Synthesis, structure, and reactivity of novel 3,4-diphosphacyclobutenes bearing silyl groups

[reaction: see text] Copper-mediated homocoupling of sterically hindered 2-(2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenyl)-1-trialkylsilyl-2-phosphaethenyllithiums afforded 1,2-bis(trialkylsilyl)-3,4-diphosphacyclobutenes (1,2-dihydrodiphosphetenes) through a formal electrocyclic [2+2] cyclization in the P=C-C=P skeleton as well as 2-trimethylsilyl-1,4-diphosphabuta-1,3-diene. Reduction of 1,2-bis(trimethylsilyl)-3,4-diphosphacyclobutenes followed by quenching with electrophiles afforded ring-opened products, (E)-1,2-bis(phosphino)-1,2-bis(trimethylsilyl)ethene and (Z)-2,3-bis(trimethylsilyl)-1,4-diphosphabut-1-ene. The structures of the ring-opened products indicated E/Z isomerization around the C=C bond after P-P bond cleavage of 5, and the isomerization of the P-C=C skeleton. Ring opening of 1,2-bis(trimethylsilyl)-3,4-diphosphacyclobutenes affording (E,E)- and (Z,Z)-1,4-diphosphabuta-1,3-dienes was observed upon desilylation.     

Ruthenium-mediated cycloaromatization of acyclic enediynes and dienynes at ambient temperature

The ruthenium(II) cation, [Cp*Ru(NCMe)3]OTf (4), triggers the Bergman cycloaromatization of acyclic endiynes at room temperature in THF solvent. Treatment of 1,2-di(1-alkynynyl)cyclopentenes (13-Me, alkynyl = propynyl; 13-Prn, alkynyl = pentynyl; 13-Bui, alkynyl = 4-methyl-pent-1-ynyl) with 4 in THF solvent at room temperature gives rise to the ruthenium arene complexes: [Cp*Ru{(3a,4,5,6,7,7a-eta)-2,3-dihydro-5,6-dialkyl-1H-indene}]OTf (15-Me, alkyl = methyl, 64% yield; 15-Prn, alkyl = n-propyl, 73% yield; 15-Bui, alkyl = 4-methyl-1-pentynyl, 88% yield). In a similar fashion, the room-temperature reaction of 4 with 1-ethynyl-2-(1-propynyl)cyclopentene (11) and [2-(1-propynyl)-1-cyclopenten-1-yl]trimethylsilane (14) leads to the formation of [Cp*Ru{(3a,4,5,6,7,7a-eta)-2,3-dihydro-5-methyl-1H-indene}]OTf (12, 92% yield) and [Cp*Ru{(3a,4,5,6,7,7a-eta)-2,3-dihydro-6-methyl-1H-inden-5-yl)trimethylsilane}]OTf (16, 77% yield), respectively. The bis(TMS)-substituted enediyne (1-cyclopentene-1,2-diyldi-2,1-ethynediyl)bis(trimethylsilane) (9-TMS) and 4 underwent reaction at 100 degrees C to give [Cp*Ru{(3a,4,5,6,7,7a-eta)-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-5-yl)trimethylsilane}]OTf (10, 69% yield). Deuterium-labeling studies rule out a mechanism that involves a ruthenium-vinylidene intermediate, and provide support for the involvement of a p-benzyne intermediate. In a similar fashion, complex 4 is shown to trigger the cycloaromatization of the conjugated dienyne, 1-ethenyl-2-(1-pentynyl)cyclopentene (19), at room temperature in chloroform-d1 solvent to give [Cp*Ru{(3a,4,5,6,7,7a-eta)-2,3-dihydro-5-(1-propyl)-1H-indene}]OTf (20, 96% yield), with no deuterium enrichment. In the absence of ruthenium the thermal cyclization reactions of unsubstituted acyclic enediynes (Bergman cycloaromatization) and acyclic conjugated dienynes (Hopf cyclization) typically require elevated temperatures (150-250 degrees C). Complexes 10 and 15-Prn were characterized structurally by X-ray crystallography.     

1,4-Addition of benzene to a dihydrocyclopent[a]indene diradical: synthesis and DFT study

Photochemical cyclization of compound 1, a homoenediyne (-CCC=CCH2CC-) bearing two ethynylanthracene chromophores, yields two isomeric dihydrocyclopent[a]indene ring systems, spiro-fused to the 9-position of a 9,10-dihydroanthracene moiety. Evidence of a photochemically initiated diradical cyclization pathway is proposed on the basis of (i) hydrogen abstraction from reaction with 1,4-cyclohexadiene (1,4-CHD) and (ii) the observation of 1,4-addition of benzene (solvent). The reaction was further analyzed by a complete density functional theory (DFT) study, using an unrestricted approach (UBLYP) with a 6-31G* basis set for the open-shell triplet states of the reactants, products, and diradical intermediates to model the photochemical nature of observed transformation. A mechanism detailing the observed cyclization/addition reaction is proposed.     

Syntheses,structure, and reactivity of acyclic enetriyne and enetetrayne derivatives

Sonogashira coupling of buta-1,3-diynylbenzene with ((2-iodophenyl)ethynyl)trimethylsilane and 1,2-diiodobenzene led to the novel enetriyne, 1-ethynyl-2-(phenylbuta-1,3-diynyl)benzene, and enetetrayne, 1,2-bis(phenylbuta-1,3-diynyl)benzene, respectively. Solid state structural and thermal analyses are also described. In solution, 1-ethynyl-2-(phenylbuta-1,3-diynyl)benzene was found to undergo thermal Bergman cyclization to afford 2-(phenylethynyl)naphthalene.     

Bergman cyclization of sterically hindered substrates and observation of phenyl-shifted products

Heating 1,2-bis(phenylethynyl)benzene in the presence of 1,4-cyclohexadiene at temperatures ranging from 260 to 360 degrees C yielded the expected Bergman product, 2,3-diphenylnaphthalene, as only a minor product (<3%) under all reaction conditions studied. The major products, resulting from one or more phenyl shifts, were 1,3- and 1,4-diphenylnaphthalene which formed in up to 16% and 11% yield, respectively. Although somewhat less efficiently, 1-ethynyl-2-(phenylethynyl)benzene and (Z)-1,6-diphenylhex-3-ene-2,5-diyne also yielded products resulting from phenyl shifts. These results are explained through computations that point to the role of steric repulsion and benzyne stability in driving these isomerizations. The computed barriers for phenyl shifting are dramatically higher than those observed in the case of sp3 radicals. However, these transformations are relevant in solution chemistry as well as in more extreme environments such as those encountered during combustion, pyrolysis, and electric discharge heating.     

Incorporation of stable organic radicals of the tris(2,4, 6-trichlorophenyl)methyl radical series to pyrrole units as models for semiconducting polymers with high spin multiplicity. 1

The condensation reactions between (4-amino-2,6-dichlorophenyl)bis(2, 4,6-trichlorophenyl)methyl radical and acetylacetone or 1, 4-bis(5-methyl-2-thienyl)-1,4-butanedione yield [2,6-dichloro-4-(2, 5-dimethyl-1-pyrrolyl)phenyl]bis(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl)methyl radical (3(*)()) and [2,6-dichloro-4-[2, 5-bis(5-methyl-2-thienyl)-1-pyrrolyl]phenyl]bis(2,4, 6-trichlorophenyl)methyl radical (4(*)()), respectively. EPR studies of both radicals 3(*)() and 4(*)() in CH(2)Cl(2) solution suggest a weak electron delocalization with coupling constant values of 1.25 and 1.30 G, respectively, with the six aromatic hydrogens. Their electrochemical behavior was analyzed by cyclic voltammetry. Both radicals show reversible reduction processes at E degrees = -0.69 V and -0.61 V versus SSCE, respectively, and anodic peak potentials at E(p)(a) = 1.10 and 0.72 V, respectively, versus SSCE at a scan rate (nu) of 200 mV s(-)(1), being reversible for radical 4(*)(). X-ray analysis of radical 3(*)() shows a high value (65 degrees ) of the dihedral angle between the 2,5-dimethylpyrrolidyl moiety and the phenyl ring. Smooth oxidation of radical 4(*)() in CH(2)Cl(2) containing trifluoroacetic acid gives an ionic diradical species with a weak electron interaction (|D/hc| = 0.0047 cm(-)(1)). A Curie plot of the Deltam(s)() = +/-2 signal intensity versus the inverse of the absolute temperature in the range between 4 and 70 K suggests a triplet or a nearly degenerate singlet-triplet ground state.     

Preparations and properties of polymers containing 3,4-bis[(2,4,6-tri-t-butylphenyl)phosphinidene]-1,2-di(2-thienyl)cyclobutene moieties

Reaction of 1,8-bis[5-{(2,4,6-tri-t-butylphenyl)phosphinoethynyl}-2-thienyl]octane with butyllithium followed by treatment with 1,2-dibromoethane afforded a new polymer containing 3,4-bis[(2,4,6-tri-t-butylphenyl)phosphinidene]-1,2-di(2-thienyl)cyclobutene units. The polymer was allowed to react with bis(benzonitrile)dichloropalladium to give the polymer complex. A Sonogashira coupling reaction between ethynyltrimethylsilane and 4-bromonitrobenzene proceeded in DMF at 100 °C to give 4-nitro(trimethylsilylethynyl)benzene in the presence of the polymer complex, CuI, and triethylamine.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel fluorophosphazene-derived cobaltacyclopentadienyl metallacycles: reagents for assembly of aryl-bridged fluorophosphazenes

Reaction of (beta-phenylethynyl)pentafluorocyclotriphosphazene, F5P3N3C identical with CPh, with in situ generated eta5-(MeOC(O)C5H4)Co(PPh3)2 resulted in the formation of two isomers of cobaltacyclopentadienylmetallacycles, (eta(5)-carbomethoxycyclopentadienyl)(triphenylphosphine)-2,5-bis(pentafluorocyclotriphosphazenyl)-3,4-diphenyl cobaltacyclopentadiene (1) and (eta5-carbomethoxycyclopentadienyl)(triphenylphosphine)-2,4-bis(pentafluorocyclotriphosphazenyl)-3,5-diphenyl cobaltacyclopentadiene (2), along with the sandwich compound [eta5-carbomethoxycyclopentadienyl]-[eta4-1,3-bis(pentafluorocyclotriphosphazenyl)-2,4-diphenylcyclobutadiene]cobalt (3). Formation of cobaltacyclopentadienylmetallacycles or cyclobutadienylmetallocene having two fluorophosphazene units on vicinal carbon atoms of the rings was not observed in this reaction. Reaction of 1 with diphenylacetylene resulted in the formation of a novel aryl-bridged fluorophosphazene, 1,4-bis(pentafluorocyclotriphosphazenyl)-2,3,5,6-tetraphenyl benzene (4), and the conversion of cobaltametallacycle to the sandwich compound, [eta5-(MeOC(O)C5H4]Co(eta4-C4Ph4) (5). Reaction of 1 with phenylacetylene resulted in the formation of aryl-bridged fluorophosphazene, 1,4-bis(pentafluorophosphazenyl)-2,3,5,-triphenyl benzene (6). New compounds 1-4 were structurally characterized. In compound 1, the two fluorophosphazene units were oriented in gauche form with respect to each other. However, in compounds 2 and 3, they were eclipsed to each other, and in compound 4, they were oriented anti to each other.     

Photothermally induced Bergman cyclization of metalloenediynes via near-infrared ligand-to-metal charge-transfer excitation

Reaction of 1,2-bis(tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy)-4,5-diiodobenzene with 2 equiv of phenylacetylene followed by deprotection with KF/HBr yields the catechol-enediyne ligand 4,5-bis(phenylethynyl)benzene-1,2-diol (CatED, 1). Metathesis of VO(SALIMH)ACAC.CH(3)OH (2) with 1 and subsequent air oxidation yields (4,5-bis(phenylethynyl)-1,2-dihydroxyphenyl)[4-(2-(salicylideneamino)ethyl)imidazolyl]oxovanadium(V).CH(3)OH [VO(SALIMH)CatED], (3), in 85%. The thermal Bergman cyclization temperature for 3 is very high (246 degrees C), which is expected for a rigid, benzannulated enediyne motif. The electronic spectrum of 3 exhibits two strong ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LMCT) transitions centered at 584 nm (epsilon = 6063 M(-)(1) cm(-)(1)) and 1028 nm (epsilon = 8098 M(-)(1) cm(-)(1)). These transitions derive from CatED-to-V(V) ligand-to-metal charge transfer, the assignment of which is verified by resonance enhancement of several CatED vibrational modes in the Raman spectra obtained with lambda = 785 vs lambda = 457.9 nm under low power and/or temperature conditions. At elevated temperatures (113-323 K) and powers (2-5 mW), excitation of 3 in the solid state with lambda = 785 nm leads to generation of a black, sparingly soluble, fluorescent product that exhibits weak vibrational features in the 580-600, 1200-1350, and 1450-1600 cm(-)(1) regions, indicative of V-O (CatED) and aromatic ring units. The C=C ring modes correspond well with the vibrational characteristics of poly(p-phenylene) and derivatives thereof. Additionally, materials generated in both the solid-state thermal and photothermal reactions of 3 demonstrate the formation of high molecular weight species ranging from 5000 to 274 000. On the basis of these data and the literature precedent for formation of poly(p-phenylene) via thermolysis of simple enediynes, the reaction poses a unique approach for photoinitiating Bergman cyclization with long-wavelength excitation, as well as the generation of polymeric products.     

In situ EPR spectroscopy of aromatic diyne cyclopolymerization

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy was successfully used for the first time to follow the Bergman cyclization of bis-ortho-diynyl arene (BODA) compounds. Five BODA monomers with different spacer (X) and terminal groups (R) were compared. In situ polymerization via EPR spectroscopy yielded first-order rate expressions. Monomers with spacer -O- or -C(CF(3))(2) and terminal group R = Ph exhibited similar kinetic behavior upon thermal polymerization, whereas monomers with pyridine and thiophene terminal groups gave significantly higher rates of polymerization over phenyl-terminated derivatives. A model compound, 1,2-bis(phenylethynyl)benzene, was used to probe the polymerization mechanism, and radical intermediates were found to be stable indefinitely at room temperature.     

Synthesis of water-soluble poly(p-phenyleneethynylene) in neat water under aerobic conditions via Suzuki-Miyaura polycondensation using a diborylethyne synthon

We report the synthesis, structure, and characterization of a novel ethyne synthon, 1,2-bis(4',4',5',5'-tetramethyl[1',3',2']dioxaborolan-2'-yl)ethyne (B2C2). We demonstrate the utility of B2C2 in the Suzuki-Miyaura polycondensation reaction, synthesizing a water-soluble poly(p-phenyleneethynylene) from [2,5-diiodo-1,4-bis(3-propoxy-sulfonicacid)benzene] sodium salt in neat water under an aerobic atmosphere.     

Effect of chromophore-charge distance on the energy transfer properties of water-soluble conjugated oligomers

The synthesis of 1,4-bis(9,9'-bis(3"-(N,N,N-trimethylammonium)-propyl)-2'-fluorenyl)benzene tetrabromide (C3), 1,4-bis(9,9'-bis(4"-(N,N,N-trimethylammonium)-butyl)-2'-fluorenyl)benzene tetrabromide (C4), 1,4-bis(9,9'-bis(6"-(N,N,N-trimethylammonium)-hexyl)-2'-fluorenyl)benzene tetrabromide (C6), and 1,4-bis(9,9'-bis(8"-(N,N,N-trimethylammonium)-octyl)-2'-fluorenyl)benzene tetrabromide (C8) is reported. Fluorescence energy transfer experiments between C3-C8 and the acceptors pentasodium 1,4-bis(4'(2",4"-bis(butoxysulfonate)-styryl)styryl)-2-(butoxysulfonate)-5-methoxybenzene (3), fluorescein labeled single-stranded DNA and fluorescein labeled double-stranded DNA in water, buffer, and methanol reveal the importance of hydrophobic and electrostatic forces in determining chromophore-chromophore close proximity. In water, the oligomers with longer side chain length show better energy transfer, as well as higher Stern-Volmer quenching constants (K(sv)), largely due to a stronger hydrophobic attraction between the optically active components. In methanol, the differences in energy transfer are leveled, and the oligomers with shorter side chain lengths show higher K(sv) values. Compounds C3, C4, C6, and C8 were also used to dissect the different contributors to DNA hybridization assays based on cationic conjugated polymers.     

An extremely facile aza-Bergman rearrangement of sterically unencumbered acyclic 3-aza-3-ene-1,5-diynes

The factors that affect the kinetics of the aza-Bergman cyclization of aza-enediynes (C,N-dialkynyl imines) have not previously been elucidated. Here we report our kinetic studies of the aza-Bergman reactions of a series of 6-triisopropylsilyl and 6-unsubstituted 1-phenyl-4-aryl-3-aza-3-ene-1,4-diynes in which the aryl group is phenyl, o-(methoxy)phenyl, or p-(methoxy)phenyl. These aza-enediynes are prepared as single isomers in modest yield from the corresponding 1-aryl-3-(triisopropylsilyl)propynone oximes. These aza-enediynes undergo aza-Bergman reaction followed by a rapid retro-aza-Bergman cyclization to afford beta-alkynyl acrylonitrile products. In no case are products corresponding to trapping the intermediate 2,5-didehydropyridine diradical isolated. While the rate of aza-Bergman cyclization is not greatly affected by the nature of the 4-aryl substituent, the rate is very dependent on the nature of the 6-substituent. 1-Phenyl-4-aryl-3-aza-3-ene-1,5-diynes that lack a 6-substituent undergo aza-Bergman cyclization spontaneously at 20 degrees C with first-order half-lives of 36-78 min. The effect of solvent on the kinetics of aza-Bergman cyclization of 1,4-diphenyl-3-aza-3-ene-1,5-diyne was investigated. The rate of this cyclization is solvent dependent, proceeding more rapidly in less polar solvents.     

The development of corannulene-based blue emitters

Novel blue emitters were synthesized based on the fullerene fragment corannulene. 1,2- bis(corannulenylethynyl)benzene and 1,4-bis(corannulenylethynyl)benzene were designed, synthesized, and shown to exhibit significant red shifts in their absorption spectra as compared to that of the parent corannulene. Photoluminescence studies show both 1,2- bis(corannulenylethynyl)benzene and 1,4- bis(corannulenylethynyl)benzene gives enhanced blue luminescence compared to the parent corannulene structure. 1,4-bis(corannulenylethynyl)benzene was observed to give intense blue luminescence when excited at 400 nm. DFT and TD-DFT calculations were performed and shown to be consistent with the observed experimental results.     

Hydrogenation of simple aromatic molecules: a computational study of the mechanism

Quantum chemistry calculations have been used to study the metal-free hydrogenation reactions of a variety of simple aromatic, heteroaromatic, and related linear conjugated systems. We find that the barrier for uncatalyzed 1,4-hydrogenation is always substantially lower (by approximately 200 kJ mol-1) than that for 1,2-hydrogenation, despite similar reaction enthalpies. The presence of hydrogen fluoride as a catalyst is found to decrease the 1,2-hydrogenation barriers but, in most cases, to slightly increase the 1,4-hydrogenation barriers when a constrained geometric arrangement is employed. These qualitative observations are consistent with orbital symmetry considerations, which show that both the uncatalyzed 1,4-hydrogenation and the catalyzed 1,2-hydrogenation are formally symmetry-allowed processes. An extreme example of the catalyzed 1,2-hydrogenation of benzene is provided by the involvement of a second molecule of hydrogen, which leads to a substantial lowering of the barrier. The effect of catalysis was further investigated by applying a selection of additional catalysts to the 1,2- and 1,4-hydrogenation of benzene. A decreasing barrier with increasing catalyst acidity is generally observed for the catalytic 1,2-hydrogenation, but the situation is more complex for catalytic 1,4-hydrogenation. For the uncatalyzed 1,4-hydrogenation of aromatic systems containing one or more nitrogen heteroatoms, the barriers for [C,C], [C,N], and [N,N] hydrogenations are individually related to the reaction enthalpies by the Bell-Evans-Polanyi principle. In addition, for a given reaction enthalpy, the barriers for [C,C] hydrogenation are generally lower than those for [C,N] or [N,N] hydrogenation. Finally, we find that the distortion experienced by the reactants in forming the transition structure represents a secondary factor that influences the reaction barrier. The correlation between these quantities allows the 1,4-hydrogenation barriers to be predicted from a ground-state property.     

SYNTHESIS OF POLY(SILPHENYLENE-SILOXANE) THROUGH DEHYDROCARBON POLYCONDENSATION OF 1,4-BIS(DIMETHYLSILYL)BENZENE AND DIALKOXYSILANE

Poly(silphenylene-siloxane)s had been synthesized through dehydrocarbon polycondensation of 1,4- bis(dimethylsilyl)benzene(BDSB)and dialkoxysilane.The polymer composition and structure was characterized by ~(29)Si-NMR.The influence of temperature,B(C_6F_5)_3 concentration and monomer structure on the composition and the microstructure of the copolymers were investigated.It shows that elevating reaction temperature or using substrate (R'O)_2R_2R_1Si with bulk organic group of R_1 or R_2 augments the run n...     

Enediynes in 11-membered rings. Synthesis, structure, and reactivity of highly strained but unusually stable macrocycles.

The synthesis of two new aromatic cyclic enediynes 1a and 1b using a double Wittig condensation, followed by bromination and di-dehydrobromination, is reported. The structures were determined using X-ray crystallography. The observed C(1)-C(6) distances of the enediyne moiety in the oxygen- and sulfur-containing eleven-membered rings are quite short with 3.44 and 3.50 A, respectively, indicating the highly strained nature of these compounds. Isodesmic calculations at the B3LYP/6-31G level of theory indicate a strain energy of 8.2 and 5.8 kcal/mol, respectively. Despite the highly strained ring system, the compounds were found to be stable under thermal, photochemical, and electron-transfer conditions. Using BLYP/6-311+G/BLYP/6-31G calculations, the origin of this unusual stability was traced to the high energy of the 1,4 benzyne diradicals formed via Bergman cyclization. For the radical cation, both the C(1)-C(6) and the C(1)-C(5) cyclization mode previously reported for acyclic analogues of 1 were found to be energetically prohibitive.     

Controlling both ground- and excited-state thermal barriers to Bergman cyclization with alkyne termini substitution

The cross-coupling reaction of 2,3-dibromo-5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrin with corresponding organostannanes in the presence of a Pd0 catalyst in THF at reflux temperature yields free base 2,3-dialkynylporphyrins 1a,c-e. The subsequent deprotection of trimethylsilyl group of 1a with TBAF in THF under aqueous conditions produces the 2,3-diethynyl-5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrins 1b in 87% yield. Compounds 1a-d undergo zinc insertion upon treatment with Zn(OAc)2.2H2O in CHCl3/MeOH to give zinc(II) 2,3-dialkynyl-5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrins (2a-d) in 70-92% yields. Thermal Bergman cyclization of 1a-e and 2a-d was studied in chlorobenzene and approximately 35-fold 1,4-cyclohexadiene at 120-210 degrees C. Compounds 1b and 2b with R = H react at lower temperature (120 degrees C) and produce cyclized products 3b and 4b in higher yields (65-70%) than their propyl, isopropyl, and phenyl analogues, with R = Ph being the most stable. Continuing in this trend, the -TMS derivatives 1a and 2a exhibit no reactivity even after heating at 190 degrees C in chlorobenzene/CHD for 24 h. Photolysis (at lambda >/= 395 nm) of 1b and 2b at 10 degrees C leads the formation of isolable picenoporphyrin products in 15 and 35% yields, respectively, in 72 h, whereas these compounds are stable in solution under same reaction conditions at 25 degrees C in the dark. Unlike thermolysis at 125 degrees C, which did not yield Bergman cyclized product for R = Ph, photolysis generated very small amounts of picenoporphyrin products (3c: 5%; 4c: 8% based on 1H NMR) as well as a mixture of reduced porphyrin products that were not separable. Thus, trends in the barrier to Bergman cyclization in the excited state exhibit the same trend as those observed in the ground state as a function of R-group. Finally, photolysis of 2b at 10 degrees C with lambda >/= 515 or 590 nm in benzene/iPrOH (4:1, 72 h) produces 4b in 15 and 6% isolated yields, indicating that conjugation of the enediyne unit into the porphyrin electronic transitions leads to sufficient distortion to generate photoproduct even with long wavelength excitation.     

Rigid P-chiral phosphine ligands with tert-butylmethylphosphino groups for rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of functionalized alkenes

Both enantiomers of 2,3-bis(tert-butylmethylphosphino)quinoxaline (QuinoxP*), 1,2-bis(tert-butylmethylphosphino)benzene (BenzP*), and 1,2-bis(tert-butylmethylphosphino)-4,5-(methylenedioxy)benzene (DioxyBenzP*) were prepared in short steps from enantiopure (S)- and (R)-tert-butylmethylphosphine-boranes as the key intermediates. All of these ligands were crystalline solids and were not readily oxidized on exposure to air. Their rhodium complexes exhibited excellent enantioselectivities and high catalytic activities in the asymmetric hydrogenation of functionalized alkenes, such as dehydroamino acid derivatives and enamides. The practical utility of these catalysts was demonstrated by the efficient preparation of several chiral pharmaceutical ingredients having an amino acid or a secondary amine component. A rhodium complex of the structurally simple ligand BenzP* was used for the mechanistic study of asymmetric hydrogenation. Low-temperature NMR studies together with DFT calculations using methyl α-acetamidocinnamate as the standard model substrate revealed new aspects of the reaction pathways and the enantioselection mechanism.     

Photochemical C2-C6 cyclization of enyne-allenes: detection of a fulvene triplet diradical in the laser flash photolysis

A series of enyne-allenes, with and without benzannulation at the ene moiety and equipped with aromatic and carbonyl groups as internal triplet sensitizer units at the allene terminus, was synthesized. Both sets, the cyclohexenyne-allenes and benzenyne-allenes, underwent thermal C(2)-C(6) cyclization exclusively to formal ene products. In contrast, the photochemical C(2)-C(6) cyclization of enyne-allenes provided formal Diels-Alder and/or ene products, with higher yields for the benzannulated systems. A raise of the temperature in the photochemical cyclization of enyne-allene 1b' led to increasing amounts of the ene product in relation to that of the formal Diels-Alder product. Laser flash photolysis at 266 and 355 nm as well as triplet quenching studies for 1b,b' indicated that the C(2)-C(6) cyclization proceeds via the triplet manifold. On the basis of a density functional theory (DFT) study, a short-lived transient (tau = 30 ns) was assigned as a triplet allene, while a long-lived transient (tau = 33 micros) insensitive to oxygen was assigned as fulvene triplet diradical. An elucidation of the reaction mechanism using extensive DFT computations allowed rationalization of the experimental product ratio and its temperature dependence.