skip to main content


Title: Computational mechanistic studies of the carbon–carbon double bond difunctionalization via epoxidation and subsequent aminolysis in vegetable oils
Abstract

The industrial importance of the CC double bond difunctionalization in vegetable oils/fatty acid chains motivates computational studies aimed at helping to improve experimental protocols. The CC double bond epoxidation is studied with hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid (CH3CO3H), and performic acid (HCO3H) oxidizing agents. The epoxide ring‐opening mechanism is calculated in the presence of ZnCl2, NiCl2, and FeCl2Lewis acidic catalysts. Computations show that H2O2(∆G= 39 kcal/mol,TS1HP) is not an effective oxidizing agent compared to CH3CO3H (∆G= 29.8 kcal/mol,TS1PA) and HCO3H (∆G= 26.7 kcal/mol,TS1PF). The FeCl2(∆G= 14.7 kcal/mol,TS1FC) coordination to the epoxide oxygen facilitates the ring‐opening via lower energy barriers compared to the ZnCl2(∆G= 19.5 kcal/mol,TS1ZC) and NiCl2(∆G= 29.4 kcal/mol,TS1NC) coordination. ZnCl2was frequently utilized as a catalyst in laboratory‐scale procedures. The energetic span model identifies the FeCl2(FC) catalytic cycle as the best option for the epoxide ring‐opening.

 
more » « less
Award ID(s):
1855470
PAR ID:
10452111
Author(s) / Creator(s):
 ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  
Publisher / Repository:
Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)
Date Published:
Journal Name:
International Journal of Quantum Chemistry
Volume:
121
Issue:
10
ISSN:
0020-7608
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
More Like this
  1. Abstract

    Reaction of {LiC6H2−2,4,6‐Cyp3⋅Et2O}2(Cyp=cyclopentyl) (1) of the new dispersion energy donor (DED) ligand, 2,4,6‐triscyclopentylphenyl with SnCl2afforded a mixture of the distannene {Sn(C6H2−2,4,6‐Cyp3)2}2(2), and the cyclotristannane {Sn(C6H2−2,4,6‐Cyp3)2}3(3).2is favored in solution at higher temperature (345 K or above) whereas3is preferred near 298 K. Van't Hoff analysis revealed the3to2conversion has a ΔH=33.36 kcal mol−1and ΔS=0.102 kcal mol−1 K−1, which gives a ΔG300 K=+2.86 kcal mol−1, showing that the conversion of3to2is an endergonic process. Computational studies show that DED stabilization in3is −28.5 kcal mol−1per {Sn(C6H2−2,4,6‐Cyp3)2unit, which exceeds the DED energy in2of −16.3 kcal mol−1per unit. The data clearly show that dispersion interactions are the main arbiter of the3to2equilibrium. Both2and3possess large dispersion stabilization energies which suppress monomer dissociation (supported by EDA results).

     
    more » « less
  2. Abstract

    Reaction of {LiC6H2−2,4,6‐Cyp3⋅Et2O}2(Cyp=cyclopentyl) (1) of the new dispersion energy donor (DED) ligand, 2,4,6‐triscyclopentylphenyl with SnCl2afforded a mixture of the distannene {Sn(C6H2−2,4,6‐Cyp3)2}2(2), and the cyclotristannane {Sn(C6H2−2,4,6‐Cyp3)2}3(3).2is favored in solution at higher temperature (345 K or above) whereas3is preferred near 298 K. Van't Hoff analysis revealed the3to2conversion has a ΔH=33.36 kcal mol−1and ΔS=0.102 kcal mol−1 K−1, which gives a ΔG300 K=+2.86 kcal mol−1, showing that the conversion of3to2is an endergonic process. Computational studies show that DED stabilization in3is −28.5 kcal mol−1per {Sn(C6H2−2,4,6‐Cyp3)2unit, which exceeds the DED energy in2of −16.3 kcal mol−1per unit. The data clearly show that dispersion interactions are the main arbiter of the3to2equilibrium. Both2and3possess large dispersion stabilization energies which suppress monomer dissociation (supported by EDA results).

     
    more » « less
  3. Abstract

    A low‐spin and mononuclear vanadium complex, (Menacnac)V(CO)(η2‐P≡CtBu) (2) (Menacnac=[ArNC(CH3)]2CH, Ar=2,6‐iPr2C6H3), was prepared upon treatment of the vanadium neopentylidyne complex (Menacnac)V≡CtBu(OTf) (1) with Na(OCP)(diox)2.5(diox=1,4‐dioxane), while the isoelectronic ate‐complex [Na(15‐crown‐5)]{([ArNC(CH2)]CH[C(CH3)NAr])V(CO)(η2‐P≡CtBu)} (4), was obtained via the reaction of Na(OCP)(diox)2.5and ([ArNC(CH2)]CH[C(CH3)NAr])V≡CtBu(OEt2) (3) in the presence of crown‐ether. Computational studies suggest that the P‐atom transfer proceeds by [2+2]‐cycloaddition of the P≡C bond across the V≡CtBu moiety, followed by a reductive decarbonylation to form the V−C≡O linkage. The nature of the electronic ground state in diamagnetic complexes,2and4, was further investigated both theoretically and experimentally, using a combination of density functional theory (DFT) calculations, UV/Vis and NMR spectroscopies, cyclic voltammetry, X‐ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) measurements, and comparison of salient bond metrics derived from X‐ray single‐crystal structural characterization. In combination, these data are consistent with a low‐valent vanadium ion in complexes2and4. This study represents the first example of a metathesis reaction between the P‐atom of [PCO]and an alkylidyne ligand.

     
    more » « less
  4. Abstract

    A low‐spin and mononuclear vanadium complex, (Menacnac)V(CO)(η2‐P≡CtBu) (2) (Menacnac=[ArNC(CH3)]2CH, Ar=2,6‐iPr2C6H3), was prepared upon treatment of the vanadium neopentylidyne complex (Menacnac)V≡CtBu(OTf) (1) with Na(OCP)(diox)2.5(diox=1,4‐dioxane), while the isoelectronic ate‐complex [Na(15‐crown‐5)]{([ArNC(CH2)]CH[C(CH3)NAr])V(CO)(η2‐P≡CtBu)} (4), was obtained via the reaction of Na(OCP)(diox)2.5and ([ArNC(CH2)]CH[C(CH3)NAr])V≡CtBu(OEt2) (3) in the presence of crown‐ether. Computational studies suggest that the P‐atom transfer proceeds by [2+2]‐cycloaddition of the P≡C bond across the V≡CtBu moiety, followed by a reductive decarbonylation to form the V−C≡O linkage. The nature of the electronic ground state in diamagnetic complexes,2and4, was further investigated both theoretically and experimentally, using a combination of density functional theory (DFT) calculations, UV/Vis and NMR spectroscopies, cyclic voltammetry, X‐ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) measurements, and comparison of salient bond metrics derived from X‐ray single‐crystal structural characterization. In combination, these data are consistent with a low‐valent vanadium ion in complexes2and4. This study represents the first example of a metathesis reaction between the P‐atom of [PCO]and an alkylidyne ligand.

     
    more » « less
  5. Abstract

    MXenes are a new family of two-dimensional carbides and/or nitrides. Their 2D surfaces are typically terminated by O, OH and/or F atoms. Here we show that Ti3C2Tx—the most studied compound of the MXene family—is a good acid catalyst, thanks to the surface acid functionalities. We demonstrate this by applying Ti3C2Txin the epoxide ring-opening reaction of styrene oxide (SO) and its isomerization in the liquid phase. Modifying the MXene surface changes the catalytic activity and selectivity. By oxidizing the surface, we succeeded in controlling the type and number of acid sites and thereby improving the yield of the mono-alkylated product to >80%. Characterisation studies show that a thin oxide layer, which forms directly on the Ti3C2Txsurface, is essential for catalysing the SO ring-opening. We hypothesize that two kinds of acid sites are responsible for this catalysis: In the MXene, strong acid sites (both Lewis and Brønsted) catalyse both the ring-opening and the isomerization reactions, while in the Mxene–TiO2composite weaker acid sites catalyse only the ring-opening reaction, increasing the selectivity to the mono-alkylated product.

     
    more » « less