Intramolecular 1,5- versus 1,6-hydrogen abstraction reaction promoted by alkoxyl radicals in pyranose and furanose models

The primary alkoxyl radical generated by reaction of 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-glycosides with (diacetoxyiodo)benzene (DIB) and iodine can undergo regioselective intramolecular hydrogen abstraction (IHA) reactions to furnish four different dioxabicyclic systems derived from carbohydrates. The results strongly suggest that the regiocontrol and feasibility of the cyclisation are dependant not only on geometric and stereoelectronic factors, but also on polar and thermochemical factors. The correct selection of the substituents at the precursors can favour the 1,6-IHA against the 1,5-IHA pathway.     

A general synthesis of substituted indoles from cyclic enol ethers and enol lactones

[reaction: see text] X = CH2, C[double bond]O, R2 = H, alkyl. A general method was developed for the one-pot synthesis of highly functionalized indoles from simple, commercially available aryl hydrazines and cyclic enol ethers. Enol lactones were also used as substrates, affording substituted indole acetic acid or indole propionic acid derivatives. This procedure affords 2,3-disubstituted indoles as single regioisomers from the appropriately substituted enol ether or enol lactone. This method was highlighted in the efficient synthesis of the antimigraine drug sumitriptan and the antiinflammatory drug indomethacin.     

Mechanism of the hydrogen transfer from the OH group to oxygen-centered radicals: proton-coupled electron-transfer versus radical hydrogen abstraction

High-level ab initio electronic structure calculations have been carried out with respect to the intermolecular hydrogen-transfer reaction HCOOH+.OH-->HCOO.+H(2)O and the intramolecular hydrogen-transfer reaction .OOCH2OH-->HOOCH(2)O.. In both cases we found that the hydrogen atom transfer can take place via two different transition structures. The lowest energy transition structure involves a proton transfer coupled to an electron transfer from the ROH species to the radical, whereas the higher energy transition structure corresponds to the conventional radical hydrogen atom abstraction. An analysis of the atomic spin population, computed within the framework of the topological theory of atoms in molecules, suggests that the triplet repulsion between the unpaired electrons located on the oxygen atoms that undergo hydrogen exchange must be much higher in the transition structure for the radical hydrogen abstraction than that for the proton-coupled electron-transfer mechanism. It is suggested that, in the gas phase, hydrogen atom transfer from the OH group to oxygen-centered radicals occurs by the proton-coupled electron-transfer mechanism when this pathway is accessible.     

Rate coefficients of H-atom abstraction from ethers and isomerization of alkoxyalkylperoxy radicals

Group rate expressions for the hydrogen(H)-atom abstraction reactions from ethers by hydrogen atoms and hydroxyl(OH) radicals and the intramolecular hydrogen-transfer isomerization reactions of alkoxyalkylperoxy radicals, which result from the H-abstraction from ethers followed by the addition of O(2), have been evaluated based on the quantum chemical calculations and experimental data. With the relative method proposed in the present study, it was shown that the rate coefficients of the reactions, for which only poor experimental information is available, can be reliably evaluated by calculating and extracting the difference from the well-established reactions of alkane hydrocarbons. The major features on the H-abstraction reactions from O-adjacent sites of ethers compared to those from alkanes were the suppression of the activation energy due to the decrease of the C-H bond dissociation energy and non-next neighbor substituent effect from the alkyl group on the counter side of -O-. For the hydrogen transfer isomerization reactions, similar suppression of the activation energy as well as the change in the ring strain energy was found as a major feature.     

Reactions of carbamyl radicals: intramolecular hydrogen abstraction reactions

ω-Phenylalkyl-N-methylcarbarnyl radicals undergo intermolecular addition to 3,3-dinethylbut-l-ene in preference to intramolecular hydrogen abstraction. Methyl N-(ω-phenylalkyl) carbanyl radicals and methyl N-pentylcarbamyi radicals readily abstract hydrogen through a six membered transition state or a seven membered transition state if the hydrogen is beniylic. The selectivities are interpreted in terms of the electrophilicity of the radical and the stereo-electronic requirements of hydrogen abstraction reactions.     

Synthesis of alkaloids from aminol derivatives by β-fragmentation of primary alkoxyl radicals

The fragmentation of primary alkoxyl radicals, often described as low yielding and plagued by side reactions, proceeded in good to excellent yields when aminol derivatives were used as substrates. Remarkably, no side reactions such as hydrogen abstraction or oxidation were observed. The fragmentation can be coupled with an alkylation reaction to give 2-substituted pyrrolidine and piperidine rings such as alkaloid analogues and functionalized, chiral nitrogen heterocycles.     

Switch-over in photochemical reaction mechanism from hydrogen abstraction to exciplex-induced quenching: interaction of triplet-excited versus singlet-excited acetone versus cumyloxyl radicals with amines

The fluorescence and phosphorescence quenching of acetone by 13 aliphatic amines has been investigated. The bimolecular rate constants lie in the range of 10(8)-10(9) M(-1) s(-1) for singlet-excited acetone and 10(6)-10(8) M(-1) s(-1) for the triplet case. The rate data indicate that a direct hydrogen abstraction process dominates for triplet acetone, while a charge-transfer mechanism, namely, exciplex-induced quenching, becomes important for singlet-excited acetone. Pronounced stereoelectronic effects toward H abstraction, e.g., for 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO), and significant steric hindrance effects, e.g., for N,N-diisopropyl-3-pentylamine, are observed. A negative activation energy (E(a) = -0.9 +/- 0.2 kcal mol(-1) for triethylamine and DABCO) and the absence of a significant solvent effect on the fluorescence quenching of acetone are indicative of the involvement of exciplexes. Full electron transfer can be ruled out on the basis of the low reduction potential of acetone, which was found to lie below -3.0 V versus SCE. The participation of H abstraction for triplet acetone is corroborated by the respective quenching rate constants, which resemble the reaction rate constants for cumyloxyl radicals. The latter were measured for all 13 amines and showed also a dependence on the electron donor properties of the amines. It is suggested that the H abstraction proceeds directly and not through an exciplex or ion pair. Further, abstraction from N-H bonds in addition to alpha C-H bonds has been corroborated as a significant pathway for excited acetone. Product studies and quantum yields for photoreduction of singlet- and triplet-excited acetone by triethylamine (8% for S(1) versus 24% for T(1)) are in line with the suggested mechanisms of quenching through an exciplex and photoreduction through direct H abstraction.     

Dilithiated synthons: synthesis of cyclic ethers

Recent advances in the generation of dilithiated synthons by arene-catalyzed lithiation of the corresponding dichloro compounds in the presence of carbonyl compounds (Barbier-type reaction conditions) as the key step are described. Further cyclization of the generated diols under different reaction conditions affords a variety of mono-, bi-, and spirocyclic ethers.     

Rate constants for abstraction of hydrogen from ethylene by methyl and ethyl radicals relative to abstraction from propane and isobutane

A method is described for the measurement of relative rate constants for abstraction of hydrogen from ethylene at temperatures in the region of 750 K. The method is based on the effect of the addition of small quantities of propane and isobutane on the rates of formation of products in the thermal chain reactions of ethylene. On the assumption that methane and ethane are formed by the following reactions, (1) measurements of the ratio of the rates of formation of methane and ethane in the presence and absence of the additive gave the following results: Values for k₂ and k₃ obtained from these ratios are compared with previous measurements.     

Ab initio reaction kinetics of hydrogen abstraction from methyl formate by hydrogen, methyl, oxygen, hydroxyl, and hydroperoxy radicals

Combustion of renewable biofuels, including energy-dense biodiesel, is expected to contribute significantly toward meeting future energy demands in the transportation sector. Elucidating detailed reaction mechanisms will be crucial to understanding biodiesel combustion, and hydrogen abstraction reactions are expected to dominate biodiesel combustion during ignition. In this work, we investigate hydrogen abstraction by the radicals H·, CH(3)·, O·, HO(2)·, and OH· from methyl formate, the simplest surrogate for complex biodiesels. We evaluate the H abstraction barrier heights and reaction enthalpies, using multireference correlated wave function methods including size-extensivity corrections and extrapolation to the complete basis set limit. The barrier heights predicted for abstraction by H·, CH(3)·, and O· are in excellent agreement with derived experimental values, with errors ≤1 kcal/mol. We also predict the reaction energetics for forming reactant complexes, transition states, and product complexes for reactions involving HO(2)· and OH·. High-pressure-limit rate constants are computed using transition state theory within the separable-hindered-rotor approximation for torsions and the harmonic oscillator approximation for other vibrational modes. The predicted rate constants differ significantly from those appearing in the latest combustion kinetics models of these reactions.     

An expeditious and environmentally benign methodology for the synthesis of substituted indoles from cyclic enol ethers and enol lactones

A simple and environmentally friendly method is developed for the synthesis of substituted indoles from commercially available aryl hydrazines and cyclic enol ethers with Montmorillonite-K10 as a heterogeneous catalyst. The catalyst is non-toxic, inexpensive and recyclable and the process is clean, high yielding and operationally simple.     

Recombination dynamics and hydrogen abstraction reactions of chlorine radicals in solution

We observe chlorine radical dynamics in solution following two-photon photolysis of the solvent, dichloromethane. In neat CH(2)Cl(2), one-third of the chlorine radicals undergo diffusive geminate recombination, and the rest abstract a hydrogen atom from the solvent with a bimolecular rate constant of (1.35 +/- 0.06) x 10(7) M(-1) s(-1). Upon addition of hydrogen-containing solutes, the chlorine atom decay becomes faster, reflecting the presence of a new reaction pathway. We study 16 different solutes that include alkanes (pentane, hexane, heptane, and their cyclic analogues), alcohols (methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol, and 1-butanol), and chlorinated alkanes (cyclohexyl chloride, 1-chlorobutane, 2-chlorobutane, 1,2-dichlorobutane, and 1,4-dichlorobutane). Chlorine reactions with alkanes have diffusion-limited rate constants that do not depend on the molecular structure, indicating the absence of a potential barrier. Hydrogen abstraction from alcohols is slower than from alkanes and depends weakly on molecular structure, consistent with a small reaction barrier. Reactions with chlorinated alkanes are the slowest, and their rate constants depend strongly on the number and position of the chlorine substituents, signaling the importance of activation barriers to these reactions. The relative rate constants for the activation-controlled reactions agree very well with the predictions of the gas-phase structure-activity relationships.     

Convenient synthesis of substituted piperidinones from alpha,beta-unsaturated amides: formal synthesis of deplancheine, tacamonine, and paroxetine

[reaction: see text] An intermolecular aza-double Michael reaction leading to functionalized piperidin-2-ones from simple starting materials has been developed. The method allows alpha,beta-unsaturated amides to be used as a synthon of the piperidine nucleus. In addition, the utility of this methodology is demonstrated by its application to a formal synthesis of the indolo[2,3-a]quinolizidine alkaloids, (+/-)-deplancheine, (+/-)-tacamonine, and the antidepressant paroxetine.     

Comment: A re-evaluation of the rate constant for abstraction of hydrogen from isobutane by methyl radicals

The rate constant for abstraction of hydrogen from isobutane by methyl radicals has been re-examined making use of new measurements at temperatures above 660 K. Most of the data over the temperature range 300–855 K can be accommodated by the following values for the rate constants for abstraction from primary and tertiary hydrogen atoms: This activation energy for abstraction of the tertiary hydrogen atom in isobutane is essentially the same as expressed in a previous evaluation, which considered data only below 500 K, but the magnitude of the rate constant is about 0.25 log units greater.     

Hydrogen abstraction from copolymers of fluorinated olefins and allyl or vinyl ethers by hydroxyl radicals: a computational quantum semi-empirical study

The theoretical study of hydrogen abstraction by hydroxyl radicals on two substrates (copolymers of fluorinated olefins and allyl or vinyl ethers) was carried using the MNDO, AM1 and PM3 quantum semi-empirical methods. This study was performed as a function of the site of hydrogen abstraction and of the computational method. The results of the calculations clearly show that the transition state is early along the reaction coordinate and pinpoint that the reactions are not under enthalpic control. The results provide evidence of the importance of the polar effects due to the fluorine atoms.     

Fragmentation of carbohydrate anomeric alkoxyl radicals: a new synthesis of 1,1-difluoro-1-iodo alditols

[reaction: see text]. The beta-fragmentation of 2,2-difluoro-saccharide anomeric alkoxyl radicals, generated under oxidative condition by treatment of the respective alcohols with (diacetoxyiodo)benzene (DIB) and iodine, afforded 1,1-difluoro-1-iodo alditols in high yield. The reactivity of the fluorinated radical generated by rupture of the C-I bond has been preliminarily assessed by reductive deiodination with tributyltin hydride/AIBN and intermolecular allylation using the Keck reaction.     

Phosphoryl chloride-mediated solvent-free synthesis of N-aryl-substituted azacycles from arylamines and cyclic ethers

A solvent- and metal-free protocol for preparation of N-aryl substituted azacycles from arylamines and cyclic ethers is described. In this method, the combination of POCl₃ and DBU is crucial for conversion of arylamines and cyclic ethers to five- and six-membered azacycles. Without solvent, a variety of N-aryl-substituted, five-membered azacycles (pyrrolidines, 2-methylpyrrolidines, and piperidine) and six-membered azacycles (isoindolines and tetrahydroisoquinolines) are synthesized in high yields. This green method provides a sustainable and efficient approach for the preparation of azacycles from various cyclic ethers.     

Beneficial effect of internal hydrogen bonding interactions on the beta-fragmentation of primary alkoxyl radicals. Two-step conversion of D-xylo- and D-ribofuranoses into L-threose and D-erythrose, respectively

Primary alkoxyl free radicals were generated from their readily synthesized N-phthalimido derivatives under reductive conditions. Primary alkoxyl radicals derived from their corresponding xylo- and ribofuranose derivatives underwent, exclusively, an unusual beta-fragmentation affording L-threose and D-erythrose derivatives, respectively. This occurs because the alkoxyl radical is capable of achieving an internal hydrogen-bonding interaction leading to a stable six-membered ring intramolecular hydrogen-bonded structure. When the hydroxyl group is protected, the beta-fragmentation pathway is prevented and the hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) pathway occurs. Computational studies provided strong support for the experimental observations.