Functionalizations of Mixtures of Regioisomeric Aryllithium Compounds by Selective Trapping with Dichlorozirconocene

The reaction of mixtures of aryllithium regioisomers obtained either by directed lithiation or by Br/Li exchange with substoichiometric amounts of Cp₂ZrCl₂ proceeds with high regioselectivity. The least sterically hindered regioisomeric aryllithium is selectively transmetalated to the corresponding arylzirconium species leaving the more hindered aryllithium ready for various reactions with electrophiles. As an application, these regioselective transmetalations from Li to Zr were used to prepare all three lithiated regioisomers of 1,3‐bis(trifluoromethyl)benzene.     

Li-biphenyl-1,2-dimethoxyethane solution: calculation and its application

Metallic lithium reacts with biphenyl in 1,2-dimethoxyethane (DME) solvent at room temperature. This reaction has been studied using density functional theory (DFT) at the B3LYP level together with the 6-311++G (d,p) basis set. From the energy results of the corresponding optimized geometries for intermediate complexes, the reaction can be interpreted as a charge-transfer process between lithium and biphenyl followed by Li+ coordination with ether oxygens in DME. In addition, the experimentally observed vibrational bands can be unambiguously assigned and interpreted according to the normal modes calculated for the biphenyl-Li-DME complex. This organic complex solution has been demonstrated as a very effective chemical lithiation agent. V2O5 can be lithiated up to 1.45 lithium ions per formula. The lithiated V2O5 shows a high Li-extraction capacity of 173 mAh/g as cathode material for lithium ion batteries.     

Regioselective lithiation of aryl benzyl ethers

The lithiation of a series of aryl benzyl ethers containing -F and -OMe groups has been studied. It was found that the presence of one or two fluorine atoms in the meta position relative to the oxygen atom prevents the lithiation at the benzyl carbon atom. 3-(3′,5′-Dimethoxybenzyloxy)fluorobenzene was lithiated and next reacted with DMF to give 2-(3′,5′-dimethoxybenzyloxy)-6-fluorobenzaldehyde. A three-step procedure was applied to remove three hydrogen atoms from 1,3-difluoro-5-(3′,5′-dimethoxybenzyloxy)benzene and replace them with methyl groups by reactions of the lithiated compounds with MeI.     

Directed regioselective lithiation of (η-arene) chromium tricarbonyl complexes : Regioselective synthesis of anthraquinones and calamenenes

(3-Methoxybenzylalcohol)chromium tricarbonyl (10) and (7-methoxy-1-tetralol)chromium tricarbonyl (12) are selectively lithiated at the 4- and 6-positions, respectively, by treatment with n-BuLi-TMEDA. Since the directed lithiation of the corresponding chromium free arenes normally proceeds at the 2-and 8-positions, complementarily substituted arenes can be prepared by using the chromium tricarbonyl complexes. The difierent position of lithiation is explained by the relative configuration of the chromium tricarbonyl group in the (arene)Cr(CO)₃ and electrostatic factors. Some anthraquinones, 31,36,42, and 7-hydroxycalamenenes, 43, have been synthesized through the stereo- and regioselective introduction of substituents by means of(η⁶-arene)chromium tricarbonyl complexes.     

Lateral lithiation of N,N′-diaryl ureas

Aromatic ureas bearing N-(2-alkylaryl) groups may be laterally lithiated by treatment with sec-butyllithium. Quenching with a range of electrophiles yields functionalised aryl ureas in excellent yield. Lateral lithiation is favoured when the urea nitrogen adjacent to the aromatic ring in question is alkylated, and when competitive lithiations of such a ring are possible, lateral lithiation is more favourable than the alternative ortholithiation.     

A lithiation approach to cordycepin analogues variously substituted at the C-8 position

Several 8-substituted cordycepins were prepared via LDA lithiation of 2′,5′-bis-O-(t-butyldimethylsilyl)-cordycepin and successive reactions of its C-8 lithiated species with various types of electrophiles. Wittig reaction of the 8-formyl derivative was also examined.     

Direct transformation of silyl enol ethers into functionalized allenes

The first elimination reactions of silyl enol ethers to lithiated allenes are reported. These reactions allow a direct transformation of readily available silyl enol ethers into functionalized allenes. The action of three to four equivalents of lithium diisopropylamide (LDA) on silyl enol ethers results in the formation of lithiated allenes by initial allylic lithiation, subsequent elimination of a lithium silanolate, and finally, lithiation of the allene thus formed. Starting with amide-derived silyl imino ethers, lithiated ketenimines are obtained. A variety of reactions of the lithiated allenes with electrophiles (chlorosilanes, trimethylchlorostannane, dimethyl sulfate and ethanol) were carried out. Elimination of silanolate is observed only for substrates that contain the hindered SiMe2tBu or Si(iPr)3 moiety, but not for the SiMe3 group. The reaction of 1,1-dilithio-3,3-diphenylallene with ketones provides a convenient access to novel 1,1-di(hydroxymethyl)allenes which undergo a domino Nazarov-Friedel-Crafts reaction upon treatment with p-toluenesulfonic acid.     

High‐Yield Lithiation of Azobenzenes by Tin–Lithium Exchange

The lithiation of halogenated azobenzenes by halogen–lithium exchange commonly leads to substantial degradation of the azo group to give hydrazine derivatives besides the desired aryl lithium species. Yields of quenching reactions with electrophiles are therefore low. This work shows that a transmetalation reaction of easily accessible stannylated azobenzenes with methyllithium leads to a near‐quantitative lithiation of azobenzenes in para, meta, and ortho positions. To investigate the scope of the reaction, various lithiated azobenzenes were quenched with a variety of electrophiles. Furthermore, mechanistic ¹¹⁹Sn NMR spectroscopic studies on the formation of lithiated azobenzenes are presented. A tin ate complex of the azobenzene was detected and characterized at low temperature.     

Preparation,lithiation and transformation of N-(benzotriazol-1-ylmethyl) heterocycles

Indole, carbazole, pyrrole, imidazole, benzimidazole, 2-methyl- and 2-phenylbenzimidazole, and 1, 2, 4-triazole have each been converted into their N-(benzotriazol-1-ylmethyl) derivatives. The pyrrole, indole, and carbazole adducts undergo smooth lithiation at the inter-ring methylene group and subsequent reaction there with electrophiles. For the imidazole, benzimidazole, and triazole systems, lithiations at other molecular positions competed.     

A First‐Cycle Coulombic Efficiency Higher than 100 % Observed for a Li2MO3 (M=Mo or Ru) Electrode

The lithiation/de‐lithiation behavior of a ternary oxide (Li₂MO₃, where M=Mo or Ru) is examined. In the first lithiation, the metal oxide (MO₂) component in Li₂MO₃ is lithiated by a conversion reaction to generate nano‐sized metal (M) particles and two equivalents of Li₂O. As a result, one idling Li₂O equivalent is generated from Li₂MO₃. In the de‐lithiation period, three equivalents of Li₂O react with M to generate MO₃. The first‐cycle Coulombic efficiency is theoretically 150 % since the initial Li₂MO₃ takes four Li⁺ ions and four electrons per formula unit, whereas the M component is oxidized to MO₃ by releasing six Li⁺ ions and six electrons. In practice, the first‐cycle Coulombic efficiency is less than 150 % owing to an irreversible charge consumption for electrolyte decomposition. The as‐generated MO₃ is lithiated/de‐lithiated from the second cycle with excellent cycle performance and rate capability.     

Synthesis of 3,4,5-trisubstituted indoles via iterative directed lithiation of 1-(triisopropylsilyl)gramines

Directed lithiation of 1-(triisopropylsilyl)gramines 1 with tert-butyllithium followed by reaction with trimethylsilylmethyl azide produced 4-amino-1-(triisopropylsilyl)gramines 7. The N-tert-butoxycarbonyl derivatives 8 were lithiated selectively at C-5 with tert-butyllithium and the lithiated species were reacted with a variety of electrophiles to give 5-functionalized compounds, 9 and 10. A facile method to produce 3,4,5-trisubstituted indoles from readily available gramine derivatives is thereby established.     

In situ Raman studies on lithiated single-wall carbon nanotubes in liquid ammonia

The charge transfer induced lithiation of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) was investigated by in situ monitoring by Raman spectroscopy as lithium was added incrementally to a dispersion of SWNTs in liquid ammonia. Charge transfer from liquid ammonia solvated lithium to the SWNTs led to intercalation of lithium into the SWNT ropes, as well as to the semi-covalent lithiation of the SWNTs. Raman spectra of the SWNTs recorded as lithium was added showed a 30 wavenumber downshift of the G band (1594 cm⁻¹) with the concomitant appearance of a new peak at 1350 cm⁻¹ that was assigned as the signature of the lithiated SWNTs. Addition of 1-iodododecane to the lithiated SWNTs resulted in the covalent attachment of dodecyl groups. The intercalation of lithium throughout the SWNT ropes led to complete dodecylation of all individual SWNTs.     

Kinetic study of the metalation of a polystyrene model compound by the secondary butyllithium-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylene diamine complex

2.5-Diphenyl hexane, a model compound of polystyrene was metalated by a complex of secondary butyllithium and N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylene diamine in heptane. At various times, the lithiated dimer was quenched with deuterated methanol. The deuterated compound was examined by mass spectrometry and from the deuterium content, the degree of lithiation was determined. The effects of the concentration of styrene units, secondary butyllithium and diamine on the lithiation were studied at 20 C and ?20 C. The overall rate of metalation was first order with respect to the styrene units concentration and half-order with respect to sec. butylithium-TMEDA complex concentration. The kinetic results were explained by the presence at 20 C of the 1 4 complex (1 sec. BuLi 4 TMEDA) and at ?20 C of the 1–2 complex (1 sec. BuLi 2 TMEDA).     

Use of alkyl 2,4,6-triisopropylbenzoates in the asymmetric homologation of challenging boronic esters

(-)-Sparteine induced lithiation of primary 2,4,6-triisopropylbenzoates and subsequent homologation of boronic esters is reported. A comparative study with lithiated N,N-diisopropylcarbamates has demonstrated the superiority of the hindered benzoate.     

Lithiation of 3-(Acylamino)-2-unsubstituted-, 3-(Acylamino)-2-ethyl-, and 3-(Acylamino)-2-propyl-4(3H)-quinazolinones: Convenient Syntheses of More Complex Quinazolinones(1)

3-(Pivaloylamino)- and 3-(acetylamino)-4(3H)-quinazolinones react with alkyllithium reagents to give 1,2-addition products in very good yields. Lithiation takes place with LDA and is regioselective at position 2. The lithium reagents thus obtained react with a variety of electrophiles to give the corresponding substituted derivatives in very good yields. Reactions of the lithium reagents with iodine give oxidatively dimerized cyclic structures. 3-(Pivaloylamino)- and 3-(acetylamino)-2-ethyl-4(3H)-quinazolinones and 3-(pivaloylamino)- and 3-(acetylamino)-2-propyl-4(3H)-quinazolinones are lithiated at the benzylic position with LDA. The lithium reagents so produced also react with a variety of electrophiles to give the corresponding 2-substituted-4(3H)-quinazolinone derivatives in very good yields. However, lithiation of 3-(acylamino)-2-(1-methylethyl)-4(3H)-quinazolinones was unsuccessful, as were lithiations of compounds having a diacetylamino group at position 3. The amide groups have been cleaved in good yield under basic or acidic conditions from some of the products to provide access to the free amino compounds.     

Infrared spectroscopy of hydrated amino acids in the gas phase: protonated and lithiated valine

We report here infrared spectra of protonated and lithiated valine with varying degrees of hydration in the gas phase and interpret them with the help of DFT calculations at the B3LYP/6-31++G** level. In both the protonated and lithiated species our results clearly indicate that the solvation process is driven first by solvation of the charge site and subsequently by formation of a second solvation shell. The infrared spectra of Val x Li+ (H2O)4 and Val x H+ (H2O)4 are strikingly similar in the region of the spectrum corresponding to hydrogen-bonded stretches of donor water molecules, suggesting that in both cases similar extended water structures are formed once the charge site is solvated. In the case of the lithiated species, our spectra are consistent with a conformation change of the amino acid backbone from syn to anti accompanied by a change in the lithium binding from a NO coordination to OO coordination configuration upon addition of the third water molecule. This change in the mode of metal ion binding was also observed previously by Williams and Lemoff [J. Am. Soc. Mass Spectrom. 2004, 15, 1014-1024] using blackbody infrared radiative dissociation (BIRD). In contrast to the zwitterion formation inferred from results of the BIRD experiments upon addition of a third water molecule, our spectra, which are a more direct probe of structure, show no evidence for zwitterion formation with the addition of up to four water molecules.     

Preparation of “Si‐Centered” Chiral Silanes by Direct α‐Lithiation of Methylsilanes

The direct α‐lithiation of methyl‐substituted silanes as an efficient method for the preparation and elaboration of Si‐chiral compounds is reported. Deprotonation of chiral oligosilanes occurs selectively and with high yields at the methyl group of the stereogenic silicon center, even in the presence of multiple methylsilyl or methylgermyl substituents. Computational studies have confirmed this preference as a consequence of pre‐coordination of the lithiating agent by the amino side‐arm and repulsion effects in the corresponding transition state. This complexation is also obvious from X‐ray structure analyses of the α‐lithiated silanes, which exhibit intriguing structure formation patterns differing in the type of aggregation and the amount of alkyllithium used. An alternative route to Si‐chiral compounds is also presented, which involves desymmetrization of dimethylsilanes mediated by a chiral side‐arm. Structure analyses and computational studies have shown that the diastereoselectivity of this α‐lithiation is influenced by the selectivity of the formation of the stereogenic nitrogen upon complexation of the alkyllithium.     

A simple, modular method for the synthesis of 3,4,5-trisubstituted pyrazoles

A modular approach for the regiocontrolled preparation of pyrazoles bearing substituents on all three carbon atoms is described. Central to this method is the use of a switchable metal-directing group (MDG) to enable sequential direct lithiation of the 3- and 5-positions of the pyrazole ring. Pyrazole boronic esters obtained from these lithiated intermediates can undergo efficient Suzuki cross-coupling under the developed nonaqueous conditions, which minimize undesirable protolytic deboronation. Halogenation of the 4-position provides the means for substitution at the remaining carbon atom.     

Synthesis,Thermal Behavior,and Dehydrogenation Kinetics Study of Lithiated Ethylenediamine

The lithiation of ethylenediamine by LiH is a stepwise process to form the partially lithiated intermediates LiN(H)CH₂CH₂NH₂ and [LiN(H)CH₂CH₂NH₂][LiN(H)CH₂CH₂N(H)Li]₂ prior to the formation of dilithiated ethylenediamine LiN(H)CH₂CH₂N(H)Li. A reversible phase transformation between the partial and dilithiated species was observed. One dimensional {Li_nN_n} ladders and three‐dimensional network structures were found in the crystal structures of LiN(H)CH₂CH₂NH₂ and LiN(H)CH₂CH₂N(H)Li, respectively. LiN(H)CH₂CH₂N(H)Li undergoes dehydrogenation with an activation energy of 181±8 kJ mol^?1, whereas the partially lithiated ethylenediamine compounds were polymerized and released ammonia at elevated temperatures. The dynamical dehydrogenation mechanism of the dilithiated ethylenediamine compounds was investigated by using the Johnson‐Mehl‐Avrami equation.     

Highly Regioselective Remote Lithiation of Functionalized 1,3‐bis‐Silylated Arenes

Substituted arenes flanked by two bulky triethylsilyl groups were regiospecifically lithiated at the 5‐position with nBuLi?PMDTA at 25 °C. The resulting aryllithiums reacted with a broad range of electrophiles such as ketones, isocyanates, Weinreb amides, allyl bromides, and CO₂ at 25 °C. These bis‐silylated arenes were then converted in simple reaction sequences into silyl‐free tetrasubstituted arenes. This remote lithiation was extended to 2,6‐bis(triethylsilyl)pyridine as well as 3,3′‐bis(triethylsilyl)biphenyl.