A theoretical study on Ir(III)-catalyzed intermolecular branch-selective
allylic C−H amidation
Abstract
Herein, we report the mechanism of Ir(III)-catalyzed intermolecular
branch-selective allylic C−H amidation, including the influence of
substituent effect on yield and regioselectivity. The sequence of
amidation reaction is alkene coordination, allylic C−H activation,
oxidative addition of methyl dioxazolone, reductive elimination of
allyl-Ir-nitrenoid complex, amine protonation and proto-demetallation.
The apparent activation energy of amidation between hexene and methyl
dioxazolone is 17.8 kcal/mol, and the energy difference between two
transition state for formation amide is only 2.8 kcal/mol. The
introduction of more electron-deficient groups at the allyl terminal
increases the apparent activation energy, conversely, the introduction
of electron-donating groups significantly reduces the apparent
activation energy. Among them, the apparent activation energy of the
reaction between aniline group substituted allyl and methyl dioxazolone
is only 13.8 kcal/mol, which further improves the reaction yield. In
addition, the introduction of more electron-withdrawing groups on
dioxazolone can significantly improve the regioselectivity. When
3,4,5,-trifluorophenyl substituted dioxazolone and hexene occur C−N bond
coupling reaction, the energy difference of the two transition states is
as high as 9.0 kcal/mol, indicating that the regioselectivity is greatly
improved. The mechanism explanation of allylic C−H amidation will
provide strong theoretical support for streamlined synthesis of allyl
branched amides.