N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Iron(III) Porphyrin‐Catalyzed Intramolecular C(sp3)–H Amination of Alkyl Azides

Metal‐catalyzed intramolecular C?H amination of alkyl azides constitutes an appealing approach to alicyclic amines; challenges remain in broadening substrate scope, enhancing regioselectivity, and applying the method to natural product synthesis. Herein we report an iron(III) porphyrin bearing axial N‐heterocyclic carbene ligands which catalyzes the intramolecular C(sp³)–H amination of a wide variety of alkyl azides under microwave‐assisted and thermal conditions, resulting in selective amination of tertiary, benzylic, allylic, secondary, and primary C?H bonds with up to 95 % yield. 14 out of 17 substrates were cyclized selectively at C4 to give pyrrolidines. The regioselectivity at C4 or C5 could be tuned by modifying the reactivity of the C5–H bond. Mechanistic studies revealed a concerted or a fast re‐bound mechanism for the amination reaction. The reaction has been applied to the syntheses of tropane, nicotine, cis‐octahydroindole, and leelamine derivatives.     

Two‐component molecular crystals composed of chloronitrobenzoic acids and 4‐aminopyridine

The crystal structures of the four isomeric organic salts 4‐amino­pyridinium 2‐chloro‐4‐nitro­benzoate, (I), 4‐amino­pyridinium 2‐chloro‐5‐nitro­benzoate, (II), 4‐amino­pyridinium 5‐chloro‐2‐nitro­benzoate, (III), and 4‐amino­pyridinium 4‐chloro‐2‐nitro­benzoate, (IV), all C₅H₇N₂⁺·C₇H₃ClNO₄^?, are presented. Compound (I) has one intramolecular hydrogen bond, one intermolecular C—H?O hydrogen bond and π–π‐stacking interactions. Compound (II) has N—H?O, C—H?O and C—H?Cl hydrogen bonds, and Cl?O—C electrostatic interactions. Compound (III) has N—H?O and C—H?O hydrogen bonds. Compound (IV) has a π–π‐stacking interaction, but no C—H?O hydrogen bonds.     

B−B Bond Nucleophilicity in a Tetraaryl μ‐Hydridodiborane(4) Anion

The tetraaryl μ‐hydridodiborane(4) anion [ 2 H]^? possesses nucleophilic B?B and B?H bonds. Treatment of K[ 2 H] with the electrophilic 9‐H‐9‐borafluorene (HBFlu) furnishes the B₃ cluster K[ 3 ], with a triangular boron core linked through two BHB two‐electron, three‐center bonds and one electron‐precise B?B bond, reminiscent of the prominent [B₃H₈]^? anion. Upon heating or prolonged stirring at room temperature, K[ 3 ] rearranges to a slightly more stable isomer K[ 3 a ]. The reaction of M[ 2 H] (M⁺=Li⁺, K⁺) with MeI or Me₃SiCl leads to equimolar amounts of 9‐R‐9‐borafluorene and HBFlu (R=Me or Me₃Si). Thus, [ 2 H]^? behaves as a masked [:BFlu]^? nucleophile. The HBFlu by‐product was used in situ to establish a tandem substitution‐hydroboration reaction: a 1:1 mixture of M[ 2 H] and allyl bromide gave the 1,3‐propylene‐linked ditopic 9‐borafluorene 5 as sole product. M[ 2 H] also participates in unprecedented [4+1] cycloadditions with dienes to furnish dialkyl diaryl spiroborates, M[R₂BFlu].     

Functionalization of polymeric surfaces by simple photoactivation of C?H bonds

A universal photoassisted pathway to functionalize polymeric surfaces is presented by transferring the inert surface sp³ C? H bonds into reactive groups, such as ? SO₃H, ? NH₂, ? SH, and ? COOH. The proposed method uses acetone as photoinitiator and different phenols with a para substituent XR as the reactants. Acetone excited by UV irradiation acts as a pair of scissors cutting both the surface C? H bonds of the polymer substrate and the O? H bonds of phenol, leading to the formation of carbon‐centered surface chain free radicals and oxygen‐centered phenoxy free radicals. By coupling of these two radicals, a variety of functional X groups with an R spacer from XR species of different phenol reactants were readily bonded to the polymeric surfaces, where phenol reactants included 4‐hydroxylbenzene sulfonic acid for ? SO₃H, p‐aminophenol and tyramine for ? NH₂, 4‐hydroxythiophenol for ? SH, and tyrosine for ? COOH. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

Hidden Hydride Transfer as a Decisive Mechanistic Step in the Reactions of the Unligated Gold Carbide [AuC]+ with Methane under Ambient Conditions

The reactivity of the cationic gold carbide [AuC]⁺ (bearing an electrophilic carbon atom) towards methane has been studied using Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT‐ICR‐MS). The product pairs generated, that is, Au⁺/C₂H₄, [Au(C₂H₂)]⁺/H₂, and [C₂H₃]⁺/AuH, point to the breaking and making of C?H, C?C, and H?H bonds under single‐collision conditions. The mechanisms of these rather efficient reactions have been elucidated by high‐level quantum‐chemical calculations. As a major result, based on molecular orbital and NBO‐based charge analysis, an unprecedented hydride transfer from methane to the carbon atom of [AuC]⁺ has been identified as a key step. Also, the origin of this novel mechanistic scenario has been addressed. The mechanistic insights derived from this study may provide guidance for the rational design of carbon‐based catalysts.     

Sulfonamide‐Promoted Palladium(II)‐Catalyzed Alkylation of Unactivated Methylene C(sp3)H Bonds with Alkyl Iodides

The alkylation of unactivated β‐methylene C(sp³)? H bonds of α‐amino acid substrates with a broad range of alkyl iodides using Pd(OAc)₂ as the catalyst is described. The addition of NaOCN and 4‐Cl‐C₆H₄SO₂NH₂ was found to be crucial for the success of this transformation. The reaction is compatible with a diverse array of functional groups and proceeds with high diastereoselectivity. Furthermore, various β,β‐hetero‐dialkyl‐ and β‐alkyl‐β‐aryl‐α‐amino acids were prepared by sequential C(sp³)? H functionalization of an alanine‐derived substrate, thus providing a versatile strategy for the stereoselective synthesis of unnatural β‐disubstituted α‐amino acids.     

Sulfonamide‐Promoted Palladium(II)‐Catalyzed Alkylation of Unactivated Methylene C(sp3)?H Bonds with Alkyl Iodides

The alkylation of unactivated β‐methylene C(sp³) H bonds of α‐amino acid substrates with a broad range of alkyl iodides using Pd(OAc)₂ as the catalyst is described. The addition of NaOCN and 4‐Cl‐C₆H₄SO₂NH₂ was found to be crucial for the success of this transformation. The reaction is compatible with a diverse array of functional groups and proceeds with high diastereoselectivity. Furthermore, various β,β‐hetero‐dialkyl‐ and β‐alkyl‐β‐aryl‐α‐amino acids were prepared by sequential C(sp³) H functionalization of an alanine‐derived substrate, thus providing a versatile strategy for the stereoselective synthesis of unnatural β‐disubstituted α‐amino acids.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the oxidation of 4‐methyl‐3‐thiosemicarbazide by acidic bromate

The oxidation of 4‐methyl‐3‐thiosemicarbazide (MTSC) by bromate and bromine was studied in acidic medium. The stoichiometry of the reaction is extremely complex, and is dependent on the ratio of the initial concentrations of the oxidant to reductant. In excess MTSC and after prolonged standing, the stoichiometry was determined to be H₃CN(H)CSN(H)NH₂ + 3BrO₃^? → 2CO₂ + NH₄⁺ + SO₄^2? + N₂ + 3Br^? + H⁺ (A). An interim stoichiometry is also obtained in which one of the CO₂ molecules is replaced by HCOOH with an overall stoichiometry of 3H₃CN(H)CSN(H)NH₂ + 8BrO₃^? → CO₂ + NH₄⁺ + SO₄^2? + HCOOH + N₂ + 3Br^? + 3H⁺ (B). Stoichiometry A and B are not very different, and so mixtures of the two were obtained. Compared to other oxidations of thiourea‐based compounds, this reaction is moderately fast and is first order in both bromate and substrate. It is autocatalytic in HOBr. The reaction is characterized by an autocatalytic sigmoidal decay in the consumption of MTSC, while in excess bromate conditions the reaction shows an induction period before autocatalytic formation of bromine. In both cases, oxybromine chemistry, which involves the initial formation of the reactive species HOBr and Br₂, is dominant. The reactions of MTSC with both HOBr and Br₂ are fast, and so the overall rate of oxidation is dependent upon the rates of formation of these reactive species from bromate. Our proposed mechanism involves the initial cleavage of the C? N bond on the azo‐side of the molecule to release nitrogen and an activated sulfur species that quickly and rapidly rearranges to give a series of thiourea acids. These thiourea acids are then oxidized to the sulfonic acid before cleavage of the C? S bond to give SO₄^2?, CO₂, and NH₄⁺. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 34: 237–247, 2002     

Cu‐Catalyzed Intramolecular Amidation of Unactivated C(sp3)−H Bonds To Synthesize N‐Substituted Indolines

A copper‐catalyzed intramolecular amidation of unactivated C(sp³)?H bonds to construct indoline derivatives has been developed. Such an amidation proceeded well at primary C?H bonds preferred to secondary C?H bonds. The transformation owned a broad substrate scope. The corresponding indolines were obtained in good to excellent yields. N‐Formal and other carbonyl groups were suitable and were easily deprotected and transformed into methyl or long‐chained alkyl groups. Preliminary mechanistic studies suggested a radical pathway.     

Mechanistic Studies on the Gas‐Phase Dehydrogenation of Alkanes at Cyclometalated Platinum Complexes

In the ion/molecule reactions of the cyclometalated platinum complexes [Pt(L? H)]⁺ (L=2,2′‐bipyridine (bipy), 2‐phenylpyridine (phpy), and 7,8‐benzoquinoline (bq)) with linear and branched alkanes C_nH_2n+2 (n=2–4), the main reaction channels correspond to the eliminations of dihydrogen and the respective alkenes in varying ratios. For all three couples [Pt(L? H)]⁺/C₂H₆, loss of C₂H₄ dominates clearly over H₂ elimination; however, the mechanisms significantly differs for the reactions of the “rollover”‐cyclometalated bipy complex and the classically cyclometalated phpy and bq complexes. While double hydrogen‐atom transfer from C₂H₆ to [Pt(bipy? H)]⁺, followed by ring rotation, gives rise to the formation of [Pt(H)(bipy)]⁺, for the phpy and bq complexes [Pt(L? H)]⁺, the cyclometalated motif is conserved; rather, according to DFT calculations, formation of [Pt(L? H)(H₂)]⁺ as the ionic product accounts for C₂H₄ liberation. In the latter process, [Pt(L? H)(H₂)(C₂H₄)]⁺ (that carries H₂ trans to the nitrogen atom of the heterocyclic ligand) serves, according to DFT calculation, as a precursor from which, due to the electronic peculiarities of the cyclometalated ligand, C₂H₄ rather than H₂ is ejected. For both product‐ion types, [Pt(H)(bipy)]⁺ and [Pt(L? H)(H₂)]⁺ (L=phpy, bq), H₂ loss to close a catalytic dehydrogenation cycle is feasible. In the reactions of [Pt(bipy? H)]⁺ with the higher alkanes C_nH_2n+2 (n=3, 4), H₂ elimination dominates over alkene formation; most probably, this observation is a consequence of the generation of allyl complexes, such as [Pt(C₃H₅)(bipy)]⁺. In the reactions of [Pt(L? H)]⁺ (L=phpy, bq) with propane and n‐butane, the losses of the alkenes and dihydrogen are of comparable intensities. While in the reactions of “rollover”‐cyclometalated [Pt(bipy? H)]⁺ with C_nH_2n+2 (n=2–4) less than 15 % of the generated product ions are formed by C? C bond‐cleavage processes, this value is about 60 % for the reaction with neo‐pentane. The result that C? C bond cleavage gains in importance for this substrate is a consequence of the fact that 1,2‐elimination of two hydrogen atoms is no option; this observation may suggest that in the reactions with the smaller alkanes, 1,1‐ and 1,3‐elimination pathways are only of minor importance.     

Predictable Selectivity in Remote C−H Oxidation of Steroids: Analysis of Substrate Binding Mode

Predictability is a key requirement to encompass late‐stage C?H functionalization in synthetic routes. However, prediction (and control) of reaction selectivity is usually challenging, especially for complex substrate structures and elusive transformations such as remote C(sp³)?H oxidation, as it requires distinguishing a specific C?H bond from many others with similar reactivity. Developed here is a strategy for predictable, remote C?H oxidation that entails substrate binding to a supramolecular Mn or Fe catalyst followed by elucidation of the conformation of the host‐guest adduct by NMR analysis. These analyses indicate which remote C?H bonds are suitably oriented for the oxidation before carrying out the reaction, enabling prediction of site selectivity. This strategy was applied to late‐stage C(sp³)?H oxidation of amino‐steroids at C15 (or C16) positions, with a selectivity tunable by modification of catalyst chirality and metal.     

A Density Functional Theory Study on the Effect of Zero‐Point Energy Corrections on the Methanation Profile on Fe(100)

The thermodynamics and kinetics of the surface hydrogenation of adsorbed atomic carbon to methane, following the reaction sequence C+4 H?CH+3 H?CH₂+2 H?CH₃+H?CH₄, are studied on Fe(100) by means of density functional theory. An assessment is made on whether the adsorption energies and overall energy profile are affected when zero‐point energy (ZPE) corrections are included. The C, CH and CH₂ species are most stable at the fourfold hollow site, while CH₃ prefers the twofold bridge site. Atomic hydrogen is adsorbed at both the twofold bridge and fourfold hollow sites. Methane is physisorbed on the surface and shows neither orientation nor site preference. It is easily desorbed to the gas phase once formed. The incorporation of ZPE corrections has a very slight, if any, effect on the adsorption energies and does not alter the trends with regards to the most stable adsorption sites. The successive addition of hydrogen to atomic carbon is endothermic up to the addition of the third hydrogen atom resulting in the methyl species, but exothermic in the final hydrogenation step, which leads to methane. The overall methanation reaction is endothermic when starting from atomic carbon and hydrogen on the surface. Zero‐point energy corrections are rarely provided in the literature. Since they are derived from C? H bonds with characteristic vibrations on the order of 2500–3000 cm^?1, the equivalent ZPE of 1/2 hν is on the order of 0.2–0.3 eV and its effect on adsorption energy can in principle be significant. Particularly in reactions between CH_x and H, the ZPE correction is expected to be significant, as additional C? H bonds are formed. In this instance, the methanation reaction energy of +0.77 eV increased to +1.45 eV with the inclusion of ZPE corrections, that is, less favourable. Therefore, it is crucial to include ZPE corrections when reporting reactions involving hydrogen‐containing species.     

The distribution of cerium (III) cations between aqueous and nitrobenzene phases in the presence of dicarbolide anions

Extraction of micro- and macroquantities of Ce³⁺ (C°_Ce = 10^6??10^?1 mole/dm³) with a nitrobenzene solution of dicarbolide (C°_H⁺B^? = 0.04?0.5 mole/dm³) from a nitric acid solution (C°_HNO3 = 0.1?0.3 mole/dm³) was investigated. Coextraction of water and simultaneous extraction of Ce³⁺ and Ba²⁺ ($\text{C}$_Ce⁺ + C_Ba = 0.3 mole/dm³) from 0.3 and 0.5 M HNO₃ was also studied. It was found that the reaction Ce³⁺ + 3H?Ce?³⁺ + 3H (K_Ce/3H) takes place in all cases. The dependence of the apparent exchange extraction constant K_Ce/3H on the initial composition of both phases was determined and the effect of the composition of the aqueous phase on the values of K_Ce/3H and K_Ba/2H was discussed. The stability constant of the CeNO²⁺₃ complex and the hydration number of the Ce³⁺ cation in the organic phase (h³⁺_Ce = 16.2 ± 2) was determined and a linear correlation between individual extraction constants of mono-, bi- and trivalent cations and the hydration numbers in the nitrobenzene phase was found using data from the present paper and values given in literature.     

Comparing Ullmann Coupling on Noble Metal Surfaces: On‐Surface Polymerization of 1,3,6,8‐Tetrabromopyrene on Cu(111) and Au(111)

The on‐surface polymerization of 1,3,6,8‐tetrabromopyrene (Br₄Py) on Cu(111) and Au(111) surfaces under ultrahigh vacuum conditions was investigated by a combination of scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Deposition of Br₄Py on Cu(111) held at 300 K resulted in a spontaneous debromination reaction, generating the formation of a branched coordination polymer network stabilized by C?Cu?C bonds. After annealing at 473 K, the C?Cu?C bonds were converted to covalent C?C bonds, leading to the formation of a covalently linked molecular network of short oligomers. In contrast, highly ordered self‐assembled two‐dimensional (2D) patterns stabilized by both Br?Br halogen and Br?H hydrogen bonds were observed upon deposition of Br₄Py on Au(111) held at 300 K. Subsequent annealing of the sample at 473 K led to a dissociation of the C?Br bonds and the formation of disordered metal‐coordinated molecular networks. Further annealing at 573 K resulted in the formation of covalently linked disordered networks. Importantly, we found that the chosen substrate not only plays an important role as catalyst for the Ullmann reaction, but also influences the formation of different types of intermolecular bonds and thus, determines the final polymer network morphology. DFT calculations further support our experimental findings obtained by STM and XPS and add complementary information on the reaction pathway of Br₄Py on the different substrates.     

Visible‐Light‐Driven Palladium‐Catalyzed Radical Alkylation of C−H Bonds with Unactivated Alkyl Bromides

Reported herein is a novel visible‐light photoredox system with Pd(PPh₃)₄ as the sole catalyst for the realization of the first direct cross‐coupling of C(sp³)−H bonds in N‐aryl tetrahydroisoquinolines with unactivated alkyl bromides. Moreover, intra‐ and intermolecular alkylations of heteroarenes were also developed under mild reaction conditions. A variety of tertiary, secondary, and primary alkyl bromides undergo reaction to generate C(sp³)−C(sp³) and C(sp²)−C(sp³) bonds in moderate to excellent yields. These redox‐neutral reactions feature broad substrate scope (>60 examples), good functional‐group tolerance, and facile generation of quaternary centers. Mechanistic studies indicate that the simple palladium complex acts as the visible‐light photocatalyst and radicals are involved in the process.     

Density functional theory study of the free and tetraprotonated spheroidal macrotricyclic ligands and the complexes with halide anions: F−, Cl−, Br−

Theoretical studies of the macrotricyclic tetramine hexaether (SC), its tetraprotonated form SC‐4H⁺, and the corresponding complexes X^??SC‐4H⁺ (This expression represents the structural properties of the halide inclusion complex formed though the free ligand SC‐4H⁺ and the halide anion X^?: the spherical halide anion X^? is held by a tetrahedral array of ⁺N? H ··· X^? hydrogen bonds inside the intramolecular cavity of the tetraprotonated form SC‐4H⁺) of SC‐4H⁺ with the halide anions: F^?, Cl^?, and Br^? have been performed using density functional theory (DFT) with B3LYP/6‐31G method implemented in the Gaussian 03 program package. The optimized geometric structures obtained from DFT calculations are used to perform Natural Bond Orbital (NBO) analysis. The three main types of hydrogen bonds ⁺N? H ··· F^?, ⁺N? H ··· Cl^?, and ⁺N? H ··· Br^? are investigated. The results indicate that hydrogen bonding interactions are dominant and the halide anions: F^?, Cl^?, and Br^? offer lone pair electrons to the contacting σ* (N? H) antibond orbital of SC‐4H⁺. For all the structures, the most pronounced changes in geometric parameters upon interaction are observed in the proton‐donor molecule. The intermolecular interaction energies are predicted by using B3LYP/6‐31G methods with basis set superposition error (BSSE) and zero‐point energy (ZPE) correction. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2010     

CH Bond Activation by Early Transition Metal Carbide Cluster Anion MoC3−

Although early transition metal (ETM) carbides can activate C?H bonds in condensed‐phase systems, the electronic‐level mechanism is unclear. Atomic clusters are ideal model systems for understanding the mechanisms of bond activation. For the first time, C?H activation of a simple alkane (ethane) by an ETM carbide cluster anion (MoC₃^?) under thermal‐collision conditions has been identified by using high‐resolution mass spectrometry, photoelectron imaging spectroscopy, and high‐level quantum chemical calculations. Dehydrogenation and ethene elimination were observed in the reaction of MoC₃^? with C₂H₆. The C?H activation follows a mechanism of oxidative addition that is much more favorable in the carbon‐stabilized low‐spin ground electronic state than in the high‐spin excited state. The reaction efficiency between the MoC₃^? anion and C₂H₆ is low (0.23±0.05) %. A comparison between the anionic and a highly efficient cationic reaction system (Pt⁺+C₂H₆) was made. It turned out that the potential‐energy surfaces for the entrance channels of the anionic and cationic reaction systems can be very different.     

Secondary interactions in n‐(chloromethyl)pyridinium chlorides (n = 2, 3, 4)

In the isomeric title compounds, viz. 2‐, 3‐ and 4‐(chloro­methyl)pyridinium chloride, C₆H₇ClN⁺·Cl^?, the secondary interactions have been established as follows. Classical N—H?Cl^? hydrogen bonds are observed in the 2‐ and 3‐isomers, whereas the 4‐isomer forms inversion‐symmetric N—H(?Cl^??)₂H—N dimers involving three‐centre hydrogen bonds. Short Cl?Cl contacts are formed in both the 2‐isomer (C—Cl?Cl^?, approximately linear at the central Cl) and the 4‐isomer (C—Cl?Cl—C, angles at Cl of ca 75°). Additionally, each compound displays contacts of the form C—H?Cl, mainly to the Cl^? anion. The net effect is to create either a layer structure (3‐isomer) or a three‐dimensional packing with easily identifiable layer substructures (2‐ and 4‐isomers).     

Highly Stereoselective Cobalt(III)‐Catalyzed Three‐Component C−H Bond Addition Cascade

A highly stereoselective three‐component C(sp²)?H bond addition across alkene and polarized π‐bonds is reported for which Co^III catalysis was shown to be much more effective than Rh^III. The reaction proceeds at ambient temperature with both aryl and alkyl enones employed as efficient coupling partners. Moreover, the reaction exhibits extremely broad scope with respect to the aldehyde input; electron rich and poor aromatic, alkenyl, and branched and unbranched alkyl aldehydes all couple in good yield and with high diastereoselectivity. Multiple directing groups participate in this transformation, including pyrazole, pyridine, and imine functional groups. Both aromatic and alkenyl C(sp²)?H bonds undergo the three‐component addition cascade, and the alkenyl addition product can readily be converted into diastereomerically pure five‐membered lactones. Additionally, the first asymmetric reactions with Co^III‐catalyzed C?H functionalization are demonstrated with three‐component C?H bond addition cascades employing N‐tert‐butanesulfinyl imines. These examples represent the first transition metal catalyzed C?H bond additions to N‐tert‐butanesulfinyl imines, which are versatile and extensively used intermediates for the asymmetric synthesis of amines.