Cobalt-mediated Radical Research Articles

Nitrative Difunctionalization of Alkenes via Cobalt-Mediated Radical Ligand Transfer and Radical-Polar Crossover Photoredox Catalysis

Nitrative Difunctionalization of Alkenes via Cobalt-Mediated Radical Ligand Transfer and Radical-Polar Crossover Photoredox Catalysis

Controlled Radical Polymerization of Acrylates and Isocyanides Installs Degradable Functionality into Novel Copolymers.

Installing ketones into a polymer backbone is a known method for introducing photodegradability into polymers; however, most current methods are limited to ethylene-carbon monoxide copolymerization. Here we use isocyanides in place of carbon monoxide in a copolymerization strategy to access degradable nonalternating poly(ketones) that either maintain or enhance the thermal properties. A cobalt-mediated radical polymerization of acrylates and isocyanides synthesizes nonalternating poly(acrylate-co-isocyanide) copolymers with tunable incorporation using monomer feed ratios. The kinetic product of the polymerization is a dynamic β-imine ester that tautomerizes to the β-enamine ester. Hydrolysis of this copolymer affords a third copolymer microstructure─the elusive nonalternating poly(ketone)─from a single copolymerization strategy. Analysis of the copolymer properties demonstrates tunable thermal properties with the degree of incorporation. Finally, we show that poly(acrylate-co-isocyanide) and poly(acrylate-co-ketone) are photodegradable with 390 nm light, enabling chain cleavage.

Vitamin B12 Derivative Enables Cobalt-Catalyzed Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization.

Advances in controlled radical polymerizations by cobalt complexes have primarily taken advantage of the reactivity of cobalt as a persistent radical to reversibly deactivate propagating chains by forming a carbon-cobalt bond. However, cobalt-mediated radical polymerizations require stoichiometric ratios of a cobalt complex, deterring its utility in synthesizing well-defined polymers. Here, we developed a strategy to use cobalt as a catalyst to control radical polymerizations via halogen atom transfer with alkyl halide initiators. Using a modified, hydrophobic analogue of vitamin B12 (heptamethyl ester cobyrinate) as a cobalt precatalyst, we controlled the polymerization of acrylate monomers. The polymerization efficiency of the cobalt catalyst was significantly improved by additional bromide anions, which enhanced the deactivation of propagating radicals yielding polymers with dispersity values <1.2 using catalyst concentrations as low as 5 mol %. We anticipate that the development of cobalt catalysis in atom transfer radical polymerization will enable new opportunities in designing catalytic systems for the controlled synthesis of polymers.

Cyanocobalamin (VB12) Bionic Enzyme-Assisted Photocatalytic Chain-Growth Polymerization for Detection of Lung Cancer Biomarkers.

Cobalt-mediated radical polymerization is noted for its great level of control over the polymerization of acrylic and vinyl esters monomers, even at high molar mass. Vitamin B12, a natural bionic enzyme cobalt complex, involves the conversion of organic halides to olefins through chain-growth polymerization. In this work, the notion of R-Co(III) free radical persistent free radical effect and vitamin B12 circulation were first reported for the perception of ultralow abundance of microRNA-21, a lung cancer biomarker. Indeed, most Co-containing catalytic reactions can occur under mild conditions due to their minimal bond dissociation of the C-Co bond, with blue light irradiation. Based on the intrinsic stability of the vitamin B12 framework and recycling of the catalyst, it is evident that this natural catalytic scheme has potential applications in medicinal chemistry and biomaterials. In addition, this strategy, combined with highly specific recognition probes and vitamin B12 circulation-mediated chain-growth polymerization, has a detection limit as low as 910 aM. Furthermore, it is sensitive for sensing in serum samples containing biomarkers and shows great potential for RNA selection and amplification sensing in clinical samples.

Cobalt-Mediated Radical Cyclizations: Stereoselective Synthesis of Cyclopentanes, Cyclohexanes, and Tetralins

A stereoselective method for assembling five- and six-membered, mono- and binuclear carbocyclic compounds by intramolecular cyclization of Co2(CO)6-complexed propargyl radicals was developed. The formation of requisite bis-propargyl cations A is enabled by a stabilizing metal cluster, while converging transient radicals are stereodirected by a bulky metal core and substituents at the acetylenic termini. With the flexible three- or four-carbon tethers, formation of 1,2-dialkynylcyclopentanes and 1,2-dialkynylcyclohexanes occurred with a high stereoselectivity (91–100% trans-), noticeably enhanced by a γ-TMS group that exclusively directs the cobalt-alkyne cores into diaxial positions (1,3-steric induction). The main cyclization parameters were fully preserved with an aromatic ring as a rigid tether, thus providing rapid access to trans-tetralins with terminal and internal acetylenic moieties. The observed stereoselectivity in cyclization reactions─with both flexible and rigid tethers─was interpreted in terms of the selective stereomutation of the alpha stereocenters occurring in intermediate cations or radicals. Organic ligands were separated from metal cores under oxidative conditions (Ce4+), providing access to vicinally substituted bis-alkynyl cyclopentanes, cyclohexanes, and tetralins of trans-configurations, prone to secondary transformations, and of immediate relevance to the angularly and linearly fused estrogen mimics.

Synthesis of block copolymer of vinyl acetate and methyl acrylate by cobalt-mediated radical polymerization in a packed column system: simultaneous control of molecular weight, separation, and purification

Synthesis of block copolymer of vinyl acetate and methyl acrylate by cobalt-mediated radical polymerization in a packed column system: simultaneous control of molecular weight, separation, and purification

A Hydrometalation Initiation Mechanism via a Discrete Cobalt-Hydride for a Rapid and Controlled Radical Polymerization.

Cobalt-mediated radical polymerization (CMRP) is a versatile technique for controlling the polymerization of vinyl monomers via reversible termination using CoII complexes as persistent radical deactivators. Here, we report a facile approach for the in situ generation of Co-H as a discrete initiator and mediator for CMRP of acrylate and acrylamide monomers, overcoming the limitations of existing initiation strategies. In situ oxidation of a CoII complex followed by transmetalation with silane generates a Co-H species, which initiates polymerization via hydrometalation of the monomer. This method precludes an induction period with excellent control over targeted molecular weight and dispersity. Strikingly, our approach allows complete polymerization when the induction period ends for conventional CMRP. A broad scope of monomers is amenable to this protocol, including acrylates and acrylamides. Tunable catalyst electronics afford tailored dispersity while maintaining agreement in molecular weight in stark contrast to conventional methods. Elimination of this induction period imbues polymerization behavior entirely to the catalyst electronic effects on reversible deactivation/activation rates.

Coordination of Azobisisobutyronitrile with Cobalt Complexes in Cobalt-Mediated Radical Polymerization Disclosed by Linear Correlation between the Equilibrium Constant and Half-Wave Potential

Coordination of Azobisisobutyronitrile with Cobalt Complexes in Cobalt-Mediated Radical Polymerization Disclosed by Linear Correlation between the Equilibrium Constant and Half-Wave Potential

Polymer End Group Control through a Decarboxylative Cobalt-Mediated Radical Polymerization: New Avenues for Synthesizing Peptide, Protein, and Nanomaterial Conjugates.

Cobalt-mediated radical polymerizations (CMRPs) have been initiated by the radical decarboxylation of tetrachlorophthalimide activated esters. This allows for the controlled radical polymerization of activated monomers across a broad temperature range with a single cobalt species, with the incorporation of polymer end groups derived from simple carboxylic acid derivatives and termination with an organozinc reagent. This method has been applied to the synthesis of a polymer/graphene conjugate and a water-soluble protein/polymer conjugate, demonstrating the first examples of CMRP in graphene and protein conjugation.

Cobalt-Mediated Radical Copolymerization of Vinylidene Fluoride and 2,3,3,3-Trifluoroprop-1-ene.

New copolymers based on vinylidene fluoride (VDF) and 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoroprop-1-ene (1234yf) were synthesized by organometallic-mediated radical copolymerization (OMRcP) using the combination of bis(tert-butylcyclohexyl) peroxydicarbonate initiator and bis(acetylacetonato)cobalt(II), (Co(acac)2) as a controlling agent. Kinetics studies of the copolymerization of the fluoroalkenes copolymers were monitored by GPC and 19F NMR with molar masses up to 12,200 g/mol and dispersities (Đ) ranging from 1.33 to 1.47. Such an OMRcP behaves as a controlled copolymerization, evidenced by the molar mass of the resulting copolymer-monomer conversion linear relationship. The reactivity ratios, ri, of both comonomers were determined by using the Fineman-Ross and Kelen-Tüdos fitting model leading to rVDF = 0.384 ± 0.013 and r1234yf = 2.147 ± 0.129 at 60 °C, showing that a lower reactivity of VDF integrated in the copolymer to a greater extent leads to the production of gradient or pseudo-diblock copolymers. In addition, the Q (0.03) and e (0.06 and 0.94) parameters were assessed, as well as the dyad statistic distributions and mean square sequence lengths of PVDF and P1234yf.

Organo-Cobalt Complexes in Reversible-Deactivation Radical Polymerization.

Cobalt complexes have played an essential role in different chemical reactions. One of them that has attracted substantial attention in polymer science is cobalt mediated radical polymerization (CMRP), which is famous for its remarkable efficiency in controlling the radical polymerization of vinyl acetate (VAc) and other less active monomers (LAMs). Two pathways, reversible termination (RT) and degenerative transfer (DT), were recognized to control the polymerization in CMRP and could be further used to rationalize the mechanism of other RDRP methods. These control mechanisms were then found to be correlated to the redox potential of cobalt complexes and thus could be judged more quantitatively. The control of polymer composition and tacticity could also be achieved by using CMRP. The hybridization of CMRP and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) could directly synthesize the vinyl acetate/methyl methacrylate and vinyl acetate/styrene block copolymers in one pot. The copolymer of acrylates and 1-octene could be obtained by visible-light-induced CMRP. With the addition of bulky Lewis acid, CMRP of N,N-dimethylacrylamide (DMA) showed high isotacticities with the contents of meso dyads (m) and meso triads (mm) up to 94 % and 87 %, respectively, and generated the crystalline PDMA with Tm as high as 276 °C. This personal account reviewed the development of CMRP with the mechanistic understanding, the control of composition and stereoselectivity of the polymeric products, and its perspective.

Nitroxide TEMPO-containing PILs: Kinetics study and electrochemical characterizations

The cobalt-mediated radical polymerization (CMRP) of new ionic liquid monomers (ILMs), vinyl imidazolium functionalized with redox-active free radical 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO)VIm and its CMR copolymerization with vinyl imidazolium units functionalized with triethylene oxide (TEG)VIm produced a well-defined PILs (co)polymers. The controlled nature of (co)polymerization can be seen from the linear first-order kinetic plot, linear evolutions of the molar mass with total monomer conversion and the low polydispersity of the resulting (co)polymers. By combining the redox activity of (TEMPO)PVIm and remarkable ionic conductivity of (TEG)PVIm, outstanding rate capability performance was achieved with a remarkable capacity of 69 mAh g−1 at 60C. The obtained organic electrode can serve as sustainable electrodes in lithium ion batteries.

Computation-Assisted Investigation of Polymer Kinetics: Mechanism of the Hybridization of Cobalt-Mediated Radical Polymerization and Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization

In this study, we combined the kinetic measurement and the computational simulation to build a kinetic model for the hybridization of cobalt-mediated radical polymerization (CMRP) and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), which is a novel method for the one-pot synthesis of block copolymers of less activated monomers and more activated monomers, such as PVAc-b-PMMA and PVAc-b-PSty. The rate constants of the two most important reactions for PVAc radical, the dissociation of PVAc-Coᴵᴵᴵ(acac)₂ and the deactivation with Cuᴵᴵ(PMDETA)Br₂, have been evaluated at 40 °C as 4.99 × 10–³ s–¹ and 4.19 × 10⁶ M–¹ s–¹, respectively. These two kinetic parameters associated with other rate constants allowed us to build a quantitative model that can simulate the polymerization behavior observed in the hybridization of CMRP and ATRP and thus rationalize the mechanism more precisely.

Cobalt(II) complexes of α-diimine derived from cycloalkylamines as controlling agents for organometallic mediated radical polymerization of vinyl acetate

A series of cobalt(II)-α-diimine complexes derived from cycloalkylamines (cycloalkyl = cyclopentyl (1a), cyclohexyl (1b), cycloheptyl (1c), and cyclooctyl (1d)) were synthesized: [CoCl2(Pent-DAB)] (2a), [CoCl2(Hex-DAB)] (2b), [CoCl2(Hept-DAB)] (2c), and [CoCl2(Oct-DAB)] (2d). The α-diimines 1a-d were characterized by FTIR, UV–Vis, and 1H- and 13C NMR spectroscopy, while their respective cobalt(II) complexes (2a-d) were characterized by elemental analysis, FTIR, UV–Vis, EPR, and computational studies. The ability of complexes 2a-d to mediate the vinyl acetate (VAc) polymerization initiated by AIBN, according to a cobalt-mediated radical polymerization (CMRP) mechanism, was explored. A mechanistic investigation of radical trapping based on the combination of theoretical and experimental results for CMRP using 2a-d was conducted. This study shows that the activation/deactivation equilibrium exerted by 2a-d occurs by only one of the faces of the complexes via reversible-termination mechanism. The molecular weight increased in direct proportion to the monomer conversion in the early stages of polymerization for complexes 2a and 2b, while uncontrolled polymerization was observed for 2c and 2d. The molecular weights indicate that the steric effect operated by the cycloalkyl substituents plays an important role in the polymerization control, and that a greater steric hindrance disfavors the dormant state for CMRP equilibrium.

Recent advances in CoSalen-catalyzed radical reactions

Studies on the radical reactions involving planar N/O four-coordinated cobalt complexes have recently made significant progress. Cobalt salen ( N , N ′-bis(salicylidene)ethylenediamine) complexes, being one of the most important members of this family, have demonstrated outstanding versatility in the synthesis of small molecules as well as polymers. Herein we summarize important new advances in this field over the past 10 years, including: (1) Co(II/III) catalysis via hydrogen atom transfer; (2) oxidative hydrofunctionalization reactions involving Co(IV); (3) cyclopropanation via Co(III) carbene radicals; (4) reductive couplings via Co(I); (5) cobalt-mediated radical polymerizations. Emphasis is placed on the mechanistic interconnections among various reactions, development of new catalysis modes, and synthetic applications.

Degradable PE-Based Copolymer with Controlled Ester Structure Incorporation by Cobalt-Mediated Radical Copolymerization under Mild Condition.

SummaryPolyethylene (PE) is one of the most widely used materials in the world, but it is virtually undegradable and quickly accumulates in nature, which may contaminate the environment. We utilized the cobalt-mediated radical copolymerization (CMRP) of ethylene and cyclic ketene acetals (CKAs) to effectively incorporate ester groups into PE backbone as cleavable structures to make PE-based copolymer degradable under mild conditions. The content of ethylene and ester units in the produced copolymer could be finely regulated by CKA concentration or ethylene pressure. Also, the copolymerization of ethylene and CKA with other functional vinyl monomers can produce functional and degradable PE-based copolymer. All the formed PE-based copolymers could degrade in the presence of trimethylamine (Et3N).

Straightforward Synthesis of Well-Defined Poly(vinylidene fluoride) and Its Block Copolymers by Cobalt-Mediated Radical Polymerization

The organometallic-mediated radical polymerization (OMRP) of vinylidene fluoride (VDF) using an alkyl cobalt(III) compound as initiator was recently proven successful for the controlled synthesis o...

Cobalt-Mediated Radical Copolymerization of Chlorotrifluoroethylene and Vinyl Acetate.

Controlled radical copolymerization of chlorotrifluoroethylene (CTFE) and vinyl acetate (VAc) was successfully achieved in the presence of bis(acetylacetonato)cobalt(II) (Co(acac)2) as a mediated agent and 2,2′-azo-bis-isobutyronitrile (AIBN) as initiator. Both the molar mass and the fluorinated unit content of the copolymer could be controlled, and the chain extension polymerization of the obtained fluorinated copolymer was also achieved.

Precision design of vinyl amine and vinyl alcohol-based copolymers via cobalt-mediated radical polymerization

Controlling the amount and the distribution of vinyl amine and vinyl alcohol units within a copolymer is attractive to modulate the properties of the parent major industrial homopolymers, i.e. poly(vinyl amine) and poly(vinyl alcohol).

Organometallic-mediated radical polymerization using well-defined Schiff base cobalt(II) complexes

A series of new cobalt(II) complexes of Schiff base derived from salicylaldehyde and different cycloalkylamines (cycloalkyl = cyclopentyl-1a, cyclohexyl-1b, and cycloheptyl-1c) was synthesized: [Co(CyPen-Salicyl)2] (2a), [Co(CyHex-Salicyl)2] (2b), and [Co(CyHep-Salicyl)2] (2c). The bis(phenoxyiminato)Co(II) complexes (2a-2c) have been fully characterized by FTIR and UV–vis spectroscopy, elemental analysis, cyclic voltammetry, computational methods, and two of the complexes were further studied by single crystal X-ray crystallography. The X-ray structure analysis of 2a-b shows that the geometry around the metal atom is a distorted tetrahedron, confirming the spectroscopic data. Electrochemical studies suggest that the redox potential of 2a-2c are sensitive to the substituent group, decreasing in order cyclopentyl > cyclohexyl > cycloheptyl. Complexes 2a-2c were used as controlling agents for the polymerization of vinyl acetate (VAc) initiated by AIBN, according to a cobalt-mediated radical polymerization (CMRP) mechanism. The VAc polymerization mediated by 2a-2c suggests that the level of control can be slightly tuned by the substitution of the cycloalkyl group on the Schiff base ligand. Complex 2b showed the smaller discrepancy between observed and calculated molecular weight, and narrower molecular weight distribution.