Metathesis reactions of Δ-steroids

Metathesis reactions of Δ²²-steroids are studied. The cross metathesis reactions of model Δ²²-steroids with excess of simple alkenes are sluggish or do not occur at all. In contrast, derivatives of both trans- and cis-Δ²²-cholesterol undergo ring closing metathesis reactions but the former reacts faster. However, the side chain double bond in stigmasterol and ergosterol is too crowded for metathesis reactions promoted by currently available catalysts.     

Carbynehydridoruthenium Complexes as Catalysts for the Selective,Ring-Opening Metathesis of Cyclopentene with Methyl Acrylate

The first members of a homologous series of long-chain, multiply unsaturated esters were obtained upon selective ring-opening metathesis of cyclopentene with methyl acrylate [Eq. (a)]. The catalysts are cationic carbynehydridoruthenium complexes (e.g. L=OEt₂), which were prepared for the first time by protonation of hydridovinylideneruthenium compounds in the presence of L.     

Ruthenium dihydride complexes as enyne metathesis catalysts

Ruthenium–catalyzed enyne metathesis is a reliable and efficient method for the formation of 1,3-dienes, a common structural motif in synthetic organic chemistry. The development of new transition-metal complexes competent to catalyze enyne metathesis reactions remains an important research area. This report describes the use of ruthenium (IV) dihydride complexes with the general structure RuH₂Cl₂(PR₃)₂ as new catalysts for enyne metathesis. These ruthenium (IV) dihydrides have been largely unexplored as catalysts in metathesis-based transformations. The reactivity of these complexes with 1,6 and 1,7-enynes was investigated. The observed reaction products are consistent with the metathesis activity occurring through a ruthenium vinylidene intermediate.     

Metathesis reactions with a low-cost spinning disk system

ABSTRACT

Experimental procedures have been developed to provide at the laboratory scale an efficient and relatively inexpensive continuous flow processing system to undertake metathesis chemistry. Glass discs, coated with porous silica particles impregnated with Grubbs (I) generation or Hoveyda–Grubbs (II) generation catalysts through non-covalent interactions, have been successfully used as annular zones for in situ metathesis reactions. The supported catalysts were active for ring closing metathesis and self-metathesis reactions with a variety of substrates with nearly quantitative conversion depending on the substrate structure. Advantages of these procedures include the ability to conduct reactions efficiently at small (low mmole) scale under ambient laboratory conditions, thereby avoiding the need for high energy/thermal procedures. Multiple experiments can be undertaken during the same day if catalyst screening is required. Moreover, separation of starting materials from products can be achieved using the same unit operations, avoiding the need for additional purification steps, thereby reducing the total solvent consumption.     

Synthesis of N-heterocyclic compounds via ene-yne metathesis reactions

Propargylamino and allylamino derivatives of cyclohexene and norbornene were subjected to tandem metathesis reactions with first and second generation Grubbs' catalysts 1 and 2. Results show that the method is compatible with suitably protected nitrogen-containing compounds. Cyclohexenes gave intriguing results in terms of the possibility to perform ring rearrangement metathesis (RRM) reactions, showing a difference with the analogous allyl and propargyl ether substrates.     

Catalyst economy. Part 2: Sequential metathesis—Kharasch sequences using the Grubbs metathesis catalysts

Sequential ring-closing metathesis (RCM)-Kharasch cyclizations are promoted by the Grubbs metathesis catalysts and provide rapid access to bicyclic lactones and lactams.     

Studies in multidrug resistance reversal: a rapid and stereoselective synthesis of the dihydroagarofuran ring system

Several dihydroagarofuran esters have been reported to be effective multidrug resistance (MDR) reversing agents for both cancer cells and bacteria. We report a rapid synthesis of the dihydroagarofuran ring system from carvone in a sequence that is highlighted by a sequential conjugate addition/aldol sequence, a ring closing metathesis reaction, and a diastereoselective alkene reduction to provide an axial methyl group. The synthesis allows for differential esterification reactions as required to study the roles of these groups in MDR reversal.     

Conjugate addition reactions of alpha-aminoalkylcuprates with alpha, beta-alkenyl-, alpha,beta-alkynyl-, alpha,beta-beta,gamma-allenyl-, and alpha,beta-gamma,delta-dienyl carboxylic acid derivatives, nitriles, and sulfoxides

alpha-Aminoalkylcuprates prepared from alpha-lithio carbamates and CuCN.2LiCl participate in 1,4-addition reactions with alpha, beta-unsaturated esters, thiol esters, imides, and nitriles in poor to excellent yields depending upon the electron-withdrawing substituent and the substitution pattern of the unsaturated substrate. These reagents also undergo conjugate addition reactions with alpha,beta-alkynyl esters, sulfoxides, and nitriles and with alpha,beta-beta,gamma-unsaturated allenyl esters. Excellent stereocontrol is achieved in the conjugate additions of alpha-aminoalkylcuprates to the allenyl esters, while poor stereoselectivity results in the conjugate additions to the alkynyl derivatives. Deprotection and cyclization of the alkynyl adducts affords pyrrolin-2-ones, while similar treatment of the allenyl adducts affords 4-alkylidine- pyrrolidin-2-ones and pyrrolizidinones.     

Enyne and dienyne metathesis reactions in β-carbolines

New indolic enynes and dienynes, based on the β-carboline system, give metathesis products with ruthenium catalysts. The synthesis of the starting materials is readily achieved from tryptamine. The tuning up of the conditions for the metathesis is discussed. Cascade metathesis gives an oxidized pentacyclic product.     

New latent metathesis catalysts equipped with exchangeable boronic ester groups on the NHC

Abstract

Latent metathesis catalysts equipped with boronate esters of diols as exchangeable end-groups on their NHC ligands and an S-chelated ruthenium-benzylidene core were synthesized. The stable S-chelated ruthenium complexes underwent hydrolysis under mild acidic conditions, allowing easy exchange of terminal units by several 1,2- and 1,3-diols, without degrading the central ruthenium benzylidene. Using this strategy, we also prepared metathesis catalysts equipped with diallyl substrates at the termini that showed concentration dependency on RCM reactions. Notably, the larger dendritic catalysts were more efficient at the more dilute condition.     

Mechanistic Aspects of Olefin Metathesis

In this paper views regarding the nature of the transition state in olefin metathesis are discussed. Earlier concepts that assumed a pairwise scrambling mechanism have been recently challenged. Metathesis studies involving acyclic as well as cyclic olefins have been reported which strongly suggest a chain process that may involve a carbene-to-metallocycle interconversion as the pathway responsible for transalkylidenation. Catalytic systems that display a low apparent metathesis activity on terminal olefins display a unique specificity in cross reactions with internal olefins. Critical experiments indicate that terminal olefins rapidly undergo regenerative metathesis preferentially. Results suggest that in the transient metallocycle, the most stringent steric requirements occur at the β-carbon, although the origin of this steric demand is not obvious.     

Alkyne Metathesis as a New Synthetic Tool: Ring‐Closing,Ring‐Opening,and Acyclic

Conceptually and mechanistically (!) the metathesis of disubstituted alkynes in the presence of molybdenum or tungsten catalysts (see scheme) is related to alkene metathesis. With skillful experimentation and careful selection of substrate, alkyne metathesis can result in both ring opening/ring closing and the formation of high molecular weight polymers.     

Ligand manipulation and design for ruthenium metathesis and tandem metathesis-hydrogenation catalysis

Results of investigations into tandem ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP)-hydrogenation are reviewed, in which hydrogen and 3-chloro-3-methyl-1-butyne provide simple chemical toggles to switch between metathesis and hydrogenation chemistry, enabling multiple tandem catalysis in chlorocarbon solvent. In the presence of methanol, hydrogenation of metathesis polymers can be carried out under 1 atm H₂. Issues of ligand design are examined in developing new Ru-diphosphine catalysts with improved selectivity, and an important decomposition pathway is identified for RuCl₂(PP)(CHR) systems (PP=chelating diphosphine).     

钨含量对W/SiO2/Al2O3催化剂上1-丁烯自歧化反应的影响

采用浸渍法制备了一系列钨负载量不同的W/SiO₂/Al₂O₃ 催化剂. 采用X 射线衍射(XRD)、激光拉曼(Raman)光谱、紫外-可见(UV-Vis)光谱、氢气程序升温还原(H₂-TPR)和氨程序升温脱附(NH₃-TPD)等技术对催化剂进行了表征. 实验结果表明: 钨的负载量对催化剂上氧化钨物种的分散程度、还原性以及催化剂的酸性有非常重要的影响. 对该类催化剂上1-丁烯自歧化反应进行了详细考察, 结果表明: 当钨的质量分数为6.0%时,W/SiO₂/Al₂O₃催化剂表现出最佳的歧化活性和稳定性. 原因在于6.0%的钨负载量可以使催化剂上氧化钨物种具有中等程度的分散性、合适的还原性, 并且使催化剂具有一定程度的酸性, 这些因素有利于在催化剂上形成烯烃歧化活性位.     

Thermal- and Light-driven Metathesis Reactions Between Different Diselenides

Thermal- and light-driven diselenide metathesis reactions with different types of diselenides are investigated systematically. Their exchange reaction rates and equilibrium conversions are compared in the aspects of the different diselenide structures, activation conditions and solvents. As a result, the metathesis reactions between diselenide small molecules are demonstrated with high dynamic and sensitive features, which can be broadly tuned by varying the electron affinity and aromaticity of the diselenide substituents and external conditions(e.g., solvent, stimulus mode). The current work thus will not only advance our understanding on diselenide metathesis chemistry, but also promote concrete and impactful studies in selenium-containing materials.     

Ruthenium‐Catalyzed Metathesis Cascade Reactions in Natural Products Synthesis

In this account, we provide a brief summary of recent developments in ruthenium‐catalyzed metathesis cascade reactions towards the total synthesis of natural products. We also highlight recent progress from our own laboratory regarding the synthesis of securinega alkaloids and humulanolides, which has resulted in the development of novel ruthenium‐catalyzed metathesis cascade reactions. Inspired and guided by the pioneering and elegant research conducted in this area, we developed a regio‐controlled relay dienyne metathesis cascade reaction and a cyclobutene‐promoted RCM/ROM/RCM cascade reaction for the synthesis of securinega alkaloids and humulanolides, respectively.     

Highly convergent synthesis of chiral bicyclophosphinates by domino hydrophosphinylation/Michael/Michael reaction

Diastereoselective domino reactions of iminoalcohols and allenyl H-phosphinates produce chiral phosphorus bicycles in a regio- and stereoselective fashion. A predictive model for diastereoselection is used for these new chiral phosphinic esters.     

Ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of isomerically pure functional monomers and acyclic diene metathesis depolymerization (retro-ADMET) of functionalized polyalkenamers

ROMP and retro-acyclic diene metathesis (ADMET) were used for the synthesis of new functional polymers and functional oligomers, respectively. Purely exo and enantiomerically pure norbornene and 7-oxanorbornene derivatives were prepared using stereospecific synthesis, effective fractionation and high yield condensation reactions. Successful ROMPs of those monomers were performed using either the new carbenic Schrock’s or Grubb’s catalysts or in some cases a classical bicomponent catalyst. New functional polymers such as optically active poly(norbornene-2-carboxylic acid), reactive poly(norbornene-2-azlactone), and side-chain liquid crystal polyoxanorbornenes were fully characterized. On the other hand, successful depolymerizations of 1,4-polyisoprene and of epoxidized 1,4-polybutadiene via cross-metathesis with 4-octene were performed using a stabilized bicomponent catalyst and the Grubb’s catalyst, respectively. Conditions for the controlled synthesis of epoxidized oligobutadienes and of epoxydienic monomers via retro-ADMET were clearly defined.     

Highly Active Ruthenium Catalysts for Olefin Metathesis: The Synergy of N-Heterocyclic Carbenes and Coordinatively Labile Ligands

Two N-heterocyclic carbene ligands at once may be one too many , at least if you intend to have highly active ruthenium catalysts for olefin metathesis. Density functional calculations recommend the replacement of the second carbene ligand in the successful ROMP catalysts 1 by coordinatively more labile ligands as in 2 or 3 . In both cases, the catalytic activity is greatly improved.     

Improved ruthenium catalysts for Z-selective olefin metathesis

Several new C-H-activated ruthenium catalysts for Z-selective olefin metathesis have been synthesized. Both the carboxylate ligand and the aryl group of the N-heterocyclic carbene have been altered and the resulting catalysts evaluated using a range of metathesis reactions. Substitution of bidentate with monodentate X-type ligands led to a severe attenuation of metathesis activity and selectivity, while minor differences were observed between bidentate ligands within the same family (e.g., carboxylates). The use of nitrato-type ligands in place of carboxylates afforded a significant improvement in metathesis activity and selectivity. With these catalysts, turnover numbers approaching 1000 were possible for a variety of cross-metathesis reactions, including the synthesis of industrially relevant products.