- Understanding the mechanism of transition metal-free: Anti addition to alkynes: The selenoboration case
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The stereoselective anti-addition of selenoboranes to α,β-acetylenic esters and amides was achieved in a transition metal-free context using catalytic amounts of PCy3. The reaction provides anti-3,4-selenoboration with concomitant delivery of α-vinyl selenides by protodeboronation with MeOH. Interestingly, in the absence of phosphine the selenoboration switches towards the formation of β-vinyl selenides. Theoretical calculations rationalize the regio- and stereoselectivity of the reaction by discovering a new mechanism for the anti-3,4-selenoboration. While the selenoborane is activated via the "push-pull" effect of B, the phosphine interacts with the β position of the alkynoate switching the polarity of the triple bond and favoring 1,3-selenoboration which provides the α-addition of the selenyl group. Then, the autocatalytic action of a second selenoborane reagent, which coordinates to the phosphorus ylide intermediate, determines the stereoselectivity and completes the catalytic process. Finally, the comparison of selenoborane reagents with diboranes and silaboranes, which have exhibited analogous reactivity, shows that the selenium moiety has a larger nucleophilic character favoring the performance of the reaction under mild conditions.
- García-López, Diego,Civit, Marc G.,Vogels, Christopher M.,Ricart, Josep M.,Westcott, Stephen A.,Fernández, Elena,Carbó, Jorge J.
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p. 3617 - 3628
(2018/07/29)
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- Enantioselective Catalytic Epoxidation of Cinnamate Esters
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A broad study of the (salen)Mn(III)-catalyzed asymmetric epoxidation of cis-cinnamate esters reveals that the steric properties of the ester group have a profound influence on enantioselectivity in the epoxidation reaction, with bulkier esters affording highest ee's.The sensitivity of the reaction selectivity to the steric properties of the cis-alkene are consistent with a "skewed" side-on approach of olefin to the metal -oxo.The electronic properties of the substrate arene ring substituents do not correlate with epoxidation ee, but instead with the cis/trans partitioning of product formation.Evidence is provided for a non-polar inter mediate in a stepwise oxygen-atom-transfer mechanism.The presence of pyridine N-oxide derivatives has a significant effect on catalysts rates and total turnovers, but negligible influence on the stereoselectivity of epoxidation.A mechanistic basis for the role of these additives is proposed.The synthetic applicability of the cinnamate epoxidation methodology is illustrated in the highly enantioslective synthesis of diltiazem.
- Jacobsen, Eric N.,Deng, Li,Furukawa, Yoshiro,Martinez, Luis E.
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p. 4323 - 4334
(2007/10/02)
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