Unveiling Mechanistic Complexity in Manganese-Catalyzed C-H Bond Functionalization Using IR Spectroscopy Over 16 Orders of Magnitude in Time.

ConspectusAn understanding of the mechanistic processes that underpin reactions catalyzed by 3d transition metals is vital for their development as potential replacements for scarce platinum group metals. However, this is a significant challenge because of the tendency of 3d metals to undergo mechanistically diverse pathways when compared with their heavier congeners, often as a consequence of one-electron transfer reactions and/or intrinsically weaker metal-ligand bonds. We have developed and implemented a new methodology to illuminate the pathways that underpin C-H bond functionalization pathways in reactions catalyzed by Mn-carbonyl compounds. By integrating measurements performed on catalytic reactions with in situ reaction monitoring and state-of-the-art ultrafast spectroscopic methods, unique insight into the mode of action and fate of the catalyst have been obtained.Using a combination of time-resolved spectroscopy and in situ low-temperature NMR studies, we have shown that photolysis of manganese-carbonyl precatalysts results in rapid (<5 ps) CO dissociation─the same process that occurs under thermal catalytic conditions. This enabled the detection of the key states relevant to catalysis, including solvent and alkyne complexes and their resulting transformation into manganacycles, which results from a migratory insertion reaction into the Mn-C bond. By systematic variation of the substrates (many of which are real-world structurally diverse substrates and not simple benchmark systems) and quantification of the resulting rate constants for the insertion step, a universal model for this migratory insertion process has been developed. The time-resolved spectroscopic method gave insight into fundamental mechanistic pathways underpinning other aspects of modern synthetic chemistry. The most notable was the first direct experimental observation of the concerted metalation deprotonation (CMD) mechanism through which carboxylate groups are able to mediate C-H bond activation at a metal center. This step underpins a host of important synthetic applications. This study demonstrated how the time-resolved multiple probe spectroscopy (TRMPS) method enables the observation of mechanistic process occurring on time scales from several picoseconds through to µs in a single experiment, thereby allowing the sequential observation of solvation, ligand substitution, migratory insertion, and ultimate protonation of a Mn-C bond.These studies have been complemented by an investigation of the "in reaction flask" catalyst behavior, which has provided additional insight into new pathways for precatalyst activation, including evidence that alkyne C-H bond activation may occur before heterocycle activation. Crucial insight into the fate of the catalyst species showed that excess water played a key role in deactivation to give higher-order hydroxyl-bridged manganese carbonyl clusters, which were independently found to be inactive. Traditional in situ IR and NMR spectroscopic analysis on the second time scale bridges the gap to the analysis of real catalytic reaction systems. As a whole, this work has provided unprecedented insight into the processes underpinning manganese-catalyzed reactions spanning 16 orders of magnitude in time.

Coumarin C-H Functionalization by Mn(I) Carbonyls: Mechanistic Insight by Ultra-Fast IR Spectroscopic Analysis.

Mn(I) C-H functionalization of coumarins provides a versatile and practical method for the rapid assembly of fused polycyclic pyridinium-containing coumarins in a regioselective manner. The synthetic strategy enables application of bench-stable organomanganese reagents in both photochemical- and thermal-promoted reactions. The cyclomanganated intermediates, and global reaction system, provide an ideal testing ground for structural characterization of the active Mn(I) carbonyl-containing species, including transient species observable by ultra-fast time-resolved spectroscopic methods. The thermodynamic reductive elimination product, solely encountered from reaction between alkynes and air-stable organometallic cyclomanganated coumarins, has enabled characterization of a critical seven-membered Mn(I) intermediate, detected by time-resolved infrared spectroscopy, enabling the elucidation of the temporal profile of key steps in the reductive elimination pathway. Quantitative data are provided. Manganated polycyclic products are readily decomplexed by AgBF4 , opening-up an efficient route to the formation of π-extended hybrid coumarin-pyridinium compounds.

Direct Observation of the Microscopic Reverse of the Ubiquitous Concerted Metalation Deprotonation Step in C-H Bond Activation Catalysis.

The ability of carboxylate groups to promote the direct functionalization of C-H bonds in organic compounds is unquestionably one of the most important discoveries in modern chemical synthesis. Extensive computational studies have indicated that this process proceeds through the deprotonation of a metal-coordinated C-H bond by the basic carboxylate, yet experimental validation of these predicted mechanistic pathways is limited and fraught with difficulty, mainly as rapid proton transfer is frequently obscured in ensemble measures in multistep reactions (i.e., a catalytic cycle consisting of several steps). In this paper, we describe a strategy to experimentally observe the microscopic reverse of the key C-H bond activation step underpinning functionalization processes (viz. M-C bond protonation). This has been achieved by utilizing photochemical activation of the thermally robust precursor [Mn(ppy)(CO)4] (ppy = metalated 2-phenylpyridine) in neat acetic acid. Time-resolved infrared spectroscopy on the picosecond-millisecond time scale allows direct observation of the states involved in the proton transfer from the acetic acid to the cyclometalated ligand, providing direct experimental evidence for the computationally predicted reaction pathways. The power of this approach to probe the mechanistic pathways in transition-metal-catalyzed reactions is demonstrated through experiments performed in toluene solution in the presence of PhC2H and HOAc. These allowed for the observation of sequential displacement of the metal-bound solvent by the alkyne, C-C bond formation though insertion in the Mn-C bond, and a slower protonation step by HOAc to generate the product of a Mn(I)-catalyzed C-H bond functionalization reaction.

A Dichotomy in Cross-Coupling Site Selectivity in a Dihalogenated Heteroarene: Influence of Mononuclear Pd, Pd Clusters, and Pd Nanoparticles-the Case for Exploiting Pd Catalyst Speciation.

Site-selective dihalogenated heteroarene cross-coupling with organometallic reagents usually occurs at the halogen proximal to the heteroatom, enabled by intrinsic relative electrophilicity, particularly in strongly polarized systems. An archetypical example is the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling (SMCC) of 2,4-dibromopyridine with organoboron species, which typically exhibit C2-arylation site-selectivity using mononuclear Pd (pre)catalysts. Given that Pd speciation, particularly aggregation, is known to lead to the formation of catalytically competent multinuclear Pdn species, the influence of these species on cross-coupling site-selectivity remains largely unknown. Herein, we disclose that multinuclear Pd species, in the form of Pd3-type clusters and nanoparticles, switch arylation site-selectivity from C2 to C4, in 2,4-dibromopyridine cross-couplings with both organoboronic acids (SMCC reactions) and Grignard reagents (Kumada-type reactions). The Pd/ligand ratio and the presence of suitable stabilizing salts were found to be critically important in switching the site-selectivity. More generally, this study provides experimental evidence that aggregated Pd catalyst species not only are catalytically competent but also alter reaction outcomes through changes in product selectivity.

Light- and Manganese-Initiated Borylation of Aryl Diazonium Salts: Mechanistic Insight on the Ultrafast Time-Scale Revealed by Time-Resolved Spectroscopic Analysis.

Manganese-mediated borylation of aryl/heteroaryl diazonium salts emerges as a general and versatile synthetic methodology for the synthesis of the corresponding boronate esters. The reaction proved an ideal testing ground for delineating the Mn species responsible for the photochemical reaction processes, that is, involving either Mn radical or Mn cationic species, which is dependent on the presence of a suitably strong oxidant. Our findings are important for a plethora of processes employing Mn-containing carbonyl species as initiators and/or catalysts, which have considerable potential in synthetic applications.

Direct Measurement of the Visible to UV Photodissociation Processes for the PhotoCORM TryptoCORM.

PhotoCORMs are light-triggered compounds that release CO for medical applications. Here, we apply laser spectroscopy in the gas phase to TryptoCORM, a known photoCORM that has been shown to destroy Escherichia coli upon visible-light activation. Our experiments allow us to map TryptoCORM's photochemistry across a wide wavelength range by using novel laser-interfaced mass spectrometry (LIMS). LIMS provides the intrinsic absorption spectrum of the photoCORM along with the production spectra of all of its ionic photoproducts for the first time. Importantly, the photoproduct spectra directly reveal the optimum wavelengths for maximizing CO ejection, and the extent to which CO ejection is compromised at redder wavelengths. A series of comparative studies were performed on TryptoCORM-CH3 CN which exists in dynamic equilibrium with TryptoCORM in solution. Our measurements allow us to conclude that the presence of the labile CH3 CN facilitates CO release over a wider wavelength range. This work demonstrates the potential of LIMS as a new methodology for assessing active agent release (e.g. CO, NO, H2 S) from light-activated prodrugs.

Mechanistic Insight into Catalytic Redox-Neutral C-H Bond Activation Involving Manganese(I) Carbonyls: Catalyst Activation, Turnover, and Deactivation Pathways Reveal an Intricate Network of Steps.

Manganese(I) carbonyl-catalyzed C-H bond functionalization of 2-phenylpyridine and related compounds containing suitable metal directing groups has recently emerged as a potentially useful synthetic methodology for the introduction of various groups to the ortho position of a benzene ring. Preliminary mechanistic studies have highlighted that these reactions could proceed via numerous different species and steps and, moreover, potentially different catalytic cycles. The primary requirement for typically 10 mol % catalyst, oftentimes the ubiquitous precursor catalyst, BrMn(CO)5, has not yet been questioned nor significantly improved upon, suggesting catalytic deactivation may be a serious issue to be understood and resolved. Several critical questions are further raised by the species responsible for providing a source of protons in the protonation of vinyl-manganese(I) carbonyl intermediates. In this study, using a combination of experimental and theoretical methods, we provide comprehensive answers to the key mechanistic questions concerning the Mn(I) carbonyl-catalyzed C-H bond functionalization of 2-phenylpyridine and related compounds. Our results enable the explanation of alkyne substrate dependencies, i.e., internal versus terminal alkynes. We found that there are different catalyst activation pathways for BrMn(CO)5, e.g., terminal alkynes lead to the generation of MnI-acetylide species, whose formation is reminiscent of CuI-acetylide species proposed to be of critical importance in Sonogashira cross-coupling processes. We have unequivocally established that alkyne, 2-phenylpyridine, and water can facilitate hydrogen transfer in the protonation step, leading to the liberation of protonated alkene products.

The Broad Aryl Acid Specificity of the Amide Bond Synthetase McbA Suggests Potential for the Biocatalytic Synthesis of Amides.

Amide bond formation is one of the most important reactions in pharmaceutical synthetic chemistry. The development of sustainable methods for amide bond formation, including those that are catalyzed by enzymes, is therefore of significant interest. The ATP-dependent amide bond synthetase (ABS) enzyme McbA, from Marinactinospora thermotolerans, catalyzes the formation of amides as part of the biosynthetic pathway towards the marinacarboline secondary metabolites. The reaction proceeds via an adenylate intermediate, with both adenylation and amidation steps catalyzed within one active site. In this study, McbA was applied to the synthesis of pharmaceutical-type amides from a range of aryl carboxylic acids with partner amines provided at 1-5 molar equivalents. The structure of McbA revealed the structural determinants of aryl acid substrate tolerance and differences in conformation associated with the two half reactions catalyzed. The catalytic performance of McbA, coupled with the structure, suggest that this and other ABS enzymes may be engineered for applications in the sustainable synthesis of pharmaceutically relevant (chiral) amides.

Redox Couple Involving NOx in Aerobic Pd-Catalyzed Oxidation of sp3-C-H Bonds: Direct Evidence for Pd-NO3-/NO2- Interactions Involved in Oxidation and Reductive Elimination.

NaNO3 is used in oxidative Pd-catalyzed processes as a complementary co-catalyst to common oxidants, e.g., CuII salts, in C-H bond activation and Wacker oxidation processes. NaNO3 and NaNO2 (with air or O2) assist the sp3-C-H bond acetoxylation of substrates bearing an N-directing group. It has been proposed previously that a redox couple is operative. The role played by NOx anions is examined in this investigation. Evidence for an NOx anion interaction at PdII is presented. Palladacyclic complexes containing NOx anions are competent catalysts for acetoxylation of 8-methylquinoline, with and without exogenous NaNO3. The oxidation of 8-methylquinoline to the corresponding carboxylic acid has also been noted at PdII. 18O-Labeling studies indicate that oxygen derived from nitrate appears in the acetoxylation product, the transfer of which can only occur by interaction of 18O at Pd with a coordinating-acetate ligand. Nitrated organic intermediates are formed under catalytic conditions, which are converted to acetoxylation products, a process that occurs with (50 °C) and without Pd (110 °C). A catalytically competent palladacyclic dimer intermediate has been identified. Head-space analysis measurements show that NO and NO2 gases are formed within minutes on heating catalytic mixtures to 110 °C from room temperature. Measurements by in situ infrared spectroscopy show that N2O is formed in sp3-C-H acetoxylation reactions at 80 °C. Studies confirm that cyclopalladated NO2 complexes are rapidly oxidized to the corresponding NO3 adducts on exposure to NO2(g). The investigation shows that NOx anions act as participating ligands at PdII in aerobic sp3-C-H bond acetoxylation processes and are involved in redox processes.

Redox-Tagged Carbon Monoxide-Releasing Molecules (CORMs): Ferrocene-Containing [Mn(C

This study describes the synthesis and characterization of a new class of ferrocene-containing carbon monoxide-releasing molecules (CORMs, 1-3). The ferrocenyl group is both a recognized therapeutically viable coligand and a handle for informative infrared spectroelectrochemistry. Deoxymyoglobin CO-release assays and in situ infrared spectroscopy confirm compounds 2 and 3 as photoCORMs and 1 as a thermal CORM, attributed to the increased sensitivity of the Mn-ferrocenyl bond to protonation in 1. Electrochemical and infrared spectroelectrochemical experiments confirm a single reversible redox couple associated with the ferrocenyl moiety with the Mn tetracarbonyl center showing no redox activity up to +590 mV vs Fc/Fc+, though no concomitant CO release was observed in association with the redox activity. The effects of linker length on communication between the Fe and Mn centers suggest that the incorporation of redox-active ligands into CORMs focuses on the first coordination sphere of the CORM. Redox-tagged CORMs could prove to be a useful mechanistic probe; our findings could be developed to use redox changes to trigger CO release.

Manganese(I)-Catalyzed C-H Activation: The Key Role of a 7-Membered Manganacycle in H-Transfer and Reductive Elimination.

Manganese-catalyzed C-H bond activation chemistry is emerging as a powerful and complementary method for molecular functionalization. A highly reactive seven-membered Mn(I) intermediate is detected and characterized that is effective for H-transfer or reductive elimination to deliver alkenylated or pyridinium products, respectively. The two pathways are determined at Mn(I) by judicious choice of an electron-deficient 2-pyrone substrate containing a 2-pyridyl directing group, which undergoes regioselective C-H bond activation, serving as a valuable system for probing the mechanistic features of Mn C-H bond activation chemistry.

Total Synthesis and Stereochemical Revision of Phacelocarpus 2-Pyrone A.

The first total synthesis of phacelocarpus 2-pyrone A is reported. The original natural compound was tentatively assigned (by NMR spectroscopy) as containing two cis-alkenes and a trans-vinyl ether connected to a 2-pyrone ring motif. Our computational predictions indicated that a cis-vinyl ether motif was equally feasible. Attempts to prepare the trans-vinyl ether were met with no success. The all cis-target compound was synthesised in nine steps, employing key regio- and stereoselective reactions including Au(I)-catalysed vinyl etherification, Wittig alkenylation and end-game Stille macrocyclisation. Analysis of the NMR data enabled identification and confirmation of the correct structure of phacelocarpus 2-pyrone A, containing a cis-vinyl ether. Our studies pave the way for future development of methodologies to these structurally distinct pyrone skipped-polyenyne natural products.

Unified mild reaction conditions for C2-selective Pd-catalysed tryptophan arylation, including tryptophan-containing peptides.

Pd-mediated C-H bond functionalisation protocols have been designed and developed on tryptophan derivatives and tryptophan-containing peptides. The examination of different arylation reactions (three sets of different conditions A-C), all of which are notable for their low temperatures (≤40 °C), allowed identification of unified and complementary synthetic approaches toward a series of functionalised tryptophan-containing products. Tryptophan-containing peptides demonstrated to be susceptible to aromatic oxidation were successfully and selectively modified through the application of diaryliodonium salts in good yields.

Design and synthesis of fluorescent 7-deazaadenosine nucleosides containing π-extended diarylacetylene motifs.

C-modified 7-deazaadenosines containing a diphenylacetylene moiety have been synthesised using cross-coupling approaches. The C-modified nucleosides exhibit remarkable fluorescence properties, including high quantum yields. Solvatochromic studies show a near linear correlation between the Stokes shift and solvent polarity which is indicative of intramolecular charge transfer. DFT calculations have allowed us to correlate the experimentally observed photophysical properties with the calculated HOMO-LUMO energy gaps within a series of real and model compounds.

Lead-oriented synthesis: Investigation of organolithium-mediated routes to 3-D scaffolds and 3-D shape analysis of a virtual lead-like library.

Synthetic routes to six 3-D scaffolds containing piperazine, pyrrolidine and piperidine cores have been developed. The synthetic methodology focused on the use of N-Boc α-lithiation-trapping chemistry. Notably, suitably protected and/or functionalised medicinal chemistry building blocks were synthesised via concise, connective methodology. This represents a rare example of lead-oriented synthesis. A virtual library of 190 compounds was then enumerated from the six scaffolds. Of these, 92 compounds (48%) fit the lead-like criteria of: (i) -1⩽AlogP⩽3; (ii) 14⩽number of heavy atoms⩽26; (iii) total polar surface area⩾50Å(2). The 3-D shapes of the 190 compounds were analysed using a triangular plot of normalised principal moments of inertia (PMI). From this, 46 compounds were identified which had lead-like properties and possessed 3-D shapes in under-represented areas of pharmaceutical space. Thus, the PMI analysis of the 190 member virtual library showed that whilst scaffolds which may appear on paper to be 3-D in shape, only 24% of the compounds actually had 3-D structures in the more interesting areas of 3-D drug space.

Anti-cancer palladium complexes: a focus on PdX2L2, palladacycles and related complexes.

Much success has been achieved with platinum-based chemotherapeutic agents, i.e. through interactions with DNA. The long-term application of Pt complexes is thwarted by issues, leading scientists to examine other metals such as palladium which could exhibit complementary modes of action (given emphasis wherever known). Over the last 10 years several research groups have focused on the application of an eclectic array of palladium complexes (of the type PdX2L2, palladacycles and related structures) as potential anti-cancer agents. This review therefore provides readers with an up to date account of the advances that have taken place over the past several decades.

Redox-Active NO(x) Ligands in Palladium-Mediated Processes.

This Minireview highlights the redox and non-innocent behavior of NO(x) ligands (x=1, 2, or 3) in selected Pd-mediated processes, for example, alkene and aromatic oxidation processes. A focus is placed on mechanistic understanding and linking recent transformations, such as C-H bond activation/functionalization and Wacker oxidation, with previous work on the functionalization of aromatics and alkenes by Pd(II) salts.

Visible-light-induced CO release from a therapeutically viable tryptophan-derived manganese(I) carbonyl (TryptoCORM) exhibiting potent inhibition against E.†coli.

The first visible-light-activated carbon-monoxide-releasing molecule (CO-RM) to exhibit a potent effect against Escherichia coli is described. The easily prepared tryptophan-derived manganese-containing complex (TryptoCORM) released 1.4 moles of CO at 465 nm, and 2 moles at 400 nm. A comprehensive synthetic, mechanistic and microbiological study into the behaviour of TryptoCORM is reported. The complex is thermally stable (i.e., does not release CO in solution in the absence of light), shows low toxicity against mammalian cells and releases tryptophan on photoinduced degradation, all of which point to TryptoCORM being therapeutically viable.

4-Hydroxy-6-alkyl-2-pyrones as nucleophilic coupling partners in Mitsunobu reactions and oxa-Michael additions.

Two mild and efficient strategies have been developed for the O-functionalisation of 4-hydroxy-6-alkyl-2-pyrones, by using them as nucleophilic partners in oxa-Michael additions and the Mitsunobu reaction. The reactions proceed in moderate to excellent yields on a range of substrates containing useful functionality. The reactions serve as practical and valuable synthetic methods to construct complex 2-pyronyl ethers, which are found embedded in a number of natural products.

Broad Spectrum Enantioselective Amide Bond Synthetase from Streptoalloteichus hindustanus.

The synthesis of amide bonds is one of the most frequently performed reactions in pharmaceutical synthesis, but the requirement for stoichiometric quantities of coupling agents and activated substrates in established methods has prompted interest in biocatalytic alternatives. Amide Bond Synthetases (ABSs) actively catalyze both the ATP-dependent adenylation of carboxylic acid substrates and their subsequent amidation using an amine nucleophile, both within the active site of the enzyme, enabling the use of only a small excess of the amine partner. We have assessed the ability of an ABS from Streptoalloteichus hindustanus (ShABS) to couple a range of carboxylic acid substrates and amines to form amine products. ShABS displayed superior activity to a previously studied ABS, McbA, and a remarkable complementary substrate specificity that included the enantioselective formation of a library of amides from racemic acid and amine coupling partners. The X-ray crystallographic structure of ShABS has permitted mutational mapping of the carboxylic acid and amine binding sites, revealing key roles for L207 and F246 in determining the enantioselectivity of the enzyme with respect to chiral acid and amine substrates. ShABS was applied to the synthesis of pharmaceutical amides, including ilepcimide, lazabemide, trimethobenzamide, and cinepazide, the last with 99% conversion and 95% isolated yield. These findings provide a blueprint for enabling a contemporary pharmaceutical synthesis of one of the most significant classes of small molecule drugs using biocatalysis.