Intramolecular substitutions of secondary and tertiary alcohols with chirality transfer by an iron (III) catalyst

Optically pure alcohols are abundant in nature and attractive as feedstock for organic synthesis but challenging for further transformation using atom efficient and sustainable methodologies, particularly when there is a desire to conserve the chirality. Usually, substitution of the OH group of stereogenic alcohols with conservation of chirality requires derivatization as part of a complex, stoichiometric procedure. We herein demonstrate that a simple, inexpensive, and environmentally benign iron(III) catalyst promotes the direct intramolecular substitution of enantiomerically enriched secondary and tertiary alcohols with O-, N-, and S-centered nucleophiles to generate valuable 5-membered, 6-membered and aryl-fused 6-membered heterocyclic compounds with chirality transfer and water as the only byproduct. The power of the methodology is demonstrated in the total synthesis of (+)-lentiginosine from D-glucose where iron-catalysis is used in a key step. Adoption of this methodology will contribute towards the transition to sustainable and bio-based processes in the pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries.Peer reviewe

Excited State Aromaticity and Antiaromaticity : Fundamental Studies and Applications

The central theme of this thesis is the ability to tune various molecular properties by controlling and utilizing aromaticity and antiaromaticity in the lowest electronically excited states. This investigation is based on qualitative theory, quantum chemical (QC) calculations and experimental work. Baird's rule tells that the π-electron count for aromaticity and antiaromaticity is reversed in the ππ* triplet (T1) state when compared to Hückel's rule for the singlet ground state. The excited state aromatic character of [4n]annulenes is probed by usage of two structural moieties, the cyclopropyl (cPr) group and the silacyclobutene (SCB) ring. The results of QC calculations and photoreactivity experiments showed that the cPr group and the SCB ring remained closed when attached to or fused with [4n]annulenes so as to preserve T1 aromatic stabilization. In contrast, both moieties ring-opened when attached to or fused with [4n+2]annulenes as a means for alleviation of T1 antiaromaticity. These two structural moieties are shown to indicate T1 aromatic character of [4n]annulenes except in a limited number of cases. The T1 antiaromatic character of compounds with 4n+2 π-electrons was utilized for photo(hydro)silylations and photohydrogenations. QC calculations showed that due to T1 antiaromaticity, benzene is able to abstract hydrogen atoms from trialkylsilanes. The photoreactions occurred under mild conditions for benzene and certain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. In contrast, COT was found to be unreactive under similar conditions. It is further revealed that various properties of molecules can be tailored by rational design using Baird’s rule. Three modes of connectivity (linear, bent, and cyclic) of polycyclic conjugated hydrocarbons (PCH) were explored by DFT calculations. When the PCHs contain a central [4n]unit and 4nπ-electron perimeter, bent isomers have lower triplet state energies than linear ones due to increased T1 aromaticity in the bent isomers. With regard to the cyclic connectivity, macrocyclic compounds are designed by modifying the C20 monocycle through incorporation of monocyclic units (all-carbon as well as heterocyclic) and the impact of macrocyclic T1 aromaticity upon insertion of different units is examined through QC calculations. The results provide insights on excited state aromaticity in macrocyclic systems

Excited State Aromaticity and Antiaromaticity : Fundamental Studies and Applications

The central theme of this thesis is the ability to tune various molecular properties by controlling and utilizing aromaticity and antiaromaticity in the lowest electronically excited states. This investigation is based on qualitative theory, quantum chemical (QC) calculations and experimental work. Baird's rule tells that the π-electron count for aromaticity and antiaromaticity is reversed in the ππ* triplet (T1) state when compared to Hückel's rule for the singlet ground state. The excited state aromatic character of [4n]annulenes is probed by usage of two structural moieties, the cyclopropyl (cPr) group and the silacyclobutene (SCB) ring. The results of QC calculations and photoreactivity experiments showed that the cPr group and the SCB ring remained closed when attached to or fused with [4n]annulenes so as to preserve T1 aromatic stabilization. In contrast, both moieties ring-opened when attached to or fused with [4n+2]annulenes as a means for alleviation of T1 antiaromaticity. These two structural moieties are shown to indicate T1 aromatic character of [4n]annulenes except in a limited number of cases. The T1 antiaromatic character of compounds with 4n+2 π-electrons was utilized for photo(hydro)silylations and photohydrogenations. QC calculations showed that due to T1 antiaromaticity, benzene is able to abstract hydrogen atoms from trialkylsilanes. The photoreactions occurred under mild conditions for benzene and certain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. In contrast, COT was found to be unreactive under similar conditions. It is further revealed that various properties of molecules can be tailored by rational design using Baird’s rule. Three modes of connectivity (linear, bent, and cyclic) of polycyclic conjugated hydrocarbons (PCH) were explored by DFT calculations. When the PCHs contain a central [4n]unit and 4nπ-electron perimeter, bent isomers have lower triplet state energies than linear ones due to increased T1 aromaticity in the bent isomers. With regard to the cyclic connectivity, macrocyclic compounds are designed by modifying the C20 monocycle through incorporation of monocyclic units (all-carbon as well as heterocyclic) and the impact of macrocyclic T1 aromaticity upon insertion of different units is examined through QC calculations. The results provide insights on excited state aromaticity in macrocyclic systems

Excited State Aromaticity and Antiaromaticity : Fundamental Studies and Applications

The central theme of this thesis is the ability to tune various molecular properties by controlling and utilizing aromaticity and antiaromaticity in the lowest electronically excited states. This investigation is based on qualitative theory, quantum chemical (QC) calculations and experimental work. Baird's rule tells that the π-electron count for aromaticity and antiaromaticity is reversed in the ππ* triplet (T1) state when compared to Hückel's rule for the singlet ground state. The excited state aromatic character of [4n]annulenes is probed by usage of two structural moieties, the cyclopropyl (cPr) group and the silacyclobutene (SCB) ring. The results of QC calculations and photoreactivity experiments showed that the cPr group and the SCB ring remained closed when attached to or fused with [4n]annulenes so as to preserve T1 aromatic stabilization. In contrast, both moieties ring-opened when attached to or fused with [4n+2]annulenes as a means for alleviation of T1 antiaromaticity. These two structural moieties are shown to indicate T1 aromatic character of [4n]annulenes except in a limited number of cases. The T1 antiaromatic character of compounds with 4n+2 π-electrons was utilized for photo(hydro)silylations and photohydrogenations. QC calculations showed that due to T1 antiaromaticity, benzene is able to abstract hydrogen atoms from trialkylsilanes. The photoreactions occurred under mild conditions for benzene and certain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. In contrast, COT was found to be unreactive under similar conditions. It is further revealed that various properties of molecules can be tailored by rational design using Baird’s rule. Three modes of connectivity (linear, bent, and cyclic) of polycyclic conjugated hydrocarbons (PCH) were explored by DFT calculations. When the PCHs contain a central [4n]unit and 4nπ-electron perimeter, bent isomers have lower triplet state energies than linear ones due to increased T1 aromaticity in the bent isomers. With regard to the cyclic connectivity, macrocyclic compounds are designed by modifying the C20 monocycle through incorporation of monocyclic units (all-carbon as well as heterocyclic) and the impact of macrocyclic T1 aromaticity upon insertion of different units is examined through QC calculations. The results provide insights on excited state aromaticity in macrocyclic systems

High-Value Chemicals from Electrocatalytic Depolymerization of Lignin: Challenges and Opportunities

Lignocellulosic biomass is renewable and one of the most abundant sources for the production of high-value chemicals, materials, and fuels. It is of immense importance to develop new efficient technologies for the industrial production of chemicals by utilizing renewable resources. Lignocellulosic biomass can potentially replace fossil-based chemistries. The production of fuel and chemicals from lignin powered by renewable electricity under ambient temperatures and pressures enables a more sustainable way to obtain high-value chemicals. More specifically, in a sustainable biorefinery, it is essential to valorize lignin to enhance biomass transformation technology and increase the overall economy of the process. Strategies regarding electrocatalytic approaches as a way to valorize or depolymerize lignin have attracted significant interest from growing scientific communities over the recent decades. This review presents a comprehensive overview of the electrocatalytic methods for depolymerization of lignocellulosic biomass with an emphasis on untargeted depolymerization as well as the selective and targeted mild synthesis of high-value chemicals. Electrocatalytic cleavage of model compounds and further electrochemical upgrading of bio-oils are discussed. Finally, some insights into current challenges and limitations associated with this approach are also summarized

High-Value Chemicals from Electrocatalytic Depolymerization of Lignin: Challenges and Opportunities

Lignocellulosic biomass is renewable and one of the most abundant sources for the production of high-value chemicals, materials, and fuels. It is of immense importance to develop new efficient technologies for the industrial production of chemicals by utilizing renewable resources. Lignocellulosic biomass can potentially replace fossil-based chemistries. The production of fuel and chemicals from lignin powered by renewable electricity under ambient temperatures and pressures enables a more sustainable way to obtain high-value chemicals. More specifically, in a sustainable biorefinery, it is essential to valorize lignin to enhance biomass transformation technology and increase the overall economy of the process. Strategies regarding electrocatalytic approaches as a way to valorize or depolymerize lignin have attracted significant interest from growing scientific communities over the recent decades. This review presents a comprehensive overview of the electrocatalytic methods for depolymerization of lignocellulosic biomass with an emphasis on untargeted depolymerization as well as the selective and targeted mild synthesis of high-value chemicals. Electrocatalytic cleavage of model compounds and further electrochemical upgrading of bio-oils are discussed. Finally, some insights into current challenges and limitations associated with this approach are also summarized

The Silacyclobutene Ring : An Indicator of Triplet State Baird-Aromaticity

Baird’s rule tells that the electron counts for aromaticity and antiaromaticity in the first ππ* triplet and singlet excited states (T1 and S1) are opposite to those in the ground state (S0). Our hypothesis is that a silacyclobutene (SCB) ring fused with a [4n]annulene will remain closed in the T1 state so as to retain T1 aromaticity of the annulene while it will ring-open when fused to a [4n + 2]annulene in order to alleviate T1 antiaromaticity. This feature should allow the SCB ring to function as an indicator for triplet state aromaticity. Quantum chemical calculations of energy and (anti)aromaticity changes along the reaction paths in the T1 state support our hypothesis. The SCB ring should indicate T1 aromaticity of [4n]annulenes by being photoinert except when fused to cyclobutadiene, where it ring-opens due to ring-strain relief

Infrastructural Investments and Economic Growth: Evidence from Pakistan

Purpose: The goal of this study is to make an attempt to find out the relationships between infrastructural investments and economic growth. Design/Methodology/Approach: The study employs time series data over the years from 1972 to 2020. To observe the long-run and short-run impact of infrastructural investments on economic growth, an ARDL modeling approach to co- integration is used that is most suitable technique over some other techniques of integration after inspecting the stationary level of data via ADF test. Findings: The findings of the study indicate that Investments on Railways, Roads, Gas Projects, Telecommunication, Water Projects and Power Projects appear as efficient factors for enhancing economic growth of Pakistan in the long run. Implications/Originality/Value: It is suggested that government should increase the public and private investment for development of Railways, Roads, Telecommunication and Water projects in Pakistan

Synthesis and crystal structures of the nickel(ii) and [tri(nbutyl)] tin(iv) complexes with the new sulfonamide carboxylic acid, 4-{(2-nitrophenylsulfonamido)methyl} cyclohexanecarboxylic acid

The structures of the nickel(II) and [tri(n-butyl)]tin(IV) complexes with the sulfonamide carboxylic acid, 4-{(2-nitrophenylsulfonamido)methyl}cyclohexanecarboxylic acid, [Ni(C14H17N2O6S)2(H2O)4], (1), and [Sn(C4H9)3(C14H17N2O6S)]n, (2) have been determined. Crystals of 1 are triclinic, space group P−1, with unit cell dimensions a = 5.2264(4), b = 6.2415(2), c = 27.1409(16) Å, α = 85.682(4), β = 89.935(4), γ = 82.861(5)o and Z = 1, while compound 2 is monoclinic, space group C2/c, with unit cell dimensions a = 30.425(3), b = 10.1384(5), c = 19.4463(13) Å, β = 92.303(7)o and Z = 8. Compound 1 is a discrete centrosymmetric octahedral NiO6 complex comprising four waters and two O-donors from inversion-related monodentate carboxylate ligands. Compound 2 is coordination polymeric with the five-coordinate SnIV centre having the common trigonal bipyramidal repeat unit with three tri(n-butyl) groups occupying the trigonal plane of the bipyramid and the carboxylate O-donors bridging the apical sites.</p

Triplet State Baird-Aromaticity in Macrocycles: Scope, Limitations and Complications

The aromaticity of cyclic 4np-electron molecules in their first pp* triplet state (T1), labelled Baird-aromaticity, has gained growing attention in the last decade. Here we explore computationally the limitations of T1 state Baird-aromaticity in macrocyclic compounds, [n]CM’s, which are cyclic oligomers of four different monocycles (M = para-phenylene (PP), 2,5-linked furan (FU), 1,4-linked cyclohexa-1,3-diene (CHD), and 1,4-linked cyclopentadiene (CPD)). We strive for conclusions that are general for various DFT functionals, although for macrocycles with up to 20 p-electrons in their main conjugation paths we find that for their T1 states single-point energies at both canonical UCCSD(T) and approximative DLPNO-UCCSD(T) levels are lowest when based on UB3LYP over UM06-2X and UCAM-B3LYP geometries. This finding is in contrast to what has earlier been observed for the electronic ground state of expanded porphyrins. Yet, irrespective of functional, macrocycles with 2,5-linked furans ([n]CFU’s) retain Baird-aromaticity until larger n than those composed of the other three monocycles. Also, when based on geometric, electronic and energetic aspects of aromaticity, a 3[n]CFU with a specific n is more strongly Baird-aromatic than the analogous 3[n]CPP while the magnetic indices tell the opposite. To construct large T1 state Baird-aromatic [n]CM’s the design should be such that the T1 state Baird-aromaticity of the macrocyclic perimeter dominates over a situation with local closed-shell Hückel-aromaticity of one or a few monocycles and semi-localized triplet diradical character. Monomers with lower Hückel-aromaticity in S0 than benzene (e.g., furan) that do not impose steric congestion are preferred. Structural confinement imposed by, e.g., methylene bridges is also an approach to larger Baird-aromatic macrocycles. Finally, by using the Zilberg-Haas description of T1 state aromaticity we reveal the analogy to the Hückel-aromaticity of the corresponding closed-shell dications, yet, observe stronger Hückel-aromaticity in the macrocyclic dications than Baird-aromaticity in the T1 states of the neutral macrocycles. </p