Organozinc Research Articles

Lubricant and tribological properties of zinc compound in palm oil

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the composition of lubricant and the enhancement of tribological properties using palm oil as a parent base oil mixed with an organo-zinc compound as an additive. Design/methodology/approach The oil samples were prepared by mixing organo-zinc compound additive, zinc dioctyldithiophosphate (ZnDoDP) and zinc diamyldithiocarbamate (ZDDC), at 0 to 3.0 Wt.% concentrations with commercialised palm oil which were then homogenised using an ultrasonic homogeniser. The oil samples were then tested for their oil properties through elemental analysis, their viscosity index, flashpoint and acid number. Next, the friction test was performed using a four-ball tribometer, and the worn surfaces of the balls were observed using a digital microscope. Findings The results showed that commercialised palm oil with 2.0 Wt.% of ZnDoDP had excellent characteristics regarding its lubricant properties, such as its viscosity index, coefficient of friction and wear compared to commercialised palm oil with the addition of 2.0 Wt.% of ZDDC. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to compare the effect of the concentration of ZnDoDP and ZDDC on the lubricant and triological properties of vegetable oil (palm).

Towards Extended Zinc Ethylsulfinate Networks by Stepwise Insertion of Sulfur Dioxide into Zn-C Bonds.

The ability to utilize polluting gases in efficient metal-mediated transformations is one of the most pressing challenges of modern chemistry. Despite numerous studies on the insertion of SO2 into M-C bonds, the chemical reaction of SO2 with organozinc compounds remains little explored. To fill this gap, we report here the systematic study of the reaction of Et2 Zn towards SO2 as well as the influence of Lewis bases on the reaction course. Whereas the equimolar reaction provided a novel example of a structurally characterized organozinc ethylsulfinate compound of general formula [(EtSO2 )ZnEt]n , the utilization of an excess of SO2 led to the formation of the zinc(II) bis(ethylsulfinate) compound [(EtSO2 )2 Zn]n . Moreover, we have discovered that the presence of N-donor Lewis bases represents an efficient tool for the preparation of extended zinc ethylsulfinates, which in turn led to the formation of 1D [(EtSO2 ZnEt)2 (hmta)]n and 2D [((EtSO2 )2 Zn)2 (DABCO)]n ⋅solv (in which solv=THF or toluene, hmta= hexamethylenetetramine, and DABCO=1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane) coordination polymers, respectively. The results of DFT calculations on the reactivity of SO2 towards selected Zn-C reactive species as well as the role of an N-donor Lewis base on the stabilization of the transition states complement the discussion.

A Concise Approach for the Synthesis of the ABCD Ring System of Alpkinidine

AbstractA two step synthesis of a benzo analog of alpkinidine is described via Negishi coupling followed by a base mediated annulation reaction strategy. The organozinc compound prepared from ethyl 2‐iodobenzoate was coupled with 4‐chloro‐2‐methyl‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐pyrrolo[3,4‐c]quinolin‐1‐one to obtain ethyl 2‐(2‐methyl‐1‐oxo‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐pyrrolo[3,4‐c]quinolin‐4‐yl)‐benzoate which on further treatment with a base provided ABCD ring system of alpkinidine.

Low-Coordinate NHC–Zinc Hydride Complexes Catalyze Alkyne C–H Borylation and Hydroboration Using Pinacolborane

Organozinc compounds containing sp, sp2, and sp3 C–Zn moieties undergo transmetalation with pinacolborane (HBPin) to produce Zn–H species and organoboronate esters (RBPin). This Zn–C/H–B metathesis step is key to enabling zinc-catalyzed borylation reactions, and it is used in this work to develop both terminal alkyne C–H borylation and internal alkyne hydroboration. These two conversions can be combined in one pot to achieve the zinc-catalyzed conversion of terminal alkynes to 1,1-diborylated alkenes without isolation of the sensitive (to protodeboronation) alkynyl boronate ester intermediates. Mechanistic studies involving the isolation of intermediates, stoichiometric experiments, and DFT calculations all support mechanisms involving organozinc species that undergo metathesis with HBPin. Furthermore, zinc-catalyzed hydroboration can proceed via a hydrozincation step, which does not require any exogenous catalyst in contrast to all previously reported alkyne hydrozincations. Bulky N-heterocyclic carbenes...

Cover Feature: Copper‐Catalyzed Electrophilic Thiolation of Organozinc Halides by Using N‐Thiophthalimides Leading to Polyfunctional Thioethers (Chem. Eur. J. 15/2019)

Electrophilic Thiolations are important reactions in organic synthesis. In this Communication, (hetero)aryl, benzylic, and alkyl zinc halides were thiolated with N-thiophthalimides at 25 °C within 1 h in the presence of 5–10% Cu(OAc)2⋅H2O to furnish the corresponding polyfunctionalized thioethers in good yields. This electrophilic thiolation was extended to the introduction of trifluoromethylthio (SCF3), thiocyanate (SCN), and selenophenyl (SePh) groups. The utility of this method was shown in a seven-step synthesis of a potent cathepsin D inhibitor in 34% overall yield. More information can be found in the Communication by P. Knochel et al. on page 3752.

Copper-Catalyzed Electrophilic Thiolation of Organozinc Halides by Using N-Thiophthalimides Leading to Polyfunctional Thioethers.

(Hetero)aryl, benzylic, and alkyl zinc halides were thiolated with N-thiophthalimides at 25 °C within 1 h in the presence of 5-10 % Cu(OAc)2 ⋅H2 O to furnish the corresponding polyfunctionalized thioethers in good yields. This electrophilic thiolation was extended to the introduction of trifluoromethylthio (SCF3 ), thiocyanate (SCN), and selenophenyl (SePh) groups. The utility of this method was shown in a seven-step synthesis of a potent cathepsin D inhibitor in 34 % overall yield.

Mechanochemical and slow-chemistry radical transformations: a case of diorganozinc compounds and TEMPO.

From the green chemistry perspective, molecular solid-state transformations conducted under mild conditions are of great interest and desirability. However, research in this area lacked popularity in the previous century, and thus progressed slowly. In particular, the application of radical reactions in solid-state chemistry has been hampered by several long-standing challenges that are intrinsically associated with the apparent unpredictable nature of radical chemistry. We present a comparative study of model mechanochemical, slow-chemistry and solution radical reactions between TEMPO and homoleptic organozinc compounds (i.e., di-tert-butylzinc and diphenylzinc). In the case of the tBu2Zn/TEMPO reaction system only a dimeric diamagnetic complex [tBuZn(μ-TEMPO*)]2 is obtained in yields slightly varying with the method chosen. In contrast, when TEMPO is mixed with diphenylzinc in a 2 : 1 molar ratio a novel paramagnetic Lewis acid-base adduct [[Ph2Zn(η1-TEMPO)]·TEMPO] is isolated in high yields regardless of the applied methodology. This adduct is also formed in the slow-chemistry process when TEMPO is gently mixed with Ph2Zn in a 1 : 1 molar ratio and left for two weeks at ambient temperature. Within the next week the reaction mixture gives in high yield a diamagnetic dinuclear compound [PhZn(μ-TEMPO*)][PhZn(μ2-η1:η1-TEMPO*)] and biphenyl. The analogous reaction conducted in toluene results in a much lower conversion rate. The reported results open up a new horizon in molecular solid-state radical transformations.

Copper‐Catalyzed Monoorganylation of Trialkyl Borates with Functionalized Organozinc Pivalates

AbstractOrganozinc pivalates, a recently developed air‐ and moisture‐stable organozinc species, were found for the first time as excellent organometallic species in the monoorganylation of trialkyl borates whereby boronic acids were prepared in high yields. The significant advantage of organozinc pivalates over another previously employed organometallic reagents, e. g., organolithium reagents, Grignard reagents and organozinc halides, is that the generation of multiorganylation byproducts such as borinic acids and trialkylboranes were completely suppressed. Additionally, the in situ generated boronates could be directly arranged into Suzuki‐Miyaura type cross‐coupling reactions to produce biaryls in high yields.

Identification and synthesis of new sex-specific components of olive fruit fly (Bactrocera oleae) female rectal gland, through original Negishi reactions on supported catalysts

In the present study, eleven new sex-specific components extracted from female rectal gland of olive fruit flies were synthesized and identified. The quantitative determination of those components by GC and GC/EI-MS, at different moments of the insect life span, highlighted the growing trend of their secretion. While for the synthesis of saturated esters, conventional transesterification methods could be adopted, for the synthesis of unsaturated components, a Negishi cross-coupling between organozinc halides and (Z)-1-bromo-1-alkenes was developed. To the extent of our knowledge, this reaction represents the first example of supported-catalyst promoted Negishi coupling, between an alkylzinc reagent and an alkenyl halide.

Exploiting Synergistic Effects in Organozinc Chemistry for Direct Stereoselective C-Glycosylation Reactions at Room Temperature.

Pairing a range of bis(aryl) zinc reagents ZnAr2 with the stronger Lewis acidic [(ZnArF2 )] (ArF =C6 F5 ), enables highly stereoselective cross-coupling between glycosyl bromides and ZnAr2 without the use of a transition metal. Reactions occur at room temperature with excellent levels of stereoselectivity, where ZnArF2 acts as a non-coupling partner although its presence is crucial for the execution of the C(sp2 )-C(sp3 ) bond formation process. Mechanistic studies have uncovered a unique synergistic partnership between the two zinc reagents, which circumvents the need for transition-metal catalysis or forcing reaction conditions. Key to the success of the coupling is the avoidance of solvents that act as Lewis bases versus diarylzinc compounds (e.g. THF).

Exploiting Synergistic Effects in Organozinc Chemistry for Direct Stereoselective C‐Glycosylation Reactions at Room Temperature

AbstractPairing a range of bis(aryl) zinc reagents ZnAr2 with the stronger Lewis acidic [(ZnArF2)] (ArF=C6F5), enables highly stereoselective cross‐coupling between glycosyl bromides and ZnAr2 without the use of a transition metal. Reactions occur at room temperature with excellent levels of stereoselectivity, where ZnArF2 acts as a non‐coupling partner although its presence is crucial for the execution of the C(sp2)–C(sp3) bond formation process. Mechanistic studies have uncovered a unique synergistic partnership between the two zinc reagents, which circumvents the need for transition‐metal catalysis or forcing reaction conditions. Key to the success of the coupling is the avoidance of solvents that act as Lewis bases versus diarylzinc compounds (e.g. THF).

Difluorocarbene as a Building Block for Consecutive Bond-Forming Reactions.

Compounds containing a difluoromethylene unit have gained increasing attention due to their utility in drug design. Classic methods for the synthesis of these compounds rely on either harsh deoxofluorination reactions or laborious functional group manipulation sequences. In 2013, we proposed a method for assembling gem-difluorinated molecules from a difluorocarbene, a nucleophile, and an electrophile. In this process, a difluorocarbene can be considered an equivalent of a bipolar CF2 unit. Performing consecutive bond-forming reactions by sequential attachment of a nucleophile and an electrophile to a difluorocarbene provides the opportunity for the synthesis of a wide variety of organofluorine compounds. Silicon reagents were the most effective sources of the difluoromethylene fragment, and among them (bromodifluoromethyl)trimethylsilane (Me3SiCF2Br) is the reagent of choice. Mildly basic activators such HMPA, DMPU, bromide and acetate ions can initiate the decomposition of the silane with concomitant generation of a difluorocarbene. Organozinc reagents can be employed as nucleophiles, and the CF2 fragment can insert into the carbon-zinc bond. Primary and secondary benzyl and alkyl organozinc compounds work well. Generally, organozinc reagents tolerate a variety of functional groups. The resulting fluorinated organozinc species can be coupled with heteroatom- or carbon-centered electrophiles. Halogenation of the carbon-zinc bond leads to compounds with bromo- or iododifluoromethyl fragments, which are difficult to access by other means, whereas protonation of that bond generates a valuable difluoromethyl group. Despite the decrease in the reactivity of the carbon-zinc bond caused by the adjacent fluorines, organozinc compounds can effectively participate in copper-catalyzed cross-couplings with allylic and propargyl halides, 1-bromoalkynes, and S-acyl dithiocarbamates. Difluorocarbene can be inserted into the carbon-silicon bond of trimethylsilyl cyanide, and the resulting silane can react with aldehydes and imines to furnish difluorinated nitriles. Interactions of difluorocarbene with heteroatom nucleophiles, such as phosphines or halide ions, are reversible, but the adduct can be trapped by an electrophile. The use of halide ions allows the direct nucleophilic bromo- and iododifluoromethylation of aldehydes and iminium ions. The combination of triphenylphosphine with difluorocarbene generates a difluorinated phosphorus ylide, which can interact with a wide range of π-electrophiles (aldehydes, ketones, acyl chlorides, azomethines, and Michael acceptors) to provide gem-difluorinated phosphonium salts. In the latter species, the carbon-phosphorus bond can be readily cleaved under basic conditions, affording the difluoromethylation products. Primary products resulting from three-component couplings can subsequently be used for further transformations. Single-electron reduction of carbon-phosphorus or carbon-iodine bonds can be conducted under photocatalytic conditions to generate gem-difluorinated radicals. These radicals can be trapped by silyl enol ethers leading to β,β-difluorinated ketones as the primary products. Fluorinated radicals can also undergo intramolecular attacks adjacent to an aromatic ring or a double bond.

On-demand synthesis of organozinc halides under continuous flow conditions.

Organozinc reagents are versatile building blocks for introducing C(sp2)-C(sp3) and C(sp3)-C(sp3) bonds into organic structures. However, despite their ample synthetic versatility and broad functional group tolerance, the use of organozinc reagents in the laboratory is limited because of their instability, exothermicity and water sensitivity, as well as their labor-intensive preparation. Herein, we describe an on-demand synthesis of these useful reagents under continuous flow conditions, overcoming these primary limitations and supporting widespread adoption of these reagents in synthetic organic chemistry. To exemplify this procedure, a solution of ethyl zincbromoacetate is prepared by flowing ethyl bromoacetate through a column containing metallic zinc. The temperature of the column is controlled by a heating jacket and a thermocouple in close contact with it. Advice on how to perform the procedure using alternative equipment is also given to allow a wider access to the methodology. Here we describe the preparation of 50 ml of solution, which takes 1 h 40 min, although up to 250-300 ml can be prepared with the same column setup at a rate of 30 ml per h. The procedure provides the reagent as a clean solution with reproducible concentration. Organozinc solutions generated in flow can be coupled to a second flow reactor to perform a Reformatsky reaction or can be collected over a flask containing the required reagents for a batch Negishi reaction.

Cobalt-catalyzed asymmetric reactions of heterobicyclic alkenes with in situ generated organozinc halides

A general strategy for the asymmetric allylation and benzylation of heterobicyclic alkenes is described by employing in situ generated organozinc halides.

A Mild, Functional Group Tolerant Addition of Organozinc Nucleophiles to N-Activated Quinolines and Isoquinolines.

An addition of organozinc nucleophiles to N-acyl activated quinolines and isoquinolines is described. Simple transmetalation with the corresponding Grignard reagents using ZnCl2 forms organozinc compounds which are functional group tolerant and stable to reactive acyl chloride reagents for extended periods. A wide variety of substrates which include reactive electron-withdrawing groups are well tolerated to form 2-substituted dihydroquinolines and dihydroisoquinolines. This methodology has been applied toward an improved synthetic route of uncialamycin and its analogs.

Synthesis and Bioactivity of Novel N-Benzylic and N-Phenethylic Ephedrine Derivatives

A range of N-benzylic and N-phenethylic ephedrine derivatives were prepared in a one-pot procedure starting from the two enantiomers of ephedrine using the Potier reagent, and a polyfunctional aryl- or benzylic organozinc halide. The biological activity in indatraline MS Binding Assays addressing hDAT, hNET and hSERT was determined and discussed.

Exploring Closed-Shell Cationic Phenalenyl: From Catalysis to Spin Electronics.

The odd alternant hydrocarbon phenalenyl (PLY) can exist in three different forms, a closed-shell cation, an open-shell radical, and a closed-shell anion, using its nonbonding molecular orbital (NBMO). The chemistry of PLY-based molecules began more than five decades ago, and so far, the progress has mainly involved the open-shell neutral radical state. Over the last two decades, we have witnessed the evolution of a range of PLY-based radicals generating an array of multifunctional materials. However, it has been admitted that the practical applications of PLY radicals are greatly challenged by the low stability of the open-shell (radical) state. Recently, we took a different route to establish the utility of these PLY molecules using the closed-shell cationic state. In such a design, the closed-shell unit of PLY can readily accept free electrons, stabilizing in its NBMO upon generation of the open-shell state of the molecule. Thus, one can synthetically avoid the unstable open-shell state but still take advantage of this state by in situ generating the radical through external electron transfer or spin injection into the empty NBMO. It is worth noting that such approaches using closed-shell phenalenyl have been missing in the literature. This Account focuses on our recent developments using the closed-shell cationic state of the PLY molecule and its application in broad multidisciplinary areas spanning from catalysis to spin electronics. We describe how this concept has been utilized to develop a variety of homogeneous catalysts. For example, this concept was used in designing an iron(III) PLY-based electrocatalyst for a single-compartment H2O2 fuel cell, which delivered the best electrocatalytic activity among previously reported iron complexes, organometallic catalysts for various homogeneous organic transformations (hydroamination and polymerization), an organic Lewis acid catalyst for the ring opening of epoxides, and transition-metal-free C-H functionalization catalysts. Moreover, this concept of using the empty NBMO present in the closed-shell cationic state of the PLY moiety to capture electron(s) was further extended to an entirely different area of spin electronics to design a PLY-based spin-memory device, which worked by a spin-filtration mechanism using an organozinc compound based on a PLY backbone deposited over a ferromagnetic substrate. In this Account, we summarize our recent efforts to understand how this unexplored closed-shell state of the phenalenyl molecule, which has been known for over five decades, can be utilized in devising an array of materials that not only are important from an organometallic chemistry or organic chemistry point of view but also provide new understanding for device physics.

Synthesis of tetrasubstituted pyrazoles containing pyridinyl substituents.

A synthesis of tetrasubstituted pyrazoles containing two, three or four pyridinyl substituents is described. Hence, the reaction of 1,3-dipyridinyl-1,3-propanediones with 2-hydrazinopyridine or phenylhydrazine, respectively, affords the corresponding 1,3,5-trisubstituted pyrazoles. Iodination at the 4-position of the pyrazole nucleus by treatment with I2/HIO3 gives the appropriate 4-iodopyrazoles which served as starting materials for different cross-coupling reactions. Finally, Negishi cross-coupling employing organozinc halides and Pd catalysts turned out to be the method of choice to obtain the desired tetrasubstituted pyrazoles. The formation of different unexpected reaction products is described. Detailed NMR spectroscopic investigations (1H, 13C, 15N) were undertaken with all products prepared. Moreover, the structure of a condensation product was confirmed by crystal structure analysis.

One-pot synthesis of ultrastable pentanuclear alkylzinc complexes.

Two organometallic pentanuclear zinc complexes, namely [Zn5Et4(Me2bta)6] and [Zn5Me4(Me2bta)6], containing tridentate N-donor ligands (5,6-dimethylbenzotriazolate, Me2bta) were prepared by a one-pot synthesis. These compounds represent the first examples of organometallic complexes featuring a Kuratowski-type bond topology. Zinc ions were introduced as organometallic precursors (either diethylzinc or dimethylzinc was used), which upon mixing with the ligand yielded the desired complexes spontaneously. The organometallic complexes were characterized by a range of analytical techniques including NMR- and FT-IR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis. In addition, the structure of [Zn5Et4(Me2bta)6] could be solved by single-crystal X-ray analysis. The thermal and chemical stability of the complexes was studied by TGA, VT-XRPD and DRIFT, in addition to NMR and mass spectrometric investigations. The compounds were found to be unexpectedly stable under various conditions and to lack any reactivity with electrophilic reactants such as aldehydes, which commonly react easily with organozinc compounds. However, the basic alkyl groups could be reacted with strongly acidic compounds such as trifluoroacetic acid.

Preparation of Polyfunctional Organozinc Halides by an InX3 - and LiCl-Catalyzed Zinc Insertion to Aryl and Heteroaryl Iodides and Bromides.

A catalytic system consisting of InCl3 (3 mol %) and LiCl (30 mol %) allows a convenient preparation of polyfunctional arylzinc halides via the insertion of zinc powder to various aryl iodides in THF at 50 °C in up to 95 % yield. The use of a THF/DMPU (1:1) mixture shortens the reaction rates and allows the preparation of keto-substituted arylzinc reagents. In the presence of In(acac)3 (3 mol %) and LiCl (150 mol %), the zinc insertion to various aryl and heteroaryl bromides proceeds smoothly (50 °C, 2-18 h). Alkyl bromides are also converted to the corresponding zinc reagents in the presence of In(acac)3 (10 mol %) and LiCl (150 mol %) in 70-80 % yield.