Showing papers by "Kendall N. Houk published in 2016"
TL;DR: It is found that low-energy conformations of cyclic transition states occur and control stereoselectivities in these reactions, including aldol reactions with vicinal diamine catalysts and Krische's ruthenium-catalyzed asymmetric hydrohydroxyalkylation of butadiene.
Abstract: ConspectusModern density functional theory and powerful contemporary computers have made it possible to explore complex reactions of value in organic synthesis. We describe recent explorations of mechanisms and origins of stereoselectivities with density functional theory calculations. The specific functionals and basis sets that are routinely used in computational studies of stereoselectivities of organic and organometallic reactions in our group are described, followed by our recent studies that uncovered the origins of stereocontrol in reactions catalyzed by (1) vicinal diamines, including cinchona alkaloid-derived primary amines, (2) vicinal amidophosphines, and (3) organo-transition-metal complexes. Two common cyclic models account for the stereoselectivity of aldol reactions of metal enolates (Zimmerman–Traxler) or those catalyzed by the organocatalyst proline (Houk–List). Three other models were derived from computational studies described in this Account.Cinchona alkaloid-derived primary amines an...
131 citations
TL;DR: DFT calculations are used to support the proposed reaction mechanism, to understand why decarbonylation does not occur competitively, and to elucidate the beneficial role of the substrate structure and the Al(OtBu)3 additive on the kinetics and thermodynamics of the reaction.
Abstract: We report the first catalytic method for activating the acyl C-O bonds of methyl esters through an oxidative-addition process. The oxidative-addition adducts, formed using nickel catalysis, undergo in situ trapping to provide anilide products. DFT calculations are used to support the proposed reaction mechanism, to understand why decarbonylation does not occur competitively, and to elucidate the beneficial role of the substrate structure and the Al(OtBu)3 additive on the kinetics and thermodynamics of the reaction.
125 citations
TL;DR: Density functional theory calculations are performed to determine why thiol additions to Michael acceptors are reversible and explain how these structural elements contribute to reversibility and the ability to tune the binding affinities and the residence times of covalent inhibitors.
Abstract: Additions of cysteine thiols to Michael acceptors underpin the mechanism of action of several covalent drugs (e.g., afatinib, osimertinib, ibrutinib, neratinib, and CC-292). Reversible Michael acceptors have been reported in which an additional electron-withdrawing group was added at the α-carbon of a Michael acceptor. We have performed density functional theory calculations to determine why thiol additions to these Michael acceptors are reversible. The α-EWG group stabilizes the anionic transition state and intermediate of the Michael addition, but less intuitively, it destabilizes the neutral adduct. This makes the reverse reaction (elimination) both faster and more thermodynamically favorable. For thiol addition to be reversible, the Michael acceptor must also contain a suitable substituent on the β-carbon, such as an aryl or branched alkyl group. Computations explain how these structural elements contribute to reversibility and the ability to tune the binding affinities and the residence times of cova...
94 citations
TL;DR: The cycloadditions of benzene and ten different azabenzenes (pyridine, three diazines, three triazines, and three tetrazines) with the ethylene dienophile have been explored with density functional theory and analyzed with the distortion/interaction model.
Abstract: The cycloadditions of benzene and ten different azabenzenes (pyridine, three diazines, three triazines, and three tetrazines) with the ethylene dienophile have been explored with density functional theory (M06-2X) and analyzed with the distortion/interaction model. Activation barriers correlate closely with both distortion energies and interaction energies over an activation energy range of 45 kcal/mol. The replacement of CH with N increases Diels-Alder reactivity due not only to the more favorable orbital interaction, but also to a decrease in distortion energy. The rates of reactions are greatly influenced by the nature of the bonds being formed: two C-C bonds > one C-C bond, and one C-N bond > two C-N bonds. The activation energy of Diels-Alder reactions correlates very well with reaction energies and with the NICS(0) values of the aromatic dienes. The distortion energy of the Diels-Alder reaction transition states mostly arises from the diene out-of-plane distortion energy.
88 citations
TL;DR: It is shown that there are two distinct mechanisms for this hydrolysis of MIDA boronates: one is base-mediated and the other neutral, and their relative rates are readily quantified by 18O incorporation.
Abstract: MIDA boronates (N-methylimidodiacetic boronic acid esters) serve as an increasingly general platform for small-molecule construction based on building blocks, largely because of the dramatic and general rate differences with which they are hydrolysed under various basic conditions. Yet the mechanistic underpinnings of these rate differences have remained unclear, which has hindered efforts to address the current limitations of this chemistry. Here we show that there are two distinct mechanisms for this hydrolysis: one is base mediated and the other neutral. The former can proceed more than three orders of magnitude faster than the latter, and involves a rate-limiting attack by a hydroxide at a MIDA carbonyl carbon. The alternative 'neutral' hydrolysis does not require an exogenous acid or base and involves rate-limiting B-N bond cleavage by a small water cluster, (H2O)n. The two mechanisms can operate in parallel, and their relative rates are readily quantified by 18O incorporation. Whether hydrolysis is 'fast' or 'slow' is dictated by the pH, the water activity and the mass-transfer rates between phases. These findings stand to enable, in a rational way, an even more effective and widespread utilization of MIDA boronates in synthesis.
79 citations
TL;DR: The strategic manipulation of nitrone cycloadducts demonstrates the utility of this methodology for the assembly of compounds bearing multiple heterocyclic units and showcases the exploitation of a traditionally avoided reactive intermediate in chemical synthesis.
Abstract: We report the first 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions of 1,2-cyclohexadiene, a rarely exploited strained allene. 1,2-Cyclohexadiene is generated in situ under mild conditions and trapped with nitrones to give isoxazolidine products in synthetically useful yields. The reactions occur regioselectively and exhibit a notable endo preference, thus resulting in the controlled formation of two new bonds and two stereogenic centers. DFT calculations of stepwise and concerted reaction pathways are used to rationalize the observed selectivities. Moreover, the strategic manipulation of nitrone cycloadducts demonstrates the utility of this methodology for the assembly of compounds bearing multiple heterocyclic units. These studies showcase the exploitation of a traditionally avoided reactive intermediate in chemical synthesis.
69 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the role of specific enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of griseofulvin has been determined, but the mechanism by which a p450 (GsfF) catalyzes the key oxidative cyclization of Griseophenone B remains unknown.
Abstract: Griseofulvin is an antifungal agent that has recently been determined to have potential antiviral and anticancer applications. The role of specific enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of this natural product has previously been determined, but the mechanism by which a p450 (GsfF), catalyzes the key oxidative cyclization of griseophenone B remains unknown. Using density functional theory (DFT), we have determined the mechanism of this oxidation that forms the oxa-spiro core of griseofulvin. Computations show GsfF preferentially performs phenolic O–H abstraction over epoxidation to catalyze the oxidation.
56 citations
TL;DR: D density functional theory studies of a series of dehydro-Diels-Alder reactions reveal that productive concerted trajectories display a strong angle bending oscillation, while the stepwise trajectories show only a chaotic pattern and less pronounced bending vibrations.
Abstract: We report density functional theory (M06-2X) studies of a series of dehydro-Diels–Alder (DDA) reactions. For these and the parent reaction, the stepwise mechanisms have similar barriers, whereas the barriers of the concerted mechanisms differ significantly. The reactivity of DDA reactions is controlled by distortion energy. The concerted and stepwise mechanisms of the hexadehydro-Diels–Alder (HDDA) reaction are competitive with activation barriers of ∼36 kcal/mol. This is because a large distortion energy (∼43 kcal/mol) is required to achieve the concerted transition state geometry. MD simulations reveal that productive concerted trajectories display a strong angle bending oscillation (∼25° oscillation amplitude), while the stepwise trajectories show only a chaotic pattern and less pronounced bending vibrations.
55 citations
TL;DR: The origins of the high enantioselectivity of chiral phosphoric acid-catalyzed oxetane desymmetrizations were investigated by density functional theory (DFT) calculations and a general model was developed to assist in the rational design of new catalysts for related transformations.
Abstract: The origins of the high enantioselectivity of chiral phosphoric acid-catalyzed oxetane desymmetrizations were investigated by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Distortion of the catalyst structure, caused by steric crowding in the catalyst pocket of one enantiomeric transition state, is the main cause for stereochemical preference. A general model was developed to assist in the rational design of new catalysts for related transformations.
51 citations
TL;DR: A loosely packed crystal of dendrimeric rotor 2 and the fast dynamics of all its aromatic groups, both resulting from the hyperbranched structure of the molecule are reported.
Abstract: Low packing densities are key structural features of amphidynamic crystals built with static and mobile components. Here we report a loosely packed crystal of dendrimeric rotor 2 and the fast dynamics of all its aromatic groups, both resulting from the hyperbranched structure of the molecule. Compound 2 was synthesized with a convergent strategy to construct a central phenylene core with stators consisting of two layers of triarylmethyl groups. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed a low-density packing structure consisting of one molecule of 2 and approximately eight solvent molecules per unit cell. Three isotopologues of 2 were synthesized to study the motion of each segment of the molecule in the solid state using variable temperature quadrupolar echo 2H NMR spectroscopy. Line shape analysis of the spectra reveals that the central phenylene, the six branch phenylenes, and the 18 periphery phenyls all display megahertz rotational dynamics in the crystals at ambient temperature. Arrhenius a...
44 citations
TL;DR: Molecular dynamics simulations of the reaction of dimethyldioxirane (DMDO) with isobutane find the time gap between C-H bond-breaking and C-O bond formation ranges from 30 to 150 fs, close to the <200 fs lifetime of radical pairs from DMDO hydroxylation of trans-1-phenyl-2-ethylcyclopropane measured by Newcomb.
Abstract: We report molecular dynamics simulations of the reaction of dimethyldioxirane (DMDO) with isobutane. The reaction involves hydrogen atom abstraction in the transition state, and trajectories branch to the oxygen rebound pathway, which gives tert-butanol and acetone, or a separated radical pair. In the gas phase, only 10% of the reactive trajectories undergo the oxygen rebound pathway, but this increases to 90% in simulations in an implicit acetone solvent (SMD) because the oxygen rebound becomes barrierless in solution. Short-lived diradical species were observed in the oxygen rebound trajectories. The time gap between C–H bond-breaking and C–O bond formation ranges from 30 to 150 fs, close to the <200 fs lifetime of radical pairs from DMDO hydroxylation of trans-1-phenyl-2-ethylcyclopropane measured by Newcomb.
TL;DR: The role of the gatekeeper mutation on inhibitor selectivity is established and additional molecular dynamics simulations, TI, and metadynamics MD simulations reveal the origins of the changes in binding energy of WT and mutants.
Abstract: Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors interrupt EGFR-dependent cellular signaling pathways that lead to accelerated tumor growth and proliferation. Mutation of a threonine in the inhibitor binding pocket, known as the “gatekeeper”, to methionine (T790M) confers acquired resistance to several EGFR-selective inhibitors. We studied interactions between EGFR inhibitors and the gatekeeper residues of the target protein. Thermodynamic integration (TI) with Amber14 indicates that the binding energies of gefitinib and AEE788 to the active state of the T790M mutant EGFR is 3 kcal/mol higher than to the wild type (WT), whereas ATP binding energy to the mutant is similar to the WT. Using metadynamics MD simulations with NAMD v2.9, the conformational equilibrium between the inactive resting state and the catalytically competent activate state was determined for the WT EGFR. When combined with the results obtained by Sutto and Gervasio, our simulations showed that the T790M point mutation lowers the free ...
TL;DR: Olefin metathesis reactions with 3E-1,3-dienes using Z-selective cyclometalated ruthenium benzylidene catalysts are described and the power of this cross-metathesis reaction is demonstrated by the concise syntheses of two insect pheromones.
Abstract: Olefin metathesis reactions with 3E-1,3-dienes using Z-selective cyclometalated ruthenium benzylidene catalysts are described. In particular, a procedure for employing 3E-1,3-dienes in Z-selective homodimerization and cross-metathesis with terminal alkenes is detailed. The reaction takes advantage of the pronounced chemoselectivity of a recently reported ruthenium-based catalyst containing a cyclometalated NHC ligand for terminal alkenes in the presence of internal E-alkenes. A wide array of commonly encountered functional groups can be tolerated, and only a small excess (1.5 equiv) of the diene coupling partner is required to achieve high yields of the desired internal E,Z-diene cross-metathesis product. Computational studies have been performed to elucidate the reaction mechanism. The computations are consistent with a diene-first pathway. The reaction can be used to quickly assemble structurally complex targets. The power of this cross-metathesis reaction is demonstrated by the concise syntheses of two...
TL;DR: Combined experimental and computational data support a reaction mechanism in which cis,syndio-selectivity is a result of stereogenic metal control, while microstructural errors are predominantly due to alkylidene isomerization via rotation about the Ru═C double bond.
Abstract: The microstructures of polymers produced by ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) with cyclometalated Ru-carbene metathesis catalysts were investigated. A strong bias for a cis,syndiotactic microstructure with minimal head-to-tail bias was observed. In instances where trans errors were introduced, it was determined that these regions were also syndiotactic. Furthermore, hypothetical reaction intermediates and transition structures were analyzed computationally. Combined experimental and computational data support a reaction mechanism in which cis,syndio-selectivity is a result of stereogenic metal control, while microstructural errors are predominantly due to alkylidene isomerization via rotation about the Ru═C double bond.
TL;DR: This "green" CCR protocol circumvents prefunctionalization, isolation of organometallic cross-coupling partners, and/or stoichiometric waste aside from LiCl.
Abstract: A reusable silicon-based transfer agent (1) has been designed, synthesized, and validated for effective room-temperature palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions (CCRs) of aryl and heteroaryl chlorides with readily accessible aryl lithium reagents. The crystalline, bench-stable siloxane transfer agent (1) is easily prepared via a one-step protocol. Importantly, this “green” CCR protocol circumvents prefunctionalization, isolation of organometallic cross-coupling partners, and/or stoichiometric waste aside from LiCl. DFT calculations support a σ-bond metathesis mechanism during transmetalation and lead to insights on the importance of the CF3 groups.
TL;DR: Water polarization is essential for the correct representation of dynamical formation of hydrogen bonds in the transition state by water reorientation in the reaction dynamics of PM3.
Abstract: A QM/QM′ direct molecular dynamics study of a water-accelerated Diels–Alder reaction in aqueous solution is reported. Cyclopentadiene and methyl vinyl ketone are known to react faster in water than in nonpolar solvents. We have explored how polarization of water molecules afforded by PM3 influences the nature of the transition state, and the reaction dynamics. We compare the results with previous studies on QM/MM and QM/MM+3QM water simulations from our laboratory. Transition state sampling in vacuum PM3 water boxes indicates that the asynchronicity is 0.54 A in QM/QM′, as compared to 0.48 A in QM/MM, and 0.54 A in QM/MM+3QM water. The mean time gap between the formation of two C–C bonds is 19 fs for QM/QM′, compared to 20 fs for QM/MM, and 25 fs for QM/MM+3QM water. The samplings and time gaps are qualitatively consistent, indicating that water polarization is not significant in sampling and dynamics of bonding changes. The dynamics of hydrogen bonding between reacting molecules and water molecules was a...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors discuss the applications of different catalysts according to the mechanism of the reactions that they catalyze, including acyl group transfers, nucleophilic additions and substitutions, and C-C bond forming reactions.
Abstract: Catalysis fulfills the promise that high-yielding chemical transformations will require little energy and produce no toxic waste. This message is carried by the study of the evolution of molecular catalysis of some of the most important reactions in organic chemistry. After reviewing the conceptual underpinnings of catalysis, we discuss the applications of different catalysts according to the mechanism of the reactions that they catalyze, including acyl group transfers, nucleophilic additions and substitutions, and C–C bond forming reactions that employ umpolung by nucleophilic additions to C=O and C=C double bonds. We highlight the utility of a broad range of organocatalysts other than compounds based on proline, the cinchona alkaloids and binaphthyls, which have been abundantly reviewed elsewhere. The focus is on organocatalysts, although a few examples employing metal complexes and enzymes are also included due to their significance. Classical Bronsted acids have evolved into electrophilic hands, the fingers of which are hydrogen donors (like enzymes) or other electrophilic moieties. Classical Lewis base catalysts have evolved into tridimensional, chiral nucleophiles that are N- (e.g., tertiary amines), P- (e.g., tertiary phosphines) and C-nucleophiles (e.g., N-heterocyclic carbenes). Many efficient organocatalysts bear electrophilic and nucleophilic moieties that interact simultaneously or not with both the electrophilic and nucleophilic reactants. A detailed understanding of the reaction mechanisms permits the design of better catalysts. Their construction represents a molecular science in itself, suggesting that sooner or later chemists will not only imitate Nature but be able to catalyze a much wider range of reactions with high chemo-, regio-, stereo- and enantioselectivity. Man-made organocatalysts are much smaller, cheaper and more stable than enzymes.
TL;DR: This laccase-catalysed trifluoromethylation proceeds under mild conditions and allows accessing trif fluoroalkyl-substituted phenols that were not available by classical methods.
Abstract: Organofluorine compounds have become important building blocks for a broad range of advanced materials, polymers, agrochemicals, and increasingly for pharmaceuticals. Despite tremendous progress within the area of fluorination chemistry, methods for the direct introduction of fluoroalkyl-groups into organic molecules without prefunctionalization are still highly desired. Here we present a concept for the introduction of the trifluoromethyl group into unprotected phenols by employing a biocatalyst (laccase), tBuOOH, and either the Langlois' reagent or Baran's zinc sulfinate. The method relies on the recombination of two radical species, namely, the phenol radical cation generated directly by the laccase and the CF3-radical. Various functional groups such as ketone, ester, aldehyde, ether and nitrile are tolerated. This laccase-catalysed trifluoromethylation proceeds under mild conditions and allows accessing trifluoromethyl-substituted phenols that were not available by classical methods.
TL;DR: Yavuz et al. as discussed by the authors used a multi-mode methodology to predict electron mobilities for 20 single-crystal and 21 thin-film organic n-type semiconductors.
Abstract: The morphologies and electron mobilities for 20 single-crystal and 21 thin-film organic n-type semiconductors are predicted using a multi-mode methodology previously applied by our group for p-type materials [I. Yavuz, et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2015, 137, 2856–2866]. The calculations simulate Marcus charge-hopping with a kinetic Monte Carlo method using the VOTCA package of Andrienko et al. The calculations assume perfect order for single crystal morphologies, but structural disorder is incorporated into thin-film calculations using molecular dynamics to simulate the energetic disorder of thin-film morphologies. Predicted electron mobilities for both morphologies are typically within one order of magnitude.
TL;DR: Computational results indicate that the original distortion of the SWCNTs leads to an increase in the reactivity of the Southwest carbon nanotubes, which indicates a lower activation energy.
Abstract: Diels–Alder cycloaddition is one of the most powerful tools for the functionalization of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). Density functional theory at the B3-LYP level of theory has been used to investigate the reactivity of different-diameter SWCNTs (4–9,5) in Diels–Alder reactions with 1,3-butadiene; the reactivity was found to decrease with increasing SWCNT diameter. Distortion/interaction analysis along the whole reaction pathway was found to be a better way to explore the reactivity of this type of reaction. The difference in interaction energy along the reaction pathway is larger than that of the corresponding distortion energy. However, the distortion energy plots for these reactions show the same trend. Therefore, the formation of the transition state can be determined from the interaction energy. A lower interaction energy leads to an earlier transition state, which indicates a lower activation energy. The computational results also indicate that the original distortion of the SWCNTs leads to an increase in the reactivity of the SWCNTs.
TL;DR: In this article, the mechanism of olefin metathesis with ruthenium benzylidenes has been well-studied, but the mechanism by which ruthensium benylidene catalysts promote atom transfer radical (ATR) reactions remains unknown.
Abstract: Ruthenium benzylidene complexes are well-known as olefin metathesis catalysts. Several reports have demonstrated the ability of these catalysts to also facilitate atom transfer radical (ATR) reactions, such as atom transfer radical addition (ATRA) and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). However, while the mechanism of olefin metathesis with ruthenium benzylidenes has been well-studied, the mechanism by which ruthenium benzylidenes promote ATR reactions remains unknown. To probe this question, we have analyzed seven different ruthenium benzylidene complexes for ATR reactivity. Kinetic studies by 1H NMR revealed that ruthenium benzylidene complexes are rapidly converted into new ATRA-active, metathesis-inactive species under typical ATRA conditions. When ruthenium benzylidene complexes were activated prior to substrate addition, the resulting activated species exhibited enhanced kinetic reactivity in ATRA with no significant difference in overall product yield compared to the original complexes. Ev...
TL;DR: Density functional theory studies of the regioselectivity of 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions of benzo and mesitonitrile oxides with alkynyl pinacol and MIDA boronates with calculated relative free energies reproduce the experimentally observed product ratios.
TL;DR: In this paper, the specific functionals and basis sets that are routinely used in computational studies of stereoselectivities of organic and organometallic reactions in their group are described, followed by recent studies that uncovered the origins of stereocontrol in reactions catalyzed by vicinal diamines, including cinchona alkaloid-derived primary amines, vicinal amidophosphines, and organo-transition metal complexes.
Abstract: ConspectusModern density functional theory and powerful contemporary computers have made it possible to explore complex reactions of value in organic synthesis. We describe recent explorations of mechanisms and origins of stereoselectivities with density functional theory calculations. The specific functionals and basis sets that are routinely used in computational studies of stereoselectivities of organic and organometallic reactions in our group are described, followed by our recent studies that uncovered the origins of stereocontrol in reactions catalyzed by (1) vicinal diamines, including cinchona alkaloid-derived primary amines, (2) vicinal amidophosphines, and (3) organo-transition-metal complexes. Two common cyclic models account for the stereoselectivity of aldol reactions of metal enolates (Zimmerman–Traxler) or those catalyzed by the organocatalyst proline (Houk–List). Three other models were derived from computational studies described in this Account.Cinchona alkaloid-derived primary amines an...
TL;DR: This paper addresses the question of why these rotational barriers, which at the Hückel level of theory are independent of the number of nonbonding electrons in allyl and benzyl, are in fact calculated to be factors that are of 2.4 and 4.1 higher in the cations and in the anions than in the radicals.
Abstract: High accuracy quantum chemical calculations show that the barriers to rotation of a CH2 group in the allyl cation, radical, and anion are 33, 14, and 21 kcal/mol, respectively. The benzyl cation, radical, and anion have barriers of 45, 11, and 24 kcal/mol, respectively. These barrier heights are related to the magnitude of the delocalization stabilization of each fully conjugated system. This paper addresses the question of why these rotational barriers, which at the Huckel level of theory are independent of the number of nonbonding electrons in allyl and benzyl, are in fact calculated to be factors that are of 2.4 and 4.1 higher in the cations and 1.5 and 1.9 higher in the anions than in the radicals. We also investigate why the barrier to rotation is higher for benzyl than for allyl in the cations and in the anions. Only in the radicals is the barrier for benzyl lower than that for allyl, as Huckel theory predicts should be the case. These fundamental questions in electronic structure theory, which have...
TL;DR: By switching the position of the alkene and alkyne, a new type of 3-acyloxy-1,4-enyne (ACE) five-carbon building block was developed for Rh-catalyzed intramolecular [5+2] cycloaddition.
Abstract: By switching the position of the alkene and alkyne, a new type of 3-acyloxy-1,4-enyne (ACE) five-carbon building block was developed for Rh-catalyzed intramolecular [5+2] cycloaddition. An electron-withdrawing acyl group on the alkyne termini of the ACE was essential for a regioselective 1,2-acyloxy migration. This new method provided bicyclic [5.3.0]decatrienes that are different from previous methods because of the positions of the alkenes and the acyloxy group. Multiple mechanistic pathways become possible for this new [5+2] cycloaddition and they are investigated by computational studies.
TL;DR: The sources of asymmetric induction in aldol reactions catalyzed by cinchona alkaloid-derived amines, and chiral vicinal diamines in general, have been determined by density functional theory calculations.
Abstract: The sources of asymmetric induction in aldol reactions catalyzed by cinchona alkaloid-derived amines, and chiral vicinal diamines in general, have been determined by density functional theory calculations. Four vicinal diamine-catalyzed aldol reactions were examined. The cyclic transition states of these reactions involve nine-membered hydrogen-bonded rings in distinct conformations. Using nomenclature from eight-membered cycloalkanes, the heavy atoms of the low-energy transition states are in crown (chair–chair) and chair-boat conformations. The factors that control which of these are favored have been identified.
TL;DR: Thorough mechanistic studies and DFT calculations revealed a background radical pathway latent in metal-catalyzed oxidation reactions of methane at low temperatures that generated a trifluoromethyl radical (•CF3), which reacted with methane gas to selectively yield acetic acid.
Abstract: Thorough mechanistic studies and DFT calculations revealed a background radical pathway latent in metal-catalyzed oxidation reactions of methane at low temperatures. Use of hydrogen peroxide with TFAA generated a trifluoromethyl radical (•CF3), which in turn reacted with methane gas to selectively yield acetic acid. It was found that the methyl carbon of the product was derived from methane, while the carbonyl carbon was derived from TFAA. Computational studies also support these findings, revealing the reaction cycle to be energetically favorable.
TL;DR: Quantum mechanical investigations with density functional theory show that ICDs involve a stepwise addition, forming an intermediate stabilized carbanion, followed by elimination.
Abstract: Intramolecular conjugate displacement (ICD) reactions, developed by the Clive group, form carbocycles and polycyclic amines by intramolecular nucleophilic attack on a Michael acceptor with an allylic leaving group. Quantum mechanical investigations with density functional theory show that ICDs involve a stepwise addition, forming an intermediate stabilized carbanion, followed by elimination. The electron-withdrawing nature of the allylic leaving group facilitates the addition by negative hyperconjugation; the twist-boat conformation of the addition and intermediate is stabilized by this interaction. In the absence of an activating electron-withdrawing group as part of the Michael acceptor, a high energy concerted SN2′ reaction occurs. The reactions of carbon nucleophiles have lower activation energies than those of amines.
TL;DR: In this paper, a reusable silicon-based transfer agent was designed, synthesized, and validated for effective room-temperature palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions (CCRs) of aryl and heteroaryl chlorides with readily accessible aryls lithium reagents.
Abstract: A reusable silicon-based transfer agent (1) has been designed, synthesized, and validated for effective room-temperature palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions (CCRs) of aryl and heteroaryl chlorides with readily accessible aryl lithium reagents. The crystalline, bench-stable siloxane transfer agent (1) is easily prepared via a one-step protocol. Importantly, this “green” CCR protocol circumvents prefunctionalization, isolation of organometallic cross-coupling partners, and/or stoichiometric waste aside from LiCl. DFT calculations support a σ-bond metathesis mechanism during transmetalation and lead to insights on the importance of the CF3 groups.
TL;DR: Copper-catalyzed reactions of glycine ester arylimines and methacrylonitrile provide selective access to either the endo or exo pyrrolidine cycloadducts.
Abstract: Copper-catalyzed reactions of glycine ester arylimines and methacrylonitrile provide selective access to either the endo or exo pyrrolidine cycloadducts. DFT calculations have elucidated the origins of ligand-controlled diastereoselectivity.