Organosilanols as catalysts in asymmetric aryl transfer reactions

[reaction: see text] Various ferrocene-based organosilanols have been synthesized in four steps starting from achiral ferrocene carboxylic acid. Applying these novel planar-chiral ferrocenes as catalysts in asymmetric phenyl transfer reactions to substituted benzaldehydes afforded products with high enantiomeric excesses. The best result (91% ee) was achieved in the addition to p-chlorobenzaldehyde with organosilanol 2b, which has a tert-butyl substituent on the oxazoline ring and an isopropyl group on the silanol fragment.     

Modular chiral thiazolidine catalysts in asymmetric aryl transfer reactions

Modular chiral thiazolidine derivatives were synthesized in a single step from inexpensive and commercially available starting materials. These ligands catalyzed enantioselective arylation of different aldehydes using aryl boronic acids as a source of transferable aryl groups. The products were obtained in excellent yields and good enantioselectivities.     

Unexpected aggregation of neutral, xylene-cored dinuclear GdIII chelates in aqueous solution

We have synthesized ditopic ligands L(1), L(2), and L(3) that contain two DO3A(3-) metal-chelating units with a xylene core as a noncoordinating linker (DO3A(3-) = 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7-triacetate; L(1) = 1,4-bis{[4,7,10-tris(carboxymethyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1-yl]methyl}benzene; L(2) = 1,3-bis{[4,7,10-tris(carboxymethyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1-yl]methyl}benzene; L(3) = 3,5-bis{[4,7,10-tris(carboxymethyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1-yl]methyl}benzoic acid). Aqueous solutions of the dinuclear Gd(III) complexes formed with the three ligands have been investigated in a variable-temperature, multiple-field (17)O NMR and (1)H relaxivity study. The (17)O longitudinal relaxation rates measured for the [Gd(2)L(1-3)(H2O)(2)] complexes show strong field dependence (2.35-9.4 T), which unambiguously proves the presence of slowly tumbling entities in solution. The proton relaxivities of the complexes, which are unexpectedly high for their molecular weight, and in particular the relaxivity peaks observed at 40-50 MHz also constitute experimental evidences of slow rotational motion. This was explained in terms of self-aggregation related to hydrophobic interactions, pi stacking between the aromatic linkers, or possible hydrogen bonding between the chelates. The longitudinal (17)O relaxation rates of the [Gd(2)L(1-3)(H2O)(2)] complexes have been analysed with the Lipari-Szabo approach, leading to local rotational correlation times tau(1)(298) of 150-250 ps and global rotational correlation times tau(g)(298) of 1.6-3.4 ns (c(Gd): 20-50 mM), where tau(1)(298) is attributed to local motions of the Gd segments, while tau(g)(298) describes the overall motion of the aggregates. The aggregates can be partially disrupted by phosphate addition; however, at high concentrations phosphate interferes in the first coordination sphere by replacing the coordinated water. In contrast to the parent [Gd(DO3A)(H2O)(1.9)], which presents a hydration equilibrium between mono- and dihydrated species, a hydration number of q = 1 was established for the [Ln(2)L(1-3)(H2O)(2)] chelates by (17)O chemical shift measurements on Ln = Gd and UV/Vis spectrophotometry for Ln = Eu. The exchange rate of the coordinated water is higher for [Gd(2)L(1-3)(H2O)(2)] complexes k(ex)(298) = 7.5-12.0 x 10(6) s(-1)) than for [Gd(DOTA)(H2O)](-). The proton relaxivity of the [Gd(2)L(1-3)(H2O)(2)] complexes strongly decreases with increasing pH. This is related to the deprotonation of the inner-sphere water, which has also been characterized by pH potentiometry. The protonation constants determined for this process are logK(OH) = 9.50 and 10.37 for [Gd(2)L(1)(H2O)(2)] and [Gd(2)L(3)(H2O)(2)], respectively.     

Zinc-mediated intramolecular acyl and imino transfer reactions of aryl iodides

A method for the coupling of acyl and imino substituents to the sterically encumbered 5-position of a 4-aminoquinazoline was developed. Starting with a 4-amino-5-iodoquinazoline, the method employs a facile intramolecular zinc-mediated transfer from the 4-amino group to the iodo-bearing carbon. The method was found to be effective for a variety of substituents, in particular a pyridyl group required for the synthesis of Pfizer’s prostate selective α₁ antagonist candidate for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia, UK-338,003.     

Chiral thiophosphoramide catalyzed asymmetric aryl transfer reactions for the synthesis of functional diarylmethanols

In this investigation, chiral thiophosphoramide 3d was easily prepared from chiral (1R,2R)-1,2-diphenylethylenediamine and then applied as an efficient chiral ligand in the catalytic asymmetric arylation reactions of various aromatic aldehydes. The corresponding diarylmethanol products were produced with good to excellent yields (up to 98%) and enantioselectivities (up to 94%). The recovery of chiral ligand 3d could be as high as 96%.     

Unexpected transfer hydrogenation of C–C-double bonds during Tandem-RCM-isomerization reactions

Unexpected hydrogen transfer from 2-propanol to C–C-double bonds has been observed in the course of a Tandem RCM-isomerization reaction leading to sterically congested spirocycles.     

Theoretical study of general base-catalyzed hydrolysis of aryl esters and implications for enzymatic reactions

In this work, the mechanism of general base-catalyzed hydrolysis of aryl esters is investigated in vacuo with density functional theory and in solutions with a polarized continuum model. The hydrolysis is found to proceed via a concerted mechanism featuring simultaneous addition and elimination steps accompanied by proton transfers, consistent with experimental evidence. Reasonable agreement with measured kinetic isotope effects provides additional validation. It is found that solvation substantially lowers the transition state energy, but has a small effect on the reaction exothermicity. An enzyme oxyanion hole, modeled by an ammonia molecule hydrogen bonded to the acyl carbonyl oxygen, is found to stabilize the near-tetrahedral transition state. Implications of these findings for the hydrolysis step of the dehalogenation reaction catalyzed by 4-chlorobenzoyl-CoA dehalogenase are discussed.     

Highly effective and recyclable dendritic ligands for the enantioselective aryl transfer reactions to aldehydes

[reaction: see text] A series of chiral pyrrolidinylmethanol-based dendritic ligands were synthesized for application in enantioselective aryl transfer reactions to aldehydes with the (ArBO)3/ZnEt2 system in up to 98% ee.     

Proton transfer reactions in aqueous solution of 2-vinylquinoline copolymers

Fluorescence spectra of atactic and isolaclic poly-2-vinylquinoline and copolymers of 2-vinylquinoline and four non fluorescent comonomers have been measured as a function of pH. The homopolymers and the copolymers with pyrrolidone show two band fluorescence spectra; their intensity ratio changes with pH, polymer concentration and excitation wavelength. For the other copolymers the emission of the protonated heterocycle is only a shoulder of the emission of the neutral form. A kinetic scheme has been proposed to explain these results.     

Leaving group effect in the sulfonyl transfer reactions of aryl benzenesulfonates with Grignard reagents

The C–S coupling reactions of aryl benzenesulfonates with phenylmagnesium bromide in THF:toluene (7:10) at 90 °C have been studied. A Hammett-type kinetic study of the leaving group effect of aryloxy groups provides a conclusive support for a two step addition-elimination mechanism in which C–S bond formation is rate determining step.     

Theoretical comparison of p-nitrophenyl phosphate and sulfate hydrolysis in aqueous solution: implications for enzyme-catalyzed sulfuryl transfer

Both phosphoryl and sulfuryl transfers are ubiquitous in biology, being involved in a wide range of processes, ranging from cell division to apoptosis. Additionally, it is becoming increasingly clear that enzymes that can catalyze phosphoryl transfer can often cross-catalyze sulfuryl transfer (and vice versa). However, while there have been extensive experimental and theoretical studies performed on phosphoryl transfer, the body of available research on sulfuryl transfer is comparatively much smaller. The present work presents a direct theoretical comparison of p-nitrophenyl phosphate and sulfate monoester hydrolysis, both of which are considered prototype systems for probing phosphoryl and sulfuryl transfer, respectively. Specifically, free energy surfaces have been generated using density functional theory, by initial geometry optimization in PCM using the 6-31+G* basis set and the B3LYP density functional, followed by single-point calculations using the larger 6-311+G** basis set and the COSMO continuum model. The resulting surfaces have been then used to identify the relevant transition states, either by further unconstrained geometry optimization or from the surface itself where possible. Additionally, configurational entropies were evaluated using a combination of the quasiharmonic approximation and the restraint release approach and added to the calculated activation barriers as a correction. Finally, the overall activation entropy was estimated by approximating the solvent contribution to the total activation entropy using the Langevin dipoles solvation model. We have reproduced both the experimentally observed activation barriers and the observed trend in the activation entropies with reasonable accuracy, as well as providing a comparison of calculated and observed (15)N and (18)O kinetic isotope effects. We demonstrate that, counterintuitively, the hydrolysis of the p-nitrophenyl sulfate proceeds through a more expansive pathway than its phosphate analogue. Additionally, we show that the solvation effects upon moving from the ground state to the transition state are quite different for both reactions, suggesting that the enzymes that catalyze these reactions would need active sites with quite different electrostatic preorganization for the efficient catalysis of either reaction (despite which many enzymes can catalyze both phosphoryl and sulfuryl transfer). We believe that such a comparative study is an important foundation for understanding the molecular basis for phosphate-sulfate cross-promiscuity within members of the alkaline phosphatase superfamily.     

Intermolecular charge transfer in model hydrogen-bonded systems—biological implications

The electronic structure of the model hydrogen-bonded systems has been studied at the all-valence level in relation to the charge transfer mechanism. It is concluded that together with the intermolecular proton transfer an electronic charge transport occurs for hydrogen bonds of 2.70–3.00 Å in length, i.e., when the proton motion within the bond is anticipated. For elucidation of transport properties of one-dimensional hydrogen-bonded systems the tunneling–hopping model is preferred instead of the band theory. The importance of the proposed mechanism of the charge transfer for biological processes has been emphasized.     

Highly regioselective anti-markovnikov palladium-borate-catalyzed methoxycarbonylation reactions: unprecedented results for aryl olefins

[Structure: see text] A general, highly efficient and regioselective methoxycarbonylation, by means of a palladium-salicylicborate-catalyzed protocol, of terminal alkyl and aryl olefins is described. The substrates include aliphatic alkenes, allylbenzenes, and styrene derivatives. The yields are very good (60-92%) and the regioselectivity, in favor of the linear ester, is up to quantitative--unprecedented in the case of styrenes.     

Radical reactions of aryl alkynoates in organic synthesis: Recent advances

Aryl alkynoate is an important intermediate and powerful synthetic tool in organic chemistry, because it contains acetylene bond which can be easily introduced of different functional groups. During the past decades, several types of reactions and coupling partners have been developed for the functionalization of aryl alkynoates. In this review, we summarize the recent advances on the reactions of aryl alkynoates, including direct cyclization, ester group migration/cyclization, aryl migration/decarboxylation, ipsocyclization/dearomatization, and other reactions in the past decade.     

A concerted mechanism for the transfer of the thiophosphinoyl group from aryl dimethylphosphinothioate esters to oxyanionic nucleophiles in aqueous solution

Earlier work on the hydrolysis of aryl phosphinothioate esters has led to contradictory mechanistic conclusions. To resolve this mechanistic ambiguity, we have measured linear free energy relationships (beta(nuc) and beta(lg)) and kinetic isotope effects for the reactions of oxyanions with aryl dimethylphosphinothioates. For the attack of nucleophiles on 4-nitrophenyl dimethylphosphinothioate, beta(nuc) = 0.47 +/- 0.05 for phenoxide nucleophiles (pK(a) < 11) and beta(nuc) = 0.08 +/- 0.01 for hydroxide and alkoxide nucleophiles (pK(a) >or= 11). Linearity of the plot in the range that straddles the pK(a) of the leaving group (4-nitrophenoxide, pK(a) 7.14) is indicative of a concerted mechanism. The much lower value of beta(nuc) for the more basic nucleophiles reveals the importance of a desolvation step prior to rate-limiting nucleophilic attack. The reactions of a series of substituted aryl dimethylphosphinothioate esters give the same value of beta(lg) with the nucleophiles HO(-) (beta= -0.54 +/- 0.03) and PhO(-) (beta = -0.52 +/- 0.09). A significantly better Hammett correlation is obtained with sigma(-) than with sigma or sigma degrees , as expected for a transition state involving rate-limiting cleavage of the P-OAr bond. The (18)O KIE at the position of bond fission ((18)k = 1.0124 +/- 0.0008) indicates the P-O bond is approximately 40% broken, and the (15)N KIE in the leaving group ((15)k = 1.0009 +/- 0.0003) reveals the nucleofuge carries about a third of a negative charge in the transition state. Thus, both the LFER and KIE data are consistent with a concerted reaction and disfavor a stepwise mechanism.     

Transition state analogues for nucleotidyl transfer reactions: Structure and stability of pentavalent vanadate and phosphate ester dianions

The structures and energy of phosphate dimethyl ester and vanadate dimethyl ester have been calculated using B3LYP/TZVP density functional quantum chemical methods and polarized continuum (PCM) and Langevin dipoles solvation models. These calculations were carried out to obtain fundamental information on the ability of vanadate esters to function as transition state analogues for the nucleotidyl transfer reaction catalyzed by DNA polymerases. Base-catalyzed methanolysis of the phosphate and vanadate dimethyl esters were the model reactions examined in this study. The structures of the phosphate and vanadate dimethyl esters and pentavalent intermediates in aqueous solution were optimized and evaluated at the PCM/B3LYP/TZVP level. The three-dimensional free energy surfaces for the studied reactions were determined at the PCM/B3LYP/TZVP//B3LYP/TZVP level. Comparison with experimental structural data obtained from the Cambridge Structural Database and with the observed kinetics of phosphate diester hydrolysis demonstrated that the level of theory chosen for these studies was appropriate. The results showed that structurally and electrostatically the vanadate dimethylester and a five-coordinate nearly trigonal bipyramidal intermediate were reasonable analogues for the parent phosphorus systems. Despite these similarities in structure, the energetics of the two systems were different, and the transition states of the two model reactions were found on different areas of the potential energy surface. When the binding energy of a transition state-DNA polymerase complex was extrapolated to a transition state analogue-DNA polymerase complex, the formation of a simple dianionic pentavalent vanadate ester adduct in the enzyme active site was not found to be sufficiently favorable. This finding suggests that additional stabilization of this adduct is needed before this type of transition state analogue will be likely to yield stable adducts with this class of enzymes. New possible candidates for such complexes are suggested.     

A highly active catalyst for Pd-catalyzed amination reactions: cross-coupling reactions using aryl mesylates and the highly selective monoarylation of primary amines using aryl chlorides

A catalyst system based on a new biarylmonophosphine ligand (BrettPhos) that shows excellent reactivity for C-N cross-coupling reactions is reported. This catalyst system enables the use of aryl mesylates as a coupling partner in C-N bond-forming reactions. Additionally, the use of BrettPhos permits the highly selective monoarylation of an array of primary aliphatic amines and anilines at low catalyst loadings and with fast reaction times, including the first monoarylation of methylamine. Lastly, oxidative addition complexes of BrettPhos are included, which provide insight into the origin of reactivity for this system.