In nature, many complex structures are assembled from simple molecules by a series of tailored enzyme-catalyzed reactions. One representative example is the deoxypropionate motif, an alternately methylated alkyl chain containing multiple stereogenic centers, which is biosynthesized by a series of enzymatic reactions from simple building blocks. In organic synthesis, however, the majority of the reported routes require the syntheses of complex building blocks. Furthermore, multistep reactions with individual purifications are required at each elongation. Here we show the construction of the deoxypropionate structure from propylene in a single step to achieve a three-step synthesis of (2R,4R,6R,8R)-2,4,6,8-tetramethyldecanoic acid, a major acid component of a preen-gland wax of the graylag goose. To realize this strategy, we focused on the coordinative chain transfer polymerization and optimized the reaction condition to afford a stereo-controlled oligomer, which is contrastive to the other synthetic strategies developed to date that require 3–6 steps per unit, with unavoidable byproduct generation. Furthermore, multiple oligomers with different number of deoxypropionate units were isolated from one batch, showing application to the construction of library. Our strategy opens the door for facile synthetic routes toward other natural products that share the deoxypropionate motif.

Perfluororhodacyclopentane supported by PBP pincer ligand PBP‐RhIII(CF2)4 (2) was prepared from PBP‐RhI‐PPh3 (1) and tetrafluoroethylene (TFE). By scXRD analysis, it was revealed that the Rh−CF bond trans to the boryl ligand was largely elongated compared to the one in the apical position. Although M−CF bonds of perfluorometallacyclopentanes are known to be very stable, 2 shows high reactivity toward hydrogenolysis, iodinolysis and protonolysis, thanks to the strong trans‐effect of the highly σ‐donating boryl ligand. Analogous PCP pincer complex PCP−RhIII(CF2)4 (4) showed slower reaction rate both in oxidative cyclization with TFE and hydrogenolysis of Rh−CF bond. Catalytic production of 1,1,2,2,3,3,4,4‐octafluorobutane from two TFE and hydrogen in one pot was achieved via repetitive oxidative cyclization of TFE and Rh followed by the hydrogenolysis of Rh−CF bonds. This report demonstrates the possible application of PBP‐pincer skeleton to the preparation of fluorinated compounds from TFE.

No abstract

Perfluororhodacyclopentane supported by PBP pincer ligand PBP‐RhIII(CF2)4 (2) was prepared from PBP‐RhI‐PPh3 (1) and tetrafluoroethylene (TFE). By scXRD analysis, it was revealed that the Rh−CF bond trans to the boryl ligand was largely elongated compared to the one in the apical position. Although M−CF bonds of perfluorometallacyclopentanes are known to be very stable, 2 shows high reactivity toward hydrogenolysis, iodinolysis and protonolysis, thanks to the strong trans‐effect of the highly σ‐donating boryl ligand. Analogous PCP pincer complex PCP−RhIII(CF2)4 (4) showed slower reaction rate both in oxidative cyclization with TFE and hydrogenolysis of Rh−CF bond. Catalytic production of 1,1,2,2,3,3,4,4‐octafluorobutane from two TFE and hydrogen in one pot was achieved via repetitive oxidative cyclization of TFE and Rh followed by the hydrogenolysis of Rh−CF bonds. This report demonstrates the possible application of PBP‐pincer skeleton to the preparation of fluorinated compounds from TFE.

No abstract