Kinetics of Acid‐Catalyzed Dissociation of Nickel (II) N‐Alkyl‐Substituted Diamino Diamide Complexes

The dissociation kinetics of the nickel (II) complexes of 4‐methyl‐4,7‐diazadecanediamide (4‐Me‐L‐2,2,2), 4,7‐dimethyl‐4,7‐diazadecanediamide (4,7‐N, N′‐Me2‐L‐2,2,2), 4‐ethyl‐4,7‐diazadecanediamide (4‐Et‐ L‐2,2,2), and 4‐methyl‐4,8‐diazaundecanediamide (4‐Me‐L‐2,3,2) have been studied at 25.0 °C and μ = 4.0 M (NaClO₄ + HClO₄) by the stopped‐flow method. These reactions are specific‐acid catalyzed; however, the rate constants of these reactions do not depend on the concentrations of acetic, chloro acetic, and dichloroacetic acids. At pH values be low 1.0, both the proton‐assisted and the direct protonation path ways make contributions to the rates. The ratios of the rate constant of dissociation by the direct protonation path way to the rate constant by the proton‐assisted path way for the complexes in aqueous solution were measured and discussed.     

Kinetics of Acid‐Catalyzed Dissociation of Copper(II) N‐Alkyl‐Substituted Diamino Diamide Complexes

The dissociation kinetics of the copper(II) complexes of 4‐methyl‐4,7‐diazadecanediamide (4‐Me‐L‐2,2,2), 4,7‐dimethyl‐4,7‐diazadecanediamide (4,7‐N,N′‐Me₂‐L‐2,2,2), 4‐ethyl‐4,7‐diazadecanediamide (4‐Et‐L‐2,2,2), and 4‐methyl‐4,8‐diazaundecanediamide (4‐Me‐L‐2,3,2) have been studied at 25.0 °C and μ = 4.0 M (NaClO₄ + HClO₄) by the stopped‐flow method. These reactions are specific‐acid catalyzed; however, the rate constants of these reactions do not depend on the concentrations of acetic, chloroacetic, and dichloroacetic acids. At pH values below 1.4, both the proton‐assisted and the direct protonation pathways make contributions to the rates. The ratios of the rate constant of dissociation by the direct protonation pathway to the rate constant by the proton‐assisted pathway for the complexes in aqueous solution were measured and discussed.     

4-氨基吡啶树脂负载钯(Ⅱ)催化Heck反应研究

将4-氨基吡啶树脂负载钯配合物（简写为4-APR-Pd(Ⅱ)）用于卤代或杂环卤代芳烃与烯烃的Heck反应可以获得满意的收率,该法具有环境友好、实用性及树脂催化剂的重复使用性能等特点。并对反应条件进行了讨论,所得产物用1H NMR、13C NMR、红外光谱及元素分析进行了表征。     

Enzyme‐Catalyzed Oxidation of 5‐Hydroxymethylfurfural to Furan‐2,5‐dicarboxylic Acid

Furan‐2,5‐dicarboxylic acid (FDCA) is a biobased platform chemical for the production of polymers. In the past few years, numerous multistep chemical routes have been reported on the synthesis of FDCA by oxidation of 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). Recently we identified an FAD‐dependent enzyme which is active towards HMF and related compounds. This oxidase has the remarkable capability of oxidizing [5‐(hydroxymethyl)furan‐2‐yl]methanol to FDCA, a reaction involving four consecutive oxidations. The oxidase can produce FDCA from HMF with high yield at ambient temperature and pressure. Examination of the underlying mechanism shows that the oxidase acts on alcohol groups only and depends on the hydration of aldehydes for the oxidation reaction required to form FDCA.     

Friedel‐Crafts Alkylation of Indoles with Nitroalkenes Catalyzed by Zn(II)‐Thiourea Complex

Friedel‐Crafts alkylation of indoles with nitroalkenes catalyzed by a novel Zn(II)‐thiourea complex has been developed. The remarkable advantages of this reaction are mild reaction conditions, simple workup procedure, high yield of products and the use of ethanol as acceptable solvent.     

Rhodium(II)‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Synthesis of Troponoids

We report a rhodium(II)‐catalyzed highly enantioselective 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition reaction between the carbonyl moiety of tropone and carbonyl ylides to afford troponoids in good to high yields with excellent enantioselectivity. We demonstrate that α‐diazoketone‐derived carbonyl ylides, in contrast to carbonyl ylides derived from diazodiketoesters, undergo [6+3] cycloaddition reactions with tropone to yield the corresponding bridged heterocycles with excellent stereoselectivity.     

Copper(II)‐Catalyzed Nitroaldol (Henry) Reactions: Recent Developments

Self‐assembled copper(II) complexes are described as effective catalysts for nitroaldol (Henry) reactions on water. The protocol involves a heterogeneous process and the catalysts can be recovered and recycled without loss of activity. Further, C2‐symmetric N,N′‐substituted chiral copper(II) salan complexes are found to be more effective catalysts than chiral copper(II) salen complexes for reactions in homogeneous catalysis, with high enantioselectivities. The reactions involve bifunctional catalysis, bearing the properties of a Brønsted base, as well as a Lewis acid, to effect the reaction in the absence of external additives.     

The Copper(II)‐Catalyzed Oxidation of Glutathione

The kinetics and mechanisms of the copper(II)‐catalyzed GSH (glutathione) oxidation are examined in the light of its biological importance and in the use of blood and/or saliva samples for GSH monitoring. The rates of the free thiol consumption were measured spectrophotometrically by reaction with DTNB (5,5′‐dithiobis‐(2‐nitrobenzoic acid)), showing that GSH is not auto‐oxidized by oxygen in the absence of a catalyst. In the presence of Cu²⁺, reactions with two timescales were observed. The first step (short timescale) involves the fast formation of a copper–glutathione complex by the cysteine thiol. The second step (longer timescale) is the overall oxidation of GSH to GSSG (glutathione disulfide) catalyzed by copper(II). When the initial concentrations of GSH are at least threefold in excess of Cu²⁺, the rate law is deduced to be ?d[thiol]/dt=k[copper–glutathione complex][O₂]^0.5[H₂O₂]^?0.5. The 0.5^th reaction order with respect to O₂ reveals a pre‐equilibrium prior to the rate‐determining step of the GSSG formation. In contrast to [Cu²⁺] and [O₂], the rate of the reactions decreases with increasing concentrations of GSH. This inverse relationship is proposed to be a result of the competing formation of an inactive form of the copper–glutathione complex (binding to glutamic and/or glycine moieties).     

Palladium(II)‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Azidation of Unactivated Alkenes

The first Pd‐catalyzed enantioselective azidation of unactivated alkenes has been established by using readily accessible 1‐azido‐1,2‐benziodoxol‐3(1H)‐one (ABX) as an azidating reagent, which affords a wide variety of structurally diverse 3‐N₃‐substituted piperidines in good yields with excellent enantioselectivity. The reaction features good functional‐group compatibility and mild reaction conditions. Notably, both an electrophilic azidating reagent and the sterically bulky chiral pyridinyl‐oxazoline (Pyox) ligand are crucial to the successful reaction.     

Iron(II)‐Catalyzed Biomimetic Aerobic Oxidation of Alcohols

We report the first Fe^II‐catalyzed biomimetic aerobic oxidation of alcohols. The principle of this oxidation, which involves several electron‐transfer steps, is reminiscent of biological oxidation in the respiratory chain. The electron transfer from the alcohol to molecular oxygen occurs with the aid of three coupled catalytic redox systems, leading to a low‐energy pathway. An iron transfer‐hydrogenation complex was utilized as a substrate‐selective dehydrogenation catalyst, along with an electron‐rich quinone and an oxygen‐activating Co(salen)‐type complex as electron‐transfer mediators. Various primary and secondary alcohols were oxidized in air to the corresponding aldehydes or ketones with this method in good to excellent yields.     

Copper(II) Triflate Catalyzed Amination of 1,3‐Dicarbonyl Compounds

A method to prepare α,α‐acyl amino acid derivatives efficiently by Cu(OTf)₂+1,10‐phenanthroline (1,10‐phen)‐catalyzed amination of 1,3‐dicarbonyl compounds with PhI?NSO₂Ar is described. The mechanism is thought to initially involve aziridination of the enolic form of the substrate, formed in situ through coordination to the Lewis acidic metal catalyst, by the putative copper–nitrene/imido species generated from the reaction of the metal catalyst with the iminoiodane source. Subsequent ring opening of the resultant aziridinol adduct under the Lewis acidic conditions then provided the α‐aminated product. The utility of this method was exemplified by the enantioselective synthesis of a precursor of 3‐styryl‐2‐benzoyl‐L ‐alanine.     

Cerium(IV)‐Driven Water Oxidation Catalyzed by a Manganese(V)–Nitrido Complex

The study of manganese complexes as water‐oxidation catalysts (WOCs) is of great interest because they can serve as models for the oxygen‐evolving complex of photosystem II. In most of the reported Mn‐based WOCs, manganese exists in the oxidation states III or IV, and the catalysts generally give low turnovers, especially with one‐electron oxidants such as Ce^IV. Now, a different class of Mn‐based catalysts, namely manganese(V)–nitrido complexes, were explored. The complex [Mn^V(N)(CN)₄]²⁻ turned out to be an active homogeneous WOC using (NH₄)₂[Ce(NO₃)₆] as the terminal oxidant, with a turnover number of higher than 180 and a maximum turnover frequency of 6 min⁻¹. The study suggests that active WOCs may be constructed based on the Mn^V(N) platform.     

Lewis Acid Promoted Ruthenium(II)‐Catalyzed Etherifications by Selective Hydrogenation of Carboxylic Acids/Esters

Ethers are of fundamental importance in organic chemistry and they are an integral part of valuable flavors, fragrances, and numerous bioactive compounds. In general, the reduction of esters constitutes the most straightforward preparation of ethers. Unfortunately, this transformation requires large amounts of metal hydrides. Presented herein is a bifunctional catalyst system, consisting of Ru/phosphine complex and aluminum triflate, which allows selective synthesis of ethers by hydrogenation of esters or carboxylic acids. Different lactones were reduced in good yields to the desired products. Even challenging aromatic and aliphatic esters were reduced to the desired products. Notably, the in situ formed catalyst can be reused several times without any significant loss of activity.     

Sulfur‐Assisted Intermolecular Triphenylphosphine Dissociation of Thiocarbamoyl Ligand in Platinum(II). X‐ray Structure of Complex [Pt(PPh3)2(η1‐SCNMe2)(Cl)]

Treatment of Pt(PPh₃)₄ with N,N‐dimethylthiocarbamoyl chloride, Me₂NC(=S)Cl, in dichloromethane at ?20 °C processes the oxidative addition reaction to produce platinum complex [Pt(PPh₃)₂(η¹‐SCNMe₂)(Cl)], 2 with releasing two triphenylphosphine molecules. The ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectra of complex 2 shows the dissociation of the triphenylphosphine ligand to form diplatinum complex [Pt(PPh₃)Cl]₂(μ,η²‐SCNMe₂)₂, 3 in which the two SCNMe₂ ligands coordinated through carbon to one metal center and bridging the other metal through sulfur. Complex 2 is characterized by X‐ray diffraction analysis.     

Synthesis of 2‐Alkynoates by Palladium(II)‐Catalyzed Oxidative Carbonylation of Terminal Alkynes and Alcohols

A homogeneous Pd^II catalyst, utilizing a simple and inexpensive amine ligand (TMEDA), allows 2‐alkynoates to be prepared in high yields by an oxidative carbonylation of terminal alkynes and alcohols. The catalyst system overcomes many of the limitations of previous palladium carbonylation catalysts. It has an increased substrate scope, avoids large excesses of alcohol substrate and uses a desirable solvent. The catalyst employs oxygen as the terminal oxidant and can be operated under safer gas mixtures.