Temperature Stable Ion Exchange Resins as Catalysts for the Manufacturing of Vitamin Precursors by Aldol Reaction

This study explores the potential of robust, strongly basic type I ion exchange resins-specifically, Amberlyst® A26 OH and Lewatit® K 6465-as catalysts for the aldol condensation of citral and acetone, yielding pseudoionone. Emphasis is placed on their long-term stability and commendable performance in continuous operational settings. The aldol reaction, which traditionally is carried out using aqueous sodium hydroxide as the catalyst, holds the potential for enhanced sustainability and reduced waste production through the use of basic ion exchange resins in heterogeneous catalysis. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations are employed to investigate catalyst deactivation mechanisms. The result of these calculations indicates that the active sites of Amberlyst® A26 OH are cleaved more easily than the active sites of Lewatit® K 6465. However, the experimental data show a gradual decline in catalytic activity for both resins. Batch experiments reveal Amberlyst® A26 OH's active sites diminishing, while Lewatit® K 6465 maintains relative consistency. This points to distinct deactivation processes for each catalyst. The constant count of basic sites in Lewatit® K 6465 during the reaction suggests additional factors due to its unique polymer structure. This intriguing observation also highlights an exceptional temperature stability for Lewatit® K 6465 compared to Amberlyst® A26 OH, effectively surmounting one of the prominent challenges associated with the utilization of ion exchange resins in catalytic applications.

Shedding Light on the Interactions of Hydrocarbon Ester Substituents upon Formation of Dimeric Titanium(IV) Triscatecholates in DMSO Solution

The dissociation of hierarchically formed dimeric triple lithium bridged triscatecholate titanium(IV) helicates with hydrocarbyl esters as side groups is systematically investigated in DMSO. Primary alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl as well as benzyl esters are studied in order to minimize steric effects close to the helicate core. The 1 H NMR dimerization constants for the monomer-dimer equilibrium show some solvent dependent influence of the side chains on the dimer stability. In the dimer, the ability of the hydrocarbyl ester groups to aggregate minimizes their contacts with the solvent molecules. Due to this, most solvophobic alkyl groups show the highest dimerization tendency followed by alkenyls, alkynyls and finally benzyls. Furthermore, trends within the different groups of compounds can be observed. For example, the dimer is destabilized by internal double or triple bonds due to π-π repulsion. A strong indication for solvent supported London dispersion interaction between the ester side groups is found by observation of an even/odd alternation of dimerization constants within the series of n-alkyls, n-Ω-alkenyls or n-Ω-alkynyls. This corresponds to the interaction of the parent hydrocarbons, as documented by an even/odd melting point alternation.

Asymmetric Synthesis of 2,2-Disubstituted Benzofuranones through an Organocatalytic Alkylation with Nitroallylic Acetates

The asymmetric allylic alkylation of benzofuran-3(2H)-ones with nitroallylic acetates has been achieved employing a bifunctional thiourea organocatalyst via SN2′ substitution. A series of 2,2-disubstituted benzofuranones bearing adjacent tetrasubstituted and tertiary stereocenters have been synthesized with moderate to good yields and very good stereoselectivities.

Asymmetric Synthesis of Cyclopentene-Fused Tetrahydroquinolines via N-Heterocyclic Carbene Catalyzed Domino Reactions

A new strategy for the N-heterocyclic carbene catalyzed asymmetric synthesis of cyclopentene-fused tetrahydroquinoline derivatives has been developed. The one-pot organocatalytic domino protocol allows a direct entry to the characteristic cyclopenta[c]tetrahydroquinoline core of many alkaloids and some potential drugs employing readily available quinolinone and enal substrates in good domino yields and stereoselectivities.

Quantum-Chemical Ab Initio Calculations on Inda- and Thallabenzene (C5H5In and C5H5Tl) and their Structural Isomers η5-C5H5In and η5-C5H5Tl

Quantum-chemical ab initio, time-independent, as well as time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations were performed on the so far elusive heterocycles inda- and thallabenzene (C5H5In and C5H5Tl), employing several different methods (MP2, CISD, CCSD, CCSD(T), BD, BD(T), QCISD, QCISD(T), CASSCF, DFT/B3LYP), effective core potentials, and different basis sets. While calculations on the MP2 level predict the ground states of the title compounds to be singlets with the first triplet states between 13 and 15 kcal mol−1 higher in energy, single point calculations with the QCISD(T), CCSD(T), and BD(T) methods at CCSD-optimized structures result in energy differences between the singlet and the triplet states in the range between 0.3 and 2.1 kcal mol−1 in favour of the triplet states. According to a CASSCF(8,8) calculation the triplets are also more stable by about 2.5–2.9 kcal mol−1. Calculations were also performed for the C5v-symmetric η5 structural isomers (cyclopentadienylindium, CpIn, and cyclopentadienylthallium, CpTl, Cp = C5H5) of the title compounds. At the highest level of theory employed in this study, C5H5In is between 79 and 88 kcal mol−1 higher in energy than CpIn, while this energy difference is even larger for thallabenzene where C5H5Tl is energetically between 94 and 102 kcal mol−1 above CpTl. In addition we report on the UV/vis spectra calculated with a TD-DFT method as well as on the spectra of the normal modes of C5H5In and C5H5Tl. Both types of spectra might facilitate identification of the title compounds eventually formed in photolysis or pyrolysis experiments.

Two-Step Synthesis of α,β-Unsaturated γ-Amino Acid Esters via N-Heterocyclic Carbene Catalyzed [4+2] Cycloaddition of Enals and Nitroso Compounds

An efficient strategy for the synthesis of various of α,β-unsaturated γ-amino acid esters has been established employing N-heterocyclic carbene catalyzed [4+2] cycloadditions of β-methyl enals and aromatic nitroso compounds to afford 1,2-oxazin-6-ones in good yields. A subsequent acid-catalyzed esterification under ring opening yields the γ-amino enoates in good yields.

Asymmetric Organocatalytic Friedel–Crafts Hydroxyalkylation of Indoles Using Electrophilic Pyrazole-4,5-diones

The electrophilic reactivity of a series of novel pyrazole-4,5-dione derivatives in the organocatalytic Friedel–Crafts reaction with various substituted indoles has been tested. The disclosed procedure catalyzed by a cinchona alkaloid derivative allows the conjugation of two very important aza-heterocyclic scaffolds to generate a new class of indolylpyrazolones bearing a tetrasubstituted stereocenter in excellent yields (up to 99%) and with enantioselectivities of up to 94:6 er.

Experimental and Computational Studies of the Structure of Sulfonimidoyl Vinyllithiums

tBuCH=C(Li)S(O)(NSO₂ Tol)Ph⋅L (L=2THF, TMEDA) (1⋅L) in THF solution is a monomer with a C-Li bond according to NMR spectroscopy and cryoscopy. It was identified as CIP through the scalar ¹³ C,⁶ Li coupling and ⁶ Li,{¹ H} NOE experiments. The CIP has a six-membered C-Li-O-S-N-S chelate ring structure. ⁶ Li,¹ H FUCOUP and ⁶ Li,¹ H HMQC NMR experiments of 1⋅TMEDA revealed a scalar ⁶ Li,¹ H coupling across the Li-C=C-H bonds. According to the NMR data the π-bond of 1⋅L is polarized by the negative charge of the anionic C atom. tBuCH=C(Li)S(O)(NMe)Ph (2⋅L) is most likely also a monomer with a C-Li bond. According to ⁶ Li,{¹ H} NOE experiments it has a four-membered C-Li-N-S chelate ring structure. ¹³ C NMR spectroscopy showed the C-Li bonds of 1⋅L and 2⋅L to be fluxional. ¹ H NMR spectroscopy and 1D TOCSY experiments of Ph₂ C=C(Li)S(O)(NSO₂ Tol)Ph revealed topomerization of the phenyl groups, which is attributed to a fast positional exchange of the Li atom and the sulfonimidoyl group. The fluxionality of the C-Li bond and the interchange of the Li atom and the sulfonimidoyl group at the anionic C atom of sulfonimidoyl vinyllithiums, which result in a low configurational stability, most likely involve the formation of O,Li and N,Li CIPs through heterolysis of the C-Li bond. Ab initio calculation of MeCH=C(Li)S(O)(NMe)Ph yielded an energy minimum structure with a C-Li bond, a four-membered C-Li-N-S chelate ring and a strongly expanded C=C-Li bond angle. According to calculation of MeCH=C(Li)S(O)(NMe)Ph, [MeCH=CS(O)(NMe)Ph]^- and MeCH=C(H)S(O)(NMe)Ph deprotonation is not accompanied by a shortening of the C-S bond. Ab initio calculation of MeCH=C(Li)S(O)(NSO₂ Me)Ph gave a structure with a C-Li bond and a six-membered C-Li-O-S-N-S chelate ring. ⁶ Li,¹ H NOE experiments and cryoscopy of LiCH₂ S(O)(NSO₂ Tol)Ph (3) revealed a monomeric CIP with a C-Li bond. The CIP has a six-membered C-Li-O-S-N-S chelate ring structure found in polymeric 3 in the crystal.

N-Heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed [4+2] annulation of β-methyl enals and cyclic trifluoromethyl ketimines for the asymmetric synthesis of dihydroquinazolinone derivatives

The enantioselective oxidative N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed [4+2] annulation reaction of β-methyl enals and cyclic trifluoromethyl ketimines has been developed.

Squaramide-catalyzed domino Michael/aza-Henry [3 + 2] cycloaddition: asymmetric synthesis of functionalized 5-trifluoromethyl and 3-nitro substituted pyrrolidines

The diastereo- and enantioselective Michael/aza-Henry [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of trifluoromethyl-substituted iminomalonate and nitroalkenes has been developed employing 10 mol% of a quinine-squaramide catalyst.

Asymmetric Synthesis of Tetrahydrobenzofurans and Annulated Dihydropyrans via Cooperative One-Pot Organo- and Silver-Catalysis

A low catalyst loading of a squaramide (0.5 mol%) and a silver(I) salt (1 mol%) efficiently catalyzes a one-pot asymmetric Michael addition/hydroalkoxylation reaction between 1,3-diketones and alkyne-tethered nitroalkenes. Depending on the 1,3-dicarbonyl substrate this cooperative catalytic approach opens access to tetrahydrobenzofurans or annulated dihydropyrans in moderate to excellent yields and very good to excellent enantioselectivities.

Corrigendum to: Quantum-chemical Ab Initio Calculations on the Donor–Acceptor Complex Pyridine–Borabenzene (C5H5N–BC5H5)

The adduct of borabenzene (C5H5B) and pyridine (C5H5N) was studied by means of quantum-chemical ab initio and time-dependent density functional theory calculations at different levels of theory. In the fully optimized structure (MP2/6-311++G**) of the free donor–acceptor complex (C2), the C–B–C angle amounts to 120.6°. The planes of the two aromatic rings enclose a torsion angle of ~40° with a barrier to rotation about the B–N bond of less than 3kcalmol–1 (1kcalmol–1=4.186kJmol–1). The highest computational level applied in this study (complete basis set limit, coupled cluster with single and double excitations (CCSD)) results in an energy associated with the reaction of borabenzene with pyridine of –52.2kcalmol–1. Natural bond orbital analyses were performed to study the bond between the borabenzene and the pyridine unit of the adduct. The UV-vis spectrum of the adduct was calculated employing time-dependent density functional theory methods and the symmetry-adapted cluster-configuration interaction method. Our calculated electronic excitation spectrum of the pyridine adduct as well as its spectrum of the normal modes qualitatively reproduce the characteristic features of the IR and the UV-vis spectra described by experimentalists and thus allows assignment of the observed absorption bands, which in part agree with those by other authors.

Is it all in the hinge? A kryptoracemate and three of its alternative racemic polymorphs of an aminonitrile

A kryptoracemate, a racemic crystal in a Sohncke space group, and three additional polymorphs, well-ordered racemic structures.

Asymmetric Synthesis of Spiropyrazolones by Sequential Organo- and Silver Catalysis

A stereoselective one-pot synthesis of spiropyrazolones through an organocatalytic asymmetric Michael addition and a formal Conia-ene reaction has been developed. Depending on the nitroalkene, the 5-exo-dig-cyclization could be achieved by silver-catalyzed alkyne activation or by oxidation of the intermediate enolate. The mechanistic pathways have been investigated using computational chemistry and mechanistic experiments.

Chiral Lithiated Allylic α-Sulfonyl Carbanions: Experimental and Computational Study of Their Structure, Configurational Stability, and Enantioselective Synthesis

X-ray crystal structure analysis of the lithiated allylic α-sulfonyl carbanions [CH2 CHC(Me)SO2 Ph]Li⋅diglyme, [cC6 H8 SO2 tBu]Li⋅PMDETA and [cC7 H10 SO2 tBu]Li⋅PMDETA showed dimeric and monomeric CIPs, having nearly planar anionic C atoms, only OLi bonds, almost planar allylic units with strong CC bond length alternation and the s-trans conformation around C1C2. They adopt a C1S conformation, which is similar to the one generally found for alkyl and aryl substituted α-sulfonyl carbanions. Cryoscopy of [EtCHCHC(Et)SO2 tBu]Li in THF at 164 K revealed an equilibrium between monomers and dimers in a ratio of 83:17, which is similar to the one found by low temperature NMR spectroscopy. According to NMR spectroscopy the lone-pair orbital at C1 strongly interacts with the CC double bond. Low temperature (6) Li,(1) H NOE experiments of [EtCHCHC(Et)SO2 tBu]Li in THF point to an equilibrium between monomeric CIPs having only OLi bonds and CIPs having both OLi and C1Li bonds. Ab initio calculation of [MeCHCHC(Me)SO2 Me]Li⋅(Me2 O)2 gave three isomeric CIPs having the s-trans conformation and three isomeric CIPs having the s-cis conformation around the C1C2 bond. All s-trans isomers are more stable than the s-cis isomers. At all levels of theory the s-trans isomer having OLi and C1Li bonds is the most stable one followed by the isomer which has two OLi bonds. The allylic unit of the C,O,Li isomer shows strong bond length alternation and the C1 atom is in contrast to the O,Li isomer significantly pyramidalized. According to NBO analysis of the s-trans and s-cis isomers, the interaction of the lone pair at C1 with the π* orbital of the CC double bond is energetically much more favorable than that with the "empty" orbitals at the Li atom. The C1S and C1C2 conformations are determined by the stereoelectronic effects nC -σSR * interaction and allylic conjugation. (1) H DNMR spectroscopy of racemic [EtCHCHC(Et)SO2 tBu]Li, [iPrCHCHC(iPr)SO2 tBu]Li and [EtCHC(Me)C(Et)SO2 tBu]Li in [D8 ]THF gave estimated barriers of enantiomerization of ΔG(≠) =13.2 kcal mol(-1) (270 K), 14.2 kcal mol(-1) (291 K) and 14.2 kcal mol(-1) (295 K), respectively. Deprotonation of sulfone (R)-EtCHCHCH(Et)SO2 tBu (94 % ee) with nBuLi in THF at -105 °C occurred with a calculated enantioselectivity of 93 % ee and gave carbanion (M)-[EtCHCHC(Et)SO2 tBu]Li, the deuteration and alkylation of which with CF3 CO2 D and MeOCH2 I, respectively, proceeded with high enantioselectivities. Time-dependent deuteration of the enantioenriched carbanion (M)-[EtCHCHC(Et)SO2 tBu]Li in THF gave a racemization barrier of ΔG(≠) =12.5 kcal mol(-1) (168 K), which translates to a calculated half-time of racemization of t1/2 =12 min at -105 °C.

Regio- and stereoselective synthesis of benzothiazolo-pyrimidinones via an NHC-catalyzed Mannich/lactamization domino reaction

An NHC-catalyzed regio- and stereoselective Mannich/lactamization domino reaction of N-(benzothiazolyl)imines with α-chloroaldehydes has been developed.

An NHC-catalyzed regio- and stereoselective Mannich/lactamization domino reaction of N-(benzothiazolyl)imines with α-chloroaldehydes has been developed. This new protocol provides a facile approach for the asymmetric synthesis of benzothiazolo-pyrimidinones and a pyrrolo[1,2-a]indolone in moderate to good yields (34–78%) and excellent stereoselectivities (87–99% ee, up to >20 : 1 d.r.).

N-Heterocyclic Carbene Catalyzed Enantioselective Annulation of Benzothiazolyl Ethyl Acetates with 2-Bromoenals

An N-heterocyclic carbene catalyzed enantioselective [3+3] annulation of benzothiazolyl acetates with 2-bromoenals has been developed. The protocol provides a direct asymmetric synthesis of dihydro-1H-benzothiazolopyridinones in good to very good yields and medium ee values. In many cases, the virtually enantiopure heterocycles are available through a single recrystallization (99% ee).

NHC-Catalyzed Asymmetric Synthesis of Functionalized Succinimides from Enals and α-Ketoamides

The efficient asymmetric synthesis of highly substituted succinimides from α,β-unsaturated aldehydes and α-ketoamides via NHC-catalyzed [3+2] cycloaddition has been developed. The new scalable protocol significantly expands the utility of NHC catalysis for the synthesis of heterocycles and provides easy access to assemble a wide range of succinimides from simple starting materials.

Organocatalytic one-pot 1,4-/1,6-/1,2-addition sequence for the stereocontrolled formation of six consecutive stereocenters

An unprecedented stereoselective organocatalytic one-pot 1,4-/1,6-/1,2-addition sequence between β-dicarbonyl compounds, β-nitroalkenes and 4-nitro-5-styrylisoxazoles sequentially catalyzed by low loading of a squaramide catalyst and an achiral base has been developed. The protocol opens an efficient entry to isoxazole bearing cyclohexanes with six consecutive stereogenic centers including one tetrasubstituted carbon in good yields and excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivities.

Asymmetric synthesis of functionalized cyclohexanes bearing five stereocenters via a one-pot organocatalytic Michael-Michael-1,2-addition sequence

A highly stereoselective one-pot organocatalytic procedure involving a Michael–Michael–1,2-addition sequence provides an efficient access to fully substituted cyclohexanes bearing five contiguous stereocenters in good yields and excellent stereoselectivities.

A highly stereoselective one-pot procedure involving an enantioselective Michael addition promoted by low loading of an amino-squaramide catalyst followed by an achiral base catalyzed domino Michael–Knoevenagel-type 1,2-addition sequence provides efficient access to fully substituted cyclohexanes bearing five contiguous stereogenic centers in good yields (68–86%) and excellent stereoselectivities (>30 : 1 dr and 96–99% ee).

Organocatalytic Asymmetric Domino Michael/Henry Reaction of Indolin-3-ones with o-Formyl-β-nitrostyrenes

A highly diastereo- and enantioselective domino Michael/Henry reaction of 1-acetylindolin-3-ones with o-formyl-(E)-β-nitrostyrenes catalyzed by low loading of a quinine-derived amine-squaramide provides the corresponding indolin-3-one derivatives bearing four adjacent stereogenic centers in good to high yields and with excellent stereoselectivities.

Combining silver- and organocatalysis: an enantioselective sequential catalytic approach towards pyrano-annulated pyrazoles

A one-pot asymmetric Michael addition/hydroalkoxylation sequence, catalyzed by a sequential catalytic system consisting of a squaramide and a silver salt, provides a new series of chiral pyrano-annulated pyrazole derivatives in excellent yields (up to 95%) and high enantioselectivities (up to 97% ee).

Organocatalytic Asymmetric Synthesis of Dihydroisoquinolinones via a One-Pot Aza-Henry-Hemiaminalization-Oxidation Sequence

The asymmetric organocatalytic one-pot synthesis of trans-3,4-disubstituted 3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-1(2H)-ones is described. Starting from 2-(nitromethyl)benzaldehydes and various N-protected aldimines, 5 mol% of a quinine-based squaramide organocatalyst was used to synthesize the title compounds as virtually single diastereomers via an aza-Henry-hemiaminalization-oxidation sequence. Moderate to good yields (39-78%) and moderate to very good enantioselectivities (40-95% ee) were reached.

An organocatalytic Mannich/denitration reaction for the asymmetric synthesis of 3-ethylacetate-substitued 3-amino-2-oxindoles: formal synthesis of AG-041R

The highly enantioselective organocatalytic addition of ethyl nitroacetate to isatin-derived N-Boc ketimines (Boc = tert-butoxycarbonyl), followed by the removal of the nitro group, is described. The scalable reaction sequence leads to the title compounds as important intermediates of pyrroloindoline alkaloids and related drugs in excellent yields and enantioselectivities. The synthesis of the hexahydrofurano[2,3-b]indole skeleton, the spirocarbamate oxindole unit, and the formal synthesis of AG-041R have been carried out to demonstrate the synthetic utility of this protocol.

Asymmetric synthesis of fully substituted cyclopentane-oxindoles through an organocatalytic triple Michael domino reaction

An efficient, highly stereoselective asymmetric synthesis of fully functionalized cyclopentanes bearing an oxindole moiety and several other functional groups in one pot has been developed. Key step is an organocatalytic triple Michael domino reaction forming three C-C bonds and six stereocenters, including a quaternary one. Starting from equimolar amounts of simple substrates, a high molecular complexity can be reached after a Wittig olefination in one pot. The new protocol can easily be scaled up to gram amounts.

NHC-catalyzed activation of α,β-unsaturated N-acyltriazoles: an easy access to dihydropyranones

Employing the NHC-catalyzed activation of α,β-unsaturated N-acyltriazoles an efficient enantioselective synthesis of dihydropyranones via a formal [3+3] cycloaddition with 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds is described.

Asymmetric synthesis of tetrahydropyridines via an organocatalytic one-pot multicomponent Michael/aza-Henry/cyclization triple domino reaction

A low loading of a quinine-derived squaramide efficiently catalyzes the triple-domino Michael/aza-Henry/cyclization reaction between 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds, β-nitroolefins, and aldimines to provide tetrahydropyridines bearing three contiguous stereogenic centers in good yields, excellent enantiomeric excesses, and up to high diastereomeric ratios.

Asymmetric N-Heterocyclic Carbene Catalyzed Annulation of 2-Alkenylbenzothiazoles with α-Chloro Aldehydes

Diastereo- and enantioselective N-heterocyclic carbene catalyzed 1-azadiene Diels-Alder reactions of (E)-2-styrylbenzothiazoles with α-chloro aldehydes are reported. This annulation strategy provides an efficient access to medicinally important dihydrobenzothiazolopyridin-1-ones in good to excellent yields (44-97%) with very good to excellent stereoselectivities (up to 9:1 dr, 98% ee) and tolerates quite a range of substituents.