Pd(OAc)2-catalyzed oxidative coupling reaction of benzenes with olefins in the presence of molybdovanadophosphoric acid under atmospheric dioxygen and air

The direct oxidative coupling reaction of benzenes with alkenes bearing an electron-withdrawing group was successfully achieved by the use of Pd(OAc)(2)/molybdovanadophosphoric acid (HPMoV) as the key catalyst under O(2) or air atmosphere. Thus, the reaction of benzene with ethyl acrylate under air (1 atm) assisted by Pd(OAc)(2)/HPMoV afforded ethyl cinnamate as a major product in satisfactory yield (74%). This catalytic system could be extended to the coupling reactions between various substituted benzenes and alkenes through the direct aromatic C-H bond activation. In the reaction of benzene with ethyl acrylate under O(2) (1 atm), the best turn-over number (TON) of Pd(OAc)(2) reached was 121. This reaction provides a green route to cinnamate derivatives, which are important precursors of a variety of pharmaceuticals.     

Catalytic and enantioselective aza-ene and hetero-Diels-Alder reactions of alkenes and dienes with azodicarboxylates

Lewis acids such as Cu(OTf)(2), Zn(OTf)(2), Yb(OTf)(3) and Nd(OTf)(3) catalyze the aza-ene reaction of alkenes with azodicarboxylates, giving the allylic amination adducts. The use of bis(2,2,2-trichloroethyl)azodicarboxylate as the amination reagent and Cu(OTf)(2) and Yb(OTf)(3) as the catalysts gave the aza-ene reaction of different alkenes, leading to the corresponding allyl amines in high yields. Chiral copper complexes prepared from Cu(OTf)(2) and chiral bisoxazoline ligands were found to catalyze the enantioselective aza-ene reaction of azodicarboxylates with alkenes and the hetero-Diels-Alder reaction with cyclopentadiene, giving the corresponding aza-ene- and hetero-Diels-Alder adducts, respectively, in good yields and moderate enantioselectivities.     

Transition-metal-catalyzed formation of trans alkenes via coupling of aldehydes

[reaction: see text] Rh(2)(OAc)(4) catalyzed the formation of exclusively trans fluorinated alkenes from aldehydes and pentafluorobenzaldehyde tosylhydrazone salts, which were readily prepared from pentafluorobenzaldehyde using the Bamford-Stevens reaction. A series of pentafluorophenyl-containing alkenes were synthesized from aldehydes in moderate to good yields under mild reaction conditions in a one-pot reaction. It is the first report of coupling two different aldehydes to form exclusively trans alkenes.     

Generation and reaction of tungsten-containing carbonyl ylides: [3 + 2]-cycloaddition reaction with electron-rich alkenes

Novel tungsten-containing carbonyl ylides 7, generated by the reaction of the o-alkynylphenyl carbonyl derivatives 1 with a catalytic amount of W(CO)(5)(thf), reacted with alkenes to give polycyclic compounds 5 through [3 + 2]-cycloaddition reaction followed by intramolecular C-H insertion of the produced nonstabilized carbene complex intermediates 8. In the presence of triethylsilane, these tungsten-containing carbene intermediates 8 were smoothly trapped intermolecularly by triethylsilane to give silicon-containing cycloadducts 17 with regeneration of the W(CO)(5) species. By this procedure, the scope of alkenes employable for this reaction was clarified. The presence of the tungsten-containing carbonyl ylide 7c was confirmed by direct observation of the mixture of o-ethynylphenyl ketone 1c and W(CO)(5)(thf-d(8)). Careful analysis of the intermediate by 2D NMR, along with the observation of the direct coupling with tungsten-183 employing the (13)C-labeled substrate, confirmed the structure of the ylide 7c. Examination using (E)- or (Z)- vinyl ether revealed that the [3 + 2]-cycloaddition reaction proceeded in a concerted manner and that the facial selectivity of the reaction differed considerably depending on the presence or absence of triethylsilane. These results clarified the reversible nature of this [3 + 2]-cycloaddition reaction.     

Catalytic cyclopropanation of alkenes via (2-furyl)carbene complexes from 1-benzoyl-cis-1-buten-3-yne with transition metal compounds

The reaction of alkenes with conjugated ene-yne-ketones, such as 1-benzoyl-2-ethynylcycloalkenes, with a catalytic amount of Cr(CO)(5)(THF) gave 5-phenyl-2-furylcyclopropane derivatives in good yields. The key intermediate of this cyclopropanation is a (2-furyl)carbene complex generated by a nucleophilic attack of carbonyl oxygen to an internal alkyne carbon in pi-alkyne complex or sigma-vinyl cationic complex. A wide range of late transition metal compounds, such as [RuCl(2)(CO)(3)](2), [RhCl(cod)](2), [Rh(OAc)(2)](2), PdCl(2), and PtCl(2), also catalyzes the cyclopropanation of alkenes with ene-yne-ketones effectively. When the reactions were carried out with dienes as a carbene acceptor, the more substituted or more electron-rich alkene moiety was selectively cyclopropanated with the (2-furyl)carbenoid intermediate.     

Simple iron catalyst for terminal alkene epoxidation

[reaction: see text] A mu-oxo-iron(III) dimer, [((phen)(2)(H(2)O)Fe(III))(2)(mu-O)](ClO(4))(4), is an efficient epoxidation catalyst for a wide range of alkenes, including terminal alkenes, using peracetic acid as the oxidant. Low catalyst loadings, in situ catalyst preparation from common reagents, fast reaction times (<5 min at 0 degrees C), and enhanced reaction performance at high substrate concentrations combine to create a temporally and synthetically efficient procedure for alkene epoxidation.     

A study of [Co2(alkyne)(binap)(CO)4] complexes (BINAP=(1,1'-binaphthalene)-2,2'-diylbis(diphenylphosphine))

Understanding the interaction of chiral ligands, alkynes, and alkenes with cobaltcarbonyl sources is critical to learning more about the mechanism of the catalytic, asymmetric Pauson-Khand reaction. We have successfully characterized complexes of the type [Co2(alkyne)(binap)(CO)4] (BINAP=(1,1'-binaphthalene)-2,2'-diylbis(diphenylphosphine)) and shown that diastereomer interconversion occurs under Pauson-Khand reaction conditions when alkyne=HC[triple bond]CCO2Me. Attempts to isolate [Co2(alkyne)(binap)(CO)x] complexes with coordinated alkenes led to the formation of cobaltacyclopentadiene species.     

Convenient method for epoxidation of alkenes using aqueous hydrogen peroxide

[reaction: see text] The complex [Ru(tpy)(pydic)] (1a) is an active catalyst for epoxidation of alkenes by aqueous 30% hydrogen peroxide in tertiary alcohols. The protocol is simple to operate and gives the corresponding epoxides in good to excellent yields. Chiral enantiopure [Ru(tpy)(pydic)] complexes have been synthesized and successfully applied in this procedure.     

Synthesis of trans-Disubstituted Alkenes by Cobalt-Catalyzed Reductive Coupling of Terminal Alkynes with Activated Alkenes

A cobalt-catalyzed reductive coupling of terminal alkynes, RC?CH, with activated alkenes, R'CH?CH(2) , in the presence of zinc and water to give functionalized trans-disubstituted alkenes, RCH?CHCH(2) CH(2) R', is described. A variety of aromatic terminal alkynes underwent reductive coupling with activated alkenes including enones, acrylates, acrylonitrile, and vinyl sulfones in the presence of a CoCl(2) /P(OMe)(3) /Zn catalyst system to afford 1,2-trans-disubstituted alkenes with high regio- and stereoselectivity. Similarly, aliphatic terminal alkynes also efficiently participated in the coupling reaction with acrylates, enones, and vinyl sulfone, in the presence of the CoCl(2) /P(OPh)(3) /Zn system providing a mixture of 1,2-trans- and 1,1-disubstituted functionalized terminal alkene products in high yields. The scope of the reaction was also extended by the coupling of 1,3-enynes and acetylene gas with alkenes. Furthermore, a phosphine-free cobalt-catalyzed reductive coupling of terminal alkynes with enones, affording 1,2-trans-disubstituted alkenes as the major products in a high regioisomeric ratio, is demonstrated. In the reactions, less expensive and air-stable cobalt complexes, a mild reducing agent (Zn) and a simple hydrogen source (water) were used. A possible reaction mechanism involving a cobaltacyclopentene as the key intermediate is proposed.     

Kinetic study of the addition of trihalides to unsaturated compounds in ionic liquids. Evidence of a remarkable solvent effect in the reaction of ICl2-

The kinetic constants and activation parameters for the reactions of Br(3)(-) and ICl(2)(-) with some alkenes and alkynes have been determined in the ionic liquids [bmim][PF(6)], [emim][Tf(2)N], [bmim][Tf(2)N], [hmim][TF(2)N], [bm(2)im][Tf(2)N], and [bpy][TF(2)N] (where emim = 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium, bmim = 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium, hmim = 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium, bm(2)im = 1-butyl-2,3-dimethylimidazolium, bpy = butylpyridinium, PF(6) = hexafluorophosphate, and Tf(2)N = bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide) and in 1,2-dichloroethane. The rates of both reactions increase on going from 1,2-dichloroethane to ILs. Evidence suggests that, while the hydrogen bonding ability of the imidazolium cation is probably the main factor able to increase the rate of the addition of ICl(2)(-) to double and triple bonds, this property has no effect on the electrophilic addition of Br(3)(-) to alkenes and alkynes. Furthermore, in the case of the ICl(2)(-) reaction, the hydrogen bonding ability of ILs can be exploited to suppress the unwanted nucleophilic substitution reaction on the products by the Cl(-) anion.     

Imino ene reaction catalyzed by ytterbium(III) triflate and TMSCl or TMSOTf

A novel combined system of Yb(OTf)(3) with TMSCl or TMSOTf catalyzed an imino ene reaction. The reaction of N-tosylbenzaldimine (1) with alpha-methylstyrene (2) proceeded smoothly to give homoallylic amine 3 in the presence of a catalytic amount of Yb(OTf)(3) and TMSCl. This catalytic system was successfully applied to the imino ene reactions of various aldimines with alkenes. This new imino ene reaction provides a unique method for the three-component coupling reaction of an aldehyde, tosylamide, and alpha-methylstyrene in the presence of Yb(OTf)(3) and TMSOTf, to give the corresponding homoallylic amine.     

Visible light-mediated atom transfer radical addition via oxidative and reductive quenching of photocatalysts

Herein, the development of visible light-mediated atom transfer radical addition (ATRA) of haloalkanes onto alkenes and alkynes using the reductive and oxidative quenching of [Ir{dF(CF(3))ppy}(2)(dtbbpy)]PF(6) and [Ru(bpy)(3)]Cl(2) is presented. Initial investigations indicated that the oxidative quenching of photocatalysts could effectively be utilized for ATRA, and since that report, the protocol has been expanded by broadening the scope of the reaction in terms of the photocatalysts, substrates, and solvents. In addition, further modifications of the reaction conditions allowed for the efficient ATRA of perfluoroalkyl iodides onto alkenes and alkynes utilizing the reductive quenching cycle of [Ru(bpy)(3)]Cl(2) with sodium ascorbate as the sacrificial electron donor. These results signify the complementary nature of the oxidative and reductive quenching pathways of photocatalysts and the ability to predictably direct reaction outcome through modification of the reaction conditions.     

Addition of carboxyalkyl radicals to alkenes through a catalytic process,using a Mn(II)/Co(II)/O2 redox system

A novel strategy for production of mono- and dicarboxylic acids by the addition of carboxyalkyl radicals to alkenes and dienes, respectively, was successfully developed through a catalytic process with use of Mn(II)/Co(II)/O(2) system. Thus, a variety of carboxylic acids were prepared by the reaction of alkenes and dienes with acid anhydrides in the presence of a very small amount of Mn(OAc)(2) (0.5 mol %) and Co(OAc)(2) (0.1 mol %) under dilute dioxygen.     

Nickel-Catalyzed Preparations of Functionalized Organozincs

The reaction of primary alkyl bromides or chlorides with diethylzinc in the presence of Ni(acac)(2) (5 mol %) furnishes the corresponding alkylzinc halides (X = Br, Cl) via a halogen-zinc exchange reaction. The treatment of terminal alkenes with diethylzinc (neat, 25-60 degrees C) in the presence of Ni(acac)(2) as a catalyst (1-5 mol %) and 1,5-cyclooctadiene (COD) affords the corresponding dialkylzincs via a hydrozincation reaction. Whereas the conversion for simple alkenes bearing a remote functionality reaches 40 to 63%, the hydrozincation of allylic, homoallylic alcohols and allylic amines proceeds very efficiently (85-95% conversion). All the zinc organometallics obtained react with various electrophiles (allylic halides, enones, acid chlorides, alkynyl halides, ethyl propiolate) after transmetalation with CuCN.2LiCl. In the presence of the chiral catalyst 12, the dialkylzincs prepared add to aldehydes with high enantioselectivity.     

Rhodium-catalyzed three-component cross-addition of silylacetylenes, alkynyl esters, and electron-deficient alkenes or isocyanates

'Rh'oad crossing: A cationic Rh(I) /(cod)(2) complex catalyzes the chemo-, regio-, and stereoselective title reaction with electron-deficient alkenes leading to substituted 1,3-dienes. The analogous three-component cross-addition involving isocyanates instead of alkenes has also been developed.     

Ruthenium-catalyzed reaction of alpha,beta-unsaturated imines with carbon monoxide and alkenes leading to beta,gamma-unsaturated gamma-butyrolactams: involvement of direct carbonylation at olefinic C[bond]H Bonds as a key step

The reaction of alpha,beta-unsaturated imines with CO and alkenes in the presence of Ru(3)(CO)(12) as a catalyst results in a three-component coupling reaction that gives alpha,alpha-disubstituted beta,gamma-unsaturated gamma-butyrolactams. The reaction proceeds via a two-step sequence involving the initial formation of ketone derivatives by catalytic carbonylation at the beta-olefinic C-H bonds of alpha,beta-unsaturated imines, followed by the (uncatalyzed) intramolecular nucleophilic attack of the imine nitrogen on the ketonic carbon to generate a tetrahedral intermediate, which then undergoes a 1,2-ethyl migration. The reaction of a cyclic unsaturated imine, derived from the reaction of (1R)-(-)-myrtenal with tert-butylamine, gives a beta-aminocyclopentene derivative, which is formed by an aldol-type condensation of the initially formed ketone, indicating the initial formation of ethyl ketone.     

Rate and mechanism of the reaction of alkenes with aryl palladium complexes ligated by a bidentate P,P ligand in Heck reactions

The regioselectivity of the Heck reaction is supposed to be highly affected by the electronic properties of the alkene and the ionic or neutral character of the aryl palladium(II) complexes involved in the reaction with alkenes. In Heck reactions performed in dmf, [Pd(dppp){dppp(O)}Ph](+) (dppp=1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane) is generated in the oxidative addition of PhI with [Pd(0)(dppp)(OAc)](-) formed in situ from Pd(OAc)(2) associated to two equivalents of dppp. [Pd(dppp){dppp(O)}Ph](+) is not very reactive with alkenes (styrene or methyl acrylate); however, it reacts with iodide ions (released in the catalytic reactions) to give [Pd(dppp)IPh] and with acetate ions (used as base) to give [Pd(dppp)(OAc)Ph]. [Pd(dppp)(OAc)Ph] reacts with styrene and methyl acrylate exclusively by an ionic mechanism, that is, via the cationic complex [Pd(dppp)(dmf)Ph](+) formed by dissociation of the acetate ion. The reaction of [Pd(dppp)IPh] is more complex and substrate dependent. It reacts with styrene exclusively by the ionic mechanism via [Pd(dppp)(dmf)Ph](+). [Pd(dppp)IPh] (neutral mechanism) and [Pd(dppp)(dmf)Ph](+) (ionic mechanism) react in parallel with methyl acrylate. [Pd(dppp)(dmf)Ph](+) is more reactive than [Pd(dppp)IPh] but is always generated at lower concentration.     

Vicinal C-functionalization of alkenes. Pd/light-induced multicomponent coupling reactions leading to functionalized esters and lactones

Under photoirradiation conditions using a xenon light, and in the presence of PdCl(2)(PPh(3))(2) as a catalyst, four-component coupling reactions comprising of α-substituted iodoalkanes, alkenes, carbon monoxide, and alcohols proceeded smoothly to give functionalized esters in good yields. When alkenyl alcohols were used as acceptor alkenes, three-component coupling reactions accompanied by intramolecular esterification proceeded to give lactones in good yields. The present reaction system represents the vicinal C-functionalization of alkenes.     

Gold nanoparticle-catalyzed environmentally benign deoxygenation of epoxides to alkenes

We have developed a highly efficient and green catalytic deoxygenation of epoxides to alkenes using gold nanoparticles (NPs) supported on hydrotalcite [HT: Mg(6)Al(2)CO(3)(OH)(16)] (Au/HT) with alcohols, CO/H(2)O or H(2) as the reducing reagent. Various epoxides were selectively converted to the corresponding alkenes. Among the novel metal NPs on HT, Au/HT was found to exhibit outstanding catalytic activity for the deoxygenation reaction. Moreover, Au/HT can be separated from the reaction mixture and reused with retention of its catalytic activity and selectivity. The high catalytic performance of Au/HT was attributed to the selective formation of Au-hydride species by the cooperative effect between Au NPs and HT.     

Pd/light-accelerated atom-transfer carbonylation of alkyl iodides: applications in multicomponent coupling processes leading to functionalized carboxylic acid derivatives

The atom-transfer carbonylation reaction of various alkyl iodides thereby leading to carboxylic acid esters was effectively accelerated by the addition of transition-metal catalysts under photoirradiation conditions. By using a combined Pd/hν reaction system, vicinal C-functionalization of alkenes was attained in which α-substituted iodoalkanes, alkenes, carbon monoxide, and alcohols were coupled to give functionalized esters. When alkenyl alcohols were used as acceptor alkenes, three-component coupling reactions, which were accompanied by intramolecular esterification, proceeded to give lactones. Pd-dimer complex [Pd(2)(CNMe)(6)][PF(6)](2), which is known to undergo homolysis under photoirradiation conditions, worked quite well as a catalyst in these three- or four-component coupling reactions. In this metal/radical hybrid system, both Pd radicals and acyl radicals are key players and a stereochemical study confirmed the carbonylation step proceeded through a radical carbonylation mechanism.