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In this report, a palladium-catalyzed redox-relay Heck process to access optically active alkenylated α,β-unsaturated lactams is described. Under mild reaction conditions, electron-deficient alkenyl triflates and electron-rich alkenyl iodonium salts undergo enantioselective and site-selective coupling with enelactams to deliver the products in high yields and excellent enantioselectivities. Furthermore, the products allow facile access to natural products such as (+)-calvine and (+)-2-epicalvine in addition to the bioactive molecule aza-goniothalamin.

The implementation of redox active organics in nonaqueous redox flow batteries requires the design of molecules that exhibit high solubility (>1 M) in all battery-relevant redox states. Methods for forecasting nonaqueous solubility would be valuable for streamlining the identification of promising structures. Herein we report the development of a workflow to parametrize and predict the solubility of conformationally flexible tris-(dialkylamino)cyclopropenium (CP) radical dications. A statistical model is developed through training on monomer species. Ultimately, this model is used to predict new monomeric and dimeric CP derivatives with solubilities of >1 M in acetonitrile in all oxidation states. The most soluble CP monomer exhibits high stability to electrochemical cycling at 1 M in acetonitrile without a supporting electrolyte in a symmetrical flow cell.

We report a data-driven, physical organic approach to the development of new methionine-selective bioconjugation reagents with tunable adduct stabilities. Statistical modeling of structural features described by intrinsic physical organic parameters was applied to the development of a predictive model and to gain insight into features driving stability of adducts formed from the chemoselective coupling of oxaziridine and methionine thioether partners through Redox Activated Chemical Tagging (ReACT). From these analyses, a correlation between sulfimide stabilities and sulfimide  (C=O) stretching frequencies was revealed. We ex-ploited the rational gains in adduct stability exposed by this analysis to achieve the design and synthesis of a bis-oxaziridine reagent for peptide stapling. Indeed, we observed that a macrocyclic peptide formed by ReACT stapling at methionine exhibited improved uptake into live cells compared to an unstapled congener, highlighting the potential utility of this unique chemical tool for thioether modification. This work provides a template for the broader use of data-driven approaches to bioconjugation chemistry and other chemical biology applications.

Traditionally, highly selective low molecular weight catalysts have been designed to contain rigidifying structural elements. As a result, many proposed stereochemical models rely on steric repulsion for explaining the observed selectivity. Recently, as is the case for enzymatic systems, it has become apparent that some flexibility can be beneficial for imparting selectivity. Dynamic catalysts can reorganize to maximize attractive non-covalent interactions that stabilize the favored diastereomeric transition state, while minimizing repulsive non-covalent interactions for enhanced selectivity. This short review discusses catalyst conformational dynamics and how these effects have proven beneficial for a variety of catalyst classes, including tropos ligands, cinchona alkaloids, hydrogen-bond donating catalysts, and peptides.1 Introduction2 Tropos Ligands3 Cinchona Alkaloids4 Hydrogen-Bond Donating Catalysts5 Peptide Catalysts6 Conclusion

The oxidative addition of organic electrophilesinto electrochemically generated Co(I) complexes has beenwidely utilized as a strategy to produce carbon-centeredradicals when cobalt is ligated by apolydentate ligand.Changing to a bidentate ligand provides the opportunity toaccess discrete Co(III)−Cbonded complexes for alternativereactivity, but knowledge of how ligand and/or substratestructuresaffect catalytic steps is pivotal to reaction design andcatalyst optimization. In this vein, experimental studies thatcan determine the exact nature of elementary organometallicsteps remain limited, especially for single-electron oxidativeaddition pathways. Herein, we utilize cyclic voltammetrycombinedwith simulations to obtain kinetic and thermodynamicproperties of the two-step, halogen-atom abstraction mechanism, validated by analyzing kinetic isotope and substituenteffects. Complex Hammett relationships could be disentangled to allow understanding of individual effects onactivation energybarriers and equilibrium constants, and DFT-derived parameters used to build predictive statistical models for rates of newligand/substrate combinations.

Cobalt complexes have shown great promise as electrocatalysts in applications ranging from hydrogen evolution to C–H functionalization. However, the use of such complexes often requires polydentate, bulky ligands to stabilize the catalytically active Co(I) oxidation state from deleterious disproportionation reactions to enable the desired reactivity. Herein, we describe the use of bidentate electronically asymmetric ligands as an alternative approach to stabilizing transient Co(I) species. Using disproportionation rates of electrochemically generated Co(I) complexes as a model for stability, we measured the relative stability of complexes prepared with a series ofN,N-bidentate ligands. While the stability of Co(I)Cl complexes demonstrates a correlation with experimentally measured thermodynamic properties, consistent with an outer-sphere electron transfer process, the set of ligated Co(I)Br complexes evaluated was found to be preferentially stabilized by electronically asymmetric ligands, demonstrating an alternative disproportionation mechanism. These results allow a greater understanding of the fundamental processes involved in the disproportionation of organometallic complexes and have allowed the identification of cobalt complexes that show promise for the development of novel electrocatalytic reactions.

The Minisci reaction is one of the most direct and versatile methods for forging new carbon-carbon bonds onto basic heteroarenes: a broad subset of compounds ubiquitous in medicinal chemistry. While many Minisci-type reactions result in new stereocenters, control of the absolute stereochemistry has proved challenging. An asymmetric variant was recently realized using chiral phosphoric acid catalysis, although in that study the substrates were limited to quinolines and pyridines. Mechanistic uncertainties and nonobvious enantioselectivity trends made the task of extending the reaction to important new substrate classes challenging and time-intensive. Herein, we describe an approach to address this problem through rigorous analysis of the reaction landscape guided by a carefully designed reaction data set and facilitated through multivariate linear regression (MLR) analysis. These techniques permitted the development of mechanistically informative correlations providing the basis to transfer enantioselectivity outcomes to new reaction components, ultimately predicting pyrimidines to be particularly amenable to the protocol. The predictions of enantioselectivity outcomes for these valuable, pharmaceutically relevant motifs were remarkably accurate in most cases and resulted in a comprehensive exploration of scope, significantly expanding the utility and versatility of this methodology. This successful outcome is a powerful demonstration of the benefits of utilizing MLR analysis as a predictive platform for effective and efficient reaction scope exploration across substrate classes.

A palladium-catalyzed enantioselective redox-relay Heck reaction of 2-indole triflates and disubstituted alkenes is reported. This process combines readily available indole triflates with a variety of alkenes to afford a range of indole derivatives bearing a stereocenter adjacent to C2. Enantioselectivity is achieved through use of a simple pyridine-oxazoline ligand. Tuning the electronics of the indole, through judicious choice of N-protecting group, is required to ensure selective β-hydride elimination away from the indole core. Utility of this method is highlighted in a modular formal synthesis of an S1P1 agonist precursor developed by Merck.

The mechanistic foundation behind the identity of a phosphine ligand that best promotes a desired reaction outcome is often non-intuitive, and thus has been addressed in numerous experimental and theoretical studies. In this work, multivariate correlations of reaction outcomes using 38 different phosphine ligands were combined with classic potentiometric analyses to study a Suzuki reaction, for which the site selectivity of oxidative addition is highly dependent on the nature of the phosphine. These studies shed light on the generality of hypotheses regarding the structural influence of different classes of phosphine ligands on the reaction mechanism(s), and deliver a methodology that should prove useful in future studies of phosphine ligands.

A Pd-catalyzed 1,3-difunctionalization of terminal alkenes using 1,1-disubstituted alkenyl nonaflates and arylboronic acid coupling partners is reported. This transformation affords allylic arene products that are difficult to selectively access using traditional Heck cross-coupling methodologies. The evaluation of seldom employed 1,1-disubstituted alkenyl nonaflate coupling partners led to the elucidation of subtle mechanistic features of π-allyl stabilized Pd-intermediates. Good stereo- and regioselectivity for the formation of 1,3-addition products can be accessed through a minimization of steric interactions that emanate from alkenyl nonaflate substitution.

Millions of years of evolution have produced biological systems capable of efficient one-pot multi-step catalysis. The underlying mechanisms that facilitate these reaction processes are increasingly providing inspiration in synthetic chemistry. Substrate channelling, where intermediates between enzymatic steps are not in equilibrium with the bulk solution, enables increased efficiencies and yields in reaction and diffusion processes. Here, we review different mechanisms of substrate channelling found in nature and provide an overview of the analytical methods used to quantify these effects. The incorporation of substrate channelling into synthetic cascades is a rapidly developing concept, and recent examples of the fabrication of cascades with controlled diffusion and flux of intermediates are presented.

The intermolecular enantioselective C–H functionalization with acceptor-only metallocarbenes is reported using a new family of Ir(III)-bis(imidazolinyl)phenyl catalysts, developed based on the interplay of experimental and computational insights. The reaction is tolerant of a variety of diazoacetate precursors and is found to be heavily influenced by the steric and electronic properties of the substrate. Phthalan and dihydrofuran derivatives are functionalized in good yields and excellent enantioselectivities.

Stable nitroxyl radical-containing compounds, such as 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxyl (TEMPO) and its derivatives, are capable of electrocatalytically oxidizing a wide range of alcohols under mild and environmentally friendly conditions. Herein, we examine the structure-function relationships that determine the catalytic activity of a diverse range of water-soluble nitroxyl radical compounds. A strong correlation is described between the difference in the electrochemical oxidation potentials of a compound and its electrocatalytic activity. Additionally, we construct a simple computational model that is able to accurately predict the electrochemical potential and catalytic activity of a wide range of nitroxyl radical derivatives.

Multivariate correlation analysis, including designer π-interaction derived parameters, was applied to the study of the enantioselective fluorination of homoallylic alcohols via chiral anion phase transfer (CAPT) catalysis., The study of the enantioselective fluorination of homoallylic alcohols via chiral anion phase transfer (CAPT) catalysis using an in situ generated directing group is described. Multivariate correlation analysis, including designer π-interaction derived parameters, revealed key structural features affecting the selectivity at the transition state (TS). Interpretation of the parameters found in the model equation highlights the key differences as well as similarities for the reaction of homoallylic and allylic substrates. A similar T-shaped π-interaction was found to occur between the substrate and the catalyst. The tuning of this crucial interaction by identification of the best combination of phosphoric acid catalyst and boronic acid directing group allowed for the development of a methodology to access γ-fluoroalkenols in typically high enantioselectivities (up to 96% ee).

Nonaqueous redox flow batteries (NRFBs) represent an attractive technology for energy storage from intermittent renewable sources. In these batteries, electrical energy is stored in and extracted from electrolyte solutions of redox-active molecules (termed catholytes and anolytes) that are passed through an electrochemical flow cell. To avoid battery self-discharge, the anolyte and catholyte solutions must be separated by a membrane in the flow cell. This membrane prevents crossover of the redox active molecules, while simultaneously allowing facile transport of charge-balancing ions. A key unmet challenge for the field is the design of redox-active molecule/membrane pairs that enable effective electrolyte separation while maintaining optimal battery properties. Herein, we demonstrate the development of oligomeric catholytes based on tris(dialkylamino)cyclopropenium (CP) salts that are specifically tailored for pairing with size-exclusion membranes composed of polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIMs). Systematic studies were conducted to evaluate the impact of oligomer size/structure on properties that are crucial for flow battery performance, including cycling stability, charge capacity, solubility, electron transfer kinetics, and crossover rates. These studies have led to the identification of a CP-derived tetramer in which these properties are all comparable, or significantly improved, relative to the monomeric counterpart. Finally, a proof-of-concept flow battery is demonstrated by pairing this tetrameric catholyte with a PIM membrane. After 6 days of cycling, no crossover is detected, demonstrating the promise of this approach. These studies provide a template for the future design of other redox-active oligomers for this application., A strategy is presented that can prevent crossover in nonaqueous redox flow batteries, allowing for improved capacity retention, while maintaining desired physical properties of the molecules used for energy storage.

© 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim Reported is the first enantioselective oxidative Pummerer-type transformation using phase-transfer catalysis to deliver enantioenriched sulfur-bearing heterocycles. This reaction includes the direct oxidation of sulfides to a thionium intermediate, followed by an asymmetric intramolecular nucleophilic addition to form chiral cyclic N,S-acetals with moderate to high enantioselectivites. Deuterium-labelling experiments were performed to identify the stereodiscrimination step of this process. Further analysis of the reaction transition states, by means of multidimensional correlations and DFT calculations, highlight the existence of a set of weak noncovalent interactions between the catalyst and substrate that govern the enantioselectivity of the reaction.

The relative rates of alkenyl alcohols in the Pd-catalyzed redox-relay Heck reaction were measured in order to examine the effect of their steric and electronic properties on the rate-determining step. Competition experiments between an allylic alkenyl alcohol and two substrates with differing chain lengths revealed that the allylic alcohol reacts 3–4 times faster in either case. Competition between di- and trisubstituted alkenyl alcohols provided an interesting scenario, in which the disubstituted alkene was consumed first followed by reaction of the trisubstituted alkene. Consistent with this observation, the transition structures for the migratory insertion of the aryl group into the di- and trisubstituted alkenes were calculated with a lower barrier for the former. An internal competition between a substrate containing two alcohols with differing chain lengths demonstrated the catalyst’s preference for migrating towards the closest alcohol. Additionally, it was observed that increasing the electron density in the arene boronic acid promotes a faster reaction, which correlates with Hammett σp values to give a ρ of −0.87.

Small molecule electrooxidation catalysts such as (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-yl)oxyl (TEMPO) are capable of electrochemically oxidizing short chain alcohols and various sugars to the corresponding aldehydes and carboxylic acids under physiological aqueous conditions. This makes them ideal alternatives to enzymatic catalysts when deeper oxidation of a fuel is desired in the anodic compartment of a biofuel cell. While enzymes are capable of very fast rates of electrochemical alcohol oxidation (when compared to that of either transition metal catalysts or small organic catalysts), their activity is often limited to a small range of substrates. Therefore multiple oxidative reactions with a single molecule of fuel requires that several redox enzymes be immobilized at an electrode surface simultaneously, which results in additional complexity as well as diffusional limitations as substrate travel between a specific sequence of active sites. Alternatively, TEMPO has been recently shown to catalyze multiple sequential oxidations in situ of the biofuel glycerol thereby allowing for the collection of up to 12 electrons per molecule of fuel. However, in order to utilize TEMPO in a fuel cell application, the catalyst must be immobilized at the electrode surface, and previous methods for TEMPO immobilization have resulted in a dramatic loss of catalytic activity due to diffusional restrictions. Thus there is still a need for immobilization techniques that do not result in activity loss. We have developed a method to immobilize a TEMPO catalyst in a cross-linked hydrogel film at the surface of a carbon electrode that allows for a dramatic increase in the rate of electrocatalytic oxidation of several sugars and short-chain alcohols. A TEMPO derivative was covalently attached to a linear poly(ethylenimine) backbone, and the modified polymer was cross-linked onto the surface of a glassy carbon electrode. The use of a hydrogel film allows for a porous network through which substrate can freely diffuse and the use of a polyamine provides a high localized concentration of base necessary for the catalytic cycle of TEMPO.

We report a highly enantioselective intermolecular Heck reaction of alkenyl triflates and acyclic primary or racemic secondary alkenols. The mild reaction conditions permit installation of a wide range of alkenyl groups at positions β, γ, or δ to a carbonyl group in high enantioselectivity. The success of this reaction is attributed to the use of electron-withdrawing alkenyl triflates, which offer selective β-hydride elimination followed by migration of the catalyst through the alkyl chain to give the alkenylated carbonyl products. The synthetic utility of the process is demonstrated by a two-step modification of a reaction product to yield a tricyclic core structure, present in various natural products.

An efficient method for the construction of Csp(2)-Csp(3) bond in a regio- and stereoselective fashion involving 1,3-terminal dienes, enol triflates/nonaflates, and sodium formate under Pd(0)-catalysis is described. The three component assembly allows trapping of a π-allyl intermediate, after the initial migratory insertion of the diene, by a hydride source that leads to structurally complex and synthetically challenging tri- and tetrasubstituted alkene building blocks.

Achieving selective C–H functionalization is a significant challenge that requires discrimination between many similar C–H bonds., Achieving selective C–H functionalization is a significant challenge that requires discrimination between many similar C–H bonds. Yet, reaction systems employing Rh2(DOSP)4 and Rh2(BPCP)4 were recently demonstrated to afford high levels of selectivity in the C–H insertion of carbenes into toluene-derived substrates. Herein, we explore the origin of this selectivity through a systematic analysis of substrate and reagent features that alter levels of selectivity from 20 : 1 to 1 : 610 for secondary (or tertiary)-to-primary benzylic C–H functionalization of toluene derivatives. Describing this variation using infrared vibrations and point charges, we have developed a mathematical model from which are identified features of the systems that determine levels of site-selectivity and are applied as predictive factors to describe the selectivity behavior of new substrate/reagent combinations.

Palladium-catalyzed 1,4-difunctionalizations of isoprene that produce skipped polyenes are reported., Palladium-catalyzed 1,4-difunctionalizations of isoprene that produce skipped polyenes are reported. Complex isomeric product mixtures are possible as a result of the difficult-to-control migratory insertion of isoprene into a Pd–alkenyl bond, but good site selectivity has been achieved using easily accessible pyrox ligands. Mechanistic studies suggest that the control of insertion is the result of the unique electronic asymmetry and steric properties of the ligand.

© 2017 American Chemical Society. Computed descriptors for acyclic diaminocarbene ligands are developed in the context of a gold catalyzed enantioselective tandem [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement-[2+2]-cyclization. Surrogate structures enable the rapid identification of parameters that reveal mechanistic characteristics. The observed selectivity trends are validated in a robust multivariate analysis facilitating the development of a highly enantioselective process.

A library of 29 homologous Ru-based olefin metathesis catalysts has been tested for ethenolysis of cyclic olefins toward the goal of selectively forming α,ω-diene using cis-cyclooctene as a prototypical substrate. Dissymmetry at the N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand was identified as a key parameter for controlling the selectivity. The best-performing catalyst bearing an N-CF3 group significantly outperformed the benchmark second-generation Grubbs catalyst in the ethenolysis of cis-cyclooctene. Application of this optimal catalyst to the ethenolysis of various norbornenes allows the efficient synthesis of valuable diene intermediates in good yields. The observed ligand effect trends could be rationalized through univariate and multivariate parameter analysis involving steric and electronic descriptors of the NHC ligand in the form of the buried volume and the 77Se NMR chemical shift, in particular the σyy component of the shielding tensor of [Se(NHC)] model compounds, respectively. Natural chemical shif...

A new catalyst system capable of selective chloride functionalization in the Pd-catalyzed amination of 3,2- and 5,2- Br/Cl-pyridines is reported. A reaction optimization strategy employing ligand parametrization led to the identification of 1,1′-bis[bis(dimethylamino)phosphino]ferrocene “DMAPF”, a readily available yet previously unutilized diphosphine, as a uniquely effective ligand for this transformation.

The identification, optimization, and evaluation of a new catalytic protocol for sp3 C–H hydroxylation is described. Reactions are performed in aqueous acid using a bis(bipyridine)Ru catalyst to enable oxidation of substrates possessing basic amine functional groups. Tertiary and benzylic C–H hydroxylation is strongly favored over N-oxidation for numerous amine derivatives. With terpene-derived substrates, similar trends in reactivity toward tertiary and benzylic C–H bonds are observed. Hydroxylation of chiral tertiary centers is enantiospecific in spite of the ionizing strength of the reaction medium. Preliminary kinetics experiments show a marked difference in reactivity between isomeric cis- and trans-Ru catalysts suggesting that the catalyst is configurationally stable under the reaction conditions.

© 2017 American Chemical Society. Herein, we report the integration of simple linear regressions with gold(I) catalysis to interrogate the influence of phosphine structure on metal-catalyzed organic transformations. We demonstrate that observed product ratios in [4 + 3]/[4 + 2] cycloisomerization processes are influenced by both steric and electronic properties of the phosphine, which can be represented by the Au-Cl distance. In contrast, the observed selectivity of a similar [2 + 3]/[2 + 2] cycloisomerization is governed by L/B1, a steric parameter. Using this correlation, we were able to accurately predict the selectivity of a previously untested, Buchwald-type ligand to enhance selectivity for the same transformation. This ligand found further utility in increasing the selectivity of a previously reported gold-catalyzed cycloisomerization/arylation of 1,6-enynes by ∼1 kcal/mol.

© 2017 American Chemical Society. The use of computed interaction energies and distances as parameters in multivariate correlations is introduced for postulating non-covalent interactions. This new class of descriptors affords multivariate correlations for two diverse catalytic systems with unique non-covalent interactions at the heart of each process. The presented methodology is validated by directly connecting the non-covalent interactions defined through empirical data set analyses to the computationally derived transition states.

Molecular recognition, binding and catalysis are often mediated by non-covalent interactions involving aromatic functional groups. Although the relative complexity of these so-called π interactions has made them challenging to study, theory and modelling have now reached the stage at which we can explain their physical origins and obtain reliable insight into their effects on molecular binding and chemical transformations. This offers opportunities for the rational manipulation of these complex non-covalent interactions and their direct incorporation into the design of small-molecule catalysts and enzymes.

© 2017 American Chemical Society. Selective reactions on structures of high complexity can move beyond the mind's eye and proof-ofprinciple. Enhanced understanding of noncovalent interactions and their interdependence, revealed through analysis of multiple parameters, should accelerate the discovery of efficient reactions in highly complex molecular environments.

© 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim A mild, asymmetric Heck–Matsuda reaction of five-, six- and seven-membered ring alkenes and aryl diazonium salts is presented. High yields and enantioselectivities were achieved using Pd0and chiral anion co-catalysts, the latter functioning as a chiral anion phase-transfer (CAPT) reagent. For certain substrate classes, the chiral anion catalysts were modulated to minimize the formation of undesired by-products. More specifically, BINAM-derived phosphoric acid catalysts were shown to prevent alkene isomerization in cyclopentene and cycloheptene starting materials. DFT(B3LYP-D3) computations revealed that increased product selectivity resulted from a chiral anion dependent lowering of the activation barrier for the desired pathway.

The deployment of nonaqueous redox flow batteries for grid-scale energy storage has been impeded by a lack of electrolytes that undergo redox events at as low (anolyte) or high (catholyte) potentials as possible while exhibiting the stability and cycling lifetimes necessary for a battery device. Herein, we report a new approach to electrolyte design that uses physical organic tools for the predictive targeting of electrolytes that possess this combination of properties. We apply this approach to the identification of a new pyridinium-based anolyte that undergoes 1e– electrochemical charge–discharge cycling at low potential (−1.21 V vs Fc/Fc+) to a 95% state-of-charge without detectable capacity loss after 200 cycles.

The mechanism of the redox-relay Heck reaction was investigated using deuterium-labeled substrates. Results support a pathway through a low energy palladium–alkyl intermediate that immediately precedes product formation, ruling out a tautomerization mechanism. DFT calculations of the relevant transition structures at the M06/LAN2DZ+f/6-31+G* level of theory show that the former pathway is favored by 5.8 kcal/mol. Palladium chain-walking toward the alcohol, following successive β-hydride eliminations and migratory insertions, is also supported in this study. The stereochemistry of deuterium labels is determined, lending support that the catalyst remains bound to the substrate during the relay process and that both cis- and trans-alkenes form from β-hydride elimination.

A palladium-catalyzed intermolecular vicinal diarylation of terminal 1,3-dienes using aryldiazonium tetrafluoroborates and arylboronic acids is reported. Using this technology, two different arenes are regioselectively introduced in a vicinal fashion across the terminal alkene of a variety of terminal 1,3-dienes at ambient temperature. Through the action of a chiral bicyclo[2.2.2]octadienyl ligand at −20 °C, good enantioselectivity has also been achieved.

Small molecules that contain all-carbon quaternary stereocentres—carbon atoms bonded to four distinct carbon substituents—are found in many secondary metabolites and some pharmaceutical agents. The construction of such compounds in an enantioselective fashion remains a long-standing challenge to synthetic organic chemists. In particular, methods for synthesizing quaternary stereocentres that are remote from other functional groups are underdeveloped. Here we report a catalytic and enantioselective intermolecular Heck-type reaction of trisubstituted-alkenyl alcohols with aryl boronic acids. This method provides direct access to quaternary all-carbon-substituted β-, γ-, δ-, e- or ζ-aryl carbonyl compounds, because the unsaturation of the alkene is relayed to the alcohol, resulting in the formation of a carbonyl group. The scope of the process also includes incorporation of pre-existing stereocentres along the alkyl chain, which links the alkene and the alcohol, in which the stereocentre is preserved. The method described allows access to diverse molecular building blocks containing an enantiomerically enriched quaternary centre. A catalytic and enantioselective intermolecular Heck-type reaction of trisubstituted-alkenyl alcohols with aryl boronic acids provides direct access to quaternary stereocentres remote from a carbonyl group. The quaternary stereocentre — carbon atoms bonded to four distinct carbon substituents — is a common structural motif in many natural products and pharmaceuticals. The construction of such compounds in an enantioselective fashion remains a formidable challenge to synthetic organic chemists. In this manuscript, the authors report a catalytic and enantioselective intermolecular Heck-type reaction that provides direct access to quaternary all-carbon-substituted β-, γ-, δ-, e- or ζ-aryl carbonyl compounds. The described method is flexible, allowing access to diverse building blocks containing an enantiomerically enriched quaternary centre.

Predicting site selectivity in C-H bond oxidation reactions involving heteroatom transfer is challenged by the small energetic differences between disparate bond types and the subtle interplay of steric and electronic effects that influence reactivity. Herein, the factors governing selective Rh2(esp)2-catalyzed C-H amination of isoamylbenzene derivatives are investigated, where modification to both the nitrogen source, a sulfamate ester, and substrate are shown to impact isomeric product ratios. Linear regression mathematical modeling is used to define a relationship that equates both IR stretching parameters and Hammett σ(+) values to the differential free energy of benzylic versus tertiary C-H amination. This model has informed the development of a novel sulfamate ester, which affords the highest benzylic-to-tertiary site selectivity (9.5:1) observed for this system.

The delineation of molecular properties that underlie reactivity and selectivity is at the core of physical organic chemistry, and this knowledge can be used to inform the design of improved synthetic methods or identify new chemical transformations. For this reason, the mathematical representation of properties affecting reactivity and selectivity trends, that is, molecular parameters, is paramount. Correlations produced by equating these molecular parameters with experimental outcomes are often defined as free-energy relationships and can be used to evaluate the origin of selectivity and to generate new, experimentally testable hypotheses. The premise behind successful correlations of this type is that a systematically perturbed molecular property affects a transition-state interaction between the catalyst, substrate and any reaction components involved in the determination of selectivity. Classic physical organic molecular descriptors, such as Hammett, Taft or Charton parameters, seek to independently probe isolated electronic or steric effects. However, these parameters cannot address simultaneous, non-additive variations to more than one molecular property, which limits their utility. Here we report a parameter system based on the vibrational response of a molecule to infrared radiation that can be used to mathematically model and predict selectivity trends for reactions with interlinked steric and electronic effects at positions of interest. The disclosed parameter system is mechanistically derived and should find broad use in the study of chemical and biological systems.

We review methods that our lab has developed for the generation of Pd-hydrides and the manipulation of these useful intermediates via β-hydride elimination and migratory insertion steps. For a given alkene functionalization reaction, careful understanding of the dynamics of β-hydride elimination, migratory insertion, and transmetallation have allowed for the selective functionalization of Pd-alkyl intermediates. This has afforded us a means by which to transpose palladium to a desired position on a substrate for subsequent functionalization, empowering a number of useful C–H, C–O, and C–C bond-forming reactions.

The enantioselective Pd-catalyzed redox-relay Heck arylation of acyclic alkenyl alcohols allows access to various useful chiral building blocks from simple olefinic substrates. Mechanistically, after the initial migratory insertion, a succession of β-hydride elimination and migratory insertion steps yields a saturated carbonyl product instead of the more general Heck product, an unsaturated alcohol. Here, we investigate the reaction mechanism, including the relay function, yielding the final carbonyl group transformation. M06 calculations predict a ΔΔG(‡) of 1 kcal/mol for the site selectivity and 2.5 kcal/mol for the enantioselectivity, in quantitative agreement with experimental results. The site selectivity is controlled by a remote electronic effect, where the developing polarization of the alkene in the migratory insertion transition state is stabilized by the C-O dipole of the alcohol moiety. The enantioselectivity is controlled by steric repulsion between the oxazoline substituent and the alcohol-bearing alkene substituent. The relay efficiency is due to an unusually smooth potential energy surface without high barriers, where the hydroxyalkyl-palladium species acts as a thermodynamic sink, driving the reaction toward the carbonyl product. Computational predictions of the relative reactivity and selectivity of the double bond isomers are validated experimentally.

Pd-catalyzed allylic relay Suzuki cross-coupling reactions of secondary alkyl tosylates, featuring a sterically-hindered oxidative addition and precise control of β-hydride elimination, are reported. The identification of a linear free energy relationship between the relative rates of substrate consumption and the electronic nature of the substrate alkene suggests that the oxidative addition requires direct alkene involvement. A study of the effect of alkyl chain length on the reaction outcome supports a chelation-controlled oxidative addition.

© 2016 American Chemical Society. Enantioselective 1,1-diarylation of terminal alkenes enabled by the combination of Pd catalysis with a chiral anion phase transfer (CAPT) strategy is reported herein. The reaction of substituted benzyl acrylates with aryldiazonium salts and arylboronic acids gave the corresponding 3,3-diarylpropanoates in moderate to good yields with high enantioselectivies (up to 98:2 er). Substituents on the benzyl acrylate and CAPT catalyst significantly affect the enantioselectivity, and multidimensional parametrization identified correlations suggesting structural origins for the high stereocontrol.

[1416819-91-4] C13H15F3N2O (MW 272.27) InChI = 1S/C13H15F3N2O/c1-12(2,3)10-7-19-11(18-10)9-5-4-8(6-17-9)13(14,15)16/h4-6,10H,7H2,1-3H3/t10-/m1/s1 InChIKey = AATATIAROAAKIN-SNVBAGLBSA-N Alternate Name: (S)-5-CF3-pyrox-tBu. Physical Data: mp 104–105 °C. Solubility: most organic solvents, such as diethyl ether, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, hexanes, acetone, and dimethylformamide. Form Supplied in: white solid/crystals. Analysis of Reagent Purity: (S)-5-CF3-pyrox-tBu has been characterized by optical rotation, 1H and 13C NMR, IR, and HRMS.1 Preparative Methods: (S)-5-CF3-pyrox-tBu can be prepared by coupling (S)-tert-leucinol and 5-trifluoromethylpicolinic acid using isobutylchloroformate and N-methylmorpholine.1 The reagent can also be purchased from Sigma Aldrich. Purification: (S)-5-CF3-pyrox-tBu can be purified using silica gel flash chromatography using 2:1 hexanes:EtOAc with 1% NEt3. The reagent will hydrolyze on silica gel without pretreatment of the silica with NEt3. Handling, Storage, and Precautions: no particular precautions need to be observed when using this reagent. The reagent is stable at room temperature in a dry atmosphere.

Predicting the solubility and stability of redox-active organics across all states of charge is a challenging task. A trained chemist can often predict trends, but when it comes to numerical values, even the best computer software cannot be counted upon. In screening active materials for redox flow batteries (RFBs) – in which both properties are important – we are slave to trial and error, modifying organic molecules in attempt to optimize (increase) solubility and stability without compromising other important properties such as redox potential.1,2We hope to change our approach to materials development by better predicting properties in advance. Using quantitative structure-property relationship (QSPR), we have shown that properties of unknown organic molecules can be predicted when experimental properties of a training set of related compounds is provided.3Here we sought to expand this approach to a different redox core, phenothiazines, which we have evaluated as posolyte candidates for RFBs. We measured the solubility of about a dozen phenothiazine derivatives – in both relevant states of charge (neutral and radical cation) – in a nonaqueous electrolyte. The structure of these derivatives included variations in the number, type, and position of substituents to offer a diverse training set. We used our experimental values and the results of density functional theory calculations to develop a QSPR model for the phenothiazine core, following which we synthesized and measured the solubility of a new set of phenothiazines. Here we will report on the degree of success of our model for solubility prediction. References Kowalski, J. A.; Casselman, M. D.; Kaur, A. P.; Milshtein, J. D.; Elliott, C. F.; Modekrutti, S.; Attanayake, N. H.; Zhang, N.; Parkin, S. R.; Risko, C.; Brushett, F. R.; Odom, S. A., “A Stable Two-Electron-Donating Phenothiazine for Application in Nonaqueous Redox Flow Batteries.” J. Mater. Chem. A 2017, 5, 24371. Milshtein, J. D.; Kaur, A. P.; Casselman, M. D.; Kowalski, J. A.; Modekrutti, S.; Zhang, P. L.; Attanayake, N. H.; Elliott, C. F.; Parkin, S. R.; Risko, C.; Brushett, F. R.; Odom, S. A., “High Current Density, Long Duration Cycling of Soluble Organic Active Species for Non-Aqueous Redox Flow Batteries.” Energy Environ. Sci. 2016, 9, 3531. Sevov, C. S.; Hickey, D. P.; Cook, M. E.; Robinson, S. G.; Barnett, S.; Minteer, S. D.*; Sigman, M. S.; Sanford, M. S. "Physical Organic Approach to Persistent, Cyclable, Low-Potential Electrolytes for Flow Battery Applications." J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2017, 139, 2924.

Ethylen ist das (volumenbezogen) in groster Menge synthetisierte organische Molekul. Es lasst sich leicht in ubergangsmetallkatalysierte C-C-Kupplungsreaktionen einbinden, und zwar durch migratorische Insertion in Alkylmetall-Intermediate. Wegen der D2h-Symmetrie des Ethylens kann die Insertion nur einen einzigen Verlauf nehmen, was die Nebenproduktbildung limitiert und die Produktanalyse auserordentlich vereinfacht. Wie in diesem Kurzaufsatz beschrieben wird, wird bei vielen C-C-Kupplungen das Ethylenmolekul (oder mehrere) bei Umgebungsdruck und -temperatur eingefugt. Auch sind viele Reaktionen bekannt, bei denen ein in geeigneter Weise substituiertes Alken in das Produkt eingefuhrt wird.

A general, highly selective asymmetric redox-relay oxidative Heck reaction using achiral or racemic acyclic alkenols and boronic acid derivatives is reported. This reaction delivers remotely functionalized arylated carbonyl products from acyclic alkenol substrates, with excellent enantioselectivity under mild conditions, bearing a range of useful functionality. A preliminary mechanistic investigation suggests that the regioselectivity of the initial migratory insertion is highly dependent on the electronic nature of the boronic acid and more subtle electronic effects of the alkenyl alcohol.