Synthetic scope and mechanistic studies of Ru(OH)x/Al2O3-catalyzed heterogeneous hydrogen-transfer reactions

Three kinds of hydrogen-transfer reactions, namely racemization of chiral secondary alcohols, reduction of carbonyl compounds to alcohols using 2-propanol as a hydrogen donor, and isomerization of allylic alcohols to saturated ketones, are efficiently promoted by the easily prepared and inexpensive supported ruthenium catalyst Ru(OH)x/Al2O3. A wide variety of substrates, such as aromatic, aliphatic, and heterocyclic alcohols or carbonyl compounds, can be converted into the desired products, under anaerobic conditions, in moderate to excellent yields and without the need for additives such as bases. A larger scale, solvent-free reaction is also demonstrated: the isomerization of 1-octen-3-ol with a substrate/catalyst ratio of 20,000/1 shows a very high turnover frequency (TOF) of 18,400 h(-1), with a turnover number (TON) that reaches 17,200. The catalysis for these reactions is intrinsically heterogeneous in nature, and the Ru(OH)x/Al2O3 recovered after the reactions can be reused without appreciable loss of catalytic performance. The reaction mechanism of the present Ru(OH)x/Al2O3-catalyzed hydrogen-transfer reactions were examined with monodeuterated substrates. After the racemization of (S)-1-deuterio-1-phenylethanol in the presence of acetophenone was complete, the deuterium content at the alpha-position of the corresponding racemic alcohol was 91%, whereas no deuterium was incorporated into the alpha-position during the racemization of (S)-1-phenylethanol-OD. These results show that direct carbon-to-carbon hydrogen transfer occurs via a metal monohydride for the racemization of chiral secondary alcohols and reduction of carbonyl compounds to alcohols. For the isomerization, the alpha-deuterium of 3-deuterio-1-octen-3-ol was selectively relocated at the beta-position of the corresponding ketones (99% D at the beta-position), suggesting the involvement of a 1,4-addition of ruthenium monohydride species to the alpha,beta-unsaturated ketone intermediate. The ruthenium monohydride species and the alpha,beta-unsaturated ketone would be formed through alcoholate formation/beta-elimination. Kinetic studies and kinetic isotope effects show that the Ru-H bond cleavage (hydride transfer) is included in the rate-determining step.     

Iridium-catalyzed transfer hydrogenation of alpha,beta-unsaturated and saturated carbonyl compounds with 2-propanol.

The selective transfer hydrogenation of alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl compounds to saturated ones was achieved by the use of 2-propanol as a hydrogen donor under the influence of catalytic amounts of [Ir(cod)Cl](2), 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane (dppp), and Cs(2)CO(3). Thus, a variety of conjugated enones were allowed to react with 2-propanol in the presence of the [Ir(cod)Cl](2)/dppp/Cs(2)CO(3) system to give the corresponding saturated carbonyl compounds in good to excellent yields without formation of allylic alcohols. Both dppp and Cs(2)CO(3) were essential components to achieve the reduction satisfactorily. Additionally, the reduction of carbonyl compounds to alcohols was also promoted by the same catalytic system. When the reaction of a 1:1 mixture of a conjugated ketone and a saturated ketone with 2-propanol was carried out in the presence of [Ir(cod)Cl](2) combined with dppp and Cs(2)CO(3), the reduction of the alpha,beta-unsaturated ketone was found to take place in preference to that of the saturated ketone.     

Heterogeneously catalyzed aerobic oxidative biaryl coupling of 2-naphthols and substituted phenols in water

The oxidative coupling reaction can efficiently be promoted by supported ruthenium catalyst Ru(OH)x/Al2O3. A variety of 2-naphthols and substituted phenols can be converted to the corresponding biaryl compounds in moderate to excellent yields using molecular oxygen as a sole oxidant in water without any additives. The catalysis is truly heterogeneous in nature, and Ru(OH)x/Al2O3 can easily be recovered after the reaction. The catalyst can be recycled seven times with the maintenance of the catalytic performance, and the total turnover number reaches up to 160. The results of competitive coupling reactions suggest that the present oxidative biaryl coupling reaction proceeds via the homolytic coupling of two radical species and the Ru(OH)x/Al2O3 catalyst acts as an one-electron oxidant. Two radical species are coupled to give the corresponding biaryl product, and the one-electron reduced catalyst is reoxidized by molecular oxygen. The amounts of O(2) uptake and H(2)O formation were almost one-quarter and one-half the amount of substrate consumed, respectively, supporting the reaction mechanism. The kinetic data and kinetic isotope effect show that the reoxidation of the reduced catalyst is the rate-limiting step for the coupling reaction.     

Coordination of sodium cation to an oxygen function and olefinic double bond to form molecular adduct ion in fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry

Steroidal allylic alcohols formed Na+ adduct ion peaks [M+Na]+ by the addition of NaCl in FAB mass spectrometry. A comparison of the intensities of the adduct ion peaks of allylic alcohols with those of the corresponding saturated alcohols and olefin suggested that the olefinic double bond and the proximal hydroxyl group had coordinated to Na+. The adduct ion was stable and did not undergo dehydroxylation. We suggest that the Na+ adduction will be useful for the molecular weight determination of allylic alcohols which are susceptible to dehydroxylation under FAB mass spectrometric conditions. Na+ adduct ions of alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl compounds were also investigated.     

Oxidation of allylic alcohols to alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl compounds with aqueous hydrogen peroxide under organic solvent-free conditions

Allylic alcohols are chemoselectively oxidized to alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl compounds in high yield with aqueous H(2)O(2) in the presence of Pt black catalyst under organic solvent-free conditions. The catalyst is easily recyclable and effective for at least 7 cycles.     

Conjugate reduction of alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl compounds catalyzed by a copper carbene complex

[reaction: see text] An N-heterocyclic carbene copper chloride (NHC-CuCl) complex (2) has been prepared and used to catalyze the conjugate reduction of alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl compounds. The combination of catalytic amounts of 2 and NaOt-Bu with poly(methylhydrosiloxane) (PMHS) as the stoichiometric reductant generates an active catalyst for the 1,4-reduction of tri- and tetrasubstituted alpha,beta-unsaturated esters and cyclic enones. The active catalytic species can also be generated in situ from 1,3-bis(2,6-di-isopropylphenyl)-imidazolium chloride (1) CuCl(2).2H(2)O in the presence of NaOt-Bu and PMHS.     

Highly stereoselective three-component reactions of phenylselenomagnesium bromide,acetylenic sulfones,and saturated aldehydes/ketones or alpha,beta-unsaturated enals or enones

beta-Phenylseleno-alpha-tolylsulfonyl-substituted alkenes were synthesized via the three-component conjugate-nucleophilic addition of acetylenic sulfones, phenylselenomagnesium bromide, and carbonyl compounds, such as aldehydes, aliphatic ketones, or alpha,beta-unsaturated enals or enones. The reaction is highly regio- and stereoselective with moderate to good yields. Functionalized allylic alcohols were obtained in the case of aldehydes and aliphatic ketones. In the case of alpha,beta-unsaturated enones, functionalized allylic alcohols or functionalized gamma,delta-unsaturated ketones were obtained, depending on the structures of the ketones.     

Aerobic oxidative transformation of primary azides to nitriles by ruthenium hydroxide catalyst

In the presence of an easily prepared supported ruthenium hydroxide catalyst, Ru(OH)(x)/Al(2)O(3), various kinds of structurally diverse primary azides including benzylic, allylic, and aliphatic ones could be converted into the corresponding nitriles in moderate to high yields (13 examples, 65-94% yields). The gram-scale (1 g) transformation of benzyl azide efficiently proceeded to give benzonitrile (0.7 g, 90% yield) without any decrease in the performance in comparison with the small-scale (0.5 mmol) transformation. The catalysis was truly heterogeneous, and the retrieved catalyst could be reused for the transformation of benzyl azide without an appreciable loss of its high performance. The present transformation of primary azides to nitriles likely proceeds via sequential reactions of imide formation, followed by dehydrogenation (β-elimination) to produce the corresponding nitriles. The Ru(OH)(x)/Al(2)O(3) catalyst could be further employed for synthesis of amides in water through the transformation of primary azides (benzylic and aliphatic ones) to nitriles, followed by sequent hydration of the nitriles formed. Additionally, direct one-pot synthesis from alkyl halides and TBAN(3) (TBA = tetra-n-butylammonium) could be realized with Ru(OH)(x)/Al(2)O(3), giving the corresponding nitriles in moderate to high yields (10 examples, 64-84% yields).     

A ruthenium-grafted hydrotalcite as a multifunctional catalyst for direct alpha-alkylation of nitriles with primary alcohols

Treatment of a hydrotacite, Mg6Al2(OH)16CO3, with an aqueous solution of RuCl3.nH2O afforded a monomeric Ru(IV) species on the surface of the hydrotalcite. This novel Ru-grafted hydrotalcite (Ru/HT) efficiently catalyzed alpha-alkylation of nitriles with primary alcohols through the cooperative catalysis between the Ru species and the surface base sites. The catalyst system could be further extended for the one-pot synthesis of alpha,alpha-dialkylated phenylacetonitriles via the base-catalyzed Michael reaction of alpha-alkylated phenylacetonitrile with activate olefins.     

构筑可控催化氧化性能催化剂用于醇的转化

通过金属离子替代的方法设计了催化氧化性能不同的Mg-Al-Ru-CO₃类水滑石、Co-Al-Ru-CO₃类水滑石和Ru-Co(OH)₂-CeO₂等三种催化剂. XRD实验表明钌部分替换制得的Mg-Al-Ru-CO₃和Co-Al-Ru-CO₃可保持水滑石的结构; 但用铈替代铝之后得到的Ru-Co(OH)₂-CeO₂催化剂无法保持水滑石的结构， 而是由氢氧化钴和二氧化铈的微晶组成. XPS 和Ru K-edge XAFS的测试结果证实Mg-Al-Ru-CO3催化剂中钌被等键长的6个氧原子包围， 该催化剂可有效地催化氧化醇类； Co-Al-Ru-CO₃催化剂中钌被两种键长不等的6个氧原子包围， 其中短键长的Ru═O是催化氧化性能增强的原因； Ru-Co(OH)₂-CeO₂催化剂中钌被两种键长不等的5个氧原子包围， 其对于各类醇均有高效的催化氧化性能， 原因归功于配位数少的钌物种.     

Environmentally friendly one-pot synthesis of alpha-alkylated nitriles using hydrotalcite-supported metal species as multifunctional solid catalysts

A ruthenium-grafted hydrotalcite (Ru/HT) and hydrotalcite-supported palladium nanoparticles (Pd(nano)/HT) are easily prepared by treating basic layered double hydroxide, hydrotalcite (HT, Mg(6)Al(2)(OH)(16)CO(3)) with aqueous RuCl(3)n H(2)O and K(2)[PdCl(4)] solutions, respectively, using surface impregnation methods. Analysis by means of X-ray diffraction, and energy-dispersive X-ray, electron paramagnetic resonance, and X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopies proves that a monomeric Ru(IV) species is grafted onto the surface of the HT. Meanwhile, after reduction of a surface-isolated Pd(II) species, highly dispersed Pd nanoclusters with a mean diameter of about 70 A is observed on the Pd(nano)/HT surface by transmission electron microscopy analysis. These hydrotalcite-supported metal catalysts can effectively promote alpha-alkylation reactions of various nitriles with primary alcohols or carbonyl compounds through tandem reactions consisting of metal-catalyzed oxidation and reduction, and an aldol reaction promoted by the base sites of the HT. In these catalytic alpha-alkylations, homogeneous bases are unnecessary and the only by-product is water. Additionally, these catalyst systems are applicable to one-pot syntheses of glutaronitrile derivatives.     

Highly efficient redox isomerization of allylic alcohols at ambient temperature catalyzed by novel ruthenium-cyclopentadienyl complexes--new insight into the mechanism

A range of ruthenium cyclopentadienyl (Cp) complexes have been prepared and used for isomerization of allylic alcohols to the corresponding saturated carbonyl compounds. Complexes bearing CO ligands show higher activity than those with PPh3 ligands. The isomerization rate is highly affected by the substituents on the Cp ring. Tetra(phenyl)methyl-substituted catalysts rapidly isomerize allylic alcohols under very mild reaction conditions (ambient temperature) with short reaction times. Substituted allylic alcohols have been isomerized by employing Ru-Cp complexes. A study of the isomerization catalyzed by [Ru(Ph5Cp)(CO)2H] (14) indicates that the isomerization catalyzed by ruthenium hydrides partly follows a different mechanism than that of ruthenium halides activated by KOtBu. Furthermore, the lack of ketone exchange when the isomerization was performed in the presence of an unsaturated ketone (1 equiv), different from that obtained by dehydrogenation of the starting allylic alcohol, supports a mechanism in which the isomerization takes place within the coordination sphere of the ruthenium catalyst.     

Aerobic alcohol oxidation catalyzed by a new, oxygen-bridged heterometallic compound [PPh4][Ru(N)Me2(μ2-O)2Pd((−)-sparteine)]

The reaction between the new hydroxy compound [PPh₄][Ru(N)(OH)₂Me₂] and Pd(OSiMe₃)₂((−)-sparteine) produces (Me₃Si)₂O, H₂O and a new heterobimetallic compound [PPh₄][Ru(N)Me₂(μ₂-O)₂Pd((−)-sparteine)] in good yield. The Ru/Pd bimetallic compound catalyzes the oxidation of aryl and allyl alcohols to the corresponding carbonyl compound in air and the rearrangement of allylic alcohols unsaturated aldehydes. It also oxidizes PPh₃ to O-PPh₃ under O₂.     

The facile and efficient Michael addition of indoles and pyrrole to alpha,beta-unsaturated electron-deficient compounds catalyzed by aluminium dodecyl sulfate trihydrate [Al(DS)3].3H2O in water

Aluminium dodecyl sulfate trihydrate [Al(DS)3].3H2O is easily prepared and can be used as a Lewis acid surfactant catalyst in water to conduct the highly efficient Michael addition of indoles and pyrrole to alpha,beta-unsaturated electron-deficient compounds at room temperature.     

Oxidative rearrangement of tertiary allylic alcohols employing oxoammonium salts

Practical and highly efficient methods for oxidative rearrangement of tertiary allylic alcohols to beta-substituted alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl compounds employing oxoammonium salts are described. The methods developed are applicable to acyclic substrates as well as medium membered ring substrates and macrocyclic substrates. The counteranion of the oxoammonium salt plays crucial roles on this oxidative rearrangement.     

Scope, kinetics, and mechanistic aspects of aerobic oxidations catalyzed by ruthenium supported on alumina

The Ru/Al(2)O(3) catalyst was prepared by modification of the preparation of Ru(OH)(3).n H(2)O. The present Ru/Al(2)O(3) catalyst has high catalytic activities for the oxidations of activated, nonactivated, and heterocyclic alcohols, diols, and amines at 1 atm of molecular oxygen. Furthermore, the catalyst could be reused seven times without a loss of catalytic activity and selectivity for the oxidation of benzyl alcohol. A catalytic reaction mechanism involving a ruthenium alcoholate species and beta-hydride elimination from the alcoholate has been proposed. The reaction rate has a first-order dependence on the amount of catalyst, a fractional order on the concentration of benzyl alcohol, and a zero order on the pressure of molecular oxygen. These results and kinetic isotope effects indicate that beta-elimination from the ruthenium alcoholate species is a rate-determining step.     

Ru/g-al2o3 as reusable catalyst for dehydrogenation of alcohols without hydrogen acceptor

Summary Ru/g-Al₂O₃ catalyzed the dehydrogenation of alcohols to carbonyl compounds without employing hydrogen acceptor. The catalyst was readily recovered from the reaction mixture and could be reused.     

Palladium oxide nanoparticles supported on graphene oxide: A convenient heterogeneous catalyst for reduction of various carbonyl compounds using triethylsilane

Palladium oxide nanoparticles supported on graphene oxide ‐ triethylsilane was found to be an effective reductive system for a broad range of reduction processes, including the reduction of various carbonyl compounds such as aromatic aldehydes to their corresponding alcohols or methyl arene compounds, aromatic ketones to their respective alcohols or saturated compounds, aromatic acyl chlorides to their reduced compounds. The desired products were obtained in good to excellent yields under mild conditions. The heterogeneous environmentally friendly catalyst can be easily separated from the reaction mixture through a simple filtration, facilitating purification of the prepared compounds.     

Bis(allyl)-ruthenium(IV) complexes as highly efficient catalysts for the redox isomerization of allylic alcohols into carbonyl compounds in organic and aqueous media: scope, limitations, and theoretical analysis of the mechanism

The catalytic activity of the bis(allyl)-ruthenium(IV) dimer [[Ru(eta(3):eta(3)-C(10)H(16))(mu-Cl)Cl](2)] (C(10)H(16) = 2,7-dimethylocta-2,6-diene-1,8-diyl) (1), and that of its mononuclear derivatives [Ru(eta(3):eta(3)-C(10)H(16))Cl(2)(L)] (L = CO, PR(3), CNR, NCR) (2) and [Ru(eta(3):eta(3)-C(10)H(16))Cl(NCMe)(2)][SbF(6)] (3), in the redox isomerization of allylic alcohols into carbonyl compounds, both in tetrahydrofuran and in water, is reported. In particular, a variety of allylic alcohols have been quantitatively isomerized using [[Ru(eta(3):eta(3)-C(10)H(16))(mu-Cl)Cl](2)] (1) as catalyst, the reactions proceeding in all cases faster in water. Remarkably, complex 1 has been found to be the most efficient catalyst reported to date for this particular transformation, leading to TOF and TON values up to 62,500 h(-1) and 1 500,000, respectively. Moreover, catalyst 1 can be recycled and is capable of performing allylic alcohol isomerizations even in the presence of conjugated dienes, which are known to be strong poisons in isomerization catalysis. On the basis of both experimental data and theoretical calculations (DFT), a complete catalytic cycle for the isomerization of 2-propen-1-ol into propenal is described. The potential energy surfaces of the cycle have been explored at the B3LYP/6-311 + G(d,p)//B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) + LAN2DZ level. The proposed mechanism involves the coordination of the oxygen atom of the allylic alcohol to the metal. The DFT energy profile is consistent with the experimental observation that the reaction only proceeds under heating. Calculations predict the catalytic cycle to be strongly exergonic, in full agreement with the high yields experimentally observed.     

Dichloro(dodeca-2,6,10-triene-1,12-diyl)ruthenium(IV): a highly efficient catalyst for the isomerization of allylic alcohols into carbonyl compounds in organic and aqueous media

The catalytic activity of the bis(allyl)-ruthenium(iv) complex [Ru([small eta](3):[small eta](2):[small eta](3)-C(12)H(18))Cl(2)] in the transposition of allylic alcohols into carbonyl compounds, both in THF and H(2)O as solvent, is reported.