Rafael Acerete

Reactions at Interfaces: Oxygenation of n-Butyl Ligands Anchored on Silica Surfaces with Methyl(trifluoromethyl)dioxirane

The oxygenation of n-butyl and n-butoxy chains bonded to silica with methyl(trifluoromethyl)dioxirane (1) revealed the ability of the silica matrix to release electron density toward the reacting C(2)-H σ-bond through the Si-C(1) and Si-O(1) σ-bonds connecting the alkyl chain to the surface (silicon β-effect). The silica surface impedes neither the alkyl chain adopting the conformation required for the silicon β-effect nor dioxirane 1 approaching the reactive C(2) methylene group. Reaction regioselectivity is insensitive to changes in the solvation of the reacting system, the location of organic ligands on the silica surface, and the H-bonding character of the silica surface. Reaction rates are faster for those organic ligands either within the silica pores or bonded to hydrophilic silica surfaces, which evidence the enhanced molecular dynamics of confined dioxirane 1 and the impact of surface phenomena on the reaction kinetics. The oxygenation of n-butyl and n-butoxy chains carrying trimethylsilyl, trimethoxysilyl, and tert-butyl groups with dioxirane 1 under homogeneous conditions confirms the electronic effects of the silyl substituents and the consequences of steric hindrance on the reaction rate and regioselectivity. Orthosilicic acid esters react preferentially at the methylene group adjacent to the oxygen atom in clear contrast with the reactivity of the carboxylic or sulfonic acid alkyl esters, which efficiently protect this position toward oxidation with 1.

On the ionizing properties of supercritical carbon dioxide: uncatalyzed electrophilic bromination of aromatics

Supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2), a solvent with a zero dipole moment, low dielectric constant, and no hydrogen bonding behavior, is a suitable medium to perform the uncatalyzed electrophilic bromination of weakly activated aromatics with no interference of radical pathways. The ability of scCO2 to promote these reactions matches those of strongly ionizing solvents such as aqueous acetic and trifluoroacetic acids. Conversely, carbon tetrachloride, with similar polarity parameters to scCO2, leads exclusively to side chain functionalization. The strong quadrupole moment, and the acidic, but non basic, Lewis character of carbon dioxide, are proposed as key factors for the singular performance of scCO2 in reactions involving highly polar and ionic intermediates.