Alkenes hydrogen pressure effect

The variation of enantioselectivities with temperature and pressure was investigated. The effects of these two factors are very substrate dependent and difficult to generalize even in a single substrate serie. However, it seems that enantioselectivities are shghly better at 25-40 °C than at lower temperatures (0 °C or less). The stereoselectivity can be inverted for specific alkenes (formation of the S or R enantiomer preferentially). For several substrates, the reactions tend to proceed to completion with optimal ee s when performed at lower hydrogen pressure (2 bar) instead of 50 bar (Fig. 13). Pronoimced variation of enantioselectivities with hydrogen concentration in solution may indicate the presence of two (or even more) different mechanisms which happen to give opposite enantiomers for some substrates. 

In this chapter, we will study the elementary reaction steps of these mechanisms focusing primarily on the anthraphos systems. This chapter begins with a description of the impact of different methods (coupled cluster, configuration interaction and various DFT functionals), different basis sets, and phosphine substituents on the oxidative addition of methane to a related Ir system, [CpIr(III)(PH3)Me]+. Then, it compares the elementary reaction steps, including the effect of reaction conditions such as temperature, hydrogen pressure, alkane and alkene concentration, phosphine substituents and alternative metals (Rh). Finally, it considers how these elementary steps constitute the reaction mechanisms. Additional computational details are provided at the end of the chapter. 

It is interesting to note that HRh(CO)(PR3)3 is an efficient alkene hydrogenation catalyst. It also resembles the very effective hydrogenation catalyst, ClRh(PPh3)3 (Wilkinson s catalyst, Section 9-4-2). Apparently, when the partial pressure of CO exceeds 10 bar, the capability of the complex to hydrogenate alkenes is suppressed. 

The complex, [RhH(dbp)4] (selective catalyst for the homogeneous hydrogenation of terminal alkenes at 20 C and less than 1 atm of hydrogen pressure. In its activity and selectivity the complex resembles [RuClH(PPh3)3] but has the advantage of being more stable in the solid state. The kinetic studies of hydrogenation of hex-l-ene are consistent with the mechanism in Scheme 19. ... 

DiisononylPhthalate andDiisodeeylPhthalate. These primary plasticizers are produced by esterification of 0x0 alcohols of carbon chain length nine and ten. The 0x0 alcohols are produced through the carbonylation of alkenes (olefins). The carbonylation process (eq. 3) adds a carbon unit to an alkene chain by reaction with carbon monoxide and hydrogen with heat, pressure, and catalyst. In this way a Cg alkene is carbonylated to yield a alcohol a alkene is carbonylated to produce a C q alcohol. Due to the distribution of the C=C double bond ia the alkene and the varyiag effectiveness of certain catalysts, the position of the added carbon atom can vary and an isomer distribution is generally created ia such a reaction the nature of this distribution depends on the reaction conditions. Consequendy these alcohols are termed iso-alcohols and the subsequent phthalates iso-phthalates, an unfortunate designation ia view of possible confusion with esters of isophthaUc acid. 

An even more effective homogeneous hydrogenation catalyst is the complex [RhClfPPhsfs] which permits rapid reduction of alkenes, alkynes and other unsaturated compounds in benzene solution at 25°C and 1 atm pressure (p. 1134). The Haber process, which uses iron metal catalysts for the direct synthesis of ammonia from nitrogen and hydrogen at high temperatures and pressures, is a further example (p. 421). 

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