Deconvoluting Nonlinear Catalyst-Substrate Effects in the Intramolecular Dirhodium-Catalyzed C-H Insertion of Donor/Donor Carbenes Using Data Science Tools.

Interactions between catalysts and substrates can be highly complex and dynamic, often complicating the development of models to either predict or understand such processes. A dirhodium(II)-catalyzed C-H insertion of donor/donor carbenes into 2-alkoxybenzophenone substrates to form benzodihydrofurans was selected as a model system to explore nonlinear methods to achieve a mechanistic understanding. We found that the application of traditional methods of multivariate linear regression (MLR) correlating DFT-derived descriptors of catalysts and substrates leads to poorly performing models. This inspired the introduction of nonlinear descriptor relationships into modeling by applying the sure independence screening and sparsifying operator (SISSO) algorithm. Based on SISSO-generated descriptors, a high-performing MLR model was identified that predicts external validation points well. Mechanistic interpretation was aided by the deconstruction of feature relationships using chemical space maps, decision trees, and linear descriptors. Substrates were found to have a strong dependence on steric effects for determining their innate cyclization selectivity preferences. Catalyst reactive site features can then be matched to product features to tune or override the resultant diastereoselectivity within the substrate-dictated ranges. This case study presents a method for understanding complex interactions often encountered in catalysis by using nonlinear modeling methods and linear deconvolution by pattern recognition.

Enantioselective synthesis of isochromans and tetrahydroisoquinolines by C-H insertion of donor/donor carbenes.

Reports of C-H insertions forming six-membered rings containing heteroatoms are rare due to Stevens rearrangements occurring after nucleophilic attack on the carbene by a heteroatom. Using donor/donor carbenes and Rh2(R-PTAD)4 as a catalyst, we have synthesized a collection of isochroman substrates in good yield, with excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivity, and no rearrangement products were observed. Furthermore, we report the first synthesis of six-membered rings containing nitrogen by C-H insertion to form tetrahydroisoquinolines. In one case, a Stevens rearrangement product was isolated at elevated temperature from a carbamate-protected amine substrate and computational evidence suggests formation through a free ylide not bound to rhodium.

Correction: Enantioselective synthesis of isochromans and tetrahydroisoquinolines by C-H insertion of donor/donor carbenes.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1039/C9SC05111B.].

Iron(II) Halide Promoted Cyclization of Cyclic 2-Enynamides: Stereoselective Synthesis of Halogenated Bicyclic γ-Lactams.

A simple and mild process was developed for the highly stereoselective synthesis of halogenated bicyclic [4.3.0] and [3.3.0] γ-lactams, possessing four stereocenters, from easily available cyclic 2-enynamides. The reaction required only an inexpensive iron(II) halide under dry air and was tolerant of aryl, heteroaryl, and alkyl groups at the alkyne terminus.