Fluorocarbon‐ended polymers: Metal catalyzed radical and living radical polymerizations initiated by perfluoroalkylsulfonyl halides

Perfluoroalkylsulfonyl chlorides and bromides initiate metal catalyzed free radical polymerization of both hydrocarbon and fluorocarbon monomers affording polymers with perfluoroalkyl end groups. In the case of styrene (S) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) with Cu‐based catalysts the process affords polymers with a relatively narrow molecular weight distribution and linear dependence of molecular weight on conversion, suggesting that a living radical polymerization mechanism occurs. The orders of reaction in monomer, initiator and catalyst for these polymerizations were determined. In the case of PMMA, the detailed structure of a perfluorobutane chain‐end was determined by NMR analysis. Perfluoroalkylsulfonyl chlorides are stable in neutral aqueous media. This permits their use as initators for fluoroolefin polymerizations in H₂O. Poly(tetrafluoroethylene‐co‐hexafluoropropylene) was obtained in good yield with few ionic end groups. The aqueous fluoroolefin polymerization appears to be catalyzed by metal zero species from the reactor walls. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 3313–3335, 2000     

Gold‐Catalyzed Suzuki Coupling of ortho‐Substituted Hindered Aryl Substrates

A method that allows hindered ortho ‐substituted aryl iodides to be efficiently coupled to phenylboronic acid using a gold‐catalyzed C−C bond formation is presented. The use of a molecularly‐defined dinuclear gold chloride catalytic precursor that is stabilized by a new tetradentate (N ,N′ )‐diamino‐(P,P′ )‐diphosphino ferrocene hybrid ligand in a Suzuki‐type reaction is described for the first time. Electron‐rich isopropyl groups on phosphorus were found essential for a superior activity, while the performances of a set of analogous gold dinuclear complexes that were fully characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and XRD analysis, were investigated. Therefore, arylation of para and ortho ‐substituted iodoarenes bearing electron‐rich, electron‐poor functional groups, and even hindered polycyclic aromatic compounds is described.     

Nickel‐Mediated Inter‐ and Intramolecular Reductive Cross‐Coupling of Unactivated Alkyl Bromides and Aryl Iodides at Room Temperature

A nickel‐mediated intermolecular reductive cross‐coupling reaction of unactivated alkyl bromides and aryl iodides at room temperature has been developed and successfully extended to less explored intramolecular versions and tandem cyclization‐intermolecular cross‐coupling. Highly stereoselective (or stereospecific) synthesis of linear‐fused perhydrofuro[2,3‐b]furan (pyran) and spiroketal skeletons allows rapid access to these useful building blocks, which would be potentially valuable in the synthesis of relevant natural products. A rational explanation for the formation of contiguous stereogenic centers is given.     

Hydroxylation and Ring‐Opening Mechanism of an Unusual Flavoprotein Monooxygenase, 2‐Methyl‐3‐hydroxypyridine‐5‐carboxylic Acid Oxygenase: A Theoretical Study

Hybrid meta‐GGA density functional theory (the MPWB1K functional) was used to study the hydroxylation and ring‐opening mechanism of 2‐methyl‐3‐hydroxypyridine‐5‐carboxylic acid oxygenase (MHPCO). This enzyme catalyses the conversion of 2‐methyl‐3‐hydroxypyridine‐5‐carboxylic acid (MHPC) to α‐(N‐acetylaminomethylene)succinic acid (AAMS), which is the essential ring‐opening step in the bacterial degradation of vitamin B₆. MHPCO belongs to the flavin‐containing aromatic hydroxylases family. However, MHPCO is capable of catalysing a subsequent aromatic ring‐cleavage reaction to give acyclic products rather than hydroxylated aromatic ones. Our calculations show that the re‐aromatisation of the hydroxylated intermediate occurs spontaneously in aqueous solution; this implies that the ring‐opening process occurs inside the enzyme’s active site, in which limited water is available. The instability of the hydroxylated intermediate of MHPCO is the main reason why acyclic products are formed. Previously proposed mechanisms for the ring‐opening step were studied, and were shown to be less likely to occur (ΔΔG^≠298>35 kcal mol^?1). Two new pathways with reasonable barrier heights (ΔΔG^≠298<15 kcal mol^?1) are reported herein, which are in accordance with all experimental information present to date.     

Tripyridine‐Derivative‐Derived Semiconducting Iodo‐Argentate/Cuprate Hybrids with Excellent Visible‐Light‐Induced Photocatalytic Performance

Through regulating the pH values, a series of iodo‐argentate/cuprate hybrids, [Me₃(4‐TPT)]₄[Ag₆I₁₈] ( 1 , Me₃(4‐TPT)=N,N′,N′′‐trimethyl‐2,4,6‐tris(4‐pyridyl)‐1,3,5‐triazine), [Me₃(4‐TPT)][M₅I₈] (M=Ag/ 2 , Cu/ 2 a ), [Me₃(3‐TPT)][M₅I₈] (Me₃(3‐TPT)=N,N′,N′′‐trimethyl‐2,4,6‐tris(3‐pyridyl)‐1,3,5‐triazine, M=Ag/ 3 , Cu/ 4 ), which exhibit adjustable structural variations with different dimensional structures, have been obtained under solvothermal conditions. They are directed by two types of in situ N‐alkylation TPT‐derivatives (Me₃(4‐TPT) for 1 / 2 / 2 a and Me₃(3‐TPT) for 3 / 4 ) and represent the isolated units ( 1 ), 1D polymeric chain ( 4 ), 2D layered structures ( 2 / 2 a , 3 ) based on diverse metal iodide clusters. These compounds possess reducing band gaps as compared with the bulk β‐AgI and CuI and belong to potential semiconductor materials. Iodocuprates feature highly efficient photocatalytic activity in the sunlight‐induced degradation of organic dyes. The detailed study on the possible photocatalytic mechanism, including radical trapping tests and theoretical calculations, reveals that the N‐alkylation TPT moieties contribute to the narrow semiconducting behavior and effectively inhibit the recombination of photogenerated electron‐hole pairs, which result in an excellent visible‐light‐induced photocatalytic performance.     

A Theoretical DFT‐Based and Experimental Study of the Transmetalation Step in Au/Pd‐Mediated Cross‐Coupling Reactions

In this work a combined theoretical and experimental investigation of the cross‐coupling reaction involving two metallic reaction centers, namely gold and palladium, is described. One metal center (Au) hereby is rather inert towards change in its oxidation state, whereas Pd undergoes oxidative insertion and reductive elimination steps. Detailed mechanistic and energetic studies of each individual step, with the focus on the key transmetalation step are presented and compared for different substrates and ligands on the catalytic Pd center. Different aryl halides (Cl, Br, I) and aryl triflates were investigated. Hereby the nature of the counteranion X turned out to be crucial. In the case of X=Cl and L=PMe₃ the oxidative addition is rate‐determining, whereas in the case of X=I the transmetalation step becomes rate‐determining in the Au/Pd‐cross‐coupling mechanism. A variety of Au–Pd transmetalation reaction scenarios are discussed in detail, favoring a transition state with short intermetallic Au–Pd contacts. Furthermore, without a halide counteranion the transmetalation from gold(I) to palladium(II) is highly endothermic, which confirms our experimental findings that the coupling does not occur with aryl triflates and similar weakly coordinating counteranions—a conclusion that is essential in designing new Au–Pd catalytic cycles. In combination with experimental work, this corrects a previous report in the literature claiming a successful coupling potentially catalytic in both metals with weakly coordinating counteranions.     

Visible‐Light‐Induced Trifluoromethylation of Isonitrile‐Substituted Methylenecyclopropanes: Facile Access to 6‐(Trifluoromethyl)‐7,8‐Dihydrobenzo[k]phenanthridine Derivatives

A new visible‐light‐induced trifluoromethylation of isonitrile‐substituted methylenecyclopropanes is developed. A range of substituted 6‐(trifluoromethyl)‐7,8‐dihydrobenzo[k]phenanthridine derivatives are readily furnished by this newly developed tandem reaction with moderate to good yields. This reaction allows the direct formation of two six‐membered rings and three new C?C bonds, including the C?CF₃ bond, under visible light irradiation.     

Synthesis of benzimidazoles by copper‐catalyzed aerobic oxidative domino reaction of 1,2‐diaminoarenes and arylmethyl halides

Arylmethyl halides are readily synthesized via halogenation from the basic raw materials, even in green processes. They are used to replace their downstream products to prepare medicinally important 2‐aryl benzimidazoles. CuBr‐catalyzed synthesis of 2‐aryl benzimidazoles from arylmethyl halides and 1,2‐diaminoarenes via a one‐pot domino reaction is developed. This new synthetic method is simple, practical and cost saving, and tolerates wide functional groups. A mechanism of CuBr‐catalyzed aerobic oxidative domino reaction via a one‐pot four‐step process is proposed. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Cu‐Catalyzed Aerobic Oxidative Cyclizations of 3‐N‐Hydroxyamino‐1,2‐propadienes with Alcohols,Thiols, and Amines To Form α‐O‐, S‐, and N‐Substituted 4‐Methylquinoline Derivatives

A one‐pot, two‐step synthesis of α‐O‐, S‐, and N‐substituted 4‐methylquinoline derivatives through Cu‐catalyzed aerobic oxidations of N‐hydroxyaminoallenes with alcohols, thiols, and amines is described. This reaction sequence involves an initial oxidation of N‐hydroxyaminoallenes with NuH (Nu=OH, OR, NHR, and SR) to form 3‐substituted 2‐en‐1‐ones, followed by Brønsted acid catalyzed intramolecular cyclizations of the resulting products. Our mechanistic analysis suggests that the reactions proceed through a radical‐type mechanism rather than a typical nitrone‐intermediate route. The utility of this new Cu‐catalyzed reaction is shown by its applicability to the synthesis of several 2‐amino‐4‐methylquinoline derivatives, which are known to be key precursors to several bioactive molecules.     

New fluorous ponytailed 4‐[(2,2,2‐trifluoroethoxy)methyl]pyridinium halide salts

It is possible that fluorous compounds could be utilized as directing forces in crystal engineering for applications in materials chemistry or catalysis. Although numerous fluorous compounds have been used for various applications, their structures in the solid state remains a lively matter for debate. The reaction of 4‐[(2,2,2‐trifluoroethoxy)methyl]pyridine with HX (X = I or Cl) yielded new fluorous ponytailed pyridinium halide salts, namely 4‐[(2,2,2‐trifluoroethoxy)methyl]pyridinium iodide, C₈H₉F₃NO⁺·I⁻, (1), and 4‐[(2,2,2‐trifluoroethoxy)methyl]pyridinium chloride, C₈H₉F₃NO⁺·Cl⁻, (2), which were characterized by IR spectroscopy, multinuclei (¹H, ¹³C and ¹⁹F) NMR spectroscopy and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Structure analysis showed that there are two types of hydrogen bonds, namely N—H…X and C—H…X. The iodide anion in salt (1) is hydrogen bonded to three 4‐[(2,2,2‐trifluoroethoxy)methyl]pyridinium cations in the crystal packing, while the chloride ion in salt (2) is involved in six hydrogen bonds to five 4‐[(2,2,2‐trifluoroethoxy)methyl]pyridinium cations, which is attributed to the smaller size and reduced polarizability of the chloride ion compared to the iodide ion. In the IR spectra, the pyridinium N—H stretching band for salt (1) exhibited a blue shift compared with that of salt (2).     

A Novel and Efficient Synthesis of 3‐[(4,5‐Dihydro‐1H‐pyrrol‐3‐yl)carbonyl]‐2H‐chromen‐2‐ones (=3‐[(4,5‐Dihydro‐1H‐pyrrol‐3‐yl)carbonyl]‐2H‐1‐benzopyran‐2‐ones)

An efficient one‐pot synthesis of 3‐[(4,5‐dihydro‐1H‐pyrrol‐3‐yl)carbonyl]‐2H‐chromen‐2‐one (=3‐[(4,5‐dihydro‐1H‐pyrrol‐3yl)carbonyl]‐2H‐1‐benzopyran‐2‐one) derivatives 4 by a four‐component reaction of a salicylaldehyde 1 , 4‐hydroxy‐6‐methyl‐2H‐pyran‐2‐one, a benzylamine 2 , and a diaroylacetylene (=1,4‐diarylbut‐2‐yne‐1,4‐dione) 3 in EtOH is reported. This new protocol has the advantages of high yields (Table), and convenient operation. The structures of these coumarin (=2H‐1‐benzopyran‐2‐one) derivatives, which are important compounds in organic chemistry, were confirmed spectroscopically (IR, ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR, and EI‐MS) and by elemental analyses. A plausible mechanism for this reaction is proposed (Scheme 2).     

Synthesis and Characterization of the 2‐Methylaminopyridine‐functionalized Polystyrene Resin‐supported Pd(II) Catalyst for the Mizoroki–Heck and Sonogashira Reactions in Water

A new polystyrene‐anchored Pd(II) pyridine complex is synthesized and characterized. This Pd(II) pyridine complex behaves as a very efficient heterogeneous catalyst in the Heck reaction of methyl acrylate with aryl halides and the Sonogashira reaction of terminal alkynes with aryl halides in water. Furthermore, the catalyst shows good thermal stability and recyclability. This polymer‐supported Pd(II) catalyst could easily be recovered by simple filtration of the reaction mixture and reused for more than five consecutive trials without a significant loss in its catalytic activity.     

Oxidation‐Triggered Ring‐Opening Metathesis Polymerization

Eight new N‐Hoveyda‐type complexes were synthesized in yields of 67–92 % through reaction of [RuCl₂(NHC)(Ind)(py)] (NHC=1,3‐bis(2,4,6‐trimethylphenylimidazolin)‐2‐ylidene (SIMes) or 1,3‐bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenylimidazolin)‐2‐ylidene (SIPr), Ind=3‐phenylindenylid‐1‐ene, py=pyridine) with various 1‐ or 1,2‐substituted ferrocene compounds with vinyl and amine or imine substituents. The redox potentials of the respective complexes were determined; in all complexes an iron‐centered oxidation reaction occurs at potentials close to E=+0.5 V. The crystal structures of the reduced and of the respective oxidized Hoveyda‐type complexes were determined and show that the oxidation of the ferrocene unit has little effect on the ruthenium environment. Two of the eight new complexes were found to be switchable catalysts, in that the reduced form is inactive in the ring‐opening metathesis polymerization of cis‐cyclooctene (COE), whereas the oxidized complexes produce polyCOE. The other complexes are not switchable catalysts and are either inactive or active in both reduced and oxidized states.     

Iron‐Catalyzed Diboration and Carboboration of Alkynes

An iron‐catalyzed diboration reaction of alkynes with bis(pinacolato)diboron (B₂pin₂) and external borating agents (MeOB(OR)₂) affords diverse symmetrical or unsymmetrical cis‐1,2‐diborylalkenes. The simple protocol for the diboration reaction can be extended to the iron‐catalyzed carboboration of alkynes with primary and, unprecedentedly, secondary alkyl halides, affording various tetrasubstituted monoborylalkenes in a highly stereoselective manner. DFT calculations indicate that a boryliron intermediate adds across the triple bond of an alkyne to afford an alkenyliron intermediate, which can react with the external trapping agents, borates and alkyl halides. In situ trapping experiments support the intermediacy of the alkenyl iron species using radical probe stubstrates.     

Asymmetric Substitutions of 2‐Lithiated N‐Boc‐piperidine and N‐Boc‐azepine by Dynamic Resolution

Proton abstraction of N‐tert‐butoxycarbonyl‐piperidine (N‐Boc‐piperidine) with sBuLi and TMEDA provides a racemic organolithium that can be resolved using a chiral ligand. The enantiomeric organolithiums can interconvert so that a dynamic resolution occurs. Two mechanisms for promoting enantioselectivity in the products are possible. Slow addition of an electrophile such as trimethylsilyl chloride allows dynamic resolution under kinetic control (DKR). This process occurs with high enantioselectivity and is successful by catalysis with substoichiometric chiral ligand (catalytic dynamic kinetic resolution). Alternatively, the two enantiomers of this organolithium can be resolved under thermodynamic control with good enantioselectivity (dynamic thermodynamic resolution, DTR). The best ligands found are based on chiral diamino‐alkoxides. Using DTR, a variety of electrophiles can be used to provide an asymmetric synthesis of enantiomerically enriched 2‐substituted piperidines, including (after Boc deprotection) the alkaloid (+)‐β‐conhydrine. The chemistry was extended, albeit with lower yields, to the corresponding 2‐substituted seven‐membered azepine ring derivatives.     

Highly Efficient Palladacycle/Dihydroimidazolium Chloride System for the Suzuki‐Miyaura Cross‐Coupling of Aryl Halides (I,Br, Cl) with Arylboronic Acids

A combination of a tertiary amine‐based palladacycle and an N‐heterocyclic carbene ligand precursor ( 1 , N,N‐bis‐mesityl‐4,5‐dihydroimidazolium chloride) has been applied to catalyze the Suzuki‐Miyaura cross‐coupling of aryl halides with arylboronic acids. The substrate scope is general: a variety of electron rich and deficient aryl halides (I, Br, Cl) and arylboronic acids were found to undergo the cross‐coupling reaction in good to excellent yields at low catalyst loading of 0.01–1 mol%.     

One‐Pot Synthesis of 3‐Acetyl‐2‐aryl‐3,4‐dihydroquinazolines from N‐[2‐(Azidomethyl)phenyl]benzamides Utilizing Intramolecular Aza‐Wittig Reaction

A new and convenient method for the preparation of 3,4‐dihydroquinazolines 5 with aryl and Ac groups at C(2) and N(3), respectively, has been developed. The key sequence is the formation of aza‐phosphorane intermediates by the reaction of N‐[2‐(azidomethyl)phenyl]benzamides 1 with Ph₃P, followed by intramolecular aza‐Wittig reaction and 3‐acetylation, which can be conducted in one‐pot.     

Highly Selective Route to Unsymmetrically Substituted 1‐{2‐[(Butylsulfanyl)methyl]‐5‐(chloromethyl)‐4‐methoxyphenoxy}‐3,7‐dimethyloctane and Isomers toward Synthesis of Conjugated Polymer OC1C10 Used in LEDs: Synthesis and Optimization

A new and convenient route to an unsymmetrically substituted sulfinyl monomer of precursor polymer toward poly[2‐methyl‐5‐(3,7‐dimethyloctyloxy)‐p‐phenylenevinylene] (OC1C10) is described. OC1C10 is a commercial polymer used as the active layer in LEDs. Therefore, the optimization of the reaction conditions of the monomer synthesis was of some importance for a possible commercialization of this new process. It was possible to increase the overall yield by a factor of 1.5, as compared to the route previously used to obtain these compounds.     

One‐pot Synthesis of 3,4‐Dihydropyrimidin‐2(1H)‐ones Catalysed by Cupric Acetate under Solvent‐free Conditions

A solvent‐free synthesis of 3,4‐dihydropyrimidin‐2(1H)‐ones from aromatic aldehydes, β‐keto ester/acetyl acetone and urea catalysed by cupric acetate under thermal condition is reported as a simple and an efficient protocol. Compared with classical Biginelli reaction reported in 1893, this new method provides much improved modification in terms of yield and reaction time. The usage of milder catalyst, environmental friendly procedures and excellent yields within a very short time (5–15 min) are the advantages of the method in which the involvement of solvent‐free condition adds an edge to the method. Thus, the efficiency of the protocol enabled the rapid synthesis of 3,4‐dihydropyrimidin‐2(1H)‐one derivatives in a short duration.