Unveiling the regioselectivity of rhodium(I)-catalyzed [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition reactions for open-cage C70 production

The regioselective functionalization of fullerenes holds significant promise for applications in the fields of medicinal chemistry, materials science, and photovoltaics. In this study, we investigate the regioselectivity of the rhodium(I)-catalyzed [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition reactions between diynes and C70 as a novel procedure for generating C70 bis(fulleroid) derivatives. The aim is to shed light on the regioselectivity of the process through both experimental and computational approaches. In addition, the photooxidation of one of the C-C double bonds in the synthesized bis(fulleroids) affords open-cage C70 derivatives having a 12-membered ring opening.

Copper(I) Iodide Catalyzed [3 + 3] Annulation of Iodonium Ylides with Pyridinium 1,4-Zwitterionic Thiolates for the Synthesis of 1,4-Oxathiin Scaffolds

The selective assembly of the 1,4-oxathiin nucleus has been treated as a powerful strategy to access this scaffold present in molecules with very interesting properties. In this study, the chameleon-like reactivity of pyridinium 1,4-zwitterionic thiolates is exploited to assemble the 1,4-oxathiin core through a [3 + 3] annulation. The optimal annulation partner has been found to be the iodonium ylide of the cyclic 1,3-diketones. The developed protocol allows the synthesis of a variety of bicyclic 1,4-oxathiin derivatives under very mild conditions under copper(I) iodide catalysis. Access to benzoannulated 1,4-oxathiins has been achieved through iodine-mediated aromatization of the initially obtained bicyclic compounds.

Rh(I) Complexes with Hemilabile Thioether-Functionalized NHC Ligands as Catalysts for [2 + 2 + 2] Cycloaddition of 1,5-Bisallenes and Alkynes

The [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition of 1,5-bisallenes and alkynes under the catalysis of Rh(I) with hemilabile thioether-functionalized N-heterocyclic carbene ligands is described. This protocol effectively provides an entry to different trans-5,6-fused bicyclic systems with two exocyclic double bonds in the cyclohexene ring. The process is totally chemoselective with the two internal double bonds of the 1,5-bisallenes being involved in the cycloaddition. The complete mechanism of this transformation as well as the preference for the trans-fusion over the cis-fusion has been rationalized by density functional theory calculations. The reaction follows a typical [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition mechanism. The oxidative addition takes place between the alkyne and one of the allenes and it is when the second allene is inserted into the rhodacyclopentene that the trans-fusion is generated. Remarkably, the hemilabile character of the sulfur atom in the N-heterocyclic carbene ligand modulates the electron density in key intermediates, facilitating the overall transformation.

Intramolecular Interception of the Remote Position of Vinylcarbene Silver Complex Intermediates by C(sp3 )-H Bond Insertion

The trapping of the elusive vinylogous position of a vinyl carbene with an aliphatic C(sp³ )-H bond has been achieved for the first time during a silver-catalyzed carbene/alkyne metathesis (CAM) process. A Tp^x -containing silver complex first promotes the generation of a donor-acceptor silver carbene which triggers CAM, generating a subsequent donor-donor vinyl silver carbene species, which then undergoes a selective vinylogous C(sp³ )-H bond insertion, leading to the synthesis of a new family of benzoazepines. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations unveil the reaction mechanism, which allows proposing that the C-H bond insertion reaction takes place in a stepwise manner, with the hydrogen shift being the rate determining step.

Highly Selective Synthesis of Seven-Membered Azaspiro Compounds by a Rh(I)-Catalyzed Cycloisomerization/Diels-Alder Cascade of 1,5-Bisallenes

The synthesis of spiro compounds featuring seven- and six-membered rings in the spirobicyclic motif is successfully achieved through a cascade process encompassing a rhodium(I)-catalyzed cycloisomerization followed by a highly selective Diels–Alder homodimerization. The scope of the reaction is analyzed based on a series of synthetic substrates, and control experiments and DFT calculations led us to justify the exquisite degree of selectivity observed.

Enhanced Open-Circuit Voltage in Perovskite Solar Cells with Open-Cage [60]Fullerene Derivatives as Electron-Transporting Materials

The synthesis, characterization, and incorporation of open-cage [60]fullerene derivatives as electron-transporting materials (ETMs) in perovskite solar cells (PSCs) with an inverted planar (p-i-n) structure is reported. Following optical and electrochemical characterization of the open-cage fullerenes 2a–c, p-i-n PSCs with a indium tin oxide (ITO)/poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS)/perovskite/fullerene/Ag structure were prepared. The devices obtained from 2a–b exhibit competitive power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) and improved open-circuit voltage (V_oc) values (>1.0 V) in comparison to a reference cell based on phenyl-C₆₁-butyric-acid methyl-ester (PC₆₁BM). These results are rationalized in terms of a) the higher passivation ability of the open-cage fullerenes with respect to the other fullerenes, and b) a good overlap between the highest occupied molecular orbital/lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (HOMO/LUMO) levels of 2a–b and the conduction band of the perovskite.

A Computational Study of the Intermolecular [2+2+2] Cycloaddition of Acetylene and C60 Catalyzed by Wilkinson's Catalyst

The functionalization of fullerenes helps to modulate their electronic and physicochemical properties, generating fullerene derivatives with promising features for practical applications. Herein, DFT is used to explore the attachment of a cyclohexadiene ring to C₆₀ through a rhodium-catalyzed intermolecular [2+2+2] cycloaddition of C₆₀ and acetylene. All potential reaction paths are analyzed and it can be concluded that the [2+2+2] cycloaddition of C₆₀ and two acetylene molecules catalyzed by [RhCl(PPh₃ )₃ ], yielding a cyclohexadiene ring fused to a [6,6] bond of C₆₀ , is energetically feasible.

Unusual reactivity of rhodium carbenes with allenes: an efficient asymmetric synthesis of methylenetetrahydropyran scaffolds

The reaction of a rhodium vinyl carbene with an O-tethered allene stereoselectively produces the 4-methylenetetrahydropyran core through a rhodium trimethylenemethane-like intermediate.

Allenes, versatile unsaturated motifs in transition-metal-catalysed [2+2+2] cycloaddition reactions

ThisTutorial Reviewhighlights the versatility of allenes as unsaturated substrates in transition-metal-catalysed [2+2+2] cycloaddition reactions in generating complex architectures.

Enantioselective Rhodium(I) Donor Carbenoid-Mediated Cascade Triggered by a Base-Free Decomposition of Arylsulfonyl Hydrazones

The reaction of diyne arylsulfonyl hydrazone substrates under rhodium(I)/BINAP catalysis gives access to sulfonated azacyclic frameworks in a highly enantioselective manner. This new cascade process considerably increases the molecular complexity by generating two C-C bonds, one C-S bond, and one C-H bond. Theoretical calculations, competitive experiments, and deuterium labeling have jointly been used to propose a mechanism that accounts for the reaction. The mechanism involves the formation of vinyl rhodium carbenoids, hydride migratory insertion, and intermolecular stereoselective nucleophilic attack. The last two steps are the key to the stereoselectivity of the process.

A new mild synthetic route to N-arylated pyridazinones from aryldiazonium salts

A mild method to synthesise N-arylated pyridazinones is described and its mechanism unravelled by DFT calculations and experimental techniques.