Perfluorobicyclo[2.2.0]hex-1(4)-ene as unique partner for Diels–Alder reactions with benzene: a density functional theory study

The mechanism of the Diels–Alder reactions between perfluorobicyclo[2.2.0]hex-1(4)-ene (1a) and bicyclo[2.2.0]hex-1(4)-ene (1b) with benzene (2a) and naphthalene (2b) has been studied within the density functional theory at the MPWB1K/6-311G(d,p) level. The bonding pattern in these reactions is analyzed in the topology of the electron localization function within the bonding evolution theory perspective. The bonding electron density changes along the reaction paths reveal that the C–C bond formation takes place through a synchronous and non-concerted one-step mechanism and proceeds with a moderate activation energy. The reactivity order with 1a is 2a–2b. The reactions begin by the rupture of the double bond in the strained 1a-b molecules, and then two pseudoradical centers at the 1a-b fragments are created. Finally, at the same time, two new single bonds are formed in the cycloaddition products. The TSs proceed with high global electron density transfer providing a polar character at these reactions.

A Study on the Reactivity of Monosubstituted Benzenes in the MW-Assisted Pd(OAc)2-catalyzed Hirao Reaction with Ph2P(O)H and (EtO)2P(O)H Reagents

The reactivity order of “iodobenzene > bromobenzene > phenyl trifluoromethanesulfonate” was established in microwave (MW)-assisted Pd(OAc)2-catalyzed P–C coupling reactions with diphenylphosphine oxide and diethyl phosphite, where the excess of the these >P(O)H reagents served as the reducing agent, and, via its tautomeric >P-OH form, also as the P-ligand. The P–C coupling of Ph2P(O)H with PhBr at 120 °C took place via an induction period, during which the active “P-Pd-P” catalyst was formed from the Pd(II) salt and the >P(O)H species. The lower reactivity of PhBr towards Ph2P(O)H could be promoted by the addition of 20% of KI to the reaction mixture at 120 °C, or utilizing 1 equivalent of KI after a pre-reaction with PhBr at 120-150 °C followed by the P–C coupling at 100 °C. The reactivity of PhOTf and a bromo analogue was compared in competitive couplings with Ph2P(O)H. Beyond this, the reactivity of Ph2P(O)H and (EtO)2P(O)H towards PhOTf was evaluated in another competitive experiment. Increasing the scale of the P–C coupling reaction of (EtO)2P(O)H with PhBr, the quantity for the components of the catalyst could be decreased.

Studies on the oxidative degradation of paracetamol by a μ-oxo-diiron(III) complex

In higher organisms, metalloenzymes like cytochrome P450, containing a Fe(III) metal center, play an active role in metabolism of paracetamol (APAP). Here, we have chosen a mimicking μ-oxo-diiron complex, [Fe(III)2(μ-O)(phen)4(H2O)2]4+ (1, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline), to study spectrophotometrically the kinetics of the redox interactions with APAP. In acidic buffer media (pH = 3.4–5.1), APAP quantitatively reduces 1 following first-order reaction kinetics. Each molecule of 1 accepts two electrons from APAP and is reduced to ferroin [Fe(phen)3]2+. On oxidation, APAP produces N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI), which on hydrolysis results in a mixture of benzoquinone, quinone oxime, acetamide, and acetic acid. In reaction media due to successive deprotonations, 1 exists in equilibrium with the species [Fe(III)2(μ-O)(phen)4(H2O)(OH)]3+ (1a) and [Fe(III)2(μ-O)(phen)4(OH)2]2+ (1b) (pKa = 3.71 and 5.28, respectively). The kinetic analyses suggest for an unusual reactivity order as 1 < 1a ≫ 1b. The mechanistic possibilities suggest that although 1 is reduced by concerted electron transfer (ET) – proton transfer (PT) mechanism, 1a and 1b may be reduced by a concerted PT–ET mechanism where a slow proton-abstraction step is followed by a rapid ET process. It seems that the initial activation of the bridging μ-oxo group by a proton-abstraction results in the higher reactivity of 1a.

Investigations of the Kinetics and Mechanism of Reduction of a Carboplatin Pt(IV) Prodrug by the Major Small-Molecule Reductants in Human Plasma

The development of Pt(IV) anticancer prodrugs to overcome the detrimental side effects of Pt(II)-based anticancer drugs is of current interest. The kinetics and reaction mechanisms of the reductive activation of the carboplatin Pt(IV) prodrug cis,trans-[Pt(cbdca)(NH3)2Cl2] (cbdca = cyclobutane-1,1-dicarboxylate) by the major small-molecule reductants in human plasma were analyzed in this work. The reductants included ascorbate (Asc), the thiol-containing molecules L-cysteine (Cys), DL-homocysteine (Hcy), and glutathione (GSH), and the dipeptide Cys–Gly. Overall second-order kinetics were established in all cases. At the physiological pH of 7.4, the observed second-order rate constants k′ followed the order Asc << Cys–Gly ~ Hcy < GSH < Cys. This reactivity order together with the abundances of the reductants in human plasma indicated Cys as the major small-molecule reductant in vivo, followed by GSH and ascorbate, whereas Hcy is much less important. In the cases of Cys and GSH, detailed reaction mechanisms and the reactivity of the various protolytic species at physiological pH were derived. The rate constants of the rate-determining steps were evaluated, allowing the construction of reactivity-versus-pH distribution diagrams for Cys and GSH. The diagrams unraveled that species III of Cys (−SCH2CH(NH3+)COO−) and species IV of GSH (−OOCCH(NH3+)CH2CH2CONHCH(CH2S−)- CONHCH2COO−) were exclusively dominant in the reduction process. These two species are anticipated to be of pivotal importance in the reduction of other types of Pt(IV) prodrugs as well.

Lewis Acid Promoted Trapping of Chiral Aza-enolates

We present a study on sequential conjugate addition of ­Grignard reagents to alkenyl-heteroarenes followed by trapping of the resulting enolates, yielding moderate to good diastereoselectivities. Contrary to conventional wisdom, one-pot conjugate addition/trapping using two reactive Michael acceptors in combination with Grignard reagents can proceed via conjugate addition to the least reactive Michael acceptor. This unusual chemoselectivity is triggered by the presence of a Lewis acid, reverting the usual reactivity order of Michael acceptors.

Computational Study of Electronic Influence of Guanidine Substitution on Diels-Alder Reactions of Heterocyclic Dienes

Quantum-chemical calculations of cycloaddition properties of cyclic heterodienes substituted with guanidine functionality were carried out. Molecular and electronic structures of series of dienes (pyrrole, furan, thiophene, isoindole and 1,3-butadiene) were calculated and reactivity order established on the basis of FMO theory. Transition state calculations of model [4+2] cycloaddition reaction with acetylene indicate that guanidine substitution influences reaction barriers in moderate extent (up to ~4 kcal mol–1). The substitution position plays an important role on the sign and magnitude of the effect and protonation of nitrogen possessing substituents increases reactivity of dienes.

Synthesis and structural investigation of a series of mannose-containing oligosaccharides using mass spectrometry

Gas-phase collision-induced dissociation and acid hydrolysis of mannose-containing oligosaccharides were performed, which revealed the reactivity order of linkage isomers.

The Substitution Effect on Reaction Enthalpies of Antioxidant Mechanisms of Juglone and Its Derivatives in Gas and Solution Phase: DFT Study

We examined the structure-reaction enthalpies-antioxidant activity relationship of the molecule library built around juglone and its derivatives at B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) level. Three major antioxidant mechanisms (hydrogen atom transfer (HAT), single electron transfer-proton transfer (SET-PT), and sequential proton loss electron transfer (SPLET)) have been investigated in five solvents and in the gas phase. The delocalization of the unpaired electrons in the radicals or cation radicals has been explored by the natural bond orbital analysis and the interpretation of spin density maps. The results obtained have proven that the HAT mechanism is the thermodynamically preferred mechanism in the gas phase. But, in the solution phase, the SPLET mechanism has been shown to be more predominant than HAT. The reactivity order of compounds towards selected reactive oxygen species has also been studied.

Oxidation of α,β-Unsaturated Alcohols by Quinaldinium Fluorochromate

The kinetics of oxidation of α,β-unsaturated alcohols (allyl alcohol, Crotyl alcohol, Cinnamyl alcohol) by quinaldinium fluorochromate has been studied in aqueous acid medium at 313 K. α,β-unsaturated alcohols were converted to the corresponding acrolein, crotonaldehyde and cinnamaldehyde. The reaction is first order each in oxidant, substrate and H+. The decrease in dielectric constant of the medium increases the rate of the reaction. Increase in ionic strength by the addition of sodium perchlorate has no effect on the rate constant. There is no polymerization with acrylonitrile. The reaction has been conducted at four different temperatures and activation parameters were calculated. From the observed kinetic results a suitable mechanism consistent with rate law has been proposed. The relative reactivity order was found to be Cinnamyl alcohol > Crotyl alcohol > Allyl alcohol.