Hexa-Fe(III) Carboxylate Complexes Facilitate Aerobic Hydrocarbon Oxidative Functionalization: Rh Catalyzed Oxidative Coupling of Benzene and Ethylene to Form Styrene

Fe(II) carboxylates react with dioxygen and carboxylic acid to form Fe6(μ-OH)2(μ3-O)2(μ-X)12(HX)2 (X = acetate or pivalate), which is an active oxidant for Rh-catalyzed arene alkenylation. Heating (150-200 °C) the catalyst precursor [(η2-C2H4)2Rh(μ-OAc)]2 with ethylene, benzene, Fe(II) carboxylate, and dioxygen yields styrene >30-fold faster than the reaction with dioxygen in the absence of the Fe(II) carboxylate additive. It is also demonstrated that Fe6(μ-OH)2(μ3-O)2(μ-X)12(HX)2 is an active oxidant under anaerobic conditions, and the reduced material can be reoxidized to Fe6(μ-OH)2(μ3-O)2(μ-X)12(HX)2 by dioxygen. At optimized conditions, a turnover frequency of ∼0.2 s-1 is achieved. Unlike analogous reactions with Cu(II) carboxylate oxidants, which undergo stoichiometric Cu(II)-mediated production of phenyl esters (e.g., phenyl acetate) as side products at temperatures ≥150 °C, no phenyl ester side product is observed when Fe carboxylate additives are used. Kinetic isotope effect experiments using C6H6 and C6D6 give k H/k D = 3.5(3), while the use of protio or monodeutero pivalic acid reveals a small KIE with k H/k D = 1.19(2). First-order dependencies on Fe(II) carboxylate and dioxygen concentration are observed in addition to complicated kinetic dependencies on the concentration of carboxylic acid and ethylene, both of which inhibit the reaction rate at a high concentration. Mechanistic studies are consistent with irreversible benzene C-H activation, ethylene insertion into the formed Rh-Ph bond, β-hydride elimination, and reaction of Rh-H with Fe6(μ-OH)2(μ3-O)2(μ-X)12(HX)2 to regenerate a Rh-carboxylate complex.

MIL-47(V)-derived carbon-doped vanadium oxide for selective oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural to 2,5-diformylfuran

The development and transformation of biomass-derived platform compounds is a sustainable way to deal with the fossil fuel crisis. 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) can be reduced or oxidized to produce many high-value compounds; however, it is challenging to effectively produce 2,5-diformylfuran (DFF) due to overoxidation. In this work, a carbon-doped V₂O₅ (C-V₂O₅) material was obtained through pyrolysis of MIL-47(V) nanorods, a typical metal-organic framework material. The X-ray diffraction patterns and X-ray photoelectron spectra showed that the graphitized carbon species were incorporated in C-V₂O₅. High-efficiency HMF oxidation, high specific selectivity for DFF and excellent recycling could be achieved with the C-V₂O₅ catalyst. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy combined with density functional theory (DFT) calculation revealed that graphitized carbon weakens the VO bond and promotes the formation of oxygen vacancies in C-V₂O₅, thus improving the catalytic activity in the oxidation of furfuryl alcohols. The V⁴⁺ induced by oxygen vacancies will be oxidized by O₂ to form V⁵⁺, so that the cycle can be realized. It exhibits remarkable selectivity in the oxidation of different alcohols produced from biomass based on the relatively constant active sites in C-V₂O₅.

Facile preparation of polyoxometalate nanoparticles via a solid-state chemical reaction for aerobic oxidative desulfurization catalysis

Polyoxometalate nanoparticles were synthesized via a concise solid-state reaction method by directly grinding silver nitrate and the polyoxometalate (NH4)5H6PMo4V8O40 at room temperature without the assistance of a surfactant. The as-prepared Ag6(NH4)5PMo4V8O40 (AgPMo4V8) comprised uniform nanoparticles of 50 nm size, which provided significant catalytic oxidative desulfurization (CODS) performance using O2, N2 + O2 or air as an oxidant. The high efficiency of 100% removal was obtained using AgPMo4V8 nanoparticles as a catalyst in treating model refractory sulfurs. The coexistence of Ag+ and PMo4V8O4011- was the main contribution for this CODS procedure, and the Ag+ species was employed as the electron transfer mediator (ETM) and the PMo4V8O4011- anion was used as the electron donor. The internal electron transfer between Ag+/Ag0 and V5+/V4+ allowed AgPMo4V8 to mimic oxygenase to release the activation energy of oxygen. AgPMo4V8 nanoparticles also exhibited potential for practical catalytic application in the CODS of diesel and gasoline to produce ultra-clean oils with a S content lower than 10 ppm under mild reaction conditions using a mixture of N2 and O2, thus favoring industrial application.

Iron(II)-Catalyzed Aerobic Biomimetic Oxidation of Amines using a Hybrid Hydroquinone/Cobalt Catalyst as Electron Transfer Mediator

Herein we report the first FeII -catalyzed aerobic biomimetic oxidation of amines. This oxidation reaction involves several electron transfer steps and is inspired by biological oxidation in the respiratory chain. The electron transfer from the amine to molecular oxygen is aided by two coupled catalytic redox systems, which lower the energy barrier and improve the selectivity of the oxidation reaction. An iron hydrogen transfer complex was utilized as the substrate-selective dehydrogenation catalyst along with a bifunctional hydroquinone/cobalt Schiff base complex as a hybrid electron transfer mediator. Various primary and secondary amines were oxidized in air to their corresponding aldimines or ketimines in good to excellent yield.

Iron(II)-Catalyzed Biomimetic Aerobic Oxidation of Alcohols

We report the first FeII -catalyzed biomimetic aerobic oxidation of alcohols. The principle of this oxidation, which involves several electron-transfer steps, is reminiscent of biological oxidation in the respiratory chain. The electron transfer from the alcohol to molecular oxygen occurs with the aid of three coupled catalytic redox systems, leading to a low-energy pathway. An iron transfer-hydrogenation complex was utilized as a substrate-selective dehydrogenation catalyst, along with an electron-rich quinone and an oxygen-activating Co(salen)-type complex as electron-transfer mediators. Various primary and secondary alcohols were oxidized in air to the corresponding aldehydes or ketones with this method in good to excellent yields.

Efficient Stereoselective Carbocyclization to cis-1,4-Disubstituted Heterocycles Enabled by Dual Pd/Electron Transfer Mediator (ETM) Catalysis

An efficient Pd/ETM (ETM = electron transfer mediator)-cocatalyzed stereoselective oxidative carbocyclization of dienallenes under aerobic oxidation conditions has been developed to afford six-membered heterocycles. The use of a bifunctional cobalt complex [Co(salophen)-HQ] as hybrid ETM gave a faster aerobic oxidation than the use of separated ETMs, indicating that intramolecular electron transfer between the hydroquinone unit and the oxidized metal macrocycle occurs. In this way, a class of important cis-1,4-disubstituted six-membered heterocycles, including dihydropyran and tetrahydropyridine derivatives were obtained in high diastereoselectivity with good functional group compatibility. The experimental and computational (DFT) studies reveal that the pendent olefin does not only act as an indispensable element for the initial allene attack involving allenic C(sp³)–H bond cleavage, but it also induces a face-selective reaction of the olefin of the allylic group, leading to a highly diastereoselective formation of the product. Finally, the deuterium kinetic isotope effects measured suggest that the initial allenic C(sp³)–H bond cleavage is the rate-limiting step, which was supported by DFT calculations.

Revisiting the mechanism of the Fujiwara–Moritani reaction

A new perspective of the Fujiwara–Moritani reaction is presented, including its kinetic profile and catalyst deactivation studies.

Palladium-catalysed Heck-type alkenylation reactions in the synthesis of quinolines. Mechanistic insights and recent applications

Recent developments in Pd(0)- and Pd(ii)-catalysed alkenylation reactions for the synthesis of quinolines focusing on mechanistic understanding.

Redox-Active Guanidines in Proton-Coupled Electron-Transfer Reactions: Real Alternatives to Benzoquinones?

Guanidino-functionalized aromatics (GFAs) are readily available, stable organic redox-active compounds. In this work we apply one particular GFA compound, 1,2,4,5-tetrakis(tetramethylguanidino)benzene, in its oxidized form in a variety of oxidation/oxidative coupling reactions to demonstrate the scope of its proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) reactivity. Addition of an excess of acid boosts its oxidation power, enabling the oxidative coupling of substrates with redox potentials of at least +0.77 V vs. Fc⁺ /Fc. The green recyclability by catalytic re-oxidation with dioxygen is also shown. Finally, a direct comparison indicates that GFAs are real alternatives to toxic halo- or cyano-substituted benzoquinones.

OMS-2-Supported Cu Hydroxide-Catalyzed Benzoxazoles Synthesis from Catechols and Amines via Domino Oxidation Process at Room Temperature

In the presence of manganese oxide octahedral molecular sieve (OMS-2) supported copper hydroxide Cu(OH)_x/OMS-2, aerobic synthesis of benzoxazoles from catechols and amines via domino oxidation/cyclization at room temperature is achieved. This heterogeneous benzoxazoles synthesis initiated by the efficient oxidation of catechols over Cu(OH)_x/OMS-2 tolerates a variety of substrates, especially amines containing sensitive groups (hydroxyl, cyano, amino, vinyl, ethynyl, ester, and even acetyl groups) and heterocycles, which affords functionalized benzoxazoles in good to excellent yields by employing low catalyst loading (2 mol % Cu). The characterization and plausible catalytic mechanism of Cu(OH)_x/OMS-2 are described. The notable features of our catalytic protocol such as the use of air as the benign oxidant and EtOH as the solvent, mild conditions, ease of product separation, being scalable up to the gram level, and superior reusability of catalyst (up to 10 cycles) make it more practical and environmentally friendly for organic synthesis.

Hg(ii) and Pd(ii) complexes with a new selenoether bridged biscarbene ligand: efficient mono- and bis-arylation of methyl acrylate with a pincer biscarbene Pd(ii) precatalyst

New selenoether (CSeC) bridged carbene complexes of Hg(ii) and Pd(ii) have been prepared; a pincer Pd(ii) complex showed catalytic activity in mono- and double-Heck reactions.

Copper supported on H+-modified manganese oxide octahedral molecular sieves (Cu/H-OMS-2) as a heterogeneous biomimetic catalyst for the synthesis of imidazo[1,2-a]-N-heterocycles

A combination of Cu and H-OMS-2 is employed to synthesize heterocycles through multistep oxidation under a low-energy pathway.

2,3-Dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone-catalyzed aerobic oxidation reactions via multistep electron transfers with iron(ii) phthalocyanine as an electron-transfer mediator

A new biomimetic catalytic oxidation system was developed for oxidative deprotection of PMB ethers, alcohol oxidation, aromatization and α,β-unsaturated aldehyde formation.

Palladium(II)-Catalyzed Tandem Oxidative Acetoxylation/ortho C-H Activation/Carbocyclization of Arylallenes

Herein we report an example of tandem oxidative acetoxylation/carbocyclization of arylallenes 1 using Pd(OAc)₂. The catalytic protocol is highly selective and provides access to new C–C and C–O bonds leading to a carbocyclization. The reaction proceeds via C–H activation by Pd. Mechanistic investigations show that the C–H activation is not the rate-limiting step and indicate that the reaction proceeds via acetoxylation of the allene.

PhI(OAc)2 mediated decarboxylative sulfonylation of β-aryl-α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids: a synthesis of (E)-vinyl sulfones

A highly efficient metal-free decarboxylative sulfonylation protocol for the preparation of (E)-vinyl sulfones from of β-aryl-α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids using sodium sulfinates and (diacetoxyiodo)benzene (PhI(OAc)2) was developed. This strategy offers a simple and expedient synthesis of (E)-vinyl sulfones bearing a wide variety of functional groups. A radical-based pathway has been proposed for this decarboxylative sulfonylation reaction.

Preparation of tetrasubstituted olefins using mono or double aerobic direct C-H functionalization strategies: importance of steric effects

A novel protocol for the synthesis of tetrasubstituted olefins through a biomimetic approach has been explored. Both mono- and diarylations were performed under ambient oxygen pressure, giving a range of highly hindered tetrasubstituted alkenes. For diarylation of disubstituted substrates, it was demonstrated that the second arylation is the rate-limiting step of the overall transformation.

Heterogeneous biomimetic aerobic synthesis of 3-iodoimidazo[1,2-a]pyridines via CuOx/OMS-2-catalyzed tandem cyclization/iodination and their late-stage functionalization

Heterogeneous catalysis performs well in biomimetic oxidation to generate a low-energy pathway for the synthesis of 3-iodoimidazo[1,2-a]pyridines.

Heterogeneous Cu/OMS-2 as an efficient catalyst for the synthesis of tetrasubstituted 1,4-enediones and 4H-pyrido[1,2-a]-pyrimidin-4-ones

Copper supported on OMS-2: a heterogeneous catalyst Cu/OMS-2 was prepared for the synthesis of tetrasubstituted 1,4-enediones and 4H-pyrido[1,2-a]-pyrimidin-4-ones under the same conditions with air as the oxidant.

Versatile palladium-catalyzed C–H olefination of (hetero)arenes at room temperature

The room-temperature oxidative C–H/C–H cross-couplings between simple arenes and alkenes, coumarins or quinones have been reported by using a highly electrophilic palladium species [Pd(TFA)₂] as the catalyst and cheap (NH₄)₂S₂O₈ as the oxidant under air.