Divergent Reactivity of Homologue ortho‐Allenylbenzaldehydes Controlled by the Tether Length: Chromone versus Chromene Formation

The divergent behavior of two homologue allenals, namely, 2‐(buta‐2,3‐dienyloxy)‐ and 2‐(propa‐1,2‐dienyloxy)benzaldehydes, as cyclization substrates is described. 2‐(Buta‐2,3‐dienyloxy)benzaldehydes suffers a formal allenic carbocyclization reaction to afford chromenes, whereas 2‐(propa‐1,2‐dienyloxy)benzaldehydes react to yield chromones. The formation of chromenes is strictly a formal hydroarylation process divided into two parts, namely, allenic Claisen‐type rearrangement and oxycyclization. An unknown N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC)‐catalyzed allenic hydroacylation reaction must be invoked to account for the preparation of chromones. ortho‐Allenylbenzaldehydes bearing either electron‐donating substituents or electron‐withdrawing substituents worked well to afford both the hydroarylation and hydroacylation products. This unexpected difference in reactivity can be rationalized by means of density functional theory calculations.     

Rhodium-catalyzed reactions of 3-diazoindolin-2-imines with enamines and their extensions towards 5H-pyrazino[2,3-b]indoles

The rhodium-catalyzed reactions of 3-diazoindolin-2-imines with β-enamino esters furnished 2,3-diaminoindoles in excellent yields with wide functional group tolerance. The synthesized 2,3-diaminoindoles could be converted into 5H-pyrazino [2,3-b]indoles via a sequential dehydrogenation/6π-ERC/aromatization process.     

A pH‐Dependent,Mechanically Interlocked Switch: Organometallic [2]Rotaxane vs. Organic [3]Rotaxane

We present the first [2]rotaxane featuring a functional organometallic host. In contrast to the known organic scaffolds, this assembly shows a high post‐synthetic modifiability. The reactivity of the Ag₈ pillarplex host is fully retained, as is exemplified by the first transmetalation in a rotaxane framework to provide the respective Au₈ analogue. Additionally, a transformation under acidic conditions to give a purely organic [3]rotaxane is demonstrated which is reversible upon addition of a suitable base, rendering the assembly a pH‐dependent switch. Hereby, it is shown that the mechanically interlocked nature of the system enhances the kinetic stability of the NHC host complex by a factor of >1000 and corresponds to the first observation of a stabilizing “rotaxand effect”.     

Intramolecular CN Bond Activation and Ring‐Expansion Reactions of N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes

Intramolecular ring‐expansion reactions (RER) of the N‐heterocyclic carbene 1,3‐dimethylimidazolin‐2‐ylidene were observed upon vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) photoexcitation. Similarly to RERs reported in the solvent phase, for the reaction of NHCs with main‐group‐element hydrides, hydrogen transfer to the NHC carbon atom is the crucial initial step. In an ionization‐mediated protonation, 1,3‐dimethylimidazolin‐2‐ylidene forms an imidazolium ion, which is the rate‐limiting step on the pathway to two six‐membered ring products, namely, methylpyrimidinium and ‐pyrazinium ions. To unravel the reaction path, we have used imaging photoelectron photoion coincidence spectroscopy with VUV synchrotron radiation, as well as high‐level composite method calculations. Similarities and differences between the mechanism in the gas phase and in the condensed phase are discussed.     

Copper–Carbene Intermediates in the Copper‐Catalyzed Functionalization of OH Bonds

Copper–carbene [Tp^xCu?C(Ph)(CO₂Et)] and copper–diazo adducts [Tp^xCu{η¹‐N₂C(Ph)(CO₂Et)}] have been detected and characterized in the context of the catalytic functionalization of O?H bonds through carbene insertion by using N₂?C(Ph)(CO₂Et) as the carbene source. These are the first examples of these type of complexes in which the copper center bears a tridentate ligand and displays a tetrahedral geometry. The relevance of these complexes in the catalytic cycle has been assessed by NMR spectroscopy, and kinetic studies have demonstrated that the N‐bound diazo adduct is a dormant species and is not en route to the formation of the copper–carbene intermediate.     

Nickel‐Catalyzed Cyclopropanation with NMe4OTf and nBuLi

Nickel was identified as a catalyst for the cyclopropanation of unactivated olefins by using in situ generated lithiomethyl trimethylammonium triflate as a methylene donor. A mechanistic hypothesis is proposed in which the generation of a reactive nickel carbene explains several interesting observations. Additionally, our findings shed light on a report by Franzen and Wittig published in 1960 that had been retracted later owing to irreproducibility, and provide a rational basis for the systematic development of the reaction for preparative purposes as an alternative to diazomethane or Simmons–Smith conditions.     

Binaphthyl-bridged bis-imidazolinium salts as N-heterocyclic carbene ligand precursors in the palladium-catalyzed Heck reaction

Two new bis-imidazolinium salts (4a, 4b) have been synthesized as precursors of N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) from the commercially available (R)-2,2′-dihydroxy-1,1′-binaphthalene. The two bis-imidazolinium salts were used as efficient precursor of NHC ancillary ligands in the palladium-catalyzed Heck reaction. Good to excellent yields and high stereoselectivities were obtained with ethyl acrylate, acrylonitrile, and acrylamide as starting materials. The structure of bis-imidazolinium salt 4b was further c...