Hydrophosphination of styrene and polymerization of vinylpyridine: a computational investigation of calcium-catalyzed reactions and the role of fluxional noncovalent interactions
File(s)bw_acs_catalysis_main_article_final.pdf (4.14 MB)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Ward, B
Hunt, PA
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
A computational investigation of the intermolecular hydrophosphination of styrene and 2-vinylpyridine, catalyzed by the heteroleptic β-diketiminato-stabilized calcium complex [(PhNC(Me)CHC(Me)NPh)CaPPh2], is presented. Alkene insertion does not proceed via the traditional route as proposed by experimental and theoretical research related to intermolecular hydroamination catalyzed by alkaline earth or lanthanide complexes. In contrast, for the hydrophosphination mechanism, insertion proceeds via outer sphere, conjugative addition where there is no direct interaction of Ca with the vinyl functionality. Following the initial rate-determining alkene insertion, two distinct mechanisms emerge, protonolysis or polymerization. Polymerization of styrene is energetically less favorable than protonolysis, whereas the reverse is determined for 2-vinylpyridine, thereby providing strong evidence of outcomes observed experimentally. The vinylarene ring is important as it allows for preferential coordination of the unsaturated substrate through numerous noncovalent Ca···π, CH···π, and Ca ← E (E = P or N) interactions; moreover, the vinylarene ring counteracts unfavorable charge localization within the activated transition state. The additional stability of the Ca ← N over Ca ← P dative interaction in vinylpyridine provides a rationalization for the experimentally observed enhanced reactivity of vinylpyridine, particularly in the context of the almost identical local alkene insertion barriers. Previously, little emphasis has been placed on the involvement of noncovalent interactions; however, our calculations reveal that Ca···π, CH···π, and Ca ← donor interactions are critical, stabilizing key intermediates and transition states, while also introducing numerous competitive pathways.
Date Issued
2016-11-23
Date Acceptance
2016-11-01
Citation
ACS Catalysis, 2016, 7 (1), pp.459-468
ISSN
2155-5435
Publisher
American Chemical Society
Start Page
459
End Page
468
Journal / Book Title
ACS Catalysis
Volume
7
Issue
1
Copyright Statement
© 2016 American Chemical Society. This document is the Accepted Manuscript version of a Published Work that appeared in final form in ACS Catalysis, copyright © American Chemical Society after peer review and technical editing by the publisher. To access the final edited and published work see http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acscatal.6b02251
Sponsor
Engineering & Physical Science Research Council (E
Identifier
http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000391783200055&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=1ba7043ffcc86c417c072aa74d649202
Grant Number
EP/I014853/1
Subjects
Science & Technology
Physical Sciences
Chemistry, Physical
Chemistry
alkaline earth metals
calcium
density functional theory (DFT)
heterofunctionalization
hydrophosphination
noncovalent interactions
polymerization
protonolysis
IMINOANILIDE ALKALINE-EARTH
PHOSPHONIUM IONIC LIQUIDS
SIGMA-INSERTIVE MECHANISM
GROUP METAL-CATALYSTS
PI INTERACTIONS
INTERMOLECULAR HYDROPHOSPHINATION
AMMONIUM ANALOGS
COMPLEXES
HYDROAMINATION
ALKENES
Publication Status
Published