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Published on: November 28, 2017
[1,3]/[1,4]-Sulfur atom migration in β-hydroxyalkylphosphine sulfides
Katarzyna Włodarczyk1, Piotr Borowski2, Marek Stankevič1
1Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Marie Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin, 33 Gliniana St., 20-614 Lublin, Poland.
β-Hydroxyalkylphosphine sulfides rearrange via sulfur migration, with the reaction pathway ([1,3] or [1,4]) determined by the acid catalyst. Brønsted acids favor [1,3]-migration, while Lewis acids promote [1,4]-migration.
Area of Science:
- Organophosphorus chemistry
- Reaction mechanisms
Background:
- β-Hydroxyalkylphosphine sulfides are versatile organophosphorus compounds.
- Sulfur atom migration is a key transformation in organophosphorus chemistry.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanism of [1,3]- and [1,4]-sulfur atom migration in β-Hydroxyalkylphosphine sulfides.
- To determine the influence of acid catalysts (Brønsted vs. Lewis) on the regioselectivity of sulfur migration.
Main Methods:
- Stereochemical analysis of the rearrangements.
- Control experiments to elucidate reaction pathways.
- Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations to model reaction mechanisms.
Main Results:
- Brønsted acids predominantly catalyze [1,3]-sulfur migration.
- Lewis acids selectively promote [1,4]-sulfur migration.
- Stereochemical and computational data provide insights into the migration mechanisms.
Conclusions:
- The type of acid catalyst dictates the regioselectivity of sulfur migration in β-Hydroxyalkylphosphine sulfides.
- Distinct mechanisms likely operate for [1,3]- and [1,4]-sulfur migration pathways.
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