Three-Dimensional Structure Determination of Surface Sites.

The spatial arrangement of atoms is directly linked to chemical function. A fundamental challenge in surface chemistry and catalysis relates to the determination of three-dimensional structures with atomic-level precision. Here we determine the three-dimensional structure of an organometallic complex on an amorphous silica surface using solid-state NMR measurements, enabled through a dynamic nuclear polarization surface enhanced NMR spectroscopy approach that induces a 200-fold increase in the NMR sensitivity for the surface species. The result, in combination with EXAFS, is a detailed structure for the surface complex determined with a precision of 0.7 Å. We observe a single well-defined conformation that is folded toward the surface in such a way as to include an interaction between the platinum metal center and the surface oxygen atoms.

Catalytic enantioselective addition of organoboron reagents to fluoroketones controlled by electrostatic interactions.

Organofluorine compounds are central to modern chemistry, and broadly applicable transformations that generate them efficiently and enantioselectively are in much demand. Here we introduce efficient catalytic methods for the addition of allyl and allenyl organoboron reagents to fluorine-substituted ketones. These reactions are facilitated by readily and inexpensively available catalysts and deliver versatile and otherwise difficult-to-access tertiary homoallylic alcohols in up to 98% yield and >99:1 enantiomeric ratio. Utility is highlighted by a concise enantioselective approach to the synthesis of the antiparasitic drug fluralaner (Bravecto, presently sold as the racemate). Different forms of ammonium-organofluorine interactions play a key role in the control of enantioselectivity. The greater understanding of various non-bonding interactions afforded by these studies should facilitate the future development of transformations that involve fluoroorganic entities.

Practical and Broadly Applicable Catalytic Enantioselective Additions of Allyl-B(pin) Compounds to Ketones and α-Ketoesters.

A set of broadly applicable methods for efficient catalytic additions of easy-to-handle allyl-B(pin) (pin=pinacolato) compounds to ketones and acyclic α-ketoesters was developed. Accordingly, a large array of tertiary alcohols can be obtained in 60 to >98 % yield and up to 99:1 enantiomeric ratio. At the heart of this development is rational alteration of the structures of the small-molecule aminophenol-based catalysts. Notably, with ketones, increasing the size of a catalyst moiety (tBu to SiPh3 ) results in much higher enantioselectivity. With α-ketoesters, on the other hand, not only does the opposite hold true, since Me substitution leads to substantially higher enantioselectivity, but the sense of the selectivity is reversed as well.

Dynamic nuclear polarization at 40 kHz magic angle spinning.

DNP-enhanced solid-state NMR spectroscopy under magic angle spinning (MAS) is rapidly developing into a powerful analytical tool to investigate the structure of a wide range of solid materials, because it provides unsurpassed sensitivity gains. Most developments and applications of DNP MAS NMR were so far reported at moderate spinning frequencies (up to 14 kHz using 3.2 mm rotors). Here, using a 1.3 mm MAS DNP probe operating at 18.8 T and ∼100 K, we show that signal amplification factors can be increased by up to a factor two when using smaller volume rotors as compared to 3.2 mm rotors, and report enhancements of around 60 over a range of sample spinning rates from 10 to 40 kHz. Spinning at 40 kHz is also shown to increase (29)Si coherence lifetimes by a factor three as compared to 10 kHz, substantially increasing sensitivity in CPMG type experiments. The contribution of quenching effects to the overall sensitivity gain at very fast MAS is evaluated, and applications are reported on a functionalised mesostructured organic-inorganic material.

Lewis Acid Catalyzed Borotropic Shifts in the Design of Diastereo- and Enantioselective γ-Additions of Allylboron Moieties to Aldimines.

Catalytic allylboron additions to aldimines are presented for which small amounts of Zn(OMe)2 serve as the co-catalyst to accelerate allyl exchange and 1,3-borotropic shift processes. Low-yielding and moderately α- and diastereoselective reactions are thus turned into highly efficient γ-, diastereo-, and enantioselective transformations that exhibit considerable scope.

N-Substituted tertiary and O-substituted quaternary carbon stereogenic centers by site-, diastereo- and enantioselective vinylogous Mannich reactions.

A readily accessible small-molecule phosphine, derived from commercially available starting materials such as an enantiomerically pure amino acid, serves as the precursor to a Ag-based chiral complex that can be prepared and used in situ to promote a variety of enantioselective vinylogous Mannich (EVM) reactions that involve siloxypyrroles as reaction partners. Transformations with unsubstituted nucleophilic components proceed efficiently and with exceptional site- (γ vs α-addition), diastereo- and enantioselectivity [up to 98% yield, generally >98:2 γ/α and diastereomeric ratio (dr) and up to 99:1 enantiomeric ratio (er)]. The first examples of efficient, diastereo- and enantioselective vinylogous Mannich additions with 5-methyl-substituted siloxyfuran, resulting in the formation of O-substituted quaternary carbon stereogenic centers are presented as well. Appreciable efficiency and diastereo- and enantioselectivity (up to >98:2 dr and >99:1 er) is accompanied by formation of α-addition products that can be oxidatively removed.

Simple organic molecules as catalysts for enantioselective synthesis of amines and alcohols.

The discovery of catalysts that can be used to synthesize complex organic compounds by enantioselective transformations is central to advances in the life sciences; for this reason, many chemists aim to discover catalysts that allow for preparation of chiral molecules as predominantly one mirror-image isomer. The ideal catalyst should not contain precious elements and should bring reactions to completion in a few hours through operationally simple procedures. Here we introduce a set of small organic molecules that can catalyse reactions of unsaturated organoboron reagents with imines and carbonyls; the products of the reactions are enantiomerically pure amines and alcohols, which might serve as intermediates in the preparation of biologically active molecules. A distinguishing feature of this catalyst class is the presence of a 'key' proton embedded within their structure. Catalysts are derived from the abundant amino acid valine and are prepared in large quantities in four steps with inexpensive reagents. Reactions are scalable, do not demand stringent conditions, and can be performed with as little as 0.25 mole per cent catalyst in less than six hours at room temperature to generate products in more than 85 per cent yield and ≥97:3 enantiomeric ratio. The efficiency, selectivity and operational simplicity of the transformations and the range of boron-based reagents are expected to render this advance important for future progress in syntheses of amines and alcohols, which are useful in chemistry, biology and medicine.