Synthesis of Z-(pinacolato)allylboron and Z-(pinacolato)alkenylboron compounds through stereoselective catalytic cross-metathesis.

The first examples of catalytic cross-metathesis (CM) reactions that furnish Z-(pinacolato)allylboron and Z-(pinacolato)alkenylboron compounds are disclosed. Products are generated with high Z selectivity by the use of a W-based monoaryloxide pyrrolide (MAP) complex (up to 91% yield and >98:2 Z:E). The more sterically demanding Z-alkenylboron species are obtained in the presence of Mo-based MAP complexes in up to 93% yield and 97% Z selectivity. Z-selective CM with 1,3-dienes and aryl olefins are reported for the first time. The utility of the approach, in combination with catalytic cross coupling, is demonstrated by a concise and stereoselective synthesis of anticancer agent combretastatin A-4.

Stereospecific octahedral group 4 bis(phenolate) ether complexes for olefin polymerization.

Octahedral group 4 bisphenolate ether complexes, activated by methylaluminoxane, are highly active and stereospecific alpha-olefin polymerization catalysts. X-ray crystallographic analysis reveals the Zr and Hf complexes to be closely isostructural; the bond lengths of the Hf complex are slightly shorter, but the maximum deviation is only 0.062 A. Despite the structural similarity of the Hf and Zr complexes, the Hf complexes generate more highly stereoselective catalysts. In addition to the influence of the transition metal, the structure of the ligand has a large influence on the stereospecificity. Bis-tert-butyl phenyl substituted complexes of Hf and Zr, when activated by MAO at 50-80 degrees C, generate high molecular weight polypropylene (M(n) = 130,000-360,000 g/mol) with isotacticities [mmmm] > 97% and melting points as high as 165 degrees C.

Bis- and Tris-Urea H-Bond Donors for Ring-Opening Polymerization: Unprecedented Activity and Control from an Organocatalyst.

A new class of H-bond donating ureas was developed for the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of lactone monomers, and they exhibit dramatic rate acceleration versus previous H-bond mediated polymerization catalysts. The most active of these new catalysts, a tris-urea H-bond donor, is among the most active organocatalysts known for ROP, yet it retains the high selectivity of H-bond mediated organocatalysts. The urea cocatalyst, along with an H-bond accepting base, exhibits the characteristics of a "living" ROP, is highly active, in one case, accelerating a reaction from days to minutes, and remains active at low catalyst loadings. The rate acceleration exhibited by this H-bond donor occurs for all base cocatalysts examined. A mechanism of action is proposed, and the new catalysts are shown to accelerate small molecule transesterifications versus currently known monothiourea catalysts. It is no longer necessary to choose between a highly active or highly selective organocatalyst for ROP.

Rate Accelerated Organocatalytic Ring-Opening Polymerization of L-Lactide via the Application of a Bis(thiourea) H-bond Donating Cocatalyst.

A cocatalyst system consisting of an alkylamine base and a bis(thiourea) featuring a linear alkane tether is shown to dramatically increase the rate of ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of L-lactide versus previously disclosed monothiourea H-bond donors. Rate acceleration occurs regardless of the identity of the alkylamine cocatalyst, and the ROP remains controlled yielding poly(lactide) with narrow molecular weight distributions, predictable molecular weights and high selectivity for monomer. This H-bond mediated ROP of L-lactide constitutes a rare, clear example of rate acceleration with bis(thiourea) H-bond donors versus monothioureas, and the bis(thiourea) is shown to remain highly active for ROP at fractional percent catalyst loadings. Activation at a single monomer ester by both thiourea moieties is implicated as the source of rate acceleration.

Cooperative Hydrogen-Bond Pairing in Organocatalytic Ring-Opening Polymerization.

Thiourea (TU)/amine base cocatalysts are commonly employed for well-controlled, highly active "living" organocatalytic ring-opening polymerizations (ROPs) of cyclic esters and carbonates. In this work, several of the most active cocatalyst pairs are shown by 1H NMR binding studies to be highly associated in solution, dominating all other known noncovalent catalyst/reagent interactions during ROP. One strongly binding catalyst pair behaves kinetically as a unimolecular catalyst species. The high selectivity and activity exhibited by these ROP organocatalysts are attributed to the strong binding between the two cocatalysts, and the predictive utility of these binding parameters is applied for the discovery of a new, highly active cocatalyst pair.

Bipyridine Adducts of Molybdenum Imido Alkylidene and Imido Alkylidyne Complexes.

Seven bipyridine adducts of molybdenum imido alkylidene bispyrrolide complexes of the type Mo(NR)(CHCMe(2)R')(Pyr)(2)(bipy) (1a-1g; R = 2,6-i-Pr(2)C(6)H(3) (Ar), adamantyl (Ad), 2,6-Me(2)C(6)H(3) (Ar'), 2-i-PrC(6)H(4) (Ar(iPr)), 2-ClC(6)H(4) (Ar(Cl)), 2-t-BuC(6)H(4) (Ar(t) (Bu)), and 2-MesitylC(6)H(4) (Ar(M)), respectively; R' = Me, Ph) have been prepared using three different methods. Up to three isomers of the adducts are observed that are proposed to be the trans and two possible cis pyrrolide isomers of syn alkylidenes. Sonication of a mixture containing 1a-1g, HMTOH (2,6-dimesitylphenol), and ZnCl(2)(dioxane) led to the formation of MAP species of the type Mo(NR)(CHCMe(2)R')(Pyr)(OHMT) (3a-3g). DCMNBD (2,3-dicarbomethoxynorbornadiene) is polymerized employing 3a-3g as initiators to yield >98% cis,syndiotactic poly(DCMNBD). Attempts to prepare bipy adducts of bisdimethylpyrrolide complexes led to formation of imido alkylidyne complexes of the type Mo(NR)(CCMe(2)R')(Me(2)Pyr)(bipy) (Me(2)Pyr = 2,5-dimethylpyrrolide; 4a - 4g) through a ligand-induced migration of an alkylidene α proton to a dimethylpyrrolide ligand. X-ray structures of Mo(NAr)(CHCMe(2)Ph)(Pyr)(2)(bipy) (1a), Mo(NAr(iPr))(CHCMe(2)Ph)(Pyr)(OHMT) (3d), Mo(NAr)(CCMe(2)Ph)(Me(2)Pyr)(bipy) (4a), and Mo(NAr(T))(CCMe(3))(Me(2)Pyr)(bipy) (Ar(T) = 2-(2,4,6-i-Pr(3)C(6)H(2))C(6)H(4); 4g) showed structures with the normal bond lengths and angles.