Linear Multiselenium Interactions in Dicationic Oligomers of 1,5‐(Diselena)canes: Behavior of Semc σ(mcc‐nee) (6≤mc≤16) Elucidated with QTAIM Dual Functional Analysis

Invited for this month''s cover picture is the group of Dr. Satoko Hayashi at Faculty of Systems Engineering and Chemistry at Wakayama University. The cover picture shows the linear Se₁₆ σ(16c–30e) interactions, illustrated by the molecular graph type on the optimized structure of the dicationic octamer of 1,5‐(diselena)cane. HOMO‐1 of ψ₄₆₂ is drawn on the structure, which is located predominantly on the Se atoms. The optimized structure is stable, due to the nice engagement between the (CH₂)₃ moieties. The contour maps of ρ(r) are also drawn on the molecular C _s planes of the dicationic dimer and trimer to demonstrate clearly the existence of the interactions between Se atoms. Read the full text of their Full Paper at 10.1002/open.202100017.

“… To improve the causality of experimental results, we have proposed a new concept, called “Keisan‐sendo…” Find out more about the story behind the front cover research at 10.1002/open.202100017.     

Direct Cyclopropanation of α-Cyano β-Aryl Alkanes by Light-Mediated Single Electron Transfer Between Donor–Acceptor Pairs

Cyclopropanes are traditionally prepared by the formal [2+1] addition of carbene or radical based C1 units to alkenes. In contrast, the one-pot intermolecular cyclopropanation of alkanes by redox active C1 units has remained unrealised. Herein, we achieved this process simply by exposing β-aryl propionitriles and C1 radical precursors (N-oxy esters) to base and blue light. The overall process is redox-neutral and a photocatalyst, whether metal- or organic-based, is not required. Our findings support that single electron transfer (SET) from the α-cyano carbanion of the propionitrile to the N-oxy ester is facilitated by blue-light via their electron donor–acceptor (EDA) complex. The α-cyano carbon radical thus formed can then lose a β-proton to form a π-resonance stabilised radical anion that preferentially couples at the benzylic β-position with a decarboxylated C1 radical unit. This new transition metal-free chemistry tolerates both electron rich and electron deficient (hetero)aryl systems, even sulfide or alkene functionality, to afford a range of cis-aryl/cyano cyclopropanes bearing congested tetrasubstituted quaternary carbons.     

Synthesis of perfluorobicyclic ethers

The electrochemical fluorination of cycloalkyl-substituted acetic and propionic acids were conducted to obtain several kinds of perfluorobicyclic ethers [reaction conditions: Anodic current density: 3.5 A/dm², Volt: 5～8V, Temp: 5～6 °C] . For example, from cyclopentyl-substituted acetic acids, perfluoro(4-alkyl-2-oxabicyclo[3.3.0]octane)s (I) were formed as the cyclization products in yields of 10～19% together with the corresponding perflouroalkanoyl flourides (II) (Y=3～13%).

While, perfluorospiro-ethers were obtained from the fluorination of 3-cycloalkyl-substituted propionic acids. The characterization of these perfluorobicyclic ethers which consists of the reaction with anhydrous aluminum chloride will be reported also.     

Polyiodide composition in poly(vinyl acetate)-iodine-iodide complex

Polyiodide formed by complexation of poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) with iodine in the presence of iodide has been investigated by chemical analysis and resonance Raman spectrophotometry. When PVAc films were immersed in iodide-iodine aqueous solutions which had different ratios of iodide to iodine concentration [I^?]/[I₂], the complex films exhibited tremendous variations of swelling degree, despite the relatively small change in the amount of bound iodine. From a quantitative chemical analysis, the composition of polyiodide bound to PVAc was found to be 1.01 ± 0.035 in the molar ratio of iodide to iodine irrespective of the composition of the iodide-iodine aqueous solution ([I^?]/[I₂] = 2–500). The polyiodide formed in PVAc-iodine-iodide complex was therefore inferred to be (I₃^?)_n. Resonance Raman spectra obtained on PVAc-iodine-iodide complexes were also identical to those of the benzamide-iodine complex, in which the polyiodide consists of (I₃^?)_n, consistent with the result from chemical analysis.     

Effects of triphenylsulfonium hexafluorophosphate in the radiation-induced cationic polymerization of styrene

Radiation-induced cationic polymerization of styrene was studied in methylene chloride in the presence of triphenylsulfonium hexafluorophosphate. Acceleration in polymerization and an increase in molecular weight at a low temperature (?78°C) were observed in the presence of triphenylsulfonium salt. A study of pulse radiolysis revealed that both effects are due mainly to PF^?6, which forms ion pairs with the cationic species involved in the polymerization.     

(Studies on AI-77s,microbial products with pharmacological activity) structures and the chemical nature of AI-77s

The structures of a novel gastroprotective substance AI-77-B and its analogues AI-77-C, D, F and G, which are produced by Bacillus pumilus, are described. Five of the asymmetric centers of AI-77-B have S absolute stereochemistry confirmed by X-ray in combination with chemical studies.     

Oxidation and Reduction Pathways in the Knowles Hydroamination via a Photoredox-Catalyzed Radical Reaction**

Systematic reaction path exploration revealed the entire mechanism of Knowles's light-promoted catalytic intramolecular hydroamination. Bond formation/cleavage competes with single electron transfer (SET) between the catalyst and substrate. These processes are described by adiabatic processes through transition states in an electronic state and non-radiative transitions through the seam of crossings (SX) between different electronic states. This study determined the energetically favorable SET path by introducing a practical computational model representing SET as non-adiabatic transitions via SXs between substrate's potential energy surfaces for different charge states adjusted based on the catalyst's redox potential. Calculations showed that the reduction and proton shuttle process proceeded concertedly. Also, the relative importance of SET paths (giving the product and leading back to the reactant) varies depending on the catalyst's redox potential, affecting the yield.     

Diarylprolinol as an Effective Organocatalyst in Asymmetric Cross-Aldol Reactions of Two Different Aldehydes

The aldol reaction is one of the most important carbon-carbon bond-forming reactions in organic chemistry. Asymmetric direct cross-aldol reaction of two different aldehydes has been regarded as a difficult reaction because of the side reactions such as self-aldol reaction and over reaction. We found that trifluoromethyl-substituted diarylprolinol, α,α-bis[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-2-pyrrolidinemethanol ( 1 ), is an effective organocatalyst that promotes several cross-aldol reactions of aldehydes with excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivities. Acetaldehyde can be employed as a suitable nucleophilic aldehyde. Successful electrophilic aldehydes are ethyl glyoxylate, chloroacetaldehyde, dichloroacetaldehyde, chloral, α-alkyl-α-oxo aldehyde, trifluoroacetaldehyde, glyoxal, alkenyl aldehyde, alkynyl aldehyde, and formaldehyde. Some of the aldehydes are commercially available as a polymer solution, an aqueous solution, or in the hydrated form. They can be used directly in the asymmetric aldol reaction as a commercially available form, which is a synthetic advantage. Given that the obtained aldol products possess several functional groups along with a formyl moiety, they are synthetically useful chiral building blocks.     

Palladium-Catalyzed Skeletal Rearrangement of Substituted 2-Silylaryl Triflates via 1,5-C−Pd/C−Si Bond Exchange

A palladium-catalyzed skeletal rearrangement of 2-(2-allylarylsilyl)aryl triflates has been developed to give highly fused tetrahydrophenanthrosilole derivatives via unprecedented 1,5-C−Pd/C−Si bond exchange. The reaction pathways can be switched toward 4-membered ring-forming C(sp²)−H alkylation by tuning the reaction conditions to give completely different products, fused dihydrodibenzosilepin derivatives, from the same starting materials. The inspection of the reaction conditions revealed the importance of carboxylates in promoting the C−Pd/C−Si bond exchange.     

Palladium(O)-catalyzed allylic alkylation and amination of allylic phosphates

Allyl diethyl phosphates (1) can be easily substituted with malonates and amines in the presence of palladium(O) catalyst. Synthetic utility of the reaction is demonstrated by the sequential amination-amination and alkylation-amination of (Z)-4-acetoxybut-2-enyl diethyl phosphate (1b) with high regio- and stereoselectivity.