Tetraphosphine/palladium-catalyzed Heck reactions of aryl halides with disubstituted alkenes

cis,cis,cis-1,2,3,4-Tetrakis(diphenylphosphinomethyl)cyclopentane/[PdCl(C₃H₅)]₂ efficiently catalyses the Heck reaction of disubstituted alkenes such as methyl crotonate, ethyl cinnamate, methyl methacrylate or α-methylstyrene with a variety of aryl halides. In the presence of 1,2-disubstituted alkenes the stereoselectivities of the reactions strongly depend on the substituents of the alkenes. Selectivities up to 97% in favor of E-isomers can be obtained for the addition to methyl crotonate. With the 1,1-disubstituted alkenes methyl methacrylate or α-methylstyrene mixtures of products are obtained.     

Palladium-catalyzed aziridination of alkenes using N,N-dichloro-p-toluenesulfonamide as nitrogen source

N,N-Dichloro-p-toluenesulfonamide (TsNCl₂) was found to be an efficient nitrogen source for the aziridination of unfunctionalized alkenes using palladium catalysts. Among the palladium salts, palladium acetate was the most effective catalyst for this reaction. A variety of alkenes were reacted at room temperature with TsNCl₂ to form the desired aziridines in moderate to good yields. This method can complement our previous protocol which is limited to the use of electron-deficient α,β-unsaturated alkenes.     

Z-Selective intramolecular Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reaction for the synthesis of macrocyclic alkenes

The Z-selective intramolecular Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reaction of the substrates 7-12 (RO)₂P(O)CHR′CO₂Et (R′ = (CH₂)_nCHO) (R = Ph or o-tBuC₆H₄) gives the 13-18-membered cyclic alkenes selectively (up to Z:E = 97:3) in good yields using NaH in THF under high dilution conditions.     

Practical one-pot sequential procedure for the preparation of N-arylated 3,4-disubstituted pyrroles from alkenes

By using ^tBuONa and Cs₂CO₃ as a mixed base, van Leusen pyrrole synthesis and copper-catalyzed N-arylation of pyrrole proceeded sequentially in a single flask to give N-arylated 3,4-disubstituted pyrroles smoothly. Thus, a series of desired N-arylated pyrroles were prepared directly from the electron-deficient alkenes.     

Scope, limitations and mechanistic aspects in the selective homogeneous palladium-catalyzed reduction of alkenes under transfer hydrogen conditions

A new and efficient mild Pd/P(t-Bu)₃ catalyst for selective reduction of various alkenes under transfer hydrogen conditions has been developed leading to the corresponding saturated derivatives in chemical yields varying from 65 to 98%. Mechanistic rationale of this reaction has been also demonstrated.     

Selective copper(II)-catalyzed aerobic oxidative cleavage of aromatic gem-disubstituted alkenes to carbonyl compounds under neutral and mild conditions

Three copper(II) catalytic systems, CuCl₂·2H₂O, CuCl₂·2H₂O+phenanthroline, and [Cu(μ-Cl)Cl(phen)]₂ were used to cleave alkenes to their corresponding carbonyl compounds under aerobic and neutral conditions. [Cu(μ-Cl)Cl(phen)]₂ shows enhanced selectivity over the other two catalytic systems. The oxidative cleavage reactions were carried out in mixed H₂O/THF solvent system under oxygen (4 atm) at 60°C. The real oxidant is 2-hydroperoxytetrahydrofuran, which is generated in situ in the process through the reaction between THF and oxygen catalyzed by copper(II). The cleavage reactions are selective for aromatic gem-disubstituted alkenes. Aromatic internal alkenes are slow to be oxidized, and both aliphatic terminal and internal alkenes are inert to oxidative cleavage. Free radical scavenger 2,2,6,6, tetramethylpiperidinyl-1-oxyl (TEMPO) deactivates the reaction indicating the involvement of free radical path in the reaction mechanism.     

Transesterifications mediated by t-BuNH2

A mild protocol for transesterification of simple esters is described. The method is based on the use of t-BuNH₂/ROH (R = Me, Et, i-Pr, t-Bu) with or without LiBr. The scope of the procedure was explored for aliphatic and aromatic esters. The protocol is particularly useful when going from higher to lower hindered esters and harsh reaction conditions are needed for the reversal process. A rationalization of the mechanism is presented. The scope and limitation of this transformation are also described.     

Regioselective aminobromination of terminal alkenes

The addition of t-butyl N,N-dibromocarbamate (BBC) to a variety of terminal alkenes has been studied. The reaction was spontaneously initiated and proceeded smoothly in refluxing dichloromethane. The N-bromo adducts, formed upon addition, could be reduced in situ with aqueous sodium sulfite to give the corresponding 2-bromo-N-Boc-amines. Immediate deprotection of these compounds with gaseous HCl or p-toluenesulfonic acid afforded 2-bromoamine hydrochlorides or tosylates in pure state and good overall yields. The observed regioselectivity for anti-Markovnikov addition, as proven by NMR and MS, is fully consistent with the radical-chain mechanism proposed for the reaction.     

A novel highly regio- and diastereoselective haloamination of alkenes catalyzed by divalent palladium

From the readily available allylic alcohols or allylic amines, a novel Pd(II)-CuCl₂-catalyzed haloamination reaction of alkenes with high chemo-, regio-, and diastereo-selectivity was developed. The reaction proceeds through trans-aminopalladation of alkenes, followed by oxidative cleavage of the carbon-palladium bond with retention of configuration.     

Vicinal alkylation-carboxymethylation of electron-poor alkenes by radical-chain reactions with O-alkyl O-silyl ketene acetals and their [3+2] annulation by reaction with O-cyclopropylcarbinyl O-silyl ketene acetals

O-Silyl ketene acetals of the type H₂CC(OR)OSiMe₂Bu^t, in which R is a tertiary or secondary alkyl group, react with electron-poor alkenes to bring about vicinal alkylation-carboxymethylation of the latter. When R is a cyclopropyldimethylcarbinyl group such reactions take a more complex course involving ring opening of the cyclopropylcarbinyl radical and lead ultimately to [3+2] annulation of the alkene.     

Cobalt-catalyzed dimerization of alkenes

In the presence of CoX₂(PPh₃)₂/3 PPh₃ and zinc metal conjugated alkenes (CH₂CHCOOR, CH₂CHCN, CH₂CHSO₂Ph and CH₂CHCONEt₂) undergo reductive tail-to-tail dimerization to yield the corresponding saturated linear products. Under similar reaction conditions, vinylarenes (ArCHCH₂) give stereoselective head-to-tail dimerization products, trans-1,3-diarylbut-1-ene, in good to excellent yields.     

Heck reaction of aryl halides with linear or cyclic alkenes catalysed by a tetraphosphine/palladium catalyst

cis,cis,cis-1,2,3,4-Tetrakis(diphenylphosphinomethyl)cyclopentane/[PdCl(C₃H₅)]₂ system catalyses efficiently the Heck reaction of aryl halides with linear alkenes such as pent-1-ene, oct-1-ene or dec-1-ene. Selectivities up to 70% in favour of E-1-arylalk-1-ene isomers can be obtained. In the presence of cyclic alkenes the selectivities of the reactions strongly depends on the ring size. Addition to cyclohexene or cycloheptene led mainly to 1-arylcycloalk-3-ene derivatives. On the other hand, addition to cyclooctene led to 1-arylcycloalk-1-ene adducts.     

Organocatalyzed regio- and stereoselective diamination of functionalized alkenes

The first organocatalyzed diamination reaction of alkenes with N,N-dichlorotoluenesulfonamide (TsNCl₂) and acetonitrile as nitrogen sources was reported. The catalytic diamination reaction was convenient to carry out, resulting in imidazoline products with good yields and excellent regio- and stereoselectivities. Several other organic molecules were also tried as catalyst for this reaction and good results were achieved. A new one-pot synthesis of vicinal diamines via the current PPh₃-catalyzed diamination and the hydrolysis of resulting imidazoline products with SnCl₄ as promoter was also established.     

Reaction of CBrF2-CBrF2 with hydrazones of aromatic aldehydes: Novel efficient synthesis of fluorocontaining alkanes, alkenes and alkynes

An olefination of hydrazones of aromatic aldehydes by CBrF₂-CBrF₂ under copper catalysis was investigated. In situ prepared aldehydes hydrazones were converted to (3-bromo-2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl)arenes by reaction with CBrF₂-CBrF₂ in the presence of CuCl. Subsequent elimination of HF by sodium hydroxide resulted in stereospecific formation of fluorocontaining alkenes. Elimination proceeds stereoselectively, only Z-isomers of alkenes are formed. Elimination of two molecules of HF from (3-bromo-2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl)arenes by treatment with potassium tert-butoxide leads to formation of (bromodifluoromethyl)alkynes. As a result a simple and efficient transformation of aromatic aldehydes to range of various fluorinated alkanes, alkenes and alkynes was elaborated.     

Recent advances in the synthetic and mechanistic aspects of the ruthenium-catalyzed carbon-heteroatom bond forming reactions of alkenes and alkynes

The group’s recent advances in catalytic carbon-to-heteroatom bond forming reactions of alkenes and alkynes are described. For the C-O bond formation reaction, a well-defined bifunctional ruthenium-amido catalyst has been successfully employed for the conjugate addition of alcohols to acrylic compounds. The ruthenium-hydride complex (PCy₃)₂(CO)RuHCl was found to be a highly effective catalyst for the regioselective alkyne-to-carboxylic acid coupling reaction in yielding synthetically useful enol ester products. Cationic ruthenium-hydride catalyst generated in-situ from (PCy₃)₂(CO)RuHCl/HBF₄·OEt₂ was successfully utilized for both the hydroamination and related C-N bond forming reactions of alkenes. For the C-Si bond formation reaction, regio- and stereoselective dehydrosilylation of alkenes and hydrosilylation of alkynes have been developed by using a well-defined ruthenium-hydride catalyst. Scope and mechanistic aspects of these carbon-to-heteroatom bond forming reactions are discussed.     

Hydrated surface structure and its impacts on the stabilization of t-ZrO2

We first optimized the preparation conditions to 3.6-6.0 nm ZrO₂ in a pure tetragonal structure (t-phase). All samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscope, thermal analysis, Raman spectra, and infrared spectra. It is found that the surfaces of t-ZrO₂ nanostructures were terminated by an amorphous hydration layer co-existing with small amounts of carbonate molecules. With the removal of hydrated surface layers under hydrothermal conditions at T>150 °C, t-ZrO₂ nanostructures became thermodynamically unstable, which partially transformed into monoclinic ZrO₂ (m-phase). Such a transformation occurs initially at surface regions and then develops into the bulk. High-temperature annealing in air could also remove the hydrated surface layers, which is however followed by a gradual transformation of t-ZrO₂ into m-ZrO₂ in both bulk and surface regions. These observations are explained in terms of the difference in surface free energies of m-ZrO₂ and t-ZrO₂ upon H₂O adsorption.     

Magnetic and structural properties of Cr1−tTitAs

The pseudobinary CrAsTiAs system has been investigated by X-ray and neutron diffraction and magnetic susceptibility measurements at temperatures between 10 and 1000 K. The phase diagram includes paramagnetic regions with the MnP-, NiAs-, and TiP-type structures and a low-temperature helimagnetic, MnP-type state for0.00 ≦ t ≦ 0.10 of Cr_1?tTi_tAs. The first-order para- to helimagnetic transition in Cr_1?tTi_tAs is accompanied by a hysteresis of 10–15 K. The results are discussed in relation to the findings for other Cr_1?tT_tAs(T =V, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni) andCrAs_1?xX_x (X = P, Sb, Se) phases.     

Synthesis of B-trisubstituted borazines via the rhodium-catalyzed hydroboration of alkenes with N,N′,N″-trimethyl or N,N′,N″-triethylborazine

Hydroboration of terminal and internal alkenes with N,N′,N″-trimethyl- and N,N′,N″-triethylborazine was carried out at 50 °C in the presence of a rhodium(I) catalyst. Addition of dppb or DPEphos (1 equiv.) to RhH(CO)(PPh₃)₃ gave the best catalyst for hydroboration of ethylene at 50 °C, resulting in a quantitative yield of B,B′,B″-triethyl-N,N′,N″-trimethylborazine. On the other hand, a complex prepared from (t-Bu)₃P (4 equiv.) and [Rh(coe)₂Cl]₂ gave the best yield for hydroboration of terminal or internal alkenes.     

Alkenoxy radicals in gas-phase reactions of alkenes with oxygen atoms or ozone

Observations in the O₃ + trans-2-butene reaction system and in the O + trans-2-butene + O₂ reaction system suggest the intermediacy of alkenoxy radicals. A mechanism is proposed for the production of C_n and C_m (m <n) alkenoxy radicals by the reaction of C_nH_2n alkenes with oxygen atoms or with ozone.     

Homolytic hydrogermylation of alkenes with dibutylchlorogermane

In the presence of Et₃B-dry air, dibutylchlorogermane (Bu₂GeClH) reacted smoothly with alkenes at room temperature to give hydrogermylation products in high yields. This homolytic hydrogermylation was applicable to various alkenes including electron-deficient, electron-rich, and internal alkenes. Under the same conditions, tributylgermane (Bu₃GeH) showed much lower reactivity than Bu₂GeClH. The Et₃B-initiated reaction of 1,6-dienes with Bu₂GeClH gave germylmethylated cyclopentanes.