Search

In recent years, metal‐free organic synthesis using triarylboranes as catalysts has become a prevalent research area. Herein we report a comprehensive computational and experimental study for the highly selective synthesis of N‐substituted pyrazoles through the generation of carbenium species from the reaction between aryl esters and vinyl diazoacetates in the presence of catalytic tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane [B(C6F5)3]. DFT studies were undertaken to illuminate the reaction mechanism revealing that the in situ generation of a carbenium species acts as an autocatalyst to prompt the regiospecific formation of N‐substituted pyrazoles in good to excellent yields (up to 81 %)., Tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane‐catalyzed reactions between vinyl diazoacetates and aryl esters afforded highly regioselective N‐alkylated pyrazoles. These reactions involve an autocatalytic process in which in situ formed carbenium species act as a catalyst to regioselectively afford pyrazoles. Detailed DFT studies were carried out to explain the reaction mechanism.

Porous aluminosilicates such as zeolites are ubiquitous catalysts for the production of high-value and industrially relevant commodity chemicals, including the conversion of hydrocarbons, amines, alcohols, and others. Bimolecular reactions are an important subclass of reactions that can occur on Brønsted acid sites of a zeolite catalyst. Kinetic modeling of these systems at the process scale requires the interaction energetics of reactants and the active sites to be described accurately. It is generally known that adsorption is a coverage-dependent phenomenon, with lower heats of adsorption observed for molecules at higher coverage. However, few studies have systematically investigated the coadsorption of molecules on a single active site, specifically focusing on the strength of interaction of the second adsorbate after the initial adsorption step. In this work, we quantify the unimolecular and bimolecular adsorption energies of varying adsorbates, including paraffins, olefins, alcohols, amines, and noncondensible gases in the acidic and siliceous ZSM-5 frameworks. As a special case, olefin adsorption was examined for physisorption and chemisorption regimes, characterized by π-complex, framework alkoxide and carbenium ion adsorption, respectively. The effects of functional groups and molecular size were quantified, and correlations that relate the adsorption of the second adsorbate identity to that of the first adsorbate are provided.

Redox flow batteries (RFBs) represent a promising technology for grid-scale integration of renewable energy. Redox-active molecular pairs with large potential windows have been identified as key components of these systems. However, cross-contamination problems encountered by the use of different catholyte and anolyte species still limits the development of reliable organic RFBs. Herein, we report the first use of a helical carbenium ion, with three stable oxidation states, as electrolyte for the development of symmetric cells. Cyclic voltammo-amperometric studies were conducted in acetonitrile to assess the essential kinetic properties for flow battery performance and cycling stability of this molecule. The selected [4]helicenium ion was then evaluated by using mono- and bi-electronic cycling experiments, resulting in 745 and 80 cycles respectively, with near-perfect capacity retention. This helical carbenium ion based electrolyte achieved a proof-of-principle 2.12 V open circuit potential as an all-organic symmetric RFB.

Controlling the reactivity of transition metal complexes by positioning non-innocent functionalities around the catalytic pocket is a concept that has led to significant advances in catalysis. Here we describe our efforts toward the synthesis of dicationic phosphine gold complexes of general formula [(o-Ph2P(C6H4)Carb)Au(tht)]2+ decorated by a carbenium moiety (Carb) positioned in the immediate vicinity of the gold center. While the most acidic examples of such compounds have limited stability, the dicationic complexes with Carb+ = 9-N-methylacridinium and Carb+ = [C(ArN)2]+ (ArN = p-(C6H4)NMe2) are active as catalysts for the cycloisomerization of N-propargyl-4-fluorobenzamide, a substrate chosen to benchmark reactivity. The dicationic complex [(o-Ph2P(C6H4)C(ArN)2)Au(tht)]2+, which also promotes hydroarylation and enyne cyclization reactions, displays a higher catalytic activity than its acridinium analog, indicating that the electrophilic reactivity of these complexes scales with the Lewis acidity of the carbenium moiety. These results support the role of the carbenium unit as a non-innocent functionality which can readily enhance the activity of the adjacent metal center. Finally, we also describe our efforts toward the generation and isolation of free γ-cationic phosphines of general formula [(o-Ph2P(C6H4)Carb)]+. While cyclization into phosphonium species is observed for Carb+ = [C(ArN)2]+, [C(Ph)(ArN)]+, and 9-xanthylium, [(o-Ph2P(C6H4)-9-N-methylacridinium)]+ can be isolated as an air stable, biphilic derivative with uncompromised Lewis acidic and basic properties., This work describes the synthesis of carbenium-based, γ-cationic phosphines and their coordination to Au(i) cations , leading to carbophilic catalysts whose activity is enhanced by the ligand-enforced convergence of the positively charged moieties.

In order to explore the roles of the free radical and carbenium ion mechanisms in alkane cracking to produce light olefins, pentane cracking tests have been carried out over a zeolite catalyst at 600–800 °C, and a particular attention has been paid to the measurement of the product distribution. The cracking modes for pentane included “uncatalytic pyrolysis” following the free radical mechanism, “catalytic cracking” following the carbenium ion mechanism, and “catalytic pyrolysis” following the dual mechanisms (involving the concurrence of the free radical and carbenium ion mechanisms): (1) The free radical mechanism did not occur until 700 °C under the studied conditions, and it led to an ethylene-rich product distribution. (2) Zeolite catalyst initiated the carbenium ion mechanism that led to a propene-rich product distribution. (3) The dual mechanisms exhibited a wide distribution of ethylene and propene, which approximated to that of the free radical mechanism from that of the carbenium ion mechanism with increasing reaction temperature. The kc/kt and kcp/(kt+kc) parameters have been proposed to determine the relationship between the free radical and carbenium ion mechanisms. It was found that the carbenium ion mechanism greatly contributed to pentane cracking at the low temperatures, and the free radical mechanism took over the dominant position at the high temperatures. A proper proportion between the carbenium ion and free radical mechanisms promoted pentane cracking. In addition, yield of propene plus ethylene (P + E) and ratio of propene to ethylene (P/E) have been employed to evaluate the light olefins production. In the research scope, pentane cracking at 740 °C over 200 mg K-ZSM-22 zeolites seemed the optimal process, which has taken the consumption of energy and catalyst as well as the production and distribution of light olefins into consideration.

Zeolite Y is one of the most important solid acid catalysts that find immense applications in catalytic processes such as fluid catalytic cracking (FCC), acylation and cumene cracking. The technical grades of FCC catalyst require specifications that are met by dispersing the zeolite in amorphous binders. On contact with binders, zeolite properties in composite catalysts alter. This article reports an insight into structural and surface modifications of Y zeolites caused by binders’ incorporation. Experiments employing various characterization techniques, including solid state MAS-NMR and FTIR reveal alumina incorporation adjusts zeolite framework in comparison with silica binder. Incorporation of alumina binder into zeolite Y polarizes the framework by extra-framework alumina species (such as Al3+, AlO+ and Al(OH)2+) coming from the binder. The polarization, apparent with USY and REY, is considered as the operating mechanism for distortion of zeolite framework, involving the attraction of aluminum species from the binder to the framework of zeolite and its subsequent framework structure reorientation. Compensating framework Na+ cations restrain the polarization of NaY framework due to its deficiency of protons, revealing Bronsted acid sites as active centers for the zeolite framework polarization. The resulting alumina bound catalysts are amorphized by layers of alumina materials that implicate the Bronsted acidity as a function of its weight in the catalyst. Catalytic reaction reveals that polarization of the zeolite framework by extra-framework alumina species decreases the transformation of paraffin to carbenium ion, increasing the hydrogen transfer reaction pathway.

International audience; Phenylnitrene radical cations m/z 91, C6H5N, 8a•+ are observed in the mass spectra of 1-, 2-, and 5-phenyltetrazoles, even though no C–N bond is present in 5-phenyltetrazole. Calculations at the B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) level of theory indicate that initial formation of the C-phenylimidoylnitrene 13•+ and/or benzonitrile imine radical cation 19•+ from 1H- and 2H-5-phenyltetrazoles 11 and 12 is followed by isomerizations of 13•+ to the phenylcyanamide ion 15•+ over a low barrier. A cyclization of imidoylnitrene ion 13•+ onto the benzene ring offers alternate, very facile routes to the phenylnitrene ion 8a•+ and the phenylcarbodiimide ion 14•+ via the azabicyclooctadienimine 16•+. Eliminations of HNC or HCN from 14•+ and 15•+ again yield the phenylnitrene radical cation 8a•+. A direct 1,3-H shift isomerizing phenylcarbodiimide ion 14•+ to the phenylcyanamide ion 15•+ requires a very high activation energy of 114 kcal/mol, and this reaction needs not be involved. The benzonitrile imine −3-phenyl-1H-diazirine–phenylimidoylnitrene–phenylcarbodiimide/phenylcyanamide rearrangement has parallels in thermal and photochemical processes, but the facile cyclization of imidoylnitrene 13•+ to azabicyclooctadienimine 16•+ is facilitated by the positive charge making the nitrene more electrophilic. Furthermore, the benzonitrile imine radical cation 19•+ can cyclize to indazole 24•+, and a series of intramolecular rearrangements via hydrogen shifts, ring-openings and ring closures allow the interconversion of numerous ions of composition C7H6N2•+, including 19•+, 24•+, the benzimidazole ion 38•+ and o-aminobenzonitrile ion 40•+, all of which can eliminate either HCN or HNC to yield the C6H5N•+ ions of phenylnitrene, 8a•+, and/or iminocyclohexadienylidene, 34•+. Moreover, benzonitrile imine 19•+ can behave like a benzylic carbenium ion, undergoing a novel ring expansion to cycloheptatetraenyldiazene 45•+. The N-phenylnitrile imine ion 2d•+ derived from 2-phenyltetrazole 1d cleaves efficiently to the phenylnitrene ion 8a•+ but may also cyclize to the indazole ion 24•+. The N-phenylimidoylnitrene 59•+ derived from 1-phenyltetrazole 5d undergoes facile isomerization to the phenylcyanamide ion 15•+ and hence phenylnitrene radical cation 8a•+.

A robust method for preparing controlled poly(vinyl ethers) utilizing commercially available reagents under visible light is reported. Pentacarbonylbromomanganese (Mn(CO)5Br), generated from the conventional photolysis of manganese carbonyl and halide abstraction, is considered as a catalyst to oxidize carbon radical to carbenium ion in this polymerization. Polymerization behavior including the effects of solvents and monomers have been investigated.

Most terpene synthase reactions follow Markovnikov rules for formation of high energy carbenium ion intermediates. However, there are notable exceptions. For example, pentalenene synthase (PS) undergoes an initial anti-Markovnikov cyclization reaction followed by a 1,2-hydride shift to form an intermediate humulyl cation with positive charge on the secondary carbon C9 of the farnesyl diphosphate substrate. The mechanism by which these enzymes stabilize and guide regioselectivity of secondary carbocations has not heretofore been elucidated. In an effort to better understand these reactions, we grew crystals of apo-PS, soaked them with the non-reactive substrate analog 12,13-difluorofarnesyl diphosphate, and solved the x-ray structure of the resulting complex at 2.2 Å resolution. The most striking feature of the active site structure is that C9 is positioned 3.5 Å above the center of the side chain benzene ring of residue F76, perfectly poised for stabilization of the charge through a cation-π interaction. In addition, the main chain carbonyl of I177 and neighboring intramolecular C6,C7-double bond are positioned to stabilize the carbocation by interaction with the face opposite that of F76. Mutagenesis experiments also support a role for residue 76 in cation-π interactions. Most interesting is the F76W mutant which gives a mixture of products that likely result from stabilizing a positive charge on the adjacent secondary carbon C10 in addition to C9 as in the wild-type enzyme. The crystal structure of the F76W mutant clearly shows carbons C9 and C10 centered above the fused benzene and pyrrole rings of the indole side chain, respectively, such that a carbocation at either position could be stabilized in this complex, and two anti-Markovnikov products, pentalenene and humulene, are formed. Finally, we show that there is a rough correlation (although not absolute) of an aromatic side chain (F or Y) at position 76 in related terpene synthases from Streptomyces that catalyze similar anti-Markovnikov addition reactions.

Significance Secondary organic aerosol (SOA) from photochemical oxidation of volatile organic compounds represents one of the most dominant constituents of fine particulate matter in the troposphere, with profound implications for air quality and climate. However, the fundamental chemical mechanisms leading to SOA formation remain highly uncertain. Here, we show oligomer formation from methylglyoxal with the carbenium ions as the key intermediate using quantum chemical calculations. This cationic oligomerization is demonstrated to proceed via barrierless pathways and occurs at fast rates on weakly acidic aqueous aerosols and/or cloud droplets under typical tropospheric conditions. In contrast to a previously proposed hydration mechanism, out results reveal that the carbenium ion-mediated oligomerization of methylglyoxal provides a major SOA source from anthropogenic and biogenic emissions., Secondary organic aerosol (SOA) represents a major constituent of tropospheric fine particulate matter, with profound implications for human health and climate. However, the chemical mechanisms leading to SOA formation remain uncertain, and atmospheric models consistently underpredict the global SOA budget. Small α-dicarbonyls, such as methylglyoxal, are ubiquitous in the atmosphere because of their significant production from photooxidation of aromatic hydrocarbons from traffic and industrial sources as well as from biogenic isoprene. Current experimental and theoretical results on the roles of methylglyoxal in SOA formation are conflicting. Using quantum chemical calculations, we show cationic oligomerization of methylglyoxal in aqueous media. Initial protonation and hydration of methylglyoxal lead to formation of diols/tetrol, and subsequent protonation and dehydration of diols/tetrol yield carbenium ions, which represent the key intermediates for formation and propagation of oligomerization. On the other hand, our results reveal that the previously proposed oligomerization via hydration for methylglyoxal is kinetically and thermodynamically implausible. The carbenium ion-mediated mechanism occurs barrierlessly on weakly acidic aerosols and cloud/fog droplets and likely provides a key pathway for SOA formation from biogenic and anthropogenic emissions.

Red light has the advantages of low energy, less health risk and high penetration depth through various media. Herein, a helical carbenium ion (N,N’-di-n-propyl-1,13-dimethoxyquinacridinium (nPr-DMQA+) tetrafluoroborate) has been used as an organic photoredox catalyst for photoreductions and photooxidations in the presence of red light (λmax = 640 nm). It has catalyzed red-light-mediated dual transition-metal/photoredox-catalyzed C-H arylation and intermolecular atom transfer radical addition through oxidative quenching, affording products in 57-93% yields. Moreover, its potential in photooxidation catalysis has also been demonstrated by successful applications in red-light-induced aerobic oxidative hydroxylation of arylboronic acids and benzylic C(sp3)-H oxygenation through reductive quenching, delivering products in up to 92% yield. Thus, a versatile organic photoredox catalyst (helical carbenium ion) for red-light-mediated photoredox reactions has been developed.

The ring-opening and decarboxylation reaction of γ-valerolactone (GVL), yielding a mixture of butene isomers, constitutes an important transformative step for the upgradation of biomass-derived precursors into high value fuels and chemicals. In this study, density functional theory (DFT) simulations were utilized to gain insights into the ring-opening of GVL in presence of Bronsted acid promoted γ-Al2O3 catalyst. DFT simulations suggested towards the formation of stable oxocarbenium ion of GVL on the γ- Al2O3 surface via a proton transfer to the carbonyl oxygen in presence of the Bronsted acid. The surface oxygen atoms of γ-Al2O3 were observed to show high affinity for H-abstraction from the oxocarbenium ion to yield the carbenium ion intermediate, which subsequently gave the product butene via a combination of hydride transfer and decarboxylation steps. Higher reactivity of the Bronsted acid promoted γ-Al2O3 surface, was attributed to the direct ring-opening (Ea = 13 kJ/mol) of the surface adsorbed oxocarbenium ion of GVL, leading to the formation of the γ-carbenium ion, which was unlikely to form with the adsorbed GVL structure. In addition, H-abstraction by the surface oxygen from the C5 of adsorbed oxocarbenium ion (Ea = 13 kJ/mol) was calculated to be of lower activation barrier as compared to the H-abstraction from C5 of the adsorbed GVL (Ea = 40 kJ/mol), which may also lead to facile ring-opening in presence of a Bronsted acid on γ-Al2O3.

The alkylation of isobutane with light alkenes plays an essential role in modern petrochemical processes for the production of high-octane gasoline. In this study we have employed periodic DFT calculations combined with microkinetic simulations to investigate the complex reaction mechanism of isobutane–propene alkylation catalyzed by zeolitic solid acids. Particular emphasis was given to addressing the selectivity of the alkylate formation versus alkene formation, which requires a high rate of hydride transfer in comparison to the competitive oligomerization and deprotonation reactions resulting in catalyst deactivation. Our calculations reveal that hydride transfer from isobutane to a carbenium ion occurs via a concerted C–C bond formation between a tert-butyl fragment and an additional olefin, or via deprotonation of the tert-butyl fragment to generate isobutene. A combination of high isobutane concentration and low propene concentration at the reaction center favor the selective alkylation. The key reaction step that has to be suppressed to increase the catalyst lifetime is the deprotonation of carbenium intermediates that are part of the hydride transfer reaction cycle.

A series of novel 4-ferrocenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolines were synthesized in high-to-excellent yields (up to 99%) starting from the corresponding ferrocenoylethyl aryl amines. These Mannich bases were reduced (NaBH4) to the corresponding 3-(arylamino)-1-ferrocenylpropan-1-ols and submitted to an intramolecular cyclization prompted by acetic acid, proceeding via the corresponding alpha-ferrocenyl carbenium ion intermediates. Subsequently, the obtained tetrahydroquinolines were smoothly oxidized (aromatized) by means of 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (DDQ) to provide the corresponding 4-ferrocenylquinolines (up to 93%). (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The hydronium ion normalized reaction rate in aqueous phase alkylation of phenol with ethanol on H-MFI zeolites increases with decreasing concentration of acid sites. Higher rates are caused by higher concentrations of phenol in the zeolite pores, as the concentration of hydronium ions generated by zeolite Bronsted acid sites decreases. Considering the different concentrations of reacting species, it is shown that the intrinsic rate constant for alkylation is independent of the concentration of hydronium ions in the zeolite pores. Alkylation at the aromatic ring of phenol and of toluene as well as O-alkylation of phenol have the same activation energy, 104 ± 5 kJ·mol −1 . This is the energetic barrier to form the ethyl carbenium ion from ethanol associated with the hydronium ion. Thus, in both the reaction pathways the catalyst involves a carbenium ion, which forms a bond to a nucleophilic oxygen (ether formation) or carbon (alkylation).

The reactions of biomass-based substrates, i.e., limonene, α-pinene, β-pinene, terpinolene, α-terpineol, nerol and linalool, with benzaldehyde in the presence of tungstophosphoric heteropoly acid H 3 PW 12 O 40 (HPW) supported on silica give an oxabicyclo[3.3.1]nonene compound with fragrance characteristics in good to excellent yields. The reactions apparently involve the formation of α-terpenyl carbenium ion by the protonation of alkene or dehydration of alcohol followed by the nucleophilic attack of benzaldehyde. The subsequent oxonium-ene cyclization of the resulting oxocarbenium ion gives the oxabicyclic product. The process is an environmentally benign and heterogeneous and can be performed under mild conditions with low catalyst amounts and no significant leaching of active components.

A novel derivatization method for the analysis of primary amines by MALDI mass spectrometry is proposed. Tris(2,6-dimethoxyphenyl) methyl carbenium cation reacts smoothly with primary amines, forming permanently charged adducts with the mass increment +359 Da and absorbance in the UV region. The approach was tested on a number of amines, including biologically active compounds and therapeutic agents.

The design and gram‐scale synthesis of a cyclohexa‐1,4‐diene‐based surrogate of isobutene gas is reported. Using the highly electron‐deficient Lewis acid B(C6F5)3, application of this surrogate in the hydromethallylation of electron‐rich styrene derivatives provided sterically congested quaternary carbon centers. The reaction proceeds by C(sp3)−C(sp3) bond formation at a tertiary carbenium ion that is generated by alkene protonation. The possibility of two concurrent mechanisms is proposed on the basis of mechanistic experiments using a deuterated surrogate., Quat a wonderful world! A surrogate of isobutene gas based on cyclohexa‐1,4‐diene has been designed that enables the transfer hydromethallylation of alkenes under Lewis acidic conditions. The method allows for the construction of a congested quaternary carbon center and a C(sp3)−C(sp3) bond by way of a tertiary carbenium ion generated by alkene protonation.

We report that HCl·DMPU induces the formation of (thiomethyl)methyl carbenium ion from DMSO under mild conditions. Homoallylic amines react with this electrophile to generate 4-chloropiperidines in good yields. The method applies to both aromatic and aliphatic amines. The use of HCl·DMPU as both non-nucleophilic base and chloride source constitutes an environmentally benign alternative for piperidine formation. The reaction has a broad substrate scope, and the conditions offer good chemical yields with high functional group tolerance and scalability.

13 C–13C through-bond NMR correlation experiments reveal the stabilization of different carbenium ion intermediates in two zeolites possessing identical CHA topology (H-SAPO-34 and H-SSZ-13) during the methanol to olefins reaction.

Electronic structure calculations on previously synthesized [mer-{κ-C,N,C-(2-C6H4)CH N(1,2-C6H4)C(iPr) }Fe(PMe3)3][BArF4] (1) and mer,trans-{κ-C,N,C-(2-C6H4)CH(Bn)N(1,2-C6H4)C(iPr) }Fe(PMe3)2N2 (4-Bn) reveal that 1 is best interpreted as Fe(II) bound to a carbenium ion, while 4-Bn has an imino-vinyl unit bound to a ferrous center. Attempts to prepare LnFe CHR species capable of olefin metathesis or carbene transfer were obviated by alternative reactivity, although precursors mer,trans-{κ3-N,N,C-(2-py)CH NCH2CH CH}Fe(PMe3)2CH3 (6), [mer,trans-{κ3-N,N,C-2-py-CH NCH2CH CH}Fe(PMe3)2CH3] [PF6−] (8), mer,trans-{κ3-N,N,C-2-py-CH NCH2CH CH}Fe(PMe3)2I (9), mer-{κ3-N,N,C-(2-pyridyl) CHNCHCHCH}Fe(PMe3)3 (11), and mer-{κ3-C,N,C-(2-C6H4)CH NCH2CH CH}Fe(PMe3)3 (12) were prepared. Related phenyl derivatives, mer,trans-{κ3-N,N,C-(2-py)CH NC(Me)2CH CH}Fe(PMe3)2CH3 (13) and [mer,trans-{κ3-N,N,C-(2-py)CH NC(Me)2CH CH}Fe(PMe3)2N2][BArF4] (15) were prepared to test additional stability issues. Compounds 9 and 11 were structurally characterized, and metrical parameters of the latter, in addition to electronic structure calculations, suggest that it is not an alkylidene, but an Fe(II) center coordinated by a conjugated vinyl ligand with extensive delocalization in its π-system.

Fully protected pyrazolidines can be readily obtained by acid-catalysed cyclisations of the corresponding allylic hydrazines by carbenium ion generation using concentrated sulfuric acid in dichloromethane.

The solvolysis of simple secondary tosylates in 50% trifluoethanol has been investigated using stereochemical and isotopic labels. 2-butyl, 2-pentyl and 2-octyl tosylates all solvolyse at very similar rates (~1 × 10−5 s−1) at 30 °C. Slow racemisation of S-2-butyl tosylate (~4.6 × 10−7 s−1) was observed during solvolysis, but R-2-octyl tosylate did not show any significant racemisation. Competing rearrangement of 3-pentyl tosylate to 2-pentyl tosylate was observed during solvolysis and is attributed to 1,2-hydride transfer, which occurs at a rate sufficient to account for the difference in the rates of racemisation of 2-butyl and 2-octyl tosylates. The stereochemistry of the alcohol product was studied for the reaction of R-2-octyl tosylate by derivatising the corresponding alcohol to 4-nitrobenzoate and showed high but not complete stereoselectivity (92:8 inversion : retention of configuration). 18O isotope exchange at the leaving group tosylate showed that both 2-butyl (5.4 × 10−7 s−1) and 2-octyl (4.2 × 10−7 s−1) tosylates exchange at similar rates. Partitioning of a common carbenium ion intermediate accounts for all these data only if solvolysis proceeds through pre-organisation of the solvent with 1,2-hydride transfer and isotope exchange competing inefficiently with ion return and solvolysis. Alternatively, a series of parallel concerted reactions (solvolysis, 1,2-hydride transfer and isotope exchange) would also account for these data.

All rights reserved.A range of enantiopure 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines have been prepared directly from α-hydroxy-β-amino esters. Activation of the α-hydroxy group upon treatment with Tf2O and 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylpyridine promotes aziridinium formation, which is then followed by rupture of the C(3)-N bond and Friedel-Crafts alkylation-type cyclisation of an N-benzyl moiety onto the resultant benzylic carbenium ion. The nature of the N-protecting group was varied and it was found that superior yields were obtained for reactions employing two benzylic groups. In the cases where two different N-benzyl groups were used, the regioselectivity resulting from competitive cyclisation of either N-benzyl group was addressed by the introduction of a p-trifluoromethyl group on one of the N-benzyl moieties, which retarded the rate of cyclisation via this electron poor aryl ring. This methodology was employed in the asymmetric synthesis of a range of enantiopure 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines, which were isolated in good yields as single diastereoisomers.

In iodine(III)-catalyzed, dehydrogenative arylations of sulfonanilides, the functionalization of C–C bonds is preferred over the functionalization of C–N bonds. Herein, an unprecedented N-selective arylation of sulfonanilides using soft–hard acid–base (SHAB) control by a nitrenium ion over a carbenium ion is reported. Treatment of sulfonanilides with iodine(III) led to the formation of nitrenium ions (soft), which preferentially react with biphenyls (soft) over bimesityl (hard) to generate C–N bonds. The iodine(III) was generated in situ by using PhI and mCPBA at room temperature.

Catalytic alkene cracking on H-ZSM-5 involves a complex reaction network with many possible reaction routes and often elusive intermediates. Herein, advanced molecular dynamics simulations at 773 K, a typical cracking temperature, are performed to clarify the nature of the intermediates and to elucidate dominant cracking pathways at operating conditions. A series of C-4-C-8 alkene intermediates are investigated to evaluate the influence of chain length and degree of branching on their stability. Our simulations reveal that linear, secondary carbenium ions are relatively unstable, although their lifetime increases with carbon number. Tertiary carbenium ions, on the other hand, are shown to be very stable, irrespective of the chain length. Highly branched carbenium ions, though, tend to rapidly rearrange into more stable cationic species, either via cracking or isomerization reactions. Dominant cracking pathways were determined by combining these insights on carbenium ion stability with intrinsic free energy barriers for various octene beta-scission reactions, determined via umbrella sampling simulations at operating temperature (773 K). Cracking modes A (3 degrees -> 3 degrees) and B-2 (3 degrees -> 2 degrees) are expected to be dominant at operating conditions, whereas modes B-1 (2 degrees -> 3 degrees), C (2 degrees -> 2 degrees), D-2 (2 degrees -> 1 degrees), and E-2 (3 degrees -> 1 degrees) are expected to be less important. All beta-scission modes in which a transition state with primary carbocation character is involved have high intrinsic free energy barriers. Reactions starting from secondary carbenium ions will contribute less as these intermediates are short living at the high cracking temperature. Our results show the importance of simulations at operating conditions to properly evaluate the carbenium ion stability for beta-scission reactions and to assess the mobility of all species in the pores of the zeolite.

Upon activation in the gas phase, protonated alkyl dihydrocinnamates undergo an alcohol loss. However, the mechanism followed is not a simple removal of an alkanol molecule after a protonation on the alkoxy group. The mass spectrum of the m/z 166 ion for deuteron-charged methyl dihydrocinnamate showed two peaks of 1:5 intensity ratio at m/z 133 and 134 to confirm that the incipient proton is mobile. The proton initially attached to the carbonyl group migrates to the ring and randomizes before a subsequent transfer of one of the ring protons to the alkoxy group for the concomitant alcohol elimination. Moreover, protonated methyl dihydrocinnamate undergoes more than one H/D exchange. The spectra recorded from m/z 167 and 168 ions obtained for di- and tri-deuterio isotopologues showed peak pairs at m/z 134, 135 and 135, 136, at 1:2 and 1:1 intensity ratios, respectively, confirming the benzenium ion intermediate achieves complete randomization before the proton transfer. Additionally, protonated higher esters of alkyl dihydrocinnamates undergo a cleavage of the O-CH2 bond to form an ion/neutral complex, which, upon activation, dissociates generating a carbenium ion and dihydrocinnamic acid, or rearranges to generate protonated dihydrocinnamic acid and an alkene by a nonspecific proton transfer.

The development of a cation clock method based on the intramolecular Sakurai reaction for probing the concentration dependence of the nucleophile in glycosylation reactions is described. The method is developed for the sulfoxide and trichloroacetimidate glycosylation protocols. The method reveals that O-glycosylation reactions have stronger concentration dependencies than C-glycosylation reactions consistent with a more associative, S(N)2-like character. For the 4,6-O-benzylidene-directed mannosylation reaction a significant difference in concentration dependence is found for the formation of the β- and α-anomers, suggesting a difference in mechanism and a rationale for the optimization of selectivity regardless of the type of donor employed. In the mannose series the cyclization reaction employed as clock results in the formation of cis and trans-fused oxabicyclo[4,4,0]decanes as products with the latter being strongly indicative of the involvement of a conformationally mobile transient glycosyl oxocarbenium ion. With identical protecting group arrays cyclization in the glucopyranose series is more rapid than in the mannopyranose manifold. The potential application of related clock reactions in other carbenium ion-based branches of organic synthesis is considered.

International audience; The synthesis and chemical oxidation profile of a new generation of ferrocifen derivatives with strong anti-proliferative behavior in vitro is reported. In particular, the hydroxypropyl derivative HO(CH2)(3)C(Fc)= C(C6H4OH)(2) (3b) exhibited exceptional antiproliferative activity against the cancer cell lines HepG2 and MDA-MB-231 TNBC, with IC50 values of 0.07 and 0.11 mu m, respectively. Chemical oxidation of 3b yielded an unprecedented tetrahydrofuran-substituted quinone methide (QM) via internal cyclization of the hydroxyalkyl chain, whereas the corresponding alkyl analogue CH3CH2-C(Fc)= C(C6H4OH)(2) merely formed a vinyl QM. The ferrocenyl group in 3b plays a key role, not only as an intramolecular reversible redox ``antenna'', but also as a stabilized carbenium ion ``modulator''. The presence of the oxygen heterocycle in 3b-QM enhances its stability and leads to a unique chemical oxidation profile, thus revealing crucial clues for deciphering its mechanism of action in vivo.

In order to prepare a highly active catalyst for the catalytic cracking of larger molecules, a novel micro-mesoporous silicoaluminophosphate composite (define as mesoporous SAPO-5) with hierarchical tri-modal pore size distributions has been firstly synthesized via post-synthetic method in acidic condition and subsequently characterized. Morphology control of the composite is attempted by adjusting pH value of the synthetic system. Three different morphologies of composite, including sphere-, rod- and net-like, are obtained in the different conditions. Possible mechanism for the formation of mesoporous SAPO-5 has been proposed. The mesoporous SAPO-5 exhibits higher cracking activity than conventional microporous SAPO-5 for cracking of 1, 3, 5-triisopropylbenzene (1, 3, 5-TIPB) under the same reaction conditions. The result indicates that the mesoporous SAPO-5 with hierarchical pore structure is favorable for catalytic cracking of large molecule. When the cumene as the reaction molecule, the microporous SAPO-5 catalyst exhibits higher conversion in catalytic cracking of cumene compared to the mesoporous SAPO-5, and the result may be attributed to that microporous SAPO-5 has much stronger acidity and specific selectivity than mesoporous SAPO-5 catalyst in catalytic cracking of cumene. Meanwhile, corresponding carbenium ion mechanism can account for the products formed during the whole reaction process.

A diastereoselective synthesis of 4-vinyl oxazolines syn-2 was developed based on an acid-catalyzed cyclization of bistrichloroacetimidates (E)-1. The reaction likely involves an allyl carbenium ion intermediate in which the adjacent stereocenter directs the stereoselectivity for C-N bond formation. Oxazolines syn-2 were transformed to C-quaternary threoninol, threoninal, and threonine derivatives which can be further incorporated into complex natural compounds.