Kinetic Analysis of the Divergence of Reaction Pathways in the Chiral Lewis Base Promoted Aldol Additions of Trichlorosilyl Enol Ethers: A Rapid‐Injection NMR Study

The aldol addition reaction of trichlorosilyl enol ethers and aldehydes with and without chiral Lewis base catalysts has been kinetically analyzed. The uncatalyzed reactions display classic first‐order dependence on each component. The reactions catalyzed by bulky chiral phosphoramide 5 were examined by ReactIR and exhibited first‐order dependence on the catalyst. To examine the kinetic behavior of the reaction catalyzed by phosphoramide 4 , a Rapid‐Injection (RI) NMR apparatus was constructed and employed to allow rapid in‐situ mixing and monitoring of the reaction course. The aldol addition catalyzed by 4 displayed second‐order dependence on phosphoramide, thus providing direct evidence that two catalyzed pathways (with complimentary stereochemical consequences) exist that depend on phosphoramide structure and concentration. Arrhenius activation parameters for all three reactions showed striking characteristics of negligible enthalpies and extremely high entropies of activation. Comparison of these values was precluded by the existence of complex preequilibria in the catalyzed process.     

Morphology-Dependent Stability of Complex Metal Hydrides and Their Intermediates Using First-Principles Calculations

Complex light metal hydrides are promising candidates for efficient, compact solid-state hydrogen storage. (De)hydrogenation of these materials often proceeds via multiple reaction intermediates, the energetics of which determine reversibility and kinetics. At the solid-state reaction front, molecular-level chemistry eventually drives the formation of bulk product phases. Therefore, a better understanding of realistic (de)hydrogenation behavior requires considering possible reaction products along all stages of morphological evolution, from molecular to bulk crystalline. Here, we use first-principles calculations to explore the interplay between intermediate morphology and reaction pathways. Employing representative complex metal hydride systems, we investigate the relative energetics of three distinct morphological stages that can be expressed by intermediates during solid-state reactions: i) dispersed molecules; ii) clustered molecular chains; and iii) condensed-phase crystals. Our results verify that the effective reaction energy landscape strongly depends on the morphological features and associated chemical environment, offering a possible explanation for observed discrepancies between X-ray diffraction and nuclear magnetic resonance measurements. Our theoretical understanding also provides physical and chemical insight into phase nucleation kinetics upon (de)hydrogenation of complex metal hydrides.     

Divergent Pathways and Competitive Mechanisms of Metathesis Reactions between 3‐Arylprop‐2‐ynyl Esters and Aldehydes: An Experimental and Theoretical Study

Mechanistic studies of the reaction between 3‐arylprop‐2‐ynyl esters and aldehydes catalyzed by BF₃ ? Et₂O were performed by isotopic labeling experiments and quantum chemical calculations. The reactions are shown to proceed by either a classical alkyne–carbonyl metathesis route or an unprecedented addition–rearrangement cascade. Depending on the structure of the starting materials and the reaction conditions, the products of these reactions can be Morita–Baylis–Hillman (MBH) adducts that are unavailable by traditional MBH reactions or E‐ and Z‐α,β‐unsaturated ketones. ¹⁸O‐Labeling studies suggested the existence of two different reaction pathways to the products. These pathways were further examined by quantum chemical calculations that employed the DFT(wB97XD)/6‐311+G(2d,p) method, together with the conductor‐like screening model for realistic solvation (COSMO‐RS). By using the wB97XD functional, the accuracy of the computed data is estimated to be 1–2 kcal mol^?1, shown by the careful benchmarking of various DFT functionals against coupled cluster calculations at the CCSD(T)/aug‐cc‐pVTZ level of theory. Indeed, most of the experimental data were reproduced and explained by theory and it was convincingly shown that the branching point between the two distinct mechanisms is the formation of the first intermediate on the reaction pathway: either the four‐membered oxete or the six‐membered zwitterion. The deep mechanistic understanding of these reactions opens new synthetic avenues to chemically and biologically important α,β‐unsaturated ketones.     

DFT investigation on mechanism of dirhodium tetracarboxylate-catalyzed O-H insertion of diazo compounds with H2O

The mechanism of the dirhodium tetracarboxylate-catalyzed O-H insertion reaction of diazomethane and methyl diazoacetate with H₂O has been studied in detail using DFT calculations. The rhodium catalyst and a diazo compound couple to form a rhodiumcarbene complex. Of two reaction pathways of the Rh(II)-carbene complex with H₂O, the stepwise pathway is more preferable than the concerted one. Formation of a Rh(II) complex-associated oxonium ylide is an exothermal process, and direct decomposition of the ylide gives a very high barrier. The high barriers for the 1,2-H shift of Rh(II) complex-associated oxonium ylides make the ylides become stable intermediates in both reactions, especially for the reactions in solution. Difficulty in formation of a free oxonium ylide supports experimental results, indicating that the Rh(II) complex-catalyzed nucleophilic addition of a diazo compound proceeds via a Rh(II) complex-associated oxonium ylide rather than via a free oxonium ylide.     

Synthesis of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Phenyl Addition–Dehydrocyclization: The Third Way

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) represent the link between resonance‐stabilized free radicals and carbonaceous nanoparticles generated in incomplete combustion processes and in circumstellar envelopes of carbon rich asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars. Although these PAHs resemble building blocks of complex carbonaceous nanostructures, their fundamental formation mechanisms have remained elusive. By exploring these reaction mechanisms of the phenyl radical with biphenyl/naphthalene theoretically and experimentally, we provide compelling evidence on a novel phenyl‐addition/dehydrocyclization (PAC) pathway leading to prototype PAHs: triphenylene and fluoranthene. PAC operates efficiently at high temperatures leading through rapid molecular mass growth processes to complex aromatic structures, which are difficult to synthesize by traditional pathways such as hydrogen‐abstraction/acetylene‐addition. The elucidation of the fundamental reactions leading to PAHs is necessary to facilitate an understanding of the origin and evolution of the molecular universe and of carbon in our galaxy.     

Etudes sur les composés organométalliques,XIII [1] Action d'organomagnésiens sur la benzalacétone

The reactions of benzalacetone with n-BuMgBr and PhMgBr have been compared with the corresponding reactions with the diorganomagnesium complexes of ether and pyridine. The results obtained by using different mole ratios of reactants and orders of addition show that the conjugated addition reaction is enhanced if a monomeric diorganomagnesium reagent is available; this condition can be realized either by adding a diorganomagnesium complex to the ketone or by complexing the diorganomagnesium with pyridine. Probable reaction mechanisms for normal and conjugated addition reactions are suggested.     

Detecting Reaction Pathways and Computing Reaction Rates in Condensed Phase

Methods for the computation of rate constants that characterize classical reactions occurring in the condensed phase are discussed. While microscopic expressions for these transport properties are well known, their computation presents challenges for simulation since reactive events often occur rarely, and the long time scales that are typical for reactive processes are not accessible using simple molecular dynamics methods. Furthermore, the underlying free energy surface is very complex with many saddle points that prevent sampling of possible reaction pathways. As a result, the reaction coordinate may be a complex many-body function of the system’s degrees of freedom. Since there is not an a priori way to define a “good” reaction coordinate, methods are being developed to assist in a systematic construction of a reaction coordinate. These methods are reviewed and examples of non-trivial reaction coordinates are presented.     

Photo-oxidation of 6-Thioguanine by UVA: The Formation of Addition Products with Low Molecular Weight Thiol Compounds

The thiopurine, 6-thioguanine (6-TG) is present in the DNA of patients treated with the immunosuppressant and anticancer drugs azathioprine or mercaptopurine. The skin of these patients is selectively sensitive to UVA radiation—which comprises >90% of the UV light in incident sunlight—and they suffer high rates of skin cancer. UVA irradiation of DNA 6-TG produces DNA lesions that may contribute to the development of cancer. Antioxidants can protect 6-TG against UVA but 6-TG oxidation products may undergo further reactions. We characterize some of these reactions and show that addition products are formed between UVA-irradiated 6-TG and N-acetylcysteine and other low molecular weight thiol compounds including β-mercaptoethanol, cysteine and the cysteine-containing tripeptide glutathione (GSH). GSH is also adducted to 6-TG-containing oligodeoxynucleotides in an oxygen- and UVA-dependent nucleophilic displacement reaction that involves an intermediate oxidized 6-TG, guanine sulfonate (G^SO3). These photochemical reactions of 6-TG, particularly the formation of a covalent oligodeoxynucleotide–GSH complex, suggest that crosslinking of proteins or low molecular weight thiol compounds to DNA may be a previously unrecognized hazard in sunlight-exposed cells of thiopurine-treated patients.     

Studies of complex reactions using modem hyphenated methods: alpha-pinene ozonolysis as a model reaction

Modern analytical equipment, in this case the combinations of gas chromatography (GC) with mass spectrometry (MS) and infrared spectroscopy (IR) and liquid chromatography (LC) with mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and infrared spectroscopy, respectively, have been used to monitor complex reactions that do not only form one or two but a larger number of products. Additionally, side reactions of one primary product with a reactant form a second line of secondary products. To be able to propose formation pathways or even mechanistic interpretation of reactions like these, sophisticated analytical instrumentation is necessary to be able to observe all steps of such a reaction. In this case, the gas phase reaction of alpha-pinene with ozone has been used as a model reaction. A number of both volatile and low-volatile reaction products could be characterized and formation pathways for a reaction with ozone and OH radicals were proposed.     

The diels-alder chemistry of 1-vinyl-2-pyridones

The Diels-Alder chemistry of a series of 1-vinyl-2-pyridones using a variety of dienophilic species including dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate, benzyne, maleic anhydride and methyl vinyl ketone has been explored in order to determine the generality of this method for generation of N-vinylisoquinuclidines. In general, the cycloaddition reactions lead to modestly high yeilds of the azabicyclooctane products. In the course of these studies, we noted that retro-Diels-Alder reactions of N-vinylisoquinuclidienones lead to generation of N-vinylisocyanates and a benzene fragment while the corresponding mono-unsaturated isoquinuclidenones form the corresponding pyridones by elimination of an ethylene unit. Lastly, the regio- and stereochemical courses for the π2+ π4 addition reactions of methyl vinyl ketone and 1-vinyl-2-pyridones were investigated. The major products from these reactions appear to result from reaction pathways predicted to be of low energy using first-order molecular orbital methods.     

Highly Selective 1,4‐ and 1,6‐Addition of P(O)?H Compounds to p‐Quinones: A Divergent Method for the Synthesis of C‐ and O‐Phosphoryl Hydroquinone Derivatives

The reaction of P(O)? H compounds with p‐quinones could proceed through either 1,4‐ or 1,6‐addition pathways by employing different additives to selectively give the corresponding C‐ and O‐phosphoryl hydroquinone derivatives in good yields. Oxidative double 1,4‐addition of P(O)? H compounds to p‐quinones was also achieved by tuning the solvent, affording a facile synthesis of bis‐substituted hydroquinones with phosphorus functionality. Further studies on these reactions by using optically active H‐phosphinates showed that all addition reactions took place stereospecifically with retention of configuration at the phosphorus center. The findings lead to the establishment of a divergent method for the synthesis of C‐ and O‐phosphoryl hydroquinone derivatives from easily available P(O)? H compounds.     

关于副本交换分子动力学模拟复杂化学反应的研究

本文研究用温度副本交换分子动力学(T-REMD)和哈密顿副本交换分子动力学(H-REMD)方法模拟复杂化学反应的问题。使用具有不同活化能和反应能的简单置换反应模型,我们检验了上述两种方法用来预测反应平衡产物的效率和应用范围。T-REMD方法对具有适度活化能(约< 20 kcal·mol^-1)或者反应能量(< 3 kcal·mol^-1)的放热反应是有效的。由于在相空间的不完整采样,对于同时具有高活化能和反应能量的反应其模拟效率有严重障碍,并且对于吸热反应问题更为显着。另一方面,H-REMD对一系列具有不同活化能的反应能的模型表现出色,与T-REMD相比,H-REMD可以使用更少的副本获得优异的结果。     

Enzymatic biotransformations of Peritan-Na by immobilized fungal mycelium fragments ofTrametes versicolor

The mycelium ofTrametes versicolor after 5 d growing in submerged cultures was homogenized and the pellets containing cell membranes were immobilized on alkylamine glass beads. The immobilized mycelial fragments were able to modify the molecular weight of Peritan-Na after only 4 h of incubation. Besides this phenomenon, the release of six free phenolic compounds was detected. Among these there were, for example, vanillin derivatives, syringic acid, andp-hydroxybenzaldehyde. This release was dependent upon pH, temperature, and the reaction time of the supposed enzymatic mechanism of the reaction. In short term (up to 6 h) experiments, the complex polymer of Peritan-Na might be transformed into molecules approximately closer to monomers of lignin as well as new lignin-like forms. According to our observations, the biotransformation of Peritan-Na follows a series of enzymatic reactions. It is supposed that enzymes necessary for these reactions are present in immobilized cell membrane fragments ofTrametes versicolor.     

Tunable Cascade Reactions of Alkynols with Alkynes under Combined Sc(OTf)3 and Rhodium Catalysis

Two tunable cascade reactions of alkynols and alkynes have been developed by combining Sc(OTf)₃ and rhodium catalysis. In the absence of H₂O, an endo‐cycloisomerization/C? H activation cascade reaction provided 2,3‐dihydronaphtho[1,2‐b]furans in good to high yields. In the presence of H₂O, the product of alkynol hydration underwent an addition/C? H activation cascade reaction with an alkyne, which led to the formation of 4,5‐dihydro‐3H‐spiro[furan‐2,1′‐isochromene] derivatives in good yields under mild reaction conditions. Mechanistic studies of the cascade reactions indicated that the rate‐determining step involves C? H bond cleavage and that the hydration of the alkynol plays a key role in switching between the two reaction pathways.     

Oxidative Addition to Palladium(0) Diphosphine Complexes: Observations of Mechanistic Complexity with Iodobenzene as Reactant

Using a combination of electrochemical and NMR techniques, the oxidative addition of PhX to three closely related bis‐diphosphine P₂Pd⁰ complexes, where the steric bulk of just one substituent was varied, has been analysed quantitatively. For the complex derived from MetBu₂P, a rapid reaction ensued with PhI following an associative mechanism, and data was also obtained by cyclic voltammetry for PhOTs, PhBr and PhCl, revealing distinct relative reactivities from the related (PCx₃)₂Pd complex (Cx=cyclohexyl) previously studied. The corresponding EttBu₂P complex reacted more slowly with PhI and was studied by NMR spectroscopy. The reaction course indicated a mixture of pathways, with contribution from a component that was [PhI] independent. For the CxtBu₂P complex, reaction was again monitored by NMR spectroscopy, and was even slower. At high PhI concentrations reaction was predominantly linear in [PhI], but at lower concentrations the [PhI] independent pathway was again observed, and an accelerating influence of the reaction product was observed over the concentration range. The NMR spectra of the EttBu₂P and CxtBu₂P complexes conducted in C₆D₆ shows some line broadening that was augmented on addition of PhI. NMR experiments carried out in parallel show that there is rapid ligand exchange between free phosphine and the Pd₂Pd complex and also a slow ligand crossover between different P₂Pd complexes. DFT calculations were carried out to further test the feasibility of C₆D₆ involvement in the oxidative addition process, and located Van der Waals complexes for association of the P₂Pd⁰ complexes with either PhI or benzene. PhI or solvent‐assisted pathways for ligand loss are both lower in energy than direct ligand dissociation. Taken all together, these results provide a consistent explanation for the surprising complexity of an apparently simple reaction step. The clear dividing line between reactions that give a di‐ or monophosphine palladium complex after oxidative addition clarifies the participation of the ligand in coupling catalysis.     

Reactions of Oligomeric Difluorosilylenes with Cis -and Trans-Difluoroethylene

The reactions of oligomeric difluorosilylenes with cis -and trans -difluoroethylene are studied. All six new products are characterized and the stereochemistry suggests an integrated reaction mechanism in which both addition and insertion pathways share a common diradical transition state.     

ab initio molecular orbital and density functional analysis of acetylene + O2 reactions with CHEMKIN evaluation

A number of researchers have indicated that a direct reaction of acetylene with oxygen needs to be included in detailed reaction mechanisms in order to model observed flame speeds and induction times. Four pathways for the initiation of acetylene oxidation to chain propagation are considered and the rate constants are compared with values used in the mechanisms:

• 1 ³O₂ + HCCH to triplet adduct and reaction on the triplet surface
• 2 ³O₂ + HCCH to triplet adduct, conversion of triplet adduct to singlet adduct via collision in the reaction environment, with further reaction of the singlet adduct
• 3 ¹O₂ + HCCH to singlet adduct
• 4 Isomerization of HCCH to vinylidene and then vinylidene insertion reaction with ³O₂

Elementary reaction pathways for oxidation of acetylene by addition reaction of O₂(³Σ) on the triplet surface are analyzed. ab initio molecular orbital and density functional calculations are employed to estimate the thermodynamic properties of the reactants, transition states, and products in this system. Acetylene oxidation reaction over the triplet surface is initiated by addition of molecular oxygen, O₂(³Σ), to a carbon atom, forming a triplet peroxy‐ethylene biradical. The reaction path to major products, either two formyl radicals or glyoxal radical plus hydrogen atom, involves reaction through three transition states: O₂(³Σ) addition to acetylene (TS1), peroxy radical addition at the ipso‐carbon to form a dioxirane (TS2), and cleavage of O O bond in a three‐member ring (TS3). Single‐point QCISD(T) and B3LYP calculations with large basis sets were performed to try to verify barrier heights on important transition states. A second pathway to product formation is through spin conversion of the triplet peroxy‐ethylene biradical to the singlet by collision with bath gas. Rapid ring closure of the singlet peroxy‐ethylene biradical to form a four‐member ring is followed by breaking of the peroxy bond to form glyoxal, which further dissociates to either two formyl radicals or a glyoxal radical plus hydrogen atom. The overall forward rate constant through this pathway is estimated to be k_f = 2.21 × 10⁷ T^1.46e^{−33.1(kcal/mol)/RT}. Two additional pathways from the literature, HCCH + O₂(¹Δ) and pressure‐dependent isomerization of acetylene to vinylidene and then vinylidene reaction with O₂(³Σ), are also evaluated for completeness. CHEMKIN modeling on each of the four proposed pathways is performed and concentration profiles from these reactions are evaluated at 0.013 atm and 1 atm over 35 milliseconds. Through reaction on the triplet surface is evaluated to be not important. Formation of the triplet adduct with conversion (via collision) to a singlet and the vinylidene paths show similar and lower rates than those used in mechanisms, respectively. Our implementation of the HCCH + O₂(¹Δ) pathway of Benson suggests the need to include: (i) reverse reaction, (ii) barriers to further reaction of the initial adduct plus (iii) further evaluation of the O₂(¹Δ) addition barrier. The pathways from triplet adduct with conversion to singlet and from vinylidene are both recommended for initiation of acetylene oxidation. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 32: 623–641, 2000     

Spatiotemporal Kinetics in Solution Studied by Time‐Resolved X‐Ray Liquidography (Solution Scattering)

Information about temporally varying molecular structure during chemical processes is crucial for understanding the mechanism and function of a chemical reaction. Using ultrashort optical pulses to trigger a reaction in solution and using time‐resolved X‐ray diffraction (scattering) to interrogate the structural changes in the molecules, time‐resolved X‐ray liquidography (TRXL) is a direct tool for probing structural dynamics for chemical reactions in solution. TRXL can provide direct structural information that is difficult to extract from ultrafast optical spectroscopy, such as the time dependence of bond lengths and angles of all molecular species including short‐lived intermediates over a wide range of times, from picoseconds to milliseconds. TRXL elegantly complements ultrafast optical spectroscopy because the diffraction signals are sensitive to all chemical species simultaneously and the diffraction signal from each chemical species can be quantitatively calculated from its three‐dimensional atomic coordinates and compared with experimental TRXL data. Since X‐rays scatter from all the atoms in the solution sample, solutes as well as the solvent, the analysis of TRXL data can provide the temporal behavior of the solvent as well as the structural progression of all the solute molecules in all the reaction pathways, thus providing a global picture of the reactions and accurate branching ratios between multiple reaction pathways. The arrangement of the solvent around the solute molecule can also be extracted. This review summarizes recent developments in TRXL, including technical innovations in synchrotron beamlines and theoretical analysis of TRXL data, as well as several examples from simple molecules to an organometallic complex, nanoparticles, and proteins in solution. Future potential applications of TRXL in femtosecond studies and biologically relevant molecules are also briefly mentioned.     

Remote Electronic Tuning of Chiral N-Heterocyclic Carbenes

Our recent efforts to develop novel N-Heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-catalyzed asymmetric reactions are described. During our investigation for development of the acylation reactions via acylazoliums generated by the reactions of NHCs and α-oxidized aldehydes, we have observed significant effects of substitution at a remote site of the carbene carbon of NHCs. In addition, we also observed a significant enhancement of the enantioselectivity by the addition of carboxylate anions. From this observation, we proposed a novel working hypothesis involving a formation of a complex of the substrate and additive to reinforce the recognition of the catalyst for enhancement of the catalytic performance of the asymmetric N-heterocyclic carbene system. By applying this concept, we achieved the kinetic resolutions of both cyclic and acyclic alcohols in excellent enantioselectivities. The effects of the remote substitution were also observed in intramolecular Stetter reaction and intermolecular benzoin reaction. In these reactions, the comparison of the catalytic performance of the NHCs bearing variable remote substitutions provided insights into the reaction mechanism because the remote substitution tuned the electronic nature of NHCs without affecting the steric and electrostatic factors around the reaction site. We also developed an intramolecular benzoin condensation involving two aldehydes, which is challenging to realize. Using the substrates bearing proper protecting groups, we succeeded in the stereo divergent synthesis of a variety of inososes, which are important intermediates for the synthesis of biologically active cyclitols.     

1,4-Benzodiazepines III . Cyclization paths of hexaminium salts of 2-chioroacetamido-5-ehlorobenzophenone and its N-methyl derivative

This study reports the isolation and characterization of hexaminium salts of 2-chloroacetamido-5-chlorobenzophenone (I) and of 2-(N-methyl)chloroacetamido-5-chlorobenzophenone (II). The 7-chloro-1,3-dihydro-5-phenyl-2H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one (VI) and 7-chloro-1,3-dihydro-1-meth-yI-5-phenyl-2H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one (VII), respectively are of pharmacodynamic importance. Based on chromatographic separation of some intermediates, and on spectrophotometric monitoring of cyclizations I → VI and II → VII, respectively, two different pathways for these reactions have been proposed. Since the slowest step in the reaction sequence II → VII follows the quasi first order rate law, intramolecular nucleophilic attack of the benzophenone carbonyl group on the hexamine moiety proved to be decisive for the cyclization (scheme II). However, cyclization I → VI seems to incorporate quite different solvolytic pathways in addition to one corresponding to the sequence II → VII. Isolated 4-imidazolidinone intermediates N,N' -methylene-bis[3-{2 -benzoyl-4-chIoro)phenyI]-4-imidazolidinone(III), and 3-(2 -benzoyl-4′-chlorophenyI)-4-imidazolidinone hydrochloride (IV) recyclize into the 1,4-benzodiazepine VI. The optimal reaction conditions have been found to be between pH 6-7.