Nitrosonium ion catalysis: aerobic, metal-free cross-dehydrogenative carbon-heteroatom bond formation

Catalytic cross-dehydrogenative coupling of heteroarenes with thiophenols and phenothiazines has been developed under mild and environmentally benign reaction conditions. For the first time, NOx+ was applied for catalytic C-S and C-N bond formation. A comprehensive scope for the C-H/S-H and C-H/N-H cross-dehydrogenative coupling was demonstrated with >60 examples. The sustainable cross-coupling conditions utilize ambient oxygen as the terminal oxidant, while water is the sole by-product.

Nitrosonium-Mediated Phenol–Arene Cross-Coupling Involving Direct C–H Activation

The nitrosonium ion (NO+) is a highly versatile nitration and nitrosation reagent, as well as a strong one-electron oxidant. Herein, we describe an environmentally benign and mild method for the in situ formation of NO+ from readily available inorganic nitrate salts, i.e. lithium nitrate, through a finely tuned interplay between formic acid and MeOH, which are used as the solvent system. This methodology was applied to the NO+-induced oxidative C–H activation of methoxy-substituted phenols, which are versatile lignin-derived aromatic feedstocks, to achieve C–C cross-coupling reactions with arenes. The regeneration of NO+ by atmospheric molecular oxygen enables substoichiometric use of the nitrate.

First principle simulation on oxidation mechanism of diethyl ether by nitrogen dioxide

The oxidation mechanism of diethyl ethers by NO2was carried out using density functional theory (DFT) at the B3LYP/6-31+G (d, p) level. The oxidation process of ether follows four steps. First, the diethyl ether reacts with NO2to produce HNO2and diethyl ether radical with an energy barrier of 20.62 kcal ⋅ mol-1. Then, the diethyl ether radical formed in the first step directly combines with NO2to form CH3CH ( ONO ) OCH2CH3. In the third step, the CH3CH ( ONO ) OCH2CH3was further decomposed into the CH3CH2ONO and CH3CHO with a moderately high energy barrier of 32.87 kcal ⋅ mol-1. Finally, the CH3CH2ONO continues to react with NO2to yield CH3CHO , HNO2and NO with an energy barrier of 28.13 kcal ⋅ mol-1. The calculated oxidation mechanism agrees well with Nishiguchi and Okamoto's experiment and proposal.

Synthesis and characterization of synthetically useful salts of the weakly-coordinating dianion [B12Cl12]2-

The closo-dodecahydrododecaborate [NEt3H]2[B12H12] has been prepared on a lab scale by an improved synthesis from cheap and readily available starting materials Na[BH4] and I2 in diglyme (diethylene glycol dimethyl ether). Subsequent chlorination with elemental chlorine in aqueous solution at normal pressure yielded the per-chlorinated weakly coordinating [B12Cl12]2- anion. By simple metathesis reaction a variety of useful salts [cation]2[B12Cl12] (cation=[NEt3H]+, [NBu4]+, Li+, Na+, K+, Cs+) is available. These salts are useful starting materials, which have the potential to open up the chemistry of [B12Cl12]2- as a weakly coordinating dianion. Exemplarily, they were used in further reactions to prepare [NO]2[B12Cl12], [PPN]2[B12Cl12], and [CPh3]2[B12Cl12]. The crystal structures of Cs2[B12Cl12].SO2, [CPh3]2[B12Cl12].2C2H4Cl2, and [CPh3]2[B12Cl12].2SO2 and preliminary crystal structures of [NO]2[B12Cl12].SO2 and [PPN]2[B12Cl12].CH2Cl2 were determined. The crystal structure of the SO2 solvate Cs2[B12Cl12].SO2 is related to the crystal structure of solvent free Cs2[B12Cl12]. [CPh3]2[B12Cl12].2C2H4Cl2 and [CPh3]2[B12Cl12].2SO2 have very similar structures in the solid state. In both cases the [CPh3]+ cations form only very weak contacts to the [B12Cl12]2- anion and SO2 or C2H4Cl2 solvent molecules respectively. The averaged experimental B-B (178.7 pm) and B-Cl (178.9 pm) bond lengths within [B12Cl12]2- are essentially unchanged in all determined structures and are reproduced well by PBE0/TZVPP quantum chemical calculations (B-B 178.6 pm, B-Cl 179.3 pm). All results indicate that [B12Cl12]2- is a readily accessible weakly-coordinating dianion.

Nitrosonium complexes of resorc[4]arenes: spectral, kinetic, and theoretical studies

Resorc[4]arene octamethyl ethers 1-3, when treated with NOBF4 salt in chloroform, form very stable 1:1 nitrosonium (NO+) complexes, which are deeply colored. The complexation process is reversible, and the complexes dissociate and bleach upon addition of methanol or water, to give the starting macrocycles. Resorc[4]arenes 1 and 2 are in the same cone conformation, but with different side-chains, whereas 3 possesses a different conformation (chair), while bearing the same side-chain as 2. Kinetic and spectral UV-visible analysis revealed that NO+ interacts with resorc[4]arenes 1 and 2 both outside and inside their basket, leading to complexes with two absorption patterns growing at different rates, one featuring high-energy bands (HEB) within the near-UV zone, and the other one low-energy bands (LEB), attributed to charge-transfer interactions, within the visible range. The presence of ester carbonyl groups in 2 strongly drives the NO+ cation outside the resorcarene. Resorc[4]arene 3 showed a spectral pattern pointing out a clear involvement of the ester moieties in the NO+ entrapping, beside the formation of significant charge-transfer interactions. 1H NMR spectroscopy and molecular modeling clearly supported these findings.

Long Synthetic Nanotubes from Calix[4]arenes

We report the synthesis and encapsulation properties of long (up to 5 nm) molecular nanotubes 1-4, which are based on calix[4]arenes and can be filled with multiple nitrosonium (NO(+)) ions upon reaction with NO(2)/N(2)O(4) gases. These are among the largest nanoscale molecular containers prepared to date and can entrap up to five guests. The structure and properties of tubular complexes 1(NO(+))(2)-4(NO(+))(5) were studied by UV/Vis, FTIR, and (1)H NMR spectroscopy in solution, and also by molecular modeling. Entrapment of NO(+) in 1(NO(+))(2)-4(NO(+))(5) is reversible, and addition of [18]crown-6 quickly recovers starting tubes 1-4. The FTIR and titration data revealed enhanced binding of NO(+) in longer tubes, which may be due to cooperativity. The described nanotubes may serve as materials for storing and converting NO(x) and also offer a promise to further develop supramolecular chemistry of molecular containers. These findings also open wider perspectives towards applications of synthetic nanotubes as alternatives to carbon nanotubes.

Towards Supramolecular Fixation of NOX Gases: Encapsulated Reagents for Nitrosation

The use of simple calix[4]arenes for chemical conversion of NO2/N2O4 gases is demonstrated in solution and in the solid state. Upon reacting with these gases, calixarenes 1 encapsulate nitrosonium (NO+) cations within their cavities with the formation of stable calixarene-NO+ complexes 2. These complexes act as encapsulated nitrosating reagents; cavity effects control their reactivity and selectivity. Complexes 2 were effectively used for nitrosation of secondary amides 5, including chiral derivatives. Unique size-shape selectivity was observed, allowing for exclusive nitrosation of less crowded N-Me amides 5 a-e (up to 95 % yields). Bulkier N-Alk (Alk>Me) substrates 5 did not react due to the hindered approach to the encapsulated NO+ reagents. Robust, silica gel based calixarene material 3 was prepared, which reversibly traps NO2/N2O4 with the formation of NO+-storing silica gel 4. With material 4, similar size-shape selectivity was observed for nitrosation. The N-Me-N-nitroso derivatives 6 d,e were obtained with approximately 30 % yields, while bulkier amides were nitrosated with much lower yields (<8 %). Enantiomerically pure encapsulating reagent 2 d was tested for nitrosation of racemic amide 5 t, showing modest but reproducible stereoselectivity and approximately 15 % ee. Given high affinity to NO+ species, which can be generated by a number of NOX gases, these supramolecular reagents and materials may be useful for NOX entrapment and separation in the environment and biomedical areas.

A procedure for filling calixarene nanotubes

Alkyl nitrites readily transfer nitrosonium into calixarene-based synthetic nanotubes thus offering a mild, effective and precise method to fill them.

Toward Synthetic Tubes for NO2/N2O4: Design, Synthesis, and Host−Guest Chemistry

Design of molecular nanotubes is proposed for entrapment and conversion of NO2/N2O4 gases. Synthesis of 1,3-alternate bis-calix[4]arene tube 3 of 5 x 11 A internal dimensions is presented, and its reversible reactions with NO2/N2O4 in solution are studied. Exposure of 3 to NO2/N2O4 in chlorinated solvents results in the rapid encapsulation of nitrosonium (NO+) cations within its interior. Mono- and dinitrosonium complexes 4 and 5, respectively, were isolated and characterized by UV-vis, FTIR, and 1H NMR spectroscopies, and also molecular modeling. The NO+ entrapment process is reversible, and addition of water quickly recovered starting tube 3. Encapsulated within the tube NO+ species act as nitrosating agents for secondary amides. These findings open wider perspectives toward NO2/NOx storing and converting materials and also offer a promise for further development of supramolecular chemistry of synthetic nanotubes.

Nitrosation of thiols and thioethers in the gas phase: a combined theoretical and experimental study

Recent studies have demonstrated the biological importance of the interaction of nitric oxide with proteins such as cytochrome-c or hemoglobin. In particular, the possibility that the nitrosonium cation, NO(+), could reversibly bind to sulfide atom type was proposed. At pH values of biological relevance, nitrosation was proposed to occur through the action of NO(+) carriers such as nitrosothiols or nitrosamines. In this context, the gas phase chemistry of protonated nitrosothiols is studied in the present work by a combination of mass spectrometry and computational methods.

Molecular recognition of NO/NO+ via multicenter (charge-transfer) binding to bridged diarene donors. Effect of structure on the optical transitions and complexation thermodynamics

Bridged diarenes form very strong [1:1] complexes with nitrosonium/nitric oxide in which the NO moiety is optimally sandwiched in the cleft between a pair of cofacial aromatic rings which act as a molecular "Venus flytrap". The spectral features of these associates are generally similar to those for [1:1] and [2:1] nitrosonium complexes with mononuclear alkyl-substituted benzenes, and they are appropriately described within the LCAO molecular-orbital methodology and the Mulliken (charge-transfer) formulation of donor/acceptor electronic transitions. The thermodynamics study indicates that the efficient binding is determined by (i) the close matching of the donor/acceptor redox potentials and (ii) the ability of bridged diarenes for multicentered interactions with a single NO moiety. The best fit of the electronic and structural parameters is provided by a calixarene host that allows the interacting centers to be arranged in a manner similar to those extant in [2:1] nitrosonium complexes with analogous (nonbridged) aromatic donors; this results in its very strong noncovalent binding with nitrosonium/nitric oxide with the formation constant of K(B) approximately 10(8) M(-)(1) and free-energy change of -DeltaG degrees = 45 kJ mol(-)(1). Such strong, selective, and reversible bindings of nitrosonium/nitric oxide by (cofacial) aromatic centers thus provide the basis for the development of efficient NO sensors/absorbents and also suggest their potential relevance to biochemical systems.

Sensing and fixation of NO2/N2O4 by calix[4]arenes

An approach toward visual detection and chemical utilization of NO(2)/N(2)O(4) is proposed, which employs simple calix[4]arenes. Exposure of tetra-O-alkylated calix[4]arenes 1 and 2, possessing either a cone or a 1,3-alternate conformation, to NO(2)/N(2)O(4), both in chloroform solution and in the solid state, results in deeply colored calixarene-nitrosonium (NO(+)) complexes. In the presence of a Lewis acid, such as SnCl(4), stable calixarene-NO(+) complexes 7 and 8 were isolated in a quantitative yield and characterized by UV-vis, FTIR, high-resolution (1)H NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. NO(+) is found encapsulated within the calixarene cavity, and stable charge-transfer complexes result with K(ass) > 10(6) M(-1) (CDCl(3)). The NO(+) encapsulation was also demonstrated in titration experiments with calixarenes 1, 2, and 5 and commercially available NO(+)SbF(6)(-) salt in chloroform. The complexation process is reversible, and the complexes dissociate upon addition of water and alcohol, recovering the parent calixarenes. Attachment of functionalized calix[4]arenes to silica gel was demonstrated, which afforded a solid material 15 capable of visual detection and entrapment of NO(2)/N(2)O(4). Calixarene-NO(+) complexes can be utilized for the NO(+) transfer processes and nitrosation reactions. The NO(+) guest transfer between two calixarene containers 2 and 5 was achieved and studied by UV-vis and (1)H NMR spectroscopy. Chemical fixation of NO(2)/N(2)O(4) was demonstrated through their quantitative transformation into the calixarene-NO(+) complex and its use as a nitrosonium transfer agent in the synthesis of N-nitrosoamides. These results may lead toward novel nitrogen oxides storing materials.

The preorganization step in organic reaction mechanisms. Charge-transfer complexes as precursors to electrophilic aromatic substitutions

Metastable (pre-reactive) intermediates, as commonplace transients in simple bimolecular reactions, are usually unobserved (and ignored)-though they provide vital mechanistic insight. Thus, the preequilibrium (charge-transfer) complexes of various aromatic donors with rather typical electron acceptors such as Br(2), NO(+), and NO(2)(+) are examined quantitatively (via their molecular and electronic structures) to reveal surprisingly unorthodox aspects of what is conventionally referred to in organic chemistry textbooks as electrophilic aromatic bromination, nitrosation, and nitration, respectively.