 , while the epimeric alcohol 7 was converted to the epimeric amine 8 and the 5′‐deoxy analogues 11 and 12 (Scheme 3). Cross‐coupling of the iodoadenosine 13 with the alkyne 5 to 14a was optimised; it is influenced by the N‐benzoyl and the Et₃SiO group of the alkyne, but hardly by the N‐benzoyl group of the 8‐iodoadenosine. The alkyne is most reactive when it is O‐silylated, but not N‐benzoylated. Cross‐coupling of the 5′‐deoxyalkynes proceeded more slowly. The dimers 14a – d , 15b – d , and 16 were obtained in good yields (Table 2). Deprotection of 14d and 16 led to 18 and 20 , respectively (Scheme 5). The diols 17 and 19 and the hexols 18 and 20 prefer the syn‐conformation in (D₆)DMSO, completely for unit II and ≥80% for unit I; they exhibit partially persistent intramolecular O(5′)−H⋅⋅⋅N(3) H‐bonds. The persistence increases from 18% (unit I of 19 ), 32% (unit II of 17 and 19 ), 45% (unit I of 17 ), 52% (unit II of 18 and 20 ), and 55% (unit I of 20 ) to 82% (unit I of 18 ).     

A “Catch‐and‐Release” Protocol for Alkyne‐Tagged Molecules Based on a Resin‐Bound Cobalt Complex for Peptide Enrichment in Aqueous Media

The development of new and mild protocols for the specific enrichment of biomolecules is of significant interest from the perspective of chemical biology. A cobalt–phosphine complex immobilised on a solid‐phase resin has been found to selectively bind to a propargyl carbamate tag, that is, “catch”, under dilute aqueous conditions (pH 7) at 4 °C. Upon acidic treatment of the resulting resin‐bound alkyne–cobalt complex, the Nicholas reaction was induced to “release” the alkyne‐tagged molecule from the resin as a free amine. Model studies revealed that selective enrichment of the alkyne‐tagged molecule could be achieved with high efficiency at 4 °C. The proof‐of‐concept was applied to an alkyne‐tagged amino acid and dipeptide. Studies using an alkyne‐tagged dipeptide proved that this protocol is compatible with various amino acids bearing a range of functionalities in the side‐chain. In addition, selective enrichment and detection of an amine derived from the “catch and release” of an alkyne‐tagged dipeptide in the presence of various peptides has been accomplished under highly dilute conditions, as determined by mass spectrometry.     

Frustrated Lewis Pair Mediated 1,2‐Hydrocarbation of Alkynes

Frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) chemistry enables a rare example of alkyne 1,2‐hydrocarbation with N‐methylacridinium salts as the carbon Lewis acid. This 1,2‐hydrocarbation process does not proceed through a concerted mechanism as in alkyne syn‐hydroboration, or through an intramolecular 1,3‐hydride migration as operates in the only other reported alkyne 1,2‐hydrocarbation reaction. Instead, in this study, alkyne 1,2‐hydrocarbation proceeds by a novel mechanism involving alkyne dehydrocarbation with a carbon Lewis acid based FLP to form the new C−C bond. Subsequently, intermolecular hydride transfer occurs, with the Lewis acid component of the FLP acting as a hydride shuttle that enables alkyne 1,2‐hydrocarbation.