A Bifunctional Copper Catalyst Enables Ester Reduction with H2: Expanding the Reactivity Space of Nucleophilic Copper Hydrides
Employing a bifunctional catalyst based on a copper(I)/NHC complex and a guanidine organocatalyst, catalytic ester reductions to alcohols with H2 as terminal reducing agent are facilitated. The approach taken here enables the simultaneous activation of esters through hydrogen bonding and formation of nucleophilic copper(I) hydrides from H2, resulting in a catalytic hydride transfer to esters. The reduction step is further facilitated by a proton shuttle mediated by the guanidinium subunit. This bifunctional approach to ester reductions for the first time shifts the reactivity of generally considered "soft"copper(I) hydrides to previously unreactive "hard"ester electrophiles and paves the way for a replacement of stoichiometric reducing agents by a catalyst and H2.
Kaicharla, Trinadh,Ngoc, Trung Tran,Teichert, Johannes F.,Tzaras, Dimitrios-Ioannis,Zimmermann, Birte M.
supporting information
p. 16865 - 16873
(2021/10/20)
Molecular-Dynamics-Simulation-Directed Rational Design of Nanoreceptors with Targeted Affinity
Here, we demonstrate the possibility of rationally designing nanoparticle receptors with targeted affinity and selectivity for specific small molecules. We used atomistic molecular-dynamics (MD) simulations to gradually mutate and optimize the chemical structure of the molecules forming the coating monolayer of gold nanoparticles (1.7 nm gold-core size). The MD-directed design resulted in nanoreceptors with a 10-fold improvement in affinity for the target analyte (salicylate) and a 100-fold decrease of the detection limit by NMR-chemosensing from the millimolar to the micromolar range. We could define the exact binding mode, which features prolonged contacts and deep penetration of the guest into the monolayer, as well as a distinct shape of the effective binding pockets characterized by exposed interacting points.
Sunlight oxidation of alkyl aryl tellurides to the corresponding carbonyl compounds: A new carbonyl precursor
Alkyl aryl tellurides were efficiently transformed to the corresponding carbonyl compounds by photo-oxidation with sunlight without affecting various functional groups in the alkyl moiety. The tellurides can be used as a new carbonyl precursor, and the photolysis can be conducted without special equipment for light sources.
Ouchi, Akihiko,Hyugano, Takeshi,Liu, Chuanxiang
supporting information; experimental part
p. 4870 - 4873
(2010/01/06)
A novel hydrogen transfer hydroalumination of alkenes with triisobutylaluminum catalyzed by Pd and other late transition metal complexes
Hydrogen transfer hydroalumination of terminal alkenes and dienes can be achieved with 1.1 equiv. of (i-Bu)3Al and catalytic amounts of Cl2Pd(PPh3)2 and other late transition metal complexes containing Co, Rh, Ni, and Pt at ambient temperature in high yields.