Lewis base mediated dismutation of trichlorosilane

An abnormal N-heterocyclic carbene (aNHC) has been used as a Lewis base to initiate dismutation of trichlorosilane. This report presents the reactivity differences of a normal N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) versus aNHC with heavier group 14 elements. Three novel compounds (NHC)(2)·SiCl(2)H(2) (2), aNHC·SiCl(2)H(2) (3), and aNHC·GeCl(2) (4) have been synthesized and characterized by single crystal X-ray analysis, solid-state NMR and DFT calculations.     

Bonding Analysis of N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Tautomers and Phosphine Ligands in Transition‐Metal Complexes: A Theoretical Study

DFT calculations at the BP86/TZ2P level were carried out to analyze quantitatively the metal–ligand bonding in transition‐metal complexes that contain imidazole (IMID), imidazol‐2‐ylidene (nNHC), or imidazol‐4‐ylidene (aNHC). The calculated complexes are [Cl₄TM(L)] (TM=Ti, Zr, Hf), [(CO)₅TM(L)] (TM=Cr, Mo, W), [(CO)₄TM(L)] (TM=Fe, Ru, Os), and [ClTM(L)] (TM=Cu, Ag, Au). The relative energies of the free ligands increase in the order IMID<nNHC<aNHC. The energy levels of the carbon σ lone‐pair orbitals suggest the trend aNHC>nNHC>IMID for the donor strength, which is in agreement with the progression of the metal–ligand bond‐dissociation energy (BDE) for the three ligands for all metals of Groups 4, 6, 8, and 10. The electrostatic attraction can also be decisive in determining trends in ligand–metal bond strength. The comparison of the results of energy decomposition analysis for the Group 6 complexes [(CO)₅TM(L)] (L=nNHC, aNHC, IMID) with phosphine complexes (L=PMe₃ and PCl₃) shows that the phosphine ligands are weaker σ donors and better π acceptors than the NHC tautomers nNHC, aNHC, and IMID.     

Metal‐Free Reduction of CO2 to Methoxyborane under Ambient Conditions through Borondiformate Formation

An abnormal N‐heterocyclic carbene (aNHC) based homogeneous catalyst has been used for the reduction of carbon dioxide to methoxyborane in the presence of a range of hydroboranes under ambient conditions and resulted in the highest turnover number of 6000. A catalytically active reaction intermediate, [aNHC‐H?9BBN(OCOH)₂] was structurally characterized and authenticated by NMR spectroscopy. A detailed mechanistic cycle of this catalytic process via borondiformate formation has been proposed from tandem experimental and computational experiments.     

Synthesis of Complexes with Abnormal “Protic” N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes

Neutral 4‐iodo‐N‐ethylimidazole 3 oxidatively adds to [Pt(PPh₃)₄] to give, in the presence of different tetraalkylammonium salts, complexes trans‐[ 4 ], trans‐[ 5 ], and trans‐[ 6 ] containing an anionic C4‐bound heterocycle with an unsubstituted ring‐nitrogen atom. Complex trans‐[ 4 ] reacts with the proton source NH₄I under protonation of the ring‐nitrogen atom to produce complex trans‐[ 7 ]I which bears an NH,NR‐substituted aNHC ligand. The reaction of trans‐[ 4 ] with CH₃I yields the complex trans‐[ 8 ]I which has a classical aNHC ligand with two alkylated ring‐nitrogen atoms.     

An efficient and recoverable palladium organocatalyst for Suzuki reaction in aqueous media

Meso‐tetrakis[4‐(methoxycarbonyl)phenyl]porphyrinatopalladium(II) as a palladium organocatalyst was synthesized and then used in aqueous media as a heterogeneous organocatalyst in Suzuki reaction. The prepared organocatalyst was characterized using UV–visible, infrared and NMR spectroscopies. It was found to be an efficient catalyst for Suzuki coupling reaction between phenylboronic acid and a broad range of aryl halides. Mild reaction conditions, water solvent as green media, and easy catalyst separation and reusability are the advantages of the presented method.     

Reverse-docking study of the organocatalyzed asymmetric Strecker hydrocyanation of aldimines and ketimines

A methodology for reverse-docking flexible organocatalysts to rigid transition state models of catalyst-free asymmetric reactions has been developed. The investigation of Jacobsen's chiral thiourea-based organocatalyst for the hydrocyanation of aldimines and ketimines (Strecker reaction) via reverse-docking is described. Results from reverse-docking Jacobsen's organocatalyst to both enantiomers of six Strecker TS-models (i.e., rigid transition state models of the catalyst-free asymmetric reaction) indicate a clear energetic preference for binding the organocatalyst to the R-enantiomer TS-model, which is in agreement with experimental results. The most favorable docking poses reveal structural features consistent with principles of molecular recognition, catalysis, and NMR data. These poses may represent simplified geometric models of the transition state for the catalyzed reaction.     

Novel carbohydrate-derived pyridinecarboxylic organocatalysts for the enantioselective reduction of imines with trichlorosilane

A new type of carbohydrate-derived pyridinecarboxylic organocatalyst was prepared by fine-tuning a d-glucosamine backbone at the C-2 and C-3 positions. The carbohydrate-derived pyridinecarboxylic organocatalyst was used for the enantioselective reduction of imines with trichlorosilane. The reduction proceeded in high yield (up to 93%) and with moderate enantioselectivity (up to 75%).     

Rationally designed organocatalyst for direct asymmetric aldol reaction in the presence of water

A rationally designed organocatalyst for direct asymmetric aldol reaction in the presence of water has been developed. High yield (up to 99%), diastereoselectivity (up to 99:1) and enantioselectivity (up to 97%) were obtained under optimal conditions.     

Copper(I) 1,2,3-triazol-5-ylidene complexes as efficient catalysts for click reactions of azides with alkynes

Complexes of copper with 1,4-diphenyl, 1,4-dimesityl, and 1-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-4-(3,5-xylyl)-1,2,3-triazol-5-ylidene (abnormal NHC = N-heterocyclic carbene) were prepared by consecutive treatment of the corresponding azolium salts with silver oxide and copper chloride. The new CuCl(aNHC) complexes efficiently catalyzed click reactions of azides with alkynes to give 1,4-substituted 1,2,3-triazoles in excellent yields at room temperature with short reaction times. CuCl(TPh) was particularly effective for the reaction between sterically hindered azides and alkynes.     

Diastereoselective preparation of (S)-(1,4,4-trimethylpyrrolidin-3-yl)amine, a new chiral 1,2-diamine for thiourea-type organocatalysts

The enantioselective synthesis of the title compound, its conversion into a thiourea-type organocatalyst and the behavior of this organocatalyst in several enantioselective Michael reactions are described.     

Organocatalytic synthesis of (2S,3R)-3-hydroxy-3-methyl-proline (OHMePro), a component of polyoxypeptins, and relatives using OHMePro itself as a catalyst

An efficient synthesis of (2S,3R)-3-hydroxy-3-methylproline (OHMePro), a component of polyoxypeptins, and relatives was achieved, in which an intramolecular asymmetric aldol reaction of the ketoaldehyde using OHMePro itself as an organocatalyst constitutes a key step.     

Heterogeneous organocatalysis for the asymmetric desymmetrization of meso-cyclic anhydrides using silica gel-supported bis-cinchona alkaloids

The silica gel-supported bis-cinchona alkaloid 1a was prepared and found to be an efficient heterogeneous chiral organocatalyst with high catalytic activities, enantioselectivities (up to 92% ee), and recyclability for the asymmetric desymmetrization of meso-cyclic anhydrides with alcoholysis.     

An efficient, recoverable fluorous organocatalyst for direct reductive amination of aldehydes

A commercially available perfluorooctyl aniline and phenyl isothiocyanate were reacted under mild conditions to give 1-[4-(perfluorooctyl)phenyl]-3-phenylthiourea as an analogue of thiourea-based organocatalyst. This fluorous organocatalyst was successfully employed to direct reductive amination of aldehydes. It could be readily separated from reaction product by fluorous solid phase extraction for direct use.     

Oxazoline‐Based Organocatalyst for Enantioselective Strecker Reactions: A Protocol for the Synthesis of Levamisole

A chiral oxazoline‐based organocatalyst has been found to efficiently catalyze asymmetric Strecker reactions of various aromatic and aliphatic N‐benzhydrylimines with trimethylsilyl cyanide (TMSCN) as a cyanide source at ?20 °C to give α‐aminonitriles in high yield (96 %) with excellent chiral induction (up to 98 % ee). DFT calculations have been performed to rationalize the enantioselective formation of the product with the organocatalyst in these reactions. The organocatalyst has been characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis, as well as by other analytical methods. This protocol has been extended to the synthesis of the pharmaceutically important drug molecule levamisole in high yield and with high enantioselectivity.     

Combinatorial Library Synthesis of N‐arylquinoline Derivatives in Aqueous Medium

N‐aryl quinoline derivatives have been prepared by sequential one‐pot reaction of dimedone, aniline, malononitrile and arylaldehydes. The reactions were performed in two different conditions, refluxing in ethanol without catalyst and heating in ethanol/water (1:1) in the presence of imidazole as an organocatalyst. Use of organocatalyst causes shorter reaction times and higher yields.     

An efficient,recoverable fluorous organocatalyst for accelerating the DABCO-promoted Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction

A convenient method for Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction of arylaldehydes with methyl acrylate has been developed by using fluorous-tag organocatalyst 1-[4-(perfluorooctyl)phenyl]-3-phenylthiourea and DABCO at room temperature.The fiuorous, organocatalyst could be recovered from the reaction mixture by fiuorous solid-phase extraction(F-SPE) with excellent purity for direct reuse.     

Development of axially chiral bis(arylthiourea)-based organocatalysts and their application in the enantioselective Henry reaction

Axially chiral bis(arylthiourea)-based organocatalyst 6b, prepared from (R)-(+)-5,5′,6,6′,7,7′,8,8′-octahydro-1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diamine, was found to be an effective chiral organocatalyst for the enantioselective Henry reaction of arylaldehydes with nitromethane to give the corresponding adducts in moderate enantioselectivities and good yields.     

Highly efficient hydrogen-bonding catalysis of the Diels-Alder reaction of 3-vinylindoles and methyleneindolinones provides carbazolespirooxindole skeletons

Carbazolespirooxindole derivatives were synthesized in a high-yielding, atypically rapid, stereocontrolled Diels-Alder reaction catalyzed by a C(2)-symmetric bisthiourea organocatalyst. Simple precursors and mild conditions were used to construct carbazolespirooxindole derivatives with high enantiopurity and structural diversity under H-bonding catalysis. The practical approach recycles the organocatalyst and solvent. This simple and efficient operational procedure will allow diversity-oriented syntheses of this intriguing class of compounds.     

A recyclable fluorous (S)-pyrrolidine sulfonamide promoted direct, highly enantioselective Michael addition of ketones and aldehydes to nitroolefins in water

[reaction: see text] A recycle and reusable fluorous (S)-pyrrolidine sulfonamide organocatalyst has been developed for promoting highly enantio- and diastereoselective Michael addition reactions of ketones and aldehydes with nitroolefins in water. The organocatalyst is conveniently recovered from the reaction mixtures by fluorous solid-phase extraction and can be subsequently reused (up to six cycles) without a significant loss of catalytic activity and stereoselectivity.     

Conformational lock in a Brønsted acid–Lewis base organocatalyst for the aza-Morita–Baylis–Hillman reaction

(S)-3-(N-Isopropyl-N-3-pyridinylaminomethyl)BINOL has been established as an efficient asymmetric bifunctional organocatalyst for the aza-MBH reaction. The acid–base functionalities cooperate in substrate activation and fixing of the organocatalyst conformation to promote the reaction with high enantiocontrol.