Extension de la reaction de Wittig: Condensation “d'ylures enolates” sur les cetones aliphatiques

The enolate ylide Ph₃P⁺C^?C(Ph)O^?Li₊ obtained by the reaction of HMPT-Li with the benzoylmethylenetriphenylphosphorane Ph₃PCHCOPh reacts with aliphatic ketones, in contrast to its precursor. This condensation makes it possible to prepare β,γ-unsaturated ketones, of type RCHC(R′)CH₂COPh, instead of the α,β isomer usually obtained in a Wittig reaction.     

Pd‐Catalyzed Carbonylative α‐Arylation of Aryl Bromides: Scope and Mechanistic Studies

Reaction conditions for the three‐component synthesis of aryl 1,3‐diketones are reported applying the palladium‐catalyzed carbonylative α‐arylation of ketones with aryl bromides. The optimal conditions were found by using a catalytic system derived from [Pd(dba)₂] (dba=dibenzylideneacetone) as the palladium source and 1,3‐bis(diphenylphosphino)propane (DPPP) as the bidentate ligand. These transformations were run in the two‐chamber reactor, COware, applying only 1.5 equivalents of carbon monoxide generated from the CO‐releasing compound, 9‐methylfluorene‐9‐carbonyl chloride (COgen). The methodology proved adaptable to a wide variety of aryl and heteroaryl bromides leading to a diverse range of aryl 1,3‐diketones. A mechanistic investigation of this transformation relying on ³¹P and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy was undertaken to determine the possible catalytic pathway. Our results revealed that the combination of [Pd(dba)₂] and DPPP was only reactive towards 4‐bromoanisole in the presence of the sodium enolate of propiophenone suggesting that a [Pd(dppp)(enolate)] anion was initially generated before the oxidative‐addition step. Subsequent CO insertion into an [Pd(Ar)(dppp)(enolate)] species provided the 1,3‐diketone. These results indicate that a catalytic cycle, different from the classical carbonylation mechanism proposed by Heck, is operating. To investigate the effect of the dba ligand, the Pd⁰ precursor, [Pd(η³‐1‐PhC₃H₄)(η⁵‐C₅H₅)], was examined. In the presence of DPPP, and in contrast to [Pd(dba)₂], its oxidative addition with 4‐bromoanisole occurred smoothly providing the [PdBr(Ar)(dppp)] complex. After treatment with CO, the acyl complex [Pd(CO)Br(Ar)(dppp)] was generated, however, its treatment with the sodium enolate led exclusively to the acylated enol in high yield. Nevertheless, the carbonylative α‐arylation of 4‐bromoanisole with either catalytic or stoichiometric [Pd(η³‐1‐PhC₃H₄)(η⁵‐C₅H₅)] over a short reaction time, led to the 1,3‐diketone product. Because none of the acylated enol was detected, this implied that a similar mechanistic pathway is operating as that observed for the same transformation with [Pd(dba)₂] as the Pd source.     

Stereoselective syntheses of substituted succinic acid derivatives of the iron chiral auxiliary [(η-C5H5)Fe(CO)(PPh3)]

A range of alkyl- or aryl-substituted iron succinoyl complexes, incorporating the iron chiral auxiliary [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(CO)(PPh₃)], were prepared in high regio- and diastereoselectivities by employing four successful strategies: (i) the alkylation of chiral enolate equivalents with tert-butyl bromoacetate; (ii) the mutual kinetic resolution of tert-butyl α-bromoacetate with a chiral acetate enolate equivalent; (iii) the alkylation of chiral succinoyl enolate equivalents; (iv) the conjugate addition of organolithium reagents or lithium amide reagents to chiral fumaroyl derivatives. Oxidative cleavage of the iron chiral auxiliary was shown to occur without compromising the stereochemical integrity of the succinoyl fragments.     

Stereoselective aldol condensation reactions of iron acetyl enolates

By proper choice of counterion, the enolate of η⁵ - CpFe(CO)(PPh₃)COCH₃ will react with aldehydes to form the aldol products with high stereoselectivity.     

Direct identification of intramolecular disulfide links in peptides using negative ion electrospray mass spectra of underivatised peptides. A joint experimental and theoretical study

[M--H]- parent anions of underivatised peptides containing an intramolecular disulfide bridge undergo characteristic loss of the elements of H2S2, a process diagnostic of the presence of the disulfide moeity. This facile process is initiated from a side-chain enolate anion. Theoretical calculations (at the HF/6-31G(d)//AM1 level of theory) indicate that the process is exothermic with a small barrier. When the disulfide link involves a C-terminal Cys, the negative ion spectrum shows an [(M--H)--(H2S2+CO2)] fragment anion which is usually the main peak of the spectrum. This process is also directed by an enolate anion: theoretical calculations suggest a stepwise sequence with loss of CO2 preceding loss of H2S2. Both [(M--H)--H2S2] and [(M--H)--(H2S2+CO2)] anions undergo backbone cleavage allowing identification of the amino acid sequence of the peptide.     

Stereoselective preparation of β-amino-acyl iron complexes for β-lactam synthesis

The enolate derived from [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(PPh₃)(CO)(COCH₃)] and n-butyl lithium reacts stereoselectively with imines to yield β-amino-acyl complexes which on oxidationv give β-lactams.     

Synthesis of dihydroindenofuran scaffold via a Pd-catalyzed 5-endo-trig cyclization/enolate O-alkylation cascade

An efficient synthesis of dihydroindenofurans was carried out starting from the Baylis-Hillman adducts via a Pd-catalyzed 5-endo-trig-carbopalladation and enolate O-alkylation cascade as a key step. This is the first example of enolate O-alkylation with a C(sp³)-bound palladium intermediate.     

A DFT study of the ambiphilic nature of arylpalladium species in intramolecular cyclization reactions

The remarkable structure-dependent reactivity observed in the cyclization of (2-haloanilino)-ketones with Pd-catalysts has been studied computationally within the density functional theory framework. The experimental reaction products ratio may be explained through the formation of a common palladaaminocyclobutane intermediate which can undergo a nucleophilic addition reaction and/or an enolate α-arilation process. The evolution of this metallacycle to the final products depends on two factors, the length of the tether joining the amino and the carbonyl groups, and the electronic nature of the substituent directly attached to the nitrogen atom. Thus, shorter chains (2 CH(2)) facilitate the nucleophic addition reaction by approximating the reactive aryl and Pd-coordinated carbonyl groups whereas longer chains (3 CH(2)) favor the enolate α-arylation proccess. For electron-withdrawing groups attached to the aniline nitrogen atom, the nucleophilic addition pathway becomes slightly disfavored, mainly due to the electron-withdrawing effect of the CO(2)Me group which avoids the delocation of the LP in the π-system, thus decreasing the nucleophilicity of the reactive arylic carbon atom. In contrast, the enolate α-arylation reaction is facilitated by the CO(2)Me group. This is translated into a small computed barrier energy difference of these competitive reaction pathways which should lead to a mixture of reaction products as experimentally found.     

Electronic structure of the enolate anion of chlorophyll b

The enolate anion of chlorophyll b (Chl b) has been synthesized under deoxygenated conditions and its electronic structure characterized for the first time by ¹H NMR and electronic absorption spectroscopy. The formation of the enolate anion caused a marked perturbation to the 18 π-electron [18]diazaannulene aromatic pathway of Chl b. This perturbation appeared as noticeable upfield shifts, exceeding 1 ppm, for the meso-CH protons of the Chl b enolate anion. Nevertheless, the enolate anion remained diatropic, maintaining aromaticity in its delocalized macrocycle.     

Regio- and stereocontrolled functionalization of the seven-membered ring using organomanganese chemistry

Reaction of enolate nucleophiles with cycloheptatriene-Mn(CO)₃, hexafluorophosphate gives substituted cycloheptadienyl-Mn(CO)₃, complexes, which can be decomplexed with concomitant oxygenation of the cycloheptane ring either by direct cerium(IV) oxidation or by a novel cycloetherification procedure.     

Chiral propionate enolate equivalent for stereoselective additions to symmetrical ketones

The copper enolate derived from (η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(CO)(PPh₃)COCH₂CH₃ reacts stereoselectively with symmetrical ketones to generate RR,SS-α-methyl-β-hydroxy acyl complexes which on decomplexation liberate the corresponding β-hydroxy acids.     

Palladium-Catalyzed Decarboxylative Alkynylation of α-Acyloxyketones by C(sp3)−O Bond Cleavage

Palladium-catalyzed decarboxylative alkynylation of α-acyloxyketones triggered by C(sp³)−O bond cleavage is disclosed. The decarboxylation strategy featuring a neutral reaction condition enabled an unprecedent catalytic alkynylation of a ketone enolate. The reaction was applied to a variety of substrates, giving desired products in good yields. We successfully obtained X-ray crystallography of a new palladium–enolate intermediate that was synthesized by a reaction of [Pd(cod)(CH₂TMS)₂] with XPhos and α-acyloxyketone at room temperature, indicating facile C(sp³)−O bond disconnection.     

Isolation and identification of surface-bound acetone enolate on Ni(111)

A surface-bound acetone enolate species has been synthesized on Ni(111) between 260 and 340 K by two different routes catalyzed by surface Ni and O atoms: deprotonation of acetone and deacetylation of acetylacetone. The reaction pathways and surface species have been identified using reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIRS) in combination with isotopic substitution and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Acetone enolate exhibits characteristic vibrational absorption bands at 1260, 1353, and 1545 cm-1 arising from mixed modes that involve CC stretching, CH3 bending, and CO stretching. This work conclusively proves the existence of stable acetone enolate species on a metal single-crystal surface and provides its first detailed characterization.     

Chiral discrimination in the reactions of the enolate E-[(η5-C5H5)Fe(CO)(PPh3)COCHMe]−Li+ with cis and trans but-2-ene oxides in the presence of BF3·OEt3

$\text{cis}$ and $\text{trans}$-but-2-ene oxides undergo S_N2 opening with the lithium enolate derived from [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(CO)(PPh₃)COCH₂CH₃] in the presence of BF₃·OEt₂; preferential opening occurs where the enolate configuration at iron matches that of the epoxide carbon being attacked.     

Stable Ketenyl Anions via Ligand Exchange at an Anionic Carbon as Powerful Synthons**

Under an atmosphere of carbon monoxide (CO), a (phosphino)diazomethyl anion salt [[P]-CN₂][K(18-C-6)(THF)] ( 1 ) ([P]=[(CH₂)(NDipp)]₂P; 18-C-6=18-crown-6; Dipp=2,6-diisopropylphenyl) undergoes a facile N₂/CO exchange reaction giving the (phosphino)ketenyl anion salt [[P]-CCO][K(18-C-6)] ( 2 ). Oxidation of 2 with elemental Se affords the (selenophosphoryl)ketenyl anion salt [P](Se)-CCO][K(18-C-6)] ( 3 ). These ketenyl anions feature a strongly bent geometry at the P-bound carbon and this carbon atom is highly nucleophilic. The electronic structure of the ketenyl anion [[P]-CCO]⁻ of 2 is examined by theoretical studies. Reactivity investigations demonstrate 2 as a versatile synthon for derivatives of ketene, enolate, acrylate and acrylimidate moieties.     

Carbonylation of 1-lithiobutadiene with carbon monoxide followed by intramolecular acyllithiation of C═C double bond and intermolecular acylation with acid chloride: scope, applications, and mechanistic aspects

The carbonylation of a 1-lithio-1,3-butadiene derivative with CO gave rise to a butadienyl acyllithio intermediate, which underwent an immediate intramolecular acyllithiation of the C═C double bond, affording a lithio cyclopentadienyl enolate. The X-ray structural analysis of the enolate revealed a dimer connected with a "Li(2)O(2)" four-membered ring. Subsequent intermolecular acylation of this enolate with acid chlorides afforded β-keto-3-cyclopentenones, γ-keto-2-cyclopentenones, or cyclopentadienyl ester derivatives. The stereo- and regioselectivity of the in situ generated lithio cyclopentadienyl enolate with various acid chlorides was investigated and analyzed, showing that the formation of the above products was significantly dependent on both the substituents on the butadienyl skeleton and the bulkiness of acid chlorides.     

Nickel enolates in the Ni(CO)4 -induced carbonylation of gem-dibromocyclopropanes with silylamine or silylsulfide

Silyl compounds (N,N-dialkyltrimethylsilylamine, 1-(trimethylsilyl)-imidazole and phenylthiotrimethylsilane) were successfully used in the Ni(CO)₄ -induced carbonylation reactions of gem-dibromocyclopropanes. The nickel carbenoid and enolate complexes are considered to be involved as key intermediates. Protonation afforded the cyclopropanecarboxylic acid derivatives. The presence of an electrophile achieved another stereoselective carbon-carbon bond formation via the nickel enolate intermediate.     

Li- and P NMR spectra of cyclopentanone lithium enolate in ethereal solvents: identification of the HMPA-coordinated aggregate structures

The structures of cyclopentanone lithium enolate under HMPA titration in 0.04-0.8 M diethyl ether and dimethyl ether solvents have been investigated using the low-temperature ⁷Li, ³¹P, and ¹³C NMR. The progressive solvation by HMPA occurs for the tetra- and dimeric enolates, and upon addition of >2 equiv. of HMPA, the lithium enolate has been converged on a mixture of tetra-HMPA coordinated tetramer and bis-HMPA coordinated dimer with the ratio of 5:95 and <1:99 in diethyl ether and dimethyl ether, respectively. Neither monomeric nor trimeric enolate is detectable under such HMPA titration.     

Adsorption of Acetone onto MgO: Experimental and Theoretical Evidence for the Presence of a Surface Enolate

A new band at 1640 cm ⁻¹ is revealed by diffuse reflectance FT‐IR spectroscopy of acetone adsorbed on a MgO surface (shown schematically). On the grounds of ab initio quantum‐mechanical calculations, this band is assigned to an adsorbed enolate species. This evidence proves the catalytic role of the metal oxide surface in the condensation reaction mechanism.     

Mass spectrometric studies on 17β-estradiol-17-fatty acid esters: Evidence for the formation of anion-dipole intermediates

The behaviour towards low collision energy processes (eV range) of [M  H]⁻ prepared under negative ion chemical ionization (NICI) ammonia conditions from 17β-estradiol-17-fatty acid esters has been investigated. From such bifunctional compounds containing two acidic sites (i.e. phenol and ester groups), two isomeric forms (i.e. phenoxide and enolate forms) characterize the [M  H]⁻ ion structures, whose distribution depends on the ion preparation mode. Here NICI (ammonia) provides both phenoxide and enolate forms as the [M  H]⁻ species. This behaviour contrasts with the regioselectivity observed for proton abstraction from phenol under NICI (N₂O) and fast atom bombardment conditions. Production of both phenoxide and enolate forms in NICI (ammonia) is demonstrated under NICI (ND₃) conditions in which DO-labelled [M_d  H]⁻ enolate ions are produced in a similar yield to unlabelled [M_d  D]⁻ phenoxide ions. Collisionally activated dissociation (CAD) spectra of both isomeric deprotonated molecules differ strongly by the presence of two different pairs of complementary daughter ions, suggesting that these ionic species are unconvertible. This is due to a steric hindrance effect on the long-distance proton transfer. A mechanistic investigation on the formation of fragment ion pairs produced under CAD was performed with various deuterium-labelled molecules. From these experiments, evidence is provided for molecular isomerizations into ion-dipole complexes (prior to dissociation) which are structurally dependent on the initial charge location. Direct dissociation of these intermediates competes with the occurrence of exothermic proton transfer(s) yielding the formation of other isomeric intermediate forms. The orientation of these proton transfers is dictated by the relative acidities of both moieties of the complex.