The organocatalytic ring-opening polymerization of N-tosyl aziridines by an N-heterocyclic carbene

Cationic ring-opening polymerization of N-benzylaziridines to polyamines via organic boron

This communication reports the synthesis of cyclic polyamines via the cationic ring-opening polymerization (CROP) of N-benzylaziridines initiated by tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane. The debenzylation of these polyamines afforded water-soluble polyethylenimine derivatives. The electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and density functional theory results revealed that the CROP proceeded via the activated chain end intermediates.

Rational Tuning of the Reactivity of Three-Membered Heterocycle Ring Openings via SN 2 Reactions

The development of small-molecule covalent inhibitors and probes continuously pushes the rapidly evolving field of chemical biology forward. A key element in these molecular tool compounds is the "electrophilic trap" that allows a covalent linkage with the target enzyme. The reactivity of this entity needs to be well balanced to effectively trap the desired enzyme, while not being attacked by off-target nucleophiles. Here we investigate the intrinsic reactivity of substrates containing a class of widely used electrophilic traps, the three-membered heterocycles with a nitrogen (aziridine), phosphorus (phosphirane), oxygen (epoxide) or sulfur atom (thiirane) as heteroatom. Using quantum chemical approaches, we studied the conformational flexibility and nucleophilic ring opening of a series of model substrates, in which these electrophilic traps are mounted on a cyclohexene scaffold (C₆ H₁₀ Y with Y=NH, PH, O, S). It was revealed that the activation energy of the ring opening does not necessarily follow the trend that is expected from C-Y leaving-group bond strength, but steeply decreases from Y=NH, to PH, to O, to S. We illustrate that the HOMO_Nu -LUMO_Substrate interaction is an all-important factor for the observed reactivity. In addition, we show that the activation energy of aziridines and phosphiranes can be tuned far below that of the corresponding epoxides and thiiranes by the addition of proper electron-withdrawing ring substituents. Our results provide mechanistic insights to rationally tune the reactivity of this class of popular electrophilic traps and can guide the experimental design of covalent inhibitors and probes for enzymatic activity.

The Anionic Polymerization of a tert-Butyl-Carboxylate-Activated Aziridine

N-Sulfonyl-activated aziridines are known to undergo anionic-ring-opening polymerizations (AROP) to form polysulfonyllaziridines. However, the post-polymerization deprotection of the sulfonyl groups from polysulfonyllaziridines remains challenging. In this report, the polymerization of tert-butyl aziridine-1-carboxylate (BocAz) is reported. BocAz has an electron-withdrawing tert-butyloxycarbonyl (BOC) group on the aziridine nitrogen. The BOC group activates the aziridine for AROP and allows the synthesis of low-molecular-weight poly(BocAz) chains. A 13C NMR spectroscopic analysis of poly(BocAz) suggested that the polymer is linear. The attainable molecular weight of poly(BocAz) is limited by the poor solubility of poly(BocAz) in AROP-compatible solvents. The deprotection of poly(BocAz) using trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) cleanly produces linear polyethyleneimine. Overall, these results suggest that carbonyl groups, such as BOC, can play a larger role in the in the activation of aziridines in anionic polymerization and in the synthesis of polyimines.

Tributylphosphine-catalyzed aziridine-based cycloaddition polymerization toward thiacyclic polymers

Cycloaddition polymerization of bis(N-sulfonyl aziridine)s with diisocyanates in the presence of tributylphosphine allows the facile synthesis of poly(thiazolidin-2-imine)s.

Catalyst-free aziridine-based step-growth polymerization: a facile approach to optically active poly(sulfonamide amine)s and poly(sulfonamide dithiocarbamate)s

Step-growth polymerization of chiral bis(N-sulfonyl aziridine)s with diamines or bis(dialkyldithiocarbamate) in the absence of a catalyst allows the facile synthesis of optically active polysulfonamide derivatives.

Solvent and catalyst-free modification of hyperbranched polyethyleneimines by ring-opening-addition or ring-opening-polymerization of N-sulfonyl aziridines

Ring-opening (polymerization) of N-sulfonyl aziridines with PEI under solvent/catalyst-free conditions allows the atom-economic synthesis of amphiphilic alkylated PEIs and luminescent PEI-graft-polysulfonamide.

Organocatalytic sequential ring-opening polymerization of cyclic ester/epoxide and N-sulfonyl aziridine: metal-free and easy access to block copolymers

Sequential ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone (ε-CL)/propylene oxide (PO) and N-sulfonyl aziridine switched by tosyl isocyanate (TSI) allows the metal-free synthesis of polysulfonamide-based copolymers.

Activated Monomer Polymerization of an N-Sulfonylazetidine

Previously, N-(methanesulfonyl)azetidine (MsAzet) was found to polymerize anionically via ring-opening at temperatures >100 °C to form p(MsAzet) in the presence of an anionic initiator. In the current report, potassium(azetidin-1-ylsulfonyl) methanide (KMsAzet), formed from deprotonation of the methanesulfonyl group of MsAzet by KHMDS, is shown to undergo spontaneous AROP at room temperature to form p(N-K-MsAzet). The structure of p(N-K-MsAzet) differs from that of p(MsAzet), as the sulfonyl groups are incorporated into the polymer backbone of p(N-K-MsAzet). Reaction of p(N-K-MsAzet) with MeOH produces p(N-H-MsAzet), a semicrystalline polymer with a structure like that of polyamides, but with sulfonylamides in place of the carboxamides found in polyamides. Reaction of p(N-K-MsAzet) with benzyl bromide results in the formation of amorphous p(N-Bn-MsAzet). P(N-K-MsAzet) is hypothesized to form via an activated monomer anionic polymerization; this is supported by polymerization kinetic data and structural characterization of the resulting polymers.

Linear Well-Defined Polyamines via Anionic Ring-Opening Polymerization of Activated Aziridines: From Mild Desulfonylation to Cell Transfection

Linear polyethylenimine (L-PEI), a standard for nonviral gene delivery, is usually prepared by hydrolysis from poly(2-oxazoline)s. Lately, anionic polymerization of sulfonamide-activated aziridines had been reported as an alternative pathway toward well-defined L-PEI and linear polyamines. However, desulfonylation of the poly(sulfonyl aziridine)s typically relied on harsh conditions (acid, microwave) or used a toxic solvent (e.g., hexamethylphosphoramide). In addition, the drastic change of polarity requires solvents, which keep poly(sulfonyl aziridine)s as well as L-PEI in solution, and only a limited number of strategies were reported. Herein, we prepared 1-(4-cyanobenzenesulfonyl) 2-methyl-aziridine (1) as a monomer for the anionic ring-opening polymerization. It was polymerized to well-defined and linear poly(sulfonyl aziridine)s. The 4-cyanobenzenesulfonyl-activating groups were removed under mild conditions to linear polypropylenimine (L-PPI). Using dodecanethiol and diazabicyclo-undecene (DBU) allowed ≥98% desulfonylation and a reliable purification toward polyamines with high purity and avoiding main-chain scission. This method represents a fast approach in comparison to previous methods used for postpolymerization desulfonylation and produces linear well-defined polyamines. The high control over molecular weight and dispersities achieved by living anionic polymerization are the key advantages of our strategy, especially if used for biomedical applications, in which molecular weight might correlate with toxicity. The synthesized polypropylenimine was further tested as a cell-transfection agent and proved, with 16.1% transfection efficiency of the cationic nanoparticles, to be an alternative to L-PEI obtained from the 2-oxazoline route. This general strategy will allow the preparation of complex macromolecular architectures containing polyamine segments, which were not accessible before.

The mechanistic duality of (thio)urea organocatalysts for ring-opening polymerization

Among the various catalysts for ROP, H-bonding organocatalysts stand out in the precise level of reaction control they are able to render during ROP. The H-bonding class of organocatalysts are thought to effect ROP via dual activation of both monomer and chain end. (Thio)urea mediated ROP has experienced a renaissance as a new polymerization mechanism - mediated by imidate or thioimidate species - facilitates new modes of reactivity and new synthetic abilities. Indeed, the urea class of H-bond donors has been shown to be more active than their corresponding thioureas. The imidate mechanism remains highly active in polar solvents and exhibits remarkable control - and 'living' behavior - under solvent-free conditions, and a broad range of temperatures is accessible. The advancements in synthetic abilities have all evolved through a greater understanding of reaction mechanism. Through the continued synergistic advances of catalysis and material, the (thio)urea class of catalyst can find use in a host of potential applications, research and industrial environments.

Aziridines and azetidines: building blocks for polyamines by anionic and cationic ring-opening polymerization

The synthesis of aziridine and azetidine monomers and their ring-opening polymerization via different mechanisms is reviewed.

Anionic Ring-Opening Polymerization of N-(tolylsulfonyl)azetidines To Produce Linear Poly(trimethylenimine) and Closed-System Block Copolymers

The anionic ring-opening copolymerization of N-( p-tolylsulfonyl)azetidine ( pTsAzet) and N-( o-tolylsulfonyl)azetidine ( oTsAzet) produces poly( pTsAzet- co- oTsAzet) as a statistical copolymer. The pTsAzet/ oTsAzet copolymerization is living and allows for the synthesis of poly(sulfonylazetidine) of target molecular weights with narrow dispersities. ¹H NMR spectroscopy was used to monitor the kinetics of the polymerization and estimate the monomer reactivity ratios. It was found that the reactivity ratios for oTsAzet and pTsAzet at 180 °C are 1.66 and 0.60, respectively. The tosyl groups of p( pTsAzet- co- oTsAzet) were reductively removed to produce linear poly(trimethylenimine) (LPTMI). This represents the first route to LPTMI of controlled molecular weight and low dispersity. Finally, the slow kinetics of the sulfonylazetidine polymerization facilitated the synthesis of a block copolymer without requiring the sequential addition of monomer. Specifically, pTsAzet, oTsAzet, and ( N- p-toluenesulfonyl-2-methylaziridine) ( pTsMAz) were combined in solution. pTsMAz selectively polymerizes to form the first block at moderate temperature. After consumption of pTsMAz, the temperature was increased to copolymerize pTsAzet and oTsAzet and produce the block copolymer p( pTsMAz)- b-p( pTsAzet- co- oTsAzet).

Organocatalytic Ring-opening Polymerization Towards Poly(cyclopropane)s, Poly(lactame)s, Poly(aziridine)s, Poly(siloxane)s, Poly(carbosiloxane)s, Poly(phosphate)s, Poly(phosphonate)s, Poly(thiolactone)s, Poly(thionolactone)s and Poly(thiirane)s

The following chapter is a collection of monomers that undergo organocatalyzed ring-opening polymerizations and have not been covered in a separate chapter of this book. This includes polymers widely used in industrial applications, but also solely academically relevant and more “exotic” polymer classes. As most of these polymers contain heteroatoms in their backbone, the chapter is divided according to the respective heteroatoms. Each sub-section first gives a short introduction to the respective polymer or monomer properties and industrial applications (if available), followed by a brief summary of the traditional synthetic pathways. Afterwards, important milestones for the organocatalytic ROP are presented in chronological order. Special emphasis is put on the advantages and disadvantages of organocatalysis over traditional (ROP) methods on the basis of appropriate literature examples.

Nucleophilic ring opening reactions of aziridines

Aziridine ring opening reactions have gained tremendous importance in the synthesis of nitrogen containing biologically active molecules. During recent years, a great effort has been put forward by scientists toward unique bond construction methodologies via ring opening of aziridines. In this regard, a wide range of chiral metal- and organo-catalyzed desymmetrization reactions of aziridines have been reported with carbon, sulfur, oxygen, nitrogen, halogen, and other nucleophiles. In this review, an outline of methodologies adopted by a number of scientists during 2013-2017 for aziridine ring opening reactions as well as their synthetic applications is described.

The anionic ring-opening polymerization ofN-(methanesulfonyl)azetidine

The first anionic ring-opening polymerization of an activated azetidine is reported.

Organocatalyzed Anionic Ring-Opening Polymerizations of N-Sulfonyl Aziridines with Organic Superbases

The anionic ring-opening polymerizations (AROPs) of N-sulfonyl aziridines, in the presence of organic superbases including phosphazene (t-Bu-P₄), Verkade's base (P(i-PrNCH₂CH₂)₃N, TiPP), DBU, MTBD, and N,N,N',N'-tetramethylguanidine (TMG), using N-benzyl-p-toluenesulfonamide (BnN(H)Ts) as initiator were explored to produce metal-free poly(sulfonylaziridine)s. Among the superbases used, the catalytic activity was found directly proportional to their basicity. Remarkably, t-Bu-P₄ and TiPP gave a living/controlled AROP of 2-methyl-N-tosylaziridine (TsMAz), where t-Bu-P₄ performed better, affording the metal-free and well-defined poly(sulfonylaziridine)s with high molar masses (M_n(SEC) > 30 kg mol^-1) and low dispersities (Đ < 1.10) in 3.5 h. For the less reactive monomers of 2-methyl-N-ethylsulfonyl aziridine (EsMAz) and 2-phenyl-N-tosylaziridine (TsPhAz), t-Bu-P₄ showed the same excellent catalytic efficiency (30 equiv, conv. > 95%, 5 h). The organocatalyzed AROP allowed the use of lower catalyst (t-Bu-P₄) loading than the amount of initiator (BnN(H)Ts), but the propagating polymer chains were as many as the number of equivalents of the introduced initiators, which could lower the loading of catalyst used to amounts as low as 0.05 mol %.

The living anionic polymerization of activated aziridines: a systematic study of reaction conditions and kinetics

The living anionic polymerization of sulfonyl aziridines is systematically studied by variation of solvents, temperatures, gegenions, and novel initiators.