Highly selective sulfoxidation of allylic and vinylic sulfides by hydrogen peroxide using a flavin as catalyst

A highly chemoselective oxidation of allylic and vinylic sulfides to the corresponding sulfoxides has been developed using flavin 1 as the oxidation catalyst and hydrogen peroxide as the terminal oxidant. The sulfoxides were formed in good to excellent yields in a highly selective manner even when an excess of the oxidant was used. Sulfone formation was completely suppressed to <0.5% (in one single case 1.5% sulfone was detected). No epoxidation of double bonds or interference with other functional groups was observed under the reaction conditions. The general applicability was demonstrated by the selective oxidation of various allylic and vinylic sulfides having different electronic properties. A number of functionalities including hydroxy, acetoxy, amino, silyloxy, and formyl groups are tolerated under these mild reaction conditions.     

Highly Chemical and Regio－selective Catalytic Oxidation with a Novel Manganese Catalyst

The chemical selectivity of a novel active manganese compound [Mn2^IVμ-O)3(TMTACN)2] (PF6)2 (1) in catalytic oxidation reactions depended on the structure of substrates and 1 was able to catalyze the oxidation of toluene into benzaldehyde and/or benzoic acid under very mild conditions. The following results were obtained: (1) The selectivity of the oxidation depended on the electronic density of double bonds. Reactivity was absent when strong electron-witherawing groups were conjugated with double bonds. (2) Allylic oxidation reactions mostly take place when double bond is present inside a ring system, whilst epoxiclarion reactions occur when the alkene moiety is part of linear chain. (3) In ring systems, the methylene group was more likely to be oxidized than the methyl group on ailylic position. As expected, the C--H bonds at the bridgeheads were unreactive.The secondary hydroxyl groups are more easily to be oxidized than the primary hydroxyl groups.     

Synthesis of functionalized allylic sulfoxides and their use in the construction of 2,3,4-trisubstituted furans via a [3 + 2] annulation

A route to 2,3,4-trisubstituted furan derivatives based on a [3 + 2] annulation of functionalized allylic sulfoxides and aldehydes is described. In this strategy, the precursors of allylic sulfoxides 4, allylic sulfides 3, were synthesized via a thiomethylation reaction of an alpha-EWG ketene-S,S-acetal 1 (EWG: electron-withdrawing group), formaldehyde, and a thiol 2 in high to excellent yields. Allylic sulfoxides 4 were prepared by a highly regioselective oxidation of 3, using m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid as oxidant. Thus, starting from these readily available sulfoxides 4, 2-alkylthio-3,4-disubstituted furans 6 were efficiently constructed via the [3 + 2] annulation reaction of 4 with aldehydes 5 under mild conditions. Further replacement of the 2-alkylthio group of 6 with amines led to the formation of 2-amino-3,4-disubstituted furan derivatives 7.     

Multivariate optimization of the Kharasch–Sosnovsky allylic oxidation of olefins

The multivariate optimization method known as simplex is applied to the Kharasch–Sosnovsky allylic oxidation of double bonds. By applying this method, the amounts of three variables (copper source, oxidant, and additive) are optimized at the same time. Under the conditions thus obtained the reaction takes place in a considerable shorter time, being the alkene the limiting reagent. These conditions are applied to some monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes leading regioselectively to the corresponding benzoate esters, opening a route to the employment of this reaction in the synthesis of more complex molecules.     

Photolysis of diazocyclopentadiene : Reactivity of cyclopentadienylidene in sulfides and ethers

Photolysis of diazocyclopentadiene in the presence of dimethyl, diethyl and tetramethylene sulfides gave the corresponding sulfonium cyclopentadienylide. But the ylides from diisopropyl and di-t-butyl sulfides were unstable, and the reaction mixture gave the CH and CS insertion products of cyclopentadienylidene and olefin elimination products. Reaction of diazocyclopentadiene in ethers gave the CH insertion and some CO insertion products. For diethyl ether, the insertion ratio into secondary and primary CH bonds was 19:1. For tetrahydrofuran, both α and β-CH insertion products were observed in ratio of 3:0. Photolysis of diazocyclopentadiene in allylic ethers gave the addition product of the carbene to the double bond, but in allylic sulfides gave both CS insertion and addition products of the carbene.     

Mechanism of selective oxidation of organic sulfides with Oxo(salen)chromium(V) complexes

The selective oxidation of organic sulfides to sulfoxides by oxo(salen)chromium(V) complexes in acetonitrile is overall second-order, first-order each in the oxidant and the substrate. The rate constant, k(2), values of several para-substituted phenyl methyl sulfides correlate linearly with Hammett sigma constants and the rho values are in the range of -1.3 to -2.7 with different substituted oxo(salen)chromium(V) complexes. The reactivity of different alkyl sulfides is in accordance with Taft's steric substituent constant, E(S). A mechanism involving direct oxygen atom transfer from the oxidant to the substrate rather than electron transfer is envisaged. Correlation analyses show the presence of an inverse relationship between reactivity and selectivity in the reaction of various sulfides with a given oxo(salen)chromium(V) complex and vice versa. Mathematical treatment of the results shows that this redox system falls under strong reactivity-selectivity principle (RSP).     

Highly chemoselective synthesis of aryl allylic sulfoxides through calcium hypobromite oxidation of aryl allylic sulfides

A highly chemoselective oxidation of widely substituted aryl allylic sulfides, prepared by allylation of arylthioethers with KF-Celite, to the corresponding aryl allylic sulfoxide was achieved by employing calcium hypobromite. Neither over-oxidation to sulfones nor halogenation of the aromatic rings was observed. The protocol may be successfully applied for the oxidation of substituted allylic systems (i.e., 2-haloallyl) that per se could interact with the oxidizing agent.     

1,1,2,2-Tetrahydroperoxy-1,2-Diphenylethane: An efficient and high oxygen content oxidant in various oxidative reactions

Several oxidative approaches namely thiocyanation of aromatic compounds, epoxidation of alkenes, amidation of aromatic aldehydes, epoxidation of α, β-unsaturated ketones, oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides and sulfones, bayer-villeger reaction, bromination and iodation of aniline and phenol derivatives oxidative esterification, oxidation of pyridines and oxidation of secondary, allylic and benzyllic alcohols were carried out using 1,1,2,2-Tetrahydroperoxy-1,2-Diphenylethane as the potential solid oxidant which can be stored for several months without any loss in its activity. All of the procedures were accomplished via mild reaction conditions and the products were afforded in high yields and short reaction times.     

Chain transfer by radical addition-fragmentation mechanisms: Synthesis of macromonomers and end-functional oligomers

Appropriately substituted allylic sulfides, sulfones, bromides, phosphonates, stannanes and peroxides, vinyl ethers and thionocarbonyl compounds are effective chain transfer agents in free radical polymerizations. These compounds function by a radical addition-fragmentation mechanism by which fragments derived from the chain transfer agents are installed at both ends of polymer chains. This provides a convenient method for preparing both mono- and di-end functional oligomers and polymers. Allylic peroxides fragment to give epoxy end groups while the other allylic compounds give rise to macromonomers by introducing terminal double bonds.     

Olefin cis‐Dihydroxylation and Aliphatic C?H Bond Oxygenation by a Dioxygen‐Derived Electrophilic Iron–Oxygen Oxidant

Many iron‐containing enzymes involve metal–oxygen oxidants to carry out O₂‐dependent transformation reactions. However, the selective oxidation of C H and CC bonds by biomimetic complexes using O₂ remains a major challenge in bioinspired catalysis. The reactivity of iron–oxygen oxidants generated from an Fe^II–benzilate complex of a facial N₃ ligand were thus investigated. The complex reacted with O₂ to form a nucleophilic oxidant, whereas an electrophilic oxidant, intercepted by external substrates, was generated in the presence of a Lewis acid. Based on the mechanistic studies, a nucleophilic Fe^II–hydroperoxo species is proposed to form from the benzilate complex, which undergoes heterolytic O O bond cleavage in the presence of a Lewis acid to generate an Fe^IV–oxo–hydroxo oxidant. The electrophilic iron–oxygen oxidant selectively oxidizes sulfides to sulfoxides, alkenes to cis‐diols, and it hydroxylates the C H bonds of alkanes, including that of cyclohexane.     

Olefin cis‐Dihydroxylation and Aliphatic CH Bond Oxygenation by a Dioxygen‐Derived Electrophilic Iron–Oxygen Oxidant

Many iron‐containing enzymes involve metal–oxygen oxidants to carry out O₂‐dependent transformation reactions. However, the selective oxidation of C? H and C?C bonds by biomimetic complexes using O₂ remains a major challenge in bioinspired catalysis. The reactivity of iron–oxygen oxidants generated from an Fe^II–benzilate complex of a facial N₃ ligand were thus investigated. The complex reacted with O₂ to form a nucleophilic oxidant, whereas an electrophilic oxidant, intercepted by external substrates, was generated in the presence of a Lewis acid. Based on the mechanistic studies, a nucleophilic Fe^II–hydroperoxo species is proposed to form from the benzilate complex, which undergoes heterolytic O? O bond cleavage in the presence of a Lewis acid to generate an Fe^IV–oxo–hydroxo oxidant. The electrophilic iron–oxygen oxidant selectively oxidizes sulfides to sulfoxides, alkenes to cis‐diols, and it hydroxylates the C? H bonds of alkanes, including that of cyclohexane.     

Mechanism of (Salen)manganese(III)‐Catalyzed Oxidation of Aryl Phenyl Sulfides with Sodium Hypochlorite

The oxidation of 4‐substituted phenyl phenyl sulfides was carried out with several oxo(salen)manganese(V) complexes in MeCN/H₂O 9 : 1. The kinetic data show that the reaction is first‐order each in the oxidant and sulfide. Electron‐attracting substituents in the sulfides and electron‐releasing substituents in salen of the oxo(salen)manganese(V) complexes reduce the rate of oxidation. A Hammett analysis of the rate constants for the oxidation of 4‐substituted phenyl phenyl sulfides gives a negative ρ value (ρ=?2.16) indicating an electron‐deficient transition state. The log k₂ values observed in the oxidation of each 4‐substituted phenyl phenyl sulfide by substituted oxo(salen)manganese(V) complexes also correlate with Hammett σ constants, giving a positive ρ value. The substituent‐, acid‐, and solvent‐effect studies indicate direct O‐atom transfer from the oxidant to the substrate in the rate‐determining step.     

Gold-catalyzed Intermolecular Oxidation of Phenylacetylene and Allylic Sulfides: an Efficient and Practical Synthesis of α-Phenylthio Ketone

An efficient and practical synthesis of α-phenylthio ketone through gold-catalyzed intermolecular oxidation of phenylacetylene and substituted aryl(benzyl) allylic sulfides was developed. The reaction scope is fairly good with substituted aryl(benzyl) allylic sulfides, tolerating various functional groups, and the reaction affords the yields of 63%—85%.     

Simple and Efficient Ruthenium‐Catalyzed Oxidation of Primary Alcohols with Molecular Oxygen

Oxidative transformations utilizing molecular oxygen (O₂) as the stoichiometric oxidant are of paramount importance in organic synthesis from ecological and economical perspectives. Alcohol oxidation reactions that employ O₂ are scarce in homogeneous catalysis and the efficacy of such systems has been constrained by limited substrate scope (most involve secondary alcohol oxidation) or practical factors, such as the need for an excess of base or an additive. Catalytic systems employing O₂ as the “primary” oxidant, in the absence of any additive, are rare. A solution to this longstanding issue is offered by the development of an efficient ruthenium‐catalyzed oxidation protocol, which enables smooth oxidation of a wide variety of primary, as well as secondary benzylic, allylic, heterocyclic, and aliphatic, alcohols with molecular oxygen as the primary oxidant and without any base or hydrogen‐ or electron‐transfer agents. Most importantly, a high degree of selectivity during alcohol oxidation has been predicted for complex settings. Preliminary mechanistic studies including ¹⁸O labeling established the in situ formation of an oxo–ruthenium intermediate as the active catalytic species in the cycle and involvement of a two‐electron hydride transfer in the rate‐limiting step.     

Mechanism of the oxidation of aromatic sulfides catalysed by a water soluble iron porphyrin

The oxygen atom transfer-electron transfer (ET) mechanistic dichotomy has been investigated in the oxidation of a number of aryl sulfides by H2O2 in acidic (pH 3) aqueous medium catalysed by the water soluble iron(III) porphyrin 5,10,15,20-tetraphenyl-21H,23H-porphine-p,p',p",p"'-tetrasulfonic acid iron(III) chloride (FeTPPSCl). Under these reaction conditions, the iron-oxo complex porphyrin radical cation, P+. Fe(IV)=O, should be the active oxidant. When the oxidation of a series of para-X substituted phenyl alkyl sulfides (X = OCH3, CH3, H, Br, CN) was studied the corresponding sulfoxides were the only observed product and the reaction yields as well as the reactivity were little influenced by the nature of X as well as by the bulkiness of the alkyl group. Labelling experiments using H(2)18O or H(2)18O2 clearly indicated that the oxygen atom in the sulfoxides comes exclusively from the oxidant. Moreover, no fragmentation products were observed in the oxidation of a benzyl phenyl sulfide whose radical cation is expected to undergo cleavage of the beta C-H and C-S bonds. These results would seem to suggest a direct oxygen atom transfer from the iron-oxo complex to the sulfide. However, competitive experiments between thioanisole (E degree = 1.49 V vs. NHE in H2O) and N,N-dimethylaniline (E degree = 0.97 V vs. NHE in H2O) resulted in exclusive N-demethylation, whereas the oxidation of N-methylphenothiazine (10, E degree = 0.95 V vs. NHE in CH3CN) and N,N-dimethyl-4-methylthioaniline (11, E degree = 0.65 V vs. NHE in H2O) produced the corresponding sulfoxide with complete oxygen incorporation from the oxidant. Since an ET mechanism must certainly hold in the reactions of 10 and 11, the oxygen incorporation experiments indicate that the intermediate radical cation, once formed, has to react with PFe(IV)=O (the reduced form of the iron-oxo complex which is formed by the ET step) in a fast oxygen rebound. Thus, an ET step followed by a fast oxygen rebound is also suggested for the other sulfides investigated in this work.     

Oxydation von Allylalkoholen mit Blei(IV)-acetat

Lead tetraacetate (LTA) oxidation of the allylic alcohols 1, 10, 14 and 19 leads to the formation of the epoxides 2, 11, 15 and 20 , products of a novel internal addition reaction of the electron deficient alcohol oxygen to the allylic double bond. In some cases ( 10, 14 ) the formation of a new type of acetoxylated enolethers ( 12, 16 ) is observed. The LTA oxidation of the allylic dienols 21 and 29 gives rise to the formation of the epoxyacetates 25 and 33 , products of a similar internal addition reaction. Furthermore, a variety of cyclization products ( 22, 23, 24, 26, 30, 31, 32 and 34 ) has been isolated whose formation requires an isomerisation of the allylic trans double bond to a cis one.     

An investigation by means of correlation analysis into the mechanisms of oxidation of aryl methyl sulfides and sulfoxides by dimethyldioxirane in various solvents

Relative rate constants have been measured for the oxidation of aryl methyl sulfides and sulfoxides by dimethyldioxirane in acetone, in mixtures of acetone with aprotic co-solvents of both higher and lower relative permittivity, and in aqueous acetone mixtures. Correlation analyses of the effects of substituents in the different solvents show that, with one exception, reactions take place via a single step mechanism in which the formation of the new SO bond and the elimination of acetone occur concertedly. The exception was oxidation of the sulfides in aqueous acetone containing the highest proportion of water of those studied (20% v/v). Here, the behaviour of the reaction is consistent with a two-step mechanism in which the oxidant reversibly attacks the sulfide to form an open-chain sulfonium betaine that subsequently fragments to sulfoxide and acetone. There is no evidence for the participation of an intermediate dioxathietane as has been found in the case of sulfide oxidations by (trifluoromethyl)methyldioxirane in CH(2)Cl(2) and similar aprotic solvents. It is not justified to generalise a mechanism involving a betaine, with or without a derived dioxathietane, to the reactions of dimethyldioxirane in acetone.     

Fe(NO3)3·9H2O-catalyzed aerobic oxidation of sulfi des to sulfoxides under mild conditions with the aid of trifl uoroethanol

Selective oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides was successfully performed by employing readily available Fe(NO3)3·9H2O as the active catalyst with oxygen as the oxidant in 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (TFE) without the formation of sulfones. Nitrate anion could play a crucial role in promoting the reaction due to the oxidation capacity under acidic media. High yields of sulfoxides were exclusively obtained from the corresponding sulfides. Furthermore, both aromatic and aliphatic sulfides gave moderate to high yields of sulfoxides with this protocol.     

Kinetics of the oxygenation of unsaturated organics with singlet oxygen generated from H2O2 by a heterogeneous molybdenum catalyst

A heterogeneous catalyst containing MoO42- exchanged on layered double hydroxides (Mo-LDHs) is used to produce 1O2 from H2O2, and with this dark 1O2, unsaturated hydrocarbons are oxidized in allylic peroxides. The oxidation kinetics are studied in detail and are compared with the kinetics of oxidation by 1O2, formed from H2O2 by a homogeneous catalyst. A model is proposed for the heterogeneously catalyzed 1O2 generation and peroxide formation. The model divides the reaction suspension in two compartments: (1) the intralamellar and intragranular zones of the LDH catalyst; (2) the bulk solution. The 2-compartment model correctly predicts the oxidant efficiency and peroxide yield for a series of olefin peroxidation reactions. 1O2 is generated at a high rate by the heterogeneous catalyst, but somewhat more 1O2 is lost by quenching with the heterogeneous catalyst than using the homogeneous catalyst. Quenching occurs mainly as a result of collision with the LDH hydroxyl surface, as is evidenced by using LDH supports containing strong 1O2 deactivators such as Ni2+. A total of 15 organic substrates were peroxidized on a preparative scale using the best Mo-LDH catalyst under optimal conditions.     

Skewered reactions in free‐radical crosslinking (co)polymerizations of liquid polybutadiene as internal olefinic multivinyl crosslinker

As an extension of our continuing studies concerned with the mechanistic discussion of network formation in the free‐radical crosslinking (co)polymerization of multivinyl monomers, this work refers to the skewered reactions in the crosslinking (co)polymerizations of liquid polybutadiene rubber (LBR) as an internal olefinic multivinyl monomer or crosslinker, especially focused on the competitive occurrence of both addition or skewered reaction to internal carbon–carbon (CC) double bonds and abstraction reaction of allylic hydrogens in LBR by growing polymer radical. Thus, LBR is regarded as an internal olefinic multiallyl monomer‐linked allyl groups (? CH?CH? CH₂? ) with methylene units (? CH₂? ). First, gelation in the polymerization of LBR was explored in detail, especially at elevated temperatures. The occurrence of intermolecular crosslinking was easier in the order LBR > LBR containing 20 mol % of 1,2‐structural units > liquid polyisoprene rubber. Then, we pursued the polymerization of LBR using dicumyl peroxide (DCPO) as typical organic peroxide used at elevated temperatures. The primary cumyloxy radical generated by the thermal decomposition of DCPO may add to CC double bond or abstract allylic hydrogen or undergo β‐scission to generate a secondary methyl radical. The initiation by the cumyloxy radical was omitted. The ratio of allylic hydrogen abstraction to β‐scission reaction was estimated; thus, only 39% of cumyloxy radical was used for the allylic hydrogen abstraction reaction. The addition of methyl radical to CC double bond was clearly observed. Finally, we pursued the intermolecular and intramolecular skewered reactions in free‐radical crosslinking LBR/vinyl pivalate copolymerizations. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012