Mechanism of rhodium‐catalyzed hydroacylation of propylene using formaldehyde: A computational study

Density functional theory was used to study Rh(I)‐catalyzed hydroacylation of propylene and formaldehyde. All the intermediates and the transition states were optimized completely at the B3LYP/6‐311++G(d,p) level (LANL2DZ(d) for Rh, P). Calculation results confirm that Rh(I)‐catalyzed hydroacylation of propylene and formaldehyde is exothermic, and the total released Gibbs free energy is about ?33 kJ mol^?1. This hydroacylation have eight possible pathways, and pathways (1), (2), (3), and (4) are the dominant reaction channels. The dominant product predicted theoretically is butyl aldehyde, and it is a linear product, which agrees well with these experiments. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2010     

Aryl methyl sulfides as substrates for rhodium-catalyzed alkyne carbothiolation: arene functionalization with activating group recycling

A Rh(I)-catalyzed method for the efficient functionalization of arenes is reported. Aryl methyl sulfides are combined with terminal alkynes to deliver products of carbothiolation. The overall process results in reincorporation of the original arene functional group, a methyl sulfide, into the products as an alkenyl sulfide. The carbothiolation process can be combined with an initial Rh(I)-catalyzed alkene or alkyne hydroacylation reaction in three-component cascade sequences. The utility of the alkenyl sulfide products is also demonstrated in simple carbo- and heterocycle-forming processes. We also provide mechanistic evidence for the course of this new process.     

Application of Rh(I)-catalyzed C-H bond activation to the ring opening of 2-cycloalkenones in the presence of amines

[reaction: see text]. Herein described is the application of the Rh(I)-catalyzed C-H bond activation to the ring-opening of 2-cycloalkenones in the presence of cyclohexylamine. This reaction includes the C-C double bond cleavage of 2-cycloalkenones through the conjugate addition of cyclohexylamine followed by the retro-Mannich-type fragmentation. The resulting ring-opened intermediates subsequently underwent either chelation-assisted hydroacylation to afford a ring-opened dicarbonyl compound or beta-alkylation via a ring contraction.     

Rh(I)-catalyzed solvent-free ortho-alkylation of aromatic imines under microwave irradiation

The synthesis of ortho-alkylated ketones through a chelation-assisted Rh (I) catalyzed ortho-alkylation reaction of aromatic imines under microwave activated solvent-free conditions in monomode reactors was performed. These conditions have been also applied to hydroacylation and ortho-alkylation reactions with aldimines.     

Traceless Rhodium‐Catalyzed Hydroacylation Using Alkyl Aldehydes: The Enantioselective Synthesis of β‐Aryl Ketones

A one‐pot three‐step sequence involving Rh‐catalyzed alkene hydroacylation, sulfide elimination and Rh‐catalyzed aryl boronic acid conjugate addition gave products of traceless chelation‐controlled hydroacylation employing alkyl aldehydes. The stereodefined β‐aryl ketones were obtained in good yields with excellent control of enantioselectivity. Good variation of all three reaction components is possible.     

Rh(I)-catalyzed hydroacylation/cycloisomerization cascade: synthesis of (±)-epiglobulol

A novel Rh(I)-catalyzed cascade reaction was developed by combination of a hydroacylation of 4,6-dienal and a cycloisomerization of the resultant triene, giving the bicyclo[5.3.0]decenone derivative 8b in a stereoselective manner. It was found that the Thorpe-Ingold effect played an important role in the second cycloisomerization step of this cascade cyclization. From the cascade cyclization product, (±)-epiglobulol could be synthesized.     

Scope and mechanism of the intermolecular addition of aromatic aldehydes to olefins catalyzed by Rh(I) olefin complexes

Rhodium (I) bis-olefin complexes Cp*Rh(VTMS)(2) and CpRh(VTMS)(2) (Cp* = C(5)Me(5), Cp = C(5)Me(4)CF(3), VTMS = vinyl trimethylsilane) were found to catalyze the addition of aromatic aldehydes to olefins to form ketones. Use of the more electron-deficient catalyst CpRh(VTMS)(2) results in faster reaction rates, better selectivity for linear ketone products from alpha-olefins, and broader reaction scope. NMR studies of the hydroacylation of vinyltrimethylsilane showed that the starting Rh(I) bis-olefin complexes and the corresponding Cp*/Rh(CH(2)CH(2)SiMe(3))(CO)(Ar) complexes were catalyst resting states, with an equilibrium established between them prior to turnover. Mechanistic studies suggested that CpRh(VTMS)(2) displayed a faster turnover frequency (relative to Cp*Rh(VTMS)(2)) because of an increase in the rate of reductive elimination, the turnover-limiting step, from the more electron-deficient metal center of CpRh(VTMS)(2). Reaction of Cp*/Rh(CH(2)CH(2)SiMe(3))(CO)(Ar) with PMe(3) yields acyl complexes Cp*/Rh[C(O)CH(2)CH(2)SiMe(3)](PMe(3))(Ar); measured first-order rates of reductive elimination of ketone from these Rh(III) complexes established that the Cp ligand accelerates this process relative to the Cp* ligand.     

O-substituted alkyl aldehydes for rhodium-catalyzed intermolecular alkyne hydroacylation: the utility of methylthiomethyl ethers

Combining α-methylthiomethyl (MTM) ether substituted aldehydes and 1-alkynes in the presence of [Rh(dppe)]ClO(4) results in efficient intermolecular alkyne hydroacylation to deliver α-O-MTM-substituted enone products. The product MTM ethers can be converted to the free hydroxyl group either in situ, by the addition of water to the completed reaction, or in a separate operation, by the action of silver nitrate.     

Chelation-controlled intermolecular alkene and alkyne hydroacylation: the utility of beta-thioacetal aldehydes

[reaction: see text]. Beta-thioacetal-substituted aldehydes, which are conveniently prepared from the corresponding ynals, can be combined with a range of alkynes or electron-poor alkenes to deliver intermolecular hydroacylation adducts. The reactions employ [Rh(dppe)]ClO4 as a catalyst and are proposed to proceed via a chelated rhodium acyl intermediate. The thioacetal-containing products can be deprotected to the corresponding ketones or reduced to alkanes in good yields.     

Rhodium-catalyzed intramolecular hydroacylation of 5- and 6-alkynals: convenient synthesis of alpha-alkylidenecycloalkanones and cycloalkenones

A novel intramolecular hydroacylation of 5- and 6-alkynals leading to alpha-alkylidenecycloalkanones was accomplished by using cationic a rhodium(I)/BINAP complex. For all cyclizations described, a single (E)-olefin isomer was obtained. At elevated temperature, hydroacylation and double bond migration of 5- and 6-alkynals proceeded in a one-pot reaction to give cycloalkenones. An intramolecular hydroacylation of a 7-alkynal was unsuccessful. This method represents an attractive new route to highly functionalized alpha-alkylidenecycloalkanones and cycloalkenones.     

Mechanistic insights into hydroacylation with non-chelating aldehydes

The combination of a small-bite-angle diphosphine bis(dicyclohexylphosphino)methane (dcpm) and [Rh(cod)OMe]₂ catalyses the hydroacylation of 2-vinylphenols with a wide range of non-chelating aldehydes. Here we present a detailed experimental study that elucidates the factors contributing to the broad aldehyde scope and high reactivity. A variety of catalytically relevant intermediates were isolated and a [Rh(dcpm)(vinylphenolate)] complex was identified as the major catalytically relevant species. A variety of off-cycle intermediates were also identified that can re-enter the catalytic cycle by substrate- or 1,5-cyclooctadiene-mediated pathways. Saturation kinetics with respect to the 2-vinylphenol were observed, and this may contribute to the high selectivity for hydroacylation over aldehyde decarbonylation. A series of deuterium labelling experiments and Hammett studies support the oxidative addition of Rh to the aldehyde C–H bond as an irreversible and turnover-limiting step. The small bite angle of dcpm is crucial for lowering the barrier of this step and providing excellent reactivity with a variety of aldehydes.     

A readily prepared neutral heterobimetallic titanium(IV)-rhodium(I) catalyst for intramolecular hydroacylation

The combination of HOCMe2CH2PPh2, Ti(OiPr)4, and [Rh(cod)Cl]2 (3:1:1) in either benzene or dichloromethane produces a discrete species (tentatively formulated as complex) that is an active catalyst for intramolecular hydroacylation reactions of 3-substituted pentenals.     

Intermolecular alkene and alkyne hydroacylation with beta-S-substituted aldehydes: mechanistic insight into the role of a hemilabile P-O-P ligand

A straightforward to assemble catalytic system for the intermolecular hydroacylation reaction of beta-S-substituted aldehydes with activated and unactivated alkenes and alkynes is reported. These catalysts promote the hydroacylation reaction between beta-S-substituted aldehydes and challenging substrates, such as internal alkynes and 1-octene. The catalysts are based upon [Rh(cod)(DPEphos)][ClO(4)] (DPEphos=bis(2-diphenylphosphinophenyl)ether, cod=cyclooctadiene) and were designed to make use of the hemilabile capabilities of the DPEphos ligand to stabilise key acyl-hydrido intermediates against reductive decarbonylation, which results in catalyst death. Studies on the stoichiometric addition of aldehyde (either ortho-HCOCH(2)CH(2)SMe or ortho-HCOC(6)H(4)SMe) and methylacrylate to precursor acetone complexes [Rh(acetone)(2)(DPEphos)][X] [X=closo-CB(11)H(6)Cl(6) or [BAr(F) (4)] (Ar(F)=3,5-(CF(3))(2)C(6)H(3))] reveal the role of the hemilabile DPEphos ligand. The crystal structure of [Rh(acetone)(2)(DPEphos)][X] shows a cis-coordinated diphosphine ligand with the oxygen atom of the DPEphos distal from the rhodium. Addition of aldehyde forms the acyl hydride complexes [Rh(DPEphos)(COCH(2)CH(2)SMe)H][X] or [Rh(DPEphos)(COC(6)H(4)SMe)H][X], which have a trans-spanning DPEphos ligand and a coordinated ether group. Compared to analogous complexes prepared with dppe (dppe=1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane), these DPEphos complexes show significantly increased resistance towards reductive decarbonylation. The crystal structure of the reductive decarbonylation product [Rh(CO)(DPEphos)(EtSMe)][closo-CB(11)H(6)I(6)] is reported. Addition of alkene (methylacrylate) to the acyl-hydrido complexes forms the final complexes [Rh(DPEphos)(eta(1)-MeSC(2)H(4)-eta(1)-COC(2)H(4)CO(2)Me)][X] and [Rh(DPEphos)(eta(1)-MeSC(6)H(4)-eta(1)-COC(2)H(4)CO(2)Me)][X], which have been identified spectroscopically and by ESIMS/MS. Intermediate species in this transformation have been observed and tentatively characterised as the alkyl-acyl complexes [Rh(CH(2)CH(2)CO(2)Me)(COC(2)H(4)SMe)(DPEphos)][X] and [Rh(CH(2)CH(2)CO(2)Me)(COC(6)H(4)SMe)(DPEphos)][X]. In these complexes, the DPEphos ligand is now cis chelating. A model for the (unobserved) transient alkene complex that would result from addition of alkene to the acyl-hydrido complexes comes from formation of the MeCN adducts [Rh(DPEphos)(MeSC(2)H(4)CO)H(MeCN)][X] and [Rh(DPEphos)(MeSC(6)H(4)CO)H(MeCN)][X]. Changing the ligand from DPEphos to one with a CH(2) linkage, [Ph(2)P(C(6)H(4))](2)CH(2), gave only decomposition on addition of aldehyde to the acetone precursor, which demonstrated the importance of the hemiabile ether group in DPEphos. With [Ph(2)P(C(6)H(4))](2)S, the sulfur atom has the opposite effect and binds too strongly to the metal centre to allow access to productive acetone intermediates.     

Azine-N-oxides as effective controlling groups for Rh-catalysed intermolecular alkyne hydroacylation

Heterocycle-derived aldehydes are challenging substrates in metal-catalysed hydroacylation chemistry. We show that by using azine N-oxide substituted aldehydes, good reactivity can be achieved, and that they are highly effective substrates for the intermolecular hydroacylation of alkynes. Employing a Rh(i)-catalyst, we achieve a mild and scalable aldehyde C–H activation, that permits the coupling with unactivated terminal alkynes, in good yields and with high regioselectivities (up to >20 : 1 l:b). Both substrates can tolerate a broad variety of functional groups. The reaction can also be applied to diazine aldehydes that contain a free N-lone pair. We demonstrate conversion of the hydroacylation products to the corresponding azine, through a one-pot hydroacylation/deoxygenation sequence. A one-pot hydroacylation/cyclisation, using N-Boc propargylamine, additionally leads to the synthesis of a bidentate pyrrolyl ligand.

Heterocycle-derived aldehydes are challenging substrates in metal-catalysed hydroacylation chemistry; using the N-oxide derivatives allows efficient reactions to be achieved.     

An enamine controlling group for rhodium-catalyzed intermolecular hydroacylation

An enamine-controlled hydroacylation of alkynes using a rhodium(I)/dppe catalyst system is described. The reaction is highly selective, forming the linear enaminone products as single regioisomers in all examples. In situ hydrolysis of the enamine functionality generated α-substituted 1,3-diketone products, and Lewis-acid mediated intramolecular conjugate addition of the hydroacylation products gave substituted hexahydroquinolones.     

Amine-directed intramolecular hydroacylation of alkenes and alkynes

Medium-ring heterocycles are prepared via an amine-directed, rhodium(I)-catalyzed intramolecular hydroacylation. The presence of an allyl substituent on the amine accelerates the reaction and increases product yields.     

A theoretical study on the mechanisms of intermolecular hydroacylation of aldehyde catalyzed by neutral and cationic rhodium complexes

In this paper, we used density functional theory(DFT) computations to study the mechanisms of the hydroacylation reaction of an aldehyde with an alkene catalyzed by Wilkinson's catalyst and an organic catalyst 2-amino-3-picoline in cationic and neutral systems. An aldehyde's hydroacylation includes three stages: the C–H activation to form rhodium hydride(stage I), the alkene insertion into the Rh–H bond to give the Rh-alkyl complex(stage II), and the C–C bond formation(stage III). Possible pathways for the hydroacylation originated from the trans and cis isomers of the catalytic cycle. In this paper, we discussed the neutral and cationic pathways. The rate-determining step is the C–H activation step in neutral system but the reductive elimination step in the cationic system. Meanwhile, the alkyl group migration-phosphine ligand coordination pathway is more favorable than the phosphine ligand coordination-alkyl group migration pathway in the C–C formation stage. Furthermore, the calculated results imply that an electron-withdrawing group may decrease the energy barrier of the C–H activation in the benzaldehyde hydroacylation.     

α-Amidoaldehydes as Substrates in Rhodium-Catalyzed Intermolecular Alkyne Hydroacylation: The Synthesis of α-Amidoketones

We show that readily available α-amidoaldehydes are effective substrates for intermolecular Rh-catalyzed alkyne hydroacylation reactions. The catalyst [Rh(dppe)(C₆H₅F)][BAr^F₄] provides good reactivity, and allows a broad range of aldehydes and alkynes to be used as substrates, delivering α-amidoketone products. High yields and high levels of regioselectivity are achieved. The use of α-amidoaldehydes as substrates establishes that 1,4-dicarbonyl motifs can be used as controlling groups in Rh-catalyzed hydroacylation reactions.     

Highly efficient copper-catalyzed hydroacylation reaction of aldehydes with azodicarboxylates

The hydroacylation reaction of aldehydes with azodicarboxylates catalyzed by copper(II) acetate monohydrate has been reported. The reaction of various aldehydes gave the corresponding hydroacylation products in 60-98% yields under mild conditions. The method is simple, economical, and has practical advantages for the construction of the carbon-nitrogen bonds.     

Stereoselective preparation of spirane bridged, sandwiched bisarenes

Preparation of α-oxo derivatives of spiro[4.4]nonane, spiro[4.5]decane and spiro[5.5]undecane derivatives is described. An efficient method for spiroannulation by Rh(I)-catalysed intramolecular hydroacylation provides α,α′-difunctionalised spiro[4.5]decanes. The α,α′-dioxo groups have been converted into vinyl triflates for arylation by Pd-catalysed cross-coupling reactions under Stille, Negishi or Suzuki conditions depending on relative reactivities. Stereoselective saturation of the conjugated aryl olefinic bonds by catalytic hydrogenation over Pd-carbon provides methodology for stereoselective preparation of α-aryl- and α,α′-cis,cis-diaryl spiranes, the latter with a sandwich like structure. Single crystal X-ray analyses have been used in the structural assignments.