Reactions of zirconacyclopentadienes with C [double bond] ), C [double bond] N, and N [double bond] N moieties with electron-withdrawing groups: formation of six-membered heterocycles

Reactions of zirconacyclopentadienes with diethyl ketomalonate gave alpha-pyrans in excellent yields in the presence of BiCl3. In the absence of BiCl3, zirconacyclopentadienes did not react with diethyl ketomalonate. Tetraphenylzirconacyclopentadiene reacted with diethyl ketomalonate in the presence of BiCl3 to give a ring-opening product, dienolic ether, in 53% yield. The structures of the alpha-pyran prepared from diethyldiphenylzirconacyclopentadiene and the ring-opening product were determined by X-ray analysis. When oximinosulfonate was added to tetraethylzirconacyclopentadiene in THF at -78 degrees C, 3,4,5,6-tetraethylpyridine-2-carbonitrile was obtained in 95% yield within 10 min. The structure of the product was confirmed by X-ray analysis. When tetraethylzirconacyclopentadiene was treated with azodicarboxylate in the presence of 2 equiv of CuCl at -78 degrees C, 1,2-dialkoxycarbonyl-3,4,5,6-tetraethyl-1,2-dihydropyridazine derivatives were obtained. The structure of one of dihydropyridazine was also confirmed by X-ray analysis.     

Selective formation of cumulative double bonds (C[double bond]C[double bond]N) in the attachment of multifunctional molecules on Si(111)-7 x 7

The cumulative double bond (C[double bond]C[double bond]N), an important intermediate in synthetic organic chemistry, was successfully prepared via the selective attachment of acrylonitrile to Si(111)-7 x 7. The covalent binding of acrylonitrile on Si(111)-7 x 7 was studied using high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS), scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and DFT calculations. The observation of the characteristic vibrational modes and electronic structures of the C[double bond]C[double bond]N group in the surface species demonstrates the [4 + 2]-like cycloaddition occurring between the terminal C and N atoms of acrylonitrile and the neighboring adatom-rest atom pair, consistent with the prediction of DFT calculations. STM studies further show the preferential binding of acrylonitrile on the center adatom sites of faulted halves of Si(111)-7 x 7 unit cells.     

Mechanism of C[bond]H bond activation/C[bond]C bond formation reaction between diazo compound and alkane catalyzed by dirhodium tetracarboxylate

The B3LYP density functional studies on the dirhodium tetracarboxylate-catalyzed C-H bond activation/C-C bond formation reaction of a diazo compound with an alkane revealed the energetics and the geometry of important intermediates and transition states in the catalytic cycle. The reaction is initiated by complexation between the rhodium catalyst and the diazo compound. Driven by the back-donation from the Rh 4d(xz) orbital to the C[bond]N sigma*-orbital, nitrogen extrusion takes place to afford a rhodium[bond]carbene complex. The carbene carbon of the complex is strongly electrophilic because of its vacant 2p orbital. The C[bond]H activation/C[bond]C formation proceeds in a single step through a three-centered hydride transfer-like transition state with a small activation energy. Only one of the two rhodium atoms works as a carbene binding site throughout the reaction, and the other rhodium atom assists the C[bond]H insertion reaction. The second Rh atom acts as a mobile ligand for the first one to enhance the electrophilicity of the carbene moiety and to facilitate the cleavage of the rhodium[bond]carbon bond. The calculations reproduce experimental data including the activation enthalpy of the nitrogen extrusion, the kinetic isotope effect of the C[bond]H insertion, and the reactivity order of the C[bond]H bond.     

Activation of arene C[bond]H bonds by a cationic hafnium silyl complex possessing an alpha-agostic Si[bond]H interaction

The reaction of Cp2Hf(SiMes2H)Me (1) with B(C6F5)3 produces zwitterionic Cp2Hf(eta2-SiHMes2)(mu-Me)B(C6F5)3 (2), which is stable for >8 h at -40 degrees C in toluene-d8. Spectroscopic data provide evidence for an unusual alpha-agostic Si-H interaction in 2. At room temperature, 2 reacts with the C-H bonds of aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene and toluene to produce Cp2Hf(Ph)(mu-Me)B(C6F5)3 (3), isomers of Cp2Hf(C6H4Me)(mu-Me)B(C6F5)3 (4-6), and Cp2Hf(CH2Ph)(mu-Me)B(C6F5)3 (7), respectively. The reaction involving benzene is first-order in both 2 and benzene; rate = k[2][C6H6]. Mechanistic data including activation parameters (DeltaH = 19(1) kcal/mol; DeltaS = -17(3) eu), a large primary isotope effect of 6.9(7), and the experimentally determined rate law are consistent with a mechanism involving a concerted transition state for C-H bond activation.     

Air stable,sterically hindered ferrocenyl dialkylphosphines for palladium-catalyzed C[bond]C,C[bond]N,and C[bond]O bond-forming cross-couplings

Pentaphenylferrocenyl di-tert-butylphosphine has been prepared in high yield from a two-step synthetic procedure, and the scope of various cross-coupling processes catalyzed by complexes bearing this ligand has been investigated. This ligand creates a remarkably general palladium catalyst for aryl halide amination and for Suzuki coupling. Turnovers of roughly 1000 were observed for aminations with unactivated aryl bromides or chlorides. In addition, complexes of this ligand catalyzed the formation of selected aryl ethers under mild conditions. The reactions encompassed electron-rich and electron-poor aryl bromides and chlorides. In the presence of catalysts containing this ligand, these aryl halides coupled with acyclic or cyclic secondary alkyl- and arylamines, with primary alkyl- and arylamines, and with aryl- and primary alkylboronic acids. These last couplings provide the first general procedure for reaction of terminal alkylboronic acids with aryl halides without toxic or expensive bases. The ligand not only generates highly active palladium catalysts, but it is air stable in solution and in the solid state. Palladium(0) complexes of this ligand are also air stable as a solid and react only slowly with oxygen in solution.     

Unusual pathways for metal-assisted C[bond]C and C[bond]P coupling reactions using allenylidenerhodium complexes as precursors

The rhodium allenylidenes trans-[RhCl[[double bond]C[double bond]C[double bond]C(Ph)R](PiPr(3))(2)] [R = Ph (1), p-Tol (2)] react with NaC(5)H(5) to give the half-sandwich type complexes [(eta(5)-C(5)H(5))Rh[[double bond]C[double bond]C[double bond]C(Ph)R](PiPr(3))] (3, 4). The reaction of 1 with the Grignard reagent CH(2)[double bond]CHMgBr affords the eta(3)-pentatrienyl compound [Rh(eta(3)-CH(2)CHC[double bond]C[double bond]CPh(2))(PiPr(3))(2)] (6), which in the presence of CO rearranges to the eta(1)-pentatrienyl derivative trans-[Rh[eta(1)-C(CH[double bond]CH(2))[double bond]C[double bond]CPh(2)](CO)(PiPr(3))(2)] (7). Treatment of 7 with acetic acid generates the vinylallene CH(2)[double bond]CH[bond]CH[double bond]=C=CPh(2) (8). Compounds 1 and 2 react with HCl to give the five-coordinate allenylrhodium(III) complexes [RhCl(2)[CH[double bond]C[double bond]C(Ph)R](PiPr(3))(2)] (10, 11). An unusual [C(3) + C(2) + P] coupling process takes place upon treatment of 1 with terminal alkynes HC[triple bond]CR', leading to the formation of the eta(3)-allylic compounds [RhCl[eta(3)-anti-CH(PiPr(3))C(R')C[double bond]C[double bond]CPh(2)](PiPr(3))] [R' = Ph (12), p-Tol (13), SiMe(3) (14)]. From 12 and RMgBr the corresponding phenyl and vinyl rhodium(I) derivatives 15 and 16 have been obtained. The previously unknown unsaturated ylide iPr(3)PCHC(Ph)[double bond]C[double bond]C[double bond]CPh(2) (17) was generated from 12 and CO. A [C(3) + P] coupling process occurs on treatment of the rhodium allenylidenes 1, 2, and trans-[RhCl[[double bond]C[double bond]C[double bond]C(p-Anis)(2)](PiPr(3))(2)] (20) with either Cl(2) or PhICl(2), affording the ylide-rhodium(III) complexes [RhCl(3)[C(PiPr(3))C[double bond]C(R)R'](PiPr(3))] (21-23). The butatrienerhodium(I) compounds trans-[RhCl[eta(2)-H(2)C[double bond]C[double bond]C[double bond]C(R)R'](PiPr(3))(2)] (28-31) were prepared from 1, 20, and trans-[RhCl[[double bond]C[double bond]C[double bond]C(Ph)R](PiPr(3))(2)] [R = CF(3) (26), tBu (27)] and diazomethane; with the exception of 30 (R = CF(3), R' = Ph), they thermally rearrange to the isomers trans-[RhCl[eta(2)-H(2)C[double bond]C[double bond]C[double bond]C(R)R'](PiPr(3))(2)] (32, 33, and syn/anti-34). The new 1,1-disubstituted butatriene H(2)C[double bond]C[double bond]C[double bond]C(tBu)Ph (35) was generated either from 31 or 34 and CO. The iodo derivatives trans-[RhI(eta(2)-H(2)C[double bond]C[double bond]C[double bond]CR(2))(PiPr(3))(2)] [R = Ph (38), p-Anis (39)] were obtained by an unusual route from 1 or 20 and CH(3)I in the presence of KI. While the hydrogenation of 1 and 26 leads to the allenerhodium(I) complexes trans-[RhCl[eta(2)-H(2)C[double bond]C[double bond]C(Ph)R](PiPr(3))(2)] (40, 41), the thermolysis of 1 and 20 produces the rhodium(I) hexapentaenes trans-[RhCl(eta(2)-R(2)C[double bond]C[double bond]C[double bond]C[double bond]C[double bond]CR(2))(PiPr(3))(2)] (44, 45) via C-C coupling. The molecular structures of 3, 7, 12, 21, and 28 have been determined by X-ray crystallography.     

The role of chalcogen-chalcogen interactions in the intrinsic basicity acidity of beta-chalcogenovinyl(thio)aldehydes HC([double bond]X)[bond]CH[double bond]CH[bond]CYH

The intrinsic acidity and basicity of a series of beta-chalcogenovinyl(thio)aldehydes HC([double bond]X)[bond]CH[double bond]CH[bond]CYH (X=O, S; Y=Se, Te) were investigated by B3LYP/6-311+G(3df,2p) density functional and G2(MP2) calculations on geometries optimized at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level for neutral molecules and at the B3LYP/6-31+G(d) level for anions. The results showed that selenovinylaldehyde and selenovinylthioaldehyde should behave as Se bases in the gas phase, because the most stable neutral conformer is stabilized by an X[bond]H...Se (X=O, S) intramolecular hydrogen bond (IHB). In contrast the Te-containing analogues behave as oxygen or sulfur bases, because the most stable conformer is stabilized by typical X...Y[bond]H chalcogen-chalcogen interactions. These compounds have a lower basicity than expected because either chalcogen-chalcogen interactions or IHBs become weaker upon protonation. Similarly, they are also weaker acids than expected because deprotonation results in a significantly destabilized anion. Loss of the proton from the X[bond]H or Y[bond]H groups is a much more favorable than from the C[bond]H groups. Therefore, for Se compounds the deprotonation process results in loss of the X[bond]H...Se (X=O, S) IHBs present in the most stable neutral conformer, while for Te-containing compounds the stabilizing X...Y[bond]H chalcogen-chalcogen interaction present in the most stable neutral conformer becomes repulsive in the corresponding anion.     

Aminolysis of 4-nitrophenyl phenyl carbonate and thionocarbonate: effects of amine nature and modification of electrophilic center from C[double bond]O to C[double bond]S on reactivity and mechanism

A kinetic study is reported for the reactions of 4-nitrophenyl phenyl carbonate (5) and thionocarbonate (6) with a series of alicyclic secondary amines in 80 mol% H(2)O-20 mol% DMSO at 25.0 +/- 0.1 degrees C. The plots of k(obsd) vs. amine concentration are linear for the reactions of 5. On the contrary, the plots for the corresponding reactions of 6 curve upward as a function of increasing amine concentration, indicating that the reactions proceed through two intermediates (i.e., a zwitterionic tetrahedral intermediate T(+/-) and its deprotonated form T(-)). The Br?nsted-type plot for 5 the reactions of with secondary amines exhibits a downward curvature, i.e., the slope decreases from 0.98 to 0.26 as the pK(a) of the conjugate acid of amines increases, implying that the reactions proceed through T(+/-) with a change in the rate-determining step (RDS). The k(N) values are larger for the reactions of with secondary amines than for those with primary amines of similar basicity. Dissection of k(N) values for the reactions of 5 into the microscopic rate constants (i.e., k(1) and k(2)/k(-1) ratio) has revealed that k(1) is larger for the reactions with secondary amines than for those with isobasic primary amines, while the k(2)/k(-1) ratio is nearly identical. On the other hand, for reactions of 6, secondary amines exhibit larger k(1) values but smaller k(2)/k(-1) ratios than primary amines. The current study has shown that the reactivity and reaction mechanism are strongly influenced by the nature of amines (primary vs. secondary amines) and electrophilic centers (C[double bond]O vs. C[double bond]S).     

Rapid ruthenium-catalyzed synthesis of pyranopyrandiones by reconstructive carbonylation of cyclopropenones involving C[bond]C bond cleavage

Pyranopyrandiones were prepared by a novel ruthenium-catalyzed carbonylative dimerization of cyclopropenones via C-C bond cleavage. For example, treatment of dipropylcyclopropenone with a catalytic amount of Ru3(CO)12 and NEt3 in THF under 15 atm of carbon monoxide at 140 degrees C for 20 h gave a novel functional monomer, 3,4,7,8-tetrapropylpyrano[6,5-e]pyran-2,6-dione, in an isolated yield of 81%. Unsymmetrically substituted pyranopyrandiones were also obtained by ruthenium-catalyzed carbonylative coupling of cyclopropenones with alkynes under similar reaction conditions.     

Carbon [bond] hydrogen bond activation by titanium imido complexes. Computational evidence for the role of alkane adducts in selective C [bond] H activation

This paper reports calculations that probe the role of R (hydrocarbon) and R' (ligand substituent) effects on the reaction coordinate for C [bond] H activation: Ti(OR')(2)(=NR') + RH --> adduct --> transition state --> (OR')(2)Ti(N(H)R')(R). Compounds with R = H, Me, Et, Vy, cPr, Ph, Cy, Bz, and cubyl are studied using quantum (R' = H, SiH(3), SiMe(3)) and classical (R' = Si(t)Bu(3)) techniques. Calculated geometries are in excellent agreement with data for experimental models. There is little variability in the calculated molecular structure of the reactants, products, and most interestingly, transition states as R and R' are changed. Structural flexibility is greatest in the adducts Ti(OR')(2)(=NR')...HR. Despite the small structural changes observed for Ti(OR')(2)(double bond] NR') with different R', significant changes are manifested in calculated electronic properties (the Mulliken charge on Ti becomes more positive and the Ti [double bond] N bond order decreases with larger R'), changes that should facilitate C [bond] H activation. Substantial steric modification of the alkane complex is expected from R [bond] R' interactions, given the magnitude of Delta G(add) and the conformational flexibility of the adduct. Molecular mechanics simulations of Ti(OSi(t)Bu(3))(2)([double bond] NSi(t)Bu(3))...isopentane adducts yield an energy ordering as a function of the rank of the C [bond] H bond coordinated to Ti that is consistent with experimental selectivity patterns. Calculated elimination barriers compare very favorably with experiment; larger SiH(3) and TMS ligand substituents generally yield better agreement with experiment, evidence that the modeling of the major contributions to the elimination barrier (N [bond] H and C [bond] H bond making) is ostensibly correct. Calculations indicate that weakening the C [bond] H bond of the hydrocarbon yields a more strongly bound adduct. Combining the different conclusions, the present computational research points to the adduct, specifically the structure and energetics of the substrate/Ti-imido interaction, as the main factor in determining the selectivity of hydrocarbon (R) C [bond] H activation.     

Modern synthetic methods for copper-mediated C(aryl)[bond]O, C(aryl)[bond]N, and C(aryl)[bond]S bond formation

The copper-mediated C(aryl)[bond]N, C(aryl)[bond]O, and C(aryl)[bond]S bond formation is an important transformation and has been developed to include a wide range of substrates. This Review highlights the recent developments in the copper-mediated (both stoichiometric and catalytic) reactions of aryl boronic acids, aryl halides, iodonium salts, siloxanes, stannanes, plumbanes, bismuthates, and trifluoroborate salts as aryl donors. In particular, the recent introduction of boronic acids as reaction partners in both O- and N-arylation has been a significant discovery and will occupy centre-stage in this review. Clear improvements can be obtained by the correct choice of copper source, base, ligands, and other additives. Mechanistic investigations should provide insight into the catalytically active species, which would aid in the development of milder, more-efficient methods.     

Reductive activation of carbon-fluorine bonds in perfluoroalkyl ligands: an unexpected route to the only known tetrafluorobutatriene transition metal complex: Ir(eta 5-C5Me5)(PMe3)(2,3-eta 2 -CF2[double bond]C[double bond]C[double bond]CF2)

Six-electron reduction of the perfluoro-sec-butyl ligand in Cp*Ir(PMe3)I(C4F9) with sodium naphthalenide affords the first known example of a transition metal complex of tetrafluorobutatriene, Cp*Ir(PMe3)(C4F4). The free ligand is a highly unstable compound. The compound has been completely characterized by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction study; the center coordinated double bond shows significant elongation, and the flanking fluoroalkenes show significant shortening, as compared to the dimensions in the free ligand.     

C-H activation and C=C double bond formation reactions in iridium ortho-methyl arylphosphane complexes

The Vaska-type iridium(I) complex [IrCl(CO){PPh(2)(2-MeC(6)H(4))}(2)] (1), characterized by an X-ray diffraction study, was obtained from iridium(III) chloride hydrate and PPh(2)(2,6-MeRC(6)H(3)) with R=H in DMF, whereas for R=Me, activation of two ortho-methyl groups resulted in the biscyclometalated iridium(III) compound [IrCl(CO){PPh(2)(2,6-CH(2)MeC(6)H(3))}(2)] (2). Conversely, for R=Me the iridium(I) compound [IrCl(CO){PPh(2)(2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3))}(2)] (3) can be obtained by treatment of [IrCl(COE)(2)](2) (COE=cyclooctene) with carbon monoxide and the phosphane in acetonitrile. Compound 3 in CH(2)Cl(2) undergoes intramolecular C-H oxidative addition, affording the cyclometalated hydride iridium(III) species [IrHCl(CO){PPh(2)(2,6-CH(2)MeC(6)H(3))}{PPh(2)(2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3))}] (4). Treatment of 2 with Na[BAr(f) (4)] (Ar(f)=3,5-C(6)H(3)(CF(3))(2)) gives the fluxional cationic 16-electron complex [Ir(CO){PPh(2)(2,6-CH(2)MeC(6)H(3))}(2)][BAr(f) (4)] (5), which reversibly reacts with dihydrogen to afford the delta-agostic complex [IrH(CO){PPh(2)(2,6-CH(2)MeC(6)H(3))}{PPh(2)(2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3))}][BAr(f)(4)] (6), through cleavage of an Ir-C bond. This species can also be formed by treatment of 4 with Na[BAr(f)(4)] or of 2 with Na[BAr(f)(4)] through C-H oxidative addition of one ortho-methyl group, via a transient 14-electron iridium(I) complex. Heating of the coordinatively unsaturated biscyclometalated species 5 in toluene gives the trans-dihydride iridium(III) complex [IrH(2)(CO){PPh(2)(2,6-MeC(6)H(3)CH=CHC(6)H(3)Me-2,6)PPh(2)}][BAr(f) (4)] (7), containing a trans-stilbene-type terdentate ligand, as result of a dehydrogenative carbon-carbon double bond coupling reaction, possibly through an iridium carbene species.