Nickel-Catalyzed Intermolecular Alkyne Hydrohydrazonation

We report a method for mild and atom-efficient synthesis of ketazines via nickel-catalyzed intermolecular hydroamination of internal alkynes with NH2-hydrazones. This alkyne hydrohydrazonation process is promoted by [Ni(cod)2] as a Ni(0) precatalyst and IPr as a N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand. A stoichiometric reaction between in situ generated [Ni(IPr)2] and benzophenone hydrazone (Ph2C=NNH2) led to the isolation of IPr-coordinated and hydroxo-bridged dinuclear Ni(II) hydrazonato complex [(IPr)Ni(HNN=CPh2)(miu2-OH)]2 that displayed high activity as a hydrohydrazonation pre-catalyst. We propose a catalytic cycle involving C-N bond formation via alkyne insertion into the Ni-N linkage of Ni(II) hydrazonato intermediates.

Synthesis of trans-Mono(silyl)palladium(II) Bromide Complexes

The stoichiometric reaction of cis-[Pd(ITMe)2(SiR3)2], where (SiR3 = SiMe3 and SiMe2Ph and ITMe = 1,3,4,5-tetramethylimidazol-2-ylidene) with allyl bromide affords the corresponding allylsilanes along with complexes of the type trans-[Pd(ITMe)2(SiR3)(Br)]. The structure of trans-[Pd(ITMe)2(SiMe2Ph)Br] 2b has been determined in the solid state and displays a slightly distorted square-planar geometry with the two N-heterocyclic carbene ligands in a trans-configuration.

Hierarchically assembled helicates as reaction platform – from stoichiometric Diels–Alder reactions to enamine catalysis

The stereoselectivity of a Diels–Alder reaction within the periphery of hierarchically assembled titanium(IV) helicates formed from mixtures of achiral, reactive and chiral, unreactive ligands was investigated in detail. Following the pathway of the chiral induction, the chiral ligands, solvents as well as substituents at the dienophile were carefully varied. Based on the results of the stoichiometric reaction, a secondary amine-catalyzed nitro-Michael reaction is performed as well which afforded reasonable diastereoselectivities.

Self-limiting directional nanoparticle bonding governed by reaction stoichiometry

Nanoparticle clusters with molecular-like configurations are an emerging class of colloidal materials. Particles decorated with attractive surface patches acting as analogs of functional groups are used to assemble colloidal molecules (CMs); however, high-yield generation of patchy nanoparticles remains a challenge. We show that for nanoparticles capped with complementary reactive polymers, a stoichiometric reaction leads to reorganization of the uniform ligand shell and self-limiting nanoparticle bonding, whereas electrostatic repulsion between colloidal bonds governs CM symmetry. This mechanism enables high-yield CM generation and their programmable organization in hierarchical nanostructures. Our work bridges the gap between covalent bonding taking place at an atomic level and colloidal bonding occurring at the length scale two orders of magnitude larger and broadens the methods for nanomaterial fabrication.

Hierarchically assembled helicates as reaction platform – From stoichiometric Diels-Alder reactions to enamine catalysis

The stereoselectivity of a Diels-Alder reaction within the periphery of hierarchically assembled titanium(IV) helicates formed from mixtures of achiral, reactive and chiral, unreactive ligands is investigated in detail. Following the pathway of the chiral induction, the chiral ligands, solvents as well as substituents at the dienophile are carefully varied. Based on the results of the stoichiometric reaction a secondary amine catalyzed nitro-Michael reaction is performed as well which affords reasonable diastereoselectivities.

Gas Flame Structure and Optical Assessment of the Flame Speed and Combustion Efficiency

We perform the analysis of a prepared propane-butane flame structure, by using the computer processing of the radiation from the chemical reaction zone. We mark out the stoichiometric reaction along with the zones of the external oxidant inflow into the flame for different burner diameters. We suggest a method of determining the normal flame speed based on catching the moment of the complete fuel combustion in the upper part of a flame. We show a role of the external oxidant inflow in the kinetic processes within the burning zone. The absolute value of the normal component of the flame speed and its dependence on the burner diameter and on the excess oxidant ratio for a prepared propane-butane flame are determined experimentally.

Photoinduced Proton Transfer Reactions for Mild O-H Functionalization Reactions of Unreactive Alcohols

Hexafluoroisopropanol is typically considered as an unreactive solvent and not as a reagent in organic synthesis. Herein, we report on a mild and efficient photochemical reaction of aryl diazoacetates with hexafluoroisopropanol that enables, under stoichiometric reaction conditions, the synthesis of fluorinated ethers in excellent yield. We support these findings with mechanistic studies, which indicate a preorganization of hexafluoroisopropanol and the diazoalkane as an unreactive Lewis Acid-Base adduct. Only upon photoexcitation, this adduct undergoes a protonation-substitution reaction to the reaction product. We conclude with investigations on the applicability of this photochemical transformation and could show that a broad variety of acidic alcohols can be subjected to this transformation and thus demonstrate the feasibility of this concept in O-H functionalization reactions (52 examples, up to 98% yield).

Photoinduced Proton Transfer Reactions for Mild O-H Functionalization Reactions of Unreactive Alcohols

Hexafluoroisopropanol is typically considered as an unreactive solvent and not as a reagent in organic synthesis. Herein, we report on a mild and efficient photochemical reaction of aryl diazoacetates with hexafluoroisopropanol that enables, under stoichiometric reaction conditions, the synthesis of fluorinated ethers in excellent yield. We support these findings with mechanistic studies, which indicate a preorganization of hexafluoroisopropanol and the diazoalkane as an unreactive Lewis Acid-Base adduct. Only upon photoexcitation, this adduct undergoes a protonation-substitution reaction to the reaction product. We conclude with investigations on the applicability of this photochemical transformation and could show that a broad variety of acidic alcohols can be subjected to this transformation and thus demonstrate the feasibility of this concept in O-H functionalization reactions (52 examples, up to 98% yield).

Synthesis, Characterization, Solution Behavior and Theoretical Studies of Pd(II) Allyl Complexes with 2-Phenyl-3H-indoles as Ligands

The study of the reactivity of three 2-phenyl-3H-indole ligands of general formulae C8H3N-2-(C6H4-4-R1)-3-NOMe-5-R2 (1) [with R1 = H, R2 = OMe (a); R1 = R2 = H (b) or R1 = Cl, R2 = H (c)] with [Pd(η3-1-R3C3H4)(μ-Cl)]2 (R3 = H or Ph) has allowed us to isolate two sets of new Pd(II)-allyl complexes of general formulae [Pd(η3-1-R3C3H4)(1)Cl] {R3 = H (2) or Ph (3)}. Compounds 2a–2c and 3a–3c were characterized by elemental analyses, mass spectrometry and IR spectroscopy. The crystal structures of 2a, 3a and 3b were also determined by X-ray diffraction. 1H-NMR studies reveal the coexistence of two (for 2a–2c) or three (for 3a–3c) isomeric forms in CD2Cl2 solutions at 182 K. Additional studies on the catalytic activity of mixtures containing [Pd(η3-C3H5)(μ-Cl)]2 and the parent ligand (1a–1c) in the allylic alkylation of (E)-3-phenyl-2-propenyl (cinnamyl) acetate with sodium diethyl 2-methylmalonate as well as the stoichiometric reaction between compounds 3a and 3c with the nucleophile reveal that in both cases the formation of the linear trans- derivative is strongly preferred over the branched product. Computational studies at a DFT level on compound 3a allowed us to compare the relative stability of their isomeric forms present in solution and to explain the regioselectivity of the catalytic and stoichiometric processes.