Regio- and stereoselective ring-opening reactions of epoxides with indoles and pyrroles in 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol

Aliphatic and aromatic epoxides react regio- and stereoselectively with indoles and pyrroles in 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol without the use of a catalyst or any other additive. While aromatic epoxides are selectively attacked at the benzylic position, aliphatic epoxides react at the less-substituted position. Chiral epoxides react with >99 % ee (ee=enantiomeric excess).     

Selective ring-opening reactions of

The reactivity of strained [1]ferrocenophanes, [Fe(eta-C5H4)2ERx] (ERx = SiMe2, 1a: SiMePh, 1b; SnR2, 1c), towards boron halides has been investigated and has been shown to provide a facile pathway to ferrocene derivatives functionalized with Lewis acidic boron centers. The boron halides RBX2 (R = Cl, Ph, fc; X = Cl, Br) (fc = Fe(eta-C5H4)2) lead to selective cleavage of the Si-Cp bonds in 1a and 1b to give, depending on the reaction stoichiometry, functionalized mono- or diferrocenylboranes RnB [(eta-C5H4)Fe(eta-C5H4SiMe2Cl)](3-n) (2a: R = Cl, n = 2; 2b: R = Cl, n = 1; 2c: R = Ph, n = 1) and RnB[(eta-C5H4)Fe(eta-C5H4SiMePhCl)](3-n) (2d: R = Cl, n = 2) in high yields. Compounds 2a-d were characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (for 2b). Most likely due to steric constraints, a triferrocenylborane was not obtained even from the reaction of BCl3 with an excess of 1a, whereas facile formation of the diferrocenylphenylborane 2c from PhBCl2 and two equivalents of 1a was observed. Selective hydrolysis of the B-Cl bonds of chlorodiferrocenylborane 2b in the presence of trace amounts of water led to the silylated tetranuclear ferrocene complex [(ClMe2Sifc)2B-O-B(fcSiMe2Cl)2] (3) without cleavage of the Si-Cl bonds. The structure of 3 was confirmed by an X-ray diffraction study. Studies of the reactivity of the higher Group 14 homologue of 1a and 1b, the tin-bridged [1]ferrocenophane 1c, revealed that facile addition of B-Cl bonds occurs across the Sn-Cp bonds to yield the 1-stannyl-1'-borylferrocenes [(ClMes2Sn)fc(BClR)] (4a: R = Cl; 4b: R = Ph; Mes = 2,4,6-Me3C6H2). The new synthetic methodology can be extended to bifunctional Lewis acids such as the bis(boryl)ferrocene 1,1'-fc(BBr2)2, which affords the linear boron-bridged ferrocene trimer 1,1'-[fc[B(Br)fcSiMe2Br]2] 5 in 54% isolated yield. In order to incorporate the functionalized ferrocenylboranes into polymer structures, compound 2c was reduced with Li[BEt3H] to give the silicon-hydride functionalized species [PhB[(eta-C5H4)Fe(eta-C5H4SiMe2H)]2] (6), which was then used as a capping reagent in the transition metal catalyzed polymerization of 1a. This process leads to the incorporation of the ferrocenylborane unit into the main chain of a poly(ferrocenylsilane) to afford [PhB-[(fcSiMe2)(n-1)fcSiMe2H]2] (7).     

Nitrile biotransformations for the efficient synthesis of highly enantiopure 1-arylaziridine-2-carboxylic acid derivatives and their stereoselective ring-opening reactions

Catalyzed by the Rhodococcus erythropolis AJ270 whole cell catalyst under very mild conditions, biotransformations of racemic 1-arylaziridine-2-carbonitriles proceeded efficiently and enantioselectively to produce highly enantiopure S-1-arylaziridine-2-carboxamides and R-1-arylaziridine-2-carboxylic acids in excellent yields. Although the nitrile hydratase exhibits no selectivity against all nitrile substrates, the amidase is highly R-enantioselective towards 1-arylaziridine-2-carboxamides. When treated with benzyl bromide, 1-phenylaziridine-2S-carboxamide underwent a highly regioselective and enantiospecific ring-opening reaction to afford an almost quantitative yield of R-beta-[(benzyl)phenylamino]-alpha-bromopropanamide (C-2 attack) and R-alpha-[(benzyl)phenylamino]-beta-bromopropanamide (C-3 attack) in a 10.5:1 ratio. Further treatment of the resulting ring-opening products with an N-nucleophilic reagent such as amine and azide led to, through most probably the aziridinium intermediate, the formation of S-alpha-substituted-beta-[(benzyl)phenylamino]propanamides in good chemical yields with high enantiomeric purity.     

Novel stereoselective molecularly imprinted polymers via ring-opening metathesis polymerisation

Stereoselective molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) have been synthesised via ring-opening metathesis polymerisation, in essentially, quantitative yield. A covalent imprinting strategy was followed during the network formation of the chiral sorbent. Recognition of the substrate however involved non-covalent interactions; a combination of hydrogen bonding and the chiral environment presented by the imprinted cavities. The enantiomeric excess achievable with these new MIPs is solvent dependent and stereoselectivities of up to 20% e.e. (separation factor α=2.2) were found in batch equilibrations.     

Regio- and stereoselective ring-opening metathesis polymerization of 3-substituted cyclooctenes

3-Substituted cis-cyclooctenes (3RCOEs, R = methyl, ethyl, hexyl, and phenyl) were synthesized and polymerized, and the polymers therefrom were hydrogenated to prepare model linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) samples. The ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of the 3RCOEs using Grubbs' catalyst proceeded in a regio- and stereoselective manner to afford polyoctenamers [poly(3RCOE)] exhibiting remarkably high head-to-tail regioregularity and high trans-stereoregularity. The overall selectivity increases with the increasing size of the R substituent. Hydrogenation of poly(3RCOE)s afforded precision LLDPEs with R substituents on every eighth backbone carbon.     

Robust chiral zirconium alkoxide initiators for the room-temperature stereoselective ring-opening polymerisation of rac-lactide

Chiral Schiff bases (1H to 4H) and a series of their Group 4 metal alkoxide complexes [(R-1)2Ti(O(i)Pr)2, (R-2)2Ti(O(i)Pr)2, (R-1)(2)Zr(O(i)Pr)2, (R-2)2Zr(O(i)Pr)2, (R-3)2Zr(O(i)Pr)2, (R-4)2Zr(O(i)Pr)2, (S-1)2Zr(O(i)Pr)2 and (rac-1)2Zr(O(i)Pr)2] have been prepared and characterised by 1H, and 13C NMR spectroscopy. In solution, both Lambda and Delta isomers were observed, suggesting a low degree of chiral induction from the ligand. One ligand (R-4H) and three complexes [Delta-(R,R-2)2Ti(O(i)Pr)2, Lambda-(R,R-1)2Zr(O(i)Pr)2 and Delta-(R,R-3)2Zr(O(i)Pr)2] have also been characterised by single crystal X-ray diffraction. All complexes were found to have a pseudo-octahedral alpha-cis geometry. The complexes were tested as initiators for the ring-opening polymerisation of rac-lactide in solution and in the melt. The titanium complexes are inactive in solution and afford atactic polylactide in the melt. Zr(iv) complexes afford heterotactically enriched polylactide both in toluene solution (at 20 degrees C and 80 degrees C) and in the melt. Polymerisations were generally found to be well-controlled, giving predictable molecular weights and low molecular weight distributions. Ligand variation (substituents and/or chirality) has little effect on either the activity or selectivity of initiators. Zirconium initiators were found to be unusually robust as they were able to maintain well-controlled polymerisation following addition of water to reactions in solution and when using unpurified monomer for reactions in the melt.     

Rhodium-catalyzed ring-opening reactions of N-boc-azabenzonorbornadienes with amine nucleophiles

In the presence of a rhodium catalyst (5 mol %) generated in situ from [Rh(cod)Cl](2) and (S,S')-(R,R')-C(2)-ferriphos (4a), the asymmetric ring-opening reaction of azabenzonorbornadienes (1a-m) with various aliphatic and aromatic amines (2a-l) proceeded with high enantioselectivity (up to >99% ee) to give the corresponding 1,2-diamine derivatives 3 in high yields. In the specific case of pyrrolidine as nucleophile, Et(3)NHCl was necessary as an additive for good reactivity and enantioselectivity. Additionally, a practical protocol was developed for the ring-opening of 1a with volatile amines at elevated temperatures and standard pressure, using R(2)NH(2)I and i-Pr(2)NEt. The experimental results showed that the nature of the chiral ligand has the significant impact on the reactivity of the catalyst and the use of excess amount (2.2 eq to Rh) of the chiral ligand plays an important role to improve the enantioselectivity in the present asymmetric reaction.     

Nonspecific medium effects versus specific group positioning in the antibody and albumin catalysis of the base-promoted ring-opening reactions of benzisoxazoles

The mechanisms by which solvents, antibodies, and albumins influence the rates of base-catalyzed reactions of benzisoxazoles have been explored theoretically. New experimental data on substituent effects and rates of reactions in several solvents, in an antibody, and in an albumin are reported. Quantum mechanical calculations were carried out for the reactions in water and acetonitrile, and docking of the transition state into a homology model of antibody 34E4 and an X-ray structure of human serum albumin was accomplished. A microenvironment made up of catalytic polar groups (glutamate in antibody 34E4 and lysine in human serum albumin) surrounded by relatively nonpolar groups is present in both catalytic proteins.     

An epoxide ring-opening approach for a short and stereoselective synthesis of icetexane diterpenoids

A new approach for the synthesis of the core skeleton of icetexane diterpenoids is presented and deals with an epoxide ring-opening reaction by metallated aromatic compounds. Employing this strategy, a short synthesis of an icetexane analogue of brussonol was achieved in just four steps from 2-allyl-cyclohexanone.     

A simple theoretical model for predicting the effects of benzannelation and bismethylenation on the rates of four-membered ring-opening reactions

A model based on simple Hückel MO theory is applied to the ring-openings of several cyclobutene derivatives and their benzo- and bis-methylene-analogs. The calculated changes in activation enthalpy upon benzannelation and bismethylenation are found to be in qualitative accord with experimental results. Application of the model to Dewar benzene and bicyclo[4.2.0]octa-2,4,7-triene ring-opening is discussed.     

The ring-opening reactions of propylene oxide with chloroacetic acids

The association constants, k_d, of dichloroacetic acid (DCA) with ethers (tetrahydrofuran, tetrahydropyran, dibutyl ether, 1,4-dioxane) were measured in CCl₄ from 20°–40° using near IR spectra. A linear relationship between log₁₀K_D and log₁₀K_p was found, where K_p was the association constant of phenol with ethers. On the basis of their relationship the association constants of DCA with propylene oxide (PO) were estimated from those of phenol with PO. Furthermore, the ring-openings of PO with chloroacetic acids (trichloroacetic acid (TCA) or DCA) were studied kinetically in toluene. It was found that the PO-TCA reactions obeyed the second-order kinetics dependent on the first order both in the PO concn and in the TCA concn, and that the PO-DCA reactions obeyed the third-order kinetics on the first order in the PO concn and on the second order in the DCA concn. The elementary reaction rate constants were estimated on the basis of measured rate constants and estimated equilibrium constants and activation enthalpies were obtained from their temp dependence to be 13.5 $\text{kcal}\text{mol}$ in the PO-TCA reaction and 19.7 $\text{kcal}\text{mol}$ in the PO-DCA reaction. The mechanism was based on the activation enthalpy of elementary reaction and it was concluded that the main factor governing the reaction was the extent of activation of the protonated oxirane (the extent of polarization of the C-O bond in the oxirane ring).     

Syntheses of omega-hydroxy-alpha,alpha-difluoromethylphosphonates by oxacycle ring-opening reactions

[reaction: see text] Oxacycle ring-opening reactions from a non-HCFC-based source of phosphonodifluoromethyl carbanion 1 are reported. This straightforward strategy opens access to a variety of primary and secondary omega-hydroxy-alpha,alpha-difluoromethylphosphonates via one step. The syntheses of a glycerol monophosphate analogue and precursors to nucleoside phosphorylase inhibitors are described using this method.     

Biheteroaromatic diphosphine oxides-catalyzed stereoselective direct aldol reactions

A highly stereoselective direct aldol condensation of ketones to aromatic aldehydes was realized; the trichlorosilyl enolether generated in situ in the presence of tetrachlorosilane is activated by catalytic amounts of an enantiomerically pure biheteroaromatic phosphine oxide to react with aldehydes, coordinated as well as activated by the chiral cationic hypervalent silicon species. This Lewis acid-mediated Lewis base-catalyzed transformation allowed, starting from two carbonyl compounds, to directly synthesize β-hydroxy ketones generally with high anti stereoselectivity and up to 93% ee for the anti isomer.     

A robust zirconium N-heterocyclic carbene complex for the living and highly stereoselective ring-opening polymerization of rac-lactide

A readily accessible and robust Zr-NHC complex was found to polymerize rac-lactide in a highly controlled, living and stereoselective manner to afford heterotactic PLA.     

Highly stereoselective ring-opening addition of terminal acetylenes to bicyclic olefins catalyzed by nickel complexes

[reaction: see text] Treatment of 7-oxa- and 7-azabenzonorbornadienes with terminal acetylenes in the presence of Ni(dppe)Cl2, ZnCl2, and Zn powder in toluene at 90 degrees C afforded the corresponding cis-2-alkynyl-1,2-dihydronaphthalene derivatives in moderate to excellent yields with remarkably high stereoselectivity.     

Conrotatory ring-opening reactions of cyclopropyl anions in monocyclic and tricyclic systems

[reaction: see text] Only conrotatory transition structures were located by B3LYP6-311++G(3df, 2p) computations for the electrocyclic ring opening of cyclopropyl anions having different substituents (H, Me, CN). The transition structure for the similarly substituted cyclopropyl anion fused to a bicyclic system exhibits the same features, in apparent contradiction with the observed product. A reaction path where the direction of twist changes after the transition state provides an explanation alternative to those proposed in recent reports.