Theoretical investigation on the reactivity of sulfur-centered heterocumulenes as dienophiles in Diels–Alder reactions and endo-lone-pair effect

AM1 and PM3 computations show that thiocarbonyl S-oxide and thiocarbonyl S,S-Dioxide undergo Diels–Alder cycloadditions with cyclopentadiene and anthracene to form thiabicyclic adducts through asynchronous transition structures (TSs) with C(DOUBLE BOND)S π* involving in the reaction at a very early stage. Calculated activation barriers indicate that the dienophilicity of these heterocumulenes decrease gradually with progressive addition of oxygen atom on thiocarbonyl sulfur, in reasonable agreement with experimental observations. Frontier Molecular Orbital (FMO) and deformation energy analyses reveal that the above trend is due to gradual destabilization of lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) of the dienophile and increase of deformation energy of both diene and dienophile with increase of oxygen atoms around sulfur. Analysis of bond orders and TS geometries show that the TSs are neither “early” nor “late.” Chlorine substitution on these heterocumulenes does not seem to increase their reactivity contrary to expectations. The reactions of monosubstituted sulfines with cyclopentadiene pass through four very closely lying TSs and stereoselectively form four stereoisomeric products. For the above reason, the computed barriers show a mixed trend although the relative exothermicity of these reactions are in order. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quant Chem 66 : 309–322, 1998     

Diels–Alder and Retro‐Diels–Alder Cycloadditions of (1,2,3,4,5‐Pentamethyl)cyclopentadiene to La@C2v‐C82: Regioselectivity and Product Stability

One of the most important reactions in fullerene chemistry is the Diels–Alder (DA) reaction. In two previous experimental studies, the DA cycloaddition reactions of cyclopentadiene (Cp) and 1,2,3,4,5‐pentamethylcyclopentadiene (Cp*) with La@C_2v‐C₈₂ were investigated. The attack of Cp was proposed to occur on bond 19 , whereas that of Cp* was confirmed by X‐ray analysis to be over bond o . Moreover, the stabilities of the Cp and Cp* adducts were found to be significantly different, that is, the decomposition of La@C_2v‐C₈₂Cp was one order of magnitude faster than that of La@C_2v‐C₈₂Cp*. Herein, we computationally analyze these DA cycloadditions with two main goals: First, to compute the thermodynamics and kinetics of the cycloadditions of Cp and Cp* to different bonds of La@C_2v‐C₈₂ to assess and compare the regioselectivity of these two reactions. Second, to understand the origin of the different thermal stabilities of the La@C₈₂Cp and La@C₈₂Cp* adducts. Our results show that the regioselectivity of the two DA cycloadditions is the same, with preferred attack on bond o . This result corrects the previous assumption of the regioselectivity of the Cp attack that was made based only on the shape of the La@C₈₂ singly occupied molecular orbital. In addition, we show that the higher stability of the La@C₈₂Cp* adduct is not due to the electronic effects of the methyl groups on the Cp ring, as previously suggested, but to higher long‐range dispersion interactions in the Cp* case, which enhance the stabilization of the reactant complex, transition state, and products with respect to the separated reactants. This stabilization for the La@C₈₂Cp* case decreases the Gibbs reaction energy, thus allowing competition between the direct and retro reactions and making dissociation more difficult.     

Organic Chemistry of Graphene: The Diels–Alder Reaction

Herein, by using dispersion‐corrected density functional theory, we investigated the Diels–Alder chemistry of pristine and defective graphene. Three dienes were considered, namely 2,3‐dimethoxy‐1,3‐butadiene (DMBD), 9‐methylanthracene (9MA), and 9,10‐dimethylanthracene (910DMA). The dienophiles that were assayed were tetracyanoethylene (TCNE) and maleic anhydride (MA). When pristine graphene acted as the dienophile, we found that the cycloaddition products were 47–63 kcal mol^?1 less stable than the reactants, thus making the reaction very difficult. The presence of Stone–Wales translocations, 585 double vacancies, or 555‐777 reconstructed double vacancies did not significantly improve the reactivity because the cycloaddition products were still located at higher energy than the reactants. However, for the addition of 910DMA to single vacancies, the product showed comparable stability to the separated reactants, whereas for unsaturated armchair edges the reaction was extremely favorable. With regards the reactions with dienophiles, for TCNE, the cycloaddition product was metastable. In the case of MA, we observed a reaction product that was less stable than the reactants by 50 kcal mol^?1. For the reactions between graphene as a diene and the dienophiles, we found that the most‐promising defects were single vacancies and unsaturated armchair edges, because the other three defects were much‐less reactive. Thus, we conclude that the reactions with these above‐mentioned dienes may proceed on pristine or defective sheets with heating, despite being endergonic. The same statement also applies to the dienophile maleic anhydride. However, for TCNE, the reaction is only likely to occur onto single vacancies or unsaturated armchair edges. We conclude that the dienophile character of graphene is slightly stronger than its behavior as a diene.     

Study of Diels–Alder reactions between furan and maleimide model compounds and the preparation of a healable thermo‐reversible polyurethane

A study of the reactions between various furan and maleimide model compounds and the effects of reaction conditions was performed, allowing for a proper design and preparation of a thermo‐reversible polyurethane (PU) material crosslinked via Diels–Alder (DA) bonds. Thus, a linear polyurethane containing furan groups along the main chain was synthesized and crosslinked with a bismaleimide by means of DA reaction. The obtained thermoset exhibited thermo‐reversibility as evidenced by DSC and FTIR microscopy, providing the material recyclability and scratch healability. Optical microscopy, SEM and tensile analysis of a scratched PU film revealed that efficient scratch healing was enabled by heating at 110 °C for 30 min and subsequently keeping at room temperature for 24 h, resulting in an approximately 80% recovery of the pristine mechanical strength. This material is a promising candidate for the development of self‐healing coatings. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018 , 56, 1806–1814     

Synthesis and Characterization of a Novel Diels–Alder Adduct of Codeine

The Diels–Alder reaction was applied to 4,5‐epoxymorphinan opioids to generate a novel aromatic cycloadduct at C(7) C(8): Thermolytic cleavage of sultine 8 produced the reactive diene o‐quinodimethane 7 which condensed favorably with codeine ( 11 ), but not with codeinone ( 9 ) or 14‐hydroxycodeinone ( 10 ), producing the desired tetrahydronaphtho adduct 12 with (7R,8R) geometry (Scheme). The configuration of the cycloadduct was determined by 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR experiments. The unanticipated reactivity of these codeine derivatives was investigated by quantum‐mechanical calculations, and it was determined that steric effects of the 6‐keto and 14‐hydroxy group likely precluded condensation by raising the molecular energy of their respective transition states.     

Synthesis of Benzo[g]isochromenes through Photo‐Dehydro‐Diels–Alder Reaction

The Photo‐Dehydro‐Diels–Alder (PDDA) reaction is shown to be a versatile method for the preparation of highly functionalized naphthalenes. Thus, ketones 1 could be cyclized to the 1H‐benzo[g]isochromen‐4‐(3H)‐ones 11 and 12 , mostly in good yields. The influence of various substituents on the regioselectivity of the reaction was investigated, and the mechanism is discussed based on theoretical calculations.     

Synthesis of Benzo‐ and Naphthoquinonyl Boronic Acids: Exploring the Diels–Alder Reactivity

Substituted 2‐quinonyl boronic acids have been synthesised from 1,4‐dimethoxy aromatic derivatives in two steps: regiocontrolled boronation and oxidative demethylation. The study of their dienophilic behaviour evidenced that the boron substituent significantly increases the reactivity and triggers an efficient domino process in which the Diels–Alder reaction was followed by a protodeboronation or dehydroboronation, depending on the substitution on both the quinone and diene partners. The boronic acid acts as a temporary controller, opening a direct access to trans‐fused meta‐regiosomeric adducts when 3‐methyl‐substituted 2‐quinonyl boronic acids react with dienes with a substituent at C‐1. A particularly valuable synthetic result was obtained in the reaction between 3,6‐dimethyl‐2‐quinonyl boronic acid and piperylene under an oxygen atmosphere; trans‐fused 8a‐hydroxy‐2,4a,8‐trimethyl tetrahydronaphthoquinone was formed directly, in excellent yield and in a highly diastereoselective manner.     

A competition between carbo and hetero Diels–Alder reactions of E-2-phenyl-1-cyano-1-nitroethene to cyclopentadiene in the light of B3LYP/6-31G(d) computational study

The competitive reaction paths (Scheme 1) for the carbo and hetero Diels–Alder reaction of E-2-phenyl-1-cyano-1-nitroethene (1) to cyclopentadiene (2) were examined using the B3LYP exchange–correlation functional and the 6-31G(d) basis set. The calculated activation enthalpies indicate that preference of the paths increases in the order: A = C > B > D > F > E. In the gas phase, all reactions occur via pre-reaction complexes, which on the paths A, B, C and E resemble orientation complexes. On path A the initially formed 2-phenyl-3-cyano-4-aza-5-oxy-bicyclo-[3,4,0]-nona-3,7-diene N-oxide (5) is converted to endo-nitronorbornene 3 as a result of a [3.3]-sigmatropic shift. On path B, which yields exo-nitronorbornene 4, and pathways C–F, which yield 2-phenyl-3-cyano-4-aza-5-oxy-bicyclo-[3,4,0]-nonadienes N-oxides 6–8, the reaction proceeds according to a concerted mechanism. When a solvent is introduced into the reaction environment, activation barriers are slightly reduced and the degree of formation of new σ-bonds in transition structures is lowered. The solvent effect however is not sufficient to induce a change of the reaction mechanism or the reaction path preference. The global electrophilicity and electron chemical potential of the reagents 1 and 2 harmonise with the data of the B3LYP/6-31G(d) simulations.     

Polymers from a levopimaric acid–acrylic acid Diels–Alder adduct: Synthesis and characterization

The Diels–Alder adduct of levopimaric acid with acrylic acid was efficiently prepared from resin acids. When the adduct was subjected to a dehydrodecarboxylation reaction, a ketone diacid derivative was obtained. New ketone type linear polymers were synthesized by the advanced dehyrodecarboxylation, a nonconventional polycondensation reaction, of both the above in presence of sulfonic catalysts. The polyketones turned out to be excellent tackifiers in adhesive formulae. The ketone polymers were condensed with diamines to give crosslinked polyazomethines. The structures of the monomers and polymers were established by means of elemental analysis, IR and NMR spectroscopy, and molecular weight determinations. Both the polyketones and polyazomethines were low‐molecular‐weight polymers, soluble in some polar and nonpolar solvents. The thermal behavior of the monomers and polymers was evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis. The thermal studies showed that the polymers were substances with good thermal stability, except the polyazomethine synthesized by the condensation of polyketone with an aromatic diamine, which appeared to be a substance with high thermal stability. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 5979–5990, 2007     

1,4‐Cyclohexadienes—Easy Access to a Versatile Building Block via Transition‐Metal‐Catalysed Diels–Alder Reactions

1,4‐Cyclohexadiene derivatives are easily accessed via transition‐metal cycloadditions of 1,3‐dienes with alkynes. The mild reaction conditions of several transition‐metal‐catalysed reactions allows the incorporation of various functional groups to access functionalised 1,4‐cyclohexadienes. The control of the regiochemistry in the intermolecular cobalt‐catalysed Diels–Alder reaction is realised utilising different ligand designs. The functionalised 1,4‐cyclohexadiene derivatives are valuable building blocks in follow‐up transformations. Finally, the oxidation of the 1,4‐cyclohexadienes can be accomplished under mild conditions to generate the corresponding arene derivatives.     

Bioinspired Intramolecular Diels–Alder Reaction: A Rapid Access to the Highly‐Strained Cyclopropane‐Fused Polycyclic Skeleton

A bioinsipred gold‐catalyzed tandem Diels–Alder/Diels–Alder reaction of an enynal and a 1,3‐diene, forming the highly‐strained benzotricyclo[3.2.1.0^2,7]octane skeleton, was reported. In contrast, a Diels–Alder/Friedel–Crafts tandem reaction occurred instead when silver salts were used as the catalyst. Although both reactions experienced the similar Diels–Alder reaction of a pyrylium intermediate with a 1,3‐diene, they have different reaction mechanisms. The former proceeded with a stepwise Diels–Alder reaction, while the latter one with a concerted one.     

Cr(CO)3‐Activated Diels–Alder Reaction on Single‐Wall Carbon Nanotubes: A DFT Investigation

Breaking barriers : In agreement with experimental evidence, it was found by means of high‐level DFT calculations that the Cr(CO)₃ metal fragment considerably reduces the reaction energy barrier—for both the concerted and stepwise reaction mechanisms (see graphic)—of the Diels–Alder reaction of butadiene on (5,5) carbon nanotubes.

     

Diels–Alder reaction of anthracene on grafted polysiloxane and cylindrical carbosilane dendrimer

Anthracene‐grafted polysiloxane was prepared by the dehydrocoupling between linear siloxane polymers and anthracenecarbinol. The cylindrical type of dendritic polysiloxane was prepared up to the second generation by the hydrosilation between polysiloxane and vinyltrichlorosilane, and the continual addition of allyl alcohol. The anthracene groups on cylindrical dendrimers were prepared by the reaction of Si? Cl bonds on the polymer and anthracenecarbinol. The Diels–Alder reaction of anthracene moieties on polysiloxane and maleimide derivatives, maleic acid anhydride, and 1,4‐quinone derivatives was carried out under mild conditions. The polymers prepared were characterized by NMR and gel‐permeation chromatography. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Biobased poly(2,5‐furandimethylene succinate‐co‐butylene succinate) crosslinked by reversible Diels–Alder reaction

We synthesized biobased poly(2,5‐furandimethylene succinate‐co‐butylene succinate) [P(FS‐co‐BS)] copolymers by polycondensation of 2,5‐bis(hydroxymethyl)furan, 1,4‐butanediol, and succinic acid. These copolymers could be crosslinked to form network polymers by means of a reversible Diels–Alder reaction with bis‐maleimide. The thermal properties, mechanical properties, and healing abilities of the P(FS‐co‐BS)s and the network polymers were investigated. The mechanical properties of the network polymers depended on the comonomer composition of the P(FS‐co‐BS)s and the maleimide/furan ratio in the network polymers. Some of the copolymers exhibited healing ability at room temperature, and their healing efficiency was enhanced by solvent or heat. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 216–222