The results from density functional theory (DFT) studies into C–H bond activation, hydrogen transfer, and alkyne–to–vinylidene isomerization are presented in this work. The reaction mechanism for the reductive elimination (RE) of methane from [ κ3- TpPtIV(CH3)2H (1)] (Tp = hydridotris(pyrazolyl)borate) by oxidative addition (OA) of benzene to form [ κ3-TpPtIV(Ph)2H] (19) was investigated through DFT calculations. For 31 density functionals, the calculated values for the barriers to methane formation (Ba1) and release (Ba2) from 1 were benchmarked against the experimentally reported values of 26 (Ba1) and 35 (Ba2) kcal•mol-1, respectively. The values for Ba1 and Ba2, calculated at the B3LYP/DZP level of theory, are 24.6 and 34.3 kcal•mol-1, respectively. The best performing functional was BPW91 where the m.a.e. for the calculated values of the two barriers is 0.68 kcal•mol-1. Classic and newly proposed mechanisms for metal-mediated hydrogen transfer (HT) were analyzed with density functional theory (DFT) and Bader's "Atoms In Molecules" (AIM) analysis. Seven sets of bonding patterns that characterize theconnectivity in metal-mediate HT were found from the analysis of representative models for σ-bond metathesis ( σBM), oxidative addition / reductive elimination (OA/RE), and alternative mechanisms. The mechanism for the formation of the alkynyl, vinylidene complex, [(PiPr3)2Rh(CCPh)(CC(H)(Ph))] (2), by the addition of two equivalents of phenylacetylene (PA) to [( η3-C3H5)Rh(PiPr3)2] (1) was studied through DFT calculations. Two experimentally observed intermediates on the reaction coordinate are the η2-PA, alkynyl complex, [(PiPr3)2Rh( η2-HCCPh)(CCPh)] (Ia) and the fivecoordinate, pseudo square-pyramidal, RhIII–H complex, [(PiPr3)2Rh(H)(CCPh)2] (Ib), and were found to be in equilibrium. The relative energies of Ia, Ib, and 2 (relative to 1 + 2PA) depend on the phosphine that was used in the calculation; the predicted product is 2 with PiPr3 and PEt3 but Ia with PMe3, PMe2Ph, PMePh2, PPh3, and PH3. The equilibrium between Ia and Ib was calculated with PEt3 and one conformation of PiPr3. We investigated the mechanism for the formation of 2 from Ia, and a lower energy pathway where the π-bound PA of Ia slips to bind through the σ-C–H bond prior to the formation of 2 through hydrogen migration was found.

Thesis (D. Min.)--Trinity International University, 2001. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 238-254).

(-)-Kainic acid and its C-4 epimer, (+)-allokainic acid are parent members of a class of substituted pyrrolidines known as kainoids. They have been found to exhibit powerful biological properties, principally neuroexcitatory. Kainic acid has become especially important in the study of Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, and other neurological disorders. The total syntheses of (-)-kainic acid and (+)-allokainic acid were achieved using (L)-glutamic acid as the starting material and the sole source of stereochemical induction. The key steps for these successful syntheses involve formation of the gamma-lactam core via rhodium (II) catalyzed intramolecular C-H insertion of the alpha-diazo-alpha-(phenylsulfonyl)acetamide intermediate and the stereoselective dephenylsufonylation. Pd(II)-catalyzed and oxygen promoted carbon-carbon bond formation methodologies using organoboronic reagents were developed. The first one is a mild and efficient Pd(II) catalysis, leading to the formation of carbon-carbon bonds between a broad spectrum of organoboron compounds and alkenes. Molecular oxygen was employed to reoxidize the resultant Pd(0) species back to Pd(II) during catalytic cycles.This oxygen protocol promoted the desired Pd(II) catalysis, whereas it retarded competing Pd(0) catalytic pathways such as Heck or Suzuki couplings. The second one is the formation of symmetric biaryls and dienes via oxidative dimerization of aryl and alkenyl boronic acids. These conditions utilized Pd(II) catalysts under an oxygen atmosphere with water as the solvent. The use of phase transfer catalysts promoted efficient and mild syntheses of a wide range of materials.

The chemistry of late first row transition metals supported by dipyrromethane and dipyrromethene ligands bearing sterically bulky substituents was explored. Transition metal complexes (Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn) of the dipyrromethane ligand 1,9-dimesityl-5,5-dimethyldipyrromethane (dpma) were prepared. Structural and magnetic characterization (SQUID, EPR) of the bis-pyridine adducts \((dpma)Mn(py)_2\), \((dpma)Fe(py)_2\), and \((dpma)Co(py)_2\) showed each tetrahedral divalent ion to be high-spin, while square planar \((dpma)Ni^{II}(py)_2\) and tetrahedral \((dpma)Zn(py)_2\) were shown to be diamagnetic. Electrochemical experiments revealed oxidative events at common potentials independent of metal identity or spin state, consistent with ligand-based oxidation. Dipyrromethene ligand scaffolds were synthesized bearing large aryl \((Ar = 2,4,6-Ph_{3}C_{6}H_{2}, Mes = 2,4,6-Me_{3}C_{6}H_{2})\) or alkyl \((^{t}Bu = CMe_3, Ad = 1-adamantyl)\) flanking groups to afford three new disubstituted ligands \((^{R}dpme, 1, 9-R_2-5-mesityldipyrromethene, R = Ar, Mes, ^{t}Bu, Ad)\). While high-spin \((S=2)\), four-coordinate iron complexes of the type \((^{R}dpme)FeCl(solv)\) were obtained when R was Mes, tBu, or Ad, use of the sterically encumbered aryl-substituted ligand gave a three-coordinate high-spin \((S=2)\) complex \((^{Ar}dpme)FeCl\). Intramolecular C−H amination was discovered in the reaction of organic azides with \((^{Mes}dpme)FeCl(thf)\), though no intermediate was observed by UV/Vis, IR, or \(^{1}H\) VT-NMR experiments. Reaction of \((^{Ad}dpme)FeCl(OEt_2)\) with alkyl azides resulted in the catalytic amination of C–H bonds or aziridination of olefins at room temperature. Reaction of \(p-^{t}BuC_{6}H_{4}N_{3}\) with \((^{Ar}dpme)FeCl\) permitted isolation of a high-spin \((S=2)\) iron complex \((^{Ar}dpme)FeCl(N(p-^{t}BuC_6H_4))\), featuring a terminal imidyl radical antiferromagnetically coupled to high-spin \(Fe^{III}\), as determined by \(^{1}H\) NMR, X-ray crystallography, and \(^{57}Fe\) Mössbauer. A three-coordinate CoI complex \((^{Ar}dpme)Co(py)\) was synthesized and characterized by \(^{1}H\) NMR, SQUID magnetometry, and X-ray crystallography. Reaction of \((^{Ar}dpme)Co(py)\) with \(^{t}BuN_3\) afforded an isolable three-coordinate Co imide complex \((^{Ar}dpme)Co(N^{t}Bu)\) that exhibits spin crossover from a singlet to a quintet. Reaction of \((^{Ar}dpme)Co(py)\) with mesityl azide produces a spectroscopically observed intermediate, consistent with an \(S=1\) terminal imide complex, that converted via benzylic C–H activation into the metallacycloindoline \((^{Ar}dome)Co(\kappa^{2}-NHC_{6}H_{2}-2,4-Me_{2}-6-CH_2)\). / Chemistry and Chemical Biology

This thesis is focused on two main areas of organic synthesis, palladium-catalyzed functionalization of alkenes and allylic alcohols, as well as development of new allylboration reactions. We have developed a palladium-catalyzed selective allylic trifluoroacetoxylation reaction based on C−H functionalization. Allylic trifluoroacetates were synthesized from functionalized olefins under oxidative conditions. The reactions proceed under mild conditions with a high level of diastereoselectivity. Mechanistic studies of the allylic C−H trifluoroacetoxylation indicate that the reaction proceeds via (η3-allyl)palladium(IV) intermediate. Palladium-catalyzed regio- and stereoselective synthesis of allylboronic acids from allylic alcohols has been demonstrated. Diboronic acid B2(OH)4 was used as the boron source in this process. The reactivity of the allylboronic acids were studied in three types of allylboration reactions: allylboration of ketones, imines and acyl hydrazones. All three processes are conducted under mild conditions without any additives. The reactions proceeded with remarkably high regio- and stereoselectivity. An asymmetric version of the allylboration of ketones was also developed. In this process chiral BINOL derivatives were used as catalysts. The reaction using γ-disubstituted allylboronic acids and various aromatic and aliphatic ketones afforded homoallylic alcohols bearing two adjacent quaternary stereocenters with excellent regio-, diastereo- and enantioselectivity (up to 97:3 er) in high yield. The stereoselectivity in the allylboration reactions could be rationalized on the basis of the Zimmerman-Traxler TS model.

No description available.

The objective of this thesis is to explore new reactivities and to improve luminescent properties of 7-azaindole-containing metal complexes. Selectivity for the activation of toluene and ethyl benzene has been investigated with two cationic Pt(II)(N,N-L) complexes, where N,N-L = 1,2-bis(1-N-7-azaindolyl)benzene (BAB) or bis(1-N-7-azaindolyl)methane (BAM). A high regioselectivity toward toluene and ethyl benzene benzylic C-H activation and a distinct diastereoselectivity for ethyl benzene benzylic C-H activation are demonstrated. Detailed mechanistic studies have been performed, leading to the establishment of both the intermediacy of the η3-benzylic Pt(II) complexes in the reactions and the ligand steric impacts as origins for the distinct diastereoselectivity. A PtMe2 complex of 1-N-(pyridin-2-yl)-7-azaindole (NPA) has been synthesized and found to undergo facile transformation at ambient temperature, resulting in the quantitive formation of a neutral Pt4 molecular square. The mechanism of the transformation process has been examined, establishing a distinct intramolecular C-H driven self-assembly process. The geometrical impacts of the BAB and BAM ligands on the structure and stability of their fac-Pt(IV)Me3 complexes has been investigated. The BAB ligand is more effective than the BAM ligand in stabilizing the five-coordinate Pt(IV)Me3 complexes. With the BAB ligand, a five-coordinate fac-Pt(IV)Me3 complex is obtained; with the BAM ligand, two six-coordinate fac-Pt(IV)Me3 complexes are obtained. In solution, the methyl groups in the BAB complex exchange slowly, but those in the BAM complexes exchange rapidly. Several new 7-azaindolyl derivative ligands via either modifying or altering the BAM and BAB bridging groups have been developed. The syntheses, structures and reactivities of their Pt(II) complexes have been examined, leading to the finding of an unconventional C-Sn oxidative addition reaction. The modification of the NPA ligand via the incorporation of a triarylboron group has been carried out. Several novel Pt(II) and Cu(I) complexes have been synthesized and studied. A Cu(I) complex is found to display exceptionally bright ambient temperature phosphorescence. A series of dinuclear Cu(I) compounds of the 1,2,3,4-tetra(1-N-7-azaindolyl)benzene (TTAB) ligand have been synthesized and examined. The close contacts between the TTAB bridging phenyl ring and the Cu(I) centers are present in the complexes. / Thesis (Ph.D, Chemistry) -- Queen's University, 2008-05-21 18:10:58.628

Thèse numérisée par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal

No description available.

Part 1: Transition-metal-catalyzed direct transformations of aromatic C-H bonds are emerging as valuable tools in organic synthesis. These reactions are attractive because of they allow for inherently efficient construction of organic building blocks by minimizing the pre-activation of substrates. Of these processes, direct arylation has recently received much attention due to the importance of the biaryl core in medicinal and materials chemistry. Also, alkyne hydroarylation has garnered interest because it allows for the atom-economical synthesis of functionalized alkenes directly from simple arenes and alkynes. Described in this thesis are number of advancements in these areas. First, palladium catalyzed direct arylation of azine N-oxides using synthetically important aryl triflates is described. Interesting reactivity of aryl triflates compared to aryl bromides was uncovered and exploited in the synthesis of a compound that exhibits antimalarial and antimicrobial activity. Also reported is the efficient, direct arylation enabled (formal) synthesis of six thiophene based organic electronic materials in high yields using simple starting materials. Additionally, the site-selective direct arylation of both sp2 and sp3 sites on azine N-oxide substrates is described. The arylation reactions are carried out in either a divergent manner or a sequential manner and is applied to the synthesis of the natural products, Papaverine and Crykonisine. Mechanistic investigations point towards the intimate involvement of the base in the mechanism of these reactions. Next, the rhodium(III)-catalyzed hydroarylation of internal alkynes is described. Good yields are obtained for a variety of alkynes and arenes with excellent regioselectivity for unsymmetrically substituted alkynes. Mechanistic investigations suggest that this reaction proceeds through arene metalation with the cationic rhodium catalyst, which enables challenging intermolecular reactivity. Part 2: Access to single enantiomer compounds is a fundamental goal in organic chemistry and despite remarkable advances in enantioselective synthesis, their preparation remains a challenge. Kinetic resolution of racemic products is an important method to access enantioenriched compounds, especially when alternative methods are scarce. Described in this thesis is the resolution of tertiary and secondary alcohols, which arise from ketone and aldehyde aldol additions. The method is technically simple, easily scalable, and provides tertiary and secondary alcohols in high enantiomeric ratios. A rationale for the unique reactivity/selectivity associated with (1S,2R)-N-methylephedrine in the resolution is proposed. Organocatalysis is a rapidly developing, powerful field for the construction of enantioenriched organic molecules. Described here is a complimentary class of organocatalysis using simple aldehydes as temporary tethers to perform challenging formally intermolecular reactions at room temperature. This strategy allows for the enantioselective, intermolecular cope-type hydroamination of allylic amines with hydroxyl amines. Also, interesting catalytic reactivity for dichloromethane is revealed.