Mechanism of Boron-Catalyzed N-Alkylation of Primary and Secondary Arylamines with Ketones Using Silanes under “Wet” Conditions

Exploring the mechanism of the reductive amination of acetophenones via the Borch approach: the role of the acid catalyst

The energetic viability of several mechanistic variations of the reductive amination of acetophenones via the Borch approach was re-examined through density functional theory calculations. The crucial involvement of the acid catalyst is evident not only in the elimination of water, but also in the initial nucleophilic step. This role increases with the electron-donating capability of the substituent positioned at the para-position of acetophenone.

Mechanistic Study of B(C6F5)3-Catalyzed Transfer Hydrogenation of Aldehydes/Ketones with PhSiH3 and Stoichiometric Water

A DFT study was performed on the mechanisms of B(C6F5)3-catalyzed transfer hydrogenation of aldehydes/ketones, using PhSiH3 and stoichiometric water. Path B2 includes a stepwise Piers SN2-Si process, H- transfer, and hydrolysis desilylation of siloxane, in which the hydrolysis desilylation step is rate-determining. Path C1 is first determined, involving a B(C6F5)3-catalyzed concerted addition step of 2H2O to carbonyl generating R1R2C(OH)2, a subsequent SN2-Si dehydroxylation step of R1R2C(OH)2 giving R1R2C=OH+ and (C6F5)3B-H-, and final H- transfer producing the respective alcohol R1R2CHOH. A B(C6F5)3-catalyzed H2 generation process (Path H0) is determined. Path B2 is the only mechanism for the stepwise method. Using a one-time one-pot feeding method, alkyl/aryl aldehydes, dialkyl ketones, and alkyl aryl ketones (1a-g) can be reduced into alcohols chemoselectively and effectively at room temperature. More than 1 equiv of water over substrates is necessary. Herein, Path C1 is the dominant transfer hydrogenation pathway, and the H2 generation is efficiently inhibited, by the competitive advantage of Path C1 and initial dominant existence of the complexes IM0 and IM1-x. The diaryl ketones (1h,1i) cannot be efficiently reduced into the respective alcohols using the one-time feeding one-pot method. The barriers of C-TS1-h/i are obviously higher than those of C-TS1-a-g, attributed to the electron-donating and space effects of the two aryls on carbonyl C. The possible Paths B2 and C1 of transfer hydrogenation have no competitive advantage with Path H0. The DFT results are consistent with the experiments.

Alcohol imination catalyzed by carbon nanostructures synthesized by C(sp2)-C(sp3) free radical coupling

Imines are important intermediates for synthesizing various fine chemicals, with the disadvantage of requiring the use of expensive metal-containing catalysts. We report that the dehydrogenative cross-coupling of phenylmethanol and benzylamine (or aniline) directly forms the corresponding imine with a yield of up to 98%, and water as the sole by-product, in the presence of a stoichiometric base, using carbon nanostructures as the "green" metal-free carbon catalysts with high spin concentrations, which is synthesized by C(sp2)-C(sp3) free radical coupling reactions. The catalytic mechanism is attributed to the unpaired electrons of carbon catalysts to reduce O2 to O2·-, which triggers the oxidative coupling reaction to form imines, whereas the holes in the carbon catalysts receive electrons from the amine to restore the spin states. This is supported by density functional theory calculations. This work will open up an avenue for synthesizing carbon catalysts and offer great potential for industrial applications.

Ruthenium Complexes Bearing α-Diimine Ligands and Their Catalytic Applications in N-Alkylation of Amines, α-Alkylation of Ketones, and β-Alkylation of Secondary Alcohols

New Ru(II) complexes encompassing α-diimine ligands were synthesized by reacting ruthenium precursors with α-diimine hydrazones. The new ligands and Ru(II) complexes were analyzed by analytical and various spectroscopic methods. The molecular structures of L₁ and complexes 1, 3, and 4 were determined by single-crystal XRD studies. The results reveal a distorted octahedral geometry around the Ru(II) ion for all complexes. Moreover, the new ruthenium complexes show efficient catalytic activity toward the C-N and C-C coupling reaction involving alcohols. Particularly, complex 3 demonstrates effective conversion in N-alkylation of aromatic amines, α-alkylation of ketones, and β-alkylation of alcohols.

A Theoretical Study on the Borane-Catalyzed Reductive Amination of Aniline and Benzaldehyde with Dihydrogen: The Origins of Chemoselectivity

Density functional theory calculations are used in this study to investigate the product selectivity and mechanism of borane-catalyzed reductive aldehyde amination by a H₂ reducing agent. Knowing that different boranes yield different products, two typical boranes, (B(2,6-Cl₂C₆H₃)(p-HC₆F₄)₂ and B(C₆F₅)₃), are studied. Of the seven possible pathways of B(2,6-Cl₂C₆H₃)(p-HC₆F₄)₂-catalyzed aldehyde amination analyzed herein, four are favorable. Three of the four favorable pathways involve imine intermediates, and the fourth is a Lewis acid-base synergistic pathway that involves amine-alcohol condensation. As for the B(C₆F₅)₃ catalyst, it forms a highly stable Lewis adduct with aniline, which impedes the hydrogenation of imine. Therefore, the product of B(C₆F₅)₃-catalyzed reductive amination of benzaldehyde and aniline is an imine. The linear relationship between the charge on the boron atom in the Lewis acid and the relative energies of the Lewis adduct and H₂ splitting transition state indicates that this parameter determines product selectivity. Indeed, when the natural charge on boron is larger than 1, an amine is produced, whereas when the charge is less than 1, an imine is produced. Hence, the selectivity of products can be controlled by adjusting the natural charge of the boron atom in the Lewis acid catalyst.

Mechanistic insight into B(C6F5)3 catalyzed imine reduction with PhSiH3 under stoichiometric water conditions

A DFT and experimental study on the mechanism of B(C₆F₅)₃ catalyzed imine reduction is performed using PhSiH₃ as reductant under stoichiometric water conditions. Ingleson’s path B is reconfirmed here. And four novel (C₆F₅)₃B–OH₂ induced pathways (paths C2, C3, D2 and D3) entirely different from all the previous mechanisms were determined for the first time. They are all B(C₆F₅)₃ and water/amine catalyzed cycles, in which the nucleophilic water or amine catalyzed addition step between PhSiH₃ and the N-silicon amine cation is the rate-determining step of paths C2/D2 and C3/D3 with activation Gibbs free energy barriers of 23.9 and 18.3 kcal mol⁻¹ in chloroform, respectively, while the final desilylation of the N-silicon amine cation depends on an important intermediate, (C₆F₅)₃B–OH⁻. The competitive behavior of the 5 paths can explain the experimental facts perfectly; if all the reactants and catalysts are added into the system simultaneously, water amount and nucleophiles (excess water and produced/added amine) provide on–off selectivity of the pathways and products. 1 eq. water leads to quick formation of (C₆F₅)₃B–OH⁻, leading to B-II being turned off, and nucleophiles like excess water and produced/added amine switch on CD-II, leading to production of the amine. B-I′ of Ingleson’s path B is the only mechanism for anhydrous systems, giving N-silicon amine production only; B-I and C-I are competitive paths for systems with no more than 1 eq. water, producing the N-silicon amine and the [PhHC Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019 ]]> NHPh]⁺[(C₆F₅)₃B–OH]⁻ ion pair; and paths C2, C3, D2 and D3 are competitive for systems with 1 eq. water and nucleophiles like excess water or added/produced amine, directly giving amination products.

Hydrosilylation or amination products? It depends on water amount and nucleophiles like excess water or produced/added amines.

Chemoselective Hydrosilylation of the α,β-Site Double Bond in α,β- and α,β,γ,δ-Unsaturated Ketones Catalyzed by Macrosteric Borane Promoted by Hexafluoro-2-propanol

The B(C₆F₅)₃-catalyzed chemoselective hydrosilylation of α,β- and α,β,γ,δ-unsaturated ketones into the corresponding non-symmetric ketones in mild reaction conditions is developed. Nearly 55 substrates including those bearing reducible functional groups such as alkynyl, alkenyl, cyano, and aromatic heterocycles are chemoselectively hydrosilylated in good to excellent yields. Isotope-labeling studies revealed that hexafluoro-2-propanol also served as a hydrogen source in the process.

B(C6F5)3-Catalyzed C-C Coupling of 1,4-Naphthoquinones with the C-3 Position of Indole Derivatives in Water

An atom-economical and environmentally benign approach for the synthesis of indole-substituted 1,4-naphthoquinones from indoles and 1,4-naphthoquinones using readily available Lewis acidic B(C₆F₅)₃ in water and with the recycling of water and part of the catalyst is reported. The reaction proceeded through the B(C₆F₅)₃-catalyzed C(sp²)-H and C(sp²)-H bond coupling of 1,4-naphthoquinones with the C-3 position of indole derivatives in water. This methodology provides a facile protocol for the synthesis of some new indole-substituted 1,4-naphthoquinones in satisfactory yields and with a broad substrate scope. When compared to known methods for the synthesis of indole-substituted 1,4-naphthoquinones, this protocol is practical and efficient and does not require a transition-metal catalyst or toxic organic solvents. In addition, we utilized a simple filtration process for complete recycling of the solvent and the part of the catalyst in each reaction cycle.