Computationally deciphering palladium-catalyzed reaction mechanisms

Post-Transition-State Dynamic Effects in the Transmetalation of Pd(II)-F to Pd(II)-CF3

The observation of post-transition-state dynamic effects in the context of metal-based transformation is rare. To date, there has been no reported case of a dynamic effect for the widely employed class of palladium-mediated coupling reactions. We performed an experimental and computational study of the trifluoromethylation of Pd(II)F, which is a key step in the Pd(0)/Pd(II)-catalyzed trifluoromethylation of aryl halides or acid fluorides. Our experiments show that the cis/trans speciation of the formed Pd(II)CF3 is highly solvent- and transmetalation reagent-dependent. We employed GFN2-xTB- and B3LYP-D3-based molecular dynamics trajectory calculations (with and without explicit solvation) along with high-level QM calculations and found that depending on the medium, different transmetalation mechanisms appear to be operative. A statistically representative number of Born-Oppenheimer molecular dynamics (MD) simulations suggest that in benzene, a difluorocarbene is generated in the transmetalation with R3SiCF3, which subsequently recombines with the Pd via two distinct pathways, leading to either the cis- or trans-Pd(II)CF3. Conversely, GFN2-xTB simulations in MeCN suggest that in polar/coordinating solvents an ion-pair mechanism is dominant. A CF3 anion is initially liberated and then rebinds with the Pd(II) cation to give a cis- or trans-Pd(II). In both scenarios, a single transmetalation transition state gives rise to both cis- and trans-species directly, owing to bifurcation after the transition state. The potential subsequent cis- to trans isomerization of the Pd(II)CF3 was also studied and found to be strongly inhibited by free phosphine, which in turn was experimentally identified to be liberated through displacement by a polar/coordinating solvent from the cis-Pd(II)CF3 complex. The simulations also revealed how the variation of the Pd-coordination sphere results in divergent product selectivities.

Stereospecific Acylative Suzuki–Miyaura Cross-Coupling: General Access to Optically Active α-Aryl Carbonyl Compounds

A novel strategy for the stereospecific Pd-catalyzed acylative cross-coupling of enantiomerically enriched alkylboron compounds has been developed. The protocol features an extremely high level of enantiospecificity to allow facile access to synthetically challenging and valuable chiral ketones and carboxylic acid derivatives. The use of a sterically encumbered and electron-rich phosphine ligand proved to be crucial for the success of the reaction. Furthermore, on the basis of experimental and computational studies, a unique mechanism for the transmetalation, assisted by the noncovalent interactions of the C(sp³)-based organoboron reagent, has been identified.

Microkinetic Modeling: A Tool for Rational Catalyst Design

The design of heterogeneous catalysts relies on understanding the fundamental surface kinetics that controls catalyst performance, and microkinetic modeling is a tool that can help the researcher in streamlining the process of catalyst design. Microkinetic modeling is used to identify critical reaction intermediates and rate-determining elementary reactions, thereby providing vital information for designing an improved catalyst. In this review, we summarize general procedures for developing microkinetic models using reaction kinetics parameters obtained from experimental data, theoretical correlations, and quantum chemical calculations. We examine the methods required to ensure the thermodynamic consistency of the microkinetic model. We describe procedures required for parameter adjustments to account for the heterogeneity of the catalyst and the inherent errors in parameter estimation. We discuss the analysis of microkinetic models to determine the rate-determining reactions using the degree of rate control and reversibility of each elementary reaction. We introduce incorporation of Brønsted-Evans-Polanyi relations and scaling relations in microkinetic models and the effects of these relations on catalytic performance and formation of volcano curves are discussed. We review the analysis of reaction schemes in terms of the maximum rate of elementary reactions, and we outline a procedure to identify kinetically significant transition states and adsorbed intermediates. We explore the application of generalized rate expressions for the prediction of optimal binding energies of important surface intermediates and to estimate the extent of potential rate improvement. We also explore the application of microkinetic modeling in homogeneous catalysis, electro-catalysis, and transient reaction kinetics. We conclude by highlighting the challenges and opportunities in the application of microkinetic modeling for catalyst design.

Palladium(II) Ion Mediated Disulfide/Thiolate Interconversion: Predicting the Disulfide Group State from First Principles

Different reactivity of homologous disulfides toward Pd²⁺ was previously reported: stepwise complexation to Pd²⁺ for l-cystine and cystamine ligands, while for dl-homocystine and 3,3'-dithiodipropionic acid, disulfide's disproportionation toward thiolate and sulfinic acid complexes is observed. The disulfide/thiolate interconversion of four different disulfide ligands in the presence of nonredox metal cation Pd²⁺ in aqueous solution has been computationally investigated. We see this different reactivity in different capacities of considered homologous disulfides to stabilize forming S,S'-binuclear complexes, which are believed to be key intermediates toward interconversion products. We thus devise a theoretical model that rationalizes experimentally observed phenomenon of disulfides different reactivity toward nonredox transition metal cation Pd²⁺.

Leaching from Palladium Nanoparticles in an Ionic Liquid Leads to the Formation of Ionic Monometallic Species

Molecular dynamics simulations and DFT calculations suggest that leaching of palladium species from Pd nanoparticles in ionic liquids does not involve "naked" Pd(0) atoms or neutral ArPdX species formed by oxidative addition of arylhalides. Instead, the ionic liquid contributes largely to leaching of ionic PdX^- or PdAr⁺ species.

Mild and selective base-free C-H arylation of heteroarenes: experiment and computation

A mild and selective C-H arylation strategy for indoles, benzofurans and benzothiophenes is described. The arylation method engages aryldiazonium salts as arylating reagents in equimolar amounts. The protocol is operationally simple, base free, moisture tolerant and air tolerant. It utilizes low palladium loadings (0.5 to 2.0 mol% Pd), short reaction times, green solvents (EtOAc/2-MeTHF or MeOH) and is carried out at room temperature, providing a broad substrate scope (47 examples) and excellent selectivity (C-2 arylation for indoles and benzofurans, C-3 arylation for benzothiophenes). Mechanistic experiments and DFT calculations support a Heck-Matsuda type coupling mechanism.

Stereoselective Synthesis of Methylene Oxindoles via Palladium(II)-Catalyzed Intramolecular Cross-Coupling of Carbamoyl Chlorides

We report a highly robust, general and stereoselective method for the synthesis of 3-(chloromethylene)oxindoles from alkyne-tethered carbamoyl chlorides using PdCl₂(PhCN)₂ as the catalyst. The transformation involves a stereo- and regioselective chloropalladation of an internal alkyne to generate a nucleophilic vinyl Pd^II species, which then undergoes an intramolecular cross-coupling with a carbamoyl chloride. The reaction proceeds under mild conditions, is insensitive to the presence of moisture and air, and is readily scalable. The products obtained from this reaction are formed with >95:5 Z:E selectivity in nearly all cases and can be used to access biologically relevant oxindole cores. Through combined experimental and computational studies, we provide insight into stereo- and regioselectivity of the chloropalladation step, as well as the mechanism for the C-C bond forming process. Calculations provide support for a mechanism involving oxidative addition into the carbamoyl chloride bond to generate a high valent Pd^IV species, which then undergoes facile C-C reductive elimination to form the final product. Overall, the transformation constitutes a formal Pd^II-catalyzed intramolecular alkyne chlorocarbamoylation reaction.

Computation and Experiment: A Powerful Combination to Understand and Predict Reactivities

Computational chemistry has become an established tool for the study of the origins of chemical phenomena and examination of molecular properties. Because of major advances in theory, hardware and software, calculations of molecular processes can nowadays be done with reasonable accuracy on a time-scale that is competitive or even faster than experiments. This overview will highlight broad applications of computational chemistry in the study of organic and organometallic reactivities, including catalytic (NHC-, Cu-, Pd-, Ni-catalyzed) and noncatalytic examples of relevance to organic synthesis. The selected examples showcase the ability of computational chemistry to rationalize and also predict reactivities of broad significance. A particular emphasis is placed on the synergistic interplay of computations and experiments. It is discussed how this approach allows one to (i) gain greater insight than the isolated techniques, (ii) inspire novel chemistry avenues, and (iii) assist in reaction development. Examples of successful rationalizations of reactivities are discussed, including the elucidation of mechanistic features (radical versus polar) and origins of stereoselectivity in NHC-catalyzed reactions as well as the rationalization of ligand effects on ligation states and selectivity in Pd- and Ni-catalyzed transformations. Beyond explaining, the synergistic interplay of computation and experiments is then discussed, showcasing the identification of the likely catalytically active species as a function of ligand, additive, and solvent in Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions. These may vary between mono- or bisphosphine-bound or even anionic Pd complexes in polar media in the presence of coordinating additives. These fundamental studies also inspired avenues in catalysis via dinuclear Pd(I) cycles. Detailed mechanistic studies supporting the direct reactivity of Pd(I)-Pd(I) with aryl halides as well as applications of air-stable dinuclear Pd(I) catalysts are discussed. Additional combined experimental and computational studies are described for alternative metals, these include the discussion of the factors that control C-H versus C-C activation in the aerobic Cu-catalyzed oxidation of ketones, and ligand and additive effects on the nature and favored oxidation state of the active catalyst in Ni-catalyzed trifluoromethylthiolations of aryl chlorides. Examples of successful computational reactivity predictions along with experimental verifications are then presented. This includes the design of a fluorinated ligand [(CF3)2P(CH2)2P(CF3)2] for the challenging reductive elimination of ArCF3 from Pd(II) as well as the guidance of substrate scope (functional group tolerance and suitable leaving group) in the Ni-catalyzed trifluoromethylthiolation of C(sp(2))-O bonds. In summary, this account aims to convey the benefits of integrating computational studies in experimental research to increase understanding of observed phenomena and guide future experiments.