Cationic Titanocene(III) Complexes for Catalysis in Single-Electron Steps

Mild Epoxidation of Allylic Alcohols Catalyzed by Titanium(III) Complexes: Selectivity and Mechanism

A novel methodology for the epoxidation of a broad range of primary, secondary, and tertiary allylic alcohols is described using tert-butyl hydroperoxide as oxidant and Ti(III) species generated by reduction of Ti(IV) complexes, with manganese (0) in 1,4-dioxane under mild reaction conditions. The reaction proceeded with wide substrate scope and high chemo- and diastereoselectivity. A mechanistic pathway for the reaction is also discussed.

A DFT-Based Computational-Experimental Methodology for Synthetic Chemistry: Example of Application to the Catalytic Opening of Epoxides by Titanocene

A novel DFT-based Reaction Kinetics (DFT-RK) simulation approach, employed in combination with real-time data from reaction monitoring instrumentation (like UV-vis, FTIR, Raman, and 2D NMR benchtop spectrometers), is shown to provide a detailed methodology for the analysis and design of complex synthetic chemistry schemes. As an example, it is applied to the opening of epoxides by titanocene in THF, a catalytic system with abundant experimental data available. Through a DFT-RK analysis of real-time IR data, we have developed a comprehensive mechanistic model that opens new perspectives to understand previous experiments. Although derived specifically from the opening of epoxides, the prediction capabilities of the model, built on elementary reactions, together with its practical side (reaction kinetics simulations of real experimental conditions) make it a useful simulation tool for the design of new experiments, as well as for the conception and development of improved versions of the reagents. From the perspective of the methodology employed, because both the computational (DFT-RK) and the experimental (spectroscopic data) components can follow the time evolution of several species simultaneously, it is expected to provide a helpful tool for the study of complex systems in synthetic chemistry.

Metalloradical activation of α-formyldiazoacetates for the catalytic asymmetric radical cyclopropanation of alkenes

For the first time, α-formyldiazoacetates have been successfully applied for the asymmetric cyclopropanation of alkenes via Co(ii)-based metalloradical catalysis. The cobalt(ii) complex of the D₂-symmetric chiral amidoporphyrin [Co(3,5-Di ^t Bu-ChenPhyrin)] is an effective metalloradical catalyst that can activate α-formyldiazoacetates to cyclopropanate both aromatic and aliphatic olefins with varied electronic properties, affording the synthetically useful 1,1-cyclopropaneformylesters in high yields with both high diastereo- and enantioselectivity.

Asymmetric Radical Cyclopropanation of Alkenes with In Situ-Generated Donor-Substituted Diazo Reagents via Co(II)-Based Metalloradical Catalysis

Donor-substituted diazo reagents, generated in situ from sulfonyl hydrazones in the presence of base, can serve as suitable radical precursors for Co(II)-based metalloradical catalysis (MRC). The cobalt(II) complex of D2-symmetric chiral porphyrin [Co(3,5-DitBu-Xu(2'-Naph)Phyrin)] is an efficient metalloradical catalyst that is capable of activating different N-arylsulfonyl hydrazones for asymmetric radical cyclopropanation of a broad range of alkenes, affording the corresponding cyclopropanes in high yields with effective control of both diastereo- and enantioselectivity. This Co(II)-based metalloradical system represents the first catalytic protocol that can effectively utilize donor-type diazo reagents for asymmetric olefin cyclopropanation.

Catalytic carbonyl hydrosilylations via a titanocene borohydride–PMHS reagent system

Catalytic amounts of titanocene(iii) borohydride, generated under mild conditions from commercially available titanocene dichloride, in concert with a stoichiometric hydride source is shown to effectively reduce aldehydes and ketones to their respective alcohols in aprotic media.

Intramolecular Radical Aziridination of Allylic Sulfamoyl Azides by Cobalt(II)-Based Metalloradical Catalysis: Effective Construction of Strained Heterobicyclic Structures

Cobalt(II)-based metalloradical catalysis (MRC) has been successfully applied for effective construction of the highly strained 2-sulfonyl-1,3-diazabicyclo[3.1.0]hexane structures in high yields through intramolecular radical aziridination of allylic sulfamoyl azides. The resulting [3.1.0] bicyclic aziridines prove to be versatile synthons for the preparation of a diverse range of 1,2- and 1,3-diamine derivatives by selective ring-opening reactions. As a demonstration of its application for target synthesis, the metalloradical intramolecular aziridination reaction has been incorporated as a key step for efficient synthesis of a potent neurokinin 1 (NK1 ) antagonist in 60 % overall yield.

Intramolecular 1,5-C(sp3)-H Radical Amination via Co(II)-Based Metalloradical Catalysis for Five-Membered Cyclic Sulfamides

Co(II)-based metalloradical catalysis (MRC) proves effective for intramolecular 1,5-C-H amination of sulfamoyl azides under neutral and nonoxidative conditions, providing a straightforward approach to access strained 5-membered cyclic sulfamides with nitrogen gas as the only byproduct. The metalloradical amination system is applicable to different types of C(sp3)-H bonds and has a high degree of functional group tolerance. Additional features of the Co(II)-catalyzed 1,5-C-H amination include excellent chemoselectivity toward allylic and propargylic C-H bonds. The unique reactivity and selectivity profile of the Co(II)-catalyzed 1,5-C-H amination is attributed to the underlying radical mechanism of MRC.

Tuning the redox properties of the titanocene(III)/(IV)-couple for atom-economical catalysis in single electron steps

Radical-based transformations are an attractive target for the development of catalytic processes due to ease of radical generation, high functional group tolerance and selectivity of bond-forming reactions. In spite of these appealing features, the potential of radicals as key intermediates in catalysis remains largely untapped. Herein we present recent work that exploits the innate ability of titanocene-based catalysts to undergo both oxidative addition and reductive elimination in single electron steps. We further demonstrate that tuning the redox properties of the titanocene-based catalyst can be used to develop efficient catalytic free radical processes including tetrahydrofuran synthesis, and radical arylation.

Ethanol promoted titanocene Lewis acid catalyzed synthesis of quinazoline derivatives

An efficient strategy to activate air-stable Lewis acid precursor Cp₂TiCl₂ with alcoholic solvent for the rapid synthesis of quinazoline derivatives.

Transition-metal free alkylarylation of acrylamides initiated by radical C–C bond cleavage of the tertiary cycloalkanols

An efficient Na₂S₂O₈-promoted radical cyclization reaction of acrylamides with the tertiary cycloalkanols has been developed. This one pot procedure involves a tandem C–C bond cleavage and two C–C bonds formation process.

Atom-economical cobalt-catalysed regioselective coupling of epoxides and aziridines with alkenes

An atom-economical cobalt-catalysed regioselective coupling of epoxides and aziridines with alkenes is reported.

Metal-Catalyzed β-Functionalization of Michael Acceptors through Reductive Radical Addition Reactions

Transition-metal-catalyzed radical reactions are becoming increasingly important in modern organic chemistry. They offer fascinating and unconventional ways for connecting molecular fragments that are often complementary to traditional methods. In particular, reductive radical additions to α,β-unsaturated compounds have recently gained substantial attention as a result of their broad applicability in organic synthesis. This Minireview critically discusses the recent landmark achievements in this field in context with earlier reports that laid the foundation for today's developments.

Bond-weakening catalysis: conjugate aminations enabled by the soft homolysis of strong N-H bonds

The ability of redox-active metal centers to weaken the bonds in associated ligands is well precedented, but has rarely been utilized as a mechanism of substrate activation in catalysis. Here we describe a catalytic bond-weakening protocol for conjugate amination wherein the strong N-H bonds in N-aryl amides (N-H bond dissociation free energies ∼100 kcal/mol) are destabilized by ∼33 kcal/mol upon by coordination to a reducing titanocene complex, enabling their abstraction by the weak H-atom acceptor TEMPO through a proton-coupled electron transfer process. Significantly, this soft homolysis mechanism provides a method to generate closed-shell, metalated nucleophiles under neutral conditions in the absence of a Brønsted base.