Tetramethyldisiloxane: A Practical Organosilane Reducing Agent

Bromide-Mediated Silane Oxidation: A Practical Counter-Electrode Process for Nonaqueous Deep Reductive Electrosynthesis

The counter-electrode process of an organic electrochemical reaction is integral for the success and sustainability of the process. Unlike for oxidation reactions, counter-electrode processes for reduction reactions remain limited, especially for deep reductions that apply very negative potentials. Herein, we report the development of a bromide-mediated silane oxidation counter-electrode process for nonaqueous electrochemical reduction reactions in undivided cells. The system is found to be suitable for replacing either sacrificial anodes or a divided cell in several reported reactions. The conditions are metal-free, use inexpensive reagents and a graphite anode, are scalable, and the byproducts are reductively stable and readily removed. We showcase the translation of a previously reported divided cell reaction to a >100 g scale in continuous flow.

Fe-CP-based Catalytic Oxidation and Dissipative Self-Assembly of a Ferrocenyl Surfactant Applied in DNA Capture and Release

Dissipative self-assembly plays a vital role in fabricating intelligent and transient materials. The selection and design of the molecular structure is critical, and the introduction of valuable stimuli-responsive motifs into building blocks would bring about a novel perspective on the fuel driven nonequilibrium assemblies. For redox-responsive surfactants, novel methods of catalytic oxidation are very important for their activation/deactivation process through designing fuel input/energy dissipation. As an enzyme with a fast catalytic rate, Fe-based coordination polymers (Fe-CPs) are found to be highly effective oxidase-like enzymes to induce a reversible switch of a ferrocene-based surfactant over a wide range of temperatures and pH. This builds a bridge between the CPs materials and surfactants. Furthermore, glucose oxidase can also induce a switchable transition of a ferrocene-based surfactant. The GOX-catalyzed, glucose-fueled transient surfactant assemblies have been fabricated for many cycles, which has a successful application in a time-controlled and autonomous DNA capture and release process. The intelligent use of enzymes including CPs and GOX in ferrocene-based surfactants will pave the way for the oxidation of redox surfactants, which extends the application of stable or transient ferrocenyl self-assemblies.

Planar three-coordinate iron(II) complexes supported by sterically demanding -Si(SiMe3)2(SiMe2tBu) ligands

Sterically demanding organosilyl ligands support the formation of coordinatively unsaturated complexes. In this study, we found that using the ligand -Si(SiMe3)2(SiMe2tBu) affords exclusively planar three-coordinate iron bis(silyl) complexes that show good catalytic performance in the hydrosilylation of acetophenone.

Four- and three-coordinate planar iron(II) complexes supported by bulky organosilyl ligands

The ligand exchange reaction of (THF)2Fe[Si(SiMe3)3]2 with 2 equivalents of an N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) led to the formation of a square-planar iron(II) complex with trans-oriented -Si(SiMe3)3 ligands. Conversely, the introduction of a cis-coordinate bidentate organosilyl ligand instead of -Si(SiMe3)3 resulted in the formation of a square planar iron(II) complex supported by a cis-coordinate bidentate organosilyl ligand. A three-coordinate planar iron(II) bis(silyl) complex was also synthesized using a cis-coordinate bidentate organosilyl ligand and a cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene auxiliary ligand. Investigation of the catalytic performance of these complexes in the hydrosilylation of acetophenone revealed that the square-planar iron(II) complex with trans-oriented -Si(SiMe3)3 ligands exhibits superior reactivity relative to its tetrahedral precursor.

Triflic Acid/Silane Promoted Deoxygenative Transformation of Ketones via Carbocations

Deoxygenative transformation of ketones into value-added products often suffers from precious-metal-based catalysts or complicated operational conditions. Triflic acid and silane serve as a cooperative reductant to transform ketones via carbocations that undergo β-H elimination much faster than hydride transfer from silane to produce alkenes with high selectivity. Alternatively, the presence of indoles would incept the protonated ketones to generate carbocations, allowing access to Csp2-Csp3 bond formation with high reactivity and selectivity in "one pot".

Dinuclear and tetranuclear group 10 metal complexes constructed from linear tetrasilane comprising both Si-H and Si-Si moieties

The activation of Si-H bonds and/or Si-Si bonds in organosilicon compounds by transition-metal species plays a crucial role for the production of functional organosilicon compounds. Although group-10-metal species are frequently used to activate Si-H and/or Si-Si bonds, so far, systematic investigation to clarify the preferences of these metal species with respect to the activation of Si-H and/or Si-Si bonds remain elusive. Here, we report that platinum(0) species that bear isocyanide or N-heterocyclic-carbene (NHC) ligands selectively activates the terminal Si-H bonds of the linear tetrasilane Ph₂(H)SiSiPh₂SiPh₂Si(H)Ph₂ in a stepwise manner, whereby the Si-Si bonds remain intact. In contrast, analogous palladium(0) species are preferably inserted into the Si-Si bonds of the same linear tetrasilane, whereby the terminal Si-H bonds remain intact. Substitution of the terminal hydride groups in Ph₂(H)SiSiPh₂SiPh₂Si(H)Ph₂ with chloride groups leads to the insertion of platinum(0) isocyanide into all Si-Si bonds to afford an unprecedented zig-zag Pt₄ cluster.

Direct nucleophilic and electrophilic activation of alcohols using a unified boron-based organocatalyst scaffold

Organocatalytic strategies for the direct activation of hydroxy-containing compounds have paled in comparison to those applicable to carbonyl compounds. To this end, boronic acids have emerged as valuable catalysts for the functionalization of hydroxy groups in a mild and selective fashion. Distinct modes of activation in boronic acid-catalyzed transformations are often accomplished by vastly different catalytic species, complicating the design of broadly applicable catalyst classes. Herein, we report the use of benzoxazaborine as a general scaffold for the development of structurally related yet mechanistically divergent catalysts for the direct nucleophilic and electrophilic activation of alcohols under ambient conditions. The utility of these catalysts is demonstrated in the monophosphorylation of vicinal diols and the reductive deoxygenation of benzylic alcohols and ketones respectively. Mechanistic studies of both processes reveal the contrasting nature of key tetravalent boron intermediates in the two catalytic manifolds.

Sequential KOtBu/FeCl3-catalyzed reductive phosphonylation of tertiary amides for the synthesis of α-amino phosphonates and phosphines

A simple, mild and efficient sequential KO^tBu/FeCl₃-catalyzed reductive phosphonylation of tertiary amides is herein described. This process first involved the KO^tBu-catalyzed selective semi-reduction of tertiary amides to hemiaminal intermediates by TMDS (1,1,3,3-tetramethyldisiloxane) and then the FeCl₃-catalyzed nucleophilic addition of the hemiaminal intermediates to phosphonates, which allowed the straightforward synthesis of α-amino phosphonates in moderate to good yields. This method applied well to amides and lactams that bear no strong acidic α-hydrogens, and various functional groups, including methoxy, methylthio, cyano, halogen, and heterocycles, could be tolerated.

Diiodine–Triethylsilane System: Formation of N-Alkylsulfonamides from Aldehydes or Ketones and Sulfonamides

Reductive amination has not been commonly used in the preparation of N-alkylsulfonamides because of the low nucleophilicity of sulfonamides. In this work, a protocol for the synthesis of N-alkylsulfonamides from aldehydes or ketones and sulfonamides was developed. Molecular iodine, triethylsilane, and ethyl acetate were used as the initiator, reductant, and solvent, respectively. The key role of triethyl(iodo)silane in the reaction was confirmed through control experiments.

Total Synthesis of the Tetracyclic Pyridinium Alkaloid epi-Tetradehydrohalicyclamine B

The first total synthesis of a tetracyclic marine pyridinium alkaloid hinged on recent advances in chemoselectivity management: While many classical methods failed to afford the perceptively simple pyridine-containing core of the target, nickel/iridium photoredox dual catalysis allowed the critical C-C bond to be formed in good yield. Likewise, ring closing alkyne metathesis (RCAM) worked well in the presence of the unhindered pyridine despite the innately Lewis acidic Mo(+6) center of the alkylidyne catalyst. Finally, an iridium catalyzed hydrosilylation was uniquely effective in reducing a tertiary amide without compromising an adjacent pyridine and the lateral double bonds; this transformation is largely without precedent. The second strained macrocycle enveloping the core was closed by intramolecular N-alkylation with formation of the pyridinium unit; the reaction proceeded site- and chemoselectively in the presence of an a priori more basic tertiary amine.

Reactivity of Waterlogged Archeological Elm Wood with Organosilicon Compounds Applied as Wood Consolidants: 2D 1H-13C Solution-State NMR Studies

Some organosilicon compounds, including alkoxysilanes and siloxanes, proved effective in stabilizing the dimensions of waterlogged archaeological wood during drying, which is essential in the conservation process of ancient artifacts. However, it was difficult to determine a strong correlation between the wood stabilizing effect and the properties of organosilicon compounds, such as molecular weight and size, weight percent gain, and the presence of other potentially reactive groups. Therefore, to better understand the mechanism behind the stabilization effectiveness, the reactivity of organosilicons with wood polymers was studied using a 2D ¹H–¹³C solution-state NMR technique. The results showed an extensive modification of lignin through its demethoxylation and decarbonylation and also the absence of the native cellulose anomeric peak in siloxane-treated wood. The most substantial reactivity between wood polymers and organosilicon was observed with the (3-mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane treatment, showing complete removal of lignin side chains, the lowest syringyl/guaiacyl ratio, depolymerization of cellulose and xylan, and reactivity with the C6 primary hydroxyls in cellulose. This may explain the outstanding stabilizing effectiveness of this silane and supports the conclusion that extensive chemical interactions are essential in this process. It also indicates the vital role of a mercapto group in wood stabilization by organosilicons. This 2D NMR technique sheds new light on the chemical mechanisms involved in organosilicon consolidation of wood and reveals what chemical characteristics are essential in developing future conservation treatments.

Tandem Catalysis Enabled Highly Chemoselective Deoxygenative Alkynylation and Alkylation of Tertiary Amides: A Versatile Entry to Functionalized α-Substituted Amines

We report here the highly chemoseive catalytic reductive alkynylation and reductive alkylation of tertiary amides to give propargylamines and α-branched amines, respectively. The method features a tandem iridium (Vaska’s complex)-catalyzed...

[Mes-B-TMP]+ borinium cation initiated cyanosilylation and catalysed hydrosilylation of ketones and aldehydes

Two aryl amino borinium cations derived from Cl(Mes)B-NR₂ (NR₂ = TMP, HMDS) faced divergent outcomes. As the HMDS-substituted one underwent methyl migration from silicon to boron transforming the putative borinium ion to a silylium ion, [Mes-B-TMP]⁺ can initiate cyanosilylation and catalyse hydrosilylation of ketones and aldehydes.

Chemical upcycling ofpolymers

As the production volume of polymers increases, so does the amount of plastic waste. Plastic recycling is one of the concepts to address in this issue. Unfortunately, only a small fraction of plastic waste is recycled. Even with the development of polymers for closed loop recycling that can be in theory reprocessed infinitely the inherent dilemma is that because of collection, cleaning and separation processes the obtained materials simply are not cost competitive with virgin materials. Chemical upcycling, the conversion of polymers to higher valuable products, either polymeric or monomeric, could mitigate this issue. In the following article, we highlight recent examples in this young but fast-growing field. This article is part of the theme issue 'Bio-derived and bioinspired sustainable advanced materials for emerging technologies (part 2)'.

Catalytic Reductive Alcohol Etherifications with Carbonyl-Based Compounds or CO2 and Related Transformations for the Synthesis of Ether Derivatives

Ether derivatives have myriad applications in several areas of chemical industry and academia. Hence, the development of more effective and sustainable protocols for their production is highly desired. Among the different methodologies reported for ether synthesis, catalytic reductive alcohol etherifications with carbonyl-based moieties (aldehydes/ketones and carboxylic acid derivatives) have emerged in the last years as a potential tool. These processes constitute appealing routes for the selective production of both symmetrical and asymmetrical ethers (including O-heterocycles) with an increased molecular complexity. Likewise, ester-to-ether catalytic reductions and hydrogenative alcohol etherifications with CO2 to dialkoxymethanes and other acetals, albeit in less extent, have undergone important advances, too. In this Review, an update of the recent progresses in the area of catalytic reductive alcohol etherifications using carbonyl-based compounds and CO2 have been described with a special focus on organic synthetic applications and catalyst design. Complementarily, recent progress made in catalytic acetal/ketal-to-ether or ester-to-ether reductions and other related transformations have been also summarized.

Hydroperoxidations of Alkenes using Cobalt Picolinate Catalysts

Hydroperoxides were synthesized in one step from various alkenes using Co(pic)₂ as the catalyst with molecular oxygen and tetramethyldisiloxane (TMDSO). The hydration product could be obtained using a modified catalyst, Co(3-mepic)₂, with molecular oxygen and phenylsilane. Formation of hydroperoxides occurred through a rapid Co-O bond metathesis of a peroxycobalt compound with isopropanol.

Diiodine–Triethylsilane System: Reduction of N-Sulfonyl Aldimines to N-Alkylsulfonamides

Because molecular iodine and hydrosilanes are stable to both air and moisture, reactions using these reagents are easy to operate and require mild reaction conditions. Molecular iodine and a hydrosilane were used to reduce N-sulfonyl aldimines to the corresponding N-alkylsulfonamides. This transformation is a practical method for the synthesis of N-alkylsulfonamides.

When Attempting Chain Extension, Even Without Solvent, It Is Not Possible to Avoid Chojnowski Metathesis Giving D3

A simple, mild and efficient method to prepare HSi- or HOSi-telechelic, high-molecular-weight polydimethylsiloxane polymers (to 41,600 g·mol^-1) using the one-shot hydrolysis of M^HM^H is reported; titration of the water allowed for higher molecular weights (to 153,900 g·mol^-1). The "living" character of the chain extension processes was demonstrated by adding a small portion of M^HM^H and B(C₆F₅)₃ (BCF) to a first formed polymer, which led to a ~2-fold, second growth in molecular weight. The heterogeneous reaction reached completion in less than 30 min, much less in some cases, regardless of whether it was performed neat or 50 wt% in dry toluene; homogeneous reactions in toluene were much slower. The process does not involve traditional redistribution, as judged by the low quantities (<3%) of D₄ produced. However, it is not possible to avoid Chojnowski metathesis from M^HDDM^H giving D₃, which occurs competitively with chain extension.

Reductive cyanation of organic chlorides using CO2 and NH3 via Triphos-Ni(I) species

Cyano-containing compounds constitute important pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals and organic materials. Traditional cyanation methods often rely on the use of toxic metal cyanides which have serious disposal, storage and transportation issues. Therefore, there is an increasing need to develop general and efficient catalytic methods for cyanide-free production of nitriles. Here we report the reductive cyanation of organic chlorides using CO₂/NH₃ as the electrophilic CN source. The use of tridentate phosphine ligand Triphos allows for the nickel-catalyzed cyanation of a broad array of aryl and aliphatic chlorides to produce the desired nitrile products in good yields, and with excellent functional group tolerance. Cheap and bench-stable urea was also shown as suitable CN source, suggesting promising application potential. Mechanistic studies imply that Triphos-Ni(I) species are responsible for the reductive C-C coupling approach involving isocyanate intermediates. This method expands the application potential of reductive cyanation in the synthesis of functionalized nitrile compounds under cyanide-free conditions, which is valuable for safe synthesis of (isotope-labeled) drugs.

Nitriles are key intermediates in production of pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals and organic materials. Here, the authors report a nickel-catalyzed reductive cyanation of organic chlorides with CO₂/NH₃ and urea as cyanation reagents to afford a broad range of organic nitriles.

CuH-Catalyzed Asymmetric Reductive Amidation of α,β-Unsaturated Carboxylic Acids

The direct enantioselective copper hydride (CuH)-catalyzed synthesis of β-chiral amides from α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids and secondary amines under mild reaction conditions is reported. The method utilizes readily accessible carboxylic acids and tolerates a variety of functional groups in the β-position including several heteroarenes. A subsequent iridium-catalyzed reduction to γ-chiral amines can be performed in the same flask without purification of the intermediate amides.

Molecular modeling approaches of selective adenosine receptor type 2A agonists as potential anti-inflammatory drugs

Adenosine A_2A receptor (A_2AR) is the predominant receptor in immune cells, where its activation triggers cAMP-mediated immunosuppressive signaling and the underlying inhibition of T cells activation and T cells-induced effects mediated by cAMP-dependent kinase proteins mechanisms. In this study, were used ADME/Tox, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations to investigate selective adenosine A_2AR agonists as potential anti-inflammatory drugs. As a result, we obtained two promising compounds (A and B) that have satisfactory pharmacokinetic and toxicological properties and were able to interact with important residues of the A_2AR binding cavity and during the molecular dynamics simulations were able to keep the enzyme complexed.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Exhaustive Reduction of Esters Enabled by Nickel Catalysis

We report a one-step procedure to directly reduce unactivated aryl esters into their corresponding tolyl derivatives. This is achieved by an organosilane-mediated ester hydrosilylation reaction and subsequent Ni/NHC-catalyzed hydrogenolysis. The resulting conditions provide a direct and efficient alternative to multi-step procedures for this transformation that often require the use of hazardous metal hydrides. Applications in the synthesis of -CD₃-containing products, derivatization of bioactive molecules, and chemoselective reduction in the presence of other C-O bonds are demonstrated.

Dicarbonylative benzannulation of 3-acetoxy-1,4-enynes with CO and silylboranes by Pd and Cu cooperative catalysis: one-step access to 3-hydroxyarylacylsilanes

A new, general Pd/Cu-cocatalysed dicarbonylative benzannulation of 3-acetoxy-1,4-enynes with CO and silylboranes is described. The method utilizes CO as both a one-carbon (C1) unit and an external addition functional reagent to achieve an unprecedented dicarbonylative benzannulation process, and represents a facile, efficient route to 3-hydroxyarylacylsilanes. Mechanistically, the silyl-Cu intermediate formed from CuF2 and silylboranes, and silyl-Pd intermediate generated by transmetallation are two key factors for successfully targeting the reaction and selectivity.

A comparative analysis of hydrosilative amide reduction catalyzed by first-row transition metal (Mn, Fe, Co, and Ni) N-phosphinoamidinate complexes

Screening reveals (PN)Ni(x) pre-catalysts to be effective for the hydrosilative reduction of amides under mild conditions.

Catalytic oxidation of diorganosilanes to 1,1,3,3-tetraorganodisiloxanes with gold nanoparticle assembly at the water–chloroform interface

The synthesis of 1,1,3,3-tetraorganodisiloxanes from the hydrolytic oxidation of diorganosilanes, RR¹SiH₂, using AuNPs as an interfacial catalyst is described. This study provides a manifestation of the photothermal effect in enhancing the catalytic activity at ambient temperature.