The alpha-chiral secondary and tertiary benzylic carbocations 19-30 were generated from the corresponding benzylic alcohols 1, 2, and 5-14 by treatment with FSO(3)H or FSO(3)H/SbF(5) in SO(2)ClF as the solvent at -70 degrees C and characterized by one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy. Coupling constants and NOESY measurements suggest a preferred conformation in which the alpha-hydrogen atom occupies the 1,3-allylic-strain position and the diastereotopic faces of the cations are differentiated by the alkyl substituent and a functional group (FG). The existence of this preferred conformation is further supported by calculations using a DFT method at the B3LYP/6-311+G** level. Quenching experiments with an arene nucleophile showed a preferential attack from the less shielded diastereotopic face delivering high diastereomeric ratios, supporting the hypothesis that these carbocations are involved as intermediates in previously studied S(N)1 reactions. A strong shielding effect at the benzylic carbocationic center is observed for most of the secondary benzylic carbocations (derived from precursors 5-13) investigated, indicating a strong mesomeric distribution of the positive charge to the carbon atom in the para-position of the anisyl substituent. For alpha-halogen-substituted carbocations (5-7, 12), no neighboring halogen participation leading to halonium ion formation was observed.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/jo802296e | DOI Listing |
Acc Chem Res
January 2025
State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Fujian Province, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, and Discipline of Intelligent Instrument and Equipment, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, P. R. China.
ConspectusMolecular photoelectrocatalysis, which combines the merits of photocatalysis and organic electrosynthesis, including their green attributes and capacity to offer novel reactivity and selectivity, represents an emerging field in organic chemistry that addresses the growing demands for environmental sustainability and synthetic efficiency. This synergistic approach permits access to a wider range of redox potentials, facilitates redox transformations under gentler electrode potentials, and decreases the use of external harsh redox reagents. Despite these potential advantages, this area did not receive significant attention until 2019, when we and others reported the first examples of modern molecular photoelectrocatalysis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAcc Chem Res
December 2024
State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Chemical Biology Center, Peking University, 38 Xueyuan Road, Beijing 100191, China.
Org Lett
November 2024
Key Laboratory for Green Organic Synthesis and Application of Hunan Province, Key Laboratory of Environmentally Friendly Chemistry and Application of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, 411105, China.
A visible-light induced intermolecular hydroamination of alkenes with azoles is reported, delivering pharmaceutically valuable N-benzyl azoles in high yields with excellent Markovnikov selectivity. Mechanistic studies suggest that the process is initiated by the energy transfer of the excited photocatalyst with alkenes, followed by the single electron reduction, protonation, and subsequent single electron oxidation to afford the key alkyl carbocation intermediate. This protocol exhibits advantages of broad functional group tolerance, excellent atom economy, high efficiency, and mild reaction conditions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Org Chem
November 2024
Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, White City Campus, Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, U.K.
4-Membered heterocycles have been increasingly exploited in medicinal chemistry and, as small polar motifs, often show important influence on activity and physicochemical properties. Thietane dioxides similarly offer potential in both agricultural and pharmaceutical applications but are notably understudied. Here we report a divergent approach to 3,3-disubstituted thietane dioxide derivatives by forming carbocations on the 4-membered ring with catalytic Lewis or Brønsted acids.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAlkoxyhydorosilane is found to be an effective mediator for the cross-etherification reaction between two distinct alcohols, namely, a secondary benzyl alcohol and an aliphatic alcohol, providing the unsymmetrical dialkyl ethers in good-to-high yields. The reaction is also successfully applied to the lignin model compound, which is an important renewable non-fossil organic carbon source. Initial mechanistic studies indicated that the carbocation derived from benzyl alcohol was formed under the present reaction conditions.
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