Metal-free dehydration of glucose to 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural in ionic liquids with boric acid as a promoter

The dehydration of glucose and other hexose carbohydrates to 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural (HMF) was investigated in imidazolium-based ionic liquids with boric acid as a promoter. A yield of up to 42% from glucose and as much as 66% from sucrose was obtained. The yield of HMF decreased as the concentration of boric acid exceeded one equivalent, most likely as a consequence of stronger fructose-borate chelate complexes being formed. Computational modeling with DFT calculations confirmed that the formation of 1:1 glucose-borate complexes facilitated the conversion pathway from glucose to fructose. Deuterium-labeling studies elucidated that the isomerization proceeded via an ene-diol mechanism, which is different to that of the enzyme-catalyzed isomerization of glucose to fructose. The introduced non-metal system containing boric acid provides a new direction in the search for catalyst systems allowing efficient HMF formation from biorenewable sources.     

离子液体中的不对称催化反应*

对价格昂贵的手性催化剂进行回收和重复利用是目前不对称催化领域面临的难题之一,受到学术界和工业界的共同关注。化学家们已经尝试了许多方法,其中使用离子液体来替代常规有机溶剂使催化剂得到分离和重新使用已经引起他们极大的兴趣。本文综述了近年来在离子液体中进行不对称催化反应的研究进展,对离子液体中过渡金属和有机小分子催化的各种反应进行重点介绍,强调了离子液体不但在催化剂回收方面有独特优势,而且在许多反应中能够提高催化效率。     

离子液体催化合成对羟基苯甲酸乙酯

采用酸性离子液体[C3SO3 Hmim] HSO4、[C4SO3 Hmim] HSO4和[C3SO3 Hnhm] HSO4代替浓硫酸为催化剂合成对羟基苯甲酸乙醇.考察了反应温度、反应时间、催化剂用量、酸醇摩尔比对该反应产率的影响及离子液体的重复使用性能.选择了最佳反应条件,以[C3SO3 Hnhm] HSO4作为催化剂...     

Unmasking the Action of Phosphinous Acid Ligands in Nitrile Hydration Reactions Catalyzed by Arene–Ruthenium(II) Complexes

The catalytic hydration of benzonitrile and acetonitrile has been studied by employing different arene–ruthenium(II) complexes with phosphinous (PR₂OH) and phosphorous acid (P(OR)₂OH) ligands as catalysts. Marked differences in activity were found, depending on the nature of both the P‐donor and η⁶‐coordinated arene ligand. Faster transformations were always observed with the phosphinous acids. DFT computations unveiled the intriguing mechanism of acetonitrile hydration catalyzed by these arene–ruthenium(II) complexes. The process starts with attack on the nitrile carbon atom of the hydroxyl group of the P‐donor ligand instead of on a solvent water molecule, as previously suggested. The experimental results presented herein for acetonitrile and benzonitrile hydration catalyzed by different arene–ruthenium(II) complexes could be rationalized in terms of such a mechanism.     

The effect of hydrogen bonding on allylic alkylation and isomerization reactions in ionic liquids

Neutral allylic alkylation reactions, in which a base is generated in situ and which hence require no external bases, can significantly be retarded when carried out in the ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([bmim][BF(4)]). Evidence suggests that the base or base precursor enters into hydrogen bonding with the imidazolium cation and is thus made less readily available for deprotonation of pre-nucleophiles. However, the reaction proceeds well in the presence of stronger bases that are capable of deprotonation. Whilst the phenomenon of hydrogen bonding in ionic liquids can be detrimental to reactions such as allylic alkylation, it can be exploited to suppress unwanted allylic isomerization.     

Neutral nickel oligo- and polymerization catalysts: the importance of alkyl phosphine intermediates in chain termination

An unconventional chain termination reaction has been explored for the SHOP (Shell higher olefin process)-type, anilinotropone, and salicylaldiminato nickel-based oligo- and polymerization catalysts by using density functional theory (DFT). Starting from the tetracoordinate alkyl phosphine complex, the termination reaction was found to involve a rearrangement of the alkyl chain to form a pentacoordinate β-agostic complex, β-hydride elimination, and olefinic chain dissociation and to compete with propagation at sufficiently high phosphine concentration and/or basicity. It provides the first complete and convincing mechanistic rationale for the decreasing chain lengths observed upon increasing phosphine concentration and basicity. The unconventional reaction was found to be a major termination pathway for the SHOP-type catalyst and is very unlikely to lead to branching and olefin isomerization, which is critical for explaining why the SHOP catalyst, in contrast to the anilinotropone and salicylaldiminato catalysts, tends to lead to the oligomerization of ethylene to form linear α-olefins. Based on our results we have proposed a new and extended catalytic cycle for the SHOP-type ethylene oligomerization catalyst. Finally, the importance of the new termination reaction for the SHOP-type catalyst suggests that this reaction may also operate with other ethylene oligomerization nickel catalysts. This prediction was confirmed for a pyrazolonatophosphine catalyst, for which the new termination route was found to be even more facile, which explains the short oligomers produced by this catalyst.     

Why platinum catalysts involving ligands with large bite angle are so efficient in the allylation of amines: design of a highly active catalyst and comprehensive experimental and DFT study

The platinum-catalyzed allylation of amines with allyl alcohols was studied experimentally and theoretically. The complexes [Pt(eta(3)-allyl)(dppe)]OTf (2) and [Pt(eta(3)-allyl)(DPP-Xantphos)]PF(6) (5) were synthesized and structurally characterized, and their reactivity toward amines was explored. The bicyclic aminopropyl complex [Pt(CH(2)CH(2)CH(2)NHBn-kappa-C,N)(dppe)]OTf (3) was obtained from the reaction of complex 2 with an excess of benzylamine, and this complex was shown to be a deactivated form of catalyst 2. On the other hand, reaction of complex 5 with benzylamine and allyl alcohol led to formation of the 16-VE platinum(0) complex [Pt(eta(2)-C(3)H(5)OH)(DPP-Xantphos)] (7), which was structurally characterized and appears to be a catalytic intermediate. A DFT study showed that the mechanism of the platinum-catalyzed allylation of amines with allyl alcohols differs from the palladium-catalyzed process, since it involves an associative ligand-exchange step involving formation of a tetracoordinate 18-VE complex. This DFT study also revealed that ligands with large bite angles disfavor the formation of platinum hydride complexes and therefore the formation of a bicyclic aminopropyl complex, which is a thermodynamic sink. Finally, a combination of 5 and a proton source was shown to efficiently catalyze the allylation of a broad variety of amines with allyl alcohols under mild conditions.     

Silver(I)‐Catalyzed Addition of Phenols to Alkyne Cobalt Cluster Stabilized Carbocations

A smooth catalytic method to use phenols as the nucleophilic partner in the Nicholas reaction has been developed. The method uses either Ag^I or Au^I catalysts with AgClO₄ or AgBF₄ as the most efficient catalysts tested. Neither additional additives nor cocatalysts were required and the formation of the corresponding phenol adducts occurred in excellent yields. The process has the single limitation of the inability of less nucleophilic phenols (4‐nitrophenol) to generate the corresponding adducts. Additionally, the reaction is highly diastereoselective. DFT calculations allow a catalytic cycle to be proposed that involves trimetallic intermediates; the rate‐determining step of the reaction is hydroxy‐group elimination in a cobalt–silver trimetallic intermediate.     

Theoretical Explanation for How SO3H‐Functionalized Ionic Liquids Promote the Conversion of Cellulose to Glucose

While the catalytic transformation of cellulose to glucose by functionalized ionic liquids (ILs) has been achieved successfully under mild conditions, insight into the fundamental molecular mechanism is still lacking. The present work presents the first attempt to address the fundamental reaction chemistry of the catalytic transformation. An enzyme‐like catalytic mechanism of ILs, in which glycosidic bond hydrolysis proceeds through a retaining mechanism and/or an inverting mechanism, is proposed. DFT calculations show that both mechanisms involve moderate barriers (<30 kcal mol^?1), which is consistent with the catalytic performance of the ILs under mild conditions (<100 °C). The “biomimetic” mechanism model proposed herein is expected to be viable for understanding the unique catalytic activity of ILs under mild conditions.     

Transformation of Atmospheric CO2 Catalyzed by Protic Ionic Liquids: Efficient Synthesis of 2‐Oxazolidinones

Protic ionic liquids (PILs), such as 1,8‐diazabicyclo[5.4.0]‐7‐undecenium 2‐methylimidazolide [DBUH][MIm], can catalyze the reaction of atmospheric CO₂ with a broad range of propargylic amines to form the corresponding 2‐oxazolidinones. The products are formed in high yields under mild, metal‐free conditions. The cheaper and greener PILs can be easily recycled and reused at least five times without a decrease in the catalytic activity and selectivity. A reaction mechanism was proposed on the basis of a detailed DFT study which indicates that both the cation and anion of the PIL play key synergistic roles in accelerating the reaction.     

Mechanism and exo-regioselectivity of organolanthanide-mediated intramolecular hydroamination/cyclization of 1,3-disubstituted aminoallenes: a computational study

The complete catalytic reaction course for the organolanthanide-assisted intramolecular hydroamination/cyclization (IHC) of 4,5-heptadien-1-ylamine by a prototypical [(eta(5)-Me5C5)2LuCH(SiMe3)2] precatalyst has been critically scrutinized by employing a reliable DFT method. A computationally verified mechanistic scenario for the IHC of 1,3-disubstituted aminoallene substrates has been proposed that is consistent with the empirical rate law determined by experiment and accounts for crucial experimental observations. It involves kinetically rapid substrate association and dissociation equilibria, facile and reversible intramolecular allenic C=C insertion into the Ln-N bond, and turnover-limiting protonation of the azacycle's tether functionality, with the amine-amidoallene-Ln adduct complex representing the catalyst's resting state. This mechanistic scenario bears resemblance to the mechanism that has been recently proposed in a computational exploration of aminodiene IHC. The unique features of the IHC of the two substrate classes are discussed. Furthermore, the thermodynamic and kinetic factors that control the regio- and stereoselectivity of aminoallene IHC have been elucidated. These achievements have provided a deeper insight into the catalytic structure-reactivity relationships in organolanthanide-assisted cyclohydroamination of unsaturated C-C functionalities.     

Mechanism of Alkyne Alkoxycarbonylation at a Pd Catalyst with P,N Hemilabile Ligands: A Density Functional Study

A detailed mechanism for alkyne alkoxycarbonylation mediated by a palladium catalyst has been characterised at the B3PW91‐D3/PCM level of density functional theory (including bulk solvation and dispersion corrections). This transformation, investigated via the methoxycarbonylation of propyne, involves a uniquely dual role for the P,N hemilabile ligand acting co‐catalytically as both an in situ base and proton relay coupled with a Pd⁰ centre, allowing for surmountable barriers (highest ΔG^≠ of 22.9 kcal mol^?1 for alcoholysis). This proton‐shuffle between methanol and coordinated propyne accounts for experimental requirements (high acid concentration) and reproduces observed regioselectivities as a function of ligand structure. A simple ligand modification is proposed, which is predicted to improve catalytic turnover by three orders of magnitude.     

Amavadin and other vanadium complexes as remarkably efficient catalysts for one-pot conversion of ethane to propionic and acetic acids

Synthetic amavadin Ca[V{ON[CH(CH(3))COO](2)}(2)] and its models Ca[V{ON(CH(2)COO)(2)}(2)] and [VO{N(CH(2)CH(2)O)(3)}], in the presence of K(2)S(2)O(8) in trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), exhibit remarkable catalytic activity for the one-pot carboxylation of ethane to propionic and acetic acids with the former as the main product (overall yields up to 93 %, catalyst turnover numbers (TONs) up to 2.0 x 10(4)). The simpler V complexes [VO(CF(3)SO(3))(2)], [VO(acac)(2)] and VOSO(4) are less active. The effects of various factors, namely, C(2)H(6) and CO pressures, time, temperature, and amounts of catalyst, TFA and K(2)S(2)O(8), have been investigated, and this allowed optimisation of the process and control of selectivity. (13)C-labelling experiments indicated that the formation of acetic acid follows two pathways, the dominant one via oxidation of ethane with preservation of the C--C bond, and the other via rupture of this bond and carbonylation of the methyl group by CO; the C--C bond is retained in the formation of propionic acid upon carbonylation of ethane. The reactions proceed via both C- and O-centred radicals, as shown by experiments with radical traps. On the basis of detailed DFT calculations, plausible reaction mechanisms are discussed. The carboxylation of ethane in the presence of CO follows the sequential formation of C(2)H(5) (*), C(2)H(5)CO(*), C(2)H(5)COO(*) and C(2)H(5)COOH. The C(2)H(5)COO(*) radical is easily formed on reaction of C(2)H(5)CO(*) with a peroxo V catalyst via a V{eta(1)-OOC(O)C(2)H(5)} intermediate. In the absence of CO, carboxylation proceeds by reaction of C(2)H(5) (*) with TFA. For the oxidation of ethane to acetic acid, either with preservation or cleavage of the C-C bond, metal-assisted and purely organic pathways are also proposed and discussed.