Conformational preferences of α-fluoroketones may influence their reactivity

Conformational Landscape of α-Halopropiophenones Determined by nJC-H NMR Reveals Unexpected Patterns and Geometric Constraints

The conformational features of α-halopropiophenones were investigated to understand the influence of α-halogens on conformation through hyperconjugative interactions, electrostatics, and steric factors. Using NMR, C-H scalar coupling constants were measured in different solvents, revealing a pattern in the conformational equilibria, which we validated by computational means. This behavior arises largely from hyperconjugative effects with the exception of the fluoro-derivatives, which are also influenced by steric and electrostatic interactions. In all cases, the contribution to hyperconjugation of the α-halo ketones is driven by the oxygen lone pair (rather than the C-X bond), which donates electron density to the adjacent C-C bonds. Additionally, C-Cα bond rotation generates distortions in the side chain, responsible for destabilization, thus affecting system conjugation. These structural features identified for the α-halo ketones are also reflected in their reactivity, which is distinct from that expected for nucleophilic addition.

Large Computational Survey of Intrinsic Reactivity of Aromatic Carbon Atoms with Respect to a Model Aldehyde Oxidase

Aldehyde oxidase (AOX) and other related molybdenum-containing enzymes are known to oxidize the C-H bonds of aromatic rings. This process contributes to the metabolism of pharmaceutical compounds and, therefore, is of vital importance to drug pharmacokinetics. The present work describes an automated computational workflow and its use for the prediction of intrinsic reactivity of small aromatic molecules toward a minimal model of the active site of AOX. The workflow is based on quantum chemical transition state searches for the underlying single-step oxidation reaction, where the automated protocol includes identification of unique aromatic C-H bonds, creation of three-dimensional reactant and product complex geometries via a templating approach, search for a transition state, and validation of reaction end points. Conformational search on the reactants, products, and the transition states is performed. The automated procedure has been validated on previously reported transition state barriers and was used to evaluate the intrinsic reactivity of nearly three hundred heterocycles commonly found in approved drug molecules. The intrinsic reactivity of more than 1000 individual aromatic carbon sites is reported. Stereochemical and conformational aspects of the oxidation reaction, which have not been discussed in previous studies, are shown to play important roles in accurate modeling of the oxidation reaction. Observations on structural trends that determine the reactivity are provided and rationalized.

Dipolar repulsion in α-halocarbonyl compounds revisited

The concept of dipolar repulsion has been widely used to explain several phenomena in organic chemistry, including the conformational preferences of carbonyl compounds. This model, in which atoms and bonds are viewed as point charges and dipole moment vectors, respectively, is however oversimplified. To provide a causal model rooted in quantitative molecular orbital theory, we have analyzed the rotational isomerism of haloacetaldehydes OHC–CH₂X (X = F, Cl, Br, I), using relativistic density functional theory. We have found that the overall trend in the rotational energy profiles is set by the combined effects of Pauli repulsion (introducing a barrier around gauche that separates minima at syn and anti), orbital interactions (which can pull the anti minimum towards anticlinal to maximize hyperconjugation), and electrostatic interactions. Only for X = F, not for X = Cl–I, electrostatic interactions push the preference from syn to anti. Our bonding analyses show how this trend is related to the compact nature of F versus the more diffuse nature of the heavier halogens.

Beyond point charges! The point charge concept within dipolar repulsion model is valid for compact atoms like fluorine. This model breaks down for larger halogens, for which the electrostatic attraction between nuclei and charge densities dominates.

Synthesis of β-Methyl Alcohols: Influence of Alkyl Chain Length on Diastereoselectivity and New Attractants of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus

The diastereoselectivity of adducts in the addition reaction via the Felkin-Anh model is affected significantly by the steric effect of bulky groups. However, the influence of steric alkyl chain length has not been studied for the diastereoselectivity. In this work, we present a new strategy for the racemic synthesis of β-methyl alcohols to obtain various diastereomer ratios using the Felkin-Anh model. The addition of alkyl Grignard reagents to α-methyl aldehydes afforded diastereomer ratios of threo/erythro ≈ 2:1, while the reduction in structurally related ketones using LiAlH₄ afforded ratios of threo/erythro ≈ 1:1. The experimental data showed no effect of alkyl chain length on either side on the stereoselectivity of adducts. All synthesized analogues were evaluated for attractiveness to Rhynchophorus ferrugineus weevils in the field. Five novel derivatives, including two alcohols and three ketones, were found to attract weevils in the field trials. Among them, 3-methyldecan-4-one (5b) and 4-methyldecan-5-ol (11a) were found to be the most attractive to the insects.

Diastereoselective Additions of Allylmagnesium Reagents to α-Substituted Ketones When Stereochemical Models Cannot Be Used

The stereoselectivities of reactions of allylmagnesium reagents with chiral ketones cannot be easily explained by stereochemical models. Competition experiments indicate that the complexation step is not reversible, so nucleophiles cannot access the widest range of possible encounter complexes and therefore cannot be analyzed easily using available models. Nevertheless, additions of allylmagnesium reagents to a ketone can still be stereoselective provided that the carbonyl group adopts a conformation that leads to one face being completely blocked from the approach of the allylmagnesium reagent.

Modulation of the H-Bond Basicity of Functional Groups by α-Fluorine-Containing Functions and its Implications for Lipophilicity and Bioisosterism

Modulation of the H-bond basicity (pK_HB) of various functional groups (FGs) by attaching fluorine functions and its impact on lipophilicity and bioisosterism considerations are described. In general, H/F replacement at the α-position to H-bond acceptors leads to a decrease of the pK_HB value, resulting, in many cases, in a dramatic increase in the compounds' lipophilicity (log P_o/w). In the case of α-CF₂H, we found that these properties may also be affected by intramolecular H-bonds between CF₂H and the FG. A computational study of ketone and sulfone series revealed that α-fluorination can significantly affect overall polarity, charge distribution, and conformational preference. The unique case of α-di- and trifluoromethyl ketones, which exist in octanol/water phases as ketone, hemiketal, and gem-diol forms, in equilibrium, prevents direct log P_o/w determination by conventional methods, and therefore, the specific log P_o/w values of these species were determined directly, for the first time, using Linclau's ¹⁹F NMR-based method.

Pseudo-Dipeptide Bearing α,α-Difluoromethyl Ketone Moiety as Electrophilic Warhead with Activity against Coronaviruses

The synthesis of α-fluorinated methyl ketones has always been challenging. New methods based on the homologation chemistry via nucleophilic halocarbenoid transfer, carried out recently in our labs, allowed us to design and synthesize a target-directed dipeptidyl α,α-difluoromethyl ketone (DFMK) 8 as a potential antiviral agent with activity against human coronaviruses. The ability of the newly synthesized compound to inhibit viral replication was evaluated by a viral cytopathic effect (CPE)-based assay performed on MCR5 cells infected with one of the four human coronaviruses associated with respiratory distress, i.e., hCoV-229E, showing antiproliferative activity in the micromolar range (EC₅₀ = 12.9 ± 1.22 µM), with a very low cytotoxicity profile (CC₅₀ = 170 ± 3.79 µM, 307 ± 11.63 µM, and 174 ± 7.6 µM for A549, human embryonic lung fibroblasts (HELFs), and MRC5 cells, respectively). Docking and molecular dynamics simulations studies indicated that 8 efficaciously binds to the intended target hCoV-229E main protease (M^pro). Moreover, due to the high similarity between hCoV-229E M^pro and SARS-CoV-2 M^pro, we also performed the in silico analysis towards the second target, which showed results comparable to those obtained for hCoV-229E M^pro and promising in terms of energy of binding and docking pose.

Fluorohydration of alkynes via I(I)/I(III) catalysis

Substrate specificity is ubiquitous in biological catalysis, but less pervasive in the realm of small-molecule catalysis. Herein, we disclose an intriguing example of substrate specificity that was observed whilst exploring catalysis-based routes to generate α-fluoroketones from terminal and internal alkynes under the auspices of I(I)/I(III) catalysis. Utilising p-TolI as an inexpensive organocatalyst with Selectfluor^® and amine/HF mixtures, the formation of protected α-fluoroketones from simple alkynes was realised. Whilst the transient p-TolIF₂ species generated in situ productively engaged with pentynyl benzoate scaffolds to generate the desired α-fluoroketone motif, augmentation or contraction of the linker suppressed catalysis. The prerequisite for this substructure was established by molecular editing and was complemented with a physical organic investigation of possible determinants.

Reactions of Allylmagnesium Reagents with Carbonyl Compounds and Compounds with C═N Double Bonds: Their Diastereoselectivities Generally Cannot Be Analyzed Using the Felkin-Anh and Chelation-Control Models

This review describes the additions of allylmagnesium reagents to carbonyl compounds and to imines, focusing on the differences in reactivity between allylmagnesium halides and other Grignard reagents. In many cases, allylmagnesium reagents either react with low stereoselectivity when other Grignard reagents react with high selectivity, or allylmagnesium reagents react with the opposite stereoselectivity. This review collects hundreds of examples, discusses the origins of stereoselectivities or the lack of stereoselectivity, and evaluates why selectivity may not occur and when it will likely occur.

Nickel-Catalyzed Coupling Reaction of α-Bromo-α-fluoroketones with Arylboronic Acids toward the Synthesis of α-Fluoroketones

A nickel-catalyzed coupling reaction of α-bromo-α-fluoroketones with arylboronic acids was reported, which provides an efficient pathway to access 2-fluoro-1,2-diarylethanones in high yields. We also disclosed the synthesis of the monofluorination agents α-bromo-α-fluoroketones by using a trifluoroacetate release protocol. Mechanistic investigation indicated that a monofluoroalkyl radical is involved in the catalytic circle. Moreover, an important medical intermediate of flindokalner was synthesized via a nickel-catalyzed coupling reaction of α-bromo-α-fluoro-2-indolone and boronic ester.

Fluorine conformational effects characterized by energy decomposition analysis

Fluorine associated classical and quantum effects are quantified by the interacting quantum atoms method to identify the factors controlling the conformation in organofluorine molecules.