A highly enantioselective catalytic intramolecular Stetter reaction

A family of chiral triazolium salts has been developed for inducing the asymmetric intramolecular Stetter reaction. The use of an aminoindanol-derived catalyst affords optimal results, with the product keto esters formed in 82-97% ee and very good chemical yield. Aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes are equally competent substrates for this reaction. The reaction conditions are reasonably mild and allow the isolation of the newly formed stereocenter without epimerization, although the presumed carbenic intermediates are strong bases.     

Understanding the mechanism of the intramolecular stetter reaction. A DFT study

The mechanism of the N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-catalyzed intramolecular Stetter reaction of salicylaldehyde 1 to yield chromanone 3 has been theoretically studied at the B3LYP/6-31G** level. This NHC-catalyzed reaction takes place through six elementary steps, which involve: (i) formation of the Breslow intermediate IN2; (ii) an intramolecular Michael-Type addition in IN2 to form the new C-C s bond; and (iii) extrusion of the NHC catalyst from the Michael adduct to yield chromanone 3. Analysis of the relative free energies in toluene indicates that while formation of Breslow intermediate IN2 involves the rate-determining step of the catalytic process, the intramolecular Michael-type addition is the stereoselectivity determining step responsible for the configuration of the stereogenic carbon a to the carbonyl of chromanone 3. An ELF analysis at TSs and intermediates involved in the Michael-type addition allows for the characterization of the electronic changes along the C-C bond-formation.     

A theoretical study of the mechanism for the homogeneous catalytic reversible dehydrogenation-hydrogenation of nitrogen heterocycles

A mechanism for the dehydrogenation reaction of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline to quinoline derivatives, catalyzed by a Cp*Ir complex containing a 2-pyridonate ligand, is proposed and supported by theoretical calculations at the B3LYP level. The proposed mechanism involves two stages which are all thermodynamically unfavorable (endothermic by 36.3 kcal mol(-1) and 18.4 kcal mol(-1), respectively). The apparent activation energies of the first and second stages of the reaction are 30.8 kcal mol(-1) and 34.0 kcal mol(-1), respectively, and are considered overestimates of the entropy change of reaction. Owing to a decrease in the oxidative ability of iridium(III) coordinated to large electronegative nitrogen and chlorine, ligand promoted hydrogen abstraction is crucial at both stages of dehydrogenation, in which the oxidation state of iridium(III) does not change, and the ligand 2-pyridonate is converted to 2-hydroxypyridine. Cp*Ir(C(5)NH(4)OH)ClH, an important intermediate, releases hydrogen through an energy barrier of 23.5 kcal mol(-1).     

A highly enantio- and diastereoselective catalytic intramolecular Stetter reaction

A highly enantio- and diastereoselective intramolecular Stetter reaction has been developed. Subjection of alpha,alpha-disubstituted Michael acceptors to an asymmetric intramolecular Stetter reaction results in a highly enantioselective conjugate addition and a diastereoselective proton transfer. Available evidence suggests the diastereoselective protonation occurs via intramolecular delivery to the sterically more hindered face of the enolate. The scope of the trisubstituted Michael acceptors has been examined and found to be broad with respect to the size of the alpha-substituent and nature of the Michael acceptor. Aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes were examined and found to afford the desired product in good overall yield with high enantio- and diastereoselectivity.     

Synthesis of medium ring heterocycles using an intramolecular Heck reaction

Historically, general convergent syntheses of medium ring heterocycles have been difficult to develop. Herein, we describe the synthesis of five classes of heterocycles: dihydrodibenzo[b,f]azepine, -oxocine, and -thiocine and dibenzo[b,f]azepine and -oxepine using a strategy of alkylation followed by highly selective intramolecular Heck arylation reaction. The hetero-tricyclic compounds were available in only two steps starting from commercially available starting materials.     

Synthesis of benzodiazocine-annulated heterocycles by the implementation of Pd-catalyzed intramolecular Heck reaction

Synthesis of hitherto unreported benzodiazocine-annulated heterocycles by the implementation of palladium-catalyzed intramolecular Heck reaction has been achieved in excellent yields.     

Novel formation of 1,3-oxazepine heterocycles via palladium-catalyzed intramolecular coupling reaction

The oxazepine ring systems containing pyridazinone moiety were constructed via palladium-catalyzed intramolecular coupling reaction. The best conditions for this reaction were Pd(OAc)₂ as a palladium source, 1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)-ferrocene (DPPF) as the ligand, and K₂CO₃ as base at 80 °C in toluene. The products have potential applications as biological and medicinal relevant compounds.     

H-SAPO-18催化甲醇制烯烃反应机理:第一性原理计算研究

低碳烯烃(乙烯、丙烯等)是重要的基本有机原料, 一般通过蒸汽裂解或催化裂解生成得到.基于中国的资源结构特点, 发展非石油资源路线合成低碳烯烃具有重要的战略意义. 其中从煤、天然气等资源出发, 通过甲醇合成低碳烯烃就提供了这样一条可替代的路线. 因此分子筛催化甲醇制烯烃(MTO)反应在过去几十年获得了广泛的关注和研究. 为了获得高的产物选择性, 一般要求MTO分子筛催化材料具有较小的孔道结构以及合适的笼结构, H-SAPO-34和H-SAPO-18分子筛就具有这样的空间结构特点. 但是MTO催化反应产物分布多样复杂, 因此需要深入认识MTO催化反应机理, 从而优化设计分子筛结构和反应条件.目前已经形成的共识认为, MTO催化反应沿着烃池反应机理进行, 但是烃池活性中心的结构还存在很多争议. 我们曾系统研究了H-SAPO-18分子筛中多甲基苯的分布, 以及催化MTO反应的芳烃循环路线, 指出多甲基苯路线的总吉布斯自由能垒高于200 kJ/mol (673 K). 本文以四甲基乙烯(TME)作为代表性的烯烃烃池活性中心, 系统研究了H-SAPO-18分子筛催化MTO反应的烯烃循环路线. TME循环路线的总吉布斯自由能垒不大于150 kJ/mol, 远小于芳烃循环的总能垒. 因此, 烯烃本身有很大可能是H-SAPO-18催化MTO反应的烃池活性中心. 我们也指出了芳烃循环和烯烃循环路线的相似性, 这包括基元反应的相似性和中间体结构的相似性. 或者可以说, 芳烃循环和烯烃循环路线机理上没有区别, 关键是为了得到具有烷基(侧)链的裂解前驱体, 最后通过裂解生成低碳烯烃. 在烯烃循环路线中, 产物选择性与裂解前驱体(高碳烯烃、碳正离子等)的分布以及裂解动力学有关. 计算发现生成乙烯和丙烯的裂解基元反应能垒与裂解前驱体的碳数之间存在线性关系. 本文进一步强调了分子筛催化MTO反应中烯烃活性中心的重要性, 并且清楚指出了烯烃循环和芳烃循环的机理相似性.     

Enantioselective formation of quaternary stereocenters using the catalytic intramolecular Stetter reaction

Asymmetric formation of quaternary stereocenters has been accomplished using the catalytic intramolecular Stetter reaction. A variety of tethered aldehydes and Michael acceptors are cyclized in excellent yields and enantioselectivities.     

Meldrum's acids as acylating agents in the catalytic intramolecular Friedel-Crafts reaction

[reaction: see text] The intramolecular Friedel-Crafts acylation of aromatics with Meldrum's acid derivatives catalyzed by metal trifluoromethanesulfonates is reported. Meldrum's acids are easily prepared, functionalized, handled, and purified. The synthesis of polysubstituted 1-indanones from benzyl Meldrum's acids was investigated thoroughly, and it was shown that a variety of catalysts were effective, while accommodating a diversity of functional groups under mild conditions. The scope, limitations, and functional group tolerance (terminal alkene and alkyne, ketal, dialkyl ether, dialkyl thioether, aryl methyl ether, aryl TIPS and TBDPS ethers, nitrile- and nitro-substituted aryls, alkyl and aryl halides) for a variety of 5-benzyl (enolizable Meldrum's acids) and 5-benzyl-5-substituted Meldrum's acids (quaternized Meldrum's acids), forming 1-indanones and 2-substituted-1-indanones, respectively, are delineated. This method was further applied to the synthesis of 1-tetralones, 1-benzosuberones, and the potent acetylcholinesterase inhibitor donepezil. Rate of cyclization as a function of ring size was established for various benzocyclic ketones via competition experiments: 1-tetralones form faster than both 1-indanones and 1-benzosuberones, and 1-benzosuberones cyclize faster than 1-indanones.     

Quantum-chemical study of the mechanism of the growth reaction in the catalytic polymerization of alkenes

Conclusion The present review examines only some of the problems of the mechanism of the growth reaction in the catalytic polymerization of alkenes, which have been the subject of quantum-chemical studies by a number of workers. The number of theoretical papers in this field is small. Nevertheless, the results obtained make it possible to understand various important characteristic features of not only the polymerization reaction but also other interesting reactions involving the participation of organometallic compounds.Institute of Catalysis, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Siberian Branch. Translated from Zhurnal Strukturnoi Khimii, Vol. 18, No. 3, pp. 525–545, May–June, 1977.     

Investigation of the mechanism of the intramolecular Scholl reaction of contiguous phenylbenzenes

Two mechanisms of the Scholl reaction were investigated in the series 1, 2, ..., n-oligophenylbenzenes (n = 2, 3, 4, 6) at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level of theory. A mechanism involving generation of a radical cation followed by C-C bond formation and dehydrogenation is unlikely on the basis of unfavorable energies of activation. A mechanism involving generation of an arenium cation followed by C-C bond formation and dehydrogenation is energetically feasible. An explanation for the facile polycondensation of hexaphenylbenzene to hexa-peri-hexabenzocoronene, where six new aryl-aryl bonds are formed, is provided. Kinetic simulations based on the calculated activation energies of the arenium cation mechanism predict that intermediates will not accumulate; this is supported by mass balance experiments. Reaction optimization studies suggest that PhI(O2CCF3)2/BF3.OEt2 or MoCl5 are superior to FeCl3 or AlCl3/CuCl2. This is a full account of our work reported partially as a communication previously (Rempala, P.; Kroulík, J.; King, B. T. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2004, 126, 15002-15003).     

酸性分子筛上甲醇催化转化反应机理研究进展

概括了甲醇转化反应机理实验和理论研究方法,介绍了甲醇脱水预平衡阶段的主要机理模型和实验理论依据,重点综述了C-C键形成过程中涉及到的直接机理和"烃池"机理的实验与理论研究进展和存在的问题,探讨了分子筛孔道结构对"烃池"物种结构和反应历程的影响.     

Characterization of the switch in the mechanism of an intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction

Changing the dienophile moiety of an intramolecular Diels-Alder (IMDA) cycloaddition from an allyl ether to an allenyl ether can dramatically change the regioselectivity. We hereby show by density functional theory computations that such unprecedented divergence is produced by an underlying change in the mechanism of the reaction. The allyl ether yields a fused tetrahydrofuran through a classical Diels-Alder reaction, whereas the allenyl ether yields a (methylidene)tetrahydropyran through a stepwise process. The latter reaction involves an extreme asynchronism in the bond-forming events with a diradicaloid intermediate that is stabilized by conjugation and synergistic (captodative) effects. Comparison with intermolecular model D-A reactions, which are concerted processes with various degrees of asynchrony, helps explain the change in regioselectivity for the IMDA reaction of allyl systems and the shift in mechanism for the IMDA reaction of the allenyl derivatives studied.     

A theoretical study of the catalytic mechanism of formate dehydrogenase

A theoretical study of the hydride transfer between formate anion and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD(+)) catalyzed by the enzyme formate dehydrogenase (FDH) has been carried out by a combination of two hybrid quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics techniques: statistical simulation methods and internal energy minimizations. Free energy profiles, obtained for the reaction in the enzyme active site and in solution, allow obtaining a comparative analysis of the behavior of both condensed media. Moreover, calculations of the reaction in aqueous media can be used to probe the dramatic differences between reactants state in the enzyme active site and in solution. The results suggest that the enzyme compresses the substrate and the cofactor into a conformation close to the transition structure by means of favorable interactions with the amino acid residues of the active site, thus facilitating the relative orientation of donor and acceptor atoms to favor the hydride transfer. Moreover, a permanent field created by the protein reduces the work required to reach the transition state (TS) with a concomitant polarization of the cofactor that would favor the hydride transfer. In contrast, in water the TS is destabilized with respect to the reactant species because the polarity of the solute diminishes as the reaction proceeds, and consequently the reaction field, which is created as a response to the change in the solute polarity, is also decreased. Therefore protein structure is responsible of both effects; substrate preorganization and TS stabilization thus diminishing the activation barrier. Because of the electrostatic features of the catalyzed reaction, both media preferentially stabilize the ground-state, thus explaining the small rate constant enhancement of this enzyme, but FDH does so to a much lower extent than aqueous solution. Finally, a good agreement between experimental and theoretical kinetic isotope effects is found, thus giving some credit to our results.     

The intramolecular sila-Pummerer cyclization: A new route to sulfur heterocycles

The generality of the intramolecular cyclization of suitable nucleophilic sites to a  S⁺CH₂ center created by a sila-Pummerer rearrangement has been investigated. Successful nucleophilic sites included the OH group (in alcohols, carboxylic acids, and hydroxylamines) and the NH group (in amines and carbamates): attempts to produce carbon-based nucleophilic sites were not effective. Successful cyclizations were achieved to produce sulfur heterocycles with 5-, 6-, and 7-membered rings.     

A novel palladium-catalyzed intramolecular redox reaction

[reaction: see text] A new type of palladium-catalyzed redox reaction is described, forming enones from 2-(2-bromobenzyl)-ketones with an overall loss of HBr. The scope and limitations of the reaction are demonstrated by a series of cyclic and acyclic substrates. The mechanism most probably involves the formation of an intramolecular arylpalladium enolate and is related to the oxidation of silyl enol ethers with palladium acetate.