Allylic Products Research Articles

Substituent effect on iron phthalocyanines as cyclohexene oxidation catalysts

Two iron phthalocyanines peripherally octasubstituted either with electron-withdrawing isobutylsulfonyl moities or electron-donating isobutoxy moieties were designed to investigate the effect of the substitution pattern on their oxidation catalytic activity, and were then tested in oxidation of cyclohexene as a reaction model. For both catalysts, the main product of oxidation was 2-cyclohexen-1-ol which is an allylic oxidation product. The electron-withdrawing isobutylsulfonyl substituted iron phthalocyanine 1 exhibited better catalytic activities than the electron-donating isobutoxy substituted iron phthalocyanine 2.

Direct C(sp3)-H allylation of 2-alkylpyridines with Morita-Baylis-Hillman carbonates via a tandem nucleophilic substitution/aza-Cope rearrangement.

A base- and catalyst-free C(sp3)–H allylic alkylation of 2-alkylpyridines with Morita–Baylis–Hillman (MBH) carbonates is described. A plausible mechanism of the reaction might involve a tandem SN2’ type nucleophilic substitution followed by an aza-Cope rearrangement. Various alkyl substituents on 2-alkylpyridines were tolerated in the reaction to give the allylation products in 26–91% yields. The developed method provides a straightforward and operational simple strategy for the allylic functionalization of 2-alkypyridine derivatives.

A further step to sustainable palladium catalyzed oxidation: Allylic oxidation of alkenes in green solvents

The palladium catalyzed oxidation of alkenes with molecular oxygen is a synthetically important reaction which employs palladium catalysts in solution; therefore, a solvent plays a critical role for the process. In this study, we have tested several green solvents as a reaction medium for the allylic oxidation of a series of alkenes. Dimethylcarbonate, methyl isobutyl ketone, and propylene carbonate, solvents with impressive sustainability ranks and very scarcely exploited in palladium catalyzed oxidations, were proved to be excellent alternatives for the solvents conventionally employed in these processes, such as acetic acid. Palladium acetate alone or in the combination with p-benzoquinone efficiently operates as the catalyst for the oxidation of alkenes by dioxygen under 5–10 atm. For most substrates, the systems in green solvents showed better selectivity for allylic oxidation products as compared to pure acetic acid; moreover, the reactions in propylene carbonate solutions occurred even faster than in acetic acid.

Stereospecific Nickel-Catalyzed Reductive Cross-Coupling of Alkyl Tosylate and Allyl Alcohol Electrophiles.

The stereospecific cross-coupling of easily accessed electrophiles holds significant promise in the construction of C-C bonds. Herein, we report a nickel-catalyzed reductive coupling of allyl alcohols with chiral, nonracemic alkyl tosylates. This cross-coupling delivers valuable allylation products with high levels of stereospecificity across a range of substrates. The catalytic system consists of a simple nickel salt in conjunction with a commercially available reductant and importantly represents a rare example of a cross-coupling involving the C-O bonds of two electrophiles.

Activated Carbon-Supported Ruthenium as a Catalyst for the Solvent- and Initiator-Free Aerobic Epoxidation of Limonene

The activity and selectivity of ruthenium catalysts supported on various activated carbons have been investigated in the epoxidation of limonene using molecular oxygen, the greenest oxidizing agent, under solvent/reductant- and initiator-free reaction conditions. The catalysts were prepared via different methods including impregnation, sol immobilization, and cation exchange. Supported Ru catalysts with a metal particle size ranging from 1.8 to 21 nm were obtained. The catalyst prepared by cation exchange using Darco G60, with the highest mesopore surface area and pore volume and the lowest Ru particle size (1.8 nm), was found to give the best combination of limonene conversion of 35% and higher selectivity for epoxidation products (Sepox) of 57% at 80 °C and 3 bar oxygen pressure, compared to the total selectivity of 25.5% for allylic oxidation products (Sallyl). Other activated carbon supports, e.g., Darco MRX, Norit RB4C, and Norit RX3, were found to yield less effective catalysts. In addition, the sol immobilization method led to the highest conversion of limonene (40.4%) but with a lower total selectivity toward epoxidation products (Sepox) of 36.8% and that toward allylic oxidation products (Sallyl) of 33.6%. The textural parameters of carbon-supported Ru catalysts were determined by BET, TEM, SEM, TPR, and CO chemisorption. Highly dispersed Ru particles were found to promote the formation of limonene epoxides via the reaction of limonene hydroperoxide with limonene instead of hydroperoxide decomposition to allylic radicals. Finally, the appropriate reaction conditions to maximize the selectivity of the epoxides and the reusability of the catalyst were established.

Nucleophilic Addition to π-Allyl Gold(III) Complexes: Evidence for Direct and Undirect Paths.

π-Allyl complexes play a prominent role in organometallic chemistry and have attracted considerable attention, in particular the π-allyl Pd(II) complexes which are key intermediates in the Tsuji-Trost allylic substitution reaction. Despite the huge interest in π-complexes of gold, π-allyl Au(III) complexes were only authenticated very recently. Herein, we report the reactivity of (P,C)-cyclometalated Au(III) π-allyl complexes toward β-diketo enolates. Behind an apparently trivial outcome, i.e. the formation of the corresponding allylation products, meticulous NMR studies combined with DFT calculations revealed a complex and rich mechanistic picture. Nucleophilic attack can occur at the central and terminal positions of the π-allyl as well as the metal itself. All paths are observed and are actually competitive, whereas addition to the terminal positions largely prevails for Pd(II). Auracyclobutanes and π-alkene Au(I) complexes were authenticated spectroscopically and crystallographically, and Au(III) σ-allyl complexes were unambiguously characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy. Nucleophilic additions to the central position of the π-allyl and to gold are reversible. Over time, the auracyclobutanes and the Au(III) σ-allyl complexes evolve into the π-alkene Au(I) complexes and release the C-allylation products. The relevance of auracyclobutanes in gold-mediated cyclopropanation was demonstrated by inducing C-C coupling with iodine. The molecular orbitals of the π-allyl Au(III) complexes were analyzed in-depth, and the reaction profiles for the addition of β-diketo enolates were thoroughly studied by DFT. Special attention was devoted to the regioselectivity of the nucleophilic attack, but C-C coupling to give the allylation products was also considered to give a complete picture of the reaction progress.

Copper-Catalyzed Highly Enantioselective 1,4-Protoboration of Terminal 1,3-Dienes

Copper-Catalyzed Highly Enantioselective 1,4-Protoboration of Terminal 1,3-Dienes

Modular Synthesis of a Versatile Double-Allylation Reagent for Complex Diol Synthesis.

Double-allylation reagents allow for the construction of highly complex molecules in an expedient fashion. We have developed an efficient, modular, and enantioselective approach towards accessing novel variants of these reagents through Cu/Pd-catalyzed alkenylboration of alkenylboron derivatives. Importantly, we demonstrate novel use of an allylBdan reagent directly in a stereocontrolled allylation without initial deprotection to the boronic ester. These allylation products are employed in a second intermolecular allylation to access complex diol motifs, which has yet to be shown with these types of double-allylation reagents. Overall, the modularity of this approach and the ease in which complex structural motifs can be accessed in a rapid manner signify the importance and utility of this method.

Modular Synthesis of a Versatile Double‐Allylation Reagent for Complex Diol Synthesis

AbstractDouble‐allylation reagents allow for the construction of highly complex molecules in an expedient fashion. We have developed an efficient, modular, and enantioselective approach towards accessing novel variants of these reagents through Cu/Pd‐catalyzed alkenylboration of alkenylboron derivatives. Importantly, we demonstrate novel use of an allylBdan reagent directly in a stereocontrolled allylation without initial deprotection to the boronic ester. These allylation products are employed in a second intermolecular allylation to access complex diol motifs, which has yet to be shown with these types of double‐allylation reagents. Overall, the modularity of this approach and the ease in which complex structural motifs can be accessed in a rapid manner signify the importance and utility of this method.

Iridium Catalysed Asymmetric Allylic Substitution Reaction of Indolizine Derivatives

AbstractA highly efficient direct asymmetric allylic substitution (AAS) reaction of indolizine derivatives with allylic alcohols for accessing enantioenriched indolizine derivatives was realized by combining a chiral iridium complex catalyst with Lewis acid under mild reaction conditions, delivering various chiral allylation products in remarkably high yields and excellent enantioselectivities. This protocol distinguishes itself by availability of the starting materials, mild reaction conditions, broad substrate scope, high yields, excellent selectivity and easy scale‐up in a stereoselective manner, which provides a highly efficient protocol for chiral indolizines.

Stereo- and Enantioselective Synthesis of Propionate-Derived Trisubstituted Alkene Motifs.

We report a new method for constructing propionate-derived trisubstituted alkene motifs in a stereoselective manner. 1-Substituted 1,1-di(pinacolatoboryl)-(E)-alk-2-enes are generated in situ from 1-substituted 1,1-di(pinacolatoboryl)alk-3-enes through ruthenium(II)-catalyzed double-bond transposition. These species undergo a chiral phosphoric acid catalyzed allylation reaction of aldehydes to produce the E isomers of anti-homoallylic alcohols. On the other hand, the corresponding Z isomers of anti-homoallylic alcohols are obtained when a dimeric palladium(I) complex is employed as the catalyst for this double-bond transposition. Thus, both E and Z isomers can be synthesized from the same starting materials. A B-C(sp2 ) bond remaining with the allylation product undergoes the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction to furnish a propionate-derived trisubstituted alkene motif in a stereo-defined form. The present method to construct the motifs with (E)- and (Z)-alkenes are successfully applied to the syntheses of (+)-isotrichostatic acid, (-)-isotrichostatin RK, and (+)-trichostatic acid, respectively.

Tandem elimination-oxidation of tertiary benzylic alcohols with an oxoammonium salt

Tertiary benzylic alcohols react with oxoammonium salts, undergoing a tandem elimination/allylic oxidation to provide an allylic ether product in a single step. This mode of reactivity provides a rapid entry into allylic ethers from certain benzylic tertiary alcohols. The allylic ether may be cleaved under reductive conditions to reveal the allylic alcohol.

Palladium‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrosulfonylation of 1,3‐Dienes with Sulfonyl Hydrazides

AbstractA highly enantio‐ and regioselective hydrosulfonylation of 1,3‐dienes with sulfonyl hydrazides has been realized by using a palladium catalyst containing a monodentate chiral spiro phosphoramidite ligand. The reaction provided an efficient approach to synthetically useful chiral allylic sulfones. Mechanistic studies suggest that the reaction proceeds through the formation of an allyl hydrazine intermediate and subsequent rearrangement to the chiral allylic sulfone product. The transformation of the allyl hydrazine intermediate to the product is the enantioselectivity‐determining step.

Palladium‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrosulfonylation of 1,3‐Dienes with Sulfonyl Hydrazides

A highly enantio- and regioselective hydrosulfonylation of 1,3-dienes with sulfonyl hydrazides has been realized by using a palladium catalyst containing a monodentate chiral spiro phosphoramidite ligand. The reaction provided an efficient approach to synthetically useful chiral allylic sulfones. Mechanistic studies suggest that the reaction proceeds through the formation of an allyl hydrazine intermediate and subsequent rearrangement to the chiral allylic sulfone product. The transformation of the allyl hydrazine intermediate to the product is the enantioselectivity-determining step.

Selective Oxidation of Citronellol over Titanosilicate Catalysts

Citronellol is one of the most widely used fragrances for bouquetting purposes and it is a starting material for synthesis of several other terpenoids. Nevertheless, few data have been reported on citronellol selective oxidation. Accordingly, we report our findings on the selective oxidation of citronellol with hydrogen peroxide using a set of titanosilicate catalysts with different morphologies and textural properties—conventional titanium silicalite 1 (TS-1), mesoporous TS-1, layered TS-1 and silica-titania pillared TS-1 and also studying the effect of the solvent used. Epoxidation of C6=C7 double bond was the main primary reaction in this system and trace signals of C5 allylic oxidation products were observed without formation of citronellal. Due to the presence of post-synthesis introduced additional Ti sites, the silica-titania pillared TS-1 (TS-1-PITi) provided the highest conversion among the tested catalysts; nevertheless, citronellol was oxidized over all the studied catalysts including conventional TS-1; therefore, showing that it penetrates even into MFI micropores (0.55 nm in diameter). When using acetonitrile as a solvent, the conversion was proportional to the titanium content of the catalyst. When studying the effect of the solvent, acetonitrile provided the highest epoxide selectivity (55%) while in methanol, 2-propanol and 1,4-dioxane, ring opening reactions caused epoxide decomposition.

Hydroarylation of N‐Allenyl Derivatives Catalyzed by Copper**

An additive‐free copper catalytic system was used to perform the addition of (hetero)aryl nucleophiles to N‐allenyl derivatives. This intermolecular C–C bond formation occurs with both complete regio‐ and stereoselectivity to afford the linear (E) allylic product with moderate to excellent yields. This atom economical method is the first example of hydroarylation of allenes catalyzed by copper.

Grafting of Lanthanum Complexes on a Functionalized Graphene Surface: Theoretical Investigation on Ethylene and 1,3-Butadiene Homo- and Co-Polymerization.

In this contribution, we describe the use of graphene as an efficient catalyst support and the role it plays in increasing the Lewis acidity of the supported metal complexes. By a density functional theory study, we show that the [La(N(SiMe3 )2 )3 ] complex can be easily grafted on graphene-OH and -COOH functionalized surfaces. Two stable mono-grafted compounds, (gO)-[La(N(SiMe3 )2 )2 ] and (gOO)-[La(N(SiMe3 )2 )2 ], are formed, behaving as stronger Lewis acids than the previously reported silica grafted analogues. To study the role of the graphene support in catalysis, we also computed the catalytic activity of the alkylated (gO)-[La(CH3 )2 ] and (gOO)-[La(CH3 )2 ] complexes in the ethylene and 1,3-butadiene homo- and co-polymerization reactions. Both compounds are efficient catalysts for the homo-polymerization of the ethylene and 1,3-butadiene. For the 1,3-butadiene homo-polymerization, the stereoselectivity outcome of the reaction differs according to the grafting site. The results computed for the co-polymerization reaction, finally, show that the high stability of the allylic products leads to the formation of block copolymers.

The bent bond / antiperiplanar hypothesis and the thermal rearrangement of cyclopropyl halides and tosylates

The mechanism of solvolysis of cyclopropyl halides and tosylates yielding allylic products is deduced at the molecular level through the Bent Bond/Antiperiplanar Hypothesis (BBAH). The cleavage of the cyclopropane bond occurs in a concerted manner with the departure of the leaving group. This rearrangement takes place when the pyramidal diradical intermediate derived from the structure of the cyclopropane τ bond is antiperiplanar to the halide or sulfonate leaving group.

Designing a Planar Chiral Rhodium Indenyl Catalyst for Regio- and Enantioselective Allylic C-H Amidation.

Chiral variants of group IX Cp and Cp* catalysts are well established and catalyze a broad range of reactions with high levels of enantioselectivity. Enantiocontrol in these systems results from ligand design that focuses on appropriate steric blocking. Herein we report the development of a new planar chiral indenyl rhodium complex for enantioselective C-H functionalization catalysis. The ligand design is based on establishing electronic asymmetry in the catalyst, to control enantioselectivity during the reactions. The complex is easily synthesized from commercially available starting materials and is capable of catalyzing the asymmetric allylic C-H amidation of unactivated olefins, delivering a wide range of high-value enantioenriched allylic amide products in good yields with excellent regio- and enantioselectivity. Computational studies suggest that C-H cleavage is rate- and enantio-determining, while reductive C-N coupling from the RhV-nitrenoid intermediate is regio-determining.

Rapid allylation of cellulose without heating in tetra-n-butylphosphonium hydroxide aqueous solution

Allyl cellulose is an important intermediate for cellulose functionalization because of the high reactivity of the allyl group. In this work, a rapid allylation of cellulose with allyl bromide was realized under mild ambient conditions by using a cellulose solvent, tetra-n-butylphosphonium hydroxide aqueous solution, for the reaction medium. The allylation proceeded with a consecutive change in the state of the reaction system from the initial transparent liquid through a colloidal emulsion to the definitive suspension. The reaction conducted for 1 h yielded allyl cellulose showing a degree of substitution (DS) of ~ 2.0; virtually, however, the substitution to DS ≈ 1.9 was attained at the stage of 10 min elapsing. The reaction behavior was interpreted in terms of a model scheme proposed previously for cellulose benzylation using a similar reaction medium. The allyl products indexed with such a relatively high DS (> 1.8) were well soluble in various organic solvents. It was also shown that the present synthetic process gave rise to no serious degradation of the cellulose main chains nor cross-linking between the introduced allyl groups.