Notable Effect of an Electron-Withdrawing Group at C3 on the Selective Formation of Alkylidenecyclobutanes in the Thermal Denitrogenation of 4-Spirocyclopropane-1-pyrazolines. Nonstatistical Dynamics Effects in the Denitrogenation Reactions

A Strategy for Modeling Nonstatistical Reactivity Effects: Combining Chemical Activation Estimates with a Vibrational Relaxation Model

The kinetics of many chemical reactions can be readily explained with a statistical approach, for example, using a form of transition state theory and comparing calculated Gibbs energies along the reaction coordinate(s). However, there are cases where this approach fails, notably when the vibrational relaxation of the molecule to its statistical equilibrium occurs on the same time scale as the reaction dynamics, whether it is caused by slow relaxation, a fast reaction, or both. These nonstatistical phenomena are then often explored computationally using (quasi)classical ab initio molecular dynamics by calculating a large number of trajectories while being prone to issues such as zero-point energy leakage. On the other side of the field, we see resource-intensive quantum dynamics simulations, which significantly limit the size of explorable systems. We find that using a Fermi's golden rule type of model for vibrational relaxation, based on anharmonic coupling constants, we can extract the same qualitative information while giving insights into how to enhance (or destroy) the bottlenecks causing the phenomena. We present this model as a middle ground for exploring complex nonstatistical behavior, capable of treating medium-sized organic molecules or biologically relevant fragments. We also cover the challenges involved, in particular quantifying the excess energy in terms of vibrational modes. Relying on readily available electronic structure methods and providing results in a simple master equation form, this model shows promise as a screening tool for opportunities in mode-selective chemistry without external control.

Alkene carboamination/oxidative denitrogenation of 3-allyl-3-hydrazinylindolin-2-ones: one-pot entry to spirocyclopropyloxindoles

A one-pot protocol, consisting of a Pd-catalysed carboamination reaction, followed by N-deprotection and oxidative denitrogenation, has been developed for the synthesis of diversely substituted spirocyclopropyloxindoles, in yields up to 73% and with diastereoselectivity close to 1 : 1. Readily accessible starting materials, mild reaction conditions, an easy to operate one-pot procedure and good functional group tolerance make this transformation a versatile tool for the synthesis of substituted spirocyclopropyloxindoles. This protocol successfully works on the gram-scale and allows access to both diastereoisomers separately. A plausible mechanism was proposed, and a series of post-transformations were performed on the obtained products, showing their remarkable synthetic versatility.

A general catalytic synthetic strategy for highly strained methylenecyclobutanes and spiromethylenecyclobutanes

Highly strained methylenecyclobutanes (MCBs) are intriguing scaffolds in synthetic chemistry and drug discovery, but there is no such strategy that enables the synthesis of structurally diverse MCBs with defined stereochemistry. We report a general synthetic strategy for (boromethylene)cyclobutanes (BMCBs) and spiro-BMCBs by a challenging Cu-catalyzed highly chemo-, stereo-, and regioselective borylative cyclization of aliphatic alkynes. This strategy not only enables the installation of various functionalities at each site on the MCB skeleton with unambiguous stereochemistry but also introduces a versatile boromethylene unit that is readily transformable to a wide range of new functional groups; these features significantly expand the structural diversity of MCBs and are particularly valuable in drug discovery. The concise and divergent total syntheses of four cyclobutane-containing natural products were achieved from one common BMCB obtained by this strategy. The origin of the high regioselectivity in the borylcupration of alkynes and the high efficiency of the strained ring cyclization was also studied.

Zwitterionic Bergman cyclization triggered polymerization gives access to metal-graphene nanoribbons using a boron metal couple

With the rapid growth in artificial intelligence, designing high-speed and low-power semiconducting materials is of utmost importance. This investigation provides a theoretical basis to access covalently bonded transition metal-graphene nanoribbon (TM-GNR) hybrid semiconductors whose DFT-computed bandgaps were much narrower than the commonly used pentacene. Systematic optimization of substrates containing remotely placed boryl groups and the transition metals produced the zwitterions via ionic Bergman cyclization (i-BC) and unlocked the polymerization of metal-substituted polyenynes. Aside from i-BC, the subsequent steps were barrierless, which involved structureless transition regions. Multivariate analysis revealed the strong dependence of activation energy and the cyclization mode on the electronic nature of boron and Au(I). Consequently, three regions corresponding to radical Bergman (r-BC), ionic Bergman (i-BC), and ionic Schreiner-Pascal (i-SP) cyclizations were identified. The boundaries between these regions corresponded to the mechanistic shift induced by the three-center-three-electron (3c-3e) hydrogen bond, three-center-four-electron (3c-4e) hydrogen bond, and vacant p-orbital on boron. The ideal combination for cascade polymerization was observed near the boundary between i-BC and i-SP.

The Mechanism of C-H Bond Oxidation by Aqueous Permanganate

The permanganate ion (MnO₄^-) has been widely used as a reagent for water treatment for over a century. It is a strong enough oxidant to activate carbon-hydrogen bonds, one of the most important reactions in biological and chemical systems. Our current textbook understanding of the oxidation mechanism in aqueous solution involves an initial, rate-limiting hydride abstraction by permanganate followed by reaction of the carbocation with bulk water to form an alcohol. This mechanism fits well into the classic oxidation sequence of alkane → alcohol → aldehyde → carboxylate, the central paradigm for both abiotic and biotic alkane oxidation in aqueous environments. In this study, we provide three lines of evidence through (1) a broken-symmetry density functional theory approach, (2) isotope labeling experiments, and (3) kinetic network modeling to demonstrate that aqueous permanganate can circumvent prior alcohol formation and produce aldehydes directly via a reaction path that bifurcates after the initial transition state. In contrast to classic transition state theory, the rate-limiting step is found to not determine product distribution, bearing critical implications for pathway and rate predictions. This complex reaction network provides new insights into the oxidation mechanisms of organic compounds involving transition metal complexes as well as enzyme or metal oxide surface active sites.

Quantum chemical investigation of the thermal denitrogenation of 1-pyrazoline

CASPT2//CASSCF(12,12) calculations reveal that a synchronous path is favourable for the denitrogenation of 1-pyrazoline.

Inquiry of the electron density transfers in chemical reactions: a complete reaction path for the denitrogenation process of 2,3-diazabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene derivatives

A detailed study on all stages associated with the reaction mechanisms for the denitrogenation of 2,3-diazabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene derivatives (DBX, with X substituents at the methano-bridge carbon atom, X = H and OH) is presented. In particular, we have characterized the processes leading to cycloalkene derivatives through migration-type mechanisms as well as the processes leading to cyclopentil-1,3-diradical species along concerted or stepwise pathways. The reaction mechanisms have been further analysed within the bonding evolution theory framework at B3LYP and M05-2X/6-311+G(2d,p) levels of theory. Analysis of the results allows us to obtain the intimate electronic mechanism for the studied processes, providing a new topological picture of processes underlying the correlation between the experimental measurements obtained by few-optical-cycle visible pulse radiation and the quantum topological analysis of the electron localization function (ELF) in terms of breaking/forming processes along this chemical rearrangement. The evolution of the population of the disynaptic basin V(N1,N2) can be related to the experimental observation associated with the N=N stretching mode evolution, relative to the N2 release, along the reaction process. This result allows us to determine why the N2 release is easier for the DBH case via a concerted mechanism compared to the stepwise mechanism found in the DBOH system. This holds the key to unprecedented insight into the mapping of the electrons making/breaking the bonds while the bonds change.

Dynamic effects dictate the mechanism and selectivity of dehydration-rearrangement reactions of protonated alcohols [Me2 (R)CCH(OH2 )Me](+) (R=Me, Et, iPr) in the gas phase

The gas-phase dehydration-rearrangement (DR) reactions of protonated alcohols [Me2 (R)CCH(OH2 )Me](+) [R=Me (ME), Et (ET), and iPr (I-PR)] were studied by using static approaches (intrinsic reaction coordinate (IRC), Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel-Marcus theory) and dynamics (quasiclassical trajectory) simulations at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level of theory. The concerted mechanism involves simultaneous water dissociation and alkyl migration, whereas in the stepwise reaction pathway the dehydration step leads to a secondary carbocation intermediate followed by alkyl migration. Internal rotation (IR) can change the relative position of the migrating alkyl group and the leaving group (water), so distinct products may be obtained: [Me(R)CCH(Me)Me⋅⋅⋅OH2 ](+) and [Me(Me)CCH(R)Me⋅⋅⋅OH2 ](+) . The static approach predicts that these reactions are concerted, with the selectivity towards these different products determined by the proportion of the conformers of the initial protonated alcohols. These selectivities are explained by the DR processes being much faster than IR. These results are in direct contradiction with the dynamics simulations, which indicate a predominantly stepwise mechanism and selectivities that depend on the alkyl groups and dynamics effects. Indeed, despite the lifetimes of the secondary carbocations being short (<0.5 ps), IR can take place and thus provide a rich selectivity. These different selectivities, particularly for ET and I-PR, are amenable to experimental observation and provide evidence for the minor role played by potential-energy surface and the relevance of the dynamics effects (non-IRC pathways, IR) in determining the reaction mechanisms and product distribution (selectivity).

Substituent effect on reactivity of triplet excited state of 2,3-diazabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-enes, DBH derivatives: α C-N bond cleavage versus β C-C bond cleavage

The photoreaction of a series of 2,3-diazabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene (DBH) derivatives, in which various substituents (X) were introduced at the methano bridge carbon of C(7), was investigated under direct (>290 nm) and triplet-sensitized (Ph2CO, >370 nm) irradiation conditions of the azo chromophore (−Cβ–Cα–N═N–Cα–Cβ−). The azo compounds offered a unique opportunity to see the substituent X effect at the remote position of the azo chromophore on the reactivity of the triplet excited state of bicyclic azoalkanes. The present study led to the first observation of the unusual Cα–Cβ bond-cleavage reaction without the ring stiffness, that is, the structural rigidity, in the triplet state of the cyclic azoalkanes. The stereoelectronic effects were found to play an important role in lowering the activation energy of the Cα–Cβ bond-cleavage reaction. NBO analyses at the M06-2X/cc-PVDZ level of theory confirmed the stereoelectronic effect.

The need for enzymatic steering in abietic acid biosynthesis: gas-phase chemical dynamics simulations of carbocation rearrangements on a bifurcating potential energy surface

Abietic acid, a constituent of pine resin, is naturally derived from abietadiene --a process that requires four enzymes: one (abietadiene synthase) for conversion of the acyclic, achiral geranylgeranyl diphosphate to the polycyclic, chiral abietadiene (a complex process involving the copalyl diphosphate intermediate) and then three to oxidize a single methyl group of abietadiene to the corresponding carboxylic acid. In previous work (Nature Chem.2009, 1, 384), electronic structure calculations on carbocation rearrangements leading to abietadienyl cation revealed an interesting potential energy surface with a bifurcating reaction pathway (two transition-state structures connected directly with no intervening minimum), which links two products--one natural and one not yet isolated from Nature. Herein we describe direct dynamics simulations of the key step in the formation of abietadiene (in the gas phase and in the absence of the enzyme). The simulations reveal that abietadiene synthase must intervene in order to produce abietadiene selectively, in essence steering this reaction to avoid the generation of byproducts with different molecular architectures.

Unraveling the mechanism of the singlet oxygen ene reaction: recent computational and experimental approaches

The mechanism of the singlet oxygen ene reaction has been a subject of renewed interest within the last few years. The main question being whether this reaction proceeds through a concerted mechanism or if it involves discrete intermediates. In general, the majority of experimental and computational studies support a traditional stepwise mechanism involving a perepoxide-like intermediate. In this minireview we highlight the most prominent and recent theoretical, as well as experimental results relating to the challenging mechanism of the singlet oxygen ene oxyfunctionalization.

Generation and intermolecular trapping of 1,2-diaza-4-silacyclopentane-3,5-diyls in the denitrogenation of 2,3,5,6-tetraaza-7-silabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene: an experimental and computational study

In our previous computational study, we found that silicon and nitrogen atoms have a notable effect on the reactivity of 1,2-diaza-4-silacyclopentane-3,5-diyls. Thus, the singlet state of the diradical was calculated to be much more stable than the corresponding ring-closing product, i.e., 2,3-diaza-5-silabicyclo[2.1.0]pentane, and the triplet state of the diradical. In the present study, derivatives of the diradical were generated experimentally in the denitrogenation of precursor azoalkanes, i.e., 2,3,5,6-tetraaza-7-silabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-enes, which can be prepared by cycloaddition of a diazasilole with 4-phenyl-1,2,4-triazole-3,5-dione (PTAD) or 4-methyl-1,2,4-triazole-3,5-dione (MTAD). The diradicals were trapped intermolecularly to afford polycyclic compounds. The computational studies (UB3LYP/6-31G*) of the denitrogenation of a model azoalkane suggested that stepwise denitrogenation with an activation energy of ca. 22 kcal/mol is the thermodynamically favored pathway for generation of the singlet diradical 1,2-diaza-4-silacyclopentane-3,5-diyl derivative via a 1,4-diazenyldiradical intermediate. The low activation energy of the denitrogenation reaction was consistent with the experimental observation that the azoalkane was labile under the preparation conditions used in this study.

Evidence for nonstatistical dynamics in the Wolff rearrangement of a carbene

Two (13)C-labeled isomers of the formal Diels-Alder adduct of acetylmethyloxirene to tetramethyl 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylate have been synthesized. Flash vacuum thermolysis of these adducts leads to various isotopic isomers of acetylmethylketene, the ratios of which have been determined by NMR. The surprising finding that the principal product comes from methylpyruvoyl carbene rather than its more stable isomer diacetylcarbene is explained by MPWB1K density functional calculations, which show that the reactant probably undergoes a unimolecular rearrangement to a norcaradiene derivative prior to its fragmentation. Coupled-cluster calculations on the methylpyruvoyl carbene show that it is capable of undergoing three unimolecular isomerizations. The fastest is 1,2-acetyl migration to give acetylmethylketene directly. The next is rearrangement via acetylmethyloxirene to diacetylcarbene and thence by Wolff rearrangement to acetylmethylketene. The least-favorable reaction is degenerate rearrangement via 1,3-dimethyl-2-oxabicyclo[1.1.0]butan-4-one (the epoxide of dimethylcyclopropenone). The combined experimental and computational results indicate that Wolff rearrangement of the diacetylcarbene occurs with a 2.5:1 ratio of the methyl groups despite the fact that they are related by a twofold axis of symmetry in the carbene. Preliminary molecular dynamics simulations are consistent with this conclusion. Taken together, the results suggest that the Wolff rearrangement is subject to the same kind of nonstatistical dynamical effects detected for other kinds of thermally generated reactive intermediates.

Bifurcations on potential energy surfaces of organic reactions

A single transition state may lead to multiple intermediates or products if there is a post-transition-state reaction pathway bifurcation. These bifurcations arise when there are sequential transition states with no intervening energy minimum. For such systems, the shape of the potential energy surface and dynamic effects, rather than transition-state energetics, control selectivity. This Minireview covers recent investigations of organic reactions exhibiting reaction pathway bifurcations. Such phenomena are surprisingly general and affect experimental observables such as kinetic isotope effects and product distributions.