Ionic Ga-Complexes of Alkylidene- and Arylmethylidenemalonates and Their Reactions with Acetylenes: An In-Depth Look into the Mechanism of the Occurring Gallium Chemistry

Abstract

A new synthetic concept was suggested in the chemistry of substituted methylidenemalonates that enables their utilization as 1,2-zwitterionic synthons. This strategy is to generate liquid ionic Ga complexes from methylidenemalonates and GaHal₃ with a strict 3/4 composition and then use them in further synthesis. A number of complexes with different metal halides have been synthesized and studied in detail. The unique properties of gallium among all metals have been demonstrated and explained. On the basis of the discovered new class of gallium complexes of methylidenemalonates, a number of novel reactions with acetylenes have been elaborated, which are unknown in the conventional chemistry of methylidenemalonates. The main demonstrated process is a three-component addition to a triple bond involving halide anions, leading to the formation of polyfunctional vinyl halides with high E-selectivity. The mechanism has been studied experimentally in fine detail. Application of specially optimized ⁷¹Ga NMR spectroscopy makes it possible to take an in-depth look into the gallium chemistry in a new light. In particular, the key participation of GaHal₄^- anions in the occurring transformations has been established.