Investigation of the [Sm(N(SiMe(3))(2))(2)] reducing system in THF. Rate and mechanistic studies

The reductant [Sm(N(SiMe(3))(2))(2)] was examined by cyclic voltammetry and UV-vis spectroscopy. Rate constants and activation parameters for the reduction of 1-iodobutane, 2-butanone, and methylacetoacetate by [Sm(N(SiMe(3))(2))(2)] were measured in THF by stopped-flow absorption decay experiments. Comparison with SmI(2) and SmI(2)-HMPA shows that the redox potential of [Sm(N(SiMe(3))(2))(2)] is intermediate between the SmI(2)-based reductants, yet it reduces alkyl iodides and ketones at a faster rate than the powerful combination of SmI(2) and HMPA. The activation data for reduction of alkyl iodides and ketones by [Sm(N(SiMe(3))(2))(2)] are consistent with highly ordered transition states having low activation barriers. All of these results taken together suggest that the mechanism of reduction of alkyl iodides and ketones by [Sm(N(SiMe(3))(2))(2)] has more inner-sphere character than reduction by SmI(2) or Sm-(HMPA) complexes. The change in the ET mechanism is attributed to the unique structure of the [Sm(N(SiMe(3))(2))(2)] complex.     

Evidence for ionic samarium(II) species in THF/HMPA solution and investigation of their electron-donating properties

The fundamental nature of samarium(II) complexes in THF/HMPA (HMPA = hexamethylphosphoramide) solutions containing SmI2 has been clarified by means of cyclic voltammetry, conductivity measurements, UV spectroscopy, and kinetic measurements. The principal species is not [SmI2(hmpa)4] as previously suggested, but either the ionic cluster [Sm(hmpa)4(thf)2+2I- if four equivalents of HMPA is present in the THF solution or [Sm(hmpa)6]2+ 2I- in the presence of at least 10 equivalents of HMPA. The formal potential of the [Sm(hmpa)4(thf)2]3+ 2I-/[Sm(hmpa)4(thf)2]2- 2I- redox couple determined by cyclic voltammetry was -1.79 +/- 0.08 V versus SCE. The order of reactivity of the samarium(II) complexes was found to be [Sm(hmpa)6]2+2I- > [Sm(hmpa)4(thf)2]2+2I- > SmI2 in their respective reactions with 1-iodobutane and with benzyl chloride. Very high rate enhancements, of the order of 1,000-15,000-fold, were observed upon addition of HMPA to the THF solution containing SmI2, Comparison of these rate constants with the corresponding rate constants for electron transfer (ET) reactions involving aromatic radical anions revealed that none of the reactions studied can be classified as outer-sphere ET processes and that the inner-sphere electron-donating abilities of the [Sm(hmpa)4(thf)2]2+ 2I- and SmI2 complexes are comparable. The inner-sphere ET character of the transition state increases on going from 1-iodobutane and benzyl bromide to benzyl chloride and acetophenone.     

Rapid SmI2-mediated reductions of alkyl halides and electrochemical properties of SmI2/H2O/amine

Mixtures of SmI(2)/H(2)O/amine have been found to reduce alkyl halides more efficiently than SmI(2)/HMPA/alcohol mixtures at room temperature. Alkyl and aryl iodides were quantitatively reduced in <1 min and alkyl bromides in 10 min, while alkyl and aryl chlorides required more than 5 h for completion. Determination of the reaction order of Et(3)N in the reduction of 1-chlorodecane showed that the reaction order is one. Water was shown not to participate in the rate-determining step of this reduction. There was a significant change of the UV-vis spectrum and color of SmI(2) upon addition of either PMDTA or water, while no effect was observed with the addition of Et(3)N or TMEDA. Although the combination of SmI(2), water, and amines produces a very efficient reducing system, cyclic voltammetric experiments showed that the redox potential is nearly identical with that of SmI(2) alone. These results are consistent with precipitation providing the driving force for reduction. Taken together, the results of these experiments show that the combination of SmI(2)/H(2)O/amine provides a fundamentally novel and useful approach to enhance the reactivity of SmI(2).     

Effect of M(CO)3 (M = Cr, Mn+) on aromatic C-Cl BDE in (eta6-ArCl)M(CO)3 complexes

The coordination of Cr(CO)3 to chlorobenzenes significantly reduces the C-Cl bond dissociation energy. Treatment of chloroarene-Cr(CO)3 complexes with SmI2/HMPA at room temperature led to complete dechlorination. Reaction of o-allyloxychlorobenzene-Cr(CO)3 complexes with SmI2 at room temperature resulted in the corresponding dechlorinative cyclization products in good to excellent yields. Competition experiments indicated the following relative reactivities of dehalogenation by SmI2: PhI/PhCl-Cr(CO)3/PhBr/PhCl = 50:1:0.3:<0.001. On the other hand, the coordination of Mn(CO)3(+) to chlorobenzene showed a much smaller activation effect. Density functional theory calculations revealed that the spin delocalization effect of the metal center plays an important role in the C-Cl bond activation.     

Mechanistic study of the SmI2/H2O/amine-mediated reduction of alkyl halides: amine base strength (pKBH+) dependent rate

The kinetics of the SmI(2)/H(2)O/amine-mediated reduction of 1-chlorodecane has been studied in detail. The rate of reaction is first order in amine and 1-chlorodecane, second order in SmI(2), and zero order in H(2)O. Initial rate studies of more than 20 different amines show a correlation between the base strength (pK(BH+) of the amine and the logarithm of the observed initial rate, in agreement with Bronsted catalysis rate law. To obtain the activation parameters, the rate constant for the reduction was determined at different temperatures (0 to +40 degrees C, DeltaH++ = 32.4 +/- 0.8 kJ mol(-1), DeltaS++ = -148 +/- 1 J K(-1) mol(-1), and DeltaG++(298K) = 76.4 +/- 1.2 kJ mol(-1)). Additionally, the (13)C kinetic isotope effects (KIE) were determined for the reduction of 1-iododecane and 1-bromodecane. Primary (13)C KIEs (k(12)/k(13), 20 degrees C) of 1.037 +/- 0.007 and 1.062 +/- 0.015, respectively, were determined for these reductions. This shows that cleavage of the carbon-halide bond occurs in the rate-determining step. A mechanism of the SmI(2)/H(2)O/amine-mediated reduction of alkyl halides is proposed on the basis of these results.     

SmI2-promoted Reformatsky-type reaction and acylation of alkyl 1-chlorocyclopropanecarboxylates

In the presence of HMPA in THF, highly stereoselective SmI(2)-promoted substitutions of alkyl 1-chlorocyclopropanecarboxylates 1 using various ketones, aldehydes (Reformatsky-type reaction), and acyl chlorides (acylation) proceeded to give trans-adducts (2 or 5) in good to high yield with excellent trans-stereoselectivity (trans-add/cis-add = > 99/1). The Reformatsky-type reaction of 1 with aldehydes and unsymmetrical ketones proceeded with moderate diastereoselectivity (re-face-adduct/si-face-adduct = 60/40-75/25).     

Palladium-catalyzed oxidative coupling of trialkylamines with aryl iodides leading to alkyl aryl ketones

A new, simple method for selectively synthesizing alkyl aryl ketones has been developed by palladium-catalyzed oxidative coupling of trialkylamines with aryl iodides. In the presence of PdCl(2)(MeCN)(2), TBAB, and ZnO, a variety of aryl iodides underwent an oxidative coupling reaction with tertiary amines and water to afford the corresponding alkyl aryl ketones in moderate to excellent yields. It is noteworthy that this method is the first example of using trialkylamines as the carbonyl sources for constructing alkyl aryl ketone skeletons.     

Exploring SmBr2-, SmI2-, and YbI2-mediated reactions assisted by microwave irradiation

The use of microwave heating in lanthanide(II) halide (LnX2 = SmBr2, SmI2, and YbI2) mediated reduction and coupling reactions has been investigated for a variety of functional groups including alpha,beta-unsaturated esters, aldehydes, ketones, imines, and alkyl halides. Good to quantitative transformations were obtained within a few minutes without the addition of any co-solvents, such as hexamethyl phosphoramide (HMPA). The redox potential of YbI2 in tetrahydrofuran (THF) has been determined as -1.02+/-0.05 V (versus Ag/AgNO3) by cyclic voltammetry. A large selectivity difference in various reactions was observed depending on the redox potential of the LnX2 reagent. The more powerful reductant, SmBr2, afforded mainly pinacol-coupling products of ketones whereas the weaker reductant YbI2 afforded mainly reduction products. The results indicate that the reducing power of LnX2 has a large impact on not only the pinacol coupling/reduction product ratio of ketones but also on other substrates in which there are competing coupling and reduction reactions. The use of in situ generated LnX2 has also been explored and proven useful in many of these reactions.     

Tripyrrolidinophosphoric acid triamide as an activator in samarium diiodide reductions

The electrochemical and spectrophotometric characterization of the complex formed from samarium diiodide and 4 equiv of tripyrrolidinophosphoric acid triamide (TPPA) is presented. Kinetic studies indicate that the SmI(2)/TPPA complex possesses reactivity greater than the complex formed between samarium diiodide and 4 equiv of HMPA. Examples of the use of SmI(2)/TPPA in synthesis are presented.     

The effect of replacing carbon by nitrogen in reductions with SmI2: reduction of azobenzene

The reduction of azobenzene by SmI(2) in THF to give hydrazobenzene was investigated. The kinetics are first order in the substrate and first order in SmI(2). The kinetic order in MeOH is ca. 0.56, and in TFE it is ca. 0.2. The fractional order in the proton donors is interpreted as being a result of their acting in two opposing manners. In one the proton donor enhances the reaction by protonation of the radical anion, and in the other it slows the reaction by binding to the lone pair electrons of the nitrogen in the azobenzene. This hampers the fast inner-sphere electron-transfer mode. Experiments conducted in the presence of low concentrations of HMPA show rate enhancement suggesting that the SmI(2), which is partly coordinated to HMPA molecules, has some free sites to bind to the substrate. When more HMPA is added, it prevents the fast inner-sphere mechanism and the rate decreases. In this system, the increase in the reduction potential of SmI(2) caused by HMPA is similar to the rate enhancement by an inner sphere mechanism. In general, the replacement of a skeletal carbon by a nitrogen atom causes a significant rate enhancement.     

Photoinduced electron transfer reactions by SmI2 in THF: luminescence quenching studies and mechanistic investigations

Photoluminescence quenching studies of SmI2 in dry THF were carried out in the presence of five different classes of compounds: ketone, alkyl chloride, nitrile, alkene and imine. The free energy change (DeltaG0) of the photoinduced electron transfer (PET) reactions was calculated from the redox potentials of the donor (SmI2) and acceptors. The bimolecular quenching constants (k(q)) derived from the Stern-Volmer experiments parallel the free energy changes of the PET processes. The observed quenching constants were compared with the theoretically derived electron transfer rate constants (k(et)) from Marcus theory and found to be in good agreement when a value of lambda = 167 kJ mol(-1) (40 kcal mol(-1)) was used for the reorganization energy of the system. A careful comparison of the excited state dynamics of SmII in the solid state to the results obtained in solution (THF) provides new insight in to the excited states of SmII in THF. The activation parameters determined for the PET reactions in SmI2/1-chlorobutane system are consistent with a less ordered transition state and high degree of bond reorganization in the activated complex compared to similar ground state reactions. Irradiation studies clearly show that SmI2 acts as a better reductant in the excited state and provides an alternative pathway for rate enhancement in known and novel functional group reductions.     

C(arenium)-C(alkyl) bond making and breaking: key process in the platinum-mediated C(aryl)-C(alkyl) bond formation. Analogies to organic electrophilic aromatic substitution

The reaction of cationic platinum aqua complexes 2 [Pt(C(6)H(2)[CH(2)NMe(2)](2)-E-4)(OH(2))](X') (X' = SO(3)CF(3), BF(4)) with alkyl halides RX gave various air-stable arenium complexes 3-5 containing a new C-C bond (R = Me, 3; Et, 4; Bn, 5). Electron-releasing oxo-substituents on the aromatic ligand (E = e.g., OH, b; OMe, c) enhance the reactivity of the aqua complex 2 and were essential for arenium formation from alkyl halides different from MeX. This process is initiated by oxidative addition of alkyl halides to the platinum(II) center of 2, which affords (alkyl)(aryl) platinum(IV) complexes (e.g., 9, alkyl = benzyl) as intermediates. Spectroscopic analyses provided direct evidence for a subsequent reversible 1,2-sigmatropic shift of the alkyl group along the Pt-C(aryl) bond, which is identical to repetitive C(arenium)-C(alkyl) bond making and breaking and concerted metal reduction and oxidation. Temperature-dependent NMR spectroscopy revealed DeltaH degrees = -1.3 (+/- 0.1) kJ mol(-1), DeltaS degrees = +3.8 (+/- 0.2) J mol(-1) K(-1), and DeltaG degrees (298) = -2.4 (+/- 0.1) kJ mol(-1) for the formation of the arenium complex 5b from 9 involving the migration of a benzyl group. The arenium complexes were transformed to cyclohexadiene-type addition products 7 or to demetalated alkyl-substituted arenes, 8, thus completing the platinum-mediated formation of a sp(2)-sp(3) C-C bond which is analogous to the aromatic substitution of a [PtX](+) unit by an alkyl cation R(+). The formation of related trimethylsilyl arenium complexes 6 suggests arenium complexes as key intermediates, not only in (metal-mediated) sp(2)-sp(3) C-C bond making and breaking but also in silyl-directed cyclometalation.     

Mechanistic study of samarium diiodide-HMPA initiated 5-exo-trig Ketyl-Olefin coupling: the role of HMPA in post-electron transfer steps

The mechanistic importance of HMPA and proton donors (methanol, 2-methyl-2-propanol, and 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol) on SmI2-initiated 5-exo-trig ketyl-olefin cyclizations has been examined using stopped-flow spectrophotometric studies. In the presence of HMPA, the rate order of proton donors was zero and product studies showed that they had no impact on the diastereoselectivity of the reaction. Conversely, reactions were first-order in HMPA, and the additive displayed saturation kinetics at high concentrations. These results were consistent with HMPA being involved in a rate-limiting step before cyclization, where coordination of the intermediate ketyl to the sterically congested Sm(III)HMPA both stabilizes the intermediate and inhibits cyclization. Liberation of the contact ion pair through displacement by an equivalent of HMPA provides a solvent-separated ion pair releasing the steric constraint to ketyl-olefin cyclization. The mechanism derived from rate studies shows that HMPA is important not only in increasing the reduction potential of Sm(II) but also in enhancing the inherent reactivity of the radical anion intermediate formed after electron transfer through conversion of a sterically congested contact ion pair to a solvent-separated ion pair. The mechanistic complexity of the SmI2-HMPA-initiated ketyl-olefin cyclization is driven by the high affinity of HMPA for Sm(III), and these results suggest that simple empirical models describing the role of HMPA in more complex systems are likely to be fraught with a high degree of uncertainty.     

The first samarium(II)-mediated aryl radical cyclisation onto an aromatic ring

Intramolecular arylation of aryl radicals was mediated by SmI(2)/HMPA in the presence of i-PrOH to give spirocycles and/or reduced cine-cyclised products, while the reaction in the absence of i-PrOH gave the rearomatised fused rings.     

Simple synthesis of fresh alkyl iodides using alcohols and hydriodic acid

A simple synthesis of fresh alkyl iodides using alcohols and hydriodic acid (HI) is reported. The alkyl iodides were obtained in quick and easy work-up with good to excellent yields (66-94%) and very high purities (97-99%). Freshly prepared iodomethane and 1-iodobutane were applied to synthesize biologically relevant 3,7-dimethyladenine and 9-butyladenine, which were characterized thoroughly using 1D and 2D NMR, individually.     

Radical additions to (eta6-styrene) chromium tricarbonyl

[reaction: see text] Alkyl radical addition reactions to styrene chromium tricarbonyl can be accomplished using alkyl halides and tris(trimethylsilyl)silane in the presence of AIBN in refluxing benzene. The ketyl generated from acetone with SmI2 in THF/HMPA also underwent successful addition. These addition reactions are believed to proceed through intermediates in which the radical is interacting with an adjacent arene chromium tricarbonyl functionality and do not appear to be complicated by polymerization.     

Mechanistic study of beta-substituent effects on the mechanism of ketone reduction by SmI(2)

The rate constants for the reduction of 2-butanone, methylacetoacetate, N, N-dimethylacetoacetamide, and a series of 4'- and 2'-substituted acetophenone derivatives by SmI(2) were determined in dry THF using stopped-flow absorption decay experiments. Activation parameters for the electron-transfer processes in each series of compounds were determined by a temperature-dependence study over a range of 30 to 50 degrees C. Two types of reaction pathways are possible for these electron-transfer processes. One proceeds through coordination (Scheme 1) while the other involves chelation (Scheme 2). The results described herein unequivocally show that both coordination and chelation provide highly ordered transition states for the electron-transfer process but the presence of a chelation pathway dramatically increases the rate of the reduction of these substrates by SmI(2). The ability of various functional groups to promote a chelated reaction pathway plays a crucial role in determining the rate of the reaction. Among the 2'-substituted acetophenone series, the presence of a fluoro, amino, or methoxy substituent enhances the rate of reduction compared to the 4'-analogues. In particular, the presence of a 2'-fluoro substituent on acetophenone provides a highly ordered transition state and considerably enhances the rate of ketone reduction.     

Fluorescence from Samarium(II) Iodide and Its Electron Transfer Quenching: Dynamics of the Reaction of Benzyl Radicals with Sm(II)

The luminescence from SmI(2) in THF can be readily quenched by a variety of electron acceptors. In the case of organohalides, the reaction is quite fast; for example, for dichloromethane the rate constant is 2.7 x 10(8) M(-)(1) s(-)(1). Electron transfer leads to halide loss and formation of the carbon-centered radical. In the case of benzyl chloride, the benzyl radicals produced can be readily detected using laser flash photolysis techniques. This electron-transfer reaction has been used as a source of benzyl radicals in order to determine the rate constant for their reaction with SmI(2); the value obtained is (5.3 +/- 1.4) x 10(7) M(-)(1) s(-)(1) in THF at room temperature. The effect of HMPA on the spectroscopic properties of SmI(2) has also been examined.     

Study of induced hypohalogenation of 1-alkyl(4-methylcyclohex-1-enyl)alkanones,and chemical transformations of the obtained compounds

Induced hydroxyhalogenation of alkyl cyclohexenyl ketones in the systems [MHlg-HX or HHlg]-H₂O₂ or (NaClO) was performed and the optimal conditions of this reaction were elucidated. It is established that in the system in situ is induced a hypohaloid acid HClO or HBrO is produced that then enters into electrophilic addition at the ring double bond affording hydroxyhalo derivatives of the cycloaliphatic ketones. The alkyl cyclohexenyl ketone chloro(bromo)hydrines and the oxiranes obtained from them are very reactive compounds and can be used as initial compounds for the synthesis of many individual organic compounds     

New chiral ruthenium(II) catalysts containing 2,6-bis(4'-(R)-phenyloxazolin-2'-yl)pyridine (Ph-pybox) ligands for highly enantioselective transfer hydrogenation of ketones

Treatment of complex trans-[RuCl(2)(eta(2)-C(2)H(4))[kappa(3)-N,N,N-(R,R)-Ph-pybox]] [(R,R)-Ph-pybox = 2,6-bis[4'-(R)-phenyloxazolin-2'-yl]pyridine] with phosphines or phosphites in dichloromethane at 50 degrees C leads to the formation of novel ruthenium(II)-pybox complexes trans-[RuCl(2)(L)[kappa(3)-N,N,N-(R,R)-Ph-pybox]] [L = PPh(3) (1 a), PPh(2)Me (2 a), PPh(2)(C(3)H(5)) (3 a), PPh(2)(C(4)H(7)) (4 a), PMe(3) (5 a), PiPr(3) (6 a), P(OMe)(3) (7 a) and P(OPh)(3) (8 a)]. Likewise, reaction of trans-[RuCl(2)(eta(2)-C(2)H(4))[kappa(3)-N,N,N-(R,R)-Ph-pybox]] with PPh(3) or PiPr(3) in refluxing methanol leads to the complexes cis-[RuCl(2)(L)(kappa(3)-N,N,N-(R,R)-Ph-pybox] [L = PPh(3) (1 b), PiPr(3) (6 b)]. No trans-cis isomerisation of complexes 1 a-8 a has been observed. Complexes 1 a-8 a, 1 b, 6 b together with the analogous trans-[RuCl(2)[P(OMe)(3)][kappa(3)-N,N,N-(S,S)-iPr-pybox]] (10 a) and the previously reported trans- and cis-[RuCl(2)(PPh(3))[kappa(3)-N,N,N-(S,S)-iPr-pybox]] (9 a and 9 b, respectively) are active catalysts for the transfer hydrogenation of acetophenone in 2-propanol in the presence of NaOH (ketone/cat/NaOH 500:1:6). cis-Ph-pybox derivatives are the most active catalysts. In particular, cis complexes 1 b and 6 b led to almost quantitative conversions in less than 5 min with a high enantioselectivity (up to 95 %). A variety of aromatic ketones have also been reduced to the corresponding secondary alcohols with very high TOF and ee up to 94 %. The overall catalytic performance seems to be a subtle combination of the steric and/or electronic properties both the phosphines and the ketones. A high TOF (27 300 h(-1)) and excellent ee (94 %) have been found for the reduction of 3-bromoacetophenone with catalyst 6 b. Reductions of alkyl ketones also proceed with high and rapid conversions but low enantioselectivities are achieved.