DFT Studies on the Dirhodium-Catalyzed [3 + 2] and [3 + 3] Cycloaddition Reactions of Enol Diazoacetates with Isoquinolinium Methylide: Mechanism, Selectivity, and Ligand Effect

One-Pot and Two-Chamber Methodologies for Using Acetylene Surrogates in the Synthesis of Pyridazines and Their D-Labeled Derivatives

Acetylene surrogates are efficient tools in modern organic chemistry with largely unexplored potential in the construction of heterocyclic cores. Two novel synthetic paths to 3,6-disubstituted pyridazines were proposed using readily available acetylene surrogates through flexible C₂ unit installation procedures in a common reaction space mode (one-pot) and distributed reaction space mode (two-chamber): (1) an interaction of 1,2,4,5-tetrazine and its acceptor-functionalized derivatives with a CaC₂ -H₂ O mixture performed in a two-chamber reactor led to the corresponding pyridazines in quantitative yields; (2) [4+2] cycloaddition of 1,2,4,5-tetrazines to benzyl vinyl ether can be considered a universal synthetic path to a wide range of pyridazines. Replacing water with D₂ O and vinyl ether with its trideuterated analog in the developed procedures, a range of 4,5-dideuteropyridazines of 95-99% deuteration degree was synthesized for the first time. Quantum chemical modeling allowed to quantify the substituent effect in both synthetic pathways.

Insights into N-heterocyclic carbene and Lewis acid cooperatively catalyzed oxidative [3 + 3] annulation reactions of α,β-unsaturated aldehyde with 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds

N-Heterocyclic carbene and Lewis acid cooperatively catalyzed oxidative [3 + 3] annulation reactions of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds have been systematically studied in theory.

Catalytic asymmetric cycloaddition reactions of enoldiazo compounds

This review describes catalytic asymmetric cycloaddition reactions of silyl-protected enoldiazo compounds for the construction of highly functionalized carbo- and heterocycles which possess one or more chiral center(s). The enoldiazo compound or its derivative, donor-acceptor cyclopropene, form electrophilic vinylogous metal carbene intermediates that combine stepwise with nucleophilic dipolar reactants to form products from [3 + 1]-, [3 + 2]-, [3 + 3]-, [3 + 4]-, and [3 + 5]-cycloaddition, generally in high yield and with exceptional stereocontrol and regioselectivity.

Insights into highly selective ring expansion of oxaziridines under Lewis base catalysis: a DFT study

The possible mechanism and stereoselectivity of the NHC-catalyzed ring expansion reaction of oxaziridines have been theoretically studied for the first time.

Prediction on the origin of chemoselectivity in Lewis base-mediated competition cyclizations between allenoates and chalcones: a computational study

The HOMO_TSs and p-orbital contributions of the center atoms were used to predict the origin of chemoselectivity in this work.

Insights into Ag(i)-catalyzed addition reactions of amino alcohols to electron-deficient olefins: competing mechanisms, role of catalyst, and origin of chemoselectivity

The competing mechanisms of Ag(i)-catalyzed chemoselective addition reactions of amino alcohols and electron-deficient olefins leading to the O-adduct or N-adduct products were systematically studied with density functional theory methods. Calculations indicate that the AgHMDS/dppe versus AgOAc/dppe catalytic systems can play different roles and thereby generate two different products. The AgHMDS/dppe system works as a Brønsted base to deprotonate the amino alcohol OH to form the Ag–O bond, which leads to formation of the O-adduct. In contrast, the AgOAc/dppe system mainly acts as a Lewis acid to coordinate with O and N atoms of the amino alcohol, but it cannot act as the Brønsted base to further activate the OH group because of its weaker basicity. Therefore, the AgOAc/dppe catalyzed reaction has a mechanism that is similar to the non-catalyzed reaction, and generates the same N-adduct. The obtained insights will be important for rational design of the various kinds of cooperatively catalyzed chemoselective addition reactions, including the use of the less nucleophilic hydroxyl groups of unprotected amino alcohols.

The origin of the chemoselectivities of Ag(i)-catalyzed addition reactions of amino alcohols to olefin has been predicted for the first time.

Competing mechanisms and origins of chemo- and stereo-selectivities of NHC-catalyzed reactions of enals with 2-aminoacrylates

A DFT study on competing mechanisms of NHC-catalyzed reactions of enals with 2-aminoacrylates has been performed for the first time.

Insights into N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed [3 + 4] annulation reactions of 2-bromoenals with N-Ts hydrazones

A DFT study toward N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed [3 + 4] annulation reactions of 2-bromoenals has been performed for the first time.