: The unpolarized absorption and circular dichroism spectra of the fundamental vibrational transitions of the chiral molecule, 4-methyl-2-oxetanone, are calculated ab initio. Harmonic force fields are obtained using Density Functional Theory (DFT), MP2, and SCF methodologies and a 5S4P2D/3S2P (TZ2P) basis set. DFT calculations use the Local Spin Density Approximation (LSDA), BLYP, and Becke3LYP (B3LYP) density functionals. Mid-IR spectra predicted using LSDA, BLYP, and B3LYP force fields are of significantly different quality, the B3LYP force field yielding spectra in clearly superior, and overall excellent, agreement with experiment. The MP2 force field yields spectra in slightly worse agreement with experiment than the B3LYP force field. The SCF force field yields spectra in poor agreement with experiment.The basis set dependence of B3LYP force fields is also explored: the 6-31G* and TZ2P basis sets give very similar results while the 3-21G basis set yields spectra in substantially worse agreements with experiment. jg

Ab initio calculation of vibrational absorption and circular dichroism spectra using density functional force fields

/pdf/advances-in-transition-metal-pd-ni-fe-catalyzed-cross-46kfk7jmlm.pdf

Advances in transition metal (Pd, Ni, Fe)-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions using alkyl-organometallics as reaction partners.

Tremendous advances have been made in nickel catalysis over the past decade Several key properties of nickel, such as facile oxidative addition and ready access to multiple oxidation states, have allowed the development of a broad range of innovative reactions In recent years, these properties have been increasingly understood and used to perform transformations long considered exceptionally challenging Here we discuss some of the most recent and significant developments in homogeneous nickel catalysis, with an emphasis on both synthetic outcome and mechanism

/pdf/recent-advances-in-homogeneous-nickel-catalysis-15ezarqd1c.pdf

Recent advances in homogeneous nickel catalysis

Nickel-Catalyzed Cross-Couplings Involving Carbon-Oxygen Bonds Brad M. Rosen, Kyle W. Quasdorf, Daniella A. Wilson, Na Zhang, Ana-Maria Resmerita, Neil K. Garg,* and Virgil Percec* Roy & Diana Vagelos Laboratories, Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-6323, United States Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States

/pdf/nickel-catalyzed-cross-couplings-involving-carbon-oxygen-1zs88el3fl.pdf

Nickel-Catalyzed Cross-Couplings Involving Carbon-Oxygen Bonds

We report an operationally simple, tin-free reductive dehalogenation system utilizing the well-known visible-light-activated photoredox catalyst Ru(bpy)3Cl2 in combination with iPr2NEt and HCO2H or Hantzsch ester as the hydrogen atom donor. Activated C−X bonds may be reduced in good yields with excellent functional-group tolerance and chemoselectivity over aryl and vinyl C−X bonds. The proposed mechanism involves visible-light excitation of the catalyst, which is reduced by the 3° amine to produce the single-electron reducing agent Ru(bpy)3+. A subsequent single-electron transfer generates the alkyl radical, which is quenched by abstraction of a hydrogen atom. Reductions can be accomplished on a preparative scale with as little as 0.05 mol % Ru catalyst.

Electron-transfer photoredox catalysis: development of a tin-free reductive dehalogenation reaction.

The formation of C–C bonds directly by catalytic reductive cross-coupling of two different electrophiles represents one of the practical synthetic protocols that differs from the conventional nucleophile/electrophile coupling methods. Particularly the reductive coupling of alkyl electrophiles with other electrophiles is still a challenge. This report summarizes the advances in the formation of C(sp3)–C(sp3) bonds between two alkyl electrophiles, with emphasis on the control of chemoselectivity that is exceedingly challenging to achieve due to similar structures and reactivities of two unactivated alkyl halides. The coupling of alkyl halides with aryl or acyl electrophiles was also discussed based on the chemical approach developed by our group, followed by a brief overview of the reactions of tertiary alkyl halides. In the end, a brief overview of the challenges in this exciting field was illustrated. Whereas the reaction mechanisms generating alkyl–alkyl products are proposed to involve reactions of Ni(I) species with alkyl halides to generate Ralkyl–Ni(III)–Ralkyl intermediates through a radical/Ni cage-rebound process, the obtained evidence seemingly supports that the radical chain mechanism governs the acylation and arylation of alkyl halides. The latter features a cage-escaped alkyl radical.

https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2015/qo/c5qo90045j

Nickel-catalyzed reductive coupling of alkyl halides with other electrophiles: concept and mechanistic considerations

The Ni-catalyzed reductive coupling of alkyl/aryl with other electrophiles has evolved to be an important protocol for the construction of C–C bonds. This chapter first emphasizes the recent progress on the Ni-catalyzed alkylation, arylation/ vinylation, and acylation of alkyl electrophiles. A brief overview of CO2 fixation is also addressed. The chemoselectivity between the electrophiles and the reactivity of the alkyl substrates will be detailed on the basis of different Nicatalyzed conditions and mechanistic perspective. The asymmetric formation of C(sp3)–C(sp2) bonds arising from activated alkyl halides is next depicted followed by allylic carbonylation. Finally, the coupling of aryl halides with other C(sp2)– electrophiles is detailed at the end of this chapter.

Nickel-Catalyzed Reductive Couplings

This work highlights Ni-catalyzed reductive coupling of alkyl acids with alkyl halides, particularly sterically hindered unactivated tertiary alkyl bromides for the production of all carbon quaternary ketones. The reductive strategy is applicable to α-selective synthesis of saturated, fully oxygenated C-acyl glycosides through easy manipulations of the readily available sugar bromides and alkyl acids, avoiding otherwise difficult multistep conversions. Initial mechanistic studies suggest that a radical chain mechanism (cycle B, Scheme 1) may be plausible, wherein MgCl2 promotes the reduction of NiII complexes.

Ni-Catalyzed Reductive Coupling of Alkyl Acids with Unactivated Tertiary Alkyl and Glycosyl Halides

A Ni-catalyzed Negishi cross-coupling approach to C-glycosides is described with an emphasis on C-aryl glycosides. The combination of NiCl2/PyBox in N,N'-dimethylimidazolidinone (DMI) enabled the synthesis of C-alkyl glycosides under mild reaction conditions. Moderate yields and beta-selectivities were obtained for C-glucosides, and good yields and high alpha-selectivities were the norm for C-mannosides. For C-aryl glycosides, reactions employing Ni(COD)2/(t)Bu-Terpy in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) were typically high yielding and provided C-glucosides with high beta-selectivities (1:>10 alpha:beta) and C-mannosides in moderate alpha-selectivities (3:1 alpha:beta); alpha-C-aryl glycosides could be obtained by the combination of Ni(COD)2/PyBox in DMF (>20:1 alpha:beta). The collective studies suggest that stereochemical control of the C-glycosides is dependent on the substrate and catalysts combination. The Negishi protocol displays excellent functional group tolerance, as demonstrated by its use in the first total synthesis of the natural product salmochelin SX.

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/ja300641c

Diastereoselective Ni-catalyzed Negishi cross-coupling approach to saturated, fully oxygenated C-alkyl and C-aryl glycosides

A mild Ni-catalyzed reductive arylation of tertiary alkyl halides with aryl bromides has been developed that delivers products bearing all-carbon quaternary centers in moderate to excellent yields with excellent functional group tolerance. Electron-deficient arenes are generally more effective in inhibiting alkyl isomerization. The reactions proceed successfully with pyridine or 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine, while imidazolium salts slightly enhance the coupling efficiency.

Hegui Gong

Papers

Nickel-catalyzed reductive coupling of alkyl halides with other electrophiles: concept and mechanistic considerations

Nickel-Catalyzed Reductive Couplings

Ni-Catalyzed Reductive Coupling of Alkyl Acids with Unactivated Tertiary Alkyl and Glycosyl Halides

Diastereoselective Ni-catalyzed Negishi cross-coupling approach to saturated, fully oxygenated C-alkyl and C-aryl glycosides

Nickel-Catalyzed Reductive Coupling of Aryl Bromides with Tertiary Alkyl Halides