Ruthenium(II)‐Catalyzed C−H Activation of Imidamides and Divergent Couplings with Diazo Compounds: Substrate‐Controlled Synthesis of Indoles and 3H‐Indoles

Indoles are an important structural motif that is commonly found in biologically active molecules. In this work, conditions for divergent couplings between imidamides and acceptor–acceptor diazo compounds were developed that afforded NH indoles and 3H‐indoles under ruthenium catalysis. The coupling of α‐diazoketoesters afforded NH indoles by cleavage of the C(N₂)?C(acyl) bond whereas α‐diazomalonates gave 3H‐indoles by C?N bond cleavage. This reaction constitutes the first intermolecular coupling of diazo substrates with arenes by ruthenium‐catalyzed C?H activation.     

Radical Stability Directs Electron Capture and Transfer Dissociation of β‐Amino Acids in Peptides

We report on the characteristics of the radical‐ion‐driven dissociation of a diverse array of β‐amino acids incorporated into α‐peptides, as probed by tandem electron‐capture and electron‐transfer dissociation (ECD/ETD) mass spectrometry. The reported results demonstrate a stronger ECD/ETD dependence on the nature of the amino acid side chain for β‐amino acids than for their α‐form counterparts. In particular, only aromatic (e.g., β‐Phe), and to a substantially lower extent, carbonyl‐containing (e.g., β‐Glu and β‐Gln) amino acid side chains, lead to N? C_β bond cleavage in the corresponding β‐amino acids. We conclude that radical stabilization must be provided by the side chain to enable the radical‐driven fragmentation from the nearby backbone carbonyl carbon to proceed. In contrast with the cleavage of backbones derived from α‐amino acids, ECD of peptides composed mainly of β‐amino acids reveals a shift in cleavage priority from the N? C_β to the C_α? C bond. The incorporation of CH₂ groups into the peptide backbone may thus drastically influence the backbone charge solvation preference. The characteristics of radical‐driven β‐amino acid dissociation described herein are of particular importance to methods development, applications in peptide sequencing, and peptide and protein modification (e.g., deamidation and isomerization) analysis in life science research.     

Palladium(II)‐catalyzed cyclization of W‐(2′,4′‐dienyl)‐2‐alkynamides to α‐alkylidene‐γ‐butyrolactams

In the presence of CuCl₂, N‐(2′, 4′‐dienyl)‐2‐alkynamides can be converted to α‐alkylidene‐σ‐butyrolactams under the catalysis of palladium(II). In this reaction, CuCl₂ is used to oxidize Pd(0) to regenerate Pd(II), or the carbon‐palladium bond is quenched by the oxidative cleavage reaction of CuCl₂.     

1,2‐N‐Migration in a Gold‐Catalysed Synthesis of Functionalised Indenes by the 1,1‐Carboalkoxylation of Ynamides

Unique α‐hemiaminal ether gold carbene intermediates were accessed by a gold‐catalysed 1,1‐carboalkoxylation strategy and evolved through a highly selective 1,2‐N‐migration. This skeletal rearrangement gave functionalised indenes, and isotopic labelling confirmed the rare C?N bond cleavage of the ynamide moiety. The effect of substituents on the migration has been explored, and a model is proposed to rationalise the observed selectivity.     

α‐Halogenoacetanilides as Hydrogen‐Bonding Organocatalysts that Activate Carbonyl Bonds: Fluorine versus Chlorine and Bromine

α‐Halogenoacetanilides (X=F, Cl, Br) were examined as H‐bonding organocatalysts designed for the double activation of C?O bonds through NH and CH donor groups. Depending on the halide substituents, the double H‐bond involved a nonconventional C?H???O interaction with either a H?CX_n (n=1–2, X=Cl, Br) or a H?C_Ar bond (X=F), as shown in the solid‐state crystal structures and by molecular modeling. In addition, the catalytic properties of α‐halogenoacetanilides were evaluated in the ring‐opening polymerization of lactide, in the presence of a tertiary amine as cocatalyst. The α‐dichloro‐ and α‐dibromoacetanilides containing electron‐deficient aromatic groups afforded the most attractive double H‐bonding properties towards C?O bonds, with a N?H???O???H?CX₂ interaction.     

N‐(4‐Bi­phenyl­yl)­urea

In the crystal structure of the title compound, C₁₃H₁₂N₂O, N—H(anti)?O hydrogen bonds produce the so‐called urea α‐network and the N—H(syn) donor forms an unconventional N—H?π hydrogen bond.     

Computational study of energetic nitrogen‐rich derivatives of 1,1′‐ and 5,5′‐bridged ditetrazoles

Density functional theory method was used to study the heats of formation (HOFs), electronic structure, energetic properties, and thermal stability for a series of bridged ditetrazole derivatives with different linkages and substituent groups. The results show that the ? N₃ group and azo bridge (? N?N? ) play a very important role in increasing the HOF values of the ditetrazole derivatives. The effects of the substituents on the HOMO–LUMO gap are combined with those of the bridge groups. The calculated detonation velocities and detonation pressures indicate that the ? NO₂, ? NF₂, ? N?N? , or ? N(O)?N? group is an effective structural unit for enhancing the detonation performance for the derivatives. An analysis of the bond dissociation energies for several relatively weak bonds suggests that the N? N bond in the ring or outside the ring is the weakest one and the N? N cleavage is possible to happen in thermal decomposition. Overall, the ? CH₂? CH₂? or ? NH? NH? group is an effective bridge for enhancing the thermal stability of the bridged ditetrazoles. Because of their desirable detonation performance and thermal stability, five compounds may be considered as the potential candidates of high‐energy density materials (HEDMs). These results provide basic information for the molecular design of novel HEDMs. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2011     

Ruthenium Catalyzed C−H Acylmethylation of N‐Arylphthalazine‐1,4‐diones with α‐Carbonyl Sulfoxonium Ylides: Highway to Diversely Functionalized Phthalazino‐fused Cinnolines

A direct ortho‐Csp²‐H acylmethylation of 2‐aryl‐2,3‐dihydrophthalazine‐1,4‐diones with α‐carbonyl sulfoxonium ylides is achieved through a Ru^II‐catalyzed C?H bond activation process. The protocol featured high functional group tolerance on the two substrates, including aryl‐, heteroaryl‐, and alkyl‐substituted α‐carbonyl sulfoxonium ylides. Thereafter, 2‐(ortho‐acylmethylaryl)‐2,3‐dihydrophthalazine‐1,4‐diones were used as potential starting materials for the expeditious synthesis of 6‐arylphthalazino[2,3‐a]cinnoline‐8,13‐diones and 5‐acyl‐5,6‐dihydrophthalazino[2,3‐a]cinnoline‐8,13‐diones under Lawesson's reagent and BF₃?OEt₂ mediated conditions, respectively. Of these, the BF₃?OEt₂‐mediated cyclization proceeded in DMSO as a solvent and a methylene source via dual C?C and C?N bond formations.     

Palladium(II)‐Catalyzed ortho‐CH Arylation/Alkylation of N‐Benzoyl α‐Amino Ester Derivatives

The palladium‐catalyzed arylation/alkylation of ortho‐C?H bonds in N‐benzoyl α‐amino ester derivatives is described. In such a system both the NH‐amido and the CO₂R groups in the α‐amino ester moieties play a role in successful C?H activation/C?C bond formation using iodoaryl coupling partners. A wide variety of functional groups and electron‐rich/deficient iodoarenes are tolerated. The yields obtained range from 20 to 95 %.     

Conformational analysis of the disaccharide methyl α‐d‐mannopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐2‐O‐acetyl‐β‐d‐mannopyranoside monohydrate

The crystal structure of methyl α‐d ‐mannopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐2‐O‐acetyl‐β‐d ‐mannopyranoside monohydrate, C₁₅H₂₆O₁₂·H₂O, ( II ), has been determined and the structural parameters for its constituent α‐d ‐mannopyranosyl residue compared with those for methyl α‐d ‐mannopyranoside. Mono‐O‐acetylation appears to promote the crystallization of ( II ), inferred from the difficulty in crystallizing methyl α‐d ‐mannopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐β‐d ‐mannopyranoside despite repeated attempts. The conformational properties of the O‐acetyl side chain in ( II ) are similar to those observed in recent studies of peracetylated mannose‐containing oligosaccharides, having a preferred geometry in which the C2—H2 bond eclipses the C=O bond of the acetyl group. The C2—O2 bond in ( II ) elongates by ～0.02 Å upon O‐acetylation. The phi (?) and psi (ψ) torsion angles that dictate the conformation of the internal O‐glycosidic linkage in ( II ) are similar to those determined recently in aqueous solution by NMR spectroscopy for unacetylated ( II ) using the statistical program MA′AT, with a greater disparity found for ψ (Δ = ～16°) than for ? (Δ = ～6°).     

2,2,5,5,8,8‐Hexa­methyl‐2,3,5,6,7,8‐hexa­hydro­imidazo­[1,2‐a]­pyrazine‐3,6‐dione,a bicyclic product of α‐amino­isobutyric acid condensation

The title compound, C₁₂H₁₉N₃O₂, is an unusual product of silica‐catalyzed intermolecular condensation of α‐amino­isobutyric acid. The mol­ecule has three types of C—N bonds: a double bond, a cis‐amide bond and single bonds, two of which are typical and two having intermediate lengths due to π‐electron delocalization between C=N and C=O groups. The cis‐amide moieties interact to form dimers via hydrogen bonds which stack in parallel layers.     

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.     

Methyl {1‐[2,3‐O‐iso­propyl­idene‐5‐O‐(4‐nitro­benzoyl)‐α‐d‐ribo­furan­osyl]‐4‐methoxy­carbonyl‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐5‐yl}acetate

In the title compound, C₂₂H₂₄N₄O₁₁, the N‐glycosidic torsion angles O′—C′—N—C and O′—C′—N—N are ?34.1 (6) and 148.8 (3)°, respectively. The mol­ecule displays an α‐d configuration with the ribo­furan­ose moiety in an O′‐exo–C′‐endo pucker. There are only weak C—H?O and C—H?N intra‐ and intermolecular interactions.     

Radical Cation Salt‐initiated Aerobic C−H Phosphorylation of N‐Benzylanilines: Synthesis of α‐Aminophosphonates

A radical cation salt‐initiated phosphorylation of N‐benzylanilines was realized through an aerobic oxidation of the sp³ C?H bond, providing a series of α‐aminophosphonates in high yields. An investigation of the reaction scope revealed that this mild catalyst system is superior in good functional group tolerance and high reaction efficiency. The mechanistic study implied that the cleavage of the sp³ C?H bond was involved in the rate‐determining step.     

Reversible α‐Hydrogen and α‐Alkyl Elimination in PC(sp3)P Pincer Complexes of Iridium

Despite significant progress in recent years, the cleavage of unstrained C(sp³)? C(sp³) bonds remains challenging. A C? C coupling and cleavage reaction in a PC(sp³)P iridium pincer complex is mechanistically studied; the reaction proceeds via the formation of a carbene intermediate and can be described as a competition between α‐hydrogen and α‐alkyl elimination; the latter process was observed experimentally and is an unusual way of C(sp³)? C(sp³) bond scission, which has previously not been studied in detail. Mechanistic details that are based upon kinetic studies, activation parameters, and DFT calculations are also discussed. A full characterization of a C? C agostic intermediate is presented.     

The Stability of α‐Hydroperoxyalkyl Radicals

High‐level ab initio and Born–Oppenheimer molecular dynamic calculations have been carried out on a series of hydroperoxyalkyl (α‐QOOH) radicals with the aim of investigating the stability and unimolecular decomposition mechanism into QO+OH of these species. Dissociation was shown to take place through rotation of the C?O(OH) bond rather than through elongation of the CO?OH bond. Through the C?O(OH) rotation, the unpaired electron of the radical overlaps with the electron density on the O?OH bond, and from this overlap the C=O π bond forms and the O?OH bond breaks spontaneously. The CH₂OOH, CH(CH₃)OOH, CH(OH)OOH, and α‐hydroperoxycycloheptadienyl radical were found to decompose spontaneously, but the CH(CHO)OOH has a decomposition energy barrier of 5.95 kcal mol^?1 owing to its steric and electronic features. The systems studied in this work provide the first insights into how structural and electronic effects govern the stabilizing influence on elusive α‐QOOH radicals.     

Copper‐Catalyzed Trifluoromethylation of Internal Olefinic CH Bonds: Efficient Routes to Trifluoromethylated Tetrasubstituted Olefins and N‐Heterocycles

The functionalization of internal olefins has been a challenging task in organic synthesis. Efficient Cu^II‐catalyzed trifluoromethylation of internal olefins, that is, α‐oxoketene dithioacetals, has been achieved by using Cu(OH)₂ as a catalyst and TMSCF₃ as a trifluoromethylating reagent. The push–pull effect from the polarized olefin substrates facilitates the internal olefinic C?H trifluoromethylation. Cyclic and acyclic dithioalkyl α‐oxoketene acetals were used as the substrates and various substituents were tolerated. The internal olefinic C?H bond cleavage was not involved in the rate‐determining step, and a mechanism that involves radicals is proposed based on a TEMPO‐quenching experiment of the trifluoromethylation reaction. Further derivatization of the resultant CF₃ olefins led to multifunctionalized tetrasubstituted CF₃ olefins and trifluoromethylated N‐heterocycles.     

Hydro­gen‐bonded adducts of ferrocene‐1,1′‐diyl­bis­(di­phenyl­methanol): a finite cyclic 1:1 adduct with 2,2′‐dipyridyl­amine

In ferrocene‐1,1′‐diyl­bis­(di­phenyl­methanol)–2,2′‐dipyridyl­amine (1/1), [Fe(C₁₈H₁₅O)₂]·C₁₀H₉N₃, (I), there is an intramolecular O—H?O hydrogen bond [H?O 2.03 Å, O?O 2.775 (2) Å and O—H?O 147°] in the ferrocenediol component, and the two neutral molecular components are linked by one O—H?N hydrogen bond [H?N 1.96 Å, O?N 2.755 (2) Å and O—H?N, 157°] and one N—H?O hydrogen bond [H?O 2.26 Å, N?O 3.112 (2) Å and N—H?O 164°] forming a cyclic R(8) motif. One of the pyridyl N atoms plays no part in the intermolecular hydrogen bonding, but participates in a short intramolecular C—H?N contact [H?N 2.31 Å, C?N 2.922 (2) Å and C—H?N 122°].     

Asymmetric Desymmetrization via Metal‐Free C−F Bond Activation: Synthesis of 3,5‐Diaryl‐5‐fluoromethyloxazolidin‐2‐ones with Quaternary Carbon Centers

We disclose the first asymmetric activation of a non‐activated aliphatic C?F bond in which a conceptually new desymmetrization of 1,3‐difluorides by silicon‐induced selective C?F bond scission is a key step. The combination of a cinchona alkaloid based chiral ammonium bifluoride catalyst and N,O‐bis(trimethylsilyl)acetoamide (BSA) as the silicon reagent enabled the efficient catalytic cycle of asymmetric C_sp3?F bond cleavage under mild conditions with high enantioselectivities. The ortho effect of the aryl group at the prostereogenic center is remarkable. This concept was applied for the asymmetric synthesis of promising agrochemical compounds, 3,5‐diaryl‐5‐fluoromethyloxazolidin‐2‐ones bearing a quaternary carbon center.