Understanding the reactivity of captodative ethylenes in polar cycloaddition reactions. A theoretical study

The electrophilic/nucleophilic character of a series of captodative (CD) ethylenes involved in polar cycloaddition reactions has been studied using DFT methods at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level of theory. The transition state structures for the electrophilic/nucleophilic interactions of two CD ethylenes toward a nucleophilically activated ethylene, 2-methylene-1,3-dioxolane, and an electrophilically activated ethylene, 1,1-dicyanoethyelene, have been studied, and their electronic structures have been characterized using both NBO and ELF methods. Analysis of the reactivity indexes of the CD ethylenes explains the reactivity of these species. While the electrophilicity of the molecules accounts for the reactivity toward nucleophiles, it is shown that a simple index chosen for the nucleophilicity, Nu, based on the HOMO energy is useful explaining the reactivity of these CD ethylenes toward electrophiles.     

An understanding of the electrophilic/nucleophilic behavior of electro-deficient 2,3-disubstituted 1,3-butadienes in polar diels-alder reactions. A density functional theory study

The electrophilic/nucleophilic behavior of dimethyl 2,3-dimethylenesuccinate 1, an electron-deficient 2,3-disubstituted 1,3-butadiene, in polar Diels-Alder reactions has been studied using DFT methods at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level of theory. The electronic nature of bonding of the transition structures involved in the cycloaddition reactions of the diene 1 toward the nucleophilically activated dienophile 6 and the strong electrophilically activated dienophile 7 has been carefully examined within the natural bond orbital (NBO) and the topological analysis of the electron localization function (ELF) frameworks. Additionally, a study of the global electrophilicity pattern of the reagents at the ground state was performed. This evidence allows us to rationalize the participation of electron-deficient 2-susbtituted and 2,3-disubstituted 1,3-butadienes as nucleophiles in polar Diels-Alder reactions.     

Lewis acid-catalyzed [4 + 3] cycloaddition of 2-(trimethyl silyloxy)acrolein with furan. Insight on the nature of the mechanism from a DFT analysis

[reaction: see text]. The mechanism for the Lewis acid-catalyzed [4 + 3] cycloaddition of 2-(trimethylsilyloxy)acrolein 1 with furan 2 has been studied at the B3LYP/6-31G level. This reaction is a three-step process that is initialized by the nucleophilic attack of 2 to the beta-conjugated position of 1 to give a zwitterionic intermediate IN1. The key step on the formation of the seven-membered ring is the electrophilic attack of the furan residue to the electrophilically activated carbonyl carbon at this intermediate.     

Reaction of phenyl radicals with propyne

The potential energy surface (PES) for the phenyl + propyne reaction, which might contribute to the growth of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) under a wide variety of reaction conditions, is described. The PES was characterized at the B3LYP-DFT/6-31G(d) and B3LYP-DFT/6-311+G(d,p) levels of theory. The energies of the entrance transition states, a direct hydrogen-transfer channel and two addition reactions leading to chemically activated C(9)H(9) intermediates, were also evaluated at the QCISD(T)/ 6-311G(d,p) and CCSD(T)/6-311G(d,p) levels of theory. An extensive set of unimolecular reactions was examined for these activated C(9)H(9)(dagger) intermediates, comprising 70 equilibrium structures and over 150 transition states, and product formation channels leading to substituted acetylenes and allenes such as PhCCH, PhCCCH(3), and PhCHCCH(2) were identified. The lowest energy pathway leads to indene, a prototype PAH molecule containing a five-membered ring. The title reaction thus is an example of possible direct formation of a PAH containing a five-membered ring, necessary to explain formation of nonplanar PAH structures, from an aromatic radical unit and an unsaturated hydrocarbon bearing an odd number of carbons. Extensive Supporting Information is available.     

5,10-CH+-THF向邻苯二胺转移一碳单元反应的理论研究

叶酸辅酶在酶催化的一碳单元转移过程中具有重要的作用,已有大量的实验及实验模拟对其生物学功能进行了研究分析.本文用PM3半经验方法对5,10-CH⁺-THF向邻苯二胺转移一碳单元的反应进行了理论研究.结果表明,5,10-CH⁺-THF中的咪唑啉环有两种开环方式,从而使得该反应可以通过两种途径实现,每一种途径都经历了6个反应步骤,其中包括限制速度的两次质子转移步骤.优化计算了每个步骤所有可能的中间体和过渡态的结构和能量,并通过比较分析得到了各反应阶段的最优中间体和过渡态结构.     

HNCO与CX（X=F，Cl，Br）自由基反应机理的密度泛函理论研究

用量子化学密度泛函理论的B3LYP方法,在6-31+G~*水平上按BERNY能量梯度解 析全参数优化了HNCO与CX（X=F,Cl,Br）反应势能面上各驻点的几何构型,通过 振动频率分析确认了中间体和过渡态,内禀反应坐标（IRC）对反应物、中间体、 过渡态和产物的相关性予以证实,对各驻点进行了零点能校正（ZPE）在此基础上 计算了反应能垒。研究结果表明,与HNCO和其它小分子自由基反应不同,HNCO与 CX自由基反应首先发生分子间H原子迁移,随后N与CX的C（1）原子相互靠近成键并 生成较稳定的中间体,再发生N-C（2）键的断裂,完成N向C（1）上的迁移并进一 步解离为产物。反应按反应物→TS1→IM→TS2→产物通道进行。反应为放热反应。     

POCl3 chlorination of 4-quinazolones

The reaction of quinazolones with POCl(3) to form the corresponding chloroquinazolines occurs in two distinct stages, which can be separated through appropriate temperature control. An initial phosphorylation reaction occurs readily under basic conditions (R(3)N, aq pK(a) > 9) at t < 25 °C to give a variety of phosphorylated intermediates. Pseudodimer formation, arising from reaction between phosphorylated intermediates and unreacted quinazolone, is completely suppressed at these temperatures, provided the system remains basic throughout the POCl(3)addition. Clean turnover of phosphorylated quinazolones to the corresponding chloroquinazoline is then achieved by heating to 70-90 °C. (N)- and (O)-phosphorylated intermediates, involving multiple substitution at phosphorus, have been identified and their reactions monitored using a combination of (1)H, (31)P, and (19)F NMR. Kinetic analysis of the reaction profiles suggest that the various intermediates react with both Cl(-) and Cl(2)P(O)O(-), but product formation arises exclusively from reaction of (O)-phosphorylated intermediates with Cl(-). (O)- and (N)-phosphorylated intermediates equilibrate rapidly on the time scale of the reaction. A minimum of 1 molar equiv of POCl(3) is required for efficient conversion of the intermediates to product.     

Crossed molecular beam studies of the reactions of allyl radicals, C3H5(X2A2), with methylacetylene (CH3CCH(X1A1)), allene (H2CCCH2(X1A1)), and their isotopomers

The chemical dynamics of the reaction of allyl radicals, C(3)H(5)(X(2)A(2)), with two C(3)H(4) isomers, methylacetylene (CH(3)CCH(X(1)A(1))) and allene (H(2)CCCH(2)(X(1)A(1))) together with their (partially) deuterated counterparts, were unraveled under single-collision conditions at collision energies of about 125 kJ mol(-1) utilizing a crossed molecular beam setup. The experiments indicate that the reactions are indirect via complex formation and proceed via an addition of the allyl radical with its terminal carbon atom to the terminal carbon atom of the allene and of methylacetylene (alpha-carbon atom) to form the intermediates H(2)CCHCH(2)CH(2)CCH(2) and H(2)CCHCH(2)CHCCH(3), respectively. The lifetimes of these intermediates are similar to their rotational periods but too short for a complete energy randomization to occur. Experiments with D4-allene and D4-methylacetylene verify explicitly that the allyl group stays intact: no hydrogen emission was observed but only the release of deuterium atoms from the perdeuterated reactants. Further isotopic substitution experiments with D3-methylacetylene combined with the nonstatistical nature of the reaction suggest that the intermediates decompose via hydrogen atom elimination to 1,3,5-hexatriene, H(2)CCHCH(2)CHCCH(2), and 1-hexen-4-yne, H(2)CCHCH(2)CCCH(3), respectively, via tight exit transition states located about 10-15 kJ mol(-1) above the separated products. The overall reactions were found to be endoergic by 98 +/- 4 kJ mol(-1) and have characteristic threshold energies to reaction between 105 and 110 kJ mol(-1). Implications of these findings to combustion and interstellar chemistry are discussed.     

Carbon–Carbon Bond Formation in a Weak Ligand Field: Leveraging Open‐Shell First‐Row Transition‐Metal Catalysts

Unique features of earth‐abundant transition‐metal catalysts are reviewed in the context of catalytic carbon–carbon bond‐forming reactions. Aryl‐substituted bis(imino)pyridine iron and cobalt dihalide compounds, when activated with alkyl aluminum reagents, form highly active catalysts for the polymerization of ethylene. Open‐shell iron and cobalt alkyl complexes have been synthesized that serve as single‐component olefin polymerization catalysts. Reduced bis(imino)pyridine iron and cobalt dinitrogen compounds have also been discovered that promote the unique [2+2] cycloaddition of unactivated terminal alkenes. Studies of the electronic structure support open‐shell intermediates, a deviation from traditional strong‐field organometallic compounds that promote catalytic C−C bond formation.     

Stepwise diels-alder: more than just an oddity? A computational mechanistic study

We have employed hybrid DFT and SCS-MP2 calculations at the SMD-PCM-6-311++G(2d,2p)//6-31+G(d) level to investigate the relationship between three possible channels for forming a Diels-Alder adduct from a highly nucleophilic diene and moderately to highly electrophilic dienophiles. We discuss geometries optimized using the B3LYP and M06-2X functionals with the 6-31+(d) basis set. The transition states and intermediates are characterized on the basis of geometric and electronic properties, and we also address the possibility of predicting detectability of a zwitterionic intermediate based on its relative stability. Our results show that a conventional Diels-Alder transition state conformation yields intermediates in all four investigated cases, but that these are too short-lived to be detected experimentally for the less activated reactants. The stepwise trans pathway, beginning with a conjugate addition-like transition state, becomes increasingly competitive with more activated reactants and is indeed favored for the most electrophilic dienophiles. Addition of a trans diene leads to a dead-end as the trans intermediates have insurmountable rotation barriers that prohibit formation of the second bond, unless another, heterocyclic intermediate is formed. We also show that introduction of a hydrogen bond donating catalyst favors a stepwise pathway even for less activated dienophiles.     

AIM Study on the Reaction of CH2SH Radical with Fluorine Atom

The reaction of CH2SH radical with fluorine atom was studied at the levels of B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) and MP2(Full)/6-311G(d,p). The computational results show that the reaction has three channels and proceeds by the addition of fluorine atoms on carbon or sulfur sites of CH2SH, forming initial intermediates. The calculated results show that the channel in which fluorine attaches to the carbon atom to form CH2S and HF, is the most likely reaction pathway. Topological analysis of electron density was carried out for the three channels. The change trends of the chemical bonds on the reaction paths were discussed. The energy transition states and the structure transition regions (states) of the three channels were found. The calculated results show that the structure transition regions are broad in unobvious exothermic reactions or unobvious endothermic reactions, and are narrow in obvious exothermic reactions or obvious endothermic reactions.     

Transition states of amine-catalyzed aldol reactions involving enamine intermediates: theoretical studies of mechanism, reactivity, and stereoselectivity

The mechanisms, transition states, relative rates, and stereochemistries of amine-catalyzed aldol reactions involving enamine intermediates have been explored with density functional theory (B3LYP/6-31G*) and CPCM solvation models. Primary enamine-mediated aldol reactions involve half-chair transition states with hydrogen bonding leading to proton transfer. This leads to charge stabilization and low activation energies as compared to secondary enamine-mediated aldol reactions. Oxetane intermediates can be formed when C-C bond formation occurs without H-transfer in the transition state. The stereoselectivities of reactions of ketone enamines with aldehydes, including the facial stereoselectivity involving chiral aldehydes, were modeled and compared with experimental results. Transition states for the intramolecular aldol reactions leading to the formation of hydrindanone-beta-ketol and decalone-beta-ketol aldol products showed a preference for the formation of the cis-fused rings, in agreement with experimental results.     

Chiral nonracemic late-transition-metal organometallics with a metal-bonded stereogenic carbon atom: development of new tools for asymmetric organic synthesis

Transition-metal-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions and the Heck reaction have evolved into powerful tools for the construction of carbon-carbon bonds. In most cases, the reactive organometallic intermediates feature a carbon-transition-metal sigma bond between a sp(2)-hybridized carbon atom and the transition metal (Csp(2)--TM). New, and potentially more powerful approach to transition-metal-catalyzed asymmetric organic synthesis would arise if catalytic chiral nonracemic organometallic intermediates with a stereogenic sp(3)-hybridized carbon atoms directly bonded to the transition metal (C*sp(3)--TM bond) could be formed from racemic or achiral organic substrates, and subsequently participate in the formation of a new carbon-carbon bond (C*sp(3)-C) with retention of the stereochemical information. To date, only a few catalytic processes that are based on this concept, have been developed. In this account, both "classical" and recent studies on preparation and reactivity of stable chiral nonracemic organometallics with a metal-bonded stereogenic carbon, which provide the foundation for the future design of new synthetic transformations exploiting the outlined concept, are discussed, along with examples of relevant catalytic processes.     

Studies on reactions INCX --> IXCN (X = O, S, and Se)

The reactions of INCO to IOCN, INCS to ISCN, and INCSe to ISeCN have been studied at the MP2/6-311++G(2df)//B3LYP/6-311++G(2df) level. Geometries of reactants, transition states, and products have been optimized, and geometries of transition states are reported for the first time. The reasons that INCO, ISCN, and ISeCN are easily detected instead of IOCN, INCS, and INCSe have been explained successfully. The breakage and formation of chemical bonds along the reaction paths have been discussed by the topological analysis method of electronic density. The calculated results show that there are two kinds of structure transition states (STS) in the reactions studied.     

Theoretical investigations on thermal rearrangement reactions of (aminomethyl)silane

Thermal rearrangement reactions of (aminomethyl)silane H(3)SiCH(2)NH(2) were studied by ab initio calculations at the G3 level. The results show that two dyotropic reactions could happen when H(3)SiCH(2)NH(2) is heated. In one reaction, the silyl group migrates from the carbon to the nitrogen atom while a hydrogen atom shifts from the nitrogen to the carbon atom, forming (methylamino)silane CH(3)NHSiH(3) (reaction A). This reaction can proceed via three paths: a path involving two consecutive steps with two transition states and one intermediate metastable carbene species (A-1); and two concerted paths (A-2 and A-3). In the other reaction, the amino group migrates from the carbon to the silicon atom while a hydrogen atom shifts from the silicon to the carbon atom, via a double three-membered ring transition state, forming aminomethylsilane CH(3)SiH(2)NH(2) (reaction B). Reaction rate constants, changes (DeltaS(#), DeltaH, and DeltaG) in thermodynamic functions and equilibrium constants of the reactions were calculated with the MP2(full)/6-311G(d,p) optimized geometries, harmonic vibrational frequencies and G3 energies of reactants, transition states, intermediates and products with statistical mechanical methods and the conventional transition-state theory (TST) with Wigner tunneling approximation over a temperature range 400-1800 K.     

A computational study of the oxidation of SO2 to SO3 by gas-phase organic oxidants

We have studied the oxidation of SO(2) to SO(3) by four peroxyradicals and two carbonyl oxides (Criegee intermediates) using both density functional theory, B3LYP, and explicitly correlated coupled cluster theory, CCSD(T)-F12. All the studied peroxyradicals react very slowly with SO(2) due to energy barriers (activation energies) of around 10 kcal/mol or more. We find that water molecules are not able to catalyze these reactions. The reaction of stabilized Criegee intermediates with SO(2) is predicted to be fast, as the transition states for these oxidation reactions are below the free reactants in energy. The atmospheric relevance of these reactions depends on the lifetimes of the Criegee intermediates, which, at present, is highly uncertain.     

A DFT analysis of the participation of zwitterionic TACs in polar [3+2] cycloaddition reactions

A set of seven non-substituted tri-atom-components (TACs) participating in [3+2] cycloaddition (32CA) reactions has been studied using the reactivity indices defined within the conceptual DFT at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level of theory. This series of TACs shows a zwitterionic structure and low reactivity towards ethylene. The general characteristic of these TACs is their high nucleophilic and a low electrophilic behaviour. Activation energies computed at the MPWB1K/6-311G(d) level in dichloromethane point to that non-substituted TACs react quickly toward dicyanoethylene showing their ability to react towards electron-deficient ethylenes. However, when the TACs are electrophilically activated by an appropriate substitution there seems to be insufficient activation to react toward electron-rich ethylenes. The electrophilic activation of the TAC moiety for nucleophilic attacks was only determined by the coordination with a Lewis acid. All 32CA reactions studied in this work presented high regioselectivity. The polar character of these 32CA reactions is associated with the global charge transfer found at the TS, which is in agreement with a zwitterionic-type (zw-type) mechanism. According to our results, the present theoretical study suggests that the substitution is required in both, TACs and the ethylene species, in order to experimentally perform these zw-type 32CA reactions under mild conditions.     

CH3(2A′)自由基与臭氧反应机理的量子化学研究

用量子化学UMP2方法，在6-311++G**基组水平上研究了CH3(2A′)自由基与臭氧反应机理，全参数优化了反应过程中反应物、中间体、过渡态和产物的几何构型，在UQCISD(T)/6-311++G**水平上计算了它们的能量；并对它们进行了振动分析，以确定中间体和过渡态的真实性；同时应用经典过渡态理论计算了反应的速率常数，并与实验值进行了比较, CH3自由基与臭氧反应速率常数的理论计算结果为: 4.73×10－14 cm3•molecule－1•s－1，与实验报导的结果(k=2.52×10－14 cm3•molecule－1•s－1)很接近，同时发现CH3(2A′)自由基与O3的反应是强放热反应.     

单线态卡宾衍生物与臭氧反应机理的密度泛函数理论研究

用密度泛函理论中B3LYP方法,在6-31G(d)水平上优化了单线态卡宾衍生物(CX~2,X=F,Cl,Br)与臭氧反应过程中驻点的几何构型,通过振动分析对反应过渡态和中间体构型进行确认,对单点进行了CCSD(T)/6-31G(d)计算,并进行了零点能(ZPE)校正,同时对反应绝对速率常数进行了理论计算,研究结果表明：相对CF~2和CCl~2而言CBr~2对臭氧的损耗较大,卡宾衍生物与臭氧反应过程均为强放热反应。     

Nucleophilic and electrophilic substitutions of difluoropropargyl bromides

Fundamental organic reactions like nucleophilic and electrophilic substitutions have seldom been studied on fluorinated propargyl or allenyl modules, when the carbon atom undergoing substitution is bonded to two fluorine atoms. Herein we report a practical synthesis of difluoropropargyl bromides from substituted acetylenes and dibromodifluorometane using a wide variety of alkyl, aryl or silyl substrates. The synthesis of O-, S- and carboxylic acid derivatives of difluoropropargyl bromide is also described. These compounds are suitable starting materials for the synthesis of electrophilically substituted difluoropropargyl derivatives via magnesium and fluoride promoted reactions. An indium-mediated reaction of silyldifluoropropargyl bromide, followed by electrophilic trapping with bromine led to a very useful bromoallene, which was then used in reactions with nucleophiles (C, O, N, P, S, Hal) to yield a de facto bimolecular nucleophilic substitution of a difluoropropargyl bromide.