Ortho-selectivity in SNAr substitutions of 2,4-dihaloaromatic compounds. Reactions with anionic nucleophiles

The nucleophilic addition of organic anions to aromatic compounds with halogens positioned both ortho and para to activating groups was studied in a variety of solvents. Substrates showed strong preferences for ortho substitution in most cases. Evidence is presented for activating group-dependent coordination, which contributes to very high ortho-selectivity in nonpolar solvents. This also drives the overall reaction rate in these solvents, and is of close to the same magnitude of rate increase derived from polar solvents. para-Products are maximized by using crown ethers in protic solvents. Solvent effects overall are very different from corresponding reactions with amine nucleophiles due primarily to the different charges present in the transition states, and to solvation of the nucleophile.     

Ortho selectivity in SNAr substitutions of 2,4-dihaloaromatic compounds. Reactions with piperidine

A broad survey of aromatic compounds with halogens positioned both ortho and para to activating groups was studied in S_NAr reactions with piperidine. Regioselectivities varied with the substituent group and the polarity of the solvent. Many activating groups exhibited an overall bias toward ortho-substitution, and this led in nonpolar solvents to very high ortho selectivity. More polar solvents uniformly shifted the product ratio toward para substitution. Evidence is presented that argues for coordination via hydrogen bonding as a driver of much of the ortho selectivity observed. The data presented show ample evidence of the generality and synthetic utility of the ortho-directing ability of several common activating groups for this reaction type.     

New boron(III)-catalyzed amide and ester condensation reactions

In 1996, we reported that benzeneboronic acids bearing electron-withdrawing groups at the meta- or para-position are highly effective catalysts for the amide condensation reaction in less-polar solvents. In this paper, we report that N-alkyl-4-boronopyridinium halides are more effective catalysts than the previous ones in more polar solvents. N-Alkyl-4-boronopyridinium halides are effective not only for amide condensation between equimolar mixtures of carboxylic acids and amines but also for the esterification of α-hydroxycarboxylic acids in alcohol solvents. Furthermore, perchlorocatecholborane is more effective than areneboronic acids for the amide condensation of sterically demanding carboxylic acids. In addition, Lewis acid-assisted Brønsted acid (LBA), which is prepared from a 1:2 M mixture of boric acid and tetrachlorocatechol, is effective for the Ritter reaction from alcohols and nitriles to amides.     

Chemo- and diastereoselective Bi(OTf)3-catalyzed benzylation of silyl nucleophiles

The direct alkylation of silyl enol ethers with para-methoxybenzylic alcohols or their corresponding acetates was efficiently catalyzed by Bi(OTf)₃ in CH₃NO₂ as the solvent. The reaction provided the α-benzylated carbonyl compounds in high yields after short reaction times using 1-2.5 mol % of the catalyst. Benzylic acetates other than para-methoxybenzylic acetates also underwent the reaction. High facial diastereoselectivities were observed with acetates derived from chiral α-branched para-methoxybenzylic alcohols. In addition, a catalytic reduction with Et₃SiH as the reducing agent is reported.     

Intramolecular exciplex laser

Laser action of the intramolecular exciplex emission of p-(9′-anthryl)-N,N-dimethylaniline (ADMA) has been found in non-polar and slightly polar solvents. In moderately as well as strongly polar solvents, the laser emission is quenched in spite of the fact that the spontaneous fluorescence yields is larger in polar than in non-polar solvents.     

Characterizing colloidal behavior of non-ionic emulsifiers in non-polar solvents using electrical impedance spectroscopy

Colloidal behavior of a widely used non-ionic emulsifier, sorbitan monooleate (Span80), was investigated in non-polar solvents (cyclohexane and xylene) using electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The electrical characteristics of the colloidal mixtures were measured with frequency scans ranging from 1 Hz to 200 kHz. The conductances at low frequencies were found to increase with an increase in Span80 concentration. The source of conductivity for non-polar solvents using non-ionic emulsifiers is usually attributed to ionic impurities either in the Span80 or in the non-polar solvents. The measured electrical characteristics for pure Span80 and pure non-polar solvents revealed that the source of ionic conduction is impurities in Span80. It was confirmed that the ionic impurities in the non-polar solvents are in form of aggregate of ions, ion-pairs, and triple ions which is unaffected with the emulsifier concentration. Analyses using equivalent electrical circuits confirmed that the critical Maxwell-Wagner frequency is 0.6–1.8 Hz for the mixtures. The conductance-concentration profiles for the mixtures at 1 Hz showed transitions from a square root to a linear concentration dependence at the CMC. This indicated that the dissociation model holds below the CMC, while the fluctuation model applies above the CMC. The conductance profiles enabled estimates of the relative hydrophilic core radius and the fraction of charged micelles in both non-polar solvents. Figure

CMC determination of non-ionic emulsifier in non-polar solvents     

Investigation of electrochemically induced Michael addition reactions. Oxidation of some dihydroxybenzene derivatives in the presence of azide ion

In aqueous solution containing azide ion as a nucleophile, electrochemical oxidation of hydroquinone and some dihydroxybenzoic acids have been studied using cyclic voltammetry and controlled-potential coulometry. The voltammetric data show that electrochemically generated para and ortho-benzoquinones participate in Michael addition reactions with azide ions to form the corresponding diazido or diaminobenzoquinones. In this work, we have proposed various mechanisms for the electrode process and we report an efficient and one-pot method for the synthesis of 2,5-diazido-1,4-benzoquinone, 2,5-diamino-1,4-benzoquinone, 4,5-diamino-1,2-benzoquinone, and 2,3-diamino-5,6-dioxocyclohexa-1,3-dienecarboxylic acid based on the Michael reaction of electrochemically generated ortho and para-benzoquinones with azide ion in an undivided cell using an environmentally friendly reagent-less method in ambient conditions. An estimation of the observed homogeneous rate constant (k_obs) of the reaction of electrochemically generated para-benzoquinone with azide ion by the digital simulation method is also presented.     

Unsymmetrically substituted triazacyclohexanes and their chromium complexes

The unsymmetrically N-substituted N,N′-Ar₂-N″-R-1,3,5-triazacyclohexanes 1–4 (Ar = ortho- or para-fluorophenyl, R = n- or iso-propyl) can be obtained in good yields from a one-step condensation reaction with excess amine. Solid state structures of 1–4 resemble closely those of their triaryl-substituted analogues. The condensation reaction to 4 was looked at by detailed NMR investigations and revealed that amine/aniline exchange is occurring in solutions containing free aniline even at ambient conditions setting up an equilibrium between all possible symmetrical and unsymmetrical triazacylcohexanes. Selective crystallisation of 4 from the solution drives the reaction to high yields of 4. Complexes 1–4 react readily with CrCl₃ or CrCl₃(THF)₃ to form the corresponding CrCl₃ complexes. The complexes are insoluble in non-polar solvents and decompose under decomplexation in coordinating solvents.     

Solvent effect on thermal degradation of plasticized para-substituted polystyrenes

The thermal effect on stability of a series of para-substituted polystyrenes with methyl, methoxy and α-methyl substituents in various solvents was studied in the temperature range of 298-363 K. They gave a monomer fluorescence as a minor part and excimer fluorescence as a major part. Thermal heating of para-substituted polystyrenes shows a decrease in both monomer and excimer fluorescences in all used solvents. Thermal heating causes a small fluorescence quenching effect at lower temperatures in solution but becomes very dominant at higher temperatures. Added terephthalate and phthalate plasticizers to these para-substituted polystyrenes caused a quenching of both monomer and excimer fluorescences without the formation of exciplex emission. The thermal quenching processes of the plasticized polymers were accompanied by a change in the structure of the fluorescence spectra at high heating temperatures. This may indicate that thermodestruction of these polymers starts from a random chain scission. The change in solvent polarity has considerable effect on fluorescence quenching but it has a minor effect on the thermal degradation of these polymers. The binding energies for excimer formation were calculated in the used solvents.     

Degradation thermique des trois isomeres Ortho,meta, para du polymethoxymethylstyrene

A kinetic study of the overall thermal decomposition of the three isomers (ortho, meta and para) of polymethoxymethylstyrene has been carried out. The reaction order is one over a wide interval of mass loss, for the meta and para polymers; there is no order for the first one. The corresponding activation energy has been calculated as 32.5 kcal mol⁻¹ for the meta polymer and 31 kcal mol⁻¹ for the para polymer.The volatile compounds, identified by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry, are chiefly monomers. The thermal decomposition reaction is probably a depolymerization reaction coupled with crosslinking for the meta and para isomers.     

Photo-oxygenation of 1,2-diarylcyclopropanes via electron transfer

The photo-oxygenation of 1,2-diarylcyclopropanes bearing electron-donating substituents in the presence of 9,10-dicyanoanthracene (DCA) in acetonitrile affords trans- and cis-3,5-diaryl-1,2-dioxolanes in excellent yields. The DCA-sensitized photo-oxygenation of less electron-rich 1,2-diarylcyclopropanes gives various oxidation products in low yields. These photoreactions are greatly accelerated by the addition of certain aromatic hydrocarbons and metal salts, and are completely quenched by the addition of triethylamine and 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane. No photo-oxygenation takes place in non-polar solvents. The electron transfer mechanism is proposed for the photo-oxygenations, in which the cation radicals of 1,2- diarylcyclopropanes are involved as chain carriers.     

Regiochemical control in intramolecular cyclizations of 2,3-epoxysulfides mediated by solvent effects

The regioselectivity of cyclization in methylene-interrupted epoxydiols with a thiophenyl ether group adjacent to the epoxide can be controlled by the appropriate choice of reaction conditions. Thus, while the 5-exo mode of cyclization is observed under protic conditions with polar solvents, the intermediacy of an episulfonium ion generated in non-polar solvents lead to a regioisomeric THF product.     

Steric effect of substituents in haloarenes on the rate of cross-coupling reactions

The relative reactivity of ortho- and para-methyl-substituted iodoarenes in the Sonogashira reaction and palladium-catalyzed methoxycarbonylation, as well as of similarly substituted bromoarenes in the Suzuki reactions and cobalt-catalyzed methoxycarbonylation, was studied. Introduction of a methyl group into the para position of aryl halide slows down the cross-coupling. o-Methylhaloarenes are less reactive in palladiumcatalyzed reactions as compared to both unsubstituted haloarene and para-substituted analog. The presence of a methyl group in the ortho position with respect to the reaction center accelerates cobalt-catalyzed methoxycarbonylation.     

Theoretical investigation of the electronic spectra of aromatic nitrosooxides with allowance for solvent effects

Density functional theory methods correctly describe some properties of nitrosooxides. Electronic spectral data have been calculated for seven para-substituted aromatic nitrosooxides in different solvents using the UB3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) approximation. The calculated positions of maxima in UV spectra correlate with experimental data with high coefficient. Equations are suggested for predicting the positions of absorption maxima for the para-R-C₆H₄-NOO under study.     

On the structure and cure acceleration of phenol-urea-formaldehyde resins with different catalysts

Phenol-urea-formaldehyde (PUF) resins with different catalysts [calcium oxide (CaO), sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃), zinc oxide (ZnO), and magnesium oxide (MgO)] were prepared to accelerate the cure of the resin at low temperature. The cure-acceleration effects of catalysts on chemical structure and cure characteristics of PUF resins were investigated by using both liquid ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The liquid ¹³C NMR analysis indicated that the catalyst such as CaO seemed to present a retarded effect on the polycondensation reaction of phenolic components with urea units, while the Na₂CO₃ appeared to promote the self-condensation reaction of phenolic methylol groups at para position toward the formation of para-para methylene linkage. Both ZnO and MgO in PUF resins promoted self-condensation reaction of para methylol groups and condensation reaction of ortho methylol groups with para methylol groups. The catalysts such as Na₂CO₃, ZnO, and MgO can make PUF resins cure at a low temperature. Among these catalysts, the MgO had the most significant accelerating effect on polycondensation and cure reaction of PUF resin.     

Molecular structure of hydrogen bonded N,N′-diethylurea in non-polar solvents

IR spectroscopy and static dielectric polarization methods are used for studies on self-association of N,N′-diethylurea (DEU) in non-polar solvents. A model of the aggregation in sym-dialkylureas in which the molecules are linked by four hydrogen bonds, is proposed. The model gives satisfactory prediction of the spectroscopic and dielectric behaviour of DEU-organic solvents systems.     

Carboxylic acid to thioamide hydrogen bonding

The lactam groups of dipyrrinones avidly engage in amide-amide hydrogen bonding to form dimeric association complexes in non-polar solvents (in CHCl₃, K_D ∼25,000 M⁻¹ at 22 °C). The corresponding thioamides (dipyrrinthiones), prepared from dipyrrinones by reaction with Lawesson's reagent, also form intermolecularly hydrogen-bonded dimers in non-polar solvents, albeit with much weaker association constants (in CHCl₃, K_D ∼200 M⁻¹ at 22 °C). When a carboxylic acid group is tethered to C(9) of the dipyrrinone, as in the hexanoic acid of [6]-semirubin, tight intramolecular hydrogen bonding between the carboxylic acid group and the lactam moiety (intramolecular K_assoc ?25,000) is found in CHCl₃ with no evidence of dimers. In contrast, the analogous dipyrrinthione, [6]-thiosemirubin, eschews intramolecular hydrogen bonds, as determined using NMR spectroscopy and vapor pressure osmometry, preferring to form intermolecularly hydrogen-bonded dimers of the thioamide-thioamide type.     

Reactivity of quinones as alkyl radical acceptors

The enthalpies of the addition of 11 alkyl radicals to ortho-and para-benzoquinones and substituted para-benzoquinones and the enthalpies of formation of various alkoxyphenoxyl radicals have been calculated. Experimental data for the addition of alkyl radicals to quinones are analyzed in terms of the intersection of two parabolic potential curves, and parameters characterizing this class of reactions are calculated. The classical potential barrier of the thermally neutral reaction of alkyl radical addition to benzoquinone is E _e,0 = 82.1 kJ/mol. This class of reactions is compared to other classes of free-radical addition reactions. The interaction between the electrons of the reaction center and the π electrons of the aromatic ring is a significant factor in the activation energy. Activation energies, rate constants, and the geometric parameters of the transition state have been calculated for 40 reactions of alkyl radical addition to quinones. Strong polar interaction has been revealed in the addition of polar macroradicals to quinones, and its contribution to the activation energy has been estimated. Kinetic parameters, activation energies, and rate constants have been calculated for the reverse reactions of alkoxyphenoxyl radical decomposition to quinone and alkyl. The competition between chain termination and propagation reactions in alkoxyphenol-inhibited hydrocarbon oxidation is discussed.     

Metallation reactions. Part 35: A change of the regiochemistry in the metallation of (alkylthio)arenes

The metallation reaction of bromo(alkylthio)benzenes is described. The results show the complementarity of these reactions with the metal-hydrogen exchange reaction. In fact, monometallation of bromo(methylthio)benzenes afforded products substituted in para or meta or ortho to the thioethereal function while bimetallation led to αS,para, αS,meta and αS,ortho disubstituted products. Analogously, the monometallation of 4-bromo-(isopropylthio)benzene afforded para-monosubstituted and ortho,para-disubstituted products.     

Studies on the intermolecular interactions of metal chelate complexesIX: On the interaction of copper(II) dithiocarbamate with some lewis acids

The intermediate products of the reaction between copper(II) dithiocarbamate complex and some Lewis acids (HgI₂, HgBr₂, GeCl₄, AsBr₃, CoCl₂, C(NO₂)₄) as well as some organometallic compounds (SnEt₄ and PbEt₄) were studied using EPR spectroscopy. In non-polar and non-coordinating solvents HgI₂, HgBr₂ and GeCl₄ formed adducts with Cu(dtc)₂, whereas in polar and coordinating solvents the mixed-ligand complexes of the type Cu(dtc)⁺…A^?(A = HgX₃) were obtained with a complex counterion in the second coordination sphere of copper(II). With C(NO₂)₄ the intermediate reaction product in non-polar solvents was assumed to be Cu(dtc)·NO₂ which dissociates to Cu(dtc)⁺…NO₂^? in polar solvents. Similar EPR spectra were obtained with SnEt₄ and PbEt₄. The reaction of Cu(dtc)₂ with CoCl₂, AsBr₃ and SbCl₃ yielded the mixed-ligand complexes of the type Cu(dtc)X_n (n = 1 or 2) exhibiting well resolved superhyperfine splitting from one or two halogen nuclei. The influence of the medium on the above interaction is also discussed.