Design of New Dispersants Using Machine Learning and Visual Analytics.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is an emerging technology that is revolutionizing the discovery of new materials. One key application of AI is virtual screening of chemical libraries, which enables the accelerated discovery of materials with desired properties. In this study, we developed computational models to predict the dispersancy efficiency of oil and lubricant additives, a critical property in their design that can be estimated through a quantity named blotter spot. We propose a comprehensive approach that combines machine learning techniques with visual analytics strategies in an interactive tool that supports domain experts' decision-making. We evaluated the proposed models quantitatively and illustrated their benefits through a case study. Specifically, we analyzed a series of virtual polyisobutylene succinimide (PIBSI) molecules derived from a known reference substrate. Our best-performing probabilistic model was Bayesian Additive Regression Trees (BART), which achieved a mean absolute error of 5.50±0.34 and a root mean square error of 7.56±0.47, as estimated through 5-fold cross-validation. To facilitate future research, we have made the dataset, including the potential dispersants used for modeling, publicly available. Our approach can help accelerate the discovery of new oil and lubricant additives, and our interactive tool can aid domain experts in making informed decisions based on blotter spot and other key properties.

One-Metal/Two-Ligand for Dual Activation Tandem Catalysis: Photoinduced Cu-Catalyzed Anti-hydroboration of Alkynes.

A dual catalyst system based on ligand exchange of two diphosphine ligands possessing different properties in a copper complex has been devised to merge metal- and photocatalytic activation modes. This strategy has been applied to the formal anti-hydroboration of activated internal alkynes via a tandem sequence in which Cu/Xantphos catalyzes the B2pin2-syn-hydroboration of the alkyne whereas Cu/BINAP serves as a photocatalyst for visible light-mediated isomerization of the resulting alkenyl boronic ester. Photochemical studies by means of UV-vis absorption, steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence, and transient absorption spectroscopy have allowed characterizing the photoactive Cu/BINAP species in the isomerization reaction and its interaction with the intermediate syn-alkenyl boronic ester through energy transfer from the triplet excited state of the copper catalyst. In addition, mechanistic studies shed light into catalyst speciation and the interplay between the two catalytic cycles as critical success factors.

anti-Hydroarylation of Activated Internal Alkynes: Merging Pd and Energy Transfer Catalysis.

A general catalytic anti-hydroarylation of electron-deficient internal alkynes compatible with both electron-poor and electron-rich aryl reagents is reported. This selectivity is achieved through a sequential syn-carbopalladation of the alkyne by an Ar-Pd species, followed by a tandem, Ir-photocatalyzed, counter-thermodynamic E → Z isomerization. The use of ortho-substituted boronic acids enables direct access to pharmaceutically relevant heterocyclic cores via a cascade process. Mechanistic insight into the involvement of Ar-Pd versus Pd-H as an active species is provided.

Access to Benzazepinones by Pd-Catalyzed Remote C-H Carbonylation of γ-Arylpropylamine Derivatives.

A general method for the construction of seven-membered rings through Pd-catalyzed C(sp2)-H carbonylation at the remote ε-position of γ-arylpropylamine derivatives, including chiral α-amino acids, has been developed using Mo(CO)6 as the CO source, furnishing richly functionalized benzo[ c]azepin-1-one derivatives. The readily removable N-SO2Py protecting/directing group provides high levels of chemo-, regio- and diastereoselectivity. Furthermore, this method is amenable to the postsynthetic modification of complex molecules such as small peptides.

Rhodium-Catalyzed Copper-Assisted Intermolecular Domino C-H Annulation of 1,3-Diynes with Picolinamides: Access to Pentacyclic π-Extended Systems.

A new mode of reactivity of 1,3-diynes in rhodium-catalyzed oxidative annulation reactions has enabled the rapid assembly of extended π systems from readily available picolinamide derivatives. The process involves a double C-H bond activation and the iterative annulation of two 1,3-diyne units, with each alkyne moiety engaged in an orchestrated insertion sequence with high regiocontrol, leading to the formation of five new C-C bonds and the construction of four fused rings in a single operation. Either isoquinoline-1-carboxamides or fused polycyclic systems can be accessed by a switch in the regioselectivity of the second diyne insertion depending on the reaction conditions. DFT theoretical calculations have elucidated that the cooperative participation of both rhodium and copper in substrate activation, favored in the presence of excess of the copper(II) salt, is key to such a reversal of regioselectivity and subsequent multiple cyclization leading to fused polycyclic products. The role of copper was found to be essential in assisting both multiple insertion and rhodium-walking sequences, with the implication of intermediates with a Rh-Cu bond (2.60 Å).

Cobalt-Catalyzed ortho-C-H Functionalization/Alkyne Annulation of Benzylamine Derivatives: Access to Dihydroisoquinolines.

A practical picolinamide-directed C-H functionalization/alkyne annulation of benzylamine derivatives enabling access to the previously elusive 1,4-dihydroisoquinoline skeleton was developed using molecular O2 as the sole oxidant and Co(OAc)2 as precatalyst. The method is compatible with both internal and terminal alkynes and shows high versatility and functional-group tolerance. Furthermore, full preservation of enantiopurity is observed when using non-racemic α-substituted benzylamine derivatives. Kinetic analysis of the reagents and catalyst, labeling experiments, and the isolation and identification of catalytically competent Co-complexes revealed important insights about the mechanism.

Cu-catalyzed silylation of alkynes: a traceless 2-pyridylsulfonyl controller allows access to either regioisomer on demand.

The Cu-catalyzed silylation of terminal and internal alkynes bearing a 2-pyridyl sulfonyl group (SO2Py) at the propargylic position affords a breadth of vinyl silanes in good yields and with excellent regio- and stereocontrol under mild conditions. The directing SO2Py group is essential in terms of reaction efficiency and chemoselectivity. Importantly, this group also provides the ability to reverse the regiochemical outcome of the reaction, opening the access to either regioisomer without modification of the starting substrate by virtue of an in situ base-promoted alkyne to allene equilibration which takes place prior to the silylcupration process. Furthermore, removal of the directing SO2Py allows for further elaboration of the silylation products. In particular, a one-pot tandem alkyne silylation/allylic substitution sequence, in which both steps are catalyzed by the same Cu species, opens up a new approach for the access to either formal hydrosilylation regioisomer of unsymmetrical aliphatic-substituted internal alkynes from propargyl sulfones.

Pd-catalyzed directed ortho-C-H alkenylation of phenylalanine derivatives.

A practical Pd-catalyzed ortho-olefination of enantioenriched N-(SO2Py)-protected aryl-alanine and norephedrine derivatives with electron-deficient alkenes has been developed using N-fluoro-2,4,6-trimethylpyridinium triflate as the terminal oxidant. The reaction occurs efficiently with excellent monosubstitution selectivity and without loss of enantiopurity. This cross-coupling proved to be broad in scope, tolerating a variety of steric and electronic changes to both coupling partners. Removal of the directing group under mild conditions provides access to optically active tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid derivatives (Tics) with good diastereocontrol and with very small erosion of enantiomeric purity.

RhI/RhIII catalyst-controlled divergent aryl/heteroaryl C-H bond functionalization of picolinamides with alkynes.

The ability to establish switchable site-selectivity through catalyst control in the direct functionalization of molecules that contain distinct C-H bonds remains a demanding challenge that would enable the construction of diverse scaffolds from the same starting materials. Herein we describe the realization of this goal, namely a divergent heteroaryl/aryl C-H functionalization of aromatic picolinamide derivatives, targeting two distinct C-H sites, either at the pyridine ring or at the arene unit, to afford isoquinoline or ortho-olefinated benzylamine (or phenethylamine) derivatives. This complementary reactivity has been achieved on the basis of a RhIII/RhI switch in the catalyst, resulting in different mechanistic outcomes. Notably, a series of experimental and DFT mechanistic studies revealed important insights about the mechanism of the reaction and reasons behind the divergent regiochemical outcome.

Copper-catalyzed mild nitration of protected anilines.

A practical copper-catalyzed direct nitration of protected anilines, by using one equivalent of nitric acid as the nitrating agent, has been developed. This procedure features mild reaction conditions, wide structural scope (with regard to both N-protecting group and arene substitution), and high functional-group tolerance. Dinitration with two equivalents of nitric acid is also feasible.

Synthesis of alkylidene pyrrolo[3,4-b]pyridin-7-one derivatives via Rh(III)-catalyzed cascade oxidative alkenylation/annulation of picolinamides.

A practical Rh(III)-catalyzed cascade olefination/annulation of picolinamides leading to pyrrolo[3,4-b]pyridines has been developed. The reaction shows wide scope, complete regiocontrol and excellent stereoselectivity.

Formal regiocontrolled hydroboration of unbiased internal alkynes via borylation/allylic alkylation of terminal alkynes.

In accessing trisubstituted vinyl boronates from terminal alkynes, a propargyl directing (2-pyridyl)sulfonyl group allows terminal alkynes to undergo Cu-catalyzed B2(pin)2-borylation and subsequent Cu-catalyzed allylic alkylation with Grignard reagents without affecting the pinacolboronate moiety, thereby formally enabling a highly stereo- and regiocontrolled access to hydroboration products of unbiased dialkyl internal alkynes.

Pd(II)-catalyzed di-o-olefination of carbazoles directed by the protecting N-(2-pyridyl)sulfonyl group.

Despite the significance of carbazole in pharmacy and material science, examples of the direct C-H functionalization of this privileged unit are quite rare. The N-(2-pyridyl)sulfonyl group enables the Pd(II)-catalyzed ortho-olefination of carbazoles and related systems, acting as both a directing and readily removable protecting group. This method features ample structural versatility, affording typically the double ortho-olefination products (at C1 and C8) in satisfactory yields and complete regiocontrol. The application of this procedure to related heterocyclic systems, such as indoline, is also described.

Catalytic asymmetric Mannich reaction of glycine Schiff bases with α-amido sulfones as precursors of aliphatic imines.

A general and practical Cu(I)-Fesulphos-catalyzed Mannich reaction of glycinate Schiff bases with aliphatic imines generated in situ from α-amido sulfones is described. Imines with linear and branched alkyl chains, including substrates bearing functional groups, can be efficiently applied. The resulting syn-configured orthogonally protected ß-alkyl-α,ß-diamino acid derivatives are produced with excellent levels of diastereo- (typically syn/anti >90 : <10) and enantioselectivity (generally ≥90% ee).

Regiocontrolled Cu(I)-catalyzed borylation of propargylic-functionalized internal alkynes.

Good to excellent reactivity and regiocontrol have been achieved in the Cu(I)-catalyzed borylation of dialkyl internal alkynes with bis(pinacolato)diboron. The presence of a propargylic polar group (OH, OR, SAr, SO(2)Ar, or NHTs), in combination with PCy(3) as ligand, allowed maximizing the reactivity and site-selectivity (ß to the propargylic function). DFT calculations suggest a subtle orbitalic influence from the propargylic group, matched with ligand and substrate size effects, as key factors involved in the high ß-selectivity. The vinylboronates allowed the stereoselective synthesis of trisubstituted olefins, while allylic substitution of the SO(2)Py group without affecting the boronate group provided access to formal hydroboration products of unbiased dialkylalkynes.

Palladium-catalyzed coupling of arene C-H bonds with methyl- and arylboron reagents assisted by the removable 2-pyridylsulfinyl group.

The Pd(II)-catalyzed direct coupling of arene C-H bonds with organoboron reagents assisted by the 2-pyridylsulfinyl group is reported. Methylboronic acid and arylboronic acid neopentyl esters proved to be efficient coupling partners, furnishing methylated arenes and biaryl products in moderate to good yields. The 2-pyridylsulfinyl group can be easily removed to provide the free biaryls. The essential role of the 2-pyridyl unit in stabilizing the cyclopalladation complex was demonstrated by X-ray diffraction analysis of the palladacycle intermediate.

Chiral thioether-based catalysts in asymmetric synthesis: recent advances.

Chiral, non-racemic, thioethers have provided organic chemists with useful tools for developing new reagents and catalysts for practical modern asymmetric synthesis. Disclosed herein is a brief personal overview on major recent contributions in this field in which the sulfur atom plays a leading role in the reaction pathway.

Pd(II)-catalysed C-H functionalisation of indoles and pyrroles assisted by the removable N-(2-pyridyl)sulfonyl group: C2-alkenylation and dehydrogenative homocoupling.

The easily installed and removed N-(2-pyridyl)sulfonyl group exerts complete C2 regiocontrol over the Pd(II)-catalysed C-H alkenylation of indoles and pyrroles, affording the corresponding products in good isolated yields (typically > or = 70 %). A remarkable feature of this catalyst system is that it tolerates a wide variety of substituted alkenes, including conjugated electron-deficient alkenes, styrenes and 1,3-dienes, as well as conjugated 1,1- and 1,2-disubstituted olefins. The final reductive desulfonylation affords the C2-substituted, free-NH indoles and pyrroles in good yield. This N-(2-pyridyl)sulfonyl-directing strategy has also been extended to the development of a protocol for the intermolecular, dehydrogenative homocoupling of indoles, providing 2,2'-biindoles. Mechanistic work based upon reactions with isotopically labelled starting materials and competitive kinetic studies of electronically varied substrates suggests a chelation-assisted electrophilic aromatic substitution palladation mechanism.