Substrate studies metal exchange

Organomercurials are available by electrophilic substitution reactions in appropriate substrates or by metal-metal exchange reactions. Most of the studies of azine mercurials have been in the field of nucleosides, especially on carbosubstitution of mercurials in the 5-position in pyrimidine nucleosides derived from uracil and cytidine. Pyrimidine nucleosides are readily attacked by electrophiles such as Hg(II) acetate in the pyrimidine 5-position. The acetate is used for solubility reasons, but is often changed to a halide before coupling reactions <84TL2431>. 

Catalysts - A commercial Raney nickel (RNi-C) and a laboratory Raney nickel (RNi-L) were used in this study. RNi-C was supplied in an aqueous suspension (pH < 10.5, A1 < 7 wt %, particle size 0.012-0.128 mm). Prior to the activity test, RNi-C catalyst (2 g wet, 1.4 g dry, aqueous suspension) was washed three times with ethanol (20 ml) and twice with cyclohexane (CH) (20 mL) in order to remove water from the catalyst. RCN was then exchanged for the cyclohexane and the catalyst sample was introduced into the reactor as a suspension in the substrate. RNi-L catalyst was prepared from a 50 % Ni-50 % A1 alloy (0.045-0.1 mm in size) by treatment with NaOH which dissolved most of the Al. This catalyst was stored in passivated and dried form. Prior to the activity test, the catalyst (0.3 g) was treated in H2 at 250 °C for 2 h and then introduced to the reactor under CH. Raney cobalt (RCo), a commercial product, was treated likewise. Alumina supported Ru, Rh, Pd and Pt catalysts (powder) containing 5 wt. % of metal were purchased from Engelhard in reduced form. Prior to the activity test, catalyst (1.5 g) was treated in H2 at 250 °C for 2 h and then introduced to the reactor under solvent. 10 % Ni and 10 % Co/y-Al203 (200 m2/g) catalysts were prepared by incipient wetness impregnation using nitrate precursors. After drying the samples were calcined and reduced at 500 °C for 2 h and were then introduced to the reactor under CH. 

---