CC bond formation in diiron complexes

The growing effort to design new sustainable synthetic methodologies, based on readily available and environmentally friendly transition metals, has boosted research on iron complexes. This review article focuses on C?C-bond-forming reactions occurring at bridging ligands in diiron complexes, aimed at evidencing distinctive aspects and advantages associated with the presence of two adjacent iron centres. A number of diiron-mediated C?C-bond-forming reactions reported in the literature, including nucleophilic and electrophilic additions and insertion and cycloaddition reactions, have been accumulated over the years, which, together with more recent developments, indicate that diiron complexes might provide promising alternatives to precious metals in the challenging field of metal-promoted C?C bond formation.     

Recent advances in radical-mediated fluorination through C–H and C–C bond cleavage

The C–H and C–C bonds are abundant in organic compounds, yet generally inert in chemical transformations. Therefore, direct functionalization of inert chemical bonds remains challenging. The fluorine-containing compounds are of special interest for their uses in medicinal chemistry. Direct fluorination of C–H and C–C bonds undoubtedly represents one of the most ideal and attractive approaches to incorporate fluorine atom into complex molecules. Herein, we summarize the recent advances in radical-mediated C–H and C–C bond fluorination. Three types of transformations are discussed: (1) direct C–H abstraction/fluorination of alkanes; (2) decarboxylative fluorination of alkyl carboxylic acids; (3) ring-opening fluorination.     

Anharmonic C?H and C=O Interactions in Peptide and Sugar

C?H and C=O stretching modes are two among many structural and dynamic probes of proteins and peptides in condensed phases. Anharmonic properties of these two modes in peptide and sugar have been examined using a second-order perturbative vibrational approach. High order force constants were obtained and examined to ˉnd how crucial they are in determining the degree of mode localization and the nature of mode anharmonicity of the two stretching modes. It is found that the C?H mode is highly localized,and its diagonal anharmonicity is mainly determined by the mode itself. However, the C=O mode is largely delocalized, and the diagonal anharmonicity involves contributions from other modes. The o?-diagonal anharmonicity between C?D and C=O modes is found to be negative in deuterated species, di?ering from those of the non-deuterated ones. It is also found that inter-mode interaction between each of the two modes with low-frequency modes contribute signiˉcantly to the o?-diagonal anharmonicity. These low-frequency modes give rise to a network of energy relaxation or intramolecular vibrational energy redistribution pathways which can be used to examine temporal behavior of intramolecular vibration energy °ow, provided a femtosecond broadband two-dimensional infrared spectroscopy is available.     

New progress in theoretical studies on palladium-catalyzed C−C bond-forming reaction mechanisms

This review reports a series of mechanistic studies on Pd-catalyzed C-C cross-coupling reactions via density functional theory(DFT) calculations.A brief introduction of fundamental steps involved in these reactions is given,including oxidative addition,transmetallation and reductive elimination.We aim to provide an important review of recent progress on theoretical studies of palladium-catalyzed carbon-carbon cross-coupling reactions,including the C-C bond formation via C-H bond activation,decarboxylation,Pd(Ⅱ)/Pd(Ⅳ) catalytic cycle and double palladiums catalysis.     

The accurate determination of C0–C3 alkylphenol concentrations in crude oils

Accurate determination of the concentrations of volatile and semi-volatile phenols in oils is required to reliably quantify the solute levels that are likely to be loaded into oilfield production waters following partition redistribution. We show, from a gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis of a North Sea crude oil, that significantly different concentration data for several C₀–C₃ alkylphenols may be obtained, depending upon whether the response of the fragmentation ion or the molecular ion is used, and whether the data are corrected for the relative response factor (RRF) of individual phenols. We also show how a comparison of concentration data for individual phenols obtained both with and without RRF correction can enable the recognition of co-elution. The accurate quantification of phenols in oils can be used to predict more effectively the requirement for production water-treatment facilities and can provide more reliable inventories of these toxic compounds discharged into the environment. The oil–water partition coefficient of p-cresol increases in crude oils with increasing nitrogen, sulfur, and oxygen-containing (NSO)-compounds. The occurrence of high phenols concentrations and relatively low NSO contents in some condensates may present particular problems in water treatment and disposal.     

Recent advances in oxidative C–C coupling reaction of amides with carbon nucleophiles

The C–C coupling reaction of N-electron withdrawing group (EWG) protected amides with coupling partners is one of the most important methods for C–C bond formation at the α-position of amides to directly give α-substituted amides. Of the four reactions, namely, the reaction via the generation of carbanion with an electrophile, that via the generation of carbon radical with a radical donor, that via the generation of iminium ion species with a nucleophile (oxidative coupling reaction), and that using a transition metal carbenoid, the oxidative coupling reaction presents a challenge although the reaction products are very useful for the transformation of a wide range of nitrogen-containing derivatives. In this review, recent developments in the oxidative coupling reaction of N-EWG protected amides with nucleophiles are summarized with focus on the reaction using a transition metal, the transition-metal-free reaction, the enantioselective reaction using a chiral catalysts, and the organocatalyzed oxidative coupling reaction.     

Recent advances in mechanochemical C–H functionalization reactions

The mechanochemical synthesis has provided a greener alternative to solution-based approaches by eliminating the use of organic solvents and reducing the energy consumption. The C–H functionalization is among the most concise and economical synthetic strategies. The combination of the benefits from these two methods provides new opportunities to further increase the efficiency and sustainability of organic synthesis. In this digest, we aim to provide a brief overview of the recent advances in mechanochemical C–H functionalization reactions.     

Selective CC bond hydrogenation in unsaturated nitro compounds in the presence of the RhCl3-aliquat 336 catalyst system

The ion pair formed from aqueous rhodium trichloride and Aliquat 336 catalyzes the selective hydrogenation of olefinic CC bonds of a variety of unsaturated nitro compounds in a two liquid phase system at 30°C. Nitrobenzene gives, under these conditions, a mixture of aniline and nitrocyclohexane.     

Reactivity of C5–C10 Cycloolefins in a Cometathesis Reaction with 1-Hexene

Kinetics and Catalysis - The reactivity of cycloolefins (cyclopentene, cycloheptene, cyclooctene, cyclononene, and cyclodecene) in a cometathesis reaction with 1-hexene performed with the use of...     

Transport of C1–C3 hydrocarbons in poly(phenylene oxides) membranes

Transport of CH₄, C₂H₄ and C₂H₆ in poly(phenylene oxides) membranes at low pressures has been studied. The relation between the free volume and permeability of the polymers was analyzed in terms of the `dual-sorption' model. The accessible free volume of the polymers was estimated assuming the density of a sorbed fluid is equal to the density of the corresponding liquid. Transient separation of the three-component mixture CH₄/C₂H₄/C₂H₆ was studied.     

Cobalt Nanoparticles-Catalyzed Widely Applicable Successive C−C Bond Cleavage in Alcohols to Access Esters

Selective cleavage and functionalization of C−C bonds have important applications in organic synthesis and biomass utilization. However, functionalization of C−C bonds by controlled cleavage remains difficult and challenging because they are inert. Herein, we describe an unprecedented efficient protocol for the breaking of successive C−C bonds in alcohols to form esters with one or multiple carbon atoms less using heterogeneous cobalt nanoparticles as catalyst with dioxygen as the oxidant. A wide range of alcohols including inactive long-chain alkyl aryl alcohols undergo smoothly successive cleavage of adjacent −(C−C)_n− bonds to afford the corresponding esters. The catalyst was used for seven times without any decrease in activity. Characterization and control experiments disclose that cobalt nanoparticles are responsible for the successive cleavage of C−C bonds to achieve excellent catalytic activity, while the presence of Co-N_x has just the opposite effect. Preliminary mechanistic studies reveal that a tandem sequence reaction is involved in this process.     

C–H...O and C–H...N interactions in RNA structures

Small molecule studies indicate that C–H...X interactions (X: O,N) constitute weak H-bonds. We have performed a comprehensive analysis of their occurrence and geometry in RNA structures. Here, we report on statistical properties of the total set of interactions identified and discuss selected motifs. The distance/angle distribution of all interactions exhibits an excluded region where the allowed C–H...X angle range increases with an increasing H...X distance. The preferred short C–H...X interactions in RNA are backbone-backbone contacts between neighbour nucleotides. Distance/angle distributions generated for various interaction types can be used for error recognition and modelling. The axial C2′(H)...O4′ and C5′(H)...O2′ interactions connect two backbone segments and form a seven-membered ring that is specific for RNA. An AA base pair with one standard H-bond and one C–H...N interaction has been identified in various structures. Despite the occurrence of short C–H...X contacts their free energy contribution to RNA stability remains to be assessed. Received: 17 May 1998 / Accepted: 4 August 1998 / Published online: 2 November 1998     

α-Boryl Carbanions: The Influence of Geminal Heteroatoms in C−C Bond Formation

The wide applications of alpha-boryl carbanions in selective coupling with organohalides, imines/carbonyls and conjugated unsaturated substrates has become an interesting tool for organic synthesis. Strategically, the inclusion of heteroatoms, such as Si, S, N, F, Cl, Br and I in the alpha position opens a new venue towards multifunctionalities in molecular design. Here, a conceptual and practical view on powerful carbanions, containing α-silicoboron, α-thioboron, α-haloboron and α-aminoboron is given, as well as a prespective on their efficient application for selective electrophilic trapping.     

C–C Bond Rupture in the Oxidation of Lower (C2–C6) Alcohols with Hydrogen Peroxide Mediated by Iron-Containing Compounds

C–C bond rupture upon the oxidation of alcohols in the Fe(ClO₄)₃+ H₂O₂system in aqueous acetonitrile at room temperature is found. The relative yield of the products of C–C bond rupture is 20–30% under standard conditions for C₂and C₃alcohols and decreases in the series C₂> C₃> C₄> C₆. The alkyl radical and carboxylic acid are the products of C–C bond rupture in alcohol oxidation. Cyclohexane is a competitive inhibiting agent for C–H bond oxidation in 1-propanol, and it does not affect the yield of the products of C–C bond rupture. When H₂O₂is replaced by tert-BuOOH, the fraction of the products of C–C bond rupture decreases by an order of magnitude. Our data suggest that a non-radical intermediate, likely Fe(III) hydroperoxo complex, is responsible for C–C bond rupture in alcohol under the reaction conditions.     

Temperature Dependence of the Ratios of C—H (C—D) Bond Breaking Rates in Reactions of Cycloalkanes C5H10, C6H12, C6D12 with Adamantyl Carbocations in Sulfuric Acid

We have determined the differences in the parameters log A and E of the Arrhenius equations for the kinetic isotope effect (KIE) (c-C₆H₁₂/c-C₆D₁₂) and the 5/6 effect (c-C₅H₁₀/c-C₆H₁₂) in reactions of the C—H bonds of cycloalkanes with adamantyl (Ad⁺) carbocations (1-adamantanol in 92.8% H₂SO₄, 40-97 °C). We have established the compensation relations between log A and E for the kinetic isotope effect and the 5/6 effect for anthracene (AH⁺), hydroxymethyl (CH₂OH⁺), Ad⁺ carbocations and the hypothetical "infinitely strong reagent," supporting a hydride transfer mechanism in such reactions.     

Twin‐like domains in chiral smectic C liquid crystals

In the chiral smectic C phase of liquid crystals with the phase transition N*–SmC*, texture development depending on the sample thickness is reported. In very thin samples, domains of rectangular‐like shape are observed. As two possible tilts of smectic layers are possible for one anchoring direction, smectic layers inside a domain, called twin‐like domains, are tilted with respect to layers in outer regions, similarly to crystalline planes in solid crystalline twins. An elastic model of such a twin domain is proposed and its energy determined.     

Effect of Temperature on the Yields of Final Products in the γ-Radiolysis of Formaldehyde Solutions in C1–C3 Alkanols

The effect of temperature on the yields of 1,2-alkanediols in the -radiolysis of the methanol(or ethanol)–formaldehyde (0.9 M) systems and on the yields of 1,2-alkanediols, carbonyl compounds, methanol, and ethanol in the -radiolysis of the 1-propanol(or 2-propanol)–formaldehyde (1 M) systems was studied over the range 373–473 K. It was found that the temperature dependence of the yields of 1,2-butanediol and 2-methyl-1,2-propanediol exhibited maximums at 423 and 373 K, respectively.     

Exploring the C–H…O Interactions in Glycoproteins

Glycoproteins are an important class of proteins that play a significant role in many cellular events. In the present study, we analyze the influence of C–H…O interactions in relation to other environmental preferences in glycoproteins. CH…O interactions are now accepted as a genuine hydrogen bond. Main chain–main chain interactions are predominant. Proline residues stabilize strands by C–H…O interactions in glycoproteins. Majority of the C–H…O interacting residues were conserved and had one or more stabilization centers. CH…O interactions might be responsible for the global conformational stability, since long-range CH…O contacts were predominant. The results presented in this study might be useful for structural stability studies in glycoproteins.