Rhodium‐ and Iridium‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Addition of Optically Pure P‐Chiral H‐Phosphinates to Aldehydes Leading to Optically Active α‐Hydroxyphosphinates

Optically active α‐hydroxyphosphinates with both C‐ and P‐stereogenic centers are obtained by rhodium‐ or iridium‐catalyzed substrate‐directed stereoselective addition of the optically pure H‐phosphinates to aldehydes. The reaction most probably proceeds by a transition‐metal‐catalyzed mechanism with hydridometal complexes as key intermediates in the catalytic cycle.     

Synthesis of porous supports containing N‐(p‐hydroxyphenyl)‐ or N‐(3‐4‐dihydroxybenzyl) maleimide‐anchored titanates and application as catalysts for transesterification and epoxidation reactions

N‐(p‐acetoxyphenyl)maleimide and N‐(piperonyl)maleimide were polymerized in suspension to give macroporous supports. After deprotection of the p‐acetoxyphenyl and of the piperonyl groups, resins with pendant p‐hydroxyphenyl and catechol units were obtained. These results illustrate a very easy and convenient way to synthesize phenol and catechol containing supports. Polymer‐supported transesterification and epoxidation catalysts were obtained by immobilization of Ti(OiPr)₄ and TiCl₄. These catalysts were efficient for both reactions and could be recycled several times although some titanium leaching (≤ 20%) was observed in each case. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 2879–2886, 2000     

Computational study of the catalytic synthesis of 5‐nitro‐1,2,4‐triazol‐3‐one

In this study, 5‐nitro‐1,2,4‐triazol‐3‐one (NTO) was theoretically synthesized from urea via chlorination followed by amination, formylation, and nitration under aqueous and gaseous environments based on experience of experimental methods, and metal chlorides and metal oxides were used as catalysts to promote reaction. Reaction routes closely related to experimental processes were successfully constructed, and the corresponding energy barriers were estimated for each elementary reaction. Reaction conditions distinct from those reported in the literature (including the adoption of aluminum chloride, ferric chloride, aluminum oxide, ferrous oxide, and chromium oxide catalysts, the use of nitric acid and dinitrogen pentoxide as nitration agents, and adjustment of the reaction temperature) were used in corresponding reaction systems, and the modeling results suggested that ferric chloride is a good catalyst for the chlorination reaction, ferrous oxide is suitable for catalyzing amination, formylation, and nitration, and nitric acid is the better agent for nitration. Estimates of the comparable energy barriers for each reaction stage were considered to imply more feasible pathways for NTO synthesis. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011     

Bottom‐Up Fabrication of a Sandwich‐Like Carbon/Graphene Heterostructure with Built‐In FeNC Dopants as Non‐Noble Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Reduction Reaction

High‐performance non‐noble electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) are the prerequisite for large‐scale utilization of fuel cells. Herein, a type of sandwiched‐like non‐noble electrocatalyst with highly dispersed FeN_x active sites embedded in a hierarchically porous carbon/graphene heterostructure was fabricated using a bottom‐up strategy. The in situ ion substitution of Fe³⁺ in a nitrogen‐containing MOF (ZIF‐8) allows the Fe‐heteroatoms to be uniformly distributed in the MOF precursor, and the assembly of Fe‐doped ZIF‐8 nano‐crystals with graphene‐oxide and in situ reduction of graphene‐oxide afford a sandwiched‐like Fe‐doped ZIF‐8/graphene heterostructure. This type of heterostructure enables simultaneous optimization of FeN_x active sites, architecture and interface properties for obtaining an electron‐catalyst after a one‐step carbonization. The synergistic effect of these factors render the resulting catalysts with excellent ORR activities. The half‐wave potential of 0.88 V vs. RHE outperforms most of the none‐noble metal catalyst and is comparable with the commercial Pt/C (20 wt %) catalyst. Apart from the high activity, this catalyst exhibits excellent durability and good methanol‐tolerance. Detailed investigations demonstrate that a moderate content of Fe dopants can effectively increase the intrinsic activities, and the hybridization of graphene can enhance the reaction kinetics of ORR. The strategy proposed in this work gives an inspiration towards developing efficient noble‐metal‐free electrocatalysts for ORR.     

Contrasted effect of CO on the metal‐catalyzed cycloisomerization of O‐tethered enynes derived from monoterpenes

The CO‐bubbling effect in cycloisomerization reactions of enynes derived from monoterpenes has been studied using PtCl₂, [Rh₂Cl₂(CO)₄] and AuCl₃ as catalytic systems. All the precursors are efficient catalysts for the cycloisomerization of O‐tethered enynes. The reaction proceeds through exo‐dig and endo‐dig pathways, which are consistent with the exclusive coordination of the alkyne triple bond to the metal center. The CO ligand not only increases the reaction rates but also induces significant variations in the two reaction pathways. Notably, this effect is also strongly dependent on the nature of the starting enyne. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Copper‐supported β‐cyclodextrin‐functionalized magnetic nanoparticles: Efficient multifunctional catalyst for one‐pot ‘green’ synthesis of 1,2,3‐triazolylquinazolinone derivatives

The green synthesis of 2‐(4‐((1‐phenyl‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)oxy)phenyl)quinazolin‐4(3H)‐one derivatives is reported. The catalyst for this synthesis is copper‐supported β‐cyclodextrin‐functionalized magnetic silica–iron oxide nanoparticles ([Cu@BCD@SiO₂@SPION]). [Cu@BCD@SiO₂@SPION] simultaneously catalyses ‘click’ reaction, oxidation of C? N bond and multicomponent reaction. The desired 1,2,3‐triazolylquinazolinone product is easily obtained in water at room temperature under mild reaction conditions. Another advantage of the catalyst is its reusability. It can simply be isolated using an external magnet and reused in reactions with no significant decrease in catalyst efficiency. Transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, vibrating sample magnetometry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy are used for exact characterization of the [Cu@BCD@SiO₂@SPION] catalyst.     

Homoaldol condensation of aromatic ketones in fluoroalkyl end‐capped 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropanesulfonic acid oligomeric gel network cores

Aromatic ketones such as 4′‐methoxyacetophenone (MAP), acetophenone (AP), 4‐acetylbiphenyl (ABP), and 2‐acetyl‐6‐methoxynapthalene (AMN) interacted with fluoroalkyl end‐capped 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropanesulfonic acid oligomer [R_F‐(AMPS)_n‐R_F] at 80°C for 3 h to give the corresponding fluorinated oligomer/aromatic ketones composites. In these composites, the R_F‐(AMPS)_n‐R_F/MAP and /AP composites were found to give the homoaldol condensation products of MAP and AP, respectively. In contrast, the corresponding non‐fluorinated AMPS oligomer/MAP and sulfuric acid/MAP composites could not give the homoaldol product at all under similar conditions. This suggests that the R_F‐(AMPS)_n‐R_F oligomer could provide the suitable fluorinated oligomeric gel newtwok cores to interact with MAP or AP as a guest molecule, and the homoaldol condensation of encapsulated MAP and AP should proceed smoothly in the fluorinated oligomeric gel network cores. The R_F‐(AMPS)_n‐R_F/ABP and /AMN composites could not give the homoaldol products at all under similar conditions, indicating that the more bulky aromotic ketones than MAP or AP are not likely to be encapasulated as guest molecules into the fluorinated AMPS oligomeric gel netwok cores. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Heterogeneous Jacobsen's catalyst on alkoxyl‐modified zirconium poly (styrene‐phenylvinylphosphonate)‐phosphate (ZPS‐PVPA) for asymmetric epoxidation

Chiral Jacobsen's catalysts grafted onto alkoxyl‐modified ZPS‐PVPA exhibit excellent activities (conv%, up to 96; sele%, up to 96; ee%, up to >99) in the asymmetric epoxidations of unfunctionalized olefins. The superior stabilities and the comfortable dispositions in large‐scale reactions contribute to the potential applications in industry.     

Non‐Redox‐Metal‐Catalyzed Redox Reactions: Zinc Catalysts

The advantages of zinc catalysts, such as their low toxicity, low cost, and environmentally benignity, are encouraging organic chemists to explore their applications in organic synthesis. As a non‐redox metal, zinc catalysts have been investigated in redox reactions over the past few decades. Because of the importance of redox reactions, the interest in zinc catalysts, and the fact that no review on zinc‐catalyzed redox reactions has been published, herein, I have collected and summarized the main contributions in this area. This review is divided into two parts: reduction reactions and oxidation reactions.     

Silica‐supported 3‐4,5‐dihydroimidazol‐1‐yl‐propyltriethoxysilanedichloropalladium(II) complex: Heck and Suzuki cross‐coupling reactions

A novel mesoporous silica‐nanotube‐supported 3‐4,5‐dihydroimidazol‐1‐yl‐propyltriethoxysilanedichloropalladium(II) complex was prepared and characterized. 3‐4,5‐Dihydroimidazol‐1‐yl‐propyltriethoxysilanedichloropalladium(II) and mesoporous silica‐supported 3‐4,5‐dihydroimidazol‐1‐yl‐propyltriethoxysilanedichloropalladium(II) were tested for catalytic activity for Heck coupling reactions between styrene and several aryl halides and Suzuki coupling reactions between phenylboronic acid and several aryl halides. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Alkene‐Directed N‐Attack Chemoselectivity in the Gold‐Catalyzed [2+2+1]‐Annulations of 1,6‐Enynes with N‐Hydroxyanilines

Kinetically unstable nitrones are generated from gold‐catalyzed reactions of 1,6‐enynes with N‐hydroxyanilines, and subsequently trapped by tethered alkenes to furnish [2+2+1]‐annulations. Our experimental data reveal that such nitrones arise from atypical N‐attack chemoselectivity that is triggered by tethered alkenes to facilitate the key protodeauration reaction.     

Preparation of Silica‐bonded Propyl‐diethylene‐triamine‐N‐sulfamic Acid as a Recyclable Catalyst for Chemoselective Synthesis of 1,1‐Diacetates

A simple and efficient procedure for the preparation of silica‐bonded propyl‐diethylene‐triamine‐N‐sulfamic acid (SPDTSA) by reaction of 3‐diethylenetriamine‐propylsilica (DTPS) and chlorosulfonic acid in chloroform is described. Silica‐bonded propyl‐diethylene‐triamine‐N‐sulfamic acid is employed as a recyclable catalyst for the synthesis of 1,1‐diacetates from aromatic aldehydes and acetic anhydride under mild and solvent‐free conditions at room temperature. Catalyst could be recycled for several times without any additional treatment.     

Synthesis of high molecular weight trans‐poly(9,9‐di‐n‐octylfluorene‐2,7‐vinylene) by the acyclic diene metathesis polymerization using molybdenum catalysts

High molecular weight trans‐poly(9,9‐di‐n‐octylfluorene‐2,7‐vinylene) was prepared under reduced pressure in the presence of a well‐defined Schrock‐type catalyst, Mo(CHCMe₂Ph)(N‐2,6‐Me₂C₆H₃)[OCMe(CF₃)₂]₂, in toluene. The effect of initial monomer concentration was found to be an important factor for preparing high molecular weight polymers with unimodal molecular weight distributions. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 39: 2463–2470, 2001     

Linear low‐density polyethylene nanocomposites by in situ polymerization using a zirconium‐nickel tandem catalyst system

A series of linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE) nanocomposites containing different types of nanofiller (TiO₂, MWCNT, expanded graphite, and boehmite) were prepared by in situ polymerization using a tandem catalyst system composed of {Tp^Ms}NiCl ( 1 ) and Cp₂ZrCl₂ ( 2 ), and analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Based on these analyses, the filler content varied from 1.30 to 1.80 wt %. The melting temperatures and degree of crystallinity of the LLDPE nanocomposites were comparable to those of neat LLDPE. The presence of MWCNT as well as boehmite nucleated the LLDPE crystallization, as indicated by the increased crystallization temperature. The DMA results showed that the presence of TiO₂, EG, and CAM 9080 in the LLDPE matrix yielded nanocomposites with relatively inferior mechanical properties compared to neat LLDPE, suggesting heterogeneous distribution of these nanofillers into the polymer matrix and/or the formation of nanoparticle aggregates, which was confirmed by TEM. However, substantial improvement in the storage modulus was achieved by increasing the sonication time. The highest storage modulus was obtained using MWCNT (1.30 wt %). © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 3506–3512     

N,N,N′,N′‐Tetrabromobenzene‐1,3‐disulfonamide Catalyzed Synthesis of New Spiro[chroman‐3,2′‐chromeno[2,3‐b]furan]‐2,4,4′‐(3′H)‐trione Derivatives

An efficient approach for one‐pot synthesis of biologically active new spiro[chroman‐3,2′‐chromeno[2,3‐b ]furan]‐2,4,4′‐(3′H )‐trione derivatives from tandem Knoevenagel–Michel addition–heterocyclization reaction between 4‐hydroxycumarin and various aldehydes in the presence of N,N,N ′,N ′‐tetrabromobenzene‐1,3‐disulfonamide as an efficient catalyst at ambient temperature under solvent‐free conditions was reported. Simple procedure, high yields, easy work‐up, and reusability of the catalyst are the significant advantages of this process.     

Hiyama cross‐coupling reaction catalyzed by a palladium salt of 1‐benzyl‐4‐aza‐1‐azoniabicyclo[2.2.2]octane chloride under microwave irradiation

An efficient catalytic system using 1‐benzyl‐4‐aza‐1‐azoniabicyclo[2.2.2]octane chloride ((BeDABCO)₂Pd₂Cl₆) was developed for the Hiyama cross‐coupling reaction of various aryl halides with triethoxy(phenyl)silane. The substituted biaryls were produced in excellent yields in short reaction times using a catalytic amount of this catalyst in NMP at 100 °C. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Selective Synthesis of 2‐Aryl‐1‐benzylated‐1H‐benzimidazoles

An efficient and simple procedure was developed for the green synthesis of various 2‐aryl‐1‐ben‐zylated‐1H‐benzimidazoles in high yields by condensation of o‐phenylenediamine with aldehydes with P₂O₅/SiO₂ as catalyst under solvent‐free and ambient conditions.