Epoxides, ring openings solvent effects

Model computational studies aimed at understanding structure-reactivity relationships and substituent effects on carbocation stability for aza-PAHs derivatives were performed by density functional theory (DFT). Comparisons were made with the biological activity data when available. Protonation of the epoxides and diol epoxides, and subsequent epoxide ring opening reactions were analyzed for several families of compounds. Bay-region carbocations were formed via the O-protonated epoxides in barrierless processes. Relative carbocation stabilities were determined in the gas phase and in water as solvent (by the PCM method). 

Osmium is unrivalled as catalyst for the asymmetric cis-dihydroxylation of olefins. However, Sato and coworkers reported that the perfluorosulfonic acid resin, Nafion (see Chapter 2) is an effective catalyst for the trans-dihydroxyla-tion of olefins with H202 [86]. The method is organic solvent-free and the catalyst can be easily recycled (see Fig. 4.33). The first step of this reaction is epoxi-dation which is probably carried out by resin-supported peroxysulfonic acid formed in situ. This is followed by acid-catalyzed epoxide-ring opening. 

The PS-TBD catalyst has been shown to be effective for epoxide ring opening reactions with several nucleophiles such as thiols under solvent free conditions [37,78] (Scheme 6.21). In this case, the reusabihty of the catalyst was also established without a significant loss of reactivity and selectivity. As a related work, the utility of mesoporous silica-supported TBD catalysts was demonstrated in the reaction of propylene oxide with carbon dioxide to prepare the corresponding carbonate derivative under the ultrasonic activation [79]. 

A decisive solvent effect is also observed with other a,/ -epoxy ketones. Specifically, 3jS-hydroxy-16a,17a-epoxypregn-5-en-20-one and its acetate do not react with thiocyanic acid in ether or chloroform. However, the corresponding thiocyanatohydrins are formed by heating an acetic acid solution of the epoxide and potassium thiocyanate. As expected, the ring opening reaction is subject to steric hindrance. For example, 3j6-acetoxy-14f ,15f5-epoxy-5) -card-20(22)-enoIide is inert to thiocyanic acid in chloroform, whereas the 14a,15a-epoxide reacts readily under these conditions.Reactions of 14a,15a-epoxides in the cardenolide series yields isothiocyanatohydrins, e.g., (135), in addition to the normal thiocyanatohydrin, e.g., (134). 

A number of reaction variables or parameters have been examined. Catalyst solutions should not be prepared and stored since the resting catalyst is not stable to long term storage. However, the catalyst solution must be aged prior to the addition of allylic alcohol or TBHP. Diethyl tartrate and diisopropyl tartrate are the ligands of choice for most allylic alcohols. TBHP and cumene hydroperoxide are the most commonly used terminal oxidant and are both extremely effective. Methylene chloride is the solvent of choice and Ti(i-OPr)4 is the titanium precatalyst of choice. Titanium (IV) t-butoxide is recommended for those reactions in which the product epoxide is particularly sensitive to ring opening from alkoxide nucleophiles. ... 

A direct application of the ring-opening reaction of an epoxide by a metal enolate amide for the synthesis of a complex molecule can be found in the synthesis of the trisubstituted cyclopentane core of brefeldin A (Scheme 8.35) [68a]. For this purpose, treatment of epoxy amide 137 with excess KH in THF gave a smooth cyclization to amide 138, which was subsequently converted into the natural product. No base/solvent combination that would effect cyclization of the corresponding aldehyde or ester could be found. 

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