Carbene-Catalyzed and Pnictogen Bond-Assisted Access to PIII-Stereogenic Compounds

Intermolecular pnictogen bonding (PnB) catalysis has received increased interest in non-covalent organocatalysis. It has been demonstrated that organic electron-deficient pnictogen atoms can act as prospective Lewis acids. Here, we present a catalytic approach for the asymmetric synthesis of chiral PIII compounds by combining intramolecular PnB interactions and carbene catalysis. Our design features a pre-chiral phosphorus molecule bearing two electron-withdrawing benzoyl groups, resulting in the formation of a σ-hole at the P atom. X-ray and non-covalent interaction (NCI) analysis indicate that the model substrates exhibit intrinsic PnB interaction between the oxygen atom of the formyl group and the phosphorus atom. This induces a conformational locking effect, leading to the crystallization of the phosphorus substrate in a preferred conformation (P212121 chiral group). Under the catalysis of N-heterocyclic carbene, the aldehyde moiety activated by the pnictogen bond selectively reacts with an alcohol to yield the corresponding chiral monoester/phosphorus product with excellent enantioselectivity. This Lewis acidic phosphorus center, aroused by the non-polarized intramolecular pnictogen bond interaction, assists in conformational and selective regulations, providing unique opportunities for catalysis and beyond.

Isothiourea-Catalyzed Enantioselective Functionalisation of Glycine Schiff Base Aryl Esters via 1,6- and 1,4-Additions

The enantioselective α-functionalisation of glycine Schiff base aryl esters through isothiourea catalysis is successfully demonstrated for 1,6-additions to para-quinone methides (21 examples, up to 95:5 dr and 96:4 er) and 1,4-additions to methylene substituted dicarbonyl or disulfonyl Michael acceptors (17 examples, up to 98:2 er). This nucleophilic organocatalysis approach gives access to a range of α-functionalised α-amino acid derivatives and further transformations of the activated aryl ester group provide a straightforward entry to advanced amino acid-based esters, amides or thioesters.

Chalcogen Bonds: How to Characterize Them in Solution?

Chalcogen bonds (ChBs) occur between molecules containing Lewis acidic chalcogen substituents and Lewis bases. Recently, ChB emerged as a pivotal interaction in solution-based applications such as anion recognition, anion transport and catalysis. However, before moving to applications, the involvement of ChB must be established in solution. In this Concept article, we provide a brief review of the currently available experimental investigations of ChB in solution.

Visible-Light-Switchable Tellurium-Based Chalcogen Bonding: Photocontrolled Anion Binding and Anion Abstraction Catalysis

Exploring new noncovalent bonding motifs with reversibly tunable binding affinity is of fundamental importance in manipulating the properties and functions of supramolecular self-assembly systems and materials. Herein, for the first time, we demonstrate a unique visible-light-switchable telluro-triazole/triazolium-based chalcogen bonding (ChB) system in which the Te moieties are connected by azobenzene cores. The binding strengths between these azo-derived ChB receptors and the halide anions (Cl^- , Br^- ) could be reversibly regulated upon irradiation by visible light of different wavelengths. The cis-bidentate ChB receptors exhibit enhanced halide anion binding ability compared to the trans-monodentate receptors. In particular, the telluro-triazolium-based ChB receptor can achieve both high and significantly photoswitchable binding affinities for halide anions, which enable it to serve as an efficient photocontrolled organocatalyst for ChB-assisted halide abstraction in a Friedel-Crafts alkylation benchmark reaction.

Supramolecular Chalcogen‐Bonded Semiconducting Nanoribbons at Work in Lighting Devices

This work describes the design and synthesis of a π‐conjugated telluro[3,2‐β][1]‐tellurophene‐based synthon that, embodying pyridyl and haloaryl chalcogen‐bonding acceptors, self‐assembles into nanoribbons through chalcogen bonds. The ribbons π‐stack in a multi‐layered architecture both in single crystals and thin films. Theoretical studies of the electronic states of chalcogen‐bonded material showed the presence of a local charge density between Te and N atoms. OTFT‐based charge transport measurements showed hole‐transport properties for this material. Its integration as a p‐type semiconductor in multi‐layered Cu^I‐based light‐emitting electrochemical cells (LECs) led to a 10‐fold increase in stability (38 h vs. 3 h) compared to single‐layered devices. Finally, using the reference tellurotellurophene congener bearing a C−H group instead of the pyridyl N atom, a herringbone solid‐state assembly is formed without charge transport features, resulting in LECs with poor stabilities (<1 h).

A Desilylative Approach to Alkyl Substituted C(1)‐Ammonium Enolates: Application in Enantioselective [2+2] Cycloadditions

The catalytic generation of C(1)‐ammonium enolates from the corresponding α‐silyl‐α‐alkyl substituted carboxylic acids using the isothiourea HyperBTM is reported. This desilylative approach grants access to α‐unsubstituted and α‐alkyl substituted C(1)‐ammonium enolates, which are typically difficult to access through traditional methods reliant upon deprotonation. The scope and limitations of this process is established in enantioselective [2+2]‐cycloaddition processes with perfluoroalkylketones (31 examples, up to 96 % yield and >99 : 1 er), as well as selective [2+2]‐cycloaddition with trifluoromethyl enones (4 examples, up to 75 % yield and >99 : 1 er). Preliminary mechanistic studies indicate this process proceeds through an initial kinetic resolution of an in situ prepared (±)‐α‐silyl‐α‐alkyl substituted anhydride, while the reaction process exhibits overall pseudo zero‐order kinetics.

Cooperative Palladium/Isothiourea Catalyzed Enantioselective Formal (3+2) Cycloaddition of Vinylcyclopropanes and α,β-Unsaturated Esters

A protocol for the enantioselective synthesis of substituted vinylcyclopentanes has been realised using cooperative palladium and isothiourea catalysis. Treatment of vinylcyclopropanes with Pd(PPh₃ )₄ generates a zwitterionic π-allyl palladium intermediate that intercepts a catalytically generated α,β-unsaturated acyl ammonium species prepared from the corresponding α,β-unsaturated para-nitrophenyl ester and the isothiourea (R)-BTM. Intermolecular formal (3+2) cycloaddition between these reactive intermediates generates functionalised cyclopentanes in generally good yields and excellent diastereo- and enantiocontrol (up to >95 : 5 dr, 97 : 3 er), with the use of LiCl as an additive proving essential for optimal stereocontrol. To the best of our knowledge a dual transition metal/organocatalytic process involving α,β-unsaturated acyl ammonium intermediates has not been demonstrated previously.

Alkynyl Sulfonium Salts Can Be Employed as Chalcogen-Bonding Catalysts and Generate Alkynyl Radicals under Blue-Light Irradiation

Chalcogen bonding (ChB) has emerged as a promising tool in organic synthesis. However, compared with the well-developed selenium- and tellurium-based salt catalysts, the ChB catalysis of sulfonium salts is still unknown. Here, we report a new type of alkynyl-sulfonium salt ChB catalysis for various ionic transformations, including transfer hydrogenation, bromination, bromolactonization, dimerization of 1,1-diphenylethylene, nitro-Michael addition reaction and Ritter reaction. More importantly, the photocapability of ChB was first demonstrated to generate alkynyl radicals for the synthesis of a variety of chalcogenoacetylenes. Mechanistic studies shed light on the mechanism of the photoinduced reactions and confirmed the involvement of alkynyl radicals which are difficult to generate otherwise.

Impact of the Difluoromethylene Group in the Organocatalyzed Acylative Kinetic Resolution of α,α-Difluorohydrins

Due to the omnipresence of chiral organofluorine compounds in pharmaceutical, agrochemical, and material chemistry, the development of enantioselective methods for their preparation is highly desirable. In the present study, the enantioselective organocatalyzed acylation of α,α-difluorohydrins using a commercially available chiral isothiourea is reported through a kinetic resolution (KR) process. It reveals that the difluoromethylene moiety (C(sp³ )F₂ ) can serve as a directing group through electrostatic fluorine-cation interactions, greatly improving the enantioselectivity of the KR. In this context, a broad range of fluorinated alcohols such as valuable 4,4-difluoro-1,3-diols could be synthesized with exquisite enantiocontrol (typically >99:1 er). Turning to 2,2-difluoro-1,3-diols, we also demonstrated that aromatic and fluorinated groups were mutually compatible to provide the expected enantioenriched adducts with >99:1 er.

Competing Effects of Chlorination on the Strength of Te⋅⋅⋅O Chalcogen Bonds Select the Structure of Mixed Supramolecular Macrocyclic Aggregates of Iso-Tellurazole N-Oxides

Chlorination of 3-methyl-5-phenyl-1,2-tellurazole-2-oxide yielded the λ⁴ Te dichloro derivative. Its crystal structure demonstrates that the heterocycle retains its ability to autoassociate by chalcogen bonding (ChB) forming macrocyclic tetramers. The corresponding Te⋅⋅⋅O ChB distances are 2.062 Å, the shortest observed to date in aggregates of this type. DFT-D3 calculations indicate that while the halogenated molecule is stronger as a ChB donor it also is a weaker ChB acceptor; the overall effect is that the ChBs in the chlorinated homotetramer are not significantly stronger. However, partial halogenation or scrambling selectively yield the 2 : 2 heterotetramer with alternating λ⁴ Te and λ² Te centers, which calculations identified as the thermodynamically preferred arrangement.

Enantioselective Synthesis of α-Aryl-β2 -Amino-Esters by Cooperative Isothiourea and Brønsted Acid Catalysis

The synthesis of α-aryl-β2 -amino esters through enantioselective aminomethylation of an arylacetic acid ester in high yields and enantioselectivity via cooperative isothiourea and Brønsted acid catalysis is demonstrated. The scope and limitations of this process are explored (25 examples, up to 94 % yield and 96:4 er), with applications to the synthesis of (S)-Venlafaxine⋅HCl and (S)-Nakinadine B. Mechanistic studies are consistent with a C(1)-ammonium enolate pathway being followed rather than an alternative dynamic kinetic resolution process. Control studies indicate that (i) a linear effect between catalyst and product er is observed; (ii) an acyl ammonium ion can be used as a precatalyst; (iii) reversible isothiourea addition to an in situ generated iminium ion leads to an off-cycle intermediate that can be used as a productive precatalyst.

Chalcogen⋅⋅⋅π Bonding Catalysis

While the presence of sulfur⋅⋅⋅π bonding interaction is a general phenomenon in the biological systems, the exploitation of this noncovalent force in a chemical process yet remains elusive. Herein, we describe the concept of chalcogen⋅⋅⋅π bonding catalysis that activates molecules of π systems through the interaction between chalcogen and π-electron cloud. The proof-of-concept studies using a vinylindole-based Diels-Alder benchmark reaction demonstrate that S⋅⋅⋅π and Se⋅⋅⋅π bonding interaction can drive the cycloaddition reaction efficiently. Experimental results suggest that a simultaneously double Se⋅⋅⋅π bonding interaction directs the stereoselectivity in this cycloaddition process.

Generation and Reactivity of C(1)-Ammonium Enolates by Using Isothiourea Catalysis

C(1)-Ammonium enolates are powerful, catalytically generated synthetic intermediates applied in the enantioselective α-functionalisation of carboxylic acid derivatives. This minireview describes the recent developments in the generation and application of C(1)-ammonium enolates from various precursors (carboxylic acids, anhydrides, acyl imidazoles, aryl esters, α-diazoketones, alkyl halides) using isothiourea Lewis base organocatalysts. Their synthetic utility in intra- and intermolecular enantioselective C-C and C-X bond forming processes on reaction with various electrophiles will be showcased utilising two distinct catalyst turnover approaches.

Substituent-Controlled Tailoring of Chalcogen-Bonded Supramolecular Nanoribbons in the Solid State

In this work, we design and synthesize supramolecular 2,5-substituted chalcogenazolo[5,4-β]pyridine (CGP) synthons arranging in supramolecular ribbons at the solid state. A careful choice of the combination of substituents at the 2- and 5-positions on the CGP scaffold is outlined to accomplish supramolecular materials by means of multiple hybrid interactions, comprising both chalcogen and hydrogen bonds. Depending on the steric and electronic properties of the substituents, different solid-state arrangements have been achieved. Among the different moieties on the 5-position, an oxazole unit has been incorporated on the Se- and Te-congeners by Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction and a supramolecular ribbon-like organization was consistently obtained at the solid state.

Chemistry Evolves, Terms Evolve, but Phenomena Do Not Evolve: From Chalcogen-Chalcogen Interactions to Chalcogen Bonding

Chalcogen bonding is important in numerous aspects of chemistry, both in the solid state and in solution. Surveying the literature, it becomes clear that during its rebranding from chalcogen-chalcogen interactions, some parts of the community have somewhat neglected to recall its discovery and the initial studies referring to it in its previous guise. In this Viewpoint, we trace the path of research into this phenomenon, from its discovery, through its renaming, and to some of the varied and interesting chemistry it has led to so far, ranging from crystal engineering through supramolecular assembly to modern catalysis.

The Nature of Strong Chalcogen Bonds Involving Chalcogen-Containing Heterocycles

Chalcogen bonds are σ hole interactions and have been used in recent years as an alternative to hydrogen bonds. In general, the electrostatic potential at the chalcogen atom and orbital delocalization effects are made responsible for the orientation of the chalcogen bond. Here, we were able to show by means of SAPT calculations that neither the induction (orbital delocalization effects) nor the electrostatic term is causing the spatial orientation of strong chalcogen bonds in tellurium-containing aromatics. Instead, steric interactions (Pauli repulsion) are responsible for the orientation. Against chemical intuition the dispersion energies of the examined tellurium-containing aromatics are far less important for the net attractive forces compared to the energies in the corresponding sulfur and selenium compounds. Our results underline the importance of often overlooked steric interactions (Pauli repulsion) in conformational control of σ hole interactions.

The Carbonyl⋅⋅⋅Tellurazole Chalcogen Bond as a Molecular Recognition Unit: From Model Studies to Supramolecular Organic Frameworks

In the last years, chalcogen bonding, the noncovalent interaction involving chalcogen centers, has emerged as interesting alternative to the ubiquitous hydrogen bonding in many research areas. Here, we could show by means of high-level quantum chemical calculations that the carbonyl⋅⋅⋅tellurazole chalcogen bond is at least as strong as conventional hydrogen bonds. Using the carbonyl⋅⋅⋅tellurazole binding motif, we were able to design complex supramolecular networks in solid phase starting from tellurazole-substituted cyclic peptides. X-ray analyses reveal that the rigid structure of the cyclic peptides is caused by hydrogen bonds, whereas the supramolecular network is held together by chalcogen bonding. The type of the supramolecular network depends on peptide used; both linear wires and a honeycomb-like supramolecular organic framework (SOF) were observed. The unique structure of the SOF shows two channels filled with different types of solvent mixtures that are either locked or freely movable.

Isothiourea-Catalyzed Acylative Kinetic Resolution of Tertiary α-Hydroxy Esters

A highly enantioselective isothiourea-catalyzed acylative kinetic resolution (KR) of acyclic tertiary alcohols has been developed. Selectivity factors of up to 200 were achieved for the KR of tertiary alcohols bearing an adjacent ester substituent, with both reaction conversion and enantioselectivity found to be sensitive to the steric and electronic environment at the stereogenic tertiary carbinol centre. For more sterically congested alcohols, the use of a recently-developed isoselenourea catalyst was optimal, with equivalent enantioselectivity but higher conversion achieved in comparison to the isothiourea HyperBTM. Diastereomeric acylation transition state models are proposed to rationalize the origins of enantiodiscrimination in this process. This KR procedure was also translated to a continuous-flow process using a polymer-supported variant of the catalyst.

Reconciling Electrostatic and n→π* Orbital Contributions in Carbonyl Interactions

Interactions between carbonyl groups are prevalent in protein structures. Earlier investigations identified dominant electrostatic dipolar interactions, while others implicated lone pair n→π* orbital delocalisation. Here these observations are reconciled. A combined experimental and computational approach confirmed the dominance of electrostatic interactions in a new series of synthetic molecular balances, while also highlighting the distance-dependent observation of inductive polarisation manifested by n→π* orbital delocalisation. Computational fiSAPT energy decomposition and natural bonding orbital analyses correlated with experimental data to reveal the contexts in which short-range inductive polarisation augment electrostatic dipolar interactions. Thus, we provide a framework for reconciling the context dependency of the dominance of electrostatic interactions and the occurrence of n→π* orbital delocalisation in C=O⋅⋅⋅C=O interactions.