ORFEO-CINQA Research Network

This review covers diastereo- and enantiodivergent catalyzed reactions in acyclic and cyclic systems using metal complexes or organocatalysts. Among them, nucleophilic addition to carbon-carbon and carbon-nitrogen double bonds, α-functionalization of carbonyl compounds, allylic substitutions, and ring opening of oxiranes and aziridines are considered. The diastereodivergent synthesis of alkenes from alkynes is also included. Finally, stereodivergent intramolecular and intermolecular cycloadditions and other cyclizations are also reported.

This tutorial review provides a systematic overview of the available methodologies for the atroposelective transformation of (heterobiaryl)biaryl precursors toward the synthesis of enantiomerically enriched products and the conceptual aspects associated to each type of transformation. Depending on the presence or absence of symmetry in the starting material and the participation of racemization or dynamization events along the process, several strategies have been developed, including desymmetrization, classical kinetic resolution (KR), dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) and dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformation (DYKAT). Seminal contributions and a handful of selected examples are discussed to illustrate the potential of these synthetic tools.

The combination of a chromium(III) salophen bromide complex and tetrabutylammonium bromide is shown to catalyze the reaction between terminal epoxides and carbon dioxide at ambient temperature and 1 bar carbon dioxide pressure and between internal epoxides and carbon dioxide at 80 °C and 10 bar carbon dioxide pressure to form cyclic carbonates. The optimal conditions involve the use of 1.5–2.5 mol % of both the chromium(III) salophen bromide complex and tetrabutylammonium bromide and result in the formation of cyclic carbonates in 57–92% isolated yields after a reaction time of 24 h. Under these conditions, no polycarbonate formation is observed except when cyclohexene oxide is used as substrate. The reactions were found to proceed with retention of epoxide stereochemistry. A study of the reaction kinetics revealed that the chromium(III) complex and tetrabutylammonium bromide react together to form a six-coordinate anionic chromium complex which is the actual catalyst, and a catalytic cycle is proposed which explains the experimentally observed results.

Metal-catalyzed regiodivergent reactions allow control over regioselectivity in the synthesis of a wide range of organic products. Starting from the same material, it is possible to prepare different regioisomers just by appropriately choosing the catalyst or by modifying the reaction conditions. Therefore, these regiodivergent methodologies should be included as the key factor in the concept of efficiency and atom economy in synthetic organic chemistry. The synthetic potential of this subject has been demonstrated mainly in addition reactions to unsaturated carbon-carbon bonds, allylic and propargylic nucleophilic substitutions, C-H activation reactions, cross-couplings, and intramolecular or intermolecular cyclizations. This review article overviews the development and rationalization of regiodivergence in these fundamental reactions in the last 15 years.

Azomethine imines are considered 1,3-dipoles of the aza-allyl type which are transient intermediates and should be generated in situ but can also be stable and isolable compounds. They react with electron-rich and electron-poor olefins as well as with acetylenic compounds and allenoates mainly by a [3 + 2] cycloaddition but they can also take part in [3 + 3], [4 + 3], [3 + 2 + 2] and [5 + 3] with different dipolarophiles. These 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions (1,3-DC) can be performed not only under thermal or microwave conditions but also using metallo- and organocatalytic systems. In recent years enantiocatalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions have been extensively considered and applied to the synthesis of a great variety of dinitrogenated heterocycles with biological activity. Acyclic azomethine imines derived from mono and disubstituted hydrazones could be generated by prototropy under heating or by using Lewis or Brønsted acids to give, after [3 + 2] cycloadditions, pyrazolidines and pyrazolines. Cyclic azomethine imines, incorporating a C-N bond in a ring, such as isoquinolinium imides are the most widely used dipoles in normal and inverse-electron demand 1,3-DC allowing the synthesis of tetrahydro-, dihydro- and unsaturated pyrazolo[1,5-a]isoquinolines in racemic and enantioenriched forms with interesting biological activity. Pyridinium and quinolinium imides give the corresponding pyrazolopyridines and indazolo[3,2-a]isoquinolines, respectively. In the case of cyclic azomethine imines with an N-N bond incorporated into a ring, N-alkylidene-3-oxo-pyrazolidinium ylides are the most popular stable and isolated dipoles able to form dinitrogen-fused saturated and unsaturated pyrazolopyrazolones as racemic or enantiomerically enriched compounds present in many pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals and other useful chemicals.

. Silica nanoparticles are potential adsorbents for pollutants. We present herein an overview of the different types of silica nanoparticles going from the definitions to properties, synthetic approaches and the mention of potential applications. We focus mainly on the recent advances in the adsorption of different target substances (metal ions, dyes and other organics).

Rheology plays a crucial role in the field of extrusion-based three-dimensional (3D) printing, particularly in the context of hydrogels. Hydrogels have gained popularity in 3D printing due to their potential applications in tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and drug delivery. The rheological properties of the printing material have a significant impact on its behaviour throughout the 3D printing process, including its extrudability, shape retention, and response to stress and strain. Thus, understanding the rheological characteristics of hydrogels, such as shear thinning behaviour, thixotropy, viscoelasticity, and gelling mechanisms, is essential for optimising the printing process and achieving desired product quality and accuracy. This review discusses the theoretical foundations of rheology, explores different types of fluid and their properties, and discusses the essential rheological tests necessary for characterising hydrogels. The paper emphasises the importance of terminology, concepts, and the correct interpretation of results in evaluating hydrogel formulations. By presenting a detailed understanding of rheology in the context of 3D printing, this review paper aims to assist researchers, engineers, and practitioners in the field of hydrogel-based 3D printing in optimizing their printing processes and achieving desired product outcomes.

An important strategy for the efficient generation of diversity in molecular structures is the utilization of common starting materials in chemodivergent transformations.

Molecules with restricted rotation around a single bond or atropisomers are found in a wide number of natural products and bioactive molecules as well as in chiral ligands for asymmetric catalysis and smart materials. Although most of these compounds are biaryls and heterobiaryls displaying a C-C stereogenic axis, there is a growing interest in less common and more challenging axially chiral C-N atropisomers. This review offers an overview of the various methodologies available for their asymmetric synthesis. A brief introduction is initially given to contextualize these axially chiral skeletons, including a historical background and examples of natural products containing axially chiral C-N axes. The preparation of different families of C-N based atropisomers is then presented from anilides to chiral five- and six-membered ring heterocycles. Special emphasis has been given to modern catalytic asymmetric strategies over the past decade for the synthesis of these chiral scaffolds. Applications of these methods to the preparation of natural products and biologically active molecules will be highlighted along the text.

This review article will consider the preparation and application of ynones in synthetic organic chemistry. Concerning the preparation of these bifunctional compounds, several methodologies starting from propargyl alcohols, acyl derivatives, both by using alkynylmetal reagents or by transition metal (mainly palladium and copper) catalyzed alkynylations, carbon monoxide (carbonylation of terminal alkynes and alkenes), and other substrates will be discussed. The reactivity and synthetic applications of ynones will be focused on conjugate additions with boron-, carbon-, nitrogen-, oxygen-, and other heteroatom-containing nucleophiles, as well as radicals. Then, cycloaddition processes will include [2 + 2] cycloadditions, [3 + 2] 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions (with azides, nitrones, azomethine imines and ylides, nitrile oxides, diazo compounds, and other dipoles), and [4 + 2] cycloadditions (mainly Diels-Alder-type reactions). The reduction of the triple bond, addition to the carbonyl group (using carbon- and heteronucleophiles and reductions), and other not so commonly used processes (such as aldol reactions, cyclizations, and isomerizations) will be considered at the end.

Aromaticity is one of the most deeply rooted concepts in chemistry. But why, if two-thirds of existing compounds can be classified as aromatic, is there no consensus on what aromaticity is? σ-, π-, δ-, spherical, Möbius, or all-metal aromaticity… why are so many attributes needed to specify a property? Is aromaticity a dubious concept? This perspective aims to reflect where the aromaticity community is and where it is going.

A highly regio-, diastereo-, and enantioselective, scalable Ir-catalyzed hydroarylation of electron-rich acyclic and tensioned cyclic olefins with heterobiaryls is described. The reaction of acyclic vinyl ethers, dihydrofuran, and norbornenes with a variety of aryl isoquinoline, quinazoline, and picoline derivatives takes place with simultaneous installation of central and axial chirality, reaching complete branched/linear or exo/endo ratios and excellent diastereo- and enantiomeric excesses when in situ formed [Ir I /Tol-SDP] or [Ir I /Tol-BINAP] complexes are used as the catalysts. Deuterium labeling experiments and a comprehensive computational study suggest that, despite fast double bond migratory insertion into Ir–H, the reaction proceeds through a modified Chalk–Harrod mechanism, starting with selectivity-determining insertion into Ir–C Aryl . The regioselectivity is controlled by the electron-donating alkoxy group, whereas diastereo- and enantioselectivity have a complex origin, which depend on the relative orientation of the alkoxy group and the establishment of adequate π–π interactions between the biaryl and the phosphine.

Abstract The Lewis acid(LA)‐catalyzed Diels–Alder reaction between isoprene and methyl acrylate was investigated quantum chemically using a combined density functional theory and coupled‐cluster theory approach. Computed activation energies systematically decrease as the strength of the LA increases along the series I 2 4 4 2 3 3 . Emerging from our activation strain and Kohn–Sham molecular orbital bonding analysis was an unprecedented finding, namely that the LAs accelerate the Diels–Alder reaction by a diminished Pauli repulsion between the π‐electron systems of the diene and dienophile. Our results oppose the widely accepted view that LAs catalyze the Diels–Alder reaction by enhancing the donor–acceptor [HOMO diene –LUMO dienophile ] interaction and constitute a novel physical mechanism for this indispensable textbook organic reaction.

In recent years, mechanochemistry has become an innovative and sustainable alternative to traditional solvent-based synthesis. Mechanochemistry rapidly expanded across a wide range of chemistry fields, including diverse organic compounds and active pharmaceutical ingredients, coordination compounds, organometallic complexes, main group frameworks, and technologically relevant materials. This Review aims to highlight recent advancements and accomplishments in mechanochemistry, underscoring its potential as a viable and eco-friendly alternative to conventional solution-based methods in the field of synthetic chemistry.

This review summarizes the trends in the formation of complex or not so complex heterocyclic structures through 1,3-dipolar cy­cloadditions of azomethine ylides. Diastereo- and enantioselective processes as well as non-asymmetric cycloadditions constitute very important synthetic tools for achieving these compounds. This review covers the literature from 2015 through 2016 and organizes the research in terms of biologically important heterocycles and natural products from cascade 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions of azomethine ylides to the simpler forms of 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition. 1 Introduction 2 Synthesis of Spirooxindoles 3 Synthesis of Spiropyrrolidines 4 Synthesis of Spiropiperidines and Piperidines 5 Synthesis of Pyrrolidines and Fused Pyrrolidines 6 Synthesis of Pyrrolizidines and Indolizidines 7 Synthesis of Quinolone and Isoquinolines 8 Conclusions

π-backdonation. The heavier alkaline earth metals calcium, strontium and barium use their s/d valence orbitals for covalent bonding. They are therefore to be assigned to the transition metals.

A highly diastereo- and enantioselective, scalable Pd-catalyzed dynamic kinetic asymmetric Heck reaction of heterobiaryl sulfonates with electron-rich olefins is described. The coupling of 2,3-dihydrofuran or N-boc protected 2,3-dihydropyrrole with a variety of quinoline, quinazoline, phthalazine, and picoline derivatives takes place with simultaneous installation of central and axial chirality, reaching excellent diastereo- and enantiomeric excesses when in situ formed [Pd 0 /DM-BINAP] was used as the catalyst, with loadings reduced down to 2 mol % in large scale reactions. The coupling of acyclic, electron-rich alkenes can also be performed using a [Pd 0 /Josiphos ligand] to obtain axially chiral heterobiaryl α-substituted alkenes in high yields and enantioselectivities. Products from Boc-protected 2,3-dihydropyrrole can be easily transformed into N, N ligands or appealing axially chiral, bifunctional proline-type organocatalysts. Computational studies suggest that a β-hydride elimination is the stereocontrolling step, in agreement with the observed stereochemical outcome of the reaction.

The first example of a frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) solely constructed around transition metal centers is described in this work. We have focused on the established capacity of Au(I) and Pt(0) complexes to act as Lewis acidic and basic fragments, respectively, while employing sufficiently bulky P t Bu 3 and terphenyl phosphine ligands. This avoids formation of metallic Lewis adducts and confers the Au(I)/Pt(0) pair a remarkable capacity to activate dihydrogen and acetylene molecules in a fashion that closely resembles that of traditional main group FLP systems. As a consequence, unusual heterobimetallic Au(I)/Pt(II) complexes containing hydride (−H), acetylide (−C≡CH), and vinylene (−HC═CH−) bridges have been isolated.

Organic chemistry has undoubtedly had a profound impact on humanity. Day in and day out, we find ourselves constantly surrounded by organic compounds. Pharmaceuticals, plastics, fuels, cosmetics, detergents, and agrochemicals, to name a few, are all synthesized by organic reactions. Very often, these reactions require a catalyst in order to proceed in a timely and selective manner. Lewis acids and organocatalysts are commonly employed to catalyze organic reactions and are considered to enhance the frontier molecular orbital (FMO) interactions. A vast number of textbooks and primary literature sources suggest that the binding of a Lewis acid or an iminium catalyst to a reactant (R1) stabilizes its LUMO and leads to a smaller HOMO(R2)-LUMO(R1) energy gap with the other reactant (R2), thus resulting in a faster reaction. This forms the basis for the so-called LUMO-lowering catalysis concept. Despite the simplicity and popularity of FMO theory, a number of deficiencies have emerged over the years, as a consequence of these FMOs not being the operative factor in the catalysis. LUMO-lowering catalysis is ultimately incomplete and is not always operative in catalyzed organic reactions. Our groups have recently undertaken a concerted effort to generate a unified framework to rationalize and predict chemical reactivity using a causal model that is rooted in quantum mechanics. In this Account, we propose the concept of Pauli repulsion-lowering catalysis to understand the catalysis in fundamental processes in organic chemistry. Our findings emerge from state-of-the-art computational methods, namely, the activation strain model (ASM) of reactivity in conjunction with quantitative Kohn-Sham molecular orbital theory (KS-MO) and a matching energy decomposition analysis (EDA). The binding of the catalyst to the substrate not only leads to a stabilization of its LUMO but also induces a significant reduction of the two-orbital, four-electron Pauli repulsion involving the key molecular orbitals of both reactants. This repulsion-lowering originates, for the textbook Lewis acid-catalyzed Diels-Alder reaction, from the catalyst polarizing the occupied π orbital of the dienophile away from the carbon atoms that form new bonds with the diene. This polarization of the occupied dienophile π orbital reduces the occupied orbital overlap with the diene and constitutes the ultimate physical factor responsible for the acceleration of the catalyzed process as compared to the analogous uncatalyzed reaction. We show that this physical mechanism is generally applicable regardless of the type of reaction (Diels-Alder and Michael addition reactions) and the way the catalyst is bonded to the reactants (i.e., from pure covalent or dative bonds to weaker hydrogen or halogen bonds). We envisage that the insights emerging from our analysis will guide future experimental developments toward the design of more efficient catalytic transformations.

Review on organosilica-based materials in supported organocatalysis.