We report the direct measurement of ligand-binding constants of organolithium complexes using a 1H NMR/diffusion-ordered NMR spectroscopy (DOSY) titration technique. Lithium hexamethyldisilazide complexes with ethereal and ester donor ligands (THF, diethyl ether, MTBE, THP, tert-butyl acetate) are characterized using 1H NMR and X-ray crystallography. Their aggregation and solvation states are confirmed using diffusion coefficient–formula weight correlation analysis, and the 1H NMR/DOSY titration technique is applied to obtain their binding constants. Our work suggests that steric hindrance of ethereal ligands plays an important role in the aggregation, solvation, and reactivity of these complexes. It is noteworthy that diffusion methodology is utilized to obtain binding constants.

Solution characterizations and ligand binding constants were determined for n-butyllithium in hydrocarbon and ethereal solvents using diffusion-ordered NMR. In hydrocarbon solvents, n-butyllithium exists primarily as an octamer at −40 °C and deaggregates to a hexamer when the temperature is increased. In the presence of THF or diethyl ether, n-butyllithium exists predominantly as a tetra-solvated tetramer and deaggregates to a tetra-solvated dimer in the presence of a large excess or neat THF. The ligand binding constants for the tetra-solvated tetramers were measured using 1H NMR/DOSY titration.

Four different chiral diamino diethers synthesized from N-isopropyl valinol or N-isopropyl alaninol were lithiated with n-butyllithium in tetrahydrofuran or diethyl ether. Crystal structures of the dilithiated diamino diethers were determined by X-ray diffraction. Three dilithiated diamino diethers including (2S,2′S)-1,1′-(butane-1,4-diylbis(oxy))bis(N-isopropylpropan-2-amine) 7, (2S,2′S)-1,1′-(pentane-1,5-diylbis(oxy))bis(N-isopropylpropan-2-amine) 8, and (2S,2′S)-1,1′-(heptane-1,7-diylbis(oxy))bis(N-isopropyl-3-methylbutan-2-amine) 9 are dimers, whereas dilithiated (2S,2′S)-1,1′-(pentane-1,5-diylbis(oxy))bis(N-isopropyl-3-methylbutan-2-amine) 10 is a monomer. The lithium atoms in all crystal structures adopt a nonequivalent coordination protocol and exist in two different environments in which one of the lithium atoms is tetra-coordinated while the other one is tri-coordinated. The solution structures of the dilithiated diamino diethers are also characterized by a variety of NMR experiments including diffusion-ordered NMR spectroscopy (DOSY) with diffusion coefficient-formula (D-FW) weight correlation analyses and other one- and two-dimensional NMR techniques.

A metastable, polymorphic hexameric crystal structure of lithium pinacolone enolate (LiOPin) is reported along with three preparation methods. NMR-based structural characterization implies that the lithium pinacolate hexamer deaggregates to a tetramer in toluene but retains mainly the hexameric structure in nonaromatic hydrocarbon solvents such as cyclohexane. Moreover, the presence of a small amount of lithium aldolate (LiOA) dramatically influences the aggregation state of LiOPin by forming a mixed aggregate with a 3:1 ratio (LiOPin3·LiOA).

We report on the generation of a perfluoroalkyl Grignard reagent (FRMgX) by exchange reaction between a perfluoroalkyl iodide (FR–I) and a Grignard reagent (RMgX). 19F NMR was applied to monitor the generation of n-C3F7MgCl. Additional NMR techniques, including 19F COSY, NOESY, and pulsed gradient spin–echo (PGSE) diffusion NMR, were invoked to assign peaks observed in 19F spectrum. Schlenk equilibrium was observed and was significantly influenced by solvent, diethyl ether, or THF.

We report the crystal structure of a substoichiometric, HMPA-trisolvated lithium pinacolone enolate tetramer (LiOPin)4·HMPA3 abbreviated as T3. In this tetramer one HMPA binds to lithium more strongly than the other two causing a reduction in spatial symmetry with corresponding loss of C3 symmetry. A variety of NMR experiments, including HMPA titration, diffusion coefficient-formula weight (D-FW) analysis, and other multinuclear one- and two-dimensional NMR techniques reveal that T3 is the major species in hydrocarbon solution when more than 0.6 equiv of HMPA is present. Due to a small amount of moisture from HMPA or air leaking into the solution, a minor complex was identified and confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis as a mixed aggregate containing enolate, lithium hydroxide, and HMPA in a 4:2:4 ratio, [(LiOPin)4·(LiOH)2·HMPA4], that we refer to as pseudo-T4. A tetra-HMPA-solvated lithium cyclopentanone enolate tetramer was also prepared and characterized by X-ray diffraction, leading to the conclusion that steric effects dominate the formation and solvation of the pinacolone aggregates. An unusual mixed aggregate consisting of pinacolone enolate, lithium diisopropyl amide, lithium oxide, and HMPA in the ratio 5:1:1:2 is also described.

We report extension of the D-FW analysis using referenced 2H DOSY. This technique was developed in response to limitations due to peak overlay in 1H DOSY spectra. We find a corresponding linear relationship (R2 > 0.99) between log D and log FW as the basis of the D-FW analysis. The solution-state structure of THF solvated lithium diisopropyl amide (LDA) in hydrocarbon solvent was chosen to demonstrate the reliability of the methodology. We observe an equilibrium between monosolvated and disolvated dimeric LDA complexes at room temperature. Additionally we demonstrate the application of the 2H D-FW analysis using a compound with an exchangeable proton that is readily labeled with 2H. Hence, the 2H DOSY D-FW analysis is shown to provide results consistent with the 1H DOSY method, thereby greatly extending the applicability of the D-FW analysis.

The solution structures of three mixed aggregates dissolved in toluene-d8 consisting of the lithiated amides derived from (S)-N-isopropyl-1-((triisopropylsilyl)oxy)propan-2-amine, (R)-N-(1-phenyl-2-((triisopropylsilyl)oxy)ethyl)propan-2-amine, or (S)-N-isobutyl-3-methyl-1-((triisopropylsilyl)oxy)butan-2-amine and n-butyllithium are characterized by various NMR experiments including diffusion-ordered NMR spectroscopy with diffusion coefficient-formula weight correlation analyses (D-FW) and other one- and two-dimensional NMR techniques. We report that steric hindrance of R1 and R2 groups of the chiral lithium amide controls the aggregation state of the mixed aggregates. With a less hindered R2 group, lithium (S)-N-isopropyl-1-((triisopropylsilyl)oxy)propan-2-amide forms mostly a 2:2 ladder-type mixed aggregate with n-butyllithium. Increase of steric hindrance of the R1 and R2 groups suppresses the formation of the 2:2 mixed aggregate and promotes formation of a 2:1 mixed aggregate. We observe that lithium (S)-N-isobutyl-3-methyl-1-((triisopropylsilyl)oxy)butan-2-amide forms both a 2:2 mixed aggregate and a 2:1 mixed trimer with n-butyllithium. Further increase in the steric hindrance of R1 and R2 groups results in the formation of only 2:1 mixed aggregate as observed with lithium (R)-N-(1-phenyl-2-((triisopropylsilyl)oxy)ethyl)propan-2-amide.

Crystal structure determination of lithiated N-methylaniline with a variety of ligands, including tetrahydrofuran, methyltetrahydrofuran, trans-2,5-dimethyltetrahydrofuran, dimethoxyethane, tetrahydropyran and N,N-diethylpropionamide, reveals a common Li–N–Li–N four-membered-ring dimeric structure motif. A progression of solvation from tetrasolvated dimer (PhNMeLi·S2)2 through trisolvated dimer to disolvated dimer (PhNMeLi·S)2 was observed by increasing the steric hindrance of the ligand. Solid-state structures of several other lithium N-alkylanilides solvated by tetrahydrofuan are also reported. When the methyl group of N-methylaniline is replaced by an isopropyl or a phenyl group, trisolvated monomers are formed instead of dimers. Interestingly, the solid-state structure of lithiated N-isobutylaniline in tetrahydrofuran is a trisolvated dimer while that of lithium N-neopentylanilide is a disolvated dimer.

The solid-state structures of unsolvated, hexameric cyclopentyllithium and tetrameric cyclopentyllithium tetrahydrofuran solvate were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Cyclopentyllithium easily crystallized in hydrocarbon solvents. Solution-state structural analyses of cyclopentyllithium and cyclopentyllithium–tetrahydrofuran complexes in toluene-d8 were also carried out by diffusion-ordered NMR spectroscopy with diffusion coefficient–formula weight correlation analyses and other one- and two-dimensional NMR techniques. The solution-state studies suggest that unsolvated cyclopentyllithium exists as hexamer and tetramer equilibrating with each other. Upon solvation with tetrahydrofuran, cyclopentyllithium exists mostly as a tetrahydrofuran tetrasolvated tetramer.

The crystal structure of a mixed aggregate containing lithiated (S)-N-ethyl-3-methyl-1-(triisopropylsilyloxy)butan-2-amine derived from (S)-valinol and cyclopentyllithium is determined by X-ray diffraction. The mixed aggregate adopts a ladder structure in the solid state. The ladder-type mixed aggregate is also the major species in a toluene-d8 solution containing an approximately 1:1 molar ratio of the lithiated chiral amide to cyclopentyllithium. A variety of NMR experiments including diffusion-ordered NMR spectroscopy (DOSY) with diffusion coefficient-formula (D-FW) weight correlation analyses and other one- and two-dimensional NMR techniques allowed us to characterize the complex in solution. Solution state structures of the mixed aggregates of n-butyl, sec-butyllithium, isopropyllithium with lithiated (S)-N-ethyl-3-methyl-1-(triisopropylsilyloxy)butan-2-amine are also reported. Identical dimeric, ladder-type, mixed aggregates are the major species at a stoichiometric ratio of 1:1 lithium chiral amide to alkyllithium in toluene-d8 solution for all of the different alkyllithium reagents.

The solid state structure of lithiated (S)-N1,N1-bis(2-methoxyethyl)-N2,3-dimethylbutane-1,2-diamine, which is a chiral amide base synthesized from (S)-valine was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The complex in solution state is also characterized by a variety of NMR experiments including diffusion-ordered NMR spectroscopy (DOSY) with diffusion coefficient-formula weight correlation analyses and other one- and two-dimensional NMR techniques by dissolving the crystal in toluene-d8. The crystallography and NMR results suggest that the chiral amide is dimeric in both solid and solution states.

We report the development of isotopic-labeled 13C diffusion-ordered NMR spectroscopy (DOSY) NMR with diffusion coefficient-formula weight (D-FW) analysis and its application in characterizing the aggregation state of methyllithium aggregates and complexes with several widely used diamines. Commercially available 13C-labeled benzene and several easily synthesized 13C-labeled compounds using 13C-labeled iodomethane as the isotopic source are developed as internal references for diffusion-formula weight analysis (D-FW). The technique greatly expands the applicability of DOSY D-FW analysis to a much wider variety of compounds because of isotopic labeling. These results reveal that methyllithium exists as a tetrasolvated tetramer in diethyl ether and exclusively as bis-solvated dimers with chelating diamines.

The dimeric structure is characterized for a chiral amide base complex consisting of an (S)-N-isopropyl-O-triisopropylsilyl valinol ligand and lithium. The complex is characterized by a variety of NMR techniques, including multinuclear one- and two-dimensional NMR experiments and diffusion-ordered NMR spectroscopy (DOSY) as well as diffusion coefficient-formula weight (D-fw) correlation analyses. Spartan calculations are presented which support the structural assignment. This structural characterization leads to an explanation of the behavior and the reactivity of these complexes in solution.

A synthesis of representative monohydroxy derivatives of valinomycin (VLM) was achieved under mild conditions by direct hydroxylation at the side chains of the macrocyclic substrate using dioxiranes. Results demonstrate that the powerful methyl(trifluoromethyl)dioxirane 1b should be the reagent of choice to carry out these key transformations. Thus, a mixture of compounds derived from the direct dioxirane attack at the β-(CH3)2C–H alkyl chain of one Hyi residue (compound 3a) or of one Val moiety (compounds 3b and 3c) could be obtained. Following convenient mixture separation, each of the new oxyfunctionalized macrocycles became completely characterized.

Increasingly, the undergraduate chemistry curriculum includes nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Advanced NMR techniques are often taught including two-dimensional gradient-based experiments. An investigation of intermolecular forces including viscosity, by a variety of methods, is often integrated in the undergraduate physical and organic laboratory curricula. An experiment is described that couples advanced NMR techniques with the investigation of viscosity, a physical property based on molecular structure.Keywords: Analytical Chemistry; Hands-On Learning/Manipulatives; Laboratory Instruction; NMR Spectroscopy; Organic Chemistry; Physical Properties; Quantitative Analysis; Solutions/Solvents; Upper-Division Undergraduate;

Development and application of physically separated references for aqueous 1H DOSY diffusion coefficient-formula weight (D-FW) correlation analysis is reported. Commercially available biological buffers (Tris and HEPES) and a water-soluble alcohol (tert-butanol) were used as physically separated references for a Ru and a Mn complex in D2O. This extension of DOSY D-FW analysis expands its applicability to a wide variety of water-soluble molecules or metal complexes, with particular application to green chemistry.

The development of 6Li diffusion-ordered NMR spectroscopy (DOSY) is reported. This technique is applied to 6Li organometallic complexes. 6Li DOSY provides a facile means of identification of peaks in the 6Li spectrum, as well as evidence of mixed aggregates based on relative diffusion coefficients. 6Li data is correlated to 1H diffusion experiments through 6Li{1H} HOESY and/or 1H{6Li} HMBC experiments to obtain formula weight information of Li aggregates.

Lithium diisopropylamide (LDA) promotes virtually quantitative conversion of allylic ethers to (Z)-propenyl ethers. It was discovered that allylic ethers can be isomerized efficiently with very high stereoselectivity to (Z)-propenyl ethers by LDA in THF at room temperature. The reaction time for the conversion increases with more sterically hindered allylic ethers. Different amides were also compared with LDA for their ability to effect this isomerization.

Biodiesel, fatty acid methyl esters derived from vegetable oils, is a well-established alternative to petroleum diesel. We have developed a rapid 1H diffusion-ordered nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (DOSY NMR) method to resolve mixtures of mono-, di-, and triacyglycerols along with their methyl esters. Because of the differences in diffusion coefficients between the starting materials (triglycerides), intermediates (mono- and diglycerols), and products (methyl esters), we were able to accurately predict the formula weights of these species in solution. This technique was used to monitor transesterification reactions of virgin and waste vegetable oils. In addition to proving its utility to assess conversion of starting materials, we found that 1,3-diacylglycerol is the major intermediate formed during alkali-catalyzed biodiesel production.

Successful application of physically separated internal references for determination of formula weights of compounds in solution by 31P DOSY NMR is described. The solution-state structures of a variety of manganese compounds were investigated.

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is the most powerful and widely utilized technique for determining molecular structure. Although traditional NMR data analysis involves the correlation of chemical shift, coupling constant, and NOE interactions to specific structural features, a largely overlooked method introduced more than 40 years ago, pulsed gradient spin−echo (PGSE), measures diffusion coefficients of molecules in solution, thus providing their relative particle sizes. In the early 1990s, the PGSE sequence was incorporated into a two-dimensional experiment, dubbed diffusion-ordered NMR spectroscopy (DOSY), in which one dimension represents chemical shift data while the second dimension resolves species by their diffusion properties. This combination provides a powerful tool for identifying individual species in a multicomponent solution, earning the nickname “chromatography by NMR”. In this Account, we describe our efforts to utilize DOSY techniques to characterize organometallic reactive intermediates in solution in order to correlate structural data to solid-state crystal structures determined by X-ray diffraction and to discover the role of aggregate formation and solvation states in reaction mechanisms. In 2000, we reported our initial efforts to employ DOSY techniques in the characterization of reactive intermediates such as organolithium aggregates. Since then, we have explored DOSY experiments with various nuclei beyond 1H, including 6Li, 7Li, 11B, 13C, and 29Si. Additionally, we proposed a diffusion coefficient−formula weight relationship to determine formula weight, aggregation number, and solvation state of reactive intermediates. We also introduced an internal reference system to correlate the diffusion properties of unknown reactive intermediates with known inert molecular standards, such as aromatic compounds, terminal olefins, cycloolefins, and tetraalkylsilanes. Furthermore, we utilized DOSY to interpret the role of aggregation number and solvation state of organometallic intermediates in the reactivity, kinetics, and mechanism of organic reactions. By utilizing multinuclear DOSY methodologies at various temperatures, we also correlated solid-state X-ray structures with those in solution and discovered new reactive complexes, including a monomeric boron enolate, a product-inhibition aggregate, and a series of intermediates in the vinyl lithiation of allyl amines. As highlighted by our efforts, DOSY techniques provide practical and feasible NMR procedures and hold the promise of even more powerful insights when extended to three-dimensional experiments.

The development of 31P DOSY NMR with diffusion coefficient−formula weight (D-FW) analysis is reported. Commercially available trialkyl phosphine internal references were used in a model system to establish the molecular weight of a phosphorous containing organolithium compound. The feasibility of 31P DOSY D-FW studies is established. This extension of DOSY D-FW analysis expands its applicability to solution structure studies of a wide variety of compounds.

Polymer-supported chiral amines were effectively prepared from amino acid derivatives and Merrifield resin. Treatment of polymer-supported amines with n-butyllithium gave the corresponding polymer-suppported chiral lithium amide bases, which were tested in the asymmetric deprotonation reactions of prochiral ketones. Trimethylsilyl enol ethers were obtained in up to 82% ee at room temperature. The polymer-supported chiral lithium amides can be readily recycled and reused without any significant loss of reactivity or selectivity.

Four different chiral diamino diethers synthesized from N-isopropyl valinol or N-isopropyl alaninol were lithiated with n-butyllithium in tetrahydrofuran or diethyl ether. Crystal structures of the dilithiated diamino diethers were determined by X-ray diffraction. Three dilithiated diamino diethers including (2S,2′S)-1,1′-(butane-1,4-diylbis(oxy))bis(N-isopropylpropan-2-amine) 7, (2S,2′S)-1,1′-(pentane-1,5-diylbis(oxy))bis(N-isopropylpropan-2-amine) 8, and (2S,2′S)-1,1′-(heptane-1,7-diylbis(oxy))bis(N-isopropyl-3-methylbutan-2-amine) 9 are dimers, whereas dilithiated (2S,2′S)-1,1′-(pentane-1,5-diylbis(oxy))bis(N-isopropyl-3-methylbutan-2-amine) 10 is a monomer. The lithium atoms in all crystal structures adopt a nonequivalent coordination protocol and exist in two different environments in which one of the lithium atoms is tetra-coordinated while the other one is tri-coordinated. The solution structures of the dilithiated diamino diethers are also characterized by a variety of NMR experiments including diffusion-ordered NMR spectroscopy (DOSY) with diffusion coefficient-formula (D-FW) weight correlation analyses and other one- and two-dimensional NMR techniques.