Ring Opening Of Cyclobutene Research Articles

Asymmetric synthesis of a versatile 1,2,3-trisubstituted cyclopentane synthetic building block

Described herein is an asymmetric synthesis of a functionalized 1,2,3-trisubstituted cyclopentane building block, derivatives of which are commonly found in numerous natural products. Key steps include a Lewis acid-mediated cyclobutane ring opening, a diastereoselective chlorination, and a Favorskii rearrangement.

ReaxFF-based nonadiabatic dynamics method for azobenzene derivatives.

ReaxFF reactive force fields have been parameterized for the ground and first excited states of azobenzene and its derivatives. In addition, an extended set of ab initio reference data ensures wide applicability, including to azosystems in complex environments. Based on the optimized force fields, nonadiabatic surface hopping simulations produce photoisomerization quantum yields and decay times of azobenzene, both in the gas phase and in n-hexane solution, in reasonable agreement with higher level theory and experiment. The transferability to other azo-compounds is illustrated for different arylazopyrazoles as well as ethylene-bridged azobenzene. Moreover, it has been shown that the model can be easily extended to adsorbates on metal surfaces. The simulation of the ring-opening of cyclobutene triggered by the photoisomerization of azobenzene in a macrocycle highlights the advantages of a reactive force field model.

Chiral 3-Acylglutaric Acid Derivatives from Strain-Induced Nucleophilic Retro-Claisen Ring-Opening Reactions.

A nucleophilic retro-Claisen ring-opening of donor-acceptor cyclobutenes, formed with high stereocontrol by [3 + 1]-cycloaddition of TIPS-protected enoldiazoacetates with α-acyl sulfur ylides, has been developed. Removal of the TIPS group to form the isolable β-keto ester precedes the strain-induced ring-opening. Various amines, alcohols, thiols, and amino acid derivatives are effective nucleophiles, and their products are formed in very high yields via stoichiometric reactions. The chirality of the reactant donor-acceptor cyclobutenes is fully retained in the ring-opening reactions. The 3-acylglutaric acid products are converted to various valuable structures, including amido-diols, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) derivatives, and heterocycles.

The effect of solvation in torquoselectivity: ring opening of monosubstituted cyclobutenes.

The paradigmatic electrocyclic ring opening of monosubstituted cyclobutenes has been used to diagnose possible solvation effects tuning the torquoselectivity observed in these reactions. This kind of selectivity in electrocyclic reactions is mostly due to strong orbital interactions, particularly when they involve powerful electron donors and acceptors, which also combine with usually milder steric effects. Orbital interactions are established between the cleaving C-C bond and the HOMO/LUMO of the EDG/EWG substituent. This implies that the larger torquoselectivity-featuring substrates may also suffer stronger solvation effects due to the higher polarity imposed by the substituent. This premise is tested and the source of solvation effects as a consequence of substitution analyzed.

The Effect of Pressure on Organic Reactions in Fluids-a New Theoretical Perspective.

This Review brings a new perspective to the study of chemical reactions in compressed fluid media. We begin by reviewing the substantial insight gained from more than 50 years of experimental studies on organic reactions in solution under pressure. These led to a proper estimation of the critical roles of volume of activation (Δ≠ V) and reaction volume (ΔV) in understanding pressure effect on rates and equilibria of organic reactions. A recently developed computational method, the XP-PCM (extreme pressure polarizable continuum model) method, capable of carrying out quantum mechanical calculations of reaction pathways of molecules under pressure, is introduced. A case study of the Diels-Alder cycloaddition of cyclopentadiene with ethylene serves, in pedagogical detail, to describe the methodology. We then apply the XP-PCM method to a selection of other pericyclic reactions, including the parent Diels-Alder cycloaddition of butadiene with ethylene, electrocyclic ring-opening of cyclobutene, electrocyclic ring-closing of Z-hexatriene, the [1,5]-H shift in Z-pentadiene, and the Cope rearrangement. These serve as examples of some of the most common combinations of Δ≠ V and ΔV. Interesting phenomena such as a shift in a transition state along a reaction coordinate, a switch of rate-determining step, and the possible turning of a transition state into a stable minimum are revealed by the calculations. A reaction volume profile, the change in the volume of the reacting molecules as the reaction proceeds, emerges as being useful.

Ring opening of cyclobutane in 1,3-dimethyl-5-methylenebarbituric acid dimer by various nucleophiles

Ring opening of cyclobutane in 1,3-dimethyl-5-methylenebarbituric acid dimer by various nucleophiles

Ring opening of cyclobutane in 1,3-dimethyl-5-methylenebarbituric acid dimer by various nucleophiles

Abstract The reactivity of cyclobutane moiety in 1,3-dimethyl-5-methylenebarbituric acid dimer (5) towards different nucleophiles was investigated. New derivatives of 5-(substituted methyl)-1,3-dimethylbarbiturate 6–13 were prepared in good yields using various aliphatic amines, cyanide anion, and Ph3P, Ph3As, Ph3Sb. Chemical structures of synthesized products were characterized using NMR, MS, and elemental analysis. The reaction of thiophenoxide and thiocyanate nucleophiles with 5 did not give any new products.

ChemInform Abstract: Photocatalytic Systems with Flavinium Salts: From Photolyase Models to Synthetic Tool for Cyclobutane Ring Opening.

AbstractTwo new photocatalytic systems based on flavinium species formed in situ by protonation of riboflavin‐tetraacetate or prepared in advance via alloxazine quaternization are used as tools for the title reaction.

Photocatalytic Systems with Flavinium Salts: From Photolyase Models to Synthetic Tool for Cyclobutane Ring Opening.

Two new photocatalytic systems based on flavinium species formed in situ by protonation of riboflavin-tetraacetate (1) with triflic acid or prepared in advance via alloxazine quaternization are presented as effective tools for oxidative cyclobutane ring [2 + 2] cycloreversion using visible light. The system with 1,3-dimethyl-8-trifluoromethylalloxazinium perchlorate (2c) was found to be superior allowing an acid-free mild procedure, which results in the opening of cyclobutanes with high oxidation potential (up to 2.14 V) and/or with sensitive groups (e.g., furan) without side reactions.

NBO analysis of the torquoselectivity of the electrocyclic reactions of mono-substituted cyclobutenes

Conrotatory ring opening of cyclobutene, 3-methoxycyclobutene, and 3-formylcyclobutene has been studied with the density functional theory. The stereoselectivity of these reactions has been elucidated on the basis of the natural bond orbital analysis and correlation diagrams. Hyperconjugative interactions substituent-cyclobutene occurring at the transition state seem to be responsible of these reactions' torquoselectivity.

Response to Comment on T. Stauch, A. Dreuw, “Stiff-stilbene photoswitch ruptures bonds not by pulling but by local heating”, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2016, 18, 15848

Computational analysis of mechanical stress energy revealed that photoisomerization of stiff-stilbene cannot initiate the ring opening of cyclobutene via a purely mechanical pathway.

A metal-free one-pot synthesis of benzo[c]chromen-6-ones from 3,4-dichlorocoumarins and butadienes using tandem photo-thermal-photo reactions.

An efficient, simple and versatile synthesis of biologically valuable benzo[c]chromen-6-ones is achieved using a tandem photo-thermal-photo reaction sequence starting from 3,4-dichlorocoumarins and a 1,3-butadiene. In this concise one-pot protocol, neither metal catalyst nor peroxide promoter is needed and the products can be purified through simple recrystallization in most cases. The synthesis consists of a reaction sequence of photo-induced [4 + 2] and [2 + 2] cycloadditions, silica gel promoted elimination of HCl and electrocyclic cyclobutene ring opening followed by a photo-induced 6π electrocyclization. The reactions proceed well with a range of dichlorocoumarins and some typical butadienes to provide the corresponding annulated products in 70-80% yield.

Structural rearrangement cascade initiated by irradiation of but-3-enyl orotates

Abstract Upon irradiation at λ = 254 nm in acetonitrile solution, the title compounds formed 8-(2-formyloxyethyl)-substituted 2,4-diazabicyclo[4.2.0]oct-1(8)-en-3,5-diones, which underwent thermal cyclobutene ring opening to 6-substituted pyrimidine-2,4-diones. The reaction cascade results in an unprecedented formal 1,5-shift of the substituent at the pyrimidine-2,4-dione core. It was shown that the reaction is likely to proceed via the [2 + 2] photocycloaddition products of the orotates, which could be intercepted in good yields (85% and 98%) upon irradiation at λ = 300 nm. At shorter wavelength a cleavage of the bond between the lactone carbonyl carbon atom and the α-carbon atom is induced, which leads – as shown by deuterium labelling experiments – by intramolecular hydrogen abstraction to the above-mentioned cyclobutenes.

Competitive and Cooperative Torquoselectivity in the thermal ring opening of cyclobutene: A density functional insight

The competition between the two electron donors (–OCH 3 and –OSiH 3) have been studied by positioning them at geminal and vicinal locations. We have also studied the cis and trans geometrical isomerism at the vicinal location. Thermodynamic and activation parameters such as free energies have been computed to understand the potential energy surface of the reaction. Our computed activation hardness supports the proposed torquoselectivity. Further, Nucleus Independent Chemical Shift (NICS) was calculated at the ring centre of the transition state (TS) which additionally supports the torquoselectivity. The delicate preferences for the pathways have been substantiated through NBO interactions. Torquoselective preference for methoxy and silyloxy substituted cyclobutene during thermal conrotatory electrocyclic ring opening is substantiated through computational study at B3LYP/6-31G(d) level.

Embedding of the saddle point of index two on the PES of the ring opening of cyclobutene

The ring opening of cyclobutene is characterized by a competition of the two different pathways: a usual pathway over a saddle of index one (SP1) along the conrotatory behavior of the end groups, as well as a “forbidden” pathway over a saddle point of index two (SP2) along the disrotatory behavior of the end CH2 groups. We use the system of ordinary differential equations for the method of the gentlest ascent dynamics (GAD) to determine saddle points of the potential energy surface (PES) of the ring opening of cyclobutene to cis-butadiene. We apply generalized GAD formulas for the search of a saddle point of index two. To understand the relation of the different regions of the PES (around minimums, around SPs of index one or two) we also calculate valley-ridge inflection (VRI) points on the PES using Newton trajectories (NT). VRIs and the corresponding singular NTs subdivide the regions of “attraction” of the different SPs. We calculate the connections of the SP2 (in its different symmetry versions) with different SPs of index one of the PES by different “reaction pathways.” We compare the possibilities of the tool of the GAD curves for the exploration of PESs with these of NT. The barrier of the disrotatory SP2 is somewhat higher than the barrier of the conrotatory SP1, however, pathways across the slope to the SP2 open additional reaction valleys. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Ab initio molecular orbital and density functional studies on the ring-opening reaction of 2H-thiete

Electrocyclic ring opening (ERO) reaction of 2H-thiete has been carried out computationally in the gas phase and the ring opening barrier has been computed. When comparing the ERO reaction of 2H-thiete with the parent hydrocarbon (cyclobutene), the ring opening of cyclobutene is found to exhibit pericyclic behavior while 2H-thiete shows pseudopericyclic nature. Computation of the nucleus-independent chemical shift (NICS) of 2H-thiete adds evidence for pseudopericyclic behavior. Locking of the lone pair of electrons by hydrogen bonding was carried out to understand the extent of involvement of the lone pair of electrons during the course of the reaction. CR-CCSD(T)/6-311+G∗∗ computation was performed to assess the energies of the reactant, transition state and the product more accurately.

Ab initio molecular orbital and density functional studies on the ring-opening reaction of oxetene.

Electrocyclic ring opening (ERO) reaction of 2H-Oxete (oxetene) has been carried out computationally in the gas phase and ring opening barrier has been computed. When comparing the ERO reaction of oxetene with the parent hydrocarbon (cyclobutene), the ring opening of cyclobutene is found to exhibit pericyclic behavior while oxetene shows mild pseudopericyclic nature. Computation of the nucleus-independent chemical shift (NICS) of oxetene adds evidence for pseudopericyclic behavior of oxetene. By locking of lone pair of electrons by hydrogen bonding, it is seen that the pseudopericyclic nature of the ring opening of oxetene is converted into a pericyclic one. CASSCF(5,6)/6-311+G** computation was carried out to understand the extent of involvement of lone pair of electrons during the course of the reaction. CR-CCSD(T)/6-311+G** computation was performed to assess the energies of the reactant, transition state and the product more accurately.

Formation of a new benzotriquinane skeleton via intramolecular photocycloaddition reactions of a phenylethynes moiety to a 1-cyanonaphthalene ring system

Photoirradiation of 1-cyano-2-(2,2-dicyano-5-phenylpentyn-4-yl)naphthalene and its analogues promotes sequential intramolecular [2π + 2π] photocycloaddition and cyclobutene ring opening to form benzocyclooctatetraenes, which are then transformed to benzotriquinanes in good yields via a photochemical transannular cyclization process.

Thymine dimer repair by electron transfer from photo-excited 2′,3′,5′-tri-O-acetyl-8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanosine or 2′,3′,5′-tri-O-acetyl-ribosyluric acid – a theoretical study

Electronic structure calculations are combined with published experimental data from another laboratory to interpret trends in the rates of thymine dimer repair induced by photo-exciting the title molecules or their deprotonated derivatives. Opening of the thymine dimer's cyclobutane ring is believed to be initiated by electron transfer from the photo-excited molecule and to then pass over thermally accessible energy barriers. Therefore, the repair rates are determined by rates of accessing activation barriers connecting the photo-excited state to the electron-transferred state. These barriers are shown to depend on the electronic excitation energy and electron-binding energy of the donor and the electron affinity of the thymine dimer acceptor. For neutral donors, the barriers also depend on the distance between the donor and the thymine dimer through a screened Coulomb interaction between the donor cation and acceptor anion. For the deprotonated (anionic) donors, this Coulomb-derived distance dependence is absent. For both neutral and anionic donors, the range for electron transfer is spatially limited by the strength of the electronic couplings. The model put forth here rationalizes why anionic donors can be expected to perform better than neutrals and offers a framework for designing electron transfer agents optimal for a given electron acceptor.

Reaction pathways by quantum Monte Carlo: insight on the torsion barrier of 1,3-butadiene, and the conrotatory ring opening of cyclobutene.

Quantum Monte Carlo (QMC) methods are used to investigate the intramolecular reaction pathways of 1,3-butadiene. The ground state geometries of the three conformers s-trans, s-cis, and gauche, as well as the cyclobutene structure are fully optimised at the variational Monte Carlo (VMC) level, obtaining an excellent agreement with the experimental results and other quantum chemistry high level calculations. Transition state geometries are also estimated at the VMC level for the s-trans to gauche torsion barrier of 1,3-butadiene and for the conrotatory ring opening of cyclobutene to the gauche-1,3-butadiene conformer. The energies of the conformers and the reaction barriers are calculated at both variational and diffusional Monte Carlo levels providing a precise picture of the potential energy surface of 1,3-butadiene and supporting one of the two model profiles recently obtained by Raman spectroscopy [Boopalachandran et al., J. Phys. Chem. A 115, 8920 (2011)]. Considering the good scaling of QMC techniques with the system's size, our results also demonstrate how variational Monte Carlo calculations can be applied in the future to properly investigate the reaction pathways of large and correlated molecular systems.