On the dichotomy of the SN2/ET reaction pathways: an apparent SN2 reactivity in the reaction of naphthalene dianion with alkyl fluorides

Dilithium naphthalene (Li₂C₁₀H₈) displays a S_N2 reactivity profile in its reaction with alkyl fluorides (n-, s- and t-octyl fluoride). S_N2 seems to be the dominant mechanism operating with primary alkyl fluorides, which presumably turns into competition with ET as we move to secondary and tertiary alkyl fluorides. Significantly, lithium naphthalene (LiC₁₀H₈) seems to have also an important nucleophilic component when reacting with alkyl fluorides, in contrast to the previously proposed general ET process valid for all alkyl halides. These results explain the observed distribution of products and are reinforced by a complete analysis of the products originated by the reaction with 6-halohexenyl radical probes, whose main alkylation products are described here for the first time.     

Convergent synthesis of panclicin-D via intramolecular SN2 displacement approach

A convergent enantioselective synthesis of panclicin-D has been reported from simple octanal using syn aldol reaction via intramolecular S_N2 displacement reaction for the first time towards the construction of anti-β-lactones in panclicin-D. The key steps involved are C-allylation, asymmetric aldolization under Crimmins condition, intramolecular S_N2 displacement, and Mitsunobu esterification reaction.     

Acid-promoted SN1/E1 fragmentation/dimerization of 2-cumylmalonates

Several diethyl 2-cumylmalonates underwent fragmentation and dimerization in PPA at elevated temperatures to give 1,1,3-trimethyl-3-arylindanes in good yields. The same products were obtained from 2-cumylmalonic acid, ethyl 2-cumylcyanoacetate, and 2-cumyl Meldrum’s acid. This represents the first example of an S_N1/E1 ionization with diethyl malonate as the leaving group.     

Reaction of indium ate complexes with allylic compounds. Controlling SN2/SN2′ selectivity by solvents

Vinyl and methylindium ate complexes (indates) were prepared and both the tendency of immigration and regioselectivity toward cinnamyl bromide were investigated. The vinyl group was more preferably transferred than the Me group, giving a regioisomeric mixture of S_N2 and S_N2′ products. The ratio of S_N2/S_N2′ selectivity can be controlled by solvents; in the presence of polar solvents, such as N-butylpyrrolidone (NBP) and THF, the S_N2′ product was mainly obtained, whereas the S_N2 product was selectively prepared in solutions containing hexane. The vinylindium compound, generated by the reaction of allylic-type diindium reagents with imine, was also converted to the corresponding vinyl indate, which was allowed to react with allyl chloride to give a three-component coupling product.     

The soft nucleophilicity of organotellurolates driving the SN2-type lactone ring-opening reaction

Lithium and magnesium organotellurolates were reacted with lactones producing the corresponding tellurocarboxylic acids. Treatment of the reaction mixture with lithium aluminum hydride allowed the isolation of the corresponding hydroxytellurides in a one-pot operation.     

First enantioselective synthesis of 4-aminoalcohol quinoline derivatives through a regioselective SN2 epoxide opening mechanism

Mefloquine derivatives, contrary to chloroquine derivatives have not been widely studied to date. Consequently, mefloquine and its derivatives still remain very attractive synthetic targets. Although mefloquine is usually used clinically as a racemic mixture, some studies have shown that its (+)-enantiomer is more potent than the (−)-enantiomer. Moreover, the (−)-enantiomer is responsible for side effects due to reaction with the central nervous system adenosine receptors, while the (+)-enantiomer does no bind at this binding site. Recently, different libraries of racemic 4-aminoalcohol quinolines showed interesting antimalarial activities. Herein, we describe an enantiopure synthetic and straightforward route to prepare pure enantiomer 4-aminoalcohol quinoline derivatives through a 4-oxirane key-intermediate. A regioselective S_N2 ring opening of this epoxide, by diverse amines, allows us to obtain the corresponding (R) or (S) 4-aminoquinolines with good yields and enantiomeric excesses generally superior to 92%. The reported methodology appears suitable for the synthesis of a large number of pure enantiomer 4-aminoalcohol quinoline derivatives.     

Efficient entry to 1-benzoxepine ring skeleton via tandem SN2/Wittig reaction. Total synthesis of NADH: ubiquinone oxidoreductase (complex I) antagonist pterulinic acid

Concise synthesis of NADH: ubiquinone oxidoreductase (complex I) antagonist pterulinic acid (1a) is reported. The key architectural framework in the natural product, 1-benzoxepine ring skeleton, was smoothly prepared from known salicylaldehyde 2g and phosphorane 3 via tandem S_N2/Wittig reaction. Pterulinic acid was prepared in 5 steps from 2g with overall yield of 25%. The versatility of tandem S_N2/Wittig reaction was investigated. This tandem reaction tolerated various alkyl, ether, tertiaryamine and nitro substituted salicylaldehyde, and it gave the corresponding 1-benzoxepine ring skeleton in moderated yield (21-72%).     

The reaction of biphenyl radical anion and dianion with alkyl fluorides. From ET to SN2 reaction pathways and synthetic applications

The reaction of dilithium biphenyl (Li₂C₁₂H₁₀) with alkyl fluorides has been studied from the point of view of the distribution of products. Two main reaction pathways, the nucleophilic substitution (S_N2) and the electron transfer (ET), can compete to yield the same alkylation products in what is known as the S_N2-ET dichotomy. S_N2 seems to be the main mechanism operating with primary alkyl fluorides (n-RF). Alkylation proceeds in good yields, and the resulting alkylated dihydrobiphenyl anion (n-RC₁₂H₁₀Li) can be trapped with a second conventional electrophile (E⁺) affording synthetically interesting dearomatized biphenyl derivatives (n-RC₁₂H₁₀E). The reaction gives a higher amount of ET products as we move to secondary (s-RF) and to tertiary alkyl fluorides (t-RF), in which case the mechanism seems to be dominated by ET. In this case, alkylation by radical coupling is still feasible, giving access to the synthesis of t-RC₁₂H₁₀E, although in lower yields. A rational interpretation of this S_N2-ET dichotomy is given on the basis of the full distribution of products observed when 5-hexenyl fluoride and 1,1-dimethyl-5-hexenyl fluoride were are used as radical probes in their reaction with Li₂C₁₂H₁₀ and LiC₁₂H₁₀.     

Is charge development a measure of SN2 transition state structure?

Application of the configuration mixing model to the S_N2 reaction illustrates that charge development in an S_N2 reaction is not linearly related to the position of the transition state along the reaction coordinate.     

A novel method to enable SNAr reaction of aminopyrrolopyrazoles

Here we report mild, environmentally-friendly reaction conditions which enable the addition-elimination S_NAr reaction between weakly reactive substrates--an aminopyrrolopyrazole template and several substituted pyrimidines. The method was developed during our efforts to synthesize a series of novel P21-activated kinase (PAK) inhibitors.     

An ab initio molecular orbital study of the SN2 reaction of H− with HF

Ab initio SCF MO calculations have been performed for the reactants, products and reaction complex in the title reaction. The influence of diffuse and polarization basis functions in determining the presence of a reaction barrier was investigated. No barrier to the forward or reverse reactions was found.     

A theoretical study of the ion pair SN2 reaction between lithium isocyanates with methyl fluoride with inversion and retention mechanism

This paper is devoted to a detailed theoretical study of an ion pair S_N2 reaction LiNCO+CH₃F in the gas phase and in solution at the level of MP2(full)/6-31+G**//HF/6-31+G**. Two possible reaction mechanisms, inversion and retention, are discussed. There are eight possible reaction pathways. The inversion mechanism is more favorable no matter in the gas phase or in solution based on analyses of the transition structures. Methyl isocyanate should form preferentially in the gas phase and more stable methyl cyanate is the main product in solution. The retardation of the reaction in solvents was attributed to the difference in solvation in the separated reactants and in the transition state.     

A new and versatile Ugi/SNAr synthesis of fused 4,5-dihydrotetrazolo[1,5-a]quinoxalines

A combinatorial synthetic route yielding fused tetrazolo[1,5-a]quinoxalines is described. The use of 2-fluorophenylisocyanide in the Ugi-tetrazole reaction (tetrazole-U-4CR) followed by a nucleophilic aromatic substitution (S_NAr) affords the tricylic tetrazolo[1,5-a]quinoxaline moiety in good yields and with high diversity.