10.1021/ol050029d
The research investigates the impact of catalyst preactivation and ligand size on the yield, enantioselectivity, and regioselectivity of reactions involving amines and phenoxides with allylic carbonates using a metallacyclic iridium catalyst. The study aims to optimize the synthesis of allylic amines and ethers, which are valuable building blocks for pharmaceuticals and biologically active molecules. The researchers found that both preactivating the catalyst and altering the ligand's steric properties significantly improved the reaction outcomes. Specifically, the use of an activated catalyst containing a bis-naphthethylamino group and phosphoramidite ligands L1 and L2 led to high yields and high regio- and enantioselectivities for a broad range of allylic carbonates. The chemicals used in the process include [Ir(COD)Cl]2, phosphoramidite ligands L1 and L2, various amines, phenoxides, and allylic carbonates. The conclusions of the study highlight the importance of catalyst activation and ligand design in achieving efficient and selective catalytic reactions.
10.1039/c39870001373
The study investigates a new method for preparing diphenyl ethers by displacing an aromatic nitro group with phenoxides. It involves using substituted nitrobenzenes (2a-d) and various phenoxides, including sodium phenoxide and 2,6-disubstituted phenoxides, in dry dimethyl sulphoxide at 90°C for 16 hours. The nitrobenzenes act as the substrates, while the phenoxides serve as nucleophiles to displace the nitro group, forming diphenyl ethers. The study highlights that this method is particularly effective for synthesizing hindered diphenyl ethers from weakly nucleophilic phenoxides. The results show that the yield of diphenyl ethers is affected by the reaction temperature and the specific phenoxide used. Additionally, the study provides insights into the reaction mechanism, suggesting a radical nature rather than an anionic nucleophilic displacement mechanism in certain cases.