Charge-tagged ligands: useful tools for immobilising complexes and detecting reaction species during catalysis

Revisiting Biginelli-like reactions: solvent effects, mechanisms, biological applications and correction of several literature reports

This study critically reevaluates reported Biginelli-like reactions using a Kamlet-Abboud-Taft-based solvent effect model. Surprisingly, structural misassignments were discovered in certain multicomponent reactions, leading to the identification of pseudo three-component derivatives instead of the expected MCR adducts. Attempts to replicate literature conditions failed, prompting reconsideration of the described MCRs and proposed mechanisms. Electrospray ionization (tandem) mass spectrometry, NMR, melting points, elemental analyses and single-crystal X-ray analysis exposed inaccuracies in reported MCRs and allowed for the proposition of a complete catalytic cycle. Biological investigations using both pure and "contaminated" derivatives revealed distinctive features in assessed bioassays. A new cellular action mechanism was unveiled for a one obtained pseudo three-component adduct, suggesting similarity with the known dihydropyrimidinone Monastrol as Eg5 inhibitors, disrupting mitosis by forming monoastral mitotic spindles. Docking studies and RMSD analyses supported this hypothesis. The findings described herein underscore the necessity for a critical reexamination and potential corrections of structural assignments in several reports. This work emphasizes the significance of rigorous characterization and critical evaluation in synthetic chemistry, urging a careful reassessment of reported synthesis and biological activities associated with these compounds.

Ionic Liquids in Metal, Photo-, Electro-, and (Bio) Catalysis

Ionic liquids (ILs) have unique physicochemical properties that make them advantageous for catalysis, such as low vapor pressure, non-flammability, high thermal and chemical stabilities, and the ability to enhance the activity and stability of (bio)catalysts. ILs can improve the efficiency, selectivity, and sustainability of bio(transformations) by acting as activators of enzymes, selectively dissolving substrates and products, and reducing toxicity. They can also be recycled and reused multiple times without losing their effectiveness. ILs based on imidazolium cation are preferred for structural organization aspects, with a semiorganized layer surrounding the catalyst. ILs act as a container, providing a confined space that allows modulation of electronic and geometric effects, miscibility of reactants and products, and residence time of species. ILs can stabilize ionic and radical species and control the catalytic activity of dynamic processes. Supported IL phase (SILP) derivatives and polymeric ILs (PILs) are good options for molecular engineering of greener catalytic processes. The major factors governing metal, photo-, electro-, and biocatalysts in ILs are discussed in detail based on the vast literature available over the past two and a half decades. Catalytic reactions, ranging from hydrogenation and cross-coupling to oxidations, promoted by homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts in both single and multiphase conditions, are extensively reviewed and discussed considering the knowledge accumulated until now.

A fixed-charge model of the N-protomer of 4-aminobenzoic acid to facilitate the study of the unimolecular and bimolecular chemistry of its "neutral" carboxylic acid group

RATIONALE

There are a growing number of examples of protomers formed via electrospray ionization (ESI) that do not fragment under mobile proton conditions, giving rise to distinct tandem mass spectra. To model the N-protomer of 4-aminobenzoic acid, here we study the gas-phase unimolecular and bimolecular chemistry of the 4-(carboxyphenyl)trimethylammonium ion.

METHODS

4-(Carboxyphenyl)trimethylammonium iodide was synthesized, purified via recrystallization and transferred to the gas phase via ESI. 4-(Carboxyphenyl)trimethylammonium ion, 7, was mass selected and subjected to collision-induced dissociation and ion-molecule reactions in a linear ion trap mass spectrometer.

RESULTS

The major fragmentation channel for the fixed-charge cation 7 is methyl radical loss, whereas loss of trimethylamine and CO2 represents minor pathways. The free carboxylic acid functional group of 7 is unreactive toward a number of neutral reagents (methanol, acetone, acetonitrile, and N,N'-diisopropylcarbodiimide). 7 reacts very slowly with trimethylborate via addition-elimination, consistent with density functional theory (DFT) calculations that show this reaction is slightly endothermic. The deuterated cation 7(D) undergoes slow D/H exchange with ethanol, and DFT calculations reveal that a flip-flop mechanism operates.

CONCLUSIONS

The free carboxylic group of 7 is not very reactive toward neutral reagents in the gas phase.

Formation and Surface Behavior of Pt and Pd Complexes with Ligand Systems Derived from Nitrile-functionalized Ionic Liquids Studied by XPS

We studied the formation and surface behavior of Pt(II) and Pd(II) complexes with ligand systems derived from two nitrile-functionalized ionic liquids (ILs) in solution using angle-resolved X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (ARXPS). These ligand systems enabled a high solubility of the metal complexes in IL solution. The complexes were prepared by simple ligand substitution under vacuum conditions in defined excess of the coordinating ILs, [C3 CNC1 Im][Tf2 N] and [C1 CNC1 Pip][Tf2 N], to immediately yield solutions of the final products. The ILs differ in the cationic head group and the chain length of the functionalized substituent. Our XPS measurements on the neat ILs gave insights in the electronic properties of the coordinating substituents revealing differences in donation capability and stability of the complexes. Investigations on the composition of the outermost surface layers using ARXPS revealed no surface affinity of the nitrile-functionalized chains in the neat ILs. Solutions of the formed complexes in the nitrile ILs showed homogeneous distribution of the solute at the surface with the heterocyclic moieties preferentially orientated towards the vacuum, while the metal centers are rather located further away from the IL/vacuum interface.

Free N-heterocyclic carbenes from Brønsted acidic ionic liquids: Direct detection by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

RATIONALE

The occurrence of N-heterocyclic carbenes in imidazolium-based ionic liquids has long been discussed, but no spectroscopic evidence has been reported yet due to their transient nature. The insertion of an ionizable acid group into the cation scaffold of an ionic liquid which acts as a charge tag allows for the direct detection of free carbenes by mass spectrometry.

METHODS

Three different Brønsted acidic ionic liquids were synthesized: 1-methyl-3-carboxymethylimidazolium chloride (MAICl), 1-methyl-3-carboxymethylimidazolium acetate (MAIAc) and the corresponding 2-(3-methyl-1H-imidazol-3-ium-1-yl)acetate zwitterion (MAI - H). The speciation of these compounds was then analysed by electrospray ionization ion-trap mass spectrometry in the negative ion mode.

RESULTS

The C2-H deprotonation of the imidazolium cation leading to the formation of the corresponding carbene is highly affected by the basic properties of the counter-anion. In the case of MAICl and MAI - H ionic liquids, no charged species corresponding to the free N-heterocyclic carbene was detected. On the contrary, in the presence of a sufficiently basic anion, such as acetate of MAIAc ionic liquid, an intense signal related to the free carbenic species was observed without the addition of an external base.

CONCLUSIONS

In situ formation of free N-heterocyclic carbenes from Brønsted acidic ionic liquids was demonstrated, highlighting the crucial role of anion basicity in promoting the C2-H proton abstraction from imidazolium cations with a carboxylic side chain.

CHEMICAL REACTION MONITORING BY AMBIENT MASS SPECTROMETRY

Chemical reactions conducted in different media (liquid phase, gas phase, or surface) drive developments of versatile techniques for the detection of intermediates and prediction of reasonable reaction pathways. Without sample pretreatment, ambient mass spectrometry (AMS) has been applied to obtain structural information of reactive molecules that differ in polarity and molecular weight. Commercial ion sources (e.g., electrospray ionization, atmospheric pressure chemical ionization, and direct analysis in real-time) have been reported to monitor substrates and products by offline reaction examination. While the interception or characterization of reactive intermediates with short lifetime are still limited by the offline modes. Notably, online ionization technologies, with high tolerance to salt, buffer, and pH, can achieve direct sampling and ionization of on-going reactions conducted in different media (e.g., liquid phase, gas phase, or surface). Therefore, short-lived intermediates could be captured at unprecedented timescales, and the reaction dynamics could be studied for mechanism examinations without sample pretreatments. In this review, via various AMS methods, chemical reaction monitoring and mechanism elucidation for different classifications of reactions have been reviewed. The developments and advances of common ionization methods for offline reaction monitoring will also be highlighted.

How and Why to Investigate Multicomponent Reactions Mechanisms? A Critical Review

We review the most innovative efforts and greatest challenges faced when elucidating multicomponent reactions (MCRs) mechanisms. When compared to traditional reactions, the often two or more concurrent reactions pathways and the greater number of possible intermediates in MCRs turn their mechanistic investigation both a harder and trickier task. The common approaches used to investigate reaction mechanisms are often unable to clarify MCRs mechanisms; hence few but clever approaches are currently used to determine these mechanisms and to depict their key transformations. Their complexity has required most innovative approaches and the use of a number of unique techniques that have shed light over the favored pathway selected from the myriad of alternatives theoretically available for MCRs. This review focuses on the most successful efforts applied by a few leading groups to perform these puzzlingly investigations.

Charge-Tagged N-Heterocyclic Carbenes (NHCs): Revealing the Hidden Side of NHC-Catalysed Reactions through Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry

N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) are key intermediates in a variety of chemical reactions. Owing to their transient nature, the interception and characterization of these reactive species have always been challenging. Similarly, the study of reaction mechanisms in which carbenes act as catalysts is still an active research field. This Minireview describes the contribution of electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) to the detection of charge-tagged NHCs resulting from the insertion of an ionic group into the molecular scaffold. The use of different mass spectrometric techniques, combined with the charge-tagging strategy, allowed clarification of the involvement of NHCs in archetypal reactions and the study of their intrinsic chemistry.

Gas-phase studies of copper(I)-mediated CO2 extrusion followed by insertion of the heterocumulenes CS2 or phenylisocyanate

The gas-phase extrusion-insertion reactions of the copper complex [bathophenanthroline (Bphen)CuI (O2 CC6 H5 )]2- , generated via electrospray ionization, was studied in a linear ion trap mass spectrometer with the combination of collision-induced dissociation (CID) and ion-molecule reaction (IMR) events. Multistage mass spectrometry (MSn ) experiments and density functional theory (DFT) demonstrated that extrusion of carbon dioxide from [(Bphen)Cu(O2 CC6 H5 )]2- (CID) gives the organometallic intermediate [(Bphen)Cu(C6 H5 )]2- , which subsequently reacts with carbon disulfide (IMR) via insertion to yield [(Bphen)Cu (SC(S)C6 H5 )]2- . The fragmentation of the product ion resulted in the formation of [Bphen]2- , [(Bphen)Cu]- and C6 H5 CS2 - under CID conditions. The formation of the latter two charge separation products thus provides evidence of C-C bond formation in the IMR step. Although analogous studies with isocyanate, which is isoelectronic with CS2 , showed a poor reactivity in the gas phase, the mechanistic understanding obtained from these model studies encourages future development of a solution phase protocol for the synthesis of amides from carboxylic acids and isocyanates mediated by copper(I) complexes.

Photoexcited Pd(ii) auxiliaries enable light-induced control in C(sp3)-H bond functionalisation

Herein we report the photophysical and photochemical properties of palladacycle complexes derived from 8-aminoquinoline ligands, commonly used auxiliaries in C–H activation. Spectroscopic, electrochemical and computational studies reveal that visible light irradiation induces a mixed LLCT/MLCT charge transfer providing access to synthetically relevant Pd(iii)/Pd(iv) redox couples. The Pd(ii) complex undergoes photoinduced electron transfer with alkyl halides generating C(sp³)–H halogenation products rather than C–C bond adducts. Online photochemical ESI-MS analysis implicates participation of a mononuclear Pd(iii) species which promotes C–X bond formation via a distinct Pd(iii)/Pd(iv) pathway. To demonstrate the synthetic utility, we developed a general method for inert C(sp³)–H bond bromination, chlorination and iodination with alkyl halides. This new strategy in auxiliary-directed C–H activation provides predictable and controllable access to distinct reactivity pathways proceeding via Pd(iii)/Pd(iv) redox couples induced by visible light irradiation.

Visible light irradiation of 8-aminoquinoline Pd(ii) complexes initiates photoinduced electron transfer with alkyl halides, affording C–H halogenation over C–C bond adducts. A method for inert C(sp³)–H bond halogenation (Br, Cl and I) is reported.

Review on the Ugi Multicomponent Reaction Mechanism and the Use of Fluorescent Derivatives as Functional Chromophores

In the present mini-review we discuss the findings, controversies, and gaps observed for the Ugi four-component reaction. The Ugi multicomponent reaction, performed by mixing an aldehyde, an amine, a carboxylic acid, and an isocyanide, is among the most important isocyanide-based multicomponent reactions (MCRs), allowing multiple bond formations (C-C and C-N) in a single synthetic step. The possibility of two reaction pathways and the little understood solvent effect over this transformation renders this reaction as one of the hardest challenges to overcome. The little knowledge of the mechanism of the Ugi MCR hinders the development of new and efficient chiral catalytic systems to further the application of the derivatives obtained by enantioselective versions. The asymmetric transformation is in this context a bigger challenge, and little is known about the mechanism of these few available versions. The new trend of functional chromophore synthesis by MCRs is also highlighted, and the few examples already disclosed in the literature exemplify the huge opportunity for investigation and creative ideas using the Ugi four-component reaction.

Reactive metallocene cations as sensitive indicators of gas-phase oxygen and water

Gas-phase oxidation of air-sensitive organometallic compounds does not proceed to a significant extent in mass spectrometric analysis unless a vacant coordination site is generated, making nitrogen generators a suitable source of desolvation gas.

Tuning the Biginelli reaction mechanism by the ionic liquid effect: the combined role of supported heteropolyacid derivatives and acidic strength

Herein, a combination of heteropolyacids and ionic liquids as a catalytic system was studied for the Biginelli multicomponent reaction; the positive ionic liquid effect associated with the acidic strength of zeolite-supported heteropolyacids made this combination an efficient catalytic system for the multicomponent synthesis of 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-one/thione derivatives. The acidic strength effect was evaluated, and a range was determined in which the reaction provided better results. The mechanism of the reaction was also investigated in the presence and absence of ionic liquids, and two features of paramount importance were revealed: the mechanism could be tuned to proceed through only one reaction path among three possibilities and the kinetics of the reaction was significantly faster in the presence of an ionic liquid.

Heteropolyacids and ionic liquid effect allowed tuning of the Biginelli reaction mechanism and synthesis of 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-one/thione derivatives in an efficient, recyclable fashion. The role of acidic strength and supported heteropolyacid is disclosed.

Mechanistic understanding of catalysis by combining mass spectrometry and computation

The combination of mass spectrometry and computational chemistry has been proven to be powerful for exploring reaction mechanisms. The former provides information of reaction intermediates, while the latter gives detailed reaction energy profiles.

Mechanistic knowledge and noncovalent interactions as the key features for enantioselective catalysed multicomponent reactions: a critical review

This critical short review focuses on some key features which determine successful enantioselective catalysed multicomponent reactions (MCRs) and are typically underappreciated in the literature.

Is the formation of N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) a feasible mechanism for the distillation of imidazolium ionic liquids?

We describe the synthesis of two tetrachloroindate ionic liquids used as probes to study the involvement of NHCs (N-heterocyclic carbenes) in the distillation of imidazolium derivatives. Atmospheric-pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (APCI-MS), electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), atmospheric-pressure thermal desorption ion mass spectrometry (APTDI-MS) and laser-induced acoustic desorption (LIAD) were used to depict the possibility of the involvement of NHCs during the distillation process. Each type of imidazolium derivative showed a particular mechanism of distillation, pointing firmly to the dependence of both the cation and the anion natures to distil as ion pairs or NHCs. Ionic liquid 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrachloroindate (1a) exhibited a preference to distil as ion pairs, whereas 3,3'-(ethane-1,2-diyl)bis(1-methyimidazolium)bis-tetrachloroindate (1b) may react with the Lewis acid anion, affording a bidentate NHC complex to distil. Thermodynamics, quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) and natural bond orbital (NBO) analyses of the ionic liquid 1a were also conducted and helped understand the preference for ion pairs instead of NHCs. The performed theoretical calculations did not forwent the possibility of NHC formation; however, they clearly indicated the high stability of the anions (Lewis acids in nature) and also indicated that the possible reaction between NHC and the anion is not favoured. The calculated thermodynamic values were in accordance with the features observed by MS and indicated ion pairs as the feasible species for the distillation of imidazolium-based ionic liquids.

Ru-Catalyzed Estragole Isomerization under Homogeneous and Ionic Liquid Biphasic Conditions

The isomerization of estragole to trans-anethole is an important reaction and is industrially performed using an excess of NaOH or KOH in ethanol at high temperatures with very low selectivity. Simple Ru-based transition-metal complexes, under homogeneous, ionic liquid (IL)-supported (biphasic) and "solventless" conditions, can be used for this reaction. The selectivity of this reaction is more sensitive to the solvent/support used than the ligands associated with the metal catalyst. Thus, under the optimized reaction conditions, 100% conversion can be achieved in the estragole isomerization, using as little as 4 × 10^-3 mol % (40 ppm) of [RuHCl(CO)(PPh₃)₃] in toluene, reflecting a total turnover number (TON) of 25 000 and turnover frequencies (TOFs) of up to 500 min^-1 at 80 °C. Using a dimeric Ru precursor, [RuCl(μ-Cl)(η³:η³-C₁₀H₁₆)]₂, in ethanol associated with P(OEt)₃, a TON of 10 000 and a TOF of 125 min^-1 are obtained with 100% conversion and 99% selectivity. These two Ru catalytic systems can be transposed to biphasic IL systems by using ionic-tagged P-ligands such as 1-(3-(diphenylphosphanyl)propyl)-2,3-dimethylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide immobilized in 1-(3-hydroxypropyl)-2,3-dimethylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl) imide with up to 99% selectivity and almost complete estragole conversion. However, the reaction is much slower than that performed under solventless or homogeneous conditions. The use of ionic-tagged ligands significantly reduces the Ru leaching to the organic phase, compared to that in reactions performed under homogeneous conditions, where the catalytic system loses catalytic performance after the second recycling. Detailed kinetic investigations of the reaction catalyzed by [RuHCl(CO)(PPh₃)₃] indicate that a simplified kinetic model (a monomolecular reversible first-order reaction) is adequate for fitting the homogeneous reaction at 80 °C and under biphasic conditions. However, the kinetics of the reaction are better described if all of the elementary steps are taken into consideration, especially at 40 °C.

Reaction Intermediates Kinetics in Solution Investigated by Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry: Diaurated Complexes

A new method to investigate the reaction kinetics of intermediates in solution by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry is presented. The method, referred to as delayed reactant labeling, allows investigation of a reaction mixture containing isotopically labeled and unlabeled reactants with different reaction times. It is shown that we can extract rate constants for the degradation of reaction intermediates and investigate the effects of various reaction conditions on their half-life. This method directly addresses the problem of the relevance of detected gaseous ions toward the investigated reaction solution. It is demonstrated for geminally diaurated intermediates formed in the gold mediated addition of methanol to alkynes. Delayed reactant labeling allows us to directly link the kinetics of the diaurated intermediates with the overall reaction kinetics determined by NMR spectroscopy. It is shown that the kinetics of protodeauration of these intermediates mirrors the kinetics of the addition of methanol demonstrating they are directly involved in the catalytic cycle. Formation as well as decomposition of diaurated intermediates can be drastically slowed down by employing bulky ancillary ligands at the gold catalyst; the catalytic cycle then proceeds via monoaurated intermediates. The reaction is investigated for 1-phenylpropyne (Ph-CC-CH3) using [AuCl(PPh3)]/AgSbF6 and [AuCl(IPr)]/AgSbF6 as model catalysts. Delayed reactant labeling is achieved by using a combination of CH3OH and CD3OH or Ph-CC-CH3 and Ph-CC-CD3.

On-line monitoring of Soxhlet extraction by chromatography and mass spectrometry to reveal temporal extract profiles

Soxhlet extraction is a popular sample preparation technique used in chemical analysis. It enables liberation of molecules embedded in complex matrices (for example, plant tissues, foodstuffs). In most protocols, samples are analyzed after the extraction process is complete. However, in order to optimize extraction conditions and enable comparisons between different types of extraction, it would be desirable to monitor it in real time. The main development of this work is the design and construction of the interface between Soxhlet extractor and GC-MS as well as ESI-MS system. The temporal extract profiles, obtained in the course of real-time GC-MS monitoring, have been fitted with mathematical functions to analyze extraction kinetics of different analytes. For example, the mass transfer coefficients of pinene, limonene and terpinene in lemon sample, estimated using the first-order kinetic model, are 0.540h(-1), 0.507h(-1) and 0.722h(-1), respectively. On the other hand, the Peleg model provides the following extraction rates of pinene, limonene and terpinene: 0.370nMh(-1), 0.216nMh(-1) and 0.596nMh(-1), respectively. The results suggest that both first-order kinetic and Peleg equations can be used to describe the progress of Soxhlet extraction. On-line monitoring of Soxhlet extraction reveals extractability of various analytes present in natural samples (plant tissue), and can potentially facilitate optimization of the extraction process.

Mechanistic insights from mass spectrometry: examination of the elementary steps of catalytic reactions in the gas phase

Real-time mass spectrometric monitoring of speciation in a catalytic reaction while it is occurring provides powerful insights into mechanistic aspects of the reaction, but cannot be expected to elucidate all details. However, mass spectrometers are not limited just to analysis: they can serve as reaction vessels in their own right, and given their powers of separation and activation in the gas phase, they are also capable of generating and isolating reactive intermediates. We can use these capabilities to help fill in our overall understanding of the catalytic cycle by examining the elementary steps that make it up. This article provides examples of how these simple reactions have been examined in the gas phase.

Insights on the Petasis Borono–Mannich multicomponent reaction mechanism

The Petasis Borono–Mannich reaction: a joint theoretical and experimental.