One-Pot and Two-Chamber Methodologies for Using Acetylene Surrogates in the Synthesis of Pyridazines and Their D-Labeled Derivatives

Quantum Tunneling Instability in Pericyclic Reactions

Several cycloreversion reactions of the retro-Diels-Alder type were computationally assessed to understand their quantum tunneling (QT) reactivity. N2, CO, and other leaving groups were considered based on their strong exothermicity, as it reduces their thermodynamic and kinetic stabilities. Our results indicate that for many of these reactions, it is essential to take into account their QT decomposition rate, which can massively weaken their molecular stability and shorten their half-lives even at deep cryogenic temperatures. In practical terms, this indicates that many supposedly stable molecules will actually be unsynthesizable or unisolable, and therefore trying to prepare or detect them would be a futile attempt. In addition, we discuss the importance of tunneling to correctly understand the enthalpy of activation and the collective atomic effect on the tunneling kinetic isotope effects to test if third-row atoms can tunnel in a chemical reaction. This project raises the question of the importance of in silico chemistry to guide in vitro chemistry, especially in cases where the latter cannot solve its own uncertainties.

Ligand Control of Copper-Mediated Cycloadditions of Acetylene to Azides: Chemo- and Regio-Selective Formation of Deutero- and Iodo-Substituted 1,2,3-Triazoles

The participation of σ-monocopper and σ-bis-copper acetylide in mechanistic pathways for copper-catalyzed cycloaddition (CuAAC) reactions of acetylene with azides was probed by analysis of deuterium distributions in the 1,2,3-triazole product formed by deuterolysis of initially formed mono- and bis-copper triazoles. The results show that, when Cu(Phen)(PPh3)2NO3 is used as the catalyst for reactions of acetylene with azides in DMF/D2O, 1-substituted-5-deutero-1,2,3-triazoles are generated selectively. This finding demonstrates that the Cu(Phen)(PPh3)2NO3-catalyzed cycloadditions utilize monocopper acetylide as the substrate and produce 5-copper-1,2,3-triazoles initially. Conversely, when DBU or Et3N is the copper ligand, the process takes place through initial formation and cycloaddition of bis-copper acetylide to produce 4,5-bis-copper-triazole, which reacts with D2O to form the corresponding 4,5-bis-deutero-triazole. Moreover, when C2D2 is used as the substrate, Cu(Phen)(PPh3)2NO3 as the Cu ligand, and H2O/DMF as the solvent, mono-C4-deutreo 1,2,3-triazoles are generated in high yields and excellent levels of regioselectivity. Lastly, CuAAC reactions of acetylene with azides, promoted by CuCl2·2H2O and NaI, yield 4,5-diiodo-1,2,3-triazoles with moderate to high efficiencies.

1,2,4-Triazines and Calcium Carbide in the Catalyst-Free Synthesis of 2,3,6-Trisubstituted Pyridines and Their D-, 13 C-, and Doubly D2 -13 C2 -Labeled Analogues

A novel synthetic approach to 2,3,6-trisubstituted pyridines, their 4,5-dideuterated derivatives, 4,5-13 C2 - and doubly-labeled D2 -13 C2 -pyridines has been developed using catalyst-free [4+2] cycloaddition of 1,2,4-triazines and in situ generated acetylene or labeled acetylene. Calcium carbide and water or deuterium oxide were used for the in situ generation of acetylene and dideuteroacetylene. Calcium carbide-13 C2 in the mixture with water or deuterium oxide was applied as 13 C2 -acetylene and D2 -13 C2 -acetylene source.

Cu-catalyzed carboboration of acetylene with Michael acceptors

A copper-catalyzed three-component carboboration of acetylene with B2Pin2 and Michael acceptors is reported. In this reaction, a cheap and abundant C2 chemical feedstock, acetylene, was used as a starting material to afford cis-alkenyl boronates bearing a homoallylic carbonyl group. The reaction was robust and could be reliably performed on the molar scale. Furthermore, the resulting cis-alkenyl boronates could be converted to diverse functionalized molecules with ease.

Acetylene and Ethylene: Universal C2 Molecular Units in Cycloaddition Reactions

Acetylene and ethylene are the smallest molecules that contain an unsaturated carbon–carbon bond and can be efficiently utilized in a large variety of cycloaddition reactions. In this review, we summarize the application of these C2 molecular units in cycloaddition chemistry and highlight their amazing synthetic opportunities.

1 Introduction

2 Fundamental Features and Differences of Cycloaddition Reactions Involving Acetylene and Ethylene

3 (2+1) Cycloaddition

4 [2+2] Cycloaddition

5 (3+2) Cycloaddition

6 [4+2] Cycloaddition

7 (2+2+1) Cycloaddition

8 [2+2+2] Cycloaddition

9 The Use of Acetylene and Ethylene Cycloaddition for Deuterium and 13C Labeling

10 Conclusions