The photochemical nucleophile–olefin combination, aromatic substitution (photo-NOCAS) reaction. Part 8: methanol–2-carene, and 1,4-dicyanobenzene

1995 ◽  
Vol 73 (4) ◽  
pp. 522-530 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald R. Arnold ◽  
Xinyao Du ◽  
Huub J.P. de Lijser

The structure and reactivity of the radical cation of (+)-2-carene ((1S,6R)-3,7,7-trimethyl-cis-bicyclo[4.1.0]hept-2-ene (3)) have been studied. The radical cation was generated by photoinduced single electron transfer to the first electronically excited singlet state of 1,4-dicyanobenzene in acetonitrile–methanol (3:1). The 1:1:1 (methanol:2-carene:1,4-dicyanobenzene) adducts were formed: trans-3-(4-cyanophenyl)-4-(1-methoxy-1-methylethyl)-1-methylcyclohexene(14), and cis- (15) and trans-3-(4-cyanophenyl)-6-(1-methoxy-1-methylethyl)-3-methylcyclohexene (16) in a combined yield of 80%. The efficiency of the reaction and the yield of products were increased by the addition of biphenyl, serving as a codonor. These photo-NOCAS adducts formally result from cleavage of the three-membered ring of the 2-carene radical cation, at the C1—C7 bond, forming the tertiary carbocation and allylic radical. Reaction of the cation with methanol and coupling of the allylic radical with the 1,4-dicyanobenzene radical anion at the ipso position, followed by loss of cyanide ion, completes the sequence. There was no evidence for cleavage of the C1—C6 bond under these conditions; however, when the irradiation was carried out in acetonitrile (no methanol) the (+)-2-carene was partially racemized. Racemization is indicative of C1—C6 bond cleavage. The results of abinitio molecular orbital calculations (STO-3G) provide insight into the extent of C1—C7 bond cleavage in the radical cation. The calculated spin and charge distribution, on the 2-carene radical cation global minimum (3a+•), is consistent with the observed regiospecificity of adduct formation. Keywords: photoinduced electron transfer, radical ions, molecular orbital calculations, bond cleavage, 2-carene.


2003 ◽  
Vol 81 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carmela R Jackson Lepage ◽  
Lynn Mihichuk ◽  
Donald G Lee

The mechanism for the oxidation of sulfides by [(me4-salen)CrV(O)(pyO)]CF3SO3, where me4-salen is 8,8,8',8'-tetramethylsalen and pyO is pyridine N-oxide, has been investigated. Results from Hammett correlations on the rates of oxidation of substituted thioanisoles, frontier molecular orbital calculations, and product studies are consistent with a mechanism that is initiated by a single electron transfer to give a radical cation intermediate.Key words: oxidation, chromium(V), sulfides, radical cation, oxygen transfer.



1991 ◽  
Vol 69 (5) ◽  
pp. 839-852 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald R. Arnold ◽  
Xinyao Du ◽  
Kerstin M. Henseleit

The effect of meta- and para-methoxy substitution on the reactivity of some radical cations has been determined. The compounds chosen for study were 1-(3-methoxyphenyl)-1-phenylethylene (7), 1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1-phenylethylene (8), 3-(3-methoxyphenyl)indene (9), 3-(4-methoxyphenyl)indene (10), methyl 2-(3-methoxyphenyl)-2-phenylethyl ether (11), methyl 2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-phenylethyl ether (12), cis- and trans-2-methoxy-1-(3-methoxyphenyl)indane (13), and cis- and trans-2-methoxy-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)indane (14). The radical cations of these compounds were generated by photosensitization (electron transfer) using 1,4-dicyanobenzene (3) as the electron acceptor. The three reactions studied were: (1) The addition of nucleophiles (methanol) to the radical cation of the arylalkenes, a reaction that yields the anti-Markovnikov addition product. (2) The carbon–carbon bond cleavage of radical cations, which yields products derived from the radical and carbocation fragments. (3) The deprotonation of the radical cation, a reaction that can be used to invert the configuration at a saturated carbon centre. The mechanisms of these reactions are discussed and the factors that need to be considered in order to predict reactivity are defined. Molecular orbital calculations (UHF/STO-3G) were carried out on the radical cations of the model compounds 3- and 4-vinylanisole and 3- and 4-methylanisole. Key words: photochemistry, photosensitize (electron transfer), radical cation, radical.



1995 ◽  
Vol 73 (3) ◽  
pp. 307-318 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald R. Arnold ◽  
Xinyao Du ◽  
Jing Chen

The effect of electron-withdrawing substituents, meta- or para-cyano, on the reactivity of the radical cation of arylalkenes and alkanes has been determined. The radical cations were generated by single electron transfer (set) to an electron-accepting photosensitizer. Three reactions were studied: (i) the addition of nucleophile to the radical cation of arylalkenes, (ii) cleavage of the benzylic carbon–carbon bond of the radical cation of arylalkanes; and (iii) the deprotonation of the benzylic carbon–hydrogen bond of the radical cation of arylalkanes. The radical cations of 4-(1-phenylethenyl)benzonitrile (1b), 3-(1-phenylethenyl)benzonitrile (1c), 4-(2-methoxy-1-phenylethyl)benzonitrile (2b), 3-(2-methoxy-1-phenylethyl)benzonitrile (2c), cis- and trans-5-cyano-2-methoxy-1-phenylindane (6b-cis and -trans), and 6-cyano-3-phenylindene (7b) were generated, by single electron transfer to the lowest excited singlet state of 1,4-dicyanobenzene (3), in acetonitrile–methanol. The radical cations of 1b, 1c, and 7b react with methanol to yield the anti-Markovnikov adducts (2b, 2c, and 6b-cis and 6b-trans). The radical cations of 2b, 2c, and 6b-trans cleave at the benzylic carbon–carbon bond to give products derived from the radical and carbocation fragments. The radical cation of 6b-cis deprotonates from the benzylic position with subsequent formation of the diastereomer, 6b-trans. This behaviour can be explained/predicted on the basis of the proposed mechanisms for these reactions. Molecular orbital calculations (AM1) support the conclusions. Keywords: photosensitized, electron transfer, radical ions, radicals, molecular orbital calculations (AM1).



1998 ◽  
Vol 76 (9) ◽  
pp. 1238-1248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald R Arnold ◽  
Kimberly A McManus

The photochemical nucleophile-olefin combination, aromatic substitution (photo-NOCAS) reaction of methanol, 7-methyl-3-methylene-1,6-octadiene ( β-myrcene, 1), and 1,4-dicyanobenzene yields five 1:1:1 adducts:cis-2-(4-cyanophenyl)-4-(1-methoxy-1-methylethyl)-1-methylenecyclohexane (15), trans-2-(4-cyanophenyl)-4-(1-methoxy-1-methylethyl)-1-methylenecyclohexane (16), 1-(4-cyanophenylmethyl)-4-(1-methoxy-1-methylethyl)cyclohexene (17), 4-[4-methoxy-3,3-dimethylcyclohex-(E)-1-ylidenyl]methylbenzonitrile (18), and 4-(1-vinyl-4-trans-methoxy-3,3-dimethylcyclohexyl)benzonitrile (19). All of these adducts are cyclic; variation in the product ratio as a function of methanol concentration indicates cyclization is occurring, 1,6-endo, with both the initially formed radical cation and with the intermediate β-alkoxyalkyl radicals. Evidence based upon comparison of the ionization and oxidation potential of β-myrcene with model alkenes and with conjugated dienes indicates the initial electron transfer involves the trisubstituted mono alkene moiety; the diene moiety, mono-substituted at a nodal position, has a higher oxidation potential. High-level ab initio molecular orbital calculations (MP2/6-31G*//HF/6-31G*) provide useful information regarding the nature (relative energies and charge and spin distribution) of the intermediate radical cations, which supports the proposed reaction mechanism. Key words: photoinduced electron transfer, radicals, radical cations, β-myrcene, cyclization.



1996 ◽  
Vol 74 (11) ◽  
pp. 2143-2166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald R. Arnold ◽  
Mary S. W. Chan ◽  
Kimberly A. McManus

The photo-NOCAS reaction that combines methanol, serving as the nucleophile, and the radical cation of 4-methyl-1,3-pentadiene (14+•), substituting on the 1,4-dicyanobenzene radical anion (1−•), yields (E)-1-(4-cyanophenyl)-4-methoxy-4-methyl-2-pentene (15) as the major product. This regioisomer arises from bonding of methanol to C-4, the more heavily alkyl-substituted carbon of the diene, giving the less alkyl-substituted allylic radical. All previous examples of the photo-NOCAS reaction have yielded major adduct(s) having regiochemistry consistent with the anti-Markovnikov rule; the more heavily substituted (more stable?) β-alkoxyalkyl radical was the predominant intermediate. Empirically derived heats of formation and high-level ab initio molecular orbital calculations (MP2/6-31G*//HF/6-31G*) provide convincing evidence that of the two alternative allylic radicals, generated upon addition of methanol to 14+•, that which has the more alkyl substituted allylic radical moiety is, in fact, not the more stable. Of course, the total structure of the intermediate must be considered; the stabilizing effect of alkyl substitution on the carbon next to the oxygen of the ether moiety cannot be ignored. Ab initio molecular orbital calculations (MP2/6-31G*//HF/6-31G*) are reported for the radical cations of 2-methylpropene (2+•), 2-methyl-2-butene (6+•), 2-methyl-1,3-butadiene (9+•), 4-methyl-1,3-pentadiene (14+•), and 2,4-dimethyl-1,3-pentadiene (18+•) Calculations were also carried out on possible intermediates (bridged radical cations, distonic radical cations, and β-alkoxyalkyl radicals) involved upon reaction of these radical cations with methanol. Results of these calculations provide a basis for explaining/predicting the regiochemistry of the photo-NOCAS reaction involving methanol as the nucleophile: the major adduct(s) result(s) from attachment of methanol to that end of the alkene or diene which gives rise to the more stable intermediate radical. The more stable radical is not necessarily the more heavily alkyl substituted. Key words: photoinduced electron transfer, radicals, radical cations, ab initio molecular orbital calculations.



1991 ◽  
Vol 69 (2) ◽  
pp. 225-233 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald R. Arnold ◽  
Laurie J. Lamont ◽  
Allyson L. Perrott

The reactivity of the radical cations of methyl 2,2-diphenylcyclohexyl ether (7), 6,6-diphenyl-1,4-dioxaspiro[4.5]decane (8), methyl cis- and trans-2-phenylcyclohexyl ether (9cis and trans), and 6-phenyl-1,4-dioxaspiro[4.5]decane (10), generated by photosensitized (electron transfer) irradiation, has been studied. Solutions of the ethers and acetals in acetonitrile–methanol (3:1), with 1,4-dicyanobenzene (2) serving as the electron acceptor, were irradiated with a medium-pressure mercury vapour lamp through Pyrex. The diphenyl derivatives 7 and 8 were reactive; 7 gave 6,6-diphenylhexanal dimethyl acetal (11) and 8 gave 2-methoxy-2-(5,5-diphenylpentyl)-1,3-dioxolane (12). These are the products expected from the intermediate 1,6-radical cation, formed upon carbon–carbon bond cleavage of the cyclic radical cation. The monophenyl derivatives 9cis and trans and 10 were stable under these irradiation conditions. The mechanism for the carbon–carbon bond cleavage and for the cis–trans isomerization is discussed. An explanation, based upon conformation, is offered for the lack of reactivity of 9 and 10. Molecular mechanics (MM2) calculations were used to determine the preferred conformation of 9cis and trans, and 10. Key words: photosensitization, electron transfer, radical cation, carbon–carbon bond cleavage, conformation.



1991 ◽  
Vol 19 (10) ◽  
pp. 2747-2753 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Taira ◽  
T. Uchimaru ◽  
K. Tanabe ◽  
M. Uebayasi ◽  
S. Nishikawa


1994 ◽  
Vol 72 (2) ◽  
pp. 415-429 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald R. Arnold ◽  
Kimberly A. McManus ◽  
Xinyao Du

Irradiation, through Pyrex, of an acetonitrile–methanol (3:1) solution of 1,4-dicyanobenzene (1) and 1,5-hexadiene (9) leads to formation of ortho and meta cyclic adducts (13–16) arising from the intermediate exciplex. There was no evidence for interaction between the two double bonds of this nonconjugated diene. The oxidation potential of 9 is high enough (> 3 V vs. sce) to preclude single electron transfer (SET); no photo-NOCAS products are formed. Similar irradiation of acetonitrile–methanol solutions of 1 and 2-methyl-1,5-hexadiene (10) does yield a photo-NOCAS product (17); reaction occurs only on the more heavily substituted double bond. The additional substitution on the double bond lowers the oxidation potential (2.70 V vs. sce) of this diene to the point where SET from 10 to the excited singlet state of 1 can occur. In this case, no cycloaddition products are formed; the exciplex is quenched by electron transfer. There was no evidence for interaction between the two double bonds of the initially formed radical cation 10+•, or between the terminal double bond and the β-alkoxyalkyl radical of the intermediate leading to the photo-NOCAS product. The photo-NOCAS product (19) was also formed when 2,5-dimethyl-1,5-hexadiene (11) was subjected to these reaction conditions. In this case, when biphenyl (4) was added as a codonor, in addition to the photo-NOCAS product, products (21cis and trans) resulting from cyclization of the initially formed acyclic radical cation 11+• to give the 1,4-dimethylcyclohexane-1,4-diyl radical cation were also observed. This 1,6-endo, endo cyclization of 11+• must be rapid enough to compete with reaction with methanol. There was no evidence for cyclization (neither 1,4-exo nor 1,5-endo) of the intermediate β-alkoxyalkyl radical. When the radical cation of 2,5-dimethyl-1,4-hexadiene (12+•) is generated under these reaction conditions, photo-NOCAS products 22 and 23 are formed at the more heavily substituted double bond, along with the conjugated tautomer 2,5-dimethyl-2,4-hexadiene (24). The mechanisms for these transformations are discussed.



1994 ◽  
Vol 72 (2) ◽  
pp. 403-414 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald R. Arnold ◽  
Xinyao Du

The reactivity of the radical cations of α- and β-pinene (8 and 9), tricyclene (18), and nopol (23) has been studied. The radical ions were generated, in acetonitrile–methanol (3:1), by single electron transfer (set) to the singlet excited state of 1,4-di-cyanobenzene (1). Biphenyl (3) was used as a codonor. The cyclobutane rings of the initially formed radical cations of α- and β-pinene (8+• and 9+•) cleave to distonic radical cations that react as tertiary alkyl cations and allylic radicals. The results of ab initio molecular orbital calculations (STO-3G) are consistent with the observation that the positive charge is largely associated with the tertiary alkyl moiety while the spin density is largely distributed over the allylic radical. There was no evidence, experimental or theoretical, indicative of a bonding interaction between the cationic and allylic moieties of these distonic radical cations. The cyclobutane ring cleavage is irreversible. The radical cation of tricyclene (18) also gives 1:1:1 (nucleophile:cyclopropyl:aromatic) adducts. The regio- and stereochemistry of the adducts, and the nucleophile selectivity, are all indicative of nucleophile-assisted cleavage of the radical cation (18+•). The radical cation of nopol (23+•) also cleaves to the distonic radical cation. The cyclobutane ring cleavage must be rapid; intramolecular 1,5-endo cyclization of the hydroxyl group cannot compete.



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