Study of the selective catalysis of metalloporphyrins for 2-methyl-butane oxidation with PhIO under mild conditions

Nine ironporphyrins and eight manganeseporphyrins were synthesized, and their selective catalysis for the oxidation of the secondary and tertiary carbon–hydrogen bonds of 2-methyl-butane with PhIO was studied. The proportion of the oxidation product of tertiary carbon–hydrogen bond to the one of secondary carbon–hydrogen bond was 3:1 when ironporphyrins were used as catalysts, and 2.3:1 when manganeseporphyrins were used as catalysts. The research showed that the substituting groups on the porphyrin rings influenced the catalytic selectivity of metalloporphyrins for the oxidation of the secondary and tertiary carbon–hydrogen bonds as well as the reaction yields. The electron-attracting groups on benzene rings of ironporphyrins increased the catalytic selectivity of ironporphyrins for the tertiary carbon–hydrogen bond oxidation and the reaction speeds, and the electron-releasing groups increased the catalytic selectivity for secondary carbon–hydrogen bond oxidation and reduced the reaction speeds. Both electron-attracting and -releasing groups on benzene rings of manganeseporphyrins enhanced the catalytic selectivity of manganeseporphyrins for the secondary carbon–hydrogen bond oxidation.     

Use of a novel relationship between bond length and bond order to calculate accurate bond orders for carbon–carbon bonds

An exact relationship between bond length and bond order has been derived for the first time based on the concept of electron density. This relationship allows the calculation of sufficiently accurate bond orders and also determines the number of bond-forming electrons. According to this novel relationship between bond order and bond length, the bond order of the carbon–carbon bond in ethylene is 1.75, whereas it is 2.50 in acetylene. These bond orders are readily interpreted by the fragmentation of π-bonds and a consequent decrease in bond order, which is further supported by the chemical properties of these molecules. Assuming structure-specific fragmentation of π-bonds (i.e. one structural motif always adheres to one or two types of bond fragmentation scheme), the bond orders can be predicted for molecules containing multiple carbon–carbon bonds in excellent agreement with the experimental findings.     

Wittig reactions in water media employing stabilized ylides with aldehydes. Synthesis of alpha,beta-unsaturated esters from mixing aldehydes, alpha-bromoesters, and Ph3P in aqueous NaHCO3

Water is demonstrated to be an effective medium for the Wittig reaction over a wide range of stabilized ylides and aldehydes. Despite sometimes poor solubility of the reactants, good chemical yields normally ranging from 80 to 98% and high E-selectivities (up to 99%) are achieved, and the rate of the reactions in water is unexpectedly accelerated. The efficiency of water as a medium in the Wittig reaction is compared to conventional organic solvents ranging from carbon tetrachloride to methanol. The aqueous Wittig reaction works best when large hydrophobic entities are present, such as aromatic, heterocyclic aromatic carboxaldehydes, and long-chain aliphatic aldehydes with triphenylphosphoranes. The E/Z-isomeric ratio of the Wittig products appears dependent on the electron-accepting/donating capacity and the location of the substituents present in the aromatic ring. The effect of additives, such as benzoic acid, LiCl, and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), on the Wittig reaction has been explored. The Wittig reaction can also be conducted in the presence of acidic entities, such as phenols and carboxylic acids. In addition, large alpha-substituents in the aliphatic aldehydes do not jeopardize the reaction. It is also demonstrated that hydrates of aldehydes can be used directly in the aqueous Wittig reaction as substrates. The scope of the aqueous Wittig reaction is extended to 24 examples of one-pot mixtures of Ph3P, alpha-bromoesters, and aldehydes in sodium bicarbonate solution (at 20 degrees C for 40 min to 3 h) to provide Wittig products of up to 99% yield and up to 98% E-selectivity. Since water is inexpensive, extremely easy to handle, and represents no environmental concerns, it should be considered a possible medium for new organic reactions.     

Rasta Resin–PPh3–NBniPr2 and its Use in One‐Pot Wittig Reaction Cascades

A new triarylphosphine–tertiary amine bifunctional polymeric reagent has been prepared and used effectively in a variety of one‐pot Wittig reactions. The design of this reagent resolved a deficiency of a previously reported related material, and allowed it to perform more efficiently in such reactions. Furthermore, it was readily recyclable, and was also successfully applied in cascade processes involving one‐pot Wittig reactions followed by either a conjugate reduction or a reductive aldol reaction. In these reaction cascades, the phosphine oxide groups generated in the Wittig reaction served as the catalyst for the subsequent reaction.     

Phospha-alkenes and Phospha-alkynes,Genesis and Properties of the (p-p)π-Multiple Bond

Just as the octet rule had prevented the discovery of the inert-gas compounds, the systematic search for phosphorus-carbon- and phosphorus-nitrogen-compounds having (p-p)π-multiple bonds was hindered by the double bond rule. The first successful synthesis of mesomeric-stabilized phosphorus-carbon compounds with coordination number 2, seventeen years ago, was followed nine years later by the preparation of the imino-phosphanes whose intensive investigation has continued to the present day. A dramatic development has now begun in the phospha-alkene and -alkyne fields, and a large variety of preparative methods have been found. Several compounds of this type are amazingly stable, however they do not participate in typical ylide reactions such as the Wittig reaction. In contrast, the PC double bond is more comparable to that of olefins, which has been confirmed by the occurrence of E,Z-isomers and pericyclic reactions of phospha-l,5-hexadienes.     

Theoretical study on the substituent effect of a Wittig reaction

The substituent effects of F, H and methyl (Me) in replacement of phenyl (Ph) groups bonding with the ylide phosphorus in Wittig reactions have been examined theoretically by performing ab intio calculations. It is shown that the energy barrier for the Wittig reaction with F as the substituent is much higher than that with H, Me and Ph. The Wittig reaction is found to be more favorable with the substituent in the order F<H<Ph<Me. The reactions are found to proceed through two transition states: the formation and the decomposition of oxaphosphetane. We conclude that only the model of the Wittig reaction in which Ph is simplified to Me can reasonably describe the real Wittig reaction. Received: 7 August 2001 / Accepted: 25 October 2001 / Published online: 22 March 2002     

Wittig and Wittig-Horner reactions under phase transfer catalysis conditions

Wittig and Wittig-Horner reactions are favorite tools in preparative organic chemistry. These olefination methods enjoy widespread and recognition because of their simplicity, convenience, and effciency. Phase transfer catalysis (PTC) is a very important method in synthetic organic chemistry having many advantages over conventional, homogenous reaction procedures. In this paper, we attempt to summarize the aspects concerning Wittig and Wittig-Horner reactions that take place under phase transfer catalysis conditions.     

Computational Study of the Substitution Effect on the Mechanism for the Aza‐ and Arsa‐Wittig Reactions

The aza‐ and arsa‐Wittig reactions HM=PH₃ + O=CHX → HM=CHX + O=PH₃ (M = N, As; X = H, F, Cl, Me, OMe, NMe₂, CMe₃) were examined using the density functional theory calculations. All of the structures were completely optimized at the B3LYP/6‐311++G** level of theory. The main finding of this work is that the difference between singlet‐triplet splitting of O=CHX and HM=PH₃ play an important role in determining the kinetic and thermodynamic stability of the aza‐ and arsa‐Wittig reactions. When HM=PH₃ with more ylidic character is utilized, the reaction has a smaller activation energy and a larger exothermicity.     

E- or Z-selective Wittig reactions in the synthesis of the carbacyclin iloprost

Wittig reaction of ketones 3 with 4-carboxybutyltriphenyl-phosphonium bromide generates the exocylic 5,6 double bond of iloprost (1) in E/Z ratios between 35:65 and 90:10 depending on substituents and reaction conditions.     

The Wittig Reaction in Industrial Practice

The effects of a scientific discovery on industrial practice are illustrated with reference to the Wittig reaction. The aim of utilizing the Wittig reaction of linking terpenoid building blocks to give vitamin A and carotenoids on an industrial scale prompted extensive research and development work of a synthetic and chemical engineering nature. The importance of the Wittig reaction and its variants in the synthesis of active compounds and fine chemicals in industrial research is demonstrated in the present article.     

The Mechanism and Stereochemistry of Wittig Reactions of Phosphonium Ylide-Anions

Abstract

Schmidbaur's group have extensively investigated¹ the coordination properties of phosphonium 1,3-ylide-anions (1) in organometallic chemistry and more recently Cristau² has reported the potential usefulness of these compounds in synthetic organic chemistry. There have been a few studies³ of specific phosphonium 1,1-ylide-anions (2), however their only use in the Wittig reaction appears to be that of (2a).⁴ We have set out to study the stereochemistry and mechanism of Wittig reactions of (1) and (2) and to carry out some preliminary investigations on the arsenic analogues (3).     

Two new syntheses of the “phospha-wittig” reagents

The secondary phosphorylphosphane complexes used in the synthesis of phosphaalkene complexes from carbonyl compounds by the so-called „phospha-Wittig”︁ reaction can be obtained by two routes. In the first one, a primary lithiophosphine complex is condensed with a chlorophosphite. The resulting P P compound is oxidized at the free phosphorus by 3-chloroperbenzoic acid. In the second one, bis(phosphoryl)phosphane complexes are allowed to react with sodium methylate in methanol or with water. One of the two P P bonds of the starting produt is thus cleaved to give the „phospha-Wittig”︁ reagent. Both routes give better yields and are less sensitive to steric hindrance than the previously described method.     

Aqueous Wittig Reactions of Aldehydes with In Situ Formed Semistabilized Phosphorus Ylides

The Wittig reactions of three semistabilized phosphorus ylides generated in situ from the corresponding phosphonium salts with aldehydes in water without any organic cosolvent were investigated. Most of the olefination reactions completed within between 5 min and 4.5 h in refluxing water containing 1.5 equiv of LiOH and 1.4 M LiCl to afford the products in 65–100% yields. The E∶Z selectivity depended not only on the substituent attached to the benzene ring of the ylides but also on the substituent bound to the aromatic aldehydes. LiCl promotes the aqueous Wittig reactions and suppresses decomposition of the ylide or the corresponding phosphonium salt.     

A comparison of the HAM/3 semiempirical method with the MINDO/3 and CNDO/2 semiempirical methods and the GAUSSIAN 70 ab initio method; a comparison of ionization potential calculations and experimental photoelectron spectra of some imines and diimines

Molecular orbital calculations have been performed on eight molecules (containing 16–80 electrons) using the GAUSSIAN 70, MINDO/3, CNDO/2 and HAM/3 programs. The molecules contain nitrogen—nitrogen (diimines) or carbon—nitrogen (imines) double bonds. A comparison of the results of each method with experimental photoelectron data and an analysis of the cost effectiveness indicates that the HAM/3 method will prove a useful tool for photoelectron spectroscopists.     

Synthesis of unsaturated organotrifluoroborates via Wittig and Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons olefination

The stereoselective synthesis of unsaturated organotrifluoroborates by using the Wittig and Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons olefination is described. These reactions were general for both alkyl- and aryltrifluoroborates. The synthesis of di- and trisubstituted olefins was achieved by using formyl- and acetyl-substituted organotrifluoroborates. The products were isolated in moderate to excellent yield. The Wittig reaction with nonstabilized ylides was performed under salt free conditions in most cases to obtain the Z-isomer. The E-isomer was accessed by using preformed stabilized ylides. The Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reaction also gave the E-isomer as expected.     

Highly Efficient Access to Both Geometric Isomers of Silyl Enol Ethers: Sequential 1,2‐Brook/Wittig Reactions

Novel sequential 1,2‐Brook/Wittig reactions were developed for the preparation of silyl enol ethers. This method enables highly selective preparation of both geometric isomers of glyoxylate silyl enol ethers, using aldehydes (E‐selective) and tosylimines (Z‐selective) as a Wittig electrophile. The salt‐free conditions of this reaction system are likely to be advantageous for switching the selectivity. The optimal reaction conditions and generality of the reaction were investigated, and plausible explanations for the observed selectivity were also discussed.     

Comparison of the kinetics and thermodynamics for methyl radical addition to C=C, C=O, and C=S double bonds

The barriers, enthalpies, and rate constants for the addition of methyl radical to the double bonds of a selection of alkene, carbonyl, and thiocarbonyl species (CH(2)=Z, CH(3)CH=Z, and (CH(3))(2)C=Z, where Z = CH(2), O, or S) and for the reverse beta-scission reactions have been investigated using high-level ab inito calculations. The results are rationalized with the aid of the curve-crossing model. The addition reactions proceed via early transition structures in all cases. The barriers for addition of methyl radical to C=C bonds are largely determined by the reaction exothermicities. Addition to the unsubstituted carbon center of C=C double bonds is favored over addition to the substituted carbon center, both kinetically (lower barriers) and thermodynamically (greater exothermicities). The barriers for addition to C=O bonds are influenced by both the reaction exothermicity and the singlet-triplet gap of the substrate. Addition to the carbon center is favored over addition to the oxygen, also both thermodynamically and kinetically. For the thiocarbonyl systems, addition to the carbon center is thermodynamically favored over addition to sulfur. However, in this case, the reaction is contrathermodynamic, addition to the sulfur center having a lower barrier due to spin density considerations. Entropic differences among corresponding addition and beta-scission reactions are relatively minor, and the differences in reaction rates are thus dominated by differences in the respective reaction barriers.     

A short synthesis of the anti-leukemic sesquiterpene (+)-caparratriene employing aqueous Wittig chemistry

An efficient, stereoselective method for the synthesis of (+)-caparratriene based on an aqueous Wittig reaction has been developed. A functionalized triethylallyl ylide reacted under various conditions with (+)-citronellal to deliver (+)-caparratriene in only three steps with excellent overall yield. The Wittig reaction proceeded with exclusive (4E)-selectivity and an interesting cationic effect was uncovered with good stereoselectivity at the isomerizable allylic position being observed in the presence of lithium salts.     

Syntheses of polyfunctionalized resveratrol derivatives using Wittig and Heck protocols

Improved protocols for Wittig reaction and palladium-catalyzed Heck coupling give expedient access to a series of unprecedented polyfunctionalized artificial-resveratrol derivatives. In the modified Wittig protocol, trimethylsilyl was used as a highly valuable protective group of the phenolic functions of starting aromatic materials. A clean O-alkylation of hydroxylated stilbenes with ethylene carbonate was also conducted. Thus, Wittig reaction followed by hydroxyethylation take place one-pot with only carbon dioxide as waste. Additionally, a palladium-catalyzed Heck coupling strategy was developed by using ferrocenyl phosphane ligands, and multi-functionalized hydroxylated stilbenes were obtained without the need of any protection/deprotection sequence. Up to six functional groups are introduced by these procedures, which limit the number of reactions steps, the waste toxicity, and the use of costly reagents.     

Tandem Wittig rearrangement/aldol reactions for the synthesis of glycolate aldols

A new tandem Wittig Rearrangement/aldol reaction of O-benzyl or O-allyl glycolate esters is described. This reaction generates two carbon-carbon bonds and two contiguous stereocenters in a single step from simple starting materials. The [1,2]-Wittig rearrangement proceeds under very mild reaction conditions that do not require the use of a strong base, and the 1,2-diol products are obtained in good yield with excellent diastereoselectivity (>20:1).