N-Heterocyclic Carbene Organocatalysis: With or Without Carbenes?

Genuine carbene versus carbene-like reactivity

Singlet carbenes are not always isolable and often even elude direct detection. When they escape observation, their formation can sometimes be evidenced by in situ trapping experiments. However, is carbene-like reactivity genuine evidence of carbene formation? Herein, using the first example of a spectroscopically characterized cyclic (amino)(aryl)carbene (CAArC), we cast doubt on the most common carbene trapping reactions as sufficient proof of carbene formation.

Adaptive carbonyl umpolung involving a carbanionic carbene Breslow intermediate: an alternative mechanism for NHC-mediated organocatalysis

Herein, we propose a novel mechanistic model for NHC-mediated carbonyl umpolung which involves the formation of a carbanionic carbene Breslow intermediate (CCBI). We have demonstrated theoretically that this reactive intermediate can be formed by inserting an aldehyde into the C4-H position of an N-aryl-substituted imidazolium-derived NHC via the generation of an H-bonded ditopic carbanionic NHC (dcNHC). Our DFT study on benzoin condensation has revealed that the mechanism of polarity inversion proceeding through the CCBI may be more energetically favorable than the classical mechanism of umpolung that uses the C2 carbene position in NHC. The potential existence of the CCBI highlights the dynamic and adaptive nature of NHC-mediated organocatalysis, particularly in relation to carbonyl umpolung. This finding also sheds light on new pathways in organocatalytic transformations employing the ambident reactivity of NHC, which may be particularly attractive for reactions involving furanic aldehydes and sterically encumbered N-aryl-substituted carbenes.

Remote Steric and Electronic Effects of N-Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands on Alkene Reactivity and Regioselectivity toward Hydrocupration Reactions: The Role of Expanded-Ring N-Heterocyclic Carbenes

The remote groups in N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands have a significant influence on metal-catalyzed reactions. We examine how remote bulkiness, electronic groups, and expanded-ring NHCs (ER-NHCs) influence alkene reactivity and regioselectivity toward hydrocupration using density functional theory calculations. The impact of remote steric bulkiness on the Cu-H insertion rate is analyzed, revealing a strong correlation between the steric substituent constant and rate ratio, where a bulky group increases the rate due to reduced steric effects in the transition state (TS). The steric properties of the examined catalysts (with a remote group R2 = CPh3, CHPh2, CH2Ph, CH3, and H) and their corresponding TSs are found to be modulated greatly by the remote steric substitution group and the ring size of the NHC ligand. Enhanced bulkiness enhances the nucleophilic Cu-H moiety. The remote electronic groups have a smaller impact on insertion barrier compared to that of steric hindrance. Furthermore, ER-NHC exploration indicates that NHCs with over five-membered rings have a significantly negative influence on the reaction rate. Finally, with a highly bulky group (R2 = CPh3), anti-Markovnikov insertion preference is attributed to high interaction energy and improved steric properties. Overall, our findings here provide valuable insights for the development of a more effective catalyst in metal-catalyzed reactions.

Formation of Breslow Intermediates from N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes and Aldehydes Involves Autocatalysis by the Breslow Intermediate, and a Hemiacetal

Under aprotic conditions, the stoichiometric reaction of N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) such as imidazolidin‐2‐ylidenes with aldehydes affords Breslow Intermediates (BIs), involving a formal 1,2‐C‐to‐O proton shift. We herein report kinetic studies (NMR), complemented by DFT calculations, on the mechanism of this kinetically disfavored H‐translocation. Variable time normalization analysis (VTNA) revealed that the kinetic orders of the reactants vary for different NHC‐to‐aldehyde ratios, indicating different and ratio‐dependent mechanistic regimes. We propose that for high NHC‐to‐aldehyde ratios, the H‐shift takes place in the primary, zwitterionic NHC‐aldehyde adduct. With excess aldehyde, the zwitterion is in equilibrium with a hemiacetal, in which the H‐shift occurs. In both regimes, the critical H‐shift is auto‐catalyzed by the BI. Kinetic isotope effects observed for R‐CDO are in line with our proposal. Furthermore, we detected an H‐bonded complex of the BI with excess NHC (NMR).

N-Heterocyclic Carbene/Carboxylic Acid Co-Catalysis Enables Oxidative Esterification of Demanding Aldehydes/Enals, at Low Catalyst Loading

We report the discovery that simple carboxylic acids, such as benzoic acid, boost the activity of N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalysts in the oxidative esterification of aldehydes. A simple and efficient protocol for the transformation of a wide range of sterically hindered α- and β-substituted aliphatic aldehydes/enals, catalyzed by a novel and readily accessible N-Mes-/N-2,4,6-trichlorophenyl 1,2,4-triazolium salt, and benzoic acid as co-catalyst, was developed. A whole series of α/β-substituted aliphatic aldehydes/enals hitherto not amenable to NHC-catalyzed esterification could be reacted at typical catalyst loadings of 0.02-1.0 mol %. For benzaldehyde, even 0.005 mol % of NHC catalyst proved sufficient: the lowest value ever achieved in NHC catalysis. Preliminary studies point to carboxylic acid-induced acceleration of acyl transfer from azolium enolate intermediates as the mechanistic basis of the observed effect.

Molecular level insight into the solvation of cellulose in deep eutectic solvents

Deep eutectic solvents as sustainable and new-generation solvents show potential in the field of cellulose dissolution. Although these novel materials are tested for numerous industrial, environmental, and medical applications, little is known about the structural features of cellulose interacting with deep eutectic solvents. In this work, the interplay of cellulose is studied in two deep eutectic solvents: choline acetate mixed with urea and choline chloride mixed with urea using classical molecular dynamics simulations. Dissolution of cellulose in the studied liquids was not observed to be in agreement with experimental work from the literature. However, a slight swelling in the chloride, as compared to the acetate-based solvent, is apparent. A possible rationale might be found in the stronger hydrogen bonding of the chloride anion compared to the acetate anion with the hydrogen atoms of the cellulose. Moreover, chloride approaches the outer glucose units comparatively more, which could be interpreted as the onset of entering and thus dissolving the cellulose as was previously observed. Specific hydrogen bonds between all units are analyzed and discussed in detail.

Electrogenerated NHCs in Organic Synthesis: Ionic Liquids vs Organic Solvents Effects

In the last twenty years, N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) have been extensively studied for their application as organocatalysts in stereoselective synthesis as well as ligands for transition metals-promoted synthetic methodologies. Derived mainly from azolium salts, NHCs have demonstrated exceptional versatility in their generation usually performed by deprotonation or reduction (chemical or electrochemical). In particular, the generation of NHC under electrochemical conditions, starting from azolium-based ionic liquids, has proven to be a successful green approach and demonstrated wide applicability in organic synthesis. In this Personal Account, the application of electrogenerated NHCs in organic synthesis will be discussed, with a particular attention to the different reactivity in ionic liquids compared to classical organic solvents.

The “weak base route” leading to transition metal–N-heterocyclic carbene complexes

N-Heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) are nowadays ubiquitous in organometallic chemistry and catalysis. A simple synthetic route to these is presented.