ncc+ gm 62606 · 2006-06-26 · outline 1. introduction 2. the nonclassical carbocation controversy...

54
Nonclassical Carbocations From Controversy to Convention A Stoltz Group Literature Meeting brought to you by Chris Gilmore June 26, 2006 8 PM 147 Noyes C H H H H H

Upload: others

Post on 24-Jul-2020

0 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: NCC+ GM 62606 · 2006-06-26 · Outline 1. Introduction 2. The Nonclassical Carbocation Controversy - Winstein, Brown, and the Great Debate - George Olah and ending the discussion

Nonclassical CarbocationsFrom Controversy to Convention

A Stoltz Group Literature Meetingbrought to you by

Chris Gilmore

June 26, 20068 PM

147 Noyes

C

H

H H

H

H

Page 2: NCC+ GM 62606 · 2006-06-26 · Outline 1. Introduction 2. The Nonclassical Carbocation Controversy - Winstein, Brown, and the Great Debate - George Olah and ending the discussion

Outline

1. Introduction

2. The Nonclassical Carbocation Controversy - Winstein, Brown, and the Great Debate - George Olah and ending the discussion - Important nonclassical carbocations

3. The Nature of the Nonclassical Carbocation - The 3-center, 2-electron bond - Cleaving C-C and C-H σ−bonds - Intermediate or Transition state? Changing the way we think about carbocations 4. Carbocations, nonclassical intermediates, and synthetic chemistry - Biosynthetic Pathways - Steroids, by W.S. Johnson - Corey's foray into carbocationic cascades - Interesting rearrangements - Overman and the Prins-Pinacol

Page 3: NCC+ GM 62606 · 2006-06-26 · Outline 1. Introduction 2. The Nonclassical Carbocation Controversy - Winstein, Brown, and the Great Debate - George Olah and ending the discussion

R

R

RLGR

RR

superacid

LGH "carbeniumion"

- 6 valence e-

- planar structure- empty p orbital

RRR

Carbocations: An Introduction

Traditional carbocation is a low-valent, trisubstituted electron-deficient carbon center:

Modes of stabilization:

X

X RH2C

Heteroatomic Assistance π-bond Resonance σ-bond Participation

Lone PairResonance

AnchimericAssistance

AllylicStabilization Homoconjugation Hyperconjugation Non-Classical

Interaction

Page 4: NCC+ GM 62606 · 2006-06-26 · Outline 1. Introduction 2. The Nonclassical Carbocation Controversy - Winstein, Brown, and the Great Debate - George Olah and ending the discussion

Outline

1. Introduction

2. The Nonclassical Carbocation Controversy - Winstein, Brown, and the Great Debate - George Olah and ending the discussion - Important nonclassical carbocations

3. The Nature of the Nonclassical Carbocation - The 3-center, 2-electron bond - Cleaving C-C and C-H σ−bonds - Intermediate or Transition state? Changing the way we think about carbocations 4. Carbocations, nonclassical intermediates, and synthetic chemistry - Biosynthetic Pathways - Steroids, by W.S. Johnson - Corey's foray into carbocationic cascades - Interesting rearrangements - Overman and the Prins-Pinacol

Page 5: NCC+ GM 62606 · 2006-06-26 · Outline 1. Introduction 2. The Nonclassical Carbocation Controversy - Winstein, Brown, and the Great Debate - George Olah and ending the discussion

The Nonclassical Problem: Early Curiosities

Wagner, 1899:

OHH

- H+

1,2 shift

OH

Ruzicka, 1918:

Meerwein, 1922:

OH

Nuc

Nuc

Nuc

1,2 shift

Ruzicka, L. Helv. Chim. Acta, 1918, 1, 110.

Meerwin, H. Chem. Ber. 1922, 55B, 2500.

Page 6: NCC+ GM 62606 · 2006-06-26 · Outline 1. Introduction 2. The Nonclassical Carbocation Controversy - Winstein, Brown, and the Great Debate - George Olah and ending the discussion

The Nonclassical Problem: An Indecent ProposalWinstein and Trifan, 1949

OBsOBs

Rates of solvolysis

350 1

aqueous solvent aqueous solvent

Winstein, Trifan. J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1949, 71, 2953.

O SO

OBr

= OBs

Page 7: NCC+ GM 62606 · 2006-06-26 · Outline 1. Introduction 2. The Nonclassical Carbocation Controversy - Winstein, Brown, and the Great Debate - George Olah and ending the discussion

The Nonclassical Problem: An Indecent Proposal

OBs2

7

3

16

5 Acetone, H2O

KOAc

Winstein and Trifan, 1949

OAc

OAc

AcO

13

2

7

5

6

1

72

4

4

56

3

2 1

6

OAc1:1 Mixture of enantiomers

OBsOBs

Rates of solvolysis

Enantiomerically pure starting material...

350 1

aqueous solvent aqueous solvent

Winstein, Trifan. J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1949, 71, 2953.

O SO

OBr

= OBs

Page 8: NCC+ GM 62606 · 2006-06-26 · Outline 1. Introduction 2. The Nonclassical Carbocation Controversy - Winstein, Brown, and the Great Debate - George Olah and ending the discussion

The Nonclassical Problem: An Indecent Proposal

OBs2

7

3

16

5Acetone, H2O

KOAc

OAc

OAc

AcO

13

2

7

5

6

1

72

4

4

56

3

2 1

6

OAc 1:1 Mixture of enantiomersWinstein, Trifan. J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1949, 71, 2953.

O SO

OBr

= OBs

Winstein and Trifan, 1949

OBsOBs

Rates of solvolysis

Enantiomerically pure starting material...350 1

aqueous solvent aqueous solvent

Page 9: NCC+ GM 62606 · 2006-06-26 · Outline 1. Introduction 2. The Nonclassical Carbocation Controversy - Winstein, Brown, and the Great Debate - George Olah and ending the discussion

OBs OAc

The Nonclassical Problem: An Indecent Proposal

OAcHOAc

OBsOBs350 1

aqueous solvent aqueous solvent

"It is attractive to account for these results by way of the bridged (nonclassical) formulation for the norbornyl cation involving accelerated rate of formation from the exo precursor by

anchimeric assistance." -Saul Winstein

Page 10: NCC+ GM 62606 · 2006-06-26 · Outline 1. Introduction 2. The Nonclassical Carbocation Controversy - Winstein, Brown, and the Great Debate - George Olah and ending the discussion

OBs OAc

The Nonclassical Problem: An Indecent Proposal

OAcHOAc

OBsOBs350 1

aqueous solvent aqueous solvent

"It is attractive to account for these results by way of the bridged (nonclassical) formulation for the norbornyl cation involving accelerated rate of formation from the exo precursor by

anchimeric assistance." -Saul Winstein

Page 11: NCC+ GM 62606 · 2006-06-26 · Outline 1. Introduction 2. The Nonclassical Carbocation Controversy - Winstein, Brown, and the Great Debate - George Olah and ending the discussion

The Response of the Traditionalists- H. C. Brown

Solvolysis proceeds through unassisted ionization: - relief of strain accelerates endo ionization - steric effects hinder ionization of endo isomer - exo is not fast, endo is slow

OBsOBsOBs

PNBExo/Endo 350 13 78

Not only must strain have some impact, but direct ionization hinders rate of solvolysis of endo norbornyl system.

H

H

LG

H

H

H

H

LG

Brown, H.C. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1964, 86, 1248-1250.

Strain release improves exo to endo ratio:

exo endo

Page 12: NCC+ GM 62606 · 2006-06-26 · Outline 1. Introduction 2. The Nonclassical Carbocation Controversy - Winstein, Brown, and the Great Debate - George Olah and ending the discussion

A Bonding Experience- Brown's Challenge

"The norbornyl cation does not possess sufficient electrons to provide a pair for all of the bonds required by the

proposed bridged structures. One must propose a new bonding concept, not yet established in carbon structures."

- H. C. Brown, 1965

Brown insisted upon two stable, equilibrating classical carbocaitonic forms for the norbornyl cation:

Page 13: NCC+ GM 62606 · 2006-06-26 · Outline 1. Introduction 2. The Nonclassical Carbocation Controversy - Winstein, Brown, and the Great Debate - George Olah and ending the discussion

A Bonding Experience- Brown's Challenge

"The norbornyl cation does not possess sufficient electrons to provide a pair for all of the bonds required by the

proposed bridged structures. One must propose a new bonding concept, not yet established in carbon structures."

- H. C. Brown, 1965

Brown insisted upon two stable, equilibrating classical carbocaitonic forms for the norbornyl cation:

Brown, H. C. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1965, 87, 2137-2153.P.D. Bartlett, Nonclassical Ions, W.A. Benjamin, New York, 1965.

So, if not classical carbenium ions, what must nonclassical carbocations be?

R

R R

R

R

- a pentavalent carbon- distinct 3-center, 2-electron bond- 8 valence e- between 6 atoms means electron-poor carbon

"carbonium ion"

Page 14: NCC+ GM 62606 · 2006-06-26 · Outline 1. Introduction 2. The Nonclassical Carbocation Controversy - Winstein, Brown, and the Great Debate - George Olah and ending the discussion

A Bonding Experience- Brown's Challenge

"The norbornyl cation does not possess sufficient electrons to provide a pair for all of the bonds required by the

proposed bridged structures. One must propose a new bonding concept, not yet established in carbon structures."

- H. C. Brown, 1965

Brown insisted upon two stable, equilibrating classical carbocaitonic forms for the norbornyl cation:

So, if not classical carbenium ions, what must nonclassical carbocations be?

R

R R

R

R

- a pentavalent carbon- distinct 3-center, 2-electron bond- 8 valence e- between 6 atoms means electron-poor carbon

BH

BH

H

H

H

H

isoelectronic

Contain too few electrons to allow a pair for each "bond"; must have delocalized σ electrons

P.D. Bartlett, Nonclassical Ions, W.A. Benjamin, New York, 1965.

Page 15: NCC+ GM 62606 · 2006-06-26 · Outline 1. Introduction 2. The Nonclassical Carbocation Controversy - Winstein, Brown, and the Great Debate - George Olah and ending the discussion

Enter George Olah

- Previous work with isolable carbocations possible because of superacids and stable ion media.

- Isolated the first stable carbocation in 1964 and was able to characterize with 13C NMR

- Superacids designed to prevent proton elimination to quench carbocations

- pKa's are measured anhydrously by Hammet acidiy function Ho Hoanhydrous sulfuric acid -11.9perchloric acid -13.0triflic acid -14.1magic acid (FSO3H•SbF5) -21.0

FMe

MeMe

SbF5Me

MeMe SbF6

13C shift was 300 ppm downfield from SM! (335.2 ppm)

MeMe

H

MeMe

H

Superacids can reach acidities of Ho= -28, or 1016 times acidity ofanhydrous sulfuric acid.

J. Am Chem. Soc. 1964, 86, 1360

Page 16: NCC+ GM 62606 · 2006-06-26 · Outline 1. Introduction 2. The Nonclassical Carbocation Controversy - Winstein, Brown, and the Great Debate - George Olah and ending the discussion

Proving the Existence of the Carbonium Ion

F

SbF5

25 °C

Broad singlet correspondsto fast Wagner-Meerwein and hydride shifts, -3.75 — -3.1 ppm

1H NMR Studies of Olah, Saunders and Schleyer

F

SbF5, SO2

-60 to -120°C

Resolves 3 singlets, 4:1:6at -5.35, -3.15, -2.20 ppm

Shows 2-norbornyl ion stable in solution as equilibrating Wagner-Meerwein shifts OR mesomeric intermediate

3,2 shift

W-M

6,2 shift

2

3

6

7

1

Saunders, M.; Schleyer, P.; Olah, G. A. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1964, 86, 5680.

Page 17: NCC+ GM 62606 · 2006-06-26 · Outline 1. Introduction 2. The Nonclassical Carbocation Controversy - Winstein, Brown, and the Great Debate - George Olah and ending the discussion

Proving the Existence of the Carbonium Ion

F

SbF5

25 °C

Broad singlet correspondsto fast Wagner-Meerwein and hydride shifts, -3.75 — -3.1 ppm

1H NMR Studies of Olah, Saunders and Schleyer

F

SbF5, SO2

-60 to -120°C

4 (-5.35 ppm)

1 (-3.15 ppm)

6 (-2.20 ppm)

3,2 shift

W-M

6,2 shift

2

3

6

7

1

H

HH

HH

HH

HHH

H

HH H

H

HH

H

H

H HH

Saunders, M.; Schleyer, P.; Olah, G. A. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1964, 86, 5680.

Page 18: NCC+ GM 62606 · 2006-06-26 · Outline 1. Introduction 2. The Nonclassical Carbocation Controversy - Winstein, Brown, and the Great Debate - George Olah and ending the discussion

Proving the Existence of the Carbonium Ion

A

F

SbF5, SO2

-157 °C

2

7

3

16

5

F

SbF5, SO2

-100 °C

B

1,2,6 4 3,5,7

1,2 6 4 7

3,5

Olah, G. A. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1982, 104, 7105.

1H spectra at low temps

Page 19: NCC+ GM 62606 · 2006-06-26 · Outline 1. Introduction 2. The Nonclassical Carbocation Controversy - Winstein, Brown, and the Great Debate - George Olah and ending the discussion

Proving the Existence of the Carbonium Ion

F

SbF5, SO2

-158 °C

2

7

3

16

5

F

SbF5, SO2

-80 °C

Olah, G. A. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1982, 104, 7105.

1,2,6 4 3,5,7

1,2

7,6

3,5

4

A

B

13C spectra at low temps

Page 20: NCC+ GM 62606 · 2006-06-26 · Outline 1. Introduction 2. The Nonclassical Carbocation Controversy - Winstein, Brown, and the Great Debate - George Olah and ending the discussion

Proving the Existence of the Carbonium IonCore Electron Spectroscopy for Chemical Analysis (ESCA)

- Exploits photoelectric effect to measure ion affinity for electrons.- Trivalent classical carbocation shows charge localization on 1 atom increases e- binding energy by ~5eV- Timescale is ~ 1018 Hz, much faster than NMR and Wagner-Meerwein shifts

MeMeMe

H

Me

Δ eV = 3.4

Δ eV

Δ eV

Δ eV = 3.7

Δ eV = 4.2 - 4.3

Olah, G. A.; Mateescu, L. A. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1970, 92, 7231.Olah, G. A.; Mateescu, L. A. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1972, 94, 2529.

Page 21: NCC+ GM 62606 · 2006-06-26 · Outline 1. Introduction 2. The Nonclassical Carbocation Controversy - Winstein, Brown, and the Great Debate - George Olah and ending the discussion

Proving the Existence of the Carbonium Ion

MeMeMe

H

Me

Δ eV = 3.4

Δ eV

Δ eV = 1.7

Δ eV = 4.2 - 4.3

Δ eV

Core Electron Spectroscopy for Chemical Analysis (ESCA)- Exploits photoelectric effect to measure ion affinity for electrons.- Trivalent classical carbocation shows charge localization on 1 atom increases e- binding energy by ~5eV- Timescale is ~ 1018 Hz, much faster than NMR and Wagner-Meerwein shifts

Olah, G. A.; Mateescu, L. A. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1970, 92, 7231.Olah, G. A.; Mateescu, L. A. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1972, 94, 2529.

Page 22: NCC+ GM 62606 · 2006-06-26 · Outline 1. Introduction 2. The Nonclassical Carbocation Controversy - Winstein, Brown, and the Great Debate - George Olah and ending the discussion

Closing the Debate

Solid-state 13C NMR studies at 5 K

2

7

3

16

5 vs.

Calculations revealthat Wagner-Meerweinshifts would require a barrier of 0.2 kcal/moland occur at 105 Hz toavoid resolution at 5 K,setting migration equalto a vibrational transition

Yannoni, C. S.; Myhre, P. C. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1982, 104, 7381-7383

Isolated crystals allowed x-ray determination of ion's structure:

Me

Me

Me

Me2.092 Å

1.739 Å1.467 Å

1.442 Å

Laube, T. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl. 1987, 26, 560

For an excellent review of the nonclassical ioncontroversy:

- Olah, G. A.; Prakash, G. K. S.; Saunders, M. Acc. Chem. Res. 1983, 16, 440-449.- Olah, G. A. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl. 1995, 34, 1393-1405

Page 23: NCC+ GM 62606 · 2006-06-26 · Outline 1. Introduction 2. The Nonclassical Carbocation Controversy - Winstein, Brown, and the Great Debate - George Olah and ending the discussion

Other Important Nonclassical Carbocations

CH

H H

H

H

methonium

CH

HH

H

H

- Parent for all nonclassical carbocations.- 8 Valence electrons rendered deficient by electron pair sharing between 3 atoms

Geometry:- initially suggested trigonal bipyramidal structure- Ab initio calculations postulated Cs symmetry (as shown)- Low bond-bond proton migration barriers lend to completely delocalized theory of bonding

HCHH

H

H

CH

HH

H

H

trigonalbipyramidal

delocalized

Cs

HH

HH

H+ H

HH H

HC

H

H H

H

HC

H

HH

H

H

Olah, G. A.; Klopman, G. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1969, 91, 3261

Page 24: NCC+ GM 62606 · 2006-06-26 · Outline 1. Introduction 2. The Nonclassical Carbocation Controversy - Winstein, Brown, and the Great Debate - George Olah and ending the discussion

Other Important Nonclassical Carbocations

CH

H H

H

H

cyclopropylcarbinyl

Cl

48%

47%

5%

EtOH,H2O OH

OH

OH

unsymmetricalstabilization

Studies by Roberts in 1951:

Roberts, J.D.; et. al. J. Am. Che. Soc. 1951, 73, 3542.

Page 25: NCC+ GM 62606 · 2006-06-26 · Outline 1. Introduction 2. The Nonclassical Carbocation Controversy - Winstein, Brown, and the Great Debate - George Olah and ending the discussion

Other Important Nonclassical Carbocations

CH

H H

H

H

cyclopropylcarbinyl

Cl

48%

47%

5%

EtOH,H2O OH

OH

OH

unsymmetricalstabilization

Studies by Roberts in 1951:

Schleyer's Solvolytic Studies and Structural Revision in 1966:

DNB

DNB

DNBMeMe

Me

OH

OH

OH

Me

MeMe

krel = 1

krel = 11

krel = 82

DNBMeMe

OHMeMe

krel = 490

Me Me

R RR R

symmetrical stabilization

Schleyer, P. v. R. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1966, 88, 2321.

Page 26: NCC+ GM 62606 · 2006-06-26 · Outline 1. Introduction 2. The Nonclassical Carbocation Controversy - Winstein, Brown, and the Great Debate - George Olah and ending the discussion

Other Important Nonclassical Carbocations

CH

H H

H

H

7-norbornenyl

TsO

TsO

k1

k2

HOAc

HOAcAcO

AcO

k2/k1 = 1011

Norbornene Solvolysisoccurs with completeretention of stereo-chemistry!

Solvolytic studies by Winstein (JACS 1956, 78, 592)

Page 27: NCC+ GM 62606 · 2006-06-26 · Outline 1. Introduction 2. The Nonclassical Carbocation Controversy - Winstein, Brown, and the Great Debate - George Olah and ending the discussion

Other Important Nonclassical Carbocations

CH

H H

H

H

7-norbornenyl

TsO

TsO

k1

k2

HOAc

HOAcAcO

AcO

k2/k1 = 1011

Norbornene Solvolysisoccurs with completeretention of stereo-chemistry!

Solvolytic studies by Winstein (JACS 1956, 78, 592)

1H NMR study of norbornadienyl model system proved nonequivalence of protons in norbornenyl cation

2

3

6

52,3 @ 2.54 ppm, 5,6 @ 3.90 ppm

Winstein, S.; Brookhart, M. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1972, 94, 2347.

Page 28: NCC+ GM 62606 · 2006-06-26 · Outline 1. Introduction 2. The Nonclassical Carbocation Controversy - Winstein, Brown, and the Great Debate - George Olah and ending the discussion

Other Important Nonclassical Carbocations

CH

H H

H

H

phenonium ionAromatic group participation

Walden Inversion:

PhOTs

HOAc PhOAc

PhOAc

1 1

Cram, D. D. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1949, 71, 3183

Me

MeH

H Me

MeH

H

racemization

Page 29: NCC+ GM 62606 · 2006-06-26 · Outline 1. Introduction 2. The Nonclassical Carbocation Controversy - Winstein, Brown, and the Great Debate - George Olah and ending the discussion

Other Important Nonclassical Carbocations

CH

H H

H

H

cyclopropyl assistance

Properties of Cyclopropane are similar to an olefin:

~ ~

Page 30: NCC+ GM 62606 · 2006-06-26 · Outline 1. Introduction 2. The Nonclassical Carbocation Controversy - Winstein, Brown, and the Great Debate - George Olah and ending the discussion

Other Important Nonclassical Carbocations

CH

H H

H

H

cyclopropyl assistanceProblem solved by solvolysis

BsO

OBs

OBs

OBs

OAc

OAc

OAc

OAc

krel

1

1014

5

0.333

Tsuji, et. al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1967, 89, 1953.; Wells, et. al. Tetrahedron, 1966, 22, 2007.

HOAc

HOAc

HOAc

HOAc

Page 31: NCC+ GM 62606 · 2006-06-26 · Outline 1. Introduction 2. The Nonclassical Carbocation Controversy - Winstein, Brown, and the Great Debate - George Olah and ending the discussion

Outline

1. Introduction

2. The Nonclassical Carbocation Controversy - Winstein, Brown, and the Great Debate - George Olah and ending the discussion - Important nonclassical carbocations

3. The Nature of the Nonclassical Carbocation - The 3-center, 2-electron bond - Cleaving C-C and C-H σ−bonds - Intermediate or Transition state? Changing the way we think about carbocations 4. Carbocations, nonclassical intermediates, and synthetic chemistry - Biosynthetic Pathways - Steroids, by W.S. Johnson - Corey's foray into carbocationic cascades - Interesting rearrangements - Overman and the Prins-Pinacol

Page 32: NCC+ GM 62606 · 2006-06-26 · Outline 1. Introduction 2. The Nonclassical Carbocation Controversy - Winstein, Brown, and the Great Debate - George Olah and ending the discussion

The 3-Center, 2-electron Bond

Postulated first by DeWar in 1945 as π-complex

E+

E+

HB

HB

H H

HHH

BH

BH H

HH

R2B H

BR3

Diborane and the stable 3-center 2-electron bond.

- Borane dimers consist of two 3-center 2-electron bonds- Delocalized electron-poor region at center of dimer

Electon-poor carbon analogs: π-bond donors

Cationic π−complexes and MO theory

E+

CR2R2CR2C CR2

E+

Page 33: NCC+ GM 62606 · 2006-06-26 · Outline 1. Introduction 2. The Nonclassical Carbocation Controversy - Winstein, Brown, and the Great Debate - George Olah and ending the discussion

Protonating an Alkane

Me3C CH3

Much less nucleophilic than π-bonds, σ C-C and C-H bonds donate as well:

Me3C CH2

HH+

Me3C CH2

HH

Me3C CH3

HHF-SbF5

CH4

MeMeMe

H2 Me3CHH

Calculated Protonolysis Activation Barriers (Sb2F11

.HF2 @ 298K)

Alkane ΔHo (kcal/mol)CH4 21.0C2H6

*

*

19.3

19.318.7

19.9

18.3

Calculated C-C Cracking Activation Barriers (Sb2F11

.HF2 @ 298K)

Alkane ΔHo (kcal/mol)

C2H6

C3H8

35.0

30.0

28.7

Mota, et. al. J. Phys. Chem. B 2001, 105, 4331.Ramsden Tetrahedron 2004, 60, 3293.

Olah, et al. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Eng. 1973, 12, 173.

Page 34: NCC+ GM 62606 · 2006-06-26 · Outline 1. Introduction 2. The Nonclassical Carbocation Controversy - Winstein, Brown, and the Great Debate - George Olah and ending the discussion

Olah's general order of alkane σ−bond reactivity:H

R RR

R3C CR3

H

R RH

H

R HH

H

H HH

> > > >

Protonating an AlkaneMuch less nucleophilic than π-bonds, σ C-C and C-H bonds donate as well:

Linear or bridged transition state in σ protonation?

HR

R R

HR

R R

R

R R

H

H

H

H+ HR

R R

MeMeMe

A

B

D2, H+ D2, H+HR

RR

HR

R R

DR

R RA B

Olah vs. Hogeveen

Olah, 1971

Olah, et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1971, 93, 1251.Hogeveen, et al. Recl. Trav. Chim. Pays-Bas. 1969, 88, 703.

Olah, et al. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Eng. 1973, 12, 173.

Page 35: NCC+ GM 62606 · 2006-06-26 · Outline 1. Introduction 2. The Nonclassical Carbocation Controversy - Winstein, Brown, and the Great Debate - George Olah and ending the discussion

Leveling the Field

The 3-center, 2-electron bond changes how all carbocations are precieved

Ethyl cation: hyperconjugation or hypervalence?

H

H HHH

HH H

H

Hvs.

- Carbenium ions are prone to rearrangement

- Rapid scrambling of 5 H's in ethyl cation indicative of some delocalized intermediate

- Hydride shifts in such cations are illustrative of the low energy barriers between cabenium and carbonium ions

- Carbonium intermediate is calculated as favorable for all but most stabilized carbocations

H

H HMeMe

HH Me

Me

Hvs.

Page 36: NCC+ GM 62606 · 2006-06-26 · Outline 1. Introduction 2. The Nonclassical Carbocation Controversy - Winstein, Brown, and the Great Debate - George Olah and ending the discussion

Leveling the Field

The 3-center, 2-electron bond changes how all carbocations are precieved

Ethyl cation: hyperconjugation or hypervalence?

H

H HHH

HH H

H

Hvs.

- Carbenium ions are prone to rearrangement

- Rapid scrambling of 5 H's in ethyl cation indicative of some delocalized intermediate

- Hydride shifts in such cations are illustrative of the low energy barriers between cabenium and carbonium ions

- Carbonium intermediate is calculated as favorable for all but most stabilized carbocations

H

H HMeMe

HH Me

Me

Hvs.

Page 37: NCC+ GM 62606 · 2006-06-26 · Outline 1. Introduction 2. The Nonclassical Carbocation Controversy - Winstein, Brown, and the Great Debate - George Olah and ending the discussion

Leveling the Field

The 3-center, 2-electron bond changes how all carbocations are precieved

Ethyl cation: hyperconjugation or hypervalence?

H

H HHH

HH H

H

Hvs.

- Carbenium ions are prone to rearrangement

- Rapid scrambling of 5 H's in ethyl cation indicative of some delocalized intermediate

- Hydride shifts in such cations are illustrative of the low energy barriers between cabenium and carbonium ions

- Carbonium intermediate is calculated as favorable for all but most stabilized carbocations

H

H HMeMe

HH Me

Me

Hvs.

Page 38: NCC+ GM 62606 · 2006-06-26 · Outline 1. Introduction 2. The Nonclassical Carbocation Controversy - Winstein, Brown, and the Great Debate - George Olah and ending the discussion

Leveling the Field

The 3-center, 2-electron bond changes how all carbocations are precieved

Ethyl cation: hyperconjugation or hypervalence?

H

H HHH

HH H

H

H

Wagner-Meerwein shifts and isomerization

vs.- Carbenium ions are prone to rearrangement

- Rapid scrambling of 5 H's in ethyl cation indicative of some delocalized intermediate

- Hydride shifts in such cations are illustrative of the low energy barriers between cabenium and carbonium ions

- Carbonium intermediate is calculated as favorable for all but most stabilized carbocations

H

H HMeMe

HH Me

Me

Hvs.

H

H

H - 1 13C NMR Shift at -139 °C

- Rearrangements occur ~ 3.1 x 107 Hz

Page 39: NCC+ GM 62606 · 2006-06-26 · Outline 1. Introduction 2. The Nonclassical Carbocation Controversy - Winstein, Brown, and the Great Debate - George Olah and ending the discussion

A Whole New Ballgame...

Delocalized intermediates also participate in assisting leaving group departure

OLA

OLA

O

OHNuc

OH

Nuc

Prins-Pinacol reaction intermediate resembles a momentarily delocalized cation:

Many of the carbocationic rearrangements basic to organic chemistry can be associated withnonclassical carbocationic intermediates.

Page 40: NCC+ GM 62606 · 2006-06-26 · Outline 1. Introduction 2. The Nonclassical Carbocation Controversy - Winstein, Brown, and the Great Debate - George Olah and ending the discussion

Outline

1. Introduction

2. The Nonclassical Carbocation Controversy - Winstein, Brown, and the Great Debate - George Olah and ending the discussion - Important nonclassical carbocations

3. The Nature of the Nonclassical Carbocation - The 3-center, 2-electron bond - Cleaving C-C and C-H σ−bonds - Intermediate or Transition state? Changing the way we think about carbocations 4. Carbocations, nonclassical intermediates, and synthetic chemistry - Biosynthetic Pathways - Steroids, by W.S. Johnson - Corey's foray into carbocationic cascades - Interesting rearrangements - Overman and the Prins-Pinacol

Page 41: NCC+ GM 62606 · 2006-06-26 · Outline 1. Introduction 2. The Nonclassical Carbocation Controversy - Winstein, Brown, and the Great Debate - George Olah and ending the discussion

Carbocationic Cascades- Biosynthesis

OPP

H

H H

H

H

H

H

H

H

H

HH

H

pentalenene

farnesyl diphosphate

Tantillo J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2006, 128, 6172.

1,2 shift

1,2 shift - H+

- isolated from streptomyces- precursor to pentalenolactone antibiotics

H

H

H

Page 42: NCC+ GM 62606 · 2006-06-26 · Outline 1. Introduction 2. The Nonclassical Carbocation Controversy - Winstein, Brown, and the Great Debate - George Olah and ending the discussion

Carbocationic Cascades- Biosynthesis

OPPfarnesyl diphosphate

H

Hhumulene

H

H

HH

H

asteriscadiene

H

H

H

H

H

Δ6- protoilludene

Tantillo J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2006, 128, 6172.

Page 43: NCC+ GM 62606 · 2006-06-26 · Outline 1. Introduction 2. The Nonclassical Carbocation Controversy - Winstein, Brown, and the Great Debate - George Olah and ending the discussion

W.S. Johnson's Approach to Steroid Skeletons

HO

OHOH

HO HOH H

HSnCl4, DCM

30 min, -100 °C

59% yield

Johnson, W. S.; et. al.Journ. Am. Chem. Soc.1973, 95, 7501.

Johnson, W. S.; et. al.Journ. Am. Chem. Soc.1976, 98, 1038.

Johnson, W. S.; et. al.Journ. Am. Chem. Soc.1973, 95, 4417.

TFA, TFE-100 °C

66% yield

O

H H

H

H H

OO

NTFA, nitroethane

-78°C, 15 min

80% yield

Page 44: NCC+ GM 62606 · 2006-06-26 · Outline 1. Introduction 2. The Nonclassical Carbocation Controversy - Winstein, Brown, and the Great Debate - George Olah and ending the discussion

W.S. Johnson's Approach to Steroid Skeletons

HO HOH H

HSnCl4, DCM

30 min, -100 °C

59% yield

Johnson, W. S.; et. al.Journ. Am. Chem. Soc.1973, 95, 7501.

Johnson, W. S.; et. al.Journ. Am. Chem. Soc.1976, 98, 1038.

Johnson, W. S.; et. al.Journ. Am. Chem. Soc.1973, 95, 4417.

TFA, TFE-100 °C

66% yield

O

H H

H

H H

OO

NTFA, nitroethane

-78°C, 15 min

80% yield

Page 45: NCC+ GM 62606 · 2006-06-26 · Outline 1. Introduction 2. The Nonclassical Carbocation Controversy - Winstein, Brown, and the Great Debate - George Olah and ending the discussion

Carbocationic Cascades- Corey and Oleananes

OMeO

O

H

H HBzO BzOH

O

HO

AlMeCl2MeAlCl3

-78 °C

HHOH

R(+) β-amyrin R= CH3(+) erthrodiol R= CH2OH(+) oleanolic acid R= COOH

Corey, E.J J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1993, 115, 8873-8874

PhCOClDMAP

Page 46: NCC+ GM 62606 · 2006-06-26 · Outline 1. Introduction 2. The Nonclassical Carbocation Controversy - Winstein, Brown, and the Great Debate - George Olah and ending the discussion

Some other unique rearrangements

O

H

HO PhPh

H

OH

PhCl2MeAl

H

OH

PhCl2MeAl

Me

Me

Ph

H

O

H

Cl2MeAl

MePh

H

O

H

Cl2MeAl

Me

MePh

H

O

H

Cl2MeAl Me

HH H

MePh

H

O

H

Cl2MeAlMe

H H

MePh

H

O

H

Cl2MeAl Me

H

H

HO Ph

Corey, E. J.; Roberts, B.E. Tetrahedron Lett. 1997, 38, 8921.

MeAlCl2-95 °C

50% yield

Page 47: NCC+ GM 62606 · 2006-06-26 · Outline 1. Introduction 2. The Nonclassical Carbocation Controversy - Winstein, Brown, and the Great Debate - George Olah and ending the discussion

Some other unique rearrangements

O

O

O

OHO OO

O

RO

RO

NR

O

O

O

O OO

O

RO

RO

NR

FH

Lartey, et. al. J. Org. Chem. 1996, 61, 5153.

DAST

N SF3

Et

Et

Page 48: NCC+ GM 62606 · 2006-06-26 · Outline 1. Introduction 2. The Nonclassical Carbocation Controversy - Winstein, Brown, and the Great Debate - George Olah and ending the discussion

Some other unique rearrangements

O

O

O

OHO OO

O

RO

RO

NR

O

O

O

OO OSF

FN

Et

Et

OOSF

FN

Et

EtOOS

F

FN

Et

Et

O

O

O

O OO

O

RO

RO

NR

FH

Lartey, et. al. J. Org. Chem. 1996, 61, 5153.

DAST

Page 49: NCC+ GM 62606 · 2006-06-26 · Outline 1. Introduction 2. The Nonclassical Carbocation Controversy - Winstein, Brown, and the Great Debate - George Olah and ending the discussion

Cationic Cascade to Longifolene

HOO

HOTFA, Et2O0 °C, 3 min

K2CO3 workup

HO

H+

HO

Johnson, W. S., et. al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1975, 97, 4777.Tantillo, D. J., et al. J. Org. Chem. 2005, 70, 5139.

H+

76% yieldlongifolene

K2CO3

Page 50: NCC+ GM 62606 · 2006-06-26 · Outline 1. Introduction 2. The Nonclassical Carbocation Controversy - Winstein, Brown, and the Great Debate - George Olah and ending the discussion

Larry Overman and the Prins-Pinacol N

HH

O

MeOH

H

H

(—)-magellanine

H

HO

Overman, L. E. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1993, 115, 2992.

O O

TIPSO HHO

H

OHH

SnCl4

-78 °C

57% yield

Page 51: NCC+ GM 62606 · 2006-06-26 · Outline 1. Introduction 2. The Nonclassical Carbocation Controversy - Winstein, Brown, and the Great Debate - George Olah and ending the discussion

Larry Overman and the Prins-Pinacol N

HH

O

MeOH

H

H

(—)-magellanine

H

HO

Overman, L. E. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1993, 115, 2992.

O O

TIPSO

O Me

TIPSO

OMe

TIPSO

OMe

TIPSO

OMe

O

HHO

H

OHH

SnCl4

-78 °C

57% yield

Page 52: NCC+ GM 62606 · 2006-06-26 · Outline 1. Introduction 2. The Nonclassical Carbocation Controversy - Winstein, Brown, and the Great Debate - George Olah and ending the discussion

Larry Overman and the Prins-Pinacol

Overman, L.E. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2001, 123, 4851

O

O

AcO

OAc

H

H H

OTMS

SPh

SPhMe Me

SPh

O

H

HO

O

H

H

shahamin K

DMTSF

-45 °C to 0 °C80% yield

Page 53: NCC+ GM 62606 · 2006-06-26 · Outline 1. Introduction 2. The Nonclassical Carbocation Controversy - Winstein, Brown, and the Great Debate - George Olah and ending the discussion

Larry Overman and the Prins-Pinacol

Overman, L.E. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2001, 123, 4851

O

O

AcO

OAc

H

H H

OTMS

SPh

SPhMe Me

Me

Me

OTMS

H SPh

Me

Me

OTMS

H SPh

SPh

O

H

HO

O

H

H

shahamin K

DMTSF

-45 °C to 0 °C80% yield

Page 54: NCC+ GM 62606 · 2006-06-26 · Outline 1. Introduction 2. The Nonclassical Carbocation Controversy - Winstein, Brown, and the Great Debate - George Olah and ending the discussion

Summary and Parting Thoughts

- The nonclassical carbocation controversy opened the realm of physical organic chemistry, established the idea of delocalized, electron-poor bonding in intermediates and transition states for organic reactions, and encouraged an intense debate that has led to the affirmation of many instrumental and experimental techniques used today

- The 3-center, 2-electron bond is prevalent in carbocation chemistry, often as a stable intermediate or transition state, and sometimes as a stable molecule itself

- Carbocation chemistry and its variants have found an effective place in synthesis, but there exists a large gap in controlled carbocationic methodology that has only recently been explored.

Thanks to JT for the Carbocation book and Meyer for helpful advice