Reaction of [M(eta3-allyl)(eta2-amidinato)(CO)2(pyridine)] complexes (M = Mo, W) with bidentate ligands: nitrogen donor vs. phosphorus donor

The reactivity of amidinato complexes of molybdenum and tungsten bearing pyridine as a labile ligand, [M(eta(3)-allyl)(eta(2)-amidinato)(CO)(2)(pyridine)](M = Mo; 1-Mo, M = W; 1-W), toward bidentate ligands such as 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) and 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane (dppe) was investigated. The reaction of 1 with phen at ambient temperature resulted in the formation of monodentate amidinato complexes, [M(eta(3)-allyl)(eta(1)-amidinato)(CO)(2)(eta(2)-phen)](M = Mo; 2-Mo, M = W; 2-W), which has pseudo-octahedral geometry with the amidinato ligand coordinated to the metal in an eta(1)-fashion. The phen ligand was located coplanar with two CO ligands and the eta(1)-amidinato ligand was positioned trans to the eta(3)-allyl ligand. In solution, both complexes 2-Mo and 2-W showed fluxionality, and complex 2-Mo afforded allylamidine (3) on heating in solution. In the reaction of 1 with dppe at ambient temperature, the simple substitution reaction took place to give dppe-bridged binuclear complexes [{M(eta(3)-allyl)(eta(2)-amidinato)(CO)(2)}(2)(mu-dppe)](M = Mo; 5-Mo, M = W; 5-W), whereas mononuclear monocarbonyl complexes [M(eta(3)-allyl)(eta(2)-amidinato)(CO)(eta(2)-dppe)](M = Mo; 6-Mo, M = W; 6-W) were obtained under acetonitrile- or toluene-refluxing conditions. Mononuclear complex 6 was also obtained by the reaction of binuclear complex 5 with 0.5 equivalents of dppe under refluxing in acetonitrile or in toluene. The X-ray analyses and variable-temperature (31)P NMR spectroscopy of complex 6 indicated the existence of the rotational isomers of the eta(3)-allyl ligand, i.e., endo and exo forms, with respect to the carbonyl ligand. The different reactivity of complex 1 toward phen and dppe seems to have come from the difference in the pi-acceptability of each bidentate ligand.     

Carbon-carbon bond formation by electrophilic addition at the central carbon of the mu-eta(3)-allenyl/propargyl ligand on the Pd-Pd bond.

The mu-eta(3)-allenyl/propargyldipalladium complexes were synthesized by the reaction of the corresponding eta(1)-allenyl- or eta(1)-propargylpalladium complexes with Pd(2)(dba)(3). The X-ray diffraction analysis indicates that the dinuclear complex has a unique structure, in which two palladium, three carbon, two phosphorus, and one halogen atoms are in the same plane. These dinuclear complexes react with electrophiles, such as HCl or AcCl, at the central carbon of the mu-eta(3)-allenyl/propargyl ligand to give the mu-eta(3)-vinylcarbenedipalladium complexes. Intramolecular reaction proceeded smoothly to give cyclization products quantitatively. Addition of a catalytic amount of a palladium(0) complex dramatically accelerated the carbon-carbon bond formation. The MO calculations on the mu-eta(3)-allenyl/propargyl complexes indicated that the reaction proceeds via orbital control.     

DFT computational study of the mechanism of allyl halides carbonylation catalyzed by nickel tetracarbonyl

A theoretical investigation at the DFT(B3LYP) level on the carbonylation reaction of allyl bromide catalyzed by nickel tetra-carbonyl Ni(CO)(4) is discussed. The computational results show the following: (i) Three main steps characterize the catalytic cycle: (a) an oxidative addition step, (b) a carbonylation step, and (c) a reductive elimination step where the acyl product is obtained and the catalyst is regenerated. (ii) Both Ni(CO)(3) and Ni(CO)(4) complexes can behave as "active" catalytic species. (iii) The oxidative addition leads to the formation of either eta(3) or eta(1)-allyl nickel complexes, which are involved in a fast equilibrium. (iv) The carbonylation occurs much more easily on the eta(1) than on the eta(3) intermediates.     

Synthesis of substituted oxa- and aza[3.2.1] and [4.3.1]bicyclics via an unprecedented molybdenum-mediated 1,5-"Michael-type" reaction

The direct internal nucleophilic functionalization of a pi-bound carbon of neutral TpMo(CO)2(5-oxo-eta3-pyranyl) and TpMo(CO)2(5-oxo-eta3-pyridinyl) complexes by enolates represents a new reaction profile for neutral TpMo(CO)2(eta3-allyl) complexes. This Mo-mediated "1,5-Michael reaction" proceeds in good to excellent yields and provides, after demetalation, a new and efficient synthetic approach to oxa- and aza[3.2.1]bicyclics of high enantiomeric purity.     

Ni0-catalyzed cyclotrimerization of 1,3-butadiene: a comprehensive density functional investigation on the origin of the selectivity

A comprehensive theoretical investigation of the mechanism for the Ni(0)-catalyzed cyclotrimerization of 1,3-butadiene by the [Ni(0)(eta(2)-butadiene)(3)] active catalyst complex is presented by employing a gradient-corrected DFT method. All critical elementary processes of the catalytic cycle have been scrutinized, namely, oxidative coupling of two butadienes, butadiene insertion into the allyl-Ni(II) bond, allylic isomerization in both octadienediyl-Ni(II) and dodecatrienediyl-Ni(II) species, and reductive elimination under ring closure. For each of these elementary steps several conceivable routes and also the different stereochemical pathways have been probed. The favorable route for oxidative coupling start from the prevalent [Ni(0)(eta(2)-butadiene)(3)] form of the active catalyst through coupling between the terminal non-coordinated carbon atoms of two reactive eta(2)-butadiene moieties; this is assisted by an ancillary butadiene in eta(2)-mode. The initial eta(3),eta(1)(C(1))-octadienediyl-Ni(II) product is the active precursor for subsequent butadiene insertion, which preferably takes place into the eta(3)-allyl-Ni(II) bond. The insertion is driven by a strong thermodynamic force. Therefore, the dodecatrienediyl-Ni(II) products, with the most favorable bis(eta(3)-allyl),Delta-trans isomers in particular, represent a thermodynamic sink. Commencing from a preestablished equilibrium between the various bis(eta(3)-allyl),Delta-trans forms of the [Ni(II)(dodecatrienediyl)] complex, the major cyclotrimer products, namely all-t-CDT, c,c,t-CDT and c,t,t-CDT, are formed along competing paths by reductive elimination under ring closure, which is shown to be rate-controlling. The all-c-CDT-generating path is completely precluded by both thermodynamic and kinetic factors, giving rise to negligibly populated bis(eta(3)-allyl),Delta-cis precursor isomers. The regulation of the selectivity of the CDT formation as well as the competition between the two reaction channels for generation of C(12)- and C(8)-cycloolefins is elucidated.     

Stable, chloride-induced monohapto-bonding mode for an allyl ligand in a Pd(II) complex bearing a new bidentate phosphonite-oxazoline ligand

Bidentate ligands can lead to stable eta(1)-allyl complexes of Pd(II). A novel chelating phosphonite-oxazoline P,N ligand, abbreviated NOPO(Me2), has been prepared by reaction of 6-chloro-6H-dibenz[c,e][1,2]oxaphosphorin with the lithium alcoholate derived from 4,4-dimethyl-2-(1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)-4,5-dihydrooxazole. Its reaction with [Pd(eta(3)-C(3)H(5))(micro-Cl)](2) afforded the new eta(1)-allyl Pd complex [PdCl(eta(1)-C(3)H(5))(NOPO(Me2))] 2 in 91% yield. This constitutes a still rare example of structurally characterized eta(1)-allyl Pd(II) complex. Chloride abstraction led to the corresponding cationic eta(3)-allyl complex [Pd(eta(3)-C(3)H(5))(NOPO(Me2))]PF(6) 3, which has also been characterized by X-ray diffraction. CO insertion into the Pd-C sigma-bond of the eta(1)-allyl ligand of 2 afforded the corresponding 3-butenoyl palladium complex [PdCl[C(O)C(3)H(5)](NOPO(Me2))] 4 under mild conditions, which supports the view that CO insertion into eta(3)-allyl palladium cationic complexes occurs via first coordination of the counterion to form a more reactive eta(1)-allyl intermediate.     

Kinetics, thermodynamics, and effect of BPh3 on competitive C-C and C-H bond activation reactions in the interconversion of allyl cyanide by [Ni(dippe)

Reaction of [(dippe)Ni(micro-H)](2) with allyl cyanide at low temperature quantitatively generates the eta(2)-olefin complex (dippe)Ni(CH(2)=CHCH(2)CN) (1). At ambient temperature or above, the olefin complex is converted to a mixture of C-CN cleavage product (dippe)Ni(eta(3)-allyl)(CN) (3) and the olefin-isomerization products (dippe)Ni(eta(2)-crotonitrile) (cis- and trans-2), which form via C-H activation. The latter are the exclusive products at longer reaction times, indicating that C-CN cleavage is reversible and the crotononitrile complexes 2 are more thermodynamically stable than eta(3)-allyl species 3. The kinetics of this reaction have been followed as a function of temperature, and rate constants have been extracted by modeling of the reaction. The rate constants for C-CN bond formation (the reverse of C-CN cleavage) show a stronger temperature dependence than those for C-CN and C-H activation, making the observed distribution of C-H versus C-CN cleavage products strongly temperature-dependent. The activation parameters for the C-CN formation step are also quite distinct from those of the C-CN and C-H cleavage steps (larger DeltaH(++) and positive DeltaS(++)). Addition of the Lewis acid BPh(3) to 1 at low temperature yields exclusively the C-CN activation product (dippe)Ni(eta(3)-allyl)(CNBPh(3)) (4). Independently prepared (dippe)Ni(crotononitrile-BPh(3)) (cis- and trans-7) does not interconvert with 4, indicating that 4 is the kinetic product of the BPh(3)-mediated reaction. On standing in solution at ambient temperature, 4 decomposes slowly to complex 5, with structure [(dippe)Ni(eta(3)-allyl)(N triple bond C-BPh(3)), while addition of a second equivalent of BPh(3) immediately produces [(dippe)Ni(eta(3)-allyl)](+)[Ph(3)BC triple bond NBPh(3)](-) (6). Comparison of the barriers to pi-sigma allyl interconversion (determined via dynamic (1)H NMR spectroscopy) for all of the eta(3)-allyl complexes reveals that axial cyanide ligands facilitate pi-sigma interconversion by moving into the P(2)Ni square plane when the allyl group is sigma-bound.     

A novel approach to synthesis of the cinnoline ring system via organoiron(cyclopentadienyl) complexes

An efficient synthesis of 3-mono or 3,4-disubstituted cinnolines from (o-dichlorobenzene)(cyclopentadienyl)iron hexafluorophosphate in three or four steps has been achieved. o-Chlorophenyl-alkyl or alkylaryl ketone complexes obtained from the o-dichlorobenzene complex upon treatment with enolate anions, react with hydrazine forming 3-mono or 3,4-disubstituted 1,4-dihydrocinnoline complexes. Treatment of the later with sodium amide leads to an aromatization-demetallation reaction resulting in formation of cinnolines, i.e. 3-methyl-, 3-phenyl- and 3,4-dimethylcinnoline. The influence of substituents bonded to the carbon atom adjacent to the complexed benzene ring in o-chlorophenyl -alkyl or -alkylaryl ketone prior to cyclization on the cyclization reaction is discussed.     

A joint experimental and theoretical study of the palladium-catalyzed electrophilic allylation of aldehydes

Palladium-catalyzed electrophilic allylation of aldehydes with allylstannanes has been proposed in the literature as a model reaction illustrating the potential of nucleophilic eta(1)-allyl palladium pincer complexes to promote new catalytic processes. This reaction was studied by a joint experimental and theoretical approach. It was shown that pincer palladium complexes featuring a S approximately P approximately S and a S approximately C approximately S tridentate ligand are efficient catalysts for this reaction. The full mechanism of this transformation was studied in detail by means of DFT calculations. Two pathways were explored: the commonly proposed mechanism involving eta(1)-allyl palladium intermediates and a Lewis acid promoted mechanism. Both of these mechanisms were compared to the direct transformation that was shown experimentally to occur under mild conditions. The mechanism involving an eta(1)-allyl palladium intermediate has been discarded on energetic grounds, the nucleophilic attack and the transmetalation step being more energetically demanding than the direct reaction between allyltin and the aldehyde. On the other hand, a mechanism where the palladium acts as a Lewis acid proved to be fully consistent with all experimental and theoretical results. This mechanism involves (L approximately X approximately L)Pd(+) species which activate the aldehyde moiety toward nucleophilic attack.     

A highly active palladium catalyst for intermolecular hydroamination. Factors that control reactivity and additions of functionalized anilines to dienes and vinylarenes

We report a catalyst for intermolecular hydroamination of vinylarenes that is substantially more active for this process than catalysts published previously. With this more reactive catalyst, we demonstrate that additions of amines to vinylarenes and dienes occur in the presence of potentially reactive functional groups, such as ketones with enolizable hydrogens, free alcohols, free carboxylic acids, free amides, nitriles, and esters. The catalyst for these reactions is generated from [Pd(eta(3)-allyl)Cl](2) (with or without added AgOTf) or [Pd(CH(3)CN)(4)](BF(4))(2) and Xantphos (9,9-dimethyl-4,5-bis(diphenylphosphino)xanthene), which generates complexes with large P-Pd-P bite angles. Studies on the rate of the C-N bond-forming step that occurs by attack of amine on an eta(3)-phenethyl and an eta(3)-allyl complex were conducted to determine the effect of the bite angle on the rate of this nucleophilic attack. Studies on model eta(3)-benzyl complexes containing various bisphosphines showed that the nucleophilic attack was faster for complexes containing larger P-Pd-P bite angles. Studies of substituted unsymmetrical and unsubstituted symmetrical model eta(3)-allyl complexes showed that nucleophilic attack on complexes ligated by Xantphos was faster than on complexes bearing ligands with smaller bite angles and that nucleophilic attack on unsymmetrical allyl complexes with larger bite angle ligands was faster than on unsymmetrical allyl complexes with smaller bite angle ligands. However, monitoring of catalytic reactions of dienes by (31)P NMR spectroscopy showed that the concentration of active catalyst was the major factor that controlled rates for reactions of symmetrical dienes catalyzed by complexes of phosphines with smaller bite angles. The identity of the counterion also affected the rate of attack: reactions of allylpalladium complexes with chloride counterion occurred faster than reactions of allylpalladium complexes with triflate or tetrafluoroborate counterion. As is often observed, the dynamics of the allyl and benzyl complexes also depended on the identity of the counterion.     

Mechanistic studies of copper(I)-catalyzed allylic amination

The reactions of nitrosobenzene and N,N'-diethyl-4-nitrosoaniline with [Cu(CH3CN)4]PF6 provide novel Cu(I) complexes, [Cu(PhNO)3]PF6 (1) and [Cu(Et2NPhNO)3]PF6 (2); in 2 the copper atom is N-coordinated to the nitrosoarenes in a distorted trigonal planar geometry. Complex 1 is strongly implicated as a reactive intermediate in the Cu(I)-catalyzed allylic amination of olefins based on (i) its isolation from the catalytic reaction, (ii) its stoichiometric regioselective allylic amination of alpha-methyl styrene (AMS), (iii) the non-involvement of free PhNO in its amination of AMS, and (iv) its function as a catalyst for the amination of alkenes from phenylhydroxylamine. The reaction between AMS and 1 (80 degrees C, dioxane) is first order in both alkene and 1. Relative rate studies of the reaction of 1 with para substituted AMS derivatives gives a Hammett rho value of -0.035. Alkene adducts isolated from the reaction of 1 with styrene and alpha-methylstyrene are formulated as [(PhNO)3Cu(eta(2)-alkene)]PF6 (7,8) on the basis of spectroscopic characterization and thermolysis. PM3 and DFT MO calculations support the role of [(alkene)Cu(RNO)3]+ and (eta(1)- or eta(3)-allyl)Cu(RNO)2(RNHOH)+ complexes as probable catalytic intermediates and address the origin of the distinctive reaction regioselectivity. A mechanistic scheme is proposed which is consistent with the accumulated experimental and computational results.     

The final steps of the Oppolzer cyclization: mechanism of the insertion of alkenes into allylpalladium(II) complexes

We report here the results of a computational study on the the mechanism of the Oppolzer cyclization. These results lead us to conclude that the insertion of olefins in Pd-allyl complexes probably takes place directly from the eta(3)-allyl species. The presence of a phosphane ligand in the reagents plays the role of enhancing the electron density on the Pd atom; this makes the alkene moiety more reactive towards insertion by back-donation from the metal. The results also indicate that the configuration of the new stereogenic centers is fixed in the insertion of the alkene into the (eta(3)-allyl)palladium species.     

New [Mo(eta3-allyl)(CO)2L3]+ complexes with monodentate or tridentate nitrogen-donor ligands

Cationic complexes [Mo(eta(3)-allyl)(CO)2L3]+ (L3 = either nitrogen-donor tridentate ligand or three monodentate ligands) were prepared in high yield and under mild conditions using as precursors either the triflato complex [Mo(eta(3)-allyl)(OTf)(CO)2(NCMe)2] or the combination of the chloro complex [Mo(eta(3)-allyl)Cl(CO)2(NCMe)2] and the salt NaBAr'(4)(Ar'= 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl). The tridentate ligands employed were 2,2':6',2'-terpyridine (terpy) and cis,cis-1,3,5-cyclohexanetriamine (CHTA), whereas the monodentate ligands imidazole (im) and 3,5-dimethylpyrazole (dmpz) were chosen. In order to stabilize the labile intermediates, an excess of acetonitrile was used in most of the syntheses. However, the pyrazole complex was prepared through a nitrile-free route to avoid reactions at the coordinated nitrile. The solid state structures of [Mo(eta(3)-methallyl)(CO)2(terpy)]OTf (2), [Mo(eta(3)-methallyl)(CO)2(CHTA)]BAr'4 (3), [Mo(eta(3)-methallyl)(CO)2(NCMe)3]BAr'4 (4), [Mo(eta(3)-allyl)(CO)2(im)3]OTf (5) and [Mo(eta(3)-allyl)(CO)2(dmpz)3]BAr'4 (6) were determined by means of single-crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Palladium(O)-mediated Formation of γ-Methylene-γ-butyrolactone from allyl 4-pentenoate

Synthetic organic reaction by means of transition metal carboxylate complexes continues to be a subject of active interest,¹ in which the transition metal carboxylate complexes are generally generated by oxidative addition of allylic esters to low-valent transition metal complexes. It also relates closely to the utilization of carbon dioxide in organic synthesis by means of transition metal complexes, because carbon dioxide insertion into the transition metal-carbon bonds produces the transition metal carboxylate complexes.² Very recently we have reported the formation of γ-butyroiactone by the reaction of bis (π-allyl)nickel (II) with carbon dioxide via a π-allynickel (II) 3-butenoate complex.³ Here we report Pd(PPh₃)₄- induced     

Trinuclear heterobimetallic complexes with binucleating dithioxamides: stereoselective synthesis and solution behavior involving Pd-N bond rupture

Bischelate platinum(II) complexes of the type [Pt(H-R(2)-N(2)C(2)S(2))(2)] (H-R(2)-N(2)C(2)S(2)(-) = dialkyl-dithioxamidate) are ditopic receptors which, after coordination of the first Pd(eta(3)-allyl)(+) moiety, induce the orientation of the second palladium-allyl fragment. Thus, a series of trimetallic complexes of formula bis-[(eta(3)-allyl)-palladium(II)](mu-bis-dialkyl-dithioxamidate-platinum(II) kappa-S,S-kappa-S',S'-Pt-kappa-N,N-Pd-kappa-N',N'-Pd') has been prepared in which the allyl fragments are oriented toward the same side of the molecular plane. We have also prepared the trimetallic complex using a dithioxamide obtained from the racemic phenylethylamine. Only two isomers were produced in equimolar ratio: the racemate that has four homochiral alkyl substituents and the mesoform containing the meso-dithioxamide that has homochiral substituents on the same side of molecular plane. Under the effect of the temperature, the trimetallic Pd-Pt-Pd complexes undergo rapid allyl isomerization; the mechanism of the isomerization, which is similar to that found by us in an analogue Pt-Pd bimetallic complex, is discussed. The crystal and molecular structure of bis-[(eta(3)-allyl)-palladium(II)](mu-bis-[S]-phenylethyl-dithioxamidate-platinum(II) kappa-S,S-kappa-S',S'-Pt-kappa-N,N-Pd-kappa-N',N'-Pd') has been reported.     

Transition Metal Cation Salts in Organic Synthesis

Reaction of lithium diisopropylamide (LDA) with (η⁴-1,3-cyclohexadiene)Fe(CO)₃ complexes bearing functionalized side chains at C-5, under an atmosphere of carbon monoxide, gives bridged bicyclo[3,2,1]octene and bicyclo[3,3,1]nonene systems after electrophilic quenching. Under the same reaction conditions, intramolecular cyclization of acyclic (η⁴- 1,3-butadiene)Fe(CO)₃ complexes with functionalized side chains at the terminal position of the diene ligands furnishes fused bicyclo[3.3,0]octanone and bicyclo[4.3.0]nonanone derivatives after acid quenching. The addition of a variety of the highly functionalized zinc-copper reagents RCu(CN)ZnI to the (η⁷-cycloheptatrienyl)Cr(CO) gives (η⁶-cyclohepta-1,3,5-triene)Cr(CO)₃ complexes with a functionalized side-chain at the C-7 position of the ring. Intramolecular cyclization of ester-subsbtuted adducts using lithium diisopropylamide generates fused bicyclo[5.3.0]decane and bicyclo[5.4.0]undecane derivatives. The addition of a variety of the highly functionalized zinc-copper reagents RCu(CN)Znl to the (η⁴-cyclohexa-1,3-diene)Mo(CO)₂(Cp) at the terminus of the coordinated diene ligand gives [Mo(π-allyl)(CO)₂(Cp)](Cp = cyclopentadienyl) complexes with the functionalized side-chain at the C-4 position of the ring. Intramolecular cyclization of the (π-allyl)molybdenum complex containing a pendant propanoic acid unit generates the δ-lactone derivative.     

Palladium-catalyzed synthesis of 2,3-dihydro-2-ylidene-1,4-benzodioxins

Palladium-catalyzed condensation of benzene-1,2-diol with various propargylic carbonates afforded regio- and stereoselectively 2,3-dihydro-2-ylidene-1,4-benzodioxins. The reaction is suggested to proceed by the formation of a (sigma-allenyl)palladium complex, followed by the intermolecular attack of the phenoxide ion on this complex to generate a new (sigma-allyl)palladium complex in equilibrium with the corresponding (eta(3)-allyl)palladium complex. Intramolecular attack of the phenoxide ion afforded the corresponding benzodioxan compound. This last attack occurs predominantly at the more electrophilic end of the (eta(3)-allyl)palladium intermediate. The Z- or E-stereochemistry of the products was established by (1)H NMR and proton NOE measurements and also by X-ray analysis on an example. The Z-stereochemistry generally observed is in agreement with the formation of this (eta(3)-allyl)palladium intermediate. However, in the case of tertiary propargylic carbonates, the E-stereochemistry generally observed could be explained by an intramolecular attack of the phenoxide ion on the intermediate (sigma-allyl)palladium complex, in slow equilibrium with the (eta(3)-allyl)palladium complex.     

Deconvoluting the memory effect in Pd-catalyzed allylic alkylation: Effect of leaving group and added chloride

An analysis of product distributions in the Tsuji-Trost reaction indicates that several instances of reported "memory effects" can be attributed to slow interconversion of the initially formed syn- and anti-[Pd(eta3-allyl)] complexes. Addition of chloride triggers a true memory effect, in which the allylic terminus originally bearing the leaving group has a higher reactivity. The latter effect, termed regioretention, can be rationalized by ionization from a palladium complex bearing a chloride ion, forming an unsymmetrically substituted [Pd(eta3-allyl)] complex. DFT calculations verify that the position trans to the phosphine ligand is more reactive both in the initial ionization and in the subsequent nucleophilic attack.     

Nickel-catalyzed amination of 1,3-dienes Evidence for a π-allyl intermediate

syn-π-Crotylbis(triethyl phosphite) nickel hexafluorophosphate reacts with morpholine to give 1-(N-morpholino)-2-butene. This π-crotylnickel complex, without added acid, catalyzes the reaction of butadiene with morpholine. From these observations, π-allyl intermediates are proposed as intermediates in the amination of 1,3-dienes. trans-1,3-Pentadiene reacts with amines more easily than the cis-isomer. The different reactivities are discussed on the basis of the stability of π-allyl complexes which are assumed to be key intermediates.     

Preparation of sigma- and pi-allylcopper(III) intermediates in SN2 and SN2' reactions of organocuprate(I) reagents with allylic substrates

The first pi-allyl complexes of CuIII have been prepared and characterized by using rapid injection nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (RI-NMR). The prototype, (eta3-allyl)dimethylcopper(III), was prepared by injection of allyl chloride into a THF-d8 solution of iodo-Gilman reagent, Me2CuLi.LiI (A), spinning in the probe of an NMR spectrometer at -100 degreesC. A sigma-allyl ate complex, lithium (eta1-allyl)trimethylcuprate(III), was prepared in high yield by including 1 equiv of tributylphosphine in the reaction mixture or by using allyl acetate as the substrate. Cyano ate complex, lithium cis-(eta1-allyl)cyanodimethylcuprate(III) was obtained in high yield by injecting allyl chloride or allyl acetate into the cyano-Gilman reagent, Me2CuLi.LiCN (B), in THF-d8 at -100 degrees C. Reactions of A with allylic substrates show a definite dependence on leaving group (chloride vs acetate), whereas those of B do not. Moreover, these reagents have different regioselectivities, which in the case of A vary with temperature. Finally, the exclusive formation of cis-cyano sigma-allyl CuIII intermediates in both the 1,4-addition of B to alpha-enones and its SN2alpha reaction with allylic substrates now makes sense in terms of pi-allyl intermediates in both cases, thus unifying the mechanisms of these two kinds of conjugate addition.