Mechanism of the Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction: a computational investigation

Accurate calculations are presented on the mechanism of the MBH reaction, focusing on the reaction between methyl acrylate and benzaldehyde, catalyzed by a tertiary amine. We address the mechanism under protic solvent-free conditions, but also consider how the mechanism and rate-limiting step change in the presence of alcohols. We have carefully calibrated the DFT method used in the calculations by carrying out high-level G3MP2 calculations on a model system. All of our calculations also treat the effect of solvent, described as a dielectric continuum. In the absence of protic solvent, we predict that deprotonation of the alpha-position is the rate-determining step and occurs through a cyclic transition state, with proton transfer to a hemiacetal alkoxide formed by addition of a second equivalent of aldehyde to the intermediate alkoxide. As first suggested by McQuade, this mechanism explains the observed second-order kinetics with respect to aldehyde concentration in the absence of protic solvent. In contrast, in the presence of methanol, we find a slightly lower energy pathway, in which the alcohol serves as a shuttle to transfer the proton from carbon to oxygen. Overall, the barrier to reaction for the latter mechanism is of 24.6 kcal/mol with respect to reactants at the B3LYP level of theory. The relative energy for the addition transition state of the amine-acrylate betaine adduct to the aldehyde is much lower, at 16.0 kcal/mol relative to reactants, so C-C bond formation should not be rate-limiting, except perhaps for some aliphatic aldehydes or imines. We discuss the implications of this mechanism for the design of asymmetric versions of the MBH reaction, given the overwhelming importance of the proton-transfer step.     

A computational mechanistic study of the deamination reaction of melamine

A detailed computational study of the deamination reaction of melamine by OH^–, n H₂O/OH^–, n H₂O (where n = 1, 2, 3), and protonated melamine with H₂O, has been carried out using density functional theory and ab initio calculations. All structures were optimized at M06/6‐31G(d) level of theory, as well as with the B3LYP functional with each of the basis sets: 6‐31G(d), 6‐31 + G(d), 6‐31G(2df,p), and 6‐311++G(3df,3pd). B3LYP, M06, and ω B97XD calculations with 6‐31 + G(d,p) have also been performed. All structures were optimized at B3LYP/6‐31 + G(d,p) level of theory for deamination simulations in an aqueous medium, using both the polarizable continuum solvation model and the solvation model based on solute electron density. Composite method calculations have been conducted at G4MP2 and CBS‐QB3. Fifteen different mechanistic pathways were explored. Most pathways consisted of two key steps: formation of a tetrahedral intermediate and in the final step, an intermediate that dissociates to products via a 1,3‐proton shift. The lowest overall activation energy, 111 kJ mol^?1 at G4MP2, was obtained for the deamination of melamine with 3H₂O/OH^?.     

Synthetic, mechanistic, and computational investigations of nitrile-alkyne cross-metathesis

The terminal nitride complexes NW(OC(CF 3) 2Me) 3(DME) ( 1-DME), [Li(DME) 2][NW(OC(CF 3) 2Me) 4] ( 2), and [NW(OCMe 2CF 3) 3] 3 ( 3) were prepared in good yield by salt elimination from [NWCl 3] 4. X-ray structures revealed that 1-DME and 2 are monomeric in the solid state. All three complexes catalyze the cross-metathesis of 3-hexyne with assorted nitriles to form propionitrile and the corresponding alkyne. Propylidyne and substituted benzylidyne complexes RCW(OC(CF 3) 2Me) 3 were isolated in good yield upon reaction of 1-DME with 3-hexyne or 1-aryl-1-butyne. The corresponding reactions failed for 3. Instead, EtCW(OC(CF 3)Me 2) 3 ( 6) was prepared via the reaction of W 2(OC(CF 3)Me 2) 6 with 3-hexyne at 95 degrees C. Benzylidyne complexes of the form ArCW(OC(CF 3)Me 2) 3 (Ar = aryl) then were prepared by treatment of 6 with the appropriate symmetrical alkyne ArCCAr. Three coupled cycles for the interconversion of 1-DME with the corresponding propylidyne and benzylidyne complexes via [2 + 2] cycloaddition-cycloreversion were examined for reversibility. Stoichiometric reactions revealed that both nitrile-alkyne cross-metathesis (NACM) cycles as well as the alkyne cross-metathesis (ACM) cycle operated reversibly in this system. With catalyst 3, depending on the aryl group used, at least one step in one of the NACM cycles was irreversible. In general, catalyst 1-DME afforded more rapid reaction than did 3 under comparable conditions. However, 3 displayed a slightly improved tolerance of polar functional groups than did 1-DME. For both 1-DME and 3, ACM is more rapid than NACM under typical conditions. Alkyne polymerization (AP) is a competing reaction with both 1-DME and 3. It can be suppressed but not entirely eliminated via manipulation of the catalyst concentration. As AP selectively removes 3-hexyne from the system, tandem NACM-ACM-AP can be used to prepare symmetrically substituted alkynes with good selectivity, including an arylene-ethynylene macrocycle. Alternatively, unsymmetrical alkynes of the form EtCCR (R variable) can be prepared with good selectivity via the reaction of RCN with excess 3-hexyne under conditions that suppress AP. DFT calculations support a [2 + 2] cycloaddition-cycloreversion mechanism analogous to that of alkyne metathesis. The barrier to azametalacyclobutadiene ring formation/breakup is greater than that for the corresponding metalacyclobutadiene. Two distinct high-energy azametalacyclobutadiene intermediates were found. These adopted a distorted square pyramidal geometry with significant bond localization.     

A rationally designed cocatalyst for the Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction

The application of electronic structure calculations to a key transition state in the reaction manifold of the Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction allows the design of two bis(thiourea) cocatalysts capable of accelerating this reaction through the hydrogen bond mediated recognition of both the nucleophile and the electrophile.     

Enzyme promiscuity: first protein-catalyzed Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction

The Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction of cyclohexenone and p-nitro benzaldehyde is catalyzed by carrier proteins such as serum albumins or enzymes such as certain lipases, conversion of up to 35% and enantioselectivities of up to 19% being observed.     

Unified mechanistic concept of electrophilic aromatic nitration: convergence of computational results and experimental data

The mechanism of electrophilic aromatic nitration was revisited. Based on the available experimental data and new high-level quantum chemical calculations, a modification of the previous reaction mechanism is proposed involving three separate intermediates on the potential energy diagram of the reaction. The first, originally considered an unoriented pi-complex or electron donor acceptor complex (EDA), involves high electrostatic and charge-transfer interactions between the nitronium ion and the pi-aromatics. It explains the observed low substrate selectivity in nitration with nitronium salts while maintaining high positional selectivity, as well as observed oxygen transfer reactions in the gas phase. The subsequent second intermediate originally considered an oriented "pi-complex" is now best represented by an intimate radical cation-molecule pair, C(6)H(6)(+)(*)()/NO(2), that is, a SET complex, indicative of single-electron transfer from the aromatic pi-system to NO(2)(+). Subsequently, it collapses to afford the final sigma-complex intermediate, that is, an arenium ion. The proposed three discrete intermediates in electrophilic aromatic nitration unify previous mechanistic proposals and also contribute to a better understanding of this fundamentally important reaction. The previously obtained ICR data of oxygen transfer from NO(2)(+) to the aromatic ring are also accommodated by the proposed mechanism. The most stable intermediate of this reaction on its potential energy surface is a complex between phenol and NO(+). The phenol.NO(+) complex decomposes affording C(6)H(6)O(+)(*)/PhOH(+) and NO, in agreement with the ICR results.     

A highly active ionic liquid catalyst for Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction

The Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction is an efficient carbon-carbon bond forming reaction for the preparation of α-methylene-β-hydroxycarbonyl compounds. A new and highly active di-naphthalene imidazolium salt has been synthesized. We have found that 1,3-bis[2-(naphthalene-2-yloxy)propyl]imidazolium bromid promoted the Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction of various aryl aldehyde compounds in the absence of solvents. Our studies show that the Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction by the influence of ionic liquid to give a high yield and short reaction time.     

Metallacarbenes from diazoalkanes: an experimental and computational study of the reaction mechanism

PCP ligand (1,3-bis-[(diisopropyl-phosphanyl)-methyl]-benzene), and PCN ligand ([3-[(di-tert-butyl-phosphanyl)-methyl]-benzyl]-diethyl-amine) based rhodium dinitrogen complexes (1 and 2, respectively) react with phenyl diazomethane at room temperature to give PCP and PCN-Rh carbene complexes (3 and 5, respectively). At low temperature (-70 degrees C), PCP and PCN phenyl diazomethane complexes (4 and 6, respectively) are formed upon addition of phenyl diazomethane to 1 and 2. In these complexes, the diazo moiety is eta(1) coordinated through the terminal nitrogen atom. Decomposition of complexes 4 and 6 at low temperatures leads only to a relatively small amount of the corresponding carbene complexes, the major products of decomposition being the dinitrogen complexes 1 and 2 and stilbene. This and competition experiments (decomposition of 6 in the presence of 1) suggests that phenyl diazomethane can dissociate under the reaction conditions and attack the metal center through the diazo carbon producing a eta(1)-C bound diazo complex. Computational studies based on a two-layer ONIOM model, using the mPW1K exchange-correlation functional and a variety of basis sets for PCP based systems, provide mechanistic insight. In the case of less bulky PCP ligand bearing H-substituents on the phosphines, a variety of mechanisms are possible, including both dissociative and nondissociative pathways. On the other hand, in the case of i-Pr substituents, the eta(1)-C bound diazo complex appears to be a critical intermediate for carbene complex formation, in good agreement with the experimental results. Our results and the analysis of reported data suggest that the outcome of the reaction between a diazoalkane and a late transition metal complex can be anticipated considering steric requirements relevant to eta(1)-C diazo complex formation.     

Biradicals and biradicaloids: a unified view

A generalized version of the two-electron two-orbital active space model of biradicals and biradicaloids is described in simple non-mathematical terms. The distinctions between homosymmetric, weakly heterosymmetric, critically heterosymmetric, strongly heterosymmetric, and nonsymmetric biradicaloids are pointed out and the consequences for their different behavior are elaborated. Particular attention is paid to structural effects on the singlet - triplet, and lowest singlet - first excited singlet energy gaps, and on the consequences of the latter in photochemistry. The material is illustrated on examples of photochemical reactions involving sigma bond dissociation, pericyclic processes, and geometrical isomerization.     

The enantioselective Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction and its aza counterpart

The development of asymmetric Morita-Baylis-Hillman (MBH) reactions has evolved dramatically over the past few years, parallel to the emerging concept of bifunctional organocatalysis. Whereas organocatalysis is starting to compete with metal-based catalysis in several important organic transformations, the MBH reaction belongs to a group of prototypical reactions in which organocatalysts already display superiority over their metal-based counterparts. This Minireview summarizes recent mechanistic insights and advances in the design and synthesis of small organic molecules for enantioselective MBH and aza-MBH reactions.     

Predicting reactivity and stereoselectivity in the Nazarov reaction: a combined computational and experimental study

The Nazarov reaction of pentadienyl cations generated by protonation of either dienones or alkoxytrienes has been examined in detail both experimentally and by DFT calculations. In particular, calculations at the B3LYP/6‐311G** level of theory accurately predicted, and accounted for, the outcome of the Brønsted acid catalyzed electrocyclization of 4π‐electron systems in which one of the double bonds involved in the process was embedded in N‐ and S‐heterocyclic rings. Calculations showed that both heteroatoms are capable of accelerating the ring closure by stabilizing the partial positive charge which develops at C‐6 (C‐2) in the transition state, with S‐heterocyclic derivatives being more reactive than the corresponding N‐containing compounds. In general, pentadienyl cations generated by protonation of alkoxytrienes were expected to react faster than those obtained by protonation of the corresponding dienones, as the latter were stabilized by a hydrogen bond. The presence of a substituent on the heterocyclic ring significantly affects the stereoselectivity (torquoselectivity) only in the case of the N‐heterocyclic derivatives, in which a 2‐alkyl group is axially oriented, providing the cis‐2,5‐disubstituted isomer only. Instead, with substituted S‐heterocyclic compounds, the anticipated torquoselectivity was very low and, in fact, a 3:1 diastereomeric mixture between the trans and cis products was experimentally found after ring closure. For this study, the synthesis of the appropriate N‐ and S‐containing dienones and alkoxytrienes was realized to evaluate the predictivity power of the DFT computations, which was very good in all of the cases examined, both in terms of reactivity and stereoselectivity. The consistency observed between computational and experimental results, therefore, shows the usefulness of DFT calculations at the B3LYP/6‐311G** level of theory as a robust instrument for the prediction of reactivity and stereoselectivity in the Nazarov electrocyclic reaction.     

Oxidation of cyclohexane by a high-valent iron bispidine complex: a combined experimental and computational mechanistic study

Experimental data suggest that there are various competing pathways for the catalytic and stoichiometric oxygenation of cyclohexane, assisted by iron-bispidine complexes and using various oxidants (H(2)O(2), O(2), PhIO). Density functional theory calculations indicate that both Fe(IV)=O and Fe(V)=O species are accessible and efficiently transfer their oxygen atoms to cyclohexane. The reactivities of the two isomers each and the two possible spin states for the Fe(IV)=O and Fe(V)=O species are sufficiently different to allow an interpretation of the experimental data.     

Alkylation of phenol: a mechanistic view

The current work utilizes the ab initio density functional theory (DFT) to develop a molecular level of the mechanistic understanding on the phenol alkylation in the presence of a cation-exchange resin catalyst, Amberlyst-15. The catalyst is modeled with the benzene sulfonic acid, and the effect of this acid on olefins such as isopropene (i-Pr) and tributene (t-Bu) in a phenol solution mimics the experimental condition. A neutral-pathway mechanism is established to account for early-stage high concentration of the phenolic ether observed in experiments. The mechanism involves an exothermic reaction between olefin and the benzene sulfonic acid to form ester followed by three reaction pathways leading to direct O-alkylation, o-C-alkylation, and p-C-alkylation. Our calculations conclude that O-alkylation to form the phenolic ether is the most energetically favorable in the neutral condition. An ionic rearrangement mechanism describes intramolecular migrations of the alkyl group from the phenolic ether to form C-alkylphenols, while the positively charged protonation significantly lowers transition barriers for these migrations. The ionic rearrangement mechanism accounts for high yields of o-C-alkylphenol and p-C-alkylphenol. Competition between the H atom and the alkyl R group at the substitutive site of the protonated ortho configuration is found to be the determining factor to the ortho/para ratio of C-alkylation products.     

α-Hydroxymethylation of conjugated nitroalkenes via the Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction

The Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction (MBHR) of conjugated nitroalkenes has been successfully carried out for the first time. A variety of aromatic and heteroaromatic nitroalkenes react with formaldehyde at room temperature in the presence of stoichiometric amounts of imidazole and catalytic amounts of anthranilic acid in THF providing moderate to good yields of the multifunctional adducts in most of the cases.     

Dual catalyst control in the enantioselective intramolecular Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction

The intramolecular Morita-Baylis-Hillman (MBH) reaction has been achieved with unprecedented levels of enantioselectivity. Using a co-catalyst system involving pipecolinic acid and N-methylimidazole, cyclic MBH products have been obtained with enantiomer ratios of 92:8 (84% ee). In addition, reactions may be carried out with a "kinetic resolution quench" involving acetic anhydride and an asymmetric acylation catalyst such that ee enhancement occurs to deliver products with >98% ee with an isolated yield of 50%. [reaction: see text]     

Combined computational and experimental studies of the mechanism and scope of the retro-Nazarov reaction

Density functional theory calculations (B3LYP/6-31+G) demonstrate that conjugating and electron-donating substituents at carbons three and four of a cyclopentenyl oxyallylic cation should have a rate-accelerating effect on the retro-Nazarov reactions of these species. The retro-Nazarov reaction of these intermediates is predicted to exhibit significant torquoselectivity when carbon three is substituted with a methoxy and a methyl group. Experimental studies show that oxyallylic cations can undergo effective retro-Nazarov reactions when two alkyl and one aryl/vinyl groups are on carbons three and four. An equal number of alkyl substituents or a single aryl substituent is not effective in promoting the reaction. Interestingly, a single alkoxy substituent at carbon three is sufficient for the retro-Nazarov reaction to occur. The methodology developed was used in a total synthesis of the natural product turmerone.