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The copper-catalyzed intermolecular enantioselective addition of styrenes to imines has been achieved under mild conditions at ambient temperature. This process features the use of styrenes as latent carbanion equivalents via the intermediacy of catalytically generated benzylcopper derivatives, providing an effective means for accessing highly enantiomerically enriched amines bearing contiguous stereocenters. Mechanistic studies shed light on the origin of the preferential styrene hydrocupration in the presence of an imine with the Ph-BPE-derived copper catalyst.

The ligand-controlled Markovnikov and anti-Markovnikov hydrocarboxylation of styrenes with atmospheric pressure of CO2 at room temperature using dual visible-light-nickel catalysis has been developed. In the presence of neocuproine as ligand, the Markovnikov product is obtained exclusively, while employing 1,4- bis(diphenylphosphino)butane (dppb) as the ligand favors the formation of the anti-Markovnikov product. A range of functional groups and electron-poor, -neutral, as well as electron-rich styrene derivatives are tolerated by the reaction, providing the desired products in moderate to good yields. Preliminary mechanistic investigations indicate the generation of a nickel hydride (H-NiII) intermediate, which subsequently adds irreversibly to styrenes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the presence of a catalytic amount of Ni(cod)2 (cod = 1,5-cyclooctadiene) and PCy3 (Cy = cyclohexyl), the cross-tetramerization of tetrafluoroethylene (TFE), alkynes, and ethylene occurred in a highly selective manner to afford a variety of 1,3-dienes with a 3,3,4,4-tetrafluorobutyl chain. In addition, a Ni(0)- catalyzed cross-tetramerization of TFE, alkynes, ethylene, and styrenes was developed. These catalytic reactions might proceed via partially fluorinated five- and sevenmembered nickelacycle key intermediates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The direct β-selective hydrocarboxylation of styrenes under atmospheric pressure of CO2 has been developed using photoredox catalysis in continuous flow. The scope of this methodology was demonstrated with a range of functionalized terminal styrenes, as well as α-substituted and β-substituted styrenes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to quantify the electrophilic reactivities of common Michael acceptors, we measured the kinetics of the reactions of monoacceptor-substituted ethylenes (H2C=CHAcc, 1) and styrenes (PhCH=CH-Acc, 2) with pyridinium ylides 3, sulfonium ylide 4, and sulfonyl-substituted chloromethyl anion 5. Substitution of the 57 measured second-order rate constants (log k) and the previously reported nucleophilespecific parameters N and sN for 3-5 into the correlation log k = sN(E + N) allowed us to calculate 15 new empirical electrophilicity parameters E for Michael acceptors 1 and 2. The use of the same parameters sN, N, and E for these different types of reactions shows that all reactions proceed via a common rate-determining step, the nucleophilic attack of 3-5 at the Michael acceptors with formation of acyclic intermediates, which subsequently cyclize to give tetrahydroindolizines (stepwise 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions with 3) and cyclopropanes (with 4 and 5), respectively. The electrophilicity parameters E thus determined can be used to calculate the rates of the reactions of Michael acceptors 1 and 2 with any nucleophile of known N and sN. DFT calculations were performed to confirm the suggested reaction mechanisms and to elucidate the origin of the electrophilic reactivities. While electrophilicities E correlate poorly with the LUMO energies and with Parr's electrophilicity index ω, good correlations were found between the experimentally observed electrophilic reactivities of 44 Michael acceptors and their calculated methyl anion affinities, particularly when solvation by dimethyl sulfoxide was taken into account by applying the SMD continuum solvation model. Because of the large structural variety of Michael acceptors considered for these correlations, which cover a reactivity range of 17 orders of magnitude, we consider the calculation of methyl anion affinities to be the method of choice for a rapid estimate of electrophilic reactivities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxygenation of alkenes is one of the most straightforward routes for the construction of carbonyl compounds. Wacker oxidation provides a broadly useful strategy to convert the mineral oil into higher value-added carbonyl chemicals. However, the conventional Wacker chemistry remains problematic, such as the poor activity for internal alkenes, the lack of anti-Markovnikov regioselectivity, and the high cost and chemical waste resulted from noble metal catalysts and stoichiometric oxidant. Here, we describe an unprecedented dehydrogenative oxygenation of β-alkyl styrenes and their derivatives with water under external-oxidant-free conditions by utilizing the synergistic effect of photocatalysis and proton-reduction catalysis that can address these challenges. This dual catalytic system possesses the single anti-Markovnikov selectivity due to the property of the visible-light-induced alkene radical cation intermediate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kinetic studies, isotope labeling, and in situ high-resolution mass spectrometry are used to elucidate the mechanism for the catalytic oxidation of styrenes using aqueous hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and the cationic palladium(II) compound, [(PBO)Pd(NCMe)2][OTf]2 (PBO = 2-(pyridin-2-yl)benzoxazole). Previous studies have shown that this reaction yields acetophenones with high selectivity. We find that H2O2 binds to Pd(II) followed by styrene binding to generate a Pd-alkylperoxide that liberates acetophenone by at least two competitive processes, one of which involves a palladium enolate intermediate that has not been previously observed in olefin oxidation reactions. We suggest that acetophenone is formed from the palladium enolate intermediate by protonation from H2O2. We replaced hydrogen peroxide with t-butyl hydroperoxide and found that, although the palladium enolate intermediate was observed, it was not on the major product-generating pathway, indicating that the form of the oxidant plays a key role in the reaction mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An enantioselective catalytic vicinal diamination of styrenes is reported, which proceeds under entirely intermolecular reaction control. It relies on a chirally modified aryliodine(I) catalyst and proceeds within an iodine(I/III) manifold with conventional 3-chloroperbenzoic acid as a terminal oxidant. An environmentally benign solvent combination not only adds to the attractiveness of the process but also slows down the rate of the undesired background reaction. A total of 30 examples are presented, which consistently provide high enantiomeric excesses in the range 91-98%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transition-metal alkylidenes are important reactive organometallic intermediates, and our current knowledge on them has been mainly restricted to those with closed-shell electronic configurations. In this study, we present an exploration on open-shell iron alkylidenes with a weak-field tripodal amido-phosphine-amido ligand. We found that a high-spin (amido-phosphine-amido)iron(II) complex can react with (p-tolyl)2CN2 to afford a high-spin (amido-ylide-amido)iron(II) complex, 2, which could transfer its alkylidene moiety to a variety of alkenes, either the electron-rich or electron-deficient ones, to form cyclopropane derivatives. The reaction of 2 with cis-β-deuterio-styrene gave deuterated cyclopropane derivatives with partial loss of the stereochemical integrity with respect to the cis-styrene. Kinetic study on the cyclopropanation reaction of 2 with 4-fluoro-styrene disclosed the activation parameters of ΔH⧧ = 23 ± 1 kcal/mol and ΔS⧧ = -20 ± 3 cal/mol/K, which are comparable to those of the cyclopropanation reactions involving transition-metal alkylidenes. However, the cyclopropanation of para-substituted styrenes by 2 shows a nonlinear Hammett plot of log(kX/kH) vs σp. By introduction of a radical parameter, a linear plot of log(kX/kH) vs 0.59σp + 0.55σc• was obtained, which suggests the "nucleophilic" radical nature of the transition state of the cyclopropanation step. In corroboration with the experimental observations, density functional theory calculation on the reaction of 2 with styrene suggests the involvement of an open-shell (amido-phosphine-amido)iron alkylidene intermediate that is higher in energy than its (amido-ylide-amido)iron(II) precursor and an "outer-sphere" radical-type mechanism for the cyclopropanation step. The negative charge distribution on the alkylidene carbon atoms of the open-shell states (S = 2 and 1) explains the high activity of the cyclopropanation reaction toward electron-deficient alkenes. The study demonstrates the unique activity of open-shell iron alkylidene species beyond its closed-shell analogues, thus pointing out their potential synthetic usage in catalysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The separation of styrene (St) and ethylbenzene (EB) mixtures is important in the chemical industry. Here, we explore the St and EB adsorption selectivity of two pillar-shaped macrocyclic pillar[n]arenes (EtP5 and EtP6; n = 5 and 6). Both crystalline and amorphous EtP6 can capture St from a St-EB mixture with remarkably high selectivity. We show that EtP6 can be used to separate St from a 50:50 v/v St:EB mixture, yielding in a single adsorption cycle St with a purity of >99%. Single-crystal structures, powder X-ray diffraction patterns, and molecular simulations all suggest that this selectivity is due to a guest-induced structural change in EtP6 rather than a simple cavity/pore size effect. This restructuring means that the material "self-heals" upon each recrystallization, and St separation can be carried out over multiple cycles with no loss of performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rhodium bis(diazaphospholane) (BDP) catalyzed hydroformylation of styrene is sensitive to CO concentration, and drastically different kinetic regimes are affected by modest changes in gas pressure. The Wisconsin High Pressure NMR Reactor (WiHP-NMRR) has enabled the observation of changes in catalyst speciation in these different regimes. The apparent discrepancy between catalyst speciation and product distribution led us to report the first direct, noncatalytic quantitative observation of hydrogenolysis of acyl dicarbonyls. Analysis and modeling of these experiments show that not all catalyst is shunted through the off-cycle intermediates and this contributes to the drastic mismatch in selectivities. The data herein highlight the complex kinetics of Rh(BDP) catalyzed hydroformylation. In this case, the complexity arises from competing kinetic and thermodynamic preferences involving formation and isomerization of the acyl mono- and dicarbonyl intermediates and their hydrogenolysis to give aldehydes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The direct and single-step conversion of benzene, ethylene, and a Cu(II) oxidant to styrene using the Rh(I) catalyst (FlDAB)Rh(TFA)(η2-C2H4) [FlDAB = N,N′-bis(pentafluorophenyl)-2,3-dimethyl-1,4-diaza-1,3-butadiene; TFA = trifluoroacetate] has been reported to give quantitative yields (with Cu(II) as the limiting reagent) and selectivity combined with turnover numbers >800. This report details mechanistic studies of this catalytic process using a combined experimental and computational approach. Examining catalysis with the complex (FlDAB)Rh(OAc)(η2-C2H4) shows that the reaction rate has a dependence on catalyst concentration between first- and half-order that varies with both temperature and ethylene concentration, a first-order dependence on ethylene concentration with saturation at higher concentrations of ethylene, and a zero-order dependence on the concentration of Cu(II) oxidant. The kinetic isotope effect was found to vary linearly with the order in (FlDAB)Rh(OAc)(η2-C2H4), exhibiting no KIE when [Rh] was in the half-order regime, and a kH/kD value of 6.7(6) when [Rh] was in the first-order regime. From these combined experimental and computational studies, competing pathways, which involve all monomeric Rh intermediates and a binuclear Rh intermediate in the other case, are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A borocyclopropanation of (E)- and (Z)-allylic ethers and styrene derivatives via the Simmons-Smith reaction using a novel boromethylzinc carbenoid is described. The carbenoid precursor is prepared via a 3-step sequence from inexpensive and commercially available starting materials. This methodology allows for the preparation of 1,2,3-substituted borocyclopropanes in high yields and diastereoselectivities. Several postfunctionalization reactions were also performed to illustrate the versatility of these building blocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) typically requires various parameters to be optimized in order to achieve a high degree of control over molecular weight and dispersity (such as the type of initiator, transition metal, ligand, solvent, temperature, deactivator, added salts, and reducing agents). These components play a major role when switching monomers, e.g., from acrylic to methacrylic and/or styrenic monomers during the synthesis of homo- and block copolymers as the stability and reactivity of the carbon centered propagating radical dramatically changes. This is a challenge for both "experts" and nonexperts as choosing the appropriate conditions for successful polymerization can be time-consuming and overall an arduous task. In this work, we describe one set of universal conditions for the efficacious polymerization of acrylates, methacrylates and styrene (using an identical initiator, ligand, copper salt, and solvent) based on commercially available and inexpensive reagents (PMDETA, IPA, Cu(0) wire). The versatility of these conditions is demonstrated by the near quantitative polymerization of these monomer families to yield well-defined materials over a range of molecular weights with low dispersities (∼1.1-1.2). The control and high end group fidelity is further exemplified by in situ block copolymerization upon sequential monomer addition for the case of methacrylates and styrene furnishing higher molecular weight copolymers with minimal termination. The facile nature of these conditions, combined with readily available reagents, will greatly expand the access and availability of tailored polymeric materials to all researchers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synthesis of CF3-containing compounds is of great interest because of their broad use in the pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries. Herein, selective 2,2,2-trifluoroethylation of styrenes was catalyzed by Zr(IV)-based MOFs bearing visible-light photocatalysts in the form of Ir(III) polypyridyl complexes. When compared to the homogeneous Ir(III) catalyst, the MOF-based catalyst suppressed the dimerization of benzyl radicals, thus enhancing the selectivity of the desired hydroxytrifluoroethyl compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxygenation of alkenes is one of the most straightforward routes for the construction of carbonyl compounds. Wacker oxidation provides a broadly useful strategy to convert the mineral oil into higher value-added carbonyl chemicals. However, the conventional Wacker chemistry remains problematic, such as the poor activity for internal alkenes, the lack of anti-Markovnikov regioselectivity, and the high cost and chemical waste resulted from noble metal catalysts and stoichiometric oxidant. Here, we describe an unprecedented dehydrogenative oxygenation of β-alkyl styrenes and their derivatives with water under external-oxidant-free conditions by utilizing the synergistic effect of photocatalysis and proton-reduction catalysis that can address these challenges. This dual catalytic system possesses the single anti- Markovnikov selectivity due to the property of the visiblelight- induced alkene radical cation intermediate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achieving chemo- and regioselectivity simultaneously is challenging in organic synthesis. Transition metal-catalyzed reactions are effective in addressing this problem by the diverse ligand effect on the catalyst center. Ligand-controlled regioselective Pd-catalyzed carbonylation of styrenes with aminophenols was realized, chemoselectively affording amides. Using a combination of boronic acid and 5-chlorosalicylic acid as the additives, linear amides were obtained in high yields and selectivity using tris(4-methoxyphenyl)phosphine (L3) in acetonitrile, while branched amides were obtained in high yields and selectivity in butanone by changing the ligand to 1,3,5,7-tetramethyl-2,4,8-trioxa-6-phenyl-6-phosphaadamantane (L5). Further studies show that the nature of the ligand is key to the regioselectivity. Cone angle and Tolman electronic parameter (TEP) have been correlated to the reactivity and regioselectivity. Studies on the acid additives show that different acids act as the proton source and the corresponding counterion can help enhance the reactivity and selectivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first nickel-catalyzed intermolecular hydroacylation reaction of alkenes with simple aldehydes has been developed. This reaction offers a new approach to the selective preparation of branched ketones in high yields (up to 99%) and branched selectivities (up to 99:l). Experimental data provide evidence for reversible formation of acyl--nickel--alkyl intermediate, and DFT calculations show that the aldehyde C--H bond transfer to a coordinated alkene without oxidative addition is involved. The origin of the reactivity and regioselectivity of this reaction was also investigated computationally, which are consistent with experimental observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Porous metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been studied in the context of a wide variety of applications, particularly in relation to molecular storage and separation sciences. Recently, we reported a green, renewable framework material composed ofγ-cyclodextrin (γ-CD) and alkali metal salts--namely, CD-MOF. This porous material has been shown to facilitate the separation of mixtures of alkylaromatic compounds, including the BTEX mixture (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and the regioisomers of xylene), into their pure components, in both the liquid and gas phases, in an energy-efficient manner which could have implications for the petrochemical industry. Here, we report the ability of CD-MOF to separate a wide variety of mixtures, including ethylbenzene from styrene, haloaromatics, terpinenes, pinenes and other chiral compounds. CD-MOF retains saturated compounds to a greater extent than their unsaturated analogues. Also, the location of a double bond within a molecule influences its retention within the extended framework, as revealed in the case of the structural isomers of pinene and terpinine, where the isomers with exocyclic double bonds are more highly retained than those with endocyclic double bonds. The ability of CD-MOF to separate various mono- and disubstituted haloaromatic compounds appears to be controlled by both the size of the halogen substituents and the strength of the noncovalent bonding interactions between the analyte and the framework, an observation which has been confirmed by molecular simulations. Since CD-MOF is a homochiral framework, it is also able to resolve the enantiomers of chiral analytes, including those of limonene and 1-phenylethanol. These findings could lead to cheaper and easier-to-prepare stationary phases for HPLC separations when compared with other chiral stationary phases, such as CD-bonded silica particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transition-metal-catalyzed alkylation reactions of arenes have become a central transformation in organic synthesis. Herein, we report the first general strategy for alkylation of arenes with styrenes and alcohols catalyzed by carbon-based materials, exploiting the unique property of graphenes to produce valuable diarylalkane products in high yields and excellent regioselectivity. The protocol is characterized by a wide substrate scope and excellent functional group tolerance. Notably, this process constitutes the first general application of graphenes to promote direct C-C bond formation utilizing polar functional groups anchored on the GO surface, thus opening the door for an array of functional group alkylations using benign and readily available graphene materials. Mechanistic studies suggest that the reaction proceeds via a tandem catalysis mechanism in which both of the coupling partners are activated by interaction with the GO surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tandem catalytic systems, often inspired by biological systems, offer many advantages in the formation of highly functionalized small molecules. Herein, a new metal-organic framework (MOF) with porphyrinic struts and Hf6 nodes is reported. This MOF demonstrates catalytic efficacy in the tandem oxidation and functionalization of styrene utilizing molecular oxygen as a terminal oxidant. The product, a protected 1,2-aminoalcohol, is formed selectively and with high efficiency using this recyclable heterogeneous catalyst. Significantly, the unusual regioselective transformation occurs only when an Fe-decorated Hf6 node and the Fe-porphyrin strut work in concert. This report is an example of concurrent orthogonal tandem catalysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of metalloporphyrins has been gaining popularity particularly in the area of medicine concerning sensitizers for the treatment of cancer and dermatological diseases through photodynamic therapy (PDT), and advanced materials for engineering molecular antenna for harvesting solar energy. In line with the myriad functions of metalloporphyrins, we investigated their capability for photoinduced living polymerization under visible light irradiation over a broad range of wavelengths. We discovered that zinc porphyrins (i.e., zinc tetraphenylporphine (ZnTPP)) were able to selectively activate photoinduced electron transfer-reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (PET-RAFT) polymerization of trithiocarbonate compounds for the polymerization of styrene, (meth)acrylates and (meth)acrylamides under a broad range of wavelengths (from 435 to 655 nm). Interestingly, other thiocarbonylthio compounds (dithiobenzoate, dithiocarbamate and xanthate) were not effectively activated in the presence of ZnTPP. This selectivity was likely attributed to a specific interaction between ZnTPP and trithiocarbonates, suggesting novel recognition at the molecular level. This interaction between the photoredox catalyst and trithiocarbonate group confers specific properties to this polymerization, such as oxygen tolerance, enabling living radical polymerization in the presence of air and also ability to manipulate the polymerization rates (kpapp from 1.2-2.6 x 10-2 min-1) by varying the visible wavelengths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel Pd-catalyzed intermolecular regio- and diastereoselective fluorosulfonylation of styrenes has been developed under mild conditions. This reaction exhibits a wide range of functional-group tolerance in styrenes and arylsulfinic acids to afford various β-fluoro sulfones. Preliminary mechanistic study reveals an unusual mechanism, in which a high-valent L2PdIIIF species side-selectively reacts with a benzylic carbon radical to deliver a C-F bond. This pathway is distinct from a previously reported radical fluorination reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A mild catalytic asymmetric direct fluoroarylation of styrenes has been developed. The palladium-catalyzed three-component coupling of Selectfluor, a styrene and a boronic acid, provides chiral monofluorinated compounds in good yield and in high enantiomeric excess. A mechanism proceeding through a Pd(IV)-fluoride intermediate is proposed for the transformation and synthesis of an sp3 C-F bond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The semiring chemistry of the Au25(SR)18, particularly its fragmentation mechanism and catalytic active site, is explored using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Our calculations show that the magically stable fragmental cluster, Au21(SR)14-, as detected in several mass spectrometry (MS) measurements of fragmentation of the Au25(SR)18-, contains a quasi-icosahedral Au13-core fully protected by four -SR-Au-SR- and two -SR-Au-SR-Au-SR- staple motifs. A stepwise fragmentation mechanism of the semiring staple motifs on the surface of Au25(SR)18- is proposed for the first time. Initially, the Au25(SR)18- transforms into a metastable structure with all staple motifs binding with two neighboring vertex Au-atoms of the Au-core upon energy uptake. Subsequently, a 'step-by-step' detachment and transfer of [Au(SR)]x (x = 1-4) units occurs, which leads to the formation of highly stable products including Au21(SR)14- and a cyclic [Au(SR)]4 unit. The continued fragmentation of Au21(SR)14- to Au17(SR)10- is observed as well, which shows same stepwise fragmentation mechanism. The proposed mechanism well explains the favorable formation of Au21(SR)14- and Au17(SR)10- from Au25(SR)18- as observed from experimental abundance. Taking the Au21(SR)14 and its parent cluster Au25(SR)18 as the benchmark model systems, the catalytic active site of the thiolate protected gold clusters toward the styrene oxidation and the associated reaction mechanism are further investigated. We show that the Au atom in the staple motifs is the major active site for the styrene oxidation in presence of TBHP as oxidant or initiator. The Au atom in the staple motifs can change from Au(I) (bicoordinated) to Au(III) (tetracoordinated). The O2 activation is achieved during this process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

α-Halocarbonyl compounds undergo β-hydrogen elimination to give conjugated olefins in the presence of a transition-metal catalyst. However, a copper/triamine catalyst system can induce the alkylative Mizoroki–Heck reaction of styrenes with tertiary-alkyl halides possessing a withdrawing group under very mild conditions. This reaction provides an efficient synthetic methodology for tertiary-alkylated styrenes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A highly enantio- and regioselective copper-catalyzed hydroamination reaction of alkenes has been developed using diethoxymethylsilane and esters of hydroxylamines. The process tolerates a wide variety of substituted styrenes, including trans-, cis-, and β,β-disubstituted styrenes, to yield α-branched amines. In addition, aliphatic alkenes coupled to generate exclusively the anti-Markovnikov hydroamination products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pd-catalyzed direct carboxylation of alkenyl C-H bonds with carbon dioxide was realized for the first time. Treatment of 2-hydroxystyrenes and a catalytic amount of Pd(OAc)2 with Cs2CO3 under atmospheric pressure of CO2 afforded corresponding coumarins in good yield. Furthermore, isolation of the key alkenylpalladium intermediate via C–H bond cleavage was achieved. The reaction was proposed to undergo reversible nucleophilic addition of the alkenylpalladium intermediate to CO2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reaction of [Rh(H)(CO)2(BDP)] (BDP = bis(diazaphospholane)) with styrene at low temperatures enables detailed NMR characterization of four- and five-coordinate rhodium alkyl complexes [Rh(styrenyl)(CO)n(BDP)] presumed to be intermediates in rhodium-catalyzed hydroformylation. The five-coordinate acyl complexes [Rh(C(O)styrenyl)(CO)2(BDP)] are also observed and characterized. The equilibrium distribution of these species suggests an inversion of thermodynamic preference for branched vs linear species from the alkyl to the acyl stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ab initio G3(MP2,CC)/B3LYP/6-311G** calculations of potential energy surfaces (PESs) for the reactions of cyano and ethynyl radicals with styrene and N-methylenebenzenamine have been performed to investigate a possible formation mechanism of the prototype nitrogen-containing polycyclic aromatic compounds: (substituted) 1- and 2-azanaphthalenes. The computed PESs and molecular parameters have been used for RRKM and RRKM-Master Equation calculations of reaction rate constants and product branching ratios under single-collision conditions and at pressures from 3 to 10-6 mbar and temperatures of 90-200 K relevant to the organic aerosol formation regions in the stratosphere of a Saturn's moon Titan. The results show that ethynyl-substituted 1- and 2-azanaphthalenes can be produced by consecutive CN and C2H additions to styrene or by two C2H additions to N-methylenebenzenamine. All CN and C2H radical addition complexes are formed in the entrance channels without barriers, and the reactions are computed to be exothermic, with all intermediates and transition states along the favorable pathways residing lower in energy than the respective initial reactants. The reactions are completed by dissociation of chemically activated radical intermediates via H losses, so that collisional stabilization of the intermediates is not required to form the final products. These features make the proposed mechanism viable even at very low temperatures and under single-collision conditions and especially significant for astrochemical environments. In Titan's stratosphere, collisional stabilization of the initial CN + styrene reaction adducts may be significant, but substantial amounts of 2-vinylbenzonitrile and 2-ethynyl-N-methylenebenzenamine can still be produced and then react with C2H to form substituted azanaphthalenes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Rh(III)-catalyzed oxidative coupling of alkenes with arenes provides a greener alternative to the classical Heck reaction for the synthesis of arene-functionalized alkenes. The present mechanistic study gives insights for the rational development of this key transformation. The catalyst resting states and the rate law of the reaction have been identified. The reaction rate is solely dependent on the catalyst and alkene concentrations, and the turnover-limiting step is the migratory insertion of the alkene into a Rh–C(aryl) bond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nickel(II)-acylperoxo complex [Ni(TpCF3Me)(K2-mCPBA)] (1CF3Me) [TpCF3Me = hydrotris(3-trifluoromethyl-5-methylpyrazolyl)borate, mCPBA = m-chloroperbenzoate] was isolated and fully characterized. The electrophilic oxygenation ability of 1CF3Me toward sulfides and olefins was confirmed. The Michaelis-Menten-type behavior of thioanisole oxygenation indicates the existence of a pre-equilibrium of substrate association in the reaction. In addition, 1CF3Me retains H-atom abstraction ability for hydrocarbons with activated methylene C-H bonds (e.g., fluorene). The oxidations of styrenes and these readily oxidizable hydrocarbons follow second-order kinetics, first-order each with respect to 1CF3Me and substrate. The lack of clear acceleration in the decay of 1CF3Me in the presence of substrates with high C-H bond dissociation energies (e.g., cyclohexane) suggests that another reaction pathway contributes through the O-O-cleaved intermediate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Cu-catalyzed regioselective and stereospecific aminoboration of styrenes with bis(pinacolato)diboron and O-benzoyl-N,N-dialkylhydroxylamines that delivers the corresponding β-aminoalkylboranes in good yields has been developed. The Cu catalysis enables introduction of both amine and boron moieties to C-C double bonds simultaneously in a syn fashion. Moreover, the use of a chiral biphosphine ligand, (S,S)-Me-Duphos, provides a catalytic enantioselective route to optically active β-aminoalkylboranes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intermediates during the anionic polymerization of styrene were observed using hyperpolarized NMR. Dissolution dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) of monomers provides a sufficient signal-to-noise ratio for detection of 13C NMR signals in real time as the reaction progresses. Because of its large chemical shift dispersion, 13C is well-suited to distinguish and characterize the chemical species that arise during the reaction. At the same time, incorporation of hyperpolarized small-molecule monomers is a unique way to generate polymers that exhibit a transient signal enhancement at the active site. This strategy is applicable despite the decay of the hyperpolarization of the polymer due to rapid spin-lattice relaxation. Real-time measurements on polymerization reactions provide both mechanistic and kinetic information without the need for stable isotope labeling of the molecules of interest. These capabilities are orthogonal to currently established methods that separate synthesis and analysis into two steps, making dissolution DNP an attractive method to study polymerization reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The olefin aziridination reactions catalyzed by copper and silver complexes bearing hydrotris(pyrazolyl)borate (Tpx) ligands have been investigated from a mechanistic point of view. Several mechanistic probe reactions were carried out, specifically competition experiments with p-substituted styrenes, stereospecificity of olefins, effects of the radical inhibitors, and use of a radical clock. Data from these experiments seem to be contradictory, as they do not fully support the previously reported concerted or stepwise mechanisms. But theoretical calculations have provided the reaction profiles for both the silver and copper systems with different olefins to satisfy all experimental data. A mechanistic proposal has been made on the basis of the information that we collected from experimental and theoretical studies. In all cases, the reaction starts with the formation of a metal-nitrene species that holds some radical character, and therefore the aziridination reaction proceeds through the radical mechanism. The silver-based systems however hold a minimum energy crossing point (MECP) between the triplet and closed-shell singlet surfaces, which induce the direct formation of the aziridines, and stereochemistry of the olefin is retained. In the case of copper, a radical intermediate is formed, and this intermediate constitutes the starting point for competition steps involving ring-closure (through a MECP between the open-shell singlet and triplet surfaces) or carbon-carbon bond rotation, and explains the loss of stereochemistry with a given substrate. Overall, all the initially contradictory experimental data fit in a mechanistic proposal that involves both the singlet and the triplet pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The catalytic anti-Markovnikov addition of alcohols to simple alkenes is a longstanding synthetic challenge. We recently disclosed the use of organic superbase catalysis for the nucleophilic addition of alcohols to activated styrene derivatives. This article describes mechanistic studies on this reversible reaction, including thermodynamic and kinetic profiling as well as computational modeling. Our findings show the negative entropy of addition is counterbalanced by an enthalpy that is most favored in nonpolar solvents. However, a large negative alcohol rate order under these conditions indicates excess alcohol sequesters the active alkoxide ion pairs, slowing the reaction rate. These observations led to an unexpected solution to a thermodynamically challenging reaction: use of less alcohol enables faster addition, which in turn allows for lower reaction temperatures to counteract Le Chatelier's principle. Thus, our original method has been improved with new protocols that do not require excess alcohol stoichiometry, enable an expanded alkene substrate scope, and allow for the use of more practical catalyst systems. The generality of this insight for other challenging hydroetherification reactions is also demonstrated through new alkenol cyclization and oxa-Michael addition reactions.

A new concept for highly selective synthesis of E-2-arylcinnamaldehydes has been developed via a formal arylformylation of E-β-bromostyrenes with readily available aryl aldehydes. This strategy involves an overall reshuffle of the aldehyde functionality with a loss of hydrogen bromide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molecules that exhibit emission in the solid state, especially those known as aggregation-induced emission (AIE) chromophores, have found applications in areas as varied as light-emitting diodes and biological sensors. Despite numerous studies, the mechanism of fluorescence quenching in AIE chromophores is still not completely understood. To this end, much interest has focused on understanding the low-frequency vibrational dynamics of prototypical systems, such as tetraphenylethylene (TPE), in the hope that such studies would provide more general principles toward the design of new sensors and electronic materials. We hereby show that a perdeuterated TPE-based metal-organic framework (MOF) serves as an excellent platform for studying the low-energy vibrational modes of AIE-type chromophores. In particular, we use solid-state 2H and 13C NMR experiments to investigate the phenyl ring dynamics of TPE cores that are coordinatively trapped inside a MOF and find a phenyl ring flipping energy barrier of 43(6) kJ/mol. DFT calculations are then used to deconvolute the electronic and steric contributions to this flipping barrier. Finally, we couple the NMR and DFT studies with variable-temperature X-ray diffraction experiments to propose that both the ethylenic C═C bond twist and the torsion of the phenyl rings are important for quenching emission in TPE, but that the former may gate the latter. To conclude, we use these findings to propose a set of design criteria for the development of tunable turn-on porous sensors constructed from AIE-type molecules, particularly as applied to the design of new multifunctional MOFs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]