Valence Isomerization of a 1,3-Diphosphacyclobutane-2,4-diyl: Photochemical Ring Closure to 2,4-diphosphabicyclo[1.1.0]butane and Its Thermal Ring Opening to gauche-1,4-Diphosphabutadiene

The bond stretch isomer 1,3-diphosphacyclobutane-2,4-diyl 1 was transformed photochemically to give the previously unknown 2,4-diphosphabicyclo[1.1.0]butane 2 , which itself can be converted thermally into gauche-1,4-diphosphabutadiene 3 . The crystal structures of these three energy-rich valence isomers of 1,2-diphosphete have been determined. R=SiMe₃; Mes*=2,4,6-tBu₃C₆H₂.     

1‐Phosphabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane

1‐Phosphabicyclo[2.2.1]heptanes Exo‐endo‐ and exo‐exo‐2.6‐dimethyl‐1‐phosphabicyclo [2.2.1]heptane have been obtained by cyclization of 2‐methyl‐4‐(2‐propenyl)phospholane in the presence of the complex base, sodium salt of diethylenglycolmonoethylether ‐ sodium amide in THF (NAMEDEG). The bicyclic phosphanes are characterized by reac‐tions with selenium, sulfur, (CH₃)₂SeO, CH₃I and HSO₃F, respectively, elemental analysis, X‐ray crystal structure analysis as well as ¹H, ¹³C, ³¹P NMR spectral measurements. The steric demand of these phosphanes as complex ligands has been estimated from the P, H coupling constants of the phosphonium fluorosulphates according to the Tolman model. The phosphane selenides were found to display the lowest values for the ¹J(Se, P) coupling constant, found up to now for alicyclic and cyclic aliphatic tertiary phosphane selenides. The ⁿJ(P, H)‐ and ⁿJ(H, H)_{n=2, 3} coupling constants have been extracted from the proton spectra at 600 MHz by computerized analysis.     

Rhodium‐Catalyzed [3+2+2] and [2+2+2] Cycloadditions of Two Alkynes with Cyclopropylideneacetamides

It has been established that a cationic rhodium(I)/H₈‐binap complex catalyzes the [3+2+2] cycloaddition of 1,6‐diynes with cyclopropylideneacetamides to produce cycloheptadiene derivatives through cleavage of cyclopropane rings. In contrast, a cationic rhodium(I)/(S)‐binap complex catalyzes the enantioselective [2+2+2] cycloaddition of terminal alkynes, acetylenedicarboxylates, and cyclopropylideneacetamides to produce spiro‐cyclohexadiene derivatives which retain the cyclopropane rings.     

Reactivity of allenoates toward aziridines: [3+2] and formal [3+2] cycloadditions

The reactivity of buta-2,3-dienoates toward aziridines is reported. Allenoates react as 2π-component in the [3+2] cycloaddition with the azomethine ylide generated from cis-1-benzyl-2-benzoyl-3-phenylaziridine affording 4-methylenepyrrolidines in a site-, regio-, and stereoselective fashion. Under conventional thermolysis, cis- and trans-2-benzoyl-1-cyclohexyl-3-phenylaziridines showed a different reactivity. These aziridines participate in formal [3+2] cycloadditions with allenes via C-N bond cleavage of the three-membered ring leading to functionalized pyrroles.     

Regioselectivity in iron-catalyzed [2+2+1] cycloadditions: a DFT investigation of substituent effects in 1,4-diazabutadienes

The transition-metal-catalyzed [2+2+1] cycloaddition reaction of 1,4-diazabutadienes, in which the imine-carbon atoms are part of an oxazine ring system, with ethylene and carbon monoxide leads to the regioselective formation of pyrrolidinone derivatives. To explain this regioselectivity, the transition states and intermediates of the rate-determining step of the catalysis are determined by high-level DFT calculations. The experimentally observed regioselectivity is consistent with the lower activation energy of the addition of ethylene towards the carbon atom next to the oxazine oxygen atom. Furthermore, the activation barrier of a conceivable back reaction is higher for the intermediates with the experimentally observed regioselectivity. These thermodynamic and kinetic arguments at first sight appear to be confirmed by the calculated NPA charges in the transition states, which reveal that the differences in these charges are greatest for those transition states that lead to the formation of the energetically favored transition structures. Nevertheless, calculations of analogous transition structures and reaction products starting from 1,4-diazabutadienes with a 2-fluoro, 2-hydroxo or 2-amino substituent revealed that the regioselectivity is not determined by the electronegativity of the heteroatom and thus by the differences in the NPA charges or the resulting Coulombic interactions in the transition structures. The main reason for the observed regioselectivities is the pi-donor ability of the substituent to contribute to a delocalized pi system incorporating the adjacent imine moiety. The increasing pi-donor capability results in decreased reactivity of this moiety and increases the (relative) reactivity of the second imine group. This effect can even overcompensate for strong intramolecular Coulombic attractions in the transition structures.     

Comparative theoretical study of [3+2] and [2+2] cycloadditions of ethylene and WXYMe2; X, Y = (O), (NH), (CH2)

Quantum chemical calculations employing density functional theory (B3LYP) were carried out to compare the preference of [3+2] versus [2+2] cycloadditions of ethylene to WO₂(CH₃)₂ (W2), WONH(CH₃)₂ (W3), WNHCH₂(CH₃)₂ (W4), W(CH₂)₂(CH₃)₂ (W5), and W(NH)₂(CH₃)₂ (W6). The results are compared to previously published data on the related tungsten complex WOCH₂(CH₃)₂ (W1). In agreement with MoOCH₂(CH₃)₂ and ReO₂CH₃CH₂, all six tungsten complexes prefer a [2+2] pathway rather than a [3+2] cycloaddition which is the reverted preference compared to the analogous compounds TcO₂CH₃CH₂, MnO₂CH₃CH₂, RuO₃CH₂, OsO₃CH₂ and OsO₂(NH)₂, and MO₂CH₃CH₂ (M = Ir, Rh, Co).     

X-ray structure of [Re(NO)2.09Br1.91(PPh3)2] and DFT studies of [Re(NO)2Br2(PPh3)2]

The crystal and molecular structure of [Re(NO)_2.09Br_1.91(PPh₃)₂] and DFT studies of [Re(NO)₂Br₂(PPh₃)₂] are reported. The linearly bonded nitrosyl ligands adopt cis geometry, and two bulky triphenylphosphine molecules occupy axial positions of a distorted octahedral coordination sphere. The cis-nitrosyl grouping with respect to PPh₃ molecules (π-acid ligands) is the result of the electronic influence of the multiply bonded ligand, which forces the metal nonbonding d electrons to lie in the plane perpendicular to the M–NO bond axis.     

Gold-catalyzed formal [3 + 3] and [4 + 2] cycloaddition reactions of nitrosobenzenes with alkenylgold carbenoids

We report two new formal cycloaddition reactions between nitrosobenzenes and alkenylgold carbenoids. We obtained quinoline oxides 3 in satisfactory yields from the gold-catalyzed [3 + 3]-cycloadditions between nitrosobenzenes and alkenyldiazo esters 1. For propargyl esters 5, its resulting gold carbenes react with nitrosobenzene to give alkenylimine 8, followed by a [4 + 2]-cycloaddition with nitrosobenzene.     

ISOMERIZATION OF 2-PHOSPHA-4-SILA-BICYCLO[1.1.0]BUTANE

In analogy with the valence isomerism of the hydrocarbons bicyclobutane, 1,3-butadiene and cyclobutene, the rearrangements for 2-phospha-4-sila-bicyclo[1.1.0]butane were studied at the B3LYP/6-311+G** G**basis set was employed throughout for the geometry optimizations. First and second order energy derivatives were computed to confirm the nature of the minima and transition structures. Intrinsic reaction coordinate calculations (IRC) were performed to establish connections between transition structures and minima. level of theory. The monocyclic 1,2-dihydro-1,2-phosphasilete is shown to be the thermodynamically preferred product, in contrast to the isomerism of the hydrocarbons that favors the 1,3-butadiene structure.     

Alkenes in [2+2+2] Cycloadditions

Participation of alkenes and allenes in [2+2+2] cycloaddition reactions has attracted much attention recently. This version of the well‐established alkyne cyclotrimerization renders interesting products, such as cyclohexadienes and other polycycles, through cascade processes. Many mechanistic variations are observed when using certain metal complexes as catalysts. The frequent generation of stereogenic centers has prompted the development of efficient asymmetric versions. This Minireview summarizes the efforts reported to date on the use of double bonds as partners in [2+2+2] cyclotrimerizations.     

Prins Cyclization Catalyzed by a FeIII/Trimethylsilyl Halide System: The Oxocarbenium Ion Pathway versus the [2+2] Cycloaddition

The different factors that control the alkene Prins cyclization catalyzed by iron(III) salts have been explored by means of a joint experimental–computational study. The iron(III) salt/trimethylsilyl halide system has proved to be an excellent promoter in the synthesis of crossed all‐cis disubstituted tetrahydropyrans, minimizing the formation of products derived from side‐chain exchange. In this iron(III)‐catalyzed Prins cyclization reaction between homoallylic alcohols and non‐activated alkenes, two mechanistic pathways can be envisaged, namely the classical oxocarbenium route and the alternative [2+2] cycloaddition‐based pathway. It is found that the [2+2] pathway is disfavored for those alcohols having non‐activated and non‐substituted alkenes. In these cases, the classical pathway, via the key oxocarbenium ion, is preferred. In addition, the final product distribution strongly depends upon the nature of the substituent adjacent to the hydroxy group in the homoallylic alcohol, which can favor or hamper a side 2‐oxonia‐Cope rearrangement.     

A Combined Experimental and Theoretical Study on the Stereodynamics of Monoaza[5]helicenes: Solvent‐Induced Increase of the Enantiomerization Barrier in 1‐Aza‐[5]helicene

Helicenes and heterohelicenes are attractive compounds with great potential in materials sciences to be used in optoelectronics as ligand backbones in enantioselective catalysis and as chiral sensors. The properties of these materials are related to the stereodynamics of these helical chiral compounds. However, little is known about features controlling stereodynamics in helicenes; in particular, for heterohelicenes the position of the heteroatom could be relevant in this respect. Herein the complete stereodynamic characterization of monoaza[5]helicenes is shown by enantioselective dynamic HPLC and DFT calculations. At variance with previous theoretical calculations, 1‐aza[5]helicene shows a surprisingly high enantiomerization barrier, which is triggered by specific solvent interactions.     

Darstellung,Kristallstruktur und quantenchemische Berechnung von [C(NMe2)3]2[(CO)4FeInCl3]

Preparation, Structure, and Quantum Chemical Calculation of [C(NMe₂)₃]₂[(CO)₄FeInCl₃] The title compound ( 1 ) has been obtained as colorless crystals by reacting InCl₃ with [C(NMe₂)₃][(CO)₄FeC(O)NMe₂] in THF solution. The crystal structure determination (monoclinic, C2/c) shows the presence of separate ions with one disordered and one non disordered cation. In the dianion the CO groups of the trigonal bipyramidal coordinated iron atom and the Cl atoms of the tetrahedral coordinated indium atom form a staggered conformation with a relatively short In–Fe bond distance of 252 pm. Quantum Chemical DFT calculations of [CO)₄FeInCl₃]^2– show that the Fe–In bond has a strong ionic character and that it should be considered as an adduct of [Fe(CO)₄]^2– and InCl₃.     

Darstellung,Charakterisierung und Struktur funktionalisierter Fluorphosphaalkene des Typs R3E–P=C(F)NEt2 (R/E = Me/Si,Me/Ge,CF3/Ge,Me/Sn)

Preparation, Characterization, and Structure of Functionalized Fluorophosphaalkenes of the Type R₃E–P=C(F)NEt₂ (R/E = Me/Si, Me/Ge, CF₃/Ge, Me/Sn) P‐functionalized 1‐diethylamino‐1‐fluoro‐2‐phosphaalkenes of the type R₃E–P=C(F)NEt₂ [R/E = Me/Si ( 2 ), Me/Ge ( 3 ), CF₃/Ge ( 4 ), Me/Sn ( 5 )] are prepared by reaction of HP=C(F)NEt₂ ( 1 , E/Z = 18/82) with R₃EX (X = I, Cl) in the presence of triethylamine as base, exclusively as Z‐Isomers. 2–5 are thermolabile, so that only the more stable representatives 2 and 4 can be isolated in pure form and fully characterized. 3 and 5 decompose already at temperatures above –10 °C, but are clearly identified by ¹⁹F and ³¹P NMR‐measurements. The Z configuration is established on the basis of typical NMR data, an X‐ray diffraction analysis of 4 and ab initio calculations for E and Z configurations of the model compound Me₃Si–P=C(F)NMe₂. The relatively stable derivative 2 is used as an educt for reactions with pivaloyl‐, adamantoyl‐, and benzoylchloride, respectively, which by cleavage of the Si–P bond yield the push/pull phosphaalkenes RC(O)–P=C(F)NEt₂ [R = tBu ( 6 ), Ad ( 7 ), Ph ( 8 )], in which π‐delocalization with the P=C double bond occurs both with the lone pair on nitrogen and with the carbonyl group.