Synthesis of Functionalized α‐Vinyl Aldehydes from Enaminones

An efficient Rh^II‐catalyzed synthesis of functionalized α‐vinyl aldehydes with high E/Z stereoselectivity was developed. The reaction mediates the cyclopropanation of enaminones with vinyl carbenoids that are generated from cyclopropenes in situ to give the aminocyclopropane intermediates. Selective C?C bond cleavage of the cyclopropane intermediates leads to formation of α‐vinyl aldehyde derivatives with high E/Z selectivity. This method proceeds at room temperature under very mild reaction conditions and works with a broad substrate scope.     

Samarium Polystibides Derived from Highly Activated Nanoscale Antimony

Zintl ions in molecular compounds are of fundamental interest for basic research and application. Two reactive antimony sources are presented that allow direct access to molecular polystibide compounds. These are Sb amalgam (Sb/Hg) and ultrasmall Sb⁰ nanoparticles (d=6.6±0.8 nm), which were used independently as precursors for the synthesis of the largest f‐element polystibide, [(Cp*₂Sm)₄Sb₈]. Whereas the reaction of the nanoparticles with [Cp*₂Sm] directly led to [(Cp*₂Sm)₄Sb₈], Sm/Sb/Hg intermediates were isolated when using Sb/Hg as the precursor. These Sm/Sb/Hg intermediates [{(Cp*₂Sm)₂Sb}₂(μ‐Hg)] and [{(Cp*₂Sm)₃(μ⁴,η^1:2:2:2‐Sb₄)}₂Hg] were synthetically trapped and structurally characterized, giving insight in the formation mechanism of polystibide compounds.     

Ga-Ga bonding and tunnel framework in the new Zintl phase Ba3Ga4Sb5

A new Zintl phase Ba₃Ga₄Sb₅ was obtained from the reaction of Ba and Sb in excess Ga flux at 1000°C, and its structure was determined with single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods. It crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pnma (No. 62) with a=13.248(3) Å, b=4.5085(9) Å, c=24.374(5) Å and Z=4. Ba₃Ga₄Sb₅ has a three-dimensional [Ga₄Sb₅]⁶⁻ framework featuring large tunnels running along the b-axis and accommodating the Ba ions. The structure also has small tube-like tunnels of pentagonal and rhombic cross-sections. The structure contains ethane-like dimeric Sb₃Ga-GaSb₃ units and GaSb₄ tetrahedra that are connected to form 12- and 14-membered tunnels. Band structure calculations confirm that the material is a semiconductor and indicate that the structure is stabilized by strong Ga-Ga covalent bonding interactions.     

Solvent‐Dependent Asymmetric Synthesis of Alkynyl and Monofluoroalkenyl Isoindolinones by CpRhIII‐Catalyzed C−H Activation

The asymmetric synthesis of alkynyl and monofluoroalkenyl isoindolinones from N‐methoxy benzamides and α,α‐difluoromethylene alkynes is enabled by C?H activation with a chiral CpRh^III catalyst. Remarkably, product formation is solvent‐dependent; alkynyl isoindolinones are afforded in MeOH (up to 86 % yield, 99.6 % ee) whereas monofluoroalkenyl isoindolinones are generated in ⁱPrCN (up to 98:2 Z/E, 93 % yield, 86 % ee). Mechanistic studies revealed chiral allene and E‐configured alkenyl rhodium species as reaction intermediates. The latter is transformed into the corresponding Z‐configured monofluoroalkene upon protonation in the ⁱPrCN system and into an alkyne by an unusual anti β‐F elimination in the MeOH system. Notably, kinetic resolution processes occur in this reaction. Despite the moderate enantiocontrol for the formation of the chiral allene, the Z‐monofluoroalkenyl isoindolinones and alkynyl isoindolinones were obtained in good enantiopurities by one or two sequential kinetic resolution processes.     

Utilization of α-olefins obtained by pyrolysis of waste high density polyethylene to synthesize α-olefin-succinic-anhydride based cold flow improvers

A new route of utilization of α-olefin rich hydrocarbon fractions obtained by waste polymer pyrolysis was investigated. α-olefin-succinic-anhydride intermediate-based pour point depressant additives for diesel fuel were synthesized, in which reactions needed α-olefins were obtained by pyrolysis of waste high-density polyethylene (HDPE). Fraction of α-olefins was produced by the de-polymerization of plastic waste in a tube reactor at 500℃ in the absence of catalysts and air. C_17~22 range of mixtures of olefins and paraffins were separated for synthesis and then, these hydrocarbons were reacted with maleic-anhydride (MA) for formation of α-olefin-succinic-anhydride intermediates. The olefin-rich hydrocarbon fraction contained approximately 60% of olefins, including 90%~95% α-olefins. Other intermediates were produced in the same way by using commercial C₂₀ α-olefin instead of C_17~22 olefin mixture. The two different experimental intermediates with number average molecular weights of 1850g/mol and 1760g/mol were reacted with different alcohols: 1-butanol, 1-hexanol, 1-octanol, i-butanol, and c-hexanol to produce their ester derivatives. The synthesized ten experimental pour point depressants were added in different concentrations to conventional diesel fuel, which had no other additive content before. The structure and efficiency of experimental additives were followed by different standardized and non-standardized methods. Results showed that the experimental additives on the basis of the product of waste pyrolysis were able to decrease not only the pour but also the cloud point and cold filter plugging point (CFPP) of diesel fuel, whose effects could be observed even if the concentration of additives was low. Furthermore, all additives had anti-wear and anti-friction effects in diesel fuel.     

Enantio- and Regioselective Electrooxidative Cobalt-Catalyzed C−H/N−H Annulation with Alkenes

In recent years, the merging of electrosynthesis with 3d metal catalyzed C−H activation has emerged as a sustainable and powerful technique in organic synthesis. Despite the impressive advantages, the development of an enantioselective version remains elusive and poses a daunting challenge. Herein, we report the first electrooxidative cobalt-catalyzed enantio- and regioselective C−H/N−H annulation with olefins using an undivided cell at room temperature (up to 99 % ee). ^tBu-Salox, a rationally designed Salox ligand bearing a bulky tert-butyl group at the ortho-position of phenol, was found to be crucial for this asymmetric annulation reaction. A strong cooperative effect between ^tBu-Salox and 3,4,5-trichloropyridine enabled the highly enantio- and regioselective C−H annulation with the more challenging α-olefins without secondary bond interactions (up to 96 % ee and 97 : 3 rr). Cyclovoltametric studies, and the preparation, characterization, and transformation of cobaltacycle intermediates shed light on the mechanism of this reaction.     

Shape without Structure: An Intriguing Formation Mechanism in the Solvothermal Synthesis of the Phase‐Change Material Sb2Te3

We introduce a novel solvothermal synthesis of individual single crystalline Sb₂Te₃ micro‐ and nanocrystals as a model material for phase‐change switching. We identified different intermediates along the reaction path to the final Sb₂Te₃ hexagonal platelets (HPs) and discuss their forming mechanism. By means of nanodiffraction (ND) in a scanning transmission electron microscope we demonstrate that the intermediates follow a hexagonal shape evolution in the amorphous state. In situ nanomanipulator measurements reveal electrical phase‐change switching properties of the individual Sb₂Te₃ hexagonal platelets.     

Nonadiabatic relaxation dynamics of water anion cluster and its isotope effects by ring‐polymer molecular dynamics simulation

We have applied a recently developed hybrid quantum ring‐polymer molecular dynamics method to the nonadiabatic p → s relaxation dynamics in water anion clusters to understand the isotope effects observed in previous experiments. The average relaxation times for (H₂O)₅₀^? and (D₂O)₅₀^? were calculated at 120 and 207 fs, respectively, and are comparable to the experimental results. Therefore, we conclude that nuclear quantum effects play an essential role in understanding the observed isotope effects for water anion cluster nonadiabatic dynamics. The nonadiabatic relaxation mechanisms are also discussed in detail. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Study of the mechanism of recyclization of furans into thiophenes and selenophenes in conditions of acid catalysis. 6. Experiments with labeled atoms. Quantum chemical calculations of intermediates of recyclization and hydrolysis

The reaction of 2-methyl-5-R-furans (R=Me, Bu, 2,2-pentyl-2-methylpentyl) with H₂ ¹⁸O was investigated. Furans and the corresponding 2,5-alkanediones containing the¹⁸O isotope were obtained. The general characteristics of the recyclization and isotope exchange reactions were established. A kinetic study of recyclization of 2,5-dimethylfuran with¹⁶O and¹⁸O into 2,5-dimethylthiophene was conducted. A reverse kinetic isotope effect was found. The schemes of the mechanisms of these processes were refined based on the experimental data and quantum-chemical calculations of the recyclization and hydrolysis intermediates.See [1] for Communication 5.Scientific-Research Institute of Chemistry, N. G. Chernyshevskii Saratov State University, Saratov 410026. Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 8, pp. 1035–1042, August, 1997.     

Cobalt-Catalyzed Regio- and Stereoselective Hydroboration of Allenes

An efficient pincer-ligand-based cobalt-complex-catalyzed allene hydroboration affording Z-allylic boronates is described. The reaction demonstrates an excellent regio- as well as Z-stereoselectivity and a wide substrate scope that tolerates many functional groups. Based on solvent-assisted electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (SAESI-MS) studies, a rationale for the cobalt-catalyzed hydroboration involving the highly selective insertion of an allene into the Co−H bond to form Z-allylic cobalt intermediates is proposed.     

Experimental and Theoretical Studies on the Bismuth‐Triflate‐Catalysed Cycloisomerisation of 1,6,10‐Trienes and Aryl Polyenes

Cycloisomerisation of polyenes such as diethyl geranylprenylmalonate [(E)‐ 1 a ], diethyl geranylphenylmalonate [(E)‐ 2 a ] and diethyl cinnamylgeranylmalonate [(E,E)‐ 3 a ] catalysed by bismuth triflate was studied from experimental and theoretical viewpoints. Several intermediates were isolated and characterised, and calculated transition‐state structures are proposed for the three reactions. The diastereoselectivity observed during the reaction of (E)‐ or (Z)‐ 2 a in favour of the formation of trans‐fused bicyclic products is discussed in detail. The nature of the active catalytic species derived from bismuth triflate was also investigated, and the formation of a hybrid Lewis acid/Brønsted acid catalyst with water molecules is proposed, supported by experimental and theoretical data.     

Features of synthesis and structure of ethyl (2<Emphasis Type="Italic">Z</Emphasis>)-3-hydroxy-(2,3,4,5-tetrafluorophenyl)-propyl-2-enoate

The structure of key intermediates in the synthesis of fluoroquinolone antibiotics: diethyl (2,3,4,5-tetrafluorobenzoyl)malonate and ethyl (2Z)-3-hydroxy-(2,3,4,5-tetrafluorophenyl)prop-2-enoate was for first time studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and ¹H, ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopy. In solution both the esters were shown to exist as a mixture of enol and ketone tautomeric forms with predominance of the latter. According to the XRD analysis, ethyl (2Z)-3-hydroxy-(2,3,4,5-tetrafluorophenyl)prop-2-enoate in the solid state exists entirely in the enol form.     

Condensation reaction of C4H4 with pyridine

C₄H₄⁺ reacts with pyridine (C₅H₅N) via the channels of proton transfer, charge transfer and condensation with H-elimination. The condensation reaction is of general interest in terms of basic chemistry and is the focus of the present study. By means of theoretical calculations and Fourier transform mass spectrometer experiments using deuterated pyridine and substituted pyridines, the structure of the product ion and the reaction pathways are investigated. From the experimental results we find that the H atom that is eliminated can originate from either pyridine or C₄H₄⁺. The experiments show that elimination of an H atom from C₄H₄⁺ is preferred and that there is an observable kinetic isotope effect. By replacing H atoms with methyl groups in ortho positions of pyridine, the experimental results also suggest possible steric blocking to the condensation. Based on the experimental observations and results of theoretical calculations of several possible structures of intermediates, transition states, and final product ions, a possible reaction scheme for the condensation-H-elimination is discussed.     

Stereocontrolled Synthesis of Benzo[k]fluoranthenes—An Unexpected Isomerization Mediated by Rhodacyclopentadiene

Herein, a Rh^III‐catalyzed stereocontrolled synthesis of benzo[k]fluoranthenes is reported. It was found that the unexpected E/Z isomerization was highly sensitive to the electronic effects of the substituents on the aryl groups. Theoretical calculations revealed that this controllable stereochemistry originates from the mediation of rhodacyclopentadiene intermediates during the isomerization. The fact that similar stereochemistry was observed when using an Ir^III catalyst further suggests a certain generality of this discovery toward some other transition metals.     

Cp*RuCl-Vinyl Carbenes: Two Faces and the Bifunctional Role in Catalytic Processes

Ruthenium vinyl carbenes derived from Cp/Cp*RuCl-based complexes (Cp=cyclopentadiene, Cp*=1,2,3,4,5-pentamethylcyclopentadiene) have been routinely invoked as key intermediates in tandem reactions involving a carbene/alkyne metathesis (CAM). A priori, these intermediates resemble the Grubbs-type family of catalysts, but they exhibit a completely different reactivity pattern that few, if any, other catalytic system can reproduce so far. The reactivity of these species with α-unsubstituted and α-substituted alkynals showcases the peculiarities of these intermediates. Although Z-vinyl dihydrooxazines are preferentially obtained with the former, Z-vinyl epoxypyrrolidines are obtained with the latter. A combination of spectroscopic and computational data now prove that a η³-coordination mode of the ruthenium vinyl carbene and the presence of a Lewis basic chloride ligand give rise to two markedly different stereoelectronic faces, which are responsible for the unconventional reactivity of these species.     

Cobalt‐Catalyzed Regio‐ and Stereoselective Hydroboration of Allenes

An efficient pincer‐ligand‐based cobalt‐complex‐catalyzed allene hydroboration affording Z‐allylic boronates is described. The reaction demonstrates an excellent regio‐ as well as Z‐stereoselectivity and a wide substrate scope that tolerates many functional groups. Based on solvent‐assisted electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (SAESI‐MS) studies, a rationale for the cobalt‐catalyzed hydroboration involving the highly selective insertion of an allene into the Co?H bond to form Z‐allylic cobalt intermediates is proposed.     

Aryl-to-Vinyl 1,4-Nickel Migration/Reductive Cross-Coupling Reaction for the Stereoselective Synthesis of Multisubstituted Olefins

The aryl-to-vinyl nickel 1,4-migration (1,4-Ni migration) reaction has been reported for the first time. The generated alkenyl Ni species undergo a reductive coupling reaction with unactivated brominated alkanes affording a series of trisubstituted olefins. This tandem reaction exhibits mild conditions, a broad substrate scope, high regioselectivity, and excellent Z/E stereoselectivity. A series of controlled experiments have shown that the critical 1,4-Ni migration process is reversible. In addition, the alkenyl nickel intermediates obtained after migration are highly Z/E stereoselective and do not undergo Z/E isomerization. The obtained trace isomerization products are caused by the instability of the product.     

Stereodivergent Alkyne Hydrofluorination Using Protic Tetrafluoroborates as Tunable Reagents

The discovery of safe, general, and practical procedures to prepare vinyl fluorides from readily available precursors remains a synthetic challenge. The metal‐free hydrofluorination of alkynes constitutes an attractive though elusive strategy for their preparation. Introduced here is an inexpensive and easily handled reagent that enables the development of simple and scalable protocols for the regioselective hydrofluorination of alkynes to access both the E and Z isomers of vinyl fluorides. These reaction conditions were suitable for a diverse collection of alkynes, including several highly functionalized pharmaceutical derivatives. Computational and experimental mechanistic studies support C?F bond formation through vinyl cation intermediates, with the E‐ and Z‐hydrofluorination products forming under kinetic and thermodynamic control, respectively.     

The First Titanium Molybdenum Antimonide: Ti5.42Mo2.58Sb9, a Substitution Variant of Zr2V6Sb9

The new ternary antimonide Ti_5.42(2)Mo_2.58Sb₉ was uncovered by a reaction of the elements under exclusion of air at 1150 °C. It crystallizes in a ternary substitution variant of the V_7.5Sb₉ type, a structure not known to exist in either the Ti/Sb or the Mo/Sb system. The crystal structure of Ti_5.42Mo_2.58Sb₉ was determined from single crystal X‐ray data: space group P4/nmm, with a = 9.8178(8) Å, c = 7.1857(8) Å, V = 692.6(1) ų, Z = 2, R1 = 0.025, wR2 = 0.052 (all data). The structure contains four metal atom sites, two thereof occupied solely by Ti atoms, and two by different Ti/Mo mixtures. The former two correspond to the Zr sites, and the latter two to the V sites of the isostructural antimonide Zr₂V₆Sb₉. The crystal structure is comprised of chains of face‐sharing TiSb₈ square antiprisms, Ti/Mo tetrahedra and Sb atom pairs and squares. The electronic structure, computed with the LMTO approximation, is indicative of metallic properties. In addition to the dominating metal–Sb bonds, strong metal–metal and Sb–Sb bonds exist as well in Ti_5.42Mo_2.58Sb₉. The Mo content per metal site increases with increasing metal–metal interactions.     

Stereodivergent Alkyne Hydrofluorination Using Protic Tetrafluoroborates as Tunable Reagents

The discovery of safe, general, and practical procedures to prepare vinyl fluorides from readily available precursors remains a synthetic challenge. The metal-free hydrofluorination of alkynes constitutes an attractive though elusive strategy for their preparation. Introduced here is an inexpensive and easily handled reagent that enables the development of simple and scalable protocols for the regioselective hydrofluorination of alkynes to access both the E and Z isomers of vinyl fluorides. These reaction conditions were suitable for a diverse collection of alkynes, including several highly functionalized pharmaceutical derivatives. Computational and experimental mechanistic studies support C−F bond formation through vinyl cation intermediates, with the E- and Z-hydrofluorination products forming under kinetic and thermodynamic control, respectively.