Virtual-Ligand-Assisted Screening Strategy to Discover Enabling Ligands for Transition Metal Catalysis

The ligand screening process, in which an optimal ligand for a reaction of interest is identified from an enormous and diverse set of candidate molecules, is of particular importance in the development of transition metal catalysis. Conventionally, this process has been performed by experimental trial-and-error cycles, which require significant time and resources. Herein, we report a novel strategy called “virtual-ligand-assisted (VLA) screening” that enables practical in silico ligand screening based on the transition state theory. We developed a virtual ligand, PCl*3, which parameterizes both the electronic and steric effects of monodentate phosphorus(III) ligands in quantum chemical calculations, and used it to assess how these effects perturb the energy profile of a reaction. This parameter-based ligand screening approach allowed us to identify the optimal electronic and steric effects for a reaction of interest, thereby affording guiding principles for rational ligand design. The VLA screening strategy was demonstrated for the selectivity-determining step of the rhodium-catalyzed hydroformylation of a terminal olefin, and phosphorus(III) ligands with potentially high linear or branched selectivities were designed. These findings indicate that VLA screening is a promising approach for streamlining the ligand screening process.

N-Directed Pd-Catalyzed Photoredox-Mediated C–H Arylation for Accessing Phenyl-Extended Analogues of Biginelli/Suzuki-Derived Ethyl 4-Methyl-2,6-diphenylpyrimidine-5-carboxylates

The availability and application of direct, functional group-compatible C–H activation methods for late-stage modification of small-molecule bioactives and other valuable materials remains an ongoing challenge in organic synthesis. In the current study, we demonstrate that a LED-activated, photoredox-mediated, Pd(OAc)2-catalyzed C–H arylation, employing a phenyldiazonium aryl source and either tris(2,2′-bipyridine)ruthenium(II) or (2,2′-bipyridine)bis[3,5-di-fluoro-2-[5-(trifluoromethyl)-2-pyridinyl-kN][phenyl-kC]iridium(III) as photoredox initiator, may successfully produce unprecedented mono- and bis-phenyl derivatives of functionality-rich 2,6-diphenylpyrimidine substrates at room temperature. The series of 19 substrates employed herein, which share the biologically-relevant 4-methyl-2,6-diphenylpyrimidine-5-carboxylate scaffold, were generated via a synthetic route involving (3-component) Biginelli condensation, oxidative dehydrogenation of the obtained 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-one to 2-hydroxypyrimidine, O-sulfonylation, and Suzuki-Miyaura C–C cross-coupling. Submission of these substrates to pyrimidine-N-atom-directed C–H arylation conditions led to regioselective phenylation at the ortho site(s) of the pyrimidine-C2-connected phenyl ring, revealing substituent-dependent electronic and steric effects. A focused library of 18 mono- and 10 bis-phenyl derivatives was generated. Its members exhibit interesting 3D and peripheral substitution features that render them promising for evaluation in drug discovery efforts.

Study of naphthopyran derivatives: structure and photochromic properties in solution and in polymer film

Four naphthopyran derivatives, namely, 3,3-bis(naphthalen-1-yl)-3H-naphtho[2,1-b]pyran, C33H22O, NP1, 3,3-bis([1,1′-biphenyl]-4-yl)-3H-naphtho[2,1-b]pyran, C37H26O, NP2, 3,3-bis(4-phenoxyphenyl)-3H-naphtho[2,1-b]pyran, C37H26O2, NP3, and 3,3-bis(4-methoxy-2-methylphenyl)-3H-naphtho[2,1-b]pyran, C29H26O3, NP4, were synthesized and their photochromic properties investigated. NP1–NP4 exhibited good photochromism in different solutions and in poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) film under UV light irradiation. Solvatochromism and the electronic and steric effects of the substituent group on photochromism were analyzed and decolouration curves were found to fit a monoexponential kinetic decay in most cases. Single-crystal X-ray analysis of NP1 and NP2 revealed the structure–property relationships. Good fatigue resistance of NP1, both in solution and in the PMMA film, endows it with potential value for applications.

Electronic and steric effects of platinum(ii) di-yne and poly-yne substituents on the photo-switching behaviour of stilbene: experimental and theoretical insights

Synthesis of Pt(ii) mono-, di-, and poly(platina-ynes) incorporating stilbene is described and their photoisomerization has been investigated and compared with azobenzene counterparts.

Ligand-Controlled Regiodivergence in Nickel-Catalyzed Hydroarylation and Hydroalkenylation of Alkenyl Carboxylic Acids

<div>A nickel-catalyzed regiodivergent hydroarylation and hydroalkenylation of unactivated alkenyl carboxylic acids is reported, whereby the ligand environment around the metal center dictates the regiochemical outcome. Markovnikov hydrofunctionalization products are obtained under mild ligand-free conditions, with up to 99% yield and >20:1 selectivity. Alternatively, anti-Markovnikov products can be accessed with a novel 4,4-disubstituted Pyrox ligand in excellent yield and >20:1 selectivity. Both electronic and steric effects on the ligand contribute to the high yield and selectivity. Mechanistic studies suggest a change in the turnover-limiting and selectivity-determining step induced by the optimal ligand. DFT calculations reveal that in the anti-Markovnikov pathway, repulsion between the ligand and the alkyl group is minimized (by virtue of it being 1° versus 2°) in the rate- and regioselectivity-determining transmetalation transition state. <br></div>

Ligand-Controlled Regiodivergence in Nickel-Catalyzed Hydroarylation and Hydroalkenylation of Alkenyl Carboxylic Acids

<div>A nickel-catalyzed regiodivergent hydroarylation and hydroalkenylation of unactivated alkenyl carboxylic acids is reported, whereby the ligand environment around the metal center dictates the regiochemical outcome. Markovnikov hydrofunctionalization products are obtained under mild ligand-free conditions, with up to 99% yield and >20:1 selectivity. Alternatively, anti-Markovnikov products can be accessed with a novel 4,4-disubstituted Pyrox ligand in excellent yield and >20:1 selectivity. Both electronic and steric effects on the ligand contribute to the high yield and selectivity. Mechanistic studies suggest a change in the turnover-limiting and selectivity-determining step induced by the optimal ligand. DFT calculations reveal that in the anti-Markovnikov pathway, repulsion between the ligand and the alkyl group is minimized (by virtue of it being 1° versus 2°) in the rate- and regioselectivity-determining transmetalation transition state. <br></div>