The reaction of B-alkyl-9-borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonanes with aldehydes and ketones. A facile elimination of the alkyl group by aldehydes

Certain B-alkyl-9-borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonanes (9-BBN) reduce benzaldehyde to benzyl alcohol under exceptionally mild conditions. Factors which contribute to a high rate of reaction include: an increase in the degree of substitution at the position β to the boron (isobutyl > 1-butyl >> ethyl), the ability of the alkyl group to form a syn-planar B—C—C—H conformation (cyclopentyl ? norbornyl > sec-butyl >> cyclohexyl), and the presence of an electron-withdrawing para-substituent on the benzaldehyde (p-Cl > p-H > p-CH₃O). The B-alkyl group is transformed into an olefin as the benzaldehyde is reduced. Elimination takes place predominantly if not exclusively towards the more highly substituted β hydrogen. The reaction obeys second order kinetics. The observations are consistent with a cyclic mechanism rather than a dehydroboration-reduction pathway.     

Mechanisms of elimination reactions—XXVI: The α'-β mechanism in elimination reactions of sulforium salts

Tracer studies with β-deuterated sulfonium salts have shown that the α'-β, or ylid mechanism can be the major path of elimination in the reaction of sulfonium salts with t-butoxide in t-butyl alcohol, while the E2 reaction is dominant with hydroxide in water or n-butoxide in n-butyl alcohol. The structure of the sulfonium salt also affects the propensity toward α'-β elimination, with 3-pentyl > 3-propyl and eyclopentyl > 3-pentyl > cyclohexyl. The S-methyl protons of the sulfonium salt exchange at a rate much faster than that of the elimination reaction. A strongly basic medium and a syn-periplanar arrangement of the α-C-S and β-C-H bonds seem to be the two most important factors favoring the α'-β mechanism.     

Solvent effects on kinetics of an heteroatomic nucleophilic substitution reaction in ionic liquid and molecular solvents mixtures

Rate constants, k _A, for the aromatic nucleophilic substitution reaction of 2-chloro-3,5-dinitropyridine with aniline were determined in different compositions of 2-propanol mixed with hexane, benzene, and 2-methylpropan-2-ol and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium ethylsulfate ([Emim][EtSO₄]) with dimethyl sulfoxide at 25°C. The obtained rate constants of the reaction in pure solvents are in the following order: 2-methylpropan-2-ol > dimethyl sulfoxide > 2-propanol > hexane > benzene > [Emim][EtSO₄]. Molecularmicroscopic solvent parameters corresponding to the selected binary mixtures were utilized to study the kinetics of a nucleophilic substitution reaction in order to investigate and compare the effects of the solvents on a chemical process. The influence of solvent parameters including normalized polarity (E _T ^N ), dipolarity/polarizability (π*), hydrogen bond donor acidity (α), and hydrogen bond acceptor basicity (β) on the second-order rate constants were investigated and multiple linear regressions gave much better results with regard to single parameter regressions. The dipolarity/polarizability of media has a positive effect in all mixtures regarding zwitterionic character of the reaction intermediate and the hydrogen bond acceptor basicity of the solvent by stabilizing of activated complex increases the reaction rate.     

Efficient double bond migration of allylbenzenes catalyzed by Pd(OAc)2-HFIP system with unique substituent effect

A novel catalyst system of Pd(OAc)₂-HFIP induces double-bond migration of allylbenzenes under mild conditions with low catalytic loading to afford 1-propenylbenzenes. The reaction shows a unique substituent effect that is highly dependent on the distance of substituents from the allylic moiety. Thus, the reactivity of substrates bearing a methyl group is ordered in para > meta > ortho, whereas it is entirely reversed as ortho > meta > para for methoxy and chloro substituents.     

The dienolate aldol reaction of (E)-N-crotonoyl C(4)-isopropyl SuperQuat: asymmetric synthesis of α-vinyl-β-hydroxycarboxylic acid derivatives and conversion to α-ethylidene-β-hydroxyesters (β-substituted Baylis-Hillman products)

The synthesis of α-vinyl-β-hydroxyesters and α-ethylidene-β-hydroxyesters (β-substituted Baylis-Hillman products) via the dienolate aldol reaction of (E)-N-crotonoyl C(4)-isopropyl SuperQuat is described. High levels of syn-diastereoselectivity (up to >98% de) are observed for the dienolate aldol reaction with boron enolates, generated either directly with Bu₂BOTf or by transmetalation of the potassium enolate with B-bromocatecholborane. Cleavage of the resultant syn-aldol products from the auxiliary gives α-vinyl-β-hydroxyesters in >98% de and >98% ee. Subsequent isomerisation of the double bond into conjugation provides α-ethylidene-β-hydroxyesters (β-substituted Baylis-Hillman products) in high diastereo- and enantiopurity (≥91:9 [(E):(Z)] and >98% ee).     

Anodic waves of 9,10-phenanthrenequinone in alkaline media

9,10-Phenanthrenequinone yields at pH > 11 anodic waves, which correspond to a formation of a slightly soluble salt of mercury formed in the reaction of Hg₂²⁺ with the product of a reaction of the quinone with two OH⁻ ions. Anodic waves are a linear function of phenanthrenequinone concentration up to about 1 × 10⁻⁴M and are affected by adsorption at higher concentrations. The concentration limit depends on the cosolvent used and decreases in the sequence MeOH > EtOH > n-PrOH. At given concentrations of phenanthrenequinone and of OH⁻ ions the anodic current decreases with increasing alcohol concentration.     

BTATz–HNIW–CMDB propellants

The high nitrogen compound 3,6-bis(1H-1,2,3,4-tetrazol-5-yl-amino)-1,2,4,5-tetrazine and the high energy density material hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane (HNIW), were used as substitute of hexogen (RDX) in the composite modified double base (CMDB) propellant formulations, the propellant samples were prepared, the thermal behaviors, nonisothermal reaction kinetics, and thermal safety were carried out, and the eight important parameters were calculated and obtained as the self-accelerating decomposition temperature (T _SADT), thermal ignition temperature (T _TIT), critical temperatures of thermal explosion (T _b), critical temperature of hot-spot initiation (T _cr,hot-spot), characteristic drop height of impact sensitivity (H ₅₀), critical thermal explosion ambient temperature (T _acr), safety degree (S _d), and thermal explosion probability (P _TE). It shows that the content of HNIW has a large effect on the decomposition reaction mechanism of the CMDB propellant, when the content of HNIW is 10 %, the decomposition reaction are controlled by the random nucleation and subsequent growth (n = l), and the reaction mechanism obeys Mampel law; but when the content of HNIW is 20 %, the decomposition reaction are controlled by the chemical reaction (n = 1/4). The mechanism can not be changed by the catalysts, and they just make the apparent activation energy change slightly. For the sample, from BC01 to BC04, the values of T _SADT and T _TIT making an upward tendency, show the resistivity to heat: BC04 > BC03 > BC02 > BC01; the values of T _acr and S _d, BC01 are the maximum and BC02 are the minimum, show the heat sensitivity: BC01 > BC03 > BC04 > BC02. For the same radius, the thermal safety of the sphere sample is greater than that of the infinite cylinder one.     

Highly efficient construction of chiral dispirocyclic oxindole/thiobutyrolactam/chromanone complexes through Michael/cyclization cascade reactions with a rosin-based squaramide catalyst

An efficient asymmetric Michael/cyclization cascade reaction of 4-chromanones with isothiocyanato oxindoles has been revealed. Under bifunctional organocatalysis by rosin-based squaramide catalyst, a series of spiro[oxindole/thiobutyrolactam/chromanone] complexes were conveniently constructed in a highly stereoselective manner (up to 99% yields, > 20:1 dr and >99% ee). The reaction leads to the formation of three contiguous stereogenic centers and two spiro quaternary stereocenters.     

Enantioselective total synthesis of (−)-strychnine: development of a highly practical catalytic asymmetric carbon-carbon bond formation and domino cyclization

An enantioselective total synthesis of (−)-strychnine was accomplished through the use of the highly practical catalytic asymmetric Michael reaction (0.1 mol% of (R)-ALB, greater than kilogram scale, without chromatography, 91% yield and >99% ee), and a domino cyclization that simultaneously constructed the B- and D- rings of strychnine (>77% yield). Newly-developed reaction conditions for thionium ion cyclization, NaBH₃CN reduction of the imine moiety in the presence of a Lewis acid to prevent the ring-opening reaction, and chemoselective reduction of the thioether (desulfurization) in the presence of exocyclic olefin were pivotal to complete the synthesis. The described chemistry paves the way for the synthesis of more advanced Strychnos alkaloids.     

Catalytic activity of amines in the oxidation of anthrone

The rate of non-radical oxidation of anthrone with molecular oxygen, catalyzed by aliphatic amines with different substituents, amino acids, aromatic amines, and compounds possessing several basic centers, was measured. The catalytic activity of amines decreases in the series RO(CH₂) _n NH₂ > RNH₂ > morpholine derivatives > RR′N(CH₂) _n NH₂ > guanidine > RR′NH > RR′R″N > 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane > amino acids > (R)PhNH₂. A relation was found between proton affinities and structural parameters of the amines and their catalytic activity in the title reaction.     

9-Anthroylacetone and its photodimer

9-Anthroylacetone undergoes a head-to-tail [4π+4π] photo-dimerisation reaction that leads to the formation of 5,11-bis(1,3-diketobutyl)-5,6,11,12-tetrahydro-5,12,6,11-di-o-benzeno-dibenzo[a,e]cyclooctene both in solution and in the solid state when irradiated with different sources (sunlight, tungsten lamp, xenon lamp, UV laser beam 351-364 nm), the reaction being accompanied by a colour variation from bright yellow to colourless. Quantum yields >0.023 mol/Einstein are evaluated for the solid state reaction. Interestingly, the dimer dissociates to give 9-anthroylacetone, both thermally (T>130 °C) and photochemically, by short UV wavelength irradiation. The single-crystal X-ray structure of 9-anthroylacetone and its dimer are reported.     

Asymmetric reduction of perfluoroalkyl ketones with chiral lithium alkoxides

Reduction of perfluoroalkyl ketones with chiral lithium alkoxides gave chiral α-perfluoroalkyl alcohols in high enantiomeric excesses. Interestingly, reaction of 2,2,2-trifluoroacetophenone (1) with lithium (S)-1-phenylethoxide (2) gave (S)-2,2,2-trifluoro-1-phenylethanol (3), while the same reaction of perfluorooctan-1-one (7) with 2 gave (R)-1H-1-phenylperfluorooctanol (8). Based on the speculation of mechanism, the order of steric effects on this reaction is estimated as C₇F₁₅ > substituted phenyl > CF₃.     

Chemistry of alkali metal-unsaturated hydrocarbon adducts : X. Electron-transfer reactions of α, β-unsaturated organosilanes

The chemical behavior of alkali metal adducts of α,β-unsaturated organosilanes was investigated by generating the adducts with lithium or potassium metal in donor solvents at ?78°C and studying the ensuing reduction, bimolecular coupling, cleavage and isomerization processes. Chosen for study were the triphenylvinyl derivatives of silicon, germanium and tin, as well as other vinyl-, phenyl-, allyl-, 1,3-alkadienyl-, 1-alkynyl- and cyclopropyl-silanes. By assessing gradations in substituent reactivity toward alkali metal, an empirical ordering of electron affinity for these substituents on silicon was determined: 1,3-alkadienyl > 1-alkynyl > 1-alkenyl > phenyl > > 2-alkenyl or cyclopropyl. Where available, ESR data were used to explain the reactivity and the reaction pathway observed for radical anion intermediates. Where such information was unobtainable, the behavior of unstable radical anions was ascribed to variations in p_π → d_π stabilization.     

Antipyrilquinoneimine dye formation by coupling aniline derivatives with 4-aminoantipyrine in the presence of ruthenium nanoparticles

The coupling of 4-aminoantipyrine (4-AAP) with aniline derivatives catalyzed by ruthenium nanoparticles (Rnp) has been studied by UV-Vis spectroscopy in aqueous medium. The rate constant for antipyrilquinoneimine dye formation depends on the nature of the aniline substituent and the pH, ionic strength and temperature of the reaction medium. The maximum rate constant of the dye formation reaction is observed at pH 3.6. Aniline derivatives with electron donating substituents show higher rate constant values than those with electron withdrawing substituents, with increasing rate constant values in the order: N,N-dimethyl aniline > o-toluidine > o-chloroaniline > m-chloroaniline. With pseudo first order kinetics, the total order is 1.0 + 1.0 + 1.0 = 3.0, which includes the orders with respect to amine, 4-AAP and Rnp. Studies on these effects help to complete the kinetic analysis as well as propose the reaction pathway. Furthermore, TEM measurement confirms that the nanoscalar size of the Rnp is 7 nm.     

Lipase from Carica papaya latex presents high enantioselectivity toward the resolution of prodrug (R,S)-2-bromophenylacetic acid octyl ester

Besides the well-known papain, lipolytic activity is another interesting enzymatic activity present in latex from Carica papaya. This lipolytic activity is strongly attached to the latex solid phase, resulting in a naturally immobilized biocatalyst. In this work we describe the kinetic resolution of (R,S)-2-bromophenylacetic acid octyl ester by Carica papaya crude latex and two partially purified latex fractions. Several parameters, such as substrate concentration and solvent effects were studied. The best results were obtained using decane as solvent with 50 mM of substrate and 50 mg/mL enzyme/reaction medium; under these conditions, a high enantioselectivity (E >200) was obtained with crude latex. A twofold increase of the initial rate maintaining E >200 was obtained using purified fractions without protease and without esterase. Lipase from Carica papaya latex is the most enantioselective wild-type enzyme ever described for the studied reaction.     

Investigation by PMR spectroscopy of the reactivities of the acetate groups in the saponification of polysaccharide triacetates

The reactivities of the acetate groups in the saponification of cellulose triacetate (CTA) and amylose triacetate (ATA) have been characterized for the first time by analyzing the structures of the reaction products by PMR spectroscopy in solution. To identify the signals of the acetate group protons we used the method of blocking the free OH groups with acetyl-d₃ chloride. The kinetic constants were evaluated:K ₆=K ₃=K ₂ for CTA, andK ₆>K ₂>K ₃ for ATA in the saponification reaction.     

Synthesis of diastereo- and enantiomerically pure anti-3-methyl-1,4-pentanediol via lipase catalysed acylation

Racemic trans-4,5-dimethylhydrofuran-2(3H)-one was synthesised from 5-methyl-furan-2(3H)-one, (α-angelica lactone). The key reaction in the synthesis was the 1,4-conjugate addition of an organocuprate to 5-methylfuran-2(5H)-one (β-angelica lactone). Different types of organocuprates were tested with the highest anti:syn ratio of 99.4:0.6 being obtained by the use of a Gilman organocuprate reagent. The enantioselective acylation of racemic 3-methyl-pentan-1,4-diol, catalysed by a variety of lipases in organic media, was investigated. The highest enantioselectivity (E > 400) was obtained when Novozyme 435 was used as the catalyst at a water activity of a_w ∼ 0. Thus, both enantiomers, (3S,4R)- and (3R,4S)-3-methyl-pentan-1,4-diol, were obtained in very high diastereomeric (>99% de) and enantiomeric purities (>99.8% and >97.4% ee, respectively).     

Chemoenzymatic synthesis of boron-containing chiral amines and amides

The first application of lipases as catalysts to obtain optically active boron-containing amines and amides is described. We studied several reaction conditions to achieve the kinetic resolution of boron-containing amines via enantioselective acylation mediated by Candida antarctica lipase B (CAL-B). Excellent enantioselectivity (E >200) and high enantiomeric excess (up to >99%) of both the remaining amines and amides were obtained.     

Energy distribution among reaction products. XIV. F + CH4, F + CH3X(X  Cl,Br, I), F + CHnCl4−n(n = 1−3)

The infrared chemiluminescence technique has been used to obtain relative rate constants k(ν′) for HF(ν′) formed in the following reaction:

For reaction (1) the detailed rate constants [k(ν′ = 1) = 0.30;k(ν′ = 2) = 1.00; k(ν′ = 3) = 0.15; mean fraction of the available energy entering vibration <?^′_ν> = 0.56] confirmed, at much lower reagent pressures, results obtained by previous workers. In series I there was a slight increase in fraction of the energy entering vibration as the molecular reagent altered from CH₃Cl to CH₃Br to CH₃I, viz <?^′_ν> = 0.50 (1a), <?^′_ν> = 0.58 (1b), <?^′_ν> = 0.60 (1c). In series 2, by contrast, there was a marked decrease in fractional conversion of the available energy into vibration with increasing chlorination of the molecular reagent; <?^′_ν> = 0.50 (1a), <?^′_ν> = 0.23 (2a), <?^′_ν> = 0.13 (2b). The rate constants into ν′ = 0, k(ν′ = 0), were obtained by extrapolation of surprisal plots; the trends for both series were, however, also evident from k(ν′ > 0). No separate initial rotational distribution was observed for any of these reactions, indicating that the peak of the initial distribution is not far removed from a 300 K thermal distribution. The decrease in <?^′_ν> for the HF products along series 2 was tentatively ascribed to increasing internal excitation in the ejected radicals CH₂Cl, CHCl₂, CCl₃, due to increase in the number of secondary encounters between HF and the departing radical.