Bifunctional Heterogeneous Catalysis of Silica–Alumina‐Supported Tertiary Amines with Controlled Acid–Base Interactions for Efficient 1,4‐Addition Reactions

We report the first tunable bifunctional surface of silica–alumina‐supported tertiary amines (SA–NEt₂) active for catalytic 1,4‐addition reactions of nitroalkanes and thiols to electron‐deficient alkenes. The 1,4‐addition reaction of nitroalkanes to electron‐deficient alkenes is one of the most useful carbon–carbon bond‐forming reactions and applicable toward a wide range of organic syntheses. The reaction between nitroethane and methyl vinyl ketone scarcely proceeded with either SA or homogeneous amines, and a mixture of SA and amines showed very low catalytic activity. In addition, undesirable side reactions occurred in the case of a strong base like sodium ethoxide employed as a catalytic reagent. Only the present SA‐supported amine (SA–NEt₂) catalyst enabled selective formation of a double‐alkylated product without promotions of side reactions such as an intramolecular cyclization reaction. The heterogeneous SA–NEt₂ catalyst was easily recovered from the reaction mixture by simple filtration and reusable with retention of its catalytic activity and selectivity. Furthermore, the SA–NEt₂ catalyst system was applicable to the addition reaction of other nitroalkanes and thiols to various electron‐deficient alkenes. The solid‐state magic‐angle spinning (MAS) NMR spectroscopic analyses, including variable‐contact‐time ¹³C cross‐polarization (CP)/MAS NMR spectroscopy, revealed that acid–base interactions between surface acid sites and immobilized amines can be controlled by pretreatment of SA at different temperatures. The catalytic activities for these addition reactions were strongly affected by the surface acid–base interactions.     

Enantioselective ring-opening reaction of meso-epoxides with ArSH catalyzed by heterobimetallic Ti-Ga-Salen system

The enantioselective ring-opening reaction of meso-epoxides with aryl thiols catalyzed by a chiral heterobimetallic Ti-Ga-Salen complex was realized, and the 1,2-mercapto alcohols were obtained in good yields and moderate to high enantioselectivities (up to 92% ee). A strong synergistic cooperation between different Lewis acids in the system was exhibited in the catalytic process.     

Artificial model for cystathionine β-synthase: efficient β-replacement reaction with thiols employing a novel pyridoxal model compound having an imidazole function

As a second-generation pyridoxal model compound for cystathionine β-synthase, we designed a novel model compound having an ionophore function and an imidazole function, application of which to the β-replacement reaction with various thiols smoothly took place to give S-substituted cysteines. Peptides having a serine-O-carbonate residue at the N-terminal position were also converted to the corresponding peptides having an S-substituted cysteine residue under the catalytic conditions of the novel pyridoxal model compound.     

Kinetics of the Catalytic Oxidation Reactions of Thiol Compounds in Aqueous Solutions in the Presence of Copper Ions

The kinetics of the catalytic oxidation reactions of thiol compounds with molecular oxygen in aqueous solutions in the presence of copper ions was studied in relation to the structures of oxidized thiols and the pH of the solution. A modified procedure used for the determination of [O₂] allowed us to obtain the kinetic characteristics of more than 30 thiols over a wide pH range. We found that weakly chelating thiols exhibited a first order of reaction with respect to [Cu⁺] and [O₂] under conditions when the [(Cu⁺)(RS^–)₂] complex occurred. In the oxidation of strongly chelating thiols in an alkaline medium, the order of reaction with respect to [Cu⁺] was equal to 2, and the rate of reaction was independent of [O₂]. We found that the introduction of small amounts of strongly chelating thiols into Cu⁺ solutions containing difficult-to-oxidize mercaptans resulted in a dramatic acceleration of mercaptan oxidation. We hypothesized that O₂ was effectively bound to the [(Cu⁺)(RS^–)₂] complexes in an alkaline medium in the case of strongly chelating thiols, and this was not the case with the complexes of weakly chelating thiols.     

Stereoselective addition of aliphatic thiols to internal alkynes in a catalytic system with palladium “nanosalt” as an active site

An efficient catalytic system based on easily available palladium acetate was developed for the selective addition of aliphatic thiols to the triple bond of internal alkynes. Formed in situ [M(SR)₂] _n nanostructured particles were found to be an active form of the catalyst. It was experimentally confirmed for the first time that the most active form of the catalyst for thiol addition to internal alkynes is formed only in the reaction mixture containing the both reactants, namely, alkyne and thiol.     

Chemoselective protection of thiols versus alcohols and phenols. The Tosvinyl group

The conjugate addition of aliphatic and aromatic thiols to ethynyl p-tolyl sulphone (tosylacetylene) has been managed to afford Tosvinyl derivatives chemoselectively (in the presence of oxygen nucleophiles) and stereoselectively (isomers Z) in practically quantitative yields. The conditions of choice are: catalytic amounts of Et₃N (only 0.5-1.0 mol%), a reaction temperature around 0°C and, for the less acidic thiols, CF₃CH₂OH or CH₃CN/CF₃CH₂OH as the solvent. Thus, N-Boc-Cys-OMe has been quantitatively protected as its S-Tosvinyl derivative in the presence of N-Boc-Ser-OMe and N-Boc-Tyr-OMe. This novel protecting group is stable to several basic and acidic conditions; its removal is achieved at rt by treatment with an excess of pyrrolidine or at 0°C with alkanethiolate ions.     

Transformation of phospholipid membranes by thiyl radicals via cis–trans isomerization of fatty acid residues

Thiyl radical-mediated transformation of unsaturated fatty acid residues are reported. Beside the initiation of lipid peroxidation, thiyl radicals can efficiently cause isomerization of fatty acid residues in a catalytic manner. The latter process is observed in homogeneous solutions as well as in organized assemblies, leading to a denaturation of the natural all-cis-isomers of fatty acid residues of lipid bilayers. The degree of denaturation goes parallel with an increase in the number of double bonds and in the hydrophobicity of thiols. For arachidonic acid methyl ester, a decay of the all-cis-isomer to approximately 30% after a gamma irradiation dose of 1.8 kGy in micelles is observed. The reversibility of the isomerization reaction is demonstrated in liposomes by the fact that the cis/trans-equilibrium is independent of configuration of the starting compound.     

Dihydro-3-(triphenylphosphoranylidene)-2,5-thiophendione: A Convenient Synthon for the Preparation of Substituted 1,4-Thiazepin-5-ones and Piperidinones via the Intermediacy of Thioacids

Reaction of thiomaleic anhydride with triphenylphosphine gives the title compound, which undergoes reaction with a variety of aldehydes to give a range of alkylidene thiomaleic anhydrides (substituted monothioitaconic anhydrides). Subsequent treatment with tert-butoxycarbonylamino-substituted thiols, or under radical conditions with tert-butoxycarbonylamino-substituted alkyl halides results in a series of substituted monothiomaleic anhydrides, that on exposure to trifluoroacetic acid and then base lead to thiocarboxyl substituted 1,4-thiazepin-5-ones and piperidinones, respectively, that are ultimately trapped by reaction with 2,4-dinitrobenzenesulfonamides to give the corresponding amides.     

One-pot synthesis of (Z)-β-sulfonyl enoates from ethyl propiolate

β-Sulfonyl enoates may be synthesized through a one-pot two-step sequence from ethyl propiolate with good to excellent selectivity for the Z isomer. Trialkylamines catalyze thioconjugate additions of aryl thiols, and alkoxides catalyze the addition of aliphatic thiols. Addition of meta-chloroperbenzoic acid (mCPBA) and LiClO₄ to the reaction mixture provides rapid access to the sulfonyl enoates. Yields of the pure Z isomer range from 51-90%.     

Solvent-free conjugated addition of thiols to citral using KF/alumina: preparation of 3-thioorganylcitronellals, potential antimicrobial agents

A general, clean and easy method for the conjugated addition of thiols to citral promoted by KF/Al₂O₃ under solvent-free conditions at room temperature or under MW irradiation is described. It was found that the same protocol is applicable to the direct reaction of thiophenol with essential oil of lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus) to afford directly 3-thiophenylcitronellal, a potential bactericide agent. The method was extended to others electron-poor alkenes with excellent results. The catalytic system can be reused up to three times without previous treatment with comparable activity.     

A general rhodium-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of thiols with aryl iodides

The general procedure for the rhodium-catalyzed cross-coupling of thiols with aryl iodides is described. The catalytic system consists of 5 mol % of [RhCl(cod)]₂ and 10 mol % of PPh₃ as a ligand. A variety of aryl iodides reacted with thiols, giving aryl thioethers in good to excellent yields. It is important to note that the deactivated aryl iodides such as 4-iodoanisole is worked smoothly to provide the corresponding aryl thioethers in excellent yields. Functional groups such as free-amines, chloro, are all tolerated under the employed reaction conditions.     

Enantioselective organocatalytic synthesis of the chiral chromenes by domino oxa-Michael-aldol reaction

The proline based chiral organocatalyst has been found to be an efficient catalyst for enantioselective domino oxa-Michael-aldol reaction. This catalytic system provided the synthesis of substituted 2-aryl-2H-chromenes-3-carbaldehyde in good to high yields (73%–97%) with excellent enantioselectivity (up to 97%) and reasonable reaction times. The atom economy, high yield and mild reaction conditions are some of the important features of this protocol.     

Silyl trifluoromethanesulfonate-activated para-methoxybenzyl methyl ether as an alkylating agent for thiols and aryl ketones

para-Methoxybenzyl methyl ether acts as an alkylating agent for thiols in the presence of trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate and trialkylamine base in good yields (58–96%). Aryl ketones are alkylated under similar conditions, probably through an enol silane intermediate, also in high yields (67–95%). The active alkylating species is likely a p-methoxybenzyl cation.     

Asymmetric Ring‐Opening of Cyclopropyl Ketones with Thiol,Alcohol, and Carboxylic Acid Nucleophiles Catalyzed by a Chiral N,N′‐Dioxide–Scandium(III) Complex

A highly efficient asymmetric ring‐opening reaction of cyclopropyl ketones with a broad range of thiols, alcohols and carboxylic acids has been first realized by using a chiral N,N′‐dioxide–scandium(III) complex as catalyst. The corresponding sulfides, ethers, and esters were obtained in up to 99 % yield and 95 % ee. This is also the first example of one catalytic system working for the ring‐opening reaction of donor–acceptor cyclopropanes with three different nucleophiles, let alone in an asymmetric version.     

Asymmetric Ring‐Opening of Cyclopropyl Ketones with Thiol,Alcohol, and Carboxylic Acid Nucleophiles Catalyzed by a Chiral N,N′‐Dioxide–Scandium(III) Complex

A highly efficient asymmetric ring‐opening reaction of cyclopropyl ketones with a broad range of thiols, alcohols and carboxylic acids has been first realized by using a chiral N,N′‐dioxide–scandium(III) complex as catalyst. The corresponding sulfides, ethers, and esters were obtained in up to 99 % yield and 95 % ee. This is also the first example of one catalytic system working for the ring‐opening reaction of donor–acceptor cyclopropanes with three different nucleophiles, let alone in an asymmetric version.     

Highly enantioselective organocatalysis of the Michael addition of benzyloxyacetaldehyde to nitroolefins

A novel category of di(N,N-dimethylbenzylamine)prolinol silyl ether catalyst, which when used in conjunction with an acidic co-catalyst, generates an ammonium salt supported organocatalyst. This catalytic system is shown to be very effective for the Michael reaction of benzyloxyacetaldehyde and various nitroolefins in isopropanol. Excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99%) and diastereoselectivities (syn/anti of 75:25) and short reaction times were obtained. The presence of the bulky OTMS group combined with the presence of two large N,N-dimethylbenzyl ammonium ion groups accounts for the effectiveness of this catalytic system.     

1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-γ-carbolinium salts: novel reactions with thiols, mediated by polymer-supported reagents

A series of dialkyl-[2-(3-alkylsulfanylmethyl-1H-indol-2-yl)-ethyl]amines was produced using a novel route involving nucleophilic ring opening of 2,2-dialkyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-γ-carbolinium salts with thiols. The insertion reaction was mediated by a strong, polymer-supported base, and the purification of the target compounds was facilitated using resin-bound sulfonic acid.     

Catalytic enantioselective Michael addition in the synthesis of α-aminophosphonates

Enantioenriched (S)-phosphoglutaminic acid derivatives with up to 72% ee were obtained in the catalytic enantioselective Michael reaction of the achiral phosphoglycine synthon. The scope and limitation of the process in terms of the catalyst (diverse (R,R)-TADDOL derivatives) and the base (solid alkali metal tert-butoxides) were examined. The nature of the transition complex was also investigated.     

CuI/l-proline catalyzed click reaction in glycerol for the synthesis of 1,2,3-triazoles

Despite the apparent simplicity of the copper(I) iodide catalyzed CuAAC reaction, the conversion of the catalytic species, i.e. Cu(I) to thermodynamically more stable Cu(II), via aerial oxidation or disproportionation is a major issue. To stabilize the Cu(I) species, the reaction is ideally carried out under an inert atmosphere in the presence of additives such as alcohols, amines, thiols, and aldehydes. Herein, we report the first CuI catalyzed click reaction without an inert atmosphere by employing the CuI/l-proline system in glycerol. The method showed remarkable stability towards sensitive functional groups such as acetonides and 1,2,4-trioxanes.     

An efficient intermolecular C(aryl)-S bond forming reaction catalyzed by BINAM-copper(II) complex

A wide range of diaryl thioethers and aryl alkyl thioethers are synthesized from the corresponding aryl iodides and aromatic/aliphatic thiols through Ullmann type intermolecular coupling reactions in the presence of a catalytic amount of easily available BINAM-Cu(OTf)₂ complex. Less reactive aryl bromides have also been shown to react with thiols under identical reaction conditions to give good yields of the thioethers without increasing the reaction temperature and time.