Rhodium-phosphoramidite catalyzed alkene hydroacylation: mechanism and octaketide natural product synthesis

We describe a method that allows salicylaldehyde derivatives to be coupled with a wide range of unactivated alkenes at catalyst loadings as low as 2 mol %. A chiral phosphoramidite ligand and the precise stoichiometry of heterogeneous base are key for high catalytic activity and linear regioselectivity. This protocol was applied in the atom- and step-economical synthesis of eight biologically active octaketide natural products, including anticancer drug candidate cytosporone B. Mechanistic studies provide insight on parameters affecting decarbonylation, a side reaction that limits the turnover number for catalytic hydroacylation. Deuterium labeling studies show that branched hydride insertion is fully reversible, whereas linear hydride insertion is largely irreversible and turnover-limiting. We propose that ligand (R(a),R,R)-SIPHOS-PE effectively suppresses decarbonylation, and helps favor a turnover-limiting insertion, by lowering the barrier for reductive elimination in the linear-selective pathway. Together, these factors enable high reactivity and regioselectivity.     

Uncommon oxidative transformations of acetic and propionic acids

The oxidative decarbonylation of acetic and propionic acids with the formation of the corresponding alcohol and alkyl carboxylate is observed in the Rh^III/Cu^I,II/Cl⁻ catalytic system in the presence of O₂ and CO. The decarbonylation of propionic acid in a deuterated solvent results in the substitution of hydrogen atoms by deuterium in the alkyl part of the products to form CH₂DCOOD (CHD₂COOH) and CHD₂COOD (CD₃COOH). The subsequent decarbonylation of deuterated acetic acids affords the corresponding deuteromethanols detected as esters with propionic and deuteroacetic acids. The substitution of the hydrogen atom by deuterium in the alkyl part of molecules of the products of oxidative decarbonylation of propionic acid, when the reaction is carried out in a deuterated solvent, indicates that propionic acid behaves as saturated hydrocarbon and blocks the oxidation of poorly soluble methane. Unlike propionic acid, acetic acid enters only the oxidative decarbonylation reaction and does not block methane oxidation.     

Iron-catalyzed decarbonylation reaction of aliphatic carboxylic acids leading to α-olefins

The catalytic decarbonylation reaction of aliphatic carboxylic acids can be carried out in the presence of an iron complex, and it proceeds smoothly to give α-olefins with high selectivity.     

Unsaturated aldehydes as alkene equivalents in the Diels-Alder reaction

A one-pot procedure is described for using alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes as olefin equivalents in the Diels-Alder reaction. The method combines the normal electron demand cycloaddition with aldehyde dienophiles and the rhodium-catalyzed decarbonylation of aldehydes to afford cyclohexenes with no electron-withdrawing substituents. In this way, the aldehyde group serves as a traceless control element to direct the cycloaddition reaction. The Diels-Alder reactions are performed in a diglyme solution in the presence of a catalytic amount of boron trifluoride etherate. Subsequent quenching of the Lewis acid, addition of 0.3% of [Rh(dppp)2Cl] and heating to reflux achieves the ensuing decarbonylation to afford the product cyclohexenes. Under these conditions, acrolein, crotonaldehyde and cinnamaldehyde have been reacted with a variety of 1,3-dienes to afford cyclohexenes in overall yields between 53 and 88%. In these transformations, the three aldehydes serve as equivalents of ethylene, propylene and styrene, respectively.     

The palladium-catalysed arylation of activated alkenes with aroyl chlorides

Aroyl chlorides react with activated alkenes in presence of a tertiary amine and a catalytic amount of palladium acetate to give arylated alkenes, specifically cinnamic acid derivatives and stilbenes. The reaction involves a highly efficient decarbonylation of the aroyl chloride. High yields can be obtained at low catalyst concentration by choice of an appropriate base. The reaction is not particularly sensitive to substituents in the aroyl chloride, although strongly electron-donating groups are advantageous (yields up to 98%). With mono-substituted alkenes E-isomers are formed with almost complete specificity. A mechanism for the reaction is proposed.     

Iridium‐Catalyzed Dehydrogenative Decarbonylation of Primary Alcohols with the Liberation of Syngas

A new iridium ‐ catalyzed reaction in which molecular hydrogen and carbon monoxide are cleaved from primary alcohols in the absence of any stoichiometric additives has been developed. The dehydrogenative decarbonylation was achieved with a catalyst generated in situ from [Ir(coe)₂Cl]₂ (coe=cyclooctene) and racemic 2,2′‐bis(diphenylphosphino)‐1,1′‐binaphthyl (rac‐BINAP) in a mesitylene solution saturated with water. A catalytic amount of lithium chloride was also added to improve the catalyst turnover. The reaction has been applied to a variety of primary alcohols and gives rise to products in good to excellent yields. Ethers, esters, imides, and aryl halides are stable under the reaction conditions, whereas olefins are partially saturated. The reaction is believed to proceed by two consecutive organometallic transformations that are catalyzed by the same iridium(I)–BINAP species. First, dehydrogenation of the primary alcohol to the corresponding aldehyde takes place, which is then followed by decarbonylation to the product with one less carbon atom.     

Palladium complex catalyzed synthesis of α,β-unsaturated ketones from alkylphenylketene and aroyl chloride

α,β-Unsaturated ketones were obtained from alkylphenylketene and aroyl chloride via decarbonylation reaction in the presence of catalytic amounts of tetrakis(triphenylphosphine) palladium.     

Shifting Chemical Equilibria in Flow—Efficient Decarbonylation Driven by Annular Flow Regimes

To efficiently drive chemical reactions, it is often necessary to influence an equilibrium by removing one or more components from the reaction space. Such manipulation is straightforward in open systems, for example, by distillation of a volatile product from the reaction mixture. Herein we describe a unique high‐temperature/high‐pressure gas/liquid continuous‐flow process for the rhodium‐catalyzed decarbonylation of aldehydes. The carbon monoxide released during the reaction is carried with a stream of an inert gas through the center of the tubing, whereas the liquid feed travels as an annular film along the wall of the channel. As a consequence, carbon monoxide is effectively vaporized from the liquid phase into the gas phase and stripped from the reaction mixture, thus driving the equilibrium to the product and preventing poisoning of the catalyst. This approach enables the catalytic decarbonylation of a variety of aldehydes with unprecedented efficiency with a standard coil‐based flow device.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the production of higher olefins from stearic acid in the presence of an alumina-supported nickel sulfide catalyst

A nickel sulfide catalyst which efficient in the decarbonylation of fatty acids to olefins and dienes has been obtained for the first time by treating alumina-supported nickel sulfate with hydrogen, and its properties have been studied. In its presence, the olefin selectivity of the reaction can exceed 90%. The kinetics of stearic acid deoxygenation to heptadecenes has been investigated, a kinetic model has been constructed, and a mechanism has been proposed for the reaction over this catalyst. Olefin oligomerization is the dominant side reaction. Kinetic evidence for the catalytic inhibition of oligomerization by nickel hydrides formed on the catalyst has been obtained. The compositions of active site–reactant adsorption complexes have been discussed.     

The reaction mechanism study on the decarbonylation of 2-methyl-2-propenal assisted by hydrogen chloride,water, or sulfur acid

Structural Chemistry - The catalytic decarbonylation reaction mechanisms of 2-methyl-2-propenal in the presence of hydrogen chloride (HCl), water (H2O), or sulfuric acid (H2SO4) have been...     

Rh-catalyzed decarbonylation of conjugated ynones via carbon–alkyne bond activation: reaction scope and mechanistic exploration via DFT calculations

In this full article, detailed development of a catalytic decarbonylation of conjugated monoynones to synthesize disubstituted alkynes is described. The reaction scope and limitation has been thoroughly investigated, and a broad range of functional groups including heterocycles were compatible under the catalytic conditions. Mechanistic exploration via DFT calculations has also been executed. Through the computational study, a proposed catalytic mechanism has been carefully evaluated. These efforts are expected to serve as an important exploratory study for developing catalytic alkyne-transfer reactions via carbon–alkyne bond activation.     

乙醛低温绿色合成:焦磷酸锆催化乳酸脱羰反应

以生物基乳酸为原料,焦磷酸锆为催化剂,通过脱羰反应制备乙醛。探讨了模板剂、焙烧温度对催化剂的织构、表面酸碱性以及催化活性的影响规律。以此为基础,进一步揭示了催化剂的表面性质与脱羰反应活性之间的构效关系,发现乳酸脱羰反应由催化剂表面的酸碱位协同催化。和文献报道的相关催化剂比较,该催化剂拥有良好的低温催化活性。此外,在较高液空速、低催化剂用量以及控制低乳酸转化率(40%)下,催化剂连续运行50 h左右后,乳酸转化率及乙醛选择性没有明显变化,表明该催化剂拥有良好的稳定性能。通过反应尾气分析,证实了乙醛的合成主要是通过乳酸脱羰反应途径实现。     

Palladium-catalyzed furylation and thienylation of activated alkenes with 2-furoyl chloride and 2-thenoyl chloride

2-Furoyl or 2-thenoyl chlorides readily react with activated alkenes in the presence of a tertiary amine and a catalytic amount of palladium(II) acetate to give 2-furylated or 2-thienylated alkenes. Under similar conditions, 2-benzofuroyl chloride undergoes facile alkenylation to produce 2-alkenylated benzofurans. The reaction involves a highly efficient decarbonylation of furoyl or thenoyl-palladium species.     

Iridium-catalyzed addition of aroyl chlorides and aliphatic acid chlorides to terminal alkynes

Iridium complexes show high catalytic activity in intermolecular additions of acid chlorides to terminal alkynes to afford valuable (Z)-β-chloro-α,β-unsaturated ketones. Ligands in the catalytic system play a crucial role in this reaction. An N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) is an efficient ligand for the addition of aroyl chlorides, while dicyclohexyl(2-methylphenyl)phosphine (PCy(2)(o-Tol)) is indispensable for the reaction of aliphatic acid chlorides. The addition reactions proceed regio- and stereoselectively with suppression of decarbonylation and β-hydrogen elimination, which have been two major intrinsic problems in transition-metal-catalyzed reactions. Stoichiometric reactions of active iridium catalysts with aroyl chlorides and aliphatic acid chlorides are carried out to gain insights into the reaction mechanisms.     

丙烯醛及其衍生物基态脱羰反应机理的理论研究

用从头算自洽场分子轨道方法和能量梯度技术，研究丙烯醛及其衍生物基态脱羰反应的机理，用二级微扰方法考虑电子相关效应。结果表明基态丙烯醛脱羰为一简单反应，反应涉及三中心过渡态。取代基对丙烯醛脱羰反应仅有较小的影响。从计算的势垒可以推得基态丙烯醛及其衍生物热脱羰是很困难的，但是，光激发得到的丙烯醛很可能首先通过内转换成系间窜跃回到基态，然后发生脱羰反应，即基态脱羰很可能在其光解离反应机理中起着重要作用。     

Rhodium-Catalyzed Reaction of Aroyl Chlorides with Alkynes

Aroyl chlorides react with terminal alkynes accompanied by decarbonylation in the presence of a catalytic amount of [RhCl(cod)](2) and PPh(3) to give the corresponding vinyl chloride derivatives regio- and stereoselectively in good yields. The catalyst efficiency is a marked function of the ratio of PPh(3) to the rhodium species; satisfactory results are obtained by employing a PPh(3)/Rh ratio of 1.0. The reaction may involve chlororhodation to the alkynes by the intermediary arylchlororhodium(III) species generated in situ followed by reductive elimination of the products, which are suggested by the results of some control experiments. In contrast to the reaction with terminal alkynes, that with some internal ones proceeds without decarbonylation to produce 2,3-disubstituted-1-indenones as the predominant products. The product structures suggest that, while the arylchlororhodium intermediate is also involved, arylrhodation to the alkynes, reinsertion of CO (coordinated to the metal), and intramolecular cyclization sequentially take place to give the indenones.     

The stereochemistry of the thermal cheletropic decarbonylation of 3-cyclopentenone as determined by multiphoton infrared photolysis/thermolysis

There are two allowed pathways for the thermal cheletropic decarbonylation of 3-cyclopentenone. The stereochemistry of decarbonylation of an unconstrained derivative (trans,trans-2,5-dimethyl-3-cyclopentenone, 4) has been determined for the first time. Under conventional pyrolysis conditions, thermal rearrangements of the initial product (trans,trans-2,4-hexadiene, 5) occur at the high temperatures required for the decarbonylation. However, by using multiphoton infrared photolysis/thermolysis to initiate decarbonylation, it was shown that the initial products from thermal decarbonylation of 4 are solely carbon monoxide and stereospecifically 5. The stereochemistry of decarbonylation is thus disrotatory, in accord with prior theoretical studies. A survey of crystal structures reveals ground-state distortions along this reaction coordinate as well.     

Rh(I)-catalyzed CO gas-free carbonylative cyclization of organic halides with tethered nucleophiles using aldehydes as a substitute for carbon monoxide

The CO gas-free carbonylative cyclization of organic halides, with tethered nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon nucleophiles, with aldehydes as a substitute for carbon monoxide can be achieved in the presence of a catalytic amount of a rhodium complex. The reaction involves the decarbonylation of the aldehyde by the rhodium catalyst, and the successive carbonylation of an organic halide utilizing the rhodium carbonyl that is formed in situ. Aldehydes having electron-withdrawing groups showed a higher ability to donate the carbonyl moiety.     

Pd/Cu(111)双金属表面催化糠醛脱碳及加氢的反应机理

采用密度泛函理论(DFT)研究糠醛在最稳定Pd/Cu(111)双金属表面上的吸附构型和糠醛脱碳及加氢的反应机理。结果表明,当糠醛初始吸附于O_3-Pd-top、O_7-Cu-hcp位时,吸附构型最稳定,其吸附能为73.4 kJ/mol。糠醛在Pd/Cu(111)双金属表面上更易发生脱碳反应。对于糠醛脱碳反应,所需活化能较低,各个基元反应均为放热反应,糠醛更易先失去支链上的H形成(C_4H_3O)CO,然后中间体脱碳加氢得到呋喃,其中,C_4H_3O加氢生成呋喃所需活化能(72.6 kJ/mol)最高,是反应的控速步骤。对于加氢反应,糠醛与首个氢原子的反应需要最大的活化能(290.4 kJ/mol),是反应的限速步骤。