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The present investigation documents the fact that hydroxyl-directed hydrogenation of cyclic and acyclic olefinic alcohols with the cationic iridium catalyst, Ir(COD)py(PCy3)PF6, exhibits reaction diastereoselectivity which is dependent upon catalyst-substrate stoichiometry.

Directed hydrogenation, in which product selectivity is dictated by the binding of an ancillary directing group on the substrate to the catalyst, is typically catalyzed by homogeneous Rh and Ir complexes. No heterogeneous catalyst has been able to achieve equivalently high directivity due to a lack of control over substrate binding orientation at the catalyst surface. In this work, we demonstrate that Pd-Cu bimetallic nanoparticles with both Pd and Cu atoms distributed across the surface are capable of high conversion and diastereoselectivity in the hydroxyl-directed hydrogenation reaction of terpinen-4-ol. We postulate that the OH directing group adsorbs to the more oxophilic Cu atom while the olefin and hydrogen bind to adjacent Pd atoms, thus enabling selective delivery of hydrogen to the olefin from the same face as the directing group with a 16:1 diastereomeric ratio.

Bridged nitrogen bicyclic skeletons have been accessed via unprecedented site- and diastereoselective orthogonal tandem catalysis from readily accessible reactants in a step economic manner. Directed Pd-catalyzed γ-C(sp3)-H olefination of aminocyclohexane with gem-dibromoalkenes, followed by a consecutive intramolecular Cu-catalyzed amidation of the 1-bromo-1-alkenylated product delivers the interesting normorphan skeleton. The tandem protocol can be applied on substituted aminocyclohexanes and aminoheterocycles, easily providing access to the corresponding substituted, aza- and oxa-analogues. The Cu catalyst of the Ullmann-Goldberg reaction additionally avoids off-cycle Pd catalyst scavenging by alkenylated reaction product. The picolinamide directing group stabilizes the enamine of the 7-alkylidenenormorphan, allowing further product post functionalizations. Without Cu catalyst, regio- and diastereoselective Pd-catalyzed γ-C(sp3)-H olefination is achieved.

The development of inexpensive and practical catalysts for arene hydrogenations is key for future valorizations of this general feedstock. Here, we report the development of cobalt nanoparticles supported on silica as selective and general catalysts for such reactions. The specific nanoparticles were prepared by assembling cobalt-pyromellitic acid-piperazine coordination polymer on commercial silica and subsequent pyrolysis. Applying the optimal nanocatalyst, industrial bulk, substituted, and functionalized arenes as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are selectively hydrogenated to obtain cyclohexane-based compounds under industrially viable and scalable conditions. The applicability of this hydrogenation methodology is presented for the storage of H2 in liquid organic hydrogen carriers.

The substitution reaction of the diethyl allylic and propargylic phosphates with Ar2CH anions was applied to sec-alkyl phosphates to compare reactivity and stereoselectivity. However, the substitution took place on the ethyl carbon of the diethyl phosphate group. We then found that the diphenyl phosphate leaving group ((PhO)2PO2) was suited for the substitution at the sec-alkyl carbon. Enantioenriched diphenyl sec-alkyl phosphates with different substituents (Me, Et, iPr) on the vicinal position underwent the substitution reaction with almost complete inversion (>99% enantiospecificity). The substitution reactions of cyclohexyl phosphates possessing cis or trans substituents (Me and/or tBu) at the C4, C3, and C2 positions of the cyclohexane ring were also studied to observe the difference in reactivity among the cis and trans isomers. A transition-state model with the phosphate leaving group ((PhO)2PO2) in the axial position was proposed to explain the difference. This model was supported by computational calculation of the virtual substitution reaction of the structurally simpler “dimethyl” cyclohexyl phosphates (leaving group = (MeO)2PO2) with MeLi. Furthermore, the calculation unexpectedly indicated higher propensity of (PhO)2PO2 as a leaving reactivity than alkyl phosphate groups such as (MeO)2PO2 and (iPrO)2PO2.

Homogeneous catalytic hydrogenation of carbonyl groups is a synthetically useful and widely applied organic transformation. Sustainable chemistry goals require replacing conventional noble transition metal catalysts for hydrogenation by earth-abundant base metals. Herein, we report how a practical in situ catalytic system generated by easily available pincer NHC precursors, CoCl2, and a base enabled efficient and high-yielding hydrogenation of a broad range of ketones and aldehydes (over 50 examples and a maximum turnover number [TON] of 2,610). This is the first example of NHC-Co-catalyzed hydrogenation of C=O bonds using flexible pincer NHC ligands consisting of a N-H substructure. Diastereodivergent hydrogenation of substituted cyclohexanone derivatives was also realized by fine-tuning of the steric bulk of pincer NHC ligands. Additionally, a bis(NHCs)-Co complex was successfully isolated and fully characterized, and it exhibits excellent catalytic activity that equals that of the in-situ-formed catalytic system. Catalytic hydrogenation is a powerful tool for the reduction of organic compounds in both fine and bulk chemical industries. To improve sustainability, more ecofriendly, inexpensive, and earth-abundant base metals should be employed to replace the precious metals that currently dominate the development of hydrogenation catalysts. However, the majority of the base-metal catalysts that have been reported involve expensive, complex, and often air- and moisture-sensitive phosphine ligands, impeding their widespread application. From a mixture of the stable CoCl2, imidazole salts, and a base, our newly developed catalytic system that formed easily in situ enables efficient and stereoselective hydrogenation of C=O bonds. We anticipate that this easily accessible catalytic system will create opportunities for the design of practical base-metal hydrogenation catalysts. A practical in situ catalytic system generated by a mixture of easily available pincer NHC precursors, CoCl2, and a base enabled highly efficient hydrogenation of a broad range of ketones and aldehydes (over 50 examples and up to a turnover number [TON] of 2,610). Diastereodivergent hydrogenation of substituted cyclohexanone derivatives was also realized in high selectivities. Moreover, the preparation of a well-defined bis(NHCs)-Co complex via this pincer NHC ligand consisting of a N-H substructure was successful, and it exhibits equally excellent catalytic activity for the hydrogenation of C=O bonds.

Reversible cleavage of C(sp3)-H bonds can enable racemization or epimerization, offering a valuable tool to edit the stereochemistry of organic compounds. While epimerization reactions operating via cleavage of acidic C(sp3)-H bonds, such as the Cα-H of carbonyl compounds, have been widely used in organic synthesis and enzyme-catalyzed biosynthesis, epimerization of tertiary carbons bearing a nonacidic C(sp3)-H bond is much more challenging with few practical methods available. Herein, we report the first synthetically useful protocol for the epimerization of tertiary carbons via reversible radical cleavage of unactivated C(sp3)-H bonds with hypervalent iodine reagent benziodoxole azide and H2O under mild conditions. These reactions exhibit excellent reactivity and selectivity for unactivated 3° C-H bonds of various cycloalkanes and offer a powerful strategy for editing the stereochemical configurations of carbon scaffolds intractable to conventional methods. Mechanistic study suggests that the unique ability of N3? to serve as a catalytic H atom shuttle is critical to reversibly break and reform 3° C-H bonds with high efficiency and selectivity.

The self-Assembly synthesis of Cu(II)-silsesquioxane involving 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (neocuproine) as an additional N ligand at copper atoms was performed. The reaction revealed an unprecedented aerobic hydroxylation of only one of the two methyl groups in neocuproine to afford the corresponding geminal diol. The produced derivative of oxidized neocuproine acts as a two-centered N,O ligand in the assembly of the hexacopper cage product [Cu6(Ph5Si5O10)2·(C14H11N2O2)2] (1), coordinating two of the six copper centers in the product. Two siloxanolate ligands [PhSi(O)O]5 in the cis configuration coordinate to the rest of the copper(II) ions. Compound 1 is a highly efficient homogeneous precatalyst in the oxidation of alkanes and alcohols with peroxides.

A new representative of an unusual family of metallagermaniumsesquioxanes, namely the heterometallic cagelike phenylgermsesquioxane (PhGeO2)12Cu2Fe5(O)OH(PhGe)2O5(bipy)2 (2), was synthesized and structurally characterized. Fe(III) ions of the complex are coordinated by oxa ligands: (i) cyclic (PhGeO2)12 and acyclic (Ph2Ge2O5) germoxanolates and (ii) O2- and (iii) HO- moieties. In turn, Cu(II) ions are coordinated by both oxa (germoxanolates) and aza ligands (2,2′-bipyridines). This "hetero-type" of ligation gives in sum an attractive pagoda-like molecular architecture of the complex 2. Product 2 showed a high catalytic activity in the oxidation of alkanes to the corresponding alkyl hydroperoxides (in yields up to 30%) and alcohols (in yields up to 100%) and in the oxidative formation of benzamides from alcohols (catalyst loading down to 0.4 mol % in Cu/Fe).

A chemo-enzymatic catalytic system, comprised of Bobbitt's salt and laccase from Trametes versicolor, allowed the [1,3]-oxidative rearrangement of endocyclic allylic tertiary alcohols into the corresponding enones under an Oxygen atmosphere in aqueous media. The yields were in most cases quantitative, especially for the cyclopent-2-en-1-ol or the cyclohex-2-en-1-ol substrates without an electron withdrawing group (EWG) on the side chain. Transpositions of macrocyclic alkenols or tertiary alcohols bearing an EWG on the side chain were instead carried out in acetonitrile by using an immobilized laccase preparation. Dehydro-Jasmone, dehydro-Hedione, dehydro-Muscone and other fragrance precursors were directly prepared with this procedure, while a synthetic route was developed to easily transform a cyclopentenone derivative into trans-Magnolione and dehydro-Magnolione. The rearrangement of exocyclic allylic alcohols was tested as well, and a dynamic kinetic resolution was observed: α,β-unsaturated ketones with (E)-configuration and a high diastereomeric excess were synthesized. Finally, the 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinium tetrafluoroborate (TEMPO+BF4?)/laccase catalysed oxidative rearrangement was combined with the ene-reductase/alcohol dehydrogenase cascade process in a one-pot three-step synthesis of cis or trans 3-methylcyclohexan-1-ol, in both cases with a high optical purity. (Figure presented.).

A readily accessible iridium(iii) phenyl-tetrazole complex ([Ir(ptrz)2(tBu-bpy)]+, 2; Hptrz = 2-methyl-5-phenyl-tetrazole; tBu-bpy = 4,4′-di-tert-butyl-2,2′-bipyridine) is shown to be a versatile catalyst for a new photocatalytic Michael reaction. Under light irradiation in the presence of 2, a dithiane 2-carboxylic acid, obtained by simple hydrolysis of a commercially available ethyl ester, generates a 1,3-dithiane radical capable of performing addition to a variety of Michael acceptors (e.g., unsaturated ketones, esters, amides and malonates). This broad scope reaction with high yields is a formal photo-redox addition of the elusive methyl radical and the adducts obtained can be starting materials for a variety of functionalized products. The excited-state oxidation potential of catalyst 2 allows selective formation of radicals only from α-heterosubstituted carboxylates. Chemical modification of this metal complex can tune the electrochemical properties, opening a route to new highly selective catalytic photo-oxidation reactions.

p-Tolylimido rhenium(V) complexes, trans-(Cl,Cl)-[Re(p-NC6H4CH3)Cl2(4-MeO-quin-2-COO)(PPh3)] (1), trans-(Br,Br)-[Re(p-NC6H4CH3)Br2(4-MeO-quin-2-COO)(PPh3)]·2MeCN (2), trans-(Cl,Cl)-[Re(p-NC6H4CH3)Cl2(isoquin-1-COO)(PPh3)] (3), trans-(Br,Br)-[Re(p-NC6H4CH3)Br2(isoquin-1-COO)(PPh3)] (4), cis-(Cl,Cl)-[Re(p-NC6H4CH3)Cl2(4-MeO-quin-2-COO)(PPh3)] (5), cis-(Br,Br)-[Re(p-NC6H4CH3)Br2(4-MeO-quin-2-COO)(PPh3)]·MeOH (6), cis-(Cl,Cl)-[Re(p-NC6H4CH3)Cl2(isoquin-1-COO)(PPh3)] (7) and cis-(Br,Br)-[Re(p-NC6H4CH3)Br2(isoquin-1-COO)(PPh3)] (8), have been synthesized and characterized using X-ray analysis and spectroscopic methods (IR,1H,13C and31P NMR, UV–Vis). To elucidate the structural, spectroscopic and bonding properties, the theoretical calculations at the DFT level were undertaken for 1, 3, 5 and 7. The synthesized complexes exhibited moderate activity in the oxidation of 1-phenylethanol and certain alkanes (n-heptane and methylcyclohexane) with tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) in acetonitrile. Chromatograms of products obtained from the alkanes indicated that a sufficient sterical hindrance exists around of the rhenium catalytic center.

Carboxylic group functionalized carbon balls have been successfully synthesized by using a facile synthesis method and well characterized with different characterization techniques such as XPS, MAS NMR, SEM, ICP and N2 physi-sorption analysis. The synthesized material has been effectively utilized as novel support to immobilized ruthenium catalyst for hydrogen economic reactions.

New hexanuclear nickel(II) silsesquioxane [(PhSiO1.5)12(NiO)6(NaCl)] (1) was synthesized as its dioxane-benzonitrile-water complex (PhSiO1,5)12(NiO)6(NaCl)(C4H8O2)13(PhCN)2(H2O)2 and studied by X-ray and topological analysis. The compound exhibits cylinder-like type of molecular architecture and represents very rare case of polyhedral complexation of metallasilsesquioxane with benzonitrile. Complex 1 exhibited catalytic activity in activation of such small molecules as light alkanes and alcohols. Namely, oxidation of alcohols with tert-butylhydroperoxide and alkanes with meta-chloroperoxybenzoic acid. The oxidation of methylcyclohexane gave rise to the isomeric ketones and unusual distribution of alcohol isomers.

An efficient and practical protocol for the flow hydrogenation of aromatic rings was developed. The hydrogenation of a variety of aromatic compounds, such as benzene, furan, and pyridine derivatives, could be completed within only 20 s during a single pass through a catalyst cartridge containing 10 % rhodium on carbon (Rh/C) or 10 % ruthenium on carbon (Ru/C) under neutral conditions. The protocol was successfully applied to a 10 mmol scale reaction. Furthermore, the 10 % Rh/C and 10 % Ru/C did not deteriorate during the entire study.

The reactions of mer-[Re(p-NTol)X3(PPh3)2] (X = Cl, Br) with chelating phenolate-based ligands (2-(2-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl)benzotriazole (HL1), 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)benzothiazole (HL2) or 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)benzoxazole (HL3)) afforded a series of p-tolylimido rhenium(v) complexes cis- or trans-(X,X)-[Re(p-NTol)X2(L)(PPh3)]·yMeCN (where X = Cl, Br; L = L1, L2, L3 and y = 0-2) and [Re(p-NTol)X(L)(PPh3)2]Z·pPPh3 (where X = Cl, Br; Z = ReO4, PF6; L = L1, L2, L3 and p = 0 or 1). The reported compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, NMR (1H, 13C and 31P) and X-ray crystallography. Interestingly, the halide ions of [Re(p-NTol)Cl2(L1)(PPh3)]·MeCN (1) and [Re(p-NTol)Cl2(L2)(PPh3)]·2MeCN (3) are in cis relative dispositions, whereas the complexes [Re(p-NTol)Br2(L)(PPh3)] (L1 for 2, L2 for 4 and L3 for 6) and [Re(p-NTol)Cl2(L3)(PPh3)] (5) were found to be trans-(X,X) isomers. The compounds [Re(p-NTol)X(L)(PPh3)2](PF6) (X = Cl, Br; L = L1 and L2) and [Re(p-NTol)X(L3)(PPh3)2](PF6)·PPh3 (X = Cl, Br) have been tested in oxidative catalysis. A few compounds exhibited very good catalytic properties in oxidation of alcohols with tert-BuOOH (TBHP) in acetonitrile solution at moderate temperatures. Complex [Re(p-NTol)Cl(L2)(PPh3)2]PF6 (13) is the catalyst of choice for oxidation of 1-phenylethanol to acetophenone (in 80% yield; turnover number attained 290 after 30 h) and cyclooctanol to cyclooctanone (in 88% yield). Notably lower activity has been found in the oxidation of alkanes with TBHP. Product distribution in the oxidation of methylcyclohexane indicates some steric hindrance around the reaction center.

Isomeric cage-like tetracopper(II) silsesquioxane complexes [(PhSiO1.5)12(CuO)4(NaO0.5)4] (1a), [(PhSiO1.5)6(CuO)4(NaO0.5)4(PhSiO1.5)6] (1b) and binuclear complex [(PhSiO1.5)10(CuO)2(NaO0.5)2] (2) have been studied by various methods. These compounds can be considered as models of some multinuclear copper-containing enzymes. Compounds 1a and 2 are good pre-catalysts for the alkane oxygenation with hydrogen peroxide in air in an acetonitrile solution. Thus, the 1a-catalyzed reaction with cyclohexane at 60°C gave mainly cyclohexyl hydroperoxide in 17% yield (turnover number, TON, was 190 after 230 min and initial turnover frequency, TOF, was 100 h-1). The alkyl hydroperoxide partly decomposes in the course of the reaction to afford the corresponding ketone and alcohol. The effective activation energy for the cyclohexane oxygenation catalyzed by compounds 1a and 2 is 16 ± 2 and 17 ± 2 kcal mol-1, respectively. Selectivity parameters measured in the oxidation of linear and branched alkanes and the kinetic analysis revealed that the oxidizing species in the reaction is the hydroxyl radical. The analysis of the dependence of the initial reaction rate on the initial concentration of cyclohexane led to a conclusion that hydroxyl radicals attack the cyclohexane molecules in proximity to the copper reaction centers. The oxidations of saturated hydrocarbons with tert-butylhydroperoxide (TBHP) catalyzed by complexes 1a and 2 exhibit unusual selectivity parameters which are due to the steric hindrance created by bulky silsesquioxane ligands surrounding copper reactive centers. Thus, the methylene groups in n-octane have different reactivities: the regioselectivity parameter for the oxidation with TBHP catalyzed by 1a is 1:10.5:8:7. Furthermore, in the oxidation of methylcyclohexane the position 2 relative to the methyl group of this substrate is noticeably less reactive than the corresponding positions 3 and 4. Finally, the oxidation of trans-1,2-dimethylcyclohexane with TBHP catalyzed by complexes 1a and 2 proceeds stereoselectively with the inversion of configuration. The 1a-catalyzed reaction of cyclohexane with H216O2 in an atmosphere of 18O2 gives cyclohexyl hydroperoxide containing up to 50% of 18O. The small amount of cyclohexanone, produced along with cyclohexyl hydroperoxide, is 18O-free and is generated apparently via a mechanism which does not include hydroxyl radicals and incorporation of molecular oxygen from the atmosphere.

Regio- and stereoselective oxidative hydroxylation of achiral or chiral organic compounds mediated by synthetic reagents, catalysts, or enzymes generally leads to the formation of one new chiral center that appears in the respective enantiomeric or diastereomeric alcohols. By contrast, when subjecting appropriate achiral compounds to this type of C-H activation, the simultaneous creation of two chiral centers with a defined relative and absolute configuration may result, provided that control of the regio-, diastereo-, and enantioselectivity is ensured. The present study demonstrates that such control is possible by using wild type or mutant forms of the monooxygenase cytochrome P450 BM3 as catalysts in the oxidative hydroxylation of methylcyclohexane and seven other monosubstituted cyclohexane derivatives.

The nickel(II)-acylperoxo complex [Ni(TpCF3Me) (κ2-mCPBA)] (1CF3Me) [TpCF3Me = hydrotris(3-trifluoromethyl-5-methylpyrazolyl)borate, mCPBA = m-chloroperbenzoate] was isolated and fully characterized. The electrophilic oxygenation ability of 1CF3Me toward sulfides and olefins was confirmed. The Michaelis-Menten-type behavior of thioanisole oxygenation indicates the existence of a pre-equilibrium of substrate association in the reaction. In addition, 1CF3Me retains H-atom abstraction ability for hydrocarbons with activated methylene C-H bonds (e.g., fluorene). The oxidations of styrenes and these readily oxidizable hydrocarbons follow second-order kinetics, first-order each with respect to 1CF3Me and substrate. The lack of clear acceleration in the decay of 1CF3Me in the presence of substrates with high C-H bond dissociation energies (e.g., cyclohexane) suggests that another reaction pathway contributes through the O-O-cleaved intermediate.

A multifunction Pd/Sc(OTf)3/ionic liquid catalyst for the tandem one-pot conversion of phenol to ε-caprolactam is reported. Pd and Sc(OTf)3 cooperate to catalyze the hydrogenation of phenol to cyclohexanone with excellent conversion (>99.9%) and selectivity (>99.9%), whereas Sc(OTf)3 and an ionic liquid, [bmim][PF6], cooperate to catalyze the tandem transformation of the resulting cyclohexanone to cyclohexanone oxime and the Beckmann rearrangement affording ε-caprolactam.

Reducing hazards: A asymmetric transfer hydrogen reaction was developed to reduce prochiral allylic alcohols in high yield and excellent enantioselectivity (see example). Mechanistic studies indicate a novel enantioselective isomerization/transfer hydrogenation mechanism. This new reaction is much safer than high-pressure hydrogenation using H2 gas. Copyright

The new MPV type reagent, Al-trifluoromethanesulfonyldiisobutylalane (DIBAO3SCF3), has been prepared and its reducing characteristics in the reduction of selected organic compounds containing representative functional groups have been examined, and compared its reactivity with that of Al-methanesulfonyldiisobutylalane (DIBAO3SCH 3) in order to understand the fluorine-substituent effect on its reactivity. In general, the reactivity of DIBAO3SCF3 appears to be much higher than that of DIBAO3SCH3, apparently due to the acidity increase by the electron-withdrawing fluorine-substituent. The reagent reduced aldehydes and ketones readily, but showed a perfect selectivity in the reduction of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes and ketones to produce the corresponding allylic alcohols in an absolutely 100% purity. In addition, the reagent achieved the regioselective cleavage of phenyl-or/and alkyl-substituted epoxides to the less substituted alcohols in a perfect regioselectivity. Moreover, the reagent also showed an high stereoselectivity in the reduction of substituted cycloalkanones to produce the thermodynamically more stable alcohol epimers exclusively.

The new mono- and dicopper(II) complexes [Cu(H3L 1)(NCS)] (1) and [Cu2(μ-HL2) 2(NCS)2] (2) were easily self-assembled from Cu(CH 3COO)2·H2O, NaNCS, NaOH and N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine (H 4L1) or N-ethyldiethanolamine (H2L 2), respectively. They were fully characterized by IR spectroscopy, ESI-MS(±), elemental and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses, and applied as homogeneous catalysts for (i) the oxidation of alkanes by t-BuOOH in air to alkyl peroxides, alcohols and ketones, and in turn the oxidation of alcohols to ketones, and (ii) the single-pot aqueous medium hydrocarboxylation, by CO, H2O and K2S2O8, of various linear and cyclic Cn (n = 5-8) alkanes into the corresponding C n+1 carboxylic acids. Compound 1 was significantly more active in the oxygenation of alkanes and oxidation of alcohols, allowing to achieve 18% yield (TON = 800) of oxygenates in the oxidation of cyclohexane, and 78% yield (TON = 780) of cyclohexanone in the oxidation of cyclohexanol. In alkane hydrocarboxylations, 1 and 2 exhibited comparable activities with the total yields (based on alkane) of carboxylic acids attaining 39%. The selectivity parameters for oxidative transformations were measured and discussed, supporting free-radical mechanisms.

A segmented flow capillary microreactor was used to perform the enzyme-catalyzed conversion of 1-heptaldehyde to 1-heptanol in a two liquid-liquid phase system. These reactor formats are established for chemical reactions but so far data describing the relevant system parameters for enzymatic catalysis are lacking. This work now addresses the impact of important parameters such as capillary diameter, flow velocity, phase ratio, and enzyme as well as substrate concentration on the performance of the enzymatic reaction under segmented flow conditions. All key parameters governing reaction performance have been correlated in a novel operational window for an easy assessment of the various system constraints. Such systems are characterized by high productivities and easy phase separation facilitating downstream processing. This work underscores the importance of segmented flow systems as a promising tool to perform multiphasic enzymatic catalysis. Abbreviations/ Nomenclature: Da: Damkoehler number; kcat: turnover number (s-1); eo: enzyme concentration (mM); I?: phase ratio; kL: mass transfer coefficient (m s-1); a: interfacial area per volume (m-1); CAe: equilibrium substrate concentration in the aqueous phase (mM); CAL: substrate concentration in the bulk aqueous phase (mM); rA: rate of reaction in the aqueous phase; mA: substrate mass transfer into the aqueous phase; STY: space time yield. Copyright

The new MPV type reagent, Al-methanesulfonyldiisobutylalane (DIBAO 3SCH3), has been prepared and its reducing characteristics in the reduction of selected organic compounds containing representative functional groups have been examined in order to find out a new reducing system with high selectivity in organic synthesis. In general, the reagent is extremely mild, showing only reactivity toward aldehydes, ketones and epoxides. The reagent exhibits a unique reducing applicability in organic synthesis. Thus, the reagent can achieve a clean 1,2-reduction of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes and ketones to produce the corresponding allylic alcohols in 100% purity. In addition, the reagent shows an excellent regioselectivity in the ring-opening reaction of epoxides. Finally, DIBAO3SCH3 shows a high stereo-selectivity in the reduction of cyclic ketones to produce the thermodynamically more stable epimers exclusively.

The homogeneous catalytic system composed of the aqua-soluble tetracopper(II) triethanolaminate complex [O?Cu4{N(CH2CH2O)3}4(BOH)4][BF4]2 (1), t-BuOOH (TBHP), water and acetonitrile solvent (optional) has been applied for the mild oxidation of (i) linear and cyclic alkanes to the corresponding alkyl peroxides, alcohols and ketones, (ii) secondary or primary alcohols to ketones or aldehydes, respectively and (iii) glycerol (GLY) to dihydroxyacetone (DHA). Unusual regio-, bond and stereoselectivity parameters have been determined for the alkane oxygenations and discussed in terms of possible steric, hydrophobic and electronic effects. In alcohol oxidations, secondary alcohols are the most reactive substrates. Yields and TONs up to 82% and 1200, respectively, have been obtained in the oxidation of isopropanol to acetone. The selective oxidation of GLY to DHA by the 1/TBHP system has been also achieved, although providing lower conversions. The 1/H2O2 system for the GLY oxidation is particularly advantageous in terms of selectivity and oxidant efficiency. These systems constitute one of the first examples of a metal-catalyzed oxidation of glycerol under homogeneous conditions.

Raney Ni-Al alloy in a dilute aqueous alkaline solution has been shown to be a very powerful reducing agent in the hydrogenation of phenol and alkylated phenols to the corresponding cyclohexanol derivatives.

An efficient and practical arene hydrogenation procedure based on the use of heterogeneous platinum group catalysts has been developed. Rh/C is the most effective catalyst for the hydrogenation of the aromatic ring, which can be conducted in iPrOH under neutral conditions and at ordinary to medium H 2 pressures (10 atm). A variety of arenes such as alkylbenzenes, benzoic acids, pyridines, furans, are hydrogenated to the corresponding cyclohexyl and heterocyclic compounds in good to excellet yields. The use of Ru/C, less expensive than Rh/C, affords an effective and practical method for the hydrogenation of arenes including phenols. Both catalysts can be reused several times after simple filtration without any significant loss of catalytic activity.

Raney Ni-Al alloy in a dilute aqueous alkaline solution has been shown to be a very powerful reducing agent and is highly effective for the reductive dehalogenation of polyhalogenated phenols and aromatic ring hydrogenation of phenols to the corresponding cyclohexanols.

Electrochemical regeneration of nicotinamide cofactors has been discussed as a promising, clean, and sustainable technology since the 1980s. However, most concepts for the coupling of this technology to enzymes suffer from low productivities, insufficient

A new recyclable rhodium catalyst was synthesized by a simple procedure from readily available reagents, which showed high activities in the hydrogenation of various arenes under 1 atm H2 at room temperature. The Royal Society of Chemistry 2005.

Stereoselective reductions of prochiral ketones were performed using a new thermophilic, NAD-dependent alcohol dehydrogenase from Thermus sp. (TADH). The enzyme was produced on 2L-scale from recombinant Escherichia coli and purified by a simple, one-step heat treatment procedure yielding 220 mg of pure enzyme. Regeneration of NADH was catalyzed by the organometallic complex [Cp*Rh(bpy)(H2O)]2+ using formate as a reducing agent. The catalytic performance of [Cp*Rh(bpy)(H2O)] 2+ in terms of total number of catalytic cycles and number of catalytic cycles per hour achieved herein (up to 1500 and more than 400 h -1, respectively), are the highest reported for a non-enzymatic nicotinamide regeneration system so far. Chemoenzymatic reduction reactions in a two liquid phase setup were performed on a gramme-scale, for example, 1.3 g of enantiopure (1S,3S)-3-methylcyclohexanol was obtained after purification. The volumetric productivity reached up to 3.9 mM h-1 with an average of 2.6 mM h-1 (5.3 g L-1 d-1) over 10 h. In addition, chemoenzymatic oxidations utilizing the same catalyst set and molecular oxygen as a terminal electron acceptor were performed. Thus, the preparative value of chemoenzymatic transfer hydrogenations with [Cp*Rh(bpy)(H2O)]2+ as a regeneration catalyst coupled especially to thermophilic ADHs was demonstrated.

Aqueous suspensions of iridium nanoparticles produced by the chemical reduction of IrCl3 assisted by sonication, in the presence of N,N-dimethyl-N-cetyl-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonium chloride salt as surfactant, have shown an efficient activity for the catalytic hydrogenation of various aromatic derivatives in biphasic media under mild conditions. These nanocatalysts can be reused for further runs with a total conservation of activity and provided significant catalytic lifetime for anisole hydrogenation in pure water with 3000 total turnover (TTO).

The effect of solvent on the rate and stereoselectivity of cyclic ketone reduction by Al-isopropoxydiisobutylalane (DIBAiOPr) has been investigated. In dichloromethane, DIBAiOPr behaves as a bulky reducing agent, approaching the carbonyl group along an equatorial trajectory to produce the axial alcohol with > 10:1 stereoselectivity. In sharp contrast, reduction in toluene gives the complementary outcome, affording the thermodynamically more stable isomer with > 99:1 stereoselectivity.

Al-free Zr-beta zeolite with Si/Zr up to 75 was synthesized in a fluoride medium. The incorporation of zirconium into zeolite beta induced the formation of increased amounts of polymorph B. Lewis acid sites were predominant in the Al-free Zr-beta. Zr-zeolite beta was an excellent catalyst in the Meerwein-Ponndorf-Verley (MPV) reduction of several alkyl- and aryl-substituted cyclohexanones, with high selectivity to the corresponding alcohols. The catalyst was reusable and no leaching was detected under the reaction conditions. A prominent feature of the Zr-zeolite beta catalyst was its ability to maintain activity even in the presence of rather significant amounts of water, ≤ 9 wt%. The high catalytic ability of Zr-beta zeolites for the MPV reaction was attributed to the presence of Lewis acid sites with appropriate acid strength and to the ease of ligand exchangeability of Zr. Zr-zeolite beta had predominantly Lewis acidity with higher Lewis acid strength than that of Ti- and Sn-zeolite beta, which enabled Zr-zeolite beta to bind the carbonyl group effectively. Regeneration of the catalyst after poisoning by benzoic acid can be effected by thorough washing with 2-propanol. The sample showed good tolerance to the presence of water and pyridine.

A reduced aqueous colloidal suspension of rhodium shows an efficient activity in the catalytic hydrogenation of various benzene derivatives under biphasic conditions at room temperature and under atmospheric hydrogen pressure. The rhodium nanoparticles in the size range of 2-2.5 nm have been synthesised by reducing RhCl3 · 3 H2O with sodium borohydride and were stabilised by highly water-soluble N,N-dimethyl-N-cetyl-N-(2- hydroxyethyl)ammonium salts (HEA16X, X = Br, Cl, I, CH3SO 3, BF4). The major influence of the counter-ion of these surfactants on catalytic activity and recycling is described. The best results have been obtained with chloride ammonium salts HEA16Cl.

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Saturated ketones and aldehydes are reduced to alcohols by phenylsilane and Mn(dpm)3(cat) in the presence of dioxygen.

In contrast to the dissolved metal and metal hydride reductions, the reduction of cyclic ketones by the aqueous TiCl3/NH3 system favours the formation of the less thermodynamically stable axial alcohol. The ammonium ion formed in situ is essential for the reduction to proceed because it behaves as a mild Br?nsted acid in basic medium and favours the protonation of the intermediate ketyl. The corresponding α-hydroxy radical is then rapidly reduced under conditions where the first electron transfer to the substrate takes place. We suggest that the stereoselectivity is determined by the second reduction step, which occurs through the less hindered transition state, regardless of whether the radical to be reduced is thermodynamically favoured or not.

A colloidal system based on an aqueous suspension of rhodium(0) nanoparticles proved to be an efficient catalyst for the hydrogenation of arene derivatives under biphasic conditions. The rhodium nanoparticles (2 - 2.5 nm) were synthesized by the reduction of RhCl3·3 H2O with sodium borohydride and were stabilized by highly water-soluble N-alkyl-N-(2- hydroxyethyl)ammonium salts (HEA-C(n)). These surfactant molecules were characterized by measurements of the surface tension and the aqueous dispersions with rhodium were observed by transmission electron cryomicroscopy. The catalytic system is efficient under ultramild conditions, namely room temperature and 1 atm H2 pressure. The aqueous phase which contains the protected rhodium(0) colloids can be reused without significant loss of activity. The microheterogeneous behavior of this catalytic system was confirmed on a mercury poisoning experiment.

(matrix presented) Highly cross-linked macroporous polymers are excellent supports for heterogenizing rhodium alkene hydrogenation and hydroboration catalysts. The permanent pore structure of the support enables high conversions and excellent yields with minimal workup (filtering). These heterogenized catalysts can be reused, and due to the permanent pore structure, they function in a broad range of solvents including polar protic. Control experiments reveal that catalysis occurs exclusively within the polymer matrix, and not due to leached catalyst.

Preparations of benzyl and phenylbis(2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl)hydroborates [organoditripylhydroborates] are outlined. The lithium and potassium benzylditripylhydroborates reduce substituted cyclohexanones with diastereoselectivities comparable to those obtained with the most selective reagents known (eg. 99% cis-4-methylcyclohexanol from 4-methylcyclohexanone). Lithium phenylditripylhydroborate also reduces ketones with significant selectivity. For example, 4-methylcyclohexanone is reduced to cis-4-methylcyclohexanol in 88% isomeric purity. Unlike with most other highly selective reagents the reactions take place at room temperature and have the additional advantage that the boron reagent can be recovered quantitatively. Coupling of Merrifield's resin with ditripylfluoroborane in the presence of lithium naphthalenide affords (ditripylborylmethyl)polystyrene. Similarly, coupling of bromopolystyrene with ditripylfluoroborane in the presence of n-BuLi affords (ditripylboryl)polystyrene. Reactions of these polymeric organoboranes with t-BuLi give the corresponding polymer-supported lithium hydroborates. Lithium ditripylhydroboratylmethylpolystyrene reduces cyclic ketones in identical fashion to its non-polymeric counterpart, giving the corresponding thermodynamically less stable alcohols in 99% or better isomeric purity. Similarly, lithium ditripylhydroboratylpolystyrene behaves like its non-polymeric counterpart and reduces 4-methylcyclohexanone to cis-4-methylcyclohexanol in 89% isomeric purity. Recovery and reuse of the organoboranes are even easier for the polymeric reagents. The Royal Society of Chemistry 1999.

Modification of lithium aluminum hydride(LAH) with (±)-threo-1,16- dibenzyloxy,7,8-dihydroxy hexadecane, prepared from (±)-threo- 9,10,16- trihydroxy hexadecanoic acid(aleuritic acid) for chemo- and stereo-selective reduction of carbonyl compounds is reported. Aldehydes were selectively reduced in the presence of a highly reactive cyclohexanone and other ketones. Stereoselectivity in reduction of ketones was observed in cases where high levels of the reagent was used.

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The stereoselective reduction of 3-trifluoromethylcyclohexanone (1a), (E)-1.1.1-(trifluoro-4-phenyl-3-buten-2-one (3a), and their unfluorinated analogues 1b and 3b has been performed with some growing microorganisms. Differences in the electronic and steric properties of the trifluoromethyl and methyl residues result in different chemo- and stereoselectivities in the microbial reduction of phenylbutenones 3a and 3b while cyclohexanones 1a and 1b showed strictly similar stereoselectivities. A new protocol based oil 13C NMR spectra of 2-phenylpropionic acid esters]has been used to assign the absolute configuration of the obtained secondary alcohols.

A range of carboxylic esters and acids have been converted efficiently to the corresponding alcohols with polymethylhydrosiloxane in the presence of catalytic tetrabutylammonium fluoride. The reduction of ketones and aldehydes with PMHS and other alkoxysilanes in the presence of TBAF or benzyltrimethylammonium hydroxide is also described.

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By use of Raney Nickel-Aluminium alloy in a saturated Ba(OH)2 solution, halophenols are easily hydrogenated at mild temperatures and at atmospheric pressure, giving the corresponding cyclohexanols.

The new variation of the Meerwein-Ponndorf-Verley reduction using 1-ethanol (6) or 1-tetralol (12) (3 equiv.) as the reducting alcohols and Zr(OtBu)4 as the catalyst (0.2 equiv.) is kinetically controlled and highly stereoselective.Preferential axial attack is achieved with the sterically less bulky alcohol 6 in the case of 4-tert-butyl- and 3-methylcyclohexanones (1a -> 96percent axial and 3a -> 93percent axial attack).The combination tetralol (12)/Zr(OtBu)4 behaves as a very bulky reducting agent, and the thermodynamically less stable alcohols 2c (80percent) and 4c (92 - 96percent) are formed preferentially in the reduction of 2a and 4b.The fused bicyclic systems 1-methyl-2-tetralone (14a) and flavanone (15a) and the steroids 16a-18a are reduced with high stereoselectivity to the corresponding cis alcohols 14b and 15b and the β-alcohols 16b-18b.The stereochemical outcome is in agreement with the Felkin-Ahn model. - Key Words: Reduction / Meerwein-Ponndorf-Verley reduction / Catalysis / Zirconium tetra-tert-butoxide / Stereochemistry / Diastereoselectivity / Felkin-Ahn model

Lithium aminoborohydrides (LiABH3) are a new class of powerful yet selective reducing agents that reproduce, in air, virtually all of the transformations for which lithium aluminum hydrides is now used.LiABH3's can be readily prepared as solids or generated in situ, are nonpyrophoric, and liberate hydrogen only slowly with protic solvents above pH 4.LiABH3's can be handled in dry air as easily as sodium borohydride and retain their chemical activity for at least 6 month when stored under nitrogen or dry air at 25 deg C.LiABH3's can be synthesized from any primary or secondary amine, thus allowing control of the steric and electronic environment of these reagents.

Lithium aminoborohydrides (LAB), obtained by the reaction of n-butyllithium with aminoboranes, are powerful reducing agents for a wide range of functional groups including the carbonyl group of alkylcyclohexanones.Reduction of 2-methylcyclohexanone with LAB reagents shows superior formation of the axial alcohol as compared to sodium borohydride (NaBH4).Reduction of 3- and 4-methylcyclohexanones shows formation of the equatorial alcohol in proportions similar to that obtained with NaBH4.Reduction of 4-tert-butylcyclohexanone leads predominantly to the corresponding cyclohexanol containing an equatorial alcohol group.Unlike NaBH4, LAB reagents are soluble in ether solvents allowing for homogeneous reductions.