Appraisal of through-bond and through-space substituent effects via molecular electrostatic potential topography

Through-bond (TB) and through-space (TS) substituent effects in substituted alkyl, alkenyl, and alkynyl arenes are quantified separately using molecular electrostatic potential (MESP) topographical analysis. The deepest MESP point over the aromatic ring (V(min)) is considered as a probe for monitoring these effects for a variety of substituents. In the case of substituted alkyl chains, the TS effect (79.6%) clearly dominates the TB effect, whereas in the unsaturated analogues the TB effect (～55%) overrides the TS effect.     

Quantifying the electronic effect of substituted phosphine ligands via molecular electrostatic potential

Values of the molecular electrostatic potential minimum (V(min)) corresponding to the lone pair region of several substituted phosphine ligands (PR(3)) have been determined at the DFT level. The V(min) value is proposed as a quantitative measure of the electronic effect of the PR(3) ligands. Good linear correlation between V(min) and Tolman electronic parameter of PR(3) has been obtained. V(min) is also proportional to the pK(a) values of the conjugate acids of PR(3), viz., [PR(3)H](+). Further, the DeltaE values of the reaction Ni(CO)(3) + PR(3) --> Ni(CO)(3)PR(3) and ScH(3) + PR(3) --> ScH(3)PR(3) are also linearly proportional to the V(min) values. However, if there is a strong metal to phosphorus pi-back-bonding, the DeltaE and V(min) do not fit to a line. It is also found that the standard reduction potential as well as the enthalpy change corresponding to the electrochemical couple eta-Cp(CO)(PR(3))(COMe)Fe(+)/eta-Cp(CO)(PR(3))(COMe)Fe(0) is linearly proportional to the V(min) values of PR(3). These correlations suggest that V(min) is a quantitative measure of the sigma-donating ability of the phosphine. It is hoped that, in phosphine-metal coordination chemistry, the V(min) based electronic parameter could be more advantageous than nu-CO and pK(a) based electronic parameters as it solely represents the inherent electronic property of the ligand.     

Highly stereoselective method to prepare bis-phenylchalcogen alkenes via addition of chalcogenolate to phenylseleno alkynes

The preparation of bis-phenylchalcogen alkenes starting from phenylseleno alkynes is described. The nucleophilic species of selenium, tellurium and sulfur were generated in situ from the reaction of the respective diphenyl dichalcogenide with NaBH₄ in PEG-400 as solvent. The chalcogenolate anions were efficiently and selectively added to a variety of phenylselenoalkynes at mild conditions, furnishing the respective (Z)-1,2-bis-phenylchalcogen alkenes in good yields.     

Synthesis of 1,1-disubstituted alkenes via a Ru-catalyzed addition.

The synthesis of 1,1-disubstituted alkenes typically involves reactions that lack atom economy such as olefination protocols. The use of various ruthenium complexes to effect the addition of terminal alkynes to alkenes is explored as an atom economical strategy. Two new ruthenium complexes have been discovered that effect this reaction at ambient temperature, cyclopentadienylruthenium (triphenylphosphine) camphorsulfonate and cyclopentadienylruthenium tris(acetonitrile) hexafluorophosphate. Using these complexes as catalysts, reactions proceed at ambient temperature in acetone or DMF, respectively. Regioselectivity favoring the formation of a 1,1-disubstituted over a 1,2-disubstituted alkene typically ranges from 9:1 to >25:1. The reaction demonstrates extraordinary chemoselectivity-even di- and trisubstituted alkenes such as present in the products do not compete with the starting monosubstituted alkene. Free hydroxyl groups as well as silyl and PMB ethers are tolerated as are ketones, esters, and amides. The mechanism of the reaction is believed to invoke formation of a metallacyclopentene. To account for the chemo- and regioselectivity, the initial formation of the metallacycle is believed to be reversible. While formation of the 2,5-disubstituted ruthenacyclopentene, which produces the linear product, is believed to be kinetically preferred, the rate of beta-hydrogen elimination from the 2,4-disubstituted ruthenacyclopentene, which produces the branched product, is believed to be faster. Thus, the competition between the rate of beta-hydrogen elimination and cycloreversion rationalizes the results.     

Directed Markovnikov hydroarylation and hydroalkenylation of alkenes under nickel catalysis

We report a full account of our research on nickel-catalyzed Markovnikov-selective hydroarylation and hydroalkenylation of non-conjugated alkenes, which has yielded a toolkit of methods that proceed under mild conditions with alkenyl sulfonamide, ketone, and amide substrates. Regioselectivity is controlled through catalyst coordination to the native Lewis basic functional groups contained within these substrates. To maximize product yield, reaction conditions were fine-tuned for each substrate class, reflecting the different coordination properties of the directing functionality. Detailed kinetic and computational studies shed light on the mechanism of this family of transformations, pointing to transmetalation as the turnover-limiting step.

Native Lewis basic functional groups enable the nickel-catalyzed Markovnikov-selective hydroarylation and hydroalkenylation of unactivated alkenes with organoboron reagents.     

Penicillin G acylase catalyzed Markovnikov addition of allopurinol to vinyl ester

A new enzymatic process is reported, in which penicillin G acylase from Escherichia coli displays a promiscuous activity in catalyzing the Markovnikov addition of allopurinol to vinyl ester.     

Multipole expansions of the electrostatic molecular potential

Multipole expansions of the electrostatic molecular potential up to the hexadecapole terms are examined for H₂O, NH₃ and C₂H₄NH. A reasonable approximation to get unexpensive first order representations of the electrostatic potential for regions outside the van der Waals volume is found.     

胰岛素单体、双体分子静电势的计算

计算了三方二锌胰岛素晶胞不对称单位中两个胰岛素分子单体及其双体的分子静电势。结果表明:胰岛素两个单体分子的构象不同,其分子表面静电势也不相同,由于它们的构象是类似的,所以其电势分布也是接近的,单体胰岛素分子的表面静电势呈偶极型分布,双体的表面静电势基本保持单体的特征。文中还比较了两个单体分子及其集聚后的静电势变化。     

Copper-catalysed intramolecular O-H addition to unactivated alkenes

Intramolecular cyclisation of ω-alkenoic acids and alkenols can be achieved using a catalytic amount of Cu(OTf)₂ to afford lactones and cyclic ethers, offering a practical alternative to existing catalysts.     

The molecular electrostatic potential of the B-DNA helix

The influence of a single and double helical DNA environment on the molecular electrostatic potentials at the C₈ and amino sites of guanine and adenine are studied. The results are employed in a tentative explanation of the variation in binding sites of N-acetoxy-N-2-acetylaminofluorene with DNA, following whether the nucleic acid is in a native or denatured state.     

The molecular electrostatic potential of the B-DNA helix

The overlap multipole expansion procedure is utilized for the evaluation of the component of the electrostatic molecular potential of the B-DNA helix due to its sugar-phosphate backbone. The overall shape of the potential, its extension in space, the location of the minima and the differences in the values of the potential in particularly significant regions (minor and major grooves, vicinity of the phosphates) are indicated. The isopotential surfaces are practically cylindrical at distances larger than 15 Å from the helix axis but exhibit a more complex structure at shorter distances.This paper is dedicated to Professor H. Hartmann on the occasion of his 65th birthday.     

Intramolecular polar addition reactions of active methylene moieties to aryl-substituted alkenes via photoinduced electron transfer

The synthesis of cycloalkane derivatives with ring sizes of 5-7 was achieved in moderate yields by photoirradiation of aqueous acetonitrile solutions, containing compounds that consist of active methylene moieties tethered to aryl-substituted alkenes along with sodium hydroxide and 9-cyanophenanthrene. When the substrate contains ethyl cyanoacetate as an asymmetric active methylene moiety, the reaction proceeds in a highly diastereoselective manner.     

The molecular electrostatic potential of some simple molecules

The calculation of the molecular electrostatic potential from simplified models of the electron density is considered. Results are shown for water, hydrogen fluoride and ammonia. Little loss of accuracy is evident when the density is represented by a linear sum of well-chosen Gaussians. When these are further simplified into sets of point charges the inner parts of the molecule are poorly represented. More elaborate point moments make the representation worse. On the other hand a mixed representation with point charges and one diffuse Gaussian gives all the essential features of the potential of these molecules.     

Regioselective cobalt-catalyzed addition of sulfides to unactivated alkenes

A novel method to synthesize tertiary alkyl/aryl sulfides in a mild and regioselective manner from unactivated alkenes using cobalt catalysis is described. The methodology is compatible with sensitive functionalities and is successful with several different types of alkenes and sulfides.     

Stereochemistry of addition of disulfonium dications to alkenes

Stereochemistry of the addition of a cyclic disulfonium dication generated from 1,4-dithiane to alkenes was studied. The reaction is nonstereospecific, which can be attributed to a stepwise mechanism.Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 8, pp. 1660–1662, August, 2004.     

Regioselectivity in addition of atomic fluorine to alkenes

Irradiation of N₂F₄(NF₂) with propene and with 1,1-difluoroethene in the gas phase atroom temperature leads to the addition of F and NF₂ across the double bond. The ratioof terminal to internal addition of F to propene was found to be 1.4:1 after correctingfor the decomposition of vibrationally excited intermediates. In the case of 1,1-difluoroethene,the corrected ratio of F addition is 5:1 with addition at the methylene sitepredominating. The difference in selectivity of F addition to propene and to 1,1-difluoroethenecorrelates with spin density difference in the π-π* triplet state of the alkeneand with the difference in the HOMO coefficients of the substrate alkene, i.e. the patternof selectivity is that predicted by the State Correlation Diagram model of Shaik andCanadell.     

Cationic iridium-BINAP complex-catalyzed addition of aryl ketones to alkynes and alkenes via directed C-H bond cleavage

Cationic Ir complex ([Ir(cod)₂]BF₄ + BINAP) catalyzed the addition of ortho-C-H bonds in aryl ketones to alkynes, which gave alkenylated products in good to high yield. Styrene derivatives were good substrates, and the enantioselective addition to norbornene was also described.     

Accuracy assessment of semiempirical molecular electrostatic potential of proteins

 Accurate electrostatic maps of proteins are of great importance in research of protein interaction with ligands, solvent media, drugs, and other biomolecules. The large size of real-life proteins imposes severe limitations on computational methods one can use for obtaining the electrostatic map. Well-known accurate second-order M?ller–Plesset and density functional theory methods are not routinely applicable to systems larger than several hundred atoms. Conventional semiempirical tools, as less resource demanding ones, could be an attractive solution but they do not yield sufficiently accurate calculation results with reference to protein systems, as our analysis demonstrates. The present work performs a thorough analysis of the accuracy issues of the modified neglect of differential overlap type semiempirical Hamiltonians AM1 and PM3 on example of the calculation of the molecular electrostatic potential and the dipole moment of natural amino acids. Real capabilities and limitations of these methods with application to protein modeling are discussed. Received: 26 April 2002 / Accepted: 19 September 2002 / Published online: 14 February 2003     

芬太尼类化合物的分子静电势研究

本文应用INDO波函数计算了三个芬太尼类化合物的分子静电势。酰胺氧原子周围均存在一个势阱很深的宽广的负电势区域, 是最重要的负电中心。 哌啶环4-位引入甲氧甲基后,增加了新的负电势区域。哌啶环1-位芳环周围具有宽广的正电势区域。 哌啶氮原子和酰胺氮原子附近存在较小的负电势区域。 基于计算出的静电势推测了三个化合物的镇痛作用的可能机理及药物结构与毒性的关系。