S. Catak

On the Possibility of [1,5] Sigmatropic Shifts in Bicyclo[4.2.0]octa-2,4-dienes

H. Goossens, J.M. Winne, S. Wouters, L. Hermosilla, P. J. De Clercq, M. Waroquier, V. Van Speybroeck, S. Catak
Journal of Organic Chemistry
80 (5) 2609-2620
2015
A1

Abstract 

The thermal equilibration of the methyl esters of endiandric acids D and E was subject to a computational study. An electrocyclic pathway via an electrocyclic ring opening followed by a ring flip and a subsequent electrocyclization proposed by Nicolaou [Chem. Soc. Rev. 2009], was computationally explored. The free energy barrier for this electrocyclic route was shown to be very close to the bicyclo[4.2.0]octa-2,4-diene reported by Huisgen [Tet. Lett. 1968]. Furthermore, the possibility of a [1,5] sigmatropic alkyl group shift of bicyclo[4.2.0]octa-2,4-diene systems at high temperatures was explored in a combined computational and experimental study. Calculated reaction barriers for a biradical-mediated stepwise [1,5] sigmatropic alkyl group shift were shown to be comparable with the reaction barriers for the bicyclo[4.1.0]hepta-2,4-diene (norcaradiene) walk rearrangement, whereas calculated reaction barriers for a concerted [1,5] sigmatropic alkyl group shift were found to be higher in energy. However, the stepwise pathway is suggested to only be feasible for appropriately substituted compounds. Experiments conducted on a deuterated analogous diol derivative confirmed the calculated (large) differences in barriers between electrocyclic and sigmatropic pathways.

Elucidating the Structural Isomerism of Fluorescent Strigolactone Analogue CISA-1

H. Goossens, T.S.A Heugebaert, B. Dereli, M. Van Overtveldt, O. Karahan, I. Doğan, M. Waroquier, V. Van Speybroeck, V. Aviyente, S. Catak, C.V. Stevens
European Journal of Organic Chemistry
2015 (6), 1211–1217
2015
A1

Abstract 

The synthesis of a new potent strigolactone analogue (CISA-1), resulting in the formation of two interconverting structural isomers, which could not be identified, was recently reported by Rasmussen et al [Molecular Plant, 2013, 6, 100]. In the present study, a combined computational and experimental approach is used to identify the exact nature of these structural isomers. While standard experimental techniques were not able to determine the identity of the isomers, chromatographic methods excluded E/Z isomerisation. Computational 1H NMR chemical shift values and DFT calculations on interconversion barriers strongly suggest that the CISA-1 isomers were interconverting (Z)-configured atropisomers.

Accelerated living cationic ring-opening polymerization of a methyl ester functionalized 2-oxazoline monomer

P.J.M. Bouten, D. Hertsen, M. Vergaelen, B. Monnery, M.A. Boerman, H. Goossens, S. Catak, J.C.M. van Hest, V. Van Speybroeck, R. Hoogenboom
Polymer Chemistry
6, 514-518
2015
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Abstract 

Kinetic studies on the homo- and copolymerization of 2-methoxycarboxyethyl-2-oxazoline (MestOx) with 2-methyl-2-oxazoline (MeOx) and 2-ethyl-2-oxazoline (EtOx) were performed. For the homopolymerisation of MestOx an increased propagation rate constant was observed compared to MeOx and EtOx while the copolymerization of MestOx with MeOx or EtOx unexpectedly revealed slower incorporation of MestOx. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations show that nearby MestOx residues in the living chain can activate both the oxazolinium chain end and the attacking monomer, stabilizing the propagation transition state, leading to faster homopolymerisation of MestOx. These effects also accelerate incorporation of both monomers in the copolymerisations. However, since MeOx is shown to be more nucleophilic than MestOx, the incorporation order is reversed in the copolymerisations.

Open Access version available at UGent repository

Cationic ring-opening polymerization of 2-propyl-2-oxazolines: Understanding structural effects on polymerization behavior based on molecular modeling

H. Goossens, S. Catak, M. Glassner, V. De La Rosa, B. Monnery, F. De Proft, V. Van Speybroeck, R. Hoogenboom
ACS Macro Letters
2, 651-654
2013
A1

Abstract 

The surprising difference in the cationic ring-opening polymerization rate of 2-cyclopropyl-2-oxazoline versus 2-n-propyl-2-oxazoline and 2-isopropyl-2-oxazoline was investigated both experimentally and theoretically. The polymerization kinetics of all three oxazolines were experimentally measured in acetonitrile at 140 °C, and the polymerization rate constant (kp) was found to decrease in the order c-PropOx > n-PropOx > i-PropOx. Theoretical free energy calculations confirmed the trend for kp, and a set of DFT-based reactivity descriptors, electrostatics, and frontier molecular orbitals were studied to detect the factors controlling this peculiar behavior. Our results show that the observed reactivity is dictated by electrostatic effects. More in particular, the charge on the nitrogen atom of the monomer, used to measure its nucleophilicity, was the most negative for c-PropOx. Furthermore, the electrophilicity of the cations does not change substantially, and thus, the nucleophilicity of the monomers is the driving factor for kp.

Diphosphonylation of Aromatic Diazaheterocycles and Theoretical Rationalization of Product Yields

A. De Blieck, S. Catak, W. Debrouwer, J. Drabowicz, K. Hemelsoet, T. Verstraelen, M. Waroquier, V. Van Speybroeck, C. Stevens
European Journal of Organic Chemistry
2013 (6), 1058-1067
2013
A1

Abstract 

Diphosphonylated diazaheterocyclic compounds were synthesized in a one-step reaction by using dimethyl trimethylsilyl phosphite (DMPTMS) under acidic conditions. The reaction of DMPTMS with 1,5-naphthyridine yielded the corresponding diphosphonylated product through a tandem 1,4–1,2 addition under microwave conditions. This tandem 1,4–1,2 addition was also evaluated for other substrates, namely, 1,10-phenanthroline, 1,7-phenanthroline and 4,7-phenanthroline. Reactions under reflux and microwave conditions were compared. 1,5-Naphthyridine and the phenanthroline derived substrates are less reactive than previously investigated quinolines. The experimental trends in reactivity were rationalized by means of theoretical calculations. The intrinsic properties, such as aromaticity and proton affinities, showed distinct differences for the various substrates. Furthermore, the calculated free energies of activation for the rate-determining step of the tandem addition reaction enabled us to rationalize the differences in product yields. Both the theoretical and the experimental results show the substantial influence of the position of the nitrogen atoms in the (poly)aromatic compounds on the reaction outcome.

Synthesis of 2-Hydroxy-1,4-oxazin-3-ones through Ring Transformation of 3-Hydroxy-4-(1,2-dihydroxyethyl)--lactams and a Study of Their Reactivity

K. Mollet, H. Goossens, N. Piens, S. Catak, M. Waroquier, V. Van Speybroeck, M. D'Hooghe, N. De Kimpe
Chemistry - A European Journal
19 (10), 3383-3396
2013
A1

Abstract 

The reactivity of 3-hydroxy-4-(1,2-dihydroxyethyl)-β-lactams with regard to the oxidant sodium periodate was evaluated, unexpectedly resulting in the exclusive formation of new 2-hydroxy-1,4-oxazin-3-ones through a C3C4 bond cleavage of the intermediate 4-formyl-3-hydroxy-β-lactams followed by a ring expansion. This peculiar transformation stands in sharp contrast with the known NaIO4-mediated oxidation of 3-alkoxy- and 3-phenoxy-4-(1,2-dihydroxyethyl)-β-lactams, which exclusively leads to the corresponding 4-formyl-β-lactams without a subsequent ring enlargement. In addition, this new class of functionalized oxazin-3-ones was further evaluated for its potential use as building blocks in the synthesis of a variety of differently substituted oxazin-3-ones, morpholin-3-ones and pyrazinones. Furthermore, additional insights into the mechanism and the factors governing this new ring-expansion reaction were provided by means of density functional theory calculations.

Diastereoselective aldol reaction of zincated 3-chloro-3-methyl-1- azaallylic anions as key-step in the synthesis of 1,2,3,4- tetrasubstituted 3-chloroazetidines

S. Mangelinckx, B. De Sterck, F. Colpaert, S. Catak, J. Jacobs, S. Rooryck, M. Waroquier, V. Van Speybroeck, N. De Kimpe
Journal of Organic Chemistry
77 (7), 3415–3425
2012
A1

Abstract 

Zincated 3-chloro-3-methyl-1-azaallylic anions undergo a stereoselective aldol addition across aromatic aldehydes and subsequent mesylation to produce syn alpha-chloro-beta-mesyloxyketimines, which were isolated in 80-84% yield and high diastereomeric excess (dr > 97/3) after purification via flash chromatography. The syn alpha-chloro-beta-mesyloxyketimines were further stereoselectively reduced to give stereochemically defined 3-aminopropyl mesylates, which were cyclized to 1,2,3,4-tetrasubstituted 3-chloroazetidines containing three contiguous stereogenic centers. DFT calculations on the key aldol addition revealed the presence of a highly ordered bimetallic six-membered twist-boat-like transition state structure with a tetra-coordinated metal cyclic structure. DFT calculations revealed that chelation of both zinc and lithium cations in the transition state structure leads to the experimentally observed high syn diastereoselectivity of aldol reactions.

Open Access version available at UGent repository

Solvent-controlled selective transformation of 2-Bromomethyl-2-methylaziridines to functionalized aziridines and azetidines

S. Stankovic, H. Goossens, S. Catak, M. Tezcan, M. Waroquier, V. Van Speybroeck, M. D'Hooghe, N. De Kimpe
Journal of Organic Chemistry
77, 3181-3190
2012
A1

Abstract 

The reactivity of 2-bromomethyl-2-methylaziridines toward oxygen, sulfur, and carbon nucleophiles in different solvent systems was investigated. Remarkably, the choice of the solvent has a profound influence on the reaction outcome, enabling the selective formation of either functionalized aziridines in dimethylformamide (through direct bromide displacement) or azetidines in acetonitrile (through rearrangement via a bicyclic aziridinium intermediate). In addition, the experimentally observed solvent-dependent behavior of 2-bromomethyl-2-methylaziridines was further supported by means of DFT calculations.

Open Access version available at UGent repository

Scope and Mechanism of the (4+3) Cycloaddition Reaction of Furfuryl Cations

J.M. Winne, S. Catak, M. Waroquier, V. Van Speybroeck
Angewandte Chemie int. Ed.
50 (50) 11990–11993
2011
A1

Abstract 

Furfuryl alcohols are revealed as direct reaction partners for a wide range of conjugated dienes in a (4+3) cycloaddition motif (see scheme). This novel Lewis-acid-promoted process gives straightforward access to various polycyclic skeletons containing a seven-membered ring. A plausible cationic stepwise mechanism was confirmed by DFT calculations.

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