Origins of Stereospecificity and Divergent Reactivity of Pd-Catalyzed Cross Coupling with α,α-Disubstituted Alkenyl Hydrazones

J Org Chem. 2022 Nov 18;87(22):15608-15617. doi: 10.1021/acs.joc.2c02188. Epub 2022 Nov 1.

Abstract

This article presents an exploration of stereospecificity and divergent reactivity of Pd-catalyzed α,α-disubstituted alkenyl hydrazones to synthesize 1,4-dienes in the Z configuration and vinylcyclopropane. We calculated the energy profiles of four α,α-disubstituted alkenyl hydrazones. The results show that the energy profiles of the whole catalytic cycle are basically the same before the syn-carbopalladation step. Subsequent syn-β-C elimination yields skipping dienes, or direct β-H elimination yields vinylcyclopropane. Current theoretical calculations reveal that the stereospecificity and the divergent reactivity of reactions result from the competition between syn-β-C elimination and β-H elimination. The C-C bond rotation and subsequent syn-β-C elimination step control the stereospecificity of the reaction by changing the olefin stereostructure from E to Z configuration. The steric factor of α-substituted groups mediates the transformation between syn-β-C elimination and β-H elimination. The results are of great significance for the scientific design of substrates to achieve accurate synthesis of target products.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alkenes / chemistry
  • Catalysis
  • Hydrazones*
  • Palladium* / chemistry
  • Stereoisomerism

Substances

  • Palladium
  • Hydrazones
  • Alkenes