Epimerization reaction of a substituted vinylcyclopropane catalyzed by ruthenium carbenes: mechanistic analysis.
A novel ruthenium carbene-catalyzed epimerization of vinylcyclopropanes is reported. The reaction rate strongly depends on the presence of ruthenium ligands in solution. When the first-generation Grubbs catalyst is employed, a 5.3:1 equilibrium ratio of epimers is established quickly, but when a first-generation Hoveyda catalyst is employed, epimerization is observed only if an additional phosphine or nitrogen ligand is added. NMR and kinetic studies suggest that the isomerization reaction occurs through the intermediacy of a ruthenacyclopentene. The observation suggests that cyclopropylmethylidene ruthenium carbenes of synthetic utility may be accessible via ruthenacyclopentenes obtained via other routes.
Zeng
Xingzhong
X
Department of Chemical Development, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 900 Ridgebury Road, Ridgefield, Connecticut 06877, USA.
Wei
Xudong
X
Farina
Vittorio
V
Napolitano
Elio
E
Xu
Yibo
Y
Zhang
Li
L
Haddad
Nizar
N
Yee
Nathan K
NK
Grinberg
Nelu
N
Shen
Sherry
S
Senanayake
Chris H
CH
D002384:Catalysis; D003521:Cyclopropanes / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry*; D006838:Hydrocarbons / Q000737:chemistry; D008697:Methane / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000737:chemistry; D008956:Models, Chemical; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D012428:Ruthenium / Q000737:chemistry*; D013237:Stereoisomerism; D014753:Vinyl Compounds / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry*
D003521:Cyclopropanes; D006838:Hydrocarbons; D014753:Vinyl Compounds; C030011:carbene; D012428:Ruthenium; D008697:Methane