Computational Studies of Coinage Metal Anion M− + CH3X (X = F, Cl, Br, I) Reactions in Gas Phase

We characterized the stationary points along the nucleophilic substitution (SN2), oxidative insertion (OI), halogen abstraction (XA), and proton transfer (PT) product channels of M− + CH3X (M = Cu, Ag, Au; X = F, Cl, Br, I) reactions using the CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVTZ level of theory. In general, the reaction energies follow the order of PT > XA > SN2 > OI. The OI channel that results in oxidative insertion complex [CH3–M–X]− is most exothermic, and can be formed through a front-side attack of M on the C-X bond via a high transition state OxTS or through a SN2-mediated halogen rearrangement path via a much lower transition state invTS. The order of OxTS > invTS is inverted when changing M− to Pd, a d10 metal, because the symmetry of their HOMO orbital is different. The back-side attack SN2 pathway proceeds via typical Walden-inversion transition state that connects to pre- and post-reaction complexes. For X = Cl/Br/I, the invSN2-TS’s are, in general, submerged. The shape of this M− + CH3X SN2 PES is flatter as compared to that of a main-group base like F− + CH3X, whose PES has a double-well shape. When X = Br/I, a linear halogen-bonded complex [CH3−X∙··M]− can be formed as an intermediate upon the front-side attachment of M on the halogen atom X, and it either dissociates to CH3 + MX− through halogen abstraction or bends the C-X-M angle to continue the back-side SN2 path. Natural bond orbital analysis shows a polar covalent M−X bond is formed within oxidative insertion complex [CH3–M–X]−, whereas a noncovalent M–X halogen-bond interaction exists for the [CH3–X∙··M]− complex. This work explores competing channels of the M− + CH3X reaction in the gas phase and the potential energy surface is useful in understanding the dynamic behavior of the title and analogous reactions.

Direct SN2 or SN2X Manifold – Mechanistic Study of Ion-Pair Catalyzed Carbon(sp3)-Carbon(sp3) Bond Formation

Density functional theory (DFT) is used in this work to predict the mechanism for constructing congested quaternary-quaternary carbon(sp3)–carbon(sp3) bonds in a pentanidium catalyzed substitution reaction. Computational mechanistic studies were carried out to investigate the proposed SN2X manifold, which consists of two primary elementary steps: halogen atom transfer (XAT) and subsequent SN2. For the first calculated model on original experimental substrates, XAT reaction barriers were more kinetically competitive than an SN2 pathway and connects to thermodynamically stable intermediates. Extensive computational screening-modelling were then done on various substrate combinations designed to study steric influence and to understand the mechanistic rationale, and calculations reveal that sterically congested substrates prefer the SN2X manifold over SN2. Different halides as leaving groups were also screened and it was found that the reactivity increases in order of Br > Cl > F in agreement of the strength of C–X bonds. However, DFT modelling suggests that chlorides can be a viable substrate for the SN2X process which should be further explored experimentally. Finally, ONIOM calculations on the full catalyst model were carried out to rationalize the stereoselectivity which corroborates with experimental results.

Alumination of Aryl Methyl Ethers: Switching Between Sp2 and Sp3 C–O Bond Functionalisation with Pd-Catalysis

The reaction of [{(ArNCMe)2CH}Al] (Ar = 2,6-di-iso-propylphenyl, 1) with aryl methyl ethers proceeded with alumination of the sp3 C–O bond by a presumed SN2 pathway. The selectivity of this reaction could be switched by inclusion of a catalyst. In the presence of [Pd(PCy3)2], chemoselective sp2 C–O bond functionalisation was observed. Kinetic isotope experiments and DFT calculations support a catalytic pathway involving the ligand-assisted oxidative addition of the sp2 C–O bond to a Pd---Al intermetallic complex. The net result of both non-catalysed and catalytic pathways is the generation of polar organoaluminium complexes from aryl methyl ethers with complete atom-efficiency. Switches in selectivity yield isomeric products from a single starting material. The methodology (and mechanistic insight) holds promise as a means to functionalise aromatic molecules derived from lignin depolymerisation and we demonstrate an application to a derivative of vanillin.

Alumination of Aryl Methyl Ethers: Switching Between Sp2 and Sp3 C–O Bond Functionalisation with Pd-Catalysis

The reaction of [{(ArNCMe)2CH}Al] (Ar = 2,6-di-iso-propylphenyl, 1) with aryl methyl ethers proceeded with alumination of the sp3 C–O bond by a presumed SN2 pathway. The selectivity of this reaction could be switched by inclusion of a catalyst. In the presence of [Pd(PCy3)2], chemoselective sp2 C–O bond functionalisation was observed. Kinetic isotope experiments and DFT calculations support a catalytic pathway involving the ligand-assisted oxidative addition of the sp2 C–O bond to a Pd---Al intermetallic complex. The net result of both non-catalysed and catalytic pathways is the generation of polar organoaluminium complexes from aryl methyl ethers with complete atom-efficiency. Switches in selectivity yield isomeric products from a single starting material. The methodology (and mechanistic insight) holds promise as a means to functionalise aromatic molecules derived from lignin depolymerisation and we demonstrate an application to a derivative of vanillin.

Synthesis and Conformational Analysis of Fluorinated Uridine Analogues Provide Insight into a Neighbouring-Group Participation Mechanism

Fluorinated nucleoside analogues have attracted much attention as anticancer and antiviral agents and as probes for enzymatic function. However, the lack of direct synthetic methods, especially for 2′,3′-dideoxy-2′,3′-difluoro nucleosides, hamper their practical utility. In order to design more efficient synthetic methods, a better understanding of the conformation and mechanism of formation of these molecules is important. Herein, we report the synthesis and conformational analysis of a 2′,3′-dideoxy-2′,3′-difluoro and a 2′-deoxy-2′-fluoro uridine derivative and provide an insight into the reaction mechanism. We suggest that the transformation most likely diverges from the SN1 or SN2 pathway, but instead operates via a neighbouring-group participation mechanism.

Ionic Liquid Mediated Ugi/SN2 Cyclization: Synthesis of 1,2,3-Triazole Containing Novel 2,5-Diketopiperazines

The Ugi four-component reaction is versatile multicomponent reaction for generation of complex diversity, herein, we developed a novel methodology by using 4-((1-((tetrahydrofuran-2-yl)methyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methoxy)benzaldehyde as one of the components in Ugi 4CR that contains 1,2,3-triazole moiety which is a privileged molecule in medicinal chemistry to obtain Ugi adducts under room temperature ionic liquids as medium of solvent, then followed SN2 pathway cyclization to get triazole containing 2,5-diketopiperazine derivatives in good yield using basic ionic liquids as a catalyst.

Elimination of Ethene from 1,2-Diiodoethane Induced by N-Heterocyclic Carbene Halogen Bonding

The attempted synthesis of N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-stabilised dicarbon (C2) fragments via nucleophilic substitution at 1,2-diiodoethane is reported. Rather than the expected SN2 pathway, clean elimination of ethene and formation of an iodoimidazolium cation was observed. The resistance towards nucleophilic substitution piqued interest, and subsequent investigation determined NHC-halogen bonding as the source. This is in contrast to reactions between NHCs and other alkyl halides, where substitution or elimination pathways are reported. A detailed theoretical study between these cases highlights the importance of iodine as a halogen bond donor compared with other halogens, and shows that NHCs are excellent halogen bond acceptors. This reactivity suggests potential for application of the halogen bonding interaction between NHCs and organic compounds.

Oxatriquinane Derivatives: A Theoretical Investigation of SN1-SN2 Reactions Borderline

This study investigated the nucleophilic substitution reaction mechanisms of 5 oxatriquinane derivatives, namely: oxatriquinane (OTQ), 1,4,7-trimethyloxatriquinane (TMO), 1,4,7-triethyloxatriquinane (TEO), 1,4,7-tri-iso-propyloxatriquinane (TIO) and 1,4,7-tri-tert-butyloxatriquinane (TTO). In addition to the G3 conformation (one with the substituent groups at 1,4 and 7 positions pointing into the plane of the paper) originally proposed by the previous workers, Mascal et al. in 2008 and Gunbas et al. in 2013, one more geometrical isomer was considered again for each of the derivatives, the 2G1 isomer (one in which only 2 of the 3 substituent groups at 1,4 and 7 positions are into the paper plane). Geometry optimization and determination of transition state properties of the conformers corresponding to each molecule (in the presence of azide ion, N3-) provided theoretical evidences on the possible reaction mechanisms. The 2G1 conformer for TTO was found to be unstable. The reactions of OTQ, TMO and TEO with azide ion (N3-) followed SN2 pathway, with SN1mechanism completely lacking. This finding is in agreement with the first set of reports published on this subject in 2008 and 2010 by Mascal’s group. For TIO (in the presence of azide ion), only the presence of SN1 mechanism could be proved without any observation of transition state (TS), even though, it possesses a 2G1 conformer. TTO surprisingly, showed marked evidence of SN1 mechanism also without any evidence of TS. The results obtained showed that OTQ derivatives up to TEO undergo nucleophilic substitution predominantly via SN2, and above which (i.e. for TIO and TTO) the mechanisms predominantly become SN1.

Theoretical investigation of experimentally determined α-εffects — The role of electronics

Recent experimental reports involving both α-nucleophiles and normal nucleophiles have reported both the presence and absence of an α-effect. In ester systems, such as dimethylmethylphosphonate (DMMP), a small α-effect is reported, but the reference point is a stationary point of the potential energy surface that must rearrange to acquire the near attack conformation (NAC) necessary for the Sn2 pathway to proceed. The second type of study involves use of highly fluorinated alkoxides as normal nucleophiles and reports no α-effect. This paper employs linear free energy plots in an investigation of electronic effects in methyl formate SN2 reactions, using high-level computations of transition states for determination of energy barriers.