Silica‐Supported Zirconium Complexes and their Polyoligosilsesquioxane Analogues in the Transesterification of Acrylates: Part 2. Activity,Recycling and Regeneration

The catalytic activity of both supported and soluble molecular zirconium complexes was studied in the transesterification reaction of ethyl acrylate by butanol. Two series of catalysts were employed: three well defined silica‐supported acetylacetonate and n‐butoxy zirconium(IV) complexes linked to the surface by one or three siloxane bonds, (SiO)Zr(acac)₃ ( 1 ) (SiO)₃Zr(acac) ( 2 ) and (SiO)₃Zr(O‐n‐Bu) ( 3 ), and their soluble polyoligosilsesquioxy analogues (c‐C₅H₉)₇Si₈O₁₂(CH₃)₂Zr(acac)₃ ( 1′ ), (c‐C₅H₉)₇Si₇O₁₂Zr(acac) ( 2′ ), and (c‐C₅H₉)₇Si₇O₁₂Zr(O‐n‐Bu) (3′ ). The reactivity of these complexes were compared to relevant molecular catalysts [zirconium tetraacetylacetonate, Zr(acac)₄ and zirconium tetra‐n‐butoxide, Zr(O‐n‐Bu)₄]. Strong activity relationships between the silica‐supported complexes and their polyoligosilsesquioxane analogues were established. Acetylacetonate complexes were found to be far superior to alkoxide complexes. The monopodal complexes 1 and 1′ were found to be the most active in their respective series. Studies on the recycling of the heterogeneous catalysts showed significant degradation of activity for the acetylacetonate complexes ( 1 and 2 ) but not for the less active tripodal alkoxide catalyst, 3 . Two factors are thought to contribute to the deactivation of catalyst: the lixivation of zirconium by cleavage of surface siloxide bonds and exchange reactions between acetylacetonate ligands and alcohols in the substrate/product solution. It was shown that the addition of acetylacetone to the low activity catalyst Zr(O‐n‐Bu)₄ produced a system that was as active as Zr(acac)₄. The applicability of ligand addition to heterogeneous systems was then studied. The addition of acetylacetone to the low activity solid catalyst 3 produced a highly active catalyst and the addition of a stoichiometric quantity of acetylacetone at each successive batch catalytic run greatly reduced catalyst deactivation for the highly active catalyst 1 .     

Monolith‐ and Silica‐Supported Carboxylate‐Based Grubbs–Herrmann‐Type Metathesis Catalysts

The synthesis of silica‐ and monolith‐supported Grubbs–Herrmann‐type catalysts is described. Two polymerizable, carboxylate‐containing ligands, exo, exo‐7‐oxanorborn‐2‐ene‐5,6‐dicarboxylic anhydride and 7‐oxanorborn‐2‐ene‐5‐carboxylic acid were surface‐immobilized onto silica‐ and ring‐opening metathesis (ROMP‐) derived monolithic supports using “grafting‐from” techniques. The “1^st generation Grubbs catalyst”, RuCl₂(CHPh)(PCy₃)₂, was used for these purposes. In addition, a poly(norborn‐2‐ene‐b‐exo, exo‐norborn‐2‐ene‐5,6‐dicarboxylic anhydride)‐coated silica 60 was prepared. The polymer supported anhydride and carboxylate groups were converted into the corresponding mono‐ and disilver salts, respectively, and reacted with the Grubbs–Herrmann catalyst RuCl₂(CHPh)(IMesH₂)(PCy₃) [IMesH₂=1,3‐bis(2,4,6‐trimethylphenyl)‐4,5‐dihydroimidazol‐2‐ylidene]. Heterogenization was accomplished by exchange of one chlorine ligand with the polymeric, immobilized silver carboxylates to yield monolith‐supported catalysts 4, 5 , and 6 as well as silica‐supported systems 7, 8 and 9 . The actual composition of these heterogenized catalysts was proven by the synthesis of a homogeneous analogue, RuCl[7‐oxanorbornan‐2‐(COOAg)‐3‐COO](CHPh)(IMesH₂)(PCy₃) ( 3 ). All homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts were used in ring‐closing metathesis (RCM) of diethyl diallylmalonate, 1,7‐octadiene, diallyldiphenylsilane, methyl trans‐3‐pentenoate, diallyl ether, N,N‐diallyltrifluoracetamide and t‐butyl N,N‐diallylcarbamate allowing turnover numbers (TON's) close to 1000. In a flow‐through set‐up, an auxiliary effect of pendant silver carboxylates was observed with catalyst 5 , where the silver moiety functions as a (reversible) phosphine scavenger that both accelerates initiation and stabilizes the catalyst by preventing phosphine elution. Detailed catalytic studies were carried out with the monolith‐supported systems 4 and 6 in order to investigate the effects of temperature and chain‐transfer agents (CTA's) such as cis‐1,4‐diacetoxybut‐2‐ene. In all RCM experiments Ru‐leaching was low, resulting in a Ru‐content of the RCM products ≤3.5 μg/g (3.5 ppm).     

Conjugate Reduction of α,β‐Unsaturated Carbonyl and Carboxyl Compounds with Poly(methylhydrosiloxane) Catalyzed by a Silica‐Supported Compact Phosphane–Copper Complex

A silica‐supported, cage‐type, compact phosphane (Silica‐SMAP) was used for the copper‐catalyzed conjugate reduction of α,β‐unsaturated carbonyl and carboxyl compounds with poly(methylhydrosiloxane) (PMHS). The heterogeneous catalyst system showed high activity and chemoselectivity, and was easily separable from the reaction mixture after the reaction. Furthermore, the catalyst was reusable without loss of its high catalytic activity or selectivity.     

Enantioselective Hydrogenation of β‐Acylamino Acrylates Catalyzed by Rhodium(I)‐Monophosphite Complexes

Chiral rhodium(I) complexes bearing monophosphite ligands, prepared from chiral Binol and (L )‐menthol, were found to be efficient catalysts for the asymmetric hydrogenation of β‐acylamino acrylates with ee values up to 94%.     

Efficient Heterogeneous Asymmetric Catalysis of the Mukaiyama Aldol Reaction by Silica‐ and Ionic Liquid‐Supported Lewis Acid Copper(II) Complexes of Bis(oxazolines)

Lewis acid complexes based on copper(II) and an imidazolium‐tagged bis(oxazoline) have been used to catalyse the asymmetric Mukaiyama aldol reaction between methyl pyruvate and 1‐methoxy‐1‐trimethylsilyloxypropene under homogeneous and heterogeneous conditions. Although the ees obtained in ionic liquid were similar to those found in dichloromethane, there was a significant rate enhancement in the ionic liquid with reactions typically reaching completion within 2 min compared with only 55 % conversion after 60 min in dichloromethane. However, this rate enhancement was offset by lower chemoselectivity in ionic liquids due to the formation of 3‐hydroxy‐1,3‐diphenylbutan‐1‐one as a by‐product. Supporting the catalyst on silica or an imidazolium‐modified silica using the ionic liquid or in an ionic liquid‐diethyl ether system completely suppressed the formation of this by‐product without reducing the enantioselectivity. Although the heterogeneous systems were characterised by a drop in catalytic activity the system could be recycled up to five times without any loss in conversion or ee.     

Synthesis of Polyacrylonitrile Fiber‐Supported Poly(ammonium methanesulfonate)s as Active and Recyclable Heterogeneous Brønsted Acid Catalysts

A new polyacrylonitrile fiber‐supported Brønsted acid catalyst has been developed and verified to efficiently (high yield, 10 cycles) mediate Biginelli reactions in ethanol, Pechmann condensations in toluene, Friedel–Crafts alkylations of indoles in water and conversion of fructose in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and mixed‐aqueous system.

     

Polymer‐Supported,Carbon Dioxide‐Protected N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes: Synthesis and Application in Organo‐ and Organometallic Catalysis

The synthesis of a resin‐supported, carbon dioxide‐protected N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) and its use in organocatalysis and organometallic catalysis are described. The resin‐bound carbon dioxide‐protected NHC‐based catalyst was prepared via ring‐opening metathesis copolymerization of 1,4,4a,5,8,8a‐hexahydro‐1,4,5,8‐exo,endo‐dimethanonaphthalene ( DMNH6 ) with 3‐(bicyclo[2.2.1]hept‐5‐en‐2‐ylmethyl)‐1‐(2‐propyl)‐3,4,5,6‐tetrahydropyrimidin‐1‐ium‐2‐carboxylate ( M1 ), using the well‐defined Schrock catalyst Mo[N‐2,6‐(2‐Pr)₂‐C₆H₃](CHCMe₂Ph)(OCMe₃)₂ and was used for a series of organocatalytic reactions, i.e., for the trimerization reaction of isocyanates, as well as for the cyanosilylation of carbonyl compounds. In the latter reaction, turn‐over numbers (TON) up to 5000 were achieved. In addition, the polymer‐supported, carbon dioxide‐protected N‐heterocyclic carbene served as an excellent progenitor for various polymer‐supported metal complexes. It was loaded with a series of rhodium(I), iridium(I), and palladium(II) precursors and the resulting Rh‐, Ir‐, and Pd‐loaded resins were successfully used in the polymerization of phenylacetylene, in the hydrogen transfer reaction to benzaldehyde, as well as in Heck‐type coupling reactions. In the latter reaction, TONs up to 100,000 were achieved. M1 , as a non‐supported analogue of poly‐M1‐b‐DMNH6 , as well as the complexes PdCl₂[1,3‐bis(2‐Pr)tetrahydropyrimidin‐2‐ylidene]₂ ( Pd‐1 ) and IrBr[1‐(norborn‐5‐ene‐2‐ylmethyl)‐3‐(2‐Pr)‐3,4,5,6‐tetrahydropyrimidin‐2‐ylidine](COD) ( Ir‐1 ) were used as homogeneous analogues and their reactivity in the above‐mentioned reactions was compared with that of the supported catalytic systems. In all reactions investigated, the TONs achieved with the supported systems were very similar to the ones obtained with the unsupported, homogeneous ones, the turn‐over frequencies (TOFs), however, were lower by up to a factor of three.     

Synthesis and Vanilloid Receptor (TRPV1) Activity of the Enantiomers of α‐Fluorinated Capsaicin

Spicing it up with fluorine : Enantiomers of α‐fluorinated capsaicin 2 , have been prepared by organocatalytic electrophilic fluorination and have been used as probes for the binding conformation of capsaicin to the TRPV1 pain receptor. No enantiomeric bias is observed, thus suggesting an extended binding conformation along the molecular axis.

     

Asymmetric Aldol Reaction of Thiazole‐Carbaldehydes: Regio‐ and Stereoselective Synthesis of Tubuvalin Analogues

The first organocatalytic enantioselective approach to precursors of tubuvaline (pre‐Tuv) is presented employing a prolinamide‐catalyzed aldol reaction of easily accessible thiazole‐carbaldehyde with methyl isopropyl ketone “on water” in excellent yield as well as regio‐ and enantioselectivities. The analogues of pre‐Tuv were achieved using an L ‐proline‐catalyzed direct asymmetric aldol reaction of substituted thiazole‐carbaldehydes with acetone. A direct and flexible approach to the tubavaline (Tuv) core of tubusylins has been established employing the reductive amination of the pre‐Tuv species. The key aldol reaction should greatly expand the potential of this strategy to the synthesis of natural product tubulysins and a range of analogues.

     

Selective Autooxidation of Ethanol over Titania‐Supported Molybdenum Oxide Catalysts: Structure and Reactivity

We study the selective catalytic oxidation of ethanol with air as a sustainable alternative route to acetaldehyde. The reaction is catalysed by molybdenum oxide supported on titania, in a flow reactor under ambient pressure. High selectivity to acetaldehyde (70%–89%, depending on the Mo loading) is obtained at 150 °C. Subsequently, we investigate the structure/performance relationship for various molybdenum oxide species using a combination of techniques including diffuse reflectance UV‐visible, infrared, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopies, X‐ray diffraction and temperature programmed reduction. As their surface density increases, the monomeric molybdenum oxide species undergo two‐dimensional and three‐dimensional oligomerisation. This results in polymolybdates and molybdenum oxide crystallites. Importantly, the ethanol oxidation rate depends not only on the overall molybdenum loading and dispersion, but also on the type of molybdenum oxide species prevalent at each surface density and on the domain size. As the molybdenum oxide oligomerisation increases, electron delocalisation becomes easier. This lowers the absorption edge energy and increases the reaction rate.     

Polymer‐Supported Indium Lewis Acid: Highly Versatile Catalyst for Regio‐ and Stereoselective Ring‐Opening of Epoxides

The first example of a polymer‐supported indium Lewis acid is presented. This new heterogeneous Amberlyst 15/indium complex effectively catalyses (20 mol % based on indium) the formation of new C C as well as C S bonds through the highly regio‐ and stereoselective ring‐opening reaction of enantiomerically pure epoxides. The easily prepared Amberlyst 15/indium Lewis acid does not require inert atmosphere conditions or anhydrous media and can be easily recovered and recycled for several times without loss of activity.     

Synthesis of Ruthenium Hydride Complexes Containing beta‐Aminophosphine Ligands Derived from Amino Acids and their use in the H2‐Hydrogenation of Ketones and Imines

The new complexes RuHCl(PPh₂CH₂CHRNH₂)₂ and RuHCl(PPh₂CH₂CHRNH₂)(R‐ binap), R=H (Pgly), R=Me [(R)‐Pala] were prepared by the substitution of the PPh₃ ligands in RuHCl(PPh₃)₃ or RuHCl(PPh₃)[(R)‐binap] with beta‐aminophosphines derived from amino acids. The complex trans‐RuHCl(Pgly)[(R)‐binap] has been characterized by X‐ray crystallography. The complex trans‐RuHCl[(S)‐Ppro]₂ where (S)‐Ppro is derived from proline was also prepared and characterized by X‐ray crystallography. These were used as catalyst precursors in the presence of a base (KOPr‐i or KOBu‐t) for the hydrogenation of various ketones and imines to the respective alcohols and amines with H₂ gas (1–11 atm) at room temperature. Acetophenone was hydrogenated to (S)‐1‐phenylethanol in low ee (up to 40%) when catalyzed by the enantiomerically pure complexes. These complexes are especially active in the hydrogenation of sterically congested and electronically deactivated ketones and imines and are selective for the hydrogenation of CO bonds over CC bonds.     

Palladium Nanoparticles in Water: A Reusable Catalytic System for the Cycloetherification or Benzannulation of α‐Allenols

A convenient ligand‐free catalytic system has been developed for the chemoselective cyclization reaction of various α‐allenol derivatives by palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs) in an aqueous reaction medium.

     

MIL-101 Supported Polyoxometalates: Synthesis,Characterization, and Catalytic Applications in Selective Liquid-Phase Oxidation

In this short review paper, we survey our recent achievements in the preparation of heterogeneous catalysts via incorporation of polyoxometalates (POMs) within cages of the mesoporous coordination polymer MIL-101, their physicochemical characterization, and application for liquid-phase selective oxidation of organic compounds with green oxidants — O₂ and aqueous H₂O₂. Special attention is paid to analyze a manifestation of confinement effects and to address the issues of catalytic activity and selectivity after immobilization and after recycling, catalyst resistance to POM leaching, and the nature of catalysis. The scope and limitations of POM/MIL-101 catalysts are discussed.     

Synthesis,Rhodium Complexes and Catalytic Applications of a New Water‐Soluble Triphenylphosphane‐Modified β‐Cyclodextrin

A new triphenylphosphane based on a β‐cyclodextrin skeleton (PM‐β‐CD‐OTPP) was synthesized. This ligand can be dispersed in water by using the nanoprecipitation method. Transmission electron microscopy and NMR spectroscopy showed that PM‐β‐CD‐OTPP is aggregated in water and forms a stable dispersion. Its aqueous solubility can be dramatically increased in the presence of selected water‐soluble guests by formation of inclusion complexes. Associated to a rhodium precursor, PM‐β‐CD‐OTPP is able to generate soluble rhodium species in water. In addition, NMR experiments showed that the cyclodextrin cavity remains accessible for a guest even when PM‐β‐CD‐OTPP is coordinated to rhodium. Finally, this ligand was efficient for rhodium‐catalyzed hydrogenation and hydroformylation performed in aqueous medium.     

Synthesis of Polymer‐Supported Fesulphos Ligands and their Application in Asymmetric Catalysis

The synthesis of two Fesulphos‐based chiral ligands and their immobilization on a polystyrene support is described. These supported chiral ligands act as very efficient catalysts in 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition and allylic substitution reactions providing the products with excellent enantioselectivities (91 to >99 % ee). Filtration of the catalyst from the reaction mixtures allows simple product isolation. The polymer‐supported Cu complex of chiral ligand PS‐ 8 can be recycled without further addition of a copper salt in 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition reactions.     

Encapsulated Cobalt Oxide on Carbon Nanotube Support as Catalyst for Selective Continuous Hydrogenation of the Showcase Substrate 1‐Iodo‐4‐nitrobenzene

A carbon nanotube supported catalyst containing cobalt/cobalt oxide (Co/Co₃O₄) nanoparticles encapsulated within a shell of nitrogen‐doped graphene layers (Co₃O₄/NGr@CNT) was prepared. It shows excellent chemoselectivity in the hydrogenation of 1‐iodo‐4‐nitrobenzene, which contains an iodine substituent highly sensitive against hydrodehalogenation. In contrast to traditional activated charcoal‐supported catalysts such as Pt‐V/C or the closely related Vulcan carbon black supported Co₃O₄/NGr@C, the advantageous morphological properties of the CNT support allow for the application of the new Co₃O₄/NGr@CNT as a fixed bed catalyst in a continuous flow reactor. Under optimized conditions, no dehalogenation side products could be detected. This remarkable selectivity in combination with its mechanical stability under operation conditions render Co₃O₄/NGr@CNT a catalyst particularly relevant for application in continuous processes based on a packed bed reactor.

     

Kinetic Resolution of 1‐Biaryl‐ and 1‐(Pyridylphenyl)alkan‐1‐ols Catalysed by the Lipase B from Candida antarctica

Lipase B from Candida antarctica (CAL‐B) catalyses the highly enantioselective (E>200) transesterification of some 1‐biaryl‐2‐yl‐, ‐3‐yl‐, and ‐4‐ylethanols and ‐propan‐1‐ols, as well as 1‐(o‐, m‐, and p‐pyridylphenyl)ethanols, 6 , with vinyl acetate, Kazlauskas' rule being obeyed in all cases. meta and para‐Substituted substrates were transformed within several hours (conversion degree ranging from 23–50%), reaction rates for propan‐1‐ol derivatives being slower than those for ethanol derivatives. Transesterifications of ortho‐substituted alcohols took several days and were accompanied by a chemoenzymatic side reaction: the formation of another acetate derived from the hemiacetal between 6 and acetaldehyde coming from vinyl acetate. This side reaction was suppressed in the presence of isopropenyl acetate as acyl donor, conversion degrees for transesterification ranging from 20–40% after ten days (E>200). The usefulness of (R)‐ 6p as ligand in the asymmetric addition of diethylzinc to benzaldehyde was also demonstrated.     

Transesterification of the crude Jatropha curcas L. oil catalyzed by micro‐NaOH in supercritical and subcritical methanol

Transesterification of the crude Jatropha curcas L. oil catalyzed by micro‐NaOH in supercritical/subcritical methanol was studied. The effects of various reaction variables such as the catalyst content, reaction temperature, reaction pressure and the molar ratio of methanol to oil on the conversion of crude Jatropha curcas L. oil to biodiesel were investigated. The results showed that even micro‐NaOH could noticeably improve this reaction. When NaOH was added from 0.2 to 0.5 to 0.8 wt‐‰ of triacylglycerols, the transesterification rate increased sharply; when the catalyst content was further increased, the reaction rate was just poorly improved. It was observed that increasing the reaction temperature had a favorable influence on the methyl ester yield. For the molar ratio ranging from 18 to 36, the higher the molar ratio of methanol to oil was charged, the faster the transesterification rate seemed. At the fixed stirring rate of 400 rpm, when the catalyst content, reaction temperature, reaction pressure and the molar ratio of methanol to oil were developed at 0.8 wt‐‰ NaOH, 523 K, 7.0 MPa and 24 : 1, respectively, the methyl ester yield could reach 90.5% within 28 min. Further, the kinetics of this reaction was involved and the results showed that it was a pseudo‐first‐order reaction whose apparent activation energy was 84.1 kJ/mol, and the pre‐exponential factor was 2.21×10⁵.