Regio- and stereoselectivity of captodative olefins in 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions. A DFT/HSAB theory rationale for the observed regiochemistry of nitrones

DFT studies on the diastereoselectivity and regioselectivity of multicomponent domino Knoevenagel/Diels–Alder reaction

In this study, mechanism and stereochemistry of multicomponent domino Knoevenagel/Diels–Alder reaction were investigated theoretically. Structures of reagents, transition states, intermediates, and products were optimized at M062X/6-31[Formula: see text]G(d,p) level of theory. Although the mechanism of this reaction involved several processes, including bond rotation, isomerization, asymmetric cycloaddition, acid-base, and nucleophile–electrophile competitions, critical processes were studied to provide a clearer picture of the mechanism of this valuable reaction in terms of stereochemistry considerations. According to the results, the ring closure step of reaction performed via a polar Dield-Alder mechanism, having enthalpy at approximately 40[Formula: see text]kcal/mol. The diastereoselectivity of the reaction was controlled by the interaction of dienophile with the less hindered face of diene through a more stable endo transition state ([Formula: see text] and 27.31 in methanol and gas phase, respectively). HSAB criteria could explain the regioselectivity of this reaction by considering the least softness difference ([Formula: see text]) for interacting C-atoms based on Hirshfeld populations. The result was the creation of cis-spiro cyclohexanone under kinetic and thermodynamic controls as a predominant diastereoselective and regioselective product.

Predicting reactivity for bioorthogonal cycloadditions involving nitrones

Nitrones are useful dipoles in both synthesis and in bioorthogonal transformations to report on biological phenomena. In bioorthogonal reactions, nitrones are both small and relatively easy to incorporate into biomolecules, while providing versatility in their ability to harbor different substituents that tune their reactivity. Herein, we examine the reactivities of some common and useful nitrone cycloadditions using density functional theory (DFT) and the distortion/interaction (D/I) model. The data show that relative reactivities can be predicted using these approaches, and useful insights gained further enchancing reactivities of both nitrones and their dipolarophile reaction partners. We find that D/I is a useful guide to understanding and predicting reactivities of cycloadditions involving nitrones.

Nitrones are useful dipoles in both synthesis and in bioorthogonal transformations to report on biological phenomena.

Iodine-Catalyzed Regioselective Oxidative Cyclization of Aldehyde Hydrazones with Electron-Deficient Olefins for the Synthesis of Mefenpyr-Diethyl

A regioselective synthesis of polysubstituted dihydropyrazoles and pyrazoles through an iodine-catalyzed oxidative cyclization strategy of aldehyde hydrazones with electron-deficient olefins is described. The protocol adopts very mild reaction conditions and provides desirable yields. The reaction is supposed to proceed via a cascade C-H functionalization, C-N bond formation, and oxidation sequential processes. The overall simplicity and regioselectivity of the catalytic system make this approach a valuable and step-economical tool to construct a C-C bond for the synthesis of Mefenpyr-Diethyl.

Palladium-Catalyzed Multicomponent Reaction of Alkynes, Carboxylic Acids, and Isocyanides: A Direct Approach to Captodative Olefins

A palladium-catalyzed multicomponent reaction of alkynes, carboxylic acids, and isocyanides has been developed with the assistance of silver salt under mild conditions. Highly functionalized captodative olefins are synthesized efficiently by this method, which can find many applications as versatile synthons in organic synthesis.

Crystal structure of (Z)-N-benzyl-idene-1-phenyl-methanamine oxide hydrogen peroxide monosolvate

The title structure consists of a (Z)-N-benzyl­idene-1-phenyl­methanamine oxide and a hydrogen peroxide mol­ecule linked through both O—H groups into a one-dimensional chain structure.

The title adduct, C₁₄H₁₃NO·H₂O₂, consists of (Z)-N-benzyl­idene-1-phenyl­methanamine oxide and hydrogen peroxide mol­ecules in a 1:1 ratio. The organic coformer adopts a skew geometry with an inter-aryl-ring dihedral angle of 81.9 (2)°. In the crystal, the organic and peroxide mol­ecules are linked through both peroxide O—H donor groups to oxide O-atom acceptors, giving one-dimensional chains extending along the b axis. Present also are weak inter­molecular C—H⋯O hydrogen-bonding inter­actions.

New mechanistic interpretations for nitrone reactivity

The reactivity of nitrones in cycloadditions and related reactions is revisited by introducing a topological perspective.

Condensation of Diacetyl with Alkyl Amines: Synthesis and Reactivity of p-Iminobenzoquinones and p-Diiminobenzoquinones

Condensation reactions between diacetyl and α-branched primary alkylamines under mild and neutral conditions provided a mixture of 2,5-dimethylbenzoquinone(alkylimines), 2,5-dimethylbenzoquinone(bis-alkyldiimines), and N,N'-dialkyl-2,5-dimethylbenzene-1,4-diamines, which were efficiently separated as pure products by column chromatography. Both 2,5-dimethylbenzoquinone(alkylimines) and 2,5-dimethylbenzoquinone(bis-alkyldiimines) underwent an interchange of the alkylimino group when treated with anilines, followed by reductive aromatization, to provide diarylamines and 1,4-dianilinobenzenes, respectively. Evaluation was also made of the reactivity and selectivity of these compounds in the presence of anilines, thiophenols and alkylhalides.

Thermochemical study of 1-acetyl vinyl p-nitrobenzoate: vinyl bond enthalpy in captodative olefins

Captodative olefins are highly reactive and selective substrates in Diels-Alder and 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions. Seeking an explanation of this fact based on molecular energetics, the thermochemical analysis of 1-acetyl vinyl p-nitrobenzoate, a captodative olefin, has been performed using semi-micro-combustion calorimetry, effusion measurements through a quartz crystal microbalance, and differential scanning calorimetry. The molar standard combustion energy and enthalpy as well as the molar standard formation enthalpy are reported along with sublimation and melting enthalpies. From these data, experimental formation enthalpy of the gas-phase is derived and compared with the theoretical value calculated through the density functional theory procedure. The olefinic bond enthalpy is also computed from experimental data, and the relevance of the results is discussed.

Distortion–interaction analysis along the reaction pathway to reveal the reactivity of the Alder-ene reaction of enes

The reactivity of uncatalyzed Alder-ene type reactions of hetero-substituted propylene is interpreted by distortion–interaction analysis of both the transition states and the complete reaction pathways.

Understanding the reactivity of captodative ethylenes in polar cycloaddition reactions. A theoretical study

The electrophilic/nucleophilic character of a series of captodative (CD) ethylenes involved in polar cycloaddition reactions has been studied using DFT methods at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level of theory. The transition state structures for the electrophilic/nucleophilic interactions of two CD ethylenes toward a nucleophilically activated ethylene, 2-methylene-1,3-dioxolane, and an electrophilically activated ethylene, 1,1-dicyanoethyelene, have been studied, and their electronic structures have been characterized using both NBO and ELF methods. Analysis of the reactivity indexes of the CD ethylenes explains the reactivity of these species. While the electrophilicity of the molecules accounts for the reactivity toward nucleophiles, it is shown that a simple index chosen for the nucleophilicity, Nu, based on the HOMO energy is useful explaining the reactivity of these CD ethylenes toward electrophiles.

Efficient cleavage of the N-O bond of 3,6-dihydro-1,2-oxazines mediated by some alpha-hetero substituted carbonyl compounds in mild conditions

The efficient cleavage of the N-O bond of some nitroso Diels-Alder cycloadducts has been achieved in mild conditions, mediated either by 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxan-5-one or 1,3-dithiolane-2-carboxaldehyde. These new and purely organic conditions allow an excellent tolerance with respect to many functional groups that would have been affected by previous reductive cleavage conditions.

(1R,4R,5R)-1,3,4-Triphenyl-7-[(R)-1-phenyl-ethyl]-2-oxa-3,7-diaza-spiro-[4.5]decan-10-one

In the title compound, C₃₃H₃₂N₂O₂, the polysubstituted piperidine ring adopts a chair conformation. The isoxazolidine ring is in an envelope conformation. In the crystal structure, intra- and inter­molecular C—H⋯π inter­actions involving the phenyl rings are observed.

Evaluation of the chemical reactivity in lignin precursors using the Fukui function

The hydroxycinnamyl alcohols: p-coumarol, coniferol and sinapol are considered the basic units and precursors of lignins models. In this work, the specific reactivity of these molecules was studied. We investigate their intrinsic chemical reactivity in terms of the Fukui function, applying the principle of hard and soft acids and bases (HSAB) in the framework of the density functional theory (DFT). Comparisons of their nucleophilic, electrophilic and free radical reactivity show their most probably sites to form linkages among them. It is found that the most reactive sites, for reactions involving free radicals, are the carbons at the beta-position in the p-coumarol and sinapol molecules, whilst the regions around the carbon-oxygen bond of the phenoxyl group are the most reactive in coniferol.

Transition structures of diastereoselective 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions of nitrile oxides to chiral homoallylic alcohols

Transition structures of the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of substituted nitrile oxides with chiral homoallylic alcohols were explored with density functional theory (B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p)+CPCM(dichloromethane)//B3LYP/6-31+G(d)). The diastereoselectivity observed in these reactions was explained. The anti product is favored in both the thermal and magnesium-mediated reactions. Selectivity is predicted to increase in the presence of magnesium, in agreement with experimental results. The energetics of the magnesium-mediated reaction are similar to those previously found for allylic alcohols. [structure: see text].

The mechanism of 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions of cyclopropanes and nitrones — A theoretical study

The 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of cyclopropanes and nitrones to give tetrahydro-1,2-oxazine has been studied with density functional theory calculations at the B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) level of theory. Realistic substituents were modelled including those at the 2-, 3-, 4-, and 6-positions of the final oxazine ring product. The strained σ bond of the cyclopropane was found to play the role of an alkene in a conventional [3+2] dipolar cycloaddition. Two distinct, but similar, reaction mechanisms were found — an asymmetric concerted pathway and a stepwise zwitterionic pathway. The reaction barriers of the two pathways were nearly identical, differing by less than ~1 kcal/mol, no matter what the substituents were. The effect of a Lewis acid catalyst was examined and found to have a very large effect on the calculated barriers through coordination to the carbonyl oxygen atoms of the diester substituents on the cyclopropane. The reaction barrier was found to decrease by as much as ~19 kcal/mol when using a BF3 molecule as a model for the Lewis acid catalyst. Solvent effects and the nature of the regiospecificity of the reaction were also examined. Trends in the calculated barriers for the reaction were in good agreement with available trends in the reaction rates measured experimentally. Key words: 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition, cyclopropane, nitrone, tetrahydro-1,2-oxazines, ab initio quantum chemistry, mechanism.