Gold(III) iminophosphorane complexes as catalysts in C-C and C-O bond formations

The reaction of K[AuCl₄] with AgClO₄ and iminophosphorane ligands (N,N-IM) Ph₃PNR [R = CH₂-2-NC₅H₄ (1), C(O)-2-NC₅H₄ (2)] or Ph₂PyPNR [Py = -2-NC₅H₄; R = Ph (3), C(O)Ph (4)] (mol ratio 1:2.2:1) in acetonitrile affords complexes [AuCl₂(N,N-IM)]ClO₄ (5-8). These compounds are air- and moisture-stable and they have been evaluated in two types of catalytic processes. They have been found to be effective catalysts in the addition of 2-methylfuran or azulene to methyl vinyl ketone, as well as in the synthesis of 2,5-disubstituted oxazoles from N-propargylcarboxamides. The reactions proceed in mild conditions and with similar yields to those described for AuCl₃. Using this method, oxazoles bearing a thiophene functional group 2-(2′-thienyl)-5-methylthiazole can be prepared in excellent yields. In all cases the intermediate 5-methylene-4,5-dihydroxazole can be observed by ¹H NMR.     

Cerium(IV)-mediated C-C bond formations in carbohydrate chemistry

We provide a comprehensive study on the addition of radicals to unsaturated carbohydrates in the presence of cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate (CAN). The method is applicable to hexoses, pentoses, and disaccharides, tolerates different protecting groups, and is characterized by mild reaction conditions. Best substrates are malonates and glycals, which afford 2-C-branched carbohydrates in high yields and stereoselectivities. For the first time, the anomeric radicals were trapped with nucleophiles after oxidation and thus the 1- and 2-position of glucose were functionalized in one step. Nitro compounds are suitable CH acidic radical precursors as well, offering an easy access to C-analogs of glycosamines in moderate to good yields. Finally, selective reductions demonstrate the synthetic potential of cerium(IV)-mediated radical reactions in carbohydrate chemistry.     

A new look at boron enolate chemistry: aminative C-C bond formation using diaminoboron enolate with aldehyde

Unlike ordinary boron enolates, such as dialkylboryl (R(2)B) and dialkoxyboryl ((RO)(2)B) derivatives, reactions of diaminoboryl ((R(2)N)(2)B) enolates with aldehydes proceed with the concurrent transfer of amino and enoxy groups from the boron to the aldehyde carbon, yielding beta-amino ketones in a selective manner.     

Site-selective C-C bond formation using cyclodextrin as catalyst

Selective formylation of phenol at the 4-position is achieved by using -cyclodextrin as catalyst in the reaction of phenol with chloroform in aqueous alkali. The reactions of 1,3-dihydroxybenzene and indol, respectively, in the place of phenol give 2,4-dihydroxybenz-aldehyde and indole-3-aldehyde in virtually 100% selectivies and high yields. The reactions of para-substituted phenols, 4-methylphenol and 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2-naphthol, instead of phenol, effect the selective dichloromethylation at the para-positions. Selective carboxylation of phenol at the 4-position is achieved in the reaction of phenol with carbon tetrachloride in aqueous alkali by using -cyclodextrin and copper powder as catalyst.The reaction of 2,4,6-trimethylphenol and allyl bromide in aqueous alkali using hexa-N-methylformamido--cyclodextrin as catalyst yields 4-allyl-2,4,6-trimethyl-2,5-cyclohexadienone in high selectivity.The structure of the ternary inclusion complex composed of -cyclodextrin, phenol, and, chloroform or carbon tetrachloride, formed in the reaction mixture, is determined by NMR spectroscopy. The selective catalysis by cyclodextrin was attributed to the regulation of molecular conformation of substrates with respect to dichlorocarbene, to trichloromethyl cation, or to allyl cation in the ternary molecular complex.     

The α-effect in iminium ion catalysis

The α-effect can be used as an effective means to promote iminium ion catalysed transformations, providing acyclic scaffolds to aid in catalyst design. A thorough investigation of the structure–activity relationship of the catalyst architecture reveals optimal substituents of a disubstituted carbamate and a secondary alkyl group around a hydrazine scaffold. Molecular modelling investigations provide a mechanistic rationale to the results observed.     

Ag(I)-catalyzed sequential C-C and C-O bond formations between phenols and dienes with atom economy

Mild, efficient, and economical Ag(I)-catalyzed sequential C-C/C-O bond formations between phenols and dienes were developed to afford in good yields a variety of dihydrobenzopyran and dihydrobenzofuran ring systems, which are important motifs in both naturally occurring and biologically active compounds.     

Symmetric and unsymmetric "dumbbells" of Ru2-alkynyl units via C-C bond formation reactions

Oxidative homocoupling (Glaser) reaction of Ru2 compounds bearing peripheral ethyne resulted in symmetric dimers. Cross-coupling (Sonogashira) reaction between Ru2 compounds bearing peripheral iodo and ethyne groups yielded an unsymmetric dimer. Voltammetric data indicated that Ru2 units in the symmetric dimers are noninteracting, and the unsymmetric dimer is best described as a weakly coupled push-pull compound.     

"Cation pool" method based on C-C bond dissociation. Effective generation of monocations and dications

The "cation pools" of alkoxyarylcarbenium ions were effectively generated by the oxidative C-C bond dissociation using low temperature electrolysis. The present method is especially effective for the generation and accumulation of dications, which react with carbon nucleophiles.     

C-C bond formation through olefin-thiocarbyne coupling in diiron complexes

The bridging diiron thiocarbyne complex [Fe₂{μ-CS(Me)}(μ-CO)(CO)₂(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (1) reacts with activated olefins (methyl acrylate, acrylonitrile, styrene, diethyl maleate), in the presence of Me₃NO and NaH, to give the corresponding μ-allylidene complexes [Fe₂{μ-η¹:η³-C_α(SMe)C_β(R′)C_γ(H)(R″)} (μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂] (R″ = CO₂Me, R′ = H, 3a; R″ = CN, R′ = H, 3b; R″ = C₆H₅, R′ = H, 3c; R″ = R′ = CO₂Et, 3d). The coupling reaction of olefin with thiocarbyne is regio- and stereospecific, leading to the formation of only one isomer. C-C bond formation occurs between the less substituted alkene carbon and the thiocarbyne. Moreover, olefinic hydrogens of the bridging ligands are mutually trans.The reactions of 3a-b with MeSO₃CF₃ result, selectively, in the formation of the cationic μ-sulphonium allylidene complexes [Fe₂{μ-η¹:η³-C_α(SMe₂)C_β (H)C_γ(H)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (R = CO₂Me, 4a; R = CN, 4b). Compound 4a undergoes displacement of the SMe₂ group by nucleophiles such as NaBH₄, NBu₄CN and NaOMe, affording the complexes [Fe₂{μ-η¹:η³-C_α(R)C_β (H)C_γ(H)(CO₂Me)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂] (R = H, 5a; R = CN, 5b; R = OMe, 5c), respectively. The molecular structures of 3a and 5a have been determined by X-ray diffraction studies.     

Claisen-type addition of glycine to a pyridoxal iminium ion in water

The 5'-deoxypyridoxal stabilized glycine carbanion has been generated in water at neutral and mildly basic pH. At pH < 7, this carbanion reacts mainly with the carbonyl carbon of 1 to form a stable Claisen-type adduct. At pH > or = 8, this carbanion reacts with the iminium carbon of the pyridoxal-glycine iminium ion to form the second Claisen-type adduct 3 as the major reaction product.     

Electrochemical cleavage of a benzylic C-C bond in arylaliphatic compounds

Electrochemical cleavage of a benzylic C-C bond in arylaliphatic compounds and the effect of the structure of their alkyl and aryl fragments on the process are studied. Cleavage was found to be the most effective for substituted benzenes and anisoles with side chains bearing vicinal methoxy- and hydroxy-groups in the a- and -positions. Cleavage was moderate for cior -methoxy(hydroxy)- and (,-dialkoxyalkyl)arenes. Electrolysis carried out in methanol results in formation of PhCH₂OMe and PhCH(OMe)₂ from PhCH₂R and PhCH(OMe)R, benzaldehyde from (1,2-dihydroxypropyl)benzene, acetophenone from 2-phenylhexan-2-ol, 4-MeOC₆H₄CH(OMe)₂ from 4-(1,2-dimethoxypropyl)anisole, and 2-(MeO)₂CHC₆H₄CH(OMe)₂ from 1,2-dimethoxyindan.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk, Seriya KMmicheskaya, No. 1, pp. 140–143, January, 1993.     

"Fatal adsorption" of brushlike macromolecules: high sensitivity of C-C bond cleavage rates to substrate surface energy

Adsorption-induced degradation of brushlike macromolecules was monitored through molecular imaging by atomic force microscopy. The rate constant for C-C bond cleavage was shown to be extremely sensitive to the substrate surface energy. A few percent increase in the surface energy from 69.2 to 71.2 mN/m led to an order of magnitude increase of the scission rate. The absolute values of the rupture forces ranging from 2.57 to 2.47 nN are in agreement with previously calculated and measured values for stretching surface-tethered molecules.     

Metal-free, NHPI catalyzed oxidative cleavage of C-C double bond using molecular oxygen as oxidant

A metal-free N-hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI) catalyzed aerobic oxidative cleavage of olefins has been developed. Molecular oxygen is used as the oxidant and reagent for this oxygenation reaction. This methodology has prevented the use of toxic metals or overstoichiometric amounts of traditional oxidants, showing good economical and environmental advantages. Based on the experimental observations, a plausible mechanism is proposed.     

Intermolecular cross-double-michael addition between nitro and carbonyl activated olefins as a new approach in C-C bond formation

A novel intermolecular cross-double-Michael addition between nitro and carbonyl activated olefins has been developed through Lewis base catalysis. The reaction took place with a large group of beta-alkyl nitroalkenes and alpha,beta-unsaturated ketone/esters, producing an allylic nitro compound in good to excellent yields.     

Kinetics of the C-C bond beta scission reactions in alkyl radicals

High pressure limits of thermal rate constants of four C-C bond beta scission reactions of propyl, 1-butyl, 2-butyl and isobutyl radicals were calculated using the canonical variational transition state theory (CVT) with a multi-dimensional small-curvature tunneling (SCT) correction over the temperature range of 300-3000 K. The CCSD(T)/cc-pVDZ//BH&HLYP/cc-pVDZ method was used to provide necessary potential energy surface information. Rate constants for these reactions were used to extrapolate rate constants for reactions in larger alkyls where experimental data are available using the Reaction Class Transition State Theory (RC-TST). Excellent agreement with experimental data confirms the validity of the RC-TST methodology and the accuracy of the calculated kinetic data in this study.     

Cu-assisted C–N bond formations in six-membered N-heterocycle synthesis

Abstract

One of the highly emerging and important aspect of organic chemistry is the metal-catalyzed synthesis of the heterocycles. The methodologies used earlier for its synthesis were less approachable to the organic chemist because of their high cost, highly specified instrumentation and inconvenient methods. For both the stereoselective and regioselective synthesis of six-membered nitrogen-containing heterocycles, cyclic reactions that are Cu-catalyzed have known to be very efficient. The presented review covers the varied applications of Cu as a catalyst and its importance in the formation of six-membered nitrogen-containing heterocycles. The fascinating research that has been done in this area is also enclosed in this review.