A general method for preparation of metal carbenes via solution- and polymer-based approaches

A new general, synthetically simple, and safe method for the preparation of metal carbene complexes, which is based on diphenyl sulfonium salts as carbenoid precursors, has been developed, and its scope and applications were studied. In general, deprotonation of a sulfonium salt with a base results in a sulfur ylide, which, in turn, reacts with an appropriate metal precursor to give the corresponding metal carbene complex. Thus, starting from benzyldiphenylsulfonium salt, the complexes (PCX)Rh=CHPh (X = P, N) were prepared in quantitative yield. Syntheses of Grubbs' catalyst, (PCy(3))(2)Cl(2)Ru=CHPh, and of Werner's carbene, [Os(=CHPh)HCl(CO)(P(i)Pr(3))(2)], were achieved by this method. Novel trans-bisphosphine Rh and Ir carbenes, ((i)Pr(3)P)(2)(Cl)M=CHPh, which could not be prepared by other known methods, were synthesized by the sulfur ylide approach. The method is not limited to metal benzylidenes, as demonstrated by the preparation of the Ru vinyl-alkylidene, (PCy(3))(2)Cl(2)Ru=CH-CH=CH(2), methoxycarbonyl-alkylidene, (PCy(3))(2)Cl(2)Ru=CH(CO(2)Me), and alkylidene (PCy(3))(2)Cl(2)Ru=CH(CH(3)), (PCy(3))(2)Cl(2)Ru=CH(2) compounds. The problem of recycling of starting materials as well as the issue of facile purification of the product metal carbene complex were addressed by the synthesis of a polymer-supported diarylsulfide, the carrier of the carbenoid unit in the process. Based on the sulfur ylide route, a methodology for the synthesis of metallocarbenes anchored to a polymer via the carbene ligand, using a commercial Merrifield resin, was developed.     

Studies of the Synthesis of Diethyl Cyclopropylphosphonate and Its Thio and Seleno Analogs

Two methods for the synthesis of unsubstituted diethyl cyclopropylphosphonate are described. One method is a reaction between cyclopropylmagnesium bromide and diethyl chlorophosphite to give diethyl cyclopropylphosphonite, followed by oxidation with sodium periodate to the corresponding phosphonate. Alternatively, diethyl cyclopropylphosphonite was reacted with elemental sulfur or selenium to give the thio and seleno analogs, respectively. The second method involves exclusive 1,3‐elimination of HBr from diethyl 3‐bromopropylphosphonate. This method can be directed to either the 1,2‐ or the 1,3‐elimination reaction, leading to propenylphosphonate or cyclopropylphosphonate, depending on the solvent used.     

Preparation of Diamines of Adamantane and Diamantane from the Diazides

A novel synthetic method for preparing diaminodiamondoids from diazidodiamondoids starting from the hydrocarbons is described.     

Selective site controlled nucleophilic attacks in 5-membered ring phosphate esters: unusual C-O vs. common P-O bond cleavage

Clean endocyclic C-O bond cleavage has been achieved in the reactions of 5-membered phosphate triesters with various nucleophiles.     

Synthesis of 4,8-disubstituted 4H,8H-bis[1,2,5]oxadiazolo[3,4–6:3′,4′-e]pyrazines

The dilithio anion of 3,4-N,N′-disubstituted diamino[1,2,5]oxadiazole ( 4a R = benzyl, 4b R = p-methoxybenzyl, 4c R = isopropyl) and cyanogen oxide gave 4,7-disubstituted 5,6-dioximino[1,2,5]oxadiazolo[3,4-b]-pyrazines 5a,b,c. Ring closure to the title compound 1 was accomplished upon heating 5 with sodium hydroxide in ethylene glycol at 150°.     

Nucleophilic Displacements in Alkylphosphonates: P–O Versus P–C Bond Cleavage. A Combined DFT and Experimental Study

Abstract

Potential energy surfaces for the nucleophilic displacements at phosphorus in dimethyl methyl, chloromethyl, dichloromethyl, and trichloromethyl phosphonates have been computed by DFT methods. The results reveal that sequential introduction of chlorine substituents at the methyl group in methyl phosphonates increases the stability of transition states and intermediates, which facilitates P–C bond cleavage. While nonsubstituted dimethyl methylphosphonate may undergo exclusive P–O bond cleavage, the trichlorinated analogue reacts exclusively via P–C bond dissociation to form dichlorocarbene, which was trapped by various olefins to form the corresponding gem-dichlorocyclopropanes.     

Nucleophilic transformations of cyclic phosphate triesters

Reactions of cyclic phosphate triesters, such as 2-ethoxy-1,3,2-dioxaphospholane 2-oxide, with Grignard reagents such as phenyl-, alkyl-, ethynyl-, and allyl-magnesium halides result in ring opening leading to the corresponding phosphonates, via nucleophilic attack of carbon on the phosphorus atom. Treatment of 2-ethoxy-1,3,2-dioxaphospholane 2-oxide with sodium borohydride yields ethyl 2-hydroxyethyl phosphite. This reaction is exclusive for the five-membered cyclic system: under these conditions acyclic phosphate triesters, such as triethyl phosphate, are unreactive and the analogous six-membered ring system, 2-ethoxy-1,3,2-dioxaphosphorinane 2-oxide reacts only partially to give unidentified phosphate esters and traces of phosphonate products. Both compounds were inert to NaBH₄.