4,5,12,13-Tetrabromo[2.2]paracyclophane - A New Bis(aryne) Equivalent

The reaction of 2 with nBuLi at -78°C generates aryne intermediates within the aromatic rings of [2.2]paracyclophane which are trapped in Diels-Alder reactions with dienes like furan, 1,9-diphenylisobenzofuran, or cyclopentadiene. Reductive deoxygenation with low-valent titanium reagents or TMSI converts the adducts of furan and isobenzofuran into anti-[2.2]paracyclophanes 4 and 5, respectively. The reaction of two aryne intermediates with [2.2](2,5)furanophane (7) yields 8 with three [2.2]paracyclophane units arranged in a stair-like fashion; yet, in this compound the highly shielded oxygen atoms cannot be removed anymore by reduction

Hydrogen adsorption on and desorption from Si: Considerations on the applicability of detailed balance

The translational energy of D2 desorbed from Si(100) and Si(111) surfaces was measured and found roughly equal to the thermal expectation at the surface temperature Ts. Combining these results with previously measured internal state distributions, the total energy of the desorbed molecules is approximately equal to the equilibrium expectation at Ts. Thus adsorption experiments, which suggest a large energetic barrier, are at variance with desorption experiments, which exhibit a trivial adsorption barrier, and the applicability of detailed balance for this system needs to be reexamined

Decarbonylative Cross Coupling of Phthalimides with Diorganozinc Reagents—Efforts Toward Catalysis

The decarbonylative coupling of phthalimides with diorganozinc reagents to form o-substituted benzamides has been previously demonstrated as a viable process, but only with stoichiometric nickel(0). Investigations into a number of reaction variables, including solvent, ligand, and substrate substitution, have yielded multiple sets of conditions capable of achieving up to 10 catalyst turnovers, most successfully with the use of electron withdrawing nitrogen substituents on the phthalimide. In addition, these investigations have provided insight into the intermediates within the catalytic cycle and have revealed new approaches to the development of a general catalytic methodology

Nickel-Catalyzed Carbon–Carbon Bond-Forming Reactions of Unactivated Tertiary Alkyl Halides: Suzuki Arylations

The first Suzuki cross-couplings of unactivated tertiary alkyl electrophiles are described. The method employs a readily accessible catalyst (NiBr[subscript 2]·diglyme/4,4′-di-tert-butyl-2,2′-bipyridine, both commercially available) and represents the initial example of the use of a group 10 catalyst to cross-couple unactivated tertiary electrophiles to form C–C bonds. This approach to the synthesis of all-carbon quaternary carbon centers does not suffer from isomerization of the alkyl group, in contrast with the umpolung strategy for this bond construction (cross-coupling of a tertiary alkylmetal with an aryl electrophile). Preliminary mechanistic studies are consistent with the generation of a radical intermediate along the reaction pathway.National Institute of General Medical Sciences (U.S.) (R01-GM62871)Merck Research Laboratories (Summer Fellowship