Reactivity of carbyne and carbene complexes of molybdenum and tungsten

Summary The interconversion of carbyne, carbyne and hydride complexes derived from protonations oftrans-[M(CNMe)₂(dppe)₂](M = Mo or W) has been studied. The initial site of protonation is shown to be the isonitrile nitrogen and all protonations proceed through the common carbyne intermediatetrans-[M(CNHMe)(CNMe)(dppe)2]⁺. The CNHMe group in traps-[M(CNHMe)₂(dppe)₂]²⁺ is shown to be susceptible to electrophilic attack at N and nucleophilic attack at ligating C, the new complexestrans-[W(CNH2Me)(CNHMe)(dppe)₂](BF₄)₃ andtrans-[Mo(CHNHMe)(CNHMe)(dppe)2]BF4 being formed, respectively.     

Fluorobenziodoxole−BF3 Reagent for Iodo(III)etherification of Alkynes in Ethereal Solvent

A combination of fluorobenziodoxole (FBX) and BF₃ ? OEt₂ in cyclopentyl methyl ether promotes regio‐ and stereoselective addition of benziodoxole and methoxy groups to alkynes. This difunctionalization reaction tolerates a variety of functionalized internal and terminal alkynes to afford trans‐β‐alkoxyvinylbenziodoxoles, which represent versatile precursors to stereochemically well‐defined multisubstituted vinyl ethers. The reaction is proposed to involve cleavage of the I?F bond of FBX by BF₃, followed by electrophilic activation of the alkyne by the resulting cationic I^III species that triggers the nucleophilic addition of the ethereal oxygen.     

The Wacker Process: Inner‐ or Outer‐Sphere Nucleophilic Addition? New Insights from Ab Initio Molecular Dynamics

The Wacker process consists of the oxidation of ethylene catalyzed by a Pd^II complex. The reaction mechanism has been largely debated in the literature; two modes for the nucleophilic addition of water to a Pd‐coordinated alkene have been proposed: syn‐inner‐ and anti‐outer‐sphere mechanisms. These reaction steps have been theoretically evaluated by means of ab initio molecular dynamics combined with metadynamics by placing the [Pd(C₂H₄)Cl₂(H₂O)] complex in a box of water molecules, thereby resembling experimental conditions at low [Cl^?]. The nucleophilic addition has also been evaluated for the [Pd(C₂H₄)Cl₃]^? complex, thus revealing that the water by chloride ligand substitution trans to ethene is kinetically favored over the generally assumed cis species in water. Hence, the resulting trans species can only directly undertake the outer‐sphere nucleophilic addition, whereas the inner‐sphere mechanism is hindered since the attacking water is located trans to ethene. In addition, all the simulations from the [Pd(C₂H₄)Cl₂(H₂O)] species (either cis or trans) support an outer‐sphere mechanism with a free‐energy barrier compatible with that obtained experimentally, whereas that for the inner‐sphere mechanism is significantly higher. Moreover, additional processes for a global understanding of the Wacker process in solution have also been identified, such as ligand substitutions, proton transfers that involve the aquo ligand, and the importance of the trans effect of the ethylene in the nucleophilic addition attack.     

Engineered mesoporous ionic‐modified γ‐Fe2O3@hydroxyapatite decorated with palladium nanoparticles and its catalytic properties in water

A new mesoporous organic–inorganic nanocomposite was formulated and then used as stabilizer and support for the preparation of palladium nanoparticles (Pd NPs). The properties and structure of Pd NPs immobilized on prepared 1,4‐diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) chemically tagged on mesoporous γ‐Fe₂O₃@hydroxyapatite (ionic modified (IM)‐MHA) were investigated using various techniques. The synergistic effects of the combined properties of MHA, DABCO and Pd NPs, and catalytic activity of γ‐Fe₂O₃@hydroxyapatite‐DABCO‐Pd (IM‐MHA‐Pd) were investigated for the Heck cross‐coupling reaction in aqueous media. The appropriate surface area and pore size of mesoporous IM‐MHA nanocomposite can provide a favourable hard template for immobilization of Pd NPs. The loading level of Pd in the nanocatalyst was 0.51 mmol g^?1. DABCO bonded to the MHA surface acts as a Pd NP stabilizer and can also lead to colloidal stability of the nanocomposite in aqueous solution. The results reveal that IM‐MHA‐Pd is highly efficient for coupling reactions of a wide range of aryl halides with olefins under green conditions. The superparamagnetic nature of the nanocomposite means that the catalyst to be easily separated from solution through magnetic decantation, and the catalytic activity of the recycled IM‐MHA‐Pd showed almost no appreciable loss even after six consecutive runs.     

Substitution reactions under NH3 chemical ionization conditions in cis-/trans-1,2-dihydroxybenzosuberans

The nucleophilic substitution reaction under NH₃ chemical ionization (CI) conditions in cis- and trans-1,2-dihydroxybenzosuberans (1–4) has been studied with the help of ND₃ CI and metastable data. The results indicate that in the parent diols 1 (cis) and 2 (trans), the substitution ion [M_sH]⁺, is produced mainly by the loss of H₂O from the [MNH₄]⁺ ion (S_Ni reaction) while in their 7-methoxy derivatives 3 and 4, the ion-molecule reaction between [M? OH]⁺ and NH₃ seems to be the major pathway for the formation of [M_sH]⁺. The substitution ion from 1 and 2 and the [MH]⁺ ion from trans-1-amino-2-hydroxybenzosuberan give similar collision-induced dissociation mass-analysed ion kinetic energy spectra. Interestingly, their diacetates do not undergo the substitution reaction.     

Theoretical study on the reaction mechanisms and stereoselectivities of DABCO‐catalyzed Rauhut–Currier/cyclization reaction of methyl acrylate with 2‐benzoyl‐3‐phenyl‐acrylonitrile

With the aid of density functional theory (DFT) calculations, we have investigated the mechanisms and stereoselectivities of the tandem cross Rauhut–Currier/cyclization reaction of methyl acrylate R₁ with (E)‐2‐benzoyl‐3‐phenyl‐acrylonitrile R₂ catalyzed by a tertiary amine DABCO. The results of the DFT calculations indicate that the favorable mechanism (mechanism A) includes three steps: the first step is the nucleophilic attack of DABCO on R₁ to form intermediates Int1 and Int1‐1, the second step is the reaction of Int1 and Int1‐1 with R₂ to generate intermediate Int2(SS,RR,SR&RS), and the last step is an intramolecular S_N2 process to give the final product P(SS,RR,SR&RS) and release catalyst DABCO. The S_N2 substitution is computed to be the rate‐determining step, whereas the second step is the stereoselectivity‐determining step. The present study may be helpful for understanding the reaction mechanism of similar tandem reactions.     

Platinum(<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">iv</Emphasis>)-mediated nucleophilic addition of 1,3-diphenylguanidine to propiononitrile

The reaction of the trans-[PtCl₄(EtCN)₂] complex with diphenylguanidine (DPG) in a molar ratio of 1: 2 proceeds via the nucleophilic addition of DPG to coordinated nitrile and the coordination of DPG to the metal center to form the [PtCl₄{NH=C(NHPh)₂}{NH=C(Et)-N=C(NHPh)₂}] complex with the open-chain 1,3,5-triazapentadiene ligand. The latter undergoes chelation in solution (84 h, 50 °C, CDCl₃), and the ring closure is accompanied by the replacement of the coordinated chloride and the formation of the cationic complex [PtCl₃{NH=C(NHPh)₂}{NH=C(Et)NHC(NHPh)=NPh}](Cl). The reaction of the trans-[PtCl₄(EtCN)₂] complex with DPG in a molar ratio of 1: 4 affords the [PtCl₃{NH=C-(NHPh)₂}{NH=C(Et)NC(NHPh)=NPh}] complex with the chelating 1,3,5-triazapentadienate ligand.     

New insight into experimental and theoretical mechanistic study on a green synthesis of functionalized 4H-chromenes using magnetic nanoparticle catalyst

A green synthesis of functionalized 4H-chromenes using one-pot, three-component reaction of salicylaldehyde ( 1 ), active methylene ( 2 ), and carbon-based nucleophile ( 3 ) using Fe₃O₄@CONa nanoparticles in water has been performed at 60°C. The Fe₃O₄@CONa nanoparticle as an efficient, green, and magnetically reusable heterogeneous catalyst was applied in these reactions up to the nine runs. Green catalyst and solvent, short reaction time, high product yields, as well as simple work-up procedure were found as some advantages of this methodology. The density functional theory calculations were applied to all-inclusive perception of the one-pot, three-component reaction mechanism. The most reactions progressed through the following route: (a) nucleophilic addition of 2 to 1 ; (b) ring closing, dehydration; (c) nucleophilic substitution of 3 (2-naphtol, 4-hydroxycumarin) to intermediate. Sometimes mechanism mutated to: (a) nucleophilic addition of 3 (indole, 2-methylindole) to 1 , and dehydration; (b) nucleophilic addition of 2 to intermediate; and (c) ring closing, and dehydration. The frontier molecular orbitals, NBO analyses, molecular electrostatic potential of reactants, and intermediates confirmed the proposal mechanisms. Theoretical study could be so helpful to pick out suitable reactants of the reaction.     

The mechanism of N-haloamide promoted electrophilic additions. high regio and stereoselectivity in the conversion of 2-tert-butyl-3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran into bromohydrins and in the opening of the corresponding epoxides

The reactions of cis- and trans-2-tert-butyl-4,5-epoxytetrahydropyran with HBr and with LAH have been examined as a model for the nucleophilic step of the reaction of the corresponding olefin with NBA in aqueous dioxane. A remarkable 90:10 preference for electrophilic attack syn to the tert -butyl group in the NBA reaction is found and shows that the two epoxides, as well as the intermediate epibromonium ions, undergo nucleophilic attack with high preference for diaxial opening, even when this requires reaction at carbon 5, which is more subject than carbon 4 to the unfavourable inductive effect of the pyran ring oxygen. These results constitute a further proof in favour of a mechanism of N-haloamide promoted electrophilic additions in which the electrophilic step is rapidly reversible and product composition is determined during the nucleophilic step.     

Spatial confinement alters the ultrafast photoisomerization dynamics of azobenzenes

Ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy reveals new excited-state dynamics following excitation of trans-azobenzene (t-Az) and several alkyl-substituted t-Az derivatives encapsulated in a water-soluble supramolecular host–guest complex. Encapsulation increases the excited-state lifetimes and alters the yields of the trans → cis photoisomerization reaction compared with solution. Kinetic modeling of the transient spectra for unsubstituted t-Az following nπ* and ππ* excitation reveals steric trapping of excited-state species, as well as an adiabatic excited-state trans → cis isomerization pathway for confined molecules that is not observed in solution. Analysis of the transient spectra following ππ* excitation for a series of 4-alkyl and 4,4′-dialkyl substituted t-Az molecules suggests that additional crowding due to lengthening of the alkyl tails results in deeper trapping of the excited-state species, including distorted trans and cis structures. The variation of the dynamics due to crowding in the confined environment provides new evidence to explain the violation of Kasha''s rule for nπ* and ππ* excitation of azobenzenes based on competition between in-plane inversion and out-of-plane rotation channels.

Ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy reveals new excited-state dynamics following excitation of trans-azobenzene (t-Az) and several alkyl-substituted t-Az derivatives encapsulated in a water-soluble supramolecular host–guest complex.     

Regio- and stereochemistry of the photo-ring contraction of 4-pyrones

Irradiation of 2-ethyl-3-methyl-4-pyrone 3 in aqueous solution led to the formation of trans-4-ethyl-5-methy-4,5-dihydroxycyclopent-2-enone 4 and trans-2-methyl-3-ethyl-4,5-dihydroxycyclopent-2-enone 5 . In the latter case ¹H nmr analysis confirmed the trans-configuration at C₄ and C₅ . These results are consistent with trapping of a photochemically generated oxabicyclohexenyl zwitterion by nucleophilic attack of both sides of the oxyally system along a path anti to the epoxide ring.     

Ozonolysis of methyl, amino and nitro substituted ethenes: A semi-empirical molecular orbital study

The three-step ozonolysis reaction is studied for a number of methyl, amino and nitro substituted ethenes (classified as symmetrically, asymmetrically and cis/trans substituted) using the PM3 SCF-MO method. Substituent effects are predicted to generally yield the order NH₂ > Me > NO₂ for the ability to enhance facility of ozonolysis, in line with the electrophilic nature of ozone. Geometry and conformation allow for a variety of different pathways, and the lowest energy pathway is predicted for each case, with consequences for identity of the intermediates preferentially involved. Greater stability of the trans isomer of the carbonyl oxide intermediate is the main factor for its preferred involvement in the second step of the reaction. For the cis/trans substituted ethenes, the major product (the secondary ozonide) is predicted as being the cis ozonide and the trans ozonide for the cis and the trans substituted ethenes, respectively.     

Darstellung,Kristallstrukturen, Schwingungsspektren und Normalkoordinatenanalyse der bindungsisomeren Chlororhodanoiridate(III) trans-[IrCl2(SCN)4]3− und trans-[IrCl2(NCS)(SCN)3]3−

Preparation, Crystal Structures, Vibrational Spectra, and Normal Coordinate Analysis of the Linkage Isomeric Chlororhodanoiridates(III) trans-[IrCl₂(SCN)₄]^3? and trans-[IrCl₂(NCS)(SCN)₃]^3? By treatment of Na₂[IrCl₆] with NaSCN in 2N HCl the linkage isomers trans-[IrCl₂(SCN)₄]^3? and trans-[IrCl₂(NCS)(SCN)₃]^3? are formed which have been separated by ion exchange chromatography on diethylaminoethyl cellulose. X-ray structure determinations on single crystals of trans-(n-Bu₄N)₃[IrCl₂(SCN)₄] ( 1 ) (monoclinic, space group P2₁/a, a = 18.009(4), b = 15.176(3), c = 23.451(4) Å, β = 93.97(2)°, Z = 4) and trans-(Me₄N)₃[IrCl₂(NCS)(SCN)₃] ( 2 ) (monoclinic, space group P2₁/a, a = 17.146(5), b = 9.583(5), c = 18.516(5) Å, β = 109.227(5)°, Z = 4) reveal the complete ordering of the complex anions. The via S or N coordinated thiocyanate groups are bonded with Ir? S? C angles of 105.7–109.7° and the Ir? N? C angle of 171.4°. The torsion angles Cl? Ir? S? C and N? Ir? S? C are 3.6–53.0°. The IR and Raman spectra of ( 1 ) are assigned by normal coordinate analysis using the molecular parameters of the X-ray determination. The valence force constants are f_d(IrS) = 1.52 and f_d(IrCl) = 1.72 mdyn/Å.     

A Tetra-Porphyrin Host Exhibiting Interannular Cooperativity

Recently identified as another form of cooperativity, interannular cooperativity is rarely observed in supramolecular chemistry. A tetra-porphyrin molecular tweezer with two bis-porphyrin binding sites is reported that exhibits archetypal interannular cooperativity when complexing 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO). The UV/Vis titration data best supported a 1:2 plus 2:2 plus 1:4 complexation model (host:guest), giving K₁₂=6.32×10¹³ m ⁻², K₂₂=3.04×10²⁰ m ⁻³, and K₁₄=1.92×10¹⁶ m ⁻⁴ in CHCl₃. The NMR titration data supported the formation of two sandwich species, including tetra-porphyrin⋅(DABCO)₂ as the major species, although there are speciation differences between UV/Vis and NMR concentrations. Using statistical analysis, interannular cooperativity (γ) for tetra-porphyrin⋅(DABCO)₂ was determined to be negative (γ=2.41×10⁻³), which may be explained by DABCO being too small to be optimally bound simultaneously at both bis-porphyrin binding sites.     

Polymorphs of DABCO monohydrate as structural analogues of NaCl

A new crystalline form of 1,4‐diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) monohydrate, C₆H₁₂N₂·H₂O, crystallizing in the space group P3₁, has been identified during screening for cocrystals. There are three DABCO and three water molecules in the asymmetric unit, with two DABCO molecules exhibiting disorder over two positions related by rotation around the N...N axis. As in the monoclinic C2/c (Z′ = 2) polymorph, the molecular components are connected via O—H...N hydrogen bonds into a polymeric structure that consists of linear O—H...N(CH₂CH₂)₃N...H—O segments, which are approximately mutually perpendicular. The two polymorphic forms of DABCO monohydrate can be considered as structural analogues of NaCl, with the nearly globular DABCO molecules showing distorted cubic closest packing and all octahedral interstices occupied by water molecules.     

An efficient method for selective oxidation of (oxime)Pt(II) to (oxime)Pt(IV) species using <Emphasis Type="Italic">N,N</Emphasis>-dichlorotosylamide

The oxidation of (oxime)Pt^II species using the electrophilic chlorine-based oxidant N,N-dichlorotosylamide (4-CH₃C₆H₄SO₂NCl₂) was studied. The reactions of trans-[PtCl₂(oxime)₂] (where oxime = acetoxime, cyclopentanone oxime, or acetaldoxime) with this oxidant led to trans-[PtCl₄(oxime)₂] products. The oxidation of trans-[Pt(o-OC₆H₄CH = NOH)₂] at room temperature gave trans-[PtCl₂(o-OC₆H₄CH = NOH)₂], whereas the same reaction upon heating was accompanied by electrophilic substitution of the benzene rings.     

Crystal Structure of 1:1 Complex of Honokiol and 1,4-Diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane: Separation of Honokiol by Molecular Recognition

Phenomenon of molecular recognition between honokiol and 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) is discovered, and applied to separation of honokiol from extract of magnolia bark. Effects of material ratio on the yield and the purity were investigated. Honokiol (purity up to 97.3% and yield up to 83.9%) is obtained from Magnolia bark extract (honokiol 49.1%, magnolol 31.7%, others unknown 19.2%) on a favorable condition. The title complex, C₁₈H₁₈O₂·C₆H₁₂N₂, is characterized by IR and ¹HNMR and its crystal structure is determined by X-ray diffraction method. It crystallizes in monoclinic space group C2/c with a=38.860(3), b=9.205(3), c=12.588(4) Å, β=102.730(10)°, V=4392(2) ų, Z=8 and R=0.0500. Hinokiol molecules join to DABCO via O–H...N hydrogen bonds to form infinite chains. There are two symmetry independent DABCO molecules occupying in the crystal special positions of different point symmetries, C2 and Ci. Those located around the inversion center are disoredered as DABCO molecule is devoid of this symmetry element.     

Structural Studies of 1,8-Disubstituted Naphthalenes as Probes for nucleophile-electrophile interactions

Results of crystal structure analyses of seven 1, 8-disubstituted naphthalenes ( 2a , 8-(N,N-dimethylamino)-1-naphthyl methyl ketone; 2b , 8-(N, N-dimethylamino)naphthalene-1-carboxylic acid; 2c , methyl 8-(N, N-dimethylamino)naphthalene-1-carboxylate; 2d , 8-methoxy-1-naphthyl methyl ketone; 2e , 8-methoxynaphthalene-1-carboxylic acid; 2f , N, N-dimethyl-8-methoxynaphthalene 1-carboxamide; 2g , N, N-dimethyl-8-hydroxynaphthalene-1-carboxamide) with a nucleophilic centre (N(CH₃)₂, OCH₃, OH) at one of the peri positions and an electrophilic centre (carbonyl C) at the other are described. All seven molecules show a characteristic distortion pattern: the exocyclic bond to the electrophilic centre is splayed outward, and the one to the nucleophilic centre is splayed inward; the carbonyl C is displaced from the plane of its three bonded atoms towards the nucleophile. This distortion pattern differs from that found in other 1,8-disubstituted naphthalenes and is interpreted as an expression of incipient nucleophilic addition to a carbonyl group. The crystal structure of 2b contains an ordered arrangement of equal numbers of amino acid and zwitterionic molecules.     

Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Intermolecular Hydroarylation of Allenes with Indoles and Reaction Mechanism by Density Functional Theory Calculations

Chiral binuclear gold(I) phosphine complexes catalyze enantioselective intermolecular hydroarylation of allenes with indoles in high product yields (up to 90 %) and with moderate enantioselectivities (up to 63 % ee). Among the gold(I) complexes examined, better ee values were obtained with binuclear gold(I) complexes, which displayed intramolecular Au^I Au^I interactions. The binuclear gold(I) complex 4c [(AuCl)₂( L3 )] with chiral biaryl phosphine ligand (S)‐(−)‐MeO‐biphep ( L3 ) is the most efficient catalyst and gives the best ee value of up to 63 %. Substituents on the allene reactants have a slight effect on the enantioselectivity of the reaction. Electron‐withdrawing groups on the indole substrates decrease the enantioselectivity of the reaction. The relative reaction rates of the hydroarylation of 4‐X‐substituted 1,3‐diarylallenes with N‐methylindole in the presence of catalyst 4c [(AuCl)₂( L3 )] / AgOTf [ L3 =(S)‐(−)‐MeO‐biphep], determined through competition experiments, correlate (r²=0.996) with the substituent constants σ. The slope value is −2.30, revealing both the build‐up of positive charge at the allene and electrophilic nature of the reactive Au^I species. Two plausible reaction pathways were investigated by density functional theory calculations, one pathway involving intermolecular nucleophilic addition of free indole to aurated allene intermediate and another pathway involving intramolecular nucleophilic addition of aurated indole to allene via diaurated intermediate E2 . Calculated results revealed that the reaction likely proceeds via the first pathway with a lower activation energy. The role of Au^I Au^I interactions in affecting the enantioselectivity is discussed.     

The combination of 2-NsNH2/NCS and MeCN as the nitrogen sources for the regio- and stereoselective formation of imidazolines from α,β-unsaturated ketones

A new nitrogen source combination was found for the regio- and stereoselective diamination of α,β-unsaturated ketones. This combination employs the readily available and inexpensive combination of NCS and 2-NsNH₂ as the electrophilic nitrogen source, and acetonitrile as the nucleophilic nitrogen source, respectively. The reaction is easily performed by mixing olefin, 2-NsNH₂, NCS and 4 Å molecular sieves in freshly distilled acetonitrile at room temperature. The reaction is chemoselective without the formation of any haloamine side products. A new aziridinium ion formed from enones and 2-NsNHCl is suggested to exist and to react with nitrile via a [2+3] cycloaddition mechanism, which is responsible for the excellent regio-, stereoselectivity of the resulting diamination products.