Enantioselective Henry reaction catalyzed by copper(II)—Cinchona alkaloid complexes

An enantioselective Henry reaction was efficiently carried out under mild reaction conditions in the presence of catalytic 9-epi and natural Cinchona alkaloids and copper (II) acetate. The best catalytic performance was observed for native quinine (12 mol %) and Cu(OAc)₂ (10 mol %). Aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes with nitromethane and its α-substituted derivatives provided the corresponding β-nitroalcohols in good to reasonable yields, high syn-diastereoselectivity, and (S)-enantioselectivity of up to 94% ee.     

Stereoselective aldol additions of titanium enolates of N-acetyl-4-isopropyl-thiazolidinethione

The addition of chlorotitanium enolates of N-acetyl isopropyl thiazolidine-2-thione to aldehydes was investigated. The stereoselectivity of the aldol products was controlled by the number of equivalents of base added. The syn aldol product was obtained preferentially when 2 equiv of Lewis acid and 1 equiv of base were employed. The anti aldol product was obtained preferentially when 1 equiv of Lewis acid and 2 equiv of base were employed for unsaturated aldehydes. Unexpected results were found with hindered aldehydes when 2 equiv of base were employed.     

The infrared and Raman spectra, ab initio calculations and spectral assignments of cyclopropylmethyl dichlorosilane (c-C3H5)SiCl2CH3

Raman spectra of cyclopropylmethyl dichlorosilane (c-C₃H₅)SiCl₂CH₃ as a liquid were recorded at 293 K and polarization data were obtained. Additional Raman spectra were recorded at various temperatures between 293 and 163 K, and intensity changes of certain bands with temperature were detected. No crystallization was ever obtained in the Raman cryostat in spite of extensive annealing. The infrared spectra have been studied as a vapour, as an amorphous solid at 78 K and as a liquid in the range 600-100 cm⁻¹. No infrared bands present in the vapour or liquid seemed to vanish upon cooling, and the sample never formed crystals on the CsI window of an infrared cryostat.The compound exists a priori in two conformers, syn and gauche, and the experimental results suggest an equilibrium in which the gauche conformer has 1.64 kJ mol⁻¹ lower enthalpy than syn in the liquid, leading to 20% syn at ambient temperature. Most of the syn bands were situated close to the corresponding gauche bands and it was difficult to obtain reliable ΔH values.B3LYP calculations with various basis sets and the CBS-QB3 and G2 and G3 models were employed, yielding the conformational enthalpy difference ΔH (syn-gauche) between 2.6 and 3.4 kJ mol⁻¹. Infrared and Raman intensities, polarization ratios and vibrational frequencies for the syn and gauche conformers were calculated. Instead of scaling the calculated wavenumbers in the harmonic approximation, calculations from B3LYP/cc-pVTZ were derived in the anharmonic approximation. In most cases these values were in good agreement with the experimental results for 38 observed modes of the gauche and 8 modes of the syn conformer with a deviation of ca. 1%.     

Enantioselective construction of quaternary asymmetric carbon centers using an aldol reaction of trimethoxysilyl enol ethers catalyzed by lithium binaphtholate

An aldol reaction of 2,2-disubstituted trimethoxysilyl enol ethers with aldehydes catalyzed by a dilithium salt of (R)-3,3′-dichlorobinaphthol afforded the corresponding aldol adducts with quaternary carbon centers in high anti-selectivities (syn:anti = ∼1:50) and enantioselectivities (∼90% ee).     

Conformational studies by dynamic NMR spectroscopy. Part 96: Stereomutations of highly hindered naphthylphenyl atropisomers in solution and in the solids

When a benzene ring bears two 2-methyl-1-naphthyl moieties in the para, meta or ortho positions as in 1,4-bis(2-methyl-1-naphthyl)benzene, 1, 1,3-bis(2-methyl-1-naphthyl)benzene, 2 and 1,2-bis(2-methyl-1-naphthyl)benzene 3, two rotational isomers (atropisomers) are generated, with the two naphthyl substituents in a syn or anti relationship. In the case of the para and meta derivatives (1 and 2, respectively) these atropisomers could not be separated but were detected by NMR spectroscopy, that also allowed the determination of their syn-anti interconversion barriers in solution (19.5 and 20.4 kcal mol⁻¹, respectively) and, in the case of 2, also in the solid state (26.7 kcal mol⁻¹). In the more hindered ortho derivative 3, the syn (meso) and anti (racemic) atropisomers interconvert in solution with a barrier (31.2 kcal mol⁻¹) sufficiently high to allow their physical separation. The racemic form could also be separated (by enantioselective HPLC) into the PP and MM enantiomers. Analysis of the corresponding CD spectra allowed the assignment of the absolute configuration. When three such naphthyl substituents are bonded to the phenyl in a meta relationship, two atropisomers in statistical proportions were observed: the anti (C_s symmetry) and the syn (C_3v symmetry) display a 3:1 ratio at the equilibrium in solution. This ratio is different in the solid state, as is the interconversion barrier (22.1 and 32.1 kcal mol⁻¹ in solution and in the solid, respectively).     

Bis(trifluoromethyl)dicarbonate, CF3OC(O)OC(O)OCF3

The synthesis of the new compound, bis(trifluoromethyl)dicarbonate, CF₃OC(O)OC(O)OCF₃, is carried out by reduction of bis(trifluoromethyl)trioxidicarbonate with excess of CO at 0 °C. The product is characterized by IR, Raman, ¹³C and ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopy and its properties are compared with those of the other members of the series CF₃OC(O)O_xC(O)OCF₃, x = 0-3. Single crystals are grown at −25 °C and the X-ray diffraction analysis shows the packing of syn-syn rotamers exhibiting C₂ symmetry. DFT calculations predict this rotamer as the most stable one and also structural and vibrational data are predicted reasonably well.     

Binary 1,4-asymmetric induction from a single allyltin reagent with a chiral nitrogen functional group toward aldehydes

Using a single allyltin reagent with a chiral nitrogen functionality, binary and remote asymmetric induction was realized toward various aldehydes. Either syn- or anti-1,4-amino-alcohols were selectively obtained with the use of Yb(OTf)₃ or SnCl₄, respectively. The structures of both diastereomers were identified by means of X-ray analysis.     

Conformational fluxionality in a palladium(II) complex of flexible click chelator 4-phenyl-1-(2-picolyl)-1,2,3-triazole: A dynamic NMR and DFT study

An experimental and theoretical DFT study was carried out on the solution behavior in [D₇]DMF for bis-chelate complex [Pd(L)₂](BF₄)₂·2CH₃CN (L = 4-phenyl-1-(2-picolyl)-1,2,3-triazole). In structure of [Pd(L)₂]²⁺, the central square-planar palladium(II) cation is trans-chelated by two L substrates, each through the pyridine and the triazole N2 nitrogen atoms, forming two six-membered metallacycles. These can adopt boat-like conformations anti-trans-[Pd(L)₂]²⁺ and syn-trans-[Pd(L)₂]²⁺ in which the picolyl methylene carbons are anti or syn, respectively, relative to the palladium coordination plane. In solution, the boat-to-boat inversion at both metallacycles takes place. The conformers are in a dynamic equilibrium, which was monitored by variable-temperature (VT) ¹H NMR spectroscopy in the temperature range of 223-353 K. The equilibrium lies on the side of the anti-trans-[Pd(L)₂]²⁺ conformer and the corresponding reaction enthalpy and entropy is estimated to be 0.6 ± 0.5 kcal mol⁻¹ and 0.8 ± 1 cal mol⁻¹ K⁻¹, respectively. From the full-line-shape analysis of resonances in the VT ¹H NMR spectra, the activation enthalpy and activation entropy was determined to be 13.0 ± 0.4 kcal mol⁻¹ and 2.7 ± 1.6 cal mol⁻¹ K⁻¹, respectively. The activation entropy close to zero suggests a nondissociative mechanism for the isomerisation. DFT investigation revealed that the isomerisation proceeds through a one step mechanism with a barrier of 11.40 kcal mol⁻¹. The structures of the syn and anti conformers as well as that of the transition state were characterized. Energy decomposition analysis was carried out in order to explore the origins of the stability difference between the syn and anti isomers.     

A microwave and quantum chemical study of allyltrifluorosilane

The structural and conformational properties of allytrifluorsilane, H₂CCH-CH₂-SiF₃, have been explored by microwave (MW) spectroscopy and high-level ab initio and density functional theory quantum chemical calculations. The microwave spectrum was investigated in the 18-62 GHz spectral regions. The a-type R-branch transitions of one conformer were assigned for the ground as well as for 10 vibrationally excited states. The CC-C-Si chain of atoms in this rotamer takes an anti-clinal (‘skew’) conformation, with a dihedral angle calculated to be 111.6° from the syn-periplanar (0°) conformation. The question whether a CC-C-Si syn-periplanar conformer exists as a high-energy form in the gas phase remains open. In most of the quantum chemical calculations this conformation is predicted to be a transition state. However, in the most advanced calculations (B3LYP/aug-cc-pVTZ level of theory) the syn-periplanar conformer is predicted to be a stable rotamer that is calculated to be 6.5 kJ/mol higher in energy than the anti-clinal form. Since there is no indication in the MW spectrum for the presence of high-energy form(s), it is concluded that the anti-clinal conformer is at least 4 kJ/mol more stable than any other hypothetical rotamer.     

Efficient one-pot ring-opening/aldol reactions using (cyclopropyl)methylstannanes

(Cyclopropyl)methylstannanes, substituted with an electron-withdrawing group, have been found to be effective homoallylating reagents of aldehydes and ketones. The reaction proceeds by Lewis-acid catalyzed ring opening, followed by an aldol condensation of the resulting enolate, providing homoallylation products in excellent yields. The diastereoselectivity of the process was found to be highly dependent upon the temperature and the solvent, the reaction giving mainly anti adducts at −78 °C and syn compounds at 0 °C.     

Role of titanium oxidation states in polymerization activity of Ziegler-Natta catalyst: A density functional study

The role of titanium oxidation states in olefin polymerization activity for Ziegler-Natta (ZN) catalyst has been investigated using density functional calculations at B3LYP/LANL2DZ as well as extended LANL2DZ basis that includes diffuse and polarization functions for C, H and Cl. Using the simple [TiCl₂CH₃]ⁿ (n = +1, 0, −1) model catalyst systems, we could rationalize some of the well-known experimental facts with varying Ti oxidation states (+4, +3, +2) in the real ZN systems. Firstly, irrespective of Ti oxidation states, the activation barriers (E_act) for ethylene and syn propylene insertion in Ti-CH₃ bond are comparable in accordance with experimental and modeling studies. Secondly, it was observed that Ti(IV) catalyst has the lowest E_act which progressively increase in the order Ti(IV) < Ti(III) < Ti(II) high spin < Ti(II) low spin catalysts in line with experimental and several modeling results. The effect of solvation on olefin insertion barriers are seen more prominent in case of Ti(IV) systems compared to other oxidation states.     

One-pot three-component reaction of fluoroalkanesulfonyl azide, vinyl ether and aldehyde: the formation of polysubstituted fluorinated oxazolidines

Efficient and diastereoselective synthesis of highly substituted fluorinated oxazolidines was achieved via a one-pot three-component reaction of fluoroalkanesulfonyl azides 1, vinyl ether 2 and various aldehydes at 0 °C within 10 min in moderate to good diastereoselectivities (syn/anti). A competing process could be involved in the initial step and an unstable fluorinated aziridine was postulated as the intermediate for these reactions. Additionally, rational transition states were also proposed to elucidate the diastereoselectivities. This synthetic method provides a convenient and expeditious access to N-per(poly)fluoroalkanesulfonyl oxazolidines.     

Structure and magnetic properties of a copper(II) compound with syn–anti carboxylato- and linear Cu–Cl–Cu chloro-bridges

The copper(II) polymer Cu(2-qic)Cl (2-qic = quinoline-2-carboxylate) was synthesized and then characterized by X-ray crystal structure determination, spectroscopic and magnetic studies. The crystal structure consists of copper(II) ions with two different chromophores: four-coordinated in a square-planar geometry and five-coordinated in an environment between square-pyramidal and trigonal-bipyramidal. The copper ions are bridged sequentially through the carboxylate groups in a syn–anti conformation, forming an infinite one-dimensional zigzag chain with two alternating non-equivalent copper(II) chromophores. The chloride atom acts as a single chloro-bridge link to adjacent chains, forming a ribbon type structure (1D). The variable-temperature (1.8–300 K) magnetic susceptibility data of the complex were interpreted with the dimer law using the molecular field approximation. The results obtained indicate a very weak ferromagnetic (J₂ = 0.37 cm⁻¹) interchain interaction through the syn–anti carboxylate bridge. A relatively strong antiferromagnetic interaction, transmitted through the chloro-bridge with an exchange coupling of J₁ = −57.0 cm⁻¹, dominates the magnetic properties of this complex. The magnitude and the nature of the exchange coupling are explained on the basis of the structural results.     

Highly stereoselective anti-aldol reactions catalyzed by simple chiral diamines and their unique application in configuration switch of aldol products

Chiral derivatives of trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane with different N,N-dialkyl groups in well-defined orientations have been synthesized, and applied as catalysts for the asymmetric aldol reaction between a variety of aldehydes and ketones. Enantiomeric catalyst 1j catalyzed the reaction in ethanol and provided excellent diastereoselectivity and enantioselectivity. Significantly, simple replacement of organic solvents with water switched the products of the aldol reactions from anti to syn configuration. Such catalytic reactions led to the products with anti to syn diastereoselectivity up to 99:1 in ethanol, while in water gave the products with syn to anti diastereoselectivity up to 99:1.     

Asymmetric allylation of aldehydes with allyltrichlorosilane using aza-paracyclophane-oxazoline-N-oxide catalysts

Novel aza-paracyclophane-oxazoline catalysts 4, 5 were produced from Vögtle’s R_p-2-cyano-aza-paraclycophane and amino alcohols reacted with zinc chloride followed by m-chloroperbenzoic acid. 4′-Benzyl and tert-butyl-S and R-oxazoline variants were produced and explored as catalysts for asymmetric allylation of aldehydes using trichloroallylsilane. With R_p,S-4a (R = tert-butyl) (1.5 mol %) aromatic aldehydes reacted with high yields and selectivities, as with benzaldehyde (95%, 93% ee). R_p,S-4b (R = benzyl) was superior with dihydrocinnamaldehyde (77%, 85% ee).     

Superior substrate control on diastereoselection in boric Lewis acid-promoted aldol reactions. Asymmetric synthesis of a 3,4-syn homologous series of ethyl 3,5-dihydroxy-2,4-dimethyl-5-phenylpentanoates

The BF₃·OEt₂-promoted aldol reaction of chiral syn- and anti-α-methyl-β-siloxy aldehydes with a silyl ketene acetal resulted in essentially complete syn Felkin selection. Even in the asymmetric aldol reaction using chiral oxazaborolidinones, the substrate control with respect to diastereoselection was found to overcome the promoter (catalyst) control which would normally occur depending on the stereocenter of the chiral boranes.     

A new Yb-catalyzed pinacol and imine-coupling reaction

Ytterbium triflate, Yb(OTf)₃, catalyzes the intermolecular reductive homocouplings of imines, aldehydes, and ketones at loadings of 5 mol % in the presence of Mg and Me₃SiCl to give isolated yields of up to 95%. Diastereoselectivity of up to 4/96 (dl/meso) is achieved for aromatic aldehydes, up to 100% dl for aliphatic aldehydes, and 100% dl for an intramolecular imine coupling.     

A DFT study of the origins of the stereoselectivity in the aldol reaction of bicyclic amino ketones in the presence of water

Experimental diastereoselectivities of the direct solvent-less (neat) aldol reactions of tropinone (8-methyl-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-one) and granatanone (pseudopelletierine, 9-methyl-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-3-one) in the presence of catalytic amounts of water are most accurately reproduced by thermodynamic distributions of isomeric products calculated in the gas phase at the B3LYP/6-31g(d) level of theory. Less than 30% systematic errors, on average, exist in the predicted anti/syn-diastereomeric ratio (dr) for the solvent-less reaction of tropinone with several aromatic aldehydes. The CPCM-B3LYP/6-31g(d) method reproduces the anti/syn-diastereomeric ratio of the aqueous aldol reaction of tropinone with several aromatic aldehydes with reasonable deviation (0-88%), excellent (0-10)% agreement was found for the reactions of tropinone and granatanone with benzaldehyde. Qualitatively satisfactory agreement was also found for dr values in different solvents (DMF, THF, and Et₃N). The density functional theory (DFT) results support the notion of the thermodynamic control of the reaction.     

Anti to syn isomerization of oxacalix[4]arene bearing two methyl groups at the intra-annular distal positions

The thermal isomerization of anti to syn stereoisomers of oxacalix[4]arene bearing two methyl groups at the intra-annular distal positions was investigated by temperature-dependent NMR spectroscopy. The conversion followed a first-order kinetics, and very slowly proceeded at 473 K in nitrobenzene-d₅ with a half-life of 7.2 h. The free energy of activation (ΔG^≠ 139 kJ mol⁻¹) is much higher than those for the ring inversion of related calix[4]arene derivatives.     

Three new dinuclear manganese(II) complexes with bis(μ-phosphinato)-bridges

A new series of dinuclear phosphinato-bridged manganese(II) complexes [Mn(μ-bmp)(bpy)(NO₃)]₂ (1), [Mn(μ-bmp)(phen)(NO₃)]₂·4CH₂Cl₂ (2) and [Mn₂(μ-bmp)₂(5-dmbpy)₂(NO₃)]₂ (3) where Hbmp is bis(4-methoxyphenyl)phosphinic acid, bpy = 2,2′-bipyridyl, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline and 5-dmbpy = 5,5′-dimethyl-2,2′-dipyridyl, have been synthesized and structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography. In this series, the structures consist in bis(4-methoxyphenyl)phosphinato anions (bmp) bridging the two Mn(II) centers in a syn-syn coordination mode. The coordination geometry around the Mn(II) ions in 1-3 is six-coordinate with distorted octahedral environment. The magnetic behavior of these complexes is reported. The complexes show weak antiferromagnetic coupling with |J| in the range 0.1-0.6 cm⁻¹. The magnetic properties are discussed in relation to the structural data.