Superelectrophilic Activation Research Articles

Superelectrophilic Activation of Phosphacoumarins towards Weak Nucleophiles via Brønsted Acid Assisted Brønsted Acid Catalysis.

The electrophilic activation of various substrates via double or even triple protonation in superacidic media enables reactions with extremely weak nucleophiles. Despite the significant progress in this area, the utility of organophosphorus compounds as superelectrophiles still remains limited. Additionally, the most common superacids require a special care due to their high toxicity, exceptional corrosiveness and moisture sensitivity. Herein, we report the first successful application of the "Brønsted acid assisted Brønsted acid" concept for the superelectrophilic activation of 2-hydroxybenzo[e][1,2]oxaphosphinine 2-oxides (phosphacoumarins). The pivotal role is attributed to the tendency of the phosphoryl moiety to form hydrogen-bonded complexes, which enables the formation of dicationic species and increases the electrophilicity of the phosphacoumarin. This unmasks the reactivity of phosphacoumarins towards non-activated aromatics, while requiring only relatively non-benign trifluoroacetic acid as the reaction medium.

Exploring Superacid‐Promoted Skeletal Reorganization of Aliphatic Nitrogen‐Containing Compounds

AbstractHere we report a method to reorganize the core structure of aliphatic unsaturated nitrogen‐containing substrates exploiting polyprotonation in superacid solutions. The superelectrophilic activation of N‐isopropyl systems allows for the selective formal Csp3−H activation/cyclization or homologation / functionalization of nitrogen‐containing substrates. This study also reveals that this skeletal reorganization can be controlled through protonation interplay. The mechanism of this process involves an original sequence of C−N bond cleavage, isopropyl cation generation and subsequent C−N bond and C−C bond formation. This was demonstrated through in situ NMR analysis and labelling experiments, also confirmed by DFT calculations.

Exploring Superacid-Promoted Skeletal Reorganization of Aliphatic Nitrogen-Containing Compounds.

Here we report a method to reorganize the core structure of aliphatic unsaturated nitrogen-containing substrates exploiting polyprotonation in superacid solutions. The superelectrophilic activation of N-isopropyl systems allows for the selective formal Csp3 -H activation/cyclization or homologation / functionalization of nitrogen-containing substrates. This study also reveals that this skeletal reorganization can be controlled through protonation interplay. The mechanism of this process involves an original sequence of C-N bond cleavage, isopropyl cation generation and subsequent C-N bond and C-C bond formation. This was demonstrated through in situ NMR analysis and labelling experiments, also confirmed by DFT calculations.

Hydroarylation of carbon–carbon double bond of furanic conjugated enones by arenes under superelectrophilic activation: synthesis and evaluation of antimicrobial activity of novel furan derivatives

Hydroarylation of carbon–carbon double bond of furanic conjugated enones by arenes under superelectrophilic activation: synthesis and evaluation of antimicrobial activity of novel furan derivatives

Unveiling the theoretical aspects of superelectrophilic activation in an inverse demand Diels-Alder reaction.

The present computational study using B3LYP functional and 6-31+G(d) basis set has been accomplished to investigate the mechanism of the inverse demand Diels-Alder reaction between pyridyl imine and propene. The highly charged dicationic superelectrophilic diene with exceptionally low-lying LUMO makes the cycloaddition reaction with propene more favorable by significantly lowering the activation energy. The Wiberg bond indices are calculated in accordance with the formation and breaking processes of bonds. The synchronicity concept is also utilized to explain the global nature of the reaction. A potential outcome of this investigation is the utilization of propene as a C2 building block in the industry.

Reactions of linear conjugated dienone structures with arenes under superelectrophilic activation conditions. An experimental and theoretical study of intermediate multicentered electrophilic species

Reactions of conjugated dienones with arenes under superelectrophilic activation conditions result in the formation of conjugated enones, indanes, and carbocyclic structures.

DFT insights into superelectrophilic activation of α,β-unsaturated nitriles and ketones in superacids.

Superelectrophilic activation of α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds and their isoelectronic analogs, proceeding normally under superacidic conditions, have led to a great variety of beneficial synthetic transformations. However, the essence of such activation is not yet fully recognized, while a number of alternative views on the subject have been discussed at length in the literature. Here, taking the example of virtual reactions of cinnamonitrile and benzalacetone with benzene, their feasible mechanistic variants, including multiple protonation (coordination to AlCl3) of the reactants, were analyzed based on density functional theory (DFT). It is revealed that the most plausible reaction pathways involve the initial N- or O-protonation (coordination to AlCl3) of the activated compounds followed by subsequent protonation on the α-C-atom. Dicationic superelectrophiles thus formed ensure practically barrier-free reactions with benzene in addition to a more favorable energetic profile of their generating, which is in marked contrast to other potential reaction pathways.

Reactions of Quinolinecarbaldehydes with Arenes under Superelectrophilic Activation. NMR and DFT Studies of Dicationic Electrophilic Species

Reactions of Quinolinecarbaldehydes with Arenes under Superelectrophilic Activation. NMR and DFT Studies of Dicationic Electrophilic Species

Synthesis of 5-arylacetylenyl-1,2,4-oxadiazoles and their transformations under superelectrophilic activation conditions.

Acetylene derivatives of 1,2,4-oxadiazoles, i.e., 5-(2-arylethynyl)-3-aryl-1,2,4-oxadiazoles, have been obtained, for the first time reported, from 5-(2-arylethenyl)-3-aryl-1,2,4-oxadiazoles by their bromination at the carbon–carbon double bond followed by di-dehydrobromination with NaNH2 in liquid NH3. The reaction of the acetylenyl-1,2,4-oxadiazoles with arenes in neat triflic acid TfOH (CF3SO3H) at room temperature for 1 h resulted in the formation of E/Z-5-(2,2-diarylethenyl)-3-aryl-1,2,4-oxadiazoles as products of regioselective hydroarylation of the acetylene bond. The addition of TfOH to the acetylene bond of these oxadiazoles quantitatively resulted in E/Z-vinyl triflates. The reactions of the cationic intermediates have been studied by DFT calculations and the reaction mechanisms are discussed.

Access to Optically Pure Benzosultams by Superelectrophilic Activation.

Through superacid activation, N-(arenesulfonyl)-aminoalcohols derived from readily available ephedrines or amino acids undergo an intramolecular Friedel-Crafts reaction to afford enantiopure benzosultams bearing two adjacent stereocenters in high yields with fully controlled diastereoselectivity. Low-temperature NMR spectroscopy demonstrated the crucial role played by the conformationally restricted chiral dicationic intermediates.

Reactions of 3-arylpropenenitriles with arenes under superelectrophilic activation conditions: Hydroarylation of the carbon-carbon double bond followed by cyclization into 3-arylindanones

Reactions of 3-arylpropenenitriles [ArCHCHCN] with arenes [Ar’H] under the superelectrophilic activation conditions with Brønsted superacid TfOH (CF3SO3H) or strong Lewis acid AlBr3 result, first, in the formation of products of hydroarylation of the carbon-carbon double bond, 3,3-diarylpropanenitriles [Ar(Ar’)CHCH2CN]. Reactions may go further in TfOH leading to 3-arylindanones, as products of intramolecular aromatic acylation by the electrophilically activated nitrile group. Intermediate cationic species, derived at the protonation of the starting 3-arylpropenenitriles onto the carbon of CC bond and the nitrile nitrogen, have been studied by DFT calculation. A plausible reaction mechanism including the formation of highly reactive dications [(Ar)HC+–CH2C+ = NH] has been proposed. The obtained 3,3-diarylpropanenitriles have been transformed into pharmaceutically valuable 5-(2,2-diarylethyl)-1H-tetrazoles [Ar(Ar’)CHCH2Tetr] and 3-diarylpropylamines [Ar(Ar’)CH(CH2)2NH2] by the reactions with NaN3 and LiAlH4 correspondingly.

Reactions of alkyl 4-hydroxybut-2-ynoates with arenes under superelectrophilic activation with triflic acid or HUSY zeolite: Alternative propargylation or allenylation of arenes, and synthesis of furan-2-ones

Reactions of alkyl 4-aryl(or 4,4-diaryl)-4-hydroxybut-2-ynoates [Ar(H or Ar')(OH)C4–C3≡C2–CO2Alk] with arenes under the action of triflic acid TfOH or HUSY zeolite result in the formation of two main compounds, aryl substituted furan-2-ones or products of propargylation of electron rich arenes. Key reactive intermediates in these transformations are the corresponding O,O-diprotonated forms of starting butynoates, Ar(H or Ar')(+OH2)C4–C3≡C2– C(=O+H)(OAlk), dehydration of which gives rise to mesomeric propargyl-allenyl cations Ar(H or Ar')(OH)4C+–C3≡C2–C(=O+H)(OAlk) ↔ Ar(H or Ar')(OH)4C = C3 = 2C+–C(=O+H)(OAlk), having two electrophilic centers on the carbons C4 and C2 respectively. Reactions of these species with arenes at C4 lead to products of arene propargylation, alternatively, reactions at C2 result in allenylation of arenes, followed by further transformation into furan-2-ones. Using quantum chemical calculations by the DFT method, it has been shown that the reactivity of such propargyl-allenyl cations is mainly explained by orbital factors. Plausible reaction mechanism is discussed.

Cascade reaction of 2,3-naphthalenediol with benzene in the presence of aluminum halides

2,3-Naphthalenediol on superelectrophilic activation with aluminium halides smoothly reacts with benzene to give 4-((3-phenyl-1H-inden-1-yl)methyl)benzene-1,2-diol, which in turn undergoes intramolecular cyclization to form 5,10-methano-5-phenyldibenzo[a,d]cycloheptane-2,3-diol. The mechanistic aspects of these unusual transformations are discussed.

Mechanistic investigation of superelectrophilic activation of 1,1'-bi-2-naphthols in the presence of aluminum halides.

7,7'-Dihydroxy-1,1'-bi-2-naphthol, as a result of superelectrophilic activation in the presence of an excess of aluminum halides, reacts with cyclohexane and benzene to yield 5,6,7,8,5',6',7',8'-octahydro-7,7'-dioxo-bi-2-naphthol and its 5,5'-diphenyl derivative, respectively. In contrast, isomeric 6,6'-dihydroxy-1,1'-bi-2-naphthol does not react at all under the same reaction conditions, while the parent 1,1'-bi-2-naphthol (BINOL) reveals an alternative mode of behavior. The mechanistic aspects of these intriguing results are discussed on the basis of experimental and theoretical (DFT) study of the protonation and complexation properties of the starting BINOLs.

Superelectrophilic Activation of Phenylglyoxamides: Efficient Synthesis of Triarylacetamides and Fluorenecarboxamides by Superacid Catalysis

Direct synthesis of triarylacetamides and 9-fluorenecarboxamides has been achieved. Phenylglyoxamides upon superelectrophilic activation in trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (triflic acid, TFSA) leads to Friedel–Crafts hydroxyalkylation or one-pot tandem hydroxyalkylation-4π-electrocyclization of aromatics into triarylacetamides or 9-fluorenecarboxamides, respectively. Mechanistic investigation by DFT calculations suggests the intermediacy of diprotonated (or “protosolvated”) intermediates.

Diels-Alder Reactions with Ethylene and Superelectrophiles.

Diels-Alder reactions have been accomplished with ethylene as the dienophile through the use of inverse-electron demand Diels-Alder chemistry. As a key aspect of the chemistry, the dienes are part of tri- or dicationic superelectrophilic systems. Theoretical calculations reveal that the highly charged superelectrophiles possess exceptionally low lying LUMOs, and this facilitates the cycloaddition chemistry with ethylene. The chemistry has been used to prepare a series of tetrahydroquinoline products. This represents the first application of superelectrophilic activation in a cycloaddition reaction, and a new method of utilizing ethylene as a C2 building block.

Transformations of 5-(2-arylethynyl)-2-methyl-2H-tetrazoles under superelectrophilic activation

Reaction of 5-arylethynyl-2-methyl-2H-tetrazoles (acetylene tetrazoles) with arenes under the action of Brønsted superacid CF3SO3H or acidic zeolite HUSY CBV-720 gives rise to E-/Z-5-(2,2-diarylethenyl)-2-methyl-2H-tetrazoles, as products of hydroarylation of acetylene bond, in yields up to 98% with predominant formation of E-isomers. Cationic intermediates of these reactions have been studied theoretically by DFT calculations. Addition of CF3SO3H to the triple bond of acetylene tetrazoles leads to the corresponding E-/Z-vinyl triflates in high yields. Hydration of triple bond in these tetrazoles in H2SO4 results in the formation of 5-(2-aryl-2-oxoethyl)-2-methyl-2H-tetrazoles. Tandem hydroarylation-ionic hydrogenation of acetylene tetrazoles in the systems acid(CF3SO3H or AlCl3)-arene-cyclohexane affords 5-(2,2-diarylethyl)-2-methyl-2H-tetrazoles.

Superelectrophilic activation of 1-nitronaphthalene in the presence of aluminum chloride. Reactions with benzene and cyclohexane.

1-Nitronaphthalene smoothly reacts with benzene and undergoes selective reduction with cyclohexane in the presence of aluminum chloride to give 2,4,4-triphenyl-3,4-dihydronaphthalen-1(2H)-one oxime and 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-1-naphthylamine, respectively. The mechanistic aspects of these and related reactions are discussed on the basis of DFT, providing insight into the protonation behavior of 1-nitronaphthalene coordinated to AlCl3.

Poly(arylene piperidinium) Hydroxide Ion Exchange Membranes: Synthesis, Alkaline Stability, and Conductivity

AbstractA series of poly(arylene piperidinium)s (PAPipQs) devoid of any alkali‐sensitive aryl ether bonds or benzylic sites are prepared and studied as anion exchange membranes (AEMs) for alkaline fuel cells. First, the excellent alkaline stability of the model compound 4,4‐diarylpiperidinium is confirmed. Medium molecular weight poly(arylene piperidine)s are then synthesized in polycondensations of N‐methyl‐4‐piperidone and either bi‐ or terphenyl via superelectrophilic activation in triflic acid. Film‐forming PAPipQs are subsequently prepared in Menshutkin reactions with methyl, butyl, hexyl, and octyl halides, respectively. AEMs based on poly(terphenyl dimethylpiperidinium) show the best performance with no structural degradation detectable by 1H NMR spectroscopy after storage in 2 m aq. NaOH at 60 °C after 15 d, and a mere 5% ionic loss at 90 °C. In the fully hydrated state these AEMs reach an OH− conductivity of 89 mS cm−1 at 80 °C. The presence of longer pendant N‐alkyl chains (butyl to octyl) is found to significantly promote Hofmann ring‐opening elimination reactions and the degradation rate increases with increasing alkyl chain length. The results of the present study demonstrate that PAPipQs are efficiently prepared from readily available monomers and show excellent alkaline stability and OH− conductivity when devoid of pendant N‐alkyl chains.

George A. Olah (1927-2017).

George A. Olah (1927-2017).