Asymmetric Synthesis of Nidulalin A and Nidulaxanthone A: Selective Carbonyl Desaturation Using an Oxoammonium Salt.

Nidulaxanthone A is a dimeric, dihydroxanthone natural product that was isolated in 2020 from Aspergillus sp. Structurally, the compound features an unprecedented heptacyclic 6/6/6/6/6/6/6 ring system which is unusual for natural xanthone dimers. Biosynthetically, nidulaxanthone A originates from the monomer nidulalin A via stereoselective Diels-Alder dimerization. To expedite the synthesis of nidulalin A and study the proposed dimerization, we developed methodology involving the use of allyl triflate for chromone ester activation, followed by vinylogous addition, to rapidly forge the nidulalin A scaffold in a four-step sequence which also features ketone desaturation using Bobbitt's oxoammonium salt. An asymmetric synthesis of nidulalin A was achieved using acylative kinetic resolution (AKR) of chiral, racemic 2H-nidulalin A. Dimerization of enantioenriched nidulalin A to nidulaxanthone A was achieved using solvent-free, thermolytic conditions. Computational studies have been conducted to probe both the oxoammonium-mediated desaturation and (4 + 2) dimerization events.

A Short and Efficient Synthesis of the [3]Triangulene Ring System.

Triangulenes are of current interest for potential applications in molecular electronics. We describe here a three step synthesis of the 4,8,12-trihydro[3]triangulenium cation by cascade cyclization of a tetra-benzyl alcohol precursor in triflic acid solution. This stable carbocation is easily observed by NMR and optical spectroscopy and is highly fluorescent. Quenching of the cation into basic solutions or by hydride transfer from triethylsilane provides access to stable dihydro and tetrahydro[3]triangulenes. These neutral species interconvert with cations in a complex series of proton and hydride transfers. This route provides several important [3]triangulene precursors. Preliminary experiments designed to generate [3]triangulene in the solution phase provide evidence for its formation and rapid oligomerization.

Acid-catalyzed rearrangements in arenes: interconversions in the quaterphenyl series.

Arenes undergo rearrangement of phenyl, alkyl, halogen and other groups through the intermediacy of ipso arenium ions in which a proton is attached at the same carbon as the migrating substituent. Interconversions among the six quaterphenyl isomers have been studied here as a model for rearrangements of linear polyphenyls. All reactions were carried out in 1 M CF3SO3H (TfOH) in dichloroethane at 150 °C in a microwave reactor for 30-60 min, with product formation assessed by high field NMR analysis. Under these reaction conditions, m,p'-quaterphenyl is the equilibrium product. This isomer is unchanged by the reaction conditions and all other quaterphenyl isomers rearrange to m,p' as the dominant or sole product. DFT computations with inclusion of implicit solvation support a complex network of phenyl and biphenyl shifts, with barriers to rearrangement in the range of 10-21 kcal/mol. Consistent with experiments, the lowest energy arenium ion located on this surface is due to protonation of m,p'-quaterphenyl. This supports thermodynamic control based on carbocation energies.

Biomimetic Total Synthesis of (±)-Griffipavixanthone via a Cationic Cycloaddition-Cyclization Cascade.

We report the concise, biomimetic total synthesis of the dimeric, Diels-Alder natural product griffipavixanthone from a readily accessible prenylated xanthone monomer. The key step utilizes a novel intermolecular [4+2] cycloaddition-cyclization cascade between a vinyl p-quinone methide and an in situ generated isomeric diene promoted by either Lewis or Brønsted acids. Experimental and computational studies of the reaction pathway suggest that a stepwise, cationic Diels-Alder cycloaddition is operative.

Acid-Catalyzed Skeletal Rearrangements in Arenes: Aryl versus Alkyl Ring Pirouettes in Anthracene and Phenanthrene.

In 1 M triflic acid/dichloroethane, anthracene is protonated at C9, and the resulting 9-anthracenium ion is easily observed by NMR at ambient temperature. When heated as a dilute solution in triflic acid/dichloroethane, anthracene undergoes conversion to phenanthrene as the major volatile product. Minor dihydro and tetrahydro products are also observed. MALDI analysis supports the simultaneous formation of oligomers, which represent 10-60% of the product. Phenanthrene is nearly inert to the same superacid conditions. DFT and CCSD(T)//DFT computational models were constructed for isomerization and automerization mechanisms. These reactions are believed to occur by cationic ring pirouettes which pass through spirocyclic intermediates. The direct aryl pirouette mechanism for anthracene has a predicted DFT barrier of 33.6 kcal/mol; this is too high to be consistent with experiment. The ensemble of experimental and computational models supports a multistep isomerization process, which proceeds by reduction to 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroanthracene, acid-catalyzed isomerization to 1,2,3,4-tetrahydrophenanthrene with a predicted DFT barrier of 19.7 kcal/mol, and then reoxidation to phenanthrene. By contrast, DFT computations support a direct pirouette mechanism for automerization of outer ring carbons in phenanthrene, a reaction demonstrated previously by Balaban through isotopic labeling.

Dehydropericyclic Reactions: Symmetry-Controlled Routes to Strained Reactive Intermediates.

The conceptual dehydrogenation of pericyclic reactions yields dehydropericyclic processes, which usually lead to strained or reactive intermediates. This is a simple scheme for inventing new chemical reactions. Computational results on two novel dehydropericyclic reactions are presented here. Conjugated enynes undergo a singlet-state photoisomerization that transposes the methylene carbon. We previously suggested excited-state closure to 1,2-cyclobutadiene followed by thermal ring opening. CCSD(T)//DFT computations show two minima of similar energy corresponding to 1,2-cyclobutadiene, one chiral and closed shell and the second a planar diradical. The chiral structure has a low barrier to ring opening and may best explain results on enyne photoisomerization. The first examples of 1,3-diyne + yne cycloadditions to give o-benzynes were reported in 1997. Computations on intramolecular versions of this tridehydro (-3H2) Diels-Alder reaction support a concerted mechanism for the parent triyne (1,3,8-nonatriyne); however, a slight electronic advantage in the concerted path may be outweighed by the difference in entropy of activation for sequential vs simultaneous formation of two new ring bonds.

Scholl Cyclizations of Aryl Naphthalenes: Rearrangement Precedes Cyclization.

In 1910, Scholl, Seer, and Weitzenbock reported the AlCl3-catalyzed cyclization of 1,1'-binaphthyl to perylene. We provide evidence that this classic organic name reaction proceeds through sequential and reversible formation of 1,2'- and 2,2'-binaphthyl isomers. Acid-catalyzed isomerization of 1,1'-binaphthyl to 2,2'-binaphthyl has been noted previously. The superacid trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (TfOH), 1 M in dichloroethane, catalyzes these rearrangements, with slower cyclization to perylene. Minor cyclization products are benzo[k]fluoranthene and benzo[j]fluoranthene. At ambient temperature, the observed equilibrium ratio of 1,1'-binaphthyl, 1,2'-binaphthyl, and 2,2'-binaphthyl is <1:3:97. DFT calculations with the inclusion of solvation support a mechanistic scheme in which ipso-arenium ions are responsible for rearrangements; however, we cannot distinguish between arenium ion and radical cation mechanisms for the cyclization steps. Under similar reaction conditions, 1-phenylnaphthalene interconverts with 2-phenylnaphthalene, with the latter favored at equilibrium (5:95 ratio), and also converts slowly to fluoranthene. Computations again support an arenium ion mechanism for rearrangements.

Beyond frontier molecular orbital theory: a systematic electron transfer model (ETM) for polar bimolecular organic reactions.

Polar bimolecular reactions often begin as charge-transfer complexes and may proceed with a high degree of electron transfer character. Frontier molecular orbital (FMO) theory is predicated in part on this concept. We have developed an electron transfer model (ETM) in which we systematically transfer one electron between reactants and then use density functional methods to model the resultant radical or radical ion intermediates. Sites of higher reactivity are revealed by a composite spin density map (SDM) of odd electron character on the electron density surface, assuming that a new two-electron bond would occur preferentially at these sites. ETM correctly predicts regio- and stereoselectivity for a broad array of reactions, including Diels-Alder, dipolar and ketene cycloadditions, Birch reduction, many types of nucleophilic additions, and electrophilic addition to aromatic rings and polyenes. Conformational analysis of radical ions is often necessary to predict reaction stereochemistry. The electronic and geometric changes due to one-electron oxidation or reduction parallel the reaction coordinate for electrophilic or nucleophilic addition, respectively. The effect is more dramatic for one-electron reduction.

Computational studies on a carbenoid mechanism for the Doering-Moore-Skattebøl reaction.

The reaction of geminal dihalocyclopropanes with metals or alkyllithiums affords carbenoids which undergo low-temperature ring opening to allenes; this is known as the Doering-Moore-Skattebøl reaction. DFT and CCSD(T)//DFT computations have been used to model the structure, coordination state, and ring opening of 1-bromo-1-lithiocyclopropane as a model for cyclopropylcarbenoid chemistry. Both implicit (PCM) and explicit solvation models have been applied. Carbenoid ring opening is similar to the process predicted in earlier studies on cyclopropylidene. The initial disrotatory stereochemistry becomes conrotatory en route to the allene-LiBr complex. Predissociation of the carbenoid to cyclopropylidene + LiBr is not supported by computations. DFT computations predict modestly exergonic dimerization of the carbenoid, with or without solvation, and the dimer appears to be the most likely reactive species in solution. Predicted barriers to ring opening are only modestly affected by solvation or by dimer formation, remaining in the range of 9-12 kcal/mol throughout.

A computational model for the dimerization of allene.

Computations at the CCSD(T)/6-311+G(d,p)//B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) level of theory support long-held beliefs that allene dimerization to 1,2-dimethylenecyclobutane proceeds through diradical intermediates rather than a concerted (π)2(s) + (π)2(a) mechanism. Two diastereomeric transition states with orthogonal and skew geometries have been located for C2-C2 dimerization of allene, with predicted barriers of 34.5 and 40.3 kcal/mol, respectively. In dimerization, the outward-facing ligands rotate in a sense opposite to the forming C-C bond. Both transition states lead to nearly orthogonal (D(2)) singlet bisallyl (or tetramethyleneethane) diradical. This diradical has a barrier to planarization of 3.2 kcal/mol through a planar D(2h) geometry and a barrier to methylene rotation of 14.3 kcal/mol. Bisallyl diradical closes through one of four degenerate paths by a conrotatory motion of the methylene groups with a predicted barrier of 15.7 kcal/mol. The low barrier to planarization of bisallyl, and similar barriers for methylene rotation and conrotatory closure are consistent with a stepwise dimerization process which can still maintain stereochemical elements of reactants. These computations support the observation that racemic 1,3-disubstituted allenes, with access to an orthogonal transition state which minimizes steric strain, will dimerize more readily than enantiopure materials and by a mechanism that preferentially bonds M and P enantiomers.

Phenyl shifts in substituted arenes via ipso arenium ions.

The isomerization of substituted arenes through ipso arenium ions is an important and general molecular rearrangement that leads to interconversions of constitutional isomers. We show here that the superacid trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (TfOH), ca. 1 M in dichloroethane (DCE), provides reliable catalytic reaction conditions for these rearrangements, easily applied at ambient temperature, reflux (84 °C), or in a microwave reactor for higher temperatures. Interconversion of terphenyl isomers in TfOH/DCE at 84 °C gives an ortho/meta/para equilibrium ratio of 0:65:35, nearly identical to values reported earlier by Olah with catalysis by AlCl(3). For the three triphenylbenzenes, TfOH-catalyzed equilibration strongly (>95%) favors the 1,3,5-triphenyl isomer. Equilibration of the three possible tetraphenylbenzenes gives a 61:39 mixture of the 1,2,3,5- and 1,2,4,5-substituted isomers. Under the reaction conditions explored, none of these structures undergoes significant Scholl cyclization. DFT calculations with inclusion of solvation support a mechanistic scheme in which all of the phenyl migrations occur among a series of ipso arenium ions. In every case studied, the preferred isomers at equilibrium are those that yield highly stable cations by the most exothermic, hence least reversible 1,2-H shift.

Vinylogous addition of siloxyfurans to benzopyryliums: a concise approach to the tetrahydroxanthone natural products.

A concise approach to the tetrahydroxanthone natural products employing vinylogous addition of siloxyfurans to benzopyryliums and a late-stage Dieckmann cyclization has been developed. With this methodology, chiral, racemic forms of the natural products blennolides B and blennolide C have been synthesized in a maximum of four steps from a 5-hydroxychromone substrate. The regio- and diastereoselectivity of the vinylogous additions was probed using computational studies, which suggested the involvement of Diels-Alder-like transition states.

Microwave-based reaction screening: tandem retro-Diels-Alder/Diels-Alder cycloadditions of o-quinol dimers.

We have accomplished a parallel screen of cycloaddition partners for o-quinols utilizing a plate-based microwave system. Microwave irradiation improves the efficiency of retro-Diels-Alder/Diels-Alder cascades of o-quinol dimers which generally proceed in a diastereoselective fashion. Computational studies indicate that asynchronous transition states are favored in Diels-Alder cycloadditions of o-quinols. Subsequent biological evaluation of a collection of cycloadducts has identified an inhibitor of activator protein-1 (AP-1), an oncogenic transcription factor.

Concerted vs stepwise mechanisms in dehydro-Diels-Alder reactions.

The Diels-Alder reaction is not limited to 1,3-dienes. Many cycloadditions of enynes and a smaller number of examples with 1,3-diynes have been reported. These "dehydro"-Diels-Alder cycloadditions are one class of dehydropericyclic reactions which have long been used to generate strained cyclic allenes and other novel structures. CCSD(T)//M05-2X computational results are reported for the cycloadditions of vinylacetylene and butadiyne with ethylene and acetylene. Both concerted and stepwise diradical routes have been explored for each reaction, with location of relevant stationary points. Relative to 1,3-dienes, replacement of one double bond by a triple bond adds 6-6.5 kcal/mol to the activation barrier; a second triple bond adds 4.3-4.5 kcal/mol to the barrier. Product strain decreases the predicted exothermicity. In every case, a concerted reaction is favored energetically. The difference between concerted and stepwise reactions is 5.2-6.6 kcal/mol for enynes but diminishes to 0.5-2 kcal/mol for diynes. Experimental studies on intramolecular diyne + ene cycloadditions show two distinct reaction pathways, providing evidence for competing concerted and stepwise mechanisms. Diyne + yne cycloadditions connect with arynes and ethynyl-1,3-cyclobutadiene. This potential energy surface appears to be flat, with only a minute advantage for a concerted process; many diyne cycloadditions or aryne cycloreversions will proceed by a stepwise mechanism.

Reduction of CO2 on a tricarbonyl rhenium(I) complex: modeling a catalytic cycle.

Tricarbonyl rhenium(I) complexes, such as Re(bpy)(CO)(3)Cl where bpy = 2,2'-bipyridyl, have demonstrated superior activity in catalyzing CO(2) reduction in the presence of sacrificial electron donors. We have utilized density functional theory (DFT) to investigate a potential pathway for formate production via a rhenium-hydride insertion mechanism in the presence of triethylamine (TEA). On the basis of prior studies, we re-examined the role of TEA and studied a catalytic cycle for CO(2) reduction in which TEA functions as both the hydrogen atom and the electron donor for reducing CO(2) into formate. The catalytic cycle is found to be exothermic with inclusion of solvation and may be viewed as a two-electron reduction of CO(2) because the net result is a transfer of hydride from TEA to CO(2). In addition, we have identified structures of key intermediates in the CO(2)-reduction process and found that the insertion step has a very modest barrier in acetonitrile. These findings provide a molecular-level understanding to formate production via CO(2) reduction mediated by transition-metal complexes. A theoretical investigation is underway to elucidate the formation of carbon monoxide, another common product in Re-catalyzed CO(2) reduction.

Thermal rearrangements of 2-ethynylbiphenyl: a DFT study of competing reaction mechanisms.

Mechanistic pathways for high-temperature rearrangements of 2-ethynylbiphenyl have been investigated by calculations at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level of theory, with free energy estimates at 625 degrees C. Two different routes for high temperature thermal rearrangement can lead to phenanthrene, which was the major product observed by Brown and co-workers (J. Chem. Soc. Chem. Commun. 1974, 123). 1,2-Hydrogen shift (Hopf type B mechanism) affords a vinylidene which proceeds to the major product by sequential electrocyclic closure and a 1,2-shift, rather than the expected aryl C-H insertion. Alternatively, insertion of the vinylidene into a ring double bond would lead directly to the observed minor product, benzazulene. Along a competitive pathway, electrocyclic closure to an isophenanthrene is predicted to be nearly isoenergetic. This intermediate should have a planar allene structure, with substantial diradical character. Sequential hydrogen shifts lead to phenanthrene but with higher cumulative barriers than for the vinylidene route. Calculation of 625 degrees C free energies shows that the carbene mechanism is of lower energy, primarily because of the lower entropic cost. Predictions are made for the unusually facile hydrogen atom dissociation from isoaromatics at high temperature, a consequence of aryl radical formation. Isophenanthrene, isobenzene (1,2,4-cyclohexatriene) and several isonaphthalenes are also predicted to have unusually low C-H bond dissociation energies. Potential significance as a source of aryl radicals in high temperature and combustion chemistry is discussed.

Competing mechanistic channels in the oxidation of aldehydes by ozone.

The reaction of ozone with aldehydes has been studied intermittently for over 100 years, but its mechanism remains uncertain. Experimental results support two reaction channels: radical abstraction of the acyl hydrogen and addition to form a five-membered ring tetroxolane. We have studied the aldehyde-ozone reaction by DFT and CCSD(T) calculations. CCSD(T)/6-311+G(d,p)//M05-2X)/6-311+G(d,p) calculations predict two competitive pathways for the oxidation of formaldehyde by ozone. Abstraction of the acyl hydrogen by ozone has a barrier of 16.2 kcal/mol, leading to a radical pair, which can combine to form a hydrotrioxide; this species may subsequently decompose to a carboxylic acid and singlet oxygen. In the second reaction channel, addition of ozone to the carbonyl is stepwise, with barriers of 19.1 and 23.0 kcal/mol, leading to a five-membered ring tetroxolane intermediate. This process may be reversible, consistent with earlier observations of isotopic exchange. The two channels connect by an intramolecular hydrogen abstraction. Ring opening of the tetroxolane by an alternate O-O bond cleavage, followed by spin inversion in the resulting diradical intermediate, can give a carbonyl oxide plus (3)O(2). It is also possible that reaction of triplet oxygen with carbonyl oxides can produce ozone by the reverse route. These two stepwise reaction channels, hydrogen abstraction and addition to the C=O bond, explain much of what has been observed in the long history of ozone-aldehyde chemistry. Known reaction rates and the substantial barriers to both channels support an earlier conclusion that aldehyde oxidation by ozone is too slow to be of importance in atmospheric chemistry.

Microwave flash pyrolysis.

In a microwave reactor, graphite heats rapidly to high surface temperatures; applications of graphite thermal "sensitization" have been described previously. We report here that microwave thermal sensitization with graphite, carbon nanotubes, or silicon carbide can be used to carry out reactions more typically accomplished by flash vacuum pyrolysis (FVP) and which usually require temperatures much higher than the nominal limit of a microwave reactor. The graphite-sensitized microwave reaction of azulene in the solid phase at temperatures of 100 to 300 degrees C affords rapid rearrangement to naphthalene, a reaction typically observed by FVP at 700-900 degrees C. Multiwall carbon nanotubes give similar results when used as a thermal sensitizer. Other graphite-sensitized reactions that we have observed include the following: conversion of 2-ethynylbiphenyl to phenanthrene, fragmentation of phthalic anhydride to benzyne, cleavage of iodobenzene to phenyl radical, aryl-aryl bond cleavage, and a variety of cycloaromatizations. An advantage is seen for less volatile substrates. Rearrangement of azulene and generation of benzyne from phthalic anhydride have also been observed on powdered silicon carbide. Because of the high temperature, rapid heating, and frequent ejection of material from the irradiation zone, we refer to this general method as microwave flash pyrolysis (MFP).

Serendipitous Rediscovery of the Facile Cyclization of Z,Z-3,5-Octadiene-1,7-diyne Derivatives to Afford Stable, Substituted Naphthocyclobutadienes.

The serendipitous isolation of very small amounts of two naphthocyclobutadiene (NCB) derivatives has led to the computational re-examination of the electrocyclization of Z,Z-3,5-octadiene-1,7-diyne as well as the experimental and computational study of diethynylindeno[2,1-a]fluorene derivatives that contain the 3,5-octadiene-1,7-diyne motif as part of a larger π-framework. In both cases the calculated potential energy surface strongly implicates two successive electrocyclic reactions to afford the antiaromatic products. With the octadienediyne fragment locked in the reactive conformation, the postulated diethynylindeno[2,1-a]fluorene intermediates afford the NCBs in modest to good yields. X-ray crystallography of four NCBs as well as NICS-XY scan calculations show that the paratropic motif is located primarily in the benzocyclobutadiene fragment within the larger π-scaffold.

Synthesis of Oligo(1,8-pyrenylene)s: A Series of Functional Molecular Liquids.

A monomer-through-pentamer series of oligo(1,8-pyrenylene)s was synthesized using a two-step iterative synthetic strategy. The trimer, tetramer, and pentamer are mixtures of atropisomers that interconvert slowly at room temperature (as shown by variable-temperature NMR analysis). They are liquids well below room temperature, as indicated by POM, DSC and SWAXS analysis. These oligomers are highly fluorescent both in the liquid state and in dilute solution (λF,max = 444-457 nm, φF = 0.80) and an investigation of their photophysical properties demonstrated that delocalization plays a larger role in their excited states than it does in related pyrene-based oligomers.