Organocatalysis of CN/CN and CC/CN Exchange in Dynamic Covalent Chemistry

The reversibly formed C?N bond plays a very important role in dynamic covalent chemistry and the C?N/C?N exchange of components between different imine constituents to create dynamic covalent libraries has been extensively used. To facilitate diversity generation, we have investigated an organocatalyzed approach, using L ‐proline as catalyst, to accelerate the formation of dynamic libraries of [n×n] imine components. The organocatalysis methodology has also been extended, under somewhat modified conditions, to reversible C?C/C?N exchange processes between Knoevenagel derivatives of barbituric acid and imines, allowing for the generation of increased diversity.     

From Disilene (SiSi) to Phosphasilene (SiP) and Phosphacumulene (PCN)

The generation of heavier double‐bond systems without by‐ or side‐product formation is of considerable importance for their application in synthesis. Peripheral functional groups in such alkene homologues are promising in this regard owing to their inherent mobility. Depending on the steric demand of the N‐alkyl substituent R, the reaction of disilenide Ar₂Si?Si(Ar)Li (Ar=2,4,6‐iPr₃C₆H₂) with ClP(NR₂)₂ either affords the phosphinodisilene Ar₂Si?Si(Ar)P(NR₂)₂ (for R=iPr) or P‐amino functionalized phosphasilenes Ar₂(R₂N)Si? Si(Ar)?P(NR₂) (for R=Et, Me) by 1,3‐migration of one of the amino groups. In case of R=Me, upon addition of one equivalent of tert‐butylisonitrile a second amino group shift occurs to yield the 1‐aza‐3‐phosphaallene Ar₂(R₂N)Si? Si(NR₂)(Ar)? P?C?NtBu with pronounced ylidic character. All new compounds were fully characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy as well as single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and DFT calculations in selected cases.     

Structures and isomerizations of carbenoids H2CCCLiX (X  F,Cl)

Novel structures of H₂C?C?CLiX (X ? F, Cl) were determined using HF/STO-3G gradient method. Both of the carbenoids have two equilibrium structures, askew and linear forms, at the level of calculation. In the case X?F, the former is more stable, but in the case X=Cl, the latter is more stable. The frontier MOs are given and analyzed.     

Organocatalyzed and Uncatalyzed CC/CC and CC/CN Exchange Processes between Knoevenagel and Imine Compounds in Dynamic Covalent Chemistry

Molecular diversity generation through reversible component exchange has acquired great importance in the last decade with the development of dynamic covalent chemistry. We explore here the recombination of components linked by C?C and C?N bonds through reversible double‐bond formation, and cleavage in C?C/C?C and C?C/C?N exchange processes. The reversibility of the Knoevenagel reaction has been explored, and C?C/C?C C/C exchanges have been achieved among different benzylidenes, under organocatalysis by secondary amines such as L ‐proline. The substituents of these benzylidenes were shown to play a very important role in the kinetics of the exchange reactions. L ‐Proline is also used to catalyze the reversible C?C/C?C exchange between Knoevenagel derivatives of barbituric acid and malononitrile. Finally, the interconversion between Knoevenagel derivatives of dimethylbarbituric acid and imines (C?C/C?N exchange) has been studied and was found to occur rapidly in the absence of catalyst. The results of this study pave the way for the extension of dynamic combinatorial chemistry based on C?C/C?C and C?C/C?N exchange systems.