A Simple and Versatile Re‐Catalyzed Meyer–Schuster Rearrangement of Propargylic Alcohols to α,β‐Unsaturated Carbonyl Compounds

Rhenium does the job! A readily available rhenium complex efficiently catalyzed the direct Meyer–Schuster‐like rearrangement of different alkyl‐ and aryl‐substituted propargylic secondary and tertiary alcohols to the corresponding α,β‐unsaturated compounds, which were produced with virtually complete E stereoselectivity. The reaction proceeded under neutral conditions and no racemization of potentially enolizable stereocenters was observed.

     

Gold‐ and Silver‐Catalyzed Reactions of Propargylic Alcohols in the Presence of Protic Additives

A wide range of primary, secondary and tertiary propargylic alcohols undergo a Meyer–Schuster rearrangement to give enones at room temperature in the presence of a gold(I) catalyst and small quantities of MeOH or 4‐methoxyphenylboronic acid. The syntheses of the enone natural products isoegomaketone and daphenone were achieved using this reaction as the key step. The rearrangement of primary propargylic alcohols can readily be combined in a one‐pot procedure with the addition of a nucleophile to the resulting terminal enone, to give β‐aryl, β‐alkoxy, β‐amino or β‐sulfido ketones. Propargylic alcohols bearing an adjacent electron‐rich aryl group can also undergo silver‐catalyzed substitution of the alcohol with oxygen, nitrogen and carbon nucleophiles. This latter reaction was initially observed with a batch of gold catalyst that was probably contaminated with small quantities of silver salt.     

A theoretical study of the sulfenate–sulfoxide rearrangement. Effect of the hydrogen bond complexation

A DFT study of the thermal and radical sulfenate–sulfoxide rearrangement of derivatives of 3‐propenyl sulfoxide has been carried out. The effect of the substitution and hydrogen bond complexation has been analyzed. The results show that without external factors the radical breakdown path is the one preferred by the alkyl and aromatic derivatives while the unsubstituted system proceeds preferentially through a two‐step series of [1,3]‐ and [2,3]‐sigmatropic shifts. The inclusion of a hydrogen bond donor interacting with the oxygen atom increases the stability of all the species except the radical and the final products. Thus, in the dimethyl derivative the radical and two‐step processes present similar limiting steps. The analysis of the electron density of the systems provides some relationships between the properties at the bond critical point and the interatomic distances for the S···C and H···O cases. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem 110:2391–2397, 2010     

New angle‐dependent potential energy function for backbone–backbone hydrogen bond in protein–protein interactions

Backbone–backbone hydrogen bonds (BBHBs) are one of the most abundant interactions at the interface of protein–protein complex. Here, we propose an angle‐dependent potential energy function for BBHB based on density functional theory (DFT) calculations and the operation of a genetic algorithm to find the optimal parameters in the potential energy function. The angular part of the energy funtion is assumed to be the product of the power series of sine and cosine functions with respect to the two angles associated with BBHB. Two radial functions are taken into account in this study: Morse and Leonard‐Jones 12‐10 potential functions. Of these two functions under consideration, the former is found to be more accurate than the latter in terms of predicting the binding energies obtained from DFT calculations. The new HB potential function also compares well with the knowledge‐based potential derived by applying Boltzmann statistics for a variety of protein–protein complexes in protein data bank. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2010     

A theoretical study of the C–HN hydrogen bond in the methane–ammonia complex

The C–HN hydrogen bond in the methane–ammonia complex is studied by determining its bond dissociation energy (BDE) and the n(N)→σ^*(C–H) interaction. At the MP2(Full)/6-311++G(3df,2p) level of theory with basis set superposition error (BSSE) correction, the BDE was determined to be 2.5 kJ mol⁻¹. The n(N)→σ^*(C–H) interaction at this level of theory was found to be 3.7 kJ mol⁻¹ by natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis. It was also found that the NBO values are in general higher than the BDE values with BSSE correction when they are compared at the same level of theory.     

Phenol O–H bond dissociation energy in water clusters

We are reporting ab initio and density functional theory (DFT) calculations for the phenol O–H bond dissociation energy in the gas phase and in phenol–water clusters. We have tested a series of recently proposed functionals and verified that DFT systematically underestimates the O–H bond dissociation energy of phenol. However, O–H bond dissociation energies in water clusters are in reasonable agreement with experimental data for phenol in solution. We have evaluated electronic difference densities in phenol–water, phenoxy–water, and water, and we are suggesting that the representation of this quantity gives an interesting picture of the electronic density rearrangement induced by hydrogen bond interactions in phenol–water clusters. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2001     

Comparative analysis of blue‐shifted hydrogen bond versus conventional hydrogen bond in methyl radical complexes

Methyl radical complexes H₃C…HCN and H₃C…HNC have been investigated at the UMP2(full)/aug‐cc‐pVTZ level to elucidate the nature of hydrogen bonds. To better understand the intermolecular H‐bond interactions, topological analysis of electron density at bond critical points (BCP) is executed using Bader's atoms‐in‐molecules (AIM) theory. Natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis has also been performed to study the orbital interactions and change of hybridization. Theoretical calculations show that there is no essential difference between the blue‐shift H‐bond and the conventional one. In H₃C…HNC complex, rehybridization is responsible for shortening of the N? H bond. The hyperconjugative interaction between the single electron of the methyl radical and N? H antibonding orbital is up to 7.0 kcal/mol, exceeding 3.0 kcal/mol, the upper limit of hyperconjugative n(Y)→σ*(X–H) interaction to form the blue‐shifted H‐bond according to Alabugin's theory. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007     

Halogen bond versus hydrogen bond: The many‐body interactions approach

The analysis of interrelation between halogen bond and hydrogen bond in the (RX)(HNC)(HCN) complexes (R = CH₃, CF₃ and X = Cl, Br, I) was performed on the basis of DFT calculations. Both two‐body additive contributions and three‐body nonadditive contributions to the total interaction energy were discussed. QTAIM was used for topological analysis of electron density. Additionally, QTAIM analysis of electron density was performed for both two‐ and three‐body complexes. The electron charge transfer in trimers showed the dual character of the fragment with halogen atom involved into the investigated interactions—it acts as Lewis acid and Lewis base, depending on the type of interaction considered. The effect of cooperativity of X‐ and H‐bonding was assessed on the basis of many‐body interaction energy and electron density analysis. Additionally, an alternative two‐body model with the same situation (in the context of intermolecular interactions) is investigated. The anti‐cooperative effect was found also for this model.     

Nonadditivity of methyl group in single‐electron hydrogen bond of methyl radical‐water complex

The nonadditivity of methyl group in the single‐electron hydrogen bond of the methyl radical‐water complex has been studied with quantum chemical calculations at the UMP2/6‐311++G(2df,2p) level. The bond lengths and interaction energies have been calculated in the four complexes: CH₃? H₂O, CH₃CH₂? H₂O, (CH₃)₂CH? H₂O, and (CH₃)₃C? H₂O. With regard to the radicals, tert‐butyl radical forms the strongest hydrogen bond, followed by iso‐propyl radical and then ethyl radical; methyl radical forms the weakest hydrogen bond. These properties exhibit an indication of nonadditivity of the methyl group in the single‐electron hydrogen bond. The degree of nonadditivity of the methyl group is generally proportional to the number of methyl group in the radical. The shortening of the C···H distance and increase of the binding energy in the (CH₃)₂CH? H₂O and (CH₃)₃C? H₂O complexes are less two and three times as much as those in the CH₃CH₂? H₂O complex, respectively. The result suggests that the nonadditivity among methyl groups is negative. Natural bond orbital (NBO) and atom in molecules (AIM) analyses also support such conclusions. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2009     

Theoretical study of the role of solvent H2O in neopentyl and pinacol rearrangements

The neopentyl and the pinacol rearrangements as examples of Wagner-Meerwein rearrangements were investigated by the use of DFT calculations. As the first reaction, a model of neopentyl chloride (1b) and (H2O)12 was employed. In the reaction, the patterns of C--Cl scission, methyl migration, and C--OH formation were analyzed. The calculations have shown that the 2-methyl-2-butanol (6) is formed in two steps with the transient intermediate, neopentyl alcohol (3). The first step is the nucleophilic substitution reaction and is the rate-determining one. The second step is the dual migration of methyl and OH2 groups. The primary and tertiary carbocations were calculated to be absent in the neopentyl rearrangement starting from the hydrolysis. As the second reaction, the pinacol rearrangement of two substrates 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-butanediol (7) and 2,3-diphenyl-2,3-butanediol (12) was investigated. Acidic aqueous solvent was modeled by H3O+ and 12H2O. The reaction paths were promoted by a hydrogen-bond circuit of H3O+(H2O)2 and were determined as completely concerted processes. Protonated species and carbocations as intermediates also do not intervene during the pinacol rearrangement. Active functions of proton relays along the hydrogen bonds in the two rearrangements were demonstrated.     

Self‐healing polyurethane based on disulfide bond and hydrogen bond

Tough and transparent polyurethane networks with self‐healing capability at mild temperature conditions were successfully prepared in a 1‐pot procedure. The self‐healing ability of synthesized polyurethane comes from the covalent disulfide metathesis and non‐covalent H‐bonding. The mechanical testing indicates that disulfide metathesis reforms the covalent bonds on a longer time scale, while H‐bonding gives rise to a healing efficiency of around 46% in the early healing processing. The compromise between mechanical performance and healing capability is reached by tailoring the concentration of disulfide. The tensile strength of the sample with 100% self‐heal efficiency can get to 5.01 MPa, which can be explained by higher mobility of polymer chain under ambient temperature from creep testing.     

Transfer of electron density as a result of hydrogen bond formation

It has been found that the amount of charge transfer between donor and acceptor molecules in four sets of hydrogen‐bonded complexes may be adequately described as an exponential function of the equilibrium distance between the hydrogen atom and the nearest atom of the acceptor molecule. The exponential factors of the transfer are of the same order but somewhat larger than the factors found otherwise in the investigations of dynamic electron transfer. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2009     

Transfer of electron density as a result of hydrogen bond formation— A case of charged complexes

Previous investigation of transfer of electron density accompanying hydrogen bond formation has been extended to complexes between positively charged donors and neutral acceptors, as well as to the complexes between a neutral donor and a negatively charged acceptor molecules. The amount of transferred electron density from acceptor to donor for the charged complexes may be adequately described by the same exponential dependence on the equilibrium distance between the hydrogen atom and the nearest atom of the acceptor molecule as it was found for neutral complexes. Relation of the H‐bond energy to electron density at the H‐bond critical point was dependent on the sign of Laplacian of the electron density. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2010     

Diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane-1,4-diium occluded in cubic anionic coordinated framework: the role of trifurcated hydrogen bonds of N–HO and C–HO

A unique coordinated molecular capsule compound is synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction. The compound crystallizes in cubic space group of Pa-3 with a=14.348(1), b=14.348(1), c=14.348(1) Å, V=2953.8(4) ų, Z=8. The diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane-1,4-diium is occluded in the cubic anionic coordinated framework of K⁺ and (ClO₄)⁻ in a dimension of 7.174(1) Å, and assumes ordered feature. All of hydrogen atoms take parts in trifurcated hydrogen bonds of N–HO and C–HO type, respectively, the later being reported for the first time. The IR spectrum of the title compound shows significant shift of CH₂ vibrational bands, and are correlated with X-ray structural data.     

A scheme for rapid prediction of cooperativity in hydrogen bond chains of formamides,acetamides, and N‐methylformamides

A scheme is proposed in this article to predict the cooperativity in hydrogen bond chains of formamides, acetamides, and N‐methylformamides. The parameters needed in the scheme are derived from fitting to the hydrogen bonding energies of MP2/6‐31+G** with basis set superposition error (BSSE) correction of the hydrogen bond chains of formamides containing from two to eight monomeric units. The scheme is then used to calculate the individual hydrogen bonding energies in the chains of formamides containing 9 and 12 monomeric units, in the chains of acetamides containing from two to seven monomeric units, in the chains of N‐methylformamides containing from two to seven monomeric units. The calculation results show that the cooperativity predicted by the scheme proposed in this paper is in good agreement with those obtained from MP2/6‐31+G** calculations by including the BSSE correction, demonstrating that the scheme proposed in this article is reasonable. Based on our scheme, a cooperativity effect of almost 240% of the dimer hydrogen bonding energy in long hydrogen bond formamide chains, a cooperativity effect of almost 190% of the dimer hydrogen bonding energy in long hydrogen bond acetamide chains, and a cooperativity effect of almost 210% of the dimer hydrogen bonding energy in long hydrogen bond N‐methylformamide chains are predicted. The scheme is further applied to some heterogeneous chains containing formamide, acetamide, and N‐methylformamide. The individual hydrogen bonding energies in these heterogeneous chains predicted by our scheme are also in good agreement with those obtained from Møller‐Plesset calculations including BSSE correction. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2010     

Theoretical study of the Si–H group as potential hydrogen bond donor

The ability of the Si–H group as hydrogen bond (HB) donor has been studied theoretically. Most of the selected molecules include the Si–H group in a polar environment that could produce an electron deficiency on the hydrogen atom. In addition, analogous derivatives where the silicon atom has been replaced by a carbon atom have been considered. In all cases, ammonia has been used as HB acceptor. The calculations have been carried out at the MP2/6‐311++G** computational level. The electron density of the complexes has been characterized within the atoms in molecules (AIM) framework. A search in the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD) has been carried out to verify the existence of this kind of interactions in solid phase. The results of the theoretical study on these HB complexes between ammonia and the silicon derivatives provides long HB distances (2.4 to 3.2 Å) and small interaction energies (?2.4 to ?0.2 kcal/mol). In all cases, the HBs of the corresponding carbon analogs show shorter interaction distances corresponding to stronger complexes. The CSD search provides a small number of short interactions between Si and other heavy atoms in agreement with the small stabilizing energy of the Si–H?N HB and the lack of SiH bond in polar environment within the database. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2001