DFT Study on Zr-Catalyzed Alkene Hydroaminoalkylation: Origin of Regioselectivity, Diastereoselectivity, and Influence of Substrate

Org Lett. 2021 Jan 15;23(2):583-587. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.0c04119. Epub 2021 Jan 6.

Abstract

A DFT study was carried out to investigate a zirconium-catalyzed hydroaminoalkylation of alkenes with N-silylated benzylamine. A global reactivity index (GRI) analysis showed that that substrates act as electrophiles while the active zirconaaziridine behaves as a nucleophile. Furthermore, the distortion/interaction analysis unveiled the role of the distortion and interaction energies in controlling the regioselectivity and diastereoselectivity when different alkene substrates are used. These results provide an in-depth analysis on how the substrate type influences the product selectivity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't