Finding the proton in a key intermediate of anti-Markovnikov alkyne hydration by a bifunctional catalyst.

The secondary structure of a bifunctional catalyst positions a crucial reactive proton in the final intermediate of anti-Markovnikov alkyne hydration to give an aldehyde. NMR coupling and isotopic labeling studies elucidate the location of this proton and its involvement in hydrogen bonding.

Hydrogen-bond acceptance of bifunctional ligands in an alkyne-metal pi complex.

Experiment and theory have been used to study reactive alkyne pi complexes, intermediates in anti-Markovnikov alkyne hydration by CpRu bis(phosphine) catalysts with heterocyclic substituents. Each heterocycle accepts a hydrogen bond from an acetylene C-H, as revealed by NMR coupling constants between alkyne 13C and 1H nuclei as well as between alkyne 13C and pyridine 15N (2hJCN). Moreover, further alkyne transformations occur at temperatures from 50 to 90 degrees C below what is needed to convert a control compound without the heterocycles.

A general bifunctional catalyst for the anti-Markovnikov hydration of terminal alkynes to aldehydes gives enzyme-like rate and selectivity enhancements.

A new, bifunctional catalyst for anti-Markovnikov hydration of terminal alkynes to aldehydes (6) allows practical room-temperature hydration of alkyl-substituted alkynes. Other outstanding features include near-quantitative aldehyde yields from both alkyl- and aryl-substituted alkynes and wide functional group tolerance. The uncatalyzed rate of alkyne hydration is measured for the first time, showing the enzyme-like rate and selectivity enhancements of aldehyde formation by 6.

Substituent control of hydrogen bonding in palladium(II)-pyrazole complexes.

Inter- and intramolecular hydrogen bonding of an N-H group in pyrazole complexes was studied using ligands with two different groups at pyrazole C-3 and C-5. At C-5, groups such as methyl, i-propyl, phenyl, or tert-butyl were present. At C-3, side chains L-CH(2)- and L-CH(2)CH(2)- (L = thioether or phosphine) ensured formation of chelates to a cis-dichloropalladium(II) fragment through side-chain atom L and the pyrazole nitrogen closest to the side chain.

New flexible synthesis of pyrazoles with different, functionalized substituents at C3 and C5.

Syntheses of pyrazoles featuring a functionalized side chain attached to carbon 3 and varying alkyl and aryl substituents attached to carbon 5 are presented. Installation of R = methyl, isopropyl, tert-butyl, adamantyl, or phenyl groups at C5 is reported here, starting by coupling protected alkynols with acid chlorides RCOCl, forming alkynyl ketones, which are reacted with hydrazine to form the pyrazole nucleus. Alcohol deprotection and conversion to a chloride gave 5-substituted 3-(chloromethyl)- or 3-(2-chloroethyl)pyrazoles.