Isomerization of alkenes in the presence of Pd(acac)2-BF3OEt2 catalytic system

Positional isomerization of alkenes was studied in the presence of Pd(acac)₂ + 20BF₃OEt₂ catalytic system. The reactivity of alkenes decreases in the following order: 1-hexene > 1-heptene > 2-methyl-1-pentene > 4-methyl-2-pentene (cis + trans).     

Synthesis of 2-cyclopropyl-4-pyrones and 5-cyclopropyl-2-alkylene-3(2H)-furanones based on tandem cyclization-cyclopropanation strategy

In AgSbF₆/Rh₂(OAc)₄/DCE system, two-component diastereoselective reactions of 2-diazo-3,5-dioxo-6-ynoates (phosphonates and sulphones) and alkenes provided easy access to 2-cyclopropyl-γ-pyrones through 6-endo-dig cyclization-cyclopropanation. In AgOAc/Rh₂(OAc)₄/Et₃N/DCE system, two-component reaction of 2-diazo-3,5-dioxo-7-aryl-6-ynoates and alkenes afforded 2-cyclopropyl-2-alkylene-3(2H)-furanones through 5-exo-dig cyclization-cyclopropanation. The possible mechanism of reaction is discussed. A simple procedure and mild conditions are significant features of this strategy.     

Osmium-catalyzed dihydroxylation of alkenes by H2O2 in room temperature ionic liquid co-catalyzed by VO(acac)2 or MeReO3

Room temperature ionic liquid [bmim]PF₆ was used to immobilize a bimetallic catalytic system for H₂O₂-based dihydroxylation of alkenes. Osmium tetroxide was used as the substrate-selective catalyst with either VO(acac)₂ or MeReO₃ as co-catalyst. The latter serve as an electron transfer mediator (ETM) and activates H₂O₂. For an increased efficiency N-methylmorpholine is required as an additional ETM in most cases. A range of alkenes were dihydroxylated using this robust bimetallic system and it was demonstrated that for some of the alkenes the catalytic system can be recycled and used up to five times.     

Heck reaction of aryl halides with linear or cyclic alkenes catalysed by a tetraphosphine/palladium catalyst

cis,cis,cis-1,2,3,4-Tetrakis(diphenylphosphinomethyl)cyclopentane/[PdCl(C₃H₅)]₂ system catalyses efficiently the Heck reaction of aryl halides with linear alkenes such as pent-1-ene, oct-1-ene or dec-1-ene. Selectivities up to 70% in favour of E-1-arylalk-1-ene isomers can be obtained. In the presence of cyclic alkenes the selectivities of the reactions strongly depends on the ring size. Addition to cyclohexene or cycloheptene led mainly to 1-arylcycloalk-3-ene derivatives. On the other hand, addition to cyclooctene led to 1-arylcycloalk-1-ene adducts.     

Tetraphosphine/palladium-catalyzed Heck reactions of aryl halides with disubstituted alkenes

cis,cis,cis-1,2,3,4-Tetrakis(diphenylphosphinomethyl)cyclopentane/[PdCl(C₃H₅)]₂ efficiently catalyses the Heck reaction of disubstituted alkenes such as methyl crotonate, ethyl cinnamate, methyl methacrylate or α-methylstyrene with a variety of aryl halides. In the presence of 1,2-disubstituted alkenes the stereoselectivities of the reactions strongly depend on the substituents of the alkenes. Selectivities up to 97% in favor of E-isomers can be obtained for the addition to methyl crotonate. With the 1,1-disubstituted alkenes methyl methacrylate or α-methylstyrene mixtures of products are obtained.     

Reaction of CBrF2-CBrF2 with hydrazones of aromatic aldehydes: Novel efficient synthesis of fluorocontaining alkanes, alkenes and alkynes

An olefination of hydrazones of aromatic aldehydes by CBrF₂-CBrF₂ under copper catalysis was investigated. In situ prepared aldehydes hydrazones were converted to (3-bromo-2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl)arenes by reaction with CBrF₂-CBrF₂ in the presence of CuCl. Subsequent elimination of HF by sodium hydroxide resulted in stereospecific formation of fluorocontaining alkenes. Elimination proceeds stereoselectively, only Z-isomers of alkenes are formed. Elimination of two molecules of HF from (3-bromo-2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl)arenes by treatment with potassium tert-butoxide leads to formation of (bromodifluoromethyl)alkynes. As a result a simple and efficient transformation of aromatic aldehydes to range of various fluorinated alkanes, alkenes and alkynes was elaborated.     

Selective copper(II)-catalyzed aerobic oxidative cleavage of aromatic gem-disubstituted alkenes to carbonyl compounds under neutral and mild conditions

Three copper(II) catalytic systems, CuCl₂·2H₂O, CuCl₂·2H₂O+phenanthroline, and [Cu(μ-Cl)Cl(phen)]₂ were used to cleave alkenes to their corresponding carbonyl compounds under aerobic and neutral conditions. [Cu(μ-Cl)Cl(phen)]₂ shows enhanced selectivity over the other two catalytic systems. The oxidative cleavage reactions were carried out in mixed H₂O/THF solvent system under oxygen (4 atm) at 60°C. The real oxidant is 2-hydroperoxytetrahydrofuran, which is generated in situ in the process through the reaction between THF and oxygen catalyzed by copper(II). The cleavage reactions are selective for aromatic gem-disubstituted alkenes. Aromatic internal alkenes are slow to be oxidized, and both aliphatic terminal and internal alkenes are inert to oxidative cleavage. Free radical scavenger 2,2,6,6, tetramethylpiperidinyl-1-oxyl (TEMPO) deactivates the reaction indicating the involvement of free radical path in the reaction mechanism.     

Alkenoxy radicals in gas-phase reactions of alkenes with oxygen atoms or ozone

Observations in the O₃ + trans-2-butene reaction system and in the O + trans-2-butene + O₂ reaction system suggest the intermediacy of alkenoxy radicals. A mechanism is proposed for the production of C_n and C_m (m <n) alkenoxy radicals by the reaction of C_nH_2n alkenes with oxygen atoms or with ozone.     

Synthesis of fluorinated N-aminoaziridines: access to new CF3-peptidomimetics

A series of fluorinated N-aminoaziridines have been synthesized by the PhI(OAc)₂-mediated aziridination procedure. The reaction was carried out with various protected hydrazides and fluorinated alkenes. The reaction was extended to alkenes bearing an amino acid and the ring opening of the CF₃–N-aminoaziridines has been investigated.     

rac-BINAP-PdCl2 catalyzed Heck reactions of 3-formylquinolin-2-yl chlorides with methyl acrylate: synthesis of methyl 3-(3-formylquinolin-2-yl) acrylates

rac-BINAP-PdCl₂ catalytic system catalyzed Heck reaction of 3-formylquinolin-2-yl chlorides with methyl acrylate in DMA is described to the synthesis of methyl 3-(3-formyl-quinolin-2-yl)-acrylates, in good to excellent yields. The reaction could be also extended with other activated alkenes to afford Heck products. Fused-benzene ring in heterocyclic and carbocyclic moieties was found to enhance the yields.     

An Efficient Approach to 2-CF3-Indoles Based on ortho-Nitrobenzaldehydes

The catalytic olefination reaction of 2-nitrobenzaldehydes with CF₃CCl₃ afforded stereoselectively trifluoromethylated ortho-nitrostyrenes in up to 88% yield. The reaction of these alkenes with pyrrolidine permits preparation of α-CF₃-β-(2-nitroaryl) enamines. Subsequent one pot reduction of nitro-group by Fe-AcOH-H₂O system initiated intramolecular cyclization to afford 2-CF₃-indoles. Target products can be prepared in up to 85% yields. Broad synthetic scope of the reaction was shown as well as some followed up transformations of 2- CF₃-indole.     

Recent advances in the synthetic and mechanistic aspects of the ruthenium-catalyzed carbon-heteroatom bond forming reactions of alkenes and alkynes

The group’s recent advances in catalytic carbon-to-heteroatom bond forming reactions of alkenes and alkynes are described. For the C-O bond formation reaction, a well-defined bifunctional ruthenium-amido catalyst has been successfully employed for the conjugate addition of alcohols to acrylic compounds. The ruthenium-hydride complex (PCy₃)₂(CO)RuHCl was found to be a highly effective catalyst for the regioselective alkyne-to-carboxylic acid coupling reaction in yielding synthetically useful enol ester products. Cationic ruthenium-hydride catalyst generated in-situ from (PCy₃)₂(CO)RuHCl/HBF₄·OEt₂ was successfully utilized for both the hydroamination and related C-N bond forming reactions of alkenes. For the C-Si bond formation reaction, regio- and stereoselective dehydrosilylation of alkenes and hydrosilylation of alkynes have been developed by using a well-defined ruthenium-hydride catalyst. Scope and mechanistic aspects of these carbon-to-heteroatom bond forming reactions are discussed.     

Metal triflate catalyzed highly regio- and stereoselective 1,2-bromoazidation of alkenes using NBS and TMSN3 as the bromine and azide sources

Metal triflate catalyzed 1,2-bromoazidation of alkenes was performed using N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) and trimethylsilyl azide (TMSN₃) as the bromine and azide sources, respectively. Among the metal triflates, Zn(OTf)₂ was found to be the best catalyst. This catalytic process represents a highly regioselective, stereoselective and high yielding method for the synthesis of anti-1,2-bromoazides from a variety of alkenes including α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds.     

Reaction of alkenes and dienes with t-butylmagnesium halides and zirconocene dihalides. A convenient procedure for hydrozirconation and a novel t-butylzirconation of conjugated alkenes

The reaction of nonconjugated monosubstituted alkenes with t-BuMgCl and Cl₂ZrCp₂ at room temperature produces the corresponding monoalkylzirconium derivatives in high yields, while conjugated alkenes undergo either a novel t-butylzirconation or hydrozirconation depending on the reaction conditions.     

Palladium-catalyzed aziridination of alkenes using N,N-dichloro-p-toluenesulfonamide as nitrogen source

N,N-Dichloro-p-toluenesulfonamide (TsNCl₂) was found to be an efficient nitrogen source for the aziridination of unfunctionalized alkenes using palladium catalysts. Among the palladium salts, palladium acetate was the most effective catalyst for this reaction. A variety of alkenes were reacted at room temperature with TsNCl₂ to form the desired aziridines in moderate to good yields. This method can complement our previous protocol which is limited to the use of electron-deficient α,β-unsaturated alkenes.     

Ruthenium-catalyzed addition of sulfenamides to alkynes leading to selective synthesis of polyfunctional alkenes

Sulfenamides smoothly add to alkynes by [RuCl₂(CO)₃]₂ or Ru₃(CO)₁₂ catalyst to give the corresponding polyfunctional alkenes in high yield with high regio- and stereoselectivity (Z 100%).     

Synthesis of trans‐Disubstituted Alkenes by Cobalt‐Catalyzed Reductive Coupling of Terminal Alkynes with Activated Alkenes

A cobalt‐catalyzed reductive coupling of terminal alkynes, RC?CH, with activated alkenes, R′CH?CH₂, in the presence of zinc and water to give functionalized trans‐disubstituted alkenes, RCH?CHCH₂CH₂R′, is described. A variety of aromatic terminal alkynes underwent reductive coupling with activated alkenes including enones, acrylates, acrylonitrile, and vinyl sulfones in the presence of a CoCl₂/P(OMe)₃/Zn catalyst system to afford 1,2‐trans‐disubstituted alkenes with high regio‐ and stereoselectivity. Similarly, aliphatic terminal alkynes also efficiently participated in the coupling reaction with acrylates, enones, and vinyl sulfone, in the presence of the CoCl₂/P(OPh)₃/Zn system providing a mixture of 1,2‐trans‐ and 1,1‐disubstituted functionalized terminal alkene products in high yields. The scope of the reaction was also extended by the coupling of 1,3‐enynes and acetylene gas with alkenes. Furthermore, a phosphine‐free cobalt‐catalyzed reductive coupling of terminal alkynes with enones, affording 1,2‐trans‐disubstituted alkenes as the major products in a high regioisomeric ratio, is demonstrated. In the reactions, less expensive and air‐stable cobalt complexes, a mild reducing agent (Zn) and a simple hydrogen source (water) were used. A possible reaction mechanism involving a cobaltacyclopentene as the key intermediate is proposed.     

The catalysis of alkene isomerisation,oligomerisation, and polymerisation by cationic nitrosylrhodium complexes

The complex [Rh(NO)(NCMe)₄][BF₄]₂ catalyses the isomerisation of terminal to internal alkenes, the oligomerisation of branched alkenes such as 2-methylpropene, and the stereospecific polymerisation of buta-1,3-diene to trans-1,4-polybutadiene.     

Theoretical studies of halocarbene cycloaddition selectivities: A new interpretation of negative activation energies and entropy control of selectivity

Ab initio RHF calculations with the 3–21G basis set have been carried out on cycloadditions of CF₂ and CCl₂ with ethylene. Although π-complex intermediates are predicted for both reactions at this level, MP2/3-21G calculations imply that there are no complexes in reactions of CCl₂ or more reactive carbenes with ethylene or substituted alkenes. Nevertheless, negative activation energies can be observed, since ΔG reaches a maximum due to the increase in —TΔS for these bimolecular reactions. The apparent “entropy control” for reactive carbenes results from the rapid decrease in ΔH. As the reactivity of the alkene increases, the transition state shifts to an earlier point on the free energy surface, where —TΔS³ is lower, but ΔH³ is higher than for less reactive alkenes. Model potentials are developed for ΔH and —TΔS which reproduce experimental behavior, without the assumption of intermediates.     

The application of pyranoside phosphite-pyridine ligands to enantioselective Ir-catalyzed hydrogenations of highly unfunctionalized olefins

Eight (biaryl)phosphite/pyridine ligands 1–2a–d have been prepared by the modular functionalization of positions C-2 and C-3 of two d-glucopyranoside backbones. The chiral ligands were examined in the iridium-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of poorly functionalized alkenes, as a function of the relative position of the coordinating groups and the geometric properties of the biaryl phosphite moieties. Enantiomeric excesses of up to 90% were achieved in the hydrogenation of E-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-butene by using 1a and 1c, which seemingly combine the beneficial effect of the phosphite at the 2-position with the matching (R_ax)-configuration of their encumbered biaryl substituents. The results of the hydrogenation of more challenging substrates, such as Z-trisubstituted alkenes, alkenes with a neighboring polar group or demanding 1,1-di-substituted alkenes, generally confirmed this trend, and in some significant cases, the chiral hydrogenated products were isolated with ees of 65–79%.