Special Issue "Transition Metals Catalysis"

Guest Editor
Prof. Jin-Quan Yu
Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
Website: http://www.scripps.edu/yu/
E-Mail: yu200@scripps.edu
Interests: transition metal-catalyzed C-H activation

Guest Editor
Dr. Ramesh Giri
Department of Chemistry, University of California, 709 Latimer Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
E-Mail: rgiri@berkeley.edu
Interests: developing transition metal-catalyzed reactions; investigation of reaction mechanisms

Dear Colleagues,

Transition metal catalysis represents the core of modern-day synthetic methodology, which is being extensively exploited in both laboratory and industrial settings. Its applications, which range from manufacturing ingredients for cosmetic products to generating bioactive molecules for drug discovery, stand testimony to the critical roles a transition metal-catalyzed process plays in meeting our growing needs for efficient chemical technology. Discovery of such a catalytic process is often guided by aspirations for developing novel organic transformations and replacing existing, inefficient processes. In recent years, high throughput screenings and mechanism-guided reaction investigations, often augmented by theoretical calculations, have provided breeding grounds for the growth of new catalytic transformations. Moreover, mechanistic understanding, gleaned from the studies of known transition metal-catalyzed reactions, is also serving as a blueprint both for the rational design of improved catalysts aimed at developing catalysts with high turnover numbers (TON) and selectivity, and for the conception of novel organometallic catalysis tailored to solve specific problems in organic synthesis.
This Special Issue on Transition Metals Catalysis is anticipated to showcase representative state-of-the-art developments in all aspects of transition metal-catalyzed reactions. Therefore, contributions are invited in all themes, including but not limited to reaction discovery, mechanistic study and catalyst design.

Prof. Jin-Quan Yu
Dr. Ramesh Giri
Guest Editors

Submission

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• organotransition metal complexes
• catalyst design
• homogeneous and Heterogeneous catalysis
• cross‒coupling reactions
• synthetic tools
• selectivity
• inter‒ and intramolecular reactions
• bioorganometallic Chemistry

Hyunje Woo, Hyuntae Kang, Aram Kim, Seongwan Jang, Ji Chan Park, Sungkyun Park, Byeong-Su Kim, Hyunjoon Song and Kang Hyun Park Review: Azide-Alkyne Huisgen [3+2] Cycloaddition Using CuO Nanoparticles Molecules 2012, 17(11), 13235-13252; doi:10.3390/molecules171113235 Received: 19 September 2012; in revised form: 29 October 2012 / Accepted: 1 November 2012 / Published: 6 November 2012 Show/Hide Abstract | Download PDF Full-text (1366 KB) Abstract: Recent developments in the synthesis of CuO nanoparticles (NPs) and their application to the [3+2] cycloaddition of azides with terminal alkynes are reviewed. With respect to the importance of click chemistry, CuO hollow NPs, CuO hollow NPs on acetylene black, water-soluble double-hydrophilic block copolymer (DHBC) nanoreactors and ZnO–CuO hybrid NPs were synthesized. Non-conventional energy sources such as microwaves and ultrasound were also applied to these click reactions, and good catalytic activity with high regioselectivity was observed. CuO hollow NPs on acetylene black can be recycled nine times without any loss of activity, and water-soluble DHBC nanoreactors have been developed for an environmentally friendly process.

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Boran Xu, Kraig Worrall and Bruce A. Arndtsen Communication: Palladium-Catalyzed Multicomponent Synthesis of 2-Imidazolines from Imines and Acid Chlorides Molecules 2012, 17(12), 13759-13768; doi:10.3390/molecules171213759 Received: 25 October 2012; in revised form: 13 November 2012 / Accepted: 14 November 2012 / Published: 22 November 2012 Show/Hide Abstract | Download PDF Full-text (289 KB) |  Abstract: We describe the palladium-catalyzed multicomponent synthesis of 2-imidazolines. This reaction proceeds via the coupling of imines, acid chlorides and carbon monoxide to form imidazolinium carboxylates, followed by a decarboxylation. Decarboxylation in CHCl3 is found to result in a mixture of imidazolinium and imidazolium salts. However, the addition of benzoic acid suppresses aromatization, and generates the trans-disubstituted imidazolines in good yield. Combining this reaction with subsequent nitrogen deprotection provides an overall synthesis of imidazolines from multiple available building blocks.

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Bianca Rossi, Simona Prosperini, Nadia Pastori, Angelo Clerici and Carlo Punta Review: New Advances in Titanium-Mediated Free Radical Reactions Molecules 2012, 17(12), 14700-14732; doi:10.3390/molecules171214700 Received: 31 October 2012; in revised form: 28 November 2012 / Accepted: 6 December 2012 / Published: 11 December 2012 Show/Hide Abstract | Download PDF Full-text (781 KB) Abstract: Titanium complexes have been widely used as catalysts for C‑C bond-forming processes via free-radical routes. Herein we provide an overview of some of the most significant contributions in the field, that covers the last decade, emphasizing the key role played by titanium salts in the promotion of selective reactions aimed at the synthesis of multifunctional organic compounds, including nucleophilic radical additions to imines, pinacol and coupling reactions, ring opening of epoxides and living polymerization.

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Type of Paper: Review
Title: New Advances in Free Radical Reactions Mediated by Titanium Salts
Authors: Bianca Rossi, Nadia Pastori, Angelo Clerici and Carlo Punta
Affiliation: Dipartimento di Chimica, Materiali e Ingegneria Chimica “G. Natta”, Politecnico di Milano, Sezione Chimica, Via Mancinelli 7, I-20131 Milano, Italy
Abstract: In the last decade titanium salts have been widely used as catalysts for C-C bond-forming processes via free-radical routes. Herein we show an overview on some of the most significative contributions in the field, emphasizing the key role that titanium salts play in the promotion of selective reactions for the synthesis of multifunctional organic compounds, including living polymerizations, nucleophilic radical additions to imines, cross-coupling reactions, pinacolization and ring opening of epoxides.