Selective synthetic modifications on diamondoids (well‐defined molecular nano‐diamonds) are difficult. Group IV organometallic complexes are promising systems for CH bond activation. We study the CH bond activation of the hard‐to‐activate CH2 positions of the adamantyl group (the smallest diamondoid) using density functional theory. As a platform for activation, we tether the adamantyl group to the cyclopentadienyl in a substituted bis‐cyclopentadienyl group IV metal diphenyl complex. The mechanism proposed in the experimental paper reporting the activation of C(Me)2‐Ph or t‐Bu groups using Zr(IV) involves an η2‐benzyne complex intermediate. Our computational work confirms the two‐step mechanism proposed for activation of C(Me)2‐Ph or t‐Bu using Zr(IV) and further extends it to Ti(IV) and Hf(IV). The first step forms the benzyne complex. In the second step, the cyclopentadienyl‐bound group is activated through a mechanism that closely resembles a σ‐bond metathesis when the benzyne complex is described as a metallacyclopropene We demonstrate through computations that the two‐step reaction can be successfully applied to the adamantyl group. CH bond activation of adamantyl is found to be thermodynamically and kinetically feasible. The important question of regioselectivity is addressed. We predict that α‐CH bond activation will be achievable with Ti (thermodynamic control), and selective γ‐CH bond activation with Zr (kinetic or thermodynamic control).
Group IV organometallic complexes are promising systems for C-H bond activation. We are interested in the C-H bond activation of the CH2 positions of the adamantyl group, since these positions are particularly hard to activate and to functionalize. As a potential platform for activation of that important alkyl group, we consider the alkyl bonded to the cyclopentadienyl in a substituted bis-cyclopentadienyl group IV metal diphenyl complex. The mechanism proposed in the classic paper reporting such activation using Zr(IV) (Erker and Mühlenbernd, 1987) involves an η2-benzyne complex intermediate. This current work reports a computational analysis of the problem through Density Functional Theory (DFT). We found that the two-step mechanism proposed for activation of C(Me)2-Ph or tert-Bu groups using Zr(IV) is indeed confirmed by DFT and that it can be extended to Ti and Hf. We further found that the system can be successfully extended to the adamantyl group. The first step involves formation of the benzyne complex, which can also be described as a metallacyclopropene. In the second step, the cyclopentadienyl-bound alkyl is activated in the coordination sphere of the metal via proton transfer to the bound benzyne, which, if the metallacyclopropene description is chosen, resembles a σ-bond metathesis. The C-H bond activation of adamantyl through this approach is thermodynamically and kinetically feasible. Selective α-CH bond activation should be achievable with Ti (under thermodynamic control), and selective γ-CH bond activation with Zr (under kinetic or thermodynamic control).
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.