ABSTRACT
ortho-N-Substituted pyridinium cations with the weakly coordinating anion [B(C6F5)4]- have been studied and crucial structural features in the sp2 C-H borylation catalysis of 3-methylthiophene have been identified. The electron-deficiency of the aromatic core of the cation is essential for activity together with accessible protons. The spectroscopic yield of the borylation of 3-methylthiophene with catecholborane (CatBH) was optimized up to 86% and the method was further applied to other substrates such as N-alkylbenzenes. A mechanistic DFT study revealed the rate-limiting step in the catalysis to be the liberation of molecular H2 (ΔG = 27.5 kcal mol-1), whereas the overall reaction was found to be exergonic by 5.1 kcal mol-1.
ABSTRACT
Exploiting catalytic carbonyl-olefin metathesis is an ongoing challenge in organic synthesis. Reported herein is an FeCl3 -catalyzed ring-closing carbonyl-olefin metathesis. The protocol allows access to a range of carbo-/heterocyclic alkenes with good efficiency and excellent trans diastereoselectivity. The methodology presents one of the rare examples of catalytic ring-closing carbonyl-olefin metathesis. This process is proposed to take place by FeCl3 -catalyzed oxetane formation followed by retro-ring-opening to deliver metathesis products.
