Synthesis of a novel C3-symmetric arsine and its application in stereoselective cyclopropanation of electron-deficient olefins

Effect of Reactivity on Kinetics and a Mechanistic Investigation of the Reaction between Dimethyl Acetylenedicarboxylate and 1,3-Dicarbonyl Compounds in the Presence of a Catalyst: A Spectrophotometric Approach

A kinetic and mechanistic investigation, using conventional UV-Vis spectrophotometry, of the reaction between dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate (DMAD) and 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds including acetylacetone (ACAC) and dibenzoylmethane (DBM), has been conducted in a methanol environment with triphenylarsine (TPA) acting as a catalyst. Previously, in a similar reaction, triphenylphosphine (TPP) (instead of TPA) had been employed as a reactant (not a catalyst) for the generation of an ylide (final product). In the present work, of significance is the differential behaviour of TPA which, as a catalyst in the reaction environment, leads to a cyclopropane compound. Of other significance is the different behaviours of the two reactants in the kinetics and mechanism of the reaction. In previous work, TPP acted as a weak nucleophile (a reactant), so the first step of the reaction was recognised as the rate-determining step (RDS). Here, TPA reacts as a stronger nucleophile and a catalyst, resulting in the fourth step of the reaction (step4, k4, a proton transfer process) being recognised as the RDS. The reaction followed second-order kinetics. The proposed mechanism was adapted in accord with the experimental results and the steady-state assumption. The results showed that the reaction rate decreases in the presence of DBM, which participates in the second step (step2), compared to ACAC when it is present as another 1,3-dicarbonyl compound (structural effect). In addition, in previous work, the partial order of the reaction with respect to the 1,3-dicarbonyl compound was zero, while it is one in the present work. As a significant result, not only did a change in the structure of one of the reactants (TPA instead of TPP) create a different product, but also the kinetics and reaction mechanism changed. In addition, the reaction is enthalpy-controlled.

Synthesis of olefins via a Wittig reaction mediated by triphenylarsine

An arsine-mediated Wittig reaction for the synthesis of olefins is described. After heating triphenylarsine in the presence of an activated alkyl bromide for 30 minutes, the resulting arsonium salt condensed with aldehydes in as little as 5 minutes at room temperature, yielding the olefins in high yields. Aromatic, heteroaromatic, and alkyl aldehydes were all suitable substrates for this process.

Stereospecific synthesis of highly functionalized benzo[3.1.0]bicycloalkanes via multistep cascade reactions

A facile approach for the synthesis of benzo[3.1.0]bicycloalkanesviaalkylation/cyclopropanation cascade reactions of benzyl bromide with triphenylphosphonium bromide.

A sidearm-assisted phosphine for catalytic ylide intramolecular cyclopropanation

The first phosphine-catalyzed cyclopropanation reactionviacovalent ylide catalysis has been realized with high efficiency in the presence of sidearm-assisted phosphine catalysts.