Molybdenum hexacarbonyl supported on amine modified multi‐wall carbon nanotubes: an efficient and highly reusable catalyst for epoxidation of alkenes with tert‐butylhydroperoxide

In the present work, highly efficient epoxidation of alkenes catalyzed by Mo(CO)₆ supported on multi‐wall carbon nanotubes modified by 2‐aminopyrazine, APyz‐MWCNTs, is reported. The prepared catalyst was characterized by elemental analysis, scanning electron microscopy, FT IR and diffuses reflectance UV–vis spectroscopic methods. This new heterogenized catalysts, [Mo(CO)₆@APyz‐MWCNT], was used as a highly efficient catalyst for epoxidation of alkenes with tert‐BuOOH. This robust catalyst was reused several times without loss of its catalytic activity. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Titanium cis‐1,2‐Diaminocyclohexane (cis‐DACH) Salalen Catalysts for the Asymmetric Epoxidation of Terminal Non‐Conjugated Olefins with Hydrogen Peroxide

Chiral Ti salalen complexes catalyze the asymmetric epoxidation of terminal non‐conjugated olefins with hydrogen peroxide. Modular ligands based on cis‐1,2‐diamino‐cyclohexane (cis‐DACH) were developed, giving high yields and enantiomeric excesses (ee, up to 96 %) at catalyst loadings as low as 0.1–0.5 mol %, and even under solvent‐free conditions.     

Photocatalyzed ortho‐Alkylation of Pyridine N‐Oxides through Alkene Cleavage

A photocatalyzed reaction of pyridine N‐oxides with alkenes gives ortho‐alkylated pyridines with cleavage of the carbon–carbon double bond. Benzyl and secondary alkyl groups are incorporated at the ortho position of pyridines in one pot.     

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.     

A green epoxidation system with poly(4‐vinylpyridine) microsphere‐supported molybdenum catalyst

The immobilization of molybdenum (Mo) compounds on poly(4‐vinylpyridine) (P4VP) microspheres for catalytic epoxidation was reported. P4VP‐supported Mo compounds were highly efficient and selective for the epoxidation of cis‐cyclooctene using hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) as oxygen source. When ethanol was used as solvents, outstanding catalytic activity and selectivity were observed for Mo‐containing catalysts in the epoxidation of cis‐cyclooctene. A completely green epoxidation system based on H₂O₂ and cleaner solvent has been achieved, and the heterogenized Mo catalyst can be recovered for five times without loss of its activity. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 558–562, 2010     

Covalent supporting of novel dioxo‐molybdenum tetradentate pyrrole‐imine complex on Fe3O4 as high‐efficiency nanocatalyst for selective epoxidation of olefins

A novel Mo(VI) tetradentate Schiff base complex based on two pyrrole‐imine donors was anchored covalently on Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles and characterized using physicochemical techniques. The catalytic epoxidation process was optimized in terms of the effects of solvent, reaction temperature, kind of oxidant and amount of oxidant and catalyst. Then the novel heterogeneous nanocatalyst was used for the efficient and selective catalytic epoxidation of internal alkenes (cyclohexene, cyclooctene, α‐pinene, indene and trans ‐1,2‐diphenylethene) and terminal alkenes (n ‐heptene, n ‐octene, n ‐dodecene and styrene) using tert ‐butyl hydroperoxide (70% in water) as oxidant in 1,2‐dichloroethane as solvent. The prepared nanocatalyst is very effective for the selective epoxidation of cis ‐cyclooctene with 100% conversion, 100% selectivity and turnover frequency of 1098 h⁻¹ in just 30 min. The magnetic nanocatalyst was easily recovered using an external magnetic field and was used subsequently at least six times without significant decrease in conversion.     

Efficient Solid Phase Synthesis of Cleavable Oligodeoxynucleotides Based on a Novel Strategy for the Synthesis of 5′‐S‐(4,4′‐Dimethoxytrityl)‐2′‐deoxy‐5′‐thionucleoside Phosphoramidites

The incorporation of a specific cleavage site into an oligodeoxynucleotide can be achieved by utilizing the four 5′‐S‐(4,4′‐dimethoxytrityl)‐2′‐deoxy‐5′‐thionucleoside 3′‐(2‐cyanoethyl diisopropylphosphoramidites) 5 and 15a – c (Fig. 1). Based on the silver ion assisted cleavage of P? S and C? S bonds, we synthesized oligodeoxynucleotides with an achiral 5′‐phosphorothioate linkage 3′–O–P–S–5′ by the solid‐phase phosphoramidite procedure. The efficient cleavage of these modified oligodeoxynucleotides can be detected by HPLC, PAGE, and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectrometry. The liberated 5′‐thiol moiety can be used directly for post‐reaction labeling with appropriately functionalized reporter groups.     

Aldehyde-catalyzed epoxidation of unactivated alkenes with aqueous hydrogen peroxide

The organocatalytic epoxidation of unactivated alkenes using aqueous hydrogen peroxide provides various indispensable products and intermediates in a sustainable manner. While formyl functionalities typically undergo irreversible oxidations when activating an oxidant, an atropisomeric two-axis aldehyde capable of catalytic turnover was identified for high-yielding epoxidations of cyclic and acyclic alkenes. The relative configuration of the stereogenic axes of the catalyst and the resulting proximity of the aldehyde and backbone residues resulted in high catalytic efficiencies. Mechanistic studies support a non-radical alkene oxidation by an aldehyde-derived dioxirane intermediate generated from hydrogen peroxide through the Payne and Criegee intermediates.

An atropisomeric two-axis aldehyde is capable of catalysing the organocatalytic epoxidation of unactivated alkenes using hydrogen peroxide as the oxidant.     

Facile One‐Pot Multicomponent Synthesis of β‐Acetamido Ketones with Amberlyst‐15 as Heterogeneous Catalyst

The one‐pot multicomponent coupling of an aromatic aldehyde, an enolizable ketone or keto ester, acetonitrile, and acetyl chloride at room temperature in the presence of Amberlyst‐15 as catalyst affords β‐acetamido ketones in high yields. The inexpensive catalyst works under heterogeneous conditions and can be readily reused.     

Excellent alkene epoxidation catalytic activity of macrocyclic‐based complex of dioxo‐Mo(VI) on supermagnetic separable nanocatalyst

A phenoxybutane‐based Schiff base complex of cis‐dioxo‐Mo(VI) was supported on paramagnetic nanoparticles and characterized using powder X‐ray diffraction, infrared, diffuse reflectance and atomic absorption spectroscopies, scanning and transmission electron microscopies and vibrating sample magnetometry. The separable nanocatalyst was tested for the selective epoxidation of cyclohexene, cyclooctene, styrene, indene, α‐pinene, 1‐octene, 1‐heptene, 1‐dodecene and trans‐stilbene using tert‐butyl hydroperoxide (80% in di‐tert‐butyl peroxide–water, 3:2) as oxidant in chloroform. The catalyst was efficient for oxidation of cyclooctene with 100% selectivity for epoxidation with 98% conversion in 10 min. We were able to separate magnetically the nanocatalyst using an external magnetic field and used the catalyst at least six successive times without significant decrease in conversion. The turnover frequency of the catalyst was remarkable (2556 h^?1 for cyclooctene). The proposed nanomagnetic catalyst has advantages in terms of catalytic activity, selectivity, catalytic reaction time and reusability by easy separation.     

Facile one‐pot synthesis of a series of 7‐aryl‐8H‐benzo[h]indeno[1,2‐b]quinoline‐8‐one derivatives catalyzed by cellulose‐based magnetic nanocomposite

A sulfonated magnetic cellulose‐based nanocomposite was applied as an efficient, inexpensive and green catalyst for the one‐pot three‐component synthesis of 7‐aryl‐8H ‐benzo[h ]indeno[1,2‐b ]quinoline‐8‐ones starting from 1,3‐indanedione, aromatic aldehydes and 1‐naphthylamine under solvent‐free conditions in high yields (79–98%) within short reaction times (2–5 min). The nanobiostructure catalyst can be easily separated from the reaction mixture by using an external magnet and reused several times.     

Dioxomolybdenum(VI) complex covalently attached to amino‐modified graphene oxide: heterogeneous catalyst for the epoxidation of alkenes

Transition metal salen complex MoO₂–salen was successfully tethered onto amino‐functionalized graphene oxide (designated as MoO₂–salen–GO), which was tested in the epoxidation of various alkenes using tert‐butylhydroperoxide or H₂O₂ as oxidant. Characterization results showed that dioxomolybdenum(VI) complex was successfully grafted onto the amino‐functionalized graphene oxide and the structure of the graphene oxide was well preserved after several stepwise synthesis procedures. Catalytic tests showed that heterogeneous catalyst MoO₂–salen–GO was more active than its homogeneous analogue MoO₂–salen in the epoxidation of cyclooctene due to site isolation. In addition, the MoO₂–salen–GO catalyst could be reused three times without significant loss of activity. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Photocatalytic Dehydrogenative Cross‐Coupling of Alkenes with Alcohols or Azoles without External Oxidant

Direct cross‐coupling between alkenes/R‐H or alkenes/RXH is a dream reaction, especially without external oxidants. Inputting energy by photocatalysis and employing a cobalt catalyst as a two‐electron acceptor, a direct C−H/X−H cross‐coupling with H₂ evolution has been achieved for C−O and C−N bond formation. A new radical alkenylation using alkene as the redox compound is presented. A wide range of aliphatic alcohols—even long chain alcohols—are tolerated well in this system, providing a new route to multi‐substituted enol ether derivatives using simple alkenes. Additionally, this protocol can also be used for N ‐vinylazole synthesis. Mechanistic insights reveal that the cobalt catalyst oxidizes the photocatalyst to revive the photocatalytic cycle.     

Boehmite nano‐particles functionalized with silylpropylamine‐supported Keggin‐type heteropolyacids: Catalysts for epoxidation of alkenes

Boehmite nano‐particles with a high degree of surface hydroxyl groups were covalently functionalized by 3‐(trimethoxysilyl)‐propylamine to support H₃[PMo₁₂O₄₀], H₃[PW₁₂O₄₀], H₄[SiMo₁₂O₄₀] and H₄[SiW₁₂O₄₀] Keggin‐type heteropolyacids. After characterization of these catalysts by FT‐IR, powder X‐ray diffraction, TG/differential thermal analysis, CHN, inductively coupled plasma and transmission electron microscopy techniques, they were applied to the epoxidation of cis‐cycloocten. The progress of the reactions was investigated by gas–liquid chromatography, and the catalytic procedures were optimized for the parameters involved, such as the solvent and oxidant. The results showed that 25 mg of supported H₃[PMo₁₂O₄₀] catalyst in 1 ml C₂H₄Cl₂ with 0.5 mmol cyclooctene and 1 mmol tert‐butylhydroperoxide at reflux temperature gave 98% yield over 15 min. Recycling experiments revealed that these nanocatalysts could be repeatedly applied up to five times for a nearly complete epoxidation of cis‐cycloocten. The optimized experimental conditions were also used successfully for the epoxidation of some other alkenes, such as cyclohexene, styrene and α‐methyl styrene.     

Dimethyldioxirane as a new and effective oxidation agent for the epoxidation of α,ω‐di(isobutenyl)polyisobutylene: A convenient synthesis of α,ω‐di(2‐methyl‐3‐hydroxypropyl)‐polyisobutylene

The synthesis and characterization of α,ω‐di(2‐methyl‐2,3‐epoxypropyl)polyisobutylene are reported. The epoxidation of α,ω‐di(isobutenyl)polyisobutylene was achieved at room temperature with dimethyldioxirane, which proved to be a very effective reagent for epoxidation without the formation of byproducts. A very good agreement was found for the conversion determined by ¹H NMR and matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI HMS). The epoxy end groups were converted quantitatively into aldehyde termini with zinc bromide as a catalyst. The aldehyde groups were then reduced with LiAlH₄ into primary hydroxyl functions to obtain α,ω‐di(2‐methyl‐3‐hydroxylpropyl)polyisobutylene with high efficiency. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 3974–3986, 2002     

An Agostic Iridium Pincer Complex as a Highly Efficient and Selective Catalyst for Monoisomerization of 1‐Alkenes to trans‐2‐Alkenes

A unique Ir complex (^tBuNC^CP)Ir with the pyridine–phosphine pincer as the sole ligand, featuring a dual agostic interaction between the Ir and two σ C−H bonds from a t Bu substituent, has been prepared. This complex exhibits exceptionally high activity and excellent regio‐ and stereoselectivity for monoisomerization of 1‐alkenes to trans ‐2‐alkenes with wide functional‐group tolerance. Reactions can be performed in neat reactant on a more than 100 gram scale using 0.005 mol % catalyst loadings with turnover numbers up to 19000.     

Photoredox‐Catalyzed Stereoselective Conversion of Alkynes into Tetrasubstituted Trifluoromethylated Alkenes

A regio‐ and stereoselective synthesis of trifluoromethylated alkenes bearing four different substituents has been developed. Stereocontrolled sulfonyloxytrifluoromethylation of unsymmetric internal alkynes with an electrophilic CF₃ reagent, namely the triflate salt of the Yagupol’skii–Umemoto reagent, in the presence of an Ir photoredox catalyst under visible‐light irradiation afforded trifluoromethylalkenyl triflates with well‐predictable stereochemistry resulting from anti addition of the trifluoromethyl and triflate groups. Subsequent palladium‐catalyzed cross‐couplings led to tetrasubstituted trifluoromethylated alkenes in a highly stereoselective manner. The present method is the first example of a facile one‐pot synthesis of tetrasubstituted trifluoromethylated alkenes from simple alkynes.     

Microwave‐induced Stereoselectivity in Synthesis of trans‐4‐Aryl‐3‐methyl‐6‐oxo‐4,5,6,7‐tetrahydro‐2H‐pyrazolo[3,4‐b]pyridine‐5‐carbonitriles

A facile synthesis of trans isomers of 4‐aryl‐3‐methyl‐6‐oxo‐4,5,6,7‐tetrahydro ‐ 2H ‐ pyrazolo[3,4‐b]pyridine‐5‐carbonitriles via three‐component condensation reaction of an aldehyde, 3‐amino‐5‐methylpyrazole and ethyl cyanoacetate in acetonitrile has been developed under microwave irradiation. This one‐pot reaction proceeds without any catalyst in short times and gives the product in high selectivities and high yields.     

Synthesis of di‐nitrogen Schiff base complexes of methyltrioxorhenium(VII) and their application in epoxidation with aqueous hydrogen peroxide as oxidant

Several di‐nitrogen Schiff bases were synthesized through the condensation of 2‐pyridinecarboxaldehyde with primary amines. The Schiff bases as ligands coordinated with methyltrioxorhenium (MTO) smoothly to afford the correspondent complexes which were characterized by IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, MS and elemental analysis. One of the complexes was analyzed by X‐ray crystallography as well. The results revealed that the complexes display distorted octahedral geometry in the solid state with a trans‐position of Schiff base. Catalytic results indicated that the complexes as catalysts increased the selectivity of epoxides remarkably compared with MTO in the epoxidation of alkenes with 30% hydrogen peroxide as oxidant and the increasing rate depended on the structure of the Schiff base ligands of the complexes. The results indicated that the stronger the donating ability of the ligand, the higher selectivity of epoxides the complex gave in the epoxidation of alkenes with 30% hydrogen peroxide as oxidant. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A novel catalyst for alkene epoxidation: a polymer-supported CoLCl2 {L = 2-(alkylthio)-3-phenyl-5-(pyridine-2-ylmethylene)-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazole-4-one} complex

A polymer-supported complex based on 3-phenyl-5-(2-pyridylmethylidene)-2-thiohydantoin has been synthesized and employed as a catalyst for the epoxidation of alkenes using iodosylbenzene and hydrogen peroxide as oxidants.