Open Collections

Early transition metal complexes of pyridine derivatives : applications in the catalytic synthesis of amines and N-heterocycles

University of British Columbia

The work described in this thesis focuses on the development of pyridine-derived group 4 and 5 complexes for application in the catalytic synthesis of selectively substituted amines. Two different catalytic alkene hydrofunctionalization reactions were targeted: hydroamination and hydroaminoalkylation. Respectively, these transformations provide atom-economical strategies for the formation of new C–N and C–C bonds on amines, using simple alkenes as the alkylating agents. A series of bulky mono(2-aminopyridinate)tris(dimethylamido)titanium complexes with varying steric parameters were synthesized and explored for intramolecular hydroamination reactivity using aminoalkene substrates. A titanium catalyst capable of room-temperature hydroamination reactivity was identified for the synthesis of gem-disubstituted 5- and 6-membered-ring products. This catalyst has good breadth of reactivity, including the challenging 7-membered-azepane ring formation and hydroamination with internal alkenes. A catalytically active 2-aminopyridnate-supported imido titanium complex was prepared, and reactivity investigations of this complex suggest that this reaction proceeds via an intermediate imido [2+2] cycloaddition pathway. Various 3-substituted-2-pyridonate ligands were synthesized and examined as ancillary ligands for targeting chemoselectivity for intramolecular hydroaminoalkylation over hydroamination. Systematic ligand screening studies showed that bis(3-phenyl-2-pyridonate)bis(dimethylamido)titanium complex is selective for hydroaminoalkylation over hydroamination. This is the first catalyst that can selectively α-alkylate primary aminoalkenes to access both 5- and 6-membered-cycloalkylamines with good substrate-dependent diastereoselectivity. Mechanistic and stoichiometric experiments using this complex support the involvement of a bimetallic imido species in the reaction. Notably, a titanium(III) species was isolated during these investigations. Reliable synthesis of this titanium(III) complex and examination of its reactivity showed that it is not active for hydroaminoalkylation. Varying combinations of mixed 2-pyridonate/alkyl/amido/chloro tantalum complexes were targeted to expand the substrate scope for intermolecular hydroaminoalkylation. The synthesis of mono(2-pyridonate)/alkyl/chloro tantalum complex was unsuccessful. Instead, bis(2-pyridonate)tantalum alkyl complexes were formed. While these complexes showed hydroaminoalkylation reactivity for terminal alkenes, their thermal and light sensitivity presents difficulty for synthetic application. The design and synthesis of a mixed 2-pyridonate-Ta(NMe₂)₃Cl provided a sterically accessible metal center for the hydroaminoalkylation of sterically demanding disubstituted alkenes. This complex is the first effective precatalyst for the alpha-alkylation of unprotected secondary amines using unactivated (E)- and (Z)-internal alkenes without C=C bond isomerization.

Text

2014-11-07

Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.5 Canada

http://hdl.handle.net/2429/50998

Chemistry

University of British Columbia

UBCV

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.5/ca/