beta-Silylcarbenes from isolable diazosilanes

Unlocking a Diazirine Long-Lived Nuclear Singlet State via Photochemistry: NMR Detection and Lifetime of an Unstabilized Diazo-Compound

Diazirines are important for photoaffinity labeling, and their photoisomerization is relatively well-known. This work shows how hyperpolarized NMR spectroscopy can be used to characterize an unstable diazo-compound formed via photoisomerization of a ¹⁵N₂-labeled silyl-ether-substituted diazirine. This diazirine is prepared in a nuclear spin singlet state via catalytic transfer of spin order from para-hydrogen. The active hyperpolarization catalyst is characterized to provide insight into the mechanism. The photochemical isomerization of the diazirine into the diazo-analogue allows the NMR invisible nuclear singlet state of the parent compound to be probed. The identity of the diazo-species is confirmed by trapping with N-phenyl maleimide via a cycloaddition reaction to afford bicyclic pyrazolines that also show singlet state character. The presence of singlet states in the diazirine and the diazo-compound is validated by comparison of experimental nutation behavior with theoretical simulation. The magnetic state lifetime of the diazo-compound is determined as 12 ± 1 s in CD₃OD solution at room temperature, whereas its chemical lifetime is measured as 100 ± 5 s by related hyperpolarized NMR studies. Indirect evidence for the generation of the photoproduct para-N₂ is presented.

Generality and Strength of Transition Metal β-Effects

Using computation, we examine the generality and strength of β-effects from transition metal centers on β-elimination. In particular, we find that a β-Pd(II) substituent imparts over twice the stabilization to a carbocation as a Si substituent, representative of the well-known β-silicon effect. We established efficient and practical computational parameters to investigate the σσ conjugation in an experimentally relevant system: N, N-picolinamide vinyl metalacycles with β-substituents that can undergo elimination. We have found that the β-Pd effect depends on the nature of the C_β substituent (X): This effect is negligible for X = H, Me, OH, and F, but is significant for X = Cl, Br, and I. We have also extended these studies to the β-effect in N, N-picolinamide vinyl metalacycles with β-substituents of other transition metals-Fe(II), Ru(II), Os(II), Co(III), Rh(III), Ir(III), Ni(II), Pd(II), Pt(II), Cu(III), Ag(III), and Au(III). We found that the electronegativity of the metals correlates reasonably well with the relative β-effects, with first-row transition metals exerting the strongest influence. Overall, it is our anticipation that a more profound appreciation of transition metal β-effects will facilitate the design of novel reactions, including new variants of transition metal catalyzed C-H functionalization.

3-Trimethylsilylcycloalkylidenes. γ-Silyl vs γ-Hydrogen Migration to Carbene Centers

A series of γ-trimethylsilyl-substituted carbenes have been studied experimentally and by computational methods. In an acyclic system, 1,3-trimethylsilyl migration successfully competes with 1,3-hydrogen migration to the carbene center. The behavior of cyclic 3-trimethylsilyl-substituted carbenes contrasts with that of the acyclic system. Only 1,2-hydrogen migration processes are observed in the five-membered ring due to the high barrier to 1,3-hydrogen migration. In the cyclohexyl system, a small amount of a cyclopropane derived from 1,3-hydrogen migration occurs, as shown by a labeling study. In the cycloheptyl carbene system, a labeling study again showed that 1,3-hydrogen migration to the carbene center leads to the major product. Computational studies suggest that the cyclic carbenes all have lower energy conformations where the trimethylsilyl group is in a pseudo equatorial conformation where it cannot migrate to the carbene center. Computational studies also suggest that cyclohexyl and cycloheptyl carbene systems are slightly stabilized by a rear lobe interaction of the Si-C bond with the carbene center.

γ-Trimethylsilylcyclobutyl carbocation stabilization

A series of isomeric 3-trimethylsilyl-1-arylcyclobutyl carbocations, 10 and 11, where the cross-ring 3-trimethylsilyl group has the potential to interact with the cationic center, have been generated under solvolytic conditions. When the cationic center can interact with the rear lobe of the carbon-silicon bond, rate enhancements become progressively larger as the substituent on the aryl group becomes more electron-withdrawing. When the potential interaction with the trimethylsilyl group is via a front lobe interaction, there is minimal rate enhancement over the range of substituents. Computational studies have also been carried out on these cations 10 and 11. Calculated trimethylsilyl stabilization energies progressively increase with electron-withdrawing character of the aryl groups when the trimethylsilyl interaction is via the rear lobe. By way of contrast, there are minimal changes in stabilization energies when the potential trimethylsilyl interaction is via the front lobe of the carbon-silicon bond. These computational studies, along with the solvolytic studies, point to a significant rear lobe 3-trimethylsilyl stabilization of arylcyclobutyl cations. They also argue against any front lobe stabilization of the isomeric arylcyclobutyl cations.

γ-Silyl-substituted norbornyl carbocations and carbenes

endo-2-Trimethylsilyl-anti-7-norbornyl triflate undergoes solvolysis reactions 1.8 × 10(4) faster than 7-norbornyl triflate in CD3CO2D and 1.3 × 10(5) times faster in CF3CH2OH. The exclusive substitution products with retained stereochemistry point to a significantly stabilized γ-trimethylsilyl carbocation intermediate. The endo-2-trimethylsilyl-7-norbornyl carbene gives a major rearrangement product where the trimethylsilyl-activated hydrogen migrates to the carbenic center. This rearrangement product implies stabilization of the carbene by the γ-trimethylsilyl group. Isodesmic computational studies (M062X/6-311+G**) indicate that the endo-2-trimethylsilyl-7-norbornyl cation is stabilized by 16.2 kcal/mol and that the endo-2-trimethylsilyl-7-norbornyl carbene is stabilized by a smaller factor of 1.8 kcal/mol. By way of contrast, anti-7-trimethylsilyl-endo-2-norbornyl mesylate undergoes solvolysis in CD3CO2D only 2.6 times faster than endo-2-norbornyl mesylate and 9.4 times faster in CF3CH2OH. The substitution products have only partially retained stereochemistry, and significant rearrangements are observed. The anti-7-trimethylsilyl-2-norbornyl carbene gives a rearrangement product via 1,3-hydrogen migration of the C6 hydrogen, which is completely analogous to the behavior of the unsubstituted 2-norbornyl carbene. Isodesmic calculations show that the anti-7-trimethylsilyl-2-norbornyl cation is stabilized by only 3.2 kcal/mol relative to the 2-norbornyl cation, and the corresponding anti-7-trimethylsilyl-2-norbornyl carbene is stabilized by a negligible 0.9 kcal/mol.

3-Trimethylsilylcyclobutylidene. The γ-effect of silicon on carbenes

3-Trimethylsilylcyclobutylidene was generated by pyrolysis of the sodium salt of the tosylhydrazone derivative of 3-trimethylsilylcyclobutanone. This carbene converts to 1-trimethylsilylbicyclobutane as the major product. A labeling study shows that this intramolecular rearrangement product comes from 1,3-hydrogen migration to the carbenic center and not 1,3-silyl migration. Computational studies show two carbene minimum energy conformations, with the lower energy conformation displaying a large stabilizing interaction of the carbene center with the rear lobe of the C3-Si bond. In this conformation, the trimethylsilyl group cannot migrate to the carbene center, and the most favorable process is 1,3-hydrogen migration. When the carbene is generated photochemically in methanol, it reacts by a protonation mechanism giving the highly stabilized 3-trimethylsilylcyclobutyl carbocation as an intermediate. When generated in dimethylamine as solvent, the carbene undergoes preferred attack of this nucleophilic solvent from the back of this C-Si rear lobe stabilized carbene.

Computation-guided development of Au-catalyzed cycloisomerizations proceeding via 1,2-Si or 1,2-H migrations: regiodivergent synthesis of silylfurans

A novel highly efficient regiodivergent Au-catalyzed cycloisomerization of allenyl and homopropargylic ketones into synthetically valuable 2- and 3-silylfurans has been designed with the aid of DFT calculations. This cascade transformation features 1,2-Si or 1,2-H migrations in a common Au-carbene intermediate. Both experimental and computational results clearly indicate that the 1,2-Si migration is kinetically favored over the 1,2-shifts of H, alkyl, and aryl groups in the beta-Si-substituted Au-carbenes. In addition, experimental results on the Au(I)-catalyzed cycloisomerization of homopropargylic ketones demonstrated that counterion and solvent effects could reverse the above migratory preference. The DFT calculations provided a rationale for this 1,2-migration regiodivergency. Thus, in the case of Ph(3)PAuSbF(6), DFT-simulated reaction proceeds through the initial propargyl-allenyl isomerization followed by the cyclization into the Au-carbene intermediate with the exclusive formation of 1,2-Si migration products and solvent effects cannot affect this regioselectivity. However, in the case of a TfO(-) counterion, reaction occurs via the initial 5-endo-dig cyclization to give a cyclic furyl-Au intermediate. In the case of nonpolar solvents, subsequent ipso-protiodeauration of the latter is kinetically more favorable than the generation of the common Au-carbene intermediate and leads to the formation of formal 1,2-H migration products. In contrast, when polar solvent is employed in this DFT-simulated reaction, beta-to-Au protonation of the furyl-Au species to give a Au-carbene intermediate competes with the ipso-protiodeauration. Subsequent dissociation of the triflate ligand in this carbene in polar media due to efficient solvation of charged intermediates facilitates formation of the 1,2-Si shift products. The above results of the DFT calculations were validated by the experimental data. The present study demonstrates that DFT calculations could efficiently support experimental results, providing guidance for rational design of new catalytic transformations.

Suppressed beta-effect of silicon in 3-silylated monocyclic beta-lactams: the role of antiaromaticity

The beta-stabilizing effect of silicon substituent at C-3 on a C-4 cation and a radical in the 2-azetidinone systems is studied using NMR kinetics. While the beta-effect is virtually nonexistent in the case of a cation, a foiled beta-effect (only a 3-fold rate enhancement) is observed for a radical intermediate. From both the experimental and theoretical studies, it is demonstrated that antiaromaticity is playing the prime role in suppressing the beta-stabilizing effect of silicon.

Gamma-silyl cyclobutyl carbocations

A series of 3-trimethylsilyl-1-substituted cyclobutyl trifluoroacetates have been prepared and reacted in CD(3)CO(2)D. Rate data indicate that the substrates with the trimethylsilyl group cis to the leaving group react with assistance due to gamma-silyl participation. Rate enhancements range from a factor of 209 for alpha-phenyl-substituted cations to 4.6 x 10(4) for alpha-methyl-substituted cations to >10(10) for the unsubstituted gamma-trimethylsilylcyclobutyl cation. Acetate substitution products are formed with net retention of stereochemistry. These experimental studies, as well as B3LYP/6-31G* computational studies, are consistent with the involvement of carbocations where the rear lobe of the gamma-Si-C bond interacts strongly with the developing cationic center. Solvolytic rate studies, as well as computational studies, suggest that the secondary gamma-trimethylsilylcyclobutyl cation is even more stable than the beta-trimethylsilylcyclobutyl cation, i.e., the gamma-silyl effect actually outweighs the potent beta-silyl effect. Although computational studies suggest the existence of certain isomeric cations, where the front lobe of the Si-C bond interacts with the cationic center, solvolytic evidence for the involvement of these front lobe stabilized cations is less compelling.

Homoallyl−Cyclopropylcarbinyl Cation Manifold. Trimethylsilyl versus Aryl Stabilization

A series of E- and Z-1-aryl-5-trimethylsilyl-3-buten-1-yl trifluoroacetates were solvolyzed in CD3CO2D, and rates of reaction as well as products derived from these reactions were determined. Hammett plots showed a break, which was indicative of a mechanistic change from a kC process when the most electron-donating substituents were attached to the aryl group to a kDelta process involving formation of cyclized beta-silyl carbocation intermediates for electron-withdrawing groups. In the case of p-CH3O substitution (a kC extreme), the cationic intermediate captures solvent (95%) or loses a proton (5%). In the case of m-CF3 substitution (a kDelta extreme), the beta-silyl cation intermediate desilylates to give vinylcyclopropane products. Substituents with intermediate electronic properties give more complex product mixtures. Solvolysis of pure Z-trifluoroacetate (p-CH3) gives small amounts of E-trifluoroacetate (p-CH3) along with the E-substitution product. This isomerization suggests that the cyclized beta-silyl cation can isomerize and then reopen to a classical aryl-stabilized cation. By way of contrast, B3LYP/6-31G* computational studies show only cyclized beta-silyl cations as energy minima. Open kC cations are higher-energy nonminimum energy structures.