Multisite catalysis: a mechanistic study of beta-lactone synthesis from epoxides and CO--insights into a difficult case of homogeneous catalysis

Carbonylation of epoxides with a combination of Lewis acids and cobalt carbonyls was studied by both theoretical and experimental methods. Only multisite catalysis opens a low-energy pathway for trans opening of oxirane rings. This ring-opening reaction is not easily achieved with a single-site metal catalyst due to structural and thermodynamic constraints. The overall reaction pathway includes epoxide ring opening, which requires both a Lewis acid and a tetracarbonylcobaltate nucleophile, yielding a cobalt alkyl-alkoxy-Lewis acid moiety. After CO insertion into the Co-C(alkyl) bond, lactone formation results from a nucleophilic attack of the alkoxy Lewis acid entity on the acylium carbon atom. A theoretical study indicates a marked influence of the Lewis acid on both ring-opening and lactone-formation steps, but not on carbonylation. Strong Lewis acids induce fast ring opening, but slow lactone formation, and visa versa: a good balance of Lewis acidity would give the fastest catalytic cycle as all steps have low barriers. Experimentally, carbonylation of propylene oxide to beta-butyrolactone was monitored by online ATR-IR techniques with a mixture of tetracarbonylcobaltate and Lewis acids, namely BF(3), Me(3)Al, Et(2)Al(+).diglyme, and a combination of Me(3)Al/dicobaltoctacarbonyl. We found that the last two mixtures are extremely active in lactone formation.     

Catalytic Asymmetric Formation of δ‐Lactones from Unsaturated Acyl Halides

Previously unexplored enantiopure zwitterionic ammonium dienolates have been utilized in this work as reactive intermediates that act as diene components in hetero‐Diels–Alder reactions (HDAs) with aldehydes to produce optically active δ‐lactones, subunits of numerous bioactive products. The dienolates were generated in situ from E/Z mixtures of α,β‐unsaturated acid chlorides by use of a nucleophilic quinidine derivative and Sn(OTf)₂ as co‐catalyst. The latter component was not directly involved in the cycloaddition step with aldehydes and simply facilitated the formation of the reactive dienolate species. The scope of the cycloaddition was considerably improved by use of a complex formed from Er(OTf)₃ and a simple commercially available norephedrine‐derived ligand that tolerated a broad range of aromatic and heteroaromatic aldehydes for a cooperative bifunctional Lewis‐acid‐/Lewis‐base‐catalyzed reaction, providing α,β‐unsaturated δ‐lactones with excellent enantioselectivities. Mechanistic studies confirmed the formation of the dienolate intermediates for both catalytic systems. The active Er^III complex is most likely a monomeric species. Interestingly, all lanthanides can catalyze the title reaction, but the efficiency in terms of yield and enantioselectivity depends directly on the radius of the Ln^III ion. Similarly, use of the pseudolanthanides Sc^III and Y^III also resulted in product formation, whereas the larger La^III and other transition metal salts, as well as main group metal salts, proved to be inefficient. In addition, various synthetic transformations of 6‐CCl₃‐ or 4‐silyl‐substituted α,β‐unsaturated δ‐lactones, giving access to a number of valuable δ‐lactone building blocks, were investigated.     

Bis(perchlorocatecholato)silane—A Neutral Silicon Lewis Super Acid

No neutral silicon Lewis super acids are known to date. We report on the synthesis of bis(perchlorocatecholato)silane and verify its Lewis super acidity by computation (DLPNO‐CCSD(T)) and experiment (fluoride abstraction from SbF₆^?). The exceptional affinity towards donors is further demonstrated by, for example, the characterization of an unprecedented SiO₄F₂ dianion and applied in the first hydrodefluorination reaction catalyzed by a neutral silicon Lewis acid. Given the strength and convenient access to this new Lewis acid, versatile applications might be foreseen.     

Specific assay for homoserine and its lactone in Pisum sativum. Preparation of homoserine hydroxamic acid

The existence of homoserine lactone in Pisum sativum seedlings is demonstrated. L-Homoserine lactone reacts with hydroxylamine, at neutral or alkaline pH, to form homoserine hydroxamic acid. Procedures are described for preparing L-homoserine lactone and L-homoserine hydroxamic acid. The hydroxamic acid yields a color with maximum absorbance at 492 nm with Fe³⁺ in 0.25 N HCl. This reaction permitted assay for total homoserine and homoserine lactone. Six-day old Pisum sativum seedlings, with cotyledons removed, were extracted with 90% ethanol. Evaporation of the ethanol and addition of Na₂SO₄ solution and toluene and centrifugation removed protein lipids and esters. After clarification with activated charcoal, homoserine lactone content was estimated by reaction with NH₂OH and Fe³⁺ reagents. For total homoserine, protein precipitation was with 2 N HCl and toluene. Evaporation to dryness at 60 °C under vacuum converted all homoserine to the lactone. The values found for total homoserine (μmols/g, wet weight) and preformed lactone (%) with the various growth media used were as follows: nitrate 87.4 (14.7%), NH₂OH 75.2 (6.3%), water 70.5 (7.9%), urea 56.4 (18.9%). Acetic anhydride added to homoserine hydroxamic acid forms acetohydroxamic acid, which yields a color with maximum absorbance at 505 nm with Fe³⁺. This color reaction is seven times as sensitive as the reaction of Fe³⁺ with homoserine hydroxamic acid itself.     

Vanadium-catalyzed oxidative bromination promoted by Brønsted acid or Lewis acid

The oxidative bromination of arenes was induced by a vanadium catalyst in the presence of a bromide salt and a Brønsted acid or a Lewis acid under molecular oxygen, which provides an eco-friendly bromination method as compared with a conventional bromination one with bromine. This catalytic reaction could be applied to the bromination of alkenes and alkynes to give the corresponding vic-bromides. Use of aluminum halide as a Lewis acid in place of a Brønsted acid was demonstrated to provide a more practical protocol for the oxidative bromination. From ketones, α-bromination products were obtained. AlBr₃ was found to serve as both a bromide source and a Lewis acid to induce the bromination smoothly. ⁵¹V NMR experiment showed that this catalytic bromination is likely to depend on the redox cycle of a vanadium catalyst under molecular oxygen.     

Synthesis and Catalytic Activity of Atrane-type Hard and Soft Lewis Superacids with a Silyl,Germyl, or Stannyl Cationic Center

The synthesis and isolation of atrane-type molecules 1 E⁺ (E=Si, Ge, or Sn) having a cationic group 14 elemental center are reported. The cations 1 E⁺ act as hard and soft Lewis superacids, which readily interact with various hard and soft Lewis basic substrates. The rigid atrane framework stabilizes the localized positive charge on the elemental center and assists the formation of the well-defined highly coordinated states of 1 E⁺. The cations were applied to the hydrodefluorination, Friedel-Crafts reaction, alkyne cyclization, and carbonyl reduction as Lewis acid catalysts. Most notably, [ 1 Si][ClO₄] exhibits unique chemoselectivity that depends on a solvent in the competitive reaction of silyl enol ether with a mixture of benzaldehyde dimethyl acetal and benzaldehyde. Our findings indicate the potential of hard and soft Lewis superacids in organic synthesis.     

Dimethylaluminum methide complex Tf2CHAlMe2: an effective catalyst for Diels-Alder reaction of α,β-unsaturated lactone derivatives with cyclopentadiene

Lewis acid derived by mixing Tf₂CH₂ and Me₃Al was found to be an effective catalyst system for the catalytic DA reaction of less reactive α,β-unsaturated lactone derivative with cyclopentadiene (CP). In this catalyst system, Tf₂CHAlMe₂ is an active species and an excess amount of Me₃Al plays an important role to lower the catalyst loading. Substituent effect of the lactone framework on π-facial selectivity was also examined. In the reactions of both γ-substituted 5-membered lactone derivatives and γ- or δ-methylated 6-membered lactone derivatives with CP, selective attack on the anti face of γ- or δ-substituent was observed. On the other hand, in the cases of γ- or ?-methylated 7-membered lactone derivatives, CP favorably attacked on the syn face.     

Chiral cobalt salen complexes containing Lewis acid: A highly reactive and enantioselective catalyst for the hydrolytic kinetic resolution of terminal epoxides

A type of chiral salen complexes bearing Lewis acid, including FeCl₃, AlCl₃, ZnCl₂, and SnCl₄ has been synthesized. The prepared complexes proved to be reactive and enantioselective in the hydrolytic kinetic resolution of terminal epoxides. The catalysts could be recovered and reused several times with simple treatment after reaction, without loss of activity and enantioselectivity. (salen)Co(II) and Lewis acid in mol ratios of 1: 1, 1: 2, and 1: 3 showed the same activity, enatioselectivity, and stability. The characterization of the complexes in-situ generated by the reaction of (salen)Co(II) and Lewis acid in mol ratios of 1: 1, 1: 2, and 1: 3 in CH₂Cl₂ was performed by UV-Vis, which showed an identical spectrum and did not display any change along with the time prolonged. Thus, the present catalysts can be applicable for large scale processes for HKR reaction of racemic epoxides.     

Quantum-chemical study of the Lewis acid influence on the cycloaddition of benzonitrile oxide to acetonitrile, propyne and propene

Quantum chemical methods (MP2 and B3LYP) together with a topological analysis of the charge density have been used to study the BH₃- or BF₃-mediated reaction of benzonitrile oxide with acetonitrile, propyne and propene. In the reaction with propene or propyne, addition of Lewis acids has only little influence on the outcome of the reactions. The cycloaddition of nitrile oxides with nitriles, however, is generally promoted by strong Lewis acids. When the Lewis acid coordination takes place at the nitrile oxide the reactant is activated and the product binds weakly to the Lewis acid so that the reaction is expected to be catalytic. In the case of coordination to the nitrile the reaction is Lewis acid mediated. Here the reactant is not much influenced by addition of Lewis acid, but the transition state and the product are stabilised and consequently such processes require a stoichiometric amount of Lewis acid and form a stable Lewis acid-product complex.It has also been demonstrated that the different activation routes for these reactions involve different reaction mechanisms. Whereas the reaction of a Lewis acid coordinated nitrile oxide is of ‘inverse electron demand’, the Lewis acid coordinated nitrile reacts through a ‘normal electron demand’ cycloaddition.     

Kinetic features of cationic oligomerization of epoxides

The kinetic features of the cationic oligormerization of epoxides of various structures influenced by Lewis acids (BF₃OEt₂, SnCl₄) were investigated. It was shown that the systems studied could he divided into three groups, based on the nature of conversion-time kinetic curves of oligomerization: (1) (Epoxypropane-BF₃OEt₂, 3,4-epoxybutene-1-BF₃OEt₂) oligomerization stops before the monomer is exhausted completely. (2) (1-Chloro-2,3-epoxypropane-BF₃OEt₂ or SnCl₄, 2-methyl-2,3-epoxybutane-BF₃OEt₂) oligomerization can be carried out almost up to complete conversion of the monomer. The reaction rate, however, decreases more rapidly than that expected from the kinetics of monomer consumption. (3) (1-tert-Butylperoxy-2,3-epoxypropane-SnCI₄) oligomerization kinetics are described by a simple exponential function with regard to monomer concentration. Determination of the propagating species concentration in the systems studied suggests that the initiation of cationic oligornerization of epoxides with Lewis acids is an instantaneous process and the discrepancy observed is a result of the different nature of kinetics of the active site destruction. In the first group of systems the rapid destruction of the propagating species prevents the oligomerization to complete conversion. In the second group a somewhat lower rate of decrease in concentration of the propagating species with time is explained by their regeneration during the process. In the third system, which is a unique case, the concentration of the propagating species remains constant with time. It is assumed that these features are the result of the stability or pseudostability of the active sites which depends on the nature of the epoxide and initiator.     

Asymmetric Aza-Diels–Alder Reaction with Ion-Paired—Iron Lewis Acid—Brønsted Acid Catalyst

The development and use of a multiple-activation catalyst with ion-paired Lewis acid and Brønsted acid in an asymmetric aza-Diels–Alder reaction of simple dienes (non-Danishefsky-type electron-rich dienes) was achieved by utilizing the [FeBr₂]⁺[FeBr₄]⁻ combination prepared in situ from FeBr₃ and chiral phosphoric acid. Synergistic effects of the highly active ion-paired Lewis acid [FeBr₂]⁺[FeBr₄]⁻ and a chiral Brønsted acid are important for promoting the reaction with high turnover frequency and high enantioselectivity. The multiple-activation catalyst system was confirmed using synchrotron-based X-ray absorption fine structure measurements, and theoretical studies. This study reveals that the developed catalyst promoted the reaction not only by the interaction offered by the ion-paired Lewis acid and the Brønsted acid but also noncovalent interactions.     

A New Synthesis of 3-Chloro Butenolides via Rearrangement of 3,3-Dichloro Beta Lactones

4,4-Dialkyl 3,3-dichloro oxetan-2-ones rearrange under Lewis acid catalysis, accompanied by loss of HC1, to afford 4,5-dialkyl 3-chloro butenolides.

We have recently been investigating the reactions of beta lactones under the influence of Lewis acid catalysis.¹ When the lactone ring oxygen is bonded to a secondary carbon atom, a rearrangement occurs in which the beta lactone 1 expands to a butyrolactone 4 with the concommitant migration of a hydrogen or carbon atom into the lactone ring.² If the oxygen is bonded to a tertiary carbon, an ionization/elimination sequence ensues, producing a β, γ-unsaturated carboxylic acid     

Mechanistic Insight into Hydroboration of Imines from Combined Computational and Experimental Studies

Boron Lewis acid-catalyzed and catalyst-free hydroboration reactions of imines are attractive due to the mild reaction conditions. In this work, the mechanistic details of the hydroboration reactions of two different kinds of imines with pinacolborane (HBpin) are investigated by combining density functional theory calculations and some experimental studies. For the hydroboration reaction of N-(α-methylbenzylidene)aniline catalyzed by tris[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borane (BAr^F₃), our calculations show that the reaction proceeds through a boron Lewis acid-promoted hydride transfer mechanism rather than the classical Lewis acid activation mechanism. For the catalyst- and solvent-free hydroboration reaction of imine, N-benzylideneaniline, our calculations and experimental studies indicate that this reaction is difficult to occur under the reaction conditions reported previously. With a combination of computational and experimental studies, we have established that the commercially available BH₃ ⋅ SMe₂ can serve as an efficient catalyst for the hydroboration reactions of N-benzylideneaniline and similar imines. The hydroboration reactions catalyzed by BH₃ ⋅ SMe₂ are most likely to proceed through a hydroboration/B−H/B−N σ-bond metathesis pathway, which is very different from that of the reaction catalyzed by BAr^F₃.     

Lewis Acids as Activators in CBS‐Catalysed Diels–Alder Reactions: Distortion Induced Lewis Acidity Enhancement of SnCl4

The effect of several Lewis acids on the CBS catalyst (named after Corey, Bakshi and Shibata) was investigated in this study. While ²H NMR spectroscopic measurements served as gauge for the activation capability of the Lewis acids, in situ FT‐IR spectroscopy was employed to assess the catalytic activity of the Lewis acid oxazaborolidine complexes. A correlation was found between the Δδ(²H) values and rate constants k_DA, which indicates a direct translation of Lewis acidity into reactivity of the Lewis acid–CBS complexes. Unexpectedly, a significant deviation was found for SnCl₄ as Lewis acid. The SnCl₄–CBS adduct was much more reactive than the Δδ(²H) values predicted and gave similar reaction rates to those observed for the prominent AlBr₃–CBS adduct. To rationalize these results, quantum mechanical calculations were performed. The frontier molecular orbital approach was applied and a good correlation between the LUMO energies of the Lewis acid–CBS–naphthoquinone adducts and k_DA could be found. For the SnCl₄–CBS–naphthoquinone adduct an unusual distortion was observed leading to an enhanced Lewis acidity. Energy decomposition analysis with natural orbitals for chemical valence (EDA‐NOCV) calculations revealed the relevant interactions and activation mode of SnCl₄ as Lewis acid in Diels–Alder reactions.     

Slow Reactant–Water Exchange and High Catalytic Performance of Water‐Tolerant Lewis Acids

³¹P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic measurement with trimethylphosphine oxide (TMPO) was applied to evaluate the Lewis acid catalysis of various metal triflates in water. The original ³¹P NMR chemical shift and line width of TMPO is changed by the direct interaction of TMPO molecules with the Lewis acid sites of metal triflates. [Sc(OTf)₃] and [In(OTf)₃] had larger changes in ³¹P chemical shift and line width by formation of the Lewis acid–TMPO complex than other metal triflates. It originates from the strong interaction between the Lewis acid and TMPO, which results in higher stability of [Sc(OTf)₃TMPO] and [In(OTf)₃TMPO] complexes than other metal triflate–TMPO complexes. The catalytic activities of [Sc(OTf)₃] and [In(OTf)₃] for Lewis acid‐catalyzed reactions with carbonyl compounds in water were far superior to the other metal triflates, which indicates that the high stability of metal triflate–carbonyl compound complexes cause high catalytic performance for these reactions. Density functional theory (DFT) calculation suggests that low LUMO levels of [Sc(OTf)₃] and [In(OTf)₃] would be responsible for the formation of stable coordination intermediate with nucleophilic reactant in water.     

Formation Mechanism of NF4+ Salts and Extraordinary Enhancement of the Oxidizing Power of Fluorine by Strong Lewis Acids

Although the existence of the NF₄⁺ cation has been known for 51 years, and its formation mechanism from NF₃ , F₂ , and a strong Lewis acid in the presence of an activation energy source had been studied extensively, the mechanism had not been established. Experimental evidence had shown that the first step involves the generation of F atoms from F₂ , and also that the NF₃⁺ cation is a key intermediate. However, it was not possible to establish whether the second step involved the reaction of a F atom with either NF₃ or the Lewis acid (LA). To distinguish between these two alternatives, a computational study of the NF₄ , SbF₆ , AsF₆ , and BF₄ radicals was carried out. Whereas the heats of reaction are small and similar for the NF₄ and LAF radicals, at the reaction temperatures, only the LAF radicals possess sufficient thermal stability to be viable species. Most importantly, the ability of the LAF radicals to oxidize NF₃ to NF₃⁺ demonstrates that they are extraordinary oxidizers. This extraordinary enhancement of the oxidizing power of fluorine with strong Lewis acids had previously not been fully recognized.     

Fluorous biphasic hydrolytic kinetic resolution of terminal epoxides

Although application of light-fluorous techniques facilitates the isolation of reaction products from the hydrolytic kinetic resolution (HKR) of terminal epoxides catalysed by cobalt complexes of salen ligands, the extension of the original fluorous biphasic approach to this reaction is far from being a trivial exercise. The nature of the counter anion has a dramatic effect on the catalytic activity of heavily fluorinated chiral (salen) cobalt(III) complexes. Excellent enantioselectivities are obtained in the fluorous biphasic HKR of 1,2-hexene oxide when fluorinated anions are introduced (e.e.s up to 99% both for the diol and the epoxide), with C₈F₁₇COO^- affording reaction rates even higher than those observed with non-fluorous systems.     

The Effects of Exposed Specific Facets and Sulfation on the Surface Acidity of Cu2O Solids

Cuprous oxide microcrystals with {111}, {111}/{100}, and {100} exposed facets were synthesized. ³¹P MAS NMR using trimethylphosphine as the probe molecule was employed to study the acidic properties of samples. It was found that the total acidic density of samples increases evidently after sulfation compared with the pristine cuprous oxide microcrystals. During sulfation, new {100} facets are formed at the expense of {111} facets and lead to the generation of two Lewis acid sites due to the different binding states of SO₄²⁻ on {111} and {100} facets. Moreover, DFT calculation was used to illustrate the binding models of SO₄²⁻ on {111} and {100} facets. Also, a Pechmann condensation reaction was applied to study the acidic catalytic activity of these samples. It was found that the sulfated {111} facet has better activity due to its higher Lewis acid density compared with the sulfated {100} facet.     

A Highly Lewis Acidic Strontium ansa-Arene Complex for Lewis Acid Catalysis and Isobutylene Polymerization

The potential of a dicationic strontium ansa-arene complex for Lewis acid catalysis has been explored. The key to its synthesis was a simple salt metathesis from SrI₂ and 2 Ag[Al(OR^F)₄], giving the base-free strontium-perfluoroalkoxyaluminate Sr[Al(OR^F)₄]₂ (OR^F=OC(CF₃)₃). Addition of an ansa-arene yielded the highly Lewis acidic, dicationic strontium ansa-arene complex. In preliminary experiments, the complex was successfully applied as a catalyst in CO₂-reduction to CH₄ and a surprisingly controlled isobutylene polymerization reaction.     

Regio- and stereoselective ring opening of vinyl epoxides with MgBr2

The regio- and stereoselective ring opening of vinyl epoxides has been achieved by the use of Lewis acid, MgBr₂, affording bromohydrins in excellent yield, which are readily transformed to azidoalcohol, a key intermediate of several classes of pyrrolizidine and indolizidine alkaloids. The scope and limitations of the reaction are discussed.